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I'm considering running some of these levels at our local PFS lodge as soon as the chronicle sheets come out. Does anyone who already has the product have an idea if the first couple levels would fit into a 5 hour block (ala thornkeep) or are they more module length, and would need two scenario length blocks?
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Just started reading it but it seems to be missing some important things.
A map of the area the Emerald Spire is located:
It would have been nice to see an area map in the actual module showing where it is located in comparison to everything else in the river kingdoms.
I noticed that too. I haven't look at the Thornkeep book yet because one of my players is planning to run that one.
Expected PC level for each level of the dungeon:
This seems to be an important thing missing from the module.
The first I can say for fact is not in the module, I have not seen the second. Did they really forget to add the expected level of the PCs per level of the dungeon or did I just miss it?
Again, I also noticed that was missing as well. I did see that they included a take-away block for running with 5 and 6 players. i don't think they've done that before.
I also think this product suffers from "all level maps must fit on a flip-map." That seems like unnecessarily restrictive. Flip-maps are nice when their generic locations, but the dungeon ones are less useful.
-Skeld
Have there been previous in setting discouragement of murderhoboism or is this the first time there's been consequences?
I also think this product suffers from "all level maps must fit on a flip-map." That seems like unnecessarily restrictive. Flip-maps are nice when their generic locations, but the dungeon ones are less useful.
I was afraid that might have been the case, after reading the details about this product. Can't say I'm surprised.
Another reason why I don't do flip-map products. Good to know that what I suspected is true.
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Just started reading it but it seems to be missing some important things.
A map of the area the Emerald Spire is located:
It would have been nice to see an area map in the actual module showing where it is located in comparison to everything else in the river kingdoms.
Expected PC level for each level of the dungeon:
This seems to be an important thing missing from the module.
The first I can say for fact is not in the module, I have not seen the second. Did they really forget to add the expected level of the PCs per level of the dungeon or did I just miss it?
The Map is in the Thornkeep book but I've seen it online in a few places, such as:
http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/assets/203135/echowoodregion.jpg
I also think this product suffers from "all level maps must fit on a flip-map." That seems like unnecessarily restrictive. Flip-maps are nice when their generic locations, but the dungeon ones are less useful.I was afraid that might have been the case, after reading the details about this product.
Yes, I was afraid of this as well. That's a shame.
Yes, I was afraid of this as well. That's a shame.I also think this product suffers from "all level maps must fit on a flip-map." That seems like unnecessarily restrictive. Flip-maps are nice when their generic locations, but the dungeon ones are less useful.I was afraid that might have been the case, after reading the details about this product.
For my piece, I didn't feel any more or less restricted in my mapping for this project than any other. Paizo only publishes dungeon maps in adventures as either full-pagers or half-pagers—there are always those specs on projects, you simply don't see us printing round maps or page-and-a-half-sized maps. If adventures feel like the designers have complete control over their medium, I rather think that speaks to the strengths and professionalism of the designer, not to their having carte blanche to do as they will. As I recall, the only additional specs added on for the Emerald Spire maps were to use 5-foot squares and to create a single level (no split levels), which didn't feel that outlandish. Heck, I seem to recall we even got graph paper of the proper size.
As with any project featuring this many participants you might be able to notice designers' particular strong points from level to level. Some designers are amazing storytellers, or encounter designers, or trap builders, or cartographers. As such, you might notice their particular strengths contrasted by their fellow authors' strengths. In effect, that means you're going to see the work of some awesome map makers next to the work of designers whose strengths lie elsewhere, or whose tastes are radically different. You're going to see some real old-school work in here—as there are a few real old-school authors—next to the work of those with more radical sensibilities. Readers are sure to find their favorites in the mix. But, at least for me, that's actually part of the appeal of an exquisite corpse project like this. It's the variety that makes experiments like this so interesting.
For folks who haven't seen the maps yet, I'll ask Owen to preview a couple in this weekend's Emerald Spire blog. I've also just posted the sketch I did for my dungeon, level 10, the Magma Vault, on my personal Tumblr here. It's not Jason Engle's awesome final map, but it suggests what you can expect in the awesome final piece.
(You can also check out more about this level, the Magma Vault, and some art from it in this past weekend's Emerald Spire preview on the Paizo blog.)
Overall, I think the breadth of talents featured in the Emerald Spire will make it rather difficult to generalize on any level. I think some folks are really going to love that and, beyond using it as a fascinating adventure, will find it chocked full of adventure design insights. For those who like the formality and unified tone of a single author adventure, though, might I recommend...
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Ok, thanks for the explanation, Wesley. I still would love to see Paizo find some way to use the nice vinyl maps, but I understand what has been said so far on why you can't.
Either way, I am looking forward to getting my Emerald Spire Superdunegon book and maps. :)
Module itself looks like a lot of fun! Looking forward to taking the time to really read it over the next few days.
Small issue with the PDF: I think there needs to be another page between the front cover and the table of contents. When you print the PDF, the left/right page layout is skewed.
Wasn't that big a deal for me (I have free grayscale printing at work), but if I'd paid to have Kinko's print this out for me, I would have been annoyed.
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Module itself looks like a lot of fun! Looking forward to taking the time to really read it over the next few days.
Small issue with the PDF: I think there needs to be another page between the front cover and the table of contents. When you print the PDF, the left/right page layout is skewed.
Wasn't that big a deal for me (I have free grayscale printing at work), but if I'd paid to have Kinko's print this out for me, I would have been annoyed.
Heya, since this is a hardback book, we don't have inside covers or anything that would normally create balanced spreads. I agree this is a bit of an issue and I'll see if I can get a blank page inserted in the Single File version to get this behaving normally as soon as I get a chance.
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I'm considering running some of these levels at our local PFS lodge as soon as the chronicle sheets come out. Does anyone who already has the product have an idea if the first couple levels would fit into a 5 hour block (ala thornkeep) or are they more module length, and would need two scenario length blocks?
To answer myself now that I've given Level 1 a read-through: Yes, at least Level 1 could easily be run inside a 5 hour block for PFS.
Heya, since this is a hardback book, we don't have inside covers or anything that would normally create balanced spreads. I agree this is a bit of an issue and I'll see if I can get a blank page inserted in the Single File version to get this behaving normally as soon as I get a chance.Module itself looks like a lot of fun! Looking forward to taking the time to really read it over the next few days.
Small issue with the PDF: I think there needs to be another page between the front cover and the table of contents. When you print the PDF, the left/right page layout is skewed.
Wasn't that big a deal for me (I have free grayscale printing at work), but if I'd paid to have Kinko's print this out for me, I would have been annoyed.
Thanks!
I don't think I've ever printed out the PDF of a hardcover before. I usually just buy the book. But I prefer running games with the module printed out and in a 3-ring binder. That way, the book lays flat on the table when open.
Heya, since this is a hardback book, we don't have inside covers or anything that would normally create balanced spreads. I agree this is a bit of an issue and I'll see if I can get a blank page inserted in the Single File version to get this behaving normally as soon as I get a chance.
The same is true of all your hardcover books, by the way. A blank page inserted both after the cover and Before the back cover would help with display tools such as OS X Preview.
Will there be a player's guide for this?
sooo, is it just me or I can't find a section that lists recommended character levels for each level of the spire?
arrggh im stuck waiting with pending order..sigh..cant wait to read it
arrggh im stuck waiting with pending order..sigh..cant wait to read it
I feel your pain sir. I'm stuck waiting on both this and the map pack, and desperately hoping that it'll make it to Australia in time for my campaign to kick off :P
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We wrote the dungeon levels to specific character levels. It shouldn't be too difficult to add that breakdown to an upcoming preview.
Top... Men.
Will there be a player's guide for this?
There are currently no plans to do a player's guide for this product.
Does anyone have the hardcover yet? my orders still pending
Does anyone have the hardcover yet? my orders still pending
We've just started shipping this week—if you ordered a hardcover, you should be getting them very soon!
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Will there be a player's guide for this?
Since I plan on running this and want something to give to my players, I'm working on this:
Emerald Spire Player's Guide| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Will there be a player's guide for this?Since I plan on running this and want something to give to my players, I'm working on this:
Emerald Spire Player's Guide
Thank you for including the Community Use Policy declaration! ^_^
Can someone tell what monsters are in the Bestiary?
Also what is the page count?
I didn't know this was a hardcover book, I might get this one.
Thank you Mr. Stephens for the information.
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Thank you for including the Community Use Policy declaration! ^_^Will there be a player's guide for this?Since I plan on running this and want something to give to my players, I'm working on this:
Emerald Spire Player's Guide
My pleasure.
However... the Emerald Spire superdungeon doesn't seem to be on the approved products list. Oversight?
My pleasure.
However... the Emerald Spire superdungeon doesn't seem to be on the approved products list. Oversight?
Quite possibly. I will send a message to the Powers What Be. :D
In Golarion, the megadungeon I'm most eager to some day detail is Hollow Mountain. But Viperwall and the Crimson Citadel are close seconds.
Consider Viperwall an automatic pre-order for me!
Is this built by the standard '15 point buy, 4 PC' set-up? We have 6 players who'd like to play which is an unusually large group for us, but the GM has no desire to have to modify every encounter to do it.
Modules Overlord
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#1. Are all of the rooms flushed out for encounters or is this like some other mega-dungeons leaving that to the DM?
Yes, everything is fully encounter-ready.
#2. While I understand that PC levels are not mentioned for the corresponding dungeon levels, is the dungeon designed to played straight through? Or, are PCs expected to return once and a while?
It's actually set up to be able to be handled either way!
Where's the $50 or $60 signed edition...?
I'd bet there're a slew of us who'd happily pay quite a bit for signed editions (I would pay quite a bit for a signed edition).
Let's be real here... you're talking about the $200 signed edition. With a dozen authors, a case of books would need to be shipped back and forth several times. The bigger the case, the more expensive it gets. Also, I seem to recall Mr Logue is in Hawaii, which can't be cheap.
But... I'd probably pay it. There are some names here I'd be honored to have in pen.
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I'm interested in this, just curious if there are roleplaying opportunities in this or is it more of a hack/slash/problem solving piece?
I know dungeon delves usually are. But I like to add some character bits in there where possible- even if it's not the emphasis.(e.g. In Return to the Tomb of Horrors- one of my all time faves- I got great mileage out of the Necromancer School and the City surrounding the tomb before the PCs got to the tomb itself.)
It's mostly hack-and-slash but there are a couple levels focused around some RPing, and a few other notable NPCs.