Dragon #297 arrived

[Erik Mona]

>>>
The world building one someone else mentioned was a piece of crap sinxce it espoused the design method that created completely illogical contradictory worlds like Greyhawk and Realms where very different cultures just sat next door to each other for no reason what so ever.
>>>

I'll let other people argue the specifics of this point, but great human sub-racial migrations have been a part of the World of Greyhawk setting since Gary first put it to paper back in the Seventies. The cultures and races (and placement thereof) actually make a great deal of sense within the context of these pre-historical migrations. In fact, this is one of the reasons I've always prefered Greyhawk over the Forgotten Realms.

I consider it part of the "genius" of Greyhawk, especially as compared to other fantasy settings. There are lots of reasons to criticize various aspects of Greyhawk, but I don't think this one is very valid.

--Erik

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

>>>
This one doesn't look like it will do me much good. Even the Greyhawk section looks a little weak, but the LGJ hasn't really blown me away much. Except for the two issues that dealt with the death knights.
>>>

You'll want to grab 298, then. It's the largest LGJ section to date (since the shift to Dragon), and covers the dark elf city of Erelhei-Cinlu in the legendary Vault of the Drow. In the 14 installments I've put together so far, I think this one is my favorite. My uneducated guess is that I think it'll be the favorite of lots of other people, too.

--Erik

Now that's cool Greyhawk material! I think more stuff like that would make the section much more interesting. New prestige classes are not much use for me, but more info on the legendary places of Oerth would be amazing!

 

[Jesse Decker]

There's a good deal of useful material in #297, including suggestions on ways to use the epic material even if you're not using the ELH. Even if you work as hard as possible to close your mind to the epic material, there are 8 new races, a new prestige class by Monte Cook, an FR story, a new monster template (nether creatures), new chainmail scenarios, and a prestige class in the Living Greyhawk section. Plus there's a free poster map.

Like some of the other more focused issues (like the psionics or the strongholds issues) the material is undeniably easier to use if you have the supplement, but there's a lot of useful stuff there regardless.

Now, let's hear suggestions. Imagine a supplement like the Epic Level Handbook is approaching and there's an opportunity to support it with an issue of Dragon. You want the content to do three things -- give readers who aren't sure about the product a way to try the material first, offer those who buy it some cool additional material, and keep those who aren't super keen on the idea behind the supplement from kicking you in the spleen. What kind of material do you want to see? How much? How soon before or how long after?

 

[Nightfall]

Nether creature eh? Does this mean said creature become etheral or what Jesse? Come a LITTLE hint would be nice.

As for more epic material for Dragon to cover, just more monsters, prestige classes FOCUSED more on monsters AND perhaps magic items make especially for monsters. Oh and more Bestiaries and artifacts that are sentient/epic.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Stealing my idea.

Grr....

Why is it that whenever I get a great idea, some goofus has already gone and made money on it before I get a chance to

Seriously, I brought up the issue of chaotic and lawful planetouched about a year ago on Planewalker's message boards. Different names (Karachlings and Rigamar), but still...

I guess it just frustrates me. Now I have to go out and buy a mostly useless issue just for the one article that interests me. Just like I did for the MotP-themed one with the Faction PrC's. Just like I planned to do for the Spelljammer issue (though I haven't done that...curse my sluggish use of monetary power!)

Y'know, on second thought, I may just say "fuggitt!" I'm writing up some things on Lawful & Chaotic planetouched for PS3e, and some things even on NEUTRAL outsiders and NEUTRAL planetouched (it's more thanjust a lack of devotion, it can be a devotion in and of itself!)

Yeah! Screw Dragon and it's makin' me get the issues to get the official versions of stuff I've already thought of and balanced out! Screw them in their freakin' behinds!

Oh, and I still want the article...I'm just going to pout about not being able to get *only* that part I'm most interested in, and none of the superfluous stuff.

Sorry. I'm grumpy today.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Re: Stealing my idea.

Now I have to go out and buy a mostly useless issue just for the one article that interests me.

You really can't know it's useless until you see it yourself. I got it today, and the charges about how worthless it is for those who don't want the Epic Level book are exaggerated. There are sidebars with suggestions for using those articles without that book. The article about "real world" Epic items - from the Hope Diamond to the Sphinx (!) - is fantastic, for example, and could be used in any campaign with a relatively tiny bit of personal initiative.

 

[SHARK]

Greetings!

Just face the truth, people.

Those who don't like the Epic Level Handbook are just simply inferior human beings who must be enslaved in the strawberry-jam factory, and...what? Why not? Why? WHY? Listen to me!

Listen...to...me!...

They must accept the ELH! They must have it! They WILL embrace it, in all of its goodness!

Gang, the book isn't even out already, and some are certain that they won't like it? Even if you don't use all of it, as written, I would think that much of it could be used as is, or easily adapted, heh?

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

 

[Gez]

Originally posted by 7thlvlDM

I SO hated the gnome issue,

Why ? Because it was about gnome, or because of the way they were portrayed there ?

I'm curious. Gnomes are my fav race, but I wasn't able to get that issue -- and judging from the excerpt on wizards site, I have the feeling this issue was aimed at making gnome a comic relief rather than a playable race...



What's the difference between an epic spell and a normal spell ? Are they of tenth-level or higher, or do they have another mechanism (like prerequisites, or huge XP expenditure, etc.) ? For example, what level is Dracomorph (I imagine the spell is somewhat akin to Fiendform, but with dragons instead of summoned spells) ?

What have they made of the "real-world" epic items ? For example, what is the Sphinx ? A colossal sentient construct ?


And finally, who really needs an issue about drow when you already have had an issue about elves with a drow on the cover ? Gee...

 

[JacktheRabbit]

Let me say it one more time for the cheap seats.

I DID NOT GET A SUBSCRIPTION TO ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE MAGAZINES IN THE COUNTRY FOR IT TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN AN ADVERTISING RAG FOR OTHER PRODUCTS!!

Is that so hard to understand? Dragon is turning into little more than a teaser rag for the main product line. That would be fine if the magazine was only $3. It is not though. It is twice that and that makes it very expensive and means it should be a product that completely stands on its own.

Now, let's hear suggestions. Imagine a supplement like the Epic Level Handbook is approaching and there's an opportunity to support it with an issue of Dragon.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

Of course we should all love it. Of course I am not quoting exact lines from Dragon when they describe a single epic level ranger taking on and easily defeating 13 IRON GOLEMS!

No there is no cheese fact or munchkin factor in the ELH at all.

What was I thinking?

Greetings!

Just face the truth, people.

Those who don't like the Epic Level Handbook are just simply inferior human beings who must be enslaved in the strawberry-jam factory, and...what? Why not? Why? WHY? Listen to me!

Listen...to...me!...

They must accept the ELH! They must have it! They WILL embrace it, in all of its goodness!

Gang, the book isn't even out already, and some are certain that they won't like it? Even if you don't use all of it, as written, I would think that much of it could be used as is, or easily adapted, heh?

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK