GM Rotation, The COREageous Crew

Game Master Pete H.

So here we will figure out our gameplan.

My suggestions are Core, Level 1 PCs, and pick 2-3 factions to focus our missions around. I think we may also want to stick with one thread and change up the links to new slide decks each mission. We can debate it all though and I'm sure other decisions need made.

We can also discuss specific ways to GM and do things and whatnot as well, but let's try to figure out the basics first.

I'm good with pretty much all your suggestions. I think starting new characters as a group is a good idea, as is maintaining one thread so nobody gets lost along the way. :)

Question: As someone who's yet to play Society games, where would we post the chronicles? Maintain them here on the campaign thread? How does that even work?

Most times with Play by Post the chronicles are completed and a link to everyone’s is put in chat. They usually are in a Google files folder, sometimes Dropbox. Sometimes they are emailed. A few people use rpg chronicles to do them which allows most of the record keeping and if you pay their fee they do the emailing for you.

Management of the sheets wise, I prefer to let my players do all that stuff on their own. Mainly because it is really difficult to sit down and work through all the purchases and updates for each person, like you could at a Face to Face table. A lot of players manage their own characters almost completely but also post major purchases in the group thread as an additional and public record.

To a question we had in recruitment. To make chronicles for players I used to use adobe. They got very picky about both protections and subscriptions, so it made it impossible to do anymore. I use Microsoft Edge now to view the scenarios, separate out the chronicles using print to pdf, and edit the chronicles. Maps and handouts have to usually be screenshotted to get for slides.

There are definitely a few ways to do it all.

I'm probably going to be bummed out when I realize this trait or that feat isn't available in Core, but having just finished up with a d20 Modern campaign, I will manage. At least I can have spells again!

I definitely prefer emailing chronicles, myself. All those are still there and searchable to find when needed. Every time it's been posted to Dropbox or what have ye, I download and save to hard drive and then it's lost to the ether when that drive becomes defunct.

I swear, I used to be able to use the free version of Foxit indefinitely but it looks like they have closed that loophole. I may just have to print, fill out by hand and scan, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

How shall we decide who runs first, second, etc? I have First Steps: In Service to Lore and The Confirmation, which are both intended to be "Baby's First Society Mission." Of course, I can loan those out too.

I prefer Core as well. Fortunately, I have a copy of Adobe Acrobat on my work computer, and can extract images from modules using it. So far I haven't had any trouble filling out pdf chronicles in Acrobat Reader, though.

What do people want to do for characters? I already have four Core PCs (L9, L4, L3, and L2), and the three higher-level are either going for or already have a prestige class. I was thinking to go with a half-elf finesse fighter with maybe a couple of levels in rogue, but that depends on the rest of the party.

In the past, I have used Google Slides for maps, and put chronicle sheets (that I have hand-written and scanned) into Google Drive - which I usually clean out every few months.

I did try e-mailing out chronicles, but sometimes players don't like handing out their e-mail address, which is why I defaulted to the Google Drive.

Considering what you guys have mentioned as possible characters, I think I'm most likely to go with a dwarven cleric at this point. Not sure on specifics, but he'll be both melee and spells, and possibly tanking, so there's that.

I would consider going Bard or Rogue if that would work out better, team-wise. Just depends on the group "needs". I'd always rather fill out a role that's necessary rather than just be another of something already being played. Keeping in mind, of course, that we're going for the most versatility, overall.

As for what modules (do they still call them that?) I have for Society play? At this point, none, but am willing to purchase whatever I'll need to take my GM'ing turn.

As for what modules (do they still call them that?) I have for Society play? At this point, none, but am willing to purchase whatever I'll need to take my GM'ing turn.

There are modules and you can get PFS credit for playing those, but I expect what we will deal with primarily are called Scenarios. These words are used pretty interchangeably over various systems but in PFS 1E, here are the distinctions:

Quest: 1-2 hours of tabletop gameplay, best for true beginners. I don't think they even contribute xp toward gaining levels. In 2E, they began calling these "Bounties", I believe.

Scenario: ~4 hours of tabletop gameplay. These are specifically written as Society missions and deal with the Society factions and plotlines. Some tie in together to build more contiguous stories. Each awards 1 xp. 3 xp = a level up.

Module: Longer, multi-session adventures with a stand-alone storyline unrelated to the Pathfinder Society or it's faction politics. These take characters through multiple levels.

Adventure Path: The longest of these, lasting up to 6 full books of content with each book taking characters through 4 levels or so. Sections of each book are playable for PFS credit but are usually applied to a separate character as these are also not Society specific plotlines.

I won't guarantee that's all correct, but it's what I recall. Obviously, these timetables change for us in PbP, more like weeks instead of hours provided we keep up a good pace. Hope it's helpful! I also use Google Slides/Drive, so that will work fine for me.

The breakdown and summary is much appreciated!

Is there a particular season folks are keen to start with?

If we are focusing on factions, my personal favourites are Scarab Sages, Dark Archive, and Sovereign Court.

I've had no problems with Fill & Sign on Acrobat, but I have an Adobe account since I use Photoshop a lot. The PC I'd like to use is level 1 at 2xp, although a Core wizard could be interesting.

@Bluedove. I backup my drives on at least one other machine. Important stuff is also copied to my laptop. So, hopefully, I'm covered if I lose a drive. I've even got a separate set of drives stored offline as third generation backups. Much important for the thousands of photographs I've taken.

After a lot of consideration, I'm going to go with a bard for this, methinks.

Is Scarab Sages still an active (for some values of active, considering that PFS1e is all legacy at this point) faction?

Of the two remaining, I'd prefer Sovereign Court.

Scarab Sages is still a legal faction choice, if that is what you mean?

Character ideas/concepts so far:

GM TOP: Elf Eldritch Knight, Fighter/Wizard frontliner/arcane self-buffer

bluedove: Druid, frontliner(/divine caster/scout?)

phaeton_nz: fighter, frontliner; maybe wizard(arcane caster?)

Luke_Parry: gish - probably a Ranger/Diviner/Eldritch Knight, frontliner/arcane self-buffer

Ispen Ironblood: bard, support/arcane caster(/disabler? maybe +archery?)

John Woodford: half-elf finesse fighter with maybe a couple of levels in rogue, frontliner/scout/disabler(?)

kaervek78: dwarven cleric of Dena (with the Luck and Travel domains), divine caster/support
(We have more than enough frontliners, so I decided to play the cleric.)

Looks like we have a pretty good mix! I have one question, though:

How are we going to handle traps when it's John Woodford's turn to GM?
Will Ispen's bard skill DD? (and maybe somewhen take 1 level of rogue, too?)

Your opinions will be appreciated. ;-)

I'd definitely be willing to work in some disable device with my Bard...
Question for discussion: With the current make up of our troupe, might a Rogue be more advantageous fpr us than a Bard? I'm not against playing one, either.
.

Here are the season ten faction journal cards.

The cards also give a nice summary of the factions. With seven PCs rotating we could pretty easily pick two or three factions to focus on, splitting into groups of two or three. Most scenarios are pretty stand alone too, so I don’t think we need to go chronologically or by seasons or anything, though working through a season can give some nice continuity.

I believe a starting character must pick one of these factions. Scarab Sages is allowed, but only if your PC started as a Scarab Sage during a season that had them. In addition, The Concordance only had one or two seasons of missions, so that one is probably out too.

I don’t know which faction I want to pursue yet with my elfy.

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Thank you for the pc summary, at least as clear as it is known. I see my PC as mostly a tank build. Solid AC and HP, some defensive spells, some offensive, some group buffs. As a wizard he can tailor spells a bit depending on what is needed each session. Early levels will of course be mostly chop chop.

In scenarios I have not seen a ton of need for a rogue. Occasionally for sure, but if we only had one PC and even if they only dipped one level into rogue, that seems like it would cover 99% of those needs. There are still other good reasons to play or dip into a rogue though, so build away!

With one Cleric and a Druid and probably a Bard we should have enough options to cast an emergency heal or two when the cleric GM’s. And it looks like we will have a fair bit of arcane and divine casting coverage.

I'm very sure the melees/martials appreciate the Inspire Courage performance of a Bard. ;-)

However, at higher levels, the Trapfinding class ability of a Rogue will be very helpful. Fortunately, he gets it at level 1, so a one level dip could be an option (you'd get Sneak Attack, too). A two level dip would also grant you Evasion and a Rogue talent.

A rogue adds 1/2 her level to Perception skill checks made to locate traps and to Disable Device skill checks (minimum +1). A rogue can use Disable Device to disarm magic traps.

(Emphasis mine.)

Edit: Crossposting is fun! ^_^

An idea for all the (full or part time) wizards in our group:

As we are a steady group I think it would make sense to keep the cost of more spells down by coordinating which spells you start with and which ones you learn at each level up - and then scribe from each other as much as possible.

I don't know if any of you consider this as cheesy metagaming. However, a steady group means no free copying from other pathfinders' spellbooks because you simply do not meet other Pathfinder wizards (PCs).

Just my 2 cents...

I'm very sure the melees/martials appreciate the Inspire Courage performance of a Bard. ;-)

However, at higher levels, the Trapfinding class ability of a Rogue will be very helpful. Fortunately, he gets it at level 1, so a one level dip could be an option (you'd get Sneak Attack, too). A two level dip would also grant you Evasion and a Rogue talent.

Trapfinding wrote:

A rogue adds 1/2 her level to Perception skill checks made to locate traps and to Disable Device skill checks (minimum +1). A rogue can use Disable Device to disarm magic traps.

(Emphasis mine.)

Edit: Crossposting is fun! ^_^

Isn't there a trait that allows you to disarm magical traps like a rogue? Trapfinder or something like that. Would that be allowable?

Yes, there is:

Trap Finder
Source: Mummy's Mask Player's Guide pg. 10, People of the Sands pg. 31
Category: Campaign
Forgotten dungeons and ancient tombs have always held an appeal for you, and you’ve never been able to resist the urge to delve into these lost sites in search of knowledge, treasure, or both. You may not have received any formal training in the roguish arts, but you’ve nonetheless become skilled at spotting and disabling hidden traps. The tombs of Wati’s necropolis, just opened for exploration, seem like the perfect place to put your skills to the test. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Disable Device checks, and that skill is always a class skill for you. In addition, you can use Disable Device to disarm magic traps, like a rogue.

Unfortunately, it is not CORE and therefore not allowed.

Yes, there is:

Unfortunately, it is not CORE and therefore not allowed.

Doh. Forgot about that. Nevermind. :)

Decided to go with a standard bard, sans archetype, with this Trait, so long as it's approved. I believe it's CORE compliant, but figured I'd double check.

Vagabond Child -

You grew up among the outcasts and outlaws of your society, learning to forage and survive in an urban environment. Select one of the following skills: Disable Device, Escape Artist, or Sleight of Hand. You gain a +1 trait bonus on checks with that skill, and it is always a class skill for you.

My bard will take the Disable Device option. Keep in mind this won't give him the ability to disable magical traps like a rogue.

Rules for CORE are here:

CORE Campaign Blog Post

The only traits that are legal are from the basic traits Web document, and the Guide to Organised Play.

Happily, at least one of the faction traits from the latter gives Disable Device :-)

Gold finger trait from the exchange faction.

I am having issues linking things properly on my phone, but in the next day or two I will sit down at my computer and link the faction journal cards, the additional allowed core traits and the role playing guild guide (which has faction traits). That should cover the rules for Core and all the allowed extra traits and feats and items that aren’t in the CRB. I also use the old legacy rules site to help me build Core PCs. I’ll link that then too.

Hmm, I'm starting to remember why I never made a druid for Society play before. It's hard to rationalize them into a faction. The Concordance actually makes sense thematically... Is it ok for me to go with that, even if it's not going to be a focus of the group at large? Will we be running anything that has to do with the Hao Jin Tapestry?

I supposed if we end up focusing on Silver Crusade, I could use my reach cleric, though that would only give me access to the Season 9 card.

Honestly, I'm not too fussed about earning Faction rewards. I tend to forget I have such things available anyway. XD

Happy to help the rest of you strive on, though.
Dirty Fighter is a very nice trait for melee builds, btw. *evil grin*

I also use the old legacy rules site to help me build Core PCs. I’ll link that then too.

===> legacy rules site

Use only(!) the CRB (core rule book) in the menu and you are fine.

The concordance can certainly be done, there are probably more than enough scenarios for that, honestly.

So probably the exchange and the concordance? Hell, we could all pick completely different ones and then just feature a player’s faction each session. I am open to a lot of ideas.

The boons and FJC aren’t even that important. I just enjoy adding them in for flavor and RP. What is most important in my mind is a moderately cohesive group with all of us having fun.

For what it is worth, the blog post that I linked to contained links to the Guide to Organised Play, and the Traits document.

Regarding factions, I hear you. For three of my four existing CORE PCs, I just defaulted to Grand Lodge. The fourth was one I doubled down on the whole Osirion / Scarab Sages angle, though.

*Cough*

To help with planning, I have created a spreadsheet where people can record the games that they have already played in CORE :-)

CORE Campaign Tracking Sheet

Found this over in the Pathfinder Society 1e forums:

PF1 Org Play

there are 2 forums of interest;
1) PF1 Rulez forum

PFS has moved on - but it is searchable for older threads.
2) OPF PFS forums
as Org Play has been spun off into OPF and it's all 2nd ed now.

The old PF1 Org Play Guides are (downloads) at
Free Resources
Campaign Clarifications

The PF1 official online resource is Archive of Nethys(AoN) at
AoN

Lastly you'll find;
Class Guides: Class Guides at ZG (not official and not always RAW)
Golorion info: Pathfinder Wiki

Added my Core games to the spreadsheet.

She LIVES!

Just very basic equipment on her thus far, I would have added more but then I remembered, the GM might want to supervise purchasing.

Which begs my earlier question... Who is running first? GM TOP?

Yeah, I can run first.

How is everyone else’s character creation? If things are going smoothly and we figure out a good scenario to start on, we could probably start Monday-ish.

Oh ... here's my PC

Heh. Well, in terms of scenario selection, do we want to start with the earlier scenarios, or go straight to the 'end season' content (which *will* be harder)?

;-)

(I mean, I am happy to start with the first 1-5 from the top that none of us have played, and work our way down from there, saving the 1-7s for when we hit level 3.)

Here is a draft of my potential PC for this.

*Cough*

To help with planning, I have created a spreadsheet where people can record the games that they have already played in CORE :-)

CORE Campaign Tracking Sheet

Thank you for doing that!

Added my games. Updated the red highlighted scenarios that indicate at least one of us has played it. I also added a 'G' on any that I have GM'd. I also blacked out 10-10: Shattered Shield. It is well recognized as being a poor scenario. Still need a couple GMs to update, unless the rest of you have never played a Core scenario.

I have a lot of replays, as I guess some of you all may also have. But we should definitely try to do ones we haven't played first.

_______________

Since it appears we aren't really going hard at any faction missions, I am cool with just starting at the top and working our way down. That would mean 0-33: Assault on the Kingdom of the Impossible would be up first.

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And yes, while that great blog post had links to all those, it would require you all to *gasp* download the pdfs! These links below do not require such shenanigans. :P

Faction Journal Cards Season 10

Roleplaying Guild Guide Season 10 (Faction Traits & Core Wayfinder)

Additional Core Traits (and Extra Traits Feat)

Since it appears we aren't really going hard at any faction missions, I am cool with just starting at the top and working our way down. That would mean 0-33: Assault on the Kingdom of the Impossible would be up first.

I own that one and can send it over in case you don't already have it, GM TOP.

I added my games. Updated the red highlighted scenarios that indicate at least one of us has played it.
I did not GM any CORE game, so I did not add a 'G' anywhere.

I have only 5 (five) replays, so we should definitely try to do ones we haven't played first.
But I will use them if necessary, of course.
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I am fine with just starting at the top and working our way down.
However, I already played 0-33: Assault on the Kingdom of the Impossible... but I could certainly run it, if you want to play this one.

However, as I am still in GM school I do not want to GM our first game.
Maybe we can skip this scenario for now and I run it as the 2nd/3rd/4th/5th/6th/7th game?

I have no idea how much longer GM school will take.
The table I sit at has stalled horribly, we are still wrapping up the first of the six(!) quests of The Silverhex Chronicles - which we started on Feb 28th! :-O
Hopefully, the other quests will be done much quicker...

The next few on the list that noone played yet are:

0-37: The Beggar's Pearl (1-2, 3-4, 6-7)
0-39: The Citadel of Flame (1-2, 4-5)
0-43: The Pallid Plague (1-2, 3-4, 6-7)
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Character creation is going well, I will soon have a correct and complete profile of Cortina Hagen. :-D

I'm actually playing Assault on the Kingdom of the Impossible in standard at the moment.

Well, how about I run Mists of Mwangi to start? It is a fun little scenario, and one of the very few updated after Season 0 ended.

As far as I can tell, no-one else has played it in CORE.

Busy week in RL, working and shopping for a new car, since my last was totalled when I hit a deer. Physically fine, but tired and aggravated.

That said, my Bard is coming along, and for the record and spreadsheet, I have yet to play any of the PFS stuff.

Well, how about I run Mists of Mwangi to start? It is a fun little scenario, and one of the very few updated after Season 0 ended.

As far as I can tell, no-one else has played it in CORE.

Dang it. I double checked and have already played that Core. Put a check box on the wrong scenario when I was doing it yesterday.

But I am cool using a replay for it (I have a bunch) or just running 0-39.

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Car shopping is incredibly stressful.

I'm good with either option (I have run it in Standard, so I still have the slides). Let me know which you would prefer :-)

I’ll let you take the run, get this thing goin!

Post a link to the slides and I’ll put them up top.

Done!

And here is GM TOP's PC!

Craft: Traps: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

And here is his dayjob roll! I also got my info into the Tracking Sheet on the Campaign Slides. Which should also now be up top.

Anyone have any ideas for a group name?