Book of Eldritch Might III - now out!

[Eridanis]

I have it downloading at this very moment. Just an FYI if you've been waiting for it!

 

[Nightfall]

Ed, when you get a chance, let me know what you think.

 

[Eridanis]

I'm paging through the printout at work right now (ahem), and while I don't have time to go into the merits and strength of each specific thing, here are some general imperssions:

- As you've probably already heard, this book eschews an alphabetical listing of new spells and goodies in favor of placing these things in context through several chapters of locations. The locations are like the makings of a gourmet meal: Monte's done the menu selection and the cooking, and it's up to you to arrange the plates and garnesh them to make them appetizing. Spells, items, a few prestige classes.

- I keep enjoying Malhavoc's voice more and more. He's even more like Baron-Munchausen-by-way-of-Chris-Lee's-Saruman in the asides.

- A pretty meaty section on treating intelligent magic items like a 20-level class just like fighter or rogue, with special abilities and feats to go along. Very interesting take - this must fill the slot that the alternate socerer and bard filled in the second book.

- Fantastic artwork!!

- The ad at the end is for the Book of Hallowed Might: "Arm yourself against VILE DARKENSS with the POWER of the LIGHT". Very clever.

So far, so good. I'll look forward to reading more over the next few days. This one is $9 for the download, so some of you might want to wait for the print edition if that's mroe your speed... but this looks like another product worth your money.

 

[Psion]

- Fantastic artwork!

Indeed. I think if you are used to Toren Atkinson's artwork in Malhavoc books, you may find this one a bit different. BoEM III features a new set of artists including WotC heavyweight Sam Wood as well as the likes of Kieran Yanner.

The content I have yet to digest (along with the stack of books that arrived while I was gone), but so far I am getting a more positive vibe than I got with BoEM II.

 

[Nightfall]

Well Psion/Alan, if you liked it better than BOEM II (which I felt was a little myself too, in places), I can only imagine then it will be nice read for me.

 

[JeffB]

- As you've probably already heard, this book eschews an alphabetical listing of new spells and goodies in favor of placing these things in context through several chapters of locations. The locations are like the makings of a gourmet meal: Monte's done the menu selection and the cooking, and it's up to you to arrange the plates and garnesh them to make them appetizing. Spells, items, a few prestige classes.

I bought monte's first PDF when it was first released, and while the quality was high, it ws just not the sort of thing I was looking for,so I have passed on all the other Malhavoc material.

However, when I saw what this new book was going to be like, I immediately said to myself, "this is what I want as a DM... I wish there were more products like this" (as I'm one of the minority who cannot stand all the "total-crunchy" books that are typical of the D20 license...I like a healthy mix of both)

Will this be released in print? My printer blows, and I've given up on PDF's (except for the WOTC ESD's)

 

[Nightfall]

Will this be released in print? My printer blows, and I've given up on PDF's (except for the WOTC ESD's)

They will ALL be in print. BoEM III I believe is coming out in January or Feburary of 2003. (I know Hollowed Might is coming to print in March or April)

 

[Eridanis]

Yeppers!

Monte stated these print release dates in the d20 Publisher's thread:

"Print version of Book of Eldritch Might III: January

Print version of Skreyn's Register: Early December (about 2-3 weeks from now)"

So yes, here will be a pritn version to spare your inkjet the workload.

 

[Eridanis]

Another point

Another fact the might make the pdf more palatable is that, save for the covers, the entire book is black-and-white. Much easier on the printer that way.

There are some new monsters and some NPCs in here, too, btw.

 

[Nightfall]

Erid, think if you're off work now I can get an expanded look at the goods? I know it's more focused on areas, but if you could give me the highlights, I'd be MOST appreciative.

Btw Bonds is due out I believe the 9th of December.

Also thanks for clarifying WHEN exactly BoEM III will be released. (just means I'll hold off until I get my copy of CC Revised.)