Van Richten's Arsenal - Revision history

The Lesser Evil: /* Contents */

2020-01-10T21:04:53Z

Contents

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:04, 10 January 2020
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	*Chapter One: Stake and silver (mundane tools and devices)		*Chapter One: Stake and silver (mundane tools and devices)

	*Chapter Two: Faith and Fury (new arcane and divine spells – Allergen, Anesthesia, [[Augment Undead]], [[Awaken Guilt]], [[Danse Macabre]], [[Dark Sentinels]], [[Deconstruct]], [[Diminish Undead]], [[Epiphany]], [[Eternal Slumber]], [[Feast of Oblivion]], [[Greater Reflect Pain]], [[Identify Spoor]], [[Immerse Mind]], [[Induce Lycanthropy]], [[Insatiable Thirst]], ]]Insight]], [[Inviolate Soul]], [[Lichbane Daggers]], [[Mystick Cage]], [[Protection from Curses]], ]]Ray of Fatigue]], [[Reflect Pain]], [[Rheumatism]], ]]See Ethereal Resonance]], [[Shackle]], ]]Shoulder Burden]], [[Siren Song]], [[Suppress Lycanthropy]], [[Upsurge]], [[Wall of Gloom]])		*Chapter Two: Faith and Fury (new arcane and divine spells – Allergen, Anesthesia, [[Augment Undead]], [[Awaken Guilt]], [[Danse Macabre]], [[Dark Sentinels]], [[Deconstruct]], [[Diminish Undead]], [[Epiphany]], [[Eternal Slumber]], [[Feast of Oblivion]], [[Greater Reflect Pain]], [[Identify Spoor]], [[Immerse Mind]], [[Induce Lycanthropy]], [[Insatiable Thirst]], [[Insight]], [[Inviolate Soul]], [[Lichbane Daggers]], [[Mystick Cage]], [[Protection from Curses]], [[Ray of Fatigue]], [[Reflect Pain]], [[Rheumatism]], [[See Ethereal Resonance]], [[Shackle]], [[Shoulder Burden]], [[Siren Song]], [[Suppress Lycanthropy]], [[Upsurge]], [[Wall of Gloom]])

	*Chapter Three: Instruments of power(new magic items – Weapon enchantment (Binding, Death Bane, Fey-forged, Heartseeker, Protection); [[Abber Dream Catcher]], [[Amulet of the Beast]] (Ivory, Silver), [[Bell of Warding]], [[Blood Seeker Garlic]], [[Bone of Jackals]], [[Canjar Talisman]] ([[Evil Eye Amulet]], [[Moon Jewelry]]), [[Coffer of Peace]], [[Coffin of Eternal Rest]], [[Crypt Lock]], [[Eye of the Wicked Sight]], [[Gloaming Candle]], [[Hookah of Truth]], [[Lantern Jack]], [[Ring of Reversion]], [[Servant Candle]], [[Soul Searcher Medallion]], [[Witch-Finder Compass]], [[Wolfspaw]])		*Chapter Three: Instruments of power(new magic items – Weapon enchantment (Binding, Death Bane, Fey-forged, Heartseeker, Protection); [[Abber Dream Catcher]], [[Amulet of the Beast]] (Ivory, Silver), [[Bell of Warding]], [[Blood Seeker Garlic]], [[Bone of Jackals]], [[Canjar Talisman]] ([[Evil Eye Amulet]], [[Moon Jewelry]]), [[Coffer of Peace]], [[Coffin of Eternal Rest]], [[Crypt Lock]], [[Eye of the Wicked Sight]], [[Gloaming Candle]], [[Hookah of Truth]], [[Lantern Jack]], [[Ring of Reversion]], [[Servant Candle]], [[Soul Searcher Medallion]], [[Witch-Finder Compass]], [[Wolfspaw]])

The Lesser Evil: /* Contents */

2016-06-17T03:05:04Z

Contents

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:05, 16 June 2016
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	*Chapter Six: Tricks and Tactics (how to plan investigation and battles)		*Chapter Six: Tricks and Tactics (how to plan investigation and battles)

	*DM’s appendix: [[NPC]] stat sheet and detailed background - [[Weathermay-Foxgrove Twins\|Gennifer and Laurie Weathermay-Foxgrove]], [[George Weathermay]], [[Perseyus ~~Lathena~~]], [[Lord Balfour de Casteelle]], [[Agatha Clairmont]], [[Toret Johann Severin]], [[Jameld of Hroth]])		*DM’s appendix: [[NPC]] stat sheet and detailed background - [[Weathermay-Foxgrove Twins\|Gennifer and Laurie Weathermay-Foxgrove]], [[George Weathermay]], [[Perseyus Lathenna]], [[Lord Balfour de Casteelle]], [[Agatha Clairmont]], [[Toret Johann Severin]], [[Jameld of Hroth]])

	==Authors' Notes==		==Authors' Notes==

The Lesser Evil: /* Contents */

2016-06-17T03:03:20Z

Contents

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:03, 16 June 2016
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	*Chapter One: Stake and silver (mundane tools and devices)		*Chapter One: Stake and silver (mundane tools and devices)

	*Chapter Two: Faith and Fury (new arcane and divine spells – Allergen, Anesthesia, [[Augment Undead]], [[Awaken Guilt]], [[Danse Macabre]], [[Dark Sentinels]], [[Deconstruct]], [[Diminish Undead]], [[Epiphany]], [[Eternal Slumber]], [[~~Feat~~ of Oblivion]], [[Greater Reflect Pain]], [[Identify Spoor]], [[Immerse Mind]], [[Induce Lycanthropy]], [[Insatiable Thirst]], ]]Insight]], [[Inviolate Soul]], [[Lichbane Daggers]], [[Mystick Cage]], [[Protection from Curses]], ]]Ray of Fatigue]], [[Reflect Pain]], [[Rheumatism]], ]]See Ethereal Resonance]], [[Shackle]], ]]Shoulder Burden]], [[Siren Song]], [[Suppress Lycanthropy]], [[Upsurge]], [[Wall of Gloom]])		*Chapter Two: Faith and Fury (new arcane and divine spells – Allergen, Anesthesia, [[Augment Undead]], [[Awaken Guilt]], [[Danse Macabre]], [[Dark Sentinels]], [[Deconstruct]], [[Diminish Undead]], [[Epiphany]], [[Eternal Slumber]], [[Feast of Oblivion]], [[Greater Reflect Pain]], [[Identify Spoor]], [[Immerse Mind]], [[Induce Lycanthropy]], [[Insatiable Thirst]], ]]Insight]], [[Inviolate Soul]], [[Lichbane Daggers]], [[Mystick Cage]], [[Protection from Curses]], ]]Ray of Fatigue]], [[Reflect Pain]], [[Rheumatism]], ]]See Ethereal Resonance]], [[Shackle]], ]]Shoulder Burden]], [[Siren Song]], [[Suppress Lycanthropy]], [[Upsurge]], [[Wall of Gloom]])

	*Chapter Three: Instruments of power(new magic items – Weapon enchantment (Binding, Death Bane, Fey-forged, Heartseeker, Protection); [[Abber Dream Catcher]], [[Amulet of the Beast]] (Ivory, Silver), [[Bell of Warding]], [[Blood Seeker Garlic]], [[Bone of Jackals]], [[Canjar Talisman]] (Evil ~~eye amulet~~, Moon Jewelry), [[Coffer of Peace]], [[Coffin of Eternal Rest]], [[Crypt Lock]], [[Eye of the Wicked Sight]], [[Gloaming Candle]], [[Hookah of Truth]], [[Lantern Jack]], [[Ring of Reversion]], [[Servant Candle]], [[Soul Searcher Medallion]], [[Witch-~~finder~~ Compass]], [[Wolfspaw]])		*Chapter Three: Instruments of power(new magic items – Weapon enchantment (Binding, Death Bane, Fey-forged, Heartseeker, Protection); [[Abber Dream Catcher]], [[Amulet of the Beast]] (Ivory, Silver), [[Bell of Warding]], [[Blood Seeker Garlic]], [[Bone of Jackals]], [[Canjar Talisman]] ([[Evil Eye Amulet]], [[Moon Jewelry]]), [[Coffer of Peace]], [[Coffin of Eternal Rest]], [[Crypt Lock]], [[Eye of the Wicked Sight]], [[Gloaming Candle]], [[Hookah of Truth]], [[Lantern Jack]], [[Ring of Reversion]], [[Servant Candle]], [[Soul Searcher Medallion]], [[Witch-Finder Compass]], [[Wolfspaw]])

	*Chapter Four: Bottled Lightning(alchemical devices and feats – see the list of feats in the Wine Cellar)		*Chapter Four: Bottled Lightning(alchemical devices and feats – see the list of feats in the Wine Cellar)

	*Chapter Five: Perilous Pursuit (~~new feats – see the list of feats in the Wine Cellar, prestige~~ classes – [[Alchemical ~~philosopher~~]], [[Anchorite of the Mists]], [[Avenger]], [[Crypt Raider]], [[Dirgist]], [[Guardian Seeker]], [[Hallowed Witch]], [[Knight of the Shadows]], [[Pistoleer]], [[Stygian Attendant]])		*Chapter Five: Perilous Pursuit (Prestige classes – [[Alchemical Philosopher]], [[Anchorite of the Mists]], [[Avenger]], [[Crypt Raider]], [[Dirgist]], [[Guardian Seeker]], [[Hallowed Witch]], [[Knight of the Shadows]], [[Pistoleer]], [[Stygian Attendant]])

	*Chapter Six: Tricks and Tactics (how to plan investigation and battles)		*Chapter Six: Tricks and Tactics (how to plan investigation and battles)

The Lesser Evil: Contents

2016-06-17T03:01:12Z

Contents

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 ==Dates==
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 *[[Andrew Wyatt]]
 ==Authors' Notes==

The Lesser Evil at 23:30, 15 January 2015

2015-01-15T23:30:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:30, 15 January 2015
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	[[Category:Sourcebook]]		[[Category:Sourcebook]]
	[[Category:Van Richten's Guide]]		[[Category:Van Richten's Guide]]
			[[category:3rd Edition]]

Cure: /* John W. Mangrum */

2010-12-22T08:09:55Z

John W. Mangrum

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:09, 22 December 2010
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	It was our plan to put out a VR book a year, with those four being the ones we envisioned doing. During the brief time the Kargatane were nominally in charge of the setting, we made plans to do WD and SF on our own. Van Richten's Guide to the Scaly Depths (actually, we never settled on a title for that one that all the Kargatane liked -- something I took as a sign that this would be a difficult topic) was grown from a seed Steve Miller had planted (in the Guide to Hags, I believe), and I tossed in the plug for Van Richten's Guide to Eldritch Horrors (mind flayers and their fleshcrafted spawn, presented with a heavily Lovecraftian bent -- think "The Man Who Lost His Mind") to fill out the list.		It was our plan to put out a VR book a year, with those four being the ones we envisioned doing. During the brief time the Kargatane were nominally in charge of the setting, we made plans to do WD and SF on our own. Van Richten's Guide to the Scaly Depths (actually, we never settled on a title for that one that all the Kargatane liked -- something I took as a sign that this would be a difficult topic) was grown from a seed Steve Miller had planted (in the Guide to Hags, I believe), and I tossed in the plug for Van Richten's Guide to Eldritch Horrors (mind flayers and their fleshcrafted spawn, presented with a heavily Lovecraftian bent -- think "The Man Who Lost His Mind") to fill out the list.

	Of course, Van Richten's Guide to Shambling Mounds got kicked around a lot -- an old joke by William W. Connors I thought actually contained a good central concept. We never planned on doing the book, but the "good concept" eventually made it to print in Ravenloft Gazetteer II (the mandragora in Darkon's Boglands).		Of course, Van Richten's Guide to [[Shambling Mound \| Shambling Mounds]] got kicked around a lot -- an old joke by William W. Connors I thought actually contained a good central concept. We never planned on doing the book, but the "good concept" eventually made it to print in Ravenloft Gazetteer II (the mandragora in Darkon's Boglands).

	In effect, we were trying to use the early RL books to lay the foundation for future development. Writing a game plan, so to speak. Up until the end, the VRGs and the Gazzes were the two lines we managed to keep more or less on track; other plans never made it out of the stable.		In effect, we were trying to use the early RL books to lay the foundation for future development. Writing a game plan, so to speak. Up until the end, the VRGs and the Gazzes were the two lines we managed to keep more or less on track; other plans never made it out of the stable.

ChrisNichols at 14:53, 17 April 2010

2010-04-17T14:53:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:53, 17 April 2010
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	*Chapter 1 - [[John W. Mangrum]]		*Chapter 1 - [[John W. Mangrum]]
	*Chapter 2 - [[Ryan Naylor]]		*Chapter 2 - [[Ryan Naylor]]
	*Chapter 3		*Chapter 3 - [[Chris Nichols]]
	*Chapter 4 - [[John W. Mangrum]]		*Chapter 4 - [[John W. Mangrum]]
	*Chapter 5		*Chapter 5
	*Chapter 6 - [[Andrew Cermak]]		*Chapter 6 - [[Andrew Cermak]]


	*[[Chris Nichols]]
	*[[Andrew Wyatt]]		*[[Andrew Wyatt]]

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	Finally, I’m quite happy with Perseyus herself. The character arc over the chapter is a bit hamfisted, but what can I say? I was young. I realised that there had never been a major gnome NPC, so I set about making one. She was a he until someone pointed out all of our narrators were male; then Perseyus and Agatha had sex changes. I always have difficult when choosing names, so I cheated: DoD says gnomish culture is Greek/Roman. I take Perseus, and add a “y” (so per-see-us becomes Per-sey-us—the stress pattern is different), and take Athena and warp it. I don’t know where to stick her, and then notice that nothing exciting ever happens in Valachan, and Valachan is full of gnomes, so I plant her there. That’s were the bit with Lady Adeline (not Adelaide, as RL3e says) came from, which is the first appearance of a true sexual sadist and tyrant in anything I’ve written. There have been quite a few; I don’t know why my villains are one or both of these.		Finally, I’m quite happy with Perseyus herself. The character arc over the chapter is a bit hamfisted, but what can I say? I was young. I realised that there had never been a major gnome NPC, so I set about making one. She was a he until someone pointed out all of our narrators were male; then Perseyus and Agatha had sex changes. I always have difficult when choosing names, so I cheated: DoD says gnomish culture is Greek/Roman. I take Perseus, and add a “y” (so per-see-us becomes Per-sey-us—the stress pattern is different), and take Athena and warp it. I don’t know where to stick her, and then notice that nothing exciting ever happens in Valachan, and Valachan is full of gnomes, so I plant her there. That’s were the bit with Lady Adeline (not Adelaide, as RL3e says) came from, which is the first appearance of a true sexual sadist and tyrant in anything I’ve written. There have been quite a few; I don’t know why my villains are one or both of these.

			===[[Chris Nichols]]===

			For the record, I wrote Chapter 3, Instruments of Power, and the related material in the DM's Appendix.

	==Errata==		==Errata==

Cure: /* Ryan Naylor */

2010-03-22T00:43:53Z

Ryan Naylor

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:43, 21 March 2010
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	The chapter I wrote was Faith and Fury, the section narrated by [[Perseyus Lathenna]] on new spells. I volunteered for this chapter specifically because (1) none of the other chapters interested me, and turned out far better than if I had written them, and (2) because I wanted to address what I still see as a flaw in the D&D rules. I like heroic adventure; simple, everyday people struggling against great and powerful evil. In my experience, simple, everyday people don’t bludgeon everything they meet to death, like most PCs do. While this is probably a problem with my players, it’s also built into the rules themselves, from the ridiculous moral system to the combat rules to the spell descriptions. Of the first level spells, there are three times as many lethal offensive spells than there are non-lethal ones. This isn’t conducive to good gothic roleplaying (although it can be fun).		The chapter I wrote was Faith and Fury, the section narrated by [[Perseyus Lathenna]] on new spells. I volunteered for this chapter specifically because (1) none of the other chapters interested me, and turned out far better than if I had written them, and (2) because I wanted to address what I still see as a flaw in the D&D rules. I like heroic adventure; simple, everyday people struggling against great and powerful evil. In my experience, simple, everyday people don’t bludgeon everything they meet to death, like most PCs do. While this is probably a problem with my players, it’s also built into the rules themselves, from the ridiculous moral system to the combat rules to the spell descriptions. Of the first level spells, there are three times as many lethal offensive spells than there are non-lethal ones. This isn’t conducive to good gothic roleplaying (although it can be fun).

	So, I set about filling the void with more non-lethal spells. When I wrote the chapter originally, it was still divided into the three sections (Investigative, Offensive and Defensive spells), but there was no in character description of the spells. I thought that was kind of amusing, because it implied the magical notations of the spells actually did involve level and range descriptions. John didn’t agree, and so I went back and separated in character and technical descriptions. The technical descriptions were meant to be in sidebars, but some production error meant they’re still part of the text Perseyus sent to the twins, so in the end, I still win. Ha ha! I have no idea who gave them all twee titles like “Know What You’re After”. I would have used the spell name, and their forced joviality still annoys me. I thought of most of the spells myself, drawing on gothic archetypes (e.g. [[Immerse Mind]]), bits from novels I liked (e.g. Danse Macabre even refers to Dance of the Dead, while Terry Pratchett’s Granny Weatherwax inspired [[Awaken Guilt]], [[Insatiable Thirst]] and I think [[Reflect Pain]]), and monsters that there weren’t any spells to attack with yet (e.g. [[Deconstruct]]). Apparently the concept behind [[Dark Sentinels]] had previously appeared in a slightly different form in a Dragon magazine, but I have never seen it, and proudly claim I came up with it myself. A couple ([[Wall of Gloom]], [[Mystick Cage]], which is now phenomenally hard to survive) were recycled from 2nd edition, and a number of spells were recycled from SotDR after it was cut back to the bone — [[Suppress Lycanthropy \|Suppress [Lycanthropy]]] and [[Induce Lycanthropy]], and [[Diminish Undead \|Diminish [Undead]]] and [[Augment Undead]]. I still don’t think the twins would have put the evil versions of these couplets into their book, but there you go. There was going to be a description of wild magic (called The Taint), but that got cut for that very reason — John couldn’t see the twins telling people about it. There was also a spell list by level which was cut for space, which I think the book could still use.		So, I set about filling the void with more non-lethal spells. When I wrote the chapter originally, it was still divided into the three sections (Investigative, Offensive and Defensive spells), but there was no in character description of the spells. I thought that was kind of amusing, because it implied the magical notations of the spells actually did involve level and range descriptions. John didn’t agree, and so I went back and separated in character and technical descriptions. The technical descriptions were meant to be in sidebars, but some production error meant they’re still part of the text Perseyus sent to the twins, so in the end, I still win. Ha ha! I have no idea who gave them all twee titles like “Know What You’re After”. I would have used the spell name, and their forced joviality still annoys me. I thought of most of the spells myself, drawing on gothic archetypes (e.g. [[Immerse Mind]]), bits from novels I liked (e.g. Danse Macabre even refers to Dance of the Dead, while Terry Pratchett’s Granny Weatherwax inspired [[Awaken Guilt]], [[Insatiable Thirst]] and I think [[Reflect Pain]]), and monsters that there weren’t any spells to attack with yet (e.g. [[Deconstruct]]). Apparently the concept behind [[Dark Sentinels]] had previously appeared in a slightly different form in a Dragon magazine, but I have never seen it, and proudly claim I came up with it myself. A couple ([[Wall of Gloom]], [[Mystick Cage]], which is now phenomenally hard to survive) were recycled from 2nd edition, and a number of spells were recycled from SotDR after it was cut back to the bone — [[Suppress Lycanthropy \|Suppress Lycanthropy]] and [[Induce Lycanthropy]], and [[Diminish Undead \|Diminish Undead]] and [[Augment Undead]]. I still don’t think the twins would have put the evil versions of these couplets into their book, but there you go. There was going to be a description of wild magic (called The Taint), but that got cut for that very reason — John couldn’t see the twins telling people about it. There was also a spell list by level which was cut for space, which I think the book could still use.

	Finally, I’m quite happy with Perseyus herself. The character arc over the chapter is a bit hamfisted, but what can I say? I was young. I realised that there had never been a major gnome NPC, so I set about making one. She was a he until someone pointed out all of our narrators were male; then Perseyus and Agatha had sex changes. I always have difficult when choosing names, so I cheated: DoD says gnomish culture is Greek/Roman. I take Perseus, and add a “y” (so per-see-us becomes Per-sey-us—the stress pattern is different), and take Athena and warp it. I don’t know where to stick her, and then notice that nothing exciting ever happens in Valachan, and Valachan is full of gnomes, so I plant her there. That’s were the bit with Lady Adeline (not Adelaide, as RL3e says) came from, which is the first appearance of a true sexual sadist and tyrant in anything I’ve written. There have been quite a few; I don’t know why my villains are one or both of these.		Finally, I’m quite happy with Perseyus herself. The character arc over the chapter is a bit hamfisted, but what can I say? I was young. I realised that there had never been a major gnome NPC, so I set about making one. She was a he until someone pointed out all of our narrators were male; then Perseyus and Agatha had sex changes. I always have difficult when choosing names, so I cheated: DoD says gnomish culture is Greek/Roman. I take Perseus, and add a “y” (so per-see-us becomes Per-sey-us—the stress pattern is different), and take Athena and warp it. I don’t know where to stick her, and then notice that nothing exciting ever happens in Valachan, and Valachan is full of gnomes, so I plant her there. That’s were the bit with Lady Adeline (not Adelaide, as RL3e says) came from, which is the first appearance of a true sexual sadist and tyrant in anything I’ve written. There have been quite a few; I don’t know why my villains are one or both of these.

Cure: /* Ryan Naylor */

2010-03-22T00:17:51Z

Ryan Naylor

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:17, 21 March 2010
Line 44:		Line 44:
	Van Richten’s Arsenal was the first professional writing I ever did. At 12,000 words, it was also the longest thing I had ever written to that point, by about six times. (I was nineteen, for those who are keeping score). Despite all these problems—and believe me, I’ve found that lack of experience is a big problem—I was, and am, relatively happy with how my part of VRA turned out.		Van Richten’s Arsenal was the first professional writing I ever did. At 12,000 words, it was also the longest thing I had ever written to that point, by about six times. (I was nineteen, for those who are keeping score). Despite all these problems—and believe me, I’ve found that lack of experience is a big problem—I was, and am, relatively happy with how my part of VRA turned out.

	The chapter I wrote was Faith and Fury, the section narrated by Perseyus Lathenna on new spells. I volunteered for this chapter specifically because (1) none of the other chapters interested me, and turned out far better than if I had written them, and (2) because I wanted to address what I still see as a flaw in the D&D rules. I like heroic adventure; simple, everyday people struggling against great and powerful evil. In my experience, simple, everyday people don’t bludgeon everything they meet to death, like most PCs do. While this is probably a problem with my players, it’s also built into the rules themselves, from the ridiculous moral system to the combat rules to the spell descriptions. Of the first level spells, there are three times as many lethal offensive spells than there are non-lethal ones. This isn’t conducive to good gothic roleplaying (although it can be fun).		The chapter I wrote was Faith and Fury, the section narrated by [[Perseyus Lathenna]] on new spells. I volunteered for this chapter specifically because (1) none of the other chapters interested me, and turned out far better than if I had written them, and (2) because I wanted to address what I still see as a flaw in the D&D rules. I like heroic adventure; simple, everyday people struggling against great and powerful evil. In my experience, simple, everyday people don’t bludgeon everything they meet to death, like most PCs do. While this is probably a problem with my players, it’s also built into the rules themselves, from the ridiculous moral system to the combat rules to the spell descriptions. Of the first level spells, there are three times as many lethal offensive spells than there are non-lethal ones. This isn’t conducive to good gothic roleplaying (although it can be fun).

	So, I set about filling the void with more non-lethal spells. When I wrote the chapter originally, it was still divided into the three sections (Investigative, Offensive and Defensive spells), but there was no in character description of the spells. I thought that was kind of amusing, because it implied the magical notations of the spells actually did involve level and range descriptions. John didn’t agree, and so I went back and separated in character and technical descriptions. The technical descriptions were meant to be in sidebars, but some production error meant they’re still part of the text Perseyus sent to the twins, so in the end, I still win. Ha ha! I have no idea who gave them all twee titles like “Know What You’re After”. I would have used the spell name, and their forced joviality still annoys me. I thought of most of the spells myself, drawing on gothic archetypes (e.g. [[Immerse Mind]]), bits from novels I liked (e.g. Danse Macabre even refers to Dance of the Dead, while Terry Pratchett’s Granny Weatherwax inspired [[Awaken Guilt]], [[Insatiable Thirst]] and I think [[Reflect Pain]]), and monsters that there weren’t any spells to attack with yet (e.g. [[~~Deconstruction~~]]). Apparently the concept behind [[Dark Sentinels]] had previously appeared in a slightly different form in a Dragon magazine, but I have never seen it, and proudly claim I came up with it myself. A couple ([[Wall of Gloom]], [[Mystick Cage]], which is now phenomenally hard to survive) were recycled from 2nd edition, and a number of spells were recycled from SotDR after it was cut back to the bone — [[Suppress Lycanthropy \|Suppress [Lycanthropy]]] and [[Induce Lycanthropy]], and [[Diminish Undead \|Diminish [Undead]]] and [[Augment Undead]]. I still don’t think the twins would have put the evil versions of these couplets into their book, but there you go. There was going to be a description of wild magic (called The Taint), but that got cut for that very reason — John couldn’t see the twins telling people about it. There was also a spell list by level which was cut for space, which I think the book could still use.		So, I set about filling the void with more non-lethal spells. When I wrote the chapter originally, it was still divided into the three sections (Investigative, Offensive and Defensive spells), but there was no in character description of the spells. I thought that was kind of amusing, because it implied the magical notations of the spells actually did involve level and range descriptions. John didn’t agree, and so I went back and separated in character and technical descriptions. The technical descriptions were meant to be in sidebars, but some production error meant they’re still part of the text Perseyus sent to the twins, so in the end, I still win. Ha ha! I have no idea who gave them all twee titles like “Know What You’re After”. I would have used the spell name, and their forced joviality still annoys me. I thought of most of the spells myself, drawing on gothic archetypes (e.g. [[Immerse Mind]]), bits from novels I liked (e.g. Danse Macabre even refers to Dance of the Dead, while Terry Pratchett’s Granny Weatherwax inspired [[Awaken Guilt]], [[Insatiable Thirst]] and I think [[Reflect Pain]]), and monsters that there weren’t any spells to attack with yet (e.g. [[Deconstruct]]). Apparently the concept behind [[Dark Sentinels]] had previously appeared in a slightly different form in a Dragon magazine, but I have never seen it, and proudly claim I came up with it myself. A couple ([[Wall of Gloom]], [[Mystick Cage]], which is now phenomenally hard to survive) were recycled from 2nd edition, and a number of spells were recycled from SotDR after it was cut back to the bone — [[Suppress Lycanthropy \|Suppress [Lycanthropy]]] and [[Induce Lycanthropy]], and [[Diminish Undead \|Diminish [Undead]]] and [[Augment Undead]]. I still don’t think the twins would have put the evil versions of these couplets into their book, but there you go. There was going to be a description of wild magic (called The Taint), but that got cut for that very reason — John couldn’t see the twins telling people about it. There was also a spell list by level which was cut for space, which I think the book could still use.

	Finally, I’m quite happy with Perseyus herself. The character arc over the chapter is a bit hamfisted, but what can I say? I was young. I realised that there had never been a major gnome NPC, so I set about making one. She was a he until someone pointed out all of our narrators were male; then Perseyus and Agatha had sex changes. I always have difficult when choosing names, so I cheated: DoD says gnomish culture is Greek/Roman. I take Perseus, and add a “y” (so per-see-us becomes Per-sey-us—the stress pattern is different), and take Athena and warp it. I don’t know where to stick her, and then notice that nothing exciting ever happens in Valachan, and Valachan is full of gnomes, so I plant her there. That’s were the bit with Lady Adeline (not Adelaide, as RL3e says) came from, which is the first appearance of a true sexual sadist and tyrant in anything I’ve written. There have been quite a few; I don’t know why my villains are one or both of these.		Finally, I’m quite happy with Perseyus herself. The character arc over the chapter is a bit hamfisted, but what can I say? I was young. I realised that there had never been a major gnome NPC, so I set about making one. She was a he until someone pointed out all of our narrators were male; then Perseyus and Agatha had sex changes. I always have difficult when choosing names, so I cheated: DoD says gnomish culture is Greek/Roman. I take Perseus, and add a “y” (so per-see-us becomes Per-sey-us—the stress pattern is different), and take Athena and warp it. I don’t know where to stick her, and then notice that nothing exciting ever happens in Valachan, and Valachan is full of gnomes, so I plant her there. That’s were the bit with Lady Adeline (not Adelaide, as RL3e says) came from, which is the first appearance of a true sexual sadist and tyrant in anything I’ve written. There have been quite a few; I don’t know why my villains are one or both of these.

Cure at 05:36, 11 February 2010

2010-02-11T05:36:19Z

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