Scarred Lands: Ask the Sage [New and Improved!]

[JoeGKushner]

I'm good Nightfall. Just pointing out that in some aspects, the Asaatthi book is another attempt at reinventing the wheel when the original spokes haven't been hit yet. Perfect for SL games that focus on that race but unlike the Ratmen who really had no D&D counterparts outside of Wererats, they're quite a bit of serpent/lizard alternatives. (I know of the Skaven, but not in the old D&D/d20 library so to speak.)

I like SL but find that enjoyment starting to dwindle for various issues.

Next up on the list is the Termana Hardcover which looks fairly good. Hopefully it won't set me up too much for a deeper reading and enjoyment of Faithful and Forsaken.

 

[Will]

Trick, Will and Joe,

Come on guys let's keep it civil.
...
Will,

I don't think any of us are denigrating your work just questioning how something came about.

(laugh!) I guess I came off more defensive than I intended... I just meant to explain that very thing, how things came about, at least at my end.

I didn't have a lot to do with most of the player's guides, so my reaction to Trick was just a little surprise. I see his point... setting material doesn't translate directly. I suppose a book that was much more about new PrCs and feats would translate more.

Re: Joe and Asaatthi being yet another reptilian race... one of the things I was very interested in exploring was not just a reptilian race, but a race where _everyone_ had magic. Where people were more likely to cast light as use a lamp or torch.

The blend of ubiquitous magic, reptilian sensibilities, lost empires, and intense faith is somewhat distinct.

Actually, I think asaatthi would be great source material for magic-rich, decadent human civilizations...

I do agree that it would have been a good idea to include stats for normal asaatthi in the book. I'm actually surprised to hear there aren't.

 

[Nightfall]

Next up on the list is the Termana Hardcover which looks fairly good. Hopefully it won't set me up too much for a deeper reading and enjoyment of Faithful and Forsaken.

I'm sure that will be good Joe. I speak from experience here. The Religion section alone will be worth the time. Not sure about the appendix but you'll find a LOT of meat/fluff in there. There are some psionic aspects covered in the book. But some how I think SLCS: Termana is much better than F&F. (A great book versus just an average/good book.)

Will,

It's all good man. I'm sure the Blood Sea will get a little better look. Quite honestly I felt Secrets was a good/very good book and certainly better in many respects to Faithful and Forsaken, which after a couple reads I have to agree with Trick is an average book.

 

[caudor]

Dear Master Scarred Lands Sage:

First of all, thanks for taking time to share you hard-earned wisdom with us. That's very kind of you

My questions pertains to 3.5 and the future of Scarred Lands. Actually, I own most of the Scarred Lands books published to date (missing a few region books). However, up to this point I haven't read any of them in detail yet, aside from some borrowing some monsters for another campaign.

Now that I've learned and invested into the 3.5 system, and since it appears I'll have time to start a Scarred Lands campaign, I'm concerned about the fact that most of the books seem to be written for v3.0. Put simply, I'm not sure if I'll have the energy to convert tons of material to 3.5 in order to play.

So a couple questions: In your opinion, is the flavor of this world worth the effort of converting selected stuff to 3.5 (or is there support material that already has done this?) Is there a place I can go to see what books are written for 3.0 versus 3.5? Finally, I assume future Scarred Lands material will use the 3.5 rules, is that correct?

Thanks again for starting this thread!

 

[Nightfall]

Dear Master Scarred Lands Sage:

First of all, thanks for taking time to share you hard-earned wisdom with us. That's very kind of you

I try to do my best. I'm not infallible but my ego likes to say otherwise.

My questions pertains to 3.5 and the future of Scarred Lands. Actually, I own most of the Scarred Lands books published to date (missing a few region books). However, up to this point I haven't read any of them in detail yet, aside from some borrowing some monsters for another campaign.

So I take then you have CC Revised then?

Now that I've learned and invested into the 3.5 system, and since it appears I'll have time to start a Scarred Lands campaign, I'm concerned about the fact that most of the books seem to be written for v3.0. Put simply, I'm not sure if I'll have the energy to convert tons of material to 3.5 in order to play.

That's certainly understandable.

So a couple questions: In your opinion, is the flavor of this world worth the effort of converting selected stuff to 3.5 (or is there support material that already has done this?) Is there a place I can go to see what books are written for 3.0 versus 3.5? Finally, I assume future Scarred Lands material will use the 3.5 rules, is that correct?

Thanks again for starting this thread!

I'll answer this in reverse order. All the future books with the exception of any Psi-Handbook material, will be 3.5. Thus Echoes of the Past: Slacerian Legacy will use the stuff in 3.0 Psionics. (Even though I'm sure there will be stuff drawn from Malhavoc Press, at least in regards to If Thoughts Could Kill.) There is no current place but I will say anything before Creature Collection Revised will be 3.0. Anything after that will be 3.5. (Or at least try to be.) It can be worth IF you feel strongly about it. Myself I keep a hybrid mix since while I learned 3.5 I just didn't feel that drawn to completely making the change. That being said, if you want to fully upgrade to 3.5, then you will have to make SOME changes but not as much as say going from 2nd to 3.5. Hope that helps in your decision making process.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Hmmm maybe my hint in the other thread was too subtle…

Anyhow I shall ask my PG specific questions here.

What does the PG have to offer a PrC wise for a follower of “Sune” (FR: Goddess of Love and Beauty) obviously I’m wanting to use the “generic” nature of the Scarred Lands to mine for ideas.

 

[Brennin Magalus]

Hmmm maybe my hint in the other thread was too subtle…

Anyhow I shall ask my PG specific questions here.

What does the PG have to offer a PrC wise for a follower of “Sune” (FR: Goddess of Love and Beauty) obviously I’m wanting to use the “generic” nature of the Scarred Lands to mine for ideas.

The Shelzar Eroticist from the wizards, bards, and sorcerers book might suit you (I wouldn't recommend the book in general, though).

 

[caudor]

That being said, if you want to fully upgrade to 3.5, then you will have to make SOME changes but not as much as say going from 2nd to 3.5. Hope that helps in your decision making process.

Thanks for information! Yes, that sure does help with my decision. I have CC1 revised, so most of the monsters I'll need are probably in there. What attacts me to the world is the obvious flavor, and the positive comments by you and others. And besides...I own most of it already, so what do I have to lose? If anything I can scoop out all the juicy portions and make my own SL-based homebrew.

And who knows what cool 3.5 SL products are coming down the road. Upon reflection, it would be a waste if I didn't use the material. That particular thought makes me want to put some the effort into it

Thanks again!

 

[Trickstergod]

(laugh!) I guess I came off more defensive than I intended... I just meant to explain that very thing, how things came about, at least at my end.

I didn't have a lot to do with most of the player's guides, so my reaction to Trick was just a little surprise. I see his point... setting material doesn't translate directly. I suppose a book that was much more about new PrCs and feats would translate more.

I hadn't really been trying to be uncivil, either. Just trying to explain my own position on the matter, even though I disagree at the drop of a hat. Ahh well.

I certainly feel the Cleric and Druid guide was worth my money (having only borrowed a friends copy of Bards, Sorcerers and Wizards), but that's mainly because I run a Scarred Lands game, and generally like the setting.

From my perspective. I do run two other games, neither of which are necessarily going to translate well with the Scarred Lands (Midnight and Ravenloft), so perhaps that's it. No matter.

And, to Nightfall: No, I don't believe the Faithful and the Forsaken was average. The charduni half was average (perhaps even good, if it weren't for what I felt was one major inconsistency with the way the Scarred Lands have been set up), but the forsaken elf half...just...bleah. Hackneyed even within the Scarred Lands, lacking in what I would consider pertinent information along with other explanations for details within and written with far too modern a tone to it.

Now off to stitch up the vein which just popped on my forehead.

 

[Nightfall]

The Shelzar Eroticist from the wizards, bards, and sorcerers book might suit you (I wouldn't recommend the book in general, though).

Only if you fear Blessed of Mesos. But yes Shelzar Eroticist along with Courtsean of Idra might be up your ally Shatterstone.

Caudor,

Glad I could be of service.


Trick,

Well okay maybe I overplayed that but it was average to me. Btw you might want to see a doctor about that head wound.