(Other) Smogon Pathfinder Society - Skype event 5/11

vonFiedler · Oct 18th, 2012, 8:23:16 PM

Approved by Lightwolf

What the fuck is Pathfinder and why should I care?

In 1974 Gary Gygax invented Dungeons & Dragons. What he didn't know at the time was that he had created the first customizable element game, decades before other CEGs like Magic the Gathering or Pokemon. Gary Gygax wasn't worried about game balance, he just wanted a multi-person storytelling device. In his mind, no one would want to play as the rank and file Fighter, and the Wizard was of course the most powerful cause that is how it worked in the Lord of the Rings.

However, Dungeon & Dragons captured the hearts of pre-video game nerds everywhere. Over 35 years and 7 revisions, the game became much more balanced and interesting. Games like Skyrim and Fallout 3 only attempt to capture the thrill of tabletop gaming; an immersive experience where you are totally in control. Then Wizards of the Coasts made 4th Edition D&D with the primary intent of selling collectible miniatures, everyone hated this.

But like at the end of the Two Towers when Gandalf appears with a ton of guys on horseback to save Helm's Deep, the gaming company Paizo used the Open Gaming License to create Pathfinder, now hailed as the spiritual successor to Dungeons & Dragons. Come friends, whether you be an Elven Sorcerer, Dwarven Paladin, Gnomish Rogue, or so on, come slay dragons with us! Fame and treasure are on the horizon!

Pathfinder Society

Pathfinder Society is a much more relaxed pulp fiction sort of environment compared to the sometimes year long quests that you can play with friends. You create a character, show up to events with approx. 4-hour long adventures, and leave with loot and experience (for every three scenarios you gain a level). In this way, you can think of Pathfinder Society as sort of a Massively Multiplayer Roleplaying Game. You can take your character from any Smogon PFS game and play locally in Pathfinder events all over the world.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat PFS Website

Pathfinder Society Organized Play is a worldwide fantasy roleplaying campaign that puts YOU in the role of an agent of the Pathfinder Society, a legendary league of explorers, archaeologists, and adventurers dedicated to discovering and chronicling the greatest mysteries and wonders of an ancient world beset by magic and evil.

The campaign’s home base is sprawling Absalom, the so-called City at the Center of the World, that stands astride the great Inner Sea on the mountain-capped Isle of Kortos. A Pathfinder’s adventures explore the dark alleys and political intrigue of Absalom between far-flung travels to the most interesting and exotic locales in the world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.

In Pathfinder Society Organized Play, you play a member of the Pathfinder Society, seeking fortune and glory all over the face of Golarion. At the same time, your character works for one of the competing factions, all with their own motivations and secret agendas.

Play is organized into Seasons, throughout which the actions and achievements of you and your fellow Pathfinders create an ongoing storyline. Each season consists of at least 28 Pathfinder Society scenarios (short, 4-hour adventures) set in a variety of exotic locations across Golarion.

Beginner Help

For any event you can either create your own character or use a pregenerated character. Using a pregen character gives you a credit towards leveling up any created character. Like Pokemon there is a lot to learn about the d20 system. While not a necessity, purchasing a copy of the Core Rulebook would give you the most thorough understanding of the basic rules. On the plus side, it's also a fascinating book to read through with great artwork. The most comprehensive source of information, if a little overwhelming, is the Pathfinder SRD. If you want to make a character using it, I would recommend starting here. Finally, I'll be making a social group with much more beginner help. The link to that guide is here.

The FREE Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play is also required reading regardless of your experience level.

Events

I'll be doing alternating Saturdays right now. The next event is on Saturday, February the 30th, at 12:00 PM PST. I need 4-6 players, please RSVP below. If the date works for you but the time does not, please say so.

These games will be held over IRC, we meet in #flamel. Feel free to get in contact with me to talk about character creation or pregens, I am here to help.

Event Rules

PFS Scenarios are structured like single events. You have no commitment to show up to all of them, or to attend in any order. These are based on in person events usually run in hobby shops. On the internet you often take for granted the rules of common courtesy, but if you attend an event you will show the same basic respect as if you were meeting in person. The following rules are absolutely necessary to ensure that scenarios are run in a timely manner and don't drag past 4 hours. To break these rules is not just inconsiderate towards your GM, it's inconsiderate towards every other player.

1. If you RSVP, set aside plans and be prepared to show up on time.
2. Do not multi-task on the internet while playing; this has been proven to waste time for everyone.
3. Pay attention to the game; if you have to scroll up on IRC or have someone explain to you what has happened, you are wasting time.
4. Be ready to act on your turn. Think about what your character would do before it is the time to do it. This is a common rule in person.
5. If you have to go afk we understand, but please tell people.
6. As soon as you have 2 Prestige, buy and keep a stock of Wand of Cure Light Wounds or Wand of Infernal Healing. You cannot expect others to spend their money healing you.

Finally, you will need to register yourself and your character on the PFS Website. Please take care of this before showing up.

Raikage · Oct 18th, 2012, 8:57:11 PM

I'm in :o

I'll probably play some weird character like elemental druid.

Agape · Oct 19th, 2012, 2:14:39 AM

I could come if the time were 4 hours earlier, as I have the Fall holiday for the whole week and could stay up late even on weekdays, but starting at 3 am is a little bit too rough :)

I can wait until you hold it on the Friday/Saturday afternoon timeslot sometime. I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later. (Also magus is the best class.)

General Spoon · Oct 19th, 2012, 9:10:25 AM

In for this evening.

Temperantia · Oct 21st, 2012, 10:51:02 AM

I'll be in for Wednesday, or if it gets changed, Saturday.

Maxim · Oct 22nd, 2012, 11:00:32 PM

Probably won't be able to make it this Wednesday, but I should be able to make it Saturday.

vonFiedler · Oct 26th, 2012, 8:32:14 PM

The first session of Pathfinder Society ran a little long due to some, er, complications, if you are in the next Saturday game, bring powder bombs. But there were some great moments, some comedically bad ideas but also some really smart plans. Though it dragged a bit, it was a good start for Pathfinders General Spoon, Raikage, ginganinja, maxim, and temparentia.

I've scheduled the next two games for Saturday, November the 3rd at 12:00 PM PST and Wednesday, November the 7th at 5:00 PM PST.

Even if you played in the last session, please RSVP below if plan on coming.

RSVP List

Saturday:
Agape
Maxim
Lightwolf
ofstatic

Wednesday:
Temparentia

General Spoon · Oct 26th, 2012, 10:20:55 PM

Nope not next Saturday.

EDIT: Fuck imps.

vonFiedler · Oct 27th, 2012, 1:31:51 AM

The Saturday session is just going to be the Wednesday scenario. If you'd rather play on Saturdays, wait for the Saturday after.

ofstatic · Nov 2nd, 2012, 2:18:20 PM

Is there a session going on this Saturday November 3rd? I would like to partake in these activities. I even already have a character.

vonFiedler · Nov 2nd, 2012, 2:24:42 PM

Yes, as advertised it is at 12 PST tomorrow.

Maxim · Nov 6th, 2012, 10:04:31 PM

Uh...putting down a tentative RSVP down for Wednesday. I WILL come to one of these for the full four hours, though if I do come Wednesday I may be a couple minutes late as I have something to do from 6:00 to 6:50 PM (Central Time).

Chances are if I'm not there by roughly ten minutes from start I'm not going to be there, otherwise I'll see you all there :)

vonFiedler · Nov 11th, 2012, 12:35:52 AM

So we had our first death in the last scenario. It sucks, but we will mourn the loss of Colm (Temparentia) and strive boldly forward!

The next games are on Sunday the 18th (at Agape's behest) and Thursday the 22nd (so that it isn't on my birthday). RSVP please!

18th:
General Spoon
Agape
Temparentia

23rd:
TAS
Maxim

General Spoon · Nov 11th, 2012, 1:16:34 AM

RSVPing for the 17th.

EDIT: 17th, 18th, Sunday, whatever.

**ginganinja** · Nov 11th, 2012, 3:43:31 AM

whenever, ill be on whatever date that works (made a couple of new characters anyway that would work fine

Agape · Nov 11th, 2012, 7:26:17 AM

RSVP:ing for Sunday, 2 things though: My calendar lists Sunday as the 18th, not the 17th (I can do Sunday the 18th but not Saturday the 17th). Also hopefully I got the time right through all these DST adjustments, 7h 30min from this timestamp forward, right?

**LightWolf** · Nov 11th, 2012, 9:09:34 AM

Are both of those dates for Part 2 or is the second one Part 3?

vonFiedler · Nov 11th, 2012, 3:36:07 PM

Sunday is the 18th, sorry

Sunday is Part 2, Thursday is Part 3

theangryscientist · Nov 11th, 2012, 4:51:02 PM

in for thursday

Maxim · Nov 11th, 2012, 5:21:46 PM

Tentative In for Thursday.

Temperantia · Nov 12th, 2012, 10:06:38 PM

RSVP'ing for Sunday with a new character off the assembly line.

vonFiedler · Nov 13th, 2012, 1:22:17 AM

I am still dumb. The "Thursday session" is now on Friday the 23rd due to Thanksgiving.

ofstatic · Nov 16th, 2012, 5:56:09 PM

I previously said I'd be participating in First Steps II, but since it's on the 18th and not the 17th I will unfortunately have to miss the session.

General Spoon · Nov 21st, 2012, 4:20:59 PM

Tentatively RSVPing for Friday (the 23rd) in order to screw myself over as little as possible.

EDIT: Or, uh, not, I guess.

vonFiedler · Nov 27th, 2012, 2:36:22 PM

The next sessions will be Saturday the 1st at 12PM PST and Wednesday the 5th at 5PM PST. Please RSVP everyone this time, it led to complications last time when players didn't.

Both sessions will be First Steps Part 3, which will conclude the First Steps and put us into faction mission territory!

Saturday:
General Spoon
Maxim
Temparentia
Agape
Lightwolf
lareman

Wednesday:
theangryscientist

Oct 18th, 2012, 8:57:11 PM	#2
Raikage Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,065	I'm in :o I'll probably play some weird character like elemental druid. __________________ <%Raikage> Jirachi <%Raikage> oh I know <%Raikage> Ezreal <%Jirachi> HI

Oct 19th, 2012, 2:14:39 AM	#3
Agape Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 568 Suomi	I could come if the time were 4 hours earlier, as I have the Fall holiday for the whole week and could stay up late even on weekdays, but starting at 3 am is a little bit too rough :) I can wait until you hold it on the Friday/Saturday afternoon timeslot sometime. I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later. (Also magus is the best class.) __________________ Smogon admins are such nice people! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read." ~ Mark Twain

Oct 19th, 2012, 9:10:25 AM	#4
General Spoon Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 507 Minnesota	In for this evening. Last edited by General Spoon; Oct 25th, 2012 at 7:14:58 PM.

Oct 21st, 2012, 10:51:02 AM	#5
Temperantia Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,719	I'll be in for Wednesday, or if it gets changed, Saturday. __________________ Restless souls will put on their dancing shoes Mindless ghouls with lots of limbs to lose Illusionist Contortionist Tightrope walker tightening the noose

Oct 22nd, 2012, 11:00:32 PM	#6
Maxim Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2,460	Probably won't be able to make it this Wednesday, but I should be able to make it Saturday. __________________ The avatar was taken from Marriland. CAP ASB Join Free RPG to play fun, freestyle RPGs.

Oct 26th, 2012, 8:32:14 PM	#7
vonFiedler Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3,160	The first session of Pathfinder Society ran a little long due to some, er, complications, if you are in the next Saturday game, bring powder bombs. But there were some great moments, some comedically bad ideas but also some really smart plans. Though it dragged a bit, it was a good start for Pathfinders General Spoon, Raikage, ginganinja, maxim, and temparentia. I've scheduled the next two games for Saturday, November the 3rd at 12:00 PM PST and Wednesday, November the 7th at 5:00 PM PST. Even if you played in the last session, please RSVP below if plan on coming. RSVP List Saturday: Agape Maxim Lightwolf ofstatic Wednesday: Temparentia __________________ I will always go to sleep, even in a house where I just murdered a couple of cops. - Lightwolf Last edited by vonFiedler; Nov 2nd, 2012 at 2:25:01 PM.

Oct 26th, 2012, 10:20:55 PM	#8
General Spoon Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 507 Minnesota	Nope not next Saturday. EDIT: Fuck imps. Last edited by General Spoon; Oct 27th, 2012 at 5:43:13 AM.

Oct 27th, 2012, 1:31:51 AM	#9
vonFiedler Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3,160	The Saturday session is just going to be the Wednesday scenario. If you'd rather play on Saturdays, wait for the Saturday after. __________________ I will always go to sleep, even in a house where I just murdered a couple of cops. - Lightwolf

Nov 2nd, 2012, 2:18:20 PM	#10
ofstatic Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 2	Is there a session going on this Saturday November 3rd? I would like to partake in these activities. I even already have a character.

Nov 2nd, 2012, 2:24:42 PM	#11
vonFiedler Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3,160	Yes, as advertised it is at 12 PST tomorrow. __________________ I will always go to sleep, even in a house where I just murdered a couple of cops. - Lightwolf

Nov 6th, 2012, 10:04:31 PM	#12
Maxim Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2,460	Uh...putting down a tentative RSVP down for Wednesday. I WILL come to one of these for the full four hours, though if I do come Wednesday I may be a couple minutes late as I have something to do from 6:00 to 6:50 PM (Central Time). Chances are if I'm not there by roughly ten minutes from start I'm not going to be there, otherwise I'll see you all there :) __________________ The avatar was taken from Marriland. CAP ASB Join Free RPG to play fun, freestyle RPGs.

Nov 11th, 2012, 12:35:52 AM	#13
vonFiedler Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3,160	So we had our first death in the last scenario. It sucks, but we will mourn the loss of Colm (Temparentia) and strive boldly forward! The next games are on Sunday the 18th (at Agape's behest) and Thursday the 22nd (so that it isn't on my birthday). RSVP please! 18th: General Spoon Agape Temparentia 23rd: TAS Maxim __________________ I will always go to sleep, even in a house where I just murdered a couple of cops. - Lightwolf Last edited by vonFiedler; Nov 13th, 2012 at 1:22:30 AM.

Nov 11th, 2012, 1:16:34 AM	#14
General Spoon Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 507 Minnesota	RSVPing for the 17th. EDIT: 17th, 18th, Sunday, whatever. Last edited by General Spoon; Nov 11th, 2012 at 7:35:15 PM.

Nov 11th, 2012, 3:43:31 AM	#15
ginganinja Delena 4ever Moderator Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3,100 In Love	whenever, ill be on whatever date that works (made a couple of new characters anyway that would work fine __________________

Nov 11th, 2012, 7:26:17 AM	#16
Agape Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 568 Suomi	RSVP:ing for Sunday, 2 things though: My calendar lists Sunday as the 18th, not the 17th (I can do Sunday the 18th but not Saturday the 17th). Also hopefully I got the time right through all these DST adjustments, 7h 30min from this timestamp forward, right? __________________ Smogon admins are such nice people! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read." ~ Mark Twain Last edited by Agape; Nov 11th, 2012 at 7:41:03 AM.

Nov 11th, 2012, 9:09:34 AM	#17
LightWolf lightwoof Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,629 On the Smogon Forums, if that button down there is green!	Are both of those dates for Part 2 or is the second one Part 3? __________________ "I am an underachiever and proud of it! Put this in your signature too if you agree!"

Nov 11th, 2012, 3:36:07 PM	#18
vonFiedler Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3,160	Sunday is the 18th, sorry Sunday is Part 2, Thursday is Part 3 __________________ I will always go to sleep, even in a house where I just murdered a couple of cops. - Lightwolf

Nov 11th, 2012, 5:21:46 PM	#20
Maxim Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2,460	Tentative In for Thursday. __________________ The avatar was taken from Marriland. CAP ASB Join Free RPG to play fun, freestyle RPGs.

Nov 12th, 2012, 10:06:38 PM	#21
Temperantia Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,719	RSVP'ing for Sunday with a new character off the assembly line. __________________ Restless souls will put on their dancing shoes Mindless ghouls with lots of limbs to lose Illusionist Contortionist Tightrope walker tightening the noose

Nov 13th, 2012, 1:22:17 AM	#22
vonFiedler Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3,160	I am still dumb. The "Thursday session" is now on Friday the 23rd due to Thanksgiving. __________________ I will always go to sleep, even in a house where I just murdered a couple of cops. - Lightwolf

Nov 16th, 2012, 5:56:09 PM	#23
ofstatic Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 2	I previously said I'd be participating in First Steps II, but since it's on the 18th and not the 17th I will unfortunately have to miss the session.

Nov 21st, 2012, 4:20:59 PM	#24
General Spoon Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 507 Minnesota	Tentatively RSVPing for Friday (the 23rd) in order to screw myself over as little as possible. EDIT: Or, uh, not, I guess. Last edited by General Spoon; Nov 22nd, 2012 at 8:57:46 AM.

Nov 27th, 2012, 2:36:22 PM	#25
vonFiedler Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3,160	The next sessions will be Saturday the 1st at 12PM PST and Wednesday the 5th at 5PM PST. Please RSVP everyone this time, it led to complications last time when players didn't. Both sessions will be First Steps Part 3, which will conclude the First Steps and put us into faction mission territory! Saturday: General Spoon Maxim Temparentia Agape Lightwolf lareman Wednesday: theangryscientist __________________ I will always go to sleep, even in a house where I just murdered a couple of cops. - Lightwolf Last edited by vonFiedler; Nov 29th, 2012 at 2:21:35 PM.