@FastJack
Ooo... talk to me about Pathfinder, I've heard good things but I've never gotten much deeper than that.
Okay, here's the spiel:
First off, they have completely embraced the OGL (i.e., it's the same as 3.0/3.5, with 3PP being able to publish anything for Pathfinder with just a blurb in the book).
Second, it's easy to get the rules. You can get them for free at the (Paizo-sponsored)
Pathfinder RPG Reference Document, or buy the
Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook for only $9.99 as a PDF, or $49.99 and have it shipped to you. And, as a 576 page monstrosity that combines a PHB/DMG, it is well worth the price.
Third: The Setting. After the great Spellplague fan-abandonment of the Forgotten Realms, quite a few of us die-hard Faerūnians jump-shipped to Golarion, since they built their world (nay, the entire world's
solar system) to enable any type of fantasy game you'd like. And a great portion of that world seems to have the same 'feel' as the pre-Spellplague Realms (minus really big names). Add to it that you've got great names working on the books (Sean K. Reynolds is a permanent fixture at Paizo, but Ed Greenwood, Keith Baker, Elaine Cunningham and a ton of others have done freelance stuff), and you're getting a setting with a lot of love and thought put into it. And, they are taking the Eberron approach (for now) and not planning on 'moving the timeline forward' or any 'Golarion-shaking-events'.
Finally, last, but DEFINITELY not least, the Adventure Paths. What can I say about them? They are the reason for Paizo's success. With the start of the APs in Dragon's Shackled City, they revolutionized how gaming groups could buy pre-made adventures. The launch of non-Dragon/Dungeon Paizo began with the Rise of the Runelords, which both set the tone for Golarion AND made goblins sick, cannibalistic little monsters that will give Adventurers nightmares again. And they (so far) haven't struck out yet with them. Not too mention, that if you subscribe to the APs through their site, you get a free PDF with each 'issue' (the free pdf is available for any subscription you sign up for), plus the AP subscription gives you a 15% discount on most products sold through their website (including the AP sub itself).
Anything else you'd like to know?