What do people think of Oathbound?

[megamania]

I got money for X-mas and bought a few D&D books. One I got was Bastion Press' Oathbound. At first glance I like it but haven't had a chance to really absorb anything in it beyond the fact is it another game where PCs are moved from one campaign into this one then returned as if on loan (much like Ravenloft and Dungeon World).

So, anyone have it or products from Bastion? Like or leave it?
Just curious.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I have it, not that i've had time to use it, but i like it a lot.

 

[Azure Trance]

I like the idea, and for the most part how it was presented. Some (most?) of the art is iffy though.

 

[megamania]

What did you like about it? I am hoping to use some of it's PC races and creatures inside (the Lector speaks evilly to me). The art inside is clean and colorful though the maps have much to be desired. Price tag is rough too.

 

[megamania]

I like the idea, and for the most part how it was presented. Some (most?) of the art is iffy though.

Has a manga (non-cartoony version) to it.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

What did you like about it? I am hoping to use some of it's PC races and creatures inside (the Lector speaks evilly to me). The art inside is clean and colorful though the maps have much to be desired. Price tag is rough too.

For one the Prestige race thing is wicked cool.

The pc races are nice, for the most part.

The overall concept is interesting to me too.

I also liked most of the art.

 

[Darrin Drader]

As someone who has worked on various Oathbound projects, let me see what justice I can do it...

First off, this is a setting where everything goes. Since the movers and shakers of the world are drawn in from other worlds, you find a great deal more races than you would in most settings. Many of them are very animal-like, but the old standbys (humans, elves, dwarves, and halflings) are present. There are a couple races that are completely off the wall in a very cool way. Many of the races are a bit more powerful than the traditional D&D races, so ECL is an important factor. If you want gunpowder - no problem, you want to do mostly dungeon delving - no problem (in fact the entire under city of Penance is dungeon), you want to play politics - again, no problem.

Oathbound is definitely a world that is driven by the personalities of the individuals that shape the world. You have a common blend of heroic and diabolical with a refreshing number of them that are definitely in neither camp. Some are insane while others are power hungry. The coolest race (in my opinion) are the asherake. Characters have the ability to become leaders of this world and this is definitely not a setting where the party will always be secondary to featured NPC's.

One of the coolest things about Oathbound is that there is a compelling "secret" back story, but the reader of the book is given most of that information, so it can slowly be made known to the party as time goes by. The setting also supports things like changes in power, and secrets becoming known (at least to the players).

Some have compared Oathbound to Planescape, but I choose to look at it for what it is - its own world, full of unique individuals and power structures. Be sure to download the adventure I wrote for Bastion Press, which is available for free at the following URL: http://www.bastionpress.com/Downloads/Akaya.zip

Oh, and give the art some time. It will grow on you. Todd Morasche is a good artist, even if his stuff isn't standard fantasy fare.

 

[Nightfall]

As a Scarred Lands fan I can appreciate the details that are done by the writers and designers. I definately found the adventure interesting and the social structure of Penance pretty interesting, if a little complex. But that's for the good. Certainly if I want to run a planar campaign, Oathbound will make it's way into it, more than Sigil if that's possible. In any case I do recommend the setting and the book to anyone wanting a little strange brew.

 

[megamania]

Any accessories for it yet?

Just curious- any accessories out for it or planned for Oathbound?

By the way- the part of the art I like most is the use of color- very bright without being gaudy. Reminds me of when I colored markers with my inks a while ago. Has a very distintive look. A+++ for appearance.

 

[Darrin Drader]

Re: Any accessories for it yet?

Just curious- any accessories out for it or planned for Oathbound?

Yes. Currently Plains of Penance is scheduled for a February release and there is more to come after that. I wrote the adventure for Plains of Penance, and I'm the primary author on something I can't talk about right now scheduled for later 2003.