Official ICE Forums
Systems & Settings => Shadow World => Topic started by: Terry K. Amthor on November 04, 2019, 03:04:18 AM
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We are experimenting with some short-format releases to intersperse with the massive sourcebooks (which are all-too-infrequent!). I assure you that these do not take away from writing the big books (Emer IV still on the way) but serve as a diversion. Input welcome as usual. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product_reviews.php?products_id=288169&src=hottest_filtered (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product_reviews.php?products_id=288169&src=hottest_filtered)
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I voted "meh, get back to work on the sourcebooks", but I did like the small adventure. It is just that I would really like to have Emer IV in print most of all, since that gives me the whole continent of Emer for my players to play in. After Emer IV is done, then I'd like to see more little adventures.
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I applaud the short-format releases, and hope they continue.
Externally, I think it shows in a concrete way that the system/world has regular content. Additionally it gives GM's and players new ideas, and also has the side effect of advertising well on Drive Thru. Personally, I welcome small, less pressure tasks between Major ones, scheduling them whenever I can. I find they help alleviate that "MAJOR" task stress.
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Agreed!
“Taster” modules drive interest and become great side treks to campaigns on the whole - especially since most players have been GMs themselves and have all of the old content, knowing it by rote.
Much success on this for everyone involved!
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I have purchased both short publications that I've seen and am hoping that there are more to come. Have you thought of releasing a SW primer for free or pay what you want? Basically a broad brush stroke of the key elements like Essence Flows, Flow Storms, maybe a recent history timeline (25 years) etc. This could be separate from the short releases but give someone new to SW a little background....
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I liked it, but it was more for a campaign. What I wanted was an adventure to run at cons. That's not your fault, and is not a reflection on the quality of the adventure, but.... I would love to see an adventure module that can be run in a 5 hour session that shows off RMU and Shadow World.
Also a pony. :-)
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I would love to see an adventure module that can be run in a 5 hour session that shows off RMU and Shadow World.
I don't think it is breaking any rules to reveal that I've written a one-session RMU adventure for GenCon for this year, set in Kulthea ('From Sel-Kai, by Skyshipi'), and it will appear as part of an RMU rules preview package.
It's not as good as Terry writing one, but perhaps it will scratch your itch.
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I do agree with the idea of a 2-3 hour 1 off approach based in SW.
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I have purchased both short publications that I've seen and am hoping that there are more to come. Have you thought of releasing a SW primer for free or pay what you want? Basically a broad brush stroke of the key elements like Essence Flows, Flow Storms, maybe a recent history timeline (25 years) etc. This could be separate from the short releases but give someone new to SW a little background....
The Shadow World Players Guide - The World, maybe? PDF is available from DriveThruRPG.
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I would love to see an adventure module that can be run in a 5 hour session that shows off RMU and Shadow World.
I don't think it is breaking any rules to reveal that I've written a one-session RMU adventure for GenCon for this year, set in Kulthea ('From Sel-Kai, by Skyshipi'), and it will appear as part of an RMU rules preview package.
It's not as good as Terry writing one, but perhaps it will scratch your itch.
Excellent. Now I only need the Cons to start running again. ;D
Seriously tho, I plan on doing GenCon On-Line. Can I grab a copy there. I want to run for my friends as well, just to give them a taste.
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If you are interested in running a session at GenCon, and/or have questions about the preview package, I think you want to talk to Colin. I will PM you his email (I think it is common knowledge, seeing as he provided a link to it in the latest ICE Newsletter).
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I don't think it is breaking any rules to reveal that I've written a one-session RMU adventure for GenCon for this year, set in Kulthea ('From Sel-Kai, by Skyshipi'), and it will appear as part of an RMU rules preview package.
It's not as good as Terry writing one, but perhaps it will scratch your itch.
Ha! I didn't realize that was you. :)
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Ha! I didn't realize that was you. :)
Really? Sorry, I should have introduced myself I guess! I just assumed..
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The Shadow World Players Guide - The World, maybe? PDF is available from DriveThruRPG.
The players guide is beautiful. I'd probably use it as the source document, but, I was thinking more of a free 3-4 page free product that could be used as a companion to mini adventures. So that someone who has no SW knowledge could run a mini adventure and know what a Flow Storm or Navigator or Loremaster was.
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I have purchased both short publications that I've seen and am hoping that there are more to come. Have you thought of releasing a SW primer for free or pay what you want? Basically a broad brush stroke of the key elements like Essence Flows, Flow Storms, maybe a recent history timeline (25 years) etc. This could be separate from the short releases but give someone new to SW a little background....
You mean sort of a stripped down version of the 'Players Guide'? We could do that.
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I liked it, but it was more for a campaign. What I wanted was an adventure to run at cons. That's not your fault, and is not a reflection on the quality of the adventure, but.... I would love to see an adventure module that can be run in a 5 hour session that shows off RMU and Shadow World.
Also a pony. :-)
Hmm, I designed these to be independent. What could I have done to make them more separate but with ties to SW?
(Sorry, no pony!)
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Exactly. Something that highlights the elements unique to Shadow World and what makes it different. Like a "why play in SW" sort of thing.
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I liked it, but it was more for a campaign. What I wanted was an adventure to run at cons. That's not your fault, and is not a reflection on the quality of the adventure, but.... I would love to see an adventure module that can be run in a 5 hour session that shows off RMU and Shadow World.
Also a pony. :-)
Hmm, I designed these to be independent. What could I have done to make them more separate but with ties to SW?
(Sorry, no pony!)
I think a very tight - go here, do this scenario with a map etc. is what the market is looking for. Maybe use the 5 room dungeon format? But, introduce a single unique element with each adventure? Like, maybe have a short low-level adventure based on surviving a flow storm?
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A flow storm would be a great intro to Shadow World. I know my players still talk about the one they survived.
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Here's a scenario I use:
1. On a ship bound for Kelfour's Landing
2. Flow Storm happens (this is where you can introduce system stuff like MM rolls, Lores, perception)
3. PCs are shipwrecked several days west of Kelfours Landing. They and a small group of survivors are washed ashore on a small rocky beach (2 survivors/PC) - here I use a series of survival based mini encounters; rescuing someone who can't swim, scavenging for supplies, getting a fire started, finding shelter (this leads to #4). Again perfect for introducing skill based rolls but you can also introduce flora & Fauna or herbs etc specific to SW....i usually use a cache of healing herbs.
4. With the terrible storm still threatening the PCs then locate a coastal cave that looks abandoned to find shelter. It is inhabited by a pair of Threk now. The PCs must defeat the current inhabitants to ride out the storm.
5. As they ride out the storm they will explore the deeper parts of the cave and can discover a few more things (that they may want to return to explore on their own). Options: it is an abandoned Gnoll cave with cleverly hidden passages leading deeper into the mountain or it was a pirate/smuggler stash house with a hidden cache of treasure still to be found or it simply leads further into the rocky hillside.
6. I either conclude by having the PCs rescued or you can give them the option of striking out over-land to try and reach Kelfour's landing.
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I liked it, but it was more for a campaign. What I wanted was an adventure to run at cons. That's not your fault, and is not a reflection on the quality of the adventure, but.... I would love to see an adventure module that can be run in a 5 hour session that shows off RMU and Shadow World.
Also a pony. :-)
Hmm, I designed these to be independent. What could I have done to make them more separate but with ties to SW?
(Sorry, no pony!)
I think a very tight - go here, do this scenario with a map etc. is what the market is looking for. Maybe use the 5 room dungeon format? But, introduce a single unique element with each adventure? Like, maybe have a short low-level adventure based on surviving a flow storm?
Yes. On the continuum of completely open world to running on rails, Con modules need to go more to the latter. Not that one is globally right and one is globally wrong, just different tools for different jobs. If I am running for a con I need a couple of key NPCs in certain places with clear direction on how to interact with them. This can still be rooted in the SW mythos, just that the NPC would be say handing out say a quest to further the Loremaster's goals, or a clear villain who for example follows the Unlife.
When I say this module seemed more for campaigns you module did things like outline a village and how it fits in with the larger world. That's great for PCs that are wandering through SW in pursuit of grander goals, but it doesn't work for a one-and-done scenario that Cons require.
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Having finally read it, I really liked the premise. However, I too would include this as a part of an on-going campaign, where players had to (or more like found it more convenient to) use a Jinteni portal to reach their destination.
For a one-shot, I'd need to have on hand or create a set of characters. I would have to make some decisions about their knowledge (or alternatively have them roll lore checks) about e.g. whether they realize the nature of the Construct or know how to operate the Portal.
I did vote for "Decent" because of my one-shot-critique. That said, it's an interesting adventure in Shadow World, and I'd like to see more.