Highlights from Q&A with Mike Brock at Owlcon.


Pathfinder Society

Grand Lodge 4/5

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After 'Race for the Runecarved Key', Texas gamers got a chance to ask Mike Brock their questions about the future of Pathfinder Society, and he revealed some interesting bits of information on season 5.

Some changes to factions and how they work:

Number of factions likely to be reduced partially so writers have to spend less time writing for factions which are barely played. There are likely to be scenarios which center around these factions' fall. Mechanics for changing factions for those affected were discussed, but are not set in stone yet. Old faction traits and vanities from those factions will remain in effect, but it will no longer be possible to take them on new characters.

The disconnect between nation-based (Taldor/Qadira/Osirion/Cheliax/Andoran) and ideology-based (Silver Crusade/Lantern Lodge/Grand Lodge/Scarzni/Shadow Lodge) was discussed as something Mike was unhappy with.

These and more details on changes to the faction system to be revealed in the blog soon.

Just as season 4 spent a lot of time in Varisia, season 5 is likely to see a lot of The Worldwound. Future seasons are unlikely to be connected completely to adventure paths, in order to allow the PFS and AP players to experience different parts of Golarion. However, nothing is set in stone.

Mike mentioned wanting to put out a PFS book which would remain in print indefinitely versus the limited-run 'Seekers of Secrets' and 'Field Guide' sometime after that book. However, further internal discussion is needed at Paizo and will be announced when there is more concrete info.

'The Fabric of Reality' will not be the last appearance of the Hao Jin Tapestry.

Mike expressed a desire to setup a GM reward system for every star level, beyond the 4-star exclusive scenarios. This will require a lot of work from Paizo IT team, who are currently tied down to Paizo's virtual tabletop project, as well as several other projects.

Sanctioning of 'Reign of Winter' and future adventure paths was discussed. Mike commented that it was too early into seeing results from 'Shatered Star' and 'Rise of the Runelords' sanctioned to know how expanding this will effect the campaign. He would like to see more reporting data and feedback on sanctioned APs before sanctioning additional APs.

'First Steps' may be retired, as it introduces faction leaders who may longer be present in season 5, and new players are often not interested in committing 12 hours to an intro series.

Finally, Mike teased scenarios for tier 12.

4/5

Kelly Youngblood wrote:

After 'Race for the Runecarved Key', Texas gamers got a chance to ask Mike Brock their questions about the future of Pathfinder Society, and he revealed some interesting bits of information on season 5.

Fascinating stuff! Were the differences from your last version corrections of mistakes or just redactions of things that were too secret?

Grand Lodge 4/5 Pathfinder Society Campaign Coordinator

Rogue Eidolon wrote:
Kelly Youngblood wrote:

After 'Race for the Runecarved Key', Texas gamers got a chance to ask Mike Brock their questions about the future of Pathfinder Society, and he revealed some interesting bits of information on season 5.

Fascinating stuff! Were the differences from your last version corrections of mistakes or just redactions of things that were too secret?

Redactions at my request. Kelly was awesome for honoring that request.

4/5

Michael Brock wrote:
Rogue Eidolon wrote:
Kelly Youngblood wrote:

After 'Race for the Runecarved Key', Texas gamers got a chance to ask Mike Brock their questions about the future of Pathfinder Society, and he revealed some interesting bits of information on season 5.

Fascinating stuff! Were the differences from your last version corrections of mistakes or just redactions of things that were too secret?
Redactions at my request. Kelly was awesome for honoring that request.

Then consider my lips sealed as well.

Liberty's Edge 4/5 5/55/5 **

Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber; Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber

Most important thing I did not find out...

Mike still won't tell me his favorite beer!!!

Grand Lodge 5/5

Dragnmoon wrote:

Most important thing I did not find out...

Mike still won't tell me his favorite beer!!!

Falcon Excreta Brewery - Very Pale Ale

The Exchange 5/5

Was he wearing a turtleneck & chain? That could be a clue.

Shadow Lodge

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I'm very curious about what was redacted now, guess I'll have to wait to find out.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Dylos wrote:
I'm very curious about what was redacted now, guess I'll have to wait to find out.

Watch the Paizo blog closely then...

4/5 ****

Kelly Youngblood wrote:
Dylos wrote:
I'm very curious about what was redacted now, guess I'll have to wait to find out.
Watch the Paizo blog closely then...

There was no PFS blog last week :(

3/5

I'm excited about the upcoming changes and improvements to Pathfinder Society. It just keeps getting better and better!

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, West Virginia—Charleston

Craig Stokes wrote:
I'm excited about the upcoming changes and improvements to Pathfinder Society. It just keeps getting better and better!

Might even say you're....stoked?

Shadow Lodge 4/5 *** Venture-Captain, Michigan—Mt. Pleasant

Pirate Rob wrote:
Kelly Youngblood wrote:
Dylos wrote:
I'm very curious about what was redacted now, guess I'll have to wait to find out.
Watch the Paizo blog closely then...
There was no PFS blog last week :(

And as its an hour and a half past the normal post time, its not looking good for this week either... :/

Sczarni 5/5 *

Netopalis wrote:
Craig Stokes wrote:
I'm excited about the upcoming changes and improvements to Pathfinder Society. It just keeps getting better and better!
Might even say you're....stoked?

Oh I see what you did there! You cheeky fellow.

1/5 Contributor

Eric Clingenpeel wrote:
Pirate Rob wrote:
There was no PFS blog last week :(
And as its an hour and a half past the normal post time, its not looking good for this week either... :/

Paizo's closed today for Presidents Day aren't they?

Shadow Lodge 4/5 *** Venture-Captain, Michigan—Mt. Pleasant

Yeah, seems like too many holidays land on our mondays... :/

Grand Lodge 4/5

Christopher Rowe wrote:
Eric Clingenpeel wrote:
Pirate Rob wrote:
There was no PFS blog last week :(
And as its an hour and a half past the normal post time, its not looking good for this week either... :/
Paizo's closed today for Presidents Day aren't they?

And Mike only got off the plane from Houston 2 hours ago. I believe he mentioned to expect the blog next week.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Pretty goshdarn happy with all these tidbits.

It seems like the Society is moving towards using their power for the protection of all, rather than just amassing power under the guise of 'knowledge.' Worldwound scenarios sound scary.

I'd love to see all the best bits of Seeker of Secrets and the Society Field Guide rolled up into one big, crunch-filled, prestige reward filled tome of awesomeness. Please avoid useless fluff like pages 32 to 45 of the PFS Field Guide. And add lots of new Wayfinders! And don't be afraid to destroy the Clear Ioun Spindle resonance power! *ducks*

As a player that finds the new factions a lot more interesting than many of the nation-based factions, I'm worried that the bulk of older players reporting will make the nations have an advantage when it comes to reporting. We'll see what happens!

Did Mike say how far away any new level 12 scenarios are?

Sovereign Court 3/5

As much as the changes themselves, I'm equally happy with the thought that goes into making them. I'm excited for the future of PFS.

Liberty's Edge 2/5 *

This has all made for very interesting reading, esp the part about the Worldwound and the reduction of the faction missions. Ive slowly noticed the creep these are having in the modules where more and more text is needed to properly explain what needs to be done and where. I actually miss the Season 0 version where a faction mission was barely explained at all!

I think Im with Kestle on the large uber book of vanity greatness. Sounds good.

Liberty's Edge 3/5 5/5

What everyone has failed to mention, and what deeply concerns me, is that there was an assassination attempt made on Mr. Brock by a plushy goblin during his masterful running of Race for the Runecarved Key. Fortunately, it appears Mr. Brock has an extremely high Perception score, and the attempt was foiled, but maybe it is time we considered the rights of plushy goblins everywhere and allow them the reroll ability they deserve!

Grand Lodge 4/5

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Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

Thanks for the heads up Kelly! Let me know if you need a GM for any Houston events in May.

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