Iron Lore: Malhavoc's Surprise?

[JoeGKushner]

"Odd months down the road" for me means maybe 5 game sessions. That's no more than two adventures, which is probably no more than 1 or 2 character levels. Some of us plan that far in advance (or have games that meet that infrequently). If I can start planting some seeds now (either to wrap up a current campaign, or seeds in my players' minds about how IL might fix XY and Z), that helps me now as well as later.

Could you give me an example Eric? I know about the DMG II, Battlefield Adventuers and several other books coming out but I'm not really 'hyping' them as something in my campaign. When I knew that AU was coming out, I didn't start hinting at giants or mojh or anythign, I just ran an AU game.

I'd like to see where you're coming from with this. For me, I run about once a week so if we're talking August, we've got April, May, June and July so for me, that's 16 game sessions so we're talking more than a level or two in that time for my games for example.

 

[EricNoah]

Well, as an example, one of my DMs is starting to look around at what to do for his next campaign. Our current one isn't done yet, but the more info I can pass him on IL, the more likely I will be able to play in an IL campaign.

And for AU, yeah, I did have to kind of sweet-talk my group into considering it (because they'd need to invest money in a new rulebook and time/effort into learning a new setting/game). Any info I could pass them ahead of time about the magic system, the races, classes, etc. was helpful in building my case.

 

[TerraDave]

On the other hand, asking Mike Mearls for specific information now and here is for naught, since he a) basically told us he'd leave for the Malhavoc forum thread and b) can't divulge a lot yet.

Well, he gave us a lot...and Malhavoc is good with their previews...and for all of use 30+ on the boards, 5 months can just fly by. Where does all the time go (besides EnWorld, that is)?

 

[JoeGKushner]

Well, as an example, one of my DMs is starting to look around at what to do for his next campaign. Our current one isn't done yet, but the more info I can pass him on IL, the more likely I will be able to play in an IL campaign.

And for AU, yeah, I did have to kind of sweet-talk my group into considering it (because they'd need to invest money in a new rulebook and time/effort into learning a new setting/game). Any info I could pass them ahead of time about the magic system, the races, classes, etc. was helpful in building my case.

I guess my group is just more open to different d20 variants.

Still, in both cases here, you're 'selling' the group on something as opposed to actually using it in your own ongoing campaign no?

 

[mearls]

On the other hand, asking Mike Mearls for specific information now and here is for naught, since he a) basically told us he'd leave for the Malhavoc forum thread and b) can't divulge a lot yet.

I'm still here, I just can't say much. As we begin rolling out previews, I'll be here to answer questions.

Right now, I can't say as much as I want because:

A. We need to pace this, so people aren't just twiddling their thumbs for 5 months waiting for the game.

B. I don't want to drop something that could be miscontrued, or lead to lots of wild speculation of what the game can and cannot do. I have limited free time to cruise message boards, and I'd rather not have to say too much and deal with a headache rather than say nothing and deal with nothing. I'm really pressed for time at the moment.

Thus, I have to take this slower than I'd like, but c'est la vie.

The first design diary for the game should go up this week. I've read over this thread, and if you have specific questions feel free to post away. If I can answer them here, I will. Otherwise, I'll file them away to address them in the design articles.

 

[EricNoah]

I guess my group is just more open to different d20 variants.

Sounds like your group meets a lot more frequently. We just don't have the time.

Still, in both cases here, you're 'selling' the group on something as opposed to actually using it in your own ongoing campaign no?

I'm afraid I don't understand the question. Maybe I missed your original point -- wasn't it something like "there's no point getting worked up about something that's not coming out for 5 months"? I'm just letting you know that even though it might seem silly or pointless to do so to you, there is a reason behind it that's more than just "ooh I want it and I want it now." The more information, and the earlier I can get it, the better for me.

You know, we're probably arguing the same side of a point that neither of us can clearly remember in the first place. And that's when I know it's time for me to just drop the subject.

 

[EricNoah]

The first design diary for the game should go up this week. I've read over this thread, and if you have specific questions feel free to post away. If I can answer them here, I will. Otherwise, I'll file them away to address them in the design articles.

Awesome, and just what we'd expect/desire. We can't ask for much more than that!

 

[Crothian]

What would be the first Crothian? The 3e PHB?

Nope, Thieves World

 

[A'koss]

The first design diary for the game should go up this week. I've read over this thread, and if you have specific questions feel free to post away. If I can answer them here, I will. Otherwise, I'll file them away to address them in the design articles.

That's more than fair enough Mike.

As far as questions go... lessee... will there be martial arts rules in IL? Oh, and which of the classes (or combinations thereof) would best mirror the old 1st edition Duelist class from Dragon Mag.! The high hit point, lightly armored, pseudo-assassin version (not the watered down swashbuckler)...

Cheers!

 

[JoeGKushner]

Sounds like your group meets a lot more frequently. We just don't have the time.

I'm afraid I don't understand the question. Maybe I missed your original point -- wasn't it something like "there's no point getting worked up about something that's not coming out for 5 months"? I'm just letting you know that even though it might seem silly or pointless to do so to you, there is a reason behind it that's more than just "ooh I want it and I want it now." The more information, and the earlier I can get it, the better for me.

You know, we're probably arguing the same side of a point that neither of us can clearly remember in the first place. And that's when I know it's time for me to just drop the subject.

I didn't know we were arguing.

I personally am not worked up about it.

My quesiton though, was someone else mentioned using this in a campaign to help his game, and if it's an ongoing campaign, I'm wondering if they're going to put their current campaign on hold or if they're waiting to use it as it's own thing when it finally does come out, etc...

For me, my campaign runs full steam ahead. In the five months we have between now and then, maybe it'll be time for a new campaign. For example, I've posted a few story hours about Siege of Eberonring Keep and after Black Company came up, posted some updates on how I was using it for Slavelords of Cydonia.