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Message: <blockquote data-quote="(un)reason" data-source="post: 5851460" data-attributes="member: 27780">Dragon Magazine Issue 269: March 2000part 1/7132 pages. Larry Elmore finally finishes his witches of the seasons series, started more than a hundred issues ago. Like Tom Moldvay's undead reexamination series, it's good to see it resolved, especially given the health problems he had in the interim. Fittingly, the theme of the issue is once again nature based stuff. Like the underdark, we've already had quite a few goes at this, but they want to make sure we're well and truly saturated with it before the edition changes arrive. So it's time for another feast of goods rapidly approaching their sell-by-date. Let's try and grab some nice bargains. In this issue:The wyrms turn: In the course of exploring 25 years of roleplaying, I'd be the first to admit I've become more than a little blase about things. And I'm quite aware that losing that sense of wonder is not that great for your ability to have fun. Dave is worrying about exactly the same issue. A talking animal doesn't even make us blink. A dragon is reason for realistic caution, but no real awe or panic. A vampire or medusa sees us shrug and get out the appropriate countermeasures from our backpacks of holding. So yeah, how do you regain that sense of wonder? As with a lot of things based on advancement, the easy solution is to pace yourself, but I think that horse is well and truly out he gates. The other things are to either take a break, do something completely different to allow yourself to re-sensitise, or to focus on something specific for an extended period, so as to develop more nuance and get them emotionally involved. But even that can stop working if you do it repeatedly. Guess the battle to keep things fresh will have to continue, otherwise you're faced with the prospect of a long, slow, bored rest of your life. And I certainly don't want that. D-Mail: We start off with someone who is generally happy with what they've seen of the 3e rules, but deeply suspicious of the artwork. The writers quickly assure him that he doesn't have to change his playstyle because of that. OR DOES HE?! (dun dun dun) Never underestimate the subliminal power of presentation. A letter from someone who's interpreted the teasers in the worst possible way, and has sworn never to buy 3e. They try to correct him, but that probably won't help the individual, merely those observing the debate. We get some more praise for dungeoncraft. It is turning out pretty nice, isn't it. We then have two letters praising Alternity, and one of them wanting it eliminated from the magazine entirely. It continues to be a rather divisive subject, and one they'd like to find a permanent solution too. Whether that will be giving it it's own magazine or simply killing it is still being debated in the offices. We then have someone telling them off for using a traitorous guest star. Now they won't trust any genuine new players, and might well kill their characters in response. All I have to say to that is muahahahaha. If you can't take a little treachery then you certainly shouldn't play in my games. A letter pointing out errors a few issues ago. Not a rare sight, really. The grist mill continues to turn, and editors only have time to check things over a few times. A rather interesting diversion. Apparently Gen Con is being moved from Milwaukee to Indianapolis. This is obviously good for the general public, as it continues to increase in size and needs bigger infrastructure, but bad for people living nearby. A threat from the equal heights rights group to end the discrimination against halflings or face kneecapping. Quite right too. You do not mess with someone who's face is at groin height unless you want to feel exquisite pain. Nodwick is in so much trouble. Imagination is more disturbing than showing the full horror.</blockquote>

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