I agree with Sior and ZomB, I think this will be a blast to run. I typically prefer higher tier scenarios, but with this one I do not care. I am looking very forward to running this.
I do wish that there was some form of scenario completion element as there is in "The Dissappeared" and "Fortress of the Nail", for if you know who gets out.
We are going through the same situation here in Southern Illinois. We have some players who literally only have 2 low level scenarios that they can play that are not in the current season. Unfortunately, there are only so many solutions to this never ending problem. The others have pointed out the fact that modules and adventure paths are amazing when it comes to players running out of what they can play.
The other options are schedule more of the high tier scenarios. You might only be able to make 1 table of high tier, but slowly players will have characters in the range. Always running low tier scenarios gaurentees that players will never have characters high enough level to play the high tier scenarios.
Don't meet as often. If you are meeting weekly, give biweekly a shot. Im sure players would rather play less often and actually play a scenario they can recieve credit for, then meet weekly and only get credit about half the time.
Ask players what are some sceanrios they would like to play through and make sure to schedule them. Players typically have a better idea of what they have played.
The last option is tell them to give GMing a try. If they say GMing isnt their thing, that is just fine, but you will not always be able to schedule something for them to play. Not GMing completely cuts out half of what players can get credit for.
I keep records of what our players have played so it makes it easier when we decide what is going to be run on upcomming game days. With the players who have played through most scenarios, we try to make sure that there is at least 1 scenario that they can play on any game day (our game days are 2 slots). Also we dont burn through the new season so that gives players who go to cons scenarios they can play.
I recently ran this a couple times at a local con.
Low Tier:
Table consisted of:
1 Tengu Zen Archer Monk (new player)
1 Aasimar Knife Master Rouge
1 Seelah Pregen
2 Aasimar Cleric of Sarenrae
4 Human Rouge
After a quick briefing from VC Heidmarch and Sascha, they quickly headed to the sewers. When the got down the ladder they could hear Togg moving around. They moved at bit closer to inspect the noise, then Togg jumped out and surprised them while yelling at them to "give Togg good food". They proceeding with giving her a trail ration, a bottle of ale (~1 sp), and a piece of deer meat. Togg was not happy with their cheap contributions and attacked. The fighting commenced with Seelah, the sword and board cleric, the knife master rouge basing her. Seelah was the only doing any damage, so Togg continously bit her and tentacled the other two. Eventually, the brought Togg down, but not before Seelah got Filth Fever. They healed her up and continued down the tunnel. I did use the approach John suggested and have Togg's movement be as if she was in difficult terrain.
After proceeding down the tunnel, the PCs didn't have a clue what the staute could be for. They heard clunking around in the pipe, Marixite popped his head out. The let him climb out of the drain pipe (w/Seelah helping him) and they then let Pellius out as well. They noticed the statue's eyes start glowing and the rangers freaked out. They killed the rangers and then found Imini. After detecting evil, Seelah went to town before the rouge (he knew undercommon) could question her.
They continued through the drain pipe to the Fungi. They were able to determine what plant curtain did. So the aasimars ran up and held it open for the other PCs, so they would not get zapped. After a few rounds of fighting the fungi, they continued of their journey.
They were quickly able to bring the garden ooze down before it could do any damage and the gremlin retreated through the secret door.
They preceeded towards the steps, neither rouge attempted a perception check and the level 4 did not have trap spotter, so it got set off. They checked the rooms and continued on to the vault room.
After forgeting what tier I was running the knife master miraculously healed his wounds and the flaming sphere disappeared. Then a smiting paladin and to flanking rouges quickly dropped her by round 2.
This table consisted of 1 brand new player, 3 newish players, and 1 veteran. There was ALOT of character auditing and rules explaining, but everyone had an overall good time.
High Tier:
Table consisted of:
3 Human (bow) Inquisitor of Abadar
4 Tiefling Grenader Alchemist
5 Human Bard
5 Human Master of Many Styles Monk
5 Nagaji Oracle of Nature
After a quick briefing from VC Heidmarch and Sascha, they quickly headed to the sewers. When the got down the ladder they could hear Togg moving around. They moved at bit closer to inspect the noise, then Togg jumped out and surprised them while yelling at them to "give Togg good food". They proceeded cautiously, asking Togg "what food is good food?" The inquisitor then ran back upstairs and bought a full Thanksgiving meal with all the fixins. Togg was very happy and yelled for Argug, "Togg got good food". The table was very happy they did not have to fight 2 advanced otyughs
After proceeding down the tunnel, the PCs did determine what the staute was for. They heard clunking around in the pipe, Marixite popped his head out. The let him climb out of the drain pipe and they then let Pellius out as well. They noticed the statue's eyes start glowing and the rangers freaked out. After a few good hits on the human squishies, they successfully subdued the rangers, but not before they oracle bullrushed the statue causing it to land on Imini, killing her.
They continued through the drain pipe to the Fungi. They were not able to determine what plant curtain did. After a few rounds of fighting the fungi, they continued on their journey. No one took any serious damage.
All, but the bard, noticed the Globsters and were quite surprised that they couldn't seem to hit the sword and board Oracle. After a flubbed knowledge check, it took a few rounds of the nobody doing any damage before they started using daggers and alchemist fires (only damage being was by the alchemist). They chased the gremlin through the secret door. Then proceeded with trying to open it w/out success.
Even with Sascha's warning, they still set off the trap. They inspected the rooms a bit, then continued towards the vault room.
The Gremlin won initiative and started combat with dropping the 2 melee PCs in a pit in the hallway. The bard tried to jump over the pit and fell in. Lol. (All 3 stayed in the pit for about 3 rounds since they could not get the DC 25 climb check) The darkmantles flew over the pit and started making their way towards the alchemist and inquisitor. The inquistor dropped his darkmantle and by the time the alchemist got his levitate extract drank and started levitating he got flame sphered. The inquisitor went to town on the gremlin. The darkmantle constricted the alchemist to unconsiousness while he was laughing histaricully and the inquisitor killed the darkmantle before it could kill the alchemist. Once the melee guys got out of the pit, the monk ran up and grappled her. She tried to cast her DD, but it fizzled. I called it there.
My players and I felt this scenario was a little underwhelming (except for the BBEG fight) to be a season 4, but we mostly had a good time.
There might also be other conditions other then just defeating Big Guy Xxxxx Yyyyy, they might have you recover an item, or something else. So if they do not meet the condition they should not receive the gold.
The numbers added together should equal the max gold.
Pink-Roleplaying aspects
Blue-Skill checks
Green-faction missions (name only)
Yellow-treasure
Orange-information important to combat. This just doesn't include things in the star blocks. It also includes things like lighting, room height, or info important to movement.
Before I used to just highlight with one color, but after I started using multiple it made preparing and running scenarios ALOT easier. Especially when I go to rerun a scenario that has already been properly highlighted.
Typically, I, as a GM, "X" through the boons that are not rewarded and circle the boons that are rewarded. That way there is no confusion on if the boon was obtained or not.
1. When she charges on her phantom steed and does triple damage, does the energy damage from ruinous revivification get tripled.
I know energy damage enchantments applied to weapons does not get tripled, but I was unsure since this is not a weapon enchantment and it is just her graveknight ability.
2. Do step up (and others) work while she is mounted?
I'm unsure since it would be the phantom steed making the five foot step and it does not have the feat to step.
Finishing up the awesome faction dice bags today. There is going to be 1 dice bag for each of the 10 factions. There are multiple ways to win one. I think there is going to be a raffle and roll a big foam d20 then pick something on the prize table.
P.S. if you happen to get a faction dice bag and that faction gets canned later in the year, it's ok. They're now reversible!
Recently while starting the EotT arc one of the players commented on how his character has died once at each level and how he is going for the 12th. When he died after the first combat, he completely left the table.
I'm not sure what his reasons were for why the character died so much (bad tactics, playing up, poorly built).
The additional resource page list what is legal for society play. So because nothing is mentioned about the thassalonian specialist it is regrettably not a legal option for play.
The hardcover books are different and lists what is not legal for play, because they are so big and the what is illegal for play is a much shorter list.
All the calculation adds up pretty well, unfortunately no one has pointed out the fact that even though you have gold to buy the Mithral breastplate, you don't have the fame to purchase it. You need 18 fame to be able to make a 4,200 gp purchase.
It's always available, making mithral medium armor the thing to buy for non-wizard/sorcs who play up a lot.
Dope. Totally forgot Mithral was always available. Well definitely looks good then.
All the calculation adds up pretty well, unfortunately no one has pointed out the fact that even though you have gold to buy the Mithral breastplate, you don't have the fame to purchase it. You need 18 fame to be able to make a 4,200 gp purchase.
My question is for those of us who already purchased amulets of mighty fist (+1) at the original price of 6,000 g, are we reimbursed 2,000 g for the difference in price?
6,000? The price used to be 5,000 (now dropped to 4,000).
I very well could be off on the initial price. It's been months since that purchase was made.
My question is for those of us who already purchased amulets of mighty fist (+1) at the original price of 6,000 g, are we reimbursed 2,000 g for the difference in price?
Thursday, August 15
Slot 1 (0800-1300): off
Slot 2 (1300-1800): #4-24: The Price of Friendship
Slot 3 (1900-2400): Bonekeep Level 1
Friday, August 16
Slot 4 (0800-1300): off
Slot 5 (1300-1800): #4-23: Rivalry's End
Slot 6 (1900-2400): Gen Con Season 5 Special: Siege of Diamond City 5-9
Saturday, August 17
Slot 7 (0800-1300): off
Slot 8 (1300-1800): #4-23: Rivalry's End
Slot 9 (1900-2400): Bonekeep Level 2
Sunday, August 18
Slot 10 (0900-1400): #4-24: The Price of Friendship
I am also a huge fan of this story line. I also love that it ties into the previous seasons scenarios. I came into this season expecting to throughly enjoy the high tier metaplot, more so then the low tier. I was completely wrong. Not that the Lissala plot isn't great, but the low tier plot is so awesome. II look foreword to being able to GM and play the whole storyline.
Like Fluffy said, know your scenario or module and the lore surrounding it. The better you know it, the easier it will be for you to improvise on the crazy situations your players will surely put you in. It doesn't matter if you think of every possible scenario, players will always surprise you.
If players come up with some crazy solution to a problem, try to go with the flow. Players tend to enjoy it more when their half-baked, Hail Mary plans work.
Yep, "Xenophobic" works just like ranger's favored enemy ability. Also, you can apply more then one race one each Xenophobic boon. I have a character that has tengu, aasimar, kitsune, nagaji, and wayangs as her favored enemies.
When calculating hardness and HP do you add the cumulative enchantment bonus or just the base enchantment.
Example: +1 shocking greataxe-does it just get to add the +1 to make it (hardness 7, HP 20) or does the +1 from the shocking enchantment get calculated in (hardness 9, HP 30).
When we ran Runecarved Key at Little Egypt Wars in Southern IL last fall, I made a styrofoam one that was about 2 foot tall. It then made another appearance at Brewfest in Cape Giradeau, MO. Last I knew Purplecatbunnygnome (Thea Peters) was bringing it to a con she was attending.
@ the lattinoincident, I cut all the pieces out, toothpicked and glue them together. I used gray spray paint and after it dried, I hand painted a bunch of runes on it with black paint.
I admit, some small, commercialist, part of me wonders why they don't just sell some of this. Paizo that is.
Because they are used as lure to get people to come to cons. Mike and Mark understand that conventions may not be close to some people. So they use them and other great prizes (other boons, books, flip maps, etc.) to help persuade people to travel to go to cons.
I'm making an arcane archer trick shooter. I have taken the archer fighter archetype. I was hoping to be able to get the +2 to the combat maneuver and get and early magical weapon for half price since it takes a -4 penalty to do the combat maneuver from range.
Hydra's Fang
Murder on the Silken Caravan
Frozen Fingers of Midnight
Mists of Mwangi
To Scale a Dragon
Among the Living
Slave Pits of Absalom
Our Lady of Silver
Season 1:
DWK 4
Beggar's Pearl
Fortune's Blight
Season 2:
Rebel's Ransom
HoM 1 & 2
Dalsine Affair
Shadow's Last Stand 1 & 2
Year of the Shadow Lodge
Heresy of Man 2
Season 3:
Quest 1, 2, & 3
Midnight Mauler
Haunting of Hinojai
Gods Market Gamble
Goblinblood Dead
Icebound Outpost
Storming the Diamond Gate
Golden Serpent
Season 4:
Race for the Runecarved Key
Rise of the Goblin Guild
King of the Storval Stairs
Sanos Abduction
Severing Ties
Green Market
Blakros Matrimony
The Disappeared
Yeah, when I played this at gencon I had a really hard time as a player grasping exactly what it looked at. Then when I went to run it I knew I definintly needed a visual aid.
I made the 3 rings out computer paper, put packing tape on each one (ti act as lamanent) and then pinned them together, so the players and turn the rings. It has made a huge difference. My players have easily been able to figure out what exactly the false gate looks like.
There are a lot of times people are not able to even attempt the rolls.
Blakros Matrimony:
One of my players had a fighter in the silver crusade who was trying to persuade the head of security to help provide people in the fight against the Lissalans. The head wanted some details of the history about Lissala. The player was doing a great job explaining how the Lissalan cultists were trying to raise a runelord and how if they were successful that it would be a bad thing. The check that has to be made was a knowledge history or nobility. No one at the table had ranks in either of those.
Seeing that my player was upset with this, I gave my player the option "If they could tell me which of the runelords the Lissalans were trying raise?" The player was unsuccessful in identifying that Krune (runelord of sloth) is the runelord trying to be raised. This gave me as a GM an opportunity to teach my players a little bit of lore about Golarion.
As it was mentioned earlier, the higher the levels tend to be a lot harder. Here are some low levels and some higher.
Low level: Decline of Glory (1-7), Penumbral Accords (1-5), Dalsine Affair (1-7), Quest of Perfection 1 (1-5), Gods Market Gamble (1-5), Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment (1-5), Storming the Diamond Gate (3-7), Wraths Shadow (3-7), Sanos Abduction (3-7)
Higher level: To Scale a Dragon (5-9), Sniper in the Deep (5-9), Rebels Ransom (5-9), Rats of Round Mountain 1 (7-11), Golden Serpent (5-9), Portal of the Sacred Rune (7-11), Green Market (5-9), Feast of Sigils (7-11), Refuge of Time (7-11)
It does seem the newer seasons (3 & 4) expect you to "bring your A game " more often then the earlier scenarios.
Man-o-man did I have a fun time running this one. My table consisted of a mainly 8 or 9 level characters. A conjuring wizard, a tetori monk, a paladin, a summoner, and a 5 gunslinger/rogue. So we played tier 8-9.
Started off pretty routinely. They entered the market and spoke with Zeeva. The gunslinger had actually ran Golden Serpent in a slot previously. They preceded to get missions out of the way and wait for the Aspis. Combat started with Narris starting combat by dropping the monk in a pit. After a few rounds they defeated the sorcerer and got the mooks to retreat. After a round of actions they noticed the chanting, and the fruit veggies stands start to shake. The party decided to just back up and get Zeeva to safety since they had absolutely no idea what was going on. They party ended up bringing the shambling mounds out into the street, they didn't want to destroy the market. After alot of summons and a flying invisible monk making the shambling mounds and the quickwood where made into chopped salad. It was quite amusing watching the monk grapple and pin the tree. My table loved the idea the eating avocados gave you fire resistance. The loved they idea that eating grapes made you rage (then there were a whole lot of joke about the grapes of wrath).
After finding out about the altar and placing the broken klar blades on it they travelled back to the market and started doing just that with earth elemental summons doing all of the grunt work. I skipped the optional encounter, because we did get started late and it would not have even challenged the party. The party was then sent to the ethereal plane and I proceeded to explain the surroundings and made sure to mention that you could see through Galdron. Combat started with Galdron putting a wall of fire around the entire party except the wizard. After lots of summons, an eidolan swap with its summoner, things started to get heated (lol) when the invisible flying monk and paladin were flanking Galdron. After about 4 rounds into combat and constant reminders that you could see through Galdron and a knowledge check has yet to be rolled to identify that he is incoporeal, they were absolutely shocked and horrified when they found out that the monk couldn't grapple him and then even more horrified when the paladins smite evil fizzled. After rounds and rounds of magic missiles and the monk and paly slowly doing damage they were able to stop him.
Highlight of the game: Also probably the funniest thing the entire con was the pretty bada$$ monk trying to grapple the ghost. It was a look a pure shock and OMG what are we gonna do now. Then it donned on them that is why I kept saying you could see through him.
I pretty sure the only way to contribute to the raise dead pool is if you character is alive. So if you raise you character, yes, you can contribute to the pool. If your character is not raised, then you cannot donate.
One that would be easy to run is "Slave Pits of Absalom" (Season 0). It is very straightforward, has some rping opportunities, and the bad guys are just core classes.
We have all of our scenarios printed at our local Staples. The have never questioned it and they always turn out great. Black and white, duplexed, without binding costs about $2.50 to $3 a scenario.
Well I kept saying that you could see right through him hoping someone would attempt a knowledge religion check. The look on everyone's face when they found out Bruno couldn't grapple him and the August's smite was ineffective was a look of pure shock and horror. I will remember that look for quite a while.
I just assumed you all were ignoring my comments that you could see through him. That's why I kept repeating it
It is no problem. I was just shocked more then anything. It is actually a very smart approach and I will have to remember that whenever I go to play it.
I also had a blast at my tables. I had alot of interesting rping, by combat based characters during Blakros Matrimony. Bruno breakbone sure does make a table very enjoy.
During my opportunities to play, also had very memorable experiences. Fromper already mentioned Kong in the spiked pit. I am proud to say Mill Oakenshield Dwarf Fighter/ Cleric of Abadar has became a seeker. Thanks to all my GMs, Jeff Morse, Nathan King, and Fromper.
Kristen Gipson
