Ok, thanks etc and Luthorne.
I have seen the Occultist on the d20PFSRD.
I think my main gripe was the assumed knowledge - there is no discussion of what Pact Magic is on the KS or in the video, just its history as a product, and how awesome it will be.
I don't think it is supposed/intended to be exclusionary, and likely many people won't see it that way (like, maybe…all the backers! Good to see color art was reached btw) but that's how it appears to me.
If its any consolation, neither Dario and I were intending to be exclusionary.
I've just put up a quick FAQ on the Kickstarter page about what Pact Magic is. As I know exactly what Pact Magic is, it can be challenging to explain everything someone would want to know going in, so if you have any more questions please post them here and I'll answer them as soon as I can.
As for the Facebook Group previews, I've always done those in the ground. I do typically share them with the backers when I can, but the Kickstarter text update program stinks for formatting games mechanics. I typically provide links to off-Kickstarter sources for previews, such as the time I linked the backers to this very thread.
That said, I was planning on sharing that preview with the backers today. Look for it in the next few hours, as soon as I figure out how best to share it with everyone.
Thnaks Alex, and for the explanation of format pros and cons.
As I said, I don't see any attempt at exclusion. Pact Magic would merely benefit from being easy and readily understood for new entrants...
Perhaps doing some front page links to videos where you talk about some of the things might help.
I backed it because of the fervor of your fans in this thread. That and an opportunity to play a binder NPC in my Savage Tide game - not that I did it well (or needed to, I was the GM, so what I said, went), but it got me interested.
But the Facebook stuff doesn't do me any good. I realize I'm in the minority there.
Nice. It hit over $7k. While I'm sort of doubting it will hit $8k for the next stretch goal, its awesome to see it keep going. If we don't make it to the $8k stretch goal, any chance we can get minor snippets of the prestige classes we missed out on? I know they wouldn't be in the book, but I'm a sucker for tragic stories. ;)
It also looks like we aren't going to get the secret stretch goal... which is such a shame. I was looking forward to some more Cthulhu mythos added in.
It also looks like we aren't going to get the secret stretch goal... which is such a shame. I was looking forward to some more Cthulhu mythos added in.
You never know! We have five days. It could happen.
In any case, the Cthulhu Mythos organizations are exactly the sort of thing that I could theoretically do in an Occult Options product later if there's a demand for it. I'm not sure if I could legally do all of the prestige classes in the same manner, though, because Dario owns a lot of the proper nouns for the classic ones. But Lovecraft? I could do Lovecraft stuff on my own no problem.
Nice. It hit over $7k. While I'm sort of doubting it will hit $8k for the next stretch goal, its awesome to see it keep going. If we don't make it to the $8k stretch goal, any chance we can get minor snippets of the prestige classes we missed out on? I know they wouldn't be in the book, but I'm a sucker for tragic stories. ;)
Even if we fail to make the $8,000 mark, the devotee will probably make it into the book. The devotee works a lot like the evangelist, from Inner Sea Gods, except it belongs to one of the new organizations that were unlocked as part of the current set of Secret Stretch Goals and gains boons based upon being in that organization.
Things that we won't get to see include the Greensprout Rapscallion, which was sort of a Peter Pan style prestige class, as well as the Dragonsoul Snatcher, which was a prestige class based around killing dragons, using trap the soul on them, and then binding said dragon to yourself to transform into something not unlike a half-dragon. Think of it as the pact magic dragon disciple for people who don't have a drop of draconic blood in their veins.
I noticed that RPGnet's D&D forum didn't have a thread for this, so I started one.
Even if we fail to make the $8,000 mark, the devotee will probably make it into the book. The devotee works a lot like the evangelist, from Inner Sea Gods, except it belongs to one of the new organizations that were unlocked as part of the current set of Secret Stretch Goals and gains boons based upon being in that organization.
Things that we won't get to see include the Greensprout Rapscallion, which was sort of a Peter Pan style prestige class, as well as the Dragonsoul Snatcher, which was a prestige class based around killing dragons, using trap the soul on them, and then binding said dragon to yourself to transform into something not unlike a half-dragon. Think of it as the pact magic dragon disciple for people who don't have a drop of draconic blood in their veins.
Nifty. I like the idea of the Dragonsoul Snatcher, despite having yet run into any dragons in our games. I do wish we could hit the secret stretch goal though. I love the lovecraft universe.
I watch kickstarters I pledge to a lot of them and I think based on what I've seen in past similar kickstarters that this will finsh with about $12,000 since the last 2 days in these thing tend to equal the first 2 days.
I noticed that RPGnet's D&D forum didn't have a thread for this, so I started one.
Every little bit helps. Thanks.
I watch kickstarters I pledge to a lot of them and I think based on what I've seen in past similar kickstarters that this will finsh with about $12,000 since the last 2 days in these thing tend to equal the first 2 days.
If we raised $12,000, I would probably die.
Ok Guys, you heard the man! We can officially off Alexander if we can raise another 4 grand! Who's with me!
Hehe. Just Kidding, all in good fun :-)
Kicktraq currently projects $8500.
Have to say that I'm sort of surprised that there isn't a bit more people going after the $40 option to help make an archetype, secret or feat. I mean, I can't personally afford it and I suppose people would want to use that money on getting the printed hardcover, but still a bit surprising none the less.
Also, It'd be awesome for it to reach the prestige class stretch goal mark, so I'm hoping that Lurker and Ladydragona are right. I had dropped a slight suggestion in a comment under the update, but I more than understand if it wouldn't work out.
Have to say that I'm sort of surprised that there isn't a bit more people going after the $40 option to help make an archetype, secret or feat.
One of the reasons I'm in on the Kickstarter is that this looks like an interesting subsystem that I haven't used before. That means I don't have enough knowledge and expertise in the system to know what a good archetype, secret, or feat would be.
I think I wasted creating a game concept for Strange Magic on something dry and mechanical because I didn't know those systems well enough, either.
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By the way, how long after the Kickstarter is over will it be before we get the playtest materials? I'm working on an occultist character for an upcoming game, but not sure if I should delay a bit for the playtest materials, or just make an occultist with current material and then update when I get the playtest materials come out...
I was planning on releasing Chapters 1 through 4 within a week of the Kickstarter ending. That's the classes chapter (Chapter 1), the feats chapter (Chapter 2), the pact basics chapter (Chapter 3), and the spirits chapter (Chapter 4). The new Chapter 7 (the one that was unlocked as a stretch goal) is not ready yet, and there are a couple sections in Chapter 5 and Chapter 8 that aren't finished. Chapter 6 is technically done, but it would feel weird to be if I released Chapter 6 but not Chapter 5.
Everything except what I've noted is done and has been play tested by Amora Game, so I really only need the feedback from the backers at this point, anyway. Those first four chapters are the most "sensitive" in terms that bad stuff'll happen if those aren't balanced well. (Which they are, of course, but the more eyes the merrier. Something might not be worded very well or whatnot. ;-))
This is it, the final week & our last chance to drive this through the roof. I understand that a lot of backers come in during the last week so we can hope for a lot more money, maybe we can go past $8,500.
Alex if you are going to make the combined everyman past & present add-on or allow the Love' Tapestry to be bought in print (I really prefer print), now would be the time to put that out there. We want the last minute people to pledge as much as possible right?
Also you might want to remove the line about new stretch goals since we seem to have hit the last one. Speaking of which here's an idea for you. How about allowing every $ 200 past $ 8,000 to be considered another like on the facebook page. Since not everyone likes or will use facebook it might help us get that final goal. I'm sure everyone including you wants to see that happen.
Another idea would be to say that rather than you don't know what else to add that you will throw in random bonuses for some people. Maybe for every x amount we go over the $ 8,000 you will give one random person a free autograph. It doesn't have to be the fancy one from you & Dario, just one from you as an incentive, so there is something to look for after the $8,000 amount.
Lastly since I have heard a lot of kickstarter say that you can't change your front page after the kickstarter is over you might want to put a link to info about the book on there. That way when people who missed the deadline for the kickstarter (there are always some) find it they have a way to pre-order it.
New Update!
Dario altered the prices of Love's Tapestry, added the ability to add-on a print version of Love's Tapestry, and added the ability to purchase the PDF version of SPIRIT CARDS!! They're not likely to happen until the end of this year, but they'll be available! Print versions will be too, but we don't have enough information to offer a fair price. However, you'll qualify for a coupon to buy the cards at an EXTREME discount if you purchase both the Spirit Cards PDF AND the print version of Love's Tapestry. Because we try our best to be awesome.
Also, I added a preview for a new occult organization: Enclave of the Closed Eye. They're the anti-occult SCP Foundation. Everyone (non-backers included) can check out the details at this update link.
We're also at 222 backers of 250 on the Facebook page! We're getting close! We can make it further! Let's do it!
Have to say that I'm sort of surprised that there isn't a bit more people going after the $40 option to help make an archetype, secret or feat.One of the reasons I'm in on the Kickstarter is that this looks like an interesting subsystem that I haven't used before. That means I don't have enough knowledge and expertise in the system to know what a good archetype, secret, or feat would be.
I think I wasted creating a game concept for Strange Magic on something dry and mechanical because I didn't know those systems well enough, either.
...Alright, I don't know you by this handle. Which class was it, mate?
...Alright, I don't know you by this handle. Which class was it, mate?Have to say that I'm sort of surprised that there isn't a bit more people going after the $40 option to help make an archetype, secret or feat.One of the reasons I'm in on the Kickstarter is that this looks like an interesting subsystem that I haven't used before. That means I don't have enough knowledge and expertise in the system to know what a good archetype, secret, or feat would be.
I think I wasted creating a game concept for Strange Magic on something dry and mechanical because I didn't know those systems well enough, either.
It was for the truenaming part of Strange Magic. If I had any good ideas, one (or more) of you all already had them first. :-)
Yeah, truenaming was already really fleshed out thanks to the Libram. I apologize for that.
We're 79 dollars from Prestige Classes.
Wowzers.
4 dollars away now :)
Go thinking about another stretch goal.
Stretch goal met! Woot! So, any chance we might see the secret stretch goal as a normal stretch goal if it goes high enough? I understand if not, but one can hope. Good job all!
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So, I went ahead and pledged. Earlier I made note about my reservations so I'll explain my change of heart in case anyone else is still on the fence and want to get in on the last 24 hours.
I thought a lot about what I wanted out of Pact Magic. I have a lot of third party material and if I allowed everything I'd have up towards a hundred classes for my players to choose from, so I didn't want to invest very heavily because it's one class out of dozens. Not just that but it's a class that will be mimicked in the upcoming Occult Adventures and a class that I already have two books for.
My change of heart came when I was writing down some thoughts about technology in third party products. One pet peeve of mine was that most technological classes produce technology in a way that makes it exclusive to them, because they are balanced as if they either possess all their powers or are in complete control of how they can hand powers to others. This is not bad from the perspective of class design but if I want to have laser guns in a settingI wouldn't want to limit it to one class because that's not how technology works. The Gunslinger exists but access to guns are not restricted to the class. One feat and you're proficient, everything else is a matter of complimentary feats and purchasing the thing. Where this ties into Pact Magic is that binding spirits is not exclusive to the Occultist. Two feats in, and you've got spirit fun for everyone, making this something that you can run campaigns around as opposed to just give a new class to your players. I thought about how I'd do that and the first example I could think of was a setting where communicating and binding Kami was important. After that I started thinking of Pact Magic as more than a new class but a new subsystem, like psionics or spheres, or maneuvers. So in the end I felt like investing in the new material and a book that organizes it together.
Said some great stuff about changes of heart.
One thing that I'm sure that you'll be exceptionally pleased about is that the feat tax to join in on the occult fun has been reduced from two feats to one; the Minor Binding feat chain has been consolidated to Amateur Occultist.
Ultimately, the "draw" of pact magic from an in-world perspective should be how relatively easy it is to become a practitioner. Ultimately, Dario and I felt that two feats was too taxing when its supposed to be easy to do, plus no one ever really took the Minor Binding chain because it was on the weaker side of things and the first feat (Minor Binding) devalued one of the occultist's core class features (constellation aspects). So we merged the three feats together, adjusted the new feat's power level, and rolled with it.
Stretch goal met! Woot! So, any chance we might see the secret stretch goal as a normal stretch goal if it goes high enough? I understand if not, but one can hope. Good job all!
Yes, and Dario REALLY wants to expand the World of Pact Magic chapter, so we're going to have a way for backers to continue to expand that chapter after the Kickstarter has ended. We want to promote participation in the book's open playtest, after all. ;-)
Yes, and Dario REALLY wants to expand the World of Pact Magic chapter, so we're going to have a way for backers to continue to expand that chapter after the Kickstarter has ended. We want to promote participation in the book's open playtest, after all. ;-)
Nice. World expansion is always good.
So. It's currently at $8,682.00. With 233 likes on facebook and 680/40=17... does that mean we just hit the 250 'friends' mark?
Nice. World expansion is always good.
So. It's currently at $8,682.00. With 233 likes on facebook and 680/40=17... does that mean we just hit the 250 'friends' mark?
I believe you are right Third Mind, we have both prestige classes & Lovecraftian goodness. We are now working on bonus world building pages. Anyone who hasn't seen what Dario did in the original book, trust me you want this. He has some great stuff in there.
I believe you are right Third Mind, we have both prestige classes & Lovecraftian goodness. We are now working on bonus world building pages. Anyone who hasn't seen what Dario did in the original book, trust me you want this. He has some great stuff in there.Nice. World expansion is always good.
So. It's currently at $8,682.00. With 233 likes on facebook and 680/40=17... does that mean we just hit the 250 'friends' mark?
Coincidentally, this is going to be his first crunch-contribution to a Pact Magic book SINCE Villains of Pact Magic. I just sent him the template that he's going to be using.
Remember, if you or someone you know hasn't joined the Facebook group, a Like on the group is basically worth $40 to the Kickstarter for the purpose of unlocking more of Dario's planar escapades. ;-) And as I've mentioned, we'll have a way for backers to continue to unlock Dario's stuff after the Kickstarter has ended, but pledging now will be just a smidgen easier.
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We've broken through $9,000! You guys must REALLY want Dario to write more content for the book. (I'm sure he's thrilled. ;-] )
Less than 24 hours to snag this product at the special Kickstarter price!
Said some great stuff about changes of heart.One thing that I'm sure that you'll be exceptionally pleased about is that the feat tax to join in on the occult fun has been reduced from two feats to one; the Minor Binding feat chain has been consolidated to Amateur Occultist.
Ultimately, the "draw" of pact magic from an in-world perspective should be how relatively easy it is to become a practitioner. Ultimately, Dario and I felt that two feats was too taxing when its supposed to be easy to do, plus no one ever really took the Minor Binding chain because it was on the weaker side of things and the first feat (Minor Binding) devalued one of the occultist's core class features (constellation aspects). So we merged the three feats together, adjusted the new feat's power level, and rolled with it.
That's really great for me. I like the idea of Pact Magic being something that can build a campaign where spirits are important so making it easier to get into is a huge plus. In the above mentioned Kami revolved setting it was easy for me to imagine a Samurai that summons the spirit of an ancestor to aid him in battle. Its a simple concept that the Occultist far outreaches but just a little bit of a binding can go a long way for the Samurai and his ancestor and it massively makes the presence of spirits in the setting more prevalent and an actual part of the environment.
Last day to join in & get the goodies that come with the kickstarter. Let's drive this though the roof. I want to see the total pass $10,000.
(Alex we are going to hold you to your earlier statement & expect you to at least pretend to die if that happens.)
Last day to join in & get the goodies that come with the kickstarter. Let's drive this though the roof. I want to see the total pass $10,000.
(Alex we are going to hold you to your earlier statement & expect you to at least pretend to die if that happens.)
Hey now, I said I'd die if we reached $12,000. You have a long way to go before making claims on my immortal soul!
Just curious, can anyone link me to the rules on organization mechanics (if there is such a site to be linked to for this)? I've read some of the stuff that's been written for this book, but I'd like to understand the stuff better overall.
Also, can't wait to read about the yellow sign organization. I love me some lovecraft lore. Since it's 1,200 over 8,000, right now that means 6 spreads for world expansion from Dario so far right?
Just curious, can anyone link me to the rules on organization mechanics (if there is such a site to be linked to for this)? I've read some of the stuff that's been written for this book, but I'd like to understand the stuff better overall.
The organization mechanics are new-ish for this book and I haven't released what they look like yet. Most of it is based on the Inner Sea Magic / Inner Sea Combat mechanics for combat/spell schools. Other parts require the Societal Obedience feat, which itself is based on Deific Obedience from Inner Sea Gods.
The organization mechanics are new-ish for this book and I haven't released what they look like yet. Most of it is based on the Inner Sea Magic / Inner Sea Combat mechanics for combat/spell schools. Other parts require the Societal Obedience feat, which itself is based on Deific Obedience from Inner Sea Gods.
That might explain why all I could find on it was downtime stuff that wasn't related. That's cool though. I can wait.
Pledged...at least at what I can afford. :(
Has anyone found out if we can up our pledge after the KS ends?
So, I have a question. Will we get spirit tracking sheets? That would be a huge plus for me.
So, I have a question. Will we get spirit tracking sheets? That would be a huge plus for me.
Can you elaborate on what you're asking about?
So, I have a question. Will we get spirit tracking sheets? That would be a huge plus for me.Can you elaborate on what you're asking about?
Basically a character sheet for spirits or a sheet to record what spirits you commonly bind do. Just to reduce the amount of times I have to go back to the book for reference.
Would the Spirit Cards work for that Malwing?
Great job everyone. So, since it's finished. I was wondering if, when the playtest documents are released, if you'll be doing a thread for that or if you were wanting to get messaged directly (which might lead to overwhelming info).