Two Wizardesses

Getting to the end of the first round of Reaper Bones...

This first one is the Pathfinder Oracle Iconic. As Kitty liked her, she became her wizard in Frostgrave. Asking her what color she wanted the wizard, she said "purple". I like this sculpt as perhaps my favorite of the Pathfinder iconics. It paints quick and easy. Contrasts are easy to accomplish.

This one is an apothecary or an alchemist. A simple mini which I really like. I keep thinking this might be Jojo's wizard if she ever decides to play Frostgrave with us.

Cleric, Wizard, Mekanik, and a Drunk

These models, part of the Reaper Bones II are the last of the currently-painted wizards and spell casters.

This first guy serves as my own wizard for Frostgrave (remember, I have a dwarven warband). I like his cartoonish sculpt.

This second dwarf seems to me like a cleric-type.

I love this Friar Tuck character! He has a big barrel on his back that really gives this a whole character. I am thinking about making a character based on him!

This final guy I could see being used as an alternate model in Warmachine, so I painted him in a Khador theme of basic red. I don't know what this guy for just yet.

JP

Friday of the Dead: Ghosts and Zombies

Today, more ghoulish things to threaten people with. Very versatile model indeed. Most of them have interesting tidbits

This guy I received at PaizoCon one or two years ago for participating in Reaper's on-site painting event. After looking at what they had for a few moments, I knew I could not paint it there. Painter's habit I guess.

This second model is for some undersea creature. Now I will say I have no use for those, so I decided to paint it as a ghost. It works, I think.

Finally this zombie mob comes all the way from Colorado. Jeff-E sent me his unusued minis, which I thought was going to be one or two, but no, it was about as much I started with! Zombies are always cool, so they got painted real quick, ready to threaten everybody! Thanks Jeff! More are coming.

JP

Terrain Thursday: Table decoration

These pieces of terrain were built with random elements I had lying around. These included barrels from the Reaper Bones II (which I got a while ago), to which I added bits and pieces to make into tabletop decoration.

Those I placed on 1 inch resin based I got from some somewhere. I made them so they can be used pretty much anywhere, but with an eye towards the pirate city I've been dreaming about making for years. So one batch of random terrain pieces. I also think they might be used as loot counter for other miniature games.

If you remember the Blindwater Brew Witch Doctor, then you must remember that I removed the barrels used them elsewhere. This is elsewhere...

JP

When the funk turns to FUNK!!!

So I mentioned in my funk-filled message that a project I was hoping would kick off fell through. Well that is still the case. However because of it, I spoke with the folks from Arcanis: Henry and Cody about the situation and enquired about whether they had any ideas or half-plots they would like to see developed.

Remember, I was in a rut and inspiration didn't really come.

So within an hour or so, Cody sent me something he had in his bag of tricks (for those wanting to write, I do have a number of these plots in my own bag). I looked at what he sent and thought I could do something. I was immediately grabbed by a few ideas and encounters. So I wrote an outline, filled with the ideas I could muster.

However, once the initial burst was done: puff. Nothing. Zip. Empty.

To make things worse, as I looked over what I had, I thought it was flat. I mean it wasn't bad, but the adventure lacked a twist or a shot of zaz. It didn't stand out from other stuff enough.

I asked Cody for some ideas and he sent me a few things that allowed me to get over the hump.

So tonight, I sent in my adventure proposal to Henry. Let's see what he says and whether I will write something for them.

So I'm feeling pretty good and pretty happy about this latest development. I'll let you know what happens

JP

This Red dragon wyrmling could become huge

The final of the four dragons that came with my Reaper Bones II.

I kept the final dragon, the red dragon for last. Now I have a love for them as they were the first dragon I wrote in Living Greyhawk, the enormous Kerridzar which terrorized Tusmit and its players for the better part of two years. It was a great monster. Now this one was much smaller - of course - but still one who might become a burning nightmare in a few centuries.

This guy is very dynamic, paints up well and quickly.

JP

[Frostgrave/Pathfinder] Four Wizards

Working my way through Reaper Bones II. Here is the first batch of Frosgrave Wizards. Some may be used for Pathfinder as well.

I realize that I paint them quicker than I post them here... so I will try to push more pics per post. And I may even double-post a few days!

The first mini serves as Kitty's apprentice.

This fellow is ActionMan's wizard. He likes the big fire coming out of his hands and thinks he is so cool.

This guy, I initially wondered what I would use it for until I came up with my idea of building a dwarf gang. This guy is now my apprentice. Yes I plan on playing a dwarven necromancer! Otherwise, a pretty crummy sculpt.

This last guy I keep thinking as a magus in Pathfinder more than as a character for Frostgrave. I like the sword.

JP

How do I build a paladin?

I was recently asked by a friend of mine about how to make a paladin. Paladins being one of my favorite classes in the game, I replied with the following advice.

Personally, I like to play paladins who are not "Lawful-stupid" they are beacons of light and the bastions of all that is good and right in a world of failed and flawed people. Taking the high road all the time and leading by example is the name of the game. As a Charisma-based character, paladins make great party faces.

Paladins to me, are warriors devoted to their faith people talk about for centuries. People such as Sir Percival, Saladin, Roland. Paladin-hood is a calling, it is a blessing you must prove yourself worthy of receiving. It's not about looting, it's about making the world better and evil weaker, but not by taking shortcuts, the ends are as important as the means and the journey matters. For what good is it to win the world, but lose your soul in the process? The paladin is the hero who rises to that challenge, who leads from the front and who people love and remember.

He is the knight who walks into the dragon's den knowing there is no way to win, but he does it because doing so means saving the village. He is the one who walks into hell and calls out "I'm here to clean up this place".

I guess the important thing to remember is what your role is: you are a holy warrior and a leader of men. You are somewhat self-sufficient through your abilities, but that should not make you into a selfish zerger.

You character doesn't have to be a jolly, happy dim-wit. He can have mood swings, be sad, be impolite, he can have a love for the bottle. However, he should focus on getting things done. He is the light in the darkness, not a sun surrounded by mirrors to look at his own awesomeness.

Building a Pathfinder Paladin

Although there are a million archetypes to do all sorts of things, I will focus on a single-class, corebook character wherever possible.

If you are talking about in-game build, you need decent to high Charisma, decent Strength, positive Constitution. Wisdom and Dexterity are second-thoughts and Intelligence is a dump-stat. (Though they are heroic, no one expects them to be overly bright)

Skills: You don't have a lot. Take a rank in Handle Animal, Ride and Knowledge (religion). For the rest, focus on skills you are great at such as Diplomacy and Sense Motive. Take all favored class in skill points.

Feats: I am partial to Power Attack and Step Up, but then anything that will tank up your AC (Dodge, Shield Focus), beef you up (Toughness), or help your attack (Furious Focus, Weapon Focus) are good.

Builds: Many favor the heavy armor/ two-handed weapon, which is a reliable build. A greatsword or falchion are my top favorite, but a polearm such as a glaive or a bardiche should not be overlooked. If you want to go sword and board, the longsword, battle axe or scimitar are good choices. Make sure you buy a sap to deal non-lethal damage and bring criminals to justice...

I built a light armor/shield/scimitar build in PFS that worked very well. The character met with a lot of derision and recommendation, all of them away from my own idea, and honestly more in-line with my own recommendations above. She didn't seem like much to start, but when a paladin's work was needed, she shone and kicked butt big time.

Regarding the mount... well it was great, but Paizo never gives us reasons to use them. The weapon bonuses have a much wider utility, so I would definitely go there. If you are playing in a home game or non-Paizo product, then you might get more usage out of the mount.

JP

Writing Funk

It seems strange to say but following the release of the Tyrants of Saggakar Player's Guide, I find myself in something of a rut. I have a number of things in the works. But I don't really wanna work on any of them. Not because I don't like the ideas.

If at least that was it.

I must be in something of a post-partum funk. When I start working on something, I only think of other product. Then when I change, I draw a blank.

The good news is that I have a lot of things started: adventures, encounters, locations and notes on npcs. But noting I can get through or make great progress on.

I looked over a few old adventures I wrote back in the day and thought I found the perfect remedy. So I wrote an adventure background and got through the introduction and the employment meeting in a flash. I thought finally I'm done with this funk.

Then nothing.

Empty paragraph.

So I contacted the Arcanis folks to see if they had a half plot they wanted to develop. Within an hour, I had an interesting idea before me and I began to put notes and encounters to an investigation. I thought it was it.

But after this initial burst, I looked at the notes for where I wanted it to go and said "Wow that sucks!" It simply had no pop. It was bland and flavorless. Players would only go from one encounter to the next without any real excitement.

Painful.

So I picked up an old work trying to shake the old brain. A Gostor product I have playing with for the longest time. Did some editing and reformatting. But it again as you guessed it. Nothing to add.

I did some uninspired painting. Five Horses trolls, a carnivean, fifteen ElDorado musketeers, and prepared more Frostgrave minis.

A lot of partial work but nothing to get me excited...

Perhaps work on the Pony adventure I promised myself I would do? Nah I don't really want to do that.

I tried reading some random RPG product: I looked at the rules for 5e again. Not really finding anything there to tickle my fancy. No real gems.

I played hockey and drew with ActionMan to try and come up with alternative

Randy's questions and inquiries about our next work together seemed to be the only thing that has any traction. But Randy is really the one doing most of the work there, I backseat drive and provide guidance.

That's a good things but I can't say I am the one doing it.

I think it may have to do with a project that was a true pace changer for me that fell through (my partner went with another writer). No harm done, but still sad and a big bummer.

So I guess I could write a long blog post that details all of it. One that would cover like a million things I have not been finishing.

Maybe it will shake this funk off.

JP

[Frostgrave/Pathfinder] Three rogues

Three more painted rogues for RPG or Frostgrave.

The first one is a bard playing a flute.

The second one is a female Drizzt. The dual-scimitar makes it clear where the inspiration comes from. This one will serve as a ranger.

This final one is a ninja. The mini itself is fairly un-inspiring. So I gave him a tiger's skin outfit and it made the mini come to life. I really like how he came out. The picture is dark but the mini isn't...

JP

[Friday of the Dead] This model suck-didly-ucks

Continuing Friday of the Dead with a skeleton mob from the Reaper deal, again speed-painted. I must admit that I dislike this model: The plastic molding leaves it with very faint details. Plus... Who would really need those on a regular basis?

I hope to find a way to use it as a source for skeleton, like a spawning point. Because otherwise, there isn't much I can it used for...

JP

Unboxing a great mystery

So when I got home, I had nothing waiting for me. I was really sad. However, some time during the evening, it magically appeared!

I ran around trying to catch my breath going "ItshereItshereItshereItshereItshereItshereItshereItshere" to the point where my wife told me to calm down and show her what I had. So I ran for the camera and did an unveiling of the content of this mysterious a O-SO-Exciting package.

So I put the box down and cut the tape around it. You'll have to trust me that I did it.

Opening the flaps revealed some packaging paper. The mystery is killing me. So I threw the wrappings over my head to get down to the good stuff inside.

Surprise! Looking up to me was the object of the mystery and the source of my excitement. The tiny Otallya was there!

There they are! Five of the limited edition 2015 Tyrants of Saggakar Player's Guides! I have them!

So those of you who wanted copies of this limited edition cover get a hold of me and I'll hook you up. I have some of the "regular edition" coming too.

JP

[Frostgrave] Three Thieves

More Reaper Goodies... This time three thieves.

The first one is a sneaky git. The sculpt is good, but the casting is not. His face did not come out right. But the rest of him is good. I am quite fond of the "Come 'ere" pose with a knife in hand. Very good for a Frostgrave thief!

This second one is one of the most dynamic characters I had to paint. Again, a Frostgrave thief. I really like the flowing cloak on this one. I gave him a really light-skin because I plan to use him as a Kaliban rogue. The cloak was made so he could double-serve as a ranger.

This third fellow is a half-orc thug. Definitely someone I would not want to meet in an alley.

JP

[Frostgrave] Eagle

This is a quick job on a Reaper eagle. I plan to use it as a random monster for Frostgrave.

JP

Path to Ambition released!!!

Finally, after much time and talks about it, Rand'y's adventure ToS1-05 Path to Ambition is now available on RPGNow/DrivethruRPG (see the cleverly disguised linked...).

The adventure is the one that introduced me (and thus most of you) to the city-state of Onero. The adventure is a healthy mix of investigation, intrigue and exploration, enough to please most play-style. Onero can best be described as a "a Vegas-style" city. A place where every vice is available for the right price.

The city itself inspired Randy so much that as we talked more and more we kept adding additional pieces to the city. So much so that we decided a few things. First, we would write a book dedicated to the City itself, similar to what was done with Gytha about a year ago. Second, Randy would write a follow-up to "Path". Third, Randy would write the Onero book. Finally, after the playtest, I decided to extend the APL from 7 to 5-7 and finally 3-7 to allow more people a chance to play.

This adventure is big, clocking in at a huge 41 pages! However, there is are many handouts, and a lot of juicy secrets within!

Get the adventure here! or you can get the Year 1 adventure bundle and get ALL this year's adventures at a great price.

JP