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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31773 Posts |
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warlockco
Master of Realmslore
USA
1695 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Jun 2005 : 11:22:36
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quote:
Originally posted by warlockco
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
It is out here in Austin. I have my copy 
Strange, why would that be out before Waterdeep?!?
They both should have the same release date.
Sounds like some distributors are violating street date.
Because there was some problem at the printers. The Waterdeep book was supposed to be out, but was delayed. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2005 : 12:45:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Because there was some problem at the printers. The Waterdeep book was supposed to be out, but was delayed.
Kinda funny how this printer problem affects the FR item but not the core D&D item. Take a look at the grassy knoll near the printers and I think the conspiracy against Realms products becomes pretty obvious. |
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Gray Richardson
Master of Realmslore
USA
1291 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2005 : 21:57:27
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
What are your initial thoughts on the tome Gray?
I find myself totally immersed in the book. Chapter one has a lot of good wisdom about being a DM: how to deal with player psychology, how to make your games fun, some considerations on how to prepare more effectively, how to troubleshoot a campaign or a session gone wrong. Really thoughtful stuff. It's all about making your game fun and rewarding for yourself and your players.
Chapter two is more about designing adventures and the mechanics of a good game. It has ideas for using traps, interesting settings and locations (ie. a burning building, a sky battle, an ice bridge, confined tunnel, etc.) It has interesting types of encounters (ie a chase, a riot, a stampede) Encounter tables for interesting locations. And some sample treasure troves at various encounter levels that you can use on the fly.
Chapter three is all about designing a campaign: structure, a concept, beginings, endings. Then it has a considerable number of pages devoted to an overview of medieval society and how to use various aspects of that for campaign ideas. It has some campaign ideas and hooks, and some interesting NPC motivations/agendas. It has a section on building a city and all that entails. It concludes with some info about magical events to enliven a campaign.
Chapter four is a complete town or small city called Saltmarsh and has everything you need to run a city campaign, with detailed NPC's locations, taverns, landmarks and ready to play intrigue.
Chapter five is all about NPC's. Hireleings, Specialists and what to pay for their services, including 12 pages of complex, ready-to-use, sample NPC's of various encounter levels (from CR 6 to 20)
Chapter six is alll about characters. I haven't read it yet, but at first blush it seems a little dense and obtuse. It has sections on establishing a student/mentor relationship, running a business, and teamwork strategies. There is a section on the philosophy and design of prestige classes. PC organizations and some sample organizations players can join. And Guilds.
Chapter seven concerns magic items. It talks about signature traits of items. Bonding and bonding rituals (Wooly and Lady THO please behave yourselves! ) Using magical locations as treasure in themselves. Then it has some new magical weapons and armor mechanics. New rings, rods and wondrous items. Then it has some interesting Weapon and Armor Templates. And lastly a little bit about artifacts, how to use them in a campaign and ways to destroy them if needed.
All very cool. So far I like the first chapter the best, but then that is all I have been able to read through so far. |
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Chosen of Moradin
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1120 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2005 : 22:02:25
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Well, Gray, for your comments, aparently, the book have the same "Heroes of Battle" efect: one book that, aparently, will be a lost of time that suddenly surprise us... 
This is a very good thing to know, indeed... |
Dwarf, DM, husband, and proud of this! :P
twitter: @yuripeixoto
Facebook: yuri.peixoto |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2005 : 00:17:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
Bonding and bonding rituals (Wooly and Lady THO please behave yourselves! )
But the Lady Hooded One knows such interesting rituals!  |
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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warlockco
Master of Realmslore
USA
1695 Posts |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2005 : 09:59:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
I find myself totally immersed in the book. Chapter one has a lot of good wisdom about being a DM: how to deal with player psychology, how to make your games fun, some considerations on how to prepare more effectively, how to troubleshoot a campaign or a session gone wrong. Really thoughtful stuff. It's all about making your game fun and rewarding for yourself and your players.
Great. I've been in mixed thoughts about this product but reading this makes it a definate purchase. I like the sound of this first chapter, reminds me of the old AD&D 2nd ed Campaign Sourcebook (DMGR1).
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
Chapter four is a complete town or small city called Saltmarsh and has everything you need to run a city campaign, with detailed NPC's locations, taverns, landmarks and ready to play intrigue.
This is one element that swayed me initially. I recall the old Saltmarsh adventure modules from a long time ago, it's nice to see them revived in this book. Although you mention that the town and details are included, is there anything to do with the actual adventure within and the Sahuaghin etc? |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2005 : 00:58:25
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I would just like to put in that while it is on my back burner list (after everything FR), it is definately still on my list. I had a chance to spend some quality time with the book at Barnes and Noble today (our central air is dead, and its been in the 90s for over a week now) and I was pleasantly surprised with a lot of what was in it. Its not essential "how would I ever run a game witout this" stuff, but it is "I never thought about it but that IS useful" stuff.
I have to say, as someone that works one week on and one week off and thus has a lot of time to plan adventure for his group, they can still manage to find ways to wind so completely off the beaten path that you can't begin to plan for it, so I really like some of the pregenerated stuff and the advice in the book.
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2005 : 05:18:47
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So what was the verdict on this Tome?
Worth getting? Not worth Getting?
Whats the PrC creation system like? is it any good? Does it use the old PrC style or the new "Fat" style? |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Skarmarl
Acolyte
Denmark
3 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2005 : 11:41:31
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| DmG II - A waste of money!!! |
all good things comes from dnd |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2005 : 13:41:46
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 ...Informative answer. Care to elaborate as to why it is a waste of money, my southern neighbour? |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31773 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2005 : 15:15:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
...Informative answer. Care to elaborate as to why it is a waste of money, my southern neighbour?
Indeed, I would have to agree.
Skarmarl, perhaps you could tell us why you find the tome such a waste of money? This would at least provide some use for future potential buyers who visit Candlekeep looking for the opinions of their fellow gamers about D&D products.
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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)
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Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 02 Aug 2005 15:16:31 |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2005 : 17:29:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
So what was the verdict on this Tome?
Worth getting? Not worth Getting?
Whats the PrC creation system like? is it any good? Does it use the old PrC style or the new "Fat" style?
Well met
I personally really enjoyed the DMGII. It's a perfect companion and I can certainly see it being very useful indeed for starting DM's. I was quite impressed with the overall content of the tome, and would definately recommend it.
Obviously, it's not to everyones taste, but I wouldn't see it as a "waste of money" in any respect. It's one of the more interesting 3.5 tomes. |
Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2005 : 18:40:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
So what was the verdict on this Tome?
Worth getting? Not worth Getting?
Whats the PrC creation system like? is it any good? Does it use the old PrC style or the new "Fat" style?
Well met
I personally really enjoyed the DMGII. It's a perfect companion and I can certainly see it being very useful indeed for starting DM's. I was quite impressed with the overall content of the tome, and would definately recommend it.
Obviously, it's not to everyones taste, but I wouldn't see it as a "waste of money" in any respect. It's one of the more interesting 3.5 tomes.
I personally like the Apprenticeship/Mentorship/Running a Business section. I think it is a perfect way to add a touch of realism into a D&D game - plus it answers that age old question about how much money a certain NPC would have - that way you can judge what a good bribe is, or isn't. Plus, the town section and how to create and flush that town out is awesome as well. The PrC section is very helpful as well... finally let me do some Elven and Fey'ri classes I was looking forward to making - I'd say it was worth it.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Dungeon Master’s Guide II
