I'm down in Cape May enjoying the beach, but keeping an eye out for a sand storm. Don't want to be caught unawares, especially since I don't have one of those fire orbs to turn the sand into glass.
This forum will cover Chapters 15-20.
Looking forward to your thoughts!
I'm down in Cape May enjoying the beach, but keeping an eye out for a sand storm. Don't want to be caught unawares, especially since I don't have one of those fire orbs to turn the sand into glass.This forum will cover Chapters 15-20.Looking forward
I'm down in Cape May enjoying the beach, but keeping an eye out for a sand storm. Don't want to be caught unawares, especially since I don't have one of those fire orbs to turn the sand into glass.
One thing that amused me, as a Phoenix resident, is that one of the attacks a sand dragon is listed as having in Sandstorm is the ability to create a haboob, which is a pretty big sand storm. We typically have several every summer here. I've included a few pictures:
So now you have an idea of what Sabira & Co. were trying to outrun!
Regards, Marcy
One thing that amused me, as a Phoenix resident, is that one of the attacks a sand dragon is listed as having in Sandstorm is the ability to create a haboob, which is a pretty big sand storm. We typically have several every summer here. I've included
It doesn't seem like Sabira can escape these annoying criminals from her past, but I would assume that many Marshals suffer from this type of thing. It reminds me a little of a wild west feel where you put a criminal in jail one day only to have him shoot you in the back the next.
I thought the combat scene in the cave with the chitines (and first with the other group) was realistic and it wasn't what I was expecting. I guess I was waiting for some sort of cliched underdark monster encounter, but this turned into something much more. I was also interested to see certain injured members of the party head back to the surface. This isn't something you see in D&D fiction a lot. It adds a little more realism to things.
The drow guide is really starting to creep me out at this point, especially since we know there's some "baby killer" incident with him as well. I have to worry about whether he's a "good" drow or not. He seems like he might turn out to be fairly evil. Are there any "good" drow in this world, or are they all essentially evil? I think of all the characters he has me the most intrigued to see what happens.
One more week left! I'll save most of my final thoughts for the end, but I'll say now that this story turned out much different than I expected (not a bad thing).
It doesn't seem like Sabira can escape these annoying criminals from her past, but I would assume that many Marshals suffer from this type of thing. It reminds me a little of a wild west feel where you put a criminal in jail one day only to have him
Thanks for the pics. They added perspective to that scene, but I was also amazed that these kind of things happen that close to cities. I guess being from the Northeast I am naive, and assume that sandstorms only happen in very remote places. You can learn a lot about the real world while discussing a work of fiction.
I really enjoyed the description's of Trent's Well and Tarath Marad. I find myself thinking that these locations would be very interesting to use in a campaign with my gaming group. Tarath Marad was made so much more interesting by the "Khyber madness" that most of the party seems to suffer from. I could see how people travelling underground for days or weeks at a time could start to suffer from paranoia and delusions. My brother is a submariner in the Navy and he said that his first trip out on the boat he went 52 days without seeing the outside world and he said it can really depress you when you are packed away and never get to see anything except metal for months at a time.
I agree with Dado that Xujil is becoming a very interesting part of the story, because he does have that "baby killer" stigma, he ran and hid during the first fight, and you know that the party will probably never survive if he abandons them at some point. We just don't know if we can trust him or not, and his decisions have a huge impact on the success....and survival...of Sabira's group.
It may seem trivial but the scene where Jester is distraught over the loss of his lyre was a very enjoyable scene for me. The fact that Sabira is able to manipulate Jester by feigning compassion, and then later has a twinge of remorse that she did it, was a great example of her compexity as a character. I like that she is not the "paladin" of the story. She is flawed just like we all are, but she is the Shard Axe and the hero of our story. I think it helps the reader relate to her a bit more because we see a little of ourselves in her heroics, and we see a little of ourselves in her flawed moments.
Like Dado, I also enjoyed that during this adventure, party members have gotten hurt and have had to turn back. It does add a sense of realism to the story. When I read the parts where party members are lost and the group needs to move on, it reminds me of the HBO series Band of Brothers. They don't start the series and end the series with the same group of soldiers. They lose some, and gain some as the story unfolds, but the one constant is that mission carries on.
Looking forward to the group sailing in a mushroom cap across the Sunless Seas. There has to be a lake monster in there....doesn't there?
Thanks for the pics. They added perspective to that scene, but I was also amazed that these kind of things happen that close to cities. I guess being from the Northeast I am naive, and assume that sandstorms only happen in very remote places. You can
It doesn't seem like Sabira can escape these annoying criminals from her past, but I would assume that many Marshals suffer from this type of thing. It reminds me a little of a wild west feel where you put a criminal in jail one day only to have him shoot you in the back the next.
It's true. You can bring a guy in, but you can't control what a particular government will choose to do with him once he's there. But that just makes it more fun, right?
I thought the combat scene in the cave with the chitines (and first with the other group) was realistic and it wasn't what I was expecting. I guess I was waiting for some sort of cliched underdark monster encounter, but this turned into something much more. I was also interested to see certain injured members of the party head back to the surface. This isn't something you see in D&D fiction a lot. It adds a little more realism to things.
That was certainly part of my intent - to give readers something they haven't seen a hundred times before. I'm glad it worked for you!
The drow guide is really starting to creep me out at this point, especially since we know there's some "baby killer" incident with him as well. I have to worry about whether he's a "good" drow or not. He seems like he might turn out to be fairly evil. Are there any "good" drow in this world, or are they all essentially evil? I think of all the characters he has me the most intrigued to see what happens.
Unlike in FR, drow in Eberron can be any alignment. But I don't really think alignment is the issue, to tell you the truth - it's more about a completely alien culture and the goals they have as a people, which may or may not align with the goals the characters have. If a character has the same goal as Sabira, does that make him good? Does having a different goal make him bad? I'm of the opinion that villains see themselves as the heroes of their own stories - it's all a matter of which side you're on.
(Which doesn't mean that real evil doesn't exist, in Eberron or anywhere else. Just that, in Eberron, it isn't always so easy to label.)
One more week left! I'll save most of my final thoughts for the end, but I'll say now that this story turned out much different than I expected (not a bad thing).
Good! I like surprising people!
Regards, Marcy
It's true. You can bring a guy in, but you can't control what a particular government will choose to do with him once he's there. But that just makes it more fun, right? ;)That was certainly part of my intent - to give readers something they haven't
Thanks for the pics. They added perspective to that scene, but I was also amazed that these kind of things happen that close to cities. I guess being from the Northeast I am naive, and assume that sandstorms only happen in very remote places. You can learn a lot about the real world while discussing a work of fiction.
It actually looks a lot worse from a distance than to be inside of one. The only real problem is when you're driving, because of the low visibility/high wind combo. The Dept of Transportation was actually soliciting haiku they could put on billborads to remind people that a dust storm is a good time to pull off the road and wait it out. (No, I didn't submit any, heh.)
I really enjoyed the description's of Trent's Well and Tarath Marad. I find myself thinking that these locations would be very interesting to use in a campaign with my gaming group. Tarath Marad was made so much more interesting by the "Khyber madness" that most of the party seems to suffer from. I could see how people travelling underground for days or weeks at a time could start to suffer from paranoia and delusions. My brother is a submariner in the Navy and he said that his first trip out on the boat he went 52 days without seeing the outside world and he said it can really depress you when you are packed away and never get to see anything except metal for months at a time.
I love it when people tell me they want to incorporate something I wrote into their campaigns! It means I did my job - made the world come alive for you so you want to spend time there even after the story is over.
My husband is in the Navy - please thank your brother for his service. I don't think I could stand to be trapped underwater for that long - it would be like going down on the Titanic is super slow-mo. (Am I the only person who had nightmares because of that movie? *shudders*)
I agree with Dado that Xujil is becoming a very interesting part of the story, because he does have that "baby killer" stigma, he ran and hid during the first fight, and you know that the party will probably never survive if he abandons them at some point. We just don't know if we can trust him or not, and his decisions have a huge impact on the success....and survival...of Sabira's group.
Just a hint - you should probably never completely trust ANY character I write.
It may seem trivial but the scene where Jester is distraught over the loss of his lyre was a very enjoyable scene for me. The fact that Sabira is able to manipulate Jester by feigning compassion, and then later has a twinge of remorse that she did it, was a great example of her compexity as a character. I like that she is not the "paladin" of the story. She is flawed just like we all are, but she is the Shard Axe and the hero of our story. I think it helps the reader relate to her a bit more because we see a little of ourselves in her heroics, and we see a little of ourselves in her flawed moments.
I'm glad you liked it! I do try very hard to make Saba someone readers can see bits of themselves in, both the good and the bad. Hopefully more of the good, but we're none of us angels, are we?
Like Dado, I also enjoyed that during this adventure, party members have gotten hurt and have had to turn back. It does add a sense of realism to the story. When I read the parts where party members are lost and the group needs to move on, it reminds me of the HBO series Band of Brothers. They don't start the series and end the series with the same group of soldiers. They lose some, and gain some as the story unfolds, but the one constant is that mission carries on.
Exactly my intent, and I couldn't be happier with the comparison.
Looking forward to the group sailing in a mushroom cap across the Sunless Seas. There has to be a lake monster in there....doesn't there?
I guess you'll have to keep readng to find out.
Regards, Marcy
It actually looks a lot worse from a distance than to be inside of one. The only real problem is when you're driving, because of the low visibility/high wind combo. The Dept of Transportation was actually soliciting haiku they could put on billborads
Just finished through Chapter 20--kids going back to school has really interefered with my ability to participate this time!
Like everyone else, I really enjoy the post fight scenes--the consequences of the battles. The Lyre being smashed, the fallen foes struggling with where to go, etc. Not only are these well written scenes that I do not seem much in Fantasy literature, but they leave a lot of plot lines open-- assuming we will get a third book in this series [Fingers Crossed!]
And now to try to finish before the discussion comes to a close...
Just finished through Chapter 20--kids going back to school has really interefered with my ability to participate this time!Like everyone else, I really enjoy the post fight scenes--the consequences of the battles. The Lyre being smashed, the fallen
Like everyone else, I really enjoy the post fight scenes--the consequences of the battles. The Lyre being smashed, the fallen foes struggling with where to go, etc. Not only are these well written scenes that I do not seem much in Fantasy literature, but they leave a lot of plot lines open-- assuming we will get a third book in this series [Fingers Crossed!]
Fingers AND toes! And, thank you! I'm glad folks are enjoying this section!
And now to try to finish before the discussion comes to a close...
Please don't worry about that. I'll answer questions for as long as people are asking them, even if the book club is "officially" over. I'd hate for you to rush the ending and not enjoy it as much!
Regards, Marcy
That's funny. For me, it's much harder to get stuff done when they're NOT at school, LOL. ;)Fingers AND toes! ;) And, thank you! I'm glad folks are enjoying this section!Please don't worry about that. I'll answer questions for as long as people are a
A couple of quick posts from me - work's rather got in the way recently.I really enjoyed this section, especially the stories behind Trent's Well, the description of the inn, and the way in which Sabira found some new party members - and another meeting with Caldamus. I definitely felt the place had some life to it, and would have happily read more - it sounds like it'd make a great story hub and one that you could return to repeatedly and still find new things to say. The two-part battle in the caverns was great, too - I loved the way it twisted in the middle. As for the descent into darkness and the mushroom forest, those sections painted amazing pictures - somewhere between the Mines of Moria and Journey to the Centre of the Earth. This group of chapters was probably my favourite part of the book - just the right balance of fascinating locations, character development, intrigue and combat.
A couple of quick posts from me - work's rather got in the way recently.I really enjoyed this section, especially the stories behind Trent's Well, the description of the inn, and the way in which Sabira found some new party members - and another meet
I concur with the above poster. The field of mushrooms was cool and it added a lot of flavour to Greddark that he vengefully sought to kill them off. Although evil they are still sentient but he did it anyway. IN line with other dark tones Marcy touches upon in the book.
Seeing Sabira's grief over Jester and the choice she makes also makes it real for me. Kudos for the warforged and walking on the bottom reference *tips hat*
Great part of the book which brought Khyber to life for me.
I concur with the above poster. The field of mushrooms was cool and it added a lot of flavour to Greddark that he vengefully sought to kill them off. Although evil they are still sentient but he did it anyway. IN line with other dark tones Marcy touc
A couple of quick posts from me - work's rather got in the way recently.I really enjoyed this section, especially the stories behind Trent's Well, the description of the inn, and the way in which Sabira found some new party members - and another meeting with Caldamus. I definitely felt the place had some life to it, and would have happily read more - it sounds like it'd make a great story hub and one that you could return to repeatedly and still find new things to say. The two-part battle in the caverns was great, too - I loved the way it twisted in the middle. As for the descent into darkness and the mushroom forest, those sections painted amazing pictures - somewhere between the Mines of Moria and Journey to the Centre of the Earth. This group of chapters was probably my favourite part of the book - just the right balance of fascinating locations, character development, intrigue and combat.
Sorry it took me awhile to respond to this!
I'm glad you liked this section! When I was writing the book, there was some thought that it might guide what Turbione was doing in-game with DDO, so I was trying to make Trent's Well a place that could be used to launch adventures/quests. Turbine ultimately decided to put another entrance to Tarath Marad in Stormreach itself (I make a reference in the next section about two dragons fighting at the feet of Emperor Cul'sir, and that's where the entrance is there - at the feet of the statue in the harbor), but maybe some day they'll include Trent's Well, too.
Regards, Marcy
Sorry it took me awhile to respond to this! I'm glad you liked this section! When I was writing the book, there was some thought that it might guide what Turbione was doing in-game with DDO, so I was trying to make Trent's Well a place that could be
I concur with the above poster. The field of mushrooms was cool and it added a lot of flavour to Greddark that he vengefully sought to kill them off. Although evil they are still sentient but he did it anyway. IN line with other dark tones Marcy touches upon in the book.
Thank you! I'm glad you liked the myconids, and Greddark's response to them. I was also hoping it might give people some insight into Xujil, as well, seeing that his motivations and Greddark's weren't all that different. It's one of the things I like to make readers to think about - who is really the bad guy?
Seeing Sabira's grief over Jester and the choice she makes also makes it real for me. Kudos for the warforged and walking on the bottom reference *tips hat*
Great part of the book which brought Khyber to life for me.
And thank you again! That was one of my goals, to help the reader really envision Khyber and compare/contrast it with the Underdark. I'm glad it worked for you!
Regards, Marcy
Thank you! I'm glad you liked the myconids, and Greddark's response to them. I was also hoping it might give people some insight into Xujil, as well, seeing that his motivations and Greddark's weren't all that different. It's one of the things I like
