Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bubba333 09-13-04, 10:00 PM	...or is there a very real and vibrant sense of community on this forum? I know a lot of it has to do with Eberron being new, but I think that the setting is so dynamic and inspirational that it literally raises spirits. Flowery, I know but what can I say?
Edymnion 09-13-04, 10:23 PM	I think so. Eberron just has something I have never seen in a single other campaign setting. Even the Wheel of Time setting (and I love the WoT books) didn't give me this kind of feeling. Its just, I don't know, everything here seems to click. Good example is that I'm reading through all the sections of the differant regions, and actually looking FORWARD to it. God knows in Faerun, I hated wading through all the obscure little corners of the world. I'm not quite sure how to put a finger on it. In Faerun, I could essentially go "Okay, this is where you're supposed to use that", and it just didn't strike me as being very interesting. But on the other hand, Eberron seems to go out of its way to say "Okay, here's the desert area, here's the jungle area, here's the...", but it still seems to put so much more flavor and intrest into it. I mean, the world of Eberron is a patchwork quilt, and thats obvious. But it never really feels like it for some reason. Like I said, I can't put my finger on it, but there is just something about Eberron that is entirely unlike every other setting I have ever played in. In fact, that might be it. Eberron is new. Where Faerun and Dragonlance and Greyhawk are all essentially Lord of the Ring high fantasy clones (yes, face it, all the big settings are virtually identical. Change a few names, and you couldn't tell if you were in the Forgotten Realms, or Greyhawk, or any of the other settings unless you ran into Drizzt or Elminster themselves). But Eberron is differant. Its new. It has entire regions that are wholey unexplored, both in the literal sense and in the figurative sense. You didn't get something like the ethical and spiritual questions in Faerun or Greyhawk that you get in Eberron with things like the racial tensions with the changlings, or the search for a purpose the Warforged have. No Xen'Drik that really is an unexplored region that hasn't even been mapped out by the setting's own creator yet. Essentially, its speaking to us as players on the same level it does our characters. There is a new frontier, and it needs someone to explore it. There are mysteries out there we haven't even thought to ask about yet, much less delved into yet. And if anything can be said to be the fundamental driving force of humanity, its exploration. Just like whenever we moved into a new region in real life, we had to rely on each other to survive. Perhaps thats carried over to Eberron. We're exploring uncharted waters here, and we're instinctively forming up the wagon trains. So grab your cooking pot, we're camping out under new stars! :D
Ch@pel 09-13-04, 11:03 PM	I have to agree with you guys. The "new-ness" of Eberron is exactly what is so enticing to me; the sense that I may have a say in how the world develops. I mean, I can jump online anytime I want and talk directly (more or less) to the guy who created the world! I can ask him any question I want or just read through the hundreds of questions already asked by others. Or I can read the Dragonshard articles, which are kind of anethema to traditional corporate business anyway. (... FREE?!) I think everyone here ought to take a step back and think about how generous Keith is being in terms of product support. Not to say anyone's being ungrateful, but seriously, look at how much he does for us. I'm sure the posts and articles are fun for him to write and all, but they have to relatively labor intensive, he's not getting paid for them AFAIK, and god knows he has enough on his plate already. Also like you both said everything just seems to "click" with this setting. When I was first getting into D&D a year or two ago, some of the concepts of world design and running a session were a little confusing for me. But most of those issues have been resolved EXCLUSIVELY through the release of the setting, the tremendous support for it, and most of all, the helpful community we have here. Also some things, for example the treatment of psionics, is almost exactly how I would have designed it, if I knew how. I loved psionics as soon as I had the XPH, but I didn't really know how to incorporate them into my current game. It seemed like you had to either play a game where psionics is the ONLY magic or you played a game where psionics and magic were so similiar that it didn't even matter that they were fundamentally different. But Eberron has come up with a way to keep everything balanced but maintain a difference between magic and psionics. So cool. But getting back to my original point. The new-ness of the setting is what is so enticing, but that is amplified a hundred times over by the thriving community we have online. I should state that I had NEVER visited a message board of any type, for any hobby or purpose until this board. But now I'm addicted. I HAVE to check the boards every day or I feel left behind, like I'm missing something. I can remember posting on here when no one even had the CSB. It was a pretty small group of people, and even today it remains that way. No die hard, make-you-feel-dumb fan boys, just a handful of enthusiasts all discussing various elements of the game world. But the great part of the discussions is, if someone comes up with a cool idea, it can kind of be adopted as "canon" into the game world. Look at Johnny and his coveworld site or the Korranberg Chronicle. The article about converting the XPH races into Eberron was largely impacted by discussions on this board. And you could never get away with taking a newspaper or something like that from another setting and actually "making" it. But the newness of Eberron (and it's gracious creator, of course) allows for just that kind of experimentation. Keith and WotC made Eberron. They created that nations and organizations and new races. But it is You, I and We that have, and will continue to make this setting great.
Master of shaarat'khesh 09-13-04, 11:11 PM	or is there a very real and vibrant sense of community on this forum? I have visited alot of these boards and the people here are the most friendly and the most helpful. There has been a sense of comradery that I've seen and felt when posting and reading posts. Except for a couple of occassions, Most everyone is very positive and eager to help. I like that. I like the fact that this new setting has opened up alot of imagination in all of my fellow posters. I've seen here, alot of threads that have caused debate, and the sharing of opinions and good ideas. and very little has gone negative. I think it's great that we can post and despite the fact that we may be right or wrong or have a different view on this, or that we seem to in the end, all simply want the best for this great setting. Also, this board is different in that we are just a thread away from the creator. I think Keith is more than generous with his time he spends answering our questions. I think he does it because he really wants us all to enjoy Eberron and get the most iformation he can give so we can play better and have a truely enriching experience with Eberron. I think this sets him and this board apart from all the others Ive read or posted to. So to Keith and all who have been helpful to me you have my sencerest thanks. O.k. I'm done bein' sappy, someone hand me an ale and my double bladed sword! I got some monster killin' to do!!!
ChronosCrow 09-13-04, 11:20 PM	Hi my name's ChronosCrow and I'm on crack...I mean Eberron. Crap I think they're on to me.
Master of shaarat'khesh 09-13-04, 11:51 PM	Hi my name's ChronosCrow and I'm on crack...I mean Eberron. Crap I think they're on to me. LOL!! :rofl: I laughed so hard Coke came out my nose... and by Coke I mean Vanilla Pepsi. You should post to the "Boarda-holics thread"
ChronosCrow 09-14-04, 12:12 AM	I laughed so hard Coke came out my nose... and by Coke I mean Vanilla Pepsi. You should post to the "Boarda-holics thread" Hehe, I'm really glad I coudl get a kick outta ya. I already posted to the board-aholics thread. That's a funny thread.
Greyson 09-14-04, 02:22 AM	... is there a very real and vibrant sense of community on this forum? Definitely. There is a strong sense of community here. I don't fell dumb or silly asking questions. And many visitors here are very helpful - from Hellcow to the lowliest newbie (the latter being me). And Bubba, I'll be lurking to steal your next great idea when you post it, mate. ;) Thanks, all. :)
Bubba333 09-14-04, 02:42 AM	Let's not forget those often overlooked monitors that keep the peace as well as contribute coolness!
Save-vs-DM 09-14-04, 03:23 AM	I've posted on the WotC boards in various names for a few years, though Save-vs-DM has stuck. I visited the eberron boards when my wife picked up Eberron as a surprise (gotta love her dear heart for that). I've never looked back. While I still visit the other boards occasionally, the Eberron boards are now my permanent home. (As an aside good to see you here Edymnion). Everyone has been very helpful, I can't say enough good things about Keith and Ellen as well. Everyone here is very, very generous. Now if I could only PLAY in an eberron game (curse my DM status). Actually, if anyone has room in an online game please shoot me an IM or Email. The Korranberg Chronicle is fun to do because the community is so supportive. It's probably the reason I spent upwards of 50 hours (yes, 50) tweaking the new K.C. website and layout. Because I liked everyone here enough to make that extra effort. I enjoy creating new content for this great new world. On that subject, anything folks want to see here? I'd be happy to whip something up. Cheers, Save vs DM
DMSkippy099 09-14-04, 03:36 AM	Just an ideas.....my opinion......but I think I know what that "thing" is that you can't put your finger on.... My group started playing Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed last summer when it came out. We switched to it for its freshness, and if any of you don't know Monte Cook posts daily on the message boards at his site, as well as give free weekly support materiel. Arcana Unearthed is a great game. Lots of fun, VERY fresh and evocative, all the things Eberron has......but it was missing something !! The thing that it was missing is the thing that Eberron has! Arcana Unearthed isn't Dungeons and Dragons! That is what the game lacks, and that is what Eberron has. I agree with you all. Eberron is by far the best setting I have ever played, and I have played in a lot over the past 15 years! Eberron is new, exciting, evocative, interesting and yet you still feel like you are playing Dungeons and Dragons! Don't get me wrong there have been a lot of setting in the past that have been new, exciting, evocative, and interesting....but ya just didn't feel like you were playing the greatest of greatest RPGs! Great Game! Great Community! Great Fun!! Skippy
The White Sorcerer 09-14-04, 05:26 AM	he's not getting paid for them AFAIK I'm pretty sure WotC pays people for their web articles. But on topic... You guys are great. Never before have I felt that I was actually BIG in a community. Never before have I had the chance to be a part of the "old-school" crowd of a setting. Ho-ha!, TWS :mage:
ChronosCrow 09-14-04, 08:38 AM	... Now if I could only PLAY in an eberron game (curse my DM status). Actually, if anyone has room in an online game please shoot me an IM or Email. ... Cheers, Save vs DM I'm in the same situation as Save-vs-DM. My online game has been cancelled due to DM not replying anymore, so could someone drop us a line? I'm dyin' to actually in an Eberron game besides run one.
ChronosCrow 09-14-04, 09:07 AM	Now if I could only PLAY in an eberron game (curse my DM status). Actually, if anyone has room in an online game please shoot me an IM or Email. I found one here being run by MarkB, he's a pretty good guy amongst this board so I think MarkB would be a great DM for this: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=4387325&posted=1#post4387325
WizO_Sith 09-14-04, 09:42 AM	I think the vibrancy of the Eberron community on these forums is due to a number of things, but two in particular: The newness of the setting allows all of us to feel like we're getting in on the "ground floor" as it were... It doesn't feel like all the great stories in the setting have already been told, and there is the sence of discovery as new facets of the setting are revealed with each new supplement/coulumn/product/whatever I think that the impact of Kieth Baker's continued regular presence here on these boards can not be overstated. Having the regular input from one of the setting's creators, and having that creator be *so* open and accessable to all of us makes it easy for his excitement to spill over onto the fan base (I know that, in *MY* case, I like the guy personally so much, I'll buy any product with his name on it, even if it's for games i don't *PLAY*). But that's me.
Edymnion 09-14-04, 10:48 AM	I think that the impact of Kieth Baker's continued regular presence here on these boards can not be overstated. Having the regular input from one of the setting's creators, and having that creator be *so* open and accessable to all of us makes it easy for his excitement to spill over onto the fan base (I know that, in *MY* case, I like the guy personally so much, I'll buy any product with his name on it, even if it's for games i don't *PLAY*).Yup, having Keith here really makes the differance. A lot of the other developers could take note from him. They don't come to the boards because negative feedback, but they never seem to even try to put in half the effort that Keith has to be an actual helpful part of the community.
Bubba333 09-14-04, 10:53 AM	Marry a gamer. It helps! Seriously, I'm just happy to have a cool game setting, a great set of people working on it and you people.
Saurenda 09-14-04, 10:54 AM	Let us not forget Honey Cakes either, for allowing Keith to spend all this tiem onthe boards despite his deadlines and such and for sharing with us the composer of the new Eberron Sharn: City of Towers. Also her precense on the community has shown us how much fun Eberron can be, as she plays a cleric of the Sovergein Host in Keith's game. I started out on the boards here in march and already I've met some great people. Despite my awful spelling abilities.
Bubba333 09-14-04, 11:28 AM	Props for wives? That goes without saying, man! Mine's not as hardcore of a gamer as I am, but she's supportive of my whacky hobbies (as long as Splinter Cell online doesn't take up TOO much time! ;)).
ChronosCrow 09-14-04, 11:50 AM	Wow, i guess I was thinking rather naviely. I had no idea that the other creators weren't so intapped with the communities, I just assumed. Back in June Eberron was the only board I really got into before so i had no relative thing to base previous ideas of creators off of. This gives me new found respect for Keith, 'course I already had plenty. I really like that he doesn't toot his own horn either, there are enough gamers on the board already going that for him.
ENHenry 09-14-04, 12:22 PM	The thing about people like Keith, and Ed Greenwood, and Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson is a genuine love for the settings they created, and a genuine love to relate the tales of those lands as if they were actually alive. I imagine in my mind that listening to Homer tell his tales about Odysseus and Troy would have the same feel. :) Kudoes to Keith for putting his soul into this setting and getting me and my players to believe in it, too.
Pallis 09-14-04, 01:04 PM	I think this is a really great community, one that I'm more than happy to be a part of. It genuinely feels as though we're all in this together at the birth of a really great campaign setting, so thanks to Keith and the Wizards staff who put this together, all you folks who hang out here and keep the discussions running, (and lend ideas for KC articles - step forward ChronosCrow!), JohnnyONeal for his superb support for newbies, the growing fan sites out there and also to everyone on the Korranberg Chronicle itself for being a cool team of people to work with. Eberron's diversity and ideas are what makes the setting so enthralling, and the enthusiasm for this from the folks right here really shines through. It's certainly an interesting place to be, and in that I mean the setting itself, and these boards. Long may it continue. And so if anyone's looking for an online game, PM or email me. You'll be headed north on a sponsored trip on behalf of Morgrave University to recover the findings of a previous expedition lost in the frozen depths of an ancient temple in Frostfell...(and with the new rules in place from Frostfell and shadowy threats arising from the pages of the MMIII, well - I can't promise that you'll all make it back to Khorvaire alive...) :schemes:
Bubba333 09-14-04, 02:19 PM	<<Kudoes to Keith for putting his soul into this setting and getting me and my players to believe in it, too.>> Yes! I own a piece of his soul!!!
GrayS 09-15-04, 04:37 AM	is there a very real and vibrant sense of community on this forum? So to Keith and all who have been helpful to me you have my sencerest thanks I agree totally with everything said here. I am a very infrequent poster, but I browse the Eberron boards almost daily, and yet I still feel like I'm PART of something fresh and new. I haven't felt this excited about a new campaign setting since DragonLance first appeared on the world in the mid 80's. I collected it all in the first printings, and at that time, DL was so "different" and fresh compared to what had gone before (at least compared to what had come out of TSR), that I fell in love with the setting and used it up until just a couple of years ago or so, when I got back into playing again after DMing for too many years to admit to here. It was DL's fifth age and what happened since that soured the cream for me. DL was never the same after that, and I simply used it because it was the world I was most familiar with, but I stuck all my campaigns in or just after the War of the Lance.... :weep: I never got into FR as it was just to darned big, had too many fan-boys more than willing to show up and prove that their knowledge was superior to yours, and most of my players knew FR far better than me anyway, even when they were "playing-nice". Plus FRs time of troubles just seemed like too much tinkering with history. Eberron has re-awakened my excitement again. :D This has been increased by Keith's wonderful ability to juggle his work commitements and yet still post to the boards with useful stuff, AND also fit in the DragonShard articles; not to mention the cameraderie that seems to pervade these boards. The few negative "I hate Eberron because...." postings are soon shut down with the much more sensible "...then you don't have to buy it - and leave us alone because we DO like it...." postings. I love it because there are no flames, no personal attacks, and people admit their mistakes when they mis-read or mis-interpret something. Everybody brings up something new, which all adds to the interest level. Lets keep it cheerful, keep it polite, and keep it interesting! Keep up the good work to all!
Aborell 09-15-04, 06:24 AM	You guys are all filthy hippies! But that's cool; I am immensely enjoying Eberron and am also a filthy hippie.
lugnut71 09-15-04, 01:16 PM	I also notice that this board is a lot more civil minded then others. Go to many of the other boards and you can see long drawn out fights that turn into flame wars over the dumbest things. A simple thing like this goes a long way to help establish a sense of community.
DMSkippy099 09-16-04, 02:43 AM	of flame wars here is great! I have been a poster on many different boards over the past few years, and was leery the first time I posted here. The topic was one that I responded to with a somewhat unconventional answer, and I opened the post with a "Please don't flame me for this" disclaimer (all the while knowing that the heat was coming!!) I was blown away, when the following post stated the exact opposite opinion of my own, but it was stated respectfully, and without disparaging remarks toward what I said. In fact the poster even stated that it was a matter of personal preference(which flamers never take into consideration!! Just their way or the wrong way!!) Keep it up guys!! Skippy
LewisLlynn 09-16-04, 05:16 PM	I agree with everything everyone said above. The one bad thing about these boards is that they are taking over my free time.... Of course, my family are the only ones who care about that! :D
Atlictoatl 09-16-04, 06:01 PM	I've found a similar depth of community amongst those who play Tekumel (aka Empire of the Petal Throne) and Harn, both old-school games from the '70's and 80's that are still around. In Harn, at least, the webfan community has actually contributed material that has been printed in major supplement releases, and the communities are supportive of each other and generally fired up. Eberron's a bit different from those two because it's been released by the giant in the industry. Fans of D&D have seen the game's legacy change a bunch over the many years, and seeing excellent quality product with real passion behind it is a galvanizing force. From what I've seen, WotC staffers are jazzed about Eberron, and the vibrancy of the product line has a rippling effect. What makes Eberron so special, IMO, in addition to the very potent designer support, is that it is a game setting that strives to make everything fit into a logical framework. The setting makes sense. It has a tangible history to it. It feels like it could be a real place. Tekumel and Harn both exhibit this characteristic as well, which is a big reason they have such support from their dedicated fans. There has been innovative product in the past. Ars Magica, White Wolf's original Vampire: the Masquerade, FASA's Shadowrun, West End's TORG. I'm sure there are others. Each of these galvanized the gaming community and revitalized the industry; Eberron is the latest to do so powerfully. What's truly special about Eberron is that it is being produced by such a big player in the industry. All of the other games I have cited, with the possible exception of TORG, were games that game out of relatively new or minor design shops. Games which then made their companies important players in the industry. It's highly unusual to see the commanding franchise in any industry come out with the latest product that, in essence, reinvents the industry. Or at least the industry's passion. WotC has to be commended for designing a competition that would elicit such impassioned product. Let's hope that the varied powers-that-be take notice. Product with heart and soul; well-designed in prose, art, and concept; that tightly fits with its own construct reality; is extremely popular. We can taste quality when it is delivered to us. The best movies, novels, comic books, frozen food, etc. deliver this. And now Eberron. Thanks Keith. Thanks Bill. Thanks all you others who made this happen, and allowed it to be.
elecgraystone 09-16-04, 06:08 PM	I think the vibrancy of the Eberron community on these forums is due to a number of things, but two in particular: The newness of the setting allows all of us to feel like we're getting in on the "ground floor" as it were... It doesn't feel like all the great stories in the setting have already been told, and there is the sence of discovery as new facets of the setting are revealed with each new supplement/coulumn/product/whatever I think that the impact of Kieth Baker's continued regular presence here on these boards can not be overstated. Having the regular input from one of the setting's creators, and having that creator be *so* open and accessable to all of us makes it easy for his excitement to spill over onto the fan base (I know that, in *MY* case, I like the guy personally so much, I'll buy any product with his name on it, even if it's for games i don't *PLAY*). But that's me. I agree that having Hellcow respond as often as he does really makes this forum unique! I've never been on one with so much input. (even if I sometimes don't agree!) I'd also like to thank Hellcow and WizO_Sith for their patience. (I can be some what ... opinionated and stubborn sometimes) :D I hope that the forum stays as interesting and engaging as it is now. Well, back to read more of the forum. (I've got a whole roll of pennies and that means I can put my 2 cents in quite a few more times!) :cool: PS: Thanks to everyone else who agreed/disagreed with me in my varied posts. (nothing personal!) ;) It's been fun!
Smart 09-16-04, 06:17 PM	Hmmm.... why do I like Eberron? Freedom. Film noir attitude, D&D action. For some reason, I feel like I'm playing D&D in 7th grade again - everything is new, I'm not scared to try new things, and Eberron's world isn't about restrictions or limitations, it's about a foundation to build upon as a DM. That's why I love Eberron, and I love being a DM running an Eberron campaign. Also: great online (support) community, great people, great writing. Dragonshards (to elucidate the world and help the DM/player) and Keith's timely and often surprising personal responses. The ability to be part of all of this.
Neofish 09-16-04, 09:15 PM	I just love this board, many verterans and newbs flock to this setting, Eberron has rekindled a spark in all of us and we are all to eger to share it with one another, all are friendly and helpful, and I feel honored when Keith himself takes time out of his schedual to post a reply to one of my questions. This board is truly unlike any others, may it always continue inspire the young and old alike in this fresh new world...
wizard of oz 09-16-04, 09:55 PM	I like the setting as well. I have played SW and other settings where I know nothing compared to the others. now I am an expert. I like it because no matter how different someone elses opinion is they are right too. I also think that it is cool because no matter how you change it, it will still be eberron. If you killed off a Dragon marked house, if you got rid of Vol; it would still be a dangerous setting full of intrigue and adventure. New and exciting enemies would emerge to challenge the next generation of players. Heck there is already a vote on your favorite new bad guy poll. Another thing I like is that things are not cut and dry. Anyone, good or evil, could be your ally, then turn on you and become your enemy. You could run a campaign working for someone against their enemies. The next campaign they could be your enemies. What changed? Only your prospective. Great stuff, complex enough to keep my mind occupied for at least 5 minutes at a time (I have a short attention span so that is impressive).