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AnarionZelle
Underboss
1034 Posts
    
USA
 | | 11/26/2007 2:28 AM |  Alert | I was wondering what everyone's favorite d20 fantasy books were. As I've decided to stick with 3.5 for the forseeable future, I have been picking up a few titles here and there, as the prices are low right now. One of the coolest that I have come across is the Slayer's Guide Compendium I. This is a collection of exhaustive ecologies on various monster races (namely the Hobgoblin, Orc, Gnoll, Troll, Doppelganger, Triton). From reading about Hobgoblins, I have decided to make them a major influence in my campaign world (aside from the fact that I have so many Hobgoblin minis), totally bent on dominating those regions that come under their control. This book really gets into their psychology, thus giving me a rationale for why they are the way they are.
Another that I haven't gotten yet, but have read great things about is Wildcraft, in the Legends and Lairs series. It purportedly takes the place of Sandstorm and Frostburn in describing and stating out these environments, plus others.
So what are your favorites, what are they about, and how do they help you in your game?
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Completed Trades: Cha0tic g0od x2,IHawk x6,demagogue x5,jcnorris00,Sammael x3,Diomedes x3,Pan,Phoenix,samstephenson500,sage_raistlin,jai,simage,Lab Monkey x4,bugsy,Vulturedoodle,T-Bone,niolo,GreyOne,Kunimatyu,Mullins,ShivanWurm,berus316,Thenameless x3,Tysac,ksuvampire,Mama Cass,Metz,Zim x2,brucemc,Krush x2,Venport,RedneckDM,nycfarmkid,Corim Danex,Chad the DragonLordofAiur x2,Puggins,Izeya82 x2,Oryan77 x3,Zenako,Wayne,Vocenoctum1,Drakkengi,Username x2,lyus_sleyden,Cyberia,Star x2,xuthal x3,Qucalion of Celene x8,sam500 x2,Blob39,Keoki x2,hazel monday x3,emontedodger,Dargoth,Wraithborne,Anothermullen,Vrecknidj x4,Ghendar,Gunthar,shoesan,beurice,ckissee,kyrin,Khellrendros,GuJiaXian,Wolfgang,True_Blue,md3,stephengroy(MMT08),Teflon Jeff,GuJiaXian(MMT08),aries71,Count DookuI I I I I I I I I I 0 I I I I I I I I I I Pending: | |
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Skyscraper
Sergeant
659 Posts
Montreal
| | 11/26/2007 10:11 AM | Alert | I like the Player's Handbook quite a bit :)
Seriously, i haven't read that many books, but the Fiendish codexes: Legions of Hell and Hordes of the Abyss (2 books) are really good in my opinion. Both have a good flavor and flesh out the denizens of hell and the abyss quite well. They further explain how these outsiders differ in their very essence, how pure chaos and pure law is different in its ultimate evilness. There are good monsters in them too (several iconic demons and devils such as the nabassu and the BarLgura IIRC). The backstory for Hell is pretty fun to read also. I've enjoyed those two books very much, probably Legions of Hell even more.
Sky
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The wise man doubts often. The ignorant, sometimes. The fool, never. | |
| Master of the
Awesome Sauce
Teflon Jeff
Warlord
5407 Posts
Idaho. Yes, we have Gamers in Idaho.
| | 11/27/2007 1:24 PM | Alert | I've got a few...
Dungeons from AEG is really good, and has some great reads
The Munchkin's Guide to Power Gaming, while not D20 per se, is funny
World's Largest Dungeon
The entire Slayers guide series from Mongoose
Encyclopaedia Arcane series, also from Mongoose
Three Days to Kill & The Belly of the Beast, adventures from Penumbra
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Official Delegate, Wizards of the Coast
Against The Giants Called Shot: Huge Green Dragon
Icons Called Shot: Gargantuan Prismatic Dragon
"Rejoice, for bad things are about to happen." | |
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nyjastul69
Commander
2710 Posts
Rhode Island
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Shottglazz
Sergeant
831 Posts
Quinte West, Ontario, Canada
| | 11/28/2007 6:16 AM | Alert | | I'd have to pick "Toolbox" by AEG... | |
Shottglazz
"Take my love, take my land, take me where I cannot stand;
I don't care, I'm still free, you can't take the sky from me."
Completed trades ( 40 ): Pikel, Darrell, JeffDHarvey, BiggPappa001, Ghendar, Valinrook X2, Wolfgang x2, Wraithborne x4, Mr Ruffles, Anothermullen, CKissee x3, Browns_Scoundrel, Kyrin, GuJiaXian x2, Tyngfumv, Basic_Aim, Mickey Mouse, Berus316, Crisisman, Zoons, Rockfrd, Sterling40 x2, Brucemc, 2007 Magical Mystery Trade, Redskullz x2, Stephengroy, Lyus_Sleyden, Foolforthought, 2008 Magical Mystery Trade, Kilsek
Pending trades ( 2 ): Generic Fighter, Wraithborne
WotC trades ( 1 ): Red_Deceiver
Bad trades ( 2 ): LeftEyeofGruumsh, Yotebeth | |
| Master of the
Awesome Sauce
Teflon Jeff
Warlord
5407 Posts
Idaho. Yes, we have Gamers in Idaho.
| | 11/28/2007 9:05 AM | Alert | Posted By Shottglazz on 11/28/2007 6:16 AM
I'd have to pick "Toolbox" by AEG...
also a good book, from a nuts and bolts perspective. Consider it seconded. One of my more rules-light players DM'ed using it, and did a much better job.
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Official Delegate, Wizards of the Coast
Against The Giants Called Shot: Huge Green Dragon
Icons Called Shot: Gargantuan Prismatic Dragon
"Rejoice, for bad things are about to happen." | |
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qstor
Sneak
134 Posts
| | 01/22/2008 6:04 PM | Alert | I like Stormwrack, Faeries by Bastion Press, Northern Crown by Atlas games, the Tome of Horrors, the Lord of the Abyss and the Nine Hells books by WOTC, the Blackmoor setting book, Imperial Rome and the Witch guide by Green Ronin. Quite a few but I can't narrow it down to one.
The PHB is good but just a tiny bit to build on. :)
Mike | |
We walk in the dark places no others will enter.
We stand on the bridge, and no one may pass.
We live for the one, we die for the one. | |
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Dordledum
Commander
2942 Posts
Netherlands
| | 02/19/2008 4:37 AM | Alert | I'm quite a fan of the fiendish codexes, libris mortis, draconomicon, and lords of madness series...
D. | |
Champion of the Huge Spider (WotDQ 46/60), A New Umber Hulk (DoDe 57/60), and Hardcopy Printed DDM 2.0 Stat-Cards for all Minis!
Completed: got them all!!! | |
| Knight of the
Round Table
Thenameless
Warlord
8004 Posts
The Fortress of Solitude
| | 02/19/2008 7:07 PM | Alert | | Lords of Madness is really detailed, elaborating on the anatomies of the Aberrations if you like that sort of thing. | |
Over 270 successful online DDM trades. | |
| The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
10647 Posts
In the constellation of Cygnus, or Central Connecticut
| | 02/20/2008 7:54 AM | Alert | Honestly, one of my favorite books was Lost Empires of Faerun. The only 3.0/3.5 book I read cover to cover. If you like Realms history, this one is a great book to have.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/fracc/177380000 | |
The details of my life are quite inconsequential... very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner and RPG designer from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen year old French prostitute and RPGA certified DM named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark and THAC0. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons, D&D every night. In the spring we'd make meat helmets for LARP. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag, forced to walk the walk of a thousand four siders, and beaten with reeds- pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe, which was very handy for D&D. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles for LARP. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I highly suggest you try it.
Spreading the love of the Digitus Impudicus
Champion of the Spider Eater with rider.
I actually love to be swallowed. - Posted By gss_000 on 09/04/2007 2:32 PM
How many times in life do you get to eat your own Ctulhu? - Posted By Pedro on 03/31/2008 2:29 | |
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Wraithborne
Commander
3244 Posts
West Virginia
| | 02/20/2008 9:40 AM | Alert | | I had a lot of fun with Monte Cook's Requiem for a God. | |
4dv3ntur3
It's totally bonzer!!!!!
Wraithborne and Teflon Jeff: RPGing through others since 2007... | |
| Master of the
Awesome Sauce
Teflon Jeff
Warlord
5407 Posts
Idaho. Yes, we have Gamers in Idaho.
| | 02/20/2008 12:36 PM | Alert |
And How. I have read mine over and over.
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Official Delegate, Wizards of the Coast
Against The Giants Called Shot: Huge Green Dragon
Icons Called Shot: Gargantuan Prismatic Dragon
"Rejoice, for bad things are about to happen." | |
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GuJiaXian
Sergeant
579 Posts
Holladay, Utah
| | 02/20/2008 12:48 PM | Alert | | I really enjoyed Lost Empires of Faerun, as well as both Sandstorm and Frostburn. The prestige classes in the latter two supplements weren't great, but the ideas on world-building were top-notch. My first 4e campaign will almost certainly borrow heavily from Frostburn. | |
"Clearly a case of too many hunchbacks and not enough mad scientists..." | |
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Dordledum
Commander
2942 Posts
Netherlands
| | 02/21/2008 7:02 AM | Alert |
Good call, is a great supplement for when my pcs will try to rebuild the mythal of Myth Drannor.
D. | |
Champion of the Huge Spider (WotDQ 46/60), A New Umber Hulk (DoDe 57/60), and Hardcopy Printed DDM 2.0 Stat-Cards for all Minis!
Completed: got them all!!! | |
| The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
10647 Posts
In the constellation of Cygnus, or Central Connecticut
| | 03/14/2008 5:27 AM | Alert | Posted By Dordledum on 02/21/2008 7:02 AM Good call, is a great supplement for when my pcs will try to rebuild the mythal of Myth Drannor. D.
Also has tons of stuff to inspire and, less subtly, just steal for use in homebrews. Grand History of the Realms is looking good too.
I like the complete books and the environment books but could never just sit down and read them cover to cover. | |
The details of my life are quite inconsequential... very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner and RPG designer from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen year old French prostitute and RPGA certified DM named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark and THAC0. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons, D&D every night. In the spring we'd make meat helmets for LARP. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag, forced to walk the walk of a thousand four siders, and beaten with reeds- pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe, which was very handy for D&D. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles for LARP. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I highly suggest you try it.
Spreading the love of the Digitus Impudicus
Champion of the Spider Eater with rider.
I actually love to be swallowed. - Posted By gss_000 on 09/04/2007 2:32 PM
How many times in life do you get to eat your own Ctulhu? - Posted By Pedro on 03/31/2008 2:29 | |
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generalwhiteowl
Skirmisher
15 Posts
Salt Lake City
| | 03/14/2008 9:22 AM | Alert | | how are the drizzt books? my brother reads a lot of them and i was wondering if they are worth that much time to read. i loved c.s. lewis' books and timothy zahns thrawn series' but i've never read any thing from the d&d genre. what would be a good start for a lot of action? | |
If you not with me, than you against me - Anakin Skywalker | |
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generalwhiteowl
Skirmisher
15 Posts
Salt Lake City
| | 03/14/2008 9:23 AM | Alert | | my bad, i was a bit confused on the original question, but in books to read that don't help a lot with rpg, what would be good? | |
If you not with me, than you against me - Anakin Skywalker | |
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Fun Guy from Yuggoth
Cthulhufnord
Warlord
10205 Posts
Umass Amherst Baby!
| | 03/23/2008 1:09 AM | Alert | Conan D20. 
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Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing.
Robert E. Howard | |
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Raland
Sergeant
841 Posts
| | 03/23/2008 10:47 AM | Alert | | My Favourite is the Wheel of Time book. We only played the campaign once and breifly, but I am such a WoT fanboy. | |
Champion of the Kender
ckissee - "providing TPK's since 2007"
Albert Einstein never once said that if the bees disappeared, "man would have only four years of life left" but the theory is a scary prospect.
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Fun Guy from Yuggoth
Cthulhufnord
Warlord
10205 Posts
Umass Amherst Baby!
| | 03/23/2008 5:19 PM | Alert | That's another good one. Too bad it never took off, the game looked fun.
Posted By Raland on 03/23/2008 10:47 AM
My Favourite is the Wheel of Time book. We only played the campaign once and breifly, but I am such a WoT fanboy.
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Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing.
Robert E. Howard | |
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vanrulzz
Underboss
2159 Posts
¯\(°_o)/¯
| | 03/23/2008 8:05 PM | Alert | | I <3 the World's largest Dungeon book, that is INTENSE | |
TENTACLES!!!!!
STRANGE TEMPLES!!!!
FREE PIE!!!!
IM CRZY KEWL!!!! | |
| Master of the
Awesome Sauce
Teflon Jeff
Warlord
5407 Posts
Idaho. Yes, we have Gamers in Idaho.
| | 03/24/2008 9:47 AM | Alert | Posted By Cthulhufnord on 03/23/2008 5:19 PM That's another good one. Too bad it never took off, the game looked fun. Posted By Raland on 03/23/2008 10:47 AM
My Favourite is the Wheel of Time book. We only played the campaign once and breifly, but I am such a WoT fanboy.
We tred it, but it's too much human-centric. We yearned to get more fantasy in our fantasy gaming.
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Official Delegate, Wizards of the Coast
Against The Giants Called Shot: Huge Green Dragon
Icons Called Shot: Gargantuan Prismatic Dragon
"Rejoice, for bad things are about to happen." | |
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Oryan77
Sergeant
944 Posts
| | 03/24/2008 11:48 AM | Alert | Posted By Raland on 03/23/2008 10:47 AM
My Favourite is the Wheel of Time book. We only played the campaign once and breifly, but I am such a WoT fanboy.
I always heard people talk about how good the WoT novels were and I got to borrow them last year from a guy. I read through the first novel and I liked the storyline, but I really didn't like the writing style at all. Way to descriptive on pointless details which bogged the story down. Then when a scene would get interesting, it was pretty underwhelming & brief. He elaborated more on the color & look of a womans gown then he did on a confrontation between an antagonist & protagonist. I still read through the second book hoping that now that the characters had been established the pacing of the story would pick up more....but it didn't. I also felt the characters were not very interesting. They came off very very whiney. Even when they became more unique with power (& got more interesting), they got even whinier. By the time I finished the 2nd book I realized the good storyline was not enough to make up for the annoyances of the writing & characters. I returned the books & didn't continue with the next novel. It had an interesting plot and would probably make a good tv series, but I wasn't a fan of the books myself.
I'd be interested in hearing what people like about this series of novels. It has a huge fan base so I'm sure it's good regardless of what turned me off from it.
I really liked the Dark Sun novels. I read each of those series and each one was really good. I also read all of the Drizzt stuff. It's hit & miss but overall they are really good. R.A. Salvatore became a favorite author of mine. I'm currently reading the Dragonlance series with Tanis, Tas, Raistlin, & those guys. I'm only on book 2 but it's pretty good so far
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Miniatures for sale *more added 04/10/08*: Click here
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I will buy your unwanted D&D WotC minis collection (DDM only). Email me your asking price! | |
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Fun Guy from Yuggoth
Cthulhufnord
Warlord
10205 Posts
Umass Amherst Baby!
| | 03/24/2008 11:48 PM | Alert | The main reason I liked the WOT D20 was the amount of non-magic users, class wise. It seemed like a good set up for running low fantasty.
Oryan77, I'm going to start a Wot discussion thread in off topic.
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Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing.
Robert E. Howard | |
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Bail Ohmar
Sneak
56 Posts
Black Country, UK
| | 03/26/2008 3:24 AM | Alert | | Plain and simple, the Monster Manual. | |
"No disintegrations? Yeah right!" - Bail Ohmar, Warriors of Gar
Sithspawn's Lair - www.ugavine.com | |
| Master of the
Awesome Sauce
Teflon Jeff
Warlord
5407 Posts
Idaho. Yes, we have Gamers in Idaho.
| | 03/27/2008 9:37 AM | Alert | Gamemastering Secrets
Robin's Laws of Good Game Mastering.
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Official Delegate, Wizards of the Coast
Against The Giants Called Shot: Huge Green Dragon
Icons Called Shot: Gargantuan Prismatic Dragon
"Rejoice, for bad things are about to happen." | |
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Michael
Warrior
194 Posts
Sydney, Australia
| | 04/10/2008 1:31 AM | Alert | | Aside from the core books I really like the Draconomicom and Expedition to the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk. | |
Champion of Regis | |
| Master of the
Awesome Sauce
Teflon Jeff
Warlord
5407 Posts
Idaho. Yes, we have Gamers in Idaho.
| | 04/10/2008 10:22 AM | Alert |
Of course, A grand history of the realms is also good. Less in-depth, but covers more topics.
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Official Delegate, Wizards of the Coast
Against The Giants Called Shot: Huge Green Dragon
Icons Called Shot: Gargantuan Prismatic Dragon
"Rejoice, for bad things are about to happen." | |
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