Don Walker's page

I've just been told that Rogue Eidolon (Mark Seifter) has been approved for his 5th star and as Venture-Captain of the Boston Lodge, I have the honor of making the announcement.

Mark has been there right from the start of the Boston Lodge at our flagship store, Pandemonium in Cambridge, MA. Since our first weekly game in October 2011 he has been there every week, missing less than a handful of games in order to attend a major convention or family event. He took on the role of Store Liaison for Pandemonium in April 2012 allowing me to support other venues and has increased our player base there tremendously.

As a GM Mark's rules knowledge is amazing and he often knows the abilities of a player's character better than the player after just a few minutes of game play. But he does not run a GM vs. players game. He is quick to point out any options a player has if they seem to be unsure of what to do. His portrayal of NPCs is highly entertaining as well. While he can be a very challenging GM, he is always extremely fair.

Please join me in congratulating Mark on his accomplishment. For those who would like to talk to him in person, he will be attending PaizoCon in July.

Below are some quotes from our local players in support of Mark's 5th star:

"He is an extraordinary GM."

"... thoughtful, always prepared, extremely knowledgeable, ..."

"He is very balanced in how he manages the possibility of player death, not pulling punches, but not being unnecessarily lethal. There is always a sense that all of our actions have consequences and I thoroughly enjoy sitting at his table."

"Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable about the game, he has an infectious passion for it."

"Mark has also been super responsive to questions via email. Whether it was a question about a rule, a character build, or module prep. He's an invaluable resource."

"... a genuine sense of fun and joy at every moment of every game ..."

"Mark has been a perfect host at his tables, and at events he has coordinated. He is always anxious to make sure that each person – old and new – has the best time that they can."

"Every session that I play with Mark, I feel that I absorb a new technique that improves my own GMing. He has basic inborn talent to GM, and has clearly worked hard to develop those skills to an art form. I count myself very fortunate to be able to play at his table with some regularity, and cannot think of a person who warrants the honor of a fifth star more."

Here is a two page document that steps a new player through character creation using only the Core Rulebook and the free Traits download.

It's not much more than what is in Chapter 2 of the PFS Guide, but it does offer some quick advice for those in a hurry and lists page numbers for each topic.

It does not make use of any Additional Resources to keep things simple and give the player a chance to learn how to build a character with just the Core Rulebook first.

I recommend giving it to new players along with a copy of the Traits download and a blank PFS Character Sheet. A handout about the Factions or access to Chapter 4 in the PFS Guide would be useful too.

This document is primarily the work of myself (text) and VC Russell Akred (layout, art, and editing) along with extensive comments from other venture officers.

Perhaps the reports of their deaths were greatly exaggerated?

Why are we playing with wealth when the problem is player bullying? The proposed system still results in bullying behavior.

Let's actually deal with the problem, and give GMs more leeway on how they handle abusive players.

No matter how hard we try, or how well we regulate, power gamers will power game. Trying to stop that from happening, well, the cure is worse than the disease.

I think player bullying should be discussed as a separate issue. We shouldn't try to correct player behavior by adjusting the reward system in PFS.

I didn't mind the 2XP system, until someone pointed out that it will allow inexperience players to get into higher-level play too quickly, before they have the chance to really learn how to handle it. We'll end up with people who have only played 9 to 10 games in 7-11 scenarios and still don't really know what they're doing.

But brand new players are already doing this when they play a level 4 or level 7 pregen.

At least with the 2 XP solution, new players that always play up have to play several games (with more experienced players) to reach higher levels. And a side effect is that they will be able to catch up to the current groups level and continue to play with them - rather than having to use a pregen if there are no other tables to play at.

Another thought ...

If we go the 2 XP for playing up route, let's drop the Slow Advancement too.

Players who are behind the group they play with can play up to catch up. This is better than expecting the rest of the group to go Slow Advancement since it is the new player's problem, not theirs.

Here is a point I haven't seen made yet ...

One of the stated goals for PFS is to "play by the rules". Right?

Well, in any other Pathfinder game if you "play up" you get more XPs.

By using the 1 XP per session (regardless of the sub-tier played) we are actually creating the WBL problem.

The solution that Rogue Eidolon argues for, brings PFS more in line with regular Pathfinder play.

2 XP for playing up with normal PP. There should be a disincentive after all.

I don't think we should 1/2 XP for playing down. It is already too easy. There should be disincentive that way too. I'd leave playing down as it is now.

For PCs between sub-tiers go the 2 XP route.

If the player did not get the boon, I cross it off.

If the player earned the boon and there is no check box, I leave it as-is.

If there is one check box I will circle the boon so it is clear the player earned the boon.

If there are multiple check boxes, I leave it as-is.

Those boons with only one check box are ... confusing.

I am now hijacking this thread to inject it with a lot of positive.

This post is to thank David Montgomery (Harley Quinn X), Lucas Servideo (LackofFocus), Mark Seifter (Rogue Eidolon), and Linda Zayas-Palmer (Marie1) for 1 year of dedicated service in an official capacity for the Boston Lodge.

I also want to thank VL Myles Crocker (ElyasRavenwood), note our newest VL Adam Freed (SerSeptimus), and give honorable mentions to several other event coordinators in the area. (More on this further down the post.)

David and Lucas became Venture-Lieutenants shortly after PAX East last year. Mark and Linda were appointed as co-Store Liaisons for Pandemonium. All have made tremendous strides in the growth of the region and this is a public acknowledgment and thank you.

I first met Mark and Linda at the very first PFS event run at Pandemonium (our flagship store). They have been constant fixtures at Pandemonium and other Boston area events ever since. While Linda has needed some time to devote to her Masters Degree, she will be graduating this spring. Mark is phenomenal with his understanding of the game and is very close to earning his 5th star. PFS at Pandemonium would not be what it is without them.

I first met David early on at Pandemonium. When I needed to take pictures with a GM for earning a new star, he was quick to volunteer to take the picture. I was impressed with his rules knowledge and friendly GMing style. I approached him just before PAX East to see if he might be interested in becoming a VL for the metro Boston area. Mike Brock would be at PAX East and I wanted to give him a chance to meet David in person. David ran so many tables there he almost lost his voice. Having David in place for metro Boston frees me up to focus on other parts of the region.

I first met Lucas at a game store in the North Shore. He was very personable and expressed an interest in running games there. He was also at PAX East last year and showed up with lots of printed material that really helped us to shine there. I decided to offer him a VL position with Mike's blessing before the end of PAX East. Since then he has taken on a herculean task of bringing PFS to the very densely populated North Shore area. All I can say is watch out for this one; he keeps me on my toes. If I ever disappear under mysterious circumstances, or if I'm forced to step down because of public scandal ...

Myles lives in southeastern Vermont. He has also spent time supporting PFS in North Carolina. I first met Myles in November 2009 at Carnage by the Lake at Farlee, Vermont. The home group I started playing PFS with in 2008 at the very start of the campaign was at the convention running PFS games and Myles and some friends came to play. Little did we know we would meet again a few years later. Myles started a regular game in Keene, NH at Toy City and would help out in North Carolina when he was down there. When I was appointed Venture-Captain of the Boston Lodge in September 2011 and the Venture-Lieutenant rank was announced, I started looking for some VLs. Myles' name came up relatively quickly as a potential candidate. Long story a little shorter, he was appointed in November of 2011 as a VL field officer attached to the Boston Lodge, free to travel as needed and support PFS wherever he happened to be. Fast forward to the end of March this year. Myles takes on support for western MA along with VT and becomes a regular VL for the Boston Lodge. The Albany Lodge (VC Dan Donnelly) now supports Vermont so Myles now serves two VCs. Expect other VLs to be appointed for VT to assist Myles.

As noted a few months ago, Adam Freed has joined the VL ranks of the Boston Lodge and supports PFS in RI. He also serves as a metro Boston GM when his duties as a Lieutenant in the US Army allow.

I also want to mention some relatively new Store Liaisons.

Mike Adams (Ulserad), who organized PFS at Carnage where we met Myles, and who has run PFS at TotalCon and OGC in the past, is now a Store Liaison for Pop Culture in Raymond, NH.

Ray Diaz (R D), a regular at Pandemonium, runs a monthly game in Harvard Square. While he doesn't have a "store", he should now be considered a "Store Liaison" for The Garage in Harvard Square.

I would also like to mention some event organizers at two independent stores in the region. You probably won't see events for these stores listed on our Warhorn site, but there is always hope.

Tyler O'Neill (tro1984) runs games at Stillpoint in Fall River, MA (I grew up in Somerset, the next town over.). Tyler also serves as a con GM. He is our link to Stillpoint for the Boston Lodge.

Patrick Maguire (patrick maguire 337) runs games at Toys N Things in Danvers, MA. I had the pleasure of running 4-EX for him and some players at TNT last Sunday.

Brynn Stott-Cohen (Brynn Stott-Cohen) runs games at Modern Myths in Northampton, MA.

And watch for a new Store Liaison being added for Tabletop Arena in Lowell, MA soon.

And lastly, I thank all the GMs who have allowed us to enjoy this wonderful game together.

For those of you who have made it this far, I want to thank you by letting you know I've decided to designate April (in particular Patriots' Day) as the first official holiday for the Boston Lodge. It is to celebrate all those who dedicate their time and energies in support of the lodge. A name for the holiday will be announced shortly.

I am happy to report that I have been in communication with my other local VLs and while the discussion was not about their well being, I can only assume that they are fine as well.

The point has been raised that a player who imposes limitations on their character that otherwise might benefit and assist the party to a greater extent is being a jerk.

This is no different than arguing that a player not bringing an uber optimized character to the table is being a jerk.

I'm not talking about a player that purposely builds a very weak character "for the challenge" without explaining their character to the group beforehand. Or one that plays selfishly and makes no contribution other than raising the APL.

But when you sit down to play with new people/characters, it is up to you to decide if you are comfortable playing with the group. If you need to know that the Paladin will not go bonkers if you try to heal them with Infernal Healing, ask. If it is important to you that you only play with optimized characters ask about the other players' characters. If people get defensive and think you are trying to pry, that may be an indication that the particular table is not for you.

There is no "wink". GMs are expected to run PFS adventures as they are written.

We may not change any stats, DCs, numbers of creatures, etc.

We are allowed to change tactics only when the written tactics no longer make sense for the current circumstances, but we are expected to maintain the spirit of the original tactics. For example, if the stated tactics of the adversaries state that they are trying to capture the PCs and not kill them, it is not OK to have the adversaries switch to lethal force and coup de grace the PCs instead.

We are allowed to add additional story background based on published Golarion cannon.

We are not allowed to add encounters or change the plot.

You are free to structure your background as you wish (within the bounds of Golarion).

But for anything that affects gameplay you must use only one legal sub-race (if any). Unless another game mechanic allows for more than this.

So while you can describe yourself as an Ulfen-Tian-shu, you must pick one sub-race as the dominant one and only draw benefits/penalties from that sub-race including interactions with NPCs.

And this must be clear to the GM before the game begins or you will probably find the GM taking a dim view of your dual status when a situation arises that would affect members of one of those backgrounds.

Well, that's that guys. Time to take down those pin-ups of Mistress Zarta in the clubhouse.

OK, first of all, that post by Mark Moreland was made on August 25, 2011. There have been two revisions of the PFS Guide since then under Mike Brock's leadership.

This issue has been addressed and fixed. The wording has been changed and does allow for earning 1/2 a Prestige Point on slow advancement.

I don't have my copies of the last two versions of the PFS Guide with me right now, but it has been this way since at least Aug 2012 if not Jan 2012.