Pathfinder Society GM. 127 posts (1,676 including aliases). No reviews. No lists. No wishlists. 13 Organized Play characters. 13 aliases. 
Yeah, I have no problem with that.
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I recently started The Bestiary Blog, a resource that might be particularly useful to Starfinder GMs because so far Starfinder has been its focus. I've been adapting a lot of creatures from Pathfinder to Starfinder, as well as making some original monsters, for one of my homebrew games, and I decided to share this with the community. One of my goals for the blog is to convert a lot of the classic D&D monsters to Starfinder. The chimera (and its cousin the mecha-chimera) was my first posted conversion, but I've since done manticores, kobolds, ape-men (my only "original" monster so far, that is to say my only monster that I don't think has a direct analogue in Pathfinder), and dire rats. I have a lot to come, and I hope you guys check it out. Feel free to give feedback on any aspect of the project, as well as suggestions for conversions or original monsters. I should also note, and this is the part that I'm perhaps most happy with, that I have also created sorted lists of all of the monsters already available in Starfinder, along with links, typically to the Starjammer SRD listing for the monster. The best part of this is that I made a list of monsters sorted by CR along with links, which I don't think exists anywhere else online (though I could be wrong). The list of monsters sorted by CR on starjammersrd.com doesn't have links. I've already been using this resource in my own games, and I hope you find use for it as well.
How is a monster's breath weapon calculated in Starfinder? The only place I can find any discussion of DCs for breath weapons is in the write-up for the dragon gland, where the DC is equal to 10 + half your level + your Constitution modifier. I thought perhaps that for monsters it would be a DC equal to 10 + half the monster's CR + the monster's Constitution modifier, but that doesn't jive with the blue dragon entry. Any ideas? Did I miss something?
The group travels for the day, and rests again by night. The next morning they set off once more, hoping to arrive by nightfall in Silverhall. The journey is easy, along the road, and the party is in good spirits, including Lander, whose bruised face and bruised ego both seem to be healing. The road narrows here, leading over a well-worn stone bridge that crosses a stream. Trees dot the landscape to both sides of the bridge, and the rushing of water and the croaking of frogs give the scene an air of tranquility. This bridge arches 5 feet over the stream, which is about 5 feet deep. The water flows fairly slowly, but small eddies making swimming somewhat difficult.
As the group reaches the bridge, two large, flightless birds begin to sprint toward them. They each are carried by two long, taloned legs, but it is their axe-shaped beaks that look the most ferocious. The creatures surge forward, taking the group off guard, and one rips into Nei-lung while another goes for Dante. Both are injured, and sent sprawling off their feet as the creatures' razor-sharp beaks hook them. Lander seems unsure what to do, but he draws his blade and takes a defensive stance. Knowledge (nature) DC 12:
Keen-witted and powerful avian predators, axe beaks compete with wolves and hunting cats for prey upon vast, open steppes and prairies. Although feared for their boldness and territorial natures, these giant birds prove eminently tamable, making useful guardians, hunters, and even steeds when kept well fed. Axe beaks are relatively social creatures, forming small groups in which both males and females hunt together. They nest in immense mounds made of sticks, branches, leaves, and whatever else they can scavenge (including the bones and equipment of previous meals), with each nest used by a large group of axe beaks. Females typically lay clutches of 1d4+1 eggs once per year, which the parents take turns keeping warm for 2 months before they hatch. Mature axe beaks stand 9 feet tall and weigh as much as 500 pounds. Their plumage varies widely, from gray to brown to black in temperate climes, but taking on exotic shades of gold, red, blue, and other vibrant hues in more tropical environs. Axe beaks have lifespans of up to 50 years. An axe beak requires training before it will bear a rider. Taming an axe beak requires 6 weeks of work and a DC 25 Handle Animal check, after which it can be taught tricks as normal. Riding an axe beak requires an exotic saddle. Axe beak eggs are worth 1,000 gp apiece on the open market, while young are worth 1,500 gp each. A light load for an axe beak is up to 200 pounds; a medium load, 201-400 pounds; and a heavy load, 401-600 pounds. Other types of large, predatory flightless birds exist such as the diatryma and terror bird but the axe beak is but the most commonly encountered and well known of this breed of predator. These particular specimens are indeed the larger variety, however, known as terror birds. Sudden Charge (Ex) When making a charge attack, an axe beak makes a single bite attack. If successful, it may also attempt to trip its opponent as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the axe beak cannot be tripped in return. Initiative:
GM Rolls:
GM Crit confirm:
Recap:
Round One Terror birds (charge attacks and trips on Nei-lung and Dante), Lander (full defense), Wadi (up), Glorne (up), Maanyatha (up), Dante (up), Nei-lung (up), Graxzos (up)
I just realized I have already played On the Border of War with a different character. I would still like to play Horn of Aroden and let someone else step in for Border of War, but I will understand if you would rather have all characters be the same for both scenarios. "Sinffle, sniffle." I'd be okay if it wasn't all the same party for both games. I'd prefer a consistent party, but we'll make do with what we can get. I'm kind of weighing a few options right now, about what the schedule for this mini-campaign will be. 1. Minimialist:
PFS # 5-19: The Horn of Aroden PFS # 9-03: On the Border of War This would just be the two adventures that take place in Brevoy in PFS, but this would require that we only have players with XP 11, 12, or 13, or one's with 14 who don't want to play in the second scenario. 2. The River Kingdoms Expansion:
v. 1 PFS #17: Perils of the Pirate Pact PFS # 5-19: The Horn of Aroden PFS # 9-03: On the Border of War (requires XP 12) This would allow a character with 10 XP to play. v. 2 PFS #17: Perils of the Pirate Pact PFS #5-06: You Have What You Hold PFS # 5-19: The Horn of Aroden PFS # 9-03: On the Border of War (requires XP 12) This would allow a character with 9 XP to play. v. 3 You could even add PFS #50: Fortune's Blight after, or # 7-02 Six Seconds to Midnight before as well. 3. The Worldwound Expansion:
PFS #5-02: The Wardstone Patrol PFS #5-09: The Traitor's Lodge PFS # 5-11: The Library of the Lion PFS # 5-19: The Horn of Aroden PFS #5-22: Scars of the Third Crusade PFS #5-24: Assault on the Wound PFS # 9-03: On the Border of War (requires XP 12) The most ambitious, it would be something like that, give or take. Everyone feel free to give me your thoughts on any of these.
Hey, I just wanted to note that I haven't forgotten about this. I'm still mulling over what I want to play, and trying to get my friend to commit. I hope you don't mind terribly if we delay starting until I get everything sorted.
So, I think my friend may join us. We are thinking of both playing vigilante on one side. I think my other side will probably be wizard (race still likely halfling). He has been looking at the vampire hunter class (it is on the pfsrd, came on some Kickstarter), would that be okay for this? I know the campaign is probably not undead focused, and we might never even meet a vampire, but the class looks like it isn't entirely focused on hunting vamps.
Would a vigilante work in this campaign?
Related question, sort of: for GM volunteers who are receiving badges with the GM packets on August 1 in person at Sagamore Ballroom (at least that is how I understand it will go down), will we be able to register for events before we officially have our badges? And is that the time when we will know which scenarios that we are running, or will we know sooner than that?
I might have a real life friend who would be interested in joining. Let me see.
Psychic Warrior?
Hey guys. So, I would completely understand if you say no because of my leaving the first time, but if you're still interested in continuing this campaign I could resume my GM duties.
Event Name: Gencon 2017
Event Name: Gencon 2017
I just wanted to comment that I am extremely happy that this campaign is still going, you guys had and continue to have terrific chemistry, and the new GM seems to be doing a great job. I have more free time again, and I might possibly use the forums to supplement a real-life game I have with one of my groups. I just happened to glance at this thread, and it truly warms my heart to see you guys still rolling on. Good luck discovering the secrets of Mummy's Mask!
Just everyone use the discussion thread for now, I will make another thread for one side or the other and link it in the campaign description when I get home, posting from my phone at work currently
Okay, these will be the two parties: Molthune
Nirmathas
I have created the discussion and gameplay threads. Just post in discussion for now. I would like to establish at least one past connection for each player with another player on their side, and go a little more in depth with how each character has worked for or with their respective army in the past. You are all 4th level, so you have had plenty of adventures so far.
My apologies again for the delay in getting this started. I'll have a lengthier post up soon about who will be playing what, and I will start a gameplay and discussion thread this weekend. We can do some discussion about how characters might know each other, and why you were chosen by the Nirmathi or Molthuni military for this mission, then we can get started.
Okay, I should note though, that if Gwahir doesn't show with his halfling hunter Jeremias, I might ask that either Choon or Ironclad Nomad play their Nirmathi characters, so we have an even 4 vs. 4. That said, please let me know if either of you have a preference on which character you prefer. I will get the gameplay thread started as soon as possible. This may still be a few days before I get it going, but once I have the beginning prep done, it should progress at a fairly good pace.
Looks like everyone has checked in with the exception of Choon and Gwahir777. I messaged Choon, but maybe its because he hasn't made a profile, I can't seem to message Gwahir.
I'll probably try to throw out some lines through private message to anyone who doesn't report in by morning. I have a little more work to do on the prep for this, but I think I should be able to start it soon if we get everyone on board.
Weekend was busier than expected, though I got some work done on this. I think I can arrange it such that everyone who applied gets to play, but I want to make sure that everyone is still interested. I may end up allowing 5 players per team to give everyone a shot, potentially running a DMPC on one side if necessary, unless anyone knows someone else who might be interested. These are the teams I am leaning towards. Molthune Virianustinax Barbulcher, Chelaxian conjurer 4 (Dotraj)
Nirmathas Jeremias Vangriant, halfling hunter 4 (Gwahir777)
Sorry for the delay, folks, I should be able to make an announcement this weekend sometime.
Am I missing anyone from this list? Completed Characters (Molthune) Virianustinax Barbulcher, Chelaxian conjurer and diplomat (Dotraj)
Completed Characters (Nirmathas) Kathgor, half-orc bloodrager (primalist) 4 (Dotraj)
Heads up everybody! We have until tonight to finish! Yep, I'll be starting to look over characters in detail today and tonight, and recruitment is scheduled to wrap up tonight at midnight EST. That said, I'll technically leave recruitment open until I make my way through fully reviewing each character in a day or two, so anyone who was interested but happened to be busy today may still have a chance, depending on how quickly I work through them.
Yes, recruitment remains open until January 15th at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Updated again, because, why not? Completed Characters (Molthune) Virianustinax Barbulcher, Chelaxian conjurer and diplomat (Dotraj) Fenlin Dell, half-elf investigator (empiricist) 2/alchemist 2 (TriShadow) Ulfr Uggason, half-orc bloodrager (blood conduit) 1/skald (fated champion/war drummer) 3 (Choon) Harm Fortuyn, human slayer 4 (Ironclad Nomad) Completed Characters (Nirmathas) Kathgor, half-orc bloodrager (primalist) 4 (Dotraj) Stickymitts, goblin unbarbarian 1/unrogue 3 (Choon) Jeremias Vangriant, halfling hunter 4 (Gwahir777) Unnamed, goblin gunslinger 4 (Seth86) Ulrich Freeson, tiefling unmonk 4 (Grumbaki) Arend Fortuyn, human ranger 4 (Ironclad Nomad) Character Ideas (Mothune) Twelfth (hobgoblin rogue)
Character Ideas (Nirmathas) Aloha-Shirt-Samurai (wizard/rogue or Foxclaw hunter)
Expressed interest: The Chess, zolexa13, Rostam, Alex Mack, Minas Dyrendal
Completed Characters (Molthune) Virianustinax Barbulcher, Chelaxian conjurer and diplomat (Dotraj) Fenlin Dell, half-elf investigator (empiricist) 2/alchemist 2 (TriShadow) Ulfr Uggason, half-orc bloodrager (blood conduit) 1/skald (fated champion/war drummer) 3 (Choon) Azar Avistan, human inquisitor 3/gunslinger (musket master) 1 (thelizardwizard) Completed Characters (Nirmathas) Kathgor, half-orc bloodrager (primalist) 4 (Dotraj) Stickymitts, goblin unbarbarian 1/unrogue 3 (Choon) Jeremias Vangriant, halfling hunter 4 (Gwahir777) Unnamed, goblin gunslinger 4 (Seth86) Ulrich Freeson, tiefling unmonk 4 (Grumbaki) Character Ideas (Mothune) Twelfth (hobgoblin rogue)
Character Ideas (Nirmathas) Aloha-Shirt-Samurai (wizard/rogue or Foxclaw hunter)
Expressed interest: The Chess, zolexa13, Rostam, Alex Mack, Minas Dyrendal Let me know if I missed anything or got anyone in the wrong place. Sorry, LizWiz, no catfolk.
Is it going to be difficult or detrimental to the party if our characters aren't 100% sneaky peaky types? I'm just trying to put the crunch for my frontline guy together, at this stage I'm looking at making him rogue 1/fighter 3 just to allow him a broader selection of appropriate skills. Would that be enough of a dip to maintain his effectiveness within the party? The plan that your superiors in the Nirmathan or Molthuni army have is one of stealth and infiltration, and they are unlikely to choose anyone for the mission who is totally incapable of sneaking around a bit. But they will ultimately leave the details to your group. If you chose to just kick in the doors and slay everyone you come across, that is a totally valid way to accomplish the mission. You are attacking a fortress though, which has a lot of soldiers, so if you choose the "kick in the door" strategy you might find half-a-dozen encounters turning into one really big, dangerous, and long encounter (which isn't necessarily a problem).
Thinking about making a swashbuckler (not sure about the other side, thinking possibly paladin, oracle, skald, or mesmerist) for this, sounds fun.
Will build character tonight. Hopefully ill be able to get a decent history/background in too No problem, like I said recruitment will remain open until 11:59 PM on Sunday, January 15 to give everyone plenty of time.
Completed Characters (Molthune) Virianustinax Barbulcher, Chelaxian conjurer and diplomat (Dotraj) Fenlin Dell, half-elf investigator (empiricist) 2/alchemist 2 (TriShadow) Ulfr Uggason, half-orc bloodrager (blood conduit) 1/skald (fated champion/war drummer) 3 (Choon) Azar Avistan, human inquisitor 3/gunslinger (musket master) 1 (thelizardwizard) Completed Characters (Nirmathas) Kathgor, half-orc bloodrager (primalist) 4 (Dotraj) Stickymitts, goblin unbarbarian 1/unrogue 3 (Choon) Jeremias Vangriant, halfling hunter 4 (Gwahir777) Character Ideas (Mothune) Twelfth (hobgoblin rogue)
Character Ideas (Nirmathas) Seth86 (goblin paladin)
Expressed interest: The Chess, zolexa13, Rostam, Alex Mack, Ironclad Nomad, Minas Dyrendal
Not yet. Sorry for the short post, I'll have more in a couple days. G'nock, if you get a chance use your 150 GP to buy some gear. Also you do get another trait, it was 2 regular traits and 1 campaign trait.
Also, I agree Twelfth, I want as many people included as possible. Although I'm allowing you to apply with one from each side, I won't be allowing a player to play two characters.
No drawbacks. Silver Champion paladin is fine.
Well yeah, traits are a given. Sorry if that wasn't clear, everyone does get two traits.
Rolling: 15, 16, 16, 11, 15, 9. I think that might be a winner.
Interested. How long is recruitment going to be open?
Not to nitpick but ponies and heavy ponies are actually medium animals. Its funny because technically my dwarves can't ride them without the -5 penalty, even though the Bestiary description says that ponies are "smaller breeds of horses better suited to halflings, gnomes, and dwarves." I don't expect my dwarves to be riding them anyway though, they are just for carrying gear primarily. On a side note, I was imagining my ponies as like a smaller version of the konik, a small breed of horse that still lives on nature preserves in Poland. Thick, dun coat, with a stocky build and large mane that continues as a dorsal stripe. Probably really mean animals, too.
I had started building Jeva Velruhk (presumably just another of the various families of Clan Golushkin), a female dwarf warpriest of Folgrit who has attached herself to Tarna. She was originally studying to become a priestess of Torag, but she was away from Golushkin when the Vanishing happened and she lost her sons, husband, and father in the event, and therefore dedicated herself to the Torag's wife, the dwarves goddess of wives, mothers, and children (as well as widows and orphans). I also do like your suggestion of a forgemaster, so I might table Jeva for later and build Eunika Davaast instead, another Tar-Kazmukh dwarf wouldn't be a bad thing. Edit: rolling for honor:
Also I may work up some kind of Dwarven code of honor if there is still time for that.
Fitliss turns and stabs into the other scorpion, just as Aliva's arrow strikes it in the head. Meanwhile Selassie steps around and bashes the scorpion that was about to attack Fitliss, finishing the battle.
So, I left my backstory open ended so as not to spoil it for any players. It would make sense if I am the loyalist, the turn coat, or something in between. That's totally a viable option as well, although when I go to pick who is the traitor for each side a big part of that will be based on who has the coolest backstory twist, so keep that in mind.
Corrections and Omissions: would have been nice to get a Hero Lab file My apologies, I don't use HeroLab. Seemed too pricey for what you get, and I haven't been impressed the times I've used it at GenCon. I think it's Clan Golushkin In my background, I did use the term "Clan Golushkin" in reference to all the dwarves of Golushkin Hold, and just used the term family in regard to House Magrar (or House Golka, the ruling house of Golushkin). For their leaders, I used clan-chief and thane respectively. I am glad that you decided to fill my group with other Golushkin dwarves at any rate, as I was planning on having dwarves from others families, or at least other wandering dwarves, gradually trickle in to join my band as time went on (and my leadership score went up). Headband of Vast Intelligence Point taken, to be honest I think I had considered just that, and I just used Spellcraft as a placeholder (knowing it would definitely be something I'd have maximum ranks in), but never got around to changing. muleback cords For some reason I thought they were a back item. I believe I will use them on Yuri's personal pony, Adamant. extending the food for both ponies and people I will likely do so. Though also I think I will probably have Tarna prepare create food and water most days instead of prayer unless she specifically knows she will be engaging in combat. That provides "food and water to sustain three humans or one horse/level for 24 hours" which will take care of food for all of my crew and either 4 (if ponies eat the same as a human), 2 (if we split the difference and assume a pony, at 600 pounds, probably eats an amount of food somewhere between the amount eaten by a human and by a horse), or 1 (if we just treat the ponies as horses) of my hoofed friends. I also assume that the ponies can graze anyway, and the food is just in case something crazy happens and we go into a desert or tundra region or something. There are wild horses that live in Poland that get by fine in the winter (and horses or ponies, if healthy, can actually go about a month without eating if necessary). You have my explicit permission to say "I told you so", loudly and often, if my poor dwarves are eating their ponies two weeks into the trip. various masterwork toolsets Corrected the wording on those. Tarna Technicals I made adjustments such that Tarna's scores before 4th level were Str 15, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 13 (and put the point in Str at 4th). Less CHA than I would have liked, especially since Yuri doesn't have that much to speak of, but she is rather shy after all. I ended up giving her more ranks in Diplomacy to even it out. I will change Squire to Recruits. For the second cohort I will have to either invent another family member, or perhaps just bring in another member of the Forgeborn. It was my original intent to take Heavy Armor Proficiency, so I think will just swap that for Furious Focus, so she can keep the full plate. I fixed the charges on the wands, and will probably use the leftover to buy more communal supplies. Volken Davaast I mainly had Tarna take Squire in the first place because Yuri had a low leadership score, and I had miscounted and invented 1 more dwarf that should definitely have class levels than I should have. I wanted the black-sheep uncle who has lived among humans (Angrod the ranger), the fiercely loyal warrior brother (Ori the fighter), and the sister-son named after the family patriarch who hopes to someday prove himself worthy of the name (Volken the paladin). At any rate I'm glad I only made him at 1st level. I will adjust his ability scores down to 15 PB.
Hey Pendrak, will you allow access to other tiefling heritages without the feat? By way of argument for such if you are uncertain, they technically don't add any power to the race, all it does is change bonuses. Yes, I'm fine with the variant tiefling heritages from Pathfinder Player Companion: Blood of Fiends.
Very interested. Not sure if I can come up with two good concepts but I'll give it a try. Just wanted to note that you don't necessarily have to think up two characters, it is just an option. So I love this idea but I just have a question. For the Background/Alt Background, do we post both openly and one just isn't actually real, as determined by you? I figure that's the case but I wanted to make sure we we're supposed to hide the alt background. You can just post both openly (just denote or spoiler off the section that is potentially is not actually real), its going to be an "open secret" who the traitor is more than likely fairly early on, I just trust everyone not to metagame.
What is the due date for applicants? I would like to apply but may or may not have the time depending on when recruitment closes. After some consideration, I will leave recruitment open until January 15th. We are approaching the holidays and I want to make sure that everyone interested has ample time to create interesting characters.
How would you like the characters posted? In alias? In spoiler? Whatever is easiest. I'll want aliases for everyone ultimately but spoiler is fine for now.
Re-rolling that last 1:
Even better. That makes it 17, 15, 14, 14, 12, 12. Thinking maybe bard.
Oops! Also, do we re-roll ones again if they come up, or just on the initial six rolls?
This could be fun. And I always enjoy rolling for stats. Pendrak going for broke:
15, 15, 14, 14, 14, 12 Not bad.
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