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My goal is for you to have fun while playing a balanced Pathfinder Society game. Please review the below, which covers some special rules for the special as well as my expectations as a GM.
About Champion Mode This event has two difficulties: Soldier and Champion. Soldier is slightly more challenging than a typical Pathfinder Society special event. Champion is this scenario’s “hard mode,” with increased challenge throughout. As usual for scenarios with increased difficulty, all players at the table must agree to that difficulty. Players who begin in Champion Mode who find the challenges too great can choose to switch to Soldier Mode. This is a Champion table. If you do not want to play "hard mode," please de-list from the spreadsheet and sign up for another table. Once we're underway, if any one player doesn't want to do Champion anymore, we will swap to Soldier. Aid Characters There are two kinds of character you can play during the special: a Primary Character (the PC who personally faces the scenario’s encounters and earns a Chronicle sheet at the end of the scenario), and an Aid Character, who helps with tasks and AiD Tokens throughout. A player can designate up to 3 of their PCs of 5th level or higher as Aid Characters. Aid Characters must be different PCs from the Primary Character (the character playing the special). The player does not need all of their Chronicle sheets for their Aid Characters—they only need the Aid Character’s most recently earned Chronicle sheet. The only information from this sheet that is relevant is the Aid Character’s name, number, and level. The Chronicle sheet is also a place to record whether anything bad happens to the Aid Character in the course of the scenario. Note that all risks Aid Characters take are opt-in. Aid Characters have two functions in this scenario: to generate Aid Tokens, and to provide support in Aid Missions that occur during the adventure. When the player designates a character as an Aid Character, the player chooses one of the following roles and assigns the character to that role. Each table may assign up to 5 Aid Characters to each role. This restriction represents the expedition’s need for agent to take on a balanced variety of roles, and also helps to ensure that there are enough Aid Characters of each type to succeed at Aid Missions. Your Aid Characters cannot participate in other Pathfinder Society adventures while in the Siege, and risks death. A character’s class and character build does not dictate what roles he can take, though players are likely to want to pick roles that fit with their characters’ themes. If a player does not have 3 Aid Characters available, she can fill any remaining slots with generic 4th-level NPC Pathfinders of any role. These 4th-level NPCs are less likely to succeed than PC Aid Characters at all tasks, but they give all players a way to participate in this scenario’s mechanics. The descriptions below give some examples of the types of routine tasks that Aid Characters in each role perform during the mission, but these characters also perform heroic actions when they grant Aid Tokens or attempt Aid Missions. Guard: The combat encounters detailed in this scenario are handled by the Primary Characters, but there is still plenty of danger to deal with. A character assigned to this role helps provide security for the expedition. Characters in this role drive off minor threats that crop up, protect the rear of the expedition, and generally ensure the mission can continue unhindered. Medic: Most of the healing resources in the expedition are wielded by the Primary Characters for the benefit of further advancing the mission, but the Aid Characters are likely to need healing too. An Aid Character assigned to this role treats wounds, cares for the bodies of the fallen, and dispenses medical supplies. Muscle: Moving what is effectively a small army into hostile terrain is a challenging task. A character assigned to this role helps move heavy objects, clears passageways, and transports equipment. Scout: Little is known about the Gallowgarden and the areas below Gallowspire, and what information does exist is often inaccurate. A character assigned to this role roams ahead of the main expedition, learning what threats are present and giving advice on how best to navigate them. Spellcaster: The sheer number of Pathfinders on this mission presents a heavy demand for spellcasting, particularly spells that can protect agents from harm or remove conditions that they incur. Spellcasters meet up with Pathfinder agents between battles, helping prepare them for the dangers ahead. They may have their own innate spellcasting ability, or they might carry an arsenal of magic items for this purpose. Aid Tokens In this scenario, Aid Tokens work a bit differently from in past scenarios. Instead of having generic Aid Tokens that PCs can improve with their skills, each Aid Token represents the efforts of a specific Aid Character. Each Aid Character role is associated with a specific benefit that Aid Character in that role can provide. After the players assign Aid Characters to roles, the Table GM should place the Aid Token Reference Sheet on the table, which details all of these benefits (Handout will be put on Slides after we assign). Table GMs should also distribute 3 Aid Tokens to each player, corresponding to their Aid Characters’ roles (see above). The player can then write in each of their Aid Characters’ names on the Aid Tokens. For the 4th-level NPC Pathfinders, players can invent names, or just write “Pathfinder.” At this time, each player has the opportunity to commit any number of their PC Aid Characters to a more challenging, heroic task. This task provides greater benefits, but it also introduces a risk that the Aid Character may come to harm and therefore be unable to help out during later opportunities in this scenario. Tasks are particularly difficult for lower-level Aid Characters, who are likely to be injured in the process. The 4th-level NPC Pathfinders are unwilling to attempt the heroic tasks.
Post Frequency Be ready to post at least once a day. I am more active than many other PbP GMs and am willing to post more than once a day to keep things moving at a good clip. Since this is a special, I will bot you if you do not post once every 24 hours. Maturity and communication go a long way! Please post here or in any supplemental channels, the group decides to use (Google Hangouts, Slack, Discord, etc). Botting Include botting instructions in your profile. If you have a preference for who runs your character, write that down too. If you or your preferred botter have not posted in more than 24 hours, I will bot your character to keep the game moving. Marching Order & Maps To speed things up I ask the group for a marching order at the beginning of the adventure. Unless otherwise noted I will begin your PCs on the map in this order, where the scenario says to. Initiative I will roll all Initiative checks for PCs and NPCs, sort them, and organize them into blocks. I will bold the names of characters whose turn it is to act. I will include status of HP, etc. When it is your turn to act, post. Do not wait for someone else to post just because they had a higher Initiative inside your initiative block. If you know what you want to do but want to wait for someone else’s action first, just say that. To encourage timely posting and avoid unnecessary delays, I will retroactively include bonuses where it makes sense for allies who are in the same initiative block, even if one player posts before getting that bonus. For example, if a fighter posts right before the bard, and the bard always Inspires Courage, I will include the inspire bonus in the fighter's attack and damage rolls even though the player didn't do so. Where possible, I will update initiatives and note the bonuses each player is receiving. Rolling Saves When asked to roll a save, it must always be the first dice roll on your next post. If you do not do this, I will roll the save for your PC. [Character Taglines & Profiles Put your character's gender (so we know which pronouns to use), race (so we know what we see), class (optional) and their status in the fields labeled "Race" and "Class." Status usually means current/maximum hit points, ACs, Saving Throws witj modifiers, Spells or spell slots, and other resources. The status tagline might look like something this (copy/pasted from my oracle) — note that I have not only included spell slots and spell-likes, also important consumables (albeit abbreviated) such as the once-a-day mnemonic vestments and the character's current disguise (which might have an impact on how NPCs interact with them): Gen. Neut. Oracle (they) | HP 56/56 | Init+ 5 | F:+9 R: +9 W: +10 (+18 vs chm/compul.; +12 vs illus/fear/desp.) | AC 21 T 16 F 19 | CMD 14 | Speed 20(30) | M. Bridge: 7/7 | Etern. Hope: 1/1 | Vest. 1/1 | V. Pool: 9/10 | Spells: 1: 6/8 2: 6/8 3: 6/7 4: 3/4 | Current disguise: Vonner Flay, Dogcatcher | Rerolls: 0/1 Active: Siv. Veils, Longstrider, Heroism, 6 Mirror Images, Shld. Faith, Death Ward In your character profile, please include the complete stat block as well, so the GM can audit your character. Be prepared to scan or take pictures of any chronicle sheets or boons upon request. Chronicle Information In order to be able to generate a PFS chronicle, I ask that each character please provide me the following information here, in the discussion thread. I would also like you to provide the names and numbers of all Aid Characters, along with a link to their profile. You can fill in the Aid character info piecemeal, just as long as it's there. Player Name:
Rules Questions and OOC Information Please post rules questions in the discussion thread. Try not to interrupt the flow of gameplay. I am also happy to start a hangout on google hangouts, or a channel in the Bay Area Pathfinder Slack or Discord for ooc conversation.
Our story begins...
Recruitment Thread.
Recruitment Thread.
Hello! This is the discussion forum for my run of the 10-21 Slaver's End. I will be running a tier 5-9, standard game. Please post the following info below: Player Name:
Also please post any purchases you wish to make before the game starts. If there is anything you think I should know about your character, please include that information in the post. I look forward to gaming with you! Brew
Game action will be posted here. Please Dot/Delete to add to your campaigns.
Recruitment Thread.
Hello! This is the discussion forum for my run of 10-18 Daughter's Due. I will be running a tier 5-9, standard game. Please post the following info below: Player Name:
Also please post any purchases you wish to make before the game starts. If there is anything you think I should know about your character, please include that information in the post. I look forward to gaming with you! Brew
This the the gameplay thread. Please dot/delete to add to your campaigns.
Hello! This is the discussion forum for my run of the Hao Jin Cataclysm. I will be running a tier 3-4 table, standard game. Please post the following info below: Player Name:
Also please post any purchases you wish to make before the game starts. If there is anything you think I should know about your character, please include that information in the post. I look forward to gaming with you! Brew
Game action will be posted here. Please Dot/Delete to add to your campaigns.
Hello all! Please post following character info: Character Name:
Also, please indicate any pre adventure purchases here. Look forward to gaming with you.
For your dotting pleasure.
New game for PFS PBP GameDay VII.
Welcome Outposters. Looking forward to firing up The God's Market Gamble. Please muster in this thread and post the following character information. Player Name: (Please make this your primary Paizo board alias)
Also please post any pregame purchases here.
The initial dotting of the dot.
The sun sets as the caravan approaches the sleepy town of Belhaim. The lot of you feel lucky to have signed on with old Silas Gribb, proprietor of the Wipsil Train caravan moving goods through greater Taldor and Andoran. After some fierce negotiations, and some not so fierce, the characters obtained decent pay for steady if not too terribly exciting work. The caravan had not been set upon by brigands for many years, but a strong show of force likely contributed to that luck. Silas assured the newly hired guards that there first pay day would be upon reaching Belhaim and that there would be many more after that. Ah, best laid plans... Shortly after arrival, the characters see good old Silas engaged in some heated conversations with some armed men. "Must be some misunderstanding...I am a reputable businessman! Surely some...arrangements...can be made to sort this all out?"The crafty old caravan master says in a tempting tone leaving little to its interpretation. A brusk man in official looking town garb snorts and takes hold of Silas' arm "Oh I'll make some arrangements for you smuggler! So it says on this warrant for your arrest, please allow me to arrange for you to spend some time as my guest...I have a nice cell waiting for you." The man motions to his gathered retinue of town guards. [b]"In fact, round them all up. We bringing the lot of you in. Probably all part of this smuggling crew." The man, the apparent sheriff, motions for his men who surround the newly minted caravan guards and escort them to the sheriff's offices. The guards eye the tall green guard warily, but the half-orc reluctantly puts up no resistance. After a few hours of yelling, pleading and begging, the new guards are able to convince the sheriff, a fair man, that they are innocent of Silas' prior schemes and are released from custody. Unfortunately, the Wipsil Train, Silas and all of his coin included, are whisked away south to Cassomir to face ultimate judgment. The five new guards, a tall battle worn half-orc, a human man in priestly robes, a woman with a glare that could cut steel, a wispy man that hides his face under a hood and a man in armor who whispers a prayer when faced with the groups predicament. Stranded in a small town without being paid, knowing no one and without lodge or apparent means to travel. The five look out into the night and try to piece together their sudden change of fortune. As the five stand about on the street, they are approached by a woman. She walks toward the man in priestly robes and speaks "pardon me, I know you are strangers in town and you don't know me but...well...I could not help but overhear what happened. Terrible, I mean...you seem like nice enough folk..and.."the woman lets out an exacerbated sigh before continuing "My manners, I am Talia Orem, the proprietor of the Wise Piper Inn not far from here. My father would call me a terrible businessman, but at lest let me offer you a few nights stay at my inn, free of charge. I have the room and I would feel terrible to see you all on the streets while my beds are empty." The group eagerly accepts the room and they follow the kindly woman to the inn not far from their location. She sets the five up an a table near the hearth of the common room of the inn and has her staff bring them a meal of fresh bread with cheese and honey, with watery mead to wash it down. The group sits at the long table and contemplates their next move...
Discussion thread now open for Dragon's Demand. I will be running this module in campaign mode which means PCs are not limited to PFS limitations when creating characters. At the conclusion of campaign, all characters who play entire mod will get Chronicles that they can apply to a new character or an existing character. If you apply all chronicles to same character, that character will receive a bonus fourth chronicle. So please post your character concepts and ideas so that we can launch the game.
Open for dotting.
This board will feature Scenario 05-08 The Confirmation run as part of PbP Gameday IV: Rise of the Siege of Serpents and is tailored for new PFS players. I intend to run the game as part of a 3 part scenario arc to get new players to second level using replayable or “evergreen” scenarios. We will be running PFS under the normal rules as opposed to CORE as I do not want to limit participants so all PFS legal materiel per Additional Resources will be available for play. Requirements to play include a commitment to post once a day and of course have fun playing Pathfinder. I expect posts in game to be made in character and have included several links below to aid new players in fleshing out their characters and teach posting etiquette. Please use the discussion forum for any questions. Good luck and see you on the boards! Required Reading
Pathfinder RPG Resources Note: the Character Trait Enhancement pdf is found on this page. 10 Questions that will make your PFS roleplaying blossom. An excellent post by KestlerGunner designed to help flesh out your PFS character. Building a Better Doomed Hero: Painlord’s Advanced Play-by-Post Play. My go to guide on how to play play-by-post games in PFS.
Private Game muster. You know who you are, dot at your leisure.
Sorry for the delayed posts folks. Work has been kicking my tail last few days but I am finally in the clear for a bit. Will post next leg of the journey tomorrow.
The year is 4714 AR (Absalom Reckoning). You find yourselves in Absalom, the City at the Center of the world on the isle of Kortos. You have joined the Pathfinder Society, either by design or because you were recruited. After months of training, you find yourselves on the cusp of becoming full fledged members of the Society. The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.” The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table. Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat! With that, Kreighton Shaine,the Pathfinder Society's Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born. But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree each of you have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there's no better time to see if you can handle becoming full fledged operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix, he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, Jaina here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation. Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mountains, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillman. Master Shaine hops to his feet. Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillman are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well. With those parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself. Janira smiles brightly to the party and awaits any questions you have.
Hello and welcome to the new home of GM Brew's PFS Archons. I will now host all board games here and no longer create a new board for each new scenario. I figure this will give us a consistent place to host games here on Paizo as well as provide a persistent discussion forum. Please note that I am still maintaining the Obsidian Portal campaign site and still encourage folks to post IC posts as well as journal entries on that site should the mood strike you. I am about ready to post the next game, so head on over to the gameplay thread and post IC to dot the game. Once everyone has dotted the thread, I will proceed to the next scenario. Game on Archons!
A messenger arrives at dawn and hands a sealed note to the first agent he finds. The missive bears the seal of Venture-Captain Ambrus Vaslin. Upon reading the letter, the Archons are directed to proceed to Starrise Spire in Nerosyan, Mendev as soon as they are able.
Morning light streams in through the stained glass windows of the Cathedral of Aroden in Almas, where Venture-Captain Brackett sits behind a large, antique desk replete with hair- thin lines that mar its surface like nearly healed scars. He scans a handful of papers before speaking to you and the other assembled guests, among them the no-nonsense wizard Wystorn Telfyr and Major Colson Maldris. I recently received news of a kidnapping in Sauerton, up in the northern wine country. Thalia Andares, heir to the Sauerton Red wine fortune and daughter of Consul Tercio Andares, vanished during the Silverglazer Sunday celebration and has not been seen since. With a meaningful look, Maldris catches Brackett’s attention, and the two nod in understanding as the major contributes. Tercio Andares is powerful and widely respected; not only has he been the mayor of the large town for many years, but he is also a strong voice in the Andoren military—even for a consul. The Sauerton Red winery has made him extremely wealthy, and his financial support could be a considerable asset to the Pathfinders’ important work in and around the Worldwound. He seems uninterested in foreign affairs, though, perhaps because it’s politically safer to focus on domestic matters. Even so, he is known to help those who help him. I appreciate the summary, major, says Brackett. I am convinced that the Andares’s gratitude would do much to refill our war chest for a struggle that is unlikely to end quickly. When you track down Thalia, as I trust you will do quickly, it is important not only to the Pathfinder Society but perhaps to the whole world that you request funding for the military campaign against the Worldwound. Of course, convincing Terico to contribute troops and military aid would be even better, but aim for finances first. With a sigh, Major Maldris picks up his tricorne hat and prepares to depart. I would stay longer, but I must make final preparations to travel, he states in a quiet voice. While I hope that the Andares family agrees to help the society, I am also wary of this political practice of mutual backscratching. As all of you are in Sauerton—especially those who care for this fine country—remain vigilant for signs of short-sighted corruption and abandonment of Andoran’s founding principles: freedom and democracy. Follow what you believe to be the best course of action, as I will not be available to advise you. Nonetheless, I would appreciate any reports of corruption after the situation is resolved. After sharing a quick handshake with Brackett and a nod of farewell to the rest of you, he departs, closing the door behind him. Telfyr breaks the moment of silence that follows by reporting, My scrying indicates that the young Andares is being held in a building with high ceilings and once-elegant adornments in
Brackett begins to bring the briefing to a close by concluding, We have transportation ready to take you to Sauerton as quickly as possible. When you arrive, present this letter to Consul Andares before you begin your investigation. It introduces you and offers the condolences
Alright, yes, scrying, the venture-captain concedes as he pushes a sealed letter across the table. Introductions, rescue operation, then negotiation for funding and possible military support. Make any questions quick; you’ve got a boat to catch.
Ok folks, back to back action. Fresh off the party's success in Razmiran, they are met with a messenger directing them to the City of Almas in Andoran. The group makes way to Almas with haste.
This is a placeholder. Game is currently full.
After some well deserved time off, the party is once again summoned to the office of their Venture-Captian, Ambrus Vaslin. Once the party is assembled, Captain Ambrus addresses the band. Good Morning Pathfinders. I hope you have used your downtime wisely. I must admit that your progress as Pathfinder agents has thus far been remarkable. It is for that reason that I have selected all of you for a most important assignment. You are being dispatched to Kerse in Durma. Once there, you shall make your way to the manor of one Temel Passad where you shall receive further instructions. As the party looks at each other to process the information their Captain has laid on them, he once again speaks. Well? What are you all still doing here. To the docks immediately! Go, go, go! The party quickly exits the Grand Lodge and makes their way to the docks where they indeed find that transportation to Durma has been arranged. They board the ship and make way for Kerse. The trip to Kerse is uneventful and the party eventually make their way to the home of Temel Passad. A servant greets the party at the opulent Kalishite manor and directs them to an extravagant common room. The group is allowed to freshen up after their long journey, then served a feast of Chelish wine and savory sweetmeats as they are allowed to lounge about the various pillows and floor couches laid about the common room. After a bit, the servent enters the room with a plate and walks directly to Tarek. On the plate is a folded note that is sealed with the official seal of Venture-Captian Ambrus Vaslin.
The masses have spoken! At least enough of the masses. Seems you folks want to forge ahead as soon as possible. Mandate received, I welcome you to the next scenario, The Glass River Rescue! Feel free to use this forum to discuss all things Pathfinder and I will have the game play up by the end of today. Welcome back Pathfinders!
Discussion forum is now open! Feel free to chat and commiserate and please post any purchases other things regarding your character that you wish to take effect before the start of the game.
Marker for GM Brew's First Steps Part 1: In Service to Lore
The discussion thread is now open! Please discuss.
The year is 4714 AR (Absalom Reckoning). You find yourselves in Absalom, the City at the Center of the world on the isle of Kortos. You have joined the Pathfinder Society, either by design or because you were recruited. After months of training, you find yourselves on the cusp of becoming full fledged members of the Society. The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.” The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table. “Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!” With that, Kreighton Shaine,the Pathfinder Society's Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. “Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born." "But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree each of you have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there's no better time to see if you can handle becoming full fledged operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix," he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, "Jaina here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation." Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, "Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mountains, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillman." Master Shaine hops to his feet. "Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillman are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well." With those parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself. Janira smiles brightly to the party and awaits any questions you have. You may also make Knowledge (Geography) and Knowledge (History) checks if you choose to determine your level of familiarity with the subjects brought up by Master Shaine and Janira.
Opening the discussion thread for this scenario. Recruitment is closed. Please check in and I will open the gameplay thread. |