Ebberron - Dragon magazine preview

[romp]

I got my subscribers' copy of Dragon in the mail today with the preview of the Eberron development artwork. I remember something being said during 3ed development about how the artwork for D&D had changed the way an entire generation looks at fantasy. This is the impression I get from the preveiw pictures. That the staff artists at WotC are going all out to set a tone and style that is unique in itself. The glimpses are starting to change my mind about Ebberron. Keith has said that the dinos will only be in one small kingdom within the world, but they are splashing pictures of people riding domesticated dinos all over the place. They need to stop doing that before people get turned off.

They still insist on medieval tech levels, but you have pictures of a huge flying castle/train/iron thingy that is way bigger than a nearby city gate. The civilization that underlies such a construct (think how many factories build sub assemblies that later get assembled into a car) would be much higher than medieval tech...

I am a little more intrigued but not enough to buy it though, have to wait and see what other info comes along...

 

[Hand of Evil]

Have not seen the Dragon info but did pick up the Gencon handbook. I found the art, style and subject, to remind me of EarthDawn. What I hear the setting is pulp fantasy, John Carter of Mars, Carson Napier of Venus, Flash Gordon.

I don't know if you can say it is at any tech level as it uses everything from the core books.

Overall I have liked what I have seen and wait for more.

Here are a couple ofother threads on the setting.

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58666&highlight=Eberron

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58261&highlight=Eberron

 

[Greatwyrm]

They still insist on medieval tech levels, but you have pictures of a huge flying castle/train/iron thingy that is way bigger than a nearby city gate. The civilization that underlies such a construct (think how many factories build sub assemblies that later get assembled into a car) would be much higher than medieval tech...

Not at all. Just look at the real world and what has been done with "medieval tech" or less . There are a number of feats of ancient engineering that would be very difficult or nearly impossible today.

The Great Wall of China, the only man-made structure visible from orbit, was made entirely by hand with medieval tech. No steam-shovels, no dynamite, no Caterpillar tractors. All made with hand tools and beasts of burden.

How about the pyramids? They dwarf any other structure in the region, including several modern ones. For centuries, they were the biggest structures on the planet. And they were built by people using bronze tools and hauling quarried stone for miles.

Now, think about how impressive these structures would be if there was a team of wizards specifically tasked to help in their construction.

 

[jasper]

one the myth of the great wall visible from orbit. It isn't. Try pull ing weather sat photos and finding it.
two I have the dragon too. I hate the great castle in the air type buildings. Come on Fancy roofs are one thing but one of photos had me doing flash backs to THAT MOVIE.
So the art and at least it is not Anime.

 

[Desdichado]

one the myth of the great wall visible from orbit. It isn't. Try pull ing weather sat photos and finding it.
two I have the dragon too. I hate the great castle in the air type buildings. Come on Fancy roofs are one thing but one of photos had me doing flash backs to THAT MOVIE.
So the art and at least it is not Anime.

OK, that post was nearly completely incoherent. I'd dispute your view of the great wall's visibility from orbit being just a myth, though. I've seen orbiter photos that show it pretty clearly in the past.

 

[Belen]

The whole idea of Ebberron has really turned me off. The setting really is NOT different that a lot of othe DnD concepts. The only differences seems to be technology and more fantastical uses of magic.

Heck, they are really going for a Arcanum type of feel, which is fine, but still within the bounds of normal DnD.

I would have gotten behind a world that was truly different, but Ebberron just is not that world.

 

[Anubis the Doomseer]

one the myth of the great wall visible from orbit. It isn't. Try pull ing weather sat photos and finding it.
two I have the dragon too. I hate the great castle in the air type buildings. Come on Fancy roofs are one thing but one of photos had me doing flash backs to THAT MOVIE.
So the art and at least it is not Anime.

First, learn to use grammar and spell. We all make mistakes and typos, but this is not English.

Second - castle in the sky is a problem? Was it a problem when it was in Dragonlance 20 years ago? Or when it was an element of basic faerie tales and mythology?

Anime is quite a bit broader stylistically than you are probably aware of, not that you care though.

- Ma'at

 

[Taurren]

When I first heard about the setting I was feeling so-so about it.

But I will say that a couple of the illustrations have piqued my curiosity as has the entire mix of genres that is possible with it. If WotC can make this a really unique and immersive setting ( Dark Sun or Midnight ... as an example) I would be very willing to give it a try.

Right now though, I am not feeling very "positive" towards WotC and what they are putting out, so this had better be a FANTASTIC setting or I wont spend a dime on anything associated with it.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

Everyone KNOWS that the pyramids were built by Aliens from the 10th planet - sheesh!

 

[heirodule]

I think WOTC should release an audio preview where they use that guy who does all the movie trailer voiceovers

"In a world...where lightining trains run on time...

Five heroes take the ultimate ride..."