Tobril #7, New Website & More

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

zombiegleemax

Apr 21, 2004 14:36:29
The 7th issue of the Tobril magazine has been released at our new home www.tobrilmagazine.com and this month we have lots of gaming goodies for you. Last issue's horror theme was just too good so we're back again with more unpleasantness.

Along with beautiful illustrations, John Grubber breaks through the legends and myths of Mortuary Practices and gives us the gritty details in the second part of his excellent article. Or perhaps you're looking for a terrible new spell that will empower your necromancer to finally take on those pesky Player Characters? Then turn to page 15! And if you are itching to know what's coming from Sovereign Press and Wizards of the Coast then check out Craig's Product Schedule. Also, make sure you read the editorial, we have a surprise for you.

Here's a quick rundown of the full contents of issue 7:

- Kender Mariners by Sean Macdonald
- Minotaur Champion by Luis F. de Pippo
- Mortuary Practices of the Peoples of Krynn by John Grubber
- Dragonlance Product Schedule by Craig J. Ries
- Dragon Sorcerer by Adam Austin-Andrew
- Fields of Death by Neil Burton and Luis F. de Pippo
- Dragonlance Character Sheet by Richard Connery

The Dragonlance Tobril fan e-zine is now accepting submissions for upcoming issues. If you would like to submit either a finished article or a proposal for Dragonlance-related gaming content, please contact our editors at [email]tobril@tobrilmagazine.com[/email]. The Tobril is a fan-based web magazine for Dragonlance fans.

*****

Hope you enjoy it!
#2

Dragonhelm

Apr 21, 2004 14:58:55
Wow! That's fantastic, guys. Lots of good stuff in this latest issue, and the new site - yowza!

Kudos!
#3

brimstone

Apr 21, 2004 15:21:03
I look forward to reading this issue as always! I also look forward to being able to use that character sheet...of course I need to find some gamers first...

;)
#4

zombiegleemax

Apr 21, 2004 18:52:23
Wow. I'm impressed.
Now that site shows that some excellent skilles are behind it.
Sweet.
#5

wolffenjugend_dup

Apr 21, 2004 21:17:34
I'd just like to say the artwork for your magazine is AMAZING! Man, I wish the official DL art looked that good!
#6

ferratus

Apr 22, 2004 3:08:43
I am always amazed at what the Torbril staff accomplishes, especially given that they do it unpaid and in their spare time. The e-zine always looks very nicely laid out and professionally done.

Of course, the articles are never shabby either.

I'd have to say my favourites of this issue have to be the ones dealing with the dead. John gave us some interesting artifacts, while Neil and Luis gave us some beefed up undead creatures. I like the necromancy spell "Field of Necromancy" the best of anything in the issue. It is just so evil. If a Chemoshite casts it, does it also have a clerical spell level of 9 as well?

The character sheet is very well done, especially the part where you have a seperate section for external resources. You'd be amazed at how often adventurers claim to have stuff on them when it is convenient. The only things I would do differently is to not list all the feats (leaving instead some blank lines which I can fill in myself) and to tighten up space used by the magical item slots.

See, I understand why it is a good idea to list all the feats (so you can have your memory refreshed of your options without having to look them up. But I'd rather leave some room for 'Background and Notes" which covers the stuff I have to remember during gameplay, like contacts, various snippets of information, character background information that is spontaneously generated during play (such as how many siblings he has). That is probably why I use the Mad Irishman's character sheets rather than Emma's.

However, a very good sheet.
#7

The_White_Sorcerer

Apr 22, 2004 3:28:26
The sheet is great. I'm going to suggest it to my DM.
The one thing I have a (very) minor problem with is having to mark your cross-class skills instead of your class skills. Of course, my group will use those boxes to mark our class skills, but still.
#8

zombiegleemax

Apr 22, 2004 9:15:58
I read that this morning!

The artwork and the content is off the hook! Good work fellahs!

~~~
#9

zombiegleemax

Apr 22, 2004 9:17:30
Originally posted by The White Sorcerer
The sheet is great. I'm going to suggest it to my DM.
The one thing I have a (very) minor problem with is having to mark your cross-class skills instead of your class skills. Of course, my group will use those boxes to mark our class skills, but still.

The sheet is a bit blocky for me. I like the v.3.5 character sheet more.

I still think that you guys did an amazing job with the site, the sheet, and the magazine. Keep up the good work!

~~~
#10

zombiegleemax

Apr 22, 2004 9:20:53
Originally posted by Brimstone
I look forward to reading this issue as always! I also look forward to being able to use that character sheet...of course I need to find some gamers first...

;)

Man you better advertise your campaign! That is what I do, I see someone talking about LoTR or playing an online rpg, I hit them up with the DnD RPG! I have multiple heads playing with me now about 20 people or so(Only 3 are full-time players in my AoM campaign. I have 2 more heads for cameo appearances here and there).

~~~
#11

talinthas

Apr 22, 2004 11:20:34
why the split from dl.com?
#12

Dragonhelm

Apr 22, 2004 12:33:33
Originally posted by talinthas
why the split from dl.com?

The Tobril was sort of getting lost on DL.com, with all the other features and with the influx of news. It was a teeny, tiny link on our home page. Now there's a website that can showcase the magazine as it deserves.
#13

brimstone

Apr 23, 2004 14:00:08
Originally posted by LordofIllusions
Man you better advertise your campaign! That is what I do, I see someone talking about LoTR or playing an online rpg, I hit them up with the DnD RPG! I have multiple heads playing with me now about 20 people or so(Only 3 are full-time players in my AoM campaign. I have 2 more heads for cameo appearances here and there).

Well, I'm not quite sure where to advertise at.

I've been down to my local gaming store and...well...to be perfectly honest, most of the people I've run into in there scare me more than a little. :D

I'd much rather convince my friends that they must try this game out...at least once. But...that doesn't seem to be working. And the only group I game with plays Hackmaster exclusively (they're getting ready to start a side game that I declined to join...but it's Forgotten Realms...using Hackmaster rules. So...no chance of 3.5 D&D there...)
#14

zombiegleemax

Apr 23, 2004 14:43:47
Thanks everyone for their comments (and keep them coming of course).

Question: would you make use of a character sheet with less complexity and with a focus on looks? If so, why?

/me takes notes
#15

brimstone

Apr 23, 2004 14:50:20
Originally posted by Richard Connery
Question: would you make use of a character sheet with less complexity and with a focus on looks? If so, why?

Personally, I wouldn't change anything about the Character Sheet. I think it looks great, and would be easy to use (at first glance). Of course, it could be different during actual game play.

But on first glance...I think it'd work great!
#16

cam_banks

Apr 23, 2004 15:10:34
Originally posted by Brimstone
Personally, I wouldn't change anything about the Character Sheet. I think it looks great, and would be easy to use (at first glance). Of course, it could be different during actual game play.

If I didn't write up all of my group's character sheets on Word (leaving out anything they don't need and doing most of the math), I'd probably go with a sheet very much like this one. Richard's layout and graphic design talent is impressive - I've liked it ever since I first saw his Ansalonian Gazetteer and felt those pangs of envy.

Cheers,
Cam
#17

zombiegleemax

Apr 23, 2004 16:32:29
Originally posted by Brimstone
Personally, I wouldn't change anything about the Character Sheet. I think it looks great, and would be easy to use (at first glance). Of course, it could be different during actual game play.

But on first glance...I think it'd work great!

Tobin, I think I worded my question badly. I didn't mean it as an either/or, simply if people would like another sheet, one with less emphasis on D&D mechanics complexity (perhaps with no XP table) and more on how it looks. Perhaps to give to less experienced players -- I can certainly understand how my character sheet can look intimidating to neophytes for example.

Cam: aww, now I have to go get a bucket so I don't drool over my keyboard. ;) thanks
#18

Dragonhelm

Apr 23, 2004 16:43:18
What I like about this sheet is that it reminds me of Ema's Character sheets. For example, you don't have to write out your feats - you just check off a box.
#19

brimstone

Apr 23, 2004 16:43:33
Originally posted by Richard Connery
I didn't mean it as an either/or, simply if people would like another sheet, one with less emphasis on D&D mechanics complexity (perhaps with no XP table) and more on how it looks.

Oops...

My mistake.
#20

zombiegleemax

Apr 26, 2004 10:56:24
Perhaps to give to less experienced players -- I can certainly understand how my character sheet can look intimidating to neophytes for example.

LoL! Lord have mercy! Now people that do not want to use your sheet have to be less experienced players ?

We use the sheets we want for our group, you use the sheets you want for your group.

~~~
#21

cam_banks

Apr 26, 2004 11:09:16
Originally posted by LordofIllusions
LoL! Lord have mercy! Now people that do not want to use your sheet have to be less experienced players ?

I think you're reading far too much into what Richard is saying than Richard ever intended. Don't try so hard to be offended.

Cheers,
Cam
#22

brimstone

Apr 26, 2004 12:19:43
Originally posted by LordofIllusions
Now people that do not want to use your sheet have to be less experienced players?

Now you're reachin', Loi.

#23

zombiegleemax

Apr 26, 2004 16:57:34