RULES OF PLAY
To step briefly out of full fantasy world immersion, here are a few things to keep in mind in regards to how games are run in the Starfall campaign setting. Included are a few reminders of the basics, a few slight variations on general Pathfinder canon, and some extra things that we do in this world that are of particular note.
GENERAL RULES
CORE RULES
At this point we do not use any classes, feats, spells, or any other rules except those that come directly from the CORE Rulebook. There are two reasons for this:
1. Many abilities from new sources do not seem on par with standardized levels of power that are presented in the basic rules. Even in PAIZO published sources there are many spells and class abilities that are significantly more powerful than those of the same level in the CORE Rulebook. If there is something in particular that someone has discovered that they would like to use, they may defend to the DM why it is a sensible ability of an appropriate level of power.
2. There are still many aspects of the basic rules that the majority of the group is unfamiliar with. When people are confident with the current rules, abilities, and combat options/mechanics, we can discuss whether it would be beneficial or detrimental to add more rules and options.
CHARACTER CREATION
Everyone uses the "purchase" method when creating a new character, on the "epic fantasy" line of numbers described on pages 15-16 of the CORE Rulebook. This will allow for fairly strong starting ability scores, but keep anyone from having a character that is significantly more or less powerful than the rest of the group.
Any race or class from the CORE Rulebook is allowed, but no Evil alignments are allowed for player characters. The same is true of people "toeing the line" with behaviour that they intend to argue wasn't really evil and fit with their alignment. This is a game for heroes, not villains.
At this point we do not use any classes, feats, spells, or any other rules except those that come directly from the CORE Rulebook. There are two reasons for this:
1. Many abilities from new sources do not seem on par with standardized levels of power that are presented in the basic rules. Even in PAIZO published sources there are many spells and class abilities that are significantly more powerful than those of the same level in the CORE Rulebook. If there is something in particular that someone has discovered that they would like to use, they may defend to the DM why it is a sensible ability of an appropriate level of power.
2. There are still many aspects of the basic rules that the majority of the group is unfamiliar with. When people are confident with the current rules, abilities, and combat options/mechanics, we can discuss whether it would be beneficial or detrimental to add more rules and options.
CHARACTER CREATION
Everyone uses the "purchase" method when creating a new character, on the "epic fantasy" line of numbers described on pages 15-16 of the CORE Rulebook. This will allow for fairly strong starting ability scores, but keep anyone from having a character that is significantly more or less powerful than the rest of the group.
Any race or class from the CORE Rulebook is allowed, but no Evil alignments are allowed for player characters. The same is true of people "toeing the line" with behaviour that they intend to argue wasn't really evil and fit with their alignment. This is a game for heroes, not villains.
VARIATIONS
EXTRAS
There are a number of things that are requested of players in a Starfall game. None of them are required but they all enrich the game for the whole group and make it easier for the DM to create game sessions with more depth.
CHARACTER HISTORY AND ORIGIN
Creating a character's back story helps a player breathe life into their gameplay. It also helps the DM make the game more rewarding by using people and places you may have referenced, or allowing the players to encounter creatures and situations that they describe as things they hate, or love, or fear, or desire.
Anyone who creates a written backstory of any size or depth will receive at least 100xp for that character. That number will go up drastically based on how much detail they put in, to a maximum of probably 750xp. Some items that will be considered in a big increase in the total xp reward are:
- referencing people or places that are an existing part of the campaign setting.
- referencing/creating new people or locations (with DM approval for consideration of how likely or feasible these things are to add to the gaming world).
- any description of character personality or motivations
- any of the four basic driving principles of role-playing a character: something you hate, something you love, something you fear, or something you desire.
The DM is always happy to help with any of these things, and using the big book of random tables honestly makes character creation a breeze.
MINIATURES
Having a miniature that is your own is another thing that makes your character feel a bit more real. A figurine that no one uses for anything else makes your character unique, helps you visualize them in roleplaying situations, and also allows the DM the freedom to use any of his own miniatures when NPC's and enemies are encountered.
Anyone who brings their own miniature to the game table will be awarded XP for that character:
150xp for a non-gaming figure
300xp for a realistic unpainted gaming figure (DM will gladly paint for you)
500xp for a realistic painted miniature
PICTURE
Submitting a picture of any character for the DM to post to the website is worth 100xp for that character. It's a small reward because it's something that anyone should be able to do with a google image search. Also, because it's something everyone can do with a google image search, it's something everyone should do right away and grab that xp!
All of the items suggested here could allow a player to start a new character with up to 1350xp before they've even sat down to a game session. I would love it if everyone were that close to 2nd level before they even got to the table. First level is tough, dangerous in fights, and sometimes not a lot of fun. I don't want anyone flying through levels faster than I can create adventures, but I do want everyone out of the red zone of first level as quickly as possible. So let's attack some of these items and make it happen!
CHARACTER HISTORY AND ORIGIN
Creating a character's back story helps a player breathe life into their gameplay. It also helps the DM make the game more rewarding by using people and places you may have referenced, or allowing the players to encounter creatures and situations that they describe as things they hate, or love, or fear, or desire.
Anyone who creates a written backstory of any size or depth will receive at least 100xp for that character. That number will go up drastically based on how much detail they put in, to a maximum of probably 750xp. Some items that will be considered in a big increase in the total xp reward are:
- referencing people or places that are an existing part of the campaign setting.
- referencing/creating new people or locations (with DM approval for consideration of how likely or feasible these things are to add to the gaming world).
- any description of character personality or motivations
- any of the four basic driving principles of role-playing a character: something you hate, something you love, something you fear, or something you desire.
The DM is always happy to help with any of these things, and using the big book of random tables honestly makes character creation a breeze.
MINIATURES
Having a miniature that is your own is another thing that makes your character feel a bit more real. A figurine that no one uses for anything else makes your character unique, helps you visualize them in roleplaying situations, and also allows the DM the freedom to use any of his own miniatures when NPC's and enemies are encountered.
Anyone who brings their own miniature to the game table will be awarded XP for that character:
150xp for a non-gaming figure
300xp for a realistic unpainted gaming figure (DM will gladly paint for you)
500xp for a realistic painted miniature
PICTURE
Submitting a picture of any character for the DM to post to the website is worth 100xp for that character. It's a small reward because it's something that anyone should be able to do with a google image search. Also, because it's something everyone can do with a google image search, it's something everyone should do right away and grab that xp!
All of the items suggested here could allow a player to start a new character with up to 1350xp before they've even sat down to a game session. I would love it if everyone were that close to 2nd level before they even got to the table. First level is tough, dangerous in fights, and sometimes not a lot of fun. I don't want anyone flying through levels faster than I can create adventures, but I do want everyone out of the red zone of first level as quickly as possible. So let's attack some of these items and make it happen!