Pathfinder Adventure Path: Rise of the Runelords Anniversary Edition (PFRPG)

Thanks for your clear and helpful answers, Enlight. I'd actually managed to answer the questions myself, by using the "Search this Thread" tool at the top, and was coming back to post what I'd found when I saw your reply.

Note to self (and others): use the Search tool before posting!

How well do the new classes from the APG & ultimates hold up in this revised edition? Are they mostly unsupported, or have they now become almost mandatory to cover all challenges in the AP.

Before I run this I want to know which books I should allow for an appropriate challenge.

There is nothing really in here beyond the APG, so you can easily run this AP without allowing the ultimates if you want everything to be on even ground. Honestly, there's not a ton added from the APG either, but they did rework a couple characters into APG classes and the like.

I'm currently running this AP with a group that meets roughly once a month, so it's been a long, ongoing campaign. When we started, I only allowed them use of the CRB because that's all the baddies had access to, and when the AE came out, I let them respec all their characters to include APG content, as that's now been introduced. I still don't allow anything from other books beside those two hardcovers, and my players are doing just fine (despite not being overly optimized as a group: I have a human undead sorcerer, an elf infernal sorcerer, a gnome monk, and a gnome druid).

I asked about this on the forums, but haven't really received a response. It's regarding the Interactive maps.

That post is in reference to our regular adventure paths. I still have some confirming to do *if* we're going to be releasing the extra bits for this product as a separate PDF product for purchase.

I'm wondering if the Interactive Maps are being released as a separate PDF like those from the other APs. $42 is fair for the PDF of the adventure but I don't need the adventure (having purchased the Deluxe edition) and really just want the maps.

Sorry, but I don't know where else to post this. I love ROTRL! It's a great adventure path. I can't run it fast enough for my players to suit my needs. So since I like writing so much, I created 5 pcs and I would write about them going through it. It would be like a novel written in 1st person. The question is am I allowed to post their stories on my own personal journal online? When you think of it I'm just giving paizo free advertising but I want to clear the legal aspects up. I have read the community use policy and I think I'm allowed but I want to be sure. Thanks.

Dragios,
As long as it does not contain any proprietary information on the books such as stat blocks and the like. You are fine to post journals :)

Might want to make a spoiler thing or two as well.. just in case someone comes there to read them and is playing it :)

Glad you are enjoying it.. I can hardly wait to run it myself :)

Cool. I'm going to novelize the AP and see how it turns out.

Cool. I'm going to novelize the AP and see how it turns out.

See this post.

I was wondering if a lite version of the PDF is available with the PDF purchase. This is a HUGE book, so I'm concerned about it being able to be loaded smoothly on my iPad. Thanks!

I was wondering if a lite version of the PDF is available with the PDF purchase. This is a HUGE book, so I'm concerned about it being able to be loaded smoothly on my iPad. Thanks!

I'm using a light version of the RotRL Anniversary Edition.

benfromidaho wrote:

I was wondering if a lite version of the PDF is available with the PDF purchase. This is a HUGE book, so I'm concerned about it being able to be loaded smoothly on my iPad. Thanks!

I'm using a light version of the RotRL Anniversary Edition.

The PDF version does include Lite versions.

Nix Tharel wrote:

benfromidaho wrote:

I was wondering if a lite version of the PDF is available with the PDF purchase. This is a HUGE book, so I'm concerned about it being able to be loaded smoothly on my iPad. Thanks!

I'm using a light version of the RotRL Anniversary Edition.

The PDF version does include Lite versions.

Thanks! I figured I'd ask since some of my PDFs from Paizo in my downloads section have Lite equivalents and some do not.

Liz Courts wrote:

Nix Tharel wrote:

benfromidaho wrote:

I was wondering if a lite version of the PDF is available with the PDF purchase. This is a HUGE book, so I'm concerned about it being able to be loaded smoothly on my iPad. Thanks!

I'm using a light version of the RotRL Anniversary Edition.

The PDF version does include Lite versions.

Thanks! I figured I'd ask since some of my PDFs from Paizo in my downloads section have Lite equivalents and some do not.

The general rule is that Hardcovers do, softcovers don't. The resources to create a lite file are not inconsiderable, so they're held back to the big releases.

Currently playing RotRL. We're in the middle of Book 1, I think. My monk/sorc has already managed to kill a party member. Stupid rage puddles. >_<

I know this has been brought up a bazillion times on here, but I'd just like to add my vote in for an updated version of CotCT. I've been on the fence about running it for a long time. It's a great story but the amount of work required to convert all those enemies and XP gains is a little daunting. Perhaps I'm just being lazy, but with work and everything else I have to do, I really don't want to have to set aside more time to ready an adventure, especially one that's supposed to be pre-made.

I think you'd have better sales than you think on a hardcover CotCT. That's just me though. If you make it, I will buy it. The end. :D

As always, keep up the good work guys.

I second, what Apoc Golem is saying. I would buy it, if it was converted to the new rules. I bought the hardback anniversary version of rise of the runelords and would do the same with this adventure path.

Paizo arent concerned that such a book wouldnt sell - they're concerned that people will buy it instead of whichever AP is currently being released. Also, the more compilations they do (no matter how carefully they explain it), the more likely people are to stop buying the APs so they can "wait for the compilation".

It's very unlikely to happen except in extremely unusual circumstances (like those surrounding the RorRL update).

Paizo has pretty clearly said they have no plans to do any more hardcover compilations of (past) APs in the foreseeable future.

The reasons are *not* a concern about how well the hardcovers would sell.. and I think they are confident that such a compilation of Curse of the Crimson Throne would indeed sell quite well.

The main issue is what message that sends to people. It gives the impression that if people wait, they can get a hardcover. So that means fewer people would subscribe to the APs as they come out. Those would be the people who really prefer a compiled hardcover.

The problem is that Paizo's business is based on the monthly revenue from those AP volumes. Anything that encourages people to not subscribe is bad for Paizo's business, and that's something Paizo's management is not going to do.

EDIT: Ninja'd! :)

I know what your talking about guys, but we can still dream. I know they have to make money on the new stuff, instead of the old stuff but it would be cool, regardless. We are just living in a pipe dream, but alas I have awaken, but only momentarily, lol.

Yeah, it would be cool. :)

It's nonetheless good to point out the reasons that it's not likely to happen for those reading more casually. Likely speculation about other APs was a reason against doing even this one.

That's something I very much understand, you don't want to compete against yourself, but CotCT being a 3.5 campaign, it could sure use a nice update to Pathfinder >.>

This isn't something I'd want them to do for all of their APs.

One can dream!!

Apoc, the best way to convert things I've found is HeroLab. It makes it quick and easy, though it is expensive if you buy it all at once. But I love it and will never go back to converting by hand (plus I love the combat manager)

A few questions. Would it be recommended to purchase the hard copy, or the PDF. I've been reading only the last few pages of this forum and I see the PDF comes with maps. I'm not too familiar, but can you take these maps to a printing place and have them printed up? Would they be page by page print ups that you just line up together?

I'm looking to start using the big boy rules and plan on moving my group from the beginner box to the CRB. I homebrewed for a while with the beginner box but i want to see how it's really done so I figured this adventure path would be the best way to go. Any answers or advice is appreciated.

The maps that come with the PDF would be the same size as the ones in the book, just with interactivity (hiding secret doors, hiding grid, etc) - it really depends on play style. Me I like having a physical book to put post it notes in and bookmark and the like

With the various directions to post campaign setting rules questions to their product threads, I have a question on the blood money spell. Can it be used to cast spells that take longer than a round to cast? For example, Simulacrum. Can you just magic jar some strong creature, cast blood money, and then create a simulacrum for free?

Thanks!

You're aware of what JJ responded to a similar question over in the "Ask JJ all your questions" thread?

When you cast blood money, you do so with a swift action. You create the needed components, and must then IMMEDIATELY (in the same round) cast the spell you want to use those components with. You don't need to finish casting the spell in the same round, though; once you start casting the spell, the components (and the prepared spell itself) are committed and used.

Ruyan.

Well, yes. I did see that one. But I also saw the other post saying the opposite of that.

But when I went looking for that post, to make sure I wasn't crazy, I found this post which states that the post you quoted is incorrect, and that it doesn't work with spells that have a longer casting time.

I knew I should've searched a bit harder before asking!

Sounds more like I should've been more thorough in searching...

Ruyan.

my group just got done with part 3 glass and wrath in burnt offerings. there appears to be no reason for them to head to thistletop. the book just jumps straight to thistletop with no instruction of how to point them there. did i miss something? i wound up playing that Shalelu came back and recognized the dead goblins at glassworks as part of the thistletop tribe and she urged the party to investigate and gave them the location

my group just got done with part 3 glass and wrath in burnt offerings. there appears to be no reason for them to head to thistletop. the book just jumps straight to thistletop with no instruction of how to point them there. did i miss something? i wound up playing that Shalelu came back and recognized the dead goblins at glassworks as part of the thistletop tribe and she urged the party to investigate and gave them the location

Player handout 1-2 mentions Thistletop several times. It is discovered on Tsuto, who, if the PCs don't kill, can also be coerced into spilling the beans.

jimibones83 wrote:

my group just got done with part 3 glass and wrath in burnt offerings. there appears to be no reason for them to head to thistletop. the book just jumps straight to thistletop with no instruction of how to point them there. did i miss something? i wound up playing that Shalelu came back and recognized the dead goblins at glassworks as part of the thistletop tribe and she urged the party to investigate and gave them the location

Player handout 1-2 mentions Thistletop several times. It is discovered on Tsuto, who, if the PCs don't kill, can also be coerced into spilling the beans.

Ah yes, now that you mention it I did read that and forgot about it. tsuto got away in our game and in the commotion I forgot all about that journal. I guess I assumed it was on him but I should have placed it in the room he was sleeping in. next time I run this AP ill get that right. thanx for pointin that out to me:)

Even with the clues from Tsuto, I still had to encourage my party with Shalelu.

I'm running Glass and Wrath this weekend. Thanks for the heads up, I'll be sure to sneak the journal into the game somehow.

If Tsuto gets away and takes his journal with him, having Shalelu show up and suggest they check out Thistletop is certainly a cool way to keep things going.

Alternately, you could go with a more roundabout method—this was, in my original outline, how things were going to progress, but I tightened things up a bit because I didn't have room to add more stuff...

Basically, the runewell of Wrath is still going under Sandpoint, and after the events in the Glassworks are over, that sudden surge of wrath in town, in the original outline, was enough to get the runewell below town working overtime. It then started influencing some of Sandpoint's more wrathful citizens, in particular, Das Korvut (see area 15 of Sandpoint, "Red Dog Smithy"). Soon after the PCs finish off the Glassworks and are recovering from their adventures there, Das Korvut goes crazy and runs amok, and the PCs are there to try to catch him and prevent him from doing more damage. While they're facing him off, he was going to transform into a sinspawn right there before their eyes and attack, forcing the PCs to kill him. Investigating his home after this event, they were going to find his journal or otherwise learn that he'd been sleepwalking and sneaking down to the old tunnels—that, and other clues would lead the PCs to realize that there was something under Sandpoint that was causing problems. If they didn't, there would be more and more sinspawn transformations in town, and perhaps eventually one would come up from below and the PCs could track it back down to the Catacombs of Wrath. All of these would then basically be methods of luring the PCs down into the underground, where they would eventually encounter Erylyum and "turn off" the runewell to keep it from causing problems. There, they were also going to originally find the revelation that Nualia (who, remember, worked with Erylium for some time) is the main culprit, and using these clues would then move on to Thistletop.

Personally, as sad as I was to see the sinspawn transformation element go, I think that the relationship between Tsuto and Nualia is a much stronger way to lead the PCs on to the next section, and making the Catacombs of Wrath semi-optional appealed to me because it made the adventure more of a sandbox and less of a linear progression... but this method can still work pretty well for groups whose players miss the Thistletop clues in Tsuto's journal (or by interviewing him after they capture him) and need something to follow up on.

Thank you James! I'll see how much I can incorporate in. The Sinspawn transformation does sound pretty cool. I'll have a think about how it might be incorporated without upsetting the balance too much.
One of the PCs is quite taken with Ameko, however, so I imagine her abduction will be sure to get them down to the catacombs, Sinspawn or no Sinspawn.

I don;t if its me or not, but doesn't the Eye of Avarice seem a little small?

Is the scale really meant to be "1 square = 5ft.", with its huge+ sized occupants?

This has prolly been mentioned in the 1,000 + comments, but in case not, I noticed that on page 239 it references the catacombs of wrath and tells you to see page 219. Its actually page 35 that you should be flipping back to

The Interactive Maps that come with the pdf have some errors in. For example, when you click the "Map Tags Off" on page 3, none of the brightly-coloured arrows indicating the directions of the stairs disappear, nor do the the text boxes showing the map scale.

I'm reading there are a number of errors being found in the RotR Anniversary Edition. Is Paizo going to be releasing an official errata? I'm about to start running this for my group in 2 weeks. Thanks!

I'd just check the AP forum--there's a compiled errata document for downloading (and other great stuff for GMs!) available.

Ruyan.

I'd just check the AP forum--there's a compiled errata document for downloading (and other great stuff for GMs!) available.

Ruyan.

I did see the same forum. It's quite extensive. However, I was looking for something official from Paizo since that forum has notes from end-users (not that I'm discounting that forum information *wink*).

Our current policy for errata is that we release errata when we reprint a book, and since we've gotten pretty good at estimating how many books we need to print on the first run, that unfortunately, ironically, means we have fewer opportunities to issue official errata.

That said, the compiled errata document file should work just fine. And THAT said... even without correcting all the "errors' your game will run fine as well. I know that when I run games, I introduce plenty of errors myself, as do my players... having a "perfect" error free adventure prepared before hand won't change that.

As my friend Kyle said: "Don't make the perfect the enemy of the good."

THAT all said... I am indeed keeping a copy of the Runelords hardcover on my desk updated with errata so that if and when we do reprint, I'll be able to go in and make the changes easier.

Our current policy for errata is that we release errata when we reprint a book, and since we've gotten pretty good at estimating how many books we need to print on the first run, that unfortunately, ironically, means we have fewer opportunities to issue official errata.

That said, the compiled errata document file should work just fine. And THAT said... even without correcting all the "errors' your game will run fine as well. I know that when I run games, I introduce plenty of errors myself, as do my players... having a "perfect" error free adventure prepared before hand won't change that.

As my friend Kyle said: "Don't make the perfect the enemy of the good."

THAT all said... I am indeed keeping a copy of the Runelords hardcover on my desk updated with errata so that if and when we do reprint, I'll be able to go in and make the changes easier.

That is awesome! Thank you for the insight. :) Any chance I get a copy of that "errata'ed" book.... LOL

I know me and my players introduce a LOT of errors into the game. We just don't need any help. ;) Seriously, you mention a "compiled errata document file"... is this the errata forum I've already looked at or is there another unofficial file available? Just want to confirm.

As always, you guys at Paizo rock! Don't know of any other large company that their employees respond to their forums as quickly as you do!

Our current policy for errata is that we release errata when we reprint a book, and since we've gotten pretty good at estimating how many books we need to print on the first run, that unfortunately, ironically, means we have fewer opportunities to issue official errata.

That said, the compiled errata document file should work just fine. And THAT said... even without correcting all the "errors' your game will run fine as well. I know that when I run games, I introduce plenty of errors myself, as do my players... having a "perfect" error free adventure prepared before hand won't change that.

As my friend Kyle said: "Don't make the perfect the enemy of the good."

THAT all said... I am indeed keeping a copy of the Runelords hardcover on my desk updated with errata so that if and when we do reprint, I'll be able to go in and make the changes easier.

1) You mention a "compiled errata document file"... is this the errata forum I've already looked at or is there another unofficial file available? Just want to confirm.

2) If you release official erratas whenever you reprint the book, yet you've gotten good at estimidating printing of first run, then you won't be releasing erratas all that often any more. :) Wouldn't be okay if you were to release official erratas on a more timely manner, even if you're not printing another run of the books?

James Jacobs wrote:

Our current policy for errata is that we release errata when we reprint a book, and since we've gotten pretty good at estimating how many books we need to print on the first run, that unfortunately, ironically, means we have fewer opportunities to issue official errata.

That said, the compiled errata document file should work just fine. And THAT said... even without correcting all the "errors' your game will run fine as well. I know that when I run games, I introduce plenty of errors myself, as do my players... having a "perfect" error free adventure prepared before hand won't change that.

As my friend Kyle said: "Don't make the perfect the enemy of the good."

THAT all said... I am indeed keeping a copy of the Runelords hardcover on my desk updated with errata so that if and when we do reprint, I'll be able to go in and make the changes easier.

That is awesome! Thank you for the insight. :) Any chance I get a copy of that "errata'ed" book.... LOL

I know me and my players introduce a LOT of errors into the game. We just don't need any help. ;) Seriously, you mention a "compiled errata document file"... is this the errata forum I've already looked at or is there another unofficial file available? Just want to confirm.

As always, you guys at Paizo rock! Don't know of any other large company that their employees respond to their forums as quickly as you do!

There is no official "from Paizo" compiled errata file. I was talking about the thread on which folks are collecting possible errata.

James Jacobs wrote:

Our current policy for errata is that we release errata when we reprint a book, and since we've gotten pretty good at estimating how many books we need to print on the first run, that unfortunately, ironically, means we have fewer opportunities to issue official errata.

That said, the compiled errata document file should work just fine. And THAT said... even without correcting all the "errors' your game will run fine as well. I know that when I run games, I introduce plenty of errors myself, as do my players... having a "perfect" error free adventure prepared before hand won't change that.

As my friend Kyle said: "Don't make the perfect the enemy of the good."

THAT all said... I am indeed keeping a copy of the Runelords hardcover on my desk updated with errata so that if and when we do reprint, I'll be able to go in and make the changes easier.

1) You mention a "compiled errata document file"... is this the errata forum I've already looked at or is there another unofficial file available? Just want to confirm.

2) If you release official erratas whenever you reprint the book, yet you've gotten good at estimidating printing of first run, then you won't be releasing erratas all that often any more. :) Wouldn't be okay if you were to release official erratas on a more timely manner, even if you're not printing another run of the books?

1) Yeah; as I just mentioned in the previous post, I was talking about the posts you looked at. Someone out there may have compiled those posts on their own, but no one at Paizo has done that publicly. I keep a copy of the book on my desk with corrections written into it, but that's not something you can see unless you come to Paizo and convince me you're worthy.

2) Yeah, it's a catch-22. The better we get at estimating proper print runs, the fewer times we have to reprint. And that actually saves us a lot of money, since larger, fewer print runs cost MUCH less than smaller, more numerous print runs. It does mean that opportunities to publish official errata are diminishing, and at some point I hope we'll revisit that policy.

Many of your customers are hoping that Paizo revisits that policy as well James.

Many of your customers are hoping that Paizo revisits that policy as well James.

I certianly understand that... but I also hope that folks realize it's a 2-way street. AKA: without official errata, things still play fine. ESPECIALLY if you let your GM make rulings.

ZanThrax wrote:

Many of your customers are hoping that Paizo revisits that policy as well James.

I certianly understand that... but I also hope that folks realize it's a 2-way street. AKA: without official errata, things still play fine. ESPECIALLY if you let your GM make rulings.

That is fine for a home game, but a lot of people play PFS and for that we need as clear of rules as possible, so that people can come to each table knowing what to expect from the rules.

Paizo has pretty clearly said they have no plans to do any more hardcover compilations of (past) APs in the foreseeable future.

The reasons are *not* a concern about how well the hardcovers would sell.. and I think they are confident that such a compilation of Curse of the Crimson Throne would indeed sell quite well.

The main issue is what message that sends to people. It gives the impression that if people wait, they can get a hardcover. So that means fewer people would subscribe to the APs as they come out. Those would be the people who really prefer a compiled hardcover.

The problem is that Paizo's business is based on the monthly revenue from those AP volumes. Anything that encourages people to not subscribe is bad for Paizo's business, and that's something Paizo's management is not going to do.

Well, yes and a compiled hardcover of the later ones? I agree that would be bad for them, but RotRL, CotCS, CoT, SD, basically the 3.5 APs, those getting an official Pathfinder update for them would be nice. Sure, we can convert them ourselves, but... I think most of us would pay for an official updated version.

So, yeah Paizo, please please consider even if it's just a softcover version and not the big uber anniversary edition like RotRS, give us updated versions of the rest of the 3.5 APs.

James Jacobs wrote:

ZanThrax wrote:

Many of your customers are hoping that Paizo revisits that policy as well James.

I certianly understand that... but I also hope that folks realize it's a 2-way street. AKA: without official errata, things still play fine. ESPECIALLY if you let your GM make rulings.

That is fine for a home game, but a lot of people play PFS and for that we need as clear of rules as possible, so that people can come to each table knowing what to expect from the rules.

Most of the errata is stat block related, so they shouldn't make a significant difference to PFS either.

-Skeld

What Skeld said.

There is no official "from Paizo" compiled errata file.

And still: maybe update the PDF? Might be the job for the next intern before the cave raptors have a go at her/him!

Ruyan.