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“It has been 6 months since the Swarm first touched down on Suskillon in a bloody conflict named the Battle at Stone Sea. After the Swarm punched through the planet’s aerial and orbital defenses, its components landed near the Stone Sea, a large freshwater lake surrounding a dormant volcano. The Fifth Battalion of the Suskillon Defense Force (SDF) was closest to the site of contact and held the Swarm back long enough for the SDF to mobilize other battalions to the area. Stories of the battle have already reached near-mythical heights, as most members of the Fifth Battalion were killed in glorious, terrible combat. Since then, the SDF has fought a losing battle against the Swarm. Though Suskillon is a friendly trading partner with the Pact Worlds, the planet’s government has yet to officially request aid, with many afraid that the Pact Worlds will claim their planet as a protectorate in “payment” for such help. However, that hasn’t stopped volunteers and mercenaries from other systems (including the Pact Worlds and the Veskarium) from journeying to Suskillon to join in the fight against the invasion. The Swarm is relentless, though, and it has already taken nearly half of the planet. We begin in the middle of one of the planet’s Dead Winters, a time of extended extreme cold weather in the planet’s southern hemisphere. Over the past few weeks, Suskillon has enjoyed something of a respite, as the Swarm appears to have ceased its near-daily attacks. Some believe the Swarm’s numbers are dwindling, and that the tide of the war will soon turn. In an effort to replenish the ranks of the Fifth Battalion, the SDF has recruited mercenaries and off-worlders, made deals with prisoners and pirates, and accepted nearly every volunteer who can hold a gun. These new soldiers—including you—are being trained and outfitted at Camp Cavalier, a small encampment just outside of Brinnoa.”
For out of character discussion
As I was doing some thinking about a new PC for a 1E game, I realized two big holes in archetype genres in 2E that I really miss, and thought I’d put a post up to see if others felt the same. The first kind, which I don’t think 2E can do, is when it would be an amalgam of the class with some other class feature(s). Archeologist Bard, Phantom Blade Spiritualist, Sanctified Slayer or Sacred Huntmaster Inquisitor, Sacred Fist Warpriest, and so forth . I guess MC Archetypes now fulfill this, but it just doesn’t feel as fun to me. The other thing I miss, and that I think 2E could do really well, is object-oriented archetypes. So here I am thinking of things like the Black Blade Magus, Namekeeper Shaman, Cartomancer Witch – anything that has an interesting object that provides story/RP opportunities. Would love to see such things in future products.
Since this scenario uses the PFS lvl 5 pregens, we'll need to work out who is playing what. There are only 6 options: Alchemist, Barbarian, Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, and Wizard. My suggestion is that everyone post their top three choices and we see where we are, and in the event of competing interests, we let the dice decide.
Will get slides up soon - waiting to see if Paizo drops the scenario.
Feel free to dot into Gameplay and we'll get started in a bit.
Zarta Dralneen urgently requests the your assistance in the archives beneath Skyreach in Absalom. The vaults hum with nervous tension as researchers and guards hastily scribe warding circles and erect defensive constructs around a scorched circle of melted stone and smashed shelves. Nearby, a sphinx carefully directs the containment of several sparking crystals fallen from a smashed Osirion urn. Venture- Captain Ambrus Valsin keeps his eyes firmly focused on the scorched circle, while engaged in heated conversation with Zarta Dralneen. A handful of singed hairs mar her otherwise carefully composed appearance. As you get closer, you can begin to hear the exchange between them. Valsin continues, “…a needless risk of agents and resources. Your countermeasures worked. Just accept that success and let’s be rid of the thing.” Zarta gives an acknowledging smile to the new arrivals and lightly places a hand to direct Valsin’s attention. “We aren’t sure of another way to safely close the portal permanently. And here we have some of the Society’s best, eager to assist.” Valsin frowns, but Zarta quickly stymies further argument. “This is a risk but also an opportunity. Think of what censored history we might uncover from a pre-war Thrune. And if we fail, you’ll still have the pleasure of smashing the talisman. I have the experience and… this is something I need to do, Ambrus.” Valsin gives an exasperated sigh, “If you don’t return and leave me to clean up this mess, trust that I will find you and give you a dressing down to remember.” As Valsin stalks off, Zarta smirks as though about to make a cheeky response. She quickly refocuses, producing a dark iron talisman set with a ruby and inscribed with Infernal script. “This, my friends, is a melancholic talisman, a device of diabolic manufacture that opens a portal to a specific point in Hell. It activated spontaneously yesterday, allowing a flight of imps access to Skyreach.” Zarta continues with pride. “The Dark Archive has prepared for such planar incursions after last year’s intrusions, and we quickly destroyed or captured the devils. With information gleaned from the imps, I carefully reopened the portal and ventured through. I found myself in the city of Dis in the Nine Hells. I learned through my contacts there of the talisman’s connection to Gellius Thrune, a scion of Cheliax’s ruling family from just after the Everwar about 300 years ago. Gellius sold his soul to a devil named Leventi. Another devil, the osyluth Vetrivides, noticed my investigation, as they too are investigating this Leventi for acting against the interests of Hell. If we can find proof of Leventi’s wrongdoing, Vetrivides will award us the soul of Gellius Thrune, who we can then question on how to permanently close the hellmouth. Vetrivides provided me with writs to act as their agent for the next 48 hours.” She smiles impishly and concludes, “As you’ve no doubt heard your enemies shout, it’s time to go to Hell.” Zarta produces a bone scroll tube with two writs scribed in Infernal, detailing the Pathfinders’ right to legally move about the city of Dis as Vetrivides’ agents for 48 hours after arrival, providing one copy to you and keeping the other for herself.
Any chance we can get a sense of which prestige classes from Paths of the Righteous are outright banned and which are being held in reserve for possible boons? I know at least one has come out as a boon. I’m keen to play a Stargazer, and hoping it may someday be available. I’m not asking for guarantees of what will be released, but rather “here are the ones that MAY someday be released” (or maybe easier to say “here are the definite bans”).
I thought Assault on Absalom was the best special yet, probably because the faction related choices that allowed for different kinds of encounters beyond just combat after combat. That said, I’ve also really enjoyed some of the past years' pre-gen specials where we have a chance to take on unusual characters and perspectives (kobolds, Aspis Agents, elementals). I just wanted to express my hope that we haven’t seen the last of that style of special.
Might be a silly question, but the revelation reads: "Once per day, you can move up to your speed as an immediate action." Now on the one hand, charge is in the name of the revelation, but the actual language of the revelation only says move. This is for a creature who may be fighting in an enclosed space, where charging isn't as practical.
I'm planning to play #7-23 soon, and I've played both Siege of Serpents and Serpents Rise, so I know about the "abduction." I've also played The Blackros Connection, which if memory serves advanced the plot further, but also had an antagonist at the end who it seemed I was supposed to know who she was from a prior scenario, but I either didn't remember her or missed it somehow. So, I'm wondering if anyone can provide a "recap" of the narrative arc leading up to the mission in 7-23?
I'm preparing to run this in a few days, and I'm worried about the fight with the oceanid. I'm imagining it taking place in the lagoon, with Jenesara drawing her there, with the PCs attacking from the beach. My concern is that with the DR/10 cold iron and the fast healing 10, and without a way to really effectivelu get at her if she remains swimming in the lagoon, my melee heavy group is going to have trouble. Anyone have advice or experience with this fight? I'm wondering about subbing in some other amphibious creature as a possible solution, so I'd welcome suggestions about that as well.
I know there are several APs in line to get chronicles sheets, but I'm wondering if John might be able to shed light on plans for Feast of Dust. I ask in particular because, since it is a module for 11th lvl PCs, I might not advance one of my characters past 11 if it could be used as a retirement arc (since with EotT and Wardens, there are strict rules about being exactly at 33 xp). I'm wondering if there are plans for Feast of Dust to be an option for a retirement arc, and if so, would the PC start at 11th (30 xp)?
I’ve been very pleased and impressed with the continued improvement of PFS play. When I think about the changes from when I started playing 3 years ago it’s striking. Some of my favorite things:
According to recent reports from Mike and John, even more is on the way, which is exciting, and I’d like to add to the discussion of the future of PFS. There have been several threads about the need for more 1-5 scenarios vs. more mid-tier vs. seeker play (to generalize broadly). I have two concerns: lack of mid-tier options and Seeker play. When I look at what scenarios I can play, the numbers break down like this:
Since I don’t need more 7-11 at the moment, you might think I just want to see fewer at that tier and more at 3-7 and 5-9. Maybe, but what I want more than anything, and here is the thing I care most about, would be if each season there was a Seeker level scenario for my 13.2 Inquisitor who has completed Eyes of the Ten. Please note, I’m just asking for *1* scenario that I could play at a standard PFS game night at my FLGS. I don’t need a whole new seeker arc akin to EotT, and it seems most discussion of Seeker stuff assumes a multi-part arc. While that would be nice, just as good for me would be a single scenario, where once a year I could play an old favorite PC. Does this appeal to anyone else?
Just wondering if we can get a ballpark from John on when we'll see the Jormurdun (sp?) scenario(s). I have a PC sitting at 9.2 who ran the lead-up trilogy last summer, and I'd like to continue the story with him. I don't need exact months, but "late summer" vs. "spring" might change what I choose to play between now and then. The level tier would be even more helpful, since if it isn't going to be 7-11, then I won't worry about it and will keep playing this PC.
I’m about to start playing in a RotRL campaign with an Elven Wizard, Void school specialist. I’ll probably be taking a few feats to boost my blasting (Spell Focus:Evo & Varisian Tattoo: Evo). That said, I want to remain versatile, and I’m debating whether or not to also take the Spellbinder archetype or just stick with arcane bond on a ring (we’re a group of 6 and we’ve decided that no one is going to take ACs or familiars or focus on summoning to keep things moving). I also plan on taking Fast Study at 5th and leaving a few slots open across the levels for on the spot fixes outside of combat. I really like the idea of being able to cast ANY spell just when it’s needed, so I’m leaning arcane bond, but I’ve seen quite a bit of praise for Spellbinder. Having never played a wizard before, I’m curious to hear how people make use of Spellbinder. Do you convert spells in combat, or during downtime as needed? Any thoughts on the choice and why you’d go one way or the other would be appreciated!
I have a question about the spells that appear as available for “All” on the elemental specialist lists (pp. 194-196 of APG). First, the simpler question: If I am a Fire specialist, I clearly can use any of the spells noted as being for all elemental specialists (e.g., Resist Energy or Summon Monster or Elemental Body), but am I prohibited from a version tied to my opposition school? So, I could not summon a water elemental if a fire specialist, or get protection from cold? That would make sense to me, but I don’t see that in the text. Second, and if the above is true, what happens if I am a Void specialist (from Dragon Empires Primer)? Do those “All” spells act as opposition spells, or only if using a version tied to my specific opposition element? For example, if water is my opposition, would the same restrictions as the Fire Elementalist above apply, or is any version of those spells oppositional? Hope that makes sense.
It turns out I won't be able to GM an upcoming session of Seven Days to the Grave. One of my players has offered to sub in and GM a scenario as a sort of side-quest. Not overly worried about continuity, but would like something that could take place in Korvosa, with minimal work on his part. Looking for something in the 3-7 lvl tier. Any suggestions?
Mechanical Question:
Walter’s guide to the magus, in talking about amulets of NA, mentions: “Your natural armor bonus to AC does not stack with other enhancement bonuses to natural armor, but does stack with raw natural armor, does not apply to touch AC.”
Story Question:
Thanks for any assistance.
Playing with creating a Tiefling Magus, and was wondering if I took the prehensile tail alternate racial trait if it could be used to activate a metamagic rod? If not, what about if I took the additional "Grasping Tail" feat? I guess I don't fully understand how a metamagic rod gets "used" when casting the spell. Does it just need to be held, or waved around in a particular way, in which case the tail isn't up to the task? Perhaps my search-fu is weak, but I could only find discussion of Tiefling tails and not being able to use them to wield weapons.
Going to take the PFS plunge and looking for some advice/comments. In particular, on starting feats, feat progression plan, skills, and spell choice. The current thread on value of toughness has led me no closer to an answer on toughness vs. dodge. Bristor
PFS Campaign Trait: Grand Lodge, Loyalty = +1 saving throw vs. enchantment spells and spell-like abilities
Skills: Intimidate, Perception, Sense Motive, Stealth, Knowledge (arcane), Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (planes)
Feat Progression:
Teamwork Feats:
Spells Known:
Looking for some advice: starting a new (and first PF) campaign with friends who haven’t played together for almost 10 years (3rd ed. DnD). Debating between CotCT and Kingmaker. Personally, I love the idea of PCs running a kingdom (Anyone remember the Principalities of Glantri Gazeteer?), but more importantly, I’m wondering if the kingdom running aspects could be done via email between sessions (given families and such, we’ll be lucky to play for an evening everything month or so). I like the idea of that functioning as an ongoing thread between the sessions, but it’s not clear to me if it would work well. Otherwise, Curse sounds good and has gotten high praise on the boards, so was thinking of that since I saw people mention it uses fast track xp, which also might be nice given the long lapses between sessions. Any thoughts would be appreciated. |
