Sweet.
As a conorg I had always presumed we couldn't add PbP to our schedule, though never saw anything that said we couldn't... I'll have to rethink how I offer events in future :)
|
I think I need a little procedure advise/help. I am PBP GMing for the first time and I need to know how to handle an absentee player. Normally I would just ask a venture captain in face to face, but I really am not sure if it needs to go that high up the chain. I don't know who else to ask.
The player stopped posting/disappeared about 3 weeks ago. I sent a couple of PMs but have not heard back. The player has done about a third of the module I am running. Anyway, does anyone know to whom I can address my questions?
|
|
I think I need a little procedure advise/help. I am PBP GMing for the first time and I need to know how to handle an absentee player. Normally I would just ask a venture captain in face to face, but I really am not sure if it needs to go that high up the chain. I don't know who else to ask.
The player stopped posting/disappeared about 3 weeks ago. I sent a couple of PMs but have not heard back. The player has done about a third of the module I am running. Anyway, does anyone know to whom I can address my questions?
From what I've seen on these boards, you just say that you lost a player and try to recruit a replacement.
Tyranius or another VO should pop in to answer your question soon.
You can also try completing the scenario with them under GM control like a pregen. This works best if they have already made it through a large part of the adventure, of course.
Great news everyone! PbP games are going to be incorporated into PaizoCon Online 2021!!!
YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!! Thanks a lot for the opportunity!!!
I think I need a little procedure advise/help. I am PBP GMing for the first time and I need to know how to handle an absentee player. Normally I would just ask a venture captain in face to face, but I really am not sure if it needs to go that high up the chain. I don't know who else to ask.
The player stopped posting/disappeared about 3 weeks ago. I sent a couple of PMs but have not heard back. The player has done about a third of the module I am running. Anyway, does anyone know to whom I can address my questions?
Tyranius would answer questions.
I've never gone past the PM stage, but I would probably try to E-mail them, and then declare them gone.
I wouldn't bot someone's character without their explicit permission. What happens if the character dies?
/VC hat on/
I'd just drop them from the group and crack on, assuming this would still leave a legal and in tier party. If not I'd then I'd pause the game and find another player to replace them.
2. While the con itself only last 4 days and PbP takes 5-6 weeks. In practice we would start at the same time as the rest of the Con. The reporting event number would then either stay open or a separate one would be created for PbP until our tables are completed.
Circling back to this - with how much longer PbP games run, are we anticipating games from PaizoCon overlapping with a previously-scheduled PbP convention? The PBP Convention Schedule document only goes up through the current convention (Outpost IV).
I've seen zero xp chronicles given out before for folk who have done this. Personally I think that a little harsh, as PBP (especially for someone new to it) is quite a change from what folk are used to. If I had a repeat offender I may be tempted to do that though.
Agreed. Given the nature of PbP it's usually easier just to cut them away and move on. Things happen that aren't always in the players control - even the refresh cookies thing we went through the other week caused players a heap of heartache.
|
I think I need a little procedure advise/help. I am PBP GMing for the first time and I need to know how to handle an absentee player. Normally I would just ask a venture captain in face to face, but I really am not sure if it needs to go that high up the chain. I don't know who else to ask.
The player stopped posting/disappeared about 3 weeks ago. I sent a couple of PMs but have not heard back. The player has done about a third of the module I am running. Anyway, does anyone know to whom I can address my questions?
There are a few routes we go and other folks have mentioned most of them:
1. If the player is just gone for a short duration then bot them if it seems likely they will return.
2. If under the third mark of a scenario then go ahead and drop them
3. If they are over the halfway mark or habitually absent then we usually tend to give them an appropriate chronicle.
In your case though it looks as if you are playing through the Gallows of Madness. Am I correct in assuming the third mark is that the player has completed Part 1 A foul Breed? If so then I would give said player a chronicle for Part 1 only and then drop the player from the game. It looks as if that will leave you with 3 players so one will have to pick up a pregen to have a fourth party member or pause and recruit the fourth.
|
|
Circling back to this - with how much longer PbP games run, are we anticipating games from PaizoCon overlapping with a previously-scheduled PbP convention? The PBP Convention Schedule document only goes up through the current convention (Outpost IV).
We shouldn't have any overlap on this one. We should have a good month in between each and possibly even enough time to play a scenario in between PaizoCon and Gameday.
To be clear, giving someone a 0 XP Chronicle is a pretty significant action, correct? It means that not only do they not get rewards, but it also prevents them from doing so in the future?
If so, that seems unnecessarily harsh as a surprise punishment.
If I were to do that, I'd want to be a little "corporate" about it - I would resist seating them at the beginning of the scenario, but only do so with an explicit understanding that if they abandoned, I will (future tense) give them a 0 XP Chronicle. Having a surprise 0 XP Chronicle show up in an inbox seems like people will get madder than they ought to be.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
People just disappearing without comment is also a bit uncool - getting mad about then receiving a 0 chronicle seems a bit rich.
People just disappearing without comment is also a bit uncool - getting mad about then receiving a 0 chronicle seems a bit rich.
People who do it multiple times.
There are times when real life hits so hard you really don't think about other things.
People just disappearing without comment is also a bit uncool - getting mad about then receiving a 0 chronicle seems a bit rich.
There's a difference between receiving no credit for the scenario and never being able to play the scenario again.
I mean if we really want to be outraged at people abandoning, why stop at one scenario? Delete their PFS number and NEVAR LET THEM PLAY AGAIN RAWRRRRRR!!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
There's also a difference between a one time punishment and a permanent ban.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Not really ‘outraged’ at them abandoning, more acknowledging that it is an impolite thing to do that wastes the time of the gym and rest of group whilst they wait around for someone who isn’t returning who didn’t have the basic common courtesy to send an email or IM to let people know.
I’m not particularly concerned about that person coming back and being ‘mad and angry’ (the only apparent outraged party here) when they find themselves dealing with the fallout of their actions.
Rather than get mad perhaps they could apologise and explain what happened, then perhaps we can sort it out. Until then 0 and reported is a potential course of action.
There's also a difference between a one time punishment and a permanent ban.
Exactly.
No Chronicle = you messed up, do it over
0 XP Chronicle = you messed up so bad you don't get to do it over
Handing out a 0 XP Chronicle is more than a one time punishment. Its use should be telegraphed and warned, not dropped as a surprise.
Consider this the warning then. 0XP chronicles are not more than a one time punishment in others eyes.
Consider this the warning then. 0XP chronicles are not more than a one time punishment in others eyes.
This is perhaps the crux of the issue.
The goal is to get the proper message received, not to have the proper message sent. You can say and do whatever here, but if the message received differs from what you intended, it's functionally no different than sending the wrong message and having it transmitted faithfully.
If you want the behavioral change, you make sure the message received is the message intended.
Now, let's be fair. Even in a corporate setting, you're not always concerned with whether people "get it." At high turnover positions, people get fired for small misunderstandings all the time. At the high levels, people are given all sorts of slack and multiple warnings. The difference is the replacability of the person.
So, the real question is how people view the player pool.
"Didn't read post #8822 in the Flaxseed thread? Tough noogies, we replaced you."
Or
"Hey, you want to play in this game and we want to play with you so let's have a discussion about how we're all going to be happy doing this together."
|
As the one who opened this particular can of worms..
My opinion is that the zero-xp chronicle is pretty much a last resort. That after the "It's really disruptive when you dropped without letting anyone know." conversation and after the "Dude, you did it to me again, what happening?" conversation. But before the "I never want to GM you again" one.
Real life happens. Folk get sick. Folk get over committed. Parents ban you from computers for a month (the modern equivalent of getting grounded). I don't want to stop people playing the game. What I don't want is folk signing up for games on a regular basis and then dropping them. Especially if they sign up to a LOT of tables.
Now I don't think I have ever resorted to the 0xp chronicle (I may have, so no hand on heart here) - but it would be a pretty extreme step.
I just messaged my absent player to see if they would be joining us for part 3. I've botted the character and they will be receiving full rewards as such.
I think the only 0XP chronicle I have personally seen that wasn't from a permadeath was when the mission went disastrously wrong.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
New update to PaizoCon online. You do not need to pay the $25.00 Badge fee if you only plan on GMing games. You will only need to pay for the badge if you plan on playing.
"No fees are needed unless you plan on playing. When registration opens tomorrow, there are 4 badge options. Player, GM 4+, GM 1-3 Play and GM 1-3 No Play. Player and GM 1-3 Play cost $, the other two are $0."
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Tomorrow (March 1st) the Warhorn opens for GMs to begin choosing their games.
We are working through some of the logistics for PaizoCon Online 2021 and differentiating our games on Warhorn. Below is how we are doing that and how to quickly find the PbP Games.
VTT game slots are as follows:
0700 - 1200
1300 - 1800
1900 - 2400
We are going to put all of the PBP games on its own separate timeslot starting at 0600 on Friday the 28th. This will help separate PBP from VTT as well as put us right at the forefront to look for games as players and GM alike.
|
Hey, my main character is already level 5, and I wanted to know if there are any neat low-level (1-5) adventures that would be thematically appropriate for a Varisian Rogue (skill-monkey/face, with a rapier & sap)?
(Planning out what I want to play for this last level instead of just taking whatever is offered.)
I'm still not seeing any PbP games listed at 0600 on the 28th. Do you know when those will be posted?
(I would assume its maybe for a different time zone? but the listed game slots for VTT appear to match up correctly.)
EDIT: For me, the PbP games are listed on May 27TH, not the 28th. Hopefully that helps others
Tomorrow (March 1st) the Warhorn opens for GMs to begin choosing their games.
We are working through some of the logistics for PaizoCon Online 2021 and differentiating our games on Warhorn. Below is how we are doing that and how to quickly find the PbP Games.
VTT game slots are as follows:
0700 - 1200
1300 - 1800
1900 - 2400We are going to put all of the PBP games on its own separate timeslot starting at 0600 on Friday the 28th. This will help separate PBP from VTT as well as put us right at the forefront to look for games as players and GM alike.
Hey, my main character is already level 5, and I wanted to know if there are any neat low-level (1-5) adventures that would be thematically appropriate for a Varisian Rogue (skill-monkey/face, with a rapier & sap)?
(Planning out what I want to play for this last level instead of just taking whatever is offered.)
#8-01 Portent's Peril is set in Varisia and features a Harrow deck reading.
#7-21 The Sun Orchid Scheme features a heist.
#9-06 Shores of Heaven is worth playing just for some of the crazy things that happen in the library.
#10-14 Down the Verdant Path is very weird and I found it entertaining. It seems you've already played this one!
#5-11 Library of the Lion features the team having to break into a secret library and find information.
(I would assume its maybe for a different time zone? but the listed game slots for VTT appear to match up correctly.)
I'm still not seeing any PbP games listed at 0600 on the 28th. Do you know when those will be posted?EDIT: For me, the PbP games are listed on May 27TH, not the 28th. Hopefully that helps others
If you look at the event in AGENDA view, the PbP games will all pop to the top of the list, super easy to identify that way.
(Planning out what I want to play for this last level instead of just taking whatever is offered.)
I highly approve of this.
Tier 1-5 roguey scenarios that I really liked:
10-01 Oathbreakers Die
2-11 Penumbral Accords
9-08 Birthright Betrayed
|
|
Yes there were some slight changes as the Organizers then had to list the games out by 30 minute increments so that players could sign up for more than one game. If you look at either the calendar or Agenda view though Play-by-Post games are all at the front and the first games you should see. There are not any PbP games scattered throughout on any other days.
VC clarification sought.
There is a situation in...
...which ages character 1d20 years.
One of my players argues that this is irrelevant because the character creation rules state that in PFS...
2. RACE AND AGE
Select your character’s race. The choices offered in the Core
Rulebook are always available, as are ifrit, kitsune, nagaji,
oread, sylph, tengu, undine, and wayang, provided you
own a copy of the appropriate source book. Other races are
available as campaign boons; the Chronicle sheet in which
such a boon is available must be the first Chronicle sheet
applied to a character.
No matter which race you pick, many options for
each race exist beyond those in the Core Rulebook. See
Additional Resources for a list of available options for
your character’s race.
Characters must be between the ages of adulthood (see
Table 7–1 on page 169 of the Core Rulebook) and venerable
(see Table 7–2 on page 169 of the Core Rulebook).
3. ABILITY SCORES
Roleplaying Guild characters purchase their ability scores
as detailed on page 15 of the Core Rulebook. Pathfinder
Roleplaying Guild is a high-fantasy roleplaying campaign,
so you have 20 points to spend on your character’s ability
scores. The costs for ability scores are given in Table 1–1 on
page 16 of the Core Rulebook. You may not buy a score lower
than 7 or higher than 18. Racial modifiers are applied after
spending points; as a result of applying such modifiers,
you could begin play with ability scores as low as 5 or as
high as 20.
Do not alter your character’s ability scores as a result of
her age category.
My view is that these are rules for character creation, not aging in-play.
With other rules, aging effects apply (for instance, Sands of Time is PFS Legal).
So, are PFS characters immune to aging effects?
|
|
I cannot imagine that you would be immune to aging effects as a player as there are several scenarios and traps that will age them. Making them completely immune would make those moot points within the scenario. My suggestion to the player would be to use it as a great roleplaying opportunity to build into the characters story.
I tossed it out to the VO hive mind on Discord as well to see what the consensus is for you though.
Cheers, Big T, interested to learn if the hive mind have any more insight.
|
|
VC clarification sought.
There is a situation in...
** spoiler omitted **
...which ages character 1d20 years.One of my players argues that this is irrelevant because the character creation rules state that in PFS...
2. RACE AND AGE
Select your character’s race. The choices offered in the Core
Rulebook are always available, as are ifrit, kitsune, nagaji,
oread, sylph, tengu, undine, and wayang, provided you
own a copy of the appropriate source book. Other races are
available as campaign boons; the Chronicle sheet in which
such a boon is available must be the first Chronicle sheet
applied to a character.
No matter which race you pick, many options for
each race exist beyond those in the Core Rulebook. See
Additional Resources for a list of available options for
your character’s race.
Characters must be between the ages of adulthood (see
Table 7–1 on page 169 of the Core Rulebook) and venerable
(see Table 7–2 on page 169 of the Core Rulebook).
3. ABILITY SCORES
Roleplaying Guild characters purchase their ability scores
as detailed on page 15 of the Core Rulebook. Pathfinder
Roleplaying Guild is a high-fantasy roleplaying campaign,
so you have 20 points to spend on your character’s ability
scores. The costs for ability scores are given in Table 1–1 on
page 16 of the Core Rulebook. You may not buy a score lower
than 7 or higher than 18. Racial modifiers are applied after
spending points; as a result of applying such modifiers,
you could begin play with ability scores as low as 5 or as
high as 20.
Do not alter your character’s ability scores as a result of
her age category.
My view is that these are rules for character creation, not aging in-play.
With other rules, aging effects apply (for instance, Sands of Time is PFS Legal).
So, are PFS characters immune to aging effects?
I'm so glad you have this question, as I totally missed that I shouldn't have adjusted this old lady's ability scores. Good thing I only just finished a module that she started at 1st level, so I can "rebuild" her easily. :)
|
|
I would say "Yes, you are affected."
"No, you are not immune to aging effects."
The PC would be affected by an aging-inflicting condition. It's a trap, haunt, or negative ability effect. Not character creation. They would suffer the effects and need to get them removed at the end of the scenario -just like any other bad condition like a curse, poison, or ability damage/drain.
|
|
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
@GM Elberion- Alright there seems to be a general consensus. Age during PFS is not something we in PFS are expected to track nor do we have ages of the pregens to track this type of effect that is only in one or two off-shoot modules.
The ageing effect will have no numerical penalty on the character as there isn't even a spell provided to remove aging effects provided to the player to spend prestige on to clear it at the end of the scenario. The effect is merely cosmetic and definitely something they should incorporate into their PC's continuing storyline for roleplay purposes.
Thank you.
Here is my first post on this forum! I did a bit of reading on PbP and getting started here, put together a (standard) character I'm happy with, and now I'm wondering what I should do next.
|
|
Welcome Necromagnetism! You are in the right spot. Keep an eye out on the Recruitment thread here. Currently we are most of the way through our PbP Con but you should start to see some recruitments happening very soon.
Next game that is posted please keep a spot saved for Necromagnetism. It would be much appreciated.
It looks like I might have made a mistake on my first character. I chose a ratfolk as my race because I say that both Bestiary 3 and Advanced Race Guide were listed under additional resources, but I missed that you need something called "Chronicle Sheet" and I am having some difficulty figuring out what that is. Have I made a character that is not legal for play by mistake?
It looks like I might have made a mistake on my first character. I chose a ratfolk as my race because I say that both Bestiary 3 and Advanced Race Guide were listed under additional resources, but I missed that you need something called "Chronicle Sheet" and I am having some difficulty figuring out what that is. Have I made a character that is not legal for play by mistake?
The Chronicle Sheet is the document you get after playing in a sanctioned event that gives your character credit (xp, gold, boons, access to equipment) for the event. Some additional boons are delivered via special chronicle sheets; the "race boons" are commonly delivered this way.
Ratfolk is not normally available as a legal choice for a PFS character. If you made a ratfolk PC without a chronicle sheet that specifically makes it legal, then yes, you've made a mistake and you'll have to rebuild your character to a legal PFS race immediately. Our lodge leadership can advise on the particulars.
| 16 people marked this as a favorite. |
It looks like I might have made a mistake on my first character. I chose a ratfolk as my race because I say that both Bestiary 3 and Advanced Race Guide were listed under additional resources, but I missed that you need something called "Chronicle Sheet" and I am having some difficulty figuring out what that is. Have I made a character that is not legal for play by mistake?
This is your first PFS character and you have invested time so I really want you to enjoy that. :-)
I still have a ratfolk boon that I can give you as a gift. Send me your email address and PFS number and I’ll send you the boon you need.
Have fun!
It looks like I might have made a mistake on my first character. I chose a ratfolk as my race because I say that both Bestiary 3 and Advanced Race Guide were listed under additional resources, but I missed that you need something called "Chronicle Sheet" and I am having some difficulty figuring out what that is. Have I made a character that is not legal for play by mistake?This is your first PFS character and you have invested time so I really want you to enjoy that. :-)
I still have a ratfolk boon that I can give you as a gift. Send me your email address and PFS number and I’ll send you the boon you need.
Have fun!
What an amazing introduction to the community. I cannot say thank you enough! But thank you so much, nonetheless!