A Point of Reference, a Point of Departure Recently I had the pleasure to be the guest at a conference comforting and easy to work with. In a gaming environment, on world building in the Fantasy and Role-Playing Games forum there’s far less prep-time when one assumes generic medieval on CompuServe (that means I was the target of all the hard European fantasy like the WORLD OF GREYHAWK® setting. It’s a questions). One question in particular sticks out in my mind. milieu we understand, and we can just roll up our sleeves (and “Outside of the game books,” it went, “where do you go for our dice) and get right into the game. Make it something exot- material to design worlds?” ic, like Kara-Tur, Maztica, or Zakhara (all from the FORGOTTEN I replied with my standard answer: the Encyclopedia REALMS® campaign), and it requires more background knowl- Britannica. Why? Let me try something. Think of a warrior. Are edge and time to bring everyone up to speed. This is why fewer you picturing someone like Conan or King Arthur? Chances are, people play these campaigns but they are so vociferous in their you are. support of them. There is a considerable investment of time and That’s the culture factor. If you’re like most gamers in the effort to make something foreign into something familiar. It’s U.S., you probably didn’t even think of a samurai, janissary, or always worth the effort, though. any other warrior from Asian, African, or American history. Most You are in control of your world. You can do anything you people don’t. We’re very Euro-centric about our games. The want, make it as exotic or as down home as you feel comfort- standard we think of is European. (Think of all the Vikings, able. Your world can even be free of contemporary pseudo-val- Anglo-Saxons, Irish, Celts, or whatever you’ve seen in fantasy ues (A.K.A. “political correctness”). Here you can allow some real- games and fantasy art.) Even with all the fantasy trappings, ism into your mix. Only about seven or eight percent of Japan’s that’s what it all comes down to. population were samurai, but how many people want to play a We are ultimately the products of our culture. Most peasant when you can play a samurai? Injustice and intolerance Americans probably know the old European myths and history were real (and this is where your exotic cultures can come into better than any others, and these form the roots of our imagi- conflict with the more familiar European worlds). nation. We all know about King Arthur, Tristan and Isolde, the No matter what kind of game you play, you can easily intro- Ring of the Niebelungen, the Trojan War, valkyries, the Norman duce a few foreign elements to add some spice. Folklore and Invasion, the Crusades. history from every nation and culture are treasure troves wait- How many know about Aleksandr Nevski? Who knows the ing to be exploited. Even if you favor generic fantasy, try throw- legend of Yamato Takeru? We know some Arab fantasies like ing in something exotic. Massive amounts of research aren’t Sinbad and Ali Baba, and of real people like Saladin. But how needed; just a little time with the right source. about Harun al-Rashid? Do you know whether he is real or I recommend the Encyclopedia Britannica. myth? Who was he? Who knows the tales of the American Indians and the Inuit? Do you know the Egyptian Tale of Sinhue? Is it bad that we’ve got this European mind set? Not necessarily. That which is familiar is both Publisher Associate Publisher Editor-in-Chief Editor Art director TSR, Inc. Brian Thomsen Pierce Watters Anthony J. Bryant Larry W. Smith Associate editor Associate editor Subscriptions U.S. advertising U.K. correspondent/advertising Dave Gross Michelle Vuckovich Janet L. Winters Cindy Rick Carolyn Wildman Printed in the USA # DRAGON 227 3 March 1996 Volume XX, No. 10 Issue #227 The Secrets of Successful Dungeon Building Mathew Guss Its more than just drawing lines on a sheet of graph paper. How do you really design a dungeon that breathes? Page 8 Report from Undermountain Steven Schend In Waterdeep, there is a tavern that holds the entrance to one of the biggest, meanest dungeons ever made. Heres whats been happening lately Page 14 Journeys to the Deepest Dungeons Wolfgang Baur Okay, you want to explore the Underdark. To improve your player characters chances of survival, read this first. Page 34 They’re in the Book John Baichtal How do you hide a clue in a library? Better yet, how do you find a clue in a library? Page 69 And the Rockets Red Glare Dale A. Hueber Firework magic adds a new aura of flash and dash to your mages portfolio. Page 93 4 MARCH 1996 Columns 3 ...................... The Wyrm’s Turn Dragon’s Bestiary: Culture-centrism and the games we play. Monsters of the Underdark 6 ........................................ D-Mail Your comments on the new design for Wolfgang Baur DRAGON® Magazine. Ten new terrifying creatures from the world without light, presented in MONSTROUS COMPENDIUM® sty/e. 46 ............................ Page 20 Sage Advice Skip Williams answers questions on were- Ecology of the Osquip rats, Krynnish bards, and aging. 50...................... Johnathan M. Richards Role of Books John C. Bunnell takes a look at strategy Oh, rats! books for WotC’s Magic: the Gathering. Page 49 55 ....... RPGA® Network News Bazaar of the Bizarre: Network coordinator Scott Douglas dis- Dwarven Magical Items cusses writing tournament modules. Robert S. Mullin 89 ............................. Cons & Pros Why do we think only elves have the edge We let you know where the conventions when it comes to producing magical items? are and who’s going to be there. Page 56 97 ........................................ Forum Letters this month contain theories and Down to Scale: opinions (and a few questions) for one Paint Like a Pro and all. Daniel R. Williamson and 110 ........ Role-playing Reviews Rick Swan plays some truly frightening J. Paul Bruton III games. Some simple tricks that can make your miniatures really come to life 120 ........... Page 105 The Current Clack Allen Varney talks about the industry, GDW, WW, and TSR. Other Material 73 BLOOD WARS Card Game 62 ................................................ Floyd Two-Player Rules 66 .................................. Gamer’s Guide Supplement 100......................................... DragonMirth 103 ............. Knights of the Dinner Table 116.......................................... TSR Previews 76 Mission from Kendermore Part One (DRAGONLANCE®: Tales of the FIFTH AGE) Harold J. Johnson Ten kender set out from Kendermore on a desperate mission to save their world; but who can save them from each other? DRAGON #227 5 DRAGONLANCE® SETTING some time ago and and all the new products since starting will be slightly frustrated during the year the encyclopedias, I believe there would or so it will take for the current story to be enough for another volume. end, I think it’s a good idea in general. The main thing I’d like to see is a set of What else? The “Rumblings” enhance- encyclopedias similar to the ENCYCLOPEDIA ment is an excellent idea, and I’m glad MAGICA, but for spells. I understand that you’ve retained “Role-Playing Reviews.” you came out with the spell cards in the Actually, it was nice to see that the writer past, and these were helpful. The only actually used the “die rating” that had so problem is that there were so many often appeared in explanation but not in sources of spells that were neglected. For the actual reviews. Good work. instance, Greyhawk® Adventures, Dragon I’m also looking forward to the Kings, Dark Sun®, The Complete Book of DRAGON Magazine Annual. I’m not exactly Elves, and many, many more. I do believe sure what this thing is going to contain, I am not the only person to feel that this but it sounds interesting nonetheless. would be a valuable tool for role-playing. Just as a final, minor note, I also Brian J. Van Court appreciated the full-page look at the Jacksonville, FL cover painting that appeared opposite We asked for input on the redesign of your editorial. Is this something you Brian, you’re thinking just like one of the DRAGON® Magazine, and you told us what intend to do every month? game wizards here at TSR. Such huge and you think. Thanks for the comments! Overall, everyone connected with the exhaustive compilations take time to pro- last issue should be proud. It’s nice to see duce, but keep an eye on the TSR Previews the formula rattled a bit and, most of all, section of the magazine later this year. You The New DRAGON® Magazine it was nice for this veteran to see won’t be disappointed. GREYHAWK treated as it should have been Dear DRAGON Magazine, when still an active line at TSR. Excellent Dear DRAGON Magazine, Congratulations. DRAGON Magazine work, everyone. I look forward to the Yeah! GREYHAWK is not a “forgotten #225 is the single most useful issue I next issue. realm.” Thanks for the article and the have received since subscribing some lquander glimpse of GREYHAWK history. As a seven years ago. While I suspect most of TSR Online, AOL GREYHAWK DM, I really appreciate any- this had to do with the excellent thing about this original campaign. GREYHAWK® article, the India article and Dear DRAGON Magazine, Les Bowman others were also well-done and enjoy- First and foremost, Bravo! The new Washington, MO able. look and format of DRAGON Magazine are As for what’s missing, I can’t say I’ll not only incredible but also a long time Dear DRAGON Magazine, miss Yamara, and I agree that computer coming.