Author Archives: Law

In Which We Attempt Mass Combat with Charisma

I think mass combat is one of those things everybody tries eventually. Large armies clashing, siege engines firing, monsters rampaging through ranks of soldiers, it all feels right in the context of medieval fantasy. But mass combat is also a … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigns, DMing, House Rules | Tagged , | Comments Off on In Which We Attempt Mass Combat with Charisma

Strategic Healing and the Vigilante Campaign

In the hubbub around themes, I nearly forgot that I promised to update my opinion on the vigilante once our all-vigilante campaign ended. It turns out I was only 80% correct on the class, in that every problem was about … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigns, DMing, Game Design, House Rules | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Strategic Healing and the Vigilante Campaign

Abilities without Limitations (or, the Rule that Proves the Exception)

There’s a phrase I love explaining to people, because I’ve only met about two or three people who understand it: “the exception that proves the rule”. Most folks think it means “the thing that does not fit a rule proves … Continue reading

Posted in Game Design | Tagged , | Comments Off on Abilities without Limitations (or, the Rule that Proves the Exception)

Themes: Craftsman

I thought real hard about the posting order for these last two themes. Originally I was going to end the month with a bang, albeit one of resignation, and let the dragonkin close out the example themes. But I decided … Continue reading

Posted in House Rules | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Themes: Dragonkin

No matter how I may feel about dragons, I know they are people who will punch me in the neck if there aren’t any dragon-based themes. So, fine, here’s a dragon. It’s longer than the scholar because of course it … Continue reading

Posted in House Rules | Tagged , | Comments Off on Themes: Dragonkin

Themes: Animal Handler

Most of the “profession” themes are extensions of a Profession skill. Profession as a skill has always felt weird to me; I don’t understand how it takes as much time and effort to learn to jump as it does to … Continue reading

Posted in House Rules | Tagged , | Comments Off on Themes: Animal Handler

Themes: Pacifist

The “other” category of themes stated as professions that weren’t really professions: urchin, royalty, and things like that. One of my players suggested adding things like philosophies and lifestyles, which is where we got the epicurean. Once I started looking … Continue reading

Posted in House Rules | Tagged , | Comments Off on Themes: Pacifist

Themes: Cook

If I’m going to namedrop the cook, I might as well post it on Thanksgiving, right? Though I’m probably not posting the pirate, so what do I know. Profession (cook) and its ilk are probably the second most popular Profession … Continue reading

Posted in House Rules | Tagged , | Comments Off on Themes: Cook

Themes: Acolyte

I’m really iffy about the name of this theme. “Acolyte” means different things to different people, and it doesn’t help that the first thing I think when I read it is “professional wrestler”. But it’s the least religion-specific word I … Continue reading

Posted in House Rules | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Themes: Scholar

If I was a character in Pathfinder and I had a theme, there’s about a 50/50 chance it’s either this one or tomorrow’s. A problem I keep having when working on themes is how Pathfinder handles certain language. The timely … Continue reading

Posted in House Rules | Tagged , | Comments Off on Themes: Scholar