Aitch Eye
First Post
A generally useful issue with a particularly nice "Campaign Components" feature; and -- outside of "What's New?" -- refreshingly free of vile adult content. I particularly liked the illustrations for the alchemy article [edit: by David Wahlstrom].
Campaign Components: Swashbucklers, by Travis Stout. An outline of how each core class fits into a swashbuckling campaign is accompanied by two example character archetypes each, with suggested PRCs, skills and feats. Genre appropriate feats, weapons, and new or specific uses for skills. There are four fencing styles (similar in concept to the martial arts styles in <i>Oriental Adventures</i>), and a lengthy sidebar (written by Brent Phillips-Watts with Matthew Sernett) on introducing specific parrying actions into standard combat with a number of related feats. General tips on campaign background, rules tweaks, and running the game.
Meter and Measure: Masterworks to Improve Bardic Abilities, by Tim Hitchcock with Matthew Sernett. "Masterpiece Performances" are non-magical works (compositions, epics, dances and etc.) of such quality that bards with access to written copies by the creator may devote ranks in perform specifically to a piece to gain benefits when performing it. Includes rules for their creation and descriptions of six "bard's journals" (not necessarily books) containing them.
From Field to Cauldron: Alchemy Begins in the Forest, by Kieran Turley with Jesse Decker. 21 plants and fungi and the alchemical substances that can be created with them.
Malignant Growth: The Ecology of the Troll, by Paul Leach. In addition to general background, tactics and creature combos, there are brief notes on seven subtypes and a 10-level cleric/barbarian class-combo.
Guild Secrets: Claw of Gold, by Andy Collins. Thieves' guild with a leader attempting to establish a powerful dynasty in the world. Includes the Draconic template, for creatures with a dragon ancestor.
Rogue Character Sheet, illustrated by Arnie Swekel and Glen Angus. An "art-intensive" sheet featuring a full-length portrait of a female, with the spaces for stats and equipment squeezed into the illustration's background.
Fireball Spell Template. Cardboard insert with three pieces that can be cut and assembled to give the exact area of a spell or psionic power with a 20-foot radius.
Cause and Effect: Revenge in the back alleys of the Forgotten Realms, by Paul Kemp. Fiction.
Up on a Soapbox "Fly Me to the Moon," by Gary Gygax. Rob Kuntz's PC Robilar attempts a voyage to one of Oerth's moons.
Elminster's Guide to the Realms "Tatha's Broomworks," by Ed Greenwood. The tree-farming operation of a woman with a special ability from Mystra.
Dungeoncraft "Preparing Large Encounters," by Monte Cook. The new version of the column will consist of "short series that focus on building encounters in a specific environment, building specific parts of a campaign world, and handling other unusual situations that arise in D&D."
DM's Toolbox "Turning Good Games Into Great Games," by Glen Veltum. Pacing an adventure.
Sage Advice, by Skip Williams. Magic items and spells.
Living Greyhawk Journal
To the Losers Go the Spoils: Greyhawk's Beggar's Union, by Erik Mona. It's history and activities in the city, and it's Beggarmaster, Gaspar.
Campaign Components: Swashbucklers, by Travis Stout. An outline of how each core class fits into a swashbuckling campaign is accompanied by two example character archetypes each, with suggested PRCs, skills and feats. Genre appropriate feats, weapons, and new or specific uses for skills. There are four fencing styles (similar in concept to the martial arts styles in <i>Oriental Adventures</i>), and a lengthy sidebar (written by Brent Phillips-Watts with Matthew Sernett) on introducing specific parrying actions into standard combat with a number of related feats. General tips on campaign background, rules tweaks, and running the game.
Meter and Measure: Masterworks to Improve Bardic Abilities, by Tim Hitchcock with Matthew Sernett. "Masterpiece Performances" are non-magical works (compositions, epics, dances and etc.) of such quality that bards with access to written copies by the creator may devote ranks in perform specifically to a piece to gain benefits when performing it. Includes rules for their creation and descriptions of six "bard's journals" (not necessarily books) containing them.
From Field to Cauldron: Alchemy Begins in the Forest, by Kieran Turley with Jesse Decker. 21 plants and fungi and the alchemical substances that can be created with them.
Malignant Growth: The Ecology of the Troll, by Paul Leach. In addition to general background, tactics and creature combos, there are brief notes on seven subtypes and a 10-level cleric/barbarian class-combo.
Guild Secrets: Claw of Gold, by Andy Collins. Thieves' guild with a leader attempting to establish a powerful dynasty in the world. Includes the Draconic template, for creatures with a dragon ancestor.
Rogue Character Sheet, illustrated by Arnie Swekel and Glen Angus. An "art-intensive" sheet featuring a full-length portrait of a female, with the spaces for stats and equipment squeezed into the illustration's background.
Fireball Spell Template. Cardboard insert with three pieces that can be cut and assembled to give the exact area of a spell or psionic power with a 20-foot radius.
Cause and Effect: Revenge in the back alleys of the Forgotten Realms, by Paul Kemp. Fiction.
Up on a Soapbox "Fly Me to the Moon," by Gary Gygax. Rob Kuntz's PC Robilar attempts a voyage to one of Oerth's moons.
Elminster's Guide to the Realms "Tatha's Broomworks," by Ed Greenwood. The tree-farming operation of a woman with a special ability from Mystra.
Dungeoncraft "Preparing Large Encounters," by Monte Cook. The new version of the column will consist of "short series that focus on building encounters in a specific environment, building specific parts of a campaign world, and handling other unusual situations that arise in D&D."
DM's Toolbox "Turning Good Games Into Great Games," by Glen Veltum. Pacing an adventure.
Sage Advice, by Skip Williams. Magic items and spells.
Living Greyhawk Journal
To the Losers Go the Spoils: Greyhawk's Beggar's Union, by Erik Mona. It's history and activities in the city, and it's Beggarmaster, Gaspar.
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Neatneatneat!
