Far Realms poll

[Erik Mona]

By the way, I'm heartened that so many people enjoyed 330, and particularly the Far Realms content in it. I always considered that issue my first, in that it was the first issue that I built from top to bottom without any "inherited" articles from previous administrations. Its lackluster sales were therefore rather depressing, but I'm willing to bet that the Far Realm article had little to do with that.

Sorry for the threadjack!

Go Far Realm! I'd buy the book so long as it didn't provide too much detail on the Far Realm itself. Thu far Bruce and WotC have done a good job of _not_ describing the place, which means it can be as horrifying as each of us wants it to be. Once it is described in detail, I think there's a very real risk of it becoming "just another Abyss," as a previous poster suggested.

Not that the Abyss isn't awesome, but the Far Realm should be something else.

--Erik

 

[sckeener]

It really depends on the setting, but your fiction observation is a strong one. My suspicion is that in many cases fiction does not help sell the magazine. There are certainly exceptions (a George R.R. Martin excerpt, an Elaine Cunningham story), but I think you're on to something.--Erik

Of ficition, I have a ton to read already. Unless it is a big name, it would not add anything for me. Similar to the one single on an album that I like, I have bought short story collection books because of one author....however even then I think about it before I do. Having fiction in a gaming magazine is like having a music video on a music cd. It is nice extra, but I would have bought it for the audio anyway and the video won't play in my CD player. I use my dragons/dungeons at the gaming table, fiction won't play there....at worst it'll distract.

 

[Kestrel]

If its any indication of how quick I would buy a book on the Far Realms, I just finished buying Dragon issue 330 off of Paizo.com after hearing about its subject matter in this thread.

Details on the Far Realms is what I was hoping that Lords of Madness had more of. I liked the book, but it didn't feed my need for more pulp-horror in my DnD game. It was interesting and useful, but the monsters covered (Mind Flayers, Aboleth, Grell, and Beholders) are so road-worn from the 20 something years they've been around, that they aren't creepy or otherworldly anymore. The Tsochar on the other hand, were great.

Cthulhu and DnD, two great tastes that taste great together!

 

[Zaukrie]

I went back and re-read that issue, for maybe the 4th time, after seeing this thread. Erik, the Far Realms stuff in there is great stuff. I agree with the idea of monsters, those who have returned, and WotC should buy Chaositech (though many will disagree) from Monte. The Far Realms (FR?) should be an unknown, but I'd love to see more of it escaping into the Prime. Indeed, I'm begging for FR? minis in the DDM line, and the fake chaos beast card nearly gave me a heart attack of joy.

Maybe it could be a re-write of the Firestorm Mtn (is that the name) module, with lots of rules and monsters and whatever - that way it isn't just a FR? book, but an adventure too (not my first choice, but it may make it more likely to be done).

 

[deClench]

Ia ia.

That had new invocations in it?

Actually, I was refering to the Eberron article on the Umbragen by Baker (even if you don't love Eberron, it had some great warlock material in it). Apparently, there was also some in the Far Realms article that I had forgotten about.


To keep myself on topic, I would likely purchase a Far Realms book sight unseen. Though, I would prefer, as has been mentioned by many, that it not be "over-detailed." I think that is completely doable, too. You could treat it like Xendrik (excuse the Eberron reference please) and just talk about portions of it with the majority left untouched. The bulk of the work could simply be about how the Far Realms affects the rest of the multiverse: expand the Dragon article; *anything* more on the kaorti; hell, bring the quori to the masses -- there's so much that could be done without demystifying the place, IMO.

And they will call it, "At the Planes of Madness." ^_^

 

[Zelda Themelin]

I agree to poster that said Dragon issue 330 low sales might have something do with cover art. Means nothing to someone who is going to buy every issue like me, but for casual buyers it's much bigger thing.

I'd like some epic statted alien monsters, some ritual summons spells, nasty artifacts and maybe few intersting Far Realms "locations".

I don't know how well it would work as offical WotC book. I thought Lords of Maddness was pretty boring book, and let's say Liber Chaotica (Warhammer book) was interesting.
And I think this is because WotC makes D&D "kid-friendly". So intensity in writing is missing.

But Far Realms would make great monster book though, with some artifacts and magic items, and psionic viruses and similar little extras. Some locations, few adventure ideas and one creepy adventure.

Or someone could make adventure path like Shacled City was, but use Far Reams creatures/invasion as background theme, Which could of course start "innocently" with regular evil cults, magic plague, insane dragon. etc.

So, I am not only one who has read Brian Lumley. I found his Mythos stories forgettable. His Necroscope series was interesting, but it went on too long, I lost interst at some point. His Psyhcosphere trilogy was interesting. I must say his "Mary Sue-characters" are a bit bore though. Heh, there was Necroscope rpg out once, didn't get it though.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

As far as a Far Realms book goes, I am in general agreement with the notion that you would have to be very careful about how much description you put into it. At the same time, though, I can't help but feel this is one book/topic that would really benefit (possibly need?) a lot of artwork- creepy, horrific, alien artwork. Moreso than the typical accessory, even.

 

[Asmor]

If its any indication of how quick I would buy a book on the Far Realms, I just finished buying Dragon issue 330 off of Paizo.com after hearing about its subject matter in this thread.

Details on the Far Realms is what I was hoping that Lords of Madness had more of. I liked the book, but it didn't feed my need for more pulp-horror in my DnD game. It was interesting and useful, but the monsters covered (Mind Flayers, Aboleth, Grell, and Beholders) are so road-worn from the 20 something years they've been around, that they aren't creepy or otherworldly anymore. The Tsochar on the other hand, were great.

Cthulhu and DnD, two great tastes that taste great together!

Lol, I did the same exact thing (buying issue 330 off Paizo.com). I needed to renew my subscription anyways, and I picked up 332 as well.

 

[Thurbane]

What should a Far Realms Guidebook ideally involve?

- New monsters
- New races
- New spells
- New items
- New PrCs
- More detailed rules on the nature and locations in the Far Realm

 

[3catcircus]

What should a Far Realms Guidebook ideally involve?

- New monsters
- New races
- New spells
- New items
- New PrCs
- More detailed rules on the nature and locations in the Far Realm

New spells, items, PrCs are exactly what is wrong with every new book that WotC publishes... Enough already. Just describe the locations and denizens. Period.