gbonehead Owner - House of Books and Games LLC |
Neil Spicer Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut |
chavamana |
Justin Franklin wrote:(eyes empty inbox sadly)I am not jealous, as I have mine already as well.
Sighs... Looks at the email that got me excited that I'd be reading about vampires on monday (until I remembered that was the 4th). Still waiting for my shipping notice so I can download. Waiting.
magnuskn |
Hm, I notice that Caliphas seems to have nowhere one of the new stat blocks for cities. Is this an oversight or has Paizo abandoned this new mechanic?
Also, a little paragraph about Ramoska Arkminos, erm, duality as an character would have been nice. ^^
magnuskn |
There's a city statblock for Caliphas in Rule of Fear. I'm guessing they just needed the extra space. ;)
Well, I don't think I can be expected to buy supplemental books outside of the "core" rulebooks, just to get that. :p
Gorbacz |
Kajehase wrote:There's a city statblock for Caliphas in Rule of Fear. I'm guessing they just needed the extra space. ;)Well, I don't think I can be expected to buy supplemental books outside of the "core" rulebooks, just to get that. :p
Well, it can be expected that a reasonable person who runs an AP based in a country gets his hands on the sourcebook about said country. :PP
gbonehead Owner - House of Books and Games LLC |
Dark Sasha |
Generic Villain wrote:Ah, don't worry about it. Besides, with no avatar, it's not very noticeable.Gah, I just now realized I triple posted. How embarassing...
Anyone wanna delete those for me? ...Please?
It happens to most of us. Sometimes the messageboards hiccough and make us think it didn't take our post, when it did.
Dark_Mistress |
Hmm, so it seems subscribers are already receiving emails about 1.) the print edition shipping and 2.) being able to download the .pdf. Is there some reason I haven't received any emails about either of these? I'm not complaining: I just don't know how this works. (I signed up last week.)
The do subscriptions in lots of the same order. So if X number of people are superscriber's like me then they will do all those first. Then the next largest group of similar orders and so on. It seems to take them 3-4 days from when they do the first order till they get to the last orders. With Monday being a holiday in the US, they started on Tuesday. Which means they will be doing orders all day today and likely finishing them some time tomorrow. If you don't get a email by tomorrow night then you might want to ask about it, by email customer service.
Just letting you know from what I have read how I "think" things work, just to give you a idea on what to expect. :)
Sara Marie |
Hmm, so it seems subscribers are already receiving emails about 1.) the print edition shipping and 2.) being able to download the .pdf. Is there some reason I haven't received any emails about either of these? I'm not complaining: I just don't know how this works. (I signed up last week.)
EDIT: Looks like somehow no address was set on your subscription. Shoot me an email (customer.service at paizo.com) with the address you want it shipped to and I'll get it straightened out.
If you ever have questions or concerns about your order, please feel free to let us know by creating a new thread in the customer service forums or by sending us an email (customer.service at paizo.com).
thanks
sara marie
gbonehead Owner - House of Books and Games LLC |
Hmm, so it seems subscribers are already receiving emails about 1.) the print edition shipping and 2.) being able to download the .pdf. Is there some reason I haven't received any emails about either of these? I'm not complaining: I just don't know how this works. (I signed up last week.)
This thread talks about that, but if you haven't even gotten a "we're going to ship soon" email, you might want to post a message in the Customer Service forum.
EDIT: Wow, double-ninja'ed. Of course, I did have to dig out that URL ...
And now you see why people rave about Paizo customer service :)
Fuzrum |
Fuzrum wrote:Hmm, so it seems subscribers are already receiving emails about 1.) the print edition shipping and 2.) being able to download the .pdf. Is there some reason I haven't received any emails about either of these? I'm not complaining: I just don't know how this works. (I signed up last week.)EDIT: Looks like somehow no address was set on your subscription. Shoot me an email (customer.service at paizo.com) with the address you want it shipped to and I'll get it straightened out.
If you ever have questions or concerns about your order, please feel free to let us know by creating a new thread in the customer service forums or by sending us an email (customer.service at paizo.com).
thanks
sara marie
Done. Thanks!
doc the grey |
hey anyone care to give me an idea of what the bestiary for this ap looks like? I haven't been running these ones with my party but have been using their bestiary to build adventurers that have more of a dark horror feel (Waking the watchers bestiary still has one of my players dreading an adventure near the water or any lonely mysterious mountain ranges) and was wanting to know what kinds of creatures we are getting with this one so I can decide if I should pick it up or not.
Urath DM |
hey anyone care to give me an idea of what the bestiary for this ap looks like? I haven't been running these ones with my party but have been using their bestiary to build adventurers that have more of a dark horror feel (Waking the watchers bestiary still has one of my players dreading an adventure near the water or any lonely mysterious mountain ranges) and was wanting to know what kinds of creatures we are getting with this one so I can decide if I should pick it up or not.
Just in case these would spoil anyone's campaign ..
Living Topiary (Medium Plant, though it also has Construct-like rules for characters creating them)
Mother's Maw (giant flying skull undead)
Phantom Armor (undead empty suits or pieces of armor; 4 types + creation rules)
Psychopomps (2 types, 1 of which can be an Improved Familiar)
Wax Golem (2 types, the second being sentient, with construction details)
Erik Freund RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16 |
hey anyone care to give me an idea of what the bestiary for this ap looks like? I haven't been running these ones with my party but have been using their bestiary to build adventurers that have more of a dark horror feel (Waking the watchers bestiary still has one of my players dreading an adventure near the water or any lonely mysterious mountain ranges) and was wanting to know what kinds of creatures we are getting with this one so I can decide if I should pick it up or not.
Kindof an odd critique, but I thought the art in this Bestiary was atrocious. Which is weird, because the art in the rest of the AP issue was top-notch. It was a jarring juxtaposition.
I thought the special abilities on the Herald of Urgathoa were really creative and would lead to a memorable combat. The rest of the stuff in this bestiary was decent, but if you're using Wake of the Watcher's bestiary as your standard, well, that's a tough standard to beat!
doc the grey |
doc the grey wrote:hey anyone care to give me an idea of what the bestiary for this ap looks like? I haven't been running these ones with my party but have been using their bestiary to build adventurers that have more of a dark horror feel (Waking the watchers bestiary still has one of my players dreading an adventure near the water or any lonely mysterious mountain ranges) and was wanting to know what kinds of creatures we are getting with this one so I can decide if I should pick it up or not.Kindof an odd critique, but I thought the art in this Bestiary was atrocious. Which is weird, because the art in the rest of the AP issue was top-notch. It was a jarring juxtaposition.
I thought the special abilities on the Herald of Urgathoa were really creative and would lead to a memorable combat. The rest of the stuff in this bestiary was decent, but if you're using Wake of the Watcher's bestiary as your standard, well, that's a tough standard to beat!
Indeed, I have been waiting for a pathfinder/d&d treatment i could be amazed by for a long time and was not disappointed (and the fact that i got it the week of my birthday didn't hurt either). Will say though surprised that we didn't get an update to the nasferatu from curse of the crimson throne was really looking forward to seeing what tweaks it got if any. Will say though wax golem sounds interesting though maybe not for this group.
P.S. slightly off topic anyone here know why they gave starspawn fire as the thing to beat regen or a swim speed, the fire seems off and cthulhu can't pass through water so i would assume his spawn can't either.
Neil Spicer Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut |
I just finished reading through Ashes, and let me say: wow. Neil did an amazing job here, and this may be my favorite entry yet in an AP that has repeatedly blown me away.
Cool. I'm glad you liked it. Hopefully, there should be some pretty memorable characters and ideas in there for a GM to hang his hat on.
All told, I have to admit...this was a pretty tricky adventure to write (as indicated in Wes' foreward). I came into it with a lot of trepidation, mainly because I immediately started operating under the assumption that people would come at this adventure from many different angles and preferences. Both in terms of their preferred style of play for their specific games and gaming groups, as well as how vampires are portrayed (or not portrayed) in the adventure itself.
Ultimately, this was my personal take on it for Paizo's world of Golarion. Thankfully, I received plenty of guidance from Wes and Rob, as well...both of whom served up plenty of inspiration and worked hard to develop the initial turnover into the final product. My hat's off to them for a job well done. And I hope this adventure pays off for those who run and play it.
Next up: Something about a Jade Regent and an Empty Throne. ;-)
My two cents,
--Neil
Mike Shel Contributor |
Berselius |
Perhaps... but MOST of our APs have points where paladins will be faced with some tough decisions. That's a huge part of what being a paladin is—being faced with tough choices and managing to hold the faith and your honor anyway.
There's SOME "ally with the monster" elements in this AP, but when you get right down to it, that's EXACTLY the type of rol play grist a paladin player should look forward to. Because if there's never a chance to test your faith and devotion... what's the point?
Temptation is one thing James. Absolutely forcing a paladin to compromise his ideals for the sake of allowing the party to continue on with the adventure is another. It's a poor DM that doesn't plan in advance some more difficult but still NOT IMPOSSIBLE way for a party with a paladin to overcome the bad guy without having to ally with another bad guy.
Tobias |
Quote:Temptation is one thing James. Absolutely forcing a paladin to compromise his ideals for the sake of allowing the party to continue on with the adventure is another. It's a poor DM that doesn't plan in advance some more difficult but still NOT IMPOSSIBLE way for a party with a paladin to overcome the bad guy without having to ally with another bad guy.Perhaps... but MOST of our APs have points where paladins will be faced with some tough decisions. That's a huge part of what being a paladin is—being faced with tough choices and managing to hold the faith and your honor anyway.
There's SOME "ally with the monster" elements in this AP, but when you get right down to it, that's EXACTLY the type of rol play grist a paladin player should look forward to. Because if there's never a chance to test your faith and devotion... what's the point?
Actually, the adventure does detail how to get through without having to ally with the vampires. It makes it far more difficult, but it doesn't stop the players dead. It also discusses paladins and clerics and Pharasma and why they might make (temporary) alliances with the vampires.
This is a really well done AP. It will make for lots of great roleplay, and it doesn't stop dead if the party puts their principles above what is easy. It's good to see these hard situations added, rather than avoiding them for fear of what the Paladin might do.
Berselius |
Actually, the adventure does detail how to get through without having to ally with the vampires. It makes it far more difficult, but it doesn't stop the players dead.
Good to here but how far is "FAR MORE" difficult? What I consider "impossible" for a party of four PC's is facing a challenge that is +4 or higher than their average party level.
Tobias |
Quote:Actually, the adventure does detail how to get through without having to ally with the vampires. It makes it far more difficult, but it doesn't stop the players dead.Good to here but how far is "FAR MORE" difficult? What I consider "impossible" for a party of four PC's is facing a challenge that is +4 or higher than their average party level.
The PC's start the adventure at level 11 and the highest CR that a "KILL THEM ALL" group is going to have added to their plate is CR 14 against a single creature.
Most of the "extra" vampire encounters are between +1 (CR 12) or +2 (CR 13) above the party average (again, assuming Level 11).
Difficult, not impossible.
Berselius |
The PC's start the adventure at level 11 and the highest CR that a "KILL THEM ALL" group is going to have added to their plate is CR 14 against a single creature.
Most of the "extra" vampire encounters are between +1 (CR 12) or +2 (CR 13) above the party average (again, assuming Level 11).
Difficult, not impossible.
Very good then. It's too James and the rest of Paizo's staff credit that they'd make this able to work with a Paladin in the PC's party. ^_^
Neil Spicer Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut |
Thanks so much for the review, Dawn. Very nice.
Also, with regards to the "PCs as Vampires" addition to the issue's bestiary, that was something that originally appeared as a sidebar in my manuscript turnover. I assume Rob or Wes felt it was a little out of place...or they didn't have room for it...in the adventure writeup. Yet, they salvaged it by making room for it in the bestiary.
As for the encounter tables, that's something each AP has started doing in the bestiary section. They're each tailored to present GMs with material they can use to "round out" their adventures. That not only includes the encounter tables, but also the monsters in the actual bestiary itself.
Thanks again,
--Neil
Dark Sasha |
Thanks so much for the review, Dawn. Very nice.
Also, with regards to the "PCs as Vampires" addition to the issue's bestiary, that was something that originally appeared as a sidebar in my manuscript turnover. I assume Rob or Wes felt it was a little out of place...or they didn't have room for it...in the adventure writeup. Yet, they salvaged it by making room for it in the bestiary.
As for the encounter tables, that's something each AP has started doing in the bestiary section. They're each tailored to present GMs with material they can use to "round out" their adventures. That not only includes the encounter tables, but also the monsters in the actual bestiary itself.
Thanks again,
--Neil
You're welcome, Neil. I felt the encounter table was the only thing on that page that actually belonged there at the head of the Bestiary.
Also thanks to Rob or Wes for keeping the "PCs as Vampires" article. As I was reading the adventure I kept thinking along those lines myself and came up with similar thoughts. So when I came across it I had a little laugh. I think some of my players would love getting to RP a character who becomes a vampire.
Sunderstone |
Finally got around to reading this one this week. Leave it to Neil "The Forest King" Spicer to drop a woodlands garnish (Nature-Bonded Druid Vamp in a greenhouse awesomeness) on a gritty urban vampire tale. I see an Anne Rice fan in there too (the name Merrick, some witches too). ;)
Job well done again, Neil.
Between this and Blood for Blood, it seems you can do urban as good as your wilderness romps. When I first read the blurb about this part of CC, I was worried about this part of the adventure path being just repetitive with fighting vampire after vampire. While it's still possible with one-sided groups, the lairs themseleves were not filled with wall to wall vampires, and in most cases it seems like some of them wont be even fought with (Evgenya, Ramoska, Luvick, etc). The NPC vamps personalities are very well done and dont feel like they were carbon copies of the same vampire, which was another fear. Impressive.
Looking forward to your Jade Regent submission.
Kajehase |
Reptilian wrote:Eric Hinkle wrote:Well, it's a known fact that horror monsters go after 'sexual' female characters first :D. Oh and here's the obligatory TVtropes link.Yeah, that's what elder vampires ought to look like.
And is it just me, or do all the monsters in this AP seem to be focusing on Seoni in the cover art?
Thanks for the link.
And I was wondering less the obvious "the monsters like sexy women" and more the fct that the less armor an adventurer wears, typically the more ways they have of blasting you to kingdom come with a snap of the fingers. You'd think that even the dimmest beasts would eventually learn to avoid the sexy half-naked sorceress after she incinerates a few dozen of them.
Using the various Pathfinder covers as rolling desktop images has kinda made me wonder Seoni's spine might now be snapped in this image, though.