Necromancer Q&A: Let's ask Orcus some questions!

[Shawn Kehoe]

Hey all,

Since Clark (aka Orcus) from Necromancer recently said he wants to spend more time on our boards, I figure we should try to consolidate our questions into one thread.

It might be a good idea to number questions too.

So then, Orcus...

1. What are the 3.5 update plans for Tome of Horrors? PDF ala the Wizards update guide, or a new hardcover release?

2. Any updates on the Bard's Gate supplement? I dropped the city onto my campaign map a few years ago. I've pretty much fleshed it out by now, but I can always use the official city by another name.

3. Why aren't you using the Orcus avatar? You know you want to...


Thanks,
-Shawn

 

[physicscarp]

4. Are there any more plans for adventures in the G series?

5. Is there a projected release time (quarter or month) for the 3.5 updated Rappan Athuk?

Thanks!

 

[Orcus]

1. What are the 3.5 update plans for Tome of Horrors? PDF ala the Wizards update guide, or a new hardcover release?

Tome of Horrors is HUGE! In fact, it was a big pricing mistake. We just flat out gave too much content for too little cover price. That means to redo it we'd have to raise the cover price significantly. Plus, updates dont usually do too well (I'll leave that for others to figure out why, but my guess is it is easy enough to port from 3.0 to 3.5 that it isnt worth buying a whole book).

So our solution was to do it as a pdf that will be available on DTRPG. BUT, that said, the layout time will still be very time consuming for the percieved return for us. We are discussing internally whether or not we will commit the resources. If we dont, we will publish it online without art and in a more basic format.

2. Any updates on the Bard's Gate supplement? I dropped the city onto my campaign map a few years ago. I've pretty much fleshed it out by now, but I can always use the official city by another name.

BG has been a long strange trip. I started it, turned it over to a group of writers. We had some drop outs, some other projects cut in front of it, some personal disasters, etc. In any event, it is being finalized as we speak. It wont be released until next year, though, given our current schedule is jam packed.

There are some BG freebies on our site to help people tide themselves over until the book is released, including some of my personal notes and maps of the city and surrounding areas.

3. Why aren't you using the Orcus avatar? You know you want to...

Cause I dont know how [embarassed]

4. Are there any more plans for adventures in the G series?

By the same authors? Yes. With the G tag? Most likely no. G meant "Guest," meaning the book had an author outside of Necromancer Games (meaning Bill and I). It quickly became apparent that Bill and I couldnt remain primary authors and run the company. So the "G" tag has pretty much petered out. Originally, Bill and I conceived of us being primary authors on most books. Boy, that didnt turn out to work We just couldnt do it without our extended family of freelancers and friends.

5. Is there a projected release time (quarter or month) for the 3.5 updated Rappan Athuk?

Now titled "Rappan Athuk Reloaded" by the way. I will have to double check the relase sheet but I believe RAReloaded is Q2 (though it might be March, which would be Q1).

Clark

 

[Shawn Kehoe]

Re: Tome of Horrors update

Personally, I would prefer the latter option you mentioned. (Plain text, for free on the necro website.) I guess it depends on whether the focus is on updating the book for existing customers or ensaring new ones in the ToH web.

I have found the MM II and FF update sheets quite easy to use. I keep them in the back covers of each book - when I decide to use a specific monster, I just copy the changes onto the monster entry using a light pencil. If you do decide to go this route, please consider including a table that highlights any changes in CR.

Re: The Orcus Avatar

Ultimate evil cannot be foiled that easily! Just click on the link below:

http://www.enworld.org/forums/profile.php?do=editavatar

The Orcus avatar is on the last page of the "Misc. avatars" catergory.

Thanks again,

-Shawn

 

[fanboy2000]

There is a troll you know...

6. Grimtooth's Traps?

 

[Orcus]

Grimmy

Oh man I am so geeked for Grimtooth. I just sent it in to layout. The art on the interior is all Steve Crompton original stuff. Plus he did some new stuff. There is a funny running story line of Bill and I meeting GrimTina and getting her to show us into Grimmy's trap lab. Steve did some extra art for that. GrimTina is back. The Dungeon of Doom is in full force. Over 200 traps, fully statted for d20, in a "monster manual" style entry for each trap. New more detailed rules that put some of the fun back in traps, instead of them being a "roll a d20 roadblock".

It is set for a Q1 2005 release.

Here is my dedication in the book:

"To gamers everywhere who appreciate that it is cooler to have your character die in a triple-spear-tilting-passage-reverse-gravity-springing-chair-giant-lobster trap than in a boring 60 foot deep pit with spikes."

Back cover text:

The Wurst of Grimtooth’s Traps™

The Troll Is Back!

More horrible than a nightmare, more feared and loathed than the IRS, Grimtooth the Troll has returned with the best of his traps to try men’s souls and mangle their bodies. This connoisseur’s catalog of condemnable calamities contains over 200 of the most devious traps ever devised fully statted for the d20 system. Includes the famous Traps Bazaar and the Dungeon of Doom, a dungeon of nothing but traps! Contains too much knowledge for mere mortals.

Warning!
Unauthorized disclosure of this material may contribute to the unjustified survival of adventurers, delvers, and player characters…and may result in serious damage to the deadly reputation of the Game Master.

I am really geeked for this one.

Clark

 

[Melan]

7) Treasure Maps and Lairs?

 

[Selganor]

8. What's the Status on "Wrath of Orcus"?
It could become a major point of interest for me as of now my players not only accepted Orcus' declaration of war but intend to return it.

 

[physicscarp]

9. With the cancelation of Necromancer's Game does the company have any other plans in the works to prduce an Arcana Unearthed adventure or sourcebook? Or is this something that you would pursue if the right writer came along?

Thanks for answering our questions Clark!

 

[Melan]

8. What's the Status on "Wrath of Orcus"?

It was cancelled.