FYI: James / Erik & Co.. I'll be expecting a giant poster map of the new setting


Rise of the Runelords


Huge as in giant 4 part poster maps like you did for the FR and Greyhawk.

Don't think you'll get away with providing a couple single-page maps!

fair warning!
love,
-Thooly


Aw, give 'em time. If they send it in the next year it'll look like a chart of North America in 1550--filled with lots of blank space labeled "Terra Incognita" and "Here there be monsters." Of course, monster illos of the new creatures in the Pathfinder's bestiary would be a great marketing tool, and would do a nice job of filling up the Terra Incognita on the first edition of the poster map. (Feel free to use this idea, if you like it, head cartographer!)

Liberty's Edge

I think it would be great if a huge section of the world was unknown to the inhabitants of the continent it is to be based in. Perhaps Paizo could run a contest for the best designed "lost continent" and incorporate the winner's maps and story into their setting. Kind of like what WoTC did, just on a smaller level.


Personally, I'd rather they leave plenty of stuff of the early maps, and focus on smaller scale areas, revealing bits and pieces through the modules and adventure paths.

I'd like to see a world take shape and grow as inspiration strikes rather than be immersed in something that's all mapped out from day one.

I like the idea of not knowing what's over the horizon. It's been missing from the published settings for a while at WotC, and indeed, in a borader sense often as well, as it related to D&D.

Liberty's Edge

Well the only problem I see with not mapping large sections of the map, is that if your players go off the beaten path then you the DM are left with the task of coming up with something on the horizon which may or may not conflict with later adventures.

I don't think the entire world should be mapped, but a large portion of the starting continent should be. That way should your players take a left when the adventure says right, you won't have to worry about screwing yourself for later adventures in the AP.


Netigy wrote:
I like the idea of not knowing what's over the horizon. It's been missing from the published settings for a while at WotC, and indeed, in a borader sense often as well, as it related to D&D.

Not knowing what's over the horizon is great for players, but when I'm DM I have to either figure out what's across the horizon myself or have someone do it for me.

I'm willing to pay the guys at Paizo for helping me out in that dept.

Liberty's Edge

Netigy wrote:
I'd like to see a world take shape and grow as inspiration strikes rather than be immersed in something that's all mapped out from day one.

While I understand your position to an extent, I feel it's better to have internal consistency. Say, for instance, you can't have Greece without Egypt, Phonecia, Persia, etc. Nations and culture are in part defined by their neighbors--who you trade with, who you go to war with, who's culture influences yours, etc.

That's the problem I have with so many campaign setting--they're too hodge-podge and slap dash, there's no thought to how they'd work if they were real. While that sort of thing is acceptable in a home brewed setting or in the venerable settings (hey, someone had to pave the way!), publishing such a setting these days is kinda insulting when even the most harried DM could slap together something just as good or better on their own. A professional setting needs depth--historical, cultural, technological and political depth.

Lantern Lodge

Azzy wrote:
A professional setting needs depth--historical, cultural, technological and political depth.

Also, it needs a map. I love maps :)


Likewise. I was skeptical at first about Pathfinder but I'm really liking what I'm seeing so far. The art is great. I think what would put me over the top is the "extras" that come with each issue: maps, artwork, player handouts, etc.

A full poster-map is key IMO.

Has anything been said about who's doing the cartography yet?

Liberty's Edge

Almighty Watashi wrote:
Azzy wrote:
A professional setting needs depth--historical, cultural, technological and political depth.
Also, it needs a map. I love maps :)

Hear! Hear! :D


A HUGE map is a must! It would be great to have a player map and a DM map. You could have one huge map with blank spots here and there that you can show the players. The DM map could be shown in the books.

The blank spaces could be marked with text, shown as white areas, or coastlines. The Storval Plateau and Chorak's Rest could be blank spaces. At the same time, areas close to civilisation should likewise be more detailed

As said warnings and the like could also be marked on the map, "Beware of Seamonsters", "Here be monsters". It makes the map alot more interesting.


I support the idea of a huge map, but I think you should simply receive the map after a full year of purchasing Pathfinder through Paizo. Otherwise, there's no incentive to not just pick out random issues.


I'm sure the poster map will be in the 2008 boxed set.

...What?

-The Gneech

Paizo Employee Creative Director

Varisia's about the size (but not the shape) of California, so it can certainly support the concept of a huge map. And then, of course, Varisia's only one region on the Entire World Map we've got in development...

Dark Archive

James Jacobs wrote:
Varisia's about the size (but not the shape) of California, so it can certainly support the concept of a huge map. And then, of course, Varisia's only one region on the Entire World Map we've got in development...

I'll add my vote for huge maps of the Entire World (TM) and/or Varisia. The more the better! :)

Scarab Sages

James Jacobs wrote:
the Entire World Map we've got in development...
James Jacobs wrote:
the Entire World Map we've got in development...
James Jacobs wrote:
the Entire World Map we've got in development...

mmmm...sorry, just liked seeing that phrase

Grand Lodge

DedmeetDM wrote:

Well the only problem I see with not mapping large sections of the map, is that if your players go off the beaten path then you the DM are left with the task of coming up with something on the horizon which may or may not conflict with later adventures.

I don't think the entire world should be mapped, but a large portion of the starting continent should be. That way should your players take a left when the adventure says right, you won't have to worry about screwing yourself for later adventures in the AP.

I agree. Have it where with each adventure path a map is published of the areas that the path takes place in. As you go through the paths, and collect the maps, the world starts to become something. YOu will truely feel as if you are with the Paizo team as you follow the life of their baby.

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

James Jacobs wrote:
Varisia's about the size (but not the shape) of California, so it can certainly support the concept of a huge map.

I want one that's 1:1 scale.


Vic Wertz wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Varisia's about the size (but not the shape) of California, so it can certainly support the concept of a huge map.
I want one that's 1:1 scale.

...but it'll be a PDF.....

Grand Lodge

I would like to see a map a little different than the norm.

Somone posted a link on the messageboards (here or on WizCo) a while back to a map from the 1700-1800s. It was a circular map of the arctic as imagined by the map maker. It featured an island dead center of four wedges that formed the arctic.

Anyway it made me feel like it was a great D&D map. The ethnocentric style was cool. The island was the center of the universe.

So maybe Varisia (sp?) could have a map with the capital city dead center and radiating out. At the fringes could be "Thar be monsters..." Perfect for providing some mystery to what lies beyond, and emphasizes their place in the world as they see it.

Dark Archive

As I believe the great St. Mona himself pointed out, one of the best parts of the old Greyhawk map was the dozens of places mapped out that had no real description, just really cool names. I'm all for a huge map of the Pathfinder world, but I would also like for there to be places denoted on the map that have no description and no near future projects connected to said places.

I'm a sucker for cool names and mysteries.


I wouldn't mind seeing a high res desktop image. I've had good luck converting some of those into large posters. I made Hero System's Ambrethel an 18"x23" using Paint and a PDF converter. Very little distortion.

I also did a 6 page landscape (approx 48"x60") of the Tuala Morn from the PDF. Noticeable distortion on the words, but if it's a geographic map, no worries (still a little fuzz here and there).

In either case, it's a pain to put together because you have to trim the borders off. And it's not color, but black and white does a good job too!

Yeah, I'm still on board for the poster map, but the wallpaper's are desired as well. Goes good with my GM screen (full post GM screen).


Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
farewell2kings wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Varisia's about the size (but not the shape) of California, so it can certainly support the concept of a huge map.
I want one that's 1:1 scale.
...but it'll be a PDF.....

I don't think a computer exists yet that would be able to open a PDF file with 2872585718526.5625 pages of text, let alone graphics.

Yes, I was bored, yes, I did convert acres to square feet and then recalculate it based on typical 8.5" x 11" paper size.


Yeah, I don't have enough paper either. Let alone toner...

Scarab Sages

Pathfinder Maps Subscriber
James Jacobs wrote:
Varisia's about the size (but not the shape) of California, so it can certainly support the concept of a huge map. And then, of course, Varisia's only one region on the Entire World Map we've got in development...

I would love a map but more than that how about a hi res graphics file. It would be great to blow it up huge for the wall when we are playing.

Peace all...

Scarab Sages

I have always wanted a game company to do a very high quality print suitable for framing (18x24 or thereabouts). When WOTC released the collectors (leather cover editions) of the PHB and DMG I thought we might see a sweet map suitable for framing.

As much as a I love the huge 4 part maps, they don't really lend themselves to a frame.

I think I would pay something like $50 for a nice, painting-looking print of a game-world map. Even if its the standard "32-colors" you typically see, but I would really prefer a something more like a painting.

Anyone else think this is cool? Would you pay extra for a map like this, including the awkward shipping to keep it flat?

Food for thought Paizo.

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Stedd Grimwold wrote:
I have always wanted a game company to do a very high quality print suitable for framing (18x24 or thereabouts).

Have you ever seen the big blow-up maps of the Liberty campaign setting from The Game Mechanics? It's an image of an intricately-detailed city-map drawn by Chris West. I believe TGM used Cafe Press to do the prints and you can get them in multiple sizes, including one large enough for framing. If Paizo could do something like that for Varisia and pieces of the Pathfinder setting one region at a time, that might be interesting. The costs from Cafe Press aren't too exorbitant either.

Just FYI,
--Neil

Liberty's Edge

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet.

I'm guessing the release date is actually Jan 2008, but I'm looking forward to it.

Liberty's Edge

spamhammer wrote:

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet.

I'm guessing the release date is actually Jan 2008, but I'm looking forward to it.

Sweet. Are there any plans for a batch of miniatures? Maybe a set of 12 featuring the iconics and key villians/npcs/monsters?


WooT!!! I am buying that for sure! Actually, two copies. One to go on my wall and the other to be used!!!

Liberty's Edge

I hope that map set comes as part of the subscription, I don't wanna forget about it when it comes out (and want it ASAP!)

As far as places with no real descriptions; who knows that's not what half the Varisia map is? (Well I suppose Paizo knows...) but places like the Storval Stairs and Wormwood Hall espescially sound cool.


I´d love to see a big map as well, but please make it "player suitable", as in: leave off all locations that are not "public knowledge" within the game world. Having a big map and not being able to show it to the players because of adventure relevant places mentioned on it would be a shame.

Stefan


Keno wrote:
spamhammer wrote:

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet.

I'm guessing the release date is actually Jan 2008, but I'm looking forward to it.

Sweet. Are there any plans for a batch of miniatures? Maybe a set of 12 featuring the iconics and key villians/npcs/monsters?

Don't bother commenting on this Paizo dudes...

:|

[feigns indifference]

The good thing is that now you have done what I want and I won't have to stalk and kill you all.

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Kruelaid wrote:
[feigns indifference]

Okay, I can't feign indifference.

Must...have...maps...

There's only one question remaining.

How are you going to make this available in time for me to use it in my Rise of the Runelords campaign? We're going to kick off in September. Can you have it shipped to me by then...?

;)

Please?

Pretty please?

Okay, okay. I didn't want to have to do this, but...

Pretty please...with sugar on top?

Aaack! There! I said it! Okay? Now you have to get these to me in time for our campaign. See?

Vic?

James?

Somebody?

C'mon, throw us a bone here...

--Neil

Silver Crusade

I'd love to see something like the FR box set of old with maps & booklets with info on the land & people when Pathfinder & such is up & running.

Love reading info about cities & such, why TsR/Wizo never put a book called Cities of the land or whatever for each setting with detailed info & maps of various cities is beyond me, I guess that would have took up new Feat, Pres Class space I guess (yah right).

anyways, hope there is a nice size map for Pathfinder when the time comes to have something like that. Heck even if we have to pay for one, I'll be buying one!!

RM

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

You can now preorder the Rise of the Runelords Map Folio from us.

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Vic Wertz wrote:
You can now preorder the Rise of the Runelords Map Folio from us.

But not available until January 2008? :-(

Bummer.

We're kicking off RotR in September and we'll probably be pretty far along in the AP by the time the map folio becomes available. I wish you guys had put this thing out in advance, but maybe you couldn't because all of the initial AP's adventures and maps aren't in yet?

Is there any way you can speed up the production cycle for this one? I think it would net you more sales in the longrun, even if you had to endure some short-term pain to get it out the door quicker.

My two-cents,
--Neil


Vic Wertz wrote:
You can now preorder the Rise of the Runelords Map Folio from us.

Thankyou. I have.

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

There's basically no way we can speed this one up, unfortunately. We're pushing out more product right now than we've ever done in the history of the company, and the nature of the Map Folio means that it must include maps that won't even exist in someone's imagination for several months down the road. A lot of the single-page maps in this product will be maps that are found in Pathfinder itself. This way, though, you can have them sitting next to the campaign book as your group adventures rather than flipping back and forth from page to page. The Varisia map will be more than useful in the next Adventure Path, which also takes place there.

We expect that a lot of readers will be "early adopters" who will start the campaign immediately after the first installment is published, and that's great. But a lot of people will still be in the early adventures of the Rise of the Runelords in January, and they should find this product most helpful.

--Erik

Liberty's Edge

While regrettable, it's completely understandable. That said, I'm going to go sob myself to sleep. ;)


Loki_d20 wrote:
farewell2kings wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Varisia's about the size (but not the shape) of California, so it can certainly support the concept of a huge map.
I want one that's 1:1 scale.
...but it'll be a PDF.....

I don't think a computer exists yet that would be able to open a PDF file with 2872585718526.5625 pages of text, let alone graphics.

Yes, I was bored, yes, I did convert acres to square feet and then recalculate it based on typical 8.5" x 11" paper size.

That's just awesome.

I hereby award you the sum of one million internets.

And a yummy cookie.

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