Azothath's page

the more practical way to search the PF1 FAQs is to use google site search. In your preferred search engine, type;
"site:https://paizo.com/paizo/faq "{word(s) or "exact phrase match"}
you'll get all the 'hits' with links.

Remember the PF1 FAQs are now static and it might be a good idea to download them into a searchable text format {.odt, .txt, .rtx} rather than html pages.

AoN community use project is the online PRD rules reference at aonprd.com or AoN Rules
It has all of the PF1 errata incorporated. It is just the rules and very rarely some details are left out. Check their source listing to see exactly what they pulled.
They also have the PFS/OrgPlay icon on titles so you know what is and is not 'legal' in the Paizo sponsored campaign.

see Azothath's work-around

a search on My Threads in My Account yields "Search is unavailable at this time." Same for posts, and searches in forums. It has been that way for awhile and is an update to "Your search didn't match any items."
I assume Paizo is updating the Forums. As the forums don't produce income I assume it's gonna take quite some time.

an alternative is to use google site search.
Using your preferred search enter "site:https://paizo.com/community/forums/ "{search word(s) or "exact match of these search terms"}
you can narrow it down using further website pathnames.
This is the way to do FAQ searches. As PF1 RAW is static you can download the pages and shred them into one big text file that's small and searchable.
Sometimes the site search will give you pages of hits (with links). Note the thread title and date so you can find it as the link may just get you close in the thread history.

The Sanos Abduction is next. Into The Woods without the singing so bye to a sound'time.

Well 4-05 was a 4 player success at 6-7 level. Valeros the Fighter 7, Balphus Inqstr 6 with Hubadu the gorilla, Aldric Invstg 4, and Lorell the Oracle(Life) 6. NPC Riddywipple (Faerie Dragon) says "an I helped too!".

Twisted Circle went well. Lots of background exploring, gardening(finding a shrubbery with a nice path down the middle), topiary idolatry, fighting minor creatures and musty oldies with a hard choice at the end. It's nira 'nough to doll up a green thumb.

The Sanos Abduction is next. Into The Woods without the singing so bye to a sound'time.

Azothath wrote:

OOoooh... I'll have those 4th graders doing Hamming distances and Reed–Solomon codes in a few weeks.

If pigeons can spot cancers after 3 weeks then 4th graders can make one-way unbreakable blues-clues codes  you know this is for humor, right?

One day, our math teacher caught us passing a message during class.

...
Instead, he found our encryption system.
He never figured out what the message said, and somehow we escaped the thunder.

you mean an encoded message. Not a very good math skills or puzzle solver if he couldn't break that, then again, it was probably just the usual kid chat... 4-5 captured messages, knowing the language, and then knowing the general topic(s) usually makes it a snap.

an now bak tha DungeonmasterCal's House of Respite EnCryptation

Lord Frye - don't take my shooting down your search for a more narrow criteria to heart. As stated above different players will have different focuses and desires and not every posted character will appeal to them but they may forward a link to their group to see what they want to play. That is why I'm suggesting groups, not just individual PCs.
If you want to do a CRB Group, go for it.
I just think this thread may be too cluttered with commentary for people to go through at this point. this is post 29
I'd like to point to the PF1 PFS iconics but the paizo site is borked at this point. Maybe in 3 months or I'd have to fetch a link on the Wayback Machine.

I may volunteer to read to children at my local library... Tales from the deCrypted...

start with Soul Catcher by Frank Herbert? ._8^|

3) ... they're lessmore complicated... *sheesh* (over-editing)

Azothath wrote:

Please stick to the PFS Legal Choices off AoN. Look for the little icon to the left of the Title Name. That will keep things reasonable.

I'm gonna suggest you just kinda detail Traits, Feats to 5th level.

I think that this is actually wrong headed. Let me ask a couple of questions.

1 - PF1 new players?

2 - PF1 on PFS schedules?

3 - Best to start with beginner box?

you read and totally missed the point and my reasoning. I wanted a slew of concrete examples rather than commentary. at this point I've given up on my original intent for this thread as people don't want to do that.

1) Yes. It's a mix of home gamers and Org Play. It is NOT what it was in 2009. There are other competitors to simple TTRPGs (DnD5/One, PF2, Shdwdark, ...). While PF1 is simpler than DnD 3.5 it is not easy to master. The term 'accessibility' is bandied about.

2) Yes. I'd say 12+ games per week in my 4 PFS groups where 4-5/wk make. It has been increasing but that's just my anecdotal experience. About 1/3rd are new and some from PF2.
I assume you're not involved or aware of the current play. I'm not exactly happy with OPF on this topic and I'll leave it there.

3) Beginner box is a dead end and over simplified with players having to 'unlearn' some of the basics. Having run it and dealing with kids and parents, I can't recommend it.
CORE... people want out of that box. GMs certainly don't stick to it. Some of the later classes are more, let us say, balanced. Kineticist is self contained. I don't think they're less complicated than a (core) wizard. So no, doesn't make sense.

A ladder to success is helpful to teach young kids TTRPG (an advanced form of 'Let's Pretend'). Sadly Beginner Box is not my choice for that. Try Toon!, the PF ACG, Gurps.
I'd rather have kids become proficient and skilled with reading, math, and science, than a bunch of nonsensical procedural rules that engender a false sense of success. The social aspects are the real gain in RPGs.

Family... you can try;
goals & vision boards

or
Don't shoot the dog

yesterday the maintenance page was up during pacific time non-business hours (or so) which is helpful... better than error 403...

late august 22-25 2026 the Forums have been down intermittently... the main webpage was reachable.
It would be nice to get a Forum Maintenance message if such was the case.

yes Cal, and see a MD every 90 days and a nephrologist. If you are T2DM then insulin glargine and tirzepatide will help along with the usual array. Shoot for an A1c of 7.

I'm glad you're okay.

Now you have to take care of yourself.

Some hospitals have a loaner laptop as it can get pretty boring. Don't forget your phone and charger.

I'm a sensible stable highly educated person that is probably going to outlive the nice guys and some bastards. 8^P

As I mail stuff overseas I can tell you prices have skyrocketed over the last 8 yrs... $55... $82... $135... now $183 for the same large flat rate USPS box. Oh and the destination charges 100% tariff on anything over $24. Sweden will open your box and there it's about 50% tariff/tax. Yeah...
    another greatest ever negotiation deals...

It is more cost effective to ship larger lots BUT you need receivers at the other end who can deliver it for you, and that can get tricky.

okay! I thought we'd get here after a few gyrations.
I knew Paizo had to get their CUP act together but Maya already said that. Thus, as always, things to do.

In all this - it's important to realize;
1) Paizo is more open in some ways than most. I look at it as a PR effort. Sometimes it'll be a fumble as that's how PR rolls. If you want to show and use your corporate knickers to engage customers it's not always going to go well.
2) Institutional culture matters. Paizo isn't as big as Boeing(as an example of a large corporation) nor does it have its procedures, standards, process, or paperwork.
3) business partnerships come and go for various reasons.
4) the 'Archive' did a better job than Paizo at their PRD, both in use and timely updates even before ending this formal agreement. So practically it is about legitimacy, timely updates, art, integration with other applications/sites/tools, and a business loss from cooperation.
5) my esteemed opinions: there are too many threads on this topic. LOL. Armchair quarterbacking is a non-contact sport. I'm not a social media hand-wringer or influencer - thank glob.

Owen Stephens and Alex Augunas talk AoN.

Very good - thanks.

IDK - I'm fine with Paizo shifting to a Community Use agreement with AoN. They were in that relationship before.
There are a couple of parts to it and lawyers are not cheap and usually just curtail risk. AoN has operated pretty lean and clean. Artwork is nice but other art will do. PathfinderWiki seems to do okay.

Selling Product through various vendors/sites is a whole 'nuther kettle o fish. It's got to be done to spread some business risk.

I'm just using the old PF1 material in the PFS Campaign or in My Home Game using PFS mechanics that I've heavily edited at this point in time.
If you feel trapped in PF1, for glob's sake go and join a PF2.3/SF2 Online PFS game...

a slimming dune is spa-tastic

I know... Metropolis is 99 years old and The Wizard of Oz about 70 years old and people still seem to like them.

will Paizo open up PF1 scenarios? see Restructuring thread #154

Paizo should consider;
• automatically locking treads that are inactive for over five years.
• automatically archiving threads that are inactive for over 7 years.
• automatically delete some data after 7 years.
This will transition data into a compressed searchable archive rather than a large batch transfer and limit data migration with 'necros' and edits. It also limits liability and costs.

see PF1 Rules Thread 'Sticky', 2022 as the above is an old thread
FYI
• AoN - classes page is the PF1 online Rules Document. You get exact text here though rarely some text is absent. The search function is okay, requires correct & exact spelling, and is linked to section headers and most text.
• The FAQs are the errata/other half of RAW.

PF1 Rules search order
1) AoN search
2) FAQs (click Help on website main page) or use customize google search enter "site:https://paizo.com/paizo/faq "{phrase you are looking for}
3) PFS FAQs are netted by 2 above. Note: PFS offers some GM guidance using Additional Resources and Campaign Clarifications which are best downloaded and searched.
4) d20PFSRD (sometimes the text is edited)

• old designer posts from about 2009-2013, these are not RAW but good & experienced GM guidance.

• AoN legacy doc an old PRD which was superseded.

• Lone Wolf's Hero Lab, it is not RAW. It is usually accurate and pretty darn good but does have a few conflicts.

• d20PFSRD is a business site (not RAW) that relies on many community use documents with some editing. It uses google search which is faster and flexible. The layout is more comprehensive and readable.

• PathfinderWiki which is a community use project documenting Golarion Lore and many Paizo products.

oh my... I navigate the insurance landscape as meds are my biggest cost.
Insurance lets you refill just past 50% or 66% of your refill period. Always start 2 weeks before your refill runs out.
Check prices at big box stores like Costco, Sam's (it may be worth a yearly membership and you don't need a membership to visit the pharmacy), and then Canada and Mexico online or in store (Good Rx, and Pharmacy Checker can be handy). Remember to get only US meds as Customs will confiscate other brands unless you walk 90 days through. I use to drive down to Progresso & Reynosa MX. (Insulin glargine was $21/vial, $70 for name brand, compared to $200/vial name brand in USA. I should note insulin was developed in the US and patent freed to save lives... apparently the lives of pharma execs and sales reps.)
When you see your Doctor ask what Over The Counter meds will help in case you are in a pinch or travelling.

Is there anything worse than your manager taking shortcuts?

....

as I'm trying to be helpful, "no good deed goes unpunished".

from a design perspective there are differences between archetypes(Arc) and prestige classes(PrC). An Arc is like a class, levels 1-20 and scales so earlier abilities can use stacking levels as a mechanic. PrC are more like multiclassing but some basic ability(ies) can stack in a limited fashion. The reason for this limitation is cross-class interactions which could get crazy. There are always some basic and social requirements (representing GM approval) to get into a PrC as it's a special club (roleplay themes) like the Masons or Knights Templar, something various professionals want to get into. PrCs need to watch BAB, saves, and the class additions to their intended class entrants, you don't want Feats and abilities to outpace the intended base class progression. Lastly, there's no arcane PrC that's better(power wise) than staying in specialist wizard.

So a TS/RL Arc would get the Wiz basics and feats and the abilities likely modified/changed but they'd naturally stack. A TS/RL PrC needs to stick to the LvL 11-20 Wiz spells and Feats but replace/enhance lost abilities like Arcane bond, Wiz school specialization. Tweaking proficiencies and class skills is okay. Often PrCs have a cost of 1 level in spellcasting advancement.

Bloatmage and Cyphermage are existing published PrCs for (evil) Wizards so they are examples to work from.
There's an earlier article about "The trouble with Prestige Classes" by SKR (i think...).

Realize Runelords(RL) are ancient spellcasters and not as versatile and lack millennia in spellcasting advances (new spells, feats, specializations, arcane discoveries) and operate out of the CRB (really AD&D PHB). Longevity is an issue (see AD&D, 3.5 wizard) unless you want to be undead and there needs to be a mechanic/ritual to maintain their desired age. Published Runelords are super villains and have used wishes, artifacts, etc to enhance their build, so that needs to be removed from any TS/RL class.

Arcane Discovery for Thassilonian Specialist(TS):

Legal Workaround (Wiz-TS 5+) you have discovered a way to cast some forbidden spells. Choose an arcane spell on your spell list one level below (or lower) the highest spell level you can cast at 5th, 9th, 13th, 17th. Using (10*SplLvl)gp in expendable alchemical material components you can cast the spell as an adjacent school (see list). Once the spell, adjacent school, and alchemical component is chosen only the adjacent school may be changed when a new spell is added to this discovery otherwise retraining the chosen spell to another spell of the same spell level takes time= (3×SplLvl)days, cost= (10×days)gp.
Adjacent Schools: A→E|K, C→N, D→T, E→A|I, I→E|T, K→A|C, N→C, T→I|K, Aether→C|K|T, Air→C|I|K, Erth→A|C|K, Fir→C|K|T, Wtr→A|C|K, Wood→A|C|T, Mtl→A|C|T, Void→I|K|N.

Rune Magic (Wiz-TS 5+) you have discovered a way to store a spell using a prepared rune on a hard surface or tile (2"×2"×0.5" 1.5oz HP:0 minimum to a 12"×12"×1" 6lb HP:2 maximum of typical hardness that may be affixed to a larger permanent surface) using the costs and time of Scribe Scroll and carving tools. The rune is activated as a spell trigger by tracing the rune using touch as a standard action. Only one rune may be placed on a tile and activating it magically scorches/etches the tile making it unsuitable for reuse. Only a creature with Rune Magic, Cypher Lore, Eldritch Knowledge, Rune domain, Runic Focus, UMD adding 5 to the DC, may activate the tile. Unfortunately you may only target(as appropriate for the spell) yourself, a creature that touches the rune (×2 cost and time, touching creature activates tile as a magical trap), one creature|object within touch to close range(maximum). Reach Metamagic must be used to increase the range (and cost) to medium or long.

by Azothath

I'm glad they have meds to help and that you are finding success with them.

in case you want to see what GMs do with the AP see Rise of the Runelords forum. Sometimes you need XP filler or tweaking.

codeable means the process or ruleset is designed to be converted into a software language like C++/C# or Java.
A Software GM is a program that navigates the ruleset and produces decisions.

PF1 is simpler than D&D 3.5. I am referring to the Ruleset not classes, monsters, etc. There's the model, then the development. There were developments in PF1, mainly; grappling, making all space square, spell condition/school description rework, crafting. Later you saw expansion of afflictions, etc.

AD&D used a long-term statistical model streamlined to mostly linear curves as Gygax was familiar with actuarial tables. That doesn't mean it was precise but a bit klunky for accuracy with rough processes(initiative, THAC0, weapon speed factors, damages, etc). Much was left to Home GMs to do, thus it relied on GM design and caveat.

Some of your questions address Intellectual Property or design hallmarks. Obviously those can't be addressed in a public forum.

World-building: I use historical context and some geographical separation (aka continents, harsh geological features to restrict travel) along with cultural development using magic. So historical fiction.
I use more physics/science than most which leads to more realistic physical models. In turn this influences details of the cultures and mythologies that spring from belief.
This way I have a setting for writing and gaming.

Game Model: hmmm... I'm using a new homebrew model but I want it codeable for a software GM. PF1 is too simplified. I don't see people wanting to learn a complex game system, so software is the answer.

Progress & Artifacts: I am on my 4th iteration (from say 1982). Now I have a 32 tile soccer ball world map as in the 1-3rd I used mercator projections. Several docs. Writing the Basic Rules now. I have 4 main cultures, several cities and adventures from my 3rd which I'm converting. I used black body radiation to model a power curve for spells, ability scores, and wealth as they all work together. I use MITRE design to model research and some other things.
I have my own font for "elvish" and another for intelligent constructs. Sadly I'm not a ConLang person.

lol, just pickin on what seems to be a misspelling... and a more 'sympathetic' mimic

^⨀ᴥ⨀^ congratulations! Your mimics have been refreshed with newly trained picken-ogre doppleganger-mimics for a closer-to-raw experience...

maybe a refridgerator elemental with an open door...

well - this is just a thread about the amusing things and status in your Home Games along with some jokes and advice rather than a moral Soapbox. Probably listening and acknowledging the issues is the tactful path, offering support and maybe advice.
It is also now clear we are several months after the fact. I'm sure Arkat has handled it and finally felt comfortable making it public.

problematic social behavior is always going to be there. (I mean this IS a Gaming hobby, not known for mature exemplary behavior.) You just have to be an adult. Maybe discuss it with your friend, discuss it with your group... See if there are more sides to it than you may think. Change is better than dropping a long term acquaintance. Do what you need to do that's appropriate.

→Rogue talents says, Description Source: PRPG Core Rulebook As a rogue gains experience... A rogue cannot select an individual talent more than once.
while most rogue talents are feat specific, some offer choices;
• Combat Trick-> feat(combat) of choice.
• Weapon Training-> Weapon Focus(weapon of choice).
• (Adv.) Feat-> feat of choice.

There is no open text that allows swapping a talent for a feat.

As always, in a Home Game setting see if your GM will create a Talent with the desired feat. He can put guard rails/restrictions on it as usual. (Adv.) Unlock Ki (Su) shows one way to implement skill unlocks.

there are no Ult Wild PFS PF1 pregens. Nor PFUnch ...

Core: Barbarian "Amiri", Bard "Lem", Cleric "Kyra", Druid "Lini", Fighter "Valeros", Monk "Sajan", Paladin "Seelah", Ranger "Harsk", Rogue "Merisiel", Sorcerer "Seoni", Wizard "Ezren".
APG: Alchemist "Damiel", Cavalier "Alain", Inquisitor "Imrijka", Oracle "Alahazra", [Not Legal]Summoner "Balazar", Witch "Feiya".
ACG: Arcanist "Enora", Bloodrager "Crowe", Brawler "Kess", Hunter "Adowyn", Investigator "Quinn", Shaman "Shardra", Skald "Hakon", Slayer "Zadim", Swashbuckler "Jirelle", Warpriest "Oloch".
OA: Kineticist "Yoon", Medium "Erasmus", Mesmerist "Meligaster", Occultist "Mavaro", Psychic "Rivani", Spiritualist "Estra".
UltCmbt: Gunslinger "Lirianne", Ninja "Reiko", Samurai "Hayato".
UltIntrg: Vigilante "Aric (of Halvon)/The Red Raven".
UltMag: Magus "Seltyiel".

All the NPC & Villain Codex names are generic roles (except the iconics/Pregens).

by the time I got to a PDP-11, the school had installed its second VAX 11/780.... and apple 2s were about for remote log ins. I knew machine & assembly but I had to take basic, credit$ ya know...

... The yards around here are tiny, so once you break the 2-hour mark with your power tools, I know you have no idea what you're doing.

San Fran area... hmmm... they may have other uses...

{mulling over workers}

Ah, Big Slow Pete, I'll never miss him.
He's still not as bad as Turd though, no one can top Turd. Not even Wrong Way or Mirror.

I shall salute your DOT work crew as I drive by...

As a side note, is there a harder verb to conjugate in the English language than "to lie"? We have the subject version ("to lie"), the object version ("to lay"), and then their various conjugations overlap each other. For example, the first person singular past tense of "to lie" is "lay", while the first person singular past tense of "to lay" is "laid".

Why, English, WHY?

Axe me no questions an awl'l tell u no lies.

Anesthetics -
I will say during my leg surgeries c 2020 they used a new one that was like 2 hrs dropping out of your life. Of course as I laid there 5 min after the shot the nurse came in and yelled, "he's still talking!" and the anesthesiologist came in and gave me a booster. Chatty and drug resistant, twice.

TriOmegaZero wrote:

...

I have been summoned.

for inadvertent summonings - I blame the Sailor Moon post...

lol... welcome to banks, savings and loans, credit unions, brokerages, and transaction centers(most forget about these). Banks treat different accounts differently, like business, escrow, and estate versus personal accounts. If you want more of a shock deal with British or European banks. That all happened to me 20+ years ago. Texas wasn't part of the US Interstate Banking years ago and so banks sat on your activity for the full amount of time allowed by law to collect interest on your transactions. Whenever I have to deal with British(old Hong Kong) Banks the scenes from Mary Poppins spring to mind and "Banking is a privilege" that you pay for.

You need a lawyer and banker in your bridge/pinochle/hearts group.

people with brain allergies have hived minds...

    ohhh... *nevermind*

Andostre wrote:

DM_aka_Dudemeister wrote:

I wanna go the other way. Turn alignment into something like a skill or save.

...

...

Maybe a 7th ability score called Conviction.

...

which makes Alignment a crime 8^0

your best bet is to post your build in the PF1 Advice forum and readers will comment. It will take longer for individual parts to go through the Rules forum.
The PPC line has the most flaws/errors. PFS reviewed RAW and what is legal for that Paizo sponsered campaign has an icon on Archive of Nethys. Those are not likely to have issues.

Paizo staff does not comment on specific builds.
They did comment on RAW at first but it led to them prepending 'IMO' as readers took it for RAW. They stopped circa 2017 as PF2 was being developed.

RAI is an illusion as there are multiple writers, editors, clippage for art, and re-edits. You can review designer/developer/writer comments which shows, like GMs, they have different spins on RAW. Some are not very good with technical details. Consider that the CRB is basically 3.5 with a tense change and some additions.
There have been a few contractors who commented on their work.

some engineering might be better than wishcrafting, or $300000 down with 2 million for development.