Incendiaeternus |
This is the current stack of chronicle sheets we have. As you can tell with the Bengal for scale...this is starting to become a bit of a haul.
I've played enough that I like to bring options to the table so we have a balanced party, not everyone has options in-tier to change up or the desire to play a pre-gen.
Is there an issue with scanning your sheets and then say putting two on each side of a page? I can think of nothing on the backs of any of these chronicle sheets.
As far as I know you have to have physical copies of the sheets - but nothing about being full sized. These would still be readable and decent sized and cut down the stack by about 1/4 of the size.
Majuba |
I think I could just stare at your cat for about an hour, adorable!
I was thinking of precisely the same solution recently. The only issue with reproduction that I can see is that boons that you check or cross off could be reprinted, unchecked. Well, other than the potential for digital alteration, but that's rather further than PFS controls for anyhow.
I can't think of a good solution for this. Bringing the original of any sheet that you would need to mark on would work, but increase the complication of the process immensely. If you waive the issue (i.e. just don't check off any boons), then it would work most certainly. Or, you know, trust.
Edit, 48 minutes later: yep, still looking at the cat.
BigNorseWolf |
I'm in the process of seperating my characters into their own a folder with prongs and plastic sheets. It makes the characters each take up a lot of extra space, but i don't need to bring them all to have a collection.
Also working on a custom folder for one character that should be pretty cool if it works out.
Partizanski Venture-Captain, Texas—Austin |
Gary Bush Venture-Captain, Nebraska—Omaha |
Each of my character is in one of these.
1" Poly Zip Envelopes, Letter Size.
They also have one that has a pocket in the front so you can slide the character sheet into that and have all your chronicles in the zippered part. I then use a dry erase to record HP and other things I need to note directly on the folder.
Majuba |
I actually agree with the OP: bring all your characters, you never know what will happen. For example, you have four players, but two forgot they already played this scenario two years ago, so you scramble to find another scenario to play, and it ends up being an entirely different tier.
Shane Weber |
I was thinking about this exact thing. My question is can I play my character if all I have is digital material? Scanned copies of all of my chronicles and character sheet, along with watermarked PDFs of the books?
My intent is to bring the character I expect to play, because I like paper better, but I don't want to bring a small dead forest with me for backup.
Keirine, Human Rogue |
I have a chronicle tab on my Character Wealth Sheet, which keeps track of which scenarios that character has played, what boons she earned, who ran the table, and other useful information. As the boons are used (Which rarely happens... I tend to forget that I have them...), I put a line through the text to mark that I used them. Each character also has their own folder in my Google Drive which has their character sheet, the wealth tracking sheet, and a subfolder with scanned copies of their chronicle sheets (Just started doing this, so I've got a backlog to get through...).
This way, all of my characters and all their info is available on my tablet when I game. Before I leave, I make sure that my tablet is synced with my google drive so all the current info is available locally. I carry a charger and an extension cord with me, and I haven't had a problem yet.
(BTW, if anyone wants, HERE is the Character Wealth Sheet I use. It's got tabs to track the character's spending (as well as a spell cost calculator and a fame table), the character's chronicles, and the character's spells (if needed). If anyone has any suggestions, I'd like to hear them.)
Incendiaeternus |
At conventions I'm currently in a wheelchair - so I'm trying to make more room in my bag. -- That's why I haven't tried to folder with prongs option. This is mostly for conventions I'm looking for a solution. Looking at GenCon just out of random planning I don't have any day I'm in the same tier for more than one slot. (Our group is still debating a full table of kobalds at the special.)
You don't take notes on the backs of your previous Chronicle Sheet?
I have a small moleskin journal I take notes in for all the PCs, thus the notes are still here just not on the chronicle.
I think I could just stare at your cat for about an hour, adorable!
Fiona will appreciate that, she and her sister love attention.
I was thinking of precisely the same solution recently. The only issue with reproduction that I can see is that boons that you check or cross off could be reprinted, unchecked. Well, other than the potential for digital alteration, but that's rather further than PFS controls for anyhow.
We have a lot of other things we do on trust, I was hoping this would fall under this as well just wanting to check and make sure that there would be no official objection before I started scanning in a ton of pages.
Incendiaeternus |
I was thinking about this exact thing. My question is can I play my character if all I have is digital material? Scanned copies of all of my chronicles and character sheet, along with watermarked PDFs of the books?
My intent is to bring the character I expect to play, because I like paper better, but I don't want to bring a small dead forest with me for backup.
I've been under the impression that you always need physical copies of the character sheet and chronicles in face to face games.
Majuba |
Majuba wrote:The only issue with reproduction that I can see is that boons that you check or cross off could be reprinted, unchecked.We have a lot of other things we do on trust, I was hoping this would fall under this as well...
I don't imagine you will have any trouble, particularly at a convention. I guess I would suggest that you make the new 2x2 chronicle sheets your sheets of record, and just archive the old ones.
Todd Morgan |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
I'll admit, I'm very gun-shy when it comes to making copies of signed documents. Ever since this I sign everything with either a magnetic marker/pen or colored ink.
Making copies of your chronicles allows you to have two sets of chronicle sheets. A GM crosses off a boon on one, you have the original without it being crossed off. Now I'm not saying you would do anything nefarious with those duplicate sheets, however, allowing copies of chronicles sets a precedent that would allow someone of dubious intent the means to cheat the system.
I do sympathize with your predicament. I have 5 binders filled with character sheets and chronicles. I organize them into binders based on level range and only take the binders for the event level range that I want to play.
Scavenger1977 |
@Incendiaeternus>> I don't know if they'd allow it but at our gaming table, we only keep a few rulebooks around and most of the players, including myself as the DM, we use our tablets (android or iPad) for gaming. I suppose if you have a cellphone you could tether your data connection to your tablet and just use an online websheet? (I run mine on my own NAS for example at my charactersheet profiler (it supports alot of different gaming systems, including Pathfinder); sheets created on there are printer friendly, so if you want a hardcopy as a backup just print it out.
If you don't have data on your cell phone you could still use it but then save it on your tablet as an editable pdf file prior to going there, and work accordingly.
I find using a tablet, especially as a DM, with my browser open to all the monsters I'm going to use on the PRD or d20pfsrd site on each tab to be a blessing. Need that statblock, click and you're there. No need to keep tabs in all sorts of Bestiary books etc.
Suppose it would solve your stack of charactersheet problem too.
Me: "Hi, we don't have that problem where we're at."
You: "Where are you at then?"
Me: "The 21st century."
Technology can be a great thing. :-) ; hope they'll allow it. A good tip for anyone, go digital. (just make sure you don't forget to put it on the charger before you go to bed the night before or it won't last the whole day)
Cheers
Wei Ji the Learner |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Me: "Hi, we don't have that problem where we're at."
You: "Where are you at then?"
Me: "The 21st century."Technology can be a great thing. :-) ; hope they'll allow it. A good tip for anyone, go digital. (just make sure you don't forget to put it on the charger before you go to bed the night before or it won't last the whole day)
Cheers
This is NOT a viable option for some people who have spent a *great deal* of their resources buying 'hard copy'.
The ONLY reason I was able to pick up a digital media storage device for some of my 'commonly used books' was due to the Humble Bundle dropping last year.
Personal observations on digital means thus far from other folks' issues with it?
*When charged* the devices are amazing, neat, and streamline things.
*When un-charged/damaged* the devices go to 'expensive paperweight' status.
OP, imagine a score of characters in a variety of ranges, but mostly in the lower tiers.
What I've done thus far is tried to pick out an assortment of characters I'd be interested in playing, and bring their data along in hard copy in an accordion folder. As someone else mentioned
This has also helped me cut down on 'one-off' books that only apply to one character which also helps cut down on weight/space, too.
thistledown Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area North & East |
I have a big accordion folder with dividers in it. I keep 10 real characters in it, and have other slots for extra boons, GM credit blobs, and things I need for running (secondary success, guides).
My other characters (retired or just having lots of paperwork) go individually into the nice cardboard folders that paizo sends me every month for my subscription.
Sebastian Hirsch Venture-Captain, Germany—Bavaria |
BigNorseWolf |
3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Crossing off used boons seems to be a major issue, but the same is true for only play.
Maybe, if the GM is permitted to add "character used boon X from chronicle Y" to the chronicle sheet for that session, that would serve as a permanent reminder that a particular boon is used up.
Well, dms CAN add that, i suppose it should be a standard practice..
A few chronicles i've handed out have "serves you right murderhobo" next to the 1 prestige point...
Michael Hallet |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I'll admit, I'm very gun-shy when it comes to making copies of signed documents. Ever since this I sign everything with either a magnetic marker/pen or colored ink.
Making copies of your chronicles allows you to have two sets of chronicle sheets. A GM crosses off a boon on one, you have the original without it being crossed off. Now I'm not saying you would do anything nefarious with those duplicate sheets, however, allowing copies of chronicles sets a precedent that would allow someone of dubious intent the means to cheat the system.
I do sympathize with your predicament. I have 5 binders filled with character sheets and chronicles. I organize them into binders based on level range and only take the binders for the event level range that I want to play.
It's not always possible though. Some of us play both online and in person. I have chronicles that were distributed to me either as PDF or image files. In order to have a paper version to bring to a con, I have to "make a copy" by printing it.
Michael Hallet |
Here is how I organize my characters for convention use. I can fit 5 or 6 PCs in each binder. Each PC is in a separate folder using sheet protectors so that I can look at all the sheets without having to remove them. I also made a page that tells me where to look up non-core material, so if a GM asks, I can pull up the appropriate page in my PDFs (not that any GM has ever asked).
FLite Venture-Captain, California—Sacramento |
I was thinking about this exact thing. My question is can I play my character if all I have is digital material? Scanned copies of all of my chronicles and character sheet, along with watermarked PDFs of the books?
My intent is to bring the character I expect to play, because I like paper better, but I don't want to bring a small dead forest with me for backup.
Digital should be fine, after all, as noted digital chronicles make up play by post.
Just be aware that if your device loses power mid game, you may have to switch to a pregen.
Nefreet |
I also use an accordion file, and keep each character in its own manilla folder (with a personalized scenario tracker on the front). Page protectors add too much weight and thickness when you have 30+ characters.
For retired characters that I never plan on playing again (3 of my 8 so far), I convert them entirely to digital. If I do feel the itch to play them again, it'll be with friends who wouldn't have a problem with it anyways.
Majuba |
I just sold my physical collection to a new PFS family (for about 20% of cover price) and spent that money on Paizo's 25% off PDF sale.
The difference only ended up being $43. Well worth the time, space and effort of storing and carrying them all.
I would never give up my hardbacks, but that was genius Nefreet.
Incendiaeternus |
I think one thing that's a bit of a confusion in this is I'm not suggesting digital copies, just reprinting them 2 to a page (4 with backs). I ran a test copy of mine and they are all readable, in full color.
One thing someone mentioned this works good as a backup for is we've had people that either lost or destroyed character binders. This is a guarantee that I at least have a backup copy if anything tragic happened to it.
Incendiaeternus |
@Incendiaeternus>> I don't know if they'd allow it but at our gaming table, we only keep a few rulebooks around and most of the players, including myself as the DM, we use our tablets (android or iPad) for gaming. ...
Technology can be a great thing. :-) ; hope they'll allow it. A good tip for anyone, go digital. (just make sure you don't forget to put it on the charger before you go to bed the night before or it won't last the whole day)
My only issue with this is per the rulings that have come out before you need to have your chronicle and character sheets physically with you to play at a live table (not online play) -- as in physical *paper* copies. -- Thus my question since online play I have to email people sheets and they print them anyway, would there be issues with setting things up as I just did above.
I have everything else loaded into an iPad for travel and the great bookshelf for when I run locally.
WalterGM RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8 |
FLite Venture-Captain, California—Sacramento |
Scavenger1977 wrote:@Incendiaeternus>> I don't know if they'd allow it but at our gaming table, we only keep a few rulebooks around and most of the players, including myself as the DM, we use our tablets (android or iPad) for gaming. ...
Technology can be a great thing. :-) ; hope they'll allow it. A good tip for anyone, go digital. (just make sure you don't forget to put it on the charger before you go to bed the night before or it won't last the whole day)
My only issue with this is per the rulings that have come out before you need to have your chronicle and character sheets physically with you to play at a live table (not online play) -- as in physical *paper* copies. -- Thus my question since online play I have to email people sheets and they print them anyway, would there be issues with setting things up as I just did above.
I have everything else loaded into an iPad for travel and the great bookshelf for when I run locally.
That ruling is out of date.
Digital Character Sheets
The campaign recognizes the use of technology in the Pathfinder Society organized play program and the variety of tools available to players. However, a player must possess a clear and legible character sheet that they are comfortable giving to a GM to review. There is no standard character sheet format required. Regarding electronic devices, if you are not comfortable with a GM viewing (and perhaps briefly handling) the device in order to review your character information, you should consider keeping character information in a format you are willing to hand to a GM.
...
In the event that a character sheet is no longer accessible due to a loss of battery power, the player may play the pregenerated character and apply the scenario’s rewards to his original character.
Majuba |
I think one thing that's a bit of a confusion in this...
Incendiaeternus, all I can say is *go for it*, while you still have time to complete this before Gen Con. The odds of encountering any difficulty whatsoever are astronomical.*
For the rest of us, the debate continues on the consequences for it as a general rule/practice/allowance.
I have met players who have 20+ chronicles with *none* of them filled out (signed yes), and didn't even bring those to games - they track everything in Hero Lab.
Nefreet |
I think with the success of PbP we would have to allow Chronicles to be scanned and reprinted.
Someone up thread mentioned reprinting Chronicles with unchecked Boons, resulting in potentially multiple uses, but there's nothing that prevents that practice now with PbP Chronicles.
All we have is an honor system, and it's what we'll have to do for scanning physical sheets, too.
But until that's enumerated in a post or document somewhere, I could see not everyone being on board.