Pathfinder 1E Advice for way of the wicked?

[triqui]

As to crafting, I will have a cohort (at 7th) that does the crafting.

Cohorts are bad crafters. When you are 9th, your cohort is 7th, and can't craft rods yet. It's a cheap way to cheat a few extra feats, but it is not free.

However, I'm still leery about the concept of relying on magic items for the core strategy of the character. Cash, downtime and magic item availability are all matter of DM fiat and this particular DM prefers a more gritty game and less of the core Pathfinder assumption of the "Magic Christmas tree" effect. While I fully understand that purely by RAW I "could" be using empower/maximize by 9th level, there is just no way I can be comfortable making a character that needs to rely on that build structure to be functional, walking into a game where I can't be certain those options will be freely available. Does that make sense?

Sure, the guide assumes you are playing in a regular game, under Pathfinder rules. If your DM does not allow crafting, you won't craft. On the other hand, if your DM does not allow magic-users, you won't be a sorcerer at all.

In any case, in this AP, you have plenty of time to craft.

 

[Mr.E_Danger]

I recently started this AP with an extra two people (ranger, rogue, summoner, witch, sorcerer, and wizard) and it has gotten some good reviews from them thus far. They successfully escaped Branderscar and are currently in the middle of the Nine Lessons. There was some party in-fighting and some gold stealing, however that was before contracts were signed. So i am hoping the back stabbing will be brought to a minimum.

I enjoyed reading the first book quite a bit, and am looking forward to them tackling the things to come. Great AP

 

[gdmcbride]

Mr.E_Danger,

Thanks for taking the time to tell me about your game. I love hearing about actual play. So, they escaped from Branderscar, eh?

Tell me...

Spoiler

did they get Grumblejack out alive?

Regardless, I'm glad you and your players are enjoying the adventure path. Thanks for supporting "Way of the Wicked".

Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games

 

[Mr.E_Danger]

SPOILERS





Gary,

Yes, escaped from Branderscar and made it to the mansion. to answer your question: No, they forced him out of the cage and down the stairs to fight the guards in the hall. They heard the sound of battle and came down to watch Grumblejack fight the guards in the hall and some that came from the barracks. they waited till he was dead before jumping in to finish off the guards.

On the whole, they aren't as evil as i thought they were. They tortured Sir Balin's squire in the torture room, but once they got the info, they let him go. so he ran off. I wouldn't be surprised if he stumbled upon one of the many deadly traps on the way out... or perhaps Thorn will force them to leave no witnesses. hard to say at the moment.

 

[gdmcbride]

Actually, I think it's cool that your PCs aren't yet THAT evil. Before this adventure path is over...they will be. There are no half measures along the way of the wicked.

Spoiler

Regarding, the squire. Yeah, there is no way Thorn is going to let him escape the manor. Even if he somehow makes it out of the Nine Lessons, Tiadora will find him and ... well, let's just say that eventually he dies.

Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games

 

[Mr.E_Danger]

I guess expecting them to be maliciously evil off the bat is too high of expectation.

Spoiler

This would be the second instance of them being kind to npc's. the first time, while escaping Branderscar, the summoner went into the kitchen and saw the civilian cooks. he intimidated them and forced them to bring him food. but then he complimented them on the dish and just left them there. which i suppose is a form of terror.

 

[gdmcbride]

Hah! I like the bit with the cooks. That is classy villiany.

Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games

 

[Fooly_Cooly]

WARNING SOME SPOILERS Lol. The cook thing is awesome. Grumblejack in ours got the same treatment. Sent to fight the guards and the pc's just watched until he was dead and jumped in the fray. Most recently my PC's finally started there final push into fortress balentyne . The fought captain varning(As they failed to kill him on 2 previous occasions) They actually waited till his shift was over so they could purposely kill him...specifically. Guess evil hate failure.Haha. He and a few guards that were roused from sleep by the combat took out the wizard(Twice) and the ninja. The dwarf fighter has 30 AC..... so him and varning just sat and swung at each other until the other 3 PC'S arrived on the scene. Im thinking I might say someone saves varning during the battle....they KO'd him alright but no one said he bled out afterward. Would be a great chance to have him come back. Would there ever be a chance for him to re engage the PC's?

 

[gdmcbride]

Would there ever be a chance for him to re engage the PC's?

Are you asking if there is a chance for the PCs to fight a foe they failed to kill? The answer to that can only be YES!

But where?

Spoiler

You have choices! He could be a member of the Sons of Balentyne (Book 2), he could be in Ghastenhall (Book 3) or he could be in the Adarium (Book 4). Or if he survives again, he could be in all those places. Recurrent good guys are definitely a great tool.

Hope that helps,
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games

 

[Fooly_Cooly]

Excellent! He may not be the BEST re occurring do gooder but with the PC's obvious distaste for him it would certainly make them try hard Hahaha. Now the problem is saving him and making it look like part of the story...He is currently KO'd is his fortress quarters along with 2 stunned guards and a load of dead one. The dwarf fighter is close by but the only other PC in the room is the sorcerer...well if you count the unconcious wizard and ninja then they are there too. Perhaps someone manages to appear and do an exchange of lives? Doesnt seem like a group of villians would go for that though.. any ideas?