Spending gift money: What are some good D&D buys? (Publishers, pimp here!)

[Nightfall]

I've actually had this discussion with people on other boards. First impressions are crucial. And my first impressinos of ENworld were not positive in the slightest. I was under the impression that it was a gaming forum in general. What's my favorite? Kalamar but a long shot. It is my setting of choice in all my campaigns but one.

So I came here and entered a conversation. Of course, I made reference to the Kingdoms of Kalamar, which is where I play D&D. A person (and it's been so long that I don't remember who) told me it was a crap setting, I was only on the boards to push it and that if I wanted to talk about Kalamar I should go to the Kenzer boards. He then proceded to talk about the Scarred Lands. This happened the first three times I ever came to ENworld which is why I've only come back on rare occassions.

So, from my first experiences, it was not a very positive place to be. Whether that is "right" or "wrong" is subjective. Perhaps if I hung out more often I would have more positive experiences. But, over Christmas break, I've been popping my head in from time to time and haven't gotten my head ripped off yet. I guess we'll see.

--Joe

I assure you, who ever that was, definately doesn't represent this community nor the Scarred Lands fan in general. Sure we're a fanboy lot, but no more than your Monte Cook or even Gygaxian fanboy. If someone DID that too you, I am sorry. But I assure you Outlaw, as long as your discussion don't start out "Kalamar is the best setting period" and you don't add for me, then you've got no reason to feel threatened. Believe me, there are plenty of Kalamar fans here and I've yet to rip their heads off.

 

[Sayburr]

Re: Incentive to buy Kalamar stuff

I'll tell you what, if you spend your dough buying Kalamar stuff, email me the receipt and I'll buy from inventory and match your Kalamar purchase dollar-for-dollar with adventures of your choosing (if in stock). You pay shipping, I pay for the product.

Dave Kenzer

Holy crap! What a deal.

Anyway, Kenzer has a very well written sourcebook out now called "Fury in the Wastelands — The Orcs of Tellene". It talks about orcish society and gives four variations. One of which is magically created.

The setting guide is nowhere near FR in type or feel. Most people who choose Kalamar are trying to get away from the High Magic worlds and Kalamar fits in well there. The world is high fantasy, but low magic (but the way it is written is adaptable to medium or even high magic if desired, but most people play it low magic). The setting guide tells about the history and the current situation of the world, but is almost divoid of game mechanics. There is a separate book that details new classes, spell, feats, and such. The world is human centric with a lot of politicial situations and plot hooks. So, if you are looking for a fantasy world with a 'real world' feel to it, check out Kalamar.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Re: Incentive to buy Kalamar stuff

Guilt Puppy,

I'll tell you what, if you spend your dough buying Kalamar stuff, email me the receipt and I'll buy from inventory and match your Kalamar purchase dollar-for-dollar with adventures of your choosing (if in stock). You pay shipping, I pay for the product.

That's an insanely nice offer, and I really appreciate it... Plus, it sure got me to take a closer look at Kalamar (I'd kind of passed it up on a few first glances, because it didn't seem to have much of a "schtick" -- a la Scarred Lands -- but in practice I think it's easier to add those into a solid, fairly standard setting). Looking at the bad reviews was what really cemented it for me: People complained about it missing mechanical details (NPC stats, new feats, et cetera), which are exactly the sort of thing I don't need with a setting (nine times out of ten I'd end up changing them, anyway.) What I'm looking for are maps, histories, cultures, and so forth, with a focus on maintaining realism -- so it sounds totally appropriate. ("High fantasy, low magic," as Sayburr put it, sounds perfect to me.)

I still have to talk to my players about what kind of setting they'd like... I may end up going with something different if it really doesn't seem to fit their taste, but it looks like it would be very valuable to the sort of game I'd like to run. Regardless, I really do appreciate that offer -- thanks

BTW, is that offer assuming I order through kenzerco.com? I'm also going to be purchasing FFG's Monster's Handbook, and I'd like to be able to get it all in one place (preferably ENWorld's store -- it would be nice to support the site in the process).

Speaking of the Monster's Handbook:

* The book doesn't have rules for building monsters from scratch. I tried to design them, but in the end they just weren't robust enough to warrant publication. Creating CRs from scratch is tricky. However, you can get around this problem by using normal animals or creatures that are a bit like the monster you have in mind and adding new abilities to them. I might post the creation rules I designed on my website this weekend. If I do, I'll let you know.

Please do. Even if they aren't too accurate, I'm sure they'll still do better than me guessing CRs on some random creation (I usually do modify existing creatures, anyway, but sometimes there's just no reasonable base.) I can generally tell if the PCs can handle a given creature with their level/abilities, but being able to have even a rough estimate of CR will help decide what experience awards to give.

Numerous thanks for the suggestions, everyone... Any last shout-outs? (Particularly good Kalamar adventures ) I'll be ordering sometime over the weekend, once I've had a chance to confer... (I'm also going to have to make a list of some of this stuff, to be purchased at a later date. )

 

[Hard8Staff]

<<BTW, is that offer assuming I order through kenzerco.com? I'm also going to be purchasing FFG's Monster's Handbook, and I'd like to be able to get it all in one place (preferably ENWorld's store -- it would be nice to support the site in the process).

>>

No, you can order from wherever you want. If you get product on-line, just email a note to service@KenzerCo.com with what you bought (plus your adventure preferences) and we'll figure it out from there.

If you buy at a WP, you can fax (847-540-8065 to my attention so it gets placed in my box) or scan and email your receipt and email as above.

Dave

PS If you like Maps and realism, the Atlas is a pretty special product -- the whole continent at 25 miles to the inch in topographical style...looks like a real planet. All together the maps can wallpaper a large wall (OK, technically to do this would require two books sine they're printed on two sides, but you get the idea). But don't be misled...this is an ATLAS, not a gazeteer...an ATLAS (as in not much text lots of very accurate maps. The gazeteer is the CS (which also has two pretty spectacular poster maps). Regardless, good luck with your choice of settings and have fun!

 

[thegreatbuddha]

Speaking of the Atlas, is there anyway you can ensure one makes its way into my grab bag?

 

[haiiro]

A few recommendations

I love monster books, and Eden Studios' Liber Bestarius and Privateer's Monsternomicon are both standout products. These take longer looks at each monster than the MMs do, including legend lore-type info in Monsternomicon, PC suitability info in LB, and adventure hooks in both.

I've been playing a sorcerer lately, and gotten a lot of mileage out of the spells in BoEMII and Magic of Faerun (and the spells therein can be enjoyed even if you don't like FR).

I found the Book of Challenges to be a mixed bag overall, but many of the traps are fun to read and have (varying) potential for play.

If you want an excellent sourcebook on dwarves, check out Hammer & Helm (Green Ronin) - hands down the best dwarf book I've ever read.

As far as modules go, I'd steer clear of Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil unless you feel like doing a lot of work on it. As written, it has an uneven mishmash of great ideas and mediocre execution (much like BoEM I & II).

That's all I can think of at the moment.

 

[Nightfall]

hairro, I think he's going with Kenzer stuff, but thanks for mentioning some of those items too.