Emerald Spire Superdungeon: Mona, Baur, Mentzer, Jacobs, Greenwood, Rein•Hagen, Etc.

[Erik Mona]

Emerald Spire Superdungeon: Mona, Baur, Mentzer, Jacobs, Greenwood, Rein•Hagen, Etc.

So we're making a huge superdungeon to support Goblinworks's Pathfinder Online Kickstarter campaign.

We've got twelve levels from twelve designers: Erik Mona, Frank Mentzer, Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, Mark Rein•Hagen, Lisa Stevens, Jason Bulmahn, F. Wesley Schneider, Keith Baker, Ed Greenwood, James L. Sutter, and Richard Baker.

It's set in the heart of the River Kingdoms around a huge ancient tower called the Emerald Spire, built by ancient Azlanti wizards for unknown purposes. There are a few levels in the ruined tower, and lots in the dungeons that sprawl beneath it.

The system will be Pathfinder, but we're drawing in folks from all eras of RPG history.

Each of us is designing our level to a 24-in. by 30-in. grid, and Paizo will produce Flip-Mats so folks can run the levels with miniatures. Each designer will be tasked to "do what you do best," and to do with their levels as they wish. Paizo's developers will make sure the levels make sense, but each level will be designed to a different theme, and will probably vary pretty amazingly in ideas, deadliness, and approach.

I think it's going to be awesome.

But we haven't started writing it yet. Given the premise, I'm curious what the good folks of EN World are interested in seeing in a product like this? Any mega-dungeon itches you've been eager to scratch?

 

[trancejeremy]

Nice to see Frank Mentzer on board.

I'm not at all interested in 3.x these days, so the pathfinder megadungeon has no interest to me, but it would be awesome if Paizo produced a retro clone penned by Frank. Paizo production values and adventures but with retro rules would be amazing.

 

[Scrivener of Doom]

I'm really happy to see Rich Baker's name. He's a fantastic adventure writer and his name alone ensures I'll be interested.

 

[pogre]

But we haven't started writing it yet. Given the premise, I'm curious what the good folks of EN World are interested in seeing in a product like this? Any mega-dungeon itches you've been eager to scratch?

I quite like that you have a designer per level to allow folks to cherry-pick from the dungeon! Suggestions on adjusting levels for a couple levels up or down in PC levels would be helpful.

 

[The Little Raven]

Mark Rein•Hagen

*spits out his drink*

Holy crap! I might pledge just for the novelty of getting a book with Rein*Hagen's name on it for the first time in like 20 years.

 

[Morrus]

This could be awesome! If I wasn't planning to pledge already (birthdays, Xmas, servers being hacked..... ugh) this would tip me over the edge.

How will the levels relate to each other? Will the orcs on level 2 know about the aboleth on level 4? Or are they all going to be distinct (for want of a better term)?

 

[JeffB]

I have an aversion to the general idea of these KS projects, call me old fashioned....however this dungeon has piqued my interest thanks to Frank and Ed's involvement.

Problem is I do not understand how all this works, in choosing the proper rewards level/amount to donate.

All I want is the hardcopy of the emerald spire dungeon. I am not interested in the MMO whatsoever. How much would I need to pledge to get the hardcopy?

Is the money transferred immediately or when the funding time is over?

And if the funding is not made, what happens to my pledge money? I would assume the book would not get published.


Thanks.

 

[Morrus]

Is the money transferred immediately or when the funding time is over?

And if the funding is not made, what happens to my pledge money? I would assume the book would not get published.

Kickstarter takes the money when funding is over IF it is successful. If it is not successful, it doesn't take the money.

 

[Zaukrie]

Erik, I'd like to see more 3d terrain....by that I mean, most megadungeon rooms are one level. I'd like to see more variation intra and inter room in elevations. Other than that, I'll have to give that some thought. That said, not sure I am in for the money it would take to fund the game and get the hardcover....especially since I doubt very strongly I would ever run PF rules.

 

[JeffB]

Kickstarter takes the money when funding is over IF it is successful. If it is not successful, it doesn't take the money.

Thanks for the clarification, Russ