Arazyr's page

Looking for suggestions here.

So, I have a character concept of a wizard who tries to depend only on his own spellcasting abilities, rather than the "crutch" of magic items. He doesn't have a vow of poverty or anything, so he will have plenty of money. What can he spend it on that will be useful, but aren't themselves magical?

I know about Metamagic Components already. Can anybody think of anything else?

(This character concept is actually based on the "Naked Mage" playstyle that went around among Diablo players some time ago who were looking for an extra challenge. I actually designed a 3E PrC based on it that I want to playtest. It doesn't forbid wealth, though, just usage of magic items.)

But just the GameMastery Maps subscription. Keep all others.

So, I bought the PDF of the Tome of Horrors Complete but passed on the print version at the time. When the Unlimited Edition went up for preorder, I decided it was worth a print copy, so I preordered the print/PDF bundle. I have heard that I might be able to get the price of the PDF refunded, since I'm switching up. If possible, I would like to do that. (Store credit would be fine -- it WILL be used. 8^)

Please let me know one way or the other.

Arazyr wrote:

I probably should have asked this before submitting my Print/PDF bundle preorder, but any chance of a discount for those of us with the PDF of the "Limited Edition"?

Customer Service will be happy to switch you over from the first printing version of the PDF to the second printing Print/PDF bundle, but you will need to contact them after placing your preorder. You can contact them through the Customer Service boards here, or send them an email to customer.service@paizo.com .

I would like to request the above. I just placed a preorder for the ToH Complete Unlimited Print/PDF Bundle, and haven't downloaded downloaded thaht PDF yet (if it makes any difference).

Also, when I placed my preorder, it split the main order (#1802261) into three separate orders (1812384, 1812383, and 1812382). I also have two entries for it in my sidecart: The print/pdf bundle "waiting to be shipped with earliest subscription shipment", and the print version "will ship with a future subscription shipment". I don't know if this is expected/intended behavior, but I thought I'd mention it so someone can take a look.

I just subscribed to the new minis line, but it didn't automatically cancel the case I had preordered. That case is now in my sidecart.

Could you cancel the separate case, please?

Hi,

Please cancel the Paizo d20 in my sidecart. (Just the die, leave everything else.) According to the My Subscriptions page, looks like I don't need it to crest the First Ten threshold after all.

(Looks like a cool die, but I have plenty of d20s. 8^)

Hi, folks.

I've realized I really don't need three copies of the Beginner Box Heroes minis. Could you take two out of my sidecart (leaving just one)?

If I remember/come up with a reason why I need more, I'll order them again. 8^)

Hi,

I just placed my "anniversary9" order, and (to hopefully get the "First 10" discount as well) placed the non-downloads into my sidecart to go with my next (as in after the currently pending "Late July/GenCon" order) subscription shipment. I'm not sure if the sidecart items are still getting the anniversary code discount, though. They appear to be being listed at their "normal" (i.e. normal discount) prices, and the only "order discount" on the order itself seems to be based on just the download.

Will the sidecarted items still get the extra 10% off? Or do items in an "anniversary9" order have to ship on their own? (I didn't see any such limitation in the blog post announcing the sale.)

Hi folks,

I just got the "In the next week or so..." email for my Feb. shipment, and when checking on the order on my Order History page, I noticed it has an extra copy of Prince of Wolves. On the order detail page, it lists it as marked down to $0, so this is mostly a matter of curiosity to me.

Any idea why this is on there? (I won't refuse another copy of that book -- I can give it to a friend or something -- but I do already have one and don't NEED it.)

Just as an FYI to the Paizo adminisphere: My Bestiary 2 seems to have a minor binding issue. I have two sections of pages that repeat. 81-88 and 89-96. (That is, there's 81-88, then 81-88 again, then 89-96, and then 89-96 again.)

Nothing is missing, though, so I don't consider this a problem. I am NOT asking for a replacement, as it is still perfectly usable. I just thought you folks might want to know.

I.E. the mini in my sidecart.

Please cancel my preorder for the Orcus miniature. As cool as that would be, I just can't justify the expense. (It was kind-of an impulse buy...)

Sorry for the trouble!

Hi,

Order # 1358100 shipped on 18 March 2010. It's now been four weeks, and no sign of it. Is this long enough to consider it lost in transit? (Sounds like a couple of people have been having theirs show up about now...)

So, when the Bestiary/PRD lists a variant of a monster as a simple template (such as for the Giant Ant), do the variants "inherit" ALL the stats for the main version (changed as appropriate, of course)? Specifically, does a variant monster inherit the Organization line?

Using the ants example, would the worker ants have the same "number appearing" quality as the soldier (standard) giant ant? Could you encounter a "gang (3-6)" of Giant Ant Drones? Or would the workers, drones and queen only show up in a hive?

(And, yes, I know about Rule 0, but I can be pretty pedantic sometimes, so please humor me. 8^)

Regrettably, I must ask you folks to cancel all but my AP subscription, including this month's items that have not yet shipped. (Still employed, but don't know for how much longer...)

When a creature description contains a variant that lists an adjustment to CR (instead of a flat CR change), and includes a simple template as part of its changes, does the listed CR adjustment include the Simple Template's CR adjustment, or is it in addition.

FOR EXAMPLE: For the Ant, Giant

Drone (+1 CR) Drones have the advanced simple template and a fly speed of 30 feet (average).

The advanced simple template gives a CR +1 on its own. The base Giant Ant (i.e. Soldier) has CR 2. Does the Drone have a CR of 3 (base 2 + 1 for drone) or 4 (base 2 + 1 for drone + 1 for advanced)?

I'm guessing it's built-in to the variant's CR adjustment, but I haven't seen anything that specifically says either way.

So, I'm putting together a character sheet for the Astral Deva, and I can't figure out where it gets the bonus to Escape Artist. Best I can tell, it doesn't have any skill ranks or bonus class skills left for it, and I don't see any feats, racial modifiers, etc. to account for it.

Have I missed something?

Hi,

This month's shipment just arrived today, and it's missing the copy of Carrion Hill that was supposed to be in it. Could you folks send a replacement, please? (You can toss it in with next month's shipment.)

--Arazyr

Hi folks. Just wanted to let everybody know that I've started work on converting the SRD Epic rules to the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. You can find the materials I've converted so far on my new website, Excavated Esotera.

I'm not running an "open playtest", neither is this a community project. However, it is my intention to make these rules a "Living Document"; that is, I intend to keep the rules freely available on the website, and update them now and then as people have a chance to look at them, think about them, playtest them, analyze them, and make suggestions.

So, on that note, I would like to extend an open invitation to anybody who is interested in contributing to the project in a positive manner to come to the site and make a user account, so you can post comments, participate in forum discussions, and so forth.

"But wait," I hear some of you say. "The epic rules are messed up. Why bother converting them?" Well, my answer to that is, I believe the assertion that "the epic rules are messed up" is a matter of opinion. And, while I respect that opinion (and those who hold it), I don't agree with it. And I've found a few other people who think the "classic" epic rules have some merit, and would be interested in such a conversion. So, this project is for them, and anybody else who might be interested in seeing the results.

All are welcome to come to the site and take a look. You can decide for yourself if you want to use my converted rules, or if you want to help me with the conversion. I thank you for your time reading this. 8^)

Edit: As a postscript, I feel I should mention, the Epic conversion isn't the only thing I plan to have on this site. I'm planning to convert other older material, and also post new material of my own creation. So, feel free to come by at some point, even if you're not interested in the Epic conversion.

Q1. About the Evoker's Intense Spells ability:

As a standard action you can unleash a force missile that automatically strikes a foe, as magic missile.

Does this just mean that the force missile hits automatically, like magic missile, or is it treated as magic missile in other ways as well? (For instance, are they absorbed by a brooch of shielding?)

I'd lean toward the latter, personally, if just because it's so similar.

Q2. Bonded Objects:

Wizards who select a bonded object begin play with one at no cost. Objects that are the subject of an arcane bond must fall into one of the following categories: amulet, ring, staff, wand, or weapon. These objects are always masterwork quality. Weapons acquired at 1st level are not made of any special material. If the object is an amulet or ring, it must be worn to have effect, while staves, wands, and weapons must be wielded. If a wizard attempts to cast a spell without his bonded object worn or in hand, he must make a concentration check or lose the spell. The DC for this check is equal to 20 + the spell's level. If the object is a ring or amulet, it occupies the ring or neck slot accordingly.

If the wizard chooses a weapon as his bonded object, does it have to be one he's proficient with?

My inclination is to say no, he can choose any weapon. He'd suffer the normal nonproficiency penalty if he tried to attack with it, of course. (Unless, of course, he took the appropriate feat, or gained proficiency by multiclassing later on...)

Any thoughts, community? Paizo people?

Hi,

Please cancel my GameMastery Maps Subscription.

Thanks!

Do the Minor Magic and Major Magic talents actually count as being able to cast spells? The abilities say you gain "the ability to cast a 0/1st-level spell", but then goes on to say "as a spell-like ability".

For example, could a rogue with Major Magic qualify to become an Arcane Archer? Which, under Requirements, lists "Ability to cast 1st-level arcane spells."

Would this rogue require material components?

etc.

I've recently started a PFRPG playtest game. One of my players is running an Evoker specializing in rays. He asked me a question a few days ago that I'm wondering what people think about.

The question was: Does the Evocation School Specialist Bonus apply to ray of frost?

The Evocation School Specalist Bonus gives a +1 damage bonus when casting Evocation spells. The Cantrips rule in the Wizard class description says that a wizard can cast any cantrip he has prepared as a spell-like ability. It does say that they are "treated like any other spell cast by the wizard in terms of duration and other variables based on level". The evocation damage bonus does increase as your caster level increases, but I'm not sure if this counts as a "variable based on level".

When I started writing this, I was thinking it would not apply, but as I read the passages I've referred to and quoted above, I'm starting to think it should, based on the "like any other spell" statement. Not to mention, as my player commented, it would make cantrips like ray of frost pretty much pointless, especially considering the Evocation School Energy Ray ability. (Even if it did apply, the Energy Ray would still do a fair amount more damage than ray of frost, but the cantrip wouldn't be left behind quite as much.)

I'd be interested in hearing what people think, especially the designer(s). 8^)

Hi,

My latest shipment of subscriptions arrived today, but it's missing a module. From my Order Information page:

-----

Pathfinder Chronicles: Classic Monsters Revisited (OGL) Print Edition
Shipped yesterday Quantity: 1 $15.29
Pathfinder #8: Curse of the Crimson Throne Chapter 2: "Seven Days to the Grave" (OGL) Print Edition
Shipped yesterday Quantity: 1 $13.99
GameMastery Module W2: River into Darkness (OGL) Print Edition
Shipped yesterday Quantity: 1 $11.04
GameMastery Module D3: The Demon Within (OGL) Print Edition
Shipped yesterday Quantity: 1 $11.04

-----

D3: The Demon Within was not not present in the package.

Please let me know when this will be sent. (If it was already sent in a separate shipment, that's fine, just let me know, please.)

-- Arazyr

I'm wondering what the "tone" of the Curse of the Crimson Throne AP is like. I am trying to get a Pathfinder RPG playtest group going, and I'm trying to decide what adventures to use.

I remember hearing that RotRL (and have been finding as I read through it) had a not-insignificant horror tone to it. Unfortunately, at least one of my potential players has a significant problem with horror. I'm sure I could tone things down a bit (I'm not usually fond of horror either). But if CotCT is less horrific anyway, I might just use that.

From what I've seen of CotCT so far, it doesn't seem to have as much horror to it, at least. I was just wondering if anybody who has read it more thoroughly and/or played through Edge of Anarchy already could shed more light on the subject.

Any input would be appreciated.

It seems that the _Domain Powers_ article missed the Plant domain. Was that accidentally cut from the article, or did it just get missed entirely? (Or something else...)

Hi all,

About the Dwarf Rogue Substitution Levels in Dragon #338: The "Demolitionist" (and related abilities) obviously replace the rogue's +1d6, +2d6, and +3d6 sneak attack at 1st, 3rd, and 5th level. What happens when the character hits Rogue 7? Does he suddenly get Sneak attack +4d6? Does it start at +1d6? Or should the Demolition bonus damage go up to +4d6?

Okay, the first option would be pretty silly, but going straight by the tables and RAW, that's kind-of what it looks like. As for the other two, I could see it going either way, but the article doesn't seem to give any hints which it intends.

What do people think about this? Any chance of having the author/editors/etc. chime in? 8^)