Lots of updates this week. First, Tome is at press and should be to me
in about 2 weeks. The proofs were gorgeous, and this book is going to be
the coolest thing I have ever been associated with. On that note, two
free downloads have been compiled by Chuck—the first is a compilation of
the lairs sections, and weighs in at a hefty 127 pages (not bad for a
free download). The second is a treatment of all the Tome monsters by
terrain type. These downloads will be posted here at our site, directly
into your order forms, at Paizo (free downloads) and at DTRPG (again,
free downloads) soon. Paizo still has limited quantities of Tome
Pathfinder and I will have a few extras (maybe 50 or so) of the Swords
and Wizardry versions. I will say it again—this book will not be
reprinted, so get them while they are still available.
Based on the cost to print large hardcovers, I will be taking
pre-orders for UBAD (also known as the Ultimate Book of Adventure
Design) very soon. Like any other large hardcover, we will limit the run
to orders plus a few extras. It will be stitch bound (textbook style)
and features perhaps Rowena’s coolest cover to date. I will put a
description together (see below), but rather than take me at my word, we
are providing a free teaser download of selected sections of the book
for your perusal. MSRP is still being determined, but look for it in the
300-400 pages and $40-$50 range.
In other news, Tsar 10 will be posted in a day or so. We have had
issues with the covers on Tsar 9 (again, sorry for the delay) in
softcover, but I am assured we will have both Tsar 9 and 10 late next
week to ship.
This week also, Splinters of Faith 9 and 10, Hex Crawl Chronicles 3,
One Night Stands 2 – Death in Painted Canyon and One Night Stands 3 –
The Spire of Iron and Crystal, all go on sale as both books and as pdfs.
Descriptions of all are below. This completes the Splinters series, and
I have set Jeff and Gary hard at work on a new series—no news yet, but
it involves a strange demonic creature whose name begins with “N”.
Black Monastery is all edited and awaiting layout. It will likely be
put up for pre-order sometime in November. This one is similar to UBAD,
in that as it will be a stitch-bound hardcover, I am going to sell it by
preorder only. With a fold-out map and the string, it is likely going
to be in the $40 range.
Northlands Saga 2-3, as well as Hex Crawls 4 are in the works (next month I think), and should be ready for me to proof soon.
Thanks again for all your patronage over these past few months, we
appreciate it, and we look forward to making a ton of cool books over
the next several years!
New Book Descriptions:
UBAD
A fantasy adventure game, at its very heart, is about developing an
open-ended “story” of the characters. The referee is in charge of the
fantasy world, and the players direct the actions of their characters in
that fantasy world. Neither the referee nor the group of players has
complete control over what’s going to happen, and the result is an
evolving set of surprises for both the referee and the players. Unlike
the players, as the referee and creator of the game world, most of your
“work” is done ahead of time. To some degree or other, you have to
create the groundwork for the adventure before the game starts. Even
though no battle plan survives contact with the enemy – and if you’re an
experienced referee you know exactly what I mean – the game has to
start … with a starting point. This might just be a vague set of ideas,
or it might be as complex as a set of maps with a detailed key and well
thought-out encounters for the players to run into.
The
Ultimate Book of Adventure Design is organized as a series
of “books,” each one providing resources at every step of the way. The
vast majority of the content of each book is made up of random
generation tables that I’ve created over a quarter of a century (sigh)
for my own use. I should say up front that these are tables for deep
design – in other words, most of them are too long, and contain too many
unusual or contradictory entries, for use on the spot at the gaming
table. There are already many excellent books of tables for use on the
fly; the tables in these books are different. They work best as a tool
for preparation beforehand, providing relatively vast creative resources
for browsing and gathering, rather than quick-use tables designed to
provide broad, fast brushstrokes. My shorter tables tend to deliver
cryptic results designed to shock the reader’s creativity into filling
in the gaps, whereas my longer tables are unusably vast for easy random
generation, being designed to shock the reader’s creativity into
operation by presenting a sea of possibilities.
Slumbering Tsar Part 10
Slumbering Tsar: The Hidden Citadel, Part 2 - Echoes of Despair
The player characters continue to plumb the true depths and echoing
halls that are the Citadel of Orcus. Within they explore the Templar
Garrison and Dungeons of Orcus and discover their profane occupant,
remaining after all these years. They discover the Thrall Quarters and
the Forges and the lingering horrors of the Magitect and the legacy of
He Who Walks Before.
Hex Crawl Chronicles 3
Beyond the Black Water
Across the Black Water there is a dismal land of grey hills and eerie
shadows, the home of the strange merchants of the black arcs and their
weird masters. Travel to a place where sane men dare not tread and
discover the secrets of an alien and unwholesome land. Demon-haunted
highlands and living forests await your arrival – don’t let a lack of
courage keep them waiting.
Splinters of Faith 9: Duel of Magic (Levels 10 through 14)
PCs journey from a temple of good magic to face a coven of evil witches where they must rescue an astral deva.
Splinters of Faith 10: Remorse of Life (Levels 13 and greater)
With the completed
Scepter of Faiths, PCs must track down the
evil Akruel Rathamon in the temple city of Al-Sifon before he
consolidates his power and again sets out to conquer the land.
One Night Stands 3 - Spire of Iron and Crystal
Another of the
Saturday Night Specials series, this module
takes the players to a long lost tower. Deep in the wilderness stands
the legendary Spire of Iron and Crystal, a bizarre structure of twisting
iron and four enormous crystals that seem to grow from the very ground
itself. The fabled riches of the Spire have never been plundered, for no
entrances have ever been found.... Until now. Your party of adventurers
has discovered the long-hidden secret of entering the Spire.
One Night Stands 2- Death in the Painted Canyonsis an adventure for 4-6 characters levels 5-6.
The party should include a mix of abilities, especially characters with
investigative and survival skills. It would be helpful, but not
necessary, if at least one PC has some knowledge of the Painted Canyons,
or at least some experience with desert survival. Also, a PC or
companion with the outdoor abilities would be helpful, but is not
needed. If your party lacks investigative skills, there are clues as to
the criminal conspiracy in the gnoll encampment, or you can just drop
that aspect of the adventure and run it as a stand up fight. Parties
lacking survival skills or desert experience can hire a guide at Salt
Springs for 3 silver shekels (gp) a day. There is a hidden secret behind
all the events of
Death in the Painted Canyons; a great deal
of combat can be expected, and those attempting this adventure should be
prepared for a vicious battle before resolving the plot.
