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Goblin Squad Member. RPG Superstar 6 Season Dedicated Voter, 7 Season Star Voter. ***** Pathfinder Society GM. 409 posts. 5 reviews. 3 lists. 1 wishlist. 13 Organized Play characters. 1 alias.


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Sovereign Court

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I will be running my Azlant campaign from the perspective that, while they may not send the very best and brightest, neither is this intended to be a penal colony of murder-hobos. The Bountiful Venture Trading Company is investing to make money and they are going to prefer colonists whom they believe will advance that aim for them. Additionally, Andoran is a co-signer on the whole affair and wouldn't willingly sponsor obvious criminals or malcontents.

Additionally, I have decided that there is great interest in this venture and so the Company is using a lottery system to choose from the hundreds of potential applicants before conducting more detailed interviews (which are time-consuming overall) until they have selected the correct number of colonists with what they believe is the best distribution of skills.

Feel free to disagree with either of those two premises and run your own campaign according to whatever assumptions best suit you and your group.

To kick off my campaign, my players will be getting a letter from the Company, something along the lines of the text below. Steal any portions of it that you find helpful.

Application Letter:
Congratulations, applicant!

The Bountiful Venture Trading Company would like to thank you for your initial interest in the Andoren colony of Talamandor’s Bounty and we are excited to tell you that your name has been selected in the lottery draft for consideration to join the second wave of settlers. At this time, you are formally invited to submit your full application to be reviewed for advancement to colonist selection interviews.

The thriving new colony of Talamandor’s Bounty is located on the lush subtropical island of Ancorato, approximately 1000 miles due west of Mediogalti Isle in the Arcadian Ocean. This proud colony will be a bastion of Andoren ideals of freedom and the benefits of democratic leadership. Ancorato boasts a treasure trove of natural resources and a favorable climate for raising a variety of crops, including some luxury resources, year round and the ever-present ocean provides a rich bounty for fishing, whale and shark hunting and diving endeavors. It is even believed that a few remnants of ancient Azlant may eventually be found by industrious archeologists, especially those that can succeed on aquatic expeditions. The colony’s eventual success will mean land grants and profit-sharing for all of the early residents of Talamandor’s Bounty!

We are seeking hardy, resourceful and determined applicants who can contribute to our foundling community. Skills and experience related to: utilizing natural resources, farming, animal husbandry, fishing, hunting and carpentry are especially desirable at this stage. We are also seeking individuals who can provide goods and services to the colony such as: weaving, pottery, medicine, furniture-making, weaponsmithing, fletching, basic alchemy and other crafts. Musicians, scribes and storytellers will provide welcome distractions from the rigors of island life and should also expect to contribute in other areas. Trustworthy and capable explorers or scouts will be carefully selected to help map the island’s interior and deal with any minor natural threats that may be found in the wilderness.

Regardless of specialty, prospective colonists should demonstrate a commitment to cooperation and community. Organizational, communication and leadership skills are desirable and willingness to abide by the rules of the colony is a must.

We sincerely hope that you can see yourself in the description above and that you can help us see you as a second-wave colonist bound for Talamandor’s Bounty! Applications are due by Gozran 15 to post office box #52499, Liberty District, Almas. Thank you again for your interest, we are looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,
The Bountiful Venture Trading Company and
The Andoren Council

Disclaimer: Although there are no known major threats present on the island of Ancorato, colonists assume all risks associated with participation, including the approximately 10-week sea voyage which departs from Almas on Desnus 5, weather permitting. There is no guarantee made, express or implied, of the eventual success of this endeavor and loss may be incurred by colonists, up to and including loss of life, which is not reimbursable in any way by The Bountiful Venture Trading Company (the Company) or the nation of Andoran. Applicants will sign the colony charter upon selection and work according to their ability for the best interests of Talamandor’s Bounty, Andoran and the Company. Supplies from the mainland will arrive by ship approximately every three months and prospective colonists should be prepared to make do with the colony’s stores and resources found on the island between shipments. Upon signing the charter, applicants will officially become colonists and will be granted Andoren citizenship and be bound by the laws of this great nation. By signing the charter, you will agree to indemnify and hold blameless the government of Andoran, her citizens and/or the Company and its employees. Colonists who are not aboard the ship provided by the Company when it departs, will forfeit their colonist status and will be liable to the Company for a 150gp re-processing fee. The Company will make selections for interviews and colonists at its sole discretion and all decisions are final. By submitting your application, you agree to abide by the terms laid out in this letter.
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Sovereign Court 5/5

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Please join me in congratulating 'Mr. Pirate Queen' himself, Chris Schweyer, upon is attainment of an official rank within the fleet!

Having been a stalwart champion of the ACG since its launch and a loyal cabin boy as well, Chris has been promoted to the lofty role of PFACG Venture Lieutenant. He will retain his cabin boy duties.

Avast! Yar! Also, Happy 13th Anniversary! :-)

Sovereign Court 5/5

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Congrats Dom!

Well Deserved. Thank you for all that you do for our community.

<3 The Pirate Queen

Michael Brock wrote:

Please join me in congratulating Dominick Trascritti as the newest recipient of the PFS Campaign Service Award.

Dominick has served as a Tampa are Venture-Officer for several years, first as a VL and now as a VC. His efforts have fostered growth and community cohesion in his region. He makes my job easier and I thank him for that. His PFS Work with large regional conventions and local charities places him as a pillar of the community and someone that people can look to as an outstanding person, not only in PFS, but life in general.

He has my highest respect and most sincere thank you for all of his work. Without him, PFS would not be where it is today.

Congratulations Dominick Trascritti. You are now PFS number 719 and one of the pillars that Society is built upon!

Sovereign Court 5/5

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Ran this twice over the weekend, and adding to the good notes already in this thread.

This cannot be overstated for this scenario: DO NOT RUN THIS COLD.

Details you will want to understand for yourself that are not provided in the scenario:

*who the victims are* - good info above, I stole it directly for my games
*more detail around the death of the second victim* - just stabbed or something more grisly? It did get interrupted and there is rumor info - but there is still not enough detail
*more detail on the legal process* - by default the players at my tables (all Americans) have presumed certain things about how a trial is supposed to go. I had to make up details on the fly about how things went down - did they have legal representation? what was the burden of proof on the prosecution? who decided the case? who has the legal authority to prosecute/present evidence/etc? what sort of jurisdiction does the inquisitor have in this matter? in future legal matters (if the PCs get arrested)?

The evidence against the Pathfinders is flimsy at best. For an audience used to CSI, innocent until proven guilty, etc, it doesn't stand up in the slightest. GMs will need to frame the legal environment to help them understand how an anonymous note of accusation counts as 'evidence'.

*Where Ekira is staying and what she is doing when she is not in a specified encounter. Same thing for the Mayor.* The PCs are going to try to 'look these people up' and not in accordance with the script of the adventure.

*More clues/red herrings about Krunne. It doesn't take the party too long to figure out that someone else is involved here, so they naturally start trying to track him down. Aside from one true rumor and the specified encounters for when things heat up, Krunne has been in town for a month with no trace. Obviously, it doesn't work for the PCs to find him ahead of schedule, but there should be a few observations, hints or at least suggestions of his presence if they follow up on him specifically.

*More townsfolk. I am not criticizing the author here - page limits are page limits, but as this plays out with heavy investigation, the world wants more people. Have names and/or personas for the innkeep, other merchants, interesting personalities, etc. Otherwise the town feels very empty. Don't get too crazy with it though - the adventure may run long as it is, if the PCs start chasing red herrings about the guy with the crooked nose who gave them rumor #4 you'll never finish playing this.

Sovereign Court 5/5

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If the person doing the reporting was also a major organizer at the con (usually the case) and has a full time job outside of organizing PFS at cons (also usually the case), I recommend allowing one month before asking. This recommendation is based on my own personal irritation level when people ask me two days after a major con "Why isn't my stuff reported yet?"

Possible reasons why your stuff isn't reported yet:
*Post-Con Crud
*Post-Con Burnout
*Fires at work that flare up after taking time off for a convention
*Angry significant other who wants you to stop doing dumb gaming stuff and pay attention to them
*Misplaced reporting slips
*Terrible handwriting
*Incomplete reporting slips
*Did I mention awful, terrible handwriting?

TL,DR: Because there is other stuff that is sometimes more urgent than reporting PFS sessions and because deciphering reporting slips requires at least a +5 in Linguistics.

After a month, however, an organizer should be able to field those questions, provide a timeline and get stuff done (barring real life catastrophes). If the organizer doesn't respond, reach out to your local VC - they may be able to offer some assistance if the task is overwhelming.

Sovereign Court 5/5

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Not sure if the OP is bragging or lamenting.

Hopefully, everyone had fun?

Seems a shame to me though, this is such a good module with so many good RP opportunities AND some tough combats.

I ran this for a group of friends and actually had them jumping out of their seats at one point. Lots of 'oh gross' comments too. Love this one.

Sovereign Court 5/5

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To my good pal, Ocol Redbeard (aka Shane Murphy) - landlocked, mouse-eared pirate extraordinaire:

Congrats on earning your 5th Star! Took ya long enough. ;)

Fair winds and following seas!

Sovereign Court 5/5

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Please join me in offering a hearty 'Yar, har, har!' to the newest Florida Venture Lieutenants who are busy making things happen in Ocala and Gainesville.

Joshua Robertson - PFS VL Ocala

and

Jack Ellis - PFS VL Gainesville

Welcome aboard ye scurvy dogs! (I mean that in the nicest possible way)

Sovereign Court 5/5

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And one of the best GMs I know, to boot!

Congrats and thank you, Dom!

The Pirate Queen approves!

Sovereign Court 5/5

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Seth Gipson wrote:
79) I will have a name that is both easy to pronounce and easy to remember.

80)...and cannot easily be mispronounced into something funny or dirty.

Sovereign Court 5/5

2 people marked this as a favorite.

59. I will not wait until my hit points are ridiculously low before using my cure items or abilities thereby causing me to die from an average melee attack and leaving my cure items, unused, for the murder-hobos to consume at their leisure.

Sovereign Court Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7

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*achievement unlocked* made it past the cull...

Sovereign Court Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7

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Had to look up two new words in a row. Neither item was upvoted.

Sovereign Court Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7

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Oh new item. Why did you not quit while you were ahead? You kept on going and made me vote for the other item with lesser concept but tighter writing...

Sovereign Court Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7

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Oooh you, yes you. You sound cool enough to make me play a character that could get maximum value from your awesome-sounding self.

Sovereign Court Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7

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IcedMik wrote:
Hngh just saw my own item and the homonym typo I made oh god bottom tier kill me now.

Most voters overlook some typos and minor errors when confronted with mojo. You already did better than others who failed to submit at all. Cut yourself a break. The community and judges can be plenty tough enough.

Sovereign Court Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7

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Drejk wrote:
Anthony Adam wrote:
Amy Gillespie wrote:
Feros wrote:
Amy Gillespie wrote:
Oh! Oh! Mickey called. He needs his hat back.
Yeah I saw that one yesterday.
I now have music stuck in my head. Who gave me one of the theme song items IRL?
Ooooooh item, you're so fine, your're so fine you blow my mind, hey item!

Hey, I just entered

I know it's crazy
but here's my item
so vote it maybe

And all the other voters
Try to erase it
but here's my item
so vote it maybe

That's not fair. Funny, but not fair now that it is stuck in my brain! I think its time to start drinking...

Sovereign Court Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7

1 person marked this as a favorite.

I'm sorry, Item Creator, but if you used some of your 300 words to intentionally write a note to me the voter, or me the GM, to further explain how your item might be used, then...no.

Sovereign Court Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Feros wrote:
Amy Gillespie wrote:
Feros wrote:
Amy Gillespie wrote:
... Found the 50 Shades of Grey item.
...and?
Trying to purge it from my brain. Along with some of these other disgusting items. Some things you just cannot un-read.
Somebody pass Amy the brain bleach...

Maybe we can have Lenses of Unreading?

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