Dragon 334, Malhavoc's Surprise = Ptolus

[Erik Mona]

I can't speak for Monte, but a TON of the core concepts, creatures, spells, etc. that eventually made their way into 3e were first tested in Monte's campaign. Whole portions of the Book of Vile Darkness, for example, first appeared on Monte's tabletop. I can't look at the kython section of that book without shuddering.

I'm really looking forward to this book. Monte is a great DM, and he's put a ton of work into a really compelling campaign setting.

And that's _before_ he started turning it into a product.

--Erik Mona
Editor-in-Chief
Dragon & Dungeon

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

Well, if Mona has "confirmed" it : Did Monte place Ptolus in the World of the Diamond Throne, or is set in a more generic setting?

 

[Blood Jester]

If I wanted someone's homebrew, I'd stick with Keith Baker.

I'd be happy with PC's world.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Since it does, indeed, appear that Erik Mona has confirmed the mystery product is Ptolus, my reaction is...umm, well, OK. I have to admit that this doesn't really pique my interest all that much. I'm sure it'll be a fine product, but I have so much setting material now as it is...

 

[reveal]

Since it does, indeed, appear that Erik Mona has confirmed the mystery product is Ptolus, my reaction is...umm, well, OK. I have to admit that this doesn't really pique my interest all that much. I'm sure it'll be a fine product, but I have so much setting material now as it is...

I agree. I'll look through it and look forward to hearing what it's like but I'm not going to rush out to buy it.

 

[BryonD]

I agree. I'll look through it and look forward to hearing what it's like but I'm not going to rush out to buy it.

What he said.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey there!

For a few years now I have been haunted by an old post from Ryan Dancey on GamingReport.com:

Originally Posted by Ryan Dancey
The other [product I would love to develop] would be the book I keep suggesting that WotC consider publishing: Core Book IV: Game Designer's Guide. The GDG would contain all the systems and mathematical analysis used to construct 3e, and explain how the system works at a low level, and how to add to it and extend it correctly. That book would be a guide to effective encounter, scenario, story and world design, all using the d20 System. It would require tremendous R&D work to do things like figure out a quantifiable CR/EL system, among other monumental tasks. The great thing about that book is that not only would it be a boon companion to the 80+% of DMs who write their own content, but it would be a huge step up for all the OGL/d20 designers who are working from the black box of the DMG.

I could see Monte being one of the few people who could do something like this.

I can think of one other.

 

[Sleepy Voiced]

Well, we have a year before any rushing-out-and-buying can occur. I have a feeling there is a lot more to this than a simple campaign setting. 640 pages? Over a year of dedicated development? This sounds like an awful lot for a standard campaign setting. I will take Monte at his word that the full impact of this product will have to be seen in person to be understood.

 

[the black knight]

I have #334 in my hands. It's............................Ptolus.

Full-color. 640 pages. Sweetness.

JediSoth

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

 

[Greatwyrm]

Well, at least there are already some sneak peeks. They've been up for a while, in fact.

http://www.malhavocpress.com/cgi-bin/page.cgi?ptolus