Ask Monte Cook some questions! Answers in this thread, next chat to be announced

[johnsemlak]

Monte

A few questions:

1. You mentioned Stephen Donaldson's influence on AU. CAn you say any other writers that have had a particular influence there?

2. YOu didn't list such a work as an upcoming product, but would you like to do a classbook for thieves (or, rogues, sorry ) or fighters. I agree with you that there have been perhaps enough classbooks in general, but these classes have received less attention, IMO (particularly rogues).

 

[Lalato]

Diamond Throne/AU is not your typical fantasy setting... what was the major inspiration for it?

and then the obligatory silly question... When are you going to do a Skyrealms of Jorune d20 conversion?

--sam

 

[EricNoah]

It all sounds really cool. I can't wait to see what the implied (or directly stated) "creature palatte" is for the implied setting. Hmm, speaking of that... Monte, is there "monster summoning" in AU?

 

[Lalato]

Who is this Stephen Donaldson you speak of? (goes off to google to research...)

Oh... just some guy whose written a ton of fantasy books. How the heck did I miss that? (and I thought I was well read)...

--sam

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

I suggested the akashic because his memory powers are similar to bardic knowledge and he has a lot of skills and skill points.

How far off base am I to assume the Akashic's memory abilities are similar to what we saw in The Matrix?

"Fear not." The Akashic said. His eyes flickered then rolled back into his head. A moment later he seemed to relax and his eyes focused. "I know kung fu." he said, assuming a defensive stance.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Another question:

As I understand it, you have to take a feat to have psionics in AU.

What is special about psionics that makes it worth a feat?

 

[Merlion]

I have one more very specfic question: How many spells does a 1st level Magister know? Well and related to that does AU state "where" each classes magic comes from, as per a wizard and books, clerics and deities etc in DnD?
Thanks in advance

 

[Falanor]

Mr. Cook:

Do you like Hockey? If so, who do you got in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs?

Will the Magic System presented in your book, Unearthed Arcana, be different from Vance system? If so, to what degree: Not so much, so-so, alot, or forget everything you knew about Magic?

Could you describe the amount of crunch in the book versus the amount of non-crunch?

Will your variant combat rules possible be a bit less confuzzling than Partial Action, Standard Action, and Full Action? I've personally liked 'Spycraft's Half Action, Full Action; what about you?

 

[EarthsShadow]

To Monte:

First of all, I gotta state that your coming out with AU is simply awesome. It's a great idea and I think it will be more successful than you realize. You already have my money set aside for the two main books.

Now, I have some querries for ya:

1) What is your favorite sport, and why?

2) Do you think you could ever run a online game for some of us who have never had the pleasure of meeting you? Even a one shot?

3) I second the question to why using psionics would take up using a Feat?

4) Are you hiring right now, and if you are, can you hire me? I have some ideas floating around in my head but I don't have the ability to really put them down into words all that well.

5) What is your favorite campaign setting beyond Ptolus?

6) Can you tell us some of the uniqueness of your combat system compared to D&D3e/3.5e, or are you going to wait to surprise us?

ummmmmmm, that's all I can think of for now. Keep up the good work.

 

[Anabstercorian]

Monte, in the 3e PHB, the monk fills a unique roll in the adventuring party in that he has immense non-magical mobility - Enormous leaps, balancing on tree limbs, swimming and climbing like a dolphin and monkey, bouncing from wall to wall like an overstimulated superball.
How much of this capability will Unfettered have in AU? I love having highly mobile characters, and I love the mental image of an Unfettered and a Warmain facing off on a bridge.

----

The warmain stood wide and covered literally the entire bridge with his enormous bulk, gleaming with blood, his weapon the size of a small tree.
"You shall not pass, weakling, unless you defeat me in single combat!"
The wry little man rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He dashed forth and leapt twenty feet in the air over the warmain with nary a grunt, landing without sound. "Catch you later."