Review: Queen of Thorns

Queen of Thorns is the third book featuring the adventures of Count Jegarre and his partner and bodyguard the hell-spawned Radovan. The first (Prince of Wolves) and second (Master of Devils) each could be considered quasi-parallel stories to help flesh-out the setting of a corresponding adventure path – Prince of Wolves takes place in Ustalav alongside Carrion Crown; while Master of Devils is loosely paired up with the Jade Regent campaign. Queen of Thorns, on the other hand, could be considered a stand-alone piece of fiction in the sense that author Dave Gross is not obviously tied to an ulterior motive, but gets to enjoy telling a story for the sake of the story.

In a way there is a parallel to his other books: not only do the titles form the same Title-of-Noun structure, but again Jegarre and Radovan explore a land alien to them. And, it must be said, alien to the reader: the story takes place in the homeland of the elves, Kyonin. Elves in the Pathfinder setting are quite different to the way they have become mainstream in popular culture (thanks to the Lord of the Rings movies) – where the Tolkienesque elf is akin to Nietsche’s Übermensch, the Pathfinder elves are a lot less human and a lot more fey. Unlike gnomes they do not share an actual fey lineage, but they do have a natural propensity to capricious chaotic-neutralness, much like humans naturally lean toward lawful-neutralness.

Dave Gross is, to me, a master at crafting foreign lands in a way that is both believable and understandable. In the same way that Ustalav and Quain in the previous books come to life with a wealth of cultural and historical details, so too does the land of the elves become a colourful and richly detailed setting as the words tumble through the novel. What makes this outstanding is the subtlety that Dave Gross employs in his work – at no point is the cultural dissemination obvious or like a lecture. But after a while, the reader naturally begins to think and see along the lines of the natives.

This is particularly true when it comes to understanding and appreciating the ways that are natural for the “true” elves: that is to say, ones that are born and raised in Kyonin. Elves from the outside, and particularly half-breed elves like Count Jegarre, are generally treated with considerable disdain – the best a non-Kyonin purebred elf can hope for is to be permitted to stay in an isolated town within Kyonin. On the one hand it can seem cruel and arbitrary, but there are many reasons that become evident – other than just raw discrimination: as a rule, foreign elves are entirely differently acclimatized and even to them the culture and ways of Kyonin elves can be daunting and strange. For example, whereas the nobility in Ustalav is marked by protocol and intrigue, the opening act of Queen of Thorns depicts a frolicking and playful mass orgy that even the queen partakes in disguised as a servant girl.

The story and particularly the people in it are strongly characterized, with opportunity for everybody to shine in their own way. The intensity and difference of Kyonin elves when compared to foreigners (including foreign elves) stands-out in the interaction of characters. The story starts with Jegarre’s desire to have his only parental keepsake, a stately red carriage, repaired. The original fate of the vehicle was told in the first book, Prince of Wolves, where the carriage suffered an unfortunate destruction. The nature of the vehicle is such that only its creator would be capable of restoring it – hence Jegarre’s efforts to track down this man in Kyonin. The difficulty in locating the creator is the impetus in the story for visiting many locations; which allows the story to make the nation of elves come to life in all its wild, untamed splendor and strangeness.

Pathfinder fiction has, by and large, been purposefully limited in terms of the scope – meaning that the caretakers of the setting do not want it to get too out-of-hand with events that require the world itself to change and adapt. The first customer for the setting is the Player, and he should be able to be the change in the world, rather than the Reader, who can read about the changes in the world. That said, Dave Gross uses various tricks to stretch the limits of what can and cannot be done – and in doing so expands the depth of the world in ways that aren’t necessarily obvious. But, in Queen of Thorns, I think he created the most obvious and the most prominent and meaningful impact to the Pathfinder setting, Golarion. I can only assume that Dave Gross beat and James Jacobs in a no-holds-barred game of knivesies and earned the right to stretch the setting a bit.

In closing, Queen of Thorns is the triumphant return of Jegarre and Radovan. The reader is in the fortunate position to enjoy remarkable revelations on both characters – and I suspect that the next book (that Dave Gross hinted will take place in the demon-infested Worldwound) will shed even more light on Radovan’s mysterious existence. Queen of Thorns is thoroughly enjoyable, consistent in style and narration to its predecessors and equally engrossing. I encourage prospective readers to start sooner, rather than later!

In Combat! Hee-Hah!

In Pathfinder it has – for a while now – been a gripe of mine that there aren’t really many good Move Actions to do in combat. Sure… there is actually moving, which is pretty important, but as a rule getting that full-round attack with all the trimmings (possibly haste or/and two-weapon fighting) is the way to go. The primary go-to for useful other move actions would be Improved Feint, that allows feinting to be done as a move action. Not bad, but rather rarely used. I figure this is the realm for custom feats, so I present Combat Intuition. Let me know what you think:

Combat Intuition

You’re good at making the most out of combat situations.
Prerequisites: Wis 13
Benefit: After you hit with a melee attack you may, as a move action, perform any combat maneuver against that target. The maneuver provokes as normal.

[Pathfinder] 1000 bird style magus

I first presented the 1000 bird style magus last year (almost to the day). Since then, a few errors were pointed out in the build, which I have had a chance to correct and even play.

Human Magus (Hexcrafter/Staff Magus) (Chidori build)

S 18 D 12 C 14 I 14 W 10 C 8

Traits: Magical Lineage (shocking grasp); Reactionary

L01: Quarterstaff Master (B); Spell Focus (Evocation); Spell Specialization (shocking grasp)
L03: Arcana (Concentrate); Weapon Focus (Quarterstaff)
L04: Hex Magus (Slumber Hex)
L05: Elemental Spell (Acid); Intensify Spell (B)
L06: Arcana (Flight Hex)
L07: Heighten Spell
L09: Arcana (Hasted Assault); Preferred Spell (shocking grasp)
L11: Empower Spell (B); Weapon Specialization (Quarterstaff)
L12: Arcana (Ice Tomb Hex)

Of course, dropping the Staff Magus archetype allows for a selection of weapons with a greater critical threat range. However, I found that Ultimate Equipment introduced a number of good, low-cost staff options (starting at 8 000 gp) that serve as good weapons at level 10 (Staff Weapon) and offer extra flexibility through Use Magic Device. I made a number of the choices in this build to suit my particular taste. Dropping the quarterstaff feats, for example, allows for earlier metamagic feats. As a result, I marked those that I consider critical to build in bold.

- Jerall

[Cape Town] Pathfinder Society – May and June 2013

May and June, one of my favourite times of year in Cape Town, has a healthy dose of Pathfinder Society:

May Game 1:

Date and time: 04 May 2013 – 10:00 until 15:00

Venue: Fanaticus Hobbies and Games

Cost: FREE

What to bring: stationery, dice (if you have), a miniature or pawn to represent your character (if you have), imagination

Scenario: #4–19: The Night March of Kalkamedes – A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 1–5.

A veteran Pathfinder exploring the Fenwall Mountains of Varisia has begun sleepwalking, traveling through the dead of night in the same direction each time. The following mornings, however, he awakens injured and lost in the wilderness, never reaching the mysterious destination that drew him from his bed in the night. Something is calling Kalkamedes, something powerful, but unless he can make it safely to the source of his somnambulism, that power will remain a mystery. It falls to a team of Pathfinders to escort the sleepwalker to his destination and uncover the true nature of the strange phenomenon overtaking Kalkamedes’s dreams.

May Game 2:

Date and time: 18 May 2013 – 10:00 until 15:00

Venue: Fanaticus Hobbies and Games

Cost: FREE

What to bring: stationery, dice (if you have), a miniature or pawn to represent your character (if you have), imagination

Scenario: #2-23: Shadow’s Last Stand—Part I: At Shadow’s Door - A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for 1st to 7th level characters (Tiers: 1-2, 3-4 and 6-7).

The Shadow Lodge’s assault on the Pathfinder Society has come to a head in the Andoren city of Almas, where renegade Shadow Pathfinders have taken over the Grand Cathedral of Aroden, holding the Pathfinders and Venture-Captain stationed there hostage. You must gain entry into the overrun Pathfinder lodge and put an end to the open warfare within the Society.

June Game 1:

Date and time: 01 June 2013 – 10:00 until 15:00

Venue: Fanaticus Hobbies and Games

Cost: FREE

What to bring: stationery, dice (if you have), a miniature or pawn to represent your character (if you have), imagination

Scenario: #2-24: Shadow’s Last Stand—Part II: Web of Corruption - A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for 1st to 7th level characters (Tiers: 1-2, 3-4 and 6-7).

The mastermind behind the Shadow Lodge incursion on the Pathfinder Society has been revealed—a mysterious figure known only as The Spider. Your journey to discover the traitor’s whereabouts and identities will take you throughout the streets and underground of Almas, even to the floor of the People’s Council itself.

June Game 2: Free RPG Day!

Date and time: 15 June 2013 – 10:00 until 15:00

Venue: Fanaticus Hobbies and Games

Info: Stay tuned for more information!

- Jerall

[Pretoria] Pathfinder Society – 30 and 31 March 2013

Pretoria, this Tabletop Day, you’re getting the chance to try out Pathfinder Society at Outer Limits, Hatfield. There are two sessions, but with limited space. Booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

Date and time: 30 March 2013 – 10:00 until 16:00 and 31 March 2013 – 10:00 until 16:00

Venue: Outer Limits, Hatfield

Cost: FREE

What to bring: stationery, dice (if you have), imagination

Scenarios:

First Steps—Part II: To Delve the Dungeon Deep (PFRPG) (30 March)

First Steps—Part III: A Vision of Betrayal (31 March)

The First Steps scenarios aim to introduce new and veteran roleplayers to the Pathfinder Society Organised Play campaign. The organisers shall provide pre-generated characters for players, but feel free to bring your own PFS-legal level 1 characters along. For the full rules for PFS organised play, look here.

Book your seats here (30 March) and here (31 March).

It’s good to see PFS starting to take off in Gauteng. Stay tuned for news about UPCON.

- Jerall

[Cape Town] Pathfinder Society – April 2013

As Cape Town heads into Autumn, our brave Pathfinders continue upon their Quest for Perfection:

April Game 1:

Date and time: 06 April2013 – 10:00 until 15:00

Venue: Fanaticus Hobbies and Games

Cost: FREE

What to bring: stationery, dice (if you have), a miniature or pawn to represent your character (if you have), imagination

Scenario: #3-11: The Quest for Perfection—Part II: On Hostile Waters: With an ancient Iroran relic in hand, the Pathfinders must make a long river voyage to the inland nation of Shokuro to return it to the only person who can reactivate the long-dormant artifact. Whether dangers take the form of goblinoid menaces on the shores of Kaoling to the north or the powerful armies of Lingshen to the south, the Pathfinders’ journey will be anything but a pleasure cruise. Can the PCs survive hostile waters to safely reach their destination, or will they fall victim to the perils of river travel in Tian Xia?

April Game 2:

Date and time: 20April2013 – 10:00 until 15:00

Venue: Fanaticus Hobbies and Games

Cost: FREE

What to bring: stationery, dice (if you have), a miniature or pawn to represent your character (if you have), imagination

Scenario: #3-13: The Quest for Perfection—Part III: Defenders of Nesting Swallow: As the Pathfinders approach the village of Nesting Swallow in the Tian nation of Shokuro, they find it besieged by a gang of tengu bandits. Before their contact in the village will aid them in restoring the Iroran relic that brought them hundreds of miles to the isolated town, the PCs must repulse the attackers, using every ounce of tactical mettle and military strategy they possess to train the villagers, augment their defenses, and ultimately face off against the bandits’ charge.

- Jerall

[Cape Town] Tabletop Day

Fanaticus is hosting a Tabletop Day event on 30 March 2013. I hope to show off my mean Agricola skills on the day.

[Cape Town] Pathfinder Society – February and March 2013

Cape Town’s Pathfinder Society continues to grow and we have to make some adjustments to the schedule to accomodate this growth. First up, we’re adding an extra game day to February’s schedule, but we’ve also moved the Cyphermage Dilemma out slightly as a result. We’re growing our GM base with these upcoming events. Pop on over and show our new GMs your support.

February Game 2:

Date and time: 16 February 2013 – 10:00 until 15:00

Venue: Fanaticus Hobbies and Games

Cost: FREE

What to bring: stationery, dice (if you have), a miniature or pawn to represent your character (if you have), imagination

Scenario: Master of the Fallen Fortress: The ruined siege castles outside Absalom have long beckoned adventurers looking to make a name for themselves. Now an earthquake has cracked open one of these fabled ruins, and its lost mysteries and fantastic treasures lie exposed for the first time in centuries. But the tower’s empty halls once more echo with living footfalls, and a new master has claimed the Fallen Fortress as his own. Can the PCs find a way to get inside its shattered walls? What ancient dangers and fresh threats will they encounter inside its crumbling chambers? And will the PCs be able to defeat the current Master of the Fallen Fortress?

Note: Master of the Fallen Fortress is only for level 1 characters, but under the replay rules, you may replay it with any level 1 character that hasn’t run through it before.

February Game 3:

Date and time: 23 February 2013 – 10:00 until 15:00

Venue: Fanaticus Hobbies and Games

Cost: FREE

What to bring: stationery, dice (if you have), a miniature or pawn to represent your character (if you have), imagination

Scenario: #3–23: The Goblinblood Dead: More than a decade has passed since the Goblinblood Wars left the nation of Isger in shambles, and the Pathfinder Society uses the many abandoned roads through the county’s interior to smuggle valuable relics. But when a series of attacks on the Varisian caravans carrying the illicit cargo puts the route in jeopardy, it falls to the PCs to investigate and rid the region of the threat to the Society’s operations.

March Game 1:

Date and time: 2 March 2013 – 10:00 until 15:00

Venue: Fanaticus Hobbies and Games

Cost: FREE

What to bring: stationery, dice (if you have), a miniature or pawn to represent your character (if you have), imagination

Scenario: #3-EX: The Cyphermage Dilemma: In the shadow of the cyclopean Cyphergate that spans Riddleport’s harbor, the PCs find themselves embroiled in a dangerous plot of deception that one could only find in Varisia’s infamous pirate port.

March Game 2:

Date and time: 16 March 2013 – 10:00 until 15:00

Venue: Fanaticus Hobbies and Games

Cost: FREE

What to bring: stationery, dice (if you have), a miniature or pawn to represent your character (if you have), imagination

Scenario: #3-09: The Quest for Perfection—Part I: The Edge of Heaven: In the distant land of Tian Xia, the Pathfinder Society’s Lantern Lodge sends a team of agents high into the mountains of the Wall of Heaven to an abandoned Iroran monastery in search of a powerful relic to assist them in ensure victory in the upcoming Ruby Phoenix Tournament. Though the monastery has long laid unused by the faithful of the Master of Masters, it is not completely devoid of danger, and the PCs soon discover that merely retrieving the ancient artifact is but the beginning of a much larger quest.

- Jerall

tendishes – The Cape Town food blog

My (rather infamous) co-blogger has launched a new food blog, tendishes. At its core, the new blog explores dining options in and around Cape Town. For the first post, tendishes reviews Umami, one of Stellenbosch’s fine eateries. Perhaps, in the future, I might scribble down my roosterkoek, braai, and burger joint recommendations and share it via tendishes.

- Jerall

Parry, Riposte, Electrocute

In case you missed it, Kobold Press released part 2 of my magus series on their blog. This week’s archetype is the sanctioned spellsword, combining elements of divine casting with spell combat.

Last week, part 1, introduced the iron fist monk, which blends unarmed martial arts with arcane spellcraft.

Be sure to stop by the Kobold Press blog next week for the final part in the series.

- Jerall