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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3240 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 00:56:59
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Wizards is offering free downloads of 4E Quick Start Rules, the Character Builder Demo and the complete H1: Keep on the Shadowfell adventure.
Click Here
I know some would be interested in this, so I'm posting the link. It's ironic, even with my loving free PDFs, I am steadfastedly NOT downloading this on principle alone. 
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I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 01:55:58
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| not a bad tactic actually, gives everything a new person would need to get started with D&D 4E. yeah, I know, feel free to slam this [B) |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3286 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 02:28:23
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Cool. 
BRIMSTONE |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3240 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 02:31:52
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Ah, it's good that they are trying to get more people to try the game. I just have too much cynicism in me anymore regarding WotC to post anything without a note of sarcasm.  |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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Dark Wizard
Senior Scribe
USA
830 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 03:09:51
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Where was this a year ago when I introduced a set of friends to D&D!?
I got them on 3e but it could have been 4E, I was even willing to give it a try. Just too slow again WotC. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 04:52:29
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Yup.
Too little, too late.
And it appears they are getting desperate. They never needed these sort of come-ons to get people to try 3e.
House of cards, folks... house of cards <smirk> |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3240 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 05:33:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Yup.
Too little, too late.
And it appears they are getting desperate. They never needed these sort of come-ons to get people to try 3e.
House of cards, folks... house of cards <smirk>
Honestly, I was going to say the same thing, BUT I couldn't justify that (damn your hamster morals, wooly one!).
Honestly, 3E had the SRD, so they did give it away, right from the get go. Which is ironic, because that lent to more people getting into it than any 'Quick-start' rules will.
It's also very common for other companies to release the quick-start rules (Shadowrun, Battletech, Exalted, etc.). It's the fact that they waited almost a YEAR to do so. |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
Edited by - Ashe Ravenheart on 29 Apr 2009 05:33:53 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 07:27:02
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Here's the thing that I'm thinking... The 4E proponents will wax melodic about how easy it is to play, and how you can create a character in 5 minutes, and how there's little to no learning curve... So if all this is true, then why is there a need for quick-start rules?  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 14:33:14
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| How do I go about using the maps that go along with Keep on the Shadowfell? (I actually already ran through the adventure as a player) |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3286 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 14:46:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Here's the thing that I'm thinking... The 4E proponents will wax melodic about how easy it is to play, and how you can create a character in 5 minutes, and how there's little to no learning curve... So if all this is true, then why is there a need for quick-start rules?
The Adventure was released before the Core Rule Books.
BRIMSTONE |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 15:28:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Here's the thing that I'm thinking... The 4E proponents will wax melodic about how easy it is to play, and how you can create a character in 5 minutes, and how there's little to no learning curve... So if all this is true, then why is there a need for quick-start rules?
The Adventure was released before the Core Rule Books.
BRIMSTONE
That doesn't change the fact that we've got quick-start rules for a system that is supposedly so quick and easy that quick-start rules would be redundant. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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silverwizard
Seeker
Greece
76 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 16:16:33
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Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm not going to waste even a single Megabyte on 4E; I've got better uses for my storage.
This development is interesting because it could mean that 4E isn't going as strong as they assure us it does. On the other hand,it may be a "cheap" way to somehow vent part of the rage expressed by players with regard to the suspension of all PDF sales ("See? We absolutely don't hate PDFs, in fact we released a basic version of our game, and that's all you're gonna get so stop this incessant talk on 'oldah ee-dee-si-ons'"). |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 16:55:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
Honestly, 3E had the SRD... <snip>
Very true. I hadn't thought about that.
However, as you and others have said, this would have made more sense at the beginning... which is telling, in that they have only come to the conclusion that they need this now.
And this thread is also very telling - even if WotC tries to do something nice, most of us will go out of our way to find the 'evil' behind it.
Reputation is one of the hardest things to repair, and I think the damage is already too far gone. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 29 Apr 2009 16:56:25 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2009 : 17:06:03
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| I myself have done my best not to automatically assume everything WotC does is either motivated by evil or by poor sales... But to release quick-start rules this late in the game does look bad, to me. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2009 : 15:52:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I myself have done my best not to automatically assume everything WotC does is either motivated by evil or by poor sales... But to release quick-start rules this late in the game does look bad, to me.
The quick start rules are rather, uh, obsolete by now. That said, there might be people who want to try out the rules and get an idea of what to expect before spending the money on the core rulebooks. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3286 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2009 : 20:06:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I myself have done my best not to automatically assume everything WotC does is either motivated by evil or by poor sales... But to release quick-start rules this late in the game does look bad, to me.
The quick start rules are rather, uh, obsolete by now. That said, there might be people who want to try out the rules and get an idea of what to expect before spending the money on the core rulebooks.
Ding, ding, ding we have a winner!
Just joined the 700 Post Club. 
BRIMSTONE |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
Edited by - Brimstone on 30 Apr 2009 20:07:22 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2009 : 20:29:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I myself have done my best not to automatically assume everything WotC does is either motivated by evil or by poor sales... But to release quick-start rules this late in the game does look bad, to me.
The quick start rules are rather, uh, obsolete by now. That said, there might be people who want to try out the rules and get an idea of what to expect before spending the money on the core rulebooks.
I can understand that reasoning... But still, it doesn't make sense to wait so long before putting them out.
And I still have to wonder about the point, since 4E is supposedly so easy to pick up and you can supposedly create a character in mere minutes. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2009 : 20:33:45
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Yes, we have all figured that out already, Brimstone. In fact, its rather obvious.
It's the timing that weare taking into consideration ATM.
Why is the need suddenly felt to get more people interested in 4th edition now, rather then when it was first released?
Either sales haven't done as well as they let-on, or more likely, the sales have been dropping recently (which makes the most sense, after the initial 'Kewl shiney' phase wore off).
Since WotC's actions all appear to be 'reactive', rather then 'pro-active', anything done by them becomes suspect, unfortunately. It has been there running record thus-far to only make any sort of 'fan-placating' move in reaction to something on their end.
Its only natural that we speculate on what has prompted this at this time. Personally, I don't really see it as anything 'dastardly' - more likely sales for core 4e books have trickled off, and they are trying to re-generate interest with 4e Eberron not far off.
I've also already witnessed some disgruntlment on the Eb boards over at WotC (I like to 'spy' on the other camps.  ), over the Cosmology, and maybe they are just insuring that all the Eb-fans are onboard for 4e (and trying to prevent the split that occurred amongst the FR fanbase).
Nothing sinister... just... interesting.
Edit: Wooly beat me to a response. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 30 Apr 2009 20:35:01 |
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2009 : 20:50:36
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My main reaction as well is "why now?" I would have figured that they would have put out some free quick-play rules before launching 4e to create more interest in those of us not selected to playtest. After the big PDF "shelf-pulling," it could be seen as an effort to placate all those disgruntled customers who had plans to buy 1e, 2e, and 3e books in PDF format with something while at the same time trying to convert them to 4e. I don't know that this is what it is, but I have trouble not seeing the sinister in every move of WotC anymore.  It is really kind of sad considering that I was a steadfast and happy customer up until the announcement of 4e. |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2009 : 04:29:03
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| Yes... put me in Ashe's camp. I'm just too jaded about WotC to ever consider posting something even remotely not sarcastic about them at this point. |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2009 : 14:49:09
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| Did you folks see the announcement about Ed's new monthly DDI column, which will apparently be in addition to the new monthly 4E Realms articles? |
My Realms novel, Sandstorm, is now available for ordering. |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3286 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2009 : 15:29:45
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Link?
BRIMSTONE |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2009 : 16:05:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
Link?
Oh sure, sorry. Try this. |
My Realms novel, Sandstorm, is now available for ordering. |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3286 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2009 : 21:57:00
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Very interesting. No wonder why I couldn't find that info. Was looking on the MAIN D&D page and not the Forums.
Thank you CR. 
BRIMSTONE |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2009 : 23:36:16
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At WotC, nothing is ever where you'd expect it to be.
Thats one of there biggest problems - lack of organization.
Anyhow, I'm wondering if they'll keep Ed in his corner (Returned Abeir), or allow him to design for Faerūn again (and NOT Waterdeep...I really have very little interest in that city).
I want some good, old-fashioned Volo-style articles about the people and places of the realms, from a real 'insiders' view. Maybe feature Volo's grandaughter for them as narrator, just to change it up a bit (Volona?). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2009 : 17:31:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Christopher_Rowe
Did you folks see the announcement about Ed's new monthly DDI column, which will apparently be in addition to the new monthly 4E Realms articles?
Not I. Thanks for mentioning it. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Free PDF on WotC
