DRAGON 1 Publisher: Mike Cook Magazine in motion Editor-in-Chief: Kim Mohan Editorial staff: Roger Raupp Patrick L.. Price Its often said that in this world, and in Mary Kirchoff this business, standing still is equivalent Roger Moore to going backward: In order to keep up Business manager: Mary Parkinson with whats going on around us, we have Vol. VIII, No. 5 November 1983 Subscriptions: Mary Cossman to keep changing and growing. So, al- Layout designer: Kristine L.. Bartyzel though this issue of DRAGON® Maga- SPECIAL ATTRACTION Contributing editor: Ed Greenwood zine isnt exactly hopping around in your hands, it is very much a magazine in Wacko World . .33 National advertising representative: motion. More changes are just around the TOP SECRET® adventure Robert Dewey 1836 Wagner Road corner, and Id like to use this space to Glenview IL 60025 tell you about a couple of them. Phone (312)998-6237 First, a change that some of you may OTHER FEATURES This issues contributing artists: have already noticed: Some of the stories Jack Crane Dave Trampier in this issue look different from the rest. The ecology of the treant . .6 Steve Swenston Phil Foglio Thats because were working into using, We wooden kid you, wood we? Roger Raupp and getting used to, a new typesetting sys- tem. By this time next month, we will The Ordeal . .10 have mastered (ha!) the new technology DRAGON Magazine (ISSN 0279-6848) is pub- that now resides in TSRs Graphics Arts One gaming groups story lished monthly for a subscription price of $24 per year by Dragon Publishing, a division of TSR, Services department. The result will be a Magic resistance . 17 Inc. The mailing address of Dragon Publishing cleaner, and we hope a more exciting, for all material except subscription orders is P.O. look to the design and layout of the What it is, how it works Box 110, Lake Geneva WI 53147. magazine. DRAGON Magazine is available at hobby Next, a change that we arent hinting GEN CON® Miniature Open . .21 stores and bookstores throughout the United States and Canada, and through a limited at in this magazine, but which were Color photos of top figures number of overseas outlets. Subscription rates are promising nonetheless: Beginning either as follows: $24 for 12 issues sent to an address in the U.S. or Canada; $50 U.S. for 12 issues sent via next issue or the one after that, were Blame it on the gremlins. .24 surface mail or $95 for 12 issues sent via air mail going to give you our readers a Troublemakers for AD&D play to any other country. All subscription payments must be in advance, and should be sent to Dragon much more important role in determin- Publishing, P.O. Box 72089, Chicago IL 60690. ing the content of DRAGON Magazine. Instead of just spending a page or so on Setting saintly standards . .28 A limited quantity of certain back issues of Characters that deities hold dear DRAGON Magazine can be purchased from the letters to the editor, were going to rely on Dungeon Hobby Shop. (See the list of available your opinions and observations to fill a issues printed elsewhere in each magazine.) Pay- Page Advice II: Getting started . .50 ment in advance by check or money order must much larger space, in a yet-to-be-named accompany all orders. Payments cannot be made column that will serve as a forum for all Four steps to being a designer through a credit card, and orders cannot be taken nor merchandise reserved by telephone. Neither of you to exchange ideas and philoso- an individual customer nor an institution can be phies with each other. The fights of fantasy . .54 billed for a subscription order or a back-issue This new offering wont replace Out Strategy suggestions for big battles purchase unless prior arrangements are made. on a Limb, because theres still a need The issue of expiration for each subscription is for that feature as well, to answer ques- Be aware and take care.. .60 printed on the mailing label for each subscribers copy of the magazine. Changes of address for the tions about specific points raised, and The keys to adventuring success delivery of subscriptions must be received at least specific mistakes made, in articles weve six weeks prior to the effective date of the change in order to insure uninterrupted delivery. printed. But the forum will be a much better vehicle for communicating REGULAR OFFERINGS All material published in DRAGON Magazine thoughts such as those contained in Jona- becomes the exclusive property of the publisher upon publication, unless special arrangements to than Heiles excellent letter in this issues Out on a Limb . .3 the contrary are made prior to publication. Limb column. And, as Jonathan cor- DRAGON Magazine welcomes unsolicited sub- Letters from readers missions of written material and artwork; how- rectly suggests, providing a forum for ever, no responsibility for such submissions can readers thoughts will help make be assumed by the publisher in any event. Any Sage Advice . .14 submission which is accompanied by a self- DRAGON Magazine into more of the Clearing up article errors addressed, stamped envelope of sufficient size will kind of publication you seem to want. be returned if it cannot be published. Certainly, you have opinions, lots of em Gamers Guide . .70 DRAGON® is a registered trademark for and on lots of different topics related to Dragon Publishings monthly adventure playing fantasy role-playing and the AD&D sys- aid. All rights on the contents of this publication are reserved, and nothing may be reproduced tem. Its high time that we gave those Convention calendar . .72 from it in whole or in part without prior permis- opinions the publicity and exposure that sion in writing from the publisher. Copyright © 1983 by TSR, Inc. they deserve; if you care enough to write Off the Shelf . 73 out your feelings and spend good money The latest and best in literature Second-class postage paid at Lake Geneva, to get them to us, we should care enough Wis., and additional mailing offices. to spend some of our precious page space Wormy . 76 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to on getting them in front of the eyes and Dragon Publishing, P.O. Box 110, Lake Geneva WI 53147. USPS 318-790. ISSN 0279-6848. into the minds of the rest of the FRP Whats New . .78 community. So, keep those cards and let- ters coming if you stand still, you know whatll happen . DRAGON, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, ADVANCED D&D, TOP SECRET, BOOT HILL, and GAMMA WORLD are registered trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. TM designates other trademarks owned by TSR, Inc., unless otherwise indicated. 2 NOVEMBER 1983 hat do an amusement park and a role-playing adventure have in common? Obviously, theyre both designed with enjoyment in mind. So, it logically follows that a role-playing adventure set in an amusement park is doubly enjoyable. In the hope that all of you TOP SECRET® players out there will feel the same way, we present Wacko World, the first scenario for spies weve published in about a year and a half. to turn this into a long debate, and second of After youve gone on all the rides and Theme of the game all, we have a bit of experience in dealing with sampled the Florida Fried Frog at Wacko this subject. World, shift back into fantasy mode to Dear Editor: We got an avalanche of letters a couple of enjoy the rest of this months issue. I suspect that Lenard Lakofka will draw years ago, after we printed Brian Blumes essay The longest feature article inside is quite a bit of mail regarding his comment on on why player characters shouldnt be evil. actually two companion essays. In The the theme of the AD&D game (Leomunds Most of the letter writers disagreed with the Tiny Hut, DRAGON #76). This letter is part viewpoint of the article, sometimes in words fights of fantasy, veteran author Lew of that mail. that arent as tame as yours. Now, were all in Pulsipher explains how big-scale battles Len, I will say that, in specifics, I agree with favor of freedom of choice and freedom of in a fantasy world wouldnt work the you. I heartily favor those AD&D campaigns opinion. (People in the publishing business same way as they did in medieval days. you refer to as well-played. I, too, have tend to be that way.) But the underlying fact Then, on a smaller scope, Lew sets forth qualms with the assassin player character class, here which is not an assumption is that guidelines for how a group of adventurers although for slightly different reasons. I, too, the AD&D game is a game. It has rules that should think and act to best assure them- feel uncomfortable in an evilly aligned party. must be adhered to, in spirit if not in the selves of living to fight another day. Be But not you, not I, not even TSR Inc., has literal sense, if the game is to work the way aware and take care is the title of this the right to say how a group of players should it was designed. And in fact, from what Ive or should not play. It is the responsibility of been told and been able to learn, the AD&D piece, and that phrase is a pretty good the DM to entertain his or her players. If the rules are designed principally for a world that summation of what the articles about players would enjoy playing an evil-aligned pits good players against evil non-player words to live by, you might say.