I'm playing in a Reign of Winter Campaign and am not having much fun anymore. When we went into it, we had three players who knew each other well. I'm really big into dark fantasy and fairytales, so I was super excited for this AP and pulled out an old character that I love to play in it. Things went really well until a fourth player was added. She constantly interrupts the GM, cannot stay in character for longer than a few minutes at a time and everyone but me now spends the majority of time in session being OOC, giggling and poking fun at the NPCs and the AP. The GM seems okay with it. Everyone seems okay with it but me. I've tried forcing myself to lighten up, but I was really looking forward to playing and experiencing this AP. It's been a few months now and I've mentioned my thoughts to the GM, but nothing's changed. I also know that the other players aren't into the AP's story and are having much more fun now. I feel like a stick in the mud when I do ask them to try to pay attention and am now too distracted by everything else going on to really get much enjoyment at all. I'm thinking that the best thing to do would be to quit, but the GM is my husband and doesn't take that suggestion well. But I'm not having fun and am afraid to mention it to the other players. Has anyone gone through this? What should I do?
Most of the APs are awesome if you're a straight male PC XD
And this ^^^^ What CalebTGordon said. Include strong examples, not just thrown together ones.
I'm also about to run Skull and Shackles and already like that there are plenty people of all genders (and possible orientations) that may not want to attack you right away or otherwise make you not like them. It's setups like this that I prefer and setups like Reign of Winter that I dislike. I feel like you're more or less an extra body in the campaign if you're not a straight male or a lesbian simply because I can only set up friendships with the NPCs that don't want to kill you. You know, if my GM didn't take one of the possible lesbian couples and make the character into a male.
Tangent- Yeah, I mentioned them. They fall under 'straight couple that meets with catastrophe' category, like most of 'em. So does the couple in Kingmaker.
OMG I totally forgot about paragraphs and punctuation. I'm really sorry about that! I also forgot about Svetlana and Oleg! Not exactly the greatest couple, but a legit one! Yes, Sabina Merrin and the Queen was very dysfunctional, but you could see why they were both together and it made sense. It wasn't gratuitous or anything. I never played Shattered Star, also.
As for presenting PC romances for PCs of almost any orientation, I love how Jade Regent did it. There was a single guy who was of no given sexuality and a couple of girls that were presented the same way. I think that the AP took cues from the, at the time, hugely popular Dragon Age games. I'm definitely a fan of those games and I don't know of anyone who played that *didn't* take advantage of the romances available in the game. They added depth and more involvement, as well as an idea that you were something special, in an odd sense.
Also, including more non-heteronorm to contrast and to just have the developers say, "BTW, we have characters of all orientations in our world. All are welcome!" is probably why it's done. I appreciate it and it makes me feel less odd for being "I want to have my sorceress date the princess!"
Okay, this thread is probably going to go so very wrong, but it's based on my own observations. To start, I'm bisexual and pretty much always play bisexual characters, another of our players is trans and plays lesbians with a soft spot for trans girls (when they occur). I love romance and always involve my characters in it. Without exception. I GM more often than any in our group, so I often have bisexual or gay NPCs that aren't written into the AP along with those that are. I decided to challenge myself, after playing and GMing through several Pathfinder APs. I was playing a heterosexual woman in Reign of Winter. My GM, after reading the AP, told me that there were next to no available, straight males that didn't want to do horrible things to my character and took one of the NPC romance options, Solveig, and made him male. Which was awesome, but then.... I took a look at all the in game couples and available NPC romance options and noticed that almost all of them were gay, a huge portion being lesbian. Which is awesome in many respects; Pathfinder has been one of the only companies or even written mediums that I've seen take lesbianism seriously and not having it be something that the poor girl recovers from once she is met with sufficient beefcake. I love Anevia and Irabeth, Sosiel and Arin, the paladin and the playwright in Sandpoint, Ileosa and her gf on the sly and may have even shipped Ameiko and Shalelu just a touch. Thank you, guys at Pathfinder for creating such enchanting couples. Buuut, then I look at the sheer amount of them vs straight couples and the fates of most of the straight couples. Natasha in Reign is a single mom (which was a bold move on Paizo's part) whose husband was murdered, Ameiko's love was murdered by hillbilly ogres, Vencarlo Orisini lost fingers to his ex ( I think?), the family of three in Sandpoint had the husband get devoured alive by a goblin in front of his young son, Ameiko's parents had a serious falling out (ha), Shalelu's mom was eaten by a green dragon, the witch and apprentice couple in Reign are killed by PCs one by one, Jadrenka's bf was turned into a girl and locked into a room to be tormented by her ex lover. I honestly cannot think of a straight couple that didn't meet a horrible end, some way or another, in Pathfinder. Don't get me wrong, nobody really has it easy in the APs and I haven't played 'em all, just lots of 'em. It couldn't hurt to include more non-evil, single men or non-dead straight couples, is all.
So uh, my subscription was showing up as to be authorized yesterday earlier, but now it's showing Wrath #1 and Mythic Adventures as part of next month's shipment and to be authorized on the 12 of September.
If you're asking whether or not Tanglebriar is addressed in this book, the answer is yes. ;]
Yes!!
Will there be any elf specific archetypes or PRCs?
Not so much in this one, but if you're interested in playing an elf that's good at slaying evil outsiders and other foul denizens of Tanglebriar, I encourage you to check out the Lantern Bearer prestige class in Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Paths of Prestige.
It's too bad the flavor for the PrC is moreso slapping around drow and keeping it all hush-hush than being a full blown demon hunter, even though you do end up pretty good at it by taking Lantern Bearer levels.
Will there perhaps be an archetype/prestige class that has the flavor of the Demon Hunters from both WoW and Diablo 3? Not necessarily what they can do, but something along the vein of using the powers of the Abyss against them in the form of a martial character?
Hmm... it seems like this campaign should end and it's pretty much my fault. This year has been crazy busy and pretty terrible, all around. You guys were great players, though and it's too bad I messed it up. I really am sorry. Take care guys!
Sienna knows that a great storm descended on Brinewall and somehow, everyone was slaughtered during this storm. No one really knows what happened, but there are theories abound as to what befell the settlement that might have known success like Korvosa has seen.
[/ooc] So, you head back to the temple with the sign of the butterfly. Parts of the roof are collapsed. It is one of the most intact buildings and little is found at the site itself.[/ooc]
Brinewall Castle is a large and intimidating structure. Although only two stories tall (with the exception of one
three-story tower and the dungeons beneath it), the squat castle looks all the larger for its position atop the bluff west of the village, looming over the surrounding region with a commanding presence. The castle is built of gray stone, though close inspection reveals numerous different types of stone were used in its construction. Two large humanoids, covered in black feathers or fur stand atop the gatehouse.
You walk through the brambles and overgrown field and into the ruins of what must have been a small town at one point. The buildings are badly damaged, most of them beyond recognition. The dilapidated remnants of a glassworks, designed similarly to the one in Sandpoint, a smithy, a town hall and a partially collapsed building with a belltower and a sign with a faded blue butterfly surrounded by stars hangs there. The castle looms over the village on a ridge
Koya examines her, checking her all over,"It's some sort of... possession, maybe?" Ameiko lays there limply and begins to softly mumble,"Beware the birds who wish to fly, but cannot... Grandfather waits in the dark, but knows not who he was..." Koya blinks,"Odd. Whatever it is doesn't seem to want to attack, but talk. Fortunately for us. She'll be alright for a short while. Getting her to eat and drink will likely become a problem if she stays like this." Balthazar and Irnk do not notice anything out of the usual. I'll be posting the map for the next area!https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1U_SoiEC0fxHfifFNr-eitM6JYSGiK9eHrC zJV6dkQNs/edit
Just as you are about to head up, Ameiko suddenly collapses. Many in the caravan move over to her before Koya begins shouting for people to get out of the way as she quickly moves to her side.
The journey to Brinewall takes the caravan from Sandpoint up along the Lost Coast Road, passes through the villages of Galduria and Wolf’s Ear, cuts through the northeastern reach of Churlwood, and eventually reaches the northern town of Roderic’s Cove. The farther north this route goes, the more disused the roads become. By the time the caravan winds through the Velashu Uplands, the road is little more than a track. With the loss of Brinewall as a viable port, most trade between
Varisia and the Lands of the Linnorm Kings has been via the sea route, but the trail the caravan follows isn’t completely abandoned. Sandru is quick to point out that several Varisian caravans take the route yearly, although he does admit that they generally make a wide detour around Brinewall, which is believed by most to be haunted, cursed, or both. Overall, the journey from Sandpoint to Brinewall covers about 500 miles, which takes around 16 days.
As you approach Brinewall, the road becomes harder and harder to find and once the caravan makes it's way over a rickity old bridge and in sight of an old, battered sign that says "To Brinewall", the trail all but disappears in rugged undergrowth
Shalelu hops out of the wagons and scouts the path ahead briefly before coming back, shouting,"It's no good. This is where the caravan stops."
Ameiko has been looking progressively worse as the day passes, appearing sickly and weak. She has told all that have asked that she is merely exhausted or just feeling a bit out of sorts
He shakes his head,"Nah, never. I just meant that the girls usually figure I'm in business with him and am the more legit side of it." Sandru joins in with Sienna, nowhere near as good of a singer as her, but able to hold a tune. Ameiko looks over her shoulder at them, smiling and begins to sing the song as well.
Sandru smiles,"Yeah, that helps. So, get to know each other and take it from there. You don't have to ask her out. From the experiences I've had, it's important to do that. Because most of the girls that areinterestedinmeturnouttobethinkingthatI'mjustlikeJubrayl," he says, almost muttering and laughing a bit afterwards.
Huh, hence why I was thinking "French, is that you?
Shalelu and Irnk She smirks, despite herself, at the goblin and sighs, speaking his tongue,
"Mwen te panse ke li te renmen Ameiko. Montre sa m 'konnen. Se konsa, sa ki nan pwoblèm nan?"
Goblin:
"I thought that he liked Ameiko. Shows what I know. So, what's the problem?"
Sandru and Sienna "What? No, we never... dated or anything. She still had Alder on her mind and, well, it just never happened, he swallows, pushing the painful thought aside,"Well, unless you have very unusual tastes, I'd say that I can guess which one you like. Does he like you?"
I'm trying to apply store credit to a gift certificate order that I'm making but it's not working at all. Is there a bug or something that makes it where you can't use store credit on gift certificates?
Sienna Sandru glances at her quizzically,"Uh... how does what work? Getting in a relationship? Asking someone out? a slow smile creeps up his face,"Is this person travelling with us?"
Irnk After about the fourth or fifth outburst of laughter, she glances over at the goblin,"What's so funny?
Rolling Hp works for me! I agree with the guideline. We're almost done Jade Regent and our rangery character had a harder time getting Shalelu to like him than our obnoxious a**&%#& bard. It really pushed things, but we had a Gm that was uncomfortable straying very far from the rails and rules, so it flew.
lol, yeah, we're scrapping caravan rules. It wasn't fun, was waaay too easy and was really clunky. We can move up to second level, so level up! Also, I wanted to talk about friendship points and such because those got scrapped in our campaign, too. But it might work out for ours.
Sorry guys! I will be able to be back every day. I just had a lot going on with work and my brother (who is my roommate)just got arrested and it became nightmarish for a bit with seeing people to reassure them that all was clear with me. Everything is good, computer is working. Let's do this.
Ameiko, Sandru, Koya and Shelelu have all packed their bags, put on their adventuring gear and make ready to go quickly. The caravan pulls out of Sandpoint and begins making way for Brinewall Castle.
Koya's face splits into a grin,"It could be. Brinewall's a fair journey from here and from there, who knows. And of course I'm going. If you and Sandru are going, I'm going, too! And... I'm glad you're coming, Balthazar."
Ameiko turns crimson and freezes for a moment before wiping a wet strand of hair out of her eyes and wiping her face with a nearby bar rag and laughing,"So, we're all going on 'the thing', right?"
You can make me knowledge(nobility] or knowledge (history checks, if you want! 300 XP for giving the letter to Ameiko for all and +1 Friendship Points if we still want to play with those. I know my group ended up giving up on them, it's your choice
Ameiko pauses for a moment,"Yes, he's my grandfather. Thank you Hijiro-san," she takes the letter and reads it, her expression shifting from puzzled, to sorrowful and to curious."Tsutamu was supposed to be my grandfather's protector, I think. A warrior from Minkai. It's terrible that my father never got it, but... I think that I really, really want to head up to Brinewall Castle and see what's there. Hijiro-san, you and your friends did so well out in that swamp, I'd love it if you and your friends could come. It wouldn't just be us, though. The journey north would be too dangerous for just a small group. I'd ask Sandru and Shalelu and maybe Koya, too. Sandru never goes anywhere without her. What do you think Hijiro-san?"
And no, Rokuro didn't write his name wrong. He started referring to himself as that when he got here, for those of us (ie, me) who went NO! That's not how he should write his name!
Scribed from right to left, in a fine hand, the following message is written in
Minkaian:
My son, my heir, You know now that I have kept secrets from you. You were always a perceptive son, and while you may not understand my reasons for secrecy. I hope that you realise it was necessary. Know that I was not angry with you for opening the warding box-I was angry with myself for withholding the truth from you and forcing you to seek out what I should have given to you. The words I spoke to you were from anger with myself, and it shames me to think of them now. I write this note as an apology and to beg you to leave these secrets to history.
The next few days will be the most important I have face in many years. If our family's enemies have, as I hope, forgotten us, I shall reunite with you and your wife, and your mother and I shall reveal the truth to you. But if they still seek the contents of the warding box, I fear that may may not speak to you again. The box holds our family's greatest treasure, so I have returned it to Kortun's care, and it shall remain hidden in the secret third vault under Brinewall Castle-obscured from our enemies, I hope and pray. I will not grant our foes the satisfaction of killing me themselves-if it comes to it, let my death, by my own hand, be my final act to protect you, so that our enemies believe our line to be ended.
I have instructed Tsutamu to keep this letter from you, delivering it to you only should I fail to return, as I hope to. If I can, I will reveal all to you myself. If I cannot, this final missive from father to son must suffice as an apology in place of an explanation, and you must destroy this letter, flee to the south and never return to Brinewall. If our enemies find what I have hidden, there will be nothing here for you. If they do not, they will lay in wait forever for your return,
I hope to see you again soon, my son. But my heart tells me that I will not. I am sorry to have failed you. But I am proud of you and I know that you will survive this old man's shame. You are strong and you must remain so. For if you are reading this and I am gone, know that our enemies will never stop searching for us, and that is why I cannot reveal the truth to you until I know there is no chance of them finding us again.
