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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
 Posted - 15 May 2005 : 09:37:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Reefy
Yeah, don't worry, I will do. That wasn't really my point.
I'm still undecided on whether to pick up CoR or not.
Well met
Ponder no longer, Reefy. I highly recommend this tome and would suggest picking it up without delay 
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
Now, now... a CR is just a number. Feel free to make it stronger or weaker to suit your campaign. Great Realmslore is not overly concerned with stats but with great flavor text, and Champions of Ruin is quite triumphant on this point. The vivid descriptions, the interesting facts, the wonderful characterization and the fascinating tales told within the covers of the book make this tome a humongous winner for me and an excellent addition to the lore of the Realms!
Very well said indeed, I heartily agree and all these points. |
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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2005 : 14:23:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
Great Realmslore is not overly concerned with stats but with great flavor text,
I fully agree with this statement. Now, if only we could convince the folks at WotC about that... |
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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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2005 : 02:07:27
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The real travesty is that Thomas Baxa got to do the art for Kezef . . . oops . . . did I say that out loud.
Do voices in the library carry down to the illuminators desks? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2005 : 02:19:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
Great Realmslore is not overly concerned with stats but with great flavor text,
I fully agree with this statement. Now, if only we could convince the folks at WotC about that...
As do I.
And, as I have said many times before... it will always be the great flavor text in an FR product that makes me decide to purchase that product, rather than the crunch. The flavor is always what I look to first, and read through first when I've initially bought the product. I'll leave reading the "crunch" sections until much later...
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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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Crust
Learned Scribe
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2005 : 03:48:43
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The fact that the Ityak-Ortheel is broken down in the book is reason enough for me to get excited about this book. That creature is unreal. Bazim-Gorag was a pleasant surprise as well. I'll need to page through it at Barnes and Noble before I make any final decisions.
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"That's right, hurl back views that force ye to think by name-calling - 'tis the grand old tradition, let it not down! Anything to keep from having to think, or - Mystra forfend - change thy own views!"
Narnra glowered at her father. "Just how am I to learn how to think? By being taught by you?"
"Some folk in the Realms would give their lives for the chance to learn at my feet," Elminster said mildly. "Several already have."
~from Elminster's Daughter, Ed Greenwood |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2005 : 21:21:27
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Well I picked this tome up last week and am VERY impressed. To be honest, I wasn't particularly bothered about the book when it was first announced and I imagined it to be quite crunchy. There ARE crunchy chapters at the start of the book, but the fluffy chapters more than make up for that for me. I've just done my second pass of the book and am now delving deeper into it. The latter chapters are just perfect and what i've been wanting out of a sourcebook for a long time 
Thanks to all those involved in producing this book. Yet again, the quality of FR sourcebooks lately is outstanding! |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2005 : 22:51:04
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
Great Realmslore is not overly concerned with stats but with great flavor text,
I fully agree with this statement. Now, if only we could convince the folks at WotC about that...
As do I.
And, as I have said many times before... it will always be the great flavor text in an FR product that makes me decide to purchase that product, rather than the crunch. The flavor is always what I look to first, and read through first when I've initially bought the product. I'll leave reading the "crunch" sections until much later...
There is the occasional bit of crunch that I like... But yeah, the flavor text is what sells me the book. It's the flavor that makes me run out and buy the book the day it hits the shelves. Other D&D books, I'll wait until I can get them for less than cover price on eBay -- they don't excite me as much, and I've certainly not enough interest to pay the cover price.
However, unlike you, I read 95% of the book in front-to-back order. I sometimes read a section or two before hitting something else (for example, with Shining South, I was scanning the Halruaa section before reading anything else), but I otherwise start on page 1 and end on the last page, without any jumping around. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2005 : 03:44:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Other D&D books, I'll wait until I can get them for less than cover price on eBay -- they don't excite me as much, and I've certainly not enough interest to pay the cover price.
My purchasing policy for standard D&D game accessories relates exlusively to how much this new sourcebook will be useful for any of the three campaigns that I currently have running. If I can't find any immediate value, the sourcebook can wait until I have a few extra gold pieces available to make a "side" purchase.
Take Complete Adventurer for example, I just picked it up during my lunch break yesterday, and that was only because I wish to make use of some of the material within for my RL game over the coming weeks.
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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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The Blue Sorceress
Learned Scribe
107 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2005 : 04:40:11
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Other D&D books, I'll wait until I can get them for less than cover price on eBay -- they don't excite me as much, and I've certainly not enough interest to pay the cover price.
My purchasing policy for standard D&D game accessories relates exlusively to how much this new sourcebook will be useful for any of the three campaigns that I currently have running. If I can't find any immediate value, the sourcebook can wait until I have a few extra gold pieces available to make a "side" purchase.
Take Complete Adventurer for example, I just picked it up during my lunch break yesterday, and that was only because I wish to make use of some of the material within for my RL game over the coming weeks.
My group rarely plays FR games, which is sort of a shame since it's a fun setting, so I, as the official group book-purchaser (as in everyone else is too poor to spend their limited funds on anything other than the three core books) have to concentrate my efforts on standard books and pick up the FR stuff later if I have the cash and time left over. Another effect of not getting the chance to play FR games very often is that I end up looking at the crunch first to see what I can adapt to another campaign where I'll get a better chance to use it, and then move on to flavor and fluff later.
-Blue |
Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.
I see your walrus and raise you a carpenter |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2005 : 05:43:36
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Take Complete Adventurer for example, I just picked it up during my lunch break yesterday, and that was only because I wish to make use of some of the material within for my RL game over the coming weeks.
That was one of my eBay acquisitions. $19, with shipping, was a good enough deal for me. |
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 - 18 May 2005 : 06:01:31
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quote:
Originally posted by The Blue Sorceress
My group rarely plays FR games, which is sort of a shame since it's a fun setting...
Is there a particular reason for why your group does not campaign in the Realms?
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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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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2005 : 06:03:21
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I've got it! After a skim through, I'm rather pleased. As most have said, the last couple of chapters are dynamite but I'm interested in looking at the evil shrine and node sections in detail. Woohoo!
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2005 : 06:04:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Take Complete Adventurer for example, I just picked it up during my lunch break yesterday, and that was only because I wish to make use of some of the material within for my RL game over the coming weeks.
That was one of my eBay acquisitions. $19, with shipping, was a good enough deal for me.
Hehe... A good purchase indeed.
I was pleased with my own efforts, since I picked up CAdv for just under $15... . I would never have paid full price when it was released back in January, and even now, if it still had the relatively same price tag... I would have been hard pressed in my justification to purchase it even in light of my needs that I suggested above.
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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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The Blue Sorceress
Learned Scribe
107 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2005 : 13:53:42
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by The Blue Sorceress
My group rarely plays FR games, which is sort of a shame since it's a fun setting...
Is there a particular reason for why your group does not campaign in the Realms?
Most of them prefer their homebrew settings. A couple of them are contemptuous of the Realms and see the setting as good for only high-powered, high-level campaigns, which a couple of them don't like. One guy has a problem with the number of gods, which strikes me as dumb, but he doesn't really game with us anymore because we were all tired of him always playing the most obnoxious elf that was ever born. Some guys also hate the fact that there are so many high level NPC's hangning around, which shouldn't matter, because I've never run a game where they ran into a high-level canon NPC and I've never intended for them to either. The closest thing that my single FR campaign came to that was when the PC's had to go to Citadel Adbar and request help from the city to send fifty troops to help them drive off an orc siege on their town. It there's something to complain about, my group will complain about it, and since the Realms aren't the homebrew setting of one of the people in the group they can all agree to complain about that with no holdouts defending their world. I've just sort of given up and don't bother anymore. The annoying thing is that most of them would really enjoy a Realms game if they gave it half a chance, but they're always too busy sneering at the idea.
-Blue |
Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.
I see your walrus and raise you a carpenter |
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2005 : 17:15:59
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Reefy
I'm still undecided on whether to pick up CoR or not.
What factors are making you consider possibly not purchasing the product?
Like the majority here, the amount of interesting Realmslore. Also, the immediate use of it my campaign is an issue. As a personal preference, I like geographic source books. The subject matter was not one which immediately grabbed me and became a 'must purchse' item like Waterdeep will be. Also, as I've stated elsewhere, I'm not overly happy with the page cut because it is probably the Realmslore that will suffer. The area I'm most interested in is the organisations and that seems like it's a short chapter. I also have Lords of Darkness so I'm wondering about how much crossover and new material there is.
That said, the general response from the scribes here (and I do trust your opinions for the most part), has been favourable. It also has the FR logo on and I tend to purchase most things anyway. I'll probably pick it up at some point but it's not top of my list and I really don't need any more distractions from exams right now anyway. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2005 : 17:34:44
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I don't want to sound like a corporate shill, but the price of paper really has gone up. You might argue that WOTC could still be using the softcover books, and that's fine, but books, especially with nice, durable paper, get more expensive to make, due in part to the use of recycled paper.
I also remember the FR series of sourcebooks, very fondly, which were on average either 64 or 96 pages . . . |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2005 : 02:13:10
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And I have it! 
I just picked it up fresh this morning, after spending the last eight hours reviewing a certain film which opens today... .
Now, once I've caught up on my sleep, I've got some reading to do...
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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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2005 : 09:02:22
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
And I have it!
I just picked it up fresh this morning, after spending the last eight hours reviewing a certain film which opens today... .
Now, once I've caught up on my sleep, I've got some reading to do...
I think that that movie is one of the few acceptable excuses for not reading Realmslore.
And I must say, I was blown away by that movie...  (Assuming we're thinking of the same one!  ) |
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 - 19 May 2005 : 09:17:15
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If you're now reading (or have just read) my PM, then you'll know that it is.
I should point out though that I made an error in that message when I said that I mentioned my seeing a particular movie in the LEoF scroll...  .
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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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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2005 : 11:04:45
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
And I have it!
I just picked it up fresh this morning, after spending the last eight hours reviewing a certain film which opens today... .
Now, once I've caught up on my sleep, I've got some reading to do...
Some one went to the 12:05 session didnt they?
Im not seeing it until tomorrow evening |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
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hammer of Moradin
Senior Scribe
USA
758 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2005 : 08:11:12
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I should be picking this up tomorrow. For some reason it is not out around here yet, but I had a copy on order. Must be the holiday (Memorial Day) weekend messing up the release schedule. |
"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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2005 : 11:23:03
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quote:
Originally posted by hammer of Moradin
I should be picking this up tomorrow. For some reason it is not out around here yet, but I had a copy on order. Must be the holiday (Memorial Day) weekend messing up the release schedule.
It's not out yet where you are? That's bizarre... We're just days away from the release of the next sourcebook! |
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 - 01 Jun 2005 : 14:17:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by hammer of Moradin
I should be picking this up tomorrow. For some reason it is not out around here yet, but I had a copy on order. Must be the holiday (Memorial Day) weekend messing up the release schedule.
It's not out yet where you are? That's bizarre... We're just days away from the release of the next sourcebook!
Which region of the US are you currently in Hammer?
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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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warlockco
Master of Realmslore
USA
1695 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2005 : 02:07:44
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by hammer of Moradin
I should be picking this up tomorrow. For some reason it is not out around here yet, but I had a copy on order. Must be the holiday (Memorial Day) weekend messing up the release schedule.
It's not out yet where you are? That's bizarre... We're just days away from the release of the next sourcebook!
Which region of the US are you currently in Hammer?
Depends on the Source he is getting the books from.
Media Play just recently recd both new books recently released. |
News of the Weird
D20 System Reference Document
D20 Modern System Reference Document
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Verghityax
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2005 : 13:18:20
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| I just got my hands on my own copy of "Champions of Ruin" and I must admit that I feel somehow disappointed. I won't be writing about the fact that there are less pages for the same price because that is something that has been already disputed here sometime ago. What I feel most displeased with is the number of evil organizations detailed in the book. I really expected more and instead I got lots of munchkin, unnecessary prestige classes, spells etc. And where's all the crunchy info? I hope Wizards are going to make an enhancement. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2005 : 16:03:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Verghityax
I really expected more and instead I got lots of munchkin, unnecessary prestige classes, spells etc. And where's all the crunchy info?
*blink*
What are the Prestige Classes, spells, and et cetera, if not crunch?  |
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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Ty
Learned Scribe
USA
168 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2005 : 18:48:38
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I'll have to admit that the content was a little thin on a lot of background material but at the same time, it had a lot of interesting things I had never considered for evil organizations.
My only complaints with the book really relate to the my impressions that it seemed to be an overview and didn't delve deeply enough into various areas of topics that I would have been more interested in seeing fleshed out. However, that being said, I add the following caveat. All in all, it was a good supplement, but that is exactly what it feels like. A supplement. The book, if viewed in that manner, fills its purpose quite well. At least in my opinion. |
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warlockco
Master of Realmslore
USA
1695 Posts |
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Champions of Ruin sourcebook
