Kyle Baird's page

...as a back-up GM...

Perhaps you could relieve BobBob from his GM'ing responsibilities so he can play Eyes of the Ten?

I'm running the retirement arc and will be bringing a fifth of jack for myself

Signed up! There's officially 4 people signed up for all 4 parts. Let's get it on!

I'm sure the death toll would be higher, but Todd forbade me from ever running this one. :-)

Kyle Baird wrote:

Were you the Overseer? That's the only way it could have gotten done early! ;-)

No. Actually, I was which makes the fact we were done early even that much more amazing!

Shenanigans!

The con was a blast and was bigger and better than last year. The special went off without a hitch and I think we managed to run the special in 4.5 hours!!!!!!

Were you the Overseer? That's the only way it could have gotten done early! ;-)

Kill any animal companions this year Thea?

The only time you sat at my table was your first PFS session... I (usually) make it a point not to kill first timers. Now if it was your SECOND session, I would have torn up your character sheet for you.

Dragnmoon is correct.

I always knew this day would come. I just thought it wouldn't happen until December 21.

I finally broke down and committed. Flying in on Wednesday and leaving on the red-eye Sunday night.

This is a long thread to dive into...

Here's what I do:

IF I have time before a slot starts AND I've had enough time to prepare and lay everything out AND the players show up early, I'll often casually ask to see their character sheet. Normally when I do this, I'm just looking at how they've built their character, what feats they've taken or any clues on how to tailor the adventure to make it more enjoyable for the player. (Mental note: this character has greater improved super bull rush, I could "accidentally" position one of the baddies in Act 3 near that ledge...) I don't tell the players what I'm looking for, and leave it up to them to feel nervous that I'm looking for cheating. My favorite example was at Gamicon last year when I asked to see an 11th level fighter's character sheet after he had already been bragging up his "incredible" attack bonus. After looking it over, I let him know that he was actually +1 higher than he had on his character sheet. :-)

Before the scenario starts, I let players know that I'll need their most recent chronicle at the end of the scenario. This chronicle needs to be fully filled out in order to receive their new chronicle. I stole this idea from Douglas Douglason and it works pretty well. Most players will check immediately if they have their chronicles and if they're filled out. If they're missing them, we can address that issue before getting into the story. If they aren't filled out all the way, they can work on them during the slot (perhaps mid-way through the slot when their character has been slain for the second time?). At the end of the scenario, I briefly glance at the chronicle and hand them their new one. IF I've got extra time, I may actually read some of it... ;-)

If I'm late, the players are late, the slot is short or there's another reason we're pressed for time, I don't do any of this crap. Let's get to the killing... er, I mean the story!

Reading this whole thread is far too difficult, so I'll just reply to the last few responses. :-)

I actually enjoy NOT playing a scenario before I GM it. Playing a scenario taints my view of the author's intent. By not playing a scenario, I feel a stronger sense of ownership. Does any of that make sense? Probably not.

The first time I run a scenario it's garbage compared to the second time and beyond. I find that I don't get much better after the 3rd time, as I'm stuck in my ways beyond that.

I'm running the retirement arc and will be bringing a fifth of jack for myself

Hmm... I might just have to come to WYC for this.

[bigger]CONGRATULATIONS STEPHEN![bigger]

Welcome to the Club Stephen. Meet me at the "secret" place by the thing, where you did the thing, so I can show you the secret handshake. ;-)

It's a trap! There's no secret handshake. Bob's just made because I made him go through "a ritual" to get his 5th star. I keep telling him to stop whining, as it's nothing compared to what Doug put me through.

I'm still hoping that some day we'll get across the big pond and play with the best the Aussies have to offer. Well deserved Stephen, welcome to the top of the mountain. Here, have Todd's seat. :-)

What makes a Pathfinder Society Special Event, special?

• How does Year of the Shadow Lodge or Blood Under Absalom compare to standard PFS scenarios?
• What elements do you enjoy the most about the Specials?
• What elements do you enjoy the least?
• What elements are missing?
• If you played both Year of the Shadow Lodge and Blood Under Absalom, how did they compare?
• What's your most vivid memory from one of these events?

Please mention which Specials you've particpated in and where they were (or how many tables went off). I'm curious how a 5 table event differs from a 10 or 45 table event.

Survey says... BAM!

you only need to run 3 tables each slot.

Thea could run three tables each slot and still have time left over to run a module! :D

So do I lose my 5th star this Gen Con, or next (assuming I don't meet the qualifications next year)?

This is still one of my favorite scenarios to run and read. :-)

p.s. Parke is mentioned as a VC, but never directly to the players.

Kyle Baird wrote:

1) This would conflict with pre-con gaming at Scotty's which has grown significantly.

I realize that but it is the only real time to fit it in.

You're not planning on sleeping at Gen Con are you?

Three minis for every PC you killed.

Mike would need to bring a few cases...

Michael Brock wrote:

So, if we decided to host this, what would you like to see at this meeting?

Beer

A Pie in the Face Match where everyone gets to throw one at Kyle..;)

Are we talking Formal like a Opem Discussion Seminar?

Or a Get together like the old GM parties Paizo used to have before Gen Con?

1) This would conflict with pre-con gaming at Scotty's which has grown significantly.

2) I love pie.

Kyle Baird wrote:

If you jump the BBEG, you lose the chance to hear his awesomely terrible villain victory speech.

And here I thought that they said them regardless... even while they lie dying in their own blood..

No?

-James

Sometimes you can find a copy of the speech in their pocket. You know, in case they forgot it in the moment.

And your little dog too!

james maissen wrote:

stuff

Hrmmm, so if GM's don't run their game the way you think they should, they are somehow "that bad?" Very presumptuous.

There are those who like being ambushed. Losing initiative adds a level of difficulty to the encounter and some players enjoy the extra challenge. There are plenty of cases where the BBEG should/would know you are coming. I would prefer ambush to the BBEG just sitting in its lair waiting for me to come and defeat it.

If you jump the BBEG, you lose the chance to hear his awesomely terrible villain victory speech.

The King is dead! Long live the King!

whipped cream (real of course)

I've never understood what's so difficult about mixing heavy whipping cream, a bit of sugar and teaspoon or so of vanilla..

Kyle Baird wrote:

nosig wrote:

Steve Miller wrote:

Every time a player makes an out of character joke, my Vudrani Eldritch Knight, Ajit Karan, says that he doesn't get their Avistani humor.

do you never laugh first?

Speaking from first hand experience, Steve does an amazing job of staying in character even when there's a bunch of idiots at the table..

There's a bard here in Columbus who might put that to the test.

Well the idiots I was referring to include Dragnmoon, Slanky, Pain, Mr. Brittain and myself.. ;-)

Your best bet is to take a sprinkling of trained only skills. That way you at least have a chance for success. Additionally, you'll be a valuable asset to the rest of your table who's skills may also help you complete your goals.

Callarek wrote:

Nickademus42 wrote:

(Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C; never trust forums or browsers)

But it was a CTRL character that botched it up.

That, and the firewall here at work. The Back button brought back the posting window, but as of when it was created, not where I had written to.

That sucks. It's a bit of overkill, but when I'm making a large post I've been known to open Word and type it up there so things like that don't happen. Word at least saves drafts.

If you use Chrome, get Lazarus.

Steve Miller wrote:

Every time a player makes an out of character joke, my Vudrani Eldritch Knight, Ajit Karan, says that he doesn't get their Avistani humor.

do you never laugh first?

Speaking from first hand experience, Steve does an amazing job of staying in character even when there's a bunch of idiots at the table..

Kyle Baird wrote:

C'mon people, get away from your keyboards, grab some friends and some dice, and let's actually PLAY this game!

NO DICE, BAIRD!

pun intended. i'm hilarious.

You can always draw random numbers from a hat like they do in prison.. ;-)

I don't know why people are taking the philosophy of "get found" so personally.

Because arguing on the internet is the most social interaction some people get.

C'mon people, get away from your keyboards, grab some friends and some dice, and let's actually PLAY this game!

I would be interested if everyone who is commenting like/dislike could state how many of the modules they have played or GMed under the current OP rules.

I don't play or GM modules or PFS scenarios. I just like arguing about PFS rules on message boards.

I'm always up for throwing my opinions around. If anyone wants me to spread my philosophy on GM'ing, I'm in.

*pssst* The secret is to kill them all.

(Then walks away to report their deaths)

pfft. I can do that from my phone.

For what it's worth I've done it both ways.

When I know a module well enough, I will often give advice for which sub-tier to play (assuming they have a choice). Sometimes to ease the party's decision and avoid player conflict, I will offer them a deal: Play at the high tier, but if it's too difficult (i.e. not enjoyable), you can call uncle. If you call uncle, you'll be bumped down to the lower tier, including the rewards you've already earned. They also can't call uncle in the middle of an encounter.

If a party comes to me and is confident they want to play up (with or without my input), there's no option to get out of it.

Lesson learned - The Grand Melee is really fun.

Lesson Learned: Be more vicious with a pair of white dragons.

Cyxodus wrote:

I know I don't have to tell you guys this but it's an honor to GM for people and all GMs should be humble.

Likewise, players who need to spend little to no preparation to PLAY should respect the hours a GM puts in preparing a scenario.

That's why I choose to just not prep at all. It's easier that way..

The most fun I had was two years ago playing Apples to Apples with a group of strangers after regular hours.

Lesson Learned: If you see a random game going on, don't be afraid to ask to join in. It may just be the best experience of the entire weekend.

I get to talk smack ... has I've sat at several of his tables and survived...

*sits on her smack pedestal and works up new material*

Yes, the catbunnygnome is unkillable!

If you want to run a table as part of the lottery, such a game would need to be in the non-PFS section of the convention and be treated as any other fan game. Once again we won't be doing a lottery for any PFS events (except maybe 1...).

[insert snarky comment about this statement being obvious]

Thanks Mark! Does that mean you're looking to play at my table? ;-)

What makes you think anyone would WANT to enter lottery if the prize is having to put up with you for four hours of their life? Or get killed in the first encounter and have nothing to do for the rest of the slot? :-)

Well that's sort of the point. It's an equal opportunity for people to AVOID my table as much as it is to join my table. I was just looking to see if there was any interest as there's still a handful of people out there who like to talk smack w/o ever having to survive my table. ;-)

I'm somewhere around 93.7% certain that I'm attending PCon again next year.

I'm 100% certain that if I go without a good plan, I'll be turned into Brock's slave and be chained to a PFS table all weekend. Please note that this isn't necessarily a bad thing... ;-)

Last year I had a blast setting up a "special" table of folk to play a PFS scenario. This was a bit complicated to pull off and I'm trying to think of ways to do it again. The first thought I was having was this:

Enter a PFS table run by me into the event lottery. That way people can sign up for (or avoid!) a PFS table run by yours truly rather than getting a random GM. I do want to point out that at PaizoCon, the random GM option is actually a good choice as some of the best GM's from around the country are on sight. There's only a slight chance you'll get stuck with someone like Dragnmoon or Caubo.

So any thoughts? Should I set up a table or two in the lottery, or should I just blindly volunteer myself our PFS overlord?

I... I liked Voyager...

I liked 7 of 9...

Can't we agree that Star Trek was a cool show no matter how many episodes were made?

Star Trek TNG? Yes. TOS? No. DS9? Yes. Voyager? No. Enterprise? Yes.

Bob Jonquet wrote:

I have seen plenty of low/non-star GM's who I feel are as good, if not better, at our "craft" than many 5-star GM's.

Is that a shot at Kyle? ;)

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a great GM. All I can say is that I try hard, and that at every single table I give it my all.

I was considering doing a pair of seminars at Paizocon: GMing basics and GMing tactics.

I'm not keen on certification being required, but it would be cool if there were an optional certification and some sort of perk GMs could get if they went to the trouble of getting certified. Something along the lines of the 4* perk (but without stepping on the 4* benefit).

I might be interested in participating, especially if it was PFS focused.

I would want a Certification just so I can Take Kyle's and Rip it up in front of him! ;)

Once you finally sit at my table, THEN you can rip it up.

But damn was it fun. And it was the players (and judge) who made it that way.

This is always the case. A bad scenario can be made fun by good players and GMs. A good scenario can be a miserable experience with bad players and/or a poor GM.

PFS is supposed to be fun. If you're at a table and not having fun, please discuss this with your GM. If you aren't able to have this conversation with your GM, then by all means politely excuse yourself and find a better use of your time. It's really that simple.

Kyle Pratt wrote:

Death costs a lot :)

In other words, don't die :P

Or in other other words, don't sit at my table?

IF I can go will depend on work travel which I won't know until a few weeks before. So I could either be a reserve GM or a GM-punishing player. :D