| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 19 Sep 2002 : 21:34:34
As you may be aware, a new FR product is due for release next year (March i think) called "Races of Faerun", Rich Baker has JUST released the following contents table....
Table of Contents
Introduction
New Regions
How to Read an Entry
Level Adjustments and ECL
Chapter One: Dwarves
Arctic Dwarf
Gold Dwarf
Gray Dwarf
Shield Dwarf
Urdunnir
Wild Dwarf
Chapter Two: Elves
Aquatic Elf
Avariel
Drow
Moon Elf
Sun Elf
Wild Elf
Wood Elf
Chapter Three: Gnomes
Deep Gnome
Forest Gnome
Rock Gnome
Chapter Four: Half-elves
Half-drow
Half-aquatic elf
Chapter Five: Half-orcs and Orcs
Gray Orc
Half-orc
Mountain Orc
Orog
Chapter Six: Halflings
Ghostwise Halfling
Lightfoot Halfling
Strongheart Halfling
Chapter Seven: Humans
Cali$H!Te (the forum wouldnt allow me write it properly as its a "bad" word  )
Chondathan
Damaran
Illuskan
Mulan
Rashemi
Tethyrian
Other Human Ethnic Groups
Chapter Eight: Planetouched
Aasimar
Air Genasi
Earth Genasi
Fey'ri
Fire Genasi
Tanarukk
Tiefling
Water Genasi
Chapter Nine: Minor Races
Aarakocra
Centaur
Goblinoids
Goblin
Hobgoblin
Bugbear
Dekanter Goblin
Kir-lanan
Lizardfolk
Lycanthrope
Lythari and Werewolf
Werebat
Werebear
Wereboar
Werecat
Werecrocodile
Wererat
Wereshark
Weretiger
Shade
Wemic
Yuan-ti
Pureblood
Tainted One
Appendix 1: Monsters of Faerûn Level Adjustments
Appendix 2: Equipment
Appendix 3: Feats
Appendix 4: Magic Items
Appendix 5: Monsters
Appendix 6: Prestige Classes
Battlerager
Bladesinger
Breachgnome
Orc Warlord
Skiprock Sniper
Spellsinger
Appendix 7: Spells
Rad |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 23 Mar 2004 : 15:06:25
I think despite the artwork, the product is worth a purchase because of the wonderful section on the humans. Who would have thought that race would be interesting?  |
| Magic Matt |
Posted - 23 Mar 2004 : 13:32:13
Yep, the info on HUMANS, was extensive, and the best reason for getting this product.
Info on Demi-Humans was weak and you probably have everything covered somewhere else [at least I do], art was really bad as I states earlier!
It depends on your personal preference, for me the art is critical to my view point, I spend $$$ on a book I want to get my $$$ worth, and they use to do a significantly better job on the art, and still could if they wanted to pay $$$ to get better artist whom they formerly employed.
Hasbro, Inc. is making a killing on these products, all I would like is value for my $$$.
|
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 23 Mar 2004 : 08:27:10
quote:
Originally posted by Sarta
Personally, I'd rate it good. I can honestly care less about pictures. The fluff to crunch ratio is decent and they do a fantastic job with humans... that's right, humans. Probably one of the best source books for understanding the differences beween the various human races within the realms.
My 2 cents on it,
Sarta
Ill second that! The humans section was by far the most useful to me and added that extra flavor to the "normal" race. |
| Sarta |
Posted - 23 Mar 2004 : 08:21:45
Personally, I'd rate it good. I can honestly care less about pictures. The fluff to crunch ratio is decent and they do a fantastic job with humans... that's right, humans. Probably one of the best source books for understanding the differences beween the various human races within the realms.
My 2 cents on it,
Sarta |
| Prince Forge of Avalon |
Posted - 23 Mar 2004 : 06:55:03
So the overall concensus on this book so far is?
great
good
so/so
pretty lame
dowright garbage
and the anwser is?
PFoA |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 22 Mar 2004 : 14:51:35
quote:
Originally posted by Magic Matt
I was terribly disappointed in this product, especially the art work, in 20+ years of playing and reading D&D/FR I have noticed a big decline in their art from the great works by Keith Parkinson and Larry Elmore in the 80’s.
Well, in the past I've strongly expressed my feelings on WOTC's artwork including this product.
I've only seen art from the new Player's Guide online. However, it appears to have better art than last year's FR releases. Hopefully, I'll get the guide today to fully see if that's true. |
| Magic Matt |
Posted - 22 Mar 2004 : 13:44:36
What’s with the cartoony junk they have in the “Races of Faerun”, and why is this product so ‘light’ on information? They don’t even have all of the elven races that are on Faerun, no Star Elves as they list in “Unapproachable East”.
Nor do they cover much about the society, what and how they live, and very little on describing what they look like [zero on the Halflings appearance].
I was terribly disappointed in this product, especially the art work, in 20+ years of playing and reading D&D/FR I have noticed a big decline in their art from the great works by Keith Parkinson and Larry Elmore in the 80’s.
I would not recaomend this product to any who are thinking about it, unless you know nothing about the races, no wait, then this book wont help you either! |
| The Sage |
Posted - 20 Mar 2004 : 12:58:32
quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
How exactly did 3e change the moonblades? I haven't seen anything on that, so I assume it's in Races of Faerun.
They're detailed in Magic of Faerun actually, and most of the specifics of the Moonblades have changed little since their inclusion in the 2e Elves of Evermeet tome.
I apologise for continuing this off-topic portion of the discussion within the scroll Alaundo, however I had noticed that no one had answered the Bookwyrm's question.
|
| ElaineCunningham |
Posted - 09 Mar 2004 : 14:48:04
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
For those who might not have caught the irony, that half-elf is Arilyn Moonblade. She AND moonblades were introduced in the novel Elfshadow.
I vaguely recall that post. I would have loved to have measured your blood pressure after you first read that comment.
Blood pressure was probably fine, but exasperation level was rather high. |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 08 Mar 2004 : 16:45:37
Just because this doesn't fit in with the new scroll for the moonblade topic . . . . (don't worry, we'll go back on topic  ).
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Hmmm...it's a shame that Mumadar's campaign didn't continue. There's a lot of potential character development there, that's going to waste...
Actually, while that campaign had to close, my character was moved to Berdusk (along with several other players) in compensation. He and his "student" of the arcane (a Sor1/Wiz1) hitched a ride on a caravan. Personally, I think that any caravan would have passed by Waterdeep, which would have been a more logical place for the two of them to leave at, but I'm not complaining.
So my character's alive and kicking. He's getting his first taste of battle (being a character more interested in knowledge, he was rather surprised to end up fighting a darkenbeast  ), and his insatiable curiousity has gotten him mixed up in the strange things going on in and around the city. |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 06 Mar 2004 : 10:04:24
Well met
'Ware ye all that too much discussion of Moonblades doesn't continue herein, mayhaps a new scroll is required for such if anyone wishes to continue.
Thank ye |
| The Sage |
Posted - 06 Mar 2004 : 08:44:54
Hmmm...it's a shame that Mumadar's campaign didn't continue. There's a lot of potential character development there, that's going to waste...
|
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 06 Mar 2004 : 07:52:47
I put my half-elven wizard (in Mumadar's game) down as the most direct heir to his father's aunt's moonblade. That wasn't in as a wish item. Even if my character actually inherited it, he's hardly likely to draw it. He knows what would happen if the blade didn't like him.
The real reason was because I was trying to think of reasons (beyond him being an illegitimate son of a high-ranking noble bladesinger) that his elven family would reject him. You can't get much worse than being in line for a moonblade.
Of course, my character doesn't really want to have anything to do with them, since his father was the only noble elf he'd ever actually liked. Actually, he doesn't have much of a high opinion of nobles of any race.
I don't expect Mumadar to ever use that bit, of course. Like I said, it was just a convienent bit of backstory. I'm sure those nobles are busy trying to get another heir before my character's great-aunt dies. |
| Kuje |
Posted - 05 Mar 2004 : 18:40:21
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
That was me that got flamed for doing that. :) Because I also keep the old rule, evil PC or NPC = you are dead. Have some one scrape up your ashes and scatter them to the wind.
You're the one responsible? Bad person! Bad, bad person!
quote:
3E partly changed Moonblades and not for the better. But yes I still am picky about that. Sorry no character is just going to be able to "have" a moonblade unless I give it to them.
I know when a line of novels is popular that elements found within the books will likewise be popular. However, I still think that 3e FR gaming books have shifted away from focusing on the lore and background of a powerful item like a moonblade, and just turned it into an episode of wheel of fortune.
DM: Okay, I've got your first level character here, let's spin the wheel and see what magic item you come up with.
Player spins: "Come on Moonblade."
DM (watching the wheel): There goes the moonblade, Crown of Horns. Whoa! You've landed on the Ar`Cor`Kerym. It's going to be interesting seeing your half-orc character with this sword.
quote:
Then after it turned into a rant about drow decay and how that isn't "fair" as well.
With some gamers I'm wondering if "isn't fair" translates into not giving me everything I want right now.
Yea, I'm a bad bad bad evil mean DM that NOOOO one ever wants to play under because I don't allow them Moonblades or all the toys they believe is thier right, as a character, to have.
But I agree 3e seems mostly about gimme gimme gimme I deserve this and this and this. What? You mean I can't have a Moonblade and spellfire and elven artifacts. WHAAA WHAA your so mean! You stink and I would never be a player in your game because your not "fair!"
And after most of us told that poster they were sentient he/she dropped out of the conversation. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 05 Mar 2004 : 18:09:47
quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
In a way. But the magic of the moonblades remain unchanged. Just because one king's been selected doesn't mean that all the moonblades run on different rules now . . . .
You mean each moonblade would have its own personality? If I recall, Elaine Cunningham mentioned this characteristic on the old WOTC board. |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 05 Mar 2004 : 18:01:42
In a way. But the magic of the moonblades remain unchanged. Just because one king's been selected doesn't mean that all the moonblades run on different rules now . . . .
Oh, wait, it seems they do. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 05 Mar 2004 : 17:43:31
quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
A moonblade's supposed to be selecting for rulership, for those worthy to lead the elven people. Thus, it wouldn't be letting any non-elves use it, and certainly not any elves who weren't good.
I thought since Zaor was chosen as ruler of Evermeet, that portion of the moonblade lore was finished. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 05 Mar 2004 : 17:40:24
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
For those who might not have caught the irony, that half-elf is Arilyn Moonblade. She AND moonblades were introduced in the novel Elfshadow.
I vaguely recall that post. I would have loved to have measured your blood pressure after you first read that comment. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 05 Mar 2004 : 17:39:02
quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
That was me that got flamed for doing that. :) Because I also keep the old rule, evil PC or NPC = you are dead. Have some one scrape up your ashes and scatter them to the wind.
You're the one responsible? Bad person! Bad, bad person!
quote:
3E partly changed Moonblades and not for the better. But yes I still am picky about that. Sorry no character is just going to be able to "have" a moonblade unless I give it to them.
I know when a line of novels is popular that elements found within the books will likewise be popular. However, I still think that 3e FR gaming books have shifted away from focusing on the lore and background of a powerful item like a moonblade, and just turned it into an episode of wheel of fortune.
DM: Okay, I've got your first level character here, let's spin the wheel and see what magic item you come up with.
Player spins: "Come on Moonblade."
DM (watching the wheel): There goes the moonblade, Crown of Horns. Whoa! You've landed on the Ar`Cor`Kerym. It's going to be interesting seeing your half-orc character with this sword.
quote:
Then after it turned into a rant about drow decay and how that isn't "fair" as well.
With some gamers I'm wondering if "isn't fair" translates into not giving me everything I want right now. |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 05 Mar 2004 : 17:06:08
Sounds like someone wasn't taking his/her anti-stupid pills.
How exactly did 3e change the moonblades? I haven't seen anything on that, so I assume it's in Races of Faerun.
From what I see here, it's now open to anyone, rather than just elves (or half-elves), regardless of alignment.  Idiotic. A moonblade's supposed to be selecting for rulership, for those worthy to lead the elven people. Thus, it wouldn't be letting any non-elves use it, and certainly not any elves who weren't good.
At the most, I'd say that instead of killing non-evil non-elves, it would go dormant and be just a magical longsword. But that's the most that I'd do -- I like the idea of race- and alignment-specific items, and I love moonblades.
Anyway, was anything else changed? Or was it just that? |
| ElaineCunningham |
Posted - 05 Mar 2004 : 14:20:24
quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
3E partly changed Moonblades and not for the better.
::sigh:: Thus spawning countless discussion threads about these hapless artifacts, and how novels don't follow game rules. My favorite to date was a snide comment about how everything was just fine until a novel was written about "a certain half-elf."
For those who might not have caught the irony, that half-elf is Arilyn Moonblade. She AND moonblades were introduced in the novel Elfshadow.
|
| Kuje |
Posted - 04 Mar 2004 : 18:27:30
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
..but then again, I am a harsh DM I suppose and my characters should be happy to wield a rusty dagger and be grateful 
Careful. If I recall, there was a WOTC thread some time ago, where the moonblade subject, or something as powerful, came up. When one DM dared to suggest he just wouldn't allow one of his players to wield such an artifact, he of course gets the reply that went something like this.
"Well, I'm glad I don't have you as a DM as you would be no fun."
Silly me, I had fun years ago in Germany when my group was diving into Undermountain and none of us had moonblades. If only we knew how deprieved we were.
That was me that got flamed for doing that. :) Because I also keep the old rule, evil PC or NPC = you are dead. Have some one scrape up your ashes and scatter them to the wind.
3E partly changed Moonblades and not for the better. But yes I still am picky about that. Sorry no character is just going to be able to "have" a moonblade unless I give it to them.
Then after it turned into a rant about drow decay and how that isn't "fair" as well. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 04 Mar 2004 : 16:59:11
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
..but then again, I am a harsh DM I suppose and my characters should be happy to wield a rusty dagger and be grateful
Careful. If I recall, there was a WOTC thread some time ago, where the moonblade subject, or something as powerful, came up. When one DM dared to suggest he just wouldn't allow one of his players to wield such an artifact, he of course gets the reply that went something like this.
"Well, I'm glad I don't have you as a DM as you would be no fun."
Silly me, I had fun years ago in Germany when my group was diving into Undermountain and none of us had moonblades. If only we knew how deprieved we were. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 04 Mar 2004 : 16:55:33
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
Oh, don't get me started on moonblades...
I know this is a shared world, but should that preclude an occasional foray into originality?
Well, if nothing else, I'm sure it gives you an appreciation for Mr. Salvatore's situation. I wonder how many book signings had the poor man listening to a person ramble on about his drow character who wields....wait for it....twin scimitars. I guess it all depends on how you look at it. Yes, it is a testimony to a lack of originality, but it can also be a statement to passionate feelings towards fine writing.
quote:
Dozens of magic swords are described in the lore, and endless possibilities exist for self-created swords. There is no reason for a half-orc/half-water-genasi ranger who lives a life of monkish contemplation in the Anauroch desert to wield a moonblade
Thanks alot Mrs. Cunningham for stealing my idea! Have you been reading my emails?
quote:
an artifact created to -- wait for it -- help select the elven royal family.
Yes, that is one thing that you've put forth in almost every post I've seen about moonblades. Moreover, having taken a look as I said in another thread at Silver Shadows, I recall Arilyn mentioning something about the blades were just getting harder and harder to handle. Which if you look at their lore, makes sense. Thus, the number of moonblades should continue to decrease and logically preclude our poor half-orc/half water-genasi. By the way, I like the monk lifestyle, nice touch.
quote:
Pounding my head on the table doesn't cover it.
Is this one of the times that over the counter medication helps?
|
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 04 Mar 2004 : 11:43:29
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
Oh, don't get me started on moonblades...
I know this is a shared world, but should that preclude an occasional foray into originality? Dozens of magic swords are described in the lore, and endless possibilities exist for self-created swords. There is no reason for a half-orc/half-water-genasi ranger who lives a life of monkish contemplation in the Anauroch desert to wield a moonblade, an artifact created to -- wait for it -- help select the elven royal family.
Pounding my head on the table doesn't cover it.
Here Here! well said!  Certain unique items and rarities are often taken sometimes to be almost commonplace! I hate that!
Whilst its understandable to want to create a unique, memorable character, I see such as this as none other than munchkinism.
..but then again, I am a harsh DM I suppose and my characters should be happy to wield a rusty dagger and be grateful |
| ElaineCunningham |
Posted - 04 Mar 2004 : 11:24:35
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Player: <looking confused> "I don't know. I just thought it would be cool. Hey, can he have a moonblade instead of the scimitars. I figure that way with his racial bonuses. Hey! <to DM> Why are you pounding your head against the table?"
Oh, don't get me started on moonblades...
I know this is a shared world, but should that preclude an occasional foray into originality? Dozens of magic swords are described in the lore, and endless possibilities exist for self-created swords. There is no reason for a half-orc/half-water-genasi ranger who lives a life of monkish contemplation in the Anauroch desert to wield a moonblade, an artifact created to -- wait for it -- help select the elven royal family.
Pounding my head on the table doesn't cover it.
|
| Arivia |
Posted - 04 Mar 2004 : 05:56:34
I believe he's referring to Ezindir, actually, Sirius. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 04 Mar 2004 : 04:34:34
quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
Yes, one of our scribes has a character who is half-avarial/half-drow. That sparked a . . . ah, 'warm' discussion.
Is that the one who just posted a scroll asking for creation guidelines? I'm not so much interested in stats as the back story. What got this character's parents together? Where was she/he raised? What are his feelings towards his parents' races? Etc.. |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 03 Mar 2004 : 23:19:48
Yes, one of our scribes has a character who is half-avarial/half-drow. That sparked a . . . ah, 'warm' discussion. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 03 Mar 2004 : 15:36:37
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
Anyone who games has probably run into players who mistake quilting for creativity -- you know, a patch of this, a piece of that, and you end up with players who proudly announce, "My character is a quatroon: a quarter each drow, sea elf, firbolg, and were-unicorn. He's also a druid paladin of Sune, but he wears plate armor and carries two scimitars..."
::shudders::
You forgot to add the parting shot:
Player: "Here's his character sheet for you to look over." <Hands it to the DM>. "I have an Excel sheet attached to it to help you and you can borrow my calculator if you want."
DM: "I see. Pray tell me, what's the background for this character having such a diverse lineage?"
Player: <looking confused> "I don't know. I just thought it would be cool. Hey, can he have a moonblade instead of the scimitars. I figure that way with his racial bonuses. Hey! <to DM> Why are you pounding your head against the table?" |
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