DM B's CORE Confirmation - The Origin Story. . .

Game Master Beckett

So, what would everyone think about this list?

1st Level:
0-01 Silent Tide <Qwerty DM>
5-08 The Confirmation <Beckett DM>
35 Voice in the Void <Qwerty DM>
2nd Level:
14 Many Fortunes of Grandmaster Torch <Qwerty DM>
2-11 The Penumbral Accords < Merisial DM>
6-08 The Seagang Expedition <Beckett DM no credit>
3rd Level
51 City of Strangers, Part 1 - The Shadow Gambit
52 City of Strangers, Part 2 - The Twofold Demise
SP2 Year of the Shadow Lodge
17 Perils of the Pirate Pact (ALTERNATE)
4th Level:
2-01 Before the Dawn, Part 1 - The Bloodcove Disguise <Chapman DM>
2-02 Before the Dawn, Part 2 - Rescue at Azlant Ridge <Chapman DM>
2-13 Murder on the Throaty Mermaid
5th Level:
2-15 Shades of Ice, Part 1 - Written in Blood
2-17 Shades of Ice, Part 2 - Exiles of Winter
2-19 Shades of Ice, Part 3 - Keep of the Huskarl King
6th Level:
2-03 The Rebel's Ransom
2-25 You Only Die Twice
2-21 The Dalsine Affair
7th Level:
22 Fingerprints of the Fiend
2-23 Shadow's Last Stand, Part 1 - At Shadow's Door
2-24 Shadow's Last Stand, Part 2 - Web of Corruption
8th Level:
2-04 Shadows Fall on Absalom
2-08 The Sarkorian Prophecy
2-10 Fury of the Fiend
9th Level:
2-06 The Heresy of Man, Part 1 - The First Heresy
2-07 The Heresy of Man, Part 2 - Where the Dark Things Sleep
2-09 The Heresy of Man, Part 3 - Beneath Forgotten Sands
10th Level:
2-14 The Chasm of Screams
2-12 Below the Silver Tarn
2-16 The Flesh Collector
11th Level:
2-18 The Forbidden Furnace of Forgotten Koor
2-20 Wrath of the Accursed
2-26 The Mantis's Prey

The ones that have someone specifically listed simply mean that person already has credit as a Player, but not a DM. Everything else is open to everyone.

I should also point out up front that I have DM'd, (or played) well over half of these before.

My initial impression is that it seems a little unfair to Qwerty at the beginning, having to GM 3 of the first 4 games. Maybe switch out Silent Tide and Voice in the Void for other evergreens? I'm not familiar with either of them so I'm not sure if they make more sense story wise. Besides that, it looks fine to me.

I am ok GM in the beginning.

I am thinking of a dex based fighter-duelist prc with disable device trait since we have no rogue.

My initial idea was to break it up with me in the middle. I believe that the Level 2 scenario's could be swapped around as needed. I didn't even notice that he or she would be doing two in a row after that, and I was just trying to stay as true to the Season Lists above. I started doing one for Season 3, but there where just so many that needed swapped out all together, I just stopped.

However, now that I think about it, I might need to make another brand new character as well, as I think my levels will be off slightly no matter what we do.

I'll probably go with a Cleric Ranger, but let me think about it a bit.

Based off of what I see on a quick glance, Season 4 and 5 also look like pretty wide open for play across the board, avoiding the "technology" scenarios in general as I know some wanted to. Season 8 is also a possibility I think we can all do without an issue.

I am ok GM in the beginning.

I am thinking of a dex based fighter-duelist prc with disable device trait since we have no rogue.

It makes me sad there are no Divine Prestige classes, as it would be really cool to all go Prestige Classes, too. I actually double checked to make sure the Arcane Archer was +1 Arcane Casting. :P

I thought about going mystic theurge or divine loremaster if that is possible, not sure

thus far party balance is:

1. DM Beckett -> Cleric (divine)
2. GM Merisial the risen ->
3. J. A. Chapman -> Wizard (arcane/knowledges)
4. Sethran-GM -> Fighter/Sorcerer (DD) (melee/gist arcane/face)
5. GM Turmoil -> possibly Bard (face/knowledges/arcane)
6. GM Qwerty -> Dex FTR/Duelist PrC (melee/disable device)

2 x melee
2 x face
2 x knowledges
2 x arcane
1 x divine

Those look fine too me! Happy to be slotted in to Gm whenever. I haven't played any of them Core and there are many I haven't played in standard ^^.

I am looking at a two handed fighter, though I may also build a tankier option too and see what I prefer.

After thinking on it a bit, maybe doing season 5 would be a bit more interesting in a Core campaign, just because the later seasons tended to have more items from other sources on the chronicles. It would make the chronicles a little bit more exciting perhaps.

I'm fine with Season 5, but I admit I also like how much Season 2 is mapped out here.

Im fine with either, really. Depending on when we are ready to actually start, Id prefer not to DM first simply so I can clear out some of my games. If that happens before we start, Im perfectly fine with DMing first.

Also, if anyone wants, Ive a Google drive folder Ive collected blank copies of many of the Chronicle Sheets Ive used everyone is welcome to use.

@ GM Beckett- do you have a link to the drive?

Season 5- checking my list, I have just played Glass River Rescue...

I do, but not until I get home. Its not saved on my phone.

Talking of season 5 I missed off Destiny of the sands part 1 from my played list. I am also hoping the group I am in will play parts 2 & 3

I think I will play a rogue cleric with a view to Loremaster. giving us a minimum of 1 trapspotter and 2 clw wand users in the party before UMD comes into play.

I am happy with either, I really quite liked season 5 due to the Worldwound focus which is my favourite part of lore.

I think Im going to stick with the level 2 character, as its a concept Ive been wanting to try and as far as I can tell, there is no rule against Slow Progression scenario to scenario.

If we do decide to do another Season, such as 2 and then again for Season 5, I can then start a brand new character as well, (hopefully with the Eyes of the Ten Boon, nudge, nudge).

HERE is the link to my stash of Blank Chronicles. I update it as I run more games, so it is fairly commonly updated. :P

I'm also going to add a link to my Profile, in case you need it in the future.

thanks for the link. for some reason my pdf no longer allows me to manipulate the PFS files to save just the chronicle for distro after scenarios conclude... and I am too cheap to pay for the full use right now.

Yeah you can slow path each adventure now so that works. Going for eye of the ten would be a cool goal.

Thanks for the link *yoink* ^^

Bad news at one scenario a month it will take 3 years nearly to get to eyes of ten. A more practical solution might be running both in parallel? Happy with either route if both is too much. May also start with second level character on slow track till we hit 3rd

Season 5 plan
Only problem is fury of the fiend is on both lists

Level1
5-08 theconfirmation
037 The beggars Pearl
5-01 Glass river Rescue
Level 2
5-04 Stolen Heir
5-11 Library of the lion
5-19 horn of Aroden
Level 3
5-21 Merchants Wake
5-22 Scars of the third crusade
5-02 The wardstone patrol
Level 4
5-12 bitter bargain
5-13 race to seekers folly
5-16 sanctum of the sages
Level 5
4-22 Halls of dwarves Lore
4-24 Price of friendship
4-25 Secrets stones keep
Level 6
5-06 You have what you hold
5-09 The traitors lodge
3-25 Storming the diamond gate
Level 7
3-26 Portal of the sacred rune
5-24 Assault on the wound
5-14 Day of the demon
Level 8
5-03 Hellknights feast
5-07 Port Godless
5-13 Weapon in the rift
Level 9
5-18 Stranger Within
5-23 Cairn of shadows
7-17 Thralls of the shattered god
Level 10
5-05 Elven entanglement
22 fingerprints of the fiend
2-10 Fury of the fiend
Level 11
5-17 Fate of the fiend
5-20 The sealed gate
5-25 vengeance at sundered crag

The one (possible) issue I considered with Season 5 was that has a lot of RP heavy scenarios that I didn't think would work so well with PbP.

If we did go this route, I would ask that someone else run Weapon in the Rift, simply because it is one Ive been wanting to play since it came out.

I heard back from the GM I messaged a couple days ago and he would be interested in joining. That would put us at 7 total though. What are everyone's thoughts on that? I personally wouldn't be opposed to it, as long as it doesn't add a lot more to our already played list.

And right now I'm on the fence for a character, either a bard or druid. Though we may be a bit limited for a face without a bard it looks like. My druid build would definitely not fill that role.

Im ok with it.

we also lack some ranged if we want it. i think 7 players and rotating GMs will keep the flow going.

I am happy to play an Archer Bard to cover face/ranged requirements ^^. But will see what the seventh wants to play. I don't mind at all!

Hello all! Said player here! I've been purely playing regular PFS so no core experience, I'm open to all games! I heard core can be pretty intense at time with the limitations but am enthusiastic to try it out!

Just a bit about me! I've only been starting PFS last year July and am loving it! Have gotten about 20 or so games under my belt as a GM so far, mostly PbP but a few at my local gamestore.

Seeing how the party lacks a range, I'm all for playing a ranged. I like em sneaky types, so a ranger likely. But am also open to try out anything as I've not really ventured much outside melee characters.

Although I do request to be first to GM if that's OK! I have a bit of travelling in the next week so I don't know if I'll be ready in time with the character but will definitely have time to GM.

Just a note, we DO have a ranged and a decent "face", though I dont mind doubling up.

Especially with having 7 now, we should have a good overlap of roles to cover for whoever is GMing. If Sethran wants to play a Bard, then I'll probably go Druid. It is a bit redundant to have multiple Bards.

@ Batpony: As for your request to GM first, depending on what scenario we start with, there are certain ones that we don't really have an option to who runs it. If that's the case, you can always play a pregen, I'm pretty sure you can still do that in Core as long as it's a Core class.

And welcome aboard. I am fairly new to Core as well, although I've played since pretty early on, and so I remember a bit when Core basically was the standard.

I'm okay with you DMing first, although there may be an issue if it's one of the scenarios that we are limited on who can get credit from it.

Also, if you have not already, please make certain to dot the Gameplay thread.

Well then, this is my CORE character I will use... brand spanking new...

Like I said, I have no issue doubling up, especially as its likely one of us will be out to DM at various points.

With 6 PCs and many of us experienced players, I doubt we have to worry too much about roles. Someone will have something, I'm sure. And if not, rebuild rules still apply for level 1.

There seems to be some disagreement over what animal companions are legal choices in Core and I wanted to get the groups input. There's confusion over whether or not all valid animal companions in Bestiary I are allowed, or only the ones specifically listed in the CRB.

The animal companions listed here are by no means the only ones available—additional animal companion types can be found in the Pathfinder RPG Bestiary.

If a Core Rulebook option advises that something found in the Core Rulebook is clarified in the Bestiary 1, then the player uses that specific option out of the Bestiary 1 to meet the requirement set forth in the Core Rulebook. That would include, but is not limited to, animal companions, special abilities, summon spells, etc... Only the Bestiary 1 is available for these extra options outside of the Core Rulebook.

The way I interpret it, is that I can choose any animal companion available in the Bestiary, since the CRB specifically mentions it. But before I build around that assumption, I wanted to make sure the group was OK with it.

I think this is one of the examples of things Core really needs to get straight. There is a similar issue with Summon Monster/Nature's Ally spells, where the creatures technically are not in a legal book for play, and different people assume different "but it's common sense" answers to what that means.

Or, for an Animal Companion, do they actually get the abilities mentioned that are not defined in the CRB such as a Alligator's "Death Roll".

It's possible these things have actually been answered by now, so if that's the case, we should go by those rulings. However, I have not, only on a quick look, been able to find anything.

Since we do have the advantage of playing with a continuous group, we can make a ruling in general, assuming we can all abide by it, (and accept that it might change if things seem to be getting out of hand).

For my part, I'd say that anything specifically mentioned in the CRB, even referencing another book is 100% ok. Things not specifically mentioned by name, such as "additional animal companion types can be found in the Pathfinder RPG Bestiary".

So, for instance, Summon Nature's Ally 3 lists Electric Eel as a valid choice, but the Electric Eel is not in the CRB, (outside of the name). That's ok.

The Bestiary offers the Dire Rat Companion option that is not in the CRB. It is therefore not a valid option for Core. I could be wrong, and am perfectly willing to budge on this.

Core rules wrote:

If a Core Rulebook option advises that something found in the Core Rulebook is clarified in the Bestiary 1, then the player uses that specific option out of the Bestiary 1 to meet the requirement set forth in the Core Rulebook. That would include, but is not limited to, animal companions, special abilities, summon spells, etc... Only the Bestiary 1 is available for these extra options outside of the Core Rulebook.

It's this part here that makes me believe that any valid animal companion in Bestiary 1 is allowed. It even specifically mentions animal companions. Either way, I'm still going with a druid. It's just the few options in the CRB are pretty poor except for the obvious two that everyone seems to use.

Im honestly not sure, but dont have a problem with it working either way.

Just to be clear, I am okay with you building around it.

For animal companions original intent is here John Comptons take

However latest update of guide has not entirely reflected this

Although I've never played core, the way I've always interpreted it was that Bestiary I is part of core so to say. Which I guess is rules as intended by John.

Anywho what's our expected start date?

I'm ready to go. I think we are just waiting for:
1.) Everyone to finish their characters
2.) Deciding for sure which path (Season 2 or Season 5) we are going with

Current Roster:
1.) DM Beckett -> Beckett Lorovox Cleric 2
2. GM Merisial the risen ->
3. J. A. Chapman -> Wizard (arcane/knowledges)
4. Sethran-GM -> Fighter/Sorcerer (DD)
5. GM Turmoil -> Druid
6. GM Qwerty -> Xanko Rheneeman Fighter
7.) GM Batpony -> Ranger

My vote is for season 2 merisiel

I believe I know a cleric named Kyra is awaiting her confirmation I have already been confirmed. The human male flashes a Wayfinder at the group

For animal companions original intent is here John Comptons take

However latest update of guide has not entirely reflected this

Not the answer I wanted to find. Oh well, tiger it is I suppose.

@ Sethren: Are you planning on doing a Bard or the Dragon Disciple?

@ Qwerty: Unrelated to this thread, but any ETA on the Gallows of Madness game? The character I signed up with is going to get some GM credit if he doesn't make it in that game.

I wills start the complete GoM after both Tome of Righteous Repose (High/Low) PbP games are done. Both games are almost done.
This thread is for CORE and the Gallows of Madness I will run will be non CORE.

Oh I know, I just thought I'd ask you here instead of PMing. I was referring to the character I signed up for Gallows with, not the onc for this campaign. I just didn't want to level him past 1 if there was still a chance for getting in that game.

Sethran has been larping this weekend. I'm sure he will throw his archer bard into the ring tomorrow

Yeah, sorry I have been off in a field. I would prefer the Dragon Disciple especially now we have ranged covered. I will have him finished very shortly.

Sethran here with his Taldan Knight with a dark family secret...

Pffftttt....Taldans...

Secrets you say. smiles

So I have two characters semi built at this point, and I think I would fully enjoy playing either one. Would the group have any preference between a Bard and a Druid? The Bard would fill the face and knowledge role while being backup melee in combat. The Druid would focus on Wild shape and SNA.

Cheliax gets some representation in the form of Radovus Krupt, wizard with a leaning towards darker magic...