No. It's still alive!!
I apologize for the delay - life, work and, admittedly, GTA V have conspired against my getting the game started.
Please stick with me - I will get things going shortly.
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Thanks for doing those, Sur. Feel like doing one more? :) If not, I can do it, I just won't be able to get to it till Sunday, probably. Along those lines, everyone have a good, restful weekend - we'll get the game kicked off early next week! Cheers.
As Sur said, Mel, not having Hero Lab is fine. If one of your fellow players wants to build your .por, that'd be appreciated, but I was going to anyway. I just do that so I can quickly and easily review the crunch without having to do any math or heavy-lifting. So I've reviewed Jen and Michael's characters - anyone else ready for me to take a gander at their profile and is anyone willing to create Mel's character in Hero Lab?
We'll play encumbrance per the rules - but I'll try not to be a jerk about it. After I get everyone into Hero Lab, I'll see how many of you are at or above Medium encumbrance and make a determination of how best to proceed.
Oh, sorry. I forgot about drawbacks. I'm fine with them. I'll also be applying some additional mechanical "drawbacks" based on low attributes once everyone has their characters finished.
The two are fairly different. You two will just need to coordinate hitting things hard and protecting your allies - you're the two heavy hitters of the group, but you're also both dedicated to defending. I think it will be an interesting dynamic.
Glad to see everyone's checked in - I've invited one more, so he'll be checking in soon if he decides to join us.
All right, folks. The party has been selected. As usual, there were some incredible submissions, making my decisions harder than they should have been. The selected party is
Those selected can head on over to the Discussion Thread to check in and finalize their characters. Thanks again to everyone who applied. See you all around the boards! Happy gaming, all.
Hello, everyone and congratulations on being selected for this adventure. If you haven't already, please complete your character sheets using the character creation criteria below. Character Creation Guidelines
If you use Hero Lab, I'd love it if you sent me your .por files. Just shoot me a PM with a link to download it (if you use Dropbox or a similar service) or for my email address. Finally, please put the following in your character profile under the "Race" field: Race and Class (archetype if any) (Armor Class / Hit Points / Saving Throws / Initiative / Perception) How We'll Play
I will roll initiative and use your passive perception for you when necessary. This speeds up the game considerably. If you wish to make an active perception check, please state so and roll the dice. If I don't want to use your roll, I will simply reject it. As for handling initiative, to start, I'd like to just use individual initiative. If we find that the combat portions of the game are moving too slowly, we'll adjust. When doing a skill check, go ahead and state what skill you're using and roll the dice. Again, I might reject your roll if it is unnecessary, but it speeds thing up if I don't have to ask for it. Let me know if you have any questions and when your character sheet is ready for review. I'm looking forward to getting started!
Hey, folks. Friendly reminder that recruitment wraps up today at noon CST. If youve expressed interest or dotted, get your submission in soon!
Ok, as I was going through the applications, I realized that we should ideally only have one trait for each player (I know it's not necessary, but with a party this small, there's no need for overlap). As such, I updated the list with everyone's traits. There aren't any real surprises - the traits fall pretty well along expected lines based on class. But since I did the work, I thought I'd go ahead and post the updated list. Again - the deadline for applications is noon (CST) tomorrow. The Applicants
Divine
Martial
Skilled
Wow - I've started going through the applications and there are some strong characters here. As such, I see no need to drag out recruitment longer than necessary. I will be closing recruitment in 24 hours and will hopefully have the party selected by the end of the day tomorrow. If you've expressed interest, you still have time to get your character submitted, but you'd better hurry! Now - back to reviewing the submissions...
@Jens - I'll let you know once I start reviewing the backgrounds. I'm sure it's fine, though. @Feral - I intend to. Here's an updated list of applicants. NOTE: I realize that your character may not fit neatly into the boxes I've included here. I'm revising my note in the original post - I'm not as worried about a balanced party as I am an interesting one. The Applicants
Divine
Martial
Skilled
Glad to see some early interest - and thanks for the "welcomes back," friends! @Maximillian Akorius - I wasn't planning on using the drawbacks system, but I don't know that I have a problem with it. Leave it for now. The Applicants
Divine
Martial
Skilled Let me know if I missed anyone.
The Worldwound tore reality apart at the dawn of the Age of Lost Omens, murdering the nation of Sarkoris and unleashing a ravenous demonic horde upon the world. Only the quick action of several other nations of knights, barbarians, and heroes stemmed the demon army and contained it within lost Sarkoris, and for the next century, crusade after crusade tried to defeat the demons only to fail time and time again. Their greatest success, the line of magical artifacts known as wardstones that stand sentinel along the Worldwound's border, barely manages to contain the demons. So when one of the wardstones is sabotaged, a city falls and the demons within surge out in a massive assault like none before. Even before the Fifth Crusade has begun a city has fallen and some of the crusaders' greatest defenders and heroes are slain. Can anyone rise up against the demon host to prevent the armies of Deskari, the demon lord of the Locust Host, from swallowing the world? As you've likely gathered, this is a recruitment thread for Paizo's newest AP, The Wrath of the Righteous. Introduction
Now, on to what matters. Applying for the Game
Character Creation Guidelines:
1) 15-Point Buy, 1st Level (I know, a 15-point buy is tough. But I've come to love the challenge it creates.) 2) Core races are preferred, but Featured Races from the Advanced Race Guide will be considered if the back story is interesting and the crunch isn't too overpowered. 3) All Paizo-created classes are allowed. We will be playing with emerging firearms (if there is a gunslinger in the party). 4) Choose two traits. One must be a campaign trait. Keep in mind that your trait ties into your mythic background. 5) No evil alignments. If you've read the Player's Guide you already know this, but the AP is really designed for good-aligned heroes. Keep that in mind. 6) Max HP at first level 7) Max starting gold for your class No 3pp material will be allowed. I apologize if that causes any character development issues. Submit a Background: Why is your character in Kenabres? Are they from there or visiting? What are his/her driving goals? Keep your background tight and focused. You can tell the full story in-game if you're selected.
Miscellaneous Information:
I'm looking for 4 (maybe 5) players. Because of this small number, it's important to have all major roles filled - martial, arcane, divine and skills. If you want a better shot of getting picked, don't apply with a character that already has a lot of applicants in that role. I'm looking for at least one post per weekday, more if possible. If you can't post, just let us know. During combat, if you go 24 hours without a post, your actions will be botted. If you lower an ability score to 8, there will be possible mechanical & roleplaying consequences, and it should affect how you play your character. No score may be lower than 8 before racial adjustments.
Recruitment will be open until I feel like I have enough characters/players to choose from - I'm not certain when that will be, so get the apps in sooner, rather than later. I'll try to give everyone 24 hours notice before final submissions are due so folks have time to wrap things up. I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with!
Awesome. Thank you!
I'm starting the campaign with that module. Not exactly sure yet if I'll let the players choose which nation they'll side with or if I'll assign it - I prefer giving them the choice, but they'll have very little context for making it. I'd rather not do Carrion Hill if I'm doing Shore to Sea (or vice versa, I suppose, if Carrion Hill is better).
Hey there, Paizo friends. I'm going to be running a game for my group and I'm thinking of starting with Fangwood Keep. I'd like to make the adventure run longer than a session or two, but I'm not sure where to take things after they rout the Keep. I could go homebrew, obviously, but with my schedule, I'd prefer a pre-written module that I have to tweak only minimally. So, I'm looking for tips and thoughts on what we should do next. Thanks! EDIT: I did think about running From Shore to Sea, but it'd be nice if there was a level-five component we could add in between Fangwood and Shore.
Sorry if this is an obvious question, but having never purchased a physical map, what are the dimensions of these maps? Thanks!
Hey guys - sorry to have gone dark. My business was affected by Hurricane Sandy and today's the first day I've thought about logging in. I'm pretty sure most of you have moved on, but I wanted to let you know that I'm still alive, just a little waterlogged (figuratively speaking). Hope to see you all around the boards again soon.
Hey guys - sorry to have gone dark. My business was affected by Hurricane Sandy and today's the first day I've thought about logging in. I'm pretty sure most of you have moved on, but I wanted to let you know that I'm still alive, just a little waterlogged (figuratively speaking). Hope to see you all around the boards again soon.
Noro leads the way to the docks, nodding and speaking to a number of people she recognizes. She walks directly to an old ship. She looks around for a moment before spotting who she's looking for - a grizzled sailor missing an eye and ear. She speaks a few words and the man nods. A few words are exchanged and Noro returns to the group with the following information. There's a rumor that that a pickup for a slave run has been scheduled for this very midnight at an old, boarded-up shoreline tavern. The tavern was once known as the Puffy Pelican - a faded painting of a fat pelican still graces the facade of the empty building, and the building's back features a half - collapsed wooden deck that hangs over the high-tide mark.
The woman hurries to follow you outside. "Yes. Yes I know where he is. There's an old, abandoned warehouse in Old Korvosa. I received a...message...my boy is in serious trouble." She describes the warehouse and its location and thanks you profusely. She informs you that she will head directly to the Citadel to inform them of your mission and await news of your success.
Zograthy notices nothing. He is too offended by Arasmes' accusations. He says quickly, "Oh, so you knew all this before you entered my tent? Well, did you know that Natalya was, at least
Calming slightly, he smooths his robes before continuing. "There are so many names to name." He begins listing people that he personally knows - the names mean nothing to you. "The people of the streets whisper that the vanished folk are the victims of slavers who then
Volta:
There is nothing of value in the tent. Everything is a cheap fake of a fancier object.
I don't mind, but I'd prefer if you did on an individual basis so we don't have to turn people away. I hate that.
"Gaedran and his thugs. Gaedran Lamm has my boy!" You've all heard the name Gaedran Lamm, a despicable low-life who missed his chance at being somebody big in Korvosa’s murky underworld. Well past his prime, the decrepit thief allegedly abducts orphans and forces them to support his despicable lifestyle with petty crime. Many of Korvosa’s lower class have had dealings with Lamm, and even a few of the city’s middle class and nobility have had their lives complicated by this foul old man. Yet no matter what he does, he always seems to slip away from the guards and avoid answering for his crimes. Andre: Gaedran is a name you're especially familiar with. You've attempted to locate him over the past few months, as your investigations have often raised his name - perhaps not as a suspect, but as someone who might be able to divulge some information.
Your reveries are broken are broken by a commotion happening near the door. A number of heads have turned to see the new entrant, an attractive young woman. Her face is ashen and desperate. "Please - are there any guards here. Please! I need some help!" The gathered group parts and all heads turn towards your table. She pushes through the crowd and approaches your table. Addressing Pai, she says, "Please...you have to help me. He has my son! Please! I can't bear to lose him!"
"But of course," the young woman says. She bows her head, raises her arms and prepares to dance. Suddenly, her head snaps up and she begins to sway and move to the rhythm of her finger cymbals. She moves forward and back, spinning in circles and stomping her feet. The movement is trance-like.
Her movement matches her beat flawlessly - she is very talented. The crowd enthusiastically begins clapping to encourages her. She does several more spins, bows and gestures to Edrebertil to take his turn.
Zograthy takes the coins and places them in his pocket pouch. HIs smile widens and he places his locked fingers under his chin. "Now, you wanted to know how to contact Natalya Vancaskerkin, yes? Unfortunately, I am of little assistance in that matter. Even her Scarzni associates are unable to locate her." He senses that you're unsatisfied with this scant information so he adds, "Though I am uncertain where she has disappeared to, I have heard stories of many folks along the waterfront, both here in Beacon's Point and over in Dockway and Underbridge, who have been disappearing of late - a few each week, in fact, with many simply vanishing out of their very beds at night. I suspect that Natalya is among those who have disappeared in this manner." His voice adopts a slightly bitter tone as he continues. "As long as it's only poor Varisians and other destitute folk being targeted, the chances of the city doing anything about the disappearances are quite slim."
Graxlo:
Angus received forgiveness from the Temple and was invited to return to their employ. Angus didn't want to leave you, but his love for the Inheritor and his frustration with the corruption of the guard witnessed on your initial patrols made the decision for him. Last you heard he had been sent to Magnimar for some secret mission. You make your way to the nearby Aram’s Crown tavern and find an unoccupied table among the crowd. A young woman approaches your table and asks what'd you like to order. GM Only Dice Rolls:
Ok - I'm updating the post again. Hopefully it doesn't disappear on me. Do you guys want to someone new? I won't slow us down while we find that person if you do, it will just affect the story a bit.
Is anyone else having issues with the boards? I can't get my posts to show up on the gameplay thread - I've had two posts go poof!
Yeah - I'm not sure what's wrong with the boards for me. I tried making some updates to all my games today and the only ones that are showing up are in my discussion threads. I'll try again tomorrow. Is anyone else having issues with the boards at all?
Ugh...the boards are nasty. Be sure to check the actual thread and not rely on the "New" post counts. Glad to see everyone's still on board!
Unacceptable. I expect all of my players to forego wok to post. Only I am allowed to allow real life to trump gaming life.
Oh, that's true. We can probably forge ahead without another character. The cool dynamic of Angus and Graxlo was, obviously, the fact they were brothers. We probably don't need to fill his role unless one of your peers is dying to get in this game.
Did my infrequent posting kill this game? You guys still on board to continue?
I definitely understand that, Angus. You'll be missed. To everyone else - do any of you know anyone who could fill the divine role? I'd rather go with someone we know than open up recruitment again.
2nd of Gozran, 4708 AR
The matter of Pilts and the "dead king" passed relatively quietly. You were reprimanded and forbidden from interacting directly with Pilts or attending a show at his theater - not that you'd ever want to - but that was it. The issue of the little boy, however, did not pass as quietly. The boy's family, refusing to be run over, accused Verik of blackmail, coercion and intimidation loudly and publicly. Their boy was quickly released from jail as witnesses came forward - many anonymous - to confirm the story. However, before Verik was removed from duty the charges were mysteriously dropped. The entire matter was dropped. Some of your fellow guardsmen claimed that Verik had a powerful patron pulling the strings for him, but most just assumed the family got what they wanted - their boy back - and chose not to push things further. Some of the notable people you've previously met have changed positions. Goldfist retired from the guard amidst rumors that he had developed an addiction to Shiver. Verik has - against all odds - been promoted to Watch Sergeant responsible for North Point. Through his increase in rank, his desire to meddle in your affairs decreased, so you saw very little of him (mysteriously, none of you have ever been assigned to patrol North Point). Soldado, meanwhile, has maintained his post, but has grown increasingly despondent of late. Though rumors of alcohol abuse surround him, they aren't as persistent or damning as those of Goldfist. He's continued inducting new recruits (of which there have been very few), so much like Verik, you've seen very little of him.
Bonuses:
Pai - you've honed your interrogation skills: +2 Bluff/Diplomacy/Intimidate (must choose one before beginning the interrogation) when questioning a suspected criminal. Andre - you've spent every waking hour not on the job looking for information about your wife's fate. You've also given up smoking. You gain a +2 bonus to resist fatigue. (Unfortunately, your investigations haven't gotten you very far to this point. Everything you're finding is leading you to believe that the murderer was a desperate drug addict who botched a robbery.) The rest of you have gotten to know the people of the district you patrol. You gain a +2 sense motive check whenever dealing with the individuals in this district.
Today, in a random chance, all of your patrols end around the same time. You decide to meet up at Eodred's Square in Midland before heading to a tavern for a drink.
I encourage the missle-support, simply because there are few things as frustrating as being tripped. And, as your "opponent" I'd prefer to not be prone in every single battle.
"Well, well, well! What have we here? The prodigal returns?" a female voice behind you says. "I don't suppose all that fancy learnin' taught you anything did it, Bert? Let's put those tests to the test!" Turning you see an attractive young Varisian woman cloaked in purple, orange and yellow scarves. "I'll wager a morning's worth of tips that I can earn more than you, Blackwillow." Bert:
You don't recognize her, but she clearly knows you. "Who wants to see what our dear Blackwillow has learned at his fancy bard's college, shall we?" she asks loudly to the potato-watching crowd. There is a cheer of affirmation - the crowd is hungry for further entertainment. "You simply make your choice of who you prefer with your coin - winner take all," she explains. Turning back to you she says, "Shall we play, Bert?"
And the contest begins! Totek: 43 Gorvi: 53
Ven Vinder: 46
The three of you tear into the potatoes. You struggle mightily to get the hang of transferring the slippery potatoes from the plate to your mouth, and you're never able to make up the ground. Moving into the second dish, no one looks as if they are going to slow down. Ven's lead widens, but his face begins turning bright red and he is sweating profusely. When tackling the third plate, Ven completely falters. He has lost all will to continue eating and simply sits there staring at the massive pile of potatoes remaining. You and Gorvi have no problem pressing on, but Gorvi, thanks to his lead on the first plate, manages to put away his last potato before you. There is a loud cheer from the gathered crowd as Gorvi finishes. The woman who recruited you runs over and raises Gorvi's arm - another cheer goes up from the crowd. The man who announced the contest loudly says, "And we have a winner! Stand up if you can, Gorvi. You've earned our respect, a year's worth of meals from our fine dining establishment, Risa's Place and, as promised, a small prize of gold - you may want to save some of that for some medicine - we're not sure what will happen to someone who eats that many spicy taters…" He turns to Totek and Ven, saying, "And for you, our fierce competitors we have...nothing but our respect. Take it with our thanks."
Holy cow - you guys have filled up the first page with only TWO posts from your DM. Well done!
Lanalee claps in delight. "Oh, good. Come, my good fellow, leave these less-adventurous souls behind and let us test the limits of your fortitude!" She leads Totek a few paces to a large table. Two contestants are already seated - one is a large half-orc, the other a large man Local to Sandpoint:
You recognize the half-orc as Gorvi, Sandpoint's dung sweeper. The man is Ven Vinder, the owner of the Sandpoint General Store. Totek takes his place at the table. "Ladies and gentlemen! Gather round for the inaugural eating of the Potatoes - Sandpoint's first ever Spicy Potato Eating Contest!" booms a man, who looks very similar to the girl who recruited Totek. "Today, we have three fine combatants, each gifted in the gastric arts. The first is our beloved dungsweeper, Gorvi. The second, Ven Vinder, owner of the General Store. Finally, we have, well, a newcomer…Totek is it?" There is a loud cheer and a growing crowd as the contestants are announced. Gorvi definitely earns the most applause. "Alright fellas, let's see what you can do. You each have three plates of Risa's Place's finest spiced potatoes. Whoever finishes fastest wins the grand prize - free meals at Risa's for a year and a small prize of gold. But most of all, they will win the admiration of all who witness their victory." "All right then - get ready…and…CONSUME!"
"No...no...stay, please. No one else knows the city - or Vancaskerkin - as I. Please, surely we can come to a mutual agreement. You have the gift of a golden tongue - we could be great friends. I will give you my "friend" rate. How does 35 pieces of gold tickle your fancy?" Arasmes and Volta: It seems that he really does have information of value - but is unwilling to part with that information without receiving a fee.
"I am not disappointed in the least," Verik says. "Simply surprised. After proving to be so completely inept over the last couple of weeks, I didn't think you'd manage such an easy task." After only a few more minutes, you find yourself at the local garrison. Verik takes the guardsman on duty aside and you're unable to hear what he is saying. Moments later, the man comes over and takes the boy from your care. He says quietly, so only you can hear, "The boy will be fine."
The rest of the watch is completely uneventful and just as the sun begins to rise you make your way back to the Citadel. You don't see the other three, so they are either still out on their watch or have returned already.
Ekan:
You've heard the stories of ancient Thassilon and the various threats - giants included - that roamed freely. Most people dismiss them as merely fables, not historical threat. The major exception to that is Brodert Quink, Sandpoint's resident sage and historian. He claims to have have spent 2 decades of his youth studying with dwarven engineers at Janderhoff and 3 decades as a cataloger at the Founder's Archive in Magnimar - his obsession with ancient Thassilon, though, causes many to discount his theories. "Well, what have we here?" a woman's voice says, interrupting your conversation. "Don't suppose any of you lot would care to participate in a little potato-eating contest, would ya'? We need a couple more contestants and you lot look like you could handle a bite or two." She eyes Totek in particular. [b]"A large gentleman such as yourself, why you'd have no trouble, I'm sure." She appears to just notice Edrebertil. "Well, well, well! Look who's home! Your mother was just in last night - she didn't mention you were on your way. Did ya' come home to surprise her for the festival?" Local to Sandpoint: You recognize the woman as Lanalee Magravi, proprietor at Risa's Place, a local tavern famous for its founder, Risa Magravi, an old, blind sorcerer, and its spicy potatoes and cider.
You guys don't even need me! Thanks for keeping things moving and sorry for the delay - we're launching a client web store this week and it's going poorly. Sorry for the delay. I'll get things updated in a bit.
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(Any OOC chatter needed that can't happen on the Discord) 
You arrive outside of Venture Captain Ambrus Valsin's office. There are comfortable benches and chairs as you wait. Ambrus Valsin sticks his head out once, regards those of who are present, counting to himself, then says, "I'll wait til you're all here-- no point rehashing the mission more than once..." During the minutes you wait outside his office, you have a chance to assess your fellow agents, and make introductions, if you're the talkative sort. The next time Valsin looks out, he counts again, then nods, satisfied, and steps back to gesture you into his office. "Come on in. Tea?" Couches before the Captain's desk offer a place to sit, and a bright-eyed halfling secretary serves you mugs of hot tea as Valsin sits heavily back behind his desk, looking gloomier than usual. Two objects sit on his desk-- a patchwork hide bag, and a rock that is vaguely egg-shaped, but about ten inches tall, and glowing redly. "Thank you all for coming to my summons. I hope you got to know each other out in the waiting room. I'll get right to it: the Society has received a summons asking-- nay, demanding-- representation from the Society's agents at a meeting of Shoanti quah leaders." Valsin's thick, callused fingers tap a piece of parchment against his desk. "We're being invited to a feast, but the dish being served is crow, I'm afraid. "Let me explain. Some years ago, a solo Pathfinder field agent, a gnome named Lumketel Simset, returned to Absalom crowing about his discovery of a long-lost Thassilonian ruin in a remote section of Varisia. He had all manner of items recovered from the site, and all sorts of stories to tell. It was duly written up and entered into the Pathfinder Chronicles. "The issue is that what Lumketel found was not a ruin of a long-vanished civilization, but rather, the burial grounds-- still in use-- of Shoanti tribal peoples. "I don't know if Lumketel ignorantly believed his relics were truly Thassilonian, or whether his pride wouldn't let him admit to his error. I'd ask him, but the Society lost contact with Lumketel over a year ago. Trust me, if I could get my hands on him, I'd be sending him to answer for this embarrassment. "The Shoanti tribespeople have discovered that one of their sacred sites was trespassed upon, damaged, and looted-- by us. They're demanding we account for what happened, and I'm sending you, as skilled agents with numerous accomplishments each to your names. "This bag contains four relics-- carved, wooden items that Lumketel brought back. We're returning them to their proper owners. The stone is a handy little item called a scavenger's stone-- it can cast restorative magic upon damaged objects and items. Fixing whatever damage our lone agent caused-- and giving back what he stole-- is the least we can do. "We do have some allies among the quahs, thankfully, but it'll be an uphill battle. The Shoanti are notoriously distrustful of outsiders... with good reason. Your mission is to try and make things right with these people... keep in mind that this is not just a religious issue for them, but may be deeply personal-- some of the leaders you are going to meet with may have parents or grandparents interred in the tomb that this fool Lumketel traipsed through. Be tactful. Be sincere with our apologies. Ask them for the chance to be allowed to make right the damage and the trespass. "But I'd also be aware that Shoanti justice can be harsh, so don't assume this will be all chit-chatting. If they decide that the only suitable price is a blood price-- defend yourselves, obviously, I'm not sending you out to be killed as compensation. Try to extricate yourselves with as little bloodshed as possible, though. If we alienate the Shoanti as a whole, they may well decide Pathfinders shouldn't be allowed to travel through their territories at all-- making any further missions we do in Varisia, indeed, the north in general-- that much more complicated. "Even if they do let you make things right, that may involve its own hazards, as per Lumketel's notes..." Valsin straightens a stack of papers and sets them next to the bag and items. "I have Lumketel's original notes here, as well as the Chronicles entry he wrote about it. I'd suggest reviewing them before you enter the site-- IF you're granted permission. "Any questions?" Handout #1 (An excerpt from Lumketel's Chronicles entry):
My foray into the heart of the Iron Peaks led me to a sealed entry etched with strange runes, hidden on the banks of the Muschkal River. Upon breaking the seal, to my surprise, I discovered what doubtless was an ancient Thassilonian ruin—a rare and worthy find for the Pathfinder Society. I entered without hesitation.
Much to my shock and dismay, I was met with a towering monstrosity entirely made of glowing bone and decaying flesh, lurching from the darkness! From the bones leapt two alien canids, seemingly comprised of pure energy. Retreat was not an option. Quickly thinking, I dashed into the darkness toward a narrower passage, hoping to avoid engaging the fell beasts in the open. Where the skeletal monster couldn’t follow, the lightning creatures could, with fierce jaws snapping as I ran into the darkness. I found myself in a bizarre maze, unable to see and surrounded by twisting passages that boggled the mind. The wolves were on my heels. Darting through passageways and walls, I summoned the intestinal fortitude and magical might vested in me and dispatched the canids back to the unfathomable reality from whence they came. With the wolves gone, it was a duel between me and the bone beast. Needless to say, I wouldn’t be penning this Chronicle if I had lost! With a few choice spells and nimble dodging, I dispatched the monster, its bones and viscera scattering throughout the hall.... Handout #2 (Lumketel's handwritten notes):
Alrighty! So now that that we have people, let's get to the fun part we're all here for: creating our characters. Stats: Based on what was shaping up in the discussion, looks like there's some nostalgia/excitement over the idea of getting to roll stats. I'm not opposed, there's something about rolling dice that's just plain fun. I propose the following: 4d6 6 times, drop 1, arrange your scores where you like. If anyone winds up with something that's a less than 15-point buy, they can either increase a stat freely until it hits a 15-pt buy, or just build fresh using 15 pt buy. Thoughts? Skills: Unchained skills/background skills seems to have no objections, so let's say that yep, go for it. Alignments; I'm not gonna outright bar evil, but don't play stupid evil. Your character should be able to at least pretend to play nice with others and have a reason they wouldn't screw the rest of the party over, etc. Traits: 2, ignore regional requirements if you see a trait that appeals to you. If you feel like taking a drawback to get an extra trait, I'll allow it. I'll also look for ways to make your drawback relevant. Races: I'm just gonna nix anything TOO exotic right off the bat. Core races are encouraged; races like the elementals, tieflings/aasimars, etc on a tentative basis. If it was something that was only allowed via a specific boon in PFS (like a dhampir or wayang) I'm gonna just say no; if it was one of those that was allowed open access in specific seasons, then .... maybe. Essentially, is it really important to your concept that the character be an X? Exotic races start to feel a lot LESS exotic when half the party is comprised of things that supposedly are very rare, so I personally prefer them to be used sparingly in parties. Feat taxes: People made a good point in discussion on how really that means giving monsters more feats too, so I think we'll just leave that off the table and if you want Power Attack or PBS or whatever you'll have to earn it the old-fashioned way. Starting gold: 150 across the board, I dislike class differentials for starting gold. Classes: Published Paizo only, no 3pp HP: Full at level 1, for further levels I'm open to either PFS rules (half rounded up) or roll-for-it if people like to live dangerously. Thoughts? I'm likely forgetting some other aspects of character creation. Let me know if you notice what I missed. *** Gallows of Madness starts out in Saringallow. It's too short a module to have a Player's Guide, so I can't suggest people look at that, but we are set in Isger, and you can read more about Isger and Saringallow on the wiki linked if you want. The cliff's notes is that Isger is a vassal state of Cheliax, but Saringallow in particular is a rather anti-diabolist town, inasmuch as it's possible to be one while being in Isger, and also fairly anti-nobility. Characters being from Saringallow is fine and a nice touch-- it's a town of 2000ish people, so not a tiny hamlet, and not a giant metropolis either-- just enough room where your character could be as known or unknown as you'd like. Of course, if your character is traveling through Saringallow, that works too. Creating possible backstory bonds between characters is also always welcome, though certainly not required. Discord is here. *** Go ahead and pitch your concept(s) and we can get this party started! or... pre-started. Something.
(If we need to do any discussion that we can't do on Discord)
You awaken from the strangest dream. A ... tavern? Of sorts? Where every doorway led somewhere else? That wasn't even the strangest part of it. In the dream you were... somebody else. There was a ship? No, that's not right. There were all these little windows made of glass and light, on which people showed magical paintings, and text from books... no, no, surely not it... there was a city, a city where every building stood taller than any tower you've ever seen, and... ...the odd dream seems laughable, by dawn's light, as the intensity of it ebbs and you remember who you are and get your bearings. You're not on a sailing ship, nor in a city of steel towers, nor surrounded by little magic windows you could hold in your hand. Where you are is on the last leg of travel to the village called Etran's Folly. The caravan should arrive today. Birds are chirping, the morning's campfire is crackling, and others of the caravan are already awake, packing up items just like they do every morning. There's the scent of frybread and bacon being cooked, and the sound of others yawning, grunting, and stretching themselves awake. The ground was its usual lumpy self, but just think-- tonight you'll sleep in a bed. In an inn. The dream is already forgotten by the time you kick out of your bedroll and get to your feet.
As I think everyone frequenting the boards knows, the GM to player imbalance ratio is HUGE. It makes it pretty hard to get into a game. I'm itching to play, doing plenty of regular GMing as it is, but I'm willing to compromise if I can get a group of a few together who don't mind rotating GM duties. Essentially it'd work like this: I'll GM the 1e module Gallows of Madness, which takes PCs from level 1 to level 3 by the end of it. At that point, another player steps up to run the next module, something level 3s can do (there's various options that could be discussed as possibilities). After that, another player GMS, etc. The current GM's character would fade to the background between scenarios, but level appropriately to keep up with the party. Given the attrition and death rate in PBPs, it's also possible that the campaign might die before we ever get that far. It's a risk I'm willing to take, though. Right now, I'm looking for 4-6 players/potential GMs who are on board with the idea that in exchange for playing now, you'd be GMing down the road. Prior experiencing GMing PBP is a plus, but not required-- I always like to give people a chance. This is not (yet) a thread to pitch character concepts for the game; this is just to get some players together. My overall rules/whatnot for this quasi-campaign would be: 1) Paizo published material only 2) One spot is probably reserved for a new player friend of mine, who likely wouldn't be GMing, unless/until they felt comfortable doing so 3) 1st Edition, play-by-post, Discord possibly to be created for communication purposes (but not used as the play platform) 4) Maps probably through Google slides or drawings, if a majority of accepted players want to use Roll20 I'll cope. I have no experience with other platforms for mapping and don't want to learn a new one because I'm a crotchety old goblin. 5) All players grasp the fact that keeping momentum going is a mingled responsibility of everyone in the group, both players and GM. Obviously life happens sometimes, but if people spend too much time waiting on everyone else to post, the game dies. People should be aiming for one post per day during the week. Even if you don't have anything mechanical to post, post! Give people things to respond to! It's an endless game of improv, but it only works if everyone keeps adding fresh things to react to and to keep things moving. I've been in enough PBPs to fully know that enthusiasm goes in cycles, and that everyone will join with the best of intentions of posting regularly, but things will cycle and peter out. Life is especially chaotic right now, there are circumstances beyond our control stressing us all out. But to have some pleasant escapism that can help us fight that does require making time for it and posting regularly. This is a long-term commitment. Gallows of Madness alone might run a PBP group a year of RL time. So please, just be aware that we'll need regular momentum and engagement from players to keep things active. If this sounds like something you'd be down for, toss me your hat! (Not too hard though, my RL Dex is like 8.) -If you've GMd PBP before, a link to an example is nice.
I'll leave this up through October 7 before moving on to selection, unless I get way more interested people than I know what to do with before then, and can pick earlier.
It says in the Core, under the Formula rules, that reverse-engineering "...uses the Craft activity and takes the same amount of time as creating the item from a formula would." But how long precisely is that? As an alchemist, I craft over a dozen items from formula when I rest/study/etc. In the craft rules, it says that crafting an item takes 4 hours. Which is the correct time frame to use for reverse-engineering items?
West coast Pathfinder agents! January 12-15 will see the debut of Pacificon Central Valley in Fresno, CA. On Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, there will be four days of gaming, gaming, and more gaming! We have lots of Pathfinder (and Starfinder) planned, with a total of thirty tables over four days. Additionally, for Pathfinder we're going to try and run a multi-table special, the Solstice Scar (version B). As the version B Solstice Scar will have only been available for two weeks at the time of the convention, this is (probably) your first chance in the new year to play it! Aside from this, we have lots of Season 9 scheduled, an all-day module, and a few season 8s as well. There's also going to be a lot of D&D AL and other systems on offer. GM attendance is free at four slots GMd (of the ten scheduled). If you intend to qualify for a GM badge, talk to me (PM here is fine, or email at fragilion at gmail dot com). Tickets are $50 otherwise if you get them early. Pre-reg is encouraged.
Open for discussion! I'll get details closer to start time of who's playing exactly what. My player list is currently: chadius
Heya,
(Invitation only) Discussion and hammering-out post for a wacky little idea I've had... I've played through the vast majority of regular PFS scenarios at this point, with just a handful prior to Season 8 I still need to play. I've also known the mild frustration of experiencing them in completely non-chronological order, or playing part of an arc only to never get a chance to pick up the other parts in the series. And of course, there's the slight bummer of the innate lack of continuity in PFS, where you wind up adventuring with, and playing, different characters week to week and the chance to build any sort of contiguous narrative is like a wild and elusive wildebeest. Or something. It'd be really neat to experience, say, one or two seasons of PFS 'in order', with the same characters, working through the story organically. But that's definitely impossible in Classic, given how many I've played. Core, on the other hand, is still fairly new territory to me. So the premise is this: a group of 6-7 dedicated players, each playing the same characters through as much of set arc as we can get through (maybe a focus on season 4? Open to opinions). We'd rotate out GM duties, and we'd have essentially the same party for the entire "campaign," short of whoever was 'absent' that scenario in order to GM it. Things we'd really need for this to work:
Thoughts? Concerns? Badass guitar solos?
Good afternoon, agents! Welcome to the discussion thread for Tide of Morning. As mentioned in recruitment, this game is intended to help teach the ropes somewhat for those who are beginners to PBP. While there's no hard and fast standard that every PBP GM adheres to, so I can't claim that everyone will do things 'my way,' these are some of the practices I adhere to for GMing PBP: 1) Please make sure your character sheet is up to date and visible on your profile, and that it is formatted something like this. It doesn't have to be exactly identical to that, but that's the format that Paizo more or less publishes their stat blocks in, and it's therefore the format that I and most PBP GMs are most familiar with. If you're using a format like that, it means I instantly know where to find all the information I need, instead of having to hunt through an unconventionally-formatted sheet looking for a save, or your base statistics, or your languages, or to figure out if you're some strange archetype that changes how a class normally operates, or something like that. 2) Similarly, please make sure your tagline is up-to-date for your character. If you don't know what I mean by 'tagline', it's a super-short summary of the basic statistics for your character. On your profile, put the following information into the 'Race' line for your character: *RACE* *CLASS* *LEVEL* | AC X-T X-FF X | HP X/X | F+X R+X W+X | Init +X Per +X Example: Gnome Paladin 5 | AC24-T16-FF19 | HP 46/46 | F+11 R+9 W+10 (special modifiers apply) | Init +3 Per +1 3) I ask that you post once a day during the week (I slow down over the weekends and generally expect my players may do the same). I reserve the right to put your character on delay or narrate their actions if we're waiting on you. If you know you're going to be busy for a few days, please just let me know in the OOC! 4) If you have something unusual or complicated about your character that I should keep in mind, please tell me now. This is a low-level game so I don't expect too many shenanigans, but, hey, I've been surprised before. 5) The strength of PBP is the ability to really get into the narrative and explore your character's personality, inner thoughts, dialogue, etc. I don't expect every post to be a novel, but please post more than just (DICE ROLL) (DICE ROLL) in your posts. Posts should be in third person, and general formatting standards for PBP often include bolding spoken dialogue, italicized dialogue for thoughts, and making sure you put anything out of character in OOC script.
6) Not every GM will ask this of you, but in combat I prefer that you break down your bonuses for me (at least for the first round of combat). This helps both you and me make sure we're keeping in mind any bonuses or penalties you're currently subject to. At low level, there hopefully won't be too many convolutions, but at high level, when five or six different bonuses may be in play, this is a lifesaver. Chucky swings his sword!
If you find that your attacks look really cluttered and clunky, feel free to stick them behind a spoiler (I do this on some of my high level characters that have five attacks a round or the like), but just show me your math, so to speak. It helps us both out! I think that's it for my rules and expectations. I will roll initative when combats happen, so please make sure your initiatives are up to date. I will post maps and anything else like handouts via Google Drawings; the responsibility is on you as players to move your tokens in combat situations/etc. If you can't move your token, I am happy to move it for you, but let me know you need that! At this point, if everyone can post the following information for me here: Player name
I'm looking forward to the game, and we'll get officially started tomorrow! You can 'dot' the gameplay thread now if you like (if you don't know what dotting means, it just means posting something, anything, to the gameplay thread (often a 'dot'), so that the campaign registers in your active campaigns). Any questions, go! This table is likely to be a low tier 1-2, as we have multiple level 1 characters signed up and no 4s or 5s.
For people in the Central California region (or anywhere, but it's unlikely that people will be coming from out of state to our mini-con!) : Fresno, CA will be hosting a FREE minicon called BookWyrm on April 1-2, in conjunction with our local public library. A number of gaming systems will be offered, including lots of indie games. We also have 12 tables of PFS scheduled, with an emphasis on offering good introductory games for first-time players and being friendly to walk-ins. But we would love more pre-committed interest, so if you're in the Central Valley and have the weekend free, please consider coming down and having a great time supporting both our local library system and gaming in the Valley. Our current PFS schedule is as follows, with full details on our Warhorn. #0-01: Silent Tide
Full details can be found on our Warhorn!
ZappCon returns for a triumphant third year! We're a Central California con with a LOT of awesome cosplayers. Last year we had about 2,000 people turn out and we hope to break that this year! PFS-wise, we'll be offering 12 slots of PFS over 4 slots. Specific scenarios we'll be offering: #0-08: Slave Pits of Absalom (1-5)
...as well as tables of the Pathfinder Quests, for new interested players! General convention information There is still plenty of room for both players and GMs! Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Many things sleep, beneath the forests and mountains of Varisia... many are the ruins of a lost age which dot its rugged land, voiceless speakers to a bygone time-- a time of giants and of those more powerful than giants. Eroded stones, monuments crumbled to shapeless lumps, the foundations of once-mighty towers... Many things sleep. And some things wake....
Hiya, I started a campaign last night and put up a placeholder post in the gameplay thread just to get things started, and then deleted said placeholder post, which went fine. Now I can't seem to post to the gameplay thread at all. I've tried posting with multiple of my aliases. I receive no error messages-- I click submit and it goes through loading the page as normal, but nothing has shown up as a result. Thanks for your help, web gurus!
Let us go then, you and I,
In the room the goblins come and go
OOC discussion, blather, and malarkey HERE.
For people in the Central California region (or anywhere, but it's unlikely that people will be coming from out of state to our mini-con!) : Fresno, CA will be hosting a minicon called BookWyrm on April 16-17, in conjunction with our local public library. A number of gaming systems will be offered, including lots of indie games. We also have 12 tables of PFS scheduled, with an emphasis on offering good introductory games for first-time players and being friendly to walk-ins. But we would love more pre-committed interest, so if you're in the Central Valley and have the weekend free, please consider coming down and having a great time supporting both our local library system and gaming in the Valley. Our current PFS schedule is as follows, with full details on our Warhorn. - PFS0-27: Our Lady of Silver - Table will fire; still open slots
- PFS4-18: The Veteran's Vault - Table needs a GM and more players!
- PFS5-19: The Horn of Aroden - Table needs more players!
- PFS1-56: The Jester's Fraud - Table will fire; one slot left
Full details are in the linked Warhorn. Attendance is FREE!
Heya kids, here be your discussion thread. I'm Dien! I'll be your captain for this flight. Remember to buckle up and follow the instructions of a flight attendant. In the event of a TPK please see to your own PP first! A few things:
-I will roll initiatives for you, occasionally perception, and usually saves; please make sure you have any unusual bonuses/etc clearly listed on your sheets. -This is a Season 0, so yeah, y'all prolly gonna curbstomp it. Given this is a relatively low-level game, I doubt anybody has anything too weird, but, standard disclaimer; If you have any cool, unusual, bizarre, complicated, or strange abilities or senses, lemme know now. This would be things like 'immediate actions to force rerolls' (actually immediate actions in general since they can be complicated in PBP), special senses like tremorsense or other weird stuff, aaaaand anything else you think worth mentioning. -Gameplay will start sometime in the next few days, once I'm satisfied I've prepped sufficiently. The table mustered pretty quick, so we'll likely begin before the original date of Friday. -I try to ask for a post a day, with acceptable slow-downs over the weekend. As the GM, I will try and keep things moving, of course, but I'm no particular rush to get it done, either. If you need to be done with this by [some important date], I'd suggest you either pick a different character or yield your spot to another player or the like, because I don't really enjoy having to rush through a PBP, as I like building atmosphere and exploring RP. If you haven't posted in 24 hours (48 on weekends), I reserve the right to bot you if we're waiting on you. Go ahead and post your PFS #, faction, player and character name, and, if you like, your day job check. I know lots of people like to use re-rolls on those if not used in the scenario itself, so if you roll it now but don't use the re-roll in the course of the scenario you may still roll it again at the end. Any questions? (Oh, we are playing 4-5, but GM V, if you want to bring your Level 3 Wizard that should be fine. The party is all solidly in tier aside from that and.... it's Season 0, so yeah.)
Heya kids, here be your discussion thread. I'm Dien! I'll be your captain for this flight. Remember to buckle up and follow the instructions of a flight attendant. In the event of a TPK please see to your own PP first! A few things:
-I will roll initiatives for you, occasionally perception, and usually saves; please make sure you have any unusual bonuses/etc clearly listed on your sheets. -This is a Season 0, so yeah, y'all prolly gonna curbstomp it. Given this is a relatively low-level game, I doubt anybody has anything too weird, but, standard disclaimer; If you have any cool, unusual, bizarre, complicated, or strange abilities or senses, lemme know now. This would be things like 'immediate actions to force rerolls' (actually immediate actions in general since they can be complicated in PBP), special senses like tremorsense or other weird stuff, aaaaand anything else you think worth mentioning. -Gameplay will start sometime in the next few days, once I'm satisfied I've prepped sufficiently. The table mustered pretty quick, so we'll likely begin before the original date of Friday. -I try to ask for a post a day, with acceptable slow-downs over the weekend. As the GM, I will try and keep things moving, of course, but I'm no particular rush to get it done, either. If you need to be done with this by [some important date], I'd suggest you either pick a different character or yield your spot to another player or the like, because I don't really enjoy having to rush through a PBP, as I like building atmosphere and exploring RP. If you haven't posted in 24 hours (48 on weekends), I reserve the right to bot you if we're waiting on you. Go ahead and post your PFS #, faction, player and character name, and, if you like, your day job check. I know lots of people like to use re-rolls on those if not used in the scenario itself, so if you roll it now but don't use the re-roll in the course of the scenario you may still roll it again at the end. Any questions? (Oh, we are playing 4-5, but GM V, if you want to bring your Level 3 Wizard that should be fine. The party is all solidly in tier aside from that and.... it's Season 0, so yeah.)
Heya kids, here be your discussion thread. I'm Dien! I'll be your captain for this flight. Remember to buckle up and follow the instructions of a flight attendant. In the event of a TPK please see to your own PP first! A few things:
-I will roll initiatives for you, occasionally perception, and usually saves; please make sure you have any unusual bonuses/etc clearly listed on your sheets. -This is a Season 0, with all the occasional swinginess of balance issues that sometimes happened in Season 0. -We will be playing the 7-8 tier, unless people drastically change their signups or anything. If you have any cool, unusual, bizarre, complicated, or strange abilities or senses, lemme know now. This would be things like 'immediate actions to force rerolls' (actually immediate actions in general since they can be complicated in PBP), special senses like tremorsense or other weird stuff, aaaaand anything else you think worth mentioning. -Gameplay will start the 30th or so, maybe a little earlier if everyone's ready to go and I'm satisfied I've prepped sufficiently. I'm running a module this Sunday, so I won't likely devote time to prepping for this until Monday. -I try to ask for a post a day, with acceptable slow-downs over the weekend. I will try and keep things moving, of course, but I'm no particular rush to get it done, either. If you need to be done with this by [some important date], I'd suggest you either pick a different character or yield your spot to another player or the like, because I don't really enjoy having to rush through a PBP, as I like building atmosphere and exploring RP. If you haven't posted in 24 hours (not including weekends), I reserve the right to bot you. Okay, I think that's it. Any questions, shoot!
Hiya, We have a brand new player who just started with us at our local PFS. The day he came, we were running Level 2 of Thornkeep, so he wound up playing Iconic Valeros (at level 4). From the Roleplaying Guild Guide section on playing pregenerated characters in modules (pg. 31): If you play a non-1st-level pregenerated character, you may apply credit from the pregenerated character to one of your 1st-level characters, with the gp gained reduced to 1,398 gp (or 699 gp for slow advancement track characters). What about XP? Does the new player get the 3 XP the module grants, or just 1 XP?
Hey California gamers! (and anyone else who wants to come!) ZappCon Year 2 is taking place in Fresno, California, on October 17-18. We're a small, friendly con that saw about 1500 people come out last year (our first year), and we want to keep it growing. I'm organizing PFS specifically for the con, but we have plenty of other gaming systems on offer if PFS isn't your speed. If you'd like to see the schedule of activities, check us out on Sched! The convention's main site is Zappcon.com. Come on down! We have plenty of open space still at our PFS tables!
So, having previously played through it myself, I'm now running through Thornkeep for my local PFS group, and one of the things that struck me during prep is the fact that the book does a pretty good job of detailing out a nice, contained, mini-campaign setting with a lot of plot hooks, NPCs, and local color within the Thornkeep town and region... ....none of which you are likely to get to do anything with in a PFS-setting, given the fact that you only get to give out PFS credit for the actual dungeon delve itself. So, missing farmer's daughters, gang tensions, a werewolf baron, a d20 rumor chart, and spooky noises from the old abandoned house are all things that I can't do anything with because they have almost zero effect on the PFS-legal portions of the module, and I also do not usually have the time, when running this in my local PFS, to let the PCs dally around chasing red-herring rumors in town for a half-hour or more, as we need to get to the credit-legal stuff and finish in a timely fashion. This depresses me. This is a great setting for a mini-campaign going from levels 1-7, which could easily lead into the PCs taking out the baron and becoming the new town bosses (or various other outcomes). There's many intriguing plothooks to help the PCs level up and loot up in between the actual dungeon delve levels (which is necessary, since if you run a party straight through Thornkeep and don't allow any XP but what each level gives you, you quickly wind up with a party that is on the low-end of power curve for levels 2 and 3, and is not even minimum level for for level 4 and 5). If I run this strictly PFS, I can't take advantage of any of this Other Stuff, and I'm left with just a dungeon delve, that I have to pad with other PFS scenarios to allow the PCs to be the appropriate level for the later Thornkeep levels. I'd like to run a PBP mini-campaign set in the Thornkeep region, so that I take out the time constraint issue and can let the PCs get attached to and interested in the region itself. I'd like to let them go chase down those sidequest rumors, have some adventures on the side, then come back to their big dungeon. But how can I do this while preserving the PFS-legal portion and letting people get credit accordingly? I can't give them PFS-applicable XP for the non-dungeon portions, so they can't actually 'level up' with PFS characters doing these sidequests. I can't give them resources/treasure outside of the dungeon that they could then use in the dungeon. It creates a conundrum. Of course, the simplest option would just be to run this as a home campaign, no PFS credit, period; but that means writing off potential PFS credit for players, which seems a shame. (I don't care about my own GM credit for this, since I'm going to have already run through it at my local PFS.) Option 2 would be to do this the way PFS credit and APs mesh-- you don't need to run them with a PFS character, you can run them as an actual campaign, but the PFS-credit gets applied to your PFS character of the appropriate levels. However, I don't know if this is legal to do for the Thornkeep modules. Can anyone weigh in on that? Option 3 would be sort of a nightmarish dual bookkeeping thing: where the PCs would basically have to keep two sets of records, one to keep track of their PFS-legal resources, treasure, and XP, and the other one to keep track of all the side-adventuring they do in the local region, but which has no bearing on their actual dungeon delving, or any other PFS scenarios they play with the character. In this option, characters would advance as heroes in a purely-narrative sense in the Thornkeep sidequests, but their players would meanwhile get to play other PFS scenarios with the characters, leveling up until they're ready to tackle the next dungeon aspect. Obviously, this would necessitate players on board with this extra level of book-keeping, and I'm not crazy about it, but if Option 2 isn't legal I'm not sure there's a better way to try and combine the for-credit and not-for-credit elements of Thornkeep. :-\ Has anyone tried anything similar to this, whether with Thornkeep or something else? Can anyone suggest solutions I'm not seeing?
Much as I love the snark thread, I remember last season we had a compliments thread too, and I'd like to get it going again. Two items I've seen so far-- one a bit chilly, one a bit heavenly-- do nothing that original with mechanics. In fact, mechanically I'd even say they are treading overworn territory-- but where they brought a smile to my face, and earned my vote, was in their beautiful descriptive text and imagery. Sometimes it's possible to polish up an old concept with a rocking visual. Good work, Mystery Designers.
What it says on the tin! PFS-legal characters levels 1-2, playing an oldie but goodie in the form of Murder on the Silken Caravan. First come, first served. As this is part of the Gameday, the game will officially start on 9/19/15. I will handle maps either through Roll20 or Google Drawings, if Roll20 is a problem for any of my confirmed players.
Not to spam the board overmuch, but I just had a ludicrous series of dice rolls in one of the games I'm GMing. That's five consecutive 3s, on 5 consecutive d20s. (Yeah, a 4 on a d8 snuck in there, but the d20s did a solid progression of suck... For the ten d20 rolls I made in that post, we have a: 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 6, 2, 19, 16, and a nat 1. For a net average of slightly less than 6.) How am I supposed to kill any PCs like that?*
I'm sure we all have the stories of the ridiculous string of bad (or good) rolls (usually we remember the bad ones more...). I had a brief, glorious period where when I looked at my PBPs over the last week, almost 1/3 of my dice rolls had been natural 20s. Alas, it couldn't last. What are your 'Really, Dice?' moments?
Yeah, it's one of those kinda threads... I mean it as a serious question, though, and I suppose it's worth clarifying by what I mean by 'overpowered' in this context. Many spells are potentially very powerful. But after several years of playing Pathfinder, I've noticed that my spellcasters all tend to hit commonalities of 'must have' spells. As an arcane caster, I can't imagine not picking up, say, glitterdust, and haste, because those spells are so good for their level that it feels like an intentionally sub-par choice if I don't learn them. As a divine caster, burst of radiance feels similarly so good (guaranteed auto-damage against evil foes? a chance to blind anyone? hell yes...). (Noting it's available as a wizard/sorc spell too. Yeesh.) These three spells hit my personal criteria for: 'spells I really have to talk myself out of, otherwise every caster I play will feel like a carbon copy of my last caster'. That's what I mean by 'overpowered' in this particular sense: the spells that beat out their competition by such a substantial margin, that you feel like you're crippling yourself/your party if you don't take them. I'm curious to know if anyone else feels this way about these, or other, spells in the game.
This enormous worm’s stony hide boasts glowing green crystals and intricate patterns of precious metals. Noxious vapors blast from its jagged maw. Blightbore CR 7XP 3,200
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----- Ecology -----
----- Special Abilities -----
Despite their horrific appearance-- enormous maws and radioactive carapaces-- blightbores aren’t inherently malicious. A blightbore is indifferent to other creatures... unless they’re carrying materials the blightbore desires. Originally from the Plane of Earth, blightbores burrow through the Material Plane seeking ores, crystals, and especially blightburn. Immune to the crystal's radiation, blightbores 'consume' it along with everything from granite to gold. A blightbore derives no nourishment from these inorganics, but processes them and excretes them into complex patterns on its skin, with blightburn chunks featured prominently. The deliberate designs indicate intelligence, but their purpose is unknown to any but the blightbores. It is also unknown why blightbores prize blightburn, but some scholars theorize the worms may be an engineered species, designed as collectors/disposers of hazardous materials. Though a mature blightbore is a living treasure trove, these riches come with a risk: lingering radiation. Many have killed blightbores and harvested their riches only to succumb days later to brittle bones and open sores, leading to superstitious rumors of a 'death curse.' In combat, a blightbore uses its breath weapon, then seeks to swallow the creature it deems most dangerous (or tastiest). While blightbores are not highly intelligent, they understand their lack of ranged offense, and will burrow away from a foe they cannot attack. Blightbores are solitary creatures who meet only for mating. Once every decade, a female deposits a single, metallic egg, then moves on. The newborn consumes the egg on hatching and starts growing its unique armor. An adult blightbore is 15 feet long but its dense, mineral-rich body can weigh up to 15 tons.
Elven Guardpost on the Tanglebriar Border
Ophidian Coil
Description
Three times per day as a free action, the wearer of the ring may cause her fangs to drip with venom, making her bite attack poisonous for 1 round. This poison has a DC of 10 + the wearer's Con modifier, but otherwise acts as black adder venom. If the wearer rolls a natural one on an attack with her poisonous bite, she is exposed to the poison. Once per day as a standard action, the wearer may command her tongue to lengthen and become forked for one minute, during which she gains the scent special ability. While this ability is active, the wearer has a 20% chance of failure when casting any spell with a verbal component, as the tongue makes it difficult to speak. The ring makes its wearer more sensitive to cold. She takes a -2 penalty to saves versus cold spells, weather, and effects. Additionally, if the wearer is successfully affected by a spell with the cold descriptor, she is slowed for 1 round. Construction
Let's say we have an old green dragon that decides, for purposes of wanting to talk to the PCs in a 'civil' fashion/otherwise not reveal its draconian self, to use its alter self spell to take on the form of a human. What will its stat block be like while under the effects of the spell? Per the rules on polymorph spells, the following happens: Base Stats after size modifications are made:
AC = ? This one depends on whether or not the dragon's natural armor bonus goes away. "While under the effects of a polymorph spell, you lose all extraordinary and supernatural abilities that depend on your original form." Is the dragon's +25 NA considered to be an extraordinary or supernatural ability depending on its original form? Because if not, then the dragon's AC actually goes UP while in human form, to a crazy AC 36... and if not, the dragon drops to a painful AC 11. HP: Remain the same, I believe, as I see nothing about HP or hit dice changing. Base speed is 30, loses flight, blah blah. BaB = +19, + STR 4 = +23 to hit, but, what are the attacks? The dragon loses its bite, claw, and tail attacks, and has no weapon proficiencies. So... the humanized dragon could attack with a non-proficient weapon at a +19, I suppose. The big question, though, is spellcasting. A dragon's spells are not born of taking class levels in sorceror; they are born of being, you know, a freakin' dragon. Does anything change regarding the green dragon's abilities to cast spells, given that it is no longer a dragon at the moment? What about spell resistance-- also something innate to being a dragon?
Hey! If you're looking to get in on some gaming goodness (Pathfinder and many other systems) this month, and you're in California, please check out ZAPP CON, a convention taking place for the first time this year in Fresno, CA. We want a lot of players filling the gaming tables so we can prove it's viable to have this again next year. But there's more than just gaming-- we have the usual broad spectrum of geek experience on display, from panels and vendors to comic books and SF/F and cosplaying. Please help make our local con a success! Come out for the Pathfinder Society-- perhaps you haven't yet gotten a chance to play Legacy of the Stonelords? Or perhaps you're a gamer wanting to meet some more people playing Savage Worlds, or Fate, or any of a dozen other systems? Or perhaps you just want some Doctor Who socks? Either way, we want you, so c'mon down!
First question: Does Ricochet Shot (the spell) apply to bows? I see no reason that it wouldn't, because to me bows count as 'projectile weapons', but I just want to be sure there's not some textual reading where they do not count as such. If so, then question two: Let's say we have a +1, shock composite longbow STR + 2, and the bowman has cast gravity bow and is using vital strike when firing arrows. Leaving aside the idea of it being less-than-optimal to not be firing multiple arrows, I just want to see if I'm understanding the rules right for how the damage would play out: Damage of ordinary shot, gravity bow, vital strike: 2d6 base + 2d6 vital strike + 1d6 shock + 1 magic weapon + 2 str = 5d6 + 3. Damage of the arrow from Ricochet Shot, which "does not gain the benefit from any enhancement bonuses or magic qualities on the projectile": 1d8 base + 1d8 vital strike + 2 = 2d8 + 2 Is that correct? You lose all of those when using ricochet shot-- the bow's enhancement, the benefit of gravity bow, and shock?
Dawn breaks cold but bright, the heavy storms and gray skies of midwinter cleared for one day... as has happened each year, in Hofn, for as long as anyone can recall. No matter the weather for weeks before Jól, the day of the solstice itself is always free from clouds, and the sun shows her face one last time before the starving months begin. Children wake their parents, if their parents have not been up already for hours with preparations. The weeks before the Jólboð, the solstice feast, are busy ones: hunters dare the deep snows for game worthy of being served at the feast; craftsmen hurry to put finishing touches on the best examples of their work; mothers threaten their children with staying home if they do not behave; and cooks cook. The footpaths through the village of Hofn have been swept of snow. Tables are dragged out into the sun so that crafted wares may be displayed. Throughout the village, the dogs bark, sensing the excitement and activity of the day. One's best clothes, if one is fortunate enough to own feast-day clothes, are hurriedly donned, and everywhere people prepare to make merry. Even the thralls perk up-- their lot has been harder than usual, as making ready for the feast demands more work from them, as well-- but on Jól-day, they too will eat rich food, play at games of sport, and hear tales of heroes. Tomorrow, the work will begin again, but today is for pleasure and awe, novelty and delights. Today, a thrall can walk as a free-man. The air is thick with the smells of cooking food. Vast bonfires are lit that will burn all through the day, and into the long night. Children, as well as those who are old enough to know better but are young today, run through the streets from house to house, hammering on the doors of their friends. Houses are full: those who live on outlying homesteads came to the village the night before, to crowd into the homes of siblings and cousins, and a dozen other human visitors have arrived over the last week, so that nearly every home has a guest or several sharing their hearth. An hour after dawn, one of the unlucky souls who has drawn watch-duty for the day lights the signal torch in his tower: the elves are coming. The village enters a last spurt of frantic activity. Those in the village with no task that needs doing right that second rush to line the street by the north-gate. Children beg to be lifted onto shoulders. Pointed elbows are used in the negotiations for prime real estate, and excited whispers pass between young and old alike. Hrolf Half-Hand, the goði of Hofn, comes to the gate with his lady wife Dagmar at his side. Hrolf is a large man, six-and-a-half-feet tall, and while age is beginning to frost his yellow beard, he still wears the sword with which he slew the ice monster Fjǫrlag, which bit the two fingers from his left hand. Rich gold shines at Hrolf's ears and his fingers; his cloak is white sable and his tunic is red silk trimmed with gold braid. Around his strong right arm is the silver of the stalla-hringr, the oath-ring, and Hrolf Half-Hand stands tall, a jarl to whom many have sworn oaths, and to whom he has given gold in turn, generous and great. Behind Hrolf and Dagmar stand their two eldest sons, Leif and Harald; and Yngvi Wyrmtongue, the skald of Hofn, and Astrid Eikbrunr, the húskarl to the goði, his most trusted warrior and second of the war-band. A hush descends over the crowd of those watching as the voice of the gate-guard can be heard, ringing out the old question, with the weight of a hundred years behind it: "Who comes to the gate seeking entrance, on Jól-day?" And the answer comes, in a lilting voice that makes music out of the strong-sounding Skald tongue: "We come; the ljósálfar, the children of the sun and the stars, the fair people. We come bearing gifts. We come to honor the old agreements and renew them again. We come as guests. Will we find welcome, manling?" "Enter and be welcome! Hofn receives you!" The gate is opened, and people crane their eyes for the spectacle of the elves. A score of them enter, and though the day is yet cold, they are dressed as if for the warmest of summers, in bright colors and thin, light fabric that floats with the barest of breezes. The elves are tall and slim, like birch trees, and they are passing strange to see: they move over the ground as if their feet barely touch it. They are beautiful-- but it is a strange beauty, a distant beauty. The eyes of the elves shine like jewels, but every child knows not to meet their gaze for too long. Here is one clad in a cloak of raven-feathers, shining blue-black beneath the sun; here is one with skin that gleams like gold, and black hair that falls free all the way to his knees; here is one whose skin is white as bone, and hair dark as a starless night. Behind them come their horses, long of limb and with delicate heads, laden with baskets and bags. One of the elves-- dressed all in gray, with gray hair, and skin like ashes-- moves to Hrolf Half-Hand, and the two leaders murmur words and greetings unheard by the crowd. A child breaks the silence with a plaintive, "But where are the presents, Mama?", and his mother claps a horrified hand over his mouth. The elves answer the child's rudeness with soft laughter, like tiny silver bells. One of them, a woman with skin the color of blue ice, sweeps a bow to the child, and tosses him a small pouch. The little boy quickly wrenches it open: a cloud of butterflies erupt, scarlet and indigo and amethyst wings flashing in the sunlight as they fly into the blue sky. It's Jól-day in Hofn. The elves are here. Anything can happen.
For OOC communication, shenanigans, snark, and malarkey. Skål!
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