Ok other than the campain setting. What other books, supplements, and or accessories, would an Eberron newb need? Please post from the best to the worst in your opinion. Thanks
Well, you'll probably want to make sure you want to get into Eberron's lore. You don't neeed anything other than the Eberron Campaign Setting, but I also recomend the Players Guide to Eberron and Five Nations.
Dragonshards are online articles written by Eberron's creator, Keith Baker, and are a good read regardless of whether you'll impliment the concepts he descibes the exact same way.
Sharn: City of Towers
Dragonmarked
Faiths of Eberron
Forge of War
Five Nations
Secrets of Sarlona
Secrets of Xen'drik
Explorer's Handbook
Magic of Eberron
Races of Eberron
Player's Guide to Eberron
Edit: Sorry, I just rattled off the entire line right there. Dragonmarked helps explain the merchant houses that have a major presence in the power structure of the world. Faiths of Eberron goes a long way towards explaining the religious side of the world. Five Nations goes into depth on the five human nations, where much of the action is. Finally, Forge of War is a history book that helps explain the details and effects of the Last War.
Sharn: City of Towers is a perfect starting point for any novice to the setting. You can literally spend years of game time playing excusively within the city walls.
Five Nations gives a multitude of options, and builds on the descriptions in the ECS. Fleshed out and additional NPCs, locations of interest, local customs, etc.
Dragommarked is just what it says, a guide to the Dragonmarked Houses. Their modes of business, internal struggles, expanded options for D'marked characters, etc. Very cool.
Faiths Of Eberron, like Dragonmarked, is a guide to the religions of Eberron. How they're practiced, rites and rituals, interactions with other faiths, and kickass PrC's.
These are my favorites (very roughly in order for a newb to aquire) if you're staying in Khorvaire.
Secrets of Xendric/Secrets of Sarlona are both really cool, and even if you never plan on going to either continent, you can still use the stuff contained within to produce events related to them in Khorvaire.
Magic of Eberron is a must have for Artificers, plus it has the sweetness incarnate that is the Daelkyr Halfblood. :D
Forge of War is awesome for running a game during the Last War, or just in general. Lots of fluff and history to aid any backstory.
Races of Eberron and Players Guide to Eberron are more controversial. Lots and LOTS of debate, and many seem to be in either the "Love it" or "Hate it" camps. Each seems to be hit and miss as far as the accuracy and usefulness of it's sections. May want to hold off in them. Though the Warforged and Kalashtar sections of RoE tend to be regarded pretty well.
And it's not Eberron, but Complete Scoundrel is highly suggested, as it fits the Pulp/Noir feel of the setting.
Player's Guide gets my #2. It's a good way to get the quick skinny on the setting, particularly the parts that are glaringly different from a typical setting (see: elves, orcs)
#3, Dragonmarked (just because the houses are such a big part of the setting).
Magic and Faiths tie for me at #4. Do note that no sane DM will let you play a Planar Shepherd (Faiths).
Do note that no sane DM will let you play a Planar Shepherd (Faiths).
That's not really fair.
;)The Planar Shepherd, when attuned to Fernia, can be a real headache for the DM due to the "I turn into a Djinni and can grant three Wish spells to my party members per Wildshape" cheapness.
But other than that, it's a REALLY awesome class (IMO).
And even that problem can be worked out easily enough with an understanding player and/or a few house rules.
That's not really fair.
The Planar Shepherd, when attuned to Fernia, can be a real headache for the DM due to the "I turn into a Djinni and can grant three Wish spells to my party members per Wildshape" cheapness.
I've actually found a perfectly legal way around that without houserules. To grant wishes, the Djinn must be bound. To be bound, you must be unwilling. This means that your teammates must try to bind you while you (in your Druidly Awesomeness) try your level best to either flee or kill them.
Talk about 'be careful what you wish for'!And if they do bind you, you just turn off the Wild Shape and can't grant wishes, thusly 'escaping' the binding. It's convolunted, but that's what I'd do.
I'd have bigger problems with the Dal Quor Time Bubble.
- Player's Guide to Eberron: An encyclopedia of subjects related to the setting.
- Dragons of Eberron: While not yet released (comes out next week), I have a feeling this book relates the more mystical aspect of the nature of world as a whole. The draconic prophecy plays a large part of the world, and the dragons influence much whether the PCs know it or not.
- Forge of War: It's good to know the recent history of the current age; it's also good for players' background stories as everyone was touched by the Last War in some form or another, especially older races such as elves, dwarves, etc.)
- Dragonmarked: For reasons stated above. You also get an understanding of their role during the Last War.
- Five Nations: It's good to know about the nations that influence Khorvaire in the present day, as well as use this information in conjunction with Forge of War to get an understanding of the existing cold war.
If you want options as a player:
- Player's Guide to Eberron: See above
- Forge of War: See above
- Magic of Eberron: More options for PCs
- Races of Eberron: If you're into playing one of the new races, you'll want this book for character options. Some on these forums criticize the fluff for being inaccurate and contradictory to the setting. The crunch is still good, though.
If you want a psionic-heavy campaign with an eastern flavor, I strongly recommend Secrets of Sarlona. You also have less influence from Dragonmarked Houses, Airships, Warforged and other things of that sort if that's not your cup of tea. Basically, Sarlona is the equivalence of greater Asia.
If you want a psionic-heavy campaign with an eastern flavor, I strongly recommend Secrets of Sarlona. You also have less influence from Dragonmarked Houses, Airships, Warforged and other things of that sort if that's not your cup of tea. Basically, Sarlona is the equivalence of greater Asia.
THREADJACK! *warning klaxon*
I hadn't really thought about it that way before ... but this fits perfectly with Eberron's 'pulp' feel. In the old pulp novels, Asia was this source of strange, mystical power that few people understood (anybody see The Shadow movie?).
Then, you have Xen'drik, a huge, sprawling continent filled with unknown creatures and dangers, populated by tribal-paint wearing hostile natives ... which is your pulp Africa.
Will your group get their own copies of the setting? If not, then you'll need at least one (two is ideal) additional copies of the campaign setting to keep the table running smoothly.
The best supplement is Sharn: City of Towers. There's a lot of good stuff in there that, beyond being good game material, is fun to read.
I did check out the ECS today. It was interesting to say the least. I really like Eberrons Planes! It reminded my of the Horoscopes. Where yhe plane was at affected you somehow. Interesting:D I will browse the other books pretty soon, so thanks again Eberron Faithful!
After that you'll have a good idea of the setting then you can branch out and choose what you want.
Sharn: City of Towers is a fantastic well written book that really spotlights cosmopolitain life in a D&D world where goblins, orcs, elves, dwarves, and orge walk the same city streets... but if you want to play a game in say... Korth. Not so useful.
Same with Five Nations... great book but not so much if you want to have your game set up with the pirates of the Lhazaar Principalities.
Its hard to go wrong with the Players Guide to Eberron, but beyond that most books are specific enough on topic that you will be able to know if you want them. If you love the Kalashtar and the Dreaming Dark pick up Secrets of Sarlona. If you love pulp Indiana Jones style adventures, Secrets of Xen'drik and Explorer's Handbook. If you Love the D'Marks then you need Dragonmarked... or not.
Find out what you love in the setting, come back and tell us what you love and we can tell you the best books to check out for that.
From there, for a player, would suggest you pick up the fluff books first, so you can get a better grip on the setting.
Player's Guide to Eberron: Veritable encyclopedia of Eberron goodness. Its basically the dragonshard articles rolled into one book. Thats a Good Thing (tm). Just ignore the sidebars, as they are pure unadulterated crap. Seriously, you could take a permanent marker and just black them out, and it would probably increase the value of the book they're so bad.
Dragonmarked: Loads of info for all of the dragonmarked houses, which play a big role in the setting, so its good to know how they work. Incredibly useful if you're making a dragonmarked character.
Faiths of Eberron: Religion works *VERY* differently in Eberron than it does in Faerun. There is no proof of any kind that the gods exist, literally to the point that they might not even be there at all. If they are there, they are remote and do not affect the world in any shape, form, or fashion. At least, not in a way that could ever be pointed to as proof. A violent storm might be attributed to the Devourer, but there's no proof that a god whipped it up and sent it out to get you.
Those should give you everything you need to really get into the setting. I would toss Five Nations onto that list, but I tried to keep it to the top three to make it easy on you, and while 5N has got some great material, it suffers from layout issues and seemingly random decisions (like having useful stuff like common names or sayings for most nations, and then leaving it out for others). Would be much more useful if all the entries had followed the same layout.
Other useful Eberron books:
Sharn: City of Towers: Its almost a mini-campaign setting in it's own right. However, while of near infinite use to a DM, it doesn't really help much with giving you a big picture on the setting. Its a very region specific book. Still one of the best books in the line, second only to the ECS itself for a DM. But for players? Not so much.
Magic of Eberron: Artificer's best friend, lots of nifty stuff, but its very much an add-on book. Its not really required reading at all.
Useful non-Eberron books:
Races of Eberron: No, its not actually an Eberron book, and overall the quality of the writing shows it. However, if you ignore most of the flavor in the book, it has some very nice feats, PrC, etc for Eberron. Especially for Warforged and Shifters. If you like Kalashtar, the Kalashtar section was written by Keith Baker (the guy that made Eberron in the first place), and is generally considered to be the best chapter.
Expanded Psionics Handbook: Eberron is the most psionically integrated campaign setting to date. If you're going to use the Kalashtar or the Dreaming Dark, you're going to need this one.
Less Useful Eberron books:
Secrets of Xen'Drik/Sarlona: They're highly regional specific books covering far away continents and cultures that you are either unlikely to ever visit in the first place, or unlikely to spend much time in. If you're going to do a campaign in either location, then yeah, they're must have books. If you plan on actually adventuring in the main setting, they don't really give you much.
Explorer's Handbook: Like the Secrets of X/S, only without any regional focus. Its just sort of there, and doesn't really do anything.
Avoid "Dragons of Eberron" as it is boring and largely useless.
That is all.
I agree with most of the people here, but I want to throw in my two crowns:
Avoid "Dragons of Eberron" as it is boring and largely useless.
That is all.
Can you qualify that in a new thread or in a review on the Gleemax site?
I found some books at the local half price bookstore. so I will check them out. Thanks for the help.:DI agree with most of the people here, but I want to throw in my two crowns:
Avoid "Dragons of Eberron" as it is boring and largely useless.
That is all.
What makes you say that? Have you read Dragons of Eberron? So far, everything that I have heard makes it sound like a good book and not a bad one. Please explain.
What makes you say that? Have you read Dragons of Eberron? So far, everything that I have heard makes it sound like a good book and not a bad one. Please explain.
Yes please explain, why Dragons of Eberron is no good? I would like to know what all of you think about it. Good, Bad, and Indifferent!:D
I agree with most of the people here, but I want to throw in my two crowns:
Avoid "Dragons of Eberron" as it is boring and largely useless.
That is all.
The book is not even out yet!
Player's Guide to Eberron- Some of everything.
Races of Eberron- Gives a lot of great info on all the races of Eberron, not just the focus ones. Even the parts some people don't like are just minor niggles.
Sharn: City of Towers- Great if you want to know everything about an incredibly cool city.
Secrets of Sarlona- An awesome guide to the continent, practically doubles the size of land covered.
Forge of War- A nice history of the last war. Take it's treatment of the Silver Flame with a grain of salt, otherwise a very nice read. Gives a lot of backdrop to the politics.
Faiths of Eberron- Tells you about the religions of Eberron, major and minor. Quite useful.
Five Nations- Overview of the Five nations. Solid and straitforward, it's one drawback is it doesn't cover more nations
Dragonmarked- Tells you all you need to know about the Marked, with a nice amount of flavorful PrC and political information for each.
Secrets of Xen'drik- Really an adventures book, not a true Xen'drik guide. Nice adventures, though.
Explorer's Handbook- Another adventures book.
Magic of Eberron -Doesn't have as much as you'd think from the name, a lot of space is oddly focused on symbiotes.
That's not really fair.
The Planar Shepherd, when attuned to Fernia, can be a real headache for the DM due to the "I turn into a Djinni and can grant three Wish spells to my party members per Wildshape" cheapness.
But other than that, it's a REALLY awesome class (IMO).
And even that problem can be worked out easily enough with an understanding player and/or a few house rules.
Even aside from that, it offers a lot of power with little (any?) drawback, you just need to be a certain sect. Turning into Outsiders is just great almost reguardless of plane due to all the spell like abilities they tend to have, and Fernia isn't the only abusive plane. The Planar Bubble plus the Astrial for it's haste effects for example and any plane is going to boost your alignmented magic at the least. Plus Druids are one of the strongest base classes to begin with. Flavorwise it's a cool idea but ruleswise, it's one of the most powerful PrC in the game even without breaking it, which is easy to do.
The book is not even out yet!
Odd, seeing that I own it...
I don't know, I just couldn't find anything that grabbed my attention at all. And since none of the games I run or character that I play have anything to do with the Chamber, Argonessen (sp?) or the Draconic Prophesy, it didn't really have anything to offer me. There is nothing bad about this book, there just isn't anything good about it either.
YMMV.
Odd, seeing that I own it...
I don't know, I just couldn't find anything that grabbed my attention at all. And since none of the games I run or character that I play have anything to do with the Chamber, Argonessen (sp?) or the Draconic Prophesy, it didn't really have anything to offer me. There is nothing bad about this book, there just isn't anything good about it either.
YMMV.
You bought a book on Dragons when you have zero intent of using ANYTHING having to do with Dragons?
I've already found the excerpts to be great. So long as they have a consistent quality on par with what I've seen so far I expect to be happy with it. But I'll know better in a few days when I get it.
You bought a book on Dragons when you have zero intent of using ANYTHING having to do with Dragons?
It's Eberron. If it's Eberron, I'll buy it.
With the exception of the video games. I still have some dignity.
And since none of the games I run or character that I play have anything to do with the Chamber, Argonessen (sp?) or the Draconic Prophesy, it didn't really have anything to offer me.
There is a point here. Just like Secrets of Sarlona won't be much use if you don't plan to use Sarlona and Dragonmarked won't do you much good if you don't do anything with the Dragonmarked Houses, Dragons of Eberron won't be much use if you aren't interested in using dragons or the Prophecy in some fashion. In contrast to Dragonmarked, it doesn't include prestige classes or other player options; it is a sourcebook about the role of dragons in the world.
Anyhow, I'm sorry to hear that you don't care for it, Count; I'll be curious to hear what others have to say. Personally, I'm pleased with the work I did for the book... but I use both dragons and the Prophecy in my games.
...it is a sourcebook about the role of dragons in the world.
Which is fantastic. I mean, look at the reaction spawned by the 'Rogue Dragons' sidebar in PGtE, or to the immediate assumption that House Vol was destroyed because they produced a half-dragon (nevermind the fact it had a DRAGONMARK). That really shows that the community as a whole is still uncertain about what these creatures are actually doing in the world.
It's Eberron. If it's Eberron, I'll buy it.
With the exception of the video games. I still have some dignity.
I can agree with that. I am the same way with the Realms. I will buy a book just to have it. Thanks peeps. So Hellcow you are the Ed Greenwood of Eberron? If so pleased to meet you.
Also,
These pretty much sum up the Allmighty Hellow.
See the thread on Motivational Posters for further helpful info on playing Eberron. :D
Anyhow, I'm sorry to hear that you don't care for it, Count; I'll be curious to hear what others have to say. Personally, I'm pleased with the work I did for the book... but I use both dragons and the Prophecy in my games.
Well, as I said, there is nothing wrong with the book. It's as well written and put together as any Eberron book. I've just never really concerned myself with the machinations of the chamber. Also, I think I kind of liked Argonessen (SP?) as one of those "great unknowns" of Eberron. However, I'm sure that many (if not most) other people find this book useful.
This gives me an idea for a new thread...
Well, as I said, there is nothing wrong with the book. It's as well written and put together as any Eberron book. I've just never really concerned myself with the machinations of the chamber. Also, I think I kind of liked Argonessen (SP?) as one of those "great unknowns" of Eberron. However, I'm sure that many (if not most) other people find this book useful.
Well then I would think your first post in this thread was a bit exaggerated and severe.
Avoid "Dragons of Eberron" as it is boring and largely useless.
Your personal lack of interest in Argonnessen or the dragons of Eberron does not mean the book should be considered largely useless and boring as though that were fact for all.
:raincloud :rolleye2:! I am really impressed with the Eberron fans. You guys seem thoughtful and considerate towards each other. Thanks for the civil disscussion of my request.:DOdd, seeing that I own it...
Amazon.com will only have it available next week... and my usual "local" gaming store don't have it either...Where did you get yours?
I must agree with with Amaril, your first post about it was exagerated, in comparison to your expanations.
And I must add that, I too never included the Chamber neither Argonessen in my campaigns, but it's because I was thinking I was lacking information. The book wil probably make me use it in my upcoming games.
I just realized something. If I was an Eberron fan, and asked the same question about the Realms(Which books to get). I would have got a 10 page flame war.
It helps that Eberron is a newer setting and has less books than FR, as well as not having to sweat famous NPCs and the advancing timeline.
It includes a few maps that I have no idea why they made like Totem Beach, which is a beach... with precisely two landmarks, and takes up over half a page. Or the Frostbreath caverns or Flesh caves, which are totally generic caves with 5 and 3 chambers respectively. And cloud citadel, which is the small roofs of two buildings, plus cloud graphics that obscure everything else. And some normal everyday buildings maps. Now, there are also some maps that show some complex and inventive lair setups that are pretty cool, and useful general stuff like a city map, but in general there's too much map and half of them are pretty lousy and low-quality for an Eberron book.
If you want additional places to go, it's useful, and if you want NPCs or adventure ideas, it's useful, and it's also a very good read, you just have to trip over maps while doing so
Well then I would think your first post in this thread was a bit exaggerated and severe.
Your personal lack of interest in Argonnessen or the dragons of Eberron does not mean the book should be considered largely useless and boring as though that were fact for all.
You're right, and I apologize. I was in a mood.
Label: I got it at my friendly neighborhood Waldenbooks.
The Forgotten Realms will allways hold a dear place in my evil little heart!:evillaughTo actually be of some use, I asked a similar question as the OP's a few days ago (heck, maybe yesterday) and what I got out of the answers I received was roughly the answers you are getting now, but I use a mainland Khorvaire campaign, so I chose Five Nations as one of the most useful.
I have the Eberron campaign book, Races of Eberron, and Secrets of Xen'drik. My players are having a ball right now with the adaptation of their FR drow to the Xen'drik drow. They've been sort of adopted by the tribe after several trials and tests and now I have to come up with something that seems like a simple little run ("Foreigners stole a gem that Sarolla's grandfather promised to give her when she took a mate. She's found a mate, but refuses to be joined to him without it. They're headed for Stormreach. Go get it.") but escalates into a decent example of just how different things are in Eberron. They haven't seen the shifting terrain, yet. Hmmmm.......
So eberron fans get used to me around these forums.
They have medication for that ya know...the Forgotten Realms place in your heart bit not the evil little heart bit. ;)
Seriously though glad you like the setting. I've done some stuff in Forgotten Realms and just didn't like the setting. But playing in Eberron is pretty fun, especially being able to play a race that hadn't existed until now (Warforged).
I see the Warforged as what his Knights of Fire should have been.
PS: I'm sure he didn't make the name up on his own. He just isn't that creative. Is "Knight of Fire" from someplace else?
Yes I have realized that FR needed a face lift. So I have quit crying about the changes. Eventually I will DM an Eberron Campaign for the group I game with. Also did I say that I REALLY like Eberron's planes. No more is it a wheel or is it a tree arguments!
Droaam is really interesting to me, certain players I game with will really like that area.
Hey Hellcow your setting really kicks much
! Droaam is really interesting to me, certain players I game with will really like that area.
I'm very fond of Droaam myself - I'm looking forward to the opportunity to explore it it more detail. Anyhow, I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying the setting!
I'm very fond of Droaam myself - I'm looking forward to the opportunity to explore it it more detail. Anyhow, I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying the setting!
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!!!!!! You have heard it here first. The next great work by his Infernal Boviness could include Droaam!!!!!!!!
I just realized something. If I was an Eberron fan, and asked the same question about the Realms(Which books to get). I would have got a 10 page flame war.
I know right? Even if someone post "I want to kill the Keep of the Flame, how could I do it?" people will help them with their problem. They usually won't go "Why would you do that, she is a deep and meaningful aspect to Eberron?" or even better "It can't be done!". That last comment is a favorite.
The Dragonshards are a real good source of free info though 18. Dooam is pretty cool btw. Sharn has a criminal organization with mostly Drooamites in it.
The Dragonshards are a real good source of free info though 18.
Where can I find these?
Just got "Dragons of Eberron" today, along with "Wizards Presents: Races and Classes".
4E IS REALLY LOOKING KICK
!!! :DIs this it? I think so.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/archeb/ds
Is this it? I think so.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/archeb/ds
Those are the dragonshards. All written by HellCow. Read through them all and learn of Eberron as seen through the eyes of his infernal bovineness.
And don't forget the Eberron Expandeds either ... all goodness.
Thanks!:DI have the ECS and really like the new races and the lore (especially what happened to Galifar(sp?) and the last war). I think the only thing keeping me from jumping in is getting a feel for running the world.
Those are the dragonshards. All written by HellCow. Read through them all and learn of Eberron as seen through the eyes of his infernal bovineness.
And don't forget the Eberron Expandeds either ... all goodness.
I'd add Under the Glass to that, too.
18DELTA
I have already pre-ordered 4E books as have one of my players so we will invest at least two sets of the core books. Now hopefully the D&D insider will release some kind of conversion setup once we see how the new mechanics will work.
I hope they publish some fluff books in the next year with 0 crunch. I know it will never happen but it would be nice.
I am sad because there will not be any psionic books till EB 4E release. So I will have to fudge some of that bit of game mechanic myself.
I thought they relleased the psionics handbook the same year as the Campaign setting, but that is not nessicerly around the same time now that I think about it. Ah well live and tell...
18DELTA
I know right? Even if someone post "I want to kill the Keep of the Flame, how could I do it?" people will help them with their problem. They usually won't go "Why would you do that, she is a deep and meaningful aspect to Eberron?" or even better "It can't be done!". That last comment is a favorite.
i think this has alot to do with hellcows own relaxed relationship to core, you know the use what you want forget the rest atitude
I just received Sharn: City of Towers yesterday, and it's a good book really. Not as expansive as Ptolus, but expansive enough to leave room where to play and have fun.
Concerning material for Eberron, don't forget the literary inspirations. There's a big ol' list of them in the front of the book, but remember the genre:
Pulp
Noir
Swashbuckling.
What does that give us? Off the cuff, the Indiana Jones movies, the Princess Bride, Count of Monte Cristo, Brotherhood of the Wolf, and so forth.
Which reminds me, I'm surprised there are no ideas for an Eberron movie. I mean, what does a movie require to be good? Good writing, and good acting.
Gee, looking at all the EXCELLENT writers for Eberron (18Delta, have you read any of the fiction books? Generally, they're amazing.), it shouldn't be that hard to whip up an awesome script, and then its just a matter of not casting wooden hacks like Hayden Christiansen in the roles.
Eberron rules! Screw FR. FR is one of the blandest settings imaginable.
Now now, lets not stoop to their level. ;)
No campaign bashing please. I like both settings it is the job of a DM to bring a game to life. A setting just helps the DM come up with ideas.
I was up for some campaign bashing!
I am a half-orc barbarian after all. I have to express myself with -2 charisma.
*adopting a snooty elven appearance, like the world bores me for the moment*
Maybe so, but even a half-orc knows that if the stew tastes bad, you blame the cook, not the stew.
18DELTA
(Oo! Oo! A chance to slip into a character!)
*adopting a snooty elven appearance, like the world bores me for the moment*
Maybe so, but even a half-orc knows that if the stew tastes bad, you blame the cook, not the stew.
Half-orc don't like bad stew!
I was up for some campaign bashing!
I am a half-orc barbarian after all. I have to express myself with -2 charisma.
I've played a Warforged that has a Charisma of 5, if anyone should be bashing FR in character it should be me :P
-Please people no bashing. I like both setting equally now. I am starting to get into The Pathfinder Setting.:D
18DELTA
You have my condolences ;)
Seriously I kid, think any of the elements there could be part of a crossover with Eberron?
You have my condolences ;)
Seriously I kid, think any of the elements there could be part of a crossover with Eberron?
Absolutley. The whole Sin Magic stuff could be very well adapted to fit the Rakshasa Rajahs, for example.