Flaxseed Lodge (PFS1)

Game Master Redelia

Noooooooo you have to be there for shenanigans!

GoFundHmm?!

No, no, no! There are many more worthy causes to spend your hard earned money on.

Hugs to all,
Hmm

No, no, no! There are many more worthy causes to spend your hard earned money on.

Hugs to all,
Hmm

Outpost II hit the coast of the internet nearly a month ago and still some of the GMs affected have yet to fill their games with players. Your donation of one or two posts a day can have a tremendous impact upon the lives of tens of gamers worldwide, whose PCs have been left at tables with less the number needed to play.

Think of poor Logan Gallonica (on line 14), an 11th level sorcerer left alone and partyless at a CORE game table waiting to play What Prestige is Worth. He and countless others are in need of you and your PCs' support. Step up today and sign up for an Outpost II game. In return for your donation of time, you will receive daily updates from your fellow PCs on how they are doing as well as small square pictures of what they look like, and maps showing their progress through the game world.

Don't let PCs like Logan down. Join a game (line 14; CORE What's Prestige Worth) today.

And while we are all at it let's help these people too. Not everyone in the world has the chance to play games every day--be glad you do, and if you can, give, so that others can do what we enjoy and too often take for granted.

Hugs to all,

Hmm

But, but but... How will we *all* get our hugs? It's your(!) responsibility to get to PaizoCon so we(!) can all get hugs!

But seriously, we will miss you.

Quick question...I'll be running a tier 1-5 scenario at my Friendly local gaming store, soon. If the players all decide to play low tier (ie. lvs 1-2) can I still assign the GM credit chronicle, to one of my 3rd level characters? (if so I assume I give him 'out-of-tier gold)

Yes, you give him out of tier gold. Note on page 17 of the most recent guide to organized play the following paragraph

A GM who receives a Chronicle sheet that indicates her character is between subtiers must always receive the Outof-Subtier gold value and access to items and boons for the subtier at which the adventure was played.

Oh, I wish I was this year. I can't afford it this year unless I win the contest that Roll for Combat is offering! I will be at GenCon -- because of the GM indentured servitude plan it will cost me only airfare and food -- and would love to see any folks from my region who come by!

Hmm

Edit: Here's more details on the contest.

RFC's PAIZOCON 2019 CONTEST

Well, things have changed. Some friends found me airmiles and a place to stay, so I'm attending PaizoCon and skipping GenCon instead.

See you at PaizoCon, and I would love a delicious non-alcoholic drink! Do we want another PBP get together like we had last year? I don't know if we can get on the calendar at this late a date, but I would love to meet some of you.

Hmm

Yay! We all win!

...would you be available the Thursday prior for some Seeker tier gaming?

I haven't set my travel dates yet, but I'll likely be there Thursday and maybe Wednesday.

My main issue is that my one seeker character is currently trapped in an Eyes of the Ten game that did not complete. I keep hoping that the GM will finish us up so that we can do other things, but no luck yet.

I think I'm better off GMing Seeker than playing in it...

Hmm

We have a four man team for All For Immortality, looking at Thursday afternoon and finishing up during the banquet. I don't know if that is of interest to you if you manage to get out of lockdown, but you are welcome to join us.

I will pass, as I'm going to be attending the banquet. I just bought one of the last 12 tickets for the event. I actually like that event. All the news! Chatting with favorite staffers! Watching Paizo Partners make incomprehensible marketing videos! It's all great.

I enjoyed the first couple, but it has lost the luster for me. Glad you enjoy it however!

Hey all, I know that 10-99 D has started dropping. Have the other Outpost scenarios and modules started dropping yet?

Hmm

My non 10-99D has not dropped yet.

Not received scenario as of yet. Also non 10-99D.

Got mine today.

Just downloaded 10-99D

I got one of my non 10-99 scenarios today.

Yay. I get to see Hmm again this year.

Very Cool Hmm, I'll make sure I seek you out one Shirley Temple, or Roy Rogers coming your way!

Hey all, I know that 10-99 D has started dropping. Have the other Outpost scenarios and modules started dropping yet?

Hmm

I've not received mine yet. (Non-Solstice Scar).

I have received all of my scenarios and I'm now prepping like crazy.

I won't see GM HMM at Gen Con? I'm terribly disappointed.

You know what you will see at GenCon? Seeker Tier gaming!

John Compton talks about it here.

At the 40 minute mark he updates us on the final multi-table special, titled Siege of Gallowspire, and how you will be able to use multiple characters when participating.

At the hour mark, he mentions what I have been waiting for, 10-22 and 10-23, a two part Tier 12-18 called Passing The Torch. It involves the Decemvirate and finally dealing with Grandmaster Torch, one way or another.

I actually received my scenarios for both Outpost II and Crittercon II!

Are there any strict rules or even standard practices when it comes to start dates for online conventions like Outpost II? I'm sure the special events might need to be sorta strict, but what about just a normal game? Can it 'start' earlier if everyone is ready and what exactly would be the definition of 'starting' either way? Is it the mission briefing? The first knowledge check? The first 'encounter'? The first combat (which can be really far in)?

I typically do the briefing before it starts so that my players have something to muster to and do some pregame roleplay to introduce themselves and interact with each other before the action starts. I just won't move them past the briefing till the start date.

Are there any strict rules or even standard practices when it comes to start dates for online conventions like Outpost II? I'm sure the special events might need to be sorta strict, but what about just a normal game? Can it 'start' earlier if everyone is ready and what exactly would be the definition of 'starting' either way? Is it the mission briefing? The first knowledge check? The first 'encounter'? The first combat (which can be really far in)?

Outpost II starts at UTC Midnight, March 11th (7pm CST on March 10th for those of us in the US.)

Here's what I feel free to do before a PBP Convention start date.

1) Pre-mustering RP so that the characters can all chat with one another and get to know one another;

2) Double-checks of character sheets and PC botting spoilers;

3) Discussions of weird game mechanics that the players want you to know about, or that you need clarification on;

4) A discussion of your GM style and pacing;

5) Set up an emergency back-up communication channel like a google hangout;

6) Make sure that all your characters can use the google slide show and move their avatars around.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Here's what I don't feel free to do.

1) Any box text;

2) This includes the mission briefing.
(If you've already posted the mission briefing or a small amount of box text, don't panic. Just don't do it in the future, okay?)

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

So... how can you set up pre-game RP?

1) Give the players a place to meet before the briefing.

In Kortos Envoy, a PFS mission with no mission briefing, I made up Club 149 in Skyreach and let all the PCs chat before the start date.

In Sky Key Solution, I set up a pre-mission festival with traveling vendors.

2) Have fun with getting them there.

I've often had one of my own characters intercept the PCs with a clipboard, as if they were assembling teams, and then given them a space to wait together while they were awaiting the specifics of their mission briefing.

For Starfinder, I've even had Charli Poshkettle greet the party with a bunch of tea, just to get them talking with her and with each other.

For The Darkest Abduction, I stole a bulletin board posting from GMofAnything to set the scene, collected the Pathfinders with a junior agent (core pc of mine), then proceeded to teleport them part of the way there and describing their ride in. I did jump the gun a bit giving Knowledge checks for the area, but it is what it is. For this go around, in Bones of Biting Ants, I described the city and gave them a waiting area in the local lodge to chat amongst themselves.

Ooh, yes, share you pre-mission RP tricks! I'd love to hear what other GMs do! BTW, getting ideas off of other GM's runs of scenarios can be helpful when you're blocked or need ideas!

By the way, I played in that game of Darkest Abduction run by GMofAnything -- he had some lovely prose!

That’s why I stole it all! :D

Also, my halfing also had a clipboard when rounding up the team. ;)

Are these official Paizo rules or just how the online lodge prefers to handle things? The question is moot of course if there is no difference between the two.

May I also ask why the box text/intro knowledge checks need to be protected? It's already set up as an excellent way to get the group together to start talking about the mission. I'm happy to try to understand the reasons, but it doesn't matter when our sessions end so why does it matter when they start?

And I agree, you have all made excellent suggestions as to how to get your group together talking without using the box text, but that seems like just adding more prep to each scenario and possibly confusing players.

As far as being on the player side of this fence...

Use this opportunity of muster to introduce your character to the group:

Express your character's mannerisms, obvious outward equipment, and start to build some interaction between the other players and/or NPCs.

Another nice bit is to bring out any obvious quirks or strong feelings towards something your character may have. Using some internal monologue gets the point across nicely if your character is one of few words.

Some people also like to set up general roles and tactics from the start in some form. Others like to work that in more naturally and in character.

Are these official Paizo rules or just how the online lodge prefers to handle things? The question is moot of course if there is no difference between the two.

I think of it as recommendations. There are no rules specifically, but we try to stick to the dates set to respect the time and consideration given to us as an online convention.

I will post either:
- the product "back of the book" description of the scenario (It's public information, no spoilers there)
- I'll drop the players into a meeting room and say the Venture-Captain is running late
- I'll give some kind of "movie trailer" using random NPCs describing what they see (riskiest, I don't want to spoil anything)

I get the respect part completely, tis part of the reason I brought this up.

So it's more of a we have to draw the line somewhere and the box text intro is a pretty consistent place to do it kind of thing?

Thinking about it, I could see a game literally ending before a convention even starts. If a GM doesn't need scenario support, musters early and starts once everyone musters, the whole mission could be done before the convention even rolls around. That would be an extreme case, but I could see why we don't want anything like that happening.

Anyway, thanks for the discussion. I can work under those recommendations just fine in the future.

May I also ask why the box text/intro knowledge checks need to be protected?

When you go to an in-person convention do you start reading the scenario to the players before the slot begins?

The slot hasn't started yet, so you shouldn't be starting the scenario.

GM TOP wrote:

May I also ask why the box text/intro knowledge checks need to be protected?

When you go to an in-person convention do you start reading the scenario to the players before the slot begins?

The slot hasn't started yet, so you shouldn't be starting the scenario.

That has never even come close to happening to me as a Player or GM so I had never considered it. The time slots seem to be more an organizational method to help reserve games and spots than anything else. However I will definitely keep the recommendation to not start until the clock strikes "X" for F2F from here on out as well.

I think F2F is a little different as you don’t typically show up an hour early to a table, but even then I would wait for players who might only be showing up at the posted time.

Wait, your F2F conventions start on time? The ones I go to are still figuring out which table to cancel, which players will move, and hoping for more players--and that's 10 minutes after start time!

Wait, your F2F conventions start on time? The ones I go to are still figuring out which table to cancel, which players will move, and hoping for more players--and that's 10 minutes after start time!

Oh, fear not! My F2F ones are still doing that 10 minutes after start time...but...we start anyway! :-P

The rule to not start playing before the start of the convention is an official Paizo rule. Exactly what counts as starting is something decided by PbP leadership.

To be honest, I had to draw a line somewhere, and decided that box text was that line.

Hmm

It's also consistent with other rulings, such as that it's OK to muster with a character who is in another PbP, but not more than that.

To be honest, I had to draw a line somewhere, and decided that box text was that line.

And we all know how strict Hmm can be. That's why she always leaves a single survivor, so somebody can spread tales of her wrath. Have you ever had to make a DC 50 save vs. fear, or be panicked for the rest of your life?

And we all know how strict Hmm can be. That's why she always leaves a single survivor, so somebody can spread tales of her wrath. Have you ever had to make a DC 50 save vs. fear, or be panicked for the rest of your life?

Muahahaha! Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair!

Because, yes, that is totally my modus operandi.

Avoid that by being as cute and cuddly as possible. :3

Avoid that by being as cute and cuddly as possible. :3

Hello again. As you know Outpost II has been underway for over a month now and still some games are not filled, pushing GMs and players into stretch their time and resources to play in games they don't really have time for or in the case of GMs (who are by definition already trying to kill their player's characters) aggravating them by forcing them play pregenerated characters to round out the table. And trust me you do not want to aggravate your GM.

But you can make a difference. Your donation of one or two posts a day can have a tremendous impact upon the lives of tens of gamers worldwide, whose PCs have been left at tables with less than the minimum number needed to play without their GM hating them even more then they already do.

Remember poor Logan Gallonica (on line 14 12), the 11th level sorcerer left alone and partyless at a CORE game table waiting to play What Prestige is Worth? Well he's gone now--replaced by Chandu a 9th-level bard. Sad huh? He was this close to being a Seeker. Well, that's the cold hard truth of our reality. Still, Chandu and her new friends could use your help. And now that you've seen the consequences of your inaction I'm sure you'll be there for them (this time). They and countable others are in need of you and your PCs' support. Step up today and sign up for an Outpost II game. In return for your donation of time, you will receive daily updates from your fellow PCs on how they are doing as well as small square pictures of what they look like, and maps showing their progress through the game world.

Don't let PCs like Chandu down like you did poor Logan (you know who you are). Join a game (like maybe line 12; CORE What's Prestige Worth) today.

And while we are all at it let's help these people too. Not everyone in the world has the chance to play games every day--be glad you do, and if you can, give, so that others can do what we enjoy and too often take for granted.

Wait, your F2F conventions start on time? The ones I go to are still figuring out which table to cancel, which players will move, and hoping for more players--and that's 10 minutes after start time!

My conventions start on time. The games begin at the time it says on the wrapper, or 10 minutes grace if there was a known issue. People all get the hint when their tardiness means they missed the intro and once that happens they learn a sense of urgency.

Be there five minutes before five minutes before.

It does take a bit of time for people to adjust to, but once people know that the events are reliable (they don't cancel, they run on time, and there are no surprises) they adapt fast and everyone has a good time.

I'm putting a Convention on a Cruise ship this year, being 'late' would have rather catastrophic consequences :)

@Shifty: That sounds absolutely amazing??? I'm in awe of your glory.

@Adorable Big-Eyed Fey: I wish I could help - the cuteness is definitely working on me... But I've never actually done anything with CORE. Are CORE tables run through this lodge/thread, too?