This series is more focused on how certain classes function in the Realms. I don't think there is a conflict with your idea.
I'm hoping it also includes where certain classes function in the Realms... (In that, I mean which organizations typically employ them, which countries and cities they're most frequently found in, and so on.)
EDIT: FR substitution levels for non-core classes would also be most welcome, but I'm guess that's outside the scope of these articles.
when's the first one? how quickly will they be out there?
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.
First one should be any day now. As for frequency, I'd guess one every few weeks, but I don't see them until you do. There is a lot of similarity to Keith's article (in fact it was the inspiration for the idea of my articles - thanks Keith!). But, there will be some differences. It's quite possible you will see an occasional new mechanic or two, though not always or of any significant quantity.
One important thing is that I try to provide alternative ideas (however briefly) for people who want to use the ideas presented without introducing the classes. It's not alwazs a huge explanation, but it should help a bit.
First one should be any day now. As for frequency, I'd guess one every few weeks, but I don't see them until you do. There is a lot of similarity to Keith's article (in fact it was the inspiration for the idea of my articles - thanks Keith!). But, there will be some differences. It's quite possible you will see an occasional new mechanic or two, though not always or of any significant quantity.
One important thing is that I try to provide alternative ideas (however briefly) for people who want to use the ideas presented without introducing the classes. It's not alwazs a huge explanation, but it should help a bit.
The funny thing is that by the time I see them, there will probably already be several message board threads analzying everything. It reminds me of something Jason Buhlman said last week. Someone had gotten one of those early copies of D&D releases that are available in a few select places and was reading through it before Jason had even finished reading his own copy. I was fortunate to get a PDF of the Magic Item Compendium in January, but most of the time we don't see the books and articles much (if at all) before you all do.
The funny thing is that by the time I see them, there will probably already be several message board threads analzying everything. It reminds me of something Jason Buhlman said last week. Someone had gotten one of those early copies of D&D releases that are available in a few select places and was reading through it before Jason had even finished reading his own copy. I was fortunate to get a PDF of the Magic Item Compendium in January, but most of the time we don't see the books and articles much (if at all) before you all do.
I just hacked WotC and read your article as well as a .pdf of Cormyr: Tearing of the Weave. Looks great!
j/k
*** A Forgotten Realms Addict since 1990 *** Treasures of the Past, a Second Edition Play-by-Post game for and by Candlekeep Sages--http://www.rpol.net/game.cgi?gi=52011
I must say . . . . I'm actually a little weary about this article.
I don't want to criticise your ability Eytan, as I'm a fan of your work, but I hope this series will be offering more than just dry stats, rules, and class options through feats and skills or whatever. I'm hoping for fluff.
Great work Eytan. I really liked this opening chapter, and ironically, it dovetailed rather nicely with what I was writing up for my potential Featherdale campaign regarding Beguilers, Leira, and Baravar Cloakshadow. I also like that you tied Dragon Shamans as being more of a "goblinoid" thing than a common or civilized adventuring class.
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.
Hey Eytan how come you didnt tie the Dragon Sharmans to the Cult of the Dragon, Tchazzar (and the other 2 Ascended Dragons)and the Blood of Morueme?
I thought I did tie them to the Cult of the Dragon. As for the others, partly it was a space consideration and partly, as mentioned by others, I wanted to keep the class somewhat more rustic (likely to be seen among "uncivilized" humans or goblinoids)
Great article indeed . As well as those ethnic groups mentioned in the article, I personally would expect to find dragon shamans amongst the bedine (blue and brass), the barbarians of icewind dale (white), and the nomads of the Land of the Lions (mainly copper). Besides the races already said to have dragon shamans, there are almost certainly several firenewt dragon shamans (all red), and there are probably a few wemic dragon shamans (mainly bronze). If there were such a thing as abyssal dragon shamans, the khaasta would be the perfect fit for them.
EDIT: I'm a bit confused; the opening paragraph of the article mentions new classes from multiple sources, while the second paragraph states that this article is "the first in a series that will provide information on how the PHB II classes can be incorporated into the Realms". Does this mean classes from other sourcebooks won't be covered? I'm hoping this isn't so, as I'd very much like to see the warlock, favored soul, and spellthief make an appearance in this series.
Other sourcebooks will most definitely covered. The article got split into two pieces; the intro was meant to just introduce the fact that the series will be covering classes from a large number of books. That's probably why it's a little confusing in the beginning.
It was a good article, exactly what I was hoping for. I hope some of my faves are covered like scouts, swashbucklers, favored souls, spirit shamans, etc. I would love to see him tackle things like incarnates and swordsages.
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.
quote:I'm honestly not sure how often they will be released. I had originally thought once every two weeks, but then the first article got split into two parts. I'd guess once every 1-2 weeks, but that's just a guess and nothing more.
quote:I'm honestly not sure how often they will be released. I had originally thought once every two weeks, but then the first article got split into two parts. I'd guess once every 1-2 weeks, but that's just a guess and nothing more.
Damn I was hoping the realms was finally going to get weekly articles
I concur. I'd love to see a twist on the Warlock that drops the alignment restrictions for the Realms and relates more directly to the weave than some diabolical ancestry.
quote:Originally posted by nbnmare
Great article indeed . As well as those ethnic groups mentioned in the article, I personally would expect to find dragon shamans amongst the bedine (blue and brass), the barbarians of icewind dale (white), and the nomads of the Land of the Lions (mainly copper). Besides the races already said to have dragon shamans, there are almost certainly several firenewt dragon shamans (all red), and there are probably a few wemic dragon shamans (mainly bronze). If there were such a thing as abyssal dragon shamans, the khaasta would be the perfect fit for them.
EDIT: I'm a bit confused; the opening paragraph of the article mentions new classes from multiple sources, while the second paragraph states that this article is "the first in a series that will provide information on how the PHB II classes can be incorporated into the Realms". Does this mean classes from other sourcebooks won't be covered? I'm hoping this isn't so, as I'd very much like to see the warlock, favored soul, and spellthief make an appearance in this series.
"Nobody listens to the Ranger!"
Our groups are all sticking with 3.X classic Realms.
Other sourcebooks will most definitely covered. The article got split into two pieces; the intro was meant to just introduce the fact that the series will be covering classes from a large number of books. That's probably why it's a little confusing in the beginning.
Outstanding!
"Nobody listens to the Ranger!"
Our groups are all sticking with 3.X classic Realms.
I concur. I'd love to see a twist on the Warlock that drops the alignment restrictions for the Realms and relates more directly to the weave than some diabolical ancestry.
Not I. I prefer the way they were created. Its a good explanation for their "spell like" powers
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.
I concur. I'd love to see a twist on the Warlock that drops the alignment restrictions for the Realms and relates more directly to the weave than some diabolical ancestry.
quote:Originally posted by nbnmare
Great article indeed . As well as those ethnic groups mentioned in the article, I personally would expect to find dragon shamans amongst the bedine (blue and brass), the barbarians of icewind dale (white), and the nomads of the Land of the Lions (mainly copper). Besides the races already said to have dragon shamans, there are almost certainly several firenewt dragon shamans (all red), and there are probably a few wemic dragon shamans (mainly bronze). If there were such a thing as abyssal dragon shamans, the khaasta would be the perfect fit for them.
EDIT: I'm a bit confused; the opening paragraph of the article mentions new classes from multiple sources, while the second paragraph states that this article is "the first in a series that will provide information on how the PHB II classes can be incorporated into the Realms". Does this mean classes from other sourcebooks won't be covered? I'm hoping this isn't so, as I'd very much like to see the warlock, favored soul, and spellthief make an appearance in this series.
You may want to check out Complete Mage then.
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
Eytans new FR article to begin this month
Posted - 09 Feb 2007 : 02:28:35
. As well as those ethnic groups mentioned in the article, I personally would expect to find dragon shamans amongst the bedine (blue and brass), the barbarians of icewind dale (white), and the nomads of the Land of the Lions (mainly copper). Besides the races already said to have dragon shamans, there are almost certainly several firenewt dragon shamans (all red), and there are probably a few wemic dragon shamans (mainly bronze). If there were such a thing as abyssal dragon shamans, the khaasta would be the perfect fit for them.
