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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 03:01:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Warrax
Also, gryphons/griffons were done the best by Mercedes Lackey in the Mage Wars series. :D
Tell that to Wooly! |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Warrax
Learned Scribe
Canada
128 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 03:07:34
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| Send Wooly down! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 04:44:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Warrax
Also, gryphons/griffons were done the best by Mercedes Lackey in the Mage Wars series. :D
Tell that to Wooly!
In some cultures, such words would be cause for a duel. 
Seriously, my dislike for Mercedes Lackey knows no bounds. |
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Warrax
Learned Scribe
Canada
128 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 04:46:51
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| The story isn't all that super-remarkable (unless you're under 13, which I was, in which case it was awesome). But the treatment of gryphons was really interesting because they were described as sentient, rather than the typical ornery, dim creatures we find in DND. They were sentient, free-thinking individuals, some were spell-casters, others scouts, warriors, etc. They were a whole separate sapient race created by the wizard Urtho, and I thought it was an intriguing and different take on the race. |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3740 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 18:59:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Warrax
It includes the Expanded Psionics Handbook, a bunch of monster stuff, the core books, the epic level handbook, Unearthed Arcana... at least those. I don't think there's anything besides that, though, certainly nothing from the Complete Books or any of the Tome-type supplements, nor the Heroes of series.
-Hmm, maybe it's in [i]Unearthed Arcana[i/]. While I do have that book, it's only in digital form, so maybe I've overlooked it in the couple of times I've scrolled through it. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2012 : 04:10:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Warrax
The story isn't all that super-remarkable (unless you're under 13, which I was, in which case it was awesome). But the treatment of gryphons was really interesting because they were described as sentient, rather than the typical ornery, dim creatures we find in DND. They were sentient, free-thinking individuals, some were spell-casters, others scouts, warriors, etc. They were a whole separate sapient race created by the wizard Urtho, and I thought it was an intriguing and different take on the race.
Though I don't dislike Lackey's books, (I've read a few), I think her griffons are just a bit overpowered. I like animals/magical creatures as supporting characters, not as main ones. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Warrax
Learned Scribe
Canada
128 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2012 : 04:55:11
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That's somewhat humanocentric and speciesist of you, Dennis. For shame. :D
Still, that's cool; not everyone can appreciate what those stories were about, which was shifting the focus away from people to another perspective. The whole idea was to explore the restrictions of a created race under the thumb of a wizard, and the contrast between the benevolent wizard (Urtho) and the malevolent one (Ma'ar). If you read it from a certain point of view, there's a great deal of discourse beneath the surface of the plot.
Meantime, the griffons are not overpowered. They are sapient. Consequently, they have strengths and weaknesses concurrent with what you might expect from other sapient races, like a human who is capable of fashioning an entire race of sapient beings... whom you apparently do not consider overpowered. :D
It's all good, man, it's all point of view. Like anything, you have to read it in a certain frame of mind to appreciate it, and sometimes that's not the experience you're seeking when you get into a story, so it isn't as much fun for one person as the next. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2012 : 05:02:23
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I'm humanocentric. There's no shame in that. I'm a human being, in the first place. Are you ashamed of being human?
Lackey's books are fine for a quick read. I did like some of her characters too, specially those that, for whatever reason, she chose to kill off. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Warrax
Learned Scribe
Canada
128 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2012 : 05:26:31
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There's no shame in being human, but there is shame in excessive bias against non-human sapient races! :p
Naughty Dennis!
But really, as I said, it's all in how you read it. If you choose to be disinterested because the mains aren't human, that's cool, that's one POV and there is plenty of material out there for you to read instead. Personally, I happen to think it was an intriguing take and a new perspective that was refreshing for me to read, but that's because I read into it specific details that may or may not have even been intentional. :D |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2012 : 05:58:37
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I've read a number of novels whose main characters are not humans, and I loved some of them. It's not merely the cast's humanity, or lack thereof that makes me grab a book. There are so many factors. Though, I must admit, I don't usually read that type. Specially the very 'elfy' ones. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Alruane
Senior Scribe
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2013 : 22:52:36
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If I were to have a familiar, it would definitely be a bat. I love bats.  |
" I wonder if you are destined to be forgotten. Will your life fade in the shadow of greater beings?"
~Joneleth Irenicus
"Wisdom? My dear boy, wisdom is knowing that you do not know everything. Wisdom is realizing, a wise man ALWAYS has questions. Not answers."
~Alruane |
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
1847 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2013 : 00:09:58
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| Advanced/Other. I don't normally use familiars but when I do I generally prefer something exotic. |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Kusghuul
Acolyte
Norway
33 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2013 : 13:21:51
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| Tressym <3 |
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Ilmarinnen
Acolyte
Ukraine
29 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2013 : 13:03:02
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Noone summons familiars now!
The risk to lose 200XP/level frightens them too much.
In my games none of 7 PC wizards did.
And 6 of them were conjurers with Abrupt jaunt option (PHB2). |
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Which familiar do you prefer for your wizard?
