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ICE Partners => Echoes of Heaven => Topic started by: kedrake on July 19, 2006, 02:02:24 PM

Title: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: kedrake on July 19, 2006, 02:02:24 PM
Should all Dwarves get one of the Devine Spark Talents?  It is not listed under the Dwaven Traits (page 19 in the HARP version).
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 19, 2006, 07:28:59 PM
Yes.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 19, 2006, 07:48:01 PM
You can give them the lesser talent.  It's meant for situations like that.  I'll add a line when I make a pass for errata.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Grafton on July 28, 2006, 04:42:07 AM
I followed the instructions for downloading the bitmaps for CC3, but when I went to the site specified there was only 3 available of the 14 bitmaps listed.

In addition, I put these 3 in the directory structure specified (downloaded as zip, then unzipped into "Flora" subdirectory) but they don't show up on the monestary map.

Any help on this? Grafton
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 28, 2006, 04:47:32 AM
You have CC3?  Cool.

Give me your exact path.

The images were there when I released.  Give me a list of the ones that you couldn't find.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Grafton on July 28, 2006, 05:12:14 AM
This is where I went:

http://rpgmapshare.com/index.php?q=gallery&g2_itemId=2414

The 3 I saw there were Baobab, Large_Cherry_Tree_SR, and RuralMaple03a_SR. I did not see

RuralMaple01a SR
RuralMaple07a SR
RuralMaple08a SR
RuralMaple09a SR
Three-Lobed Tree
Tree02
Tree03
Tree04
Tree05
trees2 SR
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Grafton on July 28, 2006, 05:20:11 AM
If you were asking were I put the bitmaps I did find, I put them in the CC3 folder at

symbols/Steel Rat/Cover/Flora/objects/nature/flora
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 28, 2006, 05:22:59 AM
OK!  There's one problem.  It should be:

symbols/Steel Rat/Cover/Flora/
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Grafton on July 28, 2006, 05:38:52 AM
Yep, that was the problem. I accidently included extra directories from the download website <doh!> The 3 I originally downloaded show up now.

Your other help also worked. Thanks a bunch for the fast, accurate support. The CC3 maps look great, less "cartoonish" than CC2. I didn't realize CC2 looked that way until I compared the maps from your product ;D
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on July 28, 2006, 12:25:59 PM
Got 'em and the maps look fabulous. 

However...I only have the CC2 viewer.  (I downloaded the CC3 demo a while ago and tinkered but apparently need an uber-computer for it to work faster than a schnekentempo)  I plan on making a trip to Kinkos and having them print & bind the books (I hate reading lengthy pdf's) as well as the maps.   I can't tell how big the actual map will be.  Is the 'Belkanath 1 page' really the map shrunk down to one page?  If so, how big is the main map?  Any suggestions for printing these out in a practical manner?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 28, 2006, 07:04:41 PM
I should probably have a POD version out eventually, so it you'd prefer to go with a cheeper printing method while you wait, keep that in mind.

The 1 page is the one that is at the begining of the pdf.  The text on it whould be scaled to read on one page.  I don't have a problem with it, and while I have good eyes (from a good surgeon) I made them bigger than I need.

The other one I printed on 3 x 3 sheets and it great.  2x2 would probably work fine too, because the text is half the size of the 1 page.  I actually want to try having them printed at Costco.  Their photo department does posters for 9.99.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on July 30, 2006, 12:44:38 AM
Well.....I took the files to Kinko to print out and drill the holes but I had a message that it is copywrighted material and they have issues about printing it out.  Is there any reason why they can't do this or did I just get the moron who works at Kinko's at 4pm on a Saturday?  No offence to anyone who actually works there but it is late, I have had a few beers and this just really ticked me off.  Especially since I called ahead to see how much it would cost.  Looks like I will just take it across the street to Office Dept.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 30, 2006, 03:02:22 AM
I've never heard of anyone having trouble with that, but I've never done it myself, so maybe there are issues I've never encountered.

*I* don't have any problem with you doing it, of course.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 30, 2006, 03:02:49 AM
How much were they going to charge, BTW?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Cory Magel on July 30, 2006, 11:33:59 AM
Technically they are not supposed to let someone photocopy something that is copyrighted I believe. They just hardly ever enforce it, so when they do it seems arbitrary (someone is actually paying attention to what your doing... or cares).
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on July 30, 2006, 06:35:40 PM
Ta dah!!  Told Office Dept that I had bought the product and wanted a copy for personal use and they did said fine.  Kinko's mentioned a federal offense.  That is the first time I have seen anyone questioned about anything like that.  Nobody said anything a wile ago photocopying ship layouts for SD (which are ok) or RM charts & weapon tables for my character folders.

For the campaign book and Throne of God, 267 pages, $16.71.  She did it in about 10 minutes.
Kinko's was 8 cents a sheet plus a penny for three hole drilling and a next day pick up.

BTW - I printed out the maps and they look great.  Unfortunately I ran out of yellow at some point so they are all a nice shade of blue.  Let me know how it turns out at Costco for a full size map.  I will be interested in doing something like that, but it might be an issue putting the CC viewer on their computer to open the file.  Or is there a setting on the 'real' program to convert it to a pdf or eps file?

Now I have some reading to do. ;D
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 31, 2006, 02:17:17 AM
With Costco, you'd have to upload a jpeg or the like.  You wouldn't be able to do it with a viewer, but someone could make one for download (it would be huge).
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: kedrake on July 31, 2006, 01:33:16 PM
The cover for Throne of God (HARP) says:
Quote
Starting at 165 points and taking the party to 300 points

What does that mean?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on July 31, 2006, 02:30:29 PM
Along with the divine spark question and dwarves - perhaps this is answered later, but can dwarves and the other races take greater spark?  It only lists elven & human stat mods.  (HARP edition)

Divine spark also didn't make it into the index for easier reference...
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 31, 2006, 05:11:18 PM
Wow.  THAT'S a typo.  I don't know how that happened.

It should say Starting at 3rd level and taking them to 30th.  Thanks for the head's up.  I'll get that into the typo list (there are two now).  Sorry about that, it's the typo I feared the most, a cross-system one.  HERO uses points.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 31, 2006, 05:15:13 PM
The greater talent isn't meant for dwarves, it's meant for races that don't have the stat bonuses alreadym since all dwarves have it, the talent wasn't meant for them.  If you WANT to give it to them, I'd give them the human bonuses, I'd think.  It's balanced for anyone, it just isn't meant for dwarves.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on August 01, 2006, 10:09:21 AM
Quote from: Defendi on July 31, 2006, 05:11:18 PM
Wow.  THAT'S a typo.  I don't know how that happened.

It should say Starting at 3rd level and taking them to 30th.  Thanks for the head's up.  I'll get that into the typo list (there are two now).  Sorry about that, it's the typo I feared the most, a cross-system one.  HERO uses points.

RM version as well - looks like they all have the same copy on the inside of the front cover (p. 2) although the front does say 3rd level.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on August 01, 2006, 10:11:33 AM
Thanks for the head's up.  I wonder when that creeped in.  It might have been after the editing.

those are the back covers, btw.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: kedrake on August 02, 2006, 02:45:46 PM
TYPO: Page 42 The Throne of God (HARP)

3rd Paragraph
Quote
The balls strike on the with a +50,causing Heat criticals.
strike on the .........what?

I read Throne of God cover to cover, and while I wasn't PROOFING it, that was the ONLY typo I spotted.  Nicely done.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on August 02, 2006, 05:33:51 PM
Vestigile sentence typo.  It's trying to refer to the heat critical chart twice.  Thanks for the catch.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on August 04, 2006, 09:40:23 AM
p. 52 in the HARP edition, Belther section - top left. 
Reads - At these meetings they vote on every issue that could wait until the session.  Should it be 'could not wait' or did you model the halflings after Congress?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on August 04, 2006, 06:34:43 PM
No, that's right.  If the issue couldn't wait until the session someone had to deal with it before there was time for a vote.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Higlak on August 05, 2006, 07:19:55 AM
Typo RM version:  p.98 In the Starg entry, Government section it says The Malveig have a clan system similar to the Hofgrin.

I think it should be: Th Starg have a clan system like the Hofgrin.


I have a question too about the stat modifier of the surface gnome.  I've bought the RM's race and culture book  (I know they're almost all Shadow World Race but I can't keep myself from buying RM titles ???) and found that the gnomes in Echoes of Heaven are very different especially on the strength modifier.  The -8 St in the Race and Culture Book seem appropriate from this race (small and not very physical oriented).  You suggest a modifier of +0 and my players asked me why this kind of gnomes is some "super" gnomes.  I don't have logical answer so I'm asking you?  (I know this is some sort of racial discrimination :D).
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on August 05, 2006, 09:51:59 AM
You are correct on the starg question.

Gnomes:  There are elements of the Gnoll from Underground Races (which is more like the traditional D&D gnome to me than the gnome from the same book) and the Gnomes from HARP, but in the end, the reason I put them like that during the final tweaks (I think it changed five times) is they are hardier burrowers than halfings (where the -8 comes from originally, I'm sure).  The gnomes have a bit more of a kinship to dwarves than halflings do.

To put it in perspective, a human has at least +2.  So one day GerikGnome from the playtest was bragging that he'd gotten his strength all the way up to a +2 bonus and I said "Great, that's the same strength as the ten-year-old boy!"
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: GerikGnome on August 07, 2006, 12:48:12 AM
Hey, I'm just proud I can lift more than I weigh.   :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on August 08, 2006, 08:44:17 AM
On bonded weapons - how do you determine how many points a character has to spend on the bond or is the entire process left to 'GM's option'?  In the example the character just starts out with 20 and seems fairly generic in how the character gets an unlock roll and getting more points.

Only thing left to read is Ludremon and play with the tile funciton on the CC Viewer.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on August 09, 2006, 06:22:20 PM
This is probaly a silly question...what year is the 'present day'?  The timeline lists several AI dates but then just a list of events.  I kind of like the story style rather than textbook but I was just looking for a reference point.

Also - question in gerneral - has anybody been able to print out the full Belkanath map via the tile function from the Viewer?  I set the tiles up but if I go to a preview it defaults back to 1 by 1 and I only get the one page.  I can zoom in and print fine but not the tiles for the entire thing.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: markc on August 10, 2006, 02:06:28 AM
Quote from: mocking bird on August 08, 2006, 08:44:17 AM
On bonded weapons - how do you determine how many points a character has to spend on the bond or is the entire process left to 'GM's option'?  In the example the character just starts out with 20 and seems fairly generic in how the character gets an unlock roll and getting more points.

Only thing left to read is Ludremon and play with the tile funciton on the CC Viewer.

From what I remember the player gets 5 points per level and the GM makes the chart of abilities and rolls randomly to determin what ability is unlocked. So the player is out of the loop so to speek and the GM does all the charts and abilities.
I am looking forward to the full write up on the bonded abilities. I hope it is in the next product.
The way it it layed out sort or remindes me of the way elemental corruption abilities are handeled in RMFRP: Elemental Comp. Fire and Ice.

MDC
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on August 10, 2006, 05:30:33 AM
Mocking Bird, The current year is 2044.

When printing, what do you have in scaling?  In fact, tell me all your settings when you try to print.

MarkC,

We don't have a fuller version of bonded items planned.  What are you looking for is such an expansion?  Give me cool ideas and make me want to write it.

It's 2 points per level.  Page 148 in the HARP version, 149 in the RM version.

Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on August 10, 2006, 08:44:51 AM
There it is - first paragraph - unlock 2 points a level. 

The concept reminded me a lot of thread items from Earthdawn.  You have tiered powers that are unlocked by applying threads to them (via legend/exp points) and often a deed - like knowing the creator of the item, the name of the dragon it slew, etc.  Therefore scaling up in powers could take several levels and that +5 axe you found early on might be a lot cooler when you do research on that strange mark on the haft. 

Also normal items heroes carry around can become threaded/magical items.  Basically the events and legens surrounding the deeds and the item become infused into it - its own fame and actions enchant it.  I can see something like that being applied to holy relics that may have actual rather than symbolic power.  For example the robe of Sepinus might be able to 'lifegive' once a week - not by it being enchanted directly but because of the miracle of his death and rebirth 'rubbed off' on it.


For tiling - I try to do the 4 rows, 3 columns and 3% overlay while the 'view' is the entire file.  When I do a print preview or print it resets to the whole page tiling 1 by 1.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: markc on August 10, 2006, 06:57:43 PM
I was hoping to see some guidlines on how to make an item bonded, power cost chart (such as you have summoning listed as 18 points, night vission as 2 points), can players spend Exp (Or does it take something like an exception deed 1 hero Point with GM permission), do exception acts have a chance to create bonded items, are bonded items awakened or have intelegence and just some more examples. I can see what a pain it could ture into; the 4 different magic systems are all very different.

mocking bird,
I do like the idea that items can evolve through the actions of those who carry them. I just think I would like to know how prevelent they are in the world. Are bonded items common? Uncommon? Very rare? Artifacts only? Should I center my game around bonded items or thier creation? As I know all my player are going to want them. ( Its a great idea and plot device).
MDC
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on August 14, 2006, 08:52:07 AM
mocking bird, tell me ALL the settings on the print screen before you hit preview.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on August 17, 2006, 02:53:54 PM
This may be a little premature but...in the HARP version in the back it mentions how there is no paladin class in 'official' HARP (Bazaar) but could be useful as a backdrop.  The Nopheratus is also a key player in Echoes but there is no necromancer in 'official' HARP (CoM - but perhaps a little more official than a Bazaar).

Will such things be added in a later suppliment or will 'crossover' items be avoided?  By that I mean will future works only incorporate base book material or do things just get complicated (with liscences for instance) if you wanted to draw more upon supplimental material?  For example listing/reprinting CoM necromancer spells vs. creating unique Echoes spells vs. no new spells.  Or using the spell creation rules out of CoM for new stuff.

Will have to get back to the map printing issue at some point - perhaps I am just the only one with the problem.  I just printed out a zoomed in Ludremon and called it even since in all practicality I won't be needing such a tiled map anytime soon.

A kind of sidebar on bonded items.  Player finds Bob's Axe made famous by Bob in the seige of Smallville.  Bob was a great fighter, lots of stories, etc.  Player asks what it does - you reply +10 to which player immediately tries to sell it because he already has a +15.  Making this a possible bonded (really?? ;)) item the player might want to hang on to it, do some research or perhaps need to go on a quest, like touching it to Bob's tomb to activate the powers if the spirit of Bob deems you worthy.  Basically cool magic items need to be earned more rather than picking it up and 'ping' attunement.  Powers could be hinted at in legends but but are ambiguous (like the Fell Hammer) but plain attunements don't work.

Also - noticed it is a hot seller at edge - OGL being #1.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on August 18, 2006, 10:37:21 AM
Since there are necromancer and paladin professions in HARP, making versions in Echoes would be reinventing the wheel a bit.  There's a chance of such things cross system (for instance if I need a RM healer in all four systems for some story reason).
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on August 24, 2006, 10:23:16 AM
To clarify my question, which I think you kind of answered, is that EoH sourcebooks will only contain material found in the base book.  While CoM or other suppliments may be referenced (like the palading class in a Bazaar or CoM necromancer with appropriate spells) there will not be any reprinting or direct use of them.  For example CoM spells reprinted in Cyradon, there won't be a baddie that might be called a necromancer but could be written up as a clerical sphere rather than the actual necromancer class in CoM.

Also found a typo in Throne of God (HARP) - The angelic abilities lists 'Resistances: Fire, cold, and water attacks against Angels have their criticals reduced by -20.'  The demonic has criticals reduced by two levels.

They also list crits at +10 vs. divine spark/infernal taint.  Any changes, like ignore damage caps or higher bonus, vs. the greater version?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on August 29, 2006, 05:45:10 PM
I'll probably have a bad guy from CoM at some point.  Naturally, I can't reproduce any of that text in my books since I don't own it.

Not sure what you are asking at the end there.  Could you clarify?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: GerikGnome on August 29, 2006, 06:10:53 PM
I think he's noting that Angels get less dmg reduction than Demons against fire, cold, and water.  If I remember correctly, that's not actually a mistake.  Just like how Demons get less dmg reduction than Angels against light, air, and earth.

The last part I'm not certain about.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on August 30, 2006, 08:36:46 AM
Quote from: Defendi
Not sure what you are asking at the end there.  Could you clarify?

I was just wondering if the angelic/demonic attack bonuses vs. divine spark/infernal taint would be increased against the greater spark talent or if an opponent had a greater infernal taint.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on August 30, 2006, 01:51:26 PM
Oh!  No.  Those are pure mechanic distinctions.  I didn't want to force characters to take a 40 point advantage that would be a loss of points for them so there's the 40 point version for those who will be pushing the limits of the effected stats and the 0 point version for those who can simulate to bonus cheeper just by raising stats they intended to be mediocre.  The spark isn't stronger or weaker in any of them.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on January 12, 2007, 07:52:48 PM
I have a question about the content of the campaign setting. We are starting a EoH campaign soon and hopefully we will play the whole "Moving Shadows" campaign. Now one of the players wants to read the main book and as I have not yet finished it myself I don't know  if there are any parts I should not allow him to read...
So are there  any parts only suited for the GM?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on January 12, 2007, 08:07:07 PM
Hmmm.  All of the adventure seeds could theoretically be spoilers, but accept for some of the ones in the history, I try not to say what's really going on, leaving it up to you.  I would say the only part that's I'd hesitate to have him read are the Who's Who in Appendix One.  You should probably just sum up the government ones for him, unless he's already a master of court intrigue and would know everything there.

But really, as a setting guide, they should be able to read the whole thing without REALLY ruining anything.  There shouldn't be any huge secrets, just complicated intrigue stuff.

Of course, I'm the writer, not a GM, so my perspecitve might not actually be perfect for this question.  Writers know what's really going on, so sometimes a something we think isn't a spoiler a GM might, because they think of a way to run with it that the writer didn't. Anyone out there have possible spoilers I don't realize are spoilers?  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on January 13, 2007, 07:46:07 PM
Some of the secret societies and back stories might count as 'spoilers'.  This is one of the drawbacks of playing in Middle Earth or SHadow World - everybody knows the histories & major players that it is difficult to surprise the players.

I plan on running our group in the future (not necessarily near) and using the teaser in Throne of God.  I am the only one who has the material at the moment and the think it is a good way of dropping in new players & new characters in a setting that the players know nothing about.  PK has been the death of many a GM plot and scheme.  In this case everything will be new for the players as well of the characters which hopefully will be quite refreshing.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on January 14, 2007, 01:20:46 AM
That's cool.  How far in the future are you thinking?

That BTW, is EXACTLY why the teaser is there.   When I start a campaign myself, I try to always have a good reason why the characters and the players have the same level of knowledge.  It makes for less exposition.  So when I start brand new and the players know nothing, I try to get a good situation where the character can learn as the player does.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on January 14, 2007, 01:20:50 PM
Quote from: Defendi on January 14, 2007, 01:20:46 AM
That's cool.  How far in the future are you thinking?

We are doing the Grand Campaign in SW at the moment and are traipsing around Urulan so I don't know how much left teh GM has planned.  We play every other Saturday.

A few other members have the base HARP book and one has CoM.  Both seemed quite curious - especially our current GM who last actually played a charater circa 2002 (with a brief interlude of Marvel but that really doesn't count).  But then again that was the last time I ran something as well so I am a bit nervous.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on January 15, 2007, 12:17:00 AM
Ah, I thought you meant in the SETTING'S future.  :)  That's very cool, thanks for letting me know.  We actually have a lot more people playing those adventures right now than we have any right to expect.  For pactical reasons, I expected the number of actual games to be at the most 1% of sales until the 6th month mark, and then the year mark, when we'd get bumps as people found holes in their game schedules.  (Acutally, I didn't expect anyone to start one right up until we had a few products out there to build momentum in their minds, 1% was just the top of my theoretical limit).  We're WAY over that and now the 6th month bump is hitting and more people are running it.  It's very gratifying.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on January 15, 2007, 03:45:59 AM
So how many of those who bought the products are actually playing the adventures, do you think?

I was a bit worried about starting the campaign with only the first two adventures released but I like them and I want to start a long campaign so I'll just risk it.

Oh and thanks for the quick answer to my question. I told the player to read the history section and ignore the adventure seeds. and the section about life in the mortal realm should also be interesting for him. He just wanted to get a general feeling of the athmosphere to help him with his character.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on January 15, 2007, 04:01:25 AM
About only two adventures being out:

Here's the worst case senario:  Someone kills me tomorrow over a quarter.  In that case, Gerik Gnome should have no problem accessing my computer at home.  Right now, the playtest notes are done through Episode 5, and he could get those into a readable shape in just a few days.  My writer's bible would have to fill in the rest, but he shouldn't have trouble finding it.  You might have to convert things for your own use, but you'd have the full story.

Every two months from now on, we do another playtest.  I start preping the last playtest on September 5th, I beleive.  So I think the odds are long for anything getting the adventures into playbale form, if not publishable.  So on Spetember 10th or so, not even the Writer's Bible is necessary any more.

Anyway, since we've passed the halfway point, I don't see any real chance of us not finishing.  I suppose something could stop me PUBLISHING (like all four licenses suddenly being pulled in a massive collusion of mallace between WotC, HeroGames and ICE :) ), but the series should easily get finished.  Honestly, I can't see not publishing all ten.  I've started plotting the next 9 products after that.

On getting a hang of things:

Here's the order for the most important setting elements to get a feel:

Overview Chapter
Ulcer (if you own it)
Chapter 2
History
Life in Belkanath
Churchs
Then probably the Misc chapter (8 I beleive?)
Chapter 4

I'd have players read in that order, throwing in Appendix 2 and Moving up Chapter 2 to whenever your ready to play, if they haven't finished by then.  The Overview gives all the important setting concepts and Ulcer is all mood, so between those two alone, I think they'll get a good idea about what the setting is about.  So I'd jus thave them start and then keep reading as long as they like.  They should be up to speed by the time you start, and then they can just keep reading for fun.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: markc on January 15, 2007, 05:01:59 PM
BTW Robert,

 I am sorry I have not gotten my review of your product written up. I have been burried with moving, holiday and personal stuff. I did read about 1/2 of the product the first day I recieved it so I should not have too much more to read before I do a write up.

MDC
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on January 15, 2007, 09:49:23 PM
Thanks.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on January 20, 2007, 10:05:31 AM
we'll meet next sunday to talk about character creation and hopefully start playing shortly after that.

I just have a question concerning the background of the characters.

I will run the teasers as well and so I'm wondering how to deal with cultural backgrounds of the characters.

(click to show/hide)
I don't want to tell them about it before we start so are there similar cultures available or shall I tell them to create more generic characters?

Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on January 21, 2007, 01:42:28 AM
I think I can answer this without having to figure out how to use that cool spoiler button.

Here's what I've told the playtesters.  (The HERO ones were the worst, because there's so much background stuff you can buy.)  Essentially, I said, "Build your character assuming they are going to be shipwrecked at the begining of the first adventure and lose all their ties to their homelands.  We can probably work out any type of character backgrounds you want, and shades of gray are fine, but if they absolutely had to choose between good and evil, they need to be people who would, in the end, come down on the side of good."

We got a lot of jaded characters with elaborate backstories that I just allowed to be part of the history of what they are doing in the Teaser.  There's enough possiblity for diversity in that starting group that you can rationlize most stuff.  Then just VETO anything that's blatantly inappropriate.

We had one polygamous noble from a huge military family that had lived it's entire life on the front line of a war or series of wars.  We had a pretty standard Paladin.  We had a thief who lived with an alcoholic priest that would sell off church goods to fuel his benders, then the thief would steel it back (he didn't know what he was doing was wrong, he just thought that's how things were).  We had a crazy pyromaniac gnome whose whole family was wiped out by evil and who'd gone fairly evil in his need for revenge.  We had a church assassin who spent most of his time behind the lines of enemy churches.  We had a fighter that saw something so horrific she still suffers from hysterical blindness.

If you can't see how I plugged those in, let me know and tell me how to use the spoiler button.  :)

Basically, the characters in the teaser could have seen terrible darkness or lived lives of wonderful, perfectly sheltered naivete.  So as long as you can rationlize that they'd be on the right side of the opening fight, they are in.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on January 21, 2007, 06:53:01 AM
Thanks!
I'll tell them to focus on the personality of their characters rather than their geographical Background and such stuff.
and I won't allow them to create members of any orders of the church at the beginning.
I think the biggest problem is probably the player who want's to create a dwarven cleric. He'll be in for some surprises when the adventure starts  ;D

Oh and I'll try to write a GM's log about all the things that will happen during character creation, preparation and play and hopefully post them as a blog. At least if I can get myself to writing that much in english :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on January 21, 2007, 07:03:47 AM
That would be cool.

Yeah.  Our Dwarven Paladin was fun.  He might have been the character who adjusted best to everything.  Now he's dead.  <Sigh.>
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on January 25, 2007, 11:22:09 AM
I hope I'm not getting on your nerves too much but I've got another question about the setting:
How much is the church actually working against magic users?
I know that magic has been outlawed and that there are witchhunters but there seem to be quite a few magicians around at least in Ludremon and Felric's Redoubt.

Are they trying to burn every wizard they can lay hands on or just those who actually becoming dangerous? Or does it depend on the country and how much power the church has in the region?

Oh and did you know that K?hler really means charcoal burner in german? I hope my players will never have to go there or I'll have to listen to a lot of bad jokes ;)

Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on January 25, 2007, 03:02:47 PM
And I thought my group had a tendency to maky psychotic characters.  Reading what Defendi's group was I don't think I will have any problems. ;)

The shipwreck idea sounds like a good ploy. 

Quote from: Defendi
We had a church assassin who spent most of his time behind the lines of enemy churches.

Oddly enough going back over the material recently I thought to myself how EoH would be an excellent setting for mythics.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: GerikGnome on January 25, 2007, 04:55:41 PM
At risk of stepping on Defendi's toes, the Knights Lonnuso are not a secret police rifling through everyone's home looking for wizards, but they will kill any one they come across, regardless of threat.  In fact, not killing one because he's little threat would fly in the face of the way they think.

Non-divine magic is heresy, and as such even the smallest amount should be snuffed out lest it give birth to an Ulcer.  Or so the Church teaches.

It's also much easier to kill a lower level wizard (low threat) than a higher level one (high threat).  So it just wouldn't make sense to let a low one go and gain more levels.

Just my opinion as the only full spellcaster in the RM playtest.  (My character still lives in fear of them and avoids using magic anywhere near cities).

Defendi can feel free to completely negate everything I said.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on January 25, 2007, 06:38:42 PM
Raf:

Technically, the church hunts down and kills every human magic user it can find.  Practically, the intensity of their searching depends on the order.  Most orders don't search at all.  Only the Witch-Hunters actively hunts (and sometimes secretly hunt other races, though they might be members of churchs the human Church associates with).  Pacifistic orders like the Knights Ephestus might turn a blind eye if the person seems to be "misguided" rather than actually evil.  A knight equenis could even work with a magic using type if the person was good enough a soul and he had a reason to excuse the person for not violating church law.

For instance, one of the playtest characters died during the second adventure (in act one, no less).  At the end of the adventure they couldn't find a healer because in RM there isn't much in the way of channeling spells that heal intense brain damage.  MacFlinn, however knew a 50th level lay healer.  Although a lay healer would be a banned spell user in the church, he was a good soul and a member of a non-human race.  So MacFlinn would actively work with him because not every race proscribes magic.  So in his mind, it wasn't a matter for the human church.  The Faerarch meets gnomish diplomats after all and many of them HAVE to know magic.  I mean . . . they're gnomes.  He swore the party to secrecy though.  The Witch-Hunters would come after HIM if they found out.

All the magicians in Felric's Redoubt and Ludremon hide the fact.

I didn't know that about Kohler.  Change the name if they go there.  :)  I heard that Warhammer had a similar problem with one of their cities (Bogenhafen meybe?)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: markc on January 25, 2007, 07:06:14 PM
A note on Mythics: I let one play in my game but it was very underpowered compaired to other professions and I let the player switch profession after about 1 year after char creation. He was much happier.

MDC
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on February 15, 2007, 10:22:40 AM
Just a random question really - do you have EoH threads on other boards for other systems?  Just curious.  enworld doesn't have a non-member search function or I would have snooped a bit.

As a side note, I checked by google profile and apparently there are many other sited that just copied the reviews I did for rpgnow so I have a lot more links.  I suppose that is what I get for using my real name.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on February 18, 2007, 03:42:12 PM
I post on the fantasy hero board with dev journals.  I'd love to get some buzz on EN Wolrd.  I have a customer who picked it up this week who told me he'll review it over there if he likes it as much as his initial reaction (I'm sure he will).
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: PiXeL01 on February 22, 2007, 06:29:20 AM
I just bought the setting for RM and though I was going to use it with RM2 I wonder if there are any serious things I need to change or take under consideration.

Since SM:P was great I except no less from this line of products
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on February 22, 2007, 07:16:57 AM
Monsters haven't really changed and the professions are similar enough that you should be able to get the jist in the religion chapter.  The only REAL difference is NPC, and for the most part you can just use their skill as is, ignoring those that you don't need in your game.  The big difference is that RMFRP professions get their bonuses a first level rather than as 1/level, etc.  If a character is high level or low level, you might want to adjust prime skills up or down a bit, but for the most part you can just leave them as is.

Glad you bought it.  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on February 22, 2007, 07:17:39 AM
Right this moment I'm working on a sequel to the sequel to Ulcer.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on February 22, 2007, 11:05:03 AM
Quote from: Defendi on February 22, 2007, 07:17:39 AM
Right this moment I'm working on a sequel to the sequel to Ulcer.

Cool.
Still looking good for St. Patty's Day dwarves? 
(You hinted elsewhere about a 3/18 date for pt. 3)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on February 22, 2007, 08:44:01 PM
Right around there.  This time the new playtest writing feel right in the middle of this product, so I'm a touch farther behind than I'd like.  ICE has approved.  HERO still has it (that's the 3/18 date).  The only question is the maps.  This one is map intensive.  As soon as I finish the d20 version (tonight, probably) I'll post a DEV journal.  Then I'll give you map updates.  My only worry is the number of maps I'd like to put in the map templates.  But it should be right around that date.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Grafton on February 23, 2007, 04:50:09 PM
Looking forward to the new release, bought from you this time like the first one :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on February 23, 2007, 05:13:14 PM
Thanks.  I just finished my guild adventurer work for the day and now I'm back on the d20.  I went to sleep last night, which was unexpected.  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Grafton on March 03, 2007, 02:01:23 AM
If I advertise for GMing an EoH campaign on the play by post site rpgrm.com, I was thinking of cutting and pasting the intros on the cover pages of both the setting and the 1st adventure as an introduction to the campaign. Is this ok with you?

If you want, I can source it by (Defendi 2006) or something else. Thoughts?

Edit: By intros I mean the words on the covers, not the introuctions themselves.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on March 03, 2007, 02:21:28 AM
Yeah, although you might want to keep the adventure's secret until it starts.  Either way, say Copyright (C) 2006 by Final Redoubt Press.  Reproduced with permission.

This permission extends only to Grafton for this one use.  If anyone else needs permission, let me know.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Grafton on March 03, 2007, 02:54:48 AM
Ah, I come from a scientific background. Thus, the differences in citation.

Thanks Defendi. To clarify I would be quoting the first part, the 'quotes', of the covers. From FRP1001RA "Areinal lept off the parapets of Heaven. ... to "Soon they'd glisten with blood..." and then from FRP1001RB
(click to show/hide)
(endquote, eventhough there is other written material there afterwards.) This would be used in a "recruiting" thread to garner interest in the game.

I am interested in your response. Your initial post suggested to wait on quoting the adventure text (FRP1001RB). I am curious why? Admittedly, I have not read thoroughly through the material but is there something there that would not be good for prospective players to see? Is it a character generation thing, or something else? Or maybe you misunderstood what I was proposing to quote?

Thank you for the permission and glad I asked 8).
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Grafton on March 03, 2007, 02:57:03 AM
deleted by poster. Weirdness.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on March 03, 2007, 03:33:25 AM
This is actually a minor spoiler, so I'm popping it in spoiler text.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on March 03, 2007, 03:35:25 AM
I'm sure that secret is out by now.  I've probably spoiled it myself in my dev journals, if nowhere else, but I figured since I was calling it a spoiler I better spoiler it.  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Grafton on March 03, 2007, 01:44:26 PM
Thanks for the info, Denfendi. Now I see what your getting at.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on March 06, 2007, 11:02:41 AM
Silly question for the author - when exactly do you sleep?  You have posting times from 7pm to 4am and other oddball hours not to mention noting all the hours you spend writing on things.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: markc on March 06, 2007, 04:54:33 PM
MB,
  I also asked that Q a while back.

MDC
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on March 06, 2007, 07:29:16 PM
During the day.  I work nights.  For instance, I just now got up.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: black flag on March 25, 2007, 05:50:25 AM
Hi
For the HARP version:
where are the talents associated with the divine spark? In the text, it says p 200 but there's no listed talents for the DivSPark.
Others races can take Divine Spark? Why the dwarves cannot take the greater DivSpark?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on March 25, 2007, 06:15:53 AM
They are there, at the end of page 200 and at the begining of 201.  Lesser Divine Spark and Greater Divine Spark with a cost of 0 and 40 respectively.

Only Humans and Elves can take the Divine Spark.  They are then called High Men and High Elves.  Gnomes and Halflings didn't volunteer for the war until they had no other choice.  Therefore, they were never given the gift of the Divine Spark.

Dwarves don't take Divine Spark.  Every Dwarf already has it (well, not the Fallen Dwarves, but they're their own race, coming up in the Bestiary).

Did I answer all of your questions?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: black flag on March 25, 2007, 06:34:07 AM
tanx
I think to give for a race with DivSpark an advantage: talent cost /2 for talents to aid another person like "succor" and others but not selfish/destructive talents...
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on March 25, 2007, 06:43:34 AM
I think that would be too powerful, but if you think it works for your game, go for it.  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: black flag on March 25, 2007, 08:28:19 AM
Maybe it's powerful, but the evil is powerful too: demons, undead ...
The Divine Spark is the hand of God (ERU? AHURA MAZDA?) in the mortals, it's the forces of life and creations.
Deer Defendi, I bought EoH and I think it's a good setting with a true medieval flavor ( I don't like High fantasy genre but I love a true medieval with mysteries and magic like in the old european myths: ghosts, werewolf, a wood haunted by a devil or faeries folks, old stories of curse and a powerful church with one God )...
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on March 25, 2007, 08:38:08 AM
Thanks.  :)  As I said, if you think it's right for your game, that's EXACTLY how you should do it.  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: black flag on March 25, 2007, 09:20:29 AM
For when a medieval bestiary for EoH?
What sorts of monsters in? Devils (those of the demonology myths of Europe?), Kabbala angels?... ;)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on March 25, 2007, 09:48:06 AM
It's scheduled for five months from now (I'll post the new schedule soon, guys.  I mentioned in a dev journal I screwed the last one up).  I actually expect to release it in about 3 months.

Here's the monsters in the Art List.  This should match up pretty well with the finished book:

Angels
     Archons
     Angels
Buckle Golem
Beastman
Demons of Damnation
Demons of Sin
Fire Dragon
Fang Dragon
Great Scaled Dragon
Elemental Wraiths
Fallen Races
Nephilim
There are sub categories in many of them.  4 archons, five angels, etc.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: black flag on March 25, 2007, 01:26:34 PM
and for the fallen angels? I would like a hierarchy of fallen angels and archangels always in the side of God.
Do you The Keep (1983) of Michael Mann? with Radu Molasar an old demon who consume the souls of nazis soldiers. It's a good and original concept of demon. If you want I can write to you a list of medieval demons and their functions...
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on March 25, 2007, 07:19:43 PM
Fallen Angels are corrupted versions of the Angels.  There should be notes on how their powers change.  For the most part, though, both angels and devils are simple quick stats.  If you really have an Angel or a Demon, it might be worth it to write them up as full NPCs.

I'd love to see your bit on Midieval Demons.  It wouldn't have any effect on this book.  Essentially you have four demons of damnation (in this book) and they are designed around skill sets like Player Characters (Legion Demons fight like fighters).  There are five Demons of Sin, and each of these are themed around one of the Deadly Sins.

But as I said, I wouldn't be upset to see what you had.  It would be interesting.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on March 25, 2007, 10:27:51 PM
Re-reading some stuff today and some crazy writing side questions popped into my head. 

EoH is quad statted - quite impressive when compared to other more single-use books out there.  Which one do you do first?  Or the question beneath the question, which system do you 'think' in?

And as a follow up, considering the disparity between RM/HARP (I will count them close enough for this question) and d20 (I have never played HERO and know nothing about it), have you ever run into a problem of making the mechanics of one system 'fit' your concept or effect?  In various places you have tried to keep the setting 'base book' and keep new mechanics (feats, presteige classes or classes in general) to a minimum.  Has this ever caused a problem?

A compare and contrast between the differnt systems would be interesting.  OK, I would find it interesting but it would probalby be boring for most people.  I am basically debating on when our group switches adentures as to run it in HARP or RM (we pley Birthright as d20).  Peronally I think HARP would be best as it would make the setting that much different and new for the players - amongst whom there are a few books but not everyone has one.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on March 25, 2007, 11:37:51 PM
That's a fascinating question.  It started as a HERO campaign, so most all the base work was done in HERO first.  Now, I usually write in RM, because it's the system I'm best with.  If I wrote in most other systems, I think I would be subconsciously limited by what I know how to do.  Not so in RM.  If I have a cool idea in RM, I can figure out how to make it work pretty easily.  Then when I redo all the stats in the other systems, I'm forced to figure it out.  Also, there's love of the system.  If I were ti write in d20, say, I'd have prejudices to certain that would get in the way.  For instance, there might not have been Prestige Classes in product three if that wasn't the most "d20" way to do the Training Packages I did for RM and HARP.

That said, I think in all four systems as I write, because everything I write has to convert somehow.  So while I'll write things I don't know how to convert, I don't write things I think are IMPOSSIBLE to convert.  HERO is easy, cause you can just do anything you want with it.  But d20 and HARP both have strengths and weaknesses compared to RM.  There's a magic item that I wrote for RM Quarterly I was tempted to ask permission to steal, but it would serve no purpose in d20 because it deals exclusively with stun.  So I've never used it or tried to do anything with it.  But when I put in an item that grants a bonus to directed spells, I knew that although I haven't a clue how I'm converting that one to d20, since there are ranged touch spells, I know that there is a conversion in there somewhere, it will just take a bit of research to make sure it comes out just right.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: black flag on March 26, 2007, 01:46:21 AM
To Defendi: medieval list of Devils (and not Demons) from European myths; they've got some strange attributes but it's medieval beliefs!
I think that these devils got perverted powers on their attributes and act like "saints" for those who have sold  their souls to the devil. 
Name       Title          Appareance         Attribute(lord of)        Nb of legions
Ipes        Prince        Lion                    daring&genius              36
Lucifer   Prince of Hell Halfman/goat        darkness                    36
Oroba     Prince         Man                   works&reconciliation      20
Tap        Prince         Big eagle             travel                         60
Abigor    Grand Duke  demon in red armour war                         60
Agar?s   Grand Duke  man riding crocodile languages                  30
Alocer    Grand Duke    Knight on Horse      astronomy                36
Amduscias Grand Duke Unicorn               Sounds                      29
Astaroth  Grand Duke   Stinking demon    debauchery                40
Baal       General of armies Demon armed/pike    battles              Var.
Gysoyn   Grand Duke    Camel                 secrets,past, future    45
Berith     Duke           youg red soldier     litanies                      6
Haborym  Duke   3 heads:snake,man,cat riding viper     blaze      26
Waal     Duke       dromedary                 divination                   36
Valafar   Duke      man                          rashness                   36
Vapula   Duke      lion+ griffin wings        philosophy                  36
Aamon   Grand Marquis  wolf head+ snake tail     flames              40
Andras   Grand Marquis  angel+cat head riding black wolf   discord 30
Gamycyn G.Marquis     little horse            horses                      30
Orias     G.Marquis     Lion                     shapechanging            30
Phenix   G.Marquis    Phoenix                 knowledge+poetry        20
Oray     G.Marquis    bowman                courage in battle          30
Androalphus Marquis demon+ peacock head   eloquence             30
Cerb?re  Marquis     crow                     artists                        19
Halphas Archcount   stork                    birds                           26
Raum    Archcount   grey crow             destruction of cities       30
Ronwe  Count         monster (?)           friendship                     19
Morax   Count         demon                  stars                           36
Furfur   Count         stag                     lightning                       26
Barbatos Count       demon/a bow         birdsongs (?)                 30
Bifrons   Count        demon                  astrology                     26
Zagam   Grand President bull+ griffin wings  alchemy                  30
Volac    Grand President young angel riding 2 headed dragon  air   30
Otis     Grand President  viper               time                            60
Malphas  Grand President  crow             augury                         40
Caarcrinolas G. President  dog               invisibility                     36
Amy    G. President         demon           mysteries                      35
Caym   G. President         demon           animal senses                36
Haagenti  G. President   demon+ bull   head  metals                     33
Leviathan  G. Admiral     hippocampus      seas                           26
Flauros  G. General        demon+ leopard head  armies                 20
Forcas    Knight            man/long beard    mystics                      79
Verdelet  Master of Ceremonies  demon    religious ceremonies       0           
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on March 26, 2007, 08:33:05 AM
Reminds me of the time I went through all the demons & devils in AD&D MM1 and MM2 looking up all the names in the encyclopedia.
Ironic that Lucifer means light bringer and is lord of darkness.
I wonder if Amduscias is a corruption of Asmodeus who appears in Tobit (Apocrypha for the Protestants out there) and (depending on which legend you read) is married to Lilith and was a Persian evil deity - rage if I recall correctly.
Not surprising how many 'pagan' deities (Baal) appear in Christian/Jewish/Muslim mythology as demons.
Amy???

Quote from: Defendi
But when I put in an item that grants a bonus to directed spells, I knew that although I haven't a clue how I'm converting that one to d20, since there are ranged touch spells, I know that there is a conversion in there somewhere, it will just take a bit of research to make sure it comes out just right.

That one has always made me chuckle, ranged touch - really long arms?  But seriously doesn't that just mean that you ignore armor benefits to the DC which may convert to AT1?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on March 26, 2007, 08:44:53 AM
In d20, it just means that only dodging and deflecting work (I believe).  It doesn't have to penetrate armor, it just has to hit you anywhere on the body or clothing.  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: black flag on March 26, 2007, 10:20:06 AM
Lucifer was the name of J.C (in the very beginig of christianity) but was changed with the years to Satan who means "Adversary" and give to the devil.
In the jewish religion the devil is not the same that the devil in the Christian myth (he works for god, the only judge of good and evil).
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on March 26, 2007, 10:40:58 AM
Quote from: black flag on March 26, 2007, 10:20:06 AM
Lucifer was the name of J.C (in the very beginig of christianity) but was changed with the years to Satan who means "Adversary" and give to the devil.

Not really since Lucifer is a Latin word for Morning Star which appears in Isaiah and is referring to the King of Babylon referring to Venus.  However JC is also referred to as the Morning Star in Revelations which is written in Greek.  There was even a bishop called Lucifer in the early church.  However you do have some modern Luciferans (who can be much different than many Satanists) who equate him with the Prometheus myth. 

What I am curious though black flag is your sources?  Especially who figured out the number of legions.  I am just wondering if there are 72 named demons to match the 72 names of G-d.

But alas we have gone off topic.  Read your Pagels?

tee hee - pea-rooster.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: black flag on March 26, 2007, 11:51:32 AM
My source? I can't tell you because...you'll dying in 24 hours :P
No, seriously i've got 2 sources: this one (see up) from one paper in a old french RPG mag and this from " Histoires de Magie Noire ou les secrets du Grand et du Petit Albert":
PACTA CONVENTA DAEMONIORUM:with their title in french because i'm tired

LUCIFER: Empereur de l'enfer
BELZEBUTH: Prince
ASTAROTH: Grand Duc
LUCIFUGE ROFOCALE: Primier Ministre
SATANACHIA: Grand G?n?ral
FLEURETY: Lieutenant G?n?ral
PEHIROS:: Mar?chal
Agalarept: Grand Mar?chal
Sargatona: Brigadier Chef 
This 6 spirits command 18 inferior spirits:

Pruflas, Aamon, Marbas, Buer, Gusoyn, Botis,Bathim, Pursan, Abigar
Loray, Valafar, Bathain,Ayperos, Naberus, Glasyalabolas, Agar?s, Ba?l, Pruflas

Powers of the great spirits:
Lucifuge : money, treasures
Satanachia: bind women to his (her?) will, and rules first legion of spirits
Agaliarept: can know all secrets, and rules second legion of spirits
Fleurety: can build a castel, bridge in one night...and commail hail from the sky
Sargatanas: powers on invisibility, teleportation, open locks see through walls
N?biros: foretelling future, necromancy, the craft of metals, minerals, plants, animals (vile or not).
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on March 26, 2007, 12:22:10 PM
Ah - rpg sources.

And a little snooping - Solomon (allegedly) did imprison 72 spirits/Goetic demons - some of whom appear in the above list.  I always wondered what got translated as 'President of Hell'.  Dee & Watie were at least English but the texts they were working from were a bt older.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on April 03, 2007, 06:27:04 PM
I've got a new question:
I'm running the first adventure and up to now everything went very well. My question is what happens to people in the buildings of the monastery when the party has succeeded (not that I believe that is likely  ;) )
They were quite lucky and went straight down without being noticed And now I'm wondering if they'll get a nice surprise when they return...

Edit: I just noticed how well I managed to ask this question without giving things away :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on April 03, 2007, 06:55:55 PM
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Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on April 03, 2007, 07:14:46 PM
Thanks!
Oh and I'm glad to see that you have worked out how to use the spoiler button ;)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on April 04, 2007, 10:40:08 AM
This is a mechanics question on rune casting and really only applies if you use CoM traditions & sources.

Rune casting seems to be a tradition and essentially has a spell component and has a lower penalty on shortening casting time - -8 vs. -10. 

I was wondering if you put any thought into also making rune metals a kind of regenerative fixed mana source?  As in the amount of the metal also determines how many PP's you could use that day for spell use.  It does have similarities to D&D spell selection.  It also wouldn't effect PPD as that limits how many PP's you can actually manipulate in a day regardless of how much mana you have available.

Giving runemetals a fixed PP total seems counterproductive and if it were a low number rune casters would be quite rare and very expensive.  Rather they could be seen as 'magically radioactive' with a very long half-life.  It would also explain why the protective runes are still active.

Or would being near rune metal mines count as a high magic area for ambient casters?  Rune metals in this context could also count as a minor 'mobile node'.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on April 04, 2007, 07:37:44 PM
I did think of that, but it violates some core concepts of how I saw Dwarven Magic working, so I didn't go that way.  Your last bit about nodes could work though, since there is an innately magical essence to Rune Metals, you could say they boost anything in the area if there's enough ore there.  Of course getting the big of a concentration would likely be the find of a millenium, but it could be an interesting adventure hook, you'd just have to make sure the chracters didn't get a hold of it.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Michael Petrea on May 21, 2007, 02:21:18 PM
In the HARP version of EoH CS you refer to Losius (the Warlord) as Half-Orc.  Since orcs are the children of demon and the fallen dwarves, why do you make the distinction that he is Half-orc? and what does that difference mean if anything? 

Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: PiXeL01 on May 21, 2007, 02:57:17 PM
Half-orcs come into being when orcs mate with dwarves according to LKoD page 47 (of the RM version) and Appendix 2 in EoS CS they are listed as questiable PC races, which means they do exist. The demonic trait is still there though, but it doesnt run as strong as with pure orcs.

Giving the fact he was an Half Orc made it possible for him to be a part of the imperial army and because of his abilities, rise high in the ranks.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Michael Petrea on May 21, 2007, 03:05:39 PM
Thanks.  I think I read that back when I first skimmed through LKoD but forgot it.  I am re-reading EoH CS and that concept threw me for a loop.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on May 23, 2007, 10:43:47 PM
Thanks for respnding for me, PiXel01.  Monday and Tuesday were bad day.  For instance, I finished the Bestiary first draft (but not the adventure) Sunday Morning and I still haven't finished editing it for turning in.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: PiXeL01 on May 24, 2007, 12:25:52 AM
welcome ... sorry to treshpass on your thread though
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on May 24, 2007, 12:35:23 AM
Never feel bad about that.  Worst case scenario, I still have to answer.  Best case, I can just agree with you, and that saves  a lot of time if it's a "crushing deadlines" week.  :)

And all weeks are crushing deadlines weeks.  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on June 25, 2007, 05:34:33 AM
Ok, we finished the first adventure yesterday and everyone survived after Weraci discovered some healing abilities he didn't know about before :D

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Anyway I just wanted to tell you that we had a lot of fun and enjoyed the adventure.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on June 25, 2007, 06:01:32 AM
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Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on June 25, 2007, 06:19:03 AM
Quote from: Defendi on June 25, 2007, 06:01:32 AM
Out of Story Reason:  People like loot.
Yeah our dwarven cleric was quite happy about it :D

It's a great adventure. I really like parts of the ulcer because they differ  from the normal dungeon with traps and monsters.

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Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on June 25, 2007, 06:43:31 AM
That sounds like my own playtests.  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on June 25, 2007, 06:54:45 AM
Well, I guess most players are like that. ;)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Marc R on June 25, 2007, 06:55:55 AM
Or, "There's at least one in every party"  ;D
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on June 25, 2007, 07:04:44 AM
We've got one lady in my HARP group who's famous for this fight with a troll in Lord of the Rings.  The troll had this big sack of potatoes that it dropped before fighting us.  In the middle of this big battle, she stopped helping us with the troll and started dedicating all her time to getting the sack from his side.  We all watched, baffled, until she got the thing free and found out what it contained.  Finally, when the fight was over, we asked her, "What were you thinking?"
"I thought it had treasure in it."
"But . . . why not just wait until we'd beaten him?"
"I didn't want him to destroy it during the fight."
Beat.
"Why would he destroy his own treasure?!"
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Michael Petrea on July 16, 2007, 01:43:18 PM
Carrying over a thought from the ENnies award post. . .

Have you considered running EoH at any conventions?  I ask because of my experience running that new game at Origins a few weeks ago.   There were quite a number of people who showed up to play just because they saw something new or because there were no slots open for what they wanted to play so they thought they would try this out.  After they played an adventure, at least half of those people said they were going to pick up the book.  And I know the book sold well at Origins so I was thinking something like that might work for you.  I think EoH is one of those games/settings that many would like it if they took the time to read it.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on July 16, 2007, 01:54:26 PM
I've thought about running an adventure set in EoH on one or two conventions I hope to visit this year. Especially the teaser from the Throne of god adventure would probably draw in  most people who played it.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Michael Petrea on July 16, 2007, 01:58:14 PM
Yea, but I can't fly to Europe just to play EoH  :D

I do agree with you though about the drawing power.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 17, 2007, 04:00:20 AM
I do them at the local cons, but right now I can't afford to travel.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Michael Petrea on August 07, 2007, 03:17:52 PM
I was re-reading Throne of God (the d20 version this time) and some questions came to mind.

If you play the first teaser:
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Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Grafton on August 07, 2007, 04:51:07 PM
Not sure what Defendi would say, but in my game I assigned Infernal as a starting language for several characters when playing the teaser. With a few races getting 3 starting languages and a sage in the group, it made sense to me.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: mocking bird on August 07, 2007, 05:10:23 PM
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Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: GerikGnome on August 07, 2007, 05:22:58 PM
There were good gnomes, halflings, low men, and low elves in Heaven. 
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Hope that helps, and as always Defendi is free to tell you all I don't know what I'm talking about.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on August 07, 2007, 08:18:11 PM
GerikGnome was mostly spot on (the only part I'd disagree on is a part that I let the players define at the table and GerikGnome spoke of how it came out in his playtest).
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Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: GerikGnome on August 07, 2007, 10:28:34 PM
I guess I should clarify:

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Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on August 08, 2007, 01:14:03 AM
Ah, yes.  Then what he said.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Michael Petrea on August 08, 2007, 07:29:14 AM
Thanks for the ideas and answers.  Thanks for adding the spoiler button.  That completely slipped my mind.

(click to show/hide)

I have no idea what which system I am going to end up running this in.  It depends mostly as to which players I can get together.  But, regardless of version I am trying at this point to get it straight in my head.

Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on August 08, 2007, 07:40:13 AM
No worries.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: yondar on August 27, 2007, 08:08:17 AM
Is their any chance of you releasing "One Hundred Goblins (and more)" in the same format as the other Adventure Seeds, as call my pedanticic but I kinda like them all to be the same.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on September 02, 2007, 10:58:06 PM
Looks like Nick has no problem with that.  I'll put it on my list.  I'm in training at a new job right now, but things open up in about a week.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on October 22, 2007, 07:04:03 AM
I'll probably have to integrate a new player soon and am wondering how to get him into the teasers. How would you do this?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on October 22, 2007, 02:33:16 PM
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Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on October 23, 2007, 05:19:16 AM
Ok, the same player called me yesterday evening and told me he had completely misread his calendar and he still has time to play with us so it is no problem anymore :)

I'm going to run Adventure Seed 1a on friday and am just rereading the campaign setting and especially the appendix. One question occured during this reread. Probably I'm really overlooking it completely but what is the actual year the campaign starts in?
 
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on October 28, 2007, 10:11:55 PM
2044.  I replied to this.  Hmm.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on October 29, 2007, 04:48:31 AM
Thanks Defendi!
Where in the book did I overlook it?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on October 29, 2007, 01:51:55 PM
You didn't, I'm sure.  I've added it in to the last sentence of chapter 3, but you almost certainly don't have a copy with that sentence.  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Raf Blutaxt on October 29, 2007, 02:18:30 PM
Oh, so this is one of the things we can look forward to in the print version? :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on October 29, 2007, 04:01:40 PM
Yeah, and the updated versions of the PDF.  :)
Title: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: WoeRie on November 30, 2007, 09:46:08 AM
Have you ever thought about Elven names? How they sound if they consist of one or two parts?
I'm currently fleshing out "The burning tree" and search for some typical names (which should sound like possible elven names in later supplements).
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on November 30, 2007, 10:04:32 AM
I went with slightly different sounds for the most of the different Elven kingdoms.  For the Elven-Dwarven Alliance, I went with a more traditional roleplaying sound, like you'd find in Forgotten Realms.  For Athara I went with a more Valaran sound, for Avilaire a Qyenen sound and Sindarin for Ingrast.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: WoeRie on November 30, 2007, 10:18:42 AM
Ok - nothing special like the Dwarven clannames then. Thanks for the quick answer. 
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on November 30, 2007, 10:47:44 AM
np
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Nejira on July 10, 2008, 04:09:55 AM
Hiya, got some questions for ya ;)

Re: magic (specific Essence) in EoH. Where did it come from? Is it Evil? Will it taint the users (taint, corruption)?

Thinking that traditional medieval magic is evil and is not of God.

Re: druids. What role do druids play; priests of the elves or D&dish nature-lovers?

Re: Forces. Do you got a force of nature in EoH. Faerie maybe?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 10, 2008, 04:58:02 AM
"magic (specific Essence) in EoH. Where did it come from?"

It's always been there.

"Is it Evil?"

The Church thinks so.  At the very least, they think that Mortals can no longer use it without becoming corrupted by it.

"Will it taint the users (taint, corruption)?"

No.

"Thinking that traditional medieval magic is evil and is not of God."

Well, you aren't getting it from God, but he did make everything at one time.

"Re: druids. What role do druids play; priests of the elves or D&dish nature-lovers?"

In RM, I don't think there a current druid profession.  Do you mean the atavists?  They are what are meant when I refer to druids, but if so, I don't know I understand the question.

"Re: Forces. Do you got a force of nature in EoH. Faerie maybe?"

Again, I don't understand the question.  There ARE faeries, if that's what you are asking.

Bounce these back and I'll answer them.  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Nejira on July 10, 2008, 06:14:17 AM
Re: Druids, Yes I meant the atavists which answers my question. I was thinking in dndi-ish terms ;)

Re: Forces. As I understand it, there are two Forces in EoH (Heaven & Hell), maybe three with The Nopheratus?. Was wondering if there was a Nature force in the mortal realm? In the Bestiary under Fey, it says a fairy is an elemental spirit but one of nature itself, which led me to thinking about it.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 10, 2008, 04:29:50 PM
It's just the word force that's throwing me, because I don't know what it means to you.  There ARE fairies.  If it helps answer your question, in 4th edition I allow warlocks to take the Fey pact, so I THINK you answer is yes, but if I haven't answered it, you'll need to tell me what you mean by force.  Are you asking if they are as powerful as Heaven or Hell?  No.  If you're asking if they are organized?  Probably not in a way we'd think of as organized?  Hmmm.  Those are the different interpretations of Force I can think of, if I haven't hit yours, let me know.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Nejira on July 11, 2008, 03:21:07 AM
In Ars Magica, they had Realms of Power (Divine, Infernal, Faerie, Magic) which were major forces in the world. My question was if you had something similar to that?

My reason for asking was to find out if Fey were a major influence on the Mortal Realm, and I had this idea of having a calendar where the different Realms of Power were Ascending/Descending in influence (Summer (Life) should be Divine, Winter (Death) should be Infernal, Spring/Autumn (Change) should be Faerie)  :D

Thanks for your answers, its a really great idea to be able to ask THE guy behind a game questions directly. Super service!  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 11, 2008, 03:44:47 AM
No problem.  Except for Heaven and Hell, I wouldn't say the world was like that.  The fey have a power of their own, but I wouldn't call them a major power in the world.  For one thing, they are too withdrawn from civilization.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Nejira on July 11, 2008, 04:06:51 AM
Shiny, thank you  :)
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Nejira on July 12, 2008, 04:25:32 PM
Have a question more... ;D

Re: Highmen. It seems fairly apparent if a person has the divine spark (larger, stronger, longer life, etc). How does common people among humans react to this, and what is the common attitude to Highmen? Are highmen more commonly found among certain levels of society (i know it says its not heredity, but it also says two highmen have a higher chance of producing highmen offspring)?
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Defendi on July 12, 2008, 05:04:50 PM
People tend to react to them favorably.  They don't tend to be at certain levels of society, but they do tend to rise to leadership positions where they are born.
Title: Re: QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR
Post by: Nejira on July 12, 2008, 07:33:54 PM
Okay, thanks again :)