Zhern's page

I received a similar invoice today that I'm assuming is the February order spawn. I was rather confused as there hasn't been a February product post yet, but then I realized it included several items in my sidecart that are now available, such as the pocket editions. I also realized I hadn't received my society freebies since September. I sent an email about that and I'm sure it will get rectified once they get to it in the queue.

Did they clarify the cause of the “waiting on backordered items” issue? (I’m just curious if they know the cause of the glitch)

The explanation was that one of the orders got stuck when it was split into two orders. It seems like that happened to quite a few folks this time around, so maybe that is something their IT folks should look into.

I heard back from CS about 45 mins ago. I'm happy with the results and thank them for getting the issue with my order resolved. My feedback to CS management is to strive to be more transparent with queue times and such.

I emailed customer service on 7/29 about my July subscription. My support ticket ID is 163708 and I'm waiting for information on why my July subscription shows that there are backordered items it is dependent on, which shouldn't be the case since they were all July subscription items.

I got lucky in that I sent an email on Friday. I wish I had known earlier, though. I'm disappointed there was no communication that shipping had ended. I've been doing my best to assume positive intent here, but something does need to change with the communication. I'm not sure what the rationale is for closing ranks and limiting community responses, but it is definitely not a good experience for those of us that are invested in seeing Paizo put out new, quality content for PF2E and Starfinder.

It is these situations where the huge hole left by Sara Marie and Diego's, among others, departures really is apparent. I'm disappointed that the current CS leadership isn't taking measures to communicate more, especially with situations like this. A little communication can go a long way.

It might be a good idea for Paizo to consider a dedicated ombudsman to help handle situations like this. I think Aaron does a great job trying to fill that role a lot of times, even though he shouldn't have to.

Anyway, I hope it does improve.

I might have jumped the gun, but I emailed CS on Friday about the backordered items. I too wish there had been some communication about this, whether it is an incorrect status or if things are really backordered. Either way, I miss the old CS forums for this kind of thing.

My watch continues, but I got notice about the PFS/SFS scenarios, hah.

Anxiety increases by 1. Still waiting...

No problem, I don't mind sharing my work where it's helpful!

Thank you so much for sharing the maps and json files!

We're going to need a bigger boat. I didn't receive an email either. I also never heard back about the Pathfinder Battles shipment.

Thanks!

Thanks, Sam! You're the best! I do mean that when I say that the CS team at Paizo is truly one of the best I've ever encountered. I would encourage people to be patient with them and realize they are a small team and we (the customers) are a very large population. They will make it right - they always do - just give them a chance to work through all the other issues in the queue ahead of you.

Pardon me, but I need to fanboy for a moment.

I absolutely love what I'm reading in the book. I'm forcing myself to go slowly and not devour it all in a single sitting. I'm hopeful we'll see more Nidal in the future, either in the form of another novel (Nightglass and Nightblade were excellent!) or in the form of additional lore material in a Pathfinder 2 supplement.

Okay, enough flailing.

Thank you for writing this for us, Ms. Merciel! And thank you to Erik Mona for confirming it was in the pipe after I kept pestering him. The wait was worth it.

Bill will be posting to the Kickstarter about the Pathologies in the next few days. Keep an eye out.

Patrick
Frog God Games

You make a fair point, Zesdead. I would ask that you email zach@froggodgames.com about the books and let him know how the second shipment was damaged as well. We will fix that for you. Also, I have complained about the packaging as well and I believe that is going to change. I don't like bent corners either.

As for the list, I haven't gotten the final yet. I hold myself accountable for not getting back here to make sure you knew that it wasn't because I wasn't trying. I wasn't involved in The Blight until it was time for the 5E work so I don't have visibility into the Pathologies as they were system neutral. I do try to read the Paizo forums as much as possible but I do miss things. Jerry does a great job of funneling issues to Zach and me but I do drop the ball at times.

I'll get back with definite word but it likely won't be till after the Christmas holiday. Thanks for your patience.

Patrick
Frog God Games

Yes, you will be able to toggle scale to 5' or 10' depending on whether you play S&W (10') or PF/5e (5').

Patrick
Frog God Games

Climbing up to $58k and we've added a page to the website with some concrete details on the Empyrea campaign setting itself. :D

I'll have to go check it out. I'm already in for a bit on this and looking forward to finding out more. I do have to say I'm a bit surprised at the scope of the Kickstarter campaign. I'm hopeful that it all goes well and Frank sees his dream turned reality.

Patrick P.
Frog V
Frog God Games

I don't know if it's feasible, but I'd really like an illustration book for Rappan Athuk (ala the old "S" series from TSR) that could be shown to players for selected rooms.

Maybe a stretch goal?

I'd love to show them the green statues perched atop the entrance (from their vantage point on the ground) or some of the awesome rooms therein.

There is a good possibility there is going to be an art book that would meet your criteria. It will be a stretch goal.

I can't comment on the Campaign Setting at the present, but I can comment on what the Herald is referencing - it has to do with a legendary dungeon, and graves, oh, and Orcus. There will be two different Kickstarters for something related to that, including some new content for Pathfinder and Swords & Wizardry. Oh, and VTT maps. And something to do with a certain Tome filled with Horrors.

So, to recap:

VTT and print ready color maps for Rappan Athuk
Tome of Horrors 5e
Rappan Athuk V (for 5e) with new, expanded content from Bill Webb for Pathfinder and Swords & Wizardry

Patrick P.
Frog God Games

Does this confirm what many of us are hoping, Ms. Merciel? Will you be contributing to the Nidal book? Please say yes!

Scott - will the PDF be updated with bookmarks?

The Zweihander book is gorgeous. I'm really glad they opted to go with a new printer, even last minute, it was definitely worth it.

Zhern wrote:

Auxmaulous wrote:

I wish they had a "missing adventures for the completest" option - one where I could get the new 9 in print or pdf as a package. Unless the ones that are already in print are expanded or revised this is going to be a tough one to justify.

Auxmaulous - You can do that. If you pick the pledge level for 8, the discount on the book or PDF, depending on which option you prefer, will apply in BackerKit when you add the 1 missing adventure. Alternatively, you can add the amount up front so that it counts against stretch goals and then use the credit in BackerKit. Does that make sense?

8 Physical Modules (w/PDF) = $95.00
Discount Off MSRP ($15.00) = 21% or $3.10
Add 1 Module = $11.90

Total for 9 modules in print = $95.00 + $11.90 = $106.90 (not including shipping via media mail, which is collected in BackerKit)

The same would apply if you preferred to do the 9 new in PDF (at a different discount rate, which is listed on the main page of the Kickstarter).

NOTE: Discount does not apply to previous Quests of Doom products. Those are already discounted.

Patrick
Frog V
Frog God Games

Yeah, but can you make it simpler and just add a pledge level for it?

That'd be cool. :)

There will be a pick 9 option up tomorrow morning.

Patrick
Frog God Games

It worked for me. Thanks Erik!

Thanks for the update, Erik.

I know that you guys just released this but I've got to know, is there an ETA for curse of the crimson throne??

I believe Doug said it was in the works and soon. It was mentioned on the FG boards. I don't think there was an ETA other than soon after launch, though.

CoCT is the one I'm anxiously waiting for.

I do have to say, Children of the Harvest is effed up, and it is glorious. I skimmed over it this afternoon while working through some other stuff the Frog God has me working on. Good stuff.

Aratrok wrote:

Why Fantasy Grounds instead of Roll20? Fantasy Grounds is crazy expensive and not particularly popular- as much as I'd like to use this, it's waaaaaaaay out of my price range.

I'm also curious where the data for Fantasy Grounds not being particularly popular came from, or if it is an assumption. Fantasy Grounds is plenty popular, especially with those that play the latest edition of the D&D.

Agreed. I first stumbled onto them when they played a club show here in the States in 1992 or 1993 - shortly after Nurse was released. They opened for Helmet. I took a boot to the head. I've been hooked ever since.

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

Great list. I actually wrote a paper on Trade and Civilisation in the Indian Ocean in a class when I went back to get a History degree. Really excellent book.

I've read this also: A History of the Maghreb in the Islamic Period, Fenton&Littman.

A few others that are fantastic and cover the Rise of Islam, its spread across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond, some of the first Christian and Muslim encounters, and the different caliphates are:

1981, The Early Abbasid Caliphate; a Political History (Barnes and Noble, London and New York).
1986, The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates, 600–1050 (London, Longman)
2006, The Byzantine and Early Islamic Near East (Variorum Collected Studies Series) (Farnham, Ashgate Publishing Limited)
2005, When Baghdad Ruled the Muslim World: The Rise and Fall of Islam's Greatest Dynasty (Cambridge, MA, Da Capo Press)

The Venture of Islam. Conscience and History in a World Civilization. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1974.

I wrote my senior thesis on early Christian and Muslim encounters and relations. The Near East, especially during the Byzantine period, is absolutely fascinating to me.

Okay, so I might be a nerd. Will definitely be checking out the others on the list.

Thanks, Ben!

I always get a laugh out of things like this. Yeah, it is disappointing that the dates get pushed back, but does it really matter? Not one bit. The work will get done, the stuff will be very high quality and be delivered, unlike Far West or Spinward Traveller or any of that stuff.

The book ballooned from an estimated 800-900 pages to over 1100 last I heard. Adventures that were originally going to be 25-40 pages ended up being 70+. I don't see that as a problem, I see it as a bonus. More content at the cost of what? Time? Oh well, there is plenty of stuff going on to occupy my free time as it is.

Frog God's products will always get delivered and will always be high quality. That is enough for me.

I've actually been doing quite a bit of Egypt-related research lately too. My home campaign is set in a semi-historical Earth during the Roman Republic and Roman Empire (rough timeline is 750 BCE to 1453 CE). My players are currently in ~20 BCE Egypt and are about to embark upon a new arc. I've drawn quite a bit of inspiration from the Southlands Campaign Setting - it is very well done and offers a lot of great material.

I've also incorporated aspects of Khemet/Necropolis by Gary Gygax and some of the Lost Lands material from Deserts of Desolation for this particular arc. I was actually just reading up on Aten and Akhenaten. I've also found some decent material from song lyrics of all things. The band Nile, which I don't really listen to - technical death metal and blastbeat stuff isn't my thing, has based almost all of their albums on Egyptian and Near/Middle Eastern mysticism, occultism, and mythology and some of the lyrics in their songs actually have given me ideas of some plot points.

Agree with both Cycnet and Rednal - people need to realize that Kickstarter isn't a store. The dates listed on rewards are usually based on a decently informed estimate of the level of effort to complete the base product. Add in stretch goals and then the "deadline" is skewed. Much like in software dev, people should think of it as a high level estimate based on what is known at the time of project launch. A high level estimate can vary by +/- 50%, meaning it can end up being up to 50% longer than originally believed (it could also be shorter but that rarely, if ever happens).

Yeah, I'd like to hear more often too, but I will always take into account the people factor. Creators are people and people have responsibilities beyond making sure that Kickstarter backers are always warm and fuzzy. Greg finished up his exams at the end of November for his residency and then was planning a solid month of vacation to work on The Blight. I'm confident he'll emerge and give us an update sooner than later. His livelihood is one of those people factors/responsibilities. I'm definitely willing to cut someone slack for family, jobs, illness, etc.

Also, Bill said Bard's Gate has been shipped with the exception of the gigantic maps and the forged/metal cover copies. He and his family busted their butts to get it all shipped prior to Christmas after it managed to clear customs sooner than expected. Not to mention, the Swords & Wizardry 3rd printing is going to ship shortly after New Years, so what will be coming too. All in all, 2017 is going to be a huge content year for Frog God, especially if we end up seeing Kickstarter campaigns for Mountains of Madness/Marshes of Malice and the Lost Lands Campaign Setting. Exciting times.

In the meantime, I have a stack of books to catch up on, Crypts & Things to run, a Curse of the Crimson Throne to S&W or 5E conversion to do, and the Swords & Wizardry Rules/Reference for Fantasy Grounds to finish. No shortage of cool stuff to do, just not enough time.

Zhern wrote:

Tom Knauss also posted earlier today that they are still planned to release both via a Kickstarter in early 2017. I'm also assuming they will be in PF/S&W/5e flavors like their most recent Kickstarters.

They will only be in pathfinder, as the environment books are more rules heavy (they have lots of environmental rules, archetypes etc) in them they don't feel like there is enough meat for 5e and SW - so what they do instead is take the adventures in them and put those adventures into "quests of doom" books for 5e and SW - which is one of the reasons why there are more quests of doom books for 5e and SW than for pathfinder (which only has one).

Marshes and Mountains are going to be the next KS, box set will be later in the year.

Ah, I do recall seeing that on the Frog's board that it would be PF only. Easy enough to use for S&W/5E. My group stopped playing PF awhile back so I've gotten used to stripping PF rules out of things.

I'm still relatively new to the tabletop RPG scene, let alone being familiar with 3rd party books. However, there is a humble bundle that has about ~20 ebooks from Frog God Games and seems like a real value to flesh out my currently underwhelming Pathfinder library.

My question is, are these setup the same as a Paizo adventure path, monster manual or other source material and are used with the pathfinder system the same way? I'm weary to get 3rd party material, but if it's sanctioned for use by Paizo I don't see why not, especially for the price.

Fairly verbose notes about each title are below. This bundle is an amazing value and you shouldn't pass it up. Each of the companies that contributed put out the highest quality material and are my top 3 favorites (in no particular order).

Hope this helps...

Frog God Products

Rappan Athuk, which is the large adventure path/megadungeon crawl, in the bundle is setup similarly to how an Paizo AP like the Rise of the Runelords and Curse of the Crimson Throne Anniversary editions are - all you need is in one book. There are also bits of lore, story, and information on the areas surrounding the Dungeon of Graves (Rappan Athuk) too. Statblocks for monsters are contained within also and look almost identical to those found in the Paizo APs/Bestiaries.

Splinters of Faith is a continuous adventure in 10 parts that can be run all together or separately and inserted as parts into an existing campaign. Again, statblocks, lore, information, and the like would be similar to a Paizo product.

The Cults of the Sundered Kingdoms book contains a good section on lore, the areas of the Sundered Kingdoms and its cults, monsters, and magic items that help provide context for the Cults of the Sundered Kingdom Adventure Path that follows. As above, statblocks, lore, information, and the like would be similar to a Paizo product.

The Black Monastery and Against Tsathogga are standalone adventures that easily can be fit into an existing campaign or run as one-shot modules, much like Paizo modules. Quests of Doom and Cyclopean Deeps 1 & 2, and Dead Man's Chest contain several standalone adventures that also fit the same mold.

The Unusual Suspects are NPCs that can be used in your adventures and are in Pathfinder statblock form.

The Mother of All Treasure Tables is system neutral.

Bill Webb's Book of Dirty Tricks is a set of houserules and GM tips used by the man himself, Bill Webb (and because of this book, plenty of other GMs, myself included). I highly recommend it.

Green Ronin Products
Freeport is a fantastic setting that can be used in your own world or easily fit into Golarion. It is a very complete sourcebook and is a must have, imo.

The Advanced Bestiary contains monsters that are also in the usual Pathfinder statblock format. It also contains templates for making your own beasts.

Kobold Press Products
Halls of the Mountain King and Wrath of the River King are standalone adventures that are set in the Midgard Campaign Setting (also by Kobold Press) or that can be easily inserted into your own world or Golarion, etc. They use the same Pathfinder-like statblocks and format as Pathfinder modules/bestiaries.

Streets of Zobeck contains a collection of urban adventures that can be used in the Midgard city of Zobeck or in any large urban setting. It contains all you need to run Pathfinder adventures (statblocks, npcs, etc.)

Advanced Races and Deep Magic are sourcebooks for Pathfinder and would be very familiar to anyone who is familiar with a Pathfinder sourcebook (Inner Sea World Guide, Ultimate Magic, etc.)

Zobeck Gazetteer is an urban setting sourcebook that details the city of Zobeck in Midgard but can easily be used in any setting.

Your Whispering Homonculus is a set of random tables that can add a ton of flavor to your adventures and is system neutral.

Very poignant review. When I first read through Southlands Heroes 5E, I took was struck by the differences between it and Midgard Heroes 5E. I don't necessarily have an issue with the relative strength or advantage that some of the Southlands Heroes races over typical 5E races, but it is noticeable. I still allow these races as options in my 5E campaign mainly because I'm not concerned about balance - I'm one of those crotchety old grognards that doesn't care whether balance is there or not because it is about the story, the decisions the PCs make and how they use the tools at their disposal, and fully expect them to do a lot of running away if the situation calls for it.

Again, great call outs in the review. All the mentions are on point and hopefully will provide good, constructive feedback that can be used for future products.

I think the books are on a boat right now, heading to the US? They should be getting mailed out as soon as they arrive.

That matches with Bill's note that they were setting sail from China at the beginning of October. Figure about a month to get here, clear customs, get to the FGG Compound, and then a couple of weeks to pack and ship. So I would think they would be shipping from FGG maybe beginning of December or so? I know the Frogs were at Gamehole Con last week and will be at U-Con this week so I'm factoring that in.

No, I'm not stalking them - they post this stuff publicly! I swear!

Greg Vaughn and Tom Knauss both stated that Mountains of Madness and Marshes of Malice would be through a combined Kickstarter later this year or early next year. My speculation is on whether it would be the next one or will come after the Lost Lands Campaign Box.

No clue on the alchemy guide other than it is listed in the products section of the newer books.

They had started mention of a Lost Lands Campaign Setting here and there - mostly on their forums, I believe. Skeeter Green had mentioned it would be a box set in one of the comments sections of a Kickstarter also. Hopefully there will be something that can be done for overseas shipping.

I am really looking forward to the box set too. I believe Mountains of Madness will be the next Kickstarter but that is just my own speculation.

**Apologies ahead of time if this comes off as snarky. That isn't the intent. I am only being direct - sorry if that ruffles any feathers.**

I would echo what GM Rednal said - think of Kickstarter like patronage and always pad the delivery day. More creators should pad the date themselves, but it is what it is. If you go into a Kickstarter as a backer thinking you are going to get the rewards when the pledge says you will then you should probably consider waiting until the books hit the shelves. That is the reality of crowdfunding. Delays happen.

There are other ways to communicate with FGG too, their Facebook page being a prime example. Zach is very responsive on there - not necessarily about detailed Kickstarter statuses but he can certainly confirm that work is ongoing and that while the Kickstarter updates might not be frequent, the Frogs aren't going to screw anyone or let anyone down. They have integrity and are good to their word.

That being said, the delay probably wouldn't have been as bad as it was if it weren't for Chuck's medical complications and having to have his leg amputated. He is THE layout guy. That puts a halt on a lot of things. Also, they had a much stricter date to meet for printing for Bard's Gate since that is being printed in China (which it should be on a boat heading this way currently). I'm more than willing to cut them slack because they can't control health issues, life interruptions, and their day job responsibilities.

As The Herald Frog mentioned, Greg just posted an update which is very thorough and provides extremely reasonable points as to why things are delayed and what the status of each piece is. It will get done, it won't be when we all want it (which is yesterday or today at the very latest), and yeah, there should be better communication but given their track record of putting out fantastic products and never skimping to deliver, I'm willing to wait for it to be done and be done right.

Hedge your bets on the conservative side and add 6 months to most major Kickstarter deliverables. Do as Rednal mentions and just zone out about it. You'd be surprised how much more relaxing it makes backing projects. I've backed a total of 147 projects, several of which are years behind (Torment: Tides of Numenera, Camelot Unchained, etc), but given that there is transparency by those creators and they have a strong reputation, I'm not upset about it. I'll get them eventually.

Sasquatch Games put out a very good setting with Primeval Thule. I've run several games in it and the players really enjoyed it. I didn't try to fit it into Golarion but it fits well with my own world, which is semi-historical, set shortly before the Roman conquest of Britain (and a few other periods depending on the campaign, currently in Ancient Egypt running a heavily modified Mummy's Mask).

I like the ideas mentioned by SmiloDan and Evil Midnight Lurker. It could easily fit onto another planet in the same universe as Golarion or be a far, far past alternate version of the world. So many options!

Good luck with it!

Add me to the list of those who hate the peanuts (moreso my wife than me, seeing as she always seems to be the one that opens the boxes with the peanuts then spends an hour chasing the cats after they steal them and has now threatened to cut me off from ordering from Paizo because of said feline shenanigans) but want to make sure that materials that are ecologically-conscious are used. I respect that others don't want to pay more for shipping - if there were to be another option for packing materials it should be a choice when placing the order.

Wait, how did you get Vic Wertz to read to you? I'm jealous. If I had a choice, I would probably want Richard Pett to be my narrator - his stuff is so dark and creepy. Love it.

We must have the Black Goat!

Black Phillip!

More Midgard adventures?

I've got a couple Midgard-themed adventures in my pocket I could slam out. There's also one kicking around the Kobold Press slushpile.

I have some ideas for a mega-dungeon under Zobeck too!

I'd love to contribute!

A Midgard AP would rock!

Well, since you mention it... The current Kobold Press Kickstarter could always use a few more backers.

Demon Cults & Secret Societies

I'm already backing! I'm in the for the print/pdf of both versions. I make sure to follow you all on Kickstarter so I don't miss the good stuff.

Zhern wrote:

Quote:

We already track a lot of data across each Adventure Path, but we've had to add a new category that is very unfamiliar to us: Battles Run From. Ten so far. The team doesn't like to talk about it.

This is the best! (And is a completely valid tactic!)

Thanks Zern. I have personally enjoyed watching them run, but I can see that it takes some getting used to for the players. Our members are required to know their combat rules very well, so if they're running it's for good reason. They're still not sure yet if this a recurring theme, or just unfortunate circumstances. I guess we'll find out more as the rest of the path unfolds!

Given some of the stuff they are likely to face in the next four chapters, I would wager it will become a recurring theme.

I will say this, you all are pretty damned amazing. Definitely in awe of the approach taken to such a great hobby.

We already track a lot of data across each Adventure Path, but we've had to add a new category that is very unfamiliar to us: Battles Run From. Ten so far. The team doesn't like to talk about it.

This is the best! (And is a completely valid tactic!)

A mega-dungeon under Zobeck would be excellent! Also, more ghouls!

Hey, I like this thread!

I'd like to see a list of the templates that we need. Because the Advanced Bestiary from Green Ronin covers a LOT of ground in that direction already, and it would be a shame to duplicate effort.

I also have a wish list (starting with more hours in the day to make it all happen!).

Maybe:

1) A sequel to the Cat & Mouse adventure in the Southlands
2) More pawns for Kobold Press monsters (wait, no, did those already)
3) A series of one-shot encounters set in Midgard
4) A mega-dungeon under Zobeck
5) More ghouls