In case anyone has questions...
What is this? This is a mini patronage project, tightly focused on a single element of the Pathfinder RPG. As with all patronage projects, for those not already familiar, you fund the project up front, but if it doesn't meet the funding goal, it never gets completed. This way, if there's just not enough interest in a particular idea at a particular time, resources can be focused elsewhere. You get only what you want, and the publisher can start on the next project.
What does the patron get? That varies with the project. In this case, for the minimum pledge, you at least get the final product for the same price as you would have anyway. In addition, if you choose to and at no additional cost, you can participate in the design discussion on Google+, including throwing in your ideas and playtesting the results. Deeper access and other opportunities are available at higher pledges if you're interested.
Where do the funds go? All the funds go toward the final design, editing, illustration, layout, and associated costs of completing the product to the high quality that fans of Zombie Sky Press have come to expect.
What is the product in question? Mysteries of the Dead Side will explore necromancy magic in new and exciting ways. The core will be a new class of specialist necromancer. Along with that will come new spells, feats, and more. Barring any changes decided on by the patrons, it will be similar in content to
Mysteries of the Tengu Road.
Why should we trust you? Because I rolled a natty 20 on Diplomacy? OK, how about because I have several years of experience designing and developing content in the industry. I've been a contributing editor for
Kobold Quarterly magazine and blog almost since the beginning, and my design work can be can be found in all Zombie Sky Press products and a scattering of other companies' products. As for class design for Pathfinder RPG specifically, my article "The Holy Remix" in KQ #12 gives a new take on the cultist (or phantom) among others, and
Mysteries of the Tengu Road gives you the yamabushi.
Do you have any specifics you can share for the sacred necromancer? I will make a pitch to the patrons, but the nature of the project means that things will likely change as the discussion continues. That said, I will pitch something built from the skeleton of the oracle (pun most certainly intended)--similar to how the yamabushi is built. (So there will likely also be tons of new oracle mysteries in the final product.) I will pitch sacred necromancer "mysteries" that include communicating with the dead, exorcizing the dead, eating the dead to gain power, and more. And I like to push the limits, so I will pitch some off-the-wall stuff that you can run with or slap down as "just too far, Scott." For instance, the revenant version of the sacred necromancer is dead to start with: this looks at the revenant as a class, instead of as a monster, in which you advance as an undead character. Remember, the sacred necromancer need not be the hero... they are just as well suited to being the villain.
Have other questions? Let me know.
Support
Mysteries of the Dead Side with your donation. I think it'll be a lot of fun!
