Dragon 426 Compilation
By Steve Winter, Adam Dray, Tim Eagon, David Noonan, Alexander Gersh and Ed Greenwood
D&D and mystery don’t mix—or do they? This month, tales of fantastic mystery, a library of useful locations, the improviser's cheat sheet -- plus, the courtier, the spy, and the vigilante added to your library of character themes.
Talk about this magazine here.
Well done.
I don't know if I love or hate the fact that the Courtier Theme centers around giving you Advantage (DDN style) on Diplomacy rolls and then every feature thereafter is basically "instead of X, roll Diplomacy." Seems a little one dimensional and my girlfriend was really hoping for more out of the theme.
Also i look forward to Dragon 427 article on the Sundering by Ed Greenwood;
The Sundering:
To Rule Two Worlds
By Ed Greenwood
As Abeir and Toril move apart, there are a few
fell entities who seek to rule parts of both worlds,
and maintain (or create anew) linkages between
the two worlds so they can move back and
forth between them. A handful of heroes have
discovered these ambitious evils and seek to thwart
them, but they need help—and fast.
The Themes are great during non-combat interactions.
I guess, but as I said above, they are pretty one dimensional. At least two of the themes were basically just a way to get Advantage even more on the brain as a setup for when we switch over to DDN next year.
Like I said, telling someone "you get Advantage on Diplomacy rolls...oh, and all of your social skills are now actually just Diplomacy" isn't what I think of when I am looking to non-combat interaction. It really just feels like they're pandering to that one person at everyone's table that loads up on a single skill and, now that they have a mighty skill hammer, tries to make every skill interaction a nail.
By Steve Winter, Adan Dray, Tim Eagon, David Noonan, Alexander Gersh and Ed Greenwood
Adam Dray =D
Adam Dray =D
Oops sorry Adam, typo fixed
The Courtier's level 6 utility power Call for Capitulation says:
Trigger: You would make an Intimidate check to force an opponent to surrender.
Effect: In place of the Intimidate check, make a Diplomacy check with a DC equal to the target’s Will defense +5.
Should the monster still receive the +5/10 bonus to Will for being unfriendly/hostile?
Steve
Svendj -- I believe the wording is meant to indicate that the normal unfriendly/hostile modifier doesn't apply. The DC is a flat Will +5. Otherwise, this power would net you nothing. That's my read of it, anyway. I'll check with the developer when he's back in the office, but if I don't post any followup confirmation, assume this interpretation is correct.
Steve
Thanks. See this post and following for CharOp discussion of the rule as written, including my reasons for thinking (somewhat diffidently) that the bonus for being unfriendly / hostile doesn't apply. Part of the issue is that the power seems too strong without the +10 bonus to Will DC but too weak with it. Finding out the intention behind the rule would be useful too.
Steve