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 Recent Posts
The first review (at least the first I've seen) for the Compendium is in. Check it out here! Anyone else that's picked it up have any comments?
The Behind the Spells series continues with the feather fall spell! This series examines those spells from the v3.5 SRD that are listed time and again on character sheets throughout gaming. These are the spells which, if on your character's class list, will be taken as soon as possible and include such quintessential favorites as magic missile and fireball. Each pdf in this series examines the spellcaster who created the spell, one or more of the spell's hidden capabilities, and possible variants for the spell. This issue includes two spell secrets, a new magical weapon quality (Floating) and a new spell (Feather Storm)! You can purchase BtS: Feather Fall right here: Paizo
The book is now up here at Paizo! Because of the delay, this site is now the only one you can get the 20% discount for the pdf for another whole week. So don't delay, buy Behind the Spells: Compendium today! In addition to the new book (in pdf and print), we've also opened up the Tricky Owlbear Emporium where you can get our corporate and series logos on various items. Just one more way to help your small third party publisher of 3.5 rules. :)
The print version of Behind the Spells: Compendium is now available at Lulu.com! Follow this link to get your softcover copy now: Tricky Owlbear's Lulu Store.Linkified for you, TOB. Many thanks! I tried and failed to linkify it but from now on I should be good. :)
At long last, the book many have been waiting for is finally available and just in time for Tricky Owlbear's 1st anniversary! Behind the Spells: Compendium presents the first 36 issues of the Behind the Spells series along with brand new content and behind-the-scenes comments by the author! As always, for each spell you get a history of the creator, at least two "spell secrets" (new rules for using the spell), and "related research" (new material which somehow relates to the spell or its creator). Whether you're a player or a GM, there's wealth of v3.5/OGL information in these pages just waiting to be unleashed at the game table. Why buy books packed with new spells when there is still so much that can be done with the classics? Get back to basics with Behind the Spells Compendium! As of this day, this title is only available as a pdf at the usual online venues and here at Paizo.com. But within the next week, you'll be able to purchase a print copy through Lulu.com (softcover and hardcover)! Watch for that announcement soon. Retail price for the pdf is $15 but in honor of our anniversary, we're offering it at 20% off (or $12) for the next week. Thanks to everyone for your support of the series over the last 3 years!
I say go for it as long as you don't mind the work and you think your players will appreciate it. Such a system also gives PC spellcasters little milestones to cherish as they gather precious "rare" spells into their personal libraries during adventures. My only suggestion is the way you're thinking of handling divine spells. Since it is the province of the character's deity alone to impart spell knowledge to mortals, might it not seem more fitting that any spell except common be awarded when a divine spellcaster achieves a deity-specific task? Example: The PC sun cleric single-handedly defeats a darkness-worshipping/themed creature/NPC/trap of equivalent level. As a reward, his deity might grant him knowledge of a previously "unknown" rare spell he can now pray for.\ Just a suggestion but the idea of a cleric reading up on new spells seems a bit off.
Thanks for the suggestion, Majuba! I've updated my profile to include that list of credits. However, I can't seem to edit that last post. I wonder what gives?
Thanks much for your time in putting a review together, Watcher! Much appreciated. And no problem about that comment. I totally understand a reluctance or concern about a publisher you've (probably) never really heard of before. I know we're pdf only at the moment but hopefully that will change over time. If it makes folks feel any better about the quality of our products, I've been tooling around the d20 industry way before the formation of Tricky Owlbear. As a way of introducing myself, Bret Boyd (hi!), here's a rundown of what I've been up to since 2002... 2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007 to present
Okay, let me tackle a few posts at once... Watcher: Still need an email that won't bounce back at me. :) Sharoth, Michael, and Matthew: When the time comes to take pre-orders, I'm going to be posting that fact here and elsewhere. To keep track of you folks now might prove a bit cumbersome but I'll see what I can do. Bill: Let me give you an example of a spell secret (an alternate way to use a spell. I'll quote a section of text from the Lightning Bolt issue... "Although natural lightning appears in a few different shapes, the classic spell only allows for one form—the bolt. The second spell secret presented allows the caster to take advantage of two other forms—jagged and forked—at the price of reduced range and, in the latter case, reduced damage. By succeeding a Spellcraft check (DC 18), you can change the effect of your lightning bolt to either a jagged or forked bolt. A jagged bolt’s maximum range is 30 feet but the effect is a 10-ft. wide line hitting all creatures within those spaces. The forked bolt launches two blasts of electricity in different directions but not directly opposite from each other (meaning a caster cannot throw one ahead and one behind him as both fire from the same fingertip). Each bolt inflicts half the normal damage of a regular lightning bolt and has a maximum range of 60 feet."
I'll send Wish to you shortly. You shouldn't feel obligated to leave a review but I'm not saying I don't appreciate the feedback. :) As for Charm Person, I'm sure we'll be getting to it before too long.
Overall, I'd give Behind the spells:magic missile an 8 out of 10.(Would that translate to a 4 out of 5 stars?) (Hint hint) Wow, I didn't expect official full-fledged reviews to pop up from this (especially so quickly). Thanks, Chris, for your time HERE!
That's fast reading, there, Farthing! I appreciate the comments and your time. Are you normally more of a crunch-hungry person? The even amount of words between the fiction and mechanics has worked well thus far but can always be adjusted.
When the hardcopy comes out, please let me know; I'd hate to miss it. Thanks, Chris! When we're ready to take pre-orders, I'll be posting that fact to the various forums. Given the current slow market for 3.5/OGL products, I'm hoping we even get close to selling all 100. :) So if you keep your eyes open in the next few weeks, you should be in good shape.
Aw, what the heck. You can have one too, Fatespinner. If a couple more folks want a freebie too (say, up to 4 more people), then I'd be happy to oblige. The only thing I ask in return is that you drop me a line here to say how you liked/hated the pdf. The series is still going and, as such, any comments are welcome. Thanks!
Magic Missile is definitely iconic--it was, in fact, the very first issue to hit the pdf shelves. As such, I was still grasping for just the right balance of fluff-to-crunch. Some reviews claim it a bit lacking in the latter department thus this spell has been expanded for the print Compendium. I should note that reviews for many of the spells can be found here for those interested.
Since you've never heard of Tricky Owlbear, all the more reason to give you a free preview! We only formed in July of last year and have, until recently, been focusing on ENWorld, RPGNow, and YourGamesNow. But now that we're part of the Paizo community, I wanted to flex some PR muscle here. Dispel Magic is a good choice because it's a little more meaty in content than most. When I thought the series was coming to an end for good (it did under Ronin Arts anyway), I left this spell for last since it deals with the origins of not only that spell but with the emergence of a certain iconic demon-prince of undeath (which I thought would make a fun finale). Any references to it being the final issue can be ignored since I rebooted the series under the Tricky Owlbear name.
I wouldn't hold multiple aliases against you...unless I found out! :) Behind the Spells was originally published under Ronin Arts but when I started up Tricky Owlbear the series copyright remained with me. What I'm getting at is that your choice--Sanctuary--is the first of the new look under TOP. Um, but I will need an email to send it to. :) Or, you can just email me directly: bret (dot) boyd (at) trickyowlbear.com
Well, you could say it's both a "history of" and a "mechanics-y" series. The first section of each pdf takes a look at the story of how the spell was created (in fictional terms, of course, but I do include one or more easter egg-like nods to D&D canon if a spell is radically changed from earlier editions to 3e). The second section--"spell secrets"--gives at least two ways to use the spell differently (usually by succeeding a Spellcraft check of varying difficulty). The third section--"related research"--describes at least two new spells/magic items/etc. that grow naturally from the spell's backstory (or are variants of the spell in question). You know, Molech, it occurs to me that many folks on the boards here might be like you and not know anything about the Behind the Spells series. To rectify that, I'll give away one pdf of your choice to you and the next 5 different posters in this thread. Just post your interest and any other questions about the series below (along with your email address), and I'll send one pdf your way. How easy is that? :) You can browse through the 38 available pdfs HERE! Bret Boyd
Layout is nearly complete for the print version of the first 36 Behind the Spells issues. As of now, the book weighs in at 112 pages and will likely retail for $18.95. While you're waiting for its release, here's a preview of the front and back covers! This, our first print book, has truly been a labor of love and I thank everyone who's mentioned that they are still waiting patiently for it. :)
Tricky Owlbear Publishing, Inc. is pleased to announce that our two Treasure Chests releases are now available here at Paizo! These PDFs, written by Bret Boyd, presents a total of 20 treasure chests that GMs can use to store treasure or use as treasure. As with the first volume, this pdf includes both magical and mundane treasure chests. Each entry lists the chest's physical description, defenses, and quirks. Volume 1 features the following types of chests: Adventuring Warchest, Antler Chest, Camouflage Chest, Element Box, Footlocker, Great Ark, Moon Chest, Sarcophagus, Scroll Chest, and the Training Chest. Volume 2 features the following types of chests: Clan Chest, Coin-Scatter Coffer, Decoy Chest, Earth Chest, Heraldry Chest, Oracle Chest, Sailor's Chest, Straw Box, Traveler's Chest, and the Watch Chest! Treasure Chests and Treasure Chests: Volume 2 each retail for $2.00 and can be purchased here: Volume 1, Volume 2. Please Note: The first Treasure Chests pdf is listed as a new release here at Paizo but this is actually the old pdf (as seen at RPGNow and YGN) in our new format. So, if you already own the original, don't let the new look fool you. :)
Wow, thanks for the great review, Fizz! As to your comments concerning the middle section, that would be our stab at making this series as useful to players as it is to GMs. The OGC bits in the boxes I could see as special wisdom imparted by a crippled veteran in a village before the PCs go to face the owlbear (or whatever monster they're asking about). The section was definitely not done in haste but, I can tell you, was the most difficult to write for. Thanks again for your thoughts. Bret
Thanks for the look, Fizz. I hope it does well by everyone. You know how the first of any series tends to be a bit bumpy as you grasp for just the right format. Speaking of which, if you like the format, it's pretty similar to the Behind the Spells series which may also interest you.
Here is a tentative roster of releases for Tricky Owlbear (so you can get your dollars ready!). These products, like the rest of our catalog, are v3.5/OGL, and are subject to change. April
May/June
July and beyond
Yay, the rocky and the fibrous! I'll definitely be picking them up. I'm dropping a couple of these in my cart now, and will certainly be picking the two mentioned above when they are out. One question, though, are Vegepygmy OGL? Thanks, Gavgoyle. Yes, Vegepygmy are OGL (as are many other classic critters we'll be doing) thanks to Necromancer Games' Tome of Horrors.
Hey there, BD. Thanks for the praise (again, as I recall you mentioning it on ENWorld)! I'm working on Gargoyle right now and noted Goodman Games DCC writer Mike Ferguson is penning demi-lich and vegepygmy. We're also thinking of expanding the pdfs to include--for example--a sample lair. Any suggestions you have for the line are greatly appreciated as well. Bret
Small but mighty pdf publisher Tricky Owlbear Publishing, Inc. is proud to now sell our wares right here: http://paizo.com/store/downloads/trickyOwlbearPublishing Best known for investigating the world's most famous fantasy game's monster and spell histories, Tricky Owlbear brings the "Behind the Monsters" and "Behind the Spells" lines (as well as our other releases) to Paizo.com! We hope to, before too long, have the older BtS releases transferred to under our umbrella. Haven't heard of us? Try out the FREE "Behind the Monsters: Owlbear" pdf here: http://paizo.com/store/downloads/trickyOwlbearPublishing/v5748btpy82qm Bret Boyd
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