Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DBlizzard 01-16-07, 10:51 PM	I got my copy of Dragon 352 today. The Eberron article is "Warforged: Fierce and Furious." It's by Nicolas Logue (of "The Chimes at Midnight" fame) with an introduction by Keith Baker. The article is 4 pages with 3 sections. The first has tables for some minor variations in warfoged (slightly different body types, head types, body accents, condition or ornamentation and personality quirks). Nothing that gives any mechanical differences. It also has two new components (Battle Visor, Camouflaged Compartment). Finally, there is a new affiliation - the Eldritch Crucible. It's a group of warforged formed after the Last War to ensure that magic wouldn't be used as a weapon again. They go out to try to destroy dangerous and powerful artifacts, eldritch machines and other powerful magic items that could be used for large destruction.
PoeticJustice 01-16-07, 11:14 PM	Could you give me a little bit more of a tease regarding warforged alteration? Nothing specific, but do they offer any mechanical differences?
DBlizzard 01-17-07, 12:03 AM	Could you give me a little bit more of a tease regarding warforged alteration? Nothing specific, but do they offer any mechanical differences? Reread my post. I specifically state there are no mechanical differences. In fact, the articles states "All of the changes listed below are cosmetic and do not affect the way the warforged works..." Rolling on each table I come up with this example. Hunched back. Eyes flicker, flash or spark Marble "body accent" Dragonscale motifs on chest, shoulders and back Stares at nonwarforged and enjoys how it makes them nervous or uncomfortable.
The_Robot 01-17-07, 12:39 AM	that sounds awesome. i love the Warforged, and i'm always chasing new info and components and things...even new cosmetic fluff would be great! in general, is Dragon usually this useful? as someone who is pretty new to D&D, is Dragon (or Dungeon or both) worth the money for a subscription?
SSj3goblin 01-17-07, 12:42 AM	This may sound trivial but i'm very visual, are there any Illustrations of the warforged variations?
DBlizzard 01-17-07, 02:19 AM	This may sound trivial but i'm very visual, are there any Illustrations of the warforged variations? Articles has 4 illustrations. One is a squareheaded warforged, one has a "faceless" warforged on a slab with another warforged next to it (and a possible 3rd in the foreground), one appears to show the "camouflaged component" in action, the last being the symbol of the Eldritch Crucible.
mhacdebhandia 01-17-07, 02:36 AM	in general, is Dragon usually this useful? as someone who is pretty new to D&D, is Dragon (or Dungeon or both) worth the money for a subscription? There is plenty of game information in Dragon every month. At the present time, every issue has a four-page article on the Forgotten Realms, called "Volo's Guide" and a four-page article on Eberron, called "Dragonmarks"; "Class Acts", a set of four two-page articles on each of the classic four character archetypes (named after the Complete books - thus, Adventurer, Arcane, Divine, and Warrior) which sometimes covers characters from outside those types (there's been one "Psionic" Class Acts article so far). Every issue has an Ecology article - for instance, the "Ecology of the Ogre Mage" in the November 2006 issue, and "Ecology of the Clockwork Horror" in the December 2006 issue - along with articles featuring new spells, magic items, et cetera. Every four months - the next will be in the March issue - there's a feature called the "Demonomicon of Igg'wilv", detailing a demon lord from the core D&D cosmology - history, goals, Abyssal realm, servitor demons, thrall prestige class, and other pertinent facts. They covered Dagon, Prince of Darkened Depths, in November, and they'll be covering Malcanthet, Queen of Succubi, in March. Also every four months, in the issue after the "Demonomicons", they print a "Core Beliefs" article detailing a core rules deity - history, myths, doctrine, church organisation, spells, relics, et cetera. They covered Pelor back in August, and Wee Jas in December. Each issue then has a set of major feature articles. In December, for instance, there was an article on planetouched races of Faerun other than the standard aasimar, tieflings, and genasi; an article on magical pollution; an article providing templates for magically-corrupted creatures, and others. Dungeon is basically a source of adventures. Every issue features a low-level, mid-level, and high-level adventure, usually a generic D&D adventure but sometimes a Forgotten Realms or Eberron adventure. They also print short campaign arcs, usually three linked adventures. The next one apparently deals with the Far Realm. The big thing in Dungeon these days, though, is their Adventure Paths. Each is a series of twelve linked adventures taking characters from 1st level to 20th level to confront some sort of immense threat. There have been three so far: The Shackled City path involved a plot to drag an entire city, Cauldron, into the plane of Carceri. The Age of Worms path involved the return of the evil demigod Kyuss and his wormy undead servants threatening to destroy the world. The Savage Tide path is currently being published in the magazine, and involves servants of the demon prince Demogorgon planning to unleash a magical tide on the world which will transform nearly everyone into savage, mutant monsters. Both the Age of Worms and the Savage Tide paths have companion articles in Dragon - for instance, the Ecology article in the January 2007 issue of Dragon is the Ecology of the Isle of Dread, which is an important location in the middle of the path. The adventure paths are written to take place in Greyhawk, but are designed so that they can be easily adapted to the Forgotten Realms and Eberron - and they have Eric Boyd and Keith Baker writing adaptation notes for each adventure to those respective settings, although they're being made available on the website at a glacial pace. Dungeon also has articles full of DM tools, like colourful places and NPCs, adventure hooks, and advice on running adventures.
Sereno 01-17-07, 09:52 AM	Dungeon also has articles full of DM tools, like colourful places and NPCs, adventure hooks, and advice on running adventures. Don't forget ... good art! I usually get more ideas for adventures by looking at the illustrations than I do from the articles or the actual adventures! The articles are generally pretty good. And, some of the best adventures I've ever run have come from Dungeon. Personally, I like Dungeon better then Dragon, because Dragon is always adding new "crunch" and I think DnD has enough, already....
Kryptonian Scion 01-17-07, 11:03 AM	Regarding the warforged article: it was a complete waste of space, IMO. I don't need tables for rolling up box-headed or demon-faced warforged. "Their construct bodies can have varying appearances and traits? They can have personality quirks - NO WAY!" Useless. At least the "bag of holding built into your chest" component was worth a laugh around my gaming table. I haven't seen a magic item worth mocking so heavily since the "GPS crystal" many, many issues ago. I was really looking forward to the monthly Eberron features. I hope they get alot better than this.
cancerousmango 01-17-07, 07:45 PM	At least the "bag of holding built into your chest" component was worth a laugh around my gaming table. I haven't seen a magic item worth mocking so heavily since the "GPS crystal" many, many issues ago. Heh. (http://www.binaryriot.org/users/tokai/pictures/3d/sc_w58_1-bender.jpg)
Bluebrush 01-17-07, 07:48 PM	At least the "bag of holding built into your chest" component was worth a laugh around my gaming table.Please tell me you're joking and that is not actually in the article. (That I've been hit over the head with a frying pan and am hallucinating would also be an acceptable response.)
Nlogue 01-17-07, 10:01 PM	Regarding the warforged article: it was a complete waste of space, IMO. I don't need tables for rolling up box-headed or demon-faced warforged. "Their construct bodies can have varying appearances and traits? They can have personality quirks - NO WAY!" Useless. At least the "bag of holding built into your chest" component was worth a laugh around my gaming table. I haven't seen a magic item worth mocking so heavily since the "GPS crystal" many, many issues ago. I was really looking forward to the monthly Eberron features. I hope they get alot better than this. Hunh, I remember the "camoflauged compartment" being a lot more interesting than this (like a concealable holster for hidden magic weapons, or for smuggling powerful items into secure areas) but then again, things change a lot from manuscript to final print (for example there were two other components and a few new feats in my original manuscript). Between editorial review and WotC approval meetings, a lot gets cut or changed in the process. The quick roll charts are more for DMs who want to whip up a warforged NPC's appearance lickity split when they are running, Scion. Sorry you didn't find the article useful. Hope other installments come in more handy to you sir. Good gaming!
Tarionz_Cousin 01-18-07, 12:23 AM	I really liked this article. Good stuff. Nice help for us Eberron DM's creating multiple Warforged NPC's--sometimes on the spot! This is my favorite part of Dragon 352, for despite the fact that I enjoyed Mieville's books, I have no plans to ever use any of that stuff in a campaign.
Flack Jack 01-18-07, 12:29 AM	just came out you say? I knoiw what i'm buying tomorrow.
DBlizzard 01-18-07, 10:22 AM	just came out you say? I knoiw what i'm buying tomorrow. Actually, I said I just got it. I'm a subscriber, so it will likely not hit stores for a week or two.
Bluebrush 01-18-07, 11:48 AM	Please tell me you're joking and that is not actually in the article.Okay, not as bad as I'd expected, but overall the article wasn't something I'd buy the issue for. I'm not as much of a completist as I'd thought.
Nlogue 01-18-07, 01:56 PM	Okay, not as bad as I'd expected, but overall the article wasn't something I'd buy the issue for. I'm not as much of a completist as I'd thought. Hey Bluebrush, and those who have the article, can you tell me - are there really only two components? Darn if there is, the others would pretty cool I thought, must have been cut for space. Also, were there any feats? If so, which ones? Thanks in advance all! We don't ever ever get our copies out here in Hawai'i (I just got #351 a week ago).
Bluebrush 01-18-07, 02:03 PM	Well, I didn't buy it but yeah, just two items, no feats.
Flack Jack 01-18-07, 11:16 PM	I just went to the LGS (Local Game Store) today and what do you know 2 weeks. I would also by it for Zogonia, Nodwick, and Order of the Stick. Nobody avenges a Gnome, and beware the CR 14 snail! P.S. Abracapocolips!
Edymnion 01-19-07, 09:33 AM	in general, is Dragon usually this useful? as someone who is pretty new to D&D, is Dragon (or Dungeon or both) worth the money for a subscription?In the past? No, I have not found Dragon to be worth getting. I can literally count for you on the fingers of one hand how many issue buying worthy articles its had over about the past 5 years. Generally speaking, Dragon is a bunch of junk with occassionally mediocre articles, and the rare diamond in the ruff.
Kryptonian Scion 01-19-07, 02:12 PM	I can literally count for you on the fingers of one hand how many issue buying worthy articles its had over about the past 5 years. Drow of Xen'drik, Lords of Dust, Dreadhold are among them, I'd wager. ;)
mhacdebhandia 01-19-07, 05:32 PM	Generally speaking, Dragon is a bunch of junk with occassionally mediocre articles, and the rare diamond in the ruff. Since Erik Mona took over this has not been the case. Both Dragon and Dungeon are now excellent publications.
Nlogue 01-19-07, 06:30 PM	Since Erik Mona took over this has not been the case. Both Dragon and Dungeon are now excellent publications. Agreed. Both mags have come really far under new leadership. The re-envisioning of them back a couple years ago was awesome, and I really enjoy both of them a lot more than I used to.
Arcane Guyver 01-19-07, 08:18 PM	Between the ecologies, core beliefs, eberron articles, comics, and the occasionally useful class acts, Dragon magazine is usually decent. I used to subscribe, but some of the issues have been largely useless for me. That said, what are this issues' Class Acts like? I haven't been impressed with them for a couple months now.
Syltorian 01-20-07, 07:50 AM	There have been excellent articles in Dragon. I'm really happy that they have a regular Eberron feature now, even if the last article was not all that exciting for me. It's got some use if you need to put a warforged together quickly, and some of the personality and behaviour traits piqued my interest, but overall, I would have preferred something different. Then again, amongst the new races, warforged are the ones I am least interested in, so I am biased. That said, what are this issues' Class Acts like? I haven't been impressed with them for a couple months now. Adventurer - Criminal Specialists. With some skill-based requisites (having some skills on your list, and not having any rank in some specified ones) and a Skill Focus feat, you get a special ability (depending on what career you chose; Beggar, Blackmailer, Fence, Goon, Kidnapper, Lookout or Pickpocket. Sounds interesting, but I haven't looked it in detail yet. Arcane - Sorcerer Guide. Like the Ranger Guide and the Rogue Guide before, this gives you a two-page overlook of the most important sorcerer rules, including a Spellcraft Table, and Metamagic Feat Level Adjustment Table. Not terrible exciting and nothing new, but good for quick reference. Divine - Aztec Mythos I. Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca as patrons. No feats, no stats. The first of a series of real-world mythologies ported into D&D, with a call for people to mail them about what gods they want to see next. Okay, not terrible exciting for me, and nothing you'd be using in most people's Eberron. Warrior - Burning Gauntlet Sisterhood. An affiliation of abolitionists who raid slavers; uses the DMG II affiliation system. Also has a new feat, Slave Seeker, which makes you more adept at finding slaves owners and slavers. Nice organisation, but I am not too sure where to put it in Eberron (except perhaps Darguun). Overall, nothing really bad in the Class Acts this time around, but nothing that got me excited, either.
Edymnion 01-20-07, 10:39 PM	Drow of Xen'drik, Lords of Dust, Dreadhold are among them, I'd wager. ;)No, not really. The Kaiju template, some of the half-undead templates come in useful in Eberron for botched raises, and the Chocobo stats come to mind though.Since Erik Mona took over this has not been the case. Both Dragon and Dungeon are now excellent publications.Dunno, haven't checked it since she took over. Too many years of those magazines not being worth the paper they were printed on means I only get one when I know something specific I want is in one. And even then, half the time I end up just cutting what I want out to put in a folder and trashing the rest of the issue.
The White Sorcerer 01-20-07, 11:52 PM	Dunno, haven't checked it since she took over. Correct me if I'm wrong, and this might just be another language difference*, but isn't Erik a male name? *Like how Kim is a male name in Finnish and a female name in English.
Twiggly the Gnome 01-21-07, 01:58 AM	Correct me if I'm wrong, and this might just be another language difference*, but isn't Erik a male name? *Like how Kim is a male name in Finnish and a female name in English. Living in the same general area as Edy, I'm reasonably sure that it was either a typo, or he misread the name as Erika. :)
DBlizzard 01-21-07, 03:15 PM	So, here's a question for the grumblers. Keeping in mind the very limited nature of the article series (about 4 pages, including artwork), what sort of articles would you like to see in the series?
Hellcast 01-21-07, 06:33 PM	At least the "bag of holding built into your chest" component was worth a laugh around my gaming table. Now you can really make futurama's bender.
davethebrave371 04-19-07, 02:26 PM	Hey Bluebrush, and those who have the article, can you tell me - are there really only two components? Darn if there is, the others would pretty cool I thought, must have been cut for space. Also, were there any feats? If so, which ones? Thanks in advance all! We don't ever ever get our copies out here in Hawai'i (I just got #351 a week ago). Nlogue, I got a question. What was the feat all about?
Nlogue 04-19-07, 07:10 PM	Nlogue, I got a question. What was the feat all about? In retrospect the feats I put in were not that cool really. But I'll post them here for you Dave: LIBERATED SOUL Suffering the yoke of slavery once was enough, you are determined to never let another master your destiny. Prerequisites: Warforged, or any race that has suffered institutionalized slavery, Iron Will. Benefit: You receive a +2 bonus on all saves vs. mind-affecting effects and class level checks to resist Intimidate. If you fail your initial save against an effect but are allowed a second (either by the slippery mind class feature, or by being forced into a situation that allows a second save, etc.) you receive a +4 on this second save. You also receive a +2 to Escape Artist checks made to escape bonds or shackles, and +2 to Strength checks to break them or bend the bars of cage or cell. ATTUNED You have an innate connection to magically enhanced implements of infrastructure and constructs of all kinds. Your have the ability to sense the inaudible hums and slight vibrations of magical constructs and creations of artificers including such wonders as lightning rails, airships, and other warforged. Prerequisites: warforged, Skill Focus (any Craft) Benefit: With a touch you become aware of any damage and conditions affecting any construct (living or otherwise). In addition you gain a +2 on Craft checks made to repair damage to a lightning rail, airship or any other vehicle or edifice created by an artificer. While aboard a lightning rail, sky coach or airship you gain a +2 on Balance, Climb, Jump and Tumble checks and a +1 dodge bonus to AC.
davethebrave371 04-19-07, 07:15 PM	Woah! Those are really cool Feats, if you ask me. I can see my 'forged player taking the second one, although he's one of those recently made and released on the world as a newborn Merrix dealies so I don't see him taking the first one. But still, awesome concept for a regular 'forged!
Nlogue 04-19-07, 07:22 PM	Thanks Dave! :)
Altar_Boy 04-19-07, 07:40 PM	Now you can really make futurama's bender. It's also a good addition for the Lord of Blades. When he dies, he passes the Matrix on to his successor. :P
OnusBone 04-19-07, 08:03 PM	/memory lane ... I got my first issue of Dragon before I even had any sourcebooks, way back issue #162. Because of the coolest cover art ever, I got into this hobby...I then bought the Ravenloft boxed set, which didn't help much because I didn't have a PHB-2E, let alone any other friends who knew what D&D was. Forgive me, because I was around 10. I have been evangelizing ( and DMing 99% of the time as a result) ever since. I mention this trip down memory lane because I wanted to mention that the new publisher of Dragon mag and Dungeon mag, Paizu, is no longer going to be publishing the mags, and some WotC suit implied that there will now be an effort to go online, and no longer publish a paper mag at all. While I believe the mags have fallen far from their once glorious beginnings, this makes me think that there is some poor kid out there who, by virtue of not seeing something cool and out-of-the-ordinary on the news stand will not get into our shared hobby. The only reason I cared to convince my dad to buy me the rules was because it was initially easier to get him to give me the $3.50 for the mag. Will "Kids these Days" TM find this resource online if they are not looking for it, d'ya think? Anybody else get into this thing of ours from a cool picture, and a plea for $5 from parent relieved to find peace and quiet had a price tag?
davethebrave371 04-19-07, 08:08 PM	A little off topic, OnusBone, both for this thread and this forum. There are other threads for this.
OnusBone 04-19-07, 08:11 PM	I will give you a little, but considering that some people here were thinking about subscribing, I will say not so much. Plus, they don't have one of those convenient "Talk about this Article" links on the more biz-oriented articles from the web. 'scuse an old man for getting misty.
davethebrave371 04-19-07, 08:13 PM	http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=832218 and http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=832209