Faction Mod #3 (and EXE2) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Faction Mod #3 (and EXE2) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
WolfStar76
11-28-06, 08:26 AM I see that the faction mod 3 and EXE2 are available for play now.

However it looks like they have a 7-week play period, starting yesterday. Since a module has to be ordered at least 2 weeks in advance, if you play once a week you have exactly 5 weeks to get all the modules in (leaving no breaks for Christmas and the like).

Is 1/17/07 really the intended "final" playdate for these modules? Wasn't Xen'Ex supposed to have longer/easier play windows?

On the upside, it appears these modules are available *now* for order at ALL levels (convention through home) - so at least we can all get them in (hopefully).
Harliquinn
11-28-06, 08:54 AM Wow, I hope this is a typo. Springing these on people just before the holidays and giving only 1 1/2 months to play them all just isn't that fair.

Harliquinn
smerwin29
11-28-06, 09:07 AM With a short play window before the level bump, this is going to happen sometimes. The choice is this: either a shorter window to play the mods close to a level bump, or we just don't release the mods.
WolfStar76
11-28-06, 09:11 AM Well, playing them is obviously the better option. Just means I'll probably have to double-up and run two modules a week for a week or two (Gee, darn, more D&D!) at retail.

Does this mean we can anticipate the level bump to happen around 1/18/07 given the oddly-placed ending date? :angelhide
Harliquinn
11-28-06, 09:50 AM With a short play window before the level bump, this is going to happen sometimes. The choice is this: either a shorter window to play the mods close to a level bump, or we just don't release the mods.

Maybe I'm missing something, but why can't the modules be valid play after the level bump?
Butterface
11-28-06, 09:50 AM Oy vey. . . this is going to be especially hard for groups that are playing all four factions.
kiddoc
11-28-06, 10:07 AM Oy vey. . . this is going to be especially hard for groups that are playing all four factions.

This is why you must choose a faction grasshopper. No fence sitting. Get off yer post and join the BWC!

Well, too many modules is heck a better turn than too few. Unfortunately, sometimes we run into a time crunch with the big Cons, particularly with the changes in how WF (now known as XP) will be handled. Level bump, shmump, we'll cram the gammage in there.
Butterface
11-28-06, 10:18 AM This is why you must choose a faction grasshopper. No fence sitting. Get off yer post and join the BWC!

Well, too many modules is heck a better turn than too few. Unfortunately, sometimes we run into a time crunch with the big Cons, particularly with the changes in how WF (now known as XP) will be handled. Level bump, shmump, we'll cram the gammage in there.

Well duh. . . BWC is by far the best faction, that's why I DM that one. :) One Aim, United!

But yeah, our group will have to decide what to do. . . Xmas, my wedding in December, and not getting back from Honeymoon in Cancun till first weekend in January leaves about 1 weekend to fit all those games in. . .we're still finishing up Cabal and CoL mods. :O
smerwin29
11-28-06, 10:20 AM Maybe I'm missing something, but why can't the modules be valid play after the level bump?

Because then you would have some people playing the mods before the level bump and getting up to 5th level (10000 xp) with a certain EV (let's say 10,000 gp just as an example). People who waited to play the mods after the level bump would start at 6000 xp and then have the chance to play the mods and get +10000 xp and +10000 gp more on top of what they got at the bump.
WolfStar76
11-28-06, 11:33 AM I grabbed the Cabal of Shadows module #3 and I'm a bit surprised to see it looks just like it did at GenCon SoCal - including the listing of Adventure Question XP and GP amounts.

I know at GenCon SoCal we were asked not to share that information with the players, should it still be in the modules?
Istaran
11-28-06, 04:47 PM Because then you would have some people playing the mods before the level bump and getting up to 5th level (10000 xp) with a certain EV (let's say 10,000 gp just as an example). People who waited to play the mods after the level bump would start at 6000 xp and then have the chance to play the mods and get +10000 xp and +10000 gp more on top of what they got at the bump.

Just a thought, but could we have some mods be allowed to span the level bumps, and others aren't? Rather than level bump hits and *bam* all previous mods are unplayable but now we have new mods, maybe have set 1 mods (faction 1/2, DM mark 1/2, well of woe) become unplayable at level bump, set 2 mods (faction 3, exe 2) are playable before or after level bump, set 3 mods (whatever those may be) come into play after level bump only and expire at next level bump, set 4 (yet to be dreamed up?) bridge the second level bump, etc.

That way, someone starting after the level bump has no access to the first set (which is enough to reach higher XP and gold than the bump gave them) but get the bump as a partial compensation, while the bridge set has a longer window of play available.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Butterface
Oy vey. . . this is going to be especially hard for groups that are playing all four factions.

This is why you must choose a faction grasshopper. No fence sitting. Get off yer post and join the BWC!

I have chosen a faction, and recruited quite a few players into it, but our DM is running other factions and ultimately only puts in one session a month for our group. We started late too, so we're probably going to miss out on at least one DM mark to squeeze in the new faction mod, and I doubt we'll even have a chance at expedition 2.

Ultimately though, life goes on.
Butterface
11-28-06, 05:38 PM Yeah don't get me wrong, more adventures are a great thing. But these mods aren't available, they're all missing from the database - so unless HQ has a swift response (something they're not entirely well known for), these mods could be available for a very, very, short period.

I understand deadline pressures, but dang, it's all about being able to play the game! Yeah, I'm in all the factions, and I honestly can't decide which one I like best. All the adventures I've played in have been phenomenal. I want the chance to play these adventures that you guys took the time to write.

Just my 2 cents!

Kevin
Kelvane
11-28-06, 06:28 PM Why not delay the level bump? Odds are WotC will need the extra time to put the fastplays and C.S. on the web site anyways.
Skerrit
11-28-06, 07:43 PM I know at GenCon SoCal we were asked not to share that information with the players, should it still be in the modules?

While you aren't supposed to share the individual values, I sure hope you listed the total gp/xp on each player's Adventure Record so they could track their PCs.
JestersPlayhouse
11-28-06, 09:06 PM The COL and BWC mod 3's are missing from the database.

Richard Gain
Jester's Playhouse
WolfStar76
11-28-06, 10:05 PM While you aren't supposed to share the individual values, I sure hope you listed the total gp/xp on each player's Adventure Record so they could track their PCs.

The e-mail that went out was to not share any of that information with the players as:

The big thing is we do NOT want to be giving those numbers out to
players at the table. I do not need to deal with Bob thinking he is
going to get 1400 gold cuz that is what the adventure said and when he
checks online he only got 1150.

(The argument earlier in that e-mail being that those numbers were not fixed or guaranteed in any way and were subject to change).

I'll be happy to share the e-mail in full with factionmasters who are interested.
Skerrit
11-28-06, 10:31 PM I would very much like to see the email, since it is the opposite of what we intended.
WolfStar76
11-28-06, 10:50 PM Forwarded to your PM as requested.
Skerrit
11-28-06, 10:58 PM I have tracked this all down. There was an error in the judge instructions to SoCal judges. As we had announced on these forums, the judges WERE supposed to give the totals to the players so they would have the adventure journals as a back up. There was some confusion among the SoCal staff and they told the judges the wrong thing. Hopefully everything got recorded in the database correctly.

I WANT TO STATE AGAIN SO EVERYONE KNOWS. OUR MODS HAVE XP AND GP IN THEM JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CAMPAIGN AND WE WANT YOU TO USE YOUR ADVENTURE JOURNALS TO TRACK THEM FOR NOW, AS A BACKUP FOR DATABASE PROBLEMS.
Kordak
11-29-06, 11:42 AM The COL and BWC mod 3's are missing from the database.

Richard Gain
Jester's Playhouse

I saw that as well. I sent an e-mail to rpgasanctioning@wizards.com regarding the BWC mod but haven't heard anything back yet.

Hopefully they can fix it without us having to re-enter the event information.

Thanks,
Kordak
tbug
11-29-06, 12:15 PM In the meantime, is there a place where those of us who have registered to run these games but don't have them from SoCal can get them and prep them? I don't mind entering the games later, but with such a short window of availability I'd really like to get moving on this.
Butterface
11-29-06, 02:16 PM In the meantime, is there a place where those of us who have registered to run these games but don't have them from SoCal can get them and prep them? I don't mind entering the games later, but with such a short window of availability I'd really like to get moving on this.

Tru dat.
Kordak
12-01-06, 12:03 PM I haven't heard anything yet from TPTB on the missing Blackwheel #3 download. Has anyone been able to successfully download that adventure from the site?

Thanks,
Kordak
WolfStar76
12-01-06, 12:20 PM Still shows as missing to my eyes. :-/

I still have faith this won't end up like DM Mark 2. . . .
kiddoc
12-01-06, 05:35 PM Still shows as missing to my eyes. :-/

I still have faith this won't end up like DM Mark 2. . . .

Well, DM's Mark #2 was never done by the person in charge of them--it simply didn't exist. BWC #3 does exist, and has for quite some time. There appears to be a snag in the system, which is being worked on. Hope to have it resolved soon--probably next week when the WoTC staff return to work.
WolfStar76
12-01-06, 06:07 PM As I said, I'm keeping the faith. :)

Though, admittedly, the "peek behind the scenes" is appreciated. :)

I knew BWC and COL #3 had to exist somewhere, I talked to GMs running them at SoCal. :) Just gotta whip the webgnomes harder. ;)
Kordak
12-04-06, 12:18 PM Woohoo! BWC#3 is there now! Downloaded without a hitch.

Thank you,
Kordak
tbug
12-04-06, 04:05 PM Sadly, there's still no CoL #3.
Skerrit
12-04-06, 04:32 PM I mentioned it to Chris Tulach, and so it should be rectified shortly.
tbug
12-04-06, 04:46 PM Woohoo! Thanks!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WolfStar76 11-28-06, 08:26 AM	I see that the faction mod 3 and EXE2 are available for play now. However it looks like they have a 7-week play period, starting yesterday. Since a module has to be ordered at least 2 weeks in advance, if you play once a week you have exactly 5 weeks to get all the modules in (leaving no breaks for Christmas and the like). Is 1/17/07 really the intended "final" playdate for these modules? Wasn't Xen'Ex supposed to have longer/easier play windows? On the upside, it appears these modules are available now for order at ALL levels (convention through home) - so at least we can all get them in (hopefully).
Harliquinn 11-28-06, 08:54 AM	Wow, I hope this is a typo. Springing these on people just before the holidays and giving only 1 1/2 months to play them all just isn't that fair. Harliquinn
smerwin29 11-28-06, 09:07 AM	With a short play window before the level bump, this is going to happen sometimes. The choice is this: either a shorter window to play the mods close to a level bump, or we just don't release the mods.
WolfStar76 11-28-06, 09:11 AM	Well, playing them is obviously the better option. Just means I'll probably have to double-up and run two modules a week for a week or two (Gee, darn, more D&D!) at retail. Does this mean we can anticipate the level bump to happen around 1/18/07 given the oddly-placed ending date? :angelhide
Harliquinn 11-28-06, 09:50 AM	With a short play window before the level bump, this is going to happen sometimes. The choice is this: either a shorter window to play the mods close to a level bump, or we just don't release the mods. Maybe I'm missing something, but why can't the modules be valid play after the level bump?
Butterface 11-28-06, 09:50 AM	Oy vey. . . this is going to be especially hard for groups that are playing all four factions.
kiddoc 11-28-06, 10:07 AM	Oy vey. . . this is going to be especially hard for groups that are playing all four factions. This is why you must choose a faction grasshopper. No fence sitting. Get off yer post and join the BWC! Well, too many modules is heck a better turn than too few. Unfortunately, sometimes we run into a time crunch with the big Cons, particularly with the changes in how WF (now known as XP) will be handled. Level bump, shmump, we'll cram the gammage in there.
Butterface 11-28-06, 10:18 AM	This is why you must choose a faction grasshopper. No fence sitting. Get off yer post and join the BWC! Well, too many modules is heck a better turn than too few. Unfortunately, sometimes we run into a time crunch with the big Cons, particularly with the changes in how WF (now known as XP) will be handled. Level bump, shmump, we'll cram the gammage in there. Well duh. . . BWC is by far the best faction, that's why I DM that one. :) One Aim, United! But yeah, our group will have to decide what to do. . . Xmas, my wedding in December, and not getting back from Honeymoon in Cancun till first weekend in January leaves about 1 weekend to fit all those games in. . .we're still finishing up Cabal and CoL mods. :O
smerwin29 11-28-06, 10:20 AM	Maybe I'm missing something, but why can't the modules be valid play after the level bump? Because then you would have some people playing the mods before the level bump and getting up to 5th level (10000 xp) with a certain EV (let's say 10,000 gp just as an example). People who waited to play the mods after the level bump would start at 6000 xp and then have the chance to play the mods and get +10000 xp and +10000 gp more on top of what they got at the bump.
WolfStar76 11-28-06, 11:33 AM	I grabbed the Cabal of Shadows module #3 and I'm a bit surprised to see it looks just like it did at GenCon SoCal - including the listing of Adventure Question XP and GP amounts. I know at GenCon SoCal we were asked not to share that information with the players, should it still be in the modules?
Istaran 11-28-06, 04:47 PM	Because then you would have some people playing the mods before the level bump and getting up to 5th level (10000 xp) with a certain EV (let's say 10,000 gp just as an example). People who waited to play the mods after the level bump would start at 6000 xp and then have the chance to play the mods and get +10000 xp and +10000 gp more on top of what they got at the bump. Just a thought, but could we have some mods be allowed to span the level bumps, and others aren't? Rather than level bump hits and bam all previous mods are unplayable but now we have new mods, maybe have set 1 mods (faction 1/2, DM mark 1/2, well of woe) become unplayable at level bump, set 2 mods (faction 3, exe 2) are playable before or after level bump, set 3 mods (whatever those may be) come into play after level bump only and expire at next level bump, set 4 (yet to be dreamed up?) bridge the second level bump, etc. That way, someone starting after the level bump has no access to the first set (which is enough to reach higher XP and gold than the bump gave them) but get the bump as a partial compensation, while the bridge set has a longer window of play available. Quote: Originally Posted by Butterface Oy vey. . . this is going to be especially hard for groups that are playing all four factions. This is why you must choose a faction grasshopper. No fence sitting. Get off yer post and join the BWC! I have chosen a faction, and recruited quite a few players into it, but our DM is running other factions and ultimately only puts in one session a month for our group. We started late too, so we're probably going to miss out on at least one DM mark to squeeze in the new faction mod, and I doubt we'll even have a chance at expedition 2. Ultimately though, life goes on.
Butterface 11-28-06, 05:38 PM	Yeah don't get me wrong, more adventures are a great thing. But these mods aren't available, they're all missing from the database - so unless HQ has a swift response (something they're not entirely well known for), these mods could be available for a very, very, short period. I understand deadline pressures, but dang, it's all about being able to play the game! Yeah, I'm in all the factions, and I honestly can't decide which one I like best. All the adventures I've played in have been phenomenal. I want the chance to play these adventures that you guys took the time to write. Just my 2 cents! Kevin
Kelvane 11-28-06, 06:28 PM	Why not delay the level bump? Odds are WotC will need the extra time to put the fastplays and C.S. on the web site anyways.
Skerrit 11-28-06, 07:43 PM	I know at GenCon SoCal we were asked not to share that information with the players, should it still be in the modules? While you aren't supposed to share the individual values, I sure hope you listed the total gp/xp on each player's Adventure Record so they could track their PCs.
JestersPlayhouse 11-28-06, 09:06 PM	The COL and BWC mod 3's are missing from the database. Richard Gain Jester's Playhouse
WolfStar76 11-28-06, 10:05 PM	While you aren't supposed to share the individual values, I sure hope you listed the total gp/xp on each player's Adventure Record so they could track their PCs. The e-mail that went out was to not share any of that information with the players as: The big thing is we do NOT want to be giving those numbers out to players at the table. I do not need to deal with Bob thinking he is going to get 1400 gold cuz that is what the adventure said and when he checks online he only got 1150. (The argument earlier in that e-mail being that those numbers were not fixed or guaranteed in any way and were subject to change). I'll be happy to share the e-mail in full with factionmasters who are interested.
Skerrit 11-28-06, 10:31 PM	I would very much like to see the email, since it is the opposite of what we intended.
WolfStar76 11-28-06, 10:50 PM	Forwarded to your PM as requested.
Skerrit 11-28-06, 10:58 PM	I have tracked this all down. There was an error in the judge instructions to SoCal judges. As we had announced on these forums, the judges WERE supposed to give the totals to the players so they would have the adventure journals as a back up. There was some confusion among the SoCal staff and they told the judges the wrong thing. Hopefully everything got recorded in the database correctly. I WANT TO STATE AGAIN SO EVERYONE KNOWS. OUR MODS HAVE XP AND GP IN THEM JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CAMPAIGN AND WE WANT YOU TO USE YOUR ADVENTURE JOURNALS TO TRACK THEM FOR NOW, AS A BACKUP FOR DATABASE PROBLEMS.
Kordak 11-29-06, 11:42 AM	The COL and BWC mod 3's are missing from the database. Richard Gain Jester's Playhouse I saw that as well. I sent an e-mail to rpgasanctioning@wizards.com regarding the BWC mod but haven't heard anything back yet. Hopefully they can fix it without us having to re-enter the event information. Thanks, Kordak
tbug 11-29-06, 12:15 PM	In the meantime, is there a place where those of us who have registered to run these games but don't have them from SoCal can get them and prep them? I don't mind entering the games later, but with such a short window of availability I'd really like to get moving on this.
Butterface 11-29-06, 02:16 PM	In the meantime, is there a place where those of us who have registered to run these games but don't have them from SoCal can get them and prep them? I don't mind entering the games later, but with such a short window of availability I'd really like to get moving on this. Tru dat.
Kordak 12-01-06, 12:03 PM	I haven't heard anything yet from TPTB on the missing Blackwheel #3 download. Has anyone been able to successfully download that adventure from the site? Thanks, Kordak
WolfStar76 12-01-06, 12:20 PM	Still shows as missing to my eyes. :-/ I still have faith this won't end up like DM Mark 2. . . .
kiddoc 12-01-06, 05:35 PM	Still shows as missing to my eyes. :-/ I still have faith this won't end up like DM Mark 2. . . . Well, DM's Mark #2 was never done by the person in charge of them--it simply didn't exist. BWC #3 does exist, and has for quite some time. There appears to be a snag in the system, which is being worked on. Hope to have it resolved soon--probably next week when the WoTC staff return to work.
WolfStar76 12-01-06, 06:07 PM	As I said, I'm keeping the faith. :) Though, admittedly, the "peek behind the scenes" is appreciated. :) I knew BWC and COL #3 had to exist somewhere, I talked to GMs running them at SoCal. :) Just gotta whip the webgnomes harder. ;)
Kordak 12-04-06, 12:18 PM	Woohoo! BWC#3 is there now! Downloaded without a hitch. Thank you, Kordak
tbug 12-04-06, 04:05 PM	Sadly, there's still no CoL #3.
Skerrit 12-04-06, 04:32 PM	I mentioned it to Chris Tulach, and so it should be rectified shortly.
tbug 12-04-06, 04:46 PM	Woohoo! Thanks!