🐉✨  We are now over 90% of the way there with almost 6200 backers!Greetings Demanders!For this update, we decided to write a scenario describing the kind of gameplay you would expect to see in Pathfinder: The Dragon’s Demand. This sample is actually taken from a chapter in the official module, but it showcases the ways we’re expanding that adventure with vertical gameplay and environmental interactions to give players multiple ways for tackling challenges.In our previous games, environmental interactions were limited because things were essentially based on a 2D grid projected top-down onto a 3D world. For example, in NWN2: Mysteries of Westgate, we gave dexterous characters the option (based on a skill check) to climb a tree and walk along a branch in order to sneak through a house window. But it was all done through a dialogue since it couldn’t be shown, and it was custom made just for that one situation. That’s no longer the case in this game, where extreme freedom of movement is built into our 3D grid system, so you can actually see characters climbing trees and walking along their branches, and they can do it anywhere. Because of this, gameplay in Pathfinder: The Dragon’s Demand will be unlike anything you’ve seen in a CRPG.Before we jump into it, it’s worth noting that the following scenario would play out as a player-controlled party in the actual game.                                                                   ✨      ✨      ✨The Wizard’s ManorThe party stands at the front door of the wizard’s manor, an ominous dark gray stone building two stories high with windows that don’t open. There is Shesk the orc barbarian, Torian the elven wizard, Geena the dwarven cleric, and Fumbus the goblin alchemist. Unsurprisingly, the door is magically locked and they don’t have the key. No matter – real heroes don’t need keys.Shesk’s high Strength easily allows her to toss a grappling hook onto the roof. It seems secure, and she begins her climb. Halfway up, she stretches toward a nearby window to peer inside, but narrowly misses getting impaled by spikes that lance out from the frame. Reaching the flat rooftop, she finds a rose garden bordered by the manor’s many small spires and gargoyle statues. In the middle is a glass-domed observatory containing a huge telescope. She soon finds what she’s looking for when she spots a chimney – the way in. After calling down to the others to climb up and follow her, she descends the soot-covered passage, unaware that she has triggered the manor’s magical defense: a summoned peryton.The horrific beast, part stag, wolf, and hawk, circles the manor looking for enemies, and spots them dangling from a rope. Flying overhead, it uses Mimic Shadow to transform its own shadow into that of Geena. When the beast dives at the cleric and grazes her with its hoof, it looks to Geena as if her own shadow is attacking her! The sight terrifies her and she loses her grip, dropping onto Fumbus below. Luckily, she is wearing her Adventurer’s Cloak that triggers the spell Gentle Landing, so she gracefully floats down to the ground. Fumbus has averted a fall by Grabbing An Edge, and he manages to take hold of the rope again. But to their horror, the peryton now has the rope in its mouth, trying to bite through it with its sharp teeth or unhook it. Torian casts a lightning bolt at the creature, and it flaps off yelping as electrical arcs course over its body.Meanwhile, Shesk, who is a skilled climber, is Climbing down the inside of the chimney using just her hands and feet. Setting foot on the fireplace at the bottom triggers a trap causing the logs in the grate to magically explode into flame. She deftly Leaps out of the way and finds herself in a richly decorated bedroom with a high ceiling. She thinks she hears a menacing growl, but the vacant stare from the head of a bearskin rug is all she sees. Shrugging, she starts inspecting the room, knowing her companions will be along shortly.Outside, the rest of the party has reached the rooftop, where everything seems quiet. After collecting the grappling hook and rope, they cautiously Take Cover while heading towards the chimney. But the peryton has been circling patiently from higher up, and, catching sight of them, dives down to attack again. Before it can reach the party, however, Torian casts Web between several spires, trapping the creature in midair within its sticky strands as if in a large net. Now that he has an easy target, Fumbus lobs a couple of Alchemical Bombs at it before they all make their escape down the chimney with their rope.Back inside, Shesk discovers a ring of keys while Searching an ornate wooden desk. Feeling rather pleased at the find, she continues rifling through the drawers. She fails to notice a giant bear shape looming on its hind legs behind her. This isn’t the rug – it’s a summoned grizzly protector, and it’s huge! It Grabs her in a bear hug with its claws and attempts to maul her with its massive jaws. She fortunately manages to Escape, but the creature quickly follows up with a Rush, sending her crashing into the far wall, unconscious.Geena, Torian, and Fumbus arrive at that moment. The goblin is the first to step on the fireplace trap. As an alchemist, though, he wears a Runestone of Fire Resistance, protecting him from the blast of flames, and he casually steps through the fireplace and directs his companions to avoid it. The arrival of new enemies refocuses the bear’s fury. Geena swiftly moves forward to raise her shield, using Shield Block against its slashing claws. While the grizzly remains occupied with her, Fumbus Tumbles Through the melee in order to treat Shesk with Battle Medicine.On her feet again, the barbarian begins to Rage for revenge. The bear roars at the challenge and switches its attention back to her – only to find that she is suddenly as big as a hill giant! Torian has craftily cast Enlarge on her. With a wicked smile, the barbarian charges into the grizzly with all the force of a battering ram. The creature is Shoved backward, right into the fireplace trap, where its fur catches fire. As the flaming grizzly flails about, Shesk brings her gigantic axe down upon it with a roar of triumph, and its burning remains collapse to the floor.Well, the party has so far managed to make it inside. Now a whole manor of deadly adventure awaits!                                                                 ✨      ✨      ✨Our funding progress has been good, but we’re going to need all the help we can get to hit our goal. So to all our Core Tier backers, please consider upgrading your pledges to our Copper tiers for just $10 more (~$7 USD) to get our limited edition Absalom copper piece. Minted from a half ounce of 99% pure copper, it has Aroden the Last Azlanti stamped on one side and the Sea Cavalry hippocampus on the other – your own little treasure from Golarion. ☺Lastly, we’ll be holding an AMA session for Pathfinder: The Dragon’s Demand in r/Pathfinder2e, the Pathfinder Second Edition subreddit, on Monday October 21 from 10am-12pm Pacific to answer any questions people have. We hope to see you there!In Gratitude,Ossian Studios