OK, I have a dilemma. I have a group of players spread out across the state/country, many of whom are fans of Zelazny's Amber setting and the Amber Diceless roleplaying game. I have an idea for an Amber campaign which I think will work well for the sort of email/Skype/PbP interaction which will be required. (Basically, Dworkin or someone sets aside a cache of Amberites in suspended animation to be held in reserve in case Something Bad happens. It does, but something goes awry and the PCs are defrosted with no knowledge of their true identities, abilities, or potentials.)
Now, these players are easygoing enough that if I tell them we're going to play a game where they will initially have no knowledge of the game mechanics, setting, or their own character's stats, they'll jump right in with both feet. HOWEVER, I feel like the Attribute Auction is pretty integral to the mechanics and flavor of the Amber Diceless system, and I want to include it. The moment I do that, though, these crafty gamers will say, "Ah ha! We're playing Amber!" Then, try as they might, they will instantly suspect that the odd Tarot deck they found must be Trumps, they'll feel an irresistible urge to seek the Pattern, they'll have a feeling of understanding, rather than horror, if their character discovers they are a shape-shifter, etc. Meta-gaming will be pretty much unavoidable, "natural" roleplaying will be more difficult for the players, and I think it would make it less fun for all involved.
Soooo.... can anyone think of a way to have an Attribute Auction without giving it away to the players? Maybe the game mechanics could be fiddled with or something. I just need some way to play Amber without the players instantly recognizing it. Unfortunately, I'm at a complete loss as to how to do that.
Rereading this now, I would have rejected this myself. The summary is unfinished (doh!), there should be at least one tiered combat, and it's probably too free-form for use as a PFS scenario. However, I am interested in feedback. Could this concept be made into a viable scenario (or at least a stronger submission)? Could "status quo"/non-tiered encounters work in PFS? Given the way experience works in PFS, its artificial argument against taking the better part of valor is removed.
This submission started from a couple of ideas I was kicking around to address some of the criticisms of the existing scenarios. Cramming them all into a scenario submission was perhaps not the best plan, but...
Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks!
Forge of the Dark Smith:
Forge of the Dark Smith
Introduction/Prologue
Lumberjacks working in western Darkmoon Wood have noticed a new light coming from The Crags. Smoke and a fiery glow have begun to pour from a large cave in the middle of the cliff face. A dwarven venture-captain would like The Crags explored. She is particularly interested in the cause of the new activity and any connections to the ruined dwarven monastery to Droskar nearby. She makes it clear that violence is not required on this scouting mission.
Summary
The encounters in this scenario are set, not tailored to the level of the characters. If the Pathfinders try to resolve every encounter with combat, they will likely reap what they sow. Use of this style is a deliberate attempt to promote roleplaying, critical thinking, and teamwork.
While the cave is clearly visible, a path is not. Players may attempt to fly to it or climb to it from above or below. The cliff face is dotted with caves, openings to a network of tunnels, which can be used as a place to hide or an alternate path to the Forge cave. The route they take determines which encounters the Pathfinders face.
The dwarves have been living beneath the mountain for some time, and are
Encounters
- Cliff Top:
Harpies – The Pathfinders spot the harpies cavorting around the cliff edge at a distance greater than the range of their captivating song. The cruel creatures are in plain sight, arguing over a fresh kill. The Pathfinders can escape if they stealthily move away, but if they move closer or tarry too long, the flight of harpies will attack. The harpies first try using their song to lure their prey off a cliff (which allows a second saving throw), then attack with their clubs and claws. Once two small or larger prey are slain, the harpies attempt to withdraw to their nest to enjoy their meal. Once two harpies are slain, the rest flee.
Gargoyles – The local wing of gargoyles numbers roughly the same as the flight of harpies, but they fear the harpies' song. Consequently, they hunt cautiously in this area, using their stealth to lie in wait for prey to approach. The Pathfinders encounter a single gargoyle in hiding (who most likely spots them first). When outnumbered, the gargoyle flies back to their lair to bring the rest of the flight. The party can escape if they are quick and stealthy.
- Cliff Base:
Bear – A very territorial brown bear snores loudly in a cozy cave. If intruders approach noisily, he will attack until the intruders are dead or flee at least 100' from his lair.
Duergar – A small team of duergar are in the area, spying on the Forge. Their clan covets its power, and they have been sent to learn much the same information as the Pathfinders. If attacked, they will flee unless cornered. They would be willing to work with the Pathfinders, if they can be convinced through bluff or diplomacy that the party would share information with them.
- Tunnels:
The dwarves using the Forge have placed traps in the tunnels to keep intruders out and to kill dangerous animals.
- Cave:
Dwarves from deep within Droskar's Crag mountain have found an ancient temple to Droskar, the Dark Smith. While they do not revere Droskar, a wizard among them has discovered that the Forge within the temple has magical properties. The dwarves are unfriendly to outsiders, fearing they come to steal their treasure or despoil the culture and history of their ancestors. The Pathfinders can use diplomacy to gain their trust, or they can use stealth to spy on the dwarves.
Conclusion
The venture-captain rewards the Pathfinders monetarily for determining the cause of the glowing cave (the Forge being used), the connection with the monastery (yes, it is a temple to Droskar), and for their discretion. These rewards promote completion of the main Pathfinder mission, which in other scenarios can seem inconsequential. The last award prevents the players from feeling penalized for resolving encounters by means other than killing whatever they meet.
The concept is a character who has some draconic heritage and gradually discovers that heritage, what it means, etc. Using the Draconic sorcerer bloodline and the Dragon Disciple prestige class, this heritage would most often manifest in combat, with the character growing claws, breathing fire, etc. In short, he would be mainly a melee sorcerer.
The advice I'm looking for is this: How do I make this character (mechanically) survivable? What are some choices I could make (feats, classes, etc) that would keep this character from being a liability to his comrades in arms? I intend to play this character in the Pathfinder Society, so it has to conform to those rules. Since you never know who will be at your table, it can't require any specific support characters. One level of Sorcerer and seven levels of Dragon Disciple are a must, due to the core concept. PFS max level is 12, so that's all the further I'm concerned about for now.
I have been thinking of giving the character 4 levels of barbarian and Toughness to help boost his hit points, but that seems a poor reason to pick a certain class for 1/3 of his career.
I'm thinking about what type of character to make for my first PFS character. Even though the base classes are very solid, I'm looking over the prestige classes as well.
I noticed in the Guide to PFSOP that there are two other options out there. "Dark Markets, a Guide to Katapesh" offers the Balanced Scale of
Abadar, and "Osirion, Land of Pharaohs" gives access to the Living Monolith. Can anyone give me some info on these?
With our recent move and the announcement of the PathfinderRPG, I'm looking to start a game. I have a couple folks from Iowa City interested in making the drive already, so I just need a few more. Please email me at bobhopp at gmail dot com for more info, thanks!
