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Message: <blockquote data-quote="(un)reason" data-source="post: 6222993" data-attributes="member: 27780">Dragon Issue 345: July 2006part 3/6The giants of Xen'drik: Dark Elves and Giants have a longstanding connection in D&D, stretching back to the GDQ series. Eberron takes this, but inverts it, making them long-standing enemies who's wars ravage a continent. That's certainly a scenario that allows players a lot of adventure hooks while caught in the middle. This article works to add the personal touch to that scenario, with a specific location and NPC's there, making it really easy to run because the maps are sorted out and you can just wander in. Like Dreadhold last issue, this feels almost like one of those old school adventures that just details an area, and gives you plenty of room in how the adventure will turn out rather than trying to force you into a particular plot. And like that, it's very welcome as a kind of feature that they haven't really done before. This way of filling in a world definitely seems to be working for them so far. I hope it'll be a while before it hits diminishing returns like their other cycles before it. Four ways to travel the world: We've had vast numbers of new monsters and spells over the years. New vehicles, on the other hand, not so much. They're mechanically much more complicated to create, and have a bigger effect on your game if you get one. It's not that there isn't the demand, but the lack of supply keeps the price too high for most. Well, someone's had the courage to submit this and get it published. Let's see if it fills this much-needed niche. The Silver Trident is a big, (relatively) comfortable sailship with plenty of room for any treasure you pick up along the way, and a swashbuckling captain who'll be quite happy to join in your adventures. If you need to make a quick getaway, these are your guys. The Kraken's Bane is a fantastical submarine that looks more than a little fishy. It's captained by a grizzled old salt who does not put up with fools or insubordination. Well, one puncture and you're in serious trouble. You don't have room to be forgiving in those circumstances. A stint underwater will put you in good stead for facing the tomb of horrors later. Serella's Caravan is for those of you who are looking for a little company (and maybe protection in numbers) in your overland trips. It's run by a hard-bitten old trader who'll be cranky and suspicious of you at first, but loyal to the end if you prove yourself. It's all about long-term investment to create a viable business. The Steambolt is a gnome-designed steam-powered Zeppelin, a combo which surprises me not at all. Couldn't you have a comfy halfling houseboat or something instead if you're going to stick with the racial stereotypes? Still, with special rules on what happens if you try to damage an airship mid-flight (not a good idea) this is a pretty decent implementation mechanically. So this article manages to be a winner in both setting detail and mechanics. It's nice that they can really combine the two again in larger chunks.</blockquote>

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