What: Pathfinder Society!
Where: The unofficial chatroom!
When: July 30th, 2008, 6pm Pacific (9pm for you East coast folks, 2am for Greenwich Mean Time)
Who: Josh Frost, Nick Logue
This will be a MODERATED chat, in that questions will be directed to one person (me), and forwarded on to the Main room to be answered. So, for one day, the chatroom will have its Chaotic subtype repressed.
Sounds great! Do you want any questions ahead of time?
Absolutely. Post 'em here! :D
No questions from me per se... that wont be answered around the next day or so.
But! A chat log posted here would be fantastic. That way... if I do end up having a question... I can scan that.. see if it was answered before I make a new post.
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Hey Lilith, I went to timeanddate.com to try to figure out what time this chat would be for me (in Sydney Australia). Doing the conversion, 6pm Wednesday PST is 11am Thursday for me BUT it says that GMT at the same time is 1am not 2am. So just want to check that I have done the conversion right … Are you guys adjusted for daylight savings or anything?
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Sounds like we will hear more details on/around Aug 1st, so these questions might be premature:
Home games:
1. How soon after GenCon will the scenarios be released for home play?
2. As a current registered Paizo subscriber, what do I need to do to "register" myself and others for a home group?
General:
1.Can your group change factions along the way? (Or can this only be done after they retire at 12th level and players start over a 1st level with new characters?)
Fees:
1.Has the fee for pdf downloads been determined yet?
PaizoCon:
1. Any thoughts on how PS games might work at PaizoCon 2009?
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Hey Lilith, I went to timeanddate.com to try to figure out what time this chat would be for me (in Sydney Australia). Doing the conversion, 6pm Wednesday PST is 11am Thursday for me BUT it says that GMT at the same time is 1am not 2am. So just want to check that I have done the conversion right … Are you guys adjusted for daylight savings or anything?
The chat room is currently in Daylight savings time.
Does that help?|
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Hey Lilith, I went to timeanddate.com to try to figure out what time this chat would be for me (in Sydney Australia). Doing the conversion, 6pm Wednesday PST is 11am Thursday for me BUT it says that GMT at the same time is 1am not 2am. So just want to check that I have done the conversion right … Are you guys adjusted for daylight savings or anything?The chat room is currently in Daylight savings time.
Does that help?
It may - thanks!
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It may - thanks!Hey Lilith, I went to timeanddate.com to try to figure out what time this chat would be for me (in Sydney Australia). Doing the conversion, 6pm Wednesday PST is 11am Thursday for me BUT it says that GMT at the same time is 1am not 2am. So just want to check that I have done the conversion right … Are you guys adjusted for daylight savings or anything?The chat room is currently in Daylight savings time.
Does that help?
Right now it is 9:05 PM
Director of Brand Strategy
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Will scenarios contain spoilers for other scenarios? Could a group have 1 DM one scenario, and then another DM for another scenario? (I am thinking in the context of a home game here where we have the same group of people from game to game.)
I believe a rotating GM would be possible, as the scenarios are not related to one another. The only rule they've mentioned so far is that you can't play a scenario after GMing it.
And my question, in case I am indeed playing RotR Wednesday night is:
How level dependent are the scenarios going to be. Assuming one levels up after three scenarios, the four (?) level one scenarios per season will remain the same, and anyone starting a new character in, say, January would be using a 6-month-old scenario? Or will there be scaling information to use scenarios from any point in the season for any level of play?
Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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PaizoCon:
1. Any thoughts on how PS games might work at PaizoCon 2009?
Beat me to it, Lori!
Actually, I want to see the Society up and running, so that Nick and Josh get all comfy, and then we'll start thinking up something really cool for PaizoCon II. But, yes, if they've got thoughts (I'm sure Nick has lots of those, some unsafe for work), I'm interested!
Myself and at least one of my players will be there. Thank you Lilith.
I take back what Erik said about you at Origins. ;)
Huh What?
A chat log posted here would be fantastic.
Will someone save transcript for those of us who won't be able to make it...
I will be posting a nice, pretty transcript here in the thread when it is over. :D
Question:
I am finding myself a bit put off by the encouragement of Pathfinder Society management to foster a gaming environment filled with smack talk and rivalry.
Oh, and smack talk the crap out of players not in your faction. Go team!
How do you foresee players from various factions interacting at the gaming table?
Is smack talking to be encouraged in-character as the factions try to outdo one another?
How do you see the faction rivalry enriching the Pathfinder Society organized play environment?
In two days, peeps! Any questions ahead of time?
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Why aren't we using the PFRPG rules to make characters for Season 0?
It feels a bit like a step backward to test out the new Society with the "old" (3.5) rules, especially as such momentum and excitement has been building in the last few months.
Brent - this one has been answered previously, I'll look for the thread and link it in a edit to this post if I can find it..
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Why aren't we using the PFRPG rules to make characters for Season 0?
It feels a bit like a step backward to test out the new Society with the "old" (3.5) rules, especially as such momentum and excitement has been building in the last few months.
You aren't the first person to ask, Brent.
Essentially, the Pathfinder RPG isn't done yet. it's still in playtesting, and will be for the next year.
So, the idea is to introduce people to Pathfinder Society using a well-vetted game (D&D 3.5) which they already know and like.
FWIW, the Ascension of the Drow event WILL be using the PFRPG rules, if I'm remembering things correctly.
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Essentially, the Pathfinder RPG isn't done yet. it's still in playtesting, and will be for the next year.
So, the idea is to introduce people to Pathfinder Society using a well-vetted game (D&D 3.5) which they already know and like.
A decent response, except for the fact that they are calling this Season 0 of the Pathfinder Society (also a testing/work out the kinks type situation, no?).
Why not use the shakedown cruise of the new Society as an enhanced beta shakedown of the new rules? Especially pertaining to those rules that may or may not need tweaking for this "Living Campaign" type play.
I think it is an opportunity too good to miss. Everybody knows there may be slight blemishes with specific rules, etc... but that shouldn't stop Paizo from striking while the iron's hot and really maximizing the synergies possible here. They have a gift-wrapped chance to solidify their already strong position as the default WotC replacement in a number of ways (game system, setting and support materials, AND organized play possibilities).
To go backwards and use 3.5 now would be a (possibly big) mistake.
My questions:
How detailed will the Pathfinder Society rules be (using the set of Living Greyhawk rulings as a benchmark)?
Who will make rulings? Is there the equivalent of a Living Greyhawk "triad"?
Will there be a large list of Limited or Restricted spells, items, etc.?
Is it worth the effort of making a bunch of rulings, when you'll have to repeat part of the exercise again in one year (when the rules switch)?
What about my wizard who wants to buy 100 trained goats -- will he be allowed? :-)
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A decent response, except for the fact that they are calling this Season 0 of the Pathfinder Society (also a testing/work out the kinks type situation, no?).Why not use the shakedown cruise of the new Society as an enhanced beta shakedown of the new rules? Especially pertaining to those rules that may or may not need tweaking for this "Living Campaign" type play.
if they did that they would get people focused on learning the rules and finding holes, where the society is supposed to focus on roleplaying
if they did that they would get people focused on learning the rules and finding holes, where the society is supposed to focus on roleplaying
I suspect that there will be people finding holes in whichever version of the rules is used. That's why Living Greyhawk had a fairly lengthy list of rules clarifications and restricted material, and that's why I asked my questions above. I don't think it's that easy to create a good set of "living" campaign guidelines.
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if they did that they would get people focused on learning the rules and finding holes, where the society is supposed to focus on roleplaying
Then why have a Season 0 at all? Why not skip to Season 1 if they are ready to focus on the roleplaying aspects?
To me, this is a trial run, focusing on exactly what you (and Hogarth) point out: testing all the rules and systems and "machinery" needed to get a Living Campaign going (and keep it going).
In my opinion, it would not detract from the fun of the individual adventures, etc, if we had the possibility of changes being made to characters and other Beta Pathfinder RPG mechanics between now (Season 0) and then (Season 1).
If we use 3.5 rules now, we guarantee that everyone will need to remake their characters. I will admit that this isn't that big a deal, but in my view it doesn't make sense to not use the PFRPG (Beta) rules for the PFS (Beta) trial year.
At the very least, to keep this discussion on topic, I re-assert my desire to have the developers give an in-depth answer (possibly AGAIN) as to why the PFRPG rules won't be used.
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if they did that they would get people focused on learning the rules and finding holes, where the society is supposed to focus on roleplaying
Then why have a Season 0 at all? Why not skip to Season 1 if they are ready to focus on the roleplaying aspects?
To me, this is a trial run, focusing on exactly what you (and Hogarth) point out: testing all the rules and systems and "machinery" needed to get a Living Campaign going (and keep it going).
...
If we use 3.5 rules now, we guarantee that everyone will need to remake their characters. I will admit that this isn't that big a deal, but in my view it doesn't make sense to not use the PFRPG (Beta) rules for the PFS (Beta) trial year.
Because when experimenting, you only change one variable at a time. If they went with the new rules, how could they judge if people were
1) playing just to try the PFRPG rules2) reviewing the society type play or the new rules
So this way they can get a year worth of reveiws from both people who are going to play straight 3.5 and people who are going to switch, that is based solely on the innovative ways they are making the PFS unique as a organized play group. If they got lots of negitive feedback and they were using PFRPG rules, some complaints could be fixed by either changing the ruleset or the way the society works... this way they can make the PFS work in 3.5 with the extra feedback, and than have a working model when they roll out the PFRPG rules.
Edit: also, the beta comes out just about the same day as the people would be playing the first games, so they don't really have time to digest it before playing
Edit 2: Here is the thread where it was previously discussed
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I thought of a second question. We have seen some pretty graphic content in the AP's will Pathfinder Society be younger gamer friendly? Don't get me wrong I love the AP's I also game with a group of adults who can handle graphic situations. I wouldn't necessarily be as comfortable describing some of those same scenes to a ten year old kid that showed up at my table at a game store. I am assuming that PS is not going to have a minimum age requirement so I am curious if things will be a little more conservative?
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My questions are probably going to echo some of the questions above:
1. Is Pathfinder Society planning on using Adventure Sheets (like the current implementation of Living Greyhawk) or log-sheets and certs (like Living Kalamar, Jungle, Death, Force, etc.)?
2. How much fan/community support is Pathfinder Society planning? Is there going to be a council/committee of uber-volunteers, etc.? If so, when will you be accepting applications?
3. Interactives and mini-modules?
4. Meta-gaming activities -- other than the factions -- what will be available (has someone started thinking about this yet)?
5. How fast do you foresee characters advancing (XP-wise)? Is there going to be a level cap or some sort of forced retirement? Is a mechanic like APL's and tiering going to be used (scenarios geared toward a range of EL's)?
6. This is a good start -- other feedback mechanisms?
That is what I have right now.
CJ
5. How fast do you foresee characters advancing (XP-wise)? Is there going to be a level cap or some sort of forced retirement? Is a mechanic like APL's and tiering going to be used (scenarios geared toward a range of EL's)?
I think some of these have been answered in another thread. According to my foggy memory:
- Advancement will be 1 level per 3 modules
- There's a cap of level 12 (?)
- Yes, there is a way of scaling the modules up/down, but the specifics escape me
I thought the Delve is using PFRPG and the Event was 3.5?
Yeah, this recently got clarified....the Ascension of the Drow event is 3.5 and the Delve is PFRPG, I believe.
- I heard that item creation would be discouraged or forbidden in PFS. Is this true, and if so why? (I would assume economy concerns.)
- What costs would be involved for members of PFS? If the GM buys the pdfs, do the players need to pay anything additional?
- Is there any benefit for a GM to run a PFS game? (Aside from knowing that he/she is letting gamers have fun, and spreading the word of Paizo) Paizo swag perhaps? Forum recognition? Paizocon recognition? *shrug*
- I don't know anything about 'Living' campaigns, what are they and why do people play them?
- Will characters reset after Season 0 or will they be converted to Pathfinder RPG?
- I'm interested in GMing and getting FLGS support! Tell me what to do.
Alright, here's how it will work. There will be a "questions" channel (case sensitive, so type it right). Post any questions you have in that channel (type "/join questions" to get to the channel) and I'll ask them in order.
Chat froze up and now I can't get back in. Help?
I logged in at chat.dmtools.org. Is there another way in?