Stephen Rowe's page

For people interested in yet more vampire content, keep an eye out for the 10 Vampire Items book coming out soon. I tossed in some additional rules for using blood magic to craft magic items, and some true secret lore the elders don't want you to see.

If or when we pursue an expanded book (which I am all about doing), I'll make sure to take these comments/ideas (and any others you all might have) into account. I'm a big geek for this subject matter, and would love to work on a much larger project along these lines. I'll talk to my boss, and see if we can make something happen.

Personally, this is what pops into my brain as far as ideas for more content:

*Expanded lore for each family and mingled family.

*A few new "rare" families, with maybe a lost or "extinct" family. Plus, expanded content for each of the mingled lineages featured in the book. Then, a corresponding expansion of the paragon class with new blood talents. Maybe a few blended talents for each of the secondary families representing their unique abilities.

*An archetype per family (or even per mingled family) that fits with their specific themes and ties into the paragon class.

*Maybe a few plug-and-play setting staples, like a few NPCs (an elder and a young vampire) from each family, or even a major city's worth of vampires so the interwoven politics can be covered better.

*Covering some unique options for non-humanoid moroi.

Any other ideas folks would like to see incorporated into an expanded volume?

You seem to really like this one, End. I assume that the closest one can get to a WoD Tzimisce vampire is a Strigoi?

If I may interject, I think there are a few possible routes to go in order to get something Tzimisce-like. I think it would work best as one of the mingled lineages. Essentially, a lesser family focused on body modification and transmutation.

A nosferatu-warlock mingled lineage seems like the most appropriate thematic fit, potentially with inspired, sovereign, or vanguard thrown in depending on if you want to approach it from a religious, aristocratic, or warrior angle. Then, you can use warlock blood magic to take a bunch of polymorph spell-like abilities.

I'm seeing a lot of old Vampire the Masquerade in the description. Was that part of the inspiration for the various families?

I am pretty sure the writer played Vampire: The Masquerade and think a few of the families bear varying resemblance to some of the clans. However, there are distinct differences and divergences with no direct analogue. Additionally, I think it is fair to say that both are probably drawing from the same source materials, which can cause a lot of superficial similarities. For example, the nosferatu concept probably dates to the 1922 film, which in turn was an (unauthorized) adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Likewise, vampire lineage functions very differently than in VtM. Specifically, a vampire isn't shaped solely by their "parent", and instead has their blood influenced by other vampires they associate with.

So you can be a warlock-sovereign, an inspired-nosferatu, or a shade-nightcaller-vanguard. There's more than 80 different abilities available through the paragon class, and the more families you claim, the more versatility you have. However, you get limited on accessing abilities the more families you possess, and also suffer some social penalties in the vampire society. The book details a lot of these mingled lineages, providing some additional information on 14 (IIRC) to serve as examples.

Great Cthulhu wrote:

For the Warlock Talents Empowered Blood and Quickened Blood what exactly does 'this is subject to the same caster level restrictions as the feat' mean? Spell-like abilities don't have any spell slots to expend of any level so I'm rather mystified by how this is supposed to work.

While I don't have this product yet, from your wording, I'd imagine they mean Empower Spell-Like Ability and Quicken Spell-Like Ability.

Luthorne is correct. It is referring to the Empower and Quicken Spell-Like Ability feats, which have caster level prerequisites. So, for example, you must be 10th level to quicken a 1st level SLA, or 14th level to empower a 5th level SLA.

I finished this a day or so ago. Wonderful read with amazing crunch though it did leave me with one question.

The Vanguard blood Curse that triggers off wooden piercing weapons; are we talking about the iconic wooden stake, or a more broad categorization of wooden piercing weapons?

My guess would be unless the "business end" of the weapon is specifically wood, it wouldn't trigger it; so no bolts, arrows, or longspears unless they were specifically made with this curse in mind.

Wraithguard,

I’m glad to hear you liked the crunch as much as the fluff!

Regarding the vanguard’s curse, what qualifies as a “wooden” weapon is purposefully left just a little bit vague as it is not something always clearly defined within the core rules. I think we are in agreement on how we’d personally handle it, but some GMs may vary in thought processes and style. I’d just recommend that it all gets clearly figured out and communicated to the vampires as early as possible.

The iconic wooden stake being pummeled into a vampire’s heart would certainly qualify, but there aren’t clear weapon statistics for wooden stakes outside of the heartstake bolts dhampir equipment. Also, it doesn’t make a lot of logical sense that a wooden stake would work, but a lance or crossbow bolt made completely of wood wouldn’t work.

Then, naturally, there are some gray areas. Like, a shortspear with a metal tip probably wouldn’t count, but one that is basically just a quarterstaff with a sharpened wooden tip probably should. An arrow or bolt with a metal tip probably wouldn’t count, but as you say, one could easily be specifically crafted for this purpose.

Likewise, if the vampire is helpless, I’d personally let just about any sharpened piece of wood plus a mallet work.

Stephen Rowe wrote:

However, at GM discretion there are always other possibilities for specific, individual circumstances. Like, maybe they get a save right before they kill a trusted friend, or after 24 hours locked in a room they "rest" long enough to try shaking off the crazy.

Maybe if they go long enough the Urge reduces to where they can kill a reasonably-sized animal instead.

Still, I can see this being a contentious trait for someone somewhere.

Exactly. That is a good example, and helps reinforce the principle (since I hadn't thought of it). I think there are infinite possibilities on ways the GM could potentially cut the player slack on this, understanding that it then sets precedent for the future.

On the design side, at some point you can easily walk into the realm of over-quantification on rules. The base assumption in this case is the GM and player understand the deal. The specific situation should be rare. Nobody should be surprised when it happens, as either the player has made a purposeful decision to get themselves fatigued, or the GM has set up a situation where it might occur. Even then, the player is always going to get a saving throw. Plus, the actual ramifications aren't really that bad, since the out-of-control wight is usually just flailing around with 1d4 + Strength damage and no longer threatening allies with negative levels.

It can then solely be at the GM's discretion if they want to go by the rules as written... forcing the players to go to some potentially dark lengths to recover their ally, or having the wight player wake up a day or two later covered in some innocent stranger's blood. Either way, its primarily a launch point for some drama. If the GM wants to move things along, has done it a few times, or it was a freak occurrence, they can always elect to concoct some way to make it easier on the PC.

Errata: the Undying feat mentions Constitution score.

Also this work deserves and expansion like the upcoming one for dragons, so that other kinds of undead can be made.

Yes, that should be Charisma not Constitution.

The current plan is to focus on a variety of iconic undead instead of creating a single, big encompassing book.

In general I envision three different categories of In the Company Of products. There will be the big-picture books that explore an entire class of creature (Aberrations, Fiends, etc.). Then, books that focus more narrowly on a single type of creature, but one that has a lot of variety within its type (Genies, Hags, Gremlins, etc.). Finally, books that create options for a specific, isolated monster (Treants, Wights, Gargoyles, etc.).

I love witches, and wrote on a couple of books for Rogue Genius Games (Talented Witch and More Witch Talents) greatly expanding and compiling their available options. I'm especially proud of More Witch Talents, which Endzeitgeist was kind enough to give his highest possible praise.

Okay so here is my blog post on The Talented Bestiary and why I think you should be excited.

Only 10 days left to not miss out. I think that this has the ability to revolutionize monsters the way that Spheres of Power revolutionizes magic.

One thing I'm not sure if addressed. Does the Robot creature type make it's way into the product or is it too similar to construct to care.

Also if its not already being done, I really hope there's a creature stat block sheet in the book. Those are kind of handy for making or adjusting monsters without a computer.

Thank you for the support!

It does not currently incorporate the robot subtype, but you can easily do stuff like make an intelligent construct with electricity/critical vulnerabilities. So, can probably make something pretty close.

It *didn't* before you said that, but that is a fantastic idea. I certainly want it to at this point, and will try to make it happen. =)

I saw that the Talented Bestiary could be used to create PC races. Does that mean it can put a new twist on an existing PC races? Or could I recreate lost favorites like the Giff or the Thri-Kreen? Could I finally play an Illithid?

While it *can* be used to make new races (similar to the Advanced Races Guide), it really shines in creating monster "classes" like the old Savage Species book. This is because we've already broken down all monster statistics and abilities by CR. Our $10,000 stretch goal will be a whole new section of the book with guidelines on how to do that with example monstrous classes.

Already pledged:-) I'm a proud owner of many Rogue Genius products and have been nothing but thrilled with the Player Companion lines incentives Owen took over. Happy to support this as well :-)

Thank you for your support!

I'll be checking in here regularly to answer any questions people might have about the book or kickstarter! Likewise, feel free to private message me directly. Although my amazing wife just had our first child (a boy!) yesterday, so I apologize if I am ever slow to respond. =)

I don't know of any Legendary did (I'll let them answer that) - but the Four Horsemen presents the Transcendentalist by Rouge Genius is around. Just bought it myself yesterday - I thought it very well done.

Thanks Lord Mhoram!

Reviewed first on endzeitgeist.com, then submitted to Nerdtrek and GMS magazine and posted here, on Lou Agresta's RPGaggression and OBS and d20pfsrd.com's shop.

Thank you so much for your amazing review! Pixies means a lot to me for many reasons, and the fact that you (and your playtesters) enjoyed it so much is a massive compliment. It is one of my favorite things I've ever written, and I cannot wait to someday run it for my own kids (my first is due in April)!

Also I really like what I have seen with the Four Horsemen pdf’s. Are they going to give us things beside just gruesome variants (not that there is anything wrong with gruesome).

Thank you! We've got an ambitious plan that goes way beyond Gruesome Templates! In fact, we are putting out a product every week with Rogue Genius Games, with each month following a theme. October was Horror, November is Constructs, and December will be Science Fiction/Fantasy!

Last week we released Pakuvresh: the Flesh Golem Factory, but are putting out books on animated magical traps, mythic abstraction templates, and a base class that is all about building, modifying, and wearing constructs!

We've also got a Blog at d20pfsrd.com where we are posting advice and free crunch every week. Products and blog posts go out every Friday, so we'll even be putting out new content later today!

Hey, if it makes you feel better, I don't like the top 32 much either, nor do I like Widow's Web (sorry!), so, your taste is not the most divergent ;)

No apologies necessary! At least if that was directed at me. It had some flaws that I considered too late: thrown weapon with wounding, a swarm item was a gamble against saturation, it could be seen as a monster in a can, and so on. Nothing is going to be everyone's cup of tea. I am glad some people liked it, and I respect the final decision of the judges.

Widow's Web by a wide margin was my favorite over my own item and even over the fine work of my pit crew which also included some amazing work.

I liked that item more than anything in the top 32 (no offense.) It is this year's Amber Robes in that I feel it was so good that I'd be afraid to try and hire them for fear my rates would insult them.

I'm outright baffled by it's exclusion to a degree that has me considering not participating as a contestant next year.

I was actually the author of both the amber robe and the widow’s web.

GM_Solspiral, I assure you I am not in the freelancing business for the money. I do it for the pleasure of writing, and for the occasional kind words said by people I respect. So, thank you.

Please PM me whenever you want with any projects you’d like me to contribute to or otherwise assist with. I really hope nobody ever gets discouraged. I plan to submit every year until I can’t anymore (one way or another).

I think there were a lot of awesome items this year that didn’t make the cut (but maybe I have odd tastes). I didn’t keep a good list, but the bonewarp chain and catapulting full plate stand out in my memory for their mojo. The covenskein net was just so close to my idea, that I want to compliment whoever saw the same design space.

So here's a question: Is there a formula to determining the construction costs for constructs? Because I haven't been able to figure that out, I have to admit.

The formula is discussed in Ultimate Magic > Mastering Magic > Building and Modifying Constructs >Pricing a New Construct.

In summary, it costs CR squared x 500 gp + 5-10% in raw materials. Additional special abilities add to the CR. The first is free, the next two count as +1/2 CR per ability, and anything after that is +1 CR per ability. Really powerful abilities count as two abilities for this purpose. Most weaknesses don’t make a difference, but berserk is -1 CR (flesh golem version) or -2 CR (clay golem version).

As father of demigods and mortals go, I totally envision Nes as a dad with a comb-over and polyester workout suit. He's absent and aloof, and then shows up at your graduation with $20, a date half his age you've never met, and willing to take full credit for his kids' success.

As an added bonus, he's probably there to cheer on fellow graduates you didn't realize were your ha;f-brothers and sisters.

: )

This is like 90% accurate. The fridge horror is that he makes the comb-over and tracksuit look good.