Xathanos's page

Just a little reminder bump that U-Con is only 6 days away!

Hello, all.

The response has been great so far. We have over half our gm slots filled. If you DID NOT get an email from me, then I never received your request, or I lost it.

We have to finalize the schedule in about a week, so we are down to crunch time! If you were looking to gm, send me your slot requests, and we will get you punched into the schedule!

I’m looking forward to seeing you all there! And, thanks again, for allowing me the opportunity to entertain you all!

Xath
VC of Metro Detroit

Michigan’s largest role-playing convention is back!

The convention will be held once again at the Eagle Crest Conference Center in the Eagle Crest Resort just off I-94 at Whittaker in Ypsilanti, next to the Marriott hotel. Convention info: U-Con 2017

The Eagle Crest Resort has a special group rate of $99.00 per night. You can reserve online using code UCOUCOA or by calling 1.877.757.7133 or 1.800.228.9290 by October 14. You must identify yourself as a member of the U-Con group to receive our special room rate. Reservations are available now.

GM's - you can get your badge for free by running 3 slots for us. If you run 5 slots, U-Con will pay for your other 3 slots of games. For my GM's who run 5 tables or more, I will email you the procedure for getting your other tickets paid. For my truly dedicated GM’s, who are willing to really help make this the greatest Paizo showing EVER at Ucon by running 6 slots, there will be further compensation offered, like partial room reimbursement, food coverage, etc. (yet to be finalized)

Email me your GM requests. We have 8 slots (9am-2pm, 2pm-7pm, 8pm-1am Friday and Saturday, 9am-2pm, 2pm-7pm Sunday). List the number of slots you want to GM, list the actual slots you want to run [from 1 (fri am) through 8 (sun pm)] and game system preference, in your preferred order (PFS, SFS, ACG) If you don’t include a system, I will assume you can’t or don’t want to run it. Reach me at xathanos@comcast.net .

Preregistration will open September 15th. Tickets are $4.00 per game. I recommend that if you really wish to play a specific game, then you should purchase a real ticket for it, as real tickets get seated first. A generic ticket holder or a ribbon user can be replaced at any table by a real ticket.

Friday night (slot 3) will feature the first of TWO separate multi-table interactives. 8-99: the Solstice Scar feature more fun with one of our favorite stops – the Blakros Museum!

The main event comes Saturday night (slot 6) as we partake in the thrilling special, 9-00: Assault on Absalom! This memorable special has the Pathfinders having to defend their home city against to united forces of enemies made from over the years! This special draws from the history made in the Society’s 9 previous seasons. Relevant scenarios are running all weekend, which include 2-21: the Dalsine Affair, 5-25: Vengeance at Sundered Crag, 4-23: Rivalry’s End, 6-05: Slave Ships of Absalom, 2-26: the Mantis’s Prey, 6-11: the Slavemaster’s Mirror, the Destiny of the Sands trilogy, and the first ever Pathfinder Society scenario, 0-01: the Silent Tide!

For the first time at U-Con, we will be offering the Adventure Card Game! These will be 2-hour slots (2 slots each normal slot time) and can be attended with a single $2.00 generic ticket or the weekend ribbon. Real tickets will NOT be available for the ACG.

For those seeking play in the Pathfinder Core System, we would ask that you muster with others also seeking core play. Once you arrive at the table with your core group, you can inform the GM that you will need to play the adventure Core. If you need help with this, come see us at HQ.

Lastly, making its glorious debut will be Paizo’ s newest offering, Starfinder. We will be offering plenty of space-faring action with at least 5 tables per slot! These games can be attended using the same ticket structure as the PFS games above.

For more information, check out the following link:

U-Con 2017

Congratulations to all the new RVC's and all the 5 - star GM's...

Thank you all!

I am so excited to be coordinating Pathfinder Role-play and Card Guild across the globe. I'm full of loads of ideas regarding campaign growth. Along with my compatriots on the PFS team, we will be bringing you the best gaming we can!

Let's have some FUN!

Congratulations Tonya!

In the world of video games, there are those really great games with solid story and plot that when you have finished it, you feel... satisfied.

Then you have the other kind of video games, you know, the kind where you have total freedom to do nearly whatever you want, to interact with the game in ways other games seem not to have been programed for. The kind of video game that doesn't tell a story, but makes you live one instead.

As a GM, Alex McGuire is that second kind of video game. I could not be prouder of someone else's star achievement, and consider myself and our region truly blessed to have him in our lodge.

If you enjoy an interactive game where your decisions actually matter (and get noted on chronicle sheets for history's sake), then the next time you are in Michigan, look up Alex and join a table.

It is my great honor to announce the promotion of our newest VL, Zak Glade. Zak was one of many GM's who I looked up to when I first started in PFS in 2012. He is on my short list of GM's that anyone visiting Michigan should go out of their way to play under. Some of the greatest local memories were made at his tables.

But more than great game mastering, a VL needs some organizing chops as well, and Zak has really stepped up to the plate in that area as well. As our region is bursting with public organized games averaging 25 days a month, Zak is helping bring some stability to one of our busiest locals, as well as help man some of our conventions.

Zak, thanks again for joining the ranks!

Xath

VC of Metro Detroit

Hello, everyone! Just bumping this post to let everyone know we are only 3 weeks away from Michigan's largest Society convention, U-Con. See above post for all the details!

Thanks to everyone for the shout outs! I really love the GMing and organizing side of PFS. I relish nearly every opportunity to GM because you never know what memories you will have a chance of taking part in making. This may only be a game, but what we do with it is real, as well as who we do it with. This makes real and lasting memories and friends.

When I started in PFS back in 2012, I had never done anything in a society style play before. I was a dungeon dweller who used to sneak around and play my beloved hobby, hoping not to many would notice. Then, through some amazing friends, I found our local PFS society here in Michigan, and what did I find? Like-minded people who proudly played my hobby, regardless of public opinion. In the open. In game stores... In bars... Socially accepted.
HUNDREDS of people... together... community...

Well, I have never looked back. Thank you one and all for entrusting my the privilege of spinning stories for your enjoyment. I look forward to making more memories...

Xath

This is all exceptional news, and I would like to volunteer/apply for the review team.

Congratulations! A well-deserved promotion indeed!

The weapon property: Ultimate Equipment p.137

CONDUCTIVE PRICE
+1 BONUS
AURA moderate necromancy CL 8th WEIGHT —
A conductive weapon is able to channel the energy of a spelllike
or supernatural ability that relies on a melee or ranged
touch attack to hit its target (such as from a cleric’s domain
granted power, sorcerer’s bloodline power, oracle’s mystery
revelation, or wizard’s arcane school power). When the
wielder makes a successful attack of the appropriate type,
he may choose to expend two uses of his magical ability
to channel it through the weapon to the struck opponent,
which suffers the effects of both the weapon attack and the
special ability. (If the wielder has unlimited uses of a special
ability, she may channel through the weapon every round.)
For example, a paladin who strikes an undead opponent with
her conductive greatsword can expend two uses of her lay
on hands ability (a supernatural melee touch attack) to deal
both greatsword damage and damage from one use of lay on
hands. This weapon special ability can only be used once per
round, and only works with magical abilities of the same type
as the weapon (melee or ranged).
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST +1 bonus
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, spectral hand

The lunar Oracle revelation: Blood of the Moon p. 29

Touch of the Moon (Su): The exact effects of this
revelation depend on whether you cast inflict or cure
spells. If you cast inflict spells, these spells carry with
them the taint of madness. Subjects who take damage
from your inflict spells are also subject to confusion, as
the spell, except the duration of this effect is a number
of rounds equal to the level of the inflict spell. The save
DC against this effect is 10 + 1/2 your oracle level + your
Charisma modifier. Alternatively, if you cast cure spells,
these spells are potentially more effective but entirely in
the target’s mind. Whenever you cast a cure spell, you
can cast it as though it were enhanced with the Empower
Spell metamagic feat by expending two spell slots, except
these hit points are temporary. This does not increase the
level of the spell. Hit points healed this way expire after
a number of minutes equal to half your oracle level. You
must be at least 7th level to select this revelation.

The question: Can the lunar oracle burn through all of his spells as inflicts sent through his weapon in melee? Or is conductive meant for only these kind of powers - Blood of the Moon p.29

Moonbeam (Su): You can fire a ray of moonlight as a
ranged touch attack at any creature within 30 feet. This
ray deals 1d6 points of damage + 1 for every 2 oracle levels
you possess. In addition, the target must succeed at a
Fortitude save or become blinded for 1 round. You can
use this ability a number of times per day equal to your
Charisma modifier (minimum 1). (obviously, this would need a ranged weapon)

Thank you for your attention.

Obviously, I mean for PFS play...

I have read ever thread I could find, and there are people still saying different things. So, at 4th level the horse animal companion becomes combat trained. Does this, or does it not mean that the hooves become primary attacks?

Thank you for your help.

I'm beginning to regret deciding to make a pet class... ;-)

Since wolf is one of the basic mounts, can, at level 7, a medium character playing a mount class (cavalier, mounted fury barbarian, paladin, etc.) take the large wolf in PFS? And, if not, can we work toward a fix if this was simply an oversight in the rules?

Well, I'm not quite 5 star qualified yet, but...

Session #1: Intro series - First Steps, part one 11-12-12

Session #150: #1-50 Fortune's Blight 6-20-14

Now just waiting on specials and approval from my peers...

Xath

As long as you are actually going to play a LAWFUL GOOD paladin, and not 'dip-and-forget', then it is very worthwhile. No one does 'hero' better than paladins, and I imagine that would apply to the quick and nimble types as well...

This is the third origins game fair I have been to and it was by far the best one. Mike McNerney was very accommodating and the headquarters staff did an excellent job mustering all the tables to full capacity. I ran 11 tables and six of those went off at tier 8-9 or higher. I played two games and a midnight madness game and it was all fantastic. He has set the bar pretty high as far as a great convention experience.

Xath

Congratulations to all! I am sure Eric has put Mid-Michigan in the most capable of hands!

Drogon wrote:

Quote:

Doug Miles - Venture-Lieutenant

O.O

What the crap? When did you go back to being a VO? Does someone have some dirt on you or something?

A couple of factors changed my position on the matter. 1) I got the wedding & first anniversary behind me, 2) The step-children are now school-age, and 3) I have a persuasive and enthusiastic VC.

As Venture Captain of one of the country's most active lodges, I have a responsibility to provide the very best Venture Officers available. I got lucky enough to have Doug in my lodge, and he happens to be the very best.

Xath

P.S. compromising photographs go a long way as well...

Wow, that is too funny... in the PRD they put in the new crane wing under the new crane riposte... lol

I guess I will give them a few days to straighten this out.

From the PRD:

Crane Wing (Combat)

You move with the speed and finesse of an avian hunter, your sweeping blocks and graceful motions allowing you to deflect melee attacks with ease.

Prerequisites: Crane Style, Dodge, Improved Unarmed Strike, base attack bonus +5 or monk level 5th.

Benefit: Once per round while using Crane Style, when you have at least one hand free and are either fighting defensively or using the total defense action, you can deflect one melee weapon attack that would normally hit you. You expend no action to deflect the attack, but you must be aware of it and not flat-footed. An attack so deflected deals no damage to you.

Yes you are. No deflected attacks if you are fighting defensively.

Ok, but under crane wing, in the new version of UC, it still gives you a deflected attack. Was crane wing even changed?

So, to sum it up for our society GM's out their, the total changes for the 3 feat style line are:

Old way: -1 to attack, +4 dodge to ac, one deflected attack, one attack of opportunity in response to the deflected attack when fighting defensively.

New way: -2 to attack, +4 dodge bonus to AC, +8 dodge bonus to ac vs. ONE attack, one deflected attack when fighting defensively - if going total defense, no attacks but TWO deflected attacks per round?!

Am I missing something here?

That is why the Tetori Monk is so OP. It would be +9...

And that's why big things that grab you are so deadly...

As much as people believe that it becomes the community's responsibility to disprove everyone's class combinations, it is actual the player's responsibility to sway the community, who can then sway the Devs. We have all read what Archmic has had to say about his combo, and not even one person is convinced. So, as far as I can tell, the case is closed. Not only would I deem the player illegal at my table, I would send Mike Brock his player number and what was going on so he couldn't try and waste any other GM's time with this. (And yes, unfortunately, I have too many players take their illegal characters and just run off to the next table until they can find someone who doesn't know any better.)

And even if the combo was legal [WHICH IT IS NOT], do you really think the Devs would release something in one class that could make three individual classes near obsolete. I think this whole situation falls under the 'Don't be a jerk' rule, and we should all just quit giving him any time of day.

I just want to give a hearty shout-out to Alex McGuire for his recent achievement of his 4th star! Not only does Alex run games online, he also coordinates one of Metro Detroit's most successful locations at Main Street Billiards in Rochester, MI. For a long time he has felt the strain primarily shouldering the GM'ing burden, but hopefully this accomplishment makes some of those long, lonely nights worth it!

Congratz, Alex!

Thank you, everyone, for your kind words. I have always loved to GM, preferring that to actual play.

As to what you asked, Chris, I have lost count of the number of times I have uttered 'That's why we play the game...' I am always amazed at how players will come up with ways to get out of the sinister situations we make for them.

And, honestly, how often players will make a simple situation far more complicated and dangerous for themselves. Heck, if you have the right group of players, its like the adventure damn near writes itself!

My hat is off to all the other 4 and 5 star GM's out there. GM'ing is sometimes a thankless job, one in which players seem to lose perspective and think we are suddenly their employee (without us actually getting paid!). Fortunately, here in Michigan, the GM's here are blessed with some fine players, and it is a real joy running games here.

Congratulations! I look forward to watching the continuing growth there in Mid Michigan!

Thank you, everyone, for chiming in. All the warm welcomes, you wouldn't think I was in cold Michigan... lol

Here in Michigan, we have a very active community, with PFS play to be found nearly every day of the year. Some great Venture Captains have come before me, and I can only hope that I can continue their collective tradition of excellence!

I just wanted to take a minute out and thank Mr. Brock and the community for the opportunity to serve, and I promise to do so to the best of my ability.

I know that not everyone here is from the United States, but at this time of year, its traditional to tell people what you are thankful for.

There are a ton of 'real life' things to take precedence, but I am thankful for the PFS community. This past year, I have been to my first conventions for role-play, I have made and played with some amazing characters. I have met new people and made new friends. I, for one, am thankful of anything that can make new, fun, and long-lasting memories.

So, again, I say thanks to all of those out there who have touched so many people's lives. I think with all the board arguments that go on, we forget the little things that had drawn us to role-playing in the first place.

Friends. Family. Fun.

Xath

VL of Southeastern Michigan

Great Choice!! Congratulations, Eric!

Mason, thank you for the time you put in as our venture captain. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to assist the Metro Detroit area in their gaming and I'm glad to hear that you will still be involved even on a lesser degree. I bought Ucon went fabulously this year.

Again thanks for everything that you've done.

Well, for a home game I would say definitely A, C, F plus B, E and G with rather zealous role play of a single God. As to PFS, I would be fine with the Gods and Magic break down. And, no, I wouldn't allow 'faith-hopping' to take advantage of certain creatures at certain levels. That's why GM's discretion and a little common sense should apply.

In the Gods and Magic book, priests are specifically defined for each of the primary deities. Their jobs and responsibilities are also laid out as well, as are examples of what classes are typically priests for each specific God. Cleric is the most common, but by far from the only one.

Has anyone reviewed the Gods and Magic chronicle lately? In this book, under each God it clearly states what classes are considered priests, and usually it is far from just clerics. And rarely does it have to be just divine casters. Just wondering what others thought of this.

Would love to see this looked at by the current staff.

Congratulations, Jeff on that fourth star. You have been a shining example of everything that is right about PFS. When players ask me for a name of a good GM to play under yours is one of the first out of my mouth. Michigan is very lucky to have a game master such as yourself.

In the additional resources from most of the adventure paths it opens up different summon monsters options depending on the specific deity of which you are a priest. My question is if you are a wizard or summoner who worships the specific deity can you summon the optional monsters from their list?

My question is simple. If a group of seekers gets a hold of these in a module, and has the time to use them, what happens? Does the bonus apply for the rest of the adventure, and then disappear afterwards (assuming they don't pay for it if its on the chronicle)?

At Gen Con, when I was running #5-03 for levels 5-9, I was told by HQ that level 7 gets gold for whichever tier they play, not out of subtier gold.

question 1 - Is this still the case?

question 2 - If it is, does this apply to a level 3 in a 1-5, a lvl 5 in a 3-7 and a lvl 9 in a 7-11?

The chronicles need more unique items on them... They need more value. More wands with less than full charges. Items in different than normal slots. More actual Boons, instead of items most everyone can buy anyway. The rare overpowered item some people could try and buy earlier than they would normally qualify to buy it. But I think items in different slots would be the best.

Xathanos wrote:

Ok, I can't sit here and let gniht fight this alone. So, I am not going to argue, and am not going to pull out an English language degree to dissect every word and how it was used or 'meant' to be used.

What I will say is that, as a home game, from 3.0 onwards, my group has always used Heightened as gniht has used it. So, it isn't only him. I would like to see a FAQ on this as well...

QUESTION: If a maximized fireball in a sixth level slot has heightened added to it, does the DC stay 13 or move to 16?

QUESTION: If a wizard memorizes a maximized, intensified, heightened fireball in a seventh level slot, does the DC start at 17?

I would like to add that even with using the heightened feat this way, only ONE caster over that time ever took it, as there is simply NEVER enough opportunities to take feats...

I am not looking for argument or mind changing, a simple yes or no will decide this - Honestly, Pfs is the first place I have ever seen heightened not used this way, but I am relatively new to society play...

Are you sure you're asking the same question as gniht? He's not arguing the DC is unchanged with the addition of heightened, he's arguing the spell-slot is unchanged.

If I understand this thread, and, maybe I missed something in the 122 posts so far, the 2 bolded questions, if answered, should answer nearly every question/argument in this thread... And, honestly, answers the parts that I need answered...

Ok, I can't sit here and let gniht fight this alone. So, I am not going to argue, and am not going to pull out an English language degree to dissect every word and how it was used or 'meant' to be used.

What I will say is that, as a home game, from 3.0 onwards, my group has always used Heightened as gniht has used it. So, it isn't only him. I would like to see a FAQ on this as well...

QUESTION: If a maximized fireball in a sixth level slot has heightened added to it, does the DC stay 13 or move to 16?

QUESTION: If a wizard memorizes a maximized, intensified, heightened fireball in a seventh level slot, does the DC start at 17?

I would like to add that even with using the heightened feat this way, only ONE caster over that time ever took it, as there is simply NEVER enough opportunities to take feats...

I am not looking for argument or mind changing, a simple yes or no will decide this - Honestly, Pfs is the first place I have ever seen heightened not used this way, but I am relatively new to society play...

It was a pleasure to play at your table, Sir, and I have no doubt that the Chicago area is in excellent hands!