Discussion of Eberron Books for RPGing purposes thread [Archive] - Wizards Community

Discussion of Eberron Books for RPGing purposes thread [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Charles Phipps
08-10-05, 11:33 AM Hey Folks,

A great many a thread has been shut down because it's a rare place outside of R.A. Salvatore.com and Dragonlance the webpage where you can discuss novels.

However, there's always been an understanding by the moderators of these boards that novels can in fact serve as gamesource material.

This is a thread that I hope the moderator will put a "pin" on and make part of these boards permanently. Basically, a catch all thread for discussing RPGing elements of the novels that can and do relate to the enjoyment of the tabletop aspect of Eberron.

To clarify what I believe to be permitted in these sorts of thread and what is not permitted....

Do's

* Do be willing to talk about the suggested write ups for characters (for use as NPCs), items, monsters, and locations.

* Do discuss the changes a book has caused to the setting as a whole and how it might impact a gameline's area if they are treated as cannon.

* Do discuss your disagreement with any depictions of races, magic, places, or societies as presented in the book vs. your own interpretations.

* Do suggest how a plot of a book can be made into a suitable adventure hook, tie in, or redux.

Don'ts

* Do not discuss whether you liked or disliked a book. Reviews of novels are strictly prohibited.

* Do not discuss plot points unless they relate to a changing of the RPGing status quo of Eberron.

* Do not speculate on where a novel is likely to go.

* Do not talk about character's personalities unless they are part of roleplaying suggestions for a stat block.
Griff_Goodbeard
08-10-05, 11:47 AM Good thread idea, hopefully it won't devolve into something the mods need to shut down.

I just wanted to say that the top two things I have used from the books I have read so far (City of Towers and Marked for Death) are Keith's descriptions of the Cyrian refugee district in Sharn, and Matt's description of the warforged city of Construct. Both have found their way into my home game. I'll add more details when I get home from work. ;)
Charles Phipps
08-10-05, 12:08 PM Good thread idea, hopefully it won't devolve into something the mods need to shut down.

I just wanted to say that the top two things I have used from the books I have read so far (City of Towers and Marked for Death) are Keith's descriptions of the Cyrian refugee district in Sharn, and Matt's description of the warforged city of Construct. Both have found their way into my home game. I'll add more details when I get home from work. ;)

I hope so as well.

I look forward to your thoughts, what's so appealing about the descriptions?

I've only started "The Dragon Below" trilogy and am trying to figure out whether or not I like the depiction of the Kalashtyr relationship to her Quori spirit within. It seems a good deal more master-familiaresque than the merging I expected it to be portrayed as.
Manyfist
08-10-05, 12:15 PM I always viewed the Dreaming Dark as the one that should be helped. Since they're dieing out and trying to hold on to their existance, they still want to be individuals instead of a mass of Humanoids. Yet the Kalashtar are the cowards who reached Immortality by bonding with Mortals, and loosing their face. It's like some one who's on the run from a Volcano and tries to live in the Ocean, because they'll be safe from the Volcano... yet in the Books it would seem that the Deaming Dark are evil, and should be destoryed. Why? They're only trying to survive, and is that so evil?
Charles Phipps
08-10-05, 12:35 PM I always viewed the Dreaming Dark as the one that should be helped. Since they're dieing out and trying to hold on to their existance, they still want to be individuals instead of a mass of Humanoids. Yet the Kalashtar are the cowards who reached Immortality by bonding with Mortals, and loosing their face. It's like some one who's on the run from a Volcano and tries to live in the Ocean, because they'll be safe from the Volcano... yet in the Books it would seem that the Deaming Dark are evil, and should be destoryed. Why? They're only trying to survive, and is that so evil?

This is relavent to another book, not Eberron, in the Silmarillon. Feanor was revolted that elves were losing the Earth to the human race and was repulsed that his race was lost. Nevertheless, he was wrong because preserving his race required much evil.
Charles Phipps
08-11-05, 12:40 AM I've got to ask also, will Keith be providing in any dragonshards the stats for the heroes of his trilogy?
Dansan
08-11-05, 05:41 AM Personally I felt City of Towers was a great novel to really get the feeling for the campaign. Sure, the ECS is a great way of getting to know the campaign setting, but I found City of Towers far more helpful in actually developing a good feeling for the campaign and a solid grasp on the different elements that make up Eberron.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Charles Phipps 08-10-05, 11:33 AM	Hey Folks, A great many a thread has been shut down because it's a rare place outside of R.A. Salvatore.com and Dragonlance the webpage where you can discuss novels. However, there's always been an understanding by the moderators of these boards that novels can in fact serve as gamesource material. This is a thread that I hope the moderator will put a "pin" on and make part of these boards permanently. Basically, a catch all thread for discussing RPGing elements of the novels that can and do relate to the enjoyment of the tabletop aspect of Eberron. To clarify what I believe to be permitted in these sorts of thread and what is not permitted.... Do's * Do be willing to talk about the suggested write ups for characters (for use as NPCs), items, monsters, and locations. * Do discuss the changes a book has caused to the setting as a whole and how it might impact a gameline's area if they are treated as cannon. * Do discuss your disagreement with any depictions of races, magic, places, or societies as presented in the book vs. your own interpretations. * Do suggest how a plot of a book can be made into a suitable adventure hook, tie in, or redux. Don'ts * Do not discuss whether you liked or disliked a book. Reviews of novels are strictly prohibited. * Do not discuss plot points unless they relate to a changing of the RPGing status quo of Eberron. * Do not speculate on where a novel is likely to go. * Do not talk about character's personalities unless they are part of roleplaying suggestions for a stat block.
Griff_Goodbeard 08-10-05, 11:47 AM	Good thread idea, hopefully it won't devolve into something the mods need to shut down. I just wanted to say that the top two things I have used from the books I have read so far (City of Towers and Marked for Death) are Keith's descriptions of the Cyrian refugee district in Sharn, and Matt's description of the warforged city of Construct. Both have found their way into my home game. I'll add more details when I get home from work. ;)
Charles Phipps 08-10-05, 12:08 PM	Good thread idea, hopefully it won't devolve into something the mods need to shut down. I just wanted to say that the top two things I have used from the books I have read so far (City of Towers and Marked for Death) are Keith's descriptions of the Cyrian refugee district in Sharn, and Matt's description of the warforged city of Construct. Both have found their way into my home game. I'll add more details when I get home from work. ;) I hope so as well. I look forward to your thoughts, what's so appealing about the descriptions? I've only started "The Dragon Below" trilogy and am trying to figure out whether or not I like the depiction of the Kalashtyr relationship to her Quori spirit within. It seems a good deal more master-familiaresque than the merging I expected it to be portrayed as.
Manyfist 08-10-05, 12:15 PM	I always viewed the Dreaming Dark as the one that should be helped. Since they're dieing out and trying to hold on to their existance, they still want to be individuals instead of a mass of Humanoids. Yet the Kalashtar are the cowards who reached Immortality by bonding with Mortals, and loosing their face. It's like some one who's on the run from a Volcano and tries to live in the Ocean, because they'll be safe from the Volcano... yet in the Books it would seem that the Deaming Dark are evil, and should be destoryed. Why? They're only trying to survive, and is that so evil?
Charles Phipps 08-10-05, 12:35 PM	I always viewed the Dreaming Dark as the one that should be helped. Since they're dieing out and trying to hold on to their existance, they still want to be individuals instead of a mass of Humanoids. Yet the Kalashtar are the cowards who reached Immortality by bonding with Mortals, and loosing their face. It's like some one who's on the run from a Volcano and tries to live in the Ocean, because they'll be safe from the Volcano... yet in the Books it would seem that the Deaming Dark are evil, and should be destoryed. Why? They're only trying to survive, and is that so evil? This is relavent to another book, not Eberron, in the Silmarillon. Feanor was revolted that elves were losing the Earth to the human race and was repulsed that his race was lost. Nevertheless, he was wrong because preserving his race required much evil.
Charles Phipps 08-11-05, 12:40 AM	I've got to ask also, will Keith be providing in any dragonshards the stats for the heroes of his trilogy?
Dansan 08-11-05, 05:41 AM	Personally I felt City of Towers was a great novel to really get the feeling for the campaign. Sure, the ECS is a great way of getting to know the campaign setting, but I found City of Towers far more helpful in actually developing a good feeling for the campaign and a solid grasp on the different elements that make up Eberron.