Dragon Magazine #190
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Issue #190 SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS Vol. XVII, No. 9 February 1993 In Poseidons Lair Publisher 9 Theres another world to seeas close as the nearest James M. Ward shore. Editor Monsters of the Deep Gregory W. Detwiler Roger E. Moore 10 Half the danger in adventuring in the ocean involves Associate editor the unfriendly inhabitants . Dale A. Donovan Deep Beneath the Waves Bryan K. Bernstein Fiction editor 16 And the other half of the danger lies in the Barbara G. Young environment itself. Editorial assistant Wolfgang H. Baur REVIEWS Art director Larry W. Smith The Role of Computers Hartley, Kirk, and Patricia 55 Lesser Production staff The art of warfarecomputer warfare, that is. Gaye OKeefe Tracey Zamagne Dawn K. Murin Role-playing Reviews Rick Swan 66 From one game system, many genres: Steve Jackson Subscriptions Games GURPS® system. Janet L. Winters Through the Looking Glass Robert Bigelow U.S. advertising 112 In space, theres only one race of real Aliens! Cindy Rick U.K. correspondent FEATURES and U.K. advertising Wendy Mottaz The Ecology of the Actaeon Aidan Doyle 26 Another good reason to be nice to Mother Nature. Divide and Conquer William J. White 33 Never split the party-but if you do, heres how to do it right. DRAGON® Magazine (ISSN 0279-6848) is published tion throughout the United Kingdom is by Comag monthly by TSR, Inc., P.O. Box 756 (201 Sheridan Magazine Marketing, Tavistock Road, West Drayton, Springs Road), Lake Geneva WI 53147, United States Middlesex UB7 7QE, United Kingdom; telephone: of America. The postal address for all materials from 0895-444055. the United States of America and Canada except Subscriptions: Subscription rates by second-class subscription orders is: DRAGON® Magazine, PO. 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Payment in full must accom- 248066 (U.K.), 44-223-248066 (international). pany all payment include checks or money orders Distribution: DRAGON Magazine is available from made payable to TSR, Inc., or charges to valid game and hobby shops throughout the United States, Mastercard or VISA credit cards; send subscription Canada, the United Kingdom, and through a limited orders with payments to: TSR, Inc., PO. Box 5695, number of other overseas outlets. Distribution to the Boston MA 02206, U.S.A. In the United Kingdom, book trade in the United States is by Random House, methods of payment include cheques or money orders Inc., and in Canada by Random House of Canada, Ltd. made payable to TSR Ltd., or charges to a valid Distribution to the book trade in the United Kingdom is ACCESS or VISA credit card; send subscription orders by TSR Ltd. Send orders to: Random House, Inc., with payments to TSR Ltd., as per that address above. Order Entry Department, Westminster MD 21157, Prices are subject to change without prior notice. The U.S.A.; telephone: (800) 733-3000. Newsstand distribu- issue of expiration of each subscription is printed on 2 FEBRUARY 1993 The Known World Grimoire Bruce A. Heard 41 Back to basics: more on the economics of the D&D® game world. The MARVEL®-Phile Steven E. Schend 47 Whaddya know? A MARVEL SUPER HEROES Sage Advice column. Novel Ideas TSR Books Department 72 On the horizon-shelves of great reading from TSR! The Game Wizards Ed Greenwood 81 A guided tour of Waterdeep with your (untrustworthy) host, Volo. Sounds of Wonder & Delight Jeff Grubb 84 What music is played during those long Arabian nights? Unique Unicorns Michael John Wybo II 90 A stableful of all-new species for every land and clime. Too Bizarre to be Magical Matthew Michael Patrick 96 Schutt The portrait that ruled a nation, and other psionic devices. COVER Ah, there's nothing like an ocean cruise to help an adventurer relax. DEPARTMENTS Kevin Ward, our cover artist, has painted an encounter between a 4 Letters 76 Sage Advice sailing ship and one particularly 6 Editorial 102 Dragonmirth interesting (as in dangerous) specimen 30 Convention Calendar 104 Twilight Empire of aquatic fauna. 50 TSR Previews 108 Gamers Guide 62 Forum the mailing label of each subscriber’s copy of the stamped envelope (9½” long preferred) to Writers’ Registration applied for in the United Kingdom. All magazine. Changes of address for the delivery of Guidelines, c/o DRAGON Magazine, as per the above rights to the contents of this publication are reserved, subscription copies must be received at least six address, include sufficient American postage or and nothing may be reproduced from it in whole or in weeks prior to the effective date of the change in order lnternational Reply Coupons with the return envelope part without first obtaining permission in writing from to assure uninterrupted delivery. In Europe, write to. Writers’ Guidelines, c/o DRAGON the publisher. Material published in DRAGON Maga- Back issues: A limited quantity of back issues is Magazine, TSR Ltd; include sufficient return postage zine does not necessarily reflect the opinions of TSR, available from either the TSR Mail Order Hobby Shop or IRCs with your SASE. Inc. Therefore, TSR will not be held accountable for (P.O. Box 756, Lake Geneva WI 53147, U.S.A.) or from Advertising: For information on placing advertise- opinions or mis-information contained in such material. TSR Ltd. For a free copy of the current catalog that ments in DRAGON Magazine, ask for our rate card All ®designates registered trademarks owned by TSR, lists available back issues, write to either of the above ads are subject to approval by TSR, Inc. TSR reserves Inc. ™ designates trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. 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All TSR char- welcomes unsolicited submissions of written material Advertisers and/or agencies of advertisers agree to acters, character names, and the distinctive likenesses and artwork; however, no responsibility for such sub- hold TSR, Inc. harmless from and against any loss or thereof are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. missions can be assumed by the publisher in any expense from any alleged wrongdoing that may arise Second-class postage paid at Lake Geneva, Wis., event. Any submission accompanied by a self- out of the publication of such advertisements. TSR, U.S.A., and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: addressed, stamped envelope of sufficient size will be Inc. has the right to reject or cancel any advertising Send address changes to DRAGON Magazine, TSR, returned if it cannot be published. We strongly recom- contract for which the advertiser and/or agency of Inc., P.O. Box 111, Lake Geneva WI 53147, U.S.A. mend that prospective authors write for our writers’ advertiser fails to comply with the business ethics set USPS 318-790. ISSN 1062-2101. guidelines before sending an article to us. In the forth in such contract. United States and Canada, send a self-addressed, DRAGON is a registered trademark of TSR, Inc. DRAGON 3 What did you think of this issue? Do you have Fea's Flesh to Plush (Owensboro, Ky.), Michael De Lucia (Camillus, a question about an article or have an idea for a Level: 5 Comp. : V,S,M N.Y.), Shawn Dickensheets (Portland, Oreg.), B. new feature youd like to see? In the United Range: 30' CT:2 Glenn (San Jose, Calif.), David Howery (Moun- States and Canada, write to: Letters, DRAGON® Duration: Perm. ST: Neg. tain Home, Idaho), and Tony Quirk (San Diego, Magazine, P.O. Box 111, Lake Geneva WI 53147, Area of Effect: One creature Calif.). Your letters arrived earliest in the flood U.S.A. In Europe, write to: Letters, DRAGON A version of the item spell that appeals to tide of replies this letter generated. Magazine, TSR Ltd., 120 Church End, Cherry toddlers, this spell transforms average, live, Several readers took the time to point out that Hinton, Cambridge CB1 3LB, United Kingdom. free-willed people and monsters into small dolls. we were overdue for another DRAGON Maga- Each such doll resembles the former being in zine index. See the next letter for details. David most respects and gives off no magical aura Howery took the time to point out that thendar whatsoever. The plush stuffing of the doll ap- wear stupid hats. Thanks. About Yamara peals to family pets with an urge to gnaw and worry.