Sammael
Adventurer
I believe someone mentioned something about comprehension?
Which part of passing familiarity was not clear? Did I claim that he had to read the Elaine Cunningham novels to be able to do a write-up for the elven crownblades? (incidentally, I have read a grand total of THREE FR novels in my life, and I have more than a passing familiarity with the setting; novels are simply not required).
And the very notion of an exclusive rules designer who doesn't have anything to do with the story is mind-boggling to me. I am a DM myself, not a writer or game designer, but I damn well know how to write a short piece of interactive fiction and to design and balance rules elements - that's what a DM's job is. It takes little skill, else there wouldn't be so many people doing it. And sure, some DMs are better at one at the expense of other, but I can't imagine someone working for WotC would limit himself/herself to just one aspect of the game.
Which part of passing familiarity was not clear? Did I claim that he had to read the Elaine Cunningham novels to be able to do a write-up for the elven crownblades? (incidentally, I have read a grand total of THREE FR novels in my life, and I have more than a passing familiarity with the setting; novels are simply not required).
And the very notion of an exclusive rules designer who doesn't have anything to do with the story is mind-boggling to me. I am a DM myself, not a writer or game designer, but I damn well know how to write a short piece of interactive fiction and to design and balance rules elements - that's what a DM's job is. It takes little skill, else there wouldn't be so many people doing it. And sure, some DMs are better at one at the expense of other, but I can't imagine someone working for WotC would limit himself/herself to just one aspect of the game.