[poll] would you pay for a Dog20 pdf?

[Kahuna Burger]

Re: Re: [poll] would you pay for a Dog20 pdf?

I wonder if photos might be useful for this kind of PDF. It would be useful for the "breeds of dogs" section, and much easier to get than illustrated work. Of course, the other sections would probably need an artist.

yeah, I'd like the art to be consistent... right now I'm envisioning old style drawings from some of those 'clip art' books, and finding someone who can do a couple illustrations in a similar style to blend. This has led inevitably to the idea of doing it with much of the text 'written by' an elvish dog enthusiast with all the crunchy bits to the side. (or vice versa)

Kahuna burger

 

[Terraism]

Including other canines, as well as dogs, would increase interest (for me, at least.) If you touched a bit on - as someone mentioned already - how dogs differ from wolves and such, it'd be interesting. But if you included information on wolves, it'd be better.

 

[mythusmage]

I'd be interested. Especially in a book that covers the history of canids, modern species, and breeds of domestic dogs. Subjects to include:

Psychology and personality.
Breeding.
Hunting.
Behavior.

Information on wolves is a must, even if it's only Canis lupus familiaris (the domestic dog). If you can include stats and facts on wolves themselves, dingos, dholes, and Cape Hunting Dogs. If you can find it, information on the pariah dogs of the Middle East and the wild dogs of India (both descended from domestic dogs) would be nice.

For the combat mavens be sure to include stuff on how dogs fight and their hunting tactics.

Good luck.

 

[Michael Morris]

I think a book on dog breeds is too tight a subject area to be of much interest. However, a book on familiars and animal companions could cover this topic. Different breeds of dog would make for different familiars (odd that dogs aren't given as a familiar type in the PHB, not all wizards are cat people after all).

That could be interesting.

 

[Olive]

i'd be interested in the topic, but it's more amgazine article kinda territory than something i'd buy specifically.

 

[Gez]

(odd that dogs aren't given as a familiar type in the PHB, not all wizards are cat people after all).

As far as I know, dogs have never been burned on stake for crime of witchery, cats have. Dogs have never been nailed on doors to ward off the evil eyes, bats and owls have.

I can't think of any example of a mage figure with a dog familiar -- dogs have a mentality that makes them want a master, you don't need to be a sorcerer to have a dog friend. Cats, on the other hand, have always been associated with magic.

That said, if falcons and eagles are valid familiar choices, dogs could be also. But the MM only contains Small or bigger canine, familiars need to be Tiny or smaller (exceptions are usually flying creatures, whose wingspan give them a deceivingly large size). Foxes and little dogs could make good familiar, although noone will take seriously a wizard with a poodle familiar.

 

[Gez]

I voted blue. That's typical of the kind of sourcebook I glance through once, tell myself "hey, a good idea there, I should use that with so-or-so NPC" then totally forget and never read again...

 

[Kahuna Burger]

Some things I'd like to see:

- a (brief) look at the history of dogs; the various roles they filled, a description of some unique breeds, etc. But especially, some historical accounts of amazing deeds accomplished by dogs (or at least attributed to them - doesn't have to be true for a fantasy game )

- a description of dog mentality (also brief). How they are different from other canines, especially wolves.

heh, these two parts would be a lot of fun, tis true - especially deciding what relationships the different races have with dogs.

One thing that worries me in terms of mentality is how to handle intelligence. Some breeds are just plain brighter than others (on average) and without messing with core rules, there a two point range of int to work with. I will likely introduce a 'trainability' special quality (graded) that reflects an increased number of base tricks and a lowered DC to teach new tricks. An increased wisdom score or 'human empathy' skill might also reflect the ability of domestic dogs to read body language cues better than wild animals...

- A "Kennel Master" type of class, a variant of ranger or druid that has dog companions to good effect. Don't give me yet another prestige class unless it's truely prestigious. I really want a core class.

however, this idea may simply too narrow for a core class. perhaps an NPC class adapted from the expert with a dash of adept would be in order, along with rules for how a speak with animals ability effects training.

- A look at the established fantasy dogs - blink dogs, hell hounds, fairy dogs, etc.

this would add a bit of padding, but my main concern would be the number of judgement calls I'd have to make on which ones really counted as dog variations and which happened to have similar form, creation, etc. eh, if no one else wants to decide I'll just flip a coint and call it cannon...

- As WayneLegion said, new tricks, equipment, all that stuff!

well, duh...

is there an interest in dog 'classes' to represent advanced (even magical) training in certain roles - tracker, police dog, watchdog, etc?

Kahuna Burger

 

[seasong]

Kahuna Burger, I'd pay a few dollars for it as a PDF, or buy it as part of a magazine, but otherwise it's too narrow a focus for me. I'm more likely to read it in order to read it, than to use it in my campaign. That's a sight unseen opinion, of course .

As far as I know, dogs have never been burned on stake for crime of witchery, cats have. Dogs have never been nailed on doors to ward off the evil eyes, bats and owls have.

Black dogs have often been associated with evil, and even hunted. And of course, wolves are an obvious choice for a familiar, except that familiars are supposed to be smaller than that or something .

 

[Hand of Evil]

Here is the old link, which was very interesting discussion.

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34084

You also had the one on Riding dogs...

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36329&highlight=dogs