Disciple of the Void's page

Mostly because I didn't pay attention to how old it is . . .

Sarenrae herself, and her church, does not tolerate slavery, but nor do they preach "Kill the slavers!" They would certainly look for non-violent ways to seek a slave's freedom—purchasing the slave and setting the slave free is probably the preferred method.

Now that said, there's a wide range of individual variations among the specific worshipers of Sarenrae—as with ANY religion. There are some worshipers of Sarenrae who would, perhaps, seek to simply comfort slaves if possible, espcially if they see the alternative (living on your own with no support structure in a dangerous city) is more painfula nd dangerous than slavery itself. There's ABSOLUTELY some worshipers of Sarenrae who crusade against slavery and slavers themselves and DO use violence against the slavers.

Now, as for Qadira? It's important to keep two things in mind about Sarenrae's faith being the most widespread faith in Qadira:

1) It's not in charge. The government of Qadira is richer and more powerful than the church of Sarenrae in Qadira, and as a result, the government is the one that gets to say if slaves are legal or not. The church has to either go along with that or rebel, and in Qadira's case, the church has opted to go along with it.

2) The church of Sarenrae in Qadira is NOT the most faithful of all of Sarenrae's churches. In fact, it's one of the most corrupt of her churches, because they've more or less lost sight of the "redeem your enemies" and "peace is better than war." Over the course of many generations, the church of Sarenrae in Qadira has become militarized, basically, and they're a lot more pro-war than they should be—but not SO pro-war that the chruch is in immediate danger of losing all their clerical powers. This church's tolerance of slaves in Qadira is but one of many examples of how the church is straying from Sarenrae's path. It's also why there's a schism building among the church, as a growing number of worshipers are coming to realize that things have somehow gone sour in the faith here. But an...

Except the gods in Golarion are active individuals who involve themselves in the material world.

Yet she doesn't. She has a presence and a herald and at no time does she go through with the effort to send down her herald or her messenger to state, in no uncertain terms, that slavery is wrong.

As Elie Wiesel said, "Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."
Or Ginetta Sagan: "Silence in the face of injustice is complicity with the oppressor."
Or Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

By not making it explicit that slavery is forbidden, she is actively participating in its continuance.
And the authorities in Qadira and Katapesh would certainly have a harder time ignoring Sarenrae or her herald than they would the mortals of her church.

I've got an Ifrit Swashbuckler 12/Wizard 1 with a +27. That's my highest.
+9 Dex
+2 Swashbuckler Initiative
+2 Reactionary
+4 Wildfire Heart
+4 Duelist Weapon
+1 Ioun Stone
+1 Forewarned
+4 Familiar

With my Wizard 1 and Magical Knack (Wizard), I often cast Heightened Awareness, so that kicks it up to a +31.

Can always act in surprise rounds and wears Sandals of Quick Reaction to full-round in surprise rounds. I have managed to drop an enemy before they can act, or before the rest of the party can act.

I'm running this in two weeks. What maps will we need?
Any word?

I suspect that we won't actually meet her in this. I suspect that dealing with her will either be a 12-15 or the 1st edition culmination multi-table.

Thanks!

I have two questions that I did not see addressed in the text:
1) How should a Paladin reconcile working with a devil, or hag? Wouldn’t that violate their paladin code?
2) Is accepting a Dark Bargain an evil act? Not enough to cause an alignment shift, but enough to concern a paladin.

While this is not a "I'm GMing this and have an issue" question, it does fall into spoilers about the scenario. And I'm asking here because my local VO has not yet played this scenario and I don't wish to give away too much about the scenario.

One of the local players at my lodge wishes to partake of the boon allowing her to take levels in the Daggermark Poisoner prestige class. We (she and I) are confused about the wording on the "Prospective Poisoner" boon.

It reads:
"All of your characters gain access to the Daggermark Poisoner Prestige Class as if it appeared on the Additional Resources list. Characters with this prestige class qualify for the Master Alchemist feat and can purchase and use poisons as if they had the Poison Use ability."

One of the prerequisites for Daggermark Poisoner is Poison Use. So why is that specific passage included?

Also, the prospective Poisoner must "craft at least 1,000 gp worth of poisons and donate them to the Daggermark Poisoners' Guild."

How do we handle that in Society? Item Crafting isn't normally something we can do, outside of specific instances like the Gunsmithing feat for Gunslingers. Should it be considered as part of her day job checks? Done separately? How should we handle this?

Is "Campsites" from the Gamemastery Map Pack series?

Just looking so I can order it properly for GenCon.

Any word on maps?

Hope things clear up soon. I'm supposed to GM this on 7/7.

GenCon 2018 is now only 36 days away. I'm missing 5 scenarios that I GMed at GenCon 2017. Any word on those?

Any word on what maps we'll need for this one?

Jared Thaler wrote:

Marc Waschle wrote:

I have read through the scenario, read through this thread and its seems that Mr. Duval intended the 5d6 damage from the checks that failed by 5 or more to be cumulative per failed check.

Am I reading, understanding this right?

I believe it is supposed to be 1 per failure, but it is also an hour long ritual, and the types of actions described it seems unreasonable that *all* of the hits would come at once. I would space them out over the in game hour.

Marc Waschle wrote:

IF it had been spelled out that way then I think our GM would have used one of the Sages to warn us that we were making matters worse and to quit our inept attempts at assisting.

I actually did have Amenopheus point out that this was a *very* difficult and complicated ritual, and that while help would be appreciated, clumsiness could weaken the ritual, not strengthen it.

I ran this the same way, spacing them out over the ritual for each effect and before others took their actions. Example:

“Crowe decides he’s feeling good about his ability to help set up a ritual and goes around cleaning debris from the area, etc. He moves a magical artifact that he didn’t realize is contributing to the overall balance of flow of magical energies that Amenopheus is trying to set up. Tahari siezes on this opportunity and sends a wave of magical feedback through the room. Everyone takes 3d6 damage. Amenopheus yells at everyone to stop mucking about if they don’t know what they’re doing. Next PC decides ‘maybe I better just assist’.”

Sure, except page 17 of the scenario reads:

I've run this twice and played it once. One GM session and my play-through were at low-tier, and my other GM session was at high-tier. When I played it, one PC went down early and hard in the final battle, but didn't die. After that, the fight was actually pretty quick.

When I ran it at low-tier, several PCs went down throughout the fight, but they had enough designated healing with a merciful healer and a life oracle that nobody stayed down permanently. Once they beat the final encounter, everyone was still standing, though many were at single-digit hit points and were out of spells.

When I ran it at high-tier, I table-wiped. They didn't get to the final encounter. Rather the ritual just before it dealt them 165 damage. Everyone died.

What I take away from my experiences is that people should play the low-tier, rather than the high-tier. We didn't have trouble with the low-tier version.

This isn't actually a missing report, but I have an issue with the math on my Organized Play account, as well as a malfunctioned report.

My report on Burnt Offerings keeps fluctuating between saying it's two tables' worth of GM credit and one tables' worth of GM credit. Whether it's one "point" or two doesn't particularly matter, I just would appreciate it if it were consistent.

When I check my GM sessions section for Pathfinder Society in My Organized Play, I do not get consistent results. Sometimes, I click the link and it says I have 55 tables of credit with 52 tables reported. Other times, I get that I have 54 tables of credit with 52 tables reporting. I don't change anything between those times, and nothing that is listed is altered in any way. Why is this? Can it be fixed to become consistently 54 or 55?

Event Name: GenCon 50 (#153572)
Scenario Name: PFS 6-10: The Wounded Wisp
Date Played: 8/17/2017
Character #: 227990-8 'Jamir the Whisperknife' (GM Credit)
Session # (if available): Unknown

Event Name: GenCon 50 (#153572)
Scenario Name: PFS 6-10: The Wounded Wisp
Date Played: 8/17/2017
Character #: 227990-7 'Talathel the Curious' (GM Credit)
Session # (if available): Unknown

I ran the above back-to-back on Thursday during the afternoon (2:00 pm-7:00 pm) and evening (8:00 pm-1:00 am) slots, not sure which happened first.

Event Name: GenCon 50 (#153572)
Scenario Name: PFS 9-00: Assault on Absalom
Date Played: 8/18/2017
Character #: 227990-9 'Zetaya the Kalistocrat' (GM Credit)
Session # (if available): Unknown, but I ran it during the evening ( 8:00 pm-1:00 am) slot

Event Name: GenCon 50 (#153572)
Scenario Name: PFS 8-99: Solstice Scar, Version A
Date Played: 8/19/2017
Character #: 227990-5 'Andrezj of Lastwall' (GM Credit)
Session # (if available): Unknown, but I ran it during the evening ( 8:00 pm-1:00 am) slot

Also, a session I ran is reported, but it is accredited to no character.
Event Name: GenCon 50 (#153572)
Scenario Name: PFS 9-02: A Case of Missing Persons
Date Played: 8/19/2017
Character #: 227990-8 'Jamir the Whisperknife' (GM Credit)
Session # (if available): Unknown, but I ran it during the afternoon (2:00 pm-7:00 pm) slot

** spoiler omitted **

I've played it and run it, and the diplomatic avenue isn't even allowed as an option. My Sovereign Court Ifrit Swashbuckler with a Noble Title told the Concordance's rep where he could stick his attempts at diplomacy because he decided to talk after sending his minions to steal and fight.

This was a scenario when I wish that PFS GMs had more leeway for good RP.

Conceptually, I applaud the inclusion of a faction that will allow for druids, rangers, hunters, shifters, etc. to shine on their own merits, rather than trying to shoehorn them into a faction that just doesn't fit right.

I do have a specific concern about the Concordance, as well as a specific question about the retirement of the Scarab Sages.

Does this mean that, if I purchased a badge already, when the Paizo badge drops, I'll have two listed in my packet?

The Seldon Plan wrote:

Bumping since this is the top result for a "gencon" search string on the forum.

How do I purchase tickets for other events when Paizo is covering my badge? The GenCon website says that my registration doesn't allow purchasing tickets.

Contact Gen Con customer service since you should be able to.

I have not received notice about my GenCon replacement badge. When did you hear about those?

The ones I've had the best experience with are Hayato (Samurai), Kyra (Cleric), and Alahazra (Oracle). Seltiyel (Magus) doesn't look bad, at a glance either. Jirelle (Swashbuckler) is very playable, though she gets a very large boost as the lvl 4 pregen. Her level 1 isn't bad, but her levels 4 and 7 are actually pretty good.

As an aside, Hayato is not actually rules-compliant. His level 7 feat is Greater Weapon Focus, and that's only available at level 8.

Also, how much was art, literature and music affected?

Did statues of historical figures disappear? Did entire sections of architecture vanish?

Without an actual rulebook, I can only speculate, but my speculation is this:

2. So the quality of the art about historical figures could be the same, but the context in which they were created would be lost. For example, in New Orleans, there's a statue of General Andrew Jackson in Jackson Square in the French Quarter. It is a well-made statue of a rider in a heroic pose with the horse rearing dramatically. I would suspect that statue would be considered heroic still, though who General Jackson was might be lost. As for architecture, I don't think it would affect structures, but the engineering behind it might need to be reverse-engineered, or remain a mystery.

I forget the specifics but i know there was at least one real world battle fought after peace was declared mostly because two armies marches all the way out there, found each other and were too hyped up to back down so they fought anyways.

I don't know if it's the one you're thinking of, but that happened at the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812 between the relatively fledgling USA and Britain.

There is only one city 'big' enough locally to handle GenCon.

The organizers don't want to have anything to deal with it, though.

That being Chicago.

Chicago has a series of issues with it that preclude it being an optimal choice, the least of which is the location of the nearest convention center to the hotels, which are priced in such a way to make anything GenConIndy weekend look downright reasonable.

In addition, there is crime, and with a significant chunk of unaware gamers and other fans descending upon the city would not be a good thing at all.

While the idea of Rosemont (a suburb that's pretty much *built* on conventions) is a possibility, the logistics of such a convention would still be, to put it kindly, a mess.

If GenCon moved to Vegas or New York, I probably wouldn't be able to attend, and I suspect a lot of others feel the same.

As far as New Orleans? I nearly went to the hospital a few times at Indy. Can't imagine what it'd be like with an even higher humidity and heat...

To be fair, juggling 61,000 gamers would be a mess anywhere you try. Even Chicago would have a problem with 61,000 people from all over the world descending on their hotels and convention center(s) for 4-6 days. GenCon is just such a large impact for a short time that it's a lot of work from both the convention staff and the locals to bring everything together.

I recently played alongside a Dhampir Bard, and I very rarely see Bards and that was my first Dhampir.

I actually may have the only Samurai in my local lodge, and he's a Sword-Saint archetype, which gives up having a mount for other abilities.

And I played a scenario in late January with an enchantment-specialist wizard and a multi-class gunslinger/cavalier.

I am starting this thread for discussion of if Gen Con should move from Indy. I am pretty sure the PFS forum is wrong place to put this so I ask that it be moved to the correct place on the forum.

Thanks to all for moving discussions about the future home of Gen Con to this thread.

It's a fair request. Sorry to move off on a tangent. It's easy to get drawn in to discussions on these things.

Early August is normally ok for hurricanes. Late August, is more hit and miss. Heat is bad but we have so much more to offer than Indy (by the way, Im biased :) )

I lived down in St. Bernard Parish for a year working with Camp Hope and Habitat for Humanity back in '07. It was one of the best years of my life. I'm planning on moving back in the next year or so. Believe me, from that point alone, I would be tickled pink if GenCon moved down to New Orleans. Turn it into a series of day-trips for me and I wouldn't have to worry about hotel costs.

But I remember that a lot of the other volunteers and out-of-state workers had problems with the heat and humidity, most notably a guy from New Hampshire who passed out while putting sheeting on the roof of a brand-new house.

I'm not saying it's a bad idea or even a game-breaker (pun intended). I'm saying that the weather is something that should be considered when making a decision.

Marc Waschle wrote:

Thought I read online that they had confirmed partnership with Indy through 2020.

I'm sure there are early termination provisions in the contract. If I had negotiated it, I would had included a provision for sufficient hotel space.

There might be a provision for it, or not, but if I were representing Indianapolis, I would fight very hard to keep it. If I recall correctly, Indianapolis makes more money the weekend of GenCon than they do any other time of the year, if not most of the rest of the year combined--with the possible exception of race weekend.

EDIT: Just based on a Google search, several articles say that GenCon 2015 brought in over $67 million in revenue to Indianapolis.

That kind of revenue stream is hard to ignore.

As for the suggestion for New Orleans, while I would love it if it was there, I am hesitant to agree. For one, New Orleans in August is very hot and muggy for those who aren't used to it. Hotter and more humid than Indy, for certain. Two, August is right around Hurricane season, and I would hate to tempt fate by gathering thousands in NOLA for another Camille or Katrina. Or, if one was to hit close enough, though early, I would hate to lose out on precious gaming time. Vegas or Chicago would probably be better from that standpoint--neither is close to where a late summer weather hazard would hit (other than heat, of course).

Three years ago, I was encouraged to try AirBnB to see if I could get something more affordable and/or closer to the convention center. It didn't work for me--ended up staying at a Motel 6 out by the airport (though that year GenCon had a shuttle system to hit the outlying hotels, so I only had to walk about .15 miles to get to the nearest shuttle stop). Don't know why they aren't continuing the shuttles--it was an extra cost that we had to pay, but I think I paid less than $150 for the Motel 6 room plus $50 for the shuttle, and it still was cheaper than almost any closer rooms I could find (and I had an early lottery time).

Anyway, back to topic, people could look on AirBnB and see if there's something available. Might be, might not be, but it's another resource.

This year, I'm a Tier 1, so I have my room all taken care of.

Just received it. Tier 1 approved!

Disciple of the Void wrote:

Daniel Knipfer wrote:

Daniel Knipfer wrote:

I hate getting all excited when I see that there's a new email in my box, and finding that it is junk mail from AOL. Look, I know I'm like one of three people still using AOL, but I just wish they'd lay off the junk mail this weeks so I can be excited when my confirmation email arrives and not disappointed when it's more AOL junk mail.

Still pacing the virtual floor, now cursing AOL.

Okay, I post one slightly snarky comment and boom, there's email in my box. Confirmation received. Tier 2 this year.

Lucky you. I'm still pacing both the actual floor and the gmail floor. It's quite exhausting.

How do you pace in all that endless void? What are you even standing on?

Well, my physical body is pacing the house floor.

I can only do this because I am the void's disciple, however.

Daniel Knipfer wrote:

I hate getting all excited when I see that there's a new email in my box, and finding that it is junk mail from AOL. Look, I know I'm like one of three people still using AOL, but I just wish they'd lay off the junk mail this weeks so I can be excited when my confirmation email arrives and not disappointed when it's more AOL junk mail.

Still pacing the virtual floor, now cursing AOL.

Okay, I post one slightly snarky comment and boom, there's email in my box. Confirmation received. Tier 2 this year.

Lucky you. I'm still pacing both the actual floor and the gmail floor. It's quite exhausting.

It is all timing. I am pretty sure that everyone who stepped up initially will be accepted. Last year they had at least 2 more calls for volunteers. And even with that, at GenCon last year there was a Tier 1 spot open because of a last minute cancellation.

How does that work with hotels, anyway? Tier 1s are supposed to get rooms covered, but I'd guess a last-minute Tier 1 wouldn't get that.

And I'm on Central Time, so I don't know how that would affect the call-outs considering some people already have theirs.

That's good to know that the odds are in my favor. Still, it'd be nice to have some kind of confirmation before the lottery opens.

Also, be really nice if they'd send out a message that basically said "We received your questionnaire" to make sure that the connection is working both ways.

I hope, for those of us who don't get chosen, that they send out e-mails for that, as well. I'd hate to be left in the lurch.