pragcon eae : ; 54 | 62 68 VOL. XXIX NUMBER 4 CONTENTS SAMURAI VS. KNIGHT One fought for enor, wore cook armor wielded finely ough weapems, ard struck fear into the heats of those who apposed him, Dh wait. so dd the other one. Find ‘out who weld win in this histo «al deathmatch! FORGOTTEN REALMS: DEMON STONE foliywood talentand epic sto ryteling unite to redefine the Realms, Check out never before ean images and am exc! Interview with R.A. Sslvatoe, SEVEN DEADLY DOMAINS Greed, envy, phutony, slot, Tus, pride, wrath —the seven decay sins presented as cleric domains, inclading new spel. SEE NO EVIL What i€your paladin couldatt detect evil’ What Faabody could? Check out the spells that give yout ‘new options in games thal blur the line between black end whitea ee ON THE COVER Daca Unleasbed! Dan Scott reveals 06 FROM THE EDITOR the new face-of Duscon, proving that Unleash the wrrm! Matt welzemes you to Daacon’s new forma, sou cast contain a great ver 08 FIRST WATCH Previews, notes, and news for gamers. | 12 SCALEMAIL Birthday wishes, troop suppor, and movie hopes, 20 PLAYERINITIATIVE The scoop on ganer lif, 24 UNDER COMMAND CChyese the best Daagoneyecommander or tally your PC's alles, 30 ANOVEL APPROACH Seer: of the Spiriterpet The first in DELD's new kid-iendly ook ine. 34 SILICON SORCERY Big, Yellow: Diferent. Final Fantasy’s chocobo comes to D&D. 38 COMICS LES 74 ECOLOGY Lamm the sees othe choker 78 SPELLCRAFT Use the force, Lake! News Inrce spell, 82. GAINING PRESTIGE Gall on sprit to gale you sith the pint speaker 86 THE MAGIC SHOP Ikeasures of the dvaeven holds 90 HEROIC FEATS [New feats to survive beth sand ane tid, 92 WINNING RACES Know te fatute and Hight the past asa qetopean. 96 CLASS ACTS. “Tipe and tricks for yeu favo 108 PLAYER TIPS Define your character with exluire 109 ADVENTURER TRICKS Norogue? No problent! 110 SAGE ADVICE “The sige answers yur ales questions 130 COUP DE GRACE Ed Stale esphins how 4 DED book comes to be.DRAGON UNLEASHED ns sue is cferent andl unless this isthe fitttime youve picked up Dascon, you probably noice that fact, What you hold inyour hands repre- sent new vision for the magazine, both ‘nits appearance and function. This new vision cameabout because we wan > rake the best RPG magazine better. We vant lomake the D&D magazine that appeals to you. whether yousea frsttime phyer oF « gamer ho has been rallinga «40 fee Soveas. ‘When we set out fo improve Diacon, the frst hing we considered was vader ‘feedack, (Fo leners, online message board, atl recent reader surveys, We alko took how readers se the mepazine lino consideration. Many Daxcow cead ‘om pidcup the magezine to be enter tanod ty ike to read about DRD and are interested in the detalls ofthe fantasy ‘ofthe gsme, Other readers use the maga ine as 2 connmutiy gatering point vay fr then 1p touch hase with what other Enea D&D aredaing, Still more Deacow readers wantthe magvare 0 bea monthly DED sourcebook, filled to the brim with newmnles, Most reudens are cemixofthe three. Westruck upon. thin now vention of Drscow ana vy to Appel th everyone, In the new Dancow, exch issue presents aniches of now feat, epee and magic items. In addition, every Jsiuecontains a new nionster playable 2a PC race and a new prestige ls, Not looking for new rales? Dorit wor Daaciow now offers an "Ecology" article in every iste, which prosents nove information about a D&D mor ste oth inspiration for how to ase it and advice for pliyers facing it. Fach Issueo! the new DeaGow also presents roleplaying and play advice in a“Plarer Tips" article, aelventuring tactics in an “adhenuces Tricks" article, aid eleven ‘Class Nats articles, providing new rales, insight, or inspiration fer each oF the core classes, Alo, every mew Isste includes “A Novel Approsch, Sillcon Sorcery," and "Under Com rnvane." which take inspiration from novel, an electronic patne, a the BED miniatures to provide new ideae foe D&D roleplaying, But wait, there’ more! Daacow still precents great feature anticls that give you innovative new rales, ideas fox your game or character, aévire and insight, apd new fiction. We also wanted to take this opportunity t> rake Deacon your go-to source for Information about D&D and the RPG indusir,. Tha why Deacox now presents « “Coup de Grace” column \wetten by one ofthe folks responsible for bringlag you D&D,a "Hest Watel? section thit give you owe about evel neve taleases, the “Scale Mail” letters column that gives you a place te peas fot and “PI you in on some of the things other phyers are doing and gives a glimpse Init,” which Inte ffthe wider world of gaming Tis issue slso represents an oppor tunsy for you to help make Deacon sd Hbrongh it, se Ie tus kaow what you think, Tel us what youliked ard what sou dist, what you ‘yan to see mote of and what you dik? sco bUL Wane 1 Sos inthe fanure. Then, check out our new Wiitere Guidelines nailable at wwycpaizo.comjdragon. and send us soe ides fa wha you'd like tite. With eo many aries in each new issue, ou have an unprecedented ‘opportunily to conte someting of yourseto the magezine and tothe bis: tory of D&D. ‘Wehhope you enjoy tis issue ad those to come. Tiwasajey bringingtta you, Good gaming! HNedheawr bosch — Matthew Sere Editonin-Chiee wht you an DRAGON NEXT MONTH The Shadow Over D&D HP tpweracetens hve teen creping no DED Fr decades. Find ut ‘nhc af our sorte ons oa ‘rom the nine of ne mse apereat ‘alr Living Nightmares ith Ese crestor of nent, senbes ‘ghtmarsk nanvers Fon Eareson's ‘esl of deine, Seep Exorcising Equipment Uber’ eo esprg the dead dow Hanwoofen takes ond Fore Ene out wistyaunerdte bing ret ine yeu nrtons miorg Building a Better Zombie Cai ere nr ese a oye. i000 fits gethe et ndesd ne A Chill in the Bones. The eanfot horn fears thew lng creases bj rating he secrets 0 hexe clase monsters ‘A Novel Approach: American Gods sl Gaiman's noel of miedo yh posides hepion fr DED exes Plus! "The Ecology fhe Nantes usin Spl" Mole Sr Cursed rong Races Opp ‘Caring Presig: Sor Soyer "*Pave “Tips! “AeventierTiels thse Aes” ard ial DRAGON'23. September 200%PREVIEWS, NOTES, AND NEWS FOR GAMERS FROMIBURK From nearly bars with cool ideas far your D&D game, The fist chapters tresnure trove of concepts DMs can ise to make the players nest encounter with cold a fantaitc experience, Along with edvice and quien to help PCs Frigid extromea, playors might alse find the unique Fests, prestige claeses, and spells useful for making inerest- ig characters. OF cova, the book. ‘wouldnt be complete without new monsters, jncunling new modern aud prehistoric animale like the ee), pols bear glyptodon, and megaleceros When thambing through the book, don’t be thrown by many mentions of “the Frostiell ox Frostfell environments, Its not ptticular place in any eampaign vwarld that's just the book's short- hhand for referring to places of extreme cold, whether that’s at the (op of the werld or a single reom in a dungeon, Frosthurn releass this month. NOT ANY SHORTER ON The frat wo books of Robert Jordans hed of Tine seresaremon avail be (ons Atul Relssanee wars. aufioremsssancecem) ssaudioCD sets You can also purchase che prequel looks New Spring i audio fost. Tae ‘hied and fourth books should rake ‘ner wayto tne audiosecton af book stores sometime in Noverber this year Ando Renaissance reece the tenth book, Crostoais of figs, bcc jn 2003, and the trong performance of thst product apparently praoked the ‘urent poducin funy of tie olde: Wel of Tins books. Did we renton the books are unabridya® Theis book, Fe ofthe Wari comorin a twenty fveC ‘witha fot rentime of about 31 hows. Iheoats bout $60, she ober banks coat mars cr les depending on bw many CDs ae needed, youre 2 ist reas, buying le pnt ook eight thea beter investment but ifyouhaves sgumer ‘tend whe doesn ke 1 ead or you need aerneing te listen toa you rive acreestheconnty, S250 gee CD igh ek ren good MONSTER MANUAL Ill A multitude of monsters ansityont between the covers of Moser Marval Ml taside, lasses Like the kek an Find sre joined by imovstive new cre tues ke the wath plat gis that traded their sals for power ad now veh the sonlsof the dying into wailing clovas of protective spits thar survourd ach member afthe race) and grsgal lich-uil consirc’ formed fom spell booksand deplered riage items cat dove the foolhardy mad oven aor the golemts destruction). The bookcalso afferselpful ips © DMs oF Esixnos apd Forcorrin Rear campaigns, a ‘ng niosmaticn about certain monsters ashi in those worlds, Ofcourse, BID 301.00 325 super 2004 imerestog plhyerorionted eters ek Iuvlewithin, Monster Manual If presents smanyrnesy creatures suitable for use asa PC races, mounts, anil companions, and cohoris, Be sce to cieek on the monsters adoote [rom the pages Daxsos, suchas Desz0n Associate Fditor James Jails’: spinors ul frequent contnbutor bic Cage's alehem ‘eal, hangman, mud and web golems [Necel miiotures for your fivorite Monster Mazvat fd pouster? Check the “Under Gonmand! articles in Daacox for previews of the miniatures youl seein future sets of the Duy: Grows « Drscons Miniatowelioe ‘Monster anual 1 releases tis monthFUN KD GRIMES Signed aet from the famed painter Lavty Eloore should now be available in your Jocal game or comic sore—il yout ‘open the right pack: of cards. Thats ight, Flmore's artis gracing artist trading cards once again, Like his 1994 and 1995 sets, The Art of Lamy Hlmoreand Colossi, the New Beginnings ct features autographed ‘oud hidden in certain packs, this, time with she promise of one in each, iaplay bor. Unlike alien acts, the New Baginniugs cards also eve buyers ‘a chance to download game stats for the characiers and monsters depicted ‘onthe carés. Each ofthe 90 cards in the set has unique website address that offers a PDF download that pecs TACTFUL TLE, You may have seen these coal tle boards salves in previousissus uf Dunc. Tuts by RC Predlues, ae 10ineh squares oF ough polsiyene plastic sridtpetpetiel dae grisea ‘le, Theyns available from BC Prods ‘website, wunube prodactsnet, These stil plastic bourds comme ni of twelve toa kage, ane sel for $400 $50, The high-ploss wosking side ofthe boards hs the permanent Minch gid tha doe rome sf when wining sway ryerase ink. Gn ofthe cooler aspects of it Tieisthat the grid also has daser Fines paced 2-inehes apart, Since these inet squares each represent 10fo0t increments finding range during combat fs much eater A lenghowe hae a range of To darker squares, or 100 fort. Irs simple! uly d20 statistics. In addition, one card per 400 packs is acard you can cece to receive signed lithe: graph of a Lacey Elmore painting. Not a fan of Emore's an? Consider picking, bop a pack far self defense ‘The thick, heary-cards make ercellonthit inocsens-looking thrown weapons, youre fan of Hyore'art your selFdefense options ssi probably he finited to doubles and your losing prize redemption cus (which have the Open Geme License ‘onthe bec), Just Te care where you ‘throw them, t's. fin and games ‘uns someone gets bust. Then it jw sames—on knw because ofthe webs site with the stats “The moot seh epee of Tat Tis, however is thei versatility Bach board is square with pazeb-plecellke edges that allow them to link bgetncr fr stability “The way the tabs and slots are structed, the Tacs pleces oly ink ogetber La fone Fashion, melking plseing new sls ensy and tee of esroror confusion. This abil to restucture ean be vial vas, epmving vor ane dungeons, where the uacitional squaes and rectangles bate matsyet in the way. Once the PCs move offoxe edge ofthe map, ‘smply move nowunusea te from the already explored aca, wipeitolf witha hy rog. and draw The onlylownsice lo Tec esis that they ate to 3 w dean, Thatinight ‘uni ocldanti yout o dm» or plan beforenand and realize witha ciinge as you unpack your andullpdawn maps hat erm ofthe tc rte in ‘rans Comat and fequentrrinaures _movearents can wipe aff the dry erase inky as can zecidentl brashing fiom clothes, ssck bgs,and eter gare paraphernee Tia, However not having to use water and advippy ng tocleanof yourbatle map ‘ain has tsadveniages. DUNGEON THIS MONTH The Birth of a New Eral “This mont ete ff anew fr Dan eorith toss citing etree Mad God's Key by son Buh ee ee fom tesveesoft= at o'Giejhak to the Toi of nd Eerlainginthe ese Sos Cars il A Ug Genco Fatle alent fr level ches. Torrents of Dread by CoeVaughan peter rclisocerit er rac dee, snc aise dnaaune we the lest oF th wates ie opie igs ff Nor. Tnevilages sorta ade, We Zombie wiser hos gone missing ad Ine deal Fo de aes ind thviloge matath les ac, nursed by Feroun san Bhat ie menece arats Inthe oodedvatacombs below? id ou nihisalvendie Or bteel rarer, “ton the nfo se of Die Thirteen Cages by chis Thomasson “Abs he roe te down th ah tus Cogn or fase in thelr dep bnsan he lero o Cal thon, Bie who cece lads the Triten, dhol fl ean ent or lies? A Shaded iy Novena Path scenario hbo iret Backdrop: ‘The Isle of Dread cur an Oi erst has poste Seon seen Reta E-Sancstndcngpe sine ae ale doops ds 1D doa Sor cUlveayonwer Plus! Monte Cook’ “Dungenrenit 1 heatons Mt Sons Oxi ‘Sottonk ardanal-rew ora! Sexton 2004 onacon 2s EILETTERS Tell uswhot youn of ion. Senda sate pine, ae ALSRUUTE 10 DBD PLAYERS Thad euite a few memories retm to rie of my days in the U.S, Navy when I read last iszuc's letter rom the young man who served in Afghan Sian I served from 1988 to 1998, aad just like him, | played RD mos! of the time | was in the Nave. Most of my inue friends have been my gaunt ing buddies, We had to fight she neg. ativity of the tines, and we were not 0 Iucky’as to have the support of our command... something abou! times past when some sailors used a ship in the Navy a8 adiingeen. (Crap!) Myself and the steadfast groups | led numbered fvom three t hflees ver the course of 10 yeats and three diflerent ships, We bad ta dodge our supervisors until} became a supe son Sd played au Be floorialersae spaces, troop spaces that were empty when our Marines were not attached, fr jaistabout anywhere alse—inchud Ing the Comat tnformation Center, Ducing the first Gulf War, when we deployed for almost ten months gumning was the only outlet many of tus had te get out ofthe real word, even iffora few hous, L would sa tol the players and Ms who are sersing in the best military in the ‘world: You deserve the titnes you shave, You work so hard anu ed life most dort understand and nove DRAGON 323. Sustombor 2004 se piecor Plane cde your will. Geep calling the bones and tal ing on the bad gus George Bridson Adlets withheld TRIGGER UNHAPPY While | enjoyed your recentartiele, The Way of the Gun," in Daacow 4321, I question your decision about the reloading time for the various firearms, | understand the need far rales sinaphiity and consistency, but your reloading times for those firearme are far teo lenient. You state that reloading gunponder frearmnis a standard action, Wow! That’s one-third of even the best ceload times of the American Civil War era, and vats under good circumstances with cap-and-bal silles! All weapons you desctibe ave of the ‘lindock, wheel: eek, or matchlock variety, which ‘would! have made reloading a neat impossibility in melee and require reloading times of 4 10 5 rounds at least (24110 40 seconds). IFyou recall the history of that era, anyone fighting toe-te-tne would generally throw down his pistol or commence using the butt of his rifle instead bf reloading, which took entirely two lung when there was someone ‘coming at you armed and with bad BLAST FROM THE PAST 981, TAR onesie fa ld fess edhenttefer 264 ersten ofthe B&D game. C1 Th ie ead Ae the ret athe madeles designed fr Lbgu's Epon oe of aes, rhe eof rea presented a challenge or cnarac: {ere lols 3699, certain fle bucky ound nbormation peraning the seutnernmainlans of he Knows ord oer called Mveraun) neudirg blsdtandeytite ray arlehng fom lant inthe ronthsathe Thareroth Bechipelag (whch lade! the a of Dread) nthe south The module fetaled he isle and ieuced several traps ofkey ications In aditon Beeionl nail of tet gi monsiets sated actos ts sue, Tye se of Dead wvoduced arenes, aptiepharstans ad tact the ED ues Di aimost worked better as supple rent shan at chertce The ole’ Peronhstsingl apts 99 {sting te pieay Sanding rear the ‘ameroftte ele. The cert satay eansinad sn aoosod gol ah, ait ies, hella 0 Mantra He feta corer othe aventre:Taboo nl Rune Fam anode ‘inj Fors lee fae thesrare 30 goer Ox yeuyeryow of shinorany ote ‘Sgumecttely tees Ass, cokoutish Dragon rims Talk 2 an orile in sport ofa porscvlor seiting wills prios, bus labeling on article as Foncozrrw Reatsts er Oriental Adven: tures turns away some readers (regardless tf how eally dhe articles con be adopted) witha garmeting a commenurately large new auonce, fue #315 1a hey exa ph of world xpos ents nat deaving ‘anew audience, Despite covering nearly every afcial compnign setng ged ss snormovs popularity among reader, he Compaign Classes issue produced average soles numbers, and no porieulor seitng recived enough supe from readers te worantrepulor coverage in the magazine The audience jor D&D serrsto be divided intaa thousand plece by the campaign wari fiom TSR and Wieara of the Cost, the many d2€ carapaign slings that hou beer preduced, nd harnebrew ompuigns, DRAGON can best 21 thee diverse oudience by presenting material ‘hat evenarie ca eal use KNOWLEDGE CHECK Question: Conan, whit s ScenieSCALE MAIL Sen Kean ReMi ttelt0):1-5) Lenteek te Diacon spot Fale Founatey tna ote i std virey sible fom we eer Cee ofr diseases, ‘raed, elm T a and kr of 10 00 ag Laon ansaid x our joy 59 ree time you ned an uth show Sprieone ou cre Gio Comte flaps ATS FLEWENTAL Just a quick question: What happened to the article on balelementals in that was supposed to be in Deacow #821, was advertised in Dancow #320 and did not appear Other th that gripe, Teall enjoy the mage Zine. The infused prestige closs in issme #321 was grew and | intend to try and convinge my DAF te lot me ineoeporate it into my next character, Riley Bull Address withhiekl We pus together She preview ofthe next Fssue long before we ris, and io the cediting, devslopment, ond design process, ‘mises somedires expand beyond our bess estimate. Thot wes the cxse wit ‘issue #321, and the halfetemental monsier-cass article was she easiest to move te efosue issue, Unfortunately, the isos inthe near future are fl Keep a eye ou for the aac in Deawon sometime cary next year DARK SUN MOVIE As | was reading through Dracon #520, Iwas saddened to see that Duncrons & Diacons was not ‘catching the eyes of younger people Tam 19, and 1 would not have started playing if not for the nudg ing of « 32-year-old co-worker, Many younger kide think coleplaying is not cool and should be stopped when you turn 16.and gers can My friends aak me to explain the game BET cr acen zs sje 204 to them, and as soon as [ say “dice” for "miniatures," they dont want to hose any more Vin Diese isa great example of a “cool guy" who loves to roleplay, Alter your Dark Sun feature in Dnacon: 4319, | borrowed my trends old books based on the setting, 1 fell in lowe with the character Riehus, That ‘mul lied itall: Strength, friends, mul tuple lovers, and more, Then I looked al the cover, Rikieus jus serearwel Vin Diese ‘ean easily eee a Dark Sun movie. ‘That would bea winner can see the millions of people going to see it and finding out that—gasp—it's based on a D&D setting, The DYD could be filled ‘with PRD info and interviews with the stars of DD, maybe even some info on their D&D characters. 1 fool it would bring in countless new players to our hobby, Pius, we ‘would havea sweet movie to brag about. Then it would he cao to be a nerd. Thank God I havea head start on it Brandon Thomas Address withheld Good idea, Broan! Lean se ie oo lores of ibkrcen od gant: bugs cha ing aver sond des ike she aliens ja Star Ship Troopers, Road Warrior style bole, etwesn seed ships oadea with gith, ane gory fights with semifping mansters in ‘ladiateria arenas A Dank Sux movie woul rack. Ofcourse, this strategy has been tied once before, but the Deb movie well 2 lot of people think it could have been better I") st to see the sequel, but | doubt il be able vo car. pool 0 the oot ‘AND Al RERL MOFIE [ike to think I'ma patent man; { Ihave bees waiting for an Allens ¥s, Predator movie sine { wes 11, Yet [have been wailing fora D&D ver. ssion of that battle for alrnost as long, Finally my patience forthe movie hhas been rewardee with it coming out close to my birthday, Unfortu ately, there still isa't a D&D wor ston. | think that that's a shame. ‘The world created from the eamnics and the books for these two fitans af movle-monster perfection isa world that would give Enron a ran for it's money. Personally, | think that the aliens would be move of a ter: plate then an actual monster, This ‘of tow cool (and perhaps cruel) it would be to have high hunt down 2 red dragon only ta find the dragon already dead with hole in its chest anda strange, gigantic spiderlike skeleton thing nest to the hheud of the dead dragon. The pred: tors could be « neve race with theis vel group, ‘own special weapons and classes. 1 think that Itwould be a great thing if the grest minds at your magrsine could thing of a way to bring these rertues in tu hunt the érow and infest the dwarves of DLO. Riley Harper Addiess withheld Happy biehday, Riley! hove you hike the ori. loks ety cack There are manzterein Dad that do the allens’shick, From the Monster Manuals Xi, spider eaters, and red slaad do she g-impionting, Buret- {from-she-bod thing. The krthons fiom the Bosk of Vila Darkness are good andidetes far predators, as they come with several new weopons, bur they oul be oliens too These Da "alens* could come from implantation in osher Du races. Tas, the wil cauld be from any humane, ‘and the red sca could came from Longe hurmancids like ogres and env eure. Of cour you could always give the implantation abity to any D&D Imonsier wich as gluing it toa siege or spider to represen’ the face buggers If youn with tis ide, let us know how ‘ie goee ond far ofthe PCs sire! Knowledge Check Answer La ics see iver brio rou, ard hear the lamentation of the women >, = Sa 2 taENG ae THE SCOOP ON GAMER LIFE GEN CON INDY REPORT Aiteudees at this year’s Gen Con. received « upecial test in their conven tion bags: free copy ofthis issue of Deacon as well as a copy of the new Doniceo, Uvoersare, an Asiaz INe Sront¥9 magazines. De Duwoxon, atxl Unoee:aran offered free Tshirts with a eubscription pur chased atthe convention. Folks who Bought subse:iptions to both Duacow and Duycrox received both shits «vchunce to win a copy of The Wer Largest Dungeon by AEG, Draco Eeitorin-Chief Matthew Semet Duxoxon Fditerin Chief Erik Mona, and Dusiexoy Assecite Editor James Jacobs lead discussions about the new rersions ofthe n verte for the them, Ifyou were hick, you cou cate a slimpse ofthe elusive Deazox Assistant Eiitor ¥. Wesley Schneider (vho wert Gen Con to play rather than work) bovering near the Paizo booth, To top itll of, the D&D Timeline Fhibit earned both Dsxcon and DuncEoN asan integral part of the game's illustrious histery, Ube mugazine blitzkrieg went giz hocig for Unoereazao with multiclass ‘heerlende:/medals walling about ths ‘convention Baar promoting Use rear, Edtorsn-Chiet Miche! Mikae fan wae on lsd at the booth and at ame tournaments to greet readers and ansvor qustionsabout tie magazine, Of course, the celebration of the 20th 7 of DUNGEONS & Daacoxs droinated the convention, particularly Wizard sol the Cose’s Epic Level D&D Parry In the square onside the conven tion hall Free foed al beverages were avaiable atthe paryy along with excl yazlnes and how to BEY 0 s00525 sereacn zoe Fesding this atthe convention? ‘Come by the Paizo booth and let us anow ial you think ofthe magazines ‘Miss she fan this year? Check out pictutes of te convention at ww, paizo.com, and stast risking plans for hex year DINNGEON CRAMLING AT GEN COK Intraduced at last year’s Gen Con, ‘True Dungeon verurned with a venigeance lhis yea, resulting in sold-out exes ‘hut iolved 1,500 players, Reanaring tho village of Hommalet along with 1 host of other familiar elements of DED's long history, True Dungeon offered 2 loving hemage to the game that stared ial, f youre unfamiliar with hue Dum eon, think of tas boing a lie like # D&D gume show, You andsix othe participants pick a D&D clas and play through a ie-action adventure game inolving puzzles riddles, and een simulated cembat by such means asplaping shuffleboard, Ultimately survivors of the dungeon have achance towin Dwarven Forge products woet a ‘oval of, 000. For fells reading this a1 Gest Gon sight now, Joff Martin, president of Dwarven Forge and creator of True Dungeon, has this 19 say "Prepare yourselves to experience an ‘ld-fshion D&D module by digging ful some ald frst edition DAD books and modules, Ifyou are a veteran player, you should xerinisee sbou the heady days of your gaming youth. If you are a newcomer, try to embrace this ‘retro version of a gamie you love. Both types should prepare fora challeng- ing cdventure that wil tes their wits, new, and coordination, "Youll see some cool sueprises in the event. [canitsay what they are, bu they will be fting when you remember that Gen Con is celebratingthe 20th anniversary of D&D. There should be same ‘Oh, cool!" moments. “tinal, | wan to make sure every ‘one knovs abont the tremendout amount of work thst gees into present- dngthis event. Mary people work on. this project for months, snd still more people work fal-time duringan entire ‘week at Gen Con Indy tomake ita siteceas True Dungeon only happens ren because there sve clot afuncefish gamers oul thece whos idea of fun is to worl very bard forthe enjoyauent of ethers: They ae epecial people, and Jaskethe players to thank tem when they yet the dance.” PGA UPDATE fp fon Richards, RPGA Progrom Manager “The RPGA (Roleplaying Gamers Association) exists to enhance your roleplaying experience, so you can ply more, with more people, and tecerve rewards for phying the ames you already love. Wore slo fespanding your oppostunsties wo eet people and duiceit-out with Duncrans ¢ Deacons Miniatures skirmish leagues ard tournam Allewing for ssh a massive play fxperience requires us to make 4 fot of decisions about hos? games, event and people work together while main laning s fair and consistent experience norklwide, Sharing in this experience vans there's sia you need know. so grab your pick andlets ign, WHR 1 THF REGRE The RPGA the roleplaying atm of ganized play at Wizards of the Coast sleliested providing play opportunities ‘and suppor for DUNGEONS x Dracons sand other d20 Syetens games. We want tomake it easier for people te enjoy the Fave to-face roleplast Recognizing that sometirace i’ hard finding a gaming gro. and it's 2 lot of ‘work for DMS w provide new materia experienc week afier week, we provie free adver tures io members Fo our extensive aGventute datalaseand an events calendar featuring games all over the ‘worid, When you dewnload adventures and set up game days or conventions, these events sre auomatially added t0 our website's eventcalendar, ‘WA DSF Cas > Yo LET? The RPGA olfees several styles of play for voleghying garnet: campaigns, cla. Seg, and interactive events ‘Campaigns: Campaigas follow ‘aige stony ares— ‘often spanning years. To partite in these unfolding pls, members eveate campaigaspecific characters slag te insructions in the camgsign sourcebook. Back campaign lass its ‘own campsign sorrcebook. Characters rosvin povier (gaining gold, experi= fence, eg uipmient cad clase features) as ‘hey complete adventures. We offer Ww9 ‘aimpaign styles: Lving campalpns and DED eamnpaigns. ‘While many of te Living campaigns fre D&D guines, they dilles from DED. campaigns in several ways, Living ‘campaigns use adventure records, log see's and centiiations to ttack your chatacters progress. D&D exrnpaigns use online tracking to chat harices’s nveracion withthe story ‘encounters. Your damseter'sintarac tions with the adventure encomnters help determine the course of the plot in DED campaigns. Fthe msjorty of pa ties playing an achenture Xi a villain or foil some evi scheme, that villain or scheene ie feled ewapaign-wie. IF the villain survives orcompletes lis pla these consequences ave also reflected ‘nthecamprign ED campaigns are designed fo reize jtaking characters fiom Lst to appros rately 28 level) Lising campaigns ate open ended bat might feature retirement level for characters ‘wo years Classics With classics, charactors ate prewit ten as part of theadventue, Once ‘each player chooses a characte, he sgeme begins, Classics are s great way for both beginners and experienced falayers to jump into action without [ote of preparation time. Once the ‘adventure is over, ure done with the character, We have classivs For every thing across the board, from straight Forward DUNGHONS & DzaGoNs to the Grevsrvacs com paign setting 10 420 Meader ane heyone. Interactive Byents Interactive events eypially ature an ‘emphasison intrigue over combat prom ‘98. dopa persona, don a costume, sand ocalie in character with ther members Interactive events might fer- ture pre-genersted characters, oc they ‘ight allow you to nse your campaign ‘character during the session ifthe inter active is keyed t a specific campaign. Characess fiom Home Campaigns ro pay ia home com. paigns are not allowed in earnpaiga or lassie games, Since character crectiow rales forthe eampsign sh are standardized to allow everyone an even footing, and dassic events provide characters agpropriae tothe adventure theres been ne avenue for incorporat- Ing ekarzcters feom horn arn paige. ‘Yet you can use your charactor hom your home game to get involved in tne RPGA, RPGA merabers nay play select ah ‘ioned events, allowing thera to earn rewards while playing character rom nturee from DuN@z0x aesan: their home campaig In order to report sour play for these Duncson eve play bistony, your DM requests the adveatuces fram the RPGA website like any tlt aden aie ($0 yous DM needs to bea Herald DM member of the RPGA). Instead of veceivingthe adven- tuceas a downloaded fle, she DM uses sara add them :9 your the one published in Requesting the adventure flay the Do's account so the adventure results can be reported ance you've played. It smeportantte report your play so you can eas D&D rewards Next time well etyor knew whet rewards the RPGA proves and how you can cache. Unil then, sity wizardacomy/RPGA oleae more. seni 04 o2acon'7s ETby Mike Mearis images provided by Wizards of the Coost COMMAND fIND CONTROL hen playing the Duweeaxs ie Dracows Miniadwes gare, choasing your warhand's com sander is perhaps the most impor ‘antdecision you can make, Your commander not only gives you better ‘control over your miniatures actions, Dut also provides 4 Commander Effect that ean tip a msteh i) your favor [Fyau niake3 good choice. you an create a waland greater than the suc of its pats This artcle looks atthe command= ets fron Dragoneye and provides some neva advice fo using your warbane's leader, IL also mntracuces some new feats avd sales for using Commander flats in the DED zoleplaying gate. LISING YOUR COMMANDER ‘Commanders ace tricky miniatures to use properly. Ae some of the moxe expensive figures in the game, they usually sepreseata fal portion of your warkand'e total point vsl Fen the cheapest commancer, the DRAGON 323. Soptenbe:-2004 Cleric of Yondalla, costs 14 poin's Often a bit weaker than creatures of the same cost, commanders have the added benelit of their Commander rating and Commander bfect. Ifyou have a few ekitmishes under your belt, ou might have noticed that ‘he best warbards feature individual models that farm a greater whole. Commanders repeesent the uljimate sun ofthat principle, Theie Gon imander Elfeets aupment your other liguces, masking ther weaknesses er unplifying their stoengths, Usually you mander that improves upo swarhand!s bost tite, A Commander Bffect eanit usually cover ether min: aces” weaknesses, For example, the Sword of Heironvowe grants 11 AC. While useful. a creature with high AC gains a much larges Yen than one with 3 low the AC banus reduces the chance of a creature getting hit by 5%. Redue: ing a 10% chance of getting hit to 59% cuts the ris mal whule drop- eft In-essener, th acom: ping a 50% chance of gesting hit to 45% Is only a one-temth reduction, During geme, keop an eye on your commander's position, Many players get oo caught up in keeping their troops under command and within the area of a Commander fect to notice open patis for fast creatures to swoop in for a quick Jul. Spelleasting commanders Deceme particulary vulnerable to this tendency, dinew thoy usually stay Iichind the rest of the warband io use their magic Finally, you should consider using two commatnders, One commander «can then go off on its own or lead ‘a smaller group to out‘lank your ‘opponent or atlack fron the reas. In sédition, you spread out the risk of am unlucky roll. A single critical hit might slay ane oF your command cert, bu the second commander can then step in and keep your assault going, Mony beginners forget they x0 take ae many commanders as they can afford.DRACONEYE COMMAKDERS Each commander ne specific strength= ‘and weaknesses that make it suitable or pasicular ypes of warbanels. While cach faction ha ite distnet trait, rough variely existe s» no single com imander provides peofet fil far every figare sharing its alignment The following examples offer tips for using a number af coramandess, For ease of roforonce, each figure appears in order ofits number within aa set, and has ts lig ander rating listed in parenthesis nest toils naene Dwarven Defender (LG, Com mieat and Com 5 ‘mander 4): This tough ‘y bruiser provides a +4 S AG honus against ‘opponents who move and attack, That Aoesrit seem too impres sire until you lookeat his low movement. Outside of monks ‘and the Dire Lion, Lave] Good ‘warkands have few speedy Higures. ‘That means your warband probably ansorbe a fair number of charges Furthermore, figures with muliipte attacks, like the Halfling Veteran, can afford to let their opponents come tocthem and unleash thei full aiack factions on their rn, Figures that can attack more than once work well with the defender, Form a big, slow mno- ing mob of heasily armored warriors and steam roll your opponent with a relentless assault, Purple Dragon Knight (LG, Com manger 6: This igure pro vides good exampleof a commander who wante to get into the thick of the acion but whose Commander Beet ‘works best from the ear The knightallows rallying figures to take Iheiractions as normal rather than lose a tam. You might find your ier sare et he blo falGoed figure eat er sed Fes Diiss ure tuoe a cami G eu ecaneriss Gi aa peetlsna auleh de male NS ac anda ead the jillies Oe Socemaniecta Seeger Selore leet ths Nagle ee. algal ea fill use Whi Arab Com: she fenomy ag long 42 you have dear avenues to maneuver. Copper Satnrai (6G, Coramander 2) “The Copper Sarmucai adds insult to injury, as your troops ean fl: low ap 4 critical hit with an additional attack, Best of all, this atiack uses the highest base attack bonus, Creatures with ‘multiple attacks gaia the biggest benefit from this abibty, since they can follow up a critical with an addi onal devastating attack. Weaker ‘eceatures cenit as easily take advan: tage of the additional strike. Intui Lively, it might seem like baving alot of attackers would give you ‘mare chances to rall 820, but if a figure needs an 20 to hit in the frst place, the effect provides lithe benefit. Iuckily, plenty of Chaotic Good creatures have more than fone attack, from the EIf Archer to the Drunken Master. The Axe Sis- ter can become a death machine when you use this ability with her Whirlwind Attack. Notice that the extra attack does m0: have a spect- fied target and thus can affect any. tnodel within reach Cletle of Nerull (LE, Com mander 3): The Clerie of Netull makes an excellent leader for a warband stuffed with, heavy-hit ting Bgures: Deathetrike allows & slain model one last attack before it leaves the hoard, Your ‘opponent might get the drop con you with a charge, but if he puts down a monster, he has ta withstand ao aitack in ture ‘This allows cheap creatures to almost always get off at least one Sentenve 7004 onecon 35 EEUNDER COMMAND. ateike, while your expen sive beas's gain a parting blow that can tip the battle lo your advantage. Combine the cleric with the Blood Rock tercain tile and your Skeletons and Zombies ean tale their enemies to the grave with them ‘The Human Exeentioner's attack bonus, heavy damage, and poor AC make him a good match for this ability, Cor bined with his good move, the executioner cami gain one attack ‘on a powertul opponent via a charge. and then a perting shot hat could easily cause a morale cheek, With a little luck, a single ighscast executioner can send a figure running for safety, Urthok the Vieious (LE, Com. ‘mander 5); Perhaps the j Dest choice far a-warband filled with cheap crea: lures, Usthok’s Commander kffect can turn bag, bears, hob: goblins, and gobline i daunting opponents, Bagbesre tn particular gain the most from the Ht bonus on attack rolls, ae they hhave the hit points needed to sustain an attack oF twe before falling. Do top of that, Lrthak's high Commander rating makes it more likely thot you can seize the Initiative or rally your relatively cheap forces. Resist the tempi tion to throw Urehole into the fay, even though he has good hit poinis and a solid AC. Instead tue him ae the hammer 0 your bugbears’ anvil, Let your cheap troops wale in and wear down a big targat, and then charge in with Urthek to finish it oft Hf you put him at the froat and lose him early in the game, your entire waxband could fall apart. BET con 325 septenner 200 i Drow Wizand (CE, Commander 2): frst glance, the Drow Wizard might not seem like much He has plenty of spells, bat Sailor's sires ‘magic missile have little chance of wenn and putting down an Ogre Ravager This figure needs time to go through hi spells A screening fosce of creatures imnsine or resistant ta Cold dam age can hog down an enemy's advance, allowing the wizard to unleash the fall potency of his spells. The Abyssal Mave makes the perfect complement to the wiz- ard, (enever takes damuge from his Cold spells, and he has a high enough Corumander rating to cer tuol it, All skeletons, the Dretch, and the Small White Dragon are also immune to Cold, while the Tiefling Captain has Cold resis tance 5, These figures can occupy the cnemy while your wizard unleashes volley after volley of spells. The key te using the wizaré effectively lies in protecting hin Keep an eye ont for monks and other fast, mobile epponents. & single guard Kept noae the wizard should keep him safe. Tyeof Gruumush (CF, Commander}: The Bye of Gruumsi night seem: Hike the perfect ig ture to lea an assault, but its poor AC, vicious attack ability, and Cons mander Efeet suggest ouherwise. Surround this walking death machine with ores, preferably a second commander and a horde of cheap warriors and spearfighter:. Ifyou have Tess than ‘twelve figures in your warband, you night aot haye enough. The Ore Warrior and Gre Spesrlighter have ppood altick bonuses, malving the 15 damage they gain from the Eye Graumsh invaluable (Ore Druiel (CE, Commander 2): ‘The O1e Druid presents limited options as 2 commander: He grants animals and magical boasts 9-2 bonus om attack rolls, but he can only bring a few crea ues under command, Most of the powerfil animals and magi cal beasts have too high of a Dif ficul rating for the druid to direct them, although they stil gain his Commander Effect. The poison spell can wear down a creature, but since It has a range of touch, the druid mact comy his AC 11 and 35 Fit points adjacent to 3 potential target. The drud’s primary weapon ie ita swake's siftness spell, Grant Inga creature an immediste bonus allack can swing an entice skit~ mith in your favor, Since this spell hhas a short range, keeping crea tures under contro! bevemes even more important, Difflenlt crsatires ely charge too far alex’, While the best targets for this spell, such creat use fi on them, 16s might Fall belare you esr COMMANDER EFFECT FERTS Connmander Effects, ne part of the DED Miniawres game that dace | appear iat the D&D F swkplaying gain, ce tll work with ‘your campeigns or: warlords, bandit kings, mereenary captains, andothor war leaders. Wilains who rely on others to do their dirty work, Fine the following feata ideal for their purpeses, The goblin king might be a \eak combatant, but the warriors he commands make hi » formidable opponent, Coammander Effects akoUNDER COMMAND Tebrioe your watband fully urder com: mand, check tthe Mitre: Moadbook frm Wars vba Cosst Wat ten Atatgies ties, and rules explanations tomate te mod of your commander id webarids he share Harbook ‘xpand on at oestarbeoed he ad Miia ase oles While whole Jeatons besa on using suminanes ‘other gate pasty, throw rss Battle ules alloy youte ale war enn speseileard of your camanasts» ast sna of nwa a es, Sowhtheryostw ockine er mere ideas nd sete fer commanders of ome ir etal re br sure cet uth ‘antires Hondionk allow you to intoduce relatively weske opponents into an encounter while stil riving them the opportunity tg ave an ‘impact on its outcome, These feats represent a char acter’s ability to lead others in combat, They represent 2 com: bination of tactical training, low comaing, ond raw charisma. A commaniler might exhort his followers to fight harder o: merely inspire them to greater levels of heroism, Note that these feats allow you to incorpo rate some of the aspects of the DED Miniaiures game into your campaign with optional rules. Commander figures from D&D Miniaiuces, like the Hal-Ore Fighter, do not use these feats These feats don't benefit the character who takes them; they only help his allies —although theresa bit of that eo, Secre ofthe Spirbkerper presentsa tale of och mystery and adventure. Kel Jach (an apprentice wizard} and Dnis kool (his younger broth fla Kellad’s mentor Zendric lying dead in his tover ‘one morning the victim of robbery gone bad—or voit seems, Seon, the we boys and thei Friend Moyra dis: cover that Zendric’s soul was stolen svith a magic item called a spiriibeper “The kids have only 2 day t find she spivictenperand retum te Zendrie’s body before the connection between them is broken foreser. Their quest takes ther fiom the bowels ofthe city prison to the depthe of the Dungeon ‘of Doom, miles outside of the cit’s fembatled walls, In iseourse, they {= fe Sprayer io te Bt DRAGON 323 September 2008, ‘encounter tribe of gobling, a sewage colbeat 1 flaming headed zombie, and an enemy far worse and much loser to home. ELLACH Kellach fancies himselfas not only an upand:coming wizard but a great otective. To him, the two go hand in ‘hand, as beth professions involve fig turing outhow thinga really work: fn ‘uth, he has alot of room For desta: meat it both parsuits, but he shows promise st both, Kellach is tall or his age and has blond batr aid blue eyes, His father, ‘Torin isthe Captain of he Wateh in Curston. His mother disappeared. around the tine of the Sundeting of the Seal, an event thet nearly destroyed allof Garston and stil afects the aty to this day, Taday, he lives with his father and his younger brother Dr ‘kollam a zebuil: part of town called the Phocnis Quarter tage 13. Kellach is learning be a Istlewe wizard, Hehas yet © master his 1tlevel spas othe ebltes to summon a familinror serbea ral shough he technically possesses such 9 WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOI Wieser ofthe Cons ener Ser Be Speier cid orto ie Foisovebools 154 nero 0 iraluce readers bot ara ion a the nels sfunceoNse Diacon, IKimght no: be ss soohisteatel ste tional fray tate, bat makes or grat eho ype rece ro the ere ad the game. Those acts oe ny tls ofyourge Feros hou ey the tart, ‘wit Weexposen in popular offen tasyoith both Mary Petter and The Laré ithe Rigs, thors nee: tens bator tine ta get peoelmeresed 9 Dunceon Deacons, you fave younger rene ‘on rethns etl Ie to gt stires oye Duvazons€ Gracione,thenthe Mier Stone tok preventhe pore toa, Have st rence lanes ta the ols ands pup themnen Deo Blass Bish Sescbe ou this ran I ho are, ou should save thae en trie Fret avert ‘Asa Lungeon aster Seto he Sprlurser eon oyu four onthe Fepaleee a earache oot Reus ere cantar erp toarnnimar, Tae Fetoes ees nore an thei thar areolar st var Sih sichowlereshaases even be ‘race: merserscan prev anerous Aentothal itvrthartheatn andy) init sn fd youre wi «com group ‘ol lang somes apa ithKellach, Male Hurnan Wizard 1: CR 1 Medium humanoid {human} HD dé hp Init=1 Spd 30% ACL (4 Dey} touch 11, farfooted 10° Base Atk 10 Gap Atk/Tull Atk 1 melee (Led 119-20, dager) oc +1 ranged (144 119-20, dagger) SA spells $Q— AL NG, SY Fort «0, Ref +1, Will 3 Sxr9, Dee 12, Com 1, [nt 18, Wis 12. Cha 16 Skil Concenation +8, Decipher Script 8, Knowledge (arcana) 8, Knowledge (history) «6, Knowledge local) +8, Keowledge (tligion) +6, ch 05, Spellerat 18, Spot 2 Fests: Combat Casting, Fschew Mate tials, Scribe Secoll anpungis: Common, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, Halfling, Spels Prepared (3 sare DC 14 + spell Jevel) Oe, fev, prsigttion Possessions: Dagger, backpack, lantern, torch, int and steel, spellbook, water kin, quill, parehmene (heee sheets) DRISKOLL Driskoll plays Watson to Kellach's Holmes. He collects stories of all sorts, bit his fivoritas ae the ‘ones that tell of the adventures his brother Kellecl and he have in Cur ston, He's more strest smart than Keach, who spends most of his clays with his nese in books, Driskoll looks up to his brother Kellach, although he'd never say 50 to Kellach's face. He thinks his brother is too full of himself as itis Sull, be looks to his eléer brother te protect him and to get them out of whatever trouble they get into Driskoll cam manage for himself, but sometimes he's more comfortable in his brother's shadow ‘AC age 10, Dulskoll is just coming inte his own asa Latter rently, he's jst gaining the abiy 0 est soells an he has yee discover the fall extent of magic, He ha the bardic knowledge and bardie music abilities, but he doesnit hase erouphs ranks in Perform to uae eny of the latter's effets Driskoll, Male Humnan Bard 1: CR 1; Medium humanoié (anion); HD 146: hp 6; Init 41: Spd 30 fe: AC TT bare, Ca (41 Dex), loueh 11, flat-footed 19: Base Attack +0; Grp -1; AtkjFull AU “I melee ({d4-1)19-20, dagen or “+1 ranged (1d4-1;19-20, dagger’ SA —} 8Q bardic knowledge, bardic music: AL NG: 8¥ Fort 40, Ref 43, Will +4 Ste 9, Dec 12, Com 10, Int 12, Win 14, Cha 13, Skits BlufT 48, Diplomacy 4, Gather Information +7, Hide +3 Knowledge (local 5, Listen +6, Per form (act 46, Perform (orators) +6 Perfoem jwind instrument) +6, Search 17, Sonne Motive 4, Frais Investigatr, Negotistor. Languoges; Coramon, Halfiing, Spells Prpered (2 eave DC 14 + opel! level) dancing lights. pretiigiaion. Fosesions: Dagger, backpack, [an teen, torch, and fit and ated MOIRA ‘Moyra's father Breddo is a notori- cous clef whe has been Ja and out of jail her whele fifo. She fiat met Drisholl and Kellsch when their mother Jourdsia “cached out to help Moyri’s motaer Rayma while Beeddo was in jai. Unfortunately. i was Torin, Jourdait’s husband, whe put him there Ir Daskoll thinks of himself as ct saat, he has nothing 00 Moves, who spent mast af her life on the streets, often a: a stooge in her fathes’s scams. She often caitns that all she caves abontis earning sore money so she can nove fer and ber mother out ofthe bole in which they live. In trith, she's Toolcing for enme- thing she can believe in, and maybe ven at age 12, Mayra ita Lstlevel rogue, The mast experienced and least abeltered of her friends, Moyea has Fal) neces tall of her sass ailites Moyta, Female luman Rogue 1 1) Medium humanoid (huanent; HD 16; hp 6; Ini: «4; Spd 30 Fh AC L4 j44 Dex), touch 14, flarfooted 10; Baso Aik 49: Crp 1 AthjPull Ak-1 melee (1441/19-20, dggon) bor +4 ranged (Le4 1/19-29, dager): SA sneak sttace +Le6: SQ —; AL CG: SV Fort 40, Ref 48, Will 41; AL GG: Ste 9, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 16, Skile Buf +7, Climb +3, Disable Device #5, Hide +8, Inimadate +6, Knowledge (Local 5, Move silently +8, Open Lock +8, Search 5, Sease Motive +3, Sleight of Hand 46, Spot Feats Dedge, Lightening Refleves. Lavguages: Common, Elven. Possesions: Daggee, bacepack, las tern, torch, flint 50 feet of ope, snd ste! wsterskin THE SPIRITKEEPER This clear crystal aphore bears omate olden rues that faintly shin mer beneath is surface. Despive its Innocupus appearance, « spirtheeper has the paver to steal a persan’s soul and store it within, The crystal can hold one soul ata time for an inde nite period, fit is used on someone while t already holds a soul, the tar. getmmust make a DC 17 Will saye or have its soul switched with the one in the item, Jeaving the Larger’ soul trapped within the spiiskeeper while the targers body is possessed by the soul now feed from the spirikeeper, ‘Thoce who male their cave cannot be stiected by the spintheyper again “These effects axe permanent, bat otherwise function the same as the spel magico. Using the sprite isa fulkround action that requites'a command wor ‘Moderate necroraney CL9th Graft Worckous lin, magi jar Pic 112000 go Weight tI Serene 200% oAscov 5s ETby E. Wedey Schneider images provided by Square Enix ‘and Final Faotasy Warery Lifawarery.com) FINAL FANTASY spite their share ii, there is J] Pooting "nal about tke games EI in tne long:rumaing Fival Fantsey series, With hte m commen from one to the next, what these games lack in oesiveness they make up form pre senting unique worlds, each utilizing, arelteshing variety of fantasy themes From rogal knights and monstrous ser- ants airsnios and magi, Final Far tuay eagerly twists familiar plots while slalfully weaving its ow. Perhaps no one aspect bere suramarizes the ewe fantasy elements and imaging sion ofthe Final Fantasy sees than the speedy and potent ciocabo, art sild animal, part highspeed ‘ransport, chocobos are peenless mounts, powerful pick animals, speey ‘messengers and true companions Wherever chacobos are found, ‘hey avifty replace borses and other equines 2s the domesticated riding animals of choice. Cheaper to feed, casier te car: fos, generally mors DRAGON 323. Soptemer 2004 friendly, and—their owners say intelligent, chocabos eombiae all the renggh and speed of horses with less upkeep and stubboraess. Playhul and cuiosie atheart, these avian quickly sevepteshor creatures they percrive ashaving ood intentions, and they ‘eagerly earn new abil, This has led 10 ‘he rise ofsports ike chacobo racing, which seeins a5 eagerly anticipated by the moumis ar the jockeys and gam bling fans. It has also made them the mount of choke for many warriors, as chocebos cin often travel farther and fasterthan most horses. Howewer, menial daily cores such as plowing ot palling carts often hore chorabes, who ‘need wide open spaces to stretch their scaly legs and who axe aveays eager to Psuer the net rilge In the wild, chocobes cam be ether unexpected boons or dangerous theca. ‘Whether in locks often te twenty ize ‘acing the wind acoss the pins erin smaller families nesting in aeduded for «ts, wild chocobos are mavestic sights tobehold, Chocebos comnenly range ‘of plaine and forests ‘whole flocks running ina vide temitory af acveral doen sun day and separating into sraller hrnlies 2 night, alsays tetuming othe same sheltered groves Creatures thal appreach with ebri ously hostile ineniions raely get dose toa flock of ehacobos their keen rniles during he senses and swift releses are alten ‘more than eaough w beep them well out offaarmi rece, However, should 2 particulary éaring poacher ot wrangler attempt tosteal upon family af choco bos a night, the nteelopar must be pre pare 1 face the creatures sharp talons ind powerful beaks as they defend thei home. Also, should a thiefsuczess filly steal a choooko egg or hatchling Aistresed chocove patents ave been Tosi: to gather their entire flock to hse dow the thief and ensure the safe return oftheir stolen soung,th al Fantasy game mates song ae af etn fantasy ems ot ve ecules pagreses th ars general Tal lesson wel toca evs, inst mjterous ages ae fn somerrorsten ae tere Perse ‘posee i fin olets Me rederine dik koh ving sonia lig Inepials ane ven sci daapped frinersies Thaugh narecouscreaive toes alge or geet than oe ates eget Rises ‘merely sas ieng enatertxe OM ar ler ages dea bows how tree Seer relatives ea, (Gessforrew weapons, mal, Fordes of bane meostes.andcharscerzerans Sli shicles ace weteyes tue theseearly pares acreatie Vessuretrve for ach DMG ad pases ale Tio ere ates gamesin the al Frtay eves mace frequent deparres from the themes of radio finasy ‘eines Althcughunalts Hah ring croUnible noses roman, gow ‘vente sae vel, ans mecns ad ‘lr soaned tetnloge fan al ppesr ess Ayes Ga ing both (ragicandstence cn rake vse of es for new harein, ulpnet ade (pote ess and wai pred hon thi unique ms Weer ou peter yout frcay 1 traiional wos of monaters and Inagicor cueing-tegecombrsetons ot sctnce are soe the Fi Fantasy lle dole eg au eset souve neverimap ree, RIDING BIRD Large Animal Hit Dice: 4488 (26 bp) Speed: 50, (12 aquaes) ACH 14 (1 size. 42 Dev, +4 nateraly Base Atack/Grapple: 13, +10 Attack: Bite 46 elec (1804) Fall Attack: Bite 46 mele (Ld84) and clays melee (1dr) Spacey each: 10 y/5 fh Special Attacks Special Qualities: Lowlight vision, Saves Fort 16, Ref 16, Will 4 Abilis: Su 18, Des 15, Con 14, Int 2, Wie 16, Cha § Skills: Jump +18, Listen 48, Spot +9 Feats: Endurance, Run Environment: Worm plaing and frosts SUMMONING RIDING Ee Akoug they have yoshi cr magic ove hi tthe apartrovn ater a nas riding brea non ae parte lo respeane le nage rman ane fal rales, hus 3985 eve when a efor noun seri pos Bb thet arcinghidyrones her Ais, seunirg a atleel fore dud or Beefs at. idng i cine anon. Ring ideas unewer te cl fearon nate’ ae Organiration: Soitny, pair or lack (8-20aduls plus 2-5 young) Challenge Rating: Advancement: 5-7 HD (Large), $9 HD (Huge) Level Adjustment Whuc tools to be eneserpriovally tic chicle the siae fa def hore ‘and with golden-ywtow fathers earns Defre you. Wa tag elon, scrote a the ground as ie hed di abot alerls Up rticing you, ls lis Boy nech to ane de ard es our a sll, “Wak aya Riding bices Tecok lke crosses between ovorsized chickens and ostriches. With long necks, golden featl ers and intelligent leer, riding birds can often be found Tuning Steely in Focks across great plans or lazing fa she cool sled of lacge annals that isolated Invests. Natwesl ners, fos cteatures can sprit as Fest as a niding Died without the aid of An average viding bird stands nneaely 7 feet tall ad, with i’ flared lal phanies i amas: equally Jong, Despite facie sie, ding birds are sil avians and usually weigh on'y about 380 pounds (oven Riding bivdls are wasally either shy or Friendly, and thus dort oflen engage in combat, Most petential predators Teave riding bitds done in favor of slower prey. However, when a rid ing bité's young.o! those sts become attached to arein canger, it makes effective use of te ehorp beak and powerful talons Skis Like mest birds, ding bites have cen eyesight, giving them a 16 ‘acl bonus on Spot checks Garrying Capacity: A light lou for a riding bird i wp 40.200 pounds « ‘media load, 201-400 pounclss anda heavy loa, 401-600 pounds, A riding bird can drag 3000 pounds, Riding birds cost 400 gp, Bint los ADS Farmoee rare than the standard ye lowrfeathered siding bied is he neatly iythical bck riding bird, Said to hurl ‘oly in the most secluded mountain orca controled breeding of thoroughbreds, Diack riding binds are one of nature's ‘most prized treasaies, lack viding bes love te exact seme stats as siandurd riding birds, aswell a fly speed of 9 Fee (goud), Blavlericling birds usualy sll for 2.000 gp on the onen market bom by chance from theKoco Me LEAVE THE FRIKWN TOWN?! Lucie RITUAL, fe ALL Tue Lucie OFF TENG SBE ALREADY! AA Loot ts Boor? ED Savane 2004+2004 onscon'7s EEee COMICS FOUND THE FOLLOWING: OK, GUYS. I'VE BEEN 3% OF THE TIME GOING OVER LAST WEEK'S SESSION. 1RETACKC THE DRAGON iD ol TIME SEEDING On wut HUZZAHI AIEEFEEEE! CRITICAL FUMBLE! VHAVE THE WORST DICE LUCK EVER! THE DICE HATE Met THE DICE HATE. MEI THE DICE HATE MI THERE ' a RESOLUTELY NO OTHER EXPLANATION MY DICE ROLLING SUCKS! MY DICE SUCK! HOW MY LU CAN MY LUCK BE SO INCREDIBLY BAD? 75% OF THE TIME COMPLAINING ABOUT DICE ROLLS. FROM HELL'S HI |EART. i TAS AT THEE! ile ce THAT Ae 2004 SHETLAND PRODUCTIONS: [email protected] WWIW.DORKTOWER.COM DRAGON 525 September 2004rom countless werks of F Titerature, films, and role playing games, Iwo heroic Baler aLCar ites a Heda aired iwemern bight a (eee as asd eel ste ie es ees Tae oer ed asia igeiee ae hee Tien sare ut eons Se tee ones vecas Mealy eved lingee stescie thity an stl Ai om thane finial depletions, the quertons eke Case eeu alpine Gas accuse sect ies Tiers ue cede Thee ele ako Midis ae Gee iain eae Be eon Sane ae se ies anton las Eaters hee ecu ie oe onion THe scenario bow, Ero were noold Re lise ice ee en ese al Sr Pe es Cea ss nae Bo ou ga eat e place Pea genie 5c Bee Fal sis oae ace oo) eat Gace GEL cies acres Sec alee colneaita anes Fei ol GC nr eh so aoe SST meer there tie aes Reo so conse The ell ae cote ee en eal aoe aidan Core Fay cata) se baer en ee aor pearsraai tl ai he ep memeee Ria paaaauaice ee ee ra ote min that each of our ideal combatants hag been informed about the other and is therefore mentally prepared ‘and composed, OFcomnae, ifs are supposing & clash between boo “typical warrinns, swe tnust also ask exactly what is cone sidered typical? ‘The knights of direa 1100 C# and the samurai of crea 1200 CE were roughly evenly matelied in equipment but the same comparative warriors during the 1400s were quite dissimilas. Each of the twe histori cal warriors in question fought with ‘equivalent technologies, uncer fiels similar climates and terrain, and for similar reasons, but i's dificult te think in terns ofa “generic” medic va) knight ors *etandard” eamurai warrior. With resgect fo a European knight, i's aso difficult cheose ‘hich nationality and what type of Bushido is “the way of the horse and not “the way of the sword.” warrior fiom which portion of the Middle Ages to use, With the saumatai though. we only deal with single homogenous culture ‘As for the knight, are we assur ing he will be 4 matl-clad! Norman with sword and kite shield from the year 1056? Perlaspe he could be an English or French chevalier of 1350 in partial plate with axming sword ready for a judicial dus] in + closed ring? Will te be a Teutonic knight ‘of dca 1500 in s head-to-toe suit of anticulated Gothic platearmor and wielding a bastard sword? ‘Will she sarnurai be wearing the older box-tike Muromachi armor ‘and armed with a tachi blade, or will he woar the later clace-fitting Kamakura-period do-mara armor and use the more farillar katana? For that matier, word the sam: rai be allowed to use both his long ketans and his wakivashi short sword together? THE WARRIORS We can reasenably assume that the personal attribrtes such as ind vidual strength, speed, stamina, age, health, and courage are fairly cconsistont between such professional warriois, Assuming we can sorachow control for theve attributes, we eon match combatants with some equal- itp, Lig not unrealistic to believe that neither was Tkely decisively stronger or faster than the other: However, we carit discount physiology as « factor, which might be ax sdvaniage for the European (Ioth-century samurai ‘anmot examples are sized for mien around 59°55" while Furopean armor trom the same period and ccaior Gt men ranging {ror just lunder 6” to about 6°5"), but other jeulUdence suggests averaye European Insights in che Léth century were just above 5 feet, While tive Baropean concept ‘of physical fitmess among knights of the 15th century emph sized the classical Greco-Roman youthful physique of a narrow waist and broad shoulders on lean frame, the Japanese ideal was fone of a more mature man having a wider bare and broader middle—no dlouit reflecting the natural ethno- glapbic chasaciecistcs ofeach race, Dut alse influencing the Fighting techniques they employed. ‘We might also want to consider the forms of warfare in which each swordsman possessed experience The early saraurai engaged in & ritualized style of warfare where individual champions might fight sepirate battlefield ducls following bslabliched protocals, ae opposed toaster mounted archery style of combat amid pike formations of lesser foot seldiers, There were a Few large scale (often disastrous) military expeditions te Korea and olsewhere, but most of a samurats battles vecursed in the environment of his home islands.Knights omphasized mounted shock warfare with couched lances ani—off the fielé—a concers for uivalric and judicial duels ss well as Inurnameats ofall kinds, The West: ern way of war was directed more at 4 traditional battle of annihilation a part of an overall campsign oF ‘onouest. Yet, individual challenges, whether tothe deat or not, wore Frequent. Knightly arms and armor were the result of a dynamic interse tion of Latin, Celtic, and Germanic ‘altures ae well as Thrkish and Ara ‘ion influences. ‘The environment lights fought in were extensive and diverse, ringing from the cold ‘of Scandinavia 10 the deserts of the Middle East. from the plains of Wert em Furope to the deep forest of the Hast, and the swamps, Melis, and smowntaine in between Culture might also play a role in this eon vexisted in a hierarchical an conformist culture that rewarded obedi- tence and loyalty over individualiyy Knights existed in a tore complex and fluid society that emphasized sol-expression sith a long tradition of seliance on indi= ictal initiative, Both cultures had experience fighting against outsid crs and foreigners: the Europeans encountered the Turks, Mongols Saracens, and others the Japanese encountered the Koreans, Chinese, Mongols, and others, Thus, in con- sidering the historical cecord on cross-cultuial collisions in different locations, we might want to give the edge to the more socially ¢iverse Europeans on this matten . Semurai warione (Dn an indivieial basis, we rmnst consider what eff? the quality of fatalism within the veenurat code of Inushido might ply. or rather the res: oluze acceptance of death that mot: ‘ajo the fereost samurai. We cannot tverlaok the quality of piety and faith ‘hat could motirace a noble kaght to great Feats, or of thc ideals of chivalry that he rnight uphold to the death. (Ps ‘possible a mediewl European night ‘would have & certcin disdain and scont for his foreign, "pagan adver ssi, OF course, she Japanese wartior’s ‘wellknown atiuide of provd invinci bility and readiness to ie for his lord coulé equally mabe hian vulnerable to an unfamiliar Be. Contempt for life and contempt fora dangerous sunknow 9pponien: you might under cslimate can be a disastrous combi ion. While cowage is important, fighting spiniraloae is insutficient There are surely tangles here we cannot nieasure with any reliabilits, These ancl other ron-quatfable, peycholegieal fictoe: aside, we are left with amor, weapons, and taining to decide the vicion Without weapons designed to defeat plate armor, any fighter would have difficulty. THE ARMOR Armor changes things in sword play. U you've news {you can't inane bow it afets your movement and the execution. of even simple acions, 1 has been ssid that while Ftropeans designed thetr armor to de‘eat swards, the Japanese designel thei swords to defeat armor Thee isa cenain ‘uth to this, but 1's 2 simplistic ‘View The beticr Japanese armor was constructed of stall overlapping Jaequered metal scales or plates together with silk cords in order to specifically resist the slicing cut of the karana, {vallewed significant Freedom f movasnent while offer ing excellent probetion. 11 it pot ‘wet, however, thesill cords seaked lp water and it became terribly heawy. Although the earliest styles ‘of samuralsrinor were designed sine in it, square plates asa defense sagsinst arrows, the later forms were Intended prinsatily robe used by and agit similals equipped swords ren and to lessen the wemendoss ‘calling capacly oftheir blades. 1 swat dirable, effective, and provided foramale movement, How would St hold up to the stabs of a narosly pointed knightly sword? This i an Jmportant question Medieval European armor was designed and shaped more to deflect strikes and absor) blant force blows from lances and swords, A knight's emer voried Gorn simple byrnios of fine-rveted mall, which could absomb slices and prevent cats, 1 well padded sal jackets and metal cnats-ofplates, which were designed to protect equally frum con sion weapons se.well 46 penetrating thrusts. A complete wait of fly anticulated rigid aumpor tequited special: ized weapons to effectively defeat i. Plate armor vas constructed 10 be invulnerable to sword cuts ivean he surmised, those ofthe ‘exceptonally sharp katana, some Digh-rankeing 16th century summaval lords setlly owned piosee of cone temporary Furopean armor, pitts and purchases which they even wore into bate. They iid not prize them merely a exotiea. For foot com- bat, this armor wae well balanced, maneuverable, and sometimes even rade of tempered stl, [twas well suited for wear in combat, and i far From the awkward, lurihering eich’ presented by Hollywocd Without weapons designed to defeat plate armor. ans fighier armed with a sword alone (stan or nel would have diffe Indeed, full Europea plate armor ‘els mail might very well dan age the keen edge on particularly line katanas. Afterall, we shoutd uo: forget dat despive the KaunasNauited cutting ability, the samurai fall-arm slashing cuts of Ken)ussu. fairly thick woed covered in leather were able te successfully rely on Medieval short swords are prop. and asually trimmed in metal, mak their armors as defense agains! i. erly wieldee wilh more of a throw ing them highly maneuverable and There is every reason to imagine of thearm and aswistofthe hips difficult to cu into, More likely, a knightly armor would have been while making passing stepe forward blade would he momentarily stuck if just as effective if not more so. Lf or back. Both cuts and thrasts are it struck too forcefully. Unlike what wwe therefore assume the armors 9 thrown frora behind the shield while is seen in the movies or described Ibe more evenly matched, say mail it simmultanconsly guards, feints, in heroic titerature, chopping into ‘and partial plate for the knight as deflects. or presses. A sword an) a shied’ edge can temporarily (asd megund 1250, ings would aiLiisa greatest overasingle usc the aword blade ly wedge 0 get more interesting. However. the sword alone. Fighting with sword the shield for just an instant and saat dd aBen caray a ehick dig and shleld ofers awel-sounded and thereby be delayed in recovering or SUPeMER ould frre beencquitay — seicne dafeae Ueatealsly pormliaa _seneoiog an elackurdl exposing Usefil aginst plate, Interestingly, wide rmge of both tec and combi the altacker's arms toa countercu ach needorpsigiy chet ued) eaten at aks Shields without metal rims were ‘aleijaoncuplerisy diguerwerlils 2 theslisld yptnoe eed init, (> | len cored braid reaces vith ciosein grappling something ways typically shewn in moves, Kenjutsu Japanese swordsman- not generally known about knightly video games, stage-combat of hiss ship), although cousistig of very fein bil tones voleplayingaeganiatins, __efecive Zonntercuting action, Fighting-against ¢ medieval shield is also has no real mdigenous provi ae smeuo piesa bs Palling We musk onside thick A skilled wheiermeknigit AS a sword, the Japanese katana warrior could cer in this hypotheti tainly improvise cal duel will be is unmatched in its sharpness and some, but these armed in he , unfamiliar with the faiiar shield and cutting power. formidable effec shor: sword sivle tiveness and ver co wiluse only a saity of a sword single ongeword) IFarmed with» not simply » matlor of man: and shield combination would have Shield, we must ask what kind? Will around Ror aiming blows elsewhere, a hard time thi Mnighl employ weedtecgrippell A void can cut quite wel om trpe with ront umbo or one woon almost allangles sound er under’ TMG SAMHURATS SWORD byenarme staps? Will the shield neath shield. need, since the In major battles fought br both le the highly fective *hite"shepe shield we f 0 well guarded, the types of wacros both samurai vrith is superb defense or one ofthe opponent isthe one limited to attack- and knights typically wilded a smaller, more maneuverable convex ing to only ane repion—he non: sword in one or tworhands. For “heates” styles? How about 2 thick shield side. As it comes out from the knight, the primmury weapons steel buckles? bbohinel the shield to strike, an attack: had always been the lang lance ‘There's a reason virtually every en's weapon can be couniertimed and the swerd, and toa lessee culture developed the chield and and counter-cut, which is an effective degree the poleare, dagger, and why they were used for thousands tactic to employ against a shield nser, mace, ‘The sword was always the of years: They were very effective. Yet a shield user's atticks are net at foundations! weepon of a knights Ip 15th-century Europe, itwas only —allone sided. A shield can be used fencing training, For the samurai, Ihe combination of the development offensively in a number of ways and however. the sword was but one of full plate armor and two-handed at very clove range, of thee major weapons, along, swords combined with heavy pole Katanasare powerful swords with the bow and the yari (shew arins and powesful missike weapons used with strony techniques, but ing spear) used from horseback, ‘thet Gnally reduced the long reigo- thinking they could simply eave We should consider that, despite ing value ofthe shield in ware, Ymough sion! medieval shield ie their later acquived reputation for The medieval style of sword and absurc. A shisld cannot simply be swordsmanship, the samurai’s pr: shield fighting is disiinelly different sliced through, even with a katana, mary weapon sas, in fact, not the from the two-hand grip and quick Medieval shields were crafted of sword. ‘The sword did not becamea premier weapon of samurai cul: the “ultimate sword” some of its ture and reach its cult status wntil ardent admizers occasionally builé the mid-to late-170h century. when itupsas, The katana’s exceptionally the civil warring period ended. It hard edge was prone <0 chippiag is something of myth that every and needed frequent ve-polishing, individasl Japanese samuraiwee and its blade could break or bend hhimsel? an expert swordsman (no the seme as any other sword might move true than that every Wild was not designed te take a great West couboy wes an expert gun- deal ofabuse, and is not as flexible fighter). Afterall, the expression _ nor intended to clrectly eppose sett 30 sseoeinted with bushido is “the or hard armor: as some forms of vay of the horse and bow.” not medieval swords had to be. she way of the sword.” Besides, ‘The katans’s design was n0t set unlike knightly chivalric talew and in-stone. [twas changed and altered combtt accounts, the majority of over the centuries like any other single combats between samurai sword, being slowly improved or described in feudal Japanese litora- adapted to the different needs and ture took place with daggers and tastes ofits users im terms of cross hot swords, For the sake of discus: section, cvzvatare, and length. [n the sion, let ag assume both Fghters 13th enh, for instance. iis point tise swords in this imaginary case. had to be redesigned because it as Asa sword, the Japanese katana prone to snapping against the metal is unmatched in its sharpness and tag ee ste swell tempered and expertly polished hnefal, Although the details of men Facuue differed, they were made | bay dhe same fundamental scientific processes of heating and working te by shaping and grinding as were ther fine ewords around the would throughout history, only 2 swotd—a man-made 101 of | THE KNIGHT'S SWORD Having eguipped owr simurai, we innise turn to the sword t be used dy our knightly combatant. It must be understood that there was a great diversity of knightly swords and armor types. European swords fawigrave European swords were, in asense, — orefinasene Furthermore ts paricuacly good atentting against generalized designs. metal (out it only cults through other words in wiesiip sal ideS grmnatl.. Tein favied Setudded eteisaoy However, medieval plate armor (essentitly equivalent to Hueopean is well known far ils resistance biigandine armor) of the Mongols tocutting, and cutting ata mov. and Chinese. Ry the 18th century ing target hiddea by a shield ora its blade, no longer earnestly used igreateword is not essy. While she against armors, tended to be made edge of a katana is very strong, with longer. lighter, and thinner for chs fasharp cutting bevel, i isa thick ——_rcom practicing, ‘wedge shape and wtill hae to move Teue, Japanese feudal warriors did aside material ay iteuts. Although have their own form of gieatsword This is devastating ona draw slice in the long no dachi blades, These, against flesh and done, isis mich however, were employed specif less effective against armors. Real- cally by lower ranking foctsoidiers ining this, several styles of Japanese against horses (anil presumably, on swordamanship devised specific occasion, agains! pikes}. So, we cam. techniques not lo cabal armor, but not draw an equivalency between, tostaband tinust at the gopsand these and medieval groatswwords used joints of it just ax the Fusopeans in kniphily fencing aris.or t the true id against theit oven plate armor, tworhanders of 16th century Euro: Exespt for major conflicts in Korea pean battlefields, and encounters against the Mon- Overall, he katana was a very well ols, the katana developed in com- réunded design: excellent at cuting parative aplation and is net quite and icing, yet good at thrusting and always specialized rather than slenveiety rather than gen eralized designs There were swords for feo! combat, swords for horerlack, single and double-handed swords, straight and curved avords, swords for armored and for unarmared Fighting, swords for tournaments, swords for civil jan ducling, sworde ideal just for thrusting or jus! for cutting, and swords only for training ‘A knight's sword wae typically one-handed weapen originally intended specifically for use with | a shield. Their Hades are wide and fairly thin, but gid, with chisellike edges intentionally designed for cut ting through mail armor and deep into flesh anil bone with 2 quick, Torcefial blow. They wore light, agile, and sti, yet flexible enough to withstand the stress ef use, They voried ftom the wider Nattor kinds to rigid, tapering, sharply pointed varlallons well sulted for siabbingg both plate and laminated armors‘The later wide-hased and acutely pointed style of bastard sword was superb at thrusting. So, even though Japan satne quality steel as their weapons, nothing in its erafting mode it supe: rior to armors European blades were lesigned to penetrate Although the medieval sword and shield combination was fairly ‘common, longer blades usable in tio hands were in widespread use From about 1250 t0 roughly 1600 In Europe. When we talk about iiedieval European longawoeds or warswords (or even greatswerds), we are not dealing with a single wee armor wes made of the uniform style, Some swords hed wide, flat blades with parallel edges well suited 0 powerful cuts. Later, wards specifically designed for Fac ing heavier atinor, had narrower nach more rigid Dlades of dia- mond ot hexagonal cross-sections that tapered to hard, sharp points ‘They werr used to bash al armor before stabbing and thrusting into joints and gaps. They could also be crnpleyed 10 theust like short spears or clam like werhammers, yes they ‘were still capable of cutting at more lightly ormozed opponents, The difference betwoen these two European blades is significant and once more underscores the distine= tion between the manner of using a katana and a straight medieval European sword, The tapering blade form hava different conter of bal- ance and is often lightes. Is point of percussion is located farther ‘down the biade, and iss fine paint 's capable of making quick, acct rate, and strong thrusts, The wider style can make a somewhat gr variety of sirikes and delivers more effective ents overall. The later is mmate agile and easier to extra a paryy with, I can also more easily empley its vereatle bit in binding, trapping, and striking. lis proper sile oF use with Its tighter move: ments, various thncts, and infight cle: Farah F: ing with the hilt is rarely depicted with any accuragy in movies and staged performarces. ‘The reach fact alsa cannot be overlooked, Although a skilled Fighter can effecively use a shor! blade against a long blade or vice sersa, and although neither long, swords nor katana hed standare ized lengths, overall the katana is significantly shorter than European two-handed ewords avd great swords, 4 Tonger weapon with two: edges does haveadvantages—espe- cially if used by 4 man taller than the wielder of a shorter, single: fedueel weapon, Surprisingly, me longeword or greatsword is arguably a more com- plex weapon than the katana, It has two edger that ean be used, se well as a versatile cressguard and pom ‘mel permitting « saciety of special ized techniques. Another clement to consider is thit European swords could be used in *halfsword techniques whone the second hand rips the blade {sell to wield the ‘weapon in bashing, deflecting, binding, and traxping se 9 pole-axe ‘or shor! spear cen be used. This was especially ellective in Aighting, net pl ‘knightly blades could be excellent swords, but they ue offen denigrated merely a8 crude Hunks of icon while samuai swords we venerated atid cxalted sometimes to the point of absurdity by enllectors, enthusiasts, nd fils, The bettors line is that amediesal swords were indced well made; light, agile fighting weapons equally capable of delivering dismem: bering cuts ar cleaving deep into hay cavities, They wens far fram the ‘lumsy, heavy thnigs they often portrayed as in pepalar media and far far move thana more *chuh with edges.” [mterestingly, the weight of lkatancs comparoc to longowworde is very clase, with each on average being Jess than + pounes. WODDER ean) AWE! 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Check our website for ar See ears See) PeGneg ene car Sie eens! reat Mastiff CRivsits ee a epee Feri tiemmanerrecdy Senators repent) ER miitveorntrt) Elaine Cunningham Eine aesatean cA Starflivand/Shiidas Series Nene es Ae siacreamaentne ee oteinetinensnelsenay ieee Sets aeons Non acer encore Nee ees SMALE Ceci Tere ener Perna nea Tent reer ere roms THe sWeRDSMANsHIP instead ofa shield and sword we match a knight with + longsword or galtst the kaa aemed ssnnursi, thie makes a sig nificant difference in hove we judge the Fight, We must aot fall into tie trap of judging sword in terms of what we knows about clossical Japanese fencing, 1 the madievsl long isa mistake ta think the at double-edged medieval sword with cervciforra-hiltis handled like a entved katara, While there are cor taluly similarities and universal cons rmonaltics between the two styles of ‘wardsmanship (sch as i stances and cus}, there are alse significant and fandamental differences, ‘They fac make the sime basic seven 0. it cuts and thusts, As a cuived blade with an expecially keen edge the katana 1s superior in the poten tial use of quick, short slices, Ye ne. long, sh tw @ keen point, the longsword is botierat thrusting, Additionally ts 1 blade tapering dal edges, enabled by a graspable pommel, allow 1 1 attack slong roe Ti cats. Having. twe edyes to work with permits backedge and reverse cuts. This allows a larger number of strikes from diflerent angles THe katana is oielded in a quick; flowing manner with a torque of the grip as well ss push of the hips, Pulling a curved blade in this vay makes it ste foowork is more linear, with short quick hopping, (even shafing) steps. s than the eight standard it shears, The I contrast to the slicing slash of a curved, single-eeged, Japanese blade, medie for hacking pilmarily from the elbow and shoul- dler and emploving wide passing steps. The moxements are hinger with more fast whirling actions as Lawords wore made the two edges are employed the pommel alone gripped. or the hands changed to differeat positions on the hilt fsa straight lade, it strikes more witha pointof-perenssion on the 6 to 8 inches of blade down fear the point as opposed to the curved katana, which uses mote of the first few inches, IF we bring into the equation the medieval bastard sword with compound-hilt of sidexmgs and barguarda ap well as half grip hanulle using various methods of holding, this could also be a significant factor Such hilks alow for a variety of one cor lwo-hand gripping options and ives superior tip control for shtust ing or edge alignment When contrasting these two styles of sword we should also leeep in mind a number of points We classify each as longswords and both were designed for the same purpose: killin between them result from the pa ticularitios of their functions and the ways they a goals. We should also keep in ming that Japanese swords and sword arts reflect a living tradition, and standing pproup in the West promoting ite study. In contrast. the medieval ge hay for decades litd vittu ally nothing but Hollywood Fantasy and roleplayers representing it, From this, direct compstison af Enropean Swotd 19 a Japanese one is 01 pos: g. Differences tote with a lor herit nbs seen thita sible. They are “epples and oranges” so to speak As our hypothetical fight ensues any number of things might hsp: pen, In the course of striking at one another a chance blow by either side could end the fig. The katana ‘might or might net be able to make 1 Jetta! o¢ incapacitating cut (some: hing difficult to-do against plate shield). The knight, unfamiliar wath, tho nature of his eppement, night throw outa strike that makes hin vulnerable 10 4 well-timed counter auiack. Of course, the samurai might alone a mail cast with aalso underestimate the power of the medieval swore! cleaving blows and agile rusts, even ayetinst his armor, The average European two: hand sword is as much a8 foot longer than the average katana and is telat all slow or defensive, It hhas a versitile hilt used for binding, Uvapping, and partying, The katana fs aleo a fas: weapon that cuts strongly and guards well There exist nuinesous techniques fr infighting weing the longewerd’s ‘hali” guards, ent there are also aany techniques for striking wich a shield, but then the lavana excels atclosesn shees, OF course, against good armor, such actions can be nege Tigible, and Ryhting against shields vas relatively unknown in Japan. Soon one laind, the knight's fight ing style—either of close-in sword and shield clashing, or large passing steps with long-reaching shearing ceuts and plunging throsts with a longsword or greatsword—might sive him the advantage: Oo the other hand, the intense, forused, counter: cutting style of the sermurat with his razor keen blade and own experience jn wemoared fighting might instead give him the advantage, It could be argzel that the sami rj by matore would have a tacieal advantage In atimde and fortitude tsa result ofthe psychological cle ‘ments of his training. He is well known to have integtaied unacmed techniguee inte hie ropertoire at well as having a keen sense of an epao- neti’s sirengihs and weaknesses. Sull. much of this is intangible and subjective, Besides, allhouph ‘not widely appreciated. Cis iow well documented (particulary from ‘medieval Italian and German fight- ing rmamvals) that Suropean knights snd manat arms Bally integrated advanced grappling, wrestling, and disarming technigues into theis Fighting skill. There iy no evidence tothe myth that knighthy martial culture was any less sophisticated or highly descloped than its Avian. counterparts—its traditions and retlios only fell ut of use with the social and tecmological changes brought about byadvances in fire armas and cannons, ‘Those who thine the medieval sword and shield were just brutish, artless armaments ane a9 tally mise inforred se thoteho inpagine the Jatana vas Handled in some mysiet ‘ous and secret mann six can eat thromgh anything, While it knoe thal the average semua! ha a lasge inventory of unarsued fighting tech niques at his disposal these too would ‘be unlikely bp playa part axainst a shield. yielding warrior, keePing eur HUPOTHESIS BROAD So, given the eormplesites of the (question of what sind of knightly arms and armor frem what period ‘ye could consider ina hypothetical knighi-samurai excounter, it might be ‘easier to just imagine an unormored uel, sword against sword, ithe! shies. Lev's assume then chat our cross-cultural gladiatorial fantasy ‘onl be fought hy two respective 15th century warriors with single ‘owords slone, In his way, we essen tially have two fighting men exper enced in using 4 ong sword as well 9 fighting, uname oe. This solves a lat of questions, but ‘even bere the issue is problernatic ‘We sill need 10 ark what kind of katana and what tind of longsward? ‘what length of blde and handle? "There was no gerevie medel for either weapon, afer all So. essuming that we conse (we weapons of com: parative dimensicns, we could cheose the knightly longewsord of the eruci- fonuhilted, doutleedged, slighily tapering warily Under ths sceaario, the katana ‘would have a slat advantage. I's dept in unarmoned, cutanelthrust fighting where de slightest wound for its heen edge could perhaps ice This issue’s Riddle: le sleps forys iscqultly ale Tesh in ed sod shes Ins Blood os re then na to Mack Uisleeps a aka come tac, Gets now riddle ec week in our onal Sign vp at sides siengtecom Need something | more than “String or nothings”? Riddle Books Each Riddle Book contains 75-80 riddles for use in role playing games or to challenge you and your friends, Need a break, fron Hack & Slash? Riddle Rooms Riddle Rooms are riddles and puzzles presented as rooms that can be added to any dungeon or adventure. Each room has one or more illustrations. Can be used with any system. For more riddles and games visit us at worw.cloudkingdom.som,He AUTHOR John Clerc om oF rane’ lacing Instore andl prasitore tesa ‘eof mace and Rensissance fen Ing. batng ett the sub for ena tenia yar ar esparched ne taugh: nsx cours. He eahes nd ‘wiles 00 ised feing ful tes _drecior FARA She Neocon or ssance Maral (ubudeorn “aah andauthoro'the donk, Revise “Sermandip The Wasoen eof Rep 5 and Cbs Tiss Shor ard Water ‘Sereno luereed taonavesand edie tot fom Paadin Pose Hie forcornng marks ae Faria Tang In Medion’ Wo, The Cnesvord Fons Stich Gude and Risa Shera: Babafld lg Fi severa hand o® disable an ar 1 could al thrust wel and might even threaten a prssing or shcing draw if close in. The laleswording techniques ofthe longaword would alko not be nearly as Mabie hee, although its hilt design might prove useful, While the Tengsword would be menacing in its quick and longresching trast, its sabbing atacks would pechaps not be that unfamiliar te 2 crmurat used to fang speus. Gn the other tand, the knight would wot be wnased to facing a curved single-edged Bade, likly being skilled in or filer swith the falehion,badolsir, messes, long grossemesser, and even Toke Ishsclmitars. So agen, the outcome ‘of the match would come down to intangibles of personal atitide and Individual proves Some would suggtt thatthe sam tal nas simply a better swerdsrman and nice tevacious wastes and would Iely oxt-ight his European counter part Others argue skied, superbly conutioved night using cnr a sword snd shield earn longsword or greatsword in fall mail, or plete would be near invulnerable and brutally overpowering. Pract nets who ate experienced with one Ispe of blade tend to favor whatever tes're most famibar with, In one sense, we are talking about very different approaches to armed personal defense, but itfs all the same when reduced to two srmed combatints facing one anotier. ‘There are many universal commonalities and shared funda- mentals between both Eurapean and Japanese feudal warriors, but eo significant tech nical and stylistic differences im their respective approaches. IP n0t, their martial histories and their arms and armors would not have ‘been so distinct there were 8 wet can We REALLY KO? CQwerall, ther» ate far too many va ables and unknowns to decisively judge who would win in a battle The better fighter wins the fight. Dotween a knight and exnvucai. The fight cannot be reduced to any gener: alized statements about who hal the Iisiorieal advantage in sll or who had the superior array of arms and armor ll we can veally do is give an opinion based an what we lnc about these warttors’ means and manners of combet. Tefore reflesively reacting with 3 strong opinion one way or another whan thinking about this subject, ‘we might want to stop to porder the same Imaginary contest as held Ibetweon two samurai, euch a: 3 samurai of the Murorzehi era ver. susa Kamakura one. We could do the same for the light, posing the problem of who would defeat whom. fan Title-centiry Flemish koight or a Lithecentury Rurgundian one? Ry doing this simple mental exercise, swe ean see the inherent problems of arguing one way oranpther over such imoginany fights. ‘While the technigues and prin- ciples of kenjutsu aie highly effec tive, they might be direly pressed to combat the proven efficacy of a \warrioy using the sword and shield ‘method—a technique that proses doubly effective against an opponent with a single sword. As well, the formidable utility and versatility of Furopean longswords or greatswords ‘cannot be ignored, especially when combined with European armor, although a fine kstana can abso be a tuuly awesome weapon. ‘There are many other factors that could be raised when speculating on a Iypothetical combat between a night and a samurai, In the end though, the question of who would win such a duel is really unanewerable, Being 3 ‘great warrior is a matter of individual ability and technical factors that ere not exchisive to any one culture or time period. The bovter fighter wins the fight, and ia therefore consid cred the better fighter—or at least the rove fortunate. whoever deer