paizo.com Recent Posts by Cyradpaizo.com Recent Posts by Cyrad2024-03-18T23:22:42Z2024-03-18T23:22:42ZRe: Forums: Playtest General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Field Test #4: Team Up with an Envoy!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siiy&page=2?Field-Test-4-Team-Up-with-an-Envoy#792024-03-16T10:31:04Z2024-03-15T19:02:17Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Finoan wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Cyrad wrote:</div><blockquote> The problem with a status penalty is that it doesn't stack with Demoralize </blockquote><p>Well, there are only the <a href="https://2e.aonprd.com/Rules.aspx?ID=2281" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">two types</a>. Unless you want Get 'Em to be an Item penalty for some strange reason.
<p>Edit: Or, I guess if you are arguing that the penalty should be Untyped. But that would make it stack with everything and that just feels way overpowered. </blockquote><p>I'm saying that it's an antipattern to make a Charisma-based skill monkey class have a combat class feature that makes using Charisma-based skills redundant in combat. This is why I suggested making the ability to cause off-guard at the cost of requiring a skill check.
<p>Alternatively, maybe Get 'Em could give you the choice of whether it's AC or a saving throw that gets a penalty?</p>Finoan wrote:Cyrad wrote: The problem with a status penalty is that it doesn't stack with Demoralize
Well, there are only the two types. Unless you want Get 'Em to be an Item penalty for some strange reason. Edit: Or, I guess if you are arguing that the penalty should be Untyped. But that would make it stack with everything and that just feels way overpowered. I'm saying that it's an antipattern to make a Charisma-based skill monkey class have a combat class feature that makes using...Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2024-03-15T19:02:17ZRe: Forums: Playtest General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Field Test #4: Team Up with an Envoy!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siiy&page=2?Field-Test-4-Team-Up-with-an-Envoy#712024-03-16T03:11:22Z2024-03-15T13:11:43Z<p>The problem with a status penalty is that it doesn't stack with Demoralize</p>
<p>If I were designing Get 'Em, I would make the ability require a check with a skill based on Leadership Style. If it succeeds, the target is flat-footed. If it fails, the target just receives a -1 circumstance penalty to AC. Lead by example grants a +1 circumstance bonus to damage per weapon die and the envoy benefits from it on the triggering attack.</p>The problem with a status penalty is that it doesn't stack with Demoralize
If I were designing Get 'Em, I would make the ability require a check with a skill based on Leadership Style. If it succeeds, the target is flat-footed. If it fails, the target just receives a -1 circumstance penalty to AC. Lead by example grants a +1 circumstance bonus to damage per weapon die and the envoy benefits from it on the triggering attack.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2024-03-15T13:11:43ZRe: Forums: Playtest General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Field Test #4: Team Up with an Envoy!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siiy?Field-Test-4-Team-Up-with-an-Envoy#502024-03-15T01:40:16Z2024-03-14T17:09:22Z<p>This is a class I've been looking forward to. I really like the directive system, but the Envoy's class features make it feel like a worse rogue or investigator.
<br />
[Spoiler omitted]</p>This is a class I've been looking forward to. I really like the directive system, but the Envoy's class features make it feel like a worse rogue or investigator.
[Spoiler omitted]Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2024-03-14T17:09:22ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Dragons Worth a Fortune!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sii7?Dragons-Worth-a-Fortune#142024-02-17T08:38:54Z2024-02-16T20:47:14Z<p>Punk dragon with sword lip piercings. I like it.</p>
<p>But will we get any pretty dragons?</p>
<p>(As much as the fortune dragon is beautiful in their own way)</p>Punk dragon with sword lip piercings. I like it.
But will we get any pretty dragons?
(As much as the fortune dragon is beautiful in their own way)Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2024-02-16T20:47:14ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: The Godsrain Prophecies Part OneCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sii0?The-Godsrain-Prophecies-Part-One#442024-02-07T20:36:10Z2024-02-07T20:33:01Z<p>Oh you cheeky...</p>
<p>Well played.</p>Oh you cheeky...
Well played.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2024-02-07T20:33:01ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Did spells really lose their verbal and somatic component traits?Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xlv?Did-spells-really-lose-their-verbal-and#132024-01-27T00:08:20Z2024-01-23T16:10:15Z<p>This kind of misunderstanding is one of the many reasons they removed spell components and simplified the Cast a Spell activity. The traits system is great, but the rules start to get complicated and murky when actions and effects gain traits implicitly.</p>This kind of misunderstanding is one of the many reasons they removed spell components and simplified the Cast a Spell activity. The traits system is great, but the rules start to get complicated and murky when actions and effects gain traits implicitly.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2024-01-23T16:10:15ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: What does Gunsmith's Reward grant?Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xlu?What-does-Gunsmiths-Reward-grant#42024-01-27T00:08:20Z2024-01-23T14:31:00Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Ravingdork wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Pirate Rob wrote:</div><blockquote> Download the boon. It's only assignable to the character that earned it so there's no choices to be made there. </blockquote><p>I have to download it first to know what it does then?
<p>•Sigh• I can't do that just yet. I'm still waiting on the GM to report the game. </blockquote><p>[Spoiler omitted]Ravingdork wrote:Pirate Rob wrote: Download the boon. It's only assignable to the character that earned it so there's no choices to be made there.
I have to download it first to know what it does then? *Sigh* I can't do that just yet. I'm still waiting on the GM to report the game. [Spoiler omitted]Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2024-01-23T14:31:00ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Did spells really lose their verbal and somatic component traits?Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xlv?Did-spells-really-lose-their-verbal-and#102024-01-27T00:08:20Z2024-01-23T14:15:09Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Ravingdork wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Cyrad wrote:</div><blockquote>Spells with verbal components now simply have the concentrate trait. Spells with somatic components now simply have the manipulate trait. Spells now have "costs" instead of material components and "loci" instead of focus components. </blockquote><p><b>So where is that rule listed?</b> The one that says you swap out the old traits for different traits.
<p>Because I haven't been able to find it.</blockquote><p>Spell components are technically NOT traits. They're just a rule that's part of the Cast a Spell activity. Player Core changed Cast a Spell so it no longer has this rule.
<p>No explicit substitution is necessary because <i>all spells with verbal components</i> already have the concentrate trait and <i>all spells with somatic components</i> already have the manipulate trait. Page 5 of <a href="https://downloads.paizo.com/RemasterCorePreview.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Remaster Core Preview document</a> makes it clear that spells are reformatted so these traits are directly on the spell statblocks instead of using spell components as a placeholder.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Ravingdork wrote:</div><blockquote><div class="messageboard-quotee">Cyrad wrote:</div><blockquote>What this means is that all spells now require speaking, which automatically adds the auditory trait to Cast a Spell.</blockquote>Source? Adding the auditory trait to nearly every spell sounds incorrect to me.</blockquote></blockquote><p>The spell effects do NOT gain the auditory trait. The Cast a Spell <b>activity</b> gains the auditory trait because:
<p>Spellcasting and Cast a Spell now require speaking (Player Core 299).</p>
<p>All speech has the auditory trait (Player Core 419).</p>
<p>Actions and activities with the auditory trait require speaking (Player Core 453).</p>
<p>The auditory trait makes the distinction that auditory <b>effects</b> require the target to hear it while auditory <b>actions</b> require speech to perform.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Player Core p.454 wrote:</div><blockquote><p><b>auditory</b> (trait) Auditory actions and effects rely on sound. An
</p>
action with the auditory trait can be successfully performed
<br />
only if the creature using the action can speak or otherwise
<br />
produce the required sounds. A spell or effect with the
<br />
auditory trait has its effect only if the target can hear it. This
<br />
applies only to sound-based parts of the effect, as determined
<br />
by the GM. This is different from a sonic effect, which still
<br />
affects targets who can’t hear it (such as deaf targets) as long
<br />
as the effect itself makes sound.</blockquote><p>Ravingdork wrote:Cyrad wrote:Spells with verbal components now simply have the concentrate trait. Spells with somatic components now simply have the manipulate trait. Spells now have "costs" instead of material components and "loci" instead of focus components.
So where is that rule listed? The one that says you swap out the old traits for different traits. Because I haven't been able to find it.Spell components are technically NOT traits. They're just a rule that's part of the Cast a Spell...Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2024-01-23T14:15:09ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Did spells really lose their verbal and somatic component traits?Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xlv?Did-spells-really-lose-their-verbal-and#32024-01-27T00:06:38Z2024-01-22T21:11:00Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Ravingdork wrote:</div><blockquote> I heard a rumor that spells will no longer have the verbal and somatic component traits in Remastered PFS. Is this true? If so where might I find that rule/errata? </blockquote><p><a href="https://lorespire.paizo.com/tiki-index.php?page=pfs2guide._.Pathfinder-2e-Remaster" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">See this document,</a> which says "players and GMs must use the remastered rules of the game immediately where possible."
<p>Player Core removes spell components from the game. Instead, spells have relevant traits. The Cast a Spell activity also has been changed so that spellcasting always requires gestures and verbal incantations unless said otherwise.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Player Core p.299 wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Casting a spell requires the caster to make gestures
</p>
and utter incantations, so being unable to speak prevents
<br />
spellcasting for most casters.</blockquote><p>What this means is that all spells now require speaking, which automatically adds the auditory trait to Cast a Spell. Spells with verbal components now simply have the concentrate trait. Spells with somatic components now simply have the manipulate trait. Spells now have "costs" instead of material components and "loci" instead of focus components.Ravingdork wrote:I heard a rumor that spells will no longer have the verbal and somatic component traits in Remastered PFS. Is this true? If so where might I find that rule/errata?
See this document, which says "players and GMs must use the remastered rules of the game immediately where possible." Player Core removes spell components from the game. Instead, spells have relevant traits. The Cast a Spell activity also has been changed so that spellcasting always requires gestures and verbal...Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2024-01-22T21:11:00ZRe: Forums: Field Test Discussion: Paizo Blog: Field Test #3: That Cantina FeelCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sih6&page=2?Field-Test-3-That-Cantina-Feel#542024-01-05T01:39:26Z2024-01-04T14:14:39Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Thurston Hillman wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Herald of the Redeemer Queen wrote:</div><blockquote> That said, was hoping that since Androids are being actually created in Starfinder timeline, was hoping to see an option for them to emulate non-human Ancestries, especially non-Medium ones. </blockquote>I want to tackle this comment, because it has come up a few times. The team is VERY excited at the possibility of doing more with the "android chasis" but also don't want to complicate the Core Rulebook design too much. That being said, there's been a fair amount of hype for us exploring "Xenometric Android" as a potential versatile heritage in some future products. :) </blockquote><p>Seems like a great opportunity for a Starfinder analog to the Mixed Ancestry versatile heritage. A science fantasy setting would have many more ways to create hybrid creatures.Thurston Hillman wrote:Herald of the Redeemer Queen wrote: That said, was hoping that since Androids are being actually created in Starfinder timeline, was hoping to see an option for them to emulate non-human Ancestries, especially non-Medium ones.
I want to tackle this comment, because it has come up a few times. The team is VERY excited at the possibility of doing more with the "android chasis" but also don't want to complicate the Core Rulebook design too much. That being said, there's...Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2024-01-04T14:14:39ZForums/Paizo: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Pathfinder Infinite and the ORC LicenseCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sig4?Pathfinder-Infinite-and-the-ORC-License#32023-11-15T18:11:06Z2023-11-14T19:42:19Z<p>OK, so please correct me if I'm interpreting this wrong.</p>
<p>1. We cannot publish Infinite products under ORC, but that's OK because we don't need to anyway?</p>
<p>2. If we publish an Infinite product based on a Paizo ORC product, we don't need any additional license beyond the Infinite license?</p>
<p>3. If we use Open Game Content from a Paizo OGL product, we have to publish it under both OGL and Infinite license as normal?</p>
<p>4. If we use setting/characters/etc but no Open Game Content from a Paizo OGL product, we don't have to publish it under OGL with the Infinite license. This is because the it's the Infinite license is what allows us to do that, not the OGL?</p>OK, so please correct me if I'm interpreting this wrong.
1. We cannot publish Infinite products under ORC, but that's OK because we don't need to anyway?
2. If we publish an Infinite product based on a Paizo ORC product, we don't need any additional license beyond the Infinite license?
3. If we use Open Game Content from a Paizo OGL product, we have to publish it under both OGL and Infinite license as normal?
4. If we use setting/characters/etc but no Open Game Content from a Paizo OGL...Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-11-14T19:42:19ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Adventure Path #201: Pactbreaker (Wardens of Wildwood 1 of 3)Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/products/btq02ev4/discuss?Pathfinder-Adventure-Path-201-Pactbreaker#172023-11-09T14:51:02Z2023-11-09T14:45:29Z<p>Turtle person?</p>
<p>Will there finally be a tortoise ancestry?</p>
<p>Will the dragon game lose the one advantage it has over Pathfinder?</p>Turtle person?
Will there finally be a tortoise ancestry?
Will the dragon game lose the one advantage it has over Pathfinder?Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-11-09T14:45:29ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Orcs, Dromaar, and More!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sig0?Orcs-Dromaar-and-More#442023-11-08T12:58:58Z2023-11-08T12:58:10Z<p>I'm curious if PFS will let you let you make your own hybrid ancestries or will force you to only use half-elf and half-orc.</p>I'm curious if PFS will let you let you make your own hybrid ancestries or will force you to only use half-elf and half-orc.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-11-08T12:58:10ZRe: Forums: Playtest General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Field Test #3 Survey Extreme!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sifu?Field-Test-3-Survey-Extreme#122023-11-03T01:17:51Z2023-11-01T18:36:01Z<p>No Skittermanders or SROs?</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">CorvusMask wrote:</div><blockquote> Skittermander don't feel like core rulebook option to me tbh </blockquote><p>Skittermanders are the mascots of Starfinder. It would be criminal to put goblins in PF2's CRB but not Skittermanders in SF2's CRB.No Skittermanders or SROs?
CorvusMask wrote:Skittermander don't feel like core rulebook option to me tbh
Skittermanders are the mascots of Starfinder. It would be criminal to put goblins in PF2's CRB but not Skittermanders in SF2's CRB.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-11-01T18:36:01ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Paizo Blog: Pathfinder Society and the RemasterCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sifn?Pathfinder-Society-and-the-Remaster#292023-11-03T14:41:08Z2023-10-26T18:58:37Z<p>What about spells that have the same name but are otherwise completely different in a way that renders them incompatible with existing options?</p>
<p>For example, Remastered Light is NOT the same spell as the existing Light. They have completely different effects. How would my wayfinder work when the remastered Light cannot target objects? And what about Speltrickster? Can I use the old version of light for these options or so they just not work anymore? </p>
<p>It doesn’t seem fair when you can still use an old spell if it got a name change but not if the name stayed the same but nothing else.</p>What about spells that have the same name but are otherwise completely different in a way that renders them incompatible with existing options?
For example, Remastered Light is NOT the same spell as the existing Light. They have completely different effects. How would my wayfinder work when the remastered Light cannot target objects? And what about Speltrickster? Can I use the old version of light for these options or so they just not work anymore?
It doesn’t seem fair when you can still...Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-10-26T18:58:37ZRe: Forums: Season of Ghosts: Paizo Blog: Tis the Season!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sifm?Tis-the-Season#22023-10-26T11:16:24Z2023-10-25T17:54:37Z<p>The dreaded NDA pit claims another one.</p>The dreaded NDA pit claims another one.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-10-25T17:54:37ZRe: Forums/Organized Play: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: October 2023 Organized Play Monthly UpdateCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siez?October-2023-Organized-Play-Monthly-Update#52023-10-06T14:57:38Z2023-10-06T10:01:32Z<p>Wooo, congratulations Heather!</p>Wooo, congratulations Heather!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-10-06T10:01:32ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Player Core Preview: The Remastered RangerCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siew?Player-Core-Preview-The-Remastered-Ranger#192023-10-05T02:43:35Z2023-10-03T19:02:58Z<p>Good stuff.</p>
<p>But I'm really, <i>really</i>, <b><i>really</i></b> hoping unarmed attack builds get some love with the remastered Ranger. Almost all ranger martial feats only work with weapons. Twin Takedown, Hunted Shot, Hunter's Aim, Skirmish Strike, Far Shot, and many other feats don't work with claws and other unarmed attacks, which is <b>incredibly</b> weird for a class that revolves around "hunting prey."</p>Good stuff.
But I'm really, really, really hoping unarmed attack builds get some love with the remastered Ranger. Almost all ranger martial feats only work with weapons. Twin Takedown, Hunted Shot, Hunter's Aim, Skirmish Strike, Far Shot, and many other feats don't work with claws and other unarmed attacks, which is incredibly weird for a class that revolves around "hunting prey."Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-10-03T19:02:58ZRe: Forums: Exemplar Class Discussion: Level 10 Solo PlaytestCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43vw0?Level-10-Solo-Playtest#42023-10-02T02:51:10Z2023-10-02T02:46:59Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">pauljathome wrote:</div><blockquote> One thing to keep in mind is that the Exemplar is also intended to be a decent buffer for his party. So he isn't going to shine in a 1 on 1 encounter (which is what I THINK you did) </blockquote><p>I did not strictly do one-on-one encounters, but I admit I undervalued the buffing auras. I did start every fight by Transcending with Thousand-League Sandals, even though I did not have any allies or need the speed buff. Giving all allies a Stride as a reaction is crazy good. The worn ikons easily have the best Transcend abilities, which ran counter to my initial assumptions about the class.pauljathome wrote:One thing to keep in mind is that the Exemplar is also intended to be a decent buffer for his party. So he isn't going to shine in a 1 on 1 encounter (which is what I THINK you did)
I did not strictly do one-on-one encounters, but I admit I undervalued the buffing auras. I did start every fight by Transcending with Thousand-League Sandals, even though I did not have any allies or need the speed buff. Giving all allies a Stride as a reaction is crazy good. The worn ikons...Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-10-02T02:46:59ZForums: Exemplar Class Discussion: Level 10 Solo PlaytestCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43vw0?Level-10-Solo-Playtest#12023-10-02T10:41:40Z2023-10-01T17:37:55Z<p>I built several Exemplars to get a feel of the options and the experience of creating a character using it. Afterward, I ran a variety of combat encounters from the 10th level of Abomination Vaults. I was interested to see how satisfying the class felt in combat with the flow of swapping ikons.</p>
<p><b>SUMMARY</b></p>
<p>1) The class has amazing flavor and many interesting abilities. However, it lacked the breadth of tactical options I expected from this class's design.</p>
<p>2) Lack of medium armor proficiency, incompatibility with unarmed attacks, and weak feat choices at low levels were major limiting factors in character creation.</p>
<p>3) Almost all active feats are Transcend abilities, which compete with one another for usage. This made the class feel like it had less breadth of tactical options at higher levels compared to other martials.</p>
<p>4) Ikon swapping could be interesting at times, but I felt there's a dominant strategy in just swapping between weapon and worn ikons. Most body ikons did not feel useful in combat.</p>
<p>5) Damage feels low unless I'm scoring critical hits.</p>
<p>6) Struggles with constructs until level 7 when you can swap out spirit damage for something else.</p>
<p>7) Having only 2 + Religion trained skills does hurt.</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>Warning: There's minor spoilers for Abomination Vaults.</p>I built several Exemplars to get a feel of the options and the experience of creating a character using it. Afterward, I ran a variety of combat encounters from the 10th level of Abomination Vaults. I was interested to see how satisfying the class felt in combat with the flow of swapping ikons.
SUMMARY
1) The class has amazing flavor and many interesting abilities. However, it lacked the breadth of tactical options I expected from this class's design.
2) Lack of medium armor proficiency,...Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-10-01T17:37:55ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Ancestries and Heritages Preview: A World of PossibilityCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sieu?Ancestries-and-Heritages-Preview-A-World-of#152023-09-29T22:16:01Z2023-09-29T22:12:28Z<p>Are other mixed heritages possible?</p>
<p>And if you can have cosmetic features from heritages you do not have, does that apply to my ancestry’s heritages? Can my talos nagaji look like a sacred nagaji with a snake lower half?</p>Are other mixed heritages possible?
And if you can have cosmetic features from heritages you do not have, does that apply to my ancestry’s heritages? Can my talos nagaji look like a sacred nagaji with a snake lower half?Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-09-29T22:12:28ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Player Core Preview: Spells and Spellcasting, RemasteredCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siek&page=3?Player-Core-Preview-Spells-and-Spellcasting#1382023-09-22T18:54:05Z2023-09-22T17:12:25Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Tooosk wrote:</div><blockquote>Magus could need Expansive Spellstrike errata'd into a class feature if Paizo is going to remove all these spell attack rolls. </blockquote><p>I have to agree with this. Expansive Spellstrike already feels like a feat tax for half the magi out there.Tooosk wrote:Magus could need Expansive Spellstrike errata'd into a class feature if Paizo is going to remove all these spell attack rolls.
I have to agree with this. Expansive Spellstrike already feels like a feat tax for half the magi out there.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-09-22T17:12:25ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Player Core Preview: Spells and Spellcasting, RemasteredCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siek&page=3?Player-Core-Preview-Spells-and-Spellcasting#1352023-09-22T17:31:04Z2023-09-22T16:59:54Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Captain Morgan wrote:</div><blockquote>Also... you can still use Shocking Grasp, you know? It won't be fundamentally incompatible with the remaster. Archive of Nethys isn't removing it, nor will your old rule book be altered. I imagine pre-remaster content might not be viable for PFS, but home games should be fine. Heck, even PFS might still allow it, since tons of books and spells won't be getting remastered. Parsing out which is which may not be worth it when the real problem of publishing rights isn't impacted by table play. </blockquote><p>That's unacceptable rhetoric in my view, even putting aside PFS, which is the only avenue of play for many such as myself.
<p>I'm looking forward to Player Core, and I think most of the changes will make the game better. However, the Remaster was <b>aggressively</b> advertised as not adversely changing anything in the game. The previews make it clear that's not the case. A popular spell was outright removed and replaced with a completely different one. Light is now incompatible with options that interact with it; even wayfinders don't work anymore. At least one class will suffer a major paradigm shift and require an extensive errata.</p>Captain Morgan wrote:Also... you can still use Shocking Grasp, you know? It won't be fundamentally incompatible with the remaster. Archive of Nethys isn't removing it, nor will your old rule book be altered. I imagine pre-remaster content might not be viable for PFS, but home games should be fine. Heck, even PFS might still allow it, since tons of books and spells won't be getting remastered. Parsing out which is which may not be worth it when the real problem of publishing rights isn't...Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-09-22T16:59:54ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Player Core Preview: Spells and Spellcasting, RemasteredCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siek&page=3?Player-Core-Preview-Spells-and-Spellcasting#1102023-09-22T17:23:10Z2023-09-22T13:57:26Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Captain Morgan wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Cyrad wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Captain Morgan wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Cyrad wrote:</div><blockquote> I'm just puzzled why shocking grasp had to be replaced by a completely different spell. Thunderstrike is a great addition but why remove an iconic spell that has a fun niche? </blockquote>Literally the whole reason they are doing the remaster, and aluded to in the blog post itself. </blockquote>I'm not seeing why shocking grasp needed to be changed to a completely different spell. Other spells were kept fundamentally the same despite a name change. </blockquote><p>That's because those spells already had different mechanics than their OGL counterparts. Magic Missile and Scorching Ray both had variable output based on the 3 action economy. Barkskin gave you resistance and weakness to different damage types instead of boosting your AC.
<p>Spells that didn't have unique flavor or mechanics were altered so that they did, a la Meteor Swarm and Cone of Cold. And shocking grasp was functionally equivalent to its 3.5 version. </blockquote><p>Still is not a good justification for replacing shocking grasp with a completely different spell. All of the above examples are fundamentally the same spell in both flavor and function.
<p>Both scorching ray and blazing bolt shoot one or more heat rays
<br />
Both meteor and falling stars rain fiery death from the heavens.
<br />
Both cone of cold and howling blizzard unleash a frosty cone-shaped blast.
<br />
Both magic missile and force barrage still fire magical homing missiles.</p>
<p>Shocking grasp discharges a burst of lightning through a touch.
<br />
Thunderstrike calls down lightning on a distant target's head.</p>Captain Morgan wrote:Cyrad wrote: Captain Morgan wrote: Cyrad wrote: I'm just puzzled why shocking grasp had to be replaced by a completely different spell. Thunderstrike is a great addition but why remove an iconic spell that has a fun niche?
Literally the whole reason they are doing the remaster, and aluded to in the blog post itself. I'm not seeing why shocking grasp needed to be changed to a completely different spell. Other spells were kept fundamentally the same despite a name change....Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-09-22T13:57:26ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Player Core Preview: Spells and Spellcasting, RemasteredCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siek&page=3?Player-Core-Preview-Spells-and-Spellcasting#1042024-01-20T02:49:50Z2023-09-22T10:25:18Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Captain Morgan wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Cyrad wrote:</div><blockquote> I'm just puzzled why shocking grasp had to be replaced by a completely different spell. Thunderstrike is a great addition but why remove an iconic spell that has a fun niche? </blockquote>Literally the whole reason they are doing the remaster, and aluded to in the blog post itself. </blockquote><p>I'm not seeing why shocking grasp needed to be changed to a completely different spell. Other spells were kept fundamentally the same despite a name change.Captain Morgan wrote:Cyrad wrote: I'm just puzzled why shocking grasp had to be replaced by a completely different spell. Thunderstrike is a great addition but why remove an iconic spell that has a fun niche?
Literally the whole reason they are doing the remaster, and aluded to in the blog post itself. I'm not seeing why shocking grasp needed to be changed to a completely different spell. Other spells were kept fundamentally the same despite a name change.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-09-22T10:25:18ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Player Core Preview: Spells and Spellcasting, RemasteredCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siek&page=2?Player-Core-Preview-Spells-and-Spellcasting#892023-10-22T12:35:25Z2023-09-22T02:52:36Z<p>I'm just puzzled why shocking grasp had to be replaced by a completely different spell. Thunderstrike is a great addition but why remove an iconic spell that has a fun niche?</p>I'm just puzzled why shocking grasp had to be replaced by a completely different spell. Thunderstrike is a great addition but why remove an iconic spell that has a fun niche?Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-09-22T02:52:36ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Player Core Preview: Spells and Spellcasting, RemasteredCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siek&page=2?Player-Core-Preview-Spells-and-Spellcasting#632023-09-22T00:33:03Z2023-09-22T00:23:36Z<p><s>Shocking grasp</s> Thunderstrike, the iconic magus spell, now doesn't work with Spellstrike?</p>
<p>Do spells still require speaking in some way?</p>
<p>How does the new Light spell interact with monsters like Shadows? A lot of effects assume you can cast Light on an object. Now you can't do that anymore.</p>Shocking grasp Thunderstrike, the iconic magus spell, now doesn't work with Spellstrike?
Do spells still require speaking in some way?
How does the new Light spell interact with monsters like Shadows? A lot of effects assume you can cast Light on an object. Now you can't do that anymore.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-09-22T00:23:36ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Pathfinder Playtest: Halfway There!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siej?Pathfinder-Playtest-Halfway-There#192023-09-21T01:53:42Z2023-09-21T01:53:27Z<p>I once seriously considered writing up an evil clown deity. This might fit the bill.</p>I once seriously considered writing up an evil clown deity. This might fit the bill.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-09-21T01:53:27ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Step In for A HarrowingCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sie5?Step-In-for-A-Harrowing#92023-08-31T22:10:11Z2023-08-31T22:05:36Z<p>Awesome! I was thrilled to get one at Gen Con. Now we just need more Harrow player options!</p>Awesome! I was thrilled to get one at Gen Con. Now we just need more Harrow player options!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-08-31T22:05:36ZRe: Forums/Organized Play: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: July 2023 Organized Play Monthly UpdateGarrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sics?July-2023-Organized-Play-Monthly-Update#52023-07-07T09:23:26Z2023-07-06T23:47:17Z<p>Woohoo, go Joe!</p>Woohoo, go Joe!Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-07-06T23:47:17ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Meet the Crew of the Zoetrope!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sibw?Meet-the-Crew-of-the-Zoetrope#322023-06-24T23:30:43Z2023-06-02T19:46:56Z<p>I adore the mermaid wheelchair. It will be painful to wait over a year for this book to release.</p>I adore the mermaid wheelchair. It will be painful to wait over a year for this book to release.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-06-02T19:46:56ZForums/Paizo: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Celebrating PaizoCon 2023 with New Infinite MastersCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sibm?Celebrating-PaizoCon-2023-with-New-Infinite#12023-05-25T21:03:59Z2023-05-25T19:22:10Z<p>Print On Demand for Infinite Masters? Fantastic.</p>Print On Demand for Infinite Masters? Fantastic.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-05-25T19:22:10ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Fine-tuning AncestriesCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sibg?Finetuning-Ancestries#402023-05-24T19:02:21Z2023-05-24T18:47:21Z<p>I'm loving this. I was worried the removal of alignment would be a missed opportunity to replace it with something better. If every character will have personal edicts and anathemas, then I'm all for it! It would be interesting to see if any mechanics key off of it, such as enchantment spells having differing effects and limitations based on the target's edicts and anathemas.</p>
<p>I'm also glad some ancestry feats are getting some love.</p>I'm loving this. I was worried the removal of alignment would be a missed opportunity to replace it with something better. If every character will have personal edicts and anathemas, then I'm all for it! It would be interesting to see if any mechanics key off of it, such as enchantment spells having differing effects and limitations based on the target's edicts and anathemas.
I'm also glad some ancestry feats are getting some love.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-05-24T18:47:21ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Grandmother’s Story, Part 5: The Howl of the WildCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siay?Grandmother-s-Story-Part-5-The-Howl-of-the-Wild#392023-05-13T14:08:35Z2023-05-12T17:31:50Z<p>•Crosses fingers for merfolk, naiads, or other exotic aquatic ancestries•</p>*Crosses fingers for merfolk, naiads, or other exotic aquatic ancestries*Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-05-12T17:31:50ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Paizo Blog: Pathfinder Society: Year 5 AnnouncementCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siao?Pathfinder-Society-Year-5-Announcement#142023-05-05T14:33:08Z2023-05-04T22:27:20Z<p>Interplanar adventures? Geniekin and <s>aasimar/tiefling</s> nephilim always available plz?</p>Interplanar adventures? Geniekin and aasimar/tiefling nephilim always available plz?Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-05-04T22:27:20ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Pathfinder Second Edition Remaster Project!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siae&page=6?Pathfinder-Second-Edition-Remaster-Project#2552023-04-28T18:47:22Z2023-04-26T21:42:50Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Erik Mona wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Cyrad wrote:</div><blockquote> I cannot say I’m pleased with the removal of alignment. I understand many have misgivings about it but that’s a massive change to the lore of the Great Beyond. I’m having flashbacks of 4th Edition. </blockquote>We don't plan to change the structure of the Great Beyond, so if the alignment aspect underpinning the organization and various interrelationships between the planes is important to you, don't expect any major changes to the lore that will frustrate you. </blockquote><p>It's not just planar politics but also the concepts of philosophy, morality, ethics, and virtue as tangible forces that drive the multiverse and form the quintessence of the planes and the extraplanar creatures that reside there. Plus, it's super cool to say you're channeling "good" through your sword or getting hit with "chaos energy." It also removes hooks for gameplay and takes away something from the game.
<p>However, I'd be totally OK if alignment was replaced with an analogous system that uses an expansive selection of specific aspects/ideals instead of a restrictive, finite list of dispositions. Maybe even use domains or something of the likes of Stormlight Archive? It would be really cool, open a huge range of options and concepts, and would work well with the trait system.</p>
<p>I just don't want a mechanic that's adding value to the game/lore taken away and replaced with <i>nothing</i>.</p>Erik Mona wrote:Cyrad wrote: I cannot say I’m pleased with the removal of alignment. I understand many have misgivings about it but that’s a massive change to the lore of the Great Beyond. I’m having flashbacks of 4th Edition.
We don't plan to change the structure of the Great Beyond, so if the alignment aspect underpinning the organization and various interrelationships between the planes is important to you, don't expect any major changes to the lore that will frustrate you. It's not just...Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-04-26T21:42:50ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Pathfinder Second Edition Remaster Project!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siae&page=3?Pathfinder-Second-Edition-Remaster-Project#1102023-04-28T17:26:46Z2023-04-26T18:32:46Z<p>I cannot say I’m pleased with the removal of alignment. I understand many have misgivings about it but that’s a massive change to the lore of the Great Beyond. I’m having flashbacks of 4th Edition.</p>I cannot say I’m pleased with the removal of alignment. I understand many have misgivings about it but that’s a massive change to the lore of the Great Beyond. I’m having flashbacks of 4th Edition.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-04-26T18:32:46ZRe: Forums: Stolen Fate: Paizo Blog: Introducing the Stolen Fate Player’s GuideCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sia5?Introducing-the-Stolen-Fate-Player-s-Guide#342023-04-29T13:39:52Z2023-04-21T18:53:47Z<p>Any chance we'll get more accessible cardslinging options? Deadly Dealer was my favorite feat in 1st Edition, and Fane's Fourberie has a lot of elements that make it feel unsatisfying.</p>Any chance we'll get more accessible cardslinging options? Deadly Dealer was my favorite feat in 1st Edition, and Fane's Fourberie has a lot of elements that make it feel unsatisfying.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-04-21T18:53:47ZRe: Forums/Organized Play: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: April 2023 Organized Play Adventure PreviewsCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sia8?April-2023-Organized-Play-Adventure-Previews#22023-04-22T15:06:54Z2023-04-20T22:25:18Z<p>Woohoo, Brent Bowser adventure!</p>Woohoo, Brent Bowser adventure!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-04-20T22:25:18ZRe: Forums: Stolen Fate: Paizo Blog: Introducing the Stolen Fate Player’s GuideCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sia5?Introducing-the-Stolen-Fate-Player-s-Guide#52023-04-29T13:38:38Z2023-04-14T22:16:47Z<p>The archetype and sorcerer bloodline look fun! Any chance they can become available in PFS?</p>
<p>I gotta have more harrow deck options. Harrow Handbook was my favorite Player Companion.</p>The archetype and sorcerer bloodline look fun! Any chance they can become available in PFS?
I gotta have more harrow deck options. Harrow Handbook was my favorite Player Companion.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-04-14T22:16:47ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Tian Xia: Coming 2023–2024!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si92&page=2?Tian-Xia-Coming-2023-2024#932023-03-02T23:27:39Z2023-03-02T23:23:06Z<p>Oh yes! Yes, yes, yes! I so wanted this before 2nd Edition even released!</p>Oh yes! Yes, yes, yes! I so wanted this before 2nd Edition even released!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-03-02T23:23:06ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Paizo and Artificial IntelligenceCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si91?Paizo-and-Artificial-Intelligence#92023-09-11T23:27:41Z2023-03-01T18:31:10Z<p>As both an artist and a software engineer, I support this stance and admire Paizo's dedication to artists, writers, and other creative people. AI generators have great potential for positive use, but the landscape is currently a quagmire of ethical, moral, and legal issues.</p>As both an artist and a software engineer, I support this stance and admire Paizo's dedication to artists, writers, and other creative people. AI generators have great potential for positive use, but the landscape is currently a quagmire of ethical, moral, and legal issues.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-03-01T18:31:10ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Varmints in the VaultsCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si8d?Varmints-in-the-Vaults#372023-02-02T03:56:33Z2023-02-02T03:56:33Z<p>I'm super happy to see this bandolier. Though I do wish we got some non-consumable spellguns. Guns and Gears had way too few beastguns for such a cool concept.</p>I'm super happy to see this bandolier. Though I do wish we got some non-consumable spellguns. Guns and Gears had way too few beastguns for such a cool concept.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-02-02T03:56:33ZRe: Forums/Organized Play: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: January 2023 Organized Play Scenario PreviewsCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si7z?January-2023-Organized-Play-Scenario-Previews#182023-01-21T19:53:59Z2023-01-21T19:53:59Z<p>I will always celebrate more ancestries and the ORC too.</p>I will always celebrate more ancestries and the ORC too.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-01-21T19:53:59ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Paizo Announces System-Neutral Open RPG LicenseCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si7v&page=3?Paizo-Announces-SystemNeutral-Open-RPG-License#1052023-01-14T12:48:01Z2023-01-12T23:26:51Z<p>Every title I self-publish will use this license, assuming it's as awesome as it sounds!</p>Every title I self-publish will use this license, assuming it's as awesome as it sounds!Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-01-12T23:26:51ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Changes to the Way We Make ChangesCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si7o&page=11?Changes-to-the-Way-We-Make-Changes#5052023-01-08T18:21:03Z2023-01-07T00:02:05Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Ravingdork wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Cyrad wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I'm extremely unhappy with the changes to Optional Flaws.</p>
<p>The two-boosts rule is great, but the change to Optional Flaws is a huge, unnecessary nerf to MAD characters...
<br />
</blockquote><p>This I don't get.
<p>How does lowering two to raise one help MAD characters? Doesn't that make them worse? </blockquote><p>It's great if your character needs three good ability scores and your ancestry only gets two boosts.Ravingdork wrote:Cyrad wrote:I'm extremely unhappy with the changes to Optional Flaws.
The two-boosts rule is great, but the change to Optional Flaws is a huge, unnecessary nerf to MAD characters...
This I don't get. How does lowering two to raise one help MAD characters? Doesn't that make them worse? It's great if your character needs three good ability scores and your ancestry only gets two boosts.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-01-07T00:02:05ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Changes to the Way We Make ChangesCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si7o&page=10?Changes-to-the-Way-We-Make-Changes#4562023-01-09T06:35:23Z2023-01-06T12:20:11Z<p>I'm extremely unhappy with the changes to Optional Flaws.</p>
<p>The two-boosts rule is great, but the change to Optional Flaws is a huge, unnecessary nerf to MAD characters, especially ancestries that only have two boosts. It also hurts build expression and is generally less fun. Much more fun to get that extra boost to my kitsune at the cost of making her less strong and more derpy.</p>I'm extremely unhappy with the changes to Optional Flaws.
The two-boosts rule is great, but the change to Optional Flaws is a huge, unnecessary nerf to MAD characters, especially ancestries that only have two boosts. It also hurts build expression and is generally less fun. Much more fun to get that extra boost to my kitsune at the cost of making her less strong and more derpy.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-01-06T12:20:11ZRe: Forums/Organized Play: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: January 2023 Organized Play Monthly UpdateCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si7p?January-2023-Organized-Play-Monthly-Update#262023-01-06T12:15:11Z2023-01-06T12:15:11Z<p>I'm glad the old Optional Flaw rules will continue.</p>
<p>I'm extremely unhappy with that change. It's a huge, unnecessary nerf to MAD characters, especially ancestries that only have two boosts, and it hurts build expression.</p>
<p>But at least I won't have to systematically change all my existing characters, and I won't have to cripple my kitsunes.</p>I'm glad the old Optional Flaw rules will continue.
I'm extremely unhappy with that change. It's a huge, unnecessary nerf to MAD characters, especially ancestries that only have two boosts, and it hurts build expression.
But at least I won't have to systematically change all my existing characters, and I won't have to cripple my kitsunes.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-01-06T12:15:11ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Changes to the Way We Make ChangesCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si7o&page=2?Changes-to-the-Way-We-Make-Changes#732023-01-04T03:31:41Z2023-01-04T03:31:41Z<p>Happy to see the changes and more frequent updates. The two free boosts feel fair as I often felt like 3 boosts + 1 flaw was stronger than 2 free boosts anyway.</p>
<p>While I'm happy to see the alchemist get some love, I am disappointed because I feel it doesn't address its core issues. Every time I play an alchemist, I can never get past the feat taxes and the fact it's literally the only class in the game that has nothing to fall back on when its out of resources. At least up until level 7, which a lot of campaigns don't reach.</p>Happy to see the changes and more frequent updates. The two free boosts feel fair as I often felt like 3 boosts + 1 flaw was stronger than 2 free boosts anyway.
While I'm happy to see the alchemist get some love, I am disappointed because I feel it doesn't address its core issues. Every time I play an alchemist, I can never get past the feat taxes and the fact it's literally the only class in the game that has nothing to fall back on when its out of resources. At least up until level 7,...Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2023-01-04T03:31:41ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: Paizo PDF Pricing ChangesCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si5r?Paizo-PDF-Pricing-Changes#332022-10-18T13:56:57Z2022-10-18T03:09:42Z<p>These are very reasonable prices.</p>These are very reasonable prices.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2022-10-18T03:09:42ZRe: Forums/Organized Play: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: October 2022 Organized Play Monthly UpdateCyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si5n?October-2022-Organized-Play-Monthly-Update#112022-10-07T02:46:25Z2022-10-07T01:51:06Z<p>Way to go, Ivis!</p>
<p>Also, spooky spooky skeletons.</p>Way to go, Ivis!
Also, spooky spooky skeletons.Cyrad (RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2022-10-07T01:51:06ZRe: Forums: Customer Service: Order 36589023 Change Subscription to Special Edition SubscriptionGarrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43ffb?Order-36589023-Change-Subscription-to-Special#32021-07-21T20:19:29Z2021-07-21T20:19:16Z<p>That works for me. Thank you!</p>That works for me. Thank you!Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2021-07-21T20:19:16ZForums: Customer Service: Order 36589023 Change Subscription to Special Edition SubscriptionGarrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43ffb?Order-36589023-Change-Subscription-to-Special#12021-07-21T00:40:39Z2021-07-21T00:38:46Z<p>When I ordered the subscription for Secrets of Magic last week, the special edition of the book was not an available option in the special edition subscription. Now it is.</p>
<p>Is there any possibility my rulebook subscription can be changed to the special edition rulebook subscription so I can get the special edition of Secrets of Magic?</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>When I ordered the subscription for Secrets of Magic last week, the special edition of the book was not an available option in the special edition subscription. Now it is.
Is there any possibility my rulebook subscription can be changed to the special edition rulebook subscription so I can get the special edition of Secrets of Magic?
Thank you.Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2021-07-21T00:38:46ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: Introduce your 2e PFS charactersAikena Mai (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42pc0?Introduce-your-2e-PFS-characters#332019-08-21T00:33:26Z2019-08-21T00:33:26Z<p>Statuesque at a height of at least six feet tall, a tanned half-elf woman strides confidently with an enormous blade on her back. A collection of scars on her limbs and exposed navel paints a life of gritty combat across her form. The multitude of weapons, pouches, and tools convey a woman prepared for anything.</p>
<p>A steely gaze in her Elven eyes carry a look that cared nothing about the impressions she left and what others thought of her. A brief moment passes as those same eyes stare appraisingly at the many unusual characters carrying <i>wayfinders</i> as the one she does. Finally, she took steps towards the bar, seating herself while glancing over her shoulder at the other Pathfinders within stride-and-striking range.</p>
<p>Her hands felt along her belt and roamed among the many implements of death at her disposal. Just as the hand approached a recently sharpened dagger, the warrioress took a thick book into her grasp and laid it on the counter in front of her, equipping her other hand with a quill pen.</p>
<p><b>"This place have anything non-alcoholic? I prefer to be sober when I'm preparing my spells,"</b> said the half-elf amazon while elegantly writing arcane equations into her tome. <b>"Put the tab under Aikena Mai."</b></p>Statuesque at a height of at least six feet tall, a tanned half-elf woman strides confidently with an enormous blade on her back. A collection of scars on her limbs and exposed navel paints a life of gritty combat across her form. The multitude of weapons, pouches, and tools convey a woman prepared for anything.
A steely gaze in her Elven eyes carry a look that cared nothing about the impressions she left and what others thought of her. A brief moment passes as those same eyes stare...Aikena Mai (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2019-08-21T00:33:26ZRe: Forums: Advice: GM Advice: What the Big Bad can do after a demoralizing defeat against a high level party.Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42dl9?GM-Advice-What-the-Big-Bad-can-do-after-a#102018-11-25T17:20:10Z2018-11-25T17:19:51Z<p>The Big Bads own an entire nation in the distance that currently isn't in good shape. Their objective is to silence a dangerous secret from the party and prevent the party's allied minor demigoddess from getting vengeance upon them. Up until this point, their plan has been to hurt the party's loved ones or give them other more important problems to worry about. However, all it has done was make the party more determined to stop them.</p>
<p>From your pitched ideas, I'm starting to brainstorm something. Perhaps as a back up plan if the battle went awry, the Negative Energy Plane portal is designed so it unleashes an enormous world-threatening monstrosity. If the party fails to deal with it immediately, not only will it threaten countless lives across the Inner Sea but also the party will be blamed for unleashing it. And after the party and their allies are wounded and exhausted from killing it, the bad guys (after recovering from the previous fight) swoop in for the final kill. Depending on how the party plays it out, some of the bad guys might think this plan has gone too far and betray the others.</p>The Big Bads own an entire nation in the distance that currently isn't in good shape. Their objective is to silence a dangerous secret from the party and prevent the party's allied minor demigoddess from getting vengeance upon them. Up until this point, their plan has been to hurt the party's loved ones or give them other more important problems to worry about. However, all it has done was make the party more determined to stop them.
From your pitched ideas, I'm starting to brainstorm...Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2018-11-25T17:19:51ZForums: Advice: GM Advice: What the Big Bad can do after a demoralizing defeat against a high level party.Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42dl9?GM-Advice-What-the-Big-Bad-can-do-after-a#12018-11-24T18:38:57Z2018-11-24T18:38:40Z<p>The party is level 20 with a few mythic tiers. Team Big Bad set up a horrible trap by opening a portal to the Negative Energy Plane (as a homage to Tar Baphon's trap for Aroden). However, despite having every advantage, Team Big Bad still suffered a humiliating defeat that makes it clear they have little chance to defeat them.</p>
<p>What should I have the Big Bads do? Should they just give up and attempt to make peace?</p>The party is level 20 with a few mythic tiers. Team Big Bad set up a horrible trap by opening a portal to the Negative Energy Plane (as a homage to Tar Baphon's trap for Aroden). However, despite having every advantage, Team Big Bad still suffered a humiliating defeat that makes it clear they have little chance to defeat them.
What should I have the Big Bads do? Should they just give up and attempt to make peace?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2018-11-24T18:38:40ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: June, July, and August 2017 Additional ResourcesGromp (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2um8v?June-July-and-August-2017-Additional-Resources#502017-09-21T18:51:49Z2017-09-21T18:51:49Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Sabretooth Turtle wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Cyrad wrote:</div><blockquote> Gloves of improvised might are legal! Rejoice for today improvised weapon builds are finally viable! </blockquote>The important question is whether the bonus applies to the quality of the grog in the barrrel. That swill you lug around tastes like ogre feet. </blockquote><p>Dare not insult the quality of my brew! The cask I carry is for my own inebriation with a taste so fine and harsh that none can stomach it save for myself. The last man who dared to try it passed out for an hour and dreamed he married a morbidly obese leprechaun.
<p>But worry not as I carry plenty of ale to share to my comrades!</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">shaventalz wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Sabretooth Turtle wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Cyrad wrote:</div><blockquote> Gloves of improvised might are legal! Rejoice for today improvised weapon builds are finally viable! </blockquote>The important question is whether the bonus applies to the quality of the grog in the barrrel. That swill you lug around tastes like ogre feet. </blockquote>Just make sure not to put the <i>corrosive</i> quality on your gloves. That could get messy. </blockquote><p>The best grog hurts when it goes down!Sabretooth Turtle wrote:Cyrad wrote: Gloves of improvised might are legal! Rejoice for today improvised weapon builds are finally viable!
The important question is whether the bonus applies to the quality of the grog in the barrrel. That swill you lug around tastes like ogre feet. Dare not insult the quality of my brew! The cask I carry is for my own inebriation with a taste so fine and harsh that none can stomach it save for myself. The last man who dared to try it passed out for an hour...Gromp (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2017-09-21T18:51:49ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: What do I do when a PC wants to take the Test of the Starstone?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2u4ch?What-do-I-do-when-a-PC-wants-to-take-the-Test#312017-01-22T15:53:08Z2017-01-22T15:45:51Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">RyanH wrote:</div><blockquote> As part of the test you have to beat a better version of yourself... or technically, someone that is "More of what you are." For the typical person it's their character with mythic levels. For Cayden Cailean, it was someone that was MORE drunk. </blockquote><p>That's a pretty cool idea. Makes me think of the scene in Final Fantasy 4 when Cecil becomes a paladin and has to defeat a much more powerful version of his dark knight self. I did consider a "conquer yourself" test where they fight a more powerful version of themselves or an alternate version based on their past. For example, one PC was studying to be an oracle until her parents were murdered and she fled the country to become a magus. Her test might require her to fight an oracle with 8th level spells.RyanH wrote:As part of the test you have to beat a better version of yourself... or technically, someone that is "More of what you are." For the typical person it's their character with mythic levels. For Cayden Cailean, it was someone that was MORE drunk.
That's a pretty cool idea. Makes me think of the scene in Final Fantasy 4 when Cecil becomes a paladin and has to defeat a much more powerful version of his dark knight self. I did consider a "conquer yourself" test where they fight a more...Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2017-01-22T15:45:51ZForums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: What do I do when a PC wants to take the Test of the Starstone?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2u4ch?What-do-I-do-when-a-PC-wants-to-take-the-Test#12017-01-21T17:47:41Z2017-01-14T03:54:47Z<p>In my 4-year-still-going campaign, I learned the Big Bad had sufficiently terrified the party of level 16s that one of them now believes her only hope of stopping the Big Bad is to take the Test of the Starstone. The other party members are reluctant but agree to take the test together if she decides to go through with it.</p>
<p>The problem is that with how I envision the Test, this mission is essentially suicidal. But I don't want to shut down the idea either. The party does have a demigoddess as an ally, but the goddess's presence on the Material Plane is extremely fragile and she can't do much to help.</p>In my 4-year-still-going campaign, I learned the Big Bad had sufficiently terrified the party of level 16s that one of them now believes her only hope of stopping the Big Bad is to take the Test of the Starstone. The other party members are reluctant but agree to take the test together if she decides to go through with it.
The problem is that with how I envision the Test, this mission is essentially suicidal. But I don't want to shut down the idea either. The party does have a demigoddess as...Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2017-01-14T03:54:47ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: What would Razmir do in my campaign?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tbf3?What-would-Razmir-do-in-my-campaign#62016-02-14T04:40:43Z2016-02-13T18:57:22Z<p>These are some awesome suggestions. Especially by DominusMegadeus. I'm trying to embrace the fun big stakes stuff in high level play.</p>
<p>In my campaign, each of Razmir's Visions has a title and runs some aspect of his nation or represents an advising council of some subject. The three most feared Visions are the Vision of War (commander-in-chief of Razmir's military), the Vision of Arcana (Razmir's head mage), and the Vision of Faith (the head of Razmir's church). These three are Razmir's closest advisers. So far, the party has only indirectly interacted with the Vision of Arcana, who fought them using dominated followers, simulacrums, or constructs as a proxy.</p>
<p>The party that killed the goddess consisted of six people. I haven't totally figured out all of their classes, but I decided they should have a cleric and a monk at the very least. They might have a wizard and/or maybe a psychic class like a mesmerist. The monk was the one that dealt the killing blow on the goddess. Still-living members of the party are probably around 16th-17th level by now.</p>
<p>One of the six currently has their soul trapped inside of a soul gem. This is actually how the party found out about Razmir's secret — this man has Razmir's face. During the battle that resulted in the goddess's death, the goddess disintegrated one of the evil adventurers and trapped his soul into a gem. The evil party wasn't aware of the second component of this spell and assumed the goddess had utterly destroyed their companion. The PCs saw a vision of the events that led up to the goddess's death and were rather shocked to see that "Razmir" not only did not kill the goddess but also did not survive the fight. After the goddess was reborn, she took the soul gem and interrogated the contained spirit, who never heard of Razmir and seemed completely oblivious that his face serves as the symbol of an religion and nation. </p>
<p>At the moment, the PCs doesn't feel any pressing desire to go on the offensive. The goddess is patient and prefers to build up her avatar's power and conduct investigation of the party that killed her before making her move. While she has godly powers, she's considerably weaker than she was prior to her death. This works in Razmir's advantage as he has time to plan.</p>
<p>Red Mantis assassins might not be a good idea. Not only are they extremely costly, but also if they catch wind of Razmir's ruse, they could just as easily turn on him.</p>These are some awesome suggestions. Especially by DominusMegadeus. I'm trying to embrace the fun big stakes stuff in high level play.
In my campaign, each of Razmir's Visions has a title and runs some aspect of his nation or represents an advising council of some subject. The three most feared Visions are the Vision of War (commander-in-chief of Razmir's military), the Vision of Arcana (Razmir's head mage), and the Vision of Faith (the head of Razmir's church). These three are Razmir's...Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2016-02-13T18:57:22ZForums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: What would Razmir do in my campaign?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tbf3?What-would-Razmir-do-in-my-campaign#12017-10-07T06:18:09Z2016-02-12T13:25:07Z<p>Throughout my 3-year campaign, Razmiri faithful have proven their mantle as villains. Now almost 15th level, my players have recently completed a long adventure to procure a dangerous artifact before Razmiran does and used the artifact to resurrect a (potentially evil) dead god, who revealed a rather scandalous secret about Razmir. The question is, what would Razmir's next move be?</p>
<p><b>Background</b>
<br />
In my campaign, holy scripture and history books describe that Razmir killed an obscure, minor demigod as one of the crucial steps towards his divinity. Now 50 years later, a fragment of that god haunted one of the party members, who live in a dusty town in Andoran.</p>
<p>After several adventures where the party thwarted evil plans of Razmir's faithful and even stopped a Razmiri invasion of Sevenarches, the god tasked the party with uniting three pieces of a dangerous artifact (Gluttonous Tome) in order to resurrect her. Razmir became aware of this and sent armies and assassins to beat them to the punch, but the party ultimately succeeded.</p>
<p>When the god was resurrected in a weakened child form, she revealed information that suggests Razmir may not actually exist and that he may just be a false figurehead created by a party of adventuring conmen that have now grown old and powerful — the real people who killed the demigod in the first place.</p>
<p>The god that Razmir supposedly killed is now resurrected. The party now believes they know some of Razmir's darkest secrets. The gluttonous tome used to resurrect her is now locked up in Andoran's capital. Attempts to kill the party with military force and demonize the party politically have failed. The resurrected god is now biding her time to allow her weakened avatar to gain strength before enacting her revenge. Razmir is aware of all of this.</p>
<p>Now, I need to figure out what exactly would he do.</p>Throughout my 3-year campaign, Razmiri faithful have proven their mantle as villains. Now almost 15th level, my players have recently completed a long adventure to procure a dangerous artifact before Razmiran does and used the artifact to resurrect a (potentially evil) dead god, who revealed a rather scandalous secret about Razmir. The question is, what would Razmir's next move be?
Background
In my campaign, holy scripture and history books describe that Razmir killed an obscure, minor...Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2016-02-12T13:25:07ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Do umbral dragons eat souls?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2t3x0?Do-umbral-dragons-eat-souls#32015-11-08T17:34:59Z2015-11-08T17:34:59Z<p>Hm, I see. I like the idea that they become part of the dragon. Maybe killing the dragon frees the souls.</p>Hm, I see. I like the idea that they become part of the dragon. Maybe killing the dragon frees the souls.Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-11-08T17:34:59ZForums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Do umbral dragons eat souls?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2t3x0?Do-umbral-dragons-eat-souls#12015-11-08T16:56:20Z2015-11-08T16:56:20Z<p>Umbral dragons are unique in that they can devour incorporeal undead, like ghosts and spectres. However, incorporeal undead are essentially souls and ghosts eaten by them do not manifest again. Wouldn't that mean that when an umbral dragon eats a ghost, they're eating the individual's soul and destroying it?</p>Umbral dragons are unique in that they can devour incorporeal undead, like ghosts and spectres. However, incorporeal undead are essentially souls and ghosts eaten by them do not manifest again. Wouldn't that mean that when an umbral dragon eats a ghost, they're eating the individual's soul and destroying it?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-11-08T16:56:20ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: How would a government respond to the resurrection of a dead evil god within their borders?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syja?How-would-a-government-respond-to-the#462015-11-29T16:39:17Z2015-10-18T17:22:03Z<p>The party actually made themselves out to be quite heroic in the face of all the eldritch events, the dead rising from the grave crying out that they await the resurrection of their glorious master. But now the government has sent their best soldiers to escort the party to the capital and make their case why the government should allow them to resurrect the dead god.</p>The party actually made themselves out to be quite heroic in the face of all the eldritch events, the dead rising from the grave crying out that they await the resurrection of their glorious master. But now the government has sent their best soldiers to escort the party to the capital and make their case why the government should allow them to resurrect the dead god.Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-10-18T17:22:03ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: How would a government respond to the resurrection of a dead evil god within their borders?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syja?How-would-a-government-respond-to-the#442015-10-09T03:47:50Z2015-10-08T22:37:49Z<p>I think the players have played well enough that the government will likely not arrest them. However, the government might take the artifact away and prohibit them from resurrecting the god, which is something the party would not like.</p>I think the players have played well enough that the government will likely not arrest them. However, the government might take the artifact away and prohibit them from resurrecting the god, which is something the party would not like.Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-10-08T22:37:49ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: How would a government respond to the resurrection of a dead evil god within their borders?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syja?How-would-a-government-respond-to-the#412015-10-08T06:17:12Z2015-10-08T02:08:39Z<p>So many good suggestions!</p>
<p>Okay, here's what's going on now.</p>
<p>1. I decided that in the past few months, the Andoran government has silently sent agents to investigate the validity of the rumors. Initial investigations and preliminary research into the god definitely raises some alarm, so the government has dispatched an adventuring party to look into the matters more closely.</p>
<p>2. The hired mercenaries have done work for the government in the past and also know the PC party very well. Though now allies, the mercenaries came to blows with the party over misunderstandings in the past and want to avoid that happening again above all else. They couldn't get much information from the party about the god resurrection. However, from casual conversation, they learned that the party procured the dangerous artifacts for all the right reasons and did so to prevent an enemy from getting them. The mercenaries now trust the party and genuinely believe they mean no harm, even if they seem to be playing with something very dangerous.</p>
<p>3. In the last session, an ominous storm began to loom over the party's home town and create lightning of negative energy. The mercenaries revealed to the party that these storms have been happening throughout the nation and always seemed to flow to this location. The lightning in this particular storm has caused the dead to rise from the grave and chant that they wish to bare witness to the dead god's return. Mainwhile, undead giants wade through the sea towards the town and eldritch planar creatures stalk the streets, killing villagers. The party is now trying to save as many lives as possible.</p>
<p>I think at this point, the government would bring out the hardcore divination magic and take serious action. Though, uses of the commune spell to inquiry about the god would likely divide opinions even further.</p>So many good suggestions!
Okay, here's what's going on now.
1. I decided that in the past few months, the Andoran government has silently sent agents to investigate the validity of the rumors. Initial investigations and preliminary research into the god definitely raises some alarm, so the government has dispatched an adventuring party to look into the matters more closely.
2. The hired mercenaries have done work for the government in the past and also know the PC party very well. Though...Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-10-08T02:08:39ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: How could a wizard lose spell-casting ability?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2szgq?How-could-a-wizard-lose-spellcasting-ability#72015-10-07T00:37:09Z2015-10-04T22:31:36Z<p>Why not amnesia or some kind of spellblight?</p>Why not amnesia or some kind of spellblight?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-10-04T22:31:36ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: Want to be a better designer? Start by being good at workshoppingGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syyh?Want-to-be-a-better-designer-Start-by-being#322015-10-03T16:46:23Z2015-10-03T16:46:23Z<p>When designing, I typically debate with myself between two or more approaches. So, I create a draft of each approach and then get my pit crew's impressions of it. Based on how they felt about them, I make a decision. For example, let's say I can't decide between designs A, B, or C. So I write a draft for each of them and ask which one they like the best. This can make me think of a new approach that uses a combination of the existing ones based on their reactions.</p>
<p>However, I gain the biggest benefit from merely forcing myself to create concrete drafts of multiple approaches. This alone often shows me which design choices might work and which ones aren't viable. I think this is the most important use of your pit crew — making sure you always have something to show for the time you spend. Navel-gazing rarely gets you very far, especially when you have a deadline.</p>When designing, I typically debate with myself between two or more approaches. So, I create a draft of each approach and then get my pit crew's impressions of it. Based on how they felt about them, I make a decision. For example, let's say I can't decide between designs A, B, or C. So I write a draft for each of them and ask which one they like the best. This can make me think of a new approach that uses a combination of the existing ones based on their reactions.
However, I gain the biggest...Garrick Williams2015-10-03T16:46:23ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: RPGSS Season 9 Round 4 Playtest Interest CheckGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2szc3?RPGSS-Season-9-Round-4-Playtest-Interest-Check#22015-10-03T16:05:45Z2015-10-03T16:05:45Z<p>Bah, it sucks being in EST sometimes!</p>Bah, it sucks being in EST sometimes!Garrick Williams2015-10-03T16:05:45ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: The Unofficial Top 32 Guildhall and Haunted HouseGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2swgf&page=13?The-Unofficial-Top-32-Guildhall-and-Haunted#6232015-10-05T13:13:35Z2015-10-03T16:03:31Z<p>I spent all week writing my <b><a href="http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sy37?Valemask#22" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">post-mortem.</a></b> I recommend everyone else doing the same, especially now that our Top 8 has a few days to breathe. This is something I've taken to doing from my exposure to the indie video game dev scene. It's always good to reflect on completed projects to learn and get a sense of closure before moving on to the next one.</p>I spent all week writing my post-mortem. I recommend everyone else doing the same, especially now that our Top 8 has a few days to breathe. This is something I've taken to doing from my exposure to the indie video game dev scene. It's always good to reflect on completed projects to learn and get a sense of closure before moving on to the next one.Garrick Williams2015-10-03T16:03:31ZRe: Forums: Round 3: Create a Bestiary entry: ValemaskGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sy37?Valemask#222015-10-03T15:50:46Z2015-10-03T15:50:46Z<p>I thank everyone for taking the time to respond to my entry.</p>
<p>For those who haven't seen me around before, I am a software engineer who moonlights as an indie game developer and got into tabletop game development in order to build my game design skills. When I'm not working on my puzzle platformer <b><a href="http://rhetoricstudios.com/cyrad/displacement-early-stages/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><i>Displacement</i></a></b>, I write free Pathfinder RPG content and serve as an active member of the homebrew forum. My work includes the <b><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EEGXB4UOpGiwlsHY03khGE6UOjNfICM6OaMs7O2v4A0/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">runari race</a></b> based on the characters of my indie computer game and the <b><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r-C4SFtZk0RLd-fH1aUZQmEcFxTy9OMEetU6eLKWM98/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">artiforged</a></b> , a base class that takes a setting-neutral approach to creating a cyborg-like character.</p>
<p>So what went behind the creation of the valemask?</p>
<p><b>Inspiration</b>: I consider polymorph and transformation as a fascinating design space that seems surprisingly unexplored in D&D and Pathfinder. The selection of polymorph spells seem utterly bizarre and incomplete. At 9th level, you can permanently turn a dragon into a chicken, but you can only turn a man into an elf for a few minutes. Similarly, until recently, the only hostile polymorph effects were save-or-die spells like the ubituquous <i>baleful polymorph</i> spell. There's much more that could be done here.</p>
<p><b>Design Goals</b>: I wanted to create a monster with a hostile polymorph effect that was <i>not</i> a save or die effect. I did not want the effect to be completely disabling. In fact, I thought it would be interesting if it had some advantages as well.</p>
<p><b>Implementation</b>: I tried several methods of a polymorph effect, but ultimately liked the gradual application better with each disability also granting a benefit. This added tension and played well with the monster kiting with ranged attacks and using Stealth to prolong the fight. I decided against giving the creature damage reduction in order to make sure the polymorphed victim's natural attacks don't become completely ineffective.</p>
<p>It made perfect sense that this monster would be a fey, but I needed to answer the important question of why a creature would polymorph their enemies into anything less than totally crippling. I conjured the narrative of a race of little fey hunters that use polymorph magic to cheat at their own hunting game ("First World Logic" I like to call it). The valemasks carry a spark of the First World that constantly shifts their form and allows them to temporarily mutate nearby plants. As a result, they wear masks to reveal their identity rather than to conceal it. They gain personal satisfaction from downing creatures larger than themselves. Dinoasaurs are the holy grail of scary creatures to down, but they are rare — or more accurately, don't exist in the Darkmoon Vale, which was a mistake on my part. With humanoid settlements growing nearer to their hunting grounds and beasts becoming more difficult to track, using their curse to exploit a loophole in their hunting game became ever more attractive.</p>
<p>Statting high level fey is fairly difficult due to the low base attack bonus that reduces their number of attacks and makes some feats inaccesible. To fill the gap and round out the creature's combat options, I added a net attack and some net feats so they have a melee option. This also utilized the high Strength I needed to give the creature to make their archery attacks effective.</p>
<p>In the moments leading to the deadline, I watched my wordcount carefully. Unfortunately, much of the work and communication of the monster's tactic had to be cut from the monster due to wordcount. Though, this did force me to improvise. An earlier version of Wild Snap Trap acted as a magical explosive that made plants grow and exposed creatures to Touch of the Wild. I simplified the mechanic by simply turning a plant into a bear trap, which played well with the valemask's polymorphic theme.</p>
<p><b>Post-Mortem</b>: It's obvious from the judges's analysis and voter's questions about the monster that the <b>wordcount margin proved highly detrimental to my entry.</b> I watched my wordcount carefully. However, I realized too late that Paizo's system does not use the same wordcount algorithm as my word processor. My entry clocks at <b>591 words</b> in my wordprocessor, but Paizo's system says <b>512 words</b>. I never use the submission form during the design process due to RPG Superstar's history of contestants disqualifying themselves after accidentally submitting an incomplete entry.</p>
<p>Far too exhausted so close to the deadline to add an extra 70-80 words that might muck up the entry with mistakes, I submitted it anyway. Quite infuriating as I could have used that to add more lore to the description, which could have told the monster's motivations, hunting strategies, and other aspects originally cut from the entry that would better communicate my design decisions. I can't completely blame the technical problems — even with my illusory wordcount, I should have focused more on the lore than the mechanics.</p>
<p>I'm happy that the valmask captured the imaginations of some of the voters, and I appreciate the feedback everyone provided. In closing of my Season 9 run, I offer the following gift I've drawn to honor those who followed me throughout this competition.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-bigger><b><a href="http://rhetoricstudios.com/art/valemask.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">LINK</a></b></span></p>
<p>Thank you and best luck to the Top 8!</p>I thank everyone for taking the time to respond to my entry.
For those who haven't seen me around before, I am a software engineer who moonlights as an indie game developer and got into tabletop game development in order to build my game design skills. When I'm not working on my puzzle platformer Displacement, I write free Pathfinder RPG content and serve as an active member of the homebrew forum. My work includes the runari race based on the characters of my indie computer game and the...Garrick Williams2015-10-03T15:50:46ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: This Would have been my Map EntryGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syzw?This-Would-have-been-my-Map-Entry#342015-10-01T10:58:32Z2015-10-01T01:49:25Z<p>I really liked the 50-word description because it establishes context, which is absolutely vital to designing maps for published adventures. Without context, it might as well just be a flip map.</p>I really liked the 50-word description because it establishes context, which is absolutely vital to designing maps for published adventures. Without context, it might as well just be a flip map.Garrick Williams2015-10-01T01:49:25ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: Why Monster over NPCs?Garrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sz1e?Why-Monster-over-NPCs#82015-10-01T01:43:45Z2015-10-01T01:43:45Z<p>This is a competition to write a published module. Almost every module introduces a new type of monster that needed a write up from the ground up. NPCs either don't need full write ups or can be written as having a combination of class levels. I'm sure this is a factor as well.</p>
<p>In addition, as Mikko points out, playing out an NPC/villain's actions through an encounter or adventure does a better job of characterizing them than listing their background or motivations. Action defines character.</p>This is a competition to write a published module. Almost every module introduces a new type of monster that needed a write up from the ground up. NPCs either don't need full write ups or can be written as having a combination of class levels. I'm sure this is a factor as well.
In addition, as Mikko points out, playing out an NPC/villain's actions through an encounter or adventure does a better job of characterizing them than listing their background or motivations. Action defines character.Garrick Williams2015-10-01T01:43:45ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: This Would have been my Map EntryGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syzw?This-Would-have-been-my-Map-Entry#222015-10-01T09:06:17Z2015-09-30T10:23:56Z<p>JPSTOD, I love seeing new faces wanting an active role in the community. However, RPG Superstar's community thrives on self-improvement for the purpose of producing professional work. People get involved with hopes of getting jobs in the industry as designers, developers, cartographers, authors, etc. Showing a piece of work and admitting you couldn't be bothered to finish it or put more effort does not really align with the attitude of RPG Superstar. I'd love to see something from you that really shows your A-game.</p>
<p>Also, flip maps don't have a scale or compass rose because they're not designed to map a specific location. Flip maps function as battlemaps for GMs to reuse across campaigns. Flip maps have a different purpose than maps you find in published adventures.</p>JPSTOD, I love seeing new faces wanting an active role in the community. However, RPG Superstar's community thrives on self-improvement for the purpose of producing professional work. People get involved with hopes of getting jobs in the industry as designers, developers, cartographers, authors, etc. Showing a piece of work and admitting you couldn't be bothered to finish it or put more effort does not really align with the attitude of RPG Superstar. I'd love to see something from you that...Garrick Williams2015-09-30T10:23:56ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: This Would have been my Map EntryGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syzw?This-Would-have-been-my-Map-Entry#122015-09-29T23:39:08Z2015-09-29T23:39:08Z<p>In that case, I'm not really sure what feedback you're looking for, JPSTOD.</p>
<p>If cartography's more up your alley than game design, I can help with that. If you want to make maps that really stand out, don't limit yourself to a single tool. After finishing work in Campaign Cartographer, try exporting it to Photoshop and painting over it to add details and features that would be difficult to achieve with CC3. This would also help eliminate that busy "generated" look CC or dundjinni maps tend to have. I do illustration and use many different software applications for my work.</p>In that case, I'm not really sure what feedback you're looking for, JPSTOD.
If cartography's more up your alley than game design, I can help with that. If you want to make maps that really stand out, don't limit yourself to a single tool. After finishing work in Campaign Cartographer, try exporting it to Photoshop and painting over it to add details and features that would be difficult to achieve with CC3. This would also help eliminate that busy "generated" look CC or dundjinni maps tend to...Garrick Williams2015-09-29T23:39:08ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: The Surviving Monsters are Revealed!Garrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5li27?The-Surviving-Monsters-are-Revealed#92015-09-29T00:26:57Z2015-09-29T00:26:57Z<p>Well done, my fellow RPG Superstar contestants. You have defeated me in glorious battle, but don't let my blood dull your blades! The toughest challenges await you.</p>Well done, my fellow RPG Superstar contestants. You have defeated me in glorious battle, but don't let my blood dull your blades! The toughest challenges await you.Garrick Williams2015-09-29T00:26:57ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: The Unofficial Top 32 Guildhall and Haunted HouseGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2swgf&page=12?The-Unofficial-Top-32-Guildhall-and-Haunted#5562015-09-28T13:17:05Z2015-09-28T02:57:51Z<p>I hope you feel better. I know what it's like to have something like that knock the creative energy out of ya. I had tooth pain during the map round and got my tooth pulled so I wouldn't have to spend the day of the deadline in pain.</p>I hope you feel better. I know what it's like to have something like that knock the creative energy out of ya. I had tooth pain during the map round and got my tooth pulled so I wouldn't have to spend the day of the deadline in pain.Garrick Williams2015-09-28T02:57:51ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: How would a government respond to the resurrection of a dead evil god within their borders?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syja?How-would-a-government-respond-to-the#312015-09-26T23:54:05Z2015-09-26T02:13:34Z<p>I just thought of something else. Zealots of other dead gods might come knocking at the party's door...or busting it down and taking the artifact for themselves.</p>I just thought of something else. Zealots of other dead gods might come knocking at the party's door...or busting it down and taking the artifact for themselves.Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-09-26T02:13:34ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: Public offer for those still in the contestGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syqu?Public-offer-for-those-still-in-the-contest#52015-09-26T14:50:22Z2015-09-25T19:36:18Z<p>Make sure you guys actually do this in PM. <b>Don't post the requests in this thread!</b></p>Make sure you guys actually do this in PM. Don't post the requests in this thread!Garrick Williams2015-09-25T19:36:18ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: The Unofficial Top 32 Guildhall and Haunted HouseGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2swgf&page=11?The-Unofficial-Top-32-Guildhall-and-Haunted#5462015-09-25T18:23:27Z2015-09-25T18:23:27Z<p>Oh right. Thanks for clarifying that.</p>Oh right. Thanks for clarifying that.Garrick Williams2015-09-25T18:23:27ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: How would a government respond to the resurrection of a dead evil god within their borders?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syja?How-would-a-government-respond-to-the#172015-09-24T16:40:26Z2015-09-24T10:38:41Z<p>They're in Andoran, so probably everything done by committee and then handled off to a division that handles the affairs?</p>
<p>Having a god reborn in Andoran borders kind of adds an interesting wrinkle to their religious tolerance policy. I can see that the god's moral ambiguity might cause people to feel divided in whether to stop or allow the resurrection. On one hand, they risk an evil god getting reborn. On the other hand, they risk grossly violating one of their society's most valued tenets in a historical way.</p>They're in Andoran, so probably everything done by committee and then handled off to a division that handles the affairs?
Having a god reborn in Andoran borders kind of adds an interesting wrinkle to their religious tolerance policy. I can see that the god's moral ambiguity might cause people to feel divided in whether to stop or allow the resurrection. On one hand, they risk an evil god getting reborn. On the other hand, they risk grossly violating one of their society's most valued tenets...Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-09-24T10:38:41ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: How would a government respond to the resurrection of a dead evil god within their borders?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syja?How-would-a-government-respond-to-the#112015-09-24T03:34:29Z2015-09-24T02:22:09Z<p>Those are some good suggestions. I like the idea of the government calling a celestial.</p>
<p>And no, I definitely do not want to flatout screw over the party. I want to present a challenging/intriguing scenario that the party will have to maneuver and could potentially twist into their favor. To do so, I need to get a good idea what the government of their home nation might do. The party has a good relationship with the governor of their hometown, but the enemy might have a few federal government officials in their pocket.</p>
<p>An investigation will surely show that the party is meddling with something dangerous. The party means well, but even they aren't entirely sure of the dead god's alignment. The god's remnants seem enigmatic but somewhat benign — at least to the party. She even occasionally grants the party gifts, such as a reflavored Aviary of Spirits, when the party does something that pleases her. The god definitely stinks of bad juju as a piece of her spirit possessing the magus's blackblade occasionally steals the soul of a slain evil enemy. The party believes the god wants to become resurrected onto the Material Plane and get revenge on those that killed her and her followers decades ago.</p>
<p>A government paladin might be an interesting idea. The party hasn't encountered one yet despite this campaign lasting years. The paladins in my campaign are generally not Lawful Stupid and an experienced paladin knows that getting an accurate alignment reading takes some skill and patience.</p>Those are some good suggestions. I like the idea of the government calling a celestial.
And no, I definitely do not want to flatout screw over the party. I want to present a challenging/intriguing scenario that the party will have to maneuver and could potentially twist into their favor. To do so, I need to get a good idea what the government of their home nation might do. The party has a good relationship with the governor of their hometown, but the enemy might have a few federal government...Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-09-24T02:22:09ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: How would a government respond to the resurrection of a dead evil god within their borders?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syja?How-would-a-government-respond-to-the#62015-09-23T11:07:42Z2015-09-23T11:07:42Z<p>The investigation would definitely show that something is up, though the party is fairly charismatic.</p>The investigation would definitely show that something is up, though the party is fairly charismatic.Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-09-23T11:07:42ZForums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: How would a government respond to the resurrection of a dead evil god within their borders?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syja?How-would-a-government-respond-to-the#12015-09-23T10:52:35Z2015-09-23T10:52:35Z<p>In my campaign, enemies are spreading rumors that the party is resurrecting a dead evil god using a dangerous artifact. The rumors do not go completely unfounded. The party <i>does</i> seek to bring back an eldritch god-like spirit and they <i>do</i> possess a dangerous artifact, hoping that the spirit's quest will earn them a powerful ally. When the enemy accuses them of these misdeeds, the party jokingly doesn't deny it.</p>
<p>The question is, how would a government (like Andoran) respond to these rumors within their borders? Would the government dismiss them? Would they arrest the party? How'd they do it when the party is well known to have great power (14th level)? Would the government respond if the weather changes and omnious eldritch events begin occurring around the major cities, centered on the party's home town?</p>In my campaign, enemies are spreading rumors that the party is resurrecting a dead evil god using a dangerous artifact. The rumors do not go completely unfounded. The party does seek to bring back an eldritch god-like spirit and they do possess a dangerous artifact, hoping that the spirit's quest will earn them a powerful ally. When the enemy accuses them of these misdeeds, the party jokingly doesn't deny it.
The question is, how would a government (like Andoran) respond to these rumors...Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-09-23T10:52:35ZRe: Forums: Round 3: Create a Bestiary entry: ValemaskGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sy37?Valemask#52015-09-21T22:18:54Z2015-09-21T22:18:54Z<p>Thank you, Judges. I genuinely appreciate your honest analyses.</p>Thank you, Judges. I genuinely appreciate your honest analyses.Garrick Williams2015-09-21T22:18:54ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: Very General Constructive FeedbackGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sv41?Very-General-Constructive-Feedback#102015-08-18T03:16:18Z2015-08-18T03:16:18Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Matthew Morris wrote:</div><blockquote>Unless there is a good reason not to, have your item's function compliment its form. Usually, swords should do hit-y things! Armor should be protective. Playing against this can be interesting, but run your design by some friends and make sure that the form of your item doesn't seem arbitrary. </blockquote><p>I always encourage this piece of advice. Especially true for wondrous items. It really amps up the item's cool factor.Matthew Morris wrote:Unless there is a good reason not to, have your item's function compliment its form. Usually, swords should do hit-y things! Armor should be protective. Playing against this can be interesting, but run your design by some friends and make sure that the form of your item doesn't seem arbitrary.
I always encourage this piece of advice. Especially true for wondrous items. It really amps up the item's cool factor.Garrick Williams2015-08-18T03:16:18ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Society: 10 questions that'll make your PFS roleplaying blossom.Randall Baneshot (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p9iy&page=3?10-questions-thatll-make-your-PFS-roleplaying#1382015-08-14T16:17:09Z2015-08-14T16:17:09Z<p><b>1. Why are you a Pathfinder?</b>
<br />
I joined the Pathfinder Society to serve my goddess, Pharasma, in slaying the undead. I must admit that when I was younger, I became enamored with heroic tales of warriors purging the world of evil lurking in the shadow. In one day of my duties, I assumed responsibility over caring for a wounded rugged gentleman. Dying, he gave me many unusual demands, but I followed them all, respecting his wishes. Before the Midwife took him, he gave me his damaged firearm. I kept it for years, slowly learning how to use it. I took it as a sign from the Midwife to serve her beyond the borders of Absalom and strike down those that disrupt the spiral.</p>
<p><b>2. Do you have a name and surname that is not ripped straight out of existing Earth mythology or popular culture?</b>
<br />
My real last name is Barthadieus. The stranger thought ill of this name and suggested "Baneshot" instead. More menacing, he said.</p>
<p><b>3. Which nation did you grow up in? How did this nation influence you?</b>
<br />
I lived in a small section of an Absalom district most of my life. Despite it as a city of mixed cultures, I never realized how isolated I've been from the world until I ventured out.</p>
<p><b>4. What do you look like? What are your wearing? How does this vary when you’re stalking through forests, sewers, deserts or in glittering cities?</b>
<br />
I try to look presentable as a representative of the midwife. I always care for my long hair and use a gothic Pharsmin robe as a jacket over my stylish adventuring attire. My holy symbol always hangs from my neck.</p>
<p><b>5. What do you love? (Treasure and experience doesn’t count)</b>I enjoy fine wine, music, and pleasantries I did have possess in my youth while working for the church.</p>
<p><b>6. What do you hate? (Unclear and irritating darkness level rules don’t count)</b>
<br />
I dislike — what do they call it again? Murderhobos? I enjoy adventuring with interesting characters, but one time, I had a party where the only sane person was an aasimar that called himself "The Bat Man." I hope I never encounter them again.</p>
<p>I dislike the Apis Consortium. At first, I admit I do not care for politics and wondered why there existed so much animosity towards them. Then they set fire to a village of frog people. Yeah, I now have no qualms about sending them to an early grave.</p>
<p>Also, very annoying when my jacket gets dirtied. Sometimes, I wonder if a god of trickery is hellbent on ruining my jacket every mission.</p>
<p><b>7. Which other Pathfinders (PCs) do you rely on for teamwork, survival and butt-kicking? Do you have a bro? a mentor? a father figure? maybe a rival?</b>
<br />
My adventuring party varies. I made good friends with an ifrit merchant prince that was a fine swordsman during my investigation for a piece of the Sky Key. My very first mission involved a monk named Nygonzo and his sister, a beautiful girl with fox ears and tail. Unfortunately, a shadow took her life. As a servant of Pharasma, it was my responsibility to avenge her, free her undead spirit, and arrange her funeral.</p>
<p><b>8. How does your race influence your views? Are you a stereotype of a certain race? How are you different from most humans/elves/gnomes/orcs/tengu?</b>As a human, I have a very open view towards other races. I've befriended nagaji, kitsune, ifrit, elves, and a dwarf who "failed Torag School."</p>
<p><b>9. What are you afraid of? Do you have any phobias or worries?</b>
<br />
I fear the day much like a day of my first mission where I will feel helpless in a time where I must serve Pharasma the most. A day where people will die and suffer fates worst than death all because I lacked the tools and fortitude strike down the Midwife's enemies. The undead come in so many forms that it is difficult to prepare myself against all of them.</p>
<p><b>10. What is your most treasured possession?</b>
<br />
I treasure the firearm left to me by the stranger. I consider it a symbol of purpose.</p>1. Why are you a Pathfinder?
I joined the Pathfinder Society to serve my goddess, Pharasma, in slaying the undead. I must admit that when I was younger, I became enamored with heroic tales of warriors purging the world of evil lurking in the shadow. In one day of my duties, I assumed responsibility over caring for a wounded rugged gentleman. Dying, he gave me many unusual demands, but I followed them all, respecting his wishes. Before the Midwife took him, he gave me his damaged firearm. I...Randall Baneshot (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-08-14T16:17:09ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Gonzo 2 [Contest] [Little Red]Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2s1jf?Gonzo-2-Contest-Little-Red#372015-03-31T04:32:15Z2015-03-30T21:47:16Z<p>Submitted!</p>Submitted!Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-03-30T21:47:16ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Player Companion: Monster Summoner's Handbook (PFRPG)Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/products/btpy9ela/discuss?Pathfinder-Player-Companion-Monster-Summoners-Handbook#422015-02-02T01:41:52Z2015-02-02T01:41:52Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Mark Seifter wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">David Neilson wrote:</div><blockquote> Be weird if you got the ability to be a summoned creature. </blockquote><p>Don't knock it til you tried it!
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Also, just noticed that this one has both Anthony and Linda as freelancers. Boston Lodge unite?</span> </blockquote><p>Oh gosh. Someone—anyone—working on this. Please make this be a thing. <b>Please!</b>
<p>League of Legends campaign anyone?</p>Mark Seifter wrote:David Neilson wrote: Be weird if you got the ability to be a summoned creature.
Don't knock it til you tried it! Also, just noticed that this one has both Anthony and Linda as freelancers. Boston Lodge unite? Oh gosh. Someone--anyone--working on this. Please make this be a thing. Please! League of Legends campaign anyone?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-02-02T01:41:52ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [Flaming Crab Games] Looking for Superstars (over 800 out there!) for Magic Item TomeGarrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rvbg?Flaming-Crab-Games-Looking-for-Superstars#82015-01-11T02:01:10Z2015-01-11T02:01:10Z<p>I'd love to hear more information. So this is an open call for item submissions from those who entered RPG Superstar? We have to wait until the first round is over before submitting?</p>I'd love to hear more information. So this is an open call for item submissions from those who entered RPG Superstar? We have to wait until the first round is over before submitting?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2015-01-11T02:01:10ZRe: Forums: Advice: Help me spread a disease!Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rrt4?Help-me-spread-a-disease#132014-12-21T04:04:03Z2014-12-21T04:04:03Z<p>Ah, I thought of a way! The disease can't spread through animals. However, the betrayer could baleful polymorph infected elves into easily portable animals to smuggle them out of the kingdom.</p>Ah, I thought of a way! The disease can't spread through animals. However, the betrayer could baleful polymorph infected elves into easily portable animals to smuggle them out of the kingdom.Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2014-12-21T04:04:03ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: Runner-up ItemsGarrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rt13?Runnerup-Items#482014-12-17T23:33:08Z2014-12-17T23:33:08Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Omnitricks wrote:</div><blockquote><b>Norgorber’s Noose</b> </blockquote><p>For a moment there, I thought it said "Norgorber's Nose" and was "ew..."Omnitricks wrote:Norgorber’s Noose
For a moment there, I thought it said "Norgorber's Nose" and was "ew..."Garrick Williams2014-12-17T23:33:08ZRe: Forums: Advice: Help me spread a disease!Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rrt4?Help-me-spread-a-disease#122014-12-13T01:49:51Z2014-12-13T01:49:51Z<p>The disease doesn't really spread through animals, though. Blargh.</p>The disease doesn't really spread through animals, though. Blargh.Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2014-12-13T01:49:51ZRe: Forums: Advice: Help me spread a disease!Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rrt4?Help-me-spread-a-disease#92014-12-12T01:28:19Z2014-12-12T01:28:19Z<p>An escort mission does seem like the best way so far.</p>
<p>Actually, I never thought of undead carrying the disease before. The kingdom's leaders wouldn't expect that either</p>An escort mission does seem like the best way so far.
Actually, I never thought of undead carrying the disease before. The kingdom's leaders wouldn't expect that eitherGarrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2014-12-12T01:28:19ZRe: Forums: Advice: Help me spread a disease!Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rrt4?Help-me-spread-a-disease#52014-12-11T20:11:11Z2014-12-11T20:11:11Z<p>None of the PCs are elves and don't have elves as close friends. I imagine there's a quantine camp on the tainted holy lands full of diseased elves doomed to die, but it would be heavily guarded and difficult to get to.</p>None of the PCs are elves and don't have elves as close friends. I imagine there's a quantine camp on the tainted holy lands full of diseased elves doomed to die, but it would be heavily guarded and difficult to get to.Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2014-12-11T20:11:11ZForums: Advice: Help me spread a disease!Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rrt4?Help-me-spread-a-disease#12014-12-11T15:58:10Z2014-12-11T15:58:10Z<p>I'm running into writer's block in my campaign.</p>
<p>An empire is invading a kingdom in order to help a band of elves reclaim their holy land. What the elves don't know is that a highly contagious, magical disease lethal to elves has tainted their sacred land. The kingdom's mage leaders have spent hundreds of years forbidding elves from their domain while trying to find a cure. However,the kingdom is now most vulnerable due to the empire's invasion.</p>
<p>I have two questions to figure out.</p>
<p>1) How can I involve the PCs in this plot? The PCs hate the empire. While they certainly helped the kingdom, the kingdom's leaders feel reluctant to reveal the secret around the disease.</p>
<p>2) How does the empire plan to spread the disease? Smuggle an allied elf in? Maybe the empire bribed a dragon to betray the kingdom?</p>I'm running into writer's block in my campaign.
An empire is invading a kingdom in order to help a band of elves reclaim their holy land. What the elves don't know is that a highly contagious, magical disease lethal to elves has tainted their sacred land. The kingdom's mage leaders have spent hundreds of years forbidding elves from their domain while trying to find a cure. However,the kingdom is now most vulnerable due to the empire's invasion.
I have two questions to figure out.
1) How...Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2014-12-11T15:58:10ZForums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Help with a campaign in Sevenarches/RazmirGarrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rre5?Help-with-a-campaign-in-SevenarchesRazmir#12014-12-07T20:36:04Z2014-12-07T20:36:04Z<p>I've stumbled into a writer's block concerning an adventure involving Razmiran invading Sevenarches. I'm wondering if someone can help me out.</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>Now I have the following questions to figure out for this plot.
<br />
<b>1) How will Razmir spread the disease?</b> And how he will do it in a way that the oakstewards and the fey cannot easily handle it? The obvious solution seems to sneak a few elves into Seven Arches and send them to Kyonin. Some of my ideas involve maybe involve a green dragon that Razmir bribed into betraying the oakstewards. I imagine there might be a diseased elf concentration camp as well inside of the Seven Arches.</p>
<p><b>2) How can I involve the players in this?</b> What can I have them do that the oakstewards and the fey can't do themselves? They're 11th level and have a land ship. While not entirely interested in fighting a war, the party hates Razmirans and will gladly do anything to make life a living hell for Razmir's faithful.</p>I've stumbled into a writer's block concerning an adventure involving Razmiran invading Sevenarches. I'm wondering if someone can help me out.
[Spoiler omitted]
Now I have the following questions to figure out for this plot.
1) How will Razmir spread the disease? And how he will do it in a way that the oakstewards and the fey cannot easily handle it? The obvious solution seems to sneak a few elves into Seven Arches and send them to Kyonin. Some of my ideas involve maybe involve a green...Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2014-12-07T20:36:04ZForums: Advice: Help break writer's block! (Golerion-related stuff)Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rrdr?Help-break-writers-block#12014-12-07T17:44:35Z2014-12-07T17:44:35Z<p>I'm having a little bit of writer's block in the current story arc related to Razmir and the Sevenarches. I'm not sure how to get to a certain point and involve the players in the big plot.</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>I'm having a little bit of writer's block in the current story arc related to Razmir and the Sevenarches. I'm not sure how to get to a certain point and involve the players in the big plot.
[Spoiler omitted]Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2014-12-07T17:44:35ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: Nine Blazing Months!Garrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qsxd&page=11?Nine-Blazing-Months#5382014-12-04T15:36:13Z2014-12-04T15:36:13Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Curaigh wrote:</div><blockquote>Keeping it private is usually enough. Collaboration is not allowed, so make sure you have a solid idea before you start critiquing. </blockquote><p>To what extent can we give and take suggestions? You can take and give suggestions between your pit crew as long as they're not actually writing out any parts that end up in your entry?Curaigh wrote:Keeping it private is usually enough. Collaboration is not allowed, so make sure you have a solid idea before you start critiquing.
To what extent can we give and take suggestions? You can take and give suggestions between your pit crew as long as they're not actually writing out any parts that end up in your entry?Garrick Williams2014-12-04T15:36:13ZRe: Forums/RPG Superstar™: General Discussion: Nine Blazing Months!Garrick Williamshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qsxd&page=11?Nine-Blazing-Months#5312014-12-03T22:26:43Z2014-12-03T22:26:43Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Curaigh wrote:</div><blockquote>FWIW I found my home crew not as helpful as I needed. As we game together what seemed like a good idea is based on a number of house rules or rules assumptions. Hmmm... maybe it is more their critique worked like a house rule. Also they are not aware of the common pitfalls in RPGSS. SiC, safe adventuring, monster-maker, game (balance?)-breakers, and a +2 skill bonus all seemed like good ideas to them. I start with my home group, to know what kernal of an idea strikes the most fancy. Then I throw the developed idea out to my RPGSS critique circle for the next couple of passes. The penultimate pass comes from my home group too. They will often be able to find things... </blockquote><p>A home crew is good to see what ideas excite them, but not so much for creating a refined item. They don't understand the high expectations of the competition as this is not merely a contest for making cool items. It's a contest to prove you got the skills necessary to be a professional game designer.
<p>I'm trying to encourage one of my friends to give it a shot, but the contest intimidates him.</p>Curaigh wrote:FWIW I found my home crew not as helpful as I needed. As we game together what seemed like a good idea is based on a number of house rules or rules assumptions. Hmmm... maybe it is more their critique worked like a house rule. Also they are not aware of the common pitfalls in RPGSS. SiC, safe adventuring, monster-maker, game (balance?)-breakers, and a +2 skill bonus all seemed like good ideas to them. I start with my home group, to know what kernal of an idea strikes the most...Garrick Williams2014-12-03T22:26:43ZForums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: What exhibits would be in a Razmiran museum?Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2roh7?What-exhibits-would-be-in-a-Razmiran-museum#12014-11-07T16:29:16Z2014-11-07T16:29:16Z<p>My players are about to steal an artifact from a Razmiran museum. Though I pictured the museum more-so a tourist trap or some retired noble's collection than a proper tribute to the Living God, what exhibits would you expect to be there? I originally thought to structure the museum so there's an exhibit for each of Razmir's 31 steps to divinity, but that would require figuring out each individual step!</p>My players are about to steal an artifact from a Razmiran museum. Though I pictured the museum more-so a tourist trap or some retired noble's collection than a proper tribute to the Living God, what exhibits would you expect to be there? I originally thought to structure the museum so there's an exhibit for each of Razmir's 31 steps to divinity, but that would require figuring out each individual step!Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2014-11-07T16:29:16ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Magic: The Actual ProblemsGarrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rbxx?Magic-The-Actual-Problems#162014-08-04T01:44:16Z2014-08-02T19:58:26Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">wraithstrike wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Actually the problem is that people can't accept nonmagical people doing extraordinary things. They limit bar is set much lower in people's minds.</p>
<p>See how much people "love" Tome of Battle. -_-</p>
<p></blockquote><p>This. I find it interesting that the Alexandrian mentioned in <a href="http://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/587/roleplaying-games/dd-calibrating-your-expectations-2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this article</a> that the <b>peak of realistic human perfection is level 5.</b> In other words, the greatest of people in our real world equate to the skill and power level of a 5th level character. You see this effect in martials. For nearly all martial classes, 5th level is usually when the class gets their last interesting class feature.wraithstrike wrote:Actually the problem is that people can't accept nonmagical people doing extraordinary things. They limit bar is set much lower in people's minds.
See how much people "love" Tome of Battle. -_-
This. I find it interesting that the Alexandrian mentioned in this article that the peak of realistic human perfection is level 5. In other words, the greatest of people in our real world equate to the skill and power level of a 5th level character. You see this effect in martials....Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2014-08-02T19:58:26ZRe: Forums: Homebrew and House Rules: Test ChambersGarrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rbhn?Test-Chambers#32014-07-29T16:43:20Z2014-07-29T16:43:20Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Wheatley wrote:</div><blockquote> I don't much like the looks of this, mate. </blockquote><p>And for your next test, we look into the effects of transferring the consciousness of an intelligent item into that of a rune-carved vegetable.Wheatley wrote:I don't much like the looks of this, mate.
And for your next test, we look into the effects of transferring the consciousness of an intelligent item into that of a rune-carved vegetable.Garrick Williams (alias of Cyrad, RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16)2014-07-29T16:43:20Z