William Sinclair's page

As a reminder, Nekocon is next weekend.

May a 7th-level medium-sized cavalier take a wolf mount (wolves increase in size to large at 7th)?

Wolves don't increase size unless the Giant template is applied to them. As far as I know, there's no place in the cavalier description that applies the Giant template to a mount.

I am bringing this into its own thread because It deserves it.

The new Pathfinder Society Campaign Coordinator posted this recently that has very much upset me, and I am going to be honest here, this may be something I will say "Screw that I am not going to follow that" because to me it is a Bad ruling that makes no sense and to me it is pushing "Don't trust Players" to far.

Here we go.

Michael Brock wrote:

Yes, each time a player plays, whether a pre-gen or not, should be reported by the GM. Once you play the scenario once and GM it once, you may not receive credit for it any other time.

So, if you play a Tier 3-7, 5-9 or 7-11 game for the first time with a Pre-Generated character, you do not receive a Chronicle Sheet. Any other time you play it after this first time, even if your character is of the correct level, you do not receive a Chronicle Sheet because you have already played the scenario. You essentially are playing the character for "free" and do not receive anything from it except a good time with friends and other PFS fans.

I do support, if you are a new player, playing a level 1 pre-generated character in your first game, whether that be a Tier 1 only, Tier 1-5 or Tier 1-7, you should receive a Chronicle Sheet for playing your first game. However, you should then create a character of your own and apply that first Chronicle Sheet to the newly created character. Any future scenarios you play with that pre-gen will not be creditied with a Chronicle Sheet. Likewise, you may not play 3 different pre-gens in 3 different scenarios and apply those 3 Chronicle Sheets to the same, newly created character.

I know there are people who are not happy with this rule but it is the best way to approach it. It keeps someone from playing the same scenario multiple times with a pre-generated character and then turning around and playing their own character for credit.

First off there is a Huge difference for GMing it once and Playing it Once, For GMing you get a chronicle sheet...

I completely agree with Dragnmoon on this. To deny a character the ability to apply the "Non-level 1" chronicle sheet to a future character is wrong. Plain and simple.

As I see it, unless the player doesn't understand what PFS is and/or doesn't care about the fact that they're loosing a chronicle sheet, they would want to walk away from the table rather than loose the chronicle sheet. I think the rule needs to be modified to allow for the chronicle sheet to be applied to a character they make ONCE eligible.

William Sinclair wrote:

I've been told by my players that alchemists add their intelligence bonus when they use alchemy fire or acid flasks. Is this true, and where is it listed?

If the above IS true, does it also apply to holy water?

Yep, it's true. It's listed under the Throw Anything entry on page 28 of the APG. And it applies to holy water as well (as long as you're dealing damage with it).

Thanks! Woulda made that first fight in Sewer Dragons of Absalom a lot faster if I coulda proven it... ah well!

I've been told by my players that alchemists add their intelligence bonus when they use alchemy fire or acid flasks. Is this true, and where is it listed?

If the above IS true, does it also apply to holy water?

William Sinclair wrote:

I was wondering if the above order was ever shipped? I haven't seen it, and it's been three weeks.

The order was shipped on 07/29/11. Did this package reach you?

It did. Sorry about the confusion. I was using my friends computer the first time I replied. Thanks!

I was wondering if the above order was ever shipped? I haven't seen it, and it's been three weeks.

Nani, as the Harrower!

Lol, I was gonna say something too... hehe

As to the adventures, all four are great, but hats off for the first one "Frostfur Captives". Can't wait to actually run this one. It sounds HILARIOUS!!!

Scenario #13: Prince of Augustana
GM: Me
When: Store Game last year

Scenario #2-2: Rescue at Azlant Ridge
GM: Me
When: GENCON 2010

William Sinclair wrote:

I'm reading this product (finally!) and I've come across a rule question. On page 22, under the Crystal Creature template, under the dazzling form ability, after describing the dazzle effect, the description suddenly starts talking about a crystal xorn and being blinded every round as a gaze attack. Was this bad editing, or is text missing?

Editing artifact. Originally the sample creature stat block in that entry was an advanced crystal xorn (Arzuu Mandilawi, mentioned on p. 19), but that was replaced with the updated PF stats for the derhii. However, the crystal creature template info was ported over as a sidebar and the bit about the crystal xorn was left in there.

So no blinding attack?

That it is. Thanks for pointing it out!

I'm reading this product (finally!) and I've come across a rule question. On page 22, under the Crystal Creature template, under the dazzling form ability, after describing the dazzle effect, the description suddenly starts talking about a crystal xorn and being blinded every round as a gaze attack. Was this bad editing, or is text missing?

If this is anything like "The Mud Sorcerer's Tomb," then it's gonna be totally awesome! Can't wait to get my hands on it.

In an effort to support my local gaming store, I am canceling the following ongoing orders and will instead be purchasing them from the local store as they have supported our ongoing weekly PFS games.

Thank you for the years of faithful mailing, and I look forward to continuing to receive the Adventure Path and Tales subscribtions in the mail,and purchasing the PDF's online as they become available. THANKS!

Long Live PFS!

Please cancel the following subscriptions
Pathfinder Campaign Setting
Pathfinder Player Companion
Pathfinder Modules
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game
GameMastery Cards

What type of action does it take to dismiss an eidilon? Is it a free action, move, standard, full round, or 1 round action? I'm assuming its a standard action. Pointing to a reference would be great! Thanks.

William would be a great name for a God!

Just saying....

Easy. All of those mass spells that are logical. Like Mass Shield of Faith. Mass Death Ward. The vigor spells! Adn the Sign spell for clerics. SOOO useful!

Easy. All of those mass spells that are logical. Like Mass Shield of Faith. Mass Death Ward. The vigor spells! Adn the Sign spell for clerics. SOOO useful!

From the alchemist class description:

"Thrown bombs have a range of 20 feet and use the Throw Splash Weapon special attack."

From the throw splash weapon description:
"A splash weapon is a ranged weapon that breaks on impact, splashing or scattering its contents over its target and nearby creatures or objects. To attack with a splash weapon, make a ranged touch attack against the target."

Works for me. Thanks!

Alchemical weapons usually only require a ranged-touch to hit. ie. hit the "touch ac" vs. "normal ac".

Is the same true for an alchemist's bomb? References?

Y'all sit there and say, "If you can't play, DM", like it's magic. I understand where you are trying to go with this, and apparently, everywhere else, there's this massive plethora of DM's with lots of money to spend on the game. Where I am in VA, not true. There are two of us, me, and Darius. We used to have a third, but he moved. We have the occasional moonlighter DM, but that's it. I mean... that's it. We have one who tried to step behind the shield, and then life got in the way, so it's back to me and Darius.

Two DMs
An average of ten-fifteen players per game, about 1/3 old, 1/3 recently new, and 1/3 recently new/brand new.
We get an average of at least one new player each week, which is GREAT!

Two DMs.
1. We don't have enough time to prepare due to our jobs.
2. We don't have enough support from our players, who are willing to step up and put up the money to GM.
3. We each prep, on average, three adventures each week, so try and cover our bases. Since most of our players seem incapable of e-mailing as to whether or not they will be there, it's a shot in the dark as to whether or not we pick our scenarios correctly.

Removing the PPP rules is a terrible mistake, IMHO. If Paizo does this, it will drive away more players than it will bring in. The PPP rules, as they were, gave the GMs flexability on what to run, without having to turn players away. It's a tool in my bag that I'm very sad to see go. I fear I will loose a lot of my old, loyal players because of it.

If this is the thread to petition for bringing back the old PPP rules where players could play under a different faction and get credit, then I vote yes.

I think all we are doing is just punishing the players who are dedicated to the game. I have players who keep showing up, and to tell them that they can't get credit anymore but can still die is just ludicris. I, for one, would NOT play at a table where I don't get anything, but still use resources, and can still die. Call me selfish if you want, but I didn't play my primary character for over 25 adventures just to watch him die for no reason. Bring back the PPP rules. I don't want to have to start turning away my dedicated players because I can't run an adventure they haven't played yet.

In reading the thread above I can see both sides of the issue. Yes, re-play could be needed in some markets. Yes, re-play can be greatly abused. I would like to offer my opinion on an additional compromise rule that I believe could work without too much difficulty.

Re-play can be used, but only to meet PPP and only with the following restrictions.
(1) No XP awarded to re-playing character.
(2) No PA awarded to re-playing character.
(3) Gold will be awarded, however the amount will be lessor of the cost of expendables/clearing conditions gained that occured within the scenario or the amount the character would normally be awarded.
(4) No purchasing of items allowed before or during the scenario with the exception of clearing conditions gained during the scanario. (this prevents wild spending on expendables possibly throwing the scenario out of balance)

No, your character is not gaining anything by being used, but barring very bad luck (which could happen at any time) your character wouldn't be getting weaker for helping to make a table. You as a player get the fun of playing without your character being penalized for helping to make a table. Of course, this is just my opinion and may be considered or ignored at the discretion of the reader. Enjoy your gaming everyone!!!

Nothing personal, JJ, but yeah, no way I'd agree to this. I mean... "Hey, you gain virtually nothing, but can loose EVERYTHING."

The PPP rules were great as they were.

People will cheat.
Let me say that again.
People will cheat.
One more time.

People.
Will.
Cheat.

If we are changing the PPP rules to prevent cheating, I think Paizo and the PFS at large is fooling itself.

So, do we punish the cheaters, or do we punish everyone? I, for one, think the recinding of the current PPP rules is a HUUUUGGEE mistake. All it will do is make the DM's job harder, and drive players away from the game. Our group is constantly in flux. I get new players almost every week, so I can replay the old games with them and get them up to snuff, so I can actually play the new games. If I follow the new PPP rules, I'll be turning SOMEONE away from the table.

How is that fair?

If they fail to complete the mission successfully, all party members stand to lose XP (at worst), gold and item access.

Two unique faction missions seems to be working all right from what I've seen.

As far as I know, as long as a player completes 3 "Acts" of the adventure, they gain the XP.

The way I understand it:

1. Earning PA is not contingent on completing the quest.
2. Earning XP is not contingent on completing the quest, only completing 3 "Acts".
3. Earning XP is contingent on completing 3 "Acts" within the alloted time. If the group does not complete the adventure within the allotted time, then the adventure never happened, which means that a group that is tanking their adventure (multiple deaths, lost PA points, lost treasure, massive use of resources, etc), can technically waste enough time and have the adventure end with no loss on their part, as long as they don't complete 3 Acts. Then, they can replay it later with all of that "OoC" knowledge.

I may be completely wrong on all of these. If I am, if someone could please point me to the appropriate source, that'd be great. If I am right... well, this is where I have some issues.

I have to agree with Darius. I too have had to deal with PA greedy players. Tying one PA to the main quest would be VERY useful in motivating the players to push forward and complete the main quest. I mean, otherwise, what is the use of the quest? They don't even need to finish it to earn the XP as far as I know. The only thing the players loose is the treasure, and that's only if the GM wants to do the necessary paper work adjustments!

So, tying a PA to the quest completion would be a decent idea, I think.

Good idea.

Either this, or have a PFS faction. It's silly that you can complete dozens of missions for the Society -- but they still won't sell you anything. :P

This might not be a bad idea, but now we'd be keeping track of separate lines of PA points. It is a good point, though.

Ran this again on Wednesday night. I'd love to see this one saved and converted to Pathfinder rules. Its a really fun adventure, with some great role playing opportunities.

While I do agree with your post, I gotta laugh. You'd hate to play with most of my players. Heck, I got a 9th level sorcerer who has no concepts of cones and who's first spell in combat is magic missile. I really wish I was joking, but I'm not.

We have paladin's who can't sneak, and have no concept that they play lawful stupid. We have rangers who can't track, we have rogues who can't search worth a damn, and... well, you get the idea.

Heck, in our entire group of 20+ players, only me and the other DM play dedicated clerics. Can't count the number of times I've had to save the entire party from TPK.

Oh, and my "get out of jail" card? A scroll of word of recall set to the Grand Lodge of Absalom.

Excellent!!!

I'm painting up my goblins for my RotRL campaign, and would like some pointers on painting fire. Any body have any advice, or know of a link I can look at?

.... what remains after a T-Rex meets a jackalope?...

Name: Kane (aka - Meatshield #4)
Race: Gnome
Classes/levels: Wizard 3
Adventure: River Runs Red
Location: The Slain Townfolk
Catalyst: The stupid gnome ran to the front of the fight
The Gory Details: Kundal the werewolf ripped the gnome in half after being hit with a scorching ray for 21 points of damage.

Also, if you look under the animal entry in the bestiary, it says that a non-combative herbivore treats all attacks as secondary. I think it can be safely argued that a warhorse that is combat trained would treat all attacks as primary attacks. So yes, all hooves and the bite would be +5 to hit.

The horse entry in the bestiary is a standard horse (ie. light non-warhorse), so the stats for attacks are correct. BAB +1, STR +3, -1 for size, -5 for being "docile" or non-combative = -2 on two hooves.

The heavy warhorse attack stats are BAB +1, STR +5 (advanced template!), -1 for size = a +5 on all attacks, including bite.

You want Halloween themed? Run "Hangman's Noose" by Nick Logue. Great module. Very creepy. Especially if played at night. With the lights out.

AGH! And after I spent the last two years on ebay piecing together my old map... too cruel... too cruel...

I'm pretty sure that this hasn't been covered yet. Page 310. War Paint of the Terrible Visage (hereafter refered to as WPotTV). There's no listed save. I'm assuming this was just overlooked, and should be a DC 11 save.

Great cover! I've been looking forward to this book for a long time!

Your trip fighter might want to be careful though. Our party's flaming greataxe wielding fighter got so good at chopping down giants that eventually he got a reputation and they started ganging up on him. It kind of sucks when a group of 8 stone giants all decide to focus fire thrown rocks at you...

Ah, did this in my Shackled City Campaign way back when. I had a ranger who was killer w/ a bow and had the Nemisis feat out of Boook of Exalted Deeds (BoED). I had the party get attacked at the inn one night by humans, outsiders, and a rogue with an outstanding stealth. All this occurred just to test the party, verify their tactics, and witness their abiliities. Once I legally knew what the players strengths were, I used the proper tactics against them. Made the rest of the campaign much more interesting.

Reputations can be good or bad. Just make sure that the enemy gains the information legally so your players can't cry foul later on. I told my players at the end of the campaign how and when I found out.

I have a local convention scheduled in October that last year seated around seven tables... and this year looks even bigger! The Shadow Lodge Event would be a nice addition to the schedule.

Where is the CON?

Blood at Dralkard Manor is a good one; unfortunately, it's retired for reporting (but not for play!)

I recommend Mists of Mwangi/Voice in the Void or Darkest Vengeance for the dark feel you are looking for. we ran both of these on our last Halloween Pathfinder event.

+1 on all of this. If you decide to go with a regular Mod, Hangman's Noose or Carnival of Tears is the way to go.

4. Goblin steals a real pie off a window sill. When the PCs approach he panics, putting the entire (still hot) pie in his mouth and once. He looks pleased for a moment. Then realises how much pain he's in and begins running around in circles. If any PC is carrying a waterskin he attempts to steal it from them.

LOL!!!! I'm SO using this when I start my campaign in a few weeks!

Name: Redor
Race: Elf
Classes/levels: Fighter 3
Adventure: Stolen Lands
Location: Stag Lord's Fort
Catalyst: Owl Bear
The Gory Details: He was pinned against the wall by the owlbear and savaged to death. We were trying to rescue another character who had been captured.

Have the Gen Con 2010 Pathfinder Society games been reported? I played in two scenarios and neither is showing on my sessions. Just wondering if I should be concerned.

To butcher and paraphrase what Josh told me last year about this, the sheets that the players have is their record sheet. As long as they have those, they're gtg. As to the GM's, he'll get to it. Realize that he has (assuming an average of 5 players per table (I always had at least that)) 36x5x10 = 1800 players sessions to report, or 360 sheets approximately to go through. That's a few days of reporting.

Sounds like an intern's job, or a new guy... Say Josh, didn't Mark just move to WA? Just sayin'....

Ah, just saw this. Banged out 1500 today.. only about 3000 to go... Sept 12? Should be doable.

I'm now partial to the first two adventures in Season 2:

Before the Dawn, Part I: The Bloodcove Disguise
Before the Dawn, Part II: Rescue at Azlant Ridge

Ran 'em both at GENCON and for my groups at home. Much fun. Epic adventure. Rescue the Damsel (she's not really a damsel, heck, she'd probably deck you if you called her one). Lots of fun!

I could have sworn that somewhere on this board was a list of more buildings that could be built in the city, as well as graphics to go with them. Anybody know what I'm talking about, or am I just going insane?

I'm playing in Kingmaker w/ a Clr3/Sor1, and planning on going MT. I know its never been a powerhouse class, but more about versatility. I went Clr/Sor due to the fact that clerics use Charisma in their channel skill, so I'd want to pump it anyway. Getting MT a level later than normal isn't a big deal for me.

To fellow gamers - Pathfinder
To non-gamers, who wouldn't know a d8 from a d10, or even know that anything besides a d6 exists - D&D

So who still get's funny looks or lectures when they say that they still game?

I usually get lectured about once a year.

This might have already been asked, but if it was, I never saw an answer from Josh...

What are you using to determine the most active regions. Is it number of scenarios run, or number of events set up in the area?

ie. I run 20 sessions under scenario X while someone else runs 1 session under 20 scenarios?

I ask because I have a friend who thinks he has to make a new event based on the reasons he's running (ie. group of friends, someone is out of town, location, day of the week, etc)

I'll understand if you choose not to answer this, considering how it might taint the reporting of scenarios.

I didn't see a thread for this, so I figured I'd start one.

Ideas for new flip mats!

1. An underground evil temple
2. A lava filled cavern
3. A forest meadow
4. A graveyard
5. A mansion (new, haunted, or otherwise)
6. A raging river (with or without suspension bridge)
7. A lake (maybe with an island in the middle)
8. A waterfront area (currently covered by map packs, maybe another one)
9. A small town
10. A street scene with buildings on both sides (the flip side could be back alleys)

Anybody else?