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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Jun 2004 : 08:40:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Sarta
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Yeah, I recall hearing of that error. Oh boy.....of all things for a new campaign setting you wish to get people excited about. 
I'm not sure how to say this without coming off as a jerk, but the snide comments about Eberron are getting stale. I share your beliefs on the product, but prefer not to dwell on it. I also hold your posts in high esteem and don't mean to get you upset, but I just had to say something.
If this is far too inflamatory, I will happily delete it or allow one of the mods to do so.
Sarta
Well met
I believe a number of fans of the Realms are naturally going to be upset or threatened by the arrival of Eberron. Lets try not to get things out of hand on this matter....i've been tolerant enough on allow Eberron be discussed at all on here  
I must admit, Lady Kazandra's signature did disturb me at first glance  |
Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2004 : 14:12:45
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Don't worry, Alaundo, Lady Kazandra's not abandoning the Realms. Right, Lady K.? [::lightly steps on Lady K.'s foot::] Riiight?
Seriously speaking, Milady, have you got your copy yet, and if so, has Sage read it? I just started reading the Reynolds Review, and this caught my eye:
quote:
The first thing I thought of after reading the warforged section was, "You could totally do modrons this way." Construct and yet living ... it fits perfectly.
Aren't modrons Sage's favorite PS race? |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2004 : 15:14:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Sarta
I'm not sure how to say this without coming off as a jerk, but the snide comments about Eberron are getting stale.
In retrospect, having thought this over, I'm editing my post in the hopes it quells anything stirred up here. I apologize to anyone offended by previous comments be it this post or another.
However, Sarta, I'm at a loss when it comes to you. This marks the second time you've been so upset, you've directed something personal at me. Have I wronged you in some past life? If so, tell you what, feel free to email me now or in the future and you can lash out all you want in private.
Additionally, if now or in the future I've violated some code of conduct for the board, please email one of the moderators and they can deal with my violation(s). I did so in the past when another scribe used a disparaging remark for a person with a certain sexual orientation. I found the remark crass, selfish, and shameful as it's a term often used by people who commit hate crimes. Thus, I privately let the moderators know my disappointment and concern that such a word could be used on a board that prides itself on civility.
Again, my apologies to anyone offended. |
Edited by - SiriusBlack on 30 Jun 2004 22:40:49 |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2004 : 15:24:40
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Something you two would like to share with the class? [::raised eyebrow] Or perhaps you would like a private room? I understand Alaundo has a few places open in the dun -- I mean, basement. Complete with a few items I'm told are "conversation enhancers."
EDIT: Glad to see this isn't as much of a problem as I thought. I hope you two can settle your differences, whatever they are. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
Edited by - Bookwyrm on 01 Jul 2004 06:21:37 |
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Valondil the Ranger
Learned Scribe
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2004 : 17:33:10
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| I just emailed WotC confirming their answer and they told me that they were wrong in telling me that it was the merit of your writing that counts. So, alas, no one under 18 can enter anything lest they want an unopened copy sent straight back to them. |
--Your humble ranger,
Valondil
Check out my webpage at http://iankappos.blogspot.com/ |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2004 : 17:53:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Valondil the Ranger
I just emailed WotC confirming their answer and they told me that they were wrong in telling me that it was the merit of your writing that counts. So, alas, no one under 18 can enter anything lest they want an unopened copy sent straight back to them.
I'm sorry to hear that Valondil. I hope you continue looking for other opportunities. |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2004 : 17:59:52
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Here's what I just posted at EN World about my thoughts about Eberron, not having read it, as a campaign setting:quote:
From outside, Eberron looks like a collection of gimmicks. I'm quite sure Keith Baker made it more than that, but I'd have to read the whole book to be sure, and find if I like the gestalt, and the visible gimmicks by themselves aren't enough to grab me in (why would I want to play a golem? to use Kitsune's example) when there are so many secondary worlds I haven't got into but know are good and have a hunch I'll like, within the RPG field and outside. I don't like the aesthetic of the art, and I'm put off by the world being written to match a ruleset, rather than vice versa.
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
I believe a number of fans of the Realms are naturally going to be upset or threatened by the arrival of Eberron.
I don't think it's natural at all; it's like the irrational, disfunctional bitterness at the Realms that some fans of the World of Greyhawk have. It's crass, selfish, and shameful. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2004 : 18:22:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Faraer
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
I believe a number of fans of the Realms are naturally going to be upset or threatened by the arrival of Eberron.
I don't think it's natural at all; it's like the irrational, disfunctional bitterness at the Realms that some fans of the World of Greyhawk have. It's crass, selfish, and shameful.
I disagree. One can not be keen on the arrival of Eberron for quite rational reasons...
I've not yet had any contact with the setting beyond what I've seen in Dragon. I do plan on getting the book, though, especially after reading SKR's review of it. However, my funding is not great, and there's other books I want to grab first, so those have the higher priority.
But... I do see Eberron as kind of a threat to the Realms.
Previously, when a new setting was unleashed, sure there was some focus on it. But not what Eberron has gotten. The way they've been pushing Eberron indicates that they expect it to be the next big cash cow, and they seem willing to go to great lengths to insure that it is.
Okay, so a new setting is a good thing, agreed. But look at what's happened to the former TSR/WotC cash cows... Ravenloft and Dragonlance are still around, but someone else is doing them. Greyhawk may be the "default" setting, but, like the others, it's not received a lot of support, and none directly from WotC.
I fear that if Eberron does half as well as the Wizards hope, they'll drop the Realms like they've dropped so many other settings. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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AlacLuin
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2004 : 19:34:54
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A few points after looking at this thread.
There are severel aspects of this book that can be brought into the realms nicely.
The artificer PC class and magewright NPC class could be ok,
2 or the new races are nice
The changeling (doppelgager touched, so to speek)and
The Shifters (weretouched) a great no LA altenative for someone wishing to play a lycanthrop, no full change, say something like a wolf claw or such.
There is more in this book that can be brought to a realms game then say from Dragonlance campain setting (I personally only liked one feat from that book)
Elves and drow are very different, the drow more so.
Picture drow wearing face paint similar to Mohawks, protecting ruins simeilar, but giant sized, found in central america (aztec, myan, etc.)
In all, the feel of the setting is different enough that it will not steal away people that are realms junkies, and may well bring in more people to the hobbie, which will in time bring more people to the realms for the realms feel.
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2004 : 19:42:54
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| Yeah, it's really the emotional responses, the bitterness and the snide stance I'm railing against. If Eberron succeeds as WotC wants -- that is, as a property to license, which is perhaps quite a long shot -- the Realms certainly stand to lose out, though I doubt to the extent of abandonment by the company, at least for novels, and even then the great potential of licensing out Realms sourcebooks looms. |
Edited by - Faraer on 30 Jun 2004 19:44:00 |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 00:16:00
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I am officially a WotC consumer junkie-I bought the campaign setting today.
Semi-detailed review follows(from my viewpoint, none else, if it isn't obvious):
I'll begin with a chapter-by-chapter review:
Introduction: First of all, there's that Movies to Inspire(wrong word to use for this setting) You sidebar, which lists movies that show the tone they have developed within the setting. I see no problem witb this-albeit, if they were going to site inspiring sources, I wish they would have gone the full White Wolf route-one or two pages on this, covering not just movies, but books(including religious texts, nonfiction works and related fiction works), television shows, music, movies, and other sources, including museums and sites. The rest of the chapter is written well, providing a concise overview of both the setting and its related rules. Curiously, the ubiquitous "other books you will need" section is mising, the only nod being to the XPH, buried within the Ten Things You... section.
Chapter 1: Character Races. Do not look at page 10. It is perhaps the worst piece of artwork in an RPG product, period. The standard races each have their own brief section, focusing on their lands and the dragonmarked houses they might belong to(This is unfortunate for the elves.). The new races have their complete sections, including statistics, personality, and all that. The emphasis on the warforged is evident here-they receive 3.25 pages. Following is the Regional section, curiously following the older format and rules-none of the PGtF's "supra-feats" here. Also of note is that there are no racial regions-it's by where you come from. Skipping the obligatory section on height and weight, we arrive at...
Chapter 2: Character Classes. I can see the artificer being broken-it looks sort of like the bard, but only on steroids and with a penchant for artifact creation. Each of the normal classes has notes on how it is incorporated in the setting, and a thinly-disguised section on new options for powergaming(The cat hasn't been declawed just yet, folks!). The "archetypal characters" sections are nice-no game stats, just story and background. I do not see these characters as the archetypal characters for the setting-I believe some of them might slash each others throats out first. Notable(woah, deja vu) is the section in the druid entry showing what animal companions are appropriate for a character by region.
Chapter 3: Heroic Characteristics. First comes the section on action points, which appears to have been cut from Unearthed Arcana, pasted, and rewritten. On page 46, the first diagrams of the dragonmarks appear-these look impressive, and do certainly look distinctive, having been done in a blue and purple. Also beginning on page 46 is the new uses for skills-notably omitted are Knowledge and any human languages from Speak Language(just Common here, folks). In the Feats section, two related groupings are of note: The feats allowing such weapons as longswords to be used as monk weapons, and Mithral Body and Mithral Fluidity. Mithral Body is the long-term form of Adamantine Body-only a +5 armor bonus. However, you have access to Mithral Fluidity, which ups your maximum Dexterity bonus and decreases your armor check penalty. Interesting choice-I'll have to keep an eye on that one. Covered after that are the dragonmarks and their effects. Coming after that are the deities and pantheons-not much to say here, as there isn't much. Seeing them covered at least in the format of the FRCS would be nice, but...*shrugs*
Chapter 4: Prestige Classes. Inevitable in a publication like that these days...Actually, these aren't too bad, with the exception of the absolutely ghastly extreme explorer. Of course there's an example character after each one.
I'll stop for now, and give my fingers a rest. |
Edited by - Arivia on 01 Jul 2004 02:02:45 |
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AlacLuin
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 00:57:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Also beginning on page 46 is the new uses for skills-notably omitted are Knowledge and any human languages from Speak Language(just Common here, folks).
just a note, Knowledge is not covered here as there is no additional rules to cover that skill, use it as you would from PHB
In total, there are 29 languages, as the humans of the one contenant this book mosty covers was all part of one kingdom, there is ony one language (common), humans from other contenents speek a different language, and some of the new languages are "planer" laguages (as in spoken on other planes of existance)
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 01:17:16
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quote:
Originally posted by AlacLuin
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Also beginning on page 46 is the new uses for skills-notably omitted are Knowledge and any human languages from Speak Language(just Common here, folks).
just a note, Knowledge is not covered here as there is no additional rules to cover that skill, use it as you would from PHB
In total, there are 29 languages, as the humans of the one contenant this book mosty covers was all part of one kingdom, there is ony one language (common), humans from other contenents speek a different language, and some of the new languages are "planer" laguages (as in spoken on other planes of existance)
Unfortunately, neither of those hold much water for me.
Knowledge-I don't like how Knowledge is currently implemented-I wish it was completely redone to fit each setting's niches. I'd like to see someone with ranks in "Knowledge(Tethyrian nobility" rather than "Knowledge(nobility and royalty)". The 3e PS crowd and the FR have taken steps in the right direction, but I'd still like to see more get done there.
Languages-None of this takes into account regional differences, or dialects at all. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 01:57:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
I am officially a WotC consumer junkie-
Well, when you have fifty-dollar bills lying around the house...why not spend one?
There are many worse things to be or things to do than to support a company that does release products that inspire the imagination. Take for example those Star Trek folks....they are just sick.
quote:
Chapter 1: Character Races. Do not look at page 10. It is perhaps the worst piece of artwork in an RPG product, period.
You know with a comment like that it's like a train accident for most people. We are going to want to see now. What does this image show? Is it one of the images in their online gallery for the product?
quote:
I'll stop for now, and give my fingers a rest.
Please let us know how it will change/effect your Realms campaigns now or in the future. |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 02:12:05
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
I am officially a WotC consumer junkie-
Well, when you have fifty-dollar bills lying around the house...why not spend one?
Actually, that was exactly what I spent the fifty on...a twenty, too.
quote:
Take for example those Star Trek folks....they are just sick.
HEY!  
quote:
You know with a comment like that it's like a train accident for most people. We are going to want to see now. What does this image show? Is it one of the images in their online gallery for the product?
Yes, it is there.
quote:
quote:
I'll stop for now, and give my fingers a rest.
Please let us know how it will change/effect your Realms campaigns now or in the future.
I'll be sure to do that-I'll polish off the review, and include that in it, offline. Damned dial-up and people needing the telephone. |
Edited by - Arivia on 01 Jul 2004 02:14:56 |
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CurseLord
Acolyte
35 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 02:12:32
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
[quote]
Chapter 1: Character Races. Do not look at page 10. It is perhaps the worst piece of artwork in an RPG product, period.
You know with a comment like that it's like a train accident for most people. We are going to want to see now. What does this image show? Is it one of the images in their online gallery for the product?
This is the image which Arivia speaks of. http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/eb_gallery/82070.jpg
I don't think its all that bad, not good, but not horrfyingly(sp?) bad.
Edit: Got beat.  
As to not waste this post. I just wanted to add one thing that I liked that's easily usuable in other campaigns are the new diffrent versions of the Homunculus listed in the monstrous section. Also, I liked the concept of the deathless, though I wish they had more then just the deathless elves. |
Edited by - CurseLord on 01 Jul 2004 02:19:11 |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 02:23:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Actually, that was exactly what I spent the fifty on...a twenty, too.
A twenty too? What the? OH Wait, you're a northern neighbor, that means you have different money, right? 
quote:
HEY!
Live long and prosper my fellow scribe. And email me Jolene Blalock's phone number if you get it.
quote:
Yes, it is there.
I've seen worse Arivia. Sorry, to disagree with you. It is a very comic book style image and that's not the type of artwork I like to see in my gaming product. Although, it appears that Eberron's artwork leans towards that style based upon the images in their online gallery.
quote:
I'll be sure to do that-I'll polish off the review, and include that in it, offline. Damned dial-up and people needing the telephone.
Who needs the telephone? Tell them you are doing a review and can't wait! |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 02:37:17
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
A twenty too? What the? OH Wait, you're a northern neighbor, that means you have different money, right?
Actually, I just didn't have enough change on hand(green tea is a hard habit to break) and had to break the twenty. $53.45, all told.
quote:
Live long and prosper my fellow scribe. And email me Jolene Blalock's phone number if you get it.
Aye, aye, sir.
quote:
I've seen worse Arivia. Sorry, to disagree with you. It is a very comic book style image and that's not the type of artwork I like to see in my gaming product. Although, it appears that Eberron's artwork leans towards that style based upon the images in their online gallery.
WORSE? What the? *rubs forehead*
Eh, you're entitled to your opinion-although, thinking of it, that image doesn't emphasize how bad it looks on paper-doesn't appear nearly as crude.
Actually, not all the comic book pieces are as bad as I expected-the gnome from Chapter 1 and the opening to Chapter 5 look quite good. They made a nasty mistake, though-in the book, there are small narrative snippets on each of the full-page comic pieces. Now that's no problem-the problem is that WotC made them flat text on a black block, which certainly detracts from the image.
quote:
Who needs the telephone? Tell them you are doing a review and can't wait!
Actually, I did just that. And I got back online pretty quickly, as you can see.
quote:
Originally posted by CurseLord
As to not waste this post. I just wanted to add one thing that I liked that's easily usuable in other campaigns are the new diffrent versions of the Homunculus listed in the monstrous section. Also, I liked the concept of the deathless, though I wish they had more then just the deathless elves.
The Book of Exalted Deeds(all of two.) , where the deathless first appeared, contains more of them in all forms. Anyone willing to convert the baelnorn to use such a type? |
Edited by - Arivia on 01 Jul 2004 02:45:34 |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 02:44:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
WORSE? What the? *rubs forehead*
Eh, you're entitled to your opinion-although, thinking of it, that image doesn't emphasize how bad it looks on paper-doesn't appear nearly as crude.
I'll take your word for it that the image does look worse in print. Honestly, I have seen worse. Honest.
I really hope the comic book style does not seep its way into Realms products. If does, expect some snide comment. Forgive me in advance. |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 02:47:18
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
WORSE? What the? *rubs forehead*
Eh, you're entitled to your opinion-although, thinking of it, that image doesn't emphasize how bad it looks on paper-doesn't appear nearly as crude.
I'll take your word for it that the image does look worse in print. Honestly, I have seen worse. Honest.
I really hope the comic book style does not seep its way into Realms products. If does, expect some snide comment. Forgive me in advance.
Hey, you know I'll always join you in the snide commentary-these days, I feel it's somewhat necessary-a sort of devil's advocate. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 02:51:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Hey, you know I'll always join you in the snide commentary-these days, I feel it's somewhat necessary-a sort of devil's advocate.
Well Arivia, I hope you know that such commentary from you is becoming a bit stale. Sorry, I couldn't help it.
Thank you by the way for sharing your thoughts about Eberron. I appreciate the time you took to post your thoughts on the product. |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 02:56:09
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Hey, you know I'll always join you in the snide commentary-these days, I feel it's somewhat necessary-a sort of devil's advocate.
Well Arivia, I hope you know that such commentary from you is becoming a bit stale. Sorry, I couldn't help it.
Thank you by the way for sharing your thoughts about Eberron. I appreciate the time you took to post your thoughts on the product.
No problem-I enjoy discussing this with others, especially when it's as contentious as this(offhand, another browser tab contains the second part of the review in progress).
And on the commentary-well, it's a stale horse that still needs to be beaten, if you get what I mean. |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 04:43:28
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Continuing from before from the second time(I hate Winders' odd keyboard shortcuts-hit Ctrl+Shift or something by accident, and there goes your entire piece)
Chapter 5: Magic begins with a discussion of magic in Eberron, specifically how it influences services and goods. And then things take a downturn-namely, a section(a table, actually) detailing how Eberron has more magic items for sale in smaller settlements. I'll be going after that one with black marker-0-level potions and 1st level scrolls are not buyable in my thorps, no thank you. Next up are the optional material components, essentially effects+percentage chances+price+tiny bit of flavor. Next up are the planes-I'll be brutally honest here, none of them are new. New names and Eberron flavor stapled to old planes from the FR cosmology and the Great Wheel+the optional planes from the MoP. However, however, we can get a glimpse at the MM3 from this section. The planes are presented using the PGtF format, including the monster cross-relation(which is where we learn about the MM3 from). Next are the rules on channeling and possession, unchanged from their Book of Exalted Deeds and Book of Vile Darkness forms, as I can tell. After this are all the new spells, most of them retreads from Magic of Faerun or Tome and Blood, and most of the domains retreads of their counterparts in the FRCS.
Chapter 6: Adventuring Equipment brings five new weapons and two reprinted types of armor to begin with. Following that is a warforged repair kit, glyphbook(translation guide for Xen'drik writings), inquisitive's kit, wizard's spellshard(replacement for a spellbook ), and a specialized holy symbol for the Church of the Silver Flame. There are two new materials for clothing included, and a long list of services separated by house.(Sirius, weren't you wondering where the cost for an airship or something like that was? It's there-you just didn't look hard enough. Right before it, actually.) Mounts(mostly dinosaurs) and transport are also covered. There are also new special materials, including byeshk and soarwood, the stuff that makes all those flying ships viable.
Now, Chapter 7: Life In The World is the real meat of the book, taking up 96 pages. I'll cover that next. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 06:42:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I fear that if Eberron does half as well as the Wizards hope, they'll drop the Realms like they've dropped so many other settings.
I agree.
I'm going to try to explain myself again later. I just had a long explanation of what I think WotC is doing all written out, but I accidentally hit ESC. That erased it. I'll try again later . . . .
Note, though, that this doesn't mean I hate Eberron. I find many things about it interesting and worth stealing. I'm just sick of WotC's short attention span. (And I haven't even been on board that long. ) |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Sarta
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 07:06:38
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I know I'm not alone in getting hooked on the Forgotten Realms before the 1st edition grey box ever shipped. Since that time, we've seen a lot of official campaign settings come and go. Currently the FR has the largest player base and an enormous wealth of literature (both source books and novels). I don't see WotC dropping it any time soon. It's too big a cash cow.
Yes, Eberron is getting a big push at its start. Yes, WotC is generating a lot of hype over it. Yes, it will mean that some writers will be pulled off Realms projects to work on Eberron. Yes, it will mean that we don't see as many FR products this year as we would normally. However, I hardly see it being the end of the Realms.
The same thing occurred when Spelljammer, Dark Sun, Planescape, and Birthright were released -- to say nothing for some of the exotic campaign settings plopped down in the realms like Kara Tur and Al-Qadim.
I'm not going to sweat it. If it brings in new players, writers, and money to the Dungeons and Dragons line for WotC, we will only benefit. I would frankly hate to see what may happen if it tanks -- who knows how Hasboro will react to that.
Arivia, I share your obsession. I'm also a WotC junkie. I actually feel bad that I didn't purchase Unearthed Arcana and the Miniatures Handbook, but after perusing them I found that they wouldn't be compatible with the games I run and play in.
Sarta |
Edited by - Sarta on 01 Jul 2004 07:11:33 |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 07:14:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Sarta
Arivia, I share your obsession. I'm also a WotC junkie. I actually feel bad that I didn't purchase Unearthed Arcana and the Miniatures Handbook, but after perusing them I found that they wouldn't be compatible with the games I run and play in.
I actually bought both-one of which was the worst supplement I've ever purchased. The other was quite good. I can understand both of those not appealing to you-the Miniatures Handbook was very focused with a sprinkle of crunch on top, and Unearthed Arcana is really only useful if you're willing to endlessly tinker. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 07:24:01
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I'm seriously thinking about purchasing the ECS myself. I'm hesitant, though, since I'm missing other things in the Realms. Other than the PGtF, I don't have any FR material published after Silver Marches.  |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
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Sarta
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 07:25:12
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
However, Sarta, I'm at a loss when it comes to you. This marks the second time you've been so upset, you've directed something personal at me. Have I wronged you in some past life? If so, tell you what, feel free to email me now or in the future and you can lash out all you want in private.
There is no contact info listed in your profile, so I know of no way to contact your privately. I don't believe you violated any rules, nor have you offended me or (to my knowledge anyone else). I just noticed a pattern that was in my opinion getting out of control. While I do recall that there was a scuffle that I joined in on (but did not start) earlier, frankly I've forgotten the details and this is certainly not a continuation of that.
As I said, I have immense respect for the informative posts you bring to this board. However, after reading three one-liners on three different threads slamming Eberron in a row, I just felt I had to say something. This is what I'm talking about:
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2782
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1737&whichpage=3
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2768
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2694&whichpage=1
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2677&whichpage=1
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2670
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2118&whichpage=1
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2498&whichpage=1
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2252&whichpage=1
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2530
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2529&whichpage=1
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=608&whichpage=6
I'm sure many more exist.
Again, I apologize for being confrontational, but I felt it needed to be said. I have no intention of posting about this again publicly, but if you wish to email me, you may do so through my profile.
Sarta |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 08:35:15
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Chapter 7: Life in the World begins with an impressive page of comic book art, which really shows off the strengths of the style and possibly why they chose it. Time, calendar, and the constellations follow. Eberron has 24 hours to a day, 7 days to a week, 30 days to a month-you get it, don't you? The calendar is the Galifar Calendar(denoted by YK), and campaigns begin in 998 YK. The constellations are all related to the dragon gods(the pantheon presented in the 3e Draconomicon). Next is a section on life in Khorvaire, covering such topics as education and economy. After quite a nice map of the entire continent, the country writeups begin.
First: Aundair. Aundair is the archetypal pastoral land-the nice place for the adventurers to get their feet wet before moving on. Peaceful place, nice ruler, you know the type. It resembles some of the more peaceful Dales more than anything else. Of note here is the map of Aundair-it shows how WotC is loosening its layout restrictions, allowing this map to be an entire column instead of breaking two.
Now, Breland has more to sink your teeth into. It contains Sharn, the largest metropolis upon the continent, a democracy moving to shake its king, plenty of intruders with aims to kill and destroy, and quite a few ancient ruins and old caverns to investigate. Cormyr or the Sword Coast make nice comparisons.
Darguun is a really nicely written land of monstrous humanoids-they aren't just a land of creatures to kill, there's spirit enough there to make it interesting. The leader has nothing resembling total control of the group, but neither are they endlessly attacking-it's a refreshing break from their archetypal uses.
The Demon Wastes. The fact that 25% of its inhabitants are listed as demons should tell you something-this is not a land to trifle with. This is the wasteland where the last remnants of the rakshasa empire have gathered, a dark and barren place.
Droaam is almost like Darguun, but with quite a bit more chaos-there's a battle brewing in the country ahead between the night hags and the Queen of Stone, a medusa.
More to follow. |
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AlacLuin
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2004 : 18:05:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
[Unfortunately, neither of those hold much water for me.
Knowledge-I don't like how Knowledge is currently implemented.
Languages-None of this takes into account regional differences, or dialects at all.
I can agree with knoledge part.
The original statement "Speak Language(just Common here, folks)" could have been a bit missleading, may lead someone like me (if I didn't have the book) to think even the orcs and goblinoids speek common only. I know, you did say human.
It wasen't a critisisam, but more of a clarification.
As I see your review is well done.
On another note, the way I see Sharn is sort of Eberron's answer to Waterdeep, as Sharn is stated as being the place for adventures to start and end. |
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Get Ready for Eberron
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