I often assume the "worst" because that way when I'm right about someone's motives, I'm not as disappointed, and when I'm wrong, I get to be pleasantly surprised.
It's just a bit of expectation management that the internet has trained me to rely upon, unfortunately.
Yeah, I can relate to that.
On a question related to intimate patrons, why Pathfinder hasn't written in the Grigori? Not accusing, just very curious. It has the mature themes and mythological basis that Paizo loves, but the closest I've seen is Tianjing. Even "we can't say 'angel'" Planescape was more explicit, ironically.
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I often assume the "worst" because that way when I'm right about someone's motives, I'm not as disappointed, and when I'm wrong, I get to be pleasantly surprised.
It's just a bit of expectation management that the internet has trained me to rely upon, unfortunately.
Yeah, I can relate to that.
On a question related to intimate patrons, why Pathfinder hasn't written in the Grigori? Not accusing, just very curious. It has the mature themes and mythological basis that Paizo loves, but the closest I've seen is Tianjing. Even "we can't say 'angel'" Planescape was more explicit, ironically.
** spoiler omitted **
We haven't because we haven't. There's FAR more content out there in the world to write than we'll ever cover, and that means that some things aren't covered yet and might never be covered.
Looking back over the Haunt mechanics, do you think the idea of sticking with spell effects for the baseline design was a stronger or weaker choice than cobbling up an entirely new mechanical approach?
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Looking back over the Haunt mechanics, do you think the idea of sticking with spell effects for the baseline design was a stronger or weaker choice than cobbling up an entirely new mechanical approach?
It was the only practical choice, since I only had 2 pages for the rules, and tying it to spell effects made it possible to have the mechanics in the book (otherwise they would have had to have been cut entirely). And since a GM can pretty much make up any new spell she or he wants, it's limitlessly adjustable in that way.
Some spells have only affect creatures under a certain number of hit dice or of a certain type or subtype. What do you do if a PC states they're going to cast a spell at an invalid target? Give them a Knowledge check to know that monster isn't susceptible? Just tell them it's invalid? Or let them waste their spell slot?
If a spell is only good vs., for example, aberrations, I can see a Knowledge roll or just visual identification helping out a caster, but hit dice are kind of a meta criterion. I feel bad about saying something like, "Sorry, but that orc has class levels so your spell slot was wasted; too bad you didn't cast it against the orc next to him."
Do you have any advice on making adjustments to adventures while minimizing risk of continuity conflict/needing to adjust future published adventures more significantly?
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Do you have any advice on making adjustments to adventures while minimizing risk of continuity conflict/needing to adjust future published adventures more significantly?
Have all the adventures in the series you want to play so you know how adjustments to earlier adventures will impact things later. And keep your mind open for last minute adjustments.
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Some spells have only affect creatures under a certain number of hit dice or of a certain type or subtype. What do you do if a PC states they're going to cast a spell at an invalid target? Give them a Knowledge check to know that monster isn't susceptible? Just tell them it's invalid? Or let them waste their spell slot?
If a spell is only good vs., for example, aberrations, I can see a Knowledge roll or just visual identification helping out a caster, but hit dice are kind of a meta criterion. I feel bad about saying something like, "Sorry, but that orc has class levels so your spell slot was wasted; too bad you didn't cast it against the orc next to him."
The player knows how the spell works, and this is a case where if they want to cast a spell on a target that might have too many HD, the player needs to ask something like, "Can I tell if the target will be affected?" If they do so, I'll give them a Knowledge check. If they forget or don't think of it... then things happen as they may.
If they do, I don't explain it. I just say, "The spell doesn't work." If they ask why, THEN I let them roll a Spellcraft or Knowledge or whatever to figure it out if they don't realize the error themselves (or if another player doesn't for them).
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Hello, I was playing around with some guys on how much could a bard get on a knowledge check, and then some questions arised:
1-What is NOT in the Akashic Records? What is the limits of knowledge you could extract from there? For example, could a god like Asmodeus hide something from being recorded there? Or is the Akashic a primal force of the universe so strong to defy even god's will?
2-Leaving aside the Akashic Records, what could not be found with, for example, pagebound epiphany, which refers to all libraries in the world? For example, would some particular informations from books like the Necronomicon or the Book of the damned be left out?tl;dr and mechanically speaking, what is the difference in limit for your knowledge checks with the material plane resources and with Akashic Records, and is there even a limit?
Try to keep posts to single questions in the future please.
We talk a bit more about the Akashic Records in Planar Adventures, but the short version is that, in theory, EVERYTHING is in there. Which makes for a tricky place to visit, since that's an in-game "I go read the adventure to spoil the plot" mechanic that you need to be careful with. Which is why it's so difficult to get there.
As for finding lore, that's strictly in the GM's hands. You should be generous handing out information to players when it helps guide them on their quest or answers questions that they missed answers to and should know them already, but you should never feel pressured by players or rules to give out answers that ruin adventures.
For example, say you're running a high-level game where the PCs need to learn three command words to open up an extraplanar vault. If they use these methods to try to learn those three hidden command words and you've got 3 whole adventures set up where learning the command words is the final reward for each, then rather than negate the purpose of those adventures by giving out the command words, you should instead frame the answers in a way that urge the PCs to go on those three adventures.
So, instead of saying, "The command word is Muzzlerumpus," you would instead say something like, "The command word is jealously guarded by the Scion of Sorrows in the haunted castle of Covencrag, and is kept in her grimoire behind a painting of a kraken in the castle's trophy hall" or the like. Give the PCs the info that they need to go hunt for the goal, not the goal.
Unless of course you construct your adventure so that you WANT them to have to reference the Akashic Records for the answer.
TL;DR: The limit is what the GM sets so that the story can still play out and so that players don't replace an entire adventure's worth of fun (and potential experience points and treasure) with a single die roll.
A question from my middle school daughter.
How do you pronounce Andoran.
If each Dapsara, Shelyn's servitor race, are dedicated to a single form of music, dance, etc. does that mean that somewhere there's a divine creature whose life is entirely dedicated to mumblecore rap?
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... and 35 others (22,185 new) ×
It's been a while.
.
When do we get to see the picture of Sandpoint?
When I got my second job as a pizza delivery driver, it was agreed with the general manager that I'd leave no later than 22:00 so I could get to my first job on time.
Today, the assistant manager refused to let me leave. I told him I had a second job and that people were waiting on me to relieve them, but he refused.
Walking out is the natural response, and what I eventually did, but it is complicated by the fact that I have cash people paid me and need to close out the money issue before leaving.
I told him that I was leaving, and he needed to close me out or I was walking off as is. He still refused to close me out and let me leave.
Is it bad that I walked out without handling the money?
(I have informed the general manager, we'll see how that turns out.)
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... and 35 others (22,185 new) ×
It's been a while.
.
When do we get to see the picture of Sandpoint?
I have no idea what you're talking about up above with "35 others" but it's not framed as a question so I'll ignore it.
You get to see the picture of Sandpoint when you buy the book. You MIGHT get to see it before then if we put it up on the blog in a few months IF we do a preview for the book, but that might not happen. The blog is a fickle beast.
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How are centaurs in Golarion like? Any interesting information regarding them?
We've not done a lot with them, but the one that comes to mind immediately is the 3rd book of Kingmaker, "Varnhold Vanishing," which presents a centaur tribe. There's also a centaur Hellknight in the Order of the Nail. But it's not a race we've done an ecology article or a revisited article about yet, so there's not a central location that talks about them in particular.
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When I got my second job as a pizza delivery driver, it was agreed with the general manager that I'd leave no later than 22:00 so I could get to my first job on time.
Today, the assistant manager refused to let me leave. I told him I had a second job and that people were waiting on me to relieve them, but he refused.
Walking out is the natural response, and what I eventually did, but it is complicated by the fact that I have cash people paid me and need to close out the money issue before leaving.
I told him that I was leaving, and he needed to close me out or I was walking off as is. He still refused to close me out and let me leave.
Is it bad that I walked out without handling the money?
(I have informed the general manager, we'll see how that turns out.)
If you left the money there, and thus left him to close out the register and handle the money, then that's fine. You might get fired, of course, but if you're working for a corporation who promises you one thing and then denies that to you without advance notice in time for you to make arrangements for your other job, you're probably better off not working at a place where management doesn't respect you in the first place.
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Do Dhampirs always have a vampire father or can they also have a vampire mother?
They can have a vampire mother, absolutely. They could also have had a vampire as a grandparent or great grandparent or all the way back. They can also have normal human parents but have been exposed to other necormantic influences before birth that could have transformed them. Or they could have had dhamphir parents, assuming we haven't said in print somewhere that dhamphirs can't have kids, but event then, magic lets exceptions happen.
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Do Dhampirs always have a vampire father or can they also have a vampire mother?They can have a vampire mother, absolutely. They could also have had a vampire as a grandparent or great grandparent or all the way back. They can also have normal human parents but have been exposed to other necormantic influences before birth that could have transformed them. Or they could have had dhamphir parents, assuming we haven't said in print somewhere that dhamphirs can't have kids, but event then, magic lets exceptions happen.
But how would a vampire mom work? Blade Style? Or can a vampire somwehow get pregnant?
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But how would a vampire mom work? Blade Style? Or can a vampire somwehow get pregnant?Do Dhampirs always have a vampire father or can they also have a vampire mother?They can have a vampire mother, absolutely. They could also have had a vampire as a grandparent or great grandparent or all the way back. They can also have normal human parents but have been exposed to other necormantic influences before birth that could have transformed them. Or they could have had dhamphir parents, assuming we haven't said in print somewhere that dhamphirs can't have kids, but event then, magic lets exceptions happen.
Whatever and however the story you want to tell works, provided all of the gamers at your table are comfortable with the story, of course. Literature is filled with a LOT of different ways this could work, from Blade to Twilight to Brian Lumley's Necroscope books to whatever.
The exact mechanics for HOW it works get into some areas that it's not appropriate to go into detail on these boards or in books that Paizo publishes, but that doesn't mean that they can't go there at your tables. Again, as long as your group is comfortable with mature content like that.
Also Mister Dino-Demon-Lord, isn't one of the NPCs in Carrion Crown AP, he's a dhamphir and his MOM is a vampire?
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Also Mister Dino-Demon-Lord, isn't one of the NPCs in Carrion Crown AP, he's a dhamphir and his MOM is a vampire?
I have no idea. I didn't work on Carrion Crown. But if that's the case, there's more support to my ruling that you can have a mom vampire, which is what I said can happen at the start.
It's best to assume that unless we specifically say otherwise that a mix of common sense and assumption takes over. In a case like this, where we have a creature that is half human and half something not human, there's no reason why it can't have a non-human mother OR a non-human father. If there IS a distinction there, we'll make sure to put it in print, as in the case of the changeling (which always has a hag mother). This way we can rely upon that mix of common sense and assumption rather than constantly expanding the list of exceptions. (As another example, this is why Golarion is the same size as earth and occupies the same spot in the solar system and has one moon the same size as our own.)
I'm DMing a Rise of the Runelords group and have a player who is a Varasian Juggler (Flying Blade swashbuckler). I've been pondering which skill would best simulate juggling. I'm strongly leaning towards sleight of hand (after pondering acrobatics or perform, although juggling seems more dex based than cha based). The juggling kit in Ultimate Equipment actually gives a +2 bonus to Perform (act). I was just wondering what your decision would be in my place?
Is it bad that I walked out without handling the money?
(I have informed the general manager, we'll see how that turns out.)
No. Not as long as you're going to deal with it at the first available opportunity, probably through the general manager.
Do the Shackles and other pirate-y regions use trade beads?
Was Shensen's shrine to Sarenrae in Kintargo actually illegal?
From the Cheliax, the Infernal Empire, the guideline looks to be
The worship of other deities is not forbidden in Cheliax; as long as members of other faiths obey the laws set forth by Asmodeus and don’t oppose the Prince of Darkness or House Thrune, they are permitted to worship as they please.
Which would imply that only religions that are true enemies of Asmodeus (like Milani, Lamashtu, and Rovagug) are actually outlawed.
So...
Did you see Hereditary yet, and if so what did you think
"making tongue clicking sound"
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I'm DMing a Rise of the Runelords group and have a player who is a Varasian Juggler (Flying Blade swashbuckler). I've been pondering which skill would best simulate juggling. I'm strongly leaning towards sleight of hand (after pondering acrobatics or perform, although juggling seems more dex based than cha based). The juggling kit in Ultimate Equipment actually gives a +2 bonus to Perform (act). I was just wondering what your decision would be in my place?
I'd go with Perform (act) since juggling is classically something that you do to entertain folks. It's as much about Dexterity as it is showmanship.
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No. Not as long as you're going to deal with it at the first available opportunity, probably through the general manager.Is it bad that I walked out without handling the money?
(I have informed the general manager, we'll see how that turns out.)
Please limit your posts to this thread to questions for me.
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Do the Shackles and other pirate-y regions use trade beads?
No.
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Was Shensen's shrine to Sarenrae in Kintargo actually illegal?
From the Cheliax, the Infernal Empire, the guideline looks to be
The worship of other deities is not forbidden in Cheliax; as long as members of other faiths obey the laws set forth by Asmodeus and don’t oppose the Prince of Darkness or House Thrune, they are permitted to worship as they please.Which would imply that only religions that are true enemies of Asmodeus (like Milani, Lamashtu, and Rovagug) are actually outlawed.
It was illegal enough that if the government found out about it they would have slapped it down. In part because it's oppositional to Asmodeus, and in part because Shensen has an established history of being anti-government.
There's plenty of room in the bureaucratic red tape of Cheliax to make her temple illegal. Certainly the things she uses it for (helping the oppressed and working to undermine Asmodeus' influence and the Thrunies) is illegal.
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TL; DR - I have a group that has 1 Iomedae cleric/paladin (human, LG), 1 Iomedae cleric/ranger (drow, LN) and 1 rogue/Cleric of Urgathoa (drow, CN). What is the relationship between those two goddesses? It has been a source of some conflict in my group.
Context:
The cleric of Urgathoa is a Drow disguised as an elf by an artifact that also hides his aura. The player is also hiding is intentions and evil tendencies, never showing it to other players during game.
The cleric/ranger of Iomedae has been metagaming this info, even knowing that the Cleric of Urgathoa has never shown any signs of evil practices (only one time that the player spoke drow and he used metagame to reach the conclusion that he is evil, but i was able to talk him into noto thinking that).
The Paladin/Cleric is easygoing on this situation and has not been metagaming.I have been trying to convince the cleric/ranger player to see things differently, based on his alignment, since he is a Lawful character, but neutral in the good/evil axis. I have tried showing him that the other character had never shown any signs of malign intent during gameplay, not in front of him, at least. And all that he has done has helped the group (he has killed more enemies than the ranger and paladin combined, dice rolls are tricky). The cleric player interprets that Iomedae has a thing against Urgathoa, since "Iomedae never associates or parleys with evil gods or fiends". But I tod him that religion has also something of a personal interpretation of the tenets, since there are also Hellknights in service of the evil country of Cheliax that are Iomedae worshippers.
I think it would clarify things for me and the player if I knew better the relationship between Iomedae and Urgathoa, since there is no info whatsoever.
Thanks in advance!
The relationship between those two goddesses is war. They hate each other. This extends absolutely to their respective churches.
A party containing a paladin (of any faith) and a cleric of Urgathoa is a party destined for player character conflict and in danger of disrupting the campaign due to such different play styles.
My suggestion would be to not allow non-evil worshipers of Urgathoa, and have the rogue/cleric of Urgathoa rebuild their character as a Chaotic Neutral rogue of a chaotic neutral deity of their choice. Especially since with Urgathoa so heavy into undead, it makes no sense that any of her worshipers would be anything other than evil.
Hello James, I was just curious what your thoughts are on evil PC's in non evil games. I understand that they can be disruptive, but have you had experience with integrating them in a more cohesive way? If so, it would he great to hear your methods of ensureing a structurally sound party while having that extra room for roleplaying differing ideals.
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Hello James, I was just curious what your thoughts are on evil PC's in non evil games. I understand that they can be disruptive, but have you had experience with integrating them in a more cohesive way? If so, it would he great to hear your methods of ensureing a structurally sound party while having that extra room for roleplaying differing ideals.
I'm fine with it. In fact, I've had more problems with paladin PCs being more disruptive (either because the player of the paladin is disruptive, or the other players are disruptive in trying to set situations up that will force the paladin to fall from grace).
Players who want to be disruptive will be disruptive... the fact that those who want to be disruptive often choose evil characters or paladins doesn't mean those tropes are inherently disruptive, just that they tend to appeal more to players who enjoy being disruptive.
The big thing to keep in mind about evil characters isn't whether the players will use them to be disruptive, but to make sure ALL of the players are fine with having evil be that part of the game. All players need to consent to this, and if one player isn't comfortable with an evil player being in the group it's best not to allow them at all.
The way to ensure a structurally sound party is to talk to your players before hand and remind them that this is a team effort, not a solo game. The players should talk to each other and, if they don't work to build complimentary characters (in both rules options and personality), then they should not work at cross purposes, building characters specifically to be square pegs in round holes.
The campaign trait we include for all of our Adventure Paths is an attempt to help guide players into building characters that are allied rather than conflicting.
Saw it Saturday. GREAT movie. Still periodically getting chills from scenes in it.So...
Did you see Hereditary yet, and if so what did you think
"making tongue clicking sound"
Well, looks like I know what I'll be doing on my day off...
So. Query.
Apart from the obvious satisfaction to be had from it as a fan of the genre, what do you make of the relatively recent uptick in high-quality horror films actually getting widespread theatrical releases?
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Apart from the obvious satisfaction to be had from it as a fan of the genre, what do you make of the relatively recent uptick in high-quality horror films actually getting widespread theatrical releases?
My guess? It's a natural reaction to the fact that there's a lot of awful stuff in the world right now. Horror movies always seem to become more popular when the real world has a lot of conflict. When every headline in the news is an atrocity or depressing or terrible, being able to escape to something that's "worse" so that you can come out the other side is appealing.
And as horror movies do better in the box office, studios are more willing to fund them and get them better theatrical distribution.
(I don't actually think that there's "more" quality horror movies now than any other time... it's just that they're more visible and not limited to direct to video/streaming options.)
(I don't actually think that there's "more" quality horror movies now than any other time... it's just that they're more visible and not limited to direct to video/streaming options.)
Oh, absolutely... hence the way I tried to word the query- I've seen some absolute gems on direct-to-video, but it's definitely nice to be able to get the full experience for something like The Witch or A Quiet Place or Get Out and so forth.
Next question-
My sister and I have a general rule for horror stories- which is that they are most effective if things would be weird and/or screwed up even if nothing supernatural/abnormally violent were to happen- the family tensions in The Witch, the entire framing narrative of The Ritual, The Torrances' struggles in The Shining, and so forth.
All rules have their exceptions- can you think of any good horror movies where everything would be perfectly fine if the supernatural/horrific didn't intrude? (I have exactly one thus far- the first Halloween)
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My sister and I have a general rule for horror stories- which is that they are most effective if things would be weird and/or screwed up even if nothing supernatural/abnormally violent were to happen- the family tensions in The Witch, the entire framing narrative of The Ritual, The Torrances' struggles in The Shining, and so forth.
All rules have their exceptions- can you think of any good horror movies where everything would be perfectly fine if the supernatural/horrific didn't intrude? (I have exactly one thus far- the first Halloween)
Horror stories are most effective if they're crafted well, regardless of the plot and content. I can think of several horror movies that are overtly and blatantly supernatural or abnormally violent that are still VERY frightening, as well as several that are super subtle and grounded in reality. It really comes down to the craft and talent of those making it.
I don't see the original Halloween as being supernatural at all. One of many things that makes that one so frightening and effective is that it IS so realistic, with zero supernatural elements in it. The supernatural stuff crept in in the later sequels.
So yeah, Halloween is my number 1 example of a horror movie with no supernatural that is equally frightening. Others would include "Se7en," "Silence of the Lambs," "Cape Fear,"... basically any well-made murderer movie, I suppose.
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Are we going to find out more juicy info on Norgorber in the next year or so through adventure path or other sources?
I love the Golarion lore and as a lover of Rogue/Assassin characters in particular, I am excited to learn about Norgorber's past.
I assume you've read through Hell's Rebels? There are quite a few big reveals there.
At some point I still would like to hopefully do that Red Mantis vs. Skinsaw Cult novel that's bouncing around in the back of my head, but the current state of the novel line makes that unlikely to happen anytime soon.