Introducing the Concordance Faction!

...it could even be *why* they went to 'putting things in asteroids' method, if they saw inherent frailities in 'putting it on a world'.

From the beginning of the play-test for the ACG, my shaman has been wanting to be part of a "Golarion" focused faction. I even started making a fluff faction: Shepherds of the Voice.

Those pathfinders, in whatever faction they were really in, who were willing to consider the needs of the world and its inhabitants were welcome to join my little idea.

I know the Concordance is all elemental and what-not, but it still doesn't seem like it's necessarily looking out for the well-being of the world. I, for one, will likely always push the faction to consider the ramifications of the Society's efforts on the world around.

The Voice:
If you listen, you will hear it

~Nalvaim~

that sounds like the silver crusade

With apologies to the Moody Blues...

...Cos out on the ocean of life my love
There's so many storms we must rise above
Can you hear the spirit calling
As it's carried across the waves
You're already falling
It's calling you back to face the music
And the song that is coming through
You're already falling
The one that it's calling you...

my Sylph PsychoKineticist would love to join the Concordance... if he weren't indoctrinated into the Dark Archives, maybe if he were to talk to the faction head...

Exciting and them some, to be sure!

Seriously well done for this faction. It is mechanically unique, very interesting in general, and definitely has a much appreciated artistic flair.

I would like to congratulate those who worked on it and thank directly whoever it was that had that first idea.

Faction symbol!

ow ow ow kidding ow ow ow fiery and freezing fists hurt ow ow ow...

Awww. That is adorable!

Since scenario 9-14: Down the Verdant Path’s blurb states it furthers the story of the Concordance of Elements Faction, does that mean the Concordance will be available to take sometime before late February when the scenario is released?

Possibly.

Yes, the blurb states that it contributes to the Concordance faction.

They called out scenario #9-14 in this very blog.

Since this is the Year of Faction's Favor, we would be remiss not to give our newest faction a chance to shine. We've got opportunities coming up in February for both Pathfinder Society campaigns. In Pathfinder Society Scenario #9-14, the Society will call upon the Concordance's expertise to investigate bizarre phenomena in the Verduran Forest. Meanwhile, in Season 4 of the Pathfinder Adventure Card Guild's, Ashasar will help the PCs quell an unnatural storm. The Concordance will also appear in the upcoming Player Companion Disciple's Doctrine.

Interested in joining the Concordance? Ashasar is about to start an active recruitment drive, traveling from lodge to lodge across the Inner Sea and beyond. If your character would like to become a part of this new initiative, keep an eye out for the faction's formal launch in early 2018. As with other faction changes, you'll be able to switch your character over to the Concordance freely without spending Prestige Points. As a part of this launch, we'll be updating the Pathfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide to include the Concordance and giving the faction a shiny new Faction Journal card.

Alas, this one is a Tier 1-5. My level eight bard, Cup, will be heart-broken if she misses the Concordance’s call! I am hoping that there will be chances for older Pathfinders to join too!

Hmm

Is the idea that only characters who play in one of the Concordance specific scenarios can make the free switch? I assumed all characters could do so once they were officially a Faction.

As with other faction changes, you'll be able to switch your character over to the Concordance freely without spending Prestige Points.

No qualifiers on that switch.

Perfect for a plane-touched halfling like myself!

Hmmm, as a Pyromancer who's currently delving into the Emerald Spire... when/how would Egil here about this? Egil's character is reserved for running ES from start to finish, including the Landrush boons. Does he fit the profile at all?

Hmmm, as a Pyromancer who's currently delving into the Emerald Spire... when/how would Egil here about this? Egil's character is reserved for running ES from start to finish, including the Landrush boons. Does he fit the profile at all?

Is your GM using any extra PFS-specific text for Emerald Spire? If a character in the party is in contact with an in-world PFS venture-captain, your PC might hear about it.

Having already completed 4+ goals on my previous faction card on my Paladin of Ranginori, it's a little bittersweet knowing I only have 4 more levels until I retire.

There's a question - when factions retire, do you keep rewards already earned on their faction cards? I don't think this combination has occurred before. I presume you can't continue to check boxes.

KitsuneWarlock wrote:

Having already completed 4+ goals on my previous faction card on my Paladin of Ranginori, it's a little bittersweet knowing I only have 4 more levels until I retire.

There's a question - when factions retire, do you keep rewards already earned on their faction cards? I don't think this combination has occurred before. I presume you can't continue to check boxes.

The answer to those questions is in the other blog post.

As noted on page 28 of the current Pathfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide, "any characters affected by faction retirement can retain any faction-based benefits but can't purchase new items specific to the retired faction. Such characters must choose a new faction at no cost prior to receiving credit for any further scenarios." In addition, members of the Scarab Sages faction will keep any benefits earned on Scarab Sages Faction Journal Cards, but once the faction's retired, they won't be able to fulfill further goals.

This does not cover what happens to those of us who freely change to the Concordance from other factions, however!

Hmm

This does not cover what happens to those of us who freely change to the Concordance from other factions, however!

Hmm

Yeah, the Guide only states the cost (3 x level in Prestige) and that faction traits are kept and faction specific Prestige Awards are lost.

It doesn't tell us what happens to boons or Journal Card benefits.

Hilary Moon Murphy wrote:

This does not cover what happens to those of us who freely change to the Concordance from other factions, however!

Hmm

Yeah, the Guide only states the cost (3 x level in Prestige) and that faction traits are kept and faction specific Prestige Awards are lost.

It doesn't tell us what happens to boons or Journal Card benefits.

Right, just what happens to the ex-Scarab Sages.

Depending on how the faction is sold, my trapfinder might like to make the switch. The Exchange really hasn't measured up to expectations (ex-Sczarni), but Master of Trade is really nice.

Hmm - Yeah, I wasn’t sure if the blurb, in addition to the info here, was hinting that the launch might happen in February. Usually when the note occurs at the end of the blurb it’s more significant than just indicating something will appear in the scenario, or as the blog puts it that the Society will call upon the Concordance.

My most likely Concordance character, a shocking grasp/lightning oriented Magus, is only 2nd level, so he’ll likely be able to play the scenario. My other Scarab Sages characters will likely go to Dark Archives, as they been fairly artifact hunting oriented. Both are or will be seekers anyway by the time they have to change. I don’t see any of my other existing characters jumping over to the new faction.

I already had a couple of characters that were affiliated with the Concordance in their backstory. Most prominently my Suli.

Egil Firehair wrote:

Hmmm, as a Pyromancer who's currently delving into the Emerald Spire... when/how would Egil here about this? Egil's character is reserved for running ES from start to finish, including the Landrush boons. Does he fit the profile at all?

Is your GM using any extra PFS-specific text for Emerald Spire? If a character in the party is in contact with an in-world PFS venture-captain, your PC might hear about it.

No, we just played Part I, leveled (and got food) and jumped into Part II. Hmm, presumably we could travel a great deal during down time...

I had another thought. Will Disciple’s Doctorine or the updated Guide contain vanities for the Concordance? I’m assuming the Guide will have traits for the faction, since that would match all of the other factions. Faction Vanities, however, appear in the Field Guide. And, unlike in the past, the Concordance is not a changing faction. It’s entirely new. So it doesn’t make sense that they would have access to a retired faction’s vanities. I could see a lack of vanities being a hurdle in recruiting/convincing players to move their characters over or start new Concordance characters.

I had another thought. Will Disciple’s Doctorine or the updated Guide contain vanities for the Concordance? I’m assuming the Guide will have traits for the faction, since that would match all of the other factions. Faction Vanities, however, appear in the Field Guide. And, unlike in the past, the Concordance is not a changing faction. It’s entirely new. So it doesn’t make sense that they would have access to a retired faction’s vanities. I could see a lack of vanities being a hurdle in recruiting/convincing players to move their characters over or start new Concordance characters.

The correct term is Prestige Award.

Vanities are faction–neutral.

You spend prestige for both, but Prestige Awards are granted by your faction, and vanities are not.

Then will there be Prestige Awards for the Concordance?

Hi Linda!

Looking forward to trying Concordance. With 9-14 out, and being ready to join Concordance, where can we find the Faction journal Card for concordance?

Thanks, Scott Gray

Not Linda, but if you check your downloads, you will find that the Roleplaying Guild Guide and the Faction Journal Cards were both already updated to include Concordance. And, as of yesterday, they could be added as your faction (And reported as such).

Hi Linda!

Looking forward to trying Concordance. With 9-14 out, and being ready to join Concordance, where can we find the Faction journal Card for concordance?

Thanks, Scott Gray

It's in the latest download of the faction journal cards. They didn't properly update the "date download last updated" field, but it did update.

Not Linda, but if you check your downloads, you will find that the Roleplaying Guild Guide and the Faction Journal Cards were both already updated to include Concordance. And, as of yesterday, they could be added as your faction (And reported as such).

Thanks!

Pitivo Lakatos wrote:

Hi Linda!

Looking forward to trying Concordance. With 9-14 out, and being ready to join Concordance, where can we find the Faction journal Card for concordance?

Thanks, Scott Gray

It's in the latest download of the faction journal cards. They didn't properly update the "date download last updated" field, but it did update.

Thanks, that helps a lot!