Kodragons - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Dragonhelm Dec 28, 2003 17:14:05	I'm continuing a discussion started on the novel boards. The original thread was "What is your favorite rare Krynnish creature/race that haven't played a major role?". I'm going to repost some of the highlights from the thread, although I won't repost everything dealing with kodragons on the thread. In the conversation, some little imp (that would be me) mentioned kodragons. To which Ferratus replied... pipes up in a little voice I like kodragons. Opposable thumbs, literacy and a pouch that serves as a portable hole makes them excellent familiars. If you don't like the name, can't we just change it? ;)
#2 zombiegleemax Dec 28, 2003 17:35:48	They don't have to be "True" dragons, they can be draconic creatures similar to kobolds or wyverns.
#3 ferratus Dec 28, 2003 18:13:03	Originally posted by Dragonhelm Some people have problems with kodragons due to their connection with the Astral Dragons. IIRC, the Astral Dragons went against the canon on how dragons were created, and as kodragons are tied to them... Yeah, so we scrap the module, but that leaves us free to design the monster from the ground up. We can pretty much change everything we don't like. The name and large soulful eyes for example. I think, also, some people don't like them as they go against the mold of what dragons should be in Krynn. What if they were not dragons at all, but some sort of winged marsupial? Perhaps rename them as the "kodren", as I mentioned above, and give them a new backstory. Exactly. I would have no problem with them as a tiny marsupial magical beast. Perhaps they can come from Taladas or Adlatum. Perhaps there is a whole bunch of strange and unusual creatures we can weave into dragonlance to be used as familiars. For example, I think we all want a kingfisher familiar for our Solamnic Auxillary Mage. I also liked that sentient creature that provided Lucy with a metamagic feat. I think that would be a nifty use of the improved familiar slot. Just at a glance, they seem like the perfect familiar for a kender. While kender wizards are rare, I could see a kender sorcerer with a kodragon familiar. I believe that a kodragon's pouch functions like a bag of holding, so that would be perfect. Yep, they would also be excellent as military orderlies for War Mages. I understand that a lot of people don't like them, and that's fine. I think they're cute little buggers, and with a smidge of redefinition, I think they could be a viable monster for Dragonlance. Yes, we all hate some monsters. I hate the hulderfolk and would like to gladly see them disappear. Cam, if I'm not mistaken, has said before that he likes them, so I'll think we'll see them in the upcoming beastiary. However, I don't like the idea that monsters who make the cut are simply because of the preferences of a single guy or couple of guys. As said on other threads, I'd rather creatures have a thematic theme to decide their inclusion and exclusion.
#4 Dragonhelm Dec 28, 2003 18:33:32	Originally posted by ferratus For example, I think we all want a kingfisher familiar for our Solamnic Auxillary Mage. Yep, that's what my SAM has for his familiar. Now, if the kingfisher only had a name... However, I don't like the idea that monsters who make the cut are simply because of the preferences of a single guy or couple of guys. As said on other threads, I'd rather creatures have a thematic theme to decide their inclusion and exclusion. I think it is safe to say that Cam and Andre' are professional enough to put aside any personal biases in regards to the Bestiary. Also consider that they'll be answering to Sovereign Press, who will be the ones calling the shots as to what is in the Bestiary.
#5 ferratus Dec 28, 2003 19:52:00	Originally posted by Dragonhelm Yep, that's what my SAM has for his familiar. Now, if the kingfisher only had a name... I'd name it Wilfred, after Wilfred Laurier, the dead Canadian Prime Minister that used to share the Canadian 5 dollar bill with a kingfisher. Wilfred seems like a good Solamnic name.
#6 XIII Dec 28, 2003 20:07:19	Nice one Ferratus, i wouldnt even had thought about it, yet i'm canadian =) XIII
#7 Dragonhelm Dec 28, 2003 20:33:50	Wilfred it is, then.
#8 zombiegleemax Dec 28, 2003 20:45:51	I tried to impress a Canadian girl by speaking her native tongue. Apparently, Bob and Doug McKenzie impressions aren't the way to a girl's heart.
#9 cam_banks Dec 28, 2003 23:42:52	Originally posted by Dragonhelm I think it is safe to say that Cam and Andre' are professional enough to put aside any personal biases in regards to the Bestiary. Also consider that they'll be answering to Sovereign Press, who will be the ones calling the shots as to what is in the Bestiary. Correct. Sovereign Press were the final arbiters of what did and didn't make it into the Bestiary, not Andre' or myself. If you don't see it in there, it's because they determined it wouldn't. So, while you can thank us for the writing, don't think for a moment that we're just a couple of overly biased fanboys who wanted to include our favorite monsters and leave out the others. We tried incredibly hard to update, improve upon, and yet retain the feel and substance of every creature we included, so we'll leave it up to the readers to decide how that ended up. Cheers, Cam
#10 ferratus Dec 29, 2003 0:01:04	So did you improve upon or update the kodragon?
#11 cam_banks Dec 29, 2003 0:06:54	Originally posted by ferratus So did you improve upon or update the kodragon? You'll have to wait until March like everybody else, Terry. Cheers, Cam
#12 ferratus Dec 29, 2003 0:15:14	Dragonlance is such a closed-mouth operation. The writers on the Forgotten Realms mailing lists like to stir up some excitement with preveiws you know. ;) It worked well enough for DLCS and AoM Companion.
#13 cam_banks Dec 29, 2003 0:17:26	Originally posted by ferratus Dragonlance is such a closed-mouth operation. The writers on the Forgotten Realms mailing lists like to stir up some excitement with preveiws you know. ;) I'm not an employee of Sovereign Press, I just write for them. They're fine folks and they have their own schedule for the release of information. I know Jamie's as keen to hype the coming products as anybody else is keen to hear about them, so give them a little time and maybe you'll get a few surprises. Cheers, Cam
#14 Dragonhelm Dec 29, 2003 0:19:11	Originally posted by ferratus Dragonlance is such a closed-mouth operation. The writers on the Forgotten Realms mailing lists like to stir up some excitement with preveiws you know. ;) It worked well enough for DLCS and AoM Companion. Only Sovereign Press is in a place to give such previews. As Cam is a freelance writer, he has no authority to do so.
#15 cam_banks Dec 29, 2003 0:20:40	Originally posted by Dragonhelm Only Sovereign Press is in a place to give such previews. As Cam is a freelance writer, he has no authority to do so. Trampas and I like to say the same things as it has additional impact coming from the two of us. Alternately, we're the same person who's up way past his bedtime, and should go back to enjoying his holiday in Florida. Or Missouri. Or somewhere like that. Cheers, Cam
#16 Dragonhelm Dec 29, 2003 0:36:52	Originally posted by Cam Banks Trampas and I like to say the same things as it has additional impact coming from the two of us. I was just going to say that! lol

Post/Author/DateTime

Post

Dragonhelm

Dec 28, 2003 17:14:05

I'm continuing a discussion started on the novel boards. The original thread was "What is your favorite rare Krynnish creature/race that haven't played a major role?".

I'm going to repost some of the highlights from the thread, although I won't repost everything dealing with kodragons on the thread.

In the conversation, some little imp (that would be me) mentioned kodragons.

To which Ferratus replied...

*pipes up in a little voice* I like kodragons. Opposable thumbs, literacy and a pouch that serves as a portable hole makes them excellent familiars.

If you don't like the name, can't we just change it? ;)

zombiegleemax

Dec 28, 2003 17:35:48

They don't have to be "True" dragons, they can be draconic creatures similar to kobolds or wyverns.

ferratus

Dec 28, 2003 18:13:03

Originally posted by Dragonhelm

Some people have problems with kodragons due to their connection with the Astral Dragons. IIRC, the Astral Dragons went against the canon on how dragons were created, and as kodragons are tied to them...

Yeah, so we scrap the module, but that leaves us free to design the monster from the ground up. We can pretty much change everything we don't like. The name and large soulful eyes for example.

I think, also, some people don't like them as they go against the mold of what dragons should be in Krynn.

What if they were not dragons at all, but some sort of winged marsupial? Perhaps rename them as the "kodren", as I mentioned above, and give them a new backstory.

Exactly. I would have no problem with them as a tiny marsupial magical beast. Perhaps they can come from Taladas or Adlatum. Perhaps there is a whole bunch of strange and unusual creatures we can weave into dragonlance to be used as familiars.

For example, I think we all want a kingfisher familiar for our Solamnic Auxillary Mage. I also liked that sentient creature that provided Lucy with a metamagic feat. I think that would be a nifty use of the improved familiar slot.

Just at a glance, they seem like the perfect familiar for a kender. While kender wizards are rare, I could see a kender sorcerer with a kodragon familiar. I believe that a kodragon's pouch functions like a bag of holding, so that would be perfect.

Yep, they would also be excellent as military orderlies for War Mages.

I understand that a lot of people don't like them, and that's fine. I think they're cute little buggers, and with a smidge of redefinition, I think they could be a viable monster for Dragonlance.

Yes, we all hate some monsters. I hate the hulderfolk and would like to gladly see them disappear. Cam, if I'm not mistaken, has said before that he likes them, so I'll think we'll see them in the upcoming beastiary. However, I don't like the idea that monsters who make the cut are simply because of the preferences of a single guy or couple of guys. As said on other threads, I'd rather creatures have a thematic theme to decide their inclusion and exclusion.

Dragonhelm

Dec 28, 2003 18:33:32

Originally posted by ferratus
For example, I think we all want a kingfisher familiar for our Solamnic Auxillary Mage.

Yep, that's what my SAM has for his familiar. Now, if the kingfisher only had a name...

However, I don't like the idea that monsters who make the cut are simply because of the preferences of a single guy or couple of guys. As said on other threads, I'd rather creatures have a thematic theme to decide their inclusion and exclusion.

I think it is safe to say that Cam and Andre' are professional enough to put aside any personal biases in regards to the Bestiary. Also consider that they'll be answering to Sovereign Press, who will be the ones calling the shots as to what is in the Bestiary.

ferratus

Dec 28, 2003 19:52:00

Originally posted by Dragonhelm
Yep, that's what my SAM has for his familiar. Now, if the kingfisher only had a name...

I'd name it Wilfred, after Wilfred Laurier, the dead Canadian Prime Minister that used to share the Canadian 5 dollar bill with a kingfisher. Wilfred seems like a good Solamnic name.

IMAGE(http://home.intekom.com/essa/jpegcand.jpg)

XIII

Dec 28, 2003 20:07:19

Nice one Ferratus, i wouldnt even had thought about it, yet i'm canadian =)

XIII

Dragonhelm

Dec 28, 2003 20:33:50

Wilfred it is, then.

zombiegleemax

Dec 28, 2003 20:45:51

I tried to impress a Canadian girl by speaking her native tongue. Apparently, Bob and Doug McKenzie impressions aren't the way to a girl's heart.

cam_banks

Dec 28, 2003 23:42:52

Originally posted by Dragonhelm

I think it is safe to say that Cam and Andre' are professional enough to put aside any personal biases in regards to the Bestiary. Also consider that they'll be answering to Sovereign Press, who will be the ones calling the shots as to what is in the Bestiary.

Correct. Sovereign Press were the final arbiters of what did and didn't make it into the Bestiary, not Andre' or myself. If you don't see it in there, it's because they determined it wouldn't.

So, while you can thank us for the writing, don't think for a moment that we're just a couple of overly biased fanboys who wanted to include our favorite monsters and leave out the others. We tried incredibly hard to update, improve upon, and yet retain the feel and substance of every creature we included, so we'll leave it up to the readers to decide how that ended up.

Cheers,
Cam

#10

ferratus

Dec 29, 2003 0:01:04

So did you improve upon or update the kodragon?

#11

cam_banks

Dec 29, 2003 0:06:54

Originally posted by ferratus
So did you improve upon or update the kodragon?

You'll have to wait until March like everybody else, Terry.

Cheers,
Cam

#12

ferratus

Dec 29, 2003 0:15:14

Dragonlance is such a closed-mouth operation. The writers on the Forgotten Realms mailing lists like to stir up some excitement with preveiws you know. ;)

It worked well enough for DLCS and AoM Companion.

#13

cam_banks

Dec 29, 2003 0:17:26

Originally posted by ferratus
Dragonlance is such a closed-mouth operation. The writers on the Forgotten Realms mailing lists like to stir up some excitement with preveiws you know. ;)

I'm not an employee of Sovereign Press, I just write for them. They're fine folks and they have their own schedule for the release of information. I know Jamie's as keen to hype the coming products as anybody else is keen to hear about them, so give them a little time and maybe you'll get a few surprises.

Cheers,
Cam

#14

Dragonhelm

Dec 29, 2003 0:19:11

Originally posted by ferratus
Dragonlance is such a closed-mouth operation. The writers on the Forgotten Realms mailing lists like to stir up some excitement with preveiws you know. ;)

It worked well enough for DLCS and AoM Companion.

Only Sovereign Press is in a place to give such previews. As Cam is a freelance writer, he has no authority to do so.

#15

cam_banks

Dec 29, 2003 0:20:40

Originally posted by Dragonhelm
Only Sovereign Press is in a place to give such previews. As Cam is a freelance writer, he has no authority to do so.

Trampas and I like to say the same things as it has additional impact coming from the two of us.

Alternately, we're the same person who's up way past his bedtime, and should go back to enjoying his holiday in Florida. Or Missouri. Or somewhere like that.

Cheers,
Cam

#16

Dragonhelm

Dec 29, 2003 0:36:52

Originally posted by Cam Banks
Trampas and I like to say the same things as it has additional impact coming from the two of us.

I was just going to say that! lol