TM Contents FEATURES 5 LEGACY OF ACERERAK By Robert J. Schwalb 18 The legendary demilich left a lasting stain on the world in more ways than one. Learn about his legacy, and his curse. 18 HESTAVAR, THE BRIGHT CITY By Stephen Radney-MacFarland This Astral dominion appears to be a haven of civilization at first glance. But not all is as it appears in this grand city. Sample file 32 32 PLAYING DHAMPYR By Brian R. James These tormented souls have the blood of vampires in their veins. Learn what it means to be one of the tainted dhampyr. 39 ORIGIN STORIES: INCORPORATING RACES By Bruce R. Cordell The warforged have long been identified exclusively with Eberron, 39 and the genasi with the Realms, but what would happen if you crossed those streams? 46 COLUMNS 4 EDITORIAL 46 CREATURE INCARNATIONS: ZOMBIES 54 DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT By Daniel Marthaler By RPG R&D Staff With the zombie apocalypse sure to arrive in 2009, The ins and outs of design are discussed in detail in this it’s time to start preparations in your campaign with ongoing series. these new zombie options. 57 CONFESSIONS OF A FULL-TIME WIZARD By Shelly Mazzanoble Shelly ran a game of D&D for her parents over the holidays. See how her next grand experiment went. 62 D&D ALUMNI By Bart Carroll and Steve Winter A look back at the D&D cosmology through past editions. 68 RPGA REPORT Sample file By Chris Tulach The Living FR campaign is in full swing. Learn more ON THE COVER about how to get involved! Illustration by Raven Mimura 70 AMPERSAND By Bill Slavicsek Bill previews another upcoming release, and discusses more of the changes in store for D&D in 2009. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, FORGOTTEN REALMS, EBERRON, DUNGEON, DRAGON, d20, d20 System, Wizards of the Coast, all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc., in the U.S.A. and other countries. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. This product is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, places, or events is purely coincidental. Printed in the U.S.A. ©2008 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. No portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without written permission. For more DUNGEONS & DRAGONS articles, adventures, and information, visit www.wizards. com/dnd TM EDITORIAL 371 DRAGON January 2009 New Year’s Resolve Editor-in-Chief Chris Youngs Senior Art Director Jon Schindehette I wanted to write this editorial, fresh into 2009, about Shelly Mazzanoble, Confessions of a Full-Time Web Specialist Chris Sims my New Year’s resolutions. I know this topic has been Wizard Columnist: “Give your columnists more than Web Production Bart Carroll, Steve Winter done to death. Magazine editors across the globe are three days notice that their column is due.” likely writing similar editorials right now. But the idea Graphic Design Bob Jordan, Breanne Miller was suggested by some co-workers, followed immedi- Let it go, Shelly. Let it go. Contributing Authors Richard Baker, Logan Bonner, ately by several suggestions for what my resolutions Shelly Mazzanoble, Mike Mearls, should be. Steve Winter, Web Specialist: “Be nicer to your Stephen Radney-MacFarland, co-workers.” Robert J. Schwalb, Chris Sims, I feel like suggesting resolutions for someone else is Bill Slavicsek, Chris Tulach, a lot like making a critical commentary on their life. Uh, what are you trying to say, you big jerk? James Wyatt Okay, it’s not a lot like that. It is exactly that. I started to take offense, then realized that this sort of insight isn’t Steve Schubert, RPG Developer: “Be a better fan- Developers Stephen Radney-MacFarland, easily come by. After all, if you walked up to a friend tasy football drafter.” Peter Schaefer, Stephen Schubert, Rodney Thompson on a normal day and said, “Hey, what’s wrong with me? What could I work on?” They’re likely to respond Touché, Shoe. Touché. But last I checked, we both had Editors Jennifer Clarke-Wilkes, with sarcasm (“Everything.”) or platitudes (“You’re the league’s worst record at a glorious 3-11. Pot, meet Miranda Horner fine the way you are!” Thanks, mom.). kettle. Cover Artist Raven Mimura But ask Samplea friend what your New file Year’s resolutions Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Save My Game Col- Contributing Artists Rob Alexander, Dave Allsop, should be, and you’ll get responses. Oh yes, you will. umnist and RPG Developer: “Buy Stephen more Ryan Barger, Eric Belisle, In fact, co-workers nearby will shout them over cube drinks.” Eric Deschamps, Steve Ellis, walls in an effort to get their 2 cents in. Apparently Gonzalo Flores, Adam Gillespie, resolutions are a free-for-all way to offer “constructive” Done! Since sitting next to SRM in meetings is like Jim Nelson, William O’Connor, criticism. Once the suggestions started rolling in, I sitting with the delinquent kids at the back of class, I Chris Seaman, Eric L. William, started to enjoy the experience, and started soliciting imagine the hyjinks that will follow drinks with SRM Web Development Mark A. Jindra more. Here’s a sampling from around the office when could only be entertaining. I started to ask people what they thought my New D&D Creative Manager Christopher Perkins Year’s resolution should be. The Rouse, D&D Senior Brand Manager (and Executive Producer, apparently all-around creepy dude): “Smile more. D&D Insider Ken Troop Sara Girard, D&D Associate Brand Manager: And wear this…” (as he reaches into a desk drawer). Director of RPG R&D Bill Slavicsek “When you DM, stop making up rules on the fly that negatively affect your players.” I didn’t stick around long enough to see what The Rouse was pulling out. I caught a glimpse, and it was Special Thanks Translation: “Stop telling us when we’re breaking the leather and had buckles. Creepy. rules.” Richard Baker, Greg Bilsland, Logan Bonner, Michele Carter, Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Andy Collins, Bruce R. Cordell, Jeremy Crawford, Rob Heinsoo, Peter Lee, Julia Martin, Mike Mearls, Kim Mohan, David Noonan, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Peter Schaefer, Stephen Schubert, Chris Sims, Rodney Thompson, Rob Watkins, James Wyatt We entered that accursed tomb with the welcome of its foul attendants, each smiling and offering whispers of encouragement. Into the blackness strode five foolhardy Legacy of Acererak adventurers and yet only I walked out alive. Darkness swal- lowed the first, when eager Rillian stepped boldly into the Devourer’s maw. Khasta sprung a wicked trap and died when a dart fusillade filled her blood with wicked poison. by Robert J. Schwalb Algrum stepped into a glowing portal and I can only presume he died, for the sounds of his screaming echoed all around us. And Phillip, poor Phillip, crumbled to dust illustrations by Eric Belisle, Raven Mimura when he looked into the skull’s faceted eyes. I escaped with my body intact, but I can’t say the same for my mind. The tomb’s horrors haunt me still. Acererak, cursed lich, awaits my death and when I die, he’ll steal my soul as he did those companions I left behind in that evil place. Know this: Seek not the Tomb of Acererak for there are easier ways to die. any dungeons fill the world, but few come close to the malice found in the Tomb of M Horrors. The reputed resting place of the infamous necromancer, Acererak, the Tomb has tempted many heroes and fools alike into testing Sample file their mettle against the tricks and traps protecting the Tomb’s fabled mithral vault. Nearly all have been found wanting. Regardless of how many descended into its labyrinthine corridors, fell victim to its innu- merable hazards, or emerged, maimed or mad, the dungeon has survived, promising the same death and despair as it always has to the next band to enter its darkened corridors. One might wonder why any dare descend into the Tomb’s nightmarish depths if death is nearly certain. Treasure, of course. One cannot count the legends about the fabulous treasures in the tomb’s bowels. One can seek out glory as well, because few can say they survived the Tomb, and fewer can claim they survived intact. Each new generation produces those who would follow in the steps of the fallen to seek their fates in the Tomb’s unhallowed halls. January 2009 | DRAGON 371 5 Legacy of Acererak ADVENTURERS AND ✦ Gain a +2 bonus to checks made using one of the Curious Archeologist suggested skills. Dungeons, ruins, and old tombs house the secrets of ✦ ACERERAK Gain fluency in one of the suggested languages. the past, and dedicated scrutiny can reveal much of ✦ Gain the optional background benefit. old civilizations and famous personages. So whenever Acererak casts a long shadow across the world, and an opportunity arises to examine a historical sight, his malign presence touches many people in places Accursed Lineage you’re loath to let it pass you by. While many dun- scattered across creation and beyond. From undead Whispers about your family’s lineage haunted your geons capture your imagination, none of them has spawned by his dread rituals to the descendants of childhood. Claims of being cursed, doomed, or other- quite the same allure as does the Tomb of Horrors. those adventurers who died in the tomb, Acererak wise touched by evil made your early years difficult.