Maerlius > The Wizards Community

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I Don’t Know What It Is, but I Like It www.wizards.com

2 / 82

As pointed out elsewhere, the shedu and lammasu are the same thing (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamassu). Perhaps they could be separate sub-species, but I don't see why they need to be different monster entries.
I also don't see why the phoenix, baku, or moon dog should be celestials (the poll doesn't allow another option). In fact, I'd think the couatl should be a celestial before any of those...

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May 23, 2013 7:13 AM PDT

Pyrate_Jib

I have a fondness for good aligned monsters. As a DM I like to use them as color and helpful NPCs in a world which threatens the PCs. I believe that good monsters can provide hooks for adventures. "The wounded Moon Dog falls at the feet of the Ranger and begs for help against a pack of Yeth Hounds who are ravaging the woodlands."
I hope you keep them for D&D Next.

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May 23, 2013 8:44 AM PDT

Maerlius shared an article.

A Lineage in Art www.wizards.com

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2 / 12

Maerlius

I'd forgotten about old Emirikol ("a miracle"?). But the two pictures seem to be telling different stories. In the first, Emirikol is clearly riding along the street for at least a second pass after killing someone and now people are just coming out of the buildings to try and stop him.
The second looks more like a fight between Emirikol and some other people in the street, rather than the mad wizard randomly attacking people. (He is "The Chaotic", after all.)
Consequently, there's...

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May 15, 2013 3:19 PM PDT

sgt_d

I don't remember which later edition book it came out of, but I believe that was also a callback art piece for the b/w Easley piece in the 89 PHB of the female warrior laying on the tomb with the incense burner. The new piece showed it from a different perspective (much like the 1e PHB "idol" redo in the 2e 95 book).

May 15, 2013 3:42 PM PDT

Maerlius shared an article.

An Autocorrect Nightmare www.wizards.com

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2 / 141

BlakeRyan

slaad and modrons... both seem to exist in a vaccuum
neither interact with the blood war, githyanki, celestials, sigil or the prime material, they just patiently wait in their outer planes for someone to rock up
how about link Slaad into bullywugs or kuo toa?
i don't like the idea of slaad being abherrations, since abherrations are from beyond the great wheel/cosmos, not one chaotic aligned part of it. having said that, you could easily say ALL abherrations come from Limbo
...

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May 3, 2013 4:45 AM PDT

lovebeko

Hello dear;
how are you doing, It's a wonderful compliment to write to you at this moment. Honestly I'm interested to make a good relationship with you after I read your profile today and I am so much interested on you. I want to build a trust and honest good relationship with. However, I shall send to you my picture and tell you more details about myself on my next mail. I want you to write to me through my email (
...

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May 20, 2013 3:09 PM PDT

Maerlius shared an article.

Where to Begin. . . www.wizards.com

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Maerlius shared an article.

Until the Next Encounter www.wizards.com

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2 / 89

eheide

Because I don't want to see this column go, I'm going to be selfish and ask you to write another couple entries.
We have learned a bunch about Iomandra, but I'm extremely curious about the type of campaign you are considering running next. Therefore, I would really appreciate you giving us some insight into the themes that are getting you excited for the next go around.
I think this would be the perfect "intermission" for you column, as I refuse to believe you have run out of topics...

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March 21, 2013 5:52 AM PDT

SvenTheBlowfish

I have few words that can do my thoughts justice, but I'd like to try. Very simply, Dungeon Mastering is the reason I can feel "okay" in this place, and your words are the reason I am a Dungeon Master. I don't think I can ever thank you enough for that.
Appreciated.
- Barker

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April 2, 2013 4:23 AM PDT

Maerlius shared an article.

Creepy Crawlies www.wizards.com

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2 / 59

Grimcleaver

I really prefer the more mantis-like (rather than worm-like, which seems off) presentation of the ankheg, particularly the one with the cobra like hood around it's head. That has become very iconic.

March 16, 2013 11:56 PM PDT

Dragonlover333

My theory on the purple worm is that it originally said "wyrm", but was edited by someone who didn't know it meant dragon.

March 23, 2013 6:26 PM PDT

Maerlius shared an article.

Make It BIG! www.wizards.com

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2 / 60

Johnny_Angel

I like being creative. I am even a fan of some "over the top" concepts. However, just like in a movie, special effects can be overdone; likewise, special effects can't always compensate for a bad movie. One of the main reasons I cannot take modern horror movies seriously is because they too often spray gore and blood around and hope the audience won't notice that the movie is terrible. In contrast, I don't believe Hitchcock ever actually showed a person being murdered in his movies; yet,...

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March 10, 2013 9:58 PM PDT

WarcowUshi1

Quite literally all of those have happened in my groups campaigns... Probably the most over the top thing that has happened was a character in a campaign became the avatar of Olidammara, after being given a deck of chaos which was used to choose which of the party members would ultimately be the champion. The characters then meet this character again some years later in the next campaign and find that the character has transported to the Dark Sun campaign setting where he then split in 5 parts...

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March 11, 2013 4:27 AM PDT

Maerlius shared an article.

Master of Suspense wizards.com

Maerlius shared an article.

Melve’s Plan www.wizards.com

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2 / 14

PinkRose

As a matter of fact, I like Gnomes and Mr. Greenwood, but...

February 24, 2013 8:40 PM PST

Ruike

I've had too many bad experiences with gnomes. They always get played as really horrible NPCs that you want to punch in the face and leave on a roadside while your're being followed by a band of orcs.

February 26, 2013 8:50 PM PST

Maerlius added a comment to DM_Jo1990's blog post.

New to DMing and New to D&D

I have always wanted to play D&D but noone wanted to be the DM, so a while...

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2 / 3

lordgonja

Dear readers,
I have been playing Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 1st and 2nd addition "tabletop" game for over 20 years as a Dungeon Master and I have learned alot from this. Playing DDO 3.5 is quite different. There are no tried and proved methods, however there are some important things to consider; If you are playing this game to score points as fast as possible and get to the end and are extremely competitive, in my opinion you don't belong associated with Dungeons and Dragons at all.
...

View full comment Dear readers,
I have been playing Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 1st and 2nd addition "tabletop" game for over 20 years as a Dungeon Master and I have learned alot from this. Playing DDO 3.5 is quite different. There are no tried and proved methods, however there are some important things to consider; If you are playing this game to score points as fast as possible and get to the end and are extremely competitive, in my opinion you don't belong associated with Dungeons and Dragons at all.
This "DDO" is an offshoot of Dungeons and Dragons and that is the most world famous "fantasy role playing game" of all time! DDO makes room for those types of players for a maximum profit ratio $$$.
If you are from the "Old School" of Dungeons and Dragons and are trying to experience it in 3D and have a world wide web's worth of potential players to play with this should have been the best place to go.
I think there still is hope and I intend on making that so - and no not single handedly! As a DM you know the number one rule is: What the DM says goes P E R I O D! However it is wise to make the game as fun as possible or you will have no one to play with. Same goes for guilds and guild leaders/recruiters. You do however have to consider what the majority of your guildies want and that is bassically your type of "guild" or "campaign." If the people you are "interviewing" are going to take the ballance out of your storyline/fantasy you and your guildies are roleplaying or if they are not into roleplaying at all and your guild is a roleplaying guild, then they wont work out.
This is why it is imperitive to interview so as not to waist anyone's precious online gaming time! This is a game - yes, but what type of game is the question to be considered. It is not the typical "video game" that so many seem to think it is and God willing it wont become one either! I for one will fight to maintain DnD integrety forever! Dungeons and Dragons was desighned to bring people together to have a fan

February 20, 2013 5:30 PM PST

DM_Jo1990

The hard thing with the 2nd edition is that there is very little resources on the internet so I am relaying on my players to answer my questions. All my players are old school d&d player and one was a DM. The guy that was the DM and starting to look like a rule lawyer. He got on my case for not knowing all the sub-races.

February 20, 2013 5:44 PM PST

Maerlius shared an article.

My Best Bud, D&D www.wizards.com

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2 / 201

TomShambles

PA: Table-top, video games
#1: Unpredictable, Humourous, Resourceful, Compulsive, Good-natured
#2: Surreal, Exaggerated, awe-inspiring

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April 10, 2013 10:57 AM PDT

Cobbler

Primary Access: tabletop roleplaying game
Assignment #1: adventurous, imaginative, cooperative, entertaining, creative
Assignment #2: deep, enticing and intricate

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May 21, 2013 4:51 PM PDT

Maerlius shared an article.

Where’s the Love? www.wizards.com

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2 / 49

Dausuul

This does not square with my experience of female gamers. The most common complaint I get from women at the table is that they're bored by number-crunching and cautious exploration, and want to fast-forward to the part where they get to strew monster guts all over the dungeon (preferably described by the DM in graphic detail). As far as relationships go, it's mostly seducing bad guys to gain the advantage over them, or casual sex with no consequences. The only players I've ever seen looking for...

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February 19, 2013 12:33 PM PST

fidgit005

I think their are factors that make romance in campaigns more likely. A DM can increase their chances of romance or other high roleplay options by just creating a more interactive world. Players should feel a part of the world rather than a game peice being railroaded from one dungeon to the next. Npcs should be given flavor so that players remember them and want to spend more time with them. Players need to take the attitude that the world and its cast of characters are not just numbers to be...

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February 20, 2013 7:00 PM PST

Maerlius shared an article.

Hydra www.wizards.com

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2 / 128

AndyHolman

I've always thought of the Hydra as a multi-headed snake - a snake body, and each of its heads is a snake head, rather than a dragon-like head. I'd be find with multi-headed dragons being some other thing, but to me, the Hydra in popular culture is very strongly slanted in favor of snake-like.
-Andy

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February 19, 2013 12:02 PM PST

urzaden

I have always thought of the Hydra are a sort of amphibian with skin that looked like that of a Frog. With that being said I always pictured the Hydra having a body and legs best suited for the water but was never constrained to just Lakes, Rivers, and Seas. How does that fit with all of you out there what are your opinions?

February 19, 2013 9:03 PM PST

Maerlius shared an article.

Best Supporting Character wizards.com

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Maerlius shared an article.

Covering the Past www.wizards.com

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2 / 144

R.A.S

It's the best!

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March 4, 2013 1:30 PM PST

lmartin4020

While I personally think that the 1st and 2nd edition covers are the best (and I admit, I may be biased to those editions), I think that the 4th edition cover is one that if you covered up the D&D name I would have thought Dungeons & Dragons the minute that I saw the artwork.

March 11, 2013 11:53 AM PDT

Maerlius shared an article.

Hippogriffon? www.wizards.com

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2 / 90

derbis

I'm kind of fond of this rough interpretation of a hippogriff. I like how its head is both equine and avian.

February 9, 2013 7:38 PM PST

urzaden

You could make a disease or curse that turns normal animals into part eagle versions of them selves, Like Griffons.
But just on the topic of Hippogriffs I find myself liking the far right picture with all legs ending in talons. If you made it so the talons when together make more of a hoof shape and when the use them to pick up prey they extend out like normal talons I think that would be cool. Or make Griffons more like predators and Hippogriffs more like a domesticated version.

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February 19, 2013 8:57 PM PST

Maerlius shared an article.

D&D Next Goals, Part Three www.wizards.com

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2 / 254

Lord-of-Wands

Expertise dice...
Great idea but...the first iterations of the playtest were more ‘old school’. Looks like we are moving back to extreme damage die rolls again… Things like the Fighter surge.. shudder! 12d6 suddenly? Very naff!
A more interesting expertise progression might be…
A simple d6, d8, d10, d12, 2d6, d6d8, d610, d6d12, d8d12, d10d12 2d12. This is more than sufficient expertise dice for all classes and ensures players think when and how to spend their dice.
I also...

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January 29, 2013 8:26 PM PST

Psikerlord

that barbarian/warden shapechanger thing sounds brilliant

February 12, 2013 3:44 AM PST

Maerlius shared an article.

The Humpty Dumpty Conundrum www.wizards.com

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2 / 33

BalogTheFierce

I'm running a campaign at the moment with a good amount of politics... my players have decided the city is evil and they will adventure elsewhere. Sad, but the real fun is finding ways to make them go back to the city they hate, bwahahah

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December 14, 2012 9:32 PM PST

Maerlius

Some time in the next 12 months, I'll be running a more political campaign in Eberron where Erandis Vol through her various agents will become a stablising influence in a particular region... For her own purposes, of course!

January 19, 2013 4:31 AM PST

Maerlius shared an article.

The Old DM and the Sea www.wizards.com

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2 / 124

EOD30

Thanks Athkor

January 28, 2013 8:48 PM PST

Vaske

I agree, though it does annoy me that Paladins have to be lawful good. This is the only class that is restricted to good as their alignment, and I have always felt that a paladin could be lawful neutral or lawful evil instead, though the class description may take a little modification.

February 1, 2013 10:45 AM PST

Maerlius shared an article.

When Stuff Happens, What’s a DM to Do? www.wizards.com

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2 / 6

Maerlius

Since starting an Eberron campaign, I've been running more sub-plots than any previous campaign. Part of that is due to the players - a pair of Warforged struggling to find their place in the world as living creatures; a Halfling Monk founding an orphanage;an Asimaar tracking down the Drow who killed his father; a Shifter Ranger who now has a sword infused with the spirit of a dragon and who, in turn, wants vengeance on another dragon. (Thanks gang!) The rest consists of what the Drow are...

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January 11, 2013 9:59 PM PST

Rartemass

I recently ran a campaign that caused some high levels of intensity and a little stress. This was brought about by the plot and some poor choices from the players. To relieve the stress of this I grabbed a scenario about a travelling Djinn that gambled with people. If you won you got a wish - tainted by Djinn logic of course.
I role played out the entire gambling process. We played the games instead of dice rolling their outcomes, keeping in character the entire time. The characters were...

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January 13, 2013 2:59 PM PST

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