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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11809 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Oct 2007 : 20:15:08
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quote:
Originally posted by dalor_darden
What sort of 4e predictions for the map do any of you have?
I'm thinking the Semphari are going to move in and conquer Mulhorand and the Civil War in Thay is going to totally nuke that kingdom as is...possibly allowing the Rashemi and the Witches some hand in what was once Thay.
The Simbul has said in the past (in the 2nd Ed. Seven Sisters book) that after she saw to the fall of Thay, it would be time for the nations of Mulhorand and Unther to fall to her plans as well! Will the Simbul have a direct hand in the destruction of these Empires? Makes me wonder just what may happen.
Drizzt hints that Sembia is in a seeming shambles...and we have hints in the latest WotC works that a civil war erupts. I'm thinking Cormyr will grab pieces of Sembia; but the Shades and Elves are both going to dip their hands in right alongside the Purple Dragons and the Black Network.
Anyone else have any predictions?
I think Thay will still exist, but things won't be divided along schools of magic any longer. Or rather, not along the classic schools of magic. Also, without their superior control of weather magic, their crops may become scarce and they may end up killing off many of their slaves so they don't have to feed them. I see Thay becoming much more strongly ruled by the necromancers, but I also see them being one of the first to get their schools of magic back online. As a nation, I see the wizards not having as strong a control any longer, and the various priesthoods taking a more active role (of course, this all depends on how the spellplague affects divine casters).
In the interim, I don't see Rashemen or Thesk seeking expansion. Its not in their best interests as both are scattered anyway. Aglarond may take advantage of the situation to destroy some Thayan personnel/militia, but if they do so, it will be without the Simbul's guidance. Mulhorand as well may seek to recover some of their land, but that depends on how the Mulhorandi pantheon fares. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2007 : 23:44:59
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quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
I think Thay will still exist, but things won't be divided along schools of magic any longer. Or rather, not along the classic schools of magic. Also, without their superior control of weather magic, their crops may become scarce and they may end up killing off many of their slaves so they don't have to feed them. I see Thay becoming much more strongly ruled by the necromancers, but I also see them being one of the first to get their schools of magic back online.
Except that there won't necromancers in 4E anymore! Or rather, they'll most likely appear as one of the Prestige Classes in PHB II or some other book.  
I am a bit worried that with the extinction of the classic schools of magic and the specialist wizards, FR will be overrun with these "new skool" (trained by one of the 4E 'traditions') invoker/elementalists...  |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2007 : 23:53:04
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| Rich mentioned that down the line they may do a whole dedicated necromancer or illusionist class that has much different feel than a "specialist" wizard. Its an interesting concept, but obviously this won't be "in place" while the new Realms are being defined, which means that once they are ready to go, they'll end up being "add ons" instead of integrated parts. |
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Darkmeer
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2007 : 00:30:42
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Rich mentioned that down the line they may do a whole dedicated necromancer or illusionist class that has much different feel than a "specialist" wizard. Its an interesting concept, but obviously this won't be "in place" while the new Realms are being defined, which means that once they are ready to go, they'll end up being "add ons" instead of integrated parts.
Actually, the beguiler would be a great fit for a "specialist wizard" in a non-traditional way. IF that is the case, then we'll see something similar.
/d |
"These people are my family, not just friends, and if you want to get to them you gotta go through ME." |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2007 : 00:35:09
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Yeah, when they mentioned that some classes and rules were "tests" for ideas in 4th edition, I did think of Beguilers.
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Darkmeer
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2007 : 01:29:25
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so Gnomes will be in the Player's handbook 2 along with Beguilers, and we'll have gnomes that tinker and play with illusions and are actually GOOD at both?
Sorry, just my rambling at this point.
/d |
"These people are my family, not just friends, and if you want to get to them you gotta go through ME." |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2007 : 01:35:37
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Well, it almost sounds like they may be going back to something similar to 1st Edition! There, you could be an Illusionist as a sep. class and then become a wizard...I have always missed it that way. I never understood why they took away the Illusionist Class...but didn't get rid of the Druid class in the conversion to 2e.
I'll like it a great deal more if they have sep. classes again...although it of course would have drawbacks. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Darkmeer
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2007 : 01:59:40
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quote:
Originally posted by dalor_darden
Well, it almost sounds like they may be going back to something similar to 1st Edition! There, you could be an Illusionist as a sep. class and then become a wizard...I have always missed it that way. I never understood why they took away the Illusionist Class...but didn't get rid of the Druid class in the conversion to 2e.
I'll like it a great deal more if they have sep. classes again...although it of course would have drawbacks.
I believe it was Fantasy Flight who did the "school of" series of books, but they are quite nice, and usually had a base class associated with them. Also, there was the Secret College of Necromancy by Green Ronin.
It's been done, mostly by 3rd party as of right now. Many parts of the new edition seem to be compilations of what rules they like, and I'll include Saga Edition Star Wars (read: Spycraft hodgepodge Star Wars) into this.
The drawback is that wizards are "weaker" choices due to focus.
I dunno, I can see it both ways. We have Warmages, Beguilers, and Shadow Adepts (ToM) that fit thematically. We could use an Abjurer and Transmuter type, but that's for us to do with our own 3.5 stuff 
/d |
"These people are my family, not just friends, and if you want to get to them you gotta go through ME." |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2007 : 07:29:46
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quote:
Originally posted by dalor_darden
I'm thinking the Semphari are going to move in and conquer Mulhorand...
If you read the GHotR carefully, T'u Lung is going to ally with Mulhorand against Shou Lung, which means Semphar will be the BATTLEGROUND, not the agressor.
Given Imaskar's return and their ancient connections to the Shou, we are looking at a bloodbath and complete reworking of the eastern realms. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 02 Oct 2007 07:30:23 |
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Wizbane
Acolyte
36 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2007 : 07:44:34
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With 30 levels in the core, I hope they'll streamline the system by having only a few archetypical basic classes (wizard, fighter, priest, rogue,..) and more low level (5-7) evolutionary prestige classes (specialist wizards, specialist priests, and personally I would hope also paladin, druid, bard, spellsword(?) etc.). Only in the 15-20 lvl range other more specific prestige classes could then kick in (divine champion, archmage, etc.).
BTW, since it's never too early to ask, has anybody launched a list of FR "most wanted prestige classes" for the FRCS? We're going to get only a limited number of them I guess (8? 10?)
Also, as a personal request, despite the good articles appeared lately in the WotC site, I would voice for a limited number of "official" FR classes/prestige classes, and not for the Eberron way of "everything applies".
I'm still wondering what the hell a "mind mage" is. I started reading Shadowbred...
*edited: multiple spelling errors...  |
Edited by - Wizbane on 02 Oct 2007 07:47:51 |
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Sian
Senior Scribe
Denmark
596 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2007 : 08:14:55
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| Mind mage is as far as i remember a relatively old term of Psionics |
what happened to the queen? she's much more hysterical than usual
She's a women, it happens once a month |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2007 : 18:21:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Wizbane
Also, as a personal request, despite the good articles appeared lately in the WotC site, I would voice for a limited number of "official" FR classes/prestige classes, and not for the Eberron way of "everything applies".
Unfortunetly, I don't see this being the case.
It does not fit with the "all rules apply everywhere" initiative they are embracing with 4e.
However, only time will tell. The new rules appear to be very interesting, and I will most likely use them....
somewhere. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11809 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2007 : 22:03:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Wizbane
BTW, since it's never too early to ask, has anybody launched a list of FR "most wanted prestige classes" for the FRCS? We're going to get only a limited number of them I guess (8? 10?)
I was thinking about doing this, but then the problem strongly comes down to what groups are still going to exist. I mean, really, something like divine champion, arcane devotee, divine disciple, divine seeker, magelord, runecaster, etc... are generic enough that it doesn't need to be a realms based prestige class.
So, if Thay won't be around, why would there be a red wizard prestige class. If red wizards aren't around, then why a Thayan Knight or Thayan Gladiator? What about the witches of Rashemen? Halruaan adepts? PrC's for specific gods who may be dead? Do the harpers still exist? What about the group that Khelben had formed up (Silverstars was it?)? Elven High Mages? Do the Zhents fall apart with Cormanthyr so close? What about the cult of the Dragon without Sammaster to lead them? Is Dambrath still around? If we're talking about 100 years, a lot may have changed. If only 10, dunno. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2007 : 04:07:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
quote:
Originally posted by dalor_darden
I'm thinking the Semphari are going to move in and conquer Mulhorand...
If you read the GHotR carefully, T'u Lung is going to ally with Mulhorand against Shou Lung, which means Semphar will be the BATTLEGROUND, not the agressor.
Given Imaskar's return and their ancient connections to the Shou, we are looking at a bloodbath and complete reworking of the eastern realms.
I did catch that the Emporer of Tu'Lung had come to Mulhorand...but I also realize that when any major conquest occurs, the aggressor is usually required to bring peace and order to its conquest. Since Mulhorand has not expanded by use of client kingdoms like the Romans did...they require their forces to spread out into Unther to pacify the locals...not counting the losses they had during the long war of conquest. Not only that...but Mulhorand would have to, in 100 years, expand so far beyond their former conquests as to essentially make their empire twice the size it has ever been...and that just to reach the border of Shou'Lung (not to mention needing to pacify lands in between).
Semphar on the other hand was left behind with its forces relatively intact after the Tuigan conquered them. Not only that...but the Semphari had little loss of resources either; AND they have gained Tuigan. They have no neighbors with the manpower to come at them again (it should take at least two generations for the Tuigan to rebuild their numbers). The only threat I see to Semphar would be Mulhorand...and it expanded at a costly rate in the other direction.
I just see a similar thing that happened in earth history...to me the Semphari resemble either the Turks...or after their coming to the middle-east, the armies of Tamerlane (also Turkish peoples).
If they allow the Deep Imaskari to pull off something similar to what Shade did...well, that is boring to me. I don't see the Imaskari coming back as strong as the lords of Shade did.
I could be wrong though...lol |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Ayunken-vanzan
Senior Scribe
Germany
657 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2007 : 08:14:48
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quote:
Originally posted by dalor_darden
If they allow the Deep Imaskari to pull off something similar to what Shade did...well, that is boring to me. I don't see the Imaskari coming back as strong as the lords of Shade did.
I agree, since there is no sign that the Deep Imaskari has any expansionist ambitions. The descriptions in Underdark show that their expansionist area was centuries ago and aimed exclusively to other plains (which went horribly wrong). Even after the seal has been broken, most of the people prefer to continue their reclusive life. |
"What mattered our lives now? When our world had been torn from us? Folk wept, or drank, or stood staring out over the land, wondering what new horror each dawn would bring."
Elender Stormfall of Suzail
"Anyone can kill deities, cause plagues, or destroy organizations. It takes real skill to make them live on."
Varl
FR/D&D-Links • 2ed Downloads |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2007 : 23:47:20
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@dalor_darden - You do realize that Hubadai Kahan, the son of Yamun Kahan, has set up an immense kingdom just to the north of Semphar, right?
And technically, the way things were left at the end there, Semphar was a vassal state of the Tuigan. In the past, they were a vassal state of Mulhorand, Shou Lung, and Imaskar.
Semphar has a history of being conquered, not the conqueror. Also, Murghom is on their border and part of Mulhorand, and Murghom retains 90% of it's military along it's border with Semphar.
Lastly, when Semphar was part of Mulhorand (just prior to the Tuigan War), that meant that the Mulhorandi border was practically on top of the Shou Lung one. Refer to my Hordelands map in the map section of this site. Although the area batween the two mountain ranges got 'squished' between editions, you can still see the two were relatively close.
Hopefully, I will have the newer version of that map posted soon, showing some of the details that were added in the Dragon article (I'm not home, so I don't recall the number). There are at least two new kingdoms that exist now.
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"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 05 Oct 2007 21:26:36 |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2007 : 02:32:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
@dalor_darden - You do realize that the Hubadai Kahan, the son of Yamun Kahan, has set up an immense kingdom just to the north of Semphar, right?
And technically, the way things were left at the end there, Semphar was a vassal state of the Tuigan. In the past, they were a vassal state of Mulhorand, Shou Lung, and Imaskar.
Semphar has a history of being conquered, not the conqueror. Also, Murghom is on their border and part of Mulhorand, and Murghom retains 90% of it's military along it's border with Semphar.
Lastly, when Semphar was part of Mulhorand (just prior to the Tuigan War), that meant that the Mulhorandi border was practicvally on top of the Shou Lung one. Refer to my Hordelands map in the map section of this site. Although the area batween the two mountain ranges got 'squished' between editions, you can still see the two were relatively close.
Hopefully, I will have the newer version of that map posted soon, showing some of the details that were added in the Dragon article (I'm not home, so I don't recall the number). There are at least two new kingdoms that exist now.
I do remember that the Tuigan still have a kingdom...that has lost over 100,000 of its warriors! They were utterly crushed in the twin disasters of Rashemi slaughter and the Golden Way. If I remember off the top of my head, there are only roughly a little more than 150k people in all of the Tuigan kingdom...and I'll wager (if anyone at WotC cares about suspension of disbelief) that most of those are not really warrior capable. That is why I said they are going to need at least two generations to recover and become a true threat again. True, that could be only fifty years from when the horde was broken in Thesk...but Semphar on the other hand has had not only the long lasting cultural uplifting coming from contact with Mulhorand (which they actually broke away from before being conquered by the Tuigan); but also an influx of very new and highly effective military tactics brought by the Tuigan.
The Tuigan are going to be nearly unbeatable in the steppe and plains of their home...even with reduced numbers...but unable to advance again on any other nation.
As for Murghom...they are a vassal state of Mulhorand...that has semi-autonomous rule if I remember right? Also, Murghom had no need for a large military as it relied on the military might of Mulhorand to defend it.
Already talked about how Mulhorand stretched thin...
The Shou'Lung Empire is still stinging from their handling by the Tuigan...the loss of the Wall to the Tuigan, in my thinking, would have put the Shou in a defensive posture until they can ensure their borders are protected. Hard to do when the majority of your military is in place along your southern border against another empire. Unless Shou'Lung takes Tu'Lung back...they are too distracted for expansion again.
I know there is lots of magic to take into consideration...but over all, I see the resource rich Semphari with their heavy infantry and Tuigan style cavalry to be on par with other fantasy setting Middle-Eastern style powers. The Turanian/Hyrkanians of Hyboria, the Bakluni of Greyhawk and others.
Here is something to consider:
In the history of our own world, most nations that have a history of conquest by other neighbors, but a continued prosperity and building of culture, ultimately becomes the new aggressor when others around them fall by the wayside of strength and durability...especially in the fertile crescent area of the middle-east.
So I see a Semphari Empire coming.
Just my two bits... |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2007 : 03:57:12
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| Shou Lung has a particularly thorny issue to deal with if it wants to march an army west into Semphâr. I see no reason why the new undead rulers of Ra-Khati and Khazari would allow such a force to pass through its borders. |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2007 : 04:00:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
Shou Lung has a particularly thorny issue to deal with if it wants to march an army west into Semphâr. I see no reason why the new undead rulers of Ra-Khati and Khazari would allow such a force to pass through its borders.
]
So . . . no Dahli Llama? |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2007 : 04:11:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
Shou Lung has a particularly thorny issue to deal with if it wants to march an army west into Semphâr. I see no reason why the new undead rulers of Ra-Khati and Khazari would allow such a force to pass through its borders.
Where did I miss the Undead army conquest of Khazari and Ra-Khati?
Am I remembering something I read in the GHotR...or what?
EDIT: Tan Chin was the undead fella that conquered that area...but he got killed...I didn't think his hold on Khazari and Ra-Khati stuck after his death...guess I was wrong. :-)
Soooo...guess I'm still thinking that Semphar could have a good show in the coming years! |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
Edited by - Dalor Darden on 04 Oct 2007 04:31:41 |
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Mkhaiwati
Learned Scribe
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2007 : 14:21:54
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The latest news at EnWorld has a quote from James Wyatt. WotC has given in to fans and will not advance the Eberron timeline by two years. Any changes to magic just sort of happen, which I guess is a way of saying "it has always been like that".
Eberron fans are ecstatic, but FR still gets altered. I don't understand why WOtC has the double standard.
quote:
James Wyatt latest blog entry states that they will not be advancing the Eberron timeline 2 years.
Hey Eberron fans,
I'm very pleased to be able to take a break from my work on the Player's Handbook to come on the boards today and tell you something I think you'll be happy to hear:
We hear you.
We've decided that the 4E Eberron Campaign Setting will not advance the timeline of the setting. The campaign starting year will still be 998YK, and we won't present major changes to the setting except as necessary to bring 4E elements into the world.
It's my hope that we'll be able to sketch out possible directions that events might take, but do that in the same way we do in our 3E sourcebooks—as options, possibilities, suggestions you might want to incorporate into your game. That's how we'll sneak in some of the ideas we've been kicking around.
Novels won't become canon. The world won't change according to the events of The Draconic Prophecies or any other novel. Your campaign will remain your campaign.
Let me thank you all again for your love for Eberron and the passion you put into your games. As exasperated as I get sometimes, you folks are the reason I do and love my job.
Keep playing!
Edit to correct any language possibly offensive to Eberron fans. Disgust with WotC designers, not with the other setting. |
"Behold the work of the old... let your heritage not be lost but bequeath it as a memory, treasure and blessing... Gather the lost and the hidden and preserve it for thy children."
"not nale. not-nale. thog help nail not-nale, not nale. and thog knot not-nale while nale nail not-nale. nale, not not-nale, now nail not-nale by leaving not-nale, not nale, in jail." OotS #367 |
Edited by - Mkhaiwati on 04 Oct 2007 17:02:42 |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2007 : 14:36:05
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
So . . . no Dahli Llama?
Alas no. The late Dahli Llama did not survive the invasion.
quote:
Originally posted by dalor_darden
Tan Chin was the undead fella that conquered that area...but he got killed...I didn't think his hold on Khazari and Ra-Khati stuck after his death...guess I was wrong. :-)
It is indeed curious that the undead legions didn't disperse following Tan Chin's apparent demise in the Year of the Helm, 1362 DR. |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2007 : 14:41:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Mkhaiwati
The latest news at EnWorld has a quote from James Wyatt. WotC has given in to fans and will not advance the Eberron timeline by two years. Any changes to magic just sort of happen, which I guess is a way of saying "it has always been like that".
Eberron fans are ecstatic, but FR still gets the shaft. I guess all fans are not created equal.
quote:
James Wyatt latest blog entry states that they will not be advancing the Eberron timeline 2 years.
Hey Eberron fans,
I'm very pleased to be able to take a break from my work on the Player's Handbook to come on the boards today and tell you something I think you'll be happy to hear:
We hear you.
We've decided that the 4E Eberron Campaign Setting will not advance the timeline of the setting. The campaign starting year will still be 998YK, and we won't present major changes to the setting except as necessary to bring 4E elements into the world.
It's my hope that we'll be able to sketch out possible directions that events might take, but do that in the same way we do in our 3E sourcebooks—as options, possibilities, suggestions you might want to incorporate into your game. That's how we'll sneak in some of the ideas we've been kicking around.
Novels won't become canon. The world won't change according to the events of The Draconic Prophecies or any other novel. Your campaign will remain your campaign.
Let me thank you all again for your love for Eberron and the passion you put into your games. As exasperated as I get sometimes, you folks are the reason I do and love my job.
Keep playing!
All I can say is: congrats to them.
Going to get messy around here now... |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4687 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2007 : 17:37:59
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| Well I was so pleased by that piece of news, but what is, will be. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2007 : 21:00:29
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So in other words it was not the 4E changes to the magic system is not the reason why they blew up Faerun.
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sparhawk42
Learned Scribe
104 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2007 : 21:23:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Mkhaiwati
The latest news at EnWorld has a quote from James Wyatt. WotC has given in to fans and will not advance the Eberron timeline by two years. Any changes to magic just sort of happen, which I guess is a way of saying "it has always been like that".
Eberron fans are ecstatic, but FR still gets altered. I don't understand why WOtC has the double standard.
quote:
James Wyatt latest blog entry states that they will not be advancing the Eberron timeline 2 years.
Hey Eberron fans,
I'm very pleased to be able to take a break from my work on the Player's Handbook to come on the boards today and tell you something I think you'll be happy to hear:
We hear you.
We've decided that the 4E Eberron Campaign Setting will not advance the timeline of the setting. The campaign starting year will still be 998YK, and we won't present major changes to the setting except as necessary to bring 4E elements into the world.
It's my hope that we'll be able to sketch out possible directions that events might take, but do that in the same way we do in our 3E sourcebooks—as options, possibilities, suggestions you might want to incorporate into your game. That's how we'll sneak in some of the ideas we've been kicking around.
Novels won't become canon. The world won't change according to the events of The Draconic Prophecies or any other novel. Your campaign will remain your campaign.
Let me thank you all again for your love for Eberron and the passion you put into your games. As exasperated as I get sometimes, you folks are the reason I do and love my job.
Keep playing!
Edit to correct any language possibly offensive to Eberron fans. Disgust with WotC designers, not with the other setting.
I just don't understand why they won't just come out and tell us how far they are moving the setting ahead.  |
You never fail until you stop trying. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2007 : 21:35:01
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quote:
Originally posted by RodOdom
So in other words it was not the 4E changes to the magic system is not the reason why they blew up Faerun.
It's like I been saying all along - the advance in the timeline didn't have anything to do with the rules changes. The writers ran out of room to write, so they moved the timeline forward (note that the guy in charge of novel development played a pivotal role in FR's future). We were complaining a bit too loudly about the RSEs and other meta-plots happening in too quick succession, and they agreed with that part. However, they weren't about to get rid of their novel cash cow, so instead gamers were forced to 'take one for the team'. It wasn't for us, the fans and players, but rather for them, so they can continue to write novels in the hundred years between settings/timelines. It is a time without rules (between editions), so the prima-donna authors can write whatever they like and not be challenged as to it's 'canoness' or continuity.
It has become a setting for novels - forget playing a game in this. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 05 Oct 2007 21:39:25 |
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sparhawk42
Learned Scribe
104 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2007 : 22:46:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
quote:
Originally posted by RodOdom
So in other words it was not the 4E changes to the magic system is not the reason why they blew up Faerun.
It's like I been saying all along - the advance in the timeline didn't have anything to do with the rules changes. The writers ran out of room to write, so they moved the timeline forward (note that the guy in charge of novel development played a pivotal role in FR's future). We were complaining a bit too loudly about the RSEs and other meta-plots happening in too quick succession, and they agreed with that part. However, they weren't about to get rid of their novel cash cow, so instead gamers were forced to 'take one for the team'. It wasn't for us, the fans and players, but rather for them, so they can continue to write novels in the hundred years between settings/timelines. It is a time without rules (between editions), so the prima-donna authors can write whatever they like and not be challenged as to it's 'canoness' or continuity.
It has become a setting for novels - forget playing a game in this.
But this is only speculation until we find out exactly how far ahead they are moving the setting, right? |
You never fail until you stop trying. |
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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2007 : 21:21:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
quote:
Originally posted by RodOdom
So in other words it was not the 4E changes to the magic system is not the reason why they blew up Faerun.
It's like I been saying all along - the advance in the timeline didn't have anything to do with the rules changes. The writers ran out of room to write, so they moved the timeline forward (note that the guy in charge of novel development played a pivotal role in FR's future). We were complaining a bit too loudly about the RSEs and other meta-plots happening in too quick succession, and they agreed with that part. However, they weren't about to get rid of their novel cash cow, so instead gamers were forced to 'take one for the team'. It wasn't for us, the fans and players, but rather for them, so they can continue to write novels in the hundred years between settings/timelines. It is a time without rules (between editions), so the prima-donna authors can write whatever they like and not be challenged as to it's 'canoness' or continuity.
It has become a setting for novels - forget playing a game in this.
I think they are making 4e specifically to be played in and to smooth out the gamers experience.
I think it will be hard for fans of current novels to adjust, but the changes that are coming could be very exciting. The mechanics are going to make play so much smoother, I think the 4e Realms will be much better just from a gameplay standpoint.
In the latest Wizards podcast on monster design, for example, the Drow are referred to as Fey. Monsters in general are being broken down by role, or theme, such as soldier (front line), artillery (ranged attack, Skirmisher (sneaky dodger) and Controller/Hexer (commander or magic user).
This makes it so much easier to pick and pull monsters from the MM to design challenging encounters. You know you need a couple of soldiers for the front, an artillery or two for back and a skirmisher to flank! It is super easy, and the monsters have powers that are relevant to their description, gnoll soldiers, for example, will have powers that are activated when they are attacking in packs, as dogs would. This makes so much more sense the differentiating humanoids by hit dice, etc.
I think once people actually sit down and play with 4e mechanics, there will be little love lost for 3/3.5 Edition. |
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Caedwyr
Seeker
87 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2007 : 21:25:41
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quote:
Monsters in general are being broken down by role, or theme, such as soldier (front line), artillery (ranged attack, Skirmisher (sneaky dodger) and Controller/Hexer (commander or magic user).
This makes it so much easier to pick and pull monsters from the MM to design challenging encounters. You know you need a couple of soldiers for the front, an artillery or two for back and a skirmisher to flank! It is super easy, and the monsters have powers that are relevant to their description, gnoll soldiers, for example, will have powers that are activated when they are attacking in packs, as dogs would. This makes so much more sense the differentiating humanoids by hit dice, etc.
It also makes it much easier to introduce tabletop wargaming and minatures to the system as well. |
Edited by - Caedwyr on 06 Oct 2007 21:27:50 |
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D&D 4e Discussion Scroll
