dinketry Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin |
Keovar |
Aly and Sonne,
Slight modification to our discussion last night. If you play a pregen, you can either apply it to a new 1st level OR hold it until your character is the level of the Pregen you played.
Hey this is Kevin, who previously posted as Marrec.
How many pregen credits can apply to one character? Say you used a pregen to start, which was applied to a first level custom character. Later you used a pregen to play in a 5th-level game. Would you be able to apply that higher level credit once the custom character was of the appropriate level? That would be a second pregen credit, but at different tiers. What if you'd played pregens two or three times at that higher tier; could you apply all of them to the same character once it caught up?
(Feeling rather uninspired after my character died Saturday... for me it takes a kind of personal investment, getting to know them as an alternate persona, getting excited at the possibilities of what they might do, etc. I'm not comparing this to the loss of a real person or anything, but there is a sense of loss like you might feel if some art you created got destroyed. Pregen characters don't have the same gravitas, so they seem like a better option than just dropping out until I feel creative again.)
~K~
dinketry Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin |
Hey, Kevin. I'm glad you're going to come back and game with us. As far as pre-gen character credit goes, I'm awaiting an answer from Paizo Central. I should have your answer shortly.
ObscureLego, I will be running Intro Step Part 3 in the early slot this coming Friday (as we played Intro Steps 1 and 2 this past weekend). We may be able to get Intro Step 2 going for you in the afternoon slot if we have more Greenies.
I've created the APL event for this Saturday (7/21 at the Wyvern's Tale). IT'S HERE. Just in case you wanted a look-see. Of course, you can also go to WARHORN to actually sign up and stuff.
-Dink
Delbert Collins II |
How many pregen credits can apply to one character?
There is not limit to the number of pregen credits you can apply to a character. There is a limit of 3 XP per level, or 3 scenario chronicles for normal progression and 6 scenario chronicles per level for slow progression.
Say you used a pregen to start, which was applied to a first level custom character. Later you used a pregen to play in a 5th-level game. Would you be able to apply that higher level credit once the custom character was of the appropriate level?
Yes.
What if you'd played pregens two or three times at that higher tier; could you apply all of them to the same character once it caught up?
Yes, however, keep in mind with all this pre-gen playing that you are doing: pre-gens are weaker than a PFS character of the same level and prone to death and if you die using a pre-gen - the character number you signed up to that scenario with is DEAD. You could have him raised, etc. as usual but if you are playing your actual character and not a pre-gen you might avoid this type of thing.
dinketry Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin |
zylphryx |
dinketry wrote:Kevin, there's your answer, from the 5-star VC himself.From his answer it seems the death is applied to the number, regardless of the name. I suppose I'll just stick with the numbers, then.
Well, in all honesty, the only way to track the stats for each PC is via their number, not their name (you can't run with the name as a key value in the database as it could very easily be duplicated, whereas your PFS # plus your character # is a unique value). Keep in mind that once that number dies, ALL the chronicle sheets allocated to that PC are gone as well.
Keovar |
Well, in all honesty, the only way to track the stats for each PC is via their number, not their name (you can't run with the name as a key value in the database as it could very easily be duplicated, whereas your PFS # plus your character # is a unique value). Keep in mind that once that number dies, ALL the chronicle sheets allocated to that PC are gone as well.
No, I get that. It's just the "pregens are weak" thing underlines that a relatively well-rounded person is weak, while a collection of numbers is more likely to survive. I guess it just pointed out the error in my character-building philosophy. I have a tendency to think of my characters as if they were people, and am reluctant to dump-stat or do a lot of other efficient but anti-thematic things. Naming them is symbolic of thinking of them as people... but just as success or failure is only applied to the character number, whether it succeeds or fails is only dependent upon its stat numbers.
My next character will be 37735-2, and that's all. I may even be able to find a spare chess pawn to use as a miniature...AlyGlows |
No, I get that. It's just the "pregens are weak" thing implies that a relatively well-rounded person is weak, while a collection of numbers is more likely to survive. I guess it just pointed out the error in my philosophy. I have a tendency to think of my characters as of they were people, and am reluctant to dump-stat or do a lot of other efficient but anti-thematic things. Naming them is symbolic of thinking of them as people... but just as success or failure is only applied to the character number, whether it succeeds or fails is only dependent upon its stat numbers. My next character will be 37735-2, and that's all. I may even be able to find a spare chess pawn to use as a miniature.
I think that's a good philosophy to have. You have a more realistic person that way and can roleplay much better. However, with all the battling I've come across in pathfinder society play, its difficult to make characters like that. (At least from how well I game. Yay newbie!)
What I try to do is build the character and have a reason for the bad stats and good. For example, my witch Sesa she has a terrible strength stat, so I play her as if she knows shes weak so she tries to appear strong via her powers instead. ((Or her childlike ignorance one!)) You can actually have fun with terrible and strong stats via min/maxing.
zylphryx |
zylphryx wrote:Well, in all honesty, the only way to track the stats for each PC is via their number, not their name (you can't run with the name as a key value in the database as it could very easily be duplicated, whereas your PFS # plus your character # is a unique value). Keep in mind that once that number dies, ALL the chronicle sheets allocated to that PC are gone as well.No, I get that. It's just the "pregens are weak" thing underlines that a relatively well-rounded person is weak, while a collection of numbers is more likely to survive. I guess it just pointed out the error in my character-building philosophy. I have a tendency to think of my characters as if they were people, and am reluctant to dump-stat or do a lot of other efficient but anti-thematic things. Naming them is symbolic of thinking of them as people... but just as success or failure is only applied to the character number, whether it succeeds or fails is only dependent upon its stat numbers.
My next character will be 37735-2, and that's all. I may even be able to find a spare chess pawn to use as a miniature...
I think it really just boils down to whether you want to play a single use PC or a more well rounded one. My main PC is a rogue who is keeping her Perform skill as a primary skill. Does it help on any missions, no, not really. Does it fit my character concept? Yes it does.
Now with that said, she did have a dump stat at the time of creation (Wisdom), but it will be getting built up with the additional points she will get as she continues to level up. No matter what anyone says, negative modifiers suck.
She has nearly died several times, but the things that have kept her alive so far, aside from luck (which is a given for any character where dice are concerned), is playing to her strengths specifically. She will hop into melee mainly when she can get flank and if wounded significantly (more than 50%) and not healed by another party, she will withdraw from combat and try to heal herself (she carries a couple of wands of CLW and healing potions).
Additionally her purchases have primarily been those that will help her gain a temporary advantage (potions of invisibility, wand of shield, etc).
I would honestly say come up with a name and class at the minimum if you are going to play pregens initially. As to what ultimate role he or she would fill, that could be filled in once you are ready to fill in the details.
Also, if you are going to run the pregen route, also note that you cannot play a pregen if you have a PC for the tier of the scenario (this last bit was confirmed by Mike Brock earlier today in another thread). So you would be looking at playing mid tiers or high tiers to build up the chronicle sheets.
Keovar |
I think that's a good philosophy to have. You have a more realistic person that way and can roleplay much better. However, with all the battling I've come across in pathfinder society play, its difficult to make characters like that. (At least from how well I game. Yay newbie!)
What I try to do is build the character and have a reason for the bad stats and good. For example, my witch Sesa she has a terrible strength stat, so I play her as if she knows shes weak so she tries to appear strong via her powers instead. ((Or her childlike ignorance one!)) You can actually have fun with terrible and strong stats via min/maxing.
I'm not sure which character-design philosophy you were saying is good.
It's not as if I haven't given my characters bad scores in things, it's just that I've done so where it was important to represent the character concept. The roleplaying philosophy takes the persona first and fits the mechanics around it, while I was talking about switching to the opposite. Playing in a home game, it matters if the character has a personality, just as it matters if you play a series in order or not. I won't claim that either approach to a fantasy game is more 'realistic', but telling a story in order and with characters that are treated as people does give it a sense of verisimilitude. This isn't a home game, though. The story parts are often not in order and the GM isn't going to base story elements around the characters' strengths and weaknesses. The 'story' is a collection of numbers, so the more successful characters will be ones that are collections of numbers. I'm talking about recognizing that by not trying to attach a name to the number.Keovar |
Also, if you are going to run the pregen route, also note that you cannot play a pregen if you have a PC for the tier of the scenario (this last bit was confirmed by Mike Brock earlier today in another thread). So you would be looking at playing mid tiers or high tiers to build up the chronicle sheets.
I don't have a character. The new number has a credit from a pregen, but that's it.
dinketry Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin |
I'm not sure which character-design philosophy you were saying is good...The story parts are often not in order and the GM isn't going to base story elements around the characters' strengths and weaknesses. The 'story' is a collection of numbers, so the more successful characters will be ones that are collections of numbers. I'm talking about recognizing that by not trying to attach a name to the number...
The most important thing about PFS is having fun. There are people who enjoy making characters with complex back stories and disadvantageous ability scores. And there are scenarios that are role-playing-heavy and combat-scarce. There are also people who enjoy making munchkins. And there are blood-splattered scenarios for those players as well. Both design philosophies are valid; it's simply a matter of what feels right to you.
There is an over-arching storyline to PFS, though I'll admit that it's difficult to see after one or two scenarios, but it's there. The genius of PFS, in my estimation, is the random weave of different characters in a single-run scenario, combining personalities and talents to complete one main mission, as well as several individual side missions. The magic is in the mesh.
You may be interested in making your character into a Shadow Lodge faction member. Interestingly enough, the Shadow Lodge arose from a bunch of disgruntled Pathfinders who felt like the Grand Lodge treated them less like people and more like rats. Corollaries can be found throughout literature and history, as well as within your concerns, Kevin. You may be able to channel some of that into a kick-ass Shadow Lodge member.
I've been so proud and honored to be a story-teller and make-believer alongside the amazing people at Asheville PFS. We get a few hours, 1-2 times per month (sometimes 3) to come together as Pathfinders. We all deserve to have our own fun during that time. And only you can determine what that fun is. There are a bunch of die-hard crazy-ass neutral-evil (looking at you, Luthril) Mwangi maniacs in this lodge, and I wouldn't trade any of you.
And you're one of us, Kevin. So when you're making your next character, you rock out like you're going to rock out. And it will be glorious galloping all over Golarion with you.
-Dinketry
Keovar |
You may be interested in making your character into a Shadow Lodge faction member. Interestingly enough, the Shadow Lodge arose from a bunch of disgruntled Pathfinders who felt like the Grand Lodge treated them less like people and more like rats. Corollaries can be found throughout literature and history, as well as within your concerns, Kevin. You may be able to channel some of that into a kick-ass Shadow Lodge member.
The faction credit for that pregen I played went to Silver Crusade because it was a cleric. As far as that particular faction goes, I like the silver ankh symbol, but that's about it. Shadow Lodge sounds interesting, and seems like it should be closely aligned with Andoran goals, though in the games where there wasn't a Shadow Lodge mission, SL members were left to pick up the Chelaxian one.
dinketry Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin |
Goln "Goon" Leapstep |
BTW Goon: I have your mini, chronicle sheet and character sheet. PM me and we can work out a time and place to meet. I can come by WCU pretty much any time after 6pmish. Or I could scan and email your papers or just meet and give it to you on the 21st or whatever. Let me know.
Sometime in the next couple days would be great. I don't actually need the character sheet, but the rest would be nice, especially as I wont be able to make it on the 21st. I'll be home, so let me know whenever you're back from work and have a second
Nansen |
ObscureLego, I will be running Intro Step Part 3 in the early slot this coming Friday (as we played Intro Steps 1 and 2 this past weekend). We may be able to get Intro Step 2 going for you in the afternoon slot if we have more Greenies.
I'm no greenie, but if I feel up to playing this weekend, I'd like to get in on Intro 2. I've only played Intro 3, and I kind of like the idea of playing the series in backwards order.
dinketry Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin |
dinketry Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin |
Delbert Collins II |
It's just the "pregens are weak" thing underlines that a relatively well-rounded person is weak, while a collection of numbers is more likely to survive. I guess it just pointed out the error in my character-building philosophy. I have a tendency to think of my characters as if they were people, and am reluctant to dump-stat or do a lot of other efficient but anti-thematic things. Naming them is symbolic of thinking of them as people... but just as success or failure is only applied to the character number, whether it succeeds or fails is only dependent upon its stat numbers.
My next character will be 37735-2, and that's all. I may even be able to find a spare chess pawn to use as a miniature...
PFS characters can be extremely flavorful and far more well-rounded than a pre-gen. The most important thing about a character is the customization. I have twenty characters and everyone is different with a different persona and I enjoy playing them all.
If you are really into playing the Iconics/Pre-gens then by all means have fun!!! The point that I was trying to make was if you plan on making a character at some point yet continue to use pre-gens to earn chronicles for that character you will want to consider the risk of doing that. Many people think they can play pre-gens, get them killed and there is no consequence for doing that. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of those risks.
Putting a ton of energy into building and playing and leveling a character only to lose it due to playing a pre-gen in its place would suck for me. If my character dies, I personally want to be playing that character when it happens.
Thorynn |
Alright! It sounds like we've got a pretty good size order going so far. If we can get Wyverns Tale to round out the order to an even 20, the prices will be the same as last time: $10 for S, M, L, XL, $11 for XXL and XXXL.
Once we get the order in, the turn around time is about two weeks. The next con APL decends on won't know what him 'em!
StrangePackage |
Speaking of WT involvement, I think it's high time we mobilized some of the very talented clipartist and graphic designers on here to begin creating those flyer inserts for Pathfinder books sold at WT and maybe also at That Other Gaming Store We Don't Talk About (TOGSWDTA, for short [though that's not really short, is it?])
As I recall posted at TOGSWDTA, there was a Pathfinder Society flier. It would probably serve our interests quite well at this point, with whatever minor changes we needed to make. Who made that? Do they still have a copy? What kind of changes might we make to it now? Or do we want to wait until we have our very own website?
I would volunteer some time to go around to local gaming shops, coffee shops, comic stores and book stores to post fliers about the APL, once we have the fliers in hand.
We also need to talk to our UNCA/ABtech/Warren Wilson/Mars Hill/WCU folks about getting volunteers to post fliers around campus at the start of the fall semester, which is only a short 5-6 weeks away.
All this means we need to resolve most of the flier/leaflet type stuff within the next 2-3 weeks.
We can conduct this preliminary business on here, and then make general announcements between the Early and Late games on Saturday to make sure we're all on the same page.
Stupottery |
Keovar wrote:I'm not sure which character-design philosophy you were saying is good...The story parts are often not in order and the GM isn't going to base story elements around the characters' strengths and weaknesses. The 'story' is a collection of numbers, so the more successful characters will be ones that are collections of numbers. I'm talking about recognizing that by not trying to attach a name to the number...The most important thing about PFS is having fun. There are people who enjoy making characters with complex back stories and disadvantageous ability scores. And there are scenarios that are role-playing-heavy and combat-scarce. There are also people who enjoy making munchkins. And there are blood-splattered scenarios for those players as well. Both design philosophies are valid; it's simply a matter of what feels right to you.
There is an over-arching storyline to PFS, though I'll admit that it's difficult to see after one or two scenarios, but it's there. The genius of PFS, in my estimation, is the random weave of different characters in a single-run scenario, combining personalities and talents to complete one main mission, as well as several individual side missions. The magic is in the mesh.
You may be interested in making your character into a Shadow Lodge faction member. Interestingly enough, the Shadow Lodge arose from a bunch of disgruntled Pathfinders who felt like the Grand Lodge treated them less like people and more like rats. Corollaries can be found throughout literature and history, as well as within your concerns, Kevin. You may be able to channel some of that into a kick-ass Shadow Lodge member.
I've been so proud and honored to be a story-teller and make-believer alongside the amazing people at Asheville PFS. We get a few hours, 1-2 times per month (sometimes 3) to come together as Pathfinders. We all deserve to have our own fun during that time. And only you can determine what that fun is. There are a bunch of die-hard crazy-ass neutral-evil (looking at...
Where is the like button when I actually need one right on dink right on.. also i would like a shirt Kev xl for the order if this is not to late. Final note I can cover Mars Hill and the Ab Tech for flyers
dinketry Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin |
As I recall posted at TOGSWDTA, there was a Pathfinder Society flier. It would probably serve our interests quite well at this point, with whatever minor changes we needed to make. Who made that? Do they still have a copy? What kind of changes might we make to it now? Or do we want to wait until we have our very own website?
I really like the name TOGSWDTA. I think we may have found the second t-shirt that the APL puts out.
In my recollection, Eaghen designed the flyer that we had at TOGSWDTA. He had them printed out at the Kinko's in Biltmore Village. I had a number of them for a while. He's likely somewhere in Singapore right now, so we might need someone else to step up.
I would love to round up a few GMs who'd be willing to prepare for the college gamers with Intro Steps, etc. Possibly some of you gamers who are collegiates? (Aly, Sonne, hint hint)
Nansen |
Heads up to all the GMs who might be considering running a scenario from Season 0, 1, or 2 in the near future. Until August 13th, they're all on sale for $1 off as part of Paizo's 10th Anniversary Sale. There are a bunch of non-PFS-specific items on sale too.
Thorynn |
Here are the shirts for the second round so far. If you want to get in on this order, or I missed your message, send me a PM on here and we'll get you added. I know if we can get to 20 shirts we can get the same pricing as last time. If wyverns tale wants to stock a few we should be good to go.
We'll be looking back in black around the table(s) soon!
Luthril |
Heads up to all the GMs who might be considering running a scenario from Season 0, 1, or 2 in the near future. Until August 13th, they're all on sale for $1 off as part of Paizo's 10th Anniversary Sale. There are a bunch of non-PFS-specific items on sale too.
This is partly due to many of season 0 being retired soon
Goln "Goon" Leapstep |
Speaking of WT involvement, I think it's high time we mobilized some of the very talented clipartist and graphic designers on here to begin creating those flyer inserts for Pathfinder books sold at WT and maybe also at That Other Gaming Store We Don't Talk About (TOGSWDTA, for short [though that's not really short, is it?])
As I recall posted at TOGSWDTA, there was a Pathfinder Society flier. It would probably serve our interests quite well at this point, with whatever minor changes we needed to make. Who made that? Do they still have a copy? What kind of changes might we make to it now? Or do we want to wait until we have our very own website?
I admit I'm not good with photo-shop for graphic design type stuff, but I can certainly do some artwork for us, if someone else can transfer that work onto a flyer. That, or we could just steal some Paizo images <_<
Nansen |
Nansen wrote:I'm no greenie...What do you mean, Nansen? Just look at your icon!
Well whaddayaknow, there is some green in there, despite the best efforts of my monitor to hide it.
Seeing as how I'm a greenie again, that means I don't have to GM again for another 3d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) = 9 months, right? :-)
This is partly due to many of season 0 being retired soon
Oh, I hadn't heard that. Is there a list somewhere of the ones being retired?
dinketry Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin |
I admit I'm not good with photo-shop for graphic design type stuff, but I can certainly do some artwork for us, if someone else can transfer that work onto a flyer. That, or we could just steal some Paizo images <_<
Mike Brock (PFS coordinator) told Dain and I that as long as we can incorporate Paizo's corporate policy about copyrightable images, etc, into the packaging or design of whatever it is we're making, we're free and clear to use Paizo images.
I'd need to check with Brock on the specifics, but the man was in law enforcement before he came to Paizo. He'd know.
-Dink
AlyGlows |
I would love to round up a few GMs who'd be willing to prepare for the college gamers with Intro Steps, etc. Possibly some of you gamers who are collegiates? (Aly, Sonne, hint hint)
Teach me and I'll try, heck I'd be willing after school on a Friday to host a "Meet Pathfinders" intro thing for UNC Asheville and let people test out things. Lure them into this addiction bwhahaha!
On a side note, I do know photoshop pretty well and I can brush up on InDesign again. I use to want to do printing graphics before I got into international studies. I'm not the best but I will lend my OCD tendencies if everyone else is busy. ^_^; All I ask is what needs to be said and stock photos if need be.
Nansen |
I think there are 9 that are listed as retired (it shows under the price of the pdf).
Ahh... those I knew about. The way I read Luth's comment, I thought there were additional Season 0 scenarios slated to be retired in the near future.
Before anyone puts in too much work on a flyer, I remembered that VC Stephen White from Australia had done up some very nice-looking flyers that we could use. Over in this thread Mr. White even provides some suggestions for how to make use of them.
He's done quite a few designs, so I'd suggest we pick a very few of them and do different text for each one. I was thinking maybe one lady (other than Seoni), one dude, and one monster. Or maybe stick to the CRB pregens, so if someone sees a flyer, they can actually play the character they see.
ObscureLego |
dinketry wrote:
I would love to round up a few GMs who'd be willing to prepare for the college gamers with Intro Steps, etc. Possibly some of you gamers who are collegiates? (Aly, Sonne, hint hint)
Teach me and I'll try, heck I'd be willing after school on a Friday to host a "Meet Pathfinders" intro thing for UNC Asheville and let people test out things. Lure them into this addiction bwhahaha!
On a side note, I do know photoshop pretty well and I can brush up on InDesign again. I use to want to do printing graphics before I got into international studies. I'm not the best but I will lend my OCD tendencies if everyone else is busy. ^_^; All I ask is what needs to be said and stock photos if need be.
I just enrolled at AB Tech, and I know a bunch of people who are going to UNCA
Thorynn |
Are the designs for the shirt set in stone at this point? If whoever is in charge of the shirts could give me a call at the store tomorrow I'd like to hammer out some details.
-sim sim
They kind of are, in that if we change the design there will be another art/screen charge, so it would add to the cost to change it. I'll give you a call later today and we'll figure out the details.
StrangePackage |
zylphryx wrote:I think there are 9 that are listed as retired (it shows under the price of the pdf).Ahh... those I knew about. The way I read Luth's comment, I thought there were additional Season 0 scenarios slated to be retired in the near future.
Before anyone puts in too much work on a flyer, I remembered that VC Stephen White from Australia had done up some very nice-looking flyers that we could use. Over in this thread Mr. White even provides some suggestions for how to make use of them.
He's done quite a few designs, so I'd suggest we pick a very few of them and do different text for each one. I was thinking maybe one lady (other than Seoni), one dude, and one monster. Or maybe stick to the CRB pregens, so if someone sees a flyer, they can actually play the character they see.
Those ARE quite nice. Probably a great jumping off point for now.