[Dragon] # 304 Contents

[Ashy]

a little last bit weekend bump...

 

[Glyfair]

Re: And in the next issue...

Arms of the Kraken, by George R.R. Martin. Complete novella excerpted from the upcoming "Song of Ice and Fire" novel, A Feast for Crows.

This is my favorite thing in the magazine (yes, the announcement) when combined with the announcement that three issues from now they'll have an article describing Westeros as a D&D campaign. I don't know if it'll work, but it should be interesting.

Now if he'll just finish the book

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[tetsujin28]

Hmm. Still not what I'd pick up an ish for. If they start covering d20 Modern on a more regular basis, they might get some money from me. The preview of the new books sounds interesting, though.

 

[Aitch Eye]

This issue seems to be sort of the tie-in issue to Savage Species, though it isn't too much the focus.

Yeah, it's generally useful stuff that doesn't depend on whether you allow monsters as PCs or not. This issue is only over-themed if you don't use monsters at all.

I'm wondering what kind of things are necessary for a mount character, and what do they recommend as one. I'm guessing anything that's quadaped and other multiped creatures, but is there some issues with bipeds? Could a human be a mount for some tiny character?

They don't recommend anything as mount character, the article is pretty much straight rules. Assuming the mount character is strong enough, the only thing it needs to avoid penalties is a period of training (with no skill point cost), and the rider needs the same period of training.

They have a chart for the number of riders by size, and it's suggested that the number be halved for bipedal creatures. Their riders need an exotic saddle to avoid a ride check penalty (or possibly to ride them at all). A human could be used as a mount by up to two tiny characters, or even a halfling. A rules lawyer might insist that a Nasnas (from Al Qadim) be allowed to ride a human as well.

Does the monstrous spells have anything resembling the renew ability spell from 2e, which let a character restore per day uses of their spell-like abilities?

There's extra ability and greater extra ability which lets characters use one of their spell-like abilities one more time.

What's involved with the Seelie and Unseelie templates? I'm assuming it's better for the flavour of the courts than using Half-Fiend and Half-Celestial back in the MotP.

(Hopefully this is sufficiently vague.)

Seelie Court Fey have to be purebred fey, of any alignment. They're immune to fear and give a morale bonus to their allies, can channel the power of springtime through their touch, and the number of spell-like abilities they have increases with their hit dice. They have some skill bonuses and penalties, spell resistance, damage reduction and the iron vulnerability thing. CR +1.

Unseelie Fey (I mistakenly inserted "Court" in my summary) are defined as descendants of fey and non-fey creatures who, after a few generations, look nightmarish and have to be evil. They each have a power based on one of the seasons, may have wings of several types (usable or not), may have various types of vision or compensatory powers. They have some ability penalties and bonuses, a bard's skill list, damage resistance and iron vulnerability, and there are some rules on how many feats they have. CR +0. (They suggest the option of using the table of Slaadi variations in the MM for greater divergence.)

 

[Tewligan]

I recently (about 2 weeks ago) sent in my subscription to the magazine. I know it says from 6 to 8 weeks before I get my first magazine. Does this mean I will get this months (304) or will start with next months (305)?

Call customer service and ask them what issue number your subscription starts with.