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Topic: The One Word Game
Subject: Sweet...
Sugar
Posted on 2009-12-12 at 19:36:03.
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Topic: Tome of Magic
Subject: Shadow Magic is cool
Personally I like the idea of the shadow caster. The prestige classes in that section of ToM are pretty cool too (I like the Sadowblade in particular). I haven't played that much with them as of yet, but I am currently ina campaign with a shadowcaster so we'll see how it goes.
The binder class I'm not sure of. It seems like it could be cool, but I haven't read too much into it honestly. I bought the book for the Shadow stuff.
Posted on 2009-12-12 at 19:34:41.
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Topic: Looking for a D&D game
Subject: Look under Core Rules
I'm about to start a game using 3.5E. Check out the Core Rules post. It's in the recruitment threads as well. Let me know ASAP if you want to join. I have to have all of the characters by the end of tonight.
Just a possibility for you. 
Posted on 2009-12-11 at 21:06:14.
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Topic: Tome of Battle
Subject: There is a difference
Spellcasters are limited to the number of spells they can cast per day. The martial classes are not. They can use their abilities infinitely. Even if there is only 5 minutes between encounters it is technically a new encounter so they are totally refreshed.
Also, fighters can use their feats constantly, however, there are few feats that will do 4d6 fire damage when a target hits you as one of the counters in the desert wind style does. Particularly at 1st level. Sneak attacks can be used constantly, but only in a very limited number of situations, and they don't have a constant effect like the stances do, and by the time you can do 4d6 with a sneak attack you have swordsage abilities that can do almost twice that, and without the limit to what circumstance they can be used in.
Don't get me wrong I love the classes and the ability concepts. I've even tried adapting it to a monk class. However, it still tends to dominate the game because of how frequently they can use generally powerful abilities.
I can't speak intelligently about warlocks as I never really looked at them. So me comparing these two would be an exercise in ignorance.
One other thing, I don't like the concept of having to "optimize" a character. I play a character for the story. Yes I keep track of the mechanics and such, but I shouldn't have to nickle and dime every little bonus (even if it has nothing to do with my actual concept or personality for the character) solely to stay on par with the swordsage of the group.
Posted on 2009-12-09 at 06:15:47.
Edited on 2009-12-09 at 06:19:33 by Steelight
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Topic: Tome of Battle
Subject: Definitely Broken
I had a sword sage attempt to play in a campaign with normal characters. Because of how they regain access to their maneuvers and such, they incredibly overshadowed the rest of the characters. Obviously, to maintain balance in the game and not have my other players killing the Swordsage I had to diplomatically remove her from the game. The player rolled up another character and life went on. The abilities they get, and the number of times they have access to them is incredibly unbalanced when compared to the core classes or even those in the Complete series of books despite how cool their abilities are (or maybe because of it). If I were running a campaign where each player were at that level, perhaps giving the core classes an extra level or so to balance out the abilities, then I likely wouldn't have any issues, but I can't say for sure.
Posted on 2009-12-08 at 19:32:41.
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Topic: In a WORLD...
Subject: I'm still hoping for success
I've spent years working on the world the has become the Realms of Twilight setting. It's a world whose sun was eclipsed long ago by a fey race desperately attempting to cleanse their beloved world from the infestation of humans, dwarves and the like. The fey race as long since faded into history but the eclipse remains. Now only the light of the three moons illuminate the surface of the world.
Lots of history and legends, a few new races and prestige classes and other mechanics stuff. I like it and those who have played in it thus far have liked it. I can only hope that it is good/interesting enough to succeed on a larger scale once I publish it.
By the way, I've done the split adventuring groups (good and evil) before. It's an awesome time if you can keep everyone's actions, motivations and plots straight (which can be an incredible chore sometimes). I for one would be more than willing to play in such a campaign. I claim the evil group!
Posted on 2009-12-07 at 05:16:16.
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Topic: Realms of Twilight Intro Legend
Subject: Anyone else?
Does anyone else have an opinion? I'm curious to know what more people think. Does it actually create an interest in the campaign setting that the legend/history takes place or are there aspects missing that I should work on? Any feedback would be appreciated.
Posted on 2009-12-06 at 11:38:49.
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Topic: Realms of Twilight Recruiting
Subject: Trying to set up a game in the Inn
I'm trying to set up a playtest session in the Inn, but I'm not sure how to go about doing it. If anyone is interested let me know. It is a d20 system based in D&D 3.5E rules. Again, if anyone is interested either PM me or post to let me know. I am new at this so you'll have to cut me some slack with running an online game.
Thanks.
Posted on 2009-12-03 at 01:03:18.
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Topic: Greetings to all!
Subject: Anyone interested?
For anyone interested at all in the Realms of Twilight Campaign Setting I'm working on, please let me know. I'm putting together an email list for those who want me to let them know as I release products under my Silver Crescent Publishing label. PM me with your email addy if you want your name added to the list. I'm also still looking for playtesters if anyone out there is interested.
Posted on 2009-12-02 at 21:16:58.
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Topic: HI!
Subject: I would feel left out...
if I didn't add my humble welcome to a newcomer. Not that I am all that experienced in the ways of the inn myself having only found my way here a week or so ago. Take a look around. Enjoy yourself. I'll be over here sitting in the corner watching the other patrons over a glass of fine wine if you need anything.
Posted on 2009-11-24 at 14:33:24.
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Topic: Greetings to all!
Subject: Play testing via my own website
While I would love to playtest my world via the Red Dragon Inn, I have no idea how to go about doing it. However, for those of you with a gaming group already that may be interested, there is a link on my website that leads to a play test application. Normally when the form is submitted it only takes me 24 hours or so to get in touch with you to get a better feel for which part of the world you'd like to play in. However, right now I don't have access to my email through my website as I am out of town for Thanksgiving. I'll be back home a week from today to set everything up for any gaming groups that are interested and submit applications. By the way, anyone who play tests the Realms of Twilight campaign setting and provides adequate and useful feedback on my own forum is eligible for a 10% discount for the final book (due out in the spring).
Thanks in advance for anyone willing to play test.
Also feel free to check out the Realms of Twilight intro legend int he creative section of the Inn's forum for a look at a bit of history of my world. I'd love to hear what people think.
Posted on 2009-11-23 at 23:10:02.
Edited on 2009-11-23 at 23:11:05 by Steelight
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Topic: Anyone care to help with a design?
Subject: I could help
I will also try to be of assistance. PM me and we'll talk.
Posted on 2009-11-23 at 15:39:05.
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Topic: Greetings to all!
Subject: Perhaps...
You're right it may. However, I haven't the slightest clue how to run a game via a forum in all honesty. I do have a playtesting application on my website for groups who want to run their own (via forum posts or table top). Or if someone wants to take the time to explain to me how to do it I can do the best I can via the forum...
Posted on 2009-11-21 at 03:27:05.
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Topic: Anyone care to help with a design?
Subject: You're completely right
Ayrn, you make a good point. The ecology of the area would be irreversibly impacted. I'm sure we can come up with some way to explain it however.
Perhaps it isn't all of the fish that die. If you used my example, perhaps it is only the fish that stray too close to the gate during that particular part of the lunar cycle. The vast majority of fish would be unaffected, yet the dead ones would still be caught in nets and washing up on shore for a week or so afterward. That would work a little better I think and be more likely to allow the town to continue to survive off of the water (which seems to be the intent).
Posted on 2009-11-20 at 11:14:16.
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Topic: Greetings to all!
Subject: Thanks
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I can only hope that enough people share that opinion to let me break even (at least) on my investment in the campaign setting book itself.
Posted on 2009-11-20 at 06:09:46.
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Topic: Realms of Twilight Intro Legend
Subject: Want more?
Well,if you liked this, it is only a sample. The campaign setting book itself will be released late spring of next year. Until then feel free to look at the website (www.realmsoftwilight.net) and let me know what you think. I'm also looking for playtesters(apply on the site) so if you want a bit more of a sneak peek feel free to apply.
Posted on 2009-11-20 at 06:08:24.
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Topic: Greetings to all!
Subject: Agreed
Indeed we are all a bit... off. At least it keeps things interesting.
Posted on 2009-11-20 at 05:44:59.
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Topic: Realms of Twilight Intro Legend
Subject: Realms of Twilight Intro Legend
This is one of the many legends I have written for the campaign setting I am working on publishing. It's also on my website (www.realmsoftwilight.net). Let me know what you think!
Long ago, beyond the memories of men, dwarves or even the centuries old elves, this world was lush and green. Mortals did not exist and the Gods lived on the very ground which we now reside. They played with the mountains, sang with the wind, and bathed in the light of the True Sun which no longer graces our skies. But the land was not enough for them; it was only a matter of time before boredom drove them to create lesser beings to amuse them. It was in the Age of Light that the first men walked the earth. They spread like vermin over the land, consuming everything they came into contact with, from the forests, to the mountains to the land itself. They amused the Gods for a short time, but in the end they were found wanting. Dwarves came next, a vast improvement over the crudity and greed of humans. The Gods bestowed upon the sturdy race great endurance, determination and an innate love for minerals and gems. For the next few centuries the gods looked down upon the dwarves with amusement. They were impressed by the quality of the crafts created by the dwarves and the dedication to their work and each other that they possessed. But the first of the dwarves was dying of age, growing weaker year by year. This simply would not do. In a final attempt to create a mortal race worthy of the attention of the Gods, they created a race that would stand the test of time, the elves.
Centuries passed and the elves showed no sign of age. They took to the woodlands and carved great cities from the tree tops. Some followed the path of the dwarves to the world below and became great and ruthless hunters. In their lifetimes they were able to create wondrous things and weave magic with a skill surpassed only by the Gods themselves. They were a fickle race however. Very few elves could focus their energies on a single task or line of learning for more than a few decades. Thus even with their great power as a race, they could not begin to approach their true potential.
In their frustration all but two of the ancient gods gave up on their attempts at creation and satisfied themselves with the worship and adoration of those already in existence. A pair of the most powerful deities ever to reside in the heavens was not satisfied. Tilantus the god of darkness and metals and Beralyn the goddess of color and light combined their great powers in one final attempt to create a race of beings in their own image, that mirrored their own perfection. They molded the elements themselves into great forms given life by their divine spark. They had finally succeeded in their quest. They had created the beings that would rule the world for centuries to come. They had created the dragons.
These beings took on a variety of different forms and colors, each a blend of their makers. The chromatic dragons were blessed with the bright colors of the rainbow, but took on their father’s dark temperament. The metallic dragons shone of the purest veins of gold, silver, and copper but were endowed with the relatively positive philosophies of their mother.
It didn’t take long for the dragons, in their magnificent power, to conquer and rule every pocket of civilization across Relistan. Some conquered by force, others ruled from behind the scenes as the advisors to great kings. The dragons fought each other along the way, in their quest for power and glory; battling over ethics and beliefs or even simple greed. The mortals began to worship these great beings in place of the True Gods; waging war for them, killing in their name, and offering sacrifices to the great beasts. The Gods grew jealous, but Tilantus and Beralyn still watched over and guarded their creations as parents would protect a child.
It was at this time that the oldest of the wyrms, both metallic and chromatic, were given a glimpse of the future. They foresaw their own doom. The details of the vision were vague but the end was clear. The entirety of the great and powerful race would be wiped from the earth. It would all begin when the True Sun faded from the sky forever.
Dragons are powerful, intelligent creatures, but vanity and pride drove them to ignore the warning. Over the passing decades, a blink of an eye in the life of an almost immortal dragon, the fear faded and they grew complacent. Few noticed when a threat began to grow across the land. The Sai-Heth, a race of fey creatures, could no longer stand the concept of sharing their world. They performed a great ritual which blocked out the sun for all eternity, leaving only darkness and the light of the three moons behind.
The mortal priests foretold of a great doom, but only the ancient dragons knew the truth. They thought they could survive this as they had survived so many natural disasters over the centuries. But there was nothing natural about this; the Gods would have their vengeance.
As the dark orb slowly eclipsed the sun the powers of Beralyn waned and the protective aura she granted to the greatest of her creations faded. It was then that the jealous Gods struck. A great plague ravaged the draconic race and anyone who shared blood with their kind.
It is said that Wyrmrot, as the divine plague came to be called, first stole the strength of those it infected, rendering them incapable of all but the smallest tasks. The power of flight was stolen from the dragons as their muscles and scales slowly and painfully decayed away, leaving only infected flesh and bone behind. Next it attacked their keen senses, preventing them from seeing their great hordes of treasure or hearing the approach of a thief or enemy. Lastly it corrupted the very elemental forces from which the dragons were created. Reds and golds burst into flaming magma, blues were consumed by magnificent bursts of electrical energy; whites and silvers froze to death from the inside out. Hundreds of dragons and their kin around the world were utterly destroyed by Wyrmrot. Only the oldest and the strongest survived the great plague, but they knew that the gods would not suffer their existence for much longer.
The chromatics and metallics joined forces for the first time in their races ancient memory in an attempt to ensure their own survival. They pooled all of their vast knowledge, wisdom and experience and placed it within a single, flawless onyx the size of a large man’s head. Slowly the gods came for them. One by one they fell. When each dragon died, their very essence and power was absorbed by the gem, now known as the Dragon’s Eye.
When only three remained they came together one final time. Red, black and gold were all that had survived. They knew the Gods’ forces were coming for them, but they were unwilling to let their kind and their dynasty vanish into the sands of time. As the power of the Gods pounded on their door they chose one to become the eternal guardian of the Dragon’s Eye so that their kind may one day return to these lands. The last three dragons sacrificed their lives to their father Tilantus, god of darkness, and in return the greatest of the three, a gold dragon by the name of Zelinasharinias was born again, empowered by the spirits of the other dragons, in the form of a mighty dracolich.
The jealous gods were satisfied, having taken the life of every dragon and dragon-spawn in the world, so their forces returned from whence they came. The dracolich would remain in hiding, protecting the Dragon’s Eye for thousands of years.
But time has a way of causing complacency in even the most stalwart guardians. On a day like any other a lone figure, masked by a power previously unknown in all of the combined lifetimes of the dragons entered the home of the Guardian and stole the Dragon’s Eye. The great dracolich was furious at the intrusion. The mountains of the Demon’s Spine erupted with the fire of his rage. Instantly he turned his great will and magic to the task of determining its whereabouts. It wasn’t long before he discovered the thief fleeing back to the south, but he also saw something more, a glimpse of the future. He chose to let the mortal keep the Eye. Zelinash stood to gain much more by what lay in store.
The thief, Kelish by name, was a resident of the ancient city that is now the capital of the Illurian Empire. The home of the Mystacan race. There he took the stone with all of its power and wisdom. He gave it as a gift to the Keepers of the Light, a sacred order charged with maintaining the mystical sun that rose and fell around the city. They placed it at the core of their temple, where it became an integral part of every sacred ceremony the Mystacan clergy would perform for the next few centuries. It began to absorb their faith, their knowledge, their wisdom, and its power grew.
About three hundred years after the Eye was stolen the magical energies of the world began to become unstable. Mages lost control of their powers and the fabric of reality was torn asunder, spawning unstable gateways to hundreds of different worlds. Forces beyond those of the mortal world came through those gates and began to battle for control of the portals, for their own use.
Demons, angels and mortals clashed across the world in fierce battles over land and sea. Thousands died every day, but there always seemed to be more to replenish the ranks. Blood fell like rain over dying fields as winged monsters battled across the skies.
Through all of this the Mystaca were left alone. There were no portals on their lands, and thus no reason for the other-planar forces to disturb them. Many believe it was the Dragon’s Eye that kept them safe. As the wars raged outside their doors their curiosity drove them to create a controllable portal. Their first attempt was through the use of intricately carved stones which opened a temporary path to a single defined location via a travel realm. Initially this design was flawless, so they moved on to more complex devices. As the years passed and mortals slowly began to fade from this world, being slaughtered for protecting the only homes they had ever known, the stones began to fail. The path became longer and the power that warded against the creatures that resided within the travel realm faded. Eventually the wards failed altogether, and a flood of undead shadows poured through the gateway into the city. They sucked the life from anything they touched. One, the strongest of them all, was drawn to the mystacan temple. He followed the powerful call of the Eye to its source, and absorbed the stone into his incorporeal form. Instantly the power and wisdom of the ancient dragons filled his mind and granted him sentience. Carius was born.
He used his newfound powers to organize the shadows and systematically slaughter every living thing in the city. When only a few remained they desperately attempted a ritual that would shatter the Eye and destroy Carius forever, along with the thousands of shadows that the mystaca believed were linked to the Eye somehow. They pulled upon the very life of the land beyond their city, draining it of all of its natural power. Flowers wilted, trees died and decayed in an instant, and the small ponds that the surrounding villages depended upon for their source of water dried up. But even with the tremendous power that they channeled in the ritual, their plan met with catastrophic failure. The Eye was shattered as they had planned, but its shards found new hosts, embedding themselves in hundreds of nearby shadows and thus spawning the Umbral race. The slaughter of the few remaining mystaca followed shortly thereafter, leaving the city empty.
The umbrals were not the only thing spawned by the destruction of the Dragon’s Eye. The enormous amount of draconic energy released by the gem spread throughout the world, recreating the race that the Gods themselves had fought to destroy. The vast majority of that energy traveled to the one remaining source of draconic power on the planet, Zelinash. His power grew to titanic proportions. He became a deity in and of himself. Even the ancient Gods, who had condemned his race to death, would no longer challenge him.
With all of his power and wisdom he looked out upon the world to see the mortals that had faithfully served and worshipped his kind being destroyed on all corners of the planet. In one burst of omnipotent rage and deific power he forced the demons and the angels back to their home worlds, banishing them back to whence they came. He used his power to stabilize the magical energies of the world and close the portals that had brought only catastrophe.
The use of his newfound powers was too much. His mind was not yet prepared for the great stresses of such titanic energies. His mind split and he was driven into insanity. The destruction he caused in those few hours after the doorways were sealed was greater than the combined years of the Gate Wars. Cities were demolished, mountains tumbled to dust, the seas boiled with his unending rage. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the being now known as the Twilight Dragon was gone, leaving behind scarred lands, and tens of thousands dead. The world was silent as if afraid to breathe for fear of invoking his rage again.
Days passed, then weeks with no sign of his return, or that of the demons. The mortal races of the world, though only a fraction of them remained, slowly began to rebuild. The dragons grew as the years passed, though even now they are hesitant to play too great a part in the world. The Gods have long memories, and no one is sure if they still carry their old grudge, or even if the old Gods still exist here. And so time went on much as it does now, with people trying to scratch out a living in the savage world that remains. Centuries have passed, now, and civilization is only now beginning to find its place in our world once again.
- Wystan Dragonhand
High Priest of the Temple of Twilight
Posted on 2009-11-20 at 03:07:32.
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Topic: Greetings to all!
Subject: I'll do what I can
Though you'll have to let me know if there is anything specific. I can only hope that my humble (or not so humble) endeavors work out. As I said, I'd love to hear people's opinions about my work thus far, and my first eBook is going to be released in December. It's about how to take a legend (using an example legend I wrote) and breaking it down and adapting into an entire campaign. I have 3 more similar eBooks (basically different legends and examples) scheduled over the next 6 months on top of the campaign setting book. My problem right now is getting the word out about my work. Hopefully the community here can help with that. 
Thanks, by the way, for the warm, albeit slightly odd, welcome.
By the way, might I have some spiced wine for the evening bartender? Perhaps it will awaken my muse.
Posted on 2009-11-20 at 02:57:40.
Edited on 2009-11-20 at 06:12:01 by Steelight
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Topic: What is your Favorite Character Class and Why?
Subject: Rogues & Wizards
I have two favorite classes.
1st) The rogue. I tend to like rogues that stick to using solely daggers. In a campaign I'm playing in now I have a rogue born as the 5th son of a noble house. He picked up his skills by slumming and hanging out in the more seedy areas of town with his brother. He is deadly with daggers but refuses to use anything else. Something about the tendency to be underestimated as combatants and relying on skill and cleverness rather than brute force draws me to them.
2nd) Wizard. Wizards can be incredible power houses, even without relying on evocation spells. My favorite wizard was an illusionist. He couldn't use evocation but relied heavily on illusion and enchantment. The concept that the truth doesn't matter, it only matters what people believe is real saved him more than once. And it was always fun to confuse the DM with clever illusions and misdirection even without the use of spells.
Posted on 2009-11-20 at 01:44:00.
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Topic: Anyone care to help with a design?
Subject: One possibility
I help with what I can. The ghost ship concept makes it difficult to come up with something original but here it goes:
Perhaps the ghost ship is truly simply a mirage created by a focus of negative energy. Not necessarily the undead type. If there was, perhaps, some sort of energy leak through from the negative material plane beneath the water or hidden in the waterbreak of the bay, that might explain it. The ship itself may be the physical (or illusory) manifestation of that image. You could say that the flow of energy from the other plane changes with lunar cycles, explaining why it only shows up periodically, and why the fish are not always found dead and rotting.
This ship itself may once have been a real ship that fought a battle to force the portal shut. (introducing a chance for a good tavern tale or legend of the area) The portal was shut but over the centuries has begun to re-open. If some brave adventurers don't manage to find it and find a wayto reseal it eventually undead could be crawling on the shores of the bay terrorizing everyone.
Just a thought.
Posted on 2009-11-20 at 01:37:29.
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Topic: Greetings to all!
Subject: Greetings to all!
Introduce myself huh? Well, I've been playing D&D since I was 4 (24 years thus far) and have enjoyed it pretty much the whole time. I faver 3.5E over 4E (by far!) and am starting to learn a bit about Pathfinder as well. Most importantly though, I am a writer and owner of Silver Crescent Publishing. I've been working on a new campaign setting called Realms of Twilight for several years and finally made the leap to pull it all together from the dozen or so binders of stuff into a comprehensive campaign setting. It's not done yet, but I hope to have it finished and published by late Spring of next year. Which me luck! For any who want to check it out go to www.realmsoftwilight.net. I welcome any feedback on the site or the concept. If possible please post it on the site forum or email me directly ([email protected]). I am very new to the publishing world so I'd love to hear any suggestions, tips or anything that people have to offer.
Thanks and Good Gaming to all.
Posted on 2009-11-20 at 01:30:42.
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