I got #345 yesterday and after Oots, I read the Kostchtchie demonicon article and it is very, very cool. I could think of a campaign where the players have to face thralls of Kostchtchie and aspects of Kostchtchie and all this great background data was included. Awesome article!!!
The rest of the issue was really good too...I definitely got my $8 worth (oh wait, I subscribe, I definitely got my $3.50 something's worth)
The Were_platypus' equipment array class act is a really good idea. I've been kind of doing something similar for several years, but he put more thought and detail into it and it's one of those articles that's instantly useful in any game.
The Sea serpent article is something I've been waiting for a long time without knowing it. It would be cool if some of them made an appearance in Savage Tide, but they're really good for any seaborne campaign.
Overall, there wasn't any weak area in this magazine. I'm not a hopeless fanboy all the time as I've questioned some things Dragon does before, but this issue is just stuffed with useful material.
The Kostchtchie article inspired me to write up a Realms version of the Prince of Rage's origins that tie him to Rashemen that I posted over at Candlekeep. I love giants, and James did an excellent job on this one. I agree that this one really sparked my imagination for potentially campaign use.
The sea serpents, giant related magic items, and the artifact spells (which shot up on my list of things to steal from Eberron, BTW) were all really cool. I definately have to say this was a pretty good issue, and I'm also looking forward to George's Impiltur article next issue as well.
I believe there's an error in the stat block for the Mavawhan demons in the Kostchtchie article.
The AC line claims says that there's a 50% miss chance to hit it, but there's no justification in the description for this.
Hey!
I don't subscribe because I like to support my FLGS, and usually pick it up there.
I was kind of disappointed with the latest issue though. For an aniversary issue I was expecting a little more 'grandure' and a little less advertising/same stuff as every month. Of course I like the usual articles so it's not a bad issue, just perhaps a a bit unambitious.
Although we have been really spoiled with Dungeon recently so maybe I'm being a little harsh.
Peace,
tfad
The Kostchtchie article inspired me to write up a Realms version of the Prince of Rage's origins that tie him to Rashemen that I posted over at Candlekeep. I love giants, and James did an excellent job on this one. I agree that this one really sparked my imagination for potentially campaign use.
Ah, you read my mind. I had planned the same exact thing for my Realms version of Kostchtchie. Rashemen is ideal, especially the official fact that Baba Yaga exists in Rashemen (along with her bird-legged hut). It was in one of the FR novels, the first book of a trilogy known as the Wind Walker. Some Red Wizards were after it or something
Creative Director
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I believe there's an error in the stat block for the Mavawhan demons in the Kostchtchie article.
The AC line claims says that there's a 50% miss chance to hit it, but there's no justification in the description for this.
Hmmm... I'm not really sure what that's about. It should be cut from the stat block.
I was kind of disappointed with the latest issue though. For an aniversary issue I was expecting a little more 'grandure' and a little less advertising/same stuff as every month.
Well, hopefully you won't be disappointed when you pick up #345, which is the issue I was talking about :)
Well, hopefully you won't be disappointed when you pick up #345, which is the issue I was talking about :)
Whoops. Yeah; maybe I was blinded by my anger... ;P
Peace,
tfad
My write up, for what its worth, is here at Candlekeep:
http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7048
Pretty cool piece of writing, KEJ....how come you don't have a dashing bearded avatar on the Paizo boards ;)
Well, my wife often says I'm bull headed, so I guess I have to prove her right somewhere down the line . . .
I too was getting some really great ideas from reading that article on Kostchtchie. I haven't had a chance to read the transport or sea serpent articles but plan to study them in preparation for Savage Tide.
Thank you for a excellent issue, keep up the good work!
Martin Ralya, who did the aforementioned travel article, has an excellent website for GMs/DMs. It's an excellent resource as well as an entertaining read.
For me, it was far and away better than last issue. Much more I can use in my games.
Next issue looks interesting, too.
Really liked the cover, caught my eye immediately. Great but simple composition, and the giant is just really awesome. Cleanly presented too, in keeping, of course, with Erik's editorial on that subject. I hope to see Eva Widermann's art grace Dragon's covers again.
Echo that!
Dungeon covers, too!
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Really liked the cover, caught my eye immediately. Great but simple composition, and the giant is just really awesome. Cleanly presented too, in keeping, of course, with Erik's editorial on that subject. I hope to see Eva Widermann's art grace Dragon's covers again.
Echo that!
Dungeon covers, too!
And Aberzombie makes three. The only thing I didn't like was the Eberron-specific stuff.
The Demonicon was a hit. The fact that this one had an archfiend who disliked demons and was so misogynistic made him seem a lot different. I like obyriths, too.
The travel methods article was really cool. I especially liked the submersible.
BoB and Spellcraft were solid, as was CA.
I liked the Sea Serpents, but I was a little disappointed by the art.
I haven't read the eberron stuff yet.
I thought it was real strong. The staff and the sword were especially cool.
The Giants of Xen'drik article was awesome, and an exciting taste of what to look forward to in Secrets of Xen'drik. The Tol Gorum stone giant clan is definitely my favorite part of the article: so flavorful! The scattered bits of crunch in the form of feats and items are welcome too!
Artifact spells are fun: powerful, but not overly so. The once-a-year aspect is interesting, and should encourage players to use them wisely. Once again, I'm left anxious for Secrets of Xen'drik. Now, I wonder, would it be possible to duplicate artifact spells with a wish or miracle? Would duplicating the effects of an artifact spell violate the once-a-year casting restriction? I think I might allow it, as long as the character had already encountered (and succesfully learned) the artifact spell he was trying to duplicate.
BoB and Spellcraft were solid, as was CA.That's all music to my ears. Thanks, Luke. :)
I also thought William did an excellent job with the BoB. I commissioned him to do it, and I gave him a really tough exercise with it, but I think he pulled it off perfectly. :)
Thanks guys! Your comments mean a lot to me. I had a lot of fun writing it. Strangely, I thought about pitching the same article about a year ago, and then wrote it off thinking that Mike wouldn’t go for it! Go figure.
Also, I would have replied to your post earlier, but the day that you posted I was busy coaching my wife through having our first baby! Quite the experience!
Congrats, William. I wish you many smiles and not too many smelly diapers. :D
I think child birth is the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life. Especially since I wasn't the one having the labor pains. ;)
Congrats, William. I wish you many smiles and not too many smelly diapers. :D
I think child birth is the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life. Especially since I wasn't the one having the labor pains. ;)
Thanks guys! Yeah, it was pretty amazing! Plenty of smiles and smelly diapers both, but I don’t really mind the latter too much, although I prefer the former. :D
Luckily she (the baby) sleeps a lot, so I still have some free writing time. ;)
Luckily she (the baby) sleeps a lot, so I still have some free writing time. ;)
It won't last. Believe me, I know from experience!
Get as much done now as you can!
Congratulations on multiple fronts....fatherhood is the best thing in the world. I got my sorceror on black dragon mini today and my 3 year old confiscated it for a while so he could play with it (but I got it back)....it warms my heart to see my kid playing with D&D miniatures ;)
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(...)Also, I would have replied to your post earlier, but the day that you posted I was busy coaching my wife through having our first baby! Quite the experience!
Hey, congrats!
My son was born on the second of june this years and that has been an experience as well! 2 hours long C-section is something you don't need another time in your life! But everything's fine and Ben is at home since 5 days now. It works better than everybody told me beforehand. The nights are quiet with only a single break for giving Ben food.I hope it will stay the way it is and wish you all the best for your wife and kid!
Congratulations on multiple fronts....fatherhood is the best thing in the world. I got my sorceror on black dragon mini today and my 3 year old confiscated it for a while so he could play with it (but I got it back)....it warms my heart to see my kid playing with D&D miniatures ;)
That’s one thing that I’m already dreading…the moment my daughter can reach our miniatures! I mean, I’m cool with the plastic ones (maybe not my promo sorcerer on black dragon, which I can’t wait to see), but the metal ones are all painted so nicely… I’m just going to have to get a locking display case!
Thanks again for the congrats everyone! And congratulations on becoming a parent yourself Dryder!