A Practical Guide to Monsters

[jmucchiello]

Actually, I think there's been nothing more cute than when my 3-year old learned how to recognize (and say) "Glabrezu."

Even I can't do that. I constantly hear Galabrezu out of my mouth. And my world has Nalshefnee demons apparently.

 

[Cam Banks]

Of course, it may say a kender wrote it, but no kender knows anything about orcs. Especially not the one from the Dragonlance YA novels.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Voadam]

Even I can't do that. I constantly hear Galabrezu out of my mouth. And my world has Nalshefnee demons apparently.

Jubilex.

Me a couple years ago "Joo Ib lex? That's the way its always been spelled? Really?"

The apostrophes in tanari and baatezu are meaningless symbols to me as well.

Tuh Narr Ee,
Bay At Tay Zoo.

 

[Wik]

Heh, my brother is really into repainting the DDM plastic miniatures so my nieces (3 and 5) rattle off things like "That's the bulette! That's a water elemental! That's a dire bear! And that's my pink unicorn! She's called battle unicorn."

BATTLE UNICORN!?

What is the world coming to?

 

[Nightfall]

Of course, it may say a kender wrote it, but no kender knows anything about orcs. Especially not the one from the Dragonlance YA novels.

Yeah that kind of stuff had me wondering too Cam...

 

[Scott_Rouse]

Of course, it may say a kender wrote it, but no kender knows anything about orcs. Especially not the one from the Dragonlance YA novels.

Cheers,
Cam

So this brings up an interesting question that I was considering when I wrote my post. I was just thinking this is a book about D&D monsters so orcs must be in there.

The purpose of the book is to introduce young readers to fantasy (and specifically D&D's take on fantasy). Since the book is obviously set in Krynn the question is do you leave out orcs, werewolves, and other monsters that are fantasy mainstays or stick with maintaining continuity with Dragonlance? The Dragons book was not branded anywhere as a D&D book or Dragonlance for that matter.

I have not seen the Monster book so I don't know the answer. I'll have to ask the author when I see her.

 

[Cam Banks]

The purpose of the book is to introduce young readers to fantasy (and specifically D&D's take on fantasy). Since the book is obviously set in Krynn the question is do you leave out orcs, werewolves, and other monsters that are fantasy mainstays or stick with maintaining continuity with Dragonlance? The Dragons book was not branded anywhere as a D&D book or Dragonlance for that matter.

That's just it - I think the real issue is the kender narrator. There isn't anything really crucial about having Sindri be the one who presents the books - it could have been anybody - and he's the only Dragonlance connection they have. Dragonlance dragons don't even act exactly like the ones in core D&D, so the Practical Guide to Dragons wasn't the best guide to DL dragons! Taken apart from DL, they're very fun and excellent introductions to their subject matter for YA readers, but I think the DL connection was a strange choice. Lidda or Regdar or somebody like that would have been a much better option, although I suppose there's no established YA connection to them.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Nifft]

Jubilex.

Me a couple years ago "Joo Ib lex? That's the way its always been spelled? Really?"

A variety of sources have the name spelled in a variety of ways. Nethack had a note to this effect, but I don't know the original sources behind it.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Scott_Rouse]

Flynn hit nail on the head.

To add to what he said. It is written from the perspective of a Kender wizard (edit like what crazy pixie said) in a narative voice as a sort of field guide based on his travels and encounters. The dragon book covered topics like Dragon Anatomy, Combat, Lairs, Society, and Biology (for metallics and chromatics). IIRC all the art was used from previos D&D books like Dracomicon to allow the price to stay low (MSRP $14.95 US for a 64 pg Hard Cover) but the way it is presented is somewhat new with the story attached to it.

The monster book will do the same for things like Kobolds, Orcs, Gnolls, and more iconic D&D monsters like Beholders.

I talked with the author and got more concrete information.

This book will be written in the voice of a different wizard (non-kender) an dwill have no connection to Krynn.

It will not feature Orcs or Kobolds but will cover Beholders, Troll, Ogres, Chimeras to name a few.

 

[Nightfall]

No Kobolds?!! I have a feeling there will be a riot about that one Scott. I mean look at how much people LOVE Meepo!

*I'm not one of them but still!*