March and Beyond

[SparqMan]

So much for the super-duper-proofing process choking the flow of online articles. Happens to the best of us.

 

[SkidAce]

Alas, the Black Hound was a paragon path chosen earlier in the book's development (since, as mentioned in the original article, I was drawn to any paragon path thematically tied to dogs!). However, it did not make the final book, and was swapped out with the Shadow Thief. Apologies for the confusion.

Anyone print it to pdf before it went away? Sounded interesting but work kept me from seeing it.

 

[Zaran]

Really glad to see that Heroes of Shadow hasn't fallen by the wayside. My impression is that my favourite sorts of characters will be contained within that book; those who walk the line between good and evil.

Someone who takes a live dog and turns them into a undead shadow creature is just outright evil. That line has been crossed.

 

[Zaukrie]

I love what they previewed, but I felt like I was looking at April and beyond....

I am looking forward to all three books.

 

[twilsemail]

Someone who takes a live dog and turns them into a undead shadow creature is just outright evil. That line has been crossed.

The dog/wolf doesn't actually die. It's infused with Shadow essence, much like your PC probably is. Heck you can refluff the thing Pet Cemetary style and just have it be your darling companion animal brought back from the other side.

That line is really blurry. I think that upsets most people. There's a reason most of existence sits somewhere in Unaligned.

 

[Zaran]

The dog/wolf doesn't actually die. It's infused with Shadow essence, much like your PC probably is. Heck you can refluff the thing Pet Cemetary style and just have it be your darling companion animal brought back from the other side.

That line is really blurry. I think that upsets most people. There's a reason most of existence sits somewhere in Unaligned.

Shadow essence is just PC version of Necromancy. So you are correct they don't actually die, they are made undead. I do not agree with people who think Necromancy can be used for good, the twisting of anything's life force is no way a good thing. Not that my opinion matters, I just don't think people really understand what creating undead is, beyond having a powerful minion that you don't have to pay.

 

[twilsemail]

Shadow essence is just PC version of Necromancy. So you are correct they don't actually die, they are made undead. I do not agree with people who think Necromancy can be used for good, the twisting of anything's life force is no way a good thing. Not that my opinion matters, I just don't think people really understand what creating undead is, beyond having a powerful minion that you don't have to pay.

The only other things out there that I can think of that are infused with shadow essence are the Shade and the Assassin (you might be able to make a side argument for Warlocks). Neither of those are undead.

 

[Zaran]

The only other things out there that I can think of that are infused with shadow essence are the Shade and the Assassin (you might be able to make a side argument for Warlocks). Neither of those are undead.

I meant PC as in politically correct. Every attack that is a shadow based attack is necrotic. I realize that dnd has moved away from shadow being wholly necromancy but stuff like making shadow hounds is still on those lines. Besides the book is all about necromancers and such. It's just not my thing and I think playing with that kind of magic that is one of fee true evil things to do.

 

[Ryujin]

The dog/wolf doesn't actually die. It's infused with Shadow essence, much like your PC probably is. Heck you can refluff the thing Pet Cemetary style and just have it be your darling companion animal brought back from the other side.

That line is really blurry. I think that upsets most people. There's a reason most of existence sits somewhere in Unaligned.

I was thinking much the same thing: Well intentioned adventurer has beloved wolfhound killed by reavers, only to bring him back from the dead and seek vengeance against the evil-doers. Definitely the morally ambiguous anti-hero archetype.

 

[Klaus]

Someone who takes a live dog and turns them into a undead shadow creature is just outright evil. That line has been crossed.

The fluff mentioned that sometimes, the "regular" dog was a black hound all along, veiled in mortal flesh and attracted to a kin spirit.