The quilt is by Jeff Busch and depicts the transformation of a weretiger, with an actual tiger standing guard within the foreground. I prefer it higher than Busch’s cowl for Dragon #90, however the execution nonetheless feels a bit off. Inside artists embody Jim Holloway, Bob Maurus, Atanielle Annyn Noel, Jane Hoffman, Marvel Bullpen, Dave Trampier, Denton Elliott, Richard Tomasic, and Larry Elmore.
This month’s particular attraction is “The Gypsy Prepare” by Richard Fichera. The article supplies a vivid depiction of wandering travellers to your AD&D recreation, together with descriptions of their wagons, way of life, and key personalities. The fabric is accompanied by a number of journey seeds and a few paper cut-outs, enabling you to assemble 3d wagons. It is a good concept however marred by stereotyping. Fichera printed a couple of articles in varied RPG magazines round this time.
Gary Gygax contributes a pair of articles. In “Life Past fifteenth Stage,” he expands druids past their earlier stage cap (stage 14 within the Participant’s Handbook, prolonged to stage 15 in Dragon #65). Grand Druids can now relinquish their title and observe the trail of the Hierophant, advancing as much as the twenty third stage and gaining skills equivalent to planar journey, longevity, and the facility to conjure elementals. It is truly an interesting demonstration of how AD&D misplaced the idea of an “finish recreation” for characters.
In “Considering for Your self,” Gygax addresses, in a common approach, the controversies going through Dungeons & Dragons. It was the peak of the satanic panic, and the sport was underneath assault from varied events. Gygax defends role-playing video games, emphasising liberty of conscience and the harmlessness of imaginative play.
Arthur Collins shares his insights on world-building in “The Making of a Milieu.” He recommends starting your world-building course of round a single compelling idea—this could possibly be impressed by a tradition, a particular occasion, or perhaps a distinctive map function—after which steadily layering particulars like social exchanges, geography, and evolving political occasions. He additionally emphasises the significance of an overarching purpose to tie your marketing campaign collectively, supported by energetic NPC interactions and dynamic socio-political developments to maintain gamers actively invested on the planet. I am going to admit, it makes me really feel a bit insufficient! Collins contributed many articles to Dragon in addition to DMGR2: The Citadel Information.
In “The Ecology of the Eye of the Deep,” Ed Greenwood delves into the biology and behavior of this aquatic monstrosity, inspecting its habitat, searching methods, and breeding cycle. He presents the article as a scholarly dialogue amongst sages in Hillsfar, moderated by Auvras the Enquirer. Greenwood consists of a number of recreation design notes, such because the mechanics of the eye-flash assault and explaining the restrictions of its maintain skills. It is not my favorite monster, however Greenwood’s description makes it compelling.
Stephen Inniss supplies sensible guidelines for leaping and leaping in “Brief Hops and Large Drops,” detailing distance calculations and influence penalties for AD&D characters. I am rising a little bit weary of those maths-heavy simulationist articles! Inniss was a daily contributor to Dragon.
Frank Mentzer’s “Ay PronunseeAY shun Gyd” tackles the challenges of announcing varied AD&D phrases, primarily monster names. Anybody on the lookout for the official pronunciation of “bulette” shall be disillusioned, as he provides 4 variants!
“Companies and Alignments” by Merle Rasmussen expands the Prime Secret recreation universe by detailing rival espionage organisations. A number of the naming feels a bit lazy, equivalent to “The Company,” “The Cartel”, and “The Exterminators.” He additionally introduces a political alignment system, which appears to be like helpful, although underdeveloped.
“Eira,” a brief story by Josepha Sherman, is an atmospheric fairy story a couple of younger bard making an attempt to free a swan-maiden from a harmful Faerie kingdom. Sherman, a prolific folklorist and novelist, makes use of evocative prose and creates a vibrant setting. Nevertheless, the story leans too closely on normal fairy-tale tropes and therefore feels barely stale.
Lastly, the ARES part is again with 14 pages of science-fiction and superhero content material:
- “The Marvel-Phile” by Jeff Grubb presents extra Avenger stats, this time overlaying Mockingbird and Shroud.
- “New Ships for Outdated” by Stefan Jones exhibits find out how to redesign starships in House Opera.
- “New Brotherhoods” by Peter C. Zelinski introduces minor Cryptic Alliances for Gamma World.
- “Uncommon Wines and Prepared Money” by Tony Watson supplies sensible steerage on agricultural commerce in Star Frontiers.
And that is a wrap! The standout article was Greenwood’s “Ecology,” although I am sorry there have been no recreation or guide evaluations this time. Subsequent month, we now have ranger adjustments, the ecology of chimera, and a brand new Creature Catalog!
