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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 00:53:09
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Went to my gaming store today and saw SK behind the counter. Been a customer to that store for over 5 years and the clerk, who is also my friend, wouldn't sell me a copy because the release date is Friday!! damn WotC release policy!! aaaaarrrrgh! Hulk SMASH!! darn Lawful Clerk who upholds the rules so tightly!! aarrrrgh!!
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 01:43:53
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Did he at least let you LOOK AT IT?
If so start spilling! |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 03:28:22
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Yes, he let me take a look at it. After that he evilly took it back from me and dunked it in my order box... What do you want to know exactly?
I took a quick look at it, first looking for maps (as I always do, for I love maps), and quickly found that the book has none, to my disappointment. I saw a whole lot of races there, like 10 or 12 PC races in there...
Looks like there's quite a bit of crunch in that one, but there's also a sizeable amount of fluff I think. I didn't really look at it all that carefully mind you, so don't quote me on anything here.
My initial gut feeling for the 30 second peek I took: Meh... Blah... Bof... Whatever... |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 03:42:17
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What areas does it cover? (Anything on Skullport)
Did the Saurials make it into SK?
Are there any adventures in the book ie like SM? and if so how long |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 04:03:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
Went to my gaming store today and saw SK behind the counter. Been a customer to that store for over 5 years and the clerk, who is also my friend, wouldn't sell me a copy because the release date is Friday!! damn WotC release policy!! aaaaarrrrgh! Hulk SMASH!! darn Lawful Clerk who upholds the rules so tightly!! aarrrrgh!!
This is a friend? You're a Purple Dragon Knight.....intimidate time! |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 08:39:22
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No maps?!!   |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 09:46:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
What areas does it cover? (Anything on Skullport)
Did the Saurials make it into SK?
Are there any adventures in the book ie like SM? and if so how long
1. Didn't look at it long enough to know...
2. I "think" so... I saw "Pterafolk" in the list, so that might be one of them.
3. I "think" so... at the very end... a big chunky adventure I think. Or it may be a temple description... aaaaaargh! memory is failing! 30 seconds is not enough! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 09:49:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
What areas does it cover? (Anything on Skullport)
Did the Saurials make it into SK?
Are there any adventures in the book ie like SM? and if so how long
30 seconds is hardly long enough to research answers for the kinds of questions Dargoth asked, even though I'm just as interested in hearing about whether the Saurials detailed in the tome...
So, I'll just ask what your general impression of the artwork in the tome was?
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 08 Jul 2004 09:51:02 |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 10:00:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
What areas does it cover? (Anything on Skullport)
Did the Saurials make it into SK?
Are there any adventures in the book ie like SM? and if so how long
1. Didn't look at it long enough to know...
2. I "think" so... I saw "Pterafolk" in the list, so that might be one of them.
3. I "think" so... at the very end... a big chunky adventure I think. Or it may be a temple description... aaaaaargh! memory is failing! 30 seconds is not enough!
The Pterafolk are a distinct, different race-see page 74 of Monsters of Faerun. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 13:20:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
No maps?!!
I recall reading somewhere before this tome came out that there would be no poster style maps. However, I didn't hear anything about the exclusion of any/all maps. |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 14:43:11
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If there are any maps, maybe they will turn up on the WotC FR website. Here's hoping ... Eric?
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 15:10:08
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quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
If there are any maps, maybe they will turn up on the WotC FR website. Here's hoping ... Eric?
-- George Krashos
Yes, not to mention I hope to see a Spotlight on the Design Team that most products get. |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 16:34:19
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
If there are any maps, maybe they will turn up on the WotC FR website. Here's hoping ... Eric?
-- George Krashos
Yes, not to mention I hope to see a Spotlight on the Design Team that most products get.
I believe the one for this month has already passed, having been handed to the Planar Handbook team. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 17:02:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
I believe the one for this month has already passed, having been handed to the Planar Handbook team.
Hmmm...well that would be disappointing. |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 21:15:00
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage30 seconds is hardly long enough to research answers for the kinds of questions Dargoth asked, even though I'm just as interested in hearing about whether the Saurials detailed in the tome...
So, I'll just ask what your general impression of the artwork in the tome was?
Yes, 30 seconds is too short... I'll go back to the store today and compile a list of the races from the Table of Content.
As for the artwork, my general impression is a big yuck: the cover is very cartoony, the various snakelike critters pencil drawn with thick black lines... then colored in with what seems to be crayola pencils...  Definitely far from the oil painting covers we got for MoF and PGtoF... As to the art inside, in my brief glimpse, I found the artwork agressive and unrefined. Maybe it was hard because of the alien anatomy of the races found in that book, but the yuanti and naga you get from the MM are definitely "better looking" than the ones I've seen in SK. Bla, meh, whatever... |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 21:55:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
As for the artwork, my general impression is a big yuck: the cover is very cartoony, the various snakelike critters pencil drawn with thick black lines... then colored in with what seems to be crayola pencils... Definitely far from the oil painting covers we got for MoF and PGtoF... As to the art inside, in my brief glimpse, I found the artwork agressive and unrefined. Maybe it was hard because of the alien anatomy of the races found in that book, but the yuanti and naga you get from the MM are definitely "better looking" than the ones I've seen in SK. Bla, meh, whatever...
Well nice to see some things are apparently the same as in past products although I'll want to judge for myself. What style were they going for? The comic book feel that Eberron seems to have in some of its art? |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2004 : 06:41:50
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Well nice to see some things are apparently the same as in past products although I'll want to judge for myself. What style were they going for? The comic book feel that Eberron seems to have in some of its art?
I believe they went for the Scooby-Doo style... the 70's version that is. |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2004 : 06:49:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Well nice to see some things are apparently the same as in past products although I'll want to judge for myself. What style were they going for? The comic book feel that Eberron seems to have in some of its art?
I believe they went for the Scooby-Doo style... the 70's version that is.
Shouldnt you be down at that store Writing out the SK Contents page!  |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
Edited by - Dargoth on 09 Jul 2004 07:47:32 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2004 : 07:41:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
I believe they went for the Scooby-Doo style... the 70's version that is.
And they'd've gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for those meddling kids!  |
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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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2004 : 10:46:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
Yes, 30 seconds is too short... I'll go back to the store today and compile a list of the races from the Table of Content.
As for the artwork, my general impression is a big yuck: the cover is very cartoony, the various snakelike critters pencil drawn with thick black lines... then colored in with what seems to be crayola pencils... Definitely far from the oil painting covers we got for MoF and PGtoF... As to the art inside, in my brief glimpse, I found the artwork agressive and unrefined. Maybe it was hard because of the alien anatomy of the races found in that book, but the yuanti and naga you get from the MM are definitely "better looking" than the ones I've seen in SK. Bla, meh, whatever...
Hmmm...
That's disappointing to hear. Although really, I'm not surprised. Given the current focus on Eberron, and the previews I've seen for most of the artwork in the future supplements for that setting, it's hardly worth noting that WotC seems to be employing the same artistic trends across the entire spectrum of published campaign settings.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2004 : 11:39:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
I believe they went for the Scooby-Doo style... the 70's version that is.
Oy! That bad? Well, this I really have to see now. It's like the scene of a bad accident or a Boston Red Sox playoff game. You know you shouldn't look because it most likely will be bad....but you still do. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2004 : 11:40:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
Shouldnt you be down at that store Writing out the SK Contents page!
Heck, it's Friday there now isn't it? Shouldn't he be down the store purchasing the tome while demanding a discount from his friend! |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2004 : 11:43:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
And they'd've gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for those meddling kids!
No, no. Let's change that to...
WOTC Art Director: "And I'd have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for those meddling scribes at Candlekeep!"
Poster's note: The first person to mention Scrappy-Doo outside of this post is banished to the lower level of Hades...yes....the WOTC Messageboards.
If the art is this bad...I'll be curious to see if they just brought in new artists, didn't use some familiar names, or if it was just an art direction change. |
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Shemmy
Senior Scribe
USA
492 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2004 : 13:59:56
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Poster's note: The first person to mention Scrappy-Doo outside of this post is banished to the lower level of Hades...yes....the WOTC Messageboards.
*Yugolothy cackle from the depths of Hades* |
Shemeska the Marauder, King of the Crosstrade; voted #1 best Arcanaloth in Sigil two hundred years running by the people who know what's best for them; chant broker; prospective Sigil council member next election; and official travel agent for Chamada Holiday specials LLC.
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2004 : 18:04:07
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| Ok, I'm off buying this crappy book (just because it's a FR book) I'll report the list of new playable races in it, as promised. See you guys in an hour or two... |
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hammer of Moradin
Senior Scribe
USA
758 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2004 : 20:10:52
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| What I want to know PDK is how much of the book is actual Realms material as opposed to generic information? |
"Hurling himself upon his enemies, he terrified them with slaughter!"
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium
Candlekeep proverb: If a thing is said often enough, fools aplenty will believe it to be true. |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2004 : 23:26:57
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Races (SK, p.190)
Asabi
Asabi, stingtail
Broodguard
Firenewt
Khaasta
Lizard king
Ophidian
Sarrukh
Tainted one
Tren
Troglodyte
Pterafolk
Yuan-ti, pureblood
Hammer: as for generic vs. FR --> I would say 50-50... The whole book is riddled in history, realmslore and geography, all of it is new to me (I hadn't read the south books from 1st/2nd edition so I can't tell). However, it's entirely focused on Yuanti, Nagas and other reptilians. So far I have not found anything on the Saurials. Art is not breathtaking, as I mentioned earlier, but with Ed Greenwood and Eric Boyd as co-designers, the lore/history/geography is bound to be a good read. I don't give a flying squirrel about feats and PrCs, but they are present too...
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2004 : 15:44:05
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| Looking at the art, I still see no sign of any attempt to allow the Realms its own visual style. Tom Baxa's work can't help looking like Dark Sun, and Wayne England's still looks like Games Workshop. Oh for Val Valusek and Ned Dameron! |
Edited by - Faraer on 10 Jul 2004 15:44:55 |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2004 : 16:16:00
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Besides the aforementioned art gallery, WOTC also has an excerpt up for the product.
Dare I hope there might be an interview with the design team as well in the future?  Even if we already have one for this month. |
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Sarelle
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
508 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2004 : 16:42:30
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Well, style aside, I thought some of the illustrations were pretty impressive in comparison to recent tomes. Wayne England's Deathcoil really reared out of the page and the illustrations by Joel Thomas - especially the one of the Palace of Serpents - were very nicely complex, and dark. I also liked the detail in Ralph Horsely's pictures, even though they are a bit cartooney.
I did occasionally find Dennis Crabapple McLain's and Jeremy Jarvis' works a little jarring.
I get more and more excited by this tome all the time. I realise this was silly, but it just hadn't occurred to me that Eric (or Ed) was one of the main authors - I had just known that he contributed an AWFUL lot. I probably should have looked at the cover, which has been online for a while! 
But additionally, the detail gone into explaining the shift of power of the yuan-ti deities is really nice. This book is going straight to the top of my list.
PS. According to the art gallery, Saurials are indeed featured, as are their homes!
EDIT: I too would love an interview of the authors. However, the Product Spotlight does seem to be monthly (read the one for the PH) - and it would most likely have been released with the art gallery and excerpts if it was coming. It's possible, though, we can get our own mini-interviews from Ed and Eric when they visit Candlekeep! |
Chair of the The Rightful Return of Monster Deities to FR Society (RRMDFRS)
My character, drawn by Liodain: Sarelle / Sarelle (smaller) |
Edited by - Sarelle on 10 Jul 2004 16:46:25 |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2004 : 16:48:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Sarelle
Well, style aside, I thought some of the illustrations were pretty impressive in comparison to recent tomes.
I'm not sure I'd call the any of the art impressive. However, overall, I don't feel upon looking at this gallery, that it's bad artwork.
quote:
I get more and more excited by this tome all the time. I realise this was silly, but it just hadn't occurred to me that Eric (or Ed) was one of the main authors - I had just known that he contributed an AWFUL lot. I probably should have looked at the cover, which has been online for a while!
What's that line...ignore the person behind the curtain....in this case ignore the designers...they aren't that important.
In all seriousness, the fact that the tome is written by EG and EB (as all the cool scribes call them both now) is the primary reason I purchased the tome despite my initial fears of it being generic or PrC/feat heavy. I really have enjoyed some of their past work. |
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Serpent Kingdoms (SK)
