Been reading on various message boards today, and there's been a lot of pissing and moaning that any movie will suck, that the game is too generic to hang anything engaging off of.
Wrath of the Titans and Red Riding Hood failed for precisely the same reasons- a lackluster, generic, overly fiddly script and rushed, ugly VFX. They both felt like half made movies that left 20 minutes on the floor- 20 minutes of unnecessary, fiddly exposition, but 20 minutes that were integral to prop up a poor script. Both also failed as monster movies because they were afraid to show off their monsters- they rushed about like blurry, shadowy messes of fur and teeth. Say what you like about Peter Jackson, but he's not afraid to show off his monsters and let the audience drink in the visuals, rather then rushing about in a CGI tornado. Give us a Beholder or a Mindflayer villain to hang on to, or some terrifying Drow and we'll be set. No Orcs- don't try and compete with LotR- look at other Goblinoids or the Gith maybe. Give us stuff no audience has seen before, but is familiar to players- it's not like there's a shortage of ideas. Protagonists can be as broad as you like- Star Wars succeeded because of the archetypes they used- we don't need a whole lot of inner conflict and angst, but some sharp writing ala. The Princess Bride. But like I said; nail the monsters in D&D: The Movie and it'll be a franchise that can run and run.
Hey guys-
Frank Miller, maverick comics legend turned reactionary xenophobe, thinks most of the Occupy Wall Street protesters are entitled, basement-dwelling Gamers who play "Lord of Warcraft"and live with their parents.
Isn't it nice to feel included?
ProfessorCirno wrote:
Agreed- that's just nutty. Rather then some kind libertarian mass sterilization, how about a few well run Family Planning clinics and associated school programs? Time and time again, FP has been internationally shown to be the supercharger for getting people out of poverty.
ProfessorCirno wrote:
Good grief, I knew the waters were good and chummed by this point, but jeez. Overprivileged? The lady's a teacher- she's hardly a fat cat, and while she's not 100% on a lot of her points, she doesn't deserve such snide contempt. The fact that you've done two out of the three suggestions anyway seems to indicate you're hardly diametrically opposed to each other. I'm a pretty hard Liberal, but I've not been so blinkered that I cannot see some value in a reasoned opinion, even if I don't like all of it. It certainly beats the empty-headed "they need more guns to shoot 'em all" jingle that's been knocked out this thread I lived in London (Lewisham) about ten years ago and it's sad to see a neighborhood I liked gut itself so harshly. That said, the tension cracks were visible in 2001- I can't imagine how much worse it got in the years since, considering what's been going on in the UK.
Really? The messageboard's Culture Warriors are picking London as their new battlefield of choice? Here's a view from the coalface that offers more then just simple soundbites.
Megan A wrote:
No problem- just sent images to customer service for your inspection.
Hi folks,
Sara Marie wrote:
Thanks Sara Marie- prompt and satisfactory service as always!
I don't know if it's too late for suggestions, but here's my two cents based on what I was reading at that age: Ursula Le Guin- The Earthsea Books, starting with A Wizard of Earthsea- Another Magic School, but in my opinion, Le Guin kicks Rowling's ass in terms of impact per page. Lord Dunsany- Time & The Gods, The King of Elfland's Daughter or The Charwoman's Shadow: A bit older in style, but I remember being mesmerized by them at age 14, and they lead naturally to the Dreamlands stuff by Lovecraft (which was a homage to Dunsany's stuff).
Neil Gaiman- American Gods: I've not come across a teenager that didn't love anything by Gaiman. Stephen King- The Eye of the Dragon: King's foray into fantasy, and one he wrote for his kids. I second Dark Materials, Prydain and with the latter in mind, I might suggest Michael Scott's Irish Folk and Fairy Tales.
Kthulhu wrote:
You're right of course, but I was thrown by the site saying I could download right after purchase. I suspect I'm going to be a very happy camper indeed.
tsathogga wrote: PDF will be $25. It will be out soon. The Paizo store will likely have a LIMITED supply of copies. One printing only though.The pdf will be released as soon as it goes to the printer (probably 2-3 weeks). the hardcover...STITCH BOUND book will take 45 days or so to get from the printer, to me, and then to you....so patience is required. This thing is just bloody huge. Cool- I just preordered and was wondering where the PDF was- clearly Paizo has me spoiled :) Will the print book be B&W or color?
firbolg wrote:
Just an update since my last post here: Well, Borders filed for Bankruptcy- just got back from the closeout sale at my local Store. Only 20% most of their stuff- making it comparable with Amazon, so I passed on a lot of it. The one interesting thing was the Gaming Section. It had been pretty much picked over (even the Map Packs and old heroclix were all snapped up), apart from a full shelf of new 4E and one beat up copy of Pathfinder. I hope Drogon's Wife is weathering the storm okay!
Hi guys,
2010 was the second solid year of growth in the Hobby Game Market (I suspect as a result of a "back to basics" shift in popular culture, ala. The Family Game Night campaign.
LazarX wrote:
Not Activision, CCP, publishers of EVE Online. Unfortunately, since they're based out of Iceland, that's not looking too rosy either.
Drogon wrote:
Sorry Drogon, I can't agree- a new Local Flagship may be part of this restructuring, but when distributors stop flogging a dead horse and won't ship any stock to you, because you can't pay your invoices, then it amounts to little more then folding out a lounge chair on the Titanic. I expect that if Borders does make it though the next few years, it'll be a ghost of itself, probably a few regional outlets. Books-a-Million (#3) may be taking a beating, but they've been pragmatic enough to ally themselves with the B&N Nook and haven't lost the faith of distributors like Borders has managed to do.
Dragonsong wrote:
If your wife's store can hold out, I don't think Borders will be a problem for much longer. The chain is in dire financial straits, and has tried to sell itself off on numerous occasions (even B&N won't touch it with a barge pole). In the medium term, I expect it to close it's doors. It will suck for the Publishing Industry, but frankly, it's just not "too big to fail". EDIT: As further proof, Borders is shutting down one of their three national distribution centers. As of right now, the chain is being propped up by the larger publishing houses, but in the long term, the situation is pretty untenable. Don't get me wrong, I loved my local Borders, but it was far too genteel and unresponsive in this current market, so was unsurprised when I found myself at their closing down sale last January.
If you think things are bad with B&N, you've not been following what's been going on with Borders. Long and the short of it is that Diamond, who stock Borders with Graphic Novels, along with Fantasy Flight and Paizo Products, is no longer shipping stock to the chain, due to unpaid bills.
Mageye wrote: I see a therapist for bipolar disorder and also am part of a assemblies of god church. I had a visit with my therapist today. Well I decided since I had quite a bit of a wait before my appointment to read my Pathfinder core rulebook in the waiting room since I wanted to refresh myself on the rules. Well my therapist ask if he could look at the book and I said sure he then went on to tell me that being a christian man that I shouldn't play games like pathfinder that they promote the work of the devil. I later after the appointment was thinking about this when I got a phone call from the pastor of the church I go to about something there putting on anyway I asked the Pastor about his thoughts on D&D and he said he had no comments on that subject. So I guess I'm wondering whats so bad about the game that makes these men say I shouldn't play it? Like almost everyone else, I can only comment on what has been shared here, but it seems to me that while there may be a case for roleplaying eroding the line between fantasy and reality, to bring "Devils" into the discussion is both unprofessional and possibly dangerous. Therapy should be a mental health practice, one that like most health services should be rigorously scientific and held to the highest ethical standards. To bring in one's own religious beliefs and more importantly, to frame the discussion in those terms is going seriously off the reservation. That said, am I right in thinking that your therapist is part of your Church? If so, that opens a whole different set of issues and you may need to consider going to a Psychiatrist that doesn't have a religious axe to grind. While the comfort of faith and a Church can be invaluable for those with bipolar disorder, a parallel course of therapy at the same time could help delineate what is spiritual support, and what is mental medicine.
NeoFax wrote:
Yup, a revised, more region specific Setting Book is coming. In the meantime, the PDF of the setting for 3.5 Rules is really excellent. A companion "Oriental Adventures" book is coming out also in the coming Year, if I remember correctly, along with an accompanying AP. So welcome aboard! Now, where are the cookies?
A Starfleet Academy spinoff had been in development hell since the 80's, so I'm guessing that that particular notion got it's nearest expression in the reboot.
I don't know if this was covered before, but Sword and Sorcery's Scarred Land Setting Featured a Sacred Prostitute Prestige Class- The Courtesan of Idra, specializing in seduction and the acquisition of secrets via pillow talk, as well as access to a sorority of agents and support across the campaign world.
As you can see, there's no shortage of advice about how to scare your players, but it comes down to two- make them feel vulnerable and isolated. The best resource I've come across is GURPS Horror- it's pretty much a crunch lite dissection of what is scary and how to bring those scares into a game- far superior to Heroes of Horror, imho. I've been playing CoC for years and find a number of tricks that will get your players on edge: Play when it's dark, preferably without curtains- it's a basic one, but if you've ever tried to tell a ghost story on a sunny morning, you'll know just how it feels. Low creepy music on random/loop. pick you poison, but it has to be the kind of thing that can be present without being invasive. Get them uncomfortable- it doesn't have to be much, just enough to make them fidget a bit- I used to get everyone to share a couch, that way, their own tension would feed off each other and slowly make them more jumpy. Speak low- not a whisper, but enough that everyone quiets down and strains to hear you clearly- tenses the body like you'd not imagine. Add real jeopardy- madness, taint or just plain death/ mutilation- these mechanics, if used properly, can make a group be very very hesitant to go kicking in door willy nilly. Don't be too quick to show the shark- remember Jaws? With horrible things like mindflayers, give the players a preview of what they can expect- hollowed out craniums, or even witnessing a feeding- play it up and use your powers of description to give the feeling that they may be well overmatched. Mess with their safety zones- There are plenty of creatures or mechanisms to disable or negate a cocky players go-to Feats or Spells.
Look, if you like 3.5, but feel it has some quirks that need work, then I'd definitely recommend it- maybe not everything will be fixed to your satisfaction, but you'll have a clean slate to start from, while not making upgrading your older materials a chore.
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I noticed that when I got my other 4-star gm scenarios, that I had received a good portion of what I was supposed to get, but I had missed out on a few scenarios, listed below. I do have access to everything else I'm supposed to (Bonekeep level 1 and 2, Serpents Rise, and Serpents Ire). Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 3: The Wakening Tomb
Thanks for the help.
I sent an email a few days ago, but my local VC suggested that I post online here in the forums rather than call or send another email. Over this past weekend (January 26-28), I Gm'd a few games at TPKon, and got my 100th game. I know it's generally perceived as a slow process to get the scenarios released, but my static group was wondering when we were going to be playing our next games. The next game on my docket was planning on being Serpents Rise. I was wondering if there is usually an expected wait time, realistically? Thanks for any help.
First and foremost, I apologize for the length of this post. So...I'm running Reign of Winter in campaign mode on Roll20. Before I get to the nitty gritty of my specific question, here's some pertinent info. The modules in the adventure path's sanctioned content level as thus -
Also, hidden as a spoiler in case you really don't want to know, Chronicle Boon:
Rider: You asked to become one of Baba Yaga’s Three Riders, and you must leave Golarion for a time to serve your new mistress before returning. You cannot play this character or apply credit to him until two years after the date on this Chronicle sheet. When the character returns, he is one of Baba Yaga’s Riders and can cast phantom steed at will (CL 13th). Furthermore, treat this boon as if it were two Mantle of the Black Rider boons for the prupose of calculating other Mantle of the Black Rider boons’ bonuses, even allowing those boons to exceed the +6 maximum bonus. I rolled up a 1st level character specifically to attach all of the boons from this adventure path to. Now, the first module, I understand that I can apply the GM credit chronicle sheet to the character no problem, as the character is 1st level anyways (hasn't had any credit applied to her yet). That will instantly jump the character up to 2nd level (3 xp, 4 prestige). What about for the rest of the chronicle sheets? Would she have to be in a level appropriate range to have received the chronicle normally? For instance, in order to apply the 2nd chronicle sheet (requiring a level range of 5-7), would I have to have to do a mixture of 9 xp via playing and gming scenarios? The only reason why I ask this is because of the following. Pathfinder Adventure Path: Reign of Winter (Rules and Chronicle Sheets) said wrote: ...Alternatively, if you are participating in the Reign of Winter Adventure Path with an ongoing group undertaking the entire, six-chapter campaign, you may receive credit for playing the sanctioned portions of the adventure as if you had played a pregenerated character... and Pathfinder Adventure Path: Reign of Winter (Rules and Chronicle Sheets) said wrote: ...All players receive a Chronicle sheet unless, at the GM’s discretion, they are replaying the Adventure Path for no credit. If a player uses an existing Pathfinder Society character for the adventure, he must apply the Chronicle sheet to that character immediately. A player who uses a pregenerated character must hold the Chronicle sheet until his character reaches the level of the pregenerated character... vs. Pathfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide (ver 7.0) said wrote: In conclusion: My curiousity lies in whether
Finally, so that I can explain it to my players appropriately, do they get the same options?
from secondary success requirements...
John Compton wrote:
from Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play: Double-Take... John Compton and/or Mike Brock wrote: ...Perhaps you thought Pathfinder Society Scenario #3–14159: Death by Pie was amazing when you played it the first time, but you are sad to have missed the opportunity to play it with your pastry totem barbarian who took the mathematical prodigy trait. You replay it for credit using one of your replay credits, and now you have one replay left. Is there anyone else out there *really* interested in checking out this scenario? I mean, I understand *now* that it was a fake scenario, especially using Pi for the number in the sanctioned content list, but i'm a little sad that it jumps from "PFS Scenario #3-14: Wonders in the Weave—Part II: Snakes in the Fold" to "PFS Scenario #3-15: The Haunting of Hinojai". Anyone else notice this lack-of-pie-based-scenarios? Lol, tbh, I was looking for it so I could see what tiers it was so I could run my PFS group through it. I was hoping for a magical pie boon.
Heya! Wasn't entirely too sure where to post this specifically, but anyone who has the experience to inform me, feel free to chime in. Currently, I'm GMing on average about 6 games a month. 4 of which are part of a sanctioned adventure path (Reign of Winter), there other 2 games are various scenarios. Reading both the rules that are listed in the supplement for chronicle sheets for Reign of Winter, as well as the Guide to Organized Play, that if a PC is involved in the Adventure path, they can't be involved otherwise in organized play. Here's where things get murky. The group that I'm running the adventure path through are using custom rules based characters (essentially pfs character creation rules with a looser interpretation of races allowed), and as far as applying credit rules are concerned, they're doing the equivalent of pre-generated characters. Does the rule of a character that's involved in a sanctioned module/adventure path not being allowed to play scenarios apply to this situation? My interpretation is no. As long as the character was no higher than say 2nd level with 5 xp total, they can apply the credit from the first module Reign of Winter adventure path (levels 1-2). Then, for the second adventure module in the adventure path (levels 5-7), as long as they were within 15 to 23 xp (5th through 7th level), they could immediately apply credit from the second adventure. Any less, they would have to hold the chronicle sheet and apply it at 5th level. Any more, they would have to apply it to a second character. Am I wrong in this way of thinking?
So. Here's a little bit of preface... I've got a character in a new campaign. There are firearms allowed, and I'm playing an inquisitor with the Sanctified Slayer archetype, w/ the black powder inquisition. At 1st level, I gain...
This ability replaces judgment 1/day.
Slightly associated question - Since I already have proficiency with firearms (a further moot point, as in the level of tech in this campaign setting, all firearms are martial weapons anyways), would I need firearm training to get the grit rogue talent offered at 2nd level as a slayer? It'd save me a feat I was going to take anyways (amateur gunslinger w/quick clear, *praying* i dont get any huge misfires until then), and I get a bonus feat that's grit related that I have no idea what I'm going to blow on yet. Thoughts?
Heya! Quick question for those more informed. I'm looking at making a Monk of the Empty Hand, and I'm planning ahead at feats I'd like to take. Rule of Cool, I'm sure I could convince my DM to let me take WF (Chair) and such, but i'd like to look at it from a RAW point of view, if I may. I'm looking at feats like say...WF, Improved Critical, etc that require you to specify a weapon.
Benefit: When using the weapon you selected, your threat range is doubled. Special: You can gain Improved Critical multiple times. The effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new type of weapon. This effect doesn't stack with any other effect that expands the threat range of a weapon.
The only reason why I would even bring this up, is because the State of Oregon recongizes Nike shoes to be deadly weapons, and a man got convicted to 100 years in jail for beating someone to death with them.
Here's a quote from the oracle of Lore's revelation that I have a question about. Whirlwind Lesson (Ex): You can quickly browse through a magical tome or manual, gaining its benefits with only a single 8-hour study session (rather than the usual 48 hours over a period of 6 days). At 7th level, you may allow another character to join in your study; both of you gain the full benefit of having read the book. At 15th level, you may share your whirlwind lesson with a number of characters equal to your oracle level. The benefits to you are permanent, whereas your students gain the tome or manual’s benefits for a number of days equal to your Charisma modifier but then forget what they have learned. I have an Oracle of Lore, and although I'm a ways away from hitting 7th level, I have a habit of planning ahead. I've been scouring the forums as well as the additional resources page, and have not seen anything about this. Let's say that my oracle of lore literally runs every scenario, 1st through 7th, with another party member. They become comrades, get comfortable working together, etc. If I were to purchase a tome, could I read him a story, granting him the benefits of the tome? I understand that at no point, can we go halfsies on a tome. I know that permanent buffs go away at the end of a scenario...are tomes included in this ruling?
After playing pathfinder and 3.5 for years now, I've decided to jump into the deep end and start playing some PFSOP. I understand that in order to play certain races and class combinations, etc, I need the physical books and/or watermarked .pdf's. Not a problem. I *did* however notice that I missed the deadline to be able to play a tiefling or an aasimar, though. Apparently now you need..something called a boon, granted from a chronicle card? It's my understanding that chronicle cards are given after a scenario. Is there a specific way to get this boon? Are they randomly generated, or can I do a specific module or scenario to get these boons? or am I looking at this entirely wrong? Thanks for any help and advice in advance.
First and foremost, if you're not familiar with the discovery, here's the text from the srd.
Balanced Summoning said wrote:
So, here's my question. When you're using this arcane discovery, does it essentially move down the possible summons, allowing me to summon double the amount? Let's take a look at say...Summon Monster IV.
Summon Monster IV said wrote: This spell functions like summon monster I, except that you can summon one creature from the 4th-level list, 1d3 creatures of the same kind from the 3rd-level list, or 1d4+1 creatures of the same kind from a lower-level list. Essentially, without the discovery, you're looking at 1d4+1 creatures of the same kind from either the 1st or 2nd level list. Could this then, in essence, pull 1d4+1 creatures, twice, still following the rules for the discovery? Say...1d4+1 Fiendish Dire Rats and 1d4+1 Celestial Fire Beetles? I would even go so far as to argue that per the discovery, you would have to summon the same amount, ie 1d4+1 rolled once, and as per the example above, you'd summon that amount of Fiendish Dire Rats and Celestial Fire Beetles. Just my own opinion on that, though. I haven't been able to find any errata or other threads on this topic, though, and was thinking of using it in my own game. |