Conan 2nd Edition companion book: Secrets of Skelos

[The King]

It seems we will also have a new book on the dark secret of magic:
http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Skelos-Ga ... 79&sr=11-1

[Vortigern]

Excellent.

[Axerules]

I really would like to know how much new things are in the 2ED books and how much updates. I asked a question about Return to the Road of Kings in another thread and still have not been answered.

From Amazon:

Secrets of Skelos revises and expands on the lore contained in the Scrolls of Skelos supplement. This includes additional sorcery styles and spells; full rules for creating permanent magic, including magical weapons and other sorcerous items; and a large section on the creatures of sorcery, whether the demons called up by scholars, the demon lords who act as their patrons, the strange monsters some wise men find in the wilderness and train as servants, or the weird aberrations crafted by certain sorcerers in their quests to make life itself.

Permanent sorcery, demon lords, aberrations, sorcerous items were already in Scrolls of Skelos. Could someone from Mongoose tell us if this book is only an update of the former Skelos book and how many previously unpublished material is in it ? 20%/50%, more ? BTW, I would like to know the same about Return.

I own most of the Mongoose Conan products and I hate the reprints. I will gladly pay for new stuff.

[Malcadon]

A hardcover that is only 104 pages!:o

You know, the softcover of Scrolls of Skelos that I hold in my hand is 128 pages thick!:shock: What about the other 24 pages?:? Or, is it to early to tell?

[Strom]

I wish they would've named it the Book of Skelos. It may be the last chance to get a sorcery book named for the Conan RPG and it's a shame we will never get a Book of Skelos.

[DaveNC]

I agree - Mongoose really needs to give us details on the 2nd edtion Conan. I already have most of the 1st edition stuff, and don't want to pay for a bunch of reprints. New material, I'll gladly shell out the dough!

[DaveNC]

Although, not giving us any details will probably force a bunch of us to buy it just in case. If they told us that it was mostly reprints, not many of us old timers would pay for it. Thinking from a business stand point that is.

[VincentDarlage]

I don't know about the other books, but Return to the Road of Kings is not just a reprint. Depending on how editing goes, of course, the book is substantially updated and bigger than the original, with more information - especially about the Black Kingdoms and Hyrkania.

I honestly tried to blow the original out of the water when I wrote the 2nd edition version. This wasn't just an assignment for me - it was something I asked to do, wanted to do and loved doing - Return to the Road of Kings was a labour of love and I hope everyone who owns the original is proud to have both books on their bookshelves. It is definitely not just a reprint with a few altered or added sentences here and there - it is much more than that. Each fan of the Conan RPG deserves better than just an updated reprint, so I tried hard to give better than that.

[DaveNC]

With Vincent on the job, my faith is restored! He always delivers and has an obvious passion for the material (just like all of us!)

[Axerules]

It is definitely not just a reprint with a few altered or added sentences here and there - it is much more than that. Each fan of the Conan RPG deserves better than just an updated reprint, so I tried hard to give better than that.

Good news.

Depending on how editing goes, of course, the book is substantially updated and bigger than the original, with more information - especially about the Black Kingdoms and Hyrkania.

And something about Vendhyans/Kosalans stats, perhaps ?

I don't know about the other books

So you're not in charge of Secrets of Skelos ?

I knew that someone else was writing the Bestiary. Aren't you also the author of the Players guide ?

You know, what I fear the most is that some of the 2nd Ed books will not have enough new material for those, like me and a few other, who own almost everything released. I was, thus far, very impressed by the passion that could be felt for REH's yarns in Mongoose's (and, mostly, Vincent Darlage's) treatment of this RPG. I appreciate a lot -almost- every single piece of background stuff. Even with some typos (to be fair, less since the last year) and maps problems (also, to be fair, the maps in Ruins were good) I have appreciated most of the books. But the reprints are still my biggest complain.

To sum it up, like I said it before, I will gladly pay for new stuff. I will buy the 2nd Ed, Return, probably also the Player's guide. I still don't know about the Bestiary and Secrets (if, for once, Amazon is reliable about the later book and what's inside).

[VincentDarlage]

And something about Vendhyans/Kosalans stats, perhaps ?

IIRC, I put that in the Player's Guide along with the Zamboulan stats and mixed race stats (in case your mom is one race and your dad is another).

So you're not in charge of Secrets of Skelos ?

No.

Aren't you also the author of the Players guide ?

Yes.

You know, what I fear the most is that some of the 2nd Ed books will not have enough new material for those, like me and a few other, who own almost everything released.

The Return to the Road of Kings and the Player's Guide should satisfy on that score; both of them have plenty of new material - I wrote them from the point of view of someone having everything. I haven't seen the other books, so I cannot comment on them.

[Jeffreywns]

I feel the same as Axerules (and the others), also owning most of the material and having started with the first edition book and back issues of S&P purchased for a page or three of fluff. Not being as articulate as the them, I'll sound like the gushing fanboy that I am. Thank you Vincent and Co. for your continued interest, hard work and support of a pleasant hobby and pastime of me and my friends. I look foreward to all the new releases AND the opinions of them on these forums. Cue music.........

[Axerules]

IIRC, I put that in the Player's Guide along with the Zamboulan stats and mixed race stats (in case your mom is one race and your dad is another.

The Return to the Road of Kings and the Player's Guide should satisfy on that score; both of them have plenty of new material - I wrote them from the point of view of someone having everything. I haven't seen the other books, so I cannot comment on them.

Thank you very much for the answers. Very good news.

And thank you again for providing the stats.

The Player's Guide is now, definitively, on my buying list with the 2nd ED and Return.

[rgrove0172]

Never even hesitated, I pre ordered the 2nd edition and ROK and will be snatching up the others soon enough. You gotta support the hobby if you wanna keep the new stuff coming. Getting chinsy (chinsie, Chinsey??) just screws everybody in the long run.

[Strom]

Never even hesitated, I pre ordered the 2nd edition and ROK and will be snatching up the others soon enough. You gotta support the hobby if you wanna keep the new stuff coming. Getting chinsy (chinsie, Chinsey??) just screws everybody in the long run.

Damn straight!






I think it's chintzy, for shits & giggles.

[The King]

I am no so much concerned with possible reprints as with the regional sourcebooks of which there is still no announcement.

[Yogah of Yag]

All the newly advertised stuff sounds intriguing, but I'll wait and see what the reviews here (and elsewhere) state.

[bolen]

I want to know how backward compatible the 2nd edition is with the old stuff.

[Harlock]

The book or scrolls of skelos is one I definately wanna get. I dont have 2nd ed yet but going through 1st I noticed several references to it in sections I plan on putting in me campaign. One supplement I call a must.

[Hervé]

New Rulebook...
New Road of Kings...
New Scroll of Skelos...
New Bestiary...

When will we get something that's REALLY new? I'm getting pretty much bored by these "upgraded" reprints. It sounds OK for me to promote the 2nd Ed by reprinting "new" old stuff for new players, but I think Mongoose should also think that there are many "old" players around. Maybe MGP should alternate reprints and new stuff so everyone can get some satisfaction.
For now, let's say I'm not too happy with Mongoose release schedule...