Originally posted by Sundancer75
I thought Key of Destiny was supposed to be released Dec 1st... Any news on this?
No new news as of this time. When concrete delivery dates are set, I'll let you guys know.
Personally, I'm not so bothered about Key of Destiny coming out, because I prefer having my own campaign and direction, whereas this will always be too constraining. I also had some pretty awful 2nd ed premade adventures, so am very wary of them. I'd quite like the Bestiary, but can make do with what's in the MM and the back of the DLCS. I'm even hoping to win a DM Screen, but am not sure about actually buying one. For a folding bit of card, they seem really quite expensive. Maybe Sovereign Press could shock the RP world by selling it at a reasonable price, but I doubt it.
Why doesn't anyone sell a reasonably priced DM Screen? Is it because everyone can get away with it? Surely everyone only needs one. That said, I know a couple who have at least 3, including the Ravenloft one, even if they've never, and have no intention of ever playing in Ravenloft. If someone sold a cheap DM Screen, wouldn't it sell really well?
Gah. I'm a cynic too.
Originally posted by pddisc
For a folding bit of card, they seem really quite expensive. Maybe Sovereign Press could shock the RP world by selling it at a reasonable price, but I doubt it.
Considering it's a folding piece of card with a 32-page book inside it, the price of the product reflects the actual product and not just the screen itself.
Cheers,
Cam
Originally posted by Taskr36
Don't hold your breath buddy. Dragonlance 3rd adition was suposed to be released in spring of 2003 adn it came out about 5 months late. I'm sure you are also aware that the DM screen was slated to be out in Septmeber, Key of destiny was slated to be out in October, and the bestiary was supposed to be out in November. NONE of them are out. I don't know what is wrong with Soveriegn press or whoever is responsible for this but it is irritating when THEY set the dates and months later nothing has been released. Sorry, I just need to vent as I am frustrated that I never know when this stuff is coming out, and soveriegn press can't go by their own schedule.
Um... the DLCS was never slated for a spring release. From the beginning, it was slated as a GenCon release. We were ecstatic when the DLCS showed up at Origins... AHEAD of schedule.
Age of Mortals was our GenCon release, we got it at the show.
Since then, however, Sovereign Press has slowed down a bit... first of all, because many of the products are printed in China, so that they can be affordable full color. Plus there's time for edits, rewrites and the like, all in an attempt to put out the best bloody books possible. Unfortunately, SP is also now down to two people, Jamie and Margaret, although I'm still doing work for them and so are others like Cam & Andre.
Better late, than a bad product or never, no? ;)
Christopher
Originally posted by Taskr36
My big issue is simply that they aren't going by there own schedule.
These schedules are hard enough to properly forecast with a big company like WOTC. Once you get over that initial mental block, you start realizing that it'd be better for all concerned if the product came out properly edited and well-written rather than hastily done and rushed out the door.
Cheers,
Cam
Originally posted by Stormprince
[b]Unfortunately, SP is also now down to two people, Jamie and Margaret, although I'm still doing work for them and so are others like Cam & Andre.
Well, it's good to know you're still out there, Chris.
Although, it seems like you picked a bad time to leave Sov Press (but is there ever a good time?), since we've been waiting for DL 3E for so long now and now things are just sputtering along.
Quite frustrating in the end.
It is kinda like with my job in the army. I had to deal with the availability of the internet for my unit while deployed to iraq and every time it went down I would be asked "When will we get it back." In the beginning we (my coworkers and I) would give an estimated time. Every time that it was wrong everyone got mad. So we started saying "We don't know exactly when the net will be up, but we are working on it."
Originally posted by silvanthalas
Well, it's good to know you're still out there, Chris.
Although, it seems like you picked a bad time to leave Sov Press (but is there ever a good time?), since we've been waiting for DL 3E for so long now and now things are just sputtering along.
Quite frustrating in the end.
I left for personal reasons, had some opportunities come up overseas (hence why I'm now living in Birmingham) ;) But, I can't just leave Dragonlance, so I'm still doin' work
Working on Spectre of Sorrows right now, so things are still movin' forward :DChristopher
That's not what the Monk of Majere contest is about, is it? Then why give away a DM Screen! If there was a big chatroom thing set up specifically for ideas about what to do with the DL D&D 3.5 product line, think how much we could get done if we all worked together! And who knows, if someone was actually any good, they could be hired to actually work for Sovereign Press. Think of that as a competition prize...
We can dream, can't we?
Originally posted by pddisc
If there was a big chatroom thing set up specifically for ideas about what to do with the DL D&D 3.5 product line, think how much we could get done if we all worked together!
Amazingly, a lot more can be done if there isn't a large group of people behind it...
Cheers,
Cam
I mean just imagine the discussions about the WoHS and sorcerors. If it were left to us, the DLCS would probably till be hung in printing. (Not intentionally of course, cause we all wanted the official DLCS).
Originally posted by pddisc
Why not tap this otherwise mostly untapped source?
They already have - Andre & Cam are the ones behind the Bestiary of Krynn.
And I would think you can expect more such freelance work from fans alongside professionals in the future.
Originally posted by Cam Banks
Amazingly, a lot more can be done if there isn't a large group of people behind it...
Cheers,
Cam
Yeah, this is one that we learned the hard way with the old DLA3e project, prior to Sov. Press gaining the DL license.
Plus, how does one guarantee the quality of work?
I'd rather have a few people working on the product who can make it shine.
I’m not keen on the idea of “fans” designing the Krynn Bestiary. While the time they’ve dedicated to Dragonlance and this website is admirable I’m not sure that qualifies them to design a gaming product professionally. Then theirs the bias issue, I know at least of one creature that won’t appear because “someone” felt it didn’t fit into Krynn’s history.
I’m being bias here also, since I’ve never liked fan rules that much myself, although I’ll admit to have found and use some very nice work in the unofficial rules of this website. Still, I would have prefer to wait longer for the Bestiary if it meant it would have been written by Margaret and Chambers, or a professional game designer, hired by SP, with plenty of D&D and Dragonlance background.
Originally posted by Baron the Curse
Still, I would have prefer to wait longer for the Bestiary if it meant it would have been written by Margaret and Chambers, or a professional game designer, hired by SP, with plenty of D&D and Dragonlance background.
How do you get to be a professional game designer if no one publishes you? ;)
Personally, I have faith in Cam and many other "fan" writers. The best parts of the Age of Mortals book are clearly the work of fans for example. I recognize a few people in the Academy Sorcerer, the Solamnic Auxillary Mage, the War Mage, and the Kender Nightstalker. I don't know for sure, and its just a shot in the dark, but those don't look like Jaimie Chamber's and Christopher Coyle's style. I might be wrong about one or two though.
I'm not a professional game designer, since by day I supervise a university department and all of my freelance design work is done outside of my usual work, but I've been playing Dungeons and Dragons for 25 years, and Dragonlance since it first appeared on the shelves (almost 20 years, now). I do my best to keep as up-to-date and informed about current D&D design and Dragonlance continuity and run a D&D game every other week (it was every week, but I wanted to play as well as DM, so we alternate campaigns).
Really, it will ultimately depend on whether you like what you see in the various products I worked on or not. That's what it's all about, after all, and what any writer hopes to do - create something other people will enjoy.
Cheers,
Cam
Originally posted by Baron the Curse
Still, I would have prefer to wait longer for the Bestiary if it meant it would have been written by Margaret and Chambers, or a professional game designer, hired by SP, with plenty of D&D and Dragonlance background.
And I'd prefer to just have a kickass Bestiary. If its written by a qualified and accessible "fan" who posts on these boards then so be it. The book will probably be better for it, or were you unaware that many of the "alterations" to the 3.5 DL gaming rules (elves no longer having infravision, sorcerers having to cast spells just like wizards, etc.) were imposed by the "professionals" at WOTC?
We wouldn't even have to be vital parts. For example, with a product about the WoHS, if there were specific chapter titles or headings or whatever, we could randomly submit something, and whoever was doing the actual product could read through to see a whole bunch of interpretations, fully fleshing out in their mind what they were trying to write, and reminding them of some obscure WoHS fact to put in somewhere.
Think of going onto this message board, and instead of having to skim over a couple of mildly uninteresting topics because you're the moderator, and it's your job, you find out that every single thread has something relevant to what you're thinking about in it. Take a look at themind's thread about his campaign idea - by posting it on here, and by getting constructive feedback, he'll have improved his campaign no end. Imagine the potential for an organised equivalent for the Nexus, where you tell us what you want, rather than having to wait for someone to tell you what they're thinking about, and each and every point would have discussion and correction if it was wrong. It could be great!
Originally posted by Baron the Curse
I’m not keen on the idea of “fans” designing the Krynn Bestiary.
You're talking about a catch-22, you know.
Take Chris Pierson for example. He's somebody who became one of DL's best authors by starting out as a DL fan.
And please, let's not get into the "bias" issue. I've taken in part in some really ugly debates over somebody's presumed "agenda" when it comes to a fan taking part in DL, and I don't feel like getting into it again.
Originally posted by Kai Lord
And I'd prefer to just have a kickass Bestiary. If its written by a qualified and accessible "fan" who posts on these boards then so be it. The book will probably be better for it, or were you unaware that many of the "alterations" to the 3.5 DL gaming rules (elves no longer having infravision, sorcerers having to cast spells just like wizards, etc.) were imposed by the "professionals" at WOTC?
If you read my post in Elven Heights you'll see that I posted my theory on how some material in Dragonlance sucks because it was base on a business decisions to make the product marketable. So yes, I'm aware.
Originally posted by Baron the Curse
If you read my post in Elven Heights you'll see that I posted my theory on how some material in Dragonlance sucks because it was base on a business decisions to make the product marketable. So yes, I'm aware.
On the other hand, I feel that some material sucks because it was based on the decision to appeal to hardcore fans rather than good streamlined game mechanics. So I guess Sovereign Press loses both ways huh? The more they appeal to you, the more they **** me off.
Originally posted by silvanthalas
You're talking about a catch-22, you know.
Take Chris Pierson for example. He's somebody who became one of DL's best authors by starting out as a DL fan.
And please, let's not get into the "bias" issue. I've taken in part in some really ugly debates over somebody's presumed "agenda" when it comes to a fan taking part in DL, and I don't feel like getting into it again.
Silvanthalas, everyone is bias. There’s no way around it. You don’t have to get into anything by the way, just refrain from commenting on the topic.
And by that same argument more than half the people that worked in the latest Star Wars film might have been a fan of the originals. But see, these, like the original Dragonlance authors, are fans with a background and experience. Not just a “fan boy” who gets to write up his interpretation of the world he/she adores.
I didn’t say Cam and Andre would do a crappy job, I’m saying I’m not ecstatic about the Bestiary because I’ve never care much for fan base material. The world is full of “artsy-folk” who think their stuff is brilliant, they just haven’t been discover. I already stated I was not crazy about Andre’s work, I don’t know what Cam can offer. He seems level head and a bit arrogant.
I’m sure there are others who would prefer to see DL material written by Weis, Chambers, and Coyle. Of all the argumentative post I’ve listed one hasn’t really been about the material not coming out in time. And that’s because I know is not on purpose. I know there are complications and an assortment issues we can’t imagine rise up in the publishing world.
Oh and Kai Lord, Dragonlance elves do have infravision, and the crappy decisions were made by business professionals from Hasbro, not DL professional game designers. I’m always wary with any changing of the guard, but I wish Cam and Andre the best of luck in their venture.
Originally posted by ferratus
On the other hand, I feel that some material sucks because it was based on the decision to appeal to hardcore fans rather than good streamlined game mechanics. So I guess Sovereign Press loses both ways huh? The more they appeal to you, the more they **** me off.
Absolutely, the Knights of Solamnia and the Wizards of High Sorcery were design to appeal to hardcore fans. So far not much that has been done has been very appealing to me, but I deal with the material and fix what I or my players don’t like.
Originally posted by Baron the Curse
Oh and Kai Lord, Dragonlance elves do have infravision,
Not according to the DLCS. Krynn elves no longer see heat in the dark. They see twice as far as humans in low-light, and see everything, regardless of temperature, in black and white as if it were daylight up to 30 feet (darkvision.)
Originally posted by Baron the Curse
Oh, okay, I see what you mean. To me Elvensight is reminiscent of infravision. But yes, infravision is an ability that has been completely toss out in 3rd edition.
Yes, because we were all sick of how vaguely infravision worked in 2e. I hate, hate, hate infravision and the pseudo-scientific arguments it engendered among my geeky friends.
Now, we don't argue about it anymore. You see farther in the dark, or you magically see without light. It's done. Everyone knows what they can and cannot do.
Honestly dude, the one thing these folks all have in common is an undying love for dragonlance. I dare you to deny that.
Cam and Andre love the setting, and know the rules. People all have to start somewhere, before they become god designers.
And if you really want to see what god designers to do dragonlance, i point you to the Magius's light of truth spell in the DLCS. Does that look anything like what palin cast at the end of summer flame? No, because Wotc changed it.
Relax, bro. DL is a new beast. Let's let it grow a bit.
Also, that stuff went up practically overnight. While I certainly feel that was quite an accomplishment given those facts as well as other elements that were weighing on my life at that time, I still recognize that yes, those sorts of rules are flawed. So I hope this helps add some measure of perspective on those rules. Regardless of that, you are entitled to your own opinion, of course. I just hope that when you do look at the Bestiary on store shelves, you get past your bias about "fan materials" and judge the work of its own merit. Afterall, even Monte Cook started out by writing a "fan book" for Rolemaster.
In fact, there is no "professional" who pops into existence wholesale. As Terry and Craig have said, it requires someone at some point to look at the work that's been done by a fan and decide that they're worthy of publication.
Originally posted by talinthas
Umm, baron, you realise that Jamie is just another fanboy who managed to get there before we did? And that Chris Coyle is one of his buddies who got lucky and scored an awesome gig? I love these guys and their work, though i've had differences with Jamie on the DL-L back in the day, but aside from the fact that i'm insanely jealous of thier positions, they're still just dragonlance fans like you and i. Working for a game company doesnt automatically make you a brilliant game designer. Or rather, not working for a game company doesnt automatically make your work amateur fan drivel.
Not quite completely true, but not completely wrong *chuckles*
Christopher
Ferratus I've never had a problem with infravision. It's game use was explain simply enough in 2e. I do like Low-Light and Darkvision better, and Elvensight better still.
Talinthas, I don't question these people's love and dedication to Dragonlance. Sure, professionals are not made overnight, and even professionals can deliver crappy work, but I can't help but feel wary about the book until I read it. If I'm wrong believe me I'll be here praising their work.
The key thing I want to mention is that the works of these “fans done good” are good enough that the professionals consider them to be professional quality. Sovereign Press obviously has faith in Cam and Andre’ in this venture, and I can personally vouch for the quality of their work (putting all biases aside).
Cam and Andre’ are top-notch designers, each bringing in their own strengths, which come together to form a beautiful whole.
So please don’t judge the book because you happen to know the backgrounds of two of the authors. Judge the book by its quality.
And a quality book it is.
Originally posted by Baron the Curse
Dragonhelm, I'm not attacking anyone. I'm not saying that is going to suck. I don't know yet.
I meant to say "names changed". That's corrected now.
Dragonhelm, I take it you have the book if you claim it's top notch. Damn you.
The thing that worries me about fan produced material is people who "bump" their favorite creatures and races up a notch. I saw this in a lot of the fan material posted on the Nexus. One guy gave kender a +4 to dex and a +2 to charisma. There are several other examples of people who simply overdid races because they liked them more. Fortunately I didn't see any of this in Andre's work. I'm eager to see the beastiary I just wish I knew when to expect it.
I understand it's hard to set exact dates for the release of new products. Key of Destiny is the one that really frustrated me because they changed the release date of it twice and it still isn't out. They shouldn't have said December 1st unless they absolutely knew it would be out then. Changing the release date more than once is not good at all.
Originally posted by Baron the Curse
Dragonhelm, I take it you have the book if you claim it's top notch. Damn you.
Heh heh. I don't have the book, no, but I've seen a preview or two. ;)
Originally posted by Taskr36
I just reread some of the material posted by Andre on the Dragonlance Nexus and while it isn't great it isn't bad either, especially for something done shortly after the release of 3rd edition. It took my friends and I several months to get fully familiarized with 3rd edition.
I think he was shooting for some of that SAGA feel in some cases too. Correct me if I'm wrong on that, Andre'.
The thing that worries me about fan produced material is people who "bump" their favorite creatures and races up a notch.
When we set out to create the Nexus, we did so with a few things in mind. Beyond creating 3e rules for Dragonlance (which changed due to the licensing of DL to Sov. Press), we also wanted a repository of fan rules. This gives players and DMs options, and also provides an outlet to post some things you just aren't likely to see in a sourcebook. It's a great place for original ideas as well. For example, I created the Knights of the Heart. You probably won't see them in any gaming product, but I like the backstory I created for them, and I think they have some nifty abilities.
Fan materials can be hit-or-miss at times. Some materials are so-so, but there are other materials that are really good.
Some creators have improved dramatically over time as well. I know my early designs on the site aren't nearly as good as my newer ones. Andre' is tons better. Cam's always been good, and has stepped up a notch beyond that as well. You should see his revised ranger.
Anyway, I think I'm getting off-topic here. If you guys want to continue discussing fan materials, feel free to start a new thread.
DH: Have you heard any update on it? If not, oh well... My campaign is going very well right now and the group seems to be enjoying it. There's:
- Human Cleric of Kirri-Jolith
- Human Sorcerer / Dragon Disciple
- Human Psychic warrior archer
- Kagonesti elf ranger
They're on an island, helping to clear out an island. In my world the Knights of Solamnia have agreed to help the Silvanesti elves retake their homeland, but the first step is to clear some islands on the east coast. The minotaurs have setup a base there.... Once it's clear, then the Knights will launch an invasion. Anyways, enough babble...
Originally posted by Sundancer75
DH: Have you heard any update on it?
Well, it sounds like Sov. Press had some things to tend to before these could go out, but that's all done now. I think there will be a bit more of a delay, but not much more now.
Sorry I don't have anything more concrete, and sorry that everyone has to wait.
Hang in there, guys.
I was just wondering though, Dragonhelm, do you think that Key of Destiny may be out by Christmas? Same question for the DM Screen.
Just so you know, i know that your answer would be a guess and I wont take your answer as set in stone.
Originally posted by themind
I was just wondering though, Dragonhelm, do you think that Key of Destiny may be out by Christmas? Same question for the DM Screen.
I would guess that Key of Destiny and the Bestiary of Krynn won't be available to January.
The DL DM Screen may be here by Christmas, but I'm not for certain.
Just so you know, i know that your answer would be a guess and I wont take your answer as set in stone.
Thanks.
Disclaimer: Dragonhelm is not an employee of Sovereign Press. ;)
Originally posted by lorac75
Why desn't SP release this adventure in a downloadable (PDF) format so they can get the die hards off their back.
I'm not sure that their license would allow for that.
J/K about the last thing i was going to say:D
And if went over the line, I am sorry and will change it
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
I would guess that Key of Destiny and the Bestiary of Krynn won't be available to January.
I was figuring as much.
Any word on the Towers of High Sorcery product then? Spectre of Sorrows?
Those are set for Jan & Feb already (or atleast nobody has told me otherwise lately
).Originally posted by themind
Besides, that book will probably have about 100 some pages. Would you really want to print that many pages.
Considering I just printed over a hundred pages on Taladas, 128 doesn't seem like that big of a deal.
Originally posted by silvanthalas
I was figuring as much.
Any word on the Towers of High Sorcery product then? Spectre of Sorrows?
Those are set for Jan & Feb already (or atleast nobody has told me otherwise lately
All I can say at this time is that both products are in the works. I'm not sure on a release date, although January seems a bit early for ToHS.
Originally posted by silvanthalas
I was figuring as much.
Any word on the Towers of High Sorcery product then? Spectre of Sorrows?
Those are set for Jan & Feb already (or atleast nobody has told me otherwise lately
Dude if they're set for Jan and Feb be ready for a long wait. I'd bet they'll be out around August or September. At this point know one seems to know exactly what the hold up is for all the material that should be out now. Odds are nobody has even put pen to paper on Towers of High Sorcery.
Originally posted by Taskr36
Dude if they're set for Jan and Feb be ready for a long wait. I'd bet they'll be out around August or September. At this point know one seems to know exactly what the hold up is for all the material that should be out now. Odds are nobody has even put pen to paper on Towers of High Sorcery.
Actually, a fair amount of Towers of High Sorcery has been written. I'm not certain what percentage, but it is being worked on.
Try not to be down on Sov. Press. Yes, they have had delays. And yes, they have had reasons behind them, which is their business alone.
My friends, I have worked since January 2001 to see Dragonlance gaming alive again. It has been my passion, and I gave it my all. I'm rather proud of that, and would like to think that my efforts, and those of all the Whitestone Council, helped to keep Dragonlance gaming alive in a dark time.
Dragonlance gaming has been reborn, thanks to the people at Sovereign Press. If not for them, you wouldn't even have the DLCS and Age of Mortals. Margaret and Jamie carry with them a deep love for Dragonlance, which is evident in their writing.
I know it is frustrating that these products are delayed. Yet were it not for Sovereign Press, we wouldn't have these products at all. Better late than never, as the old adage goes.
I, for one, celebrate the continued life of Dragonlance gaming. Rather than focusing on a few growing pains, I'm excited to see what is coming out.
The DL DM Screen.
A new maxi-adventure series, beginning with Key of Destiny.
The Bestiary of Krynn.
Towers of High Sorcery.
The DL Atlas.
War of the Lance.
And many, many more.
Rather than focus on what Sov. Press didn't do, let's instead focus on the things they've done right. Let's all try to be patient, and imagine all the wonderful things to come.
Est Sularus oth Mithas.
Where do you live btw DH?
Originally posted by Sundancer75
Where do you live btw DH?
Kansas City area, home of the best BBQ around. ;)
Originally posted by pddisc
Is it possible that in some far distant DL product we might see a 5th age sorcerer done right?
Probably not. I miss the SAGA sorcerer too...but that's not 3e...so, I guess we're just going to have to move on, or get left behind in the dust.
Originally posted by pddisc
Is it possible that in some far distant DL product we might see a 5th age sorcerer done right?
Sometimes it's the system itself which facilitates the gameplay we enjoy about a specific game, and in the conversion process you lose some of that and gain other stuff in the bargain. D&D3E has more depth and a richer character design framework than SAGA, while SAGA has a more free-form and rules-light mechanic which promotes dramatic scenes.
If you really wanted to have that SAGA feel to your Dragonlance game, you'd make all the die rolls centred on the player heroes (they would roll d20 + their AC bonus to beat a DC of 10 + NPC attack bonus, for example), add in a system of situational bonuses based on various personality and circumstance aspects (to mimic the Trumps of the cards), and so on. All in all, it would take a fair bit of work, and would progress away from d20. Which may be your thing, but it's simpler just to use SAGA.
For my purposes, the D&D sorcerer class, with the additional of suitable prestige classes, feat choices, and some good descriptive roleplay, more than fits the bill. To be honest, it took far too much time out of the game for me to cobble together spells on the fly - and that's supposed to be one of the benefits. Spontaneous spellcasting is about as freeform as I'd like in my Dragonlance games.
Cheers,
Cam
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
All I can say at this time is that both products are in the works. I'm not sure on a release date, although January seems a bit early for ToHS.
*nods* I must admit, it's harder to keep track of products "in the works" than those that I atleast can put a title to.
Like, say, Towers of High Sorcery, which will come out eventually, versus an Istar book, which seems to remain conceptual right now.
Anyways, I'll add in the info you've given, shift a few things around, and see how it looks.
I'm also going on the assumption that we're going to get the Legend of Huma, all 12 issues, on a monthly basis. And no wait between the two series.
Originally posted by pddisc
Is it possible that in some far distant DL product we might see a 5th age sorcerer done right?
You're more likely to see rules for adapting the PHB sorcerer to fit more of the 5th age feel. The Academy Sorcerer prestige class in Age of Mortals goes a long way towards that, but I would like to see more, such as a revised spell list.
Honestly, to do a SAGA sorcerer in D&D terms would be difficult at best.
Originally posted by Baron the Curse
How about the Dragon Mage? I would really love to see this character concept explore in future products. It goes without saying that this will be a prestige class, but the depths and rarity of this class deserves it’s own chapter.
Let's not forget the Dragon Mystic, either! Heroes of Sorcery hinted at the possibility.
Then again, perhaps it would find a home as an epic prestige class.
Originally posted by ferratus
Just as long as it isn't as unbalancing as the Dragon Mage was! I mean, a dragon cohort and you get to use his spell points rather than your own? Yikes!
Then again, perhaps it would find a home as an epic prestige class.
Which dragon mage are you referring to? The one from Heroes of Sorcery, or somewhere else?
Originally posted by lorac75
Is it safe to assume that this adventure begins in Pashin?
Yep, safe assumption there, although I also wrote guidelines on how to get characters to Pashin and/or involved in the adventure without needing to run them through "The Sylvan Key" first ;)
Christopher