Paul Ackerman 70's page

So. Today is game night, and I'm going over my SCAP materials in order to get prepared. This is my second real start of Shackled City. I ran it a few years ago for a group and they ended somewhere around demonskar legacy/test of the smoking eye. We had played for quite awhile and relocation and lives got in the way of ever completing.

They were a great group. Thorough and engaged, they enjoyed creating backstories and role-playing.

One PC was a flesh golem. Which made the drinking contest very interesting. The player was looking forward to the contest, knowing that the alcohol would have no effect on him. Believe that Vhalantru hit some radars big time that night. As well as the PC hitting his in a big way.

Perhaps my fond memories of that game prompted me to revisit the shackled city when the the opportunity to start a new gaming group arose.

This is our fourth session third playing Shackled City. It consists of myself and three new to the game players. My brother-in-law playing the grumpy take the lead wizard. He's a LOTR and rts nerd, and seems to like bossing the other two characters around and solving puzzles, managing tactics etc.

Then there is, at the time of the first session, the 10 day in america chinese international grad student. He is playing a fighter named Burger King. He has played many PC dnd games, Bauldurs Gate, Neverwinter Nights. He really enjoys killing monsters and taking their stuff.

My temporary roommate, who may come back for future games, if I can manage to find a better night. Started with a bard and after the first session or so asked about creating another character-a monk- and I suggested playing both.

They've all had a good time each session and are flying through the path.

Maybe I've edged it along but here's what happened so far...

The first session I ran a pathfinder module, Crypt of the Everflame I believe. They pushed to the big bad, killed him and we ended there. I used it mostly as a learning tool and a buffer as I expected a few more people to join the gaming group.

Session two found us with still only three players and I decided not to postpone the adventure path any longer. Starting the session at the Lucky Monkey, I gave a minor narrative loosely tying up the Everflame and starting them off. Without much prodding they went to the city, paid their entry tax and began exploring.

I asked if they had any particular desires and we bought and sold a few things. I eventually drug them around to the Rufus encounter and off we were.

It took them awhile to find out where to go, I had to pull them along and drop a few things in their laps.. they were convinced the Last Laugh were responsible for the kidnappings and were trying to find their base. They couldn't think of any other leads or possibilities.

Once below the locksmiths house they discover the secret door and after killing and intimidating the guards, work out a plan to find the boss.

They get to Kazmojen and outbid the buyer for the children. Offering something around 750 gold for them, knowing that the reward was 2500gp for return they surmised that they would still profit, the children would be safe and all without bloodshed.

They exited and looked for the next hook.

Session three.. they dive into the bathhouse. I ended up using Jil in disguise to give them the hint. They spoke with the captain but never took Jenya up on her offer to meet with the Lord Mayor.

At the end of session three they had pushed to area 19 in Drakthars Way. Bypassing most of the upper area, mostly due pursuit of some goblins.

Now we begin session four and tonight they'll reach Drakthar. They've exhausted their resources (spells and the like) so I'm expecting a retreat and rest.

They'll be looking for the big bad, so I'm sure they'll find themselves face to face before they know it.

They'll probably try and push through and I may start flood season tonight. If they don't die first.

Any suggestions on how to further build the city, foreshadow people and events etc.. I've collected many SC resources, and I've tried to acquaint myself with the material as much as I can.

My group likes to feel accomplished and wants to achieve objectives. In order to give them information I've started doing narratives to set the scene and give them information to work off of.. rather than making them work for it in a sandbox. I'm trying to make their sandbox a little bigger, however and thought some other dms might have some advice or whatever.

Hey guys, it's been awhile. Hope all is well as it can be.

I was hoping that maybe some of you would check out my youtube channel. Yeah, I'm basically plugging myself.. and none of it's good. Well, some is definitely better than others, usually depends on the amount of upland I've had.

I would like to hear your opinions, which ones you like, which ones you hate.. maybe some suggestions on what you'd like to hear.

EDIT: Hah! I should probably link to something other than beer... Awesome Ukulele Videos

Might I recommend

Fiction
Lamb - Christopher Moore
Pirate Latitudes - Michael Crichton

Non-Fiction
Captain Kidds Biography - actual name and author elude me.
Under The Black Flag - author eludes me.

Yes, three of those deal with pirates. But, they're really.. really good.

Hey, I'm trying to figure out a new game or two to add to my ps3 collection. Partly because, well it would be grand to have a new one.. but I'd like to find something my dad would like to play.

He played every delta force game for the pc I got for him. A couple military sniper games. Splinter Cell and the racing games i got him for xbox.

I was thinking COD World at War - because he is into wwii and such. I was thinking a flight simulator but I'm going to wait for Combat Wings and hope it's a good one.

The thing about WaW is the CODs i've played in the past seem pretty fast paced. I don't know what he would like in pacing but I don't want him to be overwhelmed since he would be playing a game he hadn't, with a completely foreign controller.

Anyway, suggestions would be nice. Here is a list (from memory) of my current games.

Assassins Creed
Assassins Creed II
Assassins Creed Brotherhood
Assassins Creed Revelations
Skyrim
GTAIV (+ The Lost and The Damned + Ballad of Gay Tony)
Batman Arkham Asylum
Red Dead Redemption
UFC Undisputed 2010
Little Big Planet
Infamous
Dynasty Warriors 7
Uncharted 2
Portal 2

I feel like I'm forgetting some, but oh well.. haha.

I should be getting Uncharted 3 soon, and possibly COD MW3 (unless someone tells me WaW is way better and I should just get that instead.)

Thanks for the suggestions.

i'm melting
melting into myself
into my head

what's real?
the reality that you share?
the reality that you perceive?

the depth of the ocean
the depth of your mind
melting together.

you see life is a game. a game that we all play. and no one knows the rules.
but you that's the thing about this game. that there are no rules.

fine lines
between
the rules of social interaction.
the rules of yourself.
fine lines
between
the rules
forced
upon you

melting together in a pool of layers

by a society and a thought, an ideal, that if i may, that you and i and they never agreed or signed up for.

a set of rules to a game that everyone is playing

i choose not to play the same game. i've played it. i've seen how it ends.

i'm not three and this isn't candyland. this is my life.

everything is layers it all melts together. fight it. embrace it. own it. deny it. own it again.

we keep coming back to the beginning of not being sure.

we can open up our own minds and be inside ourselves thinking, i've got a handle on this.

but we don't and we never will.

that's why we melt until we're clear.

got bored. made some recordings. click to play. let me know what you think. :)

facebook.com/thefakefantastic

The Fake Fantastic will be at Bill's Records August 6th. It would be rad to meet up with some of you. Maybe game as well. Facebook Event if you're on facebook you can go there and invite yourself, get directions and all that.

We are opening the show at 1pm. It is free to come so bring as many people as you like. Listen to some awesome music and browse a fantastic record store.

http://vimeo.com/23248158

The Fake Fantastic

there is a crappy video up. i'll be putting another crappy video. but hopefully you'll get the idea.

Does anyone know of a conversion of this module? I'm starting to convert but if it's out there already...

I have quite the collection of old bills from germany - a lot from around 1923 although they go up through the 40s as well.

Question 1 - Do they retain their noted value? 1 billion mark = 1 billion mark

Question 2 - are they valuable at all?

Question 3 - if I provide images etc.. could you give me an idea?

Danke

Sorry for the pun... I am just in shock.

Didn't want to make another thread... but here is another fantastic move of Indianas law enforcement...

Link.

Now, I've passed entry tests for the academy. My grandfather was a state trooper. I have friends that are indiana law enforcement.

These guys make real cops look bad.

Link.

Ronnie James Dio died today from stomach cancer.

KJSR.net - he's DJ Bacon and he's on right now. A good variety of classic rock mostly.

Check it out will ya?

Seeing the old wtf thread about the dog and the girl made me want to share this. Since it's all Indiana I figured they were linked somehow...

Is there something in the water? Has the governement done something to the food that Hoosiers eat to make them so off?

So.. yeah... it's big. Because I went MIA for a year...

so, hear i am want to get all those goodies and start getting more goodies.

my question is this (as i haven't gotten a response to my email... you lazy gits.. :P) would it be easier to ding at once or to say.. on monday ding for half and then two weeks later ding the rest.

I know there are some New Mexican gamers here.

I'm a recent addition to Roswell... (Yes.. I know I posted something similar the other day...)

I'm new to NM in general.

I want to run a game and am willing to travel if need be.

Is there anyone from the Roswell area here that would want to get a game together?

Under The Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates
By: David Cordingly

Great historic account of actual Pirates. Strips the myth from them and uses actual eye witness acounts for some of the stories. David Cordingly had a Pirate museum exhibit in London for about three years - the guy really knows his stuff.

It's a fast engaging read. It would be awesome to have a Pirate adventure based on facts such as these.

Check it out.

Had a long self involved post. Letting out things I shouldn't in a public forum.

Wife is turning in our signed divorce papers tomorrow. This sucks.

( You have arrived outside the Gold Goblin )

Just inside the main doors, two sultry beauties scantily clad and wearing faux bat wings, devil horns, and tails play the part of alluring succubi. Both are employees of the Gold Goblin, and they cheerfully register contestants for the tournament and process entry fees. Armed guards stand nearby to either side of an immense treasure chest into which each patron’s entry fee is added. The guards are on hand to not only protect the money, but to prevent any overzealous admirers from trying to dare the infamous touch of a succubus. Beyond the registration table is the hall’s game floor. Dozens of gamblers, waitresses dressed as succubi, and bouncers mill about the room, wandering amid tables offering various games while dealers shuffle cards, roll dice, and spin wheels. Moving through this throng are a dozen more of the barely clad, batwinged vixens serving drinks and batting coal-black eyelashes flirtatiously for tips. In the center of the chamber is a short podium atop which sits a massive gold chest affixed to the floor by similarly gaudy chains. On either side of it stands a barechested bouncer in the exotic garb of some foreign sultan’s
court. Each stands with muscled arms crossed over his chest and with a naked scimitar of prodigious size tucked through his waistband. High above them, from the hall’s cloth-draped ceiling, hangs a brass birdcage within which crouches a small, bat-winged, pointy-tailed devilish creature that sulks as it gazes over the room and occasionally rattles the bars threateningly.

( To enter is 1gp - I'll assume everyone enters the tournament. The day is spent with normal Tavern activities.. drinking card playing etc... As the windows begin darkening with twilight, several gamehall employees enter, carrying torches shaped like pitchforks skewering burning heads made of straw and cloth to light several large braziers, giving the hall a more infernal hue. A hush falls over the gathered crowd as a short man climbs to the central podium, accompanied by two gorgeous “succubi,” and stands before the gold, chain-shrouded chest there with a demoness on either side. He wears a formal suit, and his thinning black hair is slicked back. His left arm ends in a stump just above the wrist, and affixed to it is a bronze cap from which protrudes an oddly shaped key. This is Saul Vancaskerkin, the owner of the Gold Goblin and host of the tournament. He bows before the crowd and clears his throat before speaking. )

“Welcome, one and all, to the Gold Goblin Gambling Hall and your chance to cheat the Devil and win back not only your soul but all of his gold as well.” He says this last as he pats the large chest before which he stands. “I hope you found your reception by the Devil’s lovely temptresses suitably entertaining.”
This is met by a general murmur of laughter and a few catcalls. “Let’s take this moment to thank Old Scratch himself for attending this event. Not only did he loan us these lovely, dark angels, but he also emptied the deepest vaults of Hell itself to provide the gold for this tournament.”

( With this, Saul directs the crowd’s attention up to the imp in the birdcage. At the sudden attention, Old Scratch flies into a flurry of rage, banging the cage bars, spitting, howling, and screaming vile epithets in Infernal at all assembled. His theatrics are received with guffaws and even a smattering of applause. As the crowd dies down, Vancaskerkin continues. )

“Of course, he plans on replacing what he loses in gold with the souls of those of you who don’t win. The tournament rules are quite simple—as you play, you’ll earn more chips. And with those chips, you’ll be able to bribe your way out of the current Hell you’re trapped in, working your way down deeper until you get to Old Scratch’s treasury. Currently, all of you are Old Scratch’s prisoners in the first of the Hells, Avernus. If you want to work your way down to the ninth circle, you need to win games. Each time you win, you’ll be awarded a golden eye. If you come in second, you’ll get a silver tooth.
And third place wins a copper heart. These bits of flesh and bone are what the devils use in Hell for currency, and they’re what you’ll need to pay in order to bribe your way into the next layer of hell. The first player to win a game after reaching Nessus not only keeps his winnings for that game, but also earns back his soul and the ten thousand silver coins that the Devil put up for this tournament. You can, of course, decide to cash out your winnings at any time you want, but if you do, or if you run out of money entirely… well, that means Old Scratch gets you.” Vancaskerkin grins evilly and the caged imp cuts loose with another profane tirade. “And that earns you the Devil’s Mark and an escort out of the game hall until the tournament is over. What, you ask, exactly is this Devil’s Mark? Well, it’s something too utterly
horrible to even contemplate. The forfeiture of your very soul, it is. But I suppose I can show you what it is—gods know I more than deserve
the Devil’s Mark. In fact, better make it two, girls!” With that, the two succubi accompanying him lean over and each firmly plants a kiss on Saul’s cheek with her ruby-red lips. When they pull away, their lip rouge has left clearly visible prints in the same shocking red on his cheeks. Saul beams as he cries out, “The Devil’s Mark, everyone!” which is greeted by a flurry of shouts, catcalls, and hoots. “Now, let’s cheat the Devil and take his gold!” which prompts one more rabid flurry from the imprisoned fiend above, and with that, the tournament begins.

(Images;

Old Scratch
Saul Vancaskerkin
Contract

I'll have a few more images to add later. Namely, the image of the statue, an image of the Goblin and a map. Photobucket isn't liking me right now. )

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0318091dog1.html

Paizo Order #952712, #1120149 Shipment

I actually got Death in Delhi yesterday but in a box by itself. Thought I'd mention it.

Also, looks like I could be heading overseas soon. Is there a limit on having subscriptions on hold? I doubt it'd be too long.. just long enough to get things settled over there.

I'm wanting to start a pbp game of Second Darkness. I'm going to use the Beta rules - This is in part to help me get a better handle on them.

I'll be looking for 4-6 players.
We'll be using the "Standard Fantasy" point buy of 15 points.
Character traits web enhancement is available to you as is the Second Darkness "players guide"
(Paizo.. would I be able to make certain sections of text available - such as the traits section to those that don't have it?)

We'll be using the Medium XP chart.
We'll be using the Standard HP starting point. Maximum hit points for 1st level plus your Constitution modifier and any other bonuses.

All characters will have one "free" npc class level. Work this into your background. You weren't always the badass adventurers you are.. what did you do before? (page 332 of the beta) So, yes.. your starting character will have a NPC class and 1st level of your character class. You'll start with -500 xp.

If anyone is interested, I'll post some information on the area you will be in.

I know this is in the wrong forum... so move it at will. I just wasn't sure the best place for this was.

So my issue is this.

On most maps (for this example I'll use a map folio) I can zoom in double click with the select tool and copy the map and paste it in paint or photoshop and all the text will be gone. Allowing me to print battle maps etc.

However, the city maps and world maps wont even highlight to copy using this same method. Any copying I can get is with the select tool which copies the text.

So... are there any gamers on here from there?

I might be uprooting myself and moving to Lyon, France soon. I am awaiting a phone call from the current F1 Head of Security (I've worked with them stateside the past four years.. although no race this year...) and every year the prior HoS has offered me a job. He has since recommended me to the new HoS (a man I've worked with)

Now, this isn't set in stone ofcourse. But, I'd have at least one week off a month and I'd like to get in some gaming. I'd be willing to run... and if we set up before I leave I'll know what adventure path to bring with me. Ofcourse.. if you want LoF I'll be running from the pdfs as I'll probably not update my shipping address and have them continue to ship stateside.

Anyway... if there is anyone interested.. and I do end up there... let me know.

Anyone know of any really good ones? I need something to listen to on my ipod while I'm at work. I'd like to try something new but paying forty-plus dollars for one that I may not even like is a hard pill to swallow.

So, does anyone here listen to these? As not all books are on CD ofcourse.

So.. suggestions?

Thanks. I didn't see it right away and would've missed the original deadline of March 1st. Glad to see it was extended to April 1st.

Is it too late to jump in with a "I'd like to keep the Alpha/Numerical designators"?

I noticed that they're gone. I believe it was Vic that said Paizo thought they were confusing people.

How did you think people were confused? What evidence led to this? Is this still even open to discussion?

I really like them. It helps when grabbing a module for a one-shot or something similar. I very often grab one of the Pathfinder modules when I have friends over. I ask them what sort of adventure would you like to play in? Giving them a short description of the options and they pick.

Yes, this would still be available. But, having all of them Gamemastery/Pathfinder reading each and every description...

I don't know. I would just like to keep them.

I haven't been around in a long while. Life these past couple months have been the worst in my life. I've pretty much ruined my own exsistence. Thankfully, I believe it can be fixed and so I'm positive about the future.

Some of you guys might remember my wife that was near death last summer while pregnant. (Thanks again Cosmo for hooking me up with some pdfs to read at the hospital!) Well, our very healthy baby boy was born December 1st. It was an amazing birth. She was such a strong trooper.. no screaming.. no cussing... just pure beauty. It was wonderful.

She left me on the 11th of December. Now, I'm not complaining about a situation I caused. Yes. I caused it. Part of my growth is admitting my faults. The cool stuff since is that our son is in the 95% for height but in the 10% for head size. Although at two months he had the intelligence (i don't know how they check) and response as a four month old. Awesome.

But yeah... We're getting a divorce and it sucks. She still loves me. I still love her. We steal moments away together and actually just had an amazing date night last night. We just can't be husband and wife at the moment. She and I are both working on ourselves. Maybe we'll get back together... but this is really hard. She is the most amazing person I've ever known.. and I hate this.. and myself for the situation I created. I am looking forward to my... oh six months of pathfinder goodies... it will help me escape. Although I shouldn't. I just don't think I can take it all at once right now.

I'm venting to you guys because... hey.. we're sorta a community here. You guys were supportive when I needed it before. I don't have a lot of people I feel I can talk to. Part of the problem is my family doesn't really discuss feelings.. a habit I am trying to break as it cause a lot of my personal downfalls. Granted.. I can't change them. So, I still can't get them to talk even though I need to. I have a lady I talk to occasionaly and she offers some thought and support.. but we're still in that... first odd courting sessions. Nothing really comes out of it.. other than a bill. Hah!

To the people out there in Paizo land... my question is this really;

Things that have become habits created throughout your life. Kneejerk reactions and character flaws... can these things be changed? Can someone change the way they react to situations over time? Is it possible to learn healthy positive ways to deal when you're near thirty and have never had any model to immulate in your life?

I'm not all bad. These are just the things I'm focusing on right now. My wife is my biggest fan and my hardest critic. I'm just looking to vent.. thanks for reading.

I've updated my credit card information (and sent and email as well) so the sub page says pending. I noticed some folks having issues with it 'sticking' so I thought I'd toss my hat into the ring so it sticks.

For those that might remember this June when my pregnant wife was in the hospital. It sucked.

Well early this morning our son was born! On his due date - (less than five percent are) at 2:05am weighing at 7lbs 9oz 21 and a half inches long.

just a few hours of labor with one hour of pushing. beautiful birth... she didn't scream... she didn't even cry. She was amazing.

I'll post pictures when I get a chance.. right now I'm using one of their loaner laptops.

Anybody else watch this? I can't help but like it. Ofcourse I also watch Unbeatable Banzuke and Ninja Warrior.

This show is just... it's like a drug. You get a little taste and it hooks you.

I could do without the host and hostess.. Really.. they add nothing. They're not funny.

But, the mismatched teams, the odd shaped holes.. It's just great.

Azarr Kul and Company inside the Fane of Tiamat.
Final battle. I'm looking for feedback here.

The party is something like this.. although a few might be a level higher as they did just level up.

Ftr/Rog Roughly even split about 11th level
With a 9th level Wizard cohort
10th or llth rogue
With 8th level doppleganger cohort (he'll have his first class level if he did make 11th)
9th level Drow cleric
10th? fighter with 1 level rogue in there
10th level psychic warrior - although the player might not be there so this character wouldn't be.
10th or 11th scout
11th? wizard

So they're all around tenth or eleventh level.

The battle ground;
www.wizards.com/dnd/images/rhod_maps/95697.jpg

The baddies;
5 blue abishi
2 erinyes
1 behir
1 bluespawn godslayer
3 redspawn arcaniss
and ofcourse
azarr kul

I've changed AK as follows; (Note if you see mistakes please inform me.)

An idea of what AK will do:

Ofcourse the other baddies will be focusing on the party.

Questions:
1. Do you think this is way too much for the above party. They have wealth much higher than they should - For example, the party fighter has a +3 keen greatsword along with many bonus items. All of these they have picked off of baddies that had them before.

2. They have not fought the battle of brindol. Which will take place in two game days. What effect do you think the Aspect of Tiamat will have on that battle, if any?

3. In the fane of tiamat there are two minor artifacts dedicated to tiamat. What suggestions might you have for destroying said artifacts and repercussions?

Thanks in advance

Indiana rivals make me laugh.

The Colts have the Patriots.
The Pacers have the Knicks.

I wonder if Indiana is the only ones that see this rival. Yes, the Colts and Pacers both have had their time in the sun. But, the Patriots and the Knicks have, in general, always been strong teams. It seems Indiana was like.. hmm... we need rivals... lets pick someone way out of our league.

It's like the Cowboys and the Redskins.

Really no contest. But Redskins fans consider the Cowboys to be HUGE rivals. At least the ones I've known. I'm not saying the Redskins are an awful team.. but the Cowboys as their rivals? Just seems unbalanced.

I like rivals to be at least close in skill IU and Purdue basketball. They are rivals - both teams have consistantly been decent. Sometimes one school is above another for an extended period of time.. but it's long standing.

Local schools.. one hates the other. Typical right? Usually they're within each others skill level though.

I really wonder if the Cowboys consider the Redskins rivals. Or even a threat?

Indiana is an amazing place for sports. We have a nfl and nba. Minor baseball and the Motor Speedway. Lots of minor racetracks as well. Indianapolis is a sports arena with some great college sports mixed in.

But, it just seems they're shooting higher than they should with their "rivals."

I'm sure most of the users here have heard about the Mayan calendar, or the Merlin prophecies or the I Ching, the Native American (Hopi for the main), the Sibyl, and even John the Baptist all pointing one way or another to the world (as we know it) ending in 2012.

The I Ching is roughly 5000 years old and predicts the worlds end via a numerical timeline that follows the path of time until December 2012.

The Mayan calendar predicted (to the exact day) Cortez's arrival.

These people are from different parts of the world, China, North America, Central America, Europe - all from different eras of time - coming to the same general conclusion.

I believe it is the Mayans that mention this more predominately than others but this is where current science agrees;

An occurance that happens every 25,800 years is the Earth the Sun and a Black Hole (which the Mayans mentioned and we've only found ourselves) algin. What effect this will have on us is uncertain.

Either it was a prophecy or an effect of the above but it has been mentioned that the North and South pole may shift. We've came to the conclusion that this has happened before. For example; Alaska used to be part of the equator.

This has been a general review. What are everyone else's thoughts?

Marlin .22 Magnum Match Barrell Stainless Steel Synthetic Stock Bolt Action

and if you have time

Stainless Steel 1022 Ruger

thanks

cancel order #991020 please.

thanks

I know that you have to stop the murder on Lucky if possible. But, do you have to stop the player from killing the Dog?

If so.. if you use spite tokens does the player get them? As he normally wouldn't get a spite token for the dog anyway I think not.

In this case.. the Maure Maps - anyway to get them at a higher resolution?

I had a credit on my account. Tried to apply it.. and I didn't notice that it had taken it off of the purchase. (As it didn't show... xx amount applied to purchase) and now it doesn't show in my account.

It isn't much... but I was wondering where it was... if it had been applied.. or is just gone.. or am I not looking in the right spot.

Thanks

I have a player who has played his character as hell-bent on destroying these bad guys (Red Hand of Doom) and he 'died' the other day.

-30 plus or so... but I have a special system and he asorbed most of the damage. But, he asked about dieing and coming back as an undead set upon one goal. Then when that is finished he would die.

I couldn't think of anything that fit... anyone?

3.5 stats. What do you think they would be?

Mordenkainen is mentioned in Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk but he isn't listed.

email me please.

ackerman_paul@yahoo.com

Thanks.