You'll find a few monsters in the DLCS, so you'll have plenty to start with. The Monster Manual is also a great resource. As for the Bestiary, you don't have long to wait. It is slate for November release.
There's a lot that goes into writing these books, and much that the average person is unaware of. Simply hiring more people won't necessarily equal a quality product. Everyone was busy with the tight deadlines of the DLCS and Age of Mortals.
So hang in there. The DLCS will have plenty of good things in it, and I guarantee that it will be the best sourcebook since Dragonlance Adventures.
Try that link. It has the majority of DL monsters. It should tie you over till the real monsters book comes out.
Originally posted by Paladin's Wrath
I just read the interview on the DL site (www.dl3e.com) and I'm rather perturbed. You see, I was under the impression that the DLCS was going to explain most everything to play a DL game. Turns out, I'll have to wait even longer for needed things, such as the DL Bestiary to come out. I've been waiting for this ever since I heard over a year ago that the DLCS was going to be written in the first place! I understand that everything on Krynn probably couldn't be placed into one hardback compendeum, but they could have at least the nerve to release all of the resources at once, and simply hire more people to aid in the process of creating the resource books. All is not lost, however, for access to unofficial rules on the internet is still available. Notheless, I am, for lack of a better, unused word, ticked off!
Wow... I'm really not sure exactly how to respond to this. My first instinct was to get really upset, so I took a few hours to sit back and work on other things before I decided to post a reply.
The Dragonlance Campaign Setting, to be released by Wizards of the Coast in August, was a labor of love. Everyone that worked on it poured every waking moment (quite literally) into writing it, in making sure that we got it to WotC in time for their editing and design layout so that it would be released on time. Then, immediately thereafter, we shifted from the DLCS to writing Sovereign Press's first product, Age of Mortals, so that we could have it released simultaneously. The two books together are going to cost consumers about $80.00 at one time. That's already on top of the fact that people are going to be shelling out money to get the Revised 3.5 editions! If we were to release all of our planned products at once, you'd be looking at needing around $1000.00+!
That's just the consumer side of things...now, you wanted to know why we didn't hire a slew of people to ensure that all of our planned products could be released at once? That would have required a company larger than Wizards of the Coast! They're still amongst the largest of the game companies, and they didn't even release all of the Forgotten Realms products at one time! It's just not feasible, from anybody's stand point. The sheer cost of production for those books, at one time, is more than any gaming company that I'm aware of could afford to spend at one time. Additionally, the more people that you have involved, the more opportunity for "Chaos" to creep back in, as different writers and artists have different perspectives on everything...and if we were producing a crap load of products simultaneously, instead of focusing on one or two projects at a time, then we'd be producing crap :P
Quality takes time and we're working our hardest to ensure that we can provide quality and quantity. We have 9 products planned for this next year alone, not even including all of the Dragonlance novels coming out...I personally think that we're on track and going to do pretty well...and I'm hoping that people think that the wait was more than worth it!
Christopher
Originally posted by Stormprince
Quality takes time and we're working our hardest to ensure that we can provide quality and quantity. We have 9 products planned for this next year alone, not even including all of the Dragonlance novels coming out...I personally think that we're on track and going to do pretty well...and I'm hoping that people think that the wait was more than worth it!
Just to have a nice positive to go with the negative, Chris...I just want to tell you that I've been nothing but impressed with everyone I've come across at Sovereign Press. Granted I've not been with the WC for most of the time you all have worked together, but I do speak with Trampas on a fairly regular basis...and he too has nothing but good things to say about you all.
I personally am extremely excited and quite impressed with the number of projects you all are working on for Dragonlance in the next year. And on top of that...you're not forgetting about those of us that are big Sovereign Stone fans too.
I am more than confident that Dragonlance Gaming is in good hands (although I am mad at WotC for making you all use the 3e Sorcerer instead of a modified SAGA-esque Sorcerer :D)
Anyway...I just wanted to make sure you all knew that your hard work is not going unnoticed nor unappriciated. We do notice...and we are very appreciative of all you and the rest of the crew (that includes you Whitestone Council folk) have done.
Thank you for giving Dragonlance Gaming new life.
-Tobin Melroy
Originally posted by Stormprince
I personally think that we're on track and going to do pretty well...and I'm hoping that people think that the wait was more than worth it!
Personally I think you guys are amazing
and want to be just like you in every way.Well maybe not you exactly... but like those who work at SovStone.
Well maybe not Margaret... seeing as I'm a guy and all...
OK. Maybe I like being myself and ain't so keen on being 'just like you in every way' but I DO appreciate everything you've put into getting a 3.5E DL product on the market.
Originally posted by Stormprince
Everyone that worked on it poured every waking moment (quite literally) into writing it, in making sure that we got it to WotC in time for their editing and design layout so that it would be released on time.
Yeah.. talking about which... why you answering posts on the boards instead of working... back to work
-Gilles
Originally posted by Ranger REG
Just to ease everybody's mind, how many creatures from Monster Manual can be used in a Dragonlance game?
I don't see why most of them couldn't. No orcs, lycanthropes, halflings, etc. Beyond the basics, though, you can pretty much use whatever.
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
I don't see why most of them couldn't. No orcs, lycanthropes, halflings, etc. Beyond the basics, though, you can pretty much use whatever.
Don't forget the psionic monsters in the MM.
That reminds me of something I left undone...
Originally posted by Richard Connery
Don't forget the psionic monsters in the MM.
Only if one goes by the 2e ruling on it. Jamie said in the interview on DL.com recently that Sov. Press won't be addressing psionics in any of their products, but that DMs are free to use them if they want.
So, it may not be "standard", but if a DM wanted to, he could use them.
I just love teasing you with this... :D
I know I appreciate the hard work and time their putting into the relaunch of DragonLance. :D
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
I don't see why most of them couldn't. No orcs, lycanthropes, halflings, etc. Beyond the basics, though, you can pretty much use whatever.
One small goof there, there are Lycanthropes, there is even a entire town of them in the Lord Sloth Saga, a.k.a. Death Knights of Krynn. Also the stats for basic Draconians in 3ed are at the back of Draconian Measure, for the enhanced versons I justs increase all physical stats by 12 and all mental by 11 (making it the naural 18 for the stat as a base and then using 5 wish). Then change it so they cast as twice the original caster level and ajust the spells acordingly. If you have the 2nd ed versons on hand it helps to make the new spells available and the enhanced death throw.
Originally posted by Netbrat200
One small goof there, there are Lycanthropes, there is even a entire town of them in the Lord Sloth Saga, a.k.a. Death Knights of Krynn.
Uh...no. It is well established that lycanthropes do not exist on Krynn. There are some monsters which appear to be lycanthropic, but no true lycanthropes exist.
If there were lycanthropes in Death Knights of Krynn, then that was an error, much like the orc in Kendermore.
Also the stats for basic Draconians in 3ed are at the back of Draconian Measure, for the enhanced versons I justs increase all physical stats by 12 and all mental by 11 (making it the naural 18 for the stat as a base and then using 5 wish). Then change it so they cast as twice the original caster level and ajust the spells acordingly. If you have the 2nd ed versons on hand it helps to make the new spells available and the enhanced death throw.
Draconians are not lycanthropes.
Originally posted by Netbrat200
One small goof there, there are Lycanthropes, there is even a entire town of them in the Lord Sloth Saga, a.k.a. Death Knights of Krynn.
It is well known that from the beginning...Orcs and Lycanthropes did not and were not to ever exist on Krynn. Just because some author goofed (and I certainly don't hold any computer game not even made by TSR above the original works of Tracy and the Gang) doesn't make it true.
Now...does that mean that some Black Wizard can't create a spell to turn someone into a wolf...and make them change every time Nuitari is full? No. But that is not lycanthropy...it's magic. There is a difference. Lycanthropy is a disease...and that disease does not exist on Krynn, nor could it even really work...what with three moons and all.
Originally posted by Brimstone
Lycanthropy is a disease...and that disease does not exist on Krynn, nor could it even really work...what with three moons and all.
It could work, since the lycanthrope in question would change according to the moon of their alignment (werewolves with Nuitari, werebears with Solinari, etc). The point is, though, that lycanthropy as a magical affliction doesn't exist. This should, as Trampas said, never rule out actual shapechangers, just not ones which pass on their nature to others and can only be harmed by silver.
Cheers,
Cam
Originally posted by Cam Banks
It could work, since the lycanthrope in question would change according to the moon of their alignment (werewolves with Nuitari, werebears with Solinari, etc). The point is, though, that lycanthropy as a magical affliction doesn't exist. This should, as Trampas said, never rule out actual shapechangers, just not ones which pass on their nature to others and can only be harmed by silver.
Interesting...I hadn't really thought of that...
Well...anyway...I agree...lycanthropy as an affliction doesn't exist. But I have no problem with individual spells that can cause similar effects like that one short story in...uh...Magic of Krynn I think. Is that right? Or shapechangers in general.
Thanks in advance.
Paladin's Wrath
Originally posted by Paladin's Wrath
I apoligize for my actions when I started this thread. Last night when I posted it, I was, obviously, rather upset. It's mainly just because that DL was one of the first things to get me into fantasy in the first place, and being able to interact with the world from the novels I love, the only possible comparison is like being a kid in a candy store. I perfectly understand why the products are being released the way they are, but there's still the impatience. One problem I've always had with impatience is unlike others, intead of becoming excited, I become angry, and thus, end up in trouble. I don't mean to come off like I'm ungrateful, I was simply blowing off steam. I am very thankful, and I know the work in the books will be quality work. One thing, StormPrince, thank you for all the hard work, I know you and the team have been working very hard to give myself and others the best product imaginable. It's just the impatience that is my problem, I simply can't wait any longer. I'm sorry I finally cracked last night.
No biggie. Just remember that Dragonlance is a Dungeons & Dragons product, so it will use the bulk of Dungeons & Dragons core rules, including the Monster Manuals.
More importantly ... IT'S NOT SAGA! Yeah! Boo-ya! Whoo! A-ooga! A-ooga! Nyuk nyuk nyuk!
(I mean the system, not the particular DL 5th Age campaign setting that promoted it.)
Originally posted by Paladin's Wrath
Actually, this is a bit off topic at this point, but does anyone know how I could go about contacting someone (and who to contact) about writing a DL novel. Not only am I a big fan of DL, but I'm also a writer (not really important, nothing published yet) and I would really enjoy writitng a DL book. If anyone has any info so I can get permission to do so, I'd be really grateful.
Thanks in advance.
Paladin's Wrath
This might be of interest:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/main/faq
You know how?
Spelljamming!!!!! :D
That not good enough?
Gate
Or how about a little Plane Shift w00t
-Robert
die in the face please, now let us never mention spelljamming again.
Oh yeah, and back in 2nd ed items and spells that could facilitate planar travel didnt exist in DL, otherwise it would realy defeat the purpose of the whole gates to the abyss thing.
Originally posted by Cam Banks
It could work, since the lycanthrope in question would change according to the moon of their alignment (werewolves with Nuitari, werebears with Solinari, etc). The point is, though, that lycanthropy as a magical affliction doesn't exist. This should, as Trampas said, never rule out actual shapechangers, just not ones which pass on their nature to others and can only be harmed by silver.
Cheers,
Cam
I know generally there are no lycanthropes, but in the Preludes book about Kitiara, she had an ally who was a black-skinned pirate from the Blood Sea, I think, and he had the ability to turn into a black panther, if I remember correctly....
Banshee
Hell, there's even a travel advisory warning of instability on Krynn in The Planewalker's Handbook from 2nd ed.
So, there could be Mind Flayers, Orcs, Spelljammers, Githzari, and all other kinds of critters over there.
-Robert
Originally posted by Robert N.
Hell, there's even a travel advisory warning of instability on Krynn in The Planewalker's Handbook from 2nd ed.
That was back in the "good old days" where every campaign setting TSR produced was connected to every other campaign setting through planar travel, spelljamming, and the Mists of Ravenloft. Not so any longer in 3rd edition. Vive la difference.
Cheers,
Cam