Talonne Hauk's page

First: Stay after the credits.

ATTEMPTED NOT-SPOILAGE WHY YOU MAY NOT WANT TO DO SO:** spoiler omitted **

Man this had to be a tough shoot for Liam Neeson.

The movie isn't really advertised accurately, but it's still worth checking out even if you want the movie that the trailers promise.(which, honestly, would probably still be money well spent)

REAL SPOILER:** spoiler omitted **

I wanted to like this movie, but every decision Liam Neeson's character made was wrong, wrong, wrong. He's a helluva sniper, but he's a craptacular survivalist. My reaction to him wanting to leave the wreckage?

My jersey number in high school!

Merisiel, my friends and I have been enjoying a debate on Elven outlook, and I would welcome your input.
My friend says that since elves enjoy a longer life, that they tend to take a lackadaisical approach to solving problems, since they know they can tackle it further down the road than a shorter lived race.
I disagree, saying that because elves are longer lived, that they see the folly of letting a problem sit and perhaps grow bigger, especially because elves have a greater investment in the future, as they'll be living in it longer than we humans.

Would you side more with my thoughts or my friends? And if it's more situational than my generalized thoughts, would you please elaborate?

A) With regards to the confusing 'I stabby my teammate' question above. Don't mix Good/Evil in one party. If you're playing an evil game, slit his throat in his sleep and don't worry about the alignment thing. If you're not playing an evil game, then kick him out of the team (IC) or something.

B) To James...

I know it's not a T-Rex, but thought you'd like this one anyway....

Pterosaur Comparison Graphic

I want one!

For one thing, the commute to work would be so much easier. And amusing, when my ride needs to "poopsie" on the cars below. Hopefully, I can maneuver right over the boss's car...

James Jacobs wrote:

Justin Franklin wrote:

Do you think that with the exceptional job that was done codifying D&D into 3rd edition, we lost some of the required ability to adjudicate the corner cases the way we had to in previous editions? Or at least many of the new people coming into the game don't learn it?

In an increasing amount of GMs, I fear that the answer is yes, unfortunately. Although if the indications of such I see on messageboards is just a vocal minority is hard to say. In any case, whenever I answer questions I try to frame those answers in a way that encourages GMs to take the answers more as advice than as law, so that hopefully they'll be more comfortable making their own calls in game.

Honestly James, I think it's a lot more nuanced than that. As one of the people who is constantly frustrated at the speed with which things are addressed on the FAQ, I find the steady stream of 'Why can't GMs just decide this stuff for themselves' to be even more frustrating. I realize you may not be intending it, but it feels a lot like being told 'Hey, we just make it, don't come to us for clarification'. Again, I realize you may not intend it that way, but it does feel that way sometimes.

As a GM who's been doing this for decades, I have no trouble making rulings on my own. However, as someone who's mildly OC, I really really like knowing when I am houseruling something, and when I am following the rules as written. I don't think it's unreasonable that if a company puts out an RPG game and has something ambiguous in it (and god knows we all can agree that there's a lot of ambiguous stuff in it, granted a lot left over from 3.5). Things such as stealth, crafting (which has new holes with the PF rules), and UM had a lot of things that were questionable (see the threads).

Now, none of this is a slam at Paizo, nobody can be perfect. But, responding to 'please clear up this stuff' with 'Why can't you just decide for yourself' is not endearing as a customer. The classic...

How do you go from saying that the codifying D&D to 3rd edition was exceptional to ranting about the ambiguity of it all? If you've been doing this for decades, then you should be comfortable with that ambiguity. I've been doing this for decades, and find that the current ruleset is far less ambiguous than in editions past. In fact, I find the over-reliance of codified rules to be as much a hindrance as they are an asset, because at least once a session, someone has to drag out a book to read and clarify an under-utilized rule. I don't mind having that ambiguity, as it means the decision is in my hands, and things can flow as I direct them. As a GM, why wouldn't you want that?

Talonne Hauk wrote:

My gaming group is about to fall apart because the host is going through a mid-life crisis and divorcing his wife. He's a real good friend, but he's being a bit of a diva, and a lot of it has to do with new online relationships he's forged. I'm sure I'll be able to find/forge a new group, but since I like this one, and I've sunk a lot of time GMing the group over the past few years, I think this is sucky.

I don't know your group dynamics, but would it be possible to have someone else host? That might take the "pressure" off your current host and the group won't need to break up.

We're working on it, but the nice thing about where we play now is that it's a central location. If he stops being the host, it's likely one or two people will stop coming because going somewhere else may be too far.

My gaming group is about to fall apart because the host is going through a mid-life crisis and divorcing his wife. He's a real good friend, but he's being a bit of a diva, and a lot of it has to do with new online relationships he's forged. I'm sure I'll be able to find/forge a new group, but since I like this one, and I've sunk a lot of time GMing the group over the past few years, I think this is sucky.

Well, aren't you lucky then!

I'd rather live in an ascendency. It's much more likely I could have a positive effect, rather than fighting against entropy.

My middle name is Thorin. As in Thorin Oakenshield, from the Hobbit. My dad liked his nobility, and hoped I would come to exemplify those qualities.

I think I've turned out okay.

oh my, there's nothing like the good ol' poo/fan thang. glad i didn't pick a front row seat. all the funny smell and none of the splatter. YEE-HAW!

Ahhh, it's not so bad. We brought flame-retardant raincoats and hip waders!

Do you think you could channel energy to turn mosquitos? That would be pretty handy in my neck of the woods.

Why is it that my Cats will only do something funny when my digital camera is on charge, but when it's fully charged, they just laze around the house demanding belly-rubs and pork-liver treats?

I would withhold the bellyrubs and pork-liver treats until their compliance came in-line.

Take back your life! Down with Feline Oppression!
This message brought to you by the Canine Council of America.

*Pulls up a chair and offers Ambrus some popcorn.*

Freehold DM wrote:

Matthew Morris wrote:

I have to laugh, because Paula Brooks made the mistake of spewing his bile on Gaypatriot.net (where I comment) and was shredded by the real people there (some of whom have met face to face.)

Is it a comment on the state of (American) politics, that there is a perception you have to be a member of group X to comment on group X?

Disclaimer: I really am a 39 year old fat white male from Columbus. :-)

Indeed, this has been the case for some time.

You have been a 39 year old fat white male from Columbus for some time?

Probably about a year, give or take a few months. That's my best guess.

That's it. If I have a kid, I'm naming it Slappy Finkelstein. Especially if it's a girl. Ought to toughen her right up.

James, do you see an untapped genre for rpg's that hasn't been done before?

What do you think will be the next great licensed IP for rpg's?

*Blushes at the thought of playing with Sunny's box and pressing her button.*

*Distracted by Sunny's derriere, doesn't see box either.*

Big deal. You know how little I use that thing? Buncha empty calories for you.

BRAINBURGERS!!! GETCHER BRAINBURGERS HERE!!!

Talonne Hauk wrote:

Patrick Curtin wrote:

Talonne Hauk wrote:

Your selection bores me. I'll keep what I have, thank you very much.

Cute pup. Boxer?

Yep, good eye! He's 14 months old. His name is Wrigley.

Boxer would be a top pick of mine. Love the breed, but the Bostons have a real good fit of small size, big attitude. I've had large dogs all my life. I still have a 130 lb Golden (and it's size, not fat). But I think BTs are my all-time fave of dogs I've known.

Bostons are a real cool breed. My aunt had one.

I like Boxers because they're the right size for me. I'm a real big guy, so a medium to large dog like a Boxer is still a lap dog for me. Plus, they're a puppy forever, and I'm a sucker for that.

Talonne Hauk wrote:

Your selection bores me. I'll keep what I have, thank you very much.

Cute pup. Boxer?

Yep, good eye! He's 14 months old. His name is Wrigley.

Your selection bores me. I'll keep what I have, thank you very much.

What's your appraisal of the Kevin J. Anderson additions to the Expanded Universe?

If you held the rights to Star Wars (in all its forms, not just the rpg license) where would you take the franchise?

The Miami Heat suck.

Thomas LeBlanc wrote:

What is the name of the lake in southern Garund that looks like a giant bird?

It doesn't have a name yet.

You should have a contest for that.

J. Michael Straczynski for a sci-fi campaign.
Kenneth Branagh or Patrick Stewart for a Pathfinder campaign.
Patrick McGoohan for a modern day espionage campaign.

That's worth a stabbin'!

tcavagne wrote:

When will we get a book about fairies, James?

Is that something the public wants? If so, probably a year after we realize that (since it takes about a year from the "Let's do this book" stage to the "Yay, it's in print!" stage).

I think a book directed at fey in general, to show off their hidden potential, would probably be a good thing. Not necessarily fairies in specific, because that would be far too narrow. But I think fey in general, from all our native folklore from around the world, would be something most GMs and players would appreciate.

And James, be thankful you're not much of a sports fan. After watching the Heat spank my Bulls tonight, I'm telling you be glad you don't share my pain. Ouch.

Talonne Hauk wrote:

james maissen wrote:

The black raven wrote:

james maissen wrote:

You would not be TWF, but rather making your normal full attack routine with different weapons.

Which according to at least one of the developers is the very definition of 2-weapon fighting. I do not remember in which thread it appeared though, something about a shield bash and what off-hand penalties really mean, I believe.

You are confused.

TWF is when you use two weapons in order to gain an extra attack.

You could, via quickdraw, use a different weapon for each of 6 attacks in a given round and then make AOOs with yet a 7th weapon.

-James

And any GM who would allow you to do so is a fool. Just because dropping a weapon is a "free" action doesn't mean you get to do it an unlimited number of times. That's not RAI. But I get the feeling that you're going for a RAW approach, am I right?

I had a player who did this all the time with throwing things (sans the AoO mind you)

That's using weapons as ammunition. That's different.

The black raven wrote:

james maissen wrote:

You would not be TWF, but rather making your normal full attack routine with different weapons.

Which according to at least one of the developers is the very definition of 2-weapon fighting. I do not remember in which thread it appeared though, something about a shield bash and what off-hand penalties really mean, I believe.

You are confused.

TWF is when you use two weapons in order to gain an extra attack.

You could, via quickdraw, use a different weapon for each of 6 attacks in a given round and then make AOOs with yet a 7th weapon.

-James

And any GM who would allow you to do so is a fool. Just because dropping a weapon is a "free" action doesn't mean you get to do it an unlimited number of times. That's not RAI. But I get the feeling that you're going for a RAW approach, am I right?

In your opinion, what are the main differences between an Elven outlook on life and the outlooks other races seem to possess? Just as a general observation, of course.

As your fame is growing, do you enjoy being recognized by the public, or do you find it a negative experience?

What's your favorite method of off-hours relaxation?

RAT TACOS!!! GETCHER RAT TACOS HERE!!!

I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.

J. Robert Oppenheimer, Trinity (1945)

So why are you being creepy?!?

Doesn't Fox cancel all good shows after 1.5 seasons?

It depends on how good the show is. For instance, Firefly wasn't even given a full season.

Talonne Hauk wrote:

James, what's your thought about the Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat? I find its worthiness as a feat debatable, but I find that more to do with the choices of exotic weaponry to be lacking.

As a sidebar to this question, I was certain that kukris were an exotic weapon early in 3.0, but somewhere around the 3.5 switch, they became martial weapons. What are the determining factors that decide whether a weapon is simple, martial or exotic?

Frankly? I think that we fell down in making exotic weapons worth it for the most part.

My take: Exotic weapons should be better than martial weapons of otherwise equal value, because it takes a feat to learn just one exotic weapon. I think we over-nerfed exotic weapons, and in my home games, I generally boost their effects up a little.

Could you give some examples, please?

Do you believe there's unredeemable evil in existence? I.e., evil so vile even your god could not redeem it?

James, what's your thought about the Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat? I find its worthiness as a feat debatable, but I find that more to do with the choices of exotic weaponry to be lacking.

As a sidebar to this question, I was certain that kukris were an exotic weapon early in 3.0, but somewhere around the 3.5 switch, they became martial weapons. What are the determining factors that decide whether a weapon is simple, martial or exotic?

RATBURGERS!!!! GETCHER RATBURGERS HERE!!!!

I do know lots of Golarion slang. You can't not grow up on the streets and not know it, but it's different for every region. Was there a particular area or topic you were looking about?

I have to confess I don't have the knowledge of Golaria others here do. I was just hoping you might know a humorous turn of phrase. (Or two. Or more, if you're so inclined.)

Foghammer wrote:

Jiraiya22 wrote:

Including atmosphere, the Earth is about 15 trillion cubic feet. As a 20th level caster you can make 400 10 ft cubes with the Greater Create Demiplane spell, so 40,000 cubic feet per cast. It will take 3.8 billion casts to equal the volume of the Earth and its atmosphere. To cast that many permanency spells at 22,500 gp per cast it will cost 87 trillion gold pieces, plus 2 trillion gold for the cost of forked metal rods which are the material component for the Create Demiplane spells, so you will need 89 trillion gold pieces. One gold piece is 9 ounces, so you need 800 trillion ounces of gold, which is about 880 million american short tons of gold.

So for the low low price of a 1.5 billion square foot block of gold you can have Earth.

I was bored, I'm done now.

That covers materials, what about labor costs?

Just offer free t-shirts, everyone will show up to help.

Nuh-uh. Some of us hold out for pizza and beer.

[Rereads Seelah's intro.]

MY mistake. That's a +4 Holy Keen LONGsword.

Hey, I'm short, even for a drow. After a while, big swords all look alike to me.

He does look like a happy dog though. Not sure why he needs my approval, when it looks like he's pretty pleased already.

I just wanted an excuse to show him off. :)

So, uh, what's Amiri like?
[blushes]
'Cuz I think she's kinda purty...

Okay, there have been a bunch of great ideas so far, but here's one I think would be interesting... vehicles!
Mundane stuff, like carts, rafts and the like, but also more esoteric stuff, like magical chariots, and flying ships and things like that. I mean, I would love to be able to recreate podracing using dragon led chariots, or fight undersea battles with hollowed out bulette shell submarines, or (gasp!) a Pathfinderization of Car Wars - with dwarven and gnome techs slugging it out in their weaponized carts.

I may be weird, but I think that would be cool.

Cool! Is that a +4 Holy Keen Bastard Sword?

I hope Seelah comes by!

HalfOrcHeavyMetal wrote:

Merisiel Sillvari wrote:

LIES.

I didn't "borrow" his spellbook at all. I stole it. I'm trying to decide on if I should put it back or sell it before he finds out.

I do indeed enjoy the use of Use Magic Device now and then.

In regards to the first, don't sell it, buy an exact duplicate book and put pressed flowers in it. Put his book back and wait a few days, then swap them over. Wait for the outraged scream and laugh about it.

That's a good idea. An even better one—swap it for a HOLLOW book. One filled with wasps! ahahahhaahah!!! Awesome. (scurries off to set up most excellent practical joke)

Wouldn't he be able to tell the difference in weight?

Merisiel,
I think my favorite picture I've seen of you is on pg.92 of the Core Rulebook, where you're swinging down a mast and facing off against a pirate. So what's the rest of the story?

Also, do you know any handy or interesting Golarian slang or street talk that you might share with someone new around here?

Freehold DM wrote:

Please god, have her play seoni in the golarion movie.

As a redhead, she might be an even better choice for Shelyn.

I don't have a source for this, (Help?) but I've read that Hendricks is a natural blonde, and she dyes her hair.

I get out of it that people can be stupid. Someone would pay money to deface their car with that?