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I've been thinking a bit about this topic since I lost a Level 1 character saving the life of a level 4 character.
How much do you expect other players characters to do in helping your character? And how much do you feel responsible for assisting other player characters?
I generally play a cleric. He's not the bright and shiny kind, but specializes in necromancy.
He has a wand of Cure Light Wounds. It's his second wand. So far he's probably expended an entire CLW wand on other party members, and because of PFS rules, can't really be compensated for that in any way. I'm starting to think that I really shouldn't be spending my gold-based resources on other characters.
But then what should we expect one character to do for another?
Should a caster wade into battle to help a downed melee fighter? Should a cleric do so? (hopefully with Channel Positive Energy, most clerics won't have to. My cleric doesn't have that available. I do have an animal companion that I can risk. And probably would risk.)
I know people expect rogues to walk out front and look for traps, like captured soldiers sent ahead to probe for mines. I'm not sure I'd want that role if I played a rogue. I'd be happier if a druid sent his companion out. Or an unseen servant poked and prodded things.
So I guess this post is just a general questionnaire.
Questions.
1. What class is your primary character?
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
1. Wizard (Generalist)
2. Sil has been an interesting character for me to play because her role has evolved as she has gained levels, and very quickly at that. Early on, she focused on staying alive. As she got a couple of levels under her belt, Sil was able to do some damage and act as a problem solver. A few levels more and she was able to do serious damage, especially to large numbers of enemies. Now that she is higher level still, Sil is starting to transition away from direct damage, becoming more of a buffer-debuffer and problem solver. I suspect this is the role she'll stay in for the rest of her career.
3. Early in her career, Sil spent a lot of gold on scrolls. They worked to the benefit of the party, but I also had a lot of fun casting spells from them; it gave me more to do from round to round. In retrospect, I should have bought wands. I'm more than willing to dump potions down the throats of allies and cast spells with expensive components (i.e. Stoneskin) on them. I'm starting to have all my characters, even those who can not use them, carry a wand of CLW that can be used for the good of themselves and the party.
4. I mostly expect others to play and have a good time and to be able to fulfill the basic duties of their chosen class. I expect a cleric to be able to heal party members. I expect fighters to not hang out in the back while other party members are taking a beating.
5. Yes, if it helps to keep party members alive and to accomplish the task at hand.
6. First, I try not to put my characters in situations that are any more dangerous than what the party at large is facing, but if I do put myself in a tight spot at the behest of the party, I do kind of hope they'd be there to pull me out.
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But then what should we expect one character to do for another?
Admittedly, players who expect others to provide healing for them is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. Grumble.
But what I really expect from other players can be found on this post.
In short, players that expect a 'balanced' party which means to them that 'someone else is responsible for healing me/protecting me' are players that make me sad.
To really answer your questions:
1) Thorne, the Most Powerful Mage in *ALL* of Absalom
2) Blow stuff up, but can generalize to do about anything.
3) I contribute wholeheartedly to the mission, including using all my resources as necessary.
4) Nothing much. :)
5) Yes and no. I like to be prepped for anything, but I recognize that you really can't be prepped for everything. I'm happy to share my resources with others.
6) Yes and no. I try to play a character and some of my characters will be heroic, others notsomuch. If it's an act of sheer stupidity/roleplaying, then I expect nothing but the same. If it's an act to help the party, I would hope for more help.
-Pain
1. What class is your primary character?2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
1) I am currently not playing a PC in a game, though I do run a game and am about to join one with a PC too. Since I am not in that game yet, however, I will use my last major character in a long-term campaign as an example: Wizard
2) My primary tasks are manifold:
A. Long-term, strategic and operational planning of our group's activities, as I am pretty much the party leader, as well as the most interactive character (others are more quiet types, but do get involved too and can get a say in our plans, but they generally default to leaving the main task of planning to me)
B. Preparation of all the characters for the execution of our plans and participation in said execution, especially in non-combat situations - this usually involves usage of spells (e.g. invisibility on the rogue who is to infiltrate the manor to open the window for the rest of us to get through, spider climb on the characters to scale the walls and so on)
C. Aiding our combatant characters through use of spells to make them more effective (e.g. haste on the fighter and so on)
3) There is no limit. My character is not particularly interested in gold and is willing to expend any amount of gold on his friends (e.g. ransoming them back if they are captured, etc.) regardless of their ability to pay back.
4) They should do most of the fighting, though I will seek to support them in that task. They should seek to contribute to the best of their ability to our various plans in non-combat situations with the understanding that I will try to shore up their weaknesses with spells when the situation calls for it.
5) Yes, just like my characters would expend any amount of available gold on helping save his friends, I expect them to expend any amount of gold to help me when the situation calls for it.
6) Yes, I do expect them to risk their lives to save mine, just as my character would risk his life to save their lives. We are adventurers and do take risks even if we try to be judicious about them and we expect to bail each other out if things go wrong.
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1. What class is your primary character?2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
1) I am currently not playing a PC in a game, though I do run a game and am about to join one with a PC too. Since I am not in that game yet, however, I will use my last major character in a long-term campaign as an example: Wizard
2) My primary tasks are manifold:
A. Long-term, strategic and operational planning of our group's activities, as I am pretty much the party leader, as well as the most interactive character (others are more quiet types, but do get involved too and can get a say in our plans, but they generally default to leaving the main task of planning to me)
B. Preparation of all the characters for the execution of our plans and participation in said execution, especially in non-combat situations - this usually involves usage of spells (e.g. invisibility on the rogue who is to infiltrate the manor to open the window for the rest of us to get through, spider climb on the characters to scale the walls and so on)
C. Aiding our combatant characters through use of spells to make them more effective (e.g. haste on the fighter and so on)3) There is no limit. My character is not particularly interested in gold and is willing to expend any amount of gold on his friends (e.g. ransoming them back if they are captured, etc.) regardless of their ability to pay back.
4) They should do most of the fighting, though I will seek to support them in that task. They should seek to contribute...
Roman,
Do you see any difference in the approach a character might take in a long-term campaign versus Pathfinder Society play, where you might never see your mission mates again, and there is no ability for the team to repay a party member for an expenditure on behalf of the party? Or would you approach both with the same altruistic zeal? (no sarcasm intended, though it might read that way)
Brother Elias, I didn't even realize that Pathfinder Society play was any different from a standard long-term campaign. I have never engaged in Pathfinder Society play, so I am not sure how I would react. In a long-term campaign, I expect us all to be a team and to expend essentially any amount of resources to save any of us if it is necessary, so note that although my behavior can be classed as zealously altruistic, I do expect the same kind of altruistic zeal from my comrades. :)
If Pathfinder Society play consists of single session 'campaigns', where players don't see each other again thereafter, it is probably something I would not want to participate in at all. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I like long-term campaigns with the same players and characters with long-term goals and epic storylines! :)
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Brother Elias, I didn't even realize that Pathfinder Society play was any different from a standard long-term campaign. I have never engaged in Pathfinder Society play, so I am not sure how I would react. In a long-term campaign, I expect us all to be a team and to expend essentially any amount of resources to save any of us if it is necessary, so note that although my behavior can be classed as zealously altruistic, I do expect the same kind of altruistic zeal from my comrades. :)
If Pathfinder Society play consists of single session 'campaigns', where players don't see each other again thereafter, it is probably something I would not want to participate in at all. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I like long-term campaigns with the same players and characters with long-term goals and epic storylines! :)
Roman,
Thanks for the answer. The reason I asked is because this is the Pathfinder Society General Discussion part of the forum, so my survey was focused on that aspect of play.
Yes, PFS play could be simply described as a series of one-off adventures (though there are some multi-adventure story arcs) that take your character from Level 1 through 12. It is sometimes described as a "Living" or "Portable" campaign, in that your character can be used in any PFS event at any gamestore or convention. (Each adventure yields one document that notes what you have played, and what you have spent/received).
I share your "altruistic zeal" when in a long-term campaign. The difference between such a campaign is what drives the questioning of what responsibility one would have in the one-off campaign world, where you may never see party members again.
It's not quite Shadowrun, but I think that a healthy bit of self-preservation has to be in order in such a campaign.
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Questions.1. What class is your primary character?
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
1. Wizard 5/Pathfinder Savant 1 (old) and Cleric 1/Sorcerer 1 (new).
2. Neutralizing bad guys and neutralizing bad guys.
3. Low-level scrolls and wand charges, maybe low-level potions if I happened to have a useful one (e.g. giving a scouting player a potion of Hide from Animals or Hide from Undead).
4. I don't expect anything, but I would hope that other players make a good faith effort to help their fellow players as much as possible. I don't consider "My PC is an unhelpful jerk" or "My PC is a coward who refuses to help in combat" to be a very good excuse for not helping.
5. Not really; my wizard has a wand of CLW and a sufficiently high UMD score to use it, and my cleric has CLW scrolls and potions. If I died because one of my party members wasn't willing to use a 15 gp charge of a CLW wand on me, for instance, I imagine I might feel a bit peeved.
6. I would hope that other players make a good faith effort to help their fellow players as much as possible. If a PC did something truly suicidal, I might drag my feet a bit in helping him, but I try not to be petty. In return, I try not to do anything suicidal, but adventuring is a dangerous business...
Brother Elias, I didn't even realize that Pathfinder Society play was any different from a standard long-term campaign. I have never engaged in Pathfinder Society play, so I am not sure how I would react. In a long-term campaign, I expect us all to be a team and to expend essentially any amount of resources to save any of us if it is necessary, so note that although my behavior can be classed as zealously altruistic, I do expect the same kind of altruistic zeal from my comrades. :)
If Pathfinder Society play consists of single session 'campaigns', where players don't see each other again thereafter, it is probably something I would not want to participate in at all. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I like long-term campaigns with the same players and characters with long-term goals and epic storylines! :)
Roman,
Thanks for the answer. The reason I asked is because this is the Pathfinder Society General Discussion part of the forum, so my survey was focused on that aspect of play.
Yes, PFS play could be simply described as a series of one-off adventures (though there are some multi-adventure story arcs) that take your character from Level 1 through 12. It is sometimes described as a "Living" or "Portable" campaign, in that your character can be used in any PFS event at any gamestore or convention. (Each adventure yields one document that notes what you have played, and what you have spent/received).
I share your "altruistic zeal" when in a long-term campaign. The difference between such a campaign is what drives the questioning of what responsibility one would have in the one-off campaign world, where you may never see party members again.
It's not quite Shadowrun, but I think that a healthy bit of self-preservation has to be in order in such a campaign.
For some reason I didn't notice that this was actually in the Pathfinder Society forum. I found the thread in the 'lastest posts' and thought it interesting, so I came over and posted. Feel free to disregard my 'poll entry' if it would skew the statistical results. ;)
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I tend to play self sufficient characters who bring along their own healing and expect everyone else to be reasonably self sufficient as well. I try and contribute resources (mostly alchemist items but also, a wand of CLW and a few other expendables) to the party but don't spread it around excessively, particularly if some players build characters that lean on other characters by nature.
Mostly our group is fairly team oriented but I have seen some players who horde and don't share. Generally those same people aren't self sufficient either which is irritating.
Mostly our group is fairly team oriented but I have seen some players who horde and don't share. Generally those same people aren't self sufficient either which is irritating.
Now what does someone being in a massive, pillaging army have to do with hoarding? ;-)
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Questions.1. What class is your primary character?
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
1. Wizard lvl 6
2. I started out as healer (no - not a joke - no cleric - I added a trait to be at least partially able to stabilize - plus a healer kit that you can buy as starter) - but now I'm quite versatile. I do blast when possible - but also use knowledge or scrolls to assist in non-combatative goals. I even played front-line in one game. I was buffed up, the fighter was running (fear) and with my AC and HP I was able to hold the line best (albeit damage output of a wizard Str. 7 is neglible)
3. I did spend a Cure Medium Potion on level 5 (300gp) on another player. Yes - I did think twice about this - but I felt as I had been lucky in games before to play up / make more money this was my way to pay back in a game where I was highest level
4. I expect the fighters to both - protect me as well as stay out of the way so I can cast. I expect others with skills I don't have to use them if the party needs it.
5. Within limits. Yes - a charge from a wand here or there is expected. I do have my own potions of healing - but sometimes the situation just doesn't allow it. But no - I would not expect that someone empties half his wand for the group.
6. I don't expect it - but I hope they will do so. In one of my early games I was faced with the following option - go on my own against two enemies - no backup - cast Colour Spray to down them and use a potion to get the paladin up again to ensure our two fighters would get backup / wouldn't die because the two enemies I would take care of would just be the bit too much. The alternative would have been to turn back and leave the two fighters and the paladin to die (while rescuing the rest of the party). It was difficult as a single save would have probably not helped but also meant my character would go down with the others. I can't expect such behaviour from others. Some risk - yes. A 50:50 if they die or not - this is up to the player.
Thod
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Questions.1. What class is your primary character?
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
1. Cleric 10 and Paladin3/Bard2
2. As the Cleric I consider it healing and buffing. If no one can receive my buff, I generally will buff myself with it. Az the Paladin I expect to be the damage dealer in the front lines, even though I do have healing capability I reserve it for myself or for out of combat healing. As a note, all my characters (with the sole exception of the cleric, hilariously) has a wand of cure light wounds. My cleric has maybe once used someone elses wand because she finally ran out of cures/channels. If you're playing a CNE cleric then you probably will go through quite a few wands, either others or your own.
3.I generally don't use my gold-based resources for healing, PA used resources yes I do. I have also used mission boons to bring back a majority of the party back from turning to stone.
4. I generally don't expect much. I would greatly appreciate it if they had their own wand of cure light wounds or possibly a scroll or two or lesser restoration.
5. I would only expect that from my "home" PFS group. About the only thing I would expect is a wand of CLW to be used, especially if mine is being currently used / used up during an adventure. Even if it is all to heal my character, I'm generally up in front taking the damage so others aren't. Other than this I wouldn't expect a group to help raise dead me or bring me back from petrification etc. That is why I tend to save up PA until 16 or 20 PA for emergency situations.
6. I would expect all the party members to risk their lives for actions. Does this mean a wizard should go into melee to pull out of a dying comrade? No, because that would be stupid. Now if the wizard had a spell that could mimic that, then sure I would expect it. Or at the minimum I would expect the cleric to cast stabilize on me before I fully died. Even my LN fully an ass Cavalier will go up to save a comrade because they're a comrade, and more than that a valuable resource. You never want to lose your characters most valuable resource: his comrades.
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1. What class is your primary character?2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
1. Conjurer 8
2. Total control. He has been called a Battlefield Engineer by various other players.
3. Any whatsoever. It's worse to loose a character than a character's gold. And for people who haven't noticed: it's just a game.
4. Don't leave combat midway to do your faction mission.
5. Probably.
6. Yes, unless I did something really stupid, like wondering around on my own.
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Venture-Lieutenant, Arizona—Tucson
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How much do you expect other players' characters to do in helping your character? And how much do you feel responsible for assisting other player characters?
I will step in to keep my allies alive, and I expect my allies to do the same. I expect them to take risks, but not stupid ones. If I'm in battle on the front line and another fighter-type stands back to shoot a bow, he'd better have a few bow feats or be seriously wounded.
My characters generally carry enough healing resources to contribute to the party's general health. I expect others to do the same, carrying a few helpful potions, scrolls, or wands instead of expecting others to cover all such costs. I don't expect them to burn through hundreds of gold pieces worth of resources, but they should have such items available if needed.
Should a caster wade into battle to help a downed melee fighter? Should a cleric do so?
Only if it's worth doing! I don't want a caster taken out of action because he stepped into the range of a grappler or some hulking brute with reach.
I know people expect rogues to walk out front and look for traps, like captured soldiers sent ahead to probe for mines. I'm not sure I'd want that role if I played a rogue. I'd be happier if a druid sent his companion out. Or an unseen servant poked and prodded things.
From a roleplaying perspective, a lot of druids care about their companions. I don't mind treating such creatures as the party would a valued cohort or PC. I certainly don't expect the rogue to scout ahead without any backup.
1. What class is your primary character? Lately, Oracle/Barbarian
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group? Primary role, front-line warrior. Secondary role, healer/support caster.
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
Whatever is needed. I've chipped in to help raise other characters and use consumable magic as needed to buff others. I've handed out potions or scrolls of magic weapon, fly, or protection from evil. I expect people to support themselves when they can, but if my resources will make a difference, I'll utilize them.
This doesn't mean I recommend frivolous use of consumables. These spells have specific advantages and can make the party function much more efficiently. Sometimes a fighter-type who flies invisibly into the midst of the enemy can make a tough fight into a cakewalk.
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you? Whatever is reasonable and prudent. If I cover someone else's retreat, I'd like some backup myself.
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf? Yes.
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations? I don't want to cost the party through rash action, but sometimes timidity can be as dangerous as foolhardy haste.
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Chesterfield Agincourt-Smythe,
First off, I think you have brought up a very interesting question.
First I will try to answer your questions in order
1. My primary character or highest level character is a NG Mystic Theurge: 3rd level cleric of Pharasma / 3rd level Wizard Specialty Necromancer / 5th level Mystic Theurge.
2. I think my mystic Theurge’s responsibilities are to heal, cast support spells, informative spells etc, in short to use his magic to help and support the party.
3. My character is willing to use wand charges, Potions of healing, and scrolls, on the party.
4. I expect the other members of the party to fulfill their team roles so we can accomplish the mission. For example, I would expect the Fighter type to engage the monsters in melee combat, the rogue to scout ahead, and yes find traps, and the wizard to use his spells to help the party, and the Cleric to use his spells to bolster, and his healing to heal the party.
5. Yes I expect them to expend gold-based resources on my characters behalf, because I am willing to do the same for them.
6 I do expect someone else to risk their character’s lives on my behalf, because I have done this in the past for others.
This is after all a Cooperative game not so much a competitive game.
Now I also expect that this answers to these thoughtful questions will vary some what on the alignment of the character being played, but also I think the behavior of other Players will be closely tied to their “real life” alignment. There is a limit to the “ I’m just playing my alignment” excuses I am willing to take when someone is simply being a jerk.
To use extremes, some people are willing to go out of their way to help others, and others are quite self-centered and only think of things in terms of how it benefits them.
This is a very interesting question and I will chew over it some more. I am also curious to hear what other people have to say.
Interestingly, this mystic theurge, has at most used 2 wands of cure light wounds over his 11 level carrier because he has had access to the healing domain and the “rebuke death” domain ability, he also has Channel Positive energy (only at 2d6) to draw on and in addition to that, he can use Spectral hand, to deliver spontaneously cast cure spells at a distance.
My Lawful Neutral Cleric of Asmodeus by contrast who channels negative energy, has in three levels, gone through a cure light wounds wand, and has just bought his second. I am considering as a simple matter of personal character economics I am considering to be less generous with his charges of cure light wounds.
I am curious to see what others have said on this thread.
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1. What class is your primary character?
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
1. Gnomish Cleric of Shelyn 5 (Luck/Fate, Protection/Defense), former Taldan Calvary Officer (not primary, but most enjoyable right now)
2. Deciding what's best for the party. Promoting my advanced military tactics. Spitting on people of Kellish origin. Keeping everyone else protected and alive*3. Wands of CLW, Bless, Shield of Faith. Who needs PA anyway when you haven't been killed in over 160 years? :D I do plan on purchasing 5,000 gp in diamond dust at some point to give a free raise dead to a future worthy individual. Will likely buy wands of Barkskin and CMW soon.
4. Follow my tactics. Denounce Qadiran ways. Don't be stupid with your life.
5. No.
6. No. If I die, it's likely the party is already dead.
*People of Kellish origin and obvious/blatent supporters of Qadira's agenda need not apply.
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Now what does someone being in a massive, pillaging army have to do with hoarding? ;-)
Mostly our group is fairly team oriented but I have seen some players who horde and don't share. Generally those same people aren't self sufficient either which is irritating.
Its a bit ironic. A hoard of rouges show up whenever language geeks make silly niggles weather yew want them two ore knot. Watt this has too due with hoards eye don't no.
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1. What class is your primary character?
Summoner. Of the fiendish variety.
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
a) Crowd Control via applied Summon Monster use. Encounters where you're outnumbered are surprisingly well managed by throwing out 1d3 of the tier down in Monsters to provide flanks, garner attention, trip foes, etc. There are a number of Summoner spells which accomplish the same task (Glitterdust, Create Pit Series).
b) Buff Support. That's more or less what summoner spell lists are beyond conjuration.
c) Social Skills. Via traits I've made the character into a party face with a number of knowledge skills and languages.
d) Fire-and-Forget Melee Helper in the Eidolon. Need someone to make that suicide run of AoOs? To setup that flank? To dish out more damage to draw aggro away from PCs?
e) I don't participate in this one because I don't find it cost efficient, but Summoners are also valid Use Magic Device monkeys. I just can't guarantee auto scroll/wand use until upper tiers. I generally prefer reliability over possible, but never guaranteed, benefit. That, and this was the cost of party face skills/traits. It's proven worth the trade off in the ability it has given me to reliably complete faction missions, which I know my comrades find just as valuable.
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
Healing/Restorative Items, Ammunition/Alchemical Items, Buffs from Scrolls/Wands, and the assortment of Panic Button scrolls/potion/misc I carry. Their survival is key to success of the mission (both module and often faction), and these things help them survive. Other things are negotiable depending on the situation.
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
I'd expect some basic assistance in healing/restoration. I don't ask for buffs for this character unless they happen to be something he doesn't have and it's not better suited for another party member because he's a buff-bot. I maintain my own stock of Panic-Button items, but if a caster has the spell/buff to replicate this over an item in an emergency I'd prefer he/she use it.
I'm a big fan of staying conscious because many of my crowd control effects go away or are rendered less than useful if I'm unconscious, so healing before I got into negatives is good.
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
Yes. I expect people to bring backup wands of CLW, have healing/restorative potions/scrolls, and have a variety of other items intended for contingencies (swarms, animated objects, nasty traps) within their means. And I expect them to use them. My cooperation and assistance in the scenario mission comes with a social contract that I will receive the same from them.
In past living campaigns (namely certificate based ones) I have seen people be exceptionally miserly. I have watched individuals who whined, begged, pleaded, threw tantrums, and even forged gold on their log sheets to get an item turn around and refuse to use it to save the lives of characters (including mine) at the table. I've watched people in Living Greyhawk still do this after the shift was made to ARs, usually at the expense of lower level characters over their own higher level.
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
Yes and no. If I do something stupid, they have no obligation to save me. I generally only take risks I know are either necessary, will save a party member's life, and there is still a good chance I can survive the process. If it's a quirk of fate, a failed saving throw, or something I did nothing to actually get myself into: Yes, I do. With some exceptions, keeping your entire party alive always improves your chances of success. We've all seen modules scrapped when PCs die and the resources are no longer there to finish. That, and once whatever is going to kill me finishes doing so, it's probably coming after you. Dealing with it now and with another PC to help is in your best interest.
This obviously varies to some degree from character to character (as it should). My Lawful Neutral Chelaxian Summoner will save you if you're useful to him (most PCs are). My Neutral Qadiran Crossbowman may need more enticement or a different risk/reward arrangement. My Lawful Good Paladin of Sarenrae will charge in, falchion swinging, for anyone there's even a remote chance he thinks he can save.
At the end of the day, I think of adventuring as a social contract: You keep me alive, I'll keep you alive. This inevitably involves the expenditure of some resources that I expect players to both carry and expend after a certain point in their character's career. If your actions jeopardize your life and mine, I will attend to mine first, the then the other party members you've endangered, and then yours.
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1. What class is your primary character?
Lvl 9 Druid
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
Front Line Fighter and a buffer to a minor degree
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
Scrolls and wands
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
Participate in the combat and support the group as a team.
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
No. I only expect them to play as a team and not leave character to die due to selfish actions.
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
No and yes. I don't expect suicide missions. If I do something stupid and get myself killed, that is my fault. At times, the better situation is to have someone survive to complete the mission and not have a TPK. On the flip side, to some degree, sacrificing my character to save another depends on who the other player is.
The core of our PFS group is very generous and team oriented. Several times, they have pooled money together to raise a dead character. Myself and my girlfriend expend many charges pf our wands to heal other party members. The value of it is so small that it would seem silly to hoard it.(though me and my companion soak a lot of damage, so most gets used on us). It all comes down to how generous the player is and how much they feel they have to get something back when they give. I am pretty laid back, so I use a lot of purchased consumables on other people. I intentionally carry 8 scrolls of endure elements to buff the group with if needed. The thing I do get stingy with are 2nd and higher level scrolls. Those are mainly self preservation items.
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I still feel guilty because members of several factions were looking for the same NPC, and I was the only one who made the check to find him. I did not share the information with other players, thinking it was not what the character would do. My character got killed (a troll inflicted 40 points of damage in one round!), and the others contributed gold for a raise dead.
But I do not feel guilty about the old module where two factions had to retrieve the same item. I found it first and hid it from the Chelaxian.
1. What class is your primary character?
10 level red half-dragon fighter
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
My job is to be the primary melee damage dealer and meat shield for the squishies. RP wise I make things angry at me first and get the crud kicked out of me for my trouble.
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
Potions. thats it. I'm a fighter everything costs gold and the better weapons and armor i have the better i do my job.
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
Really only toss a heal spell at me when i'm getting close to the edge, a dead fighter does not a meatshield make. However RP wise if i'm putting my happy but on the line i expect every one to do something to aid in combat however it might be, and I expect fairness and not getting stolen from.
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
No. I'm able to take care of myself in a broad sense, but i do realize that the way my group plays we are always kinda strapped for cash.
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
I do. how often that happens so far is never despite putting things on the line to save them several times, I've always had to bail them out and then bail myself out.
I've partyed with rogues that steal alot from party chests every time we are presented one leaving the party destitute and the rogue rich and playing at destitute. And as a fighter and not having perception as a class skill i don't have the skills to catch him and kill him. Its generally a very tense party environment with every body out for themselves. sometimes its character specific others its player specific. in the end my fighter relies on himself and special materials instead of expensive magic items keeping the things he owns few and very large and obvious in case they are stolen. kinda hard for that rogue to hide my great sword when its bigger than they are and sharp enough to ruin bags of holding.
1. What class is your primary character?
Andrina Dunstan Fighter 5
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
Hitting things hard enough to put them down and keep them that way
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
Potions..she owns a wand of CLW which she lends out for adventures
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
I expect Clerics to heal and Arcane casters to deal with the stuff I cant
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
Wands and potions if necessary
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
I expect us to work together to complete the mission..sometimes that means having to be..heroic...because thats what we are, the heroes, not a bunch of individuals out to amass fame and fortune at each others expense
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I still feel guilty because members of several factions were looking for the same NPC, and I was the only one who made the check to find him. I did not share the information with other players, thinking it was not what the character would do. My character got killed (a troll inflicted 40 points of damage in one round!), and the others contributed gold for a raise dead.
But I do not feel guilty about the old module where two factions had to retrieve the same item. I found it first and hid it from the Chelaxian.
I am curious to know what module had conflicting faction missions because as far as I know that has never been part of the society. Interfering with other people's faction missions is the sort of douchebaggery which is discouraged in the PFS guide.
I am curious to know what module had conflicting faction missions because as far as I know that has never been part of the society. Interfering with other people's faction missions is the sort of douchebaggery which is discouraged in the PFS guide.
There was one adventure in Season 0, when they were still working things out. I forget which one it is, though.
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PFS#10 Blood at Dralkard Manor (Retired)
The Chelaxian mission was to find evidence of the summoning of an evil outsider at Dralkard Manor. The Andoran mission was to conceal the truth behind the downfall of the Dralkard family and what had happened at the Manor. Guess what had happened at the Manor?
The Chelaxian mission was supposed to be satisfied with recovering the body of an evil outsider still haunting the Manor. However, a body doesn't prove the evil outsider was summoned at Dralkard Manor. The best evidence of the summoning was the signed confession of Lord Dralkard. He had written the letter after his wife had been killed by the monster he summoned and he was about to commit suicide. Naturally the Andorans couldn't let that become public. This led to conflict. It was Season 0 and we still believed that the Factions were in a competition to "win" the Season.
I think I ran the scenario before anyone else did (November 2008). Of course there were both factions at the table. The Chelaxian barbarian knew the Andoran druid had found the letter and waited until the Andoran had fallen asleep before sneaking over and stealing it. The Andoran didn't wake but his pet wolf did. Wolf growled as the Chelaxian snatched the letter. The Andoran woke up to see the Chelaxian fleeing the scene, leaving the rest of the party to finish the scenario (funny how people still value their faction missions more than their Society missions). The Andoran sent his wolf after the Chelaxian, but it wasn't trained to use non-lethal attacks. When it caught up to the Chelaxian it began to attack. Knowing he couldn't escape the wolf, the Chelaxian declared he was eating the letter. "If I can't have my point, you won't get yours either".' That's when the Taldan felt left out and threw a sling stone at the injured Chelaxian, knocking him unconscious. Then the Taldan lectured the others about cooperation and trust (funny in how inappropriate it all was).
Of course, that's the kind of stuff the GM is supposed to stop from happening. However, all the players were grown-ups and were having fun. I should have said to the Chelaxian "I'm sorry, you can't steal the letter because that's part of the Andoran faction mission, you will have to find another way to accomplish your own mission." That wouldn't have been very memorable. This was also Season 0 and we felt that having fun trumped the 'No PVP' rules. None of the players were swept up with the "OMG, I didn't get all the PA points for the scenario. Now my character is going to suck!" sentiment among some players.
I should add that I wouldn't allow this to happen again if the same situation presents itself in an active scenario. But I do look back on Dralkard Manor fondly due to the way it went our first time through it.
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There was one adventure in Season 0, when they were still working things out. I forget which one it is, though.
I am curious to know what module had conflicting faction missions because as far as I know that has never been part of the society. Interfering with other people's faction missions is the sort of douchebaggery which is discouraged in the PFS guide.
It seems there was more than one scenario with conflicting missions. The module to which I referred was also a Season 0 module, perhaps "Shipyard Rats" or "Hydra's Fang". The Andoran and Cheliax faction missions were to retrieve the same ring with the crest of a Chelaxian noble house. At least, judging by the Chelaxian's repeated efforts to get the ring from me, I assume that was his mission also.
On one hand, it seems more realistic for factions to be competing. On the other hand, it makes the game less entertaining when the players are competing. I think the latter far outweighs the former.
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There was one adventure in Season 0, when they were still working things out. I forget which one it is, though.
I am curious to know what module had conflicting faction missions because as far as I know that has never been part of the society. Interfering with other people's faction missions is the sort of douchebaggery which is discouraged in the PFS guide.It seems there was more than one scenario with conflicting missions. The module to which I referred was also a Season 0 module, perhaps "Shipyard Rats" or "Hydra's Fang". The Andoran and Cheliax faction missions were to retrieve the same ring with the crest of a Chelaxian noble house. At least, judging by the Chelaxian's repeated efforts to get the ring from me, I assume that was his mission also.
On one hand, it seems more realistic for factions to be competing. On the other hand, it makes the game less entertaining when the players are competing. I think the latter far outweighs the former.
I remember the whole competitive thing but I don't recall ever having faction missions that conflicted. I stand corrected and I'm glad that's done with.
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1. What class is your primary character?
Magus 13
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
Kill. EVERYTHING.
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
Wand charges, the bandolier of miscellaneous low-level potions I carry that completely negate entire hazards, etc.
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
Play their characters to the best of their ability. Use my wand on me out of combat if I'm unconscious (I can use it if I'm conscious).
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
No, but it's a sign of a mature and helpful player when they realize how helpful it can be.
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
I expect them to risk their characters' lives for the mission. Since keeping the whirling dervish of electric death alive usually contributes to that end, it's probably a good idea to stick your neck out for me a little. I'll make it worth the risk.
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It's interesting that even after 5 years, this discussion is still valid and relevent.
Having played a few scenarios alongside the Magus from Gamemaster's post, let me add that the Magus tended to position himself on the map with care. His role in the party tended towards a mobile damage dealing strike force rather than a tank. Sometimes he'd get trapped up in enemy forces, but it wasn't by thoughtlessly charging into them. A point worthy of making, since the last question asks about how easily a player would let their character get into dangerous situations.
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1. What class is your primary character?
Cleric 8/Holy Vindicator 1
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
Healing, buffing, removing debuffs, generally keeping the rest of the party happy and healthy. Not being completely helpless in combat so that I have to be rescued too often.
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
I purchase wands, potions, and scrolls to help fulfill my primary responsibility. I use them freely on other PCs as well as NPCs.
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
Whatever they feel comfortable and necessary to do. I generally don't worry about what the other PCs do.
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
I don't expect, but it would be nice as I will do it for others.
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
I don't try to put myself in dangerous situations unless to protect the life of those who cannot defend themselves or to fight evil outsiders. I don't expect others to bail me out.
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This is one of those types of discussions I learned to avoid like the plague.
I think I stopped after the infamous I bought a Gosh Darn Cure Wand thread.
Topics like this, and Paladin alignment threads, are usually the first I "Hide".
I don't think the 5 year thread necro was warranted.
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1. What class is your primary character?
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
There's nothing saying that we have to help each other, but we're much more unlikely to succeed at our missions if we don't. Also much more likely to die.
1.)L15 Qingong Zen Archer 13/ Reformation Heretic Inquisitor 2 (Awaiting Seeker Missions)
L5 Dual-Cursed Life Oracle 4 / Hospitalier Paladin 1 (Going pure channeler with Holy Vindicator, and a level of Merciful Healer Cleric)
2.)Zen Archer - Tank and Damage. 40+ AC and massive damage potential anywhere on the map.
Channeler - Keep the party up and going. Life Link and Shield Other on up to 5 PCs each. Will be expending up to 4 channels a round to do so in a few levels. Channel/Quicken Channel, with Reactive Healing Immediate action channel if I fall.
3.)Wand Charges, including the Cure Serious Wand I bought on the ZA.
4.)Zen Archer - request caster types cast Shield, Enlarge, or Gravity Bow into my Ioun Stones off my wands.
Channeler - Help me on skill checks. I'll keep you up, you keep 'em off of me!
5.)If needed for the mission, yes (Wands are cheap). If I end up dead due to my own idiocy, so be it. This is much more likely on the Channeler at some point taking half damage from an AoE from 5 allies, and full damage myself with life link kicking in on my turn would suck.
6.)I generally build my PCs to be the ones saving their allies lives, as needed, instead of the other way around. My flying halfling 'Cavalier' had to bull rush an ally close enough to our healer to get Breath of Life'd in Siege of the Diamond City(Seeker tier).
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1. What class is your primary character?
Sorcerer 14 (Abyssal)
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
General arcane casting and support. I've tried to build him to where he can blast if he needs to blast, or utility cast if that's what's needed. Even an emergency healer when needed. The only thing he's not good at is saving throw based spells (though a Ring of Spell Storing with Ill Omen helps with that. Quickened Ill Omen plus Flesh to Stone ftw! It's two 6th level slots, but it makes up a lot for a lower DC).
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
Anything and everything. He carries around 4 dozen scrolls. Everything from Break Enchantment, Teleport, or other situational Sorcerer spells (which he can use through his Mnemonic Vestments as well), to things he has to UMD like Invigorate, Lesser Restoration, Death Ward, and even Breath of Life (which he has pulled off once to save the party Magus, after Ferious himself had been BoL'ed earlier that same round. Krune! At least we were all standing next to each other when he dropped us to make the chain of BoLs possible). In lower tier scenarios, I've even stepped up to be the front liner when needed (I was playing down in a 1-5 and had the best AC/most hit points).
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
I generally don't know what everyone does best with their character, so I let them make that decision.
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
I would never expect or demand that. Not every character is even going to have resources available. It's nice when it happens, but not expected. I've had one character I was ready to walk away from because of a death at 3rd level, but the party insisted on contributing to get him raised. That was nice of them.
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
I try not to get myself into dangerous situations or to have a way out of them if I do (Emergency Force Sphere and Dimension Door!). But if I do find myself in imminent danger, I want them to do what's best for the party's chance of success overall. A recent example on a different character, my Oracle/Warpriest was in the maw of a giant worm. The Brawler had already almost been swallowed, but broke out after I cast Liberating Command. I was level 8 playing up into a 10-11. The worm burrowed up right next to us, so I never had a chance to keep away from it. When the other Oracle's turn came up, my advice was to heal the Brawler, because he might actually be able to kill the thing. I'm just a distraction. As luck would have it, between the Brawler, the Ninja, and the Kineticist, they did kill it before it ate me. So I'm very thankful for that. But I wouldn't have expected anyone to trade getting their character killed for mine. The best I figured I could do was to keep it focused on me for another round so it didn't eat anyone else.
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1. What class is your primary character?
At the moment, Druid level 9.
2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
-Buff the party, particularly monks and animal companions.
-Be the party face (this is not your typical druid)
-Completely Negate an encounter or two every other session by bellyrubbing a monster into letting us pass, or even joining us.
-Play Ping pong with the DM and the scenario. They have darkness, I have daylight. There's gas? I have lifebubble. Fire damage? Group hug resist fire.
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
Scrolls, wand charges, charges of "channel the gift" for buffs, ressurection funds.
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
Go whack stuff that cant be reasoned with.
DON"T whack the stuff that can be reasoned with. She will shake her finger angrily at you if you hurt the diverse and wonderful creatures native to this ecosystem.
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
A party chipping in for a ressurection should it happen would be nice.
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
This one stays in the back where its safe.
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Venture-Captain, Ireland—Belfast
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1. What class is your primary character?2. What duties do you consider your responsibility within the group?
3. What gold-based resources are you willing to expend for other characters in the group without the possibility of repayment?
4. What do you expect other members of your PFS session to do to support you?
5. Do you expect them to expend gold-based resources on your behalf?
6. Do you expect them to risk their character's lives on your behalf? If so, do you take this into consideration before you get yourself into dangerous situations?
1 Universalist wizard 11
2. Indirect damage, support and control of enemies & environment3 CLW wand, CMW potions, scrolls of Breath of Life
4 Everything in their power
5 Yes within reason
6 Again, yes within reason. Yes wether the team collected for a mission is made of the right stuff is a major concern consideration!
At Paizoncon UK last year I ended up providing my Breath of Life Scroll to save the party's fighter in two consecutive scenarios! It was money well spent though he is under notice to buy his own for this year. The drama surrounding the latter table where the bard needed to use a reroll to UMD the scroll was hugely enjoyable.