PhysChic's page

There was a lot to read this round to make a decision and it was definitely tough. I rejected one or two after the first read through, and pegged one or two as definite votes. For the rest, I made my decision for voting or not based mostly on the read-aloud text. Was it compelling? Was there enough sentence variety that it didn't feel boring? Did I like the word choice? And that has led me to my four votes:

Alexander MacLeod, Cloister of Saint Bethaene
Benjamin Bruck, The Peerless Menagerie of Ashpanjara Isle
Jesse Benner, Hassaldor's Span
Jim Groves, Seven Towers Observatory

Not only that, but I got dinged last year for copying and pasting most of my own villain background text in the stat-block round. Why? Because Round 3 tests your ability to "improve" just as much as does on mechanical execution of a stat-block.

I hardly see this as being most. I compared the description of the original Chaitrakhan with the flavor text at the bottom of the new one. Here's everything that's new:

… intermingles with …
Chaitrakhan are 5 to 8 feet long and weigh 500 to 650 pounds.
Aggressive and cunning, chaitrakhan view all smaller creatures as viable prey, making them a particular threat to humanoids sharing their territory. A single chaitrakhan is formidable but the creature’s ability to communicate with others of its kind makes it a deadly pack hunter, stalking and killing yeti, winter wolves, and even dire bears without fear. Their keen senses allow them to see through most subterfuge and camouflage. They prefer to lair in and near caves when possible. They are highly territorial and do not tolerate any encroachments they perceive. They specifically seek out other predators to eliminate competition and a lack of other predators in a cold region is a sure sign that there are chaitrakhan in the area.
Like many top predators, the chaitrakhan prefers to ambush its prey. This is more difficult at night when the glow of its icy patches makes it easier to spot, though this comes as small comfort to anyone who spies the blue glow of an approaching pack. Chaitrakhan often begin by pouncing on their prey and holding it down. The toxin in their stinger causes profuse sweating and causes the freezing point of the water in their prey’s body to rise. This causes the preys bodily fluids to partially freeze and severely limits the prey’s mobility; some alchemists seek chaitrakhan toxin for this very property. Chaitrakhan pelts are valued by some cold weather societies since they are believed to offer greater protection from the elements and injury. The taking of a chaitrakhan pelt is also considered a sign of prowess in many warrior cultures that live near their territory.

I hardly see that as copy and paste either. The contest is for freelancers as well and, from what I gather, a good freelancer doesn't waste time rewriting what already works.

I don't get what the huge problem is with the "cut-and-paste." I mean, the original, while not necessarily my favorite, was well-written. Why rewrite it if it was good to begin with?

Here are my votes:

Alexander MacLeod's Chymick Swarm, A Thousand Alchemists
This was one of my favorite creatures last round and you did a great job with it.

Benjamin's Bruck's Churjiir
While I wasn't fond of this creature as a whole, you did a great job bringing it to life in your stat block. Plus, with as many people as chose this creature, I felt I needed to vote for the person who did it the best.

Jason Schimmel's Chaitrakhan, icy pack-hunter
A few mistakes in this one, but a solid write-up as a whole. This was the only one I found that managed to really include all of the original monster concepts from last round.

Jesse Benner's The Lahamu ("The Soul Drinker")
Again, this wasn't a favorite of mine from last round, but the write-up was stellar. Very creative.

Jim Groves' Ardorwesp
This was definitely a favorite. A good choice of creature and an excellent job of turning the flavor text into solid stats.

Matthew Morris's Caltrop Golem
I loved this creature last round and you did a fairly decent job writing it up. While I thought it should have been lower level, I definitely like your work.

Some comments on those I didn't vote on:
Chris Mortika's Haga
Wasn't feeling this as a CR6 or lower. It just felt forced

David Posener's Astrumal
Didn't like this creature and definitely didn't like it as this low of a CR. Felt like you were just trying to do something unexpected and it didn't quite work.

Dennis Baker's Churjiir
James Martin's Churjiir, Two-Headed Rat King
Joshua Kitchens' Churjiir, Two-headed Rat Emperor
Matt Goodall's Chaitrakhan
Only wanted to vote for one of each creature unless there were two stellar entries, which none of them really were.

Matthew McGee's Astrumal
Again, hated it and didn't feel the mechanics fit. You also really left out a lot of what the original was all about.

Richard A. Hunt's Slithering Horror
Stat block was very weak.

Tom Phillips's Ossuary
I loved the original creature, but this appeared to murder it. This was probably my least favorite entry.

While I would love to see the skintaker statblock, what we ought to be speculating on are the ones that may be more difficult to pull off, but if done successful it'll be a hit out of the ballpark. One creature has psionics. Another has magnetism. One's accused of being a template. Those are a few examples that would be the ones to watch for if someone wants to pull off a coup.

A magnetic world-eater as a CR6 or lower? That'd be a serious challenge.

I can narrow it down to 32 guesses =P

Considering they have to choose one of the monsters that made it to the top 16, I think 32 is a few too many guesses ;)

Congrats to everybody who made it to Round 3! You all had stellar monsters. I look forward to seeing what you all come up with. I, personally, hope to see a lot of overlap because it'll really highlight the stylistic and other differences among competitors.

...

*Rogue jumps over the caltrops, caltrops form into caltrop golem and flip a lever opening the 20X20 pit the rest of the party is standing on waiting for the rogue to jump back.*

Rogue: Oh $#$^#$^# (How many rogues carry blunt weapons as a rule?)

Do you suppose the golem could reform around a foe? That would certainly be interesting, if, admittedly, a little swarm-like.

I like this a lot. I'm a bit put off on an 'ossuary' not having bones in it but no one else seems to mind.

I'm right there with you.

I'm wondering if being trapped inside the golem would have some sort of weakening effect on the undead. I mean, is there anyway they can free themselves (especially if their CR is much higher than that of the golem itself)? Plus, it could make the surprise fight at the end a mite easier, if that needs to happen.

Also, I'm wondering if there is any way to defeat this thing without killing it. I'm guessing the intelligent PC figures out there might be a reason not to destroy it completely.

...
Their bodies emit varying waves of magnetism that draw and push them between places until they reach a new planet rich with life and metals.

...

The astrumal’s body radiates a constant aura that repels or attracts all metal around it. The aura can be altered at will but it cannot be suppressed and gives the astrumal some innate magic ability dealing with metals. Completely without normal sensory organs, the astrumal can detect its surroundings using its magnetic field.

Okay, I'm not very knowledgeable about the game systems, so I don't know if this stuff has been dealt with prior, but I do have a few issues with the magnetic thing.

- Waves of magnetism? A creature may have a magnetic field, but I highly doubt it emits magnetic waves. The only waves that contain a magnetic field component are electromagnetic waves, and electromagnetic waves would not cause an attraction between the emitting object and other objects (the magnetic field is inherently oscillating).
- To have the attractive/repelling force that this creature has, the magnetic field has to be pretty powerful. When the field changes from one to the other, this should induce a rather large voltage in anything in the area that can carry a current (like, perhaps a metal object?). That could always be a fun added affect.
- Has anyone considered that some metals (like copper) are not magnetic?

The limbs that flail from the midst of its vortex are used to bludgeon intruders, its powerful blows pushing them away from its guarded item or location.

So, if it bludgeons you with the limbs it used to put itself together, is the damage based on the size of the limbs? What happens if the limb has claws or other natural weapons of some sort? Can you grapple an individual limb from inside the "vortex" and rip it out?

If the sting is its main attack, I hardly see it being a good game element as an insta-kill. I'm wondering about the possibility of a dehydration effect for victims which manage to survive one or multiple attacks. And the freezing web would certainly cause some damage too.

Okay, I'm confused. If their parents are out to kill them, and they steal for their parent's hoards, how exactly don't they get killed?

I kinda like this guy. I think I'll call him "Jacks".

I love it! I'm definitely for this one. It's hard to find a lot of creative monsters at low level; this may be a little silly, but it keeps the game interesting. Plus, I'm sure a crazy evil villain would love to create one of these things to mess with people.

Sorry, but I need my Pathfinder subscription canceled as well.

Thanks

As much as it saddens me to do so, I would like my Pathfinder Module subscription to be canceled. I do want to keep my Pathfinder subscription, though. Hopefully, I'll be able to start up the subscription again soon :).

I am looking to switch over to Pathfinder by using my credit and as I went to check out it read that shipping was going to cost me $5 dollars. I was wondering why for it states that it's free shipping at the transition board.

The subscription itself comes to $13.99 plus shipping and handling. If you divide the total amount listed on the transition page that you would pay as a subscriber by the number of issues it states you are entitled to, it should come to around $17.99, which is $13.99 plus $4 shipping and handling. Looks like yours is an extra dollar, though, but maybe that's just the option you chose (I agree that's a little tricky, though, since the transition page does state that it's free).

Hello!

So, not to sound like a complete fool, but I'm not seeing in my "My Subscriptions" or anywhere else what options I have. I don't see anything about credits or such things. I remember subscribing in Decemnber or January, which, if that's the case, means I should have excess credit or something. Please help this blind Crawler and point him in the right direction!

CC

If you go to the transition page that explains what options we have available to us, the very bottom of the page lists your customized options (provided you are logged in). It will give you each option and how much you have available to you (months of Pathfinder, back-issues, amount of credit or refund). I think that's the only place it's listed.

I just got a response to a spellcraft query I sent in June 6th. They passed on it, but I am pleased as punch with the response time.

I sent in a class acts query on May 20th (or somewhere around there) and haven't yet gotten a response about it. I was definitely planning on giving it more time before sending a poke over to paizo, but I wasn't sure if this meant that they were well beyond where they should have come across my query since they're up to June 6 apparently. Or are spellcraft queries just sorted through faster?

Is there a site with more info on Natural Gas cars? In the US there seems to be an overall hush on the alternate fuel cars, although Hybrid vehicles are becoming the new rage. The government keeps claiming to be "researching" more eco friendly options but meanwhile the US only seems to be increasing its oil dependence. It's a conspiracy I tell ya!

FH

Not a very covert conspiracy, that's for sure. It doesn't make sense to me that it's the government's job to use our tax money to protect our oil reserves in other countries so that the oil companies can get that oil and still charge us more for gas. Of course the government is researching eco friendly options, but they're not putting in enough funding for this research for it to be very effective.

Why is it that, when oil production slows, gas prices in America skyrocket immediately, but then, when the production begins to dramatically increase, we're told that it takes a while for our market to see the effect of a change in production rate (that is, prices getting lower again)? Is this an American thing, or does this happen everywhere?

What does it cost in the US presently (just curious)?

Stefan

Well, I haven't been there for a few weeks, but when I left, it was about $3 a gallon. Of course, one of the reasons people here are willing to buy such gas guzzling cars is because the government is doing everything they can to keep gas prices as low as they are. If they would just use "true-cost" pricing, it should cost about $6 a gallon and then people would think twice before purchasing their new Hummer.

I have drifted from my point but in the US hard work is rewarded but the concept of family importance seems to be suffering unless one can earn a great salary and afford to leave a parent at home.

I certainly can agree with that. My mother wanted to be stay home and raise my brother and myself. My father worked three jobs, almost killing himself, and they still went bankrupt because they couldn't bring in enough money.

The only thing I've got going for me as far as that's all concerned is that I want to be a teacher. So, essentially, if I plan things right, the child can be born right at the beginning of the summer, or slightly before (taking whatever maternity leave they give me) and I'll have three months to be able to stay home and care for the child myself. I do hate that the American system almost forces us to let someone else raise our children most of the time if we want to afford anything in life.

Of course, being a teacher is somewhat different than other jobs anyway. I mean, a full-year salary for only 9-10 months work, but typically working nights and weekends grading assignments and such during those months, so it evens out. The unfortunate part is that you can't actually take a vacation during the school year at all (no ski trips unless they're over the winter break). Pennsylvania (where I intend to teach) has one of the best pension plans for teachers in the whole of the United States, though, from what I hear, the government is trying to get rid of some of that. Well, I won't start in on all of the bad things that the government is doing to American schools...

Lucky you, PhysChic. What is your major? Mine will, in the distant future, be Biochemistry. However, I love math & physics! Have a great time!

My major is Physics. One of the professors that teaches a lot of my classes is in charge of the Biochemistry program at my college (no department, just interdisciplinary stuff), so I end up learning a bit about Biochemistry in the classes I take with him.

BTW, what kind of internship are you going on?

I'm actually doing an internship with my Physics professor at Allegheny College (near Erie, PA) working with Liquid Crystals. For the second half of the internship, we go to Budapest to work with a collegue in the field in his lab since he's got some different equipment than we do, which allows us to do a few things we couldn't at our lab at the College.

Thanks for the advice. I have had a bowl of Hungarian goulash, though that was because the word "goulash" (I know I didn't spell it right) was one of the few words on the menu that I understood, so it wasn't what I was expected. Very good though :).

I'm leaving for Budapest, Hungary in a week. I'll be there for about three and a half weeks as part of an internship. After that, I'll be in Ireland for a week with a friend. I've never been to either of these places before. If anyone has any advice about either place, I'd really appreciate it :).

Orcwart wrote:

Anyone else use EMA's character sheet PDFs? They're great?

No, never heard of them, but i'm interested...is there a website?

A new member of my group just e-mailed the link a few days ago.

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/7649/

I think they're under "Dynamic Sheets"

All natural twenties must be lit up with a high-powered LED maglite/flashlight. Accompanied with a cheesy "aaaaahh!"

Any tactical explanation of a situation that takes more than ten seconds to describe is accompanied by "Dude," as it usually involves an outrageous step that's plausible if the dice are rolled high enough. Hence the "Dude Roll" - *doooooooooode*.

Along those lines, in a few of my gaming groups, any horrible failure involved a muffin. For example, rolling bad on a spot check equals "I saw a muffin." A slightly better roll, while still failing may be, "I noticed the muffin was blueberry." Rolling a horrible attack roll might be "I was distracted by muffiny goodness." Stuff like that. Much more entertaining than saying "I didn't hit."

My experience is more with "Variant Rules" than "House Rules" but I suppose it still applies.

We use Vitality and Wound. The original published version (in Unearthed Arcana, I believe) was severely underdeveloped as it didn't deal with things like Regeneration and nonlethal damage. However, Magagumo and myself have managed to expand on the original rules for the system, also taking into account the difference in effects of some feats. It's quite a few pages long and is a bit complicated for anyone who joins the group, but we use it because it makes healing a lot faster and is good in low magic settings (or at least when there isn't a lot of healing magic in the group). It's a bit more stylistic, but we use it in every game he runs (I run the normal system because I'm still learning the game to begin with and learning how to turn my stuff to Vitality and Wound is a bit complicated at the moment).

I tried defense rolls once. As a concept, it's rather good. I mean, if you have to roll to see how well you hit someone, why not roll to see how well you defend against an attack? Unfortunately, it certainly bogged things down, making it impossible for players to just tell me how much damage they did. Instead, they had to tell me every attack roll they made and I had to make an opposing defense roll, which definitely slowed things down. Again, really neat concept, just didn't work so well in practice.

Also thinking about using facing in combat. I once got hit by a nasty gaze attack when I wasn't even looking in that direction, but, since, technically, there was no facing, I apparently was automatically looking in every direction (???). Anyways, anyone had a chance to try this out yet? Any thoughts on it at all?

Finishing up my BS in Physics, then spending a year getting my Master's of Arts in Teaching Physics. It's almost like an MEd, but the cirriculum I go through is a tad different. Should be done with it all summer of 2008, then on to a career somewhere (hopefully, one of the places I've really wanted to teach).

One more question, do I need to attach a new SDF to the resubmission, or am I correct in assuming the original one still applies?

Sorry for being annoying, I obsess over getting this right.

Found this laying around another thread:

Should one send a query or the full article with the SDF?

Send the SDF with the first time you send the article file.

Sounds like they just want it the first time, but you don't need to send it with any resubmissions. I think I also saw that specifically in another thread, but I can't find it now. Hope that helps.

Hmm, I still recommend talking to them first. I know that once when I was stressed by a few too many things, I let it affect my gaming in a rather negative way. The GM and I talked and I took a "leave of absence" from the game until I felt comfortable coming back.

However, if this type of solution just isn't in the cards, then, yea, chuck the players.

Searn--I have a bit of advice for you myself.

I just finished up my junior year at college and will be graduating after the fall semester next year. My school costs over $30k per year and I almost had to transfer to a cheaper school last year because I didn't think I could continue going here. It doesn't help that, when I graduate from here, I enter into a one-year Master's program that'll cost me $23k.

When I came to college, the Physics program (which is what I'm majoring in) didn't start until second semester and that was even only one class. It also took me until second semester sophomore year to figure out a minor, so I had a lot of catch-up to do. Anyway, at the end of this school year, I had all the credits I needed to graduate (actually, I was one credit short, but that would have been easy to take care of... yay for yoga or ballroom dance or something crazy). The only thing that kept me here was the fact that I still hadn't finished the requirements of my minor or major.

So, without further adeiu (which I can't spell), here's the advice: If it doesn't stress you out to take a course overload every semester (which, by the sounds of the college courses you've already taken, I don't think it would), you should graduate a year early. Firstly, this saves you lots and lots of money. Secondly, I know I was feeling done with my undergraduate education by the end of this year and was ready to move on, so I can assume you might feel the same way at that point. And hey, if you don't, it's not like you HAVE to graduate early even if you have your requirements done with. I definitely wish someone had given me this advice when I had started... I could have started my life a year early.

From what I've read on the boards, I should be hearing back about my very first query any day now... I know it wasn't exactly the best idea in the world, so I won't mind too terribly if it gets rejected, but the waiting is just so suspenseful...

Being that I just subscribed this month will I get this months issue you think?

If you go to the "My Subscriptions" page, it should tell you what issues are shipping (or have shipped) and when.

or does this summer movie season seem kind of kobold-weak?

I agree the season looks rather sad. I mean, some of the movies sounded like they would be good, but turned out to be a waste of time and money. As for Pirates of the Caribeean II, it does look like it could be good, but I worry they'll have ruined it in their attempt to rush a money-making sequal. *fingers crossed* here's hoping... of course, I'm a bit sad that I won't be able to see it until at least the end of July since I'll be away when it comes out (though, at least I'll know what everyone else thought about it by then).

I think the point is that sometimes a certain rule or something makes the game not fun. So, yea, sometimes, we can bend or break rules in our game if it means that things will be more fun.

For example, I played a Grippli ranger in a campaign recently. I had excellent climbing, but I still couldn't technically walk on walls or ceilings or whatever. However, being new to the game, I was unaware that I was not able to do so with my character. Since the climbing on walls thing was the whole reason I wanted to be a Grippli (well, at least it was one of the reasons), my GM let it slide and let me climb on walls without the climb checks. It didn't give me a particular advantage in the situations where it was usable, so it didn't destroy the game, but I had fun doing it, and after all... "The game is really about having fun." :P

PhysChic wrote:

It'll go on sale in approximately an hour (10pm pacific, 1pm eastern)

Make that 10AM and you've got it. :)

Just to make sure everything is covered: 10 AM Pacific Daylight Time, give or take a couple of minutes.

Yes, stupid fingers having a mind of their own :P

Is the mini on sale yet or have they sold out?

I would love to buy one if they were available on the store. And yes I am a current subscriber.

Mini hasn't gone on sale yet, though you can get to it here:

Yea, housing cost definitely depends on the industry and everything in the area. I live in a moderately "upscale" suburb of Philadelphia and a good 3 bedroom house is over $300k. I've also looked at housing in the Poconos (about 45 minute drive away from where I live) and a 4-6 bedroom house there was going for between $100k and $200k.

My dream, once my fiancee and I finish our educations and get some decently paying jobs, start to pay off our massive amount of educational loans, etc, is to find a nice plot of land and custom build (and yes, we plan to have a room someone in there set aside for DnD... I wonder if there's any special building design that we could put into the room to make it really cool for DnDing). Of course, I still haven't figured out if we can even afford the type of house we want and a piece of land (no idea how much those cost). At any rate, I hope the housing boom in my area starts to die down so real estate prices start to drop, because it's getting pretty ridiculous.

Yay for new homes!!!

In case you're wondering if the reason you didn't like the movie was because it was so much different from the comic, I can tell you that's probably not the only reason. I didn't read the comic and I loved the first two movies, but this one was a real let down. Other than the mutant wonder-drug there was really no coherent story-line that held the whole thing together. Instead, the movie consisted of several under-developed subplots, none of which got enough screen time.

1. If that's all they were going to do with Angel, then what was the point of including him at all?
2. The whole Pheonix storyline was there and was just sort of happening, with one thing after another... it could have been a lot better than that.
3. Did none of the kids like Jean or Cyclops because everyone was so upset with the thing with the Professor but no one, not even storm, seemed to really care when all the other stuff happen.
4. They gave us all of these extra mutants, it seems, just so they could distract us from the fact that the plot was really sucky. Apparently, watching people use their cool mutant powers is better than a good storyline...

All in all, they ruined yet another good set of movies. It's almost like it puts a negative stigma on the entire set. I can certainly say that, while I like owning a complete set of things, regardless of how I feel about them, I don't think I can bring myself to purchase this money-making scheme of a movie.

Geez I KNOW I'm going to draw flak on this one...but personally I wholeheartly agree that "rolling for hit points" is totally unfair, and as a result I don't allow it.

Like Delericho, we used a fixed hit points per level based on class (modified by Constitution)...absolutely NO rolling.
This may certainly contradinct classic roleplaying (and belive me I know I've been playing for over 20 years)...and its not eveyone's cup of tea, so I'm not proposing everyone use it...but it has been my experience that "rolling for hit points" is the worst thing you can do for MANY reasons (fairness....realism....continuity of the setting....not to mention jealousy and hurt feelings even if they hide them from players....etc..) so when we switched to 3.X we stopped "rolling for hit points".
"Now ducking for cover from the imminent flaming barrage"!

No, I completely understand, even though I don't particularly agree. It's incredibly difficult to balance when characters should definitely roll because that's "how DnD works" and make things set because "that's what's fair." And perhaps some of that balance depends on the players and the GM. The fact that we all have seemingly different systems just points to the fact that we all realize the inherent problems with the "traditional die-roll" systems and are seeking to make the game as fun, balanced, realistic, etc. as possible without overdoing any one of those aspects at the cost of the others. As long as the house rules that you create for all of these are something that everyone in your group can agree with, I can't see anything wrong with using a different system (I know my group prefers rolling to "equality," so I don't think it's something I'll end up using).

this is something I just don't get. D&D isn't real;

I understand that it's not real, but most of the things that went into the way the game works (aside from the fact that, yes, there are different races and magic does exist) is so that it feels as "real" as possible.

Of course, I guess the thing to keep in mind is that I don't really have to deal with a character with substandard stats based on the fact that I make sure each person has at least a 30 point buy. To be honest, I've also never had a character who has ridiculously high stats, either.

It seems that some of you have chosen to use point buy mainly to avoid the possibility that the player cheats as he/she rolls up her stats. I guess I'm just not used to that kind of dishonesty . When I've had a GM who has occassionally dealt with trust issues, he literally sat there and watched as we rolled our stats and then let us do everything else on our own.

Another thing I'm not quite sure I understand is why stats are so much different than hp. I mean, both originally required the player to roll to determine their value. With the point buy method, the GM can certainly ensure that all players start out on an equal playing field regarding their stats. By higher levels, though, you may end up having a "sub-par" character simply because the player rolled absolutely horribly each time he levelled. Should we employ a point buy method on hp as well?

I'm not trying to be argumentative here. On the contrary, I know I'm still very new to the game and am just trying to understand how everyone has developed this perspective against rolling stats because it's one of the things that I like about the game.

Every so often my group runs one where we don't even pick where stats go, just roll 4d6(or 3d6 if we are feeling particularly masochistic) straight down the line and make a character with what you've got. Your characters might not all end up being super heroic type of adventurers, but they do end up having character. This method also leads people to play alot of things they never would have thought of before.

Hmm, I really like this idea. I'm going to have to steal it now ;).

Also, I agree that the point buy may make more sense for the longer campaigns. To be honest, I guess the reason I've never considered that is that I've never really run a long campaign before. Being new to GMing, I usually run small adventures and typically allow my players to write new characters for each one if they so choose so they get a chance to try out a variety of things. I'll keep point buy in mind for when I run something much longer :).

I guess the reason that I like rolling stats better is because it's more like real life. After all, if a group of people decided to get together and start adventuring in real life (aside from the fact that this doesn't exactly happen in the real world), they certainly wouldn't all be on an equal playing field. One may have really good "stats" and the other would have really crappy. So, I guess it makes the game seem more real when the party is, to some extent, unbalanced as well.

So yea, a player will occassionally have the unluck of rolling some low stats and they'll hvae to live with that for the game (I've never had anyone complain considering I let them all have decently high stats to begin with.. 30 point buy and over, as it were). But, probability states that that player will also occassionally roll those really high stats (i once rolled four 18s, and I was totally thrilled). *shrug* I guess in the long run I like that rolling stats is completely random, even from the perspective of a player.

I forget what all of the numbers are, so I can't really help with that, but I don't typically use it in my campaigns.

Personally, I like the "random" element a bit more, though I do calculate the point buy of the PCs after they've rolled their dice to make sure it's in a good range (otherwise I tell them to reroll their dice). I usually say anything about 30, sometimes about 35, is good. I don't have a maximum because, if the dice roll well, I don't want to take that away from the player.

Ah, but see.... If I check now and don't find any e-mails from you, then I can reach the pessimistic conclusion that you hate my ideas so much you didn't even deign to offer a reply. :D

Then when I get an e-mail next week, I'm pleasantly surprised....

It's a win-win kinda thing because, if he sends you a rejection, then at least you know he really does care ;)

Class Acts, Player's Handbook II, and You

Let it be known!

From this day forth, variant class features are in, alternative classes are out.

I'm going through articles I've already received and will be sending back comments supporting that statement.

Hmm, I've just recently submitted something that I dubbed "an alternative class," but it could very easily be a "variant class feature" instead. Should I resubmit my query with this alteration made or is that taken into consideration when you look at it and, if you liked the idea, you'd tell me to change it to a variant class feature?

Anyone know how caught up they are on queries at the moment?

You read history texts to find elements to add to your game.

Not only that, but you read "The Art of War" and others in order to gain more information about combat tactics in your games.

Role playing rocks. Period.

Yes, yes it does... I only wish I was good at it.

Please cancel my Pathfinder AP subscription. Thank you!

Unfortunately, we had a big pile of vet bills hit us all of the sudden from both an old, sick cat and an injured dog. :( So if it is not too late, is it possible to cancel my Starfinder subscriptions (AP & RPG) and along with them order 4410380?

Hopefully, it will work out to re-sub soon because I'm loving them so far!

Thank you!

Is it still possible to change the shipping address on order 4410380?

I added a new address (the "535 Chestnut" one) that I am hoping to use, but it looks like I can't change it for the existing order.

If it is possible, I would like to use the "535 Chestnut" one and not the "1547 Melrose" one for this and future orders.

Thank you!

Discussion thread placeholder.

Trying to set one of these up for the first time. Here goes!

After a few years away, I'm getting back into RPG writing again and was thinking of taking a stab at producing some planar products for Pathfinder since it's often an under-served niche and I just love that stuff (plus Paizo has opened a fair amount of their cosmology - thanks!). But I'm that player who writes up 4 different PCs at the beginning of a campaign and then has to randomly pick which one to use because he can't decide. Same thing happening here, too. So I figured I would ask and see if there is more interest in any of these ideas over the others.

I'm leaning towards a hybrid sourcebook/adventure anthology format maybe in the 96 page range, but that's entirely flexible. They would be Pathfinder compatible, but heavier on the fluff than the crunch most likely - lots of locations, NPCs, plot ideas. Also, if there is interest, I am looking to build these into a line (tentatively) called Planar Frontiers. Planescape focused heavily on Sigil, and I'm looking to counter that with focusing more on the "wilds" of the Planes. Ruins, and small settlements far from big civilizations. Planar prospectors, bordertowns where two planes bleed into each other, those sorts of things.

Caravans of the Mercane
Adventures start innocently enough as caravan guards for traveling mercane merchants, but of course there is far more to their agenda - and their selecting the PCs - than at first appears. Include information on the mercane race as well as several planar trade companies. Several locations that feature planar bazaars. Information on various forms of planar travel beyond the traditional spells and magic items - from shifting your beliefs while travel to shift planes to "backroads" that only traveling merchants now about.

Pirates of the Silver Void (or just Sailing the Silver Void)
Fleshing out the Astral Plane with locations, organizations, and plots enough to support an entire campaign. Would also possibly include magical ship information (although I'd love for Sailing the Starlit Sea to get funded and be able to use or reference their ideas - just an unsolicited shout out to that project that is really close to funding but not there yet with the deadline looming).

Unnamed book on traveling planar circus/carnival/freakshow
Been burning through names on this one trying to find something with a lot of character but not too cheesy. I'll get there. But a sourcebook/adventure anthology on a traveling performance troupe that could be enemies, allies, or even the PCs themselves. Just an FYI - back when I played Warhammer 40K, I was Eldar Harlequins every time. So I love this mash up of bizarre circus/carnival and gaming.

Book of Elemental Fire
The first of 4 building up the elemental planes with locations, organizations, NPCs, plots, adventures, etc. Could see a bit more crunch creeping into this one with some definite new archetypes, support for the Ifrit, etc. I think there's plenty of great stuff that could be done with all of the elemental planes, but fire is of course an easier one to make exciting and help build initial interest. The elemental planes are an area that even Planescape didn't go too deeply into. A while back I even sketched out ideas to make an all elemental plane campaign viable with conflicts between genies and elder elementals, etc.

So, do any of these 4 appeal to you?

Lastly, on a related note, I am looking to use Kickstarter to get this funded (Claudio Pozas is already slated to do the cover artwork), but for a primarily digital product what sort of rewards would be enticing? I will probably include limited edition soft and hardcover options printed through Lulu for the higher backers. Otherwise, is varying levels of input into the design enticing? Or more tangible rewards better?

Thanks for the input!!

Apologies if this is not the best forum for this or if it's against policy (didn't see anything in the FAQ). If it's best moved, please do so.

Anyway, I'm unfortunately more in the need of some cash than my Pathfinders, so I have a set of Pathfinder #1-6 up on eBay.

Looks like most of them are out of print here at Paizo, and it's currently at half cover price anyway with 2 days left. So if you missed out on what started Golarion and the whole Pathfinder adventure path series then you can provide a good home for these books.

Thank you and take care!
Ken

Edit: Oh, and 10% goes to charity (breast cancer research in this case). I need the money, but I still think it's important to help out where we can.

Grab your knife, fork, and stun gun because it's time to Eat Your Own Clone!! Purge those extra clone workers and make room for next year's models. I've been fattening mine up nicely, and he's just about ready. Unsuspecting, but oh so ready.

Completely off topic, but I saw at the NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day that not only is there a dwarf planet named Orcus (photo and Wikipedia), but that it has a moon and the discoverer is asking people to suggest names.

I'm sure Necromancer fans can come up with a good one to mass suggest. :)

To get the ball rolling, I guest either "Rod" (appropriate but not very moon-like), or Tenebrous (sorry, big Modron March fan).

I know the rest of you can do better. So what do you have?

(Note to Mods - If this is the wrong forum, zap away. Scanning through the list, it seemed the most appropriate, but my apologies in advance if it is not.)

I am unfortunately parting ways with most of my original artwork collection I've gathered from Gen Cons past. They are being auctioned off here on eBay.

Included are several of Arnie Swekel's chapter openers (including Oriental Adventures, Manual of the Planes, and an amazing Savage Species one), an unused but completed piece by Arnie Swekel for Manual of the Planes, and a pair of Wayne Reynolds pieces of the Expanded Psionic Handbook races. They are amazing in detail and it pains me to part with them, but they need a good home.

As an added bonus, I elected to donate 10% to breast cancer research through eBay's new built in charity feature. My family does need the money, but it's hard to say no to generating some charity money as well.

My family thanks you and wishes you happy bidding! :)

(Edit: There's some wonkiness with getting this post to appear. Just seeing if it is a title issue. Sorry for double thread.)

I didn't realize how big of a deal the virtual game table was until the explosion of hate over the lack of it at 4e launch. (Of course, there's the internet fact that most angry customers post than happy ones, but geez, there's some serious hate and disappointment out there.)

Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel like WotC is failing at, Paizo should talk to Fantasy Grounds, or even Digital Adventures who converts other publisher's material to Fantasy Grounds format. Create a relationship there with Pathfinder products being quickly available for Fantasy Grounds and promote that as an alternative to waiting 6 months or more for a promises Virtual Game Table. Especially if you can get a company like Digital Adventures to do the conversion work, it needn't be a time burden which seems to often be an issue with the overworked Paizo staff. :)

I'm sure there's other software packages out there. It's just Fantasy Grounds is the one I've heard the most about.

Add in other people creating datasets for the various character generators (my groups uses DM Genie in particular), and the fact that you already regularly give monthly PDFs to your subscribers, and you already have nearly all of DDI available - tested, functional, and far from the DDI vaporware that might materialize over the next 6 months to year (if they improve their track record over Master/eTools and Magic Online 3).

I'm just saying tossing it out there. The software already exists. Make some partnerships and offer what WotC has failed at.

I just had a thought, with Rage Points now in the game, what about doing something like the "naturally psionic so you get +1 power point" thing for barbarians? You could have half-orcs gain an extra rage point at 1st level. Just like with being naturally psionic, it wouldn't grant the ability to rage, just give you an extra point.

Looking at it, overall, at very low levels, yeah, it's pretty nice, but in the long run, it's probably not a big benefit, but I think it does fit the race very well.

Having rage points around now is a nice hook to design around since they are small enough that you can do some interesting things with them without massive increases in power. So even beyond having half-orcs gain a bonus rage point, you could have many other of the more savage races gain 1 or more bonus rage points. You could have some abilities and/or feats to either rage longer (i.e. don't need to spend rage point to enter rage, but only to maintain) or to rage harder (i.e. cost of rage powers is decreased by 1) or any of a variety of things.

Just a shameless plug here (though, I don't feel bad because I'm not getting another dime for it, but Paizo might if you buy the back issues), but as soon as a I saw the picture of the lizardfolk and the dinosaur I recalled two of my Dragon magazine articles that could be applicable. Although they are for the Hollow World setting, they deal with dinos and lizardfolk together and can be applied most anywhere. I thought they were fun. :)

"Sundering Ka" in Dragon #315
Covers a ritual that lets you take some power of a dinosaur as your own (primarily geared toward evil NPCs, but applicable to PCs as well). Crunchy bits include a template (CR +1, LA +2) and some feats. Could be used for the lizardfolk even if the fluff in these articles goes completely against that.

"Children of Ka" in Dragon #318
This is the lizardfolk who are working to stop the above abuse of dino life force. Crunchy bits here are mostly spells (majority of which wound up in the Spell Compendium), and a lesser dinosaur good for low-level animal companions. (Also, a lizardfolk Savage Species style level monster class and one of those lvl 1-20 "sample progressions" that they used to have all the time, in this case a lizardfolk druid/rogue).

Just thought I'd toss that out there in case anything would be fun to add onto the adventure for any groups out there. Enjoy!

I realize it's probably not feasible this early on while still trying to establish/solidify the Planet Stories product line, but I figure I'd throw out there that I would love audiobook versions of Planet Stories. Doesn't have to be packaged and in stores, Audible.com is ideal for myself. I just find it leaps and bounds easier to get through a book on my iPod (going to and from work, doing the dishes, etc.) than it is to find time to sit and read a book.

It's unfortunately been months since I read a novel, but I get through 1 every week or two listening to it.

Just throwing out the request to see what other interest there is in it, and get the Paizo folk considering it someday. :)

If I preordered a product that is in the Chronicles Subscription (in this case the Gazetteer), but now want to go with the subscription instead - will the preordered product be replaced by the subscription automatically or is there something I need to do?

(Note: Although the Gazetteer sounds cool, I'm only looking for 1 copy.) :)

Haven't seen this posted yet (just stumbled upon it myself) but product details through August have been posted including many more GameMastery Modules (including two designated "Last Baron" LB adventures), Pathfinder through the first installment of Second Darkness, Second Darkness player's guide (of course), Guide to Darkmoon Vale, and a Pathfinder Chronicles Hardcover campaign setting!

Sorry, I would add links, but there's a lot, and you all should browse the Paizo products anyway. :)

Here's the write-up of my notes from the seminar. Anyone else who was there (especially Paizo staff) feel free to correct me and I'll edit accordingly.

Writing for Paizo Seminar Notes (8/19/2007)

When had 200 pages of magazine to fill each month, there were many opportunities for new writers (though Paizo staff "greedily took up many of those pages"). Now, obviously less than 200 pages of magazine a month, so not as many opportunities but still important to find new writers.

Using writers have worked with for much of GameMastery Modules and Pathfinder adventures, especially since Pathfinder adventure paths complex and need to be planned out far in advance.

Will look at new WotC D&D Insider content for new writers. For example, James is hoping to work in a new author as fresh blood on each Pathfinder arc, but will be from someone with publishing experience. But 3 main ways will be accepting open submissions.

#1 - Pathfinder Monsters
6 per book, and 3 or 4 are typically tied to the adventure and written by the adventure's author. So the rest are open. Booked with PF #1-4, but 5 and 6 as well as next arc has openings. Will start working on 5 within next few weeks.

Looking most for either brand new monsters or inspired by real world mythology

Either post on messageboards or email them to someone on the Pathfinder team (within a week should have pathfinder@paizo.com up and running, but it isn't yet)

2-page spread – stat block, ecology/habitat, then tidbits (Quick laundry list given by James: variants, using as a PC, nursery rhyme about, legends, roles, sample treasure, how might function in different climate – eg. "a whirlwind devil – how climate might effect", construction of golems and such)

1200-1400 words including stats. As a general rule should never have 4 or more special abilities because won't get to use them, unless it's something highly reusable with a variety of roles, but the special abilities eat up word count.

Do full write up and send it in.

Within week or two will post formal guidelines.

#2 – Pathfinder Companion
New, unannounced product (Ok I announce it hear, right? – Ken). Has gone from "We should do this" to "We are doing this" but no further yet. 64 or 128 page companion to a Pathfinder arc released after arc ends. Will including material that expands the adventure path – new encounters, fleshed out areas, etc.

Examples of exactly what they are talking about

Another example – the Dungeon of Rust and Fire was just a dot on a map in the Savage Tide, but many posted on the messageboards fleshing it out.

This book will compile the best of these. Due to time needed to compile and print, will most likely commission authors for material that expands the last few adventures of the arc. But hoping to time it so that the first few will be out for people to post material on messageboards to consider.

#3 – GameMastery Modules
Usually set authors, but will have an open call soon (still solidifying plans for it).

Will release a "plot nugget" and people can send in an expanded outline for an adventure based on that plot nugget, idea for a new monster (since all modules have 1 new monster, but just idea for this proposal), and info on any other new rules like items, etc.

Paizo will review then ask a smaller group for more information, and then pick a winner to write the module to be released next year (2008). Will have more open calls, but not until after 4e (due mostly to the fact that the publishing schedule has to be set very far out). (I think I'm seeing the trend emerging of publisher timelines referring to pre-4e and post-4e even if it has nothing to do with 4e. – Ken)

Q&A portion

Q: Want monsters to fit party level? (Mostly in reference to PF #5 & 6)
A: Looking for monsters of all levels since GMs will not be running that adventure but still want something useful. More interested in monsters that fit the region.

Q: Maximum CR cap?
A: Not hard, official cap. But once have CR 20 monster or higher, makes it a lot easier to say "No thanks." Also since so complicated more likely to commission high CR monsters than take submitted ones. Lastly, much harder to fit a high CR monster onto the 2-page spread. So CR less than 15 is a good rule to work with.

Q: Sweet spot for monster CRs? (i.e. What are you most interested in?)
A: CR 5-12 probably best. People seem to like playing in that range the most.

Side note on Epic and other niches: James is a big fan of Epic and Mike is a fan of psionics, so eventually will fit those in. But right now, not sure how will work into the setting yet. Also, from what they can tell, Epic is less popular than psionics, and psionics is used by a small minority.

Side note on SRD: Emphasize to stick to the SRD. So no non-open monsters (beholders, mind flayers, etc.), and no "DM". Use GM instead. (Noted that they are still getting used to this as well. The Kobold King was almost sitting on a carrior crawler throne. Oops!

Q: What do you not want?
A: Generally still avoid clichés unless it is a REALLY original take on them. ("Don't have a rescue the princess adventure… unless the princess winds up being a hag that rides the king around." Yes, that's pretty much a direct quote. –Ken)

Also, there happens to have been a lot of templates in the early Pathfinder monsters, so good idea to avoid templates for a while.

Q: What about re-imaging of existing monsters (like the goblins), or will the Paizo staff being doing that?
A: Staff will do most of this, but might be interested in variants. However, with variants, don't want some monster just stronger (e.g. "Don't just raise its CR 2 and give it extra abilities. Like a blue headed troll that is also psionic. Because that's just what we really need - a rending psion.") Instead make it specialized somehow, not stronger.

Q: Specific templates for formatting?
A: Look at Pathfinder books for monster formats. Open calls will describe what format they want.

Q: If mechanics need a little work (e.g. if the CR is a little off), will work with to revise and not just reject?
A: If the core idea is good enough, will either work with the author or edit themselves to tweak mechanics. But certainly don't expect feedback on how to fix up every submission.

Q: Accepting magic items?
A: Yes, especially for Pathfinder Companion. Have a new magic item format (as well as new format for traps, cities, etc.).

Avoid spells. Very difficult to do properly, and there's a ton out there already.

Q: Are you looking for "great locations" / "set piece scenes" / etc.? What catches your eye?
A: Others said James goes for bards on dinosaurs. Big dinosaurs. James said it's easier to say what they are not looking for and what turns them off – this includes speling mistkaes, bad grammar, replacements for monsters that can't use (e.g. a "cube with 12 eyestalks that shoots spells" to replace beholders, etc.) National Geographic and history books are great inspirations. Interested in other types of cultures, cryptozoology, etc.

Wes said the setting will be traditional D&D. Medieval fantasy that is easy to fit any campaign into without much effort. So no lightning rails, ray guns, and such ("except that one spot").

Jason said "We get excited about everything."

Jeremy wants to see that the author is creative. Wants new and fun ideas, but not totally wacky. Show creativity and originality.

Q: What about darker, more adult themes? For example, R-rated material?
A: By and large will stick with PG-13. Caught some flack for some material that pushed boundaries too much ("You're going to the Abyss. It's going to be rough. Sorry."), but will listen to what readers want. Already many of their regular writers try to push it into hard-R area and they keep having to reel them in. Approach they like to take is, for example in Pathfinder, they include sidebars in certain sections saying "If you think your group would be ok with it, this part would be good to take to R-rated." So say where would fit best, but not have it on the page. Like to "ride the edge" so ok to push a bit. Ultimately, if the idea is good, they might still accept it and tweak the R-rated parts. But will be publishing in the PG-13 area.

Q: What about situations that offer no good choices for adventurers?
A: Love them!! But definitely don't want it all the time. So ok sometimes.

Just curious, I know nothing is set in stone beyond the Runelords Adventure Path, but is the INTENTION that Pathfinder for the foreseeable future will be based in Varisia, or is it primarily just the Rise of the Runelords will be based in Varisia and the next AP will be in another part of the world, and so on?

I just took a look at the first release of the Gen Con Indy events, and there's apparently nothing from Paizo. I've been attending your seminars for years and was looking forward to them again especially with the whole new direction.

So any chance that some might still get in there? In the past I've managed to add an event or two after the deadline. Or any possibility of any games being run to preview the Runelords adventure path (hint hint)? I'm sure you'd find some volunteer DMs pretty easily. ;)

That's all I ask, I don't care what's in it. ;)

Ah well, thank you Paizo for making the magazines truly great. It's just too bad that WotC decided to end the magazine that's been around... oh, pretty much as long as the game itself.

I'm wondering if someone who has the Dragon Compendium would mind writiing up a quick run down of the new (base) classes included in it? I don't care about BAB and saves and that sort of thing. Just a bit on what the class is and real generally what sort of abilities it has.

I'm planning on buying the book someday here, but with a new campaign starting soon, the base classes might be the tipping point between buying it in a couple months and buying it today. :)

Thank you!!