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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Sep 2008 : 01:25:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
The guy I mentioned on eBay (bottom of page 6 of this thread) still has 10 copies for $28 a piece.
That rounds out to about $32AUS. Hmmm... I might have to look into this. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36910 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2008 : 04:06:00
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
The guy I mentioned on eBay (bottom of page 6 of this thread) still has 10 copies for $28 a piece.
That rounds out to about $32AUS. Hmmm... I might have to look into this.
Shipping to Down Under will more than likely not be free, but it still may be a better cost option for you. |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2008 : 11:21:58
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Well, the book's finally been recently here in Australia. Unfortunately, the $79 price tag means I'll have to put off purchasing it until next week, as I've already spent my budget on RPG books this week.
 That's close to 25% higher than what I'll pay for it here in Sweden - and that includes shipping costs... |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2008 : 14:29:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Well, the book's finally been recently here in Australia. Unfortunately, the $79 price tag means I'll have to put off purchasing it until next week, as I've already spent my budget on RPG books this week.
That's close to 25% higher than what I'll pay for it here in Sweden - and that includes shipping costs...
Maybe it's time I dusted off the old Staff of the Irritated Moderator +5. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Keravin
Seeker
50 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2008 : 15:08:01
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| Thanks very much for the overview, Kuje. I'm enjoying reading the Campaign setting myself, but it's good to see the views of another pair of eyes on it. |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2008 : 16:12:55
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No prob. I hope to get some more posted soon, maybe in a day or two but classes started today, so my time has to be cut back. Plus I have to repair another comp, which is still not mine! However, with the way things are going around here, I'm sooooooo going to back up my comp!
quote:
Originally posted by Keravin
Thanks very much for the overview, Kuje. I'm enjoying reading the Campaign setting myself, but it's good to see the views of another pair of eyes on it.
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For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36910 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 03:43:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
However, with the way things are going around here, I'm sooooooo going to back up my comp!
Several months back, I bought an external hard drive, just for that purpose. 
And I finally got the book today! It's too bad I'm simply too tired to do more than flip thru it...  |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 04:03:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
However, with the way things are going around here, I'm sooooooo going to back up my comp!
Several months back, I bought an external hard drive, just for that purpose.
'Tis always a good idea. I've got two spare for just such an eventuality.
quote:
And I finally got the book today! It's too bad I'm simply too tired to do more than flip thru it...
It's looking like the Lady K will be purchasing a copy of the Pathfinder campaign book -- since she hasn't blown her RPG budget this week. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 08:13:05
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Well, the book's finally been recently here in Australia. Unfortunately, the $79 price tag means I'll have to put off purchasing it until next week, as I've already spent my budget on RPG books this week.
That's close to 25% higher than what I'll pay for it here in Sweden - and that includes shipping costs...
Maybe it's time I dusted off the old Staff of the Irritated Moderator +5.
Or put some skill points in Perform [politics] to get some MPs to do something about whatever's causing the price difference (it can't all be shipping costs, I suspect Australia might very well be closer to Paizo's warehouse than Sweden is). |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2008 : 08:32:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
Or put some skill points in Perform [politics] to get some MPs to do something about whatever's causing the price difference (it can't all be shipping costs, I suspect Australia might very well be closer to Paizo's warehouse than Sweden is).
I'm not sure what it is. Most of the Paizo products are pretty expensive here, actually. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2008 : 18:13:39
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The four major philosophies are given two pages. Diabolism is about a half a page and the followers of their philosophy don’t think of themselves as evil and they feel that Hell is a model about how society should be based. The Green Faiths is the faith of druids but not all druids follow the Green Faith. The Prophecies of Kalistrade is something I’ve written about earlier in the Druna section. The Whispering Way is about undeath and is basically a way to become a lich. That said, the start of the chapter also mentions atheism, pantheism, and agnosticism.
The Great Beyond is next. I do like how the planes are designed and how they surround the Prime, except for the Positive energy plane, which is within the Prime. Also that the Negative energy is inside the Shadow. The four elemental planes and the Astral surround the Prime.
Each of the elemental planes is given about three paragraphs, or a half a page. The Prime and the other two energy planes is also given about the same amount of space but the Positive energy is given a bit less. I enjoyed that there is mention of a few other planets as well. Castrovel is a jungle, swamp, and oceans of colored glass planet. Akiton is a red world of rusted deserts and vanished seas, strange monsters, and warring empires of god-kings. There is also a brief mention of other worlds and celestial bodies. Shadow and Astral are also about a half a page. Then it moves on to the outer spheres/planes. Abaddon is about a page. The Abyss is, again, about a page. Axis, the plane of law, is also a page. The Boneyard is given a bit more. However, I disliked the text about what happens to atheists. They are either turned to ghosts or locked away in tombs and graves, awaiting an unknown fate. Elysium is about a half a page. Heaven is also. Hell is given a bit more. Maelstrom/Limbo about three paragraphs. And lastly Nirvana is also three paragraphs.
Organizations chapter is next and it is about 12 pages and each organization is given two pages.
The first one is the Aspis Consortium, which is a group of merchants and non-landed nobility that mostly operates out of Cheliax. They remind me of a lot of the FR merchant groups as well as the Planar Trade Consortium. :) Five of the main leaders are mentioned and they are a half-fiend illegitimate heir to a major Chelish house, a priestess of Zon-Kuthon, a female gnome alchemist, a former Andoren nobleman, and an exiled Druman merchant-lord. The others three are left to the DM, it seems. Each level of the group has a tier and a small badge they carry. They go Bronze, Silver, and then Gold, with the Patrons, who I mentioned above, as being at the top.
The Eagle Knights of Andoran kind of bored me a bit because they are a bit to lawful even though, at times, they use evil methods to accomplish their goals. At the moment the group is overseen by General Reginald Cormoth. General Hedrik Traxxus is the leader of the Golden Legion. General Andira Marusek is the leader of the Steel Falcons. Marshal Helena Trillis is the leader of the Twilight Talons. The Golden Legion guards Andoran’s borders. The Steel Falcons are armed missionaries. And the Twilight Talons are spies, saboteurs, deep cover agents, and – at times- assassins.
Hellknights guard Cheliax. The Order of the Chain is run by Master of the Blades Mardinus, a former slave. The Order of the Gate is run by Vicarius Giordano Torchia. The Order of the God Claw is run by Lictor Resarc Ountor and they venerate aspects of Abador, Asmodeus, Iomedae, Irori, and Torag, thus giving them access to more divine power. I.E. they can choose a wider amount of domains, which are listed in there paragraph. The Order of the Nail is Lictor Severs “Boneclaw” DiViri and they are brigand-hunters and crusaders. The Order of the Pyre is Lictor Rouen Stought and he is a strict atheist. The section of the group seeks out cults of imaginary gods, crude shamans, and backwater witches and removes them. The Order of the Rack is run by Lictor Richemar Almansor and it is the group that seeks out knowledge and decides what is and is not allowed. The Order of the Scourge is Lictor Toulon Vidoc and they combat lawless tendencies by watchfulness and brutal reminders that no crime goes unpunished. Lastly there are some lesser orders and they are: Order of the Scar in Egorian, which stalks assassins and murderers and the Order of the Pike, which hunts down monsters in civilized lands.
The Pathfinder Society is a group that seeks out ruins, etc and publishes their material in chapbooks for their members. However, some of these chapbooks have now also been published on the open market. It is ruled by the Decemvirate, which is a group of masked individuals that are unknown. Each region has a venture captain that oversees the region. Janiff Ivulxtin runs the Grand Lodge in Absalom. Ezralow Glyphcather is the captain in Garund. I loved the hobby he plays, scry chess, which is played with wizards from all over Golarion. Sounds cool! Evni Zongness is the gnome captain of the city of Vigil. Ling Yayao is a Tian monk frequently called upon to rescue lost or trapped agents and she arrives in the nick of time with her mount, Fallow Grain.
I really enjoyed the two pages about the Red Mantis, especially the cool picture of one of the assassins, which is dressed in red and black armor with the mantis helm that covers their head. These, as I said, are assassins and their victims always stay dead no matter what. If one of their victims is resurrected, they go out of their way to rekill their mark. Their leader is Blood Mistress Jakelyn.
Some lesser groups are listed on the next two pages and they are:
Blackfire Adepts, a group of mystics, demonologists, and arcane explorers that explore the Outer Rift and the multiverse. They usually adorn themselves in red robes with black trim. Kind of a interesting group, I thought.
The Coils of Ydersius is a cult who worships serpentfolk and Ydersius was the empire of the serpentfolk, which has since faded into obscurity. They remind me a lot of the Yuan-ti followers in the southern lands of Faerun.
Darklight Sisterhood is Cheliax’s version of the Pathfinder Society but they are all woman of mixed races. Cheliax created them to compete with the Pathfinders.
Harbingers are a group that is trying to right the events of the Age of Lost Omens, the current age. They believe that this current Age is wrong and if they get one of the prophecies to happen, it would fix the age. Lady Arodeth now rules the group after her father, Lord Garron, the founder of the group, has died.
Hemotheurges is a group that can use magic through their blood. They kind of remind me, in a way, of sorcerers but this group overloads their circulatory systems and force them to produce as much blood as possible. However, this causes their bodies to become morbidly swollen and obese.
Iridian Fold is a group where two bonded men that follow each other. One is swathed in veils that conceal all but his eyes. The other is in chains and lacquered armor and many believe that this is the first’s slave, bodyguard, and lover. However, at times the second also takes control of the first, which confuses people. So far, there are no woman members of this group in the Inner Sea.
Lumber Consortium. They operate out of Oregent in Andoran and they hold a monopoly on darkwood and other hardwoods in Andoran. It controls half the softwoods as well.
Norns are three hooded fey woman of the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. They help travelers and also test young heroes. They know how to divine and their divinations are connected to the First World, which, for them, makes their prophecies almost dependable.
Odeber Family is a group that can trace their line to the first paladin of Shelyn. They are still a religious family but some of their members have now turned to worship evil gods or have turned away from divinity altogether.
The Old Cults, of course, worship the Great Old Ones. Think Lovecraft basically. :)
Riftwardens are sworn enemies of the Blackfire Adepts and they, like the Adepts, are planar walkers and guides. They are hired, at times, to help get people through the planes.
Sczarni is a group of Varisian bandits, smugglers, and thieves.
Sweettalkers are far eastern merchants and traders. However, they believe that they can’t speak any word that is less than perfect so they sew their own lips shut rather then rick uttering an impure word, communicating instead through a unique language of clicks, sighs, and whistles. That, btw, is a bit stomach turning but kind of fascinating.
Next chapter is the World and it starts off with a three page time line. Then it moves onto the Darklands, which is the Underdark basically.
The first layer is Nar-Voth, where you can find orcs and dwarves. Duergar have settled some of the old dwarven cities. Mongrelmen and troglodytes are also found in the first layer. This layer goes from the surface to 2,000 feet below.
The second layer is Sekamina and it is home to grimlocks, which are descendents of pre-Earthfall humans that escaped from the realm of Orv after the Vault Keepers abandoned those depths. Vegepygmy tribes. Skum. There are also stories of civilized ghouls, serpentfolk, hairy giants with multiple arms and vertically-aligned mouths, and sadistic worm-like creatures. Deep gnomes. And, of course, the drow. This layer is from 2,000 feet to 8,000 feet below.
Orv is the third layer and no one knows how far down this layer reaches. However, a lot of the lands down here are tolerable because of the Vaults that the Vault Keepers built. Some Vaults are gardens, some are icy wastelands, some are seas of magma, some are jungles of fungus and plantlife, etc. Some of the creatures down here are vampiric humanoids with transparent skin, immense worms the size of dragons, and intellect devourers.
There are two pages of domain spells, with details about the spells. Then six pages of equipment and the headings are weapons, armor, firearms, which also has optional rules for misfire and damage, and then equipment. Fauna is given two pages, as was said, and there are ten animals that are given at least two to three paragraphs for each entry. Flora is also two pages and it has twelve entries that are also about two to three paragraphs. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
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Shemmy
Senior Scribe
USA
492 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2008 : 18:41:40
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quote:
Originally posted by KujeThey remind me of a lot of the FR merchant groups as well as the Planar Trade Consortium. :) Five of the main leaders are mentioned and they are a half-fiend illegitimate heir to a major Chelish house, a priestess of Zon-Kuthon, a female gnome alchemist, a former Andoren nobleman, and an exiled Druman merchant-lord. The others three are left to the DM, it seems.
I should point out that the sidebar for the group lists its leader as the "Aspis Prophet", however the description of said (spiritual)leader didn't make it into the final cut for whatever reason. He/She/It may appear in future material, but I can't promise anything. *chuckle* That was my favorite part of the group too. Drat.
Also, I was vaguely inspired by a group from Iopos in Earthdawn (at least I suppose the metallic designations). |
Shemeska the Marauder, King of the Crosstrade; voted #1 best Arcanaloth in Sigil two hundred years running by the people who know what's best for them; chant broker; prospective Sigil council member next election; and official travel agent for Chamada Holiday specials LLC.
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Edited by - Shemmy on 05 Sep 2008 18:43:27 |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2008 : 20:12:27
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Ah, bugger that text didn't make it in. It sounds cool.
And I don't know a thing about Earthdawn or that group, so maybe someone could fill me in. :)
quote:
Originally posted by Shemmy
I should point out that the sidebar for the group lists its leader as the "Aspis Prophet", however the description of said (spiritual)leader didn't make it into the final cut for whatever reason. He/She/It may appear in future material, but I can't promise anything. *chuckle* That was my favorite part of the group too. Drat.
Also, I was vaguely inspired by a group from Iopos in Earthdawn (at least I suppose the metallic designations).
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For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Ayunken-vanzan
Senior Scribe
Germany
657 Posts |
Posted - 06 Sep 2008 : 08:36:25
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| I especially like the little detail that the positive energy plan is within the Prime and the negative energy plane is within the shadow plane. That makes sense. |
"What mattered our lives now? When our world had been torn from us? Folk wept, or drank, or stood staring out over the land, wondering what new horror each dawn would bring."
Elender Stormfall of Suzail
"Anyone can kill deities, cause plagues, or destroy organizations. It takes real skill to make them live on."
Varl
FR/D&D-Links • 2ed Downloads |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 06 Sep 2008 : 17:00:27
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Indeed it does and I also enjoyed that for pretty much the same reasons.
Hopefully I'll have the remaining pages written up in the next few days.
quote:
Originally posted by Ayunken-vanzan
I especially like the little detail that the positive energy plan is within the Prime and the negative energy plane is within the shadow plane. That makes sense.
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For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2008 : 00:53:37
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I skimmed through the two pages of feats because mechanics, snore. :) However, there are thirteen feats listed and they are altitude affinity, bloatmage initiate, crossbow mastery, green faith acolyte, harmonic spell, harrowed, one finger, spirit of the river, spirit strike, veiled vileness, vermin companion, vermind heart, and wand dancer.
Languages is, again, two pages. The modern languages are: Common (Taldane), Hallit, Kelish, Osiriani, Polygot, Tien, Skald, Varisian, Vudrani. Dead languages are: Ancient Osiriani, Azlanti, Jistka, Tekritanin, and Thassilonian. Nonhuman languages are: Abyssal, Aquan, Auran, Celestial, Draconic, Druidic, Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Gnome, Goblin, Gnoll, Halfling, Ignan, Infernal, Orc, Sylvan, Terran, and Undercommon.
They there’s a page of lost kingdoms and a map on the second page, which is pretty cool. The kingdoms are: Ancient Osirion, Azlant, Ghol-Gan, Jistka Imperium, Lirgen, Sakroris, Tar Taargadth, Tekritanin League, Thassilon, and Yamasa.
Prestige classes are given two pages each and again, skimmed this cause of mechanics, snore. :) The classes are: Harrower (I need to get me that Harrow Deck that Paizo sells!), Low Templar, Pathfinder Chronicler, Red Mantis Assassin (the red headed woman in this pic scares me!), and Shackles Pirate.
Psionics is next and it also is given two pages and goes into how psionics are mostly feared except in places, except in places that have monks or in places were self-perfection are the way of life.
Technology is given, again, two pages and it goes into a bit of detail about Aeromantic Infadibulum, which is the use of aeromancy to lift, and float, cities. Clockworks. Electro-thaumaturgy, using pure arcane energy that could be harnessed, wielded, and rerouted. Firearms. And lastly the printing press.
The calendar, days of the week, months, and holidays/festivals are next with two pages. However, half the second page is given over to the solar system and the planets. Aballon, the Horse is the closest planet to the sun. Castrovel, the Green Planet is next. Golarion is the third. Akiton, the Red Planet is fourth. Verces, the Line is fifth. The Diaspora is a belt of asteroids. Eox, the Dead Planet is sixth. Triaxus, the Wanderer is seventh. Liavara, the Dreamer is eighth. Bretheda, the Cradle is ninth. Apostae, the Messenger is tenth, and lastly there is Aucturn, the Stranger. I hope that sometime Paizo expands the solar system with more info because it sounds just as interesting as Golarion.
Another two pages are about the Northern and Southern trade lanes. I enjoyed part of this section because it contains different text about the imports and exports along the trade lanes. Also, the comment about mummies coming to life and killing their purchasers made me laugh. Good thing to live by, don’t purchase mummies from Osirian that might decide they didn’t like their tombs being robbed. :)
Weather and climate is given a page and half with two side bars on seasons and planting and folk wisdom. Some of the stranger weather are: Cacklenights, which is when the temp drops to below freezing and forms a thin layer of hard, but brittle, ice. Emberstorms are dust storms composed of ash and embers. The Eye of Ambendago. Mistgales is a chilly and damp fog usually found in graveyards, ruins, and along roads. Morozko’s Rage is a driving storm of severe winds, cold, and a hint of malevolence in the Crown of the World. Spider Storms happen in Korsova and they are when severe rain storms force the spiders out of the sewers. Tumblefires are dry thunderstorms with ball lightening. Zarasan are gentle rains.
Appendix A is a list, and map, of the current sourcebooks/material that has been printed as of Aug 2008 and where the sourcebooks/material is set in Golarion.
Appendix B is a list of pronunciations of various lands/people/etc and it is also two pages. Very useful!
Appendix C is contains a page for each NPC. The first NPC is Natu Tuata, a monk/wizard/pathfinder chronicler. Stricta Zuzulova is a female half-orc fighter/ranger/rogue/low templar that is a crusader against the hordes of the Worldwound. Stronfeur Uherer is a dwarven fighter of the Five Kings Mountains. Tjaden Ludenforff is a male paladin/ranger for the Lands of the Linnorm Kings.
Appendix D is two pages of random encounters. Also very useful!
And then there’s the two page Index.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and the setting gave me so many ideas, both for FR games and for Pathfinder games. However, I think I might work this setting into one of my games and see how some players, and me, could change it just like we’ve expanded my FR setting over the years. Very cool setting and I’m still reading the adventure paths and purchasing the other material that I’m missing. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
Edited by - Kuje on 07 Sep 2008 00:54:37 |
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Ayunken-vanzan
Senior Scribe
Germany
657 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2008 : 06:23:22
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| There is an essay by Sean K Reynolds about creating the mythology of Golarion and writing the god's entries for the campaign setting and the volume on gods and faiths on the Paizo blog. It's a very interesting read. |
"What mattered our lives now? When our world had been torn from us? Folk wept, or drank, or stood staring out over the land, wondering what new horror each dawn would bring."
Elender Stormfall of Suzail
"Anyone can kill deities, cause plagues, or destroy organizations. It takes real skill to make them live on."
Varl
FR/D&D-Links • 2ed Downloads |
Edited by - Ayunken-vanzan on 12 Sep 2008 06:56:17 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36910 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2008 : 05:15:25
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I've barely had time to crack the book, but there was one bit I really liked... In the write-up on dwarves, it mentioned that some dwarven surnames appeared to have human words in them, like "hammer". It then said that the words were actually dwarven, and humans had adopted them! I think that's a brilliant explanation, and covers surnames for a lot of fantasy races.  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Ayunken-vanzan
Senior Scribe
Germany
657 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2008 : 05:52:27
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 Now everything makes sense ...
I have received my copy last Thursday (a few days after Classic Monster Revisited arrived  ), and I have flipped through the pages reading here and there. When I have time I will try to post a few comments, too. |
"What mattered our lives now? When our world had been torn from us? Folk wept, or drank, or stood staring out over the land, wondering what new horror each dawn would bring."
Elender Stormfall of Suzail
"Anyone can kill deities, cause plagues, or destroy organizations. It takes real skill to make them live on."
Varl
FR/D&D-Links • 2ed Downloads |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 23 Sep 2008 : 01:28:17
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| Just ordered Pathfinder Chronicles and Map Folio... got Classic Monsters already, and it is one of my all time D&D product. Ever. |
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Ardashir
Senior Scribe
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - 25 Sep 2008 : 16:12:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Mace Hammerhand
quote:
Originally posted by MerrikCale
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Gee Wilikers!
A setting with over a hundred gods, and the designers say there is room for hundreds more? How can that be?
We were told that too many gods are a bad thing. 
LOL... time for me to make another anouncment in the PRPG thread...
you can't have too many gods apparently us gamers are too dumb to come to grips with 'em all.
Nah, we might come to grips with 'em but it just ain't cool
I wouldn't mind comning to grips with Sune or Sharess or Eilistraee... |
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Ardashir
Senior Scribe
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - 25 Sep 2008 : 16:14:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
Just got "Classic Monsters Revisited"
...
AWESOME!!!! 
Great book, and I love what they did with ogres and bugbears. Heck, I'd rather see those versions in the classic Realms. They made them genuinely scary! |
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Ayunken-vanzan
Senior Scribe
Germany
657 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2008 : 18:04:07
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As mentioned elsewhere, my copy of the CS has arrived last week, and I was able to thumb through the book, reading here and there. Kuje has detailed much of the content in his review, so I will constrict myself to some notes.
The format of the book is like that of the Draconomicon or the FRCS. With 255 pages it is shorter than the FRCS (355 pages), and whereas the type has the same size as the type of the FRCS, the spacing between lines is wider than the spacing of the FRCS, so a page in the FRCS contains more information than the PFCS. But that does not mean that the PFCS is thin on information. The wider spacing makes it a little more readable.
The art used is great. I especially like the picture of Sothis, the capital of Osirion, build around the hull of an enormous beetle. The art accompanying the chapter on Cheliax with the succubus kissing a hapless victim was already mentioned by Kuje … The big map looks is good as well, but one longs to see a map of the whole world with the other continents mentioned in the book.
As Kuje has written, the first chapter details all eleven core classes. Every class gets a special bonus suitable for the class, e. g. extra skill points and class skills for the fighter, bonus feats for the monk, or Hidden Reserve (Su) for the Sorcerer: when he has already used his daily allotment, he is able to cast any spell he could normally cast using a hidden reserve of magical energy, but he becomes fatigued (or exhausted) after completing the spell (usable a number of times equal to his charisma bonus, not usable when already fatigued or exhausted).
A few details in regard to the cosmology: the Great Beyond reminds me of a Hollow-Earth setting. At the core there is the Prime Material Plane and her dark twin, the Shadow Plane, connected through the ethereal plane which is rumored to even hold paths to other worlds within the Material or Shadow Plane, doorways to Outer Spheres and a hidden pocket-plane. The planes of Air, Water, Earth and Fire surround this dual core like the skin of a big fruit which suspended in the astral plane. These planes are known as the Inner Sphere.
The Outer Sphere consists of the outer planes which surround the Astral plane like a gigantic shell. These planes float like islands in the Maelstrom. In places this Maelstrom breaks open to yawning cracks. These are the canyons of the Abyss, plunging down through the Outer Sphere to unknown depths. The Maelstrom itself, also known as Limbo, is a mysterious and dangerous place consisting of wild lands untouched by the gods and without the stability of the other planes (even the Abyss possess a structure that the Maelstrom does not) and surrounding each of the outer planes. |
"What mattered our lives now? When our world had been torn from us? Folk wept, or drank, or stood staring out over the land, wondering what new horror each dawn would bring."
Elender Stormfall of Suzail
"Anyone can kill deities, cause plagues, or destroy organizations. It takes real skill to make them live on."
Varl
FR/D&D-Links • 2ed Downloads |
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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2008 : 01:36:54
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I got my copy of the Campaign Setting signed at GenConUK by Mona, Logue, Jacobs and Bulmahn, along with the artist Eva Wilderman. It's really great.
Put it this way. The PFCS is one of the single best RPG products ever. It shows just what people can create if they spend time and effort on making a truly quality product. The gulf between the PFCS and the FRCG in terms of quality is just incredible.
Everything Paizo touch turns to gold. I've not seen a poor product from them yet. |
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Ayunken-vanzan
Senior Scribe
Germany
657 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2008 : 09:16:12
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The Paizo blog from Wednesday, 24th of September, has an entry named "Where do Driders Come From?" by James Jacobs.
quote:
... with the changes to drow society in Golarion (and in particular who and what they worship) versus their classic representation in the game, the genesis story for driders had to change. This gave us a pretty interesting bit of new flavor for both driders and drow.
Interesting reading. |
"What mattered our lives now? When our world had been torn from us? Folk wept, or drank, or stood staring out over the land, wondering what new horror each dawn would bring."
Elender Stormfall of Suzail
"Anyone can kill deities, cause plagues, or destroy organizations. It takes real skill to make them live on."
Varl
FR/D&D-Links • 2ed Downloads |
Edited by - Ayunken-vanzan on 27 Sep 2008 09:16:39 |
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Ardashir
Senior Scribe
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2008 : 15:47:48
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| Thanks for the very informative posts, Uzzy and Ayunken-vanzan. It sounds like I really do have to get this book. |
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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2008 : 23:49:08
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If your hesitant to get the Campaign Setting (it is, after all, a big expensive hardback) you might want to look at getting the Pathfinder Gazetteer instead, just to dip your foot into the world. It's an equally good book, just much shorter!
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36910 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 01:05:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Uzzy
If your hesitant to get the Campaign Setting (it is, after all, a big expensive hardback) you might want to look at getting the Pathfinder Gazetteer instead, just to dip your foot into the world. It's an equally good book, just much shorter!
Well...
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
There's an eBay seller selling the book for $28 and free shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180282376563
He's still got like 4 left. The shipping was pretty quick, too. |
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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 13:29:00
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| $28? That's a well impressive price. |
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Ardashir
Senior Scribe
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 17:00:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Uzzy
If your hesitant to get the Campaign Setting (it is, after all, a big expensive hardback) you might want to look at getting the Pathfinder Gazetteer instead, just to dip your foot into the world. It's an equally good book, just much shorter!
I'll try for the Gazetteer & the 'new version of the game' (3.75, you've been calling it here on the boards?) before the campaign setting proper, but I'll almost certainly get the big book too. First I'm going for the 'Darkmoon Vale' series.
But perhaps you can help me -- what are the main differences between the Gazetteer and the Campaign Guide? And can you give a basic rundown on what the Gazetteer contains? |
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Golarion
