Tomb of Dreams is out to Backers

[Blaque]

Reading it now since I actually know some people I wanted ot test Exalted with via it. I also like as SLS notes, the first part being a nice quick-reference for the game. I mgiht actually print it out tomorrow afternoon and see what my friend things on it.

The Artifacts not being defined is kind of neat. I can look at the names and get some ideas of what to maybe do with them. Kalinaki appeals to me greatly on some deep level and I kind of wanna think of how that thing would be used.

And stuff.

[Ostarion]

Regarding the layout differences from the Core book, The quick characters feel a bit more condensed and the way they are presented seems neat and tidy. I assume that this is because of a different layout artist. Will this be consistent going forward, because I can see the strength of both types.

[Isator Levi]

First impression (as in, reaction to the very first thing I see):

Okay, Karal Fire Orchid just looks ridiculous with that armour having boob socks moulded into it.

Everybody seems to be suffering from Youngblood's disease.

I like the look of the action scene.

[Isator Levi]

Overall, I like the scenario presented, and I like the characters. I especially think that adding Intimacies now is really proving its worth; I read every character's list, and now only think about how that might contextualize their actions, but how they might be used to influence them, particularly for ones that represent possible weaknesses. Iay in particular, with his low Guile and his Tie to his family of regret.

[Arian Dynas]

Everybody seems to be suffering from Youngblood's disease..

Yegads, will the horror that is Youngblood's disease never cease!?

Ladies and gentlemen, if you, a family member, or a local comic book artist seem to suffer from chronic Youngblood's disease, there are people you can call.

Reach us now at 555-SML-EYES and we will see to it that you, will receive the help you need to deal with this dehabilitating eye condition,

[wonderandawe]

I got a group clamoring for me to run something. Half my players have only played D&D/Pathfinder and the other half are new to RPGs in general. I figured I could run this to hold them over until September when I got free time to run something.

So... Would this Kickstart be a good introduction to Exalted/RPGs? I want to test Exalted out on the group before deciding between Ex3 (My preference) or Changeling the Lost (Easier to run/play) campaign.

((Note, I'm not a backer, so I haven't seen this myself.)

[Coik]

Everybody seems to be suffering from Youngblood's disease.

For the most part it seems to be early stages of Youngblood Disease, so it's thankfully still treatable. Iay seems to have the most advanced case, though; not only are his eyes gone, but he's started the idiotic posing as well. We really should quarantine him and place him under observation; if he starts developing pouches, then he's too far gone and will need to be put down.

[Janissary87]

Any news on how those of us with too little money to contribute to the kickstarter (way back when) can buy this?

[Joshua]

I'll add my praise of this - it's a good adventure, with plenty of hooks that can be spun int a longer campaign. There are the consequences of the players' actions directly, but also strong hooks in the various intimacies the characters have, and their backstories.
My intention is to treat Teo as representing a class of lesser fire elementals - not so much immature gardas, but rather garda wannabes. That gives me more utility - I'm already needing a ton of new elementals at lower essence for my players.

[Matt-M-McElroy]

Any news on how those of us with too little money to contribute to the kickstarter (way back when) can buy this?

We're collecting errata comments on the other thread. Then, those will be reviewed by the Devs and corrections will be input into the files. A PoD version will be created, a proof ordered, and if it is good to go, then we'll activate it for sale on DTRPG.

-MMM

[Isator Levi]

So, query: how does one get out of this situation without hurting anybody that doesn't deserve it?

[Joshua]

So, query: how does one get out of this situation without hurting anybody that doesn't deserve it?

That is actually the crux of the adventure, in my mind. Players will have to determine who deserves what - and honestly, most of the potential antagonists have at least a reasonable case to make for their point of view. The ambiguity is interesting, and definitely seems likely to challenge players.

[AnubisXy]

So, query: how does one get out of this situation without hurting anybody that doesn't deserve it?

It's hard but doable. There are several points in the adventure path where it says something like, "Teo will fight to stop the players if they make X choice, but if they've befriended him, he might choose to assist them instead," with a similar note for Sumi. It might not make Teo happy if you decide to keep the demon trapped, but if you've become buddies with him he's willing to accept it.

This means if the players spend the time trying to make friends, those friendships can pay off down the road, regardless of which decision you make.

It's also nice that there isn't really a "good" choice or "bad" choice. The demon isn't particularly bad, just trapped. Keeping it trapped isn't necessarily the more moral decision. And Sumi and Teo both have their points. So it's nice that there is a bit of a moral conundrum coupled with the freedom for the players to decide how to resolve things.

[Stephen Lea Sheppard]

So, query: how does one get out of this situation without hurting anybody that doesn't deserve it?

Well, for starters, it'd probably be a good idea to go in with more setting knowledge and occult puissance than the premades have. Maybe something that actually lets you compel the demon to do no harm once it's released, or even just tell with some certainty what it's likely to do if freed.

[Stephen Lea Sheppard]

I should probably note at this point that the phrase "Tomb of Dreams" is not merely a description of the scenario's setting or a joke on Exalted demo adventures always having "Tomb" in the title. (Though it is those things!) The scenario is ultimately a dilemma where your power is sufficient to ensure you're the only one who can force a resolution, but not sufficient to determine what that solution ought to be; if you had dared hope your status as a Solar Exalt would be sufficient to always Captain Kirk Third Option your way out of these things, welp.

(I am very pretentious.)

I'm super-interested in hearing how it plays out at actual tables.