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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Aug 2006 : 13:57:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Wilson
Just a quick question, one that I hope I haven't overlooked anywhere. What exactly does the Tree-Gem (or is it, Gem-Tree, I don't have my book with me right now)look like?
I would like to use it in a dream for one of my player's, but I'm unsure what kind of gem it is, etc, etc, etc. I could make it up, but I want to go by canon if it's available.
I don't think FR9 - Bloodstone Lands describes it. If it's described anywhere, it's probably in H4. I don't have either source handy at the moment.
--Eric |
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2006 : 14:04:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
Eric any chance you can do a Timeline WE (ideally a Timeline similar to the ones found in Powers of Faerun) for YoRD? Id particularly like to see dates for the events you added in DoF ie when Leilon, Callidyrr, Luskan, Saelmur, Mintar, Mirabar, Uluvin where attacked by Dragons etc
Time-wise this can't happen any time soon, unfortunately.
Generally, I understand the interest in this and the reason to avoid this. I usually only get into month-by-month happenings when there's an intricate interweaving of multiple events (such as the destructions and rebuildings of the Twin Towers across DoF, PoF, and Paul Kemp's novels). Otherwise, I usually avoid it to give the DMs more flexibilility and to preserve future flexibility (such as if a novel author goes there).
All that said, I could offer some suggestions if someone (else, not me, lacking time) figures out a month-by-month chronology for RLB's novels.
--Eric |
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2006 : 15:18:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Wilson
Just a quick question, one that I hope I haven't overlooked anywhere. What exactly does the Tree-Gem (or is it, Gem-Tree, I don't have my book with me right now)look like?
I would like to use it in a dream for one of my player's, but I'm unsure what kind of gem it is, etc, etc, etc. I could make it up, but I want to go by canon if it's available.
basicly no demons can enter Damara |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2006 : 15:30:25
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quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
All that said, I could offer some suggestions if someone (else, not me, lacking time) figures out a month-by-month chronology for RLB's novels.
--Eric
Ive done that for the Timeline Im working on
The Rage starts around 14 Marpenoth in the Year of Wild Magic and it ends 6 Nightal Year of Rogue Dragons
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“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Chosen of Bane
Senior Scribe
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2006 : 17:08:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
[quote]
basicly no demons can enter Damara
Can Demons be Summoned in Damara? |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6662 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 00:54:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Wilson
Just a quick question, one that I hope I haven't overlooked anywhere. What exactly does the Tree-Gem (or is it, Gem-Tree, I don't have my book with me right now)look like?
I would like to use it in a dream for one of my player's, but I'm unsure what kind of gem it is, etc, etc, etc. I could make it up, but I want to go by canon if it's available.
basicly no demons can enter Damara
If I was writing on Damara in 3E, I would change this 2E leftover. A nationwide ward against demons is a huge thing - and kind of takes the fun out of everything. As I recall, the Tree Gem never got statted as such, so the statements on it can possibly be viewed as a tad exaggerated. Also, the Tree Gem found its way to Damara in the 1350s DR. Lots of time has passed since then - lots of time for something bad to have happened to that item.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 01:02:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Bane
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
[quote]
basicly no demons can enter Damara
Can Demons be Summoned in Damara?
Proably not or if they where summoned they be dismissed |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Archwizard
Learned Scribe
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 01:16:37
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It sounds like you're itching to do an update of Damara, Mr. Krashos. I'd buy such a sourcebook.
Maybe it's one of those items you can bypass due to wording interpretation or a devilishly clever loophole. |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 01:18:19
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quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
If I was writing on Damara in 3E, I would change this 2E leftover. A nationwide ward against demons is a huge thing - and kind of takes the fun out of everything. As I recall, the Tree Gem never got statted as such, so the statements on it can possibly be viewed as a tad exaggerated. Also, the Tree Gem found its way to Damara in the 1350s DR. Lots of time has passed since then - lots of time for something bad to have happened to that item.
-- George Krashos
You could always base it on the Dragon ward that protects Waterdeep just change the effected creature to Demons and make the ward nationwide
I actually had an for a campaign which revolved around the Tree Gem
Basicly the Tree Gems anti Demon Shield will expand to take in any land that recognises Dragonbane royal family as its ruler. During the campaign Imbrar II becomes engaged to Gareth Dragonsbanes daughter (Officially no child has been mentioned) if they ever got married and Gareth Dragonbane died thenthe ward would expand and all the demons living im Impiltur would be banished back to the Abyss
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“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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GothicDan
Master of Realmslore
USA
1103 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 01:20:44
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| Well, that rather puts to shame... Any other mythal-like effect I've ever heard of. |
Planescape Fanatic
"Fiends and Undead are the peanut butter and jelly of evil." - Me
"That attitude should be stomped on, whenever and wherever it's encountered, because it makes people holding such views bad citizens, not just bad roleplayers (considering D&D was structured as a 'forced cooperation' game, and although successive editions are pointing it more and more towards a me-first, min-max game, the drift away from 'we all need each other to succeed' will at some point make it 'no longer' D&D)." - ED GREENWOOD |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 01:30:33
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quote:
Originally posted by GothicDan
Well, that rather puts to shame... Any other mythal-like effect I've ever heard of.
Doesnt Evermeet have something that prevents Drow for entering it? |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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GothicDan
Master of Realmslore
USA
1103 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 01:31:49
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Nope. It merely disallows teleportation effects and scrying effects.
But those were direct enchantments by the Gods themselves. I suppose you could well convert them into Mythals in 3E, but was this gem made by a powerful pantheon of gods? (I'm unfamiliar with the module.)
In fact, there's a priestess of Eilistraee on the isle, serving as a secret confidante of Amlaruil herself. |
Planescape Fanatic
"Fiends and Undead are the peanut butter and jelly of evil." - Me
"That attitude should be stomped on, whenever and wherever it's encountered, because it makes people holding such views bad citizens, not just bad roleplayers (considering D&D was structured as a 'forced cooperation' game, and although successive editions are pointing it more and more towards a me-first, min-max game, the drift away from 'we all need each other to succeed' will at some point make it 'no longer' D&D)." - ED GREENWOOD |
Edited by - GothicDan on 18 Aug 2006 01:32:25 |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 01:41:34
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quote:
Originally posted by GothicDan
In fact, there's a priestess of Eilistraee on the isle, serving as a secret confidante of Amlaruil herself.
Note: She was on the isle, she has since left because of the no drow rule. She would have left even more so after the dark elves invaded through Craunabor (gods I spelled that wrong!) Keep. |
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
31727 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 01:50:52
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quote:
Originally posted by GothicDan
Well, that rather puts to shame... Any other mythal-like effect I've ever heard of.
The Invisible Bulwark, around Oryndoll. 'Tis been described (in DDGttU) as a psionic mythal-like weave.
-- Though, I'd imagine you're now already familiar with that one. ::smirk:: |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
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Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 18 Aug 2006 01:53:04 |
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Chosen of Bane
Senior Scribe
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 01:51:54
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quote:
Originally posted by GothicDan
... but was this gem made by a powerful pantheon of gods? (I'm unfamiliar with the module.)
If I remember correctly it was created by Bahamut. |
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GothicDan
Master of Realmslore
USA
1103 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 01:54:09
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quote:
Note: She was on the isle, she has since left because of the no drow rule. She would have left even more so after the dark elves invaded through Craunabor (gods I spelled that wrong!) Keep.
Heh, point taken. :) But, still, there's no *magical* effect preventing them... |
Planescape Fanatic
"Fiends and Undead are the peanut butter and jelly of evil." - Me
"That attitude should be stomped on, whenever and wherever it's encountered, because it makes people holding such views bad citizens, not just bad roleplayers (considering D&D was structured as a 'forced cooperation' game, and although successive editions are pointing it more and more towards a me-first, min-max game, the drift away from 'we all need each other to succeed' will at some point make it 'no longer' D&D)." - ED GREENWOOD |
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GothicDan
Master of Realmslore
USA
1103 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 01:54:50
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quote:
The Invisible Bulwark, around Oryndoll. 'Tis been described (in DDGttU) as a psionic mythal-like weave.
-- Though, I'd imagine you're now already familiar with that one. ::smirk::
Ayup.
Though, still, is it as powerful as the effect described here? Completely malleable, with a variable area of effect with no lessening of power..? |
Planescape Fanatic
"Fiends and Undead are the peanut butter and jelly of evil." - Me
"That attitude should be stomped on, whenever and wherever it's encountered, because it makes people holding such views bad citizens, not just bad roleplayers (considering D&D was structured as a 'forced cooperation' game, and although successive editions are pointing it more and more towards a me-first, min-max game, the drift away from 'we all need each other to succeed' will at some point make it 'no longer' D&D)." - ED GREENWOOD |
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GothicDan
Master of Realmslore
USA
1103 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 01:55:57
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quote:
If I remember correctly it was created by Bahamut.
Hm... I'm still a bit iffy of something that powerful being created by a single, not-all-that-powerful entity. Was Bahamut even an official deity, then? |
Planescape Fanatic
"Fiends and Undead are the peanut butter and jelly of evil." - Me
"That attitude should be stomped on, whenever and wherever it's encountered, because it makes people holding such views bad citizens, not just bad roleplayers (considering D&D was structured as a 'forced cooperation' game, and although successive editions are pointing it more and more towards a me-first, min-max game, the drift away from 'we all need each other to succeed' will at some point make it 'no longer' D&D)." - ED GREENWOOD |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 02:05:45
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| I think where starting to derail this thread |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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GothicDan
Master of Realmslore
USA
1103 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 02:24:30
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| True. Sorry about that! |
Planescape Fanatic
"Fiends and Undead are the peanut butter and jelly of evil." - Me
"That attitude should be stomped on, whenever and wherever it's encountered, because it makes people holding such views bad citizens, not just bad roleplayers (considering D&D was structured as a 'forced cooperation' game, and although successive editions are pointing it more and more towards a me-first, min-max game, the drift away from 'we all need each other to succeed' will at some point make it 'no longer' D&D)." - ED GREENWOOD |
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Kiaransalyn
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
762 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2006 : 18:49:19
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My copy finally arrived today. The problem with me currently living in The Netherlands is I have to order everything from London. The other problem is the postman only seems to deliver at half-past five on a Saturday. (No, I don't understand it either.)
So far, all I can say is it's a superb cover by Todd Lockwood. And the young lady in the revealing outfit on the back-cover is very eye-catching. |
Death is Life
Love is Hate
Revenge is Forgiveness
Ken: You from the States?
Jimmy: Yeah. But don't hold it against me.
Ken: I'll try not to... Just try not to say anything too loud or crass. |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2006 : 13:55:42
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| You get stuff delivered on saturdays?! *turns green with envy* Curse those bloody conservatives and liberals for turning the Swedish postal service into a private enterprise. |
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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Kiaransalyn
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
762 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2006 : 14:07:33
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It's the only day we seem to get things delivered. And it's so late in the afternoon you know the postman has been enjoying a bit of Dutch liberality the night before. 
Back to the topic - I've given the book a skim-through now. It's OK but references other books a bit too much for my liking. Was it really too much trouble to give the stats for some of the named dragons?
I'll give it a better read this week, if I can. |
Death is Life
Love is Hate
Revenge is Forgiveness
Ken: You from the States?
Jimmy: Yeah. But don't hold it against me.
Ken: I'll try not to... Just try not to say anything too loud or crass. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36798 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2006 : 16:34:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Kiaransalyn
So far, all I can say is it's a superb cover by Todd Lockwood. And the young lady in the revealing outfit on the back-cover is very eye-catching.
I agree that her attire is eye-catching. But I can't see anyone actually adventuring in that garb, much less walking into a dragon's lair. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Kiaransalyn
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
762 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2006 : 17:10:24
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It rather depends on the adventuring you have in mind I suppose.  |
Death is Life
Love is Hate
Revenge is Forgiveness
Ken: You from the States?
Jimmy: Yeah. But don't hold it against me.
Ken: I'll try not to... Just try not to say anything too loud or crass. |
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EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2006 : 01:13:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Kiaransalyn
It's the only day we seem to get things delivered. And it's so late in the afternoon you know the postman has been enjoying a bit of Dutch liberality the night before.
Back to the topic - I've given the book a skim-through now. It's OK but references other books a bit too much for my liking. Was it really too much trouble to give the stats for some of the named dragons?
I'll give it a better read this week, if I can.
Unfortunately, stat blocks are incredibly time consuming and most people have poor reactions to a book filled with page after page of them. We thought about doing a lot more, but there are so many dragons, we just picked ones for which we had interesting ideas. As for the references to other books, I guess that's possible. For future reference, which particular other books did you find this to be a problem?
The thing about a book like this (as opposed to a regional book) is that it is dealing with a huge amount of material that has been written about in 1-3.5 edition books. For this reason, we have to reference that material. If you're referring to spell requirements for items (like a heroes of battle spell for a magic item), it's something I like to avoid, but sometimes a spell written in another book is so appropriate that it's hard not to use it. Fortunately, you don't need to have those books to use the items as pretty much all of them describe the abilities rather than quoting the books. We have to reference the draconomicon because we can't give stats to all of the hundreds of dragons in Faerun. We also can't select the top hundred because than you'd only have a book filled with dragon stats. |
http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36798 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2006 : 02:03:55
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| Was there a change among the editing staff, or was this book hurried or something? It's just a minor quibble, but I'm seeing more typos in this book than I normally see. |
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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Kiaransalyn
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
762 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2006 : 09:07:03
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quote:
Originally posted by EytanBernstein
Unfortunately, stat blocks are incredibly time consuming and most people have poor reactions to a book filled with page after page of them.
That's a fair point. It could just be I'm a sad case and like to see a stat sheet for any unique character I'm presented with.
I think my main point here is, as a DM, it's nice to take a ready-to-use character and drop them into a campaign. If the number of books I need to do this double, then I'm more likely to take one of the NPCs that does carry this detail.
I'm used to sourcebooks carrying the statement "requires only the core rulebooks and the FRCS." Dragons of Faerun seemed to require me to have a few more books in my collection. That said, the book does function fairly well as a stand-alone text and a certain amount of referencing is necessary for a book which contributes to a well-established setting.
quote:
Originally posted by EytanBernstein
For future reference, which particular other books did you find this to be a problem?
The main book where I found this to be a problem were the frequent references to the Draconomicon* since I don't own this book. I'm confident that the Monster Manual's dragon entries will suffice in this regard though.
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* - I decided not to buy this book since to my thinking it seemed like it just took the dragon entries from the Monster Manual and threw in a few rather silly prestige classes. (Maybe dragon prestige classes are for dragons who are insecure? )
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Death is Life
Love is Hate
Revenge is Forgiveness
Ken: You from the States?
Jimmy: Yeah. But don't hold it against me.
Ken: I'll try not to... Just try not to say anything too loud or crass. |
Edited by - Kiaransalyn on 21 Aug 2006 09:08:48 |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2006 : 14:49:54
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I know everyone has their own reasons for buying books and their own criteria on what they like and what they don't like, but in all honesty, the Draconomicon is probably one of the easiest books to defend the purchase of in 3.5 for me. But I understand not everyone has the same priorities or impressions of it.
I am glad though that Dragons of Faerun tied in some material from it. |
Edited by - KnightErrantJR on 21 Aug 2006 14:50:17 |
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Kiaransalyn
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
762 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2006 : 14:56:00
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I know everyone has their own reasons for buying books
Exactly!
The Draconomicon just didn't appeal to me. I looked at the previews on WotC's website and even leafed through a copy in a bookshop several times but it just didn't tempt me. |
Death is Life
Love is Hate
Revenge is Forgiveness
Ken: You from the States?
Jimmy: Yeah. But don't hold it against me.
Ken: I'll try not to... Just try not to say anything too loud or crass. |
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Dragons of Faerun
