Ship Date to Subscribers: 02/06
Date Recieved: 02/14
Shipping Time: 8 days
Average Shipping Time (Jan-Dec '07): 10.5 days
Cover
I’ve given my opinion before on scantily clad women on the covers of these magazines before, so I won’t reiterate. I will say that it looks like Malcanthet’s head has fallen off. I enjoy Wayne Reynolds’s work, yet this is twice this year I’ve had the same problem with what is on the cover. More on this when I write about the Demonomicon article inside.
By looking at what is mentioned on the cover, I got interested in reading about the demiplanes, the princes of elemental good (I mentioned last time that I had recently re-read the princes of elemental evil article from issue 347). Normally I really enjoy the Demonomicon articles, but the sexual nature of this one doesn’t sit well with me. Still, I know that it will be written according to the highest D&D standards. I wasn’t quite sure what the Keeper was (I like Eberron so my first thought was of the god, but this is an ecology article on monsters, so I was at a loss) and I have lost interest in almost all things Faerunian, especially when there was an article on half-outsiders in Forgotten Realms not to long ago, so an article on outsiders seemed to much.
Shorts and Staples
I chose to read this issue front to back this time instead of my usual order. The editorial confused me this month. It usually ties in with something within the magazine, but this time, it didn’t. It did bring back my own memories of when I gamed during high school. My friends were less interested in acting out their characters and more into stabbing each other in the back. I wouldn’t play like that anymore, but those were good times.
The first watch section didn’t “wow” me. All three D&D previews didn’t scream at me to buy. I buy a limited amount of books (not because I don’t want to, I just have set my budget very low for these things). The only one that I would get is the Magic Item Compendium and that’s if I didn’t have most of what was inside since I make my own compilations of stuff (that’s what I do in my free time).
Next issue (354) piques my interest. We get another Core Beliefs article, this time on Heironeous. I really like the detail put into this stuff. I don’t normally game in Greyhawk, but these articles give a lot of great ideas. I am really curious as to what the modron article will have. It would have fit better in this issue. I really like the 2nd edition Planescape, but I didn’t play it enough to know what was going on with the plane of Mechanus. There was an article in Dragon that came out the same time as the Tome of Magic that had a new vestige in it pertaining to the modron’s “god.” It gave us some of the story that happened in some of the Planescape adventures I think. I wonder if the modron article will reflect those changes. There’s an article on adventuring at old age. In one of my worlds, the longevity of each race pretty much correlates to how powerful they are. Elves, being the oldest humanoid race, are the most powerful. They are not allowed as PCs. They don’t rule the world, though (even though they would like to) because there is so few of them. They are at war with the young humans who are quickly spreading across the continent. Anyway, I look forward to seeing if there are things I can incorporate into this world, if the PCs can live long enough that is.
I really like D&D Miniatures, but the ones pictured (blood golem of Hextor, Large black dragon, and the dire lion) don’t excite me as much as some previous previews. I’m not a big fan of Stephen King. I actually tried reading the first book in his Dark Tower series, and I had to put it down before I let it hit me in the head from falling asleep. So a comic book adaptation of it is not up my alley. Right now, comic book-wise, I am interested in Civil War, although I am behind on that as well as everything else (I can’t wait until I am done with my business degree so I will have more time for myself).
Out of the rest of First Watch only the new D&D Tactics game looks interesting to me. Unfortunately is for the PSP. I’m a Xbox man myself. Although I have been thinking about getting some type of handheld or portable DVD player for those long road trips that I end up getting sucked into all the time. This might be a necessary purchase.
Other First Watch entries: A comic adaptation of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser (I might not buy this, but I’ll read it), Monsternomicon II for Iron Kingdoms, a new Talisman board game, and new monster statues. That’s it for that.
The Meat
Demonicon of Iggwilv: Malcanthet, Queen of the Succubi. I really enjoy reading James Jacobs articles on these unique denizens of the Abyss. I’m all for showcasing evil, as long as it is clear that it is meant for evil. This one though was a little uncomfortable to me as I have a problem with erotic material. I read on another post that Jacobs did his best to try not to go too far and yet describe what really makes her evil. I appreciate that. Out of all the demons featured in these articles, she is that last one I would use. If I did use her, it would probably be only as an enchantress and deceiver. I think that can be plenty enough to create havoc for the PCs.
Even though when I was a teen we had plenty of campaigns where the PCs were evil, I would not allow evil characters in my campaigns now without a lot of damage control. For instance, I have an idea for an evil campaign that features monstrous humanoids hearing the call of war and traveling to the hobgoblin warlord’s capital to possibly serve in his army. Two of my favorite monsters I can picture among them: a minotaur and a yuan-ti (although the PCs can be whatever they want). In the beginning they will have to try to work together and fend off human and dwarven attacks. This is actually part of my world that I mentioned above.
I do really like the amount of detail in the Demonomicon articles and this one is not an exception. Malcanthet’s abilities are quite interesting and can be used even in my toned-down version.
Multiple Dementia: A Guide to the Demiplanes. The new demiplanes featured in this article are very imaginative. I can definitely see campaigns incorporating a quest to one of these to find a legendary NPC or lost knowledge. The new demiplanes are: the Black Abyss, the Demiplane of Imprisonment (not Ravenloft), and Moil, the City that Waits. I’m a little confused with the last one. I thought that Moil was a place in Greyhawk, yet here it says it came from a world called Ranais. I guess there can be more than one Moil. Also included is a list of other demiplanes with one sentence descriptions. I’m not sure if any of them are new or just reprinted from Planescape products. I do recognize several of them: Cynosure (from when I was a diehard FR fan), the Demiplane of Dread (Ravenloft), and the Mazes (the Lady of Pain’s garbage chute) just to name a few.
Princes of Elemental Good: The Archomentals, Part II. I think that can be whole campaigns built around the wars between all the elemental conflicts, enough to fill several timeslots of daytime soap operas. Featured is Ben-Hadar (Prince of Good Water Creatures), Chan (Princess of Good Aerial Creatures), Sunnis (Princess of Good Earth Creatures), and Zaaman Rul (Prince of Good Fire Creatures). They have a range of 20-24 CR. What really differentiates them from each other (other than their element) is their history. That’s what makes these individuals really exciting. This is also the article that has the only new feat presented in this issue. I really like feats. This is not enough for me. I can’t even really call it a “brand-new” feat as it is just the opposite of the feat present in the evil archomentals article. Oh well.
Regulars
The Ecology of the Keeper. So this has nothing to do with the Eberron god the Keeper. I don’t have the Fiend Folio, which is where these knowledge hounds come from. They remind me of a cross between Agent Smith from the Matrix and those guys from Dark City (? Sorry, its been a long time since I have seen that movie, I might not even have the name right). They all look the same and can even switch places with another keeper so you don’t realize the one you have been battling as just been replaced with a fully-healed counterpart. I do like the fact that Paizo is branching out from the Monster Manual and getting into less-mentioned creatures. It could even encourage someone (like me) to go out and buy the Fiend Folio. Although it might take a few more from the Fiend Folio to get me to put it higher on my list.
Savage Tidings: Advancing the Wyvern. I have to say that I pretty much glossed over sea voyages in my campaigns. I don’t know if it is because there is so much more that needs to be considered rules wise or if it’s because I have a fear of treading water and having a huge sea monster swim up from under me and swallow me whole. So this article doesn’t have anything I would really use. There are mundane and magical items that can be used to upgrade ships. There are a few new NPCs and a couple new ideas on where to get replacement PCs. I haven’t really checked out the new adventure path, but I guess there is some underground adventuring in it as there is some info on what could possibly be going on underneath the Isle of Dread.
Volo’s Guide: Outsiders of the Forgotten Realms. There are four new outsiders in this article, two celestial and two fiendish. The two celestial are the harmonious choir of the words and the sliver. The two fiends are the death devil and umbral gloom. My favorite is probably the harmonious choir of the words since it uses rules from the Book of Exalted Deeds. Even though I do not own that book, I am familiar with some of its rules, including the Words of Creation, which the choir uses. One thing I found odd is the picture for the death devil. In its descriptive text, it says it has four wings and wears a robe. The picture does not include four wings, only two and, even though this is less important, it is not wearing a robe. Also, up until now, the number of pages for both the FR and EB articles have been fairly equal. This time, the FR article has over twice as many pages. I realize that the new monster format takes up a lot of pages (and I like having all the additional information) but I wish there was equal consideration for both worlds. I could just feel jaded because I like Eberron more than Forgotten Realms.
Dragonmarks: Manifestly Strange. Manifest zones are a huge part of what makes Eberron different. I appreciate the three new locations described here: Fantaran hot springs, Ivory Mountain, and the ruins of Pelmarane. I like all three equally well. They are all different enough to find places in any campaign.
This month’s Sage Advice coincides with the theme this month, which deals with planar stuff. There are some good questions this month.
Class Acts: Adventurer-Spellthief Substitutions. I am not too familiar with spellthieves, but it is always nice to have new rules for the non-standard classes. There are five new variant class features described: cursed blow, hamper magic, spelleater, spellskill, and trickster. My favorite is the spellskill. It allows you to sacrifice spells to gain bonuses to skills.
Arcane: Spells Without SR. I understand the need for something like this, but I think a better idea would be a list of spells for each of the subschool types. For instance all the spells with the fire descriptor or from the mind-affecting spells. I’ve made my own lists so that I know how hard it will be to get spells if someone wants to specialize in something (like mindset spells which I’ve only seen in Races of Eberron, and there are only a few there). It would be hard for me to submit my own lists though because I don’t have access to too many books.
Divine: No Turning. Several new variant class features that replace the turn or rebuke undead class feature. Each one even lists suggested core deities that would most likely use these variants. There are fourteen in all.
Warrior: Fighter Guide. This is probably the most useful class ability guide so far. Granted the only class ability the fighter has are the bonus feats and a list of all the feats that qualify as fighter bonus feats would be nice, what Amber E. Scott did is much more useful. Scott summarized the most likely options that a fighter would choose for attacks. She also chose two feats that are a fighter would likely choose as one of their fighter bonus feats, Power Attack and Mounted Combat, covered their rules and how to use them with other actions like two-weapon fighting (for PA) and cover (for MC). Very nice.
My Wish List
I wish for downloadable pictures from the magazine on the website. More web enhancements (maybe a few more feats for the fighter guide and a couple more manifest zones). Also, why hasn’t Paizo put the cover on the website?
First of all, let me say that you're an awesome person for writing up a comprehensive review of this issue. :)
Multiple Dementia: A Guide to the Demiplanes. The new demiplanes featured in this article are very imaginative. I can definitely see campaigns incorporating a quest to one of these to find a legendary NPC or lost knowledge. The new demiplanes are: the Black Abyss, the Demiplane of Imprisonment (not Ravenloft), and Moil, the City that Waits. I’m a little confused with the last one. I thought that Moil was a place in Greyhawk, yet here it says it came from a world called Ranais. I guess there can be more than one Moil. Also included is a list of other demiplanes with one sentence descriptions. I’m not sure if any of them are new or just reprinted from Planescape products. I do recognize several of them: Cynosure (from when I was a diehard FR fan), the Demiplane of Dread (Ravenloft), and the Mazes (the Lady of Pain’s garbage chute) just to name a few.
To be fair, none of those three demiplanes are new, I just got to add some new details to each. The Demiplane of Imprisonment (which is Tharizdun's prison) was written up in the most detail in the 2e 'Guide to the Ethereal' though it was first alluded to well prior to that. The Black Abyss originated in and was detailed in 'Guide to the Ethereal'. Moil comes primarily from 'Return to the Tomb of Horrors' with additional material coming from 'Guide to the Ethereal', 'Dead Gods' and a bit or two elsewhere.
Now with regard to Moil, though the city has been mentioned a few times in 3e material (the Dream Vestige was in Libris Mortis, and a feat 'Black Lore of Moil' has appeared somewhere as well), it was never a place on Oerth/Greyhawk. The planet it came from was indeed called Ranais.
The list of demiplanes was populated from a number of sources, including but not limited to Planescape. The sources, off the top of my head as best I recall were: the Planescape books 'Guide to the Ethereal' and 'The Eternal Boundary', the post-Planescape 2e 'Vortex of Madness', the 1e 'Manual of the Planes', the 3e 'Manual of the Planes', the 1e 'Isle of the Ape' module, and Draedenden came from one of the D&D (as opposed to AD&D) Immortals material. The editors subsequently added the Demiplane of Gloaming from Dungeon 144 (I want to say I submitted the article before I'd seen the manuscript for 144), Dungeonland from 1e (which I considered adding but didn't include for space reasons), and two others including the demiplane that Union from the ELH sits within.
On that list, 'The Mewling' was new (but heavily inspired by 2e material on the Xill), and 'The Clockwork Gap' was completely new. I'll take responsibility for unleashing Harishek ap Thulkesh on PCs, even if it's only a line of description. *cackle*
Regulars
The Ecology of the Keeper. So this has nothing to do with the Eberron god the Keeper. I don’t have the Fiend Folio, which is where these knowledge hounds come from. They remind me of a cross between Agent Smith from the Matrix and those guys from Dark City (? Sorry, its been a long time since I have seen that movie, I might not even have the name right). They all look the same and can even switch places with another keeper so you don’t realize the one you have been battling as just been replaced with a fully-healed counterpart. I do like the fact that Paizo is branching out from the Monster Manual and getting into less-mentioned creatures. It could even encourage someone (like me) to go out and buy the Fiend Folio. Although it might take a few more from the Fiend Folio to get me to put it higher on my list.
FWIW, the Keepers originally appeared in the 2e Planescape Monstrous Compendium II, had a brief mention in 'Dead Gods', and then were in the 3e FF. Credit Richard Baker for originally creating these guys in 2e, but it was a real treat to be able to write their ecology up and add some more lore regarding their habits, origin, etc. Absolutely a treat :)
I had a little chunk of stuff that got trimmed from the article, and I'll be posting it over on Planewalker at some point if anyone is interested. (Some alternate origin theories and a bit about a book of fiendish origin that discussed an attempted dissection of a living keeper).
The Black Lore of Moil feat was in the Book of Vile Darkness, I believe.
Malcanthet is the queen of the succubi. A pleasure demon. And yet you're surprised? James Jacobs did a great job keeping it PG rated and somehow you're still uncomfortable? ..... hmmmmmm
This didn't even come into the parking lot of the ballpark of being "erotic." Come on! If you've a problem with that, read Better Homes and Gardens.
By looking at what is mentioned on the cover, I got interested in reading about the demiplanes, the princes of elemental good (I mentioned last time that I had recently re-read the princes of elemental evil article from issue 347).
-snip-
Princes of Elemental Good: The Archomentals, Part II. I think that can be whole campaigns built around the wars between all the elemental conflicts, enough to fill several timeslots of daytime soap operas. Featured is Ben-Hadar (Prince of Good Water Creatures), Chan (Princess of Good Aerial Creatures), Sunnis (Princess of Good Earth Creatures), and Zaaman Rul (Prince of Good Fire Creatures). They have a range of 20-24 CR. What really differentiates them from each other (other than their element) is their history. That’s what makes these individuals really exciting. This is also the article that has the only new feat presented in this issue. I really like feats. This is not enough for me. I can’t even really call it a “brand-new” feat as it is just the opposite of the feat present in the evil archomentals article. Oh well.
Cool, thanks for the positive words. :) it’s always encouraging, and glad to see that people followed the first article hoping for the second.
Shade suggested adding the feat to me (was it Purify Summoning or Sanctify Summoning?) to balance the fact that we gave it to the evil lords, and I couldn’t see any good reason to say no. ;)
It’s opposite, of course, originated while working on the evil archomentals article. Looking at the older versions of the elemental princes’ stats, in the 1E Fiend Folio Ogremoch could summon things like “evil xorn”, and in Planescape’s Monstrous Compendium 3), it was stated that anything summoned by Ogremoch and Yan-C-Bin were permanently tainted towards evil. I wanted to give them this ability, but it wasn’t very “3E.” So, I thought about it, and I realized that a feat would solve that problem! Originally, I think we just gave the feat to Ogremoch and “Yancy,” but the editors must have liked it so much they gave it to all of them. :)
I could see it being a pretty useful feat for spellcasters who use summoning magic frequently.
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Heehee, I thought it looked like the Queen's head was falling off, too. I overall enjoyed this issue quite a bit. I think my players will find great use for the Savage Tidings, perhaps even sooner than intended. I honestly thought that the Demonomicon article was a little tame, considering it was about this powerful personification of seduction and betrayal. The description of her Lover's Lash made my skin crawl, and the thought of all those poor souls sacrificed in the throes of passion...not a fate I would wish on my enemies. So, congrats on making Mal as creepy and evil as possible, within the constraints of this so-called "good taste" I have heard spoken of.
The Class Acts were very timely, though not quite timely enough. The turning variants will come in handy for my friend's game, where he's already trying out homebrew non-turning cleric-y powers. The spells not affected by SR...sadly, my adventuring companion and I had already whiled away several hours we shall surely never get back compiling just such a list for a game featuring much drow slayage. An excellent supplement, that others might not toil as we have. :)
All in all, lots of fun, quirky articles I can use both in games I'm running and playing. Good work all around!
I'm happy to get comments on my reviews from some of the authors. No matter what I might think of the content, I am impressed that someone can get their ideas in print. I respect those people no matter what.
I guess it goes to show that even though my heaviest gaming was during 2e and that I had pretty much everything core, FR, DS, and SJ, I can forget things like what monsters appeared where and such. I am glad for the corrections from those that have done the research.
I look forward to more comments on my opinions and also corrections if I state anything that is wrong. Thank you.
I agree about the cover issue. It does look like Malcanthet has no neck.
I know it's the perspective of her leaning back in her throne and looking down, but it's a horrible perspective the way it was drawn. It looks like her head is floating was the first thing I thought of too. And she's not as scantily clad as I originally expected, either. That Dungeon issue with the chick covered in a white wrap and spiders was more seductive than Malcanthet on the cover of this issue.
I'm glad you liked the Manifest Zones! Thanks!
-Amber S.
I agree regarding the cover image. The full-page image at the beginning of Malcanthet's article (Malcanthet with the angel) was better.
I like Malcanthet's kiss ability and the Thrall of Malcanthet PRC.
The Order of the Stick was hilarious.
I liked the Savage Tidings article.
Regarding Sunnis the Princess of Good Earth Elementals, is there also a Prince of Earth Elementals named Entemoch? Siege of Darkness (p. 138) mentions Entemoch as a Prince of Earth Elementals (and Ogremoch as the evil elemental prince).
Regarding Sunnis the Princess of Good Earth Elementals, is there also a Prince of Earth Elementals named Entemoch? Siege of Darkness (p. 138) mentions Entemoch as a Prince of Earth Elementals (and Ogremoch as the evil elemental prince).
No, there isn't. Most likely Salvatore got his wired crossed somewhere, or just made it up for the novel. Likely he was aware of Ogremoch from 1e, but had never heard of Sunnis before (and when was the novel published, because it may have been before Sunnis was ever mentioned, in Salvatore's defense).
There's no Entemoch, but Kossuth is the overarching lord of all elemental earth creatures (and dwarfs the influence of both Sunnis and Ogremoch; he's pretty much a living manifestation of the plane of elemental earth as a whole).
Regarding Sunnis the Princess of Good Earth Elementals, is there also a Prince of Earth Elementals named Entemoch? Siege of Darkness (p. 138) mentions Entemoch as a Prince of Earth Elementals (and Ogremoch as the evil elemental prince).No, there isn't. Most likely Salvatore got his wired crossed somewhere, or just made it up for the novel. Likely he was aware of Ogremoch from 1e, but had never heard of Sunnis before (and when was the novel published, because it may have been before Sunnis was ever mentioned, in Salvatore's defense).
There's no Entemoch, but Kossuth is the overarching lord of all elemental earth creatures (and dwarfs the influence of both Sunnis and Ogremoch; he's pretty much a living manifestation of the plane of elemental earth as a whole).
Kossuth is fire. You're thinking of Grumbar. I'd simply assume that Entemoch is the Realms name for Sunnis.
--Eric
Black Lore of Moil... wasn't that in the Complete Arcane?
there could be an entemoch who is a separate being... after all, there are supposed to be archomentals of all different alignments. :) maybe that one is the earth archomental of law.
Siege of Darkness was published in 1994.
When were the good elemental princes and princesses named?
You're thinking of Grumbar.
Yes indeed I was. This is what I get for posting before drinking my morning coffee.
Siege of Darkness was published in 1994.
When were the good elemental princes and princesses named?
The PSMC III came out in 1998, so I think Salvatore gets a complete pass on this one. :) It's hard to reference something that hadn't been formally named yet.
I'd just like to say I loved the FR outsiders. When I saw "six outsiders from FR's unique cosmology" in the preview, I cringed. I just hate the FR's bastard cosmology, and anything geared towards it I expected to be flat and unexciting.
Instead we got four excellent creatures that are very organic with FR, but still usable when my disparate group reforms and I can DM planescape. All of the monsters made me think of FR (which, aside from a few novelists, I've found myself growing away from) with pleasant thoughts. Too often FR stuff is just generic fantasy stuff with a lable attached or occasionally way obessively detailed works that lose interesting points in descriptions about the shape of cobblestones or the weight of coins.
Also, I'm glad to see that the volo's guide and dragonmarks articles are variable in length. When there's a good article, it shouldn't be squeezed into three pages, and both articles can be nice and tiny when janurary's campaign classics issue rolls around again.
I know it's the perspective of her leaning back in her throne and looking down, but it's a horrible perspective the way it was drawn. It looks like her head is floating was the first thing I thought of too. And she's not as scantily clad as I originally expected, either. That Dungeon issue with the chick covered in a white wrap and spiders was more seductive than Malcanthet on the cover of this issue.
The head was indeed strange, and also I saw no mention in her statblock about helium breasts...but I can consider that part of strange fiend anatomy :)
The head makes my eyes cry.