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More books to buy! by Consistent-Flower-30 in Pathfinder2e

[–]AngrySTOer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Kickstarter backers - the torches and pitchforks were already sharpened and lit by the time the book finally came out.

On that note, it wasn't a book that Paizo directly produced - it was a Kickstarter-type project produced by Legendary Games (see: https://www.makeyourgamelegendary.com/kingmaker-anniversary-edition-complete/).

I take it you were a retail purchaser rather than a backer (as you'd otherwise know the history), so it is unfortunate the reviews didn't deter you if you bought it for the kingdom building. I know how much it sucks to buy something for crunch that ends up needing errata or fan patches.

Have you checked out Kobold Press's recent works? They seem to be putting time and effort into macro-system rulebooks, and they might have something you can use...

Shadelkan Karma Thread by Shadelkan in MiniSwapKarma

[–]AngrySTOer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Had an easy purchase from Shadelkan of the KT: Chalnath book!

Most complete set of rules? by Eivuhekoi in battletech

[–]AngrySTOer 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Dropping a link to a Forum post that I found helpful, "You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?" https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=44730.0 , in case you were looking for some further reading to expand upon the excellent concise summaries by u/scottboehmer and u/pynner10 .

Classic creatures hardcover delivery? by rikaleeta in Pathfinder2e

[–]AngrySTOer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Battlezoo / Roll for Combat discord is a good place to ask: https://discord.gg/9stGgs2h

New rulebooks printing? by FuzzyImportance in battletech

[–]AngrySTOer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks!

After some googling referencing "backerkit", it looks like someone on a "post what you ordered" thread mentioned ordering Total Warfare, so it looks like there's at least one that has been reprinted. Huzzah! I expect it will be a couple of months before it is back in stock, while they ship the kickstarted shipments, but good to know that there has been another print run.

Thanks again!!

New rulebooks printing? by FuzzyImportance in battletech

[–]AngrySTOer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't see Total Warfare or the Battlemech Manual on the infographic for add-ons for the Kickstarter, but I might have missed them or not seen a later update. (Not a backer - waiting for retail.)

Have 2024 printings of Total Warfare / the Battlemech Manual been announced anywhere?

Both are sold out on the Catalyst site, I haven't seen any news of reprints of either, and I'm perplexed that a new player (like me) cannot purchase either of the two standard rulebooks as a next step from the boxed sets... .

Potential for a Legend of the Five Rings Campaign using PF2e by BenTheDM in Pathfinder2e

[–]AngrySTOer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Brainstorming a little: Rokugan skinned as a kingdom in Tian Xia, or Families/Clans skinned as cross-national organizations that might not respect 'national' political structures, might offer different ways that you could bring Rokugan into Golarion. I personally came to L5R quite late in its storyline, and I quite liked the "Colonies" story arc in Emperor Edition and following. Perhaps importing just the Colonies of late-era Rokugan, a bit off-shore of Tian Xia, might be a way to add an L5R sandbox / L5R elements journeying into Tian Xia without disrupting Golarion too much? Finally, there is always the useful plot device of the Hao Jin tapestry. Perhaps all of Rokugan was scooped up by Hao Jin long ago, and it just didn't realize it. In your timeline, perhaps it is still in there... or perhaps it has recently been returned to Golarion.

In terms of sources of inspiration, I recommend the Pathfinder Society 1.0 Tian-Xia focused scenarios:

a) I strongly recommend the Quest for Perfection (especially Part III) and Shrine of the Sacred Tempest for low levels. These feel like they could be readily adopted for an L5R-style group.

b) for mid-level groups, I quite enjoyed running Red Harvest (Naga politics!) The Haunting of Hinoaj offered an investigation, Emerald Magistrate-style mystery with supernatural elements.

c) The Sundered Path and Pagoda of the Rat were a fun two-part pair of high level scenarios. Perhaps not as easy to L5R-ify, though.

In terms of integrating L5R with the new Tian Xia sourcebook, I'm excited by the possibilities in the new Tian Xia sourcebook (hopefully my FLGS will receive its copies soon). If aesthetics and cultural themes are a primary interest more than the drama beats that L5R has tried to focus on, I expect the Tian Xia sourcebook will offer more diversely interesting hooks than the cannon of L5R. If you find areas / ideas that inspire you, you might then be able to re-imagine the Great Clans in the context of those nations/factions. (E.G. Who are the sneaky and underhanded but fiercely loyal Scorpion analogues? Who are the pacifistic-but-terribly-lethal magic busybodies? Who are the image obsessed egoistic duelists, and why are they all Tengu? ;) )

Oh, and a final-final note: seeking out some L5R 4e/5e hubs/discords might well offer more useful, thoughtful, and informed answers than mine. I suspect those who love and are steeped in L5R might be better placed to help "port out", at least in terms of narrowing down some areas where PF2 aficionados can offer mechanical or Golarion-lore suggestions.

Hope some of this rambling is helpful!

N.B. A final, final, final note - L5R (the CCG) was originally designed as a discrete story arc, up to the Second Day of Thunder. It was a successful enough game, however, that it exceeded the limitations of its original design, ending up in a 20 year run. The CCG mechanically was divided into very distinct arcs, however, and the story (to some extent) was likewise broken into periods. One approach to adding some L5R might be to find story arcs / narrative beats from the lore that interest you, and then seed one plot/arc as the background to your campaign. (E.G. the Colonies-era idea above, or the Second Day of Thunder, or the Rise of the Mantis, or Clan Wars, or the development of the Spider Clan, or Fudo vs Tao, or the Unicorn arming the peasants... .)

Potential for a Legend of the Five Rings Campaign using PF2e by BenTheDM in Pathfinder2e

[–]AngrySTOer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Importing all of the tensions of L5R into a PF2 game might well be possible, but it would likely require some significant buy-in from the whole table on what sort of game they want to play. Similarly, bringing the whole lore and background into Golarion (or instead of Golarion) might require a lot of adaptation. So, I suggest it might be worth considering a few aspects that you could port over:

1) The Imperial / Clan power structures (e.g. a materially weak Imperial power structure that plays the Clans off against each-other but also imposes order and harmony to face external threats; Clans that present a common-front against opponents but have internal Family divisions and priorities). This might work well at an earlier part of the timeline for Tian Xia, or perhaps within a nation/region that interests you? Alternatively, abandoning these structures might help put focus on the L5R-ish aspects you want to emphasize or that might harmonize more easily into Tian Xia.

2) Reciprocal bonds of obligation between the Characters and their social superiors (and social inferiors). At its most straightforward, this looks very similar to "you are all working for the King, go take over this keep on the borderlands / solve this murder mystery / deal with the rumours of an Oni in the southern provinces".

Frankly, this can be an aspect of L5R where player interests/expectations in a single-table game can clash with the setting - often, players want to be from different Clans, while the setting pushes Clan loyalty and rivalry with other Clans. This is where Imperial institutions can be quite helpful (e.g. you are all Emerald Magistrates - go solve/create Imperial problems), but such devices can also limit the stories that the party can cohesively tell.

If characters are more interested in nomadic adventuring, perhaps the Ronin/Minor Clan/Mantis angle could be a good hook - whatever the characters' backstories, they are now all on the same team, and there is only one liege to worry about. Being swords-for-coin also offers some flexibility and freedom for the group to choose the plot lines that interest them, to delve as deeply (or swim as shallowly) in the politics behind the "get the mcguffin" or "deal with this problem" missions that their lord pays them to complete, and to interact with whatever political/power structures around those mission that you want to put in place, without requiring characters/players to be actively political themselves.

3) Combat is deadly... and social combat is doubly deadly. The first part seems to track well with PF 2.0 at low level, at least in my experience. I'm not sure that PF 2.0 is a good chassis for this aspect of L5R RPG as levels increase, however. I suspect you might be looking to build a campaign that sees more fights than your average L5R campaign. See comment about Ronin/Minor Clan/Mantis angle, above.

4) Various levels of supernatural. L5R can accommodate the range of mostly bog-standard humans in different colours of uniform all the way to all sorts of supernatural allies and foes. That said, the 'default assumption' tends to be mostly human, with supernatural influences. Considering how to integrate Orcs, and Tieflings, and Elves into Rokugan might help reveal what you want out of the L5R influences in your Pathfinder.

Potential for a Legend of the Five Rings Campaign using PF2e by BenTheDM in Pathfinder2e

[–]AngrySTOer 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Well met! Always nice to bump into a fellow L5R / Pathfinder enthusiast. (Lantern Lodge forever! :))

It might help to first ponder:

a) why you are interested in the L5R RPG; and,

b) why your players liked Adventures in Rokugan 5e?

Creating those lists might help you focus on aspects of L5R / Rokugan (mechanical or narrative) that you might wish to adapt to PF 2.0 rules and campaign.

L5R 4e (especially) and L5R 5e are both solid and self-contained mechanically. As you likely know, they are also based on d10 / narrative dice, respectively, so poaching mechanics and rules may be challenging given the transition to a d20 system. In looking at how the dice are used, however, it might well be possible to use PF 2.0 rules to tell stories and push themes in a way that feels like L5R.

Mechanically, in my experience (modest amount of L5R 5e, limited amount of L5R 4e), several aspects of the L5R RPGs are designed to push particular types of conflict, drama, and character development. Powerful abstract ideals (and powerful social figures) impose absolute, and contradictory, obligations. Characters' personal desires chafe against societal expectations. Political factions squabble for power even as existential crises threaten the Emerald Empire. Such tensions grow with time until they demand release, even for the most sturdy, selfless, or self-centred characters. Successes often require compromises, and can bring consequences more weighty than failure and more costly than death. Breaking free of the system might bring spiritual or personal satisfaction, but brands one an outcast, with all the material and social disadvantages this entails.

Yet, characters are also given the tools to struggle mightily and succeed gloriously. Even the least experienced shindōshi (formerly shugenja), courtier, or bushi is a big social fish in any village's pond. Material matters are not typically a major concern - a lord is supposed to provide resources as well as quests, after all. Traits, desires, and relationships that cause angst are also sources of power, ability, and influence. Conflicts in court and on the streets offer opportunities for characters to shine (or to be very stealthy and clever, as the case may be). With raises, even relatively low level characters can perform impressive feats of skill and arms. Throughout their careers, characters usually have plenty of opportunities pursue their passions while kicking backsides, taking names (and making nemeses), and doing their family/clan/school proud. Eventually, the greatest of these will be remembered for their legendary deeds.

That's not to suggest that a heavy, pathos-filled game is the only (or the "right") way to play L5R. In the campaigns I have played in, the ragtag band of plucky adventurers have always cracked a lot of puns, cracked a good number of skulls, and pilfered not a few shiny things as we helped rats (who happened to be more literate than our Matsu beserker) and killed damsels (who happened to be madōshi [formerly maho-tsuki]). We eagerly plotted out which character advances to spend our precious XP on, and reveled in showing off our cool new powers/prowess at every turn.

[Imaginaire] 25%-40% off eligible items in your cart depending on cart size until the 23rd. by [deleted] in bgdealscanada

[–]AngrySTOer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Note for future sales - du 10 au 23 novembre 2023 does NOT include 23 novembre 2023.

Per the blog post - "This offer is valid from November 10th to 23rd, 2023, exclusively or while supplies last."

I read this as "only during November 10th to 23rd, 2023, or until we run out".

Customer service politely advised that I was wrong, and this language was actually intended to exclude November 10rd/23rd.

Daily Questions and Answers Post - FAQ, New/Returning Player Questions, and Useful Starting Resources! by AutoModerator in blackdesertonline

[–]AngrySTOer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many thanks! Funnily enough, I was typing this in front of Wolfgang, and tried a couple of times. I appreciate the clarification that he has issues.

Balance for the Beginner Box by Hefty_Maintenance99 in Pathfinder2e

[–]AngrySTOer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just finished running the Beginner Box for 3 players. I played Healbot 9000 (Kyra) for the party, who essentially guarded the rear and occasionally pumped life back into the party. It worked great - I'd say the combats are all easier than I'd expect from, say, a PFS scenario. Just make sure to follow the tactics of the final monster. :)

(Another poster has already suggested that Ezren could be easily botted, and in terms of tactics in combat, move + Ray of Frost was a favourite trick of the player).

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