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Silver Crusade

Personally, I have dumped WotC psi rules the minute Psionics Unbound (from PCI) came out. It's all rolled into one book, minus the really broken stuff, plus some really nice PrCs (though, obviously, some of the Arcanis-specific material has to be cut in order to fit other settings)

Psionics Unbound

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Any chance of issues #346 to 359 being turned into pdf like the rest?

I understand Paizo needs to clear up its shelves but, to some of us who are likewise limited in "storage space", pdf are the only viable option.

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Probably has been asked a zillion time but I've got to ask anyway: does Paizo intend to release Dragon issues #346 to 359 as pdf someday or not?

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Fake Healer wrote:
I despise that every day in Greyhawk for the past 1000+ years is mapped out in terms of history

Uh?

In the most recent accessory (LGG), Greyhawk's history takes up a grand total of 4 pages.

In comparison, FR's history (as outlined in A Grand History of the Realms) takes up 78 pages and every freakin' year has its own name!

GH never had that level of detail and that's one of the reasons of its success: room to put what you want.

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Gary McBride wrote:
I like Greyhawk ok, but only when it avoids metaplot that goes over the PCs heads and involves anyone whose name also appears in front of a spell.

Funny. That's exactly what people say about FR. Can't move around without Elminster, the 7 Sisters or the Blackstaff showing up on your doorstep.

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Lance Hawvermale wrote:
Yes, and they could rewrite the entire setting so as to do away with all the questionable additions of recent years.

As much as I love GH, what you said underscores the one big problem with that setting. Assuming WotC sold it to a third party publisher (be it Paizo or another), all the GH fans (myself included) who yelled loud enough for GH to return from the dead would immediately start arguing about what is (and isn't) GH "canon".

You'll get the EGG fans, the Sargent lovers, those who swear by LG, the pre-GH Wars crowd, the post-GH Wars crowd, etc...

In short, a mess.

Still, it warms my old heart to see the beloved setting of my first role-playing days get so much love in this poll. Proves that the 'hawk still has what it takes!

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Greyhawk, nuff said.

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Allen Stewart wrote:
I for one am very pleased at the inclusion of a classic locale like the Isle of Dread, and I'm grateful to the Dungeon staff for their interest in making use of old 1st edition adventure sites. I still have my 1st edition copy of the isle of dread, and although I probably haven't even thumed through it in a year or two, and certainly haven't GM'd anyone through it in 10 years plus; it will be delightful to see how things on the island have changed, and how others might have remained the same. I'm glad the long-time Greyhawk fans who have stuck around with the game are getting our reward.

The Isle of Dread has already been revised in Dungeon #114. And, for the record, it was never set in GH. It belongs in the Known World (aka Mystara). GH has its own version called the Isle of the Ape (which is set in a demi-plane created by Zagyg). Personally, I wish they had used the latter.

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Given the recent announcement about the inclusion of D&D adventures to the "home game" option of the LG campaign
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=lg/lgcn/20060418a
I was wondering if Paizo considered doing the same for the AP?

AP1 (SC) is already out and I presume AP2 (AoW) will be published in the near future now that the issue #135 is out. Thus, that's already two books that can be adapted at little to no cost (since it's only a matter of creating AR for the different parts of the AP).

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I had totally forgotten about that. Very nice catch!

Thanks a lot :o)

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Bocklin wrote:

So, seen from the cover of issue #135, it seems that the next AP will be named "Savage Tide".

What do you think? Speculation time is open!

Strangely enough, this title reminded me of the intro to the "Terror in the Tropics" adventure (from WGR2 Treasures of Greyhawk).

"It seemed to human eyes as though the jungle had breathed life into the patches of darkness all around, a numberless horde without souls come to rid the world of life. The phantoms, ripples in the ebon stuff of night, engulfed the alien humanity."

God but that was some awesome stuff by Roy Rowe...

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Fion wrote:

Speaking of a 'The Art of Dungeons & Dragons.' Anyone remember the old 2nd ed Monsterous Manual type book that had 'ring binder' pages and came with several 8x11 cardboard paintings? There was one in particular of an ogre in the snow about to smash the life out of a poor guy who fell over in fright and had his tiny little shield over him thinking it'd protect him? Man that was the best painting of an ogre I've ever seen and to this day thats how I picture them. I cant stand the 3.0/3.5 MM ogres :/

I should have framed that picture. I dont know what ever happened to it. If I ever found it again I'd take the image to Kinko's or something and get a poster made of it lol.

Actually, it was the cover of Dragon issue #119. And that wasn't an ogre but the demon-lord Kostchtchie taking on two legionaries of the Roman Empire in Britain.

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Aelryinth wrote:
Given that he's shown with a sword, but is an acknowledged wizard, I expect some combo of Wizard, Bard or Fighter, Spellsword and Eldritch Knight, or something similar.

From a "canon" point of view, Bucknard never received any official stats (at least, none that I am aware of).

Judging from what he does in AoW, I think a few levels of Loremaster would be justified. Perhaps a few of Bard as well (which might explain the rapier-like sword of the picture)

I was actually thinking of making him a Bard/Loremaster/Sublime Chord but since he is described as having started his career as a Wizard, it wouldn't work.

Plus, I don't think Mordenkainen would have invited him to join the Co8 if he had been more Bard than Wizard. Too elitist for that.

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Tak wrote:
How...informative. So coming from a guy who knows next to nothing about greyhawk, should I shuffle out and by the Gazeteer? I think that's what it was called..

Not necessarily. I would but then I'm a GH fan ;p

That said, Maure Castle is also the easiest dungeon to "steal" for another setting. All you need is an area on the border of a civilized nation and the ruined castle of a once-mighty noble family whose members had a knack for magic (especially of the Conjuration/Necromancy schools). BR, EB and FR have plenty such locations. DL only slightly less so.

On the matter of the "key" in Dungeon #134, now that I've received the issue I see it's not what I first thought. It's even better!

That item refers to this description of the underground entrance to the castle (in the original adventure):

"Characters who examine the floor here will note that there is an eight-pointed star chiseled into the stone. The points of the star are entirely cleaned out, as if something is supposed to be set into them. The “something” which is meant to be inset is a set of eight metal triangles, each about the size of a halfling’s hand and each of a different hue. In the Greyhawk Campaign, each plate was enchanted to a different plane typically a special demi-plane or similar place. Thus, a double adventure was set up for each of the eight triangles. First came the search for the metal plaque, and then came the adventure of traveling to the destination encoded on the plaque, exploring, and finding a way back."

Thus, the "key" you spoke of is actually one of those plaques. This must be the first time I've ever seen one turn up in an official adventure!

A big congrats to the author for his knowledge of the GH setting! :o)

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Tak wrote:
Okay, what's this Maure castle thing all about? I haven't the slightest idea and I wonder why it's so cool to have a key in Dragotha's horde (hoard?)? What mags is it in? How many are there? Is it an actual adventure path? My girlfriend said she read one of the recent ones and wants to run it but our dungeon collection is only back to the one previous to the AOWs path beginning.

Basically, Maure Castle is a very challenging dungeon found in the World of Greyhawk.

It was first introduced in 1984 in this (1e) module:
http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/gh/gh-wg5.htm

Recently, through the dedication of Erik Mona and the work of legendary D&D author Robert J. Kuntz, Dungeon offered a (3.5) revised version of it in its #112 issue. Note that this was more than just an update to the module as the adventure in Dungeon occurs years later.

Since then, RJK has agreed to provide newer (I should say "deeper") levels to the castle on an irregular basis. The next one was in issue #124 (Chamber of Antiquities) and we're all eagerly waiting for another in the near future.

If you take a look at the cover of issue #112, you'll discover one of GH's iconic villains: the fiend-handed wizard Eli Tomorast. He figured in WG5 and returned to plague the heroes in issue #112.

What more can I say about it except that a generation of (A)D&D players still remember going up against him (and - for most - dying, painfully). It comes down to bragging rights and fun memories, I guess. Same as if you can truly say you reached the deepest level of the Temple of Elemental Evil.

Aaah the good old days...

Ah, and the key is special because the (underground) entrance to the castle is barred by a door one cannot open (normally). In the old module, the characters had an artifact from the god Dalt to bypass it. What surprises me a bit is that this door had no lock, so if you found a key to it that's weird. I haven't received yet the latest issue from Dungeon so a description of the key would be appreciated.

Almost forgot to add that the original module also introduced something called the "Lost City of the Elders", a location many adventurers have wished to visit for years now.

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Erik Mona wrote:

Sure, you _could_ buy a pack of Magic cards, or something, but why not go for something that can enhance the game that got you into gaming in the first place?

--Erik

As a DM I could see myself buying them (though the random factor is not making me happy) even though they may not look at all like the items I had planned on handing over to my players.

Honestly, I much prefer investing in this:
http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=379&products_id =569&
given I'm 100% sure of getting all the pic at once and can choose/print those I like on cardboard for my players. Sure, they would be B&W instead of color but it's the pic that counts.

As a player, I wouldn't buy any. Two reasons: 1) I could never be sure my DM would make me find stuff which I could represent with those cards I own, and 2) I don't see why I should invest in cards which would end up in the bag of other players.

In short, nice but no thanks.

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*cough*spoiler needed in the title*cough*

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Hagen wrote:
Most claim that Mordenkainen's neutral outlook would make him less inclined to get involved than Tenser. I'm not sure I agree, as Mordenkainen does have more contacts and resources than Tenser. It would be interesting to find out if anyone's incorporated him into the campaign.

Well, Mordenkainen always had links (at least in the Gord novels) with the druidical orders of the Flanaess, so I figured that if someone knew about the Order of the Storm, it had to be him.

I haven't reached that part yet in my campaign, but when I do I plan on bringing him in as a one-shot "guest star".

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Greyson wrote:
There are a few novels set in Greyhawk beyond the Gord series, but not in the City of Greyhawk like Saga of Old City is.

Not entirely correct Greyson. You forgot about this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0880389141/102-4001485-8687308?v=glance&am p;n=283155

Granted it's set in a different time period and doesn't stick 100% to what the Free City is supposed to be but it was well written and had a grim & gritty feel I hadn't encountered since EGG novels.

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hanexs wrote:
Regarding Greyhawk, I want to have a shop called Quall's tokens, where tokens and other minor items are sold. Is Quall a detailed character in Greyhawk? Anyone know his race? Just wondering

Apart from the tokens which bear his name, little to nothing is known about Quall. The original WoG boxed set rated him as a quasi-deity. That is to say, the lowest possible rank for someone on the path to godhood (above that, there is hero-deity and then demi-god).

Jason's index (bless him for his work!) gives only one reference and that is WoG.

I seem to recall reading somewhere long ago that he had elven blood but I could easily be mistaken. If someone can clear this up, I bet it's Grodog (or Gary, but tough luck getting a straight answer from him).

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Oozi McOoze wrote:
I was just wondering if the Oozemaster had anything else to offer

.. such as not having to offer one's soul to a demon-lord in exchange for power? ;op

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Lord Eisen wrote:
1. Feels that the alignment CE gives him the license to go around things which disgust the other players, such as trying to skin peoples faces and then wearing them, claiming it gives him a bonus to Disguise.<snip> .. as an added problem there is a lawful-good paladin in the party).

Er.. a LG paladin is allowing a CE guy in his party, not to mention not raising a finger while the later skins people's faces and wears them? Time to start reminding him that his powers come at a price and that if he expects to keep them, he better acts now.

Of course, I realize this will only create further conflicts with your problem-player but, really, a CE serial killer and a LG paladin shouldn't mix unless they intend to fight it out.

Lord Eisen wrote:
3. He says that unless I roll in the open (even for monsters and NPCs' attacks or skill checks) I'm cheating.

He isn't entirely wrong about this.

Now, calm down, I am not accusing you of cheating. What I am saying is that in our little corner of the world DMs have been rolling in the open for years now. Oh, we still roll a few things behind the screen (such as the Hide check of a NPC) but most rolls are done in full sight of the players. That way, no one can accuse anyone of cheating.. one way or the other. Doesn't slow down the game and puts everyone at ease. You may want to try it.

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Baramay wrote:
The articles from Dragon listed 4 elemental items for controling the evil elemental princes.

Correct. They were:

- the Chalice Everlasting (Water)
- the Oerthly Plates (Earth)
- the Unquenchable Scepter (Fire)
- the Tempest Horn (Air)

although only the first one is actually described in details.

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Daigle wrote:
Don't take this as nit-picky, but I believe that Tovag Baragu was a religious site where the Rain of Colorless Fire was invoked using the Binders.

Actually, the earliest canon source about that location can be found in the old (2e) GH Adventures hardcover. It makes it clear that while considered "holy" by some, it's true age/origin/purpose is uncertain (although hints are given).

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Daigle wrote:
You know where any good descriptions of the binders might be? You seem to be quite a font of info.

You may wish to start by reading the "History of Oerth" article, in the Oerth Journal #1 (available on CanonFire)...

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Assuming you can find it, you may wish to take a look at Dungeon #53, p.32-37 ("A serenade before supper"). This mini-adventure details the Wayfarer's Rest inn and the Iron Wood. Nice, scary encounter too...

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Look no further than the real world for a reason.

How many people/families carried out a feud that lasted for generations while not even remembering the (likely stupid) minor incident that started it?

All it takes is two hot-headed persons (as mages can be) that happened to be together at the wrong time.

It could be an academic dispute for instance. Maybe Allustan once had a pet theory which he thought would make him famous within intellectual circles of the Free City but which Tenser disproved in a condescending manner?

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Ensigilled wrote:

One of my players had become obsessed with finding out what lay bwyond the impassible collapse in chamber 3 of the Whispering Cairn. She is a druid, and apparently unimpressed with the other numerous draws of the dungeon, applied her daily alotment of spells to solving this riddle.

She approached the cave-in and stated that she was casting SOFTEN EARTH AND STONE (pg 280). I quickly reviewed the spell and told her that she achieved no effect beyond softening up a few feet of stones and digging through to find more stones barring her way.
This caused her to accuse me of cheating (because she admitedly glimpsed at the area beyond when I held up the map once.
<snip>
1) SOFTEN EARTH AND STONE explicitly states that "When the spell is cast, all natural, undressed earth OR stone in the spell's area is affected."
The word "OR" suggests to me at least one or the other. The cave-in is most likely comprised of both.

2) Furthermore, it strikes me that this spell is designed for a solid two-dimensional surface, say the ground under one's feet. While it can affect depth (1 to 4 feet) it seems unlikely that the collapse would be affected greatly due to it's density and the variety of it's makeup.

3) The campaign states that it would take weeks to tunnel through. Even if the PCs in my campaign could alter the physical makeup of the collapse wouldn't it still be as difficult to tunnel through? All they did, in essence was turn 20 tones of rubble into 20 tons of clay.

You didn't cheat. She did by using player's knowledge instead of character's knowledge. Beyond that, you're the DM. If she doesn't get the hint that not allowing her access means they're not supposed to go there (yet), that's her problem. Not yours.

Onward with specific pts:

1) The way I understand the spell, both earth and stone will be affected. That said, two points:
a) the depth affected is 4 ft at best. No way she is going to go through the rubble without a great many casting of the same spell.
b) the spell's description states ".. all natural, undressed earth or stone..". The rubble she is trying to affect is NOT "natural, undressed" since it results from the collapse of walls that were man-made in the first place. She wouldn't be able to affect a floor made of flagstones, whether they were intact or broken. This isn't different.

2) Indeed.

3) Exactly, that alone should give them pause.

When your group meets again and she insists on digging through, the best way to handle this is to ask her "Do you really want to? 100% certain you wish to do this now?" while fetching your Fiend Folio and starting to open it. If she still doesn't get the hint, time to bring the abyssal ghoul to the fore and end the charade in a world of pain. That should cure her with extreme prejudice.

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christian mazel wrote:

Moi de Paris.

Je pense que nous ne sommes pas très nombreux avec quelques canadiens et des américains qui lisent le français.

Oh, nous sommes plus nombreux qu'il n'y paraît. Mais je crois que la plupart d'entre nous se fondent dans la foule la majorité du temps. Après tout, quand on pratique (depuis la 1ère édition) un jeu dont les règles sont écrites en anglais, on finit par devenir assez adepte de la langue de Shakespeare pour faire illusion ;o)

Sympa de voir une histoire en français pour une fois.

Et je viens de Belgique :o)

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Hagen wrote:
I always thought that Tenser, creator of the floating disk spells, would have no need to walk. I plan on introducing him that way to my players: always moving about on a greater floating disk.

You are aware, I trust, that the FD wasn't developped (originally, I mean) to serve as a poor wizard's flying carpet? (not to mention it's impossible given the FD must "follow" the caster at all times)

Think rather about a wizard plundering dungeons and unwilling to leave anything behind and you'll be closer to the truth...

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Actually, you don't even need to buy anything. The named spells found in the old (2e) GH Adventures hardcover have all been converted to 3.5 and are freely available here:

http://www.canonfire.com/cfhtml/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdow nload&cid=15

Fourth link from top

It's not official but it might as well be given the quality.

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Wouldn't mind a Dungeon Compendium with some of the best (1e & 2e) adventures updated to 3.5.

Of course, getting a majority to agree on which adventures to update.. that's going to be the tricky part.

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Basically, the RPGA provides adventures for a variety of game systems.

It doesn't cost anything to join anymore.

The RPGA hosts a variety of campaigns, all named "Living .." in reference to the fact that those settings evolve through the actions of the players involved, not through sourcebooks written by a few people.

The settings include both D&D settings (EB, FR, GH, and SW) and d20 settings (Arcanis, KoK, etc..) from other companies.

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I too remember that adventure fondly. Great use of a dragon back in 1e. The trouble if you're adapting it to 3.5e is that dragons are too different nowadays.

Back in the 'old days' <cough>, not all dragons could cast spells, or even speak! I always get a great laugh re-reading the 1e MM when I reach the section about dragons. To think each subspecies had a flat chance to be caught asleep in its lair!

Plus you had different size categories. So, your draconic encounter could run all the way from a small, non-speaking, non-spellcasting runt to a huge, speaking, spellcasting monster.

The interest of the Vesicant's adventure was that it showed a DM how a physically-weak dragon could achieve great results by using its brain.

Alas, in 3.5e, all dragons are similar. Sure, you could 'advance' on within his age category but what would be the point? From the moment players learn the main bad guy is a green, they'll expect acid immunity, an undersea lair, spells, and a gas-based breath weapon.

So, the trick is to still surprise the players. Instead of achieving that (as in 1e) by using a small and weak (but old) dragon, you'll have to do it by using a dragon that is younger than what they'll expect. The 'original' Vesicant was Old. The new one should ideally be Adult. That will give you roughly the same size and spellcasting abilities as the 1e version. He can still use all the 'tricks' the 1e version had prepared to defend its lair. And relying on henchmen to gather its hoard is something all evil dragons should be proud of.

I would probably give it illusion spells mainly so that it could appear larger and more fearsome. NPC would describe it to the PC as a G-size dragon while, in fact, it's only Huge.

Another good trick for Vesicant would be to make people believe he is a black rather than a green. Heck, or even a copper! The guy is a deceiver, so let him bluff, cheat, and lie its way to the top.

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ehb1022 wrote:
Wee Jas is referred to as the Lady of Book & Bone ( I picked this up from the Canonfire site) and has a standing interdiction against destroying spellcasting undead. In the 2nd edition version of a specialty priest of Wee Jas, the priest was obligated to cast an Augury to determine if Wee Jas was ok with even turning sentient undead, let alone destroying them. Again, this is all from several articles on Wee Jas I found at Canonfire.

Careful. CF isn't dealing exclusively in canon material. Many things you find on that site have been created by fans.

About the FtA boxet set, what the text really states is: "She is a protector of the dead, and her priests are only rarely allowed to command undead creatures, having to commune with Wee Jas to see if this is acceptable to her."

It has nothing to do with the undead being sentient or not. As priests of a LN(LE) deity, they can only rebuke, not turn. But even to do that, they need to clear it with Her first (with a Commune, not an Augury). Makes sense.

The Scarlet Brotherhood accessory adds the following:
"Note that she is a protector of the departing soul not the body: therefore she does allow use of spells such as animate dead. She is supportive of wizards who wish to become liches - a long lasting and worthwhile use of magical power."

and

"She rarely (15%) gives permission to command chaotic undead, sometimes (50%) allows the command of other non-lawful undead, and usually (80%) allows the commanding of lawful or mindless undead; in any case, the use of the undead must further the cause of law, magic or death."

As you can see, that's quite a different picture...

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Erik,

Out of curiosity, will the Kyuss' monsters described in Dragon (issue #276) make an appearance in the story? Most of them were quite nice (well, you know what I mean..) and it seems a shame they were never used before (at least, to the best of my knowledge).