Layout is nearly complete for the print version of the first 36 Behind the Spells issues. As of now, the book weighs in at 112 pages and will likely retail for $18.95. While you're waiting for its release, here's a preview of the front and back covers! This, our first print book, has truly been a labor of love and I thank everyone who's mentioned that they are still waiting patiently for it. :)
I forgot to mention that the Compendium will be a limited print run of 100 copies only! That said, we will be releasing it in pdf form so the book will still be available once those 100 copies are gone. Before too long, we'll be taking pre-orders (probably via PayPal).
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How 'bout letting us (or just me) know more about what this is. Is it a "history of the making of" or maybe a "this is why we decided on the rules mechanics for..."
Maybe even give us a small sample, especially if it's hard to put into words what this book is.
See, I ain't in to pdfs. But I love D&D wizards and if I like this will likely want a hard copy.
-W. E. Ray
Well, you could say it's both a "history of" and a "mechanics-y" series. The first section of each pdf takes a look at the story of how the spell was created (in fictional terms, of course, but I do include one or more easter egg-like nods to D&D canon if a spell is radically changed from earlier editions to 3e). The second section--"spell secrets"--gives at least two ways to use the spell differently (usually by succeeding a Spellcraft check of varying difficulty). The third section--"related research"--describes at least two new spells/magic items/etc. that grow naturally from the spell's backstory (or are variants of the spell in question).
You know, Molech, it occurs to me that many folks on the boards here might be like you and not know anything about the Behind the Spells series. To rectify that, I'll give away one pdf of your choice to you and the next 5 different posters in this thread. Just post your interest and any other questions about the series below (along with your email address), and I'll send one pdf your way. How easy is that? :)
You can browse through the 38 available pdfs HERE!
Bret Boyd
President
Tricky Owlbear Publishing, Inc.
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Well, you could say it's both a "history of" and a "mechanics-y" series. The first section of each pdf takes a look at the story of how the spell was created (in fictional terms, of course, but I do include one or more easter egg-like nods to D&D canon if a spell is radically changed from earlier editions to 3e). The second section--"spell secrets"--gives at least two ways to use the spell differently (usually by succeeding a Spellcraft check of varying difficulty). The third section--"related research"--describes at least two new spells/magic items/etc. that grow naturally from the spell's backstory (or are variants of the spell in question).
You know, Molech, it occurs to me that many folks on the boards here might be like you and not know anything about the Behind the Spells series. To rectify that, I'll give away one pdf of your choice to you and the next 5 different posters in this thread. Just post your interest and any other questions about the series below (along with your email address), and I'll send one pdf your way. How easy is that? :)
You can browse through the 38 available pdfs HERE!
Bret Boyd
President
Tricky Owlbear Publishing, Inc.
I'm interested - how about Guards and Wards? Also I'm interested in the hardcover compilation.
hopkins.ron@verizon.net
I'm interested - how about Guards and Wards? Also I'm interested in the hardcover compilation.
Email sent! As for the Compendium, I'm afraid that we're only going to be doing softcover. But, that saves folks some bucks.
Hmmm, Sanctuary, Wish, Animate Dead and Mirror Image all intrigue me.
If I tried to post using aliases to get all of them for free would you hold it against me??
Nah, that's too greedy; I'll take Sanctuary for 1000, Alex.
Thanks!
I wouldn't hold multiple aliases against you...unless I found out! :) Behind the Spells was originally published under Ronin Arts but when I started up Tricky Owlbear the series copyright remained with me. What I'm getting at is that your choice--Sanctuary--is the first of the new look under TOP.
Um, but I will need an email to send it to. :) Or, you can just email me directly: bret (dot) boyd (at) trickyowlbear.com
Sure, I'm interested. I'll leave it up to you to choose one you think represents the series well, but if you're soliciting a preference, I'd be curious about "Dispel Magic".
(For what it's worth, I'd never heard of your company before.)
c (dot) mortika (at) gmail (dot) com.
Since you've never heard of Tricky Owlbear, all the more reason to give you a free preview! We only formed in July of last year and have, until recently, been focusing on ENWorld, RPGNow, and YourGamesNow. But now that we're part of the Paizo community, I wanted to flex some PR muscle here.
Dispel Magic is a good choice because it's a little more meaty in content than most. When I thought the series was coming to an end for good (it did under Ronin Arts anyway), I left this spell for last since it deals with the origins of not only that spell but with the emergence of a certain iconic demon-prince of undeath (which I thought would make a fun finale). Any references to it being the final issue can be ignored since I rebooted the series under the Tricky Owlbear name.
I'd be interested.
twotwotwain @ yahoo dot com
Prestidigitation, Hold person or Cure wounds would be cool.
I am also interested in your product. I would like very much to see what makes it tick. The iconic magic missile has always been a staple of my spell book. How about you let me give that a once-over.
shinami01@gmail.com
Magic Missile is definitely iconic--it was, in fact, the very first issue to hit the pdf shelves. As such, I was still grasping for just the right balance of fluff-to-crunch. Some reviews claim it a bit lacking in the latter department thus this spell has been expanded for the print Compendium.
I should note that reviews for many of the spells can be found here for those interested.
Ooooh, Silence would be cool too. Never saw these before. Think I'll prolly spring for the Print version when available..
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Crap! Am I too late?!? I've always wondered what these items were all about and I've ordered a PDF from TOP before... I believe it was one of the monster ones, perhaps even the owlbear one.
Anyway, if I'm NOT too late... I'll take Animate Dead, please.
zackthestguy @ gmail (dot) com
If I am too late, well... maybe I'll consider giving it a look-see anyway.
Ooooh, Silence would be cool too. Never saw these before. Think I'll prolly spring for the Print version when available..
Silence it is! <crickets chirping> Oh, you mean you want that issue! Silly me. :) Email sent!
Well, you could say it's both a "history of" and a "mechanics-y" series. The first section of each pdf takes a look at the story of how the spell was created (in fictional terms, of course, but I do include one or more easter egg-like nods to D&D canon if a spell is radically changed from earlier editions to 3e). The second section--"spell secrets"--gives at least two ways to use the spell differently (usually by succeeding a Spellcraft check of varying difficulty). The third section--"related research"--describes at least two new spells/magic items/etc. that grow naturally from the spell's backstory (or are variants of the spell in question).
You know, Molech, it occurs to me that many folks on the boards here might be like you and not know anything about the Behind the Spells series. To rectify that, I'll give away one pdf of your choice to you and the next 5 different posters in this thread. Just post your interest and any other questions about the series below (along with your email address), and I'll send one pdf your way. How easy is that? :)
You can browse through the 38 available pdfs HERE!
Bret Boyd
President
Tricky Owlbear Publishing, Inc.
I think I made it just in time! :) Animate dead please.
zombielama@gmail.com
and thanks!
Oops looks like fatespinner beat me too it :)
Crap! Am I too late?!? I've always wondered what these items were all about and I've ordered a PDF from TOP before... I believe it was one of the monster ones, perhaps even the owlbear one.
Anyway, if I'm NOT too late... I'll take Animate Dead, please.
zackthestguy @ gmail (dot) com
If I am too late, well... maybe I'll consider giving it a look-see anyway.
Aw, what the heck. You can have one too, Fatespinner. If a couple more folks want a freebie too (say, up to 4 more people), then I'd be happy to oblige. The only thing I ask in return is that you drop me a line here to say how you liked/hated the pdf. The series is still going and, as such, any comments are welcome. Thanks!
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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Aw, what the heck. You can have one too, Fatespinner. If a couple more folks want a freebie too (say, up to 4 more people), then I'd be happy to oblige. The only thing I ask in return is that you drop me a line here to say how you liked/hated the pdf. The series is still going and, as such, any comments are welcome. Thanks!
You will most certainly have my feedback when I get home to read it tonight. :)
I'm a big spellcaster player, so something like the Compendium could add a lot to my games. I'll let you know. Thanks a lot!
I'd be interested.
twotwotwain @ yahoo dot com
Brian, I'm afraid I received a bounce back on this email address. Can you confirm this address or provide an alternate?
My bad, In my rush to beat the deadline I mistyped my addy.
twotwo_twain @ Yahoo dot com
All caught up, gang. 3 more people and then I'll close down the giveaway.
Thanks for the free pdf!
Likes:
Spell Secrets and Related Research are some excellent ideas for expanding this spell. I REALLY liked the new weapon quality, Animating. It already sent the old wheels turning for some nasty new surprises for my players >:o)
Dislikes:
I have to be honest, I was a little lukewarm to the creator section. The writing style was good, but I found myself kind of glossing over it to get to the rest.
Overall, I think I will be purchasing at least a couple of these products just to see the variant takes on some old classics.
When the hardcopy comes out, please let me know; I'd hate to miss it.
Thanks, Chris! When we're ready to take pre-orders, I'll be posting that fact to the various forums. Given the current slow market for 3.5/OGL products, I'm hoping we even get close to selling all 100. :) So if you keep your eyes open in the next few weeks, you should be in good shape.
Thanks for the free pdf!
Likes:
Spell Secrets and Related Research are some excellent ideas for expanding this spell. I REALLY liked the new weapon quality, Animating. It already sent the old wheels turning for some nasty new surprises for my players >:o)Dislikes:
I have to be honest, I was a little lukewarm to the creator section. The writing style was good, but I found myself kind of glossing over it to get to the rest.Overall, I think I will be purchasing at least a couple of these products just to see the variant takes on some old classics.
That's fast reading, there, Farthing! I appreciate the comments and your time. Are you normally more of a crunch-hungry person? The even amount of words between the fiction and mechanics has worked well thus far but can always be adjusted.
That's fast reading, there, Farthing! I appreciate the comments and your time. Are you normally more of a crunch-hungry person? The even amount of words between the fiction and mechanics has worked well thus far but can always be adjusted.
Oh no, I like fluff :) I would say it wasn't the amount of words, there was just something about the story that didn't catch on with me. Chalk it up to personal preference perhaps. I did like the style in which it was written though. I've always been a fan of that style narration.
Interesting. I think I will spend the $19 to get the print version.
Fun read. Will be forking over the dough for the print copy. Call me old fashioned, but I still can't get used to reading a lot of text on a screen.
Thanks for the thoughts so far! Sharoth, there's still a few freebie slots if you'd like to see an issue first-hand.
Overall, I'd give Behind the spells:magic missile an 8 out of 10.(Would that translate to a 4 out of 5 stars?) (Hint hint)
Wow, I didn't expect official full-fledged reviews to pop up from this (especially so quickly). Thanks, Chris, for your time HERE!
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I always found the 5 star scale too limited, so I tend to maintain a 10 point scale.Overall, I'd give Behind the spells:magic missile an 8 out of 10.(Would that translate to a 4 out of 5 stars?) (Hint hint)
Sorry, Chris. I didn't get the hint 'til now. I hadn't posted a review before and didn't know what you meant, but I finally broke down and finished a review for magic missile.
I have a question for you, TrickyOwlBear. I would prefer to send a check. Would that be possible?
I have a question for you, TrickyOwlBear. I would prefer to send a check. Would that be possible?
That should not be a problem, Sharoth. As I've said, though, we're not quite ready yet but I'll post here when the time comes. Thanks for the question!
Bret
Ohh, seems like there's still a freebie-slot available! I'll post a review after I read the .pdf, okay?
Wait, no Charm Person?! I thought this would be one of the most popular spells... I'll take Wish then! Thank you!
My adress: absinthforever at yahoo dot de
I'll send Wish to you shortly. You shouldn't feel obligated to leave a review but I'm not saying I don't appreciate the feedback. :)
As for Charm Person, I'm sure we'll be getting to it before too long.
If it's not too late can I try the Prismatic Trio?
Cainesinmyhead at gmail dot com?
I'll post a review!
If it's not too late can I try the Prismatic Trio?
Cainesinmyhead at gmail dot com?
I'll post a review!
You're still good, Watcher. After you, there's one more to give away!
Edit: Hmm, that email bounced, Watcher (unless it really does have a "?" at the end).
Hello, I'm interested in: Disintegrate.
Email: hustlerone009(at)hotmail(dot)com
I think the compendium would be really useful. My players are very Wizard dependent so having a new creative spin on some spells would be wonderful.
I have a question for you, TrickyOwlBear. I would prefer to send a check. Would that be possible?That should not be a problem, Sharoth. As I've said, though, we're not quite ready yet but I'll post here when the time comes. Thanks for the question!
Bret
Ok. Save me a copy. ~grins~
Might as well chime in...
Print copy? ALSO INTERESTED!
Okay, let me tackle a few posts at once...
Watcher: Still need an email that won't bounce back at me. :)
Sharoth, Michael, and Matthew: When the time comes to take pre-orders, I'm going to be posting that fact here and elsewhere. To keep track of you folks now might prove a bit cumbersome but I'll see what I can do.
Bill: Let me give you an example of a spell secret (an alternate way to use a spell. I'll quote a section of text from the Lightning Bolt issue...
"Although natural lightning appears in a few different shapes, the classic spell only allows for one form—the bolt. The second spell secret presented allows the caster to take advantage of two other forms—jagged and forked—at the price of reduced range and, in the latter case, reduced damage.
By succeeding a Spellcraft check (DC 18), you can change the effect of your lightning bolt to either a jagged or forked bolt. A jagged bolt’s maximum range is 30 feet but the effect is a 10-ft. wide line hitting all creatures within those spaces. The forked bolt launches two blasts of electricity in different directions but not directly opposite from each other (meaning a caster cannot throw one ahead and one behind him as both fire from the same fingertip). Each bolt inflicts half the normal damage of a regular lightning bolt and has a maximum range of 60 feet."