rokeca's page

Overall I’m liking remaster. My biggest objection is with Oracle mysteries. Some remastered mysteries seem to have turned out of OK. But there are also some of us with existing Oracles who feel the remastered mysteries take away what was unique about the class: the roleplaying flavor, and what made the class both fun and challenging to play.

An example is my Ancestors Oracle. It’s been a blast to design a character around the challenge of finding something beneficial to do each round regardless of what I roll from my curse. Plus developing the backstory for the 12 different ancestor spirits that influence my actions (depending on severity of curse). However, most of what made me love playing my oracle is gone with remaster. The Ancestors mystery is now largely unplayable if you lean into the curse. And while I only have 3 levels with this PC, all 3 levels are via slow progression because I’ve enjoyed spending time with this character so much.

Oracle seems to be unique in that it’s the only class whose core (the mysteries) has been replaced/treated as errata with remaster to this extent. While Legacy wizards can retain their prior schools, oracles don’t have that option. “Because they share the same name, all Oracle mysteries are automatically updated to use the new Cursebound condition.”

I don’t know if there are enough of us out there, but I’m hoping that PFS will reconsider its approach to Oracle and make an exception, grandfathering the original mysteries despite them sharing the same name as remastered content. The case can be made that the changes to Oracle mysteries have fundamentally altered the essence of the class and how it plays. I would gladly give up the extra spell slot in return for all the wonderful flavor Legacy Oracle captured.

I’m running 2 pre-remaster campaigns on Foundry and hosting them on The Forge. Players in both campaigns agree they want to remain with the Legacy rules until these campaigns are complete, so we’ve opted not upgrade so far and have been sticking with PF2e v5.2.3

I’m interested in starting a new campaign for Season of Ghosts on Foundry, also with players who want to stick with the Legacy rules. However, I also understand that some of that adventure path will be released on Foundry using the Remastered rules.

I am wondering how well the Legacy module is working for 2e. I don’t want to upgrade my existing campaigns then have it not work well and frustrate my players. And I’m not sure how well the module would work downgrading Season of Ghosts content from Remaster to Legacy.

The advice I’ve received so far is “don’t do it”, and we’re looking instead at doing Strength of Thousands on Roll20 (which has done a nice job allowing Legacy and Remaster to coexist). But I’m curious on the thoughts of others. It would also be nice to have the Remaster rules on my Foundry for Pathfinder Society play.

I'm trying to figure our how long Slowed 1 lasts on a successful save vs the Skaveling's paralysis effect. Here's the description from AoN:

Paralysis (incapacitation, occult, necromancy) Any creature hit by the skaveling's Strikes must attempt a DC 22 Fortitude save.

Critical Success The creature is unaffected.

Success The creature is slowed 1.

Failure The creature is paralyzed. It can attempt a new save at the end of each of its turns, and the DC cumulatively decreases by 1 on each save.

Usually a duration is listed for Slowed. Since it's a success, should it be 1 round? Or does the PC get a new save at the end of their turn as in the paralyzed result for a failed save? Otherwise it seems pretty brutal effect for a successful save.

I'm starting a new 2e campaign for friends and family. I'm looking for good options for a game that is strong on the role playing/skill side of the game (no interest in dungeon crawls). I've heard Strength of Thousands could be a good option. Is that the case? Also open to modules that Paizo has published. Thanks!

Winning Streak got cast in my game for the first time. It’s a fun spell in the right circumstances, but we had 3 different interpretations at the table for how it works. Here’s the spell description:

"The target is energized by its good fortune as it spreads to others—as long as they keep winning. It gains the quickened condition for 1 round. If the target or one of their allies within 20 feet gets a critical success on an attack roll against a significant foe, whoever got the critical success becomes quickened if they weren't already, and the duration of the winning streak is extended by another round. Creatures quickened by the spell can use the extra action to Strike, Step, or Stride. If a full round passes without the target or one their allies critically succeeding on an attack roll against a significant foe, the winning streak breaks and the spell ends."

And here are my assumptions:

1) If another ally crits within 20 feet, when they gain the quickened condition for as long as the spell continues.

2) If that quickened ally leaves the 20 feet radius, they continue to be quickened until the spell ends, but once they’re beyond 20 feet, any crits they achieve do not extend the spell an additional round.

Do I have this right? Thanks!

I am a bit confused by the Ofalth’s Putrid Stench aura. It reads:

A creature entering the aura must succeed at a DC 28 Fortitude save or become sickened 1 until the end of its turn (plus slowed 1 for as long as it is sickened on a critical failure). While within the aura, an affected creature takes a –2 circumstance penalty to saves against disease and to recover from the sickened condition. A creature that succeeds at its save is temporarily immune for 1 minute

Am I correct in assuming (unlike most situations with sickened) that the sickened/slowed condition from the aura ends when the turn of the creature that entered the aura ends? So very short duration and no retching required.

Also, the description says nothing about a creature needing to make a save vs sickened if it starts its turn in the aura – so does this mean that the sickened affect is triggered only when entering the aura?

I’ve got a party of 5, so I’ve been upscaling encounters and treasure as per Core Rulebook guidelines. As I do so, I’ve been trying to add a bit of Geb flavour to some of the items – essentially reskinning/adapting existing items with a Geb theme. Nothing earthshattering, but here are the 3 I’ve introduced so far. Anyone have ideas to add?

DYING ANGEL PENDENT (slightly modified Crying Angel Pendent)
This pendant features the carving of a psychopomp on the verge of agonizing death caused by a grievous wound.

When you activate this alabaster pendant, your critical failure becomes a normal failure instead. This pendant can be used on both the quick and the dead.

HAND OF THE PETULANT NECROMANCER (modified Hand of the Mage)
This mummified hand hangs on an iron chain. Whenever its power is evoked, all fingers clench into a fist, with the exception of the middle finger.

Activate: command, envision
Effect: You cast Chill Touch

PROFANE SCROLL CASE OF SIMPLICITY (adapted Divine Scroll Case of Simplicity)
This profane scroll case of simplicity bears an adornments of skeletons gnawing on other skeletons. On the inside, intricate runic diagrams spiral out to surround the scroll stored within. A scroll placed within the case can be converted into energy to cast consistently useful spells depending on its type. You must be able to cast divine spells to use a profane scroll case of simplicity.

Activate: Interact
Requirements: The scroll case contains a single scroll of a 1st-level spell
Effect: You transfer the scroll's energy into the scroll case, consuming the scroll, and you can immediately begin casting one of the scroll case's spells. If you use any action other than to Cast a Spell from the scroll case after activating the scroll case of simplicity, the scroll and its energy are lost.
The scroll case can be used to cast Harm and Putrefy Food and Drink

The SoM spell Winning Streak provides one character/creature a quickened effect for one round with this twist:

"If the target or one of their allies within 20 feet gets a critical success on an attack roll against a significant foe, whoever got the critical success becomes quickened if they weren't already, and the duration of the winning streak is extended by another round. Creatures quickened by the spell can use the extra action to Strike, Step, or Stride. If a full round passes without the target or one their allies critically succeeding on an attack roll against a significant foe, the winning streak breaks and the spell ends."

So what counts as a significant foe? A creature of the same level as the character making the attack? Above their level? No more than 1 or 2 levels below?

Thanks!

I’m about to start my Blood Lords campaign. One of my players (new to PF2) is playing an alchemist drawn to alchemical compounds uniquely related to undeath. He is wondering if it is possible to research and create undead versions of formulae like Elixir of Life, etc. I haven’t found rules for researching formulae. I’m aware of the Inventor Crafting skill feat (which semi-applies) – but that isn’t available until 7th level.

I like his idea - any rules or thoughts on how to facilitate this? I’m thinking he could experiment by reverse engineering an Elixir of Life and Oil of Undeath. But what sort of DC would I use? For Elixir of Undeath (minor): 14 (level 1 DC) + 10 (for unique)? And how many days might it take?

What would be the action options for removing a Redcap's cap?

Disarm?

Grapple - except the cap is grabbed instead of the Redcap?

Steal? This is supposed to automatically fail if in combat, but it wouldn't really matter if the Redcap noticed the attempt. Or could Steal be attempted if the Redcap was grappled?

Anything I've missed?

Thanks!

Hey - I have a fun roleplaying concept for a character with a Tengu adoptive ancestry. While it looks like I can use my ACPs to purchase a Tengu ancestry, it doesn't appear to be available in the adoptive ancestry options through Ancestral Adoption. Is there a way for me to play a legal character with the Tengu adoptive ancestry? Thanks!

I've been a subscriber for a looooong time. On a couple of occasions I've had to pay customs when adding some miniatures/games/cards to my order, but I've never had to pay customs on my regular AP subscription (even when other books have been included in the order).

I've just received AP #122 (the only item in this shipment - order #4481716). Total value was $17.49 USD. When it arrived at my door I was required to pay $12.64 CAD to receive my package.

Was there some sort of error here? Or is customs in Canada treating goods differently now? Between the shipping, exchange and customs, I have paid about $45 CAD for this one item. If this were to happen again I'm afraid I'd need to cancel my subscriptions as it crosses the tipping point where it makes sense to keep subscribing.

Any insight you can provide would be great.

Thank you!

Jim

Just seeing that my total (before shipping) comes to 97.35. Is it too late to add one more mini to bring the total over $100 (so I can qualify for First Ten shipping - or has this order already qualified?)?

Thanks!

Hi! Just purchased some minis (order 3772235) and sidecarted them with my next subscription shipment. Wondering if it's possible that they could ship with my pending subscription shipment (2818106).

Thanks!

Love the card game, but please cancel my subscription so I can avoid the shipping fees to Canada for the new big starter box.

For purposes of using cards like Blessing of Achaekek (i.e. add 2 diece to any check to defeat a villain or henchman), does the ship summoned by an Enemy Ship (or Devil's Pallor) count as a henchman? I'm thinking no, but wondering what others think.

Thanks!

My brother and I were playing Sunken Treasure over the weekend – a 2 player game with Valeros and Lem. We managed to defeat Kelizar on the very last blessing. We high fived, divied up our loot. But afterward I wondered if we played the scenario right.

Lem encountered Kelizar early in the game. We randomly determined that the henchman would be banished from the beach. We took out the Shipwreck there, shuffled the remaining cards, meaning we’d have to work through the entire deck to close the location. We think we did that right.

Then Lem took on Kelizar. Valeros was able to temporarily close the Sea Caves, and we threw in a lot in to support Lem. Kelizar fled to either the Beach or the Wishing Well. I think we did that right as well.

With Kelizar defeated, we then banished all the cards from the Harbour and closed the location. Was that right? We were assuming that the location was permanently closed after defeating the villain – but did we misinterpret? Did we also need to meet the ‘when closing’ conditions (or push through the remainder of the deck) in the Sunken Treasure scenario to close the Harbour?

Also, in our final encounter with Kelizar, we had him pinned down in the wishing well. All the other locations were closed, and Kelizar was the last card in the location deck. We burned everything we had to defeat him. But the Scenario card says, “If Kelizar is defeated and cannot escape, banish Kelizar. You win the scenario only when all locations are permanently closed” So should Valeros have also been required to meet the ‘When Closing’ condition for the Wishing Well after defeating Kelizar for us to win the scenaro?

Thanks for any insight!

I'm pleased I had the opportunity to support this kickstarter. It’s great to grow the Pathfinder community on all platforms. As we get closer to starting to the game going live, I've realized I won't have the time to invest in Pathfinder Online. The game looks awesome, but I'm simply more of a tabletop gamer, and need to keep the time I have available to my first passion.

I funded at the Crowdforger Pioneer level, which apparently includes “a three-month game subscription, a New Player Pack of consumables, and a Pathfinder Alliance Pack” plus some of the daily deals. So what are my options now that I've decided I won't use my subscription?

Thanks!

OK - what am I doing wrong? I've been running PFS as a home game for several weeks, and I'm finally getting around to reporting the results.

I've been able to report the first module we played. But now whenever I try to report another event or session, I can see the instruction screen, I can see the space ito input the player data. However, I can't see the part of the screen that allows me to input info on the event (i.e. the module played, the date, my info). It's just one big blank square. Any thoughts?

For those dads who enjoy watching 'My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic' with their daughters, there's never been a better time to get them interested in Pathfinder...

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/03/traditional-game-ponyfinder.html

Sorry - I dunno how to do the linkified thing. And thanks to enWorld for the find.

The new Ponies show is surprisingly good. It may be the best thing ever to get girls interested in heroic fantasy and RPGs. Its changed story time with my 5-year old daughter from Dr. Seuss to 'The Last Unicorn' and 'The Hobbit'.

Now if I could only figure out where Equestria is on my Golarion map!

I'm giving PFS my first test drive this weekend, and have a couple questions about the Human Inquisitor I'm creating.

While I'm new to PFS, I played a ton of Living Greyhawk. Based on that organized play experience, I liked combat and roleplay situations pretty equally.

So here's my question. I'm creating a Human Inquisitor of the Cheliax faction. I'm torn between using my feats to make him more viable in combat (Combat Expertise and Dodge to increase AC to 19), or through skills (Skill Focus: Intimidate and Alterness) to make him channel the fearsome nature of the inquisition. The feats I select will have a small impact on the traits and spells I choose.

I'm leaning towards the skills approach for RP reasons - but having never played in a PFS game, I'm wondering if I'll find that rewarding (i.e. do the modules provide skill based/RP characters a chance to shine, or would I be better off equiping myself for the tactics of battle).

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

Cosmo - my errant order arrived today, much to my relief. It appears to have been delayed by Canadian Customs.

To your knowledge, is this common? While I was not assessed any duty, I was charged $4.05 GST (Goods & Services Tax) plus a $5.00 handling charge. The package contained books only. Perhaps it's just the luck of the draw - this is the first time I've ever had customs intercept a package from Paizo.

Thank you!

It was pointed out to me that the link I had provided to this post didn't work... so here it is. Hopefully it will be of use to some DMs...

INHABITANTS OF OCCIPITUS

POPULATION
While Occipitus is desolate by the standards of the Prime Material Plane or most other layers of the Abyss, the encounter tables illustrate that there still exists a diversity of creatures. Occipitus is a harsh home, and even the bottom feeders in the Occipitus food chain are hearty creatures, capable of surviving in the environs.

DENIZENS AND VISITORS
The creatures found on Occipitus can be placed within six broad categories…

• The Natives
• The Abandoned
• The Livestock
• The Contenders
• The Lost Celestials
• The Visitors

THE NATIVES
This group includes some demons (the few that have survived centuries after the casting down of Celestian land), chaos beasts, and the abyssal greater basilisks.

The undead (shadows, spectres, ghosts) could now be considered native. Most are the result of Orcus’ recent dalliance with Occipitus, or as spirits of fallen mortals – others are minions and visitors to the plane who met a savage, brutal end.

THE ABANDONED
These are the followers of Adimarchus who were left behind after his disappearance and survived the onslaught of Graz’zt’s horde. The Abandoned include demons brought to Occipitus by Adimarchus with no means to leave the plane after his departure, as well as other minions and creatures drawn to serve under Adimarchus’ banner. This group includes a large number of green slaad (many of whom the passage of time have transformed into grey slaad), the various fiendish creatures Adimarchus used as shock troops (and their descendants), as well as elite allies such as Vorkaire, the black dragon.

Over the years, factions have formed with turf wars and infighting reducing the ranks of the Abandoned. Those who remain are either powerful, wily, or both.

THE LIVESTOCK
An army needs food. To satisfy this need, Adimarchus stocked Occipitus with fiendish cattle and other beasts forming the low rung of the Occipitus food chain. This includes the fiendish bison, and for the hearty, thunder beasts.

These creatures now roam the flats, and are preyed upon by other fiendish creatures, and the slaadi. While demons have no need for food, they often wade into the flats to shed blood and cause devastation when the mood strikes.

THE USURPERS
This select group encompasses those with the ambition to usurp Adimarchus’ throne: demons mad enough to rule Occipitus; demons who believe their only escape from Occipitus is by passing the Test of the Smoking Eye; and non-demons from other planes, who, for selfish or altruistic reasons, wish to pass the test.

Most of the contenders have followers, vassals or cohorts with them. For example, Liuvash the succubus has used her powers of persuasion to persuade Arrokh (the noble salamander and former minion of Adimarchus) and the driders to assist her; Zaur Sza (the rakshasa), Motruk (the fire giant) and Kaurophon all fit into this category. Certain self-proclaimed demon lords of Occipitus and other visitors to the layer may also view themselves as contenders to the throne.

THE LOST CELESTIALS
These are the poor souls (and their progeny), celestial forces caught in crush of conflict with Adimarchus’ demon hordes at the precise moment the land they were defending was torn from the fabric of Celestia and cast down into the Abyss. Those who remain lacked the means of planar travel to return to their home plane, or who elected to stay and protect the sacred ground left on Occipitus. Guardinals, some couatl, and golems created by the celestials fall into this group.

VISITORS
While Occipitus is far from a tourist hot spot, the plane does attract some abyssal visitors. The layer is also occasionally visited by celestial creatures seeking to discover the fate of the realm torn from Celestia, or hoping to rescue their lost brethren. Others travel to Occipitus with a purpose that does not include the Test of the Smoking Eye – including treasure hunters (i.e. the priests of Wee Jas) seeking legendary artifacts lost from Celestia or powerful items abandoned after the clash between Graz’zt and Adimarchus.

Saureya the fallen astral deva may also be considered a visitor. Saureya likely has the means to escape Occipitus. If so, he is there by choice pursuing his own agenda.

POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
Cattle and fiendish creatures form the centre of the Occipitus ecosystem. The cattle live in greatest numbers at the centre of the large flats, wandering in herds. Preying on these herds are other fiendish creatures, living in concentric circles around the flats (and into the ossaic and fibrous forests).

The slaadi have learned it’s best to stay close together, and live in caves and warrens carved into the mountainous rim that defines the edge of Occipitus. Some slaad have made loose alliances with celestial creatures and reside in the celestial rubble, others are enemies of the celestials, seeing these areas.

Demons can live virtually anywhere on Occipitus, although the mightiest avoid establishing their strongholds in the flats. Some demons have taken on the role of overlords, setting up lairs in the mountains or ossaic forest. The boldest set up their territories near the skull, seeing it as the true symbol of status in Occipitus. All send their minions about Occipitus, vying with other overlords, and spreading chaos and destruction among the flats, some seeking clues to solve the puzzle of the Smoking Eye.

‘Test of the Smoking Eye’ is a mixed bag for me. The module has such potential, with a very unique and atmospheric setting and a story that foreshadows events to come, but the execution of the idea falls flat, and the module feels two-dimensional.

What I find missing a sense of who the movers and shakers are on Occiptius – what the politics are on the Abyssal layer. Since the departure of Adimarchus, I would think there must be factions vying for control, rival demon and slaad armies protecting their turf, or challengers for the throne who have set up advance camps.

As I prepare for this module, I can see my adventuring group would spend half the module – possibly entire sessions - facing random encounters if I was to play by the book. I’m thinking of replacing the random encounters with fixed ones that tell a narrative as the players travel, exposing the PCs to the politics, mystery and backstory of Occipitus.

Has anyone done something interesting with Occipitus, or 'fleshed out' the layer any further?

I spent an hour writing a thoughtful and detailed response to a post on the Shackled City board. When I went to preview it, I was taken directly to the store. I could not get what I had written back.

All I can say is 'this really sucks' and it makes me less likely to contribute to the boards in the future.

What's the deal?