Hrugor Gurstweld

Ginasteri's page

**** Pathfinder Society GM. 99 posts (102 including aliases). 4 reviews. No lists. 1 wishlist. 31 Organized Play characters.


Scarab Sages

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Paizo sure loves their oozes. As a GM, I approve.
As a player, I still have trauma from the Ssssssslithering.

Scarab Sages

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This either looks like it would be a terrible idea to play with my warpriest, or an awesome idea.

Probably both.

Scarab Sages

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Pathfinders are throwing a party? Nothing could possiblie go wrong.

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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Great, but if that skull says his name is Morte, I'm checking my back for tattoos.

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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I love PFS 2. The scenarios have been so engaging. Not gonna lie--you had me as a complete convert at The Mosquito Witch (my favorite adventure in at least the past 10 Years).

I'm not surprised to see changes in Organized Play, as the system is still new, kinks and bus are being worked out, etc. There are, ah, other systems that have had MUCH more radical changes made, for sure. I do echo some of the frustration about, well, dropping the change to fame on the player base. It's a bit unclear as to why I should be no longer awarding fame--what exactly is replacing it? I'm not privy to all the VO discussions, so I don't really know what's going on, and I can't tell my players anything.

I realize that this is going to sound like a criticism, and I suppose it is, but--

Paizo isn't exactly known for its website capability.

I don't understand why we'd want the website to handle more complexity, when it historically hasn't been able to handle its current level of complexity.

Who cares what I think? It really doesn't matter. But Paizo hasn't demonstrated the credibility that gives the player base confidence in its website being the final arbiter of Organized Play. I hope that, moving forward, it can.

Scarab Sages

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I'm torn between "Cool! I know lot of people like summoners" And "oh god, not again. There goes the game, just like last time". I doubt it will work like that. My scars are still healing :D

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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Nefreet, I'm not sure where you're getting the idea that a weekly game ever qualified for any special bonus for running games. It never did for PFS1, and so far hasn't for PFS2. I have NO experience with Starfinder, so I can't speak to that.

My understanding (limited though it may be) is that running a game at a 'regular' event would give typical AcP.

Running at a local con or special event would be the next tier.

Running at GenCon, PaizoCon, PaizoConUK, and maybe Origins, would be the top tier.

I understand that second tier could be spelled out better. I would be surprised if any RVC would consider a consistent weekly recurring game in a store a 'special event'. I don't think that was ever implied, nor intended.

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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Yep, really appreciate the short fiction! Also, SUPER stoked about all three of these!

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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Rich, thanks for posting all the help, and BNW, thanks for the guide you wrote. Maybe I'll see you guys online again sometime soon.

Scarab Sages

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When will I be able to download this if I have the subscription?

Scarab Sages

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Mr. Compton, I really think you guys have been hitting it out of the park with PFS2 scenarios. I've never (well, I don't think I have...I'm getting older, and, well....) written a review before. I didn't go into all the details, but this scenario is incredibly good. I really am looking to run it more often.

I feel like these scenarios have been doing a great job of combining the new mechanics with really good stories, and stories are why I personally play RPGs. Yeah, yeah, I know there are some proof-reading mistakes that probably make it through, but whatever.

Maybe this sounds weird (and maybe I've had too much bourbon tonight [is that even possible?]), but I'm really proud of the PF2 folks at Paizo. I freakin' love it. I've run all of the high level PFS scenarios, several times, and I got really burnt out. I'm really enjoying what's been done so far for PF2, and PF2s, and I'm looking forward to all the great things to come.

OK, time to finish my coke and bourbon. Sigh....it's Beam, not Maker's, but it'll do, pig, it'll do.

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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Pretty much the only thing I'd want to do is have a subtotal at the bottom of the gold before money spent.

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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My problem with people hating on option four is as follows--

1E will effectively be a "dead" campaign. As an organized play format, it will NEVER grow, no matter replay or not. Would replay truly make GMs quite 1E? Wouldn't they likely already quit to move on to SFS and 2E?

As a collaboration, what if we keep the current replay model, then, after season 1 of 2E comes to a close, unlimited replay opens up?

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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As a soon to be 4 star GM who was hoping to get to 5 (I probably still could)...

I prefer a complete reset for 2E. Leave the 1E stars in place, but they don't really have any effect on 2E.

The Stars is an actual mechanic in 1E--you can't run some adventures until you have 4 stars. I understand the reasoning behind that *is* system mastery. It would make no sense to have those for a system that no one has mastered yet.

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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At high tier, there is an expectation that pathfinders will go into scenarios prepared for the unexpected. It's harder to financially afford this if you've min/maxed all your gold into your gear so that, while awesome at your couple of tricks, you're lost elsewhere.

People had negative levels? Totally. That's what that wand of restoration was for. Also...maybe spend some of your own resources on things that will help you or your companions out.

Essentially though, those who didn't like it want everyone else not to like it.

That's just not going to happen. In the words of Elsa, "Let it Go!"

Scarab Sages

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You know, a WHOLE lot of this could have been solved if the PCs actually listened to the ritual leader.

And the language in the beginning of the first encounter does NOT need to be edited. A player could INFER something that was not IMPLIED. Critical thinking skills could be necessary here. There was an assumption made--which wouldn't even be detrimental, although I could see how it could be frustrating.

I just think this adventure didn't fit preconceived notions (one poster has repeatedly written as much), so some folks didn't know how to handle it.

Mr. Duval, excellent adventure! I can't wait for more from you!

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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As for players wishing to get the amazing boon for Scarab Sage characters...I really don't think it's the intention to have a faction ending scenario be a benefit to those players that want to hop factions so they can get all the cool stuff on one character. Narratively, a person with 10 goals filled has been with the faction for some time, and should rightly be considered for that boon. Someone who just started this season (in August) really doesn't have the history with the organization.

It's a bit like people who wanted to switch factions twice in season 4 to get the cool boons.

With that being said, if you have the faction cards, the statement has been made that they aren't completely removing the faction, so that you can continue to get goals completed.

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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I think I'm also upset that by archaeologist will likely not have any more chances to date Tahonikepsu. Been working on that for like 4 years now and she still hasn't said yes. To be fair, she hasn't said no either. I guess there's still time.

See what I did there?

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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I'm not going to lie, I'm terribly disappointed that Scarab Sages are going away.

I'm inclined to say a lot of unpleasant things right now, but I also try not to burn any bridges.

I'm going to try and find info justification.

Scarab Sages

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No, but there are an infinite number of monkeys outside who want to talk about this script for Hamlet they came up with.

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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Languages. Having done some elemental games when no one in the party spoke the languages, nor had comp languages, I think it might be fun to give languages out at appropriate times.

Scarab Sages

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I have played a ranger up to level 20 for free on DDO, and had a blast doing it. Having a pay account allows you access to more material, but it's very, very solo-able. I haven't played in a while, but I had joined a wonderful guild who didn't expect me to drop everything and play. Most of my guildmates were very close to my age (43). The game is mostly based on 3.5 D&D.

Hope this helps.

Scarab Sages

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OMG OMG OMG OMG!!! I just found this thread. I missed out on 3.x of 'the game', so I didn't get hip to FGG until about 2012. You guys seem like a great company and I am seriously looking forward to your material. I have the Tome of Horrors Complete for PF and the Tsar Saga. Those things are amazing.
I am a HUGE fan of campaign settings, and I can't believe you're putting together your work in such a thorough manner. That's HUGE.
Also, I love all things Lovecraftian. I understand that the blight messes with the mind. That is good.

Ia, Ia.

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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One thing I am curious about. How many of us dual role? That is, how many of us play AND gm? I've benefited greatly from GMs willing to VOLUNTEER their time, talent, and money to allow me the opportunity to have some fun. At their expense.

I'm quite curious if players really understand that GMs are volunteering so that the players can have fun. It's not like the GM isn't having fun, and there is some decent reward for GMing, which is great!

But let's be honest: the GM is giving up something so you (I) can have fun. If they want to hide their dice-rolls, well, let them. If your overpowered ability is making them miserable, consider the long term effects of those actions. "Gee, every time I GM for (insert player or character class), I really don't enjoy it. I think I'm going to take a break from GMing for awhile". Is your goal as a power-gamer to ensure that GMs discontinue running games for you?

And by the way--when was the last time you bought something for your GM, brought then something, or heck, just asked your GM how you could help them out.

Wait, that's too convicting to me, personally. Forget I said that.

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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MR. Cary, thanks for your explanation of the banners. "I didn't communicate that to Mike so when the banners went up no particular attention was paid to the order of the banners and it randomized the grouping". That explains a LOT. Mustering is always nutty, and I think always will be, but having a more intuitive layout will be helpful.

I think we have to be careful about the 'generic' tickets thing. I doubt it would be good policy to make ticket holders who spent 'real' money on generics feel like second class citizens--particularly if Paizo would like them to be customers.

I've GMed an played a number of specials/Battle Interactives. Thurston, I really, really appreciate how meaningful the actions of low level characters were in ACT 3. I was GMing a 3-4 group, and they (and I) felt awesome when it was announced that another volley struck the demons. Major kudos to making lowbies feel important.

Mr. Brock (and all of Paizo), thanks for the credit given per slot, thanks a TON for the water (thanks for the runners who offered it, too), and thanks for giving me a really nice room to sleep in.

I heard a lot of new players (I ran 1-5 tables all con) talk about how well they'd been treated, how excellent their experience had been, etc. That is so awesome.

Thanks to all the HQ folks. You all were really great. Thanks to Mr. Brock for going out of his way to get my badge so that I could get my refund.

I look forward to GMing other cons for PFS.

Colin McGough

Scarab Sages

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I know for a fact that DDNext tables sold out at GenCon very quickly, so there is a LOT of interest in DDNext.

I wonder if RPGs can work the same way that fast food restaurants do. If a BK exists on one corner, and a McDonalds opens up on the opposite corner, BK actually makes MORE money. Pathfinder does quite well. Perhaps when 'Next hits, the same thing may happen: people will play more RPGs and buy more material.

I don't think Paizo will need to 'steal' people away from 'Next. I'm only one person, but I play PF, and I play 4E. <<mind explosion>> IKR?

Scarab Sages 4/5 ***

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Mr. Brock

Although I am not fluent in Spanish, I teach elem-middle school students in a section of Baltimore, MD with a lot of Spanish-speaking students. I am currently trying to get a few students together to do some reading fluency and mathematical automaticity--what we all might call gaming.

When the CRB comes out in Spanish, would you please make an announcement? I can likely get my school to foot the bill for a few copies, so that we can get started at my school, and prove to the powers-that-be that gaming can very much encourage student vocabulary and higher level thinking.

Also, I hope to encourage some of my more fluent Spanish-speaking teacher colleagues to get into Pathfinder. Perhaps I can start recruiting for the 2014 season of gaming.