Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Marandahir Apr 16, 2009 23:43:28	Anybody else really psyched with the return of the Aberrant Stars from the Far Realm from Dragon 366 "Wish Upon A Star"? This Maw of Acamar looks absolutely sick. In the really cool sort of way. Also, looking back at the Dragon Article, I can see Wizards eventually adding another Dragon Feature to go alongside Demonomicon of Iggwilv, Codex of Betrayal, Lords of Chaos, Deities and Demigods, and Court of the Stars: Revelations of Melech, featuring either the mad stars themselves in Elder Godly form (like articles on Demon Princes, Deities, and Primordials) or else on the greatest of the Star Spawn (like articles on Archdevils and Archfey).
#2 doctorhook Apr 17, 2009 7:36:07	I think you're right about the stars. One thing I really like about 4E is that it's building up its own mythology of "non-deity" deities: Primordials, Primal Spirits, Archfey, Elder Evils, Aberrant Super-horrors/"Stars", Demon Princes, and Archdevils (though not so much Archdevils, since Asmodeus is now a true deity). They're all super-powerful, but there's basically no inherent mechanical or power-level difference between them, so you can have characters worship them if you like.
#3 CelticPaladin Apr 17, 2009 7:50:56	I am super-hyped about the Star Spawn because I am a Cthulhu fan. I can totally add some Lovecraftian spice to my campaigns using this sort of thing and abberations from the MMs. I shiver in anticipation. "That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die."
#4 GhostStepper Apr 17, 2009 11:06:33	The Maw has some pretty sweet powers. Its deffinately more of a defender/soldier than a controller though, considering its hp total and the fact that its powers that pretty much suck everyone towards it instead of away from it. One thing im not a fan of is the art. I was picturing something big, eerie, terrifiying and generally badass, not a skinny guy in a robe. When i was read the stat block, i was imaging the thing look like: - A huge dark humanoid of indetermined shape made of shadow with tedrills of darkness that lash out and PCs. - A mini black hole or sphere of annihilation and floats around and sucks things in with whisps of darkness. Basically, a mini black star of Acamar. - A huge black mouth of darkness with whispy tendrils that draw opponents into nashing spectral teeth. The artwork is a bit of a let down and i hope it isnt standard for the new MM.
#5 ranadiel Apr 17, 2009 12:06:44	One thing im not a fan of is the art. I was picturing something big, eerie, terrifiying and generally badass, not a skinny guy in a robe. When i was read the stat block, i was imaging the thing look like: - A huge dark humanoid of indetermined shape made of shadow with tedrills of darkness that lash out and PCs. - A mini black hole or sphere of annihilation and floats around and sucks things in with whisps of darkness. Basically, a mini black star of Acamar. - A huge black mount of darkness with whispy tendrils that draw opponents into nashing spectral teeth. The artwork is a bit of a let down and i hope it isnt standard for the new MM. Perhaps the artwork is for a generic star spawn(or just a different type) and not the one specifically previewed? I'm pretty sure they have done that before.
#6 Axiomatic_Badger Apr 17, 2009 16:07:00	Interesting to have a monster that never actually rolls for damage. I think it says a lot about me that the first thing I thought after reading the star-spawn fluff was "I need to play as one of these". New fluff for the Elan maybe? *Hope* "Once upon the Blackened Sand I came upon the Blackened Man Who gave to me with open hand The key to Blacken all I am"
#7 GhostStepper Apr 17, 2009 16:45:42	i was kinda thinking how some of those powers would make for sweet defender abilities. Since 4E came out, i thought a far-realm power source would be pretty sweet, if for no other reason than to translate over one of my favorite 3E characters.
#8 stogoe Apr 17, 2009 17:04:42	I actually love the artwork, because it fits in really well with a game I'm playing in. Not sure how well it works for the Maw.
#9 sigil_beguiler Apr 17, 2009 17:07:23	Me like! I can easily see this guy (and any others of his kind) being thrown into a ton of my games. I also like how while there is a nicely developing fluff (sorta reminds me actually of nWoD where there as well fluff pieces are slowly being pieced together) it can be ignored quite easily. For those looking for a different style to its appearance what about this: Show
#10 Marandahir Apr 17, 2009 21:16:49	I like. A LOT. I could also see a playable Aberrant race having something to do with the Stars or Star Spawn, though much lesser than the "Great Powers That Be" doctorhook mentioned. I personally liked the Star Spawn artwork, though as others have said, I don't think it fits the Maw - but could easily work for some form of Star Spawn. It seems to me that there is (hopefully) no universal theme in their appearance, especially since they're aberrant. Combined with "Wish Upon a Star"-type spells being incorporated into the Warlock spell list in Arcane Power, and I have high hopes for the future of D&D and Aberrant/Far Realm lore and forms.
#11 doctorhook Apr 20, 2009 15:15:57	Me like! I can easily see this guy (and any others of his kind) being thrown into a ton of my games. I also like how while there is a nicely developing fluff (sorta reminds me actually of nWoD where there as well fluff pieces are slowly being pieced together) it can be ignored quite easily. For those looking for a different style to its appearance what about this: Show
#12 Axiomatic_Badger Apr 20, 2009 15:40:03	Seconded. "I am the MAW! HUNGER! CONSUME! PANTS!"
#13 Rils Apr 20, 2009 15:58:43	We were planning a whole campaign around fighting avatars of the stars presented in the Wish On A Star article. This stuff is going to show up right in time!
#14 kletian999 Apr 20, 2009 17:22:58	Very cool picture! I like it; it freaks me out. I think the biggest problem with the starspawn artwork is that's wearing clothes... That seems odd to me. Indeed, the only way to make an Eldritch incarnation of hunger scarier is a Dr. Manhattan brand Full Frontal Assault
#15 Dreamstryder Apr 24, 2009 17:06:29	The idea sounds interesting, but WotC writers can't think of any other word than "born" & "spawn"? Children, Seed, Wanderer, Being, -ling, Sown, Echoes... What if they were just called "Visitors"?