Goblin Squad Member. Pathfinder Society GM. 21 posts (45 including aliases). No reviews. No lists. No wishlists. 21 Organized Play characters. 1 alias.
Hello Venture Officers,
I apologize for the lateness of this notice, but we are hosting DragonCon virtually on Labor Day Weekend September 4th-6th. We have a variety of games PF1, PF2, and SFS. We are looking for more GMs, if you are instead, but unfortunately, we need them signed up by the end of the day tomorrow. Below is a link to submit your name and email so I can get you a badge to register. This has been a whirlwind that I have had only partial control or so help is appreciated.
Thanks, David
Steven,
I have been using the same rules for mass combat as you. Someone at PaizoCon ran it round by round by mistake and said it played much better than he had heard other tables had. I feel it keeps players much more involved and allows for more heroic scenarios ( PCs coming to the rescue of their almost beaten companions and such)
I was playing in a game last week, and I had Careful Teamwork going, and I had need to cast Saving Finale. Is this possible? I was arguing that we had "a bardic performance in effect", but he believed that would only be during the 3 rounds of actual performance to generate the effect. We moved on, but he recommended I post here for an opinion.
Thanks ahead of time.
I hate to dig this up almost a year later but what about a bardic performance like Careful Teamwork from the detective archetype. I believe that saving finale is triggered on the effect and not the actual performance and hence could be triggered anytime within that hour.
If it is simply an effect after the three rounds to perform, then that would mean you could stack it you other bardic performances since two would not be active at the same time correct? This would be more relevant for the geisha tea ceremony where you could effectively stack performances
"Lucky trinket- Player can choose another object that can be use in place of a faction shirt for a " shirt reroll" for this particular character. This would still only allow one reroll per session. Describe it in detail below."
I understand that this would discourage shirt purchase, but it is only for one character, and it encourages Con attendance, so I think it is a fair trade.
Personally, I would love to have a "lucky" coin prop to flip at the table that would actually have some game effect. Or a hat I could always wear to the table that would "announce" that I was playing a particular character. Or even a stuffed animal that represented your familiar. :)
I am running Part 2 for several tables of new PFS players next month, and I was wondering if anyone had ever mocked up the invitations to the Tian festival before. I think having a physical prop might add some color. If not anyone have some suggested text for it?
Thanks.
Does the +1 caster level from the bloodline arcana apply to Caster levels of other classes, such as in a Cleric/ umbral sorcerer? I can't find anywhere it's says it doesn't, but it feels like it might be a misprint. From an RP perspective I like the idea of it adding to all classes.
Thanks.
As someone attended the GM 101 in Georgia, I would highly recommend this! Despite playing and running RPGs for over 25 years I learned a lot about PFS, Pathfinder, and even some new GM tricks. I was a great experience!!
I am currently running a CHA based Ninja, that focused on disguise. I have run every adventure as a completely different persona with outfit, gear, and back story (Leading to one of the game organizers registering for sessions as "Not a Ninja.") However, my favorite was when playing Feast of Ravenmoor in December. I used my Caravan boon as a changing room to disguise as: the Taldoran merchant running the caravan, her Chelixan slave and record keeper, and her Varisian gypsy consort. It was especially good, since I kept succeeding in disguise rolls, so the other characters were constantly complaining that the Pathfinder (the Taldoran merchant) keep staying in her wagon and while sending the gypsy and the servant to do all her work with the party. It was very fun. :)
Eric- I thought might be the case but wasn't clear. Thanks.
Scott- Didn't know that. Love me some gold stars.:)
Chris- I agree. I always try to play before I GM because I prefer the surprise.
Pain- I would also like to play a character through its paces, because I think you get a better since of who that character REALLY is. However, with a job,wife,baby, etc. I get very limited play time (Maybe 2 scenarios /month) So it is very hard to make the decision to between my love of GMing and my love of playing. In addition, finding time to TRULY learn a new scenario can also be hard. Being able to run a scenario I know and love (Bloodcove Disguise for instance)would make it easier.
That being said I do agree that you don't want to have people GM just for the rewards, and it is not fair in some sense to reward those of us who are "part-timing" and much as those who "full time." Maybe a reduced reward for GM sheets after the first time (1/2 gold, 1/2 XP, 1/2 Prestige.)
Regardless I plan to run scenarios whether I get credit or not, but a little benefit would help my limited time problem, (Although, the counting toward GM stars is encouraging.)
I am sure this has been discussed before, but I am curious why you can’t get credit for running a PFS scenario multiple times. This is how I see multiple credits currently:
Negatives:
1) Gaming the system- it is possible that a GM could run the same scenario over and over in order to get an easy credit, by not running something different. However, in order to do this effectively he would have to either constantly get new groups of players that had not run the scenario, or get a group to run it over and over for no credit. Although this is possible, this seems like a very time intense way to game the system, and I am sure other ways could be found that are easier.
2) GM doesn’t expand their horizons- I think that most GMs are going to get bored running the same scenario over and over, and those that don’t were probably not going to expand their horizons anyway.
3) May limit the games being offered- Again I feel that the fact that players can only get credit once per scenario will drive PFS to continue to run and offer more and more scenarios.
Positives:
1) Giving new players the best experience- One of the main reasons that I posted this, is I love introducing new players to the game, so running First Steps and early level scenarios is really fun for me. In addition, since I have more than 25 years of RPG experience, I think I am fairly good at introducing new players to the game. This all being said, I am willing to run these scenarios for no credit, but some credit for my own characters would be a nice benefit to running these scenarios.
2) Rinse, Repeat- Doing most anything multiple times in going to improve the result, so the player would actually be getting a better and better experience as time went on.
3) The Perfect Storm- sometimes a scenario and a GM are just a perfect match. For instance, we have a GM in our PFS region that is THE perfect goblin, and having played the Frostfur Captives with him was one of my best gaming experiences ever, and I think it would be good to encourage this even further.
I am new to the society, and I am sure I am missing some important factors here, but I would be interested to hear a discussion about the topic. Thanks for indulging me.
I am a low level PFS character and was looking for neat items to add to my bag of tricks, when a came upon the campfire bead. It brought me to several questions.
1) What would be the effect is I used Sleight of Hand to slip it in somoene's pocket, and then activated it?
2) if I drop it in a hex during combat would it be difficult terrain? Would it do damage to someone in that hex?
3) if I gave it to some else to use it as a sling stone, and then said the command word after launch, what would happen?
Being one of the classic bard archetypes, wouldn't it make sense to replace Distraction with Sea shanty instead of Coutersong, so the bard could still counter the classic Siren's song?
b-a-c-d works for me. I've just been told you became visible just before your attack. So someone waiting with a readied wand of vanish might (depending on the order of the Readied actions) be able to Vanish the rogue before C.
An aside but on the same topic, this means that the ability of a storm born sorcerer to make a weapon have the shock effect is not effective on his own weapon til 4th level since the duration is 1/2 level, correct?
If you are using Weapon Finesse does it change the type of attack from str based to Dex based?
I am asking because if you have something that benefit str based attack ( such as strength surge from the strength domain), would it still add to an attack using weapon finesse since the melee attack is still str based but you are just replacing the bonus with Dex.
Thank ahead of time.
Full Name
Solandil Branex
Race
Human
Classes/Levels
Aegis/Soulknife 2
Gender
Male
Size
Medium
Alignment
Chaotic Good
Deity
Sarenrae
Languages
Keleshite, Osiriani, Taldane
Strength
18
Dexterity
11
Constitution
16
Intelligence
14
Wisdom
7
Charisma
8
About Soladil Branex
Statistics:
Male Keleshite Aegis/Soulknife 2
CG Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +3
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DEFENSE
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AC 18, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+8 armor)
hp 28
Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +4; +1 vs spells, spell-like, supernatural abilities of evil arcane casters, +2 vs divination, +2 vs hexes, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities of fey, hags, and witches
Defensive Abilities stalwart, evasion, 25% chance to ignore crits; DR 2/-
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OFFENSE
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Speed 30 ft. (20 w/ armor)
Melee Mindhammer +8 (2d6+7/19-20), or Mindhammer +7 (2d6+10/19-20)
Ranged Mindhammer +3 (1d8+7/10 ft.)
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STATISTICS
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Str 20, Dex 11 Con 18, Int 14, Wis 7, Cha 8
Base Atk +2; CMB +6; CMD 16
Traits Carefully Hidden, Reactionary, Warded against Witchery
Feats Combat Expertise (f), Improved Iron Will (1b), Iron Will (1), Lightning Reflexes (h), Power Attack (f), Prodigy (Craft [alchemy], Craft [clockwork])(2), Psionic Talent (b), Weapon Focus (mind blade)(SK)
Skills 2 Autohypnosis +3, 2 Climb* +3, 2 Craft (clockwork) +9, 2 Craft (alchemy) +8, 2 Perception +3, 2 Spellcraft +6 (+7 to identify spells cast by evil arcane casters), 2 Swim* +3, 2 Use Magic Device +4 (8 points; 2 background, 4 class, 2 INT)
ACP -6
*ACP applies to these skills
FCB customization points (2/4)
Skill Bonuses +1 Spellcraft to identify spells cast by evil arcane casters
Languages Keleshite, Osiriani, Taldane
Special Abilities:
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Astral Repair (Ps) An aegis is capable of repairing mundane items, restoring 2 hit points of damage to the touched item as a standard action usable at will. If the object has the broken condition, this condition is removed if the object is restored to at least half its original hit points. All of the pieces of an object must be present for this ability to function. This ability has no effect on objects that have been warped or otherwise transmuted, but it can still repair damage done to such items.
Blade Skills Beginning at 2nd level and every even soulknife level thereafter, a soulknife may choose one of a number of abilities to add to her repertoire. Some blade skills have prerequisites that must be met before they can be chosen. All blade skills may only be chosen once and require the soulknife to be using her mind blade unless otherwise stated in the skill's description.
—Two-Handed Throw The soulknife gains the ability to throw her mind blade if it is in two-handed form, with a range increment of 10 ft.
Bonus Feat The soulknife may choose Power Attack, Two-Weapon Fighting, or Weapon Focus (mind blade) as a bonus feat at 1st level.
Form Astral Suit (Su) (4 points) Every aegis learns to draw forth ectoplasm and form an astral suit around their form. The aegis can select from three different types when forming his astral suit— skin, armor, or juggernaut. An aegis is always considered to be proficient with his astral suit, even if he does not have the appropriate armor proficiency. The amount of time forming this astral suit takes depends on the type of suit being formed. Different astral suit forms grant different free customizations. These free customizations never count against the aegis's total number of customization points spent on his astral suit.
The aegis chooses the appearance of his astral suit, although its shape must reflect the selections the aegis has chosen: astral skin would cover the aegis like a psychoactive skin, astral juggernaut would appear to cover the aegis like plate armor, etc.
An astral suit can be dismissed as a free action.
An astral suit does not function in areas where psionics do not work, such as a null psionics field. Dismiss ectoplasm can be used against an astral suit; treat the manifester level as the aegis's class level, although the aegis can simply form his astral suit again on his next turn.
—Modifications Stalwart (b), Fortification (b), Hardy (b), Brawn (2), Evasion (1), Darkvision (1)),
Form Mind Blade (Su) As a move action, a soulknife can form a semi-solid weapon composed of psychic energy distilled from her own mind.
A soulknife must choose the form of her mind blade at 1st level. She can either form it into a light weapon, a one-handed weapon, or a two-handed weapon. Once chosen, her mind blade stays in this form every time the soulknife forms her mind blade. The light weapon deals 1d6 points of damage, the one-handed weapon deals 1d8 points of damage, and the two-handed weapon deals 2d6 points of damage. All damages are based on a Medium-sized creature wielding Medium-sized weapons; adjust the weapon damage as appropriate for different sized weapons. In all forms, the mind blade has a critical range of 19-20/x2. A soulknife with powerful build or any similar ability forms an appropriately-sized mind blade dealing the size-appropriate amount of damage. If the soulknife's chosen form is a light weapon, she may choose to form two light weapons when forming her mind blade if she so chooses, but she suffers the standard penalties for two-weapon fighting.
Regardless of the weapon form a soulknife has chosen, her mind blade does not have a set damage type. When shaping her weapon and assigning abilities to it, the soulknife chooses whether it will deal bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. The soulknife may change the damage type of an existing mind blade, or may summon a new mind blade with a different damage type, as a full-round action; otherwise, the mind blade retains the last damage type chosen every time it is summoned.
The blade can be broken (it has hardness 10 and 10 hit points); however, a soulknife can simply create another on her next move action. The moment she relinquishes her grip on her blade, it dissipates (unless she intends to throw it; see below). A mind blade is considered a magic weapon for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction and is considered a masterwork weapon.
A soulknife can use feats such as Power Attack or Combat Expertise in conjunction with the mind blade just as if it were a normal weapon. She can also choose her mind blade for feats requiring a specific weapon choice, such as Weapon Focus and Improved Critical. Powers or spells that upgrade weapons can be used on a mind blade. The soulknife can use feats such as Weapon Finesse that work on light weapons with her mind blade, but such feats only work on mind blades in a light weapon form.
Even in places where psionic effects do not normally function (such as within a null psionics field), a soulknife can attempt to sustain her mind blade by making a DC 20 Will save. On a successful save, the soulknife maintains her mind blade for a number of rounds equal to her class level before she needs to check again, although the mind blade is treated for all purposes as a non-magical, masterwork weapon while in a place where psionic effects do not normally function. On an unsuccessful attempt, the mind blade vanishes. As a move action on her turn, the soulknife can attempt a new Will save to rematerialize her mind blade while she remains within the psionics-negating effect. She gains a bonus on Will saves made to maintain or form her mind blade equal to the total enhancement bonus of her mind blade (see below).
The soulknife chooses the appearance of her mind blade, although its shape must reflect the selections the soulknife has chosen: a bludgeoning mind blade would be blunt, slashing would have an edge, etc.
Shape Mind Blade The soulknife's mind blade retains the last chosen form every time it is formed until the soulknife reshapes it. If the soulknife chooses to reshape her blade, it requires a full-round action to do so. She may also re-assign the type of damage dealt as part of reshaping her mind blade if she so chooses. A soulknife can reassign the ability or abilities she has added to her mind blade; see below. To do so, she must first spend 8 hours in concentration. These cannot be the normal 8 hours used for rest, even if the soulknife does not require sleep. After that period, the mind blade materializes with the new ability or abilities selected by the soulknife.
—Current Form Two-handed blunt weapon, appearing as a large, flat-headed hammer
Throw Mind Blade All soulknives have some knowledge of how to throw their mind blades, though the range increment varies by form and the largest of blade forms cannot be thrown. Light weapon mind blades have a range increment of 20 ft. One-handed weapon mind blades have a range increment of 15 ft. Two-handed weapon mind blades have a range increment of 10 ft., per the Two-Handed Throw Blade Skill. Whether or not the attack hits, a thrown mind blade then dissipates.
Wild Talent The soulknife gains Wild Talent as a bonus feat at 1st level. This provides her with the psionic power necessary to manifest her mind blade. A character who is already psionic instead gains the Psionic Talent feat.
Gear/Possessions:
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GEAR/POSSESSIONS
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Carrying Capacity Light 0-103 lb. Medium 117-233 lb. Heavy 234-350 lb.
Current Load Carried 83 lb.
Gearmwk. backpack, belt pouch, blanket, flint & steel, iron pot, rope, soap, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), waterskin, hex nails (2), salt (5 lbs.), crowbar, alchemist's kit, masterwork clockwork tools, astral half-plate,
Money 309 GP 0 SP 0 CP
Background:
Soladil was one of two Keleshite children anywhere near his age in his hometown in Taldor, the other now being his wife, Izora. Their families, again, the only two of Keleshite descent in the village, had been friends for a long time, having moved to the village, for reasons Soladil still doesn't know, together a generation ago.
Soladil and Izora really only ever had each other, they couldn't make friends with the other village kids. The only reason their families weren't driven from the village outright was their parents' skill at their various professions. Soladil's mother was a clocksmith, and his father an herbalist, while the Branexes were both skilled healers (nonmagical). Neither got along too well with their parents either, blaming them for their situation.
Thus, it should come as little surprise that when a strange, injured owl, with black-dappled white plumage, fell out of a tree with two broken wings, neither told anyone about it. They were ten at the time, and at first their reasons were the simple ones of a child, rebellion and the thrill of sharing a secret. But it quickly became apparent that this was no ordinary owl, as it began to teach Izora. She learned quickly, and the familiar was an able guide and tutor, having survived the murder of its previous master, a witch of fair power (5-6),though it refused to share details. Soladil played willing test subject to the mind magic she was learning (mind patron), and gradually it worked its way into him. leaving him slightly more resistant to ill-intented magic.
A few years after they first found the familiar, a half-hearted attempt was made to retrieve or kill it, Soladil doesn't know which, although Skree, as the familiar often lamented her name was, could think of no reason she would be wanted alive. Izora and Soladil considered it half-hearted by the ease with which Izora dispatched the handful of winter witches sent after Skree, but Skree knows that these were no mere apprentices.
Years passed, the pair married, and the villagers gradually became suspicious of the minor magic Izora showed them when curing their ailments, but they kept Skree hidden, and the townsfolk were unwilling to risk losing a magical healer for the time being.
And then, when both were 27, restless and discussing going out to see the world, Izora simply disappeared. Without a word of farewell, or a note of explanation, Soladil packed, bought supplies, and set off with Skree on his shoulder, following theirs bonds with his wife to Heldren, just as the villagers being to notice strange happenings.
Appearance and Personality:
Soladil is of average height, but obviously a very strong man, with thick muscles and a sturdy build. He wears his beard long in blatant disregard for his station, but does not style it in any way. When manifested, Soladil's astral suit is a formidable mass of what appears to be dark steel, covering his entire body, with only narrow slits for him to see out of, as well as adding a good foot to his five feet and six inches of height. Soladil is a suspicious man, and slow to trust, but he is very accepting of others. He has a few seemingly odd rituals he performs, keeping all of his possessions covered in salt, and keeping much iron on his person. These seem like superstitions to most, but Soladil has found them useful.
Soladil is very blunt, not one to skirt around matters, he prefers a head on approach, but is smart enough to know that it isn't always the best idea.
Questionnaire:
Some of these could be seen from the backstory, but I wanted to put them all here anyways.
-What was your childhood like?
—It would have been hard, if he hadn't had Izora. As it was, they could easily ignore and avoid many cruelties, simply because they had someone else to play with. Soladil remembers his childhood fondly, as one big adventure.
-What is your relationship to the gods and religion?
—Soladil pays his respects to the Dawnflower, but he is not particularly devout. He is grateful to her for the good things in life, but does not blame her for the bad, seeing them as challenges put before him so that he may improve and help others as he does.
-Do you have an easy way with strangers?
—No, Izora was the talker, Soladil is not very good with people, and is slow to trust anyone
-Do you play well with others?
—Once you get over the initial mistrust, Soladil is very accepting of others, having lived his whole life at the side of a witch, he has little concept of what others may consider strange, different, or otherwise worthy of being shunned
-What draws you to the life of an adventurer?
—Soladil loves adventures, but he loves his wife more, so he was content to stay home until she disappeared.
-Do you identify with a particular animal or element?
—Soladil has always liked canines: dogs, wolves, foxes, he likes them all
-What do you find creepy?
—Soladil hates bugs. Everything about them seems unnatural to him.
-What specific goals do you have, if any?
—Rescue his wife, go home. Soladil sees no reason to complicate things.
-What secrets do you have?
—Soladil seeks to hide the nature of Skree, and his wife's as a witch, more out of habit than any reason to.
-What does someone else know about you that you do not?
—Izora and Skree both know that his psionic abilities stem from his constant exposure to Izora's magic, but Skree insisted she not tell him.
-Do the ends justify the means?
—Absolutely, especially if the ends are getting his wife back.
Things For The GM to Work With:
-Skree: Soladil can't communicate with her, but the idea is that she is from Irrisen, so she could be useful for giving us a nudge in the right direction
-Izora: Soladil's primary motivation. Despite having made her an integral part of my backstory, I don't feel comfortable roleplaying their relationship. I was thinking that after the campaign ended, Soladil and Skree would simply leave, following her call to another place.
Those are just ideas I had, I'm sure I forgot about something, basically, my backstory isn't off limits to work with because I didn't mention something, and these suggestions aren't set in stone. You are the GM after all.
