Oathbound - an overlooked setting?

[I'm A Banana]

They're supporting Oathbound like people supported 2e settings. I'm reminded of the PS boxed sets: you never really felt complete until you have them all.

I think they could benefit from less books, more pack. Meaning, instead of having one book on every domain, release a big book with the production quality of the original that goes into all the domains at once. A 256 pg book, you can get a good 35 pgs/domain, maybe down to 30 pages + artwork, which could be 15-20 pages of pure flavor, plus a few mechanics. And you'd still have enough room for an appendix or two at the end.

Three or four releases like this (a campaign setting, a "monster manual," a domain supplement, a "major cities" book) and you have a VERY solidly supported setting, specializing in a few books that everyone who plays will want to buy, but not feel neglected if they don't have, and you won't overwhelm with a dozen different books.

I like Oathbound. Lots. But I think it should use it's potential more...efficiently.

 

[A'koss]

Oathbound has tried many times to put a hook in me but... just... can't do it.

It has neat little ideas here and there that for whatever reason just aren't happening together. It's like they included just as many things I don't care for in a setting as those I do. And I don't mean to rag on the author, but the writing does feel... amateur-ish to me. It reads like someone's homebrew. And I think it would have appealed to me more 5, 10 years ago than today where I'm definitely leaning more on the scarce magic side of the fence.

Polish it up and re-release it in another 10 years and then you'll likely get the hook in me...

 

[Teneb]

This is another one that is making my shoes wet.

Every single day I learn something I wish I could immediately unlearn.

Hey Joe, if you want more Banewarrens brainstorming, come on back over to OB.net. I'm game.

As for support, what sort of things (besides the domain books) does everyone like to see? Adventures, locations, NPCs? We're hoping to somewhat fill that void with the Legacies of Oathbound series, but I'm sure there are freebies we can do as well. I just need to know what kinds of things people find valuable.

 

[DaveMage]

As for support, what sort of things (besides the domain books) does everyone like to see? Adventures, locations, NPCs? We're hoping to somewhat fill that void with the Legacies of Oathbound series, but I'm sure there are freebies we can do as well. I just need to know what kinds of things people find valuable.

Actually, all I really want *is* the domain books.

The only other thing that may be valuable to me would be a "how-to" guide to the Oathbound races. For example, give me some info on the long-term motivations of the ceptu. As the DM, how should I use them in campaign play? Give me reasons why the dovers haven't eaten all the frey (or at least, why they don't chase them all day ).

 

[Belen]

Meh! I have looked through the Oathbound book. My local FLGS has had a copy of the CS since it ca,e out and it never sold. The problem with Oathbound is Oathbound. It reads more like a hodgepodge homebrew than a consistent setting. Also, if you have read Mearls statement about "core stories" then I think that Oathbound fits into the mold of a setting without a core story to it.

Finally, the setting seems more suited for high level or epic play. I would imagine that most campaigns take place between 1-12 level. A lot of groups just do not enjoy high level play. Combine that with a lack of new material, bad art, and no 3.5 update and you have a recipe for meh!

Oathbound just cannot compete with Midnight, Arcana Evolved, Eberron, or FR.

 

[JoeBlank]

Hey Joe, if you want more Banewarrens brainstorming, come on back over to OB.net. I'm game.

As for support, what sort of things (besides the domain books) does everyone like to see? Adventures, locations, NPCs? We're hoping to somewhat fill that void with the Legacies of Oathbound series, but I'm sure there are freebies we can do as well. I just need to know what kinds of things people find valuable.

I still pop in at OB.net about once a week, and at the Hub, to see if there is anything new and interesting. You had some good suggestions in my thread about Banewarrens, and I'll probably pick it back up and ask for more eventually. To be honest, I'm months away from using that adventure. Our campaign rotates DMs, and I only have about 2 sessions before the next guy takes over for a while. I'm thinking of running a version of Monte's Temple of Mysteries, kind of as one last test that the Queen is putting the PCs through to decide if they are ready for the Forge. Then when my turn comes up in the rotations I'll probably run Waters of Akaya before heading into the Banewarrens.

As for new material, I'd like to see some short adventures.

 

[diaglo]

for me what hurt it was:

lack of...

i couldn't find it at my FLGStores.

 

[Psion]

Perhaps you could share your thoughts on the setting in this thread. If you never heard about it, then please visit oathbound.net, where you can download a decent overview of the setting, especially the tone and style: http://www.oathbound.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?cid=11&lid=22

How about this,

Instead of a site pimp (which nobody likes), now that you are a member, swing by our reviews site and write some reviews if you want to get the word out!

 

[Psion]

Watch for Wildwood. Thomas Knauss and I wrote it, and you should see it sometime soon.

/me drums fingers on the table

 

[diaglo]

Thomas Knauss and I wrote it...

who? never heard of ya.