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Hymn
Senior Scribe
Sweden
514 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Apr 2005 : 22:14:46
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So has any one bought the Sandtorm core book accessory? Seeing as their are some nice desert areas to explore in Faerūn as well as the eastern lands.
If you did please tell me what you thought of it... and if you didn't, why not?
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Sauro moki kara ochiro - Even monkeys falls from trees.
The path that leads to truth is littered with the bodies of the ignorant - Miyamoto Musashi |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 00:05:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Hymn
If you did please tell me what you thought of it... and if you didn't, why not?
I didn't purchase it because I just don't see the need in my FR campaign for the tome. I've never been a big fan of "environmental" themed tomes. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 02:42:42
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Hymn
If you did please tell me what you thought of it... and if you didn't, why not?
I didn't purchase it because I just don't see the need in my FR campaign for the tome. I've never been a big fan of "environmental" themed tomes.
I'll agree with both Wooly and SB. My previous purchase of Frostburn was only because I have a homebrew setting which is almost exclusively artic and tundra in both atmosphere and environment. And for that it has been a great resource. The World of the Ghost Bears has been significantly expanded thanks largely to the details contained within the first environmental D&D sourcebook.
Curiously, I've noticed that two third-party publishers are also starting their own line of environment-specific sourcebooks.
Sandstorm however does not appeal to me specifically. I suppose that if I intended to run a campaign in such an environment type for an extended period, I'd purchase it. But most of my campaign plans for FR games up to the end of the year don't contain any such environments, even for just one session.
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Edited by - The Sage on 25 Apr 2005 02:44:53 |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 02:45:51
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Curiously, I've noticed that two third-party publishers are also starting their own line of environment-specific sourcebooks.
Which two companies are publishing such tomes? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 02:57:22
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I think it is either 'Green Ronin' or 'Mongoose', and the other is Monte's line, 'Malhavoc Press'. Although those tomes will cater exclusively for his Diamond Throne setting.
I'll hae to check to be certain. In fact, I'll do that now  .
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 03:01:53
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I think it is either 'Green Ronin' or 'Mongoose', and the other is Monte's line, 'Malhavoc Press'. Although those tomes will cater exclusively for his Diamond Throne setting.
I'll hae to check to be certain. In fact, I'll do that now .
I thought at one time D20 Publisher, Monkey God Enterprises (if I recall their name right) was publishing Frost & Fur or something like that which was also to be an artic environment themed tome. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 03:18:12
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I think they did, or they were going to...
Regardless, I can't find the report on EN World that mentions the details about which of the other publishers is producing their own environment-specific sourcebooks. Although, I still do believe it was Mongoose, because I recall that they were launching about three different new product lines all in the matter of a few months.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 03:27:51
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
The World of the Ghost Bears has been significantly expanded thanks largely to the details contained within the first environmental D&D sourcebook.
Arcadia or Alshain? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 03:37:53
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I'd forgotten that you'd pick up on that  .
It was Arcadia firstly, but that world was destroyed by invading mythic creatures who, once being allies of the Ghost Bears, readily turned against them when the GB supported an outside force in attacking the homes of the mythic creatures. Using massive planar gateways, the GB made their way to their new home on Alshain.
And no, this new world did not belong to one of the powers of the outside forces .
And to keep this post topic specific... Maelstrom is the next environment specific D&D sourcebook isn't it?
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 03:50:27
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
And to keep this post topic specific... Maelstrom is the next environment specific D&D sourcebook isn't it?
I believe so. Are you going to purchase that tome? |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 04:27:26
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| I bought both. I see no reason why you can't use any of them in FR. You have the arctic for the Great Glacier. You have Anauroch, Calimshan, Zakhara for the desert one. The water book, well look at all the water in FR. :) |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 06:46:52
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
And to keep this post topic specific... Maelstrom is the next environment specific D&D sourcebook isn't it?
I believe so. Are you going to purchase that tome?
I've been thinking about it. In August, I'll be beginning a 9-part adventure series that takes place on Krynn around the Blood Sea later in the Fourth Age of Despair. The Blood Sea is a swirling maelstrom of chaos and water that has many unusual effects on both shipping and the surrounding landscape. An environmental sourcebook such as the Maelstrom tome may be useful, provided it can provide some resourceful details on what I need to successfully run an exiting campaign.
quote:
I bought both. I see no reason why you can't use any of them in FR. You have the arctic for the Great Glacier. You have Anauroch, Calimshan, Zakhara for the desert one. The water book, well look at all the water in FR. :)
They're all good points, but most of the sourcebooks for those regions do an adequate job of detailing the environmentl conditions of those landscapes anyway. Most even have rules for running encounters in such environments.
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 07:04:26
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| I got it, it's just Frostburn inverted. :) |
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Chosen of Bane
Senior Scribe
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 12:54:26
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| I bought both books as well. I do like Sandstorm quite a bit but Frostburn was better. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 15:05:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Bane
I do like Sandstorm quite a bit but Frostburn was better.
What about the latter made it superior compared to Sandstorm? |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 15:50:46
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
They're all good points, but most of the sourcebooks for those regions do an adequate job of detailing the environmentl conditions of those landscapes anyway. Most even have rules for running encounters in such environments.
Yeah, so? You can never have to many sourcebooks and or box sets for encounters and or environments. I have over 10 3rd party ones because each has different info for some of the same environments. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2005 : 17:09:04
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quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
Yeah, so? You can never have to many sourcebooks and or box sets for encounters and or environments. I have over 10 3rd party ones because each has different info for some of the same environments.
Right, it's a great supplement if you plan on running a prolonged adventure/campaign in the Anauroch.
The sanddancer(?) feat tree is very cool too. Kick up sand in the opponents face and have a series of feats that let you take advantage of the distraction.
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"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
Edited by - SirUrza on 25 Apr 2005 17:10:22 |
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Chosen of Bane
Senior Scribe
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2005 : 01:18:20
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Bane
I do like Sandstorm quite a bit but Frostburn was better.
What about the latter made it superior compared to Sandstorm?
I would say the major factor that made Frostburn better for me was the expectation factor. I first thought the environment sourcebooks were going to be pretty lame but I picked up Frostburn and was pleasantly surprised. I liked the variant/new rules for dealing with extreme cold and thought it gave a plethora of insight into running a campaign that took place completely in the arctic.
Because I loved Frostburn so much I was excited for Sanstorm. Therefor, my expectations were higher and it was more difficult for me to be pleasantly surprised. Even taking away the expectation factor I think Frostburn gets the edge. Sandstorm, to me, did not have enough info on dealing with extreme heat and sort of just rehashed the DMG rules for dealing with heat. Like I said, I enjoyed Sandstorm, I just don't think it was quite as thorough as Frostburn.
That being said, I will probably be utilizing Sandstorm more because the game I am running is going to have a trip to a desert very shortly. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2005 : 02:18:07
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quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
They're all good points, but most of the sourcebooks for those regions do an adequate job of detailing the environmentl conditions of those landscapes anyway. Most even have rules for running encounters in such environments.
Yeah, so? You can never have to many sourcebooks and or box sets for encounters and or environments. I have over 10 3rd party ones because each has different info for some of the same environments.
I wouldn't say that.
But then you obviously have a different DMing style than I do. I do like the idea of having some extensive environmental sources on hand though, but when you're living with an environmental biologist, it helps that I get my environmental information right from an expert source. I then just add the stats I feel are most appropriate for my campaigns.
Just out of curiosity, what are these other third-party books?
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2005 : 02:43:26
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
But then you obviously have a different DMing style than I do. I do like the idea of having some extensive environmental sources on hand though, but when you're living with an environmental biologist, it helps that I get my environmental information right from an expert source. I then just add the stats I feel are most appropriate for my campaigns.
Just out of curiosity, what are these other third-party books?
How can you get fantasy sources for environments from RL sources? :)
To name a few: Wilds by AEG. Into the Green by Bastion Press. Sword & Sorcery has a couple for Scarred Lands. There's also some arctic sourcebooks from other companies but I didn't purchase them. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2005 : 03:10:13
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quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
How can you get fantasy sources for environments from RL sources? :)
Hey, I wouldn't have thought so either, at first.
The Lady K is an evolutionary/environmental biologist specialising in bio-diversity and bio-evolutionary patterns. You'd be quite amazed at the type of fantastical real-life creature perversions her twisted mind can generate in a short amount of time for RPG games. My PS campaigns have never been so chock-full of highly unusual and bizarre creature types...  .
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2005 : 17:12:47
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| I use Sandstorm religiously, it is a great sourcebook. We've been in Anauroch for awhile now, and this book adds so much depth to the campaign. Of course, its usefulness is limited by the location of your campaign, but the same could be said for Underdark, Shining South, Silver Marches, etc. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2005 : 22:47:24
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I was a little surprised to see what was essentially a still suit from Dune . . .
If they had spice and sandworms . . . wait, they did that in Dragon Magazine . . . |
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Fireheart
Learned Scribe
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2005 : 14:44:42
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We have both Sandstorm and Frostburn. The additional spells from both books have been truly interesting and have had some serious in-game effects especially for our clerics.
The depth of detail about the various types of heat/cold and sand/snow can make for excellent descriptions and surprises for your players.
~Fireheart |
I believe in what I see/I believe in what I hear/I believe that what I'm feeling/Changes how the world appears
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warlockco
Master of Realmslore
USA
1695 Posts |
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Setepsutekh
Acolyte
United Kingdom
12 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2005 : 09:17:40
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| I own both Frostburn and Sandstorm and I think despite what you may think about the Environment series I believe they can both add that essential extra flavor to the different regions of the game. |
"And so the creature was imprisoned and his tomb cast out into the desert, never would the Scourge of the Sands threaten the lands of Mulhorand...(the rest is worn away)
- Ancient hieroglyphics found amid the ruins of the Raurin Desert
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warlockco
Master of Realmslore
USA
1695 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2005 : 09:55:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Setepsutekh
I own both Frostburn and Sandstorm and I think despite what you may think about the Environment series I believe they can both add that essential extra flavor to the different regions of the game.
Both are good books, just Sandstorm was a bit of a let down after Frostburn had set the bar so high. Do like the Planar Touchstones in Sandstorm though, wonder if it would be possible for a Web Enhancement for Frostburn with some. |
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Setepsutekh
Acolyte
United Kingdom
12 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2005 : 23:42:07
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quote:
Both are good books, just Sandstorm was a bit of a let down after Frostburn had set the bar so high. Do like the Planar Touchstones in Sandstorm though, wonder if it would be possible for a Web Enhancement for Frostburn with some.
Yeah I'd have to agree although I like desert settings (I love Ancient Egyptian stuff  ) Frostburn is the better book, from reading it you can tell it has more character than the Sandstorm one which although decent could have been better. |
"And so the creature was imprisoned and his tomb cast out into the desert, never would the Scourge of the Sands threaten the lands of Mulhorand...(the rest is worn away)
- Ancient hieroglyphics found amid the ruins of the Raurin Desert
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2005 : 20:39:57
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I was a little surprised to see what was essentially a still suit from Dune . . .
If they had spice and sandworms . . . wait, they did that in Dragon Magazine . . .
Why the surprise? Practically every fantasy/science fiction book that has to do with the desert is influenced one way or another by Dune. Frank Herberts shadow reaches far even after his death. |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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A Sandstorm any one?
