MisterSlanky's page

In July I requested cancellation of all subscription materials moving forward. This was implemented at that time and I have not received any Paizo material since that date.

Yesterday I received notice that my new subscriptions would be shipping soon and when I went into my account it appears that I have multiple subscriptions active again. Since I don't seem to have the capability of removing payment options to ensure that shipment does not occur, this is a notice to Paizo that I will put credit card disputes on these payments should shipment be made. I would advice Paizo to again cancel all my subscriptions and ensure that they do not re-enable in the future.

Perhaps the greatest frustration for me (In a game that's laden with frustrations) is that the difficulty is representative of what the OwlCats found fun, not the actual difficulty of the adventure path. Back in May I gave up on balance because I was told directly that the difficulty was where they wanted it. I liken the Owlcats to that DM that everybody's had, but everybody hates - the one that feels the only way to have fun is to repeatedly kick your behind while giggling behind the GM screen.

But lo! somebody went through the effort to find the correct settings to put the difficulty at core Pathfinder rules! LINK

Between a deliberate difficulty hike and an oddity in the code the poster identified the following settings (details of how he got there in the original link):

Core Rules Set Enemy Difficulty to "weak" and Enemy Stat Adjustments to "normal" for mostly-accurate Pathfinder experience, in terms of encounter balance.

Enemy Stat Adjustment only seems to influence Regeneration and Immunity bypass (no or reduced damage from non-magical weapons), and from what I can find in the code, only when choosing "somewhat easier" (half regen) or "much easier" (no regen) options. Any other option, such as "much tougher enemies" doesn't appear to actually be used anywhere I've found in the code. Comically enough, this even means choosing the "moderately easier" option is exactly the same as "much tougher" when it comes to this (which is all I can see it actually getting called for).

Enemy Difficulty changes the modifier scores (but not the base values) of the main attributes, skills, AC, Attacks, and Saves, by -2, +0, +2, +4, for weak, normal, strengthened, insane options accordingly. I'll go into why below, but you might notice attacks and AC get double-dipped due to the way the math is handled. I'm not sure if that's intentional or not, but it results in a rather steep increase in certain key stat values.

If you're getting frustrated by difficulty the above changes WILL help!

Welcome to From Under Ice Recruitment.

I would suggest reading the Campaign Info first before deciding if you want to join. Two critical notes:

1. Daily posting is generally expected with only one post needed on weekends. Now, I understand that things come up and we all will miss a day from time-to-time (including me!), so just let us know before that happens and it shouldn't be a problem.

2. I'm not one for "I swing my sword" <Series of dice rolls> or "I look through the room" <Series of dice rolls>. If you're not willing to put in some modicum of effort in your posts, describe actions with some flavor, and speak in character, you'll probably have very little fun as I call you out for it incessantly.

Selection will be based on a loaded lottery. This means that I will be giving priority to players that have GMed for me or have impressed me to no ends in previous PbPs. Secondary preference will be given to anybody that actually writes up an introduction here as opposed to just, "I have a character, I'd like to play". If there's anybody left over, those will fill the last seats.

Note: This game has a handful of pre-sign ups, so all seats are not available.

Recruitment will likely run through the weekend.

After the weekend I'll be starting up From Under Ice.

Please make sure you read the Campaign Info in regards to some of the in-play expectations.

Essentially, this is meant to be a narrative experience, not just a series of rolls to get credit (while combat does certainly happen). You'll probably not have the best time if you post with a set of dice rolls and something saying, "I swing my sword" and expect me to fill in the blanks.

Go ahead and dot and delete the post if you've been invited into the game.

Game sign-up is here. (There was still one seat available at the time of writing this.)

Looks like low-tier. Where do we all want to gather? Discuss what you might be bringing if you're so inclined.

Oh - and maps are stupid.

Two seats open for a level 1-2 Overflow Archives.

Party has requested somebody with skills, I'll go on a more first-come-first-served basis.

My expectations: Post daily during the week, once on the weekends. If you will gone for more than 24 hours, post a message letting us know. If something unexpected occurs, post as soon as you can. Life happens. More in the campaign info section on how I generally run games (or you can check out previous games).

I will be out of town for a few days at the end of the month over a weekend so expect a slow hiatus at that time as well.

Will hopefully make a decision ASAP if there are enough sign-ups.

Game will start when we have 4-5 players minimum. Will likely open for recruitment once ya'll have signed in.

Game Dot

A couple of us were discussing the Inquisitor Mastermind Power of "A Quiet Word" and can't quite figure out what bonuses the target gets to use.

First the wording...

A mastermind’s reputation precedes him. At 1st level, once per day a mastermind can spend 10 minutes preparing an ally to make a single Diplomacy or Intimidate check (mastermind’s choice when preparing the ally) within the next 24-hour period at the mastermind’s behest. This skill check uses the mastermind’s skill ranks instead of the ally’s. The mastermind’s affected ally still uses its own ability bonus for the check.

The hard part is that it's clear you don't add in your ability check (called out explicitly), and it's clear that you add in your ranks, what's not clear is whether any of the following are counted (explicitly because of a rule we're missing, or implicitly because the ability calls out ability bonus separately).

So does the target of A Quiet Word get to add in the +3 trained bonus, or a skill focus bonus, or a trait bonus? Some of those, none of those, all of those? Just looking for thoughts.

Recruitment placeholder.

Welcome: We'll start as soon as everybody is here!

Once we're all here, we'll get started.

By Invite Only

A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for 1st to 5th level characters (Tiers: 1–2, 4–5).

The Pathfinder Society seeks the ancient ruby ring of the salamander and it falls to a team of Pathfinders to find it. Last seen in the Tri-Towers Yard, a once elite academy for the youth of Absalom, the ruby ring is now lost in the Drownyard, all that remains of Tri-Towers after it was destroyed a decade ago in the great quake. The Pathfinders must risk the strange black ichors and salty brine to find their prize—will they risk their very souls as well?

Written by Tim and Eileen Connors

By Invite Only

A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for 1st to 5th level characters (Tiers: 1–2, 4–5).

The Pathfinder Society seeks the ancient ruby ring of the salamander and it falls to a team of Pathfinders to find it. Last seen in the Tri-Towers Yard, a once elite academy for the youth of Absalom, the ruby ring is now lost in the Drownyard, all that remains of Tri-Towers after it was destroyed a decade ago in the great quake. The Pathfinders must risk the strange black ichors and salty brine to find their prize—will they risk their very souls as well?

Written by Tim and Eileen Connors

So...it's now only a week before PaizoCon. About two weeks ago the VC from Seattle said the VL would be organizing afternoon games. Last week we asked again and said there was a scheduling snafu, but a list of games would be coming soon. So a week out I think it's time to ask the question, do we just need to get our own afternoon games scheduled?

We have access to a Warhorn site via Majuba, so that's obviously an option. I was really hoping that we'd see the afternoon scheduled this year after last year's note that this is something players would like seen, but at this point we're running out of time.

So to kick it off, who's looking for what?

I know there are three of us looking for a GM willing to run Part 3 of Faithless & Forgotten Saturday afternoon.

This is a bit of dead horse, since a campaign decision was already made about three years ago, but due to the change in leadership, I'm respectfully asking for a reconsideration to not providing an alternative to the Improved Leadership ability of Battle Heralds. The original thread is here.

The final decision was...

After taking a look at Improved Leadership, we will not be replacing it with anything else. Since the class still functions without that ability, and could be altogether ignored by someone who doesn't have the Leadership in normal home play, their is no need to make an exception here.

The request is to find an alternative to Improved Leadership for Battle Herads, due to the the Leadership feat being illegal for PFS. There are plenty of precedents for swapping out a class feature that uses a game mechanic that is not appropriate for PFS. I've included a non-comprehensive list of examples where class abilities were swapped out due to the base feature not being part of PFS (often crafting, sometimes dream magic or reincarnation effects).

The best example I can find that involves Leadership directly is that Sentinel prestige classes explicitly give up their "Righteous Leader" special ability at level 8 for persuasive.

I would ask there to be a reconsideration of this class ability, in the hope to find an alternative that would be class/ability appropriate. Thanks!

AA Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 1–5.

Seven years ago, Pathfinders entered Absalom’s shattered Precipice Quarter in pursuit of a ruby ring but also rescued a strange survivor. She has since grown to adulthood and exhibited a rebellious spirit connected to the ruined school where the Pathfinders found her. The woman’s family has contacted the Society, hoping that its agents can escort her back to the haunted site and unravel the Drownyard’s relentless mysteries.

Written by Alex Greenshields.

This is currently invite only campaign.

AA Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 1–5.

Seven years ago, Pathfinders entered Absalom’s shattered Precipice Quarter in pursuit of a ruby ring but also rescued a strange survivor. She has since grown to adulthood and exhibited a rebellious spirit connected to the ruined school where the Pathfinders found her. The woman’s family has contacted the Society, hoping that its agents can escort her back to the haunted site and unravel the Drownyard’s relentless mysteries.

Written by Alex Greenshields.

This is currently invite only campaign.

My search-fu is either exceptionally weak this morning or this just hasn't been asked.

Back in the day we just had the Ranger. A few prerequisites here and there mention "Favored Enemy". At the time this was fine, if you wanted to use the ability that said "Favored Enemy Class Feature" you just took a level of ranger.

Fast forward several years and we've watched the addition of dozens of archetypes, and more importantly, the slayer. Now rather than "Favored Enemy", we've got "Studied Target", something that seems to be here to stay and is frankly, the next evolution of a Favored Enemy, one that actually works well.

Now here's the question. Has there been any official communication anywhere regarding whether the two are interchangeable for the purposes of prerequisites? I can find a power here and there under Hunters, Slayers and the like that imply that it's the case, but nothing directly stating it one way or other. It's unfortunate that older options are unavailable to newer classes just due to a minor wording change, or the lack of a clarification that they're the same for the purposes of determining prerequisites. Is there any previous discussion or commentary I've missed anywhere that's discussed this in the context of "well that's not what it says"?

So um...24 point buy isn't really a "thing" in Pathfinder (I mean I "can" do it I suppose). Was this a typo of 25, or was it a hearkening back to 3.5 (where I've all but forgotten the point buy system there) and the value is really 20 or something?

Anything else we should be aware of in character builds Erik?

I have a very broad request for advice on alchemists. I think that I've discovered that it's not that I don't like alchemists, it's that I have absolutely zero concept on how to build an alchemist to do anything reasonably well, especially with my desire to have "different" character builds. It's almost as if everything just pigeonholes all Alchemists into a bomber or "Mr. Hyde" build. I want neither, but I’m willing to work with a hybrid of the two.

I have no interest in being optimized. Being useful is good, being optimized is not. In other words, I don’t want to be a fifth wheel, and I want to have moments to shine (as would any player). Furthermore, the idea of sitting in the back with a 20+ INT chucking bombs does not appeal, but neither does using feral mutagens (been there, don’t want to do that again). I do like the idea of a selfish magical rogue though, so that’s I suppose someplace to start.

I have the following PFS legal Tengu Alchemist build, and I’m looking for advice on direction.
The following cannot change
Level 4 Internal Alchemist/Crypt Breaker
STR: 14, DEX: 16, CON: 12, INT: 16, WIS: 12, CHA: 8
Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shots
Discoveries: Precise Bombs, <One Open Slot>

So where to go? Give me some ideas that I might not be thinking of. Do I wind up taking mutagen to get rid of the horrible crypt breaker draught? Thoughts that have crossed my mind which I’d like insight on if you can are using Breath Weapon Bomb and staying in melee range, maybe going the mummification route, or maybe the spontaneous healing route. Is explosive projectile worth considering? Seriously, anything that gives me an idea or two.

So I had somebody walk up to a table with a 4th level continual flame cast on an ioun torch from another player at a previous game day. According to the guide, this appears to be a legal option so that's not the question, the question is intent. The player in question had this marked on a previous chronicle with GM initials. What he did not have listed on the chronicle is the class and character level of the continual flame caster.

I'm thinking about a specific scenario, one where perhaps this continual flame gem could be dispelled (hell any scenario with a guy with deeper darkness and the ability to cast dispel magic). What is the appropriate response once you do decide to dispel said spell (since as a GM I'm going to do that after my first tactics mandated deeper darkness fails)?

a) Have him go back and get this information entered on his chronicle, knowing full well that the player that cast it may not be available, and we may never know.

or

b) Assume it's Caster Level 7 (thinking said character was a wizard), and using a DC of 17 to perform dispells.

or

c) Something I'm not considering.

In honor of the Year of the Demon, I have a very special level 6 possibly showing up to a table near you. Soundtrack added for your perusal enjoyment.

I thought you'd all possibly enjoy.

So...John, Mike, and Mark have requested we just have one thread for each of the major topics.

I'm going to jump on this one. Two factions are getting the boot.

Lantern Lodge - which will have their scenario where they end as Way of the Kirin. This will end the lodge as a PC option (they will continue to exist as their own non PC faction).

Shadow Lodge - the specifics are still secret, but they will end with the scenario Rivalries End. They alluded that this will be a significant game changer for the faction (where they may or may not continue to exist as a non-PC option).

Fun stuff!

They also clarified that scenarios starting in Season 5 will no longer have "faction missions" with handouts. Rather, the scenarios will become much more like this year's Cheliax arcs, where a goal for the faction will be there for the entire scenario and there may be a faction specific reward at the end of the scenario.

As you may all be able to tell from my newly reclaimed MisterSlanky title, my transition from the role of VC to one of the faceless masses is now complete.

But fear not, Minnesota is not without its venture leadership. Mike Brock has given me the pleasure of announcing our new VC of Minnesota - Ryan Blomquist! So in case you were worried, Minnesota will continue to be ruled over with an iron fist....ahem, looked after, by another Ryan B.

Ryan has been playing PFS since season zero and has a strong background in participating and working with organized play systems, so he should fit right in. I've had the pleasure of both playing under and running for Ryan and he's a superb addition to the regional leadership. Mike couldn't have made a better selection.

Please take a moment to congratulate Ryan on his promotion to the role!

I would like to make the unfortunate (to me anyway) announcement that I will be resigning from my position as Venture Captain for Minneapolis/St. Paul effective 19-Oct-2012 (unless Mike finds a replacement sooner). I'm fully planning on helping Mike identify a replacement VC for Minneapolis/St. Paul as well in my last couple of weeks.

It is very important for everybody here to know that this decision is entirely based on an inventory of what kind of hours my real-life job will take up in the next 6-9 months. If I had the ability to juggle the tasks I have pending with my VC duties I would, but I don't. So as much as I love my role as Venture Captain, I had to admit to myself that I can't dedicate the time to the position that it deserves. This really was a difficult and sad decision for me.

But fear not! I will still be GMing on occasion, posting on the board (when time permits), and still available via e-mail and PM. I also want to thank Mike and Mark for making my time as VC as entertaining and as enjoyable as it was, my VL - Andrew Christian for helping out as much as he has, and my local store coordinators for picking up game days as much as they have. Finally and most importantly though, I'd like to recongize all the players and GMs who have risen from my first table of 6 players at a single game store to a cities wide group of more than 250 gamers who play upwards of 10-15 tables of PFS a week. If it weren't for all of those players, I never would have made it as VC.

See you all around!

Hey guys - thought you might want to know, Pharyngula has used one of Paizo's images (the Battle Herald PrC to be specific) on one of their open threads. While the image was available on the blog, I don't see any of the appropriate community use policy verbiage and it is not attributed to the artist or Paizo. I thought you might want to know.

The specific article/commentary thread can be found here

I have some questions about Chasm of Screams, maybe some of you know the answers.

1. How far out are the Pathfinders from civilization?

I can't find a good reference to how long it actually takes to get to any reasonably sized city. Due to the presence of lingering effects that do CON damage, I could see the need to get somewhere rapidly. Barring teleportation magic, how long would it take to get to the next largest city?

2. Does anybody actually understand the Map?

Specifically areas C2, C3, and C4 and how they actually interact.

Maybe more when I get home and can read it again.

I’m working out the details of a very broad INT based fighter, but I’ve hit a wall. My end goal is to make a student of war, but I want to do so in a less traditional manner than taking straight-up Lore Warden. To be clear, I’m not interested in optimization, this is a concept build, but I don’t want to become a worthless gimp of a character in the process.

My stumbling block is the knowledge skills. In order to get to the final result, I need to get access to the base of knowledge skills (specifically arcana, dungeoneering, local (which I want to specialize in), nature, planes, and religion).

So that’s my question. Using PFS rules, what other alternatives do I have to get access to the breadth of skills needed while continuing to focus on a melee build with as much BAB as possible?

My ideas so far:

• Lore Warden (not keen on this one) – The Most Obvious Choice.
  
• Tactician w/ traits (doesn’t get me all the skills)
  
• Tactician + Order of Tome Cavalier + traits (gets me five of the six but I don’t want a horse & doesn’t fit concept)
  
• Level of Wizard (loss of BAB + wizard spells aren’t really of interest to me)
  
• Level of Bard (loss of BAB + not sure I want to be an inspirerer)
  
• Inquisitor (not quite the concept I was going for, but best I’ve seen so far)

Are there any I’m missing? Multi-classing isn’t a problem as long as it’s conceptually cool.

Since PFS seems to be established and running fairly smoothly here in the Twin Cities metro area, I'm beginning to expand my search for GMs in the rest of Minnesota. If you're playing out of Rochester, St. Cloud, Mankato, or Duluth and have an interest in organizing at your local store, please let me know.