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I would beg to differ with you on that Enevhar. At a table, unless Josh is sitting next to you and in a particularly prickly mood, the GM is law. If a GM chooses to accept a scanned copy of anything at the table and someone at the table were to send a note to Josh saying, "Dear Josh, I think you should know that a GM here at the so and so convention accepted a scanned blank." I doubt seriously that Josh would suddenly shoot the GM a Dear John letter. The rules are there to give GMs the guidance and authority to enforce the expected etiquette at a table. It is still about keeping the game flowing and the experience positive and in the GM section of the PFS rule book it effectively says that GMs should use there own discretion when dealing with issues regarding players and play. That being said, Chris, if one GM allows it don't expect that all GMs should allow it. As Enevhar has pointed out the rule of thumb has been set down by Josh. The question you have to ultimately ask yourself is; Is it worth taking the risk of a "no" every time you show up at a table?
As a player/GM I would have to say one should never assume that extreme cases are the norm Bobbo. I think what is being discussed in terms of examples are very specific scenario's. It is not meant to imply that GMs/Coordinators at conventions are going to be looking over your shoulder like Nazi's and expecting you to be following the rules to the letter. However, there are those who feel that rules are there to break. It is those few that manage to fuel and drive these detailed types of discussions. Also, it is important to point out that this game is not just about players. GM's also are entitled to have fun. That fun is often manifested in knowing good clean fun was had by all. I, for example, don't like it when folks show up to a table with no character sheet. I also don't like computer dice rollers at my table. Why? Not because I don't trust their randomness but because I want to see the roll. I want to see the character sheet. Plain and simple. As a GM I shouldn't have to get up and walk over to a player in order to see something I am curious about. I should be able to say, "May I see your character sheet please?" and bang you hand it to me. That is not being unreasonable. I have a fellow who consistently shows up to play with no character sheet. He notoriously rolls off the top of his head. Now if I have no mechanism in place to refer to then that fellow would argue and waste time and ultimately I would have to let him play. Inevitably other players would argue, "Well you let him play" until eventually GMing becomes a chore. Without GMs there are no P and P role playing games. I use Hero Lab myself. I make sure to printout my character sheet. I have my books in PDF format on my little laptop which I bring with me as well. I do this because I never assume that a GM will allow the use of items not generally accepted in P and P games. There are rules for a reason and perhaps the shoe does not fit me or you but inevitably Cinderella does show up and in those rare instances we understand why the rules are there.
Just to let everyone know, the new Portland PFS chapter is going strong! We just finished our second game last Friday, and we will be meeting again on Friday 9/17 at Other Worlds Games. At the moment I am the only one GMing, but I hope to eventually grow the group and have enough players to run two tables every other week. There are still two seats open for our next game, so if you'd like to join us, please visit the Meetup Site. Excellent to hear Alex. Excellent.
I would agree with Doug Doug as well. When I make changes they are done for very specific reasons. Usually to take a circumstance where the game will be boring for all involved and make it challenging. For me this usually happens when the table splits the tiers. Example the table is APL 5 and the tiers are Tier 3-4 or 6-7. When the party decides to play down it is a cake walk and when the party plays up it is a certain TPK. This just recently happened with 2-01. I made no adjustments, they played down, and they cruised through all the encounters. I happen to be an actor by trade so I enjoy rping the villains and so to a degree it was entertaining for all but was it a challenge? No. I think taking away the GMs right to alter a scenario would effectively turn them into automatons. Part of the incentive to GM is to have fun fleshing out a story for the players while at the same time using there own creative resources where needed. I will repeat...where needed. Now I certainly don't want to say anything disparaging about anyone but occasionally you do have those GMs that approach a scenario from a "me against them" mind set. This is not to say that this is what you experienced but often those types of GMs can alter the perception of what is expected or not expected from GMs as a whole. Those few can make it tough for the many as they say.
Did I forget anything?Thanks Doug Doug, you assumed correctly. No one that I could find locally and the sop owner is willing so off we go! I would like to add one thing to Doug Doug's list of forums if I may; Meetup Groups. There is a nominal fee to maintain the site but if your game store is willing to sponsor the site it is well worth it. I will repeat "Meetup Groups". Check it out.
Think about the Factions as more of a game flavor rather than a mechanic. While they are indeed a part of the overall mechanic of play with regard to Prestige Points they never supersede your Pathfinder goals. I tend to think of it as a good excuse to roleplay above and beyond the norm. Sometimes a faction mission may require a certain skill to achieve that your character may not possess. In those instances I like to find ways of getting others in the party to assist without sharing my actual intentions. I may state emphatically (If I have a high bluff check) that the Venture Captain in my region has asked me to seek out the item in question etc. There is no guarantee that the faction mission will succeed but a little creative thinking goes a long way.
If nothing else it shows you are devoted to the game. It is like applying for a job. Often HR departments will keep you on file after a position is filled. If they think you have promise for something else down the pike you get a call. It has happened to me.
Plus the fact that as far as I know, you aren't allowed to modify the scenarios as written. You can only play the game at a high tier (if possible). Alex? Did you fall asleep? I too do what Alex does. I also take liberty at low end adventures to adjust HP to max. Specifically on those occasions when I have a full table. This gives the PCs somewhat of a challenge. Otherwise the fun factor can be in question not just for the GM but for the PCs as well. I don't really consider this modifying the content per se. They are engaging the same NPC's just at max hit points.
It's good that I had a busy day at work and couldn't browse much. Josh's explosive runes are actually filled with custard. It's Mark Moreland's that you have to be careful to avoid.** spoiler omitted ** Ok, now I am dead and I smell like my grandmother. No offense granny. The things I go through to protect you people...Sheesh.
When can we expect an update/decision regarding the Regional Coordinator positions? Is this on the back burner until after GenCon? Wow...I just died on a trap intended for Doug Doug. Most unfortunate and a little embarrassing.
WOW! This is cool, but would be a daunting task especially in larger metro cities like New York, Boston, LA, and Chicago. I know there are dozens of gaming stores spread across the Chicagoland area plus at least as many dedicated book/comic dealers that dabble in games. To stay current with all of them, monthly, feels like a full-time job. I would love to take the mantle, but alas, work, family, etc leaves little time for other. It's hard enough keeping up with my weekly event at FLGS and a bi-weekly home game. Oh, for the days of youth before children, and other responsibilities. Guess I'll just have to wait until it's my turn to win PowerBall so I can quit my job and become a professional geek :-) You would be surprised to find out that NYC has few big gaming stores. I dare say besides Kings Games in Brooklyn and Compleat Strategist in Manhattan there may be three or four more of any note in the five boroughs. Space is at a premium here so it is hard for game stores to afford the rent. Unless of course you are Toy's Are Us. Folks tend to play in home game settings or through two good size gaming forums. |
