My B&N has Open Grave...

[Eridanis]

Also, Steven Brust's Jhereg series was based on a long running D&D campaign. Wasn't one of Vlad Taltos's best friends a lich?

Ken

It's been a while since I've read them, but I don't recollect any physical description of Sethra Lavode beyond her being more pale than normal. (Nothing near the stereotypical flesh-hanging-off-of-bones-and-glowing-eyes appearance of D&D liches.) While she's referred to as Undead, I think that has more to do with her special relationship with the gods of Dragaera and her longevity than anything else. As with many things in Brust, it's not explained. Nor may it ever be.

 

[Rechan]

It's not some kind of moral judgment. Just, they made the decision not to present this stuff with level adjustments and ECLs and stuff like that.

It's rather easy to just treat the graft like a magical item. It fills a slot, it has an encounter or daily power, etc. So it's just a gross magic item, not a template.

 

[Obryn]

Also, Steven Brust's Jhereg series was based on a long running D&D campaign. Wasn't one of Vlad Taltos's best friends a lich?

It's been a while since I've read them, but I don't recollect any physical description of Sethra Lavode beyond her being more pale than normal. (Nothing near the stereotypical flesh-hanging-off-of-bones-and-glowing-eyes appearance of D&D liches.) While she's referred to as Undead, I think that has more to do with her special relationship with the gods of Dragaera and her longevity than anything else. As with many things in Brust, it's not explained. Nor may it ever be.

As of the fifth book (which I just finished) she was pretty conclusively described as a vampire. She's left mysterious for a while, but I think she's specifically an undead being.

Which is kinda besides the point. Clearly, she's an NPC.

-O

 

[WampusCat43]

Anybody know if they're going to release this in .pdf format? I'm addicted to the ability to copy the statblocks into my initiative cards.

 

[armorclass10]

Just in general I would give the book a 4 out of 5, if you like undead and who doesn't it's a great supplement. Tons of monsters, tons of templates, classics upgraded to the 4th Edition. You have a lot more tools to specialize and even create new undead from scratch. I really am enjoying the alternate powers section, it gives you some new powers to substitute for certian undead types, i.e vampires, wraiths, etc. You can plug stuff into the MM powers without applying a template, could be fun for the know it all PC character...."Oh crap I wasn't expecting that Skeleton to do that". I can now start my update to 4th edition version of I6. Some nice sample encounters also, looks like a winner.

Once again no index is kinda annoying hence the 4 out of 5, mybe 4.5 would have been better to rate it. I like it better than the Draconomicon by far. If you are a DM planning on using undead, and what DM isn't, then it is a good purchase IMO. I haven't fully read it yet but I don't mind if someone is looking for something in paticular I can try and help you out there, but it seems like you guys already have that under control.

Oh and I really like the Undead Golem creatures.

 

[VictorC]

Just in general I would give the book a 4 out of 5, if you like undead and who doesn't it's a great supplement.

I too like it more than the Draconomicon, but care less about the index. What really irks me is the fact they left out the "Zombie Plague" from the "Infected Zombie" template on page 217. I was hoping for something like this, found it was supposed to be in there and wept when it was missing.

 

[Rechan]

Do they have an index of Monster by Level/Role/Page number?

 

[Sonny]

Just picked it up about an hour ago, seems pretty good from a quick look through. One thing I noticed quickly was the Sadako/Samara Ring type ghost. It even leaks water and has an attack that contorts a targets face.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Wow, some of the artwork pieces to start new chapters are damn awesome looking. Especially Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 (Chapter 1 is also pretty cool).

 

[chaotix42]

Do they have an index of Monster by Level/Role/Page number?

Yup, a trend I'm pleased to see continue. This particular index is quite massive, taking up almost 2 pages.

Great book IMO. I'm especially impressed with the various adventure hooks and attached encounters. They're pretty interesting and many of them feature unique monsters.

My only complaint - where is the infected zombie disease?! The template references the disease but it's nowhere to be found!