Monster Manual 2: Changing the Landscape - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Monster Manual 2: Changing the Landscape

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
jacksmithiv
May 05, 2009 18:39:00 One of the things I like best about D&D and the 4th Edition world is the core story elements. Incursions from the Far Realm, the planes, the war between the gods, the struggle with the Fomorians, etc...

With every new supplement that comes out, it changes the landscape in a fundamental way. For example, when we got Manual of the Planes, we learned a bit more about the war between Gods and Primordials, extra-planar struggles, and a little bit more about the sources of arcane and divine energies. It rounded out that aspect of the world, gave it character, and broadened the horizens, providing more inspiration for story arcs and campaign development. Players Handbook 2 introduced the primal being that keep the world safe from extra-planar incursion. The developers themselves have stated that they are conscious of an evolving story of the Dungeons & Dragons world.

The Monster Manual 2 comes out soon, ready to change the landscape of the D&D world and story once again. New monsters will open new doors, will make us curious about new locations, will allow us to explore new themes and character options. New titans will inspire new strongholds, new dragons will inspire new story arcs, etc. My question is this:

What are you looking forward to most about the landscape changes that will undoubtedly occur as a result of the new monsters?

For me, I can't wait to see what new threats will appear in the level 1-5 and 25-30 brackets. The way things begin and end inspire a lot when it comes to campaign creation, and I can't wait to see how that changes the attitude in future magazine releases.

As usual, no flaming or derailing please.

Thanks a bunch in advance!
#2
zeonicwolf
May 05, 2009 22:12:32 I cant wait to cry when a rust monster eats my armour and weapons. Good times.
#3
Alex_
May 05, 2009 22:52:21 They've done so much about Feywild, yet relatively little in regards to the Shadowfell and Shadow power sources aside from their relationship to Undead.

I'm also interested in seeing see how Chinese/Japanese they end up going with the Ki power source.

I'm already working on my own far realm invasion concepts, and if theirs also involves Psionics, I'd love to draw upon that for inspiration (and crunchy goodness). I'd be particularly interested in seeing fewer "movie monster" abberations like Mindflayers and Aboleths, and more creatures that are creepy in concept.

The Daelkyr are scary to me in that they are supposed to be incredibly beautiful beings that surround themselves in disgusting bodies and corrupt flesh, while the Quori are horrific looking, but possess the minds of physically attractive individuals and seek harmony.

Like Warforged, Shifters, and Doppleganger characters, I hope these also go core.
#4
jacksmithiv
May 06, 2009 0:09:09
Like Warforged, Shifters, and Doppleganger characters, I hope these also go core.

Well said! There's a few things still to be said about the feywild, but they are closing the gaps. I like what you said about the Quori and such. I think this is likely, considering the little bit in the MotP about the Dreaming Plane.
#5
Marandahir
May 06, 2009 9:38:51 Actually, there are a lot I'd like to see with the Feywild - more about the Fomorians and their courts, more about the Firbolgs. This month's SoW adventure path adventure in Dungeon helps to preview more about the Firbolgs and details out an entire Fomorian court, which is great, but I'm looking forward to Firbolgs in their entirety in MM2.

The more evil elements of the Feywild haven't had enough focus; instead, it's been mostly Eladrin court politics. I'm looking forward to Spriggans too (more evil Gnomes, to join the Korreds). Centaurs are another Feywild element I'm looking forward too.

I'm heavily looking forward to Starspawn, because they're connected with the Star Pact powers, and they're advancing the Primal-Aberrant war story, which is something I'm really into right now.

Like others, I'm looking foward to more Shadowfell; I want more on Shadar-kai and their allies and enemies, more on the Dark Ones, more on the Dread Emperor; it would be awesome to get more shadow enemies.

I'm also looking forward to Demogorgon and his mad domain: reminds me of Sheogoroth, and Insane Demon Lords that are either dangerous or wild and feral or just plain odd are interesting. He's much more interesting than Orcus, Baphomet, and Yeenoghu, at least. Graz'zt is cool, though.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 jacksmithiv May 05, 2009 18:39:00	One of the things I like best about D&D and the 4th Edition world is the core story elements. Incursions from the Far Realm, the planes, the war between the gods, the struggle with the Fomorians, etc... With every new supplement that comes out, it changes the landscape in a fundamental way. For example, when we got Manual of the Planes, we learned a bit more about the war between Gods and Primordials, extra-planar struggles, and a little bit more about the sources of arcane and divine energies. It rounded out that aspect of the world, gave it character, and broadened the horizens, providing more inspiration for story arcs and campaign development. Players Handbook 2 introduced the primal being that keep the world safe from extra-planar incursion. The developers themselves have stated that they are conscious of an evolving story of the Dungeons & Dragons world. The Monster Manual 2 comes out soon, ready to change the landscape of the D&D world and story once again. New monsters will open new doors, will make us curious about new locations, will allow us to explore new themes and character options. New titans will inspire new strongholds, new dragons will inspire new story arcs, etc. My question is this: What are you looking forward to most about the landscape changes that will undoubtedly occur as a result of the new monsters? For me, I can't wait to see what new threats will appear in the level 1-5 and 25-30 brackets. The way things begin and end inspire a lot when it comes to campaign creation, and I can't wait to see how that changes the attitude in future magazine releases. As usual, no flaming or derailing please. Thanks a bunch in advance!
#2 zeonicwolf May 05, 2009 22:12:32	I cant wait to cry when a rust monster eats my armour and weapons. Good times.
#3 Alex_ May 05, 2009 22:52:21	They've done so much about Feywild, yet relatively little in regards to the Shadowfell and Shadow power sources aside from their relationship to Undead. I'm also interested in seeing see how Chinese/Japanese they end up going with the Ki power source. I'm already working on my own far realm invasion concepts, and if theirs also involves Psionics, I'd love to draw upon that for inspiration (and crunchy goodness). I'd be particularly interested in seeing fewer "movie monster" abberations like Mindflayers and Aboleths, and more creatures that are creepy in concept. The Daelkyr are scary to me in that they are supposed to be incredibly beautiful beings that surround themselves in disgusting bodies and corrupt flesh, while the Quori are horrific looking, but possess the minds of physically attractive individuals and seek harmony. Like Warforged, Shifters, and Doppleganger characters, I hope these also go core.
#4 jacksmithiv May 06, 2009 0:09:09	Like Warforged, Shifters, and Doppleganger characters, I hope these also go core. Well said! There's a few things still to be said about the feywild, but they are closing the gaps. I like what you said about the Quori and such. I think this is likely, considering the little bit in the MotP about the Dreaming Plane.
#5 Marandahir May 06, 2009 9:38:51	Actually, there are a lot I'd like to see with the Feywild - more about the Fomorians and their courts, more about the Firbolgs. This month's SoW adventure path adventure in Dungeon helps to preview more about the Firbolgs and details out an entire Fomorian court, which is great, but I'm looking forward to Firbolgs in their entirety in MM2. The more evil elements of the Feywild haven't had enough focus; instead, it's been mostly Eladrin court politics. I'm looking forward to Spriggans too (more evil Gnomes, to join the Korreds). Centaurs are another Feywild element I'm looking forward too. I'm heavily looking forward to Starspawn, because they're connected with the Star Pact powers, and they're advancing the Primal-Aberrant war story, which is something I'm really into right now. Like others, I'm looking foward to more Shadowfell; I want more on Shadar-kai and their allies and enemies, more on the Dark Ones, more on the Dread Emperor; it would be awesome to get more shadow enemies. I'm also looking forward to Demogorgon and his mad domain: reminds me of Sheogoroth, and Insane Demon Lords that are either dangerous or wild and feral or just plain odd are interesting. He's much more interesting than Orcus, Baphomet, and Yeenoghu, at least. Graz'zt is cool, though.