Jason Beardsley's page

Is there any chance that anyone in the Paizo staff could, as a blog post, free eratta pdf, FAQ answer, etc., compile an official list of Pathfinder skills and whether you can take 10 or take 20 on each of them?

Crude example:

Skill | Take 10? | Take 20?
Disable | Yes | Opening locks only
Escape Artist | Yes | Yes
Perception | Yes | Finding traps only
Knowledge (Arcana) | Yes | No

I love the SR universe, and have always wanted to run a SR game. Now, I have the opportunity to do so. We've already had one session, and I find myself having to deal with things I'd rather hold off till I get the hang of it. The city the default setting placed in Seattle. In my game, Evo Corp is involved with a cover up with the murder of a suburban citizen and his family. They have a flying security drone (about 4' in length) that flies around the city block, ensuring there's no suspicious activity in the area, particularly around the residence of the murder victims. Any person or vehicle it "sees" near close proximity to the residence is recorded, and the information is sent to Evo Corp.

One of my players is playing a hacker type character, and as such he wanted to hack the drone. That's where I need help.

Reading "The Wireless World" chapter is a bit daunting. There's just so much information. What do I need for this security drone? What will it's stats look like? And what information do I need to be aware of when dealing with a hacker?

In an attempt to relearn Java, and more of an attempt to discipline myself, I've made a settlement generator based on the Settlement rules in the GMG.

I honestly don't really plan to do much beyond what is already done, as I'm not really sure what I was doing in the first place. (Full disclosure and all..)

If anyone wants to play with the program or the source, be my guest.

My only complaint is the lack of Settlement support based on the GMG. I was sad to see nobody (that I've found) has expanded on it (yet).

The files can be found here

My players brought up a question to me today about Blasphemy.

You see, their party is facing a group of foes. Two foes have 16th caster level blasphemy spells, usable once per day each (they're half-fiends). The party is 15th level. This makes them eligible for dazed and weakened. The foes go one after another. 1st casting produces a roll of 5. 2nd casting produces a roll of 10. Does it stack?

Are they going to reduce their strength score by 10 (if it does not stack), or 15 (if it does stack)?

I'd greatly appreciate if anyone from the Pathfinder Rules line could answer this question directly, but I'm more than grateful for everyone and anyone to chime in with their answers as well!

So, over on Rolpuncture, I have a couple blog posts about an RPG I'm working on. It takes elements from D&D (Swords & Wizardry), Dragonlance 5th Age RPG (Saga system), and the Elder Scrolls series. I'm looking for some feedback, constructive criticism, and general help. Here's what I've got so far:

After discussing the RPG Mash-up with my play-testers, I’ve decided to standardize the ability scores and their modifiers. All modifiers will follow:

Score | Modifier | Proficiency

3 | -3 | None
4-5 | -2 | Very Light
6-8 | -1 | Light
9-12 | 0 | Medium
13-15 | +1 | Medum
16-17 | +2 | Heavy
18 | +3 | Very Heavy
19 | +4 | Very Heavy

Strength modifiers are applied to melee attacks and damage. It also determines proficiency with melee weapons. When determining your encumbrance, multiply the modifier by 5 and add the result to 100.

Dexterity modifiers are applied to ranged attacks and your defense score. It determines proficiency with ranged weapons.

Constitution modifiers are applied to your endurance score and physical save score. It determines proficiency with armour. When determining your revival percentage, multiply the modifier by 5 and add the result to 70.

Intelligence modifiers determine how many schools of arcane magic you know, if the modifier is positive. Add 2 to your modifier to determine how many bonus languages you start with. Your arcane mana pool is equal to your modifier plus 1, then multiplying by 10.

Wisdom modifiers are added to your mental save, and determine how many spheres of divine magic you know. Use the same formula as arcana mana when determining your divine mana pool.

Charisma modifiers determine how many special hirelings you can have at one time. Add 4 to your modifier to determine the maximum number of special hirelings your character is allotted.

This is the core of the RPG Mashup. Everything else will be built on top this system. Endurance replaces hit points. There are no classes, only traits. Many other things are going to be tacked on this system, which will be discussed in future posts.

Keep in mind that this isn't set in stone, and I'm willing to change things (some things I already have). So, what do you think?

And, I'd like to load it up with new applications. I got Dice Bag, Summoner, and Pathfinder Spellbook.
I'm disappointed with summoned, but really want to like it.
Spellbook is great, but wish I could save individual spell lists. It's just a spell reference app with a favorite function.
I love Dice Bag.

What else would you recommend for gaming applications?

Well?

Didn't really know where to post this, and my Google-fu is weak right now (distracted by several things at the moment), so I figured I'd enlist the aid of the wonderful Paizo community to aid me.

How does one determine the average of dice rolls if some of those dice are being ignored?

Example: 3d6 averages to 10.5, or 10 or 11. What would the average of the highest 3 of 4d6 be? Or the highest 3 of 5d6?

Has anyone had any experience with the Nook Colour and Paizo PDF's? Does it display correctly? Any issues?

Idea (as I posted in another thread):
Say you want to make a wizard character. Instead of requiring a spellbook, why not put Spellcraft to use? At first level, you have "memorized" a number of spells equal to your INT modifier. You gain 3 bonus spells per rank of Spellcraft. One of these spells must be a specialist spell, or any spell in the case of a Univeralist.

I know this doesn't address learning more spells on your own time. I'll get to that later. I just want to see how this idea pans out first.

Thoughts?

I had a lot of insightful and helpful posts in the previous thread. I'd like to take some advice from one of those posters and start this thread.

What would make HLP easier to run (GMs perspective)?

What would make HLP easier to play (Player's perspective)?

Please share some hints, tips, and tricks you use, or think would benefit making HLP not as difficult as it is, at least, perceived to be.

I'm curious about this. I'd like to use this thread to address specific concerns regarding High Level Play (12+). What specifically makes it unplayable?

I just noticed, when I click "Focus", brand new threads (with one post) show up in my list. When I click to remove them, they wont go away. Didn't know if this was something you were aware of, but I figured I'd mention it.

Edit: It seems several more threads aren't being removed, ones that i've viewed, and have several posts in them.

So, I love PRPG. Thank you, Paizo, for that. And I love fantasy gaming. But, for me, it seems that it's just getting old. Or maybe I'm getting older and my tastes are changing. Or maybe I'm just tired of the same "humans, elves, and dwarves" frolicking together slaying the evil lich, the sinister dragon overlord, or some such thing.

I'd like to ask you, the Pathfinder/Paizo community: What have you done, and what can I do, to make the game human-centric? What I mean is, how can I make the game where the only playable race is humans, and everything else is a lot closer to its fictional roots? Or further away from Tolkien-esque roots from which the original game "borrowed" ideas from?

Something from another thread caught my eye, about where some of the ideas of the game came from (elves and dwarves as playable races, to name one), and it got me thinking. "What would the game look like if that never happened? What would the game look like if you played a human (or group of humans) in a fantastic land of myth and legend? And explored the realms of other beings for the first time, after only being taught what those realms and beings were like?" Or something like that..

Not trying to rant, but it seems I started to anyway.

So.. What do you do with your games to try to convey my sentiments (if you do so)? What would you do (if you dont)? And what is your advice to someone who wants to?

Simply put: Does does the effects of vitriolic mist and fire shield stack?

Since I'm GM currently, I'm going to rule that it does for now. However, I'd like a little more insight to what others (including Staff) think.

I'm used to playing at least once a week IRL, and i've dropped out of one of the two bi-weekly games. I'm kinda 'fiending' for more Pathfinder. Is anyone recruiting for a play-by-post PRPG game?

My GM is looking to return to his campaign soon, and as such, he's got lots of ideas, and one of them is a low magic game.

One thing he wants to do, I'd like to help out with (we collaborate with each other often), but can't seem to think of any ideas.

The idea, and where your help comes into play, is creating an archetype for a non-spellcasting Druid.

What would you do to make this archetype?

Can anyone recommend any sandbox style rpg's for the PC (that are not elder scrolls games)?

If someone created a new RPG, that was not d20 based, or related to 3.5 or any variant thereof, is there anything that prevents them from publishing it under the OGL?

Tonight's PRPG session was something I looked forward to. I had a Tiefling Alchemist 5 that I wanted to retire, to bring in a Human Witch 5 (thank you to all who helped in that thread).

When it came time to play, instead of allowing me to play my new character, I was told to choose an NPC of appropriate level from the GMG and play that.

Then, a long pointless railroad of a journey forced us down a (mostly) empty mausoleum, which lead us to locked puzzle rooms, with no treasure, until we solved 5 of them (which took most of the entire session), only to come out at the end in the city.

And, when we confronted the baron, and essentially told him he sent us on a pointless mission (which it was), requesting some sort of reward (at all), all he could say was that it was for "the glory".

At which point, the entire party got pissed off and essentially assassinated him.

The GM was clearly frustrated that we wouldn't accept what was going on, ended the entire campaign, told us all our characters were caught by guards and summarily hung.

Now, clearly there were bad decisions all around. But the GM could have prevented the whole thing by just allowing the characters to at least "try" things instead of blatantly saying "nothing you try will work" before getting a chance to. Also, instead of forcing the characters down paths they wouldn't otherwise normally choose.

Anyway. I just needed to vent. Thanks to those who read, I appreciate it.

I've decided to retire my Tiefling Alchemist. He reached 5th level last session, and I came to a realization that I'm not really having much fun with him anymore, and he'd be better setting up his own shop and becoming an NPC.

So, I'm looking to make a new character. I typically play Wizard type characters, and I'm looking to try something new. What I do know that I would like to play is a buffer/debuffer.

What do you suggest?

Next Saturday is typically game day for me. Though, for this particular campaign, I'm not participating. So, instead of sitting around doing nothing, I figured I'd run a couple encounters. But, in thinking about this, I wondered:

Does the CR system assume the players made characters with the 15 point-buy method, or 20? Also, do I, or can I, count 20 (or 25, whatever the case may be) as APL+1?

Is there any 3pp's out there that publish a "campaign arc" or "adventure path" that takes the players from first level all the way to 20?

I'd like to, in-game, have an item commissioned for my character. This item would be an Endless Bag of Bombs. Pull one Alchemist Flask, Acid Flask, or Liquid Ice out at a time, endlessly. What spells would be involved, and how much would it cost?

Looking to get back into the minis wargaming hobby. The Cygnar Battlebox (Warmachine) will be my re-introduction. It's been years since I've even touched anything to do with this hobby. Can someone point out which colours and brushes I'll need for this box, and to generally start out?

This looks like a really good deal. How long will it be on backorder?

When a discovery says: "An alchemist must be at least X level before selecting this discovery."

Is that referring to alchemist class level, or character level of said alchemist?

For example, if I were an Alchemist 7/Fighter 2, and for my 9th level feat I took Extra Discovery, could I select the Force Bomb discovery?

Pun intended =)

I just started my new character, a Tiefling Alchemist, last night for our new game. I'm having so much fun with it. At first, I was thinking "eh, this'll be neat". But, then, when actually playing, I'm thinking "woah! this is awesome!"

Just wanted to say thank you to Paizo, as well as the Paizo community, and everyone who designed and playtested the Alchemist! You rock!

I'm looking for a couple different creatures to accompany a "dungeon", who's "final boss" is a Medusa (probably w/class levels or advanced template, ~CR 8 or 9). I was looking for grimlocks, but apparently they're not in PRPG. I've decided on various Wights, but want a little more variety. Any help is appreciated..

Is the errata cumulative? I mean, does the third take into account the first two? Basically, can I print only the most recent update? Or do I have to print them all?

I love the song "Luminal" by Covenent, and really wanted to make a character based on the lyrics.. here's the song

So many things I could think of. Using just the Core Rulebook, what would you do?

If a single Barbazu strikes a character more than once with its glaive, does the amount of bleed increase?

What about if two of the devils strike one character?

Tried looking for the answer myself, and it seems I've failed my Perception check..

And why?

Disclaimer: I ask that you keep it clean.

First, I'll apologise for being lazy and not doing it myself.

I'm looking for a PDF product of PF Bestiary cards. Something similar to the cards from the D&D Mini's line, but for the monsters in PF Bestiary, in PDF format. I have TOGC's Spell Cards (3.5), and absolutely love them, and I'm hoping to find something as convenient for monster stats.

Any idea when/if they'll be making this with hexes?

I don't know why I only noticed now, but there's no polymorph spells that allow you to turn into a vermin. I'm interested in making an npc that has levels in a PrC from a non-golarion 3.5 source involving a druid gaining abilities to wildshape into a vermin.
Are there any PRPG sources, including 3pp, that have a set of Vermin Shape, polymorph based, spells?

I'm asking this question for a 3.5 game, my question is relevant to PRPG as well.

Let's say a PC just acquired this spell. They can deal 15d6 fire damage with the spell.

1) Is that PC supposed to roll 15d6 individually for each 10' cube?

2) If you position 4 of those cubes so each affects a Large+ creature, do they also affect it individually?

These questions came to my attention recently, when a fellow PC took out a Frost Giant Blackguard 8, and his squad of 6 Frost Giants, and a large White Dragon on his first turn. We were 13th or 14th level =/

I'm asking this question for a 3.5 game, my question is relevant to PRPG as well.

Let's say a PC just acquired this spell. They can deal 15d6 fire damage with the spell.

1) Is that PC supposed to roll 15d6 individually for each 10' cube?

2) If you position 4 of those cubes so each affects a Large+ creature, do they also affect it individually?

These questions came to my attention recently, when a fellow PC took out a Frost Giant Blackguard 8, and his squad of 6 Frost Giants, and a large White Dragon on his first turn. We were 13th or 14th level =/

I'm asking this question for a 3.5 game, my question is relevant to PRPG as well.

Let's say a PC just acquired this spell. They can deal 15d6 fire damage with the spell.

1) Is that PC supposed to roll 15d6 individually for each 10' cube?

2) If you position 4 of those cubes so each affects a Large+ creature, do they also affect it individually?

These questions came to my attention recently, when a fellow PC took out a Frost Giant Blackguard 8, and his squad of 6 Frost Giants, and a large White Dragon on his first turn. We were 13th or 14th level =/

I'm asking this question for a 3.5 game, my question is relevant to PRPG as well.

Let's say a PC just acquired this spell. They can deal 15d6 fire damage with the spell.

1) Is that PC supposed to roll 15d6 individually for each 10' cube?

2) If you position 4 of those cubes so each affects a Large+ creature, do they also affect it individually?

These questions came to my attention recently, when a fellow PC took out a Frost Giant Blackguard 8, and his squad of 6 Frost Giants, and a large White Dragon on his first turn. We were 13th or 14th level =/

In my bi-weekly D&D 3.5 game, I play a LN Diviner. Last session he gained his 3rd level in Blood Magus. The last few sessions I've been interested in expanding the roleplaying aspect of blood magic. I've toyed around with the idea of describing some of the most common (phb) spells that I prepare, in ways that reinforce the concept of "Blood Mage". For example: for power word: blind, I want to describe it as if I'm taking the blood from the opponents eyes; ray of enfeeblement as a beam of negative energy that allows me to control the blood flow to the creatures muscles; enervation as a negative ray that allows greater control of the creatures blood, restricting flow to his mind and body; and vampiric touch, most obviously, "vampire hands" comes to mind..

These are the sort of ideas I had in mind, but want to take it further than just that.. I like thinking outside the box, and in this case, the mechanics of the game, and just want to be more than a mage that does a couple things with blood (as the prc abilities allow)..

For example, in our game, one thing I'd like to be able to do is draw an arcane symbol with my own blood, for the sole purpose of being able to strengthen the wall it's drawn upon, while serving as a visual warning. Like a big "Forbidden! Go no further!" written in blood, that has the added benefit of making the wall stronger than usual.

What are everyone's thoughts and ideas on this matter? Also, are there any sources (PRPG or 3.5) that touch upon blood magic, other than the prestige class I'm currently taking?

There's a couple things that bother me about the current way item creation is handled.
First is potions. Brew Potion only allows you to create a potion of a spell up to 3rd level, and cannot be a personal spell. However, if you do want a one shot item of 4th level or higher, call it an "elixir", and now it falls under the "Wonderous Item". Even though, mechanically, it's exactly the same. For example, my family group, once in high levels, makes it a regular habit of making/buying/finding elixirs of heal.
Next is wands. For pretty much the same reason as potions. Want a higher level spell in a stick with 50 charges? Cool, it's now a "Wonderous Item", or a staff, or a ring.. depending on what it 'looks like'.

Why not make crafting feats separated like the MIC separated stuff? Also 'Craft X' isn't really accurate either, is it? You're not actually crafting a ring, or a belt, or a staff, you're enchanting a mundane item with magical powers.

So how about Brew Potion include spells higher than 3rd level? Why not go further and allow harmful spells to be applied to your weapon, like oils can be, and act like a temporary 'spell storing' ability? Apply 'poison', hit once, discharge spell. Would that really break the game?

Brew Potion (no level limit, includes oils, elixirs, and even 'spell grenades' such as fireball in a bottle), Enchant Clothing, Enchant Jewelry, Enchant Armour, Enchant Weapon, Enchant Stick (basically rods, wands and staves, no level limits, the name could use work), Scribe Scroll (i dont have a problem with this one), Enchant Wonderous Item (anything else that doesn't fall into the previous categories)

What are some house rules you use for this topic? What do you think of the ideas I propose?

Hounds of G.O.D. was officially released last night. From the website:

In Hounds of G.O.D. the players take the role of human-wolf experiments known as Hounds. Bound to serve the United Earth Corporation and their handler for life, they are forced to face the abominations of science gone mad, survive the hostile environments of far off worlds, and even kill off their own kind. Everyday is a struggle with difficult choices and the beast within.

Will you toe the line and be a dutiful servant? Or will you bite the hand that feeds, slip the leash, and become a Stray?

I just want to say this is a fun game. I helped playtest it, and I really enjoyed it a lot.

The website is here. It's only $7 for the PDF, and $8 for the Print version.

I was glancing at my friends copy of the PH3, and noticed in the back a reference to the Shadow power source. Now I'm curious. Which book was that introduced, and which classes use it?

I was curious to know if there's any current or upcoming 4e PBPs that are in need of players. I've only played 4e once before, in a short-lived PBP, and would like another shot at it.
Anyone need a player?

Now that I have a new job, I find myself cataloging things I'd like to buy. Among the top on my list is an eReader (thinking about the Sony brand one). I know they're supposed to be able to have PDFs on them, but I was curious about something. I have bought the PRPG Core Rules some time ago (during my previous job), and most definitely would like to put it on one of these devices. Is there any formatting issues I need to know about? Is it really as simple as loading it up on the device and toting it around with you, with no issues?

Edit: this question applies to any PRPG pdfs

Is anyone aware of any 3rd party companies that are tackling the epic rules for Pathfinder, like Dreamscarred Press is working on psionics?