Justin Sluder's page

Numeria.
Orv.
Wherever Dave Gross and others are most interested in writing about.

Numeria.
Lastwall.
Nex/Geb/Mana Wastes.

I didn't want this to intrude on the Sinister Adventures thread dealing with the re-emergence of Nic Logue and the fate of Razor Coast or otherwise detract from it, however several people there have mentioned a desire to see more of Messrs. Agresta and Logue in print. I talked to Lou about it, and we thought this might be a good time to let the cat out of the bag while people are looking for something like this rather than later when it might slip past interested parties unnoticed and cause them to miss out on it: [/long preamble]

Forthcoming this summer from Frog God Games is a new adventure by Lou Agresta and Nicolas Logue. It is completely written and sitting on my hard drive right now going through development, so this isn't just vaporware. Ideally I'd like to have it out by Paizo Con (and somehow talk Lou into joining us at Paizo Con), but we'll have to see how long the printing and layout takes with the backlog that Slumbering Tsar has created for us before we'll know for sure.

Just so no one gets the idea that Nic has been secretly co-writing adventures on the side while all this has gone on, this is actually an adventure that the two collaborated on years ago for Dungeon Magazine but that got the axe when the print magazine went away. After sitting in a dusty digital box all this time, it has finally found it's way to the light and will feature the craft of Mr. RPG-FEMA Agresta and Mr. Hook Mountain (OMG I'm still having nightmares!)Logue.

So look for SCORNED from Frog God Games later this summer.

Greg

Taig, you do realize that you can't hide behind the visage of a badger anymore. Your nifty new tag is hanging out. (Congratulations!)

As for this book, I believe one can never have enough monsters.

What could Paizo do with the millions of dollars it would cost to acquire the D&D branding? How long would it take to get a return on that investment?

I don't have access to any numbers, but I suspect whatever WotC would ask for the D&D brand is far more than Paizo would be willing to spend on it.

Why buy the brand when you already have the customers?

Multiple people agreed with me on the point about making this a multiclass wall.

And I will certainly keep the opinion that it is arbitrary.

As I have learned many times in the past, trying to convince you of anything is a waste of my time.

This thread is locked.

Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing

But you don't have to craft everything. If you are going to sit there and craft and craft and craft then there should be repercussions.

The wizard who takes a day off to make a big scroll ends up LESS experienced with magic than the wizard who takes a day off to get drunk. That doesn't make sense.

Three months ago, I set out to design some new monsters, taking requests from fellow board members.

Here are the results at the time of this post:

I've said it before for previous issues, but I'm gonna say it again.

Most of the folks contributing art, design, and words to this publication are doing it out of their love of the game and the love of the setting. The only reward they get is knowing that they've supported the community and the feedback they get for doing so. Please find time to enjoy this publication and provide feedback either on this thread or by reviewing the magazine (Feel free to go back and review older issues too). It would mean a lot to those who agonized over their work. I only did some editing for this issue, but I always delight in seeing the love put into Wayfinder.

Show some community love to some of the folks supporting the community.

C'mon, people. Jacobs' thread is going to outstrip this one if you don't get to posting. Chop chop!

James Jacobs wrote:

Cheapy wrote:

Split off from the other alchemist thread.

RAW, alchemists have no caster level except for extracts and making potions.

Such discoveries include: Bottled Ooze, Wings, and Tumor Familiar.

The level of the alchemist is the effective caster level for pretty much any alchemy-related things he does, if determining his caster level is necessary. That is RAW, in fact, since that's how caster level works for all classes.

Oh well.

Hm.

Ok.

I was hoping for an answer that also answered the question of whether they can take Item Creation feats (other than brew potion, obviously) or not.

Well, it might have served you better to just ask that, rather than actually not asking a question at all in your first thread. (It's hard for me to accurately answer questions when they're not actually asked!) :-)

An alchemist CAN take item creation feats, in any event. When an item calls for a spell prerequisite, the alchemist simply substitutes his extract of the same name. This does mean that, other than potions, there's a lot of specific items an alchemist won't qualify for, so it might be a good idea to max out your Spellcraft skill for all the requirements you'll be missing...

Ryan Dancey wrote:

You will not have to click a button thousands of times to get a character improvement.

I'll wait to see how you do it then.

To date, I've never seen an actual fun skill based system in an MMO.

Best bet for success is to stick to what you know, and what you know is the class and level system very well.

Ever heard of EVE? :)

I have to believe that Lisa, Ryan, and the team they are assembling have taken a good hard look at the financial realities of creating, publishing, and supporting an MMO. The fact that they've decided to go forward indicates to me that they have a strategy they believe will result in victory, profit, and a seriously awesome game. Do I think the announcement was a bit premature? Yes. But I look forward to seeing their vision in the coming years.

This in a nutshell. Were we a bit premature? By other company's standards, sure. But if we held onto this news much longer, word would have seeped out. We would be talking to people about investing. We would be hiring folks. And word would have gotten out. Rumors and half-truths would have been given free reign. And that is just not how we want to run Paizo. We like to let our customers know what we are up to before the rest of the world does. So we let the cat out of the bag much earlier than other companies would have. We know that. There is a downside (ie. we don't have much to tell or show at this stage). But the alternative was worse in our opinion.

As for all the doomsayers, all I have to say is, "Give us a chance." Nothing is changing at Paizo. We will be making all the same cool products you have come to love. If MMOs aren't your thing, then that is great. Enjoy your regular Pathfinder game. We aren't and can't make an MMO that works for everyone. We know that. We are happy with that.

Also, we are aware of what has come before Goblinworks. We know what has worked and what hasn't. We aren't going to spend bajillions of dollars. We have a plan that is pretty savvy and innovative. As we get further along, we will share that plan. Until then, have some faith. I wouldn't do something stupid and wasteful. Many of the comments I've seen are similar to ones posted after we announced the Pathfinder RPG. That turned out pretty well considering all the doom and gloom.

Pathfinder Online is a baby. Heck, the baby isn't even born yet. It is in its early gestation period. There is a ton of work needed to get it to market. We want you along for the ride and we want to be upfront about it. So take a deep breath and sit back and relax. I think many of you will really like what we have planned. Some of you won't, and that is totally cool also. We can't be all things for all people. Just like the Reaper minis or WizKids minis or even PaizoCon aren't for everyone, so Pathfinder Online won't scratch everyone's itch. For us to be successful, it doesn't have to.

Trust. That is all I am asking for right now. :)

-Lisa

*screaming fangasm*

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG

High-damage builds aren't really my forte, but this I can do.

I actually worked on an idea similar to Davor's a couple months ago when considering a replacement character for our PF campaign. My original idea doesn't include the Steel Falcon, but I thought it'd add nicely.

Right-hand Manny
Human Paladin 4 / Cavalier 4 / Steel Falcon 2
Oathbound Paladin: Loyalty
Musketeer AND Honor Guard Cavalier (just 'cause guns are fun)
Order of the Star, Paladin of Torag

Manny's a good guy and the consummate bodyguard. It's hard to catch him unaware, and he can provide a huge boost to one ally. By sacrificing his own attacks, he can bolster one party member's AC by +14 in any given round, for up to 4 rounds (and grants a +6 sacred bonus to that person's saving throws as well).

-- He selects an ally as his ward (for Honor Guard) and to give his Oath of Loyalty to; this grants a +6 sacred bonus to AC, +1 dodge bonus to AC, and +6 sacred bonus to saving throws for that ally.

-- When adjacent to any ally (including his ward), three times per round (due to Combat Reflexes) Manny can use attacks of opportunity to bolster his ally's AC by +5, combining Superior Aid with the Intercept ability.

-- When channeling positive energy using the variant, Manny grants all targets he chooses (deducting up to 6 targets who are not allies) a +2 channel bonus to AC until the end of Manny's next turn. He can only do this 4x/day, using all his lay on hands abilities.

+14 AC bonus: +6 sacred, +1 dodge, +5 aid another, +2 channel. Without channel, +12 AC bonus and those will last for up to 1 minute. Don't forget the +6 to saves.

In addition, Manny can provide a way for allies to get away from harm via the Escape Route teamwork feat, can bolster his own attacks via Calling or reroll any one d20 roll each day, and pretend to be a bard w/ inspire courage for up to 8 rounds per day.

He's got good HP, DR 2/--, great saves, Perception +12 and Diplomacy +17, can speak quite a few languages, and he'll even take a hit for the ward via In Harm's Way if he has to.

Encounter Pack: Misfit Monsters Redeemed.

This product is in final layout. I expect it to go off to the printers before the end of next week.

Cover Image by Hugo Solis
Roughly 300 page hardcover black and white interior.

Hey, look. I really try not to complain too much in life, but I brought my car in TWO WEEKS ago, and still nothing. Sure I got a lot of fancy books and game aids that have provided hours of entertainment, but that’s not going to get me to work and back. When can I expect my tire repairs to take place?

Oh, and while I’m here, I think you guys totally nerfed the Pirelli all-season line which now doesn’t interact well with the aspect ratio. Also, I think I found an error on a previous set of tires. What reads “P215/65R 15 95H M+S” should show “P215/65R 16 95H M+S”

Thanks.

Many of you may have noticed this as the final page in the Wayfinder #5 PDF, but just in case you didn't:

Pack your gear, grab your boots of the winterlands, and prepare your endure elements spell; it’s time to head North! To the lands where the Ulfen rule, and have ruled for ages! Visit the ancient mead halls, and hear the stories from the great warriors: of great battles with Irrisen’s blue trolls and icy fey; of the savage hunts for the linnorm; of the times of the raiders, plunders of the western coast; of the strange and eerie places where this world meets the First World. Come, pull up a chair by the Great Fire, and tell your tale!

Goal
The goal for the fanzine is to create a collection of fan-created articles and supporting art set in Paizo’s Pathfinder Chronicles world of Golarion. Wayfinder #6 will be focusing on the one of the northernmost realms: the Lands of the Linnorm Kings! Please use the Inner Sea World Guide as your main reference (as well as that handy-dandy PathfinderWiki)! In the case of a plethora of articles on similar subjects, preference will be given to articles that follow this theme. As always, crunch, fiction, and flavor articles are welcome! In addition, writers can submit to one of several regular series featured in Wayfinder:

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*Nervously looks into thread*

Just wanted to say that I'll be picking up a few of these and I'm looking forward to product line and wanted to say thank you for making this available and I'll be fighting the urge to use left over financial aid money on the figures ;-)

*ducks out*

The point is I don't remotely see how selling minis that give no benefit for a game other than character representation would encourage people to buy the game they are representing characters for. There is no driving incentive. For D&D/PF players to buy the minis? Some in that they want character representation. For people buying the minis to spontaneously deciding to pick up rule books for a game they (a) aren't playing and (b) can find the rules for free online simply because they bought character minis is ridiculous.

Thankfully, reality is not dependent upon your limited ability to understand or perceive it. Again, you'd have to accept the base assumption that your opinions are not universally held, which, I realize, is well outside what your ego can handle.

Because clearly someone else's opinion is worth more than my opinion because you agree with them and are a fanboy of the company.

Oh, Carty. I've already refuted your alleged points many times over. As have others. Sure, there's an actual argument underlying what you're saying, but you don't have any data to support it other than your over-inflated sense of self-importance. It's sad really. Reminds me of the old chestnut about being silent and letting everyone believe you are a fool instead of speaking to remove all doubt.

And yet, you keep speaking. Each time with nothing to offer except your unfounded, self-serving beliefs about the operation of the hobby market. A topic about which you have no background, authority, or credibility. Worse, you somehow believe that the volume and constant repetition of your Very Important Opinion renders you a greater expert than the company that has been most successful at marketing PPMs because of some minor distinction in the type of product. I imagine you also believe you are better than Apple at selling tablet computers with blue plastic cases because Apple only has experience selling tablet computers with white or black plastic cases.

You've lost, the home auidence knows you've lost, why not just admit defeat and quit backing yourself into illogical and indefensible corners based on your "understanding" of what price point constitutes an impulse buy for any particular set of consumers. You don't know anything of substance about this topic and, while neither do many of the others posting on this thread, we at least have the humility and self-awareness to acknowledge the limitations of our expertise.

Frankly, given your view on the Pathfinder rpg's lack of merit, and it's astounding success, I'm somewhat surprised that you haven't grown more cautious in spouting off. Maybe constantly being wrong has made you numb to the sensation. Maybe the wonder of the myopic universe you inhabit allows you to ignore reality. Or, maybe you just live to annoy other people, and these forums allow you an outlet for that. I guess everyone needs a hobby.

I suggest Pathfinder. It's a fun game.

read that as well....it goes with a rumor I was hearing that Hasbro is trying to do something with Paizo.

Oh, oh, oh...please tell! Hopefully they will pay me enough money to buy that island in the Caribbean that I have been eyeing. Should only cost $100 million or so. :)

-Lisa

I have said this before in other threads, but it bears repeating in this thread. We give each of our books the same tender-loving treatment. Doing less books wouldn't change anything other than having to layoff excess staff members, because we would give the exact same tender-loving treatment with the less books that we are right now. Nobody is giving any book less editing or development than they would if we only published one book per year.

So why are some books "worse" than other books? Well, think about it in game terms. When you develop or edit a book, you make your develop or edit rolls. Sometimes you roll really high and hit it out of the park. Sometimes you roll low and what comes out isn't up to your usual par. Developers and Editors have good days and bad days, just like anybody else. With more products on the schedule, you just have more chances for having that "bad roll" than you would if there were less products. But the bad rolls would happen even if there was one product coming out per year. Looking back, you have to be pretty impressed with the rate that we hit things out of the park vs. not being up to snuff. My staff members have pretty high numbers in their skills. :)

Having done both development and editing on many books, I can tell you how hard it is. You will read through a book five times and then it gets released and everyone starts finding all the errors that you swear weren't there. I used to keep my edited books with all my red marks just to prove that those errors weren't there. Most of the time, the actually were there. But other times, I found that the writers had snuck in to the finished and edited manuscript to get a few more paragraphs in. Heck, there was actually a product which listed me as "Lisa Steven, Editer" in it. Not kidding. Of course, I hadn't edited that particular product. :)

Back on subject, it is a fallacy that errors in products or the quality of the product has anything to do with the schedule. I know that gamers love to think that they are connected, but they really aren't.

-Lisa

Removed a bunch of crap. Calling another member of the community a "f+%!ing troll" is not acceptable.

I'm giving this thread the I'm-fixin'-to-lock-it-down stinkeye. Not sure what purpose it serves.

In my experience, first off... High level play is NOT unplayable.

It IS, though, a LOT harder if you just jump in with high level characters.

Play characters organically from 1st level on up to high level, with the same GM and the same group, over the course of a campaign, and it's a LOT easier. Since you have a lot more time to learn the characters and learn the other players' characters.

As this is clearly the "Asian" Bestiary, I'm guessing imperial dragons are "Asian"/lung dragons.

It's actually the "International" bestiary. We'll have a lot of monsters from Inuit lore, Norwegian lore, Arabian lore, Asian lore, Russian lore, etc. (Not much from Africa, since we did a lot of that stuff in Serpent's Skull and that AP was too recent—its monsters missed the "cut off" for inclusion in this one, but if we do Bestiary 4 next year... there ya go.)

Gnot Gninjas, Liz's table, emerged victorious. We had two really amazingly knowledgeable people, I rode coattails and gave one answer. Given the narrow margin of victory, though, and the fact that I was the only one who knew that Codwin I is ruler of Andoran, I still felt like I participated in an important way.

Totally randomly, I play an insane Alchemist who thinks he's Codwin I in kobold cleavers "play anything" PbP. Came in WAY handy.

Ha! You helped out a bunch, especially with confirming when we were unsure. I would say that we had one really knowledgeable person (Justin Sluder, who could have gotten at least a 20 out of 50 on his lonesome), then you, me, and Robert Lambertz were a solid backup tier two, without any one of which we would have had no chance. Still really shocked that we beat out tables like Clark's table with all those freelancers together.

Gnot Gninjas for-gnever!

James Jacobs wrote:

Lord Gadigan wrote:

...She is one of two Runelords confirmed as being epic level (the other being Xanderghul, who is even higher level than she is).

Actually... Alaznist is in that category too, although only just barely.

On that topic...is there an official ranking of any kind of the relative power of the various Runelords, in terms of level/CR?

Not in print, but I've got a list in my head that looks something like this, starting with the most powerful runelord at position #1 and counting down to the least powerful one at position #7, with position #4 being the only runelord we have nailed down with a CR score (CR 20).

1: Xhanderghul (pride)
2: Sorshen (lust)
3: Alaznist (wrath)
4: Karzoug (greed)
5: Zutha (gluttony)
6: Belimarius (envy)
7: Krune (sloth)

Oh, also? Fans of the Runelords will be interested to know that we've got illustrations of Sorshen and Xanderghul for the first time in the upcoming "Inner Sea Magic."

Even Paizo's latest attempt is just another half hearted dip of the toe into the market that is going to fail.

Wanna bet?