Arutema's page

Axe beak is added to the Paladin/Cavalier/Nature Oracle list by a certain scenario's boon. (But make sure the player actually has that boon.)

To the best of my knowledge, the giant chameleon is not a legal mount. (But it is a legal animal companion for Druids and archetypes which may select animal companions as a druid.)

Also, note that creatures purchased are not the same as creatures granted by class features. Purchased creatures do not advance in any way from their printed bestiary stats.

Hey, I've never seen them in the same room at the same time. For all I know, they could be the same person.

You're right. My money's on veiled master.

After 'Race for the Runecarved Key', Texas gamers got a chance to ask Mike Brock their questions about the future of Pathfinder Society, and he revealed some interesting bits of information on season 5.

Some changes to factions and how they work:

Number of factions likely to be reduced partially so writers have to spend less time writing for factions which are barely played. There are likely to be scenarios which center around these factions' fall. Mechanics for changing factions for those affected were discussed, but are not set in stone yet. Old faction traits and vanities from those factions will remain in effect, but it will no longer be possible to take them on new characters.

The disconnect between nation-based (Taldor/Qadira/Osirion/Cheliax/Andoran) and ideology-based (Silver Crusade/Lantern Lodge/Grand Lodge/Scarzni/Shadow Lodge) was discussed as something Mike was unhappy with.

These and more details on changes to the faction system to be revealed in the blog soon.

Just as season 4 spent a lot of time in Varisia, season 5 is likely to see a lot of The Worldwound. Future seasons are unlikely to be connected completely to adventure paths, in order to allow the PFS and AP players to experience different parts of Golarion. However, nothing is set in stone.

Mike mentioned wanting to put out a PFS book which would remain in print indefinitely versus the limited-run 'Seekers of Secrets' and 'Field Guide' sometime after that book. However, further internal discussion is needed at Paizo and will be announced when there is more concrete info.

'The Fabric of Reality' will not be the last appearance of the Hao Jin Tapestry.

Mike expressed a desire to setup a GM reward system for every star level, beyond the 4-star exclusive scenarios. This will require a lot of work from Paizo IT team, who are currently tied down to Paizo's virtual tabletop project, as well as several other projects.

Sanctioning of 'Reign of Winter' and future adventure paths was discussed. Mike commented that it was too early into seeing results from 'Shatered Star' and 'Rise of the Runelords' sanctioned to know how expanding this will effect the campaign. He would like to see more reporting data and feedback on sanctioned APs before sanctioning additional APs.

'First Steps' may be retired, as it introduces faction leaders who may longer be present in season 5, and new players are often not interested in committing 12 hours to an intro series.

Finally, Mike teased scenarios for tier 12.

And we have shattered all previous Houston records with a total of 48 tables run!

PFS does not use the randomizing game selection process deployed for the rest of the Con. We use our warhorn page (linked above) to muster tables. DundraCon is a great first Con!

Confirming that Dundracon is indeed a great first con. If you're in town, you should go, because who knows where you'll be and what you'll be doing a few years later.

My evil plan to assault Houston with Pathfinder Society on all fronts takes a step forward in the northwest this month, or shall I say:

Pathfinder Society begins at 8th Dimension Comics and Games, 8475 Highway 6 N, Houston, TX

Games are the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month from 2-7 PM. GM duties are shared. Gain 5 player points every time you GM, spend one every time you play.

Sign-ups are on the Houston Pathfinder Society Warhorn.

We're beginning with the First Steps series. After that, I hope to show just how high the risks can get in The Cyphermage Dilemma.

So sign up if you're coming, and let's show 8th Dimension what Houston can bring.

Do you remember us, from last year? Do you remember stranding us on Ceti Alpha V, leaving us to die in this barren wasteland of gaming? I will... help you remember. Just a moment as I place this tiny creature in your space helmet...

...there. There. Now your mind is more... pliant. You may find yourself more willing to do as you are asked. Now then, listen closely:

You wish to volunteer to run games for OwlCon. Or should I say:

OwlKHAAAAN! is a gaming convention held at Rice University from February 15th through 17th, 2013. Pathfinder society will run the entire weekend, culminating with "Race for the Runecarved Key" on Sunday morning.

Pathfinder Society GM signups are now open. As always, GMing two tables(or an all-day sanctioned module) gets you a free con badge and tee shirt.

Contact me at vlyoungblood@houstonpfs.com to sign up.

If you're coming from out-of-town, be sure to book your hotel early, as we are competing for hotel space with the NBA all-star game this year.

Now on Facebook! Let me know if you need to be added to the group.

Try this:

Halfling Pistolero 1:
Str 10
Dex 18
Con 12
Int 10
Wis 16
Cha 9

Don't go Mysterious Stranger because you're missing out on Gun Training, and more importantly the Quick Clear deed.

Lose the shield. You're not proficient in it, and you can't reload the gun while carrying it.

If AC concerns you, take the halfling favored class bonus that raises the AC gained by the Nimble class feature.

Yes, it has less Dex and less grit, but it also has no major weaknesses. i find Pathfinder, and especially PFS tends to reward balanced cahracters over extreme ones.

With the GM core assumption expanding to include the PRD, do we need to place the statblock of a Bestiary 2 or Bestiary 3 creature in our submissions, or simply reference the relevant page of the relevant book?

The Rats of Round Mountain
Scenario #3-20, The Sundered Path
Scenario #3-22, Pagoda of the Rat

Aspis Consortium Demiplane
Scenario #3-25, Storming the Diamond Gate
Scenario #3-26, Portal of the Sacred Rune

Together with

Wonders in the Weave parts 1 (#3-12) and 2 (#2-14), The Icebound Outpost (#3-19), and to a lesser extent The Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment (#3-21) these make up a large arc concluding the Year of the Ruby Phoenix arc.

And presenting, the Shadow Lodge mega-arc in roughly plot order:

I think that boons for cons does penalize people who don't live in an area where cons are or have the time commitment to put into them. Yes, "reward" and all that but let's be honest, this is a game.

But I desire to play at a table with someone playing a Kitsuné about as much as I desire to play at a table with a character in full bondage gear and a ball gag. This has happened before, so...

You've been to the Paracountess's parties I see.

You and Verdigris are organizing another one? What do the rest of those good for nothings in the Bay Area do? Don't you guys sleep?

If Bay Area Pathfinder has taught me anything, it is that sleep is for the weak.

Anyone who can provide a copy of Ultimate Combat or a printout of the relevant pages from the UC PDF watermarked to him.

Abaslom is a big city after all, there are bound to be importers.

Thank you Jon.

I'd also like to thank Painlord and Azmyth and their Bay Area Pathfinder Society crew for introducing me to Pathfinder Society those many years ago. I hope to replicate their success in Houston.

Looking forward, I'm hoping to get better communication between the existing Asgard Games and San Jacinto college groups. I've had a couple people express interest in a game at Fat Ogre, so I hope to help them recruit and get off the ground.

Finally, working for a successful Space City Con with Houston's first run of 3-EX: The Cyphermage Dilemma.

Watch HoustonPFS.com in the next few weeks as I finish building it for more information.

I also vote for retirement, both for PA issues, and because it prevents you from completing all installments of the excellent First Steps series.

I must say I'm against the idea, as any, even minor obstacle to GM involvement is a bad thing.

I cannot think my players would react well when I asked "can you GM next week? Oh, and you have to buy this extra book as well as the scenario."

Most of them have skipped past APG straight to the Ultimates.

Besides, I'd think newer scenarios would want to show off the latest from Paizo. Therefore, we'd be more likely to see UC classes creeping into scenarios than APG ones.

Ghouls, Violet Fungus, Guard Dogs? I think I know which Society scenario you're talking about.

That scenario is a season 0, all of which tend to be on the easy side because they were designed for 3.5 rules and PF PCs are more powerful, especially at low levels.

Try them against a season 2 or 3 scenario. (Except First Steps, that series was designed to be a cakewalk.)