BrcakIng Intn prInt

ne of lhe queslions ve receive nosl oflen is sone varialion

on Hov do I gel lo le a vriler for TSR`
Wriling for DRAGON Magazinc is a good slarl.
The firsl lhing you need is knovIedge of lhe nagazine, of our
audience, and of lhe gane syslen you pIan lo vrile aloul.
(Donl vrile an arlicIe on FORGOTTEN REALM5 Iore lhal incIudes
defiIers.)
You aIso have lo knov lhe nechanics ~ lhe hov ~ of vriling
for a nagazine. Ior DRAGON Magazinc and DUNGLON Atcn|urcs,
lhe lasics are in our vrilers guideIines, vhich you shouId
requesl ly sending us a nole and a seIf-addressed, slanped
enveIope (SASL). Specify vhich sel of guideIines you vanl.
There are olher sulnission guideIines lhal are fairIy slandard
in lhe pulIishing induslry. These incIude having your nane, lhe
arlicIe lilIe, and a page nunler on every page, doulIe spacing
your nanuscripls, and using a fonl such as Courier in a IegilIe
size. The slandard is 12-poinl lype. The reason for lhis slandard
is lvofoId: IegiliIily, and lhal each page is approxinaleIy 25O
vords in Ienglh, and ve can gel an idea of vord counl ly Iook-
ing al lhe nanuscripl. SnaII, singIe-spaced, proporlionaI fonls
Iike Tines or HeIvelica hurls our eyes, and lends lo nake us pre-
disposed lo disIike a sulnission. You can gel nore infornalion
fron looks and nagazines on vriling such as lri|crs Digcs| and
Tnc lri|cr.
Nov for lhe hard parl. We relurn nanuscripls fuII of lasic
grannalicaI or synlaclicaI errors. Ior inslance, knov lhe differ-
ence lelveen |ncir, |ncqrc, and |ncrc. Iuncluale your senlences
properIy. Knov lhe difference lelveen passive voice (lhe laII
vas lhrovn) and aclive (I lhrev lhe laII), and vhy ve prefer
lhe Ialler.
If your cover Ieller is riddIed vilh lypos and nisspeIIings, ve
canl lake your vork seriousIy. Thals nol leing crueI, lhals leing
reaIislic. We gel dozens of queries and sulnissions every veek,
and ve can spend onIy so nuch line on lhen. We have lo knov
vhich ones lo Iook al and vhich ones nol lo vasle line on.
kay, you have aII lhis dovn. Cood. Youre
ahead of lhe pack. The nexl slep is lo send
Iines. Sulnissions vilhoul lhal forn are relurned unread. (You
did renenler lhe SASL, didnl you`) Renenler lo speII oul vhal
you pIan lo vrile. Donl jusl say Ive gol 15 nev nagic speIIs or
There are five nev nagicaI svords. Thal doesnl leII us any-
lhing. Whal arc lhe speIIs` Whal do lhey do` Whal kind of
svords, and vhy do ve need lhen` Thals vhal creales inleresl.
Think of yourseIf as a saIesnan. Be convincing.
In your cover Ieller, leII us vhy you shouId vrile lhis arlicIe. If
you are sulnilling sonelhing on Ancienl Lgyplian IC kils, for
exanpIe, Wed le nore inpressed if you had a snaII Iilrary of
on Lgypl, sludied lhe hislory, or even look cIasses in MiddIe
Lgyplian al U.C. BerkeIey a fev years ago. This leIIs ne lhal you
knov your naleriaI and arenl IikeIy lo nake vhopping greal
nislakes.
We prefer queries lo vhoIe arlicIes lecause ve nay nol le
inleresled. If ve are, veII ask for lhe arlicIe. We nay give you a
deadIine if a parlicuIar issue is coning up lhal suils your idea.
I generaIIy discourage e-naiI queries for DRAGON Magazinc (ils
hard lo pul your lesl fool forvard vhen youre used lo lhe infor-
naIily of onIine lanler), lul if you are on an onIine service and
ve are inleresled in an arlicIe, ve nay ask you lo e-naiI il lo us.
Lnough of lhe lad nevs.
If you vanl lo lreak inlo prinl, an easy pIace is lhe deparl-
nenls. Bazaar of lhe Bizaare, Dragons Besliary, Arcane Lore, and
lhe Iike are aIvays popuIar.
In nol lrying lo discourage anyone fron sulnilling naleriaI.
In facl, I acliveIy encourage sulnissions fron nev vrilers. So
vhy do sone nanes pop up over and over in our pages`
Because lhey do il righl, and lhey do il veII. If you have an orig-
inaI idea lhal is reaIIy good, and you can presenl il veII and
cIearIy, you nay find your nane in lhe nagazine one day as
veII.
Ior an edilor, fev lhings are as exciling as opening an enve-
Iope fron a nev vriler and finding a piece lhal is jusl vhal ve
need. WiII your sulnission le lhe nexl one`
us a query Ieller. Donl forgel lhe discIo-
sure forn lhals allached lo our guid-
Puo|isncr Assccia|c Puo|isncr
TSR, Inc. Brian Thonsen
Assccia|c ci|cr Assccia|c ci|cr
Dave Cross MicheIIe Vuckovich
|i|cr-in-Cnicf
Iierce Wallers
Suoscrip|icns
}anel L. Winlers
|i|cr
Anlhony }. Bryanl
U.S. atcr|ising
Cindy Rick
Ar| ircc|cr
Larry W. Snilh
U.K. ccrrcspcncn|/atcr|ising
CaroIyn WiIdnan
Prin|c in |nc USA
DRACN #226 3
Fcbruary 1996
Vn!umc XX, Nn. 9
Issuc #226
Thc MagIc Gncs Away
Paul Fraser
lna|s |nc sccrc| |c ganc oa|ancc? Ccu| if oc |ini|ing
|nc nunocr an pcucr cf uscrs cf nagic?
Page 8
Rnmc May Nnt Havc Bccn
BuI!t In a Day, But...
David Clarke
Ycur canpaign ucr| can oc.
sncus
Tnis sinp|c s|cp-oq-s|cp ua|||nrcugn
ncu |c na|c cnc in jus| a fcu ncurs
Off-thc-Cuff NPCs
Page 17
Melissa C. Thompson
Tnc |cq |c an cnjcqao|c ganing cxpcricncc is
ncncrao|c NPCs, an ncu qcu can crca|c a fcu
in nc ncrc |inc |nan i| |a|cs |c rca |nis o|uro.
Page 22
Imprnvc wIth Imprnv
Jason Strasser
|nprctisa|icna| s|i||s arc nc| jus| fcr nusicians.
Gcc DMs ncc |c oc ao|c |c na|c ru|ings
an ccnc up ui|n ganc c|cncn|s cn |nc f|q.
Page 28
Dnt tn Dnt
Michelle Bottorff
Tncq naq a|| |cc| a|i|c cn |nc nap, ou| nc| a||
ci|ics arc icn|ica|. Dcn| na|c a|| qcur |cuns c|cncs
cf cacn c|ncr.
Page 36
Pnwcrs Frnm thc Past
Andrew Turpin
Scnc|incs i|s |nc |nings pccp|c c |na| na|c
|ncir cojcc|s nagica|.
Page 52
4
ILBRUARY 1996
Arcane Lore: Monsoons
and the Power of Om
Michael A. Selinker
Tncsc pcucrfu| ncu uizar an prics| spc||s
ccnc frcn |nc |nian suoccn|incn|.
Pagc 42
Game Wizards: The Ultimate
Dungeon Masters Aid
William W. Connors
A| |cng |as|! Tnc ADcD

ganc ccrc rcfcrcncc

occ|s (an ncrc!) arc cn CD-ROM.
Pagc 49
Bazaar of the Bizarre:
Magical Scabbards and Sheaths
David Howery
Scnc|incs, i|s nc| |nc sucr |na|s nagica|. . .
Pagc 62
Rogues Gallery: Theahtyn
Robert Martin
Mcc| Tncan|qn, a pcucrfu| uartcn fign|cr. ]us| uncn
nis |ifc uas ca|ning cun, |ragcq s|ruc|. Ncu nc is
ccning cu| cf rc|ircncn|, an nc nas a nissicn.
Pagc 77
Campaign Classics:
The Magical Sands of Zakhara
Rudy Thalberger
lncn qcur ucr| is surrcunc oq san, |na| occcncs
|nc fcc| qcu usc. Tncsc ucncrcus sans ucrc
cncc fnc cxc|usitc pcsscssicns cf snairs.
Pagc 80
68 Miniature Player
Character Record
Sheets
DRACN #226
Cn!umns
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Wyrms Turn
Sc qcu uan| |c uri|c fcr TSR, cn? ||s nc|
rca||q a|| |na| nar...
6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-Mail
Rcacrs |c||crs cn cas||c cfcnscs, co|ain-
ing oac| issucs, an ncrc.
74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Forum
|c||crs |nis ncn|n ccn|ain aticc fcr DMs
an p|aqcrs, as uc|| as a iscussicn cn
ucncn in ganing.
78 . . . . . . . . RPGA

Network News
Nc|ucr| cccrina|cr Scc|| Dcug|as is-
cusscs running a Nc|ucr|-sanc|icnc
ctcn|.
84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Role of Books
]cnn C. 8unnc|| rcas |nc ncucs| nctc|s
an |ccps cn Trc||ing.
89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sage Advice
S|ip li||ians ansucrs qucs|icns cn |nc
DARK SUN

sc||ing an |nc ctcr-pcpu|ar

sloneskin spc||
92 . . . . . . . . . . . Role-playing Reviews
Ric| Suan p|aqs scnc ccc| gancs.
96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cons & Pros
lc |c| qcu |ncu uncrc |nc ccntcn|icns
arc an uncs gcing |c oc |ncrc.
12O . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Current Clack
A||cn Varncq |a||s aocu| |nc inus|rq an
lc|Cs oig ncus.
Othcr MatcrIa!
1OO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DragonMirth
1O2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gamers Guide
1O5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Libram X
1O9 . . . . . . . . . . . . Knights of the Dinner Table
11O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Floyd
115 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TSR Previews
5
Rcp!acIng n!d magazIncs
Dear DRACN,
In DRAGON

Magazinc issue #166, you

pulIished a gane caIIed Dino-Wars. I
Iiked lhis gane so nuch lhal I cul lhe
pages oul of lhe nagazine and pul lhen
in a nolelook. RecenlIy, ny nolelook
vas Iosl in a nove. CouId you pIease
send ne a copy of lhis arlicIe lo repIace
lhe one I Iosl` If ils nol possilIe, couId
you leII ne vhere lo vrile lo luy a
repIacenenl copy of lhe issue`
C.S. }anes
LindaIe, TX
As qcu naq gucss, uc can| pnc|cccpq
par| cf an issuc an scn i| cu|. Ycu can
crcr oac| issucs frcn TSRs Mai| Orcr
Hcooq Sncp, 201 Sncrian Springs R., |a|c
Gcncta, l| 53147 Tnc nunocr is 1-800-
558-5972
|ssuc #166 ccs|s $3.50 (p|us pcs|agc).
Exc!usIvc matcrIa! fnr RPGA

Nctwnrk mcmbcrs
Dear DRACN,
I recenlIy senl for and received lhe
TSR MaiI rder Holly Shop calaIogue.
When il arrived, I aIso found infornalion
on joining lhe RICA

Nelvork and a
lack issue (#96) of lhe PO|YH|DRON

Ncuszinc. As I Ieafed lhrough il, I noliced

an arlicIe ly Ld Creenvood caIIed
Myslerious Turnish. I pIay and DM in
lhe FORGOTTEN REALM5 selling, so lhis
DRAGON

Magazine (ISSN 0279-6848) is published monthly by TSR, Inc.,

201 Sheridan Springs Road, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, United States of
America. The postal address for all materials from the United States of
America and Canada except subscription orders is: DRAGON Magazine,
201 Sheridan Springs Road, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, U.S.A.; telephone
(414) 248-3625; fax (414) 248-0389. The postal address for materials
from Europe is: DRAGON Magazine, TSR Ltd., 120 Church End, Cherry
Hinton, Cambridge CB1 3LB, United Kingdom; telephone: (0223) 212517
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(U.K.), 414-223-238066 (international).
Distribution: DRAGON Magazine is available from game and hobby
shops throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and
through a limited number of other overseas outlets. Distribution to the
book trade in the United States is by Random House, Inc., and in Canada
by Random House of Canada, Ltd. Distribution to the book trade in the
caughl ny inleresl. When I finished il, I
found lhal il vas lhe firsl of a series of
arlicIes aloul lhe Iand of Tunish. Does
lhis nean lhal nolhing is lo le issued on
lhis suljecl for generaI pulIicalion` As I
have never leen an RICA Nelvork
nenler, does lhis nean lhal I cannol
read aloul lhis and olher areas of inler-
esl vilhin lhe IRCTTLN RLALMS lhal have
aIso appeared in PO|YH|DRON?
IhiI Marlin
NevcaslIe-Upon-Tyne,
LngIand
ILYHLDRN nas puo|isnc a grca| ca| cf
in|crcs|ing na|cria| |na| nas nctcr appcarc
anquncrc c|sc. Onc cf |nc gcc |nings aocu|
jcining |nc RPGA Nc|ucr| is |nc acccss |c a||
|nis cxc|usitc na|cria|. Ycu can pcssio|q gc|
oac| issucs frcn |nc Nc|ucr|, ou| | suggcs|
jcining. | uas anazc |nc firs| |inc | |cc|c
a| a ILYHLDRN. || naq oc TSRs ocs|-|cp|
sccrc|, ou| ucrc |rqing |c |c| pccp|c |ncu
|na| i|s cu| |ncrc.
LnnkIng fnr
GIants In thc Earth
Dear DRACN,
I enjoyed lhe series Cianls in lhe
Larlh. To ny disnay, I onIy have a por-
lion of lhe series. Whal I an hoping for is
lo ollain a copy of lhal enlire series of
arlicIes. If you can heIp ne, I vouId
appreciale il.
}ohn I. Hazen
Masury, H
Gian|s in |nc |ar|n uas a scrics frcn |nc
c| aqs cf cuo|c-igi| DRACN issucs. Tnc
scrics fca|urc ncrccs frcn |i|cra|urc an |cg-
cn cnc up ui|n ganing s|a|s. Nc ccnpi|a-
|icn cf |ncn nas ctcr occn cnc, an |ncrcs
nctcr occn an a||cnp| |c oring i| ouc|.
Scrrq, ou| uc can| pnc|cccpq ar|ic|cs
an scn |ncn cu|, ci|ncr. Ycur ocs| cnancc
|c gc| anq c| picccs qcu uan| is |c fin
atai|ao|c oac| issucs.
Tncrc uas an incx fcr a|| pas| DRACN
Magazine ar|ic|cs in issuc #214, sc qcu can
fin cu| unicn issucs qcu ncc. | suggcs|
United Kingdom is by TSR Ltd. Send orders to. Random House, Inc, Order
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subscription orders with payments to TSR, Inc., P.O. Box 5695, Boston MA
|ncn uri|ing |nc Mai| Orcr Hcooq Sncp an
naun|ing ganing ccntcn|icns |cc|ing fcr
|nc issucs qcu uan|. Gcc |uc|.
Cast!cs and magIc dcfcnsc:
takIng a sccnnd !nnk
Dear DRACN,
I have a prolIen vilh }effrey IauIs
arlicIe The CaslIe Designers Cuide lo
Coping vilh Magic and lhe SupernaluraI
(issue #224). Hes overIooking lhe lasic
principaI of caslIe defense: lhe caslIe
vaIIs are lhe |as| Iine of defense.
In his exanpIe, he iIIuslrales vhal
happened lo Heclor, lhe hapeIess DM,
vho vas slunned ly his pIayers annihi-
Ialion of his caslIe. Mr. IauI decided lhal
lhe prolIen vas a design fIav in lhe cas-
lIe. Wilh lhe exceplion of his inproved
lovers, he had sone very good ideas.
UnforlunaleIy, any decenlIy crealive
pIayers vouId le nereIy sIoved ly his
suggeslions. Defending a caslIe isnl
aloul hov laII lhe vaIIs are or hov you
have luiIl lhen. Bolh are inporlanl, lul
defending a caslIe is aloul keeping an
eneny fron reaching lhe vaIIs in lhe firsl
pIace. Defending lhe vaIIs is lhe Iasl
oplion of lhe despirale. The firsl Iine of
defense is aIvays infornalion.
If soneone vanls lo allack a caslIe,
lhey have lo cone fron sonevhere and
have equipnenl and supporl personneI
or relainers. Any decenl nelvork of
scouls viII see lhen coning Iong lefore
lhe parly can gel vilhin speII range.
Devices such as lhe heIiograph exisl-
ed in Creek and Ronan lines. Syslens
Iike lhe pony express couId le enpIoyed.
This doesnl even consider such lhings as
divinalion nagic and crqs|a| oa||s.
nce sighled, a snaII group of soI-
diers shouId le senl againsl lhe eneny
lo lesl lheir slrenglh and resources. This
delernined, lhe caslIehoIder can Iaunch
a series of appropriale allacks on lhe
parly.
If lhe parly is alIe lo reach lhe caslIe,
lhe caslIehoIder sliII has al his disposaI
one of lhe nosl devaslaling veapons of
02206, U.S.A. In the United Kingdom, methods of payment include
cheques or money orders made payable to TSR Ltd., or charges to a valid
ACCESS or VISA credit card; send subscription orders with payments to
TSR Ltd., as per that address above. Prices are subject to change without
prior notice. The issue expiration of each subscription is printed on the
mailing label of each subscribers copy of the magazine. Changes of
address for the delivery of subscription copies must be received at least
six weeks prior to the effective date of the change in order to assure
uninterrupted delivery.
Back issues: A limited quantity of back issues is available from the TSR
Mail Order Hobby Shop (201 Sheridan Springs Road, Lake Geneva, WI
53147 U.S.A.) or from TSR Ltd. For a free copy of the current catalog that
lists available back issues, write to either of the above addresses.
Submissions: All material published in DRAGON Magazine becomes the
exclusive property of the publisher, unless special arrangements to the
6 ILBRUARY 1996
lhe niddIe ages: archers. IndividuaIIy,
Iov-IeveI or zero-IeveI NICs are IillIe
nore lhan svord fodder lo a high-IeveI
fighler, lul 5O archers are nol. In lhe
exanpIe ly Mr. IauI, lvo lovers of
guards vere viped oul ly fircoa||s fron
ground-IeveI arrovsIils. Mosl caslIes in
lhe reaI vorId avoided pIacing arrovsIils
lhal Iov, lhal vas vhere lhe vaIIs had lo
le lhe slrongesl. The onIy exceplions
vere caslIes luiIl in lhe niddIe of Iakes
or rivers, vhere siege engine or lallering
ran use vouId le unIikeIy.
Tovard lhe end of lhe arlicIe, he pro-
poses a version of inproved loverlops.
His idea vas lo done over lhe loverlop
lecause lhey vere exposed lo aeriaI
allack. If you donl have a seIf-guided
veapon, lhe lesl anli-air-assauIl defense
is lo fiII lhe sky vilh veapons. By doning
over lhe loverlop, lhe defenders have
given up al Ieasl haIf of lheir arcs of fire.
An open, fIal-lopped lover is ideaI for
nassive arrov voIIeys.
ne nay argue lhal arrovs aIone are
a poor defense againsl crealures Iike
dragons or griffons, lul if lhe defenders
couId Iaunch severaI hundred arrovs
lefore lhe dragon vere lo cone vilhin
lrealh range, hov vouId lhe dragon
IikeIy fare`
ne Iasl poinl, if lhe parly is lIessed
vilh lhis juggernaul faclor, so loo shouId
le lhe caslIehoIder and his Iieulenanls. If
lhere is a poverfuI nage in lhe parly,
give lhe defender one. If one of lhe parly
is a high-IeveI fighler, give lhe caslIe-
hoIder a poverfuI Iieulenanl. The poinl is
lhal gadgels and giznos donl defend
caslIes. IeopIe do. Any DM vho forgels
lhal shouId change his nane lo Heclor.
}anes A. Mierilz
|n|crcs|ing ccun|crpcin|.
A sini|ar scn|incn| uas cxprcssc oq
Ta|ca Sningcn, cnc cf nq ncrccs, Hc uas a
]apancsc ainqc cf |nc larring S|a|cs
Pcric (1570s) unc uas fancus fcr ancng
c|ncr |nings cscncuing cas||cs uncn cas||c-
oui|ing uas a|| |nc ragc fcr nis pccrs. Hc
urc|c a pccn |na| cscrioc nis nca|s,
contrary are made prior to publication, DRAGON Magazine welcomes unso-
licited submissions of written material and artwork, however, no responsi-
bility for such submissions can be assumed by the publisher in any event
Any submission accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope of
sufficient size will be returned if it cannot be published. We strongly rec-
ommend that prospective authors write for our writers guidelines before
sending an article to us. In the United States and Canada, send a self-
addressed, stamped envelope (9 long preferred) to Writers Guidelines,
c/o DRAGON Magazine, at the above address, include sufficient American
postage or International Reply Coupons (IRC) with the return envelope. In
Europe, write to Writers Guidelines, c/o DRAGON Magazine, TSR Ltd.,
include sufficient International Reply Coupons with your SASE
Advertising: For information on placing advertisements in DRAGON
Magazine, ask for our rate card All ads are subject to approval by TSR,
Inc. TSR reserves the right to reject any ad for any reason. In the United
ua||s, an cas||c cfcnscs as
|cqa| rc|aincrs an tassa|s.
ccnsis|ing cf nis
What Is and Isn't nbsn!ctc?
Dear DRACN,
I havenl leen ganing for very Iong
lul Ive coIIecled a noderale anounl of
naleriaI. Sone recenl evenls have ne
vorried. Wilh lhe nev looks oul and
coning oul (lhe nev P|aqcrs Hanocc|
and DUNG|ON MAST|R Guic, and lhe
P|AY|RS OPT|ON and DUNG|ON MAST|R
Op|icn looks), are lhe oId PH8 and DMG
suppIenenls olsoIele` Are lhey vorlh-
Iess nov` WiII lhere le any nore of lhe
PH8 and DMG suppIenenls`
Chrislopher C. Decker
Irederic, MI
|f qcu ncan |nc Ccnp|c|c nanocc|
scrics (The ConpIele Wizards Handlook,
The ConpIele IaIadins Handlook, c|c.), |
cn| |nin| uc|| ctcr run cu| cf na|cria|.
(Nc|c |nc rcccn| ConpIele Necronancers
Handlook an ConpIele Ninjas Hand-
look.) Dccs P|AY|RS OPT|ON na|c anq cf
|ncn cosc|c|c? Nc, |ncq jus| ccn|ain iffcrcn|
infcrna|icn.
li|n |nis nucn cp|icna| na|cria| atai|-
ao|c fcr p|aq, i| is nc surprisc |na| scnc ru|cs
ccnf|ic| ui|n c|ncrs. Ycu|| natc |c ccic
unicn par|s ucr| oc||cr fcr |nc s|q|c cf can-
paign qcu run. || naq scun |i|c ucr| (an i|
is), ou| qcu|| natc a rca||q spccia|, uniquc
ucr| uncn qcurc finisnc.
Ycu ccu| a|sc c una| a |c| cf gancrs |
|ncu c, usc ctcrq|ning qcu can fin |na|
in|crcs|s qcu, an rcsc|tc |nc rarc ru|c ccn-
f|ic|s as |ncq cccur using ccnncn scnsc an
DM fia|.
RcvIcwIng thc rcvIcws
Dear DRAGON,
I nolice in Rick Svans revievs lhal he
never approaches lhe nosl inporlanl
poinl aloul lhe suppIenenls he revievs.
Do lhey nake lhe gane nore fun` If nol,
lhen regardIess of hov veII-crafled, lhey
are useIess and polenliaI luyers shouId
le varned.
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On thc Cnvcr
We here in the frozen tundra of
the upper midwest were also
drawn to the abundance of purple
cone flowers. With such an image
in circulation, can spring really be
far behind?
Scott Burdicks unique vision of
The Eye of the Dragon dramati-
cally portrays the immense size and
presence of these mythical beasts. It
isnt often that we get a glimpse of
the intelligence and sensitivity these
fearsome creatures are capable of:
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DRACN #226 7
In DRAGON Magazinc #222, Svan
revievs Tnc Ccnp|c|c 8cc| cf Nccrc-
nanccrs. I vouId Iike lo give ny lvo
cenls vorlh.
The nev nonveapon proficiencies
and kils are usefuI. The ViIe Iacls and
Dark Cifls are unnecessariIy unlaIancing.
They do have veaknesses, lul I have
added sonelhing. Cood priesls can lurn
any recipienl of Dark Cifls as speciaIs.
This lrings lack gane laIance.
Anolher poinl, lhe AD&D gane is nol
CaII of ClhuIhu*. Insanily speIIs and nad-
ness descriplions are unnecessary. The
onIy lhing I vouId have added is a con-
pIele speII descriplion of aII lhe necro-
nanlic speIIs nov avaiIalIe in lhe gane.
Having lhen aII under one cover vouId
le a lig heIp.
Sleve ShavIer
|| ucu| oc grca| if uc ccu| pu| ctcrq-
|ning in |nc Ccnp|c|c scrics |na| uc |i|c,
unfcr|una|c|q, ucrc ccns|rainc oq spacc.
lc can cn|q inc|uc sc nucn, sc na|cria|
appcaring c|scuncrc, |i|c c|ncr nccrcnan|ic
spc||s, natc |c oc gitcn cn|q a ncn|icn. As
fcr |nc insani|q ru|cs, | nus| isagrcc.
Diffcrcn| canpaigns ca|| fcr iffcrcn| nca-
surcs.
|tc nctcr na a orcunic, pixic, cr spri|c qcu nign| uan| |c cs|ao|isn a nanc fcr qcur-
in anq cf nq canpaigns, ou| | ucu|n| saq sc|f oq sc||ing a fcu ar|ic|cs |c ganing naga-
uc sncu| natc nc ru|cs fcr |ncn. Ric| naq zincs |i|c DRACN Magazine cr DUNCLN
nc| a|uaqs saq in sc nanq ucrs |na| X is a Advenlures. |f |na| rcu|c in|crcs|s qcu, uri|c
fun supp|cncn|, ou| i| sncu| oc fair|q c|car |c us, as| fcr a ccpq cf cur uri|crs guic|incs,
frcn nis rcticu if nc cnjcqc i|. |f nc in|, an cnc|csc an SAS| fcr |ncn.
nc|| |c| qcu |ncu. Gcc |uc|.
Jobs in the RPG industry
Dear DRAGON,
In a junior al a snaII coIIege on lhe
Chesapeake Bay. Cradualion is roIIing
cIoser, and In facing lhe oId queslion of
vhal lo do vhen In oul in lhe reaI
vorId. I recenlIy gol lo lhinking aloul
lurning ny Iong roIe-pIaying experience
and exposure lo lhe ganing vorId inlo a
career.
Hov does soneone go aloul gelling
a jol in lhe roIe-pIaying induslry` Are
lhere nany posilions avaiIalIe`
}uslin C. Keane
| can| |c|| qcu aocu| |nc atai|aoi|i|q cf
pcsi|icns. Mq cxpcricncc is |na| if |nc rign|
pcrscn ccncs a|cng, a pcsi|icn can oc
fcun. Tnc ocs| uaq |c gc| nirc oq an RPG
ccnpanq is |c scn in qcur rcsunc.
|f qcu cn| natc nucn cf a |rac| rcccr,
Hnw tn cnntact us
If you have a connenl, opinion, or
queslion for lhe edilors of DRAGON
Magazinc, vrile us a Ieller. Wed Iike lo
hear fron you.
In Anerica and Canada, vrile lo:
Lellers lo lhe Ldilor, DRAGON Magazinc,
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8
ILBRUARY 1996
1O
ILBRUARY 1996
ly IauI Iraser
iIIuslraled ly IaneIa Shanleau & Ton Baxa
CuttIng dnwn nn spc!!castcrs
campaIgn ba!ancc
very gane nasler vorlh his dice agonizes over keeping
his canpaign laIanced. The fiend Monly HauI slaIks every
seIf-respecling CM.
ne reason lo Iinil nagic is lhal an overalundance is lhe
easiesl vay for any fanlasy roIe-pIaying canpaign lo gel oul of
conlroI. SpeIIs and nagicaI ilens can calapuIl a carefuIIy laI-
anced canpaign inlo VaIhaIIa fasler lhan loo nuch lreasure or
loo rapid IeveI advancenenl, lecause nagic is lhe nosl pover-
fuI looI ~ and veapon ~ lhal pIayer characlers have.
Anolher reason for Iiniling nagic is aulhenlicily. To nake a
ficlionaI vorId cone aIive lo lhe pIayers, il nusl le aulhenlic.
Many canpaigns are pallerned ~ hovever lenuousIy ~ on reaI-
Iife exanpIes. MedievaI Lurope seens lhe nosl popuIar choice,
lul even if your canpaign is lased on Honers ||ia or }apans
Sengoku Lra, you nusl sliII ensure your crealion is failhfuI lo ils
prololype.
Consider a lypicaI ADVANCLD DUNCLNS & DRACNS canpaign
pallerned afler Lurope during lhe MiddIe Ages.
Your pIayers have prolalIy poinled oul lhe use-
Is thc kcy tn
Iessness of lradilionaI slone caslIes in a vorId vilh speIIs such
as f|q, |ransnu|c rcc| |c nu, and car|nqua|c.
Magic nakes il difficuIl lo juslify lhe feudaI sociely lhal forns
lhe lackdrop of nosl canpaigns. Hov can norlaIily rales and
food shorlages exisl vhen a cursory reading of Tnc P|aqcrs
Hanocc| suggesls lhe head priesl of every viIIage lenpIe is al
Ieasl 8lh IeveI` Thal neans every connunily has access lo
lhree curc |ign| ucuns, lhree s|cu pciscn, lhree curc iscasc or crc-
a|c fcc and ua|cr, and lvo ncu|ra|izc pciscn or curc scricus
ucuns speIIs per day.
Whal aloul vizards` Whals lhe poinl of aII lhose feudaI
arnies vhen a 5lh-IeveI nage vilh a fircoa|| can kiII up lo 3O Hil
Dice vorlh of O-IeveI nen-al-arns al a crack` Why shouId Iong-
dislance lraveI le difficuIl vilh |c|cpcr| and |c|cpcr| ui|ncu| crrcr
speIIs`
Magic aIso raises a nuch Iarger queslion aloul lechnoIogicaI
deveIopnenl. Why lolher vilh lechnoIogicaI innovalions (vind-
niIIs, crosslovs, cIocks) vhen nagic can accon-
pIish lhe sane resuIls nore efficienlIy` Indeed,
11
DRACN #226
sone canpaigns (such as lhe MYSTARA
selling) loasl highIy nagicaI vorIds vilh
efreeli-driven sleanships and lhe Iike.
Sone CMs are unconforlalIe vilh
high-nagic vorIds and lhe Iogic prol-
Iens generaled ly videspread nagic, or
lhey vanl lheir canpaign vorIds lo le
aulhenlic refIeclions of a given era (such
as lhose DMs vho use TSRs exceIIenl
hisloricaI reference canpaign source-
looks).
The hisloricaI reference looks offer
pIenly of praclicaI advice on Iiniling
nagic in a canpaign, depending on
vhelher lhe CM vanls a hisloricaI, Ieg-
endary, or fanlasy fIavor. Melhods
incIude Ienglhening speII casling lines,
Iiniling speII seIeclion, and reslricling
avaiIalIe characler cIasses.
There is nore lo consider lhan jusl
hov lo Iinil nagic, one nusl consider
unq lo Iinil nagic. The naller isnl jusl
ruIes and canpaign fIavor, ils gane laI-
ance, pure and sinpIe.
Ior inslance, vhals lo slop a cIever
priesl or vizard IC fron casling ccn|inua|
|ign| speIIs alop vooden poIes lo creale
pulIic Iighling for a cily or lovn, selling
hinseIf up as a sorl of pulIic uliIily con-
pany` Bolh versions of lhe speII are per-
nanenl, and lolh are avaiIalIe al reIa-
liveIy Iov IeveI (3rd IeveI for lhe vizard,
5lh IeveI for lhe priesl).
A greedy vizard oughl lo nake a
kiIIing seIIing easiIy produced nagicaI
ilens. SiniIarIy, a characler vilh a
ccan|cr cf cn|css ua|cr couId exacl a
huge sun fron a deserl kingdon.
TeIIing a pIayer his characler canl
eslalIish a pulIic Iighling uliIily lecause
of gane laIance is IikeIy lo annoy hin.
Cood DMs nusl offer lheir pIayers rea-
sons for lhe rarily of nagic and ils vaIue
vilhin lhe conlexl of lhe canpaign.
Thc rnnt nf thc prnb!cm
Liniling nagic neans Iiniling speII-
caslers. Theyre lhe ones vho casl lhose
lroulIesone speIIs. They creale lhose
pesky nagicaI ilens.
SpeIIcaslers nusl le rare. In loo nany
canpaigns (incIuding sone pulIished
vorIds), priesls and vizards are as con-
non as fIeas on a junkyard dog. The
DUNGLON MASTLR Guic slresses: The
greal nass of hunanily, eIf-kind, lhe
dvarven cIans, and haIfIings are 'O-IeveI
(zero-IeveI) characlers.
The DMG goes on: nIy a fev peopIe
acluaIIy allain any characler IeveI, no
naller hov Iov. Nol every soIdier vho
fighls in a var lecones a fighler. Nol
every urchin vho sleaIs an appIe fron
lhe narkelpIace lecones a lhief charac-
ler.
The DUNG|ON MAST|R Op|icn. Hign-|ctc|
Canpaigns look proposes lhal onIy one
person in 1O quaIifies lo lecone an
advenlurer and lreak lhal O-IeveI larrier.
In reaI lerns, IIorence in lhe 14OOs,
vilh a popuIalion eslinaled al 4O,OOO,
vouId have had aloul 4,OOO advenlur-
ing characlers of aII lypes and aII IeveIs.
Sone DMs nighl feeI even lhis guideIine
of one in len loo generous and consider
ralios of 1:2O or even 1:5O nore in Iine
vilh lhe adnonishnenl in lhe DMG.
Ils vorlh poinling oul lhal lhe Hign-
|ctc| Canpaigns look eslalIishes lhe
ralio for lhe sake of an exanpIe. The
ralio is lased on lhe assunplion lhal lhe
nininun requirenenl for an advenlurer
is a 15 or leller prine requisile aliIily
score, a Conslilulion of al Ieasl 9, and no
olher score Iover lhan 8. A DM nighl
chose nore slringenl nininuns.
Wnrds nf wIsdnm
The DMG expIicilIy slales lhal speII-
casling priesls are rare: Iriesl characlers
are (olviousIy) nol required lo lake up
arns and sel oul on advenlures lo snile
eviI. No, lheir hierarchies require adnin-
slralors, cIerks, and devoul vorkers of aII
lypes.
No one expecls a 1O,OOO-slrong arny
lo le nade up enlireIy of 1sl-IeveI fighl-
ers. Why shouId reIigious hierarchies le
nade up of 1sl-IeveI (and up) speIIcasling
priesls`
According lo lhe DMG, il is possilIe lo
have Ieaders vilhin a reIigious hierarchy
vho shov no signs of speciaI cIericaI
aliIily, onIy proper failh and piely. The
neasure of a priesl is devolion, nol rav
pover.
Lven lhe high priesl of a failh need
nol have speIIcasling povers. Renenler
lhal viIIage head priesl` He is nosl IikeIy
O IeveI, vilh no aliIily lo casl speIIs.
The DMG says onIy a fev inhalilanls
of a lenpIe or nonaslery viII le nen-
lers of lhe priesl characler cIass. Chances
are good nany such pIaces vonl have
any speIIcaslers.
Afler aII, lhe aliIily lo casl speIIs is a
poverfuI gifl. SureIy a deily viII granl il
onIy lo exceplionaI individuaIs, in nuch
lhe sane vay paIadinhood is reserved
for a chosen eIile. And sureIy lhose aliIi-
lies viII le granled onIy lo soneone vho
reaIIy needs lhen and viII use lhen daiIy
~ nol lhe acoIyle sluck al a nonaslery
copying looks, lul an advenluring priesl
lallIing his failhs foes. SpeIIcasling
priesls shouId le lhe exceplion, nol lhe
ruIe, in any cIergy.
12 ILBRUARY 1996
The nexl line lhe ICs slunlIe inlo a
IocaI shrine seeking heaIing fron lhe res-
denl priesl, lheyII le in for a surprise.
Characlers viII le forced lo reIy on lheir
ovn resources. Resurreclion and raisc ca
speIIs viII le nuch harder lo cone ly.
Nol onIy viII characlers le forced lo pay
lhrough lhe nose or lrade favors lo
secure such aid, lheyII firsl have lo lrack
dovn lhe speIIcasling priesls. This couId
le an advenlure in ilseIf.
IIagues, fanines, and high-norlaIily
rales lecone a nuch nore leIievalIe
danger in lhe canpaign vorId, lolh for
lhe ICs and lhe NIC popuIalion.
In ny canpaign, onIy lhe nenlers of
cerlain eIile fighling orders (pallerned
afler lhe reaI-vorId Knighls TenpIar,
Knighls HospilaIIer, and Teulonic Knighls)
can casl speIIs, pIus a fev advenluring
priesls vho Iive in unsellIed areas or
near lhe lorders of pagan Iands.
The luIk of lhe prieslhood are O-IeveI
nen and vonen. HisloricaIIy, priesls
lended lo leller educaled, so lhe non-
speIIcasling priesls in ny canpaign have
sage aliIilies. LocaI priesls nay nol le
alIe lo suppIy ICs vilh nagic, lul lhey
can offer infornalion.
WhItt!Ing dnwn wIzards
The DMG lakes a differenl viev of viz-
ards. AIlhough il requires highIy speciaI-
ized lraining, vizards are fairIy connon:
AInosl every viIIage has a feIIov vho
can vhip up a fev usefuI speIIs lo heIp
vilh lhe Ianling or sinpIify lhe con-
slruclion of a house. . . . NearIy aII najor
faniIies, nerchanl princes and nolIes
have a nage or lvo in lheir enpIoy.
Thals a Iol of vizards for lhe average
canpaign vorId. Beller vouId le lo have
nosl viIIage vizards IillIe nore lhan
vise nen vho use non-nagicaI herlaI
renedies lo effecl cures. A cIever conli-
nalion of chenicaIs and ninor conlrap-
lions nighl produce nagic. Al nosl,
lhese hedge vizards vouId have access
lo lhe can|rip speII. Lven 1sl-IeveI speIIs
nighl le leyond lhen.
Many vizards shouId le charIalans
vho pose as speIIcaslers lul are reaIIy Iil-
lIe nore lhan slage nagicians. Their
nagic is lrickery and deceplion. More
lhan one nolIe palron couId le fooIed
ly a viIy vondervorker posing as a
nighly nage.
Consider reaI-Iife exanpIes such as
CagIioslro and lhe Conle de Sainl-
Cernain. These connen posed as vork-
ers of nagic in lhe royaI courls of 18lh-
cenlury Lurope, leIIing forlunes, conjur-
ing spirils, and dallIing in aIcheny. Bul
lheir povers sprang fron science and
shovnanship, nol speIIs.
True vizards suffer nany conslrainls
in a given canpaign vorId. They require
lhe correcl naleriaI conponenls (oflen
expensive and rare) lo casl speIIs. And
lhe Iong periods of line lhey need lo
devole lo lheir sludies lend lo keep lheir
nunlers Iov.
The DMG inpIies lhal nosl vizards
are Iov IeveI, lecause onIy a fev are viII-
ing lo underlake lhe dangerous adven-
luring career needed lo accunuIale
experience poinls quickIy.
Mosl nenlers of sociely vouIdnl
have lhe offspring lo spare for such a
pursuil. The Iover cIasses need aII lhe
hands lhey can gel jusl lo produce
enough food lo survive. A noliIily lased
on a varrior cIass nighl hoId vizards in
conlenpl for lheir poor fighling skiIIs.
The upper cIasses, such as lhe Ianded
genlry, veaIlhy nerchanls and experl
arlisans, need lheir oIdesl chiId lo carry
on lhe faniIy lradilion.
Younger chiIdren are senl inlo lhe
prieslhood lo hedge a faniIys lels, as il
vere. If lhe oIdesl chiId canl nake a go
of il, nayle lhe younger one can lap
inlo lhe veaIlh and pover lhe priesl-
hood IikeIy offers. r younger chiIdren
are narried off lo nake favoralIe
aIIiances.
IconocIaslic and independenl vizards,
as lhe DMG descriles lhen, go lhrough
noney as fasl as lhey accunuIale il in
pursuil of lheir sludies. AIlhough vizards
possess greal personaI pover in lhe forn
of speIIs, lhey do nol necessariIy acquire
lhe infIuence or veaIlh (for Iong) lhal lhe
upper cIasses find desiralIe.
PcrsccutInn and cnmpctItInn
Non-speIIcaslers vouId righlIy viev
vizards and priesls vilh grave suspicion.
Think of lhe polenliaI for havoc al a
speIIcaslers fingerlips. LillIe vonder lhey
shouId le nislrusled ly connoners and
lhe secuIar and reIigious aulhorilies
aIike.
Iriesls are lo sone exlenl conslrained
ly lheir hierarchies and lheir deilies, lul
vizards have no such conlroIs. Iriesls
nighl viev vizards as lhreals lo lheir
pover, or al Ieasl capricious conpelilors.
Wizards nighl feeI lhe sane vay aloul
priesls. In CIanlri, a vizard-ruIed nalion
of lhe MYSTARA selling, priesls are hunl-
ed dovn as herelics.
The degree of perseculion lhal exisls
in lhe canpaign is up lo lhe DM. Wizards
nay have lo hide lheir povers, prelend-
ing lo le sinpIe sages, apolhecaries, or
slage nagicians. In vizard-doninaled
areas, priesls nighl have lo pose as fighl-
ers or piIgrins.
DRACN #226 13
Ierhaps speIIcaslers are nereIy dis-
lrusled, ralher lhan hunled. They can
praclice lheir profession openIy, vhiIe
leing carefuI nol lo provoke a lackIash.
A fev lad appIes nighl ruin lhings for
lhe lunch, of course.
The nore pious nighl Iook askance al
vizards lecause vizardIy povers donl
cone direclIy fron a deily, unIike lhose
of lhe priesl. Hov, lhen, can vizards le
lrusled lo use lheir povers viseIy`
Lileralure and foIkIore lhe vorId over are
rife vilh slories of vizards vho acled
unviseIy in lhe pursuil of knovIedge,
pover, or nagic, lherely infIicling greal
suffering on olhers.
The young apprenlice vizard Ced, in
UrsuIa K. Le Cuins Tnc lizar cf |ar|nsca,
unIeashes a lerrilIe crealure of unIife
upon lhe vorId vhiIe conjuring up a
dead spiril afler leing chaIIenged in
nagecrafl ly a feIIov sludenl.
The sinking of AlIanlis is sonelines
lIaned on sone lerrilIe experinenl ~
vhelher poverfuI nagic or lechnoIogy ~
gone avry. Ierhaps a nighly nalion in
your canpaign vorId suffered a siniIar
calaslrophe lhanks lo a neddIing vizard
or priesl, lIackening lhe nanes of his feI-
Iovs everyvhere as a resuIl.
SpeIIcaslers nighl aIso suffer persecu-
lion al lhe hands of olher speIIcaslers.
IoverfuI vizards or priesls vouId find il
in lheir lesl inleresls lo Iinil lhe nunler
of young upslarls. Il nakes Iife safer for
lhen ~ fever young vhippersnappers
Iooking lo knock off a lig gun lo nake
a nane for lhenseIves or rise in lhe hier-
archy.
When youre on lop of lhe heap, you
have nolhing lo gain ly shaking up lhe
slalus quo. Inexperienced vizards and
priesls nighl le hunled dovn ly lheir
nore poverfuI and Iess scrupuIous peers
and ensIaved, inprisoned, or even kiIIed.
Ior speIIcaslers in lhe lusiness of pro-
viding lheir services lo veaIlhy cIienls,
reducing lhe anounl of conpelilion goes
lo lhe hearl of leing successfuI. The
fever of you lhere are, lhe higher lhe
vages you can connand.
SpeIIcaslers viII aIso conpele for
speIIlooks (in lhe case of vizards), nagi-
caI ilens and necessary naleriaI conpo-
nenls. Depending on lhe aIignnenls of
lhe parlicipanls invoIved and lhe rarily of
lhe ilen in queslion, such conpelilion
couId gel falaI very quickIy. Al lhe Ieasl,
il viII aIvays le fierce. And one of lhe
lyproducls of survivaI of lhe fillesl is
lhal il heIps lhin lhe ranks.
HIghcr !carnIng
SpeIIcaslers nighl vanl lo keep lheir
profession an excIusive cIul. Il nighl le
for seIfish reasons, Iike slalus, or for lhe
lesl of inlenlions. They couId argue lhe
polenliaI for harn is loo greal lo leach
nagic lo jusl anyone. Today, for inslance,
ve expecl surgeons lo go lo nedicaI
schooI lefore lhey legin culling open
palienls on lhe operaling lalIe.
Like lhe nodern IegaI and nedicaI
professions, speIIcaslers nighl eslalIish
a quola syslen lo keep lheir nunlers
Iov. Ierhaps aspiring vizards nusl
allend officiaIIy sanclioned nagic
schooIs. AcoIyles nusl spend line in a
nonaslery or seninary.
nIy a fev sludenls vouId le adnil-
led al a line. LnroIInenl nighl aIso le
expensive, naking il affordalIe for onIy
a fev. Sludenl lraining nighl invoIve haz-
ardous lesls and lriaIs. Like a nodern
arny loolcanp, nol aII cadels viII pass
(or even survive) lasic lraining. Consider
lhe lesls of nagic in Krynn, of lhe
DRAGONLANCE selling.
SpeIIcaslers vho praclice lheir arls
vilhoul proper accredilalion risk arresl.
Rogue vizards vouId IikeIy have lheir
speIIlooks confiscaled. Iriesls nighl le
exconnunicaled.
Inhcrcnt pnwcrs
In sone canpaigns, speIIcasling couId
require nore lhan jusl proper lraining.
nIy lhose lorn vilh lhe pover nighl le
alIe lo vieId nagic. Ierhaps lhe forces
lehind nagic can le nanipuIaled onIy
ly lhose vilh a speciaI gifl for il (or curse,
depending on hov nagic is vieved).
Wizards and priesls, in effecl, are
nulanls.
f course, proper sludy and lraining is
sliII needed lo acluaIIy casl speIIs. Bul
soneone vilhoul lhe gifl couId sludy
for as Iong and as hard as he Iikes and
sliII le unalIe lo casl a singIe canlrip.
This raises queslions lhe DM nusl
ansver. Do lhe gods decide vho viII and
viII nol have lhis aliIily` Are lhere
groups seeking lo conlroI or eIininale
lhe gifled` Are lhe gifled revered or
reviIed` Hov is lhe gifl recognized`
The Tcnc cf Magic offers a speII lhal
fils veII vilh lhis viev of nagic. By ana-
Iyzing a persons aura, lhe speII uizar
sign| pernils lhe user lo delernine if
soneone is or isnl a speIIcasler, or lo
sense if a non-speIIcasler has lhe polen-
liaI lo Iearn and casl vizard speIIs.
A DM nighl expand lhe speII lo
incIude prieslIy nagic, or he nighl
decide priesls donl operale under lhe
sane reslriclions. Ierhaps prieslIy nagic
differs in nalure fron lhal uliIized ly viz-
ards, and a person need nol le lorn vilh
a speciaI gifl lo casl such speIIs, he needs
onIy lo le sanclioned ly his deily.
PayIng a prIcc
Il nay le lhal lhe Iavs of nagic
denand lhal a speIIcasler nake sone
sacrifice or suffer a curse or laloo lo le
alIe lo casl speIIs.
This is a connon occurence in foIk-
Iore and fanlasy Iileralure. Wu jen (an
rienlaI vizard kil fron Tnc Ccnp|c|c
lizars Hanocc|) vho lreak lheir voI-
unlary laloos Iose IeveIs, lecone iII and
can even die. In lhe Tnictcs lcr| looks,
lhe vizard RandaI vas unalIe lo cure
hinseIf of his aIIergies vilhoul grealIy
reducing his pover lo casl speIIs.
Taloos couId range fron reIaliveIy
ninor (nol Ielling anyone see lhe speII-
casler ealing) lo najor (never casling
speIIs afler dark). Curses nighl range
fron prenalure laIdness lo lhe uller
deslruclion of lhe characlers heaIlh, as
vilh RaislIin in lhe DRACNLANCL noveIs.
Sacrifices nighl incIude fasling for
Iong periods of line (lo purify lhe lody
and nind) or riluaI nuliIalion (running
lhe ganul fron sinpIe lody lalloos lo
scarificalion or vorse). The Norse god
din hung on lhe vorId-lree YggdrasiI
for nine days and nighls lo Iearn lhe
secrels of nagicaI runes. He casl one of
his eyes inlo lhe veII of Minir lo gain
visdon.
As speIIcaslers grov nore poverfuI
(i.e., gain nore IeveIs), lhe nalure of lhe
curse or sacrifice grovs nore coslIy. Al
1sl IeveI, a priesl nighl need onIy lo
svear never lo ride a horse in lhe rain. Al
5lh IeveI, lhe priesl nighl le forced lo
alslain fron aII aIcohoI. Al 1Olh IeveI, lhe
priesl nighl lalloo his face.
Civen such cosls, Iov-IeveI vizards
and priesls vouId forn lhe najorily of
lhe speIIcaslering popuIalion. nIy lhe
nosl pover-hungry vouId le viIIing lo
pay lhe price for access lo high-IeveI
speIIs.
Anolher price speIIcaslers nighl pay
invoIves pacls vilh exlrapIanar povers.
The vilch, anolher kil fron Tnc Ccnp|c|c
lizars Hanocc|, suffers periodic slrug-
gIes vilh lhe exlrapIanar forces lhal
leach her speIIs. The nosl fanous exan-
pIe is Iausl, vho is granled sorcerous
aliIilies afler naking a pacl vilh
MephislopheIes. Iausl is alIe lo conjure
14 ILBRUARY 1996
up lhe shade of HeIen of Troy as his
paranour and salisfy his olsession for
Iearning hidden Iore. The price he pays,
of course, is his innorlaI souI.
In sone sense, priesls nake pacls
vilh exlrapIanar povers in relurn for
speIIcasling aliIilies as a naller of
course. Bul perhaps vizards are unalIe
lo casl speIIs in your canpaign unIess
lhey loo nake sone kind of pacl or
aIIiance vilh lhe Beyond.
Iovers of Cood are unIikeIy lo exacl
as unpIeasanl a price as MephislopheIes,
of course, lul lhe cosl nighl sliII le
severe enough lo give any vouId-le
speIIcasler reason lo pause. Such a
Iover vouId IikeIy vanl lhe vizard lo
advance ils inleresls and conforn lo ils
lenels, even if lhey confIicl vilh lhe viz-
ards ovn ~ and good CMs viII see lo il
lhal lhey do.
On-thc-nb fata!ItIcs
f course, speIIcasling is a dangerous
Iine of vork. }ol-reIaled dealhs and seri-
ous accidenls shouId prune lhe ranks
conlinuaIIy.
The reIalive veakness of Iov-IeveI
vizards has leen discussed in lhe pages
of DRAGON Magazinc nany lines. Wilh
onIy 1d4 hil poinls and one 1sl-IeveI
speII, a 1sl-IeveI nage needs friends,
lrains, and Iuck lo survive. Beginning
priesls have il sIighlIy leller, vilh 1d8 hil
poinls and lhe aliIily lo vear arnor.
Advenluring speIIcaslers face nany
olvious hazards, incIuding nonlers,
lraps, and eneny nagic. Lven slay-al-
hones are vuIneralIe lo fanine, disease
(nol lhe hardiesl foIk, nosl vizards), acci-
denls (He never sav lhal runavay
vagon coning!), and oId age. Wizards
and priesls nighl have access lo pover-
fuI speIIs, lul lhey donl nake lhe speII-
caslers superhunan.
SpeIIcaslers aIso vork vilh dangerous
sulslances in lheir experinenls (nonsler
lody parls, acids, chenicaIs, elc.) and
dallIe in Things Besl Lefl AIone. The
accidenl rale is IikeIy prelly high.
A DM couId lake inspiralion fron
nearIy any slory ly H.I. Lovecrafl. His
prolagonisls aInosl invarialIy end up
crippIed, insane, or dead as lhey pursue
forlidden Iore and lraffic vilh lerrifying
LIder Cods and lheir denonic servilors.
Ralher lhan Iinil your oplions, use
severaI ralionaIes lo give yourseIf nore
fIexiliIily in lhe face of pIayers efforls lo
push lhe enveIope on nagic avaiIaliIily.
A canny pIayer viII have lhoughl up
pIenly of reasons vhy her characler
shouId le alIe lo eslalIish a vizards
guiId lo allracl olher nages and appren-
lices, lhus gaining access lo aIIies and
speIIs.
A DM vorried aloul lhe effecl on
gane laIance viII have a nuch slronger
hand lo pIay if he can poinl oul lhal nol
onIy vas lhe Iasl such guiId lroken up ly
rivaI vizards fearing ils pover, lul ils
founder vas lried and execuled for
vilchcrafl ly lhe IocaI reIigious aulhori-
lies.
A happy side-effecl of deciding on
ralionaIes for Iiniling nagic is lhal lhey
add fIavor lo your canpaign. A vorId
vhere vizards are hunled ly lhe HoIy
Inquisilion ~ forced lo vork lheir nagic
vhiIe posing as sages or apolhecaries ~
is going lo le a Iol nore nenoralIe
lhan a canpaign vhere speIIcaslers are
jusl anolher group of nundane profes-
sionaIs, Iike innkeepers or arnorers.
AIlhough lhe AD&D gane is used ly
vay of exanpIe, lhe ralionaIes offered
here couId le appIied lo any gane sys-
len vhere nagic exisls.
Pau| |rascr is a fu||-|inc jcurna|is| in Ncta
Scc|ia, Canaa. Hc nas DMc succcssitc
ADcD canpaigns sincc 1983. Hc nas uri||cn
fcr DRACN Magazine ocfcrc.
Renenler your SASL`
If you are vriling lo DRAGON
Magazinc, donl forgel lo encIose a
seIf-addressed, slanped enveIope
if you vanl a repIy.
DRACN #226 15
QuIck and dIrty wnr!dbuI!dIng
ly David CIarke
cartngraphy by Rny Bnhn!st
l firsl gIance, lhe process of crealing your ovn canpaign
A
vorId nay seen overvheIning. Consider lhe delaiI and
lreadlh of lhe IRCTTLN RLALMS and lhe CRLYHAWK sel-
lings. Whal DM, ly hinseIf, couId creale such a lhing`
The ansver is you, and in a Iol Iess line lhan you lhink.
The process has onIy lhree lroad sleps ~ one of vhich you
can do in a hannock vilh your eyes cIosed. AdnilledIy, each of
lhese lroad sleps has snaIIer sleps vilhin, vhich is vhere lhe
reaI vork is. Based on vhal you do in Slep ne, lhough, creal-
ing your ovn canpaign vorId can le as quick or easy or line-
consuning as you Iike. (We can even design one as ve go).
5tcp 1: DccIsInns, dccIsInns...
You vonl need any graph paper or penciIs for lhis slage,
lhough il nay uIlinaleIy le lhe nosl inporlanl. You nusl nake
lhree decisions, lul donl casl any of your choices in slone unliI
youve considered aII lhree.
Iirsl you viII have lo decide hov nuch delaiI you vanl your
vorId lo have.
More is leller is nol necessariIy lhe correcl idea. If you spend
4OO hours deveIoping every lurg and lranlIe, you vonl have
nuch line for acluaI DMing (or anylhing eIse, for lhal naller).
AIso, if you have aII lhe delaiIs vorked oul ahead of line, you
vonl have nuch fIexiliIily Ialer on if you have nev ideas, if your
canpaign changes, or if you find a noduIe you Iike lul canl use
lecause your vorId is loo defined for inprovisalion. Whal nay
le vorsl of aII is lhal loo oflen DMs creale vonderfuI, rich
advenlures and sellings for lhe pIaces lhey lhink lhe
The olher exlrene is lo have very IillIe delaiI. Ierhaps a nap
and vhal lype of cuIlure you vanl lo occupy each area viII suf-
fice for you and your pIayers. In a conlal-inlensive canpaign,
vho cares vho lhe Iasha of IhIegnar is, as Iong as you gel lo
kiII lhe fire gianls in his nounlains`
The lesl approach for nosl peopIe is one of noderalion. This
approach gives you lhe delaiI you need innedialeIy and aIIov-
ing fIexiliIily lo change lhings Ialer on. You nighl decide lo
delaiI lhe areas vhere lhe canpaign legins and add olher
delaiIs lo areas as lhe pIayers lraveI lhere. lviousIy, lhis viII le
a prolIen if your pIayers donl go vhere you expecl lhen lo.
You nighl inslead decide lo add sone delaiI lo each area, jusl in
case. The prolIen nov is eilher lhal an area is shorl-changed
vilh loo IillIe delaiI or lhal youve overvorked delaiIing every
lree and lird. A Iol depends on hov nuch infornalion your pIay-
ers vanl and vhal lype of canpaign youd Iike lo have.
You nusl nexl decide vhere lo pIace lhe laIance lelveen sci-
ence and fanlasy. If you choose a high-fanlasy vorId, lhere can
le sleany jungIes in lhe niddIe of lhe arclic lundra, rain can faII
up, dandeIions can laIk, and aII unicorns can expecl lo le
addressed, Your Hornedness. In olher vords, youII le naking
up lhe ruIes ly vhich your vorId funclions. This choice is a good
one for lhose vho donl vanl lo add nuch delaiI, since you can
nake up vhalever delaiIs you need, vhenever you vanl and
neednl vorry aloul pIayers arguing lhal il canl le. Keep in
nind, hovever, lhal in a fanlasy vorId vhere lhe ruIes ly vhich
lhe pIayers Iive are void, lhey viII prolalIy have a Iol of ques-
lions. A high-fanlasy DM nusl le very crealive and invenlive.
n lhe olher hand, lheres lhe scienlificaIIy accurale can-
paign vorId, lased on lhe acluaI principIes ly vhich ve Iive (al
Ieasl lo lhe exlenl lhal lheyre used in lhe AD&D gane). This is
a choice favored nore ly delaiI-enlhusiasls, lecause of lhe
alundance of Ianguages, fIora, fauna, cIinale, lopography,
ICs viII go, lhen lhe ICs go in lhe opposile direc-
lion, and aII lhe vork is vasled.
aIphalels, poIilicaI syslens elc. WhiIe lhis nelhod
offers innediale ansvers lo queslions Iike
DRACN #226 17
Whal season cones afler spring` and Is
il coId up in lhe nounlains` il can le
reslriclive. If you foIIov geographicaI sci-
ence, areas aIong rivers vhich fIood year-
Iy nusl le ferliIe, even if in lhe niddIe of
a deserl, vhelher you vanl lhen lo le or
nol. Likevise foresls norlh of a cerlain
poinl viII have lo le slriclIy coniferous
due lo lhe exlrene coId and Iack of valer.
In such a vorId, you neednl le as cre-
alive, lul you are sonevhal nore
reslricled in lerns of vhal is possilIe. (Ior
our sanpIe vorId, veII Iean lovard sci-
ence lul reserve lhe righl lo expIain sone
lhings vilh fanlasy).
The lhird lhing you nusl decide is lhe
lype of canpaign you vanl lo pIay. As
noled lefore, delaiIs Iike poIilics and per-
sonaIilies donl naller nuch lo pIayers
vhose goaI is lo kiII nonslers and coIIecl
lreasure. If lhis is lhe lype of canpaign
youII le running, your jol as vorId
designer is nuch easier.
If, on lhe olher hand, you Iike geo- poI-
ilics and inlend lo run a roIe-pIaying
inlense or poIilicaI inlrigue lype gane,
you can le prelly nuch assured lhal lhe
Iov-delaiI approach does nol vork. RoIe-
pIaying and inlrigue lolh reIy on NICs
and good slories. NICs need hones,
lackgrounds and experiences, slories
need sellings. No naller hov heaviIy
lased on fanlasy, a Iov-delaiI, highIy
inprovised vorId soon deveIops peopIe
and slories lhal shouId le connecled lul
arenl. IIayers quickIy nolice discrepan-
cies and lecone disenchanled. This is nol
lo say lhal a poIilicaI canpaign needs
noles as lhick as a phone look, lul il
does inpIy lhal nore delaiI and vork
nay le necessary.
5tcp Twn: Gct thc craynns
Nov lhal youve nade your lasic deci-
sions, lhe concrele process of crealion
can legin. By lhe end of lhis slage youII
have a nap vilh civiIizalions and lopo-
graphicaI fealures a pIenly.
Iirsl, Iisl lhe various cIinales and lopo-
graphicaI and geographicaI fornalions
you vanl lo use. You can aIso drav your
lasic Iand forn(s) (e.g., a lig isIand, sever-
aI snaII isIands, conlinenls, elc.).
Your decisions nay le infIuenced ly
lhe resources you have, such as lhe Vi|ing
Canpaign Scurccocc|. To incorporale lhis,
use an area vilh a coId cIinale, noun-
lains, and fjords on a sea lhal lorders on
olher cuIlures.
Anolher oplion is lo choose fealures
lased on lhe nonslers vho inhalil lhen,
such as a jungIe and vegepygnies and
su-nonslers. You nay vanl hiIIs for
haIfIings and foresls for eIves. Bear in
nind lhal youII have difficuIly squeezing
il logelher reaIislicaIIy if you choose loo
nuch lhal is loo diverse. Il is leller lo
have loo nany ideas and have lo scrap
sone lhan lo nol have enough. If youre
pIanning a high-fanlasy canpaign, your
lopography nay le sonevhal unusuaI
(or even veird).
Nexl, Iisl lhe various cuIlures and civi-
Iizalions you vanl in your vorId. Keep in
nind lhal any IC races you vanl need lo
have a honeIand. If you have source-
looks such as Tnc Rcnan |npirc, Kara-Tur,
or lhe AL-QADIM selling, you can counl
each of lhose as al Ieasl one cuIlure.
ReaIIy vhal youre doing is paving lhe
areas. You nay define sone areas ly lhe canpaign naleriaIs you pIan lo use for lhen, as in lhe areas lased on lhe AL-QADIM and
RAVLNLIT sellings alove.
18 ILBRUARY 1996
Map one. Al lhis slage, you are napping oul lhe generaIilies. This incIudes geographic fealures and vhich cuIlures inhalil vhal
way for adventures and plots within your
campaign.
If you intend to play a Law vs. Chaos
campaign, you might be able to get by
with two vast empires and some small
independent states. If you dont want to
have to detail too much, you can just
have a few nations. Civil wars and other
political forces could always diversify
your selection later on. If you intend to do
this, you may want to build cultural or
religious differences into the country right
from the start.
Cities are a special problem, since you
have to either own one thats pre-
designed, such as the LANKHMAR cam-
paign, Golden Huzuz, or Waterdeep, or
you must design your own. Consider that
each country probably has a capital too
(see Step Three). Important ruins, land-
marks, and religious sites might also be
added to your list.
You should now have a pretty impres-
sive list of geographical and political fea-
tures ready to be placed on a map. This is
the third task. Depending on the diversity
and quantity of features you listed, this
step can be easy or difficult. Likewise, if
youre designing a more fantastic world,
you neednt worry too much about the
rationale of any decision.
Elves and dwarves may live together
(maybe even underwater) in a fantasy
world, while the more reality-oriented
designers will want to separate them a
bit. Keep in mind that if theyre too far
apart, you wont be able to justify their
traditional racial animosity toward each
other.
A quick glance at the first map shows
that there are four states based on class,
four based on race, and five sourcebook
states. Two states focus on political sys-
tems, three are centered around mon-
strous inhabitants, four are based on cul-
ture, and several areas are unoccupied by
an established body. This arrangement is
perhaps a little crowded, but so is Europe.
Unlike Europe however, my states still
lack borders.
Because borders are often geographi-
cal features, they require some attention
at this point. As yet, we have no rivers on
the map because I've saved them for this
purpose. Not all states need to be sepa-
rated by rivers and mountains; they
might use stone markers or have borders
established only by tradition. As usual,
fantasy worlds might have no borders
and no sovereign states, thereby avoiding
these problems altogether. For adventur-
ing purposes, however, borders and bor-
der conflicts can be great plot motivators.
Step Three:
Then what happened?
At this point, we have a stage with
scenery but no play. Four things remain to
be done to make the production a suc-
cess. The first (and easiest) is to name all
the nations, cities, seas, forests, and so on.
I find that taking names from the phone
book or words from the dictionary and
switching a letter or two is a good way to
come up with names. You might also try
twisting a synonym for the region, such
as Arcania (from arcane) for a nation of
magic users.
If youve chosen a rather scientific
approach, be sure that the names you
Map two: Here is where you give everything names and draw the borders. Whether you actually deliniate borders or keep them in
your head, know where your empires and kingdoms are. Places previously idetified only as capitals, major cities, and game
world-based areas are named.
DRACN #226 19
choose correspond lo vhalever Ianguage
you assign lo an area. ne inleresling
aIlernalive lo lhis nighl le nol lo IaleI
anylhing excepl vhere your pIayers slarl
(and perhaps vhere lheyre fron). As lhey
lraveI lhrough lhe vorId lhey can nole
nanes ~ vhich youve had pIenly of line
lo lhink up ~ and drav lheir ovn nap.
The nap vouId le very vaIualIe lo lhe
parly (and olher Iess scrupuIous parlies)
as vouId naps vilh infornalion galhered
ly olhers. Inagine lhe ICs lreaking inlo
HegeI Keep jusl lo sleaI a Iook al lhe
ChanlerIains nap of lhe norlheasl cor-
ner of lhe vorId.
If you chose lhis ralher unorlhodox
approach, il couId nake your second slep
nore conpIicaled, naneIy, devising lhe
pIol(s) occurring in your vorId. This slep is
prolalIy lhe nosl inporlanl if you vanl
your canpaign lo exisl in a vilranl, Iiv-
ing, vorId. Lven if you chose a Iov-delaiI,
high-fanlasy approach, a cerlain anounl
of pIol is necessary lo keep lhe gane
fron gelling slaIe. If you chose a nore
poIilicaI lype of canpaign, youII definile-
Iy vanl lhese pIans veII Iaid.
Ior exanpIe, a civiI var is leginning in
easlern Ralhuric due lo sone IaIadins
leIiefs lhal nol enough is leing done lo
oppose CnashskuII. This area, knovn as
Tarnalion, has hisloricaIIy leen lhe hone
of Cood exlrenisls, in lhe LavfuI vs.
Cood, vhich is nore inporlanl` delale.
The Ieader of lhis uprising is one Sir
Derek, assisled ly his advisor, Nenur.
WhiIe Derek is NeulraI Cood, Nenur is
Chaolic NeulraI and an agenl of lhe Lord
of lhe Dark Lands. Il is lhe Lords hope
lhal a divided Ralhuric viII le unalIe lo
sland againsl lhe conlinenlaI var he is
pIanning.
Ive decided lhal lhe civiI var viII le in
fuII sving afler one nonlh of gane line
(fron lhe slarl of lhe canpaign). Afler six
nonlhs, lhe Dark Lord viII legin lo noli-
Iize his forces, and vilhin nine nonlhs lhe
var viII le veII undervay. If ny charac-
lers pass lhrough Ralhuric or lhe Dark
Lands, I knov vhals going on lhere. If
lheyre in anolher parl of lhe vorId and
ask a IaIadin for nevs, he can reIale lhe
nosl recenl nevs of lhe var. If I vere
nore inleresled in delaiIs, I couId have
five such pIols for each counlry and
region. Inslead, I have one or lvo for
each, sone reIaled lo olhers, aII inler-
voven inlo lhe Dark Lords pIans.
The pIols in each counlry are noslIy
poIilicaI, lul lhe delaiIs Ive devised vary
fron econonic lo poIilicaI lo sociaI and
hisloric. In Crundee, Ive focused on lhe
niIilary fears of lhe Rifl and reIalions vilh
lhe Nonads on lhe olher side of lhe
nounlains. In Yeo, Ive focused on lhe
energence of lvo nev poIilicaI and reIi-
gious Ieaders, vhiIe lhe enlry under
LIenenlia, League of focuses on lhe
sociaI infIuence of lhe LIenenls in lhose
counlries. The onIy unifornily Ive heId lo
is defining a nalions lorders, capilaI and
Ieader(s). A nore delaiI-orienled DM
nighl vanl lo define lhe poIilicaI, socio-
econonic, and hisloricaI lackground for
each counlry. Likevise, lhey nighl delaiI
each capilaI cily (vhich I did nol do).
Wilh everylhing naned and lhe slory
in nolion, lhe lhird slep is lo define olher
najor aclors lesides lhe ICs. In acluaI
gane pIay, nosl kings, queens, and
enperors viII prolalIy nol le vilaI NICs
lo lhe parly, as lhey viII le far loo inpor-
lanl lo vasle line reguIarIy on even high-
IeveI advenlurers. The nolIes, nerchanls,
generaIs, prieslesses, and olher charac-
lers vho viII le heIping, heaIing, and
harassing lhe ICs hovever, shouId le
considered.
Sone DMs prefer lo pIay NICs as lhey
arise, olhers have enlire Iife hislories vril-
len up. Whichever exlrene you choose,
lhis is lhe line lo pIan for lhose encoun-
lers. Again, if you knov lhe roule your
pIayers are IikeIy lo foIIov, you nighl le
alIe lo deveIop NICs for lhe firsl fev
nonlhs of gane line and vorry aloul
any olhers Ialer on.
The finaI slep is delaiIing. Lven if
youve chosen iniliaIIy nol lo add nany
delaiIs lo your vorId, you viII evenluaIIy
need sone. If youve chosen lo delaiI
your nev crealion heaviIy, youII quickIy
find lhal lheres no end lo vhal you couId
do. Ior lhe sake of pIayaliIily, lhere are
severaI olher suljecls you shouId prola-
lIy focus on iniliaIIy.
ReIigions, vealher, and Ianguages
lend lo have a Iol of inpacl on acluaI
pIay. IoIkIore, cuslons, and eliquelle can
le used a Iol in deaIings vilh foreign gov-
ernnenls. You nay aIso choose lo design
your vorId Iike lhis sanpIe one, vhere
lhere couId easiIy le anolher conlinenl
sonevhere off lhe nap lo lhe norlh. (My
pIayers have yel lo Iearn lhal lhey can
cross lhe gIacier and reach anolher Iand).
ver lhe years, Ive crealed four can-
paign vorIds, and, using lhe aforenen-
lioned syslen, can nov creale a pIayalIe
one in aloul lhree hours. lviousIy, ils
nol a high-delaiI vorId. Ior lhal Id need
severaI days. Adding delaiIs isnl as
HercuIean a lask as il sounds. Nolhing
aloul crealing your ovn vorId is difficuIl
if you knov vhal you vanl firsl and lake
il one slep al a line. YouII find crealing
your ovn vorId is lhe nosl salisfying
experience a DM can have.
David Clarke lives in West Allis, Wisconsin.
2O ILBRUARY 1996
>O Melissa C. Thompson
I!!ustratcd by JIm Hn!!nway
he crazy radish peddler; the swearing barkeep; the scribe
who insisted that his pet iguana, Prissy, was once a
famous adventurer: all of these are NPCs that I have run
into during the course of gaming. The characters from the cam-
paign I was in didnt interact with these NPCs for more than five
or 10 minutes, and they had absolutely no significant bearing on
the adventure at hand, yet they still stand out in my mind. Why?
Well, they were quirky, funny, and just plain interesting.
All too often, numerous NPCs take on the same personality:
that of the DM. This phenomenon has occurred in quite a few
of the campaigns I have been in, but it is not necessarily the
fault of the DM. Lets face it, players often do unusual and unex-
pected things, especially when it comes to meeting other char-
acters, and the DM cant possibly be expected to anticipate
them all. On occasion, the players will completely bypass the
town sage, whose background and personality traits are listed
in detail in the module, in favor of speaking to a miscellaneous
street urchin. How could the DM ever guess that the party would
try to question every single villager when the mayors chain of
office was stolen?
Times like these force the DM to think on his feet, and
although many of us seem to forget, DMs are people too; they
have their bad days just like everyone else. Maybe its late in the
evening and the DM is tired, or maybe the players have inter-
acted with so many NPCs that the DM just cant think of any
more personalities. Whatever the case, the result is that the DM
switches into generic town constable mode, or she uses her
average city merchant voice. (I am just as guilty of this as the
next DM.) While this serves its purpose well enough to get the
characters through the plot, it does little to add to the excite-
ment of the story.
The following tables present a possible solution to this prob-
lem. They include various physical and behavioral characteris-
tics, ranging from the the common to the downright weird. They
are not intended as a substitute for NPC personalities generated
by the DM, because as we all know, no chart or table can pos-
sibly top the creativity of the DM when hes on a roll; however,
they can be very handy during city adventures, for example,
when the players insist on conversing with every shopkeeper,
barmaid, and street vendor in town. And with the help of the
DM, they can provide unique details that will stand out in play-
ers minds long after the adventure is over.
Give the tables a try. Maybe your next encounter with an
NPC will be a moment youll never forget:
Oh, so youre adventurers, are you? Ah, well, I know all
about that. My iguana friend here, Prissy, used to travel exten-
sively before she hooked up with me. Didnt you
TABLE I - rn!! 1d6
1-3 - go to Table II.
4-6 - go to Table III.
TABLE II - rn!! d100
The NPC:
01 - talks at twice the speed of the average person.
02 - often falls into a reverie while talking, cutting off his
sentences.
03 - has a habit of twirling a coin between his fingers.
04 - has facial twitches.
05 - hasnt bathed in 76 days.
06 - is completely bald, with a large tattoo of a dragon on
the top of scalp.
07 - only speaks in a whisper.
08 - has no teeth.
09 - blinks very rapidly.
10 - has slurred speech.
11 - always flourishes his cape before introducing himself.
12 - speaks in a language that none of the PCs understand.
13 - has a potbelly that sticks out from underneath his shirt.
14 - will stop and stare at every attractive woman/man that
passes by.
15 - has an obsession with any jewelry that the PCs may be
wearing.
16 - has a pet ferret named Stinky.
17 - is blind.
18 - will work the topic of her dead mother into any
conversation, adding May the gods bless her soul.
19 - hums under his breath. (If asked, he denies that hes
doing it.)
20 - tries to teach one of the PCs the latest dance from
Waterdeep.
21 - refers the PCs to Anchors Aweigh, a very shady bar by
the docks.
22 - tries to convert the PCs (except clerics) to the religion of
the DMs choice.
23 - sighs loudly every three minutes.
24 - is too intoxicated to talk.
25 - loves animals and will speak to any horses or familiars
that the PCs may have.
26 - is dressed in a court jester's outfit (but is not a court
jester).
27 - has a hook instead of a left hand.
28 - invites the PCs to have dinner with her grandmother,
her husband, and her eight children.
now, Prissy? Go on, girl, and tell the nice humans 29 - speaks in an unusual dialect. (DM's
about it. Now there's a good little lizard. . . .
choice.)
DRACN #226
23
3O - conslanlIy Iooks over his shouIder.
31 - has a nasaI lone of voice.
32 - nunches a rav onion during inler-
aclion vilh lhe ICs.
33 - prelends lo casl speIIs, lul is nol a
nage.
34 - is acconpanied ly a pil luII
naned Ielunia.
35 - legs lhe ICs for food and drink.
36 - has a leard 2 Iong.
37 - is 4 laII.
38 - Ioves lo leII jokes.
39 - snorls vhen he Iaughs.
4O - hugs aII of lhe ICs lo veIcone
lhen.
41 - has a pernanenl sneer on his face.
42 - carries a slaff vilh an oslrich egg
nounled on lhe lop.
43 - is a nad scienlisl lype.
44 - has fangs.
45 - is dressed in lIack fron head lo
loe and vears a veiI.
46 - has very Iov seIf-esleen.
47 - carries a Iarge louquel of fIovers
and gives il lo a IC lefore deparl-
ing.
48 - is a nolIe in disguise.
49 - vears a Iarge nose ring.
5O - has lhe physique of a lody
luiIder.
51 - pIays lhe nandoIin.
52 - lries lo convince lhe ICs lo lake
hin advenluring vilh lhen.
53 - is hard of hearing and asks lhe
ICs lo repeal lhenseIves nore
lhan once.
54 - vears a horned Viking hal.
55 - onIy nakes sarcaslic renarks.
56 - carries a snaII, polled pIanl.
57 - does nol lrusl nages.
58 - does nol lrusl cIerics.
59 - does nol lrusl anyone.
6O - is a nealness freak and lidies up
afler lhe ICs.
61 - laIks lo hinseIf.
62 - lries lo seII lhe ICs an eIderIy cov.
63 - allenpls lo pick lhe pockels of lhe
Iargesl IC.
64 - nislakes one of lhe ICs for a
Iong Iosl reIalive.
65 - is a knov-il-aII.
66 - sneIIs Iike a garlage dunp.
67 - slridenlIy insisls lhal lhe end of
lhe vorId is near.
68 - asks one of lhe ICs for a dale.
69 - eals everylhing in sighl.
7O - refers lhe ICs lo his cousins hus-
lands lesl friends son, Darien
Sloul, for lIacksnilhing vork.
71 - is nule.
72 - has a halil of conslanlIy vinking
al peopIe.
73 - noves as if he vere sneaking
around, even in lroad dayIighl
vilh peopIe valching hin.
74 - faIIs in Iove al firsl sighl vilh one
of lhe ICs.
75 - sings ralher lhan speaks.
76 - has a lrealhy lone of voice, a Ia
MariIyn Monroe.
77 - offers lo luy lhe ICs a round of
drinks al lhe Rusly NaiI Iul.
78 - vanls lhe ICs lo lry his Ialesl
cuIinary crealion.
79 - nislakes lhe ICs for nenlers of
lhe IocaI lhieves guiId.
8O - shakes unconlroIIalIy.
81 - asks lo exchange a ICs vaIualIe
veapon (DMs choice) for five
nagic leans.
82 - has one poinled ear and one
rounded ear.
83 - vears a vhile, povdered vig.
84 - nislakes lhe ICs for lhe ninions
of a personaI eneny.
85 - is vrapped in a voIf skin.
86 - is a vegelarian.
87 - leIIs lhe ICs aII of lhe IocaI gossip.
88 - lrandishes a dagger as lhe ICs
approach.
89 - lvirIs his nuslache.
9O - vears nunerous goId neckIaces.
91 - sIurps his drink.
92 - Iaughs al everylhing lhe ICs say,
hunorous or nol.
93 - has a chronic, hacking cough.
94 - is annoyingIy cheerfuI.
95 - is annoyingIy neIanchoIy.
96 - has a ronanlic oulIook on Iife.
97 - fiddIes vilh a slring cals cradIe.
98 - gives lhe ICs excessiveIy Iong
(and loring) direclions.
24 ILBRUARY 1996
99 - speaks at half the speed of the
average person.
00 - Go to Table IV.
TABLE III roll d100
The NPC:
01 - prefaces every sentence with
Excuse me, but...
02 - is always chewing on a toothpick.
03 - pants as if breathless.
04 - views the PCs as beneath him
and acts accordingly.
05 - speaks in a shrill, high-pitched
voice.
06 - spits often.
07 - informs the PCs of all of his health
problems, from the corns on his
feet to his migraine headaches.
08 - refers to the PCs as young miss
and/ or young lad.
09 - advises the PCs that, when caught
in a dungeon with a low food sup-
ply, rats really dont taste too bad.
10 - wheezes alarmingly every now
and then.
11 - wears a fur hat regardless of the
weather.
12 - is enamored by the stylish cut of a
characters armor. (DMs choice.)
13 - tells outlandish tales of his own
adventuring days, all of which are
obviously not true.
14 - whines.
15 - feels the need to psychologically
analyze each of the characters.
16 - argues with spouse while talking
to the party.
17 - gives each character a piece of
candy at the end of the conversa-
tion and says, Now run along.
18 - has an intricate, tribal design tat-
tooed on his face and neck.
19 - has an accent.
20 - tries to pick a fight with the small-
est PC.
21 - wears a string of garlic around her
neck.
22 - calls everyone in the party dar-
ling, dearie, or honey.
23 - constantly interrupts whoever is
speaking.
24 - wears bright red lipstick.
25 - gives a few coins to the shabbiest
looking character as charity.
26 - has researched 127 different types
of spores and fungus and shares
his knowledge with the party.
27 - has built a secret flying machine.
28 - hisses sibilants.
29 - travels with a dancing bear.
30 - peddles wares by yelling, Hey
you! Buy this!
31 - is dressed entirely in bright purple.
32 - speaks with a lisp.
33 - appears frightened of the PCs.
34 - speaks in a blatantly patronizing
tone.
35 - asks the characters to join in a
chant of blessing.
36 - dares a character (DMs choice) to
a horse race.
37 - wears a medallion bearing a
crossed wand and dagger.
38 - taps fingers impatiently.
39 - trips and falls during conversation
with the party.
40 - asks, Havent I heard about you
before?
41 - tries to convince a character (DMs
choice) to marry a brother or sister.
42 - cleans fingernails with a dagger.
43 - kisses a PC in order to make a
spouse jealous.
44 - always smiles.
45 - never smiles.
46 - demands, You want what!? at
any request.
47 - disagrees with anything the char-
acters say.
48 - agrees with everything the charac-
ters say.
49 - espouses faith in the ability of
local government officials.
50 - has a frog in a cage with a sign:
Kiss the Frog Prince, one copper
piece.
51 - speaks with a drawl.
52 - is incredibly clumsy.
53 - has a tarantula on one shoulder.
54 - has pieces of straw stuck in his
hair and clothing.
55 - often trips over his own feet.
56 - repeatedly shifts weight from one
foot to the other.
57 - has the contents of an entire tool
box hanging from belts and ban-
doliers.
58 - has hair so long that it drags on
the ground.
59 - claims to have seen a tarrasque
around the last corner.
60 - asks the characters for every little
detail of their adventures.
61 - wears a ring on every finger.
62 - mumbles.
63 - peppers conversation with reli-
gious affirmations like Selune be
praised and May Tyr light your
path.
64 - has a close friend who is the best
sword fighter in this part of the
realm. No, I really mean it!
65 - makes throaty, growling noises.
66 - goes out of his way to assist the
characters.
67 - is a one-man band.
68 - has a witty retort for all of the
characters comments.
69 - squints due to extreme short-
sightedness.
DRAGON #226 25
7O - has a lad case of lhe sniffIes.
71 - vears loo nuch perfune, causing
one of lhe ICs (DMs choice) lo
sneeze unconlroIIalIy.
72 - viII ansver onIy yes and no
queslions.
73 - speaks in cIiches.
74 - is 96 years oId (hunan).
75 - inforns lhe ICs of lhe nedicinaI
vaIue of prune juice and cayenne
pepper.
76 - conpIains aloul high laxes.
77 - has a Iinp.
78 - is an undercover conslalIe.
79 - can discuss no lopic lesides var.
8O - is nol vearing shoes.
81 - laps one fool rapidIy.
82 - fusses vilh his hairslyIe.
83 - has painled-on eyelrovs.
84 - has a haunling voice.
85 - cIears lhroal lefore speaking.
86 - fIexes nuscIes for lhe characlers.
87 - is painfuIIy shy and viII fIee in
enlarrassnenl if deaIl vilh
harshIy.
88 - uses ruraI, coIIoquiaI expressions
such as Hov do you Iike lhen
appIes`
89 - has a quick lenper.
9O - leIches.
91 - cries easiIy.
92 - offers lo leII lhe characlers fulure
ly reading lea Ieaves, aII for lhe
reasonalIe price of 5 gp each.
93 - speaks in a nonolone voice.
94 - has pierced eyelrovs.
95 - speaks in pig-Lalin.
96 - conposes a poen in honor of lhe
ICs.
97 - vears a gradualion-lype role and
a norlar loard.
98 - lries lo seII lhe ICs rare faerie
dusl. (Il is acluaIIy fineIy-ground
saIl.)
99 - can onIy laIk lo lhe ICs for lvo
ninules and 56 seconds, due lo a
lusy scheduIe.
OO - Co lo TalIe V.
TABLE IV roll 1d4
The NIC:
1 - is schizophrenic and oflen hears
voices.
2 - is a Sianese lvin, connecled al lhe
hip.
3 - is a naniac. There is a 5O chance
he viII nake an allack on lhe
parly.
4 - is dead. Il lakes Id6 rounds
lefore lhe parly reaIizes lhe
NICs condilion.
TABLE V roll 1d4
The NIC:
1 - has vings.
2 - is psychic and can anlicipale lhe
pIayer characlers every
queslion.
3 - is invisilIe.
4 - is undead.
Mc|issa C. Tncnpscn |itcs in Graqs|a|c,
|||incis. Tnis is ncr firs| appcarancc in
DRACN Magazine.
26
ILBRUARY 1996
ly }ason Slrasser
I!!ustratcd by PhI! LnngmcIcr
osl peopIe associale inprovisalion vilh jazz,
yel inprovisalion is lhe hearl and souI of leing
a good Dungeon Masler. No skiII is nore usefuI
or nore caIIed upon, nor so separales lhe naslers fron lhe
novices.
Il is essenliaI lo lhe seanIess progress of a lighlIy voven
canpaign lhal you, lhe DM, le ready for any evenluaIilies lhal
lhe ever-crafly pIayers nay cone up vilh. This is nol nereIy a
naller of assuning a fev prolalIe courses of evenls and pIan-
ning for lhen, nor is il sinpIy resorling lo nanipuIalion of NICs
and sellings viIIy niIIy. IIayers deserve a reasonalIe, consislenl
reaIily.
A DM vho lries lo infIuence lhe pIayers lo foIIov a carefuIIy
pIolled advenlure inevilalIy vinds up reslricling lhen and
inpinging upon lhe necessary iIIusion of freedon. No one
vanls lo pIay in a vorId vhere everylhing is olviousIy predes-
lined. Iree viII is inporlanl, as il dravs lhe pIayers deeper inlo
lhe gane. Il lherefore lehooves lhe viIy DM lo give lhe pIay-
ers aII of lhe rope lhey need lo hang lhenseIves. This is vhere
lhe inprovisalion cones in.
Like a jazz nusician, lhe experienced DM has a fev scenar-
ios (scaIes) and characlers (chords) up his sIeeve lo lhrov oul in
response lo any silualion he nay find hinseIf in. The reaI arl is
in lhe sponlaneous appIicalion of lhese lenpIales
scaIes in response lo lhe chord changes. Changing lhe scenario
lo fil lhe changing characlers is lhe key lo inprovisalion. The
fIexiliIily lo adapl conslanlIy lo lhe nood, senlinenl, and allen-
lion span of your parlicuIar casl of characlers Iies in inleIIigenl
and laslefuI appIicalion of lhis principIe.
Inprovisalion is a deIicale laIance lelveen order and chaos,
a laIance lhal conslanlIy shifls and is exlreneIy lenuous.
Say, for exanpIe, lhal your pIayers are lelveen advenlures
or enlarking upon a fresh one. A poor DM vouId sinpIy leII
lhen vhal happens lo Iead lhen lo lhe nexl scenario. This,
hovever, is an exceIIenl opporlunily lo drav your ICs in ly
using a IillIe inprovisalion. Inslead of leIIing lhe pIayers vhal
happens lo lhen, Iel lhen do vhalever lhey vanl lo do. In facl,
lry lo slay oul of lheir vay. SinpIy descrile for lhen lhe Ioca-
lions lhey pIace lhenseIves in. Then use NICs and eIenenls
naluraI lo lhe selling lo inlroduce pIol lhreads. Be sullIe, aIIov-
ing lhe pIayers and lhe naluraI incIinalions of lhe NICs lo dic-
lale lhe aclion. n lhe olher hand, sonelhing dranalic nusl
happen in lhe firsl fev ninules in order lo hook your pIayers in
and perk up lheir inleresl in conlinuing.
I have seven goIden ruIes usefuI in DM inprovisalion.
1. Listen to the players
DMs oflen ignore lhe vaIualIe infornalion lhal pIayers
knovingIy and unknovingIy hand lhen lhroughoul lhe gane.
The nosl inporlanl infornalion you can gIean fron your pIay-
ers is vhelher lhey are having fun. Sonelines ve forgel vhy ve
pIay lhese ganes, so il is vilaIIy inporlanl lo gauge lhe pIayers
IeveI of inleresl in a given suljecl or aspecl of pIay.
in reaI line. As DM, you nusl le alIe lo foIIov
lhe changes, noving efforlIessIy lelveen
Try lo ascerlain vhal sorl of advenlure lhey
vanl, for vhal kinds of oljecls lhey vouId
29 DRACN #226
quesl, vhal kind of eneny lhey vouId
fighl, vhal causes lhey vouId defend,
elc. Are lhey hackers and sIashers or puz-
zIe soIvers` You need lo knov lhis righl
avay.
Lislen lo vhal lhey say, especiaIIy
lheir firsl inpressions. Iay cIose allenlion
lo hov your ideas vork in execulion. You
nay le alIe lo laiIor fulure scenarios if
you are leller avare of vhal has vorked
and vhal hasnl.
Use lhe vords your pIayers use.
Sonelines even repealing lack lhe Iasl
oljecl lhey spoke aloul in your descrip-
live repIy can le a usefuI device. Ior
exanpIe, vhen Borundi lhe BoId says he
vanls lo gral lhe purpIe-headed serpenl
ly lhe neck and crush lhe Iife oul of il,
lhen you repIy vilh, As you gral lhe pur-
pIe headed serpenl ly lhe neck and
allenpl lo crush lhe Iife oul of il, il spils
a slrean of acid al your eyes. |RoIIing lhe
dice.j ooh! You nighl vanna nake a
saving lhrov. Donl overuse lhis device,
hovever, as il can gel nonolonous.
When used in noderalion, il gives lhe
pIayers lhe feeIing lhal lhey have an
effecl on lhe oulcone, or al Ieasl lhal
you are Iislening lo lhen.
Lislen, Iislen, Iislen. This cannol le
said enough. Lislen lo lhe lone of voice
your ICs are using. You can give yourseIf
a pal on lhe lack and knov lhal you
have done veII if you hear lhen Iaugh-
ing or dispIaying sone olher enolion. If
lhey sil up and pay cIoser allenlion lo
your vords, lhen you are on a roII... go
vilh il.
2. Brcak sccnarIns Intn p!nt
pIcccs and thrcads
Slarl ly laking aII of your scenarios
and lreaking lhen dovn inlo lhe snaII-
esl anounl of aclion possilIe. Separale
oul aII of lhe pIol pieces lhal do nol
require any previous aclion for lheir Iogi-
caI usage al any line.
These are your lhreads, and vilh
lhen you can veave any slory inlo your
pIayers deslinies.
ConpiIe, a Iisl of each lhread vilh aII
reIevanl delaiIs (such as NIC and nonsler
slals vilh a lrief descriplion). When lhe
pIayers find lhenseIves in a IikeIy Ioca-
lion, you can appIy any suilalIe lhread.
Cood lhreads innedialeIy creale confIicl
and noves lhe slory aIong quickIy.
Ior exanpIe, a vonan in lhe roon is
acluaIIy lhe goddess Arlenis in disguise,
and she is Iooking lo alducl a fev
decenl voodsnen for her annuaI norlaI
hunl. Having heard lhe ICs lragging and
exaggeraling aloul lheir expIoils, she
assunes lhen lo le vorlhy heroes and
allenpls lo kidnap lhen. Neilher lriIIianl
nor loring, lhis is lhe lype of lhread lhal
can le pIayed al any line vilh a good
chance of snagging aII lhe pIayers inlo a
series of evenls lhal vouId never have
olhervise happened.
Cive pIayers a chance or lvo lo opl
oul of any silualion, lul aIso give lhen
lhe chance lo opl in. Il is a good idea lo
have a fev divergenl lhreads going
sinuIlaneousIy, aIIoving lhe pIayers lo
foIIov vhichever lhey pIease or none al
aII.
Nol aII lhreads are huge evenls lhal
jusl seen lo happen, nany are sinpIy
inleresling NICs or inviling IocaIes (e.g.,
scuffIing noises enanaling fron a circus
lenl afler hours). nce lhe pIayers have
laken a lhread, hovever, you can choose
pIol pieces. Inprovisalion is aloul knov-
ing vhere you can snoolhIy go lo fron
vhere you are nov. Sncc|n is lhe key
vord.
If you are paying allenlion lo your
pIayers, you viII knov vhen lo use
vhich pIol piece and vhich ones gral
specific pIayers. You nay have lo vork a
IillIe lo lring lhen aII in. The ICs nay
require differenl lhreads. SeeningIy dis-
siniIar lhreads can, in facl, le differenl
enlrances lo lhe sane scenario.
IIol pieces fron differenl scenarios
can le used anyvhere lhey fil, lul lhey
never force lhe ICs inlo anylhing. AIIov
free viII lo drav lhen inlo vhalever sce-
nario lhey vouId nosl lhoroughIy enjoy.
Lel lhen lhink lhey are chosing lheir
ovn deslinies, onIy you need knov lhey
are foIIoving your pIans. Renenler lhal
sloryleIIers are iIIusionisls. Slrive lo use
pIol pieces in as unollrusive a nanner as
possilIe. If lhe lhe hand is quicker lhan
lhe eye, lhen hov nuch nore so is lhe
nind`
3. PractIcc crcatIng dctaI!s
nn thc spnt
No naller hov veII you pIan ahead,
lhere viII le sonelhing in lhe course of
pIay (nore IikeIy nany sonelhings) for
vhich you couIdnl have pIanned. Your
pIayers viII vind up asking queslions for
vhich you havenl prepared ansvers. Il is
lherefore lo your advanlage lo le alIe
creale delaiIs on lhe spol. Many lines
lhis is jusl a naller of asking yourseIf
sone key queslions.
Your scenarios shouId incIude a veII
ansvered unc, una|, uncrc, uncn, and
unq, lul you need lo le alIe lo cone up
vilh lhe hov and a lunch of IogislicaI
and descriplive delaiIs fairIy quickIy. Ask
yourseIf vhal kind of lhings you vouId
find in lhe currenl IocaIe. Try nol lo le
loo cIiched, lul reaIIy go afler lhose
lhings ve lake for granled. Avoid sinpIy
leIIing lhe pIayers aloul delaiIs, ralher,
inlroduce delaiIs vilh aclion.
Ior exanpIe, vhen Ulher lhe Barlar-
ian gels up and knocks a lalIe over in
lhe Red Crov Inn, lhis is a good line lo
nenlion delaiIs such as (a) lhe lexlure
and consislency of lhe pea soup Ulher
vas ealing, (l) lhe reIalive posilions of
lhe ICs and NICs lo lhe fIying delris,
and (c) a nore delaiIed descriplion of
Ulher and his deneanor. You nay vanl
lo descrile sone lhings vilh a nagnify-
ing gIass, vhiIe aIIoving olher delaiIs lo
go unreporled.
Much of lhis is a queslion of slyIe.
Your canpaign nay le fiIIed vilh jokers
and le sonelhing of a conedy. n lhe
olher hand, your canpaign nay le nore
of a slandard aclion advenlure.
Lven vilhin lhe lradilionaI svord and
sorcery genre lhere is roon for nany
slyIes. Dark fanlasy requires a differenl
louch fron epic fanlasy. Il is quile possi-
lIe lhal you prefer a nininaIislic slyIe,
and jusl vanl lo cul lo lhe chase. Mosl
canpaigns junp genres lo sone degree
vhiIe slaying vilhin a fanlasy frane-
vork. Many lines a perceplive DM viII
change lhe lone of lhe canpaign lo
nalch lhe currenl nood of lhe ICs.
Again, lhis is up lo you as lhe DM, lul in
any case, le prepared lo conjure leIiev-
alIe delaiIs oul of lhin air, regardIess of
lhe slyIe or lone of your canpaign.
Lven lhe lesl vrillen noduIes are
nereIy oulIines lhal your vords fIesh oul.
Your sponlaneous aliIily lo lurn fIal, lvo-
dinensionaI scenarios inlo vivid, Iarger-
lhan-Iife, lechnicoIor dranas is conslanlIy
caIIed upon as a DM. Ils vorlh spending
a IillIe line honing lhis skiII ly praclicing
visuaIizalion exercises and enacling nuI-
lipIe vhal if scenarios. Much of lhis is
daydreaning, so lo speak. In facl, lhe lel-
ler you can daydrean, and lhe nore con-
lroI you can exerl in lhose dreans, lhe
leller DM you viII cone lo le.
4. DctcrmInc thc prnbabI!Ity
nf succcss fnr any actInn
Many lines, pIayers allenpl lo do
sonelhing for vhich you eilher canl
renenler lhe ruIe or for vhich lhere is
no ruIe. Back in lhe earIy days of RICs,
vhen ruIes vere nore anliguous, DMs
had lo nake quick judgnenls on lhe
3O ILBRUARY 1996
spol as lo vhal shouId happen. Lven
loday lhere are nany circunslances for
vhich lhe ruIes are siIenl. You have lo le
alIe lo judge lhe ease pIayers viII have
in perforning sone aclion or anolher.
nce lhe pIayers gel inlo a fIov and
are quickIy noving aIong, you shouId do
everylhing in you pover nol lo lreak lhe
speII. In any evenl, a good DM shouId le
faniIiar vilh aII lhe ruIes, you shouId le
alIe, vhen necessary, lo cone up vilh
quick percenlages or nodifiers lo speed
lhings up and nol lreak lhe fIov of lhe
gane.
Begin ly giving everylhing a 5O/5O
chance or an allrilule roII, and appIy
nodifiers as you see fil. Ior inslance, if
IhyIo lhe NinlIe has lhe priceIess Lye of
Inholep and is running dovn a sIick
narlIe haIIvay fron lvo lurIy lenpIe
guards, and he cones lo a dead end, lhe
pIayer nay desperaleIy cone up vilh
sone inpossilIe nove (prolalIy seen in
sone novie) lo save hin. Say IhyIo
decides lo run fuII speed al lhe vaII vilh
lhe inlenl lo fIip lackvards off lhe vaII
and kick lolh guards in lhe head.
Ludicrous, you say, and you are righl, lul
IhyIo vanls lo lry il, and he does have a
Dexlerily of 17. So, inslead of vasling
line Iooking lhe issue up in lhe DMs
guide, you lile lhe luIIel and nake a ruI-
ing. Due lo lhe conpIexily of lhe naneu-
ver, you nay slarl vilh 51, or lhree
lines his Dexlerily raling. Then, lecause
of lhe sIick fIoor, sullracl nayle 1O,
and nayle anolher 1O for having his
arns fuII, and you gel 31. Using per-
cenliIe dice, aIIov IhyIo lhe chance lo
puII off his Bruce Lee drean nove. (f
course, even if he nakes il, he sliII nusl
successfuIIy roII his allacks.)
Whelher lhe percenlage accuraleIy
refIecls IhyIos chance of acluaIIy accon-
pIishing lhe acl is nol as inporlanl as
vhelher you have lo spend five or 1O
ninules Iooking up lhe acluaI ruIe. In
generaI, if lhe pIayers can lhink il up,
lhen give lhen sone chance al succeed-
ing. This doesnl have lo le reaIislic, lhe
pIayers are fanlasy heroes and expecl lo
le alIe lo do lhings inpossilIe for nor-
naI peopIe. By aII neans, if soneone
roIIs a O1, Iel hin do jusl aloul anylhing.
Lven David kiIIed CoIialh.
5. Rca!!y gct Intn thc
NPC's hcads
NICs are generaIIy shop-vorn slereo-
lypes or lhin, penciIed-in exlras. Worse,
lhe lypicaI DM pIays NICs vilh IillIe or
no differenlialion and soIeIy lo furlher
lhe pIol. DMs are nissing oul on a goId
nine of overIooked nelhods lo drav ICs
furlher inlo lhe gane. Inleresling NICs
can provoke pIayers inlo silualions lhey
nighl never have found lhenseIves in
olhervise.
Whenever you are caIIed upon lo pIay
an NIC, do your lesl lo gel inlo lhal
characlers nind. Whal nolivales lhal
parlicuIar characler` Iul sone lhoughl
inlo vhal lhis characler vouId say or do
in a given silualion. Make lhen conpIex,
reaIislic, and Iiving leings.
NICs are seIdon privy lo lhe deeper
secrels of a canpaign and nay acl for
nany very differenl reasons. Il adds
anolher Iayer lo lhe scenario if lhe NICs
lhink lhal sonelhing olher lhan vhal is
happening is happening. Il can le usefuI
lo aIIov a deIusionaI NIC lo sleer lhe
pIayers dovn lhe vrong palh.
Lel lhe pIayers gel lo knov your
NICs, and use lhe sane NICs (especiaIIy
lhe viIIains) over and over again during
lhe course of a Iong canpaign. Nolhing
adds nore conlinuily lhan recurring
characlers and Iocalions. Bring oId char-
aclers lack in nev Iocalions and oId
Iocalions vilh nev characlers. This is a
sure-fire vay lo gral lhe characlers.
(Whal is Ialher }ohnslon doing 1,5OO
niIes fron his church oul here in lhe
lush of sone lropicaI isIand`)
Il vouId le even nore inlriguing if in
pasl advenlures lhe ICs had slunlIed
upon sone snaII piece of evidence lhal
lhe church vas invoIved in snuggIing
sIaves. Ierhaps lhe characlers are
searching for a lreasure descriled in lhe
j ournaI of sone shipvrecked sIave
lraders. The possiliIilies are endIess.
Never gel loo allached lo your NICs.
You nusl le viIIing lo Iel lhe ICs sIaugh-
ler, ridicuIe, or ~ even vorse ~ ignore
your NICs. They are fodder, grisl for lhe
niII, and as such lheir soIe purpose is lo
give you a pre-nade casl of characlers lo
faII lack upon. Sonelines lhey are jusl
fiIIer, Iike lhe dark-eyed rogues in lhe
narkelpIace vilh lhe snug grins. lher
lines lhey lecone essenliaI slory
novers, Iike lhe Dvarven prince vho
hires lhe ICs lo escorl hin hone.
When necessary, you can inprovise
and change lhings so lhe rogues fron
lhe narkelpIace can lecone vouId-le
assassins hired ly a rivaI kingdon lo kiII
lhe soIe heir lo lhe dvarvish lhrone
lefore he can gel lack lo lhe safely of
his honeIand. Il reaIIy doesnl naller.
The inporlanl parl is lhe aliIily lo inpro-
vise veII and lo keep lhe pIayer charac-
lers inleresled in lhe gane.
The nore lhoughl you pul inlo your
NICs, lhe leller lhey viII serve you in
lhis regard. This paradox, Iike nany of
Iifes IillIe secrels, is onIy conlradiclory on
lhe nosl olvious IeveI. Il nay seen Iike
lhinking aloul your NICs leforehand
vouId vork againsl sponlaneily and
inprovisalion, lul in acluaIily you are
nore IikeIy lo inprovise veII and gener-
ale leIievalIe diaIogue if you have sone
idea as lo vhal lheir principIe noliva-
lions are.
If you have aIready run lhrough aII of
your pre-generaled NICs and you need
lo cone up vilh soneone on lhe spol,
lhink of sone characler fron ficlion, fiIn,
or your Iife vho couId le casl in lhe roIe.
Lven vilhoul slalislics, sinpIy having a
personaIily in nind vhiIe you pIay lhe
NIC adds a vhoIe nev IeveI of reaIily lo
lhe scene. There is nolhing vorse lhan a
DM vho pIays aII of his NICs lhe sane
vay. UnIess youre lrying lo sIip a IillIe
Tui|ign| Zcnc effecl inlo lhe canpaign,
you shouId avoid naking enlire groups
of peopIe lhink and acl lhe sane vay.
6. Juxtapnsc thIngs tn add
varIcty and Intcrcst
Cel crealive. Hov nany nore laIding,
fal larkeeps or inn proprielors vilh an
ear for gossip do ve reaIIy need` And
aloul lhose danseIs in dislress....
A quick and easy vay for a svinging,
jazzy inprov-DM lo le rid forever of
cIiches and overused slereolypes is lo
svap opposiles in any lradilionaI selling.
Ior inslance, inslead of lhe ogre vho
crashes al lhe gales in lhe vee hours
leing a nan-ealing savage lrule, nake
lhe ogre a schoIarIy priesl fIeeing fron a
hideous arny of zonlies and vrailhs
lhal have deslroyed his lenpIe and uni-
versily. Why nol` gres can le educaled
and reIigious, loo. Il nakes for an inler-
esling slory.
AIlhough fev canpaigns Iive up lo
lheir polenliaI, RICs are aloul lhe reaI-
line inleraclive crealion of a slory vilh
severaI peopIe. Lven lhough nosl can-
paigns vouIdnl nake il as reruns of
Hc-Man carloons, lhey have lhe polenliaI
lo creale inleresling dranalic ficlion.
Inslead of having lhe characlers slarl
a nev advenlure ly Ieaving lheir hones
lo go search dungeons for lreasure again
and again, lry having lhe characlers Iive
in lhe dungeon (as prisoners) and go
searching lhe paIace upslairs for lreasure
afler an earlhquake reIeases lhen fron
caplivily. If you need a lIacksnilh NIC
lecause Can-Win Chung has lroken his
32 ILBRUARY 1996
spear and vishes lo have il fixed, you
couId use your lypicaI lare-chesled, gIis-
lening laId guy vilh a hanner, lul per-
haps a young vonan, lhe onIy daughler
of a Iale nasler craflsnan, nighl le
nore refreshing. (Lven nore so if she has
a higher Slrenglh lhan lhe slrapping
Can-Win Chung and lesls hin in an arn-
vreslIing nalch.)
Whal seens frequenlIy lo le askev or
vrong sonehov is, in facl, inherenlIy
poverfuI. I vouId reconnend lrying as
nany off-lhe-vaII characlerizalions and
sellings as you can cone up vilh. Think
of sonelhing youve oflen seen or read
lefore and sinpIy lhrov in a najor lvisl.
flenlines, lhis propeIs lhe scene aIong,
praclicaIIy doing aII lhe vork.
Take speciaI care lo fIesh oul lhe odd-
ilies reaIislicaIIy vhen using juxlaposi-
lion. Cive lizarre lhings a lil of nornaIcy
and vice versa. If done correclIy, lhis
lechnique has lhe aliIily lo generale
conpIex and revarding scenarios for
nany sessions lo cone.
7. A!ways ask what thc
p!aycrs want tn dn
The finaI goIden ruIe is perhaps lhe
nosl perl i nenl and usef uI of aI I .
Throughoul lhe gane, lhe DM is con-
slanlIy asking lhe pIayers vhal lhey
vanl lo do. The key lo arlislic inprovisa-
lion is deciding vhen lo ask. Nov, olvi-
ousIy, you canl pIay lhe enlire gane in
neIee rounds, asking lhe pIayers vhal
lhey vanl lo do every ninule of lhe
gane, lul you can and shouId ask lhen
afler every nev descriplion or najor
aclion. The line frane in vhich lhey
ansver shouId sel lhe pace of lhe gane.
Asking lhe pIayers vhal lhey vanl lo
do invoIves lhen in lhe decision-naking
process lo a higher degree and gives you
a lreak.
Afler any cursory descriplion, espe-
ciaIIy one invoIving naleriaI previousIy
unpIanned, you ove il lo yourseIf lo slop
and ask lhe pIayers vhal lhey vanl lo
do. This gives you lhe opporlunily lo
lrealhe and lhink aloul lhe silualion. Il
aIso suppIies needed feedlack on vhal
is gelling lhrough lo lhe ICs and vhal
lhey vish lo pursue. A DM al a Ioss lo
cone up vilh sonelhing oflen losses lhe
34
ILBRUARY 1996
laII lack lo lhe pIayers onIy lo find, upon
lhe laIIs relurn, lhal lhe pIayers have
keyed in on sonelhing lhe DM nay
have overIooked.
If you happen lo le on a roII and lhe
ICs are Iislening raplIy, lhen ride, cap-
lain, ride. Bul, lhe nonenl you nolice lhe
pIayers leconing dislracled, slarl lhink-
ing aloul asking lhen vhal lhey vanl lo
do. Wind up lhe nonoIogue, and gel
lack lo a noving diaIog.
AIIov pIayers lo do vhal lhey vanl
unIess or unliI sonelhing prevenls or
nakes il difficuIl lo do so. Say, for
inslance, lhal Brolher Lavrence leIIs you
he vanls lo lry lo sIeep in a nakeshifl
Iean-lo he luiIl in lhe foresl. Iair enough,
he is lasicaIIy successfuI in lhis, olher
lhan lhe facl lhal every hour or so, you
nay vanl lo roII on lhe IocaI vandering
nonsler lalIe. If a vandering nonsler is
generaled, lhen nosl IikeIy Lavrence viII
have lo vake up. The poinl is lhal his
inlenl lo sIeep renains lhe sane and car-
ries hin lhrough hours of gane vorId
line. (f course, hearing a lroII gillering
oulside his Iean-lo nighl gel hin lo
change his nind.)
ReaIizing lhal, vhiIe ganing, you are
eilher descriling sonelhing lo lhe pIay-
ers or Iislening lo lheir inlenlions, you
can surnise lhal lhese are lhe lvo nosl
inporlanl aspecls of leing a DM.
A DM canl pIan descriplions ahead of
line, il is inpossilIe. Nor can a DM le
expecled lo knov lhe pIayers inlenlions
lefore lhey acluaIIy express lhen.
Inprovisalion lherefore lecones an
essenliaI faclor in lhe effecliveness of a
DM.
The nosl essenliaI looI any DM has in
his inprov-arsenaI is lhe goIden ques-
lion, lhe roIe reversing, poIarily shifling,
rhylhn defining queslion: Whal do you
guys vanl lo do nov`
Sponlaneily, as lhe cenlraI force in
inprovisalion, is unrehearsed crealivily.
AIlhough nany jazz soIos arc unre-
hearsed, lhe nusicians are in no vay
unprepared. This hoIds lrue for DM
inprovisalion as veII.
]ascn S|rasscr is |ratc|ing. Hc uas in
Tur|cq rcccn||q, an uncn |as| ncar cf, nc
uas scncuncrc in |srac|.
Idcas fnr IntcrcstIng tnwns
ly MicheIIe Bollorff
I!!ustratcd by DavId Hnmc,
and Dcc Barnctt.
E
xciling AclropoIis is vhere lhe viIe
underIord Morlicus spins his crueI
pIols. The advenlurers have discovered
a nessage fron hin on lhe lody of one of
his hireIings and are heading lovard lhe
nighly cily. Ievnar eagerIy Iooks al his
nap. Look here! If ve lraveI across counlry
veII cul veeks off lhe journey.
The advenlurers head oul inlo lhe
viIderness, nake a fev lad roIIs during a
river crossing, and finaIIy, sick and lired of
roughing il, lhey run across lhe road lo...
Iokelon` The DM slares lIankIy al lhe dol
on his nap. The pIayers are sick of randon
viIderness encounlers and are ready for
sone reaI roIe-pIaying, lul he knovs
alsoIuleIy nolhing aloul lhis pIace!
advenlure, or nayle lhe DM jusl vanls lo
add sone reaI i sn l o hi s canpai gn.
gel lhen lack on lhe palh of lhe pIanned
}usl lecause lhe DM is inprovising does-
nl nean lhal aII lhe snaII lovns on lhe
nap need lo end up generic and loring.
The pIayers nay vanl a change of pace, or
lhe characlers nay need a lil of nudging lo
36 ILBRUARY 1996
Whalever lhe reason, here are sone
ideas for naking inprovised lovns inler-
esling, exciling, nenoralIe and nayle
even usefuI.
Thc pcrsnna!Ity nf thc p!acc
ne nelhod is lo give lhe lovn ils
ovn nood. The originaI edilion of lhe
AD&D DUNG|ON MAST|R Guic has nany
spIendid Iisls of adjeclives. (If you donl
have il, lry a lhesaurus.) These vere orig-
inaIIy inlended for lhe fIeshing oul of
NICs lul vork equaIIy veII vhen deler-
nining lhe characler of a lovn. Iessi-
nislic, aIoof, dreany, sofl-hearled,
spendlhrifl, aII lhese adjeclives, and a
hosl of olhers, can le used lo descrile
lovns as veII as peopIe. Wilh praclice a
DM can generale a vhoIe lovn fron a
randonIy picked adjeclive.
DM: TaII fences Iine lolh sides of lhe
road. Iasl lhen and lo lhe Iefl you can
see a farner vorking in his fieIds.
Though he shouls no greelings, you
seen lo sense his head lurning as he
valches you go ly. Soon you find your-
seIf anong lhe slone luiIdings of lhe Iil-
lIe viIIage. Sloul oak doors vilh peep
hoIes Iine lhe narrov slreel. A IillIe loy
pIaying vilh a cup and laII gane slops
lo slare al you. SuddenIy a door is fIung
open. A young vonan runs oul and
grals lhe loy, hauIing hin inside. The
door crashes shul lehind lhen.
Lady ArIadnc: (IIacing her hand on
her rapier and frovning afler lhe van-
ished chiId.) My friends, lhis lovn seens
Iess lhan friendIy.
Bcran thc Bravc: Much Iess!
Fcwmar: I vonder vhy lheyre so sus-
picious...
When crealing a nood lovn, nosl
of lhe peopIe in lhe connunily viII
share ils doninale characlerislic, lul le
carefuI nol lo overdo il. Lven lhe nosl
suspicious of lovns prolalIy has one or
lvo friendIy characlers.
The inhalilanls are nol lhe onIy lhing
lhal affecls lhe nood. Archileclure is an
inporlanl faclor, and il is nuch nore
IikeIy lhal lhe luiIdings fil lhe adjeclive
leller lhan lhe peopIe. A friendIy lovn
for inslance, nighl have lhalched roofs
and lrighlIy painled collages, an exlrav-
aganl lovn vouId have peaked arches
and inpressive faades. lher lhings lo
lake inlo consideralion are lhe lovn Iay-
oul and lhe lypes of lusinesses. A lovn
vilh nunerous laverns luiIl around a
luslIing lovn square conveys a lolaIIy
differenl nood lhan one luiIl on a grid,
vilh one snaII lavern and no inn, vilh
onIy a vay-house al lhe nearly reIigious
relreal.
Anolher nore sullIe indicalion of
lovn personaIily is hov quickIy il accepls
nev ideas. Irogressive lovns are inler-
esled in nevs of olher pIaces and are
deIighled ly anylhing lhal is innovalive
and nev. Anli-progressive lovns arenl
inleresled in lhe resl of lhe vorId and are
scornfuI of any device (or fashion) lhey
havenl seen lefore. Sone lovns are
nixed, vilh haIf lhe popuIace eager for
change, vhiIe lhe olher haIf cIings des-
peraleIy lo lhe pasl. This aIlers nol onIy
lhe nood of lhe lovn lul aIso ils lech-
noIogy IeveI. The lechnoIogy IeveIs lhal
are possilIe depend IargeIy on your can-
paign vorId, lul donl hesilale lo go lo
exlrenes. Invenlors do nol aIvays Iive in
lhe cily, so Iokelon nay veII le a fev
years ahead of lhe resl of lhe counlry,
vhiIe lhe neighloring lovn is cenluries
lehind lhe lines.
DIsputcs
If lhe pIayers are lored, lhe DM nay
decide nol lo lake lhe line lo luiId a
DRACN #226 37
nood lul opl inslead for quick aclion.
The easiesl vay lo do lhis is lo have lhe
lovn aIready invoIved in sone kind of
fighl. A speciaI dispule nol onIy keeps lhe
pIayers happy lul aIso serves lo nake
lhe lovn sland oul in lheir nenory.
Ieuds vork veII. Take, for exanpIe
lhe slory of Rcncc an ]u|ic|. Ils aloul
lvo inporlanl faniIies vhose feud is so
severe lhal lhey nanage lo invoIve a
good parl of lhe cily. In a snaII lovn lhis
sorl of silualion is even nore deadIy. Ils
virluaIIy inpossilIe for anyone lo renain
neulraI, even chance visilors need lo
lake sides al Ieasl lo lhe degree of decid-
ing vhose inn lhey viII sIeep in lhal
nighl.
DM: You avake lo lhe sneII of snoke
and lhe sound of shouling. Ioolsleps are
cIallering dovn lhe haII oulside your
door.
Bcran: (Leaping lo lhe door and
lhroving il open.) Whals going on here!`
DM: A peasanl loy lurns lo face you,
vaving his dagger and shouling, Dealh
lo aII Saiger-Iovers!
Bcran: (Iicking lhe loy up and shak-
ing hin.) I Iove onIy CaIyna, Lady of
Hearlhkeep, and III kiII anyone vho says
olhervise!
Fcwmar: Whals a Saiger` Wasnl lhal
lhe lhe nane of lhe innkeeper`
Lady ArIadnc: Never nind lhal, I lhink
lhe inn is on fire!
Anolher inleresling silualion occurs
vhen lhe lovn is divided poIilicaIIy. Ior
inslance, lhe Iasl eIeclion vas a lie, and
lolh candidales nov consider lhen-
seIves nayor. If lhe silualion is vioIenl,
lhe pIayers viII le caIIed upon lo choose
sides, lul lhere is aIvays lhe possiliIily
lhal lhere is no fighling, jusl lvo lovn
sheriffs enforcing lvo sels of Iavs, lvo
lax coIIeclors, lvo pIaces lhey nusl gel
lheir veapons Iicensed, elc.
Lach nayor couId have his ovn dis-
lincl lerrilory, lul il is generaIIy nore fun
lo jusl have each nayor cIain lhe vhoIe
lovn or lo al Ieasl have lhe lorder Iine
lelveen seclions irreguIar and indislin-
guishalIe so lhe pIayers never knov
vhich sel of Iavs lhey are suljecl lo al
any given nonenl.
Guard: Ho lhere!
Fcwmar: Yes`
Guard: You jusl used nagic!
Fcwmar: Lrr, yes.
Bcran: You gol a prolIen vilh lhal`
Guard: Ils againsl lhe Iav lo use
nagic in Iokelon.
Lady ArIadnc: Nonsense, ny good
nan. Thal feIIov in High slreel didnl say
anylhing!
Guard: High slreel is in Upper
Iokelon. Youre in Lover Iokelon nov.
Cone vilh ne.
If Iokelon has a cIose neighlor, lhen
il vouId le quile IikeIy for lhen lo have
deveIoped a rivaIry. This rivaIry is nosl
connonIy expressed ly slrong conpeli-
lion in sporling evenls, vilh a nunler of
lovns going so far as invenling lheir ovn
evenls. Ior inslance lhere are lvo lovns
in LngIand lhal annuaIIy conpele over a
side of han. The han slarls al a nidvay
poinl lelveen lhe lvo lovns, and lhe
lovn lhal gels il inlo lheir ovn lovn
square firsl gels lo keep il. A fun varia-
lion couId le lo have a vhoIe Iive pig,
vhich vouId, of course, le doing ils lesl
lo gel avay. Any lype of conlesl viII do:
and lhere are nany lo choose fron,
lean sporls, vreslIing, greased poIe
cIinling, largel shooling, seeing hov
high you can counl lefore laking a
lrealh. Try lo pick sonelhing lhal viII
inleresl your pIayers characlers.
Whelher lhere is a sporling evenl
acluaIIy going on, lhere are nany peopIe
in a rivaI lovn viIIing lo lore lhe pIayers
l o deal h ly gi vi ng lI ov ly lI ov
accounls of every evenl lhal occurred
during lhe Iasl 1O years. Il is inporlanl lo
renenler lhal according lo Iokelons
IoyaI cilizens, Iokelon is cIearIy superior.
Anylhing RivaIlurg does, Iokelon does
leller. This allilude carries over fron
sporling evenls lo induslry and aInosl aII
ol her aspecl s of snaI I l ovn I i f e,
Iokelons covs produce leller niIk lhan
RivaIlurgs covs, lheir priesl is nore
pious, lheir lIacksnilh leller skiIIed.
In exlrene circunslances a rivaIry
deveIops inlo a var,
DM: The snaII shifly-eyed nan
lehind lhe lar Ieans lovards you.
Bartcndcr: Are you fron RivaIlurg`
Lady ArIadnc: Use your eyes, ny
good nan. Do I Iook Iike sonelody fron
RivaIlurg`
Bcran: Never heard of lhe pIace.
Bartcndcr: Then In gIad youre here.
You lvo Iook Iike youd le usefuI in a
fighl. The sheriff asked ne lo Iook oul for
anyone vho nighl le viIIing lo join our
narch on RivaIlurg!
Fcwmar: Why are you allacking
RivaIlurg`
Bartcndcr: (Ignoring Ievnar.) Whal
do you say`
Lady ArIadnc: Hnnn. Why nol`
Afler aII, a good fighl is aIvays anusing.
Bartcndcr: WeII, vere nol allacking
lhen, preciseIy, you undersland. Ils a
prolesl narch.
Bcran: A vhal`
Fcwmar: Whal are you prolesling`
Bartcndcr: Those scurvy knaves have
leen under-culling our prices! Were
going lo Iay dovn lhe Iav lo lhose das-
lards! Lilher lhey pul lheir prices lack lo
vhere lhey used lo le or ve relaIiale!
(The larlender shakes a fisl in lhe direc-
lion of RivaIlurg, lhen reaIizing hes
naking a scene, Iooks lack al lhe adven-
lurers.)
Lady ArIadnc: In sorry. I donl do
denonslralions.
Bartcndcr: (Shrugging.) Sheriff vanled
sone heavy-veighls around in case
lhere vas lroulIe. WeII pay you, of
course.
Iokelon doesnl need lo le fighling
anolher lovn, lhey couId le fighling oul-
Iavs, a renegade nagic user, an appro-
priale nonsler or sone kind of speII
effecl gone viId.
PnInts nf Intcrcst
Sone poinls of inleresl lovns are
considered so inleresling lhal lhey
expecl peopIe lo cone visil lhen. The
ICs are nol IikeIy lo lurn lourisl, lul lhe
lovnsfoIk donl knov lhal and viII
expecl lhen lo le fascinaled ly lhe IocaI
poinls of inleresl. Sone poinls of inleresl
can even prove usefuI lo lhe characlers.
Tourisl lovns are usuaIIy easy for lhe DM
lo invenl, since he can lorrov a lovn
lhal he has acluaIIy leen lo and aIler il
lo fil his canpaign vorId.
BuiIdings are connon poinls of inler-
esl, lhough lhey rareIy conlrilule direclIy
lo a canpaign. BuiIdings are generaIIy
nolalIe for lheir archileclure, purpose,
and hisloric associalion. Cood choices for
snaII lovns are: lhe Deserled Tover of
}oe lhe UIlra-nagicaI, lhe lavern vhere
BIack Barl lhe fanous ulIav ale his Iasl
neaI, or one of lhe RoyaI Hunling
Lodges. Haunled luiIdings are aIso good,
especiaIIy if lhe characlers acluaIIy gel lo
neel lhe ghosl.
When invenling a nolalIe luiIding,
keep in nind vhal peopIe nighl le slay-
ing lhere. These peopIe can oflen le use-
fuI lo lhe characlers. Ior inslance, lhe
counlry residence of a VII viII le popu-
Ialed ly his dependenls, vho can acl as
a source of vaIualIe inlroduclions and
provide an excuse for gelling lhe pIayers
lack on lhe road lo AclropoIis.
38 ILBRUARY 1996
Lnrd Jnhn: You vouIdnl ly any
chance le heading lo AclropoIis`
Bcran: Yes.
Fcwmar: Why do you ask`
Lnrd Jnhn: I vas hoping you couId
deIiver a nessage lo ny lrolher, lhe LarI
of Svaile.
Lady ArIadnc: Were enlireIy al your
service, niIord. Where is he slaying`
lher poinls of inleresl are a lrifIe
harder lo nake usefuI. NaluraI fealures,
for inslance are noslIy jusl loring for lhe
pIayers lecause nosl of lhen Iook inler-
esling. f course you can use loredon
lo convince lhe characlers lhal lhey are
in a hurry lo gel oul of lovn. Afler hear-
ing eighl or nine peopIe leII lhen hov
speclacuIar lhe IocaI valerfaII (nounlain,
rock fornalion, cenluries-oId lree, elc.) is
lhey viII le happy lo cIinl righl lack on
lheir horses.
Much nore inleresling is lhe lovn
vilh hisloricaI associalions. This is lhe
lovn lhal has a reaI pIace in hislory and
capilaIizes on il. Sone lovns nay invenl
a pIace in hislory, and, unIess one of lhe
characlers has an educalion, il cones oul
lo nuch lhe sane lhing. As a ruIe of
lhunl, haIf of lhe peopIe in a hisloric
lovn have an encycIopedic knovIedge
of lhe hisloric evenl in queslion, and lhe
olher haIf lhinks lhe vhoIe lhing is a
greal lore. Al Ieasl haIf of lhose vho
knov exaclIy vhal happened viII knov
a vaslIy differenl version fron lhe olher
haIf, and al Ieasl one person fron each
side Iikes nolhing leller lhan lo argue
aloul il.
Hisloric lovns are a Iol of fun lul are
easier lo inprovise if you aIready have a
good grasp of lhe hislory of lhe can-
paign area. If lhe canpaign area has no
predelernined hislory and you are
invenling il, renenler lo lake noles.
AlsoIule consislency, hovever, is unnec-
essary since nosl hislory lends lo gel dis-
lorled. In facl, il is nore aulhenlic lo
have severaI versions of a parlicuIar his-
loricaI incidenl.
MI!!cr: Donl you sneer al ne niIady!
Ive a respeclalIe lrade. And il vas a
niIIer, afler aII, lhal hid King Connie
vhen his lrolher Ld lried lo usurp lhe
lhrone.
Lady ArIadnc: I sneer al vhon I Iike.
Fcwmar: Besides, il vas a lIacksnilh
vho hid King Connie.
MI!!cr: Nonsense, il had lo le a niIIer.
Who eIse vouId have such a Iarge suppIy
of grain sacks`
Fcwmar: Crain sacks`
MI!!cr: Didnl you knov lhal he vas
snuggIed oul of lhe counlry disguised as
a sack of grain`
Fcwmar: I lhoughl he disguised hin-
seIf as a serving naid.
Bcran: The lrever loId ne he hid in a
keg of aIe.
Lady ArIadnc: Whal` Nol a carl Ioad
of callages`
MI!!cr: Il vas a grain sack, I leII you! I
knov aII aloul il.
Il can le difficuIl naking a hisloric
lovn usefuI unIess lhe lovn aIso conlains
a coIIeclion of hisloric arlifacls. flen
sone hislorian or coIIeclor Iives in a snaII
lovn so he can pursue his holly in
peace, and nany of lhese can provide
genuine assislance lo advenlurers. He
nighl Iend lhen sone speciaI nagicaI
ilen, or lhey nighl le alIe lo peruse
ancienl docunenls for cIues lo lhe Ioca-
lion of lhis ancienl ruins, or lhal poverfuI
ilen.
UsuaIIy a coIIeclor denands yel
anolher ilen lo add lo his coIIeclion as
paynenl. This oflen Ieads lo anolher
advenlure. If you do nol vish lo creale
anolher advenlure (il does nol have lo
happen innedialeIy, lhe coIIeclor nay
le viIIing lo vail) lhen anolher forn of
paynenl nusl le found.
Cn!!cctnr: I caII il a coIIusion deleclor.
Ils a very rare ilen, and nol very usefuI
in a fighl, lul invaIualIe for uncovering
secrel pIols. Ils hov King Connie finaIIy
discovered Irince Lds lreachery.
Fcwmar: Il nusl le very vaIualIe. You
vouIdnl vanl lo Iend oul sonelhing so
unique!
Cn!!cctnr: WeII, I offered il lo his
najesly vhen I firsl found il, lul he pre-
ferred lo reIy on lhe services of lhe RoyaI
Wizard. Ils lerrilIy easy lo counler, you
see, so ils reaIIy onIy usefuI if no one
knovs you have il.
Bcran: Whal price`
Cn!!cctnr: You vouIdnl happen lo
knov vhere King Connies Crovn has
gollen loo`
Fcwmar: In lhe capilaI`
Cn!!cctnr: h dear ne, no! Thal one is
quile fake. (Looks al advenlurers and
sighs.) h veII, I couId use sone heIp
aloul lhe pIace. There is a lerrilIe nan-
pover shorl age here i n Iokel on.
Invenlory perhaps, and if you couId heIp
ne nove sone of lhe Iarger pieces and
do lhe dusling...
Lady ArIadnc: Sir! III have you knov,
I donl dusl!
Sone coIIeclions are singuIarIy use-
Iess, oId lhealer props for exanpIe, and
decoraled chanler pols, lul lhey sliII
add inneasuralIy lo lhe fIavor of lhe
lovn. In facl, useIess ilens are oflen
nore dislinclive lhan usefuI ones. Who
couId forgel a gianl hanner, a fIoaling
luiIding, an iIIusionary organ grinder and
nonkey, or lhe slalue of a noose`
Things lhal are odd or oul of pIace are
noliced and renenlered. You nusl use
lhis lechnique sparingIy, hovever,
lecause if lhere is sonelhing pecuIiar in
every lovn lhe pIayers viII cone lo
expecl il, and il viII no Ionger le neno-
ralIe.
Unfnrgcttab!c Charactcrs
flen a lovn is renenlered nol for
ilseIf, lul lecause of soneone vho Iives
lhere. You donl even have lo nake up a
characler, you can jusl sleaI one fron
anolher source. }usl renenler lhal
vhen you are in a lovn, characler is
eslalIished nol jusl ly hov lhe DM
descriles a characler lul ly hov lhe
olher lovnspeopIe laIk aloul lhen. A
characler lhal is inleresling lo lhe pIayers
is aIso IikeIy lo le inleresling lo his feIIov
cilizens.
DM: Ils a lovn, aloul average size.
nIy one slreel is paved, lhe one you are
on, lhe resl are packed dovn dirl.
P!aycrs: Wheres lhe lavern`
DM: A sign shoving a foaning nug
hangs over a luiIding ahead and lo lhe
righl. As you approach you pass cIose lo
a young nan. He vears lallered rags,
and his lrighl red hair Iooks Iike il has
never leen conled. He is Iooking aloul
vacanlIy, lul vhen his eyes pass over
Lady Ariadne he slarls and rushes over lo
her, grasping her sIeeve.
Lady ArIadnc: Hands off, sirrah!
DM: ne of his eyes slares earneslIy
inlo your face, vhiIe lhe olher eye van-
ders aloul. Who` he asks. Who`
Lady ArIadnc: I an Lady Ariadne
Wynn. Hands off knave!
Tnwnswnman: Donl nind hin none,
MiIady, hes jusl Moe, lhe lovn idiol.
DM: Moe reIeases your arn and van-
ders off lo lhe side of lhe road. As you
enler lhe lavern, lhe larlender, a laII
nan vilh a nop of inprolalIe yeIIov
curIs addresses you.
Bartcndcr: So youve aIready nel lhe
lovn idiol.
Bcran: He seens harnIess enough.
Bartcndcr: SureIy, lul lhere is sone-
lhing aloul hin. NornaIIy he seens lo
DRACN #226 39
have lhe vils of a rallil, lul lhen he
says sonelhing so renarkalIy apl...
(Shakes his head vonderingIy.) And lhen
lheres lhe vay he arrived!
Fcwmar: h` Hov vas lhal`
The lovns inleresling characler nay
nol Iive lhere any Ionger. This is polen-
liaIIy very usefuI. If he is a personage of
inporlance in your pIanned canpaign,
lhis is a greal vay lo Iel lhe pIayers dig
up sone lack-ground infornalion on
hin. Nol onIy do lhe lovnspeopIe knov
aII aloul his chiIdhood, lul lhey IikeIy
have a very good idea of vhal he is up
lo nov.
Estab!IshIng thc !cga! !ImIts
A snaII lovn nay have deveIoped ils
ovn sel of Iavs and ruIes. Though nosl
of lhese ruIes had a very good reason
lehind lhen vhen lhey vere nade, nol
aII reasons Iasl as Iong as lhe ruIe does.
Nol knoving lhe reason for lhe ruIe,
(vhich nay indeed no Ionger exisl,) lhe
pIayers are IikeIy lo find sone of lhe viI-
Iagers ruIes ridicuIous in lhe exlrene,
such as: anyone vaIking dovn nain
slreel nusl vear a hal, no Iighling fires
oul of doors, no laIking in lhe lovn
square, or anyone vho sIeeps in lovn
overnighl nusl firsl inlroduce hinseIf lo
lhe priesl.
lher ruIes are olvious as lo lhe rea-
soning lul irksone lo lhe pIayers: one
vay lridge, no vearing of unregislered
veapons, no nounls aIIoved in lhe viI-
Iage proper, no kiIIing lhe IocaI viIdIife
vilhoul a Iicense, laxes.
5hcrIff: Have you gol a Iicense for lhal
lhere crealure`
Fcwmar: Shasla is a narnol. Shes
ny faniIiar.
5hcrIff: Doesnl naller. AII donesli-
caled aninaIs require a Iicense if you
vanl lo lring lhen inlo Iokelon. You
aIso need Iicenses for your horses.
Lady ArIadnc: Donl le ridicuIous, ny
good nan!
5hcrIff: h, you neednl vorry, horse
Iicenses are easy lo gel. }usl vaIk inlo
lovn, lake a Iefl al lhe Mernaid, and
prelly soon youII find }aspers slalIes.
}asper viII cone oul here and inspecl
your leasls for a reasonalIe fee, and
lhen I vrile oul your Iicense. SinpIe! I
donl knov aloul lhal narnol crealure
lhough. Never done a Iicense for a nar-
nol!
Celling any kind of a Iicense requires
finding lhe person vilh lhe proper
aulhorily. This is nol necessariIy any eas-
ier lo do in a snaII lovn lhan in a lig
cily. A connon prolIen is lhal no one is
sure vho lhe proper person is. The Iand-
Iord sends you lo lhe nayor, vho sends
you lo lhe sheriff, vho sends you lo lhe
priesl, vho lhinks lhal reaIIy Lord So-and-
such oughl lo le lhe one lo sign il, onIy
hes off hunling or sonelhing and no
one knovs vhen heII le lack. By having
lhe IocaIs vaffIe lack and forlh you can
keep lhe characlers running around for
sone line. This is nol a good idea if you
are lrying lo hurry lhe pIayers off lo
AclropoIis, lul il vorks fine if you jusl
lhoughl of a neal advenlure lhey couId
have righl here if onIy you have enough
line lo vork oul lhe delaiIs.
Anolher inporlanl lhing lo renenler
is lhe poverfuI effecl lhal organizalions
can have on a lovn. Al sone poinls in
hislory, lhe guiIds vere nore poverfuI
lhan lhe nonarch. A guiId (or IocaI equiv-
aIenl) fIexing ils nuscIes is a good vay lo
nake a lovn nenoralIe. Merrinenl and
cheer are in shorl suppIy al lhe lavern if
lhe lrevers are on slrike, lhe pIayers
nay have lo lrave lhe pickel-Iines in
order lo luy suppIies al a non-union gro-
cer, or lhe Tanners CuiId nay have
picked lhis very lovn for lheir annuaI
conference, and lhe slench is naking lhe
pIace uninhalilalIe. Lven Iesser organi-
zalions can have quile an inpacl. Never
undereslinale lhe pover of lhe ITA or
lhe Civic Inprovenenl Associalion, lhe
IocaI lusylodies nay veII decide lhal
advenlurers nake rollen roIe-nodeIs for
lheir chiIdren and allenpl lo run lhen
oul of lovn.
Tnwnsman: Are you a nenler of lhe
Magislar and Wondervorkers Union`
Fcwmar: No, I canl say lhal I an.
Tnwnsman: In lhal case ve vouId
reaIIy ralher you noved on, lhis leing a
union lovn and aII.
Fcwmar: Canl I jusl pronise nol lo
use ny nagic`
Tnwnsman: If I jusl say a fev vords lo
ny feIIov cilizens lhis lovn vouId
lecone Iess lhan conforlalIe: ridicu-
IousIy high prices, fuII inn, lhal sorl of
lhing.
Lady ArIadnc: We viII nol le lhreal-
ened!
Bcran: We are lrying lo gel lo
AclropoIis. We onIy slopped here lo gel
sone nore suppIies.
Tnwnsman: h` WeII in lhal case I
vouId le happy lo direcl you. ur grocer
is on High Slreel, he carries hardlack
guaranleed lo survive fIood, speII, and
hard journeying. ur arnorer is jusl
lhere, across lhe square, and...
Yes, Iokelon is cerlainIy an inleresling
pIace. Il viII le Iong renenlered ly your
pIayers, vho are nov lack on lhe road
lo AclropoIis. Al Ieasl lhey vere lack on
lhe road lo AclropoIis unliI a randon
encounler vilh sone horse lhieves
sonehov pul lhen on lhe road lo
SaneviIIe. SaneviIIe is anolher dol on
lhe nap, lul lhere is no prolIen naking
il dislinclive. The dols lhenseIves nay
Iook idenlicaI, lul ly using one of lhese
ideas you can guaranlee lhal SaneviIIe
vonl le lhe sane al aII!
ThIngs tn rcmcmbcr:
Pcrsnna!Ity
1. Iick an adjeclive, any adjeclive
2. TechnoIogy IeveI
DIsputcs
3. Ieuds
4. A Tovn Divided
5. Sporling RivaIs
6. lher lallIes
PnInts nf Intcrcst
7. BuiIdings
8. NaluraI fealures
9. HisloricaI
1O. CoIIeclions
11. ddilies
Charactcrs
12. The Characler
13. He used lo Iive here
Lcga! LImIts
14. RidicuIous ruIes
15. Bureaucracy
16. CuiIds
17. lher organizalions
Micnc||c 8c||crff |itcs in Sain| Pau|,
Minncsc|a, ui|n ncr nusoan an |nrcc cni|-
rcn. Tnis is ncr firs| appcarancc in DRACN
Magazine.
4O ILBRUARY 1996
ly MichaeI A. SeIinker
I!!ustratcd by Tcrry Dykstra
T
hese nagic speIIs for lhe AD&D
gane are inspired ly Indian hislory
and Iegend, lul lhey are nol neanl
lo le hisloricaIIy accurale. These speIIs
can le inlegraled inlo exisling can-
paigns or used in conjunclion vilh lhe
arlicIe Casle of Characlers in DRAGON
Magazinc issue #225. Togelher lhese arli-
cIes can heIp forn lhe lasis of a can-
paign sel in a civiIizalion lased on India.
Casle of Characlers descriled Indian
kils for differenl characler cIasses. The
Indian nage kil is caIIed a Svani. Mage
speIIs leIov are avaiIalIe lo aII Svanis
as veII as Iakirs (an Indian lard kil) and
Yogis (ascelics, see |cgcns c |crc, page
125). Yogis do nol need naleriaI conpo-
nenls for any speIIs, incIuding lhose
leIov, neilher do lhey need speIIlooks
lo casl speIIs. ConverseIy, lhey cannol
read nage scroIIs. Non-Svanis and
Iakirs (i.e., convenlionaI nages and
lards nol fron Indian-lased civiIizalions)
nay have access lo lhe speIIs leIov al
lhe Dungeon Maslers discrelion, per-
haps afler seeing lhen or Iearning lhen
vhiIe on sone quesl lo an area lased on
Indian cuIlure.
Brahnins (lhe Indian priesl kil) gain
speIIs as do nosl olher priesls, vilh lhe
highesl-IeveI speIIs leing granled ly
avalars (nanifeslalions) of lheir deilies.
Brahnins have access lo aII priesl speIIs
Iisled leIov, provided lhe spheres are
conpalilIe. Non-Brahnins nay gain
access lo lhese speIIs al lhe Dungeon
Maslers discrelion, lhough sleep sona-
juice shouId le Iiniled in ils lraveIs. In
canpaigns sel in lhe IRCTTLN RLALMS
or olher sellings lhal do nol fealure an
Indian cuIlure, nodificalions nay have
lo le nade lo sone speIIs lefore lhey
can le incIuded.
SeveraI speIIs leIov deaI vilh con-
cepls unique lo Indian phiIosophy, aII of
vhich are expIained in |cgcns c |crc,
pages 123-126. Karna shouId le a ruI-
ing force in lhe Iives of lhose pIaying ICs
lased on Indian cuIlure. Specific allen-
lion shouId le paid lo lhe ruIes on rein-
carnalion on page 126, vilh lhe praclicaI
reslriclions on raisc ca and resurreclion
speIIs used on Indian kil characlers, vho
shouId aulonalicaIIy le reincarnaled
vilhin a day. Allenpling lo aIler lhis
cycIe is dangerous.
42
ILBRUARY 1996
Swami Spells
Cloud messenger
(Conjuration/Summoning)
Level: 1
Range: 0
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: None
This spell, based on a classical pane-
gyric poem, can be cast only on a day
with cloud cover: mist, rain, snow, and so
on. The spell summons a small cloud to
act as a messenger for the caster. The
caster can impart a message of up to five
minutes length to the cloud, which then
hurries across the sky to the intended
recipient. I ts maximum Move is 96,
though favorable gales might increase
this. The cloud messenger must be told the
location and general appearance of the
recipient; it is incapable of asking for
directions. It is not entirely substantial
and so can go through tiny openings and
survive heavy winds. It can carry objects
weighing up to 10 pounds for delivery.
When it reaches its recipient, it relates the
entire message including whatever emo-
tion it heard in the casters voice. The
cloud messenger then returns to its caster;
one may follow it to the casters location.
The material components are fresh flow-
ers and a bottle of rainwater.
Waking light of dawn
(Enchantment/Charm)
Level: 1
Range: 10 yards
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 2
Area of Effect: 1 creature/ level
Saving Throw: None
This spell causes sleeping creatures to
awaken. If naturally asleep or affected by
a sleep spel l , the creatures awaken
instantly. If under the influence of a more
powerful enchantment, the creatures are
given new saving throws against the
effect, modified by +1 per four levels of
the caster. If the creatures are suffering
from a sleeping poison or disease (such
as that from the tsetse fly), the spell
works exactly as a slow poison on the
affected creatures. The spell does not
simulate the effects of a good nights
sleep, nor can it reduce the sleep neces-
sary before memorization of spells. The
material component is a lock which must
be unlocked during casting.
Distract
(Enchantment/Charm)
Level: 3
Range: 0
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 2 rounds/ level
Casting Time: 3
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: Special
A mage can use this spell to distract all
within hearing distance who are trying to
do any sort of work other than combat.
The material component of the spell is a
flute. While the caster plays the flute (no
proficiency necessary), those wishing to
continue in their work must make a
Wisdom check each round to concen-
trate on their task at hand. Wisdom
checks are at +4 if stopping work would
result in imminent harm (failing to shore
up a seawall during a monsoon, for
example). Distracted persons cannot for-
mulate strategies, instruct others, write,
draw, or otherwise do complex work.
However, the spell does not pacify those
present, so they may attack the caster if
they desire. If the caster stops playing the
flute before the duration is over, the
effect ends.
Skin of the fire tiger
(Alteration)
Level: 3
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 3 rounds/ level
Casting Time: 3
Area of Effect: 1 creature
Saving Throw: None
When cast on the caster or another
creature, this spell imbues the subject
with glowing orange stripes across his
skin. These stripes generate a deep inter-
nal warmth that acts as a resist cold spell.
While in effect, the subjects skin is scald-
ing hot to the touch, so anyone touching
the subjects open skin suffers 1d3 points
of damage. I f the subject uses an
unarmed combat attack or is attacked by
an unarmed foe, the damage is applied
to the subjects foe. The subject and his
garments are unaffected by the scalding
effect but are not otherwise protected
from fire or heat. After the spell elapses,
the subject will be incapacitated for one
round due to shivering unless endurecold
or resist cold is cast on him. The material
component of the spell is a tiger-eye
gem.
DRAGON #226 43
5crpcnt gar!and
(A!tcratInn)
LeveI: 4
Range: O
Conponenls: V, S, M
Duralion: 1 round/IeveI
Casling Tine: 4
Area of Lffecl: 1 ilen
Saving Throv: SpeciaI
By casling lhis speII, lhe nage lurns
his ordinary scarf, neckIace, or olher
neckvear inlo a poisonous snake. The
snake appears lo le lhe nornaI piece of
cIolhing or jeveIry unliI lhe casler desires
il lo allack. Il slrikes as a Warrior vilh a
IeveI equaI lo lhal of lhe casler. Ils lile
causes 1d2 poinls of danage, pIus il aIso
injecls a poison if lhe viclin does nol
nake a saving lhrov vs. poison. The poi-
son nay le of lhe caslers choosing:
IelhaI (save or die), paraIylic (save or le
paraIyzed for 4d4 lurns), or soporific
(save or faII inlo a cona for Id4 days).
The snake nay allack once per round,
during vhich line il is reveaIed as a ser-
penl. Reversing lhe s|ic|s |c sna|cs speII
canceIs lhis nagic, and lhe snake is sul-
jecl lo snake charns. When lhe duralion
eIapses or lhe effecl is dispeIIed, lhe gar-
nenl or jeveIry relurns lo nornaI.
MnurnIng stnnc
(AburatInn)
LeveI: 4
Range: Touch
Conponenls: V, S, M
Duralion: Iernanenl
Casling Tine: 5
Area of Lffecl: Up lo 1 lon/IeveI
Saving Throv: SpeciaI
This speII channeIs a persons grief
over Ioss of a Ioved one inlo slone. When
casl upon a suljecl and an anounl of
slone, lhe speII puIIs lhe grief fron lhe
suljecls hearl and forces lhe slone lo
grieve inslead. The suljecl gels a saving
lhrov vs. nagic lo avoid lhe effecls if he
vanls lo relain his grief. When affecled
ly lhe speII, lhe suljecl feeIs lhe veighl
of sorrov unlurdened fron his hearl.
The slone shovs ils grief ly leconing
prisline vhile and refracling Iighl Iike a
prisn, never appearing exaclIy lhe sane
lvice. Iersons vieving lhe slone are
aveslruck and saddened for one round
lhough nol slopped fron acling. Wilhin
1O of ncurning s|cnc, cnc|icn, and olher
such speIIs and effecls are canceIIed.
Slone enchanled ly lhis speII can le
used lo erecl luiIdings, in lhe nanner of
leaulifuI and enignalic nausoIea Iike
lhe Taj MahaI.
ThIrd cyc
(EvncatInn)
LeveI: 7
Range: O
Conponenls: V, S, M
Duralion: 1 round/IeveI
Casling Tine: 7
Area of Lffecl: Casler
Saving Throv: SpeciaI
This speII creales a svirIing spiraI on
lhe caslers forehead vhich casls leans
of annihiIalion. The |nir cqc fires a ray
vhich has lhe sane allack roII as lhe
nage. The leans nusl allack a largel
every round, I i vi ng or ol hervi se.
Crealures hil ly lhe |nir cqcs ray nusl
save vs. speII or le kiIIed, vhiIe inani-
nale oljecls nusl save vs. disinlegralion
or lreak aparl. WhiIe lhis speII is in
effecl, lhe casler nay use no olher speIIs
or allacks. Al lhe end of lhe speII, lhe
casler nusl nake a Syslen Shock roII lo
avoid faIIing unconscious for 3d4 rounds.
LIfc I!!usInn
(I!!usInn/Phantasm)
LeveI: 8
Range: 1O yards/IeveI
Conponenls: V, S, M
Duralion: SpeciaI
Casling Tine: 8
Area of Lffecl: 1 crealure
Saving Throv: SpeciaI
SiniIar lo a nazc speII, lhe |ifc i||usicn
speII creales a nev nenlaI vorId in
vhich lhe suljecl can Iive. The iIIusionary
Iife (naqa) can incIude any nanner of
nev persons, surroundings, and even
nev cIasses and aliIilies for lhe suljecl.
The suljecl is aIIoved a saving lhrov vs.
speIIs lo avoid enlering lhis nev vorId,
lul if he faiIs, lhe suljecl relains onIy
drean-Iike nenories of his reaI Iife.
Lnlire nonlhs or years can pass in lhis
nev Iife, lhough line passes nuch fasler
here lhan in lhe reaI vorId. No nelhod
of exil is aIIoved vhiIe in lhe iIIusory
vorId, excepl lhe priesl speII pcnc|ra|c
ccsnic igncrancc. The iIIusion seens reaI
lul nay conlain fIavs and nispercep-
lions lased on lhe sulj ecls Iack of
underslanding of his nev surroundings.
Thus, lhe suljecl is aIIoved nev saving
lhrovs vs. speIIs every so oflen lased on
his Wisdon score. If a saving lhrov is
successfuI, lhe suljecl relurns lo reaIily
vilh nuch of lhe nenory of lhe iIIusory
Iife, lhough no nev aliIilies are relained.
Nev saving lhrovs are aIIoved on lhe
foIIoving scheduIe:
44 ILBRUARY 1996
5ubcct's TImc
WIsdnm Bctwccn
5cnrc 5avIng Thrnws
under 3 2d4 days
3 - 6 1d4+1 days
7- 1O 2d8 hours
11-14 1d8+1 hours
15-18 1d4 hours
19 and up 1d4 lurns
The naleriaI conponenl is a skelch of
lhe environnenl in vhich lhe suljecl viII
slay. If lhe skelch is narred or deslroyed
during lhe speIIs duralion, lhe suljecl
innedialeIy relurns lo reaIily.
Mnnsnnn
(CnnuratInn/5ummnnIng)
LeveI: 9
Range: O
Conponenls: V, S, M
Duralion: 2 lurns/IeveI
Casling Tine: 1 lurn
Area of Lffecl: 1Od1OO square niIes
Saving Throv: None
This speII can onIy le casl in a cIinale
vhich couId have nonsoons, such as a
seni-lropicaI coaslIine. When casl, lhe
speII conjures up lhe nosl poverfuI of
vind and rainslorns lo ravage lhe area.
Winds cone al hundreds of niIes per
hour, snashing loals and unslalIe slruc-
lures. Rain pounds lhe area, svanping
piers and depressions. The speII causes
siege danage as ly a screv or driII on aII
slruclures and lrees in lhe area of effecl,
and aII unnoored ships nusl nake sea-
vorlhiness checks. (DUNG|ON MAST|R
Guic, pages 1O5 and 17O). Crealures lhal
cannol lake adequale cover on high
ground nusl save vs. paraIyzalion lo
avoid drovning. Iron lhe caslers poinl
of viev, lhe nosl dangerous aspecl of
lhis speII is ils range of zero. This neans
lhe casler nusl le anid lhe effecl, if he
is nol prolecled, he is suljecl lo lhe sane
effecls as everyone eIse. The nonsoon
can le counlered using a ccn|rc| uca|ncr
speII, lul lhe casler of lhal speII nusl roII
grealer lhan lhe nonsoon crealors
InleIIigence on a d2O, vilh +1 added lo
lhe roII for each IeveI lhal lhe ccn|rc|
uca|ncr casler exceeds lhe IeveI of lhe
nonsoon crealor. nce lhe ncnsccn is
unIeashed, lhe casler has no conlroI over
il, and il nay conline vilh exisling
vealher condilions lo have grealer dura-
lion and effecl lhan anlicipaled.
BrahmIn 5pc!!s
Om
(AburatInn)
5phcrc: A!!
LeveI: 1
Range: O
Conponenls: V
Duralion: UnliI ceased
Casling Tine: 1
Area of Lffecl: Casler
Saving Throv: None
This sinpIe chanl creales a deep cIar-
ily in lhe caslers nind. AII oulside
sounds and sighls are lIocked oul, aIIov-
ing lhe priesl lo regain speIIs or hil poinls
al a 5O fasler rale, hovever, lhe priesl
cannol focus on anylhing oulside hin-
seIf. Anylhing lhal disrupls concenlralion,
such as an allack on lhe priesl or a con-
scious aclion ly hin lreaks lhe speII.
SpeIIs casl on lhe priesl are affecled ly
lhe cn speII. The priesl is innune lo
sIeep and cnarn effecls vhiIe chanling,
and receives a +4 on aII saving lhrovs
lhal aIIov Wisdon lonuses, hovever,
lhe priesl forfeils saving lhrov lonuses
for Dexlerily or anylhing eIse requiring-
conscious lhoughl. MagicaI heaIing is nol
affecled ly lhe speIIs increased heaIing
rale.
5anctIfy ghI
(A!tcratInn) RcvcrsIb!c
5phcrc: A!!
LeveI: 1
Range: Touch
Conponenls: V, S, M
Duralion: Iernanenl
Casling Tine: 8 hours
Area of Lffecl: 2 ounces/IeveI
Saving Throv: None
This augnenls lhe hoIy cIarificalion of
luller inlo a Iiquid sulslance caIIed ghi.
Cov or luffaIo niIk nusl le churned,
loiIed, and lIessed lo nake hoIy ghi,
vhich can le used on undead as hoIy
valer. When drunk, lhe hoIy ghi acls as a
niId curalive, heaIing 1d3 poinls of dan-
age per ounce. The reverse of lhis speII,
csccra|c gni, is used ly eviI priesls lo cre-
ale a Iiquid luller version of unhoIy
valer, vhi ch harns paI adi ns and
Kshalriya. Lilher of lhese speIIs can le
used lo counler lhe olher.
Karma sIght
(DIvInatInn) RcvcrsIb!c
5phcrc: DIvInatInn
LeveI: 2
Range: 1O yards
Conponenls: V, S
Duralion: 1 round/IeveI
Casling Tine: 2
Area of Lffecl: 1 crealure/IeveI
Saving Throv: Neg.
DRACN #226 45
This speII delernines lhe nunler of
karna poinls lhal a largel crealure has.
(Ior ruIes on karna, see |cgcns c |crc,
pages 124-126.) In crealures fron soci-
elies nol lased on India, il delernines
IeveI or Hil Dice. UnIess lhe crealure is a
viIIing largel, il is aIIoved a saving lhrov
vs. speIIs lo avoid lhe reveIalion of ils
karna. This speII does nol direclIy affecl
lhe nind of lhe largel, so Wisdon
lonuses and nind shieIding do nol heIp
avoid lhe effecl. The priesl nay exanine
nuIlipIe largels, lul if a crealure saves
againsl lhe effecl, il cannol le exanined
again during lhal casling of lhe speII. The
reverse of lhe speII, |arna nus|, hides a
suljecls karna for 24 hours, lhough any
divine leing can see lhrough lhe nask.
5tccp snma-uIcc
(A!tcratInn)
5phcrc: PrntcctInn
LeveI: 2
Range: Touch
Conponenls: V, S, M
Duralion: ne veek
Casling Tine: 8 hours
Area of Lffecl: 2 ounces/IeveI
Saving Throv: None
This speII is per |cgcns c |crc, page
132. Il is prinariIy for lhose of Indian
socielies, lhough olhers couId le aIIoved
lo use il or lheir deilies couId granl il if
lhe Dungeon Masler desires. When lhe
priesl lrevs and lIesses lhe sona pIanls
Ieaves, he creales a poverfuI nagicaI
juice. Those drinking al Ieasl one ounce a
veek receive lvo lenefils: an increase of
one poinl of Conslilulion and innunily
lo non-nagicaI disease. These effecls dis-
sipale al lhe end of a veek vilhoul
sona-juice. The priesls generaIIy reslricl
lhe usage of lhe juice lo nolIes and
priesls.
That art thnu
(DIvInatInn)
5phcrc: DIvInatInn
LeveI: 3
Range: O
Conponenls: V
Duralion: 1 round/IeveI
Casling Tine: 1
Area of Lffecl: 3O radius sphere
Saving Throv: None
By ullering lhe phrase |a| |tan asi
(lhal arl lhou), lhe caslers senses
lecone one vilh aII leings and oljecls
vilhin a 3O radius sphere cenlered on
lhe casler. The casler sees and feeIs
everylhing sensed ly every person, caler
piIIar, lree, and rock in lhe area of effecl.
(A firsl-line casler viII le surprised hov
nuch a rock feeIs.) The onrush of sensory
infornalion aIIovs lhe casler lo knov of
aII leings and oljecls in lhe area, incIud-
ing hidden and invisilIe crealures, lraps,
and nagic ilens. The casler does nol
sense lhoughls or delecl povers of crea-
lures and oljecls conlacled. Because lhe
speII accesses lhoughls, any leing vhose
lhoughls are nasked cannol le spolled
soIeIy vilh lhis speII. WhiIe lhe speII is in
effecl, lhe casler nay lake no olher
aclion, incIuding novenenl and speech.
The casler nay disconlinue lhe effecl al
any line during lhe speIIs duralion.
5cc a!! faccs
(DIvInatInn)
5phcrc: DIvInatInn
LeveI: 4
Range: 1O yards
Conponenls: V, M
Duralion: 1 round
Casling Tine: 4
Area of Lffecl: 1 crealure
Saving Throv: Neg.
This speII requires lhal an ilen
leIonging lo lhe largel le in lhe caslers
possession. When casl, an unviIIing lar-
gel nusl nake saving lhrov vs. speIIs or
have aII najor aspecls of his personaIily
reveaIed lo lhe casler. Thus, if lhe largel
is a nage, a rajah, a Iolhario, or a Iiar, lhe
casler knovs il. Nole lhal lhe scc a|| faccs
speII reveaIs onIy lruIy najor aspecls, if
lhe aforenenlioned largel aIso Iiked
chocoIale and raga nusic, lhis vouId nol
le reveaIed. Since lhis speII does nol
affecl lhe nind, nind shieIding and
Wisdon lonuses are nol effeclive
defenses.
Pnn! nf dccds
(Enchantmcnt)
5phcrc: DIvInatInn, E!cmcnta! (Watcr)
LeveI: 5
Range: 1O yards
Conponenls: V, S, M
Duralion: 24 hours
Casling Tine: 6 lurns
Area of Lffecl: 1 pooI
Saving Throv: None
The pcc| cf ccs speII lurns any pooI
of valer, fron as snaII as a lirdlalh lo
as Iarge as a snaII Iake, inlo a sloryleIIer.
The enchanled pooI can recounl lhe pul-
IicIy knovn deeds of any one individuaI
exaclIy as lhey happened. The suljecl
nay le Iiving, dead, or even nol yel
lorn, lhe deeds nay refIecl lhe pasl, pre-
senl, and even possilIe fulures. The sur-
face of lhe valer refIecls lhe inages as if
lhey vere happening al lhe nonenl,
and al lhe speed al vhich lhey occurred.
The casler nusl knov of lhe slories lhal
he vanls lo refIecl, lul he need nol
knov lhe delaiIs. If lhe casler vishes lo
refIecl deeds lhal are nol pulIicIy knovn,
he nay lry The suljecl nakes a saving
lhrov vs. speIIs lo keep secrels unre-
veaIed, lhis roII is al lhe suljecls IeveI al
lhe line of lhe reveaIed deeds.
The casler nay creale a pcc| cf ccs
lhal refIecls his ovn fulure, lul lhe
inages nay Ieave oul crilicaI delaiIs lo
prevenl lanpering vilh lhe fulure. The
casler shouId expecl vhalever appears
lo cone lrue, regardIess of his efforls lo
change il. The pooI is aclivaled ly loss-
ing in a handfuI of coIored povder.
Cnncca! !Ifcfnrcc
(AburatInn)
5phcrc: NccrnmantIc
LeveI: 5
Range: Touch
Conponenls: V, S
Duralion: 1 day/IeveI
Casling Tine: 5
Area of Lffecl: 1 crealure
Saving Throv: None
This speII hides a leings Iifeforce
(sna||i) fron deleclion, prevenling speIIs
Iike |arna sign| and rcincarna|icn sign|
fron vorking on lhe crealure. Il can aIso
le used for a nuch nore dangerous pur-
pose: lo prevenl lhe crealure fron leing
rcincarna|c, al Ieasl lenporariIy. By casl-
ing ccncca| |ifcfcrcc on a crealure vilhin
an hour of ils dealh, lhe crealures seIf
(a|nan) is hidden fron lhe divine agenls
vho allend lo reincarnalion. During lhe
speIIs duralion, lhe characler nay le
raisc or rcsurrcc|c. (This shouId le lhe
onIy vay raisc ca or rcsurrcc|icn can le
used on a characler fron an Indian-
lased cuIlure or vilh an Indian-lased IC
kil nore lhan a day afler dealh, see
|cgcns c |crc, page 126.) Using lhis speII
for lhis purpose is a vioIalion of lhe cos-
nic order and nay lrigger divine vralh.
46 ILBRUARY 1996
RcIncarnatInn sIght
(DIvInatInn)
5phcrc: DIvInatInn, NccrnmantIc
LeveI: 6
Range: SpeciaI
Conponenls: V, S, M
Duralion: 1 round
Casling Tine: 6
Area of Lffecl: 1 crealure
Saving Throv: None
This speII reveaIs lhe presence of a
reincarnaled characler. Using a piece of
cIolhing leIonging lo lhe originaI charac-
ler, lhe priesl nay use lhis speII lo dis-
cover lhe reincarnalion of lhal charac-
lers nane, appearance, and approxi-
nale Iocalion. If found, a reincarnalion
has onIy vague nenories of his pasl and
viII le unIikeIy lo recognize any of his
conpalriols. The speII can cross pIanar
larriers, lul il cannol penelrale larriers
Iike ccncca| |ifcfcrcc or anu|c|s cf |ifc prc-
|cc|icn.
A second use of lhis speII is lo reveaI
lo a person aII of lhe nenories of one of
his reincarnalions. The priesl needs
nereIy lo louch lhe suljecl, and he
knovs aII lhal his pasl Iife conlained.
Using lhe lvo uses of lhis speII in order
can reacquainl oId friends, al Ieasl in a
superficiaI vay. (Nole lhal lhese speIIs
aIIov a sIain IC lo rejoin lhe canpaign
vilh his nenories inlacl, and perhaps
his IeveI and aliIilies. See lhe reincarna-
lion lalIe on page 126 of |cgcnsc|crc.)
Pcnctratc cnsmIc Ignnrancc
(DIvInatInn)
5phcrc: DIvInatInn
LeveI: 7
Range: O
Conponenls: V, S
Duralion: SpeciaI
Casling Tine: 7
Area of Lffecl: 1O8/IeveI radius
Saving Throv: SpeciaI
This dangerous speII is lased on lhe
age-oId leIief lhal lhe vorId is jusl iIIu-
sion and lhal norlaIs nay nol conpre-
hend il. Pcnc|ra|c ccsnic igncrancc aIIovs
a parliaI piercing of lhal veiI. When casl,
lhe speII reveaIs lhe divine hands lehind
every crealure and oljecl presenl. The
casler Iearns of characlers palron deilies,
consecraled spaces, hoIy reIics, speII
residue, and exlra-pIanar crealures. Il
leIIs every characlers IeveI, every nagic
ilens pover, and every nonslers spe-
ciaI aliIilies, anong nany olher reveIa-
lions. Wherever lhe hands of deilies
nanipuIale Iife ~ and lhey do so every-
vhere ~ lhe priesl viII knov il.
Using lhis speII requires lhe casler lo
nake a saving lhrov vs. lrealh veapon,
nodified onIy ly Wisdon lonuses. If lhe
characler faiIs, he is driven insane ly lhe
reveIalion, if ever cured, he forgels
everylhing he sav. In addilion, using lhis
speII vipes aII olher speIIs fron lhe casl-
ers nind, and lhe characler nusl resl a
fuII nighl lefore Iearning nev ones.
Ca!! avatar
5phcrc: A!!
LeveI: 7
Range: UnIiniled
Conponenls: V, S, M
Duralion: SpeciaI
Casling Tine: 6 lurns
Area of Lffecl: SpeciaI
Saving Throv: None
This risky speII aIIovs lhe priesl lo
sunnon an avalar of his deily. The speII
opens up a ga|c lo anolher pIane, and,
lhough lhe avalar is conpeIIed lo cone
lhrough lhe rifl, il is nol conpeIIed lo slay
nore lhan an inslanl. Lven if il chooses lo
hear lhe requesls of lhe priesls, lhe avalar
nay or nay nol granl lhen. The avalar
nay aIso nake denands on lhe priesl as
veII, and lhe priesl vouId do veII lo heed
lhen. The avalar nay slay as Iong as il
Iikes, oflen al greal expense lo lhe casler.
The speII requires a reIic of lhe deily in
queslion, vhen lhe avalar Ieaves, il lakes
lhe reIic vilh il. Casling lhis speII ages lhe
casler five years.
Micnac| A. Sc|in|cr is a ganc csigncr
unc |itcs in Sca|||c, lasning|cn. Tnis is |nc
scccn in a scrics cf |nrcc ar|ic|cs nc nas uri|-
|cn cn oringing |nc |nian suoccn|incn| in|c
|nc ADcD ganc.
DRACN #226 47
ly WiIIian W. Connors
renenler a line, Iong ago,
vhen I vas nol lhe cynicaI, jaded
conpuler guy lhal I an nov. I
used lo go over lo lhe aparlnenl of
Larry Snilh (nol lhe one on lhe
DRAGON Magazinc slaff), a very
good friend of nine, and spend
hours allenpling lo deIve deeper
inlo lhe deplhs of lhe firsl
Wizardry* gane. If you arenl fuIIy
avare of lhe line scaIe invoIved
here, Iels jusl say lhal Larry vas
lhe proud ovner of a lrand nev,
lop-of-lhe-Iine, culling-edge AppIe
conpuler. The vord snokin
cones lo nind.
Larry and I vere avid fans of
roIe-pIaying ganes, lolh eIeclronic
and paper versions. We vouId
spend far loo nany hours ganing,
laIking aloul ganing, and laIking
aloul laIking aloul ganing. Wilh
lhal in nind, you can inagine our
deIighl vhen ve sav a nev series
of Dungeon Maslers Assislanl
prograns on lhe sheIves of our
IocaI conpuler slore. f course, ve
loughl lhen on sighl and venl hone lo
see vhal vonders nighl le on lhose unas-
suning IillIe discs.
Belveen lhen and nov, a greal
nany l hi ngs have c hanged.
Leeching feII oul of favor in lhe
nedicaI connunily, lhe coIonies
decIared lheir independence fron
Creal Brilain, soneone invenled
lhe conpacl disc, and a second
edilion of lhe ADVANCLD DUNCLNS &
DRACNS gane vas vrillen.
Have you figured oul vhere lhis
is headed yel` Cood, lhen I can
nake an announcenenl lhal a Iol
of peopIe have leen vanling lo
hear (or read, acluaIIy) for nany
years: In Augusl of 1996, al lhe
CLN CN gane fair in MiIvaukee,
Wisconsin, TSR, Inc., and Lvernore
Lnlerlainnenl, Inc., viII le reIeas-
ing a CD-RM version of lhe
AD&D core ruIes. Lncunlered
vilh lhe ralher slaggering nane of
ADcD CD-ROM Vc|. |, Ccrc Ru|cs, lhis
producl pronises lo revoIulionize lhe
vay in vhich lhe AD&D gane is pIayed.
you pIay AD&D and ovn a conpuler lhal
enpIoys eilher Windovs 3.1 or Windovs 95, lhen
lhis progran is going lo le a nusl-have.
Nov, in descriling lhis nev looI for lhe eager pIayer and
Dungeon Masler, I couId go on and on vilh a Iisl of inpressive
sounding lhings. Consider lhe foIIoving:
I couId, for exanpIe, leII you lhal il incIudes aII lhe naleriaI
We verenl disappoinled. These prograns aIIoved us lo cre-
ale characlers, generale encounlers, and dozens of olher lhings.
Whal nore couId nodern science do for lhe ganer`
f course, lhal vas nany years ago. Monochrone dispIays,
prinilive veclor graphics, Ioad lines neasured in ninules, and
3OO-laud nodens vere lhe ruIe. In facl, a Iol of us used cas-
selle recorders inslead of nagnelic discs, and even if you did
have one of lhose 3OO-laud nodens, you couIdnl do nuch
vilh il excepl caII up olher peopIe vilh 3OO-laud nodens and
adnire lhe facl lhal you vere lolh, in a vord, geeks.
in lhe P|aqcrs Hanocc|, DUNG|ON MAST|R Guic, MONSTROUS
MANUA|, Tcnc cf Magic, and Arns an |quipncn| calaIog. Lvery
vord of lexl, every lalIe, every speII descriplion, every nonsler
~ aII rendered in an eIeclronic fornal conpalilIe vilh virluaIIy
every vord processing progran knovn lo nodern nan.
I nighl even nenlion lhal aII of lhis lexl couId le easiIy cross
referenced, sorled, and conpiIed. A user vho vanled lo do a
search for every ruIe lhal affecls a characlers THACO vouId
onIy need lo lype in a fev sinpIe connand and |a-an!
lhere il vouId le.
Bul I knov lhe readers of DRAGON Magazinc. They donl vanl
lo hear aloul sluff Iike lhal. If lhey did, il vouId nake sense for
ne lo leII lhen olher lhings as veII.
DRACN #226
49
Ior inslance, I couId poinl oul lhal lhe audience vouId le denanding lo knov
CD-RM incIudes a nunler of prograns
designed lo aulonale lhe nore line-
consuning aspecls of lhe gane. Iron
conpIele characler generalion lo lhe cre-
alion of delaiIed lreasure hordes, fron
lhe conpiIalion of individuaI speII looks
lo lhe design of cuslonized nagicaI
ilens, ils aII here.
vhere lhey couId luy a producl Iike lhis.
Theyd le slanding ly lheir phones, cred-
il cards in hand, eager lo give lheir nane
and nunler lo an operalor vho vouId
drop a copy of lhis fine producl inlo lhe
naiI as soon as lhey hung up. Bul you
arenl lhe average consuner, are you`
I didnl lhink so.
By nov, of course, a Iess sophislicaled A lruIy denanding audience, Iike lhe
Characler generalion is
fasler and easier lhan ever
lefore. Lvery oplion lhals
avaiIalIe al every slep of lhe
process is Iaid oul. Mislakes
are a lhing of lhe pasl.
one In vriling lhis for, vouId
vanl lo knov hov lhis progran
vouId heIp lhen in lhe Iong run.
Theyd denand lhal il aIIov lhen
lo keep characler records and
such on fiIe in an eIeclronic for-
nal. Beyond lhal, lheyd insisl
lhal, vhen lhey updale one nun-
ler on lhe sheel, aII of lhe charac-
lerislics derived fron il vouId le
adjusled aulonalicaIIy. Theyd
insisl on lhe progran doing aII lhe
nil-picky lhings lhal no one reaIIy
enjoys, Iike caIcuIaling encun-
lrance calegories or novenenl
rales, so lhal lhey vouId have
nore line for carving up non-
slers, saving princesses (or princes), and
olhervise having fun.
WeII, lhe nice foIks al Lvernore
Lnlerlainnenl have done aII lhal. In
addilion, lheyve laken lhe line lo creale
a visuaIIy slunning cinenalic lour of a
nedievaI viIIage. Theyve conlined eIec-
lronic versions of TSRs lesl arl vilh
graphic inages connission speciaIIy for
lhis progran. Dovn lo lhe snaII-
esl delaiI, lheyve gone oul of lheir
vay lo nake lhis progran as visu-
aIIy appeaIing as il is usefuI.
Lels nol forgel lhal no anounl
of eIeclronic vizardry viII change
lhe facl lhal AD&D is a pen-and-
paper gane. When you need a
characler sheel, you jusl press a
lullon and your prinler zaps oul a
nice-Iooking, easy-lo-read-and-ref-
erence characler sheel. Renen-
ler hov nice a nev one Iooks`
Nov you can have one al lhe slarl
of every gane session.
Bul, of course, lhals vhal youd
expecl, isnl il` So In nol leIIing
you anylhing you donl aIready
The napping looI Iels DMs
creale delaiIed dungeons,
viIIages, cilies, caslIes, and
viIderness areas. Il shovs any
viev in 3-D, culling guessing
vhal characlers can see fron
vhere lheyre slanding.
5O ILBRUARY 1996
ne of nany screens lhal
heIp DMs creale advenlures is
lhe lreasure generalor. The
conpuler never forgels lhe
liniesl copper coin.
knov (or hadnl guessed), an I`
So vhal is il lhal you vanl fron
ne` Whal do I have lo leII you
aloul lhis progran lo inpress
you` Do I have lo leII you lhal ils
leen crealed vilh lhe aid of sone
of lhe nosl respecled designers in
lhe gane induslry` Thal peopIe
Iike }in Ward, Tin Brovn, Sleve
Winler, and IauI }aquays have
vor ked c I os eI y vi l h Vi c l or
Iennan, vho heIped creale SSIs
avard vinning AD&D goId lox
ganes (as veII as lhe originaI
Dungeon Maslers Assislanl* pro-
grans I nenlioned earIy on)`
No. I knov ganers leller lhan
lhal. Theyre a caring and sensilive
lunch. They vanl lo knov aloul eno-
lionaI side of lhis projecl. They vanl lo
hear aloul lhe facl lhal lhis has leen a
Ialor of Iove for everyone invoIved. They
vanl lo knov lhal ve did il for lhen.
Thal lhe firsl queslion ve asked al lhe
slarl of every slep of lhis process vas:
hov can ve nake lhis progran leller
for aII lhose ganers oul lhere` They
vanl lo knov lhal everyone invoIved in
lhis projecl has cone logelher in
lhe spiril of denocracy and free-
don lhal Iileraled Laslern Lurope
and lroughl peace lo lhe MiddIe
Lasl.
WeII, I suppose lhals noslIy
lrue, loo.
The facl is, ever since lhe day I
firsl slarled pIaying around vilh
lhe originaI Dungeon Maslers
Assislanl prograns, Ive lhoughl
lhey couId le inproved upon. Way
lack lhen, Iong lefore I vrole ny
firsl advenlure or allended ny firsl
convenlion, I slarled vorking on a
pIan lo see lo il lhal lhe uIlinale
Users gel a fuIIy-aninaled
AD&D

advenlure and viIIage

lour. Cane velerans viII
enjoy lhe delaiIed nedievaI
selling and encounlers, vhiIe
nevconers gel lo see firsl-
hand hov lhe aclion unfoIds
during a roIe-pIaying session.
AD&D conpuler looI vouId le produced.
Sure, ny schene vas sullIe. I used devi-
ous nelhods lhal even lhe CIA frovns
upon. Bul in lhe end, I gol ny vay. IeopIe
vho never even nel ne vere doing
lhings lhal I had pIanned years ago. Lven
lhe foIks al Lvernore, vho lhoughl lhis
vhoIe lhing vas lheir idea, didnl suspecl
lhe lrulh. CraduaIIy, one-ly-one, lhe
pieces of lhis conpIex puzzIe feII inlo
pIace.
Nov, 15 or so years Ialer, ny dialoIi-
caI pIan is aInosl conpIele. Soon, I viII
have lhe conpuler progran lhal Ive
aIvays vanled.
li||ian l. Ccnncrs is a ganc csigncr a|
TSR, inc. Hc is currcn||q nar a| ucr| cn |nc
ncu DRAGON|ANC|. THL |l|TH AGL ocx sc|.
indicates a product produced by a company other
than TSR, Inc.
DRACN #226 51
ly Andrev Turpin
I!!ustratcd by Rnbcrt K!asnIch
Can PCs' actInns affcct thcIr bc!nngIngs?
rin rcu |nc sucr frcn i|s scaooar.
L
Tnc f|ic|cring |crcn|ign| ancc in |nc
nirrcr-|i|c surfacc, g|in|ing as i| fcugn|
oac| |nc snacus. Nc runcs cr cccra|itc
scrc||-ucr| narrc i|s sinp|c ocau|q, an i|s
|ca|ncr ni|| uas ucrn sncc|n oq ccns|an|
usc. || uas a p|ain o|ac nac fcr an ug|q
purpcsc. |i||ing.
Tnis fcc|s s|rangc, Tcn. |s i| nagica|?
snc as|c.
Tcn nctc |nc |crcn c|cscr. | in|
nc|icc i| a| firs|, ou| ncu |na| qcu ncn|icn i|
|ncrc is a ccr|ain aura. Tnc franc ournc
orign|cr in |nc ournisnc s|cc|, |cnri|s cf
snc|c sccnc |c cur| cun in|c i|s cp|ns,
ra|ncr |nan upuar |c |nc cci|ing.
|| rcnins nc cf |nc s|crq cf Aran|n
8ac|s|aoocr Hc rctc nis sucr |ncugn nis
Kings oac|, ccning nis pccp|c as |ncq
fcugn| fcr |ncir |itcs uring |nc Ogrc lars.
Ycu |nin| |nis nign| oc |nc sucr? |rin
snitcrc.
|| nign| oc. | ucu|n| usc i| |ncugn. Tnc
o|ac uas |ain|c oq nis cti|, qcu qcursc|f
can fcc| scnc|ning cf |na| aura, an qcu arc
nc| |rainc fcr sucn |nings. Anqcnc unc
ac|ua||q uic|s i| fa||s in |c snacu, oc|raqing
|ncsc |na| |ncq |ctc, graua||q sprcaing
ar|ncss uncrctcr |ncq gc.
lna| nappcnc |c Aran|n?
Nc cnc |ncus fcr surc. . . Tcn pa|c as
nc |cc|c frcn |rin |c |nc sucr.
|rin rcppc i| an quic||q ruooc ncr
nan agains| ncr c|ca|. Nc| sucn a nicc
sucr af|cr a||.
Throughoul lhe Iife of a characler, he
cones inlo conlacl vilh nany vondrous
nagicaI ilens. The pIayers reaclion
DRACN #226 53
ranges fron lored lo disnissive vhen
lhe Dungeon Masler reveaIs lhe ilens
aliIilies. The onIy line an eyelrov is
raised is vhen lhe ilen has earlh-shal-
lering povers. Cane laIance leelers on
lhe lrink vhiIe lhe pIayer saves lhe
vorId in a singIe conlal round, lul
vhen asked vhal lhe ilens hislory is,
lhe IC prolalIy says, Lr, dunno. Il can
spIal an orc al a lhousand yards lhough!
The nagicaI ilen is noled on lhe ICs
record sheel, leconing nereIy a Iisl of
aliIilies and lonuses lhal add very IillIe
fIavor lo a holly lhal lhrives on lhe
inaginalion. Any DM vho has vorked
hard al lrealhing Iife inlo his canpaign
viII feeI his efforls vasled as lhe charac-
lers lurn inlo Iisls of conlal lonuses,
personaI i l i es I osl anong l he f ai nl
penciI narks. Ierhaps, in sone cases,
il is nol onIy lhe pIayers vho have Iosl
lhe urge lo forge a nev Iegend in a vorId
of heroic deeds, a DM vho has Iosl inler-
esl is even nore of a prolIen.
AII ilens viII have a hislory. Hov vere
lhey crealed` Why vere lhey crealed`
DelaiIs such as lhese viII lring a can-
paign lo Iife, heIping lolh DMs and pIay-
ers as lhey slrive lo creale an enjoyalIe
advenlure lhal viII le renenlered
nany years dovn lhe road. Characlers
possessions viII le Iinked lo lhen, carry-
ing lheir Iegends inlo lhe fulure, crealing
a Iegacy for lhe ages. A characlers svord
viII le heId in ave for cenluries afler his
dealh, his heroic nalure parl of ils sleeI.
Ierhaps il viII granl povers lo
Iive up lo lhe Iegend. ne need nol
have a nagicaI svord lo have a vorlhy
lIade, any veapon lhal lhe characler
uses in a dranalic fashion viII le renen-
lered.
These ruIes viII enalIe you lo creale
nagicaI ilens lased upon lhe aclions
characlers lake lo keep lheir nanes aIive
in lhe ages lo cone, heIping lhe pIayers
lo creale and nainlain lheir Iegends, and
heIping lhe ganing group lo enjoy lheir
holly.
CrcatIng a !cgcnd
lhose vho vieId il in lhe fulure,
povers lhal viII enalIe olhers lo
As lhe pIayers roIe-pIay lheir charac-
lers aclions, lhey nake nany deci-
sions. Lvery aclion lecones parl
of lhe characlers hislory, lhreads
lhal viII le voven lo forn lhe pallern of
a characlers personaIily. IIayers define
lhe loundaries of vhal lheir characlers
are viIIing lo do. Lvery characler has a
differenl range of possilIe aclions: sone
ILBRUARY 1996
slrive for honor, heIping lhose in danger
and offering aid vherever il is needed,
vhiIe olhers kiII lheir associales for gain.
The nore dranalic an aclion, lhe nore il
viII le laIked aloul in lhe years lo cone,
noving lhe characler furlher aIong lhe
road lo leconing a Iegend.
Wilh each aclion, lhere is a chance of
a revard. The nore dranalic an aclion,
lhe nore poverfuI lhe revard. A charac-
ler vho conslanlIy lrips his friends vilh
his slaff, sending lhe poor feIIovs pIun-
neling lo lheir dealh, nighl receive a
negalive revard. Ierhaps his slaff viII
slrike oul al his friends during conlal,
earning nullered curses fron lhe olher
heros. He viII le eyed suspiciousIy vher-
ever he goes, everyone afraid of vhal he
nighl do vhen lheir lacks are lurned.
Revards shouId le lrealed carefuIIy.
They shouId nol le poverfuI enough lo
lip lhe laIance conpIeleIy in lhe charac-
lers favor, nor shouId il cause any pIay-
er lo feeI he has leen lrealed unfairIy.
Lach line a pover is given, a Iisl of
inleresling roIe-pIaying possiliIilies
shouId le lhoughl up and presenled lo
lhe pIayers. A pover nighl nol lenefil
lhe parly, lul il can sliII le inleresling lo
use, causing nayhen in lhe nidsl of a
neIee, or jusl leing an anusing lrick lhal
lhe pIayers can use vhen lhings slarl lo
gel a IillIe serious.
Lach line a characler lakes an aclion,
he adds lil ly lil lo lhe ongoing Iegend
of his Iife. Whelher his possessions gain
povers is lased on hov dranalic his
aclions are: lhe nore dranalic lhe aclion
lhe higher lhe chance lhal an ilen viII le
affecled in sone nanner.
ActInn ratIngs
To asses lhe prolaliIily of an aclion
giving sone nagicaI pover as a revard,
use lhe foIIoving Iisl lo gauge lhe vor-
lhiness. There are six ralings: nornaI,
Iov, high, very high, exceplionaI, and
unique.
Aclions of a nornaI raling are nol
highIy heroic or eviI in nalure. They are
everyday aclions lhal soneone vouId
do vilhoul any danger invoIved. A Iov
raling neans lhal sonelhing lhe charac-
ler did vas sIighlIy oul of lhe ordinary.
Ior inslance, dragging a friend oul of a
lurning house vouId cone under lhis
raling. A high raling neans lhal lhe char-
acler nade a conscious choice lo face
danger. The characler in lhe exanpIe
alove vho had jusl dragged his friend
oul reaIizes lhal his younger lrolher is
Iocked inside lhe house. He lurns around
der around some of the other kegs and
throws his keg away. Kneeling, he strikes
his flint and steel together, sending a
spark leaping into the powder. He turns
and charges through the open door just
as the powder room explodes. The blast
hurls Tom clear and buries the guards
under a pile of old stone and burning
wood. The DM decides that Toms fool-
hardy action has a very high rating,
which has a Spell Points value of five. He
rolls dice to see whether a reward is due
and manages to beat the 15% target.
Toms player and the DM decide that two
spells will be embedded in that flint and
steel: deafness and gust of wind. These
were chosen as the combined effect
would be similar to the result of the
explosion. The two spells are embedded
in the flint and steel and activate when
the two are struck together.
Should a character be carrying a mag-
ical item when he creates a legend, that
item will act against any roll made to
gain powers. To reflect this, subtract 20%
from any roll made, so only actions of a
unique nature will grant any powers.
Even if a roll is made, only one spell point
should be given. Think of how the peo-
ple would tell the story of a characters
actions when using this ruling. If a war-
rior armed with nothing but a magical
mace faced a horde of screaming orcs,
the action would not be deemed quite so
heroic, even though the warriors bravery
would still be praised for many years to
come; but if all he had to fight them off
with was a rough wooden club. . .
Whenever a magical item is created
using this method, the DM must decide
how many times each power may be
used a day.
An embedded spell can be cast once
per day for each time it is embedded, but
each duplication of the spell costs double
the number of spell points. For example,
powers are rewarded for an exceptional
action, granting seven spell points. The
character and DM decide to embed a 1st-
level spell three times. The first time costs
one point, the second two, and the third
duplication four points for a grand total
of seven. All of the spell points have
been used up, enabling the spell to be
cast three times per day. Using this
method, only spells below fourth level
may be cast multiple times per day, pre-
venting the more powerful ones from
unbalancing a campaign.
Certain powers function continuously
and therefore dont need to be cast more
than once. These effects are very special
and will probably only be available
and rushes back into the
flames in an attempt to save him. An
action that would be given a very high
rating is deliberately guiding the rest of
your party to their deaths at the hands of
a group of marauding orcs.
Exceptional means that you have
done something that few people would
even consider. Fighting single-handed-
ly against overwhelming odds for the
sake of strangers, for example.
The unique rating describes once-in-a-
lifetime actions such as laying down your
life for someone else, or perhaps regi-
cide.
The table below lists each of these rat-
ings and gives the corresponding per-
centage chance that the action
receives a reward.
Whenever you feel a
character has done some-
thing dramatic, you may
are allowed per level (or per year of
game time if the character can no longer
advance). The first of these rolls can be
for either a good or evil action. The sec-
make a roll, but only two successful rolls
ond must be for an action of an
opposite moral stance. So, if the first
roll was for an heroic action, the
second can be only for an evil deed, or
vice versa.
One other column is present in the
table: spell points. This determines the
maximum number of spell levels that can
be rewarded for a certain
action.
Any spell up to this
level can be embedded
into an item, it is up to the player and the
DM to choose them. If the spell points
value is high, you may allow more than
bined spell levels must be no greater
than the original number of points.
one spell to be embedded, but the com-
Table: Action Ratings
% Chance Spell Points
0 0
5 1
Rating
Normal
Low
High 10 3
Very High 15 5
Exceptional 20 7
Unique 25 9
For example, Tom runs
into the powder room
of the castle and grabs
one of the powder kegs.
From outside he can hear the guards
shouting and charging towards the
room. Quickly, he sprinkles a bit of pow-
FEBRUARY 1996
lhrough aclions lhal are raled al excep-
lionaI or unique slalus.
If you vish you nay aIso aIIov ilens
lhal have conlined povers lo use lhen
aII sinuIlaneousIy once a veek for a
grand effecl. Coing lack lo lhe fIinl and
sleeI exanpIe, gus| cf uin and cafncss
can lolh le casl once per day. nce a
veek, lhough, lhey can le casl logelher,
conlining lheir effecls lo recreale lhe
evenl fron vhich lhey vere forned.
5pc!! rcstrIctInns
Due lo lhe innense pover of sone of
lhe higher-IeveI speIIs, sone reslriclions
shouId le inposed.
As a slarling poinl, you nay vish lo
consider Iiniling speIIs lhal cause a Iarge
anounl of danage, such as fircoa||, or
speIIs lhal do nol aIIov a saving lhrov,
as is lhe case vilh nosl of lhe pcucr
ucr speIIs. ne lype of speII lhal shouId
le considered very carefuIIy is lhe uisn
speII.
AII speII effecls funclion al 12lh-IeveI
nagic, unIess lhe pover acluaIIy requires
a higher IeveI. In such cases, lhe pover is
used al lhe nininun IeveI required lo
nornaIIy casl lhe equivaIenl speII.
Wcapnn cnmbat bnnuscs
MagicaI veapons oflen give lonuses
lo roIIs nade during conlal. These can
range fron leing leneficiaI on sone
veapons lo leing penaIlies on lhose lhal
have leen cursed.
To inlue a veapon vilh a lonus, use
lhe nunler of SpeII Ioinls as a guide. Ior
every slep alove six, lhe ilen receives a
+1 lonus (-1 for cursed ilens). Ior
exanpIe, seven SpeII Ioinls yieIds a +2
veapon. This gives a naxinun of a +3
lonus vhen using nine speII poinls. LviI
ilens nay nol necessariIy have a nega-
live lonus. (They nay, under cerlain cir-
cunslances, nake il easier lo hil, such as
vhen allacking a friend, or vhen assas-
sinaling soneone.)
Ior sone reason, Iosl in lhe nisls of
line and pasl AD&D ruIe looks, svords
are alIe lo le enchanled vilh a higher
lonus lhan +3. Ierhaps lhey are easier
lo vork vilh, lhe care lhal goes inlo lheir
crafling enalIing a nage lo pour nore
nagic in lhan any olher ilen is capalIe
of hoIding.
Whalever lhe reason, nagicaI svords
nusl le lrealed differenlIy lhan any
olher veapon. To vork oul lhe lonus
lhal a svord can receive, give a +I
lonus for every slep alove four, lo a
naxinun of a +5 lonus for a svord
vhen using nine SpeII Ioinls.
Bonuses lhal veapons receive can
aIso le conlined vilh olher effecls lo
creale nore unique aliIilies. }usl as vilh
olher conlined povers, lhe lolaI IeveIs
nusl le no grealer lhan lhe originaI
nunler of speII poinls.
ManIfcstatInn nf Itcm pnwcrs
The advenlure conlinues once lhe
ilens povers have leen decided upon.
The characlers nove on dovn lhe road
lo leconing a fuII-fIedged Iegends. The
nagicaI ilen avails, graduaIIy groving
in pover as lhe slory of ils crealion
spreads. To refIecl lhis sIov increase in
pover, lhe finaI speIIs enledded in lhe
ilen shouId nol le aclivaled slraighl
avay. They lake nonlhs or perhaps
years lo lecone fuIIy aclive, lheir effecl
groving in pover unliI lhey finaIIy
achieve lhe desired slale.
This deIay shouId have a nininun
nunler of nonlhs equaI lo lhe nunler
of speII poinls. The nore poverfuI lhe
speII, lhe Ionger lhe deIay. Think up vari-
ous aliIilies lhal are sIighlIy Iess poverfuI
lhan lhe desired resuIl, and have lhen
aclivale al various lines lhroughoul lhe
nanifeslalion period, graduaIIy increas-
ing lheir pover as line goes ly.
Ior exanpIe, Tons fIinl and sleeI viII
evenluaIIy have cafncss and gus| cf uin
enledded in lhen. Iive speII poinls vere
used in crealion, so lhey lake a nininun
of five nonlhs for lhe lvo speIIs lo
lecone fuIIy aclive. ver lhe nexl fev
nonlhs Ton and Lrin vilness slrange
lhings around lheir canp al nighl: lhey
donl seen lo le alIe lo Iighl any fires,
and, vhen lhey do, lhe fIanes lurn vilh-
oul a sound, no spils or crackIes can le
heard as lhe eager fIanes consune lhe
vood.
|itc ncn|ns af|cr causing |na| incrcio|c
cxp|csicn, Tcn |rics |c |ign| |nc canpfirc
cncc again.
Hc s|ri|cs |nc f|in| an s|cc| |cgc|ncr an
is o|cun cff nis fcc| us a pcurcfu| uin gus|s
|nrcugn |nc ucc|an c|caring. |rin rc|urns
a fcu ncncn|s |a|cr |c fin Tcn us|ing
ninsc|f cff.
Nc |uc| ui|n |nc firc, snc saqs us Tcn
nc|iccs ncr.
| can| ncar! nc saqs, nucn |cc |cu|q.
If you vish, you can creale a nagic
ilen vilhoul Ielling lhe pIayers knov lhe
finaI effecl. You can have fun valching
lhen lry lo figure il oul, using lhe cIues
lhey gel over lhe nexl fev nonlhs of
gane line.
UsIng a !cgcndary Itcm
Ior an ilens povers lo le aclivaled,
lhe user nusl le avare of any Iegend
associaled vilh il. Ior lhe characler vho
originaIIy possessed lhe ilen, lhis is no
prolIen, lul as lhe years go ly, and lhe
slory is forgollen, il prevenls lhe ilens
povers fron leing used unliI lhe fuII his-
lory is discovered.
If a c|cc| nagic speII is casl on an
ilen, il viII radiale an aura equivaIenl lo
lhe highesl-IeveI pover enledded. A
lards aliIily lo Iearn lhe generaI use of
a nagicaI ilen can le used lo find oul
lhe Iegend lehind lhe ilens crealion.
This onIy gives lhe slory, specific delaiIs
as lo lhe nalure of lhe ilens povers sliII
renain a nyslery. nce lhe enlire slory is
knovn lhough, anyone vho uses lhe
ilen can feeI vhal lhe povers are and
nay use lhen freeIy.
ShouId a pIayer keep a Iegendary ilen
(lhinking lhal il is nornaI), no effecl is
innedialeIy visilIe. There is a nanifesla-
lion period, siniIar lo lhe one nenlioned
earIier, over vhich lhe ilen viII exerl ils
pover lo Iel lhe user knov vhal il is. The
characler legins lo have olscure dreans
aloul pasl evenls lhal lhe ilen has seen.
ne drean keeps recurring, leIIing of lhe
dranalic evenl lhal lransforned lhe ordi-
nary inlo lhe exlraordinary. Il is up lo lhe
pIayer lo decipher vhal lhese dreans
nean. nIy vhen he has singIed oul lhe
repelilive drean as neaning sonelhing
speciaI viII he legin lo reaIize lhe ilens
pover. You nusl lhen leII lhe pIayer
vhich of his ilens is nagicaI and vhal ils
povers are.
Anrcu Turpin |itcs in la|cs.
Arc ynu a gamcr?
You shouId consider joining lhe
RICA

Nelvork.
You shouId aIso check oul Cons &
Iros on page 96 lo see vhal ganing
evenls or convenlions nay le heId in
your area.
If you are pIanning on hoIding a gan-
ing evenl or convenlion, Iel us knov
aloul il and veII le gIad lo pulIish lhe
infornalion in Cons & Iros.
Wrile lo us al Convenlion CaIendar,
DRAGON

Magazinc, 2O1 Sheridan Springs

Road, Lake Ceneva, WI 53147, U.S.A., or
e-naiI us al lsrnagsaoI.con.
58 ILBRUARY 1996
MagIca! 5cabbards and 5hcaths
ly David Hovery
I!!ustratcd by Anthnny J. Bryant
W
hen King Arlhur firsl received
LxcaIilur, says one Iegend,
MerIin asked lhe fulure king
vhich vas nore vaIualIe: lhe svord or
ils scallard. Lnraplured ly LxcaIilur
(vho vouIdnl le`), Arlhur repIied lhal
lhe scallard vas leaulifuIIy nade, lul
lhe svord vas olviousIy lhe grealer
lreasure. MerIin shook his head. The
scallard vas aIso nagicaI and vouId
prevenl vounds fron lIeeding. LxcaIilur
couId lake lhe Iives of Arlhurs enenies,
lul lhe scallard couId save his.
Arlhurs allilude is aIso found in lhe
AD&D gane. There are dozens of nag-
icaI svords avaiIalIe, lul lhe
LNCYCLILDIA MACICA Iisls onIy lvo nag-
icaI scallards. A nagicaI scallard can
nake an ordinary svord nore usefuI
and a nagicaI one lruIy fearsone.
Herein, lhe lern scallard nay le
laken lo refer lo shealhs fron knife lo
greal svord sizes. When a nagicaI scal-
lard is found, lhe DM roIIs on lhe lalIe
leIov (or lhe lalIe on page 1336, voI. IV,
of lhe LNCYCLOPLDlA MAGlCA look) lo find
ils size.
1 laslard svord
2 lroad svord
3 - 4 dagger
5. knife
6- 8. Iong svord
9. scinilar
1O-11 shorl svord
12. lvo-handed svord
Bnndbrcakcr
In nany cilies, veapons nusl le
peacelonded. This neans lhal a cord is
lied around lhe shealhed svords guard
and lhe scallard so il canl le dravn
quickIy in lhe heal of anger. The lond-
lreaker nagicaIIy unraveIs lhe peace-
lond inslanlIy upon connand, aIIoving
lhe svord lo le dravn al nornaI speed.
IaIadins and olher IavfuI characlers nal-
uraIIy despise lhis scallard, vhiIe
lhieves and olher nefarious lypes pay
nuch for one.
XP Va!uc: 3OO. GP Va!uc: 1,5OO
QuIckarm 5cabbard
This scallard has lvo nain func-
lions. ne connand vord leIeporls lhe
62 ILBRUARY 1996
sword that is sheathed in the scabbard Scabbard of Flame nent; even anti-magic and dispel magic
into the wielders hand from up to 20
away. The wielder therefore does not
Any nonmagical sword placed in this spells do not affect the inert sword.
scabbard for one continual day without XP Value: 700 GP Value: 3,500
incur any initiative penalty for taking
time to draw his weapon, and he does
being drawn gains the powers of a
flametongue sword (ENCYCLOPEDIA MAGICA, Not all magic is beneficial. Just to keep
not even have to be wearing the lV:1369). These powers last for one PCs on their toes, here are three cursed
sheathed sword. The second command hour, then vanish. The sword can be scabbards.
word recalls or returns the sword, tele- resheathed for another full day and
porting it back into the scabbard, with a regain the powers, again for one hour Cursed Scabbard of Binding
range of 50. This latter function is espe- only. The sword can be used over and This appears to be a normal scabbard
cially useful if the sword is accidentally over in this scabbard. Magical swords and is often found with a magical sword
dropped into a pit or river. are not affected by this scabbard. sheathed in it. The scabbard works nor-
XP Value: 2000 GP Value: 10,000 XP Value: 3,000 GP Value: 15,000 mally at first. But when the character is
in a combat situation and tries to draw
Scabbard of Adjustment Scabbard of Protection the sword, the scabbard clings fast to the
This scabbard changes shape, shrinks, This scabbard provides a +1 bonus to
blade. The sword cannot be drawn
or enlarges to fit any sword, dagger, or its wearers Armor Class. It can be used in regardless of the characters strength.
knife, as needed. combination with normal or magical Once activated, the scabbard never lets
XP Value: 250 GP Value: 1,000 armor and shields. At the DMs discre- go of the sword, even when the combat
tion, it might not be effective when worn is over.
Scabbard of Care with other magical items that improve Unlike other cursed items, the scab-
Any sword placed in this scabbard for AC. bard does not stick to the character; it
one full turn is cleaned and oiled, regard- XP Value: 1,000 GP Value: 5,000
sticks only to the sword. The scabbard
less of blood, dirt, water, or anything else and sword can be discarded. A remove
on the blade. If sheathed before the Scabbard of Sharpening:
sword is destroyed, the scabbard A nonmagical sword placed in this
removes even the acidic secretions of scabbard for one full day without being
monsters like puddings, green slime, etc.; drawn is magically sharpened. When
the scabbard itself is immune to such
secretions.
drawn, the sword is equal to a sword of
sharpness (ENCYCLOPEDIA MAGICA, IV; 1392).
XP Value: 300 GP Value: 1,500 The bonus lasts for 24 hours. The sword
can be used over and over in this scab-
Scabbard of Empowering bard, recharging for one full day, and
This scabbard gives magical bonuses gaining the bonuses for 24 hours each
to nonmagical swords (it has no affect time. Magical swords are not affected by
on magical swords). For every full con- this scabbard.
tinuous week that the sword is left in the XP Value: 3,000 GP Value: 15,000
scabbard without being drawn, the
sword gains a +1 bonus, to a maximum Scabbard of Weightlessness
of +3. Once the sword is drawn, the
bonus slowly fades, losing each +1
This applies to the sword, not the
wielder. A sword placed in this scabbard
bonus per week. Resheathing the sword is effectively weightless and does not
does not recharge the bonus nor pre- count against the characters carrying
vent the bonus from fading, until the capacity.
bonus has faded to 0. The sword can XP Value: 500 GP Value: 2,500
then be resheathed and recharged;
again, the sword regains and loses +1 Scabbard of Wound Closure
bonuses per week. Thus, the sword can Modeled after the wondrous scab-
be used over and over again in the mag- bard for King Arthurs sword Excalibur,
ical scabbard. this functions exactly like a periapt of
XP Value: 2,000 GP Value: 10,000 wound closure (ENCYCLOPEDIA MAGICA,
Il:827).
Scabbard of Forging XP Value: 1,000 GP Value: 10,000
This scabbard repairs broken swords.
If all the pieces of a broken sword are Scabbard-sword
placed in the scabbard and left for one This is a one-use magical item. If the
full day, the sword is repaired and sharp- wielder finds himself weaponless, the
ened, good as new. Note that magical command word polymorphs the scab-
swords are rendered nonmagical when bard into a sword of the appropriate size
broken; the scabbard can repair them (e.g., a scabbard sized for a long sword
but cannot restore their original magical would become a long sword). The sword
bonuses. is well balanced and finely made, but it
XP Value: 1,000 GP Value: 5,000 is nonmagical. The change is perma-
DRAGON #226 63
afler aII olhers invoIved in lhe conlal.
This happens every round in vhich lhe
characler lries lo drav lhe svord in lal-
lIe. The scallard cannol le discarded, il
aIvays reappears vhen lhe characler is
in conlal, dispIacing any olher shealh
he vears. A rcnctc cursc speII is needed
Cee, hes sIeeping so peacefuIIy, I aInosl hale lo overlhrov hin.
curse speII is required lo negale lhe
curse.
XP Va!uc: 0 GP Va!uc: 1O,OO
Curscd 5cabbard nf CnwardIcc
This seeningIy nundane scallard
perforns nornaIIy al firsl. When lhe
characler vho vears il is in conlal and
lries lo drav lhe svord, lhe scallard
lvisls lhe hiIl avay fron his hands. Since
a scallard canl nove far, lhe characler
evenluaIIy gels his hand on lhe hiIl and
dravs lhe svord, hovever, he aulonali-
caIIy Ioses inilialive lhal round, acling
lo le rid of lhe scallard.
XP Va!uc: O GP Va!uc: 1,OOO
Curscd 5cabbard nf TrIppIng
This scallard does nol hinder lhe
characler in draving lhe svord, hov-
ever, vhen he is in conlal, il langIes
ilseIf around his Iegs. The IC nusl nake
a Dexlerily check every round of conlal.
IaiIure neans he lrips and faIIs, Iosing
lhal round in gelling lack on his feel.
The scallard cannol le discarded. Il
aIvays reappears al lhe characlers leIl
during conlal. A rcnctc curse speII is
needed lo negale lhe curse of lhis ilen.
XP Va!uc: O GP Va!uc: 1,OOO
Dati Hcucrq |itcs in Gcaing, |anc. Hc
cs|ina|cs ncs uri||cn scnc|ning |i|c 29 ar|i-
c|cs fcr DRACN Magazine an DUNCLN
Advenlures ctcr |nc pas| fcu qcars.
64 ILBRUARY 1996
Fnr bnth Dungcnn Mastcrs and p!aycrs!
I f you r e I i ke nos l Dunge on
Maslers, you prolalIy have a look or
lvo, a lunch of dice, a nolelook,
sone penciIs, lhe odd nap, and Iols of
scraps of paper hidden lehind your
DM Screen. Il gels prelly cranped,
doesnl il`
Wilh lhe avaiIaliIily of snaII refiII-
alIe nolelooks, il doesnl have lo le
so crovded lack lhere. You can pul
naps, canpaign noles, and jusl aloul
everylhing in one of lhen.
AIong lhose Iines, DRAGON Magazinc
is pIeased lo presenl our firsl snaII
nolelook ganing accessory: pIayer
characler nini record sheels. These
sheels donl hoId aII lhe infornalion
lheir fuII-sized cousins do, lul lhey
have nosl of il ~ and jusl aloul every-
lhing lhe DM viII need lo keep lrack of
lhe capaliIilies and equipnenl of lhe
characlers in lhe canpaign.
Theyre conprehensive enough for
pIayers lo use, and lhey have sIols for
lhe ILAYLRS ITIN infornalion on
sulcharaclerislics.
Al 6 3 , lhe pages are slan-
dard size for lhe snaIIer porlalIe nole-
looks. You can pick one up al any sla-
lionery or office suppIy slore. WhiIe
youre lhere, you can gel pIain vhile,
Iined, or even graph fiIIer paper as
veII.
AII you have lo do is cul oul lhe
sheels and punch oul lhe pre-narked
hoIes. You can pholocopy lhese as
oflen as you vish for personaI use
onI y. ( We suggesl you phol ocopy
lefore culling.) r you couId jusl luy
exlra copies of lhis issue.
Nole lhal lhere are four differenl
sheels for each lasic characler cIass.
IIayers vilh nuIli- and duaI-cIassed
ICs shouId use vhichever sheel seens
nore appropriale.
Specific kils fil under any of lhese
sulheadings. Ior exanpIe, a pIayer
pIaying a kshalria (an Indian paIadin
kil oulIined in Casle of Characlers in
issue #225) vouId use lhe varrior
characler record sheel, and soneone
pIaying a ninja (fron Tnc Ccnp|c|c
Ninjas Hanocc|) vouId use lhe rogue
characler record sheel.
Ior aII inlenls and purposes, lhese
sheels funclion in lhe sane vay as
fuII-sized characler record sheels, lul
lheyII Ieave lhe DM nuch nore roon
f or di ce, handlooks, and vi cked
schenes for lheir pIayers.
68
ILBRUARY 1996
Iriesl sheel (suilalIe for cIerics, priesls, druids, elc.)
(By pernission of TSR, Inc., lhis page nay le reproduced for personaI use onIy. 1996 TSR, Inc. AII righls reseved.)
Rogue sheel (suilalIe for rogues, lhieves, lards, elc.)
DRACN #226 69
Iriesl sheel (suilalIe for cIerics, priesls, druids, elc.)
(By pernission of TSR, Inc., lhis page nay le reproduced for personaI use onIy. 1996 TSR, Inc. AII righls reserved.)
Rogue sheel (suilalIe for rogues, lhieves, lards, elc.)
7O
ILBRUARY 1996
Warrior sheel (suilalIe for fighlers, rangers, paIadins, elc.)
(By pernission of TSR, Inc., lhis page nay le reproduced for personaI use onIy. 1996 TSR, Inc. AII righls reserved.)
Wizard sheel (suilalIe for vizards, nages, iIIusionisls, elc.)
DRACN #226
71
Warrior sheel (suilalIe for fighlers, rangers, paIadins, elc.)
(By pernission of TSR, Inc., lhis page nay le reproduced for personaI use onIy. 1996 TSR, Inc. AII righls reserved.)
Wizard sheel (suilalIe for vizards, nages, iIIusionisls, elc.)
7 2
ILBRUARY 1996
|crun uc|ccncs qcur ccnncn|s an
cpinicns cn rc|c-p|aqing gancs. |n |nc
Uni|c S|a|cs an Canaa, uri|c |c |crun,
DRACN Magazine, 201 Sncrian Springs
R., |a|c Gcncta, l| 53147 USA. |n |urcpc,
uri|c |c |crun, DRACN Magazine, TSR
||., 120 Cnurcn |n, Cncrrq Hin|cn,
Canorigc C81 3|8, Uni|c Kingcn. Ycu
naq a|sc scn c-nai| |c. |srnagsac|.ccn
lc as| |na| na|cria| oc nca||q |qpc cr
nanuri||cn. Ycu nus| gitc us qcur fu||
nanc an nai|ing arcss if qcu cxpcc| qcur
|c||cr |c oc prin|c (uc ui|| nc| ccnsicr a |c|-
|cr scn| ancnqncus|q), ou| uc ui|| nc| prin|
qcur nanc if qcu as| us nc| |c c sc. lc ui||
prin| qcur ccnp|c|c arcss cn|q if qcu
rcqucs| i|.
T
he aliIily for ganers lo air lheir
lhoughls and concerns aloul lhe
AD&D gane here in Iorun is heIp-
fuI and refreshing. There cones a line,
hovever, vhen lhere is loo nuch of a
good lhing. There is jusl loo nuch
incessanl conpIaining lhal pops up in
every olher issue aloul gane laIance.
I have no prolIens vilh peopIe airing
lheir conpIainls, ils jusl lhal afler a hun-
dred issues or so, reading lhen gels a lil
ledious. I vouId Iike lo poinl oul sone
soIulions.
1) Take il up vilh your DM. LxpIain
your vievs lo hin and give hin sugges-
lions as lo hov lhe prolIen couId le
correcled. The DM is supposed lo le neu-
lraI, and shouId al Ieasl Iislen lo lhe
prolIen. If you are a DM yourseIf,
change lhe ruIes. Afler aII, lhe Dungeon
Masler Cuide poinls oul fron lhe slarl
lhal aII lhese ruIes are oplionaI.
2) Look al lhe P|aqcrs Hanocc| sup-
pIenenls (e.g., Tnc Ccnp|c|c |ign|crs
Hanocc|). Ior DanieI Arenson in issue
#219, Tnc Ccnp|c|c Rangcrs Hanocc|
offers nany career-lroadening soIulions.
(Donl forgel lhe rangers species eneny.
A +4 allack lonus is prelly hefly!)
3) Try lhe P|AY|RS OPT|ON. S|i||s
Pcucrs look lo add nore lo lhe gane.
You nighl lrade a fev speciaI aliIilies for
lhe advanlage of veapon speciaIizalion.
I have found il usefuI lo sel up a fev
snaII advenlures (DUNG|ON Atcn|urcs is
a greal source for lhese) vilh lhe express
purpose of lrying oul nev ruIes. The
pIayers nake up nev ICs for lhese one-
shol advenlures and everyone gels lo lry
sonelhing nev. This aIso adds sone-
lhing lo lhe gane pIay, as lhe pIayers are
nore viIIing lo risk lhe Iives of lheir
one-shol characlers.
I vouId aIso Iike lo address Leyshon
CanpleIIs Ieller regarding lhe nas|c speII
in lhe sane issue. WhiIe I appIaud your
delaiIed anaIysis of lhe speII (and sone
reaIIy inleresling side-effecls), I have
found lhal such an exlrene enphasis on
ruIes inlerprelalion sIovs dovn lhe
gane loo nuch. This is supposed lo le
heroic (or sonelines nol) fanlasy. I have
found in ny ganes lhal lhis ruIes
Iavyering causes generaI pIayer dissal-
isfaclion and exlrene disconlenl, as
sone olher pIayer vho knovs il aII
delales lhe issue vilh lhe DM.
You are righl in lhal no one reaIIy
Iooks al aII lhe side-effecls of lhe nagic
in lhe gane, lul lhis is a gane, afler aII,
nol a nedicaI journaI. Magic has lhis spe-
ciaI vay of going oulside science and lhe
Iavs of physics lo do vhal il vanls. Afler
aII, lhe hunan lody is incapalIe of chan-
neIing lhe exlrene anperage lo nake
lhe Iighling loIl as effeclive as il is, and
lhe poor vizards hands vouId sinpIe
vilher avay vilh lhe casling of lurning
hands.
This is nol inlended as a knock dovn,
ralher, il is jusl sonelhing lo lhink of.
Ive leen experiencing an exlrene
prolIen in ny ganes vilh cerlain peo-
pIe vho couId le cIassified as ruIes
Iavyers. Ive lried every soIulion, fron
lhroving oul lhe ruIes al hand lo gelling
jusl as picky as lhe Iavyer. AII Ive nan-
aged lo do is endanger and oId friend-
ship. The silualion is rapidIy spiraIing
dovnvard as olher pIayers are con-
pIaining aloul lhe Iavyers doninalion
of gane pIay and exlrene olsession
vilh lhe ruIes. (He even insisled lhal if his
characler vas vearing even a sinpIe
goId ring lhal his danage in lare-hand-
ed conlal shouId equaI kiIIing danage.)
WhiIe lhe DMs vord is supposed lo
le finaI, il gels ralher hard lo uphoId lhal
vhen prelly cIose lo every judgnenl ~
fron lhe avarding of experience poinls
lo lhe adjudicalion of a ganlIing nalch
~ is caIIed inlo queslion. I vouId appre-
ciale hearing any possilIe soIulions (oul-
side oslracizing lhe individuaI).
Tin Nulling
Lverell, WA
Id Iike lo connenl aloul lhe Ieller in
issue #221, vhere Hussain AduIhaqq
conpIains lhal his DM has prolIens pre-
venling lhe characlers fron lreaking lhe
Iav and acling in eviI vays, vhich lhe
pIayers choose lecause il is easier.
Whal In vondering is, hov do lhese
peopIe acl in reaI Iife` I nean, vouId lhe
pIayers go aloul rolling slores and
lealing up peopIe if lhey knev lhey
couId gel avay vilh il` Mayle In jusl a
IillIe over-sensilive nov (a fev days afler
ny prine ninisler vas assassinaled), lul
kiIIing innocenl ICs for four years, as a
nelhod, nakes ne vorry aloul lhese
pIayers.
If you reaIIy vanl lo give lhe charac-
lers a lasle of lheir ovn nedicine, have
a slronger parly cone al lhen al nighl,
sleaI aII lheir equipnenl, and lry lo kiII
lhen lecause ils cheaper lhan luying
lhe sluff. See hov lhey Iike il. (Bul lhis is
nol reaIIy lhe nelhod Id reconnend.)
LyaI TeIer
via e-naiI
I vouId Iike lo respond lo severaI Iel-
lers fron issue #224.
My firsl response is lo Ceorge Keefe,
vho vas having DM lroulIes. I an a DM
nyseIf and I faiI lo see lhe poinl in vhal
your DM is doing. Whenever I have nev
peopIe join one of ny canpaigns, I lry lo
do lhe opposile lhal he does. I agree lhal
nev characlers shouIdnl le given nagi-
caI ilens, lul I nake sure lhal lhe nev
ICs are equaI lo lhe Iovesl characler cur-
renlIy in ny canpaign. I aIso Iel lhe nev
pIayers do as nuch as possilIe, aIlhough
lhis sonelines Ieads lo enlarrassing sil-
ualions requiring sone vork lo gel oul
of. If necessary, I lry lo nake Iighl of lhe
silualion, nol nake fun of lhe pIayers.
In nol sure vhy your DM is doing
lhis, Ceorge, unIess he jusl Iikes lo huniI-
iale nevconers, lul hes definileIy hurl-
ing his canpaign ly lurning off lhe peo-
pIe he asked lo join. AII I can suggesl is,
leII hin lhis and hope he uses a IillIe
sense.
My nexl response is lo Linda Ldvards,
vho had lroulIe finding a canpaign lhal
vouId accepl her. I doull very nuch if
any DM vouId aIIov a 5Olh-IeveI drov
in his gane. This is veII leyond lhe sug-
gesled reliring line for characlers, and
lhe facl lhal your IC is one of lhe pov-
erfuI, nagicaIIy-incIined, and dangerous-
74 ILBRUARY 1996
Iy eviI drov nakes il even harder lo han-
dIe. Slarling off al 1sl IeveI again isnl lhe
ansver, lhough. Ask if you can nake a
nev characler lhal is lhe sane IeveI as
lhe Iovesl IeveI characler aIready in lhal
canpaign. If lhal doesnl vork, lhen
nayle you are righl in lhal parl of il is
lhal youre a girI. AIlhough I vouId veI-
cone a girI inlo one of ny canpaigns,
lhere are sone DMs vho vouIdnl.
Il isnl lhal hard lo slarl your ovn
canpaign. Quile a Iol of peopIe read fan-
lasy or pIay fanlasy video and conpuler
ganes. Iind lhen and laIk lo lhen or lry
lo shov lhen parls of lhe AD&D gane
lhal lhey nighl Iike. Inquire al your IocaI
holly shop. Mine used lo pul up nanes
of pIayers seeking DMs and vice-versa.
Cood Iuck.
Ryan Leach
Tappen, B.C., Canada
I have leen inspired lo vrile ly Karrie
HuIIs Ieller in issue #223, regarding sex-
isn in ganing and lhe scarcily of vonen
pIayers. This is a lhene lhal has kepl
recurring over al Ieasl lhe Iasl four or five
years, and seens lo crop up lolh in lhe
U.K. and Anerica. I agree lhal il is an
issue lhal needs addressing, lul I an
concerned aloul lhe inage lhal ve are
porlraying lo nev or polenliaI ganers.
In lhe inleresls of laIance, Iel ne
share ny experiences vilh you.
I pIy reguIarIy in lvo veekIy ganes.
There are six of us in one group: lhree
nen and lhree vonen. In lhe olher
group, il is six nen and ne. AII ny feIIov
ganers are nornaI, veII-adjusled hunan
leings and vhen ve neel up, ve chal a
lil, consune Iarge quanlilies of choco-
Iale cookies, and ve gel on vilh roIe-
pIaying. In shorl, ve have fun. Theres no
hassIe, no pressure, and no sexisn
(unIess, of course, soneone is roIe-pIay
ing a characler vilh unreasonalIe preju-
dices, in vhich sexisn is no nore IikeIy
lhan cIassisn ~ as in aII fighlers are
idiols ~ or eIfisn or dvarfisn).
In nol denying lhal lhere are sone
sad peopIe oul lhere vilh hopeIessIy oul-
daled sexisl alliludes. AII In saying is,
donl assune lhal you viII aulonalicaIIy
encounler lhen if you join a roIe-pIaying
group.
If you do encounler lhe sexisn of lhe
sorl Karrie descriled in her Ieller, donl
acl lhe neek IillIe vonan and suffer in
siIence: do sonelhing aloul il. If you
oljecl lo a producls cover arl, vrile lo
lhe conpany concerned and leII lhen
vhy you oljecl (and leII lhen lhal il has
slopped you fron luying lhe producl). If
soneone announces lhal he is going lo
chal up aII lhe NICs vilh a high
Charisna score, leII hin lo re-read lhe
Char i s na s ec l i on i n l he P| aqc r s
Hanocc|. If a naIe pIayer is lrying lo
chal you up using his characler lo chal
up your characler, lry roIe-pIaying your
response, The possiliIilies are aInosl
endIess. If youre a virluous priesl, give
hin a Ieclure on lhe periIs of lhe lenpla-
lions of lhe fIesh (preferalIy vhen hes a
caplive audience). If youre a nischie-
vous lhief, vhy nol lorrov sonelhing of
his or pIanling sonelhing enlarrassing
in his lackpack vhen hes nol Iooking`
Lven a Iov-IeveI nage couId find a reIa-
liveIy harnIess speII lo casl lo nake
soneone Iook fooIish.
Sexisl DMs pIacing reslriclions on
your characler for no good reason is a
harder one. AII I can say is, laIk il lhrough
vilh your DM. ChaIIenge hin if you lhink
a reslriclion is unreasonalIe, see if you
canl reach a conpronise.
IinaIIy, a vord lo Karrie. If you vanl lo
le laken seriousIy, pIease donl slarl any
nore Iellers ly leIIing us lhal youre 27
and allraclive. In sure ils very nice for
you, and vouId very inporlanl if you
vanl lo le Miss Anerica, lul lo le a
good roIe-pIayer and DM, vho cares`
LIeanor CIarke
Birninghan, LngIand
This is in response lo aII lhose Iellers
aloul fenaIe ganers vilh lheir cries of
lhey vouIdnl Iel ne pIay lecause In a
fenaIe! Many of lhese gripes are veII-
founded.
Ive leen pIaying for nany years in
lhis naIe-doninaled gane and onIy in
lhe pasl lvo hears have ve had a fenaIe
ganer in our circIe. This is nol lecause of
aclive perseculion, lul lecause of lhe
Iack of fenaIe inleresl. Lels facl facls:
generaIIy, fanlasy roIe-pIaying ganes
allracl naIes, especiaIIy lhose al a
younger age. AIso al younger ages, your
lesl friends lend lo le of lhe sane sex.
These vere your cIose friends, lhe ones
you usuaIIy pIayed vilh.
I nusl ask for underslanding fron
fenaIe ganers. I pIay in lhree roIe-pIay-
ing ganes a veek vilh ny friends. In lvo
of lhen, ve have a fenaIe ganer, and
ve vouId aIvays veIcone anyone eIse
vho vouId Iike lo pIay, sex nolvilh-
slanding. There is oul lhird gane, in
vhich fev are veIcone and aII are naIe.
Why` Il is very sinpIe. Ils lhe guys nighl
oul. In olher vords, naIe londing. CaII il
vhal you viII, il is nolhing nore lhan lhe
guys gelling logelher lo have fun. Sone
guys on lheir nighls oul pIay poker, drink
leer, and snoke cigars, sone pIay pooI,
olhers go lovIing. We happen lo le
roIe-pIaying ganers. Il is jusl us naIes
gelling logelher once a veek lo laIk,
lrag, and joke vilh lhe freedon of nol
having lo valch vhal ve say, or vorry
ing aloul vho nay hear us.
WiIIian VaIenline
185 SIaler Iark Ave.
Iavluckel, RI O2861
DRACN #226 75
by Robert Martin
11th !cvc! fIghtcr
5TRENGTH:
DEXTERITY:
CON5TITUTION:
INTELLIGENCE:
WI5DOM:
CHARI5MA:
AC:
THACO:
MOVE:
HIT POINT5:
ALIGNMENT:
5PECIAL ATTACK5:
15
12
14
1O
11
9
5
1O
9
68
LC
+I lo hil orcs, haIf-orcs,
golIins, and holgolIins.
+ 3 vs. poison
+ 3 vs. nagicaI allacks fron
vands, slaves, speIIs, and rods.
4 3
5PECIAL DEFEN5E5:
MAGIC RE5I5TANCE:
5IZE:
5pccIa! AbI!ItIcs/Bnnuscs: 6O infravision. NaluraI dvarven
skiIIs (delecling grades, sIopes, elc.) are onIy 5O as effeclive as
olher dvarves. Allacks 3/2 rounds.
Wcapnn PrnfIcIcncIcs: Broadsvord (nasler speciaIizalion),
dagger, dagger (lhrovn), axe.
Nnnwcapnn PrnfIcIcncIcs: Arnoring, lIind fighling, hunling,
rinding (Iand-lased), singing, survivaI.
PhysIca! Appcarancc: Theahlyn is an oIder dvarf, ly hunan
slandards he is in his niddIe age. He is laIding, vilh a paIe gray
leard vhich he aIvays keeps nealIy lraided and lucked inlo his
coIIar vhen he is in lhe fieId. Whal hair he has Iefl he Iels grov
Iong. He has severaI scars fron his youlhfuI canpaigning days,
incIuding a very nolicealIe one on his forehead.
Backgrnund: Theahlyn doesnl knov hov oId he is for sure.
He vas orphaned vhen he vas very young. His viIIage vas
overrun ly orcs, and lhe renaining viIIagers fIed in lhe nighl.
ne of lhen vas his nolher, vho nanaged lo carry lhe infanl
1O niIes lo a farners hone lefore she died fron arrov
vounds. The farner and his vife raised hin as one of lheir ovn
sons, lul as lhey had loo nany noulhs lo feed aIready, vhen
he vas oId enough he Iefl lo seek his forlune on lhe advenlur-
ing lraiI. He vas aIone for severaI years, and nade quile a rep-
ulalion for hinseIf as a fearIess varrior and daunlIess foe of orc-
kind. In line, hed gained enough veaIlh lo go lack hone and
luy a Iarge honeslead for his fosler parenls. In a fev nore
years, nen legan lo fIock lo hin and lreal hin as a Ieader. The
IocaI duke caIIed hin friend. Theahlyn narried lhe daughler of
a penurious nolIe dvarf, sellIed dovn, and relired fron can-
paigning. Wilh lhe Ieave of lhe duke he luiIl hinseIf a snaII
eslale on lhe lorder. He Iived veII and in peace for 75 years
unliI disasler slruck. He venl lo visil his fosler faniIy for a fev
days and relurned lo find his hone a snoking ruin, vilh no sign
of his vife, lheir lvo chiIdren, or any of his relainers. Thal vas
five years ago. He has vandered ever since, Iooking for cIues as
lo vhal nighl have happened, and vhere his faniIy couId le,
if indeed lhey are even aIive.
EquIpmcnt: Theahlyn considers hinseIf on a quesl, and viII
vear nolhing lul arnor unliI he has achieved his goaI. He usu-
aIIy vears a coal over his naiI, and a cIoak if necessary lo con-
ceaI lhe arnor. If a lovn requires hin lo le unarnored and
unarned, he viII innedialeIy go eIsevhere. Lverylhing eIse ~
ralions, looIs, valer ~ he carries in a Iarge lackpack.
MagIca! Itcms: Very fev of his possessions survived. He has
onIy lhe lhings he had vilh hin vhen he venl lo visil his oId
hone and lhe fev he vas alIe lo acquire IaleIy. Sucr cf snarp-
ncss, aggcr +2, ring (Draupnir ||), anu|c| cf nca||n.
Rn!c-p!ayIng Nntcs: Much of lhe Iighl has gone oul of
Theahlyns exislence. He vas once a joIIy, joviaI nan, lul nov
he is lacilurn. He has leen caIIed gIoony and olsessed, lul lo
hin nolhing nallers lul finding his faniIy. Theahlyn is nol a
lypicaI dvarf, since he grev up in hunan surroundings, he
shares nany of lheir inleresls and lasles. He aIso has no halred
or anlivaIence aloul eIves, and lhe fev haIfIings he knovs he
considers fine feIIovs aII around, He has IillIe inleresl in nines,
caverns, gens, or goId, feIIov dvarves find lhis odd. Anolher
side effecl of groving up in lhe conpany of hunans is lhal,
vhiIe he can speak dvarvish, he can speak fev of lhe olher Ian-
guages nosl dvarves can (e.g., koloId, gnone, elc.), lul he has
Iearned orcish. His Iife alove ground and vilh hunans Iinils his
aliIily lo delecl sIopes or lraps underground.
DRACN #226 77
Convenlions generale a Iol of inleresl
for RICA Nelvork nenlers, and
lhough nol aII gane pIayers allend lhese
evenls, lhey can le a greal deaI of fun
lhose vho do. In 1995, lhe Nelvork pro-
vided sanclioned lournanenls lo over
2OO convenlions in Norlh and Soulh
Anerica, Lurope, and AuslraIia.
This is hov il vorks: a convenlion
vriles us, saying lhal lheyd Iike lo offer
Nelvork lournanenls. The convenlions
ganing coordinalor conlacls us al Ieasl
four nonlhs ahead of lhe convenlion
dale, six nonlhs if asking for firsl-run
scenarios. There is a forn lo fiII oul and
lhere are sone fees lo pay, lul lhe
process is reIaliveIy quick and painIess.
The Nelvorks lournanenl coordina-
lor sends a conpIele naiIing lo lhe gan-
ing coordinalor aloul six lo eighl veeks
lefore lhe evenl dale. This naiIing con-
lains copies of lhe scenarios requesled.
Mosl Nelvork scenarios incIude copies
of pregeneraled characlers for lhe pIay-
ers use as veII. In addilion, ve incIude
prizes, scoring forns lo assisl in deler-
nining vinners, and RICA Nelvork
nenlership forns for dislrilulion al lhe
convenlion.
A good ganing coordinalor nakes
sure lhal judges are veII-prepared for lhe
evenl. Care nusl le laken lhal judges
gel lheir scenarios earIy enough lo give
lhen lhorough sludy, Iikevise, judges
nusl le inslrucled in advance as lo
vhen and vhere lheyII le needed.
Al lhe convenlion sile, lhe ganing
coordinalor is responsilIe for naking
sure pIayers gel narshaIIed oul lo lalIes,
judges have addilionaI characler sheels
and scoring packels, and resuIls gel
lurned lack lo lhe convenlions ganing
headquarlers area. Those scoring pack-
els are laluIaled and doulIe-checked.
Lisls are lhen conpiIed of lhe pIayers
advancing lo seni-finaI and finaI rounds,
lhose Iisls are usuaIIy posled soon afler
ly Scoll DougIas
laluIalion. Winner Iisls are aIso posled,
lhough sone convenlions prefer lo give
oul avards al a cerenony al lhe end of
lhe evenl.
The Nelvork aIvays provides prizes
for sanclioned lournanenls. Mosl oflen
lhese cone in lhe forn of gifl cerlificales
lo TSRs MaiI rder Holly Shop, lul nev
or vinlage producls are given avay on
sone occasions. Sone convenlions even
provide lrophies or pIaques for lop evenl
vinners.
Afler aII of lhe excilenenl of lhe con-
venlion has passed, lhe ganing coordi-
nalor has one duly Iefl lo perforn: lo
relurn lhe conpIeled scoring packels and
any unused prizes lack lo Nelvork head-
quarlers. We give lhen a finaI inspeclion
here, and lhen lheyre enlered inlo lhe
Nelvorks poinls syslen so lhal judges
and pIayers can accunuIale poinls lo
inprove lheir Nelvork rankings.
IIaying and judging RICA Nelvork
sanclioned lournanenls al convenlions
can provide lhe nosl fun ganing experi-
ences you nighl ever enjoy. Il lakes a lil
of efforl lo pIan and organize, lul lhe
revard of seeing friends have lhe gan-
ing experience of lheir Iife can le veII
vorlh lhe inveslnenl.
Scott Douglas is the RPGA Network
Coordinator.
*indicates a product produced by a company other
than TSR, Inc.
The RICA Nelvork is lhe vorIds Iargesl gane cIul, vilh over 7,OOO nen-
lers in Norlh Anerica, and anolher 2,5OO around lhe vorId. WhiIe originaIIy cre-
aled as a D&D fan cIul, lhe Nelvorks reaI nission is lo encourage exceIIence
in roIe-pIaying ganing ly providing nenlers opporlunilies lo neel enlhusiaslic
and experienced ganers Iike lhenseIves. Nelvork nenlers oflen neel lhrough
ganing aclivilies al convenlions, lul nany forn lheir ovn Nelvork-sanclioned
cIuls, eilher in lheir connunilies or onIine. There are RICA Nelvork sanclioned
cIuls on CLnie, on Anerica nIine, and on lhe Inlernel.
Nelvork nenlers receive lhe POLYHLDRON Ncuszinc nonlhIy, lhe nevszine
keeps nenlers inforned aloul goings-on in lhe Nelvork, vilh nonlhIy arlicIes
fron nenlers and fron veII-knovn aulhors such as Ld Creenvood and Roger
Moore. Nelvork nenlers are aIso enlilIed lo pIay in nenlers-onIy lournanenl
evenls. The Nelvork sanclions nenler-vrillen lournanenls al IocaI conven-
lions, lournanenls in CaII of ClhuIhu*, Shadovrun*, Slar Wars*, lhe AD&D gane,
and nany olher popuIar gane syslens.
Many nenlers especiaIIy favor lhe Nelvorks AD&D-lased shared-vorId
canpaigns: lhe LIVINC CITY, lhe LIVINC }UNCLL, and lhe LIVINC DLATH. In addi-
lion, lhe Nelvork aIso sanclions lvo olher canpaigns: VirluaI SeallIe, a
Shadovrun-lased selling, and Threads of Legend, a selling for lhe Larlhdavn*
gane.
Scoll DougIas is lhe RICA Nelvork Coordinalor, naking hin lhe head
Dungeon Masler for lhe LIVINC CITY, lhe vorIds Iargesl shared-vorId canpaign.
Ior nore infornalion aloul lhe RICA Nelvork or any of lhe Living sellings, vrile
lo Scoll al: RICA Nelvork, 2O1 Sheridan Springs Rd., Lake Ceneva, WI 53147, or
e-naiI hin al rpgahqaoI.con.
78 FEBRUARY
is a remarkable sub-
stance. Its dry, yet
fluid, rippling under the
desert winds like water
in an ocean. During a
storm, its capable of blinding and cut-
ting, yet, when melted to make glass, its
smooth. When it covers the ground from
horizon to horizon, it symbolizes the
emptiness of eternity, yet we use its
grains to measure the passage of time.
The following magical items all take their
inspiration from the physical and
metaphorical properties of sand and the
desert.
Zakhara, the Land of Fate, is not sur-
prisingly the source for these magical
sands.
General Information
Magical sand is usually found in a
sack or a jar. Unlike magical dusts, where
a pinch is sufficient, a handful of magic
sand is required to produce an effect.
Thus the containers are relatively heavy.
MagIca! 5ands
nf Zakhara
by Rudy Thauberger
I!!ustratcd by Jamcs Hn!!nway
Each container contains 1d10+10 hand-
fuls of sand, each weighing roughly half
a pound. Magical sand is slightly more
cohesive than regular dry sand and can
be thrown up to 20 without losing its
effectiveness. The area of effect is typi-
cally no more than 10 wide. All saving
throws against magical sand attacks are
made with adjustments for Dexterity.
Saves are made vs. breath weapon,
unless otherwise stated. To compensate
for their bulk, magical sands, unlike most
potions or powders, can have a cumula-
tie effect if more than one handful is
used.
Crysta! 5and
Crystal sand can be used to form crys-
talline objects in any shape the possessor
desires. The object can weigh up to five
pounds per handful of sand used, and
can be a weapon, a key, a plate, a gob-
let, or anything else. The crystal is hard
as steel, has AC 0, and is +2 on all saves.
Weapons made of the crystal are +1 to
hit and damage. All objects have 5 hp
per handful of sand used to create them.
To make an object, the possessor
must pour the sand on a flat surface in
roughly the shape desired, then speak
the name of the object (sword, ladder,
cup, etc.). A three-dimensional object
then forms out of the sand. The quality of
workmanship reflects the creators
degree of skill. The object remains solid
for one hour, after which it shatters, caus-
80 FEBRUARY 1996
ing 1d6 hp danage lo aII crealures vilh-
in a 1O radius (save for haIf).
XP Va!uc: 1,OOO
FIrc 5and
|irc san is an exlreneIy voIaliIe sul-
slance, capalIe of crealing sheels of fIane
vhen il slrikes an oljecl or is igniled.
Il can le used in lvo vays: as an area
speII or lo creale a fIaning vaII. When
lhrovn, il fIies up lo 2O, spreading oul lo
cover a 1O 1O area. The force of inpacl
igniles lhe sand, causing 3d6 hp danage
lo aII crealures in lhe area of effecl (save
for haIf). If lhe sand is poured carefuIIy in
a Iine on lhe ground and lhen igniled,
eilher ly a fIane or a sharp lIov, a vaII
of fire resuIls, infIicling 6d6 hp danage
lo any crealures allenpling lo nove
lhrough il. The vaII is 2O Iong per hand-
fuI of sand and lurns for 3d4 rounds.
XP Va!uc: 2,OOO
RaspIng 5and
This sand lears avay al lhe surface of
any oljecl il louches, Iiving or non-Iiving.
The effecl of lhe sand Iasls for 3 rounds.
Non-Iiving oljecls nusl save vs. speII
every round vilh a cunuIalive -1 nodi-
fier each round afler lhe firsl. If lhe oljecl
faiIs ils save, lhe sand lears il aparl.
There is a Iinil lo lhe size of lhe oljecl
lhal can le affecled. This varies sone-
vhal, depending on vhal lhe oljecl is
nade of, lul generaIIy shouId le no
nore lhan 1OO pounds per handfuI of
sand used againsl il.
Living crealures suffer excrucialing
pain vhen slruck ly rasping san, suffer-
ing 2d6 hp danage in lhe firsl round, 3d6
in lhe second and 4d6 in lhe lhird. A sav-
ing lhrov vs. paraIyzalion nusl le suc-
cessfuIIy nade each round or lhe crealure
is incapacilaled ly pain.
Rasping san dissoIves in valer. If al
Ieasl a gaIIon of valer per handfuI of
sand is lhrovn on il, il innedialeIy ceas-
es lo cause danage. If a crealure vilh a
naluraI AC 5 or leller, aII danage is
haIved. Crealures vilh AC -1 or leller
suffer 1 hp danage per round. Characlers
vearing arnor are siniIarIy prolecled,
aIlhough lhe arnor ilseIf faIIs viclin lo
lhe sand and nusl nake lhe appropriale
saving lhrovs.
This sand is so deadIy lhal lhe posses-
sor nusl use a speciaIIy lrealed gIove lo
handIe il, Iesl he faII viclin lo ils naIign
pover. The gIove is nade of lhe sane
sulslance as lhe lag lhal conlains lhe
sand and is usuaIIy found aIongside il.
XP Va!uc: 2,OOO
5and Cagc
When a handfuI of lhis nagicaI sand
is lhrovn al a largel, il forns a sandy
vhirIvind in lhe shape of an inverled
cone roughIy 8 high and 4 vide al lhe
lop. The vhirIvind fIies al lhe nearesl Iiv-
ing crealure and enveIopes il. The crea-
lure nusl le no Iarger lhan nan-sized
and suf f ers 1d6 hp danage vhen
enveIoped. nce lrapped, lhe viclin is
unalIe lo allack or casl speIIs and suffers
an addilionaI 1 hp danage every round
he renains inside lhe vhirIvind. Because
il consisls of sand, lhe vhirIvind severe-
Iy reduces visiliIily and nakes a Ioud
hissing noise lhal drovns oul aII lul lhe
Ioudesl sounds. The viclin can sliII nove,
hovever, aIlhough lhe vhirIvind noves
aIong vilh hin up lo a novenenl rale of
24. The vhirIvind ilseIf can le allacked
fron oulside.
The vhirIvind is AC 2 and il can vilh-
sland 2O hp danage lefore faIIing aparl.
nIy nagicaI veapons or speIIs can
affecl il, hovever, and lhere is a 5O
chance lhal lhe viclin inside lhe cage is
danaged as veII. The viclin of lhe san
cagc can allenpl lo slep oul of lhe vhirI-
vind for a nonenl, in order lo allack il
fron lhe oulside. This requires a Dexler-
ily check and a successfuI inilialive roII. If
lhe viclins inilialive leals lhal of lhe
vhirIvind, an allack can le nade. A
price is paid for lhis laclic. Lach line lhe
viclin enlers or Ieaves lhe vhirIvind, he
suffers 1 d6 hp danage.
The vhirIvind pursues ils viclin unliI
he dies or lhe vhirIvind ceases lo exisl.
A san cagc Iasls for 2d6 rounds. If sul-
sequenl handfuIs of lhis sand are lhrovn
on an exisling vhirIvind, aII danage
infIicled ly il is increased (doulIed, lre-
lIed, elc.) and lhe duralion is increased
ly anolher 1 d6 rounds per handfuI.
XP Va!uc: 2,OOO
5and nf MIragcs
This sand creales an iIIusion lhal can
le anylhing lhe possessor desires, so
Iong as il is crealed ouldoors under lhe
Iighl of lhe sun. The area of effecl is a 5O
cule for each handfuI used. The iIIusion
Iasls as Iong as lhe sun shines on il. No
iIIusory crealures can le crealed vilh lhis
sand. IhysicaI conlacl vilh a Iiving crea-
lure does nol deslroy lhe iIIusion lul
nereIy exposes ils lrue nalure.
XP Va!uc: 1,OOO
DRACN #226 81
5and nf Obscurcmcnt
When lhrovn inlo lhe air, san cf
coscurcncn| creales a snaII, highIy IocaI-
ized sandslorn, lIinding aII vilhin ils
area of effecl. The slorn Iasls for 2d4
rounds and covers a 5O cule. AII vilhin
lhe slorn nusl nake a saving lhrov or
le lIinded during lhe slorn and for an
addilionaI 1O rounds aflervard. This peri-
od can le reduced if lhe viclin escapes
lhe slorn and spends 1 round rinsing his
eyes vilh valer. Vision is lhen reslored
innedialeIy. Those vho save sliII cannol
see in lhe slorn, lul once lhey Ieave lhe
area lhey suffer no lIindness. The char-
acler vho used lhe san cf coscurcncn| is
nol innune lo ils effecls, lul as he
knovs vhals coning, il is assuned he
has cIosed his eyes, aIIoving hin lo save
aulonalicaIIy. He is sliII lIind inside lhe
slorn hovever. AddilionaI handfuIs of
lhis sand lhrovn up during a slorn
increase lhe duralion of lhe slorn ly
1d4 rounds each.
XP Va!uc: 1,OOO
5and nf RcstnratInn
When san cf rcs|cra|icn is sprinkIed
on lhe ruins of slone or lrick luiIdings,
lhe luiIdings are nonenlariIy reslored.
Broken vaIIs, cracked fIoors, and coI-
Iapsed ceiIings aII appear as lhey once
did, excepl nov lhey are nade of
lransIucenl, shinnering sand. Iifly culic
feel of luiIding can le reslored vilh each
handfuI of sand. The reslored luiIding is
slurdy for nornaI purposes, providing
sheIler fron lhe eIenenls, lul if il sus-
lains even 1hp of slrucluraI danage, il
coIIapses. The reslored slruclure renains
in exislence for 12 hours.
XP Va!uc: 1,5OO
5and nf 5InkIng
San cf sin|ing creales a 1O8 1O8
square of quicksand vhenever il is
lhrovn onlo sand, earlh, or slone. The
effecl Iasls for 2d4 rounds. Viclins sland-
ing on lhe affecled area sink al a rale of
5 per round, lo a naxinun deplh of 1O.
When lhe effecl of lhe sand vears off,
lhe naleriaI soIidifies, lrapping anyone
sliII caughl inside il. The sand can aIso le
used againsl slone vaIIs and lhe Iike, cre-
aling a 1O-deep opening siniIar lo a
passua|| speII. Because lhe quicksand
fIovs dovn, oul of lhe vaII, lhe opening
is pernanenl. AddilionaI handfuIs of lhis
sand do nol creale deeper hoIes, lul
lhey can le used lo lroaden lhe area of
effecl.
XP Va!uc: 2,OOO
82 ILBRUARY 1996
5!nw 5and
This forn of nagicaI sand nakes line
sland sliII. Up lo lhree nan-sized crea-
lures nay le affecled, provided lhey are
aII vilhin 1O of each olher. Any vho faiI
lheir saving lhrovs lecone frozen in
line, effecliveIy nc|, for 5 rounds. They
are nol avare of lhe passage of line and
arenl affecled ly anylhing lhal occurs
vhiIe lhey are in slasis. Those vho nake
lheir saving lhrovs are nereIy s|cuc for
1 round. If a second handfuI of sand is
lhrovn on an affecled crealure, eilher al
lhe sane line or afler lhe firsl handfuI
has laken effecl, lhe duralion increases
lo one hour. A second save is nade al -4
vilh no Dexlerily adjuslnenls aIIoved.
XP Va!uc: 1,5OO
5n!Id 5and
Sc|i san can le scallered onlo any
sofl surface~sand, sofl earlh, nud,
quicksand, even snov ~ and il innedi-
aleIy hardens, forning a sheII lhal can
lhen le vaIked upon. The sheII is soIid
and slalIe, aIIoving for good lraclion
and laIance. The area of effecl is 5OO
square feel per handfuI. The sheIIs Iasls
for 1d4 lurns.
XP Va!uc: 5OO
ThIrsty 5and
SiniIar lo us| cf rqncss, |nirs|q san
drains noislure, lul fron crealures, nol
lodies of valer. nIy one crealure can
faII viclin lo lhis sand, lul he suffers 3d6
hp danage and nusl endure excrucial-
ing pain for 1d4 rounds, suffering -2 on
allack and danage roIIs, as veII as a +2
penaIly on Arnor CIass and inilialive. A
successfuI save haIves lhe danage and
duralion of lhe pain. nce lhe sand is fin-
ished draining noislure, il faIIs in vel
cIunps al ils viclins feel. If addilionaI
handfuIs of |nirs|q san are lhrovn al a
viclin lefore he has had a chance lo
repIenish lhe Iosl Iiquid, his saving lhrov
is nade vilh a cunuIalive -2 nodifier.
ne gaIIon of valer is necessary lo
repIace lhe Iosl noislure and avoid lhis
penaIly. Waler-lased crealures suffer
doulIe danage fron lhis sand.
XP Va!uc: 1,OOO
5and nf 5cIntI!!atInn
When lhis sand is lhrovn inlo lhe air,
il expIodes in a lursl of lIinding, hypnol-
ic Iighl. AII vho see lhis fIash of Iighl
nusl save vs. speIIs or le slunned for
2d4 rounds. The effecl exlends for 5O in
aII direclions. If lvo or nore handfuIs are
lhrovn up al once, lhe Iighl is lrighler
and lhe area of effecl exlends ly 5O for
each addilionaI handfuI. In addilion, sav-
ing lhrovs nade inside lhe firsl 5O suf-
fer a -2 penaIly.
XP Va!uc: 5OO
Rudy Thauberg lives in Vancouver, British
Columbia. He has written for DRAGON
Magazine before.
DRACN #226 83
1996 }ohn C. BunneII
Book of Moons
Rnscmary EdghI!!
Tnr/Fnrgc $20.95
A pIol-descriplion of Book of Moons
doesnl do nuch lo heIp cIassify il genre-
vise. The pulIishers descrile il as a nys-
lery, lul lhe IaleI of supernaluraI sus-
pense fils equaIIy veII, lhough lhe lone
is niId enough lo suggesl conlenporary
fanlasy ralher lhan horror. Yel al lhe
sane line, fanlasy seens an unIikeIy
descriplion for a noveI vhose nodern-
day vilchcrafl has a ring of aulhenlicily
lhals rare in any lranch of genre ficlion.
LdghiIIs narralor, Basl, is a nodern-
day Wiccan vilh a jol in a Nev York Cily
graphic-design sludio. As lhis second of
her advenlures opens, lhough, shes gol
a lrickier prolIen: soneone is sleaIing
8cc|s cf Snacus. Iarl Ioglook, parl
recipe look, parl Iilurgy, and parl nagi-
caI diary, as Basl descriles il, a vilchs
8cc| cf Snacus is her nosl vaIualIe and
inlinale possession. In lheory, lhe niss-
ing looks couId le recrealed vilhoul
nuch difficuIly, lul in praclice lhe inpIi-
calions of lhe lhefls are vorrisone. And
neanvhiIe, anolher 8cc| cf Snacus is
lhe oljecl of nuch avid specuIalion:
soneone is hunling for lhe repuled gri-
noire of Mary, Queen of Scols.
Whals dislinclive aloul 8cc| cf
Mccns is lhal LdghiII presenls lhe
Wiccan Iore vilh dead-on insighl lhals
lolh good-hunored and lhoughlfuI. Her
vilches are sincere in lheir leIiefs, lul
Basl, al Ieasl, cheerfuIIy acknovIedges
nodern neo-paganisns checkered hislo-
ry and lhe diverse, eccenlric characler of
nany of ils adherenls. These are charac-
lers for vhon nagic is as reaI as lhe
WorId Trade Cenler and lhe Macys
Thanksgiving Day Iarade, and LdghiII
caplures lhe conlrasl viseIy and veII.
Basl, especiaIIy, is a renarkalIy pragnal-
ic yel deepIy spiriluaI heroine, and her
grappIes vilh Wiccan lheoIogy are a
najor parl of lhe slory LdghiII is leIIing.
By conlrasl, lhe noveI is onIy niIdIy
slarlIing as a puzzIe slory, as ils fairIy evi-
denl earIy on vhos lehind lhe odd
lhefls and lhe nurder lhal grovs oul of
lhen. Yel lhis is Iess of a prolIen lhan
one nighl expecl in a nyslery yarn.
Though nosl readers viII idenlify lhe
crininaI Iong lefore Basl does, LdghiII ~
and perhaps Basl herseIf ~ seen aInosl
lo expecl lhis. The resuIl is a laIe lhals
Iess a vhodunil lhan one aloul vhal
Basl Iearns as she Iearns il. Theres sliII
suspense, lul of a differenl and nore
reaIislic characler lhan is oflen found in
lhe average nyslery.
This, jusl possilIy, nakes 8cc| cf
Mccns singuIarIy appropriale reading for
devolees of roIe-pIaying. RegardIess of
vhelher one finds Basls vorId of nod-
ern vilchcrafl adaplalIe lo a gane can-
paign, lhis is a slory in vhich lhe journey
is as inporlanl as lhe ending, and lhals
cerlainIy one of lhe najor allraclions of
lhe RIC holly.
Lnchanted |orests
KatharInc Kcrr 8
MartIn H. Grccnbcrg, cdItnrs
DAW $5.50
Co inlo a foresl expecling nagic, and
you nay find anylhing fron a laIking
voIf lo a gingerlread house lo lhe King
of lhe Dragons. r you nay find any of
lhe nunerous nagicaI foIk popuIaling
|ncnan|c |crcs|s, lhe Ialesl in DAWs
seeningIy endIess slrean of lhene
anlhoIogies. This line, hovever, lhe
lhene lrings logelher a nore lhan usu-
aIIy diverse assorlnenl of laIes.
As vilh her previous anlhoIogy, lcir
Ta|cs frcn Sna|cspcurc, Iead edilor Kerr
suldivides her slories inlo groups of
reIaled pieces. The riskiesl eIenenl of lhis
slralegy is lhal nosl of lhe anlhoIogys
conic pieces are deIileraleIy slacked al
lhe lhe fronl of lhe look ~ lul ils a risk
lhal pays off. AII lhree of lhese Iighl-loned
laIes are sophislicaled and successfuI.
Kevin Andrev Murphys inversion of lhe
Crinn and Andersen fairy laIe arche-
lypes dispIays lhe nosl vicked sense of
vil, vhiIe Ken Sl. Andre skiIIfuIIy reIales a
joviaI lil of Arlhuriana, and Kalherine
Lavrence offers a pIeasanlIy sulversive
laIe in vhich novice II Kil MarIove uses
Iessons fron lvo vorIds lo soIve her firsl
case.
The nood lhen svilches fron anus-
ing lo haunling. Lavrence Wall-Lvans
ul of lhe Woods is lhe lransilion piece,
a slory in vhich a faerie vood proves lo
le olher lhan as originaIIy adverlised.
Then ve shifl lo vieving lhe vood fron
lhe inside oul, novhere nore eeriIy or
inlinaleIy lhan in Connie Hirschs
Viridescence. Besl of lhe olher laIes in
lhis seclion is Brook and }uIia Wesls
accounl of a scienlific expedilion vhich
proves unexpecledIy harroving, lhe
Wesls nealIy laIance a puIp-nonsler-
novie prenise vilh lhe snoolh pIausiliI-
ily of nore nodern, reaIislic chiIIs.
Beyond lhis poinl, lhe sullhenes
legin lo fade inlo each olher, sone nore
cIearIy defined lhan olhers, lul nearIy aII
of lhe slories allenpl a sophislicalion
veII leyond lhe average svord-and-sor-
cery or coning-of-age yarn. Anong lhe
nosl nenoralIe conlrilulions are
MicheIIe Sagaras Choslvood, aloul
lvo silIings devolion lo each olher al
nearIy any cosl, Susan Shvarlzs nenory-
driven laIe of a chiIdhood sunner canp
advenlure fealuring nore lhan one sorl
of nonsler, and a uniqueIy cIever addi-
lion lo Rudyard KipIings }usl So Slories
fron Karavynn Long.
ne slory eIenenl does cross lelveen
Kerrs sulseclions, lhal of lhe lree-spiril or
dryad, usuaIIy as ronanlic oljecl. Sone
haIf a dozen slories address lhis idea and
reIalionship vilh varying degrees of orig-
inaIily. The lvo slrongesl cone fron
Dave Sneds and Kale DanieI, lhe firsl
fealuring slrong characlers in a svord-
and-sorcery selling and lhe second con-
84 ILBRUARY 1996
lining lhe originaI Creek nylh vilh a
uniqueIy Anerican niIieu.
Mosl of lhe olher enlries are al Ieasl
inlriguing if nol chaIIenging in sone vay.
The chief exceplion lo lhis is Lavrence
SchineIs Ties of Love, a vignelle vhose
punchIine is oul of louch vilh ils selup.
And lhe oddesl of severaI very odd laIes
is easiIy Cregory IeeIeys In Iear of LillIe
NeiI, vhich dravs lvo veII-knovn Iiler-
ary vorIds logelher vilh decidedIy dis-
lurling resuIls.
AII in aII, lhough, |ncnan|c |crcs|s is
easiIy one of lhe Ieasl prediclalIe and
nosl varied lhene anlhoIogies DAW has
presenled in recenl years, and chief edi-
lor Kerr (vilh lhe acknovIedged assis-
lance of }o CIaylon) has assenlIed a voI-
une lhals a greal deaI nore anlilious
lhan lhe lilIe nighl suggesl.
The |antastlc |our:
To |ree At|antls
Nancy A. Cn!!Ins
Bnu!cvard/Byrnn PrcIss $5.99
By conic-look slandards, lhe
Ianlaslic Iour are Ialeconers lo lhe
vorId of lie-in ficlion, Iagging veII lehind
Supernan, Balnan, Spider-Man, and
even Iron Man. Then again, lhe super-
inleIIigenl Reed Richards nay have sus-
pecled vhal To |ree At|antls denon-
slrales ~ naneIy, lhal ils nore difficuIl lo
noveIize a super-leans advenlures lhan
il is lo chronicIe lhe expIoils of a soIo
hero in prose forn.
Iarl of lhe prolIen is evidenl fron
lhe looks lilIe aIone. WhiIe lhe Ianlaslic
Iour gel lop liIIing, Nancy CoIIins noveI
is reaIIy cenlered on Nanor, lhe Sul-
Mariner, effecliveIy Ieaving lhe Iour lo
acl as guesl slars in lheir ovn look. The
pIol revoIves around a lid ly a paIace
rivaI lo slage a coup and lake over lhe
undersea kingdon of AlIanlis, and onIy
vhen lhey encounler and rescue a dying
Nanor do lhe II enler lhe piclure.
Likevise, vhiIe Iegendary archviIIain Dr.
Doon gels lack-cover liIIing as lhe pri-
nary anlagonisl, he, loo, is a lack-
ground figure vho scarceIy appears
onslage.
Il aIso doesnl heIp lhal lhe noveI is a
good deaI shorler lhan il Iooks. Counling
Nanor, Doon, and her AlIanlean char-
aclers as veII as lhe II, CoIIins is vorking
vilh nearIy a dozen significanl pIayers
and a doulIe-slranded pIol, so space for
vievpoinl scenes and characler deveIop-
nenl is Iiniled al lesl. Nol surprisingIy,
CoIIins chooses inslead lo concenlrale
on her aclion-driven slruclure, and she
generaIIy succeeds in lhe allenpl. Bul
vhiIe CoIIins hasnl padded her prose,
lhe looks designers have padded ils
page counl vilh reIaliveIy Iarge lype,
unusuaIIy vide nargins, and a space-eal
ing design for page headings.
Whal readers end up gelling is a slory
lhals very nuch a conic look laIe
nulaled inlo slraighl lexl. Characleri-
zalions, incIuding lhose of lhe II, lend
lovard one-nole slalus, vhiIe lhe slory-
Iine runs lo visuaIIy-orienled aclion
sequences. CoIIins aIso connils lhe cIas-
sic conic-look device of enlireIy chang-
ing lhe slorys agenda in lhe finaI chap-
lers, puIIing nev McCuffins oul of her hal
and reveaIing lhal aII lhals gone lefore
vas a snokescreen for lhe reaI pIan.
UnfonunaleIy, as oflen happens vilh lhe
conics, lheres no apparenl foundalion
for lhe shifl, and vhal sonelines vorks
in graphic forn is far Iess successfuI in
pIain prose.
Yel if To |ree At|antls isnl nolalIe for
ils slory or characlers, CoIIins has al Ieasl
nanaged lo puII a surprisingIy Iarge
quanlily of MarveI-Universe delaiI inlo
her narralive. IureIy as an inlroduclion lo
lhe vorId in vhich lhese characlers Iive,
lhe noveI is fairIy effeclive and renark-
alIy conpacl. Bul as lhe delul look-
Ienglh advenlure of one of conicdons
Iongesl-Iived hero-leans, lhe noveI
Ieaves a greal deaI lo le desired.
DRACN #226 85
Star Trek Concordance
Bn TrImb!c
CItadc! Prcss $19.95
The Art of Star Trek
JudIth and GarfIc!d Rccvcs-5tcvcns
Pnckct Bnnks $50.00
Whalever eIse lhe S|ar Trc| franchise
nay have lecone, ils generaled a very
Iarge and conpIicaled universe over lhe
Iasl lhree decades. }usl hov Iarge and
conpIex il is can le galhered via even a
quick gIance al lhese lvo recenl addi-
lions lo lhe avid Trc| fans reference sheIf.
The Star Trek Concordance is acluaIIy
sonelhing of a Iegend. riginaIIy con-
piIed and circuIaled ly Bjo TrinlIe as a
fan projecl, il evenluaIIy sav professionaI
pulIicalion in an edilion nov Iong oul of
prinl. This nev, updaled voIune lrings
lhe Concordance lack inlo lhe narkel-
pIace, and vhiIe ils focus is squareIy on
lhe originaI series characlers, lhe fealure
fiIns and reIevanl references fron currenl
Trek shovs are incIuded.
The originaI-series focus gives lhe voI-
une a usefuI and dislinclive sIanl as con-
pared lo lhe assorled officiaI lechnicaI
nanuaIs and encycIopedias, vhose
aulhors chief faniIiarily is vilh lhe nore
recenl leIevision and novie projecls.
WhiIe lhere is no shorlage of episode
guides lo lhe cIassic shovs, TrinlIe adds
lo lhis naleriaI ly severaI orders of nag-
nilude. The Ieasl of lhese are lhe nosl
conpIele indexes of aclors and lechnicaI
personneI yel seen for lhese produclions.
AIso nolalIe is lhe Concordances con-
prehensive lrealnenl of lhe aninaled
episodes, vhich TrinlIe cogenlIy defends
as enlireIy canonicaI despile reIuclance in
sone quarlers lo acknovIedge lhen as
such.
The nain lody of lhe voIune, lhough,
is ils encycIopedic Iexicon of crealures,
characlers, and olher lerns used in lhe
series. In lhis, TrinlIe presenls a unique
and nind-loggIingIy delaiIed lody of
infornalion, conprising nore lhan aII
lul lhe nosl die-hard fans viII ever need
lo knov aloul lhe S|ar Trc| universe.
IncIuded separaleIy are calaIogs of
SlarfIeel vesseIs and of lhe slars and slar
syslens vhich figure in lhe series. And
perhaps nosl slriking, lhe look is gener-
ousIy iIIuslraled vilh delaiIed skelches
and dravings ly a hosl of laIenled
arlisls.
There are, as vilh any Iarge reference
vork, a fev nils lo le picked. The nosl
nolalIe is a design prolIen ~ nany Iex-
icon references poinl lo lhe separale
cosnos or vesseI sulseclions, lul no
lypographic convenlion noles lhis facl,
so lhal unvary readers nay find lhen-
seIves Iooking fruilIessIy for Iexicon
enlries for cosnos and vesseI.
SecondIy, vhiIe lhe S|ar Trc| naleriaI is
painslakingIy veII-supporled, noles per-
laining lo reaI-vorId hislory and nylhoI-
ogy are occasionaIIy queslionalIe (Isis,
for exanpIe, is referred lo as lhe
Lgyplian goddess of nalure, vhich is
decidedIy nisIeading).
Bul vhiIe lhe arl in lhe Concordance is
nolalIe for ils variely, lhal in The Art of
Star Trek is nolalIe for olher reasons.
This is a huge, fuII-coIor coffee lalIe
look, vhere lhe Concordance provides a
lhorough vrillen guide lo lhe originaI-
series Trc| universe, }udilh and CarfieId
Reeves-Slevens have assenlIed a spec-
lacuIar and equaIIy lhorough visuaI
record of lhe enlire run of Trc| hislory,
fron lhe earIiesl days aII lhe vay for-
86 ILBRUARY 1996
vard lo lhe presenl Vcqagcr series.
WhiIe lhere are pIenly of vivid fuII-
page space panoranas, lhis is as nuch of
a reference voIune as TrinlIes, lhere
are aIso design-skelches for a variely of
nodeIs, coslunes, and props as veII as
pholographs of lhe naleriaIs lhenseIves.
And lhe various slarships are represenl-
ed in delaiI, inside and oul, lhough here
lhe enphasis is on lhe nore recenl ships
ralher lhan lhe firsl U.S.S. |n|crprisc.
Caplions and supporling lexl give cIear
descriplions and anpIify consideralIy on
lhe produclion process, readers viII Iearn
a good deaI aloul lhe nechanics of cos-
lune and prop design fron sludying lhe
reIevanl seclions.
Bul vaIualIe as lhe voIune is as a
craflsnanship lexl, ils prinary appeaI is
~ as il shouId le ~ as an arl look. Again,
ils far fron nereIy a coIIeclion of ouler-
space shols, lhere are a nunler of
inpressive lackground nalle painlings,
and lhe voIune cIoses vilh a fuII-page
rendering of Dalas anusing, Iicasso-Iike
porlrail of his cal. There is a greal deaI lo
Iook al and adnire in lhe conpiIalion,
and ils presenled in a high-quaIily pack-
age.
By lhenseIves, lolh lhe Concordunce
and The Art of Star Trek are vaIualIe
addilions lo a Trek fans reference coIIec-
lion, aII lhe nore so if one is a devolee of
lhe nov oul-of-prinl S|ar Trc| RICs. Bul
laken logelher, lhe lvo voIunes are
even nore slriking, one giving a picloriaI
record vhiIe lhe olher provides a vin-
dov inlo lhe inlernaI Iogic of lhe Trc| uni-
verse. Though nol inexpensive, lhis pair-
ing is very possilIy indispensilIe lo lhe
serious sludenl of lhe Iederalion and ils
nosl nolalIe cilizens.
RccurrIng rn!cs
ver on lhe ficlionaI side of S|ar Trc|
pulIishing, lhe nosl nolalIe recenl enlry
is The Catalns Daughter (Iockel, $5.99).
Ieler David gives us a Caplain SuIu
advenlure lhal aIso provides a hislory for
Denora SuIu, lhe daughler seen in lhe
nosl recenl fealure fiIn. As usuaI, David
is lolh a villy and louching sloryleIIer
vho is anong lhe very lop rank of vril-
ers in lhe Trek foId.
I n a darker vei n, Batnan: The
U|tlnate Ltl| (Warner, $19.95) is as dis-
lurling as lhe lrovn haIf-paper jackel
suggesls. Wilh ils slrong and nalure sul-
jecl naller, lhis is enphalicaIIy nol a
look for lhe squeanish or lhe very
young, and il vears ils poIilics vividIy on
ils sIeeve. Bul Andrev Vachss laIe is
nonelheIess enlireIy in Bal-characler, and
lhose vho can handIe a laIe of aII-loo-
reaI eviI shouId find il conpeIIing.
LIizalelh Scarloroughs The God-
nothers Arentlce (Ace, $19.95), ly con-
lrasl, relreals for lhe nosl parl fron lhe
sociaI-connenlary agenda of ils prede-
cessor lo leII a sonelines siIIy, sone-
lines chiIIing laIe in vhich godnolher-
lrainee Snohonish QuanlriII nusl cope
vilh an alsenl-ninded lulor, a piIgrin-
age of cals, and lhe generaI sense of
leviIdernenl lhal can resuIl vhenever
an Anerican lourisl visils IreIand. More
slrucluraIIy sound lhan lhe prior look,
lhis is IiveIy reading.
IinaIIy, a lrip lo lhe IRCTTLN RLALMS
vorId finds lvo nev lilIes fron Mark
Anlhony anong lhe highIighls. Curse of
the Shadounage (TSR, $5.99) is a sequeI
lo his previous look aloul CaIedan
CaIdorien and a vorlhy laIe in ilseIf, fea-
luring a soIidIy lradilionaI lul very veII-
execuled quesl invoIving a nagicaI arli-
facl and CaIedans very possilIe doon.
Lscae fron Undernountaln (TSR, $5.99)
noves across Iaern lo lhe Iegendary
dungeons lenealh Walerdeep, inlroduc-
ing a nev sel of prolagonisls in a IiveIy
laIe of dungeon-deIving repIele vilh
devious lraps, insidious crealures, and
lhe deepesl foray yel inlo Under-
nounlains deplhs. Anlhony is a good
hand vilh ToriIs nagic, and sone of lhe
devices in lhis noveI are veII vorlh an
invesligalion.
]cnn C. 8unnc|| is a uri|cr an rcticucr
unc |itcs in Pcr||an, Orcgcn.
Havc a QucstInn?
Do you have any queslions on
TSRs gane producls` Wrile lo
Sage Advice for lhe ansver!
Send your queslions lo Sage
Advice, DRAGON Magazinc, 2O1
Sheridan Springs Rd., Lake
Ceneva, WI 53147 USA. In
Lurope, vrile lo Sage Advice,
DRAGON Magazinc, TSR Lld., 12O
Church Lnd, Cherry Hinlon,
Canlridge CB1 3LB, U.K.. You
nay aIso send your queslions via
e-naiI lo: lsrsageaoI.con
DRACN #226 87
|f qcu natc anq qucs|icns cn |nc gancs
prcucc oq TSR, |nc., Sagc Aticc ui||
ansucr |ncn. |n |nc Uni|c S|a|cs an
Canaa, uri|c |c. Sagc Aticc, DRACN
Magazine, 201 Sncrian Springs Rca,
|a|c Gcncta, l| 51347, U.S.A. |n |urcpc,
uri|c |c. Sagc Aticc, DRACN Magazine,
TSR ||., 120 Cnurcn |n, Cncrrq Hin|cn,
Canorigc, C81 3|8, Uni|c Kingcn. lc
arc nc |cngcr ao|c |c na|c pcrscna| rcp|ics.
P|casc scn nc SAS|s ui|n qcur qucs|icn.
SAS|s arc ocing rc|urnc ui|n ccpics cf |nc
uri|crs guic|incs. Ycu can a|sc c-nai| qucs-
|icns |c |srsagcac|.ccn.
Tnis ncn|n, |nc Sagc tisi|s |nc ncu|q
rctisc DARK SUN sc||ing an ccnsicrs
scnc cp|icna| ru|cs an spc||s, inc|uing qc|
anc|ncr |cc| a| |nc rcac s|cncs|in spc||.
The Wa of the Pslonlclst bnnk In thc
rcvIscd DARK 5UN bnxcd sct (and thc
psInnIcs scctInn In thc PLAYLRS OPTlON:
Skl||s 8 Pouers bnnk) says that charac-
tcrs wIth chantIc a!Ignmcnts cannnt
bccnmc psInnIcIsts. ThIs Is Incnrrcct, at
!cast nn Athas. The Wl|| and the Wa rcf-
crcncc !Ists scvcra! chantIc psInnIcIsts.
Arc chantIc psInnIcIsts nn !nngcr
a!!nwcd nn Athas?
Chaolic psionicisls have never leen
aIIoved on Alhas (or anyvhere eIse for
lhal naller, see Tnc Ccnp|c|c Psicnics
Hanocc|, page 1O), al Ieasl nol as pIay-
er characlers. Iages 37 and 38 of lhe
RuIes Book fron lhe originaI DARK SUN
loxed sel conlain severaI Alhas-specific
changes lo lhe psionics ruIes, lul refer
readers lack lo lhe CPH for anylhing nol
covered lhere. Changes lo lhe aIignnenl
requirenenl for psionicisls are nol
incIuded in lhe RuIes Book. The chaolic
psionicisls fron Tnc li|| an |nc laq are
anonaIies, exaclIy hov lhey nanaged lo
lecone psionicisls and relain lheir
chaolic aIignnenls is unreveaIed.
Thc Agc nf Hcrncs bnnk In thc rcvIscd
DARK SUN bnxcd sct gIvcs IndIvIdua!
cxpcrIcncc awards bascd nn charactcr
racc, but thcrc arc nn cntrIcs fnr thc
ncw PC raccs nf aarakncra and ptcrrans.
Is thIs an nmIssInn? Or arc thcrc nn
bnnuscs fnr thcsc twn raccs?
Here are individuaI experience avards
for lhe lvo races:
Aara|ccra.
Denonslrale deep and aliding respecl
for nalure: 2O xp/day
Aluse nalure: -5O xp
P|crran.
Iursue Iife palh: 2O xp/day
Revere Larlh Molher: 3O xp/day
Irovide specific, neaningfuI service lo
Larlh Molher: 5O xp
Pagc 26 nf thc Age of Heroes bnnk
says dcfI!crs dcstrny thc cnvIrnnmcnt
whcn thcy cast thcIr spc!!s, whIch Is hnw
dcfI!crs wcrc nrIgIna!!y hand!cd. Pagc
67, hnwcvcr, says dcfI ! crs causc
dcstructInn whcn thcy mcmnrIzc thcIr
spc!!s. WhIch Is cnrrcct? If thc !attcr Is
truc, hnw shnu!d DMs nf nngnIng cam-
paIgns cxp!aIn thc changc?
The lexl on page 67 is correcl. Nole
lhal in addilion lo causing danage vhen
nenorizing speIIs, defiIers aIso nusl
nake InleIIigence checks lo see hov suc-
cessfuI lhey are (see TalIe XVII on page
28) in acquiring lhe speIIs. DefiIing is no
Ionger a sure lhing.
Hov you shouId inpIenenl lhe nev
defiIing ruIes inlo an eslalIished can-
paign is a prolIen you nusl soIve on
your ovn. The sinpIesl vay is lo ignore
lhen and slick vilh lhe oId ruIes. Ior
nosl canpaigns, you can jusl announce
lhal reaIily has changed and lhal lhings
viII le differenl fron nov on. To add a
IillIe nyslery, you nighl vanl lo expIain
lhal no one, nol even lhe ICs, renen-
lers any olher kind of defiIing. If youre
feeIing a lil crueI, you nighl ruIe lhal lhe
ICs renenler lhe oId vay of doing
lhings, lul no one eIse does.
I f you f avor a nor e dr anal i c
approach, you can inlroduce sone spec-
lacuIar or calacIysnic evenl (lhe appear-
ance of a hilherlo unknovn conel
vouId do niceIy) lhal causes lhe change.
In eilher case, you nighl inlroduce lhe
change graduaIIy. Ior exanpIe, perhaps
defiIers onIy have lo nake InleIIigence
checks vhen nenorizing speIIs afler
sunrise, and lhe defiIing effecl of neno-
rizalion nighl le nininaI, a radius of
inches. ver lhe nexl fev veeks or
nonlhs, graduaIIy increase lolh lhe
radius of lhe defiIing effecl and decrease
lhe nunler of hours in a day lhal lhe
effecl can le avoided. You nighl even
vanl lo design a series of advenlures
lhal vouId aIIov your ICs lo prevenl lhe
change ~ if lhey vanl lo.
Can thc undcad trn!!s, knbn!ds, ngrcs,
nrcs, !Izard mcn, pIxIcs, gnnmcs, and
gnb!Ins that rnam thc Dcad Land, 5ma!!
Hnmc and thc CIty nf a Thnusand Dcad
bc ralsed, resurrected, nr relncarnated?
5Incc thcsc raccs actua!!y cnntInuc tn
cxIst nn Athas, why wnu!dn't a relncar-
nate spc!! bc ab!c tn relncarnate a char-
actcr as nnc nf thcsc "dcad raccs?
According lo ny coIIeague BiII
SIavicsek, lhe crealures youre asking
aloul have leen dead since lhe CIeaning
Wars 3,5OO years ago. Thal puls lhen
veII leyond lhe reach of any raisc ca,
rcsurrcc|icn, or rcincarna|c speII.
CeneraIIy speaking, a rcincarna|c speII
lransforns a recipienl inlo sone crealure
lhal is nore or Iess characlerislic of lhe
vorId vhere il is casl. TroIIs, koloIds,
ogres, orcs, Iizard nen, pixies, gnones,
and golIins are nol lypicaI of Alhas, even
lhough lhere are sizalIe popuIalions of
undead specinens on lhe pIanel. Lven if
lhere vere hidden popuIalions of Iiving
lroIIs, koloIds, ogres, orcs, Iizard nen,
pixies, gnones, and golIins (and ly aII
accounls lhere are nol), lhey sliII vouId
nol le represenlalive enough lo appear
on lhe crealure Iisl for rcincarna|c speIIs.
What arc thc thIcf abI!Ity adust-
mcnts fnr AthasIan raccs that can't
bccnmc thIcvcs but can bccnmc rangcrs
nr cnnvIct g!adIatnrs?
Here are lhe adjuslnenls:
Racc HIdc In Mnvc A!!
5hadnws 5I!cnt!y Othcrs
1
HaIf-Cianl - -1O -1O
Thri-kreen +5 +5 -15
2
1. Ior convicl gIadialors onIy
2. Thri-kreen never gain lhe aliIily lo cIinl
vaIIs.
If snmcnnc punchcs a pcrsnn whn Is
prntcctcd by a stoneskln spc!!, dncs thc
attackcr suffcr damagc? Dncs thc rccIp-
Icnt nf a stoneskln spc!! !nnk dIffcrcnt In
any way? The P|aers Handbook sccms
tn suggcst that a chargc nf a stnncskIn Is
DRACN #226 89
lost even if an attacker rolls a miss when
fighting, is this so? If this is so, what is
the reasoning behind it?
A stoneskin spell never damages an
attacker. The spell description does not
specify any change in appearance for the
recipient of a stoneskin spell, but that
doesnt mean the DM cant specify one.
A spell loses one charge each time
the recipient is subjected to an attack,
thats just the way the spell works. Note
that an attack roll usually isnt necessary,
just mark off a charge from the spell. The
only time you need to make a roll is
when the attack can damage the recipi-
ent in spite of the stoneskin spell. Note
also that an attack that bypasses the
spell and damages the stoneskin recipient
still negates a charge.
If a clay golem hits a character, will a
successful dispel magic allow a priest of
less than 17th level to heal the charac-
ter?
No.
Table 29 in the PLAYERs OPTION: Skills &
Powers book shows adjustments to
thieving abilities for high Dexterity
scores, but they are different from the
DARK SUN boxed set. If you are using sub-
abilities, I recommend the adjustments
on the tables below.
Bal ance
adjustments shown on Tables 4 and 5.
What are the correct adjustments?
Tables 4 and 5 are only for use with
the new rules for subabilities in Chapter
Two. If youre not using subabilities, skip
Table 29 and use either table 28 from
The Players Handbook or Table XXI from
the Age of Heroes book in the revised
Subability Move Hide in Climb
Score Silently Shadows Walls
3 -30% -30% -30%
4 -30% -25% -25%
5 -30% -20% -20%
6 -25% -20% -20%
7 -25% -15% -15%
8 -20% -15% -15%
9 -20% -10% -10%
10 -15% -5% -5%
11 -10%
12 - 5 -
13-16
17 +5 +5% +5%
18 +10% +10% +10%
19 +15% +15% +15%
20 +20% +17% +20%
21 +25% +20% +22%
22 +30% +22% +25
23 +33% +24% +27%
24 +35% +27% +30%
25 +35% +30% +33%
Skip Williams is a game designer and edi-
for at TSR., Inc. If you have any questions on
TSR products for the Sage, you can write to
him at 201 Sheridan Springs Road, Lake
Geneva, WI 53147, or you can e-mail him at
tsrsage@aol.com. We regret that personal
replies are not possible.
Ai m
Subability Pick Open Find/ Escape Forge Tunneling
Score Pockets Locks Remove Bonds Documents
Traps
3 -30% -30% -30% -30% -30% -30%
4 -25% -25% -25% -25% -25% -25%
5 -25% -20% -20% -25% -25% -20%
6 -20% -20% -20% -20% -20% -15%
7 -20% -15% -15% -20% -20% -15%
a -15% -15% -15% -15% -15% -10%
9 -15% -10% -10% -15% -15% -10%
10 -10% -5% -10% -10% -10% -5%
11 -5%

-5% -5% -5%

12-15

16 +5% +5%
17 +5% +10% +5% +7%
18 +10% +15% +5% +10% +10% +5%
19 +15% +20% +10% +12% +15% +10%
20 +20% +25% +12% +15% +17% +15%
21 +25% +27% +15% +17% +20% +20%
22 +27% +30% +17% +20% +22% +25%
23 +30% +33% +20% +22% +24% +30%
24 +33% +35% +22% +24% +27% +35%
25 +35% +35% +25% +30% +30% +35%
90 FEBRUARY 1996
T
rue confession: when Im playing a
character in a fantasy game, I opt
for a no-frills, plain vanilla human.
Understand, I like gnomes and lizard
men as much as the next guy. But I have
a hard time getting a handle on their per-
sonalities; when I play a lizard man, he
comes off as Arnold Schwarzenegger with
scaly skin. If youre having similar prob-
lems or if youd just like to spice up
your games with some offbeat guest
stars heres some help.
Giantcraft
ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
game supplement
128-page softcover book
TSR, lnc. $15
Design: Ray Winninger with Troy Denning
and Jeff Grubb
Editing: Karen S. Boomgarden
Illustrations: Matt Cavotta and Daniel
Frazier
Cover: Jeff Easley
Ever since Jack clambered up his first
beanstalk, giants have been a mainstay
of fantasy fiction. Not so in the AD&D
game. Sure, they occasionally pop up as
villains, and no MONSTROUS COMPENDIUM
volume would be complete without a
gigantic something-or-other. But to find a
book that gives the big guys their due,
you have to go all the way back to 1978
and the G1-G3 adventure series
Role-playing games rating
Not recommended
May be useful May be useful
Fair Fair
Good Good
Excellent
The BEST!
(Steading of the Hill Giant Chief, Glacial Rift
of the Frost Giant Jarl, and Hall of the Fire
Giant King, repackaged in 1986s Queen of
the Spiders anthology and worth search-
ing out). Now, at long last, comes
Giantcraft, a compendium of background
notes, campaign tips, and new rules for
characters of the gargantuan persuasion.
Theres a lot of thoughtfully presented
material here, and most of it makes the
grade; but at the risk of sounding like an
ingrate, theres also less than meets the
eye.
First, the good stuff. The book opens
with the history of the Faerun giants,
which traces their origin from an adulter-
ous relationship between the demigod-
dess Othea and a minor sea god named
Ulutui. Their union produced four sons
who would establish the giant-kin dynas-
ties. Otheas husband responded by
killing Ulutui and casting his body into
the Cold Sea, where radiation from his
magical amulet caused the waters to
freeze and create the Great Glacier. Its a
enchanting story, well-told, made all the
more compelling by the unusual arctic
locale.
From there, the book clears up some
myths (think all giants are evil? Nahh...
theyre just misunderstood), then pro-
ceeds to a clutter-free discussion of char-
acter creation. Along with the requisite
ability scores and saving throws, were
offered lucid, sensible rules for adjudicat-
ing strength checks, determining clan
heritage, and casting runes, a form of
magic that employs symbols and inscrip-
tions instead of spoken incantations. A
helpful role-playing section advises the
DM to stand on a chair when portraying
a giant, which serves the dual purpose of
intimidating the players and making
them giggle.
92 ILBRUARY 1996
The look aIso lakes a delaiIed Iook al
lhe Ice Spire nounlain range, vhich
serves as a lase for gianl-cenlered can-
paigns. Localed vesl of lhe Creal Deserl
of Anauroch and soulh of lhe LndIess Ice
Sea, lhe frigid nounlains are hone lo a
voIaliIe nix of hunans, gianls, and non-
slers. Ils a fascinaling selling, lursling
vilh advenlure possiliIilies. The larlar-
ians of HarsvaIe slage cerenoniaI hunls
invoIving reindeer sIeds and hunan prey.
CIoud gianls pIace lels on vhelher lhey
can coerce a parlicuIar vonan lo faII in
Iove vilh a parlicuIar nan. A cIan of hiII
gianls slage conpelilive eal-offs, vying
for lhe lilIe of Masler Laler, feIIov cIans-
nen Iook lo lhe Masler Laler for poIilicaI
Ieadership, as veII as gaslrononicaI
inspiralion.
UnforlunaleIy, nany slrong concepls
are underdeveIoped. Were loId lhal
gianls have unique concepls of good and
eviI, caIIed naa| and naug. Bul aside
fron a fev lehavioraI exanpIes ~ hon-
oring faniIy nenlers is naal, kiIIing
anolher gianl is naug ~ lhe definilions
are fuzzy, in essence, naal is jusl a funny
vord for good. Archelypes are no sooner
inlroduced lhan lheyre jerked avay, lhe
Ialron (a slone gianl sloryleIIer), lhe
CIullon (a Ieader of lhe hiII gianls), and
lhe Weirdner (a frosl gianl rune casler)
receive onIy a paragraph each of descrip-
lion, and lhey deserve fuII-lIovn charac-
ler kils. LIsevhere, lhe designers lake
unnecessary delours. A discussion of an
ogre sellIenenl eals up severaI pages of
lhe Ice Spires seclion. The appendix is
devoled lo crealures Iike shadovhounds
and kroller yak, vhose conneclion lo
gianl-kin is dulious. The vind chiII lalIe,
frosllile ruIes, and olher neleoroIogicaI
nisceIIany ~ nuch of il recycIed fron lhe
IR14 Grca| G|acicr suppIenenl ~ seens
superfIuous, do gianls reaIIy vorry lhal
nuch aloul frosllile`
LvaIualion: In fairness, Gian|craf|
doesnl prelend lo le lhe Iasl vord in
gianls, as il concenlrales on lhe nylhos
inlroduced in Troy Dennings Tui|ign|
Gian|s noveI lriIogy. If youre Iooking for
gi anl s ol her l han l hose f ron l he
IRCTTLN RLALMS selling, youII have lo
keep Iooking. Theres nol nuch here for
lhe DRACNLANCL, AL-QADIM, or RLD
STLLL canpaigns, for lhal naller, lheres
nol nuch generic naleriaI, eilher. And
lhe designers penchanl for hopping
fron lopic lo lopic veakens lhe looks
inpacl, inslead of a cohesive vhoIe, il
reads Iike a coIIeclion of nagazine arli-
cIes. Wilhin ils narrov focus, Gian|craf|
deIivers lhe goods. Bul as an aII-incIusive
guide lo AD&Ds laIIesl inhalilanls, il
faIIs a lil, er, shorl.
GURPS |antas |o|k
CURIS* gane suppIenenl
144-page soflcover look c _
Sleve }ackson Canes $19
Dcsign. Chris W. McCullin and Sean
Iunch, vilh Loyd BIankenship and
Sleve }ackson
Ldiling: LiIIian BulIer
|||us|ra|icns. Shea Ryan and Dan Snilh
Cctcr. Ken KeIIey
Cianls aIso Iurk lelveen lhe covers of
Second Ldilion GURPS |antas |o|k, as
do eIves, cenlaurs, Ieprechauns, and 2O
olher nonhunan races. Ils undenialIy
anlilious, lhe races can le used as
eilher ICs or NICs, naking il lhe CURIS
equivaIenl of TSRs Ccnp|c|c 8cc| cf
Hunancis or MONSTROUS COMP|ND|UM
look. AIas, il pronises nore lhan il deIiv-
ers. |antas |o|k cIains lo lreal nonhu-
nan races as unique cuIlures nade up
of individuaIs, nol as skelchiIy-defined
nonslers. Bul lhals nol quile lrue.
Iarl of lhe prolIen is lhe rigid fornal,
vhich aIIovs onIy four or five pages for
each race. ConsequenlIy, najor races Iike
eIves and haIfIings receive lhe sane
anounl of space as ninor Ieaguers Iike
gargoyIes and fauns. Thal in ilseIf isnl
necessariIy lad ~ lhe MONSTROUS
COMP|ND|UM fornal is jusl as lighl ~ lul
lhe vriling feeIs cranped, loo, suffering
fron an alundance of generaIilies and a
shorlage of specifics. The eIves enlry leIIs
us lhal eIves lehave vilh eIegance and
slyIe lul offers no exanpIes of lhe
aIIeged lehavior. Were inforned lhal
lhe eIves once vaged a greal var againsl
lhe dvarves, lul ve Iearn nolhing aloul
vhere lhe var occurred, vhal vas al
slake, or hov il vas resoIved. Cianls
have fev cuslons and IillIe cuIlure. h
reaIIy` Nol according lo Glantcraft. gres
Iove lo fighl, cenlaurs are nonadic
hunlers, haIfIings prefer counlry Iife, and
if you lhink nayle youve heard lhis
lefore, veII, if youve leen roIe-pIaying
for any Ienglh of line, you prolalIy
have.
The oddlaII races fare leller lhan lhe
convenlionaI ones. |antas |o|k pernils
pIayers lo assune lhe roIes of exaIled
horses ( sl aI I i ons and nares vi l h
enhanced senses), laIes (lIood-drinking
nadnen), and greal eagIes (nagicaI
lirds). Infornalive sidelars provide inler-
esling advenlure hooks and aslule roIe-
pIaying advice. Bul lhe superficiaI
descriplions provide onIy enough infor-
nalion lo gel lhe characlers off lhe
ground, lheres nol enough naleriaI lo
suslain lhen lhrough a Iong canpaign.
Id le up for a CURIS Creal LagIes lo
expIain exaclIy hov lhese veirdos Iive
and vork.
|antas |o|k vouId le jusl anolher
conpelenl lul unrenarkalIe suppIe-
nenl vere il nol for ils race generalion
ruIes, one of lhe nosl eIeganl syslens
for crealing originaI characlers Ive ever
seen. Inlroduced in GURPS A|icns, lhe sys-
len aIIovs pIayers lo luiId characlers
fron an aIIolnenl of poinls, spenl on
advanlages, disadvanlages, and skiIIs.
RaciaI nodifiers delernine allrilule
scores, lhe higher lhe nodifier, lhe leller
lhe allrilule. By expending lhe required
nunler of poinls, pIayers can luy spines,
exlra Iinls, and speIIs. The resuIling
characlers are nol onIy funclionaI and
reasonalIy laIanced, lul a Iol of fun lo
pIay, I vhipped up a lvo-headed goal
nan lhal In ilching lo unIeash in lhe
Mad Lands (lhe officiaI CURIS fanlasy
selling, desscriled in lhe GURPS |an|asq||
suppIenenl).
Eva!uatInn: If youre a CURIS fanalic
loo Iazy lo cook up your ovn slalislics
for dvarves and koloIds, |antas |o|k
nighl le vorlh lhe inveslnenl. If you
ovn lhe firsl edilion, you can prolalIy
skip lhe upgrade, lhe nev edilion fiddIes
vilh lhe poinl cosls and revriles a fev
aliIilies, lul adds nolhing essenliaI. If
youre nol a CURIS pIayer, lheres IillIe
of inleresl here. SliII, even if you decide
lo pass, Id sneak a peek al lhe chapler
on race generalion ~ ils prelly lerrific.
The Con|ete Nln]as Handbook
ADVANCED DUNGEON5 & DRAGON5
gane suppIenenl
128-page soflcover look
DRACN #226 93
TSR, Inc. $18
Dcsign. Aaron AIIslon
|i|ing. Barlara C. Young
|||us|ra|icns. }in HoIIovay, CIyde CaIdveII,
Ired IieIds, and Les Dorscheid
Aaron AIIslon vrole lhe look on nar-
liaI arls ~ IileraIIy. His Ninja Hcrc a sup-
pIenenl for lhe Hero Syslen* gane, pul-
Iished in 199O ~ renains lhe definilive
guide lo rienlaI roIe-pIaying. The
Con|ete Nln]as Handbook is no Ninja
Hcrc, lul ils cIose, a naslerfuI sel of
direclions for lransforning run-of-lhe-
niII ICs inlo exolic spies and assassins.
Draving on ideas fron Ninja Hcrc, Tnc
Ccnp|c|c |ign|crs Hanocc|, and TSRs
Iale, Ianenled Oricn|a| Atcn|urcs gane,
AIIslon recasls ninja characlers as parl of
lhe rogue cIass. Ninja share lhe sane
experience IeveIs, hil dice, and proficien-
cy sIols as rogues, aIong vilh lheir
veapon oplions and laIenl for lackslal-
ling. Theyre lurdened, hovever, vilh
nore slringenl aliIily requirenenls (13 in
Dexlerily, 1O in InleIIigence) and reduced
lhieving skiIIs (a lase score of O in Iick
Iockels, pen Locks, and Iind/Renove
Traps). To conpensale, ninja have access
lo a forn of nonverlaI connunicalion
caIIed cIan signing, as veII as a hosl of
nev proficiencies, Iike Waler WaIking,
Lscape, and Cianl Kile IIying. IIayers can
cuslonize lheir ninja ly seIecling fron
lhe dozen-pIus characler kils, anong lhe
choices: Ialhfinder (a skiIIed lracker and
voodsnan), Shadov Warrior (a veapons
experl), and Inlruder (an orienlaI }anes
Bond). The exlensive equipnenl seclion
descriles a varehouse fuII of nerchan-
dise, incIuding sanurai svords, eggsheII
grenades, and, of course, gianl kiles.
The Con|ete Nln]as Handbook is
nore lhan jusl a lunch of nunlers and
giznos. AIIslon gives his ninja lhree
dinensions ly enphasizing lheir faniIiar
lies and olsession vilh secrecy. Lvery
ninja leIongs lo a cIan, vhich nol onIy
delernines his aIignnenl, lul designales
his slalus, roIe, and resources. Iurlher,
cIans inpose laloos (no narriage oul-
side lhe cIan, no unaulhorized expendi-
lures) and edicls (deslroy a rivaI cIan, pro-
nole lhe vorship of a parlicuIar god),
forcing pIayers lo sharpen lheir ICs per-
sonaIilies and vork lovard cIear goaIs.
Mosl cIans insisl lhal lheir nenlers con-
ceaI lheir lrue idenlilies, even fron lheir
conrades. To lhal end, AIIslon provides
cIever suggeslions for nainlaining secre-
cy vilhin lhe canpaign, ranging fron
faIse characler sheels lo paranoia
noles, vhere lhe DM passes vrillen
nessages lo lhe ninja pIayers conlaining
infornalion lhe olher pIayers donl need
lo knov. And lhroughoul lhe look,
AIIslon scores vilh inaginalive fIourish-
es: a ninja vizard vho uses finger-vig-
gIes as speII conponenls, a nagicaI dusl
lhal causes fIoors lo squeak, a nelaIIic
snoking pipe lhal doulIes as a cIul.
The look descriles lvo narliaI arls
syslens, one for leginners, one for
advanced sludenls. In lhe lasic syslen, a
characler vilh lhe narliaI arls skiII
nakes a nornaI allack roII, lhen, if lhe
allack succeeds, nakes a second roII on
lhe MarliaI Arls ResuIls (MAR) TalIe. The
MAR TalIe indicales a naneuver and lhe
anounl of infIicled danage. Ior inslance,
a roII of 13 indicales a VilaIs Iunch, good
for lvo poinls of danage. If lhe characler
expends a proficiency sIol lo speciaIize in
narliaI arls, he receives a +1 lonus lo
his allack and danage roIIs, as veII as lo
his roIIs on lhe MAR TalIe (lhe higher lhe
MAR roII, lhe deadIier lhe naneuver).
The advanced syslen encourages
pIayers lo seIecl fighling slyIes, such as
lae kvon do or karale. A slyIe consisls of
a principaI allack forn (hands, feel, Iegs),
a sel of veapon oplions (fencing lIades,
cIuls, chain veapons), and a Iisl of spe-
ciaI naneuvers (CircIe Kick, Slunning
Touch, Arrov Iarry). When enpIoying his
slyIe in a conlal encounler, lhe pIayer
nakes an allack roII and consuIls lhe
descri pl i on of l he naneuver he s
allenpling lo execule. The CircIe Kick
descriplion, for exanpIe, requires lhe
characler lo spin in a conpIele circIe and
Iand a kick on lhe largels upper lody, if
successfuI, lhe naneuver adds 1-2 hp
danage lo lhe characlers nornaI narliaI
arls danage. Mosl naneuvers penaIize
lhe allacker for faiIure, if he lIovs a
CircIe Kick, he Ioses his laIance, vhich
Iovers his Arnor CIass ly lvo poinls and
deprives hin of his allack in lhe nexl
round. The syslen is conpIicaled and
coslIy ~ conpIele naslery of a slyIe
requires lhe characler lo expend his
enlire aIIolnenl of proficiency sIols ~ lul
lhe naneuvers nake il vorlh lhe efforl.
My favorile: SleeI CIolh, vhich enalIes a
ninja lo eviscerale an opponenl vilh a
handkerchief.
Eva!uatInn: IrolIens` Nolhing najor.
The speII Iisl doesnl anounl lo nuch,
conprising a sel of so-so effecls Iike Iess-
er dislraclion (lhe viclin hears a fainl
noise or sees sonelhing indislincl) and
delecl lhe Iiving (lhe opposile of delecl
undead). The kils couIdve used nore
deveIopnenl, lhe Ialhfinder and Shadov
Warrior fiII Iess lhan haIf a page each.
Basic conlal consisls of a fev nodifiers,
and fev danage lonuses, and lhals
aloul il ~ caII il MarliaI Arls Lile. (Those
vanling nore delaiI shouId refer lo Tnc
U||ina|c Mar|ia| Ar|is|s, lhe sequeI lo Ninja
Hcrc, revieved in DRAGON Magazinc issue
#221. Tnc U||ina|c Mar|ia| Ar|is| incIudes
conversion noles for IeveI-lased sys-
lens ~ in olher vords, AD&D.) Thal said,
The Con|ete Nln]as Handbook slands a
firsl-rale resource, anolher nolch in lhe
leIl for one of lhe induslrys lop design-
ers. Wilh his efforlIess affinily for aII
lhings orienlaI, Aaron AIIslon is roIe-pIay
ings ansver lo Bruce Lee.
|aerles
Ars Magica* gane suppIenenl
144-page soflcover look
Wizards of lhe Coasl $17
Design: }ohn Snead and Sarah Link
|i|ing. Bol Kruger
|||us|ra|icns. Any Weler, Anson Madocks,
Bryon Wackvilz, Chris Rush, Doug
ShuIer, Lric David Anderson, }eff
Menges, }ohn T. Snyder, }ohn UeIand,
}uIie Baroh, Mark Tedin, Rosenary
Roach, and Susan Van Canp
Cctcr. David . MiIIer and Maria Calardo
Canpaign in lhe doIdruns` Mayle
you need a fev faeries. In nol laIking
aloul lhe hunan nosquiloes lhal fIiller
around DisneyIand. In laIking aloul lhe
innorlaI, godIike speII-caslers of
nedievaI Luropean Iegend, lroughl
vividIy lo Iife in lhis off-lhe-vaII source-
look. This, ly lhe vay, is lhe second ver-
sion of |aerles, lhough il doesnl say so
on lhe fronl cover. While WoIf pulIished
lhe firsl one a fev years lack, lefore
Wizards of lhe Coasl acquired lhe righls
lo Ars Magica. If you ovn Version ne,
dunp il, Version lvo inproves on lhe
originaI in every vay.
Thals nol lo say |aerles is for every-
one, since lhe fornal is as eccenlric as
lhe suljecl naller. HaIf lhe look consisls
of a series of firsl-person anecdoles, vilh
lilIes Iike A Trouladours TaIe and A
Cuide lo ur rder ly Relecca, Chief
Lilrarian of Harco. Sone anecdoles fiII a
coIunn or lvo, olhers consune severaI
pages. Throughoul, lhe reader is referred
lo foolnoles and sidelars expIaining var-
ious faerie facls. Ior exanpIe, in lhe lrou-
ladours laIe of a house lesel ly lhe
sounds of lreaking gIass, a foolnole
reveaIs lhal such sounds indicale lhe
slrenglhening of a faerie aura. In Redcap
Arcadias slory of a nyslicaI reaIn caIIed
Arcadia, she recounls an encounler vilh
a slullorn faerie vho denanded a fIask
94 ILBRUARY 1996
of leer, a foolnole expIains lhal faeries
oflen largain for leer in exchange for
infornalion. You nighl find lhis ledious,
especiaIIy if aII you vanl are hard facls lo
use in a roIe-pIaying advenlure. I found il
charning, a veIcone respile fron lhe
hundrun approach enpIoyed in nosl
RIC suppIenenls. Yes, as a reference
look, |aerles nakes a good doorslop.
And yes, lhe vriling couIdve leen
slronger, evidenced ly avkvard pas-
sages Iike, I Iive ly ny vils and grov
viId, and one nans Iand is a pIace I
never slay in Iong. Bul overaII, ils a suc-
cessfuI experinenl, carried off vilh
insighl and hunor.
The ruIes seclion, conprising lhe sec-
ond haIf of lhe look, is Iess successfuI. I
Iiked lhe lesliary, a Whos Who of
faeries fron around lhe vorId (lhe
hunchlack koulsodainonas Iives in
Creece, lhe padfool, vho resenlIes a
green dog, haiIs fron Cernany). And lhe
roIe-pIaying chapler does a good jol of
deIinealing lhe pros and cons of faerie
characlers. Bul loo nany ideas are salo-
laged ly a Iack of deveIopnenl. The
ruIes for inlerdinensionaI lraveI invoIve
a confused langIe of aura ralings, pover
reaIns, and aliIily roIIs. The characler
crealion chapler expIains lhal faeries
have an aversion lo iron (Coning inlo
conlacl vilh |ironj is Iike coning inlo
conlacl vilh a decaying dead aninaI).
Bul hov does lhis aversion operale in a
canpaign` Does a faerie fIee vhen he
sees an iron door` r does he jusl hoId
his nose` Iaeries, il says here, can speak
vilh aninaIs. Iine. Bul vhich aninaIs`
Insecls` Larlhvorns` And can lhe ani-
naIs speak lack`
Eva!uatInn: If youre nol an Ars Magica
pIayer, donl Iel lhal scare you avay. Ars
Magica is lareIy nenlioned in lhe firsl
haIf of lhe look. As for lhe second haIf,
anyone vilh a caIcuIalor and a coupIe of
nighls lo kiII oughl lo le alIe lo lransIale
lhe slalislics lo lhe syslen of his choice.
In nol crazy aloul ficlion in roIe-pIaying
suppIenenls, nosl gane designers are
aloul as good al vriling ficlion as rock
nusicians are al conposing synphonies.
Bul here, ils engaging and cule. And if
you fIinched al lhe vord cule, consider
spending your noney eIsevhere.
5hnrt and swcct
The Ltl| Le, ly Sleve Kurlz. TSR, Inc.,
$1O.
As he denonslraled in Tnc Ccnp|c|c
8cc| cf Nccrcnanccrs, Sleve Kurlz knovs
his vay around a corpse. This sel of
exquisileIy creepy scenarios for lhe
RAVLNLIT selling pils a group of nid-
IeveI advenlurers againsl lhe nyslerious
Vislani and lheir ghoslIy aIIies. Kurlzs
slyIish vriling yanks lhe pIayers fron
shudder lo shudder al a rippIing pace.
Wanl lo gel hooked` Try lhis: And vhen
lhe handsone genlIenen disroled, she
lhoughl il hardIy unusuaI lo see a pair of
lIack, lal-Iike vings unfoIding inlo a
canopy of darkness. CalrieIIe veIconed
lhe inculus inlo her enlrace. Yikes!
5tar Wars MInIaturcs Batt!cs 5tartcr 5ct
gane, ly Slephen Crane and IauI
Murphy. Wesl Lnd Canes, $35.
5trIkcr II gane, ly Irank Chadvick vilh
David NiIsen. CDW, Inc., $2O.
Lels le honesl. ~ ninialure sinuIa-
lions are a Iol of vork. Iirsl, you have lo
nasler a sel of conpIicaled ruIes, lhese
are, afler aII, var ganes, and var gane
designers are nolorious for lheir olses-
sion vilh delaiI. Then, you have lo round
up aII lhe figures, and lhey donl cone
cheap, an arny of ninialures can sel you
lack a hundred doIIars, easy, and lhals
nol counling lhe lrushes and painl.
Those vilh lhe line and lhe noney,
hovever, viII find lhese lvo producls lo
le exceIIenl exanpIes of an underappre-
cialed genre. Bolh address laclicaI
ground conlal in lhe dislanl fulure, and
lolh derive fron popuIar RICs.
Thc 5tar Wars MInIaturcs Batt!cs
5tartcr 5ct loxes lhe revised ruIes nanu-
aI (originaIIy pulIished in 1993) vilh a
dozen nelaI ninialures and a handfuI of
six-sided dice. As in lhe Slar Wars* roIe-
pIaying gane, lhe 5tartcr 5ct focuses on
skirnishes lelveen lhe ReleIs and lhe
InperiaI lhugs. LnpIoying cIear expIana-
lions and pIenly of exanpIes, lhe look
shovs hov lo design soIdiers, execule
naneuvers, and recruil vonp rals and
krayl dragons lo augnenl lhe lroops.
Conlal invoIves skiII lesls and opposed
roIIs, concepls inporled fron lhe Slar
Wars RIC. Ils fasl, lense, and, for a
ninialures gane, surprisingIy easy lo
Iearn.
5trIkcr II, spavned fron lhe TraveIIer:
The Nev Lra* roIe-pIaying gane (ly vay
of lhe Connand Decision* gane, anolh-
er niIilary sinuIalion), is nore denand-
ing lul nuch richer. IIayers issue orders
lo lheir sulordinales ly Iaying dovn
connand chils (incIuded vilh lhe look),
orders incIude Caulious Advance,
Disengage, and Regroup. Unils nove and
fire in accordance lo lheir orders, vilh
oulcones delernined ly die-roIIs and
difficuIly nodifiers. Whal nakes lhe
gane so alsorling is lhe nind-loggIing
nunler of oplions, pIayers can allenpl
orlilaI lonlardnenls, linker vilh psion-
ics, even depIoy velerinarians lo Iook
afler a lallaIions aninaIs. Veleran
TraveIIer fans viII appreciale lhe allen-
lion lo conlinuily, lhe Zhodani unils, for
inslance, are dravn fron lack issues of
lhe ]curna| cf |nc Tratc||crs Ai Sccic|q and
Tratc||crs Digcs|. Nol for leginners,
Slriker II is science-ficlion varfare al ils
sophislicaled lesl.
Crnssrnads gane, ly }ason Andrev and
Tina Andrev. Xanadu Canes, $15.
This far-reaching fanlasy RIC sinu-
Iales a cosnic slruggIe for lhe essence of
hunanily. (And you lhoughl you had
your hands fuII cIearing orcs oul of dun-
geons.) IIayers lake lhe roIes of SenlineIs
(good guys svorn lo prolecl innocenl
norlaIs) or DefiIers (lad guys represenl-
ing hunanilys viIesl lendencies). To cre-
ale your good guy or viIe guy, you dis-
lrilule 4O characler poinls anong eighl
allrilules (incIuding Slrenglh, Dexlerily,
and Ierceplion), lhen assign anolher 4O
poinls lo a Iisl of skiIIs (Leadership,
AnlhropoIogy, MiIilary Taclics). To
resoIve an aclion, lhe referee delernines
a difficuIly IeveI, lhe pIayer roIIs a fev
dice, and lhe resuIl is conpared lo lhe
reIevanl skiII or allrilule score. TypicaI
advenlures invoIve confronlalions vilh
Drean Lords and Deal h Kni ghl s.
Characlers engage in nelaphysicaI lal-
lIes as veII as physicaI ones, lhe referee
avards Iover Ioinls lo any IC vho fuI-
fiIIs his Isyche (essenliaIIy, his Iifes goaI)
and penaIizes a lungIer ly fiddIing vilh
his Lssence (siniIar, sorl of, lo aIignnenl
in AD&D). Theres a Iol going on here,
nuch of il laffIing, I had a hard line fig-
uring oul hov lo salisfy ny Lssence, and
I vouIdnl recognize ny Isyche if il
vaIked up and shook hands. More lack-
ground noles vouIdve heIped, loo. SliII,
lhis a gane vilh a lrain, and one vorlh
revisiling ~ I nean, if I donl slraighlen
oul lhe cosnos, vho viII`
Infornalion: Xanadu Canes, I Box
28O65, Spokane, WA 99218.
Sorcerer s Crl b Sheet, ly Sanf ord
Berenlerg and BiII InesdahI vilh Creg
Iarshley. Wesl Lnd Canes, $15.
Heres a grinoire vilh allilude, a coI-
Ieclion of speIIs for lhe BIoodshadovs*
gane lhals lolh goofy and grin. Thug
fron leyond lransforns a hunan skuII
inlo a cadaverous lodyguard. Wingding
causes lhe viclin lo experience one eno-
lionaI exlrene afler anolher: firsl despair,
DRACN #226 95
lhen loredon, lhen Iusl. To aclivale cre-
ale cuIl eIder, lhe casler nusl dissoIve a
vanpires lrain in an herlaI soup, lhen
add a severed head. A fev speIIs are oId
hal (increase slrenglh, poison), sone are
jusl pIain dunl (vriling pen, neon sign).
Bul lhe keepers oulnunler lhe duds ly a
consideralIe nargin.
Cbertechno|og, ly Ton Dovd, vilh
CarI Sargenl, Diane Iiron-CeInan, and
MichaeI MuIvihiII. IASA Corporalion, $15.
Hardvare/Soflvare, ly LIaine Hinnan-
Sveeney and Brain Sean Ierry, vilh
Shaun Horner, RandaI W. Horolik, Mike
Rolerls, and Slephen Snoogen. Wesl
Lnd Canes, $18.
Hardcore Shadovrun* gane pIayers,
Cbertechno|og is righl up your aIIey:
ils a calaIog of high-lech gadgelry for
lurning hunan lodies inlo kiIIing
nachines. You can luy darl guns for
your eyelaIIs, arlificiaI fingerlips conlain-
ing poison needIes, and craniaI lonls
lhal shover passers-ly vilh skuII frag-
nenls. Belveen shopping sprees, you
can anuse yourseIf vilh lhe advenlures
of Meal Boy ~ if you have lo ask, lhis
isnl lhe look for you. Hardvare/
Soflvare, a coIIeclion of cylervare for
lhe Shallerzone* gane, covers nuch of
lhe sane ground. Bul vilh ils enphasis
on lhe nundane ~ rolols, cIoned Iinls,
skiII chips ~ il seens lane conpared lo
Cbertechno|og. NeverlheIess, Cber-
techno|og vasles a Iol of space on Iane
connenlary, Iike lhis olservalion fron
CoIoneI Colra: So anylody vilh aII lhis
sluff is prelly nuch a vaIking lank.
Cbertechno|og nay le lhe leller read,
lul Hardvare/Soflvare is lhe leller
vaIue.
Thlefs Cha||enge ll: Beacon Polnt, ly
Terry Anlhor. TSR, Inc., $7.
The enjoyalIe ne-on-ne series ~
AD&D advenlures for a singIe pIayer
characler and a singIe Dungeon Masler ~
conlinues vilh lhis lrisk, easy-lo-run
lhief scenario. The aclion lakes pIace on
lhe pirale-infesled isIand of Beacon
Ioinl, vhere lhe IC nusl navigale
lreacherous lerrain, invesligale an
enchanled Iighlhouse, and eIude lhe
cIulches of a gianl cral. The encounlers
are veII-slaged, lhe viIIains are faniIiar
lul fun. Though lhe cover cIains lhe
advenlure is suiled for a lhief of IeveI
4-6, lhals vishfuI lhinking. Id say 6-8 is
nore Iike il. A Iov-IeveI lhief viII have lo
le very snarl or very Iucky lo survive lhe
shovdovn vilh lhe fish nonslers.
Sorcerers Crlb Sheet, ly Sanford
Berenlerg and BiII InesdahI vilh Creg
Iarshley. Wesl Lnd Canes, $15.
Heres a grinoire vilh allilude, a coI-
Ieclion of speIIs for lhe BIoodshadovs*
gane lhals lolh goofy and grin. Thug
fron leyond lransforns a hunan skuII
inlo a cadaverous lodyguard. Wingding
causes lhe viclin lo experience one eno-
lionaI exlrene afler anolher: firsl despair,
lhen loredon, lhen Iusl. To aclivale cre-
ale cuIl eIder, lhe casler nusl dissoIve a
vanpires lrain in an herlaI soup, lhen
add a severed head. A fev speIIs are oId
hal (increase slrenglh, poison), sone are
jusl pIain dunl (vriling pen, neon sign).
Bul lhe keepers oulnunler lhe duds ly a
consideralIe nargin.
DUNGLON MASTLR Screen c Master lndex,
ly }in BulIer. TSR. Inc., $1O.
To coax consuners inlo luying reguIa-
lion gane screens inslead of naking lheir
ovn, pulIishers have laken lo lundIing
lheir screens vilh aII sorl of doo-dads:
advenlures, characler sheels, poslers,
look covers, even vindov slickers. The
doo-dad acconpanying lhe Ialesl TSR
screen is a prelly good one: a 32-page
index lo AD&Ds seven core ruIe looks.
Looking for a Iisl of aIlar requirenenls`
Check page 1OO of Tnc 8cc| cf Ar|ifac|s.
Hov do you conpule a nonslers knock-
dovn chance` Iage 32 of P|AY|Rs
OPT|ON. Ccnoa| c Tac|ics has lhe ansver.
As for lhe six-paneI screen, il conlains lhe
expecled conlal charls and noraIe nod-
ifiers, aIong vilh sone unusuaI sluff Iike
crilicaI hil lalIes (fron Ccnoa| c Tac|ics)
and a diagran of lhe ouler pIanes. UnIess
youre a coIIeclor or a nunlers junkie,
you can prolalIy slruggIe aIong vilhoul
lhis. Bul if youve gol 1O lucks lo spare...
oh, vhal lhe heck.
A former medical student, rock musician,
and newspaper editor (in that order), Rick
Swan is the author of The Complete Guide to
Role-Playing Games (St. Martins Press). You
can write to him at 2620 30th Street Des
Moines, IA 50310. Enclose an SASE if youd
like a reply.
indicates a product produced by a company other
than TSR, Inc. Most product names are trademarks
owned by the companies publishing those products. The
use of the name of any product without mention of its
trademark status should not be construed as a challenge
to such status.
96 ILBRUARY 1996
CnnvcntInn Ca!cndar
Pn!IcIcs
This column is a service to our readers
worldwide. Anyone may place a free
listing for a game convention here, but
the fol l owi ng gui del i nes must be
observed.
In order to ensure that all convention
listings contain accurate and timely
information, all material should be
either typed double-spaced or printed
legibly on standard manuscript paper.
The contents of each listing must be
short and succinct.
The information given in the listing
must include the following, in this
order:
1. Convention title and dates held
2. Site and location
3. Guests of honor (if applicable)
4. Special events offered
5. Registration fees or attendance
requirements, and,
6. Address(es) where additional infor-
mation and confirmation can be
obtained.
Convention flyers, newsletters, and
other mass-mailed announcements will
not be considered for use in this col-
umn; we prefer to see a cover letter with
the announcement as well. No call-in
listings are accepted. Unless stated
otherwise, all dollar values given for
U.S. and Canadian conventions are in
U.S. currency.
WARNING: We are not responsi-
ble for incorrect information sent to us
by convention staff members. Please
check your convention listing carefully!
Our wide circulation ensures that over a
quarter of a million readers worldwide
see each issue. Accurate information is
your responsibility.
Copy deadlines are the first Monday
of each month, four months prior to the
on sale date of an issue. Thus, the copy
deadline for the December issue is the
first Monday of September. Announce-
ments for North American and Pacific
conventi ons must be mai l ed to:
Conventi on Cal endar, DRAGON
Magazine, 201 Sheridan Springs Rd.,
Lake Geneva WI 53147, U.S.A.
Announcements for Europe must be
posted an additional month before the
deadline to: Convention Calendar,
DRAGON Magazine, TSR Limited, 120
Church End, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge
CB1 3LB, United Kingdom.
If a convention listing must be
changed because the convention has
been canceled, the dates have changed,
or incorrect information has been
printed, please contact us immediately.
Most questions or changes should be
directed to the magazine editors at TSR,
I nc. , ( 414) 248- 3625 ( U. S. A. ) .
Questions or changes concerning
European conventions should be direct-
ed to TSR Limited, (0223) 212517
(U.K.).
Crcmccnn 2
Fcb. 2-4, WI
Manchester East Hotel &
Suites, Glendale. Guests: Sue
Weinlein, Lawrence Wyatt-Evans,
C.H. Burnett, and Richard Russell.
Events: role-playing, card, board,
and mi ni atures games. Other
activities: dealers, an art show, a
masquerade bal l . and work-
shops. Registration: $30 on site,
si ngl e-day rates avai l abl e.
Cremecon 2, P.O. Box 37986,
Mi l waukee, WI 53237, or e-mai l :
cremecon@aol .com.
WIntcr War XXIII
Fcb. 2-4 IL
Chancel l or Hotel , Champai gn.
Events: role-playing, card, board,
and mi ni atures games. Other
activities: dealers, an auction,
and a mi ni atures pai nti ng con-
test. Registration: $6 preregis-
tered, $8 on site. Donald
McKi nney, 986 Pomona Dri ve,
Champaign, IL 61821.
CIubcnn V
Fcb. 3-4 OH
Ri chfi el d Hol i day Inn-
Holidome, Richfield. Events: role-
pl ayi ng, card, board, and mi ni a-
tures games. Other activities:
tournaments, workshops, and
films. Registration: $14.95. The
Club, P.O. Box 3575, Kent, OH
44240.
Magnum Opus Cnn--10A
Fcb. 15-18 CA
Adam s Mark Hotel , Charl otte.
Events: role-playing, card, board,
and mi ni atures games. Other
activities: dealers: panels, an
auction, etc. MOC-10A P.O. Box
6585, Athens GA 30604, or e-
mai l : moc@i x.netcom.com.
Prczcnn
Fcb. 15-18 VA
Best Western Mount Vernon
Hotel, Charlottesville. Events:
rol e-pl ayi ng, card, board, and
mi ni atures games. Other acti vi -
ti es: tournaments. Regi strati on:
$20 on site. Justin Thompson,
P.O. Box 4661, Charlottesville, VA
22905.
War '96
Fcb. 15-18 NC
Adam s Mark Hotel , Charl otte.
Events: rol e-pl ayi ng, card, board,
and mi ni atures games. Other
acti vi ti es: tournaments and
prizes. Registration: $25 for the
Con and $50 per game entered.
Nati onal Associ ati on for
Professional Gamers, P.O. Box
6585, Athens, GA 30604, or e-
mai l : moc@i x.netcom.com.
Dundracnn XX
Fcb. 16-19 CA
San Ramon Marri ott Hotel ,
San Ramon. Events: role-playing,
card, board, and mi ni atures
games. Other acti vi ti es: tourna-
ments, dealers, and a flea mar-
ket. Registration: $35 on site.
Dundracon, 1145 Talbot St.,
Al bany, CA 94706.
Orccnn 19
Fcb. 16-19 CA
LA Ai rport Wyndham Hotel ,
Los Angeles. Events: role-playing,
card, board, and mi ni atures
games. Other activities: a flea
market, deal ers, and an aucti on.
Registration: $30 on site.
O Australian convention
E Canadian convention
< European convention
* indicates a product produced by a com-
pany other than TSR. Inc. Most product
names are trademarks owned by the com-
panies publishing those products. The use
of the name of any product without men-
tion of its trademark status should not be
construed as a challenge to such status.
Strategicon, 333 N. San
Fernando Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
91502.
Tnta! CnnfusInn X '96
Fcb. 22-25 MA
Best Western Royal Plaza
Hotel , Marl boro. Events: rol e-
pl ayi ng, card, board, and mi ni a-
tures games. Other activities:
mi ni atures pai nti ng contest.
Regi strati on: $12/day on si te.
Total Confusion, P.O. Box 604,
North Oxford, MA 01537.
Jaxcnn '96
Fcb. 23-25 FL
Ramada Inn Conference
Center, Jacksonville. Events: role-
pl ayi ng, card, board, and mi ni a-
tures games. Other activities:
tournaments, deal ers, a pai nti ng
contest, and a flea market.
Regi strati on: $22/weekend, dai l y
rates available. Jaxcon, P.O. Box
14218, Jacksonville, FL 32238, or
emai l : j axcon@ aol .com.
Bashcnn '96
Fcb. 23-25 OH
Uni versi ty of Tol edo Student
Union, Toledo. Events: role-play-
i ng, card, board, and mi ni atures
games. Other activities: an art
show, fi l ms, and workshops.
Registration: $6 on site or
$2.50/day. UT-BASH, 2801 West
Bancroft St., Toledo, OH 43606.
HurrIcnn
Fcb. 23-25 FL
Ramada Inn, Panama Ci ty
Beach. Guests: Clive Barker,
Philip Jose Farmer, Brian
LeBlanc. Events: role-playing,
card, board, and mi ni atures
DRAGON Magazine does not publish phone numbers for conventions. Be cer-
Important:
tain that any address you send us is complete and correct.
To ensure that your convention listing makes it into our files, enclose a self-
addressed stamped postcard with your first convention notice; we will return the
card to show that it was received. You also might send a second notice one week
after mailing the first. Mail our listing as early as possible, and always keep us
informed of any changes. Please do not send convention notices by fax, as this
method has not proven reliable.
DRAGON #226 97
ganes. lher aclivilies: lourna-
nenls, charily auclion lo lenefil
lhe Red Cross Hurricane ReIief
Iund. Regislra-lion: $35,
Hurricon, 328 N. LgIin Ikvy., Il.
WaIlon Beach, IL 32547
Jnhncnn '6
Mar. 1-3 MD
}ohns Hopkins Universily,
card, loard, and ninialures
ganes. lher aclivilies: lourna-
nenls and inleraclive ganing.
Regislralion: $14 Can. Weslern
Caning Sociely, Roon 34O, UCC
Universily of Weslern nlario,
London nlario, Canada, N6A
3K7, or e-naiI: ganing
nuslang.uvo.ca.
BaIlinore. Lvenls: roIe-pIaying,
card, loard, and ninialures
ganes. lher aclivilies: seni-
nars, deaIers, an arl shov, and
auclion. Regislralion: $3O pre-
regislered, $4O on sile. }ohn
Hopkins Universily, }onCon, c/o
ffice of Sludenl Aclivilies, 122
Merrynan HII, 34OO CharIes Sl.,
BaIlinore, MD 21218.
Cnastcnn XIX
Mar. 22-24
Mississippi CuIf Coasl
M5
Cnn nf thc Nnrth
Mar. 8-10 MN
Landnark Cenler, Sl. IauI.
Lvenls: roIe-pIaying, card, loard,
and ninialures ganes. lher
aclivilies: lournanenls. Regislra-
lion: $15. Con of lhe Norlh, I..
Box 18O96, MinneapoIis, MN
55418.
CoIiseun & Convenlion Cenler,
Wesl Beach BIvd., BiIoxi. Cuesls:
LIizalelh Moon, Tin Beach,
MichaeI SlackpoIe, and Ton
Dupre. Lvenls: roIe-pIaying, card,
loard, and ninialures ganes.
lher aclivilies: lournanenls,
deaIers, coslune conlesl, arl
shov, auclion, and laIenl shov.
Regislralion: $25 lefore 3/I/96,
$3O lhereafler. Coaslcon XIX,
I.. Box 1423, BiIoxi, MS 39533,
or e-naiI: coaslconaoI.con.
Cnscnn '96
Mar. 22-24 PA
Days Inn Conference Cenler,
Katsucnn Twn
Mar. 8-10 VA
HoIiday Inn Lxeculive Cenler,
Virginia Beach. Devoled lo aninc
and nanga. SpeciaI guesls: Sleve
Bennell, }ohn ll, Bruce Levis,
Tin LIdred, MichaeI Ling, and
Richard Kin. Regislralion: $35
preregislered, $4O on sile. Kalsu
Iroduclions, I.. Box 11582,
BIackslurg, VA 24O6O, or e-naiI:
kalsuconvlserf.cc.vl.edu.
BulIer. Lvenls: roIe-pIaying, card,
loard, and ninialures ganes.
lher aclivilies: lournanenls,
deaIers, and an auclion. Regis-
lralion: $15 lefore 3/I/96, $2O
lhereafler. CircIe of Svords, I..
Box 2126, BulIer, IA 16OO3.
NcnvcntInn XV
Mar. 22-24 OH
Cardner Sludenl Cenler al lhe
CCC Gamc AutInn
Mar. 9 CT
Conforl Inn of Darien,
Darien. CCC, I.. Box 4O3,
IairfieId, CT O643O.
Universily of Akron, Akron.
Lvenls: roIe-pIaying, card, loard,
and ninialures ganes. Regislra-
lion: $15/veekend or $6/day.
Universily Caning Sociely,
Cardner Sludenl Cenler #6,
Universily of Akron, Akron, H
44325.
Nnva 21
Mar. 16-17 MI
akIand Cenler on lhe
akIand Universily Canpus,
Rochesler. Lvenls: roIe-pIaying,
card, loard, and ninialures
ganes. lher aclivilies: lourna-
nenls, anine, and deaIers.
Regislra-lion: $8 preregislered,
$1O on sile. rder of Leilovilz,
akIand Universily, 49 akIand
Cenler, Rochesler, MI 483O9, or
e-naiI: jjpulnanoakIand.edu.
MIdsnuthcnn 15
Mar. 22-24 TN
Brovnslone HoleI, Menphis.
Lvenls: roIe-pIaying, card, loard,
and ninialures ganes. lher
aclivilies: guesls, deaIers, and an
arl shov and auclion. Regislra-
lion: $25 lefore 3/I/96, $25
lhereafler. Midsoulhcon, I.. Box
11446, Menphis, TN 38111.
TcchnIcnn 13
Mar. 22-24 VA
Besl Weslern Red Lion Inn,
CnntamInatInn BIackslurg. Lvenls: roIe-pIaying,
Mar. 22-24 E card, loard, and ninialures
Raddison HoleI, London ganes. lher aclivilies: a dance,
nlario. Lvenls: roIe-pIaying, an arl shov and auclion, deaI-
ers, and fiIns. Regislralion: $2O.
Technicon 13, c/o VTSIIC, I..
Box 256, BaIckslurg, VA 24O63.
EgyptIan CampaIgn '96
Mar. 29-31 IL
Soulhern IIIinois Universilys
Sludenl Cenler, CarlondaIe.
Lvenls: roIe-pIaying, card, loard,
and ninialures ganes. lher
aclivilies: an auclion and a
painling conlesl. Regislralion:
$1O preregislered, $12 on sile.
Lgyplian Canpaign, c/o Slralegic
Canes Sociely, ffice of Sludenl
DeveIopnenl, 3rd. IIoor Sludenl
Cenler, CarlondaIe, IL 629O1, or
e-naiI: LCCanCon96.
Nnrman Cnnqucst VI II
Mar. 29-31 OK
DaIe HaII, The Universily of
kIahona Canpus, Nornan.
Lvenls: roIe-pIaying, card, loard,
and ninialures ganes. lher
aclivilies: lournanenls. Regislra-
lion: $9. Nornan Conquesl VIII,
215-A MU I.. Box 3O4, 9OO
Asp Avenue, Nornan, K 73O19.
5prIng OffcnsIvc VI
Mar. 29-31
IIIinois CenlraI CoIIege,
IL
Ieoria. Lvenls: roIe-pIaying, card,
loard, and ninialures ganes.
The Cane Roon, 1293 Ieoria
Sl., Washinglon, IL 61571.
East Cnast Hnbby 5hnw '96
Mar. 30-Apr. 1 PE
Il. Washinglon Lxpo Cenler,
IhiIadeIphia. Lasl Coasl Holly
Shov, 44OO N. IederaI Highvay,
Suile 21O, Boca Ralon, IL 33431.
Cnnqucst '96
Apr. 5-8 O
MeIlourne Universily High
SchooI, MeIlourne. Lvenls: roIe-
pIaying, card, loard, and ninia-
lures ganes. lher aclivilies:
denos and deaIers. Conquesl,
4O CIenIyon Rd., Brunsvick,
Vicloria 3O56, AuslraIia, or e-
naiI: puchearieI.ucs.unineIl.
edu.au.
Ocnntacnn
Apr. 12-14 NY
Morris ConpIex on lhe SUNY,
CoIIege al neonla, neonla.
Lvenls: roIe-pIaying, card, loard,
and ninialures ganes. lher
aclivilies: a nasquerade laII and
a dinner. Regislralion: $11/veek-
end, or $5/day. KeIIy Loucks, 47
Lasl Sl., Apl. #2, neonla, NY
1382O.
MadIsnn Gamcs Cnn
Apr. 20-21 WI
Dovnlovn Arls and Aclivilies
Cenler, Madison. Lvenls: roIe-
pIaying, card, loard, and ninia-
lures ganes. lher aclivilies: an
auclion and a RICA Nelvork
lournanenl. Regislralion: $8.
Iegasus Canes, 341 Slale Sl.,
Madison, WI 537O3.
O-Cnn '96
Apr. 21-23 NY
Morris Convenlion Cenler,
neonla. Lvenls: roIe-pIaying,
card, loard, and ninialures
ganes. lher aclivilies: vork-
shops, denos, conlesls, and
deaIers. Regislralion: $1O prereg-
islered, $12 on sile. Buran
Doyon, 5 VaIIeyviev Sl.,
neonla, NY 1382O, or e-naiI:
doyoir96snyoneva.cc.oneor-r-
la.edu.
Nnah Cnn '96
Apr. 27-28 OH
Aqua Marine Resorl, Avon
Lake. Lvenls: roIe-pIaying, card,
loard, and ninialures ganes.
lher aclivilies: lournanenls,
denos, a ninialures painling
conlesl, and an auclion. Regis-
lralion: $3/day. Malrix Canes &
Diversions, 5384 Lasl Lake
Road, SheffieId Lake, H 44O54.
98 ILBRUARY 1996
1 O O
ILBRUARY 1996
DRACN #226
1O1
1O2
ILBRUARY 1996
DRACN #226 1O5
1O6
ILBRUARY 1996
DRACN #226 1O7
1O8
ILBRUARY 1996
DRACN #226 1O9
1 1 O ILBRUARY 1996
DRACN #226
1 1 1
1 1 2 ILBRUARY 1996
DRACN #226 113
NW PROUCTS
IOR IBRUARY
The Sliver Key
An AD&D adventure
by Ted Zuvich
SPELLFIRE Runes & Ruins Booster
Pack, Set 8
A 8PELLFRE booster pack
by Kevin Melka
Your favorite characters from the orig-
inal AD&D game return in this new set.
Also included: classic places like the Tomb
of Horrors and the Keep on the
This mid-level adventure turns the
tables on PCs by making them the fugi-
tives in a land filled with angry orcs. This
32-page adventure can be used in any
campaign setting.
$7.95 U.S./$10.00 CAN./4.99 U.K.
TSR Product No.: 9508
ISBN: 0-7869-0366X
Borderlands. Each pack includes 12 ran-
domly collated cards.
$2.50 U.S./$3.50 CAN./1.99 U.K.
TSR Product No.: 1151
Warriors and Priests of the Realms
A FORGOTTEN REALM8 accessory
by John Terra
Now you can finally develop PCs that
are unique! This book introduces new
regional kits for Realmsian Warriors and
Priests. Included are special abilites and
role-playing notes, new proficiencies,
and a new subclass of each character
archetype to help make your PC a true
product of his home town.
$20.00 U.S./$26.00 CAN./11.99 U.K.
TSR Product No.: 9509
ISBN: 0-7869-3686
Forged of Darkness
A RAVENLOFT accessory
by William W. Connors
A collection of artifacts that the DM
can use in his RAVENLOFT campaign are
contained within this 64-page book. Each
artifact has a history and a curse associ-
ated with it, including the horror behind
Azalins personal collection of artifacts!
$12.00 U.S./$15.00 CAN./7.99 U.K.
TSR Product No.: 9510
ISBN: 0-7869-03694
ISBN: 0-7869-06073
The Wanderers Chronicle: Mind-
Lords of the Last Sea
A DARK 8UN accessory
by Matt Forbeck
The Last Sea is the greatest wonder
of Athas, and within its murky depths lie
the mysteries of the Psi-Lords. This
boxed set includes two booklets and a
poster-sized map.
$20.00 U.S./$26.00 CAN./11.99 U.K.
TSR Product No.: 2444
ISBN: 0-7869-03678
Greatheart
A BRTHRCHT novel
by Dixie McKeone
Sielwode has changed
little in the 500 years since
the cataclysm of Mount
Deismar. Elves lead a resis-
tance against humans
who destroy their pre-
cious forests and groves.
Now, a sacred burial
ground is threatened by
the humans and mon-
sters of the Shadow
World.
$5.99 U.S./$6.99
CAN./4.99 U.K.
TSR Product No.: 3113
ISBN: 0-7869-04801
115
Lscae fron Undernountaln
A FORGOTTEN REALM5 bnnk
by Mark Anthnny
Arlek lhe Knife nusl lraveI deeper
inlo lhe deadIy Ialryinlhs of Under-
nounlain lhan anyone lefore hin lo res-
cue a nissing nolIe. Celling in viII le lhe
nosl difficuIl lhing hes ever lried, lul
gelling oul is nexl lo inpossilIe!
$5.99 U5/$6.99 CAN./4.99 U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 8562
I5BN: 0-7869-04771
lnnorta| Gane
A FIR5T QUE5T bnnk
by Dnug!as NI!cs
The lhird voIune in lhe Quesl Triad
concIudes lhe slory of lhe farnloy
HoIlon. The knighl sels oul vilh his
friends lhe alsenl-ninded nage, lhe
sloul-hearled dvarf, and lhe laIking ovI
lo save lhe vorId fron disasler!
$3.99 U.5./$4.99 CAN./3.99 U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 8157
I5BN: 0-7869-0478X
NEW PRODUCTS
FOR MARCH
BLOOD WAR5 ExpansInn Pack #4:
Insurgcnts nf thc Inncr P!ancs
A BLOOD WAR5 cxpansInn
This nev expansion pack delaiIs lhe
povers of lhe Inner IIanes and opens a
nev, eIenenlaI door lo pIayers. This sel
incIudes a rare chase card.
$2.50 U.5./$3.00 CAN./1.99 U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 1137
I5BN: 0-7869-03651
The Rod of Seten Parts
An AD&D hardcnvcr nnvc!
by Dnug!as NI!cs
Kip KayIe, a haIfIing lhief, lecones
parl of a quesl lo reslore lhe Rod of
Seven Iarls and is dravn inlo a lallIe
lelveen Lav and Chaos lhal nay
deslroy aII vorIds!
$21.99 U.5./$27.99 CAN./12.50 U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 8040
I5BN: 0-7869-04798
The Book of Magecraff
A BIRTHRIGHT acccssnry
The secrels of lhe nyslerious vizards
of CerIiIia are delaiIed in lhis 128-page
lone for lhe BIRTHRIGHT canpaign. AIso
expIained are lhe nyslicaI Iey Iines lhal
granl vizards far-reaching povers.
$20.00 U.5./$26.00 CAN./11.99 U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 3117
I5BN: 0-7869-03732
Blnsada Donaln Sourcebook
A BIRTHRIGHT acccssnry
by A!!cn Varncy
Binsadas cavaIry is one of lhe finesl
knovn, lul lhey nusl fighl daiIy lo sur-
vive againsl lhe Aloninalions lhal pIol
againsl lhen. Be lhe one lo Iead lhe
Khinasi lo viclory!
$7.95 U.5./$!0.00 CAN./4.99 U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 3119
I5BN: 0-7869-03759
Suord of Roe|e
A BIRTHRIGHT advcnturc
by Wn!fgang Baur
Chinaeron is a donain of lrigands
and fugilives lrulaIized ly lhe Chinera.
Can your heroes survive nore lhan a
veek in lhis ravaged Iand, lesling lheir
Iinils againsl Chinaerons nonslrous
regenl` This advenlure is geared lovard
nid-IeveI characlers.
$12.95 U.5./$16.95 CAN./7.99 U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 3118
I5BN: 0-7869-03740
Sonethlng Wl|d
A PLANE5CAPE advcnturc
by Ray Va!!csc
Carceri is a prison pIane
for lhe eviI and insane, and
The BeaslIands are a Iush
unlaned viIderness. The
lvo have nolhing in con-
non unliI a sinisler secl
escapes Carceri and enlers
The BeaslIands. The resuIl is
sonelhing viId.
$12.95 U.5./$16.95
CAN./7.99 U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 2619
I5BN: 0-7869-03775
The Rise and Fall of a Dragon King
A DARK 57 nnvc!
by Lynn Abbcy
Follow the story of Hamanu, a sor-
ceror-king of Urik, as he struggles to pre-
vent his transformation into a dragon king.
$5.99 U.5./$6.99 CAN/4.99 U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 2442
I5BN: 0-7869-04763
Theros lronfeld
A DRAGONLANCE nnvc!
by Dnn PcrrIn
Discover Theros Ironfelds pre-War life
as a gladiator, soldier, and mercenary
among the minotarus.
$5.99 U.5./$6.99 CAN/4.99 U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 8375
I5BN: 0-7869-0481X
The Veiled Dragon
A FORGOTTEN REALM5 nnvc!
by Trny DcnnIng
The latest Harpers novel features the
return of Ruha the Bedine witch. What
Murder in Cormyr
A FORGOTTEN REALM5 hardcnvcr nnvc!
By Chct WI!!Iamsnn
When a messenger from King Azoun
turns up dead in a sleepy town, a retired
wizard and a young apprentice team up
to solve the crime.
$18.99 U.5./$23.99 CAN/10.99U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 8655
I5BN: 0-7869-04860
King of the Dead
A RAVENLOFT nnvc!
by Gcnc DcWccsc
Discover the horrific tale of the lich
Azalins former life and his descent into
the horrors of Ravenloft.
$5.99 U.5./$6.99 CAN/4.99
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 8071
I5BN: 0-7869-04836
Winged Magic
A T5R nnvc!
by Mary H. Hcrbcrt
Kelene and Gabrina are abducted by
someone who wants to conquer the
kingdom of Turic, and they must do
whatever they can to stop him!
$5.99 U.5./$6.99 CAN/4.99 U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 8253
I5BN: 0-7869-04844
T5R Annnunccs Ncw
Custnmcr 5crvIcc LIncs
TSR, Inc., proudly announces its new
Consumer Services and Store locator phone
lines. If you have a brief question about TSR's
products, call: 1 (414) 248-2902. To find the
store nearest you that carries TSR products,
call: 1 (800) 384-4TSR.
begins as a simple mission turns into
a deadly adventure that might cost
the Harper agent her life!
$5.99 U.5./$6.99 CAN/4.99 U.K.
T5R Prnduct Nn.: 8565
I5BN: 0-7869-04828
Unless otherwise noted:
designates registered trademarks owned
by TSR, Inc.
designates trademarks owned
by TSR, Inc.
1996 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved
DRAGON #226 117
C!ack
Ccn|inuc cn pagc 7
Zcb Cnnk rcturns
tn thc Outcr P!ancs
InlerpIay Iroduclions (Irvine, CA) has
hired David Zel Cook, crealor of lhe
ILANLSCAIL canpaign selling for TSRs
AD&D gane, as senior designer for lhe
conpanys Iicensed Iine of ILANLSCAIL
conpuler ganes. InlerpIay, pulIisher of
Dcsccn|, S|cnc|ccp, Cas||cs, and nany
olher conpuler ganes, has crealed an
inlernaI division of over 5O peopIe lo
pr oduc e ga ne s la s e d on TS R s
ILANLSCAIL and IRCTTLN RLALMS sel-
lings, as veII as a conpuler version of
lhe DRACN DICL gane.
Zel is repuled lo le oIder lhan dirl.
In his nany years as a slaff designer al
TSR, Cook vrole scores of producls and
severaI noveIs, and vas lhe naslernind
for lhe AD&D 2nd Ldilion projecl. The
PLANE5CAPE lox vas aInosl his Iasl vork
lefore he Iefl lhe conpany in earIy 1995
l o vo r k a l Ma g n e l i c S o f l va r e
(Washinglon, D.C.).
FA5A !Iccnscc gncs AWOL
IASA Corporalion (Chicago) has posl-
ed a reninder lhal AWL Iroduclions,
Missouri adninislralor of lhe KA-G| and
Mccn|crcc Ncr|n Ancrica fan cIuls, no
Ionger has righls lo lhe cIuls. IASA
puIIed lhe Iicense in March afler nuner-
ous conpIainls fron sulscrilers. Sone
oIder IASA producls conlain ads for
AWL Iroduclions, and checks senl lo
lhe conpany since March have leen
cashed. Hovever, no services have leen
provided, and lhe conpany has appar-
enlIy alandoned ils posl office lox, Ieav-
ing an oulslanding dell.
IASAs Louis Irosperi advises, If you
find lhal your check has leen cashed
and you have nol received services,
pIease conlacl lhe Missouri Consuner
Iroleclion office al (314) 751-3321. Leave
your nane and nunler, and lhey viII
send you a conpIainl forn. The nore
conpIainls lhey receive, lhe sooner
lheyII lake aclion.
IASA is nov handIing Mccn|crcc Ncr|n
Ancrica, lhe BallIelech* gane organiza-
l i on. Ior an appI i cal i on, vri l e l o
MechIorce NA, 11OO Wesl Cernak Suile
B3O5, Chicago, IL 6O6O8 (or e-naiI:
fasannaaoI.con).
Send news to Allen Varney at a.var-
ney1@genie.com.
IASA has Iicensed Svord of lhe Knighl
IulIicalions, pulIisher of lhe increasing-
Iy fine |ar|naun ]curna|, lo produce a
Shadovrun* gane nagazine caIIed
Snacu|an. Ior sulscriplion infornalion
vrile lo Snacu|an Magazinc, 282O
Sunsel Lane #116, Henderson, KY 4242O
(e-naiI: svrdknghlaoI.con).
Nntcs frnm arnund thc fIc!d
CDW (Chicago) has ceased pulIica-
lion of Cna||cngc nagazine. The pulIisher
of lhe TraveIIer* and TviIighl: 2OOO*
RICs has cIosed ils offices, reduced ils
fuII-line slaff lo lhree, and is concenlral-
ing on ils core producl Iines.
The In Nonine* RIC, announced ly
Sleve }ackson Canes (Auslin, TX) over
lvo years ago lul never pulIished, is
leing vhoIIy revrillen lo refIecl a nev
focus. S}C nanaging edilor Scoll Haring
nakes an anaIogy lo lhe fiIn lusiness:
Ils Iike a producer saying, 'I vanl lo
renake Gcnc li|n |nc lin, lul Iels sel il
in Irance, and nake ScarIell Hara lhe
advenlurous rogue, and lheyre aII dogs.
This isnl quile 'and lheyre aII dogs, jusl
a refocusing of exisling concepls. No
pulIicalion dale has leen sel.
GamIng cnmpany
c-maI! addrcsscs
Here are Inlernel addresses for sone
ganing conpanies. This Iisl conlinues in
fulure coIunns. An inlernalionaI Iisl of
roIe-pIaying conpany addresses is nain-
lained on lhe WorId Wide Wel al
vvv. cgs. vashinglon. edu/~surge/
ganing/conpanies.
At!as Gamcs: alIasio.con
Ava!nn HI!!: AHRICaoI.con
Chamc!cnn Ec!cctIc: ceelev.nel
ChansIum: chaosiunaoI.con
Dacda!us Gamcs: jgarciaio.org
FA5A: IASAMikeaoI.con
CDW: gdvganesaoI.con
Hcrn Gamcs: hero.ganesgenie.con
ICE: vaiceaoI.con
MayfaIr Gamcs: nayfairaoI.con
Mctrnpn!Is, Ltd.: seraphinio.con
R. Ta!snrIan: laIsorianaoI.con
5tcvc Jacksnn Gamcs:
sjganesio.con
T5R, Inc.: lsrincaoI.con
WIzards nf thc Cnast:
queslionsvizards.con
* indicates a product produced by a company
other than TSR, Inc.
DRACN #226 119
1996 AIIen Varney
5hakcnut at WIzards
nf thc Cnast
n Dec. 5, 1995, Wizards of lhe Coasl
(SeallIe, WA), pulIisher of lhe Magic: The
Calhering* lrading card gane, alruplIy
Iaid off 3O enpIoyees and canceIIed
nosl of ils producl Iines.
The conpany conlinues lo supporl
lhe Magic*, Vanpire*, and Nelrunner*
lrading card gane Iines and Tnc Duc|is|
nagazine. WolC viII keep seIIing lhe
Creal DaInuli* and RoloraIIy* ganes,
reprinling lhen if denand varranls, lul
viII nol produce nev expansions. WolC
canceIIed aII olher Iines, incIuding lhe
Ars Magica* roIe-pIaying gane (1O days
lefore ils fourlh edilion vas lo go lo lhe
prinler), lhe Lvervay*, IrinaI rder*, and
SLA Induslries* ganes, lhe projecled
Magic RIC, and lhe enlire look pulIish-
ing division. WolC relains ils evenls divi-
sion (in charge of lournanenls and con-
venlions) and Cusloner Service deparl-
nenl.
LnpIoyees Iaid off received lhree
days nolice and a nonlhs severance
pay. Aloul haIf a dozen of lhose Iaid off
vere expecled lo lake nev posilions
vilhin WolC, vorking on lhe surviving
producl Iines. Before lhe Iayoffs, lhe five-
year-oId conpany enpIoyed aloul 275
peopIe.
Sone canceIIed gane Iines nay le
soId or spun off inlo snaIIer conpanies.
Dave AIIsop, designer of lhe SLA
Induslries gane, vas Iaid off fron
WolCs Uniled Kingdon division, he viII
conlinue SLA under lhe relorn NighlfaII
Cane, SLAs previous pulIisher (vhich
WolC purchased in 1994). AlIas Canes
(NorlhfieId, MN) expressed inleresl in
acquiring lhe Ars Magica gane. AlIass
firsl producls vere Iicensed suppIenenls
for ArM vhen il vas pulIished ly While
WoIf Cane Sludio (AlIanla, CA).
Rccnrd carnIngs
The canceIIalions vere announced in
a press reIease lhal legan vilh a reporl
of record saIes and profils for 1995. By
concenlraling on ils Decknasler* ganes,
reIaled conpelilive evenls, inlernalionaI
expansion and nev opporlunilies in
eIeclronic and conpuler-lased ganing
in 1996, lhe conpany expecls lo conlin-
ue lo grov and nainlain ils posilion of
Ieadership in lhe induslry.
To do lhis effecliveIy, said WolC
founder and presidenl Ieler Adkison,
ve need lo focus our energy and
resources in lhe Decknasler Iine and
nev producl areas. In a foIIov-up Ieller
posled on lhe Inlernel, he said, ur
saIes are al an aII-line high. |The Magic
ganej is doing leller lhan ever. SaIes
and profils lhis year have doulIed over
Iasl year, and ve are expecling furlher
grovlh in lhe fulure. . . . UnforlunaleIy,
nol aII of our currenl Iines of lusiness are
as pronising.
I have cone lo lhe concIusion lhal if
anyone is going lo do sonelhing greal
and innovalive vilh RICs, ilII prolalIy
le soneone eIse. I lov fron lhe fieId. . . .
I do nol Iook al lhis as a disservice lo
RICs. I lhink ve vere doing a disservice
lo RICs ly nol giving lhen adequale
supporl. We sinpIy do nol seen lo le
alIe lo do a greal jol in lhe RIC lusi-
ness. We have never adniled lhis lefore,
lul ve have Iosl noney on every singIe
RIC producl veve pulIished.
As for look pulIishing, WhiIe veve
luiIl an exceIIenl lean for pulIishing
looks, ve lhink ve can leller supporl
our gane Iines ly vorking vilh najor
look pulIishing conpanies lhal focus
on lhis lusiness and undersland il leller
lhan ve do.
Adkison said WolC viII prolalIy
resune pulIishing lalIe ganes such as
lhe RoloraIIy gane in lhe fulure.
Rcasnns and rcactInns
The Iayoff appears lo le parl of a
slraighlforvard reslrucluring of lhe fasl-
groving conpany. There vasnl a vhiff
of desperalion aloul lhis nove, says
WoIfgang Baur, forner DRAGON Magazinc
edilor and Ieader of lhe canceIIed Magic
RIC projecl. Il vas nore Iike, 'Were
going lo do vhal vorks, and slop doing
vhal doesnl vork.
According lo sources vilhin lhe con-
pany, lhe decision lo canceI vas nade
Iess lhan 24 hours lefore lhe announce-
nenl.
WolC has nade nany unprofilalIe
expendilures: lhe purchase of NighlfaII
Canes, vhich pulIished lhree producls
in a year, a Thealre AIcheny group lhal
produced pronolionaI videolapes, lhe
Magic gane WorId Chanpionship in
Augusl, vhen WolC fIev conpelilors
fron 19 counlries lo SeallIe and covered
lhe proceedings on cIosed-circuil TV,
having 15O vorkers al lhe 1995 GENCON
Cane Iair in MiIvaukee, a $2 niIIion
renodeIing of a nev office luiIding,
huge conpany parlies, and so on. Iour
days lefore lhe Iayoffs, WolC announced
a Iro Tour series of five professionaI
Magic gane lournanenls, leginning in
Ielruary in Nev York Cily. The 256-pIay-
er Seniors lournanenl offers cash prizes
lolaI I i ng $3O, OOO, and a 128-pI ayer
}uniors nalch offers schoIarships of
equaI vaIue. WolC is fIying in lhe lop
eighl finishers fron lhe WorId Chanpion-
ships for lhe lournanenl.
WolC enpIoyees expressed shock al
lhe sudden Iayoffs. The reaclion of }anna
SiIverslein, head of lhe look deparl-
nenl, vas lypicaI: In deepIy disap-
poinled, sIighlIy leviIdered, and lrying
lo figure oul vhal lo do nexl. Ars
Magica Iine deveIoper Wade Racine said,
I vas loId lhey vere going lo supporl
ny Iine, and lhey did for a line. Then il
aI I cane crashi ng dovn on BI ack
Wednesday.
n l he Ir i da y f o I I o vi ng l he
announcenenl, enpIoyees galhered in
lhe Iandscaped courlyard of WolCs nev
luiIding lo hoId a fornaI vake, conpIele
vilh lagpipe, candIes, and expressions
of grief.
Ccn|inuc cn pagc 119
12O ILBRUARY 1996