I've seen far too many threads and posts on why people don't like resonance, so I don't want to repeat that here. However, I would like to do more of a "what it could have been" or "what it could be" concept.
When I first saw the resonance blog back in June, I was immediately in favor of resonance. I loved the idea of investment in items,although I was disappointed in the simple 1 resonance invested per item. Thematically, the first thing I thought back to, was an old system called Earthdawn, by FASA. One of my favorite concepts in it was weaving threads of magic into items to attune them. For those not familiar, here is an excert from the Earthdawn wikia:
Weaving Threads wrote:
Adepts often weave threads to magical items in order to empower them. A magical item with no threads attached appears to be a mundane item of its type. Similarly, an item to which an adept has threads woven becomes mundane in the hands of those that have not empowered it by attaching a thread.
Weaving threads to an item involves examining its true pattern and researching its history to learn Key Knowlegdes, such as the item’s Name, creator, from what or where it was crafted and so on. Once this knowledge is known, an adept can infuse some of his own essence in order to awaken the legend of the item.
The extent to which an item can be invested with an adept’s power can vary widely. It is contingent upon how much an adept knows about the history of the item, and the deeds with which it is associated. Thread Items with an unremarkable history will lack the same capacities as items wielded by legendary Name-givers to perform heroic deeds.
Although magic in the earthdawn world was themed much more around the idea of actually weaving the magic into patterns, the key element that really connected through resonance is the idea of someone being able to "infuse some of his own essence in order to awaken the legend of the item." Resonance becomes a mechanic within the new pathfinder system that allows that same kind of connection between a magic item and the one using it. Magic items become less of a commodity, and more special.
One of the places I had hoped a lot of inspiration for PF2 would come from was Pathfinder Unchained. I understand the it was written for a different system, but there were a lot of things in that book that just worked well, and were improvements over the core Pathfinder 1.0 system. One of the stand out items is scaling items. Items that grow with the character and become more legendary as they advance is a great concept. In unchained, the items scaled with level, but now with resonance, we have new way to allow a character to unlock the power of their items. As a character invests more resonance into their bond with an item, the item becomes more and more powerful. A character with multiple scaling items, would now have to decide which bonds to priortize investment in.
The power of an item should dictate how much resonance is needed to unlock it, even if it doesn't scale. Wands and potions at 1 resonance is fine. However, to unlock even the lowest power of that holy mcguffin of smiting all evil should require a much bigger investment. 1 resonance to activate some items won't seem like as big of a deal if magic weapons, armor, and invisibility cloaks are taking 3-5 resonance each. Item levels no longer need to be included, since resonance becomes the unlock.
Lets take an example:
RING OF ENERGY RESISTANCE ITEM 6+[ wrote:
Method of Use worn; Bulk —
This ring grants you protection against one type
of energy damage: acid, cold, electricity, fire, or
sonic. Each ring is crafted to protect against a particular type
of energy damage that can’t be changed later, and its design
usually embodies the type of energy it protects the wearer
from in some way. For instance, a ring of fire resistance might
be capped with a ruby, whereas a ring of cold resistance features
a sapphire instead.
Type lesser; Level 6; Price 245 gp; Resistance 5
Type standard; Level 10; Price 975 gp; Resistance 10
Type greater; Level 14; Price 4,400 gp; Resistance 15
First...the level 6, 10 and 14 can go.
Instead replace the level 6 with a cost like 4 resonance, the 10 with 7 resonance, and the 14 with 10 resonance. (Or 3/6/9 or 3/5/7...not here to argue the exact numbers.) With scaling items, this can even be the exact same item, with the resonance unlocks being the differentiation.
TLDR:
1) The 1 resonance to invest 1 item is limiting.
2) Use resonance levels on items instead of item levels.
3) Scaling items fit great with a variable resonance system.
4) Earthdawn is a great source of inspiration on how resonance COULD fit in thematically.
Yeah, that. So far Mark Seifter, Jason Bulmahn and the others have been pretty quiet and have not really given a detailed response to many of the concerns (and I am talking about the ones where detailed feedback was given, not the "the world is ending!" ones). Given how James said that they'd start interacting with us after getting a bit of rest after GenCon, it's a bit worrying. Especially since they were so active during the preview period, when we could look forward to dozens of posts per blog post.
To be honest, I'm not really concerned by radio silence. But I am very much concerned when staff spend the time and effort to write posts like these:
- "If we thought that there were huge problems, of course we would fix them!"
- "Actually, it seems you may have misunderstood us. If you go back and re-read the previews/rulebook/blogs/staff comments, you'll see that there actually isn't a problem!"
- "Wow, these all sound like significant complaints that you have presented in a very thoughtful and organized manner. Luckily, the folks at GenCon LOVED the game; so I'm sure that you'll feel better after you play the game."
But they don't spend the time or energy to write posts like these:
- "This is a fair criticism that we have seen in many places. I will be sure to bring it up with our design team!"
- "Wow! It is really impressive that you have put so much effort into making your case! We would deeply appreciate it if you can take the playtest survey to ensure these points reach the right people!"
- "It seems like the community is rather split on this mechanic, with some liking it a lot and others taking issue with it. We would like to hear more from the players who don't enjoy it; if possible, more details about what specific aspects are disliked would be the most helpful."
If Paizo is too busy looking over surveys and forums to post updates constantly, that's fine. But if they do have time to engage with the
...
One thing I definitely learned at GenCon. Just because they aren't posting, doesn't mean they aren't listening and discussing internally. There was a thread made months ago, where Paizo employees didn't comment at all. There was actually some heated debate about it. There were some good points, some emotional points, and some crazy points. I figured it was a dead issue until an announcement was made about how that was being implemented. I was sitting next to a paizo employee at the time and expressed my surprise, since I remembered the thread on the same topic. It was explained to me that they purposely didn't post on that and kept the discussions internal, so that they didn't influence the external debates with their opinions. Sounds pretty smart to me. Make solid points. Back them up. They will likely be heard. You don't need someone to specifically acknowledge or validate your opinion.
I've seen several comments now about how much "the people at GenCon loved it" or similar. Those comments concern me that they are being taken as more significant to the big picture than they should.
I think one reason that weight need to be put there is that people actually played the game there. It wasn't theory crafting. It wasn't speculation. It was reactions from players who played at a table.
Were there complaints about some specifics? Yes. But overall, reactions I heard overwhelmingly thought that the big brush strokes got it right. I think the core of the system is there, and now it's about getting the details right.
I ask this because in 2015 and 2016 D&D had almost no presence at GENCON and was not even in the main convention hall in 2016 where as Pathfinder was in the Sagamore Ballroom, totally packed from 8AM till roughly 11PM.
And at GenCon 2018, the Sagamore Ballroom was packed with players 24 hours a day for four days.
From what I heard from those GMs running demos and the PFS GMs running the PF2 scenarios, there was an overwhelming wave of love for the new rules once people actually sat down and played. That doesn't mean that there aren't some rough spots that might need to be filed down, but the mood coming out of GenCon was extremely positive.
-Lisa
Having been there on the floor an the Sag for 50+ hours of that convention, I can tell you that the mood around 2E was extremely positive. I was very skeptical about 2E going in. GenCon got me on board. I heard similar stories over and over, and more importantly, I was at tables with a lot of people who played both 1E and 2E for their first time during GenCon. Excitement bringing in new blood is a good thing. I gave out more new paizo number this year than in any previous year.
Archtypes aren't just about multiclass. It's also about class alternatives. Lets take the cavalier as an example. By lowering the level for affinity feats to level 1, you could create a human cavalier starting at level 1. Other races still have to wait to level 2, but since humans can take natural ambition, I'm not sure why it makes sense to wait on the archtype taking effect in that case.
I also believe it makes sense for most of those other "classes" to instead be archtypes. I'm more for reducing classes than adding them under this system.
Right now, all archtype dedication feats start at level 2. For most characters, this seems very appropriate. However, I would suggest lowering the level requirements to 1.
Why? Humans have the ability to use their heritage feat for a class feat at level 1. This is the only time I see where it would be possible to include the archtypes before level 2, but I see no reason not to allow this early entry.
With the way that templates work (which I like), are there some classes that really are not as needed? We already have an example of removing the cavalier class, converting it to an archtype. The classic cavalier is likely a fighter with the cavalier archtype, but we now get the variety of allowing cleric cavaliers or even wizard cavaliers as character options.
Barbarian, Paladin, and Ranger for example, seem like they would make excellent archtypes, allowing them to be added to other classes instead of necessitating a class on their own. Each of these are a martial class, that are variations off a fighter. I'm going to use the barbarian as my example.
Barbarian
The barbarian is a classic character filling the martial role, with a uncivilized warrior that depends more on their rage and ferocity than their training. A fighter with the barbarian archtype could easily fill that character trope. However, barbarians are not limited to warriors. A barbarian priest or druid servince as a tribal shaman, a barbarian bard serving as a skald, or even a sneakier barbarian rogue all make sense. Converting barbarian to an archtype instead of a class would allow it to fullfill all of these roles, giving more build options while at the same time simplifying the game by removing a class.
Barbarian Dedication (Archtype Dedication Feat lvl 2)
You are a barbarian, using your rage in battle to help defeat your enemies.
You gain rage (insert the description of rage.)
Special: (insert caveat about single rage)
Other feats-
Turn Totem into a feat.
Turn a selection of the other barbarian feats into archtype feats. (Most of them probably aren't needed.)
What about multiclass?
Of course, mixing barbarian into other classes can be done when the rest of the multiclass templates get created. (I'd argue that not having archtypes for all core rulebook classes in the core rulebook would be a mistake.) However, I'm not sure that the class itself is needed once th archtype exists. (I think both Ranger and Paladin are likely in the same situation.)
I welcome thoughts and debate both pro and con. Just putting another view out there based in my early playtest experience, that might create some useful debate.
Before PF2 was announced, I was already in favor of scenarios becoming replayable after 10 years, which would mean season 0 would become evergreen this year, and season 1 after GenCon 2019, etc.
With PF2 coming out, I'd say it's not even worth tracking 11 years of rollouts for replay, and everything should just change to replayable at the end of season 10. I don't believe any of other the options presented in the original list are even worth putting effort towards.
Coming back to this topic after a long time away...
I'd like to have fame/prestige just go away as a general concept that is always tracked.
Then reintroduce factions through boons/chronicles. Have factions get acquired through the the story. I really pushed for having something like a "Blakros Faction Member" boon, that would allow you to use that organization as a secret faction that you could support over the standard factions. SFS has now introduced a couple of factions and I think it is fantastic.
The next step, is making factions a totally optional system, where you don't feel like you are being hurt by not being a member of any of them.
"If the sheriff won't do something about them, then someone has to. They are bleeding this place dry with their thievery. I was pickpocketed right here at the circus."
A chorus of people with "me too" responses follows. Evidently, dozens of people have been pickpocketed while at the circus.
"There weren't problems like this until the Varisians got here. Makes it worse that they agree to meet with the local priesthood, and even while the meeting is going on, they rob people blind."
From inside the tent, you can hear the sheriff rather loudly and forcefully ask, "And WHERE is the Sphinx now? Why is she not in her cage?"
Sorry, had to close a deal in Trinidad last week, and then storms knocked out power this week, so haven't been able to post in way too long.
Some people seem to take note of you calling out, but many more seem intent on a fight. Most of the crowd hurls insults at the Varisians. The two varisian men don't back down from the others closing in, intent on keeping people back from the rest of the circus. Diplomacy 15 sways some of the crowd. More arguments with diplomacy or intimidate may sway them further.
Someone shouts back to you, "The pickpockets need to be punished! We can't let this stand. Our town isn't here for thieves!"
Perception DC20:
Even over the shouts, you hear a commotion going on inside of one of the tents.
Knowing that the sister is likely already on the way to the circus just outside of town, you head in that direction. As you begin to arrive on scene, it seems that the situation has heated up. Two large muscled men of varisian descent stand at the edge of the circus campus, seeming to try to hold back a crowd. Five townsfolk have surrounded them, with the rest of the crowd farther back cheering them on. You hear shouts coming from the crowd, "They are trying to bleed the town dry!", "The damned varisians are a pack of thieves!", "We can't let this go unpunished!", "Show them what good folk are made of!".
It seems the situation is close to escalating from shouting to an actual fight shortly.
Perhaps a "morally nebulous" alignment should be added, with the caveat that all alignment related effects treat you as the worst case due to the characters' lack of convictions.
First time the name came up. So OOC you aren't forgetting anything.
"Sister Woodmere is our local priest...from the temple of Erastil. When word came out of the death of such a prominent person in town, she said she'd do her part to get to the bottom of it, using her god's blessings to compel the truth from that beast. She should already be there if I had to guess."
While I would like to adjust the XP track to avoid fractions, I fear adding another difference between PFS1 and PFS2 is not worth the gain.
I actually think differences are advantageous. Helps keep people from confusing PFS1 and PFS2 characters even more. I imagine a lot of players are going to blur things.
Keep it the same! I personally have never had a problem with Quest. I have always played all parts at one session. Everyone I have ran Quest for have played all the parts at one session. Admittedly I represent a small sample. YMMV
See, in my opinion, this highlights the issue. If the only way people will play them is in one sitting playing all parts at a single session, then it completely removes the necessity to have quests at all. Might as well write another scenario instead. Quests need to be more versatile than this, but under the current system, your experience is the optimal way to run them, because breaking them up leads to logistical problems.
The deputy looks at the prints and back and forth to Fate before turning to Ella. "Yeah, it seems there is something more going on here. Someone worked really hard on setting this scene up. Still doesn't mean it wasn't the circus freaks though... still some kind of strange creature that was making the prints here. Those ain't human. I'm sure Sister Woodmere will get to the bottom of it though. She's going to talk to that vicious beast they have caged."
I've had several posts in various threads that all really come back to one topic: Quests.
1) Brief history of quests and similar content in PFS1.0?
2) What is the benefits of having quests as a part of organized play?
3) What works with the current quest system in PFS1.0?
4) What areas have opportunities for improvement around PFS1.0 quests?
5) What organized play systems need to consider quest?
6) Why is this important to address now?
1) Brief history of quests and similar content in PFS1.0?
Quests as most people know them have been a part of PFS since the release of Honor's Echo during season 5. It had 6 quests, built around a somewhat united plot, with the 6th quest being a finale. It was built for level 1 characters, and each quest was built to be about an hour long. 3 more quest packs followed this model with a release in each season from 6-8. The Season 8 entry varied a bit, expanding to a 1-5 tier and only having 5 quests instead of 6 in the set.
There are other similar types of content that have been flirted with including those published in kobold quarterly and demo table creations like those run at gencon each year (that offered boons but no experience, prestige, or gold.)
2) What is the benefits of having quests as a part of organized play?
PFS was built around 4 hour scenarios, which has proven a good basis for organized play, but doesn't work for all groups and situations. Quests allow organized play to target 1 hour slots, being better for those with lower attention spans (kid track!) or smaller windows of play (weekday evening slots at game and hobby stores). They give smaller building blocks to be able to fit into events. (Have a 2 or 3 hour slot to fill at a con? Quests can do that, where scenarios don't do it well.) Quests give us a better way to introduce players to a game. (Getting people to play a 1 hour quest is much easier than getting them to commit to a 4 hour scenario. Perfect for both game store recruiting and con demo tables.)
3) What works with the current quest system in PFS1.0?
PFS1.0 quests gave us these 1 hour timeslots we could build around. This let us work with shorter time slots and something to more easily catch the attention of players who couldn't give us a full 4 hours for a scenario. They gave smaller sized offerings to develop new writers with, are excellent for training GM's, and are good learning tools for new players.
4) What areas have opportunities for improvement around PFS1.0 quests?
Although each quest in PFS1.0 was an individual session, which could in theory be scheduled independently, the implementation didn't truly make them independent. Series of quests were all linked by a single chronicle sheet, effectively "locking" a character who wishes to play all of the content or to get rewards from the quest. Rewards were based on completing multiple quests from the same set. This creates scheduling problems for players in situations such as "our game store are going to run 1 quest per week on Wednesday nights after work." If you run all the quests from one set, players who made some weeks and not others end up with a partial chronicle and have to decide whether to shelve a character, or whether to live with the reduced rewards, putting their character behind the curve. Mixing multiple quest packs doesn't work at all, since each player needs to have a different character for each quest pack they have "open" and haven't completed the chronicle for.
When doing demo tables or con slots, you often end up with partial chronicles. This makes it so those just trying out the game don't really see any tangeable results at all in the progress of their character, where even small rewards of xp/pp/gp would show them moving forward and give a feeling of accomplishment.
Many veteran players avoid quest play altogether, for fear of "locking" a character or necessitating closing a chronicle without finishing.
Independent chronicles with independent rewards would resolve all of these issues. The current experience and prestige systems make this difficult, and would likely need to be addressed to realize improvement in this area.
5) What organized play systems need to consider quest?
Although the quests themselves don't need to change a whole lot, how the organized play supports them has some key factors to address.
Experience System: - The current 3xp/lvl system is based on scenarios being the smallest increment of adventuring. Each scenario was 1 xp, and larger sized adventures (modules and adventure paths) awarded larger increments of xp. This created some obstacles when figuring out how to best chronicle quests. A change to make the quest the base increment instead of a scenario, resulting in 1 xp per quest, would make expanding the role of quests in PFS2.0 much easier. If the base decision is made that 1 quest = 1 xp, then it's a matter of determining how many quests make up a scenario (4 or 5 are the likely choices) will tell us a resulting xp/lvl system. (This assumes we still want 3 scenarios to result in 1 level. That can change as well, but that is an independent decision from this discussion.)
Prestige System: - The prestige system is equally difficult to break down into increments to support quests. With 2 pp per scenario, the pp per quest is currently fractional, and only works due to the way combined chronicles for a set of quests is structured. In order to support independent chronicles per quest, I recommend we establish a new figure of 2 pp per quest (so that pp are still earned on a 2 to 1 ratio vs xp). Scenarios would be increated accordinly, awarding a maximum of 2 pp per xp. (This would result in them being worth 8 or 10.) Note, this also gives the advantage of allowing more variation in prestige rewards based on how successful a party was, or what tasks were accomplished, potentially moving away from the expectation that all prestige will be earned for every scenario.
Quest Independence: - Although I believe quests should still be released in packs, each quest should stand on it's own, allowing players to get a full "experience" for playing it. If a player is getting their first look at Pathfinder, or their first look at organized play, it's important that they feel that they have accomplished something, even if they are only playing a 1 hour demo.
6) Why is this important to address now?
To support some of the items here means some fundemental changes to the foundation calculations used in the campaign. Making those changes now, allows quests to be useful, in addition to giving a number of other side benefits by allowing more configurability when writing. I believe making quests more of a focus can go head to head with some of the advantages D&D gained over PFS, by giving content easily run in short slots. Most D&D AL players in my area started with 1 hour content. I want the option to win players back and find new players using the same tool.
I'd say make Quests worth 1 XP. Just parse out the rewards for gold/items/boons for completed elements. Players have invested time into playing the game and should be given something for their characters. Just close the quest sheet out if the player needs to move on, allow them to start over if in a replayable teir.
My belief is the current quest sheets are a problem, and each 1 hour quest should be a standalone adventure, that may be linked to others, but in no way requires you to play the other components in order to get the experience, gold, and prestige rewards. (BTW, prestige is another discussion I want to have, but I want to see how the xp discussions play out first.)
I will admit that quests are my main reason around this line of thinking. However, I completely disagree that it's just quests, and not the experience system that is the problem.
The 3xp system is simple, elegant, and easy to follow. It's served us pretty well in most cases. However, it was built upon the assumption that 4 hour slots were the smallest increment of a gaming table, so we would not need to break down xp more than the 1 xp for a scenario.
The introduction of quests didn't come until about 6 weeks later, giving adventures in 1 hour slots, which is a huge step in development, and competes directly against offerings from adventurers league.
One of the pillars I stand on is there should never be fractional xp, ever. Maybe it's just me, but I hate seeing half xp now, and different options of quests could result in 1/4 or even 1/6 xp if built around the 3 xp/level system.
My number 1 goal with this thread was to discuss options that gave more flexibility to develop content in the 1 hour time slot, while at the same time not creating crazy fractions.
Quests being 1 xp, I feel should be the baseline.
How we value quests vs scenarios should determine the xp/level calculation. We can argue whether 4 quests, 5 quests, or 6 quests should be that value. (I chose 4 in my straw man, assuming 1 quest = 1 hour, 1 scenario = 4 hours, and just using time investment as the relative value.)
I've posted my thoughts specific to structuring quests in a different thread, so I won't rehash it here, but for xp calculations, I think they are a key component that allows us to grow the player base, run at places/timeslots that are currently hard for us to accomidate, and gives us more flexibility on how people can play. The clunky implementation of quests currently was a great step, but doesn't execute on those objectives.
Hadn't ever thought of it, but I'm instantly a fan.
I don't like the gaming of the system for up and down tier play, and I am hoping the tier system will get improved upon. So I'm all for leveling out the gold awards.
The tremors cause the cabinets of the room to fall over, as blocks of stone fall from the ceiling. Most of you manage to hold up cabinets to escape the room unharmed, but Helios is hit with a falling shelf on the way our, causing sever bruises on his back.
You run up the demon bile encrusted staircase, but already having killed the mites, it proves to be little obstacle to anyone. However, when you reach the secret passage back to the piano, you find the way has collapsed, forcing you to head through the flooded chamber with the barrels. The falling ceilings make the barrels difficult to navigate, but Manus manages to jump from barrel to barrel, crossing the room, while the others take to the water to swim their way accross. Both Galahad and Helios come under assault by giant leaches as they cross, but manage to pull themselves from the water onto the stairway up to the kitchen.
The stairs are crumbling, and everyone must hurriedly make their way up before they completely collapse. Bjorn, Galahad, and Manus have no issues picking their way up the stairs, but they almost lose Helios on the way as he transitions from fighting leeches to trying to find solid footing. He twists and ankle as it gets caught in a collapsing section of stairs, but his companions manage to pull him up to relative safety.
As you enter the kitchen, it seems there were more who lived here than you thought, as a massive swarm of rats are scurrying from the walls out the door. Manus finds himself falling in the swarm, being overrun by the vermin, but the others are able to navigate their way through, using their knowledge of small rodents, and pull the diviner out into the garden.
From the garden, you watch as the entire building collapses with it's foundations no longer able to hold it up. You are bruised and battered from your escape, but nothing life threatening.
--------------------------
Back in Saringallow, the mayor congratulates you on recovering the documents, and both she and the council listen intently to your tales of the source of the demon bile that has plagued the town. They unanimously approve a location for a pathfinder lodge in the town in the warehouse where the fight with Gellion took place many days ago. After the events there, the previous owner was happy to donate the building to the cause.
Over the next few days, many townsfolk line up at the city hall, examining the documents to find out the fates of their ancestors, happy to know the fates of their kin, even if it meant gruesome ends. City guards armed with cold iron weapons, and both the priest and his apprentice from the temple of Erastil are dispatched to the ruins of the mansion to ensure there are no more traces of demon bile that are left behind to threaten the town again.
The society is very happy with the reports that return, and quickly get to work to get a team assigned to set up the lodge, seeing it as a key position for some of the world events going on. You are all given rewards from the society, in addition to key contacts you have made in town that should prove useful in the future.
Chronicles coming, but here is the key info for those leveling up for your future adventures.
Part 3 chronicle: 3 xp, 4 pp, 1536 gold. Boons include finding some healing uses for some of the garden plants, and useful tips against devils that are recovered in the Sarini records.
Bonus chronicle: 3 xp, 6 pp, 3711 gp OR 0 xp, 2 pp, 0 gp. I'm assuming everyone will want the xp and gold version unless told otherwise. This also has boons for favors from some of those saved in the course of this adventure, and a bonus in knowledge of demons.
Looking at the part 2 report to see what was left out as well.
Galahad and Helios both hack into the demonic worm, cutting it to pieces before it is able to mount another attack.
Combat ended.
A search of the archives finds that the Sarini family kept extensive records of their victims and the rituals they performed on them. There is definitive proof of their crimes. Based on notes out on the table, the Vermlek was attracted to this place, and was trying to put together some of the ancient abyssal rituals. This is definitely the source of the demon bile that has plagued the area.
As you collect evidence, a rumble begins to go through the building. Quickly grabbing evidence, you can see that the demon bile is shrinking, but that it had become an integral part of the structure of the building, and the whole foundation of the mansion has begun to collapse...
I'll check on the report, and I think this will be last round of combat assuming rolls are similar. There is a "chase" but I'll roll that all out in a single post. Getting that formatted now.
Upon reaching the scene where the body was found, you start your investigations.
survival dc 14:
You find tracks of a large clawed creature at the scene. Interestingly enough, there is no indication of where the creature came from, or where it went, indicating it likely could fly or teleport.
Survival DC 19:
The area around the clawed prints seems to have been swept clean, but very careful examination shows that there were humanoid boot prints around the claw prints before they were removed. You also note the clawed prints are not leonine, and not deep enough for a 600 pound creature to have made (which is about the size of Jherizhana the sphinx.) The tracks were made by something large however, much larger than a human or a skulk.
One of the skulks speaks up, "We aren't shapeshifters. We just, well, blend in with surroundings. We had nothing to do with any murders." Both skulks seem to be rather shaky, and you notice they are sweating a lot.
The sheriff replies, "We aren't in the business of manufacturing evidence. I just follow where it leads." She then gives Lunevi a nod of approval in curing the skulk. First aid can do little more than bandage, but the wounds heal with the magical assistance. "I'll have the deputy lead you to the crime scene to take a look for yourself."
High winds and power surges hit here too. I just replaced all my network components with temp replacements, and have comcast coming out to get more permanent replacements in place...but they couldn't schedule until all the way into next week.
It seems the last demon is cut down, leaving only the human, who takes a vicious blow from Helios. However, Helios attack reveals that the body is just a shell, as a worm-like creature bursts forth from the damaged body, asbsorbing some of the flesh on the way out.
The creature tries to bite Helios, but it is unsuccessful in it's attempt.
Knowledge Planes DC 13:
The creature is a Vermlek, an evil worm-like outsider (demon) that inhabits corpses.
Am I the only one dreading tables full of goblins?
I love the We Be Goblin series, both as a player and a GM. However, tables of goblins sounds worse to me than tables of kitsune and tieflings for everyday play.
I hear what you are saying Blake's Tiger, and I do understand it conceptually. But as an organizer, I find the idea of not offering one campaign because "you gotta go with the new stuff" silly, overly consumeristic and personally abhorrent. Sessions should be offered with an eye towards the demand.
In my area, it's about tables. Every table I give to Starfinder is one less table of PFS I can run. If I run a core table, it's at the cost of a regular PFS table. A split to 1.0 vs 2.0 isn't going to mean "just run both". It will be logistics decisions of what to schedule and what not to schedule.
We have a year and a half to plan, but handling this has absolutely been a topic of discussion among players already.
I think I'll revise an original opinion of mine. Not because it was wrong at the time, but rather because I think the culture of org play has changed. At least in MN, I don't think boons entice GMs anymore. Either they will or wont.
I can say for sure that boons entice GMs in my area. It's always a struggle to get GM's here, but it's usually easier to find convention GM's where there are boons than game day GM's when there are no boons. Our venture officers end up GMing far too many games in my area due to other GM's not stepping up.
Interesting, but whether it's worth it would hinge on whether you can use this to make partial questing work.
Current situation: I do part 1-3 of a quest but then the slot ends (spent some time explaining the rules to new players). Next up is a scenario I want to play with this character, but if I do that I can't finish the quest series.
With this proposal: I do quest 1-3 and get XP; play a scenario and get XP; and then finish the quest 4-6 and get more XP. At the end my total XP is the same as if I'd done the whole quest before doing the scenario. instead of interleaving.
So how should the XP increments be structured then? There seem to be three main options:
The entirety of the argument for a 12 XP system is to make partial questing work. The idea would be to make quests 4 quests per quest pack instead of 6, meaning that they are designed around 4 1 hour slots, or 1 4 hour slot. However, scaling this way allows creation of quests in any size packs, even single quests that stand alone and earn you 1 xp.
I HATE both fractional xp and the way starting and completing quests packs currently work. I think quests have huge potential and should be used much more than they are, and if the xp system actually supported them properly, it would be easier to do so.
Tiers
I prefer the SFS tiers. Much better. A 1-4 scenario with 1-2 and 3-4 tiers is superior to a 1-5 with 1-2 and 3-5 tiers in my book.
A) It's easier to write modules with the closer levels. Obviously mechanics are different between PF1.0 and 2.0 but a module using a "young" template at one tier and the "advanced" or "giant" at the other can use exactly the same creature for both cases rather easily. Many times it seems like the low and high tiers are vastly different experiences due to using completely different monsters. Doesn't mean that templates should always be used, but it makes it easier to do so in many cases.
B) 5th and first level characters at the same table are vastly different. I don't know how many times a 5th level wizards with fireball or haste was at a table I played or GMed with level 1 foes. Or 3-7 modules with 3rd level characters playing up against foes with iterative attacks and throwing around 5th level spells. It's just nicer to bring that gap in, even if it's just one level.
C) I hate being in between tiers with characters. I also think the elmination of in between tiers make calculations of playing up or down far easier. Playing up vs playing down isn't quite as much of a factor of deathtrap vs cakewalk when all the players are in between.
D) I think 3-6 tier modules should not be rolled out as early as they were in SFS. The AP gave an extra 3
XP Per Level
I'm in favor of moving away from the 3 XP/Level. I do want to divide this into two different components though.
A) Scenarios per level - I'm not opposed to changing things to be more scenarios per level. (I kind of actually like 4 per level over 3, slowing advancement slightly, but I certainly wouldn't stand on a mountain to defend that position.) I think the general agreement I'm seeing is that most people like the 3 scenarios per level system.
B) XP calculation system - This is where I believe we have an opportunity to "improve" the system. I would like to see us change the calculation system to accomodate quests better. I believe basing the system on 1 hour quests being worth 1 xp will create a much better system. This also can more easily accomodate slow track, if that's going to be included, by giving enough space to not ever require 1/2 xp measurements. I actually proposed a strawman for discussion in another thread based on a 12 xp/lvl system so that 4 quests (1 xp each) is equivalent to a scenario (4 xp each).
Evergreens
I feel that evergreens are a huge boon to the system. They give something that everyone can play. They can serve as great introductions. Modular evergreens can really let GM's inject creativity.
One thing that would simplify things A LOT. A module/quest/scenario should be evergreen or not evergreen...period. I HATE the current evergreen definitions of "replayable with level 1's, but play once with X level characters. Draw a line of "this is replayable" or "this is not replayable" and it is far easier to explain to people. New players seem to have issues with this often early on, and I'd like to just eliminate the potiential for issues.
A) Introductory Evergreens - Quests and scenarios like first steps, Confirmation and Wounded Wisp are a great way to bring in new players, as well as a great way to start out new characters for players who already have characters. Some of these have some modularity, but I wish they had even more to be honest to keep things fresh and give some variety, as well as allow GM's to have some freedom within the adventure. I personally think the perfect 1st level scenario for me would have been Fallen Fortress if it had been built more modular like the 3-7 evergreens. Confirmation, Wounded Wisp, and Consortium compact did have some random monster tables and some puzzle variation which I greatly applaud, but I would have liked to have seen the customization go further with multiple endings and plot twists to throw in as well. Fighting the same monster at the end of every confirmation makes it feel more the same, even though each of the fights leading up to it may have been different.
B) Modular Evergreens - The two 3-7 evergreens from season 8 and 9 have become my absolute favorite things to run in all of PFS. They give me a toolbox to customize and tweak the adventure so that I can tell a different enough story each time that even those who have played it before are kept on their toes and get a fresh experience. I would love to see more toolbox style adventures offered right from the start.
Quests
I think quests need to be a bigger focus in PFS2.0. Embrace it early, and make it a staple of the system. Although PFS1.0 flirted with quests, I think it was one of the biggest missed opportunities the last couple of years. They are easier to write. They are easy to run. They are easier to find play time for. They can be created to promote concepts. They are bite sized to grab attention of new players. They make good demo games. They were a bit clunky in PFS1.0 due to the xp system and trying to balance 1 hour quests with a system built around 4 hour scenarios.
1) Make sure the xp system supports quests to EASILY be tracked, and not require running multiple quests from the same set in order to get rewards. This makes scheduling quests in tight windows and running demo tables much easier to do.
2) Although quests are smaller and can't support as much modularity as a scenario, I think quests with some modularity are a good thing. Not all quests need to support this, but a number of them certainly can, and for any evergreen, some degree of modularity helps keep them from getting stale as fast.
3) Quests are perfect for teaching concepts, both for GM's and Players. I have been sitting on a number of quests for what seems like forever that I was waiting for another open call to submit. The underlying premise was to teach concepts and mechanics, in an easy way. One had a chase scene, and gave hints for the GM on how to run one. One had library research mechanics along with hints to make it work. Another was based around social challenges (the party mechanic) and another was about collecting influence points. All of these are mechanics that show up in other scenarios (often multiple scenarios) and being able to give an easy introduction to them can help prepare players and GMs alike for how to run them when they come up. There are things in some of the evergreens already that are along these lines including basic puzzles (Wounded Wisp is great for this) and some specialized combat mechanics like how to fight a swarm (very common thing to learn in Confirmation).
I believe with starting from scratch, there are some very simple things that can be changed when reorganizing the society rules that will make logistics easier.
3xp per level had a nice simple elegance to it. It is easy to follow, and it is easy to explain. However, I think there are some other pretty simple mechanics that would make lives easier for other things. I'm going to put a straw man up for a new system for discussion. There may be cases for moving off of 3 scenarios per level (maybe 4?), and or even making it so things aren't even (so that 3 scenarios might not advance you, but 3 scenarios + 1 quest might.) My strawman isn't going to include those, but they may be good for additional discussion.
12 XP per level basis
PFS Scenario = 4 XP
"Module" or AP Part = 12 XP (w
Quests = 1 XP
Pros
------
The key purpose of this system is to make integrating quests into the overall system much easier. Each quest (assumed to be 1 hour each) can grant 1 xp, eliminating the need to group quests on single chronicles. Any combination of 4 quests from any source would be easier to manage. The logistics of modules and scenarios remains the same, with 3 scenarios or modules/AP's resulting in a level.
Easier integration of quests makes it easier to demo for new players, fit short time slots, or create more special content (for example the demo tables at gencon) that can easily award appropriate xp for the time spent.
Cons
------
12 isn't as elegant as 3 when thinking about how much it takes to level up.
"While you've been investigating here, we my deputy has been at the murder scene. There are tracks of a large creature that start from nowhere. This would indicate the beast could fly. We've received several reports of a large four legged, winged beast flying around. I'll let you put the pieces together for yourselves."
Galahad severely injures one of the strange creatures, and Helios cuts another down completely. Manus throws sparkling dust at the enemies seeming to at least distract them for a moment.
The human casts a spell in return targetting most of the party. (He is unable to see Bjorn, and can not include him.) Negative energy emanates from him harming everyone.
The two creatures step forward. One flails wildly, indicating he is having trouble seeing, while the other seems to have avoided the worst effects of Manus' spell. The blind creature strikes at where it last saw Galahad, but the paladin easily steps aside leaving it flailing at the air with it's flurry of attacks. The other creature steps away, and casts a spell at Helios, leaving his weapon slick with a layer of slime.
Initiative
Cabinets provide full obstacles giving full cover and blocking line of sight.
ROUND 1
Helios (6 dmg, dc16 will for half + reflex DC 11 or disarmed)
Manus (6 dmg, dc16 will for half)
Galahad (6 dmg, dc16 will for half)
Bjorn
Purple
green (13 dmg)
blue (blind)
The door opens up into what must have been the Sarinis secret records room. 6 cabinets around the room are stuffed full of papers and books, and seem to be neatly organized and labeled. It is likely that whatever records you were looking for can be found in here.
Unfortunately, you are not alone. A human male in merchants garb stands at the opposite side of the room. Three demonic looking bloated humanoid creatures stand between him and you. He speaks, breaking the momentary silence as you enter. “So, the heroes have arrived. Try not to make a mess when you die—I have great plans for your remains.”
knowledge planes DC 12:
The 3 creatures are dretches. They are chaotic evil demons (outsiders). Like many demons, they are known to be very hard to kill, and they have spell like abilities.
knowledge planes DC17:
These demons are covered in purple goo, and seem much slimier than is normal for such demons. Their abilities might not match what is normal for their kind. Normally dretches cast stinking cloud and fear magic.
perception DC 28:
The human seems very strange. His expressions and mouth down quite match when he speaks, although it's very close. It's almost as if something was wearing the body as a costume instead of it being a human.
Initiative
Cabinets provide full obstacles giving full cover and blocking line of sight.
ROUND 1
Helios
Manus
Galahad
Purple (will delay to after r/g/b, unless his line melts)
Bjorn
red/green/blue
The mites that move, try to strike out at you when you get into range of them.
They are stuck to walls, you have reach weapons, and they really aren't a viable threat, so you have no problem putting mites out of their misery as you find living ones.
I'm putting up the map and initiative for the door today.
The sheriff interjects. "While you have been looking here, our investigations indicate that creature from the circus was behind it. Witnesses and the evidence both agree. It looks like the circus might have hired these creatures to do the stealing after the murder, possibly to cover it up, but more likely to get out of town with some easy money."
Logistics notes:
With a lot more mouths to feed than our initial estimates when Kat and I ran numbers way back when, we have to get more sources of food.
Day 1: -10 Provisions = 41
Day 2: -3 Provisions (assuming 1 additional mouth to feed, but we had 3 above average to good rolls from PC's to get 16 of the provisions.) = 38
We now have to start watching for animal care. With 7 animals in the herd, we have a DC 17 roll needed to keep them from running off. I'm wondering if slaughtering a few each day for 2 provisions each is a better plan to keep the DC down and to make up for our provision gap.
---
Main downside of running these numbers, is that for now, without PC's hunting, I think we only have enough food for 1 day, maybe 2, which means continuing to split the party for now on tasks, and not all of us being able to address a situation that is more than a day trip.
Oops, door was actually west, my bad. But through the west we go.
The door sticks heavily, but you are able to force it open with brute strength. Once open, you are assaulted by and awful smell of decay. You have gotten used to the smell of the purple ooze, but this is much stronger than even the warehouse or the building full of the stuff in the goblin fort.
You find yourself at the top of a dark staircase that seems to "spiral" down even further underground. It must have been a great undertaking to build this into the bedrock, as the bottom is at least several stories down. The room seems to be square, flights of stairs heading down around the outer walls.
Purple ooze covers everything, the railings, the walls, the floor. It must have been growing here for quite some time, possibly being the original source of all the other ooze you've found in your journeys.
Perception DC 12:
Although it is partially covered in ooze, you see what looks to be a pentagram in the center of the room far below. It takes up much of the room, and seems to be what this chamber was built around.
Perception DC 16:
Down the first flight of stairs, (on the west wall) it looks like their is a door obscured by a layer of ooze.
Perception DC 20:
You notice that among the pulsing ooze, there is other movement in some places. Some of the small blue goblinish creatures (mites) seem to have been "hung" on the walls and are completely covered in ooze. There may be dozens of them in there, but only a few are actually still moving.
Perception DC 24:
You hear sounds of some kind of creature through the western door. It does not seem to be human.
Map pending what your declared actions are. It reveals a ton once I put it up. We aren't in initiative (or combat at this time. So narrative actions will do nicely.
"We've thought about that we might have been set up. We got instructions from our clan member and followed them. We already missed the meeting last night where we were supposed to deliver the goods, so I'm not sure what we'd do with them now. It's not the first time we've been hired for this kind of job. We just never were caught be such elaborate traps in the past. We thought with the key, everything was going to go easy."
The wife seems pretty upset at the key. "My husband and I had the only two copies of the key. The one they had, must have been my husband's."
"I'm Zakhar, and this is Rogi. Do you have any medical supplies? He was injured in the fall." You can quickly see that one of the skulks has some kind of arm injury, with their forearm turning somewhat purplish.
The sheriff and guards arrive after a couple minutes. The questions go back and forth, but it's apparent these two are low on the totem pole and don't know much more. Their tribe was hired to send them to steal goods (not anything in particular) from this vault. They were given a key to the vault just before the heist (by one of their clan mates who works as a go between for work.) They got in using the key, but were unaware of the traps.
In the pit, they have a number of valuables they had grabbed, likely totalling several hundred gold in value. It all seems very random, as if they were trying to just grab some things that looked to be of value.
Playing the music specified from the sheet music with the music box, Galahad plays on the piano. The piano and the accompanying floor tiles slide to the side, opening a trap door and a descending staircase to a lower basement level of the mansion. Damp air immediately hits you, and you quickly see that much of the area below is mold covered and damp. With the staircase down, you can see a door leads east, and a hall goes north into a flooded room with a number of barrels mostly underwater.
Sorry, local con, and some family stuff, made things rough for online.
Power Attack (Combat)
You can make exceptionally deadly melee attacks by sacrificing accuracy for strength.
Prerequisites: Str 13, base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: You can choose to take a –1 penalty on all melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +2 bonus on all melee damage rolls. This bonus to damage is increased by half (+50%) if you are making an attack with a two-handed weapon, a one handed weapon using two hands, or a primary natural weapon that adds 1-1/2 times your Strength modifier on damage rolls. This bonus to damage is halved (–50%) if you are making an attack with an off-hand weapon or secondary natural weapon.
When your base attack bonus reaches +4, and every 4 points thereafter, the penalty increases by –1 and the bonus to damage increases by +2.
You must choose to use this feat before making an attack roll, and its effects last until your next turn. The bonus damage does not apply to touch attacks or effects that do not deal hit point damage.
Cornugon Smash (Combat)
Prerequisites: Power Attack, Intimidate 6 ranks.
Benefit: When you damage an opponent with a Power Attack, you may make an immediate Intimidate check as a free action to attempt to demoralize your opponent.
Traits
Armor Expert - Combat
You have worn armor as long as you can remember, either as part of your training to become a knight’s squire or simply because you were seeking to emulate a hero. Your childhood armor wasn’t the real thing as far as protection, but it did encumber you as much as real armor would have, and you’ve grown used to moving in such suits with relative grace.
Benefit: When you wear armor of any sort, reduce that suit’s armor check penalty by 1, to a minimum check penalty of 0.
House Scion - Campaign
You belong to one of the noble lines of drow who dominant the empire in northern Sekamina. You grew up in a cold and often dangerous household where anyone could be your enemy, but this has only hardened your mind and made you and expert at playing the careful games of the drow. You gain a +1 trait bonus to Knowledge (Nobility) and one of: Bluff, Diplomacy, or Sense Motive. The Noble Scion feat does not have a Charisma prerequisite for you. In addition, you begin play with a noble’s outfit, signet ring, and a single non-magical item worth no more than 200 gp.
Wary - Region
Requirement(s) Daggermark
You survived an assassination attempt once.
Benefit(s):You gain a +1 trait bonus on opposed Perception and Sense Motive checks. One of these skills is always a class skill for you.
Drawback
Cruelty
You were rewarded as a child for flaunting your victory over others as completely as possible, and you discovered you enjoyed the feeling of rubbing your foes’ faces in the dirt.
Penalty: Whenever you are engaged in combat and there are dying or helpless foes within 30 feet, you take a –2 penalty on attack rolls against foes who are neither dying nor helpless.
Skills
The antipaladin’s class skills are Bluff (Cha), Craft (Int), Disguise (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Stealth (Dex).
Perception becomes a class skill through Wary trait.
Skill Ranks per Level: 2 (2 + 0 Int modifier)
+8 from favoured class
+2 Background Skills
Armour Check Penalty:
Acrobatics +3 |+3 Dex
Appraise +0 |+0 Int
+Bluff +11 |+5 Cha +3 rank +3 class skill
Climb +4 |+4 Str
+Craft +0 |+0 Int
Diplomacy +5 |+5 Cha
Disable Device* -- |+3 Dex
+Disguise +5 |+5 Cha
Escape Artist +3 |+3 Dex
Fly +3 |+3 Dex
+Handle Animal* +9 |+5 Cha +1 rank +3 class skill
Heal -2 |-2 Wis
+Intimidate +16 / +18 |+5 Cha +8 rank +3 class skill (+2 in dim/dark, +1 to demoralise)
Knowledge Arcana* -- |+0 Int
Knowledge Dungeoneering* -- |+0 Int untrained
Knowledge Engineering* +2 |+0 Int +2 rank
Knowledge Geography* +2 |+0 Int +2 rank
Knowledge History* +2 |+0 Int +2 rank
Knowledge Local* +1 |+0 Int +1 rank
Knowledge Nobility* +4 |+0 Int +4 rank
Knowledge Nature* -- |+0 Int untrained
Knowledge Planes* -- |+0 Int untrained
+Knowledge Religion* +7 |+0 Int +4 rank +3 class skill
Linguistics* +3 |+0 Int +3 rank
+Perception +2 / +3 |-2 Wis +1 rank +3 class skill (+1 opposed)
Perform +5 |+5 Cha
+Profession (Torturer) +2 |-2 Wis +1 rank +3 class skill
Ride +3 |+3 Dex
+Sense Motive +7 /+8 |-2 Wis +3 rank +3 class skill +1 trait (+1 opposed)
Sleight of Hand* +1 |+3 Dex +1 rank +3 class skill
+Spellcraft* +4 |+0 Int +1 rank +3 class skill
+Stealth +9 |+3 Dex +3 rank +3 class skill (+2 in dim/dark)
Survival -2 |-2 Wis
Swim +4 |+4 Str
Use Magic Device* -- |+5 Cha untrained
Languages
Elven, Undercommon, Abyssal, Drow Sign Language, Dwarven
Special Qualities
Immunities: Drow are immune to magic sleep effects and gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against enchantment spells and effects.
Spell Resistance: Drow possess spell resistance (SR) equal to 6 plus their total number of class levels.
Superior Darkvision: Drow have superior darkvision, allowing them to see perfectly in the dark up to 120 feet.
Light Blindness: As deep underground dwellers naturally, drow suffer from light blindness. Abrupt exposure to any bright light blinds drow for 1 round. On subsequent rounds, they are dazzled as long as they remain in the affected area.
Alternate racial abilities:
Ancestral Grudge: The enmity between the drow and elves and dwarves is long-standing and deeply entrenched. Drow with this racial trait gain a +1 bonus on attack rolls against humanoids with the dwarf or elf subtypes (with the exception of drow) because of their special training against these reviled foes. This racial trait replaces poison use.
Stalker: The lands outside of drow cities, from rough-hewn tunnels to rocky caverns, are treacherous to navigate. Drow with this racial trait may move through difficult terrain without penalty while underground. In addition, drow with a Dexterity of 13 or higher gain Nimble Moves as a bonus feat. This racial trait replaces the spell-like abilities racial trait.
Underworld Guide (2 RP): Those who brave the lightless tunnels below the world’s surface learn to identify the dangerous phenomena that characterize the Underworld. Characters with this trait gain a +2 bonus on initiative checks, and on saves against traps and hazards when underground (from a lifetime of dodging accursed pools, cave-ins, and green slime). Drow can take this trait in place of keen senses.
Voice in the Darkness (2 RP): Prerequisite(s): Charisma 13+. Characters who practice coercion and intimidation in the Underworld or on the Shadow Plane learn to do so in dim light or no light at all. As long as they are in dim light or darker conditions, characters with this trait gain a +2 bonus on Intimidate and Stealth checks. Drow can take this trait in place of weapon familiarity.
Armor Attunement
The character can attune herself to one suit of armor or one shield in her possession; she can change that attunement once per day. If she selects a normal set of clothing as her armor, it counts as having a starting enhancement bonus of +0. The attuned suit of armor gains a +1 enhancement bonus at 4th level.
At 8th level, she can split her attunement between a suit of armor and a shield, granting each a +1 enhancement bonus.
At 9th level, she can grant a suit of armor or a shield a +2 enhancement bonus (instead of granting each a +1 enhancement bonus).
At 14th level, she can either grant a suit of armor or a shield a +3 enhancement bonus or grant each a +2 enhancement bonus.
At 15th level, she can either grant a suit of armor or a shield a +4 enhancement bonus or grant both a +3 enhancement bonus.
At 17th level, she can either grant a suit of armor or a shield a +5 enhancement bonus or grant one a +4 enhancement bonus and the other a +3 enhancement bonus.
Deflection
The character gains a +1 deflection bonus to AC at 5th level; this bonus increases to +2 at 10th level, to +3 at 16th level, to +4 at 17th level, and to +5 at 18th level.
Mental Prowess
At 6th level, the character chooses one mental ability score (Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma) to gain a permanent +2 enhancement bonus. At 11th level, this bonus increases to +4. At 13th level, the character chooses a second mental ability score to gain a permanent +2 enhancement bonus. At 15th level, the character increases one of these enhancement bonuses by 2. At 17th level, she chooses a third mental ability score to gain a permanent +2 enhancement bonus.
Physical Prowess
At 7th level, the character chooses one physical ability score (Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution) to gain a permanent +2 enhancement bonus. At 12th level, this bonus increases to +4. At 13th level, the character chooses a second physical ability score to gain a permanent +2 enhancement bonus. At 16th level, the character increases one of these enhancement bonuses by 2. At 17th level, she chooses a third physical ability score to gain a permanent +2 enhancement bonus.
Resistance
At 3rd level, the character gains a +1 resistance bonus on all saving throws. This bonus increases to +2 at 8th level, to +3 at 10th level, to +4 at 13th level, and to +5 at 14th level.
Toughening
At 8th level, the character gains a +1 enhancement bonus to natural armor. This bonus increases to +2 at 13th level, to +3 at 16th level, to +4 at 17th level, and to +5 at 18th level.
Weapon Attunement
The character can attune herself to any one weapon in her possession, and can change that attunement once per day. The attuned weapon gains a +1 enhancement bonus at 4th level. At 8th level, the character can split her attunement between two weapons, granting each a +1 enhancement bonus. At 9th level, she can grant a single weapon a +2 enhancement bonus instead of granting two weapons a +1 enhancement bonus each. At 14th level, she can either grant a single weapon a +3 enhancement bonus or grant two weapons a +2 enhancement bonus each. At 15th level, she can either grant a single weapon a +4 enhancement bonus or grant two weapons a +3 enhancement bonus each. At 17th level, she can either grant a single weapon a +5 enhancement bonus or grant one weapon a +4 enhancement bonus and another weapon a +3 enhancement bonus.
Gear
Explorer's Outfit Free
Sleeves of Many Garments Free with Noble Scion trait
Acid Flask 10gp
Alchemist's Fire 20gp
Grappling Hook 1g
Chalk (10) 0.1s 16237.8
Holy Symbol, Silver 25g
Holy Text of Shax (crazed writing) 10gp
Unholy Water 25g 16347.8
Holy Symbol, Bone (cost as wood) 1g 16348.8
Battle Mask 50g 16398.8
Buckler 5g 16403.8
Starting Gold: 16,500g
Spent: 16,403.8g
Current Gold: 96.2g
================
Class Abilities
================
Antipaladin Code:
An antipaladin must be of chaotic evil alignment and loses all class features except proficiencies if he willingly and altruistically commits good acts. This does not mean that an antipaladin cannot take actions someone else might qualify as good, only that such actions must always be in service of his own dark ends. An antipaladin’s code requires that he place his own interests and desires above all else, as well as impose tyranny, take advantage whenever possible, and punish the good and just, provided such actions don’t interfere with his goals.
Associates
While he may adventure with evil or neutral allies, an antipaladin avoids working with good characters or with anyone who consistently attempts to do good deeds. Under exceptional circumstances, an antipaladin can ally with good associates, but only to defeat them from within and bring ruin to their ranks. An antipaladin does not need an atonement spell during such an unusual alliance as long as his nefarious goals are met in the end—evil cares only about results. An antipaladin may accept only henchmen, followers, or cohorts who are chaotic evil.
Like their masters, antipaladins of demon lords are varied and fickle. Their primary desire is spreading the word of their patrons, but they are far more aggressive and prone to physical combat than clerics. Each has a unique code based on patron and personality, but all who draw power from the creatures of the Abyss live for measured brutalities. Shared tenets include the following adages.
• Through my actions, I open the door for my lord.
• As I become great, so does my lord become greater.
• Small acts have small results, but great cruelties bring minds into focus and tear the world asunder. I will not be distracted by petty goals.
• The world is a plaything. Its people are insects. The truth lies beyond.
Edicts: The cavalier must strive to protect the faith and all those who follow its teachings, from priest to common man. He must adhere to the strictures of the faith, promote its cause whenever possible, and serve the agents of the divine.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
Antipaladins are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armor (heavy, medium, and light), and with shields (except tower shields).
Aura of Evil (Ex)
The power of an antipaladin’s aura of evil (see the detect evil spell) is equal to his antipaladin level. A paladin who uses smite evil on an antipaladin deals 2 points of damage per paladin level on his first successful attack.
Detect Good (Sp)
At will, an antipaladin can use detect good, as the spell. An antipaladin can, as a move action, concentrate on a single Item or individual within 60 feet and determine if it is good, learning the strength of its aura as if having studied it for 3 rounds. While focusing on one individual or object, the antipaladin does not detect good in any other object or individual within range.
Smite Good (Su)
Once per day, an antipaladin can call out to the dark powers to crush the forces of good. As a swift action, the antipaladin chooses one target within sight to smite. If this target is good, the antipaladin adds his Charisma bonus (if any) on his attack rolls and adds his antipaladin level on all damage rolls made against the target of his smite. If the target of smite good is an outsider with the good subtype, a good-aligned dragon, or a good creature with levels of cleric or paladin, the bonus to damage on the first successful attack increases to 2 points of damage per level the antipaladin possesses. Regardless of the target, smite good attacks automatically bypass any DR the creature might possess.
In addition, while smite good is in effect, the antipaladin gains a deflection bonus equal to his Charisma modifier (if any) to his AC against attacks made by the target of the smite. If the antipaladin targets a creature that is not good, the smite is wasted with no effect.
The smite good effect remains until the target of the smite is dead or the next time the antipaladin rests and regains his uses of this ability. At 4th level, and at every three levels thereafter, the antipaladin may smite good one additional time per day, as indicated on Table: Antipaladin, to a maximum of seven times per day at 19th level.
Unholy Resilience (Su)
At 2nd level, an antipaladin gains a bonus equal to his Charisma bonus (if any) on all saving throws.
Touch of Corruption (Su)
Beginning at 2nd level, an antipaladin surrounds his hand with a fiendish flame, causing terrible wounds to open on those he touches. Each day he can use this ability a number of times equal to 1/2 his antipaladin level + his Charisma modifier. As a touch attack, an antipaladin can cause 1d6 points of damage for every two antipaladin levels he possesses. Using this ability is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Alternatively, an antipaladin can use this power to heal undead creatures, restoring 1d6 hit points for every two levels the antipaladin possesses. This ability is modified by any feat, spell, or effect that specifically works with the lay on hands paladin class feature. For example, the Extra Lay On Hands feat grants an antipaladin 2 additional uses of the touch of corruption class feature.
Aura of Cowardice (Su)
At 3rd level, an antipaladin radiates a palpably daunting aura that causes all enemies within 10 feet to take a –4 penalty on saving throws against fear effects. Creatures that are normally immune to fear lose that immunity while within 10 feet of an antipaladin with this ability. This ability functions only while the antipaladin remains conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.
Plague Bringer (Ex)
At 3rd level, the powers of darkness make an antipaladin a beacon of corruption and disease. An antipaladin does not take any damage or take any penalty from diseases. He can still contract diseases and spread them to others, but he is otherwise immune to their effects.
Cruelty (Su)
At 3rd level, and every three levels thereafter, an antipaladin can select one cruelty. Each cruelty adds an effect to the antipaladin’s touch of corruption ability. Whenever the antipaladin uses touch of corruption to deal damage to one target, the target also receives the additional effect from one of the cruelties possessed by the antipaladin. This choice is made when the touch is used. The target receives a Fortitude save to avoid this cruelty. If the save is successful, the target takes the damage as normal, but not the effects of the cruelty. The DC of this save is equal to 10 + 1/2 the antipaladin’s level + the antipaladin’s Charisma modifier.
At 3rd level, the antipaladin can select from the following initial cruelties.
Fatigued: The target is fatigued.
Shaken: The target is shaken for 1 round per level of the antipaladin.
Sickened: The target is sickened for 1 round per level of the antipaladin.
At 6th level, an antipaladin adds the following cruelties to the list of those that can be selected.
Dazed: The target is dazed for 1 round.
Diseased: The target contracts a disease, as if the antipaladin had cast contagion, using his antipaladin level as his caster level.
Staggered: The target is staggered for 1 round per two levels of the antipaladin.
At 9th level, an antipaladin adds the following cruelties to the list of those that can be selected.
Cursed: The target is cursed, as if the antipaladin had cast bestow curse, using his antipaladin level as his caster level.
Exhausted: The target is exhausted. The antipaladin must have the fatigue cruelty before selecting this cruelty.
Frightened: The target is frightened for 1 round per two levels of the antipaladin. The antipaladin must have the shaken cruelty before selecting this cruelty.
Nauseated: The target is nauseated for 1 round per three levels of the antipaladin. The antipaladin must have the sickened cruelty before selecting this cruelty.
Poisoned: The target is poisoned, as if the antipaladin had cast poison, using the antipaladin’s level as the caster level.
At 12th level, an antipaladin adds the following cruelties to the list of those that can be selected.
Blinded: The target is blinded for 1 round per level of the antipaladin.
Deafened: The target is deafened for 1 round per level of the antipaladin.
Paralyzed: The target is paralyzed for 1 round.
Stunned: The target is stunned for 1 round per four levels of the antipaladin.
These abilities are not cumulative. For example, a 12th-level antipaladin’s touch of corruption ability deals 6d6 points of damage and might also cause the target to become fatigued, dazed, poisoned, or diseased. Once a cruelty is chosen, it can’t be changed.
Challenge
Whenever an order of the star cavalier issues a challenge, he receives a +1 morale bonus on all his saving throws as long as he is threatening the target of his challenge. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels the cavalier possesses.
Channel Negative Energy (Su)
When an antipaladin reaches 4th level, he gains the supernatural ability to channel negative energy like a cleric. Using this ability consumes two uses of his touch of corruption ability. An antipaladin uses his level as his effective cleric level when channeling negative energy. This is a Charisma-based ability.
Fiendish Boon (Sp)
Upon reaching 5th level, an antipaladin receives a boon from his dark patrons. This boon can take one of two forms. Once the form is chosen, it cannot be changed.
The first type of bond allows the antipaladin to enhance his weapon as a standard action by calling upon the aid of a fiendish spirit for 1 minute per antipaladin level. When called, the spirit causes the weapon to shed unholy light as a torch. At 5th level, this spirit grants the weapon a +1 enhancement bonus. For every three levels beyond 5th, the weapon gains another +1 enhancement bonus, to a maximum of +6 at 20th level.
Adding these properties consumes an amount of bonus equal to the property’s cost (sorted and listed below).
These bonuses can be added to the weapon, stacking with existing weapon bonuses to a maximum of +5, or they can be used to add any of the following weapon properties:
+1: flaming, keen, vicious
+2: anarchic, flaming burst, unholy, wounding
+3: speed
+5: vorpal
These bonuses are added to any properties the weapon already has, but duplicate abilities do not stack. If the weapon is not magical, at least a +1 enhancement bonus must be added before any other properties can be added. The bonus and properties granted by the spirit are determined when the spirit is called and cannot be changed until the spirit is called again. The fiendish spirit imparts no bonuses if the weapon is held by anyone other than the antipaladin but resumes giving bonuses if returned to the antipaladin. These bonuses apply to only one end of a double weapon. An antipaladin can use this ability once per day at 5th level, and one additional time per day for every four levels beyond 5th, to a total of four times per day at 17th level.
If a weapon bonded with a fiendish spirit is destroyed, the antipaladin loses the use of this ability for 30 days, or until he gains a level, whichever comes first. During this 30-day period, the antipaladin takes a –1 penalty on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Calling (Ex)
At 2nd level, the cavalier can make a short prayer as a standard action, filling him with confidence in his abilities. At any point in the next minute, he can receive a competence bonus on an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check equal to his Charisma modifier. He must declare that he is using this bonus before the roll is made. He can use this ability up to four times per day, once for each type of check or roll. In addition, the cavalier adds 1/2 his cavalier level to any levels of paladin or cleric he might possess for the purposes of determining the effects of channel energy or lay on hands.
Aura of Despair (Su)
At 8th level, enemies within 10 feet of an antipaladin take a –2 penalty on all saving throws. This penalty does not stack with the penalty from aura of cowardice.
This ability functions only while the antipaladin is conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead.
Future Class Features from Archetypes
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Beacon of Evil (Su)
A dread vanguard unleashes the powers of his vile masters to strengthen both himself and his allies.
At 4th level and every 4 level thereafter, a dread vanguard gains one additional use of his touch of corruption ability per day. As a standard action, he can spend a use of his touch of corruption ability to manifest the darkness in his soul as an area of flickering shadows with a 30-foot radius centered on him. These shadows don’t affect visibility. The antipaladin and all allies in the area gain a +1 morale bonus to AC and on attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws against fear, and also ignore the first 5 points of hardness when attacking unattended inanimate objects. This lasts for 1 minute, as long as the dread vanguard is conscious.
At 8th level, the aura grants fast healing 3 to the dread vanguard as well as to his allies while they remain within it. Additionally, while this aura is active, the antipaladin can use his touch of corruption ability against any targets within its radius by making a ranged touch attack.
At 12th level, when he activates this ability, a dread vanguard can choose to increase the radius of one antipaladin aura he possesses to 30 feet. Also, the morale bonus granted to AC and on attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws against fear increases to +2.
At 16th level, the fast healing granted by this ability increases to 5. Additionally, the antipaladin’s weapons and those of his allies within the aura’s radius are considered evil for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
At 20th level, the beacon of evil’s radius increases to 60 feet, and the morale bonus granted to AC and on attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws against fear increases to +4. Lastly, attacks made by the dread vanguard and his allies within the aura’s radius are infused with pure unholy power, and deal an additional 1d6 points of damage.
This ability replaces the spells class feature. A dread vanguard does not gain any spells or spellcasting abilities, cannot use spell trigger or spell completion magic items, and does not have a caster level from this class.
Diabolic Boon (Sp)
At 5th level, if a tyrant chooses to gain the services of a fiendish servant with his fiendish boon ability, he must choose a fiendish animal or a creature with the lawful and evil subtypes.
This ability alters fiendish boon.
Dark Emissary (Sp)
At 14th level, a dread vanguard becomes a true messenger of the forces of darkness he serves. Once per day, the dread vanguard can expend two uses of his touch of corruption ability to mark one location within 60 feet with the stain of evil. This location can be any point in space, but the ability works best if placed on an altar, shrine, or other site important to a community.
The location is affected as if by a desecrate spell. Creatures approaching within 30 feet of the site must succeed at a Will save or suffer the effects of crushing despair.
At 17th level, the dread vanguard can also mark the site with a symbol of pain, and at 20th level, he adds a symbol of weakness. If available, all three of these effects overlap.
Creatures must save against each effect individually, and the effects stack. The caster level for all effects is equal to the dread vanguard’s class level. The save DC is equal to 10 + 1/2 the antipaladin’s level + his Charisma modifier.
A location remains marked in this way for up to 1 day per antipaladin level. During this time, the crushing despair and symbols are triggered when the first target enters each spell’s area. They remain active for 10 minutes, then can be triggered again if targets are within range. If the effects are disabled, they become inactive for 10 minutes, but then can be triggered again as normal. Dispel magic and similar spells suppress the effects, and all effects of dark emissary can be removed by a consecrate spell cast on the location by a cleric of a level equal to or higher than the dread vanguard.
Allies or evil creatures who serve the same power or organization as the dread vanguard are immune to the crushing despair and symbol effects, and automatically know that the location has been marked for their masters. They can treat this location as very familiar for the purpose of teleport and similar spells and can use scrying and related spells as though they were familiar with any subject within 20 feet of it. At 14th level, a dread vanguard can have one marked site active at a time. At 17th and 20th levels, he can add one additional site that is simultaneously active. Marking a new site beyond this limit ends all effects on the oldest active site.
This ability replaces aura of sin.
Appearance:
A fit, agile warrior with dark, slate-coloured skin. Solid white eyes peer out of his shaved head over a thin smile. If he is showing his allegiance openly, Shax's holy symbol of a bloody white feather will be visible as a silver amulet around his neck. His characteristic weapon is a viciously edged falchion with a silver sheen.
Personality:
Kaelmourn Vexidyre is a sadist more than a killer, though he certainly is also the latter. He is more calculating than one might suspect of a devoted follower of Shax. He has great strength of personality, and can often win over others who dislike or actively despise him. Or browbeat them into doing his bidding, if he doesn't just slay or rend them. He is not blind to the suffering of others, he knows that it is not him who is suffering and that is far more important.
What drives him? Powerlessness. Step by bloody step, he has changed from little better than a slave in his view, to a man with ever-growing power. Power over the fate of others, generally to darken it for his gratification and the glorification of his *chosen* lord.
Background:
- Where is your character from?
Kaelmourn Vexidyre was born in Zirnakaynin to the trading house. He showed remarkable devotion to the house's demon lord patron, Shax. Perhaps a little too much for his mother and sisters' tastes. He absorbed much knowledge of the Blood Marquis and began communing in private aiming to become a great servant of the demon lord, while on the face of it accepted his lot of mundane martial training.
- Why are they in Telderist?
One day, things came to a head. Kaelmourn had been quietly slipping out to make bloody offerings to Shax, with an aim to gain boons from the demon lord. This came to light when a lesser male cousin succeeded in following him and reporting back to the matriarch. Kaelmourn had a flash of insight, from Shax he believed, and fled the city.
It is debatable to the outside world whether Kaelmourn left his house, or was driven out. He will say the former, them the latter if they speak of him at all. There is something of an unspoken agreement that he will not interfere with them and they will not hunt him, which will last exactly as long as both parties find it convenient. Why this exists at all is because Kaelmourn has already proven to be incredibly difficult to defeat. Several assassins have already perished with Vexidyre coin on them.
Telderist, even with a Vexidyre presence, has proven a fine place for Kaelmourn to reside, as much as does in any one place.
- What have they done that might have attracted the Nightrunners' attention?
For several decades now, Kaelmourn has served Shax in many capacities, and thoroughly indulged his own dark impulses while doing so. He plays the long game, racking up a great tally of slain and tortured in Shax's name. And in doing so, he has earned a reputation as a capable warrior - and willing to entertain extreme danger.
One example of his exploits was during a trade dispute between two merchant houses, which escalated to bloodshed. Once hired by one side, he made a point of hunting down the members of the rival house. Day by day, they were deceived, snatched, or outright assaulted. No place was safe and mutilated corpses were found continually. Even when his employer was satisfied and paid the remainder of his contract, Kaelmourn continued his bloody escapades until not one member of the rival house remained. The last of the house died with the bloody feather symbol of Shax carved into her chest.
Mechanical Overview:
Kaelmourn is intended as a front-line melee combatant who can deal out decent damage while simulaneously debuffing madly with Intimidate. Out of combat, he has several knowledges and decent interaction skills.
Anti-Paladin, taking the Dread Vanguard archetype to replace spellcasting with various abilities. Also variant multiclassing into Cavalier, Order of the Star, for his devotion to Shax and extra abilities such as challenge and strengthened touch of corruption.
GM Thrawn
