Timothy Hanson |
The bestiary is hopefully made up out of Slavic mythology, worst case scenario it is filled with tanks, titanic and human soldiers. ;)
But then it shouldn't be called BEASTairy.
Apparently they are called BESTiaries. I have stared at those books for almost 3 years and never even noticed that.
James Jacobs Creative Director |
What does the Ghost Whale on the cover has to do with real-life weapons and humans?
This part of the AP doesn't sound that interesting to me, its probably devoid of monsters except for baba yaga, and i'm personally not really interested in my own kind. :p
Hoping to see the next chapter to be in the non-real world again.
The "Ghost Whale" has nothing whatsoever to do with the adventure; it's only a placeholder image. The actual cover will be completely different, and completely on-topic.
Zaister |
I just hope I can sell this AP to my Kingmaker group that has just finished chapter 5 of that AP. The only problem is that we'll probably be finished before Reign of Winter is fully published.
Gorbacz |
Hey, spirytus is what we use to make our famous nalewkas. I usually produce cherry, walnut and coffee varieties. The coffee one tastes great mixed with milk, goes down so smooth that you won't even notice. Until. Too late.
The fact that spirytus is a vital component and production takes a lot of time and love means we do sometimes have to drink a bit to keep our focus.
Sometimes, it's not just "a bit".
And when I'm running this AP there's totally a tangent where the PCs meet Piłsudski and get to tangle in some shady side treks in Ukraine.
Zaister |
Well as long as you're not drinking it pure. :)
I must admit I hadn't heard of nalewkas until now, but I'm not usually one for sweet liqueurs. I'm more of a whiskey guy.
wolfpack75 |
James Jacobs wrote:
One thing to add though... ** spoiler omitted **In response to your spoiler good sir. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Basil's_Cathedral
It's only like THE most famous building east of the Eifel Tower.
Thank you, I was about to post this but thought I should finish reading/skimming the responses. I would have to think that Saint Basil's Cathedral (the look not the name) is more famous than Rasputin to the average person. It is iconic and would be a great site to include in an adventure. Nearly every movie/tv show set near Moscow includes a shot of the cathedral.
They could also include lesser known locations like the Amber Room (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amber_room_) in the Catherine Palace...
Anyway, we shall have to wait and see how it turns out. I am still on the dissenting side. Not every idea is necessarily a good idea...
=Dan
James Jacobs Creative Director |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
James Jacobs wrote:
One thing to add though... ** spoiler omitted **In response to your spoiler good sir. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Basil's_Cathedral
It's only like THE most famous building east of the Eifel Tower.
Certainly an excellent choice, and it MIGHT have been what we went with if any of us had not thought of Rasputin much sooner.
But also, yeah... we wanted to avoid a large population center for this adventure for reasons that will become clear and for others that should already be clear... ;)
And furthermore... among gamers, I still think Rasputin's a better choice. He's certainly a more interesting one, and certainly a more "flexible for the type of story to tell" one.
logic_poet |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
James Jacobs wrote:
One thing to add though... ** spoiler omitted **In response to your spoiler good sir. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Basil's_Cathedral
It's only like THE most famous building east of the Eifel Tower.
It is pretty recognizable, but nowhere near most famous. Consider:
The Sphinx? The pyramids? The Great Wall of China? The Qaba, and associated structures? The Hagia Sophia? The Suez Canal? The Wailing Wall? Angkor Wat? The Taj Mahal? Back then, the Simplon tunnel? St. Peter's in Rome? The Colosseum? The Acropolis? Maybe most famous in Russia, although the Hermitage and the Bolshoi theater are pretty close, plus the palaces and the Kremlin.The Block Knight |
Well, assuming KingmanHighborn meant most famous building in Europe* east of the Eiffel Tower, then it's not as much of a stretch. But still though, like you say, there are significantly more famous buildings east of France in Italy, Greece, and elsewhere.
*For the purpose of this discussion, Russia gets lumped in with the Euro countries.
However, since this module doesn't take place in the rest of Europe only monuments in Russia are really applicable when trying to consider what is recognizable for this adventure. That being said, I have to agree that The Hermitage and the Kremlin (or the Red Square in general), as well as Rasputin, are easily more recognizable than St. Basil's. What is famous to one person may not be famous to another. I can count on both hands the amount of people I know who are even aware of the existence of St. Basil's Cathedral. Whereas Rasputin is pretty much known to most people I've met. I'd say it was the right choice.
KingmanHighborn |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Yes when I said East it was Eurocentric, but also not counting Egypt as it's much farther to the south, and the same with India and Middle East sites. You could argue the Colossueum and Acropolis but in terms of beauty and importance to the 'world' the Saint Basil's Cathedral trumps them. <--My opinion though, not something set in stone as fact.
That aside holy...James Jacobs responded to me *passes out*
Timothy Hanson |
KingmanHighborn wrote:James Jacobs wrote:
One thing to add though... ** spoiler omitted **In response to your spoiler good sir. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Basil's_Cathedral
It's only like THE most famous building east of the Eifel Tower.
It is pretty recognizable, but nowhere near most famous. Consider:
The Sphinx? The pyramids? The Great Wall of China? The Qaba, and associated structures? The Hagia Sophia? The Suez Canal? The Wailing Wall? Angkor Wat? The Taj Mahal? Back then, the Simplon tunnel? St. Peter's in Rome? The Colosseum? The Acropolis? Maybe most famous in Russia, although the Hermitage and the Bolshoi theater are pretty close, plus the palaces and the Kremlin.
I am pretty sure most Americans could not tell you what or where most of the second half of that list is. The probably could not name Saint Basil's Cathedral, but I am going to be optimistic and say most of them would know it was in Russia.
GeraintElberion |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I'd never heard of St. Basil's Cathedral (recognised the picture though).
Just did an informal check with my fiance and asked her to name the most famous building east of the Eiffel Tower. This is her list:
Sistine Chapel
Leaning Tower of Pisa
St. Peter's Basilica
I asked her to go outside Italy and she said Prague Castle.
She then told me it wasn't fair because Spain had so many and she couldn't name them.
I asked her about Russia and she named the Kremlin and 'The palace in St. Petersburg'
I asked, "What about St. Basil's Cathedral?"
the response, "What's that?"
"The cathedral in Russia with the swirly domes."
"Oh, right, that!"
Obviously just two people, but two fairly well-educated people with an international outlook.
The 8th Dwarf |
I recognize the name but had to look it up.... East of Paris For me all the buildings in Rome, Greece, Istanbul if asked specifically about Russia I would have said the Kremlin and the Palace in St Petersburg as well.
I am listening to the History of Russia Podcast though ...... I just started..... It's almost as good as a History of Rome podcast.
Vic Wertz Chief Technical Officer |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
The bestiary is hopefully made up out of Slavic mythology, worst case scenario it is filled with tanks, titanic and human soldiers. ;)
But then it shouldn't be called BEASTairy.
Definition of BESTIARY
1: a medieval allegorical or moralizing work on the appearance and habits of real or imaginary animals
2a : a collection of descriptions or representations of real or imaginary animals
b : an array of real humans or literary characters often having symbolic significance
3: an unusual or whimsical collection <a truly astounding bestiary of airplane designs — Peter Garrison>
So, usually, we're definition 2a, with the occasional 2b thrown in... but sometimes you need to go to 3!
Mikaze |
5 people marked this as a favorite. |
Sincubus wrote:The bestiary is hopefully made up out of Slavic mythology, worst case scenario it is filled with tanks, titanic and human soldiers. ;)
But then it shouldn't be called BEASTairy.
Merriam-Webster wrote:So, usually, we're definition 2a, with the occasional 2b thrown in... but sometimes you need to go to 3!Definition of BESTIARY
1: a medieval allegorical or moralizing work on the appearance and habits of real or imaginary animals
2a : a collection of descriptions or representations of real or imaginary animals
b : an array of real humans or literary characters often having symbolic significance
3: an unusual or whimsical collection <a truly astounding bestiary of airplane designs — Peter Garrison>
Haunted tank!
Haunted tank!
James Jacobs Creative Director |
Sincubus |
So, usually, we're definition 2a, with the occasional 2b thrown in... but sometimes you need to go to 3!
stats for several new monsters+
Several new monsters in the Pathfinder Bestiary
Then these bold words should be changed into something different for this AP, they may be bestiary material, but they aren't monsters (at least not in the sense of Minotaurs/Harpies/Golems and Demons) :p :D
Brandon Hodge Contributor |
11 people marked this as a favorite. |
I can't WAIT for you guys to see the great statblock selection of dog breeds that Daigle has put together for this volume! Statblocks for pugs, mastiffs, dobermans, chihuahuas, and so much more, including rules for constructing your own mixed-breeds like labradoodles, bulloxers, pug-a-peis, and more! The variety is amazing, and you're getting an ENTIRE BESTIARY CHAPTER devoted to enough breeds to make any fan of the Westminster Dog Show or the movie Best on Show envious!!!
Neil Spicer RPG Superstar 2009, Contributor |
thejeff |
I can't WAIT for you guys to see the great statblock selection of dog breeds that Daigle has put together for this volume! Statblocks for pugs, mastiffs, dobermans, chihuahuas, and so much more, including rules for constructing your own mixed-breeds like labradoodles, bulloxers, pug-a-peis, and more! The variety is amazing, and you're getting an ENTIRE BESTIARY CHAPTER devoted to enough breeds to make any fan of the Westminster Dog Show or the movie Best on Show envious!!!
Wow! I can't wait. Now I'm excited about this AP!!!
Brandon Hodge Contributor |
MMCJawa |
4 people marked this as a favorite. |
I can't WAIT for you guys to see the great statblock selection of dog breeds that Daigle has put together for this volume! Statblocks for pugs, mastiffs, dobermans, chihuahuas, and so much more, including rules for constructing your own mixed-breeds like labradoodles, bulloxers, pug-a-peis, and more! The variety is amazing, and you're getting an ENTIRE BESTIARY CHAPTER devoted to enough breeds to make any fan of the Westminster Dog Show or the movie Best on Show envious!!!
Do we get Dire Corgis? :)
Jessica Price Project Manager |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
If there's a dog bestiary, there had better be a cat bestiary. Because no one holds a grudge like a cat (possible NSFW language - I didn't notice any in the tiger entry, but it is Cracked).
Arnwyn |
... it can be a hard setting on low level PCs. It can be a hard setting on middle and high level PCs! Rebellion and revolution in Irrisen is a long, complicated, deadly, and I hate to say it—thoughtfully slow and careful process. There's not a lot of margin for error. Everything about the environment is pitted against you. I'm NOT saying it couldn't, can't, wouldn't, or shouldn't be done. But it doesn't strike me as being very easy without some changes to the nation. (Of course, I don't have the decades of James's experience either!)
Interesting, but who said anything about rebellion/revolution? (Besides, Paizo's done stuff like that already. Twice even [CotCT; CoT].) I would expect exactly not that for an AP set in Irrisen. (I'd agree that's the obvious choice, but I'd prefer a not-obvious option - one that works within the confines of Irrisen-as-presented.)
One has to ask yourself, if you have a full AP in Irrisen, what do you want it to look like afterwards? Do you want a full AP in Irrisen and not feel like you accomplished anything in the end? Or make it completely unrecognizable?
Hmmm. This one is probably a little more disingenuous. Probably good that you aren't speaking for Paizo: "Do you want a full AP in Irrisen and not feel like you accomplished anything in the end?" Really? That's what you're going with? I'm pretty sure that "accomplishing something" and "make it look different" (much less "unrecognizable") is a bit of a false dichotomy there. One simply need to look at Carrion Crown (or SS, or even RotRL/SD/LoF etc etc etc - but Carrion Crown especially) to show that you can have an AP in a location, feel like you "accomplished something", and not change the setting (Ustalav is still a crap-hole after the AP - but it sure was a fun romp within the confines of that crap-hole!).
Again: Accomplishments =/= changing the setting. Just to make you aware. Seeing what Paizo's done in the past also clearly shows that the writers are creative enough to make a good AP in Irrisen without botching up the setting - proof is already in past APs. (NOT that I'm saying that this AP should have been the Irrisen AP - it is clearly the Baba Yaga AP, and that's fine and dandy. Just noting that your comments re: a potential Irrisen AP, while interesting, are a bit off. That's it. Maybe your "specifics" might have helped your position a bit more...) ;)
Jim Groves Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4 |
Arnwyn, after I wrote that, I reconsidered and I regretted it. I can and I do see your point. But no one else commented on it, so I was hoping to let it slide.
:)
So, let me change the subject briefly—are YOU looking forward to this AP? Or are you one of the folks that are less comfortable with it? (No harm if you have your reservations)
I'm going to propose a deal here, how about I say I was wrong, right here and right now—and you check out Chapter One (if you weren't going to already)? Just look at it. Borrow a friends or take a look at it at your LFGS. To me, that would be well worth a plate of raven.
"'Cause it's ravens, not crows, Jim." ;)
(inside joke)
EDIT: I removed the first line, because I didn't want to be misunderstood.
Arnwyn |
Arnwyn, after I wrote that, I reconsidered and I regretted it. I can and I do see your point. But no one else commented on it, so I was hoping to let it slide.
:D
So, let me change the subject briefly—are YOU looking forward to this AP? Or are you one of the folks that are less comfortable with it? (No harm if you have your reservations)
Well, since you asked...! The general concept looks good (Baba Yaga AP? Cool), but #5 would be completely unacceptable for my players - it just wouldn't work for them and that's exactly the sort of thing they have no interest in (not just no interest, but probably violently rejecting it). The rest of the installments look good (and since I don't play in Golarion and instead adapt APs to our long-running setting, I can ignore all the weird jumping around stuff and keep it focused in one area).
Given that, and a whole host of existing APs and adventures that exist that we haven't gone through, I couldn't justify buying an AP with a whole volume missing that would need to be reworked or completely redone.
So... my answer would have to be "no" - not looking forward to it. (Maybe, sometime far in the future if I were ever desperate enough for new adventures, I would consider getting the PDFs of a couple of earlier volumes, because my players would like those, I think...)