Pathfinder 1E Pathfinder #1: I have it. Spoilers.

[Treebore]

I actually prefer the "fluff". In this context its because it helps me respond better to what the players do when I "know" the NPC's plans/motivations/personalities.

Its actually how I work up modules for my home game. I kind of write out all the important people and what they are up to, and what is going on, in their own "blocks" or "areas", and then I run the adventure from there, basedc on how the players respond to what they find out, or what happens because the players didn't find out something.

It helps create a much more dynamic environment for my games.

Hmm, gotta go, my Amazon shipment of "City of Brass", "Thieve of Fortress Badabaskar", "Citadel of Fire", and "DCC 39: The Ruins of Castle Churo and DM Screen" have arrived.

 

[Simplicity]

As for the flavor vs. crunch issue... for the most part, the mix you see in Pathfinder #1 is about what we're aiming for. The adventures themselves will generally introduce a few magic items and feats and spells and stuff now and then, and you can expect to see more (including the very occasional prestige class) appearing in the non-adventure stuff in the second half of the book. And there's ALWAYS going to be at least six new monsters. Sometimes more. For the most part, though, the crunch is going to be included as the adventure requires.

Of course, if we hear from our readers that they want more crunch, we'll up the crunch. But for now, with 4th edition on the horizon, flavor is the rule.

Well, the fluffiness is clearly appropriate for now. And as long as the fluff is kept relevant, I don't think anyone is going to complain. The only material which even started to approach that in PF #1 was the Journal... But it's clear that you're laying some groundwork there for the future (and for more wide open world DMs... that's a good thing).

 

[Wycen]

I bought this the first day into the con, and was then annoyed that I missed the limited edition cover. Well, I could have bought another copy, but that money was going to the Dawning Star charity game. The fact that they have some Tome of Horrors critters and some really creative bad guys is cool.

 

[DItheringFool]

I bought this the first day into the con, and was then annoyed that I missed the limited edition cover. Well, I could have bought another copy, but that money was going to the Dawning Star charity game. The fact that they have some Tome of Horrors critters and some really creative bad guys is cool.

Don't forget there is also some use of the Book of Fiends by Green Ronin. It is so awesome to see these alternate products getting the gold-star treatment!

 

[Treebore]

I bought this the first day into the con, and was then annoyed that I missed the limited edition cover. Well, I could have bought another copy, but that money was going to the Dawning Star charity game. The fact that they have some Tome of Horrors critters and some really creative bad guys is cool.

Sorry I missed you at GenCon (I didn't get to go) this year. I was wanting to get to game with you again at the RAM, and talk to you some more about Helios.

 

[Wycen]

Don't forget there is also some use of the Book of Fiends by Green Ronin. It is so awesome to see these alternate products getting the gold-star treatment!

Yes, I forgot about that!

Treebore, we missed you, but next year will be another chance. I know masterarcanist and his daughter wanted to see you and Rhiannon again.

 

[Wik]

Yeah, I just downloaded mine (thanks for the pointers, all! Turns out I had a credit card problem - no big deal, just a little snafu - that I had to talk to the bank about before they'd let other charges go on it).

Looking through it, I love how it's personalized! A small touch, but a nice one.

Been skimming through it since I got home. Can't wait for the print one!

 

[EricNoah]

Huh, I'm a subscriber and I haven't gotten an e-mail yet. I wonder if one of my shipping settings is holding things up.

 

[Wik]

Huh, I'm a subscriber and I haven't gotten an e-mail yet. I wonder if one of my shipping settings is holding things up.

Well, I just got mine today - about a week after I got an e-mail more or less saying "hey, we're about to ship your copy".

After I didn't get it on monday, I went down to the bank yesterday, and asked what was up. They said it was probably nothing, since I was well short of my limit on my card, but that since I hadn't put money on it for six weeks or so, I could put a payment on it (I know, I'm a bad boy!) in case that was slowing things down.

And then I got the e-mail today.

And now I'm happily perusing the PDF. I'm just annoyed that I can't actually read the adventure itself! (interestingly enough, the PDF is broken into several smaller PDFs, seperated by chapter, so it's easy to skip the adventure proper).

One minor quibble - in the player's guide, it suggests giving a bonus feat to all starting characters, that has to be from their list of available background feats. And, well, there's not a whole lot of 'em. I'd like to see some more.

And it sort of annoyed me that the sample PCs at the back of the book had these bonus feats worked into their stat block. Not a big deal, though - just took me ten minutes to figure out how a 1st level human fighter could have access to 4 feats.

(BTW, is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that Paizo fighters seem to always focus on TWF, as opposed to Power Attack?)

Also, I really love the equipment section from Runelords Player Guide. I kind of want to play a goblin with a dogslicer. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

 

[Simplicity]

Huh, I'm a subscriber and I haven't gotten an e-mail yet. I wonder if one of my shipping settings is holding things up.

I heard Paizo doesn't ship 3.5e material to Wisconsin anymore. There's too many OD&D grognards ambushing the postal workers.