Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dalesman 06-20-07, 07:44 AM	Greetings All, I have a player who is thinking about trying the Eberron Campaign setting, but would like to learn more about the 'feel' of the world than the hardcore mechanics at first. I would love to hear some suggestions on which Eberron novels would be a good primer for someone who knows only a little bit about the setting. A brief blurb regarding what the novel is about would be most helpful as well. The player has a concept involving participants in the Last War catapulted into the modern day due to the effects of the Day of Mourning, but is open to other ideas as well. Thanks in advance!
Rechan 06-20-07, 09:37 AM	City of Towers - novel written by the setting author. Pretty much some Last War vets returning from the Mournland, dealing with post-war life, and of course another plot. Long Night of Shadows - murder mystery that takes place in Sharn. The author did his homework for Sharn's various districts and stuff. One of the characters is also tied to the Valenar, and it just really sets things up nicely if you're running a Sharn campaign.
Psymnotica 06-20-07, 09:44 AM	The best novel series that gives a definite feel for Eberron (IMO) are The Dragon Below trilogy and The Dreaming Dark trilogy. The first involve the machinations of the Daelkyr in the south western lands of Khorvaire, and draws upon the historical time period of the Dhaakani Empire (my personal favorite ancient culture). The second series, The Dreaming Dark, was written by Eberron's creator and involves the manipulations of the Quori, with the characters traveling across two of the most iconic locales of Eberron (Sharn and Xen'drik). Both are good reading and well-written. If you aren't interested in a trilogy, but just a novel, the Orb of Xoriat is entertaining (but I'm not fond of the authors depiction of the Thranes), with Blood and Honor being good too (though at times it just felt like the author was only flipping through his copy of Libris Mortis whenever he had his characters encounter a monster). In OoX, we follow the story of a brutal Aundarian monk of Dol Arrah and a gnome sorcerer from the University of Korranberg as they chase down a thief who stole a deadly weapon from a ruined monastery. In B&H, a Karrnathi ex-mercenary is searching for his missing brother and uncovers a conspiracy dating back to before Cyre's destruction. Both are from the War-Torn series of novels, and deal with the lives of people after the end of the Last War. And if you or your player don't have time to read a novel, the Tales of the Last War anthology is also a good choice. Several of the tales are preludes to other novels or series (Death at Whitehearth for the Dreaming Dark; the Weight of Water to the Orb of Xoriat; the Blade of the Flame to its namesake series; and Call of the Silver Flame is a prequel to In the Claws of the Tiger). In my opinion all of the Eberron books have been entertaining to date except for one - The Crimson Talisman. Do not, I repeat, do not read this book. I thought it was terrible. I literally had to go back and re-read it four times before I could finish it (I usually devour an Eberron book in a day or two). My biggest gripe with this book was the author seemed to have no clue in regards to the setting. When I read it I felt insulted that an author was hired to write a book about a setting that he didn't seem (or care) to understand. There is one other book series that gets low marks in my opinion and that was the Mark of Death. The writing and description wasn't bad, and some of the characters really stick in my mind (like Te'oma, the telepath changeling mercenary), but my biggest annoyance was how his characters seemed to off-handedly know about all of the major evil organizations and their backgrounds like they had read the ECS. That irked me big time. Hope that helps. Psymnotica
OzyBurrfoot 06-20-07, 11:20 AM	City of Towers - novel written by the setting author. Pretty much some Last War vets returning from the Mournland, dealing with post-war life, and of course another plot. Absolutely one of the best, if not THE best Eberron novel. The rest of the series is good too. I'd also recommend the Heirs of Ash trilogy, which I'm dying to get my hands on the third book. In my opinion all of the Eberron books have been entertaining to date except for one - The Crimson Talisman. Do not, I repeat, do not read this book. I couldnt agree more, I couldnt even finish it once.
Dalesman 06-24-07, 04:20 PM	Rechan, Psymnotica, OzyBurrfoot - thanks for your responses and your thoughts. Based on the common theme of your posts, I think I will start with the Dreaming Dark series, then the Dragon Below. I may also get Tales of the Last War as well - perhaps have them read that first, then dive into the current era stories. Thanks again!! :)
Lanodantheon 06-24-07, 09:10 PM	I would recommend also The Blade of the Flame Series. It's a great series for characters and for showing off a part of the world most people gloss over in the ECS, the Lhzaar Principalities. It's characters are text book examples of eberron's style, they are not cookie cutter D&D Arctypes. They belong more in a revisionist Western than a D&D Story. The Blade of the Flame follows the person who could be Eberron's Drizzt, though Drizzt is infinitely more popular, dagger thrower Diran Bastiaan. Unlke Drizzt, who carries magic weapons more valuable than some castles, Diran carries Daggers, lots of daggers, many of them homemade out of every material imaginable and many of them poisoned. So many that he needs his half-orc companion to carry his bed roll. And by the way, Diran is a Cleric of the Silver Flame. You heard me, the Cleric has more weapons than the Fighter. A further explanation: Diran Bastiaan was not always a priest, during the Last War he was part of an order of Assassins whose members were possessed by demons. Diran broke free of his demon and found religion, but he can never forget his past and that he has the skills of a dangerous man. I personally relate Diran to William Munny(Clint Eastwood) from Unforgiven. His Half-Orc partner, Ghaji is supposed the stupid fighter whose vocabulary consists of, "KILL!!!!!" He isn't. Ghaji is an old soldier looking to redeem himself. He is a warrior who is rejected by humans and orcs alike. Before he became a mercenary in the Last War he took part in the massacre of a human family and he blames himself for it. He is trying to regain his honor anyway he can. Ghaji is also a handful himself because he is prejudiced against for being a Half-Orc. Unlike other characters who whine at such behavior, he gets in your face about it and throws it right back. Later in the first book they meet up with a halfling pirate with Shell Shock after watching his crew was eaten by a sea creature. You'll never see that in the Realms. Although he does loot things like your stereotypical halfling, it's not out of innocent mischief like Regis or any Dragonlance Kender, he does it because he's a pirate, it comes with the job. They also meet an Elven Juggler who is actually an agent of the Shadow Network. I never thought I'd like a bard character, let alone a juggler kills people. The villains of the series are also interesting. They are the Eberron presentations of classic and tired fantasy fair. There is a vampire in the first book and at first your think he's stupid. I had never liked the Blood of Vol very much until the BBEG showed up in armor with blades on it and started doing things. Alright, enough of the shameless advertising. Back to the topic. Watch the movies described in the front of the ECS and your Player will be fully wired. 1. Sleepy Hollow 2. The Maltese Falcon 3. The Mummy and I would recommend Unforgiven, but replace the guns with Swords and Sorcery.
Rechan 06-24-07, 11:57 PM	Lanodantheon, what are the book names in the Blade of the Flame series?
Dalesman 06-25-07, 04:35 PM	I'll second that question - the description of Diran alone makes me want to make a new character now... :)
Lanodantheon 06-25-07, 09:32 PM	Book 1 is called: Thieves of Blood Book 2 is called: Forge of the Mind Slayers There is also a 3rd on the way. They are by Tim Waggoner. Enjoy :)