Answering Questions about Draconomicon: Metallic Dragons (was: Primal Power Preview)

[Mouseferatu]

Hey, nice work on the book, Ari

Thanks.

I will, for the moment, refrain from complaining about other people getting copies before the authors do, and will simply say I'm looking forward to seeing it myself.

 

[Mouseferatu]

BTW, I see zero harm in saying that, at one point during design, what is now the "orium dragon" was indeed the "orichalcum dragon." I've no better idea than anyone else why it might've been changed.

 

[Nahat Anoj]

BTW, I see zero harm in saying that, at one point during design, what is now the "orium dragon" was indeed the "orichalcum dragon." I've no better idea than anyone else why it might've been changed.

Here are my theories...

1) Too many similarities between alchemical "gold" and real gold
2) They didn't want it too look like Exalted
3) They thought "orichalcum" was too hard for the average person to pronounce
4) They wanted to find a way to tie in Red Steel

 

[Rechan]

1) Too many similarities between alchemical "gold" and real gold
2) They didn't want it too look like Exalted

That ship sailed when they put in encounter (scene) long powers, used Primordials and Spirits as big important aspects of the setting, and set the Shadowfell as a dual reflection of the real world.

Hell. The Abyssal Genasi article author admitted on his blog that he was inspired after reading some corrupted Dragon-Blooded fan creation.

But then, I think Exalted is the bees knees, so more similarities are cool with me.

 

[Nahat Anoj]

That ship sailed when they put in encounter (scene) long powers, used Primordials and Spirits as big important aspects of the setting, and set the Shadowfell as a dual reflection of the real world.

Hell. The Abyssal Genasi article author admitted on his blog that he was inspired after reading some corrupted Dragon-Blooded fan creation.

Yeah, I remember when 4e setting info was released describing the ancient conflict between the gods and primordials, the cynic in me wondered if WotC was going to be sued!

But then, I think Exalted is the bees knees, so more similarities are cool with me.

Same here.

 

[AllisterH]

2 reasons why I can think of.

1. Orium as a word by itself, WOTC can claim total ownership. Orium is a suffix (crematorium, auditorium) that denotes a place where something (cremation and listening respectively) occurs.

2. Orichalcum gets misspelt a lot AND personally, I'm a little unclear as to how to actually pronounce it.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

Ok, I'm curious what kind of Kobolds are there in that book? since you mentioned them.

And do Mercury Dragons get radiant breath, and those blinding beams of light as their attacks?

 

[MrMyth]

The Gray Dragon, among other things, has a breath weapon. It's also intelligent.

IIRC, the fang dragon:

Had no breath weapon,
Was brown-yellow,
Relatively animal intellect.

If we get a "Yellow dragon", I bet that would be the Fang.

I think the fang dragon was often portrayed as gray from the start... and while more 'feral' than other dragons, I think it remained intelligent at heart.

As others mentioned, the Gray Dragon is indeed the new Fang Dragon - but as I recall, the Draconomicon had specific explanations for the changes. Something along the lines of Tiamat purging the race of the ones that had devolved from standard dragonkind, I believe - though I don't have it on hand to confirm. On the one hand, the Fang Dragon was pretty cool and unique in its original form... on the other, it did always feel weird how different it was from other dragons, and with the removal of ability damage in 4E, I can see why they wanted to remake it as more akin to the rest.

 

[catastrophic]

Yayyy Bronze dragons are back!
Are they still semi-aquatic and fight pirates and stuff?

That ship sailed when they put in encounter (scene) long powers, used Primordials and Spirits as big important aspects of the setting, and set the Shadowfell as a dual reflection of the real world.

Hell. The Abyssal Genasi article author admitted on his blog that he was inspired after reading some corrupted Dragon-Blooded fan creation.

But then, I think Exalted is the bees knees, so more similarities are cool with me.

I think that ship sailed when Exalted 1st ed was released and the Solar castes were clearly inspired by Fighters, Clerics, Mages, and Rogues.

 

[Logan_Bonner]

Does each new metallic have a full page portrait, like Drac I did? Not expecting them to, but I love big art! (although the grey's was disappointing)

Each dragon has a half-page illo.

BTW, I see zero harm in saying that, at one point during design, what is now the "orium dragon" was indeed the "orichalcum dragon." I've no better idea than anyone else why it might've been changed.

Basically, orichalcum was a real-world mythological term, which is cool. But it was too difficult to pronounce given the relatively small number of people who've heard of it. At one point, the plan was to change it to cinnabar! (I tried my best to make that not happen. )