| Post/Author/DateTime | Post |
|---|---|
| Davien08-03-06, 10:47 AM | We will all be relieved to see that the v1.0 Campaign Standards are now available at http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebxe/welcome |
| Aethan08-03-06, 11:00 AM | Huzzah! My DMs will be most pleased. :) |
| Harliquinn08-03-06, 11:06 AM | They are presented very nicely. Thanks! A few questions: Is the restricted/limited appendix the same as for Mark of Heroes? If something is not listed on the 'optional' list at the start (books and chapters) is it considered restricted by default? (Mainly in question for the Dragon meta-breath feats out of Draconomicon) Are all racial substitution levels unlocked with that option at 1st level? There was some confusion on this on the boards. Thanks! Harliquinn |
| Skerrit08-03-06, 12:19 PM | Is the restricted/limited appendix the same as for Mark of Heroes? Assume that for now. We are going through it to double check everything and maybe free some things up, restrict a few others, but given the number of books, you will see that list after Gen Con. I suspect that 98% of the list will be identical. If something is not listed on the 'optional' list at the start (books and chapters) is it considered restricted by default? (Mainly in question for the Dragon meta-breath feats out of Draconomicon) Correct. Are all racial substitution levels unlocked with that option at 1st level? There was some confusion on this on the boards. Yes, you can expend you 1st-level expansion slot to unlock all the levels for the race/class combination you have at 1st-level. Harliquinn[/QUOTE] |
| ajpopp08-03-06, 12:25 PM | Okay, the Campaign Standards 1.0 are availalbe...without lists of locked and restricted items. In fact, except for some formatting and proofreading, these are simply the 0.0 CS. And the accessories haven't been updated from Mark of Heroes, the Character Sheet, the Magic Stack Sheet and the Progression Sheet--they still say Mark of Heroes on them! And they haven't opened the 1st level expansion slot--it's still blacked out, a la MoH. Where's the faction Adventure Journal that is mentioned? What, exactly, was the hold up for weeks that we were ominously told about? Because these campaign standards aren't appreciably different from the previous set. Now I realize that 1st or 2nd level characters don't have to worry overmuch about prestige classes, but there are spells and feats and items to consider. And once GenCon passes by, the urgency to update materials diminishes greatly, as we've seen in the past. I must admit, I'm underwhelmed and disappointed. I can't afford GenCon this year, but I've been looking for (and found) an opportunity to play the introductory XE adventures. I love the idea of the factions and exploring the lost continent...in fact, I love all the ideas, but as usual for the RPGA, it's the execution that is lacking. |
| bronzmonkee08-03-06, 12:53 PM | 1) A player chooses to play a Gnoll fighter in the Blackwheel Company. Does the character get the two racial HD automatically plus the character HD (see MM, page 130, Gnolls as Characters, Racial Hit Dice)? What level is the character considered to be at 0 XP? 2nd level or 3rd level? How much XP does the character need before gaining their second character level (ie Gnoll Fighter 2) 2) The text for the Extraordinary Artisan feat is worded in a confusing manner. I presume that the second sentance was meant to say something like "..., or non-consumable magic items that would normally cost the character 2/3rds the listed price instead only cost 1/2 the listed price." 3) I presume that the GP limit for purchasing limited magic items applies to the campaign cost of consumable items (at the x5, x3 or x2 cost) rather than the book price. 4) I believe the cost for cold iron ammunition is incorrect. Cold iron doubles the cost of the weapon. Therefore cold iron arrows should cost 10 GP for twenty arrows, not one arrow. Likewise for cold iron shuriken. 5) Players can use the Xen'Drik Expeditions and Mark of Heroes campaign cards in their stack. Are cards from any other sets allowed? |
| Guan08-03-06, 07:13 PM | .... Really? I don't know what else to say.... |
| smerwin2908-03-06, 08:00 PM | Here's the deal. We (the factionmasters) know the Campaign Standards don't cover everything. So bear with us. If you have a question, ask. If you find a mistake, let us know. We are in a situation right now where we cannot answer every question and make up rulings on the spot because we do not have that luxury. We are all working full tilt to make sure we have the materials we need to make sure the campaign is playable at GenCon. If it makes you feel better to make snide or sarcastic or derogatory remarks, go right ahead. Such remarks will not make the factionmasters work any harder (because we cannot work harder than we are right now), it will not make the RPGA run any smoother, and will not win any more resources for the campaign. Shawn Crimson Codex Factionmaster Guy |
| jeffpicard08-03-06, 08:12 PM | 1) A player chooses to play a Gnoll fighter in the Blackwheel Company. Does the character get the two racial HD automatically plus the character HD (see MM, page 130, Gnolls as Characters, Racial Hit Dice)? What level is the character considered to be at 0 XP? 2nd level or 3rd level? How much XP does the character need before gaining their second character level (ie Gnoll Fighter 2) it was said that you don't get the hit dice, Treat the Gnoll as if it had one less hit Die 2) The text for the Extraordinary Artisan feat is worded in a confusing manner. I presume that the second sentance was meant to say something like "..., or non-consumable magic items that would normally cost the character 2/3rds the listed price instead only cost 1/2 the listed price." Yep, I'd agree that typo got left in, the important part is that 1/2 price should be correct, MoH was 3/4 price for the Item creation feat, and 1/2 price for Ex Artisan, looks like they copied over the Ex Art text without changing the 3/4 to match the 2/3 that ICF's were changed to 3) I presume that the GP limit for purchasing limited magic items applies to the campaign cost of consumable items (at the x5, x3 or x2 cost) rather than the book price. The entry on Limited items Expressly says "This means that you can purchase them if their campaign cost is below your level gold piece limit (see Table CS—6, below)" so yes, your assumption is correct 4) I believe the cost for cold iron ammunition is incorrect. Cold iron doubles the cost of the weapon. Therefore cold iron arrows should cost 10 GP for twenty arrows, not one arrow. Likewise for cold iron shuriken. MoH has the same wacky costs for Cold Iron ammo Silver ammo is technically really cheap too, it should be 10 GP per piece, I'd prefer for them to correct the CI one, but both can be explained as an exception to the "USUALLY" 5 time the cost 5) Players can use the Xen'Drik Expeditions and Mark of Heroes campaign cards in their stack. Are cards from any other sets allowed? Cards frlom other sets have never been allowed, the standards expressly allow the use of MoH cards, therefore those are the only exception Heck, I'd want to see an exception in MoH to allow the XenEx cards, but I doubt that'll happen |
| Harliquinn08-03-06, 08:14 PM | Question: Dragon Rage (ECS): This has as a prerequisite Dragon Totem. Dragon Totem requires that a character be from Seren or Argonessen. However, Dragon Ragej ust said Argonessen. I checked the Errata and didn't see any. Also the table listings for these both say just Argonessen. My question is this, barring Errata from WoTC, is Dragon Rage restricted but Dragon Totem is allowed to Crimson Codex? Thanks! |
| The_Jester08-03-06, 08:26 PM | What is the difference between CS1.0 and the prior CS0.0? Other than that the 0.0 is apparently two pages longer... I'm also curious about Wizards and spells: They may also have as many levels of spell as ranks they have in Spellcraft.. Does this apply to the spells gained by high Int? The spells gained each level? Or only spells gained through copying other spellbooks or scribing scrolls? If the last option, what is the point of this sentance: If a wizard wants to add more spells to his spellbook above and beyond this, those spells must be paid for at the standard 100 gp for each page from the EV. Does this apply to the above? Or do wizards get a number of "free" spells to copy from friends? |
| jeffpicard08-03-06, 08:42 PM | What is the difference between CS1.0 and the prior CS0.0? Other than that the 0.0 is apparently two pages longer... I'm also curious about Wizards and spells: . Does this apply to the spells gained by high Int? The spells gained each level? Or only spells gained through copying other spellbooks or scribing scrolls? If the last option, what is the point of this sentance: Does this apply to the above? Or do wizards get a number of "free" spells to copy from friends? It means exactly what it says: At the beginning of an adventure a Wizard's spellbook can contain: All 0-level PHB spells (plus) 3 plus Int Mod 1st level spells (plus) 2 Spells per wizard level above first (plus) Spells with levels totalling up to the wizards rank in Spellcraft --- So 1st level you can start with all 0's and 7 1st level spells, plus an additional 4 levels of spells (total of 11) (3 +4 for int+4 ranks of SC) For spells beyond what the first paragraph gives, you have to pay 100 GP per page. You start with 120 GP so you could buy 1 more 1st level spell 8 ranks of craft and profession skills will bring you up to 200 gp, which would afford you a 13th 1st level spell Additional note, the last part of the example for the 3rd level wizard should say 3 additional 2nd level spells, not 3rd level spells (said wizard can have 7 1sts, plus 2 more 1sts for 2'nd level, plus 2 1st or 2nd for 3rd level, plus 6 more levels total for ranks, plus as many additional spells at 100gp per page as desired) |
| Harliquinn08-03-06, 09:29 PM | Are Siberys Dragonshards purchaseable as equipment? |
| jeffpicard08-03-06, 10:42 PM | Are Siberys Dragonshards purchaseable as equipment? Siberys Dragonshard magic items are, but there's no cost listed anywhere I can find for just a raw shard If I've overlooked something, then assuming it's in a legal book (and legal chapter) it'll be a locked item and you'll have to put it on your list (making it limited), then wait until it's not above your cap, thus at least second level (cause you can't buy limited items before that) So if you know where Siberys raw shards are priced, you should be able to know if they're going to be restricted by the time you could buy them... wait until then to put them on your list If you mean the Magic items in the back of the ECS (mostly stuff enhancing Dragonmarks...) Then the above doesn't apply, just buy them when the time comes (being in the ECS makes them core, and thus limited items, and the only banned item from MoH was eternal wands) |
| Harliquinn08-03-06, 10:46 PM | The reason I ask is for the Dragon Totem Rituals listed in Magic of Eberron. They all require a cost in siberys dragonshards, ranging from 500gp to 1500gp. I wasn't sure if something like that would be purchased as a consummable or what, or even if the rituals were allowed. |
| ajpopp08-03-06, 11:27 PM | Shawn, I expect you are referring to me when you mention snide and derogatory remarks...I'm sorry that you took them as directed at you. I have great respect for you Faction Masters, and I don't question your hard work. In fact I am hoping to enjoy the fruit of your labors. My complaint is with the RPGA, which continues to operate in the same mode as it has with LotGR and MoH. Though you state complaining will not change the RPGA, I hope that it will, because the boards are rife with complaints of players from LotGR and MoH. Many people have expressed hope that the RPGA has learned from these other two campaigns, and we have all expected that the innovation of Faction Masters will make things better. By and large, I still expect that, but given the early opportunity to set people at ease and prove itself, the RPGA has stumbled over the same issues it has in the past: promising something it doesn't deliver. The fact is, despite the announcements, the 1.0 Campaign Standards are no different than the 0.0 Campaign Standards. Frankly, I just don't understand why these were released and heralded as updated standards. What is different? For instance, I am going to run the Sahuagin Stone, in which PCs may belong to sub-factions in the Cabal of Shadows, and an oblique reference is made to the DM about this fact. Yet none of my players have heard of this feature of the faction, and it was not addressed in the new Campaign Standards. With a week before I run the scenario, I have no answers for them. And, Shawn, I appreciate your inviting us to ask questions, but even you admit in the same paragraph that you can't answer every question, nor make up rulings on the spot. Nor should you--I expect that most rulings ought to be carefully considered, likely with other people in order to avoid creating new problems. This will take time, but getting it right is more important that getting it quick. Well, this wasn't meant to be a rant. I want to emphasize that I have high hopes for XE, and that I'm excited about the Faction Masters and their hard work. Seriously, guys, I'd like to encourage you in some meaningful way. That being said, I'm disappointed in the RPGA. Say what you're gonna do and then do what you say. Don't make commitments you can't keep. Usually in response to this kind of post, another gamer will say that no one is making me play, etc. That's true, but it's not the best answer to criticism. I couldn't run my business that way. The business has to respond to valid complaints, especially when they are so common (just read the boards). -Al, who really is looking forward to playing XE! |
| JJeff08-04-06, 01:01 AM | What is different? For instance, I am going to run the Sahuagin Stone, in which PCs may belong to sub-factions in the Cabal of Shadows, and an oblique reference is made to the DM about this fact. Yet none of my players have heard of this feature of the faction, and it was not addressed in the new Campaign Standards. With a week before I run the scenario, I have no answers for them. I believe the sub factions were listed in the Cabal sub forums a month ago. I believe they are currently removed from the boards in anticipation for the data to be put on the Faction websites. Be patient... |
| githmorien08-04-06, 01:26 AM | HOORAY! :D Muchos gracias! Having reviewed 1.0, I've got a couple questions: I don't quite get the whole Equipment Value concept -- and I know this is particularly important to Blackwheel players because we get a bonus to ours. There are two references to Equipment Value in the standards, but never a definition of the term. What, exactly, IS Equipment Value...and does it directly affect our starting gold, or just what we'd be said to have after we've spent it? Secondly, if the Valenar and Talenta are so closely bound to their mounts, why does a Valenar or Talenta character have to buy one? Not that I don't deeply appreciate the price break (whew!), but isn't that a little like making a paladin buy his? |
| DragonDai08-04-06, 03:50 AM | yeah, so you said to post questions, and while I already posted this in the Cabal forums in a thread about undead, I thought I would bring it here and expand on it a little. I want to play a True Necromancer. This class is most deffenetly Restricted in the MoH CS, but I don't see any reason that the Cabal Members shouldn't have access to it. However, it doesn't require you to be evil, just non-good, so it isn't auto-limited, and since we have no Restricted List yet, I can't effectivily play my Cabal Character. See, a True Necromancer needs both a high Int/Cha and a high Wis, cause he has to be both a divine and arcane caster. So I am spending almost all of my measily 25 points (LORD I LOVE Greyhawk, 28 point buy is 1mil times better than 25...mine as well have 24) on my Int and Wis (wizard/cleric combo). But if I cannot Prestige into that, for whatever reason, then I am spending a buttload of my 25 points into a (nearly) worthless Int. So if I go and play a mod with this guy, and then later learn that I cannot play a True Necromancer down the line, can I retool my stats??? If I can't, I guess I just get to either play a Warlock, like everyone else, or I get to sit around and not play the Cabal games while everyone else in my town goes and plays those mods with thier Warlocks. So there is question one. Question Two involves other Non-Good prestige classes...there is a list of them in the Cabal forums, but no one has responded to it yet. I hope that someone has taken the time to realize that while many of these Non-Good requirement classes don't make good traditional D&D heroes, they would deffenetly make some good Cabal Anti-Heroes/Villians (depending on if the PC was Neutral or Evil, since the classes in question aren't Evil Only). So please tell me these classes aren't just going to be slapped into Restricted like they were in MoH, cause that would be a real shame and make playing the Cabal a very cut and dry affair (Oh look! Another Cabal table of 4 Warlocks, a Duskblade, and a Begliler! And they are all Neutral to get the cool ability cause none of them are going into one of the 6 Evil Only Prestige Classes in the game. WoW! This is in No Way like the other 15 Cabal tables I have run today. <<sarcasm off>>). Question three is, how do we determine the cost of a Animate Dead Scroll? In the DMG, it cost 625, which I assume is to pay for the 25g gem you have to use per hit die of the monsters you want to raise. Subtracting 375g from the price (the price of a normal 3rd lvl spell) and then dividing the 250 left by 25g means that the DMG scroll charges you for 10 hit dice of undead as per the spell (25g per hit die*10 hit die=250g+375g for 3rd lvl scroll=625g). So does this mean that the scroll will only animate 10hd worth of undead no matter how much the caster could normally cast (likely)? Does this mean the scroll will raise as many hit die as the caster can control (unlikely)? And if the likely situation wins out, could you make the scroll to raise more/less hit die by changing the cost (25g per hit die*5 hit die=125g+375g for 3rd lvl scroll=500g)? It is late and the unfinished state of the Xen'Drake CS has me a little aggitated (no offence to the Faction Masters who I am sure are working their butts off) so even though there were a bunch of other questions I had about this topic, I am just gana go for now cause I can't remember anymore. But if I do, I will be back to post them... Thanks for the help in advance, Sorry if I sound like a bit of a prick, just tired and frustrated, Ciao, DragonDai |
| Kelvane08-04-06, 01:54 PM | E.V. is the amount in g.p. of loot you have aquired while adventuring. The amount that appears in your character tracker is in addition to your startig gold. With the ability to re-tool between mods you take your E.V. plus bonus for being in Blackwheel faction and add it to your staring gold. This is the total amount you have to spend on items and equipment. If you check the Magic and Stack sheet of the character sheet, below worn magic items and above magic weapons there is a little worksheet that may help with E.V. |
| Harliquinn08-04-06, 02:44 PM | New question: 1) It is established that characters can be from Seren. However, the feat Dragon Totem is still on the restricted list for Mark of Heroes (Mainly I imagine because Seren was not allowed in that campaign). Does the unlocking of Seren as a starting area also unlock this Feat (to be put on the expansion list)? |
| Mherduwynn08-07-06, 03:14 AM | Well, this wasn't meant to be a rant. I want to emphasize that I have high hopes for XE, and that I'm excited about the Faction Masters and their hard work. Seriously, guys, I'd like to encourage you in some meaningful way. That being said, I'm disappointed in the RPGA. Say what you're gonna do and then do what you say. Don't make commitments you can't keep. Usually in response to this kind of post, another gamer will say that no one is making me play, etc. That's true, but it's not the best answer to criticism. I couldn't run my business that way. The business has to respond to valid complaints, especially when they are so common (just read the boards). -Al, who really is looking forward to playing XE! I hope you can understand, Al, how your comments very much came off appearing as a rant. That said, you are not wrong. When handling the Living Force campaign, I learned a valuable lesson for dealing with the players; don't lie to them. I have carried that lesson to this new project and promise to live by that creed. If there is something wrong, I won't hide it or lie about it... and neither will my fellow FMs. They are a great group of coordinators and I am proud to work with each and every one. That said, we did NOT release a complete Campaign Standards document. You are absolutely right. No excuses, no arguments. It is not a full, complete all-encompassing document and it certainly is not the CS we want it to be. There. I said it. HOWEVER, it IS complete enough to play with for now and it is a substantial improvement over 0.0. According to my Acrobat, it has 78 non-typographical corrections and inclusions. The v1.0 document incorporates nearly every piece of feedback (in one form or another) from this board and our own playtesting ~at the time of its writing~. A few things have changed now, granted, and there will be a much bigger, more verbose and inclusive 1.1 coming after GenCon. YOU HAVE MY WORD ON THAT. It WILL be posted for your perusal by the end of September and it WILL include an appendix for each Faction that should make playing in them both easier and more enjoyable. Take care and please, enjoy the campaign. -August |
| Harliquinn08-07-06, 08:50 AM | I'm glad to see work that's been done. I won't be creating my character in the database yet, because I still need some answers to a few questions regarding the Seren region and 'purchasing' siberys dragonshards. 1) Is Dragon Totem (and the feats that depend upon it) unlocked for Seren-region characters? 2) Can you use Dragon Totem Rituals by 'purchasing' EV worth of Siberys dragonshards? 3) Is Dragonic Rage (I think that is the name) really limited to Argonessen only or is that a typo/correction and should include Seren (It requires Dragon Totem which is Seren/Argo but listed as Argo only in the table). I know the FM can't make these determinations but I'm hoping that the questions can be forwarded along and included as part of the next round of standards or in the FAQ. Thanks! Harliquinn |
| raalynthslair08-07-06, 12:12 PM | When handling the Living Force campaign, I learned a valuable lesson for dealing with the players; don't lie to them. I have carried that lesson to this new project and promise to live by that creed. If there is something wrong, I won't hide it or lie about it... and neither will my fellow FMs. They are a great group of coordinators and I am proud to work with each and every one. August, I would like to give you a HUGE thank you, from all of us that played (occasionally volunteered as needed/could), and enjoyed, Living Force. You did a great job during your tenure in charge of that campaign and did a wonderful job of communicating (both before something would happen and once it did) when something would be altering or effecting how the campaign mechanics or dynamics were being handled/managed. For better or for worse was always up for debate, but we all KNEW in advance, or at least on time with enough information to at least "get by" and enjoy the game regardless of our opinions of the situation(s). That in itself is commendable, especially since not all (I'd venture more than not) was from you (the LF staff) but likely elsewhere (not naming anything/one on purpose). That said, we did NOT release a complete Campaign Standards document. You are absolutely right. No excuses, no arguments. It is not a full, complete all-encompassing document and it certainly is not the CS we want it to be. There. I said it. HOWEVER, it IS complete enough to play with for now and it is a substantial improvement over 0.0. According to my Acrobat, it has 78 non-typographical corrections and inclusions. The v1.0 document incorporates nearly every piece of feedback (in one form or another) from this board and our own playtesting ~at the time of its writing~. Having the basics is enough to get us going with - and for that we (at least, I am) are grateful. You guys have been wonderful with reading these forums and commenting, answering questions, taking both constructive and destructive criticism, and still always coming across somehow jovial and generally "the nice guy" in it all. That takes a lot of dedication (and not to mention patience - and probably a good liquor cabinet back home, but I won't go there! *lol*) |
| Mherduwynn08-07-06, 03:15 PM | The liquor cabinet is our friend. <pets the lovely cabinet, now rather devoid of bottles> We loves the preciousssss.... :) On a more serious note, you are most welcome. We would not be doing this if we didn't love the game, love the setting, and want to give you all the best campaign we possibly could. Take care, all, -August |
| raalynthslair08-07-06, 05:09 PM | The liquor cabinet is our friend. <pets the lovely cabinet, now rather devoid of bottles> We loves the preciousssss.... :) On a more serious note, you are most welcome. We would not be doing this if we didn't love the game, love the setting, and want to give you all the best campaign we possibly could. Take care, all, -August Yea, sure... we know its for the praise and for the love of "the presciousss". ^_^ |