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![]() Love the write-up. Enjoyed getting to read about some of the enemy NPC abilities. I like the idea of groups (both NPCs and PCs) having to balance between grouping up or spreading out. I know that already sort of happens with AoE spells and stuff...but it seems like with the abilities we're seeing right now, that choice is going to be getting more important. Also, glad that there are discussions about adventure design paradigms for the new system. While that 30' square scenario was sort of painful when a party had 0 snipers (or 1 with bad luck rolls), if the adventures start, from the beginning assume more 10' squares that would open things up a lot (might also discourage all the melee builds we saw in SF1e, to just a handful instead) ![]()
![]() So when I ran my party through Curse of the Crimson Throne, I also threw in Academy of Secrets, partly because we had a character that was an ex-student Arcanist that had gotten expelled due to reasons and I thought it would be cool to revisit now that the Arcanist had grown in power. I'm going to move forward assuming GMs or folks that have played AoS and CotCT are reading this... During AoS, they had confronted Toff Ornelos and ended up fighting him, killing him before he could escape. Upon the conclusion of CotCT, the Arcanist player (well before Shadows at Sundown was ever announced) liked the idea that his character would become the Headmaster of Acadamae and start the rebranding process. This paired with the party creating a Council of different cultural representatives to rule the city. Even more importantly, at this point the heroes that defeated Illeosa had stymied Lothract's plans twice now (I think at the time with a successful knowledge check, I had let the players know at the end that Illeosa's contract was ultimately held by Lothract and he was not pleased) Working in the Council instead of Queen Cressida is going to be easy enough, my difficulty arises in replacing Headmaster Toff Ornelos in SaS particularly since part of his motivation is knowing he is just a figurehead. Would having a Deputy/Assistant Headmaster that is in unwilling service to Lothract (maybe always opposed to the Arcanist's progressive policies) is the one that interacts with the PCs? (Potentially the new Headmaster is down in Absalom visiting the Arcanarium for a symposium or something, getting that high-level PC out of town) Any other fun thoughts? I've got about 6 months before we get close to me running this, but I know I'll be running it! ![]()
![]() Ectolord wrote:
Up to the point that your party has played, it does look like they've done it correctly. This AP rewards players not just with credits, but with EXP based on their choices. (For instance, helping out Runo Prat should have garnered some additional EXP). As for pay from EJ Corp, I basically told my players its enough to cover the lease of the ship (because PCs are leasing BD514) and basic subsistence. I have been generous with giving the PCs plenty of time to loot enemies. If you're short on cash, especially in this part of the AP, that is exactly what Jason Tondro wanted the characters to feel. The hard-scrabble, no good answer, no good pay life the party is living under the thumb of EJ Corp. ![]()
![]() After meeting with Sinjin before heading to Horse Eye Orbital Plate, one of my players really latched onto the "releasing the null-space tech to the rest of the Pact Worlds" argument that Sinjin was using. So much so, they actually want to broadcast as much details about the technology and/or the Oliphaunt that they can before going to hand it off to Sinjin and the Golden League. So much of Eline Reisora's motivation throughout the later books is to get the ship back before the loss of the ship is known throughout the rest of EJ Corp. Even the "partnership" between Eline and Sinjin in Book My question: How would this impact the story in later books? My initial thoughts: Eline might still go after the PCs for revenge and Sinjin might still go after them for the ship. However, it goes more towards pure revenge instead of being a cover-up situation. What do folks think it might do to any particular encounters in later books (thinking in particular books 4,5 & 6)? ![]()
![]() Aaron Shanks wrote:
Is there a chance for a future where instead of even the PDF, there is just a generic VTT pack sold with the images formated for VTTs (potentially with transparent background for a full body image and a circle headshot token image?) I know a # of folks that play exclusively online even before COVID was a factor and would jump at getting the right character art assets! ![]()
![]() Oh, maybe the AP title "Strength of Thousands" might be more literal than I previously thought! With these lines: (bolding for emphasis) Quote: “The last act that group performed was sending a magical message to Azure Leopard and Old-Mage Jatembe, a plea for help. Then the teeth and magic of a thousand Agohbindis overwhelmed them.” Quote: “After a moment, Azure Leopard saw her teacher’s intent, and joined in with no prompting. Together their magic augmented the roots of the forest’s trees, which burst free from the soil. The pair sent out magical messages to the Tempest-Sun Mages to direct their energies into these roots. The magic roots stretched out of the soil, wrapping around each of the thousands of Agohbindi shards, holding them in place. Jatembe directed all the other warriors except Azure Leopard into the sky as he prepared the next stage.” I may be reading too much into it, but it's fun to think about! Regardless, this was a fun read! ![]()
![]() CrystalSeas wrote:
I have to agree 100% with this. I'm thinking of springing Otari onto some unsuspecting future players and having this sort of stuff easy to find would be aweseom! ![]()
![]() Kevin Mack wrote:
I have to disagree there with you. I don't think AP works: They are too long, and forcing something as big as Ancestery choices is rough. Especially something like Human. Its one thing to bar an 'uncommon' ancestry (Like in Ironfang Invasion, you probably shouldn't play a Hobgoblin). A schtick like that isn't something that could sustain for 6 books, and it'd be a stretch for a 3-parter. Free RPG Day -- It's been done before, its basically what Paizo has been doing since We Be Goblins started 1st Level Module -> This has more to do with the level of threats that they wanted to present in this book as well. There is something to be said for a niche adventure starting at a higher level, allowing for a bit more breadth in the story you can tell. To Wei Ji, I think it comes down to relatability. Some people like to play characters they can easily relate to, and being the Human ancestry is a way to accomplish that. It isn't all Min-Maxer's either. My Dad plays a variety of Humans, and he is far from a Min-Maxer, and its just how he likes to play (Although his current Dwarf Wizard a lot of fun!)
Beyond that though, once we're done with CotCT (about half-way through Book 5) and a short break for me, I plan on running my players through a start of [Plaguestone/Troubles in Otari/Dead God's Vault(right title?)] and then into The Slithering. I'm thinking what I'm going to do is at the end of whatever my first Module is, an event is going to happen that grants everybody an extra Ancestry feat that may be used on a Heritage. With the rider, that if they're humans it needs to be a versatile heritage, likely due to something they were exposed to previously awakened something... ![]()
![]() VixieMoondew wrote:
Also, as stalwart adventurers, they don't know if some evil cult of evil might attack during the ritual (or the ritual could go horrendously wrong for whatever reason and they need to react. ![]()
![]() This was a fantastic read. My players are about a third of the way through Skeletons of Scarwall (Book 5 of CotCT) and this brings me back to the very beginning. I shared it right away with my players. This was nicely timed to bring things back around to remind me (and hopefully them!) of where they have been on this crazy adventure! The story was great and evocative. That artwork along with it is gorgeous! ![]()
![]() Alright folks, the party's Arcanist, after watching the party Paladin get smacked with chains from 30 feet away got within 30 feet of Mithrodar. The arcanist defensively cast Mirror Image, getting 5 images. Does Spiritsense see through the Mirrored Images? Mirror Image Text wrote:
Bolding is my emphasis. Blindsight doesn't list Mirror Image as one of the things it bypasses. It is my belief that it doesn't bypass due to just about all other forms of blindsense being sight or smell based, which a Figment like Mirror Image could mimic. However, Spiritsense says it acts as blindsight, but my understanding is that it is sensing the soul (or absence of soul) of the creatures. At the time, we had totally missed the last paragraph of the Mirror Image spell, and most (if not all) of my players disagreed with me, so I ruled in their favor to move things along. Luckily for me, the next player's turn killed the last of the spectres and our session came to an end mid-fight. As that happened one of my other players pointed out that last paragraph of Mirror Image, and he reversed his thoughts on how it went down. This matters, because either Mithrodar didn't hit silly Arcanist at all or Mithrodar drops the silly Arcanist, so the Death Druid has to spend a turn doing breath of life on the Arcanist...when the party is attacking Mithrodar before any of the anchors are taken care of because they let the Night Hag lead them up there (to be fair they're zig-zagging all the way through Scarwall, so...) ![]()
![]() Zioalca wrote: I'm working on a google sheets for my game this weekend. I can send you a link to it if you'd like to make a copy of it. I made one the other day that is pretty rough right now. It should do most of the calculations, but isn't colorful or anything yet. And I haven't made a proper instruction page yet either. Also The Trick Sheet and the Show Sheet aren't connected in any manner, the Trick Sheet was just for reference for now. ![]()
![]() Hello! I'm looking at building a Ysoki Soldier with the Hunter combat-style and am looking at also utilizing the creature companion and mount rules from AA3. What I'm noticing though is that while the feat might be called Combat-Trained Mount, it is not in fact considered a combat feat. I'm looking at making this character Society legal (otherwise I would talk to a home GM about it and try and get it considered as a combat feat). Am I crazy in thinking at least the combat-trained mount feat should be labeled as a 'Combat' feat? ![]()
![]() I'm doing my first read through of this right now while we are on the last 1/3 of Plaguestone. I caught the similarities as well in at least Chapter 1 so far (as far as I've gotten is the opening box text). Spoiler: I really like the idea of players being able to bring forward rewards from Plaguestone after completing it in one fashion or another (with the biggest being maybe we steamroll Book 1 as 4th level PCs), and I thought it kind of funny that some of the PCs (maybe not all will come from Plaguestone, some players have already talked about making new characters instead, but others might keep their original) would witness the poisoning death of Bort and then Thunder.
I might rethink how Thunder ultimately succumbs to something, maybe being ripped apart by something ![]()
![]() Pirate Rob wrote: I can't get the weekend off from work but I'm considering coming up for Just Friday. Is there anyway to get a 1 day ticket? I am reaching out to the Convention Organizer right now, to look into that! Doesn't look like it can be done directly from the site at this time. I'll check back with you shortly! ![]()
![]() Have you ever wanted to sit down to dinner with some of Starfinders lead developers? Or with the authors of some of your favorite Pathfinder products? Such as Inner Sea Gods and Inner Sea World Guide? Now you can. Friday, July 19th, Sacramento Starfinder Society will be hosting a sit down taco dinner at InterGalactic ConQuest. There are only 22 seats available, and tickets are first come, first serve, and are currently only available to weekend pass holders. Signups will be available Monday, July 1st, starting at Noon. Tickets will be purchased through warhorn. Sign up here:
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![]() Sebastian Hirsch wrote: So high-level pregens would be very much needed, and frankly while I would hesitate to run 12+ PFS1 material at a public convention, it might be perfectly viable to run a 9-12 or higher at a public event. Any table where new players can't legally play is problematic in some locations. Outside of specials, like 2-00. I would love to see some level 12 pregens so that if I run a table at my FLGS, where I can only run 1 table, and I get a walk-in and I'm running a Level 9-12 Scenario, I would much rather say to them: "If you'd like to try out some high level play, I have a host of premade characters ready to go!" or if I have a new-ish regular that might've been coming the last 3-4 sessions, I can say to them that it is a fun time to experience high level play, and since these don't happen very often, come have some fun with us still, and play a pre-gen! Basically, in my opinion, level 12 pregens allow for more inclusive experiences, especially at the local stores. I would hate having to turn somebody away just because they aren't super invested in Society play yet. ![]()
![]() This isn't a mechanical note, but more of a setting note. Will we be getting any sort of setting information in regards to how Solarion & Vanguards interact in the setting? I feel like their 'power sources' are fairly similar what with "suns form and galaxies die" in the Vanguard description and the Solarion using Solar Manifestations. I feel like, for instance a Vanguard could just as likely train at the Pradulex Monastery as a Solarion, but I may be off-base and getting that clarified on the final product might be good. ![]()
![]() I'm thinking making my first character a goblin druid in the Animal Companion order. In particular, I am thinking of taking the Rough Rider Ancestry Feat, which reads as thus: ROUGH RIDER Goblin FEAT 1
My big question is, assuming an animal companion becomes Medium (which most will do at 4th level), will this allow a Goblin to ride an animal companion without the special Mount quality? ![]()
![]() Stone Dog wrote: I anticipate Oracle Feats that represent sorcerer-ness being inflicted on somebody by something other than heritage. Feats that deliver potentially stronger abilities, but also carry hinderances in the bargain. I like that idea. A feat (or Archetype, so series of feats) that provide a good bonus, but comes with an anathema as well. ![]()
![]() PossibleCabbage wrote:
I'd like to also point out that while a different game and campaign, SFS allows for crafting now because they've done away with it being a financial multiplier as well. (Crafting just makes this have a higher hardness, and halves the time it takes to repair, which could be useful). If we take that into consideration and if PF2E ultimately has something similar for crafting rules, where it is gated by level and proficiency and not financial multiplier, I feel there is a high likelihood of PFS2E allowing crafting. Temperans wrote:
Again, pulling from SFS, I agree that we have no idea how many rounds the average combat will take in PFS2E or Playtest. SFS combat, I see take 4-6 rounds and typically the Solarion gets use their 3-round abilities at least once in most significant combats (some combats admittedly are easier/quicker). ![]()
![]() My group is starting to prepare and schedule what we would like to do for the Playtest. Currently we have 2 regular GMs (myself and one other). We alternate who is GMing weekly between 2 different campaigns. My primary question is this: Is it possible to have each of us GM different Parts of Doomsday Dawn? (i.e. he GMs Parts 1,4,7 and I GM the rest or some other set-up like that) This is partly because both of us want to play (and honestly I think both of us want to tryout the rules from the other side of the screen as well). However, it also allows us not to take a huge 3 month break from either one of our campaigns. Ultimately we've already conceded we probably aren't following the quick schedule, but we'll complete the surveys as we complete the parts - since Jason Buhlman stated they'd be open for some time after the 2 week window (3 for Part 1). ![]()
![]() The Sacramento Pathfinder and Starfinder Lodge is excited to announce that we will be offering Starfinder Society Scenario 1-99 as our Saturday night multi-table interactive special at Midsummer ConQuest on July 21! This is a special early access offering during the blackout period from Origins in June to Gen Con in August. Come and join us as Nominated First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo sends the growing Starfinder Society to try and breach the impenetrable barrier surrounding the Scoured Stars region that is sure to shape the Starfinder Society for generations to come whether it is successful or not! You can purchase tickets to MidSummer Conquest here. Once purchased you can register for games here. If you would like to GM at all (3 sessions for free weekend ticket!), register on Warhorn and then fill this out. ![]()
![]() John Ryan 783 wrote:
While I expect much of the back-end math is different, I think they are going to be working on a similar philosophy as they did with Pathfinder Unchained and Starfinder, which is: Monsters/NPCs work off of different math than PCs do. This has many merits in that it is super easy to homebrew/create your own monsters. It also makes it easier for Paizo and other 3PP folks make monsters and stuff for adventures and what have you. However, it does make it a bit harder for consumers to double check math on published material (especially early SFS scenarios), until the Alien Archive came out. ![]()
![]() Crayon wrote: Can't say I'm a fan of bundling mechanics with background - it always seems to result in clumsy mechanics and cookie-cutter backgrounds. This is, probably one of the better implementations I've seen, but I do have a question - since all the Backgrounds shown thus far share a similar template, what's the intent behind having the individual Backgrounds? I imagine that just like Themes in Starfinder, this background system will give them space to, in the future make more specific backgrounds for different products. Much like the variety of Int-based themes in Pact Worlds are similar-ish mechanically (especially pre-6th level), but they each tell a different story about the character and where they are from. ![]()
![]() So I would like to go ahead and add my voice to the crowd and say that as a GM I am super happy with the slow roll-out of races. Especially of some of the more 'weird' ones being harder to get access to. My hope really is that all but the races is sanctioned sooner rather than later and not boon locked. Especially the themes, because right now some of the new themes will fit character concepts much better than current themes (I imagine we will see less Outlaws and more Space Pirates, and also less Scholars as there are more Int-based themes). I also believe that if the Archetypes are allowed right away we might start seeing some more players picking up Archetypes (some of them seem pretty neat at first glance!). I think the weapons added in Pact Worlds fill a lot of the holes from the SFCRB and will hold many people over until the Armory Guide comes out (I'm looking at you Weapon Crystals!) Races though, I would like to keep sort of the way they are. Some of the races need to be individually considered before releasing them into the wild. SROs most definitely and even Astrazoans have some pretty important racial abilities
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