How much answering does the Answerer really do? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

How much answering does the Answerer really do?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Evergreen_Aldaron
Feb 25, 2006 16:44:25 Hey guys,
I have a request for some opinions/information.
In ToEE, Fragarach the Answerer is described as follows, "...In such hands (chatic good) it will strike as many opponents unerringly as have struck at its possessor. Fragarach always hits such targets, the +4 pertaining to damage only..."
Now, I also read a "supposed" interview on-line with the Author (GG) that he meant Fragarach to hit an opponent regardless of distance, or even magical defenses if they struck at its possessor. He also apparently wanted to develope a chaotic good "paladin"-Thrommel in this case, but never got to it.
Has anyone else heard of either of these two rumors? Anyone have anything canon on exactly what the limits of the weapon are?
Thank you in advance...
#2
Tenzhi
Feb 26, 2006 2:19:33 You know, I've been through that adventure four times, and while I recall acquiring that weapon at least thrice, I similarly recall that it managed to coincidentally fall out of our hands somehow each time.

Judging from the description, there doesn't seem to be a limit on range or number of attacks. It doesn't even actually define what kind of strike is necessary to activate the effect. A heckuva thing to play baseball with.
#3
Evergreen_Aldaron
Feb 26, 2006 7:23:32 It is truly ambiguous. I know there exists a possibility it is merely a typo, but looking up the weapon in mythology would seem to back up the supposed "mystery" interview with GG.
In many Celtic myths, there was truly no defense for Fragarach. I was just curious as to what the authors intentions were.
#4
armitage
Feb 26, 2006 14:06:35 "Thus Spake Gary Gygax: Ye Secrets of Oerth Revealed"
Oerth Journal #12.

Q: In T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil, Prince Thrommel,
lawful good, is allowed access to Fragarach, a chaotic good
sword of answering. The description of the sword indicates
the Prince, not chaotically aligned, would be seriously
harmed were he to grasp the sword. Was this simply an
editorial blunder or a last jape by his kidnappers? If an error,
was it the name of the sword or its alignment that was
incorrect?

A: It was an editorial error. The sword should have been designated
as LG.
#5
Evergreen_Aldaron
Feb 26, 2006 14:22:59 Well done, Armitage!
That certainly sheds some light onto the issue!!!
#6
paigeoliver
Feb 28, 2006 6:59:19 The sword also appears in the Temple of Elemental Evil computer game, in which Thrommel is Chaotic Good, and the retributive hit only works if you can reach the opponent.

And actually, woe to the person wielding fragarach in that game who attacks a Salamander (or other creature who does heat damage to people who strike it), as the game will then get stuck in between character actions and will never move on to the next action.

Also, that sword is totally imbalanced in a world of power attack and combat expertise.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Evergreen_Aldaron Feb 25, 2006 16:44:25	Hey guys, I have a request for some opinions/information. In ToEE, Fragarach the Answerer is described as follows, "...In such hands (chatic good) it will strike as many opponents unerringly as have struck at its possessor. Fragarach always hits such targets, the +4 pertaining to damage only..." Now, I also read a "supposed" interview on-line with the Author (GG) that he meant Fragarach to hit an opponent regardless of distance, or even magical defenses if they struck at its possessor. He also apparently wanted to develope a chaotic good "paladin"-Thrommel in this case, but never got to it. Has anyone else heard of either of these two rumors? Anyone have anything canon on exactly what the limits of the weapon are? Thank you in advance...
#2 Tenzhi Feb 26, 2006 2:19:33	You know, I've been through that adventure four times, and while I recall acquiring that weapon at least thrice, I similarly recall that it managed to coincidentally fall out of our hands somehow each time. Judging from the description, there doesn't seem to be a limit on range or number of attacks. It doesn't even actually define what kind of strike is necessary to activate the effect. A heckuva thing to play baseball with.
#3 Evergreen_Aldaron Feb 26, 2006 7:23:32	It is truly ambiguous. I know there exists a possibility it is merely a typo, but looking up the weapon in mythology would seem to back up the supposed "mystery" interview with GG. In many Celtic myths, there was truly no defense for Fragarach. I was just curious as to what the authors intentions were.
#4 armitage Feb 26, 2006 14:06:35	"Thus Spake Gary Gygax: Ye Secrets of Oerth Revealed" Oerth Journal #12. Q: In T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil, Prince Thrommel, lawful good, is allowed access to Fragarach, a chaotic good sword of answering. The description of the sword indicates the Prince, not chaotically aligned, would be seriously harmed were he to grasp the sword. Was this simply an editorial blunder or a last jape by his kidnappers? If an error, was it the name of the sword or its alignment that was incorrect? A: It was an editorial error. The sword should have been designated as LG.
#5 Evergreen_Aldaron Feb 26, 2006 14:22:59	Well done, Armitage! That certainly sheds some light onto the issue!!!
#6 paigeoliver Feb 28, 2006 6:59:19	The sword also appears in the Temple of Elemental Evil computer game, in which Thrommel is Chaotic Good, and the retributive hit only works if you can reach the opponent. And actually, woe to the person wielding fragarach in that game who attacks a Salamander (or other creature who does heat damage to people who strike it), as the game will then get stuck in between character actions and will never move on to the next action. Also, that sword is totally imbalanced in a world of power attack and combat expertise.