Cactus-Jack's page

I'm scheduling this for our store and planning on multiple slots and tables throughout the day. Does this module follow the other Free RPG Day modules to run in about 4-5 hours or should I plan on more time per slot?

and fresh strawberries or blackberries, yumm

Wow lots of peeps up this morning. Good to see. : )

If I am understanding your question, you are asking when would you purchase an item based on your Fame total instead of something always available or on a Chronicle Sheet?

Honestly, most of the time. The Chronicle Sheet have some good stuff on them, however it doesn't always seem to fit the character that receives the Chronicle.

If you have a character that wants a +2 Thundering Morningstar, chances are you will never find it on a Chronicle sheet. So once you have the required Fame score (36) and gold 18,308gp your Faction allows you to purchase it.

Another clarification: You can purchase items off of a character's Chronicle sheet regardless of whether the character has enough Fame to allow it. If said character has a Chronicle with a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds but has less than 5 Fame he can still purchase the potion if he has enough gold. Purchasing an item off a Chronicle sheet is the only time you can get an item worth more than the character's Fame score allows.

Glad to have you aboard as a new GM!!!

Fromper and Jiggy are correct.

new questions about replay and Tier-1. I searched the forums but as most threads on the subject are 2 or more years old, I was hoping for a fresher perspective as replay rules changed.

As I understand it now, players can replay Tier-1 scenarios (curently only the First Step trilogy I think) and apply said credit to a lvl 1 charcter as many tmes a s they wish.

This is correct. However each time a player or GM runs the scenario the Chronicle must be applied to a new character. A Character can only have one chronicle form a specific scenario or module once, ever.

Note that the replayability also applies to the 1st level sanctioned modules, Master of the Fallen Fortress, The Godsmouth Heresy, and We Be Goblins.

4) So does that mean a character can have three identicle chronicle sheets for say First Steps Part I or does the replay value only apply to replaying with different characters (so the rule of one specific chronicle sheet per character is still enforced.)

5) When GMing Tier-1, does the GM get "GM credit" every time they re-run the scenario to be applied to a lvl 1 character (or multiple lvl 1 characters as question 1)?

See reply in paragraph above.

6) can a GM re-run any scenario as many times they want provided a) they only get 1 GM credit and b) characters who are re-running gain no Chronical sheet. So in cases where there are different players, a GM can re-run without issue.

A GM is encouraged to run Scenarios multiple times. Each time you run the same Scenario you will become better at. As stated above you can only accept a Chronicle for any given Scenario or Module once. The only time a player can replay a scenario is if he/she is the 4th player required to make a table legal and in this rare case he/she does not get a Chronicle sheet.

7) are replay rules based off the player ... or the character? I understand the "spolier" rules and a GM has the option to disallow anyone from replaying ... that being said, can a player have the same chronicle sheet (from replay) for multiple characters (be it Tier-1 or otherwise)?

The replay rules are based on the Player. So to amend my statement above: except in regard to the 1st level Scenarios and Modules a Player can only have 1 copy of any Scenario or Module Chronicle on any of his/her characters.

Hope this helps.

Congratz Ms Thea!!! Excellent achievement..

Thanks for the update. I attended last year and had a great time. I am hoping to return this year, however there are a couple local Cons in November, so we shall have to wait and see.

While that is true. Fort those of us that GM so much more than we play why apply a higher tier scenario at a lower payoff, when we could just wait until we run an appropriately Tiered scenario and apply that one to the new character?

1. Obviously if GMs are required to apply the credit the first time they run a scenario (a bad idea IMHO).

2. For specific loot on the Chronicle. This one never does it for me. Most items on a Chronicle are too expensive for a number of levels after you receive it or don't fit the character's class or build. Furthermore, by the time you can afford an item on a Chronicle one can usually afford the items they want with their Fame score.

I was looking for this one last week too. I saw a post in another thread where this was asked (can't find it). Joe Caubo stated that it would likely be fall 2012, if it happens.

We have some special plans for our Game Day on the 25th of March. We will be running multiple tables of the newly updated 3-16 The Midnight Mauler. Here's a chance to run through an awesome scenario that was last years exclusive.

We are also looking into running this years exclusive The Cybermage Dilema run by Indiana's own VC Tracy Windeknecht. Once this solidifies I'll repost. Space will be limited due to physical table availability.

We have a sign-up sheet in store. We plan to start by 2pm and a 1:40 we will start passing over anyone who signed-up and is not present.

That makes sense to me, however the example from Jiggy was 5 1st - 2nd level players with a 4th level PreGen. In that case I'd be more inclined to have the 6th player use a 1st level PreGen.

Until recently I have thought that Option #2 was always an option.

I GM 90% of the time and outside of the first level or two I'd prefer to play for the character's experience. Therefore for most of the last year I haven't claimed many GM credit for any characters. I will claim a chronicle or two for a new character so that when I play with a group of new 1st or 2nd level characters I can have some additional resources available to help ensure that the party survives. Also as I GM, if I come across a Chronicle that I think has something appropriate for one of my characters I will claim that one and apply it immediately.

I have only used Option #2 once to raise a character to an appropriate level to play with my fellow GMs from afar during Slot Zero before a Con. People I rarely if ever get to play with. And I had it completely ready to play well before the Slot. This was bitter sweet because, although I got to play with friends, I lost the experience of playing those adventures with that character. I would like to have this option available, however I can live without it.

My biggest concern is being required to apply a Chronicle to a character the first time I GM a scenario or not at all. I don't think that this is an intent, however some of the posts herein and of late have seemed to point in this direction.

Last year at GenCon it the scenarios that I GMed on Thursday and Friday and did not add a -Character Number to the event tracking slip got applied to my 1st Character by default. A character that died the first time I played him, at my first Society game, at my first Con. {Thanks Dragnmoon ;)} Not a big deal for me at the moment, since I usually don't take GM credit. (I'll ask to get it fixed eventually)

I am an organizer for local Society game days and I GM and assist the admin at conventions as often as I can.

Locally I plan for 5 player tables and usually get them. Occasionally with last minute GM issues and late players I get a 6 player and rarely a 7 player table. I'll admit that it does take a little bit more effort, especially when people are late, but it is doable.

I have GMed and organized enough tables and discussed this topic with plenty of GM to be of the very strong opinion that the current set up is fine and that altering the scenario design to use a base of 6 players or allowing characters to play out of Tier is a bad idea. However I am not against having scenario encounters designed so that they can be adjusted by the GM to accommodate party size. (Not as a whim by the GM to add things/mooks that are not written into the scenario)

I have to agree that it comes down to the organizer and those mustering tables to keep table size and party level composition balanced. Things are never perfect and mistakes are made but with a little effort it is possible to set things up so that more often there are 5 player tables and people are playing as close to tier as possible.

I also understand that some areas have a much smaller player and GM base which makes this more difficult. If players are a little more flexible about which character they play and when the play a scenario I believe this can be worked out.

This is a situation, like many that have been very passionately debated lately, that should be handled at a local level instead of having Paizo change the OP rules.

My Honest Opinion, Experiences may vary.

Rebel's Ransom is particularly rough. Review the encounters at the higher Tier and compare them to the party make up. Although the players may choose, they should choose based on the GM's input about the scenario.

The last time ran this one I nearly had a party wipe on the first encounter. One died and a lot of resources were spent to continue.

Good luck, it is a good adventure.

. . . so was Cactus Jack (who marked your post as a favorite). Despite your theory, you guys weren't weak btw. ;)

Thank You Jason

Awesome little Con!!! Tracy and Chris did a fantastic job, kudos to them!!!

Overall Con attendance seemed a little lower than last year, but that may have been an illusion based on the layout. PFS attendance was very good, if I remember correctly there were 13 full tables at 12pm on Friday, the first slot, and Sunday ended with 7 tables of 5-6 players each at 8am. Tracy and Chris will have more accurate numbers.

For my part I ran the Beginner Box Delves most of the weekend. We ran the Delves 12 times over the weekend including 1 on Sunday. I estimate conservatively that 80% of the people that played the delves were new to Pathfinder in one fashion or another. Many hadn't role played in a long time.

A large portion, I'd guess over half, continued to play in one or more Society Scenarios over the weekend and wanted more information on playing locally. The Beginner Box Delves are well written products (FREE) that provide a great balanced introduction to the Pathfinder RPG and running them alongside Society event is a valuable addition to any Con.

Thanks also to Bob for letting his arm be twisted into running a Scenario after hours Saturday night for a couple of us night owls. Most of my time with society has been spent GMing and organizing play at our local store so I relish these times that I get to play and I am very appreciative of a fellow GM willing to give up his sleep to run a scenario. Thanks again!!

Overall a fantastic time. I look forward to next year.

Ok, update for end of Day 2.

I currently have 75 Tier 1 GMs assigned slots. That means I only have 5 Tier 1 GM positions available on a first come, first served basis.

I have approx. 6 Tier 2 positions available.

I have approx. 8 Tier 3 and 4 positions available (most on Saturday and Sunday).

Awesome!!!

A related question, I know has been answered but my search-fu is weak.

How does a wizard upgrade their bonded item to a magical item that fits in the same slot? I can't remember if you pay half, or full.

Weapons are easy, you follow the rules for upgrading weapons.

There is a section on Arcane Bond in the Society FAQ Section: Society FAQ

I will be in town Thursday night. If anyone is around and wants to GM a game, I would be interested in playing.

Also, if you are not a player/GM during the special on Saturday night would like to gather for an alternate game, let me know. Again, I'm up for playing.

Otherwise, see y'all there!!!

I could be available. I figure that most peeps will be more interested in the Special over the Delves.

Wish I could Bob, wish I could. I'm sure Thursday will be last minute map detail for me. Cactus and I are planning on heading down early Friday morning I believe.

Yepperz

So, um, any chance of previews for Advanced Race Guide coming soon?

Game Trade Magazine #145 has a two page excerpt on the Duergar. Your friendly Neighborhood game store should have a copy.

Thursday, August 16
Slot 1 (0800-1300): #4-04: King of Storval Stairs (7-11)
Slot 2 (1300-1800):
Slot 3 (1900-2400): #4-03: The Golemworks Incident (5-9)

Friday, August 17
Slot 4 (0800-1300): #4-04: King of Storval Stairs (7-11)
Slot 5 (1300-1800): #4-03: The Golemworks Incident (5-9)
Slot 6 (1900-2400): Gen Con Special, Part 1

Saturday, August 18
Slot 7 (0800-1300): #4-03: The Golemworks Incident (5-9)
Slot 8 (1300-1800):
Slot 9 (1900-2400): #4-04: King of Storval Stairs (7-11) [OF]

Sunday, August 19
Slot 10 (0900-1400): #4-04: King of Storval Stairs (7-11)

"Stranger in a Strange Land" is one of my favorite books. It would be very interesting to read the original text in comparison to what was published. Even if it is not as good.

So who will be our Drunk Gm this year for Midnight Maddness??? Although I did not play last year it was by far the most entertaining game I have ever watched.

I'm still here, or maybe I'm back. I had let life's challenges keep me off the boards for a while. PFS at our store in Lafayette is booming. We have been regularly hosting 3 tables per slot with 3 slots per month minimum for the better part of the last year. This Sunday I am expecting 6-12 new players based on the store traffic this week. This could push us to 5 tables for our 1 Slot on Sunday. WHOOOT!!!

Chris Nehren wrote:

Recently, players in a previous group learned that if I (as a GM) say "are you sure?" the answer should very, very probably be "no".

That's funny, because I've learned when a GM asks "are you sure?", half the time he's just screwing with the player.

For me as a GM it's ususlly a 30/70 split 'tween "no" and messing with the players.

To add to Diego's input.

As long as one Faction member completes a Faction Mission all members of that Faction receive credit. This could reasonable be a situation where the two Faction members with the lowest Diplomacy skill use 'Aid Other' to help the one with the highest Diplomacy. I agree that three consecutive successes would be required.

my 2cp

Lots of good stuff here, glad that the thread was started.

Because PFS is an organized play format where I understand the overall goal is to provide a balanced and similar experience for all players no matter where they play or who GMs them, I attempt to stick to the Scenarios as they are written.

NPC Tactics: I try to follow them as written to the fullest extent possible. Occasionally a group of characters does the unexpected and if the NPC doesn't change tactics the encounter doesn't make sense. I have not had this happen to a memorable extent often enough to provide an example herein.

Faction Missions: Most of the time I adhere to what is written and allow players to assist one another. Although I think that at times the skill required vs. the task at hand are not a good match. Secret mission are a bit of a bother and are usually the one's that fail because assistance is usually not available or the skill required is an odd one for the characters at hand.

Adjusting Encounters: I have very rarely (like 4 times) adjusted an encounter and only during Scenarios with a larger player group. In these cases I added a couple mooks or let the BBEG last a round or two past his expiration date. My though at the time was that it gave each player an opportunity to 'do something' during the encounter. These times were early in my career as a PFS GM and I don't recall doing it in the last year.

As a player my most disappointing experience happened while playing a barbarian who failed to get into combat multiple timers because the other character were very good at Diplomatic Solutions. The Scenario was heavy on roleplaying and overall very enjoyable. When we got to the BBEG and the party was maneuvering for a glorious combat, while the BBEG monologued one of the party cast the Slumber Hex on him. Before combat started the Scenario was over. Great for that character, but the rest of the table was a bit down trodden.

Creative Solutions: I encourage them as best as I can. I have always believed that roleplaying is about being something that you could never ever accomplish on your best day with every aid available and proper planetary alignment. Creative Solutions can break a situation in a Scenario, however I have never seen one break a Scenario. I believe that not acknowledging Creative Solutions damages the table's experience. Like Ogre, they do need to make sense though.

I try to be more 'hard nosed' while running PFSOP because of the understanding that I mentioned initially. To add some perspective on the Home Front Campaign side, I am an 'old school' GM believing that the GM cannot cheat or be wrong about how the rules affect the campaign the GM is running. The players I have had over the 30+ years that I have been running campaigns agree with or accept this philosophy and have always had a good time with success and failure.

I bring this point up only to offer perspective. PFSOP cannot be balanced across the world if GMs incorporated that philosophy.

Y'all suck. . . . . . ;-)

If it makes you feel any better I'm no were close to being able to play Eyes of Ten. Too much GMing and no play, not to mention that we are only recently getting our local group into the tier 7-11 range.

I'll be there, running delves, as a back-up GM, and assisting Tracy. Should be a blast.

Mark Garringer posted a nice scenario list with a kind of story arc.

You can find it here: Pathfinder Society Module Selection

Although it is a little out of date.

I started organizing Society play at our local game store a couple years ago. It is coming along quite nicely. We regularly run 3 slots of at least 3 tables each slot over two Sundays a month. And occasionally we have pick up games on off Sundays.

Good Luck

Edit: Looks like Grolloc posted the same link order a pseudonym, oops.

Excellent Idea. Totally Love it.

Of course, Murphy had his grimy hands in this since Our last PFS day was yesterday. Fortunately Our next one is on the 26th. Just have to remember to have the Chronicle for our players. Will be cutting it close though.

When possible it would be great to see a 'Spoiler' button with the breakdown of the specific minis included in the earlier sets.

Although the prices are good on the paperminis, I am not a fan of buying blindly.

Specifically I'm looking for some Horse minis. The Paizo staff at GenCon had some in their box for the Delves this year.

Mark made a comment that the Guide was to be a general Society document for all players and that all specific class issues (like animal companions) would have a section in the FAQs.

I'll see if I can find the post and linkify it.

Although the deadline to change faction for free in August 2012 if you wish to change you faction for free you have to choose and record the change on the first chronicle that the specific character plays in after August 2011.

Also you have from now until August 2012 to change a character's faction for free. HOWEVER, to change a faction for free it must be done the FIRST time the character is played after August 4th 2011. If you miss the Free opportunity you can spend Prestige to change your faction anytime.

Your GM should note the change and cost on the character's chronicle like any other purchase.

This is outlined in the last paragraph of the Changing Faction section of the 4.0 Society Guide.

Although that is true for a scenario, a module is different. I haven't found a specific reference to MoTFF but in the PFS Rules for Godsmouth Heresy it says:

-- A player may use an existing Pathfinder Society character within 1 level of the module’s beginning level (1st). This means existing PCs of 1st and 2nd level are legal for play without modification. This includes new Pathfinder-Society-legal PCs for whom this module will constitute their first mission. -- (quote from the PFS Rules for Godsmouth Heresy PDF in the Additional Resources section of the web)

As a comparison We Be Goblins has the same verbage. I'm pretty sure that this was said for MotFF, but I haven't found the reference yet to linkify.

Doug Miles wrote:

Ha! Smoked the Cactus!

That would explain some of the sessions you have run...

I just saw Doug's Edit via your post. Most Hilarious!!!

Good Stuff

Hey Rogue, I was you GM for the incident with the GenCon police. Despite these hiccups it was a pleasure running you guys through that scenario (Sewer Dragons of Absalom, if my memory serves). I'm glad to hear that the PFS staff handled things to your satisfaction and that you all hand a great time playing pathfinder.

If you guys are ever in the Lafayette Indiana area look up our games at the Sage's Shoppe in West Lafayette.

See ya next con.

I'm pretty sure that the Venture captain in your area can make those edits. One will probably chime in in a minute to confirm that.

Is there a way to get the credit after the event has been posted?

When you pull up the event under your GM/Coordinator tab in the top right of the form is a Find # box. enter the number of the session you need to edit and add the information for the character that you want to apply the credit to.

Edit: Ninja'd by Doug: I assumed that you created the event.

Welcome to running games fro Pathfinder Society!!

Running season 0 scenarios isn't as complicated as it looks. The preference is for GMs to use the 3.5E Monster Manual monster stats as written. If you want to go to the effort of using the Bestiary stats that is fine, however pay close attention to the CR rating of the Pathfinder monsters, as many have changed. If the CR rating in the Bestiary is the same as the Monster Manual version there should not be any problems. If the Bestiary CR is higher you should probably stick to the 3.5E version.

As for skills that have been combined into one (Listen, Spot & Search into Perception; Hide and Move Silently into Stealth; and Tumble and Balance into Acrobatics, for example) use the Pathfinder skill for characters and one of the old skills for the NPCs.

I find it fairly easy to explain Search, Spot or Listen as Perception and giving a verbal / role playing note explaining which sense is used. For example, if a character has a chance to hear a troupe of hobgoblins advancing on their position at night, i have them make a Perception check and explaining to those that make the DC that they hear footsteps or something knocked over outside of their line of sight.

Another thing that may be necessary is CMB and CMD. It is pretty easy to calculate on the fly if you don't have time to figure it before you GM.

Lastly make sure you read through the New Pathfinder Society Guide 4.0 as to how earning Prestige has changed for the older seasons. Season 0 scenarios now earn 2 Prestige Points. (No it is not retroactive to previously run/played scenarios).

Good luck and remember to have fun above all else.

I had a similar experience playing my first Society game at GenCon a couple years ago. On the first scenario with a character with a name I have used for years in home games,he died in a TPK. I was more miffed about 'losing the name' than the character dying. So I rebooted him and made the new character Namex II with mostly them same build. During games I use Namex in every way and report the play as Namex with the ID XXXXX-2.

Hopefully all of the helpful suggestions herein help you find a useable solution for your character.

Happy Gaming!!

This is purely a "No $h1|, there I was" story, so take enjoyment in the pain of others, and mind the spoiler!

** spoiler omitted **...

Thanks again to Cactus-Jack and the rest of our table for an absolutely great game!

Glad you had a good time and a challenging adventure. I always prefer to run a scenario that challenges the players, granite 'challenge' here may be an understatement.

Although I feel for the first fighter dropped, at least it was a pregen instead of a leveled character.

Happy Gaming!!

Maybe I am being a bit dense, but what is the "Pathfinder Society Field Guide"? Apparently every player is supposed to have a copy.

the new guide for Pathfinders, upadted (kind of) from 'Seeker of secrets"

check it out here: Pathfinder Field Guide.

One more thing, Michael Costello (and fellow players), if it's possible maybe we could start Bloodcove Disguise a little early (6:30pm?) so we don't have to cut it short.

If all players are present and ready, it could be possible. I imagine that the 1pm session will be done by then. See ya Wednesday.

Glad to be of assistance. Happy Gaming!!!

oooh, Competition from the catbunnygnome, how exciting!!!

I am looking forward to the Fiend's Fury on Wednesday Mme catbunnygnome, and plenty of Ale and tasties.

Ah Baron Arem Heshvaun,

I take this opportunity to extend an invitation to a fine and Lawful table of adventure and daring doos at the earliest hour this upcoming Friday the 5th of August.

This adventure shall provide a fine opportunity for materials towards a grand Chronicle of your own. It seems that a little Imp has informed me that a plot involving the Shadow Lodge is thickening in the Andoran city of Almas. This would be a prime opportunity for Doktor Tessla Oppenhiemer Mengele to break this whole Shadow affair wide open and expand his renown throughout the Pathfinder Society and take another step closer to Paracountess Zarta's favors.

I'm sure that by now you are familiar, as least in part, at how stimulating a meeting with the Paracountess can be. And the errands that she asks of us provide such interesting experiences, oh how I recollect my own experiences on a journey through the Citadel of Flame. . . .

As for the rewards that you offer, they are truly regal in nature, but would be second to the opportunity to further the goals of the Paracountess and set a seed to the righteous order of Asmodeus in Andoran's Capitol.

Lawful servant to Asmodeus
Cactus-Jack
Alias Michael Costello

As a side note I feel obligated to add that your influences at the GenCon of the year 2009 led me to choose to serve the Paracountess.

That is definitely a fun Module.

Players and GMs can apply the Chronicle for We Be Goblins to any of their 1st or 2nd level characters. Fill out the Chronicle for the players and GM as if they actually played with one of their characters instead of the Goblin PreGen. The Chronicle and PFS Rules are located at the bottom of the Additional Resources Page HERE.

So if Fred has a 1st level Fighter number ######-2 of the Qadirian faction. The We Be Goblins Chronicle for Fred would use Character Number ######-2 and list Qadira as his faction.

Hope this helps.