Dragon 331 has arrived

[Glyfair]

I was suprised to find this in my mailbox today, since I just got my last Dungeon yesterday (the Dungeon was shipped 3/22 and the Dragon is listed as shipping 4/19!!!)

I don't have a lot of time to go through the contents thoroughly now (on my way to a Phillies game tonight).

Editorial - Only a Ninja can kill a Ninja
The Point of Pole Arms - Description, stats & feats for numerous pole arms
Alchemical Charms - charms to ward off the supernatural (devils, demons, devils, etc)
Fast, Furious and Fantastic - new magic vehicles. Includes the beholder globe, chariot of sustarre, smuggler's wagon, et. al.
Bedrolls, Bottles and Bells - additional uses for standard equipment (using a bed roll to smother flames, a wine bottle for quick "caltrops", etc).
The Plunderer's Handbook - a guide to finding and keeping treasure
The Ecology of the Green Hag
Insidious Items - intentionally cursed items
Spellcraft: Spell Strips of the Black Pyramid
A Novel Approach: The Spiderwick Chronicles
Sage Advice
Class Acts -- Barbarian Weapons, Multiclassed Bard, Tokens of Faith II, Environmental Weapon Lists, Marine Munitions, the Sidewinder Monk, Knightly Effects, Rangers Militant, Be a Lover, not a Fighter, Familiarity Breeds, Wizard Affectations

Next issue:

Chromatic Player Characters -sequel to the issue with the metallic dragons as PCs, this has the evil dragons as PCs)

Cult of the Dragon Below - Keith Baker gives insight into this Eberron cult.

Cutting up the Dragon - using a dragons remains

Plus, Ecology of the Kobold, Dragon Spells, and the usual columns.

 

[Ferret]

Very cool, I've only just gotten the april one, with abberation but I await this one eagerly.

 

[BOZ]

i thought the chariot of sustarre was a spell!

"Cutting up the Dragon - using a dragons remains" - oooh, there's a player in my party who will want to see this one.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I haven't gotten a chance to really look through the latest Dragon, but I was happy to see the Spiderwick article. The interview with Holly Black was interesting, and was the first I'd heard of who was directing the Spiderwick movie and that there's going to be an actual Field Guide published.

 

[Glyfair]

I'll post more later or tomorrow (depending on how long the game goes). I'm not driving and it's about a 30-45 minute drive, so I'll have lots of reading time.

 

[Vecna]

Spellcraft: Spell Strips of the Black Pyramid

What's this?

 

[Alzrius]

What's this?

This is seven arcane spells with a desert theme to them. The catch here is that these spells were stolen from the gods by an evil wizard of the desert. Now, whenever anyone casts these spells, there's a 1% cumulative chance (reset on the spring equinox) that he, cursed by the gods, tracks down and kills the caster.

 

[Alzrius]

Here's the complete preview for next month:

NEXT MONTH IN DRAGON
Dragon #332

DRAGON gives you the best in gaming, present new official rules, original game content, great advice, and the perfect inspiration for your D&D game. In each issue, you'll also see what cool products are on the horizon, find out what other players are up to, and get an insider's look at the industry. Get more from your game: get DRAGON!

Chromatic Player Characters
by Mike McArtor
You asked for it! Last year, DRAGON brought you the rules for playing metallic dragons as PCs. This year, we delve deep into the black heart of evil dragons, presenting al five chromatic dragons broken down into levels you can use for your characters.

Cult of the Dragon Below
by Keith Baker
EBERRON's creator gives us insight into the diabolical plans of those who worship the horrors of Khyber, the Dragon Below.

Cutting up the Dragon
by Matt Forbeck
The dragon is dead, but what do you do with the carcass? Learn about the juiciest bits and what you can make out of them.

Plus!
A super-sized Ecology of the Kobold, Dragon Spells, Class Acts, Bazaar of the Bizarre, First Watch, Scale Mail, Spellcraft, Sage Advice, and comics.

 

[Vecna]

This is seven arcane spells with a desert theme to them. The catch here is that these spells were stolen from the gods by an evil wizard of the desert. Now, whenever anyone casts these spells, there's a 1% cumulative chance (reset on the spring equinox) that he, cursed by the gods, tracks down and kills the caster.

With kills the caster you mean
1. He appears and kills the caster with no save
2. He appears, is killed by the caster in a couple of rounds and his possession are added to those of the caster?

 

[Alzrius]

With kills the caster you mean
1. He appears and kills the caster with no save
2. He appears, is killed by the caster in a couple of rounds and his possession are added to those of the caster?

A little of both actually. Stats aren't provided, but several suggestions are made, including that his CR be at least 3 higher than the caster's level. It's not an instant death thing, it's more of an extremely powerful, relentless monster tracking you down thing.