Both in recognition of all of their hard work, and to help me out with our newly formed Vermont Lodge, covering Vermont and Western MA, Mike and I have appointed John Trombley and Chris Donnangelo to Vermont Venture Lieutenant.
Please join me in congratulating them.
John runs the Pathfinder Society group that meets at Quarterstaff Games in Burlington every other Wednesday night.
Chris runs the Pathfinder Society group that meets at Gamer's Grotto in Bennington the third Monday evening every month.
Congratulations John and Chris! I look forward to working with both of you.
Both in recognition of all of their hard work, and to help me out with our newly formed Vermont Lodge, covering Vermont and Western MA, Mike and I have appointed John Trombley and Chris Donnangelo to Vermont Venture Lieutenant.
Please join me in congratulating them.
John runs the Pathfinder Society group that meets at Quarterstaff Games in Burlington every other Wednesday night.
Chris runs the Pathfinder Society group that meets at Gamer's Grotto in Bennington the third Monday evening every month.
Congratulations John and Chris! I look forward to working with both of you.
Don,
I think we are still in the same region.....New England. And of course if you need any help with anything, I'm happy to lend a hand. Thank you for all of your help with everything.
Myles
Yesterday afternoon I went down to Modern Myths in Norhthampton MA to see how the gaming group was going there. After saying hello to everyone and sitting down at the table I got my character binder out. The GM told me what scenario we were playing and I began digging through my character binder. I discovered that I had already played the scenario being run. I let the GM know. She was fine with my re playing.
I stayed in the back of the party. I let the other players whom hadn't played the scenario do all of the investigative work and make all of the deductions. I let them make all of the choices.
When asked I filled in here and there, information about Magnimar, the Irrespan, the Varisians, the Shaonti etc.
In combat I played a support roll and let the other players have the spotlight.
I think Don Walker may have suggested this somewhere.....I chose not to use any of my expendables, namely Wands potions etc. I just used the spells my character had known.
In the end, i think we all had a good time. I didn't get a chronicle sheet.
So yes I agree there is the potential for abuse, but if the GM feels that you are spoiling things for other players, The GM is supposed to eject the player. "Don't be a Jerk" comes to mind.
I will never forget the time you were running me and a friend through Black Waters a few years ago at Carnage on the Mountain.
Spoiler:
the face you made of the "corpse" of the girl we foud in the coffin, was so convincing that my friend had his character use his axe to cut the finger off of the girls "corpse" to get the ring. Much to our horror she was sill alive.....good times....
I think one of the "explaintions" we came up with was.....rats....big rats.....
Thank you all for your well wishes. I have to turn in so I can get up to drive from Brattleboro to Burlington. It should be a beautiful drive. Then I get to run some players through Day of the Demon!
I got to play and then replay the Blackross Matrimony once at a convention, and i got to replay it at a game store. I used the same character. My character was a Taldan sorcerer with ranks in diplomacy and sense motive, and other social skills.
At the convention, unfortunately we were late in our mustering, and the GM was handed the Scenario cold. The GM's performance in role playing terms left allot to be desired. We rolled allot of diplomacy checks. Admittedly I would have probably been just as challenged to role play given the same circumstances.
I got to re play it latter at a game store, with out the time slot constraints. The GM she did a wonderful job hamming it up with all of the NPCs. I had allot of fun the second time around. I got to do more "role playing".
So your experience can vary widely as others have pointed out.
The current infernal Thrice Damed House of Thrune only came to power 60 years ago. I am going to guess that the "Para-count" etc, are the "new nobility" those who whose power and fortunes are directly tied to the House of Thrune and the "new" infernal regime.
I am guessing that the "para" prefix is used to distinguish the new from the old nobility.
One thing to keep in mind, while you may have two hands, you only have one mouth. I think it would be very difficult to use two blowguns at once in the same mouth.
More often then not I GM. I don't like spoilers. I much prefer not knowing what is going to happen, even if it is the well trodden road of a fantasy story. While yes we may know all the Tropes.....farm boy has hidden destiny and has to realize his destiny and with the help of a small group of specialists, sneak into the Evil Tyranical Conquerer inner sanctum to either destroy him or some artifact he is trying to use.
I will admit, I can't quote "chapter and verse" pointing to where you can't allow a 5th or 6th player. Many of the We be Goblins tables I have ran had 5 to 6 players. People simply used a second rita big bad and gave the fighter goblin another name. Many of the We be Goblins tables I have played at had 5 to 6 players. Being a level 1 module you can replay it for credit if you apply the credit to a different 1st level PC each time.
I assume We be goblins too is written for 4 players. Next Saturday on Free RPG day I am scheduled to run We Be Goblins Too at Greenfield Games in Greenfield MA. I am planning for a 4 person table. But if one of the players brings a friend, or there are other curious people there, space permitting, I am willing to run a 6 person goblin table.
Oh that is awesome. I first picked the Judge Dee books up at the Harvard book store back in 92. My girl friend and I were lurking there, looking for some books to read on the train ride from boston where we were visiting my cousin, to Washington where my parents lived. Much to my girlfriends irritation, I read the Chinese bell murders in one sitting on the trip down.
I have read them again off and on again over the years. I have always enjoyed them. I love how he talks about "boxers" and such.
Now while I do enjoy Wuxia films, and i did enjoy the "Judge Dee and the phantom flame" movie, I still love the books.
The books seem a little more "grounded" to me.
Little read Goblin you listened to the books? did you have them on cassette tape? If i could find them on CD or something like that, I think it would be fun to listen to on a long car ride.
I already have the unabridged Game of Thrones, Clash of Kings, Storm of Swords, Feast of Crows, and Dance of Dragons on CD. I also have the Lord of the rings, ( all three books) the Hobbit, and the Entire Chronicles of Narnia on CD. I would love to add Judge Dee to that collection.
Well I am very pleased the Judge Dee mystery series are one of your major sources that you are drawing from. I certainly will keep my eyes open for your "heroes of the East 3" book.
I think it is an abuse of the rebuild system to deliberately avoid the challenge of playing through level one with a sorcerer or something like that. Yeah that's cheesy.
So would you consider it an abuse for someone to use GM credits to skip level 1 altogether?
Personally, I don't like level 1. The risk of a one shot death is high, even in easy fights, and many character concepts don't kick in until you get specific abilities at higher levels (usually 2-4 for most of my characters, though in one case, it'll be when I get into a prestige class at 6).
So I do what I can to skip it. In part, that means GMing First Steps over and over when we have newbies at our local group, so I can use those credits to skip 1st level with my next PC.
Fromper, no I don't think using GM credit for the first three XPs of a character to be an abuse of GM credits. You have earned the GM credits by GMing games. Then you can use the credits as you want to. That's what they are there for.
While I may prefer to work my way through 1st level, for the feeling of accomplishment when my character get to 2nd level. I also think I value my character more, having gone through the risk of loosing it. But that is my preference.
I just object to people using the rebuild system for something other then it was intended for...namely skirting the risks of 1st level.
Last year while living down in Durham NC and playing with the PFS gang down there, I played along side of one other player who had a character that whose character was a Paladin / oracle/ summoner (synthesist) build that well, was able to knock any monster we came across "out of the ball field". All we other players had to do was bring our lunch box, and eat a sandwich while this character went to work. At least the player, a really nice guy by the way, and had a sense of humor about his character....the synthesist's eidolon's head was shaped like a wedge of cheese. The player also had enough sense to hang a bit in the background until we could call "oh Godric...this monster has chewed off my arm"....or something like that, and his character would trundle in and smite the beastie to pieces. His character was very "cheesy" and saved our bacon many times. He even explained that his character was an attempt to be as "cheesy" as possible.
But enough of my cheesy side rant.
I'm going to chime in with Don on this one. From what I understand, the rebuild rules are there to take a character build on a test run before you reach 2nd level. It gives you a chance, say after sitting at a table, and having pre gen "Kyra" stuffed in your hands, to try playing a monk, or a sorcerer, before settling on whit you would like to play. Perhaps you hear of a better feat combination like point blank shot and precise shot for an archer character.....it prevents you from getting locked in and doing some experimenting.
I think it is an abuse of the rebuild system to deliberately avoid the challenge of playing through level one with a sorcerer or something like that. Yeah that's cheesy.
You can already use the Multi class system to the same effect.
Now I don't think i am going to say anything that hasn't been said up thread.
3.5 Loyalist, I think the majority of us are saying, is that, if you want to include vivid descriptions of someone being disembowel by the cut of a sword, or decapitated by the chop of an axe, or someone's chest being staved in by the blows of a Maul in your game...knock yourself out. Perhaps that was a poor choice of words. Go right ahead include the descriptions. Enjoy yourself
I also think the majority of us are saying is that vivid descriptions of gore and viscera isn't everyone's cup of tea. Not all of us like it. And for those of us who don't, we can have a fun and descriptive game without including vivid descriptions gore and viscera. We don't appreciate you telling us we are we are being bad GMs, and doing our players a disservice because of how we want to describe combat in a Pathfinder game with out much gore and viscera.
Let me put it another way. The weekend before last weekend I was running a Pathfinder Soicety organzied Play game at our local toy and gaming store. I was running #4-18The Vetran's Vault (1-2)(4-5) I had 5 players at the table. One player was 15-16 years old, a teenager trying to decide if he was interested in the game. Another player, His friend was bit older, perhaps 19-20 had brought the teenager to the game. There was also a Father in his early 40s, and his son 8 years old. And Finally there was another player in his early 40s, and myself, the GM.
How do you think i should handle this room's description?
:
The hall of Exquisite Agony
Boxed text
“The few furnishings in this large chamber are restricted to racks, iron maidens, and other implements of torture. Near the center of the room a massive table with manacles hanging from each corner bears testament to grisly interrogations, and nearby a pair of wooden tubs stand empty, their contents long since evaporated. Against the north wall stand several empty racks and hooks for holding weapons or tools; the implements that once hung there are now scattered in disarray across the floor. A short series of steps near the eastern wall leads to the only exit.” Boxed Text
When the cult of Zon-Kuthon occupied this vault, this room served as their workroom and place of worship, and in addition to incising flesh, the priests carved and painted signs of their devotion into the walls, floor, and furniture." Page 13.
I changed the description of the room. I described it as the temple of an evil god whom you know as Zun Kathon. I then handed the module over to the father, and pointed to the room description in the scneario,
Page 13 #4-18 the Veterans Vault.
I happen to like the flip map line. I have lots of flip maps. They are stacked in the middle of my gaming table in my living room.
This looks like a fun one. I'm looking forward to using it in one of my games ..
Last weekend i needed to put together a "one shot" to give my normal GM a rest.
I began going through the flip maps and I found the "ancient Dungeon" flip map, the ones with the bull motif on the floors.
I also grabbed the desert flip map, the one with the sphinx on it.
The Flip maps made it very easy to make a quick dungeon.
All I had to do was think of a theme..I looked at the little bulls on the flagstones in the floors of the corridors and "classic near east dungeon" came to mind and I and ran with it. The mc guffin i came up with
My players really liked the maps. When I commented that hey had been trecking through the desert and learned to check their boots in the morning for scorpions. One of the players asked, you mean like the ones on the map? And much to my surprise there were little black scorpions on the map. A little later on my players after fending off an attack of a Minotaur and Gelatinous cube with their 4th level party noticed the bulls on the floors of the Ancient Dungeon.....and said " oh god we should have known this place was going to be full of minotaurs...look at all of the bulls on the floors"!
In short they enjoyed the flip maps.
Stephen I am looking forward to using your arcane flip map in the future, it looks like it would be great for a wizard's maze.
I like Adamant's Priest, but I feel that it's a bit too overpowered. Three domains, a die higher channel than a Cleric, free Weapon Focus, and the equivalent of Bardic Knowledge?
I would probably make the following adjustments:
-To reflect his focus on knowledge, a Priest receives 8 + INT skill points at each level
A Priest automatically receives the Knowledge domain even if it is not on the domain list of his chosen deity; he then can select one other domain from his deity.
-A Priest's channels are a d8, but total number of channels is calculated like an Oracle of Life, at 1 + CHA mod.
-The Priest gains proficiency with light weapons and his deity's favored weapon.
I feel like the light armor proficiency doesn't fit with the class, and should probably be replaced with some sort of sacred\profane bonus to AC that increases with level.
when I have played a priest class in a home game, we simply dropped the d8 channel positive energy down to a d6.
If you are looking to drop the armor completely, why not simply ad the Monk's unarmed AC bonus and progression? that would give the priest a nice tidy AC boost with an already tried and true class feature?
Jiggy I have a mystic theurge in PFS, that i have been playing for, well i guess now 31/2 years now.
The character is a human 3rd level cleric of Pharasma/ 3rd level Wizard (necromancer)/ 8 level Mystic Theurge.
The character has quite a few flaws in its build, but I have had fun with the character.
His two domains are Repose and healing.
His mage school is necromancy.
I have focused a bit more on the cleric side, as much for character "fluff" reasons as anything else. I have interestingly found lots of interesting spells on the cleric list like "bestow curse" and "True seeing" and "plane shift" etc. I have had fun withe a prayer, haste, bless, curse, slow combination. With a lesser meta magic rod of quicken spell, you can get those spells out 2 per round.
I have had allot of fun playing an "ambiguous" character who uses necromancy to combat the undead.
I myself would like to align spell casting access with base attack bonus, just has hit dice has been aligned with base attack bonus
.
+1 good base attack bonus=d10 hit dice= Paladin/ranger spell schedule
+3/4 Medium base attack bonus=d8 hit dice=Bard/Magus/inquisitor spell schedule
+1/2 base attack bonus=d6 hit dice= wizard sorcerer (cleric druid) spell schedule
I would like to replace the paladin with Green Ronin's Holy Warrior
The "Holy Warrior" is a 20 level base class, which Green Ronnin developed in their sourcebook "The Book of the Righteous". They did a PDF called "holy Warrior" to update the class to 3.5.
The class had the same basic structure as the Paladin, in terms of Base Attack Bonus, Saves, Skills, Hit dice, and Spell progression.
The change was in the "Class Abilities" you picked two "domains" offered by your Deity, and they gave you a set of special abilities, which you gain over a spread of levels. With this class if you picked the right two domains, you had a paladin.
I would like to cut the cleric druid and oracle's full spell schedule out and replace their spell schedules with the spell schedule of a Alchemist/ Bard/Magus/inquisitor/summoner spell schedule but this would mean crafting new spell lists for a 3/4 bab clerical divine spell caster and druidic spell caster. I want to make this change because i think the Cleric/Druid/Oracle are a cut above the other classes, and I want to bring them "back in alignment" with the other classes in the game.
But yes In short i would like to yank out the paladin, cleric, oracle and druid..and replace the paladin with the holy warrior, the cleric oracl and druid with two classes, a 3/4 bab d8 hd with the Bard spell progression ,And the cleric with the priest.
I am not a statistician. So I cannot really comment on averages standard deviations and the like.
I found this passage of text in the Inner Sea World guide that might address the OPs question.
“Power Levels: Throughout this book, particularly in
Chapter 2, key NPCs are mentioned by name. Experience levels and classes are not presented for these NPCs, in order to maintain a level of versatility and freedom allowing adventure writers, hobbyists and professionals alike, to adjust these NPCs as they wish. Nonetheless, there exist guidelines for how powerful most rulers and heroes and city guards are in the Inner Sea region. The vast majority of humanity are “standard,” ranging in level from 1st to 5th—most with NPC classes like commoner, expert, or warrior (it’s uncommon for a character with only NPC class levels to be above 5th level). A significant number of a nation’s movers and shakers, along with other leaders, heroes, and notables, are “exceptional,” ranging in level from 6th to 10th. “Powerful” characters, ranging in level from 11th to 15th, are quite rare—typically only a handful of such powerful characters should exist in most nations, and they should be leaders or specially trained troops most often designed to serve as allies or enemies for use in an adventure. Finally, “legendary” characters of 16th or higher level should be exceptionally rare, and when they appear should only do so as part of a specific campaign—all legendary characters should be supported with significant histories and flavor.” Page 253 Inner Sea World Guide
Natan Linggod 972 if you want to combine both lists for a home game go for it.
“The Most Important Rule
The rules in this book are here to help you breathe life into your characters and the world they explore. While they are designed to make your game easy and exciting, you might find that some of them do not suit the style of play that your gaming group enjoys. Remember that these rules are yours. You can change them to fit your needs. Most Game Mastershave a number of “house rules” that they use in their games. The Game Master and players should always discuss any rules changes to make sure that everyone understands how the game will be played. Although the Game Master is the final arbiter of the rules, the Pathfinder RPG is a shared experience, and all of the players should contribute their thoughts when the rules are in doubt.” Page 9 Core Rule Book.
And admittedly this game is one of the few places you see a division between Arcane and Devine magic, however, this division has been there, I believe since the beginning of the game.
Bards, haven't been casting healing spells forever. Bards, way back in 1st edition were what we now would refer to as a prestige class. First one had to take 5 levels of fighter, then you switched to thief. and sometime before 9th level, you switched over to Bard class, gaining acess to druidic spells, because you were under their training. In second edition Bards had access to arcane spells. And in third edition Bards got their own spell list which had cure light wounds on it.
But I digress. The question is why not merge the two lists? It would cause many more problems then it would solve as it was mentioned up thread. Being able to cast what you want when you want to hardly seems like a sufficient reason to make a such a drastic change.
The spell lists the various spell casting classes have are there to help define one class from another.
I know we all like to tinker with the game. For example, I myself would like to align spell casting access with base attack bonus, just has hit dice has been aligned with base attack bonus
.
+1 good base attack bonus=d10 hit dice= Paladin/ranger spell schedule
+3/4 Medium base attack bonus=d8 hit dice=Bard/Magus/inquisitor spell schedule
+1/2 base attack bonus=d6 hit dice= wizard sorcerer (cleric druid) spell schedule
I would like to cut the cleric druid and oracle's full spell schedule out and replace their spell schedules with the spell schedule of a Alchemist/ Bard/Magus/inquisitor/summoner spell schedule but this would mean crafting new spell lists for a 3/4 bab clerical divine spell caster and druidic spell caster. I want to make this change because i think the Cleric/Druid/Oracle are a cut above the other classes, and I want to bring them "back in alignment" with the other classes in the game. Well it is a work in progress.
I guess all I am saying if you are going to make such a drastic change to your game take the time to look at what the repercussions will be.
Dragnmoon we= the writers of PFS scenarios. I can't think of a PFS scenario that doesn't start with a briefing by a venture captain or close associate of the society. The scenarios may begin just as you enter some ruins, but there is always mention of a briefing where a VC gave the player characters, pathfinder field agents, a mission that they are being sent on.
In PFS we assume that all characters are commissioned pathfinder field agents.
Which back ground do you generally prefer for your characters: one where they trained in the Grand lodge to earn their commission or one where they were awarded a field commission?
Did your character study and work for 3 years in a University/ boarding school type of setting the Grand lodge provides for its initiates?
Are there other initiates your character knows from your training?
Did your character spend time studying under Marcus Farabellus Master of Blades or Aram Zey Master of spells, or Kreighton Shaine Master of Scrolls (history etc)?
What sort of test did your character have to go through for his Confirmation to become a full Pathfinder agent?
Or did your character earn a field commission? What was he doing? Whose bacon did he save?
I am curious which background do you prefer? Or does it simply depend on the character you are making?
I guess one thing that helps to enable veteran players to sit down and play with new players are the 1st level scenarios like the first steps series, and 1st level modules like murder's mark because everyone is getting credit.
I wouldn't want any replay for credit expanded beyond 1st level.
Also the replay rules, allowing someone with GM's approval to replay a game for no credit helps as well.
Michael,
Thank you for your answer. It gives the GM at the table the leeway to adjust things to their tastes at their table, while giving a definite answer: Torture is evil.
One thing to keep in consideration is how does the table feel. Is someone at the table uncomfortable? If one person is uncomfortable, you as a GM should run the game at their comfort level.
To answer the OPs question. Yes I am happy with Pathfinder. There are of course small things i like to change here and there, like I have kept the use rope skill in my home games.....but that is what the designers expect, for us players to make the game our own.
So in summary, yes I am happy with Pathfinder. I think Paizo does an excellent job. They go to great lengths to make us feel part of a community, they listen to our opinions, and I think do their best to write stories and gaming books we can all enjoy.
my character insists on drawing up a contract with each other character in the party. They agree to do their best to keep harm from befalling the cleric, and he will do what he can to heal them. noting in sub section paragraph C....Healing will be preformed by the Infernal Healing spell from a wand.....
One of my more amusing moments with this character was when the party wanted to kill some prisioners who were thieves. The paladin protested that they should be brought to the proper authorities and turned over to them. Much to his suprise, My character agreed with him. After the thieves were turned over, my character patted the paladin on the shoulder " see it wasn't that bad...we can agree on some things......and even work together".
I make sure up front at a new PFS table, that people know that, my character is a cleric of asmodeus, a negative energy channeler, and not a healer.
I have also had fun playing clerics of Sarenrae, and Pharasma. Each has their own flavor.
Well I think as Funky Badger pointed out....there are Hellknights to consider.
Perhaps the player is just looking at what special things the hell knight armor can do, without realizing that the Hell knights would react violently to someone who isn't a hell knight wearing their hallmark Hell knight armor. There are Hell Knights in Magnimar.
The same would go for the red mantis. If someone was using either their saw sabers and mantis armor.
Elyas, I've loved all the movies and shows you mentioned at the end (except Midnight Chronicles: I don't know that series at all, and thus have no idea how I feel).
Frankly, Gamers, Gamers 2, and Journey Quest (and Standard Action) are pretty solidly the "definitive" version of even potential "D&D" movies from what I've seen so far. Although laced with humor, really that's fine - it makes sense, the characters are believable and solid, and you care about them. It also feels like a game and an epic story. The D&D movie felt like neither.
I'll have to try and catch the other two, though.
EDIT: minor edit above for clarity
Tacticslion, Midnight chronicles was a 2 hour pilot for what might have been a series.
Midnight was a campaign setting put out by fantasy flight games, exploring the idea "what if Frodo Failed". It was a setting where the bad guys won 100 years ago, and the players and what remains of the forces of "good" are still fighting on.
Well, as a GM if i saw a player having his character's trained animals retrieving his characters haunted cursed oracle's wands for him to try and get around the haunted curs, well now that would be interesting. I'm sure the mischievous spirits would declare open season on said trained animal.....a trained animal isn't getting around a divine curse.
He is a PFS character. He is a Dhampire ( I got the beginner box bash chronicle) He is a life oracle. He has the haunted Curse. He serves Pharasma. my role playing fluff is that he is a "ghost whisperer" helping ghosts solve their problems so they can leave this world and go onto the boneyard and to their rest. The clergy of pharasma are prejudiced against him because of what he is, and they are Jealous of him because Pharasma chose to give him divine spells.
I have had allot of fun playing this character.
I find since my character few spells to choose from, I pick basic bread and butter spells like Bless protection from evil....stuff like that. Everyone is happy with a bless spell. Everyone is happy with a positive channel energy.....
Hama, If I may ask, is your avatar inspired by the character in G R R Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series Hama Dog's head?
I'm just curious.
A few months ago I got to see on the sci fi channel two D&D movies, Wrath of the Dragon God, and then the Book of Vile Darkness one right after the other.
Now neither movie was particularly good. But, comparing the two, I liked the Wrath of the Dragon God much more.
Spoiler:
You had an adventuring party on screen talking about The Ghost tower of Inverness and other modules I remember playing. I could clearly recognize the cleric, wizard, fighter, rogue, and a barbarian.
The Book of vile Darkness, I did not particularly like. Perhaps this was because I am fairly un familiar with 4th edition D&D.
Spoiler:
I think there was an assassin, a half giant, a magic using bug wielding dark mage, a shadow rogue, and a fighter/paladin something. they tried an evil party. I didn't sympathize with the characters and unfortunately didn't care what happened to them...and thus wasn't terribly interested in the movie. I guess the special effects were ok for a made for TV sci fi movie. I didn't like the acting nor plot.
So now we have another movie, which is going to be produced by the same guy who did the D&D movie some 10 or 12 years ago? the one with Jeremy Irons as Prometheon...and that henchmen Damodar of the famous "give me the rod" line? wow....Well I guess I won't be surprised if the movie is a steaming pile of....field apples. On the bright side, my expectations are so low, well I would be pleased with almost anything.
I don't think it would be too hard for a D&D movie to do well. you have a 30 year established track record for the game. I think, and it has probably been mentioned up thread, what the movie would need is a decent script with some decent acting. Give me a story and some characters I can care about and root for.
I'm not too worried about a big fancy budget....however the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy are gorgeous and really set the standard for what is possible with the Fantasy Genere.
In terms of a modest budget I have thoroughly enjoyed the Gamers, The gamers 2 Dorkness Rising, and Journey Quest seasons 1 and 2. I have also enjoyed Standard Action as well. I even enjoyed the series pilot Midnight Chronicles. so It doesn't take much.
Well I apologize for rambling. This should be interesting. The legal battle I mean.
When I played through the Accursed Hall we were lucky
Spoiler:
to have both a Paladin (my character) and a Kyra along in the party. We got lucky. Between my character's Detect evil, Dark Vision, and Smite evil, I was able to land a good blow in, and Kyra's channel positive energy, we were able to beat the shadow before it could do too much harm. But Ugg that strength drain was nasty.
Yeah that can be a tough encounter...especially if the players avoid playing divine casters like the plague. But I will have to admit, it reminds me of the days way back when, When you didn't know what you were going to find in a dungeon....and sometimes your level two party would find a Mummy or a Roper, and you would have to run away or be monster snack food....or should I say fast food....
I believe Lisa Stevens was one of the people at WOTC responsible for analyzing the data from the collapsed TSR to try and determine why it went under. One of the conclusions was that TSR had too many product lines which fractured its customer base and thus cut into their slim profit margins. So I don't think they have any desire to fracture their customer base in two with one bunch supporting an "Advanced Pathfinder" and another supporting a "Basic Pathfinder". So I don't think there will ever be a basic pathfinder game.
As Mech E said, you could probably just strip down the Pathfinder game. If you don't want to use feats.....great, you don't have to use feats. If you don't want specialist wizards, well all you have to do is decide not to use them.
“The Most Important Rule
The rules in this book are here to help you breathe life into your characters and the world they explore. While they are designed to make your game easy and exciting, you might find that some of them do not suit the style of play that your gaming group enjoys. Remember that these rules are yours. You can change them to fit your needs. Most Game Mastershave a number of “house rules” that they use in their games. The Game Master and players should always discuss any rules changes to make sure that everyone understands how the game will be played. Although the Game Master is the final arbiter of the rules, the Pathfinder RPG is a shared experience, and all of the players should contribute their thoughts when the rules are in doubt.”
Page 9 Core Rule Book
Just remember this is your game and you can change it to fit your tastes. The game designers are expecting you to do that.
They are hoping you will have fun with the game, and make what changes you would like to make to the game.
Often in fantasy books such as the Wheel of Time series, and Fantasy TV series such as Legends of the Seeker, they have ways of either stealing or cutting someone off from their magic. In the Wheel of time they referred to Severing and Gentling. In Legends of the Seeker they had a magical Item (Artifact) called quilion which would absorb and store a wizard's magic.
Ansel, Rob,
Thank you both for taking the time to answer. When I first read that section of text, I thought i had read that the statues were 3 miles tall a piece!
2,600 feet is quite large, and I feel it kind of fits into the theme of Golarion along with some of the other "Thassalonian" scaled architecture.
Well perhaps one way to deal with the Sad,VS Mad problem, is in character creation.
Now I am sure there will be plenty of howling at how unfair this is, but perhaps you could have the SAD characters use a 15 point build, and the MAD characters use a 20 point build.
Maybe that would level things out a bit between Sad VS Mad......not that players would like it.
