What is this Oathbound I keep hearing about?

[SurfMonkey01]

I'm ashamed to say I don't know a damned thing about it... can anyone perhaps enlighten me a bit?

 

[Zhure]

The first rule of Oathbound....

 

[Zjelani]

The first rule is don't cross the Dark Flock!!

<facts>
Oathbound is a new campaign setting from Bastion Press designed to fit on top of any other setting. Sort of like Ravenloft or Planescape, you can have an entire campaign there, or you can just visit it on occassion. The main sourcebook is out now and not only gives an overview of the world, and goes into a large amount of detail on one particular region. It also has several new PC races, the requisite prestige classes, as well as a new concept called prestige races. (You can spend XP and slowly mutate yourself. Very cool stuff.)
</facts>

<opinion>
It is incredible. I've been playing in it since almost January, and it is a phenonmenal world (being a writer does have its perks). It is easily the most original and fascinating world I've seen since the days of TSR.

Oh and the introductory adventure is the best adventure ever written for the D&D game. (Well, ok, that's not true. I helped to write it, so I was trying to hype my own work there for a moment. Sorry, folks.) It's pretty cool, but the setting is definitely the highlight, and it is truly stellar.
</opinion>

You can download a free PDF preview of the world at:
Bastion Press' website

 

[Nightfall]

I have to agree with Ken. Oathbound IS a great setting. I definately would run this either along side or as a nice little break for my players. It's certainly different and yet has some great features of older, 2nd edition stuff. I feel it's part Dark Sun, part Planescape and also maybe a tad bit of Ravenloft. Definately worth taking a look at.

 

[Crothian]

Oathbound is a new campaign setting from Bastion Press designed to fit on top of any other setting.

So, what conditions exist for a party to go there? Is it like Planescape that people would have heard about it and want to go there for unique adventures, or like Ravenloft were you don't want to go there but frankly have no choice.

Are the prestige races designed for any race or specific races. Can a human go into prestige race A, but not prestige class B for instance.

It sounds pretty good and Nightfall has pretty good taste in RPG books, so that's a plus.

 

[Nightfall]

So, what conditions exist for a party to go there? Is it like Planescape that people would have heard about it and want to go there for unique adventures, or like Ravenloft were you don't want to go there but frankly have no choice.

Actually it a more Ravenloft in the sense you don't get a choice BUT you MIGHT want to go there. The people that are they were drawn by powerful forces, searching for great evils as well as great good. Their reasoning? Mainly because of a short prophecy that says (This is just the gist of it) "Only way to be free, someone must defeat all of you." Also because this is a new world, many things about you are enhanced and take time to get used to as well. The people that have been living there, are used to such thing and expect to see a lot of foreign people.

Are the prestige races designed for any race or specific races. Can a human go into prestige race A, but not prestige class B for instance.

I think there are some for any race, but there what's known as Prestige races. I have no idea though what that entails Crothy.

It sounds pretty good and Nightfall has pretty good taste in RPG books, so that's a plus.

Let's just say I have DECENT taste for the most part.

 

[Zjelani]

Are the prestige races designed for any race or specific races. Can a human go into prestige race A, but not prestige class B for instance.

The prestige races are set up to be pretty much usable by anyone. However, they are set up in chains (take the 1st stage to gain access to the 2nd stage, etc.). Some races might already possess the first stage (i.e. water-breathing) and can therefore skip it and go straight to the 2nd. So some races are somewhat more geared to some prestige races (if my explanation made any sense), but that's actually pretty rare with the ones in this book.

So except for very odd cases, any race can take any prestige race.


And yes, characters are pulled there by the powers that be. Although, the rewards (in riches, power, or even just personal achievement) are great enough that many have no problem with it. So it's not quite as unwilling as being pulled into Ravenloft.

 

[Mr Fidgit]

(You can spend XP and slowly mutate yourself. Very cool stuff.)

mutate into what? can you give us hint?

 

[Dave Blewer]

mutate into what? can you give us hint?

I second this! Tell us more! Please

 

[I'm A Banana]

I don't own it, but what I can imagine is something maybe a bit like the Planetouched...

You spend (x) XP, you gain the ability to use LIGHT once per day.

You spend (x+y) XP, you gain the ability to grow wings.

You spend (x+y+z) XP, you gain an aura of awe.

Maybe? I dunno...I originally thought it would be a series of races that you can "level up" (like, advancement, but with specific powers for advancing the race), but Ken's put a wrench in that idea.

Maybe I'm way off. Either way, the setting's quirky enough to gain my attention. Now if I can only find an online store selling it...