Gotham Gamemaster's page

I received my 2E Core Rulebook and Bestiary today. Gorgeous book and I can't wait to spend the weekend reading away!

I'd like to see a Pathfinder Unchained GM Screen with the Gameplay rules (Revised Action Economy, Wound Thresholds, Diseases and Poisons, etc) and some spiffy new Wayne Reynolds art (of course!).

New Pathfinder gaming group forming at The Spider's Web comics shop in Yonkers. Sunday afternoons, mature gamers, cinematic, heroic style of play...and free pizza and soda! So if you're a Paizo fan in the NYC area, you can't go wrong!

We'l be starting the Iron Gods adventure path and also be forming a Pathfinder Tales book club. PM or leave a comment and I'll get right back to you. - Gotham Gamemaster

Gotham Gamemaster here! I'm starting the first Pathfinder Meetup Group in The Bronx, NY. As our oft-mailgned borough is feared to be the Port Peril of NYC, this group is part of a larger effort to support Bronx-based gaming and geek adventures--with a new mall at Bay Plaza and renovations at area sites from Yankee Stadium to AMC Theaters, it's high time to broaden the scope of activities in the BX and maybe change some perceptions!

We'll feature an ongoing game and a Pathfinder Tales Book Club. So whether you are an experienced fantasy roleplaying gamer or just a fan of fantasy like Game of Thrones, Frozen. or The Hobbit, The Bronx Pathfinder Fantasy Gaming Meetup welcomes you!

http://www.meetup.com/BronxPathfinder/

I'm waiting on this, too---I'm trying to read Hunter: The Vigil as substitute but I just don't grok the Storytelling system.

crosswiredmind wrote:

Once I got a good grasp of the game it ran so smoothly and required so little prep that I can never go back to GM 3e.

I'm finding it to be more work than 3e to prep. At least with 3rd edition there were good adventures from Paizo. I just can't get into the published 4e adventures or the ones in DDI Dungeon. I try to read through them and get excited, but I can't.

I'm finding "The Paizo Factor" to be the main drawback to 4e. It seems that I have become hooked on the richness of the Adventure Paths and anything less is not enjoyable to me anymore--and neither the WotC adventures or the DCCs come close.

I was disappointed by The Scepter Tower of Spellguard---advertised as the final book in the 4e FR set, I was hoping it would contain the setting and campaign elements missing from the other 4e adventures. It's just more of the same, however, and doesn't have much to say about FR.

The latest Wizards' podcast does explain the reasons for the products we are seeing. I've come to believe that a 4e game will function best as a Dungeon Delve campaign.

Wow. I couldn't disagree more with the OP. Golarion is a splendorous fusion of all of the most popular D&D settings and that's the number one reason I love it.

Middle Earth? It's already there for anyone to use with relative ease--D&D isn't LOTR in theme or tone.

Option 3 is best suited to providing new options and to retaining backwards compatibility. It meets all of the design goals of PFRPG while the points system makes the game needlessly complex for slight return in flexibility of use. The fact that Option 1 requires special guidelines for Barbarian NPC use is a clear-indication of heading in the wrong direction.

Hi there,

I just realized that I only got TheOtherGrain and Yoda8myhead's Pathfinder numbers when I ran "Silent Tide" the other week. Could the others (who read this board, that is) send me theirs, please?

Thanks,

BrOp (brandingopportunity at gmail)

SENT!

As a thought, you could just use them as x/day. You just need to calculate how many times you can do rage a day with the rage points you have. This is very simple math.

It's the additional rage powers and their costs that make NPCs unnecessarily complex. Calculating points for maintaining rage and use of powers when nothing else in the core rules works on points seems to go way beyond the mandate of the PFRPG.

I can see going all points (for everything from spellcasting to rage powers) and I can see going all per day (spell slots, per day abilities) but mixing the two is an added complexity to the game where none needed to be introduced.

I still have problems with the Rage Point mechanic. It's not the use so much as the concept. While I like the concept of Rage powers, I still don't understand why Rage had to be changed from a "x/day" to "rage points." Backwards compatibility alone makes this something that needs reviewing.

I'm in 1000% agreement with this. What really killed the rage point concept for me is creating and running NPCs---which under the rage point system became a unnecessary chore.

I don't think the point systems are compatible with the spirit of the PFRPG/D&D and hope to see them removed from the final product.

ShadowChemosh, this was very helpful. Thanks for putting the errata together!

I'm heading on the Road to Xanesha for a second time and I'm thinking of using the Lamia Matriach entry (Skinsaw Murders 92). In this form, Xanesha is a Dracula-like figure who uses her Climb skill to scale the Shadow Clock.

Xanesha will retain her Impaler of Thorns as a signature weapon but I'm dropping the Medusa's Mask and the Snakeskin Tunic from her gear. In basic entry form, she also loses fly and silence in this form but retains all other buffs as written.

Her AC is slightly lower, she loses the high ground since she can't fly), the environment is less hostile without silence, and her most terrifying attack--the Mask's petrification power--is unavailable.

Comments or suggestions?

They need a +2 to Charisma. In my groups words: "So ugly they're cute." And it makes sense with the singing and the bard-ly pursuits.

This. I've given goblins +2 Cha as part of a conversion to beta and I've also changed their favored class to bard.

Hey there Everybody,

For the sake of compatibility and a number of power balance arguments, I think these bonus hit point rules are going to remain an optional component. I like that a number of them have become quite popular, but with favored class bonuses, HD increases, and a number of other factors, I am strongly thinking that these should remain a tool for those who need them, but not a mandatory, assumed component.

Thoughts?

Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing

A reasonable approach that's hard to argue with. You've got my vote!

** spoiler omitted **

KEjr, I would say that your spoiler makes the case for some extra starting HPs. The events you recounted should be a cakewalk and a series of feelgood battles for the PCs, IMO.

I do think leaving the hitpoints variant sidebar intact for the final product is a perfectly acceptable way to go.

On some of the other options mentioned: I strongly dislike the racial variant---it has no game balance as the small races get penalized with no benefit. I also don't feel the need for story justification of any of the extra hps options.

Is there a fundamental difference between the character I create for my self and one I have a friend of mine create for me?

CJ

The question would be if someone looks to carry over adventure records from the play of a pre-gen character to a different character in subsequent adventures.

I agree with the OP's observations and actually feel that the Cheliax faction is a creative misstep on the part of Paizo. Truth be told, the whole faction concept earns a "meh" from me--instead of the focus being placed on individual PCs at the table, players seem more interested in what factions are being played.

Having waited over an hour to start a PFS game due to new players creating characters, I see the need for fast-play character sheets. However, I do believe there needs to be official approval of the fastplay concept before such an option is legal in play--regardless of how compelling the need is.

I've been using the Flat 6 option for many games and it offers the least amount of power creep for the necessary amount of "life insurance" for low-level PCs--and it has the benefit of becoming insignificant as levels grow.

The CON score bonus changes the game way too much, IMO, and is not backwards compatible. The damage dealt by 3.5 weapons and the amount of damage healed by spells is not scaled to consider the CON score increase.

We are going to be doing monster books as long as people buy them, which I hope means pretty much forever.

Pathfinder Monsters subscription, here I come! It sound like the plans are well in place, but I'll cast my vote anyways to make an "SRD Monsters Revisited" the first priority--with a conversion to PFRPG and tweaks and adjustments as needed (such as Jason did with Charisma and Undead hps).

Today's blog sold me on a Pathfinder Chronicles subscription. I can't wait to dig into this book.

The Gamers: we are a group of old and new friends who are using virtual table software (Fantasy Grounds 2 with Skype) to play through the adventure path. For all of us, it's a first attempt at an online game.

The Rules: Beta rules and complete conversion for NPCs. The Flat extra hit point option was used (6 points). The Frightened condition variant from Heroes of Horror (-4 to attack, saves, etc.) is being used instead of core Beta. We are following some Pathfinder Society guidelines as well including no crafting (Spell Focus instead of Scribe Scroll for wizards, etc). On the whole, though, it's 99.9% Beta pure.

The Characters:

Cruril Fletcher (N human rogue) grew up in the dirty streets of Riddleport, where quick reflexes and an even quicker tongue earned him a spot in the local thieves' guild. Due to some professional misfortunes, this shadowy character found himself on the road to Sandpoint. His war razor is never far from his palms.

Brother Mathias (NG human cleric) was trained to be a zealous chaplain of the Hellknights but when he uncovered corruption in the order, he was beaten and left for dead. A sign from Sarenrae brought him back from death's door and left him on a new path in life. But he continues to wear the dark armor and mace of his former patron to insure that he doesn't forget his evil past.

Curgen Voss (CG dwarf wizard) was a formidable "special forces" scout for the dwarven settlement of Janderhoff until his arms were maimed in a dungeon collapse. After a struggle with bitterness, Churgen discovered that he could continue his war with evil by using his mind instead of his now-frail body--and so he bent his intellect to the mastery of wizardry.

Volmer Grissom (LN human fighter) was an orphan in the streets of Magnimar where he learned to live by the strength of his arms. With hard work and practice, he carved out a living as a caravan guard until he saved enough gold to achieve his true goal: to become an adventurer.

First session write-up coming soon!

As for the first day of Autumn, that occurs in Rova on the Equinox. Rova 23rd is my recommendation, but that's certainly not set in stone.

I'm kicking things off in about an hour from now and I believe Rova 22 shall be the start date: it's full of numerical significance for fantasy being the birthday of Bilbo, Frodo...and the Gotham Gamemaster!

Here are a couple of pics of the Pathfinder Society at the Compleat Strategist in NYC. PICTURES

Also, I seem to remember you taking pics of the group. Any way to get those up on flickr or somewhere else we can see them?

And additionally, my home group has the first three scenarios covered for a GM, but not the fourth. I know you played that at GenCon. Would you be open to guest GMing for us on the upper west side if the rest of my group is open to it?

Yoda, I think you mean me---I have the pix and I'll put 'em up tonight and post here with a link.

As for Silken Caravan (is that #4?), I'd be happy to run it--just let me know. Email is my screen name here (gmail).

-Peter

It was great meeting you guys today. I look forward to future PFS sessions if we are so lucky to see one another at them. Here's to Lucky, the party's most effective combatant!

Lucky the wolf has earned the right to pick his own faction!

Thanks for the game, Branding, and it was great to meet everyone else. I'm not sure I'll be playing at NG but if there's more PFS at the Strategist, I'd be happy to play again.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Joshua!

How much of the lack of story in WotC's 4e adventures is due to the Delve format? 4e is a resource hog on page count: breakable environments, mobs of monsters, and the subsequent need for multiple dungeon rooms in every encounter can't leave much space for anything else in something the size of a Pathfinder AP volume--let alone a Dungeon article!

Heck, I can't imagine the game designer who'd have much creative energy left to think of story after dealing with all of the elements listed above on top of his having to cook up new and improved monster role recipes for every encounter.

WotC can claim all it wants that the DM's role has never been easier---but I think their own adventures and editorial direction belie their words.

I'll be the well dressed guy with dire racoon eye bags, Fashion Week in New York is murder.

Don't forget the raingear! It looks like Gozreh's gonna be bringing it big time tomorrow.

I agree that something needs to be done about it. Some ideas:

1) Eliminating touch AC entirely--treating a ray as just another ranged weapon
2) Treating touch attacks as special attacks that require a CMB check (15 + CMB)

Thanks for the listings, Saurstalk. Posts like these are extremely helpful!

In particular I just can't see how their current design decisions can be seen to be helpful for a DM with many real world commitments who is also a neophyte. The only possible explanation is that the AP is aimed at highly experienced DMs with lots of free time on their hands so they can create a background that suites their campaign world of choice and I don't believe that is the goal.

I think it's the opposite--they don't expect you to spend much time on the story elements at all. The 4e WotC regime does not believe in the need for "fluff." They play lunch-hour "campaigns" that consist of unconnected dungeons--and consider that a exemplary model of play.

The RPGA's Dungeon Delves with their string of encounters and one-sentence "plots" are 4e in its purest "Platonic" form---that's what I think and I believe it's what they think as well.

This was posted by Joshua Frost in another thread:

Joshua J. Frost (Director of Marketing), Tue, Aug 19, 2008, 02:24 PM REPLY

Min = 4
Max = 6

These numbers do not include the GM.

Congrats, Jeff! It sounds like a legendary game!

do they have a website by anychance to buy old stuff from?

Go to The Compleat Strategist.

And, yes, Danny's the man---always a kind word and always full of helpful suggestions on all things gaming.

I agree with the OP. There should be two skills: a Str-based physical skill and a Dex-based physical skill.

Not now, not ever.

Thundarr!

I like all the WotC people I have talked to, and I would rather none of them be on the wrong end of a reorganization like this.

Hear, hear. The Wizards of the Coast designers and reps at Gen Con were nothing less than generous with their time and their kind words (especially Chris Perkins and Andy Collins).

I'vd pretty much concluded that DC is a lost cause, so I will read only very specific things and ignore the DCU as a whole. Sad.

The jury is still out with Marvel, but the red Hulk nonsense makes things look not so good for them.

The Red Hulk is silly, especially considering the storyline's timing with the movie out.

As for DC, I think they are coming back. The Legion of Three Worlds had a great start and Batman R.I.P. is proving to be a a compelling, strange and thrilling journey.

One of the owners of The Compleat Strategist in New York City told me tonight that the Beta rules have been doing brisk sales (along with the FRCG as well).

Fleeing undead are just so unseemly. So, yes, add my vote to dropping that element of the rule (and I have playtested it as written many times during the Alpha).

KnightErrantJr was our DM on Thursday afternoon and he did a great job on the Silken Caravan. Kudos to the adventure writer as well as the combats were fantastic.

On the downside, I've been using the Alpha rules since March and found going back to 3.5 unpalatable. Although I had tickets for the other events, I passed on them and I'll be passing on the rest of Season 0.

When PFRPG kicks in for Season 1, I'll be happy to play again.

Maybe I should have put this in the "Dumb Question" thread, I'm excited about trying Pathfinder Society but know precious little about the Pathfinder setting.

So... what deities (and therefore domains) do we have to choose from? The PFS guide basically says to just use the Player's Handbook-- so are we using PH Greyhawk gods???

--Eloiwyn

The PFS will use the deities of Pathfinder. You can find a listing of them and their domains in either the Runelords Player's Guide or the Crimson Throne Player's Guide (both free downloads).

Now that a few folks have the book and have been giving answers about it, the setting absolutely seems gutted---however, that's only if you consider it a continuation of what has come before (which is how WotC is ridiculously marketing it).

However, I'm now comfortable with thinking of the 4e FRCG as a requel that may seemingly possess ties to what has gone before but is in fact a new setting and a re-imagining of the Forgotten Realms.

Furthermore, the combat encounters are not what made Paizo's APs so successful -- rather, it was the high quality of character, setting, and plot development, qualities notably absent from WotC's flagship adventures to date (Keep on the Shadowfell and Rescue at Rivenroar).

This was the most glaring oversight of the editorial and it showed a complete lack of understanding of the importance of story to an AP. At this point, it can't really be a misunderstanding, though--there's a definite disdain of story elements in WotC's current politburo. And that's why I remain a Pathfinder gamer despite preferring the 4e system.