Rend's page

I'd like to play in a short campaign to test out the 4th Edition Rules. Ideally, the campaign would:

- be designed for Levels 1-5
- update daily, or close to it
- be run by a DM familiar with 4E rules
- test out a variety of the 4E mechanics
- use some kind of visual aid for combat (eg. spreadsheet grid)
- include a skill challenge at some point

Personally, I'm open to any setting or style. Whatever the DM wants to run. There was a botched attempt to start a game on this site because the DM disappeared, so there are several players with characters and backgrounds ready to go. I think we probably just need a DM.

My character is a Dragonborn Fighter named Anarak.

I'm not a subscriber, so it would be great if someone could give me a brief rundown on all the Pathfinder products relating to this AP (chronicles, companion, accessories, etc). Which ones are essential are especially useful?

Thanks

My turn to DM is coming up and I was planning to run a Shackled City campaign. It's the only AP I've read, though, so I was wondering if another one might be a better choice for what could be our last dance. I didn't want to spoil the others in case an opportunity came up for me to play in one. But with Paizo sticking to 3.5x and my group planning to at least give 4E a shot, it might be a while before we play another AP. Any thoughts?

If you can keep spoilers to a minimum, I'm interested to know which AP is the most fun to play and/or DM. I'm also curious about which one is most suited to a live game as opposed to PbP, and, actually, which one just makes the best reading material.

Thanks!

I'm planning to run Shackled City for two characters. We were originally going to be four, but two have dropped out because they are too busy at the moment. One or both will join back in after the first adventure.

I don't want to spend a lot of time scaling the adventure so I've decided to go the route of strengthening the PCs. I was wondering if anyone has run Shackled City with a small group and could give me some advice on what works and what doesn't, and also point out specific sections/foes in the first adventure that are especially dangerous.

Two things I don't want to do are run gestalt characters or force NPC(s) on the party. I don't like the flavor of gestalt and don't have a copy of the sourcebook in any case. I'm going to create opportunities for the PCs to recruit an NPC or two, but don't want to railroad them. I'm planning on having Ruphus Laro and/or one of the half-elves offer to join them temporarily. I have to consider that the PCs may refuse these offers however.

The PCs will be a psion and a cleric. I was thinking of allowing the following initial power-ups:

- start at Level 2
- max hit points
- 32-point buy
- allow level advancement during adventure (one night's rest)

Are these benefits enough to give the party a fighting chance? I would say they are above average in terms of tactics and resourcefulness, but will not always do the most tactical thing if it conflicts with how they see their character. In terms of style, I like a game where the PCs have a good chance of success. It shouldn't be guaranteed, but a PC death should be rare, and a TPK a sign of really bad luck or a really bad decision.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Ya, that's right. I'm starting a new thread because I'm too lazy to read 1600+ posts that seem to be mostly flames about flames and jokes about thread size.

I didn't think there were huge problems with 3.5, but I did find playing outside of the level sweet spot a bit annoying, and hated running out of things to do in combat. I'm glad that they are addressing these issues in 4E. I also really like the idea of healing surges so that all characters can take some measures to ensure they're own survival, allowing the cleric to occasionally use other abilities.

I'm not interested in D&D Insider or the Game Table. The latter seems ambitious but will probably find it's niche eventually. And, like many others, I'm worried about the cost of yearly PHBs, rotating campaign settings, and subscription fees. I will not buy everything. Hardly.

Yes, stuff you buy now will eventually be obsolete and WotC will continue to try to find new ways to get money from you. They are a company and we are their customers. What else are they going to do besides try to make new products that they think we'll want to buy? Is that so bad? You can pick up a 1st Edition boxed set and play D&D forever if you want to.

So, why should Paizo switch? Well, there's lots of 3.5 material available right now. I think there are five adventure paths. Has anyone actually played all five? I'm playing in one, running one, and lurking in another. And I still haven't looked at Savage Tide or the Curse. But when 4E comes out, I will be itching to start a new 4E campaign. I'm hoping Paizo will step up to the plate with a suitable adventure path. I'm not a Pathfinder subscriber, but I would definitely purchase and run the first Foruth Edition AP.

And hey, if 4E sucks, Paizo can always go back to 3.5 after a year. But let's face it. 4E is not going to suck. And most people will eventually make the transition. You might not like every single change or the WotC marketing strategy, but it will be a fun game. It's not a CCG or WoW. Those comparisons don't make sense at all. You can role-play an elf and fight a bunch of orcs by rolling d20s. It is a table-top RPG. And it is D&D. Square fireballs and starting hit points will not change the flavor of the game.

There is a need for 4E adventures and adventure paths. Paizo should hop on the WotC bandwagon and produce material to satisfy that need, rather than focusing on supporting a fading game system and adding to an already saturated 3.5 market.

That's my opinion and I welcome all others. I'm against censorship, don't care about board etiquette, and am willing to be proven wrong on any points. I also think that anyone who complains about a lack of WotC support for Linux hilarious. So please talk about that :)

I placed this order on August 29th and received shipping confirmation by e-mail on September 4th.

I still haven't received the products and was wondering if you had a tracking number or something. Is this length of delay normal?

When I ordered and selected USPS Package shipping, your web site said I would receive the package in 7 to 11 business days, I believe. That would make it late as of September 13th. Even if you start counting from the shipping date of September 4th, it should have arrived by now.

Please advise.
Thanks

Jon

I'd really like to play in a play-by-post campaign using either the Game Mastery Modules or the Age of Worms Adventure Path. I can't play Shackled City since I've already read it, and a friend is planning to run Savage Tide...

I've been looking on various sites for a game to join, but it's hard to find something specific just as it's starting. So, if you need a player or are thinking of starting a game, please let me know. Maybe other players will join this thread and that will spark some DM interest :)

My ideal campaign would have the following characteristics (but I'm fairly flexible):

- D&D Greyhawk-type game using mostly core material (PHB, DMG, etc)
- daily posts by players and DM
- small group (4-5 PCs) so that everyone feels integral to the campaign
- players willing to role-play and contribute to the story
- some visual aids for combat since I also enjoy the board game aspects
- a DM with some (successful) PbP experience
- players who haven't read the adventures (obviously)

I don't mind if the game takes place here or on another site...

Thanks!
Jon

ps Oh yeah, I'd like to play a Priest (probably Fharlanghn, Kord, or Wee Jas - depending on the intro/background info we get)