Pavis & Big Rubble Companion: The Directors' Cut Relaunch

[Nozbat]

No swimming from now on Ian.. stay in a hermetically sealed room until you've finished all volumes...just in case 😉

[Akhôrahil]

Did you sacrifice to Magasta first? No? Then what did you expect?

[Ian A. Thomson]

Heading out now but back later this evening

In the knowledge that there are only 1-2hrs work left to do to finish Vol. 04

The reviewers still need to proof the last few pieces, but the threshold of all the content being done probably by later this evening (and tomorrow morning at latest) is a good place to have reached at last!

[Ian A. Thomson]

1-2hrs my *ss!!!

8-10hrs of manic work later, literally 2mins before midnight the day before xmas eve, I finally finished the content of Vol. 04!! :)

Still a couple of very small bits I'm waiting for from contributors, two small pieces that need proofing and one GMC personality whose RQG Stats I need to expand and revise

 

But yes, otherwise the content of Vol. 04 is finally complete :)

Even with pushing as much as I can ahead into other books its still the biggest yet at 270pages

This is the second of the two main Old Pavis books and I was determined to get all of the remaining core stuff into it

 

Always worth mentioning that without the awesome collaborators helping out with so much of the background technical side of things, this book would never have reached this point. Thanks folks!!!

Edited December 23, 2023 by Ian A. Thomson

[Ian A. Thomson]

Drum roll!!!

Completed full PDF of Vol. 04 sent to Fabian, along with all of the other extra bits and pieces and information needed for getting it online.

It will definitely have at least one update, as every book so far had at least some errors in it that were spotted later, or just things that could be clarified or enhanced to make them better.

However, it has been thoroughly checked, so I am hopeful there's not many things that will need altering or correcting

Certainly very happy to get it out after all this time!! About a month later than I was aiming for. (And again, none of this would have been possible without all the help!!)

Old Pavis II: The Good, the Bad & the Rowdy

Fabian is hopefully enjoying a well-earned winter holiday, so we will see when it appears in the Jonstown Compendium on DTRPG once he is back in action

Time for a week off now for me as well

EDIT: Heard from Fabian straight away; he can get to it in the next day or so :)

Which means it looks like Vol. 04 will just make 2023. Yay!

Edited December 26, 2023 by Ian A. Thomson

[Ian A. Thomson]

Yay, it's out there!! :)

https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/465145/old-pavis-ii-the-good-the-bad-the-rowdy-runequest

The fourth volume in a hugely expanded re-release of the original Companion series.
This is an 'old school' campaign, updated to the new rules system (RQG) yet in the classic style of RQ2/3 gameplay. Independent mercenaries seeking adventure and glory, who slowly but surely become more connected with the Cult of Pavis, until they end up as Champions of the Old City!
 
This book is titled Old Pavis (II) because major sections cover Old City landmarks, inhabitants & adventures that we would have included in Vol. 02 if there had been room.

Part One: Forts & Temples of the Big Rubble
All remaining civilized Old City locations where Adventurers can buy supplies or potentially take refuge. Including full maps with indexes and details on notable inhabitants for Zebra Fort, Mani’s Fort, the Yelorna Temple & the Old Mint.
 
Part Two: Friends & Allies of Old Pavis
Different groups that Adventurers may meet, including full details on the Dylfing Clan of Mani’s Fort, the Aldryami of the Big Rubble, and the Urban Orlanthi. Plus full RQG Stats on such personalities as Garrath Sharpsword, Enostar ‘Bad-Dream’, Bendrath the Priest, & Wolfhead the Bandit.
 
Part Three: Criminals & Enemies of Pavis
Expanded details on the Black Fang, Lunar Intelligence Agents, Sarken’s Gang at the Old Mint, and the most notable local Lunar Collaborators. (Full RQG Stats for various individuals, including Gim-gim the Grim, Jo-Tarran Longsword, Count Sor-Eel & Faltikus the Good.
 
Part Four: Rebels & Independents
New pieces on The Rowdy Gang & Griselda developed in collaboration with Oliver Dickinson, Michael O’Brien’s wonderful ‘Beggars of Pavis’ article revisited, and the even a guest appearance from the Old Pavic heroband - the fabulous Grey Company. Plus more!
 
Part Five: For a Fistful of Lunars
Page after page of practical details for running scenarios in the Big Rubble as the Adventurers seek to make a living. Including details on their’ first steps into the mysterious levels of loyalty within the Cult of Pavis, and a brand-new species of dangerous Rubble-dwellers!
 
Part Five: Once Upon a Time in Pavis
A substantial original investigative New Pavis mystery (‘The Curse of the Copper Condor’); the Lunar plans announcement of the Wedding of Pavis to the Red Goddess; a major scenario exploring Kakstan’s Art Museum [significantly revised & expanded from the original series]; and the opportunity to ‘evict’ Sarken’s Bandit Gang from the Old Pavis Royal Mint!

[Erol of Backford]

Reading in the hard copy of Vol 02 about the connection to the old Pavis sewer system from the Real City... does anyone recall the sources of the sewers and tunnels under the city? Sewers, Dwarf tunnels, Chaos tunnels, thief tunnels, etc, etc. I recall the City of Sanctuary had overall layouts as doe Nochet... where are the best plans/maps of those under Pavis if you know of them?

[Ian A. Thomson]

Coming soon in Vol. 06 :)

[Ian A. Thomson]

Anyone here into DERPG and have a copy of my And Thence to Almery campaign outline?

Its pretty basic, but has some good ideas in, and I want to reuse one of them, but don't have a copy anymore

EDIT: All sorted now :)

Edited January 11 by Ian A. Thomson

[Nick Brooke]

The Dying Earth RPG is on Bundle of Holding again this month: I checked, and your adventure is included. 

Edited January 7 by Nick Brooke

[Erol of Backford]

2 hours ago, Ian A. Thomson said:

Coming soon in Vol. 06 :)

I'll get that when its out for sure (hard copy Vol. 3 on its way with Nochet book) but there were older publications with maps beneath Pavis, IIRC, I just hoped to look at them in the meantime.

[metcalph]

7 hours ago, Nick Brooke said:

The Dying Earth RPG is on Humble Bundle again this month: I checked, and your adventure is included. 

Bundle of Holding and Humble Bundle are different entities.

[Nick Brooke]

Follow the link, it takes you to the right place.

[Erol of Backford]

Still looking for old links to the sewers of Pavis? Anyone? I know I saw them, maybe a Hero Quest book? I recall chasing Broo from New Pavis they were smuggling or something for the Lunars in tunnels but lost track of where?

It wasn't anything to do with the Devil's Playground tunnels...

If you know and thank you!

[jajagappa]

1 hour ago, Erol of Backford said:

I know I saw them, maybe a Hero Quest book?

Only HQG book with Pavis is Gateways to Adventure. It's got a cross-section of the salt mines, but no sewers or tunnels. 

I really don't recall any sewers/tunnels beyond the Devil's Playground, though.

[mfbrandi]

On 1/6/2024 at 8:39 PM, Erol of Backford said:

does anyone recall the sources of the sewers and tunnels under the city? Sewers, Dwarf tunnels, Chaos tunnels, thief tunnels, etc, etc.

1 hour ago, Erol of Backford said:

Still looking for old links to the sewers of Pavis? Anyone? I know I saw them, maybe a Hero Quest book?

The HQ Pavis: Gateway to Adventure (ISS2004) mentions sewers a few times:

• the original sewers were made from the faceless statue’s “bowelstones” (p. 30)
• The great drain (New Pavis) is rumoured to be used by thieves and the Black Fang (p. 154)
• Geo’s New Pavis Inn may have secret tunnels to the sewers (p. 201)
• Smugglers have a krarshtkid tunnel to the New Pavis sewers (p. 358)

I think that quick summary is about right. So all your thoughts seem to be correct, but that doesn’t really get you any further. 😉

[Erol of Backford]

4 hours ago, jajagappa said:

I really don't recall any sewers/tunnels beyond the Devil's Playground, though.

3 hours ago, mfbrandi said:

HQ Pavis: Gateway to Adventure

I didn't find much either but the tidbits were what in the past helped generate some great gaming. The Great Drain p.154

There are rumors of secret tunnels leading from the basement to the dwarf-made sewer system. p.201 (Gimpy's always a hotbed of sedition and underworld nefarious schemes!)

Spoiler

There is this: The smugglers use this tunnel to access the sewers of New Pavis. p.358

I must also be recalling Sanctuary... easy enough to adlib based on the info there...

The Sewers of Sanctuary, Game Master's Book p.65.

The Maze, Hellhounds and sewers, what's not to like... what nestalgia.

Zalbar, Bourne, Ouag, Razkuli, and Arman... is that Jason Bourne?

I forgot Mr. Perrin help with that...

 

[Ian A. Thomson]

SEWERS ETC (@ Erol of Backford)

There were some New Pavis Tunnels in the original series (Vol. 04). These will return - ideally in Vol. 06, but that depends on how much space is available. I want to try and limit all books to about 250 pages, so they may be Vol. 07. This piece will be expanded to as to the whats and whys of these tunnels, so it won't be the same as in the original series

There was a map of the Flintnail Tunnels in Vol. 01 of the original series. This will largely stay the same, except for the details being expanded in the new series. Same as above - ideally Vol. 06

More maps under D Playground will also appear in Vol 06 or 07

Gimpys Secret Tunnel(s) [Note the plural] are already revised, expanded and fully explained in Vol. 01, though they weren't in the early editions, but are in the current pdf and the POD. With awesome maps by Roy Duffy

 

[Ian A. Thomson]

RATINGS & CORRECTIONS

Thanks for all the great feedback on Vol. 04 :)

Those of you who said you think it is brilliant and have a moment, giving it a top star rating on Drivethru would be much appreciated. It makes a big difference when other people look at the book and are considering whether to buy

Also, there will be another update at some point in the next few weeks, so don't by shy in letting me know about any errors or other clunks you have spotted

That would be much appreciated too, as I am flat out now with Vols 4A (the special edition) and 5, plus as the main author, my eye is not the best for spotting mistakes

[Akhôrahil]

On 1/7/2024 at 1:51 PM, Ian A. Thomson said:

Anyone here into DERPG and have a copy of my And Thence to Almery campaign outline?

The book itself, you mean? I have it (the whole Footsteps of Fools Campaign is so great!).

[Ian A. Thomson]

9 hours ago, Akhôrahil said:

The book itself, you mean? I have it (the whole Footsteps of Fools Campaign is so great!).

Thanks. I have it now

Exasperating Cadaver came out last year and is one of my best pieces. About to release my final DERPG product, which is the best of the rest: On the High Road to Kaiin. Needed a few of the details from ATTA

[Ian A. Thomson]

Here's the updated Page Number Index of Spirit Magic & Rune Spells (and their equivalents) for Vols. 1-4

Thanks a million to Jason Farrell for assisting put this together

P&BRCDC_SpellList_Handout.pdf

[Ian A. Thomson]

On 12/18/2023 at 10:06 PM, Nozbat said:

No swimming from now on Ian.. stay in a hermetically sealed room until you've finished all volumes...just in case 😉

Went swimming in the ocean again at last today. It was fun and water was so warm! Plus, always a bonus - still alive :)

[Erol of Backford]

Curious would unenchanted iron armor protect against spectral touch Vol 02 p.183? 

[Ian A. Thomson]

3 hours ago, Erol of Backford said:

Curious would unenchanted iron armor protect against spectral touch Vol 02 p.183? 

At a glance/general rule, I'd say Yes, as the entity is looking for relatively easy prey, but the answer depends on the potency of your party. If they are very strong and tooled up then maybe not