Quote from: tenbones;1050471What does this add to the game as already established? Is it really that meaningful? The mere fact people are confused about its implementation here and the ramifications thereof sort of implies the obvious truth: it wasn't necessary. To the effect that one might differ, while Omega is here saying it's no big deal, then why have it at all?

We all know why it's been inserted in there.

1: As it stands its just one of many many little options that have been added to use or not. Like the new racial feats for example. That they dont impact overall gameplay or lore is a good thing. This isnt retconning manticores and minotaurs into demon cursed humans. Which overwrites existing established lore.

Now had they said "all elves can change gender and allways could!" then that would be a problem.

2: Probably yes. But considering how small it is in actuality. It may have just been a callback to those old Dragon articles.


3: That I think would be going too far. We do not know if this addition was a SJW concession or not. The odd entry on demons though suggests a possible agenda. But even that may be otherwise.

I am though curious. What is the origin of the Raven Queen and the Shadar-kai elves? Never heard of them before. But they get several pages devoted to them in the book?

Quote from: Omega;1050482I am though curious. What is the origin of the Raven Queen and the Shadar-kai elves? Never heard of them before. But they get several pages devoted to them in the book?

The Raven Queen is 4th Edition's God of Death.  She was a mortal sorceror who became Nerull's consort, then killed him and became the new Goddess of Death...and Fate, Winter, Ravens, etc.

Shadar-Kai are elves who worship the Raven Queen and live on the same plane she does, the Shadowfell.

TSR lore could get iffy, but Christ, every aspect of WotC lore sounds like a bad D&D fanfic.

Shadar Kai?

I suggest Shaba Ranks Elves.

With Jamiacan accents!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dwBBKDAm8c

Quote from: KingCheops;1050450It is a shapeshifting power and explicitly says "sex" so you are changing all your tackle.  Gender is still as fluid as the number of gender/woman's studies courses you've taken.

Excellent, thanks.

Quote from: CRKrueger;1050488The Raven Queen is 4th Edition's God of Death.  She was a mortal sorceror who became Nerull's consort, then killed him and became the new Goddess of Death...and Fate, Winter, Ravens, etc.

It's like...how much more Goth could she be?

The answer is none.  None more Goth.

She's so Goth that the medieval version of The Cure follows her around, playing fucking "Burn" on lutes and shit.

Quote from: Thornhammer;1050506It's like...how much more Goth could she be?

The answer is none.  None more Goth.

She's so Goth that the medieval version of The Cure follows her around, playing fucking "Burn" on lutes and shit.

I should find that ridiculous, but instead I find it strangely awesome.

Quote from: Gabriel2;1050508I should find that ridiculous, but instead I find it strangely awesome.

The Dawn War setting had some awesome stuff.  The Raven Queen made some sense in the setting but is pretty corny when tacked onto Forgotten Realms.

Heres some stuff from the book noted so far.
The section on demons and devils adds some new things like teifling traits specific to certain origins and a few hellish boons as well as some stuff on cults
Eladrin elves are now divided into 4 seasonal types and after a long rest can change their current season. The season just alters their skin and hair colour, and how their fey step ability works. Also adds some personality traits and flaws for each.
A footnote that dwarves drink to remember past deeds. They arent fond of non-divine magic.
Duregar dont drink much for risk of awakening racial memories of theur time as illithid slaves. Also much more fleshed out background.
A section on the Gith and a bit on spelljammers, without calling them spelljammers. Also opened as a PC race.

The rest is monsters with some classics returning like the astral Dreadnought, abishai, Giff, meazels, Nagpa, and Tortles (who do not get a PC race entry.) And a fair amount of pages devoted to demons, devils and yugloths. Not sure but think at least two Planescape creatures are in there too.

Overall its an interesting book.