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Brought up in another thread...
All of our characters are pathfinders, but despite what the decimverate would like to think, not everyone places the society first above their life, limb, morality, and other agendas. How far up (or down...) is the pathfinder society for your characters?
For example, Doyle is a NG Druid. He has to consider
1) The right thing
2) Nature
3) His companion Conan
4) His life
5) The society
Roughly in that order.
Even though he's reaaaaly really happy to be a pathfinder (to fanboy "sqwueee levels), its not his first consideration by a long shot.
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I'm almost certain that I don't have a single character that would place the good of the society in their top 5. For many (perhaps even all) it wouldn't even be in the top 10.
For almost all of my characters the Society is a job. They have loyalty to the individuals they adventure with but not to the society as a whole. Some are loyal to their Factions within the society (ironically, some of the ones most loyal were 2 loyal to the Lantern Lodge and 1 loyal to the Shadow Lodge).
Lets be honest. There are too many scenarios where it is made obvious that the Society doesn't care at all about its operatives to engender much loyalty. Not to mention the sheer incompetence shown so often. And its hard to be loyal to a group who hide their identities and ultimate goals.
[Aside] This is NOT a slam at the writers. A lot of the perceived incompetence and lack of caring is a direct result of it being an Organized Play campaign [/Aside]
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Randolf Culpher is a Lawful Neutral Despicable Worm Signifer of Asmodeus.
1) His personal legacy (includes his own skin)
2) The Magisterium of Asmodeus, Prince of Contracts, Lord of Hell.
3) The Order of the Godclaw, the most esteemed knightly order the Inner Sea has ever known.
4) The safety of any companions that worship a lawful deity ordained by Godclaw edicts and who have proven themselves useful in keeping Randolf alive in terrible situations.
5) The Law.
6) The Cheliax Faction Agenda.
7) The Pathfinder Society.
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Reposted from the other thread.
Sparrow (paladin/gunslinger):
1. The weak and downtrodden.
2. Goodness/Justice
3. Iomedae.
4. Silver Crusade.
5. Her companions.
6. Self.
7. Pathfinder Society.
Zrinka (cleric/temple courtesan of Calistria):
1. Calistria.
2. Right.
3. Self.
4. Andoran.
5. Pathfinder Society.
Boomer (mildly insane barbarian alchemist):
1. Self.
Ezgael (eldritch knight)
1. Pursuit of knowledge/power.
2. Pathfinder Society/Grand Lodge.
3. Self.
Note, that just because the Society is at the bottom of some of these lists doesn't mean that those characters are not loyal to the Society. It is just where I stopped writing down loyalties. For example, Sparrow's list would be much much longer and would include various past patrons and acquaintances, but for the sake of brevity, I ended it there.
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This is an interesting exercise in character motivation . . .
Probably my most pro-Pathfinder character would be Barjandar (Paladin, Grand Lodge):
1. Following the will of Saranrae
2. Keeping his companions alive, particularly if they seem inclined to "do the right thing"
3. Pathfinder Society, really as an extension of number 2
4. Going interesting places, seeing interesting things (he is a gnome, after all)
5. Staying alive, so he can continue to do 1 - 4 more in the future
Some other characters, who might eventually work PFS into their list, somewhere.
Auggie Jaeger (Rogue, Shadow Lodge -> Silver Crusade):
1. Batman-style vigilante justice
2. Calistria (you could argue that she might be generally in favor of number 1)
3. Self-improvement (you can't just be Batman at 1st level)
4. Pathfinder Society
5. Silver Crusade (he didn't really have an obvious choice post-Shadow Lodge, but he figured that the good guys could use someone sneaky because the bad guys had plenty of that)
Qibli (Monk, Andoran):
1. Self-improvement (ability to do stunts that would require wires in a movie)
2. Spreading his philosophy of freedom through living simply, and self-control (Major Colson, I am looking in your direction . . .)
3. Supporting the Andoran ideal of freedom
4. Pathfinder Society
Trade Princess Katarina (Rogue/Sorceror, Qadira):
1. Pulling a fast one on the stupid masses of Golarion (I loved playing Blackros Matrimony with this character, but will say no more for spoilers sake)
2. Making money (because that's usually how you keep score with number 1)
3. Qadiran interests
4. Pathfinder Society (they took a chance on her, and trained her, when she was a noob sleight of hand artist and street magician)
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This is an interesting question.
I may as well post my Seeker character. I made this character now 4 years ago at the 2009 Carnage on the Mountain convention in Vermont.
VC Fatum Aedituus Venificus ( N Cleric of Pharasma 3rd / Necromancer 3rd / Mystic Theurge 8)
1) Serve Pharasma
2) Pursuit of knowledge / philosophy / enlightenment
2) Accumulation of arcane spells / arcane knowledge/ research
3) Supporting his friends and fellow pathfinders on his missions
4) Serving the Pathfinder Society
5) eventually establishing his own lodge/ secure academic teaching &research position
6) Andoran- At the time there were only five factions. they were contesting for control of Absalalom. As a Player, I didn't want to see Cheliax win, so I thought having this character in the Andoran faction would help prevent this. In hindsight I think this character would have been better in the Osirion faction. So my character is loyal to the Andoran faction, but he isn't a zelot.
If asked to do something against the tenets of his Pharasman faith by either the Decemverate, another VC, or Major Colson of the Andoran Faction, he would refuse the request. If pressed he would resign, pointing out that he has worked loyally for the society (and the Andoran Faction ) for years, and if they want to retain his loyalty and service, they should ask him to do things he can do. After all, He could easily serve the church of Pharasma.
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I can best explain at least one of my characters views with a story. It contains spoilers for A Dragon's Demand (at least the first 2 modules)
My Paladin for some background is Roland Whitebane, a Mendevian Crusader type who whilst a member of the Pathfinder Society does somewhat chafe at what they ask him to do (except however in the case of the module, he was asked to slay a dragon). I built him for Season 5 to try and match in on the theme.
I will fast forward to the last part, the Dragonslayers tomb. We actually went into this undermanned. Our 4 player table had been playing for about 7 hours by then and had tracked down the giant bones of the Dragon. Our Sorc was attacked by the Gibbering Mouther and whilst my Paladin was trying to get in to attack spacing was a concern and it latched on to the Magus and killed him before dying itself.
So we were going to attempt to handle this place with 3 people. On the way in Roland stated in no misunderstood terms.. please do not defile the coffins/final resting places. The Dragonslayers equipment is probably stored with the Dragonslayers actual tomb, so there is no reason to open the other ones.'
I got more responses along the lines of 'But we wont get max gold' or 'There might be important stuff in these things'.
So the sorc went and opened a tomb and small child with foal head decided to attack us. Sorc runs backwards, I move in to engage. I dont think its a battle that needed to happen (unless of course it would of opened up the tomb itself) but I coped. I think that instance right there showed that my character was putting his own morality /issues/ religon over the society (who may of well just decided to ransack the place for any items of worth for use in fighting the Dragon).
Some of the later battles were difficult (the Azers and the Wraith) but we managed to get by. We found the spirit of the original Dragonslayer and put her to rest and she offered her equipment to us. This felt right for Roland.
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I agree—this is a fun exercise.
I'll start with my first character, whom I started in early 2010 and who has been a Seeker since roughly May, 2011.
VC Priyata Havati Gushtamasati: N Vudrani human alchemist 16 with Qadira
1) Self-improvement (including her personal research)
2) The lives of her immediate adventuring group
3) The integrity, reputation, and goals of the Pathfinder Society
4) [a generic filler for some interest that I'm sure I'm forgetting]
5) The interests of Qadira
6) The dignity and happiness of her immediate adventuring group.
7) Snidely denigrating the accomplishments, hopes, and dreams of a particular rival of hers in the Pathfinder Society.
Knight Captain Caepio Alazario: CG half-elf bard 10 with Andoran
1) The health, happiness, and sanity of his ward Razia
2) Resolving important quests with words. With this is included the redemption of creatures of any stripe, understanding that a difficult background can lead one to difficult and often evil choices
3) The freedom and positive future embodied by Andoran's great experiment
4) The Pathfinder Society
5) Mastery of the puppetry arts
Jokhas: LN Kellid human priest of Razmir 8 with the Silver Crusade
1) Promoting and spreading the glory and everlasting love of Razmir, who also wants Jokhas working with the society (yes, Jokhas is mistaken about what Razmir really espouses, but the priest pushes what others might consider the new testament of the false god's faith: a stern and fatherly but ultimately benevolent god of good, healing, understanding, and the will to buckle down and actually work side-by-side with his faithful)
2) Overseeing the spiritual development of his many students, including Sarisha and Sayuri (a "paladin" of Razmir).
3) Performing the good deeds of the Silver Crusade as an extension of Razmir's holiness
4) Convincing Ollysta Zadrien that she has made a big mistake in believing Razmir is evil.
Yarehg Crystalthrone: LN dwarf cleric of Yaezhing with Cheliax (formerly Shadow Lodge)
1) Delivering harsh justice to those who have committed wrongs either real or perceived, carrying out the will and dogma of Yaezhing.
2) Maintaining the success and dignity of his ally Hatsumoto (works with Cheliax)
3) The Pathfinder Society
4) Keeping the equipment of his allies in good working order
5) Learning how to crack jokes
6) Laughing cruelly at others' misfortune
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Ill also post my original first PFS character. The one they tried to dissuade me from making: my gunslinger
Samuel Revell, Galtan Musket Master
1) Fight oppression
2) Save Galt from itself
3) Help Andoran in its fight to spread freedom ideals
4) Rescue the slaves
5) Help the fellow Pathfinders he travels with
5a) Help Samel ( a local character.. bard who tends to get into the worst trouble)
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Belim, LG Dwarven Cleric of Torag
1) Torag
2) Spreading Goodness (especially helping/healing those in need)
3) Dwarves
4) Taldan interests
5) Pathfinder Society
6) Building things (smithing, masonry, etc.)
For those who put the Society far down their list, would you be okay with negative consequences for choosing one of the options higher on your list should they conflict?
Belim has put his personal morals above his faction in the past (and has lost some prestige because of those choices), and I'm absolutely o.k. with that. The same would apply to conflicts between his priorities and the society's interests.
Garrick, CG Halfling Sorcerer
1) Being a Good Guy (aiding the innocent, opposing evil oppression)
2) Making people laugh
3) Silver Crusade
4) Pathfinder Society
5) Having fun
6) Andoran (switched factions during the faction expansion, still has some fondness for the freedom-loving nation, even if he's not into their political machinations)
Rhonvanyr, CG Elven Wizard
1) Elves
2) Pathfinder Society / Grand Lodge
3) Avoiding contamination by lesser beings (i.e., non-Elves)
4) Helping lesser beings
Darius, LN Half-Orc/Buff Guy with a big sword
1) Pathfinder Society (a refuge from racial discrimination)
2) Qadira
3) Anything that beats on Orcs
4) Money
Basilon, CG Human Cavalier
1) His own pleasure
2) His own prestige
3) His noble patrons
4) Taldor
5) Pathfinder Society
For those who put the Society far down their list, would you be okay with negative consequences for choosing one of the options higher on your list should they conflict?
Of course! Isn't that part of being an individual? And as you know, we're all individuals!
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Lasair Alant, NG Cleric of Shelyn
1) The Eternal Rose
2) The spread of love and beauty to all who seek them, and even those who do not
3) Redemption and understanding for all creatures, great and small, regardless of their evil deeds
4) Her friends Natani Copperlock, Zan, and Karnath the Destroyer
5) The Pathfinder Society
6) The Silver Crusade
7) The care and integration into society of other former slaves of Irrisen
Iakhovas, NG Invincible Lore Warden
1) The Pathfinder Society, who are protecting him from Gebbite extradition for his murder charges against his former vampiress mistress
2) The pursuit of martial betterment and invincibility, including training other Pathfinders to bring what they need to survive typical threats
3) Pharasma
4) The pursuit of knowledge
Lazeril, LN Oracle of Lore
1) His missing goddess
2) The seven virtues of rule
3) Xin's vision of a glorious Thassilon
4) Knowledge
5) The Pathfinder Society
6) Exacting vengeance on those who ruined 1-4, such as Runelords
Venture Captain Hellknight Fasch, LN Zen Archer
1) Anji, the Pathfinder agent who paid 250 gp to send her to train as a monk in his own monastery during a mission in Kaer Maga
2) Getting more powerful because that lets you make your own choices about what to do.
3) Cool gods, like Irori. But also Asmodeus is cool. Actually a lot of gods are cool. Sarenrae worked with Asmodeus too right?
4) The Order of the Gate. They don't mind as much about not wearing armor all the time
5) The Pathfinder Society
6) Unearthing and exposing the Andoran cannibal conspiracy
7) Cheliax, I guess is cool
8) Ms. Zarta
9) Convincing stupid extra-whatevers that she is a goddess by virtue of having her arrows spell out sentences
Agravaine al'Gaheris, NG Magus
1) Sarenrae! If I memorize the texts and recopy them enough times, they'll have to let me become a cleric
2) My black blade, the only thing I have from my parents, raised as an orphan in Kelesh at a temple of Sarenrae
3) Aaqir al'Hakam, who has promised to help me learn more about my parents
4) The Pathfinder Society, the Trade Prince's business partners
Memory of Dreams, CG True Primitive
1) The way of his tribe, which includes never killing unless you must and preserving the memory of the dreams of each and every creature whose story he or his allies end
2) The Sun Spirit and the Moon Spirit (and by the transitive property, he knows he lacks wisdom and will listen to any character that he decides is a "Sun Shaman" during the day or a "Moon Shaman" during the night)
3) Killing the witches, for the life they stole
4) Karnath the Destroyer, who saved him from the witches
5) Colson Maldris, who is Karnath the Destroyer's chief--but please stop sending those letters in writing!
6) The Pathfinder Society, which is Karnath the Destroyer's tribe
7) Andoran, which is Colson Maldris's tribe
Marquise Cordelia Livia Cassandra Elysia Perseis, CG Wizard
1) A new Taldor, risen to even greater glory than before
2) Those who would bring about this new Taldor, such as Princess Eutropia and Gloriana Morilla, but definitely not Grand Prince Stavian or the late Baron Dalsine
3) The teachings of Shelyn
4) The idea that certain races have higher Intelligence scores than others and must not squander their fortune on selfish pursuits but instead lift up those less fortunate
5) The Pathfinder Society
6) The idea that Taldan blood contains dormant Azlanti genetics that could be reawakened by appropriate matchmaking
Masashi Kato, N Ninja
1) Taking down the Jade Regent, no matter what it takes
2) Grandmaster Torch, who still owes him a return on his promise to help retake Minkai
3) The principles of the Shadow Lodge, working together as Pathfinders against the excesses and tyrannical Jade-Regent-like rule of the Venture Captains, Decimivirate, and Masters
4) Lao Shu Po's teachings of using darkness and stealth to make your actions more likely to succeed, rather than being an idiot like his paladin sister Ayame who got the rest of the family murdered by speaking out
Arianrhod Thrice-Born
1) Lady Magdh the Three, who sees all things past, present, and future
2) The ideals of the Shadow Lodge, and the Pathfinder Society through those
3) The principle of keeping things in threes
Malik al'Qadim, NG Wishcrafter
1) Getting the customer what they ask for
2) Exploring and learning more about genie-related ruins and artifacts to learn more of his heritage
3) The Pathfinder Society, which helps him do #2
4) The noble Dawnflower who shines above
5) The fine satrapy of Qadira
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Interesting. Averaging the responses above, we collectively place The Pathfinder Society 4th in our list of loyalties.
(For this purpose, I counted factions as separate from Society. For characters who did not list Society at all, I counted Society as if it were the very next on the list.)
For this purpose, Masashi probably thinks of himself as including the Society in with his #3. If loyalty to the members of the Society doesn't count and you have to be loyal to the Venture Captains, the Decimvirate, and the likes of Aram Zey to count, then he definitely doesn't have the Society anywhere else on his list.
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For this purpose, Masashi probably thinks of himself as including the Society in with his #3. If loyalty to the members of the Society doesn't count and you have to be loyal to the Venture Captains, the Decimvirate, and the likes of Aram Zey to count, then he definitely doesn't have the Society anywhere else on his list.Interesting. Averaging the responses above, we collectively place The Pathfinder Society 4th in our list of loyalties.
(For this purpose, I counted factions as separate from Society. For characters who did not list Society at all, I counted Society as if it were the very next on the list.)
That's exactly how I scored it. Masashi = 5. :)
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For those who put the Society far down their list, would you be okay with negative consequences for choosing one of the options higher on your list should they conflict?Of course! Isn't that part of being an individual? And as you know, we're all individuals!
I'm not.
I'm not.For those who put the Society far down their list, would you be okay with negative consequences for choosing one of the options higher on your list should they conflict?Of course! Isn't that part of being an individual? And as you know, we're all individuals!
Haha! Fell into my trap. Knew someone would say that.
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That's exactly how I scored it. Masashi = 5. :)For this purpose, Masashi probably thinks of himself as including the Society in with his #3. If loyalty to the members of the Society doesn't count and you have to be loyal to the Venture Captains, the Decimvirate, and the likes of Aram Zey to count, then he definitely doesn't have the Society anywhere else on his list.Interesting. Averaging the responses above, we collectively place The Pathfinder Society 4th in our list of loyalties.
(For this purpose, I counted factions as separate from Society. For characters who did not list Society at all, I counted Society as if it were the very next on the list.)
No I mean not just is it not 1-4, and not just is it not 5. If he had a 5, it would be anti-that. Like, down with Aram Zey, Sheila Heidmarch, Drandle Dreng, and especially the Decimvirate. He's not quite there, but he's close. But he's fiercely loyal to the other Pathfinders and will stay and follow all orders from above for their sake of having an advocate like him around. He would be very angry that a lapdog like Memory of Dreams was counting as a 6 while he was counting as a 5, and he would try to come up with 100 more loyalties so that he counted as 105. He'd be OK with counting as 3, as he envisions that the agents that make up the Society are the Society depending on your philosophical bent.
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No I mean not just is it not 1-4, and not just is it not 5. If he had a 5, it would be anti-that. Like, down with Aram Zey, Sheila Heidmarch, Drandle Dreng, and especially the Decimvirate. He's not quite there, but he's close. But he's fiercely loyal to the other Pathfinders and will stay and follow all orders from above for their sake of having an advocate like him around. He would be very angry that a lapdog like Memory of Dreams was counting as a 6 while he was counting as a 5, and he would try to come up with 100 more loyalties so that he counted as 105.That's exactly how I scored it. Masashi = 5. :)For this purpose, Masashi probably thinks of himself as including the Society in with his #3. If loyalty to the members of the Society doesn't count and you have to be loyal to the Venture Captains, the Decimvirate, and the likes of Aram Zey to count, then he definitely doesn't have the Society anywhere else on his list.Interesting. Averaging the responses above, we collectively place The Pathfinder Society 4th in our list of loyalties.
(For this purpose, I counted factions as separate from Society. For characters who did not list Society at all, I counted Society as if it were the very next on the list.)
Yeah, I understand that. One of my characters feels that way too. But from a statistical point, if you did not feel strongly enough to list the loyalty, then it really is all lumped into the next loyalty slot with everything else you are not loyal to.
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Mimo Tomblebur (Halfling Bard, Taldor)
1) Becoming the World's Greatest Halfling Opera Star
2) Self improvement. (It was SO hard for him not to eat the [spoiler])
3) Building his opera house, the Excelsior (15 prestige spent already)
4) Impressing the Taldane aristocracy
5) Self preservation (What good is being famous if you're dead?)
6) Art and beauty
7) Pathfinder Society
Wesley Hardfact (Lorewarden/Duelist, Grand Lodge)
1) Ridding the world of the horrors of demons (even before season 5)
2) Gathering knowledge of powerful magics to help mankind protect itself from demons
3) Pathfinder Society (because it is a means of gathering the knowledge in #2)
4) Finding love
Jonsi Jakobson (Cleric of Erastil, Shadowlodge-->Silver Crusade)
1) Setting an example of brotherhood and being a missionary of Erastil to the Pathfinder Society to help overcome the terrible fractionization in the Society. (This worked better with Shadow Lodge.)
2) Being good
3) His family back in Battlewall, especially his little sister.
4) Pathfinder Society
Eleazer (Elvin Wizard, Qadira)
1) Making a profit
2) Gathering knowledge of magic to make a profit
3) Being the smartest guy in the room
4) Self preservation
5) Pathfinder Society
"Turtle" Ironshield (Dwarf Barbarian and Cleric of Kurgess)
1) Being a good soldier-->Pathfinder Society
2) His comrades in arms
3) Winning as many competitions as he can (in a friendly, sportsmanly way)
4) Dwarven interests
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For those who put the Society far down their list, would you be okay with negative consequences for choosing one of the options higher on your list should they conflict?
I think, in games terms, the answer would be "yes" if there really is a trade-off where one of my other priories is advanced at the expense of the Society and I suffered a penalty/discipline because of it. Mimo would probably set fire to the Grand Lodge himself if his opera house needed the room to expand. :)
Mimo would probably set fire to the Grand Lodge himself if his opera house needed the room to expand. :)
So... We should invest in pyromaniac gnome insurance? Thanks for the heads up.
Anyways, the society is usually a low priority for any of my characters. Oddly enough that hasn't actually come up yet. They kept their dayjobs, so if it does they're probably going to be fine.
Kaldrok Neutral
1: getting his fortune back via getting rich of the society
2: Making his family PAY for betarying him
3: find a nice dwarf lady to settle down with
4: Get drunk
Martrel LN
1: FOR ASMODEUS(That is all)
Maria the ifrit CG
1: To help her parents in their retirement
2: To see the world beyond absolam
3: To hunt a creature on every continent
4: Bed a man in every continent.
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Out of my various characters, I only have one who puts the Society first. I don't feel like writing up all 14 of my characters here, so I'll just mention that one, as they're a bit of an unusual case..
Shaderick Havaad, LN male Human Fighter (Cheliax)
1) The Pathfinder Society
2) Killing
3) His companions
4) Self preservation
5) Cheliax
Shaderick is basically a boiling cauldron of rage, kept under very tight control. He loves (and I do mean *loves*) killing things - people, monsters, whatever he can get his hands on. He fights with spiked gauntlets, so that he can make the experience of killing more visceral. He's pretty much a psychopath - and he's aware, on some level, that left to his own devices, he'd swiftly degenerate and end up turning into a serial killer. (The kind that goes on a bloody rampage and gets cut down by a bunch of city watch, not the clever, teasing clue kind.)
His response to this? Make sure that's he's always taking orders from some entity, and follow those orders rigidly. He puts the Society first because they're who he works for, and that's the cornerstone of his identity. If he kills things that are impeding the Society's goals, he's allowed to enjoy it, right?
He's the closest to evil out of any of my PFS characters, so it's kind of ironic he's the only one to put the Society first.
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Regarding loss of prestige due to character priorities, I have a couple of responses.
1. I would not mind loss of prestige in exchange for an interesting role-play opportunity.
2. I think my characters' higher priority motivations are often things that don't come into conflict with the PFS all that often. It's not like there are many missions where you have to deface a temple of Sarenrae, or where you don't have to opportunity to make money.
3. If I were at a table where all the other players wanted to do something that would garner them prestige, but was against my character's character, I'm not so much of a jackass that I would completely dig in my heels and derail the party. The character may grumble and complain about being forced into some undesirable behavior, but I as a player am willing to abide by the "no pvp, and don't try to deliberately mess with other characters" rule.
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Samhain Galanodel, NG Elf Falconer 10 for Grand Lodge
1. Getting back to his wife and daughter.
2. Finishing assignments quickly and efficiently (Pathfinder Society).
3. Taking care of his owl (which he fails from time to time).
4. Figuring out the majority of the human race.
5. Figuring out gnomes...
Shahorn Milner, CG Half-Elf Ranger 9 for Andoran
1. Wreak justice on the oppressive.
2. Nation/Faction goals.
3. Sailing.
4. Justifying the means with the end.
5. Pathfinder Society.
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My characters are a mix. My Grand Lodge ranger would probably put society within the top 2 or possibly tied with him and his animal companions well being. Where as my bard could care little for society. It is just so he doesn't bleach and gets the chance to yell at people.
It would be really interesting seeing risk/reward situations implemented that helps either you, your faction, or society but only one.
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Manny the Magnificent, N Half-elf conjurer 6 for Taldor
1. Making sure that everyone acknowledges his superiority
2. Finding his old theatre manager so that he can stop being the leader
3. Extending the reach of Taldor to uncivilized and blighted areas
4. Achieving arcane mastery
5. Explore, report, cooperate (as long as they listen to Manny)
Ulrik Ulrikson, NG Dwarf barbarian 8 of the Grand Lodge (formerly Shadow Lodge
1. Protecting fellow Pathfinders from spellcasters (especially druids)
2. Promoting the interests of the Pathfinder Society, especially in dwarven lands
3. Finding Grandmaster Torch and gutting him
4. Finding demons and gutting them
5. Finding druids and gutting them
Milo Anklebiter, CG Halfling barbarian 1 of Andoran
1. Making a name for halflings everywhere
2. Getting permission from Major Colson Maldris to join the Eagle Knights
3. Achieving status and prestige within the Pathfinder Society
4. Achieving great wealth
5. Growing four inches
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Kyrie Ebonblade, Human Gunslinger/Alchemist
1. Finding out how her parents died.
2. Promoting the Society's interests, looking for ways they can reveal more of the lost lore of Golorian.
3. Introducing Grandmaster Torch to 'The Countess' (her new DB musket) and mounting his head on a pike. Also on 'The Countess's' 'social calender: Tancred Desmire, Any and all Apsis agents, Renegade Shadow Lodgers, traitors to the Society.
4. Breaking the back of the Apsis/Renegade Shadow Lodge fifth column within the society.
5. Running her Gunshop in Absalon
Cindrana Longpath Tiefling Wizard
1. Expanding her knowledge of the world's magic.
2. Serving her liege's needs as best she can (Osirion)
3. Supporting her extended family in Varisia
4. Exploring the world and seeing it's wonders.
5. Looking for ways to undermine her former 'bethrowed's' family prestige/standing in Chelliax.
Akim the Crafty Human Trapsmith/Lore Warden
1. Travelling the world and seeing it's marvels.
2. Finding new clients.
3. Discovering new 'gadgets' (Traps) and figuring out how they work.
4. Expanding the reach of his trade network (Qadira)
5. Aiding the society in meaningful discoveries/missions.
Lady Roasa Annarey Hellena Delaphine del Noire, Baroness of Lower Zimar Human Cleric of Pharasma
1. Pursue her goal of a more stable Taldor by building influence to ensure a smooth transition of power with the (eventual) death of the Grand Prince to his daughter, break the corruption up of the current status quo and reinvigor Taldor as world leader. (Note LEADER, not Conqueror)
2. Ease the pain of those suffering, healing those that can be and ease the hopeless onto their rest. Unbind the undead and put them to their final rest. Serve the Goddess in all three roles. Healer, Prophet and guide those in need of Death/Final Rest.
3. Provide an example of what a TRUE Taldane noble is like by striving to aid, counsel, and lead her fellow pathfinders. Aid them in their goals (provided they aren't counter to the interests she pursues)
4. Build up the inflence of the 'unbearded' as a way to counter the corruption of the bureaucracy and increase the drive to improve Taldor as a nation again.
5. Restore the Church of Sarenrae as a positive constructive force within Taldor, not as a divisive/distracting element. (Not to mention allying force against undead)
6. Aid the society in the pursuit of 'worthy goals' like foiling the reawakening of a Runelord or Mustering a new Mendevian Crusade.
Borgin 'Boomstick' McCracken Dwarven Guntank/Inquistor of Cayden Cailen
1. Get into trouble. Shake things up. Annoy the 'important', help the 'regular folks' and leave folks thinking about the status quo and their place in it.
2. Look for the 'real crimes', not the ones that laws are written against but the ones that cause suffering and distress.
3. Discover new forms of Alcohol by traveling the world, putting boot to buttock in the process.
4. Annoy the HELL out of the following: Drendle Dreg,The Paracountess, Drendle Dreg, Arman Vey, Drendle Dreg, Major Coulson, Drendle Dreg, Osprey, Drendle Dreg,Other VC/Faction heads. And Drendle Dreg. ALWAYS Drendle Dreg.
5. Blow up things.
6. Shoot Annoying folks.
7. Pathfinder Society
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RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Jiao-long, human eldritch knight
1. Gaining personal power.
2. Everything else.
Thomas, the Tiefling Hero!, oni-spawn cleric of Iomedae
1. Protect the innocent, slay evil (with or without slaying a body in the process).
2. Spread the goodness of Iomedae to and through the Society.
3. Assist the 5th Mendevian Crusade in any way possible.
Arlyn Swallowtail, human sorceress
1. Help those in need.
2. Help the Society's reputation by being a good example.
Credit Baby, 2nd-level nothing
1. Gain sentience.
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With around 15 characters, I chose the ones I thought had the most personality
Viscountess Nelyna Rellos Tien Bard, spy for Taldor
1. Personal Gain
2. Taldor
3. Lore and knowledge
4. Pathfinder Society
Silver Crusader Thorne Rellos Human Paladin of Iomedae
1. Executing justice, his favorite part of Iomedae's Tenents; destroy evil
2. Protecting his fellow Pathfinders and teams
3. Helping others in need
4. Pathfinder Society
5. Self
Shella Dralneen Chelish Tiefling Bloatmage
1. Paracountess Zarta (and proving to her she is her legitimate niece)
2. Gaining power to accomplish #1
3. Pathfinder Society
4. Cheliax (outside #1)
Punitio! Osirion Wayang Archer
1. Amenopheus! ("He'll let me lick his turban gem sometime!")
2. Osirion! ("Cuz Amenopheus is in it!")
4. Pathfinder Society! ("Cuz Amenopheus said so!")
5. The Sphinxes in Osirion! ("They brought me up, so I guess...")
Ameriko "the Mist" Aasimar Ninja
1. Pahtfinder Society (her assigned mission since birth, currently in doubts due to Lantern Lodge's separation)
Lyrandel almost bleached Gnome Sorceress
1. Finding that final thrill before dying
2. Dying
3. Finding new ways to make her detonate more powerful
4. Pathfinder Society (seemed like a easy way to get to #1 and #2)
Alexis Human (ex-)Aspis Agent
1. Personal gain
2. Gathering and brokering of information
3. Relics of old and treasure
That's it
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I'm really enjoying this thread. It's nice to hear from other people whose characters are more than just a clever set if statistics. It sure would be nice if the system encouraged success in personal endeavors a bit more; something like giving a "personal prestige point" when the character makes progress towards a personal goal that isn't related to faction missions.
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I'm really enjoying this thread. It's nice to hear from other people whose characters are more than just a clever set if statistics. It sure would be nice if the system encourage success in personal endeavors a bit more; something like giving a "personal prestige point" when the character makes progress towards a personal goal that isn't related to faction missions.
There's been a handful of convention boons out there that encourage this. One of the originals involved your character trying to convince random NPCs to convert to their religion.
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Pontificor CN Gnome Sorcerer
1. Gaining new experiences
2. Getting more magicy stuff
3. Being lazy
4. Personal safety
5. Personal vendettas
6. Helping his companions that aided any of the above.
999. The Pathfinder Society, Having Uncle Gorrilla mad at him would be annoying.
Why-Knee Face. NG Human Wizard
1. Being a good helpful person
2. stopping evil
-. The society seems to have these goals too to him.
Heroditus TN Axe beak with Aasimar oracle companion
1. Gaining and sharing knowledge
2. Society Goals
Trógon ton Andrón LG Oni-spawn Hungry Ghost/Thug/Heretic(Sarenrae)
1. Stop evil
2. Allow everyone redemption(prevent death of enemies)
3. Share the mercy of the light(He does not know Sarenrae's name.)
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The Great Pogrist, human(?) necromancer(2), Osirion
1. Unravelling the mysteries of life, death, and undeath
2. Living long enough to learn...EVERYTHING
3. His faithful hound, Dargon. Till death and beyond...
4. The Pathfinder Society (and by extension, the party)- my employer
5. Osirion- my current sponsor
I hope to retain employ with the Society as long as they continue validate my research. The so called dark arts have only to be brought to the light of reason, and I intend to bring truth to the surface. The Osirions seem to have little stigma toward my craft as some do, and have agreed to fund several expeditions along overlapping interests. All will go well as long as no one attempts to impede my work...off the record of course.
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Eligor Lightbane, Fighter 5/Hell Knight Commander 5; LN
1.) The law
2.) Upholding the tenets of the Order of the Gate (which almost always falls in line with "the law)
3.) Murderating lots of demons on behalf of the Order of the Gate
4.) Cheliax faction agenda(s)
5.) Survival
6.) The Pathfinder Society
Yep, the creator of this thread has a point. I didn't realize how little the society means to that character (or a couple of my others) till I noticed this on here. Pretty interesting observation.
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For those who put the Society far down their list, would you be okay with negative consequences for choosing one of the options higher on your list should they conflict?
Yes, but I think the list does a good job of showing that the deciemverate shouldn't be surprised when people aren't willing to violate their core values, sell out their beliefs or die for the cause.
As to why those people are pathfinders at all? It looks like the deciemverate can't fill all the vacancies if it will only take die hard supporters with no other convictions: especially in niches like clerics where you REQUIRE the other person to have other convictions.
Venture-Lieutenant, Washington—Pullman
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The character I'm currently playing the most.
Signifier Ahtuz, Chelaxian Necromancer from the Land of Geb
1. Finding the Gluttonous Tome
2. Eating new and interesting things.
3. Find relics that increase his power further.
4. Meh, Pathfinder Society.
For my highest level character
Venture Captain Honey Staetyenoh The Constant
1. Sarenrae
2. Her Companions(Most often Pathfinders)
3. Helping the poor, sick, and destitute
4. Pathfinder Society
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Hummm.... My highest level PFS character:
Aunty Mei - (Seeker of the Society, Matchmaker of Falayna)
1.) Getting her daughter a life partner
2.) Protecting lovers and children
3.) Finding the life partners for Singles
4.) Arranging for Singles to go on dates
5.) Checking if the "life numbers" of couples match up
6.) Persuading the families of couples to allow marriage
7.) Looking out for auspicious dates for weddings and events
8.) Planning Weddings
9.) Officiating Weddings - Tying the knot for couples
10.) Midwife services
11.) Marriage counselling
12.) Officiating renewal of vows ceremonies
13.) Getting her fellow Pathfinder to do the above (Edit)
14.) Pathfinder Society (Dropped down, from 13th to 14th)
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For those who put the Society far down their list, would you be okay with negative consequences for choosing one of the options higher on your list should they conflict?Yes, but I think the list does a good job of showing that the deciemverate shouldn't be surprised when people aren't willing to violate their core values, sell out their beliefs or die for the cause.
As to why those people are pathfinders at all? It looks like the deciemverate can't fill all the vacancies if it will only take die hard supporters with no other convictions: especially in niches like clerics where you REQUIRE the other person to have other convictions.
The Decemvirate spends 3 years and an immeasurable cost training Pathfinder initiates. What makes anyone think that they'll tolerate a field agent who says, "Oops, I can't complete my mission because it violates my 7th highest ideal!"
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The Decemverate spends 3 years and an immeasurable cost training Pathfinder initiates. What makes anyone think that they'll tolerate a field agent who says, "Oops, I can't complete my mission because it violates my 7th highest ideal!"
Maybe a misguided Field Commission? I know which of my characters were field commission versus trained, as it is a big part about the how and why to be a pathfinder.
The Decemvirate spends 3 years and an immeasurable cost training Pathfinder initiates. What makes anyone think that they'll tolerate a field agent who says, "Oops, I can't complete my mission because it violates my 7th highest ideal!"
Everyone knows its about not getting caught!
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The Decemvirate spends 3 years and an immeasurable cost training Pathfinder initiates. What makes anyone think that they'll tolerate a field agent who says, "Oops, I can't complete my mission because it violates my 7th highest ideal!"It seems they don't have a heck of a lot of the other kind.
Because these messageboards are an accurate representation of the player base as a whole, right?
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Because these messageboards are an accurate representation of the player base as a whole, right?The Decemvirate spends 3 years and an immeasurable cost training Pathfinder initiates. What makes anyone think that they'll tolerate a field agent who says, "Oops, I can't complete my mission because it violates my 7th highest ideal!"It seems they don't have a heck of a lot of the other kind.
If anything I think you're getting skewed TOWARDS being loyal to the deciemverate/society, as opposed to more casual players who might say "Wait, there's a point to this murder hoboing?" or "Personality? Background?"