Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Saurenda 02-21-05, 07:04 PM	Well I'm not too sure if it will happen in april or later, but my local gaming shop's representitive on rpgs has annouced that he wants to improve the advertisement of roleplaying games for the shop. This will mean more money for them and more products on the shelves for gamers as well as potentional players. A very nice deal indeed. I was asked to run an event of 3-4 hours detailing the campagin setting of Eberron to be held at the store on a night detailing the Dungeons and Dragon's system. I'm quite sure I want to do the adventure in the back of the Campagin Setting Book with a bit of City of Towers Suppliment mixed in to make the backstories of the premade character more interesting. Having read City of Towers: Dreaming Dark Book I also helps incorperate a bit more fluff with all the dragon shards I've been reading inbetween. I'm thinking of bringing the dragon shards with me as proof of support of the setting, along with (much to my hesitation) Eberron underglass. My feelings are: the more info the better. If the situation permits I'll even bring along a fan based primer for the setting if anyone can reccomend something worthwhile at a gaming store for newbs to look at. I'm dealing with second editions junkies, and gurps people who want a bit more information. I may just have write one myself if it comes down to it. Yes it is very depressing, but sadly to save time and encourage game play I will be making the characters for the players ahead of time. The problem is, what do I choose to represent the best of Eberron has to offer? A artificer Warforged maybe a great character concept, but it is simply too much hasle with eliete array, and for limited gameplay. A warforged fighter fits better in this respect for limited quick gameplay. Any suggestions on keeping things simple, sticking to favored classes versus's the flavor element. Keeping it cliche like changeling rouge, shifter barbarian, warforged fighter, human artificer, and elven ranger sounds solid, just to get people on the band wagon and let them put together thier own interesting character later. I figure I should try to get them interested rather than try to overwhelm them and stifle thier creativity with my own. The sharn book will help in discribing the tone and view of the city for the purposes of visualization. I've got the music CD, though I doubt we'll get to play it at night even, though I'll make sure when the time comes. Of course baged dice, and tokens for characters along with predrawn maps will be made in advance, as well as character sheets for the newbish to clearly read. Mark B had some very nice representations for his own original stand alone game, which I'd rather use, but for the people who have never heard of Eberron it seems to be too much. Any ideas from the masses on what else if anything I should have availible to potential Eberronians?
Isran_Imrador 02-21-05, 07:12 PM	The Korranberg Chronicle could be on thing. There is a primer here somewhere....
Saurenda 02-21-05, 07:23 PM	The sharn inquisitive from the wizards site would actually have more appeal with the newbies to Eberron as I see it. Korranberg Chronicle is often filled with Eberron familiar jokes, as well as stories that have developed beyond the scope of the campagin setting's elements itself, and articles lead plot hooks and information into directions I feel newcomers wouldn't particulary have much interest in at first.
MikeyP 02-22-05, 10:21 AM	Any suggestions on keeping things simple, sticking to favored classes versus's the flavor element. Keeping it cliche like changeling rouge, shifter barbarian, warforged fighter, human artificer, and elven ranger sounds solid, just to get people on the band wagon and let them put together thier own interesting character later. I figure I should try to get them interested rather than try to overwhelm them and stifle thier creativity with my own. While artificers are very interesting and distinctly Eberron, a human sorcerer may be a better suited to a 1-shot game than an artificer. Admittedly, my experience with artificers so far is limited as no one in my gaming group has yet played one, so your mileage may vary. How about having one of them involved in a House, or bear an aberrant or foundling Dragonmark? BTW, is this going down at Dragon's Den?
Thorgrip 02-22-05, 12:13 PM	I'd make sure to have a Halfling Barbarian and perhaps a Half-Orc with teh Mark of Finding on the path to being an inquisitive. These two (and there are others) really take the stereotypical D&D/Tolkein concepts of their races and presents a very different idea.
Edymnion 02-22-05, 03:35 PM	Yeah, as Eberronian as the Artificer may be, they aren't something you jump into the game with. They are rather complicated to play, especially as a one shot character. You just won't be able to include the main strengths of the class. How about this: Shifter Ranger Warforged Fighter Half-Elf Sorcerer w/ Mark of Storms (make it a storm themed sorcerer) Halfling Cleric with Mark of Healing, riding a dinosaur.
Dhakaani Heir 02-22-05, 04:04 PM	Hellcow himself made up a party of characters for an eberron game: http://www.bossythecow.com/eberronparty.htm The PCs are first level and designed to introduce the players to the setting. The char sheets are designed for simplicity of play and come with full backstories. One small problem might be the monk but if its a one off it wont matter
Saurenda 02-23-05, 12:43 AM	Thank you Dhakaani that is exactly what I needed =D I'll be happy to take any other suggestions people have for a first night of Eberron.
Saurenda 02-23-05, 12:45 AM	While artificers are very interesting and distinctly Eberron, a human sorcerer may be a better suited to a 1-shot game than an artificer. Admittedly, my experience with artificers so far is limited as no one in my gaming group has yet played one, so your mileage may vary. How about having one of them involved in a House, or bear an aberrant or foundling Dragonmark? BTW, is this going down at Dragon's Den? Yes. Oo; Is this Brian?
Solarious 02-23-05, 01:17 AM	I highly recommend MarkB's excellent adventure known as An Errand of Mercy (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=368844), which is designed to last about 4 hours and introduce many of the elements of Eberron to players. I also suggest reading through the thread to get a feel of anything you may wish to add or change in the adventure, especially MarkB's own comments in the second page about running the adventure.
tylerthehobo 02-23-05, 10:13 AM	Yeah, the real advice here is "Keep it Simple". Artificers, Psionics...maybe you can use these as NPCs, but throwing them at a player who is a noob is a bad idea. You may wish to talk more with the shopkeep about what he/she has in mind. Are they trying to attract non-gamers to the game, or the 2e/gurps fans that you spoke of? What age level are they anticipating? What are they willing to pony up for the sake of demos (E.g. some minis and a battlemat)? If they're game, try to see if they can keep a folding table in the back along with the minis, adventure, etc., to run demos whenever they want (whether you're there or not). Also, it sounds like you're putting a LOT of prep work into this, which is really to be commended. Try to gauge player attention as you go, though - if they're getting lost or glazing over during the backstory, slow down the talk and throw an encounter at them. Getting noobs into the game can be tough, because they may have different expectations than you do. All in all, it sounds like you've got a great opportunity, and that you're really throwing yourself into this. Well done! Good luck.
MikeyP 02-23-05, 03:19 PM	Yes. Oo; Is this Brian? Nope, it's Mike. I dropped you an email a few weeks ago about a campaign in Westchester.
Saurenda 02-24-05, 03:00 PM	Well if you or anyone else in the area of Dragon's den does want a regular Eberron game and a dependible, responsible DM just let me know ^^ Aside from the event I'll be doing I would like to get a regular game set up between now and then. As for the topic, I think having a Psonic NPC would be a great way to introduce a bit more of Eberron. Perhaps a telepath, or something with limited fighting influence to help them out.