I see no no need to be a doppleganger at all if you're only doing disguises.[H]aving a PC who can be anyone tends to make them feel like no one—it's more interesting if a PC is the same physically session after session so that you can get to know them. A constantly changing doppelganger is only one step away from a player playing an entirely new PC every session, and that's kinda lame.What about a character who isn't constantly trying to be a different character but is simply treating eir body like a changeable fashion accessory, like other people do with clothing and hair?
I don't mean disguises so much as something like an at-will alter self, like the changelings from Eberron. The closest we have to that in Pathfinder is being a 6th+ level urban druid, which is somewhat limiting.
Anyway, how would you recommend including cosmetic shapechanging into the early levels of a game?
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I did go see a couple of Werner Herzog movies hosted by Herzog himself, and he certainly seemed nice and approachable but me (as well as Wes and Jason and Erik) were all WAY too intimidated by him to go talk to him.
Its the eyes James, its the eyes.
Did you ever hear his voice over in American Dad?
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James, do you use a GM screen? An initiative board?
What about other Gamemastery tools? My group makes good use of both the Buff Deck and the Conditions Cards; do you use either of those?
I don't use a GM screen. I do use the Combat Pad for initiative.
I don't use the buff deck and rarely use the condition cards, but some of my players do sometimes. I use plot twist cards a lot, and often pull out flip maps or map packs for random encounters.
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Once again, I am indebted to you, Mastersaurus! I would offer you my firstborn, but, I haven't found the right woman to bear my children yet. How about a big bag of pretzels for your next game night?
I'm off pretzels and am not looking to take care of a kid. Best way to give thanks is to help keep these boards friendly and helpful, I guess! ;-)
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Anyway, how would you recommend including cosmetic shapechanging into the early levels of a game?
By suggesting the player play a high Charisma character with lots of ranks in Disguise and skill focus in the skill, and then play a class with access to disguise self.
AKA: I'm not a fan of actual physical shapechanging in PCs until they get it as a spell or class feature. Shapechanging as a racial ability is something that's cool for a zero HD race, but like flight and water breathing it fundamentally changes the nature of game play when it enters the equation, and starting a PC out with access to that makes the character too powerful.
If you REALLY want to do it... then make damn sure the other players are either okay playing less powerful characters, or let them play more powerful characters... but that second option runs wild fast since it gets increasingly complicated to balance powerful race abilities with the complex array of class abilities and the like. The SIMPLEST way to do this is to let all the players play the same race.
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I did go see a couple of Werner Herzog movies hosted by Herzog himself, and he certainly seemed nice and approachable but me (as well as Wes and Jason and Erik) were all WAY too intimidated by him to go talk to him.Its the eyes James, its the eyes.
Did you ever hear his voice over in American Dad?
Partially, yes.
Nope.
Nope; that's pretty outstanding!
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I don't use a GM screen.
I use plot twist cards a lot
That's really interesting James, that DM screen has been around since the very start of our hobby, may I ask why you chose to do away with it? How do you keep some things you don't want players to see for the time being away from them? (Some rolls, private notes, a surprise encounter or mini for example.)
I LOVE the plot twist cards! Easily incorporated into other games as well. May I ask how you incorporate them in the game, and how often do you use them?
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I don't use a GM screen.
I use plot twist cards a lotThat's really interesting James, that DM screen has been around since the very start of our hobby, may I ask why you chose to do away with it? How do you keep some things you don't want players to see for the time being away from them? (Some rolls, private notes, a surprise encounter or mini for example.)
I LOVE the plot twist cards! Easily incorporated into other games as well. May I ask how you incorporate them in the game, and how often do you use them?
I'm familiar enough with the rules of the game that I don't really need a handy set of reference tables to glance at during play, and I've always preferred to roll the dice out in front of the players. For notes and minis and other things I want to keep private, I generally set those on a nearby chair that's pushed under the table next to me so that I can reach them easily when they're needed. When I do need to make a roll in secret, I cup the die from view with my hand. When I run a game from a published adventure, the book itself serves as it's own screen—when I consult its text or maps or whatever, the covers keep the contents hidden, and I'll usually leave the book open to the pages I need on one of those handy chairs that the players can't easily see from their angle at the other sides of the table. I generally keep track of monster hit points and the like on scratch paper, on the Combat Tracker, or on the battlemat itself, often in full view of the players. I count the damage UP rather than down, so the players have no idea how close they are to killing the monster but DO know how much damage they've built up on it.
As for plot twist cards... my latest tactic is to give one out at the end of every session to every player who attended. I also give one out to EVERYONE when they level up. With the current game I'm running, I divide all XP earned by the total number of players and split it equally among them all, wether or not they were at the game. This keeps everyone at the same level, which is handy since it's a group of 9 in all and usually only 5 to 6 can play at any one session; this way no one falls criminally behind. The plot twist cards awarded for actual attendance become the reward for showing up.
The players can accumulate a hand of up to 5 plot twist cards, and can use them at any time during any turn without expending any character actions. I let them either use them to cause the game effect on the plot twist card (to any character—theirs, another player's, or an NPC), or to affect the flow of the story. In this case, the player has to tell me HOW things get changed along the card's theme, and I get to decide exactly how that plays out in game.
For example, if someone is being attacked by an ogre and he hits the character for enough damage to kill the character, a player might play the "Unseen Obstacle" card. One of the four flavor text lines for this card is "Something gets in the way." The player of the card might say "Fortunately, the ogre's club hits a nearby pillar as it swings the death blow, saving the character from death." In this case, I might say "yup, that's exactly what happens" and treat the club attack as a miss. Or depending on the flow of the story I might say, "That does indeed work, but it causes the pillar to collapse toward this other character—make a Reflex save to dodge out of the way."
The PRIMARY use for the cards is to keep characters alive when bad luck would otherwise kill them, and if a player uses a card to save a character's life in that way, I always let it work and spare the PC death. When a player uses a card on the offensive to hurt an NPC, I generally attach riders or side-effects and the results don't work quite as well. In other words, I prefer plot twist cards to be used defensively, not offensively.
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I use plot twist cards a lotSo who do we need to bug for more? I would like to see themes for them: cliffhangers, horror, greetings/farewells, etc.
Management, I guess. We've really slowed down the card products these days though... and frankly, I think the two decks we have are enough. Coming up with things for the second deck was a lot harder than the first, so I'm not so sure there's much design space left there before it just gets repetitive.
An indie film company is slated to do a Colour Out of Space adaption-
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/39090/lovecraft-s-color-out-of-space-gets- adapted
What Lovecraft story (besides Guillermo's maybe someday At the Mountains of Madness) would you like to see adapted for the big screen (if any)?
in belkzen hold of the orc hordes we get a look at the orc pantheon we also know from older products that the orcs worship rovagug and gorum in order what god/gods have the most orc worshipers?
I cant tell if you are being sarcastic. Robin Williams's, (may he rest in peace), Genie was the defining character of that movie. And, Mystique from the early 90's X-men cartoon was hotter than hot and was a conniving trickster to boot.
While I think there are problems if Mystique's most defining characteristic is her sex appeal, I was kidding (I think shapeshifters can make really awesome characters). But I'll skedaddle before I earn another scolding from the short-armed kobold up there.
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An indie film company is slated to do a Colour Out of Space adaption-
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/39090/lovecraft-s-color-out-of-space-gets- adapted
What Lovecraft story (besides Guillermo's maybe someday At the Mountains of Madness) would you like to see adapted for the big screen (if any)?
Any and all of them! But I guess apart from the one you mention, I'd like to see "The Dunwich Horror" done again.
If one has never read Lovecraft, what would you recommend to start with.
Also I finished season one of Fargo this week and bravo! They could've taken it down so many dark roads at the end, I'm glad they ended it how they did.
Now bring on 70s Ron Swanson, Jeffrey Donovan and season 2 :-)
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If one has never read Lovecraft, what would you recommend to start with.
Also I finished season one of Fargo this week and bravo! They could've taken it down so many dark roads at the end, I'm glad they ended it how they did.
Now bring on 70s Ron Swanson, Jeffrey Donovan and season 2 :-)
I'd suggest starting with "The Dunwich Horror." It's pretty accessible and hits a lot of the classic tropes.
Suppose I'm using move earth to build a canal. Since the maximum area per spell is 562,500 sqft, could I have the spell move earth in a 5625x100 ft area, or is 750 ft the maximum length?
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No.Have you read The Graveyard Book?Do you have a favorite piece by Gaiman?Absolutely. Sandman. AKA one of my all-time favorite comics.
Nothing else he's done even comes close in my book.
It, American Gods and Anansi Boys feature many of the same characters as the comic, but in an off brand sort of way, 'cause DC owns the likenesses. But, like, Odin and Loki (same ones from Season of Mists) show up, and it is not disappointing; worth reading to say the least.
Anyhow, enough blathering about Gaiman, do you enjoy Roger Zelazny's work?
Y'know, just to phrase it in the form of a question. :)
Zelazny is my favorite author. We lost him too soon. :(
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Have the sources of magic on Golarion ever been described? Can they be described?
I'm trying to source a longstanding statement on PathfinderWiki ("Magic is a naturally occurring force used by many of Golarion's inhabitants") and haven't had any luck. I can't seem to find an answer in The Inner Sea World Guide, The Great Beyond, Gods and Magic, Inner Sea Gods, or Inner Sea Magic, so my gut instinct is that the nature of magic (and especially arcane magic) is intentionally ambiguous.
They have not yet been described, by intent. Leaving it ambiguous is good for the game, because once we start setting down rules, we start limiting spell and item and story options involving magic.
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Suppose I'm using move earth to build a canal. Since the maximum area per spell is 562,500 sqft, could I have the spell move earth in a 5625x100 ft area, or is 750 ft the maximum length?
Math is hard, but I'd PROBABLY go with 750 feet because that's more limited in scope; being able to move a mile of material is over the top for one casting of non-wish mortal magic.
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Holy Moly, has Paizo not published an article in the APs on Pazuzu?
Is all we have references in other articles? Or is there a main Paizo article on Pazuzu ?
Thanks!
We have not, really, mostly because the article I wrote on Pazuzu in Dragon 329 pretty much uses most of the same information that I would today to write the same article; the end result would be pretty similar, with the major change being Lamashtu's role.
Would you say that a person who works 40 hours a week is a person of leisure? Because my mother said that to me today and I felt vaguely insulted by it.
Heh. That made me think of the "Hey Mon" skits from In Living Color.
"One job?"
Greetings, oh mighty dire tyrannosaurus ...
Again i seek your wisdom, this time regarding the faith of Norgorber
Since the deity is about secrets and possess different aspects, it is possible that followers of different sects face each others as enemies?
Let us take as example the skinsaw murders, from rise of the runelords. A potential follower of Norgorber, of the reaper or reputation aspect, would be advised of not going against the cult in the city, or warmed to not oppose the deity servants (misjudged as they are?)
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Greetings, oh mighty dire tyrannosaurus ...
Again i seek your wisdom, this time regarding the faith of Norgorber
Since the deity is about secrets and possess different aspects, it is possible that followers of different sects face each others as enemies?
Let us take as example the skinsaw murders, from rise of the runelords. A potential follower of Norgorber, of the reaper or reputation aspect, would be advised of not going against the cult in the city, or warmed to not oppose the deity servants (misjudged as they are?)
The various aspects of Norgorber don't always work together, and often specifically avoid getting in each other's way, but they aren't enemies and don't fight against themselves in any major way.
What would be the best choice for a good follower of a 'god of secrets'?
Have you ever turned a real life person into a legend in game? For example, people who have done seemingly impossible (or improbable) things, like Audie Murphy, the most decorated war hero in WWII (with several 'impossible' stories to his name) or Dashrath Manjhi, who single handedly dug a road through a 300 foot tall mountain separating his village from civilization in order to make things like access to medical attention, schooling and food easier for his people?
Is there any connection between Ydersius and Yserbius?
We have not, really, mostly because the article I wrote on Pazuzu in Dragon 329 pretty much uses most of the same information that I would today to write the same article; the end result would be pretty similar, with the major change being Lamashtu's role.Holy Moly, has Paizo not published an article in the APs on Pazuzu?
Is all we have references in other articles? Or is there a main Paizo article on Pazuzu ?
Thanks!
You realize the vast majority of Pathfinder fans don't have access to old Dragon issues, right?
Edit: Although I guess you still have the rights to sell the PDF, I didn't realize that. Still, I think most Pathfinder fans would want an actual Pathfinder article.
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Sounds like he's doing his job well if even YOU don't know.What would be the best choice for a good follower of a 'god of secrets'?Hmmm. There MIGHT be one among all the empyreal lords. Not sure.
That, or I didn't have a copy of Chronicle of the Righteous or Inner Sea Gods handy at the time. I do now, and let's seeeee...
Kelinahat is a lawful good demigod of intelligence,s pies, and stealth, so she's a good choice.
And then theres Picoperi, a chaotic good demigod of jokes, pranks, and surprises, for a more whimsical take.
Those are probably the best two choices; neither is a power of "secrets" per se, but close enough.
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Is there any connection between Ydersius and Yserbius?
Nope. Never really heard of Shadow of Yserbius, in fact. Never really got into the MUD scene.
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Have you ever turned a real life person into a legend in game? For example, people who have done seemingly impossible (or improbable) things, like Audie Murphy, the most decorated war hero in WWII (with several 'impossible' stories to his name) or Dashrath Manjhi, who single handedly dug a road through a 300 foot tall mountain separating his village from civilization in order to make things like access to medical attention, schooling and food easier for his people?
Not intentionally that I can recall, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn of one that I subconsciously put in.
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We have not, really, mostly because the article I wrote on Pazuzu in Dragon 329 pretty much uses most of the same information that I would today to write the same article; the end result would be pretty similar, with the major change being Lamashtu's role.Holy Moly, has Paizo not published an article in the APs on Pazuzu?
Is all we have references in other articles? Or is there a main Paizo article on Pazuzu ?
Thanks!
You realize the vast majority of Pathfinder fans don't have access to old Dragon issues, right?
Edit: Although I guess you still have the rights to sell the PDF, I didn't realize that. Still, I think most Pathfinder fans would want an actual Pathfinder article.
You also realize that all the information I wrote for that volume of Dragon is owned by WotC, and as such, it's weird and awkward to revisit that topic in an article? I might do it some day nevertheless, but it'd be pretty tough to write a different article about the same god. In any event, in time if we do an adventure that involves Pazuzu we'll see. No plans for anything like that anytime soon, and so in the category of "It won't be for at least two years if not more, but here's some information out there you can track down in the meantime if you want," I provided that information.
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I'm rather certain that Nagaji's eyes are unblinking. If that's the case, what does it look like when they're asleep? And could they theoretically get a penalty to avoid the effects of light based spells, or gaze attacks?
I'm pretty sure that nagaji can blink. Unless we've said otherwise in print, they can blink. If they DIDN'T blink, then that would indeed imply some sort of game mechanic versus certain things... but then again, we don't give snakes those mechanics, so maybe it doesn't matter.
I'm rather certain that Nagaji's eyes are unblinking. If that's the case, what does it look like when they're asleep? And could they theoretically get a penalty to avoid the effects of light based spells, or gaze attacks?I'm pretty sure that nagaji can blink. Unless we've said otherwise in print, they can blink. If they DIDN'T blink, then that would indeed imply some sort of game mechanic versus certain things... but then again, we don't give snakes those mechanics, so maybe it doesn't matter.
Hopefully helpful post...
The nagaji are a race of ophidian humanoids with scaled skin that mimics the dramatic appearance of true nagas. Like serpents, they have forked tongues and lidless eyes, giving them an unblinking gaze that most other races find unnerving.
And, to add a question in the spirit of the thread...
How's the weather in Seattle?