Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 brimstone Sep 01, 2004 10:55:48	Well, I recieved this lovely book in the mail yesterday. Thank you so much! The first thing I noticed was the names on the cover "Hickman, Weis, and Chambers." Jamie...seriously...tell me there isn't a list somewhere in you house that now has one less thing on it? :D That is so slick. Anyway...the cover. Once upon a time, I didn't like that painting (although I still think Kit has no neck). Maybe it's just because I never got a chance to see it big like that. That painting is really good. I do miss the old Elmore art. Don't get me wrong, I like his new style, too. But the older stuff was really gritty and "real" I think. I don't know...either way, great choice on the cover. Anyway, I haven't had much of a chance to look at it yet, but the first thing I did (naturally...as I always do) was read the timeline. Pretty good...a couple mistakes, but over all, a very nice comprehensive Timeline. I disagree with the date for the Night of the Eye book...I think it should be 324, and the year for Raistlin's Test has to be 347, not 346 (because that's the year the Companions left Solace...in September). But other than that...great Timeline (I especially enjoyed the comment on Fistandantilus as being "destroyed (or was so widely believed).") The other thing I looked at was the geography section. Did I miss some, or are there some sections that don't have maps? Will we be able to get this map as a Web Enhancement like we can with the DLCS map? This was is so much more comprehensive. And I know this is stupid...but can I tell you how excited I was when I saw that the whirlpool was spinning in the right direction? I know, I'm such a detail oriented nerd...but what can I say...it's the little things turn me on. One thing I am confused about though...is Throt. For years, this region has been a bit confusing...with the terms "Throt," "Throtl," and "Throtyl" being interchangeable. On the map, it says "Throt," and in the write up it says "Throtl" for the region and capitol...although "Throtyl" is thrown in there at least once, too. So, my question #2 is...which should it be? Go by the map or go by the write up? Thanks!
#2 kipper_snifferdoo_02 Sep 01, 2004 13:39:37	The other thing I looked at was the geography section. Did I miss some, or are there some sections that don't have maps? 1. The sections that specifically don't have maps are... The Dragon Isles and Icereach 2. The dwarven regions of Kayolin, Thorbardin and Zhakar can be found on other maps but the underground kingdoms don't have maps. 3. Some maps are combined (Throtl is with the Estwilde map, Hylo is with Northern Ergoth) And I know this is stupid...but can I tell you how excited I was when I saw that the whirlpool was spinning in the right direction? I know, I'm such a detail oriented nerd...but what can I say...it's the little things turn me on. Heh.. I'll reserve comment on this ;) but I'm glad it's correct. One thing I am confused about though...is Throt. For years, this region has been a bit confusing...with the terms "Throt," "Throtl," and "Throtyl" being interchangeable. On the map, it says "Throt," and in the write up it says "Throtl" for the region and capitol...although "Throtyl" is thrown in there at least once, too. So, my question #2 is...which should it be? Go by the map or go by the write up? TotL uses Throt and Throtl. (That is a weird looking sentence.) You can blame me for it. Sorry about that. It's just that as you said that the region seems to be cursed when it comes to it's name. I should have used "Throtl" throughout which is what it is used in the DLCS. I'll keep an eye out for that in the future. So I would say use "Throtl".
#3 brimstone Sep 01, 2004 15:59:52	1Heh.. I'll reserve comment on this ;) but I'm glad it's correct. So I'm lower-large intestine retentive when it comes to scientific accuracy in my fantasy...so sue me. LOL! You can blame me for it. Sorry about that. It's just that as you said that the region seems to be cursed when it comes to it's name. I should have used "Throtl" throughout which is what it is used in the DLCS. I'll keep an eye out for that in the future. So I would say use "Throtl". Really? Well...maybe "Throtl" in the DLCS was inaccurate? Wouldn't it make more sense for the region to be one name and the city to be another? Anyway...I don't have the DLCS handy, but I do have the map, and here's what it says: Throt: Region Throtl: Capitol Throtyl: Mountain range gap (called the "Throtyl Gap") Yeah...that's not confusing. LOL! You know what...it's a hobgoblin name...it's hard to understand anyway...it's like Welsh English. ;)
#4 kipper_snifferdoo_02 Sep 01, 2004 16:12:20	Really? Well...maybe "Throtl" in the DLCS was inaccurate? Wouldn't it make more sense for the region to be one name and the city to be another? Yup it would to me. Anyway...I don't have the DLCS handy, but I do have the map, and here's what it says: Throt: Region Throtl: Capitol Throtyl: Mountain range gap (called the "Throtyl Gap") Despite what the WotL has I always thought it was exactly as you listed above. Yeah...that's not confusing. LOL! Maybe the "map products" jamie was talking about for next year can clear it up a bit... or maybe it'll always be a hodgepodge of names for a hodgepodge of a country. :D
#5 brimstone Sep 01, 2004 16:32:40	Despite what the WotL has I always thought it was exactly as you listed above. That could very well be. It could be that I am the one that has always been confused about what's what. The new map product will be a welcome addition. I tell you what though, WotL...as soon as I pulled it out of the envelope...just the weight of it, the number of pages, the wealth of knowledge...giddy as a school girl...BOY! I meant boy...giddy as a school boy. Anyway, unfortunatley I was playing Hackmaster last night, so I didn't have much of a chance to read it (although we were all leveling, so I had chances to sneak peaks a little). I'm going to start reading it in earnest tonight.
#6 baron_the_curse Sep 01, 2004 16:35:09	Are there going to be any more "Previews" for the War of the Lance book? I didn't go to GenCon this year. So these Web Previews really help kill the time till the book hits the shelves.
#7 Dragonhelm Sep 01, 2004 17:25:36	Should be more previews. I sent a reminder e-mail to Sov. Press, although I think they got caught up with DragonCon. Sit tight, there's roughly 5 more previews to come.
#8 zombiegleemax Sep 02, 2004 15:44:52	The new one has been posted.
#9 lorac75 Sep 02, 2004 16:46:03	What magical effects does it produce? It says how they are acheived but not what is acheived other than "magical effects".
#10 shugi Sep 02, 2004 18:23:05	If you're talking about the chorister, the effects that can be achieved depend on your class level, in much the same way that new bardic music abilities are granted at different levels (as long as you meet the requirements).
#11 zombiegleemax Sep 03, 2004 9:26:51	With some of these PrCs are there precedents for them in any of the novels or other sources or are they just new things added to the book?
#12 cam_banks Sep 03, 2004 9:53:34	With some of these PrCs are there precedents for them in any of the novels or other sources or are they just new things added to the book? With the exception of the chorister, which is primarily a means of providing an effective bardic character type that doesn't use arcane magic, all of the PrCs in the War of the Lance have precedent. Handlers, gnomish tinkers, highlords, and minotaur marauders are all well-established Dragonlance roles. Cheers, Cam
#13 zombiegleemax Sep 03, 2004 10:03:40	Thanks Dragonhelm! Is there information on the Conclave and the Gods included in the book?
#14 cam_banks Sep 03, 2004 10:16:04	Thanks Dragonhelm! You know, he and I look nothing alike... Is there information on the Conclave and the Gods included in the book? Enough to know what's happening with them at the time. Your best bet for those will be the books that are specifically dedicated to them - Towers of High Sorcery and (next year) Holy Orders of the Stars. Even without them you should have everything you need in the DLCS and WOTL books. Cheers, Cam
#15 zombiegleemax Sep 03, 2004 10:18:39	I have another question, and maybe this will be answered in one of the aforementioned books that I have not access to. Say you are playing an elven fighter/mage during the War of the Lance, (I am running a campaign where the players are their characters and replace the classic heroes) and he needs to take the Test in order not to be considered a renegade. The dragon armies are between him and the Tower. What do you do?
#16 cam_banks Sep 03, 2004 12:23:36	I have another question, and maybe this will be answered in one of the aforementioned books that I have not access to. Say you are playing an elven fighter/mage during the War of the Lance, (I am running a campaign where the players are their characters and replace the classic heroes) and he needs to take the Test in order not to be considered a renegade. The dragon armies are between him and the Tower. What do you do? Don't advance as a wizard for a while. There were a number of dabbler wizards in the elven forces during the War of the Lance. It wasn't uncommon for an elven unit to have a fighter/mage fighting alongside the other warriors, but they were never more than 3rd or 4th level wizards. Because it's a favored class, you can pick up levels in wizard and then stop, concentrating on fighter after that. Gilthanas is an excellent example of this kind of career move. Cheers, Cam
#17 green_cloaked_sorcerer Sep 03, 2004 14:49:56	Don't advance as a wizard for a while. There were a number of dabbler wizards in the elven forces during the War of the Lance. It wasn't uncommon for an elven unit to have a fighter/mage fighting alongside the other warriors, but they were never more than 3rd or 4th level wizards. Because it's a favored class, you can pick up levels in wizard and then stop, concentrating on fighter after that. Gilthanas is an excellent example of this kind of career move. Cheers, Cam Not to mention this work out great when your Wizard decides to become a Renegade Hunter(not saying hes gunna, but just an idea of where to take him) since its good to have a few fighter levels before you take that class, well a fighter type. GCS
#18 zombiegleemax Sep 03, 2004 15:33:37	The problem with the strategy of not advancing as a mage is that the party, especially when they split up, might be denied access to some of the higher level spells that are necessary to defeat foes, or whatever it is the spell does at those levels. Magic wasnt used at the battle of the High Clerists Tower in the novels but in the modules I am sure that Gilthanas and Elistan both used their magic to help out the knights as they were besieged by Kitiara and the Blue Dragon Army.
#19 green_cloaked_sorcerer Sep 03, 2004 15:47:08	The problem with the strategy of not advancing as a mage is that the party, especially when they split up, might be denied access to some of the higher level spells that are necessary to defeat foes, or whatever it is the spell does at those levels. Magic wasnt used at the battle of the High Clerists Tower in the novels but in the modules I am sure that Gilthanas and Elistan both used their magic to help out the knights as they were besieged by Kitiara and the Blue Dragon Army. Well why hadn't your wizard taken the test already i mean the Heros all started out at 4th level, you could have givin him onle level fighter 3 fo Wiz, and still taken the test, all be it very dangerously. Its your call in the end, it does say in ToHS that part of the test, is just getting to the tower so you COULD make that part of his test, somehow. GCS
#20 zombiegleemax Sep 04, 2004 13:27:57	He hadnt taken the Test because he multiclassed more as a fighter before the war began.
#21 green_cloaked_sorcerer Sep 04, 2004 14:52:50	My only thought is that if your following the same path as The Heros did, then you might have wanted to warn him that his character wouldn't have been able to take the test. Also, I suggest to keep taking levels in wizard, the Conclave will not view him as a renagade I wouldn't think, as there is a war going on, and he is just trying to build his power to help save the world. Otherwise, i'd find a way to make it part of his test to get back Tower, be it by himself or with the aid of others, or a simple way... Dimension Door from one of the more powerful mages? Just a thought your call little buddy ;) GCS
#22 zombiegleemax Sep 08, 2004 15:30:28	"Little Buddy?" "Little Boddy"? GCS, you are being so nice to me. That charm person spell that I cast on you must have worked.