For the non-subscribers out there, this month's Ampersand includes a pair of previews from the Eberron Campaign Guide out in June.
First off, we're treated to a picture of the new poster map. Sadly, it's only low resolution so it isn't usable yet. Interestingly, though, they've dropped the cartoon style of the 3E map for a more realistic one.
Second, we get stats for Mordain the Fleshweaver. I was going to take a shot at this one myself over at the Dragon Above/Eberron Bestiary, but I guess they beat me to it! The stats look fun, although there is a lot to keep track of with regards to saving throws - lot's of ongoing damage, slowed and dazed conditions attached to his abilities. I think it's a good representation of him, though.
We're also told that come May there will be regular Eberron (and FR) features in Dragon/Dungeon, the first of which will deal with encounters on the Lightning Rail.
!I just noticed that our friend Mordain is an elite rather than a solo. Can't say I was expecting that, but it does carry the advantage of being able to pair him up with some aberrant underlings. That said, there aren't many suitable aberrant monsters in the MM close to his level (21).
I just noticed that our friend Mordain is an elite rather than a solo. Can't say I was expecting that, but it does carry the advantage of being able to pair him up with some aberrant underlings. That said, there aren't many suitable aberrant monsters in the MM close to his level (21).
Hm...yes,that's true. Some creatures might well be reflavoured and/or tweaked(I'm looking at you Abyssal Ghoul and Legion Devil Legionnaire). I wonder if, in addition to aberrant monsters, we could use some abominations. They're supposed to have been created as living weapons after all, not to mention sufficiently freaky :P. Who's to say that they may be created only by the ancient and the divine(not to mention that, for a significant number of people across Eberron, that description includes the daelkyr)?
Hm...yes,that's true. Some creatures might well be reflavoured and/or tweaked(I'm looking at you Abyssal Ghoul and Legion Devil Legionnaire). I wonder if, in addition to aberrant monsters, we could use some abominations. They're supposed to have been created as liliving weapons after all, not to mention sufficiently freaky :P. Who's to say that they may be created only by the ancient and the divine(not to mention that, for a sigbificant number of people across Eberron, that description includes the daelkyr)?
Good point. I think most of the abominations are a bit too powerful (most are elites and solos), but if you drop the level of the blood fiend a by 2 or 3 they would make great underlings.
Another interesting thing I noticed, after reading the thread on Enworld: you can't take out Mordain without being a star pact warlock (ie, beating him at his own game), or using teamwork to cast separate radiant and cold powers to get past his rejuvenation. Plus, it means you can't just wade into a fight with Mordain without doing a bit of research - who's going to guess cold AND radiant together?
I find that suitably epic for our favourite transmuter :D
I see him being all-powerful within his tower, being able to make its fleshy walls work as an extension of his own body. He basically is the tower.
This is one of those cases where I want the PCs to meet someone who is beyond them in many ways. He is similar to a Daelkyr or Rajah in a small way, at least in his home. The Elite they may fight is just a clone he sends out to investigate the world. At least in my game ;) .
-Joni
I see him being all-powerful within his tower, being able to make its fleshy walls work as an extension of his own body. He basically is the tower.
This is one of those cases where I want the PCs to meet someone who is beyond them in many ways. He is similar to a Daelkyr or Rajah in a small way, at least in his home. The Elite they may fight is just a clone he sends out to investigate the world. At least in my game ;) .
Hmm, if you included some traps and hazards rather than monsters in the encounter, you could easily create an encounter which includes that sort of control. Maybe not to the extent you're after, but it'd give a combat with his clone a better flow than winging it, I think.
Nice. Which issue is this BTW and can you link to the EN-World thread?
-Joni
It's issue 372. Here's the EnWorld thread:
http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/249724-dragon-372-ampersand-summoning-arcane-power-preview-mordain-fleshweaver.html
What level is he?
Level 21 elite controller.
-Joni
I wish ECS was out already.
To be honest I actually quite liked the old 3.5e map of Eberron. Lives permanently in my DM screen and tends to be unfurled every 2nd session as the party tracks where they are and where they are going.
Fingers crossed in 4e we get "splash maps" of all four major continents. Would be very nice (dangnabbit Wizards now I'm all hyped up for Eberron and stuck waiting :P )!
My only qualm with the preview was the changing between the super closeup of Thalost from the main Khorvaire map. Has anyone yet attempt to crosscheck both edition maps?
Nice map and a good view of perhaps our first Eberron NPC.
My only qualm with the preview was the changing between the super closeup of Thalost from the main Khorvaire map. Has anyone yet attempt to crosscheck both edition maps?
Yes, I checked them both. They're the same.
Thanks Trolls, but the link doesn't seem to work.
-Joni
Enworld's been having some network problems. The link's working now, though.
Maybe they can start with that.
Where the **** is my City of Stormreach 4th Edition update that was promised in the book???
Maybe they can start with that.
I'll 2nd that sentiment, but without the 4 letter word. I'm guessing that we shall see the 4th Ed update once actual material for Eberron in the 4th Edition arrives on our bookshelves. It would be a little strange to pre-empt such material before it's officially arrived. And having 4e content on Dragons of Eberron would be very nice too, but that won't arrive until Draconomicon 2, since we still need details on Metallic dragons. So that's at least November before anything arrives in that area.