[Frog God Games] Thanks, folks!

[Chuck Wright]

This week the top selling products from other companies includes the Tome of Horrors Complete at #3 making it the number one selling non-Paizo-published book in print!

Congrats also to Jon Brazer Enterprises and Gamer Ingenuity for having the only other two print products on the list (with JBEs Book of the River Nations: Complete Player's Reference for Kingdom Building (PFRPG) being the only other book on the list).

Most excellent news!

~steeples fingers~

yeeeessssss

[sozin]

Awesome!

And for any AP hungry folks that haven't checked out Slumbering Tsar yet - you should. It's incredible - first edition feel with the pathfinder ruleset, authored by the exquisitely wicked Greg Vaughan.

[Chuck Wright]

The weird thing is that Greg is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

I think he exorcises his demons on PCs.

[Greg A. Vaughan]

Aw shucks, you guys... [blushes]

[DaveMage]

sozin wrote:

Awesome!

And for any AP hungry folks that haven't checked out Slumbering Tsar yet - you should. It's incredible - first edition feel with the pathfinder ruleset, authored by the exquisitely wicked Greg Vaughan.

+1!

[BV210]

Chuck Wright wrote:

I think he exorcises his demons on PCs.

No truer words were ever spoken. Although the word you were looking for is "conjures" not "exorcises."

[Chuck Wright]

BV210 wrote:

Chuck Wright wrote:

I think he exorcises his demons on PCs.

No truer words were ever spoken. Although the word you were looking for is "conjures" not "exorcises."

Nope, it wasn't. The word you tell me I meant to say changes my meaning entirely.

He exorcises demons from himself and inflicts them upon the Player Characters.

Nothing to be conjured at all.

THANKS!

[Jeremy Smith]

But does he exercise them before exorcising them?

Inquiring minds want to know. They need to be in shape, after all.

[Dark Sasha]

jeremy.smith wrote:

But does he exercise them before exorcising them?

Inquiring minds want to know. They need to be in shape, after all.

They might get enough exercise beating up on poor PC's, though that depends. Some are more like bonbons than anything healthful. An occassional barbarian for fiber is good. But those mages are not good for one's health, too many carbs.

[James Keegan]

It's a pretty simple method, really: you start them out on low-level characters to build that muscle mass and diabolical sadism through continuous reps and lean elf-flesh. A short training montage later and they're ready for even the most hardened PCs. It's called the Vaughan Method.

[Dale McCoy Jr]

Chuck Wright wrote:

Congrats also to Jon Brazer Enterprises and Gamer Ingenuity for having the only other two print products on the list (with JBEs Book of the River Nations: Complete Player's Reference for Kingdom Building (PFRPG) being the only other book on the list).

Thank you for mentioning us Chuck!

[Brodyz]

I was not paying attention and missed out on the pre-order...then I came home and saw the email from Paizo advertising the Print-pdf bundle. Needless to say I just spent the last hour looking through my pdf, and I cannot wait for the delivery of the largest RPG book ever.

I was thrilled to see so many 1st edition creatures, as well as some of the demon lords I have missed. I love the prior appearance note, btw. There is a wealth of options and information and I wanted to tip my hat to Frog God Games for an awesome product.

[Chuck Wright]

Important news about a second printing can be found on this thread in the general forum!

Second Printing announcement

[Bill Webb]

September 29, 2011
All the Tome pre-orders have shipped out now, including the “weird orders” (and you know who you are. I have corrected a few shipping errors so far, but overall it looks like Dawn and I did pretty good on minimizing mistakes. We still have about 70 copies of Swords and Wizardry Tome fo Horrors for sale; but get one soon, they are going fast!

I have held 50 copies of the SW Tome for exclusive sale at the North Texas RPG Con I Dallas next June (where Matt and I run a nearly continuous game for 4 days). Other than those (and you must be present to buy one), the remaining 70 are all I have left.

We have sold out of a few of our books (Pathfinder versions of Fane of the Fallen and Jungle Ruins of Madaro Shanti), so I have ordered small quantities of reprints on these. I was able to do so since the printer had extra covers made (about 30 of each), and did not have to pay a set-up fee to do small reprints.

Tome of Adventure Design is getting rave reviews all over the internet, and pre-orders will be taken through Thanksgiving or so (we are out of town that week; so no reason to cut them off while I am away). Get them while they last, the price goes up after the pre-order period ends.

Northland Saga 2 is at the printer and should arrive in 3 weeks or so. Tsar 10 should be here next week (and I will ship to you patient folks who ordered it early the day I get it). Tsar 11 is almost ready (art arrived Friday, beating Greg currently).

We are discussing a potential deal with HeroLab for the PFRPG for Tome of Horrors. News on that soon!

Finally, Black Monastery has all the component bits here and will be released in February or so, and we are still on track for a March/April delivery of the Slumbering Tsar hardcover.

Big news on the next big product will be coming soon.

Thanks to all of you for your patronage and kind words. You keep buying them, we’ll keep making them. We love this game, and are glad you all enjoy our products!

[Jeremy Smith]

Not to hijack the thread...

But how the heck did I not know about the North Texas RPG Con, being a DFW area resident?

Guess I know what I'm doing next June...

[Dragnmoon]

jeremy.smith wrote:

Not to hijack the thread...

But how the heck did I not know about the North Texas RPG Con, being a DFW area resident?

Guess I know what I'm doing next June...

How did I not Know about that Either..

I Hope Jon Cary is aware of it. will need to post this on the PFS Texas page.

Also Bill when can we start ordering Black Monastery?

[Elorebaen]

Thank you!!

[Jon Cary]

NT RPG Con is definitely on my list, but I'd been informed it's primarily a 1E/2E event. I'll contact the convention management and see how accurate that is.

[Dragnmoon]

Jon Cary wrote:

NT RPG Con is definitely on my list, but I'd been informed it's primarily a 1E/2E event. I'll contact the convention management and see how accurate that is.

According to their web page, that is true. The web page says they will allow any game though as long as we can fill tables.

[Bill Webb]

Black Monastery will go on sale after I end pre-orders for TOAD; get TOAD while its hot! You will not be disappointed.

[Bill Webb]

NTRPG is definitely old school; but any RPG (card games are not allowed) is there. Greg will be there too I think, as will Matt, myself and Chuck. matt and i run a 20-hour/day game w/ beer and snacks (to drown your sorrows from losing PCs) in 0e format, and an ongoing (same surviving PCs each time) campaign.

[Matthew Finch]

Bill Webb wrote:

NTRPG is definitely old school; but any RPG (card games are not allowed) is there. Greg will be there too I think, as will Matt, myself and Chuck. matt and i run a 20-hour/day game w/ beer and snacks (to drown your sorrows from losing PCs) in 0e format, and an ongoing (same surviving PCs each time) campaign.

We'll all be there (Bill and I for sure, and Greg and Chuck might not know it yet). It's worth knowing that this particular con is really, really oriented toward early-edition games and their clones (like Swords & Wizardry clones original D&D, OSRIC clones AD&D, etc.). If you want to play or try out the old-school stuff, it is an awesome experience. Going there specifically to play Pathfinder would probably leave people a bit disappointed, though, just because it's so far off the Con's primary focus.

But anyone who wants to brave mine or Bill's Swords & Wizardry (Original D&D) games is more than welcome. I loved the reaction of the guy in one of my games when he suddenly realized that the player to his left was Erol Otus.

[Dawn R Fischer]

Matthew Finch wrote:

Bill Webb wrote:

NTRPG is definitely old school; but any RPG (card games are not allowed) is there. Greg will be there too I think, as will Matt, myself and Chuck. matt and i run a 20-hour/day game w/ beer and snacks (to drown your sorrows from losing PCs) in 0e format, and an ongoing (same surviving PCs each time) campaign.

We'll all be there (Bill and I for sure, and Greg and Chuck might not know it yet). It's worth knowing that this particular con is really, really oriented toward early-edition games and their clones (like Swords & Wizardry clones original D&D, OSRIC clones AD&D, etc.). If you want to play or try out the old-school stuff, it is an awesome experience. Going there specifically to play Pathfinder would probably leave people a bit disappointed, though, just because it's so far off the Con's primary focus.

But anyone who wants to brave mine or Bill's Swords & Wizardry (Original D&D) games is more than welcome. I loved the reaction of the guy in one of my games when he suddenly realized that the player to his left was Erol Otus.

I highly recommend attending a game run by one of these fine fellows. I would love to join you guys at NTRPG, but that will depend on my finances at the time. I will certainly be heading to PaizoCon again next year, if I have to drive there and sleep in my car on the way up. :)

[Chuck Wright]

Bill Webb wrote:

NTRPG is definitely old school; but any RPG (card games are not allowed) is there. Greg will be there too I think, as will Matt, myself and Chuck. matt and i run a 20-hour/day game w/ beer and snacks (to drown your sorrows from losing PCs) in 0e format, and an ongoing (same surviving PCs each time) campaign.

Wait, what?

[Dawn R Fischer]

Chuck Wright wrote:

Bill Webb wrote:

NTRPG is definitely old school; but any RPG (card games are not allowed) is there. Greg will be there too I think, as will Matt, myself and Chuck. matt and i run a 20-hour/day game w/ beer and snacks (to drown your sorrows from losing PCs) in 0e format, and an ongoing (same surviving PCs each time) campaign.

Wait, what?

Surprise!! :D

[John Benbo]

Matthew Finch wrote:

But anyone who wants to brave mine or Bill's Swords & Wizardry (Original D&D) games is more than welcome. I loved the reaction of the guy in one of my games when he suddenly realized that the player to his left was Erol Otus.

I love my Erol Otus "Jesus Saves..." t-shirt.

[Greg A. Vaughan]

I am planning on being at NT RPG Con. Apparently Bill has obtained special dispensation for me to run a PF game or two of some FGG stuff, but I also intend to be spending some serious time in Bill's and Matts' Swords & Wizardry games.

[weirmonken]

Holy cow!

I had no idea that the NT RPG Con had such an amazing lineup: Sandy Petersen, Rob Kuntz, and Zeb Cook in one place? This may be the only time in my life that I've regretted moving away from Texas.

Also, got my Tome of Horrors yesterday, and I have been amazed by the quality from what I've seen so far. Worth every penny. Thanks, FGG!

[kaymanklynman]

Thank you Frog God Games to make great products. I will buy the Tome of Horrors in november.

[Bill Webb]

Big, huge, fat post coming soon. Don't forget to order your Tome of Horrors and Tome of Adventure Design while they last!

I think next weeks announcement will make all of you very, very happy!

Bill

[Oliver von Spreckelsen]

Bill Webb wrote:

I think next weeks announcement will make all of you very, very happy!

Bill

Excellent! I'll be waiting for that announcement!

(plus: the books have arrived... all of them...Yippie!)

[theneofish]

Bill Webb wrote:

Big, huge, fat post coming soon. Don't forget to order your Tome of Horrors and Tome of Adventure Design while they last!

I think next weeks announcement will make all of you very, very happy!

Bill

Oooh exciting!

I too have the Tome of Horrors, and it is an amazing product. Not sure yet what's groaning more, my shelves or my players.

[Dawn R Fischer]

Bill Webb wrote:

Big, huge, fat post coming soon. Don't forget to order your Tome of Horrors and Tome of Adventure Design while they last!

I think next weeks announcement will make all of you very, very happy!

Bill

Just a reminder to keep your eyes open for a big announcement this week!

Also Tome of Horrors Complete Unlimited is here and Tome of Adventure Design is on track!

[Bill Webb]

FGG-The Big Announcement

The background of the big announcement goes all the way back to 1978, when I read a small book by Gary Gygax detailing the use of outdoor and wilderness adventures in D&D. This book, along with what has affectionately been termed the “Skull Dungeon” of John Holmes fame, formed the basis of my thinking when I began to write my own vast dungeon that I called Rappan Athuk.

A decade ago, I released the first few levels of Rappan Athuk as a book, which was followed by a series of releases of different parts and pieces (29 levels in the first 3 books, and another 7 or so later in Rappan Athuk Reloaded).

To my surprise, even though I expected it to be a success, Rappan Athuk turned out to be one of the major hits of the Third Edition decade. Even though it’s not the largest dungeon that was ever published (it might be this time!), it quickly picked up a reputation for being one of the deadliest, and if you haven’t heard, “Don’t go down the Well” or “Beware of Purple Worms,” you probably weren’t attending gaming conventions or reading the RPG internet during the Third Edition years.

Rappan Athuk Reloaded, which contained a lot more of the original dungeon, became an immediate collector’s item. With only 1000 copies of Rappan Athuk’s expanded version in existence, many players unfortunately could never get a copy. This was probably fortunate for a lot of player characters, but it means that many people who wanted to see the dungeon’s broader scope never got to see what they were missing.

Well, it’s been almost 10 years since I wrote the last few chapters of Rappan Athuk Reloaded. As you would expect, I haven’t been idle during that time. In fact, over the last few hundred gaming sessions I’ve run, I have continued to write up my notes from levels that were never published, and add new levels as adventurers continued to explore. Many of the mid-level areas have been fleshed out (the ultimate adversaries, of course, remained the same), and several new upper levels have been added as adventurers avoided “The Well” and “The Mausoleum” in attempts to delve deeper into Rappan Athuk’s depths. I have been mulling over what to do to get this monster out to all of you. So here goes…

Weighing in with over 50 dungeon levels and dozens of wilderness areas, Rappan Athuk will be released next summer as a hardbound, library-stitched book in both Pathfinder and Swords and Wizardry formats. The book contains 18 more levels even than Rappan Athuk Reloaded, as well as the outdoor adventures supporting them. I am also working on a leather cover (or faux leather) for the binding.

This thing is truly the granddaddy of all dungeons. It represents years of play testing, years of adventure, and hundreds of player character deaths. Many parts of my campaign that have transpired over the years are included in its pages from the dead remains of fallen heroes, to marks left on walls, to cryptic scribblings left by lost or dying adventurers.
Just like the dungeons of the early 1970s played by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, Rappan Athuk is like a living being, big enough to be used for thousands of hours of play. From the Goblin city of Greznek to the Hall of the Titan Cyclops, from the Well of Zelkor to the Mithril gates, and from the Well of Agamemnon to the Abyssal pocket-plain and to the throne of Orcus himself—this terrifying place will create memorable experiences for all players and Game Masters.

This Tome represents the completed manuscript, including the wilderness surrounding the dungeon, three villages nearby, and the dreaded Temple of Tsathogga, where the sinister, evil priests of the frog-demon seek dark secrets and dark powers lost when the army of light destroyed the temple of Orcus at the site.
This book will be available for pre-order in March or April 2012. Retail price and page count are still to be determined (though it will probably be about $125 and 1000 pages or so). The pre-ordered copies will contain bonus material as a pdf enhancement that were cut from the final manuscript and will not be available after the pre-order period ends.

So once again, in this new decade of gaming, we will have the chance to say, “Don’t go down the Well.”

[Bill Webb]

ps--I still have copies of TOAD for sale!!

[John Benbo]

I need a bigger house...or a separate house just for my Frog God Games books.

[Robert Miller 55]

John Benbo wrote:

I need a bigger house...or a separate house just for my Frog God Games books.

No kidding!

Even though I own the original release of Rappan Athuk and 3 copies of RA Reloaded, count me in once again, Bill!

[Matthew Morris]

I don't need both kidneys I guess...

[DaveMage]

Wow!

I'll preorder the first day, of course....

The tough part will be figuring out how to use it with Pathfinder since I'd imagine that if every encounter were played, PCs would reach 40th level. :)

[Kthulhu]

When can we expect to see a line of specially reinforced Tsathoggua-branded adamantine bookshelves?

[Dark_Mistress]

Are you trying to kill people Bill? I mean between ToH, tST, and now this. That will be 3 huge hardbacks that if someone trips while carrying them could result in serious bodily injury if not out right death.

[bigkilla]

Dark_Mistress wrote:

Are you trying to kill people Bill? I mean between ToH, tST, and now this. That will be 3 huge hardbacks that if someone trips while carrying them could result in serious bodily injury if not out right death.

Awesomesauce!!! this will go with my Killer DM 575!!!

[Steel_Wind]

Interesting news Bill.

This is yet further confirmation that when it comes to 3PP and Pathfinder RPG, FGG has managed to move into a class all its own.

[Dawn R Fischer]

Steel_Wind wrote:

Interesting news Bill.

This is yet further confirmation that when it comes to 3PP and Pathfinder RPG, FGG has managed to move into a class all its own.

We thank you, Mr. Steel Wind, for your nice comments about our books in your podcasts.

[Matthew Finch]

Dark_Mistress wrote:

Are you trying to kill people Bill? I mean between ToH, tST, and now this. That will be 3 huge hardbacks that if someone trips while carrying them could result in serious bodily injury if not out right death.

Tome of Adventure Design is specifically intended to allow people to work up to the full Rappan Athuk weight, since it is a mere 308 pages. That's why it's available now, to give people the opportunity to bulk up using something much more fun to read than the numbers on a set of free weights.

Having practiced and trained with the lower-weight Tome of Adventure Design, everyone should be ready to heft a copy of Rappan Athuk by the time the mailmen start lugging copies to peoples' doorsteps.

[Dawn R Fischer]

Matthew Finch wrote:

Dark_Mistress wrote:

Are you trying to kill people Bill? I mean between ToH, tST, and now this. That will be 3 huge hardbacks that if someone trips while carrying them could result in serious bodily injury if not out right death.

Tome of Adventure Design is specifically intended to allow people to work up to the full Rappan Athuk weight, since it is a mere 308 pages. That's why it's available now, to give people the opportunity to bulk up using something much more fun to read than the numbers on a set of free weights.

Having practiced and trained with the lower-weight Tome of Adventure Design, everyone should be ready to heft a copy of Rappan Athuk by the time the mailmen start lugging copies to peoples' doorsteps.

Ah, so those who intend to dual wield Tome of Horrors Complete (PFRPG ed.) with the Slumbering Tsar (by Greg Vaughan) will be way ahead if they start prepping with Tome of Adventure Design in one hand and the Tome of Horrors Complete in the other. Then by the time Rappan Athuk arrives they should be well prepared.

Question: Which hand do you hold the TOHC, the main hand or the off-hand?

[John Benbo]

I just want to lay out the massive tomes of ST and RA in front of players and ask them to choose how they want to die. Combined with the ToH, all three form together to create a blackhole of PC death.

[Chuck Wright]

Dawn R Fischer wrote:

Matthew Finch wrote:

Dark_Mistress wrote:

Are you trying to kill people Bill? I mean between ToH, tST, and now this. That will be 3 huge hardbacks that if someone trips while carrying them could result in serious bodily injury if not out right death.

Tome of Adventure Design is specifically intended to allow people to work up to the full Rappan Athuk weight, since it is a mere 308 pages. That's why it's available now, to give people the opportunity to bulk up using something much more fun to read than the numbers on a set of free weights.

Having practiced and trained with the lower-weight Tome of Adventure Design, everyone should be ready to heft a copy of Rappan Athuk by the time the mailmen start lugging copies to peoples' doorsteps.

Ah, so those who intend to dual wield Tome of Horrors Complete (PFRPG ed.) with the Slumbering Tsar (by Greg Vaughan) will be way ahead if they start prepping with Tome of Adventure Design in one hand and the Tome of Horrors Complete in the other. Then by the time Rappan Athuk arrives they should be well prepared.

Question: Which hand do you hold the TOHC, the main hand or the off-hand?

I believe that would require the Orangutan Librarian Feat to dual-wield as both of those are Two-Handed Books.

[Kthulhu]

Hey Chuck, have you considered my proposal for FGG-branded adamantine bookshelves? :D

[Bill Webb]

Tsar 11 is in layout. We are out of SW Rulebook for 2 weeks or so, and NS2 is at the printer!