I'm still kind of curious how come this adventure went from 1 author to 3 :)

Wow I think I'm in love with the cover girl lol

Another dominant female red mantis assassin.

Do the red mantis assassin females kill the red mantis assassin males after mating? Is this why there are no male red mantis assassins with names?

I guess they kind of are the Golarion version of "red shirts."

I do hope we'll see more important Mwangi characters as this goes on.

You should definitely see some in the chapter I wrote...provided everything makes it through development, of course. And I suspect some of the other authors drew on a few here and there, as well.

I do hope we'll see more important Mwangi characters as this goes on. I'm still kind of miffed at the severe lack of Mwangi character art in the Mwangi Expanse book. I had really been looking forward to seeing the wide range and wild variance of culture amongst them visually represented in that book.

(the one time Mwangi are seen, they're shooting arrows at the iconics from the shore.... :( )

There are indeed several important Mwangi characters in the adventure. There's one in the first adventure, in fact. And several more in the adventures to come.

It is, alas, somewhat unfortunate that some artists, when you ask for someone who looks African, default to white guys. Very frustrating. Especially when the art comes in too late to do much to change it.

Another dominant female red mantis assassin.

Do the red mantis assassin females kill the red mantis assassin males after mating? Is this why there are no male red mantis assassins with names?

I guess they kind of are the Golarion version of "red shirts."

While the Red Mantis Assassins don't particularly ban males from positions of power... they sort of do unofficially. And it's also because of the legend that the mantis kills and eats her mate kind of got carried over into the Red Mantis society.

What exactly happens to men in the Red Mantis who get to high ranking positions has yet to be revealed, in other words.

I'm still kind of curious how come this adventure went from 1 author to 3 :)

Because it took three authors to write it.

Gorbacz wrote:

I'm still kind of curious how come this adventure went from 1 author to 3 :)

Because it took three authors to write it.

Thus, it shall be three times as awesome! ;-)

Zeugma wrote:

The half-elf Red Mantis is very sexy. But I'm wondering why all the face characters on the covers so far are melanin-impoverished? I understand they're NPCs, but for an AP set in Mwangi, they're awfully lily white.

I hope they packed sunblock.

Because of the nature of Sargava, which is a Chelish colony. The factions all hail from this colony, and all represent intruders of a sort into the Mwangi expanse; the locals aren't as interested in discovering an ancient city in their own back yard as they are, perhaps, in either living life or even getting these various factions out of their land.

Walkena does not approve of these pale-faced foreigners. When the invaders are slain, then we will explore the cities of our ancestors in proper Mwangi style.

I believe that Red Mantis elf will not hold out long in our jungles; leather doesn't breathe well in tropical climates.
MUAHAHAHAHA!

May Walkena smile on our cause.

This one's going to be VERY inspired by Indiana Jones AND by the old 1st edition module "Dwellers of the Forbidden City."

For what it's worth, I was considering letting my subscription lapse until I read those words.

You should definitely see some in the chapter I wrote...provided everything makes it through development, of course. And I suspect some of the other authors drew on a few here and there, as well.

Aces! Looking forward to that!

It is, alas, somewhat unfortunate that some artists, when you ask for someone who looks African, default to white guys. Very frustrating. Especially when the art comes in too late to do much to change it.

Grah! I understand the deadline limitation frustrations. Just crack the whip on those artists a few times for me, please? ;)

It's just something I hope the art department tries to avoid in the future.

It's not really the art department's fault; we specifically chose the characters for the covers to be representatives of the various "outlander" factions who have an interest in the region. And normally, I like to think we're pretty good at covering various types of ethnicities on our covers... this time it just didn't work out that way.

It's not really the art department's fault; we specifically chose the characters for the covers to be representatives of the various "outlander" factions who have an interest in the region. And normally, I like to think we're pretty good at covering various types of ethnicities on our covers... this time it just didn't work out that way.

Oh no, I'm not really complaining about the Serpent's Skull covers. My gripe was mainly with Heart of the Jungle, really, along with the added worry that Heart of the Jungle was pretty much the big chance to see the Mwangi fully explored visually, and with that opportunity being shot they might not ever get a chance like that again. (s'why I spoilered it, so as not to sour the thread for this product. :) )

Still, trust me, the efforts are deeply appreciated. Golarion is one of the few fantasy RPG settings I've seen that remembers that "black people" aren't one single ethnicity. That's one of the things I love about it.

James Jacobs wrote:

Gorbacz wrote:

I'm still kind of curious how come this adventure went from 1 author to 3 :)

Because it took three authors to write it.

Thus, it shall be three times as awesome! ;-)

Is it because it is that complicated, or did someone drop the ball ?

NSpicer wrote:

James Jacobs wrote:

Gorbacz wrote:

I'm still kind of curious how come this adventure went from 1 author to 3 :)

Because it took three authors to write it.

Thus, it shall be three times as awesome! ;-)

Is it because it is that complicated, or did someone drop the ball ?

That's not something we generally share with the public.

Gorbacz wrote:

NSpicer wrote:

James Jacobs wrote:

Gorbacz wrote:

I'm still kind of curious how come this adventure went from 1 author to 3 :)

Because it took three authors to write it.

Thus, it shall be three times as awesome! ;-)

Is it because it is that complicated, or did someone drop the ball ?

That's not something we generally share with the public.

Luckily, your skill at writing between the lines never fails, James (and that's a honest compliment !).

Here's to hoping that with your and Rob's talents the adventure will deliver.

(Also, here's to hoping that you quit experimenting with untested writers in APs and first try them out in PFS.)

(Also, more Pett. And please, please, let Todd Stewart write an adventure once, even if it means a 200-page draft and SKR getting a heart attack).

Wow I think I'm in love with the cover girl lol

this artist is great

Wow I think I'm in love with the cover girl lol

I'm pretty sure it would *not* end well.

But he'd die happy!

My current biggest regret: that there's no easy way to slip in a froghemoth.

...what?

Given today's Blog, I'm guessing that there was success?

One question: If we the Red Mantis leader statted out in this installment, has there been some sort of update to the Red Mantis PrC for Pathfinder somewhere already, or will this be in the AP itself?

One question: If we the Red Mantis leader statted out in this installment, has there been some sort of update to the Red Mantis PrC for Pathfinder somewhere already, or will this be in the AP itself?

The update, IIRC, will be in the new Campaign Setting book coming out early next year.

-Lisa

One question: If we the Red Mantis leader statted out in this installment, has there been some sort of update to the Red Mantis PrC for Pathfinder somewhere already, or will this be in the AP itself?

Yup; as Lisa mentions, the Red Mantis prestige class will be updated in next Feburary's "World Guide: The Inner Sea," the revised 2nd printing of our campaign setting. The stats for the red mantis assassin that appear in Pathfinder #33 utilize these updated rules, although there may still be a few minor things that change with the class before it finally sees print early next year.

So, folks will have all the rules they need to play this character in their game, but will have to wait until early next year to build their own updated red mantis assassins. The changes are pretty minor, though, so you can also go ahead and keep using the previous book's version without much worry.

GeraintElberion wrote:

So, will the whole AP be a race/contest against other groups?

Nope. Parts of the AP will be, but not the entire AP. But the element of "be the first to discover and explore the legendary lost city of Saventh-Yhi" is going to be one of the AP's central themes.

This one's going to be VERY inspired by Indiana Jones AND by the old 1st edition module "Dwellers of the Forbidden City."

Wow! I still have that module...what a trip.

There are indeed several important Mwangi characters in the adventure. There's one in the first adventure, in fact. And several more in the adventures to come.

It is, alas, somewhat unfortunate that some artists, when you ask for someone who looks African, default to white guys. Very frustrating. Especially when the art comes in too late to do much to change it.

After getting the Second AP. I can see what you mean. Seems like some got confused between Native Americans and Africans..

So was Jask supposed to be Mwangi? The state line list him as Gaurndi.

-Remoh

James Jacobs wrote:

There are indeed several important Mwangi characters in the adventure. There's one in the first adventure, in fact. And several more in the adventures to come.

It is, alas, somewhat unfortunate that some artists, when you ask for someone who looks African, default to white guys. Very frustrating. Especially when the art comes in too late to do much to change it.

After getting the Second AP. I can see what you mean. Seems like some got confused between Native Americans and Africans..

So was Jask supposed to be Mwangi? The state line list him as Gaurndi.

-Remoh

Jask is supposed to be Garundi.

And yeah... art is hard to handle at times.

The update, IIRC, will be in the new Campaign Setting book coming out early next year.

-Lisa

Yup; as Lisa mentions, the Red Mantis prestige class will be updated in next Feburary's "World Guide: The Inner Sea," the revised 2nd printing of our campaign setting. The stats for the red mantis assassin that appear in Pathfinder #33 utilize these updated rules, although there may still be a few minor things that change with the class before it finally sees print early next year.

So, folks will have all the rules they need to play this character in their game, but will have to wait until early next year to build their own updated red mantis assassins. The changes are pretty minor, though, so you can also go ahead and keep using the previous book's version without much worry.

Thanks, good to know. :) Am I to assume that the Red Mantis PrC will keep their spellcasting, then?

Lisa Stevens wrote:

The update, IIRC, will be in the new Campaign Setting book coming out early next year.

-Lisa

James Jacobs wrote:

Yup; as Lisa mentions, the Red Mantis prestige class will be updated in next Feburary's "World Guide: The Inner Sea," the revised 2nd printing of our campaign setting. The stats for the red mantis assassin that appear in Pathfinder #33 utilize these updated rules, although there may still be a few minor things that change with the class before it finally sees print early next year.

So, folks will have all the rules they need to play this character in their game, but will have to wait until early next year to build their own updated red mantis assassins. The changes are pretty minor, though, so you can also go ahead and keep using the previous book's version without much worry.

Thanks, good to know. :) Am I to assume that the Red Mantis PrC will keep their spellcasting, then?

Yes. They'll keep their spellcasting.

It is, alas, somewhat unfortunate that some artists, when you ask for someone who looks African, default to white guys. Very frustrating. Especially when the art comes in too late to do much to change it.

On that topic (flog that horse): Is it just me, or does Kyra look even paler than getting tossed into a bunch of cannibals' cooking pot calls for (on page 30 of PF 37)?

Yes. They'll keep their spellcasting.

Thanks, once again. :) Interesting, that makes them quite distinct from the normal Assassin PrC.

Hope we get this soon. I can't put off my PC's facing the Bekyar Witch Woman in our campaign for much longer.

I have to say, while in general the adventure paths have been getting better and better, this one is really getting my juices flowing.

Shipwrecks, lost cities, evil serpent men, factional rivalries..it really is an amalgum of all my favorite adventure tropes.

Now, if you guys only include a key like medallion, that one of the other fcations chief minions gets burned into his hand so they can keep up with the PC's in tracking the Ark..er..Coffer of Blasting.., well, all will be good.

Anyone know an EXACT DATE of release of this product?

Until the books are actually present in the Paizo warehouse, "late october" is going to be as exact as anyone can be.

Anyone know an EXACT DATE of release of this product?

Given that we haven't even gotten our "going to ship in the next week or so" email, I'd guess this won't be out until early November.

Berselius wrote:

Anyone know an EXACT DATE of release of this product?

Given that we haven't even gotten our "going to ship in the next week or so" email, I'd guess this won't be out until early November.

We're still anticipating late October.

We're still anticipating late October.

That's the good thing about being a pessimist - I'm never dissappointed.

What about the PDF Vic? Same time?

Also, I don't suppose you could possible squeeze the new Oracle Ju-Ju Mystery into the next Ultimate Magus Playtest Round?

What about the PDF Vic? Same time?

Subscribers get their free PDF when we fulfill their subscriber copy; non-subscribers have to wait until the retail release date to purchase a PDF, though. Like the subscriber ship date, that date isn't set until the product is in our warehouse, and we generally choose a Wednesday about two weeks away from when the subscriber copies start going out.

What about the PDF Vic? Same time?

Also, I don't suppose you could possible squeeze the new Oracle Ju-Ju Mystery into the next Ultimate Magus Playtest Round?

Nope.

The Ju-Ju mystery is not part of a playtest.

Berselius wrote:

What about the PDF Vic? Same time?

Also, I don't suppose you could possible squeeze the new Oracle Ju-Ju Mystery into the next Ultimate Magus Playtest Round?

Nope.

The Ju-Ju mystery is not part of a playtest.

Should we take that as a hint that it will be in a book though?

It's probably going to be like the Pestilence sorcerer bloodline - exclusive to the particular issue of Pathfinder it's in until the issue goes out of print.

It's probably going to be like the Pestilence sorcerer bloodline - exclusive to the particular issue of Pathfinder it's in until the issue goes out of print.

Whether or not the pestilence or the ju-ju elements get into a hardcover is a complex matter entangled with multiple variables... but the chances of something like the ju-ju mystery getting into a hardcover only a few months after it first sees print are small.

Whether or not the pestilence or the ju-ju elements get into a hardcover is a complex matter entangled with multiple variables... but the chances of something like the ju-ju mystery getting into a hardcover only a few months after it first sees print are small.

Hmm, deduction time:

-Ultimate Magic will (hopefully) be out in April.
-James states that the juju oracle mystery will be published "a few months" before Ultimate Magic.
-A few months before April... That could be October!
-This volume of the AP has a section on juju.

Therefore, I deduce that the juju oracle mystery will be in none other than this very volume! And that Coronel Mustard did it with swordchucks in the library!

Subscribers get their free PDF when we fulfill their subscriber copy; non-subscribers have to wait until the retail release date to purchase a PDF, though. Like the subscriber ship date, that date isn't set until the product is in our warehouse, and we generally choose a Wednesday about two weeks away from when the subscriber copies start going out.

Um, okay...wait a sec. Let me see if I get this. Your saying subscribers get their PDF's as soon as the hard copies come into the warehouse but you intentionally wait TWO WEEKS after subscribers get their PDF's before allowing the PDF itself to be downloaded by non-subscribers? Is that it? If so, why do that? Does it take that long (aka two weeks) to make the PDF available for non-subscriber downloading?

Subscribers get their PDFs when their order ships and their credit card is charged, not when the stock gets to the warehouse, so it's less than two weeks delay.

As for delaying the PDF release, it's available as soon as the physical books are supposed to be available for sale. If people want it sooner than that, that's what the subscriptions are for.

I guess I'm basically asking for the reason why the non-subscribed PDF's are delayed for a longer period of time than even the non-subscribed Books themselves are. Is it because you guys/gals at Paizo have to put it up on the site?

I'm not one of the Paizo people, but I think the physical books are available for general sale from the site when they estimate that the local shipping time will get the books delivered to the customer on the official release date.

I'm pretty sure the PDF sales are on a 2 week delay so that Paizo can basically guarantee that subscribers get access to the books before non-subscribers.

I think a lot of subscribers would be a bit annoyed if subscribing resulted in them getting access to the adventures after non-subscribers. Some would probably get so annoyed that they would drop their subscription, which is obviously an outcome that Paizo want to avoid. Hence the (roughly) 2 week cushion.

Olaf the Stout

The main reason for the non-subscriber delay is to make the PDF release date equal with LGS street release date - if PDFs would be available 2 weeks ahead of normal book trade, stores and distributors would likely be really, really, REALLY p'd off.