The Path Before You

Without the Grand Prince's wisdom, the Society would not even exist. The Decemvirate should think very carefully before they decide they no longer require the good graces of the only man keeping those dirty desert rats to the east from invading Absalom. Their kind doesn't understand the the value of a Society and all the knowledge collected within.

Freedom... and stuff! Down with Slavery! Boo Cheliax!

So the Decemvirate and our Venture Captains pissed me off by sending me around the world to save hapless Pathfinders that they mistakenly sent in the first place, only to insult me in the process?

I finally have enough of that, join the Shadow Lodge to do what needs to be done, only to find out they are more interested in training goblins and are even LESS competent than Hestram was. Then the wise and all-knowing Torch decides to go an make nice with the Society. WTH?

I said screw that and went with an organization that actually had some bite to its bark, the Aspis Consortium. Well I was glad, until they sent me into that stupid magical curtain (or whatever the hell it was) to go talk with some ratfolk. Ratfolk! That's almost as bad as goblins.

"Here Lialda, go an protect our 'finest' agents as they journey to the center of Round Mountain." Whatever. Piece of cake. Just another walk in the (under)park... until those stupid <redacted> dropped 10 tons of rock on my head. Now I'm all dead and stuff. What a waste that was. Maybe somebody will find my body and use my stuff to kill something cool. At least that would make my life and death have some meaning.

Anyway, I say down with them all! Screw the factions! Nothing but a bunch of egomaniacs with Aroden complexes. Get the lobbyists out of Absalom and maybe the Decemvirate can focus on getting some real work done!

*goes back to her emo afterlife*

Also, a side thought for consideration: While I recognize that being in a discontinued faction is a lot like backing the wrong horse, it would absolutely suck to be penalized by losing PP just because other people in the faction--over whom I have no control--didn't earn enough of their own.

FWIW.

For us coordinators: What kind of deadline are we looking at to make sure our players actions impact the campaign? I've delayed some Season 4 scenarios to give them maximum impact at an upcoming local con.

Mid to late April most likely.

I would invite the Decemvirate to the Pedal District so we can "discuss" this insinuation that the Lady Nai Yan Fei's influence within the Society may no longer be welcomed.

We have more important matters to attend to than your silly discussion,

Without the Grand Prince's wisdom, the Society would not even exist. The Decemvirate should think very carefully before they decide they no longer require the good graces of the only man keeping those dirty desert rats to the east from invading Absalom. Their kind doesn't understand the the value of a Society and all the knowledge collected within.

We are thinking carefully. It is true that your "Grand Prince" helped with the founding of our Society, however, if its members have become weak and their influence less than memorable, it may be time to send them off with to the very desert rats they think they have kept from invading the glorious city of Absalom.

So the Decemvirate and our Venture Captains pissed me off by sending me around the world to save hapless Pathfinders that they mistakenly sent in the first place, only to insult me in the process?

I finally have enough of that, join the Shadow Lodge to do what needs to be done, only to find out they are more interested in training goblins and are even LESS competent than Hestram was. Then the wise and all-knowing Torch decides to go an make nice with the Society. WTH?

I said screw that and went with an organization that actually had some bite to its bark, the Aspis Consortium. Well I was glad, until they sent me into that stupid magical curtain (or whatever the hell it was) to go talk with some ratfolk. Ratfolk! That's almost as bad as goblins.

"Here Lialda, go an protect our 'finest' agents as they journey to the center of Round Mountain." Whatever. Piece of cake. Just another walk in the (under)park... until those stupid <redacted> dropped 10 tons of rock on my head. Now I'm all dead and stuff. What a waste that was. Maybe somebody will find my body and use my stuff to kill something cool. At least that would make my life and death have some meaning.

Anyway, I say down with them all! Screw the factions! Nothing but a bunch of egomaniacs with Aroden complexes. Get the lobbyists out of Absalom and maybe the Decemvirate can focus on getting some real work done!

*goes back to her emo afterlife*

*yawn*

*yawn*

Oddly enough I have the same response to anything Kyle says in or out of character.....

... until those stupid <redacted> dropped 10 tons of rock on my head. Now I'm all dead and stuff. What a waste that was. Maybe somebody will find my body and use my stuff to kill something cool. At least that would make my life and death have some meaning.

*goes back to her emo afterlife*

For the record, Lialda, you're doing fine. You've been treated badly by almost every organization you've joined. I'll not insult you by suggesting the temple of Torag, although the Forge-father has done well by me. Have you considered finding people who share your passions and leading them?

For us coordinators: What kind of deadline are we looking at to make sure our players actions impact the campaign? I've delayed some Season 4 scenarios to give them maximum impact at an upcoming local con.

Before I outline and assign the scenario reflecting the results of a given scenario ;-)

In general, offering something as soon as possible after release will ensure your players' actions are taken into account. Sometimes the leadtime we need to get stuff written in time will mean that folks won't get to be part of the deciding body of players, but I'd rather not declare a certain date after which players' actions "don't matter." We'll use the data we have when we need to make decisions, and if everyone's playing often, most players will have some impact somewhere along the way.

Also, a side thought for consideration: While I recognize that being in a discontinued faction is a lot like backing the wrong horse, it would absolutely suck to be penalized by losing PP just because other people in the faction--over whom I have no control--didn't earn enough of their own.

FWIW.

I'd bet that they'll just merge the losing factions into specific existing factions. Possibly with a quite minor loss of prestige (2 or so).

Makes sense in world. After all, the 5 new factions are ALREADY merged into the older factions for Season 0-2 scenarios.

They're not going to be crazy enough to cripple the characters of players who are already likely fairly peeved.

LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!!!!

Patrick Harris @ SD wrote:

Also, a side thought for consideration: While I recognize that being in a discontinued faction is a lot like backing the wrong horse, it would absolutely suck to be penalized by losing PP just because other people in the faction--over whom I have no control--didn't earn enough of their own.

FWIW.

I'd bet that they'll just merge the losing factions into specific existing factions. Possibly with a quite minor loss of prestige (2 or so).

Makes sense in world. After all, the 5 new factions are ALREADY merged into the older factions for Season 0-2 scenarios.

They're not going to be crazy enough to cripple the characters of players who are already likely fairly peeved.

I doubt it--some of the faction match-ups for missions are truly a horrible match for faction refugees to be forced into. Consider the Shadow Lodge/Cheliax match-up. Those two factions have nearly opposite alignments (LE vs CN).

I have never failed a mission with my Taldan character, sadly I don't get to play him often. Losing a nation as a faction would be a big shake up. My vote goes to either the Sczarni or the Celiax though.

I'd imagine people cycle factions... just played a "first-fiver" through to twelth and want to start a new character, I'll pick one of the newer factions I haven't played yet.

Would be a shame to see and of the orginal five go while the Grand and Lantern lodges are still around, adding nothing to the flavour...

Well, Grand Lodge serves the necessary function of being the default for people who don't feel particular allegiances to the other factions. Some of us just look at those factions and can't come up with an in-character reason for our character to join them.

I rather like Cheliax. I'd be fine watching the Scarzi and Shadow Lodge go, or Scarzi and Lantern Lodge.

Very Interesting.

I'd love to see the Shadow Lodge myself go back to being the 'bad' guys. Or splinter again. They would be even harder now to spot out and could take a chunk of existing venture captains with them.

and my apologies

P.S. Some folks on the messageboards requested we show off some NPC headshot art here so they can make handouts with them and share them under the Community Use Policy. That's what the art is from/for. Merry Christmas!

Am I the only one who immediately thought 'What? A Musket Head shot to Drendle Dreng... what a grand idea!.'

When was the last time Drandle Dreng did anything to you? It's been six months since his last appearance.

I'm sort of excited if the failing factions do flounder and it creates a change in the overall game world including outside of the Society bubble. It'd definitely be a step towards the sort of thing L5R has where every season of their tournaments actually dictates their storyline and how it progresses becoming canonical.

When was the last time Drandle Dreng did anything to you? It's been six months since his last appearance.

Someone should go check and see if a pile of newspaper fell on him...

Mark Moreland wrote:

When was the last time Drandle Dreng did anything to you? It's been six months since his last appearance.

Someone should go check and see if a pile of newspaper fell on him...

Or better yet, someone could not check on him.

When was the last time Drandle Dreng did anything to you? It's been six months since his last appearance.

Th'old bootstrap finally decided ta let us lowly minions sleep til' ta morn'? Me, ay've had enuf' with ta 3 o'clock whachamacallits. It ain't right! A paffinder has ta sleep prop'ly, lest he go bonkers. 'Scuse my Kelesh.

This one time he went an' sent us haf' way around ta world fer some suppos'dly priceless ar-te-fact. An' he did an' done it inna nitegown. Bonkers, I tell ye.

Hmm. See, decisions, decisions. I just started a Taldan nobleman character, but if Taldor is going to get the axe, the character concept is going to be a lot less fun. He doesn't fit any of the other factions even a tiny bit. I might have to pull him for now and run another back-burner concept.

Or run him as a way of bolstering Taldor's ranks and prestige.

We're specifically not saying which factions are at high risk to encourage everyone to play the characters they want to play. If there's a PC you want to play, there's no better time than now, because if you wait, and your faction is one that doesn't make the cut, you'll never get to play that character. But if you play it now, not only do you get to enjoy playing that PC, but your successes may just keep the faction from being cut for everyone.

Or run him as a way of bolstering Taldor's ranks and prestige.

We're specifically not saying which factions are at high risk to encourage everyone to play the characters they want to play. If there's a PC you want to play, there's no better time than now, because if you wait, and your faction is one that doesn't make the cut, you'll never get to play that character. But if you play it now, not only do you get to enjoy playing that PC, but your successes may just keep the faction from being cut for everyone.

Fair point.

...your faction is one that doesn't make the cut, you'll never get to play that character.

Tell me you didn't mean what it sounds like you meant. O_O

Mark Moreland wrote:

...your faction is one that doesn't make the cut, you'll never get to play that character.

Tell me you didn't mean what it sounds like you meant. O_O

Ya that sounds very much like getting fired. Your services are no longer needed. Give me your character sheet so I can rip it up.

When was the last time Drandle Dreng did anything to you? It's been six months since his last appearance.

Six months ago he gave me heart burn.

You will still be able to put your character, just not in the faction that was cut. I believe Mrk was referring directly to the Patrick advising his character wouldn't fit any other factions even a tiny bit.

These lost factions will make way for the rise of the New Thassilonian Faction! All hail the Runelords and Lady Lissala the Empire Rises Again!

I imagine that characters of a faction that comes to an end will be in high demand. It would seem that the best approach is to play, see what happens and figure out what to do in case a character has a faction come to an end.

Sometimes, it does take a little creativity to have a character fit in with a faction. So, perhaps when the decisions are announced, we could see some advice. For example, a character might find a home in a faction that shares some of the same ideals or has somewhat similar goals.

Regardless, I think that we are in for interesting times.

These lost factions will make way for the rise of the New Thassilonian Faction! All hail the Runelords and Lady Lissala the Empire Rises Again!

Any character espousing such is evil and not permitted in the Pathfinder Society Organized Play campaign.

Mark Moreland wrote:

...your faction is one that doesn't make the cut, you'll never get to play that character.

Tell me you didn't mean what it sounds like you meant. O_O

I didn't mean what it sounds like I meant. If you have a character that simply can't work with any other faction, however, then that PC's faction being retired would effectively end that PC's career. Such a character retirement would be the player's choice, though, and not something mandated by the campaign.

June Soler wrote:

These lost factions will make way for the rise of the New Thassilonian Faction! All hail the Runelords and Lady Lissala the Empire Rises Again!

Any character espousing such is evil and not permitted in the Pathfinder Society Organized Play campaign.

What e-spoz-zing mean? All hail Garble, Hero of the Licktoads, Champion of Chief Gutwad, and new ruler of Zog! Goooooo Licktoads!

June Soler wrote:

These lost factions will make way for the rise of the New Thassilonian Faction! All hail the Runelords and Lady Lissala the Empire Rises Again!

Any character espousing such is evil and not permitted in the Pathfinder Society Organized Play campaign.

Theres always an Atonement Spell! HAHAHAHA

EDIT: Lol! I tried posting this as my alt character Eldarius of Thassilon but it keeps showing up as my actual name. Actually now that I checked every recent post I made with an alt character reverted back to my actual name. strange...

EDIT: Lol! I tried posting this as my alt character Eldarius of Thassilon but it keeps showing up as my actual name. Actually now that I checked every recent post I made with an alt character reverted back to my actual name. strange...

Welcome to being a VC.

EDIT: Lol! I tried posting this as my alt character Eldarius of Thassilon but it keeps showing up as my actual name. Actually now that I checked every recent post I made with an alt character reverted back to my actual name. strange...

Indeed... *looks at thread curiously*

You will still be able to put your character, just not in the faction that was cut. I believe Mrk was referring directly to the Patrick advising his character wouldn't fit any other factions even a tiny bit.

Things for the consideration book: will 2 new factions fill the gap? Or will it remain at 8 factions? When the old factions dissolve, do characters in the old factions keep their faction-specific boons/traits?

Not looking for answers anytime soon... just making note ^_^

Well. crap. Better make that Samurai/Viking for Lantern Lodge. Like, now.

June Soler wrote:

EDIT: Lol! I tried posting this as my alt character Eldarius of Thassilon but it keeps showing up as my actual name. Actually now that I checked every recent post I made with an alt character reverted back to my actual name. strange...

Welcome to being a VC.

Dang! Oh well I'll leave the RPing at the gaming table.

These lost factions will make way for the rise of the New Thassilonian Faction! All hail the Runelords and Lady Lissala the Empire Rises Again!

Any character espousing such is evil and not permitted in the Pathfinder Society Organized Play campaign.

Pish posh, Mark. We have characters working for the advancement of devil-nuzzling Cheliax, and the Varisian gypsies of the Sczarni are no more than organized crime. Re-establishment -- no, redemption -- of Lissala and the meritocratic empire of Xin are downright sublime next to those factions.

Will characters who purchase prestige rewards from their faction (from the field guide) lose their prestige rewards?

And if the Osirian faction is removed, will anyone who purchased the Risen Guard prestige reward be booted from the society (since they cannot change their faction).

Finally, would a character whose faction is removed be able to purchase prestige rewards from the removed faction after the faction is removed?

Things for the consideration book: will 2 new factions fill the gap? Or will it remain at 8 factions? When the old factions dissolve, do characters in the old factions keep their faction-specific boons/traits?

Not looking for answers anytime soon... just making note ^_^

The plan is to currently leave it at 8. We will look into faction-specific boons/traits to see if anything is the same or similar as them, and replace them. If not, we may offer several options to replace or refund those boons or traits.

Re-establishment -- no, redemption -- of Lissala and the meritocratic empire of Xin are downright sublime next to those factions.

Get out of my head, Charles![/eriklensherr]

I'm intrigued, I think.

I'm also very concerned by how much messier earlier seasons are about to become, though. If I'm playing a private group though Season 2, and not touching Season 3 or 4 scenarios, are some of my players really about to be forced to change factions because of this? That would be quite the irreparable break in story, and would make me sad.

Someone else also already brought this up, but I didn't see an answer: how will faction leaders being introduced in various older scenarios be handled? It's tricky enough with Jacquo Dalsine and Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri. But when many of them started making regular appearances in the stories of scenarios...man, what a pain in the butt maintaining any sort of sense of continuity that will be.

I'm very curious to see how you will pull this off without simply retiring scenarios that don't fit into a generic story any longer. And doing that, by the way, would be a tragic loss for a lot of scenarios. Please don't see that statement as a suggestion of how to handle this...

I'm intrigued, I think.

I'm also very concerned by how much messier earlier seasons are about to become, though. If I'm playing a private group though Season 2, and not touching Season 3 or 4 scenarios, are some of my players really about to be forced to change factions because of this? That would be quite the irreparable break in story, and would make me sad.

Someone else also already brought this up, but I didn't see an answer: how will faction leaders being introduced in various older scenarios be handled? It's tricky enough with Jacquo Dalsine and Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri. But when many of them started making regular appearances in the stories of scenarios...man, what a pain in the butt maintaining any sort of sense of continuity that will be.

I'm very curious to see how you will pull this off without simply retiring scenarios that don't fit into a generic story any longer. And doing that, by the way, would be a tragic loss for a lot of scenarios. Please don't see that statement as a suggestion of how to handle this...

Eyes of Ten spoiler

It isn't something I'm picking on you about. It is something I'm genuinely curious about.

Unless a faction-specific boon, trait, or vanity is unbalancing and would be removed from the campaign entirely, characters should be able to keep existing purchases and character options. After all, if you change factions voluntarily you keep past traits (which represent your character's background), and anything you'd already purchased should have already taken effect. Depending what factions get the axe—er, are retired—we'll let everyone know what the mechanical effects are for members of those factions.