paizo.com Recent Posts by richard develynpaizo.com Recent Posts by richard develyn2024-03-06T14:04:40Z2024-03-06T14:04:40ZRe: Forums: Giantslayer: Battle of Bloodmarch Hill (GM Reference)richard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rvsl&page=4?Battle-of-Bloodmarch-Hill#1832020-12-05T06:02:51Z2020-10-29T12:24:53Z<p>Three sessions in, running with 6 PCs, not modifying anything in the module so letting the XPs and treasure fall where they may.</p>
<p>Just finished the plague house and they're now going up a level. They also have enough cash to buy themselves a wand of CLW (sovereign glue is very valuable, especially since there has to be an ounce of salve of sliperiness in with it).</p>
<p>They investigated the plague house during the day, so the half orc and flood troll weren't there. Then they set up an ambush for them at night and got them one at a time (actually, they tracked the flood troll back to its lair when the thing ran off - I added that encounter and a bit more treasure).</p>
<p>By my calculations, the party will go up to 3rd level just before the two major encounters in the tomb. I will allow them to just level up on the fly and automatically get any new stuff (hp, spell slots, and so on) as it happens (my logic is that PCs do all the levelling up "work" on an ongoing day-by-day basis and that the levelling up event represents that final moment of revelation when everything comes together and makes level-up sense!)</p>
<p>Enjoying it so far :-)</p>
<p>Richard</p>Three sessions in, running with 6 PCs, not modifying anything in the module so letting the XPs and treasure fall where they may.
Just finished the plague house and they're now going up a level. They also have enough cash to buy themselves a wand of CLW (sovereign glue is very valuable, especially since there has to be an ounce of salve of sliperiness in with it).
They investigated the plague house during the day, so the half orc and flood troll weren't there. Then they set up an ambush for...richard develyn2020-10-29T12:24:53ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Panataxia (PFRPG)richard develynhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy92i6/discuss?Panataxia#192020-08-21T18:00:24Z2020-08-21T18:00:24Z<p>Thank you, guys!</p>Thank you, guys!richard develyn2020-08-21T18:00:24ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: natural attacks from items, when already have other natural attacksrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42pr5?natural-attacks-from-items-when-already-have#52019-08-18T09:42:07Z2019-08-18T09:42:07Z<p>thank you everyone :-)</p>thank you everyone :-)richard develyn2019-08-18T09:42:07ZForums: Rules Questions: natural attacks from items, when already have other natural attacksrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42pr5?natural-attacks-from-items-when-already-have#12019-08-17T16:01:24Z2019-08-17T16:01:24Z<p>are they primary or secondary?</p>
<p>i.e. a sorcerer shape changes into a creature with natural attacks, who then wears something which gives him even more natural attacks.</p>
<p>are these second lot of natural attacks primary or secondary?</p>
<p>Richard</p>are they primary or secondary?
i.e. a sorcerer shape changes into a creature with natural attacks, who then wears something which gives him even more natural attacks.
are these second lot of natural attacks primary or secondary?
Richardrichard develyn2019-08-17T16:01:24ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: The adversarial GM vs Player Relationshiprichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42piu&page=2?The-adversarial-GM-vs-Player-Relationship#952019-08-16T10:25:34Z2019-08-16T10:25:34Z<p>Back in 2011 I kicked off a discussion along these lines:</p>
<p>https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ls27&page=1?Is-GMing-fun-any-more</p>
<p>because I felt that if a GM is just supposed to mindlessly deliver a core experience then why on earth would anyone want to do it?</p>
<p>In all the years I've been playing and GMing, the appeal of being a GM has been that it was "your" game, that you weren't totally constrained in what you could do and that you could, therefore, be creative.</p>
<p>So, sure, Pathfinder is a co-operative experience, but part of that co-operation has to include enough in it for the GM to agree to put in all the time and effort to want to do it in the first place.</p>
<p>Or you can decided that GMing is a no-fun part of the game and have everyone takes turns.</p>
<p>Richard</p>Back in 2011 I kicked off a discussion along these lines:
https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ls27&page=1?Is-GMing-fun-any-more
because I felt that if a GM is just supposed to mindlessly deliver a core experience then why on earth would anyone want to do it?
In all the years I've been playing and GMing, the appeal of being a GM has been that it was "your" game, that you weren't totally constrained in what you could do and that you could, therefore, be creative.
So, sure, Pathfinder is a...richard develyn2019-08-16T10:25:34ZRe: Forums: Rules Discussion: Forced into small spacerichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42p2c?Forced-into-small-space#62019-08-12T16:02:59Z2019-08-12T16:02:59Z<p>Excellent, thank you.</p>
<p>I imagine the smaller one would be prone (i.e. you fall into a 10' sq pit with a tiger in), but if they're both the same size I see no reason why they shouldn't both be prone.</p>
<p>Cheers</p>
<p>Richard</p>Excellent, thank you.
I imagine the smaller one would be prone (i.e. you fall into a 10' sq pit with a tiger in), but if they're both the same size I see no reason why they shouldn't both be prone.
Cheers
Richardrichard develyn2019-08-12T16:02:59ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: The Horn of Geryon (PFRPG)richard develynhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy951h/discuss?The-Horn-of-Geryon#332019-08-26T12:54:39Z2019-08-12T14:28:10Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Phaedre wrote:</div><blockquote> Richard: I bought a half dozen of the Four Dollar Adventures a few years ago, and they are some of the best one off adventures I've ever read. They're creative, with a ton of detail, and have that specific flair of managing to present situations that the PCs need to deal with or solve without necessarily laying out a railroad they're expected to follow. You've done excellent work, and while I know that indie publishers get very little feedback or response, I just wanted to let you know that your work was extraordinarily appreciated. </blockquote><p>Thank you very much - I'm pleased you enjoyed them, and I very much appreciate the feedback.
<p>I'd love you to share any favourite moments, if you have any. You're right that indie publishers are always feedback-starved, so even if you can't think of any thank you very much just for putting up your message.</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>Phaedre wrote:Richard: I bought a half dozen of the Four Dollar Adventures a few years ago, and they are some of the best one off adventures I've ever read. They're creative, with a ton of detail, and have that specific flair of managing to present situations that the PCs need to deal with or solve without necessarily laying out a railroad they're expected to follow. You've done excellent work, and while I know that indie publishers get very little feedback or response, I just wanted to let...richard develyn2019-08-12T14:28:10ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: The Horn of Geryon (PFRPG)richard develynhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy951h/discuss?The-Horn-of-Geryon#312019-08-26T12:53:20Z2019-08-12T13:22:24Z<p>Four more years have passed and Horn of Geryon has passed the 300 sales mark.</p>
<p>(and my daughter, who's 26 going on 27, still doesn't go anywhere without her rabbit!)</p>
<p>I stopped writing these adventures some time ago but obviously I still keep track of the sales. They've more or less trickled to a close now, except every now and then I get a surprise such as when someone bought all 10 a couple of months back.</p>
<p>They're still pretty good value, let's face it, even if you just use them to cannibalise ideas.</p>
<p>As PF1 comes to an end and PF2 rises from the ashes, I'm pleased that my most popular adventure has crossed the 300 sales mark, before sales of the line disappear completely.</p>
<p>So many thanks to the 300 purchasers and to everyone else who bought Four Dollar Dungeons.</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>Four more years have passed and Horn of Geryon has passed the 300 sales mark.
(and my daughter, who's 26 going on 27, still doesn't go anywhere without her rabbit!)
I stopped writing these adventures some time ago but obviously I still keep track of the sales. They've more or less trickled to a close now, except every now and then I get a surprise such as when someone bought all 10 a couple of months back.
They're still pretty good value, let's face it, even if you just use them to...richard develyn2019-08-12T13:22:24ZRe: Forums: Rules Discussion: Forced into small spacerichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42p2c?Forced-into-small-space#22019-08-11T08:57:00Z2019-08-11T08:57:00Z<p>I guess there’s still no real answer to this.</p>
<p>I remember asking this about PF1 years ago where we had someone fall into a 10’sq pit holding a tiger (a large animal).</p>
<p>What’s supposed to happen? I asked.</p>
<p>Don’t let it happen - seemed to be the answer.</p>
<p>That cannot be an answer. It is, IMO, fundamental to an RPG that anything that we can sensibly imagine happening in our fantasy world should be allowed to happen in that fantasy world. This open-endedness is what separates an RPG from a board game.</p>
<p>Not allowing two creatures to occupy the same space is a convenience for combat, in much the same way that lack of facing is a convenience for combat, but neither of these things should be allowed to subvert the open-ended nature of adventuring in the fantasy world. If two unarmoured characters want to have a cuddle in the middle of combat they should be allowed to do so. If someone wants to wait until someone’s back is turned before they do something then they should be allowed to do so. These are reasonable things for PCs to ask to do in an open-ended game. It would be nice if PF2 had something to say on these two things rather than leave it to house rules.</p>
<p>Richard</p>I guess there’s still no real answer to this.
I remember asking this about PF1 years ago where we had someone fall into a 10’sq pit holding a tiger (a large animal).
What’s supposed to happen? I asked.
Don’t let it happen - seemed to be the answer.
That cannot be an answer. It is, IMO, fundamental to an RPG that anything that we can sensibly imagine happening in our fantasy world should be allowed to happen in that fantasy world. This open-endedness is what separates an RPG from a board...richard develyn2019-08-11T08:57:00ZForums: Rules Discussion: Forced into small spacerichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42p2c?Forced-into-small-space#12019-08-10T15:52:21Z2019-08-10T15:52:21Z<p>What happens when two creatures are forced into the same space, as in for example two medium sized creatures falling into a 5'square pit?</p>
<p>Richard</p>What happens when two creatures are forced into the same space, as in for example two medium sized creatures falling into a 5'square pit?
Richardrichard develyn2019-08-10T15:52:21ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Second Edition: General Discussion: Is "Pathfinder 2nd Edition" a better game then "Pathfinder 1st Edition"?richard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42nuw&page=6?Is-Pathfinder-2nd-Edition-a-better-game-then#2752019-08-09T19:43:45Z2019-08-09T12:28:53Z<p>Well, I've just started getting aquainted with PF2, and I didn't do the playtest, but so far I'm encouraged.</p>
<p>What I'm looking for in the new system is a consistent set of meta-rules.</p>
<p>Meta-rules are the axioms of the world. They determine things like roughly how powerful should a nth level spell or ability be, or what can you expect from a feat. It underpins the world with a sanity which maintains suspension of disbelief (IMVHO).</p>
<p>This should stop min-maxing and other sorts of exploitations, and future proof the game as long as the axioms are never broken.</p>
<p>Looking at the way everything is so carefully "typed", it encourages me to think that a lot of time and effort has been put into these axioms. Going forwards, I hope the editorial team will be dilligent in ensuring that future rules of any sort stick to them.</p>
<p>Richard</p>Well, I've just started getting aquainted with PF2, and I didn't do the playtest, but so far I'm encouraged.
What I'm looking for in the new system is a consistent set of meta-rules.
Meta-rules are the axioms of the world. They determine things like roughly how powerful should a nth level spell or ability be, or what can you expect from a feat. It underpins the world with a sanity which maintains suspension of disbelief (IMVHO).
This should stop min-maxing and other sorts of exploitations,...richard develyn2019-08-09T12:28:53ZRe: Forums: Advice: Misfortune Mathsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42l78?Misfortune-Maths#172019-06-10T09:11:14Z2019-06-10T09:11:14Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Melkiador wrote:</div><blockquote><p> You’ve already shown the numbers but to calculate misfortune you take your odds of hitting and square them. If you hit on 11 or better then 10 out of 20 rolls will normally hit. With misfortune you square those numbers so 100 out of 400 roll sets will hit, which is 25%. </p>
<p>For advantage you do something similar but square the odds for missing instead of for hitting to find the new miss chance. To convert the miss chance to a hit chance, then just subtract the result from 1, or subtract from 100% if you already jumped to making it a percent. </blockquote><p>OMG, that's so obvious now you've said it!
<p>Richard</p>Melkiador wrote:You’ve already shown the numbers but to calculate misfortune you take your odds of hitting and square them. If you hit on 11 or better then 10 out of 20 rolls will normally hit. With misfortune you square those numbers so 100 out of 400 roll sets will hit, which is 25%.
For advantage you do something similar but square the odds for missing instead of for hitting to find the new miss chance. To convert the miss chance to a hit chance, then just subtract the result from 1, or...richard develyn2019-06-10T09:11:14ZRe: Forums: Advice: Misfortune Mathsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42l78?Misfortune-Maths#152019-06-09T10:42:19Z2019-06-09T10:42:19Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">TheGreatWot wrote:</div><blockquote>I know firsthand how effective Misfortune is because the witch in my group shuts down every monster I throw at them with it. :( </blockquote><p>I have the same problem - it's a killer. I just wanted to point out just how much of a killer it is.
<p>Most of the encounters my PCs face will be hitting them on about a 15. Misfortune effectively reduces their hit rate by 7 in 10, and criticals disappear completely.</p>
<p>Richard</p>TheGreatWot wrote:I know firsthand how effective Misfortune is because the witch in my group shuts down every monster I throw at them with it. :(
I have the same problem - it's a killer. I just wanted to point out just how much of a killer it is. Most of the encounters my PCs face will be hitting them on about a 15. Misfortune effectively reduces their hit rate by 7 in 10, and criticals disappear completely.
Richardrichard develyn2019-06-09T10:42:19ZRe: Forums: Advice: Misfortune Mathsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42l78?Misfortune-Maths#142019-06-09T10:37:37Z2019-06-09T10:37:37Z<p>I actually didn't do the maths, BTW - I wrote a computer program to enumerate all the possibilities.</p>
<p>Obviously, there is some sort of neat mathematics behind this, because it's so symmetrical, but I haven't figured it out!</p>
<p>Richard</p>I actually didn't do the maths, BTW - I wrote a computer program to enumerate all the possibilities.
Obviously, there is some sort of neat mathematics behind this, because it's so symmetrical, but I haven't figured it out!
Richardrichard develyn2019-06-09T10:37:37ZRe: Forums: Advice: Misfortune Mathsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42l78?Misfortune-Maths#52019-06-07T20:28:12Z2019-06-07T11:31:50Z<p>Ok, so I've just done a bit more maths (actually, I did it the long way, so I'm not sure how the actual maths works), but I get that:</p>
<p>If your change of hitting is x %, then your effectiveness changes by 100 - x %, better if you roll twice and take the highest, worse if you roll twice and take the lowest.</p>
<p>So, if you need an 11, so you are 50% likely to hit, your effectiveness changes by 50% (of the 50%), so you are now 25% on the poor effect, 75% on the high effect.</p>
<p>If you need a 15, with a 30% chance to hit, your effectiveness changes by 70%, i.e. now 9% on lower and 51% on higher.</p>
<p>It you need a 1, then it makes no difference.</p>
<p>Here's the full table:</p>
<p>need a 20: normal 005.00%, take lower 000.25% (-95%) take higher 009.75% (+95%)
<br />
need a 19: normal 010.00%, take lower 001.00% (-90%) take higher 019.00% (+90%)
<br />
need a 18: normal 015.00%, take lower 002.25% (-85%) take higher 027.75% (+85%)
<br />
need a 17: normal 020.00%, take lower 004.00% (-80%) take higher 036.00% (+80%)
<br />
need a 16: normal 025.00%, take lower 006.25% (-75%) take higher 043.75% (+75%)
<br />
need a 15: normal 030.00%, take lower 009.00% (-70%) take higher 051.00% (+70%)
<br />
need a 14: normal 035.00%, take lower 012.25% (-65%) take higher 057.75% (+65%)
<br />
need a 13: normal 040.00%, take lower 016.00% (-60%) take higher 064.00% (+60%)
<br />
need a 12: normal 045.00%, take lower 020.25% (-55%) take higher 069.75% (+55%)
<br />
need a 11: normal 050.00%, take lower 025.00% (-50%) take higher 075.00% (+50%)
<br />
need a 10: normal 055.00%, take lower 030.25% (-45%) take higher 079.75% (+45%)
<br />
need a 09: normal 060.00%, take lower 036.00% (-40%) take higher 084.00% (+40%)
<br />
need a 08: normal 065.00%, take lower 042.25% (-35%) take higher 087.75% (+35%)
<br />
need a 07: normal 070.00%, take lower 049.00% (-30%) take higher 091.00% (+30%)
<br />
need a 06: normal 075.00%, take lower 056.25% (-25%) take higher 093.75% (+25%)
<br />
need a 05: normal 080.00%, take lower 064.00% (-20%) take higher 096.00% (+20%)
<br />
need a 04: normal 085.00%, take lower 072.25% (-15%) take higher 097.75% (+15%)
<br />
need a 03: normal 090.00%, take lower 081.00% (-10%) take higher 099.00% (+10%)
<br />
need a 02: normal 095.00%, take lower 090.25% (-05%) take higher 099.75% (+05%)
<br />
need a 01: normal 100.00%, take lower 100.00% (-00%) take higher 100.00% (+00%)</p>
<p>And perhaps more interestingly:</p>
<p>need a 20, effective d20 addjustment +/- 0.95
<br />
need a 19, effective d20 addjustment +/- 1.80
<br />
need a 18, effective d20 addjustment +/- 2.55
<br />
need a 17, effective d20 addjustment +/- 3.20
<br />
need a 16, effective d20 addjustment +/- 3.75
<br />
need a 15, effective d20 addjustment +/- 4.20
<br />
need a 14, effective d20 addjustment +/- 4.55
<br />
need a 13, effective d20 addjustment +/- 4.80
<br />
need a 12, effective d20 addjustment +/- 4.95
<br />
need a 11, effective d20 addjustment +/- 5.00
<br />
need a 10, effective d20 addjustment +/- 4.95
<br />
need a 09, effective d20 addjustment +/- 4.80
<br />
need a 08, effective d20 addjustment +/- 4.55
<br />
need a 07, effective d20 addjustment +/- 4.20
<br />
need a 06, effective d20 addjustment +/- 3.75
<br />
need a 05, effective d20 addjustment +/- 3.20
<br />
need a 04, effective d20 addjustment +/- 2.55
<br />
need a 03, effective d20 addjustment +/- 1.80
<br />
need a 02, effective d20 addjustment +/- 0.95
<br />
need a 01, effective d20 addjustment +/- 0.00</p>Ok, so I've just done a bit more maths (actually, I did it the long way, so I'm not sure how the actual maths works), but I get that:
If your change of hitting is x %, then your effectiveness changes by 100 - x %, better if you roll twice and take the highest, worse if you roll twice and take the lowest.
So, if you need an 11, so you are 50% likely to hit, your effectiveness changes by 50% (of the 50%), so you are now 25% on the poor effect, 75% on the high effect.
If you need a 15, with a...richard develyn2019-06-07T11:31:50ZRe: Forums: Advice: Misfortune Mathsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42l78?Misfortune-Maths#32019-06-07T10:20:19Z2019-06-07T10:20:19Z<p>The effects on criticals (critical threats) are even more pronounced.</p>
<p>Chances of a critical threat:</p>
<p>crit 20: normal 5%, take lower 0.25%, take higher 9.75%
<br />
crit 19-20: normal 10%, take lower 1%, take higher 19%
<br />
crit 18-20: normal 15%, take lower 2.25%, take higher 27.75%</p>
<p>Basically, a misfortuned person pretty much waves goodbye to any chance of criticalling.</p>
<p>Richard</p>The effects on criticals (critical threats) are even more pronounced.
Chances of a critical threat:
crit 20: normal 5%, take lower 0.25%, take higher 9.75%
crit 19-20: normal 10%, take lower 1%, take higher 19%
crit 18-20: normal 15%, take lower 2.25%, take higher 27.75%
Basically, a misfortuned person pretty much waves goodbye to any chance of criticalling.
Richardrichard develyn2019-06-07T10:20:19ZForums: Advice: Misfortune Mathsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42l78?Misfortune-Maths#12019-06-07T09:02:47Z2019-06-07T09:02:47Z<p>I haven't seen it posted anywhere else, so FYI, the effect on a D20 is:</p>
<p>- 3.325</p>
<p>i.e. expected results on a D20 are:</p>
<p>Ordinary: 10.5
<br />
roll 2x and take lower: 7.175
<br />
roll 2x and take higher: 13.825</p>
<p>Richard</p>I haven't seen it posted anywhere else, so FYI, the effect on a D20 is:
- 3.325
i.e. expected results on a D20 are:
Ordinary: 10.5
roll 2x and take lower: 7.175
roll 2x and take higher: 13.825
Richardrichard develyn2019-06-07T09:02:47ZRe: Forums: Advice: Argus questionsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42l4i?Argus-questions#92019-06-06T10:47:57Z2019-06-06T10:47:57Z<p>So Witch + slumber hex = bye, bye, Argus</p>
<p>(I do hate that slumber hex)</p>
<p>Richard</p>So Witch + slumber hex = bye, bye, Argus
(I do hate that slumber hex)
Richardrichard develyn2019-06-06T10:47:57ZRe: Forums: Advice: Argus questionsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42l4i?Argus-questions#52019-06-05T14:56:53Z2019-06-05T14:56:53Z<p>Yes, well, if I ever employ a sentry, I'll make sure it doesn't suffer from narcolepsy.</p>
<p>Anyway, what does "vulnerable to sleep" actually mean in game terms?</p>
<p>Richard</p>Yes, well, if I ever employ a sentry, I'll make sure it doesn't suffer from narcolepsy.
Anyway, what does "vulnerable to sleep" actually mean in game terms?
Richardrichard develyn2019-06-05T14:56:53ZRe: Forums: Advice: Argus questionsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42l4i?Argus-questions#32019-06-05T13:55:05Z2019-06-05T13:55:05Z<p>I guess, but I can't see what use it is a sentry.</p>I guess, but I can't see what use it is a sentry.richard develyn2019-06-05T13:55:05ZForums: Advice: Argus questionsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42l4i?Argus-questions#12019-06-05T15:36:06Z2019-06-05T13:05:11Z<p><a href="https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/aberrations/argus/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Argus on d20pfsrd</a></p>
<p>What does "vulnerable to sleep" mean?</p>
<p>And how is this thing a "vigilant and restless sentry" when it's vulnerable to sleep?</p>
<p>Richard</p>Argus on d20pfsrd
What does "vulnerable to sleep" mean?
And how is this thing a "vigilant and restless sentry" when it's vulnerable to sleep?
Richardrichard develyn2019-06-05T13:05:11ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Enchanted Spear with Spear Dancing Stylerichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tgjp?Enchanted-Spear-with-Spear-Dancing-Style#342018-12-21T10:11:28Z2018-12-21T10:11:28Z<p>My argument regarding this would be, enchantment also adds hardness and hit points to a weapon. If enchantment only applied to the head, then you would be able to sunder a magical spear like a normal spear by chopping at the haft. Which isn't the case.</p>
<p>So enchantment must apply to the whole weapon.</p>
<p>Richard</p>My argument regarding this would be, enchantment also adds hardness and hit points to a weapon. If enchantment only applied to the head, then you would be able to sunder a magical spear like a normal spear by chopping at the haft. Which isn't the case.
So enchantment must apply to the whole weapon.
Richardrichard develyn2018-12-21T10:11:28ZRe: Forums: Advice: When to Power Attackrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42ep2?When-to-Power-Attack#162018-12-19T16:57:53Z2018-12-19T16:57:53Z<p>Turns out my formula was slightly wrong, it should be:</p>
<p>number-to-hit < 21 - ( average-damage / power-attack-extra-damage ) - power-attack-bab-multiplier</p>
<p>where the latter starts at 1, goes to 2 on bab 4, etc</p>
<p>Like I said, this doesn't take into account the 1s and 20s (I'll leave a better mathematician for that one).</p>
<p>Here's my workings:</p>
<p>DPA = max(0.05, min(0.95, (21 + atk - AC)/20)) • (1 + thr • (crit - 1)/20) • dmg</p>
<p>Remove the 1s and 20s bit, and let Z = (1 + thr • (crit - 1)/20)</p>
<p>DPA = ( (21 + atk - AC) / 20 ) • Z • dmg</p>
<p>Factor out the / 20:</p>
<p>DPA = (21 + atk - AC) • dmg • ( Z / 20 )</p>
<p>Power Attack has two components, a bab based one (1, 2 when BAB = 4, and so on), which we'll call B, and a component based on whether you are using a one or two handed weapon, i.e. either 2 or 3, which we'll call T.</p>
<p>So, when you power attack, your atk goes down by B and your damage goes up by BT, giving us:</p>
<p>DPA(pow) = (21 + atk - B - AC) • ( dmg + BT ) • ( Z / 20 )</p>
<p>We should power attack when this is better than not doing so, i.e. Power Attack when:</p>
<p>DPA(pow) > DPA, i.e.</p>
<p>(21 + atk - B - AC) • ( dmg + BT ) • ( Z / 20 ) > (21 + atk - AC) • dmg • ( Z / 20 )</p>
<p>Cancel the Z / 20 on both sides:</p>
<p>(21 + atk - B - AC) • ( dmg + BT ) > (21 + atk - AC) • dmg</p>
<p>Expand the left hand side a bit:</p>
<p>(21 + atk - AC) • ( dmg + BT ) - B • ( dmg + BT ) > (21 + atk - AC) • dmg</p>
<p>And a bit more:</p>
<p>(21 + atk - AC) • dmg + (21 + atk - AC) • BT - B • ( dmg + BT ) > (21 + atk - AC) • dmg</p>
<p>Subtract (21 + atk - AC ) • dmg from both sides:</p>
<p>(21 + atk - AC) • BT - B • ( dmg + BT ) > 0</p>
<p>Move the negative bit across to the other side:</p>
<p>(21 + atk - AC) • BT > B • ( dmg + BT )</p>
<p>Cancel out one B and divide by T</p>
<p>(21 + atk - AC) > ( dmg + BT ) / T</p>
<p>Divide the T on the right hand side into the brackets:</p>
<p>(21 + atk - AC) > ( dmg / T ) + B</p>
<p>Subtract each side from 21 (which reverses the inequality)</p>
<p>AC - atk < 21 - ( dmg / T ) - B</p>
<p>Which is basically my (now slightly corrected) formula.</p>
<p>Richard</p>Turns out my formula was slightly wrong, it should be:
number-to-hit DPA, i.e.
(21 + atk - B - AC) * ( dmg + BT ) * ( Z / 20 ) > (21 + atk - AC) * dmg * ( Z / 20 )
Cancel the Z / 20 on both sides:
(21 + atk - B - AC) * ( dmg + BT ) > (21 + atk - AC) * dmg
Expand the left hand side a bit:
(21 + atk - AC) * ( dmg + BT ) - B * ( dmg + BT ) > (21 + atk - AC) * dmg
And a bit more:
(21 + atk - AC) * dmg + (21 + atk - AC) * BT - B * ( dmg + BT ) > (21 + atk - AC) * dmg
Subtract (21 + atk -...richard develyn2018-12-19T16:57:53ZRe: Forums: Advice: When to Power Attackrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42ep2?When-to-Power-Attack#82018-12-18T10:46:33Z2018-12-18T10:45:10Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">blahpers wrote:</div><blockquote>With respect, your example is useless, as it doesn't exist in practice. Pathfinder mechanics don't really scale well past a certain point.</blockquote><p>The decision to power attack as a means of achieving optimal damage is a mathematical one, not a game-rule one.
<p>There's a straight formula at play here, and it's as relevant to creatures doing 1000 points of damage as it is to creatures doing 10.</p>
<p>But, you know, if you don't believe me, that's fine :-)</p>
<p>Richard</p>blahpers wrote:With respect, your example is useless, as it doesn't exist in practice. Pathfinder mechanics don't really scale well past a certain point.
The decision to power attack as a means of achieving optimal damage is a mathematical one, not a game-rule one. There's a straight formula at play here, and it's as relevant to creatures doing 1000 points of damage as it is to creatures doing 10.
But, you know, if you don't believe me, that's fine :-)
Richardrichard develyn2018-12-18T10:45:10ZRe: Forums: Advice: When to Power Attackrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42ep2?When-to-Power-Attack#52018-12-18T00:32:10Z2018-12-18T00:32:10Z<p>I know it feels counter-intuitive but the more damage you do the less you should power attack.</p>
<p>Consider an extreme example: a mega-titan that does 1000 points of damage on average.</p>
<p>Why would such a thing ever power attack?</p>
<p>I'll do a bit more maths if you like, let's assume that it hits on an 11, and ignore criticals. Assume we have a complete average set of 20 rounds in which every number of the dice is rolled once.</p>
<p>Without Power Attack, total damage is 10 hits times 1000 = 10,000</p>
<p>Let's do Power Attack -1 and +3. Now it only hits 9 times but doing 1003 hit points, for a total of 9027. Much less.</p>
<p>Power Attack -2 and +6, and we have 8 hits doing 1006 damage, or 8048.</p>
<p>And so on.</p>
<p>Richard</p>I know it feels counter-intuitive but the more damage you do the less you should power attack.
Consider an extreme example: a mega-titan that does 1000 points of damage on average.
Why would such a thing ever power attack?
I'll do a bit more maths if you like, let's assume that it hits on an 11, and ignore criticals. Assume we have a complete average set of 20 rounds in which every number of the dice is rolled once.
Without Power Attack, total damage is 10 hits times 1000 = 10,000
Let's...richard develyn2018-12-18T00:32:10ZForums: Advice: When to Power Attackrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42ep2?When-to-Power-Attack#12018-12-17T16:02:36Z2018-12-17T16:02:36Z<p>I've never seen this very satisfactorily explained anywhere, but from my maths, and without taking into account natural 1s and 20s, which I'm hoping will even out, you should power attack when:</p>
<p>number-to-hit < 21 - ( average-damage / power-attack-extra-damage )</p>
<p>So, for example, a 1st level barbarian with a two handed sword, +6 to hit and 2d6+6 damage: average damage is 13, power-attack-extra-damage is 3 (two handed), so</p>
<p>number-to-hit < 21 - (4 1/3)
<br />
number-to-hit < 16 2/3
<br />
number-to-hit <= 16</p>
<p>which basically means anything of AC 22 or less.</p>
<p>Which is going to be most things for a 1st level Barbarian</p>
<p>A Frost Giant, however, with a greataxe, +18/+13 for 3d6+13 damage: average damage 31, extra is 3 again so:</p>
<p>number-to-hit < 21 - (10 1/3)
<br />
number-to-hit < 10 2/3
<br />
number-to-hit <= 10</p>
<p>which basically means anything of AC 28 / 23 or less (go for the average of 25).</p>
<p>Which for a CR 9 monster is going to be pretty rare.</p>
<p>Which makes sense, as anything which does a lot of damage is going to get a very marginal gain from power attack in exchange for losing the chance to do the lots of damage it's already doing.</p>
<p>Most of the time, giants shouldn't power attack.</p>
<p>Richard</p>I've never seen this very satisfactorily explained anywhere, but from my maths, and without taking into account natural 1s and 20s, which I'm hoping will even out, you should power attack when:
number-to-hit < 21 - ( average-damage / power-attack-extra-damage )
So, for example, a 1st level barbarian with a two handed sword, +6 to hit and 2d6+6 damage: average damage is 13, power-attack-extra-damage is 3 (two handed), so
number-to-hit < 21 - (4 1/3)
number-to-hit < 16 2/3
number-to-hit <=
...richard develyn2018-12-17T16:02:36ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Can you use Aid Another with Fighting Defensively?richard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2u7fj?Can-you-use-Aid-Another-with-Fighting#182023-07-09T22:21:59Z2018-11-16T18:00:50Z<p>excuse the necro, but i’m going to suggest that if aid another in combat is not an attack action then it should not break invisibility.</p>
<p>so, either that, or you can fight defensively with it</p>
<p>richard</p>excuse the necro, but i’m going to suggest that if aid another in combat is not an attack action then it should not break invisibility.
so, either that, or you can fight defensively with it
richardrichard develyn2018-11-16T18:00:50ZForums: Rules Questions: do quickmetal bracers work with a monk’s unarmed strikes?richard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42c7y?do-quickmetal-bracers-work-with-a-monk-s#12018-10-24T00:17:13Z2018-10-24T00:17:13Z<p>just as the title says :-)</p>just as the title says :-)richard develyn2018-10-24T00:17:13ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: electrical ectoplasmic burning shadowrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42bue?electrical-ectoplasmic-burning-shadow#22018-10-18T16:53:09Z2018-10-18T16:53:09Z<p>sorry to bump this up but does anyone have any opinion on this?</p>
<p>my reading of the rules is that the shadow does.</p>
<p>richard </p>
<p>(incidentally, i just made it electrical to make a point about non fiery burning)</p>sorry to bump this up but does anyone have any opinion on this?
my reading of the rules is that the shadow does.
richard
(incidentally, i just made it electrical to make a point about non fiery burning)richard develyn2018-10-18T16:53:09ZForums: Rules Questions: electrical ectoplasmic burning shadowrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42bue?electrical-ectoplasmic-burning-shadow#12018-10-17T02:43:56Z2018-10-17T02:43:56Z<p>so, if my djinn blooded sorcerer casts an ectoplasmic burming hands spell, using alchemical fire as a mateial component, changing the damage type (and spell type) to electrical, against a shadow that fails its reflex save, does that shadow start to burn with ectoplasmic electrical flame?</p>
<p>richard</p>so, if my djinn blooded sorcerer casts an ectoplasmic burming hands spell, using alchemical fire as a mateial component, changing the damage type (and spell type) to electrical, against a shadow that fails its reflex save, does that shadow start to burn with ectoplasmic electrical flame?
richardrichard develyn2018-10-17T02:43:56ZForums: Pathfinder Society: fury of the sunrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs42bs9?fury-of-the-sun#12018-10-15T21:46:41Z2018-10-15T21:46:41Z<p>is pfs legal for ifrits only</p>
<p>but it is part of the solar sorcerer bloodline which is not race restricted.</p>
<p>so, can a non ifrit solar sorcerer use fury of the sun as his bloodline bonus spell in pfs?</p>
<p>(hero lab says no, btw)</p>is pfs legal for ifrits only
but it is part of the solar sorcerer bloodline which is not race restricted.
so, can a non ifrit solar sorcerer use fury of the sun as his bloodline bonus spell in pfs?
(hero lab says no, btw)richard develyn2018-10-15T21:46:41ZForums: Advice: First Level Sorcerer (PFS) Buildrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2v8j6?First-Level-Sorcerer-Build#12018-07-11T12:44:59Z2018-07-11T12:44:59Z<p>I just want to check I've got a few things right:</p>
<p>1st level Gnome Sorcerer (crossblooded)</p>
<p>Alternative racial: Lava Gnome (Darkvision and Pyromaniac), Eternal Hope, Nosophobia</p>
<p>Bloodlines: Orc and Solar</p>
<p>1st level bloodline power: Sunsight</p>
<p>From all of this, I have low-light vision, darkvision 90' and although I have light sensitivity I'm immune to being dazzled so it doesn't bother me.</p>
<p>Then:</p>
<p>Feats: Point-Blank Shot
<br />
Traits: Gifted Adept (Burning Hands), Extremely Fashionable (Diplomacy)</p>
<p>Spells:
<br />
0: Acid Splash, Daze, Disrupt Undead
<br />
1: Burning Hands</p>
<p>Burning hands does 3d4+6 damage. Disrupt Undead and Acid Splash both do +2 damage too (point-blank shot and orc bloodline).</p>
<p>I'm getting 2 skill points per level which I'm putting on Bluff and Diplomacy, and wearing very fashionable clothes :-)</p>
<p>Where I'm going next with this is down the fire route, with Precise Shot, Scorching Ray, Fireball, etc. First magic item will probably be an elemental meta-magic rod to turn the fire into electricity if I need to, or intensify to raise my burning hands some more.</p>
<p>Looks good?</p>
<p>Richard</p>
<p>P.S.F.Y.I</p>
<p>Stats are: STR 5 DEX 14 CON 16 INT 7 WIS 14 CHA 19 and I'm putting my one class point into skills</p>I just want to check I've got a few things right:
1st level Gnome Sorcerer (crossblooded)
Alternative racial: Lava Gnome (Darkvision and Pyromaniac), Eternal Hope, Nosophobia
Bloodlines: Orc and Solar
1st level bloodline power: Sunsight
From all of this, I have low-light vision, darkvision 90' and although I have light sensitivity I'm immune to being dazzled so it doesn't bother me.
Then:
Feats: Point-Blank Shot
Traits: Gifted Adept (Burning Hands), Extremely Fashionable (Diplomacy)
...richard develyn2018-07-11T12:44:59ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: brutal bloodline + burning hands vs swarmrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2v8g5?brutal-bloodline-burning-hands-vs-swarm#32018-07-10T08:31:32Z2018-07-10T08:31:32Z<p>It was this bit in the arcana:</p>
<p><b>one target of your choice</b> affected by the spell takes 2 additional hit points of damage</p>
<p>vs this in the swarm type:</p>
<p>A swarm is immune to any spell or effect that targets a <b>specific number of creatures</b></p>
<p>I wasn't sure whether a swarm was a target.</p>
<p>Richard</p>It was this bit in the arcana:
one target of your choice affected by the spell takes 2 additional hit points of damage
vs this in the swarm type:
A swarm is immune to any spell or effect that targets a specific number of creatures
I wasn't sure whether a swarm was a target.
Richardrichard develyn2018-07-10T08:31:32ZForums: Rules Questions: brutal bloodline + burning hands vs swarmrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2v8g5?brutal-bloodline-burning-hands-vs-swarm#12018-07-09T22:31:33Z2018-07-09T22:31:33Z<p>will it do 1d4+2 damage x 1.5 for a 1st lvl sorcerer?</p>will it do 1d4+2 damage x 1.5 for a 1st lvl sorcerer?richard develyn2018-07-09T22:31:33ZForums: Rules Questions: Ki Power Heroic Recoveryrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2v7ro?Ki-Power-Heroic-Recovery#12018-06-27T13:36:28Z2018-06-27T13:36:28Z<p>Heroic Recovery is a feat that gives you a once per day ability.</p>
<p>So - does that mean that as a Ki Power it can only be used once per day?</p>
<p>Or do you get to use it every time you use a Ki point?</p>
<p>Richard</p>Heroic Recovery is a feat that gives you a once per day ability.
So - does that mean that as a Ki Power it can only be used once per day?
Or do you get to use it every time you use a Ki point?
Richardrichard develyn2018-06-27T13:36:28ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: UMD + Mesmerist scrollrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2v2ym?UMD-Mesmerist-scroll#72018-04-26T08:43:19Z2018-04-26T08:43:19Z<p>I guess we've taken the approach that no magic item is harder to buy than any other, so I can buy a psychic scroll of faerie fire as easily as a druidic one.</p>
<p>I'm wondering now if there are any spells which you can't cast using Cha.</p>
<p>Richard</p>I guess we've taken the approach that no magic item is harder to buy than any other, so I can buy a psychic scroll of faerie fire as easily as a druidic one.
I'm wondering now if there are any spells which you can't cast using Cha.
Richardrichard develyn2018-04-26T08:43:19ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: UMD + Mesmerist scrollrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2v2ym?UMD-Mesmerist-scroll#52018-04-22T17:44:47Z2018-04-22T17:44:47Z<p>FF is on the Mesmerist spell list, so you can get a psychic scroll made with that spell which you then cast using CHA as the stat.</p>
<p>I think that broadly speaking as long as you are buying the scroll yourself, you can probably always find a CHA based caster that can cast any spell.</p>
<p>Which is most optimal for UMD, since you're likely to have a reasonable CHA just to use the skill.</p>FF is on the Mesmerist spell list, so you can get a psychic scroll made with that spell which you then cast using CHA as the stat.
I think that broadly speaking as long as you are buying the scroll yourself, you can probably always find a CHA based caster that can cast any spell.
Which is most optimal for UMD, since you're likely to have a reasonable CHA just to use the skill.richard develyn2018-04-22T17:44:47ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: UMD + Mesmerist scrollrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2v2ym?UMD-Mesmerist-scroll#32018-04-22T12:54:30Z2018-04-22T12:54:30Z<p>Got it; but am I right that otherwise you can pick the most favourable class for your stat bonus (likely charisma for UMD) to avoid having to make that rather hard UMD spell-casting attribute check (i.e. use Oracle for divine and sorcerer for arcane)?</p>Got it; but am I right that otherwise you can pick the most favourable class for your stat bonus (likely charisma for UMD) to avoid having to make that rather hard UMD spell-casting attribute check (i.e. use Oracle for divine and sorcerer for arcane)?richard develyn2018-04-22T12:54:30ZForums: Rules Questions: UMD + Mesmerist scrollrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2v2ym?UMD-Mesmerist-scroll#12018-04-22T11:54:53Z2018-04-22T11:54:53Z<p>I •think• this is correct but I want to double check.</p>
<p>If I get myself a scroll of Faerie Fire, can I use it with UMD by pretending to be a Mesmerist, that has FF on its list, but thereby only needing to have a high Cha score rather than a high Wis score?</p>
<p>My understanding is that spells on scrolls do not have a particular class hard-coded into them.</p>
<p>Otherwise, presumably, I could buy a Mesmerist FF scroll.</p>
<p>Richard</p>I *think* this is correct but I want to double check.
If I get myself a scroll of Faerie Fire, can I use it with UMD by pretending to be a Mesmerist, that has FF on its list, but thereby only needing to have a high Cha score rather than a high Wis score?
My understanding is that spells on scrolls do not have a particular class hard-coded into them.
Otherwise, presumably, I could buy a Mesmerist FF scroll.
Richardrichard develyn2018-04-22T11:54:53ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Are all ranged touch attacks "rays"?richard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uvp5?Are-all-ranged-touch-attacks-rays#132018-02-13T23:07:51Z2018-02-13T23:07:51Z<p>Thanks for all the answers.</p>
<p>I had always imagined they were the same thing but I stand corrected.</p>
<p>Richard</p>Thanks for all the answers.
I had always imagined they were the same thing but I stand corrected.
Richardrichard develyn2018-02-13T23:07:51ZForums: Rules Questions: Are all ranged touch attacks "rays"?richard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uvp5?Are-all-ranged-touch-attacks-rays#12018-02-13T14:07:27Z2018-02-13T14:07:27Z<p>Although there are some spells which are particularly called "ray", the term seems to have been used as flavour text in some places (e.g. Disintegration) leading me to believe that "ray" was never meant to be a game concept as such and that it is really just synonymous to ranged touch.</p>
<p>Am I right?</p>
<p>Or do you, for example, have to take Weapon Focus( Ray ) and Weapon Focus (ranged touch) separately?</p>
<p>Richard</p>Although there are some spells which are particularly called "ray", the term seems to have been used as flavour text in some places (e.g. Disintegration) leading me to believe that "ray" was never meant to be a game concept as such and that it is really just synonymous to ranged touch.
Am I right?
Or do you, for example, have to take Weapon Focus( Ray ) and Weapon Focus (ranged touch) separately?
Richardrichard develyn2018-02-13T14:07:27ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Two monk questionsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uvd1?Two-monk-questions#72018-02-11T17:41:12Z2018-02-11T17:41:12Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Dragonborn3 wrote:</div><blockquote> It takes a bit to qualify for, <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/unhindering-shield-shield-mastery/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Unhindering Shield</a> would be better. </blockquote><p>Thank you for that.
<p>Although it takes 3 feats, you then potentially have access to 6 points of AC (+5 Buckler). That's pretty good, in my opinion.</p>
<p>Richard</p>Dragonborn3 wrote:It takes a bit to qualify for, Unhindering Shield would be better.
Thank you for that. Although it takes 3 feats, you then potentially have access to 6 points of AC (+5 Buckler). That's pretty good, in my opinion.
Richardrichard develyn2018-02-11T17:41:12ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Two monk questionsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uvd1?Two-monk-questions#52018-02-09T17:04:48Z2018-02-09T17:04:48Z<p>Sorry - I was being stupid.</p>
<p>The quickdraw thing is just to allow you to flurry.</p>
<p>But you are both right.</p>
<p>Richard</p>Sorry - I was being stupid.
The quickdraw thing is just to allow you to flurry.
But you are both right.
Richardrichard develyn2018-02-09T17:04:48ZRe: Forums: Rules Questions: Two monk questionsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uvd1?Two-monk-questions#32018-02-09T15:08:44Z2018-02-09T15:08:09Z<p>TVM</p>
<p>On the second one, because you put your shield away at the end of your initiative/turn, and then you're no longer wielding it so you •do• get your AC whilst everybody else is busy trying to hit you.</p>TVM
On the second one, because you put your shield away at the end of your initiative/turn, and then you're no longer wielding it so you *do* get your AC whilst everybody else is busy trying to hit you.richard develyn2018-02-09T15:08:09ZForums: Rules Questions: Two monk questionsrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2uvd1?Two-monk-questions#12018-02-09T09:50:55Z2018-02-09T09:50:55Z<p>1) Can a monk with a two handed weapon still deflect arrows when not on his turn, by using free actions to free one hand at the end of his turn and reapplying his hand to the two-handed weapon at the beginning of it?</p>
<p>It would presumably mean that AoOs would have to be with unarmed strikes.</p>
<p>2) Am I right that you need to have Shield Proficiency to use a quickdraw shield, so a monk that wants to use such a shield when it isn't his turn will need two feats: shield proficiency and quickdraw?</p>
<p>Cheers</p>
<p>Richard</p>1) Can a monk with a two handed weapon still deflect arrows when not on his turn, by using free actions to free one hand at the end of his turn and reapplying his hand to the two-handed weapon at the beginning of it?
It would presumably mean that AoOs would have to be with unarmed strikes.
2) Am I right that you need to have Shield Proficiency to use a quickdraw shield, so a monk that wants to use such a shield when it isn't his turn will need two feats: shield proficiency and quickdraw?
...richard develyn2018-02-09T09:50:55ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Planar Adventuresrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/products/btpya1am/discuss&page=7?Pathfinder-Roleplaying-Game-Planar-Adventures#3112018-01-04T17:18:57Z2018-01-04T17:18:57Z<p>Planar AP coming next?</p>Planar AP coming next?richard develyn2018-01-04T17:18:57ZForums: Rules Questions: Dominate Personrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2urkw?Dominate-Person#12017-12-06T14:38:46Z2017-12-06T14:38:46Z<p>I think this is a rules rather than an interpretation question, but an incident came up at our game last night which illustrated that we hadn't (I think) being playing this right.</p>
<p>Dominate Person is very much geared on the concept of a "command". The dominated person is only controlled by the dominator to the degree that they obey that command to the exclusion of all else save their survival needs, and it takes a move action to change that command so this is nothing like a puppetteer subconsciously controlling his puppets.</p>
<p>So what happened:</p>
<p>An NPC bard dominated a PC fighter and told him, trying to be clever, to go and subdue one of his friends (2nd PC) because he's sure that 2nd PC has been possessed. The NPC was trying to make the request sound reasonable because someone had already been possessed earlier in the combat and suggesting subdual is in keeping with what the PC would do - so no need for another saving throw.</p>
<p>All fine and well.</p>
<p>Then the 2nd PC disappeared and the first PC did not know where, although in the light of what happens next one might even consider that this event is not actually necessary.</p>
<p>The first PC still saw the NPC bard that had dominated him as an enemy. There's no "charm" component in dominate. So the PC argued that his survival needs required that he defeat the enemy, which he promptly did before the NPC bard got a chance to use a move action to change his command.</p>
<p>So if all of this was reasonable, which I guess is my question, then any time you dominate someone your command to them has got to include "don't attack me and my friends but do this and that instead" or you could find your command ignored.</p>
<p>Richard</p>I think this is a rules rather than an interpretation question, but an incident came up at our game last night which illustrated that we hadn't (I think) being playing this right.
Dominate Person is very much geared on the concept of a "command". The dominated person is only controlled by the dominator to the degree that they obey that command to the exclusion of all else save their survival needs, and it takes a move action to change that command so this is nothing like a puppetteer...richard develyn2017-12-06T14:38:46ZRe: Forums: Advice: Golarion Modern Chronologyrichard develynhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ufoz?Golarion-Modern-Chronology#72017-07-02T09:06:28Z2017-07-02T09:06:28Z<p>I quite like this because it suggests that world changing events happen at the rate of 2 a year, which is quite realistic imo. It also shows how incredibly rare PCs are.</p>
<p>I would like to suggest that Paizo thinks about producing something along the lines of The Poor Wizard's Almanac for Golarion.</p>
<p>Richard</p>I quite like this because it suggests that world changing events happen at the rate of 2 a year, which is quite realistic imo. It also shows how incredibly rare PCs are.
I would like to suggest that Paizo thinks about producing something along the lines of The Poor Wizard's Almanac for Golarion.
Richardrichard develyn2017-07-02T09:06:28ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: World's End (PFRPG)Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/products/btpy9p9y/discuss?Worlds-End#52017-04-03T11:45:21Z2017-04-03T11:29:35Z<p>Thank you, Thilo, once again :-)</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>Thank you, Thilo, once again :-)
All the best
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2017-04-03T11:29:35ZForums: Product Discussion: Four Dollar Dungeons Sales is Almost OverFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2u8ny?Four-Dollar-Dungeons-Sales-is-Almost-Over#12017-03-16T14:08:11Z2017-03-16T14:08:11Z<p>They're Three Dollar Dungeons for one more day only!</p>
<p>http://paizo.com/companies/fourDollarDungeons</p>
<p>Richard</p>
<p>(and I meant "sale" not "sales" :-|)</p>They're Three Dollar Dungeons for one more day only!
http://paizo.com/companies/fourDollarDungeons
Richard
(and I meant "sale" not "sales" :-|)Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2017-03-16T14:08:11ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Blog: This Big Tree Is Also My Friend!Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/store/blog/v5748dyo5ljli?This-Big-Tree-Is-Also-My-Friend#32017-03-10T12:32:34Z2017-03-10T12:32:34Z<p>Thanks for the promotion - much appreciated!</p>
<p>Richard</p>Thanks for the promotion - much appreciated!
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2017-03-10T12:32:34ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Dance Macabre (PFRPG)Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/products/btpy99xg/discuss?Dance-Macabre#172017-01-09T00:24:23Z2017-01-09T00:24:23Z<p>This week, Dance Macabre became the 6th Four Dollar Dungeon to hit 100 sales.</p>
<p>And, yes, it really does have a dinosaur in it wearing a top-hat!</p>
<p>You know, it's funny, but when you look back at the stuff you wrote some years ago, you realise all the strange issues that were kicking about in your head at the time. Last year when I wrote Seven Sinful Tales I was definitely having a go at the middle classes. Dance Macabre is an unashamed attack at the wealthy.</p>
<p>Twisted Bridge is a town where people are so well off they'll do anything for entertainment. The Dance that gives the module its name is a real high for them - a sort of mixture of The Wicker Man, Venetian Masquerade Balls, the Day of the Dead and some real edgy danger to the dancers themselves. If I had lots of money and no morality I'm sure I'd love it!</p>
<p>Otherwise, the way the adventure runs is as an investigation / rescue mission very much like The Wicker Man. Check out the reviews and the free preview here too if you like.</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>This week, Dance Macabre became the 6th Four Dollar Dungeon to hit 100 sales.
And, yes, it really does have a dinosaur in it wearing a top-hat!
You know, it's funny, but when you look back at the stuff you wrote some years ago, you realise all the strange issues that were kicking about in your head at the time. Last year when I wrote Seven Sinful Tales I was definitely having a go at the middle classes. Dance Macabre is an unashamed attack at the wealthy.
Twisted Bridge is a town where...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2017-01-09T00:24:23ZRe: Forums: Customer Service: There appears to be a massive 40% discount sale going onFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2u3kj?There-appears-to-be-a-massive-40-discount#122017-01-01T22:23:01Z2017-01-01T22:23:01Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Chemlak wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Oh, this is not good.</p>
<p>So tempted to just go nuts on purchases.</p>
<p>I cannot in good conscience take advantage of what appears to be an error with the systems. It would be taking advantage of Paizo and the other 3PP's good natures.</p>
<p>Not gonna.</p>
<p>Soooooo tempted.</p>
<p>Sometimes being Lawful Good <i>sucks</i>. </blockquote><p>Ok - now you're making me feel guilty.
<p>People have taken advantage of this off me as a vendor, though. Actually, I don't mind - so anyone who wants to buy Four Dollar Dungeons at this discount is welcome to do so, but Paizo, if you're watching, I don't want this to continue for a whole month!</p>
<p>I'm going to have to think about whether I should exploit this as a buyer.</p>
<p>Richard</p>Chemlak wrote:Oh, this is not good.
So tempted to just go nuts on purchases.
I cannot in good conscience take advantage of what appears to be an error with the systems. It would be taking advantage of Paizo and the other 3PP's good natures.
Not gonna.
Soooooo tempted.
Sometimes being Lawful Good sucks.
Ok - now you're making me feel guilty. People have taken advantage of this off me as a vendor, though. Actually, I don't mind - so anyone who wants to buy Four Dollar Dungeons at this...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2017-01-01T22:23:01ZRe: Forums: Advice: Looking for an old school adventure...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2u3g0?Looking-for-an-old-school-adventure#82017-01-01T20:08:01Z2017-01-01T17:59:21Z<p>It is basically Golarion, so Inner Sea Gods (or <a href=" http://www.archivesofnethys.com/DeitiesByGroup.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>, excluding the Green Faith).</p>
<p>The Servitors all come from chapter four of that book. There's one per Inner Sea God - hence 20 of them.</p>
<p>The terms of the 3pp licence means I cannot refer to the gods themselves by name as a publisher - but you can, of course, when you're running it :-)</p>
<p>I always imagined Holy Island would be a great introduction to the Golarion pantheon.</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>It is basically Golarion, so Inner Sea Gods (or here, excluding the Green Faith).
The Servitors all come from chapter four of that book. There's one per Inner Sea God - hence 20 of them.
The terms of the 3pp licence means I cannot refer to the gods themselves by name as a publisher - but you can, of course, when you're running it :-)
I always imagined Holy Island would be a great introduction to the Golarion pantheon.
All the best
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2017-01-01T17:59:21ZForums: Customer Service: There appears to be a massive 40% discount sale going onFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2u3kj?There-appears-to-be-a-massive-40-discount#12017-01-01T15:16:06Z2017-01-01T15:16:06Z<p>... for non-Paizo products.</p>
<p>Hadn't seen it publicised anywhere.</p>
<p>I've no objection to it as a vendor - it just took me by surprise.</p>
<p>Richard</p>... for non-Paizo products.
Hadn't seen it publicised anywhere.
I've no objection to it as a vendor - it just took me by surprise.
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2017-01-01T15:16:06ZRe: Forums: Advice: Looking for an old school adventure...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2u3g0?Looking-for-an-old-school-adventure#62016-12-31T09:56:58Z2016-12-31T09:56:58Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">MoFiddy wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Thanks all. Most of them have actually played rpg's. About half have played Pathfinder and the other half DnD (4th and 5th ed). I'd like them to be around 5th level. Enough to have some fancy abilities to play around with.</p>
<p>The Four Dollar Dungeons look very cool. I'll check out the other suggestions too. </blockquote><p>Feel free to ask any questions you like about them, either here or on their individual discussion threads.
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>MoFiddy wrote:Thanks all. Most of them have actually played rpg's. About half have played Pathfinder and the other half DnD (4th and 5th ed). I'd like them to be around 5th level. Enough to have some fancy abilities to play around with.
The Four Dollar Dungeons look very cool. I'll check out the other suggestions too.
Feel free to ask any questions you like about them, either here or on their individual discussion threads. All the best
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2016-12-31T09:56:58ZForums: Product Discussion: [Four Dollar Dungeons] World's End, an adventure for 1st level PCs ...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tyhb?Four-Dollar-Dungeons-Worlds-End-an-adventure#12016-10-13T16:00:35Z2016-10-13T16:00:35Z<p>... is now available here:</p>
<p>http://paizo.com/products/btpy9p9y?Worlds-End</p>
<p>and, like all Four Dollar Dungeons, there's a free preview available as well.</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>... is now available here:
http://paizo.com/products/btpy9p9y?Worlds-End
and, like all Four Dollar Dungeons, there's a free preview available as well.
All the best
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2016-10-13T16:00:35ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Presenting: The Most Popular 3PP Products for Pathfinder! Maybe!Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tazb&page=2?Presenting-The-Most-Popular-3PP-Products-for#532016-06-11T15:02:57Z2016-03-12T13:58:39Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Owen KC Stephens wrote:</div><blockquote><p> The other factor that prevents this from being an accurate view of even most popular product is that it assumes time spent on the top Ten list = most sales over lifetime of product.</p>
<p>But certainly I have had some things that never hit the top 10, but have sold fair numbers month-in, month-out, for years and years and years, which means they were bought by more total people than many of my top-ten recipients that then had a normal dropoff to lower sales after 90 days or so.</p>
<p>Just not all at once.</p>
<p>But it's still INTERESTING data. </blockquote><p>That's what happens with me too. 10 people bought Horn of Geryon in the GM's sale this week even though it's been out for over 3 years.
<p>Richard</p>Owen KC Stephens wrote:The other factor that prevents this from being an accurate view of even most popular product is that it assumes time spent on the top Ten list = most sales over lifetime of product.
But certainly I have had some things that never hit the top 10, but have sold fair numbers month-in, month-out, for years and years and years, which means they were bought by more total people than many of my top-ten recipients that then had a normal dropoff to lower sales after 90 days or...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2016-03-12T13:58:39ZForums: Product Discussion: Seven Sinful Tales now availableFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2titg?Seven-Sinful-Tales-now-available#12016-03-30T19:24:57Z2016-03-12T10:43:05Z<p>This is a 5th level adventure consisting of seven short stories linked together by a number of themes.</p>
<p>You can find it here:</p>
<p>http://paizo.com/products/btpy9kbu?Seven-Sinful-Tales</p>
<p>When seven 13 year old kids inadvertently summon the PCs over to their land by simultaneously making a wish in the middle of a stone wishing circle, the PCs have to figure out what those wishes are and sort them out in order for them to return.</p>
<p>As they soon discover, each young person has been let down by their parents in some way relating to one of the seven deadly sins. Sorting out all seven problems takes the PCs into troll-infested woods, hunting hippos on a raft, breaking into a pyramid in the desert, infiltrating a city's drug den, and so on - i.e. there's plenty of variety here.</p>
<p>Hope you enjoy it.</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>This is a 5th level adventure consisting of seven short stories linked together by a number of themes.
You can find it here:
http://paizo.com/products/btpy9kbu?Seven-Sinful-Tales
When seven 13 year old kids inadvertently summon the PCs over to their land by simultaneously making a wish in the middle of a stone wishing circle, the PCs have to figure out what those wishes are and sort them out in order for them to return.
As they soon discover, each young person has been let down by their...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2016-03-12T10:43:05ZRe: Forums: Pathfinder Adventures: Seeking Advice: Horror ModulesFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ti9m?Seeking-Advice-Horror-Modules#62016-03-07T09:34:32Z2016-03-07T09:34:32Z<p>I'll recommend a couple of my own which are currently on sale.</p>
<p>Dance Macabre (http://paizo.com/products/btpy99xg?Dance-Macabre) is more macabre than horror.</p>
<p>Reign of Terror (http://paizo.com/products/btpy9g47?The-Reign-of-Terror) is proper horror (IMVHO).</p>
<p>Each has some reviews for you to look at too and they also have free previews.</p>
<p>Richard</p>I'll recommend a couple of my own which are currently on sale.
Dance Macabre (http://paizo.com/products/btpy99xg?Dance-Macabre) is more macabre than horror.
Reign of Terror (http://paizo.com/products/btpy9g47?The-Reign-of-Terror) is proper horror (IMVHO).
Each has some reviews for you to look at too and they also have free previews.
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2016-03-07T09:34:32ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: New Years REVIEWutions!Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2t7xb?New-Years-REVIEWutions#62016-01-02T01:00:19Z2016-01-02T01:00:19Z<p>Please do, guys. They're very appreciated.</p>
<p>(And like PDG said, very happy to provide review copies to reviewers.)</p>
<p>All the best.</p>
<p>Richard</p>Please do, guys. They're very appreciated.
(And like PDG said, very happy to provide review copies to reviewers.)
All the best.
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2016-01-02T01:00:19ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [Fat Goblin Games] but Really [On Behalf of All 3PPers] -- Please Review our BooksFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2t0y8&page=2?Fat-Goblin-Games-but-Really-On-Behalf-of-All#842015-12-07T15:30:56Z2015-12-07T15:30:56Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Lorathorn wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Oh, and I hate to be a burden, but I have a question for those people for whom I've done reviews... do you want me to post to D20pfsrd? Some have note said, while others have asked and I have forgotten. I got some time in which to finally put reviews from Paizo to OBS, but I want to make sure to get those to D20PFSRD for those who want it.</p>
<p>While I would just do it automatically, D20pfsrd is a pain due to their word limit, and I usually just put a link in the review to somewhere else (sometimes my blog).</p>
<p>Please let me know, and I will be more than happy to take that extra effort. </blockquote><p>That's very kind of you, if you don't mind. It all helps.
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>Lorathorn wrote:Oh, and I hate to be a burden, but I have a question for those people for whom I've done reviews... do you want me to post to D20pfsrd? Some have note said, while others have asked and I have forgotten. I got some time in which to finally put reviews from Paizo to OBS, but I want to make sure to get those to D20PFSRD for those who want it.
While I would just do it automatically, D20pfsrd is a pain due to their word limit, and I usually just put a link in the review to...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-12-07T15:30:56ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [Fat Goblin Games] but Really [On Behalf of All 3PPers] -- Please Review our BooksFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2t0y8&page=2?Fat-Goblin-Games-but-Really-On-Behalf-of-All#772015-11-21T19:43:35Z2015-11-21T19:43:35Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Micah Watt, Pyromaniac Press wrote:</div><blockquote> Thanks for the replies - I'll send a few PMs </blockquote><p>Anything I can do to help / pass on my own particular experiences / mistakes just PM me.
<p>I've been going for 3 years now, BTW. I'm also in the UK so obviously some of my experiences relate to UKness.</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>Micah Watt, Pyromaniac Press wrote:Thanks for the replies - I'll send a few PMs
Anything I can do to help / pass on my own particular experiences / mistakes just PM me. I've been going for 3 years now, BTW. I'm also in the UK so obviously some of my experiences relate to UKness.
All the best
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-11-21T19:43:35ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [Fat Goblin Games] but Really [On Behalf of All 3PPers] -- Please Review our BooksFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2t0y8&page=2?Fat-Goblin-Games-but-Really-On-Behalf-of-All#702015-11-15T01:36:00Z2015-11-15T01:36:00Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Lorathorn wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Just an update, I posted the following reviews to dtrpg. </p>
<p>Trio of Taverns, Holy Island, and Guide to Lycanthropy.</p>
<p>I should have more reviews very soon! </blockquote><p>Much appreciated.
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>Lorathorn wrote:Just an update, I posted the following reviews to dtrpg.
Trio of Taverns, Holy Island, and Guide to Lycanthropy.
I should have more reviews very soon!
Much appreciated. All the best
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-11-15T01:36:00ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: [Fat Goblin Games] but Really [On Behalf of All 3PPers] -- Please Review our BooksFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2t0y8?Fat-Goblin-Games-but-Really-On-Behalf-of-All#202015-10-29T19:29:34Z2015-10-29T09:51:40Z<p>I'd just like to repeat the invitation that I made on another thread on this subject that if anyone would like to review one of my adventures then please drop me a PM and I'll send you a review copy.</p>
<p>Many thanks and all the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>I'd just like to repeat the invitation that I made on another thread on this subject that if anyone would like to review one of my adventures then please drop me a PM and I'll send you a review copy.
Many thanks and all the best
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-10-29T09:51:40ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Why is the adventure format stuck in the past?Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syww&page=3?Why-is-the-adventure-format-stuck-in-the-past#1072015-10-08T09:35:50Z2015-10-08T09:35:50Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">DM_aka_Dudemeister wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I think there's a difference between prepping a plot and a situation. In a game the plot is really only identified after the fact. The situation is what is prepared before the fact. </p>
<p>Motivation for villains, likely reactions to defenses being tested and the various events that are likely to happen if PCs aren't introduced to the environment are absolutely valid to prepping a situation. The plot is what happened once the PCs got there and wrecked everything... Er I mean, adventured! </p>
<p>Plots have protagonists, situations unfold. </blockquote><p>+1 to all this, and to Ross and thejeff.
<p>I've been wondering for a while though whether to include a type of read-aloud text - something that encompasses the invariant parts of a location as a shorthand for GMs. It would not be written from the "You" point of view, however - that sort of thing rubs me up the wrong way as a GM because it feels like the writer is addressing my players and that's not his job. It would also only cover some parts of the encounter, so the GM would then have to look at the text beyond this in order to decided what else needs to be described.</p>
<p>Richard</p>DM_aka_Dudemeister wrote:I think there's a difference between prepping a plot and a situation. In a game the plot is really only identified after the fact. The situation is what is prepared before the fact.
Motivation for villains, likely reactions to defenses being tested and the various events that are likely to happen if PCs aren't introduced to the environment are absolutely valid to prepping a situation. The plot is what happened once the PCs got there and wrecked everything... Er I...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-10-08T09:35:50ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Why is the adventure format stuck in the past?Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syww&page=2?Why-is-the-adventure-format-stuck-in-the-past#1002015-10-07T20:27:34Z2015-10-07T20:27:34Z<p>I think it's a matter of degree.</p>
<p>Although I think it is perfectly possible to produce good plot-less adventures (all of the MERP and Rolemaster stuff tends to be along those lines, for example), my preference is to have a plot going on which draws the players into it without it being so fine grained that it assumes room by room what the PCs are going to be doing.</p>
<p>In fact this naturally falls out of the way that I design adventures, which is first of all to construct a situation and plot which has no reference to the PCs at all, and then to add in the plot hooks and elements which draw the PCs into the story.</p>
<p>That spider example I gave earlier is a case in point. There is "plot" there, even in such a small description, because there are creatures living there and interacting with the world around them, and you can imagine a broader environment like a dungeon or a temple or something where things are going on and progressing in a PC-less plot. Then you hook the PCs in with some motivation which will eventually take them into that particular room to explore the altar, collect spider eggs, or what have you, and presumably put them in conflict with the plot's protagonists. If the spider's room has two doors into it, however, you don't have to assume which one the PCs will use. You don't have to assume room by room where they'll go, what they'll kill, what they'll befriend, how long they'll take over it, and so on. The plot holds the setting together and integrates it with the PCs without being any more prescriptive than that.</p>
<p>Like I said before, though, that's just one approach to Pathfinder and it may not be the most popular, but it's the one that I prefer as a GM and therefore the one that I prefer to write.</p>
<p>Richard</p>I think it's a matter of degree.
Although I think it is perfectly possible to produce good plot-less adventures (all of the MERP and Rolemaster stuff tends to be along those lines, for example), my preference is to have a plot going on which draws the players into it without it being so fine grained that it assumes room by room what the PCs are going to be doing.
In fact this naturally falls out of the way that I design adventures, which is first of all to construct a situation and plot...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-10-07T20:27:34ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Why is the adventure format stuck in the past?Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syww&page=2?Why-is-the-adventure-format-stuck-in-the-past#842015-10-07T13:47:15Z2015-10-07T13:47:15Z<p>I'm actually in the DeathQuaker camp - I don't believe in read-aloud text at all.</p>
<p>I would write something like this:</p>
<p>"Four giant spiders live in the room. The ceiling is covered in webs. At any one time one of the spiders is likely to be concealed by the webbing as they scutter about, requiring a Perception check DC 12 to spot, otherwise their presence is pretty obvious as they weave and re-weave their webbing in an attempt to construct the perfect fly-trap.</p>
<p>Not that it's done them much good - they haven't had a decent meal in a fortnight and are now more than likely to attack anything that comes in here even if it's wrapped in plate armour."</p>
<p>And so on.</p>
<p>The key thing about this approach is that it makes no assumptions about the circumstances under which the PCs will encounter this situation. PC action could result in them all clattering in here at the same time, or one of them creeping by himself, or perhaps they chase a goblin into this room, may be one that's carrying a torch. Alternatively the GM might decide that some of the spiders are going to go out hunting, or perhaps something else in the dungeon will come and hunt them.</p>
<p>With this sort of approach to writing, you're providing the GM with the information that she needs in order for her to run it in her own way. You're explaining why things are the way they are, rather than presenting a karaoke-style set of instructions. Clearly some people prefer the latter, perhaps most people, but this alternative does exist, and it's in fact how things used to be back in the very early days of D&D (I remember how shocked I was when read-aloud text first appeared in module A1).</p>
<p>Richard</p>I'm actually in the DeathQuaker camp - I don't believe in read-aloud text at all.
I would write something like this:
"Four giant spiders live in the room. The ceiling is covered in webs. At any one time one of the spiders is likely to be concealed by the webbing as they scutter about, requiring a Perception check DC 12 to spot, otherwise their presence is pretty obvious as they weave and re-weave their webbing in an attempt to construct the perfect fly-trap.
Not that it's done them much...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-10-07T13:47:15ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Why is the adventure format stuck in the past?Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syww?Why-is-the-adventure-format-stuck-in-the-past#262015-09-30T09:13:59Z2015-09-30T09:13:59Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Chemlak wrote:</div><blockquote> I absolutely LOVE how 4DD present encounters. Now, bear in mind that I only have a single adventure as an example (must get more), but every room has a simple encounter/treasure chart as part of the room details. The bit where it fell down was that there was a fair amount of what seems to be descriptive text, but mixed in were GM directions, which caused a few "gotcha" moments while playing it. If those are split out (and I understand that later adventures done by 4DD are improvements), it would be a damn near perfect example of how to do it right. </blockquote><p>What I did with Dance Macabre, where this sort of thing happened a lot, was to use BOLD to separate out GM directions from descriptive text.
<p>I wasn't sure whether this worked or made it messy.</p>
<p>I didn't use it for the next two adventures, because I felt the degree of admixture wasn't so great, but I'm constantly looking for ideas.</p>
<p>Richard</p>Chemlak wrote:I absolutely LOVE how 4DD present encounters. Now, bear in mind that I only have a single adventure as an example (must get more), but every room has a simple encounter/treasure chart as part of the room details. The bit where it fell down was that there was a fair amount of what seems to be descriptive text, but mixed in were GM directions, which caused a few "gotcha" moments while playing it. If those are split out (and I understand that later adventures done by 4DD are...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-09-30T09:13:59ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Adventure Path: General Discussion: which AP has the best supporting material (ie fanmade stuff/modules)Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sxxn?which-AP-has-the-best-supporting-material#182015-09-18T08:34:08Z2015-09-18T08:34:08Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Duiker wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Four Dollar Dungeons wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Duiker wrote:</div><blockquote> Here you go: <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uWTpkvATrBvWUrzDBUCAGhqszS2BVGff0aqs7gabBJc/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Osirian Map and Adventure List</a></blockquote><p>If that's my Holy Island that you've re-written to use the Osirian Gods, is there any chance you could post up your conversion notes? I would really love to see what you've done with it.
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard </blockquote><p>It is! I didn't do the adaptation yet, because the party went in a different direction entirely, so I think I'm going to hold it and adapt it later to a much higher level but keep the core conceit of all the gods, the artifact and the role play. Might make that island that I named "Malinki Island" which is the little one on the Osirian maps right next to the big one off its southeastern coast near the border with Katapesh.
<p>I'll post the mapping of the gods when and if they get there and I adapt that. </blockquote><p>That's excellent, thank you, I shall look forward to that.
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>Duiker wrote:Four Dollar Dungeons wrote: Duiker wrote: Here you go: Osirian Map and Adventure List
If that's my Holy Island that you've re-written to use the Osirian Gods, is there any chance you could post up your conversion notes? I would really love to see what you've done with it. All the best
Richard It is! I didn't do the adaptation yet, because the party went in a different direction entirely, so I think I'm going to hold it and adapt it later to a much higher level but keep the core...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-09-18T08:34:08ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder Adventure Path: General Discussion: which AP has the best supporting material (ie fanmade stuff/modules)Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sxxn?which-AP-has-the-best-supporting-material#152015-09-17T09:58:18Z2015-09-17T09:58:18Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Duiker wrote:</div><blockquote> Here you go: <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uWTpkvATrBvWUrzDBUCAGhqszS2BVGff0aqs7gabBJc/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Osirian Map and Adventure List</a></blockquote><p>If that's my Holy Island that you've re-written to use the Osirian Gods, is there any chance you could post up your conversion notes? I would really love to see what you've done with it.
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>Duiker wrote:Here you go: Osirian Map and Adventure List
If that's my Holy Island that you've re-written to use the Osirian Gods, is there any chance you could post up your conversion notes? I would really love to see what you've done with it. All the best
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-09-17T09:58:18ZForums: Product Discussion: [Four Dollar Dungeons] The Horn of Geryon hits 200Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2swe8?Four-Dollar-Dungeons-The-Horn-of-Geryon-hits-200#12015-09-01T10:47:07Z2015-08-30T15:41:46Z<p>(if you find yourself reading this post in many places - my apologies, but it is a significant moment for me)</p>
<p>This month The Horn of Geryon passed its 200 sales mark, which by general 3pp standards classifies it as a "hit".</p>
<p>2 1/2 years on people are still enjoying this "treasure island" type tale that begins with an innkeeper asking the PCs to find his daughter's missing rabbit.</p>
<p>(which was inspired, incidentally, by my daughter and her stuffed toy rabbit - called "rabbit" - which at the age of 23 she still goes nowhere without)</p>
<p>Anyone who loves Dr Who might also have noticed the strong connection between this adventure and the Dr's first encounter with the Daleks back in 1963 (Snakero -> Skaro, etc). I'm a big fan of the classic series and my adventures are full of references to the old black and white stories.</p>
<p>So in conclusion I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you very much to the 200+ people that have bought this PDF, as well as the other adventures that I have written.</p>
<p>And as a general note - purchasers vote with their wallets. Your support of the 3pp scene encourages, inspires and guides the material that we produce. Buy the things you like, and you'll make sure that more of what you like gets written.</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard Develyn</p>
<p>http://shop.d20pfsrd.com/collections/four-dollar-dungeons,
<br />
http://www.rpgnow.com/browse/pub/5369/Four-Dollar-Dungeons, and
<br />
http://paizo.com/companies/fourDollarDungeons</p>(if you find yourself reading this post in many places - my apologies, but it is a significant moment for me)
This month The Horn of Geryon passed its 200 sales mark, which by general 3pp standards classifies it as a "hit".
2 1/2 years on people are still enjoying this "treasure island" type tale that begins with an innkeeper asking the PCs to find his daughter's missing rabbit.
(which was inspired, incidentally, by my daughter and her stuffed toy rabbit - called "rabbit" - which at the...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-08-30T15:41:46ZForums: Product Discussion: [Four Dollar Dungeons] Holy Island Enzeitgeist reviewFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2su6z?Four-Dollar-Dungeons-Holy-Island-Enzeitgeist#12015-08-13T10:21:42Z2015-08-13T08:54:54Z<p>An insightful and thoughtful review by Pathfinder's most prolific and well respected reviewer.</p>
<p>http://paizo.com/products/btpy9dhm?Holy-Island</p>
<p>Richard</p>An insightful and thoughtful review by Pathfinder's most prolific and well respected reviewer.
http://paizo.com/products/btpy9dhm?Holy-Island
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-08-13T08:54:54ZForums: Product Discussion: The Reign of TerrorFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2su6y?The-Reign-of-Terror#12015-08-13T08:51:26Z2015-08-13T08:51:26Z<p>Now available here:</p>
<p>http://paizo.com/products/btpy9g47?The-Reign-of-Terror</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>Now available here:
http://paizo.com/products/btpy9g47?The-Reign-of-Terror
All the best
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-08-13T08:51:26ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Complete third-party adventures?Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rm96?Complete-thirdparty-adventures#162023-02-14T18:34:51Z2015-08-03T15:34:55Z<p>Shameless plug:</p>
<p>http://paizo.com/store/byCompany/f/fourDollarDungeons</p>
<p>Richard</p>Shameless plug:
http://paizo.com/store/byCompany/f/fourDollarDungeons
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-08-03T15:34:55ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Would you support a joint 3PP Adventure Path on Kickstarter?Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sfe9&page=3?Would-you-support-a-joint-3PP-Adventure-Path#1092015-07-22T09:40:53Z2015-07-22T09:40:53Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">LMPjr007 wrote:</div><blockquote>We are using this time to inform other 3PP and fans of 3PP what we are doing and how we can make this one of the most influential and successful kickstarters of 2016. Plus a $10 PDF reward level where you get all the threshold goals from numerous 3PP is pretty awesome.</blockquote><p>Consider me informed :-)
<p>Were you expecting those of us to whom you haven't spoken so far to pitch in ideas or proposals or something?</p>
<p>Richard</p>LMPjr007 wrote:We are using this time to inform other 3PP and fans of 3PP what we are doing and how we can make this one of the most influential and successful kickstarters of 2016. Plus a $10 PDF reward level where you get all the threshold goals from numerous 3PP is pretty awesome.
Consider me informed :-) Were you expecting those of us to whom you haven't spoken so far to pitch in ideas or proposals or something?
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-07-22T09:40:53ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: The future of PathfinderFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2s6wd&page=2?The-future-of-Pathfinder#582015-04-23T16:27:03Z2015-04-23T16:27:03Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">chbgraphicarts wrote:</div><blockquote><p>5th Ed is popular, yes, but it also doesn't have an Open Game License, and likely never will.</p>
<p>THAT may be a near death-sentence for 5th Edition, but still likely not; 3rd-Party support is one of the key qualities of both 3rd Ed/3.5 and Pathfinder, and Paizo being even MORE generous with it's Pathfinder Reference Document than WOTC ever was with its SRD has led to multitudes more, and higher-quality, 3rd Party products out there, creating a thriving environment for the whole community.</p>
<p>5th Edition not allowing 3rd Party support means that there will be fairly limited interest in it from other games manufacturers and even players; meanwhile, Pathfinder making ALL their Base Classes and (non-Golarion-specific) hardbound books Open Content means that publisher pay attention to them, and fans of those publishers in turn pay attention to Pathfinder.</blockquote><p>I also think HeroLab plays a very important part, and other software such as http://combatmanager.com/
<p>IIRC, WotC screwed the licence for software vendors - totally shafting the equivalent of HeroLab for 3.5 (forget its name). Total madness, IMVHO.</p>
<p>I think 3pp support is very important.</p>
<p>Richard</p>chbgraphicarts wrote:5th Ed is popular, yes, but it also doesn't have an Open Game License, and likely never will.
THAT may be a near death-sentence for 5th Edition, but still likely not; 3rd-Party support is one of the key qualities of both 3rd Ed/3.5 and Pathfinder, and Paizo being even MORE generous with it's Pathfinder Reference Document than WOTC ever was with its SRD has led to multitudes more, and higher-quality, 3rd Party products out there, creating a thriving environment for the...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-04-23T16:27:03ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Dance Macabre (PFRPG)Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/products/btpy99xg/discuss?Dance-Macabre#62015-04-22T19:59:47Z2015-04-22T19:59:47Z<p>Hey - not that brief! :-)</p>
<p>I believe the 3ppT crew are planning on running it in May (http://www.somnambulant-gamer.com/).</p>
<p>I'm really looking to seeing how they get on.</p>
<p>Richard</p>Hey - not that brief! :-)
I believe the 3ppT crew are planning on running it in May (http://www.somnambulant-gamer.com/).
I'm really looking to seeing how they get on.
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-04-22T19:59:47ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Dance Macabre (PFRPG)Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/products/btpy99xg/discuss?Dance-Macabre#42015-04-22T12:45:12Z2015-04-22T12:45:12Z<p>This is the first time I've seen a review spill over onto the Product Discussion page!</p>
<p>I reckon pretty soon your reviews are going to be longer than my adventures :-)</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>This is the first time I've seen a review spill over onto the Product Discussion page!
I reckon pretty soon your reviews are going to be longer than my adventures :-)
All the best
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-04-22T12:45:12ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Third-Party Thursdays (3ppT)Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2s2ts?ThirdParty-Thursdays#282015-04-17T13:48:31Z2015-04-17T13:48:31Z<p>Review of Dance Macabre is now available here: http://endzeitgeist.com/dance-macabre/</p>Review of Dance Macabre is now available here: http://endzeitgeist.com/dance-macabre/Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-04-17T13:48:31ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: A request to fans of 3pp booksFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2s3q5&page=3?A-request-to-fans-of-3pp-books#1272015-04-15T15:06:38Z2015-04-15T14:36:22Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Goznaz wrote:</div><blockquote> Four dollar dungeons. Endzeitgeist has done better reviews for these than I ever could. Read. Buy. Play. Repeat. Especially Marina and the upcoming holy island. </blockquote><p>Many thanks :-)
<p>Holy Island is out now, BTW:</p>
<p>http://paizo.com/products/btpy9dhm?Holy-Island</p>
<p>Richard</p>Goznaz wrote:Four dollar dungeons. Endzeitgeist has done better reviews for these than I ever could. Read. Buy. Play. Repeat. Especially Marina and the upcoming holy island.
Many thanks :-) Holy Island is out now, BTW:
http://paizo.com/products/btpy9dhm?Holy-Island
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-04-15T14:36:22ZRe: Forums: Advice: Saint CuthbertFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ro7x?Saint-Cuthbert#142015-04-14T11:29:50Z2015-04-14T11:29:50Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Four Dollar Dungeons wrote:</div><blockquote><p> If you want to wait about 4 months for the next adventure I'm writing, currently called Isle of Gods, this is set on an island that looks very much like Lindisfarne (which is not far from where I live, funnily enough) ...</p>
<p>Richard </blockquote><p>And here it is:
<p>http://paizo.com/products/btpy9dhm?Holy-Island</p>
<p>Richard</p>Four Dollar Dungeons wrote:If you want to wait about 4 months for the next adventure I'm writing, currently called Isle of Gods, this is set on an island that looks very much like Lindisfarne (which is not far from where I live, funnily enough) ...
Richard
And here it is: http://paizo.com/products/btpy9dhm?Holy-Island
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-04-14T11:29:50ZRe: Forums: Advice: Reccomended 1st Level INtroduction-Type Module for new RPG playersFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2s5cc?Reccomended-1st-Level-INtroductionType-Module#202015-04-12T13:40:48Z2015-04-12T13:40:48Z<p>If you'll excuse a bit of self-promotion I would suggest you look at <a href="http://paizo.com/products/btpy951h?The-Horn-of-Geryon" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Horn of Geryon</a>.</p>
<p>Read the review and look at the free preview to see if it appeals to you. The main advantage to a beginning GM is that all of the rules you need to run it are provided in the appendices.</p>
<p>Richard</p>If you'll excuse a bit of self-promotion I would suggest you look at The Horn of Geryon.
Read the review and look at the free preview to see if it appeals to you. The main advantage to a beginning GM is that all of the rules you need to run it are provided in the appendices.
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-04-12T13:40:48ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: A request to fans of 3pp booksFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2s3q5&page=2?A-request-to-fans-of-3pp-books#602015-04-08T15:10:25Z2015-04-08T15:10:25Z<p>If any of you guys fancy reviewing one of my adventures I'm more than happy to provide a free copy.</p>
<p>(I'm not sure how you do that here, having said that, but I can do it through drivethru).</p>
<p>Just PM me.</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>
<p>http://paizo.com/store/byCompany/f/fourDollarDungeons</p>If any of you guys fancy reviewing one of my adventures I'm more than happy to provide a free copy.
(I'm not sure how you do that here, having said that, but I can do it through drivethru).
Just PM me.
All the best
Richard
http://paizo.com/store/byCompany/f/fourDollarDungeonsFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-04-08T15:10:25ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Third-Party Thursdays (3ppT)Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2s2ts?ThirdParty-Thursdays#122015-03-27T13:39:39Z2015-03-27T13:39:39Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Ssalarn wrote:</div><blockquote> One thing I definitely discovered though; Michael Allen's <a href="http://paizo.com/products/btpy97th?A23-Twin-Crossings" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Twin Crossings</a> has seriously raised the bar for me on what I want from an adventure module. The flow charts, inserts, organization, and tables have seriously spoiled me, and it's hard not to be a little disappointed by almost anything else.</blockquote><p>Assuming you are going to do <a href="http://paizo.com/products/btpy99xg?Dance-Macabre" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dance Macabre</a> next, that's quite a challenge!
<p>I hope you enjoy it as much!</p>
<p>Richard</p>Ssalarn wrote:One thing I definitely discovered though; Michael Allen's Twin Crossings has seriously raised the bar for me on what I want from an adventure module. The flow charts, inserts, organization, and tables have seriously spoiled me, and it's hard not to be a little disappointed by almost anything else.
Assuming you are going to do Dance Macabre next, that's quite a challenge! I hope you enjoy it as much!
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2015-03-27T13:39:39ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Mad Props to EZG -- is this a record?Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rr8u?Mad-Props-to-EZG-is-this-a-record#122014-12-08T17:41:11Z2014-12-08T09:19:54Z<p>Thilo sets the quality that we all aspire to, so as well as providing a bridge between publishers, particularly small ones such as myself, and customers, he also pushes up standards.</p>
<p>He also puts in an amazing amount of time and care in his reviews which make them great to read for publishers as well. As writers, we all reach out to the community with our thoughts and ideas, and Thilo is fantastic for answering us back.</p>
<p>I always look forward to reading his reviews of my products, and I too use his reviews of other people's products to inform my purchasing decisions.</p>
<p>Richard</p>Thilo sets the quality that we all aspire to, so as well as providing a bridge between publishers, particularly small ones such as myself, and customers, he also pushes up standards.
He also puts in an amazing amount of time and care in his reviews which make them great to read for publishers as well. As writers, we all reach out to the community with our thoughts and ideas, and Thilo is fantastic for answering us back.
I always look forward to reading his reviews of my products, and I too...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2014-12-08T09:19:54ZRe: Forums: Advice and Rules Questions: What unusual 3rd party books do you enjoyFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rqr3?What-unusual-3rd-party-books-do-you-enjoy#332014-12-04T09:43:22Z2014-12-04T09:43:22Z<p>Ultimate PSionics (http://dreamscarredpress.com/dragonfly/Store/product/pid=126.html) is very good and I'm incorporating it in my next adventure.</p>
<p>The Mythic Monsters series (http://www.makeyourgamelegendary.com/products-page/mythic-plug-ins/) are also very good and I intend to use them later on next year in a mythic-themed adventure.</p>
<p>Richard</p>Ultimate PSionics (http://dreamscarredpress.com/dragonfly/Store/product/pid=126.html) is very good and I'm incorporating it in my next adventure.
The Mythic Monsters series (http://www.makeyourgamelegendary.com/products-page/mythic-plug-ins/) are also very good and I intend to use them later on next year in a mythic-themed adventure.
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2014-12-04T09:43:22ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Pathfinder? have you tried looking from the monsters' perspective?Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rqdc?Pathfinder-have-you-tried-looking-from-the#192014-11-26T10:19:30Z2014-11-26T10:19:30Z<p>It's central to what I write.</p>
<p>Richard</p>It's central to what I write.
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2014-11-26T10:19:30ZRe: Forums/Pathfinder First Edition: General Discussion: Do Doppelgangers have genders?Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rns1?Do-Doppelgangers-have-genders#132014-11-06T11:06:47Z2014-11-06T11:06:47Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Owen KC Stephens wrote:</div><blockquote> Weirdly I was JUST talking to Rob McCreary about this a couple of weeks ago. while it's not official, the conclusion we came to is that dopplegangers have gender, that gender does not limit what genitalia they can form, and while most dopplegangers have a gender identity they prefer to present as but A: It doesn't limit their actual options and B: it's likely on a spectrum at least as wide and varied as humans. </blockquote><p>This is broadly speaking the approach I took in <a href="http://paizo.com/products/btpy93jm?Journey-to-Cathreay" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Journey to Cathreay</a>. Since Dopplegangers are principally interested in infiltration, seduction is going to be a powerful tool, and why limit yourself to only one of the sexes.
<p>Richard</p>Owen KC Stephens wrote:Weirdly I was JUST talking to Rob McCreary about this a couple of weeks ago. while it's not official, the conclusion we came to is that dopplegangers have gender, that gender does not limit what genitalia they can form, and while most dopplegangers have a gender identity they prefer to present as but A: It doesn't limit their actual options and B: it's likely on a spectrum at least as wide and varied as humans.
This is broadly speaking the approach I took in Journey to...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2014-11-06T11:06:47ZRe: Forums: Advice: Saint CuthbertFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ro7x?Saint-Cuthbert#62014-11-05T10:41:14Z2014-11-05T10:41:14Z<p>If you want to wait about 4 months for the next adventure I'm writing, currently called Isle of Gods, this is set on an island that looks very much like Lindisfarne (which is not far from where I live, funnily enough) ...</p>
<p>Richard</p>If you want to wait about 4 months for the next adventure I'm writing, currently called Isle of Gods, this is set on an island that looks very much like Lindisfarne (which is not far from where I live, funnily enough) ...
RichardFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2014-11-05T10:41:14ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Blog: Spooky Scary Skeletons!Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/store/blog/v5748dyo5lgo1?Spooky-Scary-Skeletons#22014-11-02T21:26:55Z2014-11-02T21:26:55Z<p>Ditto!</p>Ditto!Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2014-11-02T21:26:55ZForums: Product Discussion: Dance Macabre, an adventure for 2nd level characters, now availableFour Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rmrd?Dance-Macabre-an-adventure-for-2nd-level#12014-10-24T13:05:12Z2014-10-24T09:12:05Z<p>I thought for once I would announce this here.</p>
<p>Here's the link:</p>
<p>http://paizo.com/products/btpy99xg?Dance-Macabre</p>
<p>This is an investigative adventure, mainly set within the bounds of an opulent town called Twisted Bridge. After the initial wilderness parts during which the PCs gather their first set of clues, the adventure turns into a sandbox-style investigation within the town itself (i.e. there is a PC-key to the map of the town which you can give to the PCs with the map whilst keeping the GM-key to the town for yourself).</p>
<p>There are plenty of RP opportunities without being RP dependent. The PCs have real freedom to do what they want whilst at the same time you as GM can take control of the pace of the adventure by deciding when the climax should take place.</p>
<p>And, indeed, there are plenty of macabre elements here which I hope you and your players will find both interesting and amusing.</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Richard</p>I thought for once I would announce this here.
Here's the link:
http://paizo.com/products/btpy99xg?Dance-Macabre
This is an investigative adventure, mainly set within the bounds of an opulent town called Twisted Bridge. After the initial wilderness parts during which the PCs gather their first set of clues, the adventure turns into a sandbox-style investigation within the town itself (i.e. there is a PC-key to the map of the town which you can give to the PCs with the map whilst keeping...Four Dollar Dungeons (alias of richard develyn)2014-10-24T09:12:05Z