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Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie

I created a bookclub thread for the book, so if you have actual questions about the events in the novel, go there to ask. Post what chapters you're referring to, so people can avoid spoiling what they haven't got to yet.

http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16921

Cheers

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Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie

It might just be a matter of time before B&N gets its act together. I myself use Kindle, so I couldn't say specifically what's up with B&N. I'll check with some peeps and see if I can find something out.

Cheers

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Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie

Here's a cool thing I found online, particularly cool I'd you've never been to one of the author's actual readings. Man, this guy sounds cool. And very, very tall. http://media.wizards.com/podcasts/EyeJustice_%20Prologue.mp3

Cheers

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Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie

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Originally posted by The Sage

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Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie

I'd have made her ears bigger and more obviously pointed, but otherwise, that's pretty much exactly my visualization.
Cheers

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I'm curious, though. By suggesting that you'd have made her ears bigger... I'm assuming you mean more pronounced, to better distinguish her elven heritage?

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Yep. In these latter years, Ilira is more "elven" in temperament than she uses to be. You'll see what I mean.

Cheers

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Originally posted by Krafus

1) You may remember my intent to have a made-up evil party go after a party composed of good/non-evil characters from the Shadowbane novels ... When I thought of who to add, the answer immediately leapt into my mind – Rhetegast Hawkwinter. I gave myself a mental kick for not thinking of him sooner – after all, he can be said to be the most morally pure and idealistic of all the "good guys." So, would the following be appropriate for Rhett in a party where the average level is 14?

Rhetegast Hawkwinter, human male LG aristocrat 3 / paladin of Tyr 9

I made him the lowest level character in the party because I think Rhett's the youngest of them all, and thus likely to be the least experienced. But I did deliberately select a combination of classes and levels that would insure he'd get three attacks per round, which I see as a must given the opposition.

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2) Do you see Myrin more as a sorcerer or as a wizard? Personally I've always preferred the wizard's larger selection of spells, but that's a personal preference (perhaps even a bias), and you've mentioned in a previous email that magic seems very innate for her, which would seem to fit a sorcerer better.

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3) Could Myrin be said to have the Spellcasting Prodigy feat (from the 3rd edition Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting)?

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4) Taking into consideration your previous answer that Sithe should have a fighter / monk / assassin build, I've tentatively made her a Fighter 6 / Monk 6 / Assassin 3. I really prioritized the Fighter and Monk levels because Sithe is such a great warrior, and I figure that her assassin skills are meant as a relatively minor complement to her fighting skills. Does this seem appropriate to you?

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5) Could Sithe's axe be said to be a +3 keen dwarven waraxe?

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6) Does Kirenkirsalai have class levels, and if so, can you reveal in what class? My guess would be wizard, given that that seems to be a favorite of evil masterminds in the Realms and the vampire Manshoon clone who ruled the Night Masks was a powerful wizard himself.

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7) Toward the end of Eye of Justice, when he returns to the bad guys' lair, Hessen thinks to himself that he needn't fear Kirenkirsalai's intervention given that it's still daytime. But Kire does show up shortly thereafter. Does Kire have some special ability or magical item enabling him to stay up and fully functional during daytime?

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8) In Kingdom of Night, will we learn more about how and why Rhett became Lilten's apprentice/servant? Rhett was supposed to go meet Levia, not Lilten, and Lilten is obviously not the sort of virtuous/good person I'd expect Rhett to want in a master/teacher. We know Lilten wanted to create his own Shadowbane, so Kalen sending Rhett – who'd already shown himself worthy of Vindicator – to Westgate must have seemed a great opportunity to Lilten, but I'd be curious to know how he managed to convince/manipulate Rhett.

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9) I came across the following while looking at fantasy armor suits. It's a medieval, custom all-leather suit based on Batman's outfit. Given the similarities between Shadowbane and Batman, I thought it might entertain you. And hey, if Kalen ever wishes to wear more intimidating-looking armor than his current outfit, this might serve as inspiration.
http://www.princearmory.com/batman.php (scroll down to see pictures of the armor)
http://azmal.deviantart.com/art/Medieval-Bat-Man-Armor-285458700?q=gallery%3Aazmal%2F157557&qo=3

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Originally posted by Krafus

Hello again, Mr. de Bie. Surprise surprise, I've come up with new questions.

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1) In your previous series of answers, you mentioned your belief that there should be a picture of Myrin next to the Spellcasting Prodigy feat. That made me wonder – if the Shadowbane series was made into a TV or movie series, what actress would you choose for her role? Or is there a picture of some unknown person that comes to your mind when you think of her?

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Also, I'd be curious to learn who you'd cast or whose picture comes to your mind when you envision Kalen, Ilira, Lilten, Rhetegast, Vengeance and Kirenkirsalai.

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2) Does Kirenkirsalai have class levels, and if so, can you reveal in what class? My guess would be wizard, for two reasons: 1) The vampiric Manshoon clone who once ruled the Night Masks was a powerful wizard himself, so it would make sense for Kire, IMO obviously the new leader of an evil faction of the Night Masks, to follow in his predecessor's professional footsteps. 2) Wizard seems to be a favorite class choice of evil masterminds in the Realms, and Kire certainly fits that bill. ;) Is my reasoning plausible?[/url]Yes he does, and no I can't reveal them for two reasons: I write for the Realms, not for an edition of D&D. His powers are radically different between 2e, 3.5, and 4e, for example. I will say, however, that he DOES exist as far back as 2e, and stats exist for him in both 2e and 3.5. His 4e build is a little more flexible, as I haven't actually constructed him, but yes, wizardry is a safe bet, as well as some rogue/thief training. If/when the next book comes out, I'll be able to reveal more.

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3) You mentioned that the Night Masks had a spell that allowed them to walk about in sunlight. Would that be the night's mantle spell from the Lords of Darkness accessory? And if it is, I note that it's strictly a cleric spell. So either Kire is a cleric himself, or he's got some cleric subordinate that he trusts enough to delegate the casting of that spell on Kire himself to. Though if Kire's a powerful wizard, I suppose he could have created a wizardly version of the spell.

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Either of those is very reasonable, and Kire is definitely not operating alone. And remember, nothing about magic is "strictly ____"--particularly if there's been a huge leap in how magic functions and a century between.

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4) Does the crack in Vindicator's blade affect its effectiveness in combat (in D&D terms, does it have a penalty on its attack and/or damage rolls)?

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Maybe? But no, it doesn't have a penalty on attack/damage.

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5) Do you believe that elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins and other well-known "standard fantasy races" have become clichés that should be left to tie-in fiction and are best avoided in original fantasy fiction?

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I can't come down firmly on either side of that argument, because I've seen it done fantastically and also awfully either way. I think too much reliance on the "standard fantasy races" can be a dangerous thing for your story, either because it's lazy or just not engaging. But then, the classics are the classics for a reason, and many readers like to have the familiar to latch onto. As long as you're telling a good story, you can do what you want.

[quote]6) You mentioned on your website – nice redesign, by the way, the black writing on white background is much easier on the eyes – that "things are about to be announced. Lots of things. Hang tight and get ready." Do you have an approximate date in mind for these announcements, or at least the first of them? Or are you waiting on a corporate green light, which can be delayed again and again for opaque reasons?

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