Beercifer's page

Did anyone see this yet? I have the trailer burned in my skull and the score is pretty decent. What I really liked was the three film clips in one I found with some searching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWlmhMSnVdM

Any comments?

I know this may be of use to the staff here. I work for the company Cityof.com and we just updated our Seattle site to reflect the new changes. If you use it, let us know as we are getting ready to redo our testimonials portion of the website...

May all your hits be crits.

http://www.thecityofseattle.com/

For Kingmaker, at the Gamer's Den in Corpus Christi. Saturdays, right now, every other. Find me there after 2pm.

=) Beer!

Now that I had my last game session in Illinois for the year, I'm headed home to pack up my gear and prepare for this weekend's trip to Texas. Funny how I didn't really care about packing things up until I was needing to wrap up my CotCT campaign (which rocked and is my favorite campaign of all time-mainly due to players).

Now that my gaming here is done, I'm looking at threads and there are some threads that I want to post in, but it isn't necessary. I'll buy UM once I get to the Den in Corpus. I'll wait for UC and offer some of the options to the table when I find a group down there.

But let me state that I wasn't really ready to move until my last night of gaming had ceased. I still felt connected to this place because of the tie I have with people I've known for three years. I'm bitter sweet about it, but I know that once I'm settled down there enjoying the good and the bad of coastal weather, I'll be fine.

I have to say you people are geniuses. Hyrum, Jason, the Jameses, Erik, Sean, all of you. You gave me a hell of a good time up here gaming my ass off while I watched the economy deplete the area of jobs. I would have stayed if I didn't feel like the opportunity for more wasn't available down in Texas, because of the gaming groups I have up here.

So one last time, thank you.

-Bruce Lombardo

This book is coming out tomorrow. I was lucky enough to get involved with the advance reading of this before it's release. I must say that I initially was like..."JRPG?"

But this book rocks. Seriously. And you'll probably read it more than once.

Here's the video review.

http://www.youtube.com/user/brucelombardo75?feature=mhum#p/u/0/3eBkr_wWc6U

I am headed on vacation for a couple of weeks in the summer and want to know if there are any gamers around for a weekend night? They used to have a USN base in Ingleside which I was part of, but it closed, sadly.

Anyone?

8x11 assorted dungeon geomorphs, I think it is randomly packaged. 25 dollars gets you a package of this. Do we have a link for this? I think the people here would absolutely love this stuff.

Anyone? Anyone?

Or those that actually have been around a bit, a piece of bad news his the community a few days back and I thought I'd post this to here. Jolly and Barbara Blackburn, one of the founding families that makes the print magazine monthly, have just been hit by a massive emotional blow.

Their daughter, Amber, was in the hospital a few nights back, as seen in this thread. Sadly, she perished. I know that some of you don't get into K&C stuff, but for those that know what type of hell a gazebo can give a party, these people are part the big community of gamers. I would like to think that most of you are aware of this sad event already, but if you haven't, please drop a line here or to Jolly or Barbara on facebook.

http://www.kenzerco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51756

I can't get on facebook right now, router is not having it...

do you have a email I could use to just respond to something? That's all and thank you.

So other know about this...some of you might not.

http://www.youtube.com/user/brucelombardo75?feature=mhum#p/u/13/RjEziq37YhE

Enjoy, and please have fun, folks.

I run every Tuesday, CotCT. Fine game, love the game, awesome game. Good players, people show up on time largely, and the food is decent.

Every Monday, I'm in either Savage Tide or Kingmaker (now online for your pleasure).

So how do I go about this? I'm in the Skeletons of Scarwall portion of CotCT, and the other games I'm around 6th level.

But as a GM, I want to run everything! I want to run Legacy of Fire with the City of Brass boxed set. I want to play a PF game for once, too (one that doesn't end at 4th level or before such time)! I look at the wonderful folks at the 3pp's and I see Greg Vaughn...Greg, you do the Neccy Games stuff and I love that world!

I want to play through or run (either or) Maure for once!

And it comes down to I'll be doing this next year, screaming for time for Carrion Crown as I'm locked into dedicated nights of gaming versus work. Gah!

There are worse things to worry about, but this is the nature of my current moment, on my day off. I would love to have this to complain about for the rest of my days...

www.youtube.com/brucelombardo75

new stuff from the every other Monday of goodness.

"Crying is a free action. My rogue proves that every time a combat breaks out. Cowering is still a move action."--Bruce Lombardo

The Pathfinder Adventure Path, Kingmaker, holds a host of interesting events as it unfolds. Brevoy, wanting to dispose of their more troubled nobility, looks south to the Stolen Lands and sees a potential buffer state between itself and numerous petty city-states which constantly war among one another. The call is ushered and many legacies respond by sending their more troublesome members to the mustering.

Sent south by the Dragonscale Throne in Brevoy, the adventurers made their way to Oleg's Trading Post in the month of Calistril. Immediately upon setting their eyes on the snow-covered plains and hills west of the Narmarches, the mercenary band was offered the task of protecting Oleg's from raiding bandits. The party actually survives the initial combat with said raiders, even though the favored nephew of the Dragonscale Throne almost gets himself killed when he charges single-handedly into the midst of the cutthroats and miscreants.

The mercenaries begin the civilization of the region, knowing that as they find capricious fey and humanoid allies, they will have to do everything they can to turn the locals against the tyranny of a drunken bandit lord. They find grigs, satyrs, and other nature-blessed entities willing to help if an equal effort of balance is made. A ruined temple to Erastil is found and the local cleric (once exiled from Brevoy) Jhod Kaven attempts to restore it, to prove to the locals that the mercenaries are indeed rural minded and not like the Abadar-worshipping city lovers of civilization.

The bandits respond by taking wagon trains of resources by the sword and leaving the dying along the hill leading to their fort. The zombies under the rage of decades rise and add to their number.

From this stems a see-saw war effort between two under-resourced enemies. The emissaries of the Dragonscale Throne combating the bandits of the Stag Lord...

posting game footage tonight...

I was wondering, a player wants to do the four winds plus the sacred mountain as a dwarven monk. I don't think I'll let him, but I wanted to ask you folks as neither one interferes with the other. I'd say "yes" to one or the other, but not both--unless I read some convincing arguments as to why this should be allowed.

Just asking.

I have a pc in game and was wondering for his sake what would be the best or even optimal build for a necromancer using PF products (sorry, we don't use any 3P stuff).

What would you folks suggest?

Every other week, we play through the Savage Tide Adventure Path. The final greatness from Dungeon magazine before it became a part of geek history. Right now, we're grinding as when you have eight player characters for eight players, you have a few times where you need to just help them 'level up'.

The group have been made aware of the fact that a young noble was kidnapped in the middle of the night. Her father gathers them for the morose news and job offer of getting her back. If the party can just drop the bag of jewels along a broken down cart along the eastern road into Magnimar, then follow the bandits back to their lair, then finding a happy ending might be possible.

He did state that he wasn't on good terms with his daughter. He did state that she was pregnant.

After the mercenaries interrogate the bag men, they locate the hideout of the kidnappers. It is in an old set of ruins to a forgotten diety (actually, Torag, but nobody in the group could roll past a ten on their knowledge for this). They proceed in, fighting the clock and hoping that this group isn't the group of cultists that are supposed to have their holy ritual on this very night.

As they press into the temple, they are rebuffed and beaten back by traps, then the undead awaken. Wraiths leave them scarred and they retreat back to town, scrounging for coppers to afford blessed potions of restoration. And they need six of them.

What will be Lyza's fate when they return to the temple?

Will she be dead on the altar? Will she be getting cut open like some sick ritual to Lamashtu as they fear?

"Crying is a free action. My rogue proves that every time a combat breaks out. Cowering is still a move action."--Bruce Lombardo

The Pathfinder Adventure Path, Kingmaker, holds a host of interesting events as it unfolds. Brevoy, wanting to dispose of their more troubled nobility, looks south to the Stolen Lands and sees a potential buffer state between itself and numerous petty city-states which constantly war among one another. The call is ushered and many legacies respond by sending their more troublesome members to the mustering.

Sent south by the Dragonscale Throne in Brevoy, the adventurers made their way to Oleg's Trading Post in the month of Calistril. Immediately upon setting their eyes on the snow-covered plains and hills west of the Narmarches, the mercenary band was offered the task of protecting Oleg's from raiding bandits. The party actually survives the initial combat with said raiders, even though the favored nephew of the Dragonscale Throne almost gets himself killed when he charges single-handedly into the midst of the cutthroats and miscreants.

The mercenaries begin the civilization of the region, knowing that as they find capricious fey and humanoid allies, they will have to do everything they can to turn the locals against the tyranny of a drunken bandit lord. They find grigs, satyrs, and other nature-blessed entities willing to help if an equal effort of balance is made. A ruined temple to Erastil is found and the local cleric (once exiled from Brevoy) Jhod Kaven attempts to restore it, to prove to the locals that the mercenaries are indeed rural minded and not like the Abadar-worshipping city lovers of civilization.

The bandits respond by taking wagon trains of resources by the sword and leaving the dying along the hill leading to their fort. The zombies under the rage of decades rise and add to their number.

From this stems a see-saw war effort between two under-resourced enemies. The emissaries of the Dragonscale Throne combating the bandits of the Stag Lord fight a literal guerrilla war for months, many casualties pile up on both sides. Finally, in the early Fall month of Lamashan, the mercenaries from the frigid north make their way under the cover of newly recruited bandits into the Stag Lord's fort.

The fight is quick and one-sided. Many bandits are slain and the most impressive piece of the battle is a turncoat among the bandits. Akiros, a paladin from Restov, thought deceased, sides with the mercenaries after seeing worshipers to Cayden Cailean among the party. The Stag Lord assassinated, the remaining bandits are given a chance to either redeem themselves by helping rebuild the fringe of civilization or they can decompose on a pike.

The mercenaries begin growing their oligarchy. Settling farms, placing foundations of a citadel on the remains of the Stag Lord's Fort, and receiving people who want a new start in a new land. After a harsh winter, the mercenaries begin again by exploring the southern reaches of the Stolen Lands, exploring the miles of unexplored (and uncharted by Brevoy's mapmakers) acres, finding new sites and new locations to plunder.

Now, a year later in 4709, in the month of Gozran, the mercenaries find a tomb to a long-lost warrior. After setting the trap off on the party's inquisitor, hordes of undead sally forth and smash upon the party, causing many pints of blood to splash upon the dungeon floor. Alas, they find the barrow-wight, and lay him low yet again.

Finding some items of value, the party heads back to their citadel to rest and heal up. A week later, they depart for rumors of a long deserted keep.

The keep isn't deserted at all. It is occupied by a quickling, ogres, a bahoban-sith (a hag in the making as she is still very pretty), gnolls, and a strange bark-skinned fey. The mercenaries almost get themselves a party thrown firsthand by Cayden Cailean from the word go. Luck is on their side, as their tactics as a whole, are lacking.

The party retreats and goes back to their citadel. The capital city inn, The Stumble Inn, is finally complete. Now for that drink.

I'm running three games, every two weeks. I run alternating Savage Tide/Kingmaker on Monday nights. Every Tuesday I run Curse of the Crimson Throne. The players I have on Mondays are experienced munchkins. They do everything they can to minimize the risk to themselves to the point of making me break out a Grimtooth every other month or every other week. On Tuesday, the group is primarily high school kids and three folks that are not in high school, veteran players.

So with my Kingmaker game, here are my complaints for it as it is written.

...

On my Savage Tide campaign, I feel like I have a little wiggle room as I have over twenty years of DMing under my belt. I know the script as it should be, but getting the players there without Second Darknessing them and having them realize it is my goal. It helps that someone recommended to me Cradle of Madness to help the PC's achieve level 5 (8 players, lots of kills with little xp to glean with that many characters).

Mind you, sending six wraiths to help out troublesome players in a cramped hallway was golden. It made me wish I had a drink for every "we're f***ed"--I would have been sloshed in the first minute of setting up the battle, hehe!

So with every playtest that comes to the fore, I allow the players to retool their characters in case they want to test the new options. Right now, nobody has decided to start the words of power, which disappoints me to a small degree. I like WoP. The ultimate combat playtest went alpha in the last 48 hours and I'm looking at it going, this looks fun.

A lot of criticism is angled at the three new playable alternate classes. Nice touch on not letting the pc's go rogue-ninja. I really, really like it from a balance perspective. I also really can't wait to drop some of the new lethal npc's on their heads like a rapidly descending anvil on Wile E. Coyote's cranium. Juicy, I say. Or if I was Black Dynamite, righteous.

Why the hate? How is it working for you? My group, I love. I consider all three of them, my group, mind you. These people buy Paizo stuff like I do. As quick as spare money comes in-it is traded out for the print pages and whala! Canon.

I enjoy the classes, all of the core, advanced players guide, it all comes together in my opinion because the game is RIGOROUSLY and strenuously beat around fifty thousand players until the day of full product release. Is there any one of these that is more lethal than another?

No.

So if Robert the CSM from Wal-Mart decides to roll up a bard 2/wizard 10/loremaster 10, probably there is something he's specifically after and he will make a crafter of some sort like Talatheil of my Rise of the Runelord campaign I ran from Feb 09-Jan 10.

If there is something I really don't appreciate, it is the practice of people finding a PRC to join for no other reason than in two levels it gives something that otherwise wouldn't be available. I have a few players that like epic roll playing and they typically have another group they do their 20-30 levels of playing in with a DM that should have been a professional gambler with his number-crunching ability.

One player in particular, always goes for the shadow dancer PRC. It isn't a bad class, but I feel like it is always a secretive group of folks that are working in it for its betterment. If I allow it, he will join up with that class for no other reason than the first two levels. With no previous exposure, he will ask if he can start his work in the PRC. In the River Kingdoms, I feel like he would only be knowledgeable about the Shadow Dancers from maybe Daggermark or somewhere else like possibly Absalom.

So I have to tell him no, every time we're in a game removed from this land where the knowledge is key for him to 'join up' like he's going for a four year stint in the USN. And it almost makes me wonder why he would continue to badger about this class, campaign after campaign.

He doesn't play a truly muwhahahaha evil type. When he plays evil, he would be best for assassin PRC--but he'd rather not. But he does well within the borders he makes for himself.

And this post is by far not a dig on him, as he's a decent player. He knows how to roll up, stat out, and equip a character. But he is used to someone else judging a game and allowing whatever is in the books. Mind you, when we were in a 3.5 campaign, he brought every means to my eyes that he could that he wanted to be in some secretive guild or have some shadowy past for some eligibility for old 3.5 PRC's. Not all of them I allowed, especially when I found Pathfinder Campaign Setting had this new class, the Pathfinder.

I thought, wow! This is a great idea for a class. Some Indiana Jones type that goes out sometimes in small mercenary groups or adventuring bands and documents these awesome finds. And since the majority of our gaming at the table is in Varisia, why not? Magnimar has a host of opportunities for players to get in touch with members of this group!

Granted, nobody in my game has ever gone the route of Pathfinder. Even if I said pre-campaign, you were in the Grand Lodge washing dishes and doing your internship before you had your field work assigned to you. "Nah, we're not that interested in it." Okay.

If that is the worst thing that I have to deal with as a GM that runs as much as he can, then whoops. That is a negative. But for the most part, my game is giving me the enjoyment that I want. It is pleasurable. Fun, even!

So what am I looking at for my table to change in two weeks? A ninja is joining the group. A real, bonafide ninja! I can't wait to see how he interacts with the group and how he deals with all of the intricacies of our game.

Maybe someone will enlighten me and roll up a Samurai. That would be fun to have at the table, some honor bound fellow that would use a bastard sword or something like it and try to make it with our band.

Nobody yet has decided to go Gunslinger. Sad, as I really wouldn't mind seeing this at the table. Maybe someone else will play an alchemist so we have a work-around on the component cost for his ammunition. That would be awful nice for his coin purse.

But I'm dreaming. One out of three, isn't bad.

Game on!

-B

Okay, I have a request. I'm looking for a gamer to join my group on either Mondays or Tuesdays, to round us off to 8 player characters total. And 8 players at the table.

Must enjoy Pathfinder-this is usually a given, but some people would rather gripe about how much of a power game it is after 2nd level. FO.

Must bring either money for snacks and drinks or provide for your own before you arrive. We're capitalists. We like Coke. We like Papsi. We even like Sam's Choice. Why? Because they quench your thirst.

It's a non-alcohol environment. No smoking indoors either. The nazi's got to Illinois. I hate Illinois Nazi's.

Bring your own dice. I have a lot of dice. But I don't need your bad luck infecting my bag. I don't contaminate your sack with fail, do I?

The game...

I run AP's. We enjoy the hell out of these things. 1st to whatever level Jason and crew design these things to be. Sometimes we go a little further. Clap your hands if you get to be part of our Legacy of Fire. Just trust me.

I would appreciate that you keep a sense of humor around.

I would like it if you understand Pathfinder.

Please function in a female friendly environment. We do have female gamers. Be respectful. Or you're out. Your only warning.

Monday nights we end around 11-12. Tuesdays is my high school night, ending around 10. Until they grow up. Then its 11-12.

Please apply in person at The Game Room in Washington Illinois. Probably the least smelly of places you'll find Magic: The Gathering for sale.

Thank you!

-Bruce Lombardo

So we are in River's Run Red. Almost slaughtered the party with a wight and his undead retinue. And while the party is doing some clearing of close hexes to the Stag Lord's Fort...they are wondering how many BP's the gold mine will yield on a monthly basis.

The hex in question is Hex L. on page 14 for the map and page 21. If anyone knows, or has a link, please assist before next Monday.

And thank you, Paizo.

So we are in River's Run Red. Almost slaughtered the party with a wight and his undead retinue. And while the party is doing some clearing of close hexes to the Stag Lord's Fort...they are wondering how many BP's the gold mine will yield on a monthly basis.

The hex in question is Hex L. on page 14 for the map and page 21. If anyone knows, or has a link, please assist before next Monday.

And thank you, Paizo.

What type of accents are usually tossed around the table when in Varisia? I ask this because when in Magnimar and running STAP, the party ran across Harviss Jevell (sp?). Granted, I don't have the best accent for Irish Lassitude...but I did it well enough where my friends who deal in tavern hoppers and foreigners on an irregular basis could understand me.

That and the flavor text for the incident was really well typed. Thank you Mister Logue.

So while I look at the map of Golarion...I need to know...what type of accented flavor would you folks use at your table. ...edit...

how would you verbalize a Varisian versus Cheliax versus Akenstar...

The eclectic feat can give the bonuses retroactively. Two questions regarding this.

1) Do you have to take the standard hit point or skill point or can you choose from one of the new favored class options in the APG?

2) If you can take one of the new options, and taking them retroactively, do you receive the bonus at the level you obtain the feat or the level you would have been when you received the bonus?
ex. A character going for mystic theurge takes the feat a 7th level to add sorcerer or wizard as a favored class. Will he be able to add a spell to his spell list at the higher level or build up to it? a wizard would be able to add 3 first level spells or only 1 first and 2 zero level spells.

Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards...

Adds a keyboardist, and 11 new tracks. I enjoy it enough. Is there another Paizoite that listens to Satch that has heard this?

I have one from Necromancer Games. You know, it would look really cool if there were hooded sweatshirts available with the golem on it and logo. Forty dollars too cheap or is that too much to anticipate?

Reason being, I know a lot of people that around this time of year, wear hooded sweatshirts all day long (as a matter of fact I think I've been in a few the last three days). You folks are in Washington State-a place that I remember has cool winters to say the least.

I'm curious, anyone in house ever think this would be acceptable? I could only think that this would be a great way to stave off the cold.

This game is awesome. Should I update?

it is about time Eando had a figure

Yes, its a plug. But createspace allows you to do self-publishing. So here's the link. Keep in mind, the print version is a little more than the version that I released for ebook download. Have a good time, folks.

-B

https://www.createspace.com/3478673

I enjoyed this film immensely and am returning to the theater with my father on Thursday. If anyone thinks that this movie is a wash because of all the older talent, please check the trailer again.

This movie gets so many things right, I absolutely forgive the fact that the plot is minimal. There are many great cast members that have wonderful characterizations and so many moments where the humor gets you laughing between mouthfuls of buttery popcorn that you can forgive the fact that Stallone has had more than his 'Cher' of surgeries to look so young.

Great movie, good characterizations, epic ordinance displays-

The Expendables is how you film a 'macho guys film'. Bravo.

Fan
Dam
Tastic

Muddy-minded, I sat in the bar in the Petal District of Absalom. A stack of silver weights numbering in the teens stood proudly in my vision, waiting for the waitress to retrieve them. I watched her hips sway around the table, having thoughts that made me think that my baser desires shouldn’t hit before breakfast.
She took the stack of coins and counted them while I kept my head still. “Rough night, huh?”
“I never slept. I thought I found a good deal when the innkeeper up the road said a few pennies would bed me for the night.” I sat upright, taking in her features. “In the middle of the night, the people in the next room began their activity and I found how thin the walls actually were. I found myself at the docks watching the sunrise.”
“What’s your name?” She asked, her auburn locks spilling off her shoulders as she leaned down.
“Able. Do you have rooms to let here?”
The smells from the kitchen were wonderful and overpowering the saltwater that had up until now clouded my nostrils. The hanging doors swung with the bustling activity of breakfast.
“Mister Able, we do have rooms here.”
“Price for a room, breakfast, and tip in your hands. Is that fair?”
She halved the stack and set one of the halves back on the table. “That is fair.”
“I need it for a few nights while my companions finish their business. The city has a lot for their needs and all I require is sleep and a few hours stretching before I head to Blackblades.”
She regarded me coolly. Great, you’re an adventurer. One of those people. Retaking the stack of coins and placing them in her apron she headed to the kitchen.
My head turned to see a group of individuals enter the inn. In their armor and with no peacebonds on their weapons, I felt that lump rise in my throat.
The largest of them scanned the room to see if anyone would meet his gaze. Most of the folks in here were merchants or others trying to ply their trade. His armor was scratched from numerous scraps he had been in. He just looked like trouble.
The two women following him were of the same stale attitude. The attitude that they could do what they wanted, however they pleased. One was an Elven priestess of Calistria by her vestments. One looked like a sell-sword from Taldor. The two men following them were stocky but looked more like arcanists than anything else.
I looked over my left shoulder to see a tall thin woman approaching my table. Her manner of dress in this facility made me think that she was out of place. She was nobility or had intentions on marrying one. A bandana wrapped around her head kept her dark curls close to her neck.
“Able Vostich, how are you today?”
“Fatigued.”
She sat across from me and smoothed her purple dress down while meeting my eyes. “I heard your band returned to town.” Her bracelets looked like the type that the wandering folk of Varisia favored.
“Riva and Densmore are turning to their masters to deal with the last venture’s questions.” I sat upright and looked at her. “Who are you and how in the Nine Hells did you find me here?”
“Caryn of House Kethlin. I heard that you rutted wherever you found purchase and a few Forthright Men saw you enter here after daybreak.”
What type of woman would associate herself with the Forthright Men?
“What brings you here, Caryn?” I watched the Adventuring Group of Rather Unpleasantness finally sit. It looked like they were having a discussion on who got to sit with their back to the wall.
I could only imagine that group of rabble having great luck as bandits on a road only to get back into civilization and have issues with a rotating pecking order. The ladies knew that what they possess is lined with platinum and the priestess rocked her chair back on two legs to rest her neck and back on the wall.
“I have an invitation for you to come with me.”
Well that isn’t what I want to hear! I just paid for a room for half the week and this saucy tart saunters in and expects me to follow her anywhere in this blasted city! Just because she is from one of the noble houses that I actually like, she needs to know that I’m not really into the idea of a lot of travel for the moment.
“The Grand Dance Hall of Kortos is where I am taking you.”
Maybe the idea of sleep can wait. At the very least, I won’t have to deal with the Adventuring Bandits of Rather Unpleasant Fellows.

The Grand Dance Hall of Kortos is one of those places that when you’re in Absalom you absolutely must experience. It is a theatre where you can enjoy the local spectacles of athleticism in its finest choreographed moments. Lord Punjeer runs the business and aside from his talent for recruiting the best in the Inner Sea, he makes even more money from the transactions that take place under his roof.
Caryn grabbed my hand as we stepped off the steeds she rented.
I looked down to see her warm hand wrapped in mine. A rather bold move, but she seems to know more than I do at this moment.
“Hold me, Able.”
I adjusted my sword on my belt so I didn’t lance her unpleasantly in the side. “Want to let me in on what you plan on doing, this sounds more like Harlequin adventures or Calistrian romances gone terribly wrong.”
“Just do as I ask.”
I held her, she was just a few inches shorter than me. At least she smelled better than I did in the early morning.
A few incantations later, letting her hands gesture about and phrases in my left ear, we teleported in to the Grand Hall itself. I had a rather unpleasant feeling in my stomach, my bowels wanting to feast on something and having the issue at hand being teleported around a few hundred feet at a time, it made me step away from Caryn.
“You okay?” It was the first time I heard concern in her voice. Or contempt.
I nodded and she led me to a table for six. I noticed that we were probably on the second or third balcony. The troupe below were Vudrani dancers of impressive grace. Bathed in the round open air amphitheatre we were immediately attended to with a bottle of wine and various finger foods.
As soon as my rump hit the chair, my hands were on the finger food. Spiced with various red peppers, the pork had a bit of bite to it.
Caryn knew someone important to be up here. The higher the balcony, the more influence and coin was generally bartered about. This was a great start to a relationship, I had to admit.
Caryn poured herself a glass and offered me some of it.
“Pass,” I mumbled around the ribs.
“Get up!” Caryn stood as four individuals gathered about the table.
“Caryn, I see you found your man.” A large rolling voice came from a large Taldan man. His sideburns were huge porkchops of hair, almost obscuring his mouth. “Reginald the Fair.” He extended his hand and noticed my Numerian steel on my side.
“Able Vostich.” I could feel a bit of meat betwixt my teeth. Dammit!
“I know. I sent her for you.” Reginald gestured to his companions, two men and a lady. “Taryn, Caryn’s brother is on the left, Garnett Slivers in the middle, and my wife, Alyssa.”
While I was I shook hands with the two men with strong grips, then adjusted it when Alyssa’s hand was in mine. “I’m pleased to meet you all.” I fished the troublesome meat from my incisors. “Sorry about that.”
Reginald’s eyes went back to my sword. “You’re fine. I assume we interrupted your breakfast, didn’t we, Able?”
“As a matter of fact,” I smiled.
“Sit, folks. Let’s sit.”
They made small talk about the dancing. Reginald’s eyes lit up when he looked at his wife, I estimated he was in his late fifties as was she. Both of them had accessorized their jewelry with topaz and gold finery.
As I finished the pork, I watched as Garnett unrolled a map.
My eyes recognized it almost immediately, and Caryn was paying much attention to my expression and breathing habit while he produced it.
“Able, are you familiar with Droskar’s Crag?”

This year has not been my best. Aside from work being something that I'm not going to comment on, I still have my health amid other things I've been blessed with.

So this last year, we played through RotRL, which is still one of my favorite experiences ever. Someday I'll be able to twist Garrett's arm to finally post the last forty videos.

Now we're playing through Second Darkness, getting ready to deal with Hailin's treacherous streak and the consequences that follow.

Now Monday, I'll tell you all that I said good-bye to the first friend I ever had through school, a guy I knew when I was five and fell out of touch with after high-school. His death will probably mark a milestone of happiness somewhere along the line, but for now, I'm still in absolute shock that a guy my age with a 15-year-old daughter (who's very presence makes me want to buy her guardian a lifelong NRA membership).

After touching base with his mother and sister, I made my way to my family miles away and mentally regrouped. I still had a hour-long trip to Washington, where I am running my game. Frayed nerves are nothing fun to drive with, or frayed anything for that matter.

Eric would be back (Xeen, or Morgul for those that saw the videos from RotRL) for the night, passing through on his exit from GenCon. It's nice to see a friendly face. He had in his possession an extra copy of the Paizo Greatness, the APL. I didn't and haven't had much extra cash this year. I've been lucky to keep my AP subscription through The Game Room (plug, plug), I can't afford everything I want on a meat clerks salary.

So I arrive at the store, ready to game.

My eight players chipped in a Lincoln each and bought my copy from Eric. If I didn't attend a funeral earlier in the day, I probably would have broken in front of them. I'm cried out, and just gave the book to the player on my left (Russ) and instructed him to sign it. I used to have my players sign my PH back in the 2nd edition days. The book went around the table to each player and they signed it.

I couldn't thank them enough.

I finished the book that I was working on in a rough draft status as of January. Understanding that I'm not the best writer, I started doing a lot of reading on folks that I appreciate along with borrowing books from the library on writing itself (tensing and pacing being what I studied the most).

So six months of me trying to find a friend that would help me proofread (as Kroger's does not pay enough for you to afford a brake job, much less a proofreader/editor) and finding part-time help with that, I started writing the other books in the series.

I'm writing as much as I can when I can (like gaming, but it is easier) and I found that a website called, Smashwords.com.

They have my book now, for sale, in e-book format, for a dollar. All 82,000 words are possibly yours for that low price.

Why that low price? Because if I sell 5,000 books, I just paid my rent for the year as I get 85% of that dollar. And I know that I don't have the staff to afford a true team of editors and proof-readers, my readers will find errors.

At the same time, I know that other published and famous authors, have the same problems as I do. Creative people do not appreciate the time spent in minutia.

So if anyone wants to know how they could find Shift: Election Weekend...

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/205823

I never thought that they shouldn't stack in 3.5, and in every game I run, I allow this to happen. The players enjoy it with their ability to roll high. The rune giants love using it with their colossal scythes.

please link me!

THESE ARE MINE!

Well, for those of you in the Central IL area, the Quad Cities, the general Mid-West...

The small con we have yearly at ICC was successful. Three local vendors from the IL area were available. As always, the Game Room (Washington IL), and Mecca Anime (Lincoln, IL), and Castle Perilous (Carbondale, IL) showed up to help distribute valuable goods to the local gamer populace.

For the third year, I ran a continuing campaign which started in 2008, one set in Ptolus. The player characters have been there since first level, but some of the players have changed (three players stayed for all sessions, with many others coming in four sessions).

Accompanying them is the dwarven fellow who actually has a birthright to Dwarvenhearth, but for the worst brain fart I couldn't find his name so I made up something sounding human like Elindil (as its used in Ptolus's pages somewhere so what the hell).

This year's storyline continued the exploration of the Caverns, and the discovery of a key for Dwarvenhearth. The PC's encountered more in terms of the Erabbacus, the Duragain, then they were found by drow.

Drow vampires began the harried attacks and once they began the players began to figure out the best way to defend themselves from this was to seal up individual rooms with stone-shape and then being able to rest and recover.

They found Thundersong, the ancient and hateful Axe that hates all non-dwarves and seeks to rule over his bearded folk by dominating his wielder. He was initially dominated once he recovered his axe and his birthright breastplate, but the Platinum Cestus was missing. Did the vampire already receive it?

Finally, they explored through much cautious exploration the tombs of the Day and Night Kings. Figure that the party is six strong and has an average of 10th level across the board. After two particularly nasty fights, they descended into the Drow Vampire Lord's tomb and slew him. He dropped the fighter once with spells, summoned a Nalfeshnee, then attempted to summon more. Only due to battlefield conditions being littered by the dead was the lesser fighter (she was only ninth level here) able to charge and nail with a critical hit.

After much rejoicing (see the Gamers 1 for BBEG victory dance) the party sealed the chamber, consecrated their new environs (the dungeon chamber they were currently in) and then staked their nemesis in a secret tomb.

The trek from Kaled-Del to successful staking of the bastard was a five session slog. The final session was part recreation (Jevicca Nor, total hottie and spellslinger) being a drunken mage trying to deal with Zeppo the Dude (and friends!) trying to purchase a disintegrate spell.

So after The Hangover the players watched their friend, whos name I can't remember but he's the Dwarven Prince that acts more Human than they do...they watch him actually get his coronation in the Day Palace Plaza. The players figured out that the axe controls him and allows him to talk as he sees fit, as the humans are needed to get Dwarvenhearth off the ground. So for the moment, there is no quest to toss the axe in a volcano.

The final portion of session six was a set up for next year, as the players will further explore the dungeon below the city of Ptolus with the same characters (now averaging 12th level) and trying to figure out why elves have dreams about a lost city...

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=518290365&v=info#!/photo.php?pid =5764719&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=1026870751&id=5 35126270

Just saw this film at Blockbuster, had some good critiques of it on the back. Okay, worth four bucks...

And if there isn't a better low budget thrill ride in the last four years, let me know!

Anyone else think this deserves some mention?

My friend Garrett is starting his game tonight using my CotCT modules. I have work and he's picking this campaign while my group starts the Second Darkness.

If you live in the Peoria/Bloomington corridor, let me know, or send your inquiry to bruce_lombardo@yahoo.com and I will see quickly that you get sent into a game.

Monday nights, Second Darkness.
Friday nights, CotCT

Got it! Good, get with it!

I have a project that has been in its last portion of the rough draft for a while. What would be the best course of action? Hunt after an agent? Hand it to someone to proofread? I do think (as most people that view their work) that it could stand on some drug store shelves and be purchased, so I'm asking the people that rub shoulders with the likes of Elaine Cunningham and friends, what next?

Is there any way possible, you can utilize the silent spell metamagic feat, in any of the power word spells?

If you live in the Peoria-Bloomington metro area of Illinois, please be advised that there is a Gamemaster that is looking for a few new faces to add to his game. Paizo products will be used en masse, some videos will be recorded and uploaded to the mighty youtube.com service, food will be ingested like you're at Oprah's house (if only Rich Pett lived nearby- he would be so friggin awesome as a food critic "less garlic pepper, Bruce"), and symphonic metal will provide ambiance.

If you live in this area, or are willing to travel and get started, the game's first session is this coming Friday night. Previous experience in Curse of the Crimson Throne is a disqualifier, as is militant veganism-as I am a butcher by trade and enjoy undercooking steaks in the summer. This campaign will last a long time, so there will be steaks to be eaten during its full course.

May your hits be crits!

I've never bought them, I've prowled about, looking at their descriptions though. These look great. Short modules, regulated gameplay for balanced characters, this looks like something that I would be entertaining if (here is comes) Paizo would publish these in print form.

I know, they are available in PDF. I buy things for my players (munchkins, all of them) at the two FLGS's and if something I find online I can't get through them, I happily buy it as I have here (waiting for Testament d20).

I would be thinking that the society scenarios would be a great $50 hardcover that would be perfect on my shelf. Season 0, 1, 2, etc...each get their own hardcovers...I am more than likely repeating something that has been mentioned before, but it is a vote for it.

I adore the products you as a company churn out. I'm asking for one more.

So we're on YouTube in its 'glory' and in book 4 of the series. Mokmurian has assembled a vast number of giants in his plans for Varisia's domination. The players found a way through the river caves under Jorgenfist.

The bad news is that we're enjoying ourselves a lot, to where we talk about it the other six days a week in phone calls and texts.

Tonight, we are doing a corpse run. Our druid fell to the General's Pickaxe of Half-orc Mutilation (88 points of damage and a critically confirmed kill - if you watch the video Times FOUR Multiplier) and the rest of his party needs to grab his gear and vamoose quickly otherwise the wrath of the other cavern inhabitants will descend upon them quickly.

This has been the most fun (even before I did my first confirmed kill with criticals in the seven years of 3.x) I've had in a campaign since I was running through the old D&D box adventures (undead tower, goblin caves, big box games of 1990's). I can't say "THANK YOU" enough to Paizo.

The worst thing about this playtest is that it is really a poor example because we've crammed 8 players and their characters around a table and I can't have one adventure go by without my dice saying "this person dies horridly". Is it really a demonstration of your genius by making the opportunity for adventure or is it just a brutal DM that no matter how many people play, Rovarug will slurp upon the blood of the dying somehow?

I'm unsure of it because we had to proceed through Seven Swords of Sin so the characters would have a decent amount of XP to make it after part two, when I started GM'ing for 8 people.

I don't think the players have been irritated about the dice being brutal, as they keep returning, vowing to beat the module series. Regardless, this has been the campaign that placed me back into the "local killer GM directory".

Take it as you will, as more Paizo things appear on local gamestore shelves, more of them will appear tableside at the ranch.

You guys rawk!

So last Monday night, during one of our games, I turned on the camera. Now there are only two videos up. One of the pregaming, and the other of us getting down to actually game. A third will appear later this week from that night, plus any further games I happen to snoop in and let you voyeurs investigate.

This is all footage from our group, the Part-Timers. We don't know how often we can game full time, so we're a group of part-timers. I do a majority of the camera work.

This is also a newer camera to me, so I apologize for the shaking of it.

www.youtube.com/brucelombardo75

Okay, the twentieth anniversary for the Peoria Illinois area convention. Yeah yeah yeah, this is a total pimpage for people that are local, wanting to play with folks in the area.

www.spring-offensive.com is the place to go for your convention needs.

And I'm running a sequel to last years campaign. Last year, I ran six events of Ptolus at the convention. This year, I'm doing it all again.

And this is going to be nasty. People that were with me last year, are keeping their characters and getting thrown back into the fray.

Only this time, the PC's are updated Pathfinder characters (the highest level my pathfinder games have gone thus far is 5th level) and so they should be at or around 7th level. I expect three from last year to join.

The newbies at the table are going into it with 6th level characters. Not a bad drop. The experience will flow at the 'fast' level.

So there's the pimpage.

The Rise Of Evil, 2009. Pathfinder style.

I'll let you people know how it turns out.

-Beer

The Prestige Class, Maester, from the Complete Adventurer...does anyone have any ideas how this could be converted over?

And the feat from Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, "Magical Artisan". I have a gnome on his way to Loremaster that wants to be involved with these later on in epic levels.

We have a few rule lawyers in the games I run, and while I've already an idea of how they would be answered if I was Jason...here are the questions.

Can you make a sneak attack with supernatural abilities; such as a specialist wizards abilities?

Do wizards gain school abilities and bonus spells as their wizard level increases or their caster level in the case of a wizard with a prestige class?

What are the feats careful targeting and exact targeting? Ranger- archery combat style feats

Can a spellcaster / rogue deal sneak attack damage within a ray if he is within 30 feet?
if he is flanking?
if he is not flanking and his spell has verbal components?

Just some questions. I thank you.

Tuesday nights, except for the first Tuesday of every month, we're playing Pathfinder. I'm running pregens through the Rise of the Runelords. Once the PC's are distributed and assigned the players dictate the course of action for leveling and feat choices.

6pm, Tuesday Nights, Just For Fun in Peoria, IL

The group consisted of 6 PCs.
1 gnome sorc, 1 dwarf cleric, 1 dwarf paladin, 1 dwarven monk, human cleric, and human paladin.

They had an easy of enough time getting to the BLUE NIXIE except their die rolls were terrible. Once onboard, the brawl was on and they made it completely up to the cargo hold and were able to defeat the rhagodessa before we wrapped it up.