Dragonshards: Race of the Eight Winds [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dragonshards: Race of the Eight Winds [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Edymnion
12-20-04, 12:21 PM Okay, now this one was really unexpected, and really cool.
I get the image of a magical pod racing scene, I just don't know if I've got the skill to really describe what it would be like to have the beasts rushing past, with a great wind blowing cloaks back as people shield their eyes and cheer...
MrFilthyIke
12-20-04, 12:40 PM The title confused me a little, I was expecting a new RACE, maybe with Zen overtones. Guess I read into the title too much.
:heehee
ENHenry
12-20-04, 12:51 PM I loved the race details also because of the competition between riders/sponsors. Anyone who has ever followed the rowdier sports fans of Hockey and Soccer knows EXACTLY how to play these leagues. :D
Thorfeld
12-20-04, 02:14 PM After reading the article, I have mental images of disgruntled fans rioting in the streets and towers, attacking anyone not wearing the proper color. The city watch could have trouble handling things while the elite crowds would be looking down on the masses with disdain, thoughts of "you are only destroying your own homes, what do we care?" going through their minds. Maybe even an outside source intentionally causing harm to one of the participants in the race to cause such a riot as a cover. Must consider this more as my group recently came to a crossroads and are in need of a direction to go in.
Hellcow
12-20-04, 02:25 PM Well, I'm glad to see that people are enjoying the article. The goal was to add color to the districts of Dura that can be used year-round; while the race is an annual event, the civic pride and identification with the district beast is something that can influence any trip into the quarter.

And FYI, part II of the Sharn index will be up soon!
ieattrollsforbreakfast
12-20-04, 02:29 PM Thanks for the article Kieth, I really enjoyed this one!
I plan to have my PCs take up residence in Dura soon, so this will help add a little more flavour to the area and hopefully get the PCs interested in the race.
Zalaz Mavi
12-20-04, 02:30 PM The team colors and mascots reminded me a lot of the Houses from Harry Potter...
stone_dog
12-20-04, 02:38 PM The team colors and mascots reminded me a lot of the Houses from Harry Potter...
That makes sense. The houses and mascots from Harry Potter ARE taken from real life examples and practices just like these are so it stands to reason that they are similar.
Edymnion
12-20-04, 06:39 PM Makes me wonder if there are other races during the year. Flying Wizards/Sorcerers, Magewrights with Capes/Boots of Flying, Artificers with magically powered flying machines... something that anyone can enter, as long as they're capable of flying.

I've got a character who will have a cohort that will get mundane wings for flying, could be interesting to have them enter something like that.
Hellcow
12-20-04, 07:17 PM Makes me wonder if there are other races during the year.
Absolutely... looks like that was pulled for space. The common term for aerial racing is "windchasing", and it is a common sport in Sharn. The Race of Eight Winds is simply the largest and most prestigious event.
Splendide
12-20-04, 08:25 PM Well that makes a hell of a lot more sense.

Its hard to imagine fans getting truly fanatical about what is basically a one-of annual event.
hiryuu
12-20-04, 08:34 PM Well that makes a hell of a lot more sense.

Its hard to imagine fans getting truly fanatical about what is basically a one-of annual event.

Olympics.

The ball-dropping in New York.

4th of July.

People get all excited and fanatical about once a year events all the time. Especially so if it's a "local only" thing.
Splendide
12-20-04, 08:45 PM Olympics.Each event is played and supported outside the Olympics.

The ball-dropping in New York.

4th of July.No-one is barracking against each other in these situations. No rivalry.

All one-off sporting events with any popularity have lower level competitions supporting them. With an event of this nature (high-cost entry & maintenance), and the lack of reference to such secondary competition in the shard, it didn't fit.
ImmortalBlueMage
12-20-04, 09:26 PM Races, sports, and games are always lots of fun for players. The race is very cool, I just wish it was easier for the PCs to take part directly. Getting even one new entrant into the race sounds tricky, much less four. Although, I am imagining a seperate aerial chase scene (come on, you all know you've done one in Sharn by now) that accidentally runs into the race. That would be fun.
EvilDrPuma
12-20-04, 09:47 PM The team colors and mascots reminded me a lot of the Houses from Harry Potter...

I guess my influences differ. My first thought was of the color-coded teams of the Roman circus.
Flame_Drake
12-20-04, 11:14 PM Great article, Keith. When I got the first look at the concept art for Sharn, an arial race was the first thing that popped into my head. This definately adds life to the entire city. Now if only I could get the book.

I loved the race details also because of the competition between riders/sponsors. Anyone who has ever followed the rowdier sports fans of Hockey and Soccer knows EXACTLY how to play these leagues. :D

So... all of us in Calgary, right? :smirk:
Beleriphon
12-21-04, 07:37 AM Each event is played and supported outside the Olympics.

No-one is barracking against each other in these situations. No rivalry.

All one-off sporting events with any popularity have lower level competitions supporting them. With an event of this nature (high-cost entry & maintenance), and the lack of reference to such secondary competition in the shard, it didn't fit.

How about the Super Bowl? Thats a single once per year event. Admittadly the rest of the season supports the big event, but all things consisdered it is one of the largest sporting events in the US every year.

Oh, what about Wimbleton? That only happens once per year, and anybody that can meet the entry requirments can play.

That being said, Keith has pointed that the Race of the Eight Winds is merely the most prestigious and largest event. I would imagine that each of the eight teams has their own "play-offs" to determine with rider and mount get to represent them at the race.
Klapperman
12-21-04, 09:06 AM Absolutely... looks like that was pulled for space. The common term for aerial racing is "windchasing", and it is a common sport in Sharn. The Race of Eight Winds is simply the largest and most prestigious event.

You state that there was more to the article which went unprinted (how the heck can one run out of space in a web-based article btw? :confused: ) any chance of sharing some more tidbits of info concerning the Sharn's 'Windchasing' scene? Pretty please... :rolleyes:
Zalaz Mavi
12-21-04, 10:51 AM People get all excited and fanatical about once a year events all the time. Especially so if it's a "local only" thing.

I was thinking the atmosphere would be akin to a soccer match. No other sport on Earth can match that level of energy and enthusiasm. In the US, the closest thing would be college football, but not quite...
Hellcow
12-21-04, 12:31 PM You state that there was more to the article which went unprinted (how the heck can one run out of space in a web-based article btw? :confused: )
Not more to the article that went unprinted, a brief mention in the Sharn sourcebook itself. Though in answer to your question, web articles do have a maximum size, and one I quite often run up against.

any chance of sharing some more tidbits of info concerning the Sharn's 'Windchasing' scene? Pretty please... :rolleyes:
Perhaps if you ask on the Ask Keith thread...
Edymnion
12-21-04, 12:38 PM How about the Super Bowl? Thats a single once per year event. Admittadly the rest of the season supports the big event, but all things consisdered it is one of the largest sporting events in the US every year.Yes, but they still play football for months beforehand to see who will go to the Super Bowl.
Oh, what about Wimbleton? That only happens once per year, and anybody that can meet the entry requirments can play.And again, there are still "official" tennis games before and after Wimbleton.

I'm thinking soccer is the best example of how it sounds like this should be. Anybody that can fly can have "pickup races". Groups can organize bigger races, while the Rot8W is the world cup.
jonthegm
12-21-04, 12:58 PM Brain blast:

Need For Speed : City of Towers

Illegal flight racing, centering in Dura, but bleeding out into adjoining districts...
Flame_Drake
12-21-04, 01:59 PM Brain blast:

Need For Speed : City of Towers

Illegal flight racing, centering in Dura, but bleeding out into adjoining districts...

Or we just boot this idea over to the GTA thread.
jonthegm
12-21-04, 02:15 PM Or we just boot this idea over to the GTA thread.
This is completely different and doesn't involve stealing cars. It involves building your own custom skycoaches!

With neon on the bottom so it glows and stuff!

Also...

Wire rims!
Edymnion
12-21-04, 02:16 PM Or we just boot this idea over to the GTA thread.Ugh, no thanks, I see no need for an Eberron game set around a game that curses more than the Osborns that centers around shooting cops and picking up hookers...
Flame_Drake
12-21-04, 02:30 PM Ok, Ok, bad idea I'm sorry I suggested it.
Golbez57
12-21-04, 02:37 PM Good stuff!

The idea of a Gargoyle with Manifest Flight trying to outrace the other rider-and-mount competition is really amusing by itself. There's little information about the riders of each beast--in fact, I at first thought, "How does the dire bat know where to fly?"--so isn't it conceiveable that the gargoyle has some sort of (Small) monstrous bow-wielding critter on his or her back?

I wonder if the people of Upper Dura will ever make a bid at entering into the Race, an effort perhaps spearheaded by an eccentric member of the Clifftop Guild? How would Deathsgate respond to this? In what direction would the City Council lean?

Dragonshards are such fun in that they cause the eager DM's mind to race off in so many different directions. Thanks for another brain-juicing installment, Keith.
Hand of Evil
12-21-04, 02:54 PM As I posted over at EN.World :D

Been at the dentist and had a chance to think on it and see the course being done two ways 1) rings in each ward/district with judges to make sure the flyer goes through, this would mean the flyer could make his own route to the ring. 2) Poker run, were there are check points and you build a hand, the best hand at the end of the race is the winner, each check point only has so many cards.

Betting is were the money would be at: Betting on legs of the race, betting on who will die in the race, who will finish, order of finish.

Cheats? Well the assassin from along the race is standard but the assassins hired to kill the other assassins could be used. Then there are the 'birds' and the protection of them or the swapping of them.

Mmmmmm.
Serpentine
12-27-04, 07:35 PM The Eagle: (Middle Dura, middle class; Flight: 80, average; 4HD AC 15; Claw+7 1d6+4, FA+2 claws, bite+2 1d8+2)

The Gargoyle: (Lower Dura, slum and tenements; Flight: 60, average; 4HD AC 16; Claw +6 1d4+2, +FA 2 Claws, bite+4 1d6+1, gore +4 1d6+1; DR 10/magic, freeze)
Carralag (N male gargoyle rogue 4) Manifest Flight feat. (Carralag flies at 90 with good maneuverability.)

The Glidewing: (Lower Dura, slum and warehouses; Flight: 80, average; 3HD AC 15; Bite +5 1d8+6)

The Griffon: (Lower Dura, lower class and warehouses; Flight: 80, average; 7HD AC 17; Bite +11 2d6+4, +FA bite, 2 Claws +8 1d4+2, Rake+8 1d6+2)

The Hawk: (Middle Dura, lower class and entertainment; Flight: 80, average; 5HD AC 19; Claw+9 1d4+1, +FA 2 Claws, bite +4 1d6)

The Hippogriff: (Upper Dura, garrison and middle class; Flight: 100, average; 3HD AC 15; Claw+6 1d4+4, +FA 2 claws, bite+1 1d8+2)

The Owl: (Middle Dura, lower middle class and marketplace; Flight: 70, average; 4HD AC 15; Claw +7 1d6+4, +FA 2 claws, bite 1d8+2)

The Pegasus: (Upper Dura, middle class; Flight: 120, average; 4 HD AC 14; Hoof +7 1d6+4, +FA 2 hooves, bite+2 1d3+2)
(Vadalis magebred swift pegasi fly at 130.)

*The Bat: (replaced by Gargoyle; Flight: 40, average)
Edymnion
12-27-04, 08:32 PM Gee, I wonder why the Pegasus wins so often... ;)
Serpentine
12-27-04, 09:27 PM I wonder why someone once thought the Dire Bat would actually have a chance against anyone else.

I'd bet on Carralag myself.
Hand of Evil
12-28-04, 09:38 AM Skills and movement type would have to looked at, then their is improvments and the riders.

Pegi would have the edge from animals listed but would they even get out the starting gate? If I was a rider or two that is where you would shoot them with arrows. :embarrass
ChronosCrow
12-28-04, 04:23 PM This certianly was a fun article to read. Very easy to visualize and probably something really fun to use in the game itself. No doubtidly this will find it's pretty little way into my game now.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Edymnion 12-20-04, 12:21 PM	Okay, now this one was really unexpected, and really cool. I get the image of a magical pod racing scene, I just don't know if I've got the skill to really describe what it would be like to have the beasts rushing past, with a great wind blowing cloaks back as people shield their eyes and cheer...
MrFilthyIke 12-20-04, 12:40 PM	The title confused me a little, I was expecting a new RACE, maybe with Zen overtones. Guess I read into the title too much. :heehee
ENHenry 12-20-04, 12:51 PM	I loved the race details also because of the competition between riders/sponsors. Anyone who has ever followed the rowdier sports fans of Hockey and Soccer knows EXACTLY how to play these leagues. :D
Thorfeld 12-20-04, 02:14 PM	After reading the article, I have mental images of disgruntled fans rioting in the streets and towers, attacking anyone not wearing the proper color. The city watch could have trouble handling things while the elite crowds would be looking down on the masses with disdain, thoughts of "you are only destroying your own homes, what do we care?" going through their minds. Maybe even an outside source intentionally causing harm to one of the participants in the race to cause such a riot as a cover. Must consider this more as my group recently came to a crossroads and are in need of a direction to go in.
Hellcow 12-20-04, 02:25 PM	Well, I'm glad to see that people are enjoying the article. The goal was to add color to the districts of Dura that can be used year-round; while the race is an annual event, the civic pride and identification with the district beast is something that can influence any trip into the quarter. And FYI, part II of the Sharn index will be up soon!
ieattrollsforbreakfast 12-20-04, 02:29 PM	Thanks for the article Kieth, I really enjoyed this one! I plan to have my PCs take up residence in Dura soon, so this will help add a little more flavour to the area and hopefully get the PCs interested in the race.
Zalaz Mavi 12-20-04, 02:30 PM	The team colors and mascots reminded me a lot of the Houses from Harry Potter...
stone_dog 12-20-04, 02:38 PM	The team colors and mascots reminded me a lot of the Houses from Harry Potter... That makes sense. The houses and mascots from Harry Potter ARE taken from real life examples and practices just like these are so it stands to reason that they are similar.
Edymnion 12-20-04, 06:39 PM	Makes me wonder if there are other races during the year. Flying Wizards/Sorcerers, Magewrights with Capes/Boots of Flying, Artificers with magically powered flying machines... something that anyone can enter, as long as they're capable of flying. I've got a character who will have a cohort that will get mundane wings for flying, could be interesting to have them enter something like that.
Hellcow 12-20-04, 07:17 PM	Makes me wonder if there are other races during the year. Absolutely... looks like that was pulled for space. The common term for aerial racing is "windchasing", and it is a common sport in Sharn. The Race of Eight Winds is simply the largest and most prestigious event.
Splendide 12-20-04, 08:25 PM	Well that makes a hell of a lot more sense. Its hard to imagine fans getting truly fanatical about what is basically a one-of annual event.
hiryuu 12-20-04, 08:34 PM	Well that makes a hell of a lot more sense. Its hard to imagine fans getting truly fanatical about what is basically a one-of annual event. Olympics. The ball-dropping in New York. 4th of July. People get all excited and fanatical about once a year events all the time. Especially so if it's a "local only" thing.
Splendide 12-20-04, 08:45 PM	Olympics.Each event is played and supported outside the Olympics. The ball-dropping in New York. 4th of July.No-one is barracking against each other in these situations. No rivalry. All one-off sporting events with any popularity have lower level competitions supporting them. With an event of this nature (high-cost entry & maintenance), and the lack of reference to such secondary competition in the shard, it didn't fit.
ImmortalBlueMage 12-20-04, 09:26 PM	Races, sports, and games are always lots of fun for players. The race is very cool, I just wish it was easier for the PCs to take part directly. Getting even one new entrant into the race sounds tricky, much less four. Although, I am imagining a seperate aerial chase scene (come on, you all know you've done one in Sharn by now) that accidentally runs into the race. That would be fun.
EvilDrPuma 12-20-04, 09:47 PM	The team colors and mascots reminded me a lot of the Houses from Harry Potter... I guess my influences differ. My first thought was of the color-coded teams of the Roman circus.
Flame_Drake 12-20-04, 11:14 PM	Great article, Keith. When I got the first look at the concept art for Sharn, an arial race was the first thing that popped into my head. This definately adds life to the entire city. Now if only I could get the book. I loved the race details also because of the competition between riders/sponsors. Anyone who has ever followed the rowdier sports fans of Hockey and Soccer knows EXACTLY how to play these leagues. :D So... all of us in Calgary, right? :smirk:
Beleriphon 12-21-04, 07:37 AM	Each event is played and supported outside the Olympics. No-one is barracking against each other in these situations. No rivalry. All one-off sporting events with any popularity have lower level competitions supporting them. With an event of this nature (high-cost entry & maintenance), and the lack of reference to such secondary competition in the shard, it didn't fit. How about the Super Bowl? Thats a single once per year event. Admittadly the rest of the season supports the big event, but all things consisdered it is one of the largest sporting events in the US every year. Oh, what about Wimbleton? That only happens once per year, and anybody that can meet the entry requirments can play. That being said, Keith has pointed that the Race of the Eight Winds is merely the most prestigious and largest event. I would imagine that each of the eight teams has their own "play-offs" to determine with rider and mount get to represent them at the race.
Klapperman 12-21-04, 09:06 AM	Absolutely... looks like that was pulled for space. The common term for aerial racing is "windchasing", and it is a common sport in Sharn. The Race of Eight Winds is simply the largest and most prestigious event. You state that there was more to the article which went unprinted (how the heck can one run out of space in a web-based article btw? :confused: ) any chance of sharing some more tidbits of info concerning the Sharn's 'Windchasing' scene? Pretty please... :rolleyes:
Zalaz Mavi 12-21-04, 10:51 AM	People get all excited and fanatical about once a year events all the time. Especially so if it's a "local only" thing. I was thinking the atmosphere would be akin to a soccer match. No other sport on Earth can match that level of energy and enthusiasm. In the US, the closest thing would be college football, but not quite...
Hellcow 12-21-04, 12:31 PM	You state that there was more to the article which went unprinted (how the heck can one run out of space in a web-based article btw? :confused: ) Not more to the article that went unprinted, a brief mention in the Sharn sourcebook itself. Though in answer to your question, web articles do have a maximum size, and one I quite often run up against. any chance of sharing some more tidbits of info concerning the Sharn's 'Windchasing' scene? Pretty please... :rolleyes: Perhaps if you ask on the Ask Keith thread...
Edymnion 12-21-04, 12:38 PM	How about the Super Bowl? Thats a single once per year event. Admittadly the rest of the season supports the big event, but all things consisdered it is one of the largest sporting events in the US every year.Yes, but they still play football for months beforehand to see who will go to the Super Bowl. Oh, what about Wimbleton? That only happens once per year, and anybody that can meet the entry requirments can play.And again, there are still "official" tennis games before and after Wimbleton. I'm thinking soccer is the best example of how it sounds like this should be. Anybody that can fly can have "pickup races". Groups can organize bigger races, while the Rot8W is the world cup.
jonthegm 12-21-04, 12:58 PM	Brain blast: Need For Speed : City of Towers Illegal flight racing, centering in Dura, but bleeding out into adjoining districts...
Flame_Drake 12-21-04, 01:59 PM	Brain blast: Need For Speed : City of Towers Illegal flight racing, centering in Dura, but bleeding out into adjoining districts... Or we just boot this idea over to the GTA thread.
jonthegm 12-21-04, 02:15 PM	Or we just boot this idea over to the GTA thread. This is completely different and doesn't involve stealing cars. It involves building your own custom skycoaches! With neon on the bottom so it glows and stuff! Also... Wire rims!
Edymnion 12-21-04, 02:16 PM	Or we just boot this idea over to the GTA thread.Ugh, no thanks, I see no need for an Eberron game set around a game that curses more than the Osborns that centers around shooting cops and picking up hookers...
Flame_Drake 12-21-04, 02:30 PM	Ok, Ok, bad idea I'm sorry I suggested it.
Golbez57 12-21-04, 02:37 PM	Good stuff! The idea of a Gargoyle with Manifest Flight trying to outrace the other rider-and-mount competition is really amusing by itself. There's little information about the riders of each beast--in fact, I at first thought, "How does the dire bat know where to fly?"--so isn't it conceiveable that the gargoyle has some sort of (Small) monstrous bow-wielding critter on his or her back? I wonder if the people of Upper Dura will ever make a bid at entering into the Race, an effort perhaps spearheaded by an eccentric member of the Clifftop Guild? How would Deathsgate respond to this? In what direction would the City Council lean? Dragonshards are such fun in that they cause the eager DM's mind to race off in so many different directions. Thanks for another brain-juicing installment, Keith.
Hand of Evil 12-21-04, 02:54 PM	As I posted over at EN.World :D Been at the dentist and had a chance to think on it and see the course being done two ways 1) rings in each ward/district with judges to make sure the flyer goes through, this would mean the flyer could make his own route to the ring. 2) Poker run, were there are check points and you build a hand, the best hand at the end of the race is the winner, each check point only has so many cards. Betting is were the money would be at: Betting on legs of the race, betting on who will die in the race, who will finish, order of finish. Cheats? Well the assassin from along the race is standard but the assassins hired to kill the other assassins could be used. Then there are the 'birds' and the protection of them or the swapping of them. Mmmmmm.
Serpentine 12-27-04, 07:35 PM	The Eagle: (Middle Dura, middle class; Flight: 80, average; 4HD AC 15; Claw+7 1d6+4, FA+2 claws, bite+2 1d8+2) The Gargoyle: (Lower Dura, slum and tenements; Flight: 60, average; 4HD AC 16; Claw +6 1d4+2, +FA 2 Claws, bite+4 1d6+1, gore +4 1d6+1; DR 10/magic, freeze) Carralag (N male gargoyle rogue 4) Manifest Flight feat. (Carralag flies at 90 with good maneuverability.) The Glidewing: (Lower Dura, slum and warehouses; Flight: 80, average; 3HD AC 15; Bite +5 1d8+6) The Griffon: (Lower Dura, lower class and warehouses; Flight: 80, average; 7HD AC 17; Bite +11 2d6+4, +FA bite, 2 Claws +8 1d4+2, Rake+8 1d6+2) The Hawk: (Middle Dura, lower class and entertainment; Flight: 80, average; 5HD AC 19; Claw+9 1d4+1, +FA 2 Claws, bite +4 1d6) The Hippogriff: (Upper Dura, garrison and middle class; Flight: 100, average; 3HD AC 15; Claw+6 1d4+4, +FA 2 claws, bite+1 1d8+2) The Owl: (Middle Dura, lower middle class and marketplace; Flight: 70, average; 4HD AC 15; Claw +7 1d6+4, +FA 2 claws, bite 1d8+2) The Pegasus: (Upper Dura, middle class; Flight: 120, average; 4 HD AC 14; Hoof +7 1d6+4, +FA 2 hooves, bite+2 1d3+2) (Vadalis magebred swift pegasi fly at 130.) *The Bat: (replaced by Gargoyle; Flight: 40, average)
Edymnion 12-27-04, 08:32 PM	Gee, I wonder why the Pegasus wins so often... ;)
Serpentine 12-27-04, 09:27 PM	I wonder why someone once thought the Dire Bat would actually have a chance against anyone else. I'd bet on Carralag myself.
Hand of Evil 12-28-04, 09:38 AM	Skills and movement type would have to looked at, then their is improvments and the riders. Pegi would have the edge from animals listed but would they even get out the starting gate? If I was a rider or two that is where you would shoot them with arrows. :embarrass
ChronosCrow 12-28-04, 04:23 PM	This certianly was a fun article to read. Very easy to visualize and probably something really fun to use in the game itself. No doubtidly this will find it's pretty little way into my game now.