Pathfinder Adventure Path: Rise of the Runelords Anniversary Edition (PFRPG)

The Rise of the Runelords AP had 4 things going for it that spurred the reprint.

1) It's popularity.

2) Our desire to do something big to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.

3) The original Rise of the Runelords is mostly sold out.

4) The amount of Pathfinder players who exist today is FAR more than existed during the launch 5 years ago, and reprinting Runelords lets them see what all the excitement is about.

Option 2: I believe the plan is to have a free Rise of the Runelords player's guide that'll have a few more traits plus a short player-friendly gazetteer to Varisia in it.

I hoped that would be the case.

I just missed out on getting one of the last printed copies of the old Player's guide (I was able to place an order, but by the time it came to be shipped there were none left. Sigh!)

PDFs are nice to hand out to players (and to mark up when you're running a PFS scenario), but I still prefer the feel of a professionally-bound product with a nice glossy cover.

James Jacobs wrote:

Option 2: I believe the plan is to have a free Rise of the Runelords player's guide that'll have a few more traits plus a short player-friendly gazetteer to Varisia in it.

I hoped that would be the case.

I just missed out on getting one of the last printed copies of the old Player's guide (I was able to place an order, but by the time it came to be shipped there were none left. Sigh!)

PDFs are nice to hand out to players (and to mark up when you're running a PFS scenario), but I still prefer the feel of a professionally-bound product with a nice glossy cover.

I'm not sure I was clear, actually... the Player's Guide for Runelords WILL be a PDF only product.

And in any event, the original Runelords Player's Guide was more like a Player's Guide to Pathfinder/Golarion than it was specifically a guide to Runelords.

I'm not sure I was clear, actually... the Player's Guide for Runelords WILL be a PDF only product.

That's what I expected; I was just saying I was glad to see there would be an updated version to go with the anniversary edition.

The comment about physical copies was just nostalgia speaking - I don't expect to see new printed versions of player's guides.

Marcus Gehrcke wrote:

Just woundering, iam going to buy this great book, but are there traits /background traits in this new version?

You'll have two options for campaign traits with this book... but neither will be IN the book.

Option 1: You can use the sample campaign traits from the Advanced Player's Guide. Those traits are custom-built for a campaign that starts in Sandpoint.

Option 2: I believe the plan is to have a free Rise of the Runelords player's guide that'll have a few more traits plus a short player-friendly gazetteer to Varisia in it.

Grats Mister Jacobs, i will honor your great golins one more time, when i host The rise of the runelords again this sommer..

Are the illustrations in the new edition going to be the same as in the previous uncollected Runelords? or will there be all new Art?

I believe there will be some new art.

I hope they keep the art for that Lamia Harridan, Ceoptra.

Are the illustrations in the new edition going to be the same as in the previous uncollected Runelords? or will there be all new Art?

There's quite a bit of new art, actually.

The most significant changes were to all of the art that had a bit too much of a "cartoony" feel to it. In the first several volumes, we were still testing the waters with art style, and hadn't yet settled on a standard "look" for art styles, and as a result we had a fair amount of art in Runelords that, by compassion to what we use today, looks out of place.

All of that art's been redone.

We also redid/replaced some other art pieces that we've since re-used in the Core Rulebook, and redid/replaced all of the vertically-aligned half-page illustrations (since, for layout reasons, the vertically-aligned art ended up not working well for what Sarah wanted to do with the book).

And then we ordered new art on top of all of that to illustrate some things we never illustrated before. Like...

There's a lot of the old art though as well... we didn't replace it all.

I hope they keep the art for that Lamia Harridan, Ceoptra.

That's one of the ones we replaced, as it fell under (just barely) the "too anime/cartoony" art. Don't worry though... the new art of her is pretty dang awesome...

Did you keep the one of the Kazoug atatue or is there a new version of that?

Huh? *rubs eyes* Wasn't this supposed to be shipping in June, rather than July? I thought Chinese New Year happened ony once a year...

This aside; James, I recall you stating that RotRL contains things of a level you wouldn't do again today (e.g. a group of certain ogres)... was this material de-fused to comply with Paizo's so-called family friendly policy, or did you remain true to some... disturbing material?

That's one of the ones we replaced, as it fell under (just barely) the "too anime/cartoony" art.

Actually, I liked that one... when exactly did 'slightly anime-esque' becone 'unfit for role playing illustrations?'

Huh? *rubs eyes* Wasn't this supposed to be shipping in June, rather than July? I thought Chinese New Year happened ony once a year...

This aside; James, I recall you stating that RotRL contains things of a level you wouldn't do again today (e.g. a group of certain ogres)... was this material de-fused to comply with Paizo's so-called family friendly policy, or did you remain true to some... disturbing material?

James Jacobs wrote:

That's one of the ones we replaced, as it fell under (just barely) the "too anime/cartoony" art.

Actually, I liked that one... when exactly did 'slightly anime-esque' becone 'unfit for role playing illustrations?'

You go and ask all those "GET YOUR WUXIA ANIME CRAP OUT OF MY CHERISHED WESTERN MEDIEVAL FANTASY" people...

James, I recall you stating that RotRL contains things of a level you wouldn't do again today (e.g. a group of certain ogres)... was this material de-fused to comply with Paizo's so-called family friendly policy, or did you remain true to some... disturbing material?

Methinks, that's been asked already, can't remember the answer though. I certainly hope it stays. If not I'm happy to have all of the old AP and then some sitting in my cupboard, so I can put that back in.

Ruyan.

Wow I am really disapointed to hear that her art was changed. Art, like beauty, is subjuct to the eye of the beholder. I like the old art for the Lashunta but don't care for her art in Distant worlds.

Actually, I liked that one... when exactly did 'slightly anime-esque' becone 'unfit for role playing illustrations?'

He didn't say that, or anything near it.

They found it didn't work for what they wanted for THEIR RPG illustrations. It wasn't anywhere near a blanket statement meant to cover the industry.

Huh? *rubs eyes* Wasn't this supposed to be shipping in June, rather than July? I thought Chinese New Year happened ony once a year...

This aside; James, I recall you stating that RotRL contains things of a level you wouldn't do again today (e.g. a group of certain ogres)... was this material de-fused to comply with Paizo's so-called family friendly policy, or did you remain true to some... disturbing material?

James Jacobs wrote:

That's one of the ones we replaced, as it fell under (just barely) the "too anime/cartoony" art.

Actually, I liked that one... when exactly did 'slightly anime-esque' becone 'unfit for role playing illustrations?'

First: Chinese New Year had nothing to do with this book's delay. It turned out to take up more resources/time than we'd anticipated on art and layout.

Second: We didn't "defuse" anything in the adventure. It's as edgy as ever. And what I might have said was that "Rise of the Runelords" represents the limit to which we'll go... I believe we've hit that limit a few more times since then on products like the Books of the Damned or the Adventure Path or modules now and then... but now that folks are expecting Paizo to produce edgier stuff it's not as shocking.

Third: I'm not talking about "Unfit for role-playing illustrations" at all. I'm talking about "Doesn't match the style of art the art director wanted for the product." You'd have to talk to Sarah if you wanted a detailed reason why... but that reason might just be "I don't like that style and prefer a more painterly style that more closely matches the art style we use for our products today."

Third: I'm not talking about "Unfit for role-playing illustrations" at all. I'm talking about "Doesn't match the style of art the art director wanted for the product." You'd have to talk to Sarah if you wanted a detailed reason why... but that reason might just be "I don't like that style and prefer a more painterly style that more closely matches the art style we use for our products today."

so, no Mama graul swimsuit calendar in the offing?

Awesome, James!

To everyone concerned about the change in illustration style: You seem to know what Ceoptra looks like in the original AP - so where's the "problem"?

Ruyan.

Well, I for one Welcome the Changes brought by our new Artistic overlords. I like the more painterly style that paizo uses in their products today. And showing the illustrations to my players really helps with the feel of the path.

Also, A lot of the Drawings in the original path were somewhat simple, not as detailed or pretty. And if I'm buying a new version of Runelords, I'm happy to have new Art to look at so I can pick and choose what to show my players.

Chopswil, dadburnit man! I did not need that image in my skull!!! AAAaaagh! It's burned into the back of my eyes!!! >.<

You know what I'm looking forward to? The new supplementary material for Rise of the Runelords, particularly the new Rise of the Runelords Face Cards.

Second: We didn't "defuse" anything in the adventure. It's as edgy as ever. And what I might have said was that "Rise of the Runelords" represents the limit to which we'll go... I believe we've hit that limit a few more times since then on products like the Books of the Damned or the Adventure Path or modules now and then... but now that folks are expecting Paizo to produce edgier stuff it's not as shocking.

Great to read that. Thanks a bunch!

Third: I'm not talking about "Unfit for role-playing illustrations" at all. I'm talking about "Doesn't match the style of art the art director wanted for the product."

Understood. Sorry if my tone came across as caustic; this was not my intention.

so, no Mama graul swimsuit calendar in the offing?

Must. Get. That. Image. Out. Of. My. Head.

@James Jacobs: about two or three pages ago, you mentioned there might be another stealth preview around now. Any spare bones laying around that you might be able to throw our way?

Also, for the Shackled City Hardcover, there was a note inside indicating that the player handouts would be available on the website as PDFs so GMs didn't have to cut up the book. Is something similar going to be available for this hardcover? (Although, I do realize this issue is moot for those of us with access to the PDF - not everyone will have access to the PDF).

@Chris Lambertz: now that the hardcover has been sent to the printers, do you have any more info on the interactive maps?

Thanks guys!

+1 for the interactive maps! So glad, I'll get the pdf as well. With my Gimp talents steadily improving *cough*, I can finally present my groups with excellent battle maps.

+1 for another sneak preview!

Ruyan.

@James Jacobs: about two or three pages ago, you mentioned there might be another stealth preview around now. Any spare bones laying around that you might be able to throw our way?

Also, for the Shackled City Hardcover, there was a note inside indicating that the player handouts would be available on the website as PDFs so GMs didn't have to cut up the book. Is something similar going to be available for this hardcover? (Although, I do realize this issue is moot for those of us with access to the PDF - not everyone will have access to the PDF).

@Chris Lambertz: now that the hardcover has been sent to the printers, do you have any more info on the interactive maps?

Thanks guys!

Our last Gen Con deadline is next Friday, so organizing "stealth previews" and the like aren't really things I have the time or extra energy for, alas.

There'll be a PDF version of the Runelords book, which will have the handouts. Whether or not we set up a separate PDF of the handouts or interactive maps is not something I'm involved in at all.

Our last Gen Con deadline is next Friday, so organizing "stealth previews" and the like aren't really things I have the time or extra energy for, alas.

There'll be a PDF version of the Runelords book, which will have the handouts. Whether or not we set up a separate PDF of the handouts or interactive maps is not something I'm involved in at all.

Thanks!

Two questions regarding the Karzoug Statue encounter:

Thanks!

Two questions regarding the Karzoug Statue encounter:

Spoiler:

1) The original statue was a "Greater Stone Golem" which the AP directed GMs to look at the Monster Manual for the stats. Since there is no equivalent PF reference (that I could find), are the stats for this encounter included in the text or is this one of the creatures located in the Bestiary section?

2) All of the art, as well as the mini, for the statue shows it using the Glaive. Was the Glaive included in the stat-block of the Pathfinderized version?

Thanks!

** spoiler omitted **

Awesome! So basically, I should feel free to pound my players into submission with said stony glaive!

** spoiler omitted **

Mechalibur wrote:

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

Oh, me likey . . . me likey very much . . . !

=D

Woah! More than a dragon? Hmmmmm...goblins would be glorious!

Woah! More than a dragon? Hmmmmm...goblins would be glorious!

It's not goblins. It's a lot bigger than goblins.

HangarFlying wrote:

Woah! More than a dragon? Hmmmmm...goblins would be glorious!

It's not goblins. It's a lot bigger than goblins.

Giant (simple template) Goblins!

is it more Karzoug Statues?

Glaive-wielding Goblin Statues?

... okay now I've got the mental image of Karzoug as a goblin.

I just missed out on getting one of the last printed copies of the old Player's guide (I was able to place an order, but by the time it came to be shipped there were none left. Sigh!)

PDFs are nice to hand out to players (and to mark up when you're running a PFS scenario), but I still prefer the feel of a professionally-bound product with a nice glossy cover.

I *may* have a spare one. I think I bought five of them two years ago, and we ended up with only three players. Email me at griffin AT idworld DOT net if you still want one, and I'll check.

@Chris Lambertz: now that the hardcover has been sent to the printers, do you have any more info on the interactive maps?

This project is still in my queue of things on the To Do list. This will be confirmed some time in the next couple weeks. :)

Great! Looking forward to the confirmation notice. *cheers*

Ruyan.

That´s what I get from changing job & city (and having thousand other things on my mind). I missed all this discussion completely. I do recall that the RotRL HC was just an idea on these boards, but now it nears being available. I guess I will need to go to my VFLGS and order that beast.

Can anybody tell what shipping to Europe would cost? I guess it will be probably as much as the pdf will cost. IIRC, shipping would be about 40$ or so for that much weight. Does anyone have international shipping rates handy? And, dear publishers, do you have an idea how much the pdf will be? If I had that data, I could decide whether I should preorder or not...

Stebehil I believe if you put it in your cart and then advance to listing your address it will tell you the shipping before you actually complete it and buy it. So you can find out the shipping cost to you.

Stebehil I believe if you put it in your cart and then advance to listing your address it will tell you the shipping before you actually complete it and buy it. So you can find out the shipping cost to you.

I just tried that (thanks for the reminder), and it came up at about 20$, 17$ with the shipping discount. Seeing that I get a discount on the book as well, it sums up at about 70 $. I guess that the pdf will cost more than 20$ (I´d hazard a guess that it would be 30ish), so I think preordering might be worth it. (Did the international shipping rates change during the last few years?) If I ordered it in my FLGS, I guess it would be about 60 Euro as well, I guess, and the pdf on top, so it is most probably a good deal.

Still, does paizo have an idea about the price range for the pdf? It would make my decision easier... 70$ is no small change, either.

The only book they have close in size from Paizo that is not considered a core book and therefor 10 buck PDF is the old world guide and that PDF is 35 bucks. So I would guess this book is likely to be near that, but I am just guessing.

PDF prices for the non core books has usually been about 70% of the print version. So about $42 if it holds true for this book.

I personally think they could be a little cheaper, but Paizo will (and should) charge what it thinks the market will bear.

Of all sectors of the print media world, RPGs must be a really interesting one to have a commanding share. Users who favor books will really buy books, and users who favor electronic media access tend to be completists, so you you can be sure that they will want to fill out those collections. Still, I tend to think of a PDF as an advertisement for the physical book... and $42 is a pretty expensive ad.

I wouldn't mind the price lowering a bit, since I think it would lead to more impulse-driven PDF buys (from me anyway)... but I don't know if I speak for everyone or what. Either way, the fact that — as a VGT user primarily — I'm bloody grateful for a PDF sale option at all leads me to think they can price it as they please!

42 may be the answer for everything, but I'd expect a pdf price in the range of 34.99 - 39.99. The original campaign setting book has a premium pdf price (of 34.99) and I'd expect this one to carry a price close to that.

Stefan, you mighjt be interested in the fact that the book will be translated by Ulissess Spiele, although I wouldn't know when to expect the German release.

42 may be the answer for everything, but I'd expect a pdf price in the range of 34.99 - 39.99. The original campaign setting book has a premium pdf price (of 34.99) and I'd expect this one to carry a price close to that.

Sure. I was just guessing based off of pricing in the past. They very well could set a lower price point. Do note that the original campaign setting book was $49.99($50) retail. So the $34.99 pdf follows the 70% model. This one is a little different as it is $59.99. I don't think they have any other $60 books. So that is where I came up with the $42. Again they may well decide to price it differently. Just wanted to point out that the campaign setting book did follow the 70% pricing model.