I just had a chance to skim through this today and I am blown away. The Orsirion flavor is so rich and tasty, and this module is packed with imaginative treasures that instantly got my gaming juices flowing - I love the Black Dome!!! I want to play a whole campaign revolving around the wealthy who live beneath its majestic glory!
Auctions are also one of my favorite ways to kick off and adventure and the one at the outset of Entombed with the Pharoahs is brilliant - I love the charcoal rubbings and the fact that each lot has a section on the bidding war over it - so cool!
I love the museum section too - Spectral Scorpions for the win!
The Expeditionary are awesome. What a cool menagerie of rivals to f&&* the PCs s#*! up! I love how much detail these guys get and the varied tactical sidebars on what they get up to at various points in the adventure - well done.
Swarm of Embalmed Organs!!! Magnificent!
Mummy blue dragon - awesome, and the art is incredible for this encounter.
The Aucturn Enigma is too delicious for words too - I love this wild turn of plot that opens up all sorts of interesting doors to the GM. A perfect springboard to a Stargate style campaign!
Scepter's rifle ray kicks ass! Stolen for a character I will be playing soon in an Eberron campaign!
The most amazing thing about this module is how MUCH it fits into 32 pages. Reading it if feels like three modules worth of tastiness in one. And it is seamless and perfectly done. So much goes on in this adventure and it all really rocks.
The J series begins with a bang.
My big question for this one is how does it start? If, hypothetically speaking, my campaign isn't located in an Egyptian-flavored desert region, does 'Entombed' have a hook that would draw my PCs from my Euro-centric region to explore Osirion?
While reading your post I thought you wrote it there for a minute Nick.
j/k
My big question for this one is how does it start? If, hypothetically speaking, my campaign isn't located in an Egyptian-flavored desert region, does 'Entombed' have a hook that would draw my PCs from my Euro-centric region to explore Osirion?
The Hook suggests the PCs are Pathfinders or friends of Pathfinders who are sponsored by the organization to go on this expedition. A pretty easy hook to insert into any campaign - lots of people are interested in Osirion right now, so any mentor/patron/organization involved with the PCs could sponsor their trip there. That'd be how I'd work it into my Eberron campaign for example - I'd set it in Xen'drik and have the Wayfarer Foundation send the PCs out.
While reading your post I thought you wrote it there for a minute Nick.
j/k
Heh! Just really dug this, I love Kortes' work. He's got a wild imagination that really inspires me as a GM.
It's the repressed thoughts of a lunatic gamer that he can't show while in disguise as a lawyer. :p
Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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We have some plans for Cheliax, oh do we have some plans. Expect a brief write-up in the Pathfinder Chronicles Gazetteer (by yours truly), a great deal of information by association in the Guide to Korvosa (by Mike McArtor), and an adventure somewhere down the road by our illustrious Dr. James Jacobs.
Oh, and probably five or six pages in the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting (did he just say what I think he just said?)
I think it's going to be a popular place.
As for J1, Osirion is actually the first nation I ever came up with for Golarion, so I'm really glad that the module spotlighting it is finally hitting shelves (and in-boxes). Michael was a real trooper, even reading a book of "homework" I forced on him to understand the the Ancient Egypt/Ancient Astronaut riff I was going for with the history of Osirion. I'm really interested to see what people think of this angle, as there will be more of it to come.
I should add, as well, that if sales of this adventure are strong we will certainly produce more material with an Egyptian flair. I am really hoping that we can do this, as there is the subject matter is especially meaty.
Another great thing about this adventure is the Expeditionary, which in some ways influenced my thinking on Cheliax (which still isn't fully written tonight). Mike named one of his guys a "paracount," which helped me to imagine the framework for the new diabolical aristocracy that has come to dominate the nation's politics since the Battle of a Hundred Kings. My favorite part about the group is the inclusion of a goblin, which ties back to "Burt Offerings."
From this point forward I feel that the GameMastery Modules and Pathfinder start to take some cues from one another in a way that is really bringing the world to life for us in the office.
It's great to be able to share that with all of you.
--Erik
Michael was a real trooper, even reading a book of "homework" I forced on him to understand the the Ancient Egypt/Ancient Astronaut riff I was going for with the history of Osirion. I'm really interested to see what people think of this angle, as there will be more of it to come.
You really do seem determined to do everything possible to make me want to buy this stuff.
Damn you.
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Michael was a real trooper, even reading a book of "homework" I forced on him to understand the the Ancient Egypt/Ancient Astronaut riff I was going for with the history of Osirion. I'm really interested to see what people think of this angle, as there will be more of it to come.You really do seem determined to do everything possible to make me want to buy this stuff.
Damn you.
Thusly, do I succumb to wanting this for my collection, too...And help FLGS restock on GMastery stuff.
Oh, and probably five or six pages in the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting (did he just say what I think he just said?)--Erik
Umm, why isn't everyone frothing at the mouth to know more about this little teaser?! Ok, I'll step up...more info please! :)
Oh, and probably five or six pages in the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting (did he just say what I think he just said?)
Be prepared for a thorough inquiry on this Erik.
Thorough. ;)
I just had a chance to skim through this today and I am blown away...
Aye, I've downloaded the .pdf and read most of it, and am waiting eagerly for my hard copy. I've already decided that it will be the next adventure I run for my current game after we finish Crown of the Kobold King. Assuming they live through it. That should give me a level or two to get the players down to Osirion. I think I'll make the crappling bard in Nick's adventure into a member of the Pathfinders giving the players an 'in' with the organization.
Figure a short adventure to 'induct' them, and then off to sandy land.
I love the
I plan to run this in an upcoming adventure, and love what I have read so far. Our group has just finished D0, plans to do D1 next, and with luck, E1 will be out and they will be at or about ready for J1.
Obviously not seeing E1, I plan to adjust it if needed to get the group up to 6 for J1.
We run this in Eberron, the group is based in Q'Barra, so we have "semi" easy access to the Blade Desert and the Endworld Mountains, which has worked wonderfully for the tie in.
Fantastic work!
I just had a chance to skim through this today and I am blown away...Aye, I've downloaded the .pdf and read most of it, and am waiting eagerly for my hard copy. I've already decided that it will be the next adventure I run for my current game after we finish Crown of the Kobold King. Assuming they live through it. That should give me a level or two to get the players down to Osirion. I think I'll make the crappling bard in Nick's adventure into a member of the Pathfinders giving the players an 'in' with the organization.
Figure a short adventure to 'induct' them, and then off to sandy land.
I love the
E1 might get em the levels they need perfectly as soulkeeper pointed out. I think, I'd have to check, but I think E1 is for 4th or 5th level characters. And it's set in Falcon's Hollow, so good follow up to Crown, and there are NPC in their that may make even better Pathfinder candidates.
J1 is the bomb! Kudos Kortes!
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Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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My favorite part about the group is the inclusion of a goblin, which ties back to "Burt Offerings."
Oops. Said goblin is actually in "Into the Haunted Forest," not this one. But still, the original point stands. This is the adventure where everything starts coming together into a cohesive whole.
--Erik
E1 might get em the levels they need perfectly as soulkeeper pointed out. I think, I'd have to check, but I think E1 is for 4th or 5th level characters. And it's set in Falcon's Hollow, so good follow up to Crown, and there are NPC in their that may make even better Pathfinder candidates.J1 is the bomb! Kudos Kortes!
Sweet, I hadn't read the blurb on E1, but it sounds perfect. Especially for my party, which includes a Fey-blooded warlock and a druid.
I really like Falcon's Hollow.
I should add, as well, that if sales of this adventure are strong we will certainly produce more material with an Egyptian flair. I am really hoping that we can do this, as there is the subject matter is especially meaty.
I hope so, too. Next to the standard euro-centric setting, the Egyptian theme is definitely my favorite. I'd love to see some more ties to real-world Egyptian mysticism such as the numerology present in J1. Being pretty familiar with the works of Crowley and his blend of Egyptian Magick and the hermetic tradition, such material resonates with me.
Another great thing about this adventure is the Expeditionary, which in some ways influenced my thinking on Cheliax (which still isn't fully written tonight). Mike named one of his guys a "paracount," which helped me to imagine the framework for the new diabolical aristocracy that has come to dominate the nation's politics since the Battle of a Hundred Kings.
Cheliax is definitely one of the pieces of the setting that I look forward to reading more about. When my Gamemastery campaign reaches its conclusion, my buddy will be taking over the DM seat for Rise of the Runelords. I'm planning on playing a Chelish wizard who left the nation after making enemies with the wrong noble family after dueling their spoiled offspring. I've got his background pretty fleshed out, I just need to fill in the little details that will solidify it.
From this point forward I feel that the GameMastery Modules and Pathfinder start to take some cues from one another in a way that is really bringing the world to life for us in the office.It's great to be able to share that with all of you.
As much as I would have loved it if you guys had magically gotten the license for Greyhawk, I'm finding this brand new setting even more to my liking. It must be a blast for you guys at Paizo to be creating something of your own, and it is certainly resonating with my gaming group. After just a couple of Gamemastery modules, you've got my group of thirty-something grognards saying things like 'this is the most fun I've had playing D&D in a long, long time.
Kortes is a lawyer?
Wha?!
I’m pretty sure he’s a Shoanti. . .
Thank Nick! It means a lot coming from the guy at the top of the heap. And my thanks to Radavel, Firedancer, Sabastian, Snappa, Soulkeeper and Hojas as well. And as always, huge thanks to the editors – the guys who really make the adventures come together.
I’m biased, but I also think it would be great if Osirion got revisited one day (regardless if I am involved or not).
As for Chelliax, I predict that, by its nature, Chelliax is going to permeate into many many adventures. Even if its past expansionist history hadn’t influenced such a large part of the world to begin with, you just can’t ignore its present-period, devil-infused aristocracy, no matter how far away you try to run. I’m looking forward to its treatment in the Gazetteer (and now the campaign setting book as well!)
Lastly, I gotta say to Chris West – just wow on the maps. They look fantastic – especially the Veinstone Pyramid graphic on the last page.
-MiKe
P.S. Once I get a chance, I hope to post some of my old notes on the adventure’s numerology to flesh out where it occured. There were a couple spots where it happened on its own and started creeping me out.
P.S. Once I get a chance, I hope to post some of my old notes on the adventure’s numerology to flesh out where it occured. There were a couple spots where it happened on its own and started creeping me out.
We had a lot of fun with this as well, and even managed to slip in 1 or 2 additional numerology easter eggs.
Michael was a real trooper, even reading a book of "homework" I forced on him to understand the the Ancient Egypt/Ancient Astronaut riff I was going for with the history of Osirion. I'm really interested to see what people think of this angle, as there will be more of it to come.
Out of curiosity, what book was this?
The Sirius Mystery by Robert Temple. It is a very dense book. I caution you though; it will cause your friends to think you are a weirdo as you attempt to describe scientific evidence of alien contact 5,000+ years ago. Much of it is conjecture and not persuasive, but it got my eyebrows raised many times. At various points the author makes a compelling case (assuming his facts are as verified as he claims). I didn’t myself check the ruins and measure the planetary distances involved. If you’re into mythology, physics, astronomy, anthropology or just whether we are alone out here it’s a good read.
Thanks for responding Michael. I'll definitely have to pick this one up at Barnes & Noble, I love this kinda stuff.
Okay, you made me want to run this adventure! My gaming group will clean up Foxglove Manor next weekend and fter that they will be around 6th level. What about "trading" J1 for chapter 3 and 4 of TSM?
Anybody any suggestions? :)
Thanks for responding Michael. I'll definitely have to pick this one up at Barnes & Noble, I love this kinda stuff.
Sounds interesting...it sounds similar to The Earth Chronicles by Zecharia Sitchin.
It looks like I'm going to have to pick J1 up.
So I have just bought J1 and have to say: GREAT STUFF!
The first pages tell that it is for 6th level characters which should reach 8th by conclusion. So I am a bit sad that it probaby won't fit in my ROTRAP campaign. :(
But I am working on it. Suggestions and advance still welcome. :)
I was very impressed by this module. To be honest, I found the first few Gamemastery modules a bit "Meh". This one, however, is 32 pages of DM joy.
Ouch! That hurts, Malformed One... :(
I'm looking forward to reading that sneaky werewolf's new adventure. I ordered the print copy today. I've always loved Egyptian pyramid style adventures. Touch of Death, anyone? Loved the maps in that adventure!
It will be available for individual sale on the product's street date, which is next Wednesday.Must .....have .... PDF
when will it be available to non-subscribers?
I am ready to purchase this whenever you folks get the PDF version up. :)
Edit: I found it, but only via a round about way. You folks might want to take a look at all the places where you list the module, because I could only find the PDF edition from the bestseller thingy on the right side.
One of my players is going to Australia for a month, and we are going to take a break from our STAP campaign during that time. I'm thinking of running this adventure during this time. Would I likely be able to finish it in 1 month (assuming we game once a week for about 5-6 hours)? As a reference we generally finish a STAP adventure in about 4 game sessions.
By the way I liked the Sothis description, and was disappointed that there was no room/budget to fit a map of the city into the adventure. If anyone has even a rough one kicking around that they could scan and post online I'd be interested in seeing it as a reference.
One of my players is going to Australia for a month, and we are going to take a break from our STAP campaign during that time. I'm thinking of running this adventure during this time. Would I likely be able to finish it in 1 month (assuming we game once a week for about 5-6 hours)? As a reference we generally finish a STAP adventure in about 4 game sessions.
By the way I liked the Sothis description, and was disappointed that there was no room/budget to fit a map of the city into the adventure. If anyone has even a rough one kicking around that they could scan and post online I'd be interested in seeing it as a reference.
You should easily be able to finish it in that amount of time. In fact, I'd guess it would only take 2-3 weeks for your group, unless you do a lot of roleplaying, so you might want to expand it some (which isn't hard to do).
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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Yeah, I really liked this one too. Neither of the last two really grabbed my attention (sorry, Steve), but this one demanded that I read it. And this was even in spite of the fact that I was not much into the idea of an Egyptian themed adventure.
I must say, it really exemplifies what I think Paizo has done so well, both in its own line and during the tenure with Dungeon. The adventure takes some classic ideas (trapped in a tomb with mummies, stealing ancient artifacts, competing with a rival band) and implements them amazingly well.
Great work, my fellow bloodsucker.
Edit: Also, who the hell is on the cover? New iconic, or is that one of the rival adventurers?
So how tough do you figure this adventure will be for a group of 4 6th level PCs? I haven't gone over it too thorougly yet, but at a glance there certainly look like some pretty challenging encounters. Is this a potential TPK if players don't stay on their toes?
So how tough do you figure this adventure will be for a group of 4 6th level PCs? I haven't gone over it too thorougly yet, but at a glance there certainly look like some pretty challenging encounters. Is this a potential TPK if players don't stay on their toes?
Actually, it shouldn't be that tough except for
I can't tell you much about the person on the cover, except to say it is not one of the new iconics nor is it one of the rival adventurers.
Thanks for the feedback guys! You guys are the best. (Here’s to the bloodsucking brotherhood.)
Though I gotta say I was a fan of Gallery of Evil myself. I do enjoy a good city adventure.
Oh, and just to weigh in on P.H. Dungeon’s Question on the Challenge level and Jeremy’s response:
[very spoilish!]
Thanks for the input. I think I will end up running this adventure in a few weeks. I will post the details on the campaign journals page for anyone interested.
Got it on Saturday . . . so far I am impressed with the thoroughness.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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I was very impressed by this module. To be honest, I found the first few Gamemastery modules a bit "Meh". This one, however, is 32 pages of DM joy.
I haven't actually played through any of the GameMastery modules yet, so there may be a couple of "reads dull, plays great" adventures there. But, yeah, I've got to agree with Aubrey. I predict that, in twenty years, when Paizo does a retrospective, J1 will be on the Top Ten list.
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Ouch! That hurts, Malformed One... :(
I'm looking forward to reading that sneaky werewolf's new adventure. I ordered the print copy today. I've always loved Egyptian pyramid style adventures. Touch of Death, anyone? Loved the maps in that adventure!
I think it is probably more personal taste than anything, and if its any consolation, Logue's and Sutter's efforts were as Meh as yours. ;-) I also suspect that the editorial line was to go with something a bit more traditional (and maybe less different) to avoid scaring the horses too much with a new product line.
Great! That makes it much better :\
That's cool. I know. Personal preference. Hit and miss. Tomato - Tomawto.
Mine just arrived last night. Can't wait to sit down and read it during my lunch hour.