Ptolus - Support

[neg]

Okay, okay, okay...Monte has my attention at this point. But he doesn't have my order, yet!

I have looked through much of Monte's boards and website, and maybe I am not seeing it, but can someone clue me in on the support expected for the Ptolus project?

I know there is a Player's Guide that is relatively cheap and already available.

I know the actual book is shaping up wonderfully.

What I don't know, and I am hoping to find out, is what are future support plans (besides minis)?

I know for those who pre-order, there is all kinds of additional material available. Without giving away anything that would compromise those who pre-ordered, what kind of additional material are we talking? Further fleshed out NPC's? Modules? Plot ideas? Artwork? What?

Secondly, what, if anything, has Monte committed to put to page after the main Ptolus book is out? Modules, a more developed Player's Guide, a race book, what?

I am not so familiar with Malhavoc books in general. I believe I read that certain books that Monte has already published actually are part of the Ptolus world already (Banewarrens?). What other products that he has already published are part of Ptolus and tie in strongly?

The laydown of investment for the main campaign book is significant, I just want to know how far Monte is likely to support the setting. I loved Dawnforge but they only did 3 books and only two were any good. I am trying to be a more wary d20 buyer at this stage of things.

Any help/insight/links/response would be wonderful and appreciated.

Thanks-

neg

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

The Ptolus main book is massive enough that you can break the skull of anyone you hit on the back of the head with it.

What more do you want?

 

[Odhanan]

Additional material with a pre-order, from this page:
What do you mean by "package?"

Ptolus is far more than just a book. The Ptolus package contains:

1. A 672-page hardcover, full-color book that includes:

* A textured, embossed cover by Chesley-Award-winning artist Todd Lockwood.
* Three bound-in fabric bookmarks and four perforated cardstock bookmarks to facilitate use in play.
* An entire city described in loving detail, including descriptions of the dungeons beneath the city and within and atop the Spire.
* Extensive advice about running an urban fantasy campaign.
* More than enough adventure material to run an entire campaign.
* More than 50 pages of maps by cartographer Ed Bourelle.
* More than 350 illustrations by artists like Jason Engle, The Forge Studios (Maciej Zagórski and Pawel Dobosz), Michael Komarck, Eric Lofgren, Howard Lyon, and Michael Phillippi.

2. A double sided, full-color poster map of the city and the Spire by Ed Bourelle.

3. A package of 16 black-and-white and 8 full-color loose sheets to be used as player aids, DM aids, and adventure handouts.

4. A CD-ROM inserted in a glued-in envelope at the back of the book along with the poster and handouts. The CD includes the following:

* Complete PDF editions of both The Banewarrens and Chaositech, two Ptolus-based Malhavoc Press products.
* A PDF edition of the entirely new Ptolus adventure, The Night of Dissolution.
* A 32-page Player's Guide to Ptolus, designed to be used by players in the setting rather than the DM, and written from their perspective.
* A detailed conversion guide for fans of Monte Cook's Arcana Evolved.
* Overall, an additional 400 or more pages of adventure and source material.
* Still more surprises!

What do I get if I preorder?

Those who preorder the book from our White Wolf online catalog page enjoy extra benefits, including the following:

* Each preordered Ptolus comes signed and numbered.
* Five copies of the print version of the 32-page Player's Guide to Ptolus, which allows each player to have his own.
* A print edition of the 96-page adventure, The Night of Dissolution.
* Each person who preorders gains access to the special "Delver's Guild" website, which will be updated each week starting in September 2005 with additional, exclusive Ptolus content (more characters, more locations, DMing advice, and so on) created by Monte.

You can also preorder from your local retailer for extra benefits as well. Support your local game store! If you're going to order Ptolus from your retailer, make sure to tell him ahead of time so he knows to order it before August 1, so you can get in on the preorder bonuses.

As for additional support, apart of The Player's Guide and The Night of Dissolution already in the package, there is also the Ptolus Deluxe Map Pack from Skeleton Key Games available here on DriveThruRPG.com. Add to this that, as mentioned above, Chaositech and The Banewarrens are respectively a supplement and a huge adventure based on Monte's campaign, the Ptolus miniatures of Paizo Publishing, and we're talking about a load of support for the mammoth volume, already.

Nothing prevents further support, of course.

 

[Starman]

Future support always depends on one thing in the present. Sales. If sales are big for Ptolus, then you can expect more support for it down the road. Sadly, Dawnforge did not sell enough copies to warrant more support.

 

[Ilium]

The Ptolus main book is massive enough that you can break the skull of anyone you hit on the back of the head with it.

What more do you want?

To hear the lamentation of their women?

 

[shaylon]

Monte has stated that he designed the city to have enough to do for levels 1-20. The book should reflect that.

As was stated by an earlier poster sales will play a big role in what future support will amount to. I believe that if sales are good you will see several supplements arrive, and Malhavoc could certainly produce adventures for the setting if they wish.

I am fully supporting this product. I think it will be a great product and look forward to it.

-Shay

 

[DaveMage]

With all we're getting in the set (and from Fiery Dragon, Paizo, and SkeletonKey Games), I honestly don't need or want any more support than what's been announced - unless it covers epic play.

 

[Odhanan]

With all we're getting in the set (and from Fiery Dragon, Paizo, and SkeletonKey Games), I honestly don't need or want any more support than what's been announced - unless it covers epic play.

What are you calling "epic play", exactly? What kind of level range are we talking about? 20+?

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

What are you calling "epic play", exactly? What kind of level range are we talking about? 20+?

21+, I guess.

Levels 1-20 should be adequately covered by the main book...

 

[DaveMage]

What are you calling "epic play", exactly? What kind of level range are we talking about? 20+?

21+