Why did HM do this, but not 3E?

[Treebore]

I just received my very first Hackmaster products as part of a Kenzer special and while reading through the stuff I came across something I found very cool and immediately wondered why D&D/WOTC didn't do this.

An entry for medicinal uses, if any, for the monsters remains.

An entry for magical component uses, if any, for the monsters remains.

Granted, I guess, many DM's for 3E wouldn't use this, but I sure would!

I also noticed how easy it will be to use HM with C&C.

I also enjoyed the humor, and the Knights of the Dinner Table comics. I think I'm a new fan. I didn't realize how much was/is in one of these comics. Very good stuff! I think I'll buy issue 100 at my LGS tomorrow.

 

[Crothian]

My guess a little too mucgh work for the reward. As you state most people would have no use for it. Also, that would have been yet something else they did differently from previous edtions and they were worried at the time they had already changed it too much.

 

[Monte At Home]

Because of the treasure values based on encounter level. We didn't want to have to instruct people that if you can make 2,000 gp worth of special armor from the hide of the basilisk, you have to subtract 2,000 gp worth of treasure from the basilisk to keep the treasure values from getting unbalanced.

That, and there were those involved who felt that monster slaying for parts wasn't very heroic or appropriate. (I don't personally feel so strongly about that aspect, and can see some nice flavor to it, although I will admit that you don't see many people in fantasy fiction cutting up their fallen foes like butchers in a shop for all their various uses.)

Ultimately, we felt the issue didn't seem like the kind of thing that would be appropriate for a core rules book, although it might be fine as a house rule or in an add-on supplement.

 

[trancejeremy]

I think it would have been helpful to include what each monster tastes like...

 

[Turanil]

I just received my very first Hackmaster products.

What products exactly? Can you tell me more about them? For example: are the only illustrations those from the KotDT comics, or are there some fantasy pics, and are all the pics comical or is there some serious type of art?

 

[Treebore]

Most of what i got was modules. Two of which were the parodies of Lost Caverns of Tsojanth and the Slavelords. I got one Hacklopedia (Monster Manual). The art was not KotDT. It was individualized to the modules and was of good black and white quality. the humor was in the text, and easy to leave out and run a "serious" game.

I have read several of the KotDT comics I received too, I was surprised how much I enjoyed them, they had a lot more than just KotDT, and some relatively serious columns and forums about gamers, by gamers, and for gamers. So I think I am going to be a fan of it from now on.

Thanks for your "insider" info Monte. Its nice to know there was a pretty good reason behind it. Since I like that kind of flavor I would have liked to see it done anyways.

 

[The Shaman]

I created a character years ago, a halfling thief (1e AD&D), who specialized in obtaining rare spell components and substances for magical research - after an encounter, he would be the one in the party pulling a monster's teeth, gathering a lock of hair, collecting water from a fountain with a water weird in it, stuff like that.

A set of uses of dead monsters would be great fun for me if I was running another character like that. From experience I can tell you that it also makes a very good plot device, such as a wizard sending the adventurers to get a lamia's spleen that must be returned fresh no later than the second sunset after the monster is slain.

This is also reminiscent of the 1e DMG list of requirements for penning scrolls - giant squid ink, crushed gemstones, etc.

 

[Mythmere1]

At one point, BOZ was asking people to find all the dead monster uses from previous editions. I wonder if there's something in the works along these lines.

Treebore, I'd be really interested to hear how those Hackmaster modules work when converted to a Castles & Crusades game.

 

[JimAde]

I think it would have been helpful to include what each monster tastes like...

They all taste like chicken.

 

[Breakdaddy]

At one point, BOZ was asking people to find all the dead monster uses from previous editions. I wonder if there's something in the works along these lines.

Treebore, I'd be really interested to hear how those Hackmaster modules work when converted to a Castles & Crusades game.

I suspect that all you would have to do is ignore the requisite 20 hit point kick that comes with Hackmaster monsters and the special HM only rules to get C&C compatibility. I will let you know for sure once I get around to running one of my HM modules in C&C.