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Hmmm... Well, it would be meta at all for purposes of participating here. However, if you plan to play it in the future with a different character, it wouldn't be advisable. If that's the case I'm sure that one of the other players could summarize in a way that doesn't give away the specifics regarding the encounters and faction missions.
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Ok...I think our start date will be Thursday.
For the new people, I need, please, a list of what you're buying for starting equipment (Item and GP value), your faction, PFS #, real name, etc. I will need you to email me your completed chronicle sheets (unless you're level 1, 0xp) before then.
Something I didn't put in the word document...but if you have any questions, concerns, etc... feel free to email me directly. If it's a complicated issue, you can email and ask for my phone number and/or skype handle, which I readily give out to handle any concerns. I want everyone to have a good time.
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Inkeeper, bring me the coldest mead you have! My throat feels like a sage's parchment, already used and thrown away...
After spending the last week escorting a textiles' caravan through rough country, the sensation of the fresh (or even half-fresh) mead down his throat would be one he would always appreciate. He was now fully convinced that the beating he had dispensed to the caravan master was totally called for. He did not get payed, but at least he was hoping to have instilled in that wretched child-beating excuse of a man enough fear of him showing up at his door step ( as he had threatened to do), so that he would at least think twice before the next time he was raising his hand to beat up his young daughter. At least until she was old enough to defend herself-after that she has no more excuse not to take care of herself.
It has nothing to do with you anymore Telurion
he muttered to himself after the second mead had vanished in a heartbeat - it was all in vain though... He already knew he would pay another visit to the greedy merchant before leaving town. Just for good measure - he would tell himself
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Sharan, watching the gathering big folk from beneath the side table, rises at the dark woman's praise of the stick. Padding quietly to the center table, the feral hobbit says, "Good stick. Sharan has, good stick." As though in explanation of this cryptic comment, she draws forth from her belt a small dan boku, over a foot of smoothed hardwood, devoid of blade or point. "Sharan make, good stick. Sharan is can fight. Sharan is will help. Bad men, cage men. Sharan fight cage men. Dark lady, shine stick. And Sharan." As though that settled the matter, Sharan sat on the floor where she stood, and set to scrapping at another, very similar, 'good stick'.
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Indeed, an intro is planned and it is posted! . Most PFS deals start of in a PFS lodge where adventurers who work for the lodge hang out, research stuff, hang out, connect with their Venture-Captains, etc. Anyway, have at it! Next GM post is around 2pm EST.
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Woot! We're off!
speaking in order of causation...
It seems the Unarmed Fighter loses all the usual weapons proficiencies in exchange for all the Monk list.
Most of those are Eastern, or Exotic.
I've had some trouble finding out whether exotic/eastern equipments are available. So I've equipped Sharan only with things I can see her hammering from scraps, with her unranked Craft chance. I expect you'll see her pondering a walnut chair leg, similar to the feral kid with the gyro stabilizer, in Road Warrior.
If any of her gear is outre', expect to lose a curtain rod. You only thought it was a curtain rod, it's really a small quarterstaff. :)
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If push comes to shove, I can always run your character through Herolab and see what it comes up with . Herolab is my friend.
I welcome the Herolab audit.
And I just figured out why she might have made a sansetsukon. Tie the ends together and throw a skin over it, and it's a tent. :) How you then decide to hit people with the 'house-sticks', I'll have to work on. It would at least be reasonable damage.
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You want jumps? How abou that armor clad meteor from above? :D. A shame I did not connect with the spider. It would be a maneuver for Telurion to remember.
Just wanted to add that the posting times work out really well for me so far, even from across the Atlantic. I think they are useful to fight a bit the laggy feeling that PbP can sometimes have. Good work JCServant and players for sticking to it.
This first fight did not sort itself as well as it should - I just wanted you to know that Telurion will take the front line whenever he can.
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Hehehe...Glad you like it (the combat system), Telurion. I set it up this way to counter the very concern that you mention. Unfortunately, it's the source of some debate on the PFS forums. Essentially, a number of other GMs feel that it makes too many concessions on base PF rule to be considered legal of PFS play. PFS, as you know, doesn't allow houserules. My viewpoint is that we're making logistical considerations, not houserules, in order to keep things moving smoothly, and to enable us to use the perfectly legal "Play be description" method allowed in the core rule book (page 8).
The frustrating thing is, at gamestores, I've seen GMs do plenty of things to keep things moving (or in the name of group fun) that would be considered bending the rules. You don't see others rushing to the boards complaining that those games are illegal. Yet, because of the nature of Pbp, those who have concerns about our game have a clear record that they can point to. Sigh.
As I pointed out to my critics, if we want PFS Pbp to grow, we need to encourage thinking outside the box. Because, the reality is that there are a lot more players who would love to play, but GMs don't want to run them because they take a TON of work to resolve grid based combat rounds and it can get hung up REAL fast if you're going to wait for every player to get their move in every time.
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Hehehe...Glad you like it (the combat system), Telurion. I set it up this way to counter the very concern that you mention. Unfortunately, it's the source of some debate on the PFS forums. Essentially, a number of other GMs feel that it makes too many concessions on base PF rule to be considered legal of PFS play. PFS, as you know, doesn't allow houserules. My viewpoint is that we're making logistical considerations, not houserules, in order to keep things moving smoothly, and to enable us to use the perfectly legal "Play be description" method allowed in the core rule book (page 8).
The frustrating thing is, at gamestores, I've seen GMs do plenty of things to keep things moving (or in the name of group fun) that would be considered bending the rules. You don't see others rushing to the boards complaining that those games are illegal. Yet, because of the nature of Pbp, those who have concerns about our game have a clear record that they can point to. Sigh.
As I pointed out to my critics, if we want PFS Pbp to grow, we need to encourage thinking outside the box. Because, the reality is that there are a lot more players who would love to play, but GMs don't want to run them because they take a TON of work to resolve grid based combat rounds and it can get hung up REAL fast if you're going to wait for every player to get their move in every time.
Let's just say I followed the whole debate on the forums ;)
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Also, if you know you won't be available to post for a few rounds, you can always state your intentions ahead of time.
Like this:
It's our first time, so it's hard to be quite certain, but it looks like my wife is in the early stages of labor with our first child.
As such, I have no idea how frequently I will be able to post for the next day or so. If our GM is okay with it, I am happy to have someone from the team control Harboth according to the following rules:
1. Since we have a couple of other front-liners and Harboth has Precise Shot, I will spend combat in the middle of the group (protecting the less-armored types) shooting at stuff. Ranged attack +4 (with another +1 for PBS), damage +4 (+1 for PBS).
2. When we have peace in a new room, Harboth likes to join Elwyn in searching for goodies (perc +9). He also likes to listen/smell at doors before we go in somewhere.
I will meet posting times if/when I can, but obviously I have to give the action at home top priority. Wish us luck, and I'll wish you luck!
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Salutations.
Thank you all for reading your PMs and getting back to me so quickly.
I've read each of your responses multiple times and have given this much consideration and deliberation.
As I mentioned in the PM, a board member complained about the way we are conducting our game. Obviously, I made a target of myself in the last game, fueled the fire even more by reponding to on-line critiques about the way I run the game, and made myself a larger target by accpeting the role of Venture Captain for Pathfinder Society here in Utah.
I believe that this type of critical attitude to whatever I say or do in a public forum will continue. While I maintain that the way I'm running these sessions are within the spirit and guidelines of the "Combat by Description" and other rules found in the Core Rulebook, there's no denying that my implementation of those rules on this Pbp are unorthodox. And when one does something different, one draws fire from critics.
Because of this, I sincerely believe that even if I make some basic changes to how I run the Pbp sessions online, I will continue to draw fire from these people who have nothing better to do with their lives. I thank GOD they aren't showing up to my game store with a video camera, recording my PFS there, and sending notes to Paizo staff about rulings I make there that they don't agree with. :P Unfortunately, with Pbp, every move I make can later be scrutinized by people who have nothing better to do than to find anything I do wrong and report it to Paizo staff. Quite frankly, I have better things to do than to get involved in long debates with critics and Paizo staff about these things. I've spent too much time doing both already.
Finally, and most importantly, your responses sent a few messages loud and clear to me. 6 out 7 responded (because #7 is becoming a dad!)...and I already know his feelings based on a post in the previous campaign. All of you agree that you enjoy the group, our way of playing Pbp and Pathfinder as a whole. Many of you expressed that you enjoy my GM style (Thank you!!) To be honest, its encouragement like that which helps me to stay so invested in Pathfinder Society and the game as a whole (Despite the facts that some forum peeps here are just jerks).
But, how do we carry on? As one of you put it so succulently, "I'm not here for the paycheck." Six out of seven of you responded (either through PM or previous post) that you would definitely continue playing with this group if we did something non-PFS related. While one person indicated he/she would probably leave.
I hate to lose anyone, continuing to run a PFS pbp, for reasons listed above (and a few other reasons) just isn't something I can continue to do.
So, let's have a discussion as a group as to what to do next. Our options are...
1. Continue running PFS modules, but not for PFS credit. This group would continue on with their story as is.
2. Run non-PFS modules
3. Run an adventure Path from the following list below
-Rise of the Runelords
-Curse of the Crimson Throne
-Second Darkness
-Legacy of Fire
-Council of Thieves
-Serpent's Skull
-Skulls & Shackles
-Shattered Star
4. Run a homebrew
I know doing a campaign via Pbp can be impossibly long. I will always maintain a focus on frequent weekday posting, and keeping things moving in combat. On the bright side, since this is an ongoing group, I can probably set everyone's characters up in herolabs. This is a service I provide my players of my homebrew and Carrion Crown Skype based campaigns, and everyone really like the convenience. If you have herolabs, you can simply mail me your file to add it to the group, which is super easy.
Let the discussion begin. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your support and encouragement during this rough time. And thank you for reading this extremely long post! LOL
Phil
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Salutations.
Thank you all for reading your PMs and getting back to me so quickly.
I've read each of your responses multiple times and have given this much consideration and deliberation.
As I mentioned in the PM, a board member complained about the way we are conducting our game. Obviously, I made a target of myself in the last game, fueled the fire even more by reponding to on-line critiques about the way I run the game, and made myself a larger target by accpeting the role of Venture Captain for Pathfinder Society here in Utah.
I believe that this type of critical attitude to whatever I say or do in a public forum will continue. While I maintain that the way I'm running these sessions are within the spirit and guidelines of the "Combat by Description" and other rules found in the Core Rulebook, there's no denying that my implementation of those rules on this Pbp are unorthodox. And when one does something different, one draws fire from critics.
Because of this, I sincerely believe that even if I make some basic changes to how I run the Pbp sessions online, I will continue to draw fire from these people who have nothing better to do with their lives. I thank GOD they aren't showing up to my game store with a video camera, recording my PFS there, and sending notes to Paizo staff about rulings I make there that they don't agree with. :P Unfortunately, with Pbp, every move I make can later be scrutinized by people who have nothing better to do than to find anything I do wrong and report it to Paizo staff. Quite frankly, I have better things to do than to get involved in long debates with critics and Paizo staff about these things. I've spent too much time doing both already.
Finally, and most importantly, your responses sent a few messages loud and clear to me. 6 out 7 responded (because #7 is becoming a dad!)...and I already know his feelings based on a post in the previous campaign. All of you agree that you enjoy the group, our way of playing Pbp and Pathfinder as a whole. Many...
Ok then, I do not want to turn this into a complicated debate because I honestly don't think it is (contrary to the issue behind the PFS canon, which is something I do not wish to discuss) - I count myself fortunate for what I have gathered from the people that make up our group, but mostly because hey, it is not THAT frequently that you have a GM in front of you asking: "So, just tell me what you want to play and we will do it" . So first, thanks for that GMJCServant.
Regarding what to play:
- I am honestly up for anything;
- I do plan to eventually have a long standing character to progress through PFS organized gameplay, and I had intended Telurion to be that one.
- I fear the consequences of running through PFS modules with a non sanctioned character - does this make any sense?
- I have always wanted to play an AP from top to bottom, and this group and GM seem to be just the ones to see this to full conclusion, so I would vote for theRise of the Runelords, because I am a sucker for starting things "from scratch" (not to the exclusion of any other AP though)
- The characters may change or not - I have been aching to play a ranger (again top to bottom :D ) as many others (including Telurion) so this is not an issue
Bottom line, and as I said before, I like the pace, tone, and attitude of this group and GM - for that reason, my main concern is that we manage to stick together.
Cheers.
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I definitely appreciate the collaborative feel of how we're deciding how to proceed. It looks like the decision at this point is what kind of non-PFS experience do people want. I'm the one person who indicated that if we left PFS play, I would probably drop out. This has nothing to do with the group, or the GM - I'm enjoying playing with all of you. And I know that if the decision is to start up a homebrew or an adventure path, for example, I will be tempted to stay. For me it's simply a matter of time. In addition to this game, I am in 1 regular game (Curse of the Crimson Throne) and one pbp (Skull & Shackles). I'm just getting into PFS and currently there is nothing running in my geographical area, so pbp is my way of experiencing it. I don't realistically have time to find another PFS pbp and keep going in this game, much as I'd like to. So I have a tough choice to make.
This is all by way of explaining my likely decision to not continue if we can't find a way to keep it a PFS sanctioned game. And as such, I don't think I should vote in the direction the rest of you will take.
As I told GM-JCServant, if the group continues with the story line, I am more than happy to continue playing until the end of the current session.
It's unfortunate that there are folks out there that put us in a situation where, from what I can tell, the adjustments to the game were allowing for a decent-paced, positive experience (for nearly all of us, anyway - there was one player previously who had issues with it). Like our GM said, some people have nothing better to do, or feel that these adjustments are an injustice for some reason. Regardless, this is a great group and I'm sure that you'll all find a way to enjoy Pathfinder together. And as one of the players in my face-to-face game always says, if you aren't having fun, what's the point?
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First, want to congratulate Harb on becoming a parent.
Second, I just enjoy playing pathfinder with a good group and would like to avoid any problems for myself, others, or GM. I just want to have fun and I don't understand what the issue was/is. I could care less about earning credit.
Third, I'll play whatever the others want. I am playing one of your home-brews so I can vouch for how good it is.
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It's unfortunate that there are folks out there that put us in a situation where, from what I can tell, the adjustments to the game were allowing for a decent-paced, positive experience (for nearly all of us, anyway - there was one player previously who had issues with it). Like our GM said, some people have nothing better to do, or feel that these adjustments are an injustice for some reason.
I also blame the staff that gives in to this kind of rabble. I understand that they are busy, but unless something is done to tell these people to "F" off, they're just going to keep doing it.
'Sharan' here; this is so OOC, I wish I had an avatar of myself...
You guys are great. You know each other, already had a team and a rhythm, and yet you welcomed Telurion and I, and I know Sharan is not the easiest toon to get along with. Right, Jack? :)
I'm not sure if this is the point Telurion was making, but I can see an issue with 'using up' PFS-eligible material for non-PFS play, particularly current and/or popular offerings. I'm VERY new to PFS, so this might not be any real factor, so let me ask: Is it wiser to avoid PFS materials, and thus let those materials be played for the PFS 'paycheck' at a later date?
Non-PFS scenarios also might firmly establish the 'none of your business, Mister Buttinski' point that I think needs to be made to person or persons unknown.
I will ride with you all if you're staying together, or wave if I see any of you around, if you're not.
Now, to that list of options:
> 1. Continue running PFS modules, but not for PFS credit. This group would continue on with their story as is.
Would be sad to lose anyone, but the paycheck is a real factor. I would remain. With an eye toward your critics, you would be continuing the scenario in the way you had told your players you would, and PFS withdrew its sanction. You followed through. Moral high ground. It's lonely, but the breathing is easy.
> 2. Run non-PFS modules
Will go if the group goes. One factor that's perhaps unique to me as a newbie, though, weighs against this: I had been pleased with your attention to the detail of the regulations for PFS. Aside from the mapping, you've been more attentive to and gently requiring of compliance with the PFS rules than any other GM this newbie (zero scenarios completed as of this date) has had. I would not want to lose that resource for coaching/training in the rules. But that's a selfish consideration, please do not let it weigh strongly.
> 3. Run an adventure Path from the following list below
-Rise of the Runelords
-Curse of the Crimson Throne
-Second Darkness
-Legacy of Fire
-Council of Thieves
-Serpent's Skull
-Skulls & Shackles
-Shattered Star
Would very much enjoy, I think, any of these in this company of players. I expect the characters might change to suit the AP? Currently in RotRL on Noamuth.
> 4. Run a homebrew
Rather similar to option 2, all the same applies. It occurs to me you might still toe many of the PFS lines. That would serve me well, but should not be seen as requested.
Got triple-ninja'd! Leaving all my text, appending:
Let's get at least as far as feeding Marisan some spider. :) Or if not, I'll always have the image of Marisan and Sharan by a fire, spider legs visible on the ground, with Sharan explaining, "Fire makes strong for teeth. Is still good."
Homebrew has the advantage of not using up PFS potentials. And if it's got Kyle's good reviews, that' a plus.
I agree the sour grapes trolls are something we could do without. It's galling that so many good people are spending so much time 'fixing' what was not broken, and infuriating that the group could be broken or diminished so that Troli could feel he had his day in court.
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I'm not sure if this is the point Telurion was making, but I can see an issue with 'using up' PFS-eligible material for non-PFS play, particularly current and/or popular offerings. I'm VERY new to PFS, so this might not be any real factor, so let me ask: Is it wiser to avoid PFS materials, and thus let those materials be played for the PFS 'paycheck' at a later date?
The funny thing about PFS scenarios....when you're reading the product descriptions, they say, "This scenario is designed for play in Pathfinder Society Organized Play, but can easily be adapted for use with any world. This scenario is compliant with the Open Game License (OGL) and is suitable for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game."
So what happens if you've played a scenario outside of PFS, but then you want to play it again within PFS for credit? Well, the guidelines addresses that to a point. You have the right to play for a chronicle sheet, but now that you have meta knowledge. The rules talk about what happens if you play the same scenario twice (usually to make a table legal since you can't get a 2nd chronicle sheet from the same scenario except for Tier 1 deals). While it doesn't specifically say, I do believe that this guidelines applies to those who have played/GM'd or otherwise have meta knowledge...
If you spoil the plot for the table, the GM has the right to ask you to leave the table and is under no obligation to award you a Chronicle sheet. Be very careful about character knowledge versus player knowledge. If you’re concerned about possibly spoiling something during the course of play, take the GM aside and ask how she would like it handled. Remember: the goal of replay is to make sure fun gaming happens, not to remove the fun from gaming.
There are currently 80+ scenarios, I think? Maybe more? Probably 100 if you add in the sanctioned PFS modules (That are three times as long). If we were do to a "Pathfinder Society" type of campaign where we run these characters through a series of scenarios and/or modules as members of the society, you would probably experience 25% of what's available (and more is available each year... 28/year).
I hope that clarifies your concerns just a little! LOL. If not, ask and I'll answer. I'm checking this tread often today to help answer questions and concerns.
Marisel, check you PM when you have a minute. Thanks!
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I'd like to hear from the others, if possible, before deciding what to do going forward. It looks like most of you have flexible preferences. Teluion sounds like he wants to do RotRL, but Sharan may be playing it in progress. We'll see.
And, no, Kyle, you don't get a 32 pt build :P However, if you guys want to keep these characters/group, I would consider allowing you keep any earned gold/items you've earned through PFS so far. However, with APs, I do use adhoc xp (basically you level at certain points in the story rather than by killin' X number of mobs). So, we would need to level the playing field as far as levels go.
Hahaha Kyle! Nice one.
Thornborn, who are you and what have you done to Sharan!?
:D
"The hobbit childe, thy feral friend?
My voice does not her loss portend.Nor did I take her, harm her, hide her
If she seems lost, look near the spider."
:)
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Ok...no responses in a while...so let me boil down the choices a little bit. I can think of three ideas I would lean towards, based on what I've heard so far.
I believe Telurion metnioned doing Rise of the Runelords because it is the first Adventure Path....but Thornborn is already running it. So, how about we do the first Adventure Path that was originally written with Pathfinder Rules? Council of Thieves holds that distinction. From what I've heard about it, it's an urban style adventure in Chiliax that features very strong role playing opportunities. Given the medium (Pbp) & this group, an AP that's strongest in RP may be the right choice.
My second canidate would be Serpent Skull. It's a straight forward adventure featuring overland travel, jungles, dungeons and more. If y'all are looking for something more traditional than the RP heavy CoT, this would work.
Last, I can do a homebrew. I have a world established which I've run with Kyle before named Forzega. It's a troubled land where magic tends to be frowned upon and controlled by the military. They are at/near the end of a campaign called The Darkest Day. My campaigns tend to be more combat focused affairs, and lack political intrigue that you might see in AP's like CoT...and my world isn't nearly as fleshed out as Golarion's. However, the ability to affect the future dramatically through choices is much higher. If I do a homebrew I may integrate scenarios and/or modules into the campaign (The first dungeon they did in my homebrew was actually a PF module).
Regardless of which one we run, I will run them with Pbp in mind. My goal for any of my campaigns is to finish them rather 'quickly' because keeping players interested for 3+ years in one campaign, even a Pbp, is really hard. After all, life inevitably changes things for most of us over the course of years. ANd since this isn't PFS, I have a bit more liberty as far as how the APs are run. For smaller combats without a lot of challenge, I tend to skip those, putting more emphesis on RP'ing and larger scale fights. Any other thoughts are also welcome!
Let me know what you all think. The other adventure paths are still an option as well...let's talk it out so we can make the best decision for the group as a whole. Thank you.
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I have to say I have never actually played an urban based campaign or set of adventures - thay may prove to be an interesting change of pace for me since I tend to play more combat oriented characters. So, if there is ALSO combat aplenty in Council of Thieves I am in :D
Regarding Serpent Skull, again I know nothing about it, but that short descriotion is enough to catch my attention - mainly because if it has multiple environments it will allow me more familiarity with the actual game mechanics in varied situations.
Now the homebrew.... Well... In my 20 years embroiled in role play, the best experiences I ever had were exactly derived from homebrews mixed up with "official" modules, both as GM and as a player. This means my inclination towards this option is really strong, though for you, ending a campaign with another group on the same setting, it would perhaps be more stimulating to change the pace somewhat?
Bottom line. I am mostly undecided between your homebrew and the Serpent Skull with the Council of Thieves a close third. Sorry GM-JCServant, I don't think I can be more objective than this - I like roleplaying games so I guess a great experience can be had from different types of stories.
And those are my two cents ;)