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Post by stevemitchell on Jul 14, 2016 23:01:01 GMT -6
I was struck by the many references to the Elder Gods in The Mountains of Dream. If I am following things correctly, it appears that a group of entities called the Elder Gods dwelt on Carcosa once, but left the planet over a billion years ago. (Possibly by choice, possibly driven off by the Old Ones?) And yet, even now, humans have temples devoted to the Elder Gods, and clerics pledged to their service. I'd be curious to know more about the Elder Gods, and to know by what names they are still being worshipped.
All four modules arrived today, by the way. I've really enjoyed going through them. I was also interested to note the somewhat higher level of civilization--actual cities!--present in The Mountains of Dream, and the suggestion of maritime trade. Evidently civilization on Carcosa is not quite so relentlessly Neolithic as portrayed in the core book--at least, not in all places.
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Post by geoffrey on Jul 15, 2016 17:56:18 GMT -6
I was struck by the many references to the Elder Gods in The Mountains of Dream. If I am following things correctly, it appears that a group of entities called the Elder Gods dwelt on Carcosa once, but left the planet over a billion years ago. (Possibly by choice, possibly driven off by the Old Ones?) And yet, even now, humans have temples devoted to the Elder Gods, and clerics pledged to their service. I'd be curious to know more about the Elder Gods, and to know by what names they are still being worshipped. All four modules arrived today, by the way. I've really enjoyed going through them. I was also interested to note the somewhat higher level of civilization--actual cities!--present in The Mountains of Dream, and the suggestion of maritime trade. Evidently civilization on Carcosa is not quite so relentlessly Neolithic as portrayed in the core book--at least, not in all places. The elder gods are a mysterious and shadowy bunch. None of their names is known. Indeed, nothing much is known of them as individuals. They are instead thought of simply as a group. While definitely lawful and good, they are not at all pleasant or comforting. As a parallel, I like to think of them as good in a similar sense to how snakes and spiders are good. The elder gods banished or imprisoned the Old Ones long, long before humanity (or even the Snake-Men) existed. The elder gods have long since left the planet. If you were forced to vacation in the lands of Carcosa, the best you could do would be to choose the Mountains of Dream. While that would not be my idea of a vacation, it would certainly be better than the alternatives! |
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Post by Melan on Jul 16, 2016 4:18:43 GMT -6
These modules have escaped my attention until now. Well, not anymore. Ordered!
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Post by geoffrey on Jul 16, 2016 7:36:14 GMT -6
These modules have escaped my attention until now. Well, not anymore. Ordered! I hope they are to your taste, Gabor.  |
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Post by Melan on Jul 16, 2016 8:45:02 GMT -6
I will let you know. |
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Post by geoffrey on Jul 25, 2016 9:55:55 GMT -6
Lulu is having a great sale: free shipping in addition to 15% off. Click the first link in my signature line below to get the deal. On a day without a sale, my books would cost as follows: The Yuthlugathap Swamps: $12.99 Barrens of Carcosa: $12.99 Jungles of the K'naanothoa: $9.99 The Mountains of Dream: $10.99 shipping: $7.74 (what I paid, anyway) total: $54.70 But with the sale we have: The Yuthlugathap Swamps: $11.04 Barrens of Carcosa: $11.04 Jungles of the K'naanothoa: $8.49 The Mountains of Dream: $9.34 shipping: $0 total: $39.91 Total savings: $14.79 Can't beat that with a stick! And if $39.91 is still too rich for your blood, then pick one module to give it a whirl. For $8.49 you can have the least expensive one shipped to your door. I've paid restaurants that much to make me sick!  Or, if you're feeling really harsh, use the code to buy other stuff instead of my modules while cursing me!  |
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Post by cadriel on Jul 27, 2016 12:31:23 GMT -6
I hope that the review here will be taken in the sentiment it is intended: Initial Thoughts: Barrens of Carcosa. I think the modules geoffrey has put out are probably 7/10 or 8/10 on the basis of their strong imaginative content, but putting them in a single, strongly illustrated book with good information design and unique spells and monster listings would easily have made them a 10/10. |
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Post by geoffrey on Jul 28, 2016 10:00:39 GMT -6
Thank you very much, Wayne, for not only buying my four AD&D modules but also taking the time to post your thoughts on them. I much appreciate it. I intentionally made these books non-deluxe. I want them to be easily affordable, and I don't want people to be afraid to throw them in their backpacks, throw them in the back seat of the car, mark in them, etc. You know those expensive, collectible Star Wars toys that people put on the shelf and don't take out of the package? These modules aren't those. You know the well-used Star Wars action figure with a lost blaster, scraped-up surface, and a loose left leg? That's what I'm aiming for: Well-used and loved. In light of that, please do not hesitate to put an X or a star or etc. beside passages that you like and want to easily find again. Goodness knows that's what I do.  When I look at the hex numbers in the desert and plains areas, I can read them in north light (i. e., light coming from the blue sky rather than directly from the sun). My living room where we typically play D&D (in the afternoon!) has large windows, allowing in plenty of north light. As such, I have no problems reading the hex numbers. That said, when I go into another room and have to use artificial lighting, I have a hard time reading the numbers in the plains and desert (while all the rest I can still read fine). I always imagined DMs photocopying the maps for ease of use (rather than flipping back and forth between the text and the back cover) anyway. As a test, I just made a black-and-white photocopy of the map on the back of Barrens of Carcosa. Those hex numbers that can be hard to read under artificial light are much more readable in the photocopy. tldr: Read the map under north light, or make a black-and-white photocopy. Thanks again, Wayne, for your write-ups. I look forward to reading the next two. |
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Post by cadriel on Jul 28, 2016 15:30:20 GMT -6
It's funny what is collectible. Somebody recently sold an original copy of Carcosa - the hand-made ones you did eight years ago - along with Fungoid Gardens of the Bone Sorcerer for $125.
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Post by CivilianZero on Jul 31, 2016 17:11:17 GMT -6
I'm glad they're affordable so I can get them and use them soon, but I also hope to someday see them collected into a deluxe edition with some new, original content. I can never get enough Carcosa and the LotFP edition is still one of my favorite objects I have ever owned.
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Post by geoffrey on Aug 9, 2016 9:02:38 GMT -6
Lulu is once again offering free shipping plus a 15% discount. Click the link in my sig for the code. |
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Post by mazinkaesar on Aug 18, 2016 18:00:43 GMT -6
I get them too! I only missed The Mountains of Dream but I've ordered it some hours ago. I think I will use them for a AD&D 2nd edition mini-campaing soon.
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Post by geoffrey on Sept 23, 2016 7:56:02 GMT -6
Lulu is having the best sale I've seen since I put my books on Lulu: From now through Monday, Sept. 26 you get FREE SHIPPING AND 20% OFF. Get The Yuthlugathap Swamps shipped to your door for $10.39 (usually $12.99 plus shipping). Get Barrens of Carcosa shipped to your door for $10.39 (usually $12.99 plus shipping). Get Jungles of the K'naanothoa shipped to your door for $7.99 (usually $9.99 plus shipping). Get The Mountains of Dream shipped to your door for $8.79 (usually $10.99 plus shipping). Get the entire set shipped to your door for $37.57 (usually $46.96 plus shipping). Click the link in my sig for the discount code. |
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Post by tkdco2 on Sept 26, 2016 11:57:04 GMT -6
I just ordered Jungles of the K'naanothoa yesterday. I hope I get it soon.
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Post by tkdco2 on Oct 4, 2016 22:30:21 GMT -6
I just ordered Jungles of the K'naanothoa yesterday. I hope I get it soon. I got my copy a couple of days ago, and I'm pretty happy with it. Lots of interesting stuff. I would like to see more published adventures, though. Are there any available? |
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Post by geoffrey on Oct 5, 2016 16:01:36 GMT -6
I'm glad you like it. All I have available right now are the four modules in my signature below. More to come. |
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Post by tkdco2 on Oct 10, 2016 0:44:32 GMT -6
I have one question about alignment. In the OD&D version, chaotic beings would worship the Old Ones, while lawful ones would oppose them. How does that play out with AD&D alignment? Would it change to the good/evil axis instead? Or would a chaotic good person follow the Old Ones, while a lawful evil person would oppose them?
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Post by geoffrey on Oct 10, 2016 17:22:55 GMT -6
I have one question about alignment. In the OD&D version, chaotic beings would worship the Old Ones, while lawful ones would oppose them. How does that play out with AD&D alignment? Would it change to the good/evil axis instead? Or would a chaotic good person follow the Old Ones, while a lawful evil person would oppose them? Good/evil axis, for the most part. LG, NG, and CG worship the elder gods, while LE, NE, and CE worship the Old Ones. LN tend to worship the elder gods, and CN tend to worship the Old Ones. Pure neutrals try to stay out of it. |
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Post by tkdco2 on Oct 10, 2016 21:55:41 GMT -6
Thanks, that works.
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Post by foxroe on Oct 11, 2016 2:03:32 GMT -6
I'll second that (sorry, blatant mildly-necromantic thread bump).
How do these modules mesh with AD&D? Do they contain "house rules" for using the AD&D rules? How do Clerics work (who is the patron of LG Clerics @_@)? Are all AD&D classes viable? And did I understand correctly - Modules 1 - 4 represent a "redo" of the original Carcosa material?
Sorry for all of the questions, but this just made it into my radar sweep and it all looks very sweet!
Edit: LOL. I got WAY too excited and was premature with my post... then I realized I hadn't finished reading the thread.
Soooo, just one question: Do they contain "house rules" for using the AD&D system, or is it pretty much anything goes (classes, magic, monsters, etc.)?
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Post by tkdco2 on Oct 11, 2016 2:20:24 GMT -6
The module I have has fighters and magic-users, with the odd cleric. I don't see any thieves, however; do you include them in your game?
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Post by foxroe on Oct 11, 2016 3:01:17 GMT -6
BTW, Geoffrey's LULU code for October isn't working. I used NIGEL35 instead (35% off) to buy all four - almost $17 saved; that's like buy three, get one free!
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Post by geoffrey on Oct 11, 2016 11:41:11 GMT -6
Do they contain "house rules" for using the AD&D system, or is it pretty much anything goes (classes, magic, monsters, etc.)? No house rules are included or needed. Standard AD&D is all you need. |
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Post by geoffrey on Oct 11, 2016 11:44:06 GMT -6
The module I have has fighters and magic-users, with the odd cleric. I don't see any thieves, however; do you include them in your game? No, I'm not a big fan of thieves in general, and (in my opinion) they do not have the right flavor for the lands of Carcosa. That said, if anyone wants to use thieves with these modules, there's no reason not to. The setting is certainly flexible enough to handle thieves. |
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Post by geoffrey on Oct 11, 2016 11:49:23 GMT -6
BTW, Geoffrey's LULU code for October isn't working. I used NIGEL35 instead (35% off) to buy all four - almost $17 saved; that's like buy three, get one free! Thank you for letting me know. That other code expired today, but lulu hadn't sent me the NIGEL35 code. I've now updated my lulu spotlight page. I hope you like the modules. Thanks again! |
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Post by ritt on Oct 18, 2016 18:10:11 GMT -6
All four now ordered. Looking forward to these!
Who did the cover art and does he or she have a page?
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Post by foxroe on Oct 18, 2016 23:00:51 GMT -6
All four now ordered. Looking forward to these! Who did the cover art and does he or she have a page? There's a link in Geoffrey's signature. Just got mine today. Very pleased with the quality of the print from Lulu. Between the covers and the layout, it's very reminiscent of the old B and X modules. Love it. Can't wait to pour through these. My only critique at this point (and it's a minor personal thing) is I would have loved to see a one-level sample dungeon on the inside cover, but that may not be possible with Lulu POD. |
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Post by tkdco2 on Oct 18, 2016 23:23:48 GMT -6
Does anyone use the Space-Age Sorcery supplement instead of (or in addition to) the regular cleric and magic-user spells? |
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Post by foxroe on Oct 18, 2016 23:28:58 GMT -6
Does anyone use the Space-Age Sorcery supplement instead of (or in addition to) the regular cleric and magic-user spells? Whoa. Saving that for later. Nice find! |
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Post by tkdco2 on Oct 18, 2016 23:50:51 GMT -6
Thanks, but I can't take credit for finding that one. It was actually greenfielder who added it to the game I briefly joined. Alas, every time I join a Carcosa game, it dies an early death.  |
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