Dragon #350

[Monkey King]

Ecology of the Clockwork Horror, by Eric Cagle - This ecology covers the history of the clockwork horrors, their physiology, psychology and society, and presents a new type of clockwork horror: the copper horror (the silver horror is referenced in passing to it). Sidebars cover Knowledge checks about clockwork horrors, how clockwork horrors and created, and the adamantine horror.

GAH! Must... have...!

Spellcraft: Chronomancy, by Christopher Wissel - This article discusses a new arcane spellbook called the Chronocorsa, before giving us five new time-related arcane spells are presented (aging touch, skillful moment, temporal jolt, temporal repair, and time shield). A lengthy sidebar discusses using time travel in a campaign, and how (and why) D&D currently deftly avoids major time-travel issues. A second sidebar puts the new spells into a spell-list format.

Very, very cool. It's so easy to screw up the time spells, but these sound pretty interesting. The "D&D currently deftly avoids the issues" bit sounds... diplomatic. Is it just a reference to the fact that D&D no longer does the wacky 1E-style cross-time stuff like Expedition to the Barrier Peaks? I have some happy memories of stuff like Gygax's Sturmgeschutz & Sorcery (AKA How Effective is a Panzerfaust Against a Troll, Heinz?).

But I digress.

 

[Alzrius]

The "D&D currently deftly avoids the issues" bit sounds... diplomatic. Is it just a reference to the fact that D&D no longer does the wacky 1E-style cross-time stuff like Expedition to the Barrier Peaks?

It talks about why there are no spells, powers, items, monsters, etc. that can largely travel through years (or more) of time, since that can easily be used by players to undercut a DM's control and send the game spiralling off into wild, uncharted directions.

 

[Nightfall]

Yeah I mean we got enough chronomancy issues in Scarred Lands. I don't think regular D&D is ready for it.

351 man, looks DAMN sweet. I especially want to see what they do with Soth's domain. (Considering the flux it was in for 3.0/3.5)

 

[Razz]

Yummy, yummy issue.

*grin* And for the Planescape section, I'm curious to see what stayed and what got cut.

What stayed and what got cut?

You alluding to a possible fact that you know what's in the Planescape article for #351?

 

[Razz]

Oh, got mine in today too. Fantastic magazine, makes me beam with pride about owning a subscription to Dragon.

 

[BOZ]

Yummy, yummy issue.

*grin* And for the Planescape section, I'm curious to see what stayed and what got cut.

did you perhaps have something to do with that one?

 

[Shemeska]

You alluding to a possible fact that you know what's in the Planescape article for #351?

I wrote it.

 

[Shemeska]

For anyone who has #350 yet, what are the holy texts for Wee Jas in the article on her? The ones for Vecna were rather nice, so I'm curious about the ones given for everyone's favorite Acheron dwelling deity of magic and death.

 

[Shade]

I wrote it.

Congratulations! <crosses fingers for 'lothy goodness>

 

[Nightfall]

With Shemmy writing, it's always good.

I especially can't wait for any/all the PS goodness to come.