Flaxseed Lodge (PFS1)

Game Master Redelia

EbonFist wrote:

Sooo...the answer here is...we're a very welcoming place unless your ideals don't fit ours then thank you very much the door is over there?

Well, it could be said that this is place for gaming and so conversations should stay on topic. I am on plenty of gaming related forums where topics of politics, religion, and others of sensitive nature are banned outright.

I don't recall that being the case with Paizo, but that being said, if someone mentions that a topic of conversation is making them uncomfortable, it is best to just steer the conversation somewhere else.

Politics is officially banned outright - essentially since the 2106 election.

Even in strictly gaming related discussions though, sensitive issues come up. Racism - though usually in fantasy metaphor. Sexism can show up at the gaming table. LGBTQ issues can come up in games themselves if someone wants to play a character (or there's an NPC) under that umbrella. No real way to avoid that without an outright ban on such characters - which would be silencing the other side.

But I say again, other than a couple hints (political correctness), it's not even clear what the OP is worried about, which makes it very hard to respond helpfully.

"Go Shelyn! She's the goddess with the best dance numbers!"

"Ashava would beg to differ, thank you very much!"

“Ashava is the best!”

That is kind of hard Dennis. One of the things about the forum here is that we don't all have to agree about everything.

I do agree with you that times (and what is acceptable) do change.

But offering a door to someone when they disagree with a change is not welcoming.

Life is a journey, and it is much more fun when you take people along with you on it.

You're right. Reading my post again this morning, that came across harsher than I intended, and for that I apologize.

You guys are all part of a supportive community here at the Flaxseed Lodge and I have to say that I feel really great about the fact that many are willing to step in to help others.

I see the different points in the discussion above but at the end what counts for me is that we love this game and that we really enjoy to play with each other.

And that in my opinion means that there can be different groups with different styles and different attitudes which we all have accepted in the past and will continue to respect in the future.

I am really grateful that I found this community! :-)

Sooo...the women who complained that they couldn't vote at the turn of the century were the ones with the problem?

I guess that's literally true since they were the ones who couldn't vote.

Very astute. Naturally, just because you are the one with the problem doesn’t mean you are the problem.

I think some examples would be useful here. It's easier for others to course-correct when you have something to point to and say "Less of this, please." Otherwise, trying to fix a problem we didn't know existed based on unspecified feelings is boxing at shadows.

Unless what you really wanted to know was "Does anyone else feel this way?" (Like, "is there something to this or is it my anxiety talking?") In which case, my answer is no I've never felt that way about this community.

TOZ wrote:

Regardless, the reality is that if you’re the only one complaining, you’re the one with the problem.

I’m nowhere near qualified to say what is true about the subject. I fully accept your judgement of the situation, because true or not, it does not matter.

Those who study history are doomed to watch helplessly as others repeat it.

Sooo...the women who complained that they couldn't vote at the turn of the century were the ones with the problem?

I guess that's literally true since they were the ones who couldn't vote.

History is littered with people who have complained about what they saw as a problem who were ignored only to be proven right later.

To be clear, I've never seen a problem with there being thought police here (current conversation notwithstanding) but sometimes someone who looks paranoid is just the canary in the coal mine.

Dismissing someone's feeling of exclusion just because you don't feel it is bad whether you think they are justified in feeling excluded or not.

Of course, throughout the suffrage movement there were plenty of people (mostly, but not entirely men) complained about how it was going to ruin everything, so you still had both sides then.

It really doesn't matter who is "right" and who is "wrong."

I disagree with the assumption that if we're all nice, we're all going to get along. Sometimes people are just intolerable a-holes.

Spoiler alert: Sometimes, I am an intolerable a-hole.

But, sometimes I find people who I'm willing to tolerate, and they find they're willing to tolerate me. Yay, we can be BFF4eva. And other times, I just walk away.

The world is a big place, and life is short. Spend as much time as possible with people you want to spend time with, and spend as little time as possible with people you don't want to spend time with. There is time you're forced to spend with people you hate; time spent playing RPGs is not one of them.

I've played with IHIYC. He's quirky. I can see why some people may not like him. But he's welcome at my games.

"Go Shelyn! She's the goddess with the best dance numbers!"

Aw, naw, Desna is gonna be way mad!

Every interaction I have had with Closet has been positive. Some have been downright hilarious.

I'm about to GM for Closet and seeing his moniker on the sign-ups made me smile.

However, I have no idea what is going on. Really.

I understand why sometimes we might want to be vague, but sometimes that just doesn't work.

What is this about?

What is this about?

If it isn’t about recruitment for a PF1 game, can the conversation please move to a more appropriate location?

I read Flaxseed to see what games are starting up.

GeraintElberion wrote:

What is this about?

If it isn’t about recruitment for a PF1 game, can the conversation please move to a more appropriate location?

I read Flaxseed to see what games are starting up.

The Recruitment and sometimes Gameplay threads are for games starting up; the Discussion tab is for, well, discussion. (I don't always follow it, to be honest, for exactly that reason.)

And for better or worse this is a discussion about Flaxseed. *goes to review his games for unwelcoming content*

It really doesn't matter who is "right" and who is "wrong."

I disagree with the assumption that if we're all nice, we're all going to get along. Sometimes people are just intolerable a-holes.

Spoiler alert: Sometimes, I am an intolerable a-hole.

But, sometimes I find people who I'm willing to tolerate, and they find they're willing to tolerate me. Yay, we can be BFF4eva. And other times, I just walk away.

The world is a big place, and life is short. Spend as much time as possible with people you want to spend time with, and spend as little time as possible with people you don't want to spend time with. There is time you're forced to spend with people you hate; time spent playing RPGs is not one of them.

I've played with IHIYC. He's quirky. I can see why some people may not like him. But he's welcome at my games.

Well, to be fair, if we're all nice, it generally works. But when someone isn't being nice, being nice back doesn't always work. Sometimes it does. And it's often hard to tell what's the best approach in any given situation.

If Closet or anyone else has issues within any of the Organized Play online lodges or games, please feel free to contact one or more of the Online VOs with specifics.

We all want these forums to be a safe and welcoming community and game space.

We may seem a little distracted and busy at the moment as we try our best to welcome and support an influx of new members and to support other lodges moving their games online during the current health crisis. We still very much care about our regulars, so please speak up if you need or want our assistance.

I'd also ask our regulars to be aware that there may be a higher than usual ratio of new players or new to PbP players finding us and I ask your assistance in welcoming and supporting them.

"Welcome to my safe space, my precious little snowflakes," Asmodeus says with a sly grin, rubbing his hands together over the flames of Hell. "Mi casa es su casa. Mwahahaha!"

Welcome, numbat1, Venture-Agent, Play-by-Post! (what's a numbat anyway?)

I have not forgotten your fruit tingles and hope to give them to you in person in May or sometime later in the year ;)

To add on slightly to numbat's great post I also want to gently point out that sometimes there will be folks that simply do not get along and not for huge, glaring, egregious reasons, either, but simply due to basic play style or personality clashes.

It's part of life. It happens.

But it doesn't have to be a big 'thing', provided at least one or both parties are able to be mature about it. Much as Watery Soup said above, spend your time (if you can) at tables with those whose company you enjoy and avoid/limit (if possible) your time at tables with those whose company you don't.

“Ashava is the best!”

"Clearly, we must settle this in the way of all things. DANCE OFF!!!!"

To add on slightly to numbat's great post I also want to gently point out that sometimes there will be folks that simply do not get along and not for huge, glaring, egregious reasons, either, but simply due to basic play style or personality clashes.

I can generally put differences aside enough to p...

“Ashava is the best!”

...oh... It's ON! Rose? Let's trounce this fool on the dance floor.

Cith swallows nervously as he realizes people are looking towards him and expecting him to know how to dance. Oops...how am I going to get out of this one? Nice thing about dancing alone is no spectators. Maybe I should have paid more attention when they were going over dance steps at the shrine.

Realizing he probably can’t sneak away, he tries for the sad kitten eyes as he says “I can’t do Ashava justice in such a contest.”

Rose bows slightly to Marcus with a flourish, waving her hat widely before rakishly planting it atop her head 'just so'. She then points dramatically at Cith and Faliana.

"Ah, but you see, that is how you learn in art! By first admitting you're but a kitten, and need to grow your claws, or a hatchling needing to grow some wings! There is no shame in admitting weakness, nor in admitting your love for your divinity of choice! The Eternal Rose understands such Love, She does! Come now, let us all dance together, and make beautiful Art! Even Ashava would love to learn some new moves, wouldn't She?"

Faliana steps forward to defend the poor kitty. "I might not be the best at dancing but I will represent our goddess if I have to defend her standing!"

"A dance off? And ye didn't invite the dwarf? What were ye thinking?" asks the unusually quiet dwarf in a clowns outfit.

"Let me show you a move or two I learned from some of the less respectable members of the river kingdom."

"And that be to the honor of Sarenrae, just so we don't be giv'n credit where it not be due." he adds.

pirate jig: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (1) + 26 = 27

"Ug.. That ale went down like a ...ship in a storm. Yeah, ship in a storm. That was what I was gona say. Cause that is why us dwarves don't sail much. Too smart."

I'd also ask our regulars to be aware that there may be a higher than usual ratio of new players or new to PbP players finding us and I ask your assistance in welcoming and supporting them.

I'm excited about this prospect, and looking forward to a little gust of new air rushing into the space. I hope many choose to stick around when things return to normal.

I'd also ask our regulars to be aware that there may be a higher than usual ratio of new players or new to PbP players finding us and I ask your assistance in welcoming and supporting them.

Although not so regular as many of the others I figure now would be the time to come back into the fold of things and offer what I am able. Weather it be a table to our newly arrived PbP players or just as Numbat has said a "Tally-Ho" and welcome.

Poblanooooooo :D

Good to see you again :)

No plans to begin earlier than usual at this time as the VO staff is incredibly busy. With this virus going around a very high amount of store games and meatspace con's have cancelled. We are working with these teams to help bring them into the fold of online games, whether it be PbP, PbD or VTT and making sure they are able to run their games during these troubled times.

With this said you will see a far greater number of newer players and GM's alike coming to each of our Lodges. Please provide a helpful hand wherever you can. Help them set up characters. Take a moment to explain stuff as online can be just a little different. Let's show them how great we can be and offer them a home until their stores become active once more.

Big thanks to the online-VO's for helping us out here in the Bay Area as we are under mandatory shelter in place orders for at least the next 3 weeks.

They've been incredibly helpful in helping get our players and GMs up to speed on their various online options and answering what I'm sure must be the same questions over and over again.

Just for an idea of scale we have had :( approximately 15 venues running weekly games last week. The one I manage (where I also work) was scheduled to have 4 tables of 1-14 last Thursday before we made the hard decision to cancel to help protect our community's health.

So once again, huge thanks to our online VOs. We owe ya'll a big one.

No plans to begin earlier than usual at this time as the VO staff is incredibly busy. With this virus going around a very high amount of store games and meatspace con's have cancelled. We are working with these teams to help bring them into the fold of online games, whether it be PbP, PbD or VTT and making sure they are able to run their games during these troubled times.

Indeed, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say 'ni' at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land. Nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange, and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.

If you're signed up for OUTPOST III's #10-98: Siege of Gallowspire (Subtier 15-16, Soldier-mode), please check in here.

meloriel wrote:

Those of us who have more family and little ones running around the house than normal are also much busier than usual.

Sounds like they need to be in a PbP to me... I'd get my son in a game but he needs to learn how to type first. And talk for that matter.

(Moved to Discussion.)

I'm slooowly getting my almost-4-yr-old into gaming. I have an Amazing Tales rulebook and set of jumbo dice for when she's ready, and the other night before bed we "told our own story" for the first time-- no rolling, just interactive storytelling. She loved it so much she told my sister all about it yesterday (in surprising detail).

meloriel wrote:

Those of us who have more family and little ones running around the house than normal are also much busier than usual.

Sounds like they need to be in a PbP to me... I'd get my son in a game but he needs to learn how to type first. And talk for that matter.

Oh, mine are signed up for some PBP games alright! Making a new PF2 and Starfinder character is on the kids to-do list this week, once we find some semblance of equilibrium around here. They need to have them ready for Outpost's start.

You let me know next time you run a kids game, Debug! Mine had a blast last time.

Poblanooooooo :D

Good to see you again :)

Thank you Milady. It is a pleasure to see familiar faces and dare I say I believe you have a fancy new name tag (Well At least new to mine eyes) Congratulations on the jump into VO fun.

I'm slooowly getting my almost-4-yr-old into gaming. I have an Amazing Tales rulebook and set of jumbo dice for when she's ready, and the other night before bed we "told our own story" for the first time-- no rolling, just interactive storytelling. She loved it so much she told my sister all about it yesterday (in surprising detail).

I did something similar. Last year (when my kids were 8 and 6), we started a writing project where we passed around our stories and each wrote a paragraph. It was a big hit, as was Pathfinder when we first started playing over Thanksgiving.

Welcome back, Poblano! I've missed you around here.

Welcome back, Poblano! I've missed you around here.

Thank you Numbat I have missed it myself.

DebugAMP wrote:

meloriel wrote:

Those of us who have more family and little ones running around the house than normal are also much busier than usual.

Sounds like they need to be in a PbP to me... I'd get my son in a game but he needs to learn how to type first. And talk for that matter.

Oh, mine are signed up for some PBP games alright! Making a new PF2 and Starfinder character is on the kids to-do list this week, once we find some semblance of equilibrium around here. They need to have them ready for Outpost's start.

You let me know next time you run a kids game, Debug! Mine had a blast last time.

I'm really slowly tiptoeing back into the GM chair, although I've been doing a bit more on Discord lately just due to ease of mobile access. When things get a little less hectic for me I'll probably do more here on the boards. I just need to figure out how to give out another awesome hat in PF2 and Starfinder...

A little belated, but if you're all telling me you weren't dancing to the Daikitsun smash hit, "What Does The Fox Say," you're lying

DebugAMP wrote:

meloriel wrote:

Those of us who have more family and little ones running around the house than normal are also much busier than usual.

Sounds like they need to be in a PbP to me... I'd get my son in a game but he needs to learn how to type first. And talk for that matter.

Oh, mine are signed up for some PBP games alright! Making a new PF2 and Starfinder character is on the kids to-do list this week, once we find some semblance of equilibrium around here. They need to have them ready for Outpost's start.

You let me know next time you run a kids game, Debug! Mine had a blast last time.

My 16yo son has been playing through this wonderful Lodge for the past year, and as school has been closed (at first through the end of March, today extended through April 20) my wife and I lifted the usual limit of two concurrent games that we ask him to stick to during the school year. He just recruited two of his friends from the school TTRPG club for their first PbP game - one of the Outpost PF1 scenarios.

Excellent! I hope they have fun and enjoy. Perfect opportunity for a chance at some boons for them as well.

Spoiler:

Thrag has a Cloak of Resistance +4. Deskari's Wing is equivalent to a Cloak of Resistance +3 with some bonuses. You can upgrade from a general magic item to a specific item if they match, e.g. a Belt of Giant Strength to a Belt of Thunderous Charging. Since Deskari's Wing can be upgraded to +4 and +5 can I take my cloak +4 directly to a wing +4 by paying that difference? Wing 20,000 + 10,000 upgrade - Cloak 16,000 = 14,000g for the change.

How does one become an pbp GM? Are there any admin things one needs to learn? I would like to try running a pbp for my local lodge.

How does one become an pbp GM? Are there any admin things one needs to learn? I would like to try running a pbp for my local lodge.

There’s a wonderful PbP GM Kit that folks have made, as well as a guide to Playing PFS via PbP. And feel free to holler here if you have specific questions or feel lost on the whole process - we’ve all been new GMs and everyone is happy to help.

Welcome Muzouka! Since you mentioned a local lodge I'm going to assume that you're already fairly familiar with how Pathfinder Society works. In terms of admin things it's largely the same as running a live game - you report the same way and chronicles can be handled via PDF editors or you can scan and upload physical chronicles that you've filled out by hand.

Normally I'd recommend that you first try PbP out as a player before you jump into GMing but I see you're already doing just that - huzzah! The kits that GM Hawthwile linked above are pretty comprehensive in terms of providing new GMs with the tools and tips to run their own games.

And, as Hawthwile also said, we're a pretty welcoming bunch around here and folks are always happy to help answer questions that anyone might happen to have! :)

Of course I also know that it can seem pretty overwhelming at first to have a bunch of information dropped in your lap. Do you have any specific questions or concerns in terms of getting set up?

Would I need to register anywhere to become a GM?

Nope, no special registration required. You can use your main profile - Muzouka - or you can create a specific alias to use just for posting as a GM, if you like. Many folks create a specific GM alias (here's mine) to make it easier to find posts and to keep their GMing stuff separate from the posting they might do elsewhere on the forums but it's by no means a requirement.

I have a question for the VC's here. I am in a game that has been going since July, and we are not near done yet. The GM posts only every 2-3 weeks right now. Soem of the other players have spoke up in the past, but carried on. Is there a way to call it done as it stands or do we have to finish it. It is just getting to be a waste of time I feel.