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Indeed. Imagine if D&D had existed 100 years ago. Can you imagine what the reaction would've been if you'd included female characters of all professions, classes, and social positions in an adventure module? We've come a long way since and female representation has come far enough so that we...

People are fine with ignoring the absolute importance of Christianity when playing a Medieval-inspired game because our Western society has long since embraced the idea of religious freedom. We don't bat an eye at pretending to worship pantheons of divinities, but from the perspective of the...

I could try finding links later, but this stuff comes from Ed Greenwood's comments and whatnot. For example, there was some controversy regarding a trans NPC in a FR computer game (Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition expansion), and Greenwood commented that trans characters very much exist in the Realms.

Funny you'd say that because FR -- or at least Ed Greenwood's version of the world -- is rife with sexuality and sexual freedom. That would include queer characters. Of all published settings, FR is perhaps the most accommodating to characters of all sexual and gender stripes. In fact, you...

If including queer characters without a specific story purpose goes against the "standard source material", aka Medieval Europe, so do: any faith apart from Christianity female characters of influence without very good backstory reasons female priests ignoring slavery as a common-place...

The 4e Night Hag was updated though, and the ability in question became a save ends effect.

That's earlier than 4e. 3.5 has a feat called Goad, which is a taunt. Interestingly enough, the 3.0 based 2002 release Neverwinter Nights game has a skill called Taunt, which is an addition to the computer game version of the rule set. Even Pathfinder has a taunt feat, Antagonize.

Io has been in the game since the early 90's. Wikipedia says 1992, in Monster Mythology.

But wouldn't you say that most DMs would then try to let the player participate in other ways -- not force them to spectate? From this thread, I've gotten the impression that even those who favor the "all bets are off, bad things can happen" side would tend to allow other forms of...

Yes, my point is that the poll is poorly worded. The first option at 60% would imply that you're fine with forcing a player to simply spectate the game for who knows how long without any way to participate. Option two is apparently supposed to be the option where you'll allow the player to...

I have a hard time believing that 60% of the folks answering the poll would be a-ok sidelining a player, possibly for hours. I think the poll's just badly worded and people look at the word "player" and think, "Yeah, player characters should face consequences for their actions." Does anyone...

Eh, the 3rd edition's druid's wildshape is a well-detailed, well-expanded class ability that received support in terms of feats and magic items all through the edition. There are alternative class features that modify it, and one of them from Player's Handbook II even turns it into an ability...

Yes, the weapons require a standard action command word to activate. Unless otherwise noted, a "command" or "command word" are standard actions, and like their descriptions say, the energy effect remains on the weapon until de-activated with the same command. You can have mental command words...

But if pearls of power are use-activated, how do you use them? With a command. How could it be anything but a standard action? You have to use the pearl with a command, and use-activated items require a standard action unless the usage itself is something else. A +1 sword is use-activated, and...

Memento magica is from Magic Item Compendium, which clarifies magic item activation and body slot rules. A memento magica is exactly the same as a pearl of power, except that it's specifically for spontaneous casters (since the pearl is only for preparing casters), plus it's a little bit more...

A pearl of power does require a standard action to activate. It even says in the description, "once per day on command." The spontaneous version of the item, memento magica, specifies a standard action command word as the activation type (no slot though, so you just have to have it on your...

If you wanted to, you could increase their power over time to match what you currently have in mind. Maybe the rogue acquires the daggers at around levels 4-6, but they're just +1 weapons with minor additional benefits. Something like, increase the concentration DC by 2 or 5 when you damage a...

Think of it this way: The ring allows a wizard to boost his strength -- adaptability. With the pearls, you can cast more of the same few spells, but with the ring, you can cast a larger variety of spells and thus be more flexible in dealing with challenges. The difference between the sorcerer...

Maybe around levels 9-11. They're probably worth about the same in gold as +2 weapons. Could be that they're stronger than that, but even then, levels 12 and above tend to be rarely played, so around level 10 would be a fair compromise.

The 4e monster math as of MM3 is to adjust all defenses, attack bonuses and damage by 1 per level, either up or down. One reason why you shouldn't go more than 4 levels in either direction is just the one you mentioned -- different PC capabilities between level bands. It's very simple, and the...