thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Mon, Mar 15, 2010, 09:35 AM
I ran this over the weekend at the our local gameday. I have to say it was a lot of fun.
I especially liked the NPCs. They were fun to role play and they really added to the atmosphere of the module. It also kept an element of roleplaying in a pretty combat heavy module.
The only real problems I had were...
Spoiler:
The ineffectiveness of the weapon choices on the part of the enemy combatants.
I ran this at the low tier. Even so, the party had no problems making short work of all their opponents. It really wasn't much of a challenge.
The Puddlejumpers with their 1d4-1 damage were laughable. Even though they handily got the jump on the party, not being rogues their ambush was pretty ineffectual.
The sailors aboard the No Return, while able to take quite a bit of damage, were equally laughable with their 1d4 light hammers. I think this is the first time I have ever actually seen those used in melee. Clubs or scimitars might have made them a little more fierce.
Arming the STR 19 gnolls with whips and hand axes was a bit disappointing. The module artwork shows a gnoll wielding a fearsome looking axe and looking truly dangerous. The reality fell short.
But other than that, it was a fun module to run and the players had a really good time.
The players commented that the NPCs seemed tailor-made to my style of GM'ing. Good times. Kudos to you Mr. Agresta!!
Those weren't Talislanta products—they were what we called "capsystem" products, containing generic rules with specific notes at the end describing how to use them with a variety of then-popular systems. The one about gods was The Primal Order, which did very well, and even went through a couple of editions. There were a number of supplements to support it, too. The one about war was The Military Order, which never came out.
Thanks for the correction and elucidation Vic.
I got to play test Military Order at one point and the play test was set in Talislanta...that is probably where I got confused.
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Thu, Mar 11, 2010, 09:25 AM
I think I still have a copy of the Talislantia Bestiary kicking around -- those critters were awesome.
I also recall a largish tome that was all about creating and playing gods -- I don't recall the title though. It was supposed to be followed up by a book all about war in an RPG setting. I got to play-test that at Dragonflight one year, but I don't know if it ever saw the light of day.
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Thu, Mar 11, 2010, 09:10 AM
The Session Reporting Monster seems most unkind.
I completely submitted some sessions from May & June of last year. The Monster indicates that these happened, but doesn't show the sessions themselves, and the players of those sessions are indicating that their characters are not credited with having played those sessions (in their own Character records).
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Wed, Mar 10, 2010, 08:46 AM
If you are going to the pain of adding helms and helmets to your game, you might want to think about including items that are a bit more historically accurate.
I'm thinking bascinet helms, pot helms, visored full helms, etc.
I love seeing Pallid Plague listed among the offerings! It's got the wrong level range listed, though, since it's a 1-7 scenario as opposed to 1-5. No biggie, though.
Ah, good to know. Is there anything else a GM should know? I will be running it at Norwescon.
The chances of us having any characters higher than 1st level at NORWESCON are going to be pretty slim.
I just got an idea. Seeing how facebook is playing Princess Bride lines back and forth so elequently, I think there could be a competition to be had at PaizoCon.
The competition is to stand up and respond to a particular line from the film, as if it were conversation. No repeats and non-sequential. Audience applause grades the response. Tables elect their best Princess Bride loremaster.
Ted, I think between the two of us we can pretty much do the entire movie.
The Pumphouse is good with a decent selection of beers. There are a couple of other places in downtown Bellevue near the mall (across the highway, up the hill and down the other side...so about ten blocks). Lots of good places within driving distance: Black Raven and Three Lions down in Redmond, Roanoke Tavern on Mercer Island, etc.
A player in my game wants to try to hook a bunyip. Are there any rules for fishing or the like?
This probably isn't supported by the actual rules.
As the GM, you might have to make something up.
I would go with a SURVIVAL check or PROFESSION: FISHER, to "hook" the bunyip with a suitably high DC (as this isn't normally part of the things that fall under either skill set). Once "hooked" I would go with either a STR vs. STR test between the bunyip and fishing PC, or maybe some sort of modified CMB check on the bunyip's part to escape being hooked (maybe using the initial skill check as the DC...modified by how barbed the hook is and how tasty the bait). I would let several rounds these checks go for several rounds depending on how much line the fishing PC played out before hooking his bunyip. Landing the bunyip would be interesting as well. Maybe the progress on "reeling in the bunyip" would depend on the degree of success on the STR vs. STR checks (or whatever). You might also want to through in some fatigue rules (it is my understanding this is how really big sharks are landed) for wearing out the bunyip. Somewhere in there you probably also need to determine if the bunyip has bitten through the fishing line (those things are all teeth). Once you have reeled your bunyip in close, you need to land the beast. This would be another sort of STR vs. BUNYIP WEIGHT check -- depends on whether the bunyip is still wriggling though. After that there could be some melee involved with the landed bunyip.
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Wed, Feb 17, 2010, 08:40 AM
LtlBtyRam wrote:
I wasn't planning on NorWesCon as I can't afford the pass to go, but I would be willing to GM assuming I'm not working. Is there a partial pass or something for GM'ing or how does this work? Do you need to GM a certian number of games or help out with the Con in some other fashion? Depending on how this works for NorWesCon I may know someone else who could GM too. I am trying very hard to juggle making it to PaizoCon.
Thanks for your response LtlBtyRam, please e-mail me at thelesuit at hot mail dhot com.
I might still have some GM slots open -- but it is getting tight.
We will also be running a How To Create a PFS Character/PFS Q&A table concurrently with the gaming.
The basic deal, so I've been told, is that if you volunteer to GM 2 slots (or assist at the Q&A table for 8 hours, or a combination of that), I should be able to get you a day pass for the days you are volunteering. I need to verify this with Mr. Nightengale (some call him TIM).
You might look at the Alternate Rules for Defense from Unearthed Arcana. That might work a little better than your Dodge feat tree. If you do decide to go with incremental increases to dodge you might put some level or BAB minimums to get the higher levels.
I curious how you are going to handle firearms. NC has one of the more realistic sets of firearms rules. Rather than a blanket "to hit touch AC", you might go with an AC penetration rating for each specific firearm. This reflects the poor penetrating ability of early muskets and such. If you are going to 1786 you are well into the period where rifling was being introduced...which gives you a crappier reload rate but greater penetration and range (until you get to breech loaders). I really loved using the multiple rounds of firearms use rules: perception goes out the window due to noise and smoke.
Good luck, I think that Pathfinder with NC is a good combo. When and if I ever get a campaign of my own going again this might be something that I utilize.
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Fri, Feb 12, 2010, 11:41 AM
kwixson wrote:
This module is great, but impossibly long as a society module if the players seize upon the roleplay aspects at all. There are also a few plot holes that could be neatly plugged with a couple simple, and largely cosmetic fixes.
** spoiler omitted **...
Most of this seems really useful.
However there is a slight flaw with this...
Spoiler:
kwixson wrote:
The mod doesn't really address how, once the PCs make it in to Railford, that they can easily move out of town to go in search of Becher without provoking an encounter with the phalanx again. To remedy this, dispose of the cottage within Railford, leaving the tunnel into the cellar of the distillery to connect with a small stone building just beyond the phalanx outside of Railford, marking the start of the trail to the caves. This makes sense as something that might actually exist for use by the original builders.
In Act 5 the PCs are holed-up in the Distillery. With your suggestion, they would be able to merely slip out of town through the tunnel that now connects the Distillery to the small stone building.
I agree though, the whole variable permeability of the Phalanx's cordon seems contrived as does the 2 mile tunnel dry tunnel under the swamp connecting the Barrel Aging Caves to the Stone Cottage outside of Railford.
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Thu, Feb 11, 2010, 11:21 AM
Arnim Thayer wrote:
Ran #13 this weekend, and substituted a guisarme for the spiked chain (same damage, same effect for the encounter). This created an issue of an unused feat at Tier 4-5 (which I ignored rather than replaced). It also changed an otherwise "no challenge" encounter (using the new spiked chain Pathfinder rules) to a "challenging" encounter again.
Have any of the writers of Season 0 scenarios offered "fixes" to those modules since the changes to Pathfinder rules? I understand that Paizo and Joshua Frost have no inclination to "re-edit" the original season 0 scenarios (for obvious time consuming reasons), but how about the original authors? Just curious!
I have to run this module this weekend...any advice for what feat to substitute if I go with the guisarme instead of spiked chain?
Josh, what are you doing on Saturday, February 13th?
If you are interested in coming to the Game Day we would love to have you GM.
CJ
Hey CJ,
I'll have to check my calendar at home to see. I'll get back to you. What scenarios are you planning to run?
Well...what would you like to GM? We haven't actually committed to GM'ing any particular modules at this point. Most of the PCs at the Mob Gameday Pathfinder tables are fairly low level though.
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Thu, Jan 21, 2010, 09:54 AM
Draeke Raefel wrote:
thelesuit wrote:
I would appreciate feedback on my Wondrous Item submission.
Lapidarious Phylactery
@Mr. Morris - Lapidary is a term commonly used in gemstones
As to the item... I think all the options + the bit at the end about the Lapidarious Phylactery Maxi pretty much did you in. It is kind of like a lot of spells in a can all put into one item. And the last sentence adds nothing to the item. Just hints at a possible artifact or improved version. The +4 Will vs Malevolence seems misplaced... there aren't rules for "Malevolence". I'd have put it as a +4 Will vs Evil( as defined by prot from evil ).
Actually malevolence is what used to be called possession, it is a specific attack form for ghosts. It is resisted by a WILL save.
I think the fact that it is a spell caster in a can killed it.
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Thu, Jan 21, 2010, 09:14 AM
I would appreciate feedback on my Wondrous Item submission.
Lapidarious Phylactery Aura moderate transmutation; CL 7th; Slot headband; Price 5000 gp; Weight 1/2 lbs.; Description The Lapidarious Phylactery is a small lacquered linden wood box inlaid with painted panels of carved camphor wood. Each box bears six unique panels engraved with scenes from the lives of Nethyian saints. Embroidered swaths of grey worsted linen affix the box to the wearer's head. Gemstones placed in the phylactery confer upon the wearer particular abilities depending on the type and value of the gemstone. It requires a standard action to active the phylactery. Gemstones in the box turn to valueless dust once activated.
Agate (10gp) removes fatigued condition
Amber (100gp) remove disease Amethyst (100gp) owl's wisdom Bloodstone (50gp) obscuring mist Carnelian (50gp) protection from evil Chalcedony (50gp) hide from undead Chrysoberyl (100gp) +4 WILL save vs. malevolence for 2 minutes
Chrysoprase (100gp) invisibility Coral (50gp) cure light wounds Hematite (10gp) resistance Jade (100gp) eagle’s splendor Jasper(100gp) delay poison Jet (100gp) death knell Lapis Lazuli (50gp) bless Malachite (50gp) feather fall Moonstone (50gp) charm animal Onyx (50gp) cause fear Peridot (50gp) remove fear Turquoise (10gp) guidance
Tales speak of a Lapidarious Phylactery Maxi which can harness the powers of even greater gemstones.
Construction Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, identify, mneumonic enhancer, creator must have at least five ranks in appraise and craft (jewelry); Cost 2500gp
The various Rokugan books are a great source for different types of Oni's. I think the 3.5 Oriental Adventures has about a dozen different types. If you are looking for more of a Chinese/Japanese flavor that is probably a better route to go.
I always recall the 1e MM quote that called rakshasa's "demons of the flesh".
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Wed, Dec 2, 2009, 08:51 AM
I have some recommendations:
Malazan Books of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson
Reluctant Swordsman series by Dave Duncan (I also recommend his A Man of His Word and King's Blades series)
Glen Cook's Dread Empire series
Simon R. Moon's Hawk and Fisher and Forest Kingdom series
Cats Have No Lord by Will Shetterly
Steven Brust's Jhereg series
Brent Weeks' Night Angel Trilogy The Red Wolf Conspiracy by Robert V.S. Redick
Warded Man by Peter Brett
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series by Greg Keyes
That's all I can think of off the top of my head without consulting my library. More to come later.
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Tue, Nov 3, 2009, 10:56 AM
I would tend to disagree with the idea that Golarion has any sort of advanced math. Why bother when you can simply divine and answer magically.
I would hazard that even though the cantrips or orisons accurate count and know distance aren't in the Core Rules, they do exist. Along with a plethora of non-combat related spells and magics.
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Fri, Oct 30, 2009, 11:52 AM
Dezakin wrote:
I'm interested, it sounds fun. I've been trying to figure out how to get started in a couple of pathfinder games since my 3.5 campaign concluded with our DM moving. How often do these things run usually? I haven't done anything inside living greyhawk or pathfinder society before.
This is what is planned for the 14th:
Slot 1 (11:30 to 4PM)
PFS #24: Decline of Glory -- DM: Blake Davis
PFS #11: The Third Riddle -- DM: Rob Eby
Slot 2 (5-9PM)
PFS #13: Prince of Augustina -- DM: Blake Davis
PFS #1: Silent Tide -- DM: Aaron Schrader
The Seattle Mob Game Days transpire every month on the second Saturday. We play at Genesis Games and Gizmos in Redmond.
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Thu, Oct 15, 2009, 09:19 AM
Moab wrote:
Are newbies welcome at these events? If so, I might be interested in registering a character and showing up in November.
Newbies are more than welcome. Most of the players have only played one or two modules at this point...so there isn't a great disparity in characters levels.
Besides, everyone was a newbie once. After you've played a table, you will no longer be a newbie -- so come on down.
Please help me. :)
This thread will follow my PFRPG players through the prime material plane in a multi-world mini-campaign arc for about 8-10 months. We begin in Blackmoor...
I need your help to quickly decide what would be an awesome quest/adventure/story to plug-in here in Blackmoor?? Should I involve the Egg of Coot or its thralls, or something else? I'm hoping to quickly and effectively immerse my players in the feel and richness of the setting before they go. What essentials should they/could they experience before they go?
Thank you for any help you can provide.
-Pax
Easily one of the most interesting things about Blackmoor is the Egg of Coot, spell-eggs, and thralls and such. You might have them root one of the Egg's thralls out of the Temple of the Frog or some-such.
thelesuit
(Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber),
Tue, Oct 13, 2009, 10:51 AM
thelesuit wrote:
I will be running the following PFS modules at the Seattle Mob Game Day, on October 10th, at Genesis Games & Gizmos in Redmond:
PFS #6 Black Waters
PFS #7 Among The Living
First slot starts at 11:30.
Please let me know if you are interested in playing.
CJ
We actually ended up running PFS #5 Mists of Mwangi and PFS #23 Tide of Morning at the Game Day.
Just a head's up to folks, but we will be running two more slots of Pathfinder Society at the November Mob Game Day on the 14th. Let me know if you are interested in playing and what modules you would like to see run.
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