Here's how my last hour and a half went:
-sees ad in Kobald Quarterly 21-
Me: Evil campaign? Awesome!
-immediate impulse buy-
-reads: chaotic characters not allowed-
Me: SON OF A......snip...
This is a very specific campaign for Lawful Evil worshippers of Asmodeus and it excludes a certain style of villain, that's the kind of salient fact I would have liked to know before my purchase.
...snip...
There is a free download available (DriveThruRPG Link, RPGNow Link & Paizo Link) that contains this very information. In general, impulse buys are caveat emptor and subject to the "son of a" reaction :-). I've been burned enough myself on such things that I typically do a search for previews/demos/etc before I throw down cash these days. Whether the Lawful descriptor needs to be added to the product blurb is obviously something for Gary to decide, but I think Fire Mountain Games has provided adequate intel on their products (my opinion being tied to my personal experience of course).
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Shasazar,
First, thanks for buying "Way of the Wicked".
This campaign does not have to focus around worshippers of Asmodeus. We picked that god because he is a popular one, a public domain evil deity and provides a natural reason for the party to hang together. "Way of the Wicked" strives above all else to be the evil campaign that actually works and alas for many that means lawful evil.
However, you can completely downplay or even ignore that aspect without having to change a single encounter. This could simply be a campaign about revenge against Talingarde for very personal reasons.
The danger of doing that, as you rightly point out, is that this opens the door for the campaign to degenerate into a festival of betrayal, bickering and back-biting. But if your players can overcome that, we try to give you the tools to play the game that way. Book Two includes an article discussing alternate ways to play the campaign.
Now with months of play reports under my belt, I think you can run this campaign with a group of chaotic evil characters. Have them swear a blood oath to work together and replace Cardinal Thorn with a demon sent from the abyss to sow chaos and death -- the demon Adrastus.
I believe with that one minor change, you can transform "Way of the Wicked" into a chaotic evil campaign.
Regardless, thanks for checking us out and thanks for taking the time to provide us with feedback. We only get better because of people like you.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
To expand on this, how significant an impact would be had on the AP's story without the assumption the PCs are ultimately bound to any supernatural/fiendish higher power? While I agree that starting an evil party off as henchmen in some sinister organization is definitely the way to go to avoid having everyone go ax crazy, a decade in the DM's seat has left me burnt out on the "evil god/archdevil/demon lord cult" brand of evil. I'm hoping that running Way of the Wicked with the henchmen/faction aspect intact but without working for something from the lower planes is possible without derailing or changing the plot from the as-written version too much, as I quite liked what I saw in the free preview.
To expand on this, how significant an impact would be had on the AP's story without the assumption the PCs are ultimately bound to any supernatural/fiendish higher power? While I agree that starting an evil party off as henchmen in some sinister organization is definitely the way to go to avoid having everyone go ax crazy, a decade in the DM's seat has left me burnt out on the "evil god/archdevil/demon lord cult" brand of...
The short answer is 'yes' you could get rid of the religious evil organization without much work.
To explain, we are deep into spoiler country.
The sinister organization -- the Knot of Thorns -- could be secular without any major changes. There is already an undercurrent of political resentment against Talingarde from the old Barcan regime in the books. Cardinal Thorn's reason for hating the House of Darius could be political. He could be a relative of the deposed noble lineage condemned for treason. Transform Cardinal Thorn from a cleric into a wizard. They burned him at the stake and he survived thanks to his magically granted resistance to fire. He made his way to the Agathium and using his own magic transformed himself into a lich.
You have to convert Cardinal Thorn's statblock from being clerical, but other than that, the majority of the plot now works as a political intrigue.
Hope that helps,
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Alejandro,
Thanks for the kind words and I'm glad you're enjoying "Way of the Wicked". And if you do run it, please post play reports. First, I just enjoy reading them. And second, they help the game become better.
If you don't mind me asking, are you going to run the game in Spanish?
Estudie espanol por cuatro anos en Tejas. Estoy hoy asi asi. Vida en Oregon lo utilizo raramente. Pero amo la oportunidad. El espanol es una lengua hermosa. Su juego es el primer juego español dicho a mí. Congratulacion y gracias.
Hopefully that's not too embarrassingly rife with errors.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
John Stout,
Yes, I would love to see it.
Gary
Heh, meant to post that under my usual alias of Nostrus. It'll be the weekend at least before I can figure out most of the scripting required and get the time to do it. I've had a quick look through the first book again but I don't know if there is any material that would need to be migrated over as well?
deep spoiler country.
That is just excellent. And thanks for the speedy reply! It seems I've some purchases to make once payday rolls around.
I hope I don't tread on any toes, but I've started trying to migrate the Book 1 traits to Hero Labs. Obviously I won't release it but if I get it working, would you want to see it Gary?
I did that too. I created a party with Hero Lab and made all the new traits from Book 1. The more you use Hero Lab the easier making things gets. Try finding traits that are similiar and use them as your base.
That is just excellent. And thanks for the speedy reply! It seems I've some purchases to make once payday rolls around.
Cool. Thanks for supporting "Way of the Wicked!" And if you have any other questions, feel free to bring them to this forum. I check it daily.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
By the way your spanish is quite good :) just a couple of things that are not formally correct but you can certainly express yourself very well.
That is very charitable of you. I really need to get in the habit of practicing it more.
Gary "1 1/2 lingual" McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Thanks for all your help and suggestions, Gary. Both here and on the other thread.
I have a question about Lawful/Neutral Evil Antipaladins.
The default Antipaladin code of conduct is as follows:
- Place his own interests and desires above all else
- Impose tyranny
- Take advantage whenever possible
- Punish the good and just, provided such actions don’t interfere with his goals.
Now, this isn't exactly conducive to the group cohesiveness that Way of the Wicked enspouses and the codes of conduct in Faiths of Corruption aren't a great deal better.
Do you have any suggestions for codes of conduct for Lawful Evil and Neutral Evil Antipaladins?
I have two questions that Gary might be able to answer, both in regard to presenting the campign to my players in German as much as possible.
1) Why are the Knights of the Alerion called that? Who or what is "the Alerion" and why aren't they just "Knights of Alerion"?
2) Would it be possible to get the map of Talingarde without writing on it so I could re-label it in German? And on that not, it would be nice to get the other maps without words and numbers on them so I could enlarge them and print them as floorplans.
Regards,
Stefan.
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Tobias,
Most of the antipaladin's code of conduct still works (especially for neutral evil).
For lawful evil paladins I would update it slight.
- To serve faithfully Asmodeus (or any other LE patron deity) or their master (if you prefer a more secular take)
- To serve your own interests, desires and personal power as long as it doesn't interfere with the wishes of your master.
- To impose the tyranny of your master upon Talingarde
- To punish those who oppose the will of your master
- To avenge those who purged by the so-called forces of good from Talingarde.
How does that sound?
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
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Stefan,
First the alerion is a heraldric eagle and medieval beast. Hence 'the' Alerion. Because the alerion and the eagle are more or less synonymous this is the origin of the "to fly with eagles" being used as a term for joining the order (pg. 85 Knot of Thorns).
We're getting into pretty deep background here (certainly not important to any major events of the campaign) but I imagine they are called that because before House Darius was the royal house of Talingarde, they were a small noble house with a long tradition of having paladins amongst their number. The Alerion was the personal heraldry of those paladins (see pg. 84 for the heraldry of the Knights). When House Darius came to power and the knights were elevated to the most important knightly order in the land they kept that heraldry even though these days few really know what it means.
Second,yes we can get you a map with no text. Let me talk to Mike and see about throwing it upon on the web site.
I will post here when that is done.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Gary, thanks for explaining the Alerion background. I wasn't aware it was a real world word. And thanks again for taking up the map request! You guys rock!
Reaper Miniatures
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Our Kingmaker group is in book 5 now, and nearing the end, although with Summer Convention season calling me away I don't expect to finish until late June, which means I anticipate beginning this path right after PaizoCon.
I got a roll of Gaming Paper, and am getting started on the prep work - making maps of Branderscar and Balentyne. After that, I have to make maps of the spire from book 2.
Am I forgetting any key locations? I don't think I'll need maps hand-drawn for the test, I can do those with my map tiles, but I want the complex, multi-session locales pre-drawn.
Brian, for Book One, I would map out four things...
Branderscar and Balentyne assuredly but also the Nine Lessons and a battle map of the Frosthamar. That way you are pretty much good to go for all locations that should have fighting in Book One.
Hope that helps,
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
John,
Wow! Your players completely massacred my dungeon.
Note to self: make next adventure MUCH harder.
But seriously, I'm glad your players are having a great time. That's why we do these things.
Game on!
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
To be fair, they got exceptionally lucky a couple of times, I thought for sure the commander would slaughter them, but they pulled out the win rather surpisingly. And the whole thing could have been thwarted by one random patrol, but I figured they had earned it, mostly by doing that thing it's hard for veteran players to do: take a chance.
Lord Havelyn can be a monster no doubt.
You know, I think you're right about taking a chance. The first mission is all about the fact that the Nessian Knot is in over their heads. They have been given a mission that is, if one pauses to consider it, insane. A small band of recent prison escapees versus an armed tower of a hundred soldiers and their officers? That's nuts. And yet, they pull it off.
From there on, they have earned the right to be called Thorn's most elite servitors. And by the third book, they are leading armies of evil across the face of Talingarde. Evil, when left unchecked, so rapidly gets out of hand.
And speaking of that, I'm back to working on getting the third book out next week...
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
I have a question I'm surprised I didn't think of before.
When the PCs are staying in Aldencross, if they still have Grumblejack the Ogre with them, just how are they supposed to hide him so that he stays close enough to help with any evil-doing when needed but he doesn't get hunted down by the locals?
Though if you wanted to lure some soldiers out for killing elsewhere, having a wild ogre go on a murderous rampage would be a great lure.
Vordoth,
Excellent! The church bombing alchemist sounds like a blast. Ye gods, I am putting the finishing touches on an adventure designed for that character concept!
Regardless, please post updates here. I love to read them.
And have fun being bad!
Eric,
You answer your own question. How do they use Grumblejack? Hopefully creatively.
Yes, it may be difficult to sneak him into town (although with illusion spells -- not impossible. What could be more useful than being followed around by an invisible ogre?) but inside the Watchtower and during night ops -- the ogre is a great tool.
Ultimately, Grumblejack should not replace the PCs. He is just a useful underling and that is as it should be.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
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Back from recovery/surgery and had the players do a little bit more. They managed to get to Thorn, although it was REAL close with the gods. As the pyromancer learned, fire is very noticeable. They managed to get out of a lot of the fighting so they missed out on xp, but speed was a factor.
To make up for it, during their training period, I had them go chop down some trees. One of the trees had a sap demon (CR 3) in it from Midgard Bestiary. This helped bring them up to what they needed.
Vordoth,
Sounds like an exciting session! Keep us posted as there are more.
Kevin,
Glad to hear you made it! A sap demon. Nasty. Regardless, sounds very exciting.
Keep up the updates everyone and oh...yeah, Book 3 is now complete, full of art and edited. Look for it real soon.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
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My players have finally figured out a balance for healing. While it took a bit of multi-classing and a small gift from the GM (me), it seems to be working out nicely.
To help them out, I added an encounter with a "witch" and her desire to have the corpse of a black dragon shortly after the party completed Thorn's lessons. I liked the idea of giving the party a chance to have earned some items to boost their AC as Gary suggested so the party went into the moors hunting for the inquisitor that hunted them down in the first place. After defeating him and chopping off his head, they encountered a creepy old cannibalistic oracle who offered them a treasure in exchange for the corpse of a dragon. A very young dragon later, they had earned the following item:
Blood Chalice: Constant effect, Aura 30’. Swift action to activate aura (Command word) Grants the Oracle of Bones Revelation - Resist Life (Su): You are treated as an undead creature when you are targeted by positive or negative energy. You are not subject to Turn Undead or Command Undead (or any other effect that specifically targets undead), unless you are actually an undead creature. At 7th level, you receive channel resistance +2. This bonus increases by +2 at 11th and 15th level. Creatures in the radius of the item and attuned to the relic receive the benefits of “resist life”. Being attuned to the relic requires a weekly donation of 1 point of constitution (blood) which is ability damage and which can be healed as such. Further powers are said to be able to be accessed with the proper research and rituals.
When the Anti-paladin hit 4th level, it allowed the party to overcome some of the healing issue that Evil Parties experience due to the lack of channeling positive energy.
The barbarian in the group also took a level of "Life" Oracle (he is heading to rage prophet), so while healing can be complicated and for the most part it is nickel and dime healing (1d6 here, 1d6 there..), it seems to be working so I don't have to worry so much about 15 minute adventuring.
Thought that this might be helpful to other GMs who are finding the lack of healing to be a big problem for their parties.
Vordoth,
Sounds like an exciting session! Keep us posted as there are more.
Kevin,
Glad to hear you made it! A sap demon. Nasty. Regardless, sounds very exciting.
Keep up the updates everyone and oh...yeah, Book 3 is now complete, full of art and edited. Look for it real soon.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
This is very good news! I am eagerly looking forward to it.
@Dreadwaldo -- that is one truly inventive and original idea you had there, thanks for sharing it.
Dreadwaldo,
Very cool chalice. Thanks for sharing! Should fit right in to book 3 coming very soon to this website.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Gary, do you think it could be possible to offer a deal that customers that want to get the print version can get the PDF when it is released without having to buy it twice?
Zaister,
Hmmm...unfortunately, I don't think this is possible right now. We are getting the POD version up as quickly as we can. And it will once more include the PDF. DriveThruRPG will not allow preorders of Print-on-Demand books because of fluctuating paper prices.
Unfortunately, DriveThruRPG is being a little sluggish getting our PDF up and that is the first step.
I apologize but the only way would be to delay releasing the PDF until the POD is available and I believe that also would be an unpopular move.
So we appreciate your patience and please realize that no one is more anxious to get this out than us.
And thanks for your continuing support of "Way of the Wicked".
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Vordoth,
Well done! Sounds like an exciting session. I look forward to hearing about the next.
Congratulations on escaping Branderscar. Now off to meet your benefactor.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Zaister,
Hmmm...unfortunately, I don't think this is possible right now. We are getting the POD version up as quickly as we can. And it will once more include the PDF. DriveThruRPG will not allow preorders of Print-on-Demand books because of fluctuating paper prices.
Unfortunately, DriveThruRPG is being a little sluggish getting our PDF up and that is the first step.
I apologize but the only way would be to delay releasing the PDF until the POD is available and I believe that also would be an unpopular move.
So we appreciate your patience and please realize that no one is more anxious to get this out than us.
And thanks for your continuing support of "Way of the Wicked".
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
I guess I can wait. Looking forward to part 3! :)
I guess I can wait. Looking forward to part 3! :)
Actually, send me an email. If I can confirm you as buyer of the two previous POD books, I will send you a PDF early in anticipation of your purchase.
Send it to gary at firemountaingames dot com
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
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I guessed that the blood chalice works out to be about the same as the iron circlet. Resist life is a 1st level Oracle of Bones class feature, but the 30ft radius and the need to activate it along with the con point adjust it to about an 8th or 9th level item I figure.
Evil needs healing and doesn't get it, this simply balances things out.
Check out the new review of Pathfinder's only villianous campaign by Neuroglyph on ENWorld.
A few samples:
"I have to admit that I’m pretty well blown away by Way of the Wicked (Book One: Knot of Thorns) and that’s saying a lot given my usual suspicions and doubts about running an evil campaign."
"The artwork in Way of the Wicked (Book One: Knot of Thorns) is fresh and striking, and many of the important NPCs are given illustration which can be shared with the players. Likewise, the maps in the adventure are well drawn and beautifully colored, and definitely a great resource for the DM."
"The author really created a great series of four adventures, and set the stage for quite a campaign arc for players to experience the darker side of role-playing."
It's never been a better time to be a bad guy.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
I guess I can wait. Looking forward to part 3! :)Actually, send me an email. If I can confirm you as buyer of the two previous POD books, I will send you a PDF early in anticipation of your purchase.
Send it to gary at firemountaingames dot com
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Now that's awesome service! Mail sent. This really is the best written, best produced and best supported 3rd pary product I've seen for Pathfinder. I hope it makes you enough money that you can continue to put out these amazing prducts.
Reading part 3 now, which looks like another awesome adventure. I can't wait to finish our current campaign so we can start on this.
The only thing that would make this even more perfect would be a set of paper miniatures. :)