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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Nov 2004 : 08:11:52
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Well, the book's supposed to be out soon. It's not, just yet. And there aren't many goodies up about it either. However, there is the 10 Reasons Why Your NPCs Want You to Get Complete Arcane
article.
From this, we see that:
The Warmage has now become a core D&D class.
We get PrCs that sound like they need specialist wizards as a prerequisite. (I don't know if they are needed, but they should be.)
It looks like the spell duel system might be transfered wholesale from the Realms to the Core D&D. If so, I'm in favor of it.
We get some feats that sound like they're intended for any character, granting special abilities. I'm reserving judgement.
We obviously get a rehash of Tome and Blood, but I have to make a note that the only "Arcane Organizations" listed here are from that same book, nothing new.
We get descriptions of tournaments, which I like. One obviously deals with illusions, the other with conjuration. The others I don't know for sure.
We get several magic-themed monsters, also a good thing. The effigy creature sounds good for certain campaigns, including a recent one that many people are talking about (only no one here, right Alaundo?  ) The fact that the pseudonaturals are being updated ought to interest Sage and a few others right off the bat.
Some more magic-hunting material, and it sounds like it's better than that awful PrC from Complete Warrior. It looks like a feat (or its effect) from the ELH is now no longer epic. Also, I take issue with the last one there, where it says such spells are dispelled automatically. I don't think that anyone hunting magic for its own sake should really have a magic effect. Rather, I think the feats should work only for the character that takes them -- why should a wizard who just cast mage armor suddenly loose its effect to all opponents just because one of them scored a hit? These feats sound like they're the product of skill and training, not magic.
The magic items sound delightful for a DM. 
And finally, where Complete Warrior had information on building low-magic campaigns, this has the opposite. But then, that was obvious, wasn't it?
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 03 Nov 2004 : 14:10:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
The fact that the pseudonaturals are being updated ought to interest Sage and a few others right off the bat.
Indeed it has .
Admittedly, I've never used the template that often, because I'm a firm believer that the Far Realm should remain a distant and mysterious domain. Only on occasion, when interaction with the rest of the multiverse becomes apparent... should the need for a pseudonatural template arise.
I'm looking forward to seeing what they've done with it actually, since the original template presented in MotP wasn't that well presented and neither did it appear to have been that well thought out. The T&B version wasn't that much more of an improvement either.
Thanks for the information, Bookwyrm  .
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Edited by - The Sage on 03 Nov 2004 14:15:43 |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
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Wood Elf Ranger
Senior Scribe
USA
627 Posts |
Posted - 04 Nov 2004 : 17:45:16
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I can't wait to see how they do the Warlock! I find this new base class most interesting  |
~Lee N.
"Breaktime yes?!.. Yes?.. Maybe?.. Noo, baaack to work.." -Grovel the Goblin from NWN: HotU |
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe
USA
418 Posts |
Posted - 04 Nov 2004 : 21:31:28
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It looks good so far. I love new spells, feats, and prestige classes... So it looks like this book is right up my alley.
The warlock is intriguing... going to have to see how they pull it off before I will be sure, though.
I just hope we can see more things designed for specialist wizards, like the set of feats from the last Dragon. |
Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary
My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2004 : 06:37:35
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On the second list:
Is this still the same Warlock? I don't have the book, so I'm going off of my memory from peeking at it in the bookstore.
The "Suel arcanamach" (couldn't they get a different name?) sounds like another name for the Spellsword, which was reprinted in CW.
I like the fact that Bards look like they'll get a chance to get up to 9th level spells. That opens up a lot of Epic options that aren't normally available to them. Plus I always thought it should go farther.
Oh, here's a typo! It's should read "Complete Arcane offers a host of repackaged metamagic feats . . . ." 
Sudden Feats I saw in the minis book. I didn't study them, but they looked just fine to me.
Draconic feats both help a project of mine and also jump my thunder. I mean, steal my gun. Um, whatever.
Finally, I'd be very interested in the specialist wizard tips.
Overall, it's krunchy. But I knew it would be. CW was, and I assume CD as well. But . . . it gets the 3e items into a 3.5e book for the newbies (I just don't want them claiming it's all-new), and all into one book for more veteran players. Plus, the near-flavor they had in CW was interesting, so I hope things work out even better with this. It has the potential for it. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2004 : 08:55:19
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While some of this stuff does sound intriguing, I'm mostly interested in seeing what they do with wild magic in 3E -- because wild magic appeals to my chaotic and quirky side.  |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2004 : 13:49:32
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
... because wild magic appeals to my chaotic and quirky side.
You mean, there are other sides to your personality...?  
 I'm told there are, though I've yet to find them. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2004 : 15:37:14
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| The WOTC site has an excerpt now available for this product. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2004 : 23:56:53
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Okay, let's take a look.
The Green Star Adept is . . . interesting. Not where I want to take a mage, at least at the moment. Two things to note. First, the adaptation note is stupid. It has to be a really rare item -- not steel! Jade would be good, though, for symbolic reasons. And, as such, would be perfect for an Oriental-themed adventure (or character.) However, it's not rare enough for this as it stands, so either it should be that more is needed with more GP cost, or an XP cost is also needed, or the class itself should be scaled back. (The latter would possibly be best, if you wanted the trouble -- then you could have classes built around different substances. I rather like that idea.)
The other thing to note is that either the text or the table has a mistake, in regards to Spells Per Day.
Double Wand Wielder is interesting, basically giving you two spells per round, so long as they're both from wands. I approve. 
Practiced Spellcaster I noticed from CD, and I'm glad they reprinted it here -- if I hadn't paged through the other in the store, I likely would never have seen it myself otherwise. Considering how I like my wizards, I've put that on a list of possible feats to take.
Reckless Wand User is curious. Either the editor hasn't read the ECS or this is intended as an optional feat, in case the DM thought the previous one (which didn't cost extra charges but gave the same effect) was too powerful.
Touch Spell Specialization: effectively Weapon Specialization for touch spells. I don't like the limit, though. A character using a bow with WS gets the extra damage on all arrows in that round, so why not extend it to a spell? Especially since the bow-user will have more arrows than the spellcaster will have touch-charges, or even touch spells available. Additionally, this is a feat that only works at point blank range, and not every mage works well right there! |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2004 : 01:36:44
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Here’s the rest.
While I can't look at the full spell descriptions, these look interesting. A curious number of divine spell in here, no? As for the others, I find several stick out.
Assasin spell
Fire Shuriken. Oh, isn't that just screaming "theme!" to you?
Bard spell
Resonating bolt -- bards need more damage-dealing spells as possible spells to take, I think.
Druid Spells
Animate Fire/Water/Wood -- sounds good.
Sorcerer/Wizard Spells
Fist of Stone sounds interesting, especially if your fist actually goes stony -- gives a nice look.
Wall of Gloom: I need to ask a DM of mine to stick a scroll of this for my illusionist/rogue to find.
Whirling Blade gives a use for that extra longsword the wizard can’t otherwise use.
Anticipate Teleportation: good for ambushing that ambush.
Unluck is . . . interesting. Especially when not used in combat -- imagine sneaking this (with Silent and/or Still spell, whichever is necessary) onto someone at a party . . . watch the target go from suave to sloppy.
Aiming at the Target . . . I guess that means it helps you maintain a spell with a duration of “concentration,” but the title seems odd, then.
Duelward: good.
Reciprocal Gyre: Oh . . . nice. Definitely one for wizards and sorcerers to look out for. Spell yourself up, then get hit with this . . . not good.
Leomund’s Hidden Lodge: I assume this is the cottage spell, only made to look like the surrounding area. I like it. However, I think it sounds somewhat like a good spell for druids, too, at least thematically.
Sword of Deception: useful against someone for whom you pretty much need to be affected by your next spell.
Spiritwall: it’s one thing to roleplay valiantly jumping through a wall of magical fire in the course of the quest. It’s quite another to roleplay moving through this wall. If your character doesn’t hesitate, then he’s either stupid, drunk, immune to fear, or very very focused on his goal.
Sign of Sealing: useful in the private sector, too. I was just talking about something like this in another scroll.
Transfix: Red Light! Green Light! Red Light!
Illusory Pit: sounds very disconcerting. I’d like to try it sometime.
Flensing: Ouch. This could kill a character with a low- to midrange Con score.
Superior Invisibility: Greater Invisibility, for sound and scent as well, and lasting ten times as long. I want one.
Alternate Item Types: Good, very good. I like altering things like that.
Additionally, this is the first time I've seen Contingent Spell, so I just have to point out -- it's nice curse! Of course, considering which FR book it was in, I suppose that was already noted. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2004 : 14:46:25
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The book is out now. I've not yet seen it, but there's at least half a dozen copies that hit eBay yesterday...
Has annyone gotten it yet? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2004 : 15:23:50
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Courtesy of EN World's MerricB, here's some summarised information about the contents of Complete Arcane.
_____________________________________________________________________
New Classes
Warlock
Charisma stat used for Invocations.
Alignment: Any Chaotic, or any evil
Most of the invocations aren't screamingly powerful, replicating(for the most part) spells of levels 1-4. There're a few exceptions, but it seems very balanced. And, looking them over, it seems that quite a few have built in limitations. Sure, a Warlock can use Charm Monster all he wants. But he can only keep one being charmed at once. Very nifty.
Wu-Jen
Is the new Wu-Jen exactly like the 3.0 Oriental Adventures version?
Sudden action is replaced with Watchful Spirit (Reroll instead of bonus), and he gains a special ability known as Elemental Mastery. Otherwise, it's much the same.
Prestige Classes
Alienist - T&B
It's been tweaked a bit, but it's essentially the same.
Elemental Savant - T&B
Energy Focus is in(total increase of +2 to DCs).
Enlightened Fist - new
PreReqs: Arcane caster lvl 3rd, Concentration at 8, Knowledge Arcana and Spellcraft at 5, Combat Casting, Improved Unarmed strike and stunning fist. And it's very cool, allowing some rather nice spellcasting and monkish abilities.
Fatespinner - T&B
changed mechanics for the Fatespinner. More streamlined, but less flexible.
Master Transmogrifist - new
assumes the shapes of imaginary creatures
Sublime Chord - new
It looked as if they were similar to most other bard PrC's. I know one ability was to do a perform check and use a bardic music to do like 10d6 fire.
13 ranks in K:Arcana and Listen, 10 ranks in Perform, 6 in Profession(Astrologer) and Spell craft. Third level spellcasting ability and Bardic music. It provides bonus spells of level 4-9, like the Nar Demonbinder.
Prestige Classes [Contd]
* Acolyte of the Skin [T&B]
* Alienist [T&B]
* Argent Savant - new - (5 level class that pumps up spells with the Force Descriptor)
* Blood Magus [T&B]
* Effigy Master - new - (Focuses on crafting a type of construct. Even lets you kind of use one for a familiar)
* Elemental Savant [T&B?]
* Enlightened fist - new - (Does for Mages and Monks what Mystic Theurge does for Clerics and Mages)
* Fatespinner [T&B]
* Geometer - new - (5 level class that uses symbols to bolster magic, such as using them in place of verbal components)
* Green Star Adept - new
* Initiate of the Sevenfol Veil - new - (I'm not even sure where to begin describing this one..)
* Mage of the Arcane Order [T&B]
* Master Transmogrifist - [PGtF, delayed?] - (Lets you abuse transformation spells, gaining special capabilities with Favored forms. Even lets you make 'imaginary forms' to change into)
* Mindbender [T&B]
* Seeker of the Song - new - (No spellcasting, but 10 new forms of bardic music)
* Sublime Chord - new - (A bard PrC with 3 new songs and a lot of bonus spells from levels 4-9)
* Suel Arcanamach - new - (Cut rate fighter mage)
* Wayfarer Guide [T&B] - (Enhances teleportation magic)
* Wild Mage - new - (Wild magic. Randomly bolstered caster level, control of chance based magic items, duplicating a rod of wonder, and generally ******* off normal mages)
Feats
Sudden Metamagic feats (Sudden Mazimize requires any metamagic feat. Sudden quicken.. Requires Quicken Spell, Sudden Empower, Sudden Extend, Sudden Maximize, Sudden Silent, Studden Still.)
Spell like ability feats give access to three level 0 or level 1 spells, all once per day. Such as Night Haunt giving you Prestidigation, Mage Hand and Unseen Servant.
Twin Spell
Repeat Spell
Black Lore of Moil (Metamagic). It adds xd6 damage to Necromancy spells, where X is determined by the spell's level. Instead of using up a higher level spellslot, it uses up an expensive material component that costs 25gp per d6 of added damage. It seems like a neat approach to metamagic.
Draconic Breathweapon: Burn a spell slot for an attack that does 2d6 per level of the spell.
Magic Items
* Vests of Resistance
* Metamagic Rods (Substitution, Cooperation, and Sculpting)
* Lesser Sculpting Rod = 5,400 gp
* Lesser Subsitution Rod = 2,700 gp
Other Stuff
Spell Duels
It's much like a 'formal' pistol duel. You show on time, there's some rigamerole, then you both start shooting. The duel ends with one participant yielding, dead or unable to continue.
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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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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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 13 Nov 2004 : 11:12:01
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| The Enlightened Fist sounds interesting. The Draconic Breathweapon feat sounds good for sorcerers who want to pump up their dragon heritage (if the player has gone that route). |
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 |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 05:43:41
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Yet Amazon still lists it as "has not yet been released." If I had more money to burn, I'd just give up the 34% discount and buy it from Borders . . . .
Still, it says it'll be in my hands by the second of December. That's a whole five days earlier than when I last looked. |
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 - 20 Nov 2004 : 05:51:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
Yet Amazon still lists it as "has not yet been released." If I had more money to burn, I'd just give up the 34% discount and buy it from Borders . . . .
Tell me about it. I like Amazon but sometimes... Take for example, I order Mistress of the Night along with two other books today all listed as ships within 24 hours. My estimated shipping date for the order, January 24, 2005. Houston we have a problem. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 06:09:20
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Tell me about it. I like Amazon but sometimes... Take for example, I order Mistress of the Night along with two other books today all listed as ships within 24 hours. My estimated shipping date for the order, January 24, 2005. Houston we have a problem.
Don't you know time is relative? They obviously are in some sort of time-space flux... |
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe
USA
418 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 08:12:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Tell me about it. I like Amazon but sometimes... Take for example, I order Mistress of the Night along with two other books today all listed as ships within 24 hours. My estimated shipping date for the order, January 24, 2005. Houston we have a problem.
Don't you know time is relative? They obviously are in some sort of time-space flux...
Someone got their copy of d20 Future it seems... |
Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary
My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 09:32:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Tell me about it. I like Amazon but sometimes... Take for example, I order Mistress of the Night along with two other books today all listed as ships within 24 hours. My estimated shipping date for the order, January 24, 2005. Houston we have a problem.
Don't you know time is relative? They obviously are in some sort of time-space flux...
Someone got their copy of d20 Future it seems...
Of course! Because of the temporal weirdness, I got it several months ago. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2004 : 13:07:50
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Elemental Savant - T&B
Energy Focus is in(total increase of +2 to DCs).
Hey, how'd my feat end up in there?!
Oo...updated Contracts of Nepthas...seems like there will be something for each side of all our different personalities... |
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elven_songstress
Learned Scribe
126 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2005 : 01:07:34
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| The Warlock seems pretty neat, and the Wu Jen Class is awsome in play especially if your party protects you and just lets you toss your spells. |
We need to be reminded sometimes that a sunrise lasts but a few minutes,but its beauty can burnin our hearts eternally." |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2005 : 08:57:46
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Curiously, I see that the warlock is now considered the favored class for the shadow elves of Eberron.
I wonder whether this could be translated into a Realms-alternative?
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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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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elven_songstress
Learned Scribe
126 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2005 : 23:07:28
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Hm, I haven't played Ebberron yet is it any good Sage ?
I have read up on there elves but thats about all, because I am a elf/dragon type person. |
We need to be reminded sometimes that a sunrise lasts but a few minutes,but its beauty can burnin our hearts eternally." |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 09:10:31
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quote:
Originally posted by elven_songstress
Hm, I haven't played Ebberron yet is it any good Sage ?
I have read up on there elves but thats about all, because I am a elf/dragon type person.
Well met
Oh do not concern thyself with this Eberron of why they speak, elven_songstress, this is a Realms library afterall
Now, about this Complete Arcane tome.... |
Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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elven_songstress
Learned Scribe
126 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2005 : 23:57:05
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Indeed so *lol*
I think the most enjoyable thing for me about it and I will risk being weird.
It is that I can make cookies of healing or place spells in other things other then potions.
And thank you for the welcome good Sage ::bows:: |
We need to be reminded sometimes that a sunrise lasts but a few minutes,but its beauty can burnin our hearts eternally." |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2005 : 21:51:45
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Warlock's a very intriguing class. I had an idea for its use in a little story I'm going to be puting up over at WoD&D, the way that Jack Archer of Earth was placed here.
In fact, if you liked that story, you ought to like this particular one. I'm not going to say much about it, but I've been planing it all semester; I hope to get cracking on it after finals. If it gets half the aclaim JAoE did, I won't be able to put it out fast enough. |
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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Aravine
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2008 : 22:03:40
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Let's ressurect another old scroll.
CA is a decent book, as they go, But the warlock is slightly overpowered. Eldrich blast...4d6, over and over again. beyond that, they can wear light aromor, and they have a d6 HD |
The brave don't live forever,the cautious don't live at all |
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Complete Arcane
