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Post by mabon5127 on Jul 17, 2012 18:42:55 GMT -6
...BTW the creature is a Mi-Go a Lovecraftian creature and its fantastic! I was really making over yours vs complaining. Mine will look good on the wall with Ians Shamman and his Berserker and various prints. He quickly moved into my top two artists and I don't see him moving.
Morgan
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Chainsaw
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 303
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Post by Chainsaw on Jul 17, 2012 20:11:32 GMT -6
...BTW the creature is a Mi-Go a Lovecraftian creature and its fantastic! Ah, of course. I knew it looked familiar.  |
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Post by Ghul on Jul 21, 2012 5:44:10 GMT -6
The printing of the AS&SH manuals begins today! Here is an excerpt from the Players' Manual:  |
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Post by diogonogueira on Jul 21, 2012 6:45:33 GMT -6
Shinny! The excerpt looks really nice! I am anxiously awaiting for the game!  |
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Post by kent on Jul 21, 2012 15:16:57 GMT -6
Ghul, I imagine this is not an easy question to answer but how did you know how close you could skate to the AD&D books?
The art in AS&SH looks like art rather than drawings.
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Chainsaw
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 303
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Post by Chainsaw on Jul 21, 2012 16:51:07 GMT -6
The art in AS&SH looks like art rather than drawings. I think that is a compliment. |
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Post by kesher on Jul 21, 2012 20:09:13 GMT -6
Holy Hyperborea! That is literally the only picture I've seen of a cleric that actually makes me want to play a cleric...
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Post by Ghul on Jul 22, 2012 6:36:48 GMT -6
Ghul, I imagine this is not an easy question to answer but how did you know how close you could skate to the AD&D books? The art in AS&SH looks like art rather than drawings. Hi kent, I think Ian is a phenomenal artist, with a unique approach and style. He is a schooled fine artist and a teacher of fine art, but he is also a gamer and a huge HPL fan. Regarding your other question, it was never a matter of skating as close as possible to 1e. My quick answer is strict adherence to the OGL, taking advantage of the SRD, and applying artistic license throughout. Now, you may look at the above presentation of the cleric and say, this sounds a lot like a 1e cleric, but there are several subtle differences: * The favoured weapons list is a list that covers all the weapons with which the cleric is already proficient, and this list includes weapons prohibited to the 1e cleric. The favoured weapons list may be expanded on with the acquisition of new weapon skills (every 4 levels); so the cleric might well train in the use of a two-handed sword, or perhaps a bow -- whatever he chooses. * Saving throw system is different. Every character has a base saving throw that is dependent on level. This is modified by class and possibly attributes. For the above cleric, you can see that the he gains a +2 bonus for death and sorcery saves. * Looking at the table, we can see that the XP progression is tougher than the 1e equivalent. * Fighting Ability is a concept that applies to all character classes and monsters. We use a single combat matrix that lines up fighitng ability versus armour class, the two met with a "to hit" target number. The fighting ability of a fighter, for instance, is the same as his level. For clerics, you can see, the progression is not as quick. * We note casting ability, turing ability -- these are all subtle differences in our chart systems as compared to 1e. * There are only 6 levels of spells in AS&SH, and this you can see illustrated by the table, too. * Scribing a scroll is a 1st level ability for the AS&SH cleric. * If you look at the sorcery section, you will note that the AS&SH cleric does not begin with access to all the cleric spells like in 1e. They must choose three spells, and they gain three per level. * Stronghold rules (building a temple, fane, etc.) are different, too, for the AS&SH cleric.. So, essentially, what I'm try to illustrate to you, kent, is how just these two pages are different from 1e, even though first glance might make one think the game looks very 1e-ish. There are a lot of broader items that differentiate AS&SH from 1e. No hobbits, elves, dwarves (well, not dwarves in the Tolkien sense, that is, but vile monster dwarves), dragons, wishes, and much more. Where these thematic elements have been stripped, they have been replaced by elements that accord more closely to the Hyperborea setting, which in turn are derived from fictional sources such as REH, HPL, and CAS. Hope that helps. |
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Chainsaw
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 303
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Post by Chainsaw on Jul 22, 2012 7:34:57 GMT -6
Thanks for that, Ghul. Now, back to the sweatshop, mofo!
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Post by Ghul on Jul 22, 2012 7:47:14 GMT -6
Thanks for that, Ghul. Now, back to the sweatshop, mofo! Exactly! |
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Post by mabon5127 on Jul 22, 2012 11:56:00 GMT -6
Thanks for that, Ghul. Now, back to the sweatshop, mofo! Yeah! What he said! |
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Post by kent on Jul 23, 2012 6:31:04 GMT -6
Ghul, yes I can see the subtlety of the changes, I myself adopted the Fight Rank idea and incorporated it into the weapon vs armour tables. At first glance, given the influence of your setting on your rule set, the 'cleric' title doesn't seem to fit this class anymore but you have managed to hang to it quite well - it does seem to fit.
Given you have chosen to post about the cleric, have you anything further to say about religion in your setting. Demi-gods are very revealing of the deeper aspects of a campaign, what kind of great beings do you have in Hyperborea?
With respect to the OGL, I missed all the discussion of this license and what exactly it allows. Is there any alternative to getting to grips with it than a trip to wikipedia?
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Post by pulp on Jul 23, 2012 7:46:27 GMT -6
My playing group is seriously going to encounter a cleric serving an Elder God.
I have a story planned out. This setting is perfect for my type of games, haha.
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Post by Ghul on Jul 29, 2012 21:05:40 GMT -6
Ghul, yes I can see the subtlety of the changes, I myself adopted the Fight Rank idea and incorporated it into the weapon vs armour tables. At first glance, given the influence of your setting on your rule set, the 'cleric' title doesn't seem to fit this class anymore but you have managed to hang to it quite well - it does seem to fit. Thank you. It is a slight paradigm shift that allows for the iconic class to remain, and yet it takes on a darker tone more befitting of the S&S genre. Also, when you couple Ian's art with the text, I feel a much stronger mood is invoked. Xathoqqua (Tsathoggua) is the primary being of worship in the setting, and this accords well with CAS's conception of Hyperborea, but there are about 20 divinities in total represented in the setting. These are a mix of beings, most of whom do not exist in some extra-planar realm, but within the confines of Hyperorea itself; at least that is what sages of Hyperborea posit. The Vikings, for example, have latched onto Ullr, for the other Old Norse gods do not exist in this far-flung realm; however, Ullr himself pays obeisance to Ymir, god of the frost giants, and so you have a bit of REH's conception of Viking worship. There is Kthulhu, who is largely worshipped by a cult of Esquimaux who arrived at Hyperborea from Greenland, where their sinister cult worshipped the dreaming god. There is also Apollo and Artemis, both of whom were said to be worshipped by the Hyperboreans in the Old Greek religion. I could go on. What I'm trying to convey to you, kent, is that the setting indeed has its gods and demons, but these do not form any type of formal pantheon, as it were. I'm afraid I'm not the best person to ask for this sort of advice. In essence, I have followed and learned from the likes of Stuart Marshall and Matt Finch, whose understanding of the ins and outs of the OGL helped pave the way for me to create my own little retro-clone. Cheers, Jeff T. |
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Post by Ghul on Jul 29, 2012 21:06:21 GMT -6
My playing group is seriously going to encounter a cleric serving an Elder God. I have a story planned out. This setting is perfect for my type of games, haha. Glad to hear it, pulp -- and welcome to ODD74! |
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Post by kent on Jul 29, 2012 22:14:49 GMT -6
So how do you get hold of the setting if you didn't get involved in the kickstarter thingy?
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Chainsaw
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 303
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Post by Chainsaw on Jul 30, 2012 13:53:39 GMT -6
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Post by pulp on Jul 30, 2012 15:18:13 GMT -6
My playing group is seriously going to encounter a cleric serving an Elder God. I have a story planned out. This setting is perfect for my type of games, haha. Glad to hear it, pulp -- and welcome to ODD74! Thanks! Joined for AS&SH specifically (although I have been ghosting other forums a lot). |
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Post by mgtremaine on Jul 30, 2012 15:24:57 GMT -6
Cool..... I'd check the mail again but it probably won't help since the mail carrier has already come and gone... Must wait another day...... -Mike |
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mythos
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 96
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Post by mythos on Jul 30, 2012 23:43:38 GMT -6
Now I have a reason to go to the post office tomorrow.
Please let it be there.
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Post by Ghul on Jul 31, 2012 7:09:42 GMT -6
So how do you get hold of the setting if you didn't get involved in the kickstarter thingy? Kent, I'll be placing the game for sale on our site in about a week or so. Thanks for your interest! But to be clear -- you said "setting". The game is a combination of rules and setting, just so you know. Regards, Jeff T. |
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Post by Ghul on Jul 31, 2012 7:15:46 GMT -6
Now I have a reason to go to the post office tomorrow. Please let it be there. Fellows, please be patient as I continue to print, bind, collate, and ship. This is going to be done in piecemeal over the next month, and I will be sending out multiple batches of games per week. When your package has mailed, you will know, because I will email you. Thank you! And please accept my apologies that the process is not faster. This really is a home-grown operation. Great pics, chainsaw -- I'm glad everything arrived safe and sound. Thanks for the great post! |
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Post by mgtremaine on Jul 31, 2012 7:38:51 GMT -6
There are several barbarians at the door Ghul who have some questions about their packages....  [Grunt, Grunt, Flex, Flex] -Mike |
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mythos
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 96
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Post by mythos on Jul 31, 2012 8:06:25 GMT -6
I've been patient this long, so I guess I can wait a few more weeks if necessary.
Chainsaw, that you for posting those pics. Looking at them takes me back to when the majority of new games came out in boxed editions.
Jeff, it's obvious that you put a lot of time and effort into releasing a game with high standards of production. Thank you for your time, effort, and creativity.
One question. Looking at the map, what is the scale of the hexes?
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Post by Ghul on Jul 31, 2012 8:34:57 GMT -6
There are several barbarians at the door Ghul who have some questions about their packages.... [Grunt, Grunt, Flex, Flex] -Mike Yikes!  |
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Post by Ghul on Jul 31, 2012 8:37:01 GMT -6
I've been patient this long, so I guess I can wait a few more weeks if necessary. Chainsaw, that you for posting those pics. Looking at them takes me back to when the majority of new games came out in boxed editions. Jeff, it's obvious that you put a lot of time and effort into releasing a game with high standards of production. Thank you for your time, effort, and creativity. One question. Looking at the map, what is the scale of the hexes? Thank you for the kind words, mythos. This may seem rather simpleminded, but from the outset, I wanted something that I would like and that my gaming buddies would like. By extension (hopefully!), other folks might like it as well. Scale = 24 miles per hex. |
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Chainsaw
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 303
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Post by Chainsaw on Jul 31, 2012 8:43:57 GMT -6
Chainsaw, thank you for posting those pics. No sweat, man. By the way, nice avatar. I use that image as my gmail avatar. |
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Post by kent on Jul 31, 2012 8:57:12 GMT -6
So how do you get hold of the setting if you didn't get involved in the kickstarter thingy? Kent, I'll be placing the game for sale on our site in about a week or so. Thanks for your interest! But to be clear -- you said "setting". The game is a combination of rules and setting, just so you know. I thought it would be fun to watch you point that out. So, the complimentary reviewer copies are being sent after the kickstarter copies have all shipped, ok. |
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Post by blackbarn on Jul 31, 2012 10:54:43 GMT -6
Wow, it certainly looks impressive, not that I had any doubts. Seems it has been well worth the wait! I'll be waiting a bit longer and look forward to seeing it go on sale soon.
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Post by jasonzavoda on Jul 31, 2012 14:35:22 GMT -6
Now I have a reason to go to the post office tomorrow. Please let it be there. Fellows, please be patient as I continue to print, bind, collate, and ship. This is going to be done in piecemeal over the next month, and I will be sending out multiple batches of games per week. When your package has mailed, you will know, because I will email you. Thank you! And please accept my apologies that the process is not faster. This really is a home-grown operation. Great pics, chainsaw -- I'm glad everything arrived safe and sound. Thanks for the great post! Just remember the old system, last to order, first to receive, or a reverse alphabetical system for shipping. |
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[Grunt, Grunt, Flex, Flex]
