Kennesty's page

Send them to the Positive Energy Plane.

This is the issue I had in Rise of the Runelords and it took a bit of time for me to be able to get the balance about right. I went the advanced template route, but this usually caused 3/4 BAB classes to struggle, saves to succeed more often than they should and it gives an artificial difficulty for these monsters, sometimes simply putting them out of reach of players at certain levels and creating long drawn out fights.

It was much easier to balance out Curse of the Crimson Throne and Second Darkness since I rewrote most of the encounters when converting them but, Reign of Winter with 5 players was going to create challenges.

My players have a significant amount of game mastery and we use Dreamscarred Press materials (It is powerful, but its so well written and designed we just can't help ourselves.). The best method is to shuffle your NPCs among the dungeon, action economy is the best way to balance for better and more numerous groups, especially in boss fights. Single NPC fights are reserved for very powerful monsters and I never leave a boss fight with just a single NPC. Throwing in a handful of mooks gives a distraction for the players and allows your boss some breathing room to do his thing (sometimes!) Don't be afraid to make changes mid-game based on what the parties doing, have NPCs run from fights and group with others. Have roaming guards in hallways walk in behind if the PCs don't make pains to clear everything before engaging high profile targets.

The first thing you need to do is go down to 15 Point-Buy though.

I've completed Rise of the Runelords and Curse of the Crimson Throne as a DM and am currently running a modified Second Darkness (On Book 5) and Reign of Winter (On Book 4). Also have a sequel campaign to Runelords and Curse on the horizon to expand on the remaining loose plot elements.

Please cancel my subscription for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.

Dotting for interest. I absolutely love all the Path of War material and don't get to run characters with it. I'll probably have a couple characters I could run by if you don't mind.

Couldn't find anything on 3rd party, would you be willing to allow anything from the Path of War line?

But I just finished this :(

Can I get some details on the Paladin archetype?

This is the day where my F5 key breaks.

My payment has been accepted, now the wait for it to be shipped... my impatience is massive.

Completed: Rise of the Runelords

In Progress: Curse of the Crimson Throne (Pathfinder Conversion, currently on book 2)

On the slate: Second Darkness, Legacy of Fire or Council of Thieves.

The way we run it is I give achievements out at the end of each book (nice little slips with a point value.) On book 4 my players do a vote for one of the next 3 APs, the person with the highest achievement point total gets two votes. When we're done whatever that is we will have those options -the one we did +Kingmaker. I tie in all character storylines with the previous adventure paths (In our Curse game, the father of one of the Runelords character is a party member and there are plans to tie in some of the choices that character made in.)

There are a lot of really good old modules, but a lot of them are really starting to feel dated. If I look at an AD&D module and a Pathfinder AP book the difference is product quality is huge! Personally I have a very hard time going back and playing old books, they're definetely are gems but they have aged. That being said I have never been disappointed by any of the Adventure Paths, even the ones that folks say are not as good.. I can always manage to alter it enough to have tons of fun with my players and really that's all that matters, so Paizo owns my soul until they stop publishing stuff.

Book 4 is quite rail-roady but that's never been a problem for my players, you have to expect a certain level of railroad with APs. The only changes I intend to make when I get there is to have assassination attempts from the Red Mantis more frequent.

Checking brick and mortar stores is probably best, when getting Curse of the Crimson Throne I found all 6 by visiting all the stores, even Seven Days to the Grave which I was fully expecting not to.

Just got my PDF! Also the Unchained Barbarian's Rage does not state that the bonus received is a morale bonus, was this intentional or an oversight?

They've said in the past that the computer calculates what will be the most efficient order to that similar orders are all done at once. I've noticed most people that have said they had their PDFs were RPG only subscribers. And then recently one of them was RPG/AP Subscriber which is the same as me. Also if you added things to ship with your subscription its going to push you farther down the list because the order is more unique.

Now I don't work for Paizo but this is the way I've interpreted what has been said in the past.

I think that may be correct, but they also may do it regionally (US before doing Canada as it would explain why I didn't get mine with the RPG Subscriber's only.)

Kennesty wrote:

Andrew Betts wrote:

Hmm someone with an RPG Sub and AP Sub has gotten their PDF ... I can feel it getting closer.

I wish I knew what the order was for subscription send-outs.

I'm sure there's some rhyme or reason to it, but it varies. I've had orders go through straight away, and then the next one I'm middle of the pack, then early, then right at the end... just try to be patient.

With most books it's fairly easy to be, I'm always excited for them but never like this... this is THE BOOK.

Hmm someone with an RPG Sub and AP Sub has gotten their PDF ... I can feel it getting closer.

I wish I knew what the order was for subscription send-outs.

Ugh, I just go the email notification, but I don't have the PDF. I am perturbed.

I would fall out of my chair. Hoping I get mine soon though, the wait is painful.

Ok show of hands, who is hitting refresh every 0,5 seconds waiting for the pdfs to magically arrive in their downloads? ^^

More like every 10 minutes, but still very anxious. I'm losing hope as the day is slowly coming to an end.

I fully expect my refresh key to not work after today, why did paizo have to be west coast!

Post it notes are really helpful. As for memorizing APs, I usually do a full-read through, as I'm doing Curse of the Crimson Throne and converting it myself I go through it slowly as I change things, then the night before I read what we'll be playing through. Don't worry about not getting everything right as long as everybody is having fun, I also find that at times when my players are discussing among themselves about what to do next or doing things in character, I slip in to read a couple things that I can't quite remember.

Perhaps the power he seeks to unleash is the Oliphaunt of Janderlay, easily ties into Rise of the Runelords (It's in the continuing the campaign at the end of the AE).

I have this little wooden chest, when my players earn loot I have a slip of paper folded up.

This paper on the exterior says "Weapon" or "Armor" or "Vial".ect.. it has the weight on it, where the loot came from (Boss name or location (A9), this is just so I can keep things organized) and the DC to beat to identify the item.

So for Example with a Cloak of Resistance:

Cloak, 1 lb., A9, DC 20 Spellcraft.

This folded paper is closed with a paperclip, which they can open and reveal the inside by beating the check. Inside will have:

Cloak of Resistance +1, 1000g. Or any other secret details. Players have the ability to look-up items on their phones. What this does for my group, besides being really fun to open up a chest and tons of paper slips is save time for me reading off loot. If you are looking to increase play-time, this definitely works. If they fail rolls they can go back to it on another game day to Identify the item and I don't need to check what item it is by rolling back to a previous page. This does however create some extra prep for the DM, so be ready for that.

This is definitely something that would require oppose charisma checks, you have to keep in mind that the guards are more than happy to be there and are guilty of far worse.

Oh damn, I seem to have missed these. Here is my Escape from Old Korvosa's Character Compendium. I'm almost done my History in Ashes.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/w4tfvoxf66su9no/Escape%20from%20Old%20Korvosa%20C haracter%20Compendium.doc?dl=0

When should Pathfinder RPG Subscribers be expecting their PDFs? Feels like its been forever since I've gotten a new book to read through.

Dotting. Will work on something wacky on Monday when i'm back at work. Is there a set deadline?

I am definitely interested in this.

Dotting for interest. I know you said no to Gunslinger, how do you feel about the Bolt Ace archetype? The gun is completely replaced with a crossbow. If you'd rather avoid it completely I'd probably settle on either a Ranger or bow archetype Fighter but I'd like to give it a try.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/gunslinger/archetypes/paizo--- gunslinger-archetypes/bolt-ace

I usually incentivise them through loot, most of my players usually show a genuine interest in advancing the story and are completionists, I also am giving achievements for pre-determined things and other benefits.

I'm just starting to put together a plan to run this as well so I'm going to piggyback off of this thread.

Problem the First: So as Lakesidefantasy mentions as a 3.5 AP, the adventure as written would translate to running on the fast XP track in Pathfinder. I'm winding down a run of RotR and I've found the fast track has been too fast for my tastes; I'd like to move it to medium if not slow. As such: can anyone suggest existing content that slots easily into the adventure at given points to facilitate that?

Academy of Secrets is the obvious choice, I know. I think I could probably adapt Dawn of the Scarlet Sun fairly trivially as well.

Are there any PFS scenarios that adapt easily to Korvosa? The price of getting them all to check out what I might be able to use is prohibitive.

I don't *mind* writing my own stuff, but given that I'm already taking on a conversion task as well I don't want to bite off more than I can chew in prep work.

Problem the Second: Gray Maidens. For various reasons that I'm not interested in debating, I'm going to open that group up to encompass men & women both (she's still going to pick only the pretty ones.) I need to come up with a new name, and "Gray Guard" seems a little generic. Gray Wardens is obviously no good either. Suggestions welcome!

I'm about to start my CotCT run soon as well, we just have the fight against Karzoug in a couple weeks and we're rolling characters immediately after. I intend to level my characters whenever progression calls for it, and I would suggest doing the same to avoid murderhoboing. These are the points I intend to level after.

To 2nd Level - After the Fishery
To 3rd Level - After Eel's End
To 4th Level - End of Edge of Anarchy
To 5th Level - After Lavender
To 6th Level - Just before the Hospice
To 7th Level - End of Seven Days to the Grave
To 8th Level - After Pilts Swastel
To 9th Level - End of Escape from Old Korvosa
To 10th Level - After Cindermaw
To 11th Level - End of History of Ashes
To 12th Level - After Clearing out the First Floor
To 13th Level - End of Skeletons of Scarwall
To 14th Level - Before the Assault on the Castle Korvosa
To 15th Level - Before the Assault on the Sunken Queen

Ending the Campaign at 16.

If I could remember where I could find the huge post detailing the benefits of leveling players when they reach a milestone over using the XP systems I would paste it here. If you are also interested in character conversions here's what I've just completed for Edge of Anarchy, just remember I've personalized and altered a lot of the NPCs and expanded them.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7bah23bgc7s5ewk/Edge%20of%20Anarchy%20Character%2 0Compendium.doc?dl=0

A Railroad is at any point in an adventure where the players are guided to a specific place in the story or an end goal. So when they are tasked with the collection of a specific rare magic item whose location is in the mystic cave the players are railroaded into going there. If the GM were to sit down and ask the players where they want to go and have a contingency for anywhere they would go and/or do then they wouldn't be at all railroaded.

If they were doing that and got to some place that would give them a specific goal then they would be boarding the rails and going along.

Kennesty wrote:

That being said all games have some railroading regardless. Anytime you direct your players towards a goal/quest you are putting them on rails. I'm not sure where all this anti-railroading stigma came from because there's also nothing wrong with it.

Not even remotely true. If an NPC says "Those Giants out in yon keep on the border are making everyone in town nervous. We'll have to redouble the guard in case they attack the town." That isn't railroading. That's roleplaying.

Yeah, and if you were to create a quest for the players to go to yon keep and slay the Giant king then they are on the rails as there is a directly intended route for them to go along with a specific end in mind, Killing the Giant King. If the players decided to say screw that and just go drinking in the tavern then they are off the rails. Just because you are being railroaded does not mean you can't roleplay, they are not mutually exclusive.

Torger Miltenberger wrote:

Anzyr wrote:

If a GM is worried about the Player's Save or Die ruining the pacing/drama/tension of a scene, then that GM is probably a GM of the Rings and quite frankly I don't think I'd enjoy playing such style of a game. If you like the railroad you're more then welcome to ride the rails though.

But I wouldn't advertise as that as how Pathfinder actually plays. My version is more accurate in that regard.

Fantastic, we've established that we enjoy two very different styles of game, and yes, you've described how unmodified, anything goes pathfinder works.

That you believe pacing, drama and tension are unachievable without "rails" is adorable but beyond the scope of the discussion.

- Torger

Ok then riddle me this Oh Mighty Torger Miltenberger;

How do you keep the pacing/drama/tension of a big boss fight when it loses initiative and dies to the first spell. Without railroading.

Do tell. Inquiring minds want to know. I'll wait.

Know what your players are capable of and ensure that your Big Boss has ways of surviving/defending itself against it.

That being said all games have some railroading regardless. Anytime you direct your players towards a goal/quest you are putting them on rails. I'm not sure where all this anti-railroading stigma came from because there's also nothing wrong with it.

Pathfinder in comparison to D&D 5th definitely has the ability to be very focused on numbers, there is much more that goes into creating your character from a Numbers perspective and a lot more to keep track of. However I find the argument that because the game allows for more focus on technical aspects that it detracts from Roleplay to be a very poor argument. Roleplaying occurs when players immerse themselves in the setting and interact with NPCs that feel very real and that can easily be achieved even with a complex system like Pathfinder. Pathfinder might cater to players who like a combat heavy environment but it doesn't have to, you can choose to omit combat encounters and modify them as you see fit.

The Adventure Paths serve as an excellent framework for anything you want to do with them, but if you want a world that dynamically changes at the whims of the players then you really need to write your own adventures because there is no way any company can account for as much variation as such... or you need to be able to change the adventure on a whim.

Well Baba Yaga's pet Goldfish was about to plunge the world into Eternal Winter, anyone who puts the fish down is definitely a hero. From the Adventure Paths I've read any of the Final Bosses being victorious usually means pretty bad things for the world or at least the section of the world they are active in.

The method I plan to deal with a TPK should it occur is that I am going to rewind just slightly before it occurs and have the combat that occurred be a vision that Zellara hath foretold and give the players another chance at it.

Just curious, because I play with very close friends and no matter how stupid they are I would never not re-invite a player back. Was this a group of random folks from an LGS, because I hear plenty of stories of groups breaking up and I just don't see that as plausible with my current core players, I mean some of our side players have stepped away but I guess I don't understand the concept of just not being invited/everyone just quitting.

A lot of the NPCs should be updated to fit ACG and APG equivalents if they made a hardcover if they want to make it compatible with the current pathfinder material.

I like a lot of my own personal conversions but I'm sure that Paizo already has in mind what they would do with the classes if they could expose CotCT to a remake.

We have Jeremiah, the squire of our groups chevalier who showed up one day after the retaking of fort rannick and has been showing up randomly ever since at convenient times where everyone now thinks he is an evil spy except the chevalier who won't hear any wrong about the guy.

There's also nakamura bonzai the son of a timewareped Japanese samurai from a side adventure we ran showed up and became the fort rannick sushi chef and prepared the black magga for them to eat.

If you want to get your players more used to Roleplaying, ditch experience as a system altogether. An issue I've had with new players is that they begin to view enemies as numbers rather than seeing them as something living because they need to kill for experience in order to have their character progress. Removing experience and leveling them at milestones allows you to nullify the kill them all mentality (Except for loot, greed elementals will always kill for loot, our resident greedy sorcerer is still having nightmares over an NPC with a Staff of Hungry Shadows they let go.)

Ah whoops, a little too used to the crafting price. I'll forego the Cloak of Resistance to keep it. Will adjust!

There are a lot of really exciting characters, I don't blame you for having a hard time choosing.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

We also don't play with XP, we have some players who have trouble letting NPCs live because of the loot they are carrying (Even some with knowingly s#%~ty items) and I'm not about to make XP a thing they need to eradicate everything to get.

I made Glorio an Investigator [Mastermind] to be played as a more devious villain in the vain of Moriarty and Vimanda as a Slayer to play her as more mobile. I can post the stats if anybody else is interested in them.

Office job with lots of downtime. We roll our stats, 4d6 and get rid of the lowest value, do it 7 times. I usually just give raw gold to my group when they seem to be in need.

I really don't mind upping the power level to keep them challenged, I do most of my conversions at work anyways so it keeps me busy.

Please note that I play with a group that puts a lot of focus on roleplay but at the same time are power players and are very optimized. As such I need to keep the monsters on the touch side to keep them challenged.