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Hi, all:
I'm leading a book on lycanthropes bo be published by Misfit Studios. The kickstarter goes live on Feb 1st, but I wanted to get the word out before then, so you can think about joining this project. I'll be running it similar to the Open Design projects for Kobold Press I've recently run (Journeys to the West and Midgard Tales--both of which are closing out very soon). Here's a glimpse at the kickstarter: Bite Me! The Gaming Guide to Lycanthropes.
Note that Wolfgang Baur, Dave Gross, and Spike Y Jones are also involved in this project! Ben McFarland, Steven Trustrum, Jason Stoffa, Rick Hershey, Marc Radle, Peter Bradley, and POSSIBLY YOU will also be involved.
For those of you who dont' know me, I've been writing in the tabletop gaming industry for over a decade. My first publication was in DUNGEON #61, "Jigsaw"--co-authored with Dan DeFazio. Since then, I've worked for Kobold Press (many books!), Paizo (the upcoming Animal Archive and Champions of Purity), Atlas Games, White Wolf Studios, Misfit Studios, and Troll Lord Games--among many others. I wrote two adventures and other bits in Kobold Press' 2012 ENNIE-winning Streets of Zobeck.
Anyway, I've always been interested in Lycanthropes, and I'd like to create the go-to Pathfinder book for them. Note that the ultimate stretch goal for the project is a similar book on dhampir.
Please consider supporting or joinging the project, and please help spread the word! Many thanks!
Some of the lower levels can contribute feats, traits, etc.! Plus, I'm sure we'll be doing some future projects that folks can contribute to. I've met a lot of up-and-coming freelancers from working on the Open Design projects for Kobold Press.
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*looks for earplugs to muffle the screaming noises coming from his wallet*
Yes, I'm definitely interested. ;-)
There seems to be an 'f' missing in some of the pledge level descriptions - I think 'Spellweaver pdf or Pathfinder' is intended to be 'Spellweaver pdf for Pathfinder'.
Thanks, I'll fix that! The computer kept getting hung up as I was typing!
I added SOME PITCHING OPPORTUNITIES at #35 and $50. I still need to add a $100 pledge level.
This goes live at 12 AM on Feb 1st.
Woot! Can't wait to see it! What's your eta for the finish of the kickstarter to publication?
We listed a year (to give ourselves some room on the kickstarter), but our internal goal is to hit an October release on the pdf.
Ooo, this sounds fun.
Hey, are you including Mythic options?
We're (in our home game) playtesting a Mythic werecreature path.
I hadn't thought of that, but that could be interesting, Spiral Ninja. Cool idea! Join the kickstarter and throw out some ideas in that regard!
I want in !
Yes, join us. :) What's more fun than a barrel of lycanthropes, after all?
Hmm...New magic item: barrel of lycanthropes bomb. Lol!
"C6: Lycanthrope Archetypes and Prestige Classes (authors, pitch-level patrons, OGC)"
...
I KEEP THROWING MONEY AT MY SCREEN, BUT NOTHING'S WORKING!!!
"C6: Lycanthrope Archetypes and Prestige Classes (authors, pitch-level patrons, OGC)"
...
I KEEP THROWING MONEY AT MY SCREEN, BUT NOTHING'S WORKING!!!
Lol! Wait until Friday, and then throw all you like toward the screen! :) Glad you are interested!!!!
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Why do people keep creating things that I feel compelled to throw money at? Damn. This feels like the spiritual successor to SKR's Curse of the Moon :)
Something I REALLY hope to see in this book is ways to deal with a PC contracting lycanthropy - both when they want to get rid of it and also if they want to stay as a lycan, and how to deal with both scenarios as a GM. I see "Playing Lycanthropes" and "Lycanthropes in Your Campaign" as potentially having those topics covered! Ways to help "balance" the power of lycanthropy on a PC would be awesome too.
Alice, feel free to throw money our way!!! I wasn't aware of SKR's book, so I'll have to check that out. We certainly do want to cover ways of contracting and getting rid of lycanthropy. Balance is the issue we want to cover for playing the weres. We will be requesting thoughts on the topic from those who sign up at the level to get on the boards. We'll have some of our own ideas, of course, but this is a project where patrons at least get their viewpoint heard before the product goes to print.
Contributor
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SKR's book is really good.
Personally, I'm hopeful for a replacement for the Dragon article that gave class levels to break down the were templates a la Savage Species and Libris Mortis - i.e., a way to finally play that Weretiger witch based on Hindu folklore I researched in a low-level campaign.
Jeff, what Dragon issue is that? Mearls did a Slaves of the Moon that did a class level breakdown. We'll be pulling some OGC from there, but I don't know that we'll got the level breakdown. It has some limitations. I'm thinking flaws/drawbacks to balance out some abilities. What are your thoughts on that?
Ok, purchasing SKR's book! Hmm, I wonder if I could get Sean to contribute something to this book? I'll have to ask.
EDIT: Message sent.
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Contributor
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Jeff, what Dragon issue is that? Mearls did a Slaves of the Moon that did a class level breakdown. We'll be pulling some OGC from there, but I don't know that we'll got the level breakdown. It has some limitations. I'm thinking flaws/drawbacks to balance out some abilities. What are your thoughts on that?
Dragon #313: Animal Ancestry.
It's OK, but it doesn't work for PF because of different assumptions re CR, templates, etc. It does kinda slot the character into a pretty specific build (usually martial) for further class levels.I'm doing some 3pp work right now on a related subject, but the classic flaws for weres are of course, lack of self-control, the phases of the moon, and imperfect transformation (retaining animal or human features in either form). And of, course, having to "feed the animal." Tigers, for example, eat a lot of meat. I think this is a valid approach, much like the feeding rules for vampires in Blood of the Night. It's not as important for NPCs, as it mostly affects roleplaying outside of combat, which is why it is basically unaddressed in the Bestiaries, but it doesn't seem right for were-creatures to lack a significant downside.
Really, though, were-creatures are beings of horror and mystery. Even the tiger shamans of Indonesia and Malaya, while protectors of the village, were dangerous and fickle. They are either cursed or are curses; even the were-bear - taking for example Bödvar Bjarki from Hrolfr Kraki's saga, is still strange and an outsider in the world of humans.
What I would avoid is making them unalloyed heroes; they are damaged, predatory, feral.
Very good points, Jeff! I'll check out that issue, as well.
Ok, purchasing SKR's book! Hmm, I wonder if I could get Sean to contribute something to this book? I'll have to ask.
EDIT: Message sent.
Absolutely agree that CotM is an essential go-to. Getting SKR's unique input would be really a good idea. What I liked most about the book was that it explained why he made the design choices he did. It was enlightening instead of just being more RPG crunch. That explanation sold me on his changes.
I'll probably be good for $50 if this book proves to be primarily crunchy. To be honest while I respect the heck out of Wolfgang and David, I don't really have any time for large quantities of fluff for settings I don't play in. << Feedback, not complaint... there are tonnes of products that Just Aren't For Me.
Basically, the first time one of my PCs got bit, I found myself praying he'd fail his save. Books that cover the "what they?" aspect of lycanthropy are cool. The key is balance so that it's not a case of "well, you're a lycanthrope, so you need to lose a couple levels of the PC class you'd had planned". Lycanthropes as feats, basically, is useful.
Thanks for the input, Anguish. There will be plenty of crunch in this book! Some fluff, for sure, but it's not the book's concentration. I want this to be the definitive PF guide on the topic of playing the creatures, with numerous variants to choose from. Depending on what patrons want to see, we may offer some optional player approaches. Feedback from patrons will be key on making this the book that players AND GMs want.
Oh, and we'll spend the amount of space required to thoroughly cover the topic, so think of the 96 pages as the book's minimum size.
We have both books, Curse and Slaves. We found Curse more useful, but both had good ideas.
Looking forward to your book.
I'm actually co-authoring this book with Christina. We are working on no less than three methods to play lycanthropes. Including methods for natural born were creatures. Something else I'm really excited about is breaking down the rules and providing the means to make any animal a were creature. Think of the possibilities of a stone giant weredire bear. Or a were-squid.
SKR is in for an archetype! SWEET!
Nice.
This is going live at 12:00AM Feb 1st EST (New York time).
In addition to Sean K Reynolds, Mike Welham will be on board to write some bits, as well!!!!
Sadly, the book will probably be released long after my group finishes Broken Moon.
Heh, yeah I'm running Broken Moon now and I could've used the book. Oh well, nothing to do about that. :)
Jadeite and Heine Stick, you can still sign up to hear what we are doing internally. That will provide information for your campaign.
Thank you, Jadeite!
Project is live, but it won't let an international backer select the $150 option.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/bite-me-the-gaming-guide-to-l ycanthropes
Try it now, Paul.
I've been wanting some more support for lycanthrope characters, so I'm pretty interested in this book. Especially if it has options for allowing one character to gain lycanthropy without throwing off party balance.
Really tempted to toss in some extra money so I can pitch ideas too. ;)
Try it now, Paul.
It's working now. Signed up with many thanks.
Please do, Matrix! Pitching is fun stuff!
Please do, Matrix! Pitching is fun stuff!
Yes it is! *just joined in* ;)
It looks like it's just the $50 one restricted to the US now. It must have been missed when the others got fixed for international backers.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/962794554/bite-me-the-gaming-guide-to-l ycanthropes
Thanks to those already supporting the project. Participants will have feedback in the types of new weres we'll create. In the meantime, spread the word!
Paul, I did miss that one! I've added the Werebear of International Mystery for shipping to anywhere. Since print is a stretch goal, the shipping will have to be requested later. Thanks!
Just one request for just in case the kickstarter gets to the miniatures stretch goal: I'd love to see minis for lycanthropes who are using weapons and armor like the ones in Carrion Crown. I was trying to find one like that a while ago, and the things are almost non-existent even for common lycans such as werewolves.
Sure, it doesn't fit the standard werewolf theme, but we all know that there are going to be adventurers who use their hybrid form without taking their gear off ;)