Crothian
First Post
Knightly Orders of Ansalon
In the world of Krynn there are three world spanning knightly orders. They have been written about in bits and pieces over the many years and edition of D&D. I believe though that this is the first time that they have been brought together and given their very own sourcebook. The Knights have helped shape the world in the many ages of Dragonlance and the book presents the orders in the different Ages and allows DM and players to create the knightly characters they wish.
Knightly Orders of Ansalon in a Dragonlance Sourcebook published by Margaret Weis Productions. The Dragonlance line was formerly published by Sovereign Press. The book is written by Sean Everette, Nicole Harsch, Clark Valentine, and Trampas Whiteman. The book is hardback and one sixty pages. It does seem a little expensive with a $35 price tag. The book is in full color with a very nice lay out and art. There is a great Jason Engle picture on the front cover and inside is more great art including some nice Larry Elmore pieces.
The strength of the book is easily in the great descriptions and the complete depth of the material on the three main Knight Orders. The book is also rather rules light. There are some prestige classes and a few feats for all knights but other that the book is chalked full of great information.
The book starts off with a very nice chapter on knights. It gives the basic qualities of the knights and what makes a person a knight. It is very solid over view and does a great job of showing how Knights can be parts of many organizations even ones that are not the big three presented later in the book. There are many example archtypes of knights given allowing for a wide variety of knights that can be played or appear in one’s campaign. There is a nice sidebar discussing the dilemma of taking prisoners. This is the type of great information and advice the book presents that is directly useful in many campaigns not just Dragonlance ones. I know I have seen players argue over the prisoner issue many times. It recognizes that one answer is not right for everyone so it presents both sides. There is also another good side bar on the rules of addressing nobility.
There is a nice section on sports fighting. I like these type of events that are still combat but not the regular sort we see in the typical dungeon crawls. There are many events like the joust and the melee. I would have really liked to seen specific rules like what the AC of the rings is to hit one during the Ring Joust. But it is a good start and leaves just a bit of work up to the DM to do with them. There is also detail on the Knight Duels. Over all with the equipment and the look, and the mount, and heraldry, and wealth, and was the classes can be played as knights; the book just covers so much good and useful information. There are a few minor mechanics in this are with substation levels.
The first of the three specific group of knights is the most famous Knights of Solamnia. The book gives a good history of the Knights and through the different ages the setting has experienced. The first sidebar in the section is on the Order of Clerics the Knights of Solamnia. There is another sidebar on the Rank Structure. The book goes through many different places on the continent and discusses the different level of influence the Knights have there.
The prestige classes for the knights seem to be well done but also a little on the weak side. They have many good abilities that are very fitting for the Knights but I think they could have used a little more as it would help really make the Knights stand out.
The Dark Knights and Legions of Steel get similar treatment to the Knights of Solamnia. There is just so much crammed into this book that it is tough to comment on it all. The book is awesome for people wanting to play or showcase Knights in Dragonlance. The book can also be useful for people that just want so good ideas for different types of knights in their own game and setting. It would not be hard to remove some of the typical Dragonlance elements and just end up with a very useful book on knights.
In the world of Krynn there are three world spanning knightly orders. They have been written about in bits and pieces over the many years and edition of D&D. I believe though that this is the first time that they have been brought together and given their very own sourcebook. The Knights have helped shape the world in the many ages of Dragonlance and the book presents the orders in the different Ages and allows DM and players to create the knightly characters they wish.
Knightly Orders of Ansalon in a Dragonlance Sourcebook published by Margaret Weis Productions. The Dragonlance line was formerly published by Sovereign Press. The book is written by Sean Everette, Nicole Harsch, Clark Valentine, and Trampas Whiteman. The book is hardback and one sixty pages. It does seem a little expensive with a $35 price tag. The book is in full color with a very nice lay out and art. There is a great Jason Engle picture on the front cover and inside is more great art including some nice Larry Elmore pieces.
The strength of the book is easily in the great descriptions and the complete depth of the material on the three main Knight Orders. The book is also rather rules light. There are some prestige classes and a few feats for all knights but other that the book is chalked full of great information.
The book starts off with a very nice chapter on knights. It gives the basic qualities of the knights and what makes a person a knight. It is very solid over view and does a great job of showing how Knights can be parts of many organizations even ones that are not the big three presented later in the book. There are many example archtypes of knights given allowing for a wide variety of knights that can be played or appear in one’s campaign. There is a nice sidebar discussing the dilemma of taking prisoners. This is the type of great information and advice the book presents that is directly useful in many campaigns not just Dragonlance ones. I know I have seen players argue over the prisoner issue many times. It recognizes that one answer is not right for everyone so it presents both sides. There is also another good side bar on the rules of addressing nobility.
There is a nice section on sports fighting. I like these type of events that are still combat but not the regular sort we see in the typical dungeon crawls. There are many events like the joust and the melee. I would have really liked to seen specific rules like what the AC of the rings is to hit one during the Ring Joust. But it is a good start and leaves just a bit of work up to the DM to do with them. There is also detail on the Knight Duels. Over all with the equipment and the look, and the mount, and heraldry, and wealth, and was the classes can be played as knights; the book just covers so much good and useful information. There are a few minor mechanics in this are with substation levels.
The first of the three specific group of knights is the most famous Knights of Solamnia. The book gives a good history of the Knights and through the different ages the setting has experienced. The first sidebar in the section is on the Order of Clerics the Knights of Solamnia. There is another sidebar on the Rank Structure. The book goes through many different places on the continent and discusses the different level of influence the Knights have there.
The prestige classes for the knights seem to be well done but also a little on the weak side. They have many good abilities that are very fitting for the Knights but I think they could have used a little more as it would help really make the Knights stand out.
The Dark Knights and Legions of Steel get similar treatment to the Knights of Solamnia. There is just so much crammed into this book that it is tough to comment on it all. The book is awesome for people wanting to play or showcase Knights in Dragonlance. The book can also be useful for people that just want so good ideas for different types of knights in their own game and setting. It would not be hard to remove some of the typical Dragonlance elements and just end up with a very useful book on knights.
