RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32
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I was blown away by the astrology articles. Of course, I've always had a fascination with the stars and astrology, but I never came up with a way to incorporate it into a DnD game in a way that wouldn't have my players keeling over in boredom. Kudos to Hal Maclean for coming up with an elegate and simple way to do it!
Speaking of which, I was wondering if Mr. Maclean could contact me off-list? My e-mail is bobby dot catdragon at gmail dot com. :)
"The Master Astrologer" was also a good article. The editors at Dragon should be very proud of intertwining the two articles so they formed a comprehensive whole rather that two pieces of the same puzzle that *almost* fit together.
Is anyone planning of using the astrology in their campaigns? I know I am, and since the firast session is 2 weeks away I can strongly hint to my players about the importance of astrology in this new game world.
Bobby
The Cat.Dragon
bobby dot catdragon at gmail dot com
I'm going to use this system for any new Greyhawk campaigns I do, and adapt it to my homebrew world, which has an 11-month calendar and an already established zodiac. I have a major elven deity associated with the stars, and some significant NPCs and historical figures in the campaign are connected with her cult in some way. I want to adapt the Master Astrologer class, but am not quite satisfied with how it describes the Astrologer actually manipulating the stars--it seems to me that's the province of the gods, or even something that belongs to the portfolio of the remote and almighty Creator. I also have a divine prestige class focused on astrology and interpretation of dreams, and I want to make sure the two don't overlap too much.
Hal rocks my socks. Every time.
A suggestion for the Master Astrology class with the ability to "manipulate the stars."
I'm thinking that instead of moving stars and planets around, the astrolger is simply able to predict celestial events to such a degree that he can communicate to others at predetermined times.
"When such-and-such planet moves twice through such-and-such constellation with the moon at such-and-such, then you need to do such-and-such a thing."
That's an idea, anyway.
I have to say the astrology article in Dragon #340 was well thought out.
What I had come up with for my campaign was a bit...unwieldy. I will be using Mr. Maclean's system in the future, perhaps with a bit of tweaking for continuity's sake.
Hal rocks my socks. Every time.
Thanks :) I had fun writing that one, I'm glad it's finding its was into people's campaigns.
(But I suspect the sock rocking is more a tribute to Jason/Mike/Wes quietly smoothering my bad aricles before they ever see the light of day :) )
Hal rocks my socks. Every time.Thanks :) I had fun writing that one, I'm glad it's finding its was into people's campaigns.
Nice article - goes to show how great minds lurk in the same gutters. I put up an astrology site for the Realms a couple months ago. (13 signs - just for perversity in a campaign where the moon has a cycle of almost exactly 30 days.)
I know my system has made it into campaigns other than my own since I get emails.See The Almgest of Handreth at realmshelps.dandello.net/datafind/almagest.shtml
In deference to your article, I have added Birth Stones for the Startouched feats and am working on the optimal careers and lucky actions.
I think it was in another thread but someone asked about a thirteenth astrological sign for calendars based upon the lunar cycle. My bonus copies for issue #340 arrived at pretty much the same time as the replacement copy I had to ask customer services to send(those wondering when issue 342 will arrive take note :) ) so it took me awhile to get around to coming up with one.
Here's a thirteenth sign for those who want to add it to their campaign.
Sign of the Cloaker: Secretive yet surprisingly passionate, those born under the sign of the cloaker often hide the true depths of their feelings even from themselves. You find strong displays of emotion intimidating, whether in yourself or others, favoring a cold, distant courtesy to friend and foe alike. The thought of losing control, of making yourself vulnerable, whether in love or hate, terrifies too much to ever take the risk of letting someone see the real you. Moving through life tightly wrapped, with layer upon layer standing between the outside world and the vulnerability at your soul's core, you favor deeds over words. You would gladly die for those you care about, but the thought of ever sharing exactly how much they mean to you horrifies you far more than an early grave.
Optimal Career: Your talent at masking your true feelings also leaves you with a flair for altering your appearance, whether as an actor, a spy or a criminal, granting you a +2 bonus on Disguise checks.
Lucky Action: Repelled by strong emotions you have devoted a lifetime to wiggling out of uncomfortable situations both figuratively and literally giving you a +2 bonus on Escape Artist checks.
Birthstone: Bloodstone, the stone that links body and soul, channeling strength from one to the other in moments of crisis, gives you a +1 luck bonus on Will saving throws to resist divination and necromancy effects.
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32
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See The Almgest of Handreth at realmshelps.dandello.net/datafind/almagest.shtml
In deference to your article, I have added Birth Stones for the Startouched feats and am working on the optimal careers and lucky actions.
Looked at the Realms stuff... for about 30 seconds. Is there anyway to look at the entirity of the signs and the details without creating a birthday?
I was wondering if Mr. Maclean could contact me off-list?
Ditto. ephealy (at) ephealy (dot) com