Just got received issue 149 and I must say well done Paizo.
However, I have one question for the Paizo staff. It seems you are all fixated on portraying all the demon woman as profoundly beautiful whose cunning know no bounds. Both Malcanthet and Iggwilv are both portrayed as having plans within plans that would make the Honored Matres (Dune reference fanboys) proud.
While on the other side all the male Demon Lords which includes Orcus, an aspect of Obox-ob and General Bagromar (clone of Hethradiah) are portrayed as savage brutes more interested in bashing and smashing then using the Alliance to form their own long term plans.
Don’t get me wrong who doesn’t love beautiful scheming demon woman but it would be nice to see some of the boys use their brains too, even if there not as nice to look at.
Interestingly, I saw Orcus as quite cautious. His speeches--delightfully riddled with rhetorical questions--made him seem apprehensive, lest he fall into a trap. It sounds like Orcus, though a rage-laden demon lord, is playing his cards closer to his chest, likely from experience.
In effect, Gwynharwyf plays out the same as Orcus does. Morwel requires proof that the heroes are capable enough to warrant their aid, just as Orcus does. And Gwynharwyf certainly constitutes a "beauty" in contrast to the "beast" Orcus.
I do have to say that General Bogromar felt surprisingly simple in his presentation. On the other hand, I was glad to see an opposed Diplomacy check be so accurately representative of negotiations that go well or poor, based on certain criteria. It's a welcome addition to round out the adventure.
Can't wait to see what all this talk with powerful forces nets the heroes at the end of things.
Creative Director
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And keep in mind that the whole adventure path is based on Demogorgon's pretty complex plan to flood the Material Plane with madness; a pretty complex and sneaky plan that takes several adventures to figure out.
And yeah: Gwynharwyf's pretty open about what she wants to do (beat up Demogorgon).
Interestingly, I saw Orcus as quite cautious. His speeches--delightfully riddled with rhetorical questions--made him seem apprehensive, lest he fall into a trap. It sounds like Orcus, though a rage-laden demon lord, is playing his cards closer to his chest, likely from experience.
True, Orcus might be cautious but he would never be apprehensive. To show fear would in effect be weakness and in the Abyss that would be suicide.
I guess my point is the ladies seem to have their acts togehter while the gents fall into the category of let's attack Demogorgon and let the Abyss sort everything out.
Can't wait to see who outsmarts who the Witch-Queen or the Queen of the Succubi.
I'm hoping that Orgosh fools everyone. What could be better then having a bullywug lick as the next Prince of Demons.
What could be better then having a bullywug lick as the next Prince of Demons.
A corrupted paragon flumph?
Not to illiterate, but:
A halfling with a hangnail?
Ah, "Enemies of my Enemy," another edition of "Babes of the Savage Tide." Damn, being evil or fighting evil never looked so good! All kidding aside, this was another great adventure. I actually think the best of the encounters is the visit to Malcanthet's pleasure palace, from the
Ah, "Enemies of my Enemy," another edition of "Babes of the Savage Tide." Damn, being evil or fighting evil never looked so good! All kidding aside, this was another great adventure. I actually think the best of the encounters is the visit to Malcanthet's pleasure palace, from the ** spoiler omitted **, this is some seriously creepy stuff. I loved it!
It only gets better and better. Converting it to Spelljammer(3rd ed) is going to be quite a challenge. I've been going with the idea that divine and profane beings have a stellar body to represent them in the universe, with relatively minor creatures having constellations. With all of beautiful demons (and angels like Gwnny) running around, the night sky is going to be rather buxom...
I've got a question about Celeste.
In her illustration, she appears to almost be fiendish. Was this accidental or am I just interpreting it wrong?
I've got a question about Celeste.
In her illustration, she appears to almost be fiendish. Was this accidental or am I just interpreting it wrong?
Dramatic lighting on the part of the artist, I think. Nice to see her in her full regalia, as well.
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Creative Director
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I've got a question about Celeste.
In her illustration, she appears to almost be fiendish. Was this accidental or am I just interpreting it wrong?
She's a Chaotic Good ghaele eladrin, so there's no fiendish part in her at all. That's pretty much how ghaeles look, though, beautiful green-haired elven women with silver eyes and glowing swords.
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She's a Chaotic Good ghaele eladrin, so there's no fiendish part in her at all. That's pretty much how ghaeles look, though, beautiful green-haired elven women with silver eyes and glowing swords.
And angry looks? I seriously thought it was the illustration for someone else just placed on the wrong page, at first glance. Or is this all part of your diabolical plan to frighten even DMs?
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Creative Director
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She's a Chaotic Good ghaele eladrin, so there's no fiendish part in her at all. That's pretty much how ghaeles look, though, beautiful green-haired elven women with silver eyes and glowing swords.And angry looks? I seriously thought it was the illustration for someone else just placed on the wrong page, at first glance. Or is this all part of your diabolical plan to frighten even DMs?
Sure... she did come out looking pretty angry. Or maybe she's just laughing! Cause she's excited about finally having a stat block, which means she can finally help out with the fights!
Interestingly, I saw Orcus as quite cautious. His speeches--delightfully riddled with rhetorical questions--made him seem apprehensive, lest he fall into a trap. It sounds like Orcus, though a rage-laden demon lord, is playing his cards closer to his chest, likely from experience.True, Orcus might be cautious but he would never be apprehensive. To show fear would in effect be weakness and in the Abyss that would be suicide.
I guess my point is the ladies seem to have their acts togehter while the gents fall into the category of let's attack Demogorgon and let the Abyss sort everything out.
Can't wait to see who outsmarts who the Witch-Queen or the Queen of the Succubi.
I'm hoping that Orgosh fools everyone. What could be better then having a bullywug lick as the next Prince of Demons.
I didn't even think of that, how funny would that be "orgosh" The Prince of Demons!!! LOL
DAve
Sure... she did come out looking pretty angry. Or maybe she's just laughing! Cause she's excited about finally having a stat block, which means she can finally help out with the fights!She's a Chaotic Good ghaele eladrin, so there's no fiendish part in her at all. That's pretty much how ghaeles look, though, beautiful green-haired elven women with silver eyes and glowing swords.And angry looks? I seriously thought it was the illustration for someone else just placed on the wrong page, at first glance. Or is this all part of your diabolical plan to frighten even DMs?
I agree she looks pretty mean, but I figured she is a tough chick about to go to work doing something she loves, if she looks frightnening then my work is done :)
May i ask who did the artwork of Malcanthet in this issue? Was it Ben Wootten or Warren Mahy? I only ask this because I havent seen the issue yet (damn Australian postal times...) and I must admit I was a little dissapointed with Mahy's interpretation of Red Shroud and Shami-Amourae. In particular, Shami looked a bit frumpy for a personification of depraved sexuality to me (but then again I might just be a little sick in the head). I'd just like to see Wootten's version, I've been loving his art so far.
Malcanthet In #149 makes up for Red Shroud and Shami-Amourae In #148. Orcus Is damn good too, I really like the Illustration for General Bogramar. I did miss the pic of Obox-Ob In #149 thou, James will there be an Illustration for Obox-Ob In #150?
DAve
^^^ Every post is a treasure. ; )
Planar politics can and probably should extend outside the scope of these adventures, and because dungeon has a page limit, we can't blame the designers. As DM, you can add in whatever other players you see fit - and it isn't hard to justify, given the scope of Big D's evil plan. If it is a gender imbalance in the proactivity department that bugs you, take a trip a few planes Law-ward for some scheming guys (and a few gals). One of my PCs (the "rogue") is actually a Mountebank in service to the lord of lies. The nine hells know all about this "Savage Tide" nonsense, and will take the requisite steps to make sure it doesn't come to pass, even if that means their agent helps a group of goodly adventurers.
As for Iggwilv, remember that as a chaotic evil human being, her ultimate reward is becoming a mane or, a lot less likely, a lump of dead god on the astral plane - so some degree of foresight is surely lacking here. It may take eons, it might happen tomorrow - but it's going to happen. In the game called Chaotic Evil, only the abyss wins.