Recent content by Alas

As a DM, I try to tailor adventures to my PCs' traits and specialties. However, there's six of them and one of me, so there comes a point when irregularly used abilities fall off my encounter-design radar. If you decide to keep the Use Rope skill (and I'm not saying you're obliged to), be...

It certainly raises my expectations for the next Draconomicon. :)

That's pretty much how changelings (doppelgangers) work, as presented in the Eberron Player's Guide. Their Charisma bonus is fixed, and they get to choose an Intelligence bonus or a Dexterity bonus.

I was so-so on the article until I saw the Monster Manual shout-out in the epic destiny. The seven canaries? Awesome.

The changeling killed it and took its schtick (so to speak). :) I'll see the Giff and raise the Xixchil-- scalpel-fingered body-modding space kreen!

Hollowfaust has a lot of little gems in it, such as why their necromancers dress the way they do. Their "college" is primarily underground, in dank old volcanic tunnels (the "faust" in Hollowfaust is a dormant/extinct volcano). Because the tunnels drip, they wear broad brimmed hats; because of...

Brainstorming Ravenloft for 4e I loved Ravenloft back when it came out, and even got to run a couple games in it before my players were distracted by Spelljammer. I missed out on the 3rd ed conversions for it, but 4th ed's Shadowfell rekindled my interest in the old domains of dread, and has me...

I will support your theory if you expand it to include such non-D&D platypuses as HOL, TORG, and FASA's Doctor Who RPG. ;)

I'm reminded of a scene from the early Cerebus comics, when Cerebus would walk into a seedy bar, say, "Hey, you!" and whip a 15-lb. bag of flour at the assembled patrons. Narrative result: everybody takes it personally, and gets ready to charge him. D&D translation: area attack marked all...

I've read through the entire thread, but I still feel like I'm coming late to the party, so I hope my question doesn't sound impertinent-- but can you clarify what at-wills take from the game? In my understanding, at-wills are one of the design spaces where a class's schtick resides. Rogue...

Was that really the cover for Issue 97? They used the same art a few years later in the Dragonlance: Taladas boxed set. I love that picture.

I myself am partial to the stop-animation Wind in the Willows as a model for talking-animal adventures.

I was going to stick with birds-for-toothbrushes, but you've certainly given me an idea for a racial feat or two. (Or is that only crocodiles?)

I have no idea why the giff appeal to me as much as they do. Maybe it was the monocle in the original Spelljammer artwork, maybe it's the fact that hippos are so far from the predictable fantasy line up of wolves, foxes, and great cats. I recognize the ridiculousness of gun toting space hippos...

I'm pleased to see that the gnome will be getting a little of the old cantrip magic back, even if it is just an encounter power.