Grim Tales: SLAVELORDS of CYDONIA - Advance Copy: Taking Q&A!

[Wulf Ratbane]

Oh, I certainly have a Charismatic and a Dedicated, but I do think there will be an inevitable bias towards the more mental classes, and towards computers and technology especially. Sight unseen, I'm hoping SoC will have some way to reward those kinds of skills.

Well, while it's appropriate for the characters to start as analogues to the players, there is no reason that they can't evolve into something else-- something more physically heroic.

A few months in the gladiatorial slave pits can make a Strong, Tough, or Fast out of the pudgiest Smart guy.

... If they survive...

EDIT: In case you missed it, GlassJaw's review goes into some detail on the individual books, so you can get a feel for what your friends will face (and overcome...)

http://www.enworld.org/reviews/index.php?sub=yes&where=active&reviewer=GlassJaw&product=SoC


Wulf

 

[Maester Luwin]

You could also do the Barsoom like thing & say that Earth Pc's have an edge physicaly due to higher gravity, difference in atmosphere, ect. (& adjust players stats +2 to str, dex, con, or all 3). Just an idea if everybody takes al smart(ect.) Pc's. Thanks Maester Luwin

 

[scourger]

I like The Average Joe campaign idea. Reminds me of V&V.

Also, map downloads are invaluable. I am using one in a game now to keep simple, accurate track of the rooms the PCs have explored.

 

[Piratecat]

I've been reading SLoC over the last week, and I have to say that I'm floored. I'm seriously considering running this when my normal campaign finishes. If we take a sabbatical early next year (three group members will be new parents) I'm probably going to be starting this with 1920's characters.

There's a few reasons I'm so impressed:

- Really nasty bad guys. The flavor text on the Lethid menace and the reptilian Sli'ess is just great: wonderfully detailed culture and equipment and politics, well balanced bad guys. I can do great things with these villians. Better yet, I like the array of "bonus" Cydonian monsters. They're all flavorful and well integrated.

- Flexible. You could run this equally well as "John Carter of Mars" with Victorian characters, "Mad Max vs. the Martian Overlords" with post-apocalyptic characters, "Cthulhian kidnap" with insanity rules, or "Magic against scales!" with classic fantasy characters (using either Grim Tales or regular D&D to stat the heroes.) I never thought I'd see a setting and adventure where this is true. To be honest, I'm more than a little surprised by its flexibility.

- Focused. It's written the way more modules should be: adventure seeds/outlines with all the details you need, but none of the froofy stuff that an experienced DM likes to add himself. The organization is generally excellent as it lays out the different paths that the adventure can take - and there are a lot of them - because the text always refers you to page numbers for other relevant information you need. By anticipating different ways that the adventure can flow and including adventures that include most eventualities, the authors have provided a selection of fun choices that the DM can pick and choose from when planning the game.

Good stuff.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

-- Grim Tales Creature Creation Bundle (includes automated Excel spreadsheet for calculating CR)

-- Grim Tales Gamemaster Bundle (includes spreadsheet for tracking EL and XP, as well as the "Chi Rho" discussion)

-- Other "rules bundles" from Grim Tales (Spellcasting, Horror, Vehicles, Mass Combat).

I'm still trying to decide on pricing and possible bundles, so I'm open to suggestions.

Wulf

I'd love a Creature Creator. I'd love a Character Creator. As they're spreadsheets I'd say like 5$ or so apiece? If you're bundling them with PDFs of some sort, a bit higher, but any bundle put out I'd be buying mostly for the spreadsheets. Spreadsheets are WONDERFUL.

I'd get about five times the mileage out of GT as I am now if there were an excel character generator out there. I still use Modern with GT extra rules added on just because I can make Modern PCs in about 1/6th the time.

--fje

 

[GlassJaw]

I'm seriously considering running this when my normal campaign finishes. If we take a sabbatical early next year (three group members will be new parents) I'm probably going to be starting this with 1920's characters.

Ooh, can I play?! Oh wait, I already read it...damn you Wulf!!!

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

The organization is generally excellent as it lays out the different paths that the adventure can take - and there are a lot of them - because the text always refers you to page numbers for other relevant information you need.

And that wasn't hard to do, all that cross linking, oh no, not at all.

Ooh, can I play?! Oh wait, I already read it...damn you Wulf!!!

You don't have to know Kevin very well at all to realize that having the book on hand won't help much.

There are really only a couple of major spoiler moments--

Spoiler

first appearance of the sli'ess through the gate, Vert'jaal's secret, and the end of the Emperor.

Am I missing anything?

But really, there are so many diverse personalities and machinations going on, I reckon Kev could spin this a thousand ways.

Not that I'm trying to encourage PC to let you play. I'm trying to encourage him to let ME play!


Wulf

 

[scourger]

I've been reading SLoC over the last week...

Lucky! I haven't seen it yet at my FLGS. Thanks for the insight, though. It just makes me want it all the more.

 

[Maester Luwin]

Thanks Wulf for all your insight & info! The way you came up for allowing the players to play them selves was great! Maester Luwin

 

[Old One]

Yes, please...

-- Grim Tales Creature Creation Bundle (includes automated Excel spreadsheet for calculating CR)

-- Grim Tales Gamemaster Bundle (includes spreadsheet for tracking EL and XP, as well as the "Chi Rho" discussion)

-- Other "rules bundles" from Grim Tales (Spellcasting, Horror, Vehicles, Mass Combat).

I'm still trying to decide on pricing and possible bundles, so I'm open to suggestions.

Oh, and Heroes of High Favor: Dwarves might as well go up...


Wulf

Wulf,

I would love to see Critter Creation Bundle (w/spreadsheet), Character Creation Bundle (w/ form-fill PC sheet), GM Bundle and Mass Combat. Not sure what is reasonable for each individual bundle...guess it would depend on amount of useful yummy stuff.

~ Old One