[OOC] Not so random banter

[Aosaw]

I could propose a house feat:

Professional
Prerequisites: Profession (any) 1 rank, Craft (any) 1 rank
Benefit: When making any craft check related to your profession, you may use your ranks in that profession in lieu of your ranks in the appropriate Craft skill. You take a -2 penalty to the check, and cannot craft any items with a DC of 20 or higher.

Master Professional
Prerequisites: Profession 5 ranks, Professional.
Benefit: You may attempt to make items of masterwork quality even if you do not possess ranks in the appropriate skill, but the skill check made in the attempt receives a -5 penalty.

[Swordmage]

They already have a feat that lets you make magic items even if you aren't able to cast spells. I thought that was neat, but I would rather let the idea die than have to spend what few feats we're going to get on purely thematic choices :-p

[Aosaw]

What about this, then:

Trait: Blacksmith
Through years spent in a blacksmith's forge, you have learned to make a variety of things, although your skill varies depending on the item being made.
Benefit: You may use your Profession (Blacksmith) skill to craft some simple items. The maximum DC for any item you attempt to create is equal to 10 + your ranks in Profession (Blacksmith). When making such a check, you add only one-half the bonus from your ranks to determine your modifier; thus, if you had four ranks in Profession (Blacksmith) and a Wisdom score of 14, you would add +2 from your Wisdom modifier, and +2 from your ranks in Profession (Blacksmith), for a total of 14.

The trait could be expanded for any profession check, or it could even simply be made a house rule. What it does is allow characters to gain something tangible out of a Profession skill, while not necessarily outshining those characters who specialize in one type of crafting.

To wit: At level 10, with ten ranks in Profession (Blacksmith), you could begin to make masterwork items, or armor out of special materials; and at level 15 you could craft a Composite Longbow with a Strength rating of +5. But unless you had ranks in the appropriate skills, you'd still need to take 10 at least in order to succeed on the check.

[Swordmage]

That's something that seems rather agreeable, all things considered. I'd definitely go for that.

[Aosaw]

At some point I'll also write rules for Profession/Craft skill synergy, where you can do more if you have ranks in both the Craft skill and the Profession skill that's associated with it.

[Amos]

Just a heads up, I started a new job today and my posting -might- slip for a day or three as I adjust to a new schedule.

[Aosaw]

I should have said this before, but I'll say it now just to be safe: my proposed variant is just that - a proposal. It's of course at your discretion, Wolfe; I just enjoy playing around with mechanics.

[Swordmage]

You know, I'm surprised Pathfinder isn't more popular around here.

[Cedric]

Agreed, although its popularity is slowly increasing.

How are things going anyway with the campaign, we getting things started soon?

[Aosaw]

@Swordmage: Yeah, it's pretty great. the trouble is, I think, people are used to 3.5 where they have all their toys (read: supplements) already, and the idea of "learning" a modification that might make those toys obsolete is hard to swallow.

That said, I imagine that most people that don't play Pathfinder don't play it because they simply haven't tried it yet. That, and the idea of suddenly not being able to use Complete Arcane anymore is just a little bit too much of a sacrifice for some people.

As for the campaign, Wolfe did mention that he works full-time and also has a family. It could be that he simply hasn't been able to get online the past few days.

[Swordmage]

Man, I wouldn't be able to play Pathfinder if it wasn't for Wolfe's link to the SRD. Let me list my DnD books:

Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master's Guide - 3E
The same as above: 2E

Tadah! NWoD took all of my book buying money from me.

[Still_Pond]

I just ordered the hardcover. I've been wanting to try it for some time as I've heard nothing but good things. When 4e came out, I went out and bought the three core books and one other. I switched over to it and tried a few games. After a few months, I realized I hated it, in PbP at least. 4e may be better tabletop.

I checked out Paizo and just really liked the way the company was. I liked everything about what they were doing with Pathfinder. It is how role playing companies should be. WotC reminds me of Games Workshop, good products but a little bit evil. I could be wrong, but that's how they strike me. I could also just be bitter about 4e still. I liked how Paizo put all the rules free on-line, offered cheap PDF alternatives and combined the DMG and the PHB in one big book. I've always wanted the 3 core books of DnD to be in one volume.

Then this game came along and gave me an excuse to try Pathfinder. After building my cleric, (the first time I really sat down and looked closely at some of the rules), I was convinced. Every change I found I agreed with. The rules just seem more elegant. It is what 4e should have been. So, to support Paizo I ordered the book. If/when I run another game here, it will be a Pathfinder game.

[Swordmage]

I agree with that. Since I was running a combat build, I thought, "Power attack, cleave, yadda yadda..." and then I found that they made cleave" actually make sense! It...blew my mind. I'm enjoying Pathfinder so far.

[Aosaw]

They changed Cleave?

...Oh, wow. Yes, that does make a lot more sense. I like that a lot, actually.

[Swordmage]

One one hand, it's much better. On the other hand, it's much worse.