New information has been posted on the Paizo site clarifying the info that was mentioned in the most recent Prop Dusting post.
From the Paizo site:
Heroes & Monsters Standard Boosters contain 1 Medium or 2 Small miniatures.
Heroes & Monsters Large Boosters contain 1 Large miniature.
Heroes & Monsters Bricks contain 16 Standard Boosters and 3 Large Boosters.
Heroes & Monsters Cases contain 4 Bricks (64 Standard Boosters and 12 Large Boosters).
Prices seem a little high.
Individual boosters (one or possibly two figures) are $3.99
Large individual boosters are $5.99
A "brick" of sixteen regular and 3 large boosters is $74.99
A case of 4 bricks is $274.99
They have begun to add more pictures of the minis and for the most part I like what I'm seeing. If the paint schemes really are this nice then the price won't seem as tough to take.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Hot Elf Chick Is A Lie! - but the dice are real.
Ok, so I'm late to the party, sheesh!
And I really hate the changes to how pictures are loaded into the blog. Hey Google, change it back so I can edit decent posts. Twits.
This is a small fraction of the amount of dice I have accumulated over the eons. The rest are somewhere in my storage boxes. One of these days I might actually decide to look for them.
And I really hate the changes to how pictures are loaded into the blog. Hey Google, change it back so I can edit decent posts. Twits.
This is a small fraction of the amount of dice I have accumulated over the eons. The rest are somewhere in my storage boxes. One of these days I might actually decide to look for them.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Lost Baronies of Lendore Isle - session #5
The night was uneventful and the healing spell Pedro had cast on the more injured of the two donkeys seemed to be helping, though both animals remained weak. The two wounded party members had begun to regain some color and everyone decided to make another try on the door to the third floor.
They breached the third floor of the tower to discover the room covered with stirge guano. Dim light scattered into the room from the opening in the ceiling that had once had a trap door, now rotted and splintered remnants lay on the floor amid the layer of viscous droppings and decaying matter. The smell in the room was nearly overwhelming.
Not trusting the floor which they could not see beneath the filth, Tok was volunteered to make his way around the room until everyone felt secure enough to enter. Squishing and crunching his way around the room, Tok determined that it would at least hold his weight.
Centered within the room and covered in the same slurry of feces, fur, and other disgusting detritus was a pedastal upon which sat a cylinder of stained glass with a tarnished silver lid complete with an ornate handle. No light penetrated the glass and they decided something must be filling the object.
What they could see of the walls behind the streaks of stirge droppings indicated that the patterns of writing in various languages, runes, pictograms, and heiroglyphs would be present everywhere once the crap was cleared away. Some of the inscriptions were in dialects of elven, dwarven, and older tongues, long gone from memory.
The decision was made to try to clean the walls and cylinder enough to determine what the room was for. Sacrificing strips from bedrolls and using the majority of their water and some spirits, they began the long task of removing the reddish brown, slime and crust. Under foot the thick muck began turning to a smeary goo.
During the process the party received a visit from some surprise guests. Five stirges flew down through the opening and went immediately for various targets.
Quick thinking and a closely placed sleep spell from Valen within the tight space of the tower put down 4 stirges and the ever unlucky Seamus who slipped into the filth stew beneath their feet. The fifth stirge struck at Fred and then was brought low by attacks. The party killed the sleeping stirges and shook seamus awake.
Gradually the patterns began to emerge and a winding band of a single elven script became readable around the top of the walls. They had found some sort of oracular device, one which could be used to answer questions that required interpretation and might not always be accurate.
The script indicated that within the glass was another cylinder of ebony, graven with symbols within which was trapped a fey creature of brilliant radience. The interaction of the magics from the glass, the ebony cage, and the creature within could yield answers. All one needed to do was open the silver lid and raise a panel of ebony to allow the fey's brilliance to shine outward through the glass. As she turned the cage exposing her light to different sections of glass and wall, groupings of information on the walls would be highlighted.
They continued cleaning until the light made work impossible for those without good dark vision out of a desire to conserve their remaining torches. They then retired back to the floors below after capping the opening in the ceiling with the third floor door.
Another night was spent there, though the fleas and filth made it quite uncomfortable, especially for their crud covered thief. In the morning they loaded the chest of silver pieces on their donkey and did their best to use the second floor door to block part of the ground floor entrance, then they set out for town itching all the way.
They are planning a return to the tower and to continue hunting the other bandit lair. Their worst enemies this time were fleas and filth.
I might make Seamus save to avoid a disease. He has born the brunt of the mishaps for 3 sessions consecutively.
We are trying to work through the scheduling issues in order to get the overdue session #6 going. Hopefully enough people can make it on August 20th. Presently that is not certain. One of the most reliably present players has to go away that week and won't make it back in time.
They breached the third floor of the tower to discover the room covered with stirge guano. Dim light scattered into the room from the opening in the ceiling that had once had a trap door, now rotted and splintered remnants lay on the floor amid the layer of viscous droppings and decaying matter. The smell in the room was nearly overwhelming.
Not trusting the floor which they could not see beneath the filth, Tok was volunteered to make his way around the room until everyone felt secure enough to enter. Squishing and crunching his way around the room, Tok determined that it would at least hold his weight.
Centered within the room and covered in the same slurry of feces, fur, and other disgusting detritus was a pedastal upon which sat a cylinder of stained glass with a tarnished silver lid complete with an ornate handle. No light penetrated the glass and they decided something must be filling the object.
What they could see of the walls behind the streaks of stirge droppings indicated that the patterns of writing in various languages, runes, pictograms, and heiroglyphs would be present everywhere once the crap was cleared away. Some of the inscriptions were in dialects of elven, dwarven, and older tongues, long gone from memory.
The decision was made to try to clean the walls and cylinder enough to determine what the room was for. Sacrificing strips from bedrolls and using the majority of their water and some spirits, they began the long task of removing the reddish brown, slime and crust. Under foot the thick muck began turning to a smeary goo.
During the process the party received a visit from some surprise guests. Five stirges flew down through the opening and went immediately for various targets.
Quick thinking and a closely placed sleep spell from Valen within the tight space of the tower put down 4 stirges and the ever unlucky Seamus who slipped into the filth stew beneath their feet. The fifth stirge struck at Fred and then was brought low by attacks. The party killed the sleeping stirges and shook seamus awake.
Gradually the patterns began to emerge and a winding band of a single elven script became readable around the top of the walls. They had found some sort of oracular device, one which could be used to answer questions that required interpretation and might not always be accurate.
The script indicated that within the glass was another cylinder of ebony, graven with symbols within which was trapped a fey creature of brilliant radience. The interaction of the magics from the glass, the ebony cage, and the creature within could yield answers. All one needed to do was open the silver lid and raise a panel of ebony to allow the fey's brilliance to shine outward through the glass. As she turned the cage exposing her light to different sections of glass and wall, groupings of information on the walls would be highlighted.
They continued cleaning until the light made work impossible for those without good dark vision out of a desire to conserve their remaining torches. They then retired back to the floors below after capping the opening in the ceiling with the third floor door.
Another night was spent there, though the fleas and filth made it quite uncomfortable, especially for their crud covered thief. In the morning they loaded the chest of silver pieces on their donkey and did their best to use the second floor door to block part of the ground floor entrance, then they set out for town itching all the way.
They are planning a return to the tower and to continue hunting the other bandit lair. Their worst enemies this time were fleas and filth.
I might make Seamus save to avoid a disease. He has born the brunt of the mishaps for 3 sessions consecutively.
We are trying to work through the scheduling issues in order to get the overdue session #6 going. Hopefully enough people can make it on August 20th. Presently that is not certain. One of the most reliably present players has to go away that week and won't make it back in time.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Play Styles And Players In The Role Of NPC Baddies
There have been occasions when I have entrusted the role of NPCs into the hands of some players. In many cases it didn't pan out as intended while in others it made for very memorable and fun events.
It wouldn't be fair to blame players for not fully embracing that role and playing it to the hilt. For some people, it just doesn't match their style of play.
For those that do embrace the opportunities presented, the game gains immensely from the depth of interaction and the directions it can lead.
A couple of examples from campaigns of mine past:
The game was second edition D&D, and the first level characters had become entangled from instant 1 of the campaign in a chase to catch a thief that had stolen a very important item. The chase had led them through part of two kingdoms into wilderness, on into the territory of at least nine goblin tribes and the nearby homes of several other types of humanoids.
At first they didn't understand why they seemed to be chasing different people or why they didn't really know exactly who they were after, yet the clues kept them going. Time after time this miscreant slipped just beyond their reach.
Eventually they found themselves overlooking a canyon where the leaders of the nine goblin tribes and close to 1500 humanoids (mostly goblins) were gathered.
They found a way into the caves of the local tribe and eventually spotted the thief. In hot pursuit the party got split up when the villain used a fog cloud scroll to obscure the stone bridge over a chasm.
Most of the party remained behind to try to rescue a member that had fallen into the chasm and was under threat by something down there with him. One party member had made it through the fog in time to see where the villain went and gave chase (you're not getting away this time!).
That one lone PC ended up in a world of hurt being outmatched by two enemies, one a doppleganger he had already experienced the power of, and the other a large creature even more powerful than an ogre (the so-called goblin king). He was taken captive and replaced by the doppleganger.
This part was played out in another room to keep secrets from those not yet exposed to the information. The player was given the chance to play the part of his imposter and took to it with aplomb.
The party was pulled back together and after some additional highjinx left the caves thinking they were safe. That is when to the surprise of everyone else the villain struck.
The player run doppleganger chose to attack the mage that was the closest character and who had his back to him. Fortunately the party had reached second level by this point and the extra hitpoints saved the day.
The looks on player faces was priceless. There was genuine confusion for a moment and eventually they got their act together and defeated this very hated foe. The PCs all survived and they killed the goblin king in the bargain too.
In the second example from a Ptolus campaign, a different set of players with a much more tactical style who aren't much for the role playing were given control of thugs in a back alley with the idea that they were going to rob a lone PC that was messing with a fellow gang member.
This story is shorter because the players thought more in board game terms of the party always needing to win and not the idea of letting story hooks develope from the possible outcome. The targeted PC was barely bruised and the entire group of thugs was easily defeated. (Boring for me, but that was their way of doing things.)
My personal style runs more to enjoying the first example than the second.
Other DMs have tried this, also with varied results. It would be nice to hear some examples. Post a little bit in the comments if you have any examples.
It wouldn't be fair to blame players for not fully embracing that role and playing it to the hilt. For some people, it just doesn't match their style of play.
For those that do embrace the opportunities presented, the game gains immensely from the depth of interaction and the directions it can lead.
A couple of examples from campaigns of mine past:
The game was second edition D&D, and the first level characters had become entangled from instant 1 of the campaign in a chase to catch a thief that had stolen a very important item. The chase had led them through part of two kingdoms into wilderness, on into the territory of at least nine goblin tribes and the nearby homes of several other types of humanoids.
At first they didn't understand why they seemed to be chasing different people or why they didn't really know exactly who they were after, yet the clues kept them going. Time after time this miscreant slipped just beyond their reach.
Eventually they found themselves overlooking a canyon where the leaders of the nine goblin tribes and close to 1500 humanoids (mostly goblins) were gathered.
They found a way into the caves of the local tribe and eventually spotted the thief. In hot pursuit the party got split up when the villain used a fog cloud scroll to obscure the stone bridge over a chasm.
Most of the party remained behind to try to rescue a member that had fallen into the chasm and was under threat by something down there with him. One party member had made it through the fog in time to see where the villain went and gave chase (you're not getting away this time!).
That one lone PC ended up in a world of hurt being outmatched by two enemies, one a doppleganger he had already experienced the power of, and the other a large creature even more powerful than an ogre (the so-called goblin king). He was taken captive and replaced by the doppleganger.
This part was played out in another room to keep secrets from those not yet exposed to the information. The player was given the chance to play the part of his imposter and took to it with aplomb.
The party was pulled back together and after some additional highjinx left the caves thinking they were safe. That is when to the surprise of everyone else the villain struck.
The player run doppleganger chose to attack the mage that was the closest character and who had his back to him. Fortunately the party had reached second level by this point and the extra hitpoints saved the day.
The looks on player faces was priceless. There was genuine confusion for a moment and eventually they got their act together and defeated this very hated foe. The PCs all survived and they killed the goblin king in the bargain too.
In the second example from a Ptolus campaign, a different set of players with a much more tactical style who aren't much for the role playing were given control of thugs in a back alley with the idea that they were going to rob a lone PC that was messing with a fellow gang member.
This story is shorter because the players thought more in board game terms of the party always needing to win and not the idea of letting story hooks develope from the possible outcome. The targeted PC was barely bruised and the entire group of thugs was easily defeated. (Boring for me, but that was their way of doing things.)
My personal style runs more to enjoying the first example than the second.
Other DMs have tried this, also with varied results. It would be nice to hear some examples. Post a little bit in the comments if you have any examples.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
So Much For That Plan
This weekend was going to be the second attempt to run session #6 of the Lost Baronies campaign. My guest players got word today that they have another obligation that has cropped up for the same day and time.
Now it is going to be August 20th as attempt number 3 to get the game going again and so far I have only one player saying the schedule then is clear enough to make it.
On a brighter note, one of the wayward players who had to take the summer off emailed and indicated a likely return in October.
About tomorrow . . . the Random Table will not be making an appearance tomorrow unless I get beat with the inspiration stick. Part of the reason is that I am slowly putting together a larger set of tables for a later post.
Now it is going to be August 20th as attempt number 3 to get the game going again and so far I have only one player saying the schedule then is clear enough to make it.
On a brighter note, one of the wayward players who had to take the summer off emailed and indicated a likely return in October.
About tomorrow . . . the Random Table will not be making an appearance tomorrow unless I get beat with the inspiration stick. Part of the reason is that I am slowly putting together a larger set of tables for a later post.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Prop Dusting - Return Of The Plastic Crack
And here I thought my addiction to buying cases of fantasy gaming miniatures was finished. Maybe I am not free of this dreaded shoulder riding monkey after-all. I still have not finished opening all of the stuff I bought before. There is an excuse, called not DMing for a few years, but it isn't a good excuse.
Paizo just announced that in combination with WizKidz, they will be jumping into the gaping chasm left by Wizards of The Coast when the minaitures line ceased production.
Pathfinder Battles is the name of the new pre-painted miniatures line due to hit stores in December 2011. Like the old line from WotC, these will also be sold as blind random boosters.
The first set, Heroes & Monsters, will be a 40 piece set. According to their emailed newsletter a "brick" (19 booster case) consists of "16 packs including one Medium, or 2 Small figures, and 3 large packs featuring 1 Large monster each", and "Buyers who purchase factory sealed cases(4 bricks)should get a nearly complete set of figures.
That sounds like boosters contain only 1 or 2 figures each, and there would be 76 booster packs to a case. If that is a fact then it stands to reason there will be a lot of excess packaging. And you need to think about the possibility of buying more than a case to get the set if you're a collector and not buying just to have a bunch of figures for play.
The second set will be named Rise of the Rune Lords and have 60 different figures. No word yet on how many bricks to a case for the second set. Regardless, I nearly crapped a brick thinking about the crazy packaging scheme.
However, reading further along, in another part of the newsletter it now sounds like there will be 6 figures per booster. So which is it Paizo . . . you're starting to sound like Wizards with the confusing product descriptions.
All of the above bull brick aside, the pictures of the figures look really nice, except for the gnome with bright orange hair. Bright, day-glo, orange hair. What the heck is up with that?
This could be something good for a lot of people, or it could be a nightmare depending on price and other factors. Paizo promises good collation to avoid a bunch of duplication (within reason of course).
This all has me wondering if I should bother with these. I have at least one case of all but one of WotC's pre-painted plastic crack, slowly being sorted, and definitely dusty. Do I need more miniatures?
On a side topic, when I last posted a Prop Dusting article I promised to provide info on the company I had bought the coins from. Here it is:
http://www.mardigrasoutlet.com/
Paizo just announced that in combination with WizKidz, they will be jumping into the gaping chasm left by Wizards of The Coast when the minaitures line ceased production.
Pathfinder Battles is the name of the new pre-painted miniatures line due to hit stores in December 2011. Like the old line from WotC, these will also be sold as blind random boosters.
The first set, Heroes & Monsters, will be a 40 piece set. According to their emailed newsletter a "brick" (19 booster case) consists of "16 packs including one Medium, or 2 Small figures, and 3 large packs featuring 1 Large monster each", and "Buyers who purchase factory sealed cases(4 bricks)should get a nearly complete set of figures.
That sounds like boosters contain only 1 or 2 figures each, and there would be 76 booster packs to a case. If that is a fact then it stands to reason there will be a lot of excess packaging. And you need to think about the possibility of buying more than a case to get the set if you're a collector and not buying just to have a bunch of figures for play.
The second set will be named Rise of the Rune Lords and have 60 different figures. No word yet on how many bricks to a case for the second set. Regardless, I nearly crapped a brick thinking about the crazy packaging scheme.
However, reading further along, in another part of the newsletter it now sounds like there will be 6 figures per booster. So which is it Paizo . . . you're starting to sound like Wizards with the confusing product descriptions.
All of the above bull brick aside, the pictures of the figures look really nice, except for the gnome with bright orange hair. Bright, day-glo, orange hair. What the heck is up with that?
This could be something good for a lot of people, or it could be a nightmare depending on price and other factors. Paizo promises good collation to avoid a bunch of duplication (within reason of course).
This all has me wondering if I should bother with these. I have at least one case of all but one of WotC's pre-painted plastic crack, slowly being sorted, and definitely dusty. Do I need more miniatures?
On a side topic, when I last posted a Prop Dusting article I promised to provide info on the company I had bought the coins from. Here it is:
http://www.mardigrasoutlet.com/
Monday, August 1, 2011
GenCon Here They Come!
This is an interesting week for the gaming groups.
At least three of the weekly group will be attending GenCon, and at least two players from my Lost Baronies campaign will also be there.
The weekly group appears to be taking a skip week. I feel the need to do so even though I won't be at the con, too much stuff at home to take care of.
For my weekend game there are guest players coming in to run some of the PCs so that one will be running as normal.
Hopefully we'll manage at least 4 players this time and be able to get them out of town and into trouble, er, I mean adventure, sure, that.
Posting might be a bit light this week since I plan to do a bunch of house work and some studying. I still hope to manage at least one post a day, though I have no idea yet if any of the posts aside from one Lost Baronies update will have much content.
I've got a few posts in the pipeline I've been meaning to work on and things keep causing me to delay them. Maybe next week for those posts.
At least three of the weekly group will be attending GenCon, and at least two players from my Lost Baronies campaign will also be there.
The weekly group appears to be taking a skip week. I feel the need to do so even though I won't be at the con, too much stuff at home to take care of.
For my weekend game there are guest players coming in to run some of the PCs so that one will be running as normal.
Hopefully we'll manage at least 4 players this time and be able to get them out of town and into trouble, er, I mean adventure, sure, that.
Posting might be a bit light this week since I plan to do a bunch of house work and some studying. I still hope to manage at least one post a day, though I have no idea yet if any of the posts aside from one Lost Baronies update will have much content.
I've got a few posts in the pipeline I've been meaning to work on and things keep causing me to delay them. Maybe next week for those posts.
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