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. . . and now the punchline! I'm glad I didn't mention the dirty knife. ;-) I'm also enjoying the twists from cliche heroing. There's the incident with Shayless (unless the PC is exceedingly diplomatic) and with Amele's sister that inform the PC's that even when they do their best, that they won't be able to please everyone 100% of the time, which is somehow also eerily fitting to this thread currently.
The Skinsaw costume reminds me of the plague-protective costume worn by Robert Downey Jr's character in the movie "Restoration." Yup. I also recall the neeto factoids of legend and lore where one woman survived infection by drinking a whole pitcher of tallow or lard. Another tale involved surrounding some religious figure (either some bishop or the pope) with a circle of fire that theoretically warded infected fleas (although they felt it was a miracle).
I don't mind the conical breastplate. Some of the old, armored codpieces likewise changed with fashion and look just as silly now. For those, I blame him. The Skinsaw costume reminds me of the plague-protective costume worn by Robert Downey Jr's character in the movie "Restoration." It does look very spooky. I also like how having a masked identity helps intensify the horror and paranoia (anyone can be them, and they can be many, they can even be the very person you're talking to now).
Whatever you want to do with the Theater is fine. However, I didn't consider Sandpoint to be that "backwater" just because it's only a few generations old and of a small size. It's founded by 4 families that have managed to push product to Riddleport and Korvosa, and they've been able to recently erect an audacious cathedral in only 5 years. I imagined that the powerful families from Magnimar that invested their time and effort haven't forgotten their luxuries, and that they chose Sandpoint as a prime location to develop a new city that would expand and net a handsome yield for their hard work. When I read about Sandpoint, my impression was that it was very cosmopolitan, broad minded, and forward thinking. Except for the native Varisians, I figured most of the Chelaxians came from Magnimar, bringing with them also a desire to keep a certain level of their culture intact. They generate heavy industry through their mills, the glassworks, and their brewery. I really think the term "frontier town" should be used only in a very broad sense to the city. I just don't get that lack-of-sofistimacation (bad spelling intentional for humor), inbreeding, cow-loving feel. I certainly didn't imagine listening to a banjo while reading about the city (a la Deliverance). I figured if there was no money to be earned from having a theater, it wouldn't have been created. The alternative would have been a town where if a bard wanted to perform or for a crowd wanting to see entertainment, they'd be limited to travelling shows, open markets, and taverns.
As Sean noted, theater wasn't the Broadway of today: History of Theater I can easily see the Scarnetti's foaming at the mouth over their perceptions of what they think must go on at the Sandpoint Theater. In the setting, their conservative/ arrogant attitude would rankle the native Varisians as well as those holding more open minds. I can easily see one adventure hook down the road to prevent or reverse their family from seizing control of Sandpoint and shutting down the theater. I can also see the theater hosting either plays depicting current events and news to religious plays depicting moral dogma and fables. For players interested in such things, I can see a big potential for trying to help get a play about the Chopper shown despite how it might upset the locals, or a play about the founding of Sandpoint even though it might upset the Scarnetti's and the Varisians. Theaters can be a rallying cry for a revolution, and so politics and religion will be sure to try and control the theater.
My player has so far been very keen on keeping Tsuto alive and capturing a goblin for information. Playing Kyra, I'm anticipating the possible exploitation of Sarenrae's aspect for redemption to first try to bring Naulia back into the light.
I loved these Stone Giants. I was thinking Easter Island. I thought the Ogres from cover 3 were more "Muppet-ish" (but still very cool). The artwork makes these giants feel very distinctive and complete. Until now, I've been used to Stone Giants as a "blah" version of giant-kin that lacked the flavor and pizazz of some of the other giants. I'm really looking forward to how unique these giants will be.
Regarding the RotR AP, I noticed that issue #1 is out now in August, it indicates we wait for two months for #2 in October, but that #3 and #4 will both be ready in November (followed by #5 in December and #6 in January). Is this the confirmed schedule of availability, or is any of the in error/ subject for change? I'm just curious about waiting two months between the first two issues only to get two issues out the same time only one month after that.
It is a shame for a player who has bought it, but probably would not allow them to read any of it. You can probably get away with the Sandpoint chapter, and maybe the Bestiary and Pathfinder Chronicle, but the Thassilon chapter has spoilers for the whole AP in it, plus the PCs shouldn't be alerted to who or what Thassilon is/was. I can see this point, but my wife and I bought this for ourselves, and I read the whole thing. Including the bestiary (for now it will be just come across as cool pictures), I just told her that only the adventure itself was off limits. She'll be playing residents of Sandpoint, so I'm not bothered by the minor spoilers there. Regarding Thassilon, it's such a basic overview, and I simply told her that her characters are oblivious to this info, that I'm not worried about spoilers. I have yet to see her metagame. In some of my old groups, there'd be the metagamers and cheaters, and under those conditions I'd restrict info big time (but they'd probably go online and find out everything anyway). I'd say, go with your gut if you know your players can handle the truth or not.
When I consider the price after receiving my first copy, I just reconciled it with those mentioned in previous posts:
. . . which then leads to my other thought . . . It feels like a game supplement in many ways as compared to a pulp throw-away. It feels like something I want in as fine a condition as possible because I will always be referring to it even after the actual adventure is played out. I'm glad I won't have to be as concerned when our cats sit on it, or maybe an accidental spill gets on the book. If this was a Dungeon or Dragon, any minor damage and wear-and-tear will be more (and, unfortunately, has been) more substantial. These books seem to fit right next to gaming books instead of the magazine rack. When also considering a subscription induced 30% savings, I think this sweetens the deal for me. I think the only possible setback would be if the campaign setting/ particular campaign story arc in particular fails to hook someone, then that would mean waiting for the next story to begin 6 or so issues afterwards. Even then, though, there are the "one-shot" adventures out there to better serve those wanting to avoid a whole story arc. I had my own doubts when I learned that Psionics wouldn't get support, and I was initially antipathetic towards getting sucked into a multi-issue campaign setting that I assumed wouldn't appeal to me in the end. I think, though, that if I have been won over by the dazzling creativity and energy that has earned my enthusiastic interest with it despite the lack of psionics, I have confidence that even this possible setback isn't one for Paizo to have troubled sleep over.
Seriously, though, I also hand out XP at the end of the session (unless I know they're just about to level up). I've never had to worry about someone taking a skill, feat, or a different class that comes out of left field. I try to encourage players that have a concept and stick to that. I assume any non encounter-relevant abilities that are picked for advancement are just doing all of that in the downtime. Even asking about it every time they rest is time taken away from the story. I'd suggest for those groups where players are demanding their DM's to make them train, that perhaps only the first encounter with finding a teacher should be roleplayed, or when any training actually involves the story (the rival dojo challenges your sensei, so she chooses you to represent them in a battle for territory and honor). Otherwise I'd just tell them to deduct the gold and fast forward to the adventure. I'm reminded of Ultima Online where a roommate would actually spend hours "fishing" to get enough gold pieces to buy his first weapon, which was a dagger. I thought it seemed silly, but he really enjoyed it. So, whatever makes everyone have maximum fun in their game should be the priority.
That does sound very zesty.
That sounds cool, F33b! I particularly enjoyed the bit on the Elan. I would recommend the above link for any a "psionics is broken" reference. If the lack of support for psionics is merely from a misunderstanding of them, then I'd be a bit annoyed. Any power user has their limited load of powers they can use per day, and the original design intended for multiple encounters per day for all classes. (As the saying goes, no rest for the wicked.) In the first part of Burnt Offerings, those playing Seoni and Kyra had their spells wisely rationed out for all of the initial goblin encounters. The final encounter with the mounted Goblin would have been much more devastating should all of the spells have been squandered with just the initial encounter. As a DM, I'd discourage any player attitude of requesting a full day's rest just because they blew their wad on some random encounter regardless if they were an arcane caster, divine caster, or psionicist. Whoever plays Seoni must absolutely be careful since she's horrible in melee at first level, and she's *not* a psionicist.
Forgive me if this has been answered before (I searched old posts and the Paizo blog), but is there any additional significance to the jewels adorning the foreheads of Merisiel and Karzoug (It seems Karzoug has some on the back of his hand as well)? If they are just jewels, is there any cultural significance as there would be towards, for example, tattoos? (I must say, I'm eagerly awaiting Pathfinder #3 for the cover alone.) I'm curious if there's a relationship between the style of these jewels and ancient Thassilonia, perhaps as a sign of magical power (i.e. "don't mess with me. . . I can use magic"), part of the cultural flavor of Riddleport (Arr, if ye be a pirate or rogue, it's the latest fashion), or a link to her Elf heritage.
Does this continue from Rise of the Runelords in that PC's should begin this AP at around level 15, or is this a new 1-3rd level adventure that's merely set in the same world? (It seems this question might have been answered before, and I apologize if it has been. I can't find, though, where it has been answered.)
Oathday in Arodus would be time to sign ironclad contracts.That's kinda how we have Oathday figured as well. :) In one of my homebrew worlds, I came up with "Bargain" for the name of a day of the week, a day to go shopping and buy neat things. I also had a "Sword" day for when the customer comes back to complain (the equivalent for Monday).
Since the acceptance of various elements are based on culture, and cultures vary, I'd consider the examples of the romantic relationship with the same gender and birth control to be very common and ordinary. It was this attitude that Sandpoint holds which I found to be critical to get PC's to not only identify with their hometown but to risk their lives for it. I'm hoping that the next few issues that take the PC's to different cities will emphasize how rare Sandpoint is.
I'll say that when I initially read about the lack of support for Psionics, that was the major reason for me to drag my heals about trying out Pathfinder. 3.5 Psionics has been the main reason for me to return to roleplaying D&D. With just the small stand-alone adventures in Dungeon, it was easy for me to perform minor alterations to put them in my campaing setting. When I was thinking about Pathfinder as a whole campaign devoid of psionics, I was frustrated to consider that I had no real time to perform a major modification to something that big. I secretly hoped it would not be so great. Now that I have had access to the PDF and began running the campaign, I have been absolutely persuaded to continue and enjoy the Pathfinder ROTR AP by the creative story and sheer enthusiasm of every word. Every aspect to this game has been miraculous and stunning. I even had fun singing the Goblin Song for my wife, and Psionics seemed to drift out of my consciousness until I came across this thread. I understand that, lack of Psionics aside, the effort involved with Pathfinder must be truly epic. I think as it is, I feel those working on Pathfinder seem to constantly be achieving results beyond anyone's expectations, and I look forward to subsequent issues and will embrace them whole hog regardless of the presence of Psionics. Awed by the product Paizo has produced, I would feel presumptious and rude to ask them to consider Psionics in the future, but its inclusion in some form would make something I've come to appreciate and enjoy even better.
I got a shipping notification about a week ago and haven't received it yet. Sometimes I've had a big delay from actually receiving products once shipped, but that's due to the backwards nature of my local mailing routine. I usually give mail up to 14 days afterwards before I start to get nervous.
In that case, I would be eager for more info on Asmodeus (I feel so ashamed for assuming the same entity as the one used by wizards). I'd still want to know more about Saranrae and Lamashtu first, though. I also enjoy having just a few but colorful bunch of gods rather than dealing with multiple pantheons all jammed into one campaign setting. I will be glad not to have to deal with a notion of a great wheel with plane after plane.
No new news yet. But you'll probably need more than 4 stone giant minis... I think a *splat* noise would follow as well. I think the danger depends on what level the characters will be when they encounter them, and what kind of assistance they might get. If they're between 9th and 12th level the encounter will be very difficult. At 12th level, they can encounter up to 15 of them. If they're under 9th level, it feels like a big boss encounter to tackle 4+ stone giants. It's been a very long time since I've used giants, and I look forward to using them.
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