Third of Five's page

It's been said previously, but I want to re-state it. Thanks for allowing this to be a civil discussion. After the whole edition-wars era on these boards, it's refreshing to see that people can discuss something as potentially inflammatory as religion in a level-headed manner. We've got atheists, agnostics, and theists of various flavors discussing beliefs, rationality, and science and we've almost entirely kept it respectful. It restores my faith in our ability to listen to one another.

Oh, and thanks for the book recommendations as well. I'm always looking for interesting things to read.

What's so interesting to me is the definition of "religious beliefs." I work with many good-hearted, well intentioned people who would identify themselves as (or at least identify with) socially progressive, economically liberal, and (for lack of a better term) secularists. I have observed a religious back-lash from these folks against the "big-three" religions of the book (I think someone here referred to them collective as the Abrahamist religions) in general, and Christianity in particular. Eastern religions (or Eastern "Philosophies") do not seem to raise much ire, interestingly enough.

At any rate, I have overheard conversations outside my office door that center around: Obama, Progressive economic policies, a desire for a more secular President, Behavioral Science (I work with many behavioral scientists), Evolution, Atheism, Agnosticism and others (you get the idea). These conversations take on a religious tone and fervency all their own! Furthermore, I have found that "rational thought" is simply assumed to be attributed to the proponents of the above--agreeing with the speaker is "rational," disagreeing is not. Being a secularist is "rational," being a Christian is not. Supporting one presidential candidate is "rational," supporting the other is not.

The fact of the matter is that I am a Christian, and I believe that my faith is actually very rational. I understand that their are many believers in many religions that have a magical kind of faith and who do not question their own beliefs. Often it seems that these folks have a hard time explaining their own beliefs, and often it seems that these same folks put others down for not having the same kind of faith. The OP seems to have been a victim of this mentality--the same mentality that apparently makes it easy for Bill Maher to put others down for not sharing his own (I would argue, RELIGIOUS) beliefs.

I've found that it's always easier to mock another person than to really understand someone--some even make a living at it.

No one Boycotted Pontiac for stopping production on the Trans Am...

What!?!! You didn't?

Actually my objection to this is not based upon edition. Its based on the fact the this is very slapstick in the middle of a bunch of other characters. While I understand it is a poll, how many of you would actually want to play this guy compared to the other 4 characters that they selected?

Imagine if you will that this was one of the characters selected for the Penny Arcade podcast, I could see them making tons of jokes about it. And jokes are OK every now and then, but really? How many people will get to play with 'Nard at an Rpga event? How many times will his name distract from the organized game play? Is it that worth the humor the writer put into it? That's my point.

Hey! Hey! Whoa now! Don't try to take your thread back with sound rationale and legitimate concern! Not when I have yet to get my pitchfork, torch, and train ticket to Renton!

I like it when people say that they are ditching Pathfinder because of Vancian magic. Like anyone besides Erik Mona knew what that was before a few months ago.

Vancian magic? Google, google, google...oh yeah! I hate that too!

I think we need to tax all foreigners living abroad.

(Apologies to Man in Bowler Hat)

... I can promise you that I'm going to prep the 4e encounter and use the other 40.5 minutes trying to convince my girlfriend that it's too hot in our apartment to wear all those clothes. Every time.

Yes, but for those of us who find it difficult to get a girl to come down into the basement of our parent's house, the 45 minutes of prep-time that 3.5 requires is a non-issue. I mean, I'm not busy.

Sorry. Couldn't pass it up.

'sideways slo-mo-buck bucking'

Wow. That sounds a little naughty.

Or, you could have used the a Quasit Croissant +2. Who knew French pastry could be so deadly to demons? And, tasty too, no? Wi!

Third of Five wrote:

James Jacobs posted his work email on one of the boards, for goodness sake!

I should point out that every Paizo employee's email address is available on our contact us page...

Um, yeah. I knew that! I was just...um. Resistance is futile!!!

I support anyone’s right to voice praise or criticism about 4e or 3.5 or Golarion or whatever they like (although I sometimes question the relevance of doing either in the case of 4e when there is so much we really don’t know); but the line should be drawn at leveling personal criticism or abuse at other posters. Discussion, great. Debate, fine. Disagreement, healthy. Flame wars should have no place here.

Well stated, and I couldn't agree more.

I have to say that I just to see the concern over having inconsiderate posters on these boards being a poor reflection on Paizo as a company.

I would encourage the OP to do business with Paizo directly and then judge whether they as a company are worthy of his or her business. I have never seen the level of responsiveness from other companies that I have seen from Paizo on these boards. James Jacobs posted his work email on one of the boards, for goodness sake!

Yes. There are those who do a disservice to everyone in this virtual community by not exercising discretion or basic civility when they post. That goes for most, if not all, messageboards.

Besides, where else are you going to find a board that declares November 8 to be Erik Mona Day?

...or tended hellhound stables...

I'll never complain about cleaning up after my dog again!

I'm confident in the market for 3.x (otherwise sales for the current products would not be so strong) and I'm confident that Paizo will stick by their loyal customers. I can only imagine how quickly they change their mind if they do switch to 4th edition and start getting cancellation after cancellation....

These aren't the droids you're looking for...

New Core Race: The Borg

Came into this podcast running GS about two years after I started it. Being a 6 year veteran, it was HARD to hear all of the errors, especially some that killed characters, which unfortunately makes me unable to relisten (don't worry, I know how that sounds)

Troy's storytelling is superb. Joe being in such a rage so often is super entertaining. Grant's Barron is so amazing it actually inspired a little twist for me in my game. Matthew always has such fun characters, and Skid is the best voice actor I've heard in a while. Nestor Coyne was my FAVORITE character.

Twist from Barron - One of my PCs ended up not being sure why they should go on after book one, stating staying put and fortifying would be better. Hard to argue their point, in a way. Giving the PCs items from Uskroth's tomb that were related to their characters made me realize, what if the PCs all have spiritual ties for the Giantslayers that killed Uskroth?

We had:
Halfing Gunslinger raised by dwarves
Tiefling Witch
Dwarf Barbarian
Aasimar Arcanist

I didn't go with Pembrook and Gormlaith, which could have fit the arcanist/witch, but I kept Barron for the gunslinger. Player felt SUCH a tie in.

Overall, this podcast was one of the best things I've listened to, even past my gripes. I sincerely hope I eventually get to LoA soon, as I am a PF1e junkie, and I think Skid could be one of the best GMs.

Thank you Troy, Matthew, Skid, and Grant. You guys are amazing.

As someone who actually has the original, I'm curious to know if this will include new content, and to what degree. I don't mean updated stats and systems for more modern editions - that goes without saying, under the circumstances - but new flavor, story content, that sort of thing.

In any case, I support this project. Even if I'd rather have a fully updated and improved Second Darkness. ^_^

I would absolutely LOVE to have SD updated. sure it didn't get reviewed well, but it seems pretty important to Golarion lore.

I'm about to run it for my group in a few months.

They're looking for our input on what more they can do with Kingmaker.

Seems like a lot of people would like to see a 1e hardcover for this. Here's hoping it's heard!

This was fantastic! The only bard I've played was more comedic than musical, so I could see parts of this happening for my party.

Love the male harpies. And the silly fighter failing that will save...