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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Aug 2005 : 10:42:29
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I'm directing Shadovar's original queries here -
quote:
Originally posted by Shadovar
I had recently acquired my FRCS, not yet the rule books that are neccessary for the campaign but will acquire them soon, so I am planning for my first campaign, but got too confused by the words in the FRCS.
1) I am trying to create a shade PC, but do not know how to begin, so what class like wizard or socerer should I begin with so as to progress onto a shade?
2) Is there any transformations required for a PC to become a shade?
3) Is the maximum muticlass ability for all PC set to three classes? Example: Telamont Tanthul (shadow adept/archmage/sorcerer)
4) Are there any essential items I need when I play the FR campaign using the FRCS besides the rule books?
5) Is the player's handbook better than the Players guide to Faerun?
6) Which monster manual is better for an FR campaign? The D&D Monster Manual or the Guide to Monsters of Faerun?
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RedStrike
Acolyte
32 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2005 : 15:03:42
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Answers to question 5 and 6:
5) The Player's handbook is better.
6) Generally, the D&D Monster Manual is fine but the Guide to Monsters of Faerun has a bit more on Faerunian monsters. |
We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2005 : 17:38:46
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Its hard to not get both the Monster Manual and the Monsters of Faerun book, since the Monster Manaual has so many iconic monsters in it that will be run into on a regular basis. The Faerun book has monsters that are more common in specific areas, and so are useful, but only at specific times in the campaign.
Of course if you are really cheap there is nothing wrong with downloading the monsters from the SRD for your use. |
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webmanus
Learned Scribe
Sweden
338 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2005 : 09:32:00
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Hi Shadovar,
1. As I understand, you could take any class to create a shade. In the FRCS, page 314, it is stated that "Shade is a template that can be added to any humanoid creature ...". Thus, you could start with, for example, my NPC Lagladus (NE male Netherese human Fighter 1) and transform him to a shade.
Before transformation (applying the shade template)
Lagladus (NE male Netherese human Fighter 1)
After transformation (applying the shade template)
Lagladus (NE male shade Fighter 1)
Thus, after the transformation, he is no longer a Netherese human, but an outsider, a shade.
Please note that, allmost all shades that are listed in Lord of Darkness have levels in spell casting classes such as Sorcerer or Wizard. One of the few exceptions, that I have found, is for example, the captain (NE shade Fr5) of the Standard Excavation Encounter (EL 17) in page 87. I can therefore assume, that in the culture of the Shadovars, it is more common for persons with spell casting abilities to become shades.
2. Becoming a shade is a tranformation. Now, how that is performed, what is required, how much time it takes, and so on, that I do not know. I can only rely on the the following text, that is found in the FRCS, page 314: "Shades were once humanoids, but they have traded their souls for the essence of shadowstuff".
3. No, there should be no limit to the numbers of classes. The basic rules for muticlassing, found in the PHB, should apply. Furthermore, in Lords of Darkness, there are NPCs that have more than three classes. An example, is prince Yder Tanthul (NE male shade Ftr11/Sor12/Sha4/Chm4) in page 83. By the way, Telamont Tanthul is listed as "NE male shade Wiz20/Acm5/Sha10".
4. No, the core rule books (PHB, DMG, MM) and the FRCS should be enough. However, I would recommend to a DM to define the campaign, that is, decide in which region the campaign will take place. And I would also recommend the DM to buy the appropiate accessories. For example, to run a campaign set in Daggerdale with trips to Anauroch, I would suggest to buy (or download from Wizards of the Cost) Volo's Guide to the Dalelands and Lord of Darkness (section The Shades, page 78 -- 95, is about the Shadovars). I do not have Champions of Ruins, so I cannot say if there is any content regarding Shadovars in it.
5. The Players Handbook PHB) is a core book, and essential (mandatory) to play D&D. I would say that you cannot play without it. Well, of course it is possible, but, still ... PHB is the first rule book. I would state that you can live without the Player's Guide to Faerūn. I have flipped through it (and can have missed tons of importantr notes ...), and, as I have D&D 3.0, I have not really felt the need to buy that book. Although, I have plans for buying it in the near future. Bu, if you have the money, why not. Go ahead ...
6. The Monsters Manual MM) is also a core book, and also essential (mandatory) to play D&D, at least for a DM. I have Monstrous Compendium: Monsters of Faerun and do not think that it is mandatory to play with. I mean, with time, and money, you can buy so many books. But to start with, I say, core rule books, FRCS, and one campaign expansion. I did find the following Review of Monsters of Faerūn:
http://www.enworld.org/reviews.php?do=review&reviewid=2364052
I did not even know that Monsters of Faerūn existed ...
I hope this helps, and feel free to ask more, if you need.
Best regards,
webmanus |
Link to my homepage: http://user.tninet.se/~bsu242v/ |
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Shadovar
Senior Scribe
785 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2005 : 10:47:53
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Thank you to all who had replied to my queries, for your help is certainly appreciated by me. Thanks. |
We have fostered trust, recruited loyalty, and gathered the faithful. We have trained thousands. Our legions can cover the land, fill the sky and travel through the darkness. We can hunt any and all that would deny our heritage. Now is our time, now is the time of the Dark Reign(Rain) of the Empire of Shadows.
- High Prince Telemont Tanthul, Lord Shadow
In a speech given to the citizens of Shade Enclave
At the celebration of the Shinantra Battle victory when he revealed that he was THE Lord Shadow of legend. |
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webmanus
Learned Scribe
Sweden
338 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2005 : 11:23:28
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Such a fool I am! Monstrous Compendium: Monsters of Faerun and Monsters of Faerūn are the same book. I am so ashamed  |
Link to my homepage: http://user.tninet.se/~bsu242v/ |
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Shades and other FR questions
