Arutema's page

I'd like to take a moment to congratulate Jesse Davis, my newest Lieutenant for Houston.

He's done incredible things in getting PFS organized at 8th Dimension Comics and Games, and will be my assistant coordinator for the upcoming Space City Con.

Space City Con is returning to Houston for its second year, and is no longer the weekend immediately before Gencon.

The Con now runs Aug 2-4, will possible early-bird gaming on the 1st. I hope to double our PFS presence from last year at their new, larger hotel. And I'm calling for talented GMs from all across Texas to make that happen. GM 2 scenarios and get in free. GM 3 scenarios or 1 all-day sanctioned module or AP volume and get a prize to-be-determined as well.

To sign up, email me at vlyoungblood@houstonpfs.com, and sign up on Warhorn. If you were there last year, you can use the same Warhorn login.

Can we get enough players and GMs to reveal the mystery 3-7 on our schedule?

In Golarion, how closely are Paladins tied in to using their deity's favored weapons? I've got a paladin I'm building up who uses a longbow, but the character's personality isn't well-suited to worship of Erastil.

Would Abadar or Sarenrae consider using a longbow heretical? Does Iomedae frown on using anything but swords? Should a paladin of Shizuru spend a feat on Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Katana)?

Is a paladin's weapon choice tied to their deity, or more of a personal choice?

Comicpalooza is coming! May 24-26 in Houston, Texas.

Bring your bravest characters for the first Texas run of 'The Ruins of Bonekeep -- Level 1: The Silent Grave'.

Then, bring your 12th-level Seekers for all 4 parts of 'Eyes of the Ten'.

GM signups are now open. To sign up, contact Marc Vanderbrink at

If you are interested in playing 'Eyes of the Ten', please email me so I can get a headcount. Email is

This will be Houston's biggest event yet, let's make it memorable.

So Animal Archive is out and I'm ready to create a character with a panda companion.

just one problem, I'm having the hardest time finding a medium or small bear mini that I can paint in panda colors. There's plenty of large bear minis. Can someone point me in the direction of a medium or small mini for my companion?

On the heels of an incredibly successful Owlcon, I'd like to announce the appointment of Matt Savage to be the newest Venture Lieutenant in the Houston area and surroundings.

Matt has shown incredible dedication to spreading Pathfinder Society play to stores and schools in the Kingwood area. He's also been a great asset at local cons, to the point of running a table of 'Race for the Runecarved Key' cold at Owlcon. Finally, he's heading up PFS at MAG-con in April.

In short, he's doing everything I could ask for from a Venture Lieutenant, and I'd like to officially recognize his efforts.

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.

As my first act as Venture Captain of Houston, I am appointing Marc Vanderbrink to be my Venture Lieutenant in charge of Pasadena, Clear Lake, La Porte, Deer Park and other points in the east and southeastern areas of the Houston metro area. He has been a fantastic asset to PFS in those areas, and I'd like to recognize his service.

If you're in the area and haven't already, be sure to drop by his game at Gerard's One Stop Gaming Shop on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month starting at noon.

Welcome aboard Marc.

Does such a mini even exist? What would be your recommendations for a similar mini?

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.

An event not seen in Houston since Owlcon 2011...

Join us in fending off the Shadow Lodge's assault in "Year of the Shadow Lodge" at Gerard's One Stop Gaming Shop in Houston on October 28th.

Seating of tables begins at noon. Characters of levels 1-11 are welcome.

Sign up on The Houston Pathfinder Society Warhorn.

And then, join as afterwards to deal with Absalom's Kobold menace in "Ambush in Absalom."

And again:
WHAT: "Year of the Shadow Lodge" and "Ambush in Absalom"
WHEN: October 28th from noon-8PMish
WHERE: Gerards One Stop Gaming Shop, 349 El Dorado Boulevard Houston, TX 77598
OTHER: Please bring a few bucks in cash to split the cost of pizza.

Planning begins soon for Owlcon 2013, and one of the questions in consideration is "Do we want to run Eyes of the Ten this year?"

If you have a 12th level character, or will have one by February 2013 and are likely to be in attendance at Owlcon, post here so you can be counted and tables planned.

I'm working on a concept for a pathfinder Society character that is either a current of former Sister of the Golden Erinyes that would up working in the Society under the Paracountess' orders.

However, I'm finding a shortage of information on the order. What books are there that provide more details on the Sisterhood and their customs and rites?

I really hate to dredge this issue up again, but the flurry of blows controversy has stretched on several months now with no official FAQ or errata.

My weapon adept monk has been effectively rendered unplayable, as she is at the whim of the table GM to interpret, or not interpret, developer message board posts as canon.

Can we please get a FAQ entry stating how flurry of blows with weapons works in Society play while this situation is being hammered out?

Can we also get a FAQ entry detailing to what extent weapon-using monks can be rebuilt?

The wording of the Half-elf alternate racial trait Ancestral Arms says that you gain Exotic or Martial weapon proficiency with one weapon as a bonus feat at 1st level.

However, Exotic Weapon proficiency requires BAB 1. Does this mean that a Half-elf with a class that gives less than full BAB cannot take Ancestral Arms in an exotic weapon?

Just how common, rare, or unknown are firearms in the Dragon Empires. Various sources have hinted at Tian black-powder fireworks, but is the technology weaponized within Tian Xia?

By RAW, does pulling arrows/bolts/sling or firearm bullets from their respective quivers or pouches count as "retrieving a stored item" for purposes of the haunted oracle's curse?

I may soon be replacing my current character in a Curse of the Crimson throne game with a Halfling Pistolero, and I'm wondering whether to prioritize damage per shot or number of shots. Character should start at level 5.

Number of shots gives me more chances to add Dex to damage, but requires expensive alchemical cartridges to get off a full attack.

The GM has graciously houseruled the Vital Strike feat chain into one feat that scales with BAB. So it may be cheaper and just as effective to to pile extra damage dice onto a single shot at full BAB and spend my move actions reloading ordinary ball and powder.

Starting feats are:
(1) Gunsmithing,
(1) Point-Blank Shot
(3) Precise Shot
(4) Extra Grit
(5) Rapid Reload (pistol)

Future feats (suggestions needed!):
(7) Vital Strike?
(8) Deadly Aim?
(9) Far Shot?
(11) Signature Deed (Up Close and Deadly)
(12) ???
(13) ???
(15) ???
(16) ???
(17) ???
(19) ???
(20) ???

A certain Pathfinder Society scenario, written before the Inner Sea World Guide identifies the river that flows through the Black Marquis' territory as the Sellen river. However, in the Inner Sea World Guide, the Sellen flows well east of The Protectorate. The river that passes through the Protectorate isn't labeled, but appears to be the Dagger river.

I assume the ISWG is the definitive source, by virtue of being published later. But I'd love to get official word on this.

I understand that the ISWG came out after Season 0, and this seems to have caused a minor inconsistency with this scenario. In Perils, The Black Marguis claims jurisdiction over the Sellen river.

However, looking at the river kingdoms map in the ISWG, the Sellen flows well east of his Protectorate, and the river which flows through his territory appears to be the Dagger river.

Which river does the Black Marquis actually control?

I'm considering running this modules at my weekly Pathfinder Society store game to help some of out level 1 players catch up.

Unfortunately, the store's hours only allow us three and a half hours runtime.

I know the other level 1 sanctioned module, Master of the Fallen Fortress tends to run a little longer than the standard 4 hours slot.

Can We Be Goblins be run in 3.5 hours, or will we find ourselves cut short if we try to run it?

It's been established that the spirits haunting an Oracle leave his spell component pouch alone. But what about his quiver or other ammo? Does retrieving ammo become a standard action? My Elf needs to know.

The events finder is now showing only an event's location when you click on it, no other details on the event.

Announcing:

Pathfinder Society at Asgard games in Houston, Texas.

Yes, Pathfinder Society is back at Asgard games, with a new time and a new event coordinator.

We'll be kicking it off August 1, with the First Steps series for new PFS players and characters, followed by the fan-favorite Blackros Museum trilogy (Mists of Mwangi, Voice in the Void, The Penumbral Accords).

Games will run every Monday night, starting at 6:00 PM.

Signups are on this thread on the Asgard Games forums.

Players and (eventually) judges are needed.

So my Chelaxian mercenary just hit 2 PA, and I was wondering about the feasibility of using a wand of Infernal Healing in place of the standard wand of Cure Light Wounds. The character is a barbarian with no means of using his own wands.

Infernal Healing advantages:
* Sorcerers, Wizards, Magus and Summoners can use with with no UMD check.
* Guaranteed 10 healing.

Disadvantages:
* Paladins, Rangers and Alchemists cannot use.
* Takes 1 minute for full effect.

It also has the [evil] tag and causes you to detect as evil for 1 minute, but my CN Chelaxian character simply doesn't care.

So, would a wand of Infernal Healing be a workable, perhaps even superior option for out-of-combat healing for a character who doesn't care too much about the morality of the spell?

Due to real-lie circumstances I will be moving away from my Kingmaker group after our next session. And I am looking for ways to retire my Halfling Paladin of Iomedea.

The problem lies in the fact that my paladin is currently the Baron of our land.

My most in-character thought is that as a lawful character and ruler, he feels he can do the most good by retiring from the adventuring life to become full-time ruler (as an NPC), rather than regularly risking the death of the peoples' leader on his adventuring raids. This approach does have the potential problem of leaving an NPC as the ruler.

I've established that he has family on the southern frontier of Brevoy. A family emergency could provide a plot hook that would draw him away, but would a ruler realistically abandon his people to care for something important, yet personal.

This of course, assumes my character survives our next session, which will almost certainly take us to Candlemere tower as we finish up RRR.

I just ran a Season 0 scenario that had an Amulet of Health on its chronicle sheet.

Just one problem. The Amulet of Health is a 3.5 item that no longer exists in Pathfinder. Should it be replaced by its PF equivalent: the Belt of Mighty Constitution, or is its presence on the chronicle sheet meaningless as the item simply no longer exists?

Is there an official ruling on which weapon groups weapons from the APG and other non-core sources fall into for the purposes of the Fighter's Weapon Training class feature?

I'm considering creating a lucerne hammer-wielding fighter for possible PFS convention play, and would really like to know whether it counts as a hammer or a polearm for such purposes.

Lesser Beast Totem:
While raging, the barbarian gains two claw attacks. These attacks are considered primary attacks and are made at the barbarian’s full base attack bonus. The claws deal 1d6 points of slashing damage (1d4 if Small) plus the barbarian’s Strength modifier.

Does a Barbarian wielding a reach weapon threaten adjacent with her claws with this power? Are they still a primary attack if you're holding your polearm in your main hand?

I'm considering playing a Summoner if my current character bites it in my Kingmaker campaign.

The serpentine eidolon appeals to me for some reason, just one problem: 20 ft speed. This is a big deal in kingmaker with lots of overland travel. We already make the gnomes ride the pack horse because of this.

I'd like to have the eidolon summoned at all times in case of a random encounter.

This leads to some questions not covered in the SRD. Is it possible to carry an eidolon around? How much does a medium eidolon weigh? What about a small eidolon?

Inspired by the Dud Scenarios thread, I thought I'd break out this one to gush about your favorites. Use spoiler tags as appropriate.

Personally, I have a soft spot for The Hydra's Fang Incident.

A harpy's song has the power to infect the minds of those that hear it, calling them to the harpy's side. When a harpy sings, all creatures aside from other harpies within a 300-foot spread must succeed on a DC 16 Will saving throw or become captivated. A creature that successfully saves is not subject to the same harpy's song for 24 hours. A victim under the effects of the captivating song moves toward the harpy using the most direct means available. If the path leads them into a dangerous area such as through fire or off a cliff, that creature receives a second saving throw to end the effect before moving into peril. Captivated creatures can take no actions other than to defend themselves. A victim within 5 feet of the harpy simply stands and offers no resistance to the harpy's attacks. This effect continues for as long as the harpy sings and for 1 round thereafter. This is a sonic mind-affecting charm effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

First, what kind of action is used to maintain the song? I'm guessing it is a standard action, but the given text does not say.

Second, if a PC must spend multiple rounds in a hazardous area, such as swimming in deep water, are they entitled to save each round, or only when they enter the hazard?

I want to challenge PCs here, not drown them all.