Kobold Quarterly 9

Just downloaded my PDF, can't wait for the dead tree.

Let me give my largest kudos for a) psionics b) Maenads ala pathfinder (though I disagree with the stat, I do like seeing it) and Maenads in Golarian.

I won't even grumble (much) about the 4.x content that seems to have snuck in there.

Reading through it right now. Alternate bards? Arneson interview (possibly his last)? Monte Cook article? Jon Roberts map? Tons more?

Okay, I guess it's more than pretty good, it's darn good!

edit-Oh God, just noticed the interview. That's haunting.

Getting this ASAP.

About these Maenads, are they like the Bacchae a la 2E Planescape, or are they something else?

What a great looking issue! Haven't read it all yet, but it appears to be overflowing with useful and interesting articles. Love the Pathfinder / 4E dual stat concept. Kudos, Wolfgang! Keep up the remarkable work.

About these Maenads, are they like the Bacchae a la 2E Planescape, or are they something else?

They seem rather like the Greek originals to me, with a lot of new stuff to make them fit better into generic fantasy. The Maenads are the wild women who often appear at the Bacchanal, IIRC. I don't know the Bacchae unfortunately, so I can't fully answer the question.

I also like the cover. Forgot to say that. I have found two editing mistakes. Guess I'm happy with an issue out two weeks early. One mistake per week early is very cool.

I don't know the Bacchae unfortunately, so I can't fully answer the question.

A bunch of Andrew W.K.'s whose Party Hard levels are almost always cranked to 11. The Maenads sound a bit more widely ranging in their behavior though. Looking forward to it! Thanks!

Reading through it right now. Alternate bards? Arneson interview (possibly his last)? Monte Cook article? Jon Roberts map? Tons more?

Okay, I guess it's more than pretty good, it's darn good!

I thought the Arneson piece was very touching. I really have enjoyed the interview pieces in KQ, really helps me connect to the human side of the hobby/industry, beyond just the game table.

The Arneson interview is also up at Kobold Quarterly:

Here.

-Ben.
--
Small but Fierce.
Kobold Quarterly's News Minion.

does anyone know when the PDF version will be available?

thanks

I liked it when I saw it at my FLGS and bought me a copy.

I REALLY want to by the Zobeck Gazetteer now.

does anyone know when the PDF version will be available?

thanks

Now. You need to get a subscription for four issues (one year).

Thanks for your comments, everyone! The issue does have Monte's new column, plus the Jon Roberts map, plus dinosaurs and Pathfinder (twice!). And hey, new subscribers get free Q-Workshop dice, while they last.

The interview itself was something KQ pursued for the last year, and the timing is either eerie or just in time. I think it was Dave Arneson's last interview, and it really celebrates his life, so I'm proud of it.

Anyone up for doing a full review?

does anyone know when the PDF version will be available?

It's available on the KQ site and has been uploaded here to Paizo. Not sure why it's not showing up in the Paizo store yet.

::Summon Vic Wertz::

::Summon Vic Wertz::

*Aids Another, adds homemade oreos to the summoning for a metamagic component*

Mindolin wrote:

does anyone know when the PDF version will be available?

It's available on the KQ site and has been uploaded here to Paizo. Not sure why it's not showing up in the Paizo store yet.

::Summon Vic Wertz::

It worked! I just put it in my shopping cart.

It worked! I just put it in my shopping cart.

HOW!? The PDF isn't showing up in the store!

joela wrote:

It worked! I just put it in my shopping cart.

HOW!? The PDF isn't showing up in the store!

Sure it is.

EDIT: Wait a minute... That was under the Downloads section and apears to be the Print version.

I'm at a loss.

cappadocius wrote:

joela wrote:

It worked! I just put it in my shopping cart.

HOW!? The PDF isn't showing up in the store!

Sure it is.

EDIT: Wait a minute... That was under the Downloads section and apears to be the Print version.

I'm at a loss.

That explains the $7.99 price. Normally, the pdf's only $5.99.

Removing now....

Print copy is available at the right price. PDF should be live shortly.

Excellent issue (as always). Glad that I resubscribed! Good to see that you are able to dual stat stuff now for both sides of the edition wars.

Print copy is available at the right price. PDF should be live shortly.

Should all be fixed up now!

The only thing I have concern about is that the article says Kitsune are a 4E race. Why wouldn't they have 3E stats as well? That's the reason I purchase Kolbold Quarterly issues, so I can continue my 3E campaign. To be honest, I don't even use pathfinder, I have a library of 3.5 stuff my friends and I use, it works perfectly fine for us, and I'd just like to keep that rolling the way it is. With the various campaigns we have, we can play 3.5 for years without breaking a sweat.

-Bob

A bunch of Andrew W.K.'s whose Party Hard levels are almost always cranked to 11. The Maenads sound a bit more widely ranging in their behavior though. Looking forward to it! Thanks!

Glad to see there is some interest in the maenads. I hope you enjoy it.

The quick story it that they all used to be like the maenads (aka Bacchae) of legend (which based on your description are also what the PS Bacchae are based on), but they rebelled against their god. Now they still rage on the inside, but mange to control it and stay calm on the outside (so they can make good PCs).

At the same time a handful of maenads want to return to their bestial ways. These guys are meant to be villains.

The only thing I have concern about is that the article says Kitsune are a 4E race. Why wouldn't they have 3E stats as well? That's the reason I purchase Kolbold Quarterly issues, so I can continue my 3E campaign. To be honest, I don't even use pathfinder, I have a library of 3.5 stuff my friends and I use, it works perfectly fine for us, and I'd just like to keep that rolling the way it is. With the various campaigns we have, we can play 3.5 for years without breaking a sweat.

-Bob

That article provoked two reactions in me: irritation at the lack of OGL stats, and a bit of humor at the irony of 4e getting support in Kobold Quarterly... with a PC race derived from Japanese myth. Whatever merits or flaws 4e may have, the article probably won't help it fight against the 4e is/is not anime argument.

The only thing I have concern about is that the article says Kitsune are a 4E race. Why wouldn't they have 3E stats as well? That's the reason I purchase Kolbold Quarterly issues, so I can continue my 3E campaign. To be honest, I don't even use pathfinder, I have a library of 3.5 stuff my friends and I use, it works perfectly fine for us, and I'd just like to keep that rolling the way it is. With the various campaigns we have, we can play 3.5 for years without breaking a sweat.

-Bob

From my understanding of KQ, it'll be covering various systems, not just 3.x. Is it suppose to be only 3.x/PfRPG?

Whatever merits or flaws 4e may have, the article probably won't help it fight against the 4e is/is not anime argument.

Huh? The kitsune has been statted in 3.x and, I believe, older editions of D&D. When does 4E and kitsune "suddenly" equal anime?

Robert Carter 58 wrote:

The only thing I have concern about is that the article says Kitsune are a 4E race. Why wouldn't they have 3E stats as well? That's the reason I purchase Kolbold Quarterly issues, so I can continue my 3E campaign. To be honest, I don't even use pathfinder, I have a library of 3.5 stuff my friends and I use, it works perfectly fine for us, and I'd just like to keep that rolling the way it is. With the various campaigns we have, we can play 3.5 for years without breaking a sweat.

-Bob

From my understanding of KQ, it'll be covering various systems, not just 3.x. Is it suppose to be only 3.x/PfRPG?

That wasn't Robert Carter 58's point. He was wondering why it didn't have 3E stats as well.

Kvantum wrote:

Whatever merits or flaws 4e may have, the article probably won't help it fight against the 4e is/is not anime argument.

Huh? The kitsune has been statted in 3.x and, I believe, older editions of D&D. When does 4E and kitsune "suddenly" equal anime?

It doesn't.

Kvantum was pointing out the irony that KQ9 gives ammunition to that argument.

S/he wasn't actually making that argument.

I think you are having something of a hair trigger tonight Joela.

That wasn't Robert Carter 58's point. He was wondering why it didn't have 3E stats as well.

Understood, but if that's the case, why hasn't KQ been dual-statting other creatures as well?

Disenchanter wrote:

That wasn't Robert Carter 58's point. He was wondering why it didn't have 3E stats as well.

Understood, but if that's the case, why hasn't KQ been dual-statting other creatures as well?

Well, in this very same issue, they do exactly that for Maenads: both Pathfinder Beta and 4e PC racial stats, with the 4e monster stats to follow on koboldquarterly.com.

Not the most shining moment of 4e support, I guess, is the point I'm trying to make.

joela wrote:

Kvantum wrote:

Whatever merits or flaws 4e may have, the article probably won't help it fight against the 4e is/is not anime argument.

Huh? The kitsune has been statted in 3.x and, I believe, older editions of D&D. When does 4E and kitsune "suddenly" equal anime?

It doesn't.

Kvantum was pointing out the irony that KQ9 gives ammunition to that argument.

I don't see the irony. But then, I've never been convinced 4E was anime, which is, to me, Exalted and the late, lamented, BESM.

S/he wasn't actually making that argument.[/QUOTE think you are having something of a hair trigger tonight Joela.

Serious, yes, but not hair trigger. (When that happens, my spelling and grammar screw up.)

Disenchanter wrote:

That wasn't Robert Carter 58's point. He was wondering why it didn't have 3E stats as well.

Understood, but if that's the case, why hasn't KQ been dual-statting other creatures as well?

Aside from the question of legality until the revised GSL just a couple of months ago?

joela wrote:

Disenchanter wrote:

That wasn't Robert Carter 58's point. He was wondering why it didn't have 3E stats as well.

Understood, but if that's the case, why hasn't KQ been dual-statting other creatures as well?

Well, in this very same issue, they do exactly that for Maenads: both Pathfinder Beta and 4e PC racial stats, with the 4e monster stats to follow on koboldquarterly.com.

Not the most shining moment of 4e support, I guess, is the point I'm trying to make.

Mr. Baur follows the Paizo forum boards. Maybe start advocating standardized "triple stats" (e.g., 3.x/PfRPG/4E) for KQ creatures.

Hmmm. Wonder if he'd provide True20 stats as well....

I don't see the irony. But then, I've never been convinced 4E was anime, which is, to me, Exalted and the late, lamented, BESM.

I'd rather not stir that up myself, but for the record I don't consider 4e Anime either. I can see it being considered anime by people who have played nothing but other forms of D&D.

joela wrote:

Disenchanter wrote:

That wasn't Robert Carter 58's point. He was wondering why it didn't have 3E stats as well.

Understood, but if that's the case, why hasn't KQ been dual-statting other creatures as well?

Aside from the question of legality until the revised GSL just a couple of months ago?

Now that fiasco's over, maybe publish a special issue with previously published KQ creatures in 4E stats? That's be cool.

Disenchanter wrote:

joela wrote:

Disenchanter wrote:

That wasn't Robert Carter 58's point. He was wondering why it didn't have 3E stats as well.

Understood, but if that's the case, why hasn't KQ been dual-statting other creatures as well?

Aside from the question of legality until the revised GSL just a couple of months ago?

Now that fiasco's over, maybe publish a special issue with previously published KQ creatures in 4E stats? That's be cool.

I'm all for that. (Not that I am interested in it.)

It is up to the submitters to provide those stats.

Now if the previous authors want to submit "re-stats," I'm sure Mr. Baur will consider it.

Now if the previous authors want to submit "re-stats," I'm sure Mr. Baur will consider it.

What level is the ritual, Summon Baur? ;-)

joela wrote:

I don't see the irony. But then, I've never been convinced 4E was anime, which is, to me, Exalted and the late, lamented, BESM.

I'd rather not stir that up myself, but for the record I don't consider 4e Anime either. I can see it being considered anime by people who have played nothing but other forms of D&D.

They've been watching way too much Dragonball or Naruto. Have them watch Beck; Now and Then, Here and There; or Grave of the Fireflies. THEN let them argue 4E is "anime".

Absolutely, totally, and unnecessarily a threadjack. So:

Mr. Baur follows the Paizo forum boards. Maybe start advocating standardized "triple stats" (e.g., 3.x/PfRPG/4E) for KQ creatures.

Hmmm. Wonder if he'd provide True20 stats as well....

Eh... I for one would hate to write an article and have to include 3 (or possibly 4) versions of the stats. Stat blocks eat up A TON of precious wordcount. 3 or 4 versions would be madness. There would be little actual content, and such an article would be largely just a collection of stat blocks, which aren't that much fun to read.

Absolutely, totally, and unnecessarily a threadjack. So:

** spoiler omitted **

As much as I see a resemblance between the Kami Kami and the Cleave power.

Eh... I for one would hate to write an article and have to include 3 (or possibly 4) versions of the stats. Stat blocks eat up A TON of precious wordcount. 3 or 4 versions would be madness. There would be little actual content, and such an article would be largely just a collection of stat blocks, which aren't that much fun to read.

But think of all the new subscribers brought in! Baur can then sell more ad space and increase the size of the mag to accommodate the stats and description! :-)

What level is the ritual, Summon Baur? ;-)

Apparently your level is up to the challenge. Just back from a convention, and poof! Summoned right here. :)

As for the dual-stat question, we'll do it occasionally (as we did for the Ecology in #9), but not for everything.

If you want 3.5 stats for the kitsune, please visit www.koboldquarterly.com and ask the author. We've done reader requests before. Sometimes, the author even anticipates them....

What's in the familiars sections ? New creatures ? Could we get a list please ?

joela wrote:

Mr. Baur follows the Paizo forum boards. Maybe start advocating standardized "triple stats" (e.g., 3.x/PfRPG/4E) for KQ creatures.

Hmmm. Wonder if he'd provide True20 stats as well....

Eh... I for one would hate to write an article and have to include 3 (or possibly 4) versions of the stats. Stat blocks eat up A TON of precious wordcount. 3 or 4 versions would be madness. There would be little actual content, and such an article would be largely just a collection of stat blocks, which aren't that much fun to read.

Yeah, but here's the thing, as a subscriber (or just as a consumer), I hate having articles which are almost useless to me. Double stating (whether it went 3.5, Pf, or sometimes one, sometimes the other, would be greatly appreciated by me. Even if it was put in teeny tiny print that I had to magnify.) The more I see articles piling up that are 4e alone, the more I wonder how much longer before the balance shifts to "not worth it." If every volume had three 4e only articles, I think that would be pretty close to hitting that point.

Totally your call. I think having three 4E articles is just barely enough to support the 4E readers of the magazine, since nine articles in the issue are 3E focussed (and two are system-independent).

The magazine will continue to evolve. Letters, events in the hobby, and feedback on the KQ boards will determine its focus.

For instance, it's quite likely that issue #10 will contain some Pathfinder-specific content. That will be "useless" to some readers, but I'd bet that it is welcome to the audience here.

The fractured D&D market means I can't please everyone, and each subscriber will decide for themselves what's worthwhile. Let me know!

Yeah, but here's the thing, as a subscriber (or just as a consumer), I hate having articles which are almost useless to me. Double stating (whether it went 3.5, Pf, or sometimes one, sometimes the other, would be greatly appreciated by me. Even if it was put in teeny tiny print that I had to magnify.) The more I see articles piling up that are 4e alone, the more I wonder how much longer before the balance shifts to "not worth it." If every volume had three 4e only articles, I think that would be pretty close to hitting that point.

Really?

I can enjoy an article regardless of the edition. I see all articles as just fuel for gaming creativity, and I can slap whatever stats/ruleset/edition on it I like. I don't care how many edition specific articles find their way into the magazine, the only thing I care about is quality.

But, I suppose reasonable minds can differ on this point. :)

Anyway, I think Wolfgang has the perfect solution - if people love an article and request different stats, such can be provided on the KQ site/boards by the author of the article.

It's hard to say where such a hypothetical point would exist, and of course any given issue one weighs not simply by number but by what articles hit one where...we've probably all felt that one article that would make an entire issue worth it to us no matter what else was there. (For example, I'd have really hated to have missed out on the Arneson interview.)

Maybe it would have been more helpful if I had just stressed how much more than one stating would be appreciated when something is being introduced that is not already widely available in 3.x.

Edit: Of course, when I say double-stat, I'm not be exclusively selfish--I'm assuming that 4e players would appreciate receiving their stats for some of those articles that would leave them feeling "barely supported."

Really?

I can enjoy an article regardless of the edition. I see all articles as just fuel for gaming creativity, and I can slap whatever stats/ruleset/edition on it I like. I don't care how many edition specific articles find their way into the magazine, the only thing I care about is quality.

But, I suppose reasonable minds can differ on this point. :)

Anyway, I think Wolfgang has the perfect solution - if people love an article and request different stats, such can be provided on the KQ site/boards by the author of the article.

Really...at this point, I have so much material to inspire creativity, that if the mechanical side to support it is missing, I especially feel it.

But your point about providing website support is very a propos, and something I greatly appreciate.

joela wrote:

What level is the ritual, Summon Baur? ;-)

Apparently your level is up to the challenge. Just back from a convention, and poof! Summoned right here. :)

That virgin blood really does work! :-)

If you want 3.5 stats for the kitsune, please visit www.koboldquarterly.com and ask the author. We've done reader requests before. Sometimes, the author even anticipates them....

Coolio!