| Matthew AC |
Hey! My latest contribution to the fine folks at Alluria is up. A lot of people wrote a lot a quality stuff here.
Undersea rules, totally new base classes, races, and monsters, new feats, spells . . . it is a full-blown campaign setting. If you like the art from the Fey Folio or Creepy Bestiary, you will love the art, and abundance of it, in here as well.
Matthew AC
| Matthew AC |
What are the new races like? What's the siren class, and how is the kahuna different from the druid?
I did a lot of the work on the classes. I assure they are VERY different than simple rehashes of classes made to work in an aquatic environment.
The Siren = harnesses the power of song for magic. However, they can do much, much more than simply charm with it.
The Kahuna = Calls upon the primal spirits of the sea (a plethora of options here) to invest himself and his allies with aspects of certain spirits.
The Mariner = The master of movement. The ultimate skirmisher.
| The_Minstrel_Wyrm |
Some time ago I played around with a 3.0 homebrew idea (and it was roughly this, just not nearly as well done). I called mine "Argoth; The Drowned World". Anyway... Cerulean Seas sounds VERY interesting... and I'm really glad to hear that within a year this will be available in a print version. I will strongly consider picking that up.
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
| Emberion |
What are the new races like? What's the siren class, and how is the kahuna different from the druid?
Races are sorted into three categories, with options for mixbreeds with the seafolk.
The first category are Anthromorphs (short for anthropomorphic animals). The are comprised of the Sebek-ka (crocodilians), the Karkanaks (crab-men), the Pisceans (fish people), and the Mogogols (adapted from Remarkable Races, Frog men)....but they are much more than simply humanoid animals...they each have a distinctive culture, history, and flavor.
The next category are the feykith (naturalized water fey). They are made up of the sea elves, the nixies, the naiads, and the selkies. Each are very different from one another. Sea elves fill the niche of the standard elven fare, while naiads have plant-like qualities.
Last, we have the merfolk. There are the ancient nommo, the free-thinking kai-lio, the peaceful cindarians (small-size, lionfish-type merfolk), and the familiar seafolk who fill the human role.
The bestiary has a few other options as well, including the deep drow and the genai (descendants of humans and marids).
| SilvercatMoonpaw |
The next category are the feykith (naturalized water fey). They are made up of the sea elves, the nixies, the naiads, and the selkies. Each are very different from one another. Sea elves fill the niche of the standard elven fare, while naiads have plant-like qualities.
Last, we have the merfolk. There are the ancient nommo, the free-thinking kai-lio, the peaceful cindarians (small-size, lionfish-type merfolk), and the familiar seafolk who fill the human role.
Tell me a bit more about these two.
| Emberion |
Emberion wrote:Tell me a bit more about these two.The next category are the feykith (naturalized water fey). They are made up of the sea elves, the nixies, the naiads, and the selkies. Each are very different from one another. Sea elves fill the niche of the standard elven fare, while naiads have plant-like qualities.
Last, we have the merfolk. There are the ancient nommo, the free-thinking kai-lio, the peaceful cindarians (small-size, lionfish-type merfolk), and the familiar seafolk who fill the human role.
Feykith
The sea elves of the Cerulean Seas are distant relatives of the surface elves. They share many traits in common including long lives, deep attachment to their surroundings, and arrogant attitudes. Unlike their drylander counterparts,sea elves are by no means considered quiet or reserved. Sea elves are a boisterous lot, and take celebration, vengeance,and pride especially seriously.
Viridian naiads are benevolent children of nature that share a close kinship with the flora of the sea. Biologically, viridian naiads seem to be more like plants than feykith. Naiad life begins as a seed pod is planted into the seabed, where it stays for three years. It then sprouts into a bushy kelp-like plant. The plant grows to 4-6 feet tall, slowly taking the form of an adult naiad over the course of seven decades.
During this time, the seemingly non-sentient plant is nurtured, protected, and educated by its parents. After around 70 years, the adult-sized naiad uproots and joins society as a child.
Deepwater nixies are a Small-sized race of feykith that almost always appear childlike and beautiful. They dwell in harmony with the sea and sea creatures. Inquisitive by nature, they are often explorers, traveling the lands in search of a new pleasure or rare experience.
Lochgelly selkies are a race of magical humanoid shapechangers whose natural form is that of an intelligent seal. The selkie may change its form to that of an aquatic elf, and may remain in this alternate form as long as it wishes. Selkies are a passionate race that lives in the moment, thrives on adventure and excitement, and adores beauty and talent in all forms.
Merfolk
Cindarians are the peaceful Small-sized inhabitants and protectors of the coral reefs. They are a friendly folk, though fierce whenever a comrade, loved one, or home is threatened. A cindarian has few natural enemies; even mindless predators have learned to avoid them. Cindarians are natural mediators; they specialize in seeing both sides of an issue. Aggression is met with swift and merciful retribution, much like their
spiny, poisoned exterior deals with an unwanted nip.
Kai-lios are a reticent race of undersea centaurs. They prefer to live in remote, almost desolate areas under the open sea. In this wide open wilderness, they live in harmony with nature, craft great works of art, and raise large families.
Superficially, nommo appear as hulking brutes. They have massive and grotesque humanoid torsos with a catfish-like head, including fishy eyes and a large mouth filled with sharp teeth. They have external ears that sweep back behind their heads like fins. Males have thick muscular hands, while females have strikingly long and delicate fingers.
All seafolk have the upper torsos of slender, tall and shapely humans, and the lower bodies of scaled fish.Seafolk are extremely diverse in their abilities and outlook on life. Regardless of their differences, most seafolk revere beauty in all its forms. Some individuals are artisans of surpassing skill, creating beautiful art, vessels, jewelry, weapons and armor. Others are great authors and sages; collecting and disseminating knowledge with talent surpassing even the sea elves.
| Emberion |
The Cerulean Seas Campaign Setting will be released in print in early April, 2011. The PDF will be available with the hard copy at a reduced price.
Based on the overwhelming acclaim and success of our release (thank you all for the positive feedback!) we have decided to support several expansion supplements for this setting which will come available next year. Our first supplement "Indigo Ice" will explore the frozen reaches of the Selkie homeland, Rakailoch. New races, a new class, expanded rules for under-ice adventuring, and lots of other great material will be included in this short and affordable add-on.
Happy gaming!
Dark_Mistress
|
I have started reading it, some of the art looks familiar to me. But the writing reminds me a bit of Sunken Empires by Open Design. So far it is look like if you are fan of that book you would likely like this book. Still be awhile before I finish it let alone get a review done.
joela
|
The Cerulean Seas Campaign Setting will be released in print in early April, 2011. The PDF will be available with the hard copy at a reduced price.
Based on the overwhelming acclaim and success of our release (thank you all for the positive feedback!) we have decided to support several expansion supplements for this setting which will come available next year. Our first supplement "Indigo Ice" will explore the frozen reaches of the Selkie homeland, Rakailoch. New races, a new class, expanded rules for under-ice adventuring, and lots of other great material will be included in this short and affordable add-on.
Happy gaming!
Sweet!
| Aeolius |
Some random notes, regarding the bestiary: It’s nice to see someone else with an interest in coelacanths. In my game they were the inspiration for the kolocanth or sea bugbear.
The image of the coral shepherd reminds me of my liverock gargoyles. I have used giant hermit crabs in my campaign in the recent past, as well as a hermit crab hivemind, but have yet to use my hermit crabmen.
I’ve added my share of aquatic dragons also, from my hagstone dragons (coral, pearl, and abalone) to the jellyfish dragon inspired by mauve stingers.
Your giant dragonfly nymph reminded me of my vilax, which was an aquatic thri-kreen inspired by the same beastie. I have deep drow as well, though mine are akin to the NTI in “The Abyss”. Instead of electric eels, I added a new variety of ixitxachitl with electrical abilities (as well as making the vampiric ixitxachitl capable of creating juju zombies).
Your stygian imp reminds me of my fish (styx) and a host of beasties made from aquatic larvae; scullops, demonstars, and hellbenders. I recognize that sea cat pose from images of swimming tigers :) .
| Emberion |
New review of Cerulean Seas is up on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N07BLXWJ_l4
Note: There will be a revised copy of Cerulean Seas available in mid-January that will:
1) Incorporate Pathfinder Bestiary 2
2) Fix minor errata that popped up since its release
3) Address some of the concerns raised in the review above (and future reviews). So keep up the feedback! It will make this book even better.
The revised copy (as well as future revisions) will be available for free for all who downloaded the original product.
Dark_Mistress
|
I've added my review over on RPGNow.
Yeah so far my impression of the book has been pretty much overall the same as yours. I have a few minor nitpicks but that's it so far.
| Emberion |
Yeah so far my impression of the book has been pretty much overall the same as yours. I have a few minor nitpicks but that's it so far.
We too have a few nitpicks that we came across since its release. We are taking everyone's input very seriously, and will likely incorporate each into the revised version due out in mid-January 2011.
| Alzrius |
It was nice to see a shout out to my song dragons..they gave me fits getting them right, and I am not sorry to say I am a little proud of them. Why do I get the sinking (heh) feeling there will be some kind of polar song dragon in my near future...
And yet no half-song dragon template! I meant to call you out on that. Bad author! Bad!
| Blackerose |
Blackerose wrote:It was nice to see a shout out to my song dragons..they gave me fits getting them right, and I am not sorry to say I am a little proud of them. Why do I get the sinking (heh) feeling there will be some kind of polar song dragon in my near future...And yet no half-song dragon template! I meant to call you out on that. Bad author! Bad!
In the short term, the "normal" half dragon template would work, just make it aquatic. The only down side is their breath weapons are fairly repetive and sonic based. If you follow the Bestiary template half dragons don't gain all the neat extras ( 2ndary breath weapons, auras, etc) from their parent. I have been known to allow additional abilities as the half dragon levels up in home games however...
| Aeolius |
...The only down side is their breath weapons are fairly repetive and sonic based...
There's nothing that prevents a DM from changing things about, of course. My aquatic hagstone dragons, pearl, coral, and abalone, have breath weapons of sharpened oyster shell shards, hardening coralline algae, and clouds of cyanide respectively. I like to keep my players on their..errr... fins. ;)
| FenrysStar |
bigkilla wrote:Is there any chance of this and the creepy monster book seeing a print edition?Yes! Next year, all of our titles will go to print.
Then next year I will start piking up your books. I like the idea of what I see but yes, I am that much of a grognard that I want a print book. I am not paying nearly $30 for a pdf.
bigkilla
|
Emberion wrote:Then next year I will start piking up your books. I like the idea of what I see but yes, I am that much of a grognard that I want a print book. I am not paying nearly $30 for a pdf.bigkilla wrote:Is there any chance of this and the creepy monster book seeing a print edition?Yes! Next year, all of our titles will go to print.
Ha, same here.I will not pay prices like that for a PDF when you can normally buy the printed book for close to the same price.
Dark_Mistress
|
I have read most of it, and I will agree the price hurts it the most. I have a few minor issues with it, mostly the same thing brought up in other reviews already. But I will also say most of the art is very good color art. I am sure the art is a big part of the price. It is also a very pretty book and well edited and laid out. It's a very high quality book that is done very well.
joela
|
I have read most of it, and I will agree the price hurts it the most. I have a few minor issues with it, mostly the same thing brought up in other reviews already. But I will also say most of the art is very good color art. I am sure the art is a big part of the price. It is also a very pretty book and well edited and laid out. It's a very high quality book that is done very well.
What's the page count?
Dark_Mistress
|
Dark_Mistress wrote:I have read most of it, and I will agree the price hurts it the most. I have a few minor issues with it, mostly the same thing brought up in other reviews already. But I will also say most of the art is very good color art. I am sure the art is a big part of the price. It is also a very pretty book and well edited and laid out. It's a very high quality book that is done very well.What's the page count?
The PDF is 290 pages.
joela
|
joela wrote:The PDF is 290 pages.Dark_Mistress wrote:I have read most of it, and I will agree the price hurts it the most. I have a few minor issues with it, mostly the same thing brought up in other reviews already. But I will also say most of the art is very good color art. I am sure the art is a big part of the price. It is also a very pretty book and well edited and laid out. It's a very high quality book that is done very well.What's the page count?
Thanks. I'll wait until the print edition.
| Emberion |
Whew, reviewed finally. That was one big book to read and I felt like I was writing a book of my own to do the review. Review posted her, at ENworld, drivethru and Lou's blog.
Thank you for the excellent review! In the revised version, we will address your concerns (others have voiced these concerns as well) about the shell money and weapons. The revision should be available before the middle of January for free to all who downloaded the book.
| Andrew Bigwood |
FenrysStar wrote:Ha, same here.I will not pay prices like that for a PDF when you can normally buy the printed book for close to the same price.Emberion wrote:Then next year I will start piking up your books. I like the idea of what I see but yes, I am that much of a grognard that I want a print book. I am not paying nearly $30 for a pdf.bigkilla wrote:Is there any chance of this and the creepy monster book seeing a print edition?Yes! Next year, all of our titles will go to print.
Me too! I really want this but $30 is a bit steep for a pdf. I'll wait for the print edition too!
| The_Minstrel_Wyrm |
Perhaps we should start a e-mail list, so we can e-mail everyone that plans on buying the hardcopy only, so we can let you know when it is set and ready?
Here's mine
Thanks in advance.
Dean (TMW)
| Aeolius |
I plan to use elements of it in my upcoming game.
Ideally, I'd like to see Alluria Publishing establish a message board, and possibly a weekly chat, so that those of us who find ourselves fascinated with undersea adventuring have a medium in which to share our passions. Barring that, I suppose I could set one up myself, though I doubt it would get the same amount of traffic. I did set up underwater groups on EN World and wizards.com, with little to no response.
Needless to say, this product has sparked both my imagination and motivation in ways I could not have foreseen. More on that, later. ;)
| Emberion |
Dark_Mistress wrote:I plan to use elements of it in my upcoming game.Ideally, I'd like to see Alluria Publishing establish a message board, and possibly a weekly chat, so that those of us who find ourselves fascinated with undersea adventuring have a medium in which to share our passions. Barring that, I suppose I could set one up myself, though I doubt it would get the same amount of traffic. I did set up underwater groups on EN World and wizards.com, with little to no response.
Needless to say, this product has sparked both my imagination and motivation in ways I could not have foreseen. More on that, later. ;)
More news to come later, but a little glimpse of what is to come:
Cerulean Seas has outshone all of our previous products to such a degree that we are in the process of restructuring our product lineup. Needless to say, we will have many dedicated supplements and support for an underwater campaign setting in the future, including a Cerulean Seas message board. On or around Jan 15th, we will be releasing a revised version of Cerulean Seas that will be more compatible with the Pathfinder Bestiary 2 and fix some minor errata and other concerns since the release of the book. The revise version will be free to all who have already downloaded the original version.
| Aeolius |
Surprised you haven't taken advantage of a Facebook presence for those of us who are on there. Easy to put together.
The problem with Facebook and gaming, I have found, is that many folks who game and chat online value their screen names and online identities, versus the "real names" that people tend to use on Facebook. Some folks freely mix the two, while others keep them separate.
How about a Cerulean Seas Sim on Second Life, while we're at it? SL has a thriving merfolk community. ;)
| Twin Agate Dragons |
Blackerose wrote:Perhaps we should start a e-mail list, so we can e-mail everyone that plans on buying the hardcopy only, so we can let you know when it is set and ready?Here's mine ** spoiler omitted **
Thanks in advance.
Dean (TMW)
Mine too.