I've been sick with the grave rot the past few days, so I haven't had a chance to post. I'm really enjoying the book though and I'm caught up with my reading. Keep up the great conversation!
I'm ahead of the game this week! Just getting caught up, I'm enjoyed the focus on warforged so far in this book. There really wasn't much in The Shard Axe and I remember several of us asking for more, and we got it this time around. Being fairly new to Eberron, it's interesting to see how the other races interact with warforged. I use them in my homebrew campaign (my 13-year-old son plays a Warforged named Roborilla), but I've never been very clear on their biology and limits.
This book is shaping up to be a classic "quest to an unknown place" story, which you would think was cliche, but I'm not sure the last time we've read a D&D book that was along these lines really. I'm finding it refreshing in a way. I didn't see the sand dragon coming at all, and although I'm sometimes not the biggest fan of dragons, dragons, everywhere (I know, I know, the game isn't called Dungeons and Beholders), I thought this dragon was interesting and demonstrated how hard it would be to deal with any dragon on their home turf. I also really liked Sabira's anticipation of facing the dragon and how she talked about all her training to fight them, yet not ever actually encountering one. The sense of awe added realism to the situation. Is the sand dragon new for DDO, or was this in one of the D&D game books?
I'm also enjoying the role reversal (I think David mentioned this) of Sabira being a female and yet being the "hit first, ask questions later" character. I've known several women like this, so it's definitely not a stretch. Sabira continues to be a very strong central character. We've read some books here where I haven't been a huge fan of the main character. They're either too stereotypical or one-sided, but Sabira seems like the kind of character that could definitely continue to pull a lead role moving forward. I know we haven't seen the end of this book yet, and I think I heard Marcy say she wasn't contracted (yet) for another book, but Wizards should take a long look and see that they have one of the best protagonists in a while in Sabira.
Ultimately, I guess it depends on where Wotc is taking DDO and Eberron in D&D Next. I know they're focusing on the Realms for at least a year and then they were talking about Greyhawk I think, but it would be a shame to see Eberron get completely left by the wayside. Although I think they're wise to focus their energy on a single setting at a time so they don't get stretched thin again, they should at least keep the others limping along in the meantime.
This book is shaping up to be a classic "quest to an unknown place" story, which you would think was cliche, but I'm not sure the last time we've read a D&D book that was along these lines really. I'm finding it refreshing in a way.
I'm glad you're enjoying it! As a writer, you do worry that that sort of set-up can feel overdone, but I think the trick is to make the characters compelling enough that readers would go to the grocery store with them, just to see what sort of trouble they'd get in to there. And, then, of course, to provde that trouble, heh.
I didn't see the sand dragon coming at all, and although I'm sometimes not the biggest fan of dragons, dragons, everywhere (I know, I know, the game isn't called Dungeons and Beholders), I thought this dragon was interesting and demonstrated how hard it would be to deal with any dragon on their home turf. I also really liked Sabira's anticipation of facing the dragon and how she talked about all her training to fight them, yet not ever actually encountering one. The sense of awe added realism to the situation. Is the sand dragon new for DDO, or was this in one of the D&D game books?
I pulled the sand dragon out of the Sandstorm supplement (which I actually used a lot in writing the desert portions of this book). To my knowledge, there aren't actually any in the DDO game (but, then, there aren't any yrthaks or galeb duhrs, either, so obviously that's no real impediment to using them as far as I'm concerned, heh).
And I do think that fighting dragons is sometimes made to look too easy in books/games. They are at the top of the food chain and an encounter with one ought to result in heavy losses.
I'm also enjoying the role reversal (I think David mentioned this) of Sabira being a female and yet being the "hit first, ask questions later" character. I've known several women like this, so it's definitely not a stretch. Sabira continues to be a very strong central character. We've read some books here where I haven't been a huge fan of the main character. They're either too stereotypical or one-sided, but Sabira seems like the kind of character that could definitely continue to pull a lead role moving forward. I know we haven't seen the end of this book yet, and I think I heard Marcy say she wasn't contracted (yet) for another book, but Wizards should take a long look and see that they have one of the best protagonists in a while in Sabira.
From your fingers to WotC's screens/inboxes, LOL!
Seriously, though, thank you. I realy enjoy writing Sabira's character - her strength doesn't come from a die roll, but from the things she's faced in her life, both successfully and not-so. And I try not to give her easy choices. I think that makes her more real, and hopefully more relatable. Even if you might not like the choices she makes sometimes, you understand why she makes them.
There are a ton of adventures I'd still like to take Sabira on - I really hope I get the chance to do so.
Regards, Marcy
Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell www.marsheilarockwell.com Skein of Shadows, 2012 (Eberron/DDO novel) The Shard Axe, 2011 (Eberron/DDO novel) Legacy of Wolves, 2007 (Eberron novel)
WOW! That whole encounter with the sand dragon was great reading. I really enjoyed how that scene was set up, how it developed, and how it concluded. I think what I really emjoyed about it most was it was not the stereotypical battle against a dragon. (I wonder if that will seem as strange when you read it as it did to me typing it.) I was anticipating one of those "bring it to the ground and then overwhelm it with numbers and carefully placed spears to its soft underbelly. The scene did not play out like that at all and I just want to say thank you for giving us a really nice dragon battle.
I agree with some of the others that Sabira's character is a very interesting one. For me, I find her very complex. At times she strikes me as very focused "accomplish the mission" kind of character, but then we see moments like where she refuses to leave Guisarme behind, and even risks setting the dragon free to reccover. Then she pays to have him brought back and hopefully repaired and revived. I won't even delve into how complex her relationship with Elix is, or the nightmares that she has regarding Tilde, Ned, and Elix. I do find it refreshing to have a main character who is deep and complex, which makes it so much harder to predict how they might act later in the story.
I think my favorite aspect of the story so far is the make up of the party. Could this group be anymore diverse. They are like the A-Team of Ebberon. I mean they have a Bard!! I didn't think any party actually had a bard. In all seriousness, the make up of the group makes this story so much more interesting for me. My question to Marcy is, did you plan for this kind of group composition when you originally sat down or did it just kind of develop? Hopefully that question wasn't already answered in a previous post that I missed.
Can't wait to start the next section. Bring on Tarath Marad!!
WOW! That whole encounter with the sand dragon was great reading. I really enjoyed how that scene was set up, how it developed, and how it concluded. I think what I really emjoyed about it most was it was not the stereotypical battle against a dragon. (I wonder if that will seem as strange when you read it as it did to me typing it.) I was anticipating one of those "bring it to the ground and then overwhelm it with numbers and carefully placed spears to its soft underbelly. The scene did not play out like that at all and I just want to say thank you for giving us a really nice dragon battle.
You're welcome! I'm so glad you liked it! I really didn't want to do a "classic" dragon encounter, because as I mentioned upthread, I think those are often made to look too easy in books/games. Those scenes are generally boring for me to read, so I knew one would be boring for me to write. Using an unusual dragon and neutralizing him in a unique way made it a lot more fun to write - and hopefully, to read, too!
As an aside, the whole idea for this encounter actually came from the fact that scorpions can't climb on glass. I knew I wanted to utilize turning the sand to glass to thwart some enemy, but I originally thought it would be a scorrow (like a drider, but scorpion-like instead of spider-like). However, scorrows are sort of old hat in the DDO game, and it would take a horde of them to stop a caravan this size, so I soon realized I'd have to find some other enemy to use the sand-to-glass trick on. I happened upon the sand dragon in my reading and realized it was perfect, and viola!
I agree with some of the others that Sabira's character is a very interesting one. For me, I find her very complex. At times she strikes me as very focused "accomplish the mission" kind of character, but then we see moments like where she refuses to leave Guisarme behind, and even risks setting the dragon free to reccover. Then she pays to have him brought back and hopefully repaired and revived. I won't even delve into how complex her relationship with Elix is, or the nightmares that she has regarding Tilde, Ned, and Elix. I do find it refreshing to have a main character who is deep and complex, which makes it so much harder to predict how they might act later in the story.
Sabira takes her responsibility for the men under her very seriously - a fact that shouldn't be too surprising, given what happened with Ned. Add to that the fact that she knows Tilde's party didn't make it back out again - which means her own party is likely not to come back all in one piece, either. So she feels inordinately responsible for these men while at the same time knowing she is leading them into a virtual deathtrap. I don't think it's any wonder that Guisarm's injury would leave her shaken - it's basically her second-worst fear realized, and just the beginning of it, at that.
Aside from that, Guisarme is an NPC players can encounter in the DDO game, so I couldn't take him away from the Cannith enclave for too long. You can rest assured that, if you play the game, you'll find him back repairing his vent next time you log in, none the worse for wear.
I think my favorite aspect of the story so far is the make up of the party. Could this group be anymore diverse. They are like the A-Team of Ebberon. I mean they have a Bard!! I didn't think any party actually had a bard. In all seriousness, the make up of the group makes this story so much more interesting for me. My question to Marcy is, did you plan for this kind of group composition when you originally sat down or did it just kind of develop? Hopefully that question wasn't already answered in a previous post that I missed.
No, actually. I knew I wanted to work with a group this time, because that was a complaint I got about The Shard Axe (especially from DDO players, who are used to more of a group dynamic in-game, and wanted to see that reflected in the novels). But that's about all I knew. In fact, this is what I wrote in my outline, before I started the book:
"There, Sabira hires a few able-bodied warriors to join her and Greddark on their rescue mission."
That was the sum total of what I wrote about them - no names, races, genders, professions, nothing. I didn't figure out who they were and the things they would contribute to the story until I got to that part of the book. So the make-up was as much a surprise to me as it is to you!
I particularly like Eberron as a setting, possibly because it's a bit less black-and-white and there's a bit more complexity to it - and that's coming through nicely in the book so far, from deciding which side of the chasm to disembark, to deciding whether to use rationed water to mount a risky rescue attempt that might doom the rest of the caravan.
Some tough decisions are easy, though - I'd have been entirely on Sabira's side when rescuing Guisarme. The sand dragon battle was certainly interesting - I did like the idea of the dragon trying to herd the caravan towards a trap, and the use of alchemical fire was a great idea. I did wonder whether that's a skill you can use in DDO - sounds like an ideal AOE attack
I also enjoyed the side conversation regarding the book that Greddark stole - especially when he realises that he hadn't been quite as professional about its 'liberation' than he'd thought. I'm looking forward to learning what his alternative translation for the draconic prophecy might be.
Aside from that, Guisarme is an NPC players can encounter in the DDO game, so I couldn't take him away from the Cannith enclave for too long. You can rest assured that, if you play the game, you'll find him back repairing his vent next time you log in, none the worse for wear.
Heh - I'm glad you mentioned this! Having had long discussions with my roleplaying group about the dramatic benefits / pitfalls of Save vs. Death (I'm currently of the side that instadeath can cause some pretty unpleasant plot vacuums and break immersion) I'm a little nervous about bumping central characters off where their deaths don't move the story forward. I was interested in seeing where Guisarme's character went, so I have to admit to feeling a bit undermined when he's sent home in a pretty desperate state so soon. However, it makes rather more sense if you consider Sabira's history and the fact that he's present in the DDO game world - I'm happier now that I know he's still well
I guess that leads to two questions - Marcy, what are your views on character death - is anyone fair game, or do their deaths have to be significant in some way? Are there any differences between killing 'redshirts' vs. named characters - does a named character have to undergo a certain amount of character development before their death becomes 'meaningful', or could someone you meet in chapter 1 die in the second chapter after, for instance, choking on a fishbone?
Cheers, Steve
PS: okay, a third question - does Guisarme in DDO refer to any of his dealings with Sabira? It'd be great if there was some crossover from that direction too
PPS: totally agree with the comments on Sabira being a great character; I'd definitely like to read more of her adventures should the opportunity arise.
I particularly like Eberron as a setting, possibly because it's a bit less black-and-white and there's a bit more complexity to it
That's one of the things I like best about the setting, too. I think a more complex setting lends itself to more complex - and hence more interesting - characters. But I could be biased, heh.
The sand dragon battle was certainly interesting - I did like the idea of the dragon trying to herd the caravan towards a trap, and the use of alchemical fire was a great idea. I did wonder whether that's a skill you can use in DDO - sounds like an ideal AOE attack
I don't think alchemical fire is an option in DDO, but there are certainly AOE spells with similar (though not identical) effects. Though no one else is using them to turn large swathes of the Menechtarun desert into plains of glass, heh.
Having had long discussions with my roleplaying group about the dramatic benefits / pitfalls of Save vs. Death (I'm currently of the side that instadeath can cause some pretty unpleasant plot vacuums and break immersion) I'm a little nervous about bumping central characters off where their deaths don't move the story forward. I was interested in seeing where Guisarme's character went, so I have to admit to feeling a bit undermined when he's sent home in a pretty desperate state so soon. However, it makes rather more sense if you consider Sabira's history and the fact that he's present in the DDO game world - I'm happier now that I know he's still well
I guess that leads to two questions - Marcy, what are your views on character death - is anyone fair game, or do their deaths have to be significant in some way? Are there any differences between killing 'redshirts' vs. named characters - does a named character have to undergo a certain amount of character development before their death becomes 'meaningful', or could someone you meet in chapter 1 die in the second chapter after, for instance, choking on a fishbone?
Anyone is fair game. I mean, it's unlikely that I'd kill off Sabira, but aside from that, no one is ever 100% safe. If the story demands that someone has to die, then they die, regardless of how much I personally like that character. Sometimes a death occurs to further the plot, or because it just makes sense in terms of how various characters would act, and sometimes it happens because that's what's going to cause the most difficulty for Sabira.
Since these books are told entirely from her POV (aside from the prologue), the deaths that get the most development are going to be the ones that impact her directly. So there will be some redshirt deaths, just because it's impossible to care deeply about every single person you've ever met and so some deaths will naturally affect you more than others. But I try to make the deaths of the people that matter to Sabira meaningful, even if the meaning derived is just that death is random and unpredicatable and sometimes there is no closure to be had.
PS: okay, a third question - does Guisarme in DDO refer to any of his dealings with Sabira? It'd be great if there was some crossover from that direction too
Not to my knowledge, no, though I do hope someday they'll incorporate some stuff from the novels into the game. That would be cool.
PPS: totally agree with the comments on Sabira being a great character; I'd definitely like to read more of her adventures should the opportunity arise.
Thank you! Here's hoping for rising opportunities! Heh.
Regards, Marcy
Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell www.marsheilarockwell.com Skein of Shadows, 2012 (Eberron/DDO novel) The Shard Axe, 2011 (Eberron/DDO novel) Legacy of Wolves, 2007 (Eberron novel)
