Highmoon's Ponderings

This is the new d20 System logo on the D&D Miniatures: Dungeons of Dread boxes (thanks for the scan, Mark), which I also assume will be the one used for 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons.

I knew Wizards would retire the current d20 System logo (which for the record, I like better than this new one), but I can’t recall off the top of my head them mentioning a new d20 logo (they might have, but if they did, it was a while back and not something they repeated much after that). What I do remember is that, if things have not changed from their original statements (and frankly, these days anything having to do with the 4e OGL/GSL/Whatever-they-call-it is completely up in the air), this logo will be for exclusive WotC use only.

My hope is that Wizards will have some concrete answers at the GAMA Trade Show in two weeks, but I’m not holding my breath.

Highmoon Media Productions is proud to present Domains of Adventure: The Havenmine Gauntlet.

Situated in a high butte near the bend of a river canyon, Havenmine, named for the predicted security of its lofty location, is anything but safe. A few years ago, when chasing a vein of garnets and other precious gemstones, a house of diligent small folk and a tribe of ambitious kobolds met in a most awkward of situations. After many battles, both the gnomes and kobolds began to fortify their halves of the mine, carving the stone to fit their guerrilla needs, the series of traps and chokepoints known as the Havenmine Gauntlet.

The Havenmine Gauntlet is a systemless 9-page ebook detailing a drop-in location for your fantasy game. It includes a general overview of the location, and area-by-area descriptions of the gauntlet, its challenges and traps.

If you would like The Havenmine Gauntlet with Rules Appendixes for open rules systems, click below:
Rules Appendix Options

• d20 Fantasy

Domains of Adventure is a series of systemless products showcasing interesting and unusual locations usable in a variety of games. By focusing on the narrative element instead of the rules mechanics, fans of a variety of rules systems can all enjoy the material and find use for it. To that effect, all Domains of Adventure releases feature additional support in the form of a Rules Appendix, featuring all the rules mechanics relevant to each main release, already translating the narrative elements into ready-to-use stats for a variety of open rules systems. Visit www.highmoonmedia.com/domainsofadventure for more info.

Now Available from RPGnow.com in Systemless and d20 versions!

Wolfgang Baur’s Kobold Quarterly magazine and Highmoon Media Productions have teamed up to produce and release a special edition in Highmoon’s Domains of Adventure line, the Havenmine Gauntlet, written by WereCabbage Adam Daigle, with art by James Keegan.

Describing the “neutral zone” between warring clans of gnomes and kobolds, the product features seven rooms full of devious traps and wicked challenges for any party that braves the dungeon. This special product will be released as a bonus to all current Kobold Quarterly subscribers as of April 18th, 2008. It will also be sold by Highmoon Media Productions via RPGnow.com and DriveThruRPG.com.

“I am excited to finally release this joint project,” said Highmoon Media Productions owner Daniel M. Perez. “I’ve been a fan and subscriber of Kobold Quarterly since the moment Wolfgang announced it on Open Design, and I jumped at the opportunity to give something back to that community. Without a doubt, one of the easiest and most enjoyable collaborations I have been a part of.”

Domains of Adventure is the series of systemless products showcasing interesting and unusual locations usable in a variety of games. Domains of Adventure releases feature additional support in the form of a Rules Appendix that translates the narrative elements into ready-to-use stats and mechanics for a variety of open rules systems.

Domains of Adventure: The Havenmine Gauntlet will be released to Kobold Quarterly subscribers first, along with the Rules Appendix - d20, and become available to the general public one week later.

Subscribe to Kobold Quarterly: http://www.koboldquarterly.com/KQStore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

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ABOUT HIGHMOON MEDIA PRODUCTIONS Founded by Daniel M. Perez, Highmoon Media Productions is a Miami Beach-based publisher of gaming products producing support material for the popular d20 System, including Targum Magazine, a magazine supporting Ancient World campaign settings. Learn more about Highmoon Media Productions at www.highmoonmedia.com.

ABOUT KOBOLD QUARTERLY MAGAZINE Kobold Quarterly is the leading RPG magazine for fantasy gamers. It offers playable, fun articles by the industry’s best, including Ed Greenwood, Keith Baker, Nicolas Logue, and Wolfgang Baur. It is available in print and PDF forms, and features contributions from gamers around the world. Learn more about Kobold Quarterly at www.koboldquarterly.com.

ABOUT WERECABBAGE PUBLISHING The WereCabbages bring together more than thirty of the most successful and promising RPG writers, artists and cartographers. The Cabbages are a one-stop shop for RPG publishers, whether they need an experienced team to complete a large project or a single author or artist for a special task. Learn more about the WereCabbages at www.werecabbages.com.

Media Contact: Ed Healy – ephealy@koboldquarterly.com Daniel M. Perez – daniel@highmoonmedia.com

Paizo Publishing announced today the release of their new Pathfinder RPG, based on the d20 3.5 SRD. They have just released the Alpha Playtest PSD for free, and intend to release a free PDF/$24.95 print Beta Playtest in August 2008, with a final hardcover product for Gen Con 2009.

Let it be known that this day is the day whence the road of D&D officially split in twain.

With this announcement, Paizo has flicked a giant finger at WotC (“Basing the Pathfinder RPG on 3.5 also allows Paizo more control over our destiny than simply following along with the latest edition and the newest licensing changes.” -Erik Mona) and provided the rallying point for all the 3,5 fans out there who are simply not interested in D&D 4th Edition.

I just downloaded the file and will look through it. I obviously want to know about 3rd party support, but I’m sure it will come up soon enough without me having to ask.

All in all, excellent news, and a fitting continuation to the “interesting” way 2008 has been developing so far.

Highmoon Media Productions, in association with Green Ronin Publishing, presents Targum Magazine - Issue 04. Welcome to the fourth issue of Targum Magazine, the magazine in support of Eternal Rome: Roleplaying in the Age of Gods and Emperors, Trojan War: Roleplaying in the Age of Homeric Adventure, Testament: Roleplaying in the Biblical Era and all Ancient World campaign settings. In this issue you will find the following articles:

• Ostraca: The Extra King by Spike Y Jones - Exploring the Biblical mystery of an apparent extra king of Israel.
• Kalevala Mythos by David Schwartz - The deities of this epic poem from Finnland for your d20 game.
• Era Spotlight: The Time of Akhenaten - Part 2 by Scott Bennie - The concluding article bringing you a mini-gazetteer of Egypt in the time of the monotheistic Pharaoh. 
• Legions vs. Hordes by Spike Y Jones - Bring the might of the Roman Empire to the Biblical/Homeric Battlefield Resolution System.
• Free Paper Minis from Arion Games.
• Testament: Official d20 v3.5 Update - Part 1 by Scott Bennie, Christopher Heard and Spike Y Jones - Update your Testament game to the v3.5 rules of the d20 System with this official guide. Part two will appear in the next issue.

Come adventure in the lands of the ancient world today! NOW AVAILABLE from RPGnow!

Highmoon Media Productions is proud to present Liber Sodalitas: The Pathfinders of Talus. While most gods are honored by a formal church and clerical order, Talus, the god of travel and safe voyages, prefers the service of his Pathfinders. The organization was founded over 200 years ago by a group of caravan guards who were saved from bandits and other perils on their journey by a priest of Talus. Upon arrival at their destination the priest disappeared, though not before he had imparted much of the wisdom of Talus to the guards. Today, Pathfinders are found everywhere, aiding travelers as cartographers, guides, protectors, and explorers. The Pathfinders of Talus is an 8-page ebook detailing a drop-in organization for your d20 Fantasy game, complete with history, tenets, organizational structures, ways of joining, and ready-to-use NPCs. It also includes the pathfinder prestige class, two new spells and two new feats. Written by: Martin Greening, with James Gabrielsen Artwork by: Anthony Cournoyer NOW AVAILABLE from RPGNow & DriveThruRPG!