Slavelords of Cydonia

[therebedragons]

Wulf Speaks Truth

There are dozens of adventures; not all of them need be played nor must they be played in any order. To answer Smon's concerns, I am very "railroad sensitive" and as the project manager for this book, hammered home that point many times.
Wulf

In this, I am sure Wulf speaks the truth. I can attest to his (almost preternatural) "railroad sensitivity", as I wrote most of the book.

We designed Slavelords to be modular, flexible, and complete. We wanted it to have the breadth of a full campaign and depth enough to make it easy for GMs to pick it up and get going. Knowing also that players hate to be "railroaded" and tend to be fickle and unpredictable when it comes to following plot lines, we devised a system that allows a GM to pick-and-choose adventures, as well as tailor the order of events to the actions of his players. One way to explain it might be as an expanded Spycraft "threat" style system that provides an overarching plot for the campaign as well as greater play-level detail to keep things moving along.

Anyway, there's my haypenny on the topic (and, as you may guess, I have deep pockets on the subject).

I couldn't resist replying to your post, Wulf, even if it is my first. (I've lurked so long on this board that I even forgot my original name and pass and had to create a new one.)

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

I couldn't resist replying to your post, Wulf, even if it is my first. (I've lurked so long on this board that I even forgot my original name and pass and had to create a new one.)

I am glad you are here-- was planning on dropping you an email and asking you to keep an eye on this thread anyway.

Feel free to answer whatever questions folks may have.

Wulf

 

[Leopold]

Neat! So we got old school crystal tech but using modern weapons? I will have to read the first one and possibly use it! I think my PC's, 2 who are ex gladiators and haters of slavery will eat this alive! As always with Wulf at the helm and BadAxe games on the front cover I can be assured it's going to be damn fine!

I plan on subscribing to this thread now! We can expect this late august? is it at the publisher? Is there a notice that will be out? Can we buy advanced copies??!?!? PDF maps?!?!?

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Neat! So we got old school crystal tech but using modern weapons?

Depends on how you look at it... You might also have old-school melee weapons and super-advanced crystal tech.

I will have to read the first one and possibly use it! I think my PC's, 2 who are ex gladiators and haters of slavery will eat this alive!

Yep... Depending on what level they are now, you could pretty easily hook them into Cydonian politics, maybe throw them into the Arena, and let them topple the Slavelords from within. Whether or not you want to play the later Books and also get them into the Sli'ess-Lethid War, and the subsequent efforts to save Earth (or whatever their home planet or plane) is up to you.


Wulf

 

[RangerWickett]

Ah, Wulf, the grand innovator. How you make me want to publish adventures. I'm going to pick this up just to see how you wrangle it, so I can steal your techniques.

Imitation, flattery, and all that.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Ah, Wulf, the grand innovator. How you make me want to publish adventures. I'm going to pick this up just to see how you wrangle it, so I can steal your techniques.

Well, I can't say that Beall and Tam met me eye to eye on everything, but there was plenty of back and forth and, at times, spirited discussion.

I don't do fluff. I freely admit that. But I know good stuff when I see it, and I can tell you that Slavelords is one of the most interesting reads I've seen in any adventure product. Matt and Eric have a great eye for the little details that bring an all-important verisimilitude to the adventure. And there are passages in there that are so vivid and moving they just make me giggle with excitement.

It is my sincere hope that my contribution to the product-- not just project management, but a lot of new crunchy bits-- live up to what these two writers have poured out.

Meanwhile if you want to see my own sensibilities in adventure writing, you should check out the Iron DM Archive...


Wulf

 

[Leopold]

Depends on how you look at it... You might also have old-school melee weapons and super-advanced crystal tech.

this does not overshadow oldschool melee weapons like swords and such? Can you compare the technology that is being used in this book to anything out on the market today as a reference? Such as Stargate? Conan? etc.

Reason I ask is that I don't want to toss in these crystal weapons and the pc's start using them like guns gone wild.

Yep... Depending on what level they are now, you could pretty easily hook them into Cydonian politics, maybe throw them into the Arena, and let them topple the Slavelords from within. Whether or not you want to play the later Books and also get them into the Sli'ess-Lethid War, and the subsequent efforts to save Earth (or whatever their home planet or plane) is up to you.


Wulf

They are 3rd level and will remain hovering around that time until I get my greedy paws on GT (I next day aired that SOB, you miserable SOB! ) and then can finally use yours and UK's XP table and charts. They just got done going through 90% of Night Below so I am sure they'll hate me when they see aboleth again. How'd you get away with using them by the way? This entire book is all 5 books in one right?

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

this does not overshadow oldschool melee weapons like swords and such?

No more than bows or crossbows overshadow melee weapons. Ranged weapons have their place (usually in the hands of the melee inept). Melee weapons are still key for the big whoop-ass, I think.

Can you compare the technology that is being used in this book to anything out on the market today as a reference? Such as Stargate? Conan? etc.

They have a certain Stargate feel, sure. As they are of my design, I'd reckon Moorcock's Hawkmoon was more of a subconscious influence. Various crystal types can add energy effects to both melee and ranged weapons (ruby = fire, sapphire = cold, that kind of thing) for an additional expenditure of charges.

Reason I ask is that I don't want to toss in these crystal weapons and the pc's start using them like guns gone wild.

Bit of Expedition to the Barrier Peaks concern, there. I say let them go hog wild on Cydonia-- there's no power packs back home (assuming they make it back home). You could always have the power packs degrade quickly, or immediately, on passing through the interplanetary (or interplanar) pylon.

I am sure they'll hate me when they see aboleth again. How'd you get away with using them by the way?

Open Content. (Check the SRD.)

This entire book is all 5 books in one right?

Yep!

Wulf

 

[Leopold]

Bit of Expedition to the Barrier Peaks concern, there. I say let them go hog wild on Cydonia-- there's no power packs back home (assuming they make it back home). You could always have the power packs degrade quickly, or immediately, on passing through the interplanetary (or interplanar) pylon.

SCORE!!! I love that module! Now I hate you for making me wait!
And of course these weapons will go all to pieces when they go from plane to plane..yes control is good.

Open Content. (Check the SRD.)

intriguing....I thought they were nono..oh well good for you and me and bad for my PC's!!!

 

[Leopold]

Bit of Expedition to the Barrier Peaks concern, there. I say let them go hog wild on Cydonia-- there's no power packs back home (assuming they make it back home). You could always have the power packs degrade quickly, or immediately, on passing through the interplanetary (or interplanar) pylon.

SCORE!!! I love that module! Now I hate you for making me wait!
And of course these weapons will go all to pieces when they go from plane to plane..yes control is good.

Open Content. (Check the SRD.)

intriguing....I thought they were nono..oh well good for you and me and bad for my PC's!!!