| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Sanishiver
Senior Scribe
USA
476 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Sep 2006 : 23:31:26
|
I don't know if WotC has an in-house generator or not.
I do know I've seen at least one game designer (working as a freelancer) ask others on his forums if they had any sort of custom spreadsheet for this sort of work.
I doubt freelancers have access to any WotC-provided design aides. I also doubt the editors (speculating here folks) do a point by point review of stat-blocks, esp. on stat-intensive books like Dragons of Faerűn.
J. Grenemyer |
09/20/2008: Tiger Army at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. You wouldn’t believe how many females rode it out in the pit. Santa Cruz women are all of them beautiful. Now I know to add tough to that description.
6/27/2008: WALL-E is about the best damn movie Pixar has ever made. It had my heart racing and had me rooting for the good guy.
9/9/2006: Dave Mathews Band was off the hook at the Shoreline Amphitheater.
Never, ever read the game books too literally, or make such assumptions that what is omitted cannot be. Bad DM form, that.
And no matter how compelling a picture string theory paints, if it does not accurately describe our universe, it will be no more relevant than an elaborate game of Dungeons and Dragons. --paragraph 1, chapter 9, The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene |
 |
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36798 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2006 : 23:58:16
|
quote:
Originally posted by Sanishiver
I don't know if WotC has an in-house generator or not.
I do know I've seen at least one game designer (working as a freelancer) ask others on his forums if they had any sort of custom spreadsheet for this sort of work.
I doubt freelancers have access to any WotC-provided design aides. I also doubt the editors (speculating here folks) do a point by point review of stat-blocks, esp. on stat-intensive books like Dragons of Faerűn.
J. Grenemyer
Well, I don't know if the people that do Classic BattleTech have the HMP program provided by FanPro/WizKids... But the program is commercially available. And, unless I am mistaken, it was created independently, and then adopted by FASA (who was publishing the BT stuff, at the time).
So it doesn't have to be something created in-house, or exclusive to the company... Just something that's acknowledged as the program to use. |
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!  |
|
|
|
EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2006 : 19:32:11
|
| WotC does have a spreadsheet that helps with some basic things, but I've never been able to get it work on my computer. I don't know that it can accomadate the complexixity of an Ancient Green Dragon Druid 4/Rogue 4 or an advanced Great Wyrm Gold Dragon Sorcerer 20. |
http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36798 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 04:21:50
|
We have a web enhancement, and I'm liking it! 
Roll Call of Dragons -- A spreadsheet of the dragon list from the back of Dragons of Faerűn, with added references, in rtf, pdf, and Excel formats! 
|
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! |
|
|
|
KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 04:24:28
|
I know from using NPC designer that a program that seems like it works fine can have some serious glitches from time to time. I have made a ton of great NPCs with the program, and then one time made up a dwarf that had a +30 racial bonus to his stonecunning skills (talented dwarf that one).
As Eytan pointed out, if you try to make, say, a great wyrm red dragon Sor 20, the program may have a kinniption and never shoot out any stats. On the other hand, if you just make a 40th level character with a bunch of different PrCs, its doesn't really cause any problems.
Another problem that comes up is intelligence scores and skill points, as I have read several times that its very difficult to get the program to "remember" that those extra skill points aren't retroactive.
Now keep in mind, I love NPC Designer, for example, but statblocks are a pain.
I still love 3.5 though. |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36798 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 04:30:39
|
I would imagine that it is something that could be fine-tuned, given enough time... To go back to HMP, in the four years I've been using it, I've found one error, and it was something the programmer did: a rounding error that changed BV by a single point.
Granted, making a Mech is a hell of a lot less complicated than a D&D character, and WizKids/FanPro don't keep adding rules every other week... But it does prove that a good program can be written, especially if the program writer(s) are working closely with the game designers. |
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! |
|
|
|
Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 05:40:10
|
| Interesting there are at least 3 Dragons in the list which have "Upcoming product" written in the source column |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
|
|
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6662 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 06:37:36
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
Interesting there are at least 3 Dragons in the list which have "Upcoming product" written in the source column
Yes, interesting that. Considering one of them is from my noggin' and I don't have any articles or products on the go currently. I'd take the "Upcoming product" thing with a pinch of salt.
This roster should actually be more complete than the one in DoF. IIRC, we added some more to this one before it was finalised.
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
|
|
|
Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 06:44:44
|
| Anyone know how you can sort the Excel spread sheet so the lairs are listed alphabeticly? ie I want to list it so all the Dragons with Waterdeep lairs are together and all the Dragons living in Amn are together etc |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
|
|
|
Sanishiver
Senior Scribe
USA
476 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 07:05:01
|
I selected Column G and inserted it into Column A.
From there I selected the whole sheet and hit the sort A-Z button.
J. Grenemyer |
09/20/2008: Tiger Army at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. You wouldn’t believe how many females rode it out in the pit. Santa Cruz women are all of them beautiful. Now I know to add tough to that description.
6/27/2008: WALL-E is about the best damn movie Pixar has ever made. It had my heart racing and had me rooting for the good guy.
9/9/2006: Dave Mathews Band was off the hook at the Shoreline Amphitheater.
Never, ever read the game books too literally, or make such assumptions that what is omitted cannot be. Bad DM form, that.
And no matter how compelling a picture string theory paints, if it does not accurately describe our universe, it will be no more relevant than an elaborate game of Dungeons and Dragons. --paragraph 1, chapter 9, The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene |
Edited by - Sanishiver on 14 Sep 2006 07:06:19 |
|
|
|
ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 08:10:18
|
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
Yes, interesting that. Considering one of them is from my noggin' and I don't have any articles or products on the go currently. I'd take the "Upcoming product" thing with a pinch of salt.
Shh! Don't tell that to the editor. ;-)
--Eric |
--
http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36798 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 11:22:38
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
Anyone know how you can sort the Excel spread sheet so the lairs are listed alphabeticly? ie I want to list it so all the Dragons with Waterdeep lairs are together and all the Dragons living in Amn are together etc
Or, to keep the columns in the same order, select all the cells with data in them (the easiest way to do that is to click on the blank cell that's over the numbers and to the left of the numbers). Go to the Data button, and select the first option, sort. Then just select the appropriate column. You can organize it by up to three different columns. "Ascending" is A to Z, descending is the other way. And since you've selected every cell, be sure the "Header Row" option is selected -- that'll leave the first row alone, and let you sort by column titles. |
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! |
|
|
|
monch9
Seeker
Poland
67 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 15:59:28
|
Question :
How comprehensive is this list? From the novels side, the 2 dragons from the book "War in Tethyr" don't seem to be in the list. Both are gem dragons. I remember one being Chenowyn who's a companion of Queen Zaranda. Chenowyn's mother is another gem dragon who poses as a wizard. (Forgot her name).
Monch
|
|
|
|
Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 16:15:49
|
| Steven Schend had them fly off to some unkown location in Lands of Intrigue, which can be downloaded for free on the Wizard of the Coast's site. |
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 |
|
|
|
ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 18:38:48
|
quote:
Originally posted by monch9
Question :
How comprehensive is this list? From the novels side, the 2 dragons from the book "War in Tethyr" don't seem to be in the list. Both are gem dragons. I remember one being Chenowyn who's a companion of Queen Zaranda. Chenowyn's mother is another gem dragon who poses as a wizard. (Forgot her name).
It's as comprehensive as we could make it. I know we missed a few. I would like to start a new scroll specifically dedicated to corrections and additions to the Excel file. After we get a ways in, I'll give WoTC a revised version and hopefully get them to update it.
--Eric |
--
http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
|
|
|
Bladedancer
Learned Scribe
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2006 : 13:25:11
|
Mr. Boyd I ahd a quick question for you. I was wondering if there was a time table for the web enhancement devoted to Chaulssin? I have been looking forward to it since it was announced.
Well anyways keep up the awesome work |
Solarr Bladedancer
Mercenary For Hire
Master of the Ginsu Knives
They Slice They Dice They Will Cut through A Tin Can |
|
|
|
ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2006 : 13:26:45
|
quote:
Originally posted by Bladedancer
Mr. Boyd I ahd a quick question for you. I was wondering if there was a time table for the web enhancement devoted to Chaulssin? I have been looking forward to it since it was announced.
Well anyways keep up the awesome work
No idea. Sorry.
Glad you liked the book.
--Eric |
--
http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
|
|
|
Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2006 : 02:03:03
|
I picked up the book today after debating it for a while (bad day = purchase to cheer me up) and I'm glad I did. I've not got through all of it yet, but I like what I have read, being chapters 1 and 2, and flicking through the rest. The appendix is really useful and I really like the listings of the dragons' hoards - great ideas for more interesting treasure. I like the cover art, that dragon clearly means business. I've only read the first adventure so far, but I liked it. As for the stat blocks, I know they're very hard to do for such complex and powerful creatures, but there are too many mistakes there, and the general level of typos is not exactly great. However, these things do not spoil my enjoyment of the book.
One thing that really piqued my interest was the reference on p44 to Valamaradace, saying Alustriel had named her as her heir. What exactly does 'heir' mean in this context? Is it to carry on building the Silver Marches or something more explicit like Valamaradace will take over as head of the Council should something happen to Alustriel? |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
|
|
|
Brakkart
Acolyte
United Kingdom
17 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2006 : 00:02:07
|
quote:
Originally posted by Reefy
One thing that really piqued my interest was the reference on p44 to Valamaradace, saying Alustriel had named her as her heir. What exactly does 'heir' mean in this context? Is it to carry on building the Silver Marches or something more explicit like Valamaradace will take over as head of the Council should something happen to Alustriel?
Seconded. I'd love to know what that statement refers to as well. I kow Alustriel won't be head of the Silver Marches for that much longer, and that Taern is now head of Silverymoon itself. So if Valamaradace is her heir, what exactly does she stand to inherit? |
Read my blog at: http://tauntonian.blogspot.com Here I post ramblings, book reviews, song lyrics and assorted weirdness.
Check out my "Rise of the Snakemen" Forgotten Realms Story Hour. http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=100196 |
|
|
|
Ardashir
Senior Scribe
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2006 : 17:05:03
|
quote:
Originally posted by Brakkart
Seconded. I'd love to know what that statement refers to as well. I kow Alustriel won't be head of the Silver Marches for that much longer, and that Taern is now head of Silverymoon itself. So if Valamaradace is her heir, what exactly does she stand to inherit?
Peace and quiet? |
|
|
|
Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2006 : 17:12:03
|
quote:
Originally posted by Brakkart
Seconded. I'd love to know what that statement refers to as well. I kow Alustriel won't be head of the Silver Marches for that much longer, and that Taern is now head of Silverymoon itself. So if Valamaradace is her heir, what exactly does she stand to inherit?
The rulership of the Silver Marches...as it is her territory anyway..read the "Dragons of the North Arcticle"
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/wn/20040225a
and maybe even her place as choosen of Mystra too?   |
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly
- Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors
- 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
|
|
|
Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2006 : 19:04:01
|
| I noticed Icingdeath is not in the Appendix of dragons living or dead that have appeared online, in sourcebooks or in novels....odd. |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
|
|
|
Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2006 : 20:09:39
|
| Anyways, I just finished reading through it, all the while taking notes down for stuff I can use for my campaign. Truth be told, I never took so many notes (it is a campaign themed around Tiamat)....this book was well worth the $$$$ I bust my rear for every day :) |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36798 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2006 : 20:17:04
|
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
I noticed Icingdeath is not in the Appendix of dragons living or dead that have appeared online, in sourcebooks or in novels....odd.
Yes, he is... Row 174 on the Excel sheet: Ingeloakastimizilian, “Icingdeath”. 
|
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! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 18 Sep 2006 20:17:23 |
|
|
|
Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2006 : 01:22:16
|
quote:
Originally posted by kalin agrivar
quote:
Originally posted by Brakkart
Seconded. I'd love to know what that statement refers to as well. I kow Alustriel won't be head of the Silver Marches for that much longer, and that Taern is now head of Silverymoon itself. So if Valamaradace is her heir, what exactly does she stand to inherit?
The rulership of the Silver Marches...as it is her territory anyway..read the "Dragons of the North Arcticle"
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/wn/20040225a
and maybe even her place as choosen of Mystra too?
I had read it; what I referred to in DoF is a recent development after the Dracorage of 1373, or at least that's my reading of it. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
|
|
|
Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2006 : 17:22:10
|
I wrote this first to Eric...
I have a big question I would love to get answered (and I searched the forums and couldn’t find if you had given out the answer before).
Could you tell me generally where the giant and dragon kingdoms you mentioned on page 7 are located in Fearun/Toril? I vaguely remember in (2E) Giantcraft it mentioning there was a kingdom per major giant species, I’m guessing the other names are
Giant Kingdoms
Darchar
Grunfesting
Helligheim
Nedeheim
Ostoria (I have an idea the range of Ostoria’s territory but it would be nice to get it from you)
Rangfjell
Dragon Kingdoms
Caesinmalsvir
Darastriverthicha
Tharkrixghontix
Thanks so very much
|
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly
- Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors
- 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
|
|
|
ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2006 : 19:01:01
|
quote:
Originally posted by kalin agrivar
Could you tell me generally where the giant and dragon kingdoms you mentioned on page 7 are located in Fearun/Toril? I vaguely remember in (2E) Giantcraft it mentioning there was a kingdom per major giant species, I’m guessing the other names are
Most are TBD.
quote:
Giant Kingdoms
Darchar
eastern Amn, IIRC.
quote:
Grunfesting
Helligheim
Nedeheim
Giant's Run Mountains.
quote:
Ostoria (I have an idea the range of Ostoria’s territory but it would be nice to get it from you)
I actually don't have a great feel for Ostoria's boundaries, so if you've got some Realmslore coupled with deductive reasoning to point to, I'd be interested.
quote:
Rangfjell
Dragon Kingdoms
Caesinmalsvir
Darastriverthicha
Tharkrixghontix
Rest are all TBD, although the "new ones" can be translated using the articles in Dragon.
--Eric |
--
http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
Edited by - ericlboyd on 21 Sep 2006 19:01:38 |
|
|
|
Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2006 : 19:17:56
|
Thank you very much for replying
but I am having a pre-senior moment here...what does "IIRC" and "TBD" stand for again? 
quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
quote:
Ostoria (I have an idea the range of Ostoria’s territory but it would be nice to get it from you)
I actually don't have a great feel for Ostoria's boundaries, so if you've got some Realmslore coupled with deductive reasoning to point to, I'd be interested.
I'll get that to you ASAP...
|
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly
- Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors
- 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
|
|
|
Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2006 : 19:55:07
|
| If I Recall Corectly and To Be Decided. :) |
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 |
|
|
|
Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2006 : 19:57:48
|
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
If I Recall Corectly and To Be Decided. :)
 thats cool! I was afraid they meant pretty much "you can't get to know" |
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly
- Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors
- 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Dragons of Faerun
