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Based on the questions asked in this thread, I'm happy to share episode two of TaleTop, a series focusing on the unique storytelling hurdles in roleplaying games. I'm still getting the hang of talking to a camera as opposed to an actual person, but I'm looking forward to covering other subjects.

TaleTop - Episode 2 - ENGAGE Your Players

What other hurdles do you think GMs or players face when trying to tell the story they want?

Whether you're running a game of Pathfinder, another tabletop system, or even a LARP, there are storytelling hurdles that most GMs/DMs/storytellers experience in interactive fiction.

Are there any in particular that are bugging you?

Metaborn Games is working on a YouTube series that focuses on these storytelling questions and would love to here from Pathfinder players/GMs. You can talk about your issues here, or submit a question through our form.

(Mods, feel free to move this thread to whichever forum is most relevant. I chose this one since the discussion wasn't necessarily Pathfinder-specific.)

"Humans have been sharing stories for the entirety of recorded history. Metaborn Games seeks to continue that tradition by making non-electronic roleplaying games accessible to everyone, whether that be through current popular fantasy systems or our own original means."

We have several products slated for launch this year! For now, however, you can check out our blog for Pathfinder, Fifth Edition, and system-neutral content for interactive storytellers, as well as sneak peeks of upcoming products.

You can also check us out on Facebook and Tumblr!

Metaborn Games - Stories. Driven.

Hello.

I'm currently working on a series of monster-entry PDFs that I'd like to eventually publish. Currently, I'm finishing up a few entries that are set up as follows:

• An introductory letter from an adventurer detailing an encounter with the featured monster (each PDF is framed as an entry in a periodical that people submit monster information to).
• Some GM advice on how to integrate the monster into a campaign or adventure.
• The monster's statblock.
  
• Extra background about the monster's habitat or history, if needed.
  
• A few byproducts that can be harvested from the monster.
  
• One or more magical items that can be made from the byproducts, or are otherwise linked to the monster in some way; OR some other content such as feats or spells that have a thematic connection to the monster.

With all of this, plus OGL information and such (but no cover), I have it at about 3 pages. I've seen some with higher page counts, and others with even less.

My question is: From your experience as either a third-party publisher, or a purchaser of third-party content, how much content do players expect from a PDF for around $1?

Yes. I'm serious.

From my understanding, the CR listing of a creature assumes a party of a 4-5 characters with gear that's standard for their level. But what if the party has been stripped of all of their armor and magical equipment , and is fighting with mundane weapons? Obviously, there should be a CR adjustment in place, but I'm curious about how much I should adjust for? The APL in this situation is 5, if that helps.

I don't know if this is something that's ever been established, but is there a certain number of encounters (combats, traps, haunts, etc.) that an average-sized dungeon usually has? I imagine that it varies depending on the CR of the individual encounters, and the CR of the dungeon itself. I was just curious if, from experience, anyone came up with an "average" of # of encounters in a given dungeon.

If you're a GM, is there a number that you strive for in planning out dungeons?

I see it at most tables I play at. Let's say a Monk wants to jump across a thing. The Monk has a +20 to Acrobatics and the DC of the jump is 15. As a time saving measure, the GM just declares the jump a success.

Is there any textual rules precedence for the "auto-success" on skill checks, or is this just a house rule?

My character is investigating the scene of a grim slaughter. One of the victims still has an arrow sticking out of his head. A Heal check reveals that this particular victim has no other wounds, and that the arrow killed him outright.

My question: I want my character to be able to estimate where the arrow was shot from based on the point of entry, strength of impact, etc. and follow the flight path back to where the arrow was shot from. What skill heck would I use for this?

Whether you're a player or a GM, we all have heard those lines uttered by folks at the table that are less-than-subtle indicators of ulterior motives! We already have a great "GM says, GM means" thread going, but the "Player Says, Player Means" thread died tragically in its youth due to forum-user behavior. Consider this the reboot! Post things said by players at the table, and then tell us what (you think) is really going on.

Remember that every player is a little different, and some of 'em have different ways of "doublespeak" than others if they have it at all. So take these with a grain of salt, because they're all based on personal experience with specific players.

Player Says: "I can look up that rule for you!"
Player Means: "I can read the rule aloud for you in a way that spins the interpretation in my favor!"

Player Says: "Does this city have magic shops?"
Player Means: "Does this city have a self-service kiosk that sells every magical item listed on d20pfsrd?"

Player Says: "Can I be a (Obscure and/or Third Party Class) (Obscure and/or Third Party Race)?"
Player Means: "My character has no personality, but I'm trying to mask that with weird crunch."

Player Says: "Have you ever heard of the Book of Erotic Fantasy?"
Player Means: "I'm going to make sweet love to your NPCs"

Player Says: "I'm going for an evening stroll"
Player Means: "I'm a Dhampir who dines on human blood, and I'm keeping my habit a secret from the party by roleplaying these meals out with the GM via passed notes."

Player Says: "That's how it was in 3.5!"
Player Means: "Not only am I going to argue with you about the rules, but my arguments are going to be based on a different system. I'm literally the worst."

Player Says: "Don't worry about it..."
Player Means: "You have one round to prepare for me annihilating this encounter, blowing up everything on the map, and/or derailing the campaign."

Ever since I gazed upon the Android race in Inner Sea Bestiary, I longed for the opportunity to roleplay such an unusual race in Paizo's pulp fantasy setting. I've had the chance to do so in the Rise of the Runelords game I've been participating in for the past few months, and I wanted to share my experience and hear from others.

So, what are your android roleplay stories?