I saw this link on another site. Looks like we are getting another Drow of the Underdark book (though I suspect, like the Draconomicon before it, the 3.5 version is "core" rather than a FR supplement).
Well, the details on the site list the publisher as WOTC, and the authors would appear to be consistant to a WOTC product as well. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the final title, just as the Draconomicon was.
Though, and unless this is an error, it is referenced as a D&D supplement. However, both authors have done work on non-WotC products before, with Anthony Pryor apparently being the only one of the two to work on both TSR and WotC products.
Talk about going to the well one too many times...
The Chinese have 10- 12 names for there years (ie Rat, Monkey Dragon etc)
WOTC obviously decided they only need 2
Year of the Dragons Year of the Drow Year of the Dragons Year of the Drow Year of the Dragons Year of the Drow Year of the Dragons Year of the Drow Year of the Dragons Year of the Drow Year of the Dragons Year of the Drow Year of the Dragons Year of the Drow Year of the Dragons Year of the Drow
It´s a very good new, and I will wait it eagerlly. And it will be better if the book is a generic one. This will left open space for us to see a future Drows of Faerûn.
Talk about going to the well one too many times...
I'm glad someone said it
but I also think the book wouldn't be that bad if (1) they made it a Forgotten Realms book, (2) if they actually (god forbid!) keep away from that old chestnut of Menzoberranzan and the Underdark of the North and cover other drow cities and cultures (I really enjoyed the 2E Drizzt's Guide to the Underdark for that reason) and (3) actually update the drow race after the WotSQ and justify why Lolth's transformation to greater goddess was such a big deal in the first place
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
I actually don't mind if this is a Core book instead of a Forgotten Realms book. For one thing, while I like drow and using that particular element, I do get tired of FR being seen as the "drow setting" and a good general book about them might help to get people to see them in other settings and (hopefully) to see that there is a ton more to see in FR than drow.
I would like to see a better explanation of the test that drow used to take in the "old days." I know that it technically still happens, but in the old days it was all drow that get over X level, and if they failed, they turned into drider. Now its a bit hazzy who gets tested and why, what they get out if it, and why exactly some drow get turned into driders.
What I don't want to see is some of the issues that cropped up in the "Races of" books, where entire pantheons were reworked, and customs and practices were added to different races that were completely contradictory to previous edition versions of the same cultures. While it doesn't really affect the Realms one way or another, it does make it seem less useful if the cultures discussed in the book don't really resemble Realms cultures at all.
I actually don't mind if this is a Core book instead of a Forgotten Realms book. For one thing, while I like drow and using that particular element, I do get tired of FR being seen as the "drow setting" and a good general book about them might help to get people to see them in other settings and (hopefully) to see that there is a ton more to see in FR than drow.
I would like to see a better explanation of the test that drow used to take in the "old days." I know that it technically still happens, but in the old days it was all drow that get over X level, and if they failed, they turned into drider. Now its a bit hazzy who gets tested and why, what they get out if it, and why exactly some drow get turned into driders.
What I don't want to see is some of the issues that cropped up in the "Races of" books, where entire pantheons were reworked, and customs and practices were added to different races that were completely contradictory to previous edition versions of the same cultures. While it doesn't really affect the Realms one way or another, it does make it seem less useful if the cultures discussed in the book don't really resemble Realms cultures at all.
I know what you are saying...but we'll have to see if it will be a "draconomicon"-style or "Races of" style book...but in 3E, even if you don't count the Realmsian drow lore there is still a ton of drow info...I really don't see the need for a "drow" book other than WoTC R&D thinking what products will hook the younglings, newbies and RAS fans the easiest
have you ever read that arcticle in Dragon #298 about the different tests of Drow life? it's not that bad
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
While that's true, most posters aren't always aware of the older product codes. And judging from experiences on the WotC boards, some still have problems noting that these codes refer to specific FR 1e/2e sources.
Doesn't this make you feel old Sage (applies to yours truly as well)
In a way I hope it will be a generic product, current 3e and 3.5e FR products have covered the drow more or less - and let's not forget the novels. Unless, for the current 'young' generation of FR fans WotC decides it is commercially time to revisit Menzo et. al. I hope it will remain some time before we see 'Drow of Faerun' announced as companion volume to 'Drow of the Underdark 2007'
Doesn't this make you feel old Sage (applies to yours truly as well)
Indeed, it does.
quote:In a way I hope it will be a generic product, current 3e and 3.5e FR products have covered the drow more or less - and let's not forget the novels.
That's a good point.
And when you consider these sources alongside the 2e FR sources on drow, which again includes novels printed during the days of TSR, you do begin to realise just how extensive the lore on drow and the Underdark is for the FR setting. Enough, hopefully, to convince WotC to instead concentrate on other areas/aspect of the Realms that have never received much attention in any edition.
I'm not sure whether I will purchase this. In a way, I'm almost of the same opinion as the Lady K above. Neither the Underdark nor the Drow have ever really featured heavily in any campaign I've ran, so it's not really material I'll make extensive use of. If I do buy it, the book may end up just sitting on the same shelf that holds the 3.5e Draconomicon... collecting dust.
This is another book Ill probably pass on, its going to be totally generic with no realms stuff and its going to focus on specfic sub race that weve already got plenty of info on
The only info we really need on Faerunian drow is the state of their cities post WOSQ
theres proberly more drow to go around allready than any other races ... with the 'small' races even together ... give us another thing ... drows are boring and stereotypic
i know for sure that i wouldn't buy it ... basicly because drows never even remotely interested me, proberly because it have been tied up on young roleplayers that think they know anything ... and then only know something about drows because they threwed though a couple of books
what happened to the queen? she's much more hysterical than usual She's a women, it happens once a month
for an FR player, this may be useless especially if they have Underdark and older drow materials.
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight.
... and may be not, specially if the book came full of lore, good ideas, and interesting plots.
I agree...but then again, with a large library of 1E and 2E material I didn't find the Draconomicon that original...it was mostly a 3E conversion manual to me (with nice pictures)
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
Drow of the Underdark (2007 Product)
Posted - 09 Oct 2006 : 01:14:55
