And without using any smilies... amazing. ;)
Ohhhh... you beat Delta. :D
And without using any smilies... amazing. ;)
:D :D ;)
Now I'll I'll actually start reading them (the only difference between that map and the 3e one is talent). ;)
Spellhold: Arkham Asylum, but better. It's nice to see more mentions of what happens to "loony" Wizards.
The Bad
"In a place with enough coin, morality dies": I don't like this notion. Maybe it's just personal, but I detest things that profess that "money is the root of all evil". As the lyrics of a song I like go:
"I hate those people who love to tell you
Money is the root of all that kills
They have never been poor
They have never had the joy of a welfare Christmas"
Roleplaying Tips: I don't like articles telling me what my characters are supposed to like or dislike.
The overall "lack of depth" for these entries: Pretty self-explanatory.
The Good
Spellhold: Arkham Asylum, but better. It's nice to see more mentions of what happens to "loony" Wizards.
The Bad
"In a place with enough coin, morality dies": I don't like this notion. Maybe it's just personal, but I detest things that profess that "money is the root of all evil". As the lyrics of a song I like go:
"I hate those people who love to tell you
Money is the root of all that kills
They have never been poor
They have never had the joy of a welfare Christmas"
Roleplaying Tips: I don't like articles telling me what my characters are supposed to like or dislike.
The overall "lack of depth" for these entries: Pretty self-explanatory.
I work at a casino and see alot of wealthy people (mostly NY and North Jersey types) and will say money is a very corrupting thing. Not every time but it seems to affect many people in a negative way IMO.
Amn is a good place to focus this sterotypical idea at.
I work at a casino and see alot of wealthy people (mostly NY and North Jersey types) and will say money is a very corrupting thing. Not every time but it seems to affect many people in a negative way IMO.
-And, as I said, the only people who say those sorts of things are the people who never have to, or never have had to, worry about scraping together enough to make ends meet. Having too much money is a much better alternative to not having enough money, morality aside.
-And, as I said, the only people who say those sorts of things are the people who never have to, or never have had to, worry about scraping together enough to make ends meet. Having too much money is a much better alternative to not having enough money, morality aside.
I disagree on this point, greed is not a good thing at any time, since in order to have more, someone has to have less. Better to take only what you need and allow others to do the same. I was raised by a lower middle class family and have had a few down times in my life.
I've always liked Amn and its strong capitalistic overtones. It was a great place to set morally grey games, and it does not seem like much has changed really.
Although, like Lord Karsus I hate the idea of that thing telling someone HOW a character should think and act.
I disagree on this point, greed is not a good thing at any time, since in order to have more, someone has to have less.
-While inherently untrue (That, for X to have Y, Z cannot have Y), I never said that greed is or was a good thing, ever. I said, specifically, having too much money is a much better alternative to not having enough money.
-Well I get to update The Handy Links Thread so...:D
18DELTA :88E:
Amn, as a whole, tends to the darker side of grey but is hardly outright evil. It is a very diverse nation with many different people and view points.
I think if you look at things in terms of greed you are looking at things incorrectly. In Amn, it's not about greed, but STATUS. The more money you have, the more status you have, and the more status you have the more power you have - and with that comes the ability to better shape and control events for either good or ill.
Is there any real reason to change Amn's ruling body from the Council of Six to the Council of Five? It doesn't really bother me, it just seem like an arbitrary change.
The inclusion of Spellhold is awesome.
The Arbitrary
Is there any real reason to change Amn's ruling body from the Council of Six to the Council of Five? It doesn't really bother me, it just seem like an arbitrary change.
The inclusion of Spellhold is awesome.
Maybe they decided not to replace the one who got caught in Sothillisian war, and was killed.
It doesn't really bother me though. I'm just wondering what brings about such small changes.
-Another thought occurred to me, while I was showering:
Wow. I can't believe its Thursday already
Wow. I can't believe its Thursday already
Made me choke on my coffee there Merrik.
Maybe they decided that a odd number of members was a better idea since it reduced the chances of tied votes.
Haha practical response for the win. Ok thats me answered.
None of the five remaining members in the Council were willing to reduce or share power by bringing in a replacement sixth.
Presumably the stubborn group will get whittled down until it's a Council of Two, then a Council of One.
Presumably the stubborn group will get whittled down until it's a Council of Two, then a Council of One.
And then the whole thing starts over again.
Thanks for the answer. I am satisfied.
I also thought that Amn was written like a modern day US with the sole exception that they stay out of other nations affairs much better; they have a ton of cash and the rest of the world doesn't really like them (based on preconceived stereotypes).
Wow. I can't believe its Thursday already
-I know he really takes shower's? :P :P :P :P :P
18DELTA :D
Amn seems pretty much the way Amn always has.
Going to have to give it a
and a 
sandwich. Minus the cranberry sauce."The love of money is the root of all evil"
And THAT, is true. There are people on this planet that make hundreds of millions of dollars a year - they could make life better for thousands - perhaps hundreds of thousands - of people worldwide. Instead, the money becomes an addiction unto itself, and rather then enjoying their money, they use it to generate MORE money, which they also will not enjoy.
Those kinds of people could give away over 90% of their wealth and still live like a king on some tropical island - never having to go to work or make business deals or put on a suit and tie. Yet everday they re-enter the rat race, just to make more money they do not need and will never be able to spend.
Those are lost souls - I do not envy them; I pity them. Life is MEANINGLESS unless you take the time to stop and smell the roses: Cliche', but very true.
Wow. I can't believe its Thursday already
LK takes showers once a week? I find taking showers more then once a month offensive and a waste of our naturtal resources!
Another common misquote used to prove a point that is not even applicable oncve the quote is stated correctly -
"The love of money is the root of all evil"
And THAT, is true. There are people on this planet that make hundreds of millions of dollars a year - they could make life better for thousands - perhaps hundreds of thousands - of people worldwide. Instead, the money becomes an addiction unto itself, and rather then enjoying their money, the use it to generate MORE money, which they also will not enjoy.
Those kinds of people could give away over 90% of their wealth and still live like a king on some tropical island - never having to go to work or make business deals or put on a suit and tie. Yet everday they re-enter the rat race, just to make more money they do not need and will never be able to spend.
Those are lost souls - I do not envy them; I pity them. Life is MEANINGLESS unless you take the time to stop and smell the roses: Cliche', but very true.
Another inspiring speech from Markus to go on the pin board above my desk.
Another common misquote used to prove a point that is not even applicable oncve the quote is stated correctly -
"The love of money is the root of all evil"
And THAT, is true. There are people on this planet that make hundreds of millions of dollars a year - they could make life better for thousands - perhaps hundreds of thousands - of people worldwide. Instead, the money becomes an addiction unto itself, and rather then enjoying their money, the use it to generate MORE money, which they also will not enjoy.
Those kinds of people could give away over 90% of their wealth and still live like a king on some tropical island - never having to go to work or make business deals or put on a suit and tie. Yet everday they re-enter the rat race, just to make more money they do not need and will never be able to spend.
Those are lost souls - I do not envy them; I pity them. Life is MEANINGLESS unless you take the time to stop and smell the roses: Cliche', but very true.
I really don't think that's true for all. Most people do that, not out of love for money, but out of love for what they do. Making more money is a challenge - a game. Money is the measurement by which you judge success, like in D&D XP and levels is what you judge a character by. Most of those people you speak of wouldn't want to live like a king on some tropical island - they love what they do, and that is why they are so successful. I think that is also more-or-less the mindset in Amn.
Of course, there are some people like what you described, but I honestly think they're in the minority.
LK takes showers once a week? I find taking showers more then once a month offensive and a waste of our naturtal resources!
Believe me I know
-I know he really takes shower's? :P :P :P :P :P
18DELTA :D
hmmm.....how do you know he takes showers...........I wonder..............
Of course, there are some people like what you described, but I honestly think they're in the minority.
If you want to earn more money because you have a worthwhile goal - even if it is a selfish one - then at least you are working toward something other then the procurement of more money.
However, A lot of people that already have more then enough money - and I'm not talking about millionaires here - I could spend that in a day and a half - I'm talking about people who have a billion+, and their are quite a few of those. Oil companies continue to jack-up prices based on some imaginary crisis, and yet they report their HIGHEST EARNINGS IN HISTORY this past quarter.
Hurting hundreds of millions of people, because making money has become just a game to these people.
I don't care if a person wants to act selfishly - if they have earned the money, they have every right to squander it away on their own personal vices. I'm not suggesting everyone go out and become 'Saints' over-night.
But when you are so busy making money that you can't even stop and enjoy it, then there is something very wrong with the way you are living.
That is what is meant by the "Love of Money" - it has very little to do with how you spend it, as long as there is a purpose behind it other then itself. Earning money just to earn more money is a very hollow victory.
Is there any real reason to change Amn's ruling body from the Council of Six to the Council of Five? It doesn't really bother me, it just seem like an arbitrary change.
-This would get rid of "ties" when voting. With an even number, there will always be a clear minority, and a clear majority.
Wow. I can't believe its Thursday already
-
now c'mon. You have to admit I made a funny
But when you are so busy making money that you can't even stop and enjoy it, then there is something very wrong with the way you are living.
But don't you see? That's my point. Making money -is- the enjoyment of it. It's not spending the money, or even the money itself that's enjoyable. It's the process that you undertake in order to obtain it.
So if you're enjoying the process of making money (whether it be trading stocks or running a business), it means you enjoy your job - you're having fun. You're enjoying your life. Very few people are successful that do not find themselves enjoying what they do - that's how they manage to put in hours upon hours getting to where they are. Most of them, simply put -love- their "job". It's more than just a job to them, it's a pleasure, it's something they look forward to doing every morning when they wake up and they can't imagine doing anything else because it is what makes them happy.
If they were suddenly to quit their job to find enjoyment elsewhere, they'd become unhappy because all they'd have is their money and not what really satisfied them.
I am, of course, speaking in generalities. There are plenty of people who make a lot of money who are unhappy and hate what they do, but I think, over all, they're in the minority. :P
But when you are so busy making money that you can't even stop and enjoy it, then there is something very wrong with the way you are living.
-Not when you are an adherent of Waukeen, or Siamorphe. You're supposed to amass coin. That's all that matters (speaking in generalities).
-Not when you are an adherent of Waukeen, or Siamorphe. You're supposed to amass coin. That's all that matters (speaking in generalities).
In one of the sourcebooks isn't there a High Priest/Priestess of Waukeen who believed that spending that same wealth, and spreading it around, was within the cannon of the church?
Give money freely to beggars and businesses, for the more coin everyone has, the greater the urge to spend and trade rather than horde.
so even the church of Waukeen is against hording of money. The church promotes trade primarily.
-I didn't say to horde money. I said to amass it. The two aren't synonymous. Hording entails keeping it, whereas amassing it doesn't. It entails simply getting a lot of money.
Thats the key distinction. Hoarding means keeping wealth static, which Waukeen would not be keen on.
They also like to throw lavish bankrupting parties. The more lavish and grand, the more money you have (and thus status in society).
Amnish culture is very much 'anti-hording' because doing that will not do you much good in increasing your status.
So if you're enjoying the process of making money (whether it be trading stocks or running a business), it means you enjoy your job - you're having fun. You're enjoying your life. Very few people are successful that do not find themselves enjoying what they do - that's how they manage to put in hours upon hours getting to where they are. Most of them, simply put -love- their "job". It's more than just a job to them, it's a pleasure, it's something they look forward to doing every morning when they wake up and they can't imagine doing anything else because it is what makes them happy.
And like I said, these people have a serious problem.
If money has become an 'addiction' to the point where amassing it has now taken the place of the 'fun' in their lives, then they have a great big whole where their heart should be that they are trying to fill.
And I reiterate - I'm not even talking about 'good deeds' here - if I guy wants to make a gajillion dollars over the next ten years, because his dream is to hire every prostitute in Nevada for one incredible night of fun, then more power to him.
Its actually a worthwhile goal. :P
I'm just saying that at the end of your life, when you finally 'give up the ghost', you are taking NOTHING with you from the physical world. All you will have is whatever happy memories you have from your life.
Even if you made a billion dollars and had it piled next to you, it would just be a VERY large pile of paper - nothing more. Paper is nearly worthless - to think someone would spend their entire life to amassing 'paper' that society has somehow convinced us is actually worth something is just very sad, IMHO.
Collecting paper will never make you immortal - but the things you do with it can. ;)
If money has become an 'addiction' to the point where amassing it has now taken the place of the 'fun' in their lives, then they have a great big whole where their heart should be that they are trying to fill.
what if amassin money is fun
if I guy wants to make a gajillion dollars over the next ten years, because his dream is to hire every prostitute in Nevada for one incredible night of fun, then more power to him.
Its actually a worthwhile goal. :P
Someone's been reading my diary.
Its a pity there wasn't more on the Shadow Thieves in the article.
-Presumably, if they are still around, they'll have information in the 'Organizations' section.
-Presumably, if they are still around, they'll have information in the 'Organizations' section.
True. That doesn't help my desire for a quick fix now though. I would hate to go into withdrawl.
True. That doesn't help my desire for a quick fix now though. I would hate to go into withdrawl.
-Isn't the book officially out now?
-Isn't the book officially out now?
Yes but not in my possession.
Don't mind me, I'm just being prickly. :embarrass
Yes but not in my possession.
Don't mind me, I'm just being prickly. :embarrass
-It actually comes out on Tuesday, apparently. The 19th of August. At least, here in the U.S., anyway. In South Africa, I have no clue.
-It actually comes out on Tuesday, apparently. The 19th of August. At least, here in the U.S., anyway. In South Africa, I have no clue.
I'll start checking book stores about 5 months from now.
*sigh*
(edit, and by "bookstores", I really mean, "the one FLGS I know of")
I'll start checking book stores about 5 months from now.
*sigh*
-I would say it's probably easier to order it from Amazon.com, from Europe to lessen shipping costs as much as possible, but South Africa is as just as far from Europe as it is from the U.S. (Not in a literal sense, but in a figurative sense).
-I would say it's probably easier to order it from Amazon.com, from Europe to lessen shipping costs as much as possible, but South Africa is as just as far from Europe as it is from the U.S. (Not in a literal sense, but in a figurative sense).
Yeah no, it definatly is. Thats what I did for my 4e stuff, and almost all my 3.5 stuff. However, with the new setting, I'm not quite sure if I want to order it yet. 4e and I are trying our best in our mutual relationship, and have had some good moments together, but overall it is a clumsy romance thus far. Throw in all the setting changes, and I'm at a bit of a crossroads. So I am holding off ordering stuff for a while. /lifestory
-Well, it's fine to like the 4e rules, and not the new Forgotten Realms, and vice versa.
oh good
oh good
-D'uh. You know this.