ChrisO's page

I have suggested for the game I play in that each existing hex be subdivided into 7 smaller hexes for the purposes of building a kingdom.

Stating that the only function possible to get from an area of 374 sq miles is one single farm is stretching it. A lot. (If one line is 12 miles long).

Most medieval farms were more in the order of a mile or two in area.

FYI-- It's been mentioned elsewhere, but it isn't one farm, it's a hex dedicated to farming, which would include many farms and farmland in that hex, as well as whatever else would be needed for such. Unless you wish to think of it as one farm and subdivide, you need not do so, just assume that the hex contains a bunch of farms and the people to work them. :)

War for the Oaks, Emma Bull.

Chevalier, you get props for this one!! I was going to mention it myself. Happy to know others out there have read this EXCELLENT novel.

Try Steven Brust. The Vlad Taltos books, in particular. Really good, lots of strong women, and no sexual abuse. Well, none I can remember.

You get props, too, as I was going to mention Brust (I *always* mention Brust!) as another excellent choice. And no, no abuse in them.

Now, with those out of the way... These aren't pure fantasy, but I highly recommend:

The Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde (starting with The Eyre Affair)

Kim Harrison's "Rachel Morgan" series (starting with Dead Witch Walking)

As someone with similar tastes, it seems, you can't go wrong with any of the above. :)

Are all generalizations bad?

Ahem...

"Of course, everyone generalizes from one example. At least, I do."

Attribution: Steven Brust, Issola

The Cleric answered, "I just Googled it."
Why bring a Bard when you have Google.

So, do you use Obsidian Portal or any other online information for your PCs?

Cause what's good for the Good Guys is good for the Bad Guys... ;)

"Toadie!"
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"I just Googled those upstarts building that kingdom to the East. Seems they have a Wizard amongst them with a staff of fireballs, a Cleric of Pharasma, a rogue who wields a magic shortsword, and that king of there's is actually a Paladin of Erastil! Also, seems the wizard just got a new Imp familiar, and that holier-than-thou king is big on Leadership--just got some stupid fighter cohort. So, here's what we're gonna do..."

It's October! So, might I recommend Roger Zelazny's "A Night in the Lonesome October".

If you can, read a chapter a day (for each of the 31 days). Of course, you'd have to do catch-up, and it may be impossible to put it down after just on chapter in a day, but... :)

I've a question about Vordakai's familiar. In his paragraph it says "Horagnamon may take a specific act against the PC, as indicated by the text".

What other ways have you people managed to use him as?

He followed my players around for days. They spotted him, but he kept flying away. Finally they caught up to him (dimension door), but I had V blow him up. I gave the surrounding PCs a Reflex save for half X damage (can't recall what damage I used). It mentions something similar in the text, but not how or what, so I made it up. I can do that; I'm the GM. :)

Oh, and my players were *shocked* that a believed wizard would do such a thing to his familiar. They just couldn't understand it. But hey, it was that or have the familiar give away spoilers!

Before he was caught, he was the main reason why Soul Eaters kept harassing the party. Each week they spent before H was blown up, they'd be attacked in the night. Annoyed the heck out of 'em (though they learned how to deal with the annoyances rather quickly).

Turin,

I placed the zip file on my site, as it doesn't appear to violate Paizo's policy. Anyone who wishes to download it may go Here.

Nice work, by the way! Looks like you spent a good deal of time with it. Are your players higher level than the orig book? Thanks for the excellent contribution! :)

Typos have ALWAYS been embarassing. And they're nothing new. As evidenced by the 43 HD pyrolisk from 1st edition AD&D.

Typos happen. Editing isn't perfect even when it's done by multiple people over multiple revisions. Pointing it out can be helpful, but beating the TypoHorse to death is silly.

When I was in school I used to edit my teacher's syllabus and hand it back to them. James, you are FAR more reasonable than my teachers when such errors are pointed out. Apparently, teachers hate a snot-nosed kid pointing out their mistakes. Go figure. :)

I think the biggest challenge Im going to have with the future of this campaign is the kingdom building mechanics. My group if definately a bunch of Roll-Players. They love the combat and only really deal with the RP when they have to. This is probably why they prefer to kill/explore rather than return to Olegs for buying, selling and NPC interacting.

If this is the case, you might wish to consider the kingdom-in-the-background aspect. While there is a good deal of rolling with kingdom building, there isn't much combat and it can slow down the overall speed of the day (at least for a little while). Just a thought. :)

Wanted to stop by and give a hearty thanks to Greg, or whomever it was who came up with the Soul Eater.

This creature has now scared and harassed my players twice, and it's been a joy. Oh, sure, a quick-thinking Inquisitor has Magic Circled a protection against the creature's target and others, but they've come to scramble at the sight of the thing.

Yesterday, while camping near the Valley, the Paladin was on watch at night. He completely missed seeing the creature, who went straight for the poor Duchess--the Eater's target. After the Inq protected the Duchess, it went after the Paladin. One claw-crit later and the Paly was dropped to zero Wis. Were it not for that dang protection circle, I'd have had his soul!

They're on the threshold of The Tower, and I'm looking forward to what awaits them inside...

So, thanks for this one! It's been a pleasure to torment my players with this dreadful creature.

Much obliged to ya! ;)

ChrisO wrote:

The Chort wrote:

First, a surprise vocabulary test!

** spoiler omitted **

If you want full-on definitions, I'll have to hit up a dictionary.

Am I first? Do I get a demiplane now? I'll accept a lesser one, if only because I used synonyms instead of full definitions. :)

It's come to my attention that the vocabulary word 'dissident' was supposed to be 'diffident.' Regardless, that isn't your fault.

Sure! You get your own demiplane! Some restrictions apply and demiplane may be subject to GM approval. For more details, find a cleric who can cast 7th level spells.

Well, long as it ain't my fault. Reminds me that I was the one in school correcting the teacher's syllabus. Boy did they hate that!

Oh, and for correctly using "regardless" instead of "irregardless", you may join me on my soon-to-be-brought-into-being demiplane. Tea and crumpets served promptly upon entry, and my floating monkey will happily take your coat.

Yes, I said floating monkey. If I can have my own demiplane, I should certainly be able to get a floating monkey from somewhere. I shall call him Jeff.

First, a surprise vocabulary test!

Am I first? Do I get a demiplane now? I'll accept a lesser one, if only because I used synonyms instead of full definitions. :)

The Beast of Lepidstadt is very much inspired by Frankenstein... as in, the original story. In which the beast IS smart. And can read.

It's true that the typical (as in most of them) flesh golems are mindless... but that's not the case with the Beast of Lepidstadt. And that's why he gets an entire adventure to basically star in... because he's a delicate snowflake unlike all the others! :-)

I suspect the Beast is reading Hegel's "The Science of Logic" in preparation for the upcoming trial. Be thankful that he is not, instead, reading Kafka.

While I'm months away from running The Varnhold Vanishing, I'm struck by the opportunity presented in this volume. Mainly, the chance to have the BBEG perform that staple of all BBEGs, the "Bad Guy Monologue". From the description in the book, he seems the perfect type to start rambling on in Evil Guy fashion.

Anyone else struck by this? When I get around to writing up some, I'd be happy to post it, if anyone is interested.

Something like:

"Ah, my guests have arrived. Welcome, mortals. I had expected you much sooner. Has no one ever explained the etiquette due one's host? Well, no matter. I find this new age of yours fascinating enough to ward off any ennui brought about by your lack of courtesy."

I'm tempted to write paragraphs of the stuff, just waiting for the players to interrupt him. Sort of a "Take ten minutes to explain the Evil Plan, then kill 'em!" scene.

Okay, I admit I'm silly....:)

Just treat withdrawing items from the public the same as withdrawing money. The rules are already there in the Economy phase.

On the matter of PCs wishing to purloin items above their monetary station, I had a couple thoughts:

1- Roleplay and haggle with the vendor. Not just for cash, but I could see a vendor wishing a certain building type would be built next door, etc. That could lower the price some. "I'll sell it to you at cost if you have built a Caster's Tower so I could do some research!"

2- Okay, this might fall out of the Lawful-Good alignment, but how's about a good old-fashioned break-in? Could be its own encounter, as well as incuring whatever fallout might come of some unknown thief stealing an expensive item from one of your loyal subject's stores. Magistrate- "Can you describe the subject?"
Witness- "Well, uh... he looked kinda like Lord Newbie, but I'd never suggest that he would ever...."

Yes, I can see Unrest going up with the second idea. :)

~CO

P.S. - I'm new to the boards, hoping to start a Kingmaker campaign next month, and might I say that Messrs. Jacobs, Nelson, et. al. have created something very exciting, and I can't wait to dive into this AP!