paizo.com Recent Posts by W E Raypaizo.com Recent Posts by W E Ray2024-03-26T19:25:31Z2024-03-26T19:25:31ZRe: Forums: Homebrew and House Rules: Continents and Oceans.W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43yja?Continents-and-Oceans#82024-03-26T19:31:11Z2024-03-26T19:25:31Z<p>I can't answer for this Thread but an older (similar???) <a href="https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43r7n?Inner-Sea-Average-Depth#1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Thread of mine</a> can always use some more input from The Boards.</p>I can't answer for this Thread but an older (similar???) Thread of mine can always use some more input from The Boards.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-03-26T19:25:31ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Adventures: [spoilers] Shadows at Sundown - NPC tie ins from CotCTW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43yji?spoilers-Shadows-at-Sundown-NPC-tie-ins-from#22024-03-25T18:50:46Z2024-03-25T18:28:48Z<p>Neolandus Kalepopolus? (if the PCs were really interested in the adventure of rescuing him from Glorio Arkona / Red Mantis)</p>
<p>Trinia Sabor? (if the PCs were really interested in the adventure of helping her escape Old Korvosa)</p>
<p>A survivor of House Carowyn? (if the PCs were really interested in the adventure of killing zombies at House Carowyn)</p>
<p>Deyanira Mirukova? (if the PCs were really interested in the adventure of tracking down the fate of Ruan Mirukova)</p>
<p>Sabina Merrin? (if the PCs didn't kill the fallen Fighter / Ileosa-lover / Black Dragon-rider, and she is still alive and turned back to Good) </p>
<p>Samp? (if the PCs were really interested in the adventure of helping a good-guy WereRat)</p>
<p>Tepest Geezelbottle? (if the PCs liked the old Gnome / Scholar at Theumanexis)</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>And of course any old PCs who are now NPCs — perhaps one is now an NPC Magistrate, or Captain in the Korvosan Guard / Commander in the Sable Company, or the new Castle Korvosa ArchWizard.
<br />
.... Or an NPC from one of the original PC's back-story — like if the group healer was a Cleric of Shelyn who was taught by a <i>'famous Korvosa opera singer'</i>, or the group Monk was trained by an <i>'underground master of The-Five-Finger-Death-Punch'</i> — then that NPC could all the sudden show up. </p>
<p>.</p>
<p>Or if any of the non-CotCT NPCs that stood out from the Korvosa Guide — such as the nice owner of The Posh and Turtle or someone else.</p>Neolandus Kalepopolus? (if the PCs were really interested in the adventure of rescuing him from Glorio Arkona / Red Mantis)
Trinia Sabor? (if the PCs were really interested in the adventure of helping her escape Old Korvosa)
A survivor of House Carowyn? (if the PCs were really interested in the adventure of killing zombies at House Carowyn)
Deyanira Mirukova? (if the PCs were really interested in the adventure of tracking down the fate of Ruan Mirukova)
Sabina Merrin? (if the PCs didn't...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-03-25T18:28:48ZRe: Forums: Seven Dooms for Sandpoint: Kudos for Having FunW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43yfj?Kudos-for-Having-Fun#72024-03-21T21:20:28Z2024-03-21T01:05:23Z<p>One more week and we'll be sharing in the fun!</p>One more week and we'll be sharing in the fun!W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-03-21T01:05:23ZRe: Forums/Dungeon Magazine: General Discussion: Is there a black hole in the submissions room at Paizo?W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2g3fi&page=37?Is-there-a-black-hole-in-the-submissions-room#18232024-03-20T22:20:49Z2024-03-20T22:14:58Z<p>Yes, but y'all remember in the early-to-mid 90's when every issue of <i>Dungeon</i> had an adventure from Chris Perkins and everyone wrote complaint letters to the Editor (Perkins of course) saying he was stealing the best adventure proposals and publishing them as his own work?!? .... Good Days.</p>Yes, but y'all remember in the early-to-mid 90's when every issue of Dungeon had an adventure from Chris Perkins and everyone wrote complaint letters to the Editor (Perkins of course) saying he was stealing the best adventure proposals and publishing them as his own work?!? .... Good Days.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-03-20T22:14:58ZRe: Forums/Gamer Life: General Discussion: Jim “Drawmij” Ward - R. I. P.W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43ygl?Jim-Drawmij-Ward-R-I-P#42024-03-21T14:08:14Z2024-03-19T16:46:13Z<p><i>Deities and Demigods</i> is the D&D book from my early childhood that dramatically inspired and influenced my whole life — not just my gaming life. </p>
<p>It was my first childhood introduction to mythology, culture and folklore; it was one of my earliest introductions to world geography in a sense. </p>
<p>It remains one of four books from my early childhood that I still reference and peruse (albeit nowadays for gaming rather than mythology, culture or folklore).</p>
<p>Thank You James Ward for writing the D&D book from my childhood that so significantly cast me on a <i>Lifelong</i> path of interest in not just D&D (now called 'Pathfinder'), but Humanities as a whole.</p>
<p>Drawmij is now hoping to roll a nat 20 in The Upper planes!</p>Deities and Demigods is the D&D book from my early childhood that dramatically inspired and influenced my whole life -- not just my gaming life.
It was my first childhood introduction to mythology, culture and folklore; it was one of my earliest introductions to world geography in a sense.
It remains one of four books from my early childhood that I still reference and peruse (albeit nowadays for gaming rather than mythology, culture or folklore).
Thank You James Ward for writing the D&D...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-03-19T16:46:13ZRe: Forums: Homebrew and House Rules: Stating Demon Lords from LoreW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xb1&page=2?Stating-Demon-Lords-from-Lore#522024-03-02T19:15:21Z2024-03-02T18:29:37Z<p>In last night's session in my current campaign the PCs have just <i>•accidentally•</i> <span class=messageboard-ooc>(long story)</span> Plane Shifted to a random Layer of the Abyss and they happened to roll for the Layer of Abraxas. Not kidding. <b>Perfect</b> timing. So, because they are going to have combat and some roleplay in Abraxas' Layer of the Abyss next session, and you just finished your work on Abraxas — holy moly.</p>
<p>We finished the game session with my telling them they had randomly rolled <span class=messageboard-ooc><i>(again: Loooong, complicated, convoluted story)</i></span> to Mount Empyrean at the bottom of the Celestial Heavens with Angels & the Righteous, and I began describing the illusory paradise that Abraxas shows visitors to His Layer of the Abyss:
<br />
The Ranger saw a beauteous, pastoral glade with archery contests and dogs frolicking around them (her Animal Companion is a Roderic-Ridgeback form Roderic's Cove in Varisia.)
<br />
The Oracle who is searching for Aroden found a still-active Temple to Aroden.
<br />
The Wizard found a Library with Spellbooks of Divine Spells he could transcribe into his spellbook as Arcane Spells even though they're on the 'Cleric' list.
<br />
The Paladin of Ragathiel saw an arena where Paladins and Angels could fight captured Fiends, not for sport or gambling, but practice and such.
<br />
(The Slayer had to miss last night's session so, whatever.)</p>
<p>They allowed themselves to be separated. </p>
<p>Next Friday we begin!</p>
<p>And so I have a good week to get all kinds of Abraxas stuff ready. Long story short: THANK YOU! Your Abraxas entry is exactly what I need!</p>In last night's session in my current campaign the PCs have just *accidentally* (long story) Plane Shifted to a random Layer of the Abyss and they happened to roll for the Layer of Abraxas. Not kidding. Perfect timing. So, because they are going to have combat and some roleplay in Abraxas' Layer of the Abyss next session, and you just finished your work on Abraxas -- holy moly.
We finished the game session with my telling them they had randomly rolled (again: Loooong, complicated, convoluted...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-03-02T18:29:37ZRe: Forums: Age of Worms Adventure Path: How would you tie these PCs into Age of Worms? And a rant.W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y42?How-would-you-tie-these-PCs-into-Age-of-Worms#22024-02-26T17:40:47Z2024-02-26T17:27:56Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc><i>(double post)</span></i></p>
<p>It can be grossly difficult to find ways to incorporate individual PC goals and ambitions into a published adventure — the more specific the player made his or her PC's ambitions, and the more linear an adventure is, can make it downright impossible in some situations.</p>
<p>But you answered it perfectly in your OP: Since Adventure One and Adventure Two don't feel like they're furthering the overall AoW plotline for you, it makes these opening adventures the <i>Perfect</i> place to get all the player-driven stuff accomplished, while building up to the AoW overall campaign plot.</p>
<p>(And you're right, especially in long <i>(high word-count)</i> published adventures, you really gotta read everything BEFORE play.)</p>
<p>But here's a couple more spots you may find useful for future PC-driven elements where you can read ahead and see whether they potentially fit, in addition to changing the little-boy Ghost to some other Ghost that fits with a PC:
<br />
1) "Zenith Trajectory" takes place in the Underdark in a Kua Toa city — that's a good location to put some Dwarven-needed alchemical-fungus if the Worms are ruining Greysmere.</p>
<p>2) "The Prince of Redhand" waaaay near the end of AoW includes a gala-party where a ton of NPC-interaction and Fluff can take place. You can read up on Alhaster and some of the NPCs in the party and see if there will be an opportunity there to have included some of the Twilight Monastery and Diamond Lake politics in Alhaster. (I'm not sure where the Monk PC is trying to go with this background, but, maybe Alhaster...?)</p>
<p>3) "The Spire of Long Shadows" is a good place to get more Fluff on Kyuss and you may find a place in or around that adventure to include the mystery of the Elf's missing spouse/lover.</p>
<p>4) Lost Artifact of St Cuthbert you can put anywhere — in any treasure pile in any of the later adventures (when finding an Artifact is more Level-appropriate). Pick one (such as the Dragon Ilthane) and then find a couple places throughout the adventure, even in a moment of ad-lib that jumps out at you, to give a hint the Artifact is in (for example) a nearby Dragon's lair.</p>(double post)
It can be grossly difficult to find ways to incorporate individual PC goals and ambitions into a published adventure -- the more specific the player made his or her PC's ambitions, and the more linear an adventure is, can make it downright impossible in some situations.
But you answered it perfectly in your OP: Since Adventure One and Adventure Two don't feel like they're furthering the overall AoW plotline for you, it makes these opening adventures the Perfect place to get...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-02-26T17:27:56ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Age of Worms PC tie-ins? And a rant.W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43y43?Age-of-Worms-PC-tieins-And-a-rant#22024-02-26T17:40:47Z2024-02-26T17:25:37Z<p>It can be grossly difficult to find ways to incorporate individual PC goals and ambitions into a published adventure — the more specific the player made his or her PC's ambitions, and the more linear an adventure is, can make it downright impossible in some situations.</p>
<p>But you answered it perfectly in your OP: Since Adventure One and Adventure Two don't feel like they're furthering the overall AoW plotline for you, it makes these opening adventures the <i>Perfect</i> place to get all the player-driven stuff accomplished, while building up to the AoW overall campaign plot.</p>
<p>(And you're right, especially in long <i>(high word-count)</i> published adventures, you really gotta read everything BEFORE play.)</p>
<p>But here's a couple more spots you may find useful for future PC-driven elements where you can read ahead and see whether they potentially fit, in addition to changing the little-boy Ghost to some other Ghost that fits with a PC:
<br />
1) "Zenith Trajectory" takes place in the Underdark in a Kua Toa city — that's a good location to put some Dwarven-needed alchemical-fungus if the Worms are ruining Greysmere.</p>
<p>2) "The Prince of Redhand" waaaay near the end of AoW includes a gala-party where a ton of NPC-interaction and Fluff can take place. You can read up on Alhaster and some of the NPCs in the party and see if there will be an opportunity there to have included some of the Twilight Monastery and Diamond Lake politics in Alhaster. (I'm not sure where the Monk PC is trying to go with this background, but, maybe Alhaster...?)</p>
<p>3) "The Spire of Long Shadows" is a good place to get more Fluff on Kyuss and you may find a place in or around that adventure to include the mystery of the Elf's missing spouse/lover.</p>
<p>4) Lost Artifact of St Cuthbert you can put anywhere — in any treasure pile in any of the later adventures (when finding an Artifact is more Level-appropriate). Pick one (such as the Dragon Ilthane) and then find a couple places throughout the adventure, even in a moment of ad-lib that jumps out at you, to give a hint the Artifact is in (for example) a nearby Dragon's lair.</p>It can be grossly difficult to find ways to incorporate individual PC goals and ambitions into a published adventure -- the more specific the player made his or her PC's ambitions, and the more linear an adventure is, can make it downright impossible in some situations.
But you answered it perfectly in your OP: Since Adventure One and Adventure Two don't feel like they're furthering the overall AoW plotline for you, it makes these opening adventures the Perfect place to get all the...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-02-26T17:25:37ZRe: Forums: Homebrew and House Rules: Stating Demon Lords from LoreW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xb1?Stating-Demon-Lords-from-Lore#432024-02-14T06:07:08Z2024-02-13T17:42:11Z<p>I don't do much in the way of Crunch theory or application; I'm a Flavor guy. So I'm not really looking at stat-blocks, but I became interested in this Thread four weeks ago when I posted — and I check in periodically to see which Demon Lords you have stat-blocks for. It's potentially an invaluable Thread for me in the future — when I need to consider Crunch for Jezelda, Yhidothrus, Shivaska, and whomever comes next. In time, I could see this Thread becoming very heavily referenced by the Community, once there are a dozen or more stat-blocks up everyone can use (at the very least as inspiration).</p>
<p>So,.... Keep 'em coming!</p>I don't do much in the way of Crunch theory or application; I'm a Flavor guy. So I'm not really looking at stat-blocks, but I became interested in this Thread four weeks ago when I posted -- and I check in periodically to see which Demon Lords you have stat-blocks for. It's potentially an invaluable Thread for me in the future -- when I need to consider Crunch for Jezelda, Yhidothrus, Shivaska, and whomever comes next. In time, I could see this Thread becoming very heavily referenced by the...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-02-13T17:42:11ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Paizo Blog: The Godsrain Prophecies Part OneW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sii0?The-Godsrain-Prophecies-Part-One#392024-02-08T21:34:50Z2024-02-07T20:20:12Z<p>My theory is exactly along the lines of Kobold Catgirl — especially considering the following [Spoiler omitted]</p>My theory is exactly along the lines of Kobold Catgirl -- especially considering the following [Spoiler omitted]W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-02-07T20:20:12ZRe: Forums/Dungeon Magazine: General Discussion: The Seventh ArmW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2go9r?The-Seventh-Arm#72024-02-07T20:15:45Z2024-02-07T20:07:08Z<p>There are so many fun adventures from this era of <i>Dungeon</i>. For me "Seventh Arm" was more of an inspiration for a new Marilith BBEG and a cool 'nickname' for the Marilith's top General. And I didn't really use the adventure, just Penvahsta the Marilith (<i>spelling</i>?) and her General, "The 7th Arm" for some other campaign.</p>
<p>Happy gaming!</p>There are so many fun adventures from this era of Dungeon. For me "Seventh Arm" was more of an inspiration for a new Marilith BBEG and a cool 'nickname' for the Marilith's top General. And I didn't really use the adventure, just Penvahsta the Marilith (spelling?) and her General, "The 7th Arm" for some other campaign.
Happy gaming!W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-02-07T20:07:08ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: ‘Eκάτη's Endless Night DiscussionW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivmyx/discussion&page=7#3332024-02-07T00:30:47Z2024-02-07T00:25:04Z<p>Sorry I couldn't get here through the weekend, and for the week. I'm still here, just really busy followed by really tired. Hopefully the 2nd half of the week will give me time to read the Gameplay I've missed and contribute. </p>
<p>Bot me as needed.</p>Sorry I couldn't get here through the weekend, and for the week. I'm still here, just really busy followed by really tired. Hopefully the 2nd half of the week will give me time to read the Gameplay I've missed and contribute.
Bot me as needed.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-02-07T00:25:04ZRe: Forums: Seven Dooms for Sandpoint: New Tricks :: Old DogsW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43x0u?New-Tricks-Old-Dogs#92024-01-27T00:12:31Z2024-01-25T18:56:09Z<p>The blacksmith, Das Korvut, has dogs (that he loves more than people) and in gameplay over the years he's become more and more of a dog-breeder than a blacksmith — just cuz my players have focused on that rather than a blacksmith. I've kinda needed him to become where NPC Rangers or Hunters get a Red Mastiff Companion way more than I've needed him to make them a sword or breastplate. </p>
<p>And, since in my games Sandpoint has been for more Low-Level play rather than Mid- or High- Level play — and since Brinestump Marsh and throughout the Sandpoint Hinterlands Goblins are so predominately in the canon — I've DMed quite a few 'Goblin-BBEG' encounters and such in order to Level-Up the PCs so they can move on to Magnimar or Riddleport or wherever the campaign goes after 1st-3rd Levels. </p>
<p>(And no matter how much of an ornery butthead I make Das Korvut, the Rangers and Hunters and Druids, even some Fighter PCs, just seem to like him and make friends with his Red Mastiffs.)</p>The blacksmith, Das Korvut, has dogs (that he loves more than people) and in gameplay over the years he's become more and more of a dog-breeder than a blacksmith -- just cuz my players have focused on that rather than a blacksmith. I've kinda needed him to become where NPC Rangers or Hunters get a Red Mastiff Companion way more than I've needed him to make them a sword or breastplate.
And, since in my games Sandpoint has been for more Low-Level play rather than Mid- or High- Level play --...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-01-25T18:56:09ZRe: Forums/Paizo: General Discussion: About Pathfinder products....W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xlo?About-Pathfinder-products#32024-01-27T00:08:20Z2024-01-23T17:23:28Z<p>Kelseus' post is as perfect an answer as it gets — I and many others could copy/paste that answer for you to reread.</p>
<p>....Then we can add: The Messageboards here are also a tremendous resource. Players and DMs come here for advice, ideas, trouble-shooting and rules clarifications in a very friendly and open environment. There are Threads in Forums dedicated to The Beginner Box, and "Troubles in Otari" and pretty much every product that Paizo has published. You can easily find discussions about how this or that gaming group handled this or that tricky encounter as you need or want to.</p>
<p>Finally, the Paizo staff, freelance authors, and the Brand executives/directors are on The Boards <i>every</i> day answering questions and giving insight on the Paizo products (like, you can ask an in-depth question about a random NPC in the village of Sandpoint (for example), and the Paizo Creative Director who invented Sandpoint and that random NPC will often answer your question himself).</p>Kelseus' post is as perfect an answer as it gets -- I and many others could copy/paste that answer for you to reread.
....Then we can add: The Messageboards here are also a tremendous resource. Players and DMs come here for advice, ideas, trouble-shooting and rules clarifications in a very friendly and open environment. There are Threads in Forums dedicated to The Beginner Box, and "Troubles in Otari" and pretty much every product that Paizo has published. You can easily find discussions...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-01-23T17:23:28ZRe: Forums: Homebrew and House Rules: Stating Demon Lords from LoreW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xb1?Stating-Demon-Lords-from-Lore#252024-01-18T19:49:06Z2024-01-18T14:33:36Z<p>Especially if your players are not familiar with the bells and whistles of <i>'Mythic'</i> powers from the Mythic book — go through that and give your Demon Lords Mythic abilities. And Hero Points, again, especially if your Players don't have them. (If your group knows Mythic really well and is used to using Hero Points then it will have much less impact in your game when all the sudden a Demon Lord uses a power that's RAW that the player doesn't know.)</p>
<p>Also, Third-Party-Publisher stuff has all kinds of crazy-poor design intended to be really powerful. Google a CR 40 monster from a 3PP and look at some of its broken abilities to see if any of them can be used to make Shivaska, Nurgal or Jezelda even more unique.</p>
<p>. . . . </p>
<p>And depending on the layout of your campaign, you may consider really detailing these Layers of The Abyss. Making the battlefield truly unique by giving it dynamics and abilities of its own — even giving the Layer of The Abyss its own spot in Initiative — can really fire up the differences between PCs fighting monsters in a 30x30 room in a standard dungeon crawl.</p>Especially if your players are not familiar with the bells and whistles of 'Mythic' powers from the Mythic book -- go through that and give your Demon Lords Mythic abilities. And Hero Points, again, especially if your Players don't have them. (If your group knows Mythic really well and is used to using Hero Points then it will have much less impact in your game when all the sudden a Demon Lord uses a power that's RAW that the player doesn't know.)
Also, Third-Party-Publisher stuff has all...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-01-18T14:33:36ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Your favorite piece of deity loreW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43xh8?Your-favorite-piece-of-deity-lore#42024-03-05T22:21:15Z2024-01-16T19:44:00Z<p>Not really deity "lore" but rather 'dogma' or 'ritual' — it's from one of the Pathfinder novels (I can't remember for sure but I •think• <i>Prince of Wolves</i>) — there is a religious ceremony of Pharasma that really just richly encapsulates her followers:</p>
<p>A narrow line of priests of Pharasma, wearing only robes, somberly walk each with a lit candle toward a calm pool of water. One by one the procession of disciples step into the pool and continue a slow stride until the calm waters rise to waist, chest, and above their head, extinguishing the candles one by one. Then, at the end of the pool, the first priest's head emerges as he continues to walk out, then his chest and his upheld candle reemerge, then his waist, and he exits the pool. And his candle reignites, bestowing its small light, as the other holy people of Pharasma exit the pool behind him, in line, with their candles also reigniting one by one.</p>
<p>The crafting of the literature is well done, the poetic artistry. But it's the symbolism of the birth and death and circle of life, even an interpretation of the 'water' of the mother's womb, and the peaceful beauty of the ritual. </p>
<p>Whatever, I really enjoyed reading that paragraph from whichever Pathfinder novel it was. And since details from the 'Pathfinder Tales' line are a little more obscure, I thought this would be a good Thread to throw it out there as my favorite bit of "Deity Lore."</p>Not really deity "lore" but rather 'dogma' or 'ritual' -- it's from one of the Pathfinder novels (I can't remember for sure but I *think* Prince of Wolves) -- there is a religious ceremony of Pharasma that really just richly encapsulates her followers:
A narrow line of priests of Pharasma, wearing only robes, somberly walk each with a lit candle toward a calm pool of water. One by one the procession of disciples step into the pool and continue a slow stride until the calm waters rise to...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-01-16T19:44:00ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Someone casted Delete spell to erase Drow's existenceW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43x94?Someone-casted-Delete-spell-to-erase-Drows#142024-02-21T02:34:51Z2024-01-02T17:51:41Z<p>Just keep encouraging everyone to never support any WotC product or service ever again. A massive number of us have been doing this in our gaming groups and Local Gaming Stores for well over a decade (some even since 1999). Keep explaining to other gamers and interested gamers what kind of company WotC is and encourage them to take a look at Paizo instead.</p>Just keep encouraging everyone to never support any WotC product or service ever again. A massive number of us have been doing this in our gaming groups and Local Gaming Stores for well over a decade (some even since 1999). Keep explaining to other gamers and interested gamers what kind of company WotC is and encourage them to take a look at Paizo instead.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2024-01-02T17:51:41ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Adventure Path: General Discussion: Best single dungeon from any AP?W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43wxm?Best-single-dungeon-from-any-AP#112023-12-17T02:40:57Z2023-12-17T02:34:05Z<p>Yeah, for me it's 100% Scarwall Keep from CotCT. I really don't see any others coming close.</p>Yeah, for me it's 100% Scarwall Keep from CotCT. I really don't see any others coming close.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-12-17T02:34:05ZForums: Seven Dooms for Sandpoint: New Tricks :: Old DogsW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43x0u?New-Tricks-Old-Dogs#12023-12-13T23:23:23Z2023-12-12T23:45:44Z<p>Some of the published NPCs have just enough Flavor background to whet the appetite of DMs using Sandpoint and her hinterlands. Is any more background given for some of the old NPCs that we have used in our previous games? Can you mention a couple who <i>•do•</i> have a little more design?</p>
<p>For example, in two of my campaigns, different players running different PCs have both been really interested in furthering a rapport with Das Korvut, a pretty grumpy, ornery NPC. But they liked his dogs. I've roleplayed some dialogue with Das Korvut here and there over the years, mostly downtime and such, but a little more background on such an NPC could really help.</p>
<p>For me, I've always wanted a bit more on the Four Families — names and backgrounds of the <i>•other•</i> Deverin or Scarnetti scions. Also, I had wanted more detail on Jubrayl Vhiski but alas, I've developed him so thoroughly that by now, if <i>Seven Dooms for Sandpoint</i> has a huge amount of design for him I'll just have to transfer that to, like, a younger brother, best friend, or something. But that's always very welcome! (It's even worse for my 'Master Sorn' at The House of Blue Stones — I desperately needed him to become a Cleric/Monk of Aroden for a PC who really was into Aroden so, you know, The House of Blue Stones is dedicated to Aroden. What can you do? </p>
<p>Nonetheless, I'm really excited to hear if any of the old dogs of Sandpoint that we've been roleplaying over the years are getting any new tricks.</p>
<p>THANKS!</p>Some of the published NPCs have just enough Flavor background to whet the appetite of DMs using Sandpoint and her hinterlands. Is any more background given for some of the old NPCs that we have used in our previous games? Can you mention a couple who *do* have a little more design?
For example, in two of my campaigns, different players running different PCs have both been really interested in furthering a rapport with Das Korvut, a pretty grumpy, ornery NPC. But they liked his dogs. I've...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-12-12T23:45:44ZForums: Off-Topic Discussions: Is it Thanksgiving or Arlo Guthrie Day? "YES"W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43wq1?Is-it-Thanksgiving-or-Arlo-Guthrie-Day-YES#12023-11-25T14:03:07Z2023-11-23T12:23:22Z<p>Happy <a href="https://youtu.be/m57gzA2JCcM?si=mctRQWu_ipUdFLuw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arlo Guthrie Day</a> wherever you are in the whole wide world. Don't forget to take twenty minutes, sometime today, to visit Alice's Restaurant — in harmony — and help end war and stuff.</p>Happy Arlo Guthrie Day wherever you are in the whole wide world. Don't forget to take twenty minutes, sometime today, to visit Alice's Restaurant -- in harmony -- and help end war and stuff.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-23T12:23:22ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: DM Ray Council of Thieves (Closed: DM Dragon Cat's Group) DiscussionW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivn4i/discussion#212023-11-23T13:46:44Z2023-11-23T12:20:33Z<p>Happy <a href="https://youtu.be/m57gzA2JCcM?si=mctRQWu_ipUdFLuw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arlo Guthrie Day</a> wherever you are in the whole wide world. Don't forget to take twenty minutes, sometime today, to visit Alice's Restaurant — in harmony — and help end war and stuff.</p>Happy Arlo Guthrie Day wherever you are in the whole wide world. Don't forget to take twenty minutes, sometime today, to visit Alice's Restaurant -- in harmony -- and help end war and stuff.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-23T12:20:33ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: ‘Eκάτη's Endless Night DiscussionW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivmyx/discussion&page=6#2522023-11-23T13:27:29Z2023-11-23T12:19:29Z<p>Happy <a href="https://youtu.be/m57gzA2JCcM?si=mctRQWu_ipUdFLuw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arlo Guthrie Day</a> wherever you are in the whole wide world. Don't forget to take twenty minutes, sometime today, to visit Alice's Restaurant — in harmony — and help end war and stuff.</p>Happy Arlo Guthrie Day wherever you are in the whole wide world. Don't forget to take twenty minutes, sometime today, to visit Alice's Restaurant -- in harmony -- and help end war and stuff.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-23T12:19:29ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Council of Thieves: Dragoncat Edition! The Discussion ThreadW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivmyw/discussion&page=2#852023-11-09T18:11:03Z2023-11-09T18:03:16Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">4th Post in Duscussion, 24 July, W E Ray wrote:</div><blockquote> <i><span class=messageboard-ooc>dot <span class=tiny>(for lurking purposes only)</span></i></span> </blockquote><p>.
<p><i>I do Not have time to DM this...;</i></p>
<p><i>I do Not have time to DM this...;</i></p>
<p><i>I do Not have time to DM this...;</i></p>
<p><i>I do Not have time to DM this....</i></p>4th Post in Duscussion, 24 July, W E Ray wrote:dot (for lurking purposes only)
. I do Not have time to DM this...;
I do Not have time to DM this...;
I do Not have time to DM this...;
I do Not have time to DM this....W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-09T18:03:16ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: How do you see force energy?W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43wbr?How-do-you-see-force-energy#192023-11-07T17:21:05Z2023-11-07T17:19:53Z<p>We've always encouraged descriptions from the player casting the spell. We've had Magic Missiles that looks like wasps, that looked like flying arcane runes, that looked like skeletal fists, and tons more. (We try to encourage this kind of thing for more than just Force spells, obviously; it doesn't change the mechanic.) We've had Blade Barriers look like thousands of spinning light sabers, that look like thousands of spinning Holy Symbols, that look like, I dunno remember, other stuff. A Wall of Force that looked like a crenelated castle wall, yada yada.</p>We've always encouraged descriptions from the player casting the spell. We've had Magic Missiles that looks like wasps, that looked like flying arcane runes, that looked like skeletal fists, and tons more. (We try to encourage this kind of thing for more than just Force spells, obviously; it doesn't change the mechanic.) We've had Blade Barriers look like thousands of spinning light sabers, that look like thousands of spinning Holy Symbols, that look like, I dunno remember, other stuff. A...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-07T17:19:53ZRe: Forums: Homebrew and House Rules: Passage of Slerotin Megadungeon CampaignW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2swq4?Passage-of-Slerotin-Megadungeon-Campaign#72023-11-05T10:11:51Z2023-11-05T10:11:27Z<p>Wow, so happy to have found this Thread.</p>Wow, so happy to have found this Thread.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-05T10:11:27ZRe: Forums: Advice: Advice for someone who's never GM'd a campaign but wants toW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43wev?Advice-for-someone-whos-never-GMd-a-campaign#122023-11-04T21:06:56Z2023-11-04T20:49:31Z<p>Almost forgot one of the absolute BIGGEST ones — <i>especially</i> for new DMs and even more especially for PbP (in a straight game) where everyone is a stranger:</p>
<p>NO Player-vs-Player shenanigans allowed.
<br />
Dictate that the Players have to share information, share treasure equally, and vote on plans and such equally. .... If the Rogue sneaks a gem from an NPC's pocket, he shares the profit equally with his allies. If the Paladin wants to take a villain to the magistrate but the Barbarian wants to murder-hobo him, the group votes and everyone supports the results of the vote. If the Wizard discerns the true nature of an ancient Artifact, he reveals it to the group even if he knows they'll vote to destroy it instead of let him keep it.</p>Almost forgot one of the absolute BIGGEST ones -- especially for new DMs and even more especially for PbP (in a straight game) where everyone is a stranger:
NO Player-vs-Player shenanigans allowed.
Dictate that the Players have to share information, share treasure equally, and vote on plans and such equally. .... If the Rogue sneaks a gem from an NPC's pocket, he shares the profit equally with his allies. If the Paladin wants to take a villain to the magistrate but the Barbarian wants to...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-04T20:49:31ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Monster manualW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43we4?Monster-manual#42023-11-04T02:02:56Z2023-11-04T01:59:40Z<p>I think that the variety of monster Themes is as significant as Type, or Power Level, etc. Some published monsters, such as the tooth fairy, leshy and Krampus would probably never be used in my game — same with that dumb-looking rabbit with a unicorn's alicorn jutting out from its forehead. Years ago I knew a gamer who wouldn't use demons or devils. Other DMs won't use Mimics, Rust Monsters or Ethereal Filchers. Whereas, in some gaming groups, those kinds of shenanigans (or Theme) is apropos and fun. The monster books, therefore, must showcase a variety not just of Type and Power Level, but Theme or Flavor as well.</p>I think that the variety of monster Themes is as significant as Type, or Power Level, etc. Some published monsters, such as the tooth fairy, leshy and Krampus would probably never be used in my game -- same with that dumb-looking rabbit with a unicorn's alicorn jutting out from its forehead. Years ago I knew a gamer who wouldn't use demons or devils. Other DMs won't use Mimics, Rust Monsters or Ethereal Filchers. Whereas, in some gaming groups, those kinds of shenanigans (or Theme) is apropos...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-04T01:59:40ZRe: Forums: 3.5/d20/OGL: Help me identify an old (early 2000) adventure?W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43wdd?Help-me-identify-an-old-adventure#32023-11-03T23:53:21Z2023-11-03T23:52:32Z<p>I've briefly gone over the score or so 3PP adventures I have from that era and came up blank. Sorry. </p>
<p>Good Luck.</p>I've briefly gone over the score or so 3PP adventures I have from that era and came up blank. Sorry.
Good Luck.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-03T23:52:32ZRe: Forums: Advice: Advice for someone who's never GM'd a campaign but wants toW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43wev?Advice-for-someone-whos-never-GMd-a-campaign#22023-11-04T00:01:49Z2023-11-03T23:46:25Z<p>If you've played lots of PbP then you know the goods-and-bads of that type of gaming. It takes a very long time / players can always find a game; combat is slow / roleplay is deeper; etc.</p>
<p>As for general DMing, I usually advise starting with a short adventure rather than a long campaign — less of a burden on the DM and if something happens that really ruins it you're not stuck with the problem for a huge commitment. I'd especially advise this in PbP since it takes so much longer. Maybe pick out, for example, just "Burnt Offerings" and edit it so that it can be a full adventure. 'Skinsaw' works even better as a stand-alone adventure.</p>
<p>And basic DM stuff:
<br />
-As the DM you're the 'loser' — you lose all the fights; all your monsters die. It's a bit startling, for some reason, when a new DM realizes the cold truth of losing Every combat.
<br />
-Don't fall so in love with your work (or the published adventure design) that you don't let the players •play• the game in their own direction. Yes, of course sometimes when the players want to go Right you may have to encourage them Left instead — but in general, let them drive the game forward.
<br />
-Know the relevant rules enough to adjudicate this or that when you expect it to come up, and be consistent. If there's a rules-set you don't know well, don't allow it to be introduced.
<br />
.... A few others.
<br />
- USE THE PAIZO MESSAGEBOARDS! Pretty sure you got this one already, but there is so much Good on these Forums. I can guarantee you my own game is Miles better after almost 20 years on the Paizo Boards.</p>
<p>On what to allow — since you're using a published adventure take a look at the power level / combat strengths & weaknesses of the encounters and keep them in mind when allowing this or that for the PCs. Games that are too easy aren't really that fun.
<br />
- But mostly, allow what you know; disallow what you don't know. I don't really know 'Occult Adventures' so Mesmerists and Psions and such are not allowed in my games. I don't generally allow 3PP stuff cuz I just don't know it. But I know 'New Paths Compendium' so I allow it.</p>
<p>You'll get the gist.</p>
<p>And you'll be awesome.</p>
<p>We are ALL here to have fun and that's the most important thing, and what we all want. So it'll work!</p>If you've played lots of PbP then you know the goods-and-bads of that type of gaming. It takes a very long time / players can always find a game; combat is slow / roleplay is deeper; etc.
As for general DMing, I usually advise starting with a short adventure rather than a long campaign -- less of a burden on the DM and if something happens that really ruins it you're not stuck with the problem for a huge commitment. I'd especially advise this in PbP since it takes so much longer. Maybe pick...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-03T23:46:25ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Old (A)D&D Adventures in GolarionW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ne42&page=2?Old-DD-Adventures-in-Golarion#512023-11-02T20:21:01Z2023-11-02T19:55:37Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Cintra Bristol wrote:</div><blockquote> When I ran Kingmaker, I inserted Castle Amber as an interlude, replacing Steven Amber in the backstory with Count Ranalc, and revealing a (somewhat revised) explanation of Nyrissa and Ranalc's relationship, including the ghost of a cursed daughter in the throne room. </blockquote><p>.
<p>I would be overwhelmingly appreciative of it if you could copy/paste that Count Ranalc / Nyrissa relationship you did for your <i>Castle Amber</i> game.</p>
<p>I never really liked X2 — too goofy — until around 2005 or so when someone mentioned they had great success with it as a Ravenloft adventure. I can probably find the old Thread here on The Boards from back then when that poster was sharing it with us. It was awesome. I promised myself then that <i>eventually</i> I'd get around to a 'Principalities of Glantri' campaign that would lead to X2 and then into Ravenloft (the whole of the X series was put into Mystara, X2 into Glantri) but still haven't gotten to it — so much Pathfinder campaign setting to enjoy.</p>
<p>But a <i>Count Ranalc / meets X2 / meets Ravenloft</i> campaign sounds so amazing that I may have to put it at the front of the queue!</p>
<p>Incidentally, I see Ravenloft FAR more close to Nidal, a land of actual TERROR, rather than Ustalov, which seems too pulp, too Disney's Haunted Forest, to really be a terror setting. So, under this campaign concept, I'd start in Nidal.</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>EDIT:
<br />
I found one of my <a href="https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2hfg9?Our-DD-beginnings" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Old Threads</a> from 2007 where Matthew Morris talks about converting Castle Amber to Ravenloft — at the very end of the Thread. But I'm certain there is another Thread from a year or two earlier where someone — perhaps Matthew Morris — really discussed his alterations and experiences — who knows, maybe I just Lurked and didn't post?</p>Cintra Bristol wrote:When I ran Kingmaker, I inserted Castle Amber as an interlude, replacing Steven Amber in the backstory with Count Ranalc, and revealing a (somewhat revised) explanation of Nyrissa and Ranalc's relationship, including the ghost of a cursed daughter in the throne room.
. I would be overwhelmingly appreciative of it if you could copy/paste that Count Ranalc / Nyrissa relationship you did for your Castle Amber game.
I never really liked X2 -- too goofy -- until around 2005...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-02T19:55:37ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Old (A)D&D Adventures in GolarionW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ne42?Old-DD-Adventures-in-Golarion#502023-11-02T20:01:01Z2023-11-02T19:42:12Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">TritonOne wrote:</div><blockquote> It seems to me that there are too many similarities between "The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh" and "The Skinsaw Murders." A GM should probably run either "The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh" or "The Skinsaw Murders", but not both, with the same group of players. I presume that players would recognize the similarities between the two adventures and their experience with one would affect how they play the other. </blockquote><p>.
<p>I know this is from a decade ago, but, when it was first posted (over a year after my last post in this Thread), I missed it.</p>
<p>I don't think there are <i>any</i> similarities at all between U1 and <i>Skinsaw</i>. [Spoiler omitted]</p>TritonOne wrote:It seems to me that there are too many similarities between "The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh" and "The Skinsaw Murders." A GM should probably run either "The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh" or "The Skinsaw Murders", but not both, with the same group of players. I presume that players would recognize the similarities between the two adventures and their experience with one would affect how they play the other.
. I know this is from a decade ago, but, when it was first posted...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-02T19:42:12ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Old (A)D&D Adventures in GolarionW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ne42?Old-DD-Adventures-in-Golarion#492023-11-02T19:41:01Z2023-11-02T19:33:17Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Lord Fyre wrote:</div><blockquote> Yet (I1: Dwellers of the Forbidden City), ironically, less offensive then <b><a href="https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2lphv?Racing-to-Ruin-Yeah-to-Ruin-the-Colonials#1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Serpent's Skull</a></b>. </blockquote><p>.
<p>And as implied, <i>Serpent's Skull</i> is a true and faithful homage to I1. (that actually <i>improves</i> upon the Dave Cook masterpiece — of course going from 28-32 pages vs 6 volumes of 96 pages does that) In fact, it's one of those homage adventures that almost borders on plagiarism. </p>
<p>But yeah, The Mwangi Expanse is great for <i>Dwellers</i>.</p>Lord Fyre wrote:Yet (I1: Dwellers of the Forbidden City), ironically, less offensive then Serpent's Skull.
. And as implied, Serpent's Skull is a true and faithful homage to I1. (that actually improves upon the Dave Cook masterpiece -- of course going from 28-32 pages vs 6 volumes of 96 pages does that) In fact, it's one of those homage adventures that almost borders on plagiarism.
But yeah, The Mwangi Expanse is great for Dwellers.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-02T19:33:17ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Old (A)D&D Adventures in GolarionW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ne42?Old-DD-Adventures-in-Golarion#482023-11-02T19:31:04Z2023-11-02T19:26:49Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">SpaceDrake wrote:</div><blockquote> Also, yes, S3 Expedition to the Barrier Peaks is the classic Numeria plot.</blockquote><p>.
<p>Or,...</p>
<p>Is S3 the classic <i>Blackmoor</i> plot?!?</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Arneson did his whole, Temple of the Frog / Saint Stephen / Blackmoor idea a few years before Gygax made the Froghemoth adventure.</span></p>SpaceDrake wrote:Also, yes, S3 Expedition to the Barrier Peaks is the classic Numeria plot.
. Or,...
Is S3 the classic Blackmoor plot?!?
Arneson did his whole, Temple of the Frog / Saint Stephen / Blackmoor idea a few years before Gygax made the Froghemoth adventure.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-02T19:26:49ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Old (A)D&D Adventures in GolarionW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ne42?Old-DD-Adventures-in-Golarion#472023-11-02T19:21:03Z2023-11-02T19:20:14Z<p>Ah, one of this Grognard's favorite ever Thread topics!</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Phillip Gastone wrote:</div><blockquote> I believe there was one called The Hidden Shrine of Tchmon(sp) a tourney module where three pre-gens at first had to race against time to get out of a poison filled section of a tomb and then get the rest of the way out. Sounds like it would be good for a jungle setting.</blockquote><p>.
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hidden_Shrine_of_Tamoachan#/media/File:The_Hidden_Shrine_of_Tamoachan.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan</a> is one of the all-time favorites, though it never tickled me too much. Like ToH it had a booklet of illustrations that was amazing. And the "C" in C1 stands for "Convention" — as in, <i>'Convention Play'</i>.</p>Ah, one of this Grognard's favorite ever Thread topics!
Phillip Gastone wrote:I believe there was one called The Hidden Shrine of Tchmon(sp) a tourney module where three pre-gens at first had to race against time to get out of a poison filled section of a tomb and then get the rest of the way out. Sounds like it would be good for a jungle setting.
. The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan is one of the all-time favorites, though it never tickled me too much. Like ToH it had a booklet of...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-02T19:20:14ZRe: Forums: 3.5/d20/OGL: Help me identify an old (early 2000) adventure?W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43wdd?Help-me-identify-an-old-adventure#22023-11-02T12:21:01Z2023-11-02T12:17:44Z<p>My 3PP knowledge is not that great but I'll thumb through the ones I have. It does not sound familiar. But it does sound like a Chris Pramas (Green Ronin) idea.</p>My 3PP knowledge is not that great but I'll thumb through the ones I have. It does not sound familiar. But it does sound like a Chris Pramas (Green Ronin) idea.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-02T12:17:44ZForums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Irrisen: Location, Location, Location???W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43wdq?Irrisen-Location-Location-Location#12023-11-01T19:01:03Z2023-11-01T18:01:18Z<p>I've ben doing some prep for Brevoy/ Issia/ Restov/ Rostland and the like, with some Russian Folklore thrown in to my research as it has always been seemingly a Russian-like area in the Pathfinder World — been designing a campaign near Lake Baikol (Lake Reykol being Pathfinder's spelling). And it has occurred to me: Why isn't Irrisen out here in the East close to Brevoy, Issia and Lake Baikol (I mean, 'Reykol')?!</p>
<p>Can anyone help with the original design ideas / story of why Paizo decided to put Baba Yaga's daughters and granddaughters next to The Land of Linnorm Kings instead of PF-Russia? </p>
<p>I'm just curious.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>I've ben doing some prep for Brevoy/ Issia/ Restov/ Rostland and the like, with some Russian Folklore thrown in to my research as it has always been seemingly a Russian-like area in the Pathfinder World -- been designing a campaign near Lake Baikol (Lake Reykol being Pathfinder's spelling). And it has occurred to me: Why isn't Irrisen out here in the East close to Brevoy, Issia and Lake Baikol (I mean, 'Reykol')?!
Can anyone help with the original design ideas / story of why Paizo decided to...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-11-01T18:01:18ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Adventure Path: Seven Dooms for Sandpoint (1 of 1)W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/products/btq02eym/discuss?Pathfinder-Adventure-Path-Seven-Dooms-for-Sandpoint#32023-10-31T12:20:12Z2023-10-04T19:54:16Z<p>I have been personally more excited about this product than any since, honestly, <i>Return of the RuneLords</i>! I can not <i>wait</i> for this book!</p>I have been personally more excited about this product than any since, honestly, Return of the RuneLords! I can not wait for this book!W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-10-04T19:54:16ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: If The Core Deity We Lose Is Asmodeus....?W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43vpj?If-The-Core-Deity-We-Lose-Is-Asmodeus#212023-09-18T17:53:03Z2023-09-18T17:41:30Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">PossibleCabbage wrote:</div><blockquote> Asmodeus is also a subset of "The Devil, as he is portrayed in popular culture" ... It feels like even the most litigious copyright trolls wouldn't try to claim that....</blockquote><p>.
<p>And Jacobs has said as much, even in this Thread. <i>But we know we are losing one of the Deities,</i> so who knows?</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>But I don't interpret the Paizo Asmodeus as being very different at all. It's an interesting comparison to make, and who knows what the, um, <i>insert-horrible-but-accurate-pejorative-here</i> at WotC will do?</p>
<p>The Ruby Rod is a very specific D&D bit of Lore. It has <i>Nothing</i> to do with Common-Knowledge-Lore of the Asmodeus of Myth.
<br />
On the other hand, Asmodeus having a brother named Ihys is all Paizo.</p>
<p>Asmodeus as a Lawful Evil Lord-of-the-Ninth is 100% original D&D Lore. Zero percent Paizo. (The design of the whole Nine Hells that Paizo uses is 100% old D&D.) Whereas, of course, charismatic & lying & manipulating & Devilish stuff is all 100% Common Knowledge open for anyone and everyone.</p>
<p>Asmodeus as a Deity is Paizo. Gygax always had him as just an Arch Devil. So there's give and take. </p>
<p>And •IF• Paizo wants to make sure, they can change up Asmodeus, Baalzebul, Dispator — all very similar — and even a little bit Belial & maybe Moloch.</p>PossibleCabbage wrote:Asmodeus is also a subset of "The Devil, as he is portrayed in popular culture" ... It feels like even the most litigious copyright trolls wouldn't try to claim that....
. And Jacobs has said as much, even in this Thread. But we know we are losing one of the Deities, so who knows?
.
But I don't interpret the Paizo Asmodeus as being very different at all. It's an interesting comparison to make, and who knows what the, um, insert-horrible-but-accurate-pejorative-here at...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-09-18T17:41:30ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Adventure Path: General Discussion: what do we think the war of Immortals tie in ap will be like & when do we think it will release?W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43vpb?what-do-we-think-the-war-of-Immortals-tie-in#32023-09-18T16:23:03Z2023-09-18T16:19:44Z<p>Issue 201, right?</p>
<p>I mean, # 200 is the special hardback book by Jacobs that's 200 pages of Sandpoint, and as far as I know we don't know yet what # 201 will begin. </p>
<p>I dunno.</p>Issue 201, right?
I mean, # 200 is the special hardback book by Jacobs that's 200 pages of Sandpoint, and as far as I know we don't know yet what # 201 will begin.
I dunno.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-09-18T16:19:44ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: Which core deity will we lose?W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43ur8&page=6?Which-core-deity-will-we-lose#2652023-09-18T16:23:03Z2023-09-18T16:15:36Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">The Raven Black wrote:</div><blockquote> The tale of Xanderghul will come later than originally planned because of the Remaster. Hence I believe it is not part of the War of Immortals. </blockquote><p>.
<p>Do you think we'll see Xanderghul in the hardback AP #200 in taking place in Sandpoint (and perhaps other spots in Varisia)?</p>
<p>I'd like that, I think.</p>The Raven Black wrote:The tale of Xanderghul will come later than originally planned because of the Remaster. Hence I believe it is not part of the War of Immortals.
. Do you think we'll see Xanderghul in the hardback AP #200 in taking place in Sandpoint (and perhaps other spots in Varisia)?
I'd like that, I think.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-09-18T16:15:36ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: If The Core Deity We Lose Is Asmodeus....?W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43vpj?If-The-Core-Deity-We-Lose-Is-Asmodeus#192023-09-18T16:13:03Z2023-09-18T16:08:08Z<p>The Asmodeus of Paizo is practically the same as the original D&D-via-Gygax. So are the Baalzebul, Belial & Dispator. Whereas the Mephistopheles is quite a few steps different, and Moloch is slightly different. I could see the Paizo Baalzebul overthrowing Asmodeus and changing his name to "Baalzebub" and getting some radical new design as part of the transformation / transition. Then, the already-very-different Mephistopheles can try to take advantage of the 'weakened-after-the-overthrow' Baalzebub before he consolidates his Absolute Rule over The Nine Hells, leading to fractured Nine Hells that still maintains strict Order, Discipline and Hierarchy. In 'The Upheaval' Dispator's Defenses can be radically abandoned as he turns them instead to attack, dramatically changing his design from one of 'Defense, Defense, Defense' to one of 'Logical Attack, Disciplined Attack, Calculated Attack.' The others can each go through a slight change to make them really Paizo-IP-specific. And Asmodeus can come back as a Ghost and be more like a wandering, haunting thorn in Baalzebub's new Court.</p>
<p>(Meanwhile, Mammon is Mammon is Mammon, in other words, Greed is Greed is Greed: The Paizo Mammon can be forever to the WotC and and it's the same as the one from christian mythology.)</p>
<p>And in Cheliax (and Taldor & Absalom & Varisia, etc) the New Order of Hell — a design unlike any other in D&D publication history — can have all sorts of trickle-down effects that really drive adventure MacGuffins. And of course, adventures in The Nine Hells are not so straight-jacketed and railroady.</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>I dunno, just a thought.</p>The Asmodeus of Paizo is practically the same as the original D&D-via-Gygax. So are the Baalzebul, Belial & Dispator. Whereas the Mephistopheles is quite a few steps different, and Moloch is slightly different. I could see the Paizo Baalzebul overthrowing Asmodeus and changing his name to "Baalzebub" and getting some radical new design as part of the transformation / transition. Then, the already-very-different Mephistopheles can try to take advantage of the 'weakened-after-the-overthrow'...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-09-18T16:08:08ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: If The Core Deity We Lose Is Asmodeus....?W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43vpj?If-The-Core-Deity-We-Lose-Is-Asmodeus#182023-09-18T15:53:03Z2023-09-18T15:51:52Z<p>Yeah, there are tons of possibilities — for real, playable adventures. And like you said, not just extraplanar stuff, but even on The Prime Material.</p>Yeah, there are tons of possibilities -- for real, playable adventures. And like you said, not just extraplanar stuff, but even on The Prime Material.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-09-18T15:51:52ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: If The Core Deity We Lose Is Asmodeus....?W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43vpj?If-The-Core-Deity-We-Lose-Is-Asmodeus#152023-09-19T07:41:25Z2023-09-17T22:46:35Z<p>Well, they'd still have to keep it distinctly different from The Abyss. But having a much more red-hot Cold War, with factions of each of the remaining Arch Dukes, just seems so intriguing for actual gameplay. The published Nine Hells have always seemed a little, pardon the pun but, "frozen" in tableaux. With active, moving parts — correctly designed so as not to be confused as Chaotic — The Nine Hells could be more exciting an adventure location than anytime in publication history since The Reckoning (which, to the chagrin of DMs, all happens off-stage as background, rather than with PCs mucking about).</p>Well, they'd still have to keep it distinctly different from The Abyss. But having a much more red-hot Cold War, with factions of each of the remaining Arch Dukes, just seems so intriguing for actual gameplay. The published Nine Hells have always seemed a little, pardon the pun but, "frozen" in tableaux. With active, moving parts -- correctly designed so as not to be confused as Chaotic -- The Nine Hells could be more exciting an adventure location than anytime in publication history since...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-09-17T22:46:35ZForums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: If The Core Deity We Lose Is Asmodeus....?W E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43vpj?If-The-Core-Deity-We-Lose-Is-Asmodeus#12023-09-19T07:38:57Z2023-09-16T15:29:34Z<p>Keftiu made a spectacularly good point on the '<i>Which Deity Will Die'</i> Thread — reminding us that "Asmodeus has an OGL-shaped target on his back" making me think that, business-wise, this could be the obvious choice.
<br />
<span class=messageboard-ooc>(Of course, the name "Asmodeus" is not at all anyone's Intellectual Property — but just like "Demogorgon" and "Orcus," the design for it has been so developed over the decades to be veritably unusable without redesigning them whole-cloth or tip-toeing on legal egg shells. Lamashtu via Paizo, on the otherhand, is significantly-enough different from the (practically non-existent) design of old D&D.)</span> But Asmodeus, ....Yeah, I could see them wanting to go ahead and cut him out.</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>So that brings me to this Thread.</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>If Asmodeus is the one we lose, how will it be "Best"?</p>
<p>1) Should Mephistopheles just overthrow him and we get back to a similar status quo with the promotion of a new Arch Devil?
<br />
(Or if not Mephistopheles, one of the other Arch Dukes or perhaps even a Malebranche?!?)</p>
<p>2) Should Mephistopheles and Baalzebul overthrow Asmodeus and then throw The Nine Hells into a perpetual civil war to last The Ages? </p>
<p>3) Should Asmodeus just be dead and gone by some cause (Cthulhu?), or rather, be overthrown & killed, but then... Come back as a Ghost with a radically different background and completely new design (to get past any IP issues)?</p>
<p>. . . . </p>
<p>There is SOOOOO much potential for spectacularly good (brand new) game design here.</p>
<p>Part of me likes Mephistopheles overthrowing Asmodeus and ruling The Nine Hells as just, you know, keeping a status quo — promote a new Arch Devil with some new redesign stuff. (I also like Asmodeus as a Ghost with a completely new design background.)</p>
<p>But I also can see that, if they just cut out Asmodeus and promote (for example) Mephistopheles, that could be a missed opportunity. Isn't it possible that a perpetual civil war in Hell, Mephisto vs Baalzebul, makes for a much more conducive Adventure Location?!?! Now, when rescuing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Paladin_in_Hell" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A Paladin in Hell</a> the PCs could play one side of the war against the other. And plenty of new campaign and adventure ideas really lend themselves to being played out in The Nine Hells like never before. </p>
<p>As an added bonus, this Paizo-Only Intellectual Property would be (as far as I know) the <i>Only</i> one out there. All the other games have The Nine Hells pretty much <i>exactly</i> as Gygax designed them all those decades ago. Nothing has really changed — except that every Edition gets a new Arch Duke for the First Circle of Hell <i>(Tiamat, Bel, Barbatos, the WotC one, etc.)</i></p>
<p>What do y'all think?</p>Keftiu made a spectacularly good point on the 'Which Deity Will Die' Thread -- reminding us that "Asmodeus has an OGL-shaped target on his back" making me think that, business-wise, this could be the obvious choice.
(Of course, the name "Asmodeus" is not at all anyone's Intellectual Property -- but just like "Demogorgon" and "Orcus," the design for it has been so developed over the decades to be veritably unusable without redesigning them whole-cloth or tip-toeing on legal egg shells....W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-09-16T15:29:34ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: ‘Eκάτη's Endless Night DiscussionW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivmyx/discussion&page=4#1612023-08-29T23:03:29Z2023-08-29T22:56:59Z<p>Update: It looks like Hurricane Idalia is going to miss me and go north. I closed down my business earlier today in case of emergency but it looks like I'll likely open back up tomorrow hopefully by Noon or early afternoon. Anyway, it looks like good news (for my Sarasota at least, maybe not so much for Tampa or further north). </p>
<p>I ought to be able to pay attention to our game by late tomorrow!</p>Update: It looks like Hurricane Idalia is going to miss me and go north. I closed down my business earlier today in case of emergency but it looks like I'll likely open back up tomorrow hopefully by Noon or early afternoon. Anyway, it looks like good news (for my Sarasota at least, maybe not so much for Tampa or further north).
I ought to be able to pay attention to our game by late tomorrow!W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-08-29T22:56:59ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: ‘Eκάτη's Endless Night DiscussionW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivmyx/discussion&page=4#1582023-08-29T11:33:29Z2023-08-29T11:26:44Z<p>Wish me luck fighting the hurricane (in Sarasota, FL) — internet and electricity may well go out and I've been busy getting ready for the storm (that may not even hit me, but you can't take the chance). My only concern is that I'm running low on water.</p>Wish me luck fighting the hurricane (in Sarasota, FL) -- internet and electricity may well go out and I've been busy getting ready for the storm (that may not even hit me, but you can't take the chance). My only concern is that I'm running low on water.W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-08-29T11:26:44ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: IF Aroden Didn't Die But Rather, Just VanishedW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43t2l?IF-Aroden-Didnt-Die-But-Rather-Just-Vanished#292023-08-01T18:43:41Z2023-08-01T17:18:56Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">The Raven Black wrote:</div><blockquote> Aroden went Outside because he needs Dou-Bral's knowledge to repair Rovagug's Cage before it breaks. </blockquote><p>.
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Yakman wrote:</div><blockquote>But what will come back? </blockquote><p>.
<p>This is actually the direction I'm going in my campaign — that Aroden has gone deep in The Dark Tapestry and 'gotten lost' — not too unlike Dou Bral who 'touched' The Dark Tapestry on his 'visit' and came back as ZK.</p>
<p>The PC Oracle in my group who's pushed me to design this stuff for his character will eventually have to go out into The Dark Tapestry. That'll be for when the group is more 19th-20th Level. .... And I won't decide what to do when they get there until we're much closer to, you know, getting there.</p>The Raven Black wrote:Aroden went Outside because he needs Dou-Bral's knowledge to repair Rovagug's Cage before it breaks.
. Yakman wrote:But what will come back?
. This is actually the direction I'm going in my campaign -- that Aroden has gone deep in The Dark Tapestry and 'gotten lost' -- not too unlike Dou Bral who 'touched' The Dark Tapestry on his 'visit' and came back as ZK.
The PC Oracle in my group who's pushed me to design this stuff for his character will eventually have to go...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-08-01T17:18:56ZRe: Forums: Homebrew and House Rules: Skill and Second Based CombatW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43u9x?Skill-and-Second-Based-Combat#152023-07-27T13:03:35Z2023-07-27T12:59:22Z<p>Dot (for later)</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>In the past when I've experimented with similar mechanics (and played GURPS), I've felt that combat takes even longer than it already does. But I've also never really loved the d20 Initiative-and-turn system — Second Edition of the 90s was Better! So I'm enthusiastic about really reading this Thread when I have the time.</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>Still, the best, most fun & even realistic way to do combat is burn the g.d. Battlemat into annihilation, sell all your minis, and play in 'theater-of-the-mind.'</p>Dot (for later)
.
In the past when I've experimented with similar mechanics (and played GURPS), I've felt that combat takes even longer than it already does. But I've also never really loved the d20 Initiative-and-turn system -- Second Edition of the 90s was Better! So I'm enthusiastic about really reading this Thread when I have the time.
.
Still, the best, most fun & even realistic way to do combat is burn the g.d. Battlemat into annihilation, sell all your minis, and play in...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-07-27T12:59:22ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: chatgpt gameW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43tce?chatgpt-game#272023-07-24T20:41:04Z2023-07-24T20:32:11Z<p>What I did for my second attempt was a little more in line with what <i>•I think•</i> I can get out of it. I basically asked the AI to come up with an adventure for me based on some specific frameworks — for a Campaign that I would DM for fellow gamers. </p>
<p>But I'm still learning, still toying with it in order to see what I can use for my own games.</p>
<p>But the idea for a campaign the AI wrote out in just two seconds is really good!</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>What I did for my second attempt was a little more in line with what *I think* I can get out of it. I basically asked the AI to come up with an adventure for me based on some specific frameworks -- for a Campaign that I would DM for fellow gamers.
But I'm still learning, still toying with it in order to see what I can use for my own games.
But the idea for a campaign the AI wrote out in just two seconds is really good!
[Spoiler omitted]W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-07-24T20:32:11ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: chatgpt gameW E Ray (alias of Molech)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43tce?chatgpt-game#242023-08-02T04:13:10Z2023-07-24T18:51:03Z<p>Just to share it with anyone interested; here's a transcript of, say, 80 or 90% of my interaction with the AI. I wanted to test it a little so I threw a few curveballs, but ultimately was very pleased. I started it as though I were just going to DM an adventure, but then once it became clear we couldn't (<i>yet, or obviously)</i> really DO the adventure but rather talk about it, I changed gears. </p>
<p>LOL: One of the funny moments was when I was like, <i>'Okay, Sheila Heidmarch offers two adventure locations for you to choose one.'</i> and the AI was like, <i>'Okay, the first choice is go to some caves and the second choice is go to Foxglove Manor.'</i> And in my head I was like, <i>'Well, I'm the DM; I was suppose to give YOU two choices (mine were Viper Wall and Celwynvian).</i> ...So I just chose Foxglove Manor to see how much of canon the AI actually had access to. <i>(The AI placed Pangolais in Verduran Forest and made it a ruins. But I figure my description of 'a scary town' just led the AI to grab "Pangolais" and the mention of 'big forest' led it to "The Verduran."</i> No biggie.</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>Just to share it with anyone interested; here's a transcript of, say, 80 or 90% of my interaction with the AI. I wanted to test it a little so I threw a few curveballs, but ultimately was very pleased. I started it as though I were just going to DM an adventure, but then once it became clear we couldn't (yet, or obviously) really DO the adventure but rather talk about it, I changed gears.
LOL: One of the funny moments was when I was like, 'Okay, Sheila Heidmarch offers two adventure...W E Ray (alias of Molech)2023-07-24T18:51:03Z