Abyssian's page

OK, so think of the computer or smartphone that you're reading this forum on. It has (effectively) an INT and possibly a WIS (via "other side" users) but zero CHA. It is a useful tool, and you probably value it for its usefulness and monetary value, but it is altogether replaceable. So it would be with a 1 CHA PC; the other PCs would treat him/her about like a summon - useful, but if he dies, he dies.

The character is effectively unplayable since its stats place such an onus on the other players. He/she is a cohort at best.

Yay! I'm going back home to the States in a couple of weeks. I'll definitely sign up once I'm back to work and in the swing of things. Maybe same one as Mike since I'm going back to his neighborhood.

Medieval scribes knew him well: Titivillus.

If anybody is familiar with AD&D MM2, read the body of my profile and compare it to Titivillus. Just saying.

I have three cats and love turtles.

Zombies?

Now that official images of at least two psychic Iconics have been released, what can you say about choosing color schemes for characters?

It's a hardcover. Probably Wayne Reynolds.

The rules only provide a few, specific options to reduce bomb damage. Those options include reduced damage to keep balanced (why wouldn't you just always use a force bomb otherwise?). That said, most GMs would probably work with you to realize your goal.

Whenever the player does not have access to his/her non-CRB material, that player may not use those resources. This is true whether they're using a friend's copy or a library book.

If you're still looking for testers, I'd be happy to get a sneak peek!

Having said that, I don't think I've ever seen anyone actually make it to becoming a bard..

A few posts up I started trying to remember what we did about haf-elf bards. I ended up realizing that it never came up for us.

Wayne, I had to comment to my favorite contemporary Fantasy-Adventure artist (sorry, DAT will sit solid as first due to his long-lasting influence and Legend status) to say that some of us don’t forget your work with historic illustration (Osprey) and greatly appreciate your attention to detail, not only with little “things” that an Iconic character may have, but specifically what that particular character might have based on overarching themes and so forth.

One thing that caught me off guard, though, was the Psychic Iconic’s overall color scheme. I altogether expected, for whatever reason, a saffron and gold color scheme. Is there anything in particular that inspires you as to a given commision’s overall color-scheme?

Dragon78- look at the new Familiar book! Link

The axebeak boon is an addition to the list of available mount or animal companion options if you have either as a class feature (and if you have Bestiary 3).

What happened to Family Game Store Tuesday nights? I'll be back in town in July and the weekly PFS I set up isn't on Meetup, anymore.

-Jeremiah

Wow. Martial-caster disparity is apparently less debate/complaint/argue-worthy than opinions about sex. I probably would not have guessed.

I understand all of your arguments and have enjoyed reading them (no, really).

What's coolest (to me) is the (possibly forced) civility. That meme, while too rare, really does not grind my gears. I've had some pretty opinion-heavy arguments with a few of you, and really, genuinely enjoyed the experience.

Personally, I like apples. Except delicious- you can keep them. Tangerines are superior to oranges in all ways but size.

Seriously, though- besides your levels, what kind of build are you working with?

Darklands? My money is on Casmaron/Vudra. Expanded information on the continent was delayed to be able to build on psychic magic rather than having to go back and retroact psychic rules. No need for further delay, now!

Also, I really hope for an India-flavored AP. It's removed enough from "typical" yet incredibly conducive to fantasy play. My only concern is for finding good subject matter experts, but even that is easily resolved with a quick messageboard search.

NJHeart2Heart, I'm not sure about CHAT based PFS, but there is another format, the "virtual tabletop (VTT)," that you may be interested in.

In VTT games, participants use some sort of software (roll20 is browser-based and popular) to share a battlemat and dice emulator. If I'm not mistaken, most VTT platforms support near-real-time chat, but most games have voice and video using Google Hangouts or Skype or something similar.

I hope I've given you something to look into. VTT PFS has a lot of support on the Paizo messageboards and a few third-party websites. Same goes for PbP, if you don't decide to go the VTT route.

Good luck!

I'm doing that with my core bard. He'll go through first level as a bard before leveling to paladin 2. 3rd level he'll get back into bard. Should be fun.

Nevryn, bard for now

Thejeff, I'm only playing PFS via PbP, myself. You're right; the short "4 hour" format of scenarios definitely helps, since all you have to do is keep playing for a couple of weeks. Also, you get continuity without having to place all the responsibility on one overworked GM.

So, revision: I love PFS PbP.

Having played lots of AD&D and 2nd edition prior to my 3rd, 3.5, and PFRPG times, I can say that the absolute of a battle-mat is very, very good. As a DM/GM, it can add to the "mind's eye" by giving all players a similar and realistic view of what is happening.

Does it detract from the narrative? I don't think so.

Does it change storytelling elements? Sure...if you let it.

In the end, only what generates the most fun really matters.

If you embrace it as a tool, I think you will be fine. If you grudgingly accept it as "the rules," you may have different results.

I hope this helps.

Abyssian

As a really long time RPGer and relatively recent online player, I'd like to say that PbP is awesome!

Really, that's all. The format is like reading the book instead of watching the movie.

Any seconds or refutals welcome.

Step 1) identify someone you believe acts "smart."

Step 2) have your character act like the identified smarty-pants.

The web enhancement for traits is CORE legal.

I'm down with a Shelyn zealot. I haven't played one. Beauty and such- I could imagine a half-elf enjoying that.

The soft rule is soft. That is, it is alterable, or even ignorable if I like the concept. I don't want to waste the racial trait, but I'll sacrifice for some sweet single-class options.

So, according to the CORE Campaign Challenge, I'll be playing a half-elf bard.

I'm thinking about a mithril full-plate, shield-bashing paladin 2 or 3/bard x, maybe with a whip, maybe buff focused...

Any ideas welcome, the only hard rules are: half-elf, bard. Soft rule: utilize the multiclass abilities of the half-elf.

Um, how about breastplate. Gotta cast those spells!

So, according to the CORE Campaign Challenge, I'll be playing a half-elf bard.

I'm thinking about a mithril full-plate, shield-bashing paladin 2 or 3/bard x, maybe with a whip, maybe buff focused...

Any ideas welcome, the only hard rules are: half-elf, bard. Soft rule: utilize the multiclass abilities of the half-elf.

D&D 3.5 had a product called Dragonomicon

Even before Dragonomicon, 2E had Council of Wyrms, or some such. Not terribly successful. Not terribly fun, either. Novel, for sure, but dragons are really better played by GMs.

Feel free to disagree; it's just my opinion.

Link

Half-elf bard. Too easy. I may have to dip another class to take advantage of the half-elf-iness.

But what dip...paladin 2? 3?

Sorcerer?

Open to suggestions here.

Thank you, Andrew.

That was a lot of "what a stupid idea," "no, it's not. You're stupid!" that I had to read through to make sure my question hasn't already been asked.

I have a character who has one Chronicle, We Be Goblins. It was played before CORE. Can I turn it into a CORE character for CORE Mode?

Just wondering.

Congratulations, Mari. Poog tells me he had a great time playing in your game.

50701-8, Grand Lodge is fine. I have both played and GMed this. I won't give anything away- I just really enjoy the module and want to try my hand at the PbP format since I'm out of country for the next few months.

Fire for Zarongel!

Reiterated.

Martial Artist monks can bypass DR/-, also.

My tiefling bard that I played back in 2e and again for WotR is named Damdaman.

I'm trying to work out a character to be named T'las D'na Reppep. Maybe have a Nethys and cooking combined theme.

21st century digital boy here. You are not the only one.

Pan, do you know how to read? Do you own a lot of toys?

That would be great!

Fun and versatile. Not great.

I don't think that the occultist is supposed to be a gish. I do think that it should be at least somewhat able to be, via implement choices or archetypes.

I don't think that the occultist is supposed to be equal to rogues or investigators for skill-monkeying, either, but maybe with implements or archetypes, it could be.

As is, the poor guys are about third best at everything. (If you don't count ties for first or second). I'm hoping that the class can be cleaned up a bit to allow for some best at one thing or nearly best at a couple.

Maybe this cleared up a few things from my post, maybe it didn't. I'll summarize, too: the concept is unique and interesting, but the execution is rough and lacking for definite mechanical benefit.

I've only gotten the chance to play an occultist for the playtest, and it's a great class...idea.

Psychometry is cool and I don't remember ever having seen it in a game mechanic (actually, I think Longshot had it in Marvel). The occultist plays well with the intended overall theme of the new classes, too, and could be used to make conversions of Harry Dresden or Van Helsing without stretching very far.

The class is difficult to understand with a single reading, and the implement groups aren't balanced well against one another. There are only a few that have focus powers available and worth taking at first level, for instance. The spell list, as it sits, is unimpressive and lopsided.

Maybe good, maybe bad: occultists' casting is genuinely unique and eventually results in lots of high-level spells known, but few spells per day.

I really like the high number of skills and good proficiencies. I keep reading that it "advertises one thing but delivers another." I disagree, but it fits with my first negative point. All in all, the occultist offers a fun, versatile "jack-of-all-trades" class.

Thanks, Paizo.

Right on

I definitely felt like character personality and appearance were fairly unimportant when I was playing back home, face to face. I just got into a couple of pbp scenarios, and the rp value is greatly improved.

With my job taking me all over the world (Army) I think I may just make it my primary method of play.

I would like to see "alternate" lists based on other cultures. A Native American or Taoist or Hindu- inspired list would be really cool. Sadly I'm not familiar enough with the importance of specific things from these cultures, so I don't have specific recommendations.

Sorry to hear. Good luck.

-Abyssian aka Poog

Thanks!

So, a heads-up to the Licktoads and Mari: I leave for a field exercise (Army) in 12 hours and will be out in nowhere until PM on the 23rd (Korean time zone). I provide internet as my job, so I should be able to continue posting....but Drive doesn't work on my Gov computers and I can't move using my phone. Assuming we have phone service where I'm going (I think we will), I should be able to view the maps, just not manipulate them.

If for some miracle I stop posting, it's because Paizo.com has finally been blocked by the Department of the Army.

AAAAAAaaaaaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!! Poog go play with the croakers!

Poog can't fix your poison, Mog-Mog. But Poog can make bite go away.

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Let's go get the Scribbleface's FIREWORKS!

Poog shouts excitedly before pulling a splintery wooden flute from.... somewhere. He plays (poorly) for a time and dances about.

Ouch!

With a small chunk of wood hanging from his lip, Poog becomes irritated at his flute.

Grrrrgh! Let's go!

Right on. Thank you.