Constant Changes n a year of dramatic changes for TSR, Wizards of the Coast, DRAGON Magazine isn’t the only thing to benefit from the and the game industry as a whole, it’s easy to become results of this years changes. As the newly appointed TSR blase about the relatively minor changes that come along with Product Group Manager, Bill Slavicsek tells us, “For the first time, the big ones. Put a hundred small changes together, however, at least in my experience at TSR, the responsibility and creative and you have something pretty spectacular. You’ve already control are in the hands of the brand managers. That’s going to started seeing the results of those little changes in these pages, make for better product.” and next month we add the finishing touches to give you a While there’s no official decision to start work on the third fine-tuned DRAGON® Magazine. edition of the AD&D game, Bill also points out, “In 1998, we’re Don’t worry: We aren’t relaunching the magazine all over concentrating on setting material for the AD&D game—products again. From what you’ve told us through letters, email, and that remain useful even in the event of a third edition.” conversations at conventions, about 90% of the 1996 AD&D is certainly the biggest TSR product, but it isn’t alone relaunch has been just right. Now we’re concentrating on that in receiving a great deal of attention. As many devoted fans of final 10%, and here’s what you can expect to see. the GREYHAWK® setting might already have read, that classic Many of you have asked for interviews with your favorite campaign returns next summer, right after the new ALTERNITY™ authors, game designers, and artists. Starting next month, we’ll science fiction game hits the stores. Fans of the FORGOTTEN end each issue with “ProFiles,” a short interview with one of the REALMS®, PLANESCAPE®, and RAVENLOFT® settings won’t be over- most popular creators of fantasy fiction, games, and artwork. looked, and the BIRTHRIGHT® campaign will enjoy a relaunch in Our first chat is with Margaret Weis, who really needs no intro- late summer. DRAGONLANCE® fans—both players of the SAGA™ duction here. system and the AD&D game—will be pleased to know that the Another common request has been to expand our role- setting will support both games next year. playing games reviews, so we’re adding a new section to Rick Other TSR projects for the year include a new incarnation of Swan’s “Roleplaying Reviews.” In it, Lester Smith returns to the MARVEL SUPERHEROES® roleplaying game, this time driven by DRAGON Magazine with his own “Re:Views” section, focusing on the story-oriented SAGA system, as well as a few surprises that small-press or lesser-known games that might not have made we’re announce in coming months. Keep an eye on the TSR it to your local game store. Previews” section in these pages for more information as it While we’ll remain devoted first to players of the AD&D comes out. game, Dungeon Masters will get some extra attention each One thing doesn’t change for TSR or for DRAGON Magazine, month in a new DM’s advice column written by Peter Adkison, and that’s that we won’t stop changing. As ever, let us know the man who liked AD&D so much he bought the company. what you think, and chances are good that we’ll do much “Out of Character” features tips and suggestions drawn from more than simply read your letter. Peters many years of gaming experience. Dave Gross Publisher Editor Associate Editor Art Director Pierce Watters Dave Gross Chris Perkins Larry Smith Editorial Assistant Advertising Director Production Manager Advertising Manager Subscriptions Manager Jesse Decker Bob Henning Roger Mangelson Judy Smitha Sharon Whiting Printed in the USA # DRAGON 242 3 December 1997 Volume XXII, No. 5 Issue #242 Laws of Spell Design Ted Zuvich Designing new spells has always been tricky business, until now. Page 22 The Magic of Krynn Reborn! Stephen Kenson Magic is back in the Fifth Age of the DRAGONLANCE® campaign. Page 32 Mage Construction Michael Lambert Spellcasters can make the best masons and carpenters without even dirtying their hands. Page 40 Learn More About Magic Lachlan MacQuarrie Once you’ve succeeded at Spellcraft 101, where do you turn next? Page 44 Jest the Wizards Three Ed Greenwood A few little magics from the wizards of Faerûn and Oerth. Page 48 4 DECEMBER 1997 Columns Wyrms of 3 ..................... The Wyrm’s Turn™ the North It looks as though 1998 will be a very good year. 6 ........................................... Ed Greenwood D-Mail™ Shocking secrets revealed about Article ideas, corrections, and suggestions. “The Dragon of the Statues.” Page 54 8 .............................................. Forum Continuing discussions and new arguments. Bazaar of the Bizarre 16 ............................... Sage Advice Answers to your conundrums concerning poly- Bruce Schmidt morphed creatures, elven resistances, and more. Drizzt Do’Urden isn’t the only one with one of the “Magical Allies.” 96 Page 72 ............................ Bookwyrms™ Suggested reading for roleplayers. Arcane Lore 96 ............................... Cons & Pros Coming soon to a town near you. Lloyd Brown Morion the Bard has invented his 108 .......... Roleplaying Reviews own repertoire of “Spells of Sight Fantasy sourcebooks, ripe for the plundering. and Sound.” Page 76 120 ................ The Current Clack All the news that’s fit to print, and maybe some Dragons Bestiary that isn't. Bruce Schmidt The wizards of the Arcane Age left a legacy of “Talisman Servants.” Page 82 Other Material Ecology of . 98 ............. Knights of the Dinner Table™ Johnathan M. Richards The secret lives of the patch work 100 ........................................... DragonMirth monsters known as “Mongrelmen.” 102 ...................................... Gamer’s Guide Page 86 104 ......................................................... Floyd 116 ........................................... TSR Previews 62 In the Bleak Deepwinter Lynn Abbey A lost story of the Simbul of Aglarond comes to light. DRAGON #242 5 Dalamar somewhere else? Anyway I’m My gracious master promises me that pleading: don’t debase the Wizards his Art shall create a clone of me, if I Three or your illustrious magazine by the return not within a season. Some great continued presence of the wannabee. (I calamity, or perhaps only great change, won’t bring myself to say her name.) hath befallen Krynn, and both my lord Thomas Ragonese III and the Lord Elminster are more troubled Dallas, TX than they will say plainly. It seemeth that they do miss the Lord Dalamar. We asked Ed what he thought of I am a “wannabe” great mage, I freely Thomas’s letter, and he told us he’d “pass it admit, though thy phrase “two-bit floozie” along. “A few days later, this reply arrived at cries out for an apology on thy part—or a our offices: spell-challenge upon mine. I renounce my right to cause further unpleasantness To Thomas Ragonese Ill of the land Dallas, between us; will you do the same? Greetings, Goodman (for so I believe Rautheene of Greyhawk you to be, though your words run harsh Mage-Apprentice to Lord upon the presence of myself). Mordenkainen the Mighty Your missive hath been made known lf you have a comment, opinion, or ques- to me. Though you prefer me both P.S. I accept apologies in ice cream. tion for the editors of DRAGON® Magazine, nameless and gone from gatherings that we’d love to hear from you. have greatly gladdened mine heart, I Article Ideas In the United States and Canada, send would stay. Though you call my mere letters to “D-Mail,” DRAGON Magazine, presence a debasement, I will unfold my Dear DRAGON Magazine, 1801 Lind Avenue S.W., Renton, WA, USA. thoughts to you. Consider: I’m glad to see you back in print In Europe, send letters to “D-Mail,” DRAGON Were you given a chance to see after your short “vacation.” I have been Magazine, TSR Ltd., 120 Church End, worlds anew and banter words with a a reader of DRAGON Magazine since Cherry Hinton, Cambridge CB1 3LB, United mage of another world, bright in both around issue #87. I have always enjoyed Kingdom. You can also send email to us at legend and spellcraft, would you not the great campaign and character ideas [email protected]. take it? I have gained from your articles. Were you given a chance to win favor I like the new layout you’ve produced Two-Bit Floozie? in the eyes of your lord and master, over the last year, especially the full Dear DRAGON Magazine, would you not take it? reproduction of the cover art inside with- I have never written to you before, Were you given a chance to sup on out the titles. I always thought it a shame never having seen the need. However, that exquisite gods-food “ice cream,” that these works of art were not view- something monstrous has happened. would you not take it? able without the titles covering them. Some two-bit floozie has invaded the Ponder upon these, and see my will I was glad to read in the last issue Wizards Three, daring, striving to and situation. My master Mordenkainen (#238) that Ed Greenwood will be writ- replace Dalamar. This is too insulting to is greatly pleased by my swift-growing ing more of the “Wizards Three” articles. contemplate. First you kill off the mastery of magic, and my conduct in I always enjoyed the creative use of DRAGONLANCE® setting, then the next the presence of the Lord Elminster—but cantrips and spells that come out of thing I know, Dalamar’s gone kaputz! both archmages have kindly and gently these articles.