Seven Veils Celebration

Shame this is a one-time boon. I can imagine making a character now who buys a bunch of these items and uses one a scenario.
"What does your character look like?"
"Give me one second..." *Rolls dice*

This is a really cool idea for a boon and I hope to see more of these holiday boons coming! These have been helping my efforts as a GM to help get players interested in the setting when I GM. (Same reason I bring the map from the Inner Sea World Guide every time I GM to point out where the scenario is happening on the big map.)

It was well past sunset when Gennadiy returned to the grand lodge and rang the bell.

"Peal as ye please, I'll need proof that ye are as ye claim tonight." The porter on call that night was Jygwyn, an elf lad who knew the duties of his job rather better than his place. As annoyed as Gennadiy might be at Jygwyn's lack of decorum, he knew that the young elf needled those agents who were most full of themselves, and Gennadiy valued him for that.

"Gennadiy, paladin in the service of Torag and aspiring Hellknight, comes returned to the lodge, to find therein a meal and perhaps a captain looking to send him out again afore he can eat it. Hedge me out as you please, porter, but vex not Old Man Savarre's patience."

The porter laughed high and clear, as only the elves do. "If ye be false-named tonight, at least ye be honest-natured: only a Pathfinder agent might speak so." He unlocked the gate, pushed it open for the paladin, and took his cloak, all in a motion. "But you know why I ask, yes? On tonight, of all nights?"

In reply, Gennadiy took a shimmering veil from his bent pouch. "It's been a pleasant evening, porter. A delightful opportunity to practice my skills."

"Hold ye there one fine minute! 'Paladin in service to Torag' you yourself a-named, but this gossamer favor puts me in doubt. 'To claim never that which is not my due, nor speak falsely,' that's the paladin's oath I've heard. How come ye then with this veil of deceit?"

Gennadiy smiled broadly. "So we've hired judges for porter now, I see."

"And well you ought, for porters judge all with a wary eye, sometimes more honest than the magistrates up yonder, for the price of our mistakes are dearer to us"

"And yet, elf, you do not know the color of the coins in my purse."

"For those, I cannot see, master agent."

"And yet, I am a paladin. Have I deceived you, or answered you false about my wealth?"

"Not as yet. I have asked no questions in want of answer."

"And so it is with this, my veil. Wearing it, my form and figure are hid behind a glamour, but my disguised state is plain, for everyone in Absalom, from the lords in their estates to the puddle-folk in their squalor, even the simplest porter, knows of the dwoemer of the veil. As a paladin of Torag, I would sin a-double if I were by word to present myself as, oh, a dwarfish lady, but that is a claim I forswear to make. Rather, I would appear as one mis-seen as a dwarfish lady, and that would be no lie.

"Slipping through orc patrols next month, my oaths do not require me to plant myself broad-based and announce myself. Against Aspis authorities in Garund ports, I need not wear my spiked armor, nor show my Wayfinder, nor -- with this veil -- my manlike form.

"And it is useful for one purpose otherwise, as well."

The elf double-checked the gate he'd resecured. "That?"

"I've spent a pair of hour out and through the city, enjoying the practice of seeing through such glamours as others would wear. In that, I stand better-prepared against such cunning by a foe, and so I have served my god before my own needs. But now, to that dinner. Fare you well, Jygwyn. May your wit serve you tonight, when your eye does not."

Whoa.

TL; DR

I really liked these holiday boons. I am glad I get to surprise my PFS players with this tonight. Thanks Paizo staff

Any chance someone could tell this curious soul what the boon is? Or do I need to wait until I'm home where I can download it to look at it?

Jiggy,

it casts a minor glamour over its wearer for an hours' worth of disguise, but till you don it and look in a mirror, you have no idea what manner of mien you present to others: perhaps an Ulfin maiden, or perhaps a gaunt gnome well into his Bleaching.

Jiggy,

it casts a minor glamour over its wearer for an hours' worth of disguise, but till you don it and look in a mirror, you have no idea what manner of mien you present to others: perhaps an Ulfin maiden, or perhaps a gaunt gnome well into his Bleaching.

Thanks!

And suddenly I have an urge to make a character with beguiling gift and a really high save DC... ;)

May I request a full month of availability, please? The regular Pathfinder Society games in my area (San Diego, CA) are on the third saturday of every month, so Nov 19th was the last and Dec 16th is the next, but this is available from November 21st to Dec 12th.

My players and I really enjoyed Jestercap. I recall one of the masks actually being used to prevent a possible TPK caused by an unlucky fear on their cleric. Aside from the actual usefulness Jestercap provided, the boon was also just plain fun. And that's what the Seven Veils reads like. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'm sure my players will eat it up.

In the future I'd look forward to more holiday themed boons, especially ones with very unlikely or bizarre impact on actual scenarios.

** spoiler omitted **

May I request a full month of availability, please? The regular Pathfinder Society games in my area (San Diego, CA) are on the third saturday of every month, so Nov 19th was the last and Dec 16th is the next, but this is available from November 21st to Dec 12th.

Sorry, the dates are already set. Each holiday boon will generally only be available for three weeks.

May I request a full month of availability, please? The regular Pathfinder Society games in my area (San Diego, CA) are on the third saturday of every month, so Nov 19th was the last and Dec 16th is the next, but this is available from November 21st to Dec 12th.

If this works like the last one you can get a boon for GMing a session as well. It's a fine opportunity to arrange a one shot home game during the weeks of the event.

If this works like the last one you can get a boon for GMing a session as well. It's a fine opportunity to arrange a one shot home game during the weeks of the event.

That's my plan for getting this one :-)

Two thoughts:

* I would much prefer a scenario that centers around the holiday and includes the boon as part of the chronicle sheet.

* I think that unless the public gets a little more warning of upcoming holidays, its a crapshoot at best to snag one of these.

That being said, I highly approve of involving holidays in the game. I think they are such a big part of RL society, it seems strange that up until now they've been so under-represented in RPG's

I have mixed feelings about the boons.

On one hand, I like the idea behind them, however I'd rather have my players EARN the item from a short encounter (roleplaying or combat) related to the season. What I really want to do, is spend 10-20 minutes introducing the players to the roleplaying flavor of Golarion, rather than just give them free loot.

I also have concerns that these boons can be easily abused. For example, right now anyone can make a bunch of copies of them and use Remove Fear and Disguise Self once per scenario. When the GM puts a slash through the item, then just put a new copy of the boon into their chronicles.

Ideally, these boons would be only available during conventions, where they could be controlled by (hopefully) scrupulous individuals (and hopefully Venture Captains and Lieutenants). I'm sure you would hear some whining about this, but it's better than having them abused imo.

Also, whatever you decide, I'd like to keep it to once a month maximum, and ideally 6 per year.

* I would much prefer a scenario that centers around the holiday and includes the boon as part of the chronicle sheet.

+1

Two thoughts:

* I would much prefer a scenario that centers around the holiday and includes the boon as part of the chronicle sheet.

* I think that unless the public gets a little more warning of upcoming holidays, its a crapshoot at best to snag one of these.

That being said, I highly approve of involving holidays in the game. I think they are such a big part of RL society, it seems strange that up until now they've been so under-represented in RPG's

Well now that one has come out two months in a row, and they seem to mirror real life holidays (Halloween and Thanksgiving) and the Golarian calendar is patterned after our calender (including relative times of the big holidays), you can kinda start hedging your bets and start planning game days within a week of Christmas and/or New Years, maybe Valentines Day, St Patricks Day (one day before my B-day!), Easter, etc.

Just take a look at the Golarian calender, and when those major holiday's show up, look at what month the Golarian month's equate to (they have 12, we have 12) and say oh, that date kinda coincides with our holiday X, therefore I'll plan a game day within a week of that holiday.

This of course won't guarantee that a Boon will come out for that holiday, but you can certainly try to hedge your bets.

When I gave out Jester's cap I summarized the holiday pupose, history and celebration for the players. It would be nice if more of what JJ writes for the blog could be used to fill the center of the chronicle that way the players coul read it for themselves. The boons probably won't need too much space most months.

I also have concerns that these boons can be easily abused. For example, right now anyone can make a bunch of copies of them and use Remove Fear and Disguise Self once per scenario. When the GM puts a slash through the item, then just put a new copy of the boon into their chronicles.

The sheets have to be signed by a GM to be legal. Hopefully that would take care of the issue. Also, if you play with the same GM(s) alot, they might notice you trying to do that. If someone is really so dishonest to do that just to get that tiny bit of an edge that these boons provide, they shouldnt be GMing or playing in the first place.

Two thoughts:

* I would much prefer a scenario that centers around the holiday and includes the boon as part of the chronicle sheet.

If that were the case, then these boons go away. We already have the entire season schedule set. We won't be adding additional scenarios as we don't have the hours in a day to get them done.

* I think that unless the public gets a little more warning of upcoming holidays, its a crapshoot at best to snag one of these.

It takes checking the Paizo blog each Monday. That is maybe one minute of time at most? Is that really asking too much to check the Paizo blog one time a week?

I have mixed feelings about the boons.

On one hand, I like the idea behind them, however I'd rather have my players EARN the item from a short encounter (roleplaying or combat) related to the season. What I really want to do, is spend 10-20 minutes introducing the players to the roleplaying flavor of Golarion, rather than just give them free loot.

Then write something up and do it. Feel free to share your short encounter here in the forums. In a perfect world, I would love to do this. We simply don't have time. But, if fans want to create short roleplaying encounters that introduce the boons, by all means I highly encourage it. I would love to actually see these and I am sure that more than a few GMs would appreciate them. Unfortunately, we simply don't have time here at Paizo to add extra workload.

I also have concerns that these boons can be easily abused. For example, right now anyone can make a bunch of copies of them and use Remove Fear and Disguise Self once per scenario. When the GM puts a slash through the item, then just put a new copy of the boon into their chronicles.

Ideally, these boons would be only available during conventions, where they could be controlled by (hopefully) scrupulous individuals (and hopefully Venture Captains and Lieutenants). I'm sure you would hear some whining about this, but it's better than having them abused imo.

So if they are given out at conventions, what prevents them from being photocopied after the convention? What prevents someone from photocopying the Tian Weapon boon given at Gencon and making a bunch of copies?

If someone wants to abuse the boons, they will find a way. As has been pointed out numerous times here on these very boards, I am trying to trust he playerbase and GMs to do the right thing. It is also why the boons are relatively minor (generally 200-500 gp max). If someone wants to cheat at Pathfinder Society, they have more problems than I can fix with placing a stifling rule on how these are handled. They are meant to be fun. Can we please keep it that way?

Also, whatever you decide, I'd like to keep it to once a month maximum, and ideally 6 per year.

It won't be more than once a month and it will most likely be 8-12 times a year.

Matthew Winn wrote:

* I think that unless the public gets a little more warning of upcoming holidays, its a crapshoot at best to snag one of these.

It takes checking the Paizo blog each Monday. That is maybe one minute of time at most? Is that really asking too much to check the Paizo blog one time a week?

I apologize if I came off confrontational. It wasn't meant to be.

I believe I did not express my point properly. Or maybe I am under a false presumption. Correct me if I am wrong: I have to bring this sheet to a game and get it signed within the time window allotted, ie - by Dec 12, yes?

I have a pretty hefty life schedule. I can fit PFS into it MAYBE once a month. And at that, I am at the mercy of my schedule AND that of the other local area gamers. This means that, from the day it is announced, I have to HOPE that the 2-3 week window falls under a day that I already have scheduled for gaming. THUS, a crap shoot. To point: this is the second holiday announcement. Both times I've been aware of the blog the very day it was announced. Both times it has come with a 2-3 week window. And both times I've looked at my schedule and sighed in disappointment because my next game day was just outside that window. Whereas if it were a full month in advance, I could participate in this VERY COOL IDEA much more often.

If this is something you cannot do, then it sucks to be me. I understand that. But I am disappointed by the circumstances nonetheless.

Good Stuff . . .

THUS, a crap shoot.

More Good Stuff . . .

Michael, you have stated that most of these (boons and other things to be published) things have to be scheduled out in advance, we too schedule our playing time in advance. Having the window open (for future boons) so that it could be fit into our monthly play schedule would be nice.

Part of the thinking behind giving out these boons is to encourage more PFS play. By setting the time limit to 3 weeks, those who only play once a month either get lucky or are motivated to add another game to their schedule. Also, if each holiday boon was valid for a month it would probably bump up against the next one.

Mike doesn't have to take the time to think up and create these boons, then post them in a blog. He's a very busy man. Try to see them for what they are.

I'm not mad at Mike, and I'm certainly not trying to look a gift horse in the mouth. I am wishful thinking.

There is nothing wrong with not being able to have everything I want. But that fact doesn't preclude me from asking, nor should it stop me from being disappointed when I'm told no.

Game on, Mike. No hard feelings on this end. I do appreciate the work you do and I'm thrilled to see you doing something new and innovative. I am especially thrilled to see Holidays in an RPG get some lovin'.

Jason S wrote:

I have mixed feelings about the boons.

On one hand, I like the idea behind them, however I'd rather have my players EARN the item from a short encounter (roleplaying or combat) related to the season. What I really want to do, is spend 10-20 minutes introducing the players to the roleplaying flavor of Golarion, rather than just give them free loot.

Then write something up and do it. Feel free to share your short encounter here in the forums. In a perfect world, I would love to do this. We simply don't have time. But, if fans want to create short roleplaying encounters that introduce the boons, by all means I highly encourage it. I would love to actually see these and I am sure that more than a few GMs would appreciate them. Unfortunately, we simply don't have time here at Paizo to add extra workload.

You took the words right out of my mouth, Mike. Personally, I would love to show up at a Game Day and have a little 10 to 20 minute pure roleplaying encounter as a sort of prelude to the actual adventure. As long as there isn't any gain other than the Holiday Boon, I don't see any reason why people shouldn't do this for themselves. I'm now planning to this very thing for our Game Day in Janesville, WI on Dec 3rd.

Also, Mike, you're doing a great job. The "trust the player base" attitude is very nice and refreshing. I'm loving these holiday boons and I'm looking forward to other great new innovations that I know will be coming.

Hey, Mike! I love these holiday boons for a couple reasons. First, its much easier to get these boons than draw 3 minis from a bag for every session played, and if you are lucky enough to get a hero, roll a d6 for your boon, ala DragonCon. Second, I feel that I am more connected to the world. There seems to be an untold story not only for each holiday, but also for the items given as boons. It is fun just to mention that a character has these items, not just when they are used. I hope to see many more of these from you! Thanks!

Matthew Winn wrote:

* I would much prefer a scenario that centers around the holiday and includes the boon as part of the chronicle sheet.

+1

Maybe they could be Quests, as introduced in KQ 17.

If a GM runs a session and applies the GM credit chronicle for that scenario to one of his PFS PCs, can the boon chronicle be applied to a different PC?

Part of the thinking behind giving out these boons is to encourage more PFS play. By setting the time limit to 3 weeks, those who only play once a month either get lucky or are motivated to add another game to their schedule. Also, if each holiday boon was valid for a month it would probably bump up against the next one.

Mike doesn't have to take the time to think up and create these boons, then post them in a blog. He's a very busy man. Try to see them for what they are.

Much as I would love to have a different one for each month and have them available longer, I do see your point. However, I do also agree with Mr. Winn that it would be nice to know these are coming a little further in advance, so that those of us with busy schedules can coordinate game days to include them.

You wouldn't even have to make the boon itself available earlier. But if you could say at the end of November, for example, that a particular holiday boon will be made available from December 19th through January 9th, we can try to schedule a game during that time period.

I think this is a great idea, and I know the Jestercap boon drew in a couple more players than usual to the games in my area. Thanks for doing these!

Some of the point to this is to increase the number of games being played. More PFS, means more interest/exposure, and should lead to more product sales.

If you group only meets once per month, the holiday boons are another gentle influence to increase the frequency of play. Alternately, consider moving your designated gameday or at least make it flexible to align with the boons.

IMO, we really don't need an advanced schedule. The Golarion calendar is largely based on our own and it doesn't take much effort (for those inclined) to associate RL holidays to those in the game. You would then have a framework of when a holiday boon would likely be offered, if at all.

IMO, we really don't need an advanced schedule. The Golarion calendar is largely based on our own and it doesn't take much effort (for those inclined) to associate RL holidays to those in the game. You would then have a framework of when a holiday boon would likely be offered, if at all.

My calendar doesn't have anything special between 21 Nov & 12 Dec...

(Just being flippant; my group played on 21 Nov and will play again before 12 Dec, so I have no complaints)

My calendar doesn't have anything special between 21 Nov & 12 Dec...

(Just being flippant; my group played on 21 Nov and will play again before 12 Dec, so I have no complaints)

You could always celebrate St. Andrews Day, Muharram, or First Sunday of Advent.

what? 33 comments, and not one noting how lovely the master spy is?

Does anyone else give out the paragraphs of flavor text describing the holiday in question along with the boon?

I thought it would be a nice touch since the point is to make more people knowledgable about Golarion. Didnt do it with Jestercap, but just printed off about 25 copies for the Seven Veils.

It was kind of a pain to get set in Paint correctly (since Im on a work PC), but I finally managed it after several attempts at PrintScreen/Copy/Paste. Would it be possible for the text to be included as another form in the PDFs of these for future releases, sorta like how all the module specific rules are in the PDF with the chronicle for the modules?

Would it be possible for the text to be included as another form in the PDFs of these for future releases, sorta like how all the module specific rules are in the PDF with the chronicle for the modules?

+1

I will be gming Shades of I e part III and my players have no clue about the boon. I already know where I add it into the story

I am interested in reading your thoughts, not only on Jestercap and Seven Veils, but also on future holiday write-ups and boons. This is especially true in regard to the various equinoxes and solstices.

My vote is to keep doing it. This is a great idea and adds to the elements that tend to get glossed over in scenarios (calendar, weather, holidays). That our characters get something in game that can help to roleplay the holidays is wonderful. (Now if only the GMs were allowed to say a particular day in a scenario they are running WAS the holiday.)

i'll be running First Steps, part 2 on 12/03 and was thinking that changing

I have used Jestercap to good effect in First Steps I: In Service to Lore.

I imagine I can get the same kind of effect out of Seven Veils.

what? 33 comments, and not one noting how lovely the master spy is?

My, how lovely the master spy is!

;)

what? 33 comments, and not one noting how lovely the master spy is?

But really, if you noticed her; she really isn't doing her job now is she?

When I gave out Jester's cap I summarized the holiday pupose, history and celebration for the players. It would be nice if more of what JJ writes for the blog could be used to fill the center of the chronicle that way the players coul read it for themselves. The boons probably won't need too much space most months.

+1 to this. I printed off the Jestercap blog and passed it around the tables last time, but having the two combined would be a nice touch.

Then write something up and do it. Feel free to share your short encounter here in the forums. In a perfect world, I would love to do this. We simply don't have time. But, if fans want to create short roleplaying encounters that introduce the boons, by all means I highly encourage it. I would love to actually see these and I am sure that more than a few GMs would appreciate them. Unfortunately, we simply don't have time here at Paizo to add extra workload.

So here's how I ran the boon for my home game. Which may or may not work at conventions.

I have trouble getting my players to showup ontime, so I was going to start the boon mini-encounter exactly on-time, anyone who was late would miss it. As it turned out, no one was late (for the first time ever). :)

I then asked each player a series of questions pertaining to the festival. I then made their "friend" either a random race (or potentially their same gender!). The series of questions were "ok", but next time I'll keep some ideas in mind, but I'll make it more open-ended and ask what the players want to do. It will take less time and it will let the players get themselves into trouble.

"To maintain the effect (spelling error on the sheet), the wearer must not remove the veil for a full hour. After 1 hour, the wearer returns to normal and the veil dissolves..."

So what happens if you remove the veil before the hour expires? You want to un-maintain it by that point anyway, so...?

Once it is has been worn, whether you take it off or not, I crumbles after an hour.

Once it is has been worn, whether you take it off or not, I crumbles after an hour.

That doesn't answer my question, but I think I figured it out anyway.

I assume the wording suggests that if for some reason you have to take it off, you can't just put it back on and have the disguise work again - it's permanently negated once you remove the veil.

That is correct.