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And my reading list grows once more!
DOT! And finally, my wallet gets a brief reprieve.
My watch is done!
TBH, it just gives me time to read Battlecry before breaking into SF 2e Core.
I was right! I finished Divine Mysteries this morning, and just now the PDFs hit my inbox! All hail Nethys!
So, I'm not sure where the whole "Owlcat hates PF2" thing came from, but they just refuted that in their AMA: https://owlcat.games/news/92 They have people on their team who actively play PF2e, and they'd be interested in exploring it as an option for their next game. They're hedging about what their next project is, but it's probably smart for them to manage the hype cycle carefully.
My wait is over! Also... Welp. my subscriptions are now locked behind a backorder that isn't expected until mid december. Take this as a warning about using the sidecart, I don't think I will trust using it in the future, saving a couple bucks on combined shipping isn't worth losing out on a month of on time subscription material. Yeah, this is why I almost put items in my sidecart. I've had my subs locked down as well.
Also, there is no "When physical subscribers get the PDFs". Some people have had the War of Immortals one for days, if not over a week now, and I have not received mine yet. It's dependent on when yours get shipped, which as far as I can tell is the street date of the book -2d12 days, per person. Looks like I rolled low this time.
Continuing my watch! Gonna go do some arcane rituals in hopes of getting my PDF so I can start reading!
Once more on the watch! Really hoping to get it today, since I just finished the Tian Xia World Guide, so my reading roster has a slot open.
My watch begins as my credit card braces for impact!
My watch is over!
Welcome to the pain of UPS-MI shipping. The way it works is that UPS starts off by picking up palettes of packages and are scanned all at once. They then go on their journey together, only being broken up when they get close your location. At that point, they're broken apart and handed off to USPS for the 'final mile.' However... there's been a problem in the system for a while now where the UPS side of the transaction just doesn't _work_. Maybe the tracking code being generated is wrong. Maybe they're being scanned wrong. I have no idea. But the tracking page doesn't update/ I also used Informed Delivery from USPS, which lets me know when packages have been made for me, and many times THAT one will show tracking once it's been handed over, and will at least show me that a label's been created. So I used that for a sanity check. Oh, and UPS-MI is slow as snails.
My wait is over! They're sending out a batch now!
In the sub thread, the shipping is only delayed a day or two due to updates to how the subscription works, so the current dates for subs are: •Authorization (Order Spawning) Date: 7/12/2024
So looks like the street date is still the same! https://paizo.com/threads/rzs4mcmx?New-Physical-Product-Releases-For-July-2 024
Tiny dot, in preparation for the HUGE DOT next month!
My wait is over! Now to the battlements to watch my mailbox like a hawk...
...why not build in a quick track where you level faster and have less encounters? And then have the slow track for those that like a slower build up to the end? Sooooo, I did this for my Frozen Flame group! The experiment isn't quite done yet, but so far, it's worked fairly well! For the long version, I blogged about it here: https://katieplaysgames.wordpress.com/2023/01/09/quest-for-the-frozen-flame -book-1/ The Method: For each book, the players are the max level for that book. So kicking off book 1, they're level 4, starting book 2 they're level 7, and they'll be level 11 at the start of book 3. The reason I did this was because this is a monthly game with a short session time, so I wanted to play through the content a bit more quickly. The result has been that the players plow through early content fast, but by the end of the book, they're going at the right speed. I haven't had to cut anything for time, and for a few scenarios, they came up with novel solutions that could only happen because they were higher level. However, the level cap DOES keep them from skipping to the next book. I don't think this would work for every AP. For example, AV works best with regular levels, and AoE would be a mess if players could figure out things sooner than they should. But I could see it working for any AP where the PCs are separated from the end goal in some way until it's time for them to encounter it.
FYI to everyone dealing with UPS-MI headaches: If you sign up for USPS Informed Delivery, you'll at least get a tracking number once it gets handed over. It's not a complete solution, but at least it's something for those of us with spotty USPS service.
My wait is over!
My watch is done! And just in time for my trip!
DOT! VERY EXPENSIVE DOT!
The PDFs are in my hot little hands!
I work in tech, and Cori Marie is right. Sometimes, we just wait for a user to scream.
My watch is over! Just as I have to go appliance shopping!
First watch has ended, and second has begun! Let us pray that the gods of UPS-MI are merciful this month.
A speedy end to my watch!
Oh! My watch ended last week. I'm just less eager about this particular one since I'll be a player in this campaign.
Got my auth! The watch begins...
So, one option would be some intelligent upscaling! The easiest / highest quality way I've found to do this is to use Icons8's Upscaler: https://icons8.com/upscaler I used this against some old AP images, and documented it here, so you can check out the before and after: https://katieplaysgames.wordpress.com/2022/07/04/adventure-path-maps-vtt-an d-minimizing-heartburn/ It's not perfect, but it does make the maps way more usable. Text, you'll likely have to add in yourself, but at least the lines will be a bit clearer.
So, reading the PDF, and excellent content. HOWEVER... You may want to check to see if you uploaded a draft version? * The TOC bookmarks are weird. Normally, we get a link for every room / book, but with the version I grabbed on day one, everything is PZO90187 [some text], and only for the highest level sections.
Honestly, the only important part to me are the bookmarks. I use those a LOT during an adventure.
I just got mine, you beautiful people!
I use a screen reader to read PDFs while I do the dishes, and I've run across the same issue. Even with messing with the margins, I'll still sometimes get the sidebar navigation. Sometimes, I'll even get locked into that sidebar as it decides to read me EVERY sidebar on EVERY page until I stop it.
Awesome! Is there any news on catching up with the APs?
In one of the conference circuits (Python, a programming language) I ran in pre-Covid, they basically did this. The local user groups would submit to be the crew on the ground for two years, while the main organization duties would still be with the main Python org. Now, I won't lie: This is a LOT of work. The city changes every two years, which means it's hard to build long term relationships with conference centers (though we tend to use the same line of hotels, so that stays stable). But switching the city can help more people attend (we tend to go East / Mid / West), and being a local volunteer can help people who want to dive into the community get a strong foothold. Also, the local volunteers can pitch in hard without getting burnt out, since they can go back to being regular attendees fairly soon.
I am currently running a campaign set in Geb, i am absolutely DYING for the Impossible lands pdf. I did a run through of the Geb chapter last night, and it's _gold_.
My watch has ended! Now off to frown at the UPS-MI page...
Okay, for real? It's generally just a vocal few. I've been a sub for a while now, and I only had one instance where I had an issue, and that was resolved with no drama. The vast majority of subs get their items on time, and before the street date. The vast majority of the time, downloads work fine. Right now, we're riding out the perfect storm of GenCon + new CS team + a bug that hit a lot of people, so there's a backlog of tickets. Even so... again. Most of us got our stuff with no drama.
When I balance my checkbook (are those still a thing?) I just make sure the funds for my subscriptions are in my account by day one of the shipping window, and then consider the money spent at that time. So it doesn't matter if it takes a few weeks for the shipment to go out, I have already accounted for the expense. TBH, this is why I put this sub on a low-limit credit card, along with other things like Kickstarter, where I'm never 100% sure when the charge will come. I hate things hitting my checking randomly.
The early access won’t happen as long as retail stores are a significant distribution network. I'm actually kind of curious what the numbers are on this now? I have friends all over the country, and we've noticed most stores aren't carrying anything but MAYBE the latest 5E. Most of the floorspace is dedicated to CCGs, accessories, and board games. At my LGS, they had a whole set-up for Cyberpunk Red minis and dice and playmats... and not a single book. And I'd gone in there specifically to buy the book, since I already had the PDF. Are there oases of LGS that still carry variety of TTRPGs out there that I'm unaware of? TBH, I can't even slam the stores, since I'm sure CCGs pull in way more money over time. I saw it when I worked at a retail WotC store. Pokemon and Magic paid the bills. (Note: I fully believe that if Paizo thought switching strategies worked for them, they would, so this isn't any shade on them. I'm actually pretty pleased with the way subscriptions are done)
I’m a bit shocked as to how my statement was interpreted. Pathfinder and Starfinder are healthy and will continue for years to come. But the Bestiaries and Alien Archives, as a name and type of book, have ended in favor of other concepts, like Book of the Dead and Interstellar Species. “Rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated.” —M. Twain, I believe.There are no more Bestiary or Alien Archive books planned. There will be new creatures. There are no plans for new pawns. Paizo is keeping the basics in stock for as long there’s enough demand.EEK! I didn't know Paizo was doing that poorly. I thought Starfinder was being moderately successful. Personally, as someone who went through the seven bestiaries of PF1, I much prefer this new format. Like, creatures are awesome, but creatures in context are even better.
Disappointed there are no discounts that can be applied over on Demiplane for the digital version.They do not have this product for sale yet. They are selling the three volumes separately and in a bundle, but that is not PZO2033. Make sense? So, in the inverse of this, Roll20 isn't selling the three individual books, but is only offering a discount for people who bought the all-in-one volume, which excludes people who are subscribers. Roll20 can't seem to understand that the three books are the same as this one book... Is there anyone who can talk to them? I know it's a _them_ thing, but I sincerely think that there's some crossed wires. I would hate it if this happened again when Fists comes out as one volume.
As nice as the help is here, is there any update on getting the missing instructions added to the digital cards? Because most customers won't think to look here, if we're being honest.
Hey, get that money however you can. I hope this'll encourage some 5e people to check out PF2e. I do want to make sure this isn't tossed into the AP subscription, since I already own AV, and I have no interest in 5e...
UPS-MI links not working has been a bear for me. My issue is that our mail absolutely suck in my neighborhood. Because it's a community box, we're always getting everyone else's mail, and the package locker is often crammed so full that we can't get into it. The local USPS, however, won't move unless I can hand over a working tracking number to prove that something is either lost or in a locker that refuses to open. I've considered upgrading my shipping, but part of me balks at paying that much for just a working tracking number.
If I mostly run pre-written APs and scenarios rather than home brewed storylines how much use will I get out of this book? I'm not a designer, of course, but I'm also a runner of APs... and having some big monsters can be a HUGE boon as a GM. Sometimes, my players have gone off the beaten path a bit, or they explored a part of the AP that isn't as fleshed out, and having a big encounter to throw at them helps reward their curiosity. When I ran CoT, they really got into the fey element, which isn't played up as much as they would have liked... so guess who got to deal with The Wild Hunt? Sure, we still ran through the rest of the AP, but it was a nice way to give a nod to their interest _and_ keep them within spitting distance of the plot.
So, maybe a weird suggestion, but... models for 3D printers? I have some friends who love printing out their own figurines, especially if they can modify them slightly, like swapping out weapons. |