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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2012 : 14:08:01
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in argument with aribeth's armor... it was ceremonial armor... not actual combat armor. just for looks nothing else....or atleast that was what the general conception was.... |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction Magister's GAmbit http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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Old Man Harpell
Senior Scribe
USA
495 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2012 : 15:01:03
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quote: Originally posted by Lady Shadowflame Get more than one female fighter and 'distraction armour' stops working, as I think my earlier post made clear. Sure, Miss Buxom in the chainmail bikini might distract some guys, but the instant she runs across a hetero female or gay male opponent? She's in trouble.
Personally, I'd rather walk off the battlefield with my intestines still inside than bare my midriff on it. (Plus some of the fantasy art, those chest-decorations that don't actually join to anything? Bad idea. Really, really bad idea. Lolth's left mandible, the bouncing. No support. Youch.)
Oy! I get the impression that I'm in a distinct minority here.
The only thing I would say about the examples you give having strict application is if you employ only real-world physics and science. I contend that you (not you specifically, LS, but all 'realism' advocates) have lost sight of the possibilities that magic affords, to say nothing of social and cultural differences in other worlds. People in Toril, in Athas, in Golarion, in Krynn, and so forth, do not view the world through our culturally straightjacketed and high-tech lenses.
One thing that armorers and advocates of universal real-world application of standards in a roleplaying game (be it online or tabletop) often neglect or overlook is that these fantasy worlds often do not operate under the exact same natural and/or metaphysical laws as the real world does, and are not making any allowances for this.
I've often smiled at the thought of DM'ing for 'realism advocates', and how straightjacketing it would be - and how people would, in short order, express a desire not to play: *You may play a fighter or rogue, no problem. *You may play a barbarian, but will not receive Rage - that is a mental disorder, not a special ability. *You may play a cleric, but will receive no spells. God doesn't work like that. *You may play a druid, but will receive no spells or 'nature' ability, and certainly not any sort of bonded companion. Go hug a tree. *You may play a bard, but will receive no spells. Bardic Lore is the set of encyclopedias you're toting around - once you can afford such priceless works, that is. *You may play a monk - Hare Krishna, Jackie Chan. Don't expect any abilities a fighter can't get, though. *You may NOT play a wizard or sorcerer. They don't exist. No real world foundations. Entirely made up.
Oh, and everyone is a human. No exceptions.
What lets me do this (aside from I'm the DM and it's my game)? Why, realism. And in my opinion, this is the sort of game that cleaving to a 'realism' line gets us. No magic. No enchanted beasts. No realms of the Fantastic. Nothing. That's a world I already live in, thanks very much, and this one is more than enough. |
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Wolfhound75
Learned Scribe
USA
217 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2012 : 15:27:16
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This is turning into a Fantasy Armor discussion. I propose we move this to a new scroll to continue this without hijacking the OP's original intent.
Good Hunting! |
"Firepower - if it's not working, you're not using enough." ~ Military Proverb
"If at first you do succeed, you must've rolled a natural 20!" |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2012 : 15:41:07
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I agree with the drive to go back to the thread's original purpose! I think I was part of the derailing attempt, and I apologize.
Armor of all kinds is and should be a matter of taste--I happen to prefer more function over form-fitting, but that's me. I'm not terribly swayed by the "varying physics" argument--boobs still bounce around regardless of fantasy world (I mean, isn't that the point?). But to each his own. Armor in fantasy is more for style, less for function.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Wolfhound75
Learned Scribe
USA
217 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2012 : 15:44:09
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New scroll posted.
Good Hunting! |
"Firepower - if it's not working, you're not using enough." ~ Military Proverb
"If at first you do succeed, you must've rolled a natural 20!" |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2421 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2012 : 18:38:27
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GAZ5: The Elves of Alfheim cover by Clyde Caldwell seems to be the earliest appearance and the inspiration for development of the drow at all. |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2012 : 00:16:33
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At Marc:
I like the one riding a beast. And the beast itself. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2012 : 20:36:10
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Sorry, TBeholder, but that just can't be. Gary wrote the (ancient mythological) drow into the D&D game (in the physical form the game casts them in) long before TSR started any work on any Known World/Mystara products (i.e. long before the first GAZ appeared). I know. I was around an buying all of the stuff as it came out. love, THO |
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Zerak-Tul
Acolyte
Denmark
4 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2012 : 23:27:32
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Partial to this since I commissioned the piece. In my mind that would be as light a grey as you'd find in drow, ranging all the way to your obsidian-black.
Same artist here, but I feel this one suffers a little from smurf-syndrome with the blue-tinged skin.
Another favorite, that inspired me commissioning a painting in the first place :)
Another good male image, mercenary type. Lastly a beautiful image of a female with a snake whip.
Sadly there's just such a high ratio of crap drow imagery to good stuff. All kinds of weird coloration, from being as light skinned as you'd expect from a moon elf, to having oddly colored hair, skin, eyes, etc. or just facial features that do not match with the elven lineage. Or the endless droves of Drizzt clones D: |
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Imp
Learned Scribe
231 Posts |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
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Mournblade
Master of Realmslore
USA
1287 Posts |
Posted - 29 Feb 2012 : 01:44:56
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quote: Originally posted by entreri3478
quote: Originally posted by Marc
There aren't many drow pictures on our computer, a few of them that I like
albino
this
this
albino2
this
Anomander
drow
mount
albino
albino
Some of these are cool but a few look like blatant rip-offs from WOW and Devil May Cry
Or African Spirit Masks. |
A wizard is Never late Frodo Baggins. Nor is he Early. A wizard arrives precisely when he means to... |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 02 Mar 2012 : 00:56:55
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Ah! One of my favorite subjects, lol! Since we're linking to drow art, here's a personal favorite of mine- okay, I'm biased because a fellow poster on Chosen of Eilistraee did it for me, but other than his skin tone being a bit too light, this is a great rendition of my drow bard Lothir. (who has been lazing about in the inn here for FAR too long, methinks. I do believe he's probably finished off most of their elverquisst stock by now, lol!)
link: Clicky!
Sorry, I'm no good at making links "pretty". Maybe a Mod could help? (hint- looking at you, Sage!)
Edit: I forgot, the link is also in my siggy, in shorter form....
Edit 2: I, too, am a huge fan of both Mavrosh and Cyrza on DV!!
Mod edit: Cast shrinky link. And you were looking at the wrong guy. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories: http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee) http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 02 Mar 2012 04:31:43 |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2421 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2012 : 09:50:10
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quote: Originally posted by The Hooded One
Sorry, TBeholder, but that just can't be. Gary wrote the (ancient mythological) drow into the D&D game (in the physical form the game casts them in) long before TSR started any work on any Known World/Mystara products (i.e. long before the first GAZ appeared). I know. I was around an buying all of the stuff as it came out.
Ancient mythological Dark Elves? But what was the first appearance? I am vaguely sure there was some mention of hidden evil elves rumors, though can't remember where.
As to Mystara vs. Greyhawk, you're right, of course. Just checked "Vault of the Drow" (which seems to be the first dedicated material) - it's by Gygax, and it's 1981. I thought it was printed later than this, all that early edition mess (it's AD&D) confused me. Ha, and the cover already got the snake... er... tentacle whip.
quote: Originally posted by Zerak-Tul
Sadly there's just such a high ratio of crap drow imagery to good stuff.
If 9:1, it's Sturgeon's Law - that is, pretty much standard for everything. |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
Edited by - TBeholder on 03 Mar 2012 10:04:42 |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2012 : 17:41:34
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What's cooler than a drow? How about a drow with a lightsabre. Check out the gallery for other cool pics including Storm Silverhand. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Edited by - Fellfire on 05 Mar 2012 18:10:41 |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2012 : 23:38:41
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quote: Originally posted by TBeholder But what was the first appearance? I am vaguely sure there was some mention of hidden evil elves rumors, though can't remember where.
Monster Manual (1977) p. 39: 'The "Black Elves," or drow, are only legend . . .' |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2012 : 03:04:59
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quote: Originally posted by Fellfire
What's cooler than a drow? How about a drow with a lightsabre. Check out the gallery for other cool pics including Storm Silverhand.
Lightsabres are children's toys. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2421 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2012 : 08:27:20
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quote: Originally posted by Fellfire
What's cooler than a drow? How about a drow with a lightsabre.
Eh. I thought about prodding someone to do a FR-canonical thing. That is, with a Chromatic Blade. Besides, it obviously allows to apply much better effects. |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36793 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2012 : 10:47:08
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quote: Originally posted by Dennis
quote: Originally posted by Fellfire
What's cooler than a drow? How about a drow with a lightsabre. Check out the gallery for other cool pics including Storm Silverhand.
Lightsabres are children's toys.
Dunno about you, but I'm not letting my kid play with anything that could cut easily cut my car in half. |
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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Imp
Learned Scribe
231 Posts |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2012 : 11:52:09
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The typical lightsaber hilt consisted of a metal cylinder between twenty and thirty-five centimeters in length. However, the size of individuals hilts varied drastically, as the weapon was tailored to the creator's specific needs and preferences. The lightsaber mechanisms were contained within the hilt. High levels of energy generated by a high-output Diatium power cell was unleashed through a series of focusing lenses and energizers that converted the energy into plasma. The plasma was projected through a set of focusing crystals that lent the blade its properties and allowed for the adjustment of blade length and power output. The ideal number of crystals was three, though only one was required.
Once focused by the crystals, the plasma was sent through a series of field energizers and modulation circuitry within the emitter matrix that further focused it, making it into a coherent beam of energy that was projected from the emitter. The blade typically extended about a meter before being arced by the blade containment field back to a negatively charged fissure ringing the emitter, where it was channeled back to the power cell by a superconductor, completing the circuit.
Wookieepedia |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2012 : 23:29:08
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So, no. Plasma, not plastic, cuts everything in half. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Imp
Learned Scribe
231 Posts |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 02:02:41
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quote: Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote: Originally posted by Dennis
quote: Originally posted by Fellfire
What's cooler than a drow? How about a drow with a lightsabre. Check out the gallery for other cool pics including Storm Silverhand.
Lightsabres are children's toys.
Dunno about you, but I'm not letting my kid play with anything that could cut easily cut my car in half.
Toy lightsabres were kinda famous when I was in elementary. I'm not sure if it was because of Star Wars or a bunch of Japanese anime that were so popular that time. Memory of it stuck, though. So when I see a lightsabre, I automatically think of a plastic blinking rod---in short, toy. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 02:03:42
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quote: Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Um, you DO understand he was joking, right? Don't be such a killjoy, imp. It's all in fun.
I suppose Imp's joking, too. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Imp
Learned Scribe
231 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36793 Posts |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 13:02:43
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Very well, here is another. Halisstra Melarn, no less. And stylishly clad in a bodysuit. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Edited by - Fellfire on 07 Mar 2012 13:09:10 |
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