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Canadian Maplecakes. 104 posts. Alias of Thurston Hillman (Managing Creative Director (Starfinder)).



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Paizo Employee Managing Creative Director (Starfinder)

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Hey folks!

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Starfinder Team is going to be livestreaming our next internal playtest game over at twitch.tv/officialpaizo

The game will take place on Wednesday October 18th at 1pm PST and should be available as a VOD on our Twitch channel sometime after the play. We plan on interacting with chat a fair bit during this playtest, answering some questions and giving some insight into the game state as we're playing. However, it's still a playtest and our focus will be on the game and trying to show how we as a team are approaching some of the gameplay playtests.

A few notes on what to expect:

-This is a playtest. Don't come for "riveting stories" or "deep characters". Expect to see Soldier the character, and likely a barebones story that involves them fighting threats in a Danger Room-esque scenario.

-We'll be showcasing the two classes that we've already had in the Field Tests: Mystic & Soldier. You might see some new mystic tech and some of the changes we've already implemented with Soldier since our first Field Test.

-We'll be showcasing two NEW classes that we've not revealed anything on. Not going to say which classes yet, but they'll be ones we've not previewed. We'll also NOT be doing an in-depth explanation of the classes, but more testing them publicly and letting viewers piece together what they can from our gameplay.

-Some reveals on state of equipment / weapons / ancestries that people are going to take in our game. Again, won't be going in-depth, but you'll get some previews just by seeing what the staff are taking.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Paizo Employee Managing Creative Director (Starfinder)

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Just wanted to post a few changes that we're gonna test internally as a result of feedback we're seeing from the first Field Test.

General Changes

-Changed Capacity to Magazine. Updated text so that it reference magazines now. Removed ambiguity about reloading (you don't reload per shot in SF2, you just reload the magazine).

-Removed Resistance from Archaic equipment. Will re-add as optional Gamemastery Rule. This was something we saw a lot of internal division on, and threw out to see how folks would react. Seeing reactions, we're edging more towards making this an optional rule, which is how we'll treat it for now. There's still potential we bring this back but add a "non-magical archaic" so that a runed-up weapon doesn't take this penalty.

-Confirmed Area Fire consumes the same amount of ammo as a ranged Strike with the weapon would. Just a wording tweak we needed to add anyways.

Soldier

-Now just an Expert in Will instead of the weird one Expert in saves, dropped Bravado as a class ability.

-Increased Suppressed condition speed penalty to -10 feet.

-Suppressing Fire specifies it only suppresses enemies.

-Primary Target is now a shot IN ADDITION when making an AoE attack. This honestly just feels like it resolves some of our "Single target DPS" issues with the class that we noticed, and makes the ability way more usable. It also really makes Soldiers the class that benefit most from AoE weapons.

-Punishing Salvo is now just a ranged Strike that follows up an Area Fire for 1 action, not using Area Fire rules.

-Quick-Swap now specifies "enemy" in the trigger.

Paizo Employee Managing Creative Director (Starfinder)

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Welcome to the Starfinder Playtest General Discussion Forum!

Hey everyone, I just wanted to take the opportunity to welcome everyone to the new Starfinder Playtest General Discussion Forum. This is your place to talk about the upcoming Playtest for Starfinder Second Edition, and while it’s a way off from release, this is a great opportunity for people to post their thoughts on the direction of the game and what they’d like to see out of the system.

This is your chance to tell us what’s important to you about Starfinder. While we’re committed to making sure the game is fully compatible with Pathfinder 2nd Edition, we want to make sure that we make adjustments so that our game stands on its own, and that we focus on the elements that make Starfinder shine. I certainly know that Starfinder won’t be the same without us providing robust options for different ancestries throughout the cosmos (especially those who WILL naturally fly at 1st level), as well as recognizing the people in our setting use guns that might have ranges measured in hundreds of feet.

So, feel free to start the discussion! The team will be watching with enthusiasm and getting involved in the discussion as we’re able. We’re committed to making this the most open playtest Paizo has done yet, and while we’re not going to make everyone happy with the decisions we make, we’re going to be communicative about the directions we’re taking and why we’re making the choices we are. We’re all so excited to have you take this journey alongside us.

-Thurston Hillman
Managing Creative Director (Starfinder)

1/5 5/55/5 ** Venture-Captain, Australia—WA—

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Huzzah!

I'm already signed up for your next Perplexity instalment and SFS 3-07 at SkålCon. Should be a lot of fun, as usual, even though I will miss seeing folk in person.

Paizo Employee 5/5 Starfinder Society Developer

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Hey folks!

As I was nose-to-grindstone all day today, I believe I missed out on my opportunity to contribute to our end of year blog (my bad!). So I thought I would post here and send out my well wishes and fond thanks for all your support over the year.

As we go into the later half of the Year of a Thousand Bites, I'm thankful for all the support from the fans and the amount of Starfinder Society being played. Having been in some recent internal meetings, the numbers for Starfinder Society surprised even myself, and there's only more growing room for us as time goes on! The remainder of the season should prove to include some interesting twists and turns, with returns to some fan-favorite vistas from Season 1 and some entirely new areas of exploration. Also, don't worry, there'll be plenty of apple snacking along the way!

Anywho, I'll probably be less active in the coming days as I take some time to spend with family, work on some "super sekrit work projects" and generally take some recharge time by playing my favorite vidya games (currently Path of Exile).

Be good to one another. I wish each and everyone of you a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

See everyone in 2020!

Paizo Employee Starfinder Society Developer

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Maps Appearing in this Adventure:

-Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Tech Dungeon
-Pathfinder Map-Pack: Frozen Sites
-Full Page Custom Map

Paizo Employee 5/5 Starfinder Society Developer

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Hey folks!

I just wanted to create a new thread dedicated to checking in with the community (all you beautiful folks) on what you'd like to see in the next rendition of the Starfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide.

Since this is a thread where I'm looking for feedback, it also makes sense for me to establish a few guidelines so that we're all on the same page for what I'm looking for.

-This is not the place for "corner case rulings" and by that, I mean that there's always a ton of calls for clarifications on very niche or specific cases, which is nice to have, but tends to bloat the guide. I already think the existing guide is a bit too big and would (eventually) like to trim it down if I have the chance.

-Our goal is to include material in this guide that will help everyone out. So if there's something specific that's causing issues or is just outright wrong, then let us know.

-Revisions to core rules for Society play are something I'll accept on a case by case basis. Specifically, I'm already looking at the Mystic Xenodruid connection's spell list to get an update.

-I'd like to get a sense on factions and if the existing options suite is up to snuff and if there's any problems or changes we should address in future updates. If some options aren't working well / working too well then I'd like to get a sense of those in case we need to review them.

-As a heads up, I doubt we'll see any new factions added with this update. Not 100% locked in, but I suspect we'll be sticking with our current roster.

Don't worry too much about the scope of these updates for your local groups, as I suspect this is going to be similar to the Guide 1.5 update in terms of the types of revisions that we're making. I'll endeavor to keep a proper change log on these that can be shared when the guide goes live.

I think a big part of this update is going to be bringing the storyline up to snuff and introducing the concepts for the (as of yet unannounced) Season 2 of Society play.

Everyone is encouraged to help me out and post their thoughts here!

So, that's all I've got. Thanks in advance, everyone!

Paizo Employee Starfinder Society Developer

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Maps appearing in this adventure:

*Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Cavernous Lair
*Pathfinder Flip-Mat Classics: Village Square

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/55/55/55/5 **** Venture-Agent, Georgia—Atlanta

Thanks, Thursty! I will probably be using the heck out of these rules for other reasons, as they are great guidelines for Pregen Generation.

Questions that may come up:
1) Why did you decide to change the credit values? (just asking for your thought process, not questioning it)
2) Can Playtest characters make Day Job checks?
3) Does the credit from a Playtest character apply the same as a Pregen, in that if you use a level 8 pregen, that credit does not apply until your character is level 8?
4) Are there Out-of-Tier credit values?
5) Was it intentional to not have Playtest character available for the 5-6 tier (which means that some legs of the APs cannot be played with Playtest Characters in Event Mode)?

Thanks so much for your time!

Paizo Employee Starfinder Society Developer

Maps Appearing in Starfinder Society Scenario #1–22: The Protectorate Petition:
-Pathfinder Map Pack: Ruined Village
-Pathfinder Map Pack: Secret Rooms
-Half-page Custom Map

Paizo Employee Starfinder Society Developer

Maps Appearing in Starfinder Society Scenario #1–23: Return to Sender:
This product uses two half-page custom maps. No other maps are required.

Paizo Employee 5/5 Starfinder Society Developer

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As a heads up to all our players. The Alien Archive player boon (see here ) is no longer valid for completion.

There has been some misconception on this and I wanted to make it clear. Sorry for being the Grinch... this time.

Paizo Employee Starfinder Society Developer

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Please be aware, the Vehicle tag is a new tag that will be introduced in future iterations of the Starfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide. As you might expect, this tag indicates that the scenario incorporates some vehicle combat.

Paizo Employee 5/5 Starfinder Society Developer

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So proud. So majestic. So blurple...

Paizo Employee 5/5 Starfinder Society Developer

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In preparation for updating the Starfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide for 2018, I've compiled a list of all clarifications/errata/changes that I intend to include in the new iteration of the guide. There will be some additional changes beyond these, but for now I want to share the major clarifications in order to open the floor. Consider this thread an open forum to post clarifications / changes you think should make it into the new iteration of the guide.

Please note, due to scheduling and a whole slew of other ongoing projects, this is not the year to "Do a full re-write on section X" or "Add in 100 new boons." What we're looking to do with this iteration of the guide is tighten up any confusing information, and look at fixing up things that have a major impact in the current game environment. Also, please note that this only applies to the guide. Let's avoid talking about adventure errata, additional resources, or non-Organized Play FAQ-related questions.

Thursty's Current List for Guide 2018:

General Adjustments
•Review "Filling out a Chronicle Sheet" and ensure that the Reputation/Fame section are more clearly spelled out.

•Update Deities section with: The minor deities on listed on page 493 of the Starfinder Core Rulebook are open for play.

•Apply this clarification: If you've applied a permanent personal boon slot to a character (such as a race boon), you can choose to swap out or remove the race boon as part of a character rebuild. If you remove a race boon in this manner, then you must pick another appropriate race (such as a core race, or a race made available by another race boon you possess).

•Mention Arc Weapons and PvP: An arc critical attack does not constitute as a Player Versus Player action. If an arc occurs and a fellow PC and foe are legal targets, then the foe must be selected. Otherwise, the arc bounce hits the PC. If the only valid target for an arc is an unconscious PC, then disregard the critical effect.

Equipment
•UPBs are purcahsed in lots of 1,000 for 1,000 credits.

•Review Fusion Seals and how they interact with the purchasing scaling in Starfinder Society. (Namely that you need to continually re-purchase seals since you're restricted on what level of seal you can purchase.)

•Apply recent blog rulings on how batteries work in Starfinder Society into the guide. Also append with the additional clarification: "You do not add the sale price of a battery that comes with the purchase of weapon or other piece of equipment when selling that piece of equipment. The only time you can sell a battery for extra credits is when it is called out as a standalone battery that you purchased on its own."

Starship
•Review the Tier 2 Drake build and adjust to make it less dependent on limited fire weapons.

GMing
•Clarify that GMs applying a Chronicle Sheet from a scenario they GMed can earn the benefits of boons their receiving character could have slotted. Also applying this to meta boons.

•GMs should receive the additional reputation associated with faction-specific scenarios.

Boons
•Include a note about boons: Reputation Tier 0 does NOT count as a valid Reputation Tier to collect the rewards from boons.

•Updating Digital Presence/Worldwide Explorer to represent that Online is now a region and games set there only qualify for the former.

•Update Society Shepherd Boon: "You should receive the Society Shepherd boon rewards as long as you bring a new player to a regular game night / game day / other suitable event, and that player ends up playing a full session worth of material (such as a scenario or Quest pack). This new player does NOT have to be sitting at the same table as you, but they must confirm that you were responsible for them coming to try out Starfinder. You should get the GM of your game to confirm this, and they can make the notation on your Chronicle."

•Update Theoretical Historian Boon: "If you run a scenario as a GM that you have already run as a GM, you can take a Chronicle sheet from that scenario and apply it to this character. Cross out all information on the Chronicle sheet and mark it as "Theoretical Historian Reward". This Chronicle sheet provides no rewards (such as XP, credits, or boons), except you can mark the Chronicle sheet as being completed as part of this boon and earn 1 additional Fame and 1 additional Reputation with the Exo-Guardians Faction for your associated character. The marked Chronicle sheet is strictly meant as a record to track the additional Fame and Reputation. It does not prevent the associated character from playing in that scenario, assuming the character is applicable to play that scenario as per the rules on replaying adventures."

Hirelings
•Clarify that Hirelings cannot take 10/20

•Clarify that Hirelings can use tools and expend them as normal

•Clarify that Sleight of Hand is not valid for Day Jobs

•Clarify: Higher levels of Hireling Access require the previous versions be purchased. You cannot sell back the previously purchased, lower level, version of this boon, as those boons are prerequisites to use this boon. If you do so, then the higher level boon cannot be used.

Paizo Employee 5/5 Starfinder Society Developer

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Bwahahahaha, I honestly can't wait to see people's reaction to some of the stuff we're doing in this scenario!

Paizo Employee 5/5 Starfinder Society Developer

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I recently posted this to Venture-Officers, and wanted to make a public announcement.

Starfinder Society #01–00: Claim to Salvation *Clarifications*

-The Chronicle sheet can be applied to a 1st level character with the 720 credits.

-Because the Subtier is 3–4, it can be applied to a 3rd level character.

-In the case of the boons (for either application option), because they specify that they can be used by characters not on this Chronicle sheet, you can use them immediately.

Paizo Employee 5/5 Starfinder Society Developer

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The following thread is dedicated to Clarifications and Errata for the first Gen Con release scenarios. These scenarios are scheduled for public release on August 17th, but I wanted to ensure that any questions raised by our Gen Con GMs were addressed and made public to everyone running at local events after the NDA period passed and the scenarios are live. Consider these official rulings for the scenarios. Products in this batch included here include:
Starfinder Roleplaying Guild Quest Pack: Into the Unknown
Starfinder Society Scenario #1-00: Claim to Salvation
Starfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Scenario #1-01: The Commencement
Starfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Scenario #1-02: Fugitive on the Red Planet
Starfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Scenario #1-03: Yesteryear's Truth.

Each of these updates is covered by a Spoiler Tag due to the obvious appearance of some minor spoilers in the rulings.

Starfinder Roleplaying Guild Quest Pack: Into the Unknown:

Item #1 (Clarification): Several creatures in the adventure are listed as having 'Undead Immunities' which are not defined in the scenario. For purposes of these scenarios, use the following rule:

Undead Immunities (Ex) Undead have the following immunities:
• Bleed, death effects, disease, mind-affecting effects, paralysis, poison, sleep, and stunning
• Ability damage, ability drain, energy drain, exhaustion, fatigue, and nonlethal damage
• Any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect works on objects or is harmless)
• Death from massive damage

Item #2 (Errata): The statistics for the Loreseeker (primarily the AC / TL) are incorrect and use some old data that accidentally made it to publishing. To fix this, use the Tier 2 Pegasus stats as detailed on page 40 of the Starfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide.

Item #3 (Clarification): Some encounters do not come with marked starting locations on maps. Use the following guidelines:

-Encounter A: The NPCs are in the foliage, as detailed in the encounter. Spread out the NPCs as you see fit.

-Encounter C: The PCs should be arriving from any of the halls along the southern end of the map. Place the undead along the northern end of the map, hidden between the connecting halls.

-Encounter D: The Skreebara should burst out from where the PCs are approaching. The X-Gen gun should be placed in the central area of the map, right on top of the 5-foot wide circular crater at—exactly at 3 squares south of the center +0 marking, and 2 squares to the east of that location.

Starfinder Society Scenario #1-00: Claim to Salvation:

Item #1 (Errata): The Tier of the Pegasus starship on page 6 is cut off. It should match the Pegasus presented in the Starfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide. The correct Tier of this ship is Tier 4.

Item #2 (Errata): The correct number of Goblin Junkers in the starship combat encounter should be 3. The flavor text and Starship combat text denote this correctly, but the statblock incorrectly lists 4 ships. While removing a ship would make the encounter be less than a CR 5 encounter, the tractor beam hazard effectively acts as another ship to balance the CR.

Item #3 (Clarification): In the case of the Goblin Junkers, the listed AC/TL is correct. The math behind this appears incorrect (technically the ships should be AC 16), but as custom unique starships, the goblin junkers have an intentionally lower AC/TL than the calculation would generate. Assume the junkers have a special ability (Goblin Recklessness) that lowers their AC/TL by 2 to reach the correct AC/TL value of 14.

Item #4 (Clarification): The end reward for the PCs is higher than the value on the Chronicle Sheet. This is correct. While the PCs receive a healthy sum of 3,000 credits at the end of the scenario, this sum is just payment for a "job well done" and is not part of the actual Chronicle sheet rewards for the scenario.

Starfinder Society Scenario #1-02: Fugitive on the Red Planet:

Item #1 (Clarification): Maarbadvae's spell DC's appear to not match her statistics (which would indicate a DC 15 spell DC for both tiers). The values listed in the statblock are correct. One difference in Starfinder monster design is that DCs aren't as tied to underlying stats as they are to set values.

Starfinder Society Scenario #1-03: Yesteryear's Truth:

Item #1 (Clarification): For encounter B, the map positions aren't strictly called out. The sand brute should be located between the center and southern ends of the map, roughly along the center line. The PCs should enter the area from the north-west.

If additional clarifications or errata on any of these scenarios becomes necessary, I'll update this thread when I'm able—keep in mind that I'll be at Gen Con. Remember that these scenarios are not public until the 17th, so please don't post any questions or comments on the scenarios in this thread until that time. Anyone who currently possesses these scenarios is still under NDA and should direct their questions to me through the official channels set-up for those GMs.

Thanks everyone, and I look forward to seeing people at Gen Con. To those unable to attend Gen Con, I look forward to hearing all about your respective launch events for Starfinder Society!

-Thurston Hillman
Starfinder Society Developer

Sovereign Court

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Pathfinder Starfinder Society Subscriber

Jessica, you are a jewel. I love this introduction to Kelish!

I'll have to work a few of these in to my day-to-day vocabulary...

Paizo Employee 5/5 Contributor—Canadian Maplecakes

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DRUMA LODGE!

Paizo Employee 5/5 Contributor—Canadian Maplecakes

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You heard it here, it's John Compton's birthday today.

So, I wanted to give my thanks for all the great opportunities John has sent my way. Also, I want to thank him for being an amazing developer to work with when it comes to PFS projects. Every year, I end up going to PaizoCon with the mindset of "THAT'S IT! I'M DONE WITH PFS WRITING!". Somehow, sitting down with John always puts me back in the PFS mindset... along with agreeing to write one or more scenarios for the new season... jedi mind tricks and such.

I'm sure lots of people have well wishes for our Senior PFS Developer, as well as stories to tell... so get to it!

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN! :>


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Only 5 days left to go and still not fully funded. :( If you're interested, don't wait too long.

Disclaimer: I am just a backer and sci-fi fan.

Paizo Employee 5/5 Contributor—Canadian Maplecakes

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So, in true 'Thursty is generous' fashion, I wanted to put out some extra content' for True Dragons.

In true Thursty fashion, I wasn't able to write it, but instead got John Compton to prepare some excepts of Dreng & Hats performing a Shakespearean play.

Enjoy!

----------

Dreng: How now, yon adventurers, 'pon whose morrow // I do tread in Society's lofty name?

Hats: Waggle me thine lying tongue oh abbess // Lest I hie thee yon 'err a habit make?

Dreng: What coif claim ye I wear? Declare! // Or do thou speak'st unto yon betentacle'd hood?

Hats: Accusations unto me, oh lurker of hall // Kept quiet by midnight's softest scowls until // Ye rapp'st 'pon their door with missions' brief?

Paizo Employee Contributor

I'm in the midst of preparing for a new campaign. This will be a bit different than my normal games of pre-written APs, adjusted worlds, or homebrewed settings. This campaign is going to expand on a particular event in an existing universe: the fall of Lung Wa.

For those of you who aren't aware, Lung Wa was the last in a series of continent-spanning empires that ruled over the lands of Tian Xia. It collapsed around the same time as Aroden disappeared from Golarion, and while there is no written connection between the events, something is obviously going on.

This campaign will deal with a group of characters (the PCs) who live through the fall of the empire . The nature of the campaign will necessitate some 'faux-canon', but I'm going to do my best to avoid specifically detailing certain events, just in case I can work in any potential Paizo lore on the subject. Given the relative lack of Tian Xia information after the Jade Regent AP, I'm pretty sure that I'm safe to make some new material. I don't want to go into excruciating detail on exactly what happened in Lung Wa, but instead talk about how people endured during the fall of such a massive empire and use the existing Successor States as templates for cool stories to tell during the game.

Who knows if this will actually happen... but that's the plan! :)

First session is slated for November 21st. We've already had our character creation session, but I have a unique means of posting them. Means, which require an alias!

Paizo Employee Managing Creative Director (Starfinder)

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Interesting... my copy JUST arrived in the mail yesterday.

Thanks Paizo! :)

Paizo Employee 5/5 Canadian Maplecakes

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It would appear that there's a lot happening around this year's Grand Convocation... I suppose I'll have to fly down from Canada and find out what all the fuss is about!

Paizo Employee 5/5 Canadian Maplecakes

Just wanted to clarify something with the good PFS masses before I become considered even MORE of a heartless GM.

Last night, my players started our 'Module Madness' event with Godsmouth Heresy. I'll spare the details for another post, but we had a pretty vicious event happen early in the dungeon.

Two of the PCs took 1 point of CHA drain from an encounter.

Now as far as the players and I were able to determine, drain can only be cured by a restoration. So, since we're using PFS rules, this is done by spending money to get the spell cast, or spending PA. Obviously the modules are a bit more 'brutal' in terms of long-term effects, as they weren't specifically designed for PFS.

So my question is, how much will NPCs assist the PCs when it comes to these situations? As the PCs are working for a church, would it be 'acceptable' to have the clergy cast Restoration as part of the adventure conclusion, or should the PCs spend the appropriate PA/gold following the adventure without any NPC assistance?

I'm pretty sure that the answer is "PCs will need to buy the restoration", but I wanted to make sure I'm not being unfair given the situation.

Paizo Employee 5/5 Canadian Maplecakes

Unless a meteor kills one of my players, tonight we'll be starting our PFS run-through of the current module line, starting with The Godsmouth Heresy. In preparation for this, I put together a short document to assist in transitioning the module from a regular module introduction to a more streamlined PFS introduction.

You can find the link to it HERE

I'm not sure if this will be helpful to other GMs out there who plan on running this module for PFS, but I thought I'd share. :)

(Hopefully this is the appropriate forum to put this in!)

Paizo Employee Canadian Maplecakes

Hello all!

Per my previous thread on the topic (see here), I have a group of four loyal local gamers who are starting up a PFS group to tackle the existing Pathfinder modules.

We finished character creation late last week, ending up with an odd mix of characters...

Dwarf Oracle of the Dark Tapestry
Gnome Cleric of Gozreh
Tiefling Rogue (Aiming to Shadow Dancer)
Tengu Monk (Though he MAY be changing to fighter... need to confirm)

In essence it's a pretty 'standard' group (minus the monk acting as tank), so I don't forsee too many class based problems. I'm curious on hearing form the masses what their thoughts are on the first module we'll be running - The Godsmouth Heresy.

Any GM suggestions out there for people who've run/played in the module? Anything to keep an eye out for considering we're using the PFS rules?

Appreciate any feedback!

Paizo Employee 5/5 Canadian Maplecakes

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Earlier this week, our local VC put on an awesome seminar for nearby GMs where we discussed several GMing related topics. Of course, many of us were talking about the recent discussion surrounding Sanctioned Modules, and the conversation slowly turned into several GMs wanting to get more involved in running/playing in modules.

As a GM who runs his own home games and has a job that requires lots of travel, I tend not to get too involved with running PFS mods. That being said, I adore Paizo modules and have already run a handful of them with my home group.

So, a group of four local GMs (including our VC/VL) requested I run them through a module. I agreed, and we started immediate planning.

Now we're thinking of making this a once-a-month affair, where we push our way through full modules using core PFS rules. This brought up the thought of leveling only with Sanctioned Modules...

Taking some time, I devised a 'leveling scheme' for current PFS modules, and it looks something like this:

Godsmouth Heresy - Level 1
Crypt of the Everflame - Level 2
Feast of Ravenmoor - Level 3
Masks of the Living God - Level 4
City of Golden Death - Level 5
Carrion Hill - Level 6
From Shore to Sea - Level 7
Realm of the Fellnight Queen - Level 8
Cult of the Ebon Destroyers - Level 9
The Harrowing - Level 10
Curse of the Riven Sky - Level 11

Assuming the rules remain the same and the group level can be within 1 of the adventure, I think this is the best way to progress a party through modules only.

Any thoughts / comments on this?

Paizo Employee Canadian Maplecakes

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As a companion to Jiggy's earlier post about commending Mike Brock and Mark Moreland on all their outstanding work with the Society, I decided to create this thread.

I've decided I don't like their decisions.

I've decided that I can make a better Society!

So here are my thoughts for a true PLAYER based society:

1) GMs may allow up to 100 players per table. Up to an additional 50 will be allowed if the GM is ok with it. An additional 50 will be allowed if the Players are ok with it.

2) All adventures will be fully scalable for all tiers and class combinations. This means that a GM can always adjust encounters on the fly.

3) In order to make item #2 work, all PFS modules will be written by the same individual. In order to avoid personality conflicts, the name of this individual will be blanked out and reviews for PFS modules will be disabled.

4) Future submissions for Open Call modules will still be accepted. Each person who submits an adventure will receive a picture of Mark Moreland reading over a printed copy of the submission with a fine wine (vintage may vary). Despite what you may think, this will not affect Item #3.

5) Players who feel that Society play is too intense may always opt to play a pre-generated character. Pre-generated characters may be clones of their existing PCs who transfer gained items/XP to their 'Prime' version upon completion of a module. Clones can freely transfer gear, but only back to the original.

6) Classes with animal companions may re-skin them as desired. Since people may want larger animals, PCs can resize their animals and give them additional attacks as necessary.

7) In order to balance animal companion classes with existing classes, all classes can now take an animal companion. This companion must be played by an additional player (gotta fill those 100 seats ya know).

8) Animal companions may now take the Leadership feat as early as 2 HD. Their cohort also obeys rules #6 - #7.

9) As at least 80% (maybe even 90%) of the community consists of level 11 retiring characters, we'll be introducing a new series of adventures called "Last Steps". This three-part module series begins with the PCs experiencing the onset of venerable age, and culminates in an epic battle with the now wheelchair-bound players battling against Bertha - the cruel Venture Captain of their retirement lodge.

10) The Wild Rager archetype is officially banned. As a replacement, we have introduced the 'Civil Rager' archetype. More information on this exciting class archetype coming soon!

Seriously, if you thought this was in any way real... no. Mike and Mark are doing a fantastic job of running the Society, and I really do support and appreciate all their actions.

Paizo Employee 5/5 Canadian Maplecakes

Such good news!

I had the blease of meeting several of these fine folks at GenCon this year, and I'm so glad to see them being the ones more involved with the Society.

Nani and Kyle certainly have big shoes to fill, but if my experience with them at GenCon was any indication, they'll do a fantastic job of helping the Georgia region!

Also, Jon Cary and I had a lot of time to chat at GenCon behind the HQ table, and he has a lot of good ideas for the Society.

Congrats again to all our new Venture-Captain overlords!

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