I noticed recently that Dragon has an article request forum on its message boards, and while Dungeon doesn't have nearly as many articles each month, I'm interested in hearing about which Campaign Workbook articles people think are the most useful, and what kinds of articles they'd like to see in the magazine.
Personally, I like quirky and less obvious articles, like #119's "Sounds of the Underworld", and flexible articles that don't require much work to use, like "Five-Second NPCs" from #117.
I'd like to see more Critical Threats, but with 2-3 stat blocks for a character at different power levels, so the character can be used in a campaign more easily.
Anyone else?
I noticed recently that Dragon has an article request forum on its message boards, and while Dungeon doesn't have nearly as many articles each month, I'm interested in hearing about which Campaign Workbook articles people think are the most useful, and what kinds of articles they'd like to see in the magazine.
Personally, I like quirky and less obvious articles, like #119's "Sounds of the Underworld", and flexible articles that don't require much work to use, like "Five-Second NPCs" from #117.
I'd like to see more Critical Threats, but with 2-3 stat blocks for a character at different power levels, so the character can be used in a campaign more easily.
Anyone else?
Alec -
I like your idea for a critical threat that includes three stat blocks, but under the current guidelines for the campaign workbook articles, I'm not sure it would work. My reasoning here is that you would lose a lot of your history and description development space - a high level stat block for a critical threat can take as much as 1/3 or even half (if a lot of non-core content is used, or there is a familiar or animal companion to add to the space) of the word count available to the author. With two more stat blocks in each article, you would have little space left to actually develop the character.On the other hand, maybe Erik and James would consider an occasional critical threat article with an expanded word count to resolve that issue...
a high level stat block for a critical threat can take as much as 1/3 or even half (if a lot of non-core content is used, or there is a familiar or animal companion to add to the space) of the word count available to the author.
No, you're absolutely right about that, particularly the non-core content. At the same time, though, low and mid-level stat blocks don't take up that much space, especially for characters that stick with the core rules and aren't spellcasters, so I don't think the idea is completely unviable. It just might need to be adapted to the specifics of each article.
I really like the Campaign Workbook section on bridges in #117 and I also liked the sounds of the underworld bit in #119
I like the Campaign Workbook features. I'd like to see alternative classes for the major NPCs in the issue. Things like I've mentioned in other threads that could make an NPC fit a Psionic or Eberron Campaign for instance. The 101 things you hear or see features are great, and I often work them into my game.
Perhaps an "Ideal building" feature would be nice. Something to give a standard inn, blacksmith, tavern, temple, meeting hall, hovel, manner, and such with a map and minor notes about the proprietor.
Ex:
The Blacksmith is Dwarven male Expert 8. This two sons Exp 2)work the forge with him while his wife (com 4) grows mushrooms in the basement. his Daughter (com 1) has aspirations of being a druid. He charges base price for non combat goods, but can craft armor and weapons at +15% to PHB price on a commission basis. Otherwise the only weapons he ever has in stock are knives and the occasional dagger.
Thoughts?
ASEO out
The Blacksmith is Dwarven male Expert 8. This two sons Exp 2)work the forge with him while his wife (com 4) grows mushrooms in the basement. his Daughter (com 1) has aspirations of being a druid. He charges base price for non combat goods, but can craft armor and weapons at +15% to PHB price on a commission basis. Otherwise the only weapons he ever has in stock are knives and the occasional dagger.
Thoughts?
Good stuff.