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 'Races of Stone' - The Sage will take questions...
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31701 Posts

Posted - 24 Aug 2004 :  04:34:56  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote  Delete Topic
Since I believe Races of Stone will have an enormous possibility for application in a setting such as FR, I've included this scroll in the FR RPG Products section.

My copy arrived late yesterday, and I can't seem to locate any other scroll dedicated to questions about this tome here, so I've decided to make the effort.

Let's hear from you...

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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)

"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage

Edited by - Alaundo on 24 Aug 2004 09:29:10

Lord Rad
Great Reader

United Kingdom
2080 Posts

Posted - 24 Aug 2004 :  09:03:37  Show Profile  Visit Lord Rad's Homepage Send Lord Rad a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Well im quite impressed with the tome so far, ive yet to get into it in some depth but will post back here once ive given it some quality time. Initially, I was pleasantly surprised at the tomes usefulness.

The only downsides to these set of products are that there arent enough races covered, and the inclusion of a completely new race is unnecessary. Id have liked to have seen sections for Duergar, Svirfneblin and other such races in this tome for it to be the definative guide.

Im quite excited about Races of the Wild, as elves are more closer to my heart than dwarves etc.

Overall, I think these tomes are certainly worth picking up and are by no means any replacement for Races of Faerun, they offer completely different useful material.

Lord Rad

"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"

Edited by - Lord Rad on 24 Aug 2004 09:04:13
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31701 Posts

Posted - 24 Aug 2004 :  10:20:09  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
The only downsides to these set of products are that there arent enough races covered, and the inclusion of a completely new race is unnecessary.
Actually, that was one of the aspects of the tome's content that I was the most pleased with. I'm glad to see each race finally getting the attention it deserves. While the inclusion of more "earthy" races would have been nice, it would have left less room for the authors to concentrate on the PHB races.

quote:
...and the inclusion of a completely new race is unnecessary.
I'm reserving my complete judgment on the goliaths until I have an opportunity to run them through a few campaigns. I'll admit though, that the appeal of this race as a whole, is growing on me...

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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)

"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage
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hammer of Moradin
Senior Scribe

USA
758 Posts

Posted - 28 Aug 2004 :  20:29:54  Show Profile  Visit hammer of Moradin's Homepage Send hammer of Moradin a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Of all of the items added in this book, the inclusion of magic forges and Rune Circles intrigues me the most. Many old goblin and orc lairs were once dwarven strongholds, and to have the characters discover an old rune circle to turn the tide of a battle or encounter is something I may just have to try.
Plus, the new deities included add a little variety to the normal pantheons.

"Hurling himself upon his enemies, he terrified them with slaughter!"

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Bahgtru
Acolyte

29 Posts

Posted - 02 Sep 2004 :  18:19:38  Show Profile  Visit Bahgtru's Homepage Send Bahgtru a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Should the new major player race introduced in Races of Stone make its way into the realms? I wondered what it would be like to have a new major race but I am impressed with the Goliaths and hope they end up in one of the realms mountain ranges.
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Lysander
Learned Scribe

USA
183 Posts

Posted - 02 Sep 2004 :  18:21:22  Show Profile  Visit Lysander's Homepage Send Lysander a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage

quote:
...and the inclusion of a completely new race is unnecessary.
I'm reserving my complete judgment on the goliaths until I have an opportunity to run them through a few campaigns. I'll admit though, that the appeal of this race as a whole, is growing on me...


I have yet to lay hands on this tome... so I'm not sure what the Goliaths are. I keep thinking of "dwarves, writ large" - but wouldn't that effectively be a stone giant? (Or, looking further a'world, a DS half-giant?) What niche do the Goliaths fill? New races can be fun, but I'd rather not have too many 'plug-and-play' replacements if I can help it (or, at least run too many of them in the same campaign).

Lysander

Defender of the Second Edition
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Bahgtru
Acolyte

29 Posts

Posted - 02 Sep 2004 :  18:31:52  Show Profile  Visit Bahgtru's Homepage Send Bahgtru a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Goliaths to me appear to be a well thought out, well written race with a developed culture. They aren't like any of the other races and are included in ROS for geographical reasons. They populate the highest regions in Mountanious terrain. They give new definition to the term "highlander"
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore

Canada
1796 Posts

Posted - 03 Sep 2004 :  22:27:27  Show Profile Send Purple Dragon Knight a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I hope to God that the Goliaths do NOT make it into the Realms... the Realms have endured, along the years, how shall I say: a lot of silly imports, and I truly hope that the FR designers have enough weird races, monster nations and demi-planes to worry about for a few years without bringing in more crap. Sorry, but please let the Realms designers, for two minutes, worry about the impact of the Shades and the Star Elves a little before asking them to cater to every "Core D&D Book of the Month" (for there is nearly a new one every month, isn't there?)
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Kuje
Great Reader

USA
7915 Posts

Posted - 03 Sep 2004 :  23:00:52  Show Profile Send Kuje a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight

I hope to God that the Goliaths do NOT make it into the Realms... the Realms have endured, along the years, how shall I say: a lot of silly imports, and I truly hope that the FR designers have enough weird races, monster nations and demi-planes to worry about for a few years without bringing in more crap. Sorry, but please let the Realms designers, for two minutes, worry about the impact of the Shades and the Star Elves a little before asking them to cater to every "Core D&D Book of the Month" (for there is nearly a new one every month, isn't there?)



This is going to make you groan then. :)

Rich posteded this on 9/2/04, yesterday.

"We're looking at that question and trying to figure out how we want to do that. When somebody invents a cool new race for core D&D, we'd like to accommodate them in the Realms, but that always begs the question: Why didn't we tell you about these guys before? We may have an answer in an upcoming 2005 product.

(I doubt we'll invent a major presence for goliaths, just because I personally don't want to explain in-game why they never appeared in any earlier FR products. But we might pick an otherwise out of the way and little-known mountain range and say, "Oh, yeah, there's a few clanholds of goliaths up there. They don't get out much." Maybe the Snowflake or Orsraun Mountains, not very much has been written about those places.)"

For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore

Canada
1796 Posts

Posted - 04 Sep 2004 :  00:02:58  Show Profile Send Purple Dragon Knight a Private Message  Reply with Quote
<slaps himself in the forehead in utter dissappointment upon hearing the despoiling of the Snowflake Mountains...>
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BobROE
Learned Scribe

Canada
106 Posts

Posted - 04 Sep 2004 :  03:28:32  Show Profile  Visit BobROE's Homepage Send BobROE a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by kuje31

quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight

I hope to God that the Goliaths do NOT make it into the Realms... the Realms have endured, along the years, how shall I say: a lot of silly imports, and I truly hope that the FR designers have enough weird races, monster nations and demi-planes to worry about for a few years without bringing in more crap. Sorry, but please let the Realms designers, for two minutes, worry about the impact of the Shades and the Star Elves a little before asking them to cater to every "Core D&D Book of the Month" (for there is nearly a new one every month, isn't there?)



This is going to make you groan then. :)




I did groan, I don't see why everything from every book must be included in the realms.
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Kuje
Great Reader

USA
7915 Posts

Posted - 04 Sep 2004 :  03:38:25  Show Profile Send Kuje a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by BobROE
I did groan, I don't see why everything from every book must be included in the realms.


Actually, so did I. When I read that yesterday I shook my head in disappointment and sighed.

For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium

Edited by - Kuje on 04 Sep 2004 03:41:09
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Bahgtru
Acolyte

29 Posts

Posted - 04 Sep 2004 :  06:44:17  Show Profile  Visit Bahgtru's Homepage Send Bahgtru a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I am actually glad to see it. The goliaths were the best part of the book IMO and make a great player race. For those of who like the realms setting and the goliaths having them introduced isgreat becuase in reality the Reams is the core setting.

Edited by - Bahgtru on 04 Sep 2004 14:41:53
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore

Canada
1796 Posts

Posted - 04 Sep 2004 :  08:00:13  Show Profile Send Purple Dragon Knight a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Huh?
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe

USA
418 Posts

Posted - 04 Sep 2004 :  14:31:36  Show Profile  Visit Capn Charlie's Homepage Send Capn Charlie a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I like the inclusion of the goliaths if for no other reason than it sets a precedent for the inclusion of new things.

Heck, in our world new species are being discovered all the timme, in lone like the realms that should be almsot as true. that, and internally, the goliaths could have been mistaken up till now for some other race.

Idf the realms becomes too closed, with nothing new added, it could break down very quickly int oa stagnant world, where everything has been discovered, al lit's dungeons explored, and wit hvery little to interest the average adventurer.

The discovery of new locales does not soo upset people, does it? I should hope not. The discovery of new things to kill/befriend should not either.

I will howwever say that the inclusion of anything new should not be done for no better reason than it came out in a core book. It appears to me that this particular author was rather taken with the goliaths, and personally wanted them in the game. Being able to do this is far better than it being so closed that the authors have no leeway or wriggle room in it.

Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary

My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36779 Posts

Posted - 13 Sep 2004 :  00:02:37  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie

I like the inclusion of the goliaths if for no other reason than it sets a precedent for the inclusion of new things.


With the Star Elves, Shades, and plane-touched, how would the inclusion of goliaths set a precedent? Heck, we had new races -- the saurials -- intro'ed back in 2E.

quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie

Heck, in our world new species are being discovered all the timme, in lone like the realms that should be almsot as true. that, and internally, the goliaths could have been mistaken up till now for some other race.


'Tis true that we are constantly discovering new species. But these new species are unintelligent critters, and they're usually found in areas we don't frequent -- the Amazon basin, or sub-oceanic trenches, etc.

New minor critters here and there is one thing. Making a point of squeezing in yet another intelligent race, just because it was in some new non-Realms book, is too much. At most, all I'd want to see is a "using this race in settings x and y" blurb.

quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie

Idf the realms becomes too closed, with nothing new added, it could break down very quickly int oa stagnant world, where everything has been discovered, al lit's dungeons explored, and wit hvery little to interest the average adventurer.


I disagree. There has always been plenty of interesting activity in the Realms that did not include the intro of new races or critters. Off the top of my head, the only new races/critters that were intro'ed as part of a Realms event were the saurials and the Shades.

quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie

The discovery of new locales does not soo upset people, does it? I should hope not. The discovery of new things to kill/befriend should not either.


Again, new things to kill or befriend is one thing. A new race being shoved into a conveniently empty section of the Realms is a different issue, entirely.

quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie

I will howwever say that the inclusion of anything new should not be done for no better reason than it came out in a core book. It appears to me that this particular author was rather taken with the goliaths, and personally wanted them in the game. Being able to do this is far better than it being so closed that the authors have no leeway or wriggle room in it.



If a particular DM wishes to incorporate a non-Realms-specific race or two, that's acceptable -- it's their campaign. I am, in fact, tinkering with the idea of sticking a bunch of kercpa somewhere in the Realms, and a project still stirring in the back of my mind is a single Krynnish dragonspawn that makes it into the Realms.

What I object to is something that wasn't created for the Realms being officially shoved in just because it was in some other book. It brings to mind the actions of the cable company -- "Hey, look, we're giving you 30 new channels! (By the way, you're paying for them)."

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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe

USA
418 Posts

Posted - 13 Sep 2004 :  22:34:24  Show Profile  Visit Capn Charlie's Homepage Send Capn Charlie a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie

I like the inclusion of the goliaths if for no other reason than it sets a precedent for the inclusion of new things.


With the Star Elves, Shades, and plane-touched, how would the inclusion of goliaths set a precedent? Heck, we had new races -- the saurials -- intro'ed back in 2E.


Because(I would assume) the goliaths were not of extraplanar origin.

quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie

Heck, in our world new species are being discovered all the timme, in lone like the realms that should be almsot as true. that, and internally, the goliaths could have been mistaken up till now for some other race.


'Tis true that we are constantly discovering new species. But these new species are unintelligent critters, and they're usually found in areas we don't frequent -- the Amazon basin, or sub-oceanic trenches, etc.


OR perhaps miserable gods-forsaken mountain ranges that people rarely return from. And again, I point to that they could easily be mistaken for some other giant or goblinoid.

quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

New minor critters here and there is one thing. Making a point of squeezing in yet another intelligent race, just because it was in some new non-Realms book, is too much. At most, all I'd want to see is a "using this race in settings x and y" blurb.


And basically that is what you're getting, a small concession that there might be some goliaths in the snowflake mountains.

quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie

Idf the realms becomes too closed, with nothing new added, it could break down very quickly int oa stagnant world, where everything has been discovered, al lit's dungeons explored, and wit hvery little to interest the average adventurer.


I disagree. There has always been plenty of interesting activity in the Realms that did not include the intro of new races or critters. Off the top of my head, the only new races/critters that were intro'ed as part of a Realms event were the saurials and the Shades.


And this isn't a big flashy intro of something new, it is a more low key easily ignored one. IF you donlike goliaths, ignore the one paagraph saying they exist. Hard to ignore the stacks of books and myriad references to humanoid dinosaurs and shades.

I like a inclusion of many things, but keeping them low key, so I can develop/ignore them as I see fit. Easy to ignore a few clans of giantkin in hte snowflake mountains, hard to ignore hordes of extraplanar evil pouring into the realms, or the shades and saurials either for that matter.

quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie

The discovery of new locales does not soo upset people, does it? I should hope not. The discovery of new things to kill/befriend should not either.


Again, new things to kill or befriend is one thing. A new race being shoved into a conveniently empty section of the Realms is a different issue, entirely.


How so? It's perfectly fine to give DMs new bad guys to throw at players, but it is unnacceptable to put in new player useable races? Basically anything with an int score higher than 3 that can reproduce is a new race. And again, I think it far less lame for them to be discovered in a remote region rather than falling from the sky.


quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie

I will howwever say that the inclusion of anything new should not be done for no better reason than it came out in a core book. It appears to me that this particular author was rather taken with the goliaths, and personally wanted them in the game. Being able to do this is far better than it being so closed that the authors have no leeway or wriggle room in it.


If a particular DM wishes to incorporate a non-Realms-specific race or two, that's acceptable -- it's their campaign. I am, in fact, tinkering with the idea of sticking a bunch of kercpa somewhere in the Realms, and a project still stirring in the back of my mind is a single Krynnish dragonspawn that makes it into the Realms.

What I object to is something that wasn't created for the Realms being officially shoved in just because it was in some other book. It brings to mind the actions of the cable company -- "Hey, look, we're giving you 30 new channels! (By the way, you're paying for them)."


Well, when you look at it, most if ot all of the races in the realms were not specifically created for it. Altered and realmsified, yeah, but not created for it. The same reasoning you use could be applied to elves, dwarves, and so forth.

And how are they making you pay for anything? For one yo ucan ignore them entirely very easily, and for another, yo udon't HAVE to go buy a book to get stats for one little critter do you? I would hope you are not so anal as to have to go out and buy entire sourcebooks because of one reference in FR material.

I like options, and small concessions stating that new things are in the realms don't bother me, as they can be ignored. whenever gods fall from the sky to heralsd a new edition of the game, then Iget a little worried. Maybe it is just my "patch mentality" but I like NOT having to alter the in game world for the application of new out of game mechanics and so forth.

Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary

My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36779 Posts

Posted - 14 Sep 2004 :  01:07:43  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
My main point is that I don't want something to become Realms-official just because it was in a new, non-Realms book. If it was designed for the Realms, that's one thing. But shoehorning a new race in, for no reason other than to use it, is objectionable.

I have nothing against new races. But since 3E came out, we've been getting new races left and right -- it's almost a "PC Race of the Month" thing. I'm tired of stuff just being dropped in, willy-nilly. If a new race is going to pop up (yet again), I want a really good reason for it. "Hey, this race is in this new core rulebook, so let's include them in the Realms!" is not a good reason.

The Shades, on the other hand, were built on a small little blurb from an old 2E source -- the city of Shade disappearing into a shadowy plane right at the same time as the Fall of Netheril. That kind of new race is quite well done, and not just an arbitrary inclusion. Thus, I have no objection to it.

Too much stuff has been arbitrarily bolted on already -- I'm leary of new bolt-ons. New is good, but only if it fits without being shoved in.

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SiriusBlack
Great Reader

USA
5517 Posts

Posted - 14 Sep 2004 :  04:14:29  Show Profile  Visit SiriusBlack's Homepage Send SiriusBlack a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Too much stuff has been arbitrarily bolted on already -- I'm leary of new bolt-ons. New is good, but only if it fits without being shoved in.



Well said. If I recall right from glancing at the excerpt, Frostburn introduces a new race. Will this also be included in the Realms?
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore

Canada
1796 Posts

Posted - 14 Sep 2004 :  09:55:39  Show Profile Send Purple Dragon Knight a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack

quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Too much stuff has been arbitrarily bolted on already -- I'm leary of new bolt-ons. New is good, but only if it fits without being shoved in.



Well said. If I recall right from glancing at the excerpt, Frostburn introduces a new race. Will this also be included in the Realms?

Hopefully not, but probably so...
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Wood Elf Ranger
Senior Scribe

USA
627 Posts

Posted - 14 Sep 2004 :  17:35:18  Show Profile  Visit Wood Elf Ranger's Homepage Send Wood Elf Ranger a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I really like the idea of a cold type fey creature. Even if its not added to the realms it will be added to my own campaign world

~Lee N.

"Breaktime yes?!.. Yes?.. Maybe?.. Noo, baaack to work.." -Grovel the Goblin from NWN: HotU
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36779 Posts

Posted - 14 Sep 2004 :  18:16:07  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wood Elf Ranger

I really like the idea of a cold type fey creature. Even if its not added to the realms it will be added to my own campaign world



I'm fond of the fey critters myself, having an odd fascination with faeries.

I have been, for quite some time, kicking around ideas for a new race of faeries, based loosely on the Seelie sprites from the Spellbound boxed set. When I finally complete this bunch, I will likely drop some in the Realms.

But you know, we're starting to stray from the original idea of this scroll. Perhaps we should get back on topic before Big Al wanders by and sees what's going on in here...

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Lysander
Learned Scribe

USA
183 Posts

Posted - 14 Sep 2004 :  18:26:19  Show Profile  Visit Lysander's Homepage Send Lysander a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight

<slaps himself in the forehead in utter dissappointment upon hearing the despoiling of the Snowflake Mountains...>


I'll join you in that; the Snowflake and Orsraun figure into a campaign I've been on-and-off-again working on.

Lysander

Defender of the Second Edition
Moderator, Project Gemengan, Worlds of D&D
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Lysander
Learned Scribe

USA
183 Posts

Posted - 14 Sep 2004 :  18:33:51  Show Profile  Visit Lysander's Homepage Send Lysander a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

My main point is that I don't want something to become Realms-official just because it was in a new, non-Realms book. If it was designed for the Realms, that's one thing. But shoehorning a new race in, for no reason other than to use it, is objectionable.

I have nothing against new races. But since 3E came out, we've been getting new races left and right -- it's almost a "PC Race of the Month" thing. I'm tired of stuff just being dropped in, willy-nilly. If a new race is going to pop up (yet again), I want a really good reason for it. "Hey, this race is in this new core rulebook, so let's include them in the Realms!" is not a good reason.

The Shades, on the other hand, were built on a small little blurb from an old 2E source -- the city of Shade disappearing into a shadowy plane right at the same time as the Fall of Netheril. That kind of new race is quite well done, and not just an arbitrary inclusion. Thus, I have no objection to it.

Too much stuff has been arbitrarily bolted on already -- I'm leary of new bolt-ons. New is good, but only if it fits without being shoved in.



And, if it's absolutely necessary to include every new thing/idea that's come down the pike into the Realms *cough*BR-Bloodline'd spelljamming warforged*cough* at least they could stick 'em on some uncharted island or continent out thataways somewhere, rather than smack dab in the middle 'o everything.

"You head towards the mountain pass, and suddenly there's a {insert new creature here} in the way."
"Hey, we've been through this pass a dozen times, and nations have sent armies through here, so where'd these things come from??"
"Ah, they were sleeping. That's it. Sleeping."
"Uh huh."

Lysander

Defender of the Second Edition
Moderator, Project Gemengan, Worlds of D&D
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Reefy
Senior Scribe

United Kingdom
892 Posts

Posted - 16 Sep 2004 :  01:41:52  Show Profile  Visit Reefy's Homepage Send Reefy a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I don't know anything about the Goliaths except what I've just read here but I do agree that everything in the Realms currently has to be 'new' or even new races which have just been hiding for years (Shade, star elves, Deep imaskari). There's plenty in the Realms already which has not been detailed enough, hundreds of races and monsters and huge potential for all of the organisations. It's always been something of a mixture of lots of different ideas and cultures, to me at least, but I don't want to see things added for the sake of it.

Life is either daring adventure or nothing.
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader

USA
5517 Posts

Posted - 22 Sep 2004 :  04:20:54  Show Profile  Visit SiriusBlack's Homepage Send SiriusBlack a Private Message  Reply with Quote
The 3rdedition.org site has a new review up for this product.
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader

USA
5517 Posts

Posted - 05 Oct 2004 :  04:50:32  Show Profile  Visit SiriusBlack's Homepage Send SiriusBlack a Private Message  Reply with Quote
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader

USA
5402 Posts

Posted - 10 Mar 2005 :  22:29:18  Show Profile  Visit KnightErrantJR's Homepage Send KnightErrantJR a Private Message  Reply with Quote
If the goliaths were introduced as having great empires, I would be leary of them being introduced, but as it is I likely won't think much of them unless a player wants to play one.

I'm not sure I agree with the parts about the dwarven burial rituals, buring their remains and such. I guess I always pictured dwarves bones lying among the stones for eternity, and I can't help but think about how many dwarven tombs either I or my PCs have been in and there always seemed to be remains . . .
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hammer of Moradin
Senior Scribe

USA
758 Posts

Posted - 14 Mar 2005 :  17:57:49  Show Profile  Visit hammer of Moradin's Homepage Send hammer of Moradin a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR

If the goliaths were introduced as having great empires, I would be leary of them being introduced, but as it is I likely won't think much of them unless a player wants to play one.

I'm not sure I agree with the parts about the dwarven burial rituals, buring their remains and such. I guess I always pictured dwarves bones lying among the stones for eternity, and I can't help but think about how many dwarven tombs either I or my PCs have been in and there always seemed to be remains . . .


Good catch. I agree about the burials as opposed to a funeral pyre. What would be fitting is a honored smith who is cremated in his forge. Great kings and warriors however should be entombed in stone. From the stone, to the stone.
Besides, necromancers seem to stay away from dwarven tombs to raise their dead, and if the dwarf dies in battle, whether their side wins or loses, they should move on to the next world. There are a few ghostly spirits haunting certain areas of the Realms, so of course not every dwarf dies peacefully (with their axe in an orc skull).

"Hurling himself upon his enemies, he terrified them with slaughter!"

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Snotlord
Senior Scribe

Norway
476 Posts

Posted - 25 Apr 2005 :  00:18:59  Show Profile  Visit Snotlord's Homepage Send Snotlord a Private Message  Reply with Quote
So... Is the Races of Stone worth getting for someone with Dwarves Deep and Races of Faerūn already in their collection?

I'm looking for background info and adventure hooks, not mechanics for creating dwarf characters.

Thank you.
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hammer of Moradin
Senior Scribe

USA
758 Posts

Posted - 26 Apr 2005 :  07:55:34  Show Profile  Visit hammer of Moradin's Homepage Send hammer of Moradin a Private Message  Reply with Quote
It is worth getting if you like the races of stone, dwarves and gnomes. It is geared mostly towards generic information for use anywhere, so I would tell you no if all you want are plot hooks Snotty. Background information, if it is in regards to dwarves, then yes it would come in handy. Hope that helps.

"Hurling himself upon his enemies, he terrified them with slaughter!"

Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium

Candlekeep proverb: If a thing is said often enough, fools aplenty will believe it to be true.
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