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Let me explain. I'm really into d20 Modern these days. Moreover, I'm really into the roleplaying experiences that come with d20 adventures. (I tire of dungeon crawls. To me, they are pointless.) That said, a lot of what draws me to a good adventure I can still find in a good D&D adventure. A few examples of adventures that I've found great for the D&D setting (and moreover, can be translated into a d20 Modern adventure) include:
1. Eyes of the Lich Queen
2. Quoth the Raven (and its prequel, Chimes at Midnight)
3. The Automatic Hound
Naturally, this doesn't represent every adventure, but is demonstrative of the roll of mystery and roleplaying (and the ability to translate to alternative settings). I've found the Eberron is quite warm to translations ... sometimes ... but generally more often, or so it would seem, than Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms. My question, given Gamemastery and Pathfinder thus far, is whether I will be experiencing the same flavor (roleplaying, mystery, and ease to translate) or not.
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A few examples of adventures that I've found great for the D&D setting (and moreover, can be translated into a d20 Modern adventure) include:
1. Eyes of the Lich Queen
2. Quoth the Raven (and its prequel, Chimes at Midnight)
3. The Automatic Hound
Please remember, that the two geniuses who wrote these two adventures are working for Paizo so chances are that you'll find the same quality in the respectives Pathfinder and GamesMastery adventures.
James Jacobs, Richard Pett, Nicholas Logue, Wolfgang Baur, Stephen S. Greer and Greg A. Vaughn, just to name the authors of the first AP- there's so much talent working for Paizo that I've no fear that the adventure's quality will be worse than what we found in Dungeon Magazine.
While I, though feeling much love for the Eberron setting, decided to run my game in Golarion I see no problem to adapt it to Eberron. You'll have to change some locations and a bit of the background history, but apart from that I can't see much more which is a must to change (not that you couldnt if you like).
And I agree to what Sir Urza said about Burnt Offerings; this is one of the best first level adventures ever written. In my opinion it even beats my personal favorite so far (which is, ehm was, "The Whispering Cairn").
Creative Director
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Pathfinder's only had 2 volumes to "grow" on you... my only request is that you give it a few more. That said... we're very consciously going for a less-modern and more ancient feel to the world of Golarion. I honestly suspect that it WILL have a hard time growing on you, since we're not trying to go for something really high fantasy like Eberron, and our adventures will more often than not be ones that are more difficult to adapt to d20 Modern as a result.
So give Pathfinder a little longer, but if it ends up not being for you, that's understandable.
.... That said... we're very consciously going for a less-modern and more ancient feel to the world of Golarion.
Nanobot constructs ... an automated dwarf-forge ... a wand "rifle" ... the Sandpoint Glassworks...
Golarion has some elements that are pretty anachronistic for an "ancient feel."
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.... That said... we're very consciously going for a less-modern and more ancient feel to the world of Golarion.Nanobot constructs ... an automated dwarf-forge ... a wand "rifle" ... the Sandpoint Glassworks...
Golarion has some elements that are pretty anachronistic for an "ancient feel."
Vexer has a point. There do seem to be several of these seemingly, modern, pseudo-science, elements tossed into this fantasy world. The sawmills are another one. There is a proto-industry present it seems. I like it, personally, and honestly. I also like the 'ancient' ruins that give the landscape of Golarion that fantasy feel.
...then again..our concept of what is Medieval has to be changing with all the new archeological evidence showing that these people that lived during the dark and middle ages were more sophisticated then we thought. We just don't have a modern record of it.
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Creative Director
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.... That said... we're very consciously going for a less-modern and more ancient feel to the world of Golarion.Nanobot constructs ... an automated dwarf-forge ... a wand "rifle" ... the Sandpoint Glassworks...
Golarion has some elements that are pretty anachronistic for an "ancient feel."
To be fair... only one of those four appeared in Pathfinder, the product I have the most control over. AND: The concept of a glasswork is really not all that modern, glass being invented well before Egypt built the pyramids and all. Can't get much more ancient than pre-pyramid!
Nanobots, automatic forges, and wand rifles are three things that I wouldn't have necessarilly allowed into Golarion, but the strength of Golarion is that it CAN allow a wide range of stuff like that. You can probably expect more of this more "experimental" stuff showing up in GameMastery adventrues, in fact.
And again... there's nothing modern about glassmaking. :)
As for the "medieval" mindset... I think Golarion's got more inspiration being pulled from the "ancient" world than the middle ages, honestly. I'm talking stuff like Rome, Egypt, Babylon, Sumeria, Atlantis, and the like. Medieval's too loaded a word.
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I'm not all that experienced with D20 Modern, however my impression of the differences between D20 Modern and D20 Fantasy are mainly in flavour of the setting and the creatures you encounter - and some D20 Modern games lean closer to the fantasy side of modern, depends on how much magic exists in your setting.
Pathfinder seems to feature many urban elements, a good amount of mixing with the locals and investigating leads in town, and many of the protagonists are human.
It shouldn't be too difficult to give the aforementioned glassworks, timber mills, church, inns/taverns, bookstore etc a modern renovation, much of this is in the way you describe/storytell them.
I'm sure you'll find elements that might be difficult to translate over (goblins? runewells?), depending on how creative you want to get. But if you're already familiar with translating Eberron to D20 Modern, then I don't think Pathfinder would be any more difficult.
Personally I've always had a hard time getting into Eberron.. It's always felt overly cheesy to me (and the fact that they don't use Wayne Reynolds' ENTIRE cover images on the actual covers always bugs me.. I want full wrap-around Wayne goodness, dammit!) :)
So far the Pathfinder setting is much more my speed. It feels a little closer to the kind of world I would create on my own.
Nanobot constructs ... an automated dwarf-forge ... a wand "rifle" ... /snip/
Golarion has some elements that are pretty anachronistic for an "ancient feel."
Ouch! Could someone point out which Gamemastery product(s) those appeared in, so I can stay far away?
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Ouch! Could someone point out which Gamemastery product(s) those appeared in, so I can stay far away?Nanobot constructs ... an automated dwarf-forge ... a wand "rifle" ... /snip/
Golarion has some elements that are pretty anachronistic for an "ancient feel."
The nanobots are in Seven Swords of Sin and the wand rifle is in the yet-to-be-released Entombed with the Pharaohs (see the blog from last week). The automated dwarf forge sounds like Crown of the Kobold King, but I don't remember anything like that in it - the closest equivalent is the custom-built suicide mechanism, and I don't think I'd use "automated dwarf-forge" to describe it...
Let me explain. I'm really into d20 Modern these days. Moreover, I'm really into the roleplaying experiences that come with d20 adventures. (I tire of dungeon crawls. To me, they are pointless.) That said, a lot of what draws me to a good adventure I can still find in a good D&D adventure. A few examples of adventures that I've found great for the D&D setting (and moreover, can be translated into a d20 Modern adventure) include:
1. Eyes of the Lich Queen
2. Quoth the Raven (and its prequel, Chimes at Midnight)
3. The Automatic HoundNaturally, this doesn't represent every adventure, but is demonstrative of the roll of mystery and roleplaying (and the ability to translate to alternative settings). I've found the Eberron is quite warm to translations ... sometimes ... but generally more often, or so it would seem, than Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms. My question, given Gamemastery and Pathfinder thus far, is whether I will be experiencing the same flavor (roleplaying, mystery, and ease to translate) or not.
Check out Carnival of Tears, when it comes out. That adventure has a lot of the same elements as the ones you listed above, and it shouldn't be too hard to adapt to d20 modern.
Vexer has a point. There do seem to be several of these seemingly, modern, pseudo-science, elements tossed into this fantasy world. The sawmills are another one. There is a proto-industry present it seems.
One of the nice things about the 32-page module format is that it gives us the opportunity to explore some different, and perhaps more unusual, ideas and themes, without being locked into them for an entire adventure path. In addition, since there is not such a strong tie to the continuity of our world, they are a little bit easier to ignore for people who don't like things like sawmills or mechanical contraptions.
I don't think I would classify those things as "high fantasy" either though. I tend to think of high fantasy as wildly imagniative fantastic elements, like nations of dragons or cities where flying carpets and giant eagles are the standard way to get around.
The automated dwarf forge sounds like Crown of the Kobold King, but I don't remember anything like that in it - the closest equivalent is the custom-built suicide mechanism, and I don't think I'd use "automated dwarf-forge" to describe it...
It's an automated dwarf deforger. >8)
Nanobots, automatic forges, and wand rifles are three things that I wouldn't have necessarilly allowed into Golarion, but the strength of Golarion is that it CAN allow a wide range of stuff like that. You can probably expect more of this more "experimental" stuff showing up in GameMastery adventures, in fact.
Just wanted to give a thumbs up to this approach. Though I have to say that I enjoy the "experimental" ideas that crop up here and there. If they are presented "here and there" then I think they add quite a bit to the interest of the environment. They make for some really cool and surprising moments.
Best.
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And again... there's nothing modern about glassmaking. :)
As for the "medieval" mindset... I think Golarion's got more inspiration being pulled from the "ancient" world than the middle ages, honestly. I'm talking stuff like Rome, Egypt, Babylon, Sumeria, Atlantis, and the like. Medieval's too loaded a word.
*pedantry warning*
Whether or not there's anything modern about glass-making depends on the type of glass (all glasses are equal, but some glasses are more equal than others? :/ )
And I'm not too sure Atlantis should be flung in there with those real civilisations either - How about Greek instead, as it was Plato who either invented or articulated the Atlantis myth?
...puts Ancient History MA back in draw...
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And again... there's nothing modern about glassmaking. :)
As for the "medieval" mindset... I think Golarion's got more inspiration being pulled from the "ancient" world than the middle ages, honestly. I'm talking stuff like Rome, Egypt, Babylon, Sumeria, Atlantis, and the like. Medieval's too loaded a word.
So does that mean we'll see giant-sized temple boats like the ones Caligula had?
Steam contraptions as toys, though not for industry like Archimedes made? (and bombards! or weapons made of mirrors to burn ships!)
At least we'll get plumbing though, right!?
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Chief Technical Officer
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And I'm not too sure Atlantis should be flung in there with those real civilisations either - How about Greek instead, as it was Plato who either invented or articulated the Atlantis myth?
But then we can't use the cool technology the Atlanteans had. Flying saucers! Underwater saucers! Giant robot-shaped saucers!
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Back to the original poster's question about translating the Pathfinders to d20 Modern, I think it would be amazingly easy. I'm going to assume that you are using a strictly modern version with no FX. If you are using FX then it is even easier.
First you don't need Varisia for the adventure. Place it in a small Northern California town and run it almost as is. Switch preteens for the goblins and run with it. Some minor fluff is all you need to change. The adventure itself is timeless and genre-less.
The next one takes the PCs to say Oakland, run it as is, changing the spells and abilities of the bad guys for modern equipment and such. The idea of a cult running loose in Oakland is not preposterous.
mmmmm now that you mention I think Pathfinder would work really really well as a modern game. I might consider that...
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On the side note here :) Thread-jacking?
I prefer the Pathfinder world so far to the "classic" Forgotten Realms and Greyhawk style. The Pathfinder style reminds me more of Conan and Lord of the Rings than ANYTHING D&D has ever produced.
FR and Greyhawk have big nation states, and if you look at those maps, there is mostly plains and farmlands. There isn't much unexplored and mysterious anymore. You have medieval renaissance cultures with magic thrown in.
But most good fantasy literature is more primitive and in ways more advanced. I don't WANT to play in just another version of Greyhawk. I don't like Greyhawk and FR otherwise I would play in those settings.
The Pathfinder setting comes without the baggage of a medieval and renaissance background and can forge its own cultures and fluff. Besides how many male players out there actually have your characters running around in tights and codpieces wearing wigs? Yeah I though not... :)
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Back to the original poster's question about translating the Pathfinders to d20 Modern, I think it would be amazingly easy. I'm going to assume that you are using a strictly modern version with no FX. If you are using FX then it is even easier.
First you don't need Varisia for the adventure. Place it in a small Northern California town and run it almost as is. Switch preteens for the goblins and run with it. Some minor fluff is all you need to change. The adventure itself is timeless and genre-less.
The next one takes the PCs to say Oakland, run it as is, changing the spells and abilities of the bad guys for modern equipment and such. The idea of a cult running loose in Oakland is not preposterous.
mmmmm now that you mention I think Pathfinder would work really really well as a modern game. I might consider that...
Those are some very good ideas.
However, what is the BBEG after in a "no FX" modern game? Possibly he is insane and thinks sacrificing greedy people will give him power?
Me personally, I'm a HUGE Eberron fan and so far, we love the Game Mastery modules, they fit in really well...for what it's worth.
Besides how many male players out there actually have your characters running around in tights and codpieces wearing wigs? Yeah I though not... :)*lowers his hand when no one else raises theirs*
*raises his hand after Mike lowers his* Coward. I'll own up to tights and codpieces. I almost put a bell on one codpiece, something which has a bit of historical precedent (as does another of my ideas: putting a pocket in one that could hole small items...in addition to the normal payload!) but I was convinced that the other guys would decide I was just trolling for reaction then.
I once even had an acrobat-type who intended to adventure in full-body tights (black, naturally). That was a bit of an anachronism, but got quashed when I first described his outfit and the people I was playing with at the time revolved en masse. I threw a tunic over it and rolled my eyes.
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Contributor
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...the people I was playing with at the time revolved en masse. I threw a tunic over it and rolled my eyes.
Pictures a bunch of people revolving en masse.
...the people I was playing with at the time revolved en masse. I threw a tunic over it and rolled my eyes.Pictures a bunch of people revolving en masse.
You shame me, sir. I doff my codpiece to you and walk over to a corner where I shall sit and appreciate the depth of my shame...
...and that's a scarily hypnotic clip.
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Contributor
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You shame me, sir. I doff my codpiece to you and walk over to a corner where I shall sit and appreciate the depth of my shame...
...and that's a scarily hypnotic clip.
It was meant as a minor tease, Samnell, not as a reason for you to doff your codpiece. In fact, please keep your codpiece ON! ;D
Yes, I love that clip... It's even better at full-screen, but I can't find the URL for that version.
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Me personally, I'm a HUGE Eberron fan and so far, we love the Game Mastery modules, they fit in really well...for what it's worth.
Yes. I spoke much too soon. I am seeing a lot of options.
In fact, I'm looking at staging Burnt Offerings in a small coastal town northwest of Sault Ste. Marie in Canada. (All I need to do is find some gamers.)
:(
It was meant as a minor tease, Samnell, not as a reason for you to doff your codpiece. In fact, please keep your codpiece ON! ;D
Surely gentlemen can doff their codpieces to one another. Chivalry is not so dead that we must fret at that. ;)
But perhaps it is in this fallen world of our's. I weep for its passing and -at a later date when I have changed into less costly raiment- shall tear at my clothes in despair.