Fast quick look..
If you want the fluff, you want this book. High production value. Great character art, great maps, coats of arms and other imagery.. Detailed Time lines. A Chapter of Secrets.. and a lot of text. They didn't double space nothing in order to meet the page count. Just a glance and I can tell that pound for pound, you're gonna get your money's worth.
(I hope nobody complains about font size, this is a value heavy product)
There's no filler in this book of fluff, this baby is jammed with little details.
Mike McArtor's going to knock this one out of the park, baby!
Not a lot of crunch at all, just a few stat blocks (a page, maybe two) towards the back. If you're worried about Editions, this should put your mind at ease.
Good to know. Thanks watcher.
Fast quick look..
If you want the fluff, you want this book. High production value. Great character art, great maps, coats of arms and other imagery.. Detailed Time lines. A Chapter of Secrets.. and a lot of text. They didn't double space nothing in order to meet the page count. Just a glance and I can tell that pound for pound, you're gonna get your money's worth.
(I hope nobody complains about font size, this is a value heavy product)
There's no filler in this book of fluff, this baby is jammed with little details.
Mike McArtor's going to knock this one out of the park, baby!
Not a lot of crunch at all, just a few stat blocks (a page, maybe two) towards the back. If you're worried about Editions, this should put your mind at ease.
Yeah, but what's up with the font size?
;-)
Seriously, I'm gonna get this one way or the other...I find myself become even more tempted to go "all in" on subscriptions whether Paizo goes 4E or not. I just don't know what I'd *use* most of the stuff.
Yeah, but what's up with the font size?
;-)
Seriously, I'm gonna get this one way or the other...I find myself become even more tempted to go "all in" on subscriptions whether Paizo goes 4E or not. I just don't know what I'd *use* most of the stuff.
Not sure if you should panic Bugley! The font size might not be that small, remember I'm peering at a PDF.. That always skews your perceptions.
I'm just saying, there's not a lot of empty space surrounding the artwork. And there's lots of artwork and maps. But they were economical in the lay out in order to maximize for the most content they get in the book.
Also, I just looked at PF# 7...
It appears they are using the front and back inside covers for actual content in both books. A timeline for the Guide to Korvosa, and what looks like a political / social chart in PF#7
Yeah, but what's up with the font size?
;-)
Seriously, I'm gonna get this one way or the other...I find myself become even more tempted to go "all in" on subscriptions whether Paizo goes 4E or not. I just don't know what I'd *use* most of the stuff.
Not sure if you should panic Bugley! The font size might not be that small, remember I'm peering at a PDF.. That always skews your perceptions.
I'm just saying, there's not a lot of empty space surrounding the artwork. And there's lots of artwork and maps. But they were economical in the lay out in order to maximize for the most content they get in the book.
Also, I just looked at PF# 7...
It appears they are using the front and back inside covers for actual content in both books. A timeline for the Guide to Korvosa, and what looks like a political / social chart in PF#7
You've gotten PF #7 already? No fair. I'm going to have to bribe someone to get to the top of that shipping list...
He got the PDF. ;)
Yeah, I know, but you get the PDF when your hardcopy ships...so far, no soup for me! :(
Soup? I was supposed to get soup too? ;)
Patience young padawan... all good things come to those who wait.
:D
You know Urza, I've always thought you as a young fellow too.
(Yeah, that's a nice image of the lady with the sword)
Hmph.. well before I scoot to work.. I'll say on the 25th of May I will be 27. *groan* Hope that doesn't disappoint. :P
You're 26?
GET OFF MY LAWN!
Hmph.. well before I scoot to work.. I'll say on the 25th of May I will be 27. *groan* Hope that doesn't disappoint. :P
I have 14 years of ornery on you. :D
May 27th isn't a bad day. I share my birthday with Michael Jackson (AND PRACTICALLY NO ONE ELSE), so I think I got it worse. ;-)
We'll make May 27 into "Golarion Chicks Dig Urza Day"
What? Just one single pic? :(
What? Just one single pic? :(
I believe he means there's only one image of a panoramic view of the city... I'm sure there's multiple pictures in the book of various other things. At least, I hope there is. I don't have the book or pdf...
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What? Just one single pic? :(I believe he means there's only one image of a panoramic view of the city... I'm sure there's multiple pictures in the book of various other things. At least, I hope there is. I don't have the book or pdf...
Correct. There is one panorama. There are 3 pictures of characters in an environment. Many middle of the page pictures of faces. Very good maps. Some heraldry. Also a really nice timeline in the front and back covers. No pictures of cool landmarks or what "Chelaxian Architecture" looks like.
I read part of the secrets chapter, and everyone is going to LOVE the Acadame (sp?). :D
Wow, awesome job! One of the better city guides I have seen with Ptolus being my ultimate. Kudos!
Contributor
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He got the PDF. ;)
I can't find any raunchy feasthalls, brothels, or other houses of sin in here... could be the PDF isn't making it easy or they're not there!
They're hinted at, but honestly, if you're looking for that kind of thing you're looking in the wrong city. Check Riddleport. It's a hive of scum and villainy. Korvosa is super uber-lawful.
Creative Director
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The only thing that bothers me about this book is that there's only one picture (the one that was on the blog with the various flying nasties) that conveys more than a single street of the city. Maybe Paizo is on the cusp of announcing PathFinder Art Packs...
Part of the reason there is that matching panoramic views of cities to their maps is fantastically difficult, especially since the art and the maps for cities are often done at the same time by different artists. It's the primary reason, honestly, you DON'T see many panoramic illos of cities. Ben Wootten has a particular gift, I feel, for looking at a city map an turning it into an excellent view of said city.
That said... there's also a view of the city in the Player's Guide to Korvosa, and there's a fair number more to come in Pathfinder itself. By the time Pathfinder 12's on the street, we'll have lots of Korvosa art out there.
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I was spoiled by Ptolus, honestly. Lots of art in the book gives a greater sense of location, and there was a lot of art describing specific locations. Of course, Ptolus cost a lot and the extras weren't free.
Honestly, the product is cool and it's not a big deal. This is just me crying because I got 18 pieces of candy instead of 20. ;)
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Creative Director
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I was spoiled by Ptolus, honestly. Lots of art in the book gives a greater sense of location, and there was a lot of art describing specific locations. Of course, Ptolus cost a lot and the extras weren't free.
Honestly, the product is cool and it's not a big deal. This is just me crying because I got 18 pieces of candy instead of 20. ;)
If you let us charge $120 bucks for a book, I promise you'll get 20 pieces of candy! :-)
If you let us charge $120 bucks for a book, I promise you'll get 20 pieces of candy! :-)I was spoiled by Ptolus, honestly. Lots of art in the book gives a greater sense of location, and there was a lot of art describing specific locations. Of course, Ptolus cost a lot and the extras weren't free.
Honestly, the product is cool and it's not a big deal. This is just me crying because I got 18 pieces of candy instead of 20. ;)
Honestly, if it is good enough, I just might spend that!
If you let us charge $120 bucks for a book, I promise you'll get 20 pieces of candy! :-)
I was going to say that but I didn't want it to come across poorly.
But hey.. going back to what you were saying.. 6 Chapters of an AP makes a nice sized book, and runs about the same price retail (a good reason to subscribe!)
This is like Ptolus over half a year..
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They're hinted at, but honestly, if you're looking for that kind of thing you're looking in the wrong city. Check Riddleport. It's a hive of scum and villainy. Korvosa is super uber-lawful.He got the PDF. ;)
I can't find any raunchy feasthalls, brothels, or other houses of sin in here... could be the PDF isn't making it easy or they're not there!
Hey now.. all of the above can be lawfully had if it's made legal, it's just not moral. Point me to some hintings please! :)
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Hmph.. well before I scoot to work.. I'll say on the 25th of May I will be 27. *groan* Hope that doesn't disappoint. :PI have 14 years of ornery on you. :D
May 27th isn't a bad day. I share my birthday with Michael Jackson (AND PRACTICALLY NO ONE ELSE), so I think I got it worse. ;-)
We'll make May 27 into "Golarion Chicks Dig Urza Day"
*coughs* Maybe 25th.. I'll be 27.
GCDUD sounds like a plan though. Maybe you could hire Wayne to do some art. :)
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Hey now.. all of the above can be lawfully had if it's made legal, it's just not moral. Point me to some hintings please! :)IIRC, Old Korvosa and sections on House Arkona are what you're going to want to read.
I did notice some bits about a harem.. I'll have to check out those sections more thoroughly.. you know... PDFs for the first read through are no fun. :)
The only thing that bothers me about this book is that there's only one picture (the one that was on the blog with the various flying nasties) that conveys more than a single street of the city. Maybe Paizo is on the cusp of announcing PathFinder Art Packs...Part of the reason there is that matching panoramic views of cities to their maps is fantastically difficult, especially since the art and the maps for cities are often done at the same time by different artists. It's the primary reason, honestly, you DON'T see many panoramic illos of cities. Ben Wootten has a particular gift, I feel, for looking at a city map an turning it into an excellent view of said city.
That said... there's also a view of the city in the Player's Guide to Korvosa, and there's a fair number more to come in Pathfinder itself. By the time Pathfinder 12's on the street, we'll have lots of Korvosa art out there.
**************************************************************
Hey James (and all the Paizo crew),
I just want to chime in and say -- WOW!
The Guide to Korvosa and Pathfinder #6 are GREAT!! - I think, by far the best Pathfinder/GameMastery products to date.
The art really is some of the best I've ever seen in adventures/modules.
I do concur with the thought of seeing more of the perspective type art (like on page 3 of the Player Guide) - it really does give that sense of "feel" like your right in the middle of the city.
BTW - is the technical art term "panoramic views" for that kind of stuff?
Also, the NPC art in both Korvosa and Pathfinder #6 are really top-notch - I'm not sure who those artist are, but I'd love to see lots, and lots more of their work (especially on those NPCs).
BRAVO Paizo crew.... Job very, very well done!!
JM
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I did notice some bits about a harem.. I'll have to check out those sections more thoroughly.. you know... PDFs for the first read through are no fun. :)I take it the search feature brought up nothing? (Do Paizo PDFs come with a search feature?)
They do.. I'm probably not using the right words to search. I still have to check out those sections you mentioned though. :)
A quick question for those who've read the book already:
How much information is offered on the history of Korvosa?
When doing the conversion into my homebrew setting, I've come across some massive holes in the city's history (Cousins' War; formation of the monarchy, etc.). I'm not searching for excruciating detail, mind. Just a general sweep to give me a sense of things.
Thanks for the answers and help...
The chapter on Korvosa's history is four pages long.
There's also a timeline of Korvosa's history that runs on the inside front and back covers.
Awesome! Thanks for the response...
The Acadamae section claims that some of the arcane secrets available to Acadamae grads would appear in the appendix. However, such material doesn't appear (either that or my PDF is missing pages.)
I sense that some yummy material (new spells?) got cut for page count.
Please, is there any way I could get a hint as to that stuff? I'm hoping to play an Acadamae grad in Lilith's PbP, so you can see why I'd like to know.
Thanks in advance!
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Contributor
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Oh btw the housing charts were awesome and incredibly incredibly useful!
Cool, I'll let my girlfriend know you liked them. Those were her ideas.
Conversation:
Mike: "Honey, I'm writing a book about a city. What kind of stuff do you think I should put in?"
GF: "Stuff about how to live in the city. City sourcebooks always leave out stuff like rent and home prices."
Mike: "Done and done."
And then, in editing... a discussion with Chris Self:
Chris: "These rent charts are cool."
Mike: "Thanks. Not my idea, but thanks."
Chris: "The rents are too high, though. You could just buy the building in a year with those rents."
Mike: "D'oh!" *lowers rents*
The Acadamae section claims that some of the arcane secrets available to Acadamae grads would appear in the appendix. However, such material doesn't appear (either that or my PDF is missing pages.)
I sense that some yummy material (new spells?) got cut for page count.
Please, is there any way I could get a hint as to that stuff? I'm hoping to play an Acadamae grad in Lilith's PbP, so you can see why I'd like to know.
Thanks in advance!
Drat. A ghost.
The referred-to arcane secrets got cut and thrown into the CotCT Player's Guide (I think). The Acadamae Graduate feat (or whatever it's called) is what that refers to.
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Questions:
1) What does it cost to go to the Acadamae? I only see "expensive".
2) What does a professor at the Acadamae make?
3) Was a housing chart for East Shore|The Shingles?
Comments:
Fun to read! I like that the entire city is one giant Poltergeist movie waiting to happen.
"Yeah, we built the entire city on an ancient Shaonti burial ground and desecrated the remains. It seemed like a good idea at the time."
Chris: "The rents are too high, though. You could just buy the building in a year with those rents."
Mike: "D'oh!" *lowers rents*
Don't lower the rent, raise the price of the buildings! Adventures need a reason to adventure. The penguin needs their help!
Is there stuff on the Hellknights in this book? Maybe a stat block or some feats or something?
I'm totally obsessed with these guys and was looking for a few official tidbits of "crunch" to set them apart from regular fighters.
Although I can usually do that using fluff anyways!
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Creative Director
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Is there stuff on the Hellknights in this book? Maybe a stat block or some feats or something?
I'm totally obsessed with these guys and was looking for a few official tidbits of "crunch" to set them apart from regular fighters.
Although I can usually do that using fluff anyways!
There's a little flavor about the hellknights, but you won't see any official crunch for them, I suspect, until the hardcover Campaign Setting book due out in August.
I seem to detect a certain similarity between the coat of arms of Korvosa and that of the City of Greyhawk - both contain gold coins, a black background , and silver fortifications - a gate in one instance and a whole castle in the other.
Stefan
Comments:
Fun to read! I like that the entire city is one giant Poltergeist movie waiting to happen.
"Yeah, we built the entire city on an ancient Shaonti burial ground and desecrated the remains. It seemed like a good idea at the time."
Speaking as as a soon-to-be CotCT DM: BWAHAHAHAHA!
There's a little flavor about the hellknights, but you won't see any official crunch for them, I suspect, until the hardcover Campaign Setting book due out in August.
That's cool, that just makes them even more mysterious, and hence, totally awesome. My players will more than likely ponder the actual abilities of these guys for a while once they meet them.
The referred-to arcane secrets got cut and thrown into the CotCT Player's Guide (I think). The Acadamae Graduate feat (or whatever it's called) is what that refers to.
Ah! That feat is what made me want to play an Acadamae grad (not even that the feat is that good. It's just good and flavorful.)
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1) What does it cost to go to the Acadamae? I only see "expensive".
A lot. It's as much or as little as you want it to be for your campaign. If you don't want any PCs to be students, it costs more than they can afford. If you want ALL your PCs to be students, it costs less. It was intentionally left vague so GMs could set the price as they see fit.
2) What does a professor at the Acadamae make?
Enough to live on. See answer to #1 above. :)
3) Was a housing chart for East Shore|The Shingles?
Crap. The East Shore one got cut.
EAST SHORE
The following costs are averages that vary by size.
Ownership
Manor 60,000 gp or more
House 30,000 gp
Townhouse 20,000 gp
Apartment Suite 5,000–20,000 gp
Rent per Month
House 100 gp
Apartment Suite 18–60 gp
Studio 6–20 gp
One does not pay to live in the Shingles. Find an open spot and set up your tent/crate/cardboard box (the last one is a joke). That's how the Shingles works.
Comments:
Fun to read! I like that the entire city is one giant Poltergeist movie waiting to happen.
"Yeah, we built the entire city on an ancient Shaonti burial ground and desecrated the remains. It seemed like a good idea at the time."
Sounds like a fun campaign! :D
Don't lower the rent, raise the price of the buildings! Adventures need a reason to adventure. The penguin needs their help!
The rents are pretty darn high as they are. :)
I seem to detect a certain similarity between the coat of arms of Korvosa and that of the City of Greyhawk - both contain gold coins, a black background , and silver fortifications - a gate in one instance and a whole castle in the other.
Pure coincidence. I know very little about the City of Greyhawk. In fact, you pretty much just increased my knowledge of that city by about 25%.