devilfluff's page

I uprated almost every encounter in the first book...

For Ayala, I added the advanced template and doubled the number of rats. I also added her lover, a low level fighter tweaked into a pure defensive tank. (kept the barbarian damage machine occupied ;) )

Wait, is ale even a type of beer, or are they 2 different things? I just realized that in the 3 decades I've been running RPGs I've made them different drinks.

Roughly, beer is divided into three types: ales, lagers & wild/lambics. The basic difference is the type of yeast. Ales use a "top" fermenting yeast. Lagers use a "bottom" fermenting yeast. Wilds use, you guessed it, wild or naturally introduced yeasts(and occasionally alternate microbials).

Have any of you tried anything from this brewery? I had one tallboy one time, and it was the single best beer I have ever tasted in my life. I'm actually a bit hesitant to link their site on a public forum like this, but the brewery is apparently closed to the public, so, no harm, no foul.

Speaking seriously, I guess they're a small brewery that doesn't sell to distributors, but that junk was delicious! It's worth going to find it. :)

I'm sure you mean Heady Topper. The #1 rated beer on Beer Advocate.

It is fantastic!

So far this summer I've been drinking Franziskaner Weiβbier -- I'm getting to like the wheat for the warmer months.

That is a top notch summer brew. Try Weihenstefaner Hefeweiss bier also.

Philly Beer Week was last week.

Highlights for me were Voodoo's K13 & Grande Negro Voodoo Papi(Laird's Apple Brandy barrel aged), Russian River Supplication, & Avery Tweek.

Lambics are an unusual beer-style. They tend to be drastically different from the traditional English/German/American styles that have dominated the industry.

I've been drinking the fruited lambics intermittantly for a few years. They are light and refreshing and easy to drink. The non-fruited lambics are full of unusual flavors for beer: sour, acidity, funk. They are definitely more of a challenge to my palate.

If you liked them, maybe try a berliner weiss next. That is a style I just can't wrap my head around.

Did you try a super fruity lambic like a Lindeman's Framboise or a far more complex and sour lambic like a Drei Fonteinen Oude Geuze?

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel

I think that might be the best wheat beer ever...

Anybody get any KBS?

I'm working on the build between calls. :) Stupid work, getting in the way of my games...

Sorry for the delay, guys. I took my wife out to dinner last night, and it ate up my whole night.

I'm working on a character now. Looks like a caster would fit in. Sorceror, ok?

If you are going for a dedicated miniatures case, there are alternatives to GW's cases. Check out KR Multicase, Battlefoam, and/or Sabol cases. Cheaper, more flexible setups, and usually hold more. All are still kinda pricey, though.

My game group's collection is mostly held in small(ish) boxes, sorted by type.

Anybody tried Ghost Face Killah? Brewed with 6 hot peppers, supposedly including the legendary Ghost Chili, I can't imagine it is a sublime experience. But I am intrigued...

You are the GM. You are god. If you say that critter has pounce, then it now has pounce. ;)

So you are modifying a dragon to suit your story needs?

Since he's carrying a rider, and getting external spell assistance, I'd be looking for feats/abilities to maximize his attacks and mobility.

Flyby, wingover, weapon focus(bite or claw or both), hover, multiattack. All make sense. I'd be tempted to give it pounce.

Are you adding classes to a dragon, or trying to replicate a dragon's abilities with another characters?

I'm deeply on the NO team.

Of course, you'd be hard-pressed to find a tiefling or aasimar in my campaigns, either.

Who can recommend a good Scottish ale that's avail in America, state of Minnesota? I've had Leinies and Dirty B@3t@rd.

Try Old Chub by Oskar Blues and Claymore by Great Divide. I think both are available nationally.

Had one of my favorites over the weekend: St Bernardus Abt 12

Nom.

The group I'm running lacks a true arcane blaster. Witch, but that is so much more a debuffer. They've done well so far... They do have a solid healer.

The path gives you several options for characters that could be added as npc hangarounds/cohorts... Natalya is a sorceror, and available early.

All you really need your character to have is a reason to be in Magnimar and a way to connect to the Pathfinders when they come calling.

Usually, you are either in Magnimar with the intent to become a pathfinder, a local with a reason to ally with them, or a new member sent from another location.

I have converted to Weirmayer's Blithering Idiot Barleywine Ale. It's 11% alcohol and tastes like magic and has you believe you can indeed cast spells after one bottle.

Try their Insanity. It is Blithering Idiot aged in bourbon barrels.

Old Rasputin is the standard by which all Russian Imperial Stouts are judged. It is a fantastic beer.

Woot! Been patiently waiting for more feedback. :)

They make some great stuff!

La Fin du Monde is one of my favorite triples.

Congrats to the top 4. Keep pushing!

Malevolent red eyes flicker to life and join the sounds of cobblestones grinding together. What once was an innocent pathway or pile of bricks is now a looming humanoid looking creature.

Cobblestone Lurker CR 2
XP 600
N Medium construct
Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +0
----- Defense -----
AC 14, touch 10, flat-footed 14 (+4 natural)
hp 31 (2d10+20)
Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +0
Immune construct traits;
Weaknesses vulnerable to force
----- Offense -----
Speed 30 ft., brickwalk
Melee Slam +6 (1d6+6)
Special Attacks pothole (DC 14), quick set (DC 14, 1d6 bludgeoning)
----- Statistics -----
Str 19, Dex 10, Con —, Int —, Wis 11, Cha 1
Base Atk +2; CMB +6; CMD 16
SQ cohesion
----- Ecology -----
Environment urban
Organization solitary, pair, or alley (3-5)
Treasure living mortar (see below)
----- Special Abilities -----
Brickwalk (Ex) As a full round action the cobblestone lurker may give up its physical cohesion, causeing its cobblestones to drop in a pile while its mortar travels in a stream to any source of cobblestones within 60 ft. Once per day the cobblestone lurker may heal 2d6 points of damage by reforming from new materials.
Cohesion A cobblestone lurker’s stones are held together by its living mortar. Any blow causing half or more of its total hitpoints or a spell with the force descriptor forces the cobblestone lurker to succeed at a DC 12 Fortitude save or lose its cohesiveness for 1d3 rounds. When in this state the cobblestone lurker loses its natural armor bonus and the living mortar may only take move actions. The cobblestone lurker automatically reforms from the original materials or any cobblestones within 60 ft. at the end of these rounds.
Pothole (Ex) A stomp causes the ground in all...

Descriptive Text: Careful assuming the position of the creature. What if you found It already in combat? I like the basic description though, humanoid made of bricks, glowing eyes, sounds like bricks grinding. Easy rewrite to remove the action.

Overall: A truly urban construct. I like the feel of it. I can picture the road rising into an enemy. I think it might be a little weak for a CR2, though.(might not be, just a feeling). The text could use a little bit of focusing.

I remember 20... Damn, that was a long time ago.

Happy Birthday, Voyd.

Formed of shadow, this obsidian butterfly has a head of a human skull and beats its wings with a sound which cannot quite be heard.

Pangolaisian Spellsnatch CR 3
XP 800
CE Diminutive undead (incorporeal)
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft., detect good; Perception +5

----- Defense -----
AC 19, touch 19, flat-footed 16 (+4 Size, +3 Dex, +2 deflection)
hp 15 (2d8+6)
Fort +2 Ref +3 Will +4
Defensive Abilities channel resistance +2, incorporeal; Immune undead traits
----- Offense -----
Speed fly 20 ft. (Perfect)
Melee incorporeal touch +8 (1 Wisdom damage plus magic absorption)
Space 1 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks channel negative energy

----- Statistics -----
Str —, Dex 16, Con —, Int 4, Wis 13, Cha 15
Base Atk +1; CMB +0; CMD 12
Feats Improved Initiative
Skills Fly +17, Perception +5, Stealth +19 (+23 in dim light, +15 in bright light); Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in dim light (–4 in bright light)
Languages Common

----- Ecology -----
Environment urban (Pangolais and neighboring Nidalese settlements)
Organization solitary or flock (2-5)
Treasure incidental
----- Special Abilities -----
Channel Negative Energy (Su) Once a spellsnatch has absorbed at least 1 spell level with its magic absorption ability, it is able to channel that magic as negative energy, as the cleric ability of the same name. The spelllsnatch can choose to harm living creatures or heal undead creatures with this energy. The amount of damage dealt or healed is equal to 1d6 points of damage for each level of absorbed spell, and all absorbed spell levels must be used at the same time. If any of the absorbed spells contained the good descriptor, the...

Here goes:

Name: Very specific to locale, may confuse people
Description: I’d split into 2 sentences… good info and images, but disjointed.
Hit dice do not match CR & type(CR 3 undead should be 4HD)
Hit point modifier incorrect(2HD * +2 Cha mod = 4)
Magic absorption should be listed in special attacks
Skill points seem off- (base 4, -3 int = 1 rank/hd*2hd=)2 ranks, but seems to have 3 ranks and associated class bonuses distributed
Environment: Should have a terrain modifier to Urban(any, temperate, etc)
Special Abilites: Seem a bit overcomplicated. Maybe the absorption should be more like a drain. Each hit drains 1d3 spell levels of prepared or daily spell uses. Then channel is xd6 damage per level absorbed. Is there a limit to the number of spell levels that can be absorbed? Is there a length of time they can be stored for? The glowing red eyes feels tacked on.
Flavor text: What is the spellsnatch’s motivation? Does it feed on or unnaturally hunger for magical energy? Does it hate Desna? Is it programmed by its creator? Once a creature is drained of spells, does the spellsnatch keep trying to drain its wisdom, or do they leave it alone? There is not much to plot hook from in the text.

I like the visual: an inky black, shadow butterfly with a death’s head is cool. I can dig the spell stealing. It just needs some rounding into form.

Name: Aurvik
Race: Dwarf
Class: Barbarian 4
Adventure: Shards of Sin
Location: Sihedron Shrine(I think)
Catalyst: KO'd by Shriezyx(-4 hp)

Name: Mac
Race: Clockwork Servant
Adventure: Shards of Sin
Location: Sihedron Shrine(I think)
Catalyst: Destroyed by Shriezyx

The Gory Details:

The party entered the room, slightly worn and out of offensive/fire spells(lack of a true blaster & coming from a protracted combat chasing Khrysm). One of the shriezyx critical failed its initial attack and webbed the other.

The unhindered shriezyx and the raging(low ac) barbarian get to beating each other, with the barbarian eventually falling. He is immediately revived by the life oracle's channeling and supported by the party's fighter. The shriezyx then falls to the combined effort.

Mac, the activated clockwork, stalled and weakened the hindered shriezyx with some assistance from the witch's debuffing. It was damaged beyond repair about the time the first shriezyx was cut down.

The class skills are determined by the creature type, though. For outsiders, they're Bluff, Craft, Knowledge (planes), Perception, Sense Motive, and Stealth.

That means, it can't be a class skill for these critters. However, you could have given it a racial bonus to its Climb skills to give it that boost. That's perfectly legitimate.

Outsiders get 4 bonus class skills of the designers choice, also...

The critter should have 6 class skills, but you gave it the bonus 3 on all 7...

The crimson skin of this misshapen, hairless humanoid is mottled with purple blotches. It flexes sickled claws as lipless flesh curls back revealing a wide maw of broken, jagged, blackened canines.

Nightmare Child CR 1
XP 400
CE Small outsider (native)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., dream scent; Perception +6

----- Defense -----
AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 size)
hp 13 (2d10+2)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1
Immune sleep

----- Offense -----
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee bite +4 (1d3+1), 2 claws +4 (1d4+1)
Special Attacks born of dreams, dream maker, sandman touch
----- Statistics -----
Str 13, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +2; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Improved Initiative
Skills Acrobatics +7, Climb +6, Disable Device +7, Escape Artist +7, Perception +6, Sleight of Hand +7, Stealth +11
Languages Common

----- Ecology -----
Environment any urban (Ustalav)
Organization solitary, pair, or trance (3–6)
Treasure none

----- Special Abilities -----
Born of Dreams (Su) Once per night, as a free action, a nightmare child can draw life energy...

I'll give you some feedback, why not...

First read, I like the overall theme. Its a dream eater, pretty cool. Good, evocative, and related name.

Skills seemed to be high, especially with low CR. I think you've added an extra class skill. Outsiders get preception & stealth + 4 additional class skills of designers choice. 2 HD, 6 + 1/HD(Int)= 14 skill points + size bonus for stealth. I'm coming up 3 point strong on a skill.

I don't think Born of Dreams is the right name for that ability... It needs a dynamic name. The nightmare child is feeding on dreams, and Born of Dreams is a very passive name- makes me think of a constant(maybe defensive) ability.

Sandman Touch- Is that the first attack per day? Ever? Per round? Does that replace its normal attack?

Your monster text has some awkward turns of phrase and disjointed thought ordering.

Overall, I like the concept. There is a wicked good monster ready to be chiselled out. :)

Congrats to those moving on!

I'll confess that I am just happy to have gotten this far.

Take a monster that fits your encounter and make it shine!

Well, I guess I can take a minute to run through some thoughts.

I made a couple of glaring missteps.

I failed to tie it to the setting. Rookie mistake. I was under the impression that the monster had to fit in the world more so then be tightly connected. I will admit I'm not super knowledgable about Golarion, so I erred on the side of world agnostic. Obviously a poor choice.

Breath weapon? Should gave given it one... It was a conscious decision. I was trying to differentiate it from the classic dragon, but just lost the flavor and some of the dragon coolness.

I actually had a nastier disease prepped, but swapped it to filth fever to tie closer to the rats. Another poor decision.

The look? Hit or miss. I don't regret that choice though. I really think a dragon in the city would draw a ton of attention. How do you avoid it? By looking less like a dragon at a glance...

I think the core idea was good, but I could have executed it better.

Thanks for all the feedback, and please keep it coming.

I seriously considered guttersnipe as a name. A few times... I'm glad I didn't use it. :)

I really liked what you did. It's interesting to see the differences between the dragon concepts.

Anyone got a reccomendation for a good session ale you can get in the Midwest?

I'd prefer if it wasn't a pilsner.

Boulevard 80 acre hoppy wheat?

Founders All Day IPA?

Nugget nectar is awesome!!,, as soon as it hits my local, I will be buying my case.

Nope. Used to play it with my parents.

Thank you for your time, good sir! I am not sure how you manage to scrape the time together, but it is much appreciated. I wanted a lot more feedback on my item. I believe my making it to the round of 32 has limited the amount of feedback I would have normally received, as well as the rest of my compatriots here in the guildhall.

Hopefully people will be open to coming back after the fact and giving their opinions. I would have posted it in the critique my item thread, but I thought that would be crass and possibly break one of the competition rules.

I feel the same way. This is my first attempt, any and all feedback is helpful. More is definitely better. :)

Robert Brookes wrote:

I think that's why they're also lower CR monsters. There is considerably less to take into account on a low CR creature than there is for something of CR 7 (last year's CR range.)

I'm surprised there were so few CR 1 monsters. I had presumed most people would go that route, and decided to go outside towards a higher CR. My original concept involved a low CR creature that could have become a familiar for a wizard with Improved Familiar.

Sorry, have I missed something? How do you know there are few CR1 monsters?

Adam Daigle said as much in another thread.

I loved the Wheel of Time. It gets some knocks, and drags in the middle, but there are so many cool concepts/scenes.

Desperately trying to find and/or order some of Ommegang's Game of Thrones beers for Mrs Gersen to drink when Season 3 comes out on DVD. "Taking the Black Stout" sounds delicious... Obtaining any kind of alcohol in PA is always fraught with hurdles.

I have a bottle of Take the Black waiting for just such an occasion...

Good Luck, everyone!

Yup. I had to stop the load to copy the monster template. I've had the problem on explorer & chrome, but not safari...

I've been feeling that dread for a couple days... I'm not sure whether I'm more afraid of getting lambasted in the feedback or going through this again with an encounter.

I'm usually a bit terse, so I ended up close to the minimum word count...

**snip

88) Gloves of Mercurial Synthesis
The Good: Superstar idea but you got ninjaed by a slightly better execution in the top 32.
The Bad: I would have stuck with cold iron and silver.
The Ugly: Ok so this is awesome for monks and nat attackbut the other one (quicksilver gauntlers...) extended it into a weapon. IF your two executions had a baby the child would be an instant classic item as is both lack a little luster in the light of the other.
Overall: 4.5 stars- Just a little outside. You'd make my top 100, these were well done.

I actually kicked around letting the quicksilver gloves make unarmed attacks bypass damage reduction, but dropped it to avoid overpowering the item. Maybe that would have been an improvement... I appreciate the insight and parallel thought process. :)

Here goes:

Cloak of Inversion(100)
Hymnbook of Life’s Laments(100)
Ironmorph Dust(32)
Quicksilver Gloves(32)
Satchel of Subterfuge
Scourge Vial(32)
Skinflayer's Scalpel
Steel Aurochs
Swordbelt of Duelist
Torc of the Master Woodcutter
Veil of Tranquility
Baldric of Revealing Mists(100)
Belt of the Evolutionist
Bog Boots(32)
Candle of Dreams
Charlatan's Symbol(32)
Chrysalis Vial(100)
Cilice of Shared Suffering
Cloak of Ettinkind(100)
Dart of Dumbfounded Departure
Driftwood Token(100)
Duplicitous Seal
Echoing Stone(100)
Fleshless Shroud(100)
Headband of the Peacetime Soldier
Hedgewall Seed Pouch(32)
Lantern of Solace
Leshy Paste
Ogre's Fingers
Pixie's Pellet Pouch
Mage-string(100)
Kidnapper's Cufflinks