SJE's page

Thank you for that Cosmo, much appreciated. Do you have plans to notify Paizo customers when this Letter A font problem is licked? Once it is fixed, I'll happily re-purchase the PDFs.

Northman- I've double checked and you are correct about the Corebook PDF - perhaps I hadnt looked at any sections with the letter A in them. Since the corebook is all hyperlinked together, I'm using internal links to navigate rather than scanning section titles, so its a bit easier on the eye to use.

Thx again,

Steve

Unfortunately, I have nothing to add that hasn't already been addressed abaove, other than to point you to the FAQ entry about this issue (which, admittedly, isn't much more helpful). This, sadly, is an issue over which we do not have much control.

Thanks,
cos

Cosmo- Is it possible to get a refund on these PDF's as I really do find them painful to read? Happy to provide whatever proof of deletion you need. (also assuming you are a Paizo employee)

I think (given the popularity of Ipads now) that it might be worth putting in some warning to the description text of the product that the PDF's may not be readable on Apple PDF readers, so that others are not stuck with bum PDF's.

The thing I cant get my head around is that the Font works fine for 25 letters of the alphabet, but the 1st letter doesnt? Something weird going on there.

Thanks,

Steve

Could Paizo not use the same format as the corebook or Beastiary and perhaps release an Apple friendly version of the PDF?

Hi,

I just downloaded the Advanced Players Guide and Games Mastery Guide PDF's for use on my Ipad.

When I view the files in Goodreader, a strange thing occurs- in the Text, any Section Headings dont seem to resolve the letter "A" which leads to such gobbledegook as F VOURED CL SSES, and you dont even want to see what it does to B RB RI NS.....

Could whoever formats your PDF take a look at this? Its makes the books almost impossible to decipher.

I have also downloaded the corebook and Beastiary and they both appear fine and have all their A's.

Thanks,

Steve

So I noticed something mising in the final battle against Demogorgon. After going on and on about his divided nature for so long, and how the Savage Tide is the plan of one head to absorb the other, I thought it a mistake to ignore that in the final scene.

Its set up as yet another battlefest, but isnt this a more interesting opportunity for the 20th level Bard/Diplomat to reveal to one head, the others plans to destroy it? Sure one half of Demogorgon wants the Savage Tide, but the other half has a very serious investment in not letting it go ahead. Having the two heads and arms battle over the master pearl should be as much an option as the PC's battling a united Demogorgon.

Thoughts.

SJE

FR's Lords of Darkness might have something on them. Cant remember precisely, but its a possibility.

SJE

Tying in with the Savage Tide stuff, who doesnt like catpeople? (Well dog people, but they got theirs in the Dragon Compendium).

How about an article on Rakasta as a playable racial option for PC's?

Thx.

SJE

So, is a quick way back to Sasserine from Farshore might be demon binding the local Bar Iguras- it looks like their "Abduction" ability is basically Greater Teleport for 2, and it should reach Sasserine (even if you have to break it up into multiple hops, the demon can teleport at will).

So, other than Lesser Planar Binding (same level as regular Teleport) is there any way to bind a Bar Igura before 9th level?

SJE

...not to mention, there are evil clerics of weejas. But I agree w/ the above post. If they are a good party, they wouldnt want to spread evil by selling an evil item.

Just noticed that the Book of Exalted Deeds has a section on redeeming Darkskulls (so they emit a Hallow effect). Maybe encourage them to pursue this goal (could come in handy at the Battle of Farshore)

SJE

The Classic WFRP way around slow pistol reload times is simply to buy more pistols and carry them loaded. Fire then drop, or even even shoot two handed for added style points!

With a Quiver of Ehlonna golfbag, you can do the same with Rifles!

SJE

Not in Dungeon itself? Bizarre.

SJE

Dont know if I'm blind but... I've been looking through There Is No Honour (the first mod) and I cant see the city stats for Sasserine in the adventure or the Sasserine write up in the same issue. Where have I missed it?

Thx.

SJE

Thanks for your post.

When I think about it, I think it comes from my defiance and disgust for dungeons, the "door-monster-treasure" syndrome that I absolutely dislike and that empty scenarios of all substance in favor of unrealistic monster gathering and bashing.

Dude, if you dont like the Adventure Path concept, why on earth are you posting to the Adventure Path forum? Why threadcrap all over the discussion of the people who are enjoying it and getting something out of it?

If you want to campaign against Adventure Paths in Dungeon, maybe you should write a letter to the editor or use the general Dungeon forums?

SJE

Right, to the above list, add Book of Exalted Deeds.

Why is this book essential? How does it tie in to the campaign?

SJE

Reading through the adventures so far, it looks like the Must Have books (to understand what is going on, offer useful feats to PC's, answer background details etc) beyond the 3 Core books are-

Fiendish Codex I- all the stuff on Wells of Darkness, Gaping Maw, Demogorgon, Melcanthet etc
Stormwrack- all the piratey and sailing stuff. PC options with some of the races, feats and classes could be very useful in their overall success
Fiend Folio- Dinosaurs?

Any more that I've missed?

SJE

The problem with the non stop action sequence for low-level characters, like those in TINH or even TBG, is that they can't handle it. They run out of hit points and spells very quickly. That's why they need to be able to make return trips to the guildhall.

Not the way I'd run it. I'll explain momentarily.

For anyone reading who believes in "playing D&D by the rules" is a good or desirable thing in itself, please skip this message as I'm sure to cause you physical pain, and I would prefer to avoid a flamewar.

My approach to D&D is a bit more cinematic- I'm trying to have a cool and fun time by emulating cool and fun movies, books, ideas or stories. D&D doesnt always emulate that, so I'm not afraid to throw away the rulebook and judge it myself.

So if I was running the Lotus Dragons like the Crazy 88's from Kill Bill, this is what I'd do.

First off- forget using battle maps with grids- miniatures on a cool map with lots of scenery to use and abuse is fine, but dont get hung up on movement or range- just use the map to illustrate who is surrounded and who is next to a table they can roll along, while attacking half a dozen people.

Second, I'd be flexible with the rules - not just letting PC's quaff potions without going for the AoO, but also things like encouraging badass fighters and barbarians to give the thieves such a stare that the surrounding mob back off and face him one at a time (call it a free action Intimidate if you will). I would reward innovative and dramatic actions- want to roll along a dining table, parrying the flashing blades of 6 thieves to surprise the guild leader at the end an impale her? Sure- call that a Full defence, and get a sneak attack if you succeed on yer Tumble.

Third, while I'd make it a challenging fight (22 thieves vs. 4 PCs) I wouldnt be afraid to drop a thief if the way they were injured was particularly cool. Equally I might not use every Lotus Dragon crit if it wasnt cool or didnt advance the drama.

Essentially I'd hope to judge the combat, so by the end of it, 3 of the PC's are maybe unconcious and the last PC is barely standing and holding a blood drenched katana surrounded by 22 dead Lotus Dragons!

SJE

Another thing I've noticed - suggesting someone might want to play an architect or combat engineer type might pay huge dividends in Tides of Dread. (How many PC's have you seen that ever take Craft: Architecture ? Most would rather have a Daerns Instant fortress to go!)

SJE

Hi,

I've subscribed to Dungeon and would like to know when (& which) my first copy of the magazine will reach me in the UK?

Many thanks,

Steve Ellis (order #698128)

Hopefully we might see an article on Rakastas as PC's in one of the Savage Tide articles, but if not, how would you make them a playable race in 3.5?

My memory of them in D&D is a bit limited to the old Princess Ark articles for Mystara in Dragon. But the way I'd do a Cat person woul look a little like this-

Favoured Class- Rogue/Bard
Racial attributes- +2 Dex (cats are agile and lithe) -2 Wis (but not the most sane or stable)
Low light vision (Cats Eyes)
+4 racial bonus on Tumble checks (cats always land on their feet)
Level Adj- 0.

Comments, thoughts or official stats?

SJE

I figure they (PCs) can try to use thier affiliation scores to "borrow" based on expected future return. When the ship gets hulled and the cargo lost/spoiled it will leave them with some heavy debt back in Sasserine.

You'd think (especially in such magic heavy places as Eberron) that every bank loan of over a 1,000gp would also have an Augury surcharge (naturally added to the cost of the loan for the borrower to repay) asking if the bank would have Weal or Woe in getting its money back.

SJE

SJE, am I reading correctly that you have an idea for a conjurer who realizes that Demogorgon is at his mercy? How would that be possible? I don't think the Prince of Demons would ever be at some lowly mortal's mercy.

Reading the Campaign outline in #138 it looks like there is a fair amount of plane hopping and demon barganing to be done in the end game- a Demon summoning PC (or Nar Demonbinder type from FR) might well find himself in a situation where he could offer lieutenants of Demogorgon the choice between death or servitude. Perhaps even, in the Finale episode where they confront Demogorgon on his home plane, then perhaps even Demogorgon could be bound to the Binders will? Certainly that would be a cool and epic feat for a 20th level character to pull off after an extended campaign. After all, 20th level aint so lowly, even if by chance you are still mortal and dont have some outsider type already.

SJE

The Arcanis flintlocks are fairly decent and the rules have stood up to heavy use in the Living Arcanis campaign.

SJE

So, thinking about PC options that might have resonance for future parts of the campaign.

For example- a Rakasta PC discovering the fate of his people in Tides of Dread.

A Demonbinder (or even Conjurer) who starts to realise the Prince of Demons may be at his mercy...

A swashbuckler who gets to play pirates and swing from the main sail in all the Pirate battles.

What else would you suggest to PC's as having an interesting hook for future developments?

SJE

From what I've read, theres a lot of random combat encounters in Dungeon (partly how D&D is structured) that I'd cut out as fairly meaningless and dull.

For example, the Lotus Dragons looks like a fairly long winded dungone crawl- if my PC's wanted to kick ass there, I'd probably run it more like the Crazy 88's scene in Kill Bill- none stop frenetic action against the whole guild thieves, before going to a climatic battle with the boss.

Equally, Bullywug Gambit would be better as a Hostage Rescue movie than interminable number of fights in seperate rooms.

SJE

Now its reached the Isle of Dread (and bringing up nostalgic memories of running that module 15 years ago!), I'm potentially interested in running the campaign.

Is anyone running it already? Hows it going? Encountered any problems or discrepancies? Are you having fun?

I'm also wondering what optional books to include. I'd definately like to include Rakasta as a potential PC race, any idea where I might find them?

Thx.

SJE

Dungeon #138 has a Savage Tide preview in which the 12-part series is fully outlined. There are conversion notes here on this site for Forgotten Realms and Eberron available as a free download.

Where can I find the conversion notes PDF? Thx, SJE

So I vaguely remember this Age of Worms document/download that had conversion notes for other settings and a summary of the plot and 12 adventures to help the GM understand the campaign they were running and answer PC questions.

Does anything similar exist online for Savage Tides?

Many thanks,

Steve

How long does it take to to reach the UK? I've just ordered a 6 month subscription, and I'm wondering about how long after its in the shops will my copy arrive?

Thx.

SJE