BtS: Compendium compatibility update

Several folks have inquired about a Pathfinder-compatible version of our popular Behind the Spells: Compendium pdf. I suspected there would be little to update and, indeed, was proven correct as I combed through the book today. 99% of the work is compatible already but, of course, there's always a couple things that need attention due to some minor changes from 3.5 to Pathfinder. Thus, I decided that I would simply post the "errata" to make the Compendium Pathfinder-compatible right here...

Dispel Magic: remove the "Area Dispel" section from the second spell secret

Shield: replace the Strength check with the combat maneuver bonus when attempting the bull rush for the first spell secret

Web: replace the Strength checks with combat maneuver bonuses (the DC for these and Escape Artist checks is the DC of the spell)

Wish/Limited Wish: ignore the spell secrets dealing with XP

Aside from these fixes, you must also account for skill changes such as Spot = Perception, Decipher Script = Linguistics, etc. These are seldom encountered as most skill checks in the book deal with Spellcraft and Knowledge.

That's it! Now, you needn't hesitate in picking up BtS: Compendium to bring your spellcaster up to full potential.

Paizo FTW!

Abbey is now live at Paizo.com!

Abbey of the Golden Sparrow released! (Pathfinder compatible)

Abbey of the Golden Sparrow is the first in our line of “locale” supplements featuring information for players and Game Masters alike. Locales are places of interest that can be dropped into any fantasy campaign that help bring the setting to life for the already harried GM. Abbey of the Golden Sparrow is designed especially with an eye toward monk characters but there is no reason that another character class might not be living at or visiting the abbey (or make use of many of the new rules presented). No matter the class, players using this text will be able to give their characters that much more background which only enhances the roleplaying experience. Likewise, GMs will find plenty of plot hooks and adventure ideas that can occur either inside the abbey or outside, using the locale as a springboard for adventures nearby.

The supplement begins with a short narrative describing the typical life of an initiate at the abbey. This is followed by the locale’s physical description, history, two local myths, and sample doctrines. Then we get to the rules. New feats as well as new character traits are featured. Following these are a new special material (obsidian), three new magic items, and two signature NPCs of the abbey. In short, you get a grab bag of material that can be used together or separately without hindrance.

This 17-page Pathfinder-compatible pdf is available from OBS, YGN, and (soon) from Paizo for $4.95!

A Matter of Faith released!

Is Your Faith Strong Enough?

In 12th-century England, the Welsh-English border is an unstable place. But one Christian outpost is determined to make its stand--with the PCs help, of course! Part adventure and part setting, A Matter of Faith is a 1st-level adventure designed for beginner Game Masters and brings 3.5/OGL fantasy adventure to medieval England. Once the adventure is completed, the outpost will make the perfect home for the new adventuring party.

A Matter of Faith provides...
* A murder-mystery featuring equal parts roleplaying and combat
* Detailed maps of the Malbank Outpost, its church, and the English landscape around it
* Over 20 fully-detailed NPCs that bring the Malbank Outpost to life
* Numerous adventure possibilities that use the outpost as a backdrop (including a quest for a religious item of biblical proportions!)

Will your novice characters have enough faith both in their abilities and in their hearts to overcome the forces of evil and save the outpost from certain doom?

A Matter of Faith retails for $5.95 and is available from OBS, YGN, and Paizo!

'Abbey of the Golden Sparrow' preview

I wanted to show something of our very first Pathfinder-compatible product and decided on this image from Tricky Owlbear regular artist David Hamilton. This is an interior b/w but I believe we'll also feature it on the cover. As I've mentioned on my blog, the Abbey is a mountain locale for monks and the product details a typical life there as well as all the requisite new crunch (new feats, items, 2 sample NPCs, new Character Traits as featured in Paizo's Player's Companion: Second Darkness). What kind of locales would you like to see Tricky Owlbear tackle? We'd like to develop products in this line that are reusable and we think Abbey fits that bill nicely and is a great first product.

Below is the symbol of the monks--the golden sparrow--and is seen on the medallions they wear. These tokens are also one of the new magical items, allowing the monks to magically message nearby monks.

2nd Anniversary!

We've been pretty quiet lately but bigger and better products are in the works. See my post on ENWorld regarding our status HERE!

BtS ends its KQ run

With today's article--Unseen Servant--Tricky Owlbear's mini-series for koboldquarterly.com comes to an end. We've had a fun 11 issues with Wolfgang and company but now the series returns to the nest where it will continue in its normal, longer format. As always, you can stay tuned to Tricky Owlbear on twitter, via my blog, or here on the TO blog. Thanks for your support!