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OPC Musings
Well would you look at that number at the top, it’s already 2023! Don’t forget to date your checks correctly, I know I’m forever scribbling out the previous year for the first month or so.
I’m very excited for what’s coming in 2023. Obviously we have some fantastic products coming down the line, but I’m even more excited about the future of Organized Play. We’ve got two great metaplots in the works for you, and we’re going to be working hard to make the program even better this year. It’s a new year and we’ve got a lot to talk about already, so let’s dive right in!
Digital Adventure Releases
These adventures will be available on January 25, 2023.
Pathfinder Society
Pathfinder Society Scenario #4-08: Battle for Star's Fate*
Starfinder Society
Starfinder Society Scenario #5-13: Finding the Forgotten*
*part of a subscription
Pathfinder Core Rulebook Errata
Earlier this week, the Rules & Lore team announced a new errata policy, as well as posting some new changes to the Pathfinder Core Rulebook. Obviously these changes are going to affect Pathfinder Society play, so here’s how to handle them:
- All new rule changes in the 4th printing of the Core Rulebook are in effect immediately.
- Dust of disappearance has been made uncommon. Any character who previously purchased the item may keep it. It will be added to the Avid Collector - Core Rulebook boon for future purchases and characters.
- The horse animal companion rules have been updated, and apply immediately. Any character who no longer wants a horse animal companion may freely change their animal companion to a new animal. Retraining out of an animal companion entirely follows the normal rules for retraining.
- The alchemist class updates provide a number of changes and upgrades. Any alchemists built under the old rules can freely retrain their research field and any feats except those that specifically prohibit doing so (such as lineage feats). Any items purchased with gold can be sold back for the full purchase price. Retraining out of the alchemist class entirely can only be done with the normal retraining rules.
- The Core Rulebook now allows all characters to take two free ability boosts instead of the printed options for their ancestry. Newly created characters in Pathfinder Society may use this rule; previously built characters may not unless they rebuild the character from scratch with a boon.
- However, to retain the legality of numerous existing characters, the Pathfinder Society campaign will continue to offer the Voluntary Flaws optional ruleset and retain the text within the Guide to Organized Play.
Once again, these changes go into effect immediately. Please let us know if you have any questions or if we missed any updates that you’re not sure how to handle!
The Replacement of Ehu Hadif
This is your final reminder that if your character is interested in becoming the new First Seeker, time is running out! The deadline to purchase the First Seeker Candidate boon and send in your information is January 16, 2023. This is a hard deadline; after this date, submissions will be closed and we’ll begin to review the candidates and make decisions.
Toys of Boundless Wonder
Last month, multiple regions and local game stores came together for our Toys of Boundless Wonder event to play games and boost donations for Toys for Tots. The event was a smash success, with over 60 tables during the two-week event and 18 simultaneous tables playing this year’s Pathfinder Society Special! There’s a full writeup on the League of Aroden site, which I encourage you all to check out, but I wanted to include some photos here. Stay tuned for details on next year’s event!
Sanctioning Update
Last month, we posted boons to unlock various character options from the Blood Lords Adventure Path! Your characters can now take the Ashes mystery, cast new and horrifying spells, and more! We also updated the text of the Undead Companions boon from Pathfinder Book of the Dead to incorporate some undead companions from this Adventure Path. The full text of these boons is, as always, available on the Pathfinder Society FAQ page.
Looking ahead, the next two projects on our radar are the Fists of the Ruby Phoenix Adventure Path compilation, as well as Pathfinder Treasure Vault. Right now we’re on track to have sanctioning for both books available on their release!
GM Recognition
GM Ranks
Whether stars, novas, or glyphs, achieving a 5 ranking in any program involves a substantial amount of time. To achieve the 5th milestone, a GM must run 150 games, of which at least 50 must be unique scenarios and 10 special scenarios as well as run between one and three games for venture-captains (program dependent). A conservative estimate of the time needed to reach the 5th milestone is 650 hours!
This month, we had one GM earn their 5th Glyph for PFS2. Congratulations!
5th Glyph (PFS2): Bill Tobin
Conventions
With a new year comes new conventions! Our convention calendar is already looking rather full in January, and February and March are starting to fill out as well. Check it out and see if there are any conventions in your area to play Pathfinder and Starfinder Society!
I’m also pleased to announce two more conventions where I’ll be making an appearance!
First, I’ll be attending DunDraCon in Los Angeles, California, from February 17¬–20. It’s my first official trip to California and my first time in Los Angeles, so I’m excited to spend Presidents Day with our LA lodge!
After that, I’ll immediately be heading to Denver for GenghisCon the next weekend, February 23–26! The Mile High City is host to one of the Great Plains’ premiere conventions, and both Tonya Woldridge and I will be attending.
If you’re in the area of either of these shows, I encourage you to come out and say hi! Visiting local shows is one of my favorite parts of my job, and it’s wonderful to see the various communities come together.
Finally, for those of you eager to volunteer at Gen Con or PaizoCon this year, come back to the blog next week for some more news…
I’ll see you next week for more! Until then—Explore! Report! Cooperate! And have fun in the desert!
Alex Speidel
Organized Play Coordinator
January 2023 Organized Play Monthly Update
Thursday, January 5, 2023