At the beginning of the first round of combat, all participants make an Initiative roll: d20 + Dexterity Modifier + Feats. A character’s Initiative roll determines when they act during a combat round. Characters who roll higher will cast spells, activate abilities and attack faster than other characters with a lower Initiative score. In addition, a character with a higher Initiative score will treat slower opponents as Flat-Footed, denying them Dodge and Dexterity bonuses to Armor Class and allowing them to perform Sneak Attacks. While almost exclusively a function of your Dexterity Modifier, you can also significantly improve your Initiative with the Improved Initiative feat.
At the mansion of the Swordlord Jamandi Aldori, adventurers have gathered, lured by the promise of dominion should one of them conquer the nearby Stolen Lands and oust its current overlord - the Stag Lord. You are one such adventurer, and Jamandi’s offer isn’t just a benevolent call-to-arms to make the Stolen Lands safe for normal folk, there’s political angles to its conquest, and the ultimate allegience of its new ruler. More than that, however, a sinister, primordial force has her own interests in the Stolen Lands, and a desire to see new rulers rise… and fall. The Pathfinder: Kingmaker guide includes a full walkthrough of the game’s main campaign, including various side quests, companion quests and strategies.