Painlord's page

Painlord wrote:

** spoiler omitted **...

Not sure what deity you were just curious. Maybe I'm blind.

That's funny.

That is a direct export from Herolab and it looks like the deity is hidden...almost completely.

I'll make it more clear. Hilariously, it's hidden under the "Other Gear" as "Apsu", which I guess refers to my wooden holy symbol to Apsu.

-Pain

EDIT: NINJA'D! @$#%@^!@ I hope dragons eat you.

I'll ponder a candidate for submission.

Question: Is this being moved to Golarion or keeping with the Greyhawk deity structure?

I hope you're happy, Pain. But you still have to have someone else get you coffee. I'm busy, keeping time and prepping a lovely mug to gather all the BoneKeep Tears.

Sheesh. I like the avatar that wasn't making claims upon my unborn tears.

Can we go back to that one?

tic-toc tic-toc we're almost there!!!!

I'm really beginning to doubt the wisdom of having a talking green pea-pod with an orange-rind hat as our official timekeeper.

I mean, can't we have the tiny brown man who brings us coffee instead? At least I'll have coffee while I wait then.

One Painlord and one Pain groupie, plz.

If you could undergo treatment (lets say a shot) to make you smarter, would you? Why or why not?

I already undergo this treatment every Friday Happy hour. After a few shots of whiskey, I'm pretty darn sure I'm the smartest, wittiest yahoo in all existence. At least its clear to me...

It'll be nice to meet and RP with you all.

Oh, you'll soon regret thinking that...

Yeah. I had to work with Painlord for many hours at Kublacon last year. The pain was excruciating.

*sigh*

Damvorak wrote:

DM Panic, please note I have a special chronicle sheet associated with Damvorak. It gives him access to a powerful staff - the Staff of Valor. It's a unique item given to me by Mike Brock. It pretty much just acts as a +2 demonbane staff at this point.

This is a 0XP character?

That's... crazy. If it was anyone but you, I'd cry out "no way!"

I just saw your scanned chronicle sheet - it will take me a while to fix all the damage caused to my keyboard by the drool.

This is a good thing, Panic!

There is a *very* little known rule in PFS: it's sort of like Highlander: when you slay a PC you inherit their magic chrons/boons. Yeah, it's totally a rule. I almost promise.

Also, for no reason at all, if that character dies in this mod, Panic, mind if I GM you next? For no reason at all, of course.

I'm generally willing to play any role. My two existing PFS characters are a fighter and a rogue, so would probably prefer not to use those classes, but I'm cool with anything else.

**Activate Painrage Power of Rant!:**

One of the longest and hardest to kill myths in PFS has been the myth of Balance. I've been fighing against it for years, but have made little headway in slaying the beast. Motte and Panic, since you guys are friends, I'll make explain in hopes of getting you both on a better path.

In short: in PFS play, you can never count on, nor expect, to ever have a 'balanced' party, compromising any or all roles when you play. Striving towards having balance or pretending that's its important is the opposite of good play...instead, it is better to build rounded and flexible characters that can pursue several avenues to success.

In experenced PFS, the first and only real preference is people playing the character that they want to play to help achieve the success of the mission. The additional fun is figuring out how, as a Pathfinder team, you'll leverage your skills and talents to succeed.

In short, always play what you want to play. Don't let concerns over "we don't have an X" overtake a better motto: "my yahoo will find a way to adapt, improvise, and overcome."

-Pain

Based on sign ups alone, we've got a great crew of GM's and players attending. This is going to be a fantastic Kubla!

Oh hecks yes. Kubla is going to be good.

Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:

Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:

Ahhh yes ,,, the annual meet people and eat them ... forgot about that .. ok .. so the evening game is tentative, depending on what those plans turn into

1pm - TBD
Gm Wes
player 1 Thea
player 2 zylphryx
player 3 Myron
player 4 Marc R.
player 5 Big Joe
player 6

Oooh! Wes?! And Floozie Bunny? *AND* NoStrings?!?!

Hmmm....

1pm - TBD
Gm Wes
player 1 Thea
player 2 zylphryx
player 3 Myron
player 4 Marc R.
player 5 Big Joe
player 6 Painlord

Why not?

-Pain

Starting cash? By class or 150gp or other?

Yeah, almost done with build...and much of character.

Soon, you villainous scallywags, soon.

Bomb and I are working on concepts. Progress is slow, but forthcoming.

I know Verdigris is on it because she tried to pry my ideas out of me this morning. I told her I was making a half-kobold barbarian named 'Munchers' who has a penchant for jello in the pants and is mute. I think she's working off that idea.

As for me, I hope to have initial concept soon, with final concept by this weekend.

Just to confirm, Motte: we're starting in Hartsland and the details of the KM game that spawned it are open game for backstory?

I haven't seen it yet (downloading the guide now), but supposedly the adventure can be shifted anywhere. Depending what I read, I could consider moving the start if people want. Most obvious spot to me would see to be the new River Kingdom of Hartsland, south of Brevoy.

Motte--

Is it Brevoy? I'm fine with that, but it will affect character creation...just wanted to confirm that's where you want to start. I'm sure I can imagine a bit about Hartsland...brothels set up next to houses and taverns along neat city blocks. ;)

I have some ideas percolating.

I am (im)patiently waiting for this player's guide. I thought for sure it'd have been announced with the Store Blog entry on Friday. Alas!

Taldor. Southern freakin' Taldor. Guide is out. Lets the wheels of creation churn.

Wow, Thod, congrats!!!

I knew you'd be first...your dedication is just amazing.

And I think that's a nice post by Brock. Excellent.

-Pain

That would be sweet. I have thoughts and ideas that begin to intrigue me, but need the guide to see what would work.

Unless of course, we can just strap the wizard to a mule?

Ah, the ass mage. Brilliant.

Holy Cudgel, that's a LONG time ago. Wow.

And nice to meet you. I hope we can create our own similar experience.

***RAWR!!!***

Fabric rips between sight, mind, and screen as Painlord enters the thread.

"I summon myself from the aether and into this thread! Let the circuits tremble and the pixels quake at my coming!"

Painlord dusts himself off and removes he silver cord attached at the waist.

"Reign of Winter, eh? I shall ponder the depths of my black soul and darkest intents for a character worthy of this group."

Painlord draws a large stone from the aether and places it near him. Painlord dusts off the rock, has a sit, and begins to ponder. His chin rests upon this clenched fist and that upon a bowed elbow upon knee.

I'm not one likely to share neither build nor character before we start (save with Motte). I believe in character and playing what makes one happy over concerns of balance or filling roles. I shall avoid reading too much into what y'all are doing, but please PM me if you have a concept for a sibling or tandem build. Such things could interest.

Well met, James Martin and Dal Selpher. Nice to meet you both. I know Bombadil and Verdigris (if she's coming) from other games.

(It's a lot nastier at subtier 4-5.)

LOL. Not sure how this helps.

Enjoy your New Year's buddy. I'll take this up with Brock.

Right now, I'm going to rage until the party kicks in.

But this is pretty silly for 1-2. I'm embarrassed for PFS.

-Pain

Badr: Badr turns to stone.

Sad Rock:good enough.
James: turns to stone.

Wow. Mortika, this ain't on you but my contempt for this scenario (and the guy who allowed this) (not Brock) who allowed this just doubled. And it explains why there is 200+ posts for a thread in the GM discussion.

I signed up to run this in two weeks and if it goes off at 1-2, you'll know exactly why I'm not shy about changing scenarios. I haven't felt the need to do it in a while, but this is pretty silly.

Now I just want this mod to end so I can read the justifications for this, or things I'm missing.

-Pain

Sweet.

Very nice. It's been a while since my actions mattered.

-Pain

Yeah, take care of the important stuff.

Get better, Mortika.

-Pain

Fine. I'll come again. Why not?

I'll get another chance to make an ass of myself. I can never pass that up.

-Pain

LOL.

You mean *all* my sekrit abilities? All the ones that I have at lvl 1?! :)

No worries. Whatever works. Sad hasn't done much yet so there hasn't been much to reveal (and not like there is much to hide anyway).

The point of not revealing is so that people can focus on interacting with Sad as a character with hopes/dreams/personality rather than as a class...I think that's been well handled.

-Pain

What I like most about all this is the sense that the Pathfinder Society is finally beginning to stand for more than nothing...an end to the empty errand-boy fetch missions of the past and towards actually doing something.

The Society is trying to stop a waking Runelord? Nice. At least it's something to fight against.

For this alone, I am pleased. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead.

-Pain

Wow, Robert.

Thanks for your service.

-Pain

Bing!

5 is a good number. I should have my yahoo up to go tomorrow.

I have him mostly ready and made him without seeing what the rest of you are playing.

I look forward to this.

-Pain

@GM Rapscallion, assuming it will be alright, Painlord would like to join the game, both Mott and I have played with him, very competent. He may be able to bring a friend as well if we need another.

I sent you a PM, GM Rapscallion to confirm things.

I have a second good player who would also join if you have the room.

Hit me up here or on PM to discuss what you want me to do.

-Pain

Wow. A 5-Star GM who has never posted on the Paizo messageboards. Nice & quiet, I like him! Sounds like a good roommate on 5-Star Mountain!!

Oh definitely, DougDoug. Bruce is silent and deadly...like uh, uh...the smell that comes out the 5-star bathroom when Care Baird is in there.

Anyhoot, Bruce has been coming up and GMing for us at Kublacon about every year and we love having him.

He's a quiet goodie on the West Coast.

Way to go, Bruce.

-Pain

Dragnmoon.

Oh, and Baird. Definitely that yahoo.

-Pain

Congrats.

-Pain

Yeah...congratulations are too minimal for this.

There are a lot of deserving yahoos in the Pathfinder Society. But of everyone that I've met that embodies the values that I think are important to be a leader within the Society, Verdigris/Andi is at the top of the list.

Andi does the work while encouraging the fun wherever she is. She's just a powerhouse of amazing that I both believe in and follow.

Great call Brent and Brock for making this selection. I believe your VO ranks are better now than ever.

-Pain

I have to throw my 0.02 in for our local GM extraordinaire Eric Brittan. As a GM, one of a kind. As a man, one of the kindest.

+1 EB is an all star.

Also, VL Will J (Fresno) rocks all sorts of awesome as GM. I'm pretty sure he's among the best two on the West Coast.

VL Josh Archer runs some sick cheeze too. There is a reason that I follow his lead.

Of course, the Bay Area is just blessed with a lot of good GMs. You off coasters should come out and visit the awesome of the SF Bay Judgery.

Kublacon, mayhaps.

-Pain

So, as I don my Brett Favre ballcap...I'M BACK!!!

Ah piddlespot. Well, TwiLiBob, you leave me no choice but to also change my once sincere note about your departure. Like you, I have to take it all back and will now offer this amended statement:

I'm glad you never left and then came back.

Your presence was never missed.
Good luck on cleaning up the mess the previous VC left.

In addition, I'm going to have to penalize you 15 GM sessions for the Farve reference.

-Pain

nosig wrote:

Michael Azzolino wrote:

* We regularly schedule Sanctioned Modules at all Bay Area Conventions.

Road trip from St. Louis to the Bay area? ... that one is going to be hard.

Kublacon. You make it, I'll talk to the coordinators and GM the Mod of your choice for ya.

Just figured I'd toss in an incentive for ya ;)

All this. At Kublacon, Pacificon, and Dundracon all have had great success with SanctMods. We usually schedule them to run on a full day...using Warhorn for this really helps.

Our players and GMs (only one mod to prep, one day of GMing) enjoy them.

And, like A_D suggests, above, we work with our community to select what to run.

-Pain

I got eaten by a grue.

-Pain

You mentioned asking for GMs and no one makes eye contact. What if you approached people individually? I keep hearing that this works wonders. If you ask a group, everyone hopes someone else will do it (or thinks someone else is more qualified). If you ask ME, then I have to actually answer (or am given the confidence that you really do think I could do it).

Have you tried it that way?

Heck yes. Do this. And then don't take no for an answer.

My post already talks about how to handle common excuses (I've heard them all!). Be ready with the counters. Excuses are just excuses...especially when you know the person is ready to GM.

Be positive and supportive. Emphasize all the good (also listed in that post) and how much it will help them and the playgroup.

Edit: This post here is a better rehash of what has worked for me.

So I'm thinking that this weekend, when my game day rolls around, and I go in for my two tables, if there are more than 14 people, I am going to ask people how long they've been playing PFS and start the cuts with the most experienced. If they protest, I will tell them they're more than welcome to run a game, but if they aren't willing with their experience, I'm not going to bump someone new--who might well become a judge--on their behalf. They're welcome back next month, of course, but with the same caveat. I'm hoping this will shame someone into opening up a third table, but if not, off they go.

I wouldn't necessarily do this.

This is where I love Warhorn and can see who is coming well ahead of time.

The big key is asking people ahead of time. Getting people on the spot makes it much tougher because we want to encourage well prepared GMs.

-Pain

I first tried $10 cumulative Paizo Gift Certificates per Star since I have plenty of extra cash but that did not work and ended when we got VLs. The VLs tried Pretty dice and prizes but that did not work. Then I came up with a brilliant idea that I think will work!

This is what we are going to try next.

Our VLs are trying to get the GM 101 course info and we are going to have a 1/2 day were we will be teaching that to everyone, then once or every other month we will have a game day where only inexperienced GMs (0 - 2 times GMed) can GM that day, and none of the experienced GMs can GM.

Through the whole game we will be giving advice to the new GMs when need and praising when warranted.

I think this idea might work and hopefully we will get a few new regular GMs out of it.

I hope this works for you. I really do. Keep us posted.

Painlord has been bugging me for awhile (we talk about it every time we meet a conventions) to do it his way but I know my players and I would lose more then half my players if I did it that way. We (VLs/Major GMs/Me) have been trying different things for a while and none of it has worked.

Yeah, this is totally where we disagree, DMoon. (Well, this and just about everything else ;) ).

So, let's pretend you started asking people to contribute back AND they refused and decided to leave. So then you're left a great core of players who then know and understand what it takes to be a part of your lodge, and, what's more, they now have an ownership in it. And your newer players start understanding that their futures involve them stepping up in some fashion.

I'm not seeing the downside. If your players refuse to give back (in some way), they aren't part of your community. Focus on those who will give back and will make your group stronger.

As one VC once told me: Sometimes you gotta scrape the barnacles off the boat to get it to go faster.

Go to PaizoCon next year, take off your Venture-Captain hat for a short while and then throw down with Painlord!..

We can call it Don Walker/Painlord Brawl 2013! Maybe we can get a pub brawl going! A whole brawl of Painlords side vs Don's Side! I will be the guy in the middle instigating both sides...;)

Lol.

The only thing I'd throw down is dice.

I believe Don and I are on the same side...the side where we both want a fun and awesome PFS experience for everyone.

-Pain

We're not allowed to cut combat encounters (aside from the optional one) without penalizing the players items and gold (and possibly the faction mission prestige point).

Lol. One of the reasons I hate this reply (not that you necessarily agree with it, Don) is that it suggests that it's okay to cut RP and story when time is short rather than letting the PFS table enjoy RP to fit in mandatory combats.

I reject cutting RP/story for combats when there are time limits.

We've all either been at a table (or, like me, judged a few to my own sadness) where you just run out of time and the last encounter is a hand waved/rushed mess. It happens to us all.

It seems silly that your GMs are not allowed to make rational and reasonable adjustments to accommodate the table and the rules.

I, personally, favor story and RP above all else and still want to have enough time for the meaningful, climatic boss fight.

-Pain

To get the most out of the newer scenarios you need 5-6 hrs. Trying to fit them into the standard 4 hr slot means roleplay is dropped first to allow parties to finish the adventure.

In cases like this (lots of opportunity for fun RP vs. too much combat), I tend to cut/omit pointless combats (defined as those that aren't part of the main scenario storyline) rather than limit RP.

I won't cut fights that have meaning in exchange for RP, but I will make rational and reasonable adjustments as necessary to fit the story and RP into my often limited timeslot.

-Pain

If you want to be Aquaman on the Justice League, more power to you. Just understand that your job is to save the earth against all attacks and you may have to get really creative figuring out how to do so with fish.

I don't have much to add to this discussion right now, but whatever I would contribute would just pale in comparison to the above quote. In fact I might not even read the next two days of posts...I think I'm done after this post.

That's my new freakin' PFS motto right there: "I'm Aquaman. I'll solve all problems with fish."

-Pain

Yar. You rock, Bob...you've been around ever since I joined and this Society is better for your contributions.

You were a founder of this and helped build it.

Thank you for all you did (and will continue to do).

-Pain

I'd like to throw something else out there... Getting to 150 sessions is tough. Getting to 150 as fast as Myron did is amazing....<all awesome stuff>...Myron getting to five stars says as much about the quality of player at his tables as it does about him.

I don't think anything more true has ever been stated on these boards. There is tremendous friction on a GM's motivation. And none of them slowed Myron in the least.

So, yeah, congrats, Myron. You've clearly rocked it hard to achieve such greatness so quickly.

You rock.

-Pain