James Martin's page

Let's give our mysterious benefactor until Thursday to show up. If he hasn't, then I'll start a game set in post-Rise of the Runelords Sandpoint. Because, well, I love Sandpoint. The game will begin during the Long Day Festival on the Summer Solstice. Players can tell me why they've come to the Festival, or if they live in Sandpoint, what they do there.

Sound good?

Sweep the legs! Cobra-Kai! Happy Birthday!

I'd be up for giving it a go. I love me the Bards. I'm thinking a Human Bard, arcane duelist build. Probably a street kid who grew up in Riddleport, working as a runner for the thieves guild. As he got older and a little more charismatic, he was moved to a face role: he was the guy who came into your shop and let you know that bad things would happen if your protection money wasn't paid on time. He got so good at his work that the need for actual muscle declined until the local muscle decided to up their take by taking out the face man. They broke his legs and left him beaten and for dead near a small inn. The innkeeper's wife found him, took pity on him and brought him inside to heal. While there he became enraptured by the power of song and magic that the bards who frequented the place could summon. He learned from them and is now looking to make a new life that doesn't involve getting his legs broken. While he can sing like a songbird, his upbringing still nudges him toward the more martial aspects of the class.

So, have you earned any judicial monikers yet? Clark Peterson, the Hanging Judge?

As for your request, I've got no problem with Clark seeing my item. Go Clark!

James, will we be returning to Sandpoint someday? It's still my favorite place in Golarion.

I would rule that a cavalier in the Order of the Cockatrice can delay payment, as long as there is an even bigger favor owed. "I'll put off my fair share, even considering how much more I contributed than the rest of you mooks, IF you agree to owe me a HUGE favor, redeemable at a time of my choosing! Agreed?"

James Martin wrote:

Whoo hoo! Another AA 'cast! My iPod was getting all lonesome and unloved.

Well I hope you find something lovable about this last episode, James. You might, rabbit. You might.

Whoo HOOO! Now I am a happy vampire, all well-fed and semi-confused about my monstrous nature, but secretly yearning to be a better person. Hoo-Ha!

Whoo hoo! Another AA 'cast! My iPod was getting all lonesome and unloved.

Poisoner’s Retort
Aura faint conjuration; CL 5th
Slot -; Price 10,000 gp; Weight 5 lbs.
Description
This head-sized heavy glass flask has two valves, clearly etched weal and woe, which connect to two small replaceable vials. When the heart of a poisonous creature is placed in the flask (the flask expands and contracts to hold a single heart of any size) and a command word spoken, the retort begins to bubble and hiss as the flesh is distilled and flows into the vials. The entire process of distillation takes one hour and the result is ruined if disturbed before the end of this time. One vial contains a single dose of the distilled poison of the creature from which it was created; the other contains a single dose of a special antitoxin that conveys a +10 alchemical bonus to Fortitude saves against that specific variety of poison for 1 hour. Once created, the poison and antitoxin last until used. The distilled poison has the same DC and damage as it did when the creature was alive and only one dose of poison and antitoxin can be created from a single creature.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, neutralize poison; Cost 5,000 gp

Man I must have completely missed this last year. Where was I again?

See Advice 27.

The best lessons I've learned are:
- Always give each player a chance to feel like a hero. Set aside a moment each game for them to feel like they're something special. Never forget them. If you do this, they'll forgive you a lot of stumbles.
- Always admit your mistakes. Be open, apologize if necessary and ask your players' advice and input. It goes a long way.
- Before you start a game, always ask the players what they're looking for out of the game. What's fun to you might not be fun to them.
- When everything goes wrong, let it. Some of the most memorable moments from games I've run came right after I lost control of the plot and just went with the flow.
- You don't have to have a game planned out to the end; you just have to be a page in front of the players. In fact, I find I work much better when I come to the game with a starting point and let the flow build itself and see where the players take it.
- Never be afraid to pull numbers out of your rectum. "Roll a d20 for me. Add a +2 to that roll. Good idea, roll a perception check with a +5 bonus." Or, if you don't know the AC of a specific creature, make one up. Just never make them terribly high or terribly low unless there's a good reason for it.
- You're there to have fun. When it stops being fun, take a break. Everyone will thank you for it later.
- When in doubt, take a deep breath and smile. It throws the players for a loop and their pause will give you time to figure out what to do next.

I hope these help!

PS My biggest DM mistake? Allowing an untested 3rd party class into a party of core book characters. Talk about throwing a monkey wrench into things. I spent more time trying to keep that overpowered PC from walking all over the plot than I spent on the plot. Be careful what you allow into a game, and if it turns out badly, be honest and talk to the group about it. You can stop 9/10ths of problems by talking to your group about them.

When I was in grade school, Vanilla Ice hadn't even made it back yet with his "brand new invention" or learned to "rock a mic like a vandal," "light up a stage," or "wax a chump like a candle."

Ice, ice, baby,
--Neil

Truly your childhood was a dark, dark time.

I have only one comment on this thread...

** spoiler omitted **
--Neil

If that's the first time you heard that, then your grade school bully has failed you. Give him a swirly for his/her pain.

i'm thinking that you just opened the flood gate to items that break your advice...

That's what makes a Superstar: you take the big risk and you make it work. If you can't, then it's not you yet. Keep working. I learned that last year when I played it pretty safe in the last round I was in; if I had gone a little more daring, I might have had a better shot.

Okay, I think I'll rework Fasterly as a sorcerer. Even with a witch, it won't hurt to have another arcanist. Plus, I don't think Fasterly the Cavalier will be needed as much with a fighter and a ranger in the mix.

Edit: this way I can decide which to go with when we start. As I love making characters, this is not a problem for me.

Hmm, we don't seem to have any arcanists and we're heavy on melee. Mind if I float a sorcerer instead of a cavalier?

Ah ha! That's what I get for not reading all the way down the thread, I tell you.

Quick question: are we using traits? And are there any limitations?

I'd like to throw a hat in as well.

Fasterly Bowspittle
N Gnome male Cavalier 1 (Order of the Cockatrice)

Fasterly was always the oddball in his family. Constantly preening and strutting, he was the butt of many jokes until at last he decided to leave and seek his fortune. As he tells it, if they wouldn't appreciate his greatness, he would find a place that will. Riddleport seems like a decent enough place for a gnome of above average charm and skill to make his fortune, and best of all, to make certain that everyone knows of his fortune.

Releasing the game before it's finished.. Hello 4th Edition! My gaming group gave it a fair shake, but there were so many things that seemed off that we stopped. Then out came a new DMG and lo, they fixed it! And then came an update online, and lo! They fixed it again. Here's a wild idea: playtest your game BEFORE you release it. I don't want to pay to playtest your game. And the ill will you engender by releasing a game before it's ready ensures I won't be giving you a second chance.

My advice, take it as you will, is to give any concept you're "finished" with to someone else. Specifically, two someones: a person who understands the Pathfinder system and someone who doesn't roleplay. If they can both understand it, you've done well. They'll also catch all the things you'll miss: typos, bad grammar, missing words, etc.

Then submit it.

I think the key thing to ask yourself with your item is:

Does this add to the fun or subtract from it?

Getting lost is fun. Getting to carry more loot is fun. Getting straight to the MacGuffin without having to seek out hints, legends, explore dungeons, etc. is Not Fun.

For my Duros former Padawan, I'm thinking that he was quite literally on his first mission with his Master, a Nautolan named Hoff Jerrell when Order 66 was enacted. He was observing his master from a safe distance deal with a small cell of Separatist resistance when the Order came. He was devastated as the very same soldiers his Master had spoken so highly of cut him down with no warning nor remorse. Because he saw this and panicked, running away from the bluff he was occupying, he was spared when a scant moment later the missile one of the clone troopers fired hit his position. He fled into a nearby ruined Separatist-held city and stayed down until he was sure the fighting had stopped. While there, he heard that the Jedi were enemies of the Empire. A kindly old woman helped him find new clothes and cut his hair and he signed on as a deckhand on a freighter. During a duty watch he successfully piloted the freighter through a sudden asteroid storm. This instinctive piloting earned him a spot as a backup pilot. He moved from freighter to freighter, trying to stay away from major ports or the core worlds. He kept his lightsaber, but disguised it to look like a flashlight. He's a little paranoid, but he hides it by being cheerful and outgoing, figuring that no one would suspect an outgoing open type of hiding anything.

I like the Dark Times myself, mainly because the Legacy Era isn't familiar to most people. However, I'd play in either one happily.

Indeed. Can I flag that post for Awesome?

Krassus isn't that much of a jerk.

Not yet. Give him time!

I'll throw a dot into the area. Probably a former padawan turned pilot in order to survive. Not sure of the species, but probably one of the core book types. I'm thinking probably a way-too-upbeat sort, since most of my other SW characters tend to be jerks.

I'm sorry. I have to drop out. My wife and I had a conversation that included my gaming. I need to cut back on it some.

Bummer, dude, but wife wins every time!

Great interview with some previews of the next book, Ghost Story, available here!

An app that would allow you to access the PFSRD would be cool, as would one that would allow you to purchase and download PDFs to your phone.

Also, one that makes girls like me. That is all.

Email sent!

Not to join the mob, but I work in academia, and brother, it is all about who you know and who knows you. Go to the Conference. Monte's not going away anytime soon, but your career may if you don't network your Ivory Tower'd bum off.

Wow. Thanks for the praise, Azmyth. While I don't have a ton of cash at the moment, I figured I could spare a little from my collection to help those who don't have the same access as I. Keep the good work on the podcast, guys. I listen religiously!

Or perhaps the prisoner is not a prisoner per se, but a prisoner of love, enraptured with a sidhe noble. Or has made the choice to go to the Court, ala Elaine.

I wouldn't mind throwing my hat in...

Name: Diego Dellarillos
Class: Sorcerer
Race:Human
Alignment: Neutral Good

Background:
Diego grew up in small village as the third son of a blacksmith, which made him the wandering son. When he turned 14, strange things began to happen around him: items would move, things would glow, frost would grow on the windows. He hid these powers as best he could, becoming quite good at disarming others with his personality. When he turned 18, he left home, never looking back.

Maybe the Winter Court holds an unusual sway over the city and uses their powers to curb crime somewhat, for some nefarious scheme.

Or perhaps a pact was made with a Native spirit to keep the peace, but its method of keeping the peace was to freeze the town out of the mood.

Or perhaps the emotions that usually power violent and criminal behavior are being siphoned somewhere to power a ritual that is 100+ years in the making?

I love the Dresden Files RPG.

Looking at Wikipedia, there was a big fire in 1904 in Toronto. Perhaps some supernatural event occurred there.

You've got one issue that I see, which is that the crime rate is not high enough to cover up a ton of supernatural murder. Their homicide rate is 3.3/100K, about 1/3rd of Los Angeles and 1/2 of New York.

Also, it's so cold!

I'd love to play in this, due to my abject man-love for Harry Dresden, but even if not, I'll be watching!

Actually you could make that a City Trait: Too Cold for Crime.

Package shipped to the US address, expected arrival date October 12, 2010. I hope it all helps!

Steven Tindall wrote:

...scary story of the 'good old days'

Wow. Just, wow. Makes you wonder what we're doing now that 60 years from now will be a no-brainer for awfulness.

Ooo! I'll start!

Listening to Jenny McCarthy for autism advice.
Banning human rights for gays.
Fighting poorly thought out wars in foreign countries.
Watching Twilight.
Supporting the Tea Party Movement.
Mullets. Still.
Reality television.

Anything I'm forgetting?

Put down the tinfoil hat and step away from the thread...

How do you explain the virtual extinction of diseases that were heavily vaccinated against (Polio, smallpox), and the fact that a vaccinated individual will not contract a disease when exposed to it after vaccination (Hep A/B, chickenpox, rabies for animals, etc.)?

The whole "vaccines are the evil work of big government and big pharma" is ridiculous and intellectualy dishonest coming from anyone who has brain capacity beyond the brain stem.

Anti-vaccine folks are getting kids killed each and every time they spread their lies, and it needs to stop.

Amen.

James Martin wrote:

Let's keep things in perspective.

I believe this is adding some perspective. It is not like they teach in highschool all the bad things our government did.

Very true. However, whenever you point out something terrible an entity has done, you get people voicing the opinion that because it did this thing, then it has never ever done anything worthwhile, nor is it capable of such things. The mindset boggles mine, but I see it happen a lot on messageboards.

Edit: also, you should have had American History with Barbara Ruff. It was a very nice introduction to the terrible things governments have done. She's part of the reason I love history.

Question is, what experiments is the US government doing today?

The US government introduced high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and is now introducing genetically modified organsims into our food. This has been turning Americans into an obese nation for quite some time. If the statistics that one-third of Americans are obese are true, that puts the number at about 100 million Americans.

Staggering.

On the other hand, the government also forces people to get vaccines, virtually eliminating diseases that used to kill millions. It subsidizes food, ensuring that Americans, who may not eat well, do get to eat. It provides defense and roads, ensures that children have health care and are not forced to work as slave labor to power our economy.

Yes, the US government has done evil, vile things but these things do not negate the good it has done, and vice versa. Let's keep things in perspective.

Hey Keichiku, I have a few books I could send you if you are interested and forgive my ignorance, if it is legal here to do so. I currently have "Sargava The Lost Colony," "Pathfinder Chronicles Heart of the Jungle," and "Pathfinder Chronicles City of Strangers."

These were originally to be given away to collaborators on d20pfsrd.com but I'd be glad to send one of your choice to you just as a gift. By the way, have you been to d20pfsrd.com? It might be useful to you.

Anyway, if anyone is knowledgeable about mailing products to Cuba from the U.S., please let me know. I have no idea if I can do that or not. If I can, I just need an address Keichiku and I'll send it right over.

Citizens of the US cannot send stuff to Cuba, due to the embargo. However, you should really check out this post...

Loreck Durgen wrote:

You can thank me later Urirawa. ;)

The saving of the 9 hp is nice but more important the new damage is less than Urirawa's threshold so he doesn't suffer the -1 on the condition track that he would have otherwise suffered.

It also means that Urirawa has now slightly more than 50% of his hp which means that he can't qualify for second wind but since that would only give me 7 hp back; so, I'm happy with that and don't have to be extra careful, yet.

Hmm, I might borrow the idea later on if I keep getting batter of picking up a security door to haul around as a 'riot' shield. :D <happy Wookiee Thoughts>

Actually your second wind gives you back a 1/4 of your hit points or your Con score, whichever is higher.

What about the "Wise?" It's got Tolkien-connection.

Or Eldritchian? Like an arcane academian?

Arcanalogian? Like a theologian, but for arcana? or Manalogian?

Arcanasophist? Arcanasopher? Philosophers of magic?

I think the second issue Paizo Marketing faces (the first being how to encourage new players) is how to expand the brand without diluting the brand. While I think a real world mythology line would be cool, I think that's really the sort of thing a 3rd party publisher should tackle. Without hiring new developers, Paizo can't afford to divert resources from their current lines to develop a new one and I've seen too many game companies do so at their peril.

The key is how do you overcome the "D&D" name. D&D is associated with 4e now, since WOTC owns the name and there is a current incarnation. Pathfinder has got to get its own brand and name out into the mainstream culture in order to capture new players and attention. The fiction line, while also being cool, is probably a great example of this. If you like classic sci-fi and buy a Planet Stories book, you might be intrigued enough to look into this Pathfinder game.

My suggestion is to further explore the areas where Pathfinder already touches other sci-fi and fantasy related interests. The Celebrity Game Table podcasts were a good idea and something similar could be done for Paizo. Sending t-shirts and merchandise to shows like the Big Bang Theory or Eureka (Fargo running a game of Pathfinder makes me giggle) or Warehouse 13 as props or clothing is a great way to start. I seem to remember the story of the band My Chemical Romance being gamers. Send them some Pathfinder and feature them in adverts. A Pathfinder Facebook game is also a cool idea. Getting Pathfinder Society games onto college campuses, into Barnes & Nobles and libraries is also a huge foothold into reaching the sort of players we're going to need.

The key to it all is showing how cool and fun the game is. Players can help do this by running Pathfinder Scenario games at their local stores and by telling their friends. Maybe if there were some sort of rewards program for people who bring new players into the game? When you buy a PDF of the core rules, maybe it asks who referred you and they earn points toward something neat? Discounts or merchandise or somesuch.

These are just off the top of my head. If any of them work out, excellent. If they don't, no harm done.

James - this is the third game in which we will have joined up as players. Since we are not both Jedi in this one, it should last!

Glad to see you on board.

I can't resist the 'Wars. I gets all jittery and then the voices begin. "Play Star Wars, James. Do it. Buy a Volvo, James."

In retrospect I might have left the TV on last night.

Half-clone, eh? Your character would barely be 18 (unless the half-clones picked up some degree of their fathers' double aging). The members of the 501st are sworn to secrecy about Skywalker's involvement with Order 66 and the destruction of the Jedi Temple. The official story, told by the Emperor and confirmed by the clones, is that the clones of the 501st, upon receiving the order, refused to fire upon Skywalker out of loyalty to him.

Emperor Skywalker is a bit of a sad, lonely figure to the citizens of the Empire. Everyone assumes that he is still mourning the loss of his wife, although there are conspiracy theorists who have their own ideas...

I'll post some more information regarding the stormtrooper history and lore when I get off duty tonight.

I would imagine some of the aging would pass down, especially if he were actually the child of a clone and not the clone of a clone... I'll leave that up to you. Shall I start making a character then?

Okay, this is SO COOL. I did a similar alternate universe Star Wars saga game and had a blast with it. It really opens up the whole concept nicely.

If there's any room left in the party, I'd like to float a soldier, a man whose father was a clone under Skywalker's command, who has been raised on the tales of war and glory and honor. If possible, I'd like him to be a stormtrooper, if only so I can prove that they really can hit things...