paizo.com Recent Comments on Order of the Amber Die—The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6paizo.com Recent Comments on Order of the Amber Die—The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 62018-03-16T15:40:52Z2018-03-16T15:40:52ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Jody Gerst (Order of the Amber Die)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#292017-10-07T19:30:13Z2017-10-04T03:35:34Z<p>Daji, I'm sad that our journey is at its end, my friend. </p>
<p>Shall we tell them how you did?</p>
<p>Daji had 9 kills:</p>
<p>-assassin vine
<br />
-ooze
<br />
-cultist, 2nd floor of Iris Hill
<br />
-hound in Hailcourse
<br />
-sailor of Razmir
<br />
-Derro
<br />
-Undead hand
<br />
-Ghoul</p>
<p>Daji successfully used knowledge checks on 12 occasions to identify creatures we were fighting.</p>
<p>Daji located one secret door in the chamber of Pharasma beneath Iris Hill.</p>
<p>Be proud, my sweet fox. I will miss you. :)</p>Daji, I'm sad that our journey is at its end, my friend.
Shall we tell them how you did?
Daji had 9 kills:
-assassin vine
-ooze
-cultist, 2nd floor of Iris Hill
-hound in Hailcourse
-sailor of Razmir
-Derro
-Undead hand
-Ghoul
Daji successfully used knowledge checks on 12 occasions to identify creatures we were fighting.
Daji located one secret door in the chamber of Pharasma beneath Iris Hill.
Be proud, my sweet fox. I will miss you. :)Jody Gerst (Order of the Amber Die)2017-10-04T03:35:34ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6SilentInfinityhttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#282017-10-04T03:36:45Z2017-09-29T13:29:14Z<p>"I have looked upon all the universe has to hold of horror, and even the skies of spring and flowers of summer must ever afterward be poison to me."</p>
<p>H.P. Lovecraft, The Call of Cthulhu</p>"I have looked upon all the universe has to hold of horror, and even the skies of spring and flowers of summer must ever afterward be poison to me."
H.P. Lovecraft, The Call of CthulhuSilentInfinity2017-09-29T13:29:14ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Adam Smith (Order of the Amber Die)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#272017-10-04T03:36:53Z2017-09-29T13:15:05Z<p>Wow, it’s hard to write this and know that the project is over, and yet I can already tell that it has left a permanent mark on our gaming careers. We have never tested ourselves so much in regard to immersion—I believe we were in the dark or with strange lighting for at least three-quarters of the AP. It was a crazy ride throughout, from a room full of candles when we first awoke in the asylum, to the infinite black background for the Dreamlands. The over 60-hour difference between the completion times of <i>The Strange Aeons Experiment</i> and <a href="http://paizo.com/paizo/blog/v5748dyo5lhx3?Giantslayer-Marathon-Part-6" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><i>The Giantslayer Endeavor</i></a> is best explained by the abundant amount of roleplaying we embraced in this AP. </p>
<p>To the Order, never forget:</p>
<p>Marathon 1: The candles incident, and how we almost added a visit from the local fire department to our list of marathon memories. </p>
<p>Marathon 2: Fog. And more fog. I still see fog in my living room sometimes. </p>
<p>Marathon 3: Our trippy Dreamlands <a href=" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pXEQQLSFNk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ritual</a>. </p>
<p>Marathon 4: Taking the only session break in the entire marathon series, as we learned that nothing can derail a marathon faster than a broken toilet.</p>
<p>Marathon 5: Upianshe’s scream—you know I scared you guys.</p>
<p>Marathon 6: How long it actually took to display the collection of Monster cans.</p>
<p>I am the luckiest GM to have such devoted players, who time and time again took days off from work and traveled incredible distances to make the <i>The Strange Aeons Experiment</i> possible. These players spent many precious weekends doing write-ups, tracking data, and helping to create the showcase pieces that can be seen in these blogs. A huge thanks to all Order members who contributed in many ways despite the distance between us (Alex, Erick, Ian, Maxx, Sean), and for taking on cameos or live-NPCs to enhance the experience for all.</p>
<p>Lastly, to the Amber Die itself: You always find a way to remind us of your influence. You delivered a natural 20 on the first attack of the campaign-opening Tatterman encounter, then confirmed the crit to kill Quinn. Your gift made the dream real. You set the dark tone of our journey, and I tried my best to match it.</p>Wow, it’s hard to write this and know that the project is over, and yet I can already tell that it has left a permanent mark on our gaming careers. We have never tested ourselves so much in regard to immersion—I believe we were in the dark or with strange lighting for at least three-quarters of the AP. It was a crazy ride throughout, from a room full of candles when we first awoke in the asylum, to the infinite black background for the Dreamlands. The over 60-hour difference between the...Adam Smith (Order of the Amber Die)2017-09-29T13:15:05ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Spastic Pumahttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#262017-10-05T22:10:24Z2017-09-29T05:14:30Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Matt Hardin wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Adam Smith wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Spastic Puma wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I wonder if the DM altered the number puzzle. I ran it as written and my players figured it out in around six minutes.</p>
<p>(Edited for accuracy) </blockquote>As with everything, we played it just as written. Haha, thanks for rubbing it in on them, Puma! ;-) </blockquote><p>Haha. That is too funny.
<p>Although, I will say it is very different getting a puzzle after a couple hours into a session, as opposed to days into a massive marathon session. Folks are pretty spent and brains are pretty taxed by then. And sometimes the last thing you want to do is puzzle out a brain teaser the DM/module throws at you. Still, gotta suck it up and do it though! </blockquote><p>That's a good point. Even after playing for three hours my brain starts to feel like it's slowly being microwaved.Matt Hardin wrote:Adam Smith wrote: Spastic Puma wrote:I wonder if the DM altered the number puzzle. I ran it as written and my players figured it out in around six minutes.
(Edited for accuracy)
As with everything, we played it just as written. Haha, thanks for rubbing it in on them, Puma! ;-) Haha. That is too funny. Although, I will say it is very different getting a puzzle after a couple hours into a session, as opposed to days into a massive marathon session. Folks are pretty spent and...Spastic Puma2017-09-29T05:14:30ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6SilentInfinityhttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#252017-09-29T06:58:12Z2017-09-28T15:43:38Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Daniel Scholler wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Silent, </p>
<p>I'm glad I could be helpful in some way, the full immersion that comes from the marathon setting intensified the horror and anxiety. I remember playing Ravenloft with friends when I was about 15 and the isolation of your characters from everything familiar to them is a key thing to intensify the eerieness. Any kind of props that can be brought bring in, such as music, candles, incense, etc, go a long way toward improving the immersion. You could try what we did for the asylum, minus those accursed fog machines, and lock yourselves in a dark room for hours at a time. I can tell you, it did wonders for my sanity!... </blockquote><p>Thanks Daniel, you can call me Rob too. I don't mean to hide completely behind the anonymity of a user name!
<p>The anxiety and isolation are important parts of these games! You might be a hero but unlike other common fantasy games, maybe the villagers don't realize or appreciate. Or you're moving so quickly through dangerous territory there's little time to celebrate if you even succeeded at all.</p>
<p>I bought up the Syrinscape packs for Strange Aeons and will use them with glee. I'll also be borrowing from some of your musical suggestions from the PDF. I've got Phillips Hue lights to play with lightning as desired and will have candles and small lights for assistance too. It helps that we're starting in October so Halloween and autumnal decorations will be out. Incense is a good idea though maybe the right kind of scented candle will work as well. I have at least one fog machine which I can likely make yellow through the lights. Thanks for that reminder!</p>
<p>We'll play late into the night on the 21st. I'm looking to gather us early afternoon so all are ready, comfortable, and eager to go by 5 p.m. We can't do the marathon sessions like you guys have, but I'm optimistic of our evening sessions every other Saturday night!</p>Daniel Scholler wrote:Silent,
I'm glad I could be helpful in some way, the full immersion that comes from the marathon setting intensified the horror and anxiety. I remember playing Ravenloft with friends when I was about 15 and the isolation of your characters from everything familiar to them is a key thing to intensify the eerieness. Any kind of props that can be brought bring in, such as music, candles, incense, etc, go a long way toward improving the immersion. You could try what we did...SilentInfinity2017-09-28T15:43:38ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Daniel Scholler (Order of the Amber Die) (alias of Shpaackle)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#242017-09-29T13:21:02Z2017-09-28T11:28:10Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">SilentInfinity wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Very interesting that the first two to die were also the ones to survive til the end! I can't wait to read all your updates in the experiment PDF you share in drop box! It was thrilling to follow along 4th of July weekend with your contest! It was a lot of fun to see the group progress along. Thanks again Adam and team!</p>
<p>Daniel,
<br />
I love the notes about the induced anxiety from the constant pressures and dangers. You really are never safe in this game. I think that's why settings like Ravenloft can be so successful. I really hope to capture this with my team.</p>
<p>I'm so very excited as my current game is ending this Saturday; the players are excited too. However, October 21st we begin our Strange Aeons campaign. I'll be map drawing on my mats over the next month!</p>
<p>Again, eager to read through your pdf and consolidate all the suggestions and details your team has provided. Thank you Order of the Amber Die!</p>
<p><b>Also in case you didn't know...</b>
<br />
<span class=messageboard-bigger><b>The Order of the Amber Die is on Patreon!</b></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/OrderOfTheAmberDie" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Visit their patreon here!</a> Or the url: https://www.patreon.com/OrderOfTheAmberDie </p>
<p>Help support them in this and future endeavors! Your support helps them "...spend more time producing the high quality content (they) are known for, and on a more consistent basis." </blockquote><p>Silent,
<p>I'm glad I could be helpful in some way, the full immersion that comes from the marathon setting intensified the horror and anxiety. I remember playing Ravenloft with friends when I was about 15 and the isolation of your characters from everything familiar to them is a key thing to intensify the eerieness. Any kind of props that can be brought bring in, such as music, candles, incense, etc, go a long way toward improving the immersion. You could try what we did for the asylum, minus those accursed fog machines, and lock yourselves in a dark room for hours at a time. I can tell you, it did wonders for my sanity!</p>
<p>Congratulations on completing a campaign, that is an accomplishment always worth celebrating. It really is a bittersweet moment, and I'm glad I was able to experience mine with this group. These will be stories I'll be telling in the old folks home. I'd be happy to hear from you if you wanna throw some questions my way and I definitely think you'll get useful information from the PDF.</p>
<p>Thank you for all your interest and support, Silent. I look forward to hearing more about how Strange Aeons treats you, it wasn't gentle with me.</p>SilentInfinity wrote:Very interesting that the first two to die were also the ones to survive til the end! I can't wait to read all your updates in the experiment PDF you share in drop box! It was thrilling to follow along 4th of July weekend with your contest! It was a lot of fun to see the group progress along. Thanks again Adam and team!
Daniel,
I love the notes about the induced anxiety from the constant pressures and dangers. You really are never safe in this game. I think that's why...Daniel Scholler (Order of the Amber Die) (alias of Shpaackle)2017-09-28T11:28:10ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Sterling Brunsvold (Order of the Amber Die)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#232017-09-29T13:20:56Z2017-09-28T06:46:14Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Douglas Muir 406 wrote:</div><blockquote><p> This makes me so happy.</p>
<p>Okay, question for you bold souls. Knowing little about Lovecraft or the Mythos going in... what were the scariest / creepiest / most got-under-your-skin bits of the Path? And, to be scrupulous about it, what were the bits that didn't work for you?</p>
<p>Doug M.</p>
<p></blockquote><p>Great to hear from you Doug! We really appreciate you following along and your great engagement. Awesome question.
<p>I think for me one of the creepiest moments was discovering the pickled punks in <i>In Search of Sanity</i>. The idea of one of those little things connecting to my neck in real life gave me chills. Dan (played Quinn in the project) noted feeling similar about these little abominations in his comment above (about 12 posts ago), so clearly they hit on something with those things. So nasty!</p>
<p>The scariest thing I experienced was probably the weather effects outside of the asylum in that same adventure. Each of them was really creepy and used to great effect by the author and our GM. We were not ready for it to rain eyeballs. What the hell?!?</p>
<p>As far as bits that didn't work, although the overall volume was good, Fort Hailcourse and parts of Iris Hill (main manor) in <i>The Thrushmoor Terror</i> felt rote compared to most of the rest of what we had experienced up to that point. Looking back after four more volumes, that feeling is probably even stronger.</p>Douglas Muir 406 wrote:This makes me so happy.
Okay, question for you bold souls. Knowing little about Lovecraft or the Mythos going in... what were the scariest / creepiest / most got-under-your-skin bits of the Path? And, to be scrupulous about it, what were the bits that didn't work for you?
Doug M.
Great to hear from you Doug! We really appreciate you following along and your great engagement. Awesome question. I think for me one of the creepiest moments was discovering the pickled...Sterling Brunsvold (Order of the Amber Die)2017-09-28T06:46:14ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Aerick Lim (Order of the Amber Die)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#222018-07-24T22:50:54Z2017-09-28T04:19:38Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Benjamin Bruck wrote:</div><blockquote><p> How did the encounters with the kudimmu, the larvae of the outer gods, the shrike worms, and the Pallid Mask go? </p>
<p></blockquote><p>That's a mixed bag, Ben, some went really well and others not so much.
<p>-The kudimmu we wrecked with <i> horrid wilting </i> and <i> flame strike</i> spells from Feiya and Winter respectively. Then our <i>freedom of movement </i> spells kept us from being grappled and allowed us to finish it off in quick fashion. Given all of the tentacled horrors in this AP, that spell was a key to our success.
<br />
-The larvae of the outer gods gave us fits every time we encountered one when we didn't have Erich Zann with us for protection. Another valuable spell, <i> calm emotions </i>, was also crucial to our survival since there were countless creatures that caused confusion, with this being the worst one.
<br />
-The shrike worms would've been more challenging if we all didn't have the Shake it Off teamwork feat, which continued to pay dividends for us. Having faced many aberrations prior, we knew they were weak against Fort save abilities so Alahazra put her Aging Touch and Erase from Time revelations to good use. An early <i> siphon might </i> spell from Feiya allowed Erasmus and Quinn to clean up in the later rounds.
<br />
-The Pallid Mask, however, was the worst. We saw the actual "yellow sign" and it was horrible, as he proceeded to abuse us to the point where we started abusing ourselves after half our group was dominated and turned on the others. Yet another necessary spell in this campaign, <i> magic circle against evil</i>, continued to be in high demand, but if Queen Cassilda hadn't intervened towards the end of the battle even that wouldn't have saved us!</p>
<p>In the end, all of the encounters had their moments. Some we were prepared for, or were well-suited to win, but we faced TPK in more instances throughout this adventure than we dare to count. Good times!</p>Benjamin Bruck wrote:How did the encounters with the kudimmu, the larvae of the outer gods, the shrike worms, and the Pallid Mask go?
That's a mixed bag, Ben, some went really well and others not so much. -The kudimmu we wrecked with horrid wilting and flame strike spells from Feiya and Winter respectively. Then our freedom of movement spells kept us from being grappled and allowed us to finish it off in quick fashion. Given all of the tentacled horrors in this AP, that spell was a key...Aerick Lim (Order of the Amber Die)2017-09-28T04:19:38ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Aerick Lim (Order of the Amber Die)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#212017-09-29T13:12:40Z2017-09-28T03:43:57Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Adam Daigle wrote:</div><blockquote><p> What a great (and informative) wrap up! Thanks for tackling this endeavor, but more importantly, thanks for taking us all along for the ride!</p>
<p>Looking forward to what y'all do next! </blockquote><p>Thank you so much Adam, we can't say enough about the hard work you put into this, as it showed every step of the way. I'm also grateful that I had the chance to play Erasmus, and I'm definitely going to miss him. Yes, it's normal for players to feel this way about their characters after spending years with them, but for us this experience happens in such a concentrated time frame that they're gone before we know it, and it's bittersweet. Anyway, I digress—on to the next adventure! We're definitely excited for our next iconic roster, and we'll do our best to bring them to life as much as we did in Strange Aeons.
<p>Aerick Lim
<br />
Player Captain</p>Adam Daigle wrote:What a great (and informative) wrap up! Thanks for tackling this endeavor, but more importantly, thanks for taking us all along for the ride!
Looking forward to what y'all do next!
Thank you so much Adam, we can't say enough about the hard work you put into this, as it showed every step of the way. I'm also grateful that I had the chance to play Erasmus, and I'm definitely going to miss him. Yes, it's normal for players to feel this way about their characters after...Aerick Lim (Order of the Amber Die)2017-09-28T03:43:57ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Ian Habermanhttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#202017-09-29T03:52:28Z2017-09-27T23:44:43Z<p>Such an epic undertaking!</p>
<p>The map work is just incredible. And that Monster photo is priceless. So. Much. Monster.</p>
<p>I've been following along on Facebook, but this is my first time checking out the Paizo Blog. I'll be back here again, for sure!</p>
<p>Such a cool and supportive community. Game on!</p>Such an epic undertaking!
The map work is just incredible. And that Monster photo is priceless. So. Much. Monster.
I've been following along on Facebook, but this is my first time checking out the Paizo Blog. I'll be back here again, for sure!
Such a cool and supportive community. Game on!Ian Haberman2017-09-27T23:44:43ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Adam Smith (Order of the Amber Die)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#192018-07-24T22:48:23Z2017-09-27T23:22:01Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Patrick Newcarry wrote:</div><blockquote> What did you do to get such great-looking maps? </blockquote><p>Thanks!! Let's see, there are three types of maps in the seven photos here:
<p>1.) The Eiffel Tower was a file version upgraded from 96DPI to 150DPI and printed out (see first two comments). </p>
<p>2.) The second type of map is the snow field with the shoggoth chasing Alahazra and Quinn in both the art and on the field, which is a PVC map made by Deep Cut Studio. </p>
<p>3.) The other maps are all hand-drawn by myself prior to the marathon, then sadly, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2saargsvP4I" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this happens</a>. Or—every now and then—<a href="http://paizo.com/paizo/blog/v5748dyo5lj37?Mega-Map-Madness" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this happens</a>.</p>Patrick Newcarry wrote:What did you do to get such great-looking maps?
Thanks!! Let's see, there are three types of maps in the seven photos here: 1.) The Eiffel Tower was a file version upgraded from 96DPI to 150DPI and printed out (see first two comments).
2.) The second type of map is the snow field with the shoggoth chasing Alahazra and Quinn in both the art and on the field, which is a PVC map made by Deep Cut Studio.
3.) The other maps are all hand-drawn by myself prior to the...Adam Smith (Order of the Amber Die)2017-09-27T23:22:01ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Benjamin Bruck (alias of Benchak the Nightstalker, Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#182017-09-28T05:56:21Z2017-09-27T22:24:55Z<p>How did the encounters with the kudimmu, the larvae of the outer gods, the shrike worms, and the Pallid Mask go?</p>How did the encounters with the kudimmu, the larvae of the outer gods, the shrike worms, and the Pallid Mask go?Benjamin Bruck (alias of Benchak the Nightstalker, Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8)2017-09-27T22:24:55ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Patrick Newcarry (alias of Eldiden Whitefur)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#172017-09-28T05:56:20Z2017-09-27T22:04:37Z<p>What did you do to get such great-looking maps?</p>What did you do to get such great-looking maps?Patrick Newcarry (alias of Eldiden Whitefur)2017-09-27T22:04:37ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Adam Smith (Order of the Amber Die)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#162018-07-24T22:43:29Z2017-09-27T21:13:30Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Douglas Muir 406 wrote:</div><blockquote><p> This makes me so happy.</p>
<p>Okay, question for you bold souls. Knowing little about Lovecraft or the Mythos going in... what were the scariest / creepiest / most got-under-your-skin bits of the Path? And, to be scrupulous about it, what were the bits that didn't work for you?</p>
<p>Doug M.</p>
<p></blockquote><p>Great questions, Doug! I've had a good amount of time to reflect on the path now (and dig into Lovecraft for the first time), so let me see what I can add to this. I'll stick to just what was Lovecraftian or Mythos, since there was a lot I liked about the AP aside from Mythos considerations.
<p>Scariest/creepiest/under-my-skin parts of the AP:</p>
<p><i>In Search of Sanity</i>: Nightgaunts were really weird for all of us—remember that no one in the room had ever seen or heard of one before. I remember this line somewhere around hour 30-35 during In Search of Sanity: "Yes, it tickles you...in a hard and mean way." </p>
<p><i>The Thrushmoor Terror</i>: With the fog machines pumping and the True Detective soundtrack in the background, we sat inside an empty chapel and sifted through evidence as rain pattered on the windows outside. Toss in a little amnesia and a sense of something being really, really wrong in the town, and we felt like maybe we hit the investigative side of Call of Cthulhu pretty close. At the time, however, we had no idea, and wondered: Is this really Pathfinder?</p>
<p><i>Dreams of the Yellow King</i>: The Dream Quests were just awesome, as were the mechanics for dying and trying to leave the dream early. I had no idea where the ideas for these came from, or even what Sarnath was. Most of the players struggled to enjoy the dreams, as they thoroughly got their butts kicked in there, and I'll be tough on them and say that they also failed to adapt fast enough to the mechanics provided. Easier said from this side of the screen though!</p>
<p><i>The Whisper Out of Time</i>: This one had to be the Mysterium itself. I render around 50 to 75 maps a year for these projects; while I've seen plenty of libraries inside dungeons, I've never seen or drawn such an extensive library that <i>was</i> a dungeon. I wish we had more time to go back and explore the rest (darn proto-shoggoths and their stat blocks). And I wish I hadn't erased those maps, either.</p>
<p><i>What Grows Within</i>: Polyps, hands down. Still going to go on record here and say that these are some of the meanest creatures in the game of Pathfinder. A perfect combination of gross and efficient—a GM's daydream. I'd love to hear some stories of parties that were highly successful against these while the GM was utilizing the full rules set. What made it worse was that we had no idea what these things were prior to this adventure! I guess that accounts for the deaths...</p>
<p><i>Black Stars Beckon</i>: Queen Cassilda won the hearts of not just myself, but many in our group, as did Erich Zann. We never expected to have so much roleplaying all the way to the very end, and I was happy with the decision to include Erich as a live-NPC for this. Once again, we had no idea if these were just characters made up by Jim Groves, or whether they were part of something from the Mythos. I liked Cassilda's story (and its connection to Carcosa) so much, it was the only time in the entire project I almost asked Adam Daigle to tell me if she was just part of the adventure or something much larger.</p>
<p>The bit that didn't work for me:</p>
<p>I struggled with Leng Ghouls. I couldn't seem to figure out enough of their background to make comfortable sense of them (besides being very intelligent and deadly ghouls), so I went with what was given in the adventures and bestiary. At the same time, they played an immense role in the AP, so I did what any GM should: I made myself care about Leng Ghouls, and let the players decide for themselves what they thought of them.</p>
<p>Thanks for going on this ride with us, Doug!</p>Douglas Muir 406 wrote:This makes me so happy.
Okay, question for you bold souls. Knowing little about Lovecraft or the Mythos going in... what were the scariest / creepiest / most got-under-your-skin bits of the Path? And, to be scrupulous about it, what were the bits that didn't work for you?
Doug M.
Great questions, Doug! I've had a good amount of time to reflect on the path now (and dig into Lovecraft for the first time), so let me see what I can add to this. I'll stick to just what...Adam Smith (Order of the Amber Die)2017-09-27T21:13:30ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Adam Daigle (Director of Game Development)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#152018-07-24T22:43:28Z2017-09-27T20:41:48Z<p>What a great (and informative) wrap up! Thanks for tackling this endeavor, but more importantly, thanks for taking us all along for the ride!</p>
<p>Looking forward to what y'all do next!</p>What a great (and informative) wrap up! Thanks for tackling this endeavor, but more importantly, thanks for taking us all along for the ride!
Looking forward to what y'all do next!Adam Daigle (Director of Game Development)2017-09-27T20:41:48ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6SilentInfinityhttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#142018-07-24T22:42:46Z2017-09-27T20:29:21Z<p>Very interesting that the first two to die were also the ones to survive til the end! I can't wait to read all your updates in the experiment PDF you share in drop box! It was thrilling to follow along 4th of July weekend with your contest! It was a lot of fun to see the group progress along. Thanks again Adam and team!</p>
<p>Daniel,
<br />
I love the notes about the induced anxiety from the constant pressures and dangers. You really are never safe in this game. I think that's why settings like Ravenloft can be so successful. I really hope to capture this with my team.</p>
<p>I'm so very excited as my current game is ending this Saturday; the players are excited too. However, October 21st we begin our Strange Aeons campaign. I'll be map drawing on my mats over the next month!</p>
<p>Again, eager to read through your pdf and consolidate all the suggestions and details your team has provided. Thank you Order of the Amber Die!</p>
<p><b>Also in case you didn't know...</b>
<br />
<span class=messageboard-bigger><b>The Order of the Amber Die is on Patreon!</b></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/OrderOfTheAmberDie" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Visit their patreon here!</a> Or the url: https://www.patreon.com/OrderOfTheAmberDie </p>
<p>Help support them in this and future endeavors! Your support helps them "...spend more time producing the high quality content (they) are known for, and on a more consistent basis."</p>Very interesting that the first two to die were also the ones to survive til the end! I can't wait to read all your updates in the experiment PDF you share in drop box! It was thrilling to follow along 4th of July weekend with your contest! It was a lot of fun to see the group progress along. Thanks again Adam and team!
Daniel,
I love the notes about the induced anxiety from the constant pressures and dangers. You really are never safe in this game. I think that's why settings like Ravenloft...SilentInfinity2017-09-27T20:29:21ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Adam Smith (Order of the Amber Die)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#132018-07-24T22:42:20Z2017-09-27T19:41:00Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">grandobsidian wrote:</div><blockquote> 357 hours of playtime? Now I don't feel quite so bad that almost a year after release my group is barely wrapping up chapter 3. </blockquote><p>Yes, don't feel bad, this AP seemed like it was designed to go slow enough to scare players and allow for a real-time experience as well. I spent more effort on descriptions, noises, ambience, and developing the scene for even some of the simplest encounters. At the same time, the players spent a lot of time on developing their characters and roleplaying out the little bits that often fall through the cracks (Erasmus's daily seance, for example).
<p>We've been tracking completion times for three APs so far: Giantslayer, Strange Aeons, and Runelords (still in part 5). Runelords is right on track to finish close to Giantslayer, but Strange Aeons was the equivalent of an entire volume longer than both. We felt as if we were going too slow for a while, but then learned to relax and enjoy Strange Aeons for what it was: a story of horror and mystery.</p>
<p>Very, very soon we'll have a new project starting that will let us track yet another AP to completion...</p>grandobsidian wrote:357 hours of playtime? Now I don't feel quite so bad that almost a year after release my group is barely wrapping up chapter 3.
Yes, don't feel bad, this AP seemed like it was designed to go slow enough to scare players and allow for a real-time experience as well. I spent more effort on descriptions, noises, ambience, and developing the scene for even some of the simplest encounters. At the same time, the players spent a lot of time on developing their characters and...Adam Smith (Order of the Amber Die)2017-09-27T19:41:00ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Matt Hardin (Order of the Amber Die)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#122017-09-29T20:27:01Z2017-09-27T18:57:19Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Adam Smith wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Spastic Puma wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I wonder if the DM altered the number puzzle. I ran it as written and my players figured it out in around six minutes.</p>
<p>(Edited for accuracy) </blockquote>As with everything, we played it just as written. Haha, thanks for rubbing it in on them, Puma! ;-) </blockquote><p>Haha. That is too funny.
<p>Although, I will say it is very different getting a puzzle after a couple hours into a session, as opposed to days into a massive marathon session. Folks are pretty spent and brains are pretty taxed by then. And sometimes the last thing you want to do is puzzle out a brain teaser the DM/module throws at you. Still, gotta suck it up and do it though!</p>Adam Smith wrote:Spastic Puma wrote:I wonder if the DM altered the number puzzle. I ran it as written and my players figured it out in around six minutes.
(Edited for accuracy)
As with everything, we played it just as written. Haha, thanks for rubbing it in on them, Puma! ;-) Haha. That is too funny. Although, I will say it is very different getting a puzzle after a couple hours into a session, as opposed to days into a massive marathon session. Folks are pretty spent and brains are pretty...Matt Hardin (Order of the Amber Die)2017-09-27T18:57:19ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Daniel Scholler (Order of the Amber Die) (alias of Shpaackle)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#112018-07-24T22:42:04Z2017-09-27T16:34:47Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Douglas Muir 406 wrote:</div><blockquote><p> This makes me so happy.</p>
<p>Okay, question for you bold souls. Knowing little about Lovecraft or the Mythos going in... what were the scariest / creepiest / most got-under-your-skin bits of the Path? And, to be scrupulous about it, what were the bits that didn't work for you?</p>
<p>Doug M.</p>
<p></blockquote><p>I'll go first, but I'm guessing everybody is going to want in on this one.
<p>Going in, I expected my sanity and playing abilities to be tested, as I'd heard Lovecraft-anything was known for being brutal and merciless. This path did not disappoint. I've been playing Pathfinder, D&D, and other RPGs for over twenty years, and many times I was left feeling like a complete novice to the game. </p>
<p>The pickled punks in the first module were an example of something that I didn't expect to bother me as much as it did, they were just disgusting. The Dreamlands was another place that was completely unsettling with its alien environments and people, combined with the challenge of it. Neruzavin was the worst for me, that city broke both me and my character (Quinn)! The relentless carnage and lack of safety in that place brought a level of anxiety that I just wasn't expecting. Add in how much we didn't know or understand, and it was a disturbing experience. Also remember that when we play these marathons we stay inside these fantasy locations for days of real life too, so that ups the level of the entire experience. The lighting, dark ambient music, and our GM torturing us with sounds like fierce wind (for hours) can't be counted out either. </p>
<p>The only thing that I can think of that didn't really work for me was just how hopeless and powerless I felt during the last marathon. I can look back at it and honestly say that if it weren't for a few powerful items that crossed our path, we never would have survived as long as we did. The horror of spending days lying under our friends' bodies (long story), or watching Quinn drop after 2 hits brought me to a new level of fear. Running through that first section of Carcosa with the dual encounters of polyps was unrelenting, cruel, and horrific, but I admit there's a part of me that enjoyed it; this may have been because we were ultimately successful in the AP, although even after the success I felt less than satisfied. I was left asking myself and the group, "Did we really win?" I'm not sure if that is common with Lovecraft but it's not something I'm accustomed to in my regular gaming sessions. After all, we still had to return to Golarion and the mess we left behind...</p>Douglas Muir 406 wrote:This makes me so happy.
Okay, question for you bold souls. Knowing little about Lovecraft or the Mythos going in... what were the scariest / creepiest / most got-under-your-skin bits of the Path? And, to be scrupulous about it, what were the bits that didn't work for you?
Doug M.
I'll go first, but I'm guessing everybody is going to want in on this one. Going in, I expected my sanity and playing abilities to be tested, as I'd heard Lovecraft-anything was known for...Daniel Scholler (Order of the Amber Die) (alias of Shpaackle)2017-09-27T16:34:47ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6grandobsidianhttps://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#102017-09-28T00:58:42Z2017-09-27T15:01:34Z<p>357 hours of playtime? Now I don't feel quite so bad that almost a year after release my group is barely wrapping up chapter 3.</p>357 hours of playtime? Now I don't feel quite so bad that almost a year after release my group is barely wrapping up chapter 3.grandobsidian2017-09-27T15:01:34ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Douglas Muir 406https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#92017-09-28T00:58:38Z2017-09-27T13:57:55Z<p>This makes me so happy.</p>
<p>Okay, question for you bold souls. Knowing little about Lovecraft or the Mythos going in... what were the scariest / creepiest / most got-under-your-skin bits of the Path? And, to be scrupulous about it, what were the bits that didn't work for you?</p>
<p>Doug M.</p>This makes me so happy.
Okay, question for you bold souls. Knowing little about Lovecraft or the Mythos going in... what were the scariest / creepiest / most got-under-your-skin bits of the Path? And, to be scrupulous about it, what were the bits that didn't work for you?
Doug M.Douglas Muir 4062017-09-27T13:57:55ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Sterling Brunsvold (Order of the Amber Die)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#82018-07-24T22:40:08Z2017-09-27T10:04:29Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Andrew Mullen wrote:</div><blockquote> Congratulations, y'all! </blockquote><p>Thanks, Andrew!
</p>
A little bit better outcome than The Giantslayer Endeavor, Marathon 6 (click <a href="http://paizo.com/paizo/blog/v5748dyo5lhx3?Giantslayer-Marathon-Part-6" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a> for anyone who hasn't read it). However, both were epic!</p>Andrew Mullen wrote:Congratulations, y'all!
Thanks, Andrew!
A little bit better outcome than The Giantslayer Endeavor, Marathon 6 (click here for anyone who hasn't read it). However, both were epic!Sterling Brunsvold (Order of the Amber Die)2017-09-27T10:04:29ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Andrew Mullen (Contributor)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#72017-09-27T10:15:52Z2017-09-27T09:06:07Z<p>Congratulations, y'all!</p>Congratulations, y'all!Andrew Mullen (Contributor)2017-09-27T09:06:07ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Paizo Blog: Order of the Amber Die--The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 6Adam Smith (Order of the Amber Die)https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lk5x?Order-of-the-Amber-DieThe-Strange-Aeons#62018-07-24T22:38:48Z2017-09-27T08:42:05Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Spastic Puma wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I wonder if the DM altered the number puzzle. I ran it as written and my players figured it out in around six minutes.</p>
<p>(Edited for accuracy) </blockquote><p>As with everything, we played it just as written. Haha, thanks for rubbing it in on them, Puma! ;-)Spastic Puma wrote:I wonder if the DM altered the number puzzle. I ran it as written and my players figured it out in around six minutes.
(Edited for accuracy)
As with everything, we played it just as written. Haha, thanks for rubbing it in on them, Puma! ;-)Adam Smith (Order of the Amber Die)2017-09-27T08:42:05Z