Milton Murphy's page

Normally, yes. For instance…

Thanks!

I think the answer is “yes” but would like a confirmation. If a large area like a dungeon level is under the effect of a permanent spell effect that is active and on going, does it register normally on a detect magic spell as one of the detected auras and therefore can be identified through the normal application of the detect magic+arcana?

So my scheming group, ever looking to push the envelope, have reached the point where they are doing some crafting and someone mentioned the idea of enhancing the ioun stone that they were given and using it while they are searching for the 4th shard then when they meld the two it would have the increased abilities.

I'm reviewing the mechanics that would allow that but I don't have anything against that gamewise if that how they want to spend their resources. I thought I'd throw it out there to see if others have thoughts I'm not considering? I haven't seen anything the the AP text that says the abilities of the ioun stone affect it's ability to counter the curse, just that it needs to be a specific type.

Interrogate seems a little strong in regard to Natalya. Once free of the Shard's influence, she's not really an enemy.

I'd work to build up the relationship with the Heidmarchs. Summon them back. Emphasize that they're agents of the Pathfinder Society and that they work for Sheila. It's important so they can get the ioun stones needed to suppress each shard's curse, and there are some pretty big requests of them in the last book.

And Natalya has a side quest for them. So I'd have Sheila bring them back for a conference with Natalya, and a remorseful Natalya might ask them to help her with her problem after that meeting.

Nothing wrong with a little light interrogation. :) I kid, I kid. Point noted.

Good suggestions! Unfortunately I didn't have the chance to see this until today (session was last night). I went ahead and had Sheila inform them so they were forewarned about the were-lair at the least. They're pretty dialed in on the other stuff you mentioned, just a little sloppy on info gathering aspects so far.

Appreciate the reply!

Looking for opinions. I'm running my group through Shards of Sin. They've not been particularly inquisitive so wondering should I help them by trickling out a fraction of the info regarding the Crow they should've gotten? A few things...

- They didn't really latch onto the missing people mystery. They did not go to Arvensoar and so did not speak to Kasadei. The only issue with this is that they might lose some coin by not getting the reward that Kasadei offered.

- They took out Terisha and did not pursue any sort of interrogation. I don't think this is major either. Maybe they could have gotten a few tidbits but I don't think that would have substantially changed anything.

- The major overlook was that they handed Natalya over to Sheila without talking to her at all as they subdued her into unconsciousness and never woke her up before they handed her over.

My reasoning is that Sheila would have definitely interrogated Natalya especially about where she found the shard and could have discovered that the group was going to Crow Natalya maybe shared some things that Sheila would want to pass along to the party. The party is prepping a bit before going out to the Crow so there is time for Sheila to get a message to them. I'm leaning this way.

Or I could just do nothing and let the chips fall where they may.

Thanks everyone for the comments and info!

About to start Shattered Star and allowing 2 traits (1 campaign + 1 any) plus 1 additional trait if a drawback is chosen. One of my players has chose a trait from the magic basic list and wants to select another magic trait from the faction list. I'm flexible about it, but I would like to be able to interpret the trait selection rules correctly.

My question: Are the Factions traits considered a separate source for purposes of trait selection (so you can chose a magic trait from the Basic list and a magic trait from the Faction list) or are they lumped in with the four Basic list of traits (Combat, Social, Magic, and Religion) for purposes that 2 traits cannot be chosen from the same list?

Milton Murphy wrote:

Thanks for taking the time to review GM_Solspiral (you too mamaursula!) I think this is fair. I'd like to understand "wall of text"? I think it means I was too wordy (which I would not be surprised as I've been told that before.) Add some additional curiosity since I seem to be the only one afforded that particular "ugly". :-)

Definitely learned a lot from my first foray into RPG S*. Looking forward to contests in 2014 and beyond.

Cheers,
MM

These are very stream of conscious reviews. Wall of text is when you don;t break things up into paragraphs after being wordy.

Thanks!

*snip*
44) Circlet of Substantial Foresight
The Good: Divination that fabricates an item that will be useful in the near future is a cool plot item concept. Formatting is sound.
The Bad: Depending on the items manufactured this is prolly typically under priced.
The Ugly: Wall of text.
Overall: 2 stars- lower middling for me. I have a hard time getting excited about this as a voter. Plot items are not Superstar and the competition was really good this year
*snip*

Thanks for taking the time to review GM_Solspiral (you too mamaursula!) I think this is fair. I'd like to understand "wall of text"? I think it means I was too wordy (which I would not be surprised as I've been told that before.) Add some additional curiosity since I seem to be the only one afforded that particular "ugly". :-)

Definitely learned a lot from my first foray into RPG S*. Looking forward to contests in 2014 and beyond.

Cheers,
MM

As last year, I'm tracking the items and reviews posted to the 2014 Critique My Wondrous Item thread in a Google Doc.

If you posted an item, it should help you find reviews of your item. If you're reviewing items, it should help you find items that haven't been reviewed.

If you're just a fan, you can use it as an index to find any items put up for critique.

(If you're curious, here's last year's doc, which Ziv Wities and I worked on.)

Many thanks for the effort of putting this together. Very helpful!

Circlet of Substantial Foresight
Aura moderate transmutation; CL 9th
Slot head; Price 90,000 gp; Weight -

Description
This simple silver circlet has a small round embellishment on the front that rests on the wearer's forehead. A green stone in the center of the embellishment is attached by five silver filaments. When wearing the circlet the wearer is able to immediately fall into a peaceful sleep. While sleeping the circlet sifts through the wearer's mind piecing together information from memories and divine sources to fashion an object that may help the wearer in the days to come. The wearer may have strange dreams that might be connected to the object or situation. The wearer will wake refreshed as if she'd had a full night's rest in only half the time it would normally take (this is the required time.) When the wearer wakes the object is formed and one of the filaments burns out. When the last filament burns out the circlet will no longer function and the stone drops from the embellishment, turning black. If materials are available within 5 feet to fashion the object then they are used, otherwise a random, non-magic object from the wearer's person will be used. If no materials are available or the wearer is awakened before the required time has passed then no object is created and no filament is spent.

Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, fabricate, detect thoughts, divination, sleep; Cost 45,000 gp

Okay people, just over 24 hours remain until the top 32 get revealed. If it's anything like in previous years, here's what's going to happen:

Everyone who submitted will rush to see if they made it. In the vast majority of cases, the answer will be 'No'. Then they will look at the items that *did* make top 32. Most of these hopefuls will admire those selected, sigh in disappointment, and hopefully try to take away some lessons for next year.
Some people, however, will get angry. Very angry. They will treat the fact that *their* item wasn't picked as a personal insult, and go into full-on, Hulk-smash, rage mode. They will post on the boards ranting and raving about how the idiocy of the voters, the bias of the judges, and most of all, about how every single member of the top 32 is a steaming pile of hodag dung next to the shining brilliance of their own overlooked masterpiece.
Please, for the love of Cayden, don't be that person! If you're angry about not being picked, do yourself a favor and stay off the message boards until you've had a chance to cool down. The only thing that you'll accomplish by posting your rant is to make yourself look petty and childish. Keep your cool, let the top 32 have their moment in the sun, and don't be a jerk.

Thanks,

A

Here, here Loki_Thief. In lots of similar situations I like to tell my teams to check your egos at the door. No need to fume and holler. It's just wasted energy you can be putting towards something positive.