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Systems & Settings => Shadow World => Topic started by: Terry K. Amthor on December 15, 2007, 06:06:13 PM

Title: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on December 15, 2007, 06:06:13 PM

Almost done!

Though you know it is always the adventures that kill me. I want to do original, interesting ones, but I get bogged down in minutae that I am sure that most of you can flesh out on your own. So as this thing is heading towards 60 pages, I hope that you are ok with some of the more generic adventures being more conceptual where you flesh out some dungeon details. I figure that is better than the whole thing being delayed... yes?

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Vurkanan on December 15, 2007, 06:21:58 PM

yes, absolutely.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: munchy on December 16, 2007, 04:32:14 AM

YAY! When is it going to hit surface?

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: vroomfogle on December 16, 2007, 09:52:11 AM

The adventures in Eidolon were great and it would be cool to see more of those short adventures.   But it would also be great to see the book soon, and relegate the adventures to The Guild Adventurer.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Vince on December 17, 2007, 01:59:17 PM

Yes from me.

i usually don't use the premade adventures, although sometimes i integrated as a background history or take partial ideas , in the cases of Norek an Eidolon.

But i feel any group of players needs his particular adventures made by his GM that knows how to make it good for their players.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Witchking20k on December 19, 2007, 02:46:18 PM

I like the idea of the sourcebook being seperate from the adventures.  That way the sourcebook will be a bit cheaper, and the Guild Adventurer gets more material!  Everyone wins.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on December 19, 2007, 06:43:19 PM

Well, I was thinking of having some of the adventures be more just ideas or outlines; I already have some others fleshed out. Most of it will be background, organizations, locality descriptions and area maps...

TKA

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: RandalThor on December 19, 2007, 08:55:00 PM

Yes, yes. Maps. I like maps. Yes, yes.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Witchking20k on December 20, 2007, 07:15:14 AM

Yes.  Thats what I meant.  I also think that a few adventure ideas are great for fleshing out the local, and the tone of the area.  A few adventure ideas, and the full length ones for the guild adventurer.  But, I DOOOOO love maps!

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Moriarty on December 22, 2007, 03:42:40 AM

Quote from: Terry Amthor on December 19, 2007, 06:43:19 PM

Well, I was thinking of having some of the adventures be more just ideas or outlines; I already have some others fleshed out. Most of it will be background, organizations, locality descriptions and area maps...

This is how sourcebook adventures should be IMO. Not "first A happens, then B happens" but as you say, ideas or outlines.
The sourcebook info on the land, history, people, politics, maps, underworld, etc
- these and other things should be the base material with which the GM and players can build their own adventures ad infinitum.

Then the book could have guidelines for different styles of adventures, for example

• If you want a classic dungeon style adventure, here are some possibilities...
• If you want intrigue and mystery, your options are most plenty in...
• If you want a large scale military campaign, this is what you could have happen...

...and so on. That is how I would prefer it.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on March 17, 2008, 11:39:00 AM

Manuscript and layouts are done! (Finally!) Now it is being reviewed, and all that comes after that is the layout, which won't take me too long. Meanwhile I'm working on some Bryce illustrations... at lest since this is just PDF they will be in color. Bryce pictures in B&W are pretty lame.

TKA

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Vince on March 17, 2008, 12:42:21 PM

Very good news, just what we need!! Congratulations Terry! i hope we can take a look to it soon

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: mathhatt on March 18, 2008, 04:05:56 AM

Good news !!  :)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: munchy on March 18, 2008, 04:09:05 AM

Excellent news, indeed. Hope the revising happens fast!

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Mider on March 18, 2008, 08:20:37 AM

Woot, a Christmas present.  ;)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: NicholasHMCaldwell on March 18, 2008, 08:53:28 AM

Quote from: Mider on March 18, 2008, 08:20:37 AM

Woot, a Christmas present.  ;)

Much sooner than that.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Hurin on March 19, 2008, 04:18:51 PM

I just joined the forums, but am very much looking forward to Xa-ar.

I'd also like to use my first post to thank Terry sincerely for all the wonderful fun Rolemaster and Kulthea have brought to me and my gaming groups over the years. Good luck in all that you do!

Cheers,

--Hurin

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: munchy on March 19, 2008, 05:08:51 PM

Quote from: NicholasHMCaldwell on March 18, 2008, 08:53:28 AM

Much sooner than that.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

That's almost evil. Knowing stuff, hinting at stuff but not telling things. Any further clues?

Hmm, maybe in the letters - have just been watching the last episodes of Doctor Who ... Yana, those writers really go nuts when they work on their story arcs and the clues for those ... WHO is to get that?! ;)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: yammahoper on March 19, 2008, 07:51:04 PM

Welcome Hurin.  I hope your stay here is not as tragic as your namesake.

lynn

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Hurin on March 21, 2008, 01:43:10 AM

Quote from: yammahoper on March 19, 2008, 07:51:04 PM

Welcome Hurin.  I hope your stay here is not as tragic as your namesake.

lynn

Well, you know, things may not have worked out that well for my family, but Morgoth got his comeuppance in the end too  ;)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: munchy on March 21, 2008, 03:39:47 AM

And on the other hand, we still talk of Hurin and a book about him has just been published. Well, all right, it is definitely better to live than to have the bards sing about you but still, a book about him!! Not bad!

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: NicholasHMCaldwell on March 26, 2008, 11:49:53 AM

Quote from: munchy on March 19, 2008, 05:08:51 PM

Quote from: NicholasHMCaldwell on March 18, 2008, 08:53:28 AM

Much sooner than that.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

That's almost evil. Knowing stuff, hinting at stuff but not telling things. Any further clues?

It means that Part I has been edited and various queries sent back to Terry, who has resolved all of them. Part 2 has now been edited in paper - assuming no crises tonight, I'll make the edits in the electronic version and send Terry his next batch of queries. That then leaves Part 3 still to be done.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on April 05, 2008, 12:59:35 PM

Just a little update (and I want to see if I still have my signature, after the warning that mine was too long).

All the text has been edited; Nicholas is working on the stat conversions and I am doing some Bryce pictures and the layout (and adding a few bits here and there, particularly some goodies for the GM to give to the players; the kind of stuff I particularly loved back in the old days of the Pete campaigns--though I could never match his poetic obscurity)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: munchy on April 05, 2008, 02:16:35 PM

That really sounds like good progress, hope it will be out soon.
A question, however: does the involvment of Nicholas and his mentioning of the product mean it is going to be a Guild Companion product or did I mix that up?

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: NicholasHMCaldwell on April 06, 2008, 08:50:11 AM

The Land of Xa-ar will be published through the Guild Companion's commercial arm, Guild Companion Publications. It will be available as a pdf product through our store on the ICE website and at the other usual ecommerce sites.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: munchy on April 06, 2008, 09:11:38 AM

All right, excellent. Now, get back to work you two, want to read that thing. ;D

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: fac on April 07, 2008, 03:56:46 AM

When it will be released?

I really miss an schedule of releases we can expect for Shadow World, in the past there were a few, and I'd like to see a sort of comment or list from Terry with the order of releases, I'd like to see the following (in this order):

- Emer III
- Artifacts
- Emer IV
- Urulan

Thanks!

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: egdcltd on April 07, 2008, 10:52:27 AM

Quote from: fac on April 07, 2008, 03:56:46 AM

When it will be released?

I really miss an schedule of releases we can expect for Shadow World, in the past there were a few, and I'd like to see a sort of comment or list from Terry with the order of releases, I'd like to see the following (in this order):

- Emer III
- Artifacts
- Emer IV
- Urulan

Thanks!

Then, in the second half of this year...

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: NicholasHMCaldwell on April 07, 2008, 03:49:03 PM

Quote from: fac on April 07, 2008, 03:56:46 AM

When it will be released?

I'm a third through the stat conversion first pass - skill renamings and values, 2nd pass sorts out spell lists and PP multipliers.

Quote

I really miss an schedule of releases we can expect for Shadow World, in the past there were a few, and I'd like to see a sort of comment or list from Terry with the order of releases, I'd like to see the following (in this order):

- Emer III
- Artifacts
- Emer IV
- Urulan

Thanks!

I doubt if Terry will feel up to committing to four books, let alone in any particular sequence. Please be realistic with your expectations - Terry has a day job and I'm sure he'd like to have a life outside of writing.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on April 08, 2008, 08:06:36 AM

Quote from: NicholasHMCaldwell on April 07, 2008, 03:49:03 PM

I doubt if Terry will feel up to committing to four books, let alone in any particular sequence. Please be realistic with your expectations - Terry has a day job and I'm sure he'd like to have a life outside of writing.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

A life?! Me? Pft. Though teaching spin classes (4x a week now) does seem to put a dent in my time.

I have to say that I'd love to go back and finish Emer. Even if 3 & 4 got combined into one book... just doing the map would be daunting though; I'd prefer to with the nice watercolor look I used in Emer 2

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: fac on April 09, 2008, 12:44:21 AM

I know Terry has a job plus the spin classes, I'm not asking him to do all 4 books in the second half of the year  ;D

My post was related to the old posts that TKA used to ask everybody here or in the SW mail list for what we wanted to see and which order of release. But if we talk about commitment, everybody here is sure that Terry is comitted to Kulthea.

Terry: Do you feel writing and doing layout for your books as a job?

I still remember when I ordered Emer I and Haalkitaine to Eidolon Studio, and I was glad when ICE came back as I know wrapping books and going to post office is boring. But I digress...

I'm waiting to see Xa-ar

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: mathhatt on April 09, 2008, 04:38:51 AM

Quote from: Terry Amthor on April 08, 2008, 08:06:36 AM

I have to say that I'd love to go back and finish Emer. Even if 3 & 4 got combined into one book... just doing the map would be daunting though; I'd prefer to with the nice watercolor look I used in Emer 2

Emer I et II are my favorite Shadow World books, because we essentially play in this continent. I'd love to read Emer III & IV (even if it is merged into one, shorter, single book). Definitely number 1 on my wishlist ! Keep up the good work Terry.

I'd like to ask you a question: what are you feelings about the fact that the world you created is still alive and kicking more than a quarter of century after its creation ? Is it kind of daunting ? Are you happy about it ?
I must say, I find it impressive, when I think about it, that my big brother (he is 10 years older than me) was playing in the Shadow World with his friend 20 years ago, and now it's me, exploring it with my friends for more than 10 years now. I hope I will be able to pass this passion down to my nephews or my children ;)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Mider on April 09, 2008, 08:42:37 AM

Thanks for that splash of cold water. :)  I started playing RM in the early 80's and than Shadow World when it came out.  I hadn't put it in perspective of RL time until I read that.
I don't know of many worlds that have so much possibilites and directions to go.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: mathhatt on April 09, 2008, 09:25:29 AM

Quote from: Mider on April 09, 2008, 08:42:37 AM

Thanks for that splash of cold water. :) 

You're welcome  ;D

Quote from: Mider on April 09, 2008, 08:42:37 AM

I started playing RM in the early 80's and than Shadow World when it came out.  I hadn't put it in perspective of RL time until I read that.
I don't know of many worlds that have so much possibilites and directions to go.

Yup, Shadow World is a BIG and RICH universe :)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: RandalThor on April 09, 2008, 08:52:33 PM

Quote from: mathhatt on April 09, 2008, 09:25:29 AM

Yup, Shadow World is a BIG and RICH universe :)

Does that mean the Musikmafia exists on Shadow World?  ;)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on April 10, 2008, 08:09:16 AM

Quote from: mathhatt on April 09, 2008, 04:38:51 AM

I'd like to ask you a question: what are you feelings about the fact that the world you created is still alive and kicking more than a quarter of century after its creation ? Is it kind of daunting ? Are you happy about it ?
I must say, I find it impressive, when I think about it, that my big brother (he is 10 years older than me) was playing in the Shadow World with his friend 20 years ago, and now it's me, exploring it with my friends for more than 10 years now. I hope I will be able to pass this passion down to my nephews or my children ;)

Has it been that long? I can't remember the publication date of the first Atlas, when it came in that box in 2 books. I do remember having a huge map of Kulthea in tracing paper up on my office wall back at ICE! It is kind of cool that SW is still around, and that there are people out there still playing it! There were some regrettable modules in the early days (more because they didn't fit that well in what I had in mind than being bad quality) but ICE wanted to get a lot of product out. I have to say it was exciting actually working at a game company, going to GenCon and meeting the players. *sigh*

One thing that is daunting is the sheer volume of stuff now, and trying to keep track of things (I am not an organized person by nature). That the gods that most of the stuff is in PDF format now so I can search for things in the older books.

But in any case thanks to you all for keeping SW alive!   :D

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on April 22, 2008, 07:14:20 AM

Quick update: All the text is back on my lap, and I'm doing a few last-minute additions as I work on the layout. I'd like to make this PDF as interactive/useful as possible, with working bookmarks, a few web links, etc. Anything in particular you would like to see?

Terry

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Walt on April 22, 2008, 10:23:02 AM

I´m not sure if it´s possible, but here some topics I would search on in this module:
- Connections with Ulor and also (!!!!) Ly-Aran
- Border traffic to and from Saralis
- Trade links with the rest of the world
- local gods and/or spirits

Basically I always had problems with the "stand-alone" decreptions of Ulor, Ly-Aran and Xa-ar. (" Xa-Ar was the second large country that fell to the powers of the white lord early during the second era. Since then not much is known about the country..." or "A land not much known about, Ly-Aran was a peaceful land that fell under the power of the white lord in 3750 S.E.I. [...], and not much has been heard from the original population since then."

So in my mind there are more the questions of linking this stand-alone solution Xa-ar more to the overall picture. For example what´s about all this ship trade entering the bay of Ulor heading for example towards Cynar.
What are the goods coming out of Xa-ar? Something special? Probably, even if there is some kind of bane, there are smuggling activities.
And hopefully there are some links to the pretty good stuff of Jonas Cedher. Who did a lot of impresive work about Saralis!

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on April 22, 2008, 10:47:30 AM

Quote from: Walt on April 22, 2008, 10:23:02 AM

I?m not sure if it?s possible, but here some topics I would search on in this module:
- Connections with Ulor and also (!!!!) Ly-Aran
- Border traffic to and from Saralis
- Trade links with the rest of the world
- local gods and/or spirits

Basically I always had problems with the "stand-alone" decreptions of Ulor, Ly-Aran and Xa-ar. (" Xa-Ar was the second large country that fell to the powers of the white lord early during the second era. Since then not much is known about the country..." or "A land not much known about, Ly-Aran was a peaceful land that fell under the power of the white lord in 3750 S.E.I. [...], and not much has been heard from the original population since then."

So in my mind there are more the questions of linking this stand-alone solution Xa-ar more to the overall picture. For example what?s about all this ship trade entering the bay of Ulor heading for example towards Cynar.
What are the goods coming out of Xa-ar? Something special? Probably, even if there is some kind of bane, there are smuggling activities.
And hopefully there are some links to the pretty good stuff of Jonas Cedher. Who did a lot of impresive work about Saralis!

Hi Walt,

I think maybe I wasn't clear about the PDF features... I just meant technical things in the PDF, like you can create bookmarks and links in the file to make navigation through it easier, and you can put in web links.

That said, I think you'll be pleased with the content of Xa-ar; there is most of what you've requested included!

Terry

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Walt on April 22, 2008, 11:30:38 AM

Ohh..sorry, didn?t understood it right. I?m far more concerned with the contents and really looking forward to scan through it!

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: munchy on April 22, 2008, 02:26:57 PM

Any idea when this is going online?
Although it is searchable as a pdf I still would like an index for the printed out version I'm going to take to the gaming table with me. So, that would be something I would really like to have in that pdf.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: mathhatt on April 23, 2008, 03:19:03 AM

Quote from: munchy on April 22, 2008, 02:26:57 PM

Any idea when this is going online?
Although it is searchable as a pdf I still would like an index for the printed out version I'm going to take to the gaming table with me. So, that would be something I would really like to have in that pdf.

+1
Can't wait to read a new shadow world book :)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on April 23, 2008, 12:02:59 PM

There will definitely be an index!  :)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: munchy on April 23, 2008, 12:43:49 PM

Excellent news!! *thumbsup*

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on May 17, 2008, 06:46:00 PM

update: just delivered an additional section (The Aalk Athimurl layouts/adventure) to Nicholas. Meanwhile I am tweaking Bryce pictures and continuing the page layout. I think end of May/Early June is possible...

TKA

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: dutch206 on May 23, 2008, 03:03:24 PM

OK....I can't find my map of Jaiman right now, and this is killing me.  Where is Xa'ar, exactly? 

From the few clues I've been able to uncover, it is somewhere on the western half of the continent.  Correct?

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on May 23, 2008, 03:09:40 PM

In the northwest, NW of Saralis, just south of the Mur Fostisyr, north of the Bay of Ulor

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: dutch206 on May 23, 2008, 03:15:10 PM

Thanks!  I guess I'll go dig up my copy of Quellbourne and have a look around the old place.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on May 23, 2008, 07:52:53 PM

I think 1st of June is doable. We have some beautiful illustrations from Wiliam Tibaud, some Bryce, and lots of adventures. This beast is going to be 120-130+ pages long when done, virtually all new material. I'm hoping the wait is worth it! I'm excited about SW again and want to get to work on more Shadowstone and another book... but of course it is your response and enthusiasm that helps inspire me. I hope this will get the old SW fans excited again about the world. :)

"So much time, so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it."
-- Willy Wonka

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Zwilnik on May 24, 2008, 02:27:43 PM

Quote from: Terry Amthor on May 23, 2008, 07:52:53 PM

I think 1st of June is doable. We have some beautiful illustrations from Wiliam Tibaud, some Bryce, and lots of adventures. This beast is going to be 120-130+ pages long when done, virtually all new material.

* drools *
...sorry about that.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on May 24, 2008, 04:35:50 PM

don't be sorry! This will be the first all-new SW book in a long time and I am counting on you all to make it a success :-)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Cursed on May 25, 2008, 09:43:47 AM

Quote from: Terry Amthor on May 24, 2008, 04:35:50 PM

don't be sorry! This will be the first all-new SW book in a long time and I am counting on you all to make it a success :-)

I'll do my part and buy it. No questions asked :)

-Cursed

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: mathhatt on May 26, 2008, 04:57:03 AM

Quote from: cursed on May 25, 2008, 09:43:47 AM

Quote from: Terry Amthor on May 24, 2008, 04:35:50 PM

don't be sorry! This will be the first all-new SW book in a long time and I am counting on you all to make it a success :-)

I'll do my part and buy it. No questions asked :)

-Cursed

+1

And it's great that William Thibaud did some artwork for the book, I love his work ! :)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on May 26, 2008, 04:27:20 PM

Quote from: mathhatt on May 26, 2008, 04:57:03 AM

And it's great that William Thibaud did some artwork for the book, I love his work ! :)

Some very nice color illos. I'm indexing the beast now, almost done...

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: dutch206 on May 26, 2008, 07:02:02 PM

Quote from: Terry Amthor on May 26, 2008, 04:27:20 PM

Quote from: mathhatt on May 26, 2008, 04:57:03 AM

And it's great that William Thibaud did some artwork for the book, I love his work ! :)

Some very nice color illos. I'm indexing the beast now, almost done...

Microsoft Word 2007 generates automatic indexes.  ;D

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: egdcltd on May 27, 2008, 03:29:38 AM

Quote from: dutch206 on May 26, 2008, 07:02:02 PM

Microsoft Word 2007 generates automatic indexes.  ;D

Not sure if it works on Macs

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: fac on May 27, 2008, 03:36:21 AM

I think the work of indexing is to choose all relevant words you want to include, not generating the index.

I hope to see the book soon...

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Vince on May 30, 2008, 01:12:47 PM

Quote from: Terry Amthor on May 23, 2008, 07:52:53 PM

IThis beast is going to be 120-130+ pages long when done, virtually all new material.

I like to hear that
Say it again
Say it again...
Say it again XD

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Walt on June 01, 2008, 02:38:53 AM

Quote from: Terry Amthor on May 23, 2008, 07:52:53 PM

[...], virtually all new material. [...]

This would be great. On this I was a little disapointed with Emer II. I think nearly 50% of the stuff have been copy-paste.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Dr. Joe on June 01, 2008, 11:47:24 AM

Yippeeee! 1st of June!
1st of June!
1st of June! Almost done?
 :)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: NicholasHMCaldwell on June 01, 2008, 12:22:59 PM

Quote from: Dr. Joe on June 01, 2008, 11:47:24 AM

Yippeeee! 1st of June!
1st of June!
1st of June! Almost done?
 :)

Nearly. I've seen the first draft of the covers and sent them back to Terry for minor corrections. I'm hoping to see the entire book in final layout very soon. Then I'll have to hunt for any residual errors that escaped Terry. As soon as I'm happy that it's as clean as can be, we'll hit the go button.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Witchking20k on June 03, 2008, 04:12:11 PM

LOL

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on June 14, 2008, 11:22:59 AM

It's heeeere!  ;D

http://guild.ironcrown.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=120&products_id=503

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Vince on June 14, 2008, 06:42:16 PM

Downloading...

thank you for your work (Terry & Guild Companion staff) that gives us hours of fun

V.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Moloch on June 15, 2008, 03:46:28 AM

Downloading my copy rigth now !

Good Work Terry !

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: mathhatt on June 17, 2008, 08:53:17 AM

Downloading... this is a great day !  :)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: dutch206 on June 17, 2008, 03:24:23 PM

If my glasses hadn't broken the other day, i would have the money to enjoy the fruit of your labor.  I guess I will have to contain my glee until the first of the month.  (All I can say is, I am glad I learned touch typing. I am really nearsighted.) :cool:

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Alarian on June 17, 2008, 09:58:34 PM

Already downloaded my copy.   :D

Quick question.  Are there any plans for a printed version of this?  I REALLY prefer printed to pdf.  I purchased the pdf to support anything Shadow World but would like to purchase it again in print format.

If not, anyone know of a place that would do a good job of creating a printed version of it for me?

Alarian

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: egdcltd on June 18, 2008, 04:11:50 AM

I printed my version out myself, then took it to Staples to get it bound.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: NicholasHMCaldwell on June 18, 2008, 06:09:27 AM

Quote from: Alarian on June 17, 2008, 09:58:34 PM

Already downloaded my copy.   :D

Quick question.  Are there any plans for a printed version of this?  I REALLY prefer printed to pdf.  I purchased the pdf to support anything Shadow World but would like to purchase it again in print format.

Terry designed the main book with printing in mind. We would hope to be able to offer through ICE's printing facilities printed copies. However, we need to discuss the specifics of that with ICE.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Alarian on June 18, 2008, 10:44:08 AM

Glad to hear there is at least a chance of getting a printed version.  I love to hold stuff like this in my hands!

I do have a fairly high quality color lazer printer that I could print this out myself, but since it only prints to 8 1/2 x 11 paper it's not the same as a truely professionally bound book. 

I guess for the time being, I could print it out myself and take it into the local print shop and have it bound. 

Thanks for the advice and the update.

Alarian

P.S. Although I don't post here much (at all), I've been a HUGE fan of Shadow World since day one and own every single SW product ever released.  My campaign has been set there since the day it was released.  Even when the group decided they wanted to try out the Wilderlands of High Fantasy campaign setting, I placed that into the Shadow World Setting as Well! 

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Alexander on June 18, 2008, 12:10:28 PM

Downloaded!!!!  Excellent Work!!!   ;D

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: vroomfogle on June 18, 2008, 04:15:34 PM

Just downloaded it and it looks great.  It's a change from previous works in that the majority of it is adventures and I think that's a great addition.  I'm about to start a campaign and would normally set it in Emer but I think I'm moving to Jaiman now and running some of these adventures!


I'll be going through the timeline and adding the new entries to Nomikos by the end of the month.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on June 18, 2008, 05:41:11 PM

Thanks all. And if you get a few minutes after you have digested it, please write a review--even if it's a few lines--at the Guild Companion Store, and/or RPG now or Drive-thru

Thanks!

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Hurin on June 19, 2008, 02:36:23 AM

I'm still digesting it, but one thing I can't quite figure out yet:

Who are the Lotana? It says they migrated to Jaiman from Mulira, but I can't find any mention of 'Lotana' in Jaimain: Land of Twilight or even in the Master Atlas (not even in the section on Mulira). Are they new, or do they usually go by a different name?

Thanks!

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on June 19, 2008, 07:43:36 AM

Quote from: Hurin on June 19, 2008, 02:36:23 AM

I'm still digesting it, but one thing I can't quite figure out yet:

Who are the Lotana? It says they migrated to Jaiman from Mulira, but I can't find any mention of 'Lotana' in Jaimain: Land of Twilight or even in the Master Atlas (not even in the section on Mulira). Are they new, or do they usually go by a different name?

Thanks!

Hurin,

The Lotana are more a culture or even a tribe than a race; their race is Y'nar. Their population was small enough that they didn't rate mention in Jaiman, which was more of an overview. The Lotana came from the T'sai Steppe region of Mulira, where many different Y'nari tribes lived.

Hope that helps!

Terry

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Hurin on June 19, 2008, 12:18:40 PM

Great, that helps a lot Terry! Thanks very much.

--Hurin

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: grendal72 on June 21, 2008, 12:23:38 AM

My first post - I picked up Xa-ar a couple days ago and from what I've read it's typical Amthor greatness.  While I was buying, I finally picked up Adventurer #2 and the City of Arch module.  I have sated my Shadow World needs for a while (probably two weeks).  Terry - I hope I don't have to wait 5+ years for the next module...  Nudge-nudge...  Uh, please.  :)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: NicholasHMCaldwell on June 23, 2008, 10:08:19 AM

Quote from: Terry Amthor on June 18, 2008, 05:41:11 PM

Thanks all. And if you get a few minutes after you have digested it, please write a review--even if it's a few lines--at the Guild Companion Store, and/or RPG now or Drive-thru

Thanks!

We really would appreciate reviews either on the Guild store, on RPGNow/DriveThru if you purchased it there, or on RPG.Net if you've got more to say.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: grendal72 on June 23, 2008, 05:16:34 PM

My review is in.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: dekdarion on June 24, 2008, 07:30:50 PM

i downloaded it !

thanx terry for this amazing work !

the show goes on  ;)





.......a long time french fan .....

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: dutch206 on July 01, 2008, 11:39:11 PM

Just completed my first read-through of the book.  Initial Reaction:   :o

That sure is a LOT of information to absorb and process!

Dislikes:

1)  I can't say that I'm very thrilled by the appearance of

(click to show/hide)

explosives

in the module however.  (In the form of a brick of compressed herbs, I believe.) There's too much technology in this campaign world the way it is.  (Dutch whips out "Old Fart Lifetime Membership" card)

2) 

(click to show/hide)

I believe that the entire "Isle of Lost Magic" plotline represents a potential RSE.  (Forgotten Realms abbreviation meaning "Realms-Shaking Event").  Using the powers of this location could lead to the destruction of Lorgalis, who is a major player in world events.

  I really don't think an unguided group of PC's should be able to access power of this magnitude.  It's like letting your kids play with a loaded TEK-9....sooner or later, something extremely bad is going to happen.

Likes:

1)  Sixteen adventures! OMG!!!  ;D

2)  A use for some of the long-neglected "Grand Campaign" material.

3)  More obscure information about hidden facets of SW Lore.  (Always welcome)

4)  Some fleshing out of the SW Timeline to include events in NW Jaiman.

5)  An update to the information presented in "Land of the Silver Mist".  (Which ties everything together MUCH better than the document I loaded onto the vault prior to reading TKA's work.)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on July 02, 2008, 07:07:41 AM

Hi Dutch, thanks for your comments! I'd like to try to address your two main concerns if I could...
 
1.

(click to show/hide)

Really these things are not that powerful (not much worse than magicians with fireball ;-) , and they are about as low-tech as you could get. And something like this is still extremely rare, and the shock of them going off is meant to be terrifying.

2.

(click to show/hide)

Yes it is an awesomely powerful weapon. However, it will be extremely difficult for the players to gather all the elements and then figure out how to operate it (practically a campaign on its own), and then, hopefully they would not dive right in and cause a flow-storm, not just because it would be devastating, but because they ought to know that powerful people from both sides are going to take notice, and want to get their hands on it. You could also build in additional safeguards: some of the crystals lose power after a certain number of uses in the thing, so the characters have to hunt down more. Yaalc Muul could also intervene if they get carried away. It can also be used more as a tactical device, rather than a full-out flowstorm. And finally, if worse comes to worst and your players try to take out Ulor, remember: Lorgalis is no longer the Lord of Ulor, he put his daughter in charge, and he is spending more time in Emer dealing with the Secret Circle.

Thanks again!

Terry

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: kmanktelow on July 04, 2008, 06:22:50 PM

Hi, Terry, et al,

Could the power inherent in the "Isle of Lost Magic" really take out Lorgalis/Ulor? Don't forget that there's a major power inherent in the very Isle of Ulor itself, in the form of the crystal shard.

I would imagine that it would take something absolutely cataclysmic to take the crystal out. Something in the order of the Chicxulub Event would be required to actually destroy Ulor and the Crystal shard. (Don't forget that there have been seriously major Flow Storms before- and they haven't destroyed the powers of the Crystal.)

In fact, I could envisage that type of power release being targeted at Ulor actually increasing the power of the Crystal...

OK, that might not be good for the island, or who ever is on it at the time that that the weapon is used, but it would actually increase the Unlife's power in the region.

Whoops!  :o

Additionally, as Terry points out, you are looking at a full campaign to figure out how to control the 'weapon'- and then the characters still have to decide what is actually the best target- and then they have to decide whether it is morally right to utilise it.

Think about the Allies agonising over using the A-Bomb in World War II...

Personally, I would hope that no GMs' Players, except in total ignorance, would even consider using it, except in a 'Wars of Dominion II' scenario. (And, hopefully, the GM could dissuade them from such an action- even if it meant using a dues ex machina scenario with one or more, of the Lords of Orhan trying to stop them.)

Unfortunately, I well remember some of my Players....
Stick a "Do Not Press" sign on the button marked "End of the Universe"- and they would have pressed it before the paint had, had time to dry... ???

But, for my money the Xa-ar book is absolutely superb- thank you so much Terry! :)

All the Best,

Kevin.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on July 06, 2008, 09:47:25 AM

Hah hah, I am reminded of the classic Ren and Stimpy episode with the red button on the spaceship. "The shiny, candy-like red button. Don't touchit!!! you Eeeeediot!!!"   :D

Some weapons are not meant to be used. Though remember the Isle has lesser weather powers that could actually be beneficial. And no I don;t think even it could permanently unpower the crystal shard (that effect might be unpredictable), but it could temporarily nuke Ess?nce power in the region temporarily

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on July 11, 2008, 07:55:35 AM

Just a gentle reminder for those of you who bought Xa-ar... if you are so inclined, please take a moment to post a review--it doesn't have to be long, nor do I expect it to necessarily be 100% positive, in fact I'd enjoy more (constructive) criticism. I think others are more inclined to buy after reading reviews.

The ICE/GC location is: http://guild.ironcrown.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=120&products_id=503

And RPG now is: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=56438&src=FrontPage

Drive-thru is: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=56438

Noting wrong with posting at all locations as far as I know.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Elrik on August 09, 2008, 01:16:42 PM

Hey Terry,

I enjoyed reading the Xa-ar book. Still digesting.

One quick question: Dragon Horn sword, significant? Page 94, 11. Column.

Thanks again

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: mathhatt on August 13, 2008, 10:28:33 AM

I've read the background, timeline, powers, NPCs... and I'm about to start reading the adventures. This week end I should start a new campaign with my players in Xa-ar. However I think I'll have to change a few things in the adventures, because my players are all level 17 already ;)
I love the Xa-ar setting, with the towns occupied by Quaidu, the blue forest and the remnants of the elven realms, the story about the "blue dragon"... a lot of nice things to use in my future campaign.
Thanks Terry for this :)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Elrik on October 06, 2008, 12:18:21 AM

One quick question: Dragon Horn sword, significant? Page 94, 11. Column.

... sigh... read the book all at one time... figured it out...

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Witchking20k on November 15, 2008, 07:12:26 AM

I've finally read through the book in its entirety.  Fantastic work.  For anyone out there looking for a place to start in SW, Xa-ar could be it......secret organizations, lost treasures, detailed foes.....and just fdar enough away from Rahkahnen  ;)

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on November 15, 2008, 03:42:15 PM

Thank you, Witch King! Feel free to write a review at the GC sales area... which means more people buy, I am happier, and I write faster  ;-)

It's that simple, no bundled bad securities!

Terry

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Koraq on November 17, 2008, 08:35:18 PM

*mumble* dead tree edition *mumble*

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Witchking20k on November 18, 2008, 06:36:12 AM

I printed it myself at home, leaving out the index & fluff.  120 Pages from your home printer will save you $10 (or more) and the shipping......

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: jolt on November 18, 2008, 09:29:49 AM

Quote from: Witchking20k on November 18, 2008, 06:36:12 AM

I printed it myself at home, leaving out the index & fluff.  120 Pages from your home printer will save you $10 (or more) and the shipping......

The problem I have with PDF's is that regular printer paper is really pretty crappy quality.  The paper tears too easily.  I usually use good quality presentation paper but that's a lot more expensive and if you have maps you want printed in color you lose a lot of the cost benefit of buying something as a PDF (and you still have to bind it somehow).  For small PDF's it's not a big deal but for larger works I've really cooled off on PDF's.

jolt

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: vroomfogle on November 18, 2008, 09:49:49 AM

Good quality printing is expensive.   Inkjets can cost upwards of $0.20 per page.    I looked into getting Xa-ar printed at Staples: $60.   Luckily I have access to a duplex color laser printer, which is far more economical, and got it spiral bound at Staples for $2.

Hopefully ICE will get their POD service running soon, even with my laser printer they could do it much cheaper and probably better quality.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: NicholasHMCaldwell on November 18, 2008, 12:42:22 PM

I will be pressing Bruce concerning print copies of Guild Companion Publications but there are practical issues involved in print-on-demand for us.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Elrik on November 18, 2008, 01:22:38 PM

I'm going to throw this out there.

I went to staples and for $8.00, got them to print the entire thing out make holes and I bought a dull grey binder. I have a business account so I pay a bit less. I think the average print off is between $0.03 to $0.06. At $0.05, the cost is about $7.00 before any tax or binder. The colour pages my be up to $0.20 each. Even then 11 pages is under $3.

Now, granted a new binder can cost anything from $1 to $20. I got the $3.

I think most Universities and Colleges provide a like service for cheaper(?). I haven't been in school in a while.

The best option may be to buy the PDF on a friends machine, copy to a cd, jump drive or SD chip and head over to the local Staples, UPS store or School and see what they say. 

I think it cost me just over 25 to do the entire thing. If I run into a problem with a page or two, I can print off a replacement from my home printer, that way I only burn a bit of ink. The pages that I know will get heavy usage get reinforcements. I do it in game so it doesn't take long, usually I just pass it off to one of my players while I do something else with another player.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Witchking20k on November 21, 2008, 06:46:45 AM

$15 for the book, $10 to print it, still make $25 for a book.  As mentioned I also skipped printing the Appendecies and some of the extras like military tables etc.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Elrik on November 21, 2008, 10:35:16 AM

Powers of Light and Darkness started out as $22.00 and change and it is comparable in size to Xa-ar. Add shipping and you are probably paying more then $25.

In the end, what ever works.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: Terry K. Amthor on November 22, 2008, 03:52:31 PM

I wish I could offer a cost-effective print version like when I worked at a place with a high-speed B&W print machine (in the Eidolon days), but I don't; I'm at a design firm now. And even then we had some volume with distributor sales that I'm sure no longer exists (and the quality was not ideal, and the color renderings were not satisfactory to me in BW). Printing this sort of niche material with the current market and technology is tricky. I kind of agree with Elrik: get it on PDF, take it to some copyshop and have them print it. The price and quality might be comparable to what you would get otherwise.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: egdcltd on November 22, 2008, 04:04:24 PM

I print pdfs out myself, then take them to Staples to get them bound. It uses a fair amount of ink at home, but the prices I got from Staples for them printing them out was a bit high.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: thrud on November 23, 2008, 04:41:14 AM

My preferred method would be to print the material myself on my duplex laser printer then put the papers in (I don't know what you may call it?) plastic pockets and then in a binder. It's a little bit on the exensive side but the good news is you'll never wear it out and it's practically indestructible + it makes flipping through the pages very easy.

P.S. I still like the printed books best of all. D.S.

Title: Re: Xa-ar
Post by: NicholasHMCaldwell on November 23, 2008, 06:02:37 AM

ICE and I are sorting out the prices and mechanism to get Xa-ar and others into print. The awkwardness is not the printing per se (though the printed version will have to be in black&white with an extra page for the one map page that must be in colour, as going all-colour would be extortionate) but in the fulfilment, i.e. the physical shipping and handling of the printed books from printer to customer

Best wishes,
Nicholas