Another question on this one. Does it affect normal, corporeal targets?
Only if they're made of ectoplasm.
Quote:
Purge Spirit: Purge spirit rips away at the target's spiritual substance, scattering it over a wide area and hampering the target's ability to reform. The target takes 1d6 points of damage per caster level (maximum 10d6) and is staggered for one round. On a successful saving throw, the target takes half damage and is not staggered. This spell affects astrally projected creatures, ethereal creatures, haunts, incorporeal creatures, mediums channeling a spirit, and phantoms, and at the GM's discretion can affect other spirits or creatures made of ectoplasm. Incorporeal creatures take full damage from purge spirit.
It looks to me like the difference of opinion is whether the bolded sentence above should be read as:
This spell ONLY affects astrally projected creatures, ethereal creatures, haunts, incorporeal creatures, mediums channeling a spirit, and phantoms, and at the GM's discretion can affect other spirits or creatures made of ectoplasm.
or as:
This spell ALSO affects astrally projected creatures, ethereal creatures, haunts, incorporeal creatures, mediums channeling a spirit, and phantoms, and at the GM's discretion can affect other spirits or creatures made of ectoplasm.
Additionally, I disagree with Scavions' statement:
There are no creatures listed that are "Not normally targetable".
IMHO: all of the creatures on the list (and Haunts) are not "normally" targetable. Can any of them be shot with a Ray of Frost? Perhaps a Haunt, if it has a listed vulnerability - but that would not be "Normally". Incorporeal creatures would take 1/2 damage from it, so maybe? - but then again, that is IMHO not "normally targetable". I guess Phantoms would be targetable, if they were corporeal. "Ethereal creatures" could be targeted if the shooter were also ethereal. In fact all of the creatures on the list would be targetable with a simple ray of frost in the right circumstances. But not "normally".
I think I am in agreement with "Doc the Grey" above...
the line from the spell that talks about what it effects...
"This spell affects astrally projected creatures, ethereal creatures, haunts, incorporeal creatures, mediums channeling a spirit, and phantoms, and at the GM's discretion can affect other spirits or creatures made of ectoplasm."
seems to include a lot of creatures not normally fully target able by spells. this to me seems to indicate that these creatures are called out as being included in the Target line in the "crunchy bits" above. Normally, without this line, those creatures would not be fully targetable correct?
Also, the inclusion of ethereal creatures means that if you have a normal human wizard who happens to be plane shifted, he becomes a viable target. Why is this? You can target him if he's ethereal, (or incorporeal, or astrally projected) but not if he is actually standing there beside you... why not?
Whereas, if it targets creatures (as the write-up - "the crunchy bits" says) it puts it about on the same power level as Bone Shatter - which does 1d6 per level and exhausted and gives a Fort save for half damage (and fatigued)...
If it doesn't work on "normal" creatures - does it effect creatures that are blinking with the spell blink, which are ethereal creatures 1/2 the time?
Realizing that you are shooting to hit Touch AC, Precise Shot actually isn't a priority. Nice to have sure, but not really as needed as it is with other shooting types of PCs.
My first three feats were Improved Init., Accomplished Sneak Attacker, and Point Blank Shot (From the Rogue Talent: Combat Trick).
I've found that going first seems much more important. Catching the bad guy flatfooted means they don't count their dex to AC - which will give them something like a Touch AC of 10. A high Dex with +1 for a gold coin (or better) and +1 for Point Blank and you're going to be shooting at something like +8 to hit.
I don't have my books in front of me, what does Unchained Eldritch Scoundrel do for this build?
as to race - I could easily see this guy being a Tiefling... and at higher level having Fiend Sight twice. Shooting from the darkness and adding in his sneak dice...
It actually grew out of the thought experiment "how much can I get my INIT bonus to - and how fast?".
So once I had a first level Ifrit Wizard with a +19 INIT, I started looking at what in the world I could do with him. By now I'm 2/2 Wizard/Rogue and wondering if perhaps I should have made him 3/1 so that his 5th level could be Arcane Trickster.
It wasn't until his second game that I even discovered the spell coin shot, and at third that I got him the feat Rapid Shot to give him the 2 shots in the regular round.
More than likely I'll keep going up as a Rogue...
at 4th level the INIT bonus is +21, or +25 with Heightened Awairness... Dex+5, Wildfire Heart+4, Improved Init+4, Rabbit+4, Reactionary+2, 2nd level wiz+1, Ioun Stone +1... Soon he'll be using Blood Boiling pills to boost it another +2. OH! and his SLA is Reduce Person (Ifrit) to boost his Dex and add another +1.
^I just reread the post and realized that FPS way saying 3rd level character level (I misread it first as Wizard 3). At 3rd level, a 1 level dip in Wizard means only Rogue 2, which means Sneak Attack only +1d6 unless you blow a feat on Accomplished Sneak Attacker, which will then be dormant at every even-numbered level unless you dip 1 more level in a non-Sneak-Attack (or Slow-Sneak-Attack) class. (Alternatively, I guess you could use Snakebite Striker Brawler 1/Rogue 1/Wizard 1, since Snakebite Striker Brawler has a weird Sneak Attack progression, but I didn't see Snakebite Striker Brawler on the table.)
Yeah, you got it, though it’s two levels of wizard (prescience wizard) in order to get the bonus to Init. (Along with being an Ifrit, and having a Rabbit Familiar ... indeed most of the gimmicks to boost Init. That lets me introduce myself at the table with “Hi! I’m First!”).
"Hi! I'm First! Initiative was +19 at 1st level, but it went up from there), always goes in the surprise round (even if surpised), favorite spell is coin shot...
At third level will often throw gold coins for 1d8+2, and +2d6 sneak attack dice. One coin in the first (surprise round), then two more coins in the actual first round of combat (rapid shot). As the party scout, I often get 3 shots off before the target actually get's to go... (ranged touch attacks at 20' or less).
"Hi! I'm First! Initiative of +19 at 1st level (goes up more after that), always goes in the surprise round, favorite spell is coin shot...
At third level will often throw gold coins for 1d8+2, +2d6 sneak attack dice, one in the first (surprise round), then two more coins in the actual first round of combat. Getting 3 shots off before the target actually get's to go...
Totally go ranged. There will always be another party member who wants to be in the front line, up on “bleeding edge” of the encounters.
As an investigator, you have Craft Alchemy, which would open up all the alchemical arrow possibilities. Raining Arrows alone are worth every copper piece you spend on them. And if something charges up to you, you either 5’ away to shot them, or, if they get more than 2 attacks, you just move away and shoot. Move back and shoot it with a Tangleshot arrow.
And i would rather go the Point Blank Shot/Deadly Aim feat path than the suggested one. Possibly going Rapid Shot before Percise Shot even.
A book, entitled "The Tactical Use of the Spell Magic Missile" which, when studied for some time (say 24 hours), has two effects - one known and one unknown.
Known: When casting the spell Magic Missile, the caster throws one additional missile.
Unknown: All missiles thrown do 1 HP less than normal (1d4 rather than 1d4+1).
The Tactics, once studied and learned, take a remove curse to unlearn. (and are unlikely to be discovered in the game).
I'm kind of in the school of anecdotal experiences isnt evidence of his usefulness. people might lie, misremember, embellish, or just get lucky, statistics dont. The combat statistics of Harsk dont seem to justify his use as a combat character. Yes he can do other things such as spot MECHANICAL traps (not magic), track, handle animals, serve as a "stealther" or whatever, but what he spends most of his feats on just arent worth it is the way it seems.
but you are willing to except anecdotal experiences as to his lack of usefulness?
so, let us check the numbers shell we?
among the Core 1st level pregens, he is only surpassed in ranged combat (with weapons) by Ezran using Hand of the Apprentice. He is only tied by Merisiel with a dagger.
Amiri? shortbow +2 for 1d6
Lem? sling +3 (1d3-1) with his singing he can get this up to +4 for 1d3
Kyra? sling +0 (1d4+2)
Lini? sling +2 (1d3-2)
Valeros? shortbow +3 (1d6)
Sajan? Shruiken +2 (1d2+3)
Sheelah? shortbow +1 for 1d6
Harsk? hvy xbow +4 for 1d10,
Merisiel? Dagger +4 (1d4)
Seoni? Dagger +2 (1d4) - but wait, she has acid splash so she would get a +2 ranged touch doing 1d3... (but ha! bad feats again - spell focus Evocation? what good is that at 1st level?)
Ezren? Lt Xbow +2 (1d8) ... he also has acid splash and spell focus evocation again... BUT WAIT! he also has Hand of the Apprentice! so he gets a +5 to hit with a ranged attack doing 1d6! We have a winner! Ezren! yeah! Looks like you should have taken the Wizard as "someone to handle ranged combat"...
can someone else check the rest of the Pregens? I'm sure if we check them ALL we can find someone better at shooting at 1st level... or with a higher damage potential? At range please, as he is built as a ranged Ranger...
Ok Egil - which Pre-Gen would be a better choice as "someone to handle ranged combat", at 1st level?
Amiri? shortbow +2 for 1d6 (a better weapon for her would be a Sling or Javelin)
Lem? sling +3 (1d3-1) with his singing he can get this up to +4 for 1d3
Kyra? sling +0 (1d4+2) (feats include Toughness by the way)
Lini? sling +2 (1d3-2)
Valeros? shortbow +3 (1d6) (again, a sling would at least do 1d4+3, and he has the feat toughness)
Sajan? Shruiken +2 (1d2+3) (not going to talk about feats here)
Sheelah? shortbow +1 for 1d6 (with a Javelin she would at least get her shield, and do 1d6+3)
Harsk? wait - you said he was unavailable (hvy xbow +4 for 1d10, with the feat Rapid Reload... so no point blank shot for him either)
Merisiel? Dagger +4 (1d4)... weapon focus for a feat...
Seoni? Dagger +2 (1d4) - but wait, she has acid splash so she would get a +2 ranged touch doing 1d3... (but ha! bad feats again - spell focus Evocation? what good is that at 1st level?)
Ezren? Lt Xbow +2 (1d8) ... he also has acid splash and spell focus evocation again... BUT WAIT! he also has Hand of the Apprentice! so he gets a +5 to hit with a ranged attack doing 1d6! We have a winner! Ezren! yeah! Looks like you should have taken the Wizard as "someone to handle ranged combat"...
Ifrit Wizard/Rogue. NOT a gunslinger. I "shoot" with spells... normally coin shot, so I throw money at the monsters. But I can resort to rays or other spells...
And "it's all about going first" (I have a really high initiative - +20 or more at 2nd level) and getting that "first shot" off to get my sneak dice in. ;-)
But you can use a "found magic item" to get an NPC in game to supply you with information you want. ("What do you mean, give him the Cloak of Resistance!") Got it.
We are very much in shades of grey here, but you can't give an NPC a non-consumable item (unless you are willing to give up the gold reward you would have gotten for it at the end). It's no different from throwing the cloak into a river of lava; you lose treasure for doing so.
Consumable magic items are treated differently. Because the expectation is that the PCs will use them in the standard fashion (drink a potion, read a scroll, etc.). Are there other uses? Sure.
But again, Campaign Leadership doesn't want to have to make an exhaustive list of what is and isn't allowed because there will always be another edge case that isn't covered in the list. Paizo simply doesn't have the personnel resources required to get far enough into the weeds to keep the campaign wealth level equivalent around the world. So there's only two options: you can use consumables (however you want) without losing treasure or you lose money every time you do so much as drink a potion of cure light wounds you found in the adventure. Right now we can use consumables without penalty. I prefer that to the alternative.
and so...
** spoiler omitted **
...or is this an exception to the "you can't give an NPC a...
Actually, in your example, if you do that, you're supposed to cross the item off the chronicle sheet. So yes, there are written in repercussions for giving an NPC an item.
The players loose the access - but not the gold. If they use the item as suggested in the scenario, (as a bribe) they still receive the gold reward (83gp each for recovering the item - that they use later as a bribe). It is not a consumable, so "spending it" would be reducing the treasure reward... only it doesn't... but this is sort of a non-issue. No one wants to penalize beginning characters for doing "the right thing" - and not playing greedy murder-hobos. "Yeah, you did the GOOD thing there giving him the magic item, so I guess I'll reduce the gold you get on the Chronicle by 20%". No one does this. We let the players "spend the equipment"... Heck, the loss of the item was originally to be off-set by gaining access to a partially charged wand (per the author), but that seems to have been cut during pre-publish editing.
I'm not really upset by the way things are done now - it just strikes me as kind of odd that the players are allowed to "spend recovered equipment" for things like bribes, but are not allowed to use coins as weapons (because the destruction of the coins counts as "spending recovered money" which must be paid for out of final gold reward.).
And really - it's at most 30 gp per spell cast (used three attacks - and normally only 3 gp per spell cast), about what a flask of holy water costs. (Just remember - if you use up a recovered holy water flask attacking a monster, you don't have to pay for it, but if you use up a recovered gold piece attacking a monster, it comes out of party treasure).
But you can use a "found magic item" to get an NPC in game to supply you with information you want. ("What do you mean, give him the Cloak of Resistance!") Got it.
We are very much in shades of grey here, but you can't give an NPC a non-consumable item (unless you are willing to give up the gold reward you would have gotten for it at the end). It's no different from throwing the cloak into a river of lava; you lose treasure for doing so.
Consumable magic items are treated differently. Because the expectation is that the PCs will use them in the standard fashion (drink a potion, read a scroll, etc.). Are there other uses? Sure.
But again, Campaign Leadership doesn't want to have to make an exhaustive list of what is and isn't allowed because there will always be another edge case that isn't covered in the list. Paizo simply doesn't have the personnel resources required to get far enough into the weeds to keep the campaign wealth level equivalent around the world. So there's only two options: you can use consumables (however you want) without losing treasure or you lose money every time you do so much as drink a potion of cure light wounds you found in the adventure. Right now we can use consumables without penalty. I prefer that to the alternative.
and so...
in Confirmation:
the players should then loose 1000gp of treasure value if they give the Cloak of Resistance to the Gilman in the cave? (that would be something like 500gp sale value? or the 1000gp value of the actual Cloak?) Seems kind of harsh - but I guess I can start reducing the GP rewards by 100gp or so per player... but only if they give the Cloak to get the Diplomacy bonus that the scenario mentions, and seems to push the PCs into doing... and so that's why my comment above was ("What do you mean, give him the Cloak of Resistance?!")
...or is this an exception to the "you can't give an NPC a non-consumable item (unless you are willing to give up the gold reward you would have gotten for it at the end)."?
I can't find the post right now but one of the previous Campaign Coordinators (Mike Brock, I believe) confirmed that if you spend gold you find - or sell treasure then spend that gold - during the scenario it reduces the amount earned on the chronicle.
The reason was that a bright line needs to be drawn somewhere. Using the gold to pay off a planar ally was the extreme example. But you can lower that bar again and again. Needing an in-game restoration. How about an NPC casting heroes' feast? Transportation bribes? A couple of coins for coin shot? No matter where you put that line, there is going to legitimately be a use that is "just a little bit more, why not allow this one more thing?" So the line is drawn at Zero.
The rest of that post goes on to say (paraphrasing) "Yes, you are allowed to use found items. If it's too unfair that you can use items and not gold, we can explore the possibility of not allowing players to use items found in scenarios either."
Anyone able to find that post?
You cannot use "found money" to bribe an NPC in game to supply you with information you want. Got it. This would reduce the gold you earn during the adventure. unless you happen to be in the correct faction, have the faction card for season 8 and have completed 2 faction goals to earn the Slush Fund... then you are reimbursed the expenses..
But you can use a "found magic item" to get an NPC in game to supply you with information you want. ("What do you mean, give him the Cloak of Resistance!") Got it.
It just seems kind of weird that we can have PCs that throw treasure gained (like using Healing Potions for Healing bomb, or Scrolls with the Archetype that uses them for weapons/shields) - as long as that treasure you throw at the monster ISN'T money. I mean, the money isn't SPENT, it's used as a weapon.
But we can't use "found money" as weapons - that's using the money.
But then I also think it's kind of weird that we can use a Fly[/] potion we found, but we can't swap it at the local Potion shop for a [I]lesser restoration which is valued at less that half the cost.
Expendables: Any wealth spent or resources expended during the course of an adventure must be tracked and recorded on either the Chronicle Sheet or Inventory Tracking Sheet as applicable.
It is ok for a character to sell plundered loot mid-adventure for some extra pocket change, but that spent resource is still an expense that is coming out of their pay. So that does not get them 'free' gold.
Now taking this into a tangent where there are some inconsistencies: players are not charged for consuming looted loot in other ways (potions, wands, sundered items), but they are penalized for consuming looted gold on 'non-permanent costs' (tolls, bribes, living expenses and such). So we have a case where they can consume a looted Cure Light Wounds Potion without penalty (25g value), but if they spend 25 looted gold on a bribe they must cover the cost. I'd like to hear if others find this inconsistent?
I actually hit this is an unusual way. I really like the spell coin shot, and use it a lot. Early on in my adventuring career the party recovered a stash of loot that included some scrolls, some Cure Light Wounds potions and some gold. The Alchemist in the party grabbed the potions to use with his discovery Healing Bomb (so he could throw them as part of a bomb). One of the other PCs picked up the scrolls - stating we could use them as bribes if nothing else... but when I scooped up a dozen of the gold pieces to use with the spell coin shot, it was explained that using those coins would reduce the party treasure (requiring us to calculate how to split 12 gp five ways - if I actually used all 12. If I only used 4, then we would all have our gold award reduced by 0.8 gp each). Rather than reduce the party gold, I just offered to reduce my own share by the 12 gp... which seemed to work, though the Judge stated he was being nice to allow me to use money that had not been awarded yet... as we didn't actually get access to the GP from the adventure until we got the chronicle at the end of the game....
Sense then I've been real careful to always keep 21 gp, 21 sp, and 21 pp on my PC - just so I have enough coins to use with the spell... realizing that I actually can't use the coins we find until after the game we find them in.
Heroes of the Streets, page 30, about half way down this page
Thanks! I need to correct a PC now... not sure how I can do this... maybe just restart him... crud
created him with a low strength, played him at 1st and then re-built him at 2nd to up his strength because of the penalty, only to have the penalty to go away after he is locked.... sigh
In my group we simply don't track ammunition count of simple arrows, bolts or bullets. The game is about heroes saving the world, not about poor rangers counting their arrows. We assume, that you can always buy new ones in towns, recycle enough ones from the fight, craft them or find them as loot.
it is such a classic to have the "shooter hero" come up empty... How many stories have the scene with the hero "...low on ammo..." - heck, we all recognized it from the title of this thread! "...... Ammo's running low....".
Yeah, "The game is about heroes..." and sometimes they run out of ammo and have to do something heroic...
Let's try this for another item the hero's often run shot on..."In my group we simply don't track Hit Points... The game is about heroes saving the world, not about poor adventurers tracking their health. We assume, that you can always buy healing in towns, recycle enough Hit Points from the fight, heal them or find them as loot...."
Drawn like ammunition, can be made of special materials, and though the magic is gone after one use, they can be enchanted.
He can also use them in melee, but lasts longer if he uses Durable arrows.
Still, he will be the only one with an Adamantine weapon at first level.
Spell caster with the spell coin shot, cast on P.P. get Adamantine ammo - at a cost of 10gp per shot....
Wow, this is the first time I have seen multi-year necromancy on a thread I had contributed to.
Coin Shot first appeared in Pathfinder Player Companion: Heroes of the Street in 2015, so blackbloodtroll's statement was true when he wrote it.
yeah, I was researching PC ideas (hoping for a thrown weapon using Arcane Caster) and I just wanted to expand on it incase anyone else came along later... and to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding the spell. I figured if I got it wrong, someone would be happy to correct me. :-)
Ifrit Wizard/Rogue. 2nd level now. NOT a gunslinger. Do it with spells...
It's all about going first (really high initiative) and getting that "first shot" off. Favorite spell right now is Coin Shot, so I "throw money" at my problems. ;-)
Nope, they are just coins with benefits that go bye-bye when you use them to bean someone in the head, and get deducted from your rewards at the end if used for said beaning in the head.
As you stated yourself, they never stop being coins:
First Person Shooter wrote:
...
edit for correction... I miss-typed. Actually they remain coins even while the spell is active. They don't "just turn back into normal coins after ten minutes," as they never weren't coins.
How about "salvaged" black powder and shot? Does a PC need to pay the FULL PRICE when using captured powder/shot or just the discounted price she pays for her own bullets? or does she pay any at all?
How about healing potions used as weapons? (the Alchemist discovery "Healing Bomb")?
The coins are destroyed if they are actually thrown. That's the "cost". Anything you expend in the scenario is deducted from rewards at the end of the scenario. IF you never toss them at someone then they are not destroyed and still count to your rewards at the end.
As far as consumables like potions and such go - it says the following in the guide:
Note: You may use any item that you find during the
scenario for free until the end of the scenario, but you
must purchase the item when the scenario is over in
order for your character to be able to continue to use the
item. This rule is most applicable to consumables such as
potions, scrolls, and so on, but also applies to weapons,
magic items, and so on.
so - does the spell turn them into ammunition/weapons or magic items?
If you do not use them they just turn back into normal coins after ten minutes, per the spell.
First Person Shooter wrote:
SCPRedMage wrote:
The intention of the spell is that it costs you money. Casting the spell costs you money. Full stop.
How about when the spell is cast, but the coins aren't used? (or some are, and some aren't? - often the PC only get's to throw one or two of the three coins enchanted...). Are they still deducted from the total gold reward for the scenario?
Yes they turn back into coins, but SCPRedMage did say that "The intention of the spell is that it costs you money.", and the spell WAS cast - so it should cost money.
edit for correction... I miss-typed. Actually they remain coins even while the spell is active. They don't "just turn back into normal coins after ten minutes," as they never weren't coins.
The intention of the spell is that it costs you money. Casting the spell costs you money. Full stop.
How about when the spell is cast, but the coins aren't used? (or some are, and some aren't? - often the PC only get's to throw one or two of the three coins enchanted...). Are they still deducted from the total gold reward for the scenario?
How about "salvaged" black powder and shot. The "intention" of costing gunslinger ammo so expensive is that it costs money to use it. Does a PC need to pay the FULL PRICE when using captured powder/shot or just the discounted price she pays for her own bullets? or does she pay any at all?
Does the same apply to the Alchemist Discovery "Healing Bomb"? When they use a "recovered treasure" potion with it?
There is no doubt that if you use GP, Gems, or sold items acquired to buy things, material components, or exchange to other coins. That results in an expense on your sheet.
However, if you got an item, and used it during the adventure you are not penalized.
Quote:
They cannot sell off any items found during the current adventure
Quote:
You can use any item that you find during the adventure for free until the end of the adventure
Quote:
Items consumed or destroyed for any reason are not crossed out on the Chronicle sheet. Items given to NPCs or that are used as spell components are crossed off.
Ouch! that does it then...
"Items given to NPCs ...are crossed off...". Yeah - the PC shot NPCs with the coins, so I guess that would count as giving the NPC the coins... and that would reduce the total gold gained in the scenario. I'll try to have the judge change the Gold award from now on.
Whatever price a PC pays to bargain with an outsider needs to be listed as gold spent at the end of the scenario the same as if he had spent real gp out of his amassed wealth. Whether or not the equivalent of that gp value came from his own existing gear, an item found in the scenario, or his cache of coins is immaterial. You cannot use the proposed workaround to get free material components.
and in the same thread
Mark Moreland wrote:
It's not just this spell that will be clarified. Any time you have a spell requiring an expensive material component, you need to pay for that component. That means if you find 250 gp worth of diamond dust in a dragon's lair, you can use it to cast stoneskin, but you don't magically get that diamond dust for free. It's value comes out of your cut of the loot at the end of the scenario.
If people don't like that spell components are treated differently than consumable magic items, then maybe we need to revisit how found consumable items are handled in the campaign. Regardless of where that discussion goes, spell components have costs for a reason; you can't circumvent that by using a campaign-specific rule meant for a different thing.
And here's your precedent; not that I expected anything else. :P
what's the precedent? I am confused... are we considering the Coins the spell is cast on Material Components?
I have the Alchemist Discovery "Healing Bomb" - it uses Curing Potions (or Extracts of Cure spells) to Heal the target of my bombs. So, if I throw a Cure Moderate Wounds potion I just picked up off of Mook #138 - do I need to pay for it? Full price or Half?
If my PC were to pick up silver/magic arrows from Mook #138 and use them - does she need to pay for them?
If my PC were to "salvage" black powder and shot from Gunslinger Mook #138, and use it in her musket, does she need to pay the FULL PRICE or just the discounted price my PC pays for her own bullets? or does she pay any at all?
If I pick up several long swords from Mook #138 thru Mook #142 and use them on a Ramoriz - and they melt (I didn't use MY sword for that reason - I didn't want it to melt!), do I need to pay for those swords?
So, realizing that I am not SPENDING it as money - why do I have to use my coins as ammunition rather than the coins I just picked up?
If it makes a difference, the coins the spell are thrown on are not Material Components, and are destroyed only if they are thrown...
Can a PC use stuff picked up from defeated foes without having to pay for it?
Specifically, coins. If my PC casts the spell coin shot and throws coins picked up from a defeated mook earlier in the scenario - do I need to mark those coins as expended from my PC wealth? I realize that we are literally discussing "pocket change" here, but as a 2nd level PC, that's real money to me! ;)
If we pick up 100 gp - can my PC find a local temple of Abadar (or some other "bank") and change them into (about) 10 platinum pieces, then use some of those in a casting of coin shot? Would this count as my PC "spending" money?
I'm with Jon and Tony that playing with a pregen for credit that goes to a character counts as playing that character and if it occurred after the character had 3 xp already assigned, that counts as having played the character after 1st level. Normally, this would not be an issue since, as BNW said, the character is a ball of protoplasm that has not fully formed and there would be nothing to stop you from making the character as desired as long as you made it legal at 2nd level and beyond. The issue here is that you want to make use of a rules change that will occur after the character has become locked at 2nd level and that would mean you could not make it an ifrit because that race was not available at the time without a boon. My suggestion would be to contact your VC to see if they can assist you in reassigning your We B4 Goblins credit to another character number so that you have no play credit assigned past 1st level and don't have to worry about it.
so... if we re-assign it to a different PC (a first level one), then I would still be able to assign a different run of WB4G to a DIFFERENT 2nd level PC... Perhaps even this one (if I played it after GenCon)?
My head is starting to hurt again - can we just change the date on this run of WB4G? (Sorry, that is not a serious question. Please put down the LAWFUL nerf bat...)
Per the current Pathfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide, p. 23, "At the start of a Pathfinder’s career, you are allowed to adjust your character before settling in for the long haul. Before you level up a character for the first time, you may change any aspect of it except its Pathfinder Society Number. Changes may only be made between adventures and before playing as a character above 1st level."
My understanding of that the last sentence is what allows your "GM Baby" to be rebuilt up until the first time it is played above 1st level (i.e., you can rebuild as a 3+ level character as long as it has never been played above 1st level). If the play credit for We B4 Goblins was applied to the character after it already had 3xp, the character is locked and retraining rules apply. Because the Guide says that you can change any aspect, I would suggest that this would include changing your race to another playable race that was added after your GM credits were assigned.
Have fun with your ifrit!
I do not understand the bolded sentence. If the "...character is locked and retraining rules apply", due to the We B4 Goblins chronicle being his 4th XP... how does this work? What is my PC "locked" into to be retrained from? It has not even been created yet (other than a number and chronicles assigned...)
For example, I have a PC that has:
1st CR The Confirmation (played as ... - I actually don't remember what.) dated 7/17/2015
2nd CR Masters of the Fallen Fortress (Judge Credit) dated 10/12/2015
3rd CR First Steps I (Judge Credit) dated 6/9/2016
4th CR We B4 Goblins (Poog) dated 6/18/2016
5th CR Trouble in Tamran (Judge Credit) dated 6/19/2016
so, if I don't run him as a PC (and thus BUILD him) until after GenCon, can he be built as an Ifrit, a race he could NOT have been when he earned the Chronicles?
I realize that the likely answer is "yes" - it just feels like I'm dodging around and taking advantage...
I've been gathering gm exp to eventually create my Undine Kineticist as a third-leveler, skipping those painful early levels. Turns out, my least played tier is 3-7 and not 1-5 so this gets me more action and saves some of those last few 1-5's left(5 in total, IIRC).
I've been thinking of just using this one as my "catch all" - seeing if I can run it all the way to retirement just on GM credits...
so... after GenCon, can I take one of my GM Babies and create it as an Ifrit?
Say my -22 character, who has 6XP all earned before today, but it has never actually played (well... he did play We B4 Goblins...but that doesn't count)... Can I then use it to produce a 3rd level Ifrit the first day of GenCon?
Sorry, no. If you wanted to turn that PC into an ifrit you would need to pay whatever the retrain cost is.
If it has 3xp, then yes. But 6xp is like you said third level and thus over the free retrain limit.
That is assuming that one has played him at some point after reaching said limit.
As I said - total GM Baby. Only "played" credit on him is as a Goblin (Poog).
so... after GenCon, can I take one of my GM Babies and create it as an Ifrit?
Say my -22 character, who has 6XP all earned before today, but it has never actually played (well... he did play We B4 Goblins...but that doesn't count)... Can I then use it to produce a 3rd level Ifrit the first day of GenCon?
I think you can. It's within the free rebuild rules.
yeah, that's what I think too. just feels... "funny" though.
so... after GenCon, can I take one of my GM Babies and create it as an Ifrit?
Say my -22 character, who has 6XP all earned before today, but it has never actually played (well... he did play We B4 Goblins...but that doesn't count)... Can I then use it to produce a 3rd level Ifrit the first day of GenCon?
Scrollmaster wizard from Ultimate Magic lets you use scrolls as weapons.
I sorta wish that was a magus or occultist archetype..
Actually Librarian Occultist would be pretty perfect. Making weapons of books, using the residual thoughts of the writer, and the scribs(who made copies).
Kinda like Tome Eater, book for their focus. they summong images from books to attack etc.
though really just fluff tome eater I guess.. but I imagine vastly different archetype details..
for one tome eater.. eats books. The Librarian would perserve and make them.
They'd make a pretty hilariours married couple
Actually, I was planning on using this with a Tome Eater Occultist.... Started life as a Librarian, until one day... Yeah. Like that. ;-)
If my PC had say, Profession Librarian, would this work?
"Adventurer's Armoury, page 31: Rough and Ready: Your intense familiarity with the tools of your trade allows you to use them in combat as if they were actual weapons and makes them more effective for that purpose than they would normally be. When you use a tool of your trade (requiring at least 1 rank in the appropriate Craft or Profession skill) as a weapon, you do not take the improvised weapon penalty and instead receive a +1 trait bonus on your attack. This trait is commonly used with shovels, picks, blacksmith hammers, and other sturdy tools—lutes and brooms make terribly fragile weapons."
would "Rough and Ready" let someone throw books as weapons? say doing 1d3 or 1d2?
I am thinking of creating a PC for PFS who throws books as a missile weapon. But I'm wondering HOW this would be done? is there a way to make this sort of work? what would it be like?
thanks in advance for the advice - I'll try to let this thread sit a day or so and check back for ideas.
So, I'm introducing a friend to PFS. He wanted to play an alchemist. He was very studious and read through the PFS Roleplaying Guild Guide. He then showed me his character, and asked how he gets his discount items when using "Brew Potion". I told him that feat wasn't legal for PFS, and that he should take "Extra Bombs" instead. He asked me where it said that in the rules. A perfectly reasonable question. I searched through the guide, first by eye, then by text search... nothing.
Then I went down the rabbit hole...
It is mentioned numerous times on the forums, but nowhere officially. It's not on the FAQ (though the bit about crafting alchemical items is), neither is it in Additional Resources.
I finally found it in my old version 7.0 (year of the serpent) Guild Guide, under character creation Step 3: "Race and Class":
PFS RPG Guild Guide Version 7.0 wrote:
Alchemist: Alchemists receive the Extra Bombs feat at 1st level instead of Brew Potion.
So I checked version 10.0 (curent), under the same section:
PFS RPG Guild Guide Version 10.0 wrote:
For classes outside the Core Rulebook and for all archetypes, see the Additional Resources document regarding which are legal for play within the Roleplaying Guild, as well as the Campaign Clarifications document (paizo.com/pathfindersociety/rpg/clarifications) for alterations.
So, I went there (after manually typing the link, because the PDF has a broken link). It's not there either. Many, many Google searches with different parameters later and I can only conclude that the information has dropped off a cliff. An alchemist absolutely can't have Brew Potion, and for balance the feat needs to be replaced.
What hope does a new player have? Any chance this can be corrected on the website (and fix the link in the PDF)? I'm sure there are other omissions, too.
Hey all, just thought I'd start up a bit of a blog from the very first HypoCon, here in Michigan!
Day 1 has been an absolute blast. After we arrived in the accommodations - which are amazing - we received our T-Shirts and settled in to a game of Star Wars d20 (run by me). The boys ate it up, and in the end the Vault of Daritha Xim was looted and the crew was being chased by the vicious gangster, Ostain the Hutt!
Then it was time for dinner. The lasagna was incredible, as was the Hoth Bread (cheese bread) and Tatooine Bread (garlic bread) - not to mention the Alderan Bread (left over crumbs)... and the Sweetwater Death Star Donuts to follow were huge enough to destroy us all. The Force was not with us and the meal won.
This was followed up by Chris's fantastic Call of Cthulhu game, set in 1921 Detroit of all places! We've managed to begin an investigation into the death of a strange professor, and have restored the car that he crashed. One should always bring a good mechanic along!
A special shout out goes to John, who we wish could be here. We miss you buddy.
Bring on HypoCon Day 2! Looking forward to some old school AD&D, the brewery tour, a catered dinner and Ryan's Pathfinder game - set in his very own Ravenloft PF conversion. Man... loving, loving, loving HypoCon!
Method I: Roll 4d6 6 times, adding the best 3 results. Arrange as desired.
Method II: Roll 3d6 12 times, take the best 6 scores. Arrange as desired.
Method III: Roll 3d6 6 times for each ability, in order (so roll 3d6 36 times, 6 times each for STR, INT, WIS, DEX, CON & CHA in that order). Take the best roll of each of the 6 rolls.
Method I: Roll 4d6 6 times, adding the best 3 results. Arrange as desired.
Method II: Roll 3d6 12 times, take the best 6 scores. Arrange as desired.
Method III: Roll 3d6 6 times for each ability, in order (so roll 3d6 36 times, 6 times each for STR, INT, WIS, DEX, CON & CHA in that order). Take the best roll of each of the 6 rolls.
Hey boys, this is for Ishbaad and Kheycear. Chime in as and when you like, I won't be keeping this daily (necessarily) and you shouldn't bother either.
Ishbaad, if you would like to keep your cavalier levels, then we can talk about getting you a true dragon mount. Otherwise, a dragonkin will be your mount. We will have to modify the cavalier class a bit, but suffice it to say that your mount will be more powerful than a regular cavalier mount - and to balance things with the other PCs, also more powerful than a dragonkin mount.
Oh, and yes, this is why I figured keeping levels in cavalier would be awesome.
Hey boys, this is for Ishbaad and Kheycear. Chime in as and when you like, I won't be keeping this daily (necessarily) and you shouldn't bother either.
Ishbaad, if you would like to keep your cavalier levels, then we can talk about getting you a true dragon mount. Otherwise, a dragonkin will be your mount. We will have to modify the cavalier class a bit, but suffice it to say that your mount will be more powerful than a regular cavalier mount - and to balance things with the other PCs, also more powerful than a dragonkin mount.
Oh, and yes, this is why I figured keeping levels in cavalier would be awesome.
The citadel of Spurhorn is a cold place... but more borne from no need for heat rather than the cruel, unforgiving chill of Irrisen. The companions have been well received by Commander Pharamol and the council in general. The commander has even consented to give away his prized two-headed eagle - a cauldron key to their next destination - provided the companions take out Malesinder and join in a raid on Ivoryglass (where the second key, a bearskin rug, is located). The companions agreed, and were told that they must take to the skies if they were to be effective in combat.
The revelation that some of the slightly humanoid dragonkin are willing to take on humanoid form has been astounding, to say the least. Two dragonkin stepped forward, willing to be bonded with aliens from Golarion. Talsune, a literally huge copper dragonkin wielding a greatsword gruffly challenged Eoferwick to ride him, if he could... and the two went off to train. Aoife found kinship with Nevra, the female blue dragonkin who greeted them upon their arrival at spurhorn. She wields the traditional glaive, and the two young females seem to be getting along famously.
Marcos himself finds training with Calissus, a female white dragonkin summoner who teaches him how to grow his eidolon's wings. Redwood meanwhile is given a pair of winged boots and trains himself in their use.
Kheycear was stunned by the revelation that he is this 'Promised One' a prophesied 'Traveller from Beyond the Stars' who was to restore the Skyfire Mandate as the one true power on Triaxus. What this meant, he did not know, but Marlen - a robed white dragonkin and high priest of Apsu - stepped forwards and collected him from the council meeting. The two now go to the chapel at the northern edge of the underground complex of Spurhorn. --> Marked on the map
"Is it true?" Marlen asks Kheycear, "Have you come from beyond the stars to restore the Dragon Legion as the caretakers of Triaxus? Will you be the one to tip the balance against the Draklanders and allow us to rule once more?"
Ishbaad seems at a loss at first. His companions are taken away and paired off or given some other means of flight. The light-furred Commander Pharamol approaches him with a smile on his lips. "Have you a means of flight?" he asks the beleaguered inquisitor.
To help improve our community of PbPers out there, I thought I'd start up a series of 'snack-sized' tips and tricks for making the most out of your PbP games.
First one is based on Painlord's principle of "Always Be Pushing" (keeping things moving) and it is a little something that I call The Leave Off. This is an out of character comment that you put at the end of your post, summarizing what you want to do next. It really helps the GM and other players out, and is more in line with what you might say at a tabletop game when the GM calls for your "next move".
Sometimes, your in character post gives your GM and other players no real indication of what you would like to do next, or even what you would be prepared to do. It can slow things down when they have to wait for you to post again after the GM requests the next action - and it gives players little opportunity to follow where you're going.
---
Eg.
"Ha!" cries Brandywine, "You elves sure have a way of sticking your ears into everyone else's business. Well, if you want to get yerself killed, then go ahead."
Brandywine crosses his arms over his chest and glowers at Hollister the Elf.
---
An okay post, but does Brandywine wish to continue or just stand there staring?
Adding this clarifies matters and allows players (and the GM) to move along.
---
Brandywine will follow, at a distance, if Hollister (or anyone else) decides we should go into the trap-filled maze. If we want to stay in town, my vote is for the Inn.
---
Depending upon Hollister's next post (and the posts of others), the GM can now determine if the group is happy to go into the maze or the inn without any further input from Brandywine.
You can also use the leave off for other things: a good GM can use them to make the next decision point clear to players, and you could even use it for things like distinguishing between an antagonistic in-character post, and your feelings on the matter as a player (helping put the other players more at ease, like Deussu did with his abrasive character Targath here).
More good examples of the leave off in action:
In this post, Pooka lets the GM know that he is happy to move on - provided there is nothing further to do - despite his companion receiving a beating. His in character post responds to the previous post, but they are trying to preserve their cover so 'saying' what he's doing isn't quite appropriate. Great time for a leave off.
GM Leave Off: Here, the GM needed a big 'reveal' post, but uses the leave off to make it clear what specific action is required of the players. It allows everyone to enjoy the read, and then move on in a coordinated fashion.
Important note: I touched on this before a little, but I want to be explicit: The preference is for you to make your in-character post clear on what your PC does next (maybe with an in-character Leave Off) but if for RP reasons it isn't, that's the time for an 'ooc' Leave Off. Even if your in-character post is explicit, an 'ooc' Leave Off can still be a good idea if your post was a long one (it helps the GM a lot when s/he goes back up for a second read to figure out the party's overall direction).
So, next time it's unclear what you want to do next - consider putting in an 'ooc' leave off to help your fellow PbPers along.
12 people marked this as FAQ candidate.
1 person marked this as a favorite.
It has been hotly contested in one of our PbP Games (and at other times) as to whether or not an animated object continues to have the properties of an object (in addition to the construct traits that it gains). Specifically, objects take half damage from most energy attacks (and then apply hardness) and are immune to critical hits, whereas constructs are not (construct traits are here).
In the bestiary, an animated object is called out as a construct, here. Constructs have a series of their own traits.
However, our GM (and others), notably in PFS have ruled that they are also treated as objects and have inanimate object properties as described in the Core Rules, here under 'Smashing an Object'.
It should be noted also that, while animated objects do get a mention in the above section, that mention also says not to treat animated objects as inanimate objects (but leaves it ambiguous as to whether it is for just AC purposes):
PRD wrote:
Animated Objects: Animated objects count as creatures for purposes of determining their Armor Class (do not treat them as inanimate objects).
Bold formatting added by me.
My feeling is that the above section and rules for objects are for smashing a regular inanimate object (it is called 'smashing an object' after all), and that animated objects cease to become objects upon creation and become constructs (per the spell animate objects). Otherwise, animated objects are far too powerful.
Since animated objects can be made using craft construct, it is reasonable to assume that they are constructs only and no longer objects, right? Otherwise, perhaps you could break an animated object with a strength check... or give them the 'broken' condition. It doesn't seem to fit.
Suffice it to say, it is currently ambiguous based on the rules I have found, and I'd like to know for sure.
---
So, can anyone help? I'm looking for Rules as Written or some kind of clarification (perhaps an FAQ?) to clarify this point for the future... especially in PFS where one has to stick to RAW and not the GM's ruling.
Please do not say that because the name is "animated object" it is an object, because a boreal wolf is not an animal (like a "wolf" is), it is a magical beast. Things that affect only the animal type (like ranger's favored enemies) should not affect the boreal wolf. The names of things don't seem to make a difference in Pathfinder, so I'm after only Rules As Written. I'm also not interested in the standard PFS "expect table variation" fob off either: I know that I need to expect variation, but I really do want to get to the bottom of this.
So, please respond with RAW if you have it. Not to be indelicate, but unless you are a developer, your opinion doesn't matter to me . Please point me to the rules if you have some that shed light on the matter... or hit the "FAQ" link to mark this as an FAQ candidate if you agree that you'd also like an official ruling.
So, this game is for players who are new to play-by-post!
If you are new to Play-by-Post and would like to get into a game, I have decided to run one specifically for new players. Please feel free to have a read of my recruitment thread and, if you're interested, give it a go.
For those of you who are new to PbP and who are enthusiastic about telling a story while they roleplay, this is the game for you! I'm an experienced PbP GM and would like to help some people who are new to PbP to get into it. To achieve this, I will be running the Confirmation for PbP Gameday 4.
Application is simple, but not easy. I want to see you enthusiastic enough about this game and this format to take the time to read up on how to do it properly, and to do at least one in character post (when everything else is ready). If you can manage that, I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun together.
If you have any questions, please do ask. I'm not expecting you to know everything - so I am happy to help out however I can.
Requirements
If you would like to play in this game, you must meet the following requirements:
This must be your first or second PbP game ever. I want to help new people find a game, not play with folk who are already gavin no trouble finding one.
You must read the guide on my profileand agree to abide by my rules and conventions. If you don't, that's fine. Just move along and I wish you best of luck finding another game.
You must create (or have created) a PFS character for this game with a full character sheet on the profile page and the tag line properly filled out with your vital statistics. I understand this can be tricky for newcomers, so I am more than happy to help out. Please just ask. It will not affect your application to this game in any way.
You must agree to post at least once every 24 hours during weekdays, and at least once over the weekend.
Get Recruited
In order to get recruited for this game, you need to do four things:
Read over and meet the above requirements.
Post here (using your PC's alias), on the recruitment thread, a little about yourself (especially your roleplaying experience) and why you want to play-by-post. Your recruitment post must also include the following text (copy-paste is fine):
I agree to post daily, or notify the GM if I am temporarily unable to do so. I promise to respect others and to allow everyone - myself included - to have fun playing.
Post on the discussion thread (using your PC's alias), telling us about your PC. More details on what to post are on my first post in that thread.
Post in the gameplay thread in-character. Your in-character post must include the following elements:
"Some spoken words,", Your character's internal thoughts,an out of character comment, A dice roll of your choosing:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 (make it a knowledge check if you're stuck for ideas) and...
A spoiler for the GM:
Please!
I plan to close recruitment and select my players (6 of them) on Monday, September 28th. I plan to begin playing on Thursday, October 1st. I estimate that the game will go for about 4-5 weeks (finishing by early November), but please do note that the GameDay is until the 20th of December, so be prepared to commit to playing until then.
Note: Depending upon the quality and quantity of responses, the above start dates may vary. Also, since we are playing with a group of intentionally new players - the end date could well creep out until the end of GameDay. I will, however, do my best to help us finish in early November.
Character Creation
This is a PFS, non-core (regular ongoing campaign) game, and as such character creation is governed by the rules of the Pathfinder Society Roleplaying Guild. I would prefer level 1 characters, but level 2 characters are also fine (this scenario is tier 1-2). Pathfinder Society resources can be found here. If you are new to PFS and need help getting set up, please do let me know.
Please note that if you have already played The Confirmation at level 2, you may only play again at level 1.
Why The Confirmation?
Thematically, I like it for a first play-by-post. It fits well with the pacing and there are some challenges in there that reveal some Golarion lore. I think it can get a bit lost when played in real life (because just reading out block text isn't usually that fun for GMs). It's perfect for PbP though!
Finally, there are a lot of players out there who have played through quite a few PFS modules but haven't done any PbP. I wanted to make sure that anyone who wanted to get started on PbP could play... so an evergreen (infinitely replayable) scenario like this one was a perfect fit.
About Me
I love roleplaying, and have been doing it for over 20 years now. My main profile has got a lot about me on it, but the essence is I love to roleplay and I've got much time to post, little time to game in person.
I started play-by-post a little over a year ago and I've really gotten into it in a big way... 5,000+ in character posts since then!
If you'd like to read over some of the PFS games I've run, you can get a list of them from my campaign listing or click on some below (warning: spoilers, of course):
When you have a character, please introduce your PC in an out of character post here on the discussion thread. Just some details about your character's motivations and why they joined the Pathfinder Society will be more than fine. If you want to post a background, that's great, but please either include it on the profile for your character alias, or put it in a [spoiler].
Either before or after that, make sure you go to the gameplay thread and make an in-character post also!
Please do post on recruitment first, and read my instructions on that thread thoroughly and make sure you really do want to play before posting on any thread.
This game will start, assuming we have finished recruitment by then, on October 1st.
The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn."
Of course, it wasn't as simple as it seemed. The Pig's Paunch was only referred to as such by veteran members of the society - including certain potted plants - but the actual name of the tavern was the "Wounded Wisp". Still, the smart ones managed to find their way...
---
The taproom of the Wounded Wisp tavern is abuzz with activity. The most recent round of Pathfinders have just finished all three classes (Scrolls, Swords and Spells) and are ready to start their Confirmation together. The conversation inevitably drifts towards who will be selected to go first. Which group of Pathfinders will be selected to face the final trial and become the next full Pathfinder Field Agents? What task will be asked of them?
"Settle down, settle down!" shouts Heryn Gale, the barkeep, "One at a time! Orders pleas. Oh and no tabs tonight! Cash up front."These are the new recruits? Iomedae save us. They get greener every year...
Feel free to chat about your characters here, ask any campaign questions and so on. Also, if you've been invited and need convincing to do this thing, here's the place to chat about it.
Also, I know this alias may be a bit weird, but just refer to me as "Damo", "GM" or "GM Damo", I'm fine with any of those. I think though, overall, it will give a nice feel as the island itself describes to you what is going on. If you prefer a regular "GM BLAH" alias, let me know. You've got 7 more posts fro me before I can't change it.
Welcome, intrepid explorers. For you select few who are bold or foolhardy enough to reach for ancient glories despite the terrible danger that faces you, the fabled Isle of Dread awaits!
See campaign tab for more info... dot in (preferably with an in character introduction) if you've been invited! If you don't have a character concept yet, a simple 'dot' will suffice.
The musty but familiar odor of the Grand Lodge is a welcome relief to the companions' nostrils. The colds they all developed while in Irrisen and the Lands of the Linnorm Kings have finally subsided. Lort decided to stay a while longer to visit old friends and relatives, but the rest could not wait to get back to warmer climes.
The next mission is not far around the corner, but for now it is time to drink.
Hey all, please reply with the following to this thread so I can get the chronicles all lined up and ready to go!
PFS #: Faction: Chronicle #: Day Job Roll:
Also, if you could pre-emptively level up to level 6 (have the copy-paste text ready to go - don't change your profile and interrupt From Under Ice!), that'd be great. You'll have time to retroactively make purchases between games.
For faction reward cards, if you want me to sign the chronicle sheet and you know what the reward will be (eg. adventure in Absalom) we can do that now, otherwise we'll sort it out at the end. I don't think I need to sign anything, though, so the honor system totally works for me (since we all play these characters together anyway).
Thanks in advance for helping us to hit the ground running on this one!
Hi there. I'm just wondering when to expect the Pathfinder Unchained rules on the PRD. I'd like to introduce it in my game, but it's not fair on the players who don't want to buy it yet to introduce it before it makes the reference document. No rush (I know it was only just publicly released today), but I'd just like to give my players a timeline.
Apologies if this is the wrong place to ask, but I've been unable to find a similar question elsewhere. If anyone knows of a better place to post this question, please do let me know.
Reign of Winter relevant stuff taken from the Zedroom.
Character Building Rules
We get to make our own deal here. I have always been a massive fan of high fantasy. Unless we have strong objections, we will be using a 25-point buy for all your characters. Take max gold for your class (eg. if you get 3d6 x 10, take 180). It makes it consistent (ie. no random), fair, and your GP values will be eclipsed by the first few treasure hauls anyway. Max HP at first level, and then PFS HP afterwards (I love removing random from character advancement). d6 = 4, d8 = 5, d10 = 6, d12 = 7.
No evil characters are allowed.
Any other rules, just ask me!
You do not need a copy of the relevant rules to take an item, race, class, etc. ALL Paizo source books are available to you, if you should desire (except other APs' exclusive rules). Material from other publishers' books will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and only if the rules are OGL and available for free somewhere (unless you think you can convince me to buy the sourcebook myself!).
Everyone will need to (at some point) grab a copy of the Reign of Winter Player's Guide to begin creating (or retrofitting) their character.
Jyri (or anyone!) if you'd like to play a witch, there's a Winter Witch archetype in there.
I would like each of you to select one of the available campaign traits. If none suit you, we can work together to modify the flavor of another trait to help tie you in to the AP.
For emphasis, character advice from the Players Guide:
During this Adventure Path, the PCs will visit a number of interesting and exotic places, but humans can go unnoticed in most of these locations. Members of more unusual races might have a harder time blending in at first. However, as the PCs progress through the Adventure Path, they will find themselves farther away from home and what is considered normal. Because the PCs will all be foreigners in strange lands, this campaign might be a good chance for players to try uncommon races.
Character options with winter themes are available to PCs, and while having protections against cold will be very helpful, remember that it is likely your character will be fighting creatures that are acclimated to the cold and resistant to the cold energy type.
This adventure begins in the sleepy Taldan village of Heldren.
The sleepy village of Heldren has rarely seen so much excitement or concern. Hunters from the nearby Border Wood speak of unnaturally cold weather at the height of summer that descended on the forest just days ago. Heavy snow followed, and those who returned spoke of an uneasy presence in the woods, as well as new, dangerous predators. No one knows what this event means, but the town’s soothsayer, Old Mother Theodora, claims dark times lie ahead.
As if in proof of that dire prophecy, a badly wounded mercenary arrived in town yesterday, claiming to be a bodyguard of Lady Argentea Malassene. He told the village council that the noblewoman’s escort came under attack by bandits and strange, wintry creatures near the edge of the Border Wood. He alone escaped, and Lady Argentea was dragged away into the forest. Now the townsfolk cast fearful eyes toward the snowy forest, worried what else might emerge to threaten their peaceful village.
But this was many weeks later. Perhaps we should begin at the beginning. Fate has deigned that a group of six adventurers - unlikely companions all - should all find themselves in Heldren on this fateful day. Their paths may have crossed before, others may have been strangers before today, but what follows are their tales. These are the where, how and why they are here - on today of all days.
Okay! That should be ample preamble for you back stories! Have some fun with it, meet up if you like. Feel free to tear off chunks of the world and make them your own. Most importantly, take your time with all this. There is absolutely no rush. You don't even need to finalize your characters... just post along and massage those stats right up until the time we begin!
Ready when you are! Keep chatting on the gameplay thread, dot in, whatever. Feel free to share purchases you've made here, or just keep them on your ITS.
Everyone, please update your taglines as well as your main statblocks before saying "ready". Thanks!
The Pathfinders have quite some time to spend in Nantambu while they wait for Aya Allehe to call them with news of Nieford Sharrowsmith.
As ever, while they await a summons to Sharrowsmith Exports (the subtle front for the local Pathfinder Lodge) they find themselves sitting around a table at a tavern. This one is the Mermaid's Tale, though where the nautical reference came from so far inland, no-one knows - not even the new proprietor, a dwarf named Hemming Longbottle.
Feel free to chat amongst yourselves. Head over to discussion and let me know when your character is ready, geared up and/or leveled up.
The Pathfinder Society was only just recovering from its massive, systemic restructure when the group we know so wee was called to the city of Nantumbu on the Mwangi Expanse. Mission briefings are typically given by the Venture-Captain on location, but even so, they were kept very much in the dark as to the nature of their mission.
Unfortunately, there was only one way to travel that far south of the Inner Sea Region: ship. By the time the rolling waves a sudden storm hits the ship, everyone is thoroughly seasick, including the captain. Putting in at Sothis in Osirion proves a dangerous proposition, and the vessel the Pathfinders travelled on is heavily taking on water by the time the captain docks. Repairs will be needed.
Rather than take the usual boat down the River Sphinx, everyone elects to walk instead. It proves a welcome relief from the sea travel, despite the arid landscape and the mountainous areas the Pathfinders are forced to climb before arriving in the jungle. There, they reluctantly charter a river barge - much more stable than the sea vessel - and navigate the Mwangi Expanse's river ways and lakes, docking at last in Nantumbu.
* * * * * * *
The sun bears down oppressively through the jungle’s humidity, causing the air to shimmer and lending an even greater feeling of otherworldliness to the Mwangi city of Nantambu. Aya Allehe enters the sweltering room in the local Pathfinder Lodge with a worn and harried look in her eyes. “Thank you for agreeing to meet here on such short notice,” she begins, “As you may already know, the venture-captain of this lodge, Nieford Sharrowsmith, has been away for several weeks heading an expedition into the interior of the expanse. A week ago, I received a letter addressed to Sharrowsmith from our agent working in the Aspis Consortium-controlled city of Bloodcove, Malika Fenn. The letter appeared to be a routine report, though I recognized that it hid an encoded message that describes an impending Consortium expedition up the Vanji River, planned to depart within the week.
“Malika additionally informed us that this expedition’s aims are of great concern to the Pathfinder Society. She has collected substantial intelligence to this effect but is unable to get the information out of the city for fear that the Consortium will detect and intercept it. To make matters worse, Venture- Captain Sharrowsmith has failed to check in with any other Pathfinder contacts in the region or send back any messages during his own expedition. The timing of these two events is too convenient for my liking, so even though I am only overseeing this lodge in Sharrowsmith’s absence, I ask that you travel into the lion’s den to retrieve the information that Malika has gathered on this expedition so that we can find out if it is connected to Sharrowsmith’s disappearance. Malika has indicated that she left a message for us in the Witchlight Inn that will help us find her information, so head there first.
“Though these are grim circumstances, they also present us with an opportunity. Once you have infiltrated the city, try to sabotage the Consortium’s preparations for the expedition. You won’t be able to stop it completely, but you can at least buy us some time to determine its nature and formulate a response. I also want you to make some inroads for the Society in the city. Gaining the ability to move agents and supplies through Bloodcove more easily would be a massive boon for our operations in the Expanse. I have some information on some disenfranchised citizens of Bloodcove who may be up to the task. Finally, gather some intelligence of your own. Talk to the people of Bloodcove and see how complete the Aspis’s control over the populace is. Report to me any groups or people of influence who may be sympathetic to our cause and support us in future moves against the Consortium. Once you’re done, get out of the city. Leaving in a different way than you arrived tends to be best.”
Take your time to absorb this wall of text. Ask any questions you like and dot in at your leisure!
I’ve been musing over Painlord’s fantastic Guide to PbP GMing. If you haven’t read it, please do so. You don’t need to read it before reading this, but if you want to be a PbP GM I doubt that there is any resource on the web that is better for it. When I started, all I had to go on was Doomed Hero’s Guide To Play by Post gaming and Painlord's Advanced Play-by-Post guide. Both are great resources, but if I’d read the later released GM guide before starting, I’d have been able to do a much better job from much earlier on.
So, Painlord’s guide touches on recruitment, but I would like to contribute some more detailed thoughts on how to do it successfully for PbP (apologies for any repetition). Most of this, admittedly, is from what I’ve seen rather than done - but when it came to put these ideas into action, I ended up with an absolutely stellar group of players in my PbP games. I would strongly recommend you see what you like from the below guide, and use it as you see fit for your own recruitment. My ideas won’t be for everyone, and your feedback is more than welcome in comments - after all, it’s why I’m posting it! Hopefully together we can make this whole process easier, and easier to get right.
For this, I’m going to adopt Painlord's formatting as best I can.
*************************
PbP Recruitment
Recruitment is something that I firmly believe can make or break a game. Get the right players, and you can constantly inspire each other to do great things, both as roleplayers and as PbPers. Get the wrong players and everyone can become demotivated. “Wrong players" doesn't even have to mean “bad players" - sometimes good players don't mix with other good players. Attitudes and posting styles can clash even amongst the best of players.
For those interested, this is the recruitment thread where I managed to recruit what has to be the best group of PbPers ever (certainly feels like it to me). While I don’t use all the techniques I list here in that post, it does cover the main points. Many of these points are things I’ve picked up later down the track from reading others’ recruitment threads and discussions like Painlord’s GM guide (linked above).
1. The Golden Rule: You are aiming to have fun:
This might look silly, but some people who roleplay seem to forget this. PbP players are no exception. When you recruit players, more than anything, try to recruit players who you believe you will have fun with - and who will have fun with your other players. Always, always, always keep that in mind when recruiting (and while playing!).
Importantly, post recruitment: If it's not fun, fix it. If you can't fix it, end it (politely). This is a game, and you really want to be having fun. If you’re not having fun, why are you bothering to play at all? Also, if you’re not enjoying things as a GM, chances are your players aren’t enjoying it either. This isn’t a reason for you to just pack up and leave as soon as you stop enjoying yourself, but you do need to take steps to correct things. If all else fails, though, do stop playing rather than wasting your time in an activity you don’t enjoy.
For more advice, especially on how to fix things, see Painlord's Guide to PbP GMing and section 1.4 on Training, Bad Players and Trimming Deadweight. If you get recruitment right, though, you’ll hopefully never have to worry about it!
2. Introduce and promote:
The first thing on your recruitment post needs to be an introduction to the game you are running. It should cover the public adventure summary, setting (as appropriate) and other salient details about the game you will run. Make it sound enjoyable, too. You really want to draw good players in. Promote the game as much as possible and get players excited about playing.
Don’t forget to introduce yourself, also! It’s just as important for players to know what to expect from you as it is the adventure content. This is a social game and this is your first social interaction. Make an impression.
While you’re introducing the game, also include your game’s character creation guidelines - after all, you want them to submit their character as well as themselves for your game. For PFS games, this is almost always just level requirements, PFS #, chronicle sheets and inventory tracking sheets. For APs or other games, you’ll want to include:
Starting level;
Starting wealth;
Ability generation system (eg. dice roll, point buy, etc);
Hit point generation system (eg. roll ‘em here, PFS-style);
Alignment restrictions;
Number / type of traits allowed;
Resources characters have access to;
Source material restrictions;
Any other custom rules or restrictions you’re introducing (eg. no technology, must be elven); and / or
Anything else essential creating a character in your game.
Consider this post from Robert Brookes for his game. The introduction is beautifully laid out and goes into much detail about what flavor to expect in his game, character generation rules, and what he wants from his players. Heck, I’d be excited at the prospect of playing (where was I when this was posted?), and just look at the number of responses he got! He also does a pretty good job of setting character creation guidelines, and he links to obscure rules where appropriate.
Robert Brookes also got everyone to participate in the gameplay thread as a bit of an audition. It’s a very interesting idea (and especially useful for first timers), but I think a truer test would be stalking them (see below). After all, they’ll be more on their guard on the audition thread and it doesn’t say much for their longevity or posting consistency as players.
3. Invite players you like to come back:
Played a game with someone you enjoyed playing with? Ask them if they want to join your new game. You already know you enjoy playing with them, and asking them personally is so easy. Don’t by shy: you may be pleasantly surprised by the results - most often players will rather play with an existing acquaintance than an unknown. If do they say "no", don't worry - ask others you know and like, or just use the other techniques to recruit unknowns.
These players offer your absolute best chance of getting a good group together. After all, they were great in that other game you played, there's no reason they won't be great in this game.
4. Be selective:
Do not, under any circumstances*, recruit on a first come first served basis. There are some real fools out there. First responders are rarely the ones who have put in the most thought and effort into joining your game. Also, the players who reply first may simply just not fit your style.
Take Painlord's advice and get them to follow some instructions to recommend themselves to you. If they can't do that, then what kind of player will they be? Not likely one you want around.
Things to ask potential recruits to do (I would recommend asking for all of these things):
Introduce themselves (who are they, what do they enjoy about roleplaying, etc);
Read a guide (like Painlord’s or your own guide) and answer a question in a PM about that guide;
Create a character background;
Post about themselves (nothing personal, roleplaying preferences, PbP experience, etc);
Put their character stats in their profile; and/or
Just some simple stuff like PFS number or timezone.
Each answer (or lack of), even how they format their answers, gives you a glimpse into how that person will be as a PbPer. Be choosy!
* Okay, so maybe under some circumstances you can do first come first served - but make sure they meet your requirements! If someone says "dot" or "I'm in", they are not "first in". They have just expressed interest. Wait for them to answer your recruitment questions before putting them in "the" line. Be clear that this is what you'll do in your first post, too. That way it's all fair and above board.
5. Stalk your applicants:
Most PbPers play on the same forums you are recruiting on. Check their games out. See if they post often, respect others and most importantly: check to make sure that you actually like their posts! It is such a simple thing to do. Yes, it can be time consuming, but it is far, far better to spend that time up front in reading over PbP games than in fixing your own one because the players don't fit your style (or are just plain bad).
Also a very important thing to do: go to the end of the gaming threads they are involved in and find out if they finished the game. You want players who are good posters, sure, but you also want players who will see your game through to completion.
Oh, and if you can't find their games (ie. because they are on another message board) just ask them to link to them for you and tell you their character name. If they won't tell you, then it's probably a red flag. Why wouldn't someone who had nothing to hide point you to their game? Private forums is the only acceptable answer I can think of, but most are public.
6. Recruit first timers:
I wholeheartedly believe that we need to give first timers a chance. We were all there before. I strongly encourage GMs to allow one or two into their game (but would caution against more). The big thing with first timers is this, though: they simply must go through more hoops to impress you. It's just their lot (sorry first time folks). They haven't got any previous posts for you to refer to (it's like having a blank resume for a job interview), so they need to tick all of your other boxes. First timers who are worth your time will realize this and have no trouble doing it in return for your genuine consideration.
Make it clear that you will be accepting first timers and how many you will accept. Don't get hopes up, but do let them know they have a chance.
The first timer we have included has made me laugh and enjoy PbP more than any other player in the group. He's just that funny and fun. Big props to TheBobJones for stepping up in a big way. So happy we gave him a shot. I mean, just look at this guy’s post for standing up from prone with his uncoordinated and haunted nagaji. Literally had me laughing out loud.
7. Tell your players when you will start:
If you set a start date, players will know when they will need to set aside their character for (especially important for PbP). This helps to make sure that, when it comes time to say "you're in" they haven't decided to play something else instead.
While you're at it, also tell players when you hope to finish. If nothing else, this will help to set something of a deadline for you. For my first ever PbP game as GM I aimed for 6-8 weeks, but because the group I recruited (which included 5 complete strangers) was so good, we finished in under 2!
8. Party composition:
In short, I prefer not to recruit based on character build. Why? Because that might artificially exclude a player who otherwise would have been fun to play with. I'd rather have a fun group than an optimal group any day. With the right players, you can have a great time creatively overcoming any perceived lack in party balance. In the long run, player skill and party cohesion more than make up for a lack of any given character class.
You might be saying, “but what can be more fun than playing with a character who makes it a well-built party?” Easy to answer: it’s more fun playing with someone who is enthusiastic about roleplaying, who is good at roleplaying, who is sociable, who posts often and well, who keeps things moving and, in general, makes it a joy to read their posts. Also don’t forget that much fun can be had from inventively getting around tricky problems.
If you are truly worried about party composition, consider asking the players you like to roll a different character rather than be excluded. This is a trickier ask for PFS legal play, since they can’t just “roll up” a character unless it’s 1st level. Remember, however, you're recruiting players not characters.
Consider also the situation about table size(and my thanks to Silbeg for this awesome contribution). Many GMs want to recruit a “full” table (especially in PFS play). Sometimes, however, you might not have a full table (let’s say 6) of players who you would enjoy playing with. You’ve got more potential recruits, but none are of the right caliber. What to do? Just play with fewer players. So long as you have a legal table (4+) for PFS, you can always adjust for level… and again, you’re aiming to have fun not blast through things as easily as possible.
Fictitious Example: you've got a group of five players ready to go, and a sixth posts to your recruitment thread. His character, Bob the Basher is a barbarian, and your group is currently sadly lacking in melee power. However, when you read a thread that Bob has played on, you see him often berating players, and using his overpowering build to dominate all combat. He also demands that other players pay for his healing (Bob runs around with an AC8 while raging since he's wearing nothing but a loin cloth... all of his points went into STR and CON). You don't care for his play style, so decide not to invite him. Sometimes it is better to do without than to ruin people's fun.
9. Keep the thread alive:
Make sure your recruitment thread sees regular activity by posting to it yourself (hopefully with something useful) even if no-one else is. It doesn't take much for a thread to get lost beneath the vast number of forum posts. Make it stand out by having at least one post at least once per day, and make it at a time when you want your players to be posting (since people who see it, by default are able to post at that time of day).
Just as important is answering players’ questions quickly. You want to make sure they check back often, and you want good players to see that you’re the kind of GM who answers their questions promptly, politely and comprehensively.
While posting, be sure to tell players when you like something that they’ve posted (eg. “great background!”) or simply hit the like button. This will help get them excited about being recruited as well as showing others what you expect (or even just enjoy) from a potential recruit.
An interesting suggestion I’ve had from Painlord was to ask potential players to “like” other players’ posts, in a similar fashion to a voting system. It would have to be non-binding (the GM’s opinion matters most) but would be an interesting way to help players to decide who they would have fun with, allow an extra way to provide feedback and also encourage applicants to really put that extra bit off effort into their application. It might not be for everyone, but if ever I need to recruit again, I’m doing it! Thanks yet again, Painlord.
10. Put in restrictions (if you like):
It is nice to be inclusive, but it is even better to have fun. If you prefer to play with players closer to your own age (or above a certain age) then there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to do so. If you like to play with people close to the same timezone as you? Great. Want a group of players who all speak German as well as English? Warum nicht? Only want players who have seen the Schwarzenegger version of Conan the Barbarian? Strange, but fine. Want players who can promise to post every night at least once between 8pm and 10pm EST? That’s your prerogative.
Remember, these might be Paizo’s forums, but it is effectively going to be your table. Don’t be afraid to ask (and require) what you want for your table.
11. Start small:
Pathfinder scenarios or modules are ideal ways to start PbP. It is a good chance to test the water as a PbP GM before leaping in to something bigger. You may find that it is far too much effort for you to keep going on a regular basis, and it is much better to find this out during a module than an adventure path!
From a recruitment standpoint, it's very similar. If you end up with a bad group, it's at least only for a short time. If you end up with a great group who all have fun, invite them to play again! If you find just a few good players, invite just them back and recruit again for the remaining spots.
12. PM players when they're recruited:
This is a minor thing, but if you send a player a PM to tell them they are recruited before posting it on the thread, it gives you a chance to double check that they are available. Make sure you also put a response time limit on the PM (same time as your required posting frequency seems reasonable). This way, you don't send players who didn't make the cut away prematurely.
After your players have confirmed, post a list of those who are and aren't successful in the thread.
Appendix A: Recruitment from a player's perspective:
Players can use these techniques too! Stalk your prospective GM online, find out if this GM posts often, finishes games, has a style that suits you and follows Painlord's advice! Also, is that GM being picky about the players? If it is first come first served, avoid it unless you really need to get a PbP game under your belt so you can be recruited in another game. Otherwise, the GM just isn't taking enough care to ensure your fellow players will be good ones.
As a prospective player, the absolute best thing you can do for your PbP gaming career is to read Doomed Hero’s Guide To Play by Post gaming, which also contains a very detailed section on the best way to join a game, and Painlord's Advanced Play-by-Post guide. Both of these guides are essential reading for anyone who wants to be a better than average play by poster. While some things might seem obvious to some players on the face of it, please don’t dismiss them as such: there are many key insights littered throughout these guides. There is a reason they still have people posting responses and “thank you” messages to these guides 2+ years after they were written! If you survey the PbP games currently running, you’ll note that most (if not all) of the best PbPers out there conform to the conventions laid out in these guides.
Appendix B: Where to post for recruitment:
If you need to know where to post to recruit for your games, perhaps you’re not ready to run your own game just yet. Then again, maybe you're new to the Paizo forums. In any case, for the sake of completeness, here’s where to post your recruitment topic if you want to recruit for PbP on Paizo:
Online campaigns forums: This is the standard place to recruit. Once you have a recruitment thread going, you can easily add in the gameplay thread, discussion thread and start your game. Don’t forget to fill out the Campaign info tab so that people know about what you’ll be running.
Grand Lodge for online play: For Pathfinder Society (PFS) games only, ie. PFS scenarios and any module or adventure path you’ll be running and reporting under PFS play. I would put a post in the online campaign forums first, and then post about it here with a link to your recruitment thread. That way, you get the most exposure. Please make sure to conform to the standardized subject line (sticky post).
The Grand Lodge (above) will also from time to time link to an Online PbP Gameday (also only for PFS games). These typically run for about 3 months and will have their own recruitment mechanism. In past events, this involved posting your game to the Gameday game list and linking that to your recruitment thread (which can be the online campaign forum thread above). For an example, see PbP Gameday 3.
*************************
Thanks for reading! As with anything I put out there, your constructive comments and opinions are more than welcome. Let’s help get this difficult and important aspect of PbP gaming done right. I hope it helps you to recruit better players and to have more fun in your games! Best of luck.
I’d also like to give special thanks to my PbP Superstars (alphabetically: Acre, -Karma-. Lufien “Silvertongue” Loamin, Papasteve08, Silbeg and TheBobJones) as well as Painlord for providing me with invaluable input and feedback on this guide. You guys rule.
The companions find themselves once more in the familiar taproom of the Grand Lodge in Absalom. The journey was a long one by land, but all agreed that they'd rather not get on a ship again until they absolutely had to.
It was only when they arrived at the Lodge that they realised what time of year it was: Turkey Day! A holiday where everyone in Absalom pays homage to the lost empire of Azlant by eating copious amounts of roasted bird and mashed root vegetables while drinking strangely flavored drinks that they would never consume any other time of year, before passing out from either over-eating or excessive drinking.
The taproom is filled with traditional Turkey Day decorations, and delicious smells emanate from the nearby kitchen.
This table already has a full complement of players. Please do not submit to this discussion thread unless you are one of my pre-recruited PCs. There will be no recruitment thread.
Rumors of a lost shrine in the Segang Jungle draw the Pathfinder Society’s attention, but the prohibitive cost of sending a team into the wilds of Jalmeray threatens to shut down the expedition before it even begins. Fortunately, a wealthy patron has offered to fund the PCs travel expenses in return for their help in his decades-old quest. Can the Pathfinders balance this new obligation with their exploration of the archaeological site?
This game is part of the Official Pathfinder Society PbP Game Day. For more information please visit: http://PbPGameday.com.
Didn't realize (but should have realized) that you needed to dot into gameplay to have it on your campaign list. It appeared on mine - but I created the campaign (so of course it would). D'oh. All good now. Just dot here and then head back to discussion.
My plan was to have epilogue (and prologue) posts appear here.
Hey all! This is our new discussion thread. Any discussion not related to one of our games (like discussing the possibility of running an AP) can go here. Let me know if you object, and I'll shut it down. Otherwise, I'll try my best to keep this clean (no need for a gameplay thread as yet) and I'm happy to modify it anyway you like!
So, first up, it's called the "Zedroom" because of the alphabet. Starting with a "Z" means it will most likely be last on our campaign listings pages, until we play a module / scenario called "Zombie Smash" (or similar). "Zed" is how we Australians say "Z", so it made sense to me. Sounds cooler than "Zeeroom" in my opinion. Oddly enough I prefer the sound of "Zed Four" for the BMW Z4 but "Zed Zed Top" for a rock band just sounds weird.
Now for the juicy one: an adventure path. Based on everyone's comments so far, this would be my suggestion:
1. Only one GM. Multiple would be nice so we can rotate the chair a little, but spoilers, spoilers, spoilers - and I think there is a lot to be said for having a consistent cast of characters with a consistent vision.
2. Start after Thorrnkeep. That way those who are at the limit of there PbP don't get an additional game.
3. Silbeg has expressed an interest in GMing, but only after Thornkeep. This would seem to be the ideal option to me - finish Thornkeep and then move on to a full Adventure Path. That way I keep GMing PFS scenarios for our original group (and if anyone wants to take over GMing that group for a scenario or module, they can) and I get to play in an AP (my preferred option).
So, assuming everyone is happy to play after Thornkeep and Silbeg is happy to run it, the real next question is: what do we play?
Finally, what does everyone think about using real names for this? I've got mine on an alias that I'm happy to use. We have two Chris's, though, could get confusing. ;-)
For my part, you can call me Damo, Damien, Wilmannator, Lort, Arturo, Mr. Girl or whatever else you like.
Smoke and merriment fills the air of the Pathfinder Lodge today. There are excited mutterings about a group returned from Riddleport - having recently solved the murder of a certain elven ambassador. Discussions still continue with the Mordant Spire Elves regarding the opening of the ancient ruins of Azlant.
Though a rather boisterous half-orc is currently off exploring his roots, some of the very same group of pathfinders have decided to meet here at this lodge on this day to reminisce.
The taproom is full and crowded, but a watchful person would catch a glimpse of a familiar feline tail swaying to and fro as drinks appear swiftly and gracefully in front of the Lodge's patrons. A reserved table sits off to the side somewhat, but still near enough to the bar and kitchens. The sign on the table, written in alluring catlike scrawl, reads:
This table already has a full complement of players. Please do not submit to this discussion thread unless you are one of my pre-recruited PCs. There will be no recruitment thread.
Shrouded in thick fog, the shifting Gloomspires north of the Shackles have long frustrated explorers. However, a recent discovery by the Pathfinder Society has revealed a brief opportunity to navigate the columns safely and search for the lost treasure of the legendary pirate Eightfingers. The only problem is that the Pathfinders are not the only visitors to the Gloomspires.
This game is part of the Official Pathfinder Society PbP Game Day. For more information please visit: http://PbPGameday.com.
Hi all! Starting up a new thread for Crypt of the Everflame. Let's move all "group 2" discussion over here.
First discussion - party composition! Man, I love character generation. I get the bonus of making the 7th character - the one that will replace Silbeg's character - so I'll stay out of this one for now and swoop in with my GM toon (for Thornkeep) when it's all said and done.
I'm happy to start this as soon as all the characters are in. I know people work best with a deadline, though, so let's say Friday. I don't need a full set of stats for the opening part of the adventure, but stuff happens pretty soon in. So, if you can't get a name and a class together by Friday, followed by a full character sheet over the weekend, please let me know!
As a suggestion, let's just open up the discussion with your preferred class (or classes). If we need to adjust, we can. I'll let GM Silbeg weigh in on whether or not we need a different party mix, too, since he will (after all) be taking over this group for Thornkeep and onwards!
About a month after the success in the Red Redoubt of Karamoss, the intrepid pathfinders have all gathered at the Grand Lodge to swap stories and make merry. The taproom is very crowded, but they have reserved a table suitable for six hearty adventurers and have just begun to arrive.
Just before the first pathfinder sits down, the lithe catwoman called Sheeba gently puts down two written notes next to the "reserved" sign.
First note:
Jaender, it appears, is otherwise occupied. He sends instead his friends, Ibid. Oxley Abel and Cyrus the Flea, in his stead. They have just parted ways with their old adventuring buddies, and he believes they will have some interesting stories of their own to swap.
Second note:
After an incident some weeks back where he saved Amaranti's life, Trapper Mors has left Absalom to find adventure elsewhere. He wishes the group all the best and hopes to some day find his way back to face new challenges with you some time in the future.
Dot in and arrive in order. Feel free to "play" with Sheeba's character - or add in some more of your own. Take it easy, enjoy the drinks, and when the adventure is released, I'll move us on to that.
Starting the discussion thread for our next PFS game! Please feel free to discuss whatever you like here, and dot in to the gameplay thread when you're ready.
Again, the release date is set for the 24th, so I'll start in earnest then (reading it fully as we get started). I've got some new Pathfinder books coming, including the technology guide, so I'm looking forward to getting into the meat of season 6 a bit more.
Technically this is a flashback, since the adventure assumes you all meet on location. I'd like you to introduce yourselves first, though, and this seems a nice spot to do it. I'll flash back to the "present" when everyone's submitted an introduction and / or set of chronicle sheets.
It is a fine Spring morning as you all find yourselves relaxing at the Grand Lodge. The late afternoon sun sends spears of light through the shutters on the western side of the building, occasionally sparkling through your refreshments. You are seated separately, most likely having never met one another before, but each of you is tended by the same waitress.
Sheeba tends tables with more grace than almost any other waitress in the Lodge. She is quick and efficient, gliding through the tables on her long, lithe legs. Her black velvety fur brushes flirtatiously against some patrons' arms as she serves their orders. When she laughs, her whiskers wave alluringly up and down and her ears twitch ever so slightly after each mirthful outburst.
It is from her slim paws that you each receive the following note:
"You may meet in the Sable Rrroom," Sheeba purrs, "Venture Captain Valsin rrregrrrets that he will not be able to join you. Once yourrr fellow pathfinderrrs have arrrrived, you arrre to make yourrr prrreparrrations and leave no laterrr than the day afterrr tomorrrrow."
The Sable Room is more of a partitioned booth at the lodge. A thin divider decorated with scenes from the Society's adventures separates the large, horseshoe shaped booth from the general lodge area. Sheeba will show each of you to the Sable Room when you are ready, and continue to serve you food and drinks while you are there.
The note is repeated below for ease of access:
Idle Pathfinders are Pathfinders needing work. Having a bit of downtime is no excuse to sit around and let our skills lapse! So I have come up with a training exercise for you and a few others waiting around the Grand Lodge for a job. I trust you are familiar with the Red Redoubt? If not, for shame! It’s an important part of Absalom’s history. You might want to spend a few minutes researching it before heading out. While it is technically a “cleared” ruin, it’s a perfect location to test your skills.
Another team has spent the last few days practicing their own dungeoneering skills by establishing an obstacle course in the Redoubt’s upper levels. Now it’s up to you to go and see how well they’ve done. The course follows a specific path—if you come across a symbol of three red dots inside a triangle, that means “do not enter.” Don’t go wandering—I do not want to send a third team to find you if you get lost. Otherwise, your response to the challenge is up to you. Bring your own gear, make your own plans, solve the puzzles, and bypass the traps. You’ll know when you reach the finish line. I’d wish you good luck, but skilled Pathfinders don’t need luck.
Hi, I'm running the first season 6 Pathfinder Society scenario using subtier 1-2. If you are interested, please read my recruitment thread here and reply!
See also my campaign info thread on what I think of the negative reviews... most of which were from GenCon (where the tables are random and the play can be dicey - unless, like me, you were extremely lucky). Make up your own mind, but it should be a pretty decent scenario for anyone interested in season 6!
Please read below and then post here if you are interested in playing! I will aim to start this scenario some time in the first week of September. If I get a lot of responses, I am more than happy to start early. Please do let me know in your recruitment reply if you have any time constraints.
While I have GMed a lot in real life and played both PFS and PbP, this will be both my first time as a PbP GM and a PFS GM. I will be running this as sub-tier 1-2.
Please read the play guide on my profile before asking to join up. If you don't like it, please find another game. That said, constructive comments are welcome. Please post those in the discussion thread for this game.
Maps will be handled via Google Drawings. If you do not have and do not wish to create a Google account, please find another game.
This game will be run quickly. Please be ready to post at least every 24 hours. Players that regularly don't post within this timeframe when it is their turn will be asked to improve or leave. I will assume actions where necessary to move the game along. I'm hoping to have it finished in 6-8 weeks, but please be prepared to play for up to 12 weeks (I can't control players' post frequency).
For my part, I will endeavor to be able to post at least twice in any given 24 hour period, as required.
If you would like to play, please post as your character here with:
PFS#
Faction
Link to character sheet (this should be in BBCode on your character alias's profile, or you will need to send me a PDF of the full sheet).
Link to your character background - preference will be given to those with a better background. Please don't post your background in the reply unless you use a spoiler tag.
About you and your PbP experience. First time Play-by-Post gamers are welcome, but experienced PbPers will generally be given preference over inexperienced ones. Provide a link to your PbP threads if they were not on the Paizo forums.
You are welcome to play as a pregenerated level 1 character if you would prefer to leave your real life characters free for other games. This will not affect recruitment in any way. Pregenerated characters are just as welcome as custom characters. You will, however, still need to provide a character background (see above).
Download pregenerated characters here.
