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Based on the information in 'MotFF' and the 'First Steps' series it seems logical that you would run through them in that order.
'MotFF' assumes that you are 'not' officially Pathfinders at the start of the scenario and that you are introduced to a Pathfinder at the end who welcomes you into the society.
'First Steps' assumes that you are a novice Pathfinder but have not yet selected your faction until the end of 'Part 3'.
These seem to want to flow together into a nice story yet both sets of scenarios really want 'fresh' characters to play them.
I suggest that running them in the order of MotFF, P1, P2, P3 would get you a 2nd level Pathfinder with a faction and some consistent story with Absalom and the Pathfinders.
Other random Tier 1 scenarios and modules muddle this but it seems to make a good bit of sense when run this way.
It would be nice if MotFF actually added the appropriate amount of prestige/fame though. Kinda sucks to hamstring characters at the start.
Any thoughts?
Venture-Captain, Massachusetts—Central & West
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True, and this has come up many times. Feel free to change the briefings in the beginning of the missions, to reflect the status of the Pathfinders.
As all of these scenarios/modules you listed give 1 XP each for completion, you'd wind up with a 2nd level Pathfinder. (4 XP)
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Kinda screwed up that you can't play them that way.. seeing as that really is how they are written to be played.
I'm not sure I see the point in undermining their own work. Especially when it is nicely done. Obviously at the time that MotFF was created First Steps hadn't come out so it only makes sense that they should make a few tweaks to make them all work together.
Does ANYONE understand the logic behind modules not having the same PP as scenarios?
Making complicated reporting rules and case by case situations only makes it less likely that it will all be done correctly when dealing with this kind of thing.
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Venture-Captain, Massachusetts—Central & West
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Very true as well. You'd have to do First steps, then MotFF to get all 4 XP. Nice catch.MotFF can only be played by a brand new lvl 1 character (if memory serves correctly) so you couldn't do what was suggest ...
Ugh. I'm frazzled today. Don't mind me. I'm just going to stay over here, sipping some coffee, and try to wake up even though it's 1 in the afternoon here.
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So far, there are two types of PFS sanctioned modules. Short 1 XP mods and longer 3 XP mods.
The short 1 XP mods are roughly equivalent to a scenario in length and benefits. But they do not contain faction missions and as such generally earn 1 PP. MotFF is an odd-ball since it has a Chronicle sheet printed in the module and does not give any prestige. Due to the widespread release of this "hard coded" module Paizo does not plan to change it to allow for a PP.
The 3 XP modules are generally meant to run around 12 hours and be equal to 3 scenarios. Hence the 3 XP. But they are also only worth 4 PP (not 6 like scenarios can be). This is primarily because characters are not expected to earn every PP during each level of play. Also there are no faction missions in modules so the PP are only for completing the module successfully. A third reason is that scenarios are actual PFS adventures designed and written as such, while modules are broad, general audience adventures which have been sanctioned for PFS play. So scenarios allow for the potential of 6 PP per level to encourage players to choose them over modules (which aren't specifically written for PFS).
Of course, you still gotta earn those PP. They're not automatic.
Think of modules as bonus adventures to play when you run out of scenarios or for a different type of adventure every now and then.
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Kinda screwed up that you can't play them that way.. seeing as that really is how they are written to be played.
I'm not sure I see the point in undermining their own work. Especially when it is nicely done. Obviously at the time that MotFF was created First Steps hadn't come out so it only makes sense that they should make a few tweaks to make them all work together.
Does ANYONE understand the logic behind modules not having the same PP as scenarios?
Making complicated reporting rules and case by case situations only makes it less likely that it will all be done correctly when dealing with this kind of thing.
Only the first steps series is meant to be played together. MotFF has nothing to do with first steps. MotFF as essentially a first attempt at a lvl 1/brand new character intro scenario. Why they chose not to give a prestige point for completeing it I don't know, however, w/out a prestige point it's kind of pointless to play (if you're a prestige hunter) other than just story and I think you get a better intro to the society and whatnot via first steps.
Modules take longer -- scenarios are built to have a shorter time-frame (4-5 hours) whereas modules generally take 8+ hours depending on the module. The PP reward is commserate with the time spent on the game at hand.
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Due to the widespread release of this "hard coded" module Paizo does not plan to change it to allow for a PP..
Once again, this false information...
There is no "Hard coding" involved with MotFF, None... Zero... Zilch..
The rules for the Module have never been published anywhere other then an hard to find post by Josh, the rules are Not in the Module at all about Prestige Points. In fact just like any other chronicle sheet that section is left blank.
Zero changes would need to be done to the Module to change the "Non-Existent" rules for how this module gives Prestige Points or if any 1st level PC can play. The scenario sheet looks exactly like any other prior 3rd season scenario sheet.
All that needs to be done is to change the Scenario sheet download in additional resources for the module to add the rules for the module just like We Be Goblins!
As of right now there has never been anything "Official" rules wise for this module (Scenario sheet download, FAQ or Guide).
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I believe the "hard coded" aspect is that while the printed module has a Chronicle Sheet at the end, there is no mention of Prestige Points (actually Prestige Award back then) in the module and those who were not aware of any online support would not know to add PP. Also, there are no instructions as to how PP are earned.
It may be a simple - online - fix, but if I remember correctly, the plan was that MotFF would be retired before changing the PP award for it. Of course, I could be wrong.
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The other fun thing about this setup is that if you play them 'as written' ie MotFF then P1, 2, ... oops can't play 3 cuz you are now lvl 2.
You get no PP for 1 and 2 either.. since according to the writeup you only get the 6pp for First Steps upon the completion all 3 scenarios.
I'm not sure why you're still insisting that all 4 scenarios need to be played together. They weren't written for MotFF to be played with first steps.
First steps is a more well-rounded intro and a better intro into the society. If you want to use MotFF as flavor by all means. But you're doing your players a disservice by insisting that they have to play MotFF
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I believe the "hard coded" aspect is that while the printed module has a Chronicle Sheet at the end, there is no mention of Prestige Points (actually Prestige Award back then) in the module and those who were not aware of any online support would not know to add PP. Also, there are no instructions as to how PP are earned.
It may be a simple - online - fix, but if I remember correctly, the plan was that MotFF would be retired before changing the PP award for it. Of course, I could be wrong.
In that case since there are no rules in there that states it needs to be a new first level character either, therefore using that logic I can play the module using a 1st level or 2nd level character according to the Module rules. Also, since there are no rules for PP, the default would be to go to the Guide Module rules for PP... So 3 PP it is!
In other words, that is not a reason to actual put the rules officially somewhere for the module somewhere since they are different then the module rules but are not stated anywhere.
It needs to be treated just like We Be Goblins, add the rules to the Download in Additional Resources.
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since according to the writeup you only get the 6pp for First Steps upon the completion all 3 scenarios.
This is incorrect, though it is poorly written in the scenarios, everyone gets 2 PP after every part played, just 1 PP is not associated with a Faction until after part 3, you still get them though.
You can even spend PP in part 1-3 using table 5-4 in the guide.
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since according to the writeup you only get the 6pp for First Steps upon the completion all 3 scenarios.This is incorrect, though it is poorly written in the scenarios, everyone gets 2 PP after every part played, just 1 PP is not associated with a Faction until after part 3, you still get them though.
You can even spend PP in part 1-3 using table 5-4 in the guide.
I don't know... this seems to read the other way.
At the end of the third scenario, A Vision of Betrayal, after the PCs have met and done a favor for all 10 faction heads, players will be able to choose their PCs’ allegiance and gain retroactive Prestige for the completion of the previous two scenarios.
I believe you .. it just doesn't read that way.
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I believe you .. it just doesn't read that way.
It does to me...
There are no faction-specific missions in this scenario, as PCs playing through the First Steps series have not yet chosen factions, so any PC who meets the scenario's success conditions earns a second Prestige Point for completing the scenario. When a PC earns her third Chronicle (after completing A Vision of Betrayal), all previously earned prestige will be reported to her chosen faction.
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The advantage that MotFF has is that it can be run as a single session, and therefore is a great introduction to both the Pathfinder RPG and the PFS; its a great "one shot deal" to run at a con and those looking for a new game to play with a great community can decide to use the chronicle sheet as their invitation to the Society and everyone else has a spiffy 8.5 x 11 souvenir suitable for framing!
First Steps is the superior introduction to PFS; but running through the entire series takes more of a commitment. It is a shame that running MotFF locks you out of completing the entire First Steps series; I think Part 3 is perfectly suitable for 2nd level characters.
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The advantage that MotFF has is that it can be run as a single session, and therefore is a great introduction to both the Pathfinder RPG and the PFS; its a great "one shot deal" to run at a con and those looking for a new game to play with a great community can decide to use the chronicle sheet as their invitation to the Society and everyone else has a spiffy 8.5 x 11 souvenir suitable for framing!
First Steps is the superior introduction to PFS; but running through the entire series takes more of a commitment. It is a shame that running MotFF locks you out of completing the entire First Steps series; I think Part 3 is perfectly suitable for 2nd level characters.
I have to agree with you.