Christina Stiles Contributor |
All Paizo adventures, with the exception of PFS scenarios, assume 4 players. I would guess this is because 4 players is the baseline assumption in the Core Rulebook. PFS has its own, different set of core assumptions.
Ah, I see what you are saying. I see 6 as being a standard table at gaming conventions (for ANY game, not just PFS), so I just had 6 on the brain for all the adventures. I haven't paid that much attention to the core assumptions--apparently!
Mike Shel Contributor |
9 people marked this as a favorite. |
Mike Shel wrote:Serpent wrote:Sir Pelle Benhovy is ** spoiler omitted **I'm slightly confused about the members of the Benhovy family:
** spoiler omitted **Ah, gotcha. Thanks for the additional info, Mike!
It's a pity there was no room in the module for interesting tidbits like this. But I'll be sure to include new side quests and sinister secrets involving not only the sheriff...
** spoiler omitted **
I was thinking very seriously about posting additional information to the boards for fleshing out the townsfolk of Belhaim and even talked to James to get his OK. However, current Paizo assignments make it unlikely I'll be able to do that before at least November or December (and then only if there's sufficient interest).
In the meantime, here are a couple more tidbits for you:
Shelyn cleric Nilos Genser has something of a drinking problem.
Butcher Orin Akil has three daughters who he jealously guards from outsiders. Unbeknownst to him, his youngest is having a fling with one of the underclerics at the House of Abadar.
Blacksmith Marcus Chance brutalizes his wife. Feltmaker Pelnas Megara, a rather asocial and withdrawn sort, has a thing for the wife and may one night hit Marcus over the head with a rock as he stumbles home drunk from Grayhands' tavern.
Tarondor |
Tarondor wrote:How can I get the interior maps without the secret doors and other markings?Use the Screen Capture feature in Adobe Acrobat Reader to take a screenshot of the map. Then paste that into either Photoshop or Word. It shouldn't copy the secret door markers as those are usually on a different layer of the graphic.
Usually true, but not in this case, as referenced by Joe M., above.
Joe M. |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
casiel wrote:Usually true, but not in this case, as referenced by Joe M., above.Tarondor wrote:How can I get the interior maps without the secret doors and other markings?Use the Screen Capture feature in Adobe Acrobat Reader to take a screenshot of the map. Then paste that into either Photoshop or Word. It shouldn't copy the secret door markers as those are usually on a different layer of the graphic.
I have been able to export (most of) the maps without labels & secret doors. My previous post was expressing surprise because I didn't know that was usually possible.
If you're using Windows, the free Nitro PDF Reader has an excellent "Extract Images" function that will grab all of the artwork and maps from the file (without labels) for you.
I recently switched to Mac OS X and haven't found a tool that does as good of a job on Mac OS X (suggestions welcome!). You can do it manually in Preview by selecting an individual image, copying, and pressing CMD-N to create a new file with the copied image. It'll leave out labels etc. Not as convenient as an automated tool but it worked for me well enough.
Eric Hinkle |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I've looked through this in the stories and I really like the idea that the dragon is
Tarondor |
Tarondor wrote:casiel wrote:Usually true, but not in this case, as referenced by Joe M., above.Tarondor wrote:How can I get the interior maps without the secret doors and other markings?Use the Screen Capture feature in Adobe Acrobat Reader to take a screenshot of the map. Then paste that into either Photoshop or Word. It shouldn't copy the secret door markers as those are usually on a different layer of the graphic.
I have been able to export (most of) the maps without labels & secret doors. My previous post was expressing surprise because I didn't know that was usually possible.
If you're using Windows, the free Nitro PDF Reader has an excellent "Extract Images" function that will grab all of the artwork and maps from the file (without labels) for you.
I recently switched to Mac OS X and haven't found a tool that does as good of a job on Mac OS X (suggestions welcome!). You can do it manually in Preview by selecting an individual image, copying, and pressing CMD-N to create a new file with the copied image. It'll leave out labels etc. Not as convenient as an automated tool but it worked for me well enough.
No need. They've now been updated. I just downloaded it again and voila!
Olwen |
I recently switched to Mac OS X and haven't found a tool that does as good of a job on Mac OS X (suggestions welcome!). You can do it manually in Preview by selecting an individual image, copying, and pressing CMD-N to create a new file with the copied image. It'll leave out labels etc. Not as convenient as an automated tool but it worked for me well enough.
Using Adobe Reader to select, and then copy the map (and then go the route you're already using with Cmd-N in Preview) usually does not export the labels and traps on the map.
Joe M. |
Joe M. wrote:I recently switched to Mac OS X and haven't found a tool that does as good of a job on Mac OS X (suggestions welcome!). You can do it manually in Preview by selecting an individual image, copying, and pressing CMD-N to create a new file with the copied image. It'll leave out labels etc. Not as convenient as an automated tool but it worked for me well enough.Using Adobe Reader to select, and then copy the map (and then go the route you're already using with Cmd-N in Preview) usually does not export the labels and traps on the map.
Yep. Preview works just as well for that. What I'm looking for is a tool to automate it: something that will extract all the images from the *.pdf in one go so I don't have to go through and grab each one manually. The free Nitro PDF Reader (linked previously) does this very well–but it's Windows-only. I've tried one or two *.pdf tools for Mac OS X but I've had some problems with it.
Pemberfoot |
Mechalibur wrote:Haven't got there yet, but if my group looks like they'll stomp the final encounter I'm planning on boosting it with a Hound of Tindalos or two. There are some cruel tactical possibilities there. :-)Is it me, or does it look like the boss might end up really easy?
**Spoiler Omitted**
If you play a Dragon tactically like it should (Because Dragons are geniuses) then your party should have a huge challenge on their hands. Look up Circle Strafe on Countermonkeybard via youtube you will see what I mean.
S. Werner |
I have a couple of questions about keys used in the first dungeon.
Also, in room A10 there is mention of the keys from A4 working in the locks to both doors, but the keys themselves from room A4 don't specifically mention working on those doors. Can this be explained by the fact that "the locks are in terrible shape" and the keys match the lock closely enough that you can jigger them?
James Jacobs Creative Director |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Regarding keys:
Pemberfoot |
Serpent wrote:Mike Shel wrote:Serpent wrote:Sir Pelle Benhovy is ** spoiler omitted **I'm slightly confused about the members of the Benhovy family:
** spoiler omitted **Ah, gotcha. Thanks for the additional info, Mike!
It's a pity there was no room in the module for interesting tidbits like this. But I'll be sure to include new side quests and sinister secrets involving not only the sheriff...
** spoiler omitted **I was thinking very seriously about posting additional information to the boards for fleshing out the townsfolk of Belhaim and even talked to James to get his OK. However, current Paizo assignments make it unlikely I'll be able to do that before at least November or December (and then only if there's sufficient interest).
In the meantime, here are a couple more tidbits for you:
** spoiler omitted **
Love getting more detail on the residents of Belhaim. Thank you Mike Shel! I plan on doing a long term campaign continuing past the module and really appreciate the fine details to breathe more and more life into the setting.
Joe M. |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Report #1. Well, we kicked off with our first session on Saturday. It went very well. The party’s loving it so far.
On my side of the table, I especially appreciated how the adventure hook was put together. A stong hook along classic RPG tropes and it ran well out-of-the-box for a new GM. Excellent detail economy: just a few things I had to keep track of (so I didn't need to be super-acquainted with the town yet to run the hook well) and with good memorable touches to start fleshing out the setting for the group (innkeeper, baronness, hapless deputies). James, I've seen you recommending the module as a good starting point for new playes and/or GMs. So far it’s been real good to us.
The party had a little trouble with H., the torturer (I played him smart and it hurt), but it was a good challenge for them and they got that hero-feeling when they finally crushed him.
Pinstripedbarbarian Contributor |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I started running this Saturday with a group of 5. They all seemed to enjoy it and had a good time. We're playing again this afternoon and will hopefully finish up the first chapter.
Starting them on Silas's caravan was a good way for them to get to know each other. Since we're running this in campaign mode for future PFS credit, I spun it as Silas giving them free passage to Absalom from the north with a small incentive of gold to help them out. I considered telling the party they could start with a lot more gold than normal for level 1 characters, then taking it all away when the police confiscated the caravan.
That said, the set up was good for letting the group get a small sense of camaraderie before the adventure started. Their first thought was trying to figure a way to get back on the road, picking up a few rumors (the chart was a GREAT help here) on how to make some cash and get out of town. Luckily the hooks of a tower collapsing and the majority of the town guard being gone helped push them in the right direction.
We finished the first dungeon - about half of the first Chapter - in a single 5 hour session, and the part ended just before leveling (which I expect will occur almost immediately when they start perusing the town). Good pace for it, given the module nature. I'm considering throwing a small sidequest or two in, specifically when the party starts trying to figure out how to deal with a dragon. The crypt delve later on provides a lot, more than a party of their level should have, but I'm planning on adding a talismanic component fetch quest to allow them to craft items as well.
Speaking of PFS credit... any word on when those chronicle sheets will be coming out? I heard "shortly after GenCon" but now I'm fearing PAX is getting in the way...
John Compton Developer |
Joey Virtue |
So im using the GMs Guide to creating Challenging Encounters and Im working on adding more to the final encounter
Orthos |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
It's third party, but...
John Compton Developer |
6 people marked this as a favorite. |
wellsmv wrote:any update on those chronicle sheets ?Finishing touches are being applied right now, and editing should be happening sometime today, so you should have access to the sheets by this weekend.
The Chronicle sheets and brief section of rules/adaptation text are in the hands of the editors, though I know they're battling hard to finish a few other projects today. We might not have the sheets themselves this afternoon, but I do want to ensure that folks can continue the games that they started.
Although the official document sanctioning The Dragon's Demand has not been released, the module is considered sanctioned for Pathfinder Society Organized Play. GMs running a game in so-called "campaign mode" should run the module as normal and assign Chronicle sheets at the very end of the module. GMs running a game in so-called "module mode" can provide the following numbers to their players so that the players might accurately calculate gold earned and proceed to the next section:
Section 1 (The Blood Vow Lair: areas B1–B20) : 1,536 gp earned
Section 2 (Hunclay's Cave, Auction, and Crypt of Tula (areas D1–E12: 4,800 gp
Section 3 (Monastery of Saint Kyerixus (areas F1–G8): 8,712 gp
The fourth Chronicle sheet will be available when the module is officially sanctioned, which should not be a problem given that sheet is only relevant for those playing the entire module in "campaign mode."
So no matter what happens, you should be in good shape to continue your game. Worst case scenario, we'll have the official sheets ready for you early next week.
Illeist |
A curiosity in the scenario:
John Compton Developer |
We'll be JUST finishing up the first part this Sunday. (Got about three rooms left in the Kobold lair).
I'm dead curious about the boon on the sheets myself but the players are having a blast and that is the important part.
The boons experiment with a new mechanic that you haven't seen before on a Chronicle sheet. With understandable bias, I think they're pretty neat, and I'm excited to see what others think of the new boon type. Perhaps we'll see more of them in the future.
Kyrie Ebonblade |
Kyrie Ebonblade wrote:The boons experiment with a new mechanic that you haven't seen before on a Chronicle sheet. With understandable bias, I think they're pretty neat, and I'm excited to see what others think of the new boon type. Perhaps we'll see more of them in the future.We'll be JUST finishing up the first part this Sunday. (Got about three rooms left in the Kobold lair).
I'm dead curious about the boon on the sheets myself but the players are having a blast and that is the important part.
John you're terrible terrrible tease you know that? LOL. I'm sure that it will be interesting. The skull and shackles chronicles had me curious to what you, Mike and the rest of the gang had planned out and everytime you guys put up something I get more improseed.
zylphryx |
John Compton wrote:wellsmv wrote:any update on those chronicle sheets ?Finishing touches are being applied right now, and editing should be happening sometime today, so you should have access to the sheets by this weekend.The Chronicle sheets and brief section of rules/adaptation text are in the hands of the editors, though I know they're battling hard to finish a few other projects today. We might not have the sheets themselves this afternoon, but I do want to ensure that folks can continue the games that they started.
** spoiler omitted **
So no matter what happens, you should be in good shape to continue your game. Worst case scenario, we'll have the official sheets ready for you early next week.
Just saw this and considering we started playing about 5 1/2 hours ago (and finished Chapter 1), I am a very happy camper ... as will be my players. :)
Joe M. |
Question for more experienced GMs: I'm planning to schedule a "campaign mode" run of this module for my local PFSers soon (currently having a great time running it for non-PFSers in a home game). How many 4- or 8-hour blocks would be a reasonable time to complete in? (Not taking it super slow but not fully railroading either.)
Players would be experienced and competent, and I'm a fairly put-together GM (not to say I'm anywhere near a *good* GM yet, but I can at least keep things moving and avoid bogging down in rules books every combat).
Any guesses, guidelines, advice?
Joe M. |
I'm having a tough time envisioning the schedule for running this PFS. 3 8-hour sessions is a lot to commit to in advance. So here's a question I'm not clear on.
Suppose I run each chapter individually. Would I be able to award the bonus chronicle to any players who complete all three chapters with me?
That would make scheduling this for the lodge a *lot* easier, as I wouldn't have to get everyone to pre-commit to 24 hours of gaming spaced over a month or two. Which would be ideal and I hope to get that commitment anyway. But you know. Life and stuff.
zylphryx |
From my understanding, if you run it in campaign mode you get the fourth chronicle. If you run it as individual sections (such as is the case with running just the PFS sections of an AP), you don't. but from what you are describing, if you play through the full chapters, and you have players who play through all three chapters, then yeah, I would think they would still qualify for the fourth sheet.
Joe M. |
From my understanding, if you run it in campaign mode you get the fourth chronicle. If you run it as individual sections (such as is the case with running just the PFS sections of an AP), you don't. but from what you are describing, if you play through the full chapters, and you have players who play through all three chapters, then yeah, I would think they would still qualify for the fourth sheet.
That's what I'm hoping. I'd hate to schedule a campaign mode run for my lodge and then, say, have a player miss a session and a new player sub in and not be able to give the first player the reward for what he did complete and the second player the reward for the session she played. (If campaign mode were all-or-nothing.) That's why I'm waiting on the sheets and guidelines before scheduling. Don't wantto set this in motion till I know how it's going to work for the players.