That'd be me that "seems so" foolish! Thanks.

Of course, it'd be foolish for Cubicle7 to charge the same price for a PDF that they charge for the physical book! My sopbox rant was about what gets me riled ... when game manufacturers drastically undercut the in-print, physical book price! Doing a quick online search, I see quite a few examples of PDF versions of in-print books priced at 40% or less than that of the physical book. Realistically, I'd like to see the PDF-only price somewhere between 50% and 66% of the physical book price. [LOVE the continual "dead tree" references, BTW ... makes publishing physical books seem so much of a Saruman contrivance ... "Many of these trees were my friends. Creatures I had known from nut or acorn. They had voices of their own. Saruman! A wizard should know better!"]

IMO, PDF-only pricing that is that drastically skewed will have an detrimental effect on the longevity of RPGs. I already know that RPG sales are NOT keeping my store open ... collectible card games do that. But, I also know that the LGS (Local Game Store) is the nexus of the RPG community. It's where RPGers come to find out what going on in the hobby ... find out what is being played and where ... find out if there's a group that can be joined ... find out if there's a game at the store that can be joined ... or, to thumb through the latest products. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't come in to ask those questions ... or do those things. But, if a PDF is selling for below what I have to sell it for and possible customers opt for the much cheaper PDF, I can't afford to keep that product around. RPGs are already relegated to a single bookcase with five, 30" wide shelves ... and not all shelves are being used for that! Then, if I don't have RPG products around, the RPGers stop coming around. The RPG community is, therefore, isolated ... the hobby dies. Intentionally undercutting in-print prices ultimately damages the longevity of RPGs by damaging the RPG community.

Now, I do think that having a PDF only option should be available. Combining a print copy and PDF, too is even better. Something I'd like to see is every PDF watermarked (and I know RPGNow and DriveThruRPG do this) combined with some methodology of handling piracy issues ... taking the pirate out behind the store and beating them is sooo medieval! There is definitely an issue of rampant piracy! Too many times have I seen one purchased PDF sprouting multiple copies that "materialize" on several mobile devices at the gaming table!

Bottom Line: Don't hurt the LGS and RPG community by unfair PDF pricing! And, of course, don't hurt the PDF-only group, either. There MUST be a happy medium.

My LGS doesn't have a lot of kids in it. Very few, and they are not going to the RPG section, but to the video games and manga.

But they ARE playing RPGs. When I was a high school student, I was aware of the groups at my HS and three others (due to close friends at them, and also due to ROTC and Choir activities at those schools). There are MORE kids playing RPGs now than in the mid 1980's in both Chugiak and East Anchorage High Schools; there are at least the same number at West. Service High also has gamers playing at lunch. I'm a substitute teacher - and at lunch, there are more groups playing in the common areas now than back in the 1980's, and the groups are about the same size.

The games I'm seeing in the halls are not generally "current" releases - lots of Rifts, lots of D&D 3E, lots of old WoD. Stuff they can't get in the LGS reliably. I've even had kids completely shocked to find out I was a "lead playtester" on T20... a year after the T20 license expired... They asked if I was related to "him," and I showed them my DL, saying "I should hope so..." They were unaware that the supplements had been in PDF.

But I've not seen them in the local game store. They're buying the books in used book stores and in pawn shops, and occasionally online. They're not the upper class kids - they're working class or welfare class. And they're still freaks and geeks, especially JROTC and Music students. And I have seen them buying RPG books in the pawn shops.

At least in Anchorage, they're poor kids playing cast-offs, or borrowing a parent's collection. But they ARE buying, and are playing.

I don't mind the PDF being priced at 50% actual book price if bought separately or before the book is out.

But I also expect to get the PDF for free if I buy the actual book itself.

Bits and Mortar for FTW!


/u

Hi everyone! The PDF version is now available at http://www.rpgnow.com/product/101038/The-One-Ring---Tales-from-Wilderland?filters=0_0_0_0_0&manufacturers_id=54&affiliate_id=169435 ://http://www.rpgnow.com/product/10103...iate_id=169435

If you pre-ordered the book, you should have a download code in your inbox - if not, please check your spam filter and, if it's not there, get in touch with us at info at cubicle7.co.uk

Thanks Dom! Downloaded and checking it out now

Just downloaded it ... checking it out now. Looking good! Thanks!!!

[EDIT] Beat me to it, timb!

This post has been edited by Throrsgold on Apr 3 2012, 12:41 PM

Yay!

Downloaded and skimmed the book.

Had not expected 160 pages worth of material, so that will keep my group busy for a long time.

For the many that speculated about a riding skill, Athletics is the one to use.

Don't want to spoil it for players as opposed to LM's, who get to read everything, but there's undead, a dragon and stats for human villains.

Looking forwards to the hard copy when it gets here.

Been a long wait for more material, but this will certainly keep us busy until the Darkening of Mirkwood.

Edit: Almost forget... there are more hazards for journeys!

Good stuff Garbar.

Haven't preordered from C7 as I still have a (probably misplaced) loyalty to my FLGS.

Do any of the adventures take the heroes down the River Running?

Great!

I know it's a bit early but... When will all this goodness be translated in italian?

The translation is done. Undergoing editing since a couple of days.

Francesco

Awesome, downloaded it and skimmed over it but haven't gotten too in-depth yet (in fact, that's my plan for right after I get off these forums!). At first glance, the production value seems every bit as high as the core set which is very good to see. The initial summaries of the adventures have me excited, even if the earlier ones don't line up with the direction my campaign is going currently. At least that can be remedied

I just preordered, and then came to the forums to find the PDF is available! I know it's probably too late across the pond to get the download code, but I can't wait to see it tomorrow! Thanks for all the work on The One Ring!

Yours in fellowship,
Stephen "Trotter"

Chapeau

A quick run down for those interested. Warning some spoilers (I will try and avoid them).

Tales from Widlerland is 7 adventures. They can be run individually but can also form a campaign spanning three years. The overarching storyline generally only comes in in the last three adventures, but its awesome. The big villain is creepy, Tolkien appropriate and his plan is epic.

You could easily put Marsh Bell on the front and Words from the Wise between chapters 2 and 3.

All the adventures are good. In fact, this is one of the best adventure books I have read. They span a range of activities and stories, and all felt Tolkien in flavour. Highlights include:



SPOILERS



Chapter 1: a detailed journey across Mirkwood
Chapter 2: my favourite adventure where Goblins (and players) sing songs in the dark!
Chapter 3: probably the most subtle and human story of the lot
Chapter 4: Eagles! Was that the Necromancer? Dol Goldur!
Chapter 5: creepy mastermind, marsh, magic items and Mountain Hall!
Chapter 6: Awesome large battle sequence.
Chapter 7: Cold drake!

Just downloaded mine and I am ecstatic! The adventures sound marvelous and should satisfy everyone for awhile. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Just finished giving the first two adventures a read-over. Don't Leave the Path was pretty good (if slightly generic), though it gave me quite a bit to steal for my players' upcoming journey on the Old Forest Road.

Of Leaves and Stewed Hobbit, on the other hand, was incredible!!! I am so excited to run this adventure, which just oozes with flavor and creativity. Well done sirs, well done! Looking forward to reading through the rest of these.

Wow, got it already! Thank you!
Must read now....

Stephen "Trotter"

The first scenario is a nice introduction and shows how the journey through Mirkwood can be an adventure in and of itself. The Encounter with the Elves seems a little weak though. I plan to combine it with the general premise of the Spanish language only adevnture of Trolls of Carrock, saying that the creature at the end of the adventure has been forcing Trolls out of Mirkwood to attack local people. It could also work well as a simple Fellowship formative adventure.

Of Leaves and Stewed Hobbit is fabulous. When I ran it, one players actually sang the Goblin song It also ended beautifully with Beli (who has Burglary but no Stealth) picking the Goblin King's pocket, rolling just the Fate die and getting a Gandalf rune. After the game, the players said that fortune favouring the brave and also the fact that the PCs were rewarded primarily with great stories and not monetarily, were both very Tolkien.

Are there any Italian-only TOR products?

Not that I am aware of. The scenario I refer to is a fan made one.

"Of Leaves and Stewed Hobbit"? That is an adventure title to conjure with! I was on the fence about this before, simply because I don't have a game group at present, but this tips me over.

I've just read the first two adventure, and I am very impressed so far. Interesting encounters, plenty of background information, helpers for the GM regarding NPC behaviour, and all of it has a proper Middle-earth feel. The illustrations are top-notch also.

Now I am waiting for the next supplements even more eagerly. For me, the first non-free adventure or supplement release for an RPG is almost as important as the core set itself - it tells much about the future of a product line I think. And I envision a bright future here :-D

Finished reading the third adventure, which is another really good one!!! I'm very impressed with this book, and this is coming from someone who usually steers clear of published adventures. The presentation for these adventures is very user-friendly (which I figured would be the case, having already run The Marsh Bell and Words of the Wise), which is pretty much essential to ensure that the game runs smoothly.

I am intrigued.

But, I do not speak, read or write Spanish. What is the title of this adventure? I'd like to know the "general premise" and would search for the adventure, run it through an online translator, and find out.

Or, you could (maybe) post the "general premise" in more detail and save me (and the rest of us) some time?

I have a weird thing in "Tales". On page 13 in the "Belgo's Talisman" section the first two letters of the word "final" are missing. The spaces for the letters are there, but the letters themselves aren't. Is this something with my display or is it in everyone's copy?

I'm looking at it on my Fire and thinking maybe it's displaying weird only for me.

You're not alone. Mine does, too.

This is the first PDF I've viewed on the Fire. It's small type in portrait mode, but I really wanted to read it. So I wasn't sure.

No big deal as far as I'm concerned. So far I've really enjoyed the stories. I think they leave a lot of area for a Game Master to add and customize while providing very strong frameworks for an ongoing arc. Excellently done.

Elf-friend as a trait! Mind blown!

I don't speak Spanish either I have had the general premise explained to me.

Essentially, I will start the session in Laketown or Dale. News that Trolls are attacking Carrock will reach the Master or King and he will ask the PCs to go and investigate and help.

Then I will do the adventure across Mirkwood as written with the following changes:

- the Elves know that something evil has rooted itself in NW Mirkwood, but they aren't sharing.
- I will drop hints of the Thing in the Well with the Hermit.
- Belgo goes missing at the end of the journey across Mirkwood when the evil dreams are happening. The Thing in the Well took him. The PCs are unable to find the Thing in the Well or Belgos.

Once the PCs come out the other side of Mirkwood, they will meet with the people of Carrock, battle some displaced Trolls and be able to track back to the Trolls' lair in Mirkwood to find the Thing in the Well. Effectively, the Thing in the Well uprooted the Trolls and caused them to move into Carrock. With the Thing gone, Belgos is saved and Carrock is left safe (for now)

Its not much, but it ties that first adventure together and gives weight to several more scenes (Elves, Hermit, Thing in the Well) that makes Chapter 1 about the same length as Chapters 2 to 7.

I'm trying to work out the best way to play all the published adventures in the most sensible order to their set up and internal stories/events.

Just thinking about the playing order you suggested skywalker, would it make more sense to play "Words of the Wise" between chapter 5 and 6?
That is play "Words of the Wise" after "Those who tarry no longer" based on the following (but with questions too) -

SPOILERS (for all published adventures so far)

• The set up for "Words of the Wise" has the players near Rhosgobel to see Radagast after an encounter in Dol Guldur. "Those who tarry no longer" sees the hero group going to Rhosgobel or halls of the Elvenking at the end and in "A Darkness in the Marshes", the sequel to "Those who tarry no longer", the group are asked to talk to Radagast in Rhosgobel.
• I don't think we'll ever see the prologue (how the heroes meet) in "Words of the Wise" as a published adventure, so in a way "Those who tarry no longer" fits in the space.
• Where would you fit the difficulty level of "Words of the Wise" in with the adventures in Tales from Wilderland? Is between chapter 5/6 too late?

The other bit I have been pondering is how to fit in the Gathering of the Five Armies in with the Tale of Years. I love Tolkien's canon, so I am trying to fit it in as well as I can.

• "The Crossings of Celduin" is set in November for a Gathering of Five Armies. The adventure is the sixth of seven in Tales from Wilderland, so as suggested in the book is a higher difficulty than the preceding adventures and wouldn't be suitable to be played before "The Marsh Bell" for instance.
• 2946 TA is the first such gathering but if I play all adventures in correct sequence, there is no way I could logically do it for 2946 TA, especially with the TOR advice that the game should start 2946 and after, and I'd like to stick to that.
• I guess the Gathering of the Five Armies could be an annual event but another possible year could be 2948, "The Grey Pilgrim" in the Loremaster's Book (page 96). Gandalf is in Dale for a major purpose in that year (looking for a new member of the White Council) and since players will meet him anyways (they would have done "A Darkness in the Marshes" for which Gandalf seeks them out) it fits in fairly well.
• 2951 TA would be the cut-off year I think, since it is in that year that Nazgûl return to Dol Guldur. It would also be the 10th anniversary of the Battle of Five Armies.

So starting play in 2946, giving two years up to November 2948 when "The Crossings of Celduin" can be then run. I wouldn't want to spoil the first Gathering of the Five Armies with poison and other bad things!

What do you think?

Edit: Not sure if this helps, but below is the adventure list in order, with suggested seasonal time from the respective adventures themselves.

The Marsh Bell
Early Spring.

Don’t leave the path
Spring, summer or autumn.

Of leaves & stewed Hobbit
Summer or autumn.

Kinstrife and dark tidings
Any time.

Those who tarry no longer
Autumn.

Words of the Wise
Early Spring. After a Gathering of the Five Armies.

A Darkness in the marshes
Any time. Sequel to “Those who tarry no longer”.

The crossings of Celduin
End of November - Gathering of the Five Armies.

The watch on the heath
Immediately after “The crossings of Celduin”.

I purchased the PDF when it came out. So much material for a bargain price, it makes a Lore Master happy. Now I just need to find some time to read it all.

Words from the Wise could be set in several places. I liked the three adventures per year so placed it at the start of year two between chapters 2 and 3.

As to the opening hook, it has little bearing on the adventure, so I don't see a great need to place after an adventure with such in it. I also felt that it would be a little anticlimactic to place it after chapter 5 as that chapter builds momentum toward the finale. Placing it earlier hints at a greater evil at work which is then revealed in chapters 4 to 7.

As said though, place it wherever you think suits best

Thanks for your insight, as usual, it has helped!

Also, take into account that I was playing it and haven't finished it at the time

Talking with Jordi (the spanish translator) apparently he caught 11 erratas in "A darkness in the marshes" and a "big blunder" in "The crossings of Celduin". I have yet to ask him what these are (it seems that he informed Francesco but the book was already at printing), as he plans to correct them for the spanish and italian releases.

Francesco, if yo see this, could you tell us what would these be? Would there be an update of the pdf?

EDIT: Also, now that I think about it... looking at the updated map at the end of the book: Will be that updated version (with the new s) be included as a full map, or only as a page in the book?

There are a number of spelling and grammatical errors in TfW. The kind of thing a translator would need to note but nothing that obscures the meaning of the text or causes any issue to a normal reader.

So, tonight our group is going to play "Don't Leave the Path." Looking forward to it.

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!!!!

[QUOTE=Albertorius,Apr 7 2012, 10:42 AM] [QUOTE=Skywalker,Apr 4 2012, 08:10 PM]

Talking with Jordi (the spanish translator) apparently he caught 11 erratas in "A darkness in the marshes" and a "big blunder" in "The crossings of Celduin". [/QUOTE]
This may not be the issue that was pointed out, but one thing that seemed "off" to me in my reading of The Crossings of Celduin was that Bard would send only the heroes to hold off an entire army (even if it was at a choke point), and yet the existence of the village of Celduin was a surprise to them. My thoughts immediately after reading the relevant sections was that I would have Bard know about the village, and send the heroes there to bring word of the army and to help bolster its defenses. As written it just seems like a suicide mission, and I can't see many heroes marching to certain death with a high likelihood of their actions being meaningless (as far as they know).

Alien270

My thoughts and solution were the same.

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!!!!

What if the players bring down the bridge on after the second assault? How would the Gibbet King get across in the cart? Would he just cut himself down and wait for his forces to make a makeshift ford and cross then?

I was also thinking of having the son of the local leader become the host of the Gibbet King after he is killed.

HN