First new books in a while

[MerricB]

Well, since my FLGS started charging 50% more than what things cost in Melbourne (and are poor at stocking books in any case), I've had a real struggle getting new D&D books. I had my once-a-year trip to Melbourne in January, but they were waiting for the new books to get through customs. Argh! (I ended up getting BattleLore and Arkham Horror instead).

Still, I have friends who go down to Melbourne from time to time, and I prevailed on them to get me some new books yesterday. So, they've just arrived! Yay!

Not that I've got all the books that I've missed in the past 6 months or so. There's still a lot of buying to do. I'm missing Complete Scoundrel, for one. I just need another month or two without other expenses.

So, given I only had about aus$100 to spend, what did I get?

Barrow of the Forgotten King, Shattered Gates of Slaughtergarde, and Dungeonscape. I like adventures.

So, a few notes on first impressions (from a very, very brief look at the products):

Dungeonscape: Cool. (I haven't looked at it much yet, ok? )

Barrow of the Forgotten King: Linear. Seems good for new DMs, which is somewhat of a plus, though degraded by the fact I'm not a new DM.

Shattered Gates of Slaughtergarde: Very, very cool. I love the Player's book. New prestige classes and affiliations? Excellent. Love the presentation of this adventure. Very stylish.

What, you want more? Well, wait until I've read a little more...

Cheers!

 

[Ranes]

BotFK: Not read it.

Dungeonscape: I think you're heading for deep, deep joy here.

SGoS: As above. The PrCs are among the least offensive I've seen to date but they still send my cheese-meter into the red, especially when I read the words "twisted lords".

Anyway, enjoy!

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Well, since my FLGS started charging 50% more than what things cost in Melbourne (and are poor at stocking books in any case), I've had a real struggle getting new D&D books. I had my once-a-year trip to Melbourne in January, but they were waiting for the new books to get through customs.

Just curious -- why not visit Melbourne more often? Aren't you like 150km away up the M8? That's a day trip in the US; not sure how that's considered in Australia. When I lived in Texas I'd think nothing of driving 250km to Dallas for a day trip. Shoot, you could live in Quilpie. Come to thikn of it, I used to drive the distance from Waubra to Melbourne about every 2-4 weeks to DM, but I realize that could be considered fanatical.

Agree with your assesment of Duneonscape. I was a bit more disappointed with BotFK. SGoS -- I'll give it a "cool" but I'd probably disagree with you on the number of "verys".

Glad you could pick up some adventure fun, though!

 

[MerricB]

Just curious -- why not visit Melbourne more often? Aren't you like 150km away up the M8? That's a day trip in the US; not sure how that's considered in Australia. When I lived in Texas I'd think nothing of driving 250km to Dallas for a day trip. Shoot, you could live in Quilpie.

I used to live in Melbourne, so the place isn't that special to me. About the only reason I have to go down there is to visit Mind Games (for board games and RPG books) and Minotaur Books (for fantasy & sci-fi novels). Mostly, I haven't needed to - my FLGS used to supply most of my needs (and at a reasonable price).

It takes me between 2 to 2-1/2 hours to travel to Melbourne, and I generally find other things that attract my attention. (spending 5 hours of a day travelling just to get a few books is not high on my list of things to do).

Cheers!

 

[mhacdebhandia]

Just curious -- why not visit Melbourne more often? Aren't you like 150km away up the M8? That's a day trip in the US; not sure how that's considered in Australia. When I lived in Texas I'd think nothing of driving 250km to Dallas for a day trip.

If nothing else, petrol is much more expensive in Australia than anywhere in the United States.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

It takes me between 2 to 2-1/2 hours to travel to Melbourne, and I generally find other things that attract my attention. (spending 5 hours of a day travelling just to get a few books is not high on my list of things to do).

Gotcha. Thanks for indulging my curiosity!

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Merric,

Why not just order the books you want from Games Paradise or MilSims? Games Paradise gives you free shipping for orders over $75 while MilSims only charge $6 for shipping no matter how many things you order. You could get the books straight away and it would still work out cheaper once factor in petrol costs to drive to Melbourne.

Olaf the Stout

 

[MerricB]

Merric,

Why not just order the books you want from Games Paradise or MilSims? Games Paradise gives you free shipping for orders over $75 while MilSims only charge $6 for shipping no matter how many things you order. You could get the books straight away and it would still work out cheaper once factor in petrol costs to drive to Melbourne.

'

At times, I have. I've fallen out of the habit with my FLGS providing good service. But, given it no longer is, I probably will again.

Cheers!

 

[MerricB]

I really like the format of The Shattered Gates of Slaughtergarde. The folder is very stylish. I don't know about the adventure itself, but the books make be thrill with joy to hold them. I can only expect it's quite expensive to make, so I don't know if we'll see anything else like it.

Barrow of the Forgotten King has some nice touches. It's nice to see an adventure with the map on the inside cover, and the pages aren't stapled to the cover.

Cheers!

 

[MerricB]

If nothing else, petrol is much more expensive in Australia than anywhere in the United States.

It costs me approximately aus$7-8 (c. us$6) in petrol to drive to and from work each day - about 60km on the round trip.

Melbourne is about 200km away from where I live, so petrol would be $40-50 or so. It's cheaper - just - to take the train. So, $7 to get to the train, and then approx. $30 for the train trip (to and fro). At $35+, that's the cost of one D&D book.

Petrol here is currently around aus$1.20 per litre - that's about us$3.60 per gallon.

Cheers!