Arctaris's page

I'm no longer having the time to go through the adventure paths, so I would like my subscription to the Adventure Path to be cancelled.

Moth, is there a city you already have a name for that would make sense as Ana's home, or should I make it up as I go?

Sorry I haven't posted before now. Over the week-end my wifi card wheezed its last few breaths, and so I've been unable to check the boards until now.

Is there a definitive roster yet?

I would be incredibly interested, as steampunk is one of my favorite genres.
I think Pathfinder would be easier, since its what I'm familiar with, but I'm definitely open to learning other systems.

I have a couple of ideas for characters that I think would be fun to try out.

Any Paizonian Pathfinders in the general Pueblo Colorado area?

To be honest, I think that the lack of a dragon-esque race is a step in the right direction, i.e. away from the dragon-craze which seemed to creep into 3.5.
Yes, dragons are cool and scaly and groovy...but they don't need to be so common that they and their progeny are seen everywhere. In fact, the more wide-spread their presence becomes in a setting, the less unusual and interesting they become, until you get to the point where they receive the same level of enthusiasm and interest as the inn-keeper who rents the players a room.
Additionally, the large numbers of their progeny has never really made sense to me. Seriously, with the sheer number of half-dragon, dragonborn, and draconic-blooded creatures in most 3.5 products, you'd think that dragons went about the world, shagging everything they encountered.

Thus far, I for one am happy with Paizo's handling of the dragons and their progeny: they are present in the world, but they aren't *everywhere*. They're still there, but they're rare enough to still be a little special and interesting. Just my two cents.

I believe that Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu game had a roll called the Idea roll by which a character could come up with ideas regarding a situation or event. It was based of the Luck stat, iirc, although I'd have to look at my sourcebooks to see the specifics.

(Technically I think this should probably be in website feedback)

I think I've heard mention of a chat room type set-up somewhere, but I'm not sure.

Awesome, thanks :D

This all looks pretty solid and balanced; I don't see any glaring imbalances or anything.
It'd be fun to see how it plays; Calistra is one of the more interesting deities in Pathfinder.

I've always been rather fond of the Binder and Shadowcaster materiel from the Tome of Magic, and I was wondering if anyone's converted them to Pathfinder yet.

I've been considering running an adventure for my group in which they're engaged in a sort of race against several different groups who are all trying to achieve the same objective (capture a fleeing nobleman, in this case). In designing it, I've found myself unsure how to run a chase scene so as to give them the feeling of urgency and being involved, rather than just narrating it, and so I was running how the members of the Paizo community generally handle chase scenes.

On a wider topic, how do you usually handle long travel in general, particular in regards to specific encounters and locations, without it being a long narrative occasionally interrupted by calls for initiative?

120. Make up a hideously overpowered feat. When the DM asks about it, proceed to hold up the game by lookong through every sourcebook at the table, swearing that 'Its in here somewhere'.

I've been rather curious about how actual play-by-email works as well.

As for PbPs, they tend to move a little slowly but, like Billzabub said, the lack of self-consciousness and the time that the text format allows gives you some opportunities for really fantastic roleplaying.

ill admit, ive watched the dresden series on the scifi (i cannot stant the other logo) channel, so i have given some thought to the series, its just everytime i look at the book, i just dont get that "hey, read me!" vibe from it.

Don't judge the books by the series; as always, the books are way better. Its not that the series is bad, it just kind of fails reflecting the stories, characters, and tones of the books.

The one song that can always bring a tear to my eye is 'Right Where It Belongs' by Nine Inch Nails. For some reason I've always listened to it when things in life have been painful.

Dresden - the real wizard named Harry XD

Mothman

If you haven't read them before, try Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. They mix modern urban fantasy (set in Chicago) flawlessly with the hard-boiled detective type of story. Really excellent books with interesting stories and fantastic characters.

Seconding China Mieville's Perdido Street Station. Dark, fantastically gritty sort of steampunk world, which is truly unique and creatively designed. The world is imaginative and interesting, the characters are believable and intriguing, and the writing is superb.

>.>
C'mon, someone help me with my OCD :P

As the title says, if I view a thread or post on a thread, is there a way to clear the dots or the display of how many new posts there are on that thread?

#37: Show up claiming that you're prepared. Five minutes before the session starts, suddenly 'remember' that you still need to make your character. This is especially annoying for a higher level game.

#38: Never refer to an NPC by name, especially the ones who have obviously had a lot of effort put into fleshing them out. Always refer to everyone in-game as 'that one dude'.

I don't know; it certainly isn't moving very quickly.

24. Make a big deal out of an obviously trivial detail and continue to pursue said detail, derailing the actual plot by doing so if possible.

Mothman

Mothman wrote:

Arctaris, background and description look good ... now I just need these guys to move on so I can introduce your character ;-)

You should know by now that we like our role playing and character development just a little too much to want to rush things along... :-)

Sorry, Arc...

Oh, I enjoy reading along. Reading along and planning ;-P

Alright, I'll read over those links, if I have a spot.

I would *love* to be involved in a Dresden Files RPG, as it is easily my favorite series of books. However, I know absolutely nothing of the system, so someone would probably have to bear with me and hold my hand while I learned it.

So...does anyone know who the person who posted on the game thread is? Some mystery surprise player from Zahara perhaps?

Some of my old gaming group is finally getting back together and the consensus is to continue from where we left off in the Rise of the Runelords AP, roughly at the beginning of Hook Mountain Massacre. The primary issue with this is that its been over a year since we were last playing the AP, and in addition we're introducing a new person to the group. Since none of them really want to re-play the first two chapters, I've decided to compose a mini-adventure of sorts to reintroduce the group, refresh everyone's memories, and get the new player involved in the campaign.
And so I'm looking for any advice anyone might have on this.
What information from the first two chapters do you as a player or a DM think is necessary to understanding and enjoying the story of the later chapters?
Additionally, how would you as a DM go about doing this? My ideas thus far have been to have an investigation started by the authorities of Magnimar on the events in Sandpoint and Magnimar. Alternatively or additionally, I was considering having Sandpoint beset by additional difficulties that would lead the party along the path of the first two chapters, which could possibly include: sinspawn raids on Sandpoint (we didn't destroy the runewell the first time through), Malfeshnekor and possibly Erulyium (both of whom I believe either escaped or weren't encountered), and/or continued hauntings from Aldern Foxglove and some of the Skinsaw Men. Any opinions on this?

Some of my old gaming group is finally getting back together and the consensus is to continue from where we left off in the Rise of the Runelords AP, roughly at the beginning of Hook Mountain Massacre. The primary issue with this is that its been over a year since we were last playing the AP, and in addition we're introducing a new person to the group. Since none of them really want to re-play the first two chapters, I've decided to compose a mini-adventure of sorts to reintroduce the group, refresh everyone's memories, and get the new player involved in the campaign.
And so I'm looking for any advice anyone might have on this.
What information from the first two chapters do you as a player or a DM think is necessary to understanding and enjoying the story of the later chapters?
Additionally, how would you as a DM go about doing this? My ideas thus far have been to have an investigation started by the authorities of Magnimar on the events in Sandpoint and Magnimar. Alternatively or additionally, I was considering having Sandpoint beset by additional difficulties that would lead the party along the path of the first two chapters, which could possibly include: sinspawn raids on Sandpoint (we didn't destroy the runewell the first time through), Malfeshnekor and possibly Erulyium (both of whom I believe either escaped or weren't encountered), and/or continued hauntings from Aldern Foxglove and some of the Skinsaw Men. Any opinions on this?

I'm still here as well.

I have my basic background, personality, and description in Anastasia's profile.
I believe I'm still missing either a feat or two traits, so I'll look over those and choose one that fits.

Generally when we start a campaign, the characters are created specifically for that game. However, the players themselves generally have little to no knowledge of the setting, and usually have little more than a one-sentence background which often gets forgotten in the excitement of 'getting to do cool shit'.
I try to create interesting and interactive hooks to get them actually involved and engaged with the story of an adventure, but I have difficulty creating such beginnings.

I think I should bow out, since Thod seems prepared and I'm still dealing with all of the chaos that moving causes.

Generally the most difficult step in planning an adventure or running a pre-published one is the beginning. Specifically, how to get a group of characters to interact and pursue the intended objectives. It may have something to do with the anti-social nature of most of the characters I deal with, and with my way of beginning the adventure.
I don't like obeying the trope of 'you meet in a tavern and accept a random job together', nor do I like having the players pursue an adventure as a group for the sole reason that its the adventure offered by the DM. A good beginning is an important element in creating a good campaign.

So how do you get your groups of characters to interact and form a team? How do you get them started on an adventure, particularly one at the beginning of a campaign?

Mothman

Looking over my stats, I think that where the confusion was stemming from was that I had forgot to add my +2 to Charisma on my stats. It should now represent 20 point buy, I fixed the Concentration thing, and added Infernal to my class tag. I still need to finish my traits, put a little more detail in my background and a few other minor book-keeping things but other than that I believe I'm ready to go.

Mothman

1) picky request - can you slap "infernal" in front of "sorcerer" on there to help me remember?

2) you've used a 15 point buy, according to my calculations; you have quite a bit more growing to do, young man!

3) you've still got Concentration as a skill. It's a basic class ability these days, equal to caster level + casting stat modifier.

Hmm, I'll have to go over my math again. I was in a bit of a hurry when I put the stats together, so I'll look them over and make any necessary corrections.

I can be ready for Monday morning. Things have been a little hectic this weekend, as I'm getting ready to move, but I'll have time to get it done by then.

Arctaris: ** spoiler omitted **

Mothman

It is likely that Pharris will become Ftr2Rog2 to get enough skill points to fit her weird elven selection of magical knowledge, stealth and bluff. And even if I think of another class to throw into the mix I doubt she will be such a good front-line fighter. With a Con of 8 its a bit like Russian Roulette. So Actaris that role is yours (if you like).

That works for me, I can build her to be a little more tank-ish, and as the front-line fighter for the group, she should be flanking foes a lot of the time, which will mean a lot of sneak attacks (wheeeee).

Arctaris: ** spoiler omitted **...

Mothman

Arctaris wrote:

Ok then. I'm happy playing either concept, so I'll stat the sorcerer up and write him some backstory.

Sidebar: the group seems to be missing a party "face," so a point or two in some social skills might not go amiss. At the moment, the only way the group has to influence people is Inkathru's Intimidate, so if you'd be interested in making friends...

My sorcerer will probably end up being our face, so to speak. He's something of a fast-talker, and he'll already have a high charisma.

Ok then. I'm happy playing either concept, so I'll stat the sorcerer up and write him some backstory.

In terms of heals, one of the concepts that I'm really liking thus far is a cleric, so I'll be playing either a cleric or a sorcerer. So, which does the group need more, a sorcerer or a cleric?

Backstory question for Zahara