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I didn't want to post this in the middle of the discussion for this particular module because it's more about the new format.
First up, great job transitioning to the 64-page release.
Second, very cool layout and design. I'm liking the very clear and obvious reference to the PRD despite owning all the referenced books. Classy.
Third, the quests summary is a very unique and cool idea. Nicely done.
Fourth, the Belhaim Locations table on page 61... brilliant. I built myself one for Sandpoint for my Runelords campaign but this one is much smarter. This should absolutely be a must for future adventures and AP editions that don't travel too much.
Fifth, the map and encounter mat are also very cool. The only negative I have at all is to offer that the adhesive used (the usual stuff) lightly stains what it's used on. The single tack in the middle of the page leaves a slight oily mark on both the back cover and in the middle of one page of the map. In the future I'd suggest that if it were possible, two smaller tacks in opposite corners would stand a lesser chance of marring the beautiful artwork.
All in all the new organization strikes me as very well thought-out. I like all of the innovations. All I really need is... more of these!
Oh, and James, if you're reading this... thanks for being so open during development of this module, discussing some of your design decisions. The rebirth of the modules line was worth it.
The poster maps are going to be great, especially getting higher resolution in the digital versions for VTT use.
I'm not too jazzed about the specific poster maps in Dragon's Demand, but I haven't read the module in depth yet. In future I hope we get some really crazy locations for those poster maps. I'd figure that since it's packaged with a module, there's a little less pressure to be generic and reusable (although it never hurts).
I love the new format and the new module the adventure is great I plan on running for the new group im currently recruiting
I can't wait to get this.
I'm eager to see this one, myself. I'm a sucker for battlemaps in a module.
-TG
Creative Director
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The poster maps are going to be great, especially getting higher resolution in the digital versions for VTT use.
I'm not too jazzed about the specific poster maps in Dragon's Demand, but I haven't read the module in depth yet. In future I hope we get some really crazy locations for those poster maps. I'd figure that since it's packaged with a module, there's a little less pressure to be generic and reusable (although it never hurts).
The subject of the poster maps is going to always be dictated by the needs of the adventure. Whether or not that counts as "crazy" or not depends on the adventure. And on the reader's definition of crazy, I guess.
Crazy, in this case, meant "crazyawesome".
I'm sure you will not disappoint.
Amusingly, when I wrote that I was not too excited for the town hall map. I didn't yet realize that was going to need exactly that map for a big game next weekend.
So cheers to the reusable map venues!
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I love the maps in the digital version. We just put them up on the big screen, and had smaller encounter maps done in advance. It was so nice.
I can't stress enough how amazing the Page 61 table (and the rest of Apendix I, but mostly the table) is.
Quick praise on the encounters most memorable:
Thaena: She was a blast. I loved her instability and craziness. She was so much fun! I hope she comes back somewhere. . .
Maffei: By time the party reached her, they were no longer great fans of Hunclay. She was a breath of fresh air for them, and a really well designed encounter. At first everyone thought she was a redo of the previous haunt in a new location. They were pleasantly surprised.
Aeterperax: Sadly, this opened badly. Being on the trail of the dragon, the group broke into two parts. Part I would provide cover by "I ready an action to shoot the dragon if he comes within range" while Part II of the group advanced 30', then they would do the same with group I moving. Unfortunately, the Zen Archer was able to hit the dragon with his tanglefoot arrows, and the dervish dancer made quick work of a mirror image. The Barbarian charged in and killed his own image. The dragon decided being on the ground was silly, and he had already lost too many images in 1 round, so he decided to hit the ledges above to cast against the mostly melee party. The dervish dancer killed the last mirror image with his AoO as the dragon flew off, sadly the barbarian made a Critical hit with his +1 Earthbreaker on his AoO.
The dragon was able to drop a couple Entangles which gave him a nice advantage, but the Zen Archer didn't really mind at all. He just kept plinking away 10-20 HP/round against the dragon. The poor dervish hated the entangle, in theory, but a DC 13 Escape Artist check is not too hard for a dex based class. Likewise, the DC 13 Str check is not too bad for a level 7 raging barbarian with a 21 base strength.
The wizard was peeved, and the one most separated, so he became the target of an improved vital striking dragon. The dragon swooped down, the wizard yelled "No! Szangi! Don't eat me!", and the dragon missed. Seriously. Impressively, he would have hit by 1 if not for the speaking of his true name. The wizard was very pleased with himself, and focused on summoning annoying little Lantern Archons, and shouting the Dragon's name on a regular basis, along with the others.
So, that was fun. Crazy weird, but fun.
I was really impressed with this module when I got it. Can't wait to start running it for my small group in a couple of weeks (stupid moving day...). I liked how everything is organized so that info is easy to reference. That makes my life as a GM much easier (vs reading a bunch of text to find the one piece of info I need to answer a pc question). Keep this format coming!