Malhavoc Press

Chat Transcript: Legacy of the Dragons

March 11, 2004 — 5 p.m. PST

I was pleased to welcome about three dozen of you to our chat room last week to talk with me and my codesigner Mike Mearls about our new release, Legacy of the Dragons. Sue also chimed in to update you about some of the other products you'll be seeing from Malhavoc Press later this year. Thanks to everyone who attended! And thanks as well to Carthain for moderating and sending us this transcript*. —Monte

Carthain: Welcome to a Malhavoc Press Chat! Today we are chatting with Monte Cook and Mike Mearls. The topic of today is Legacy of the Dragons.

Monte: Thanks to everyone for taking the time out to come here, today. It's great to see everyone. Well, first off, I'd like to introduce everyone to my codesigner, Mike Mearls, who worked on this book with me. And will be working with us on a lot of stuff from here on. We're really happy to have him on board.

Carthain: From sigmundk: "Tell us of rune manifests and rune angels! what was, in your opinion, the hardest thing to implement?"

Monte: Rune manifests were Mike's, so I'll let him field that.

Galhavoc: You guys will be able to see who wrote which monster based on who jumps in to answer each question!

Mearls: Rune manifests—the hard part was figuring out which ones to do. I wanted to do stuff that was basic enough to warrant a manifest, but not so basic that it wouldn't make a good creature.

Monte: The rune angel was the very last creature added to the book. I wanted to create something unique and specific to the setting and the world setup—something powerful and maybe sometimes helpful.

Carthain: From Neko_Ali: "When can we expect to see miniatures for the Legacy of the Dragons monsters?"

Monte: Yes, starting this summer. We have inshons, rhodin, chorrim now. Slassans are coming very soon. But Legacy monsters are coming as well. I don't know specifically which will be first. Let me know if there's something you'd like to see on the boards.

Carthain: From Caledonian: "Monte, could you tell us approximately how well Legacy has done?"

Monte: Well, it's only out in PDF at the moment, but based on how other products have done at this stage in their development, Legacy is one of our best selling products. In the top five or six at least. But it's a little early to make comparisons.

Galhavoc: (It must be Mike's influence.)

Mearls: What can I say? I'm money in the bank! =)

Monte: Ca-ching!

Carthain: From tecnowraith: "How hard or easy was it to create all-new monsters that have not been done before by d20 and RPG games?"

Monte: Actually, not all that hard. I mean, there are infinite possibilities out there and a lot of what's out there is all kinda the same anyway. We already knew that in Arcana Unearthed/Diamond Throne, we didn't have some of the same-old/same-old monsters, like orcs, so that spurred us on to create really original things (in my opinion).

Mearls: I've found that if you can find one weird ability or attack that hasn't shown up before, you can make a unique creature. A lot of the ones I did started with a special attack, something that I wanted to use but didn't see anywhere else. The qualleg is a good example.

Monte: Yeah, as many monsters as are out there, the system offers a lot more room to grow, I think.

Mearls: Yup, definitely.

Carthain: From Caledonian: "Has it been decided what the true nature of tenebrian seeds is? (And who came up with that nifty name?)"

Monte: I wrote the introduction. I'm sorry to be so cryptic, but you will see more on the tenebrian seeds and what they are... but it will come later and I can't reveal much now. There are lots of secrets the dragons have/had that we're going to build on.

Carthain: From Cordo: "Mike, what is your favorite creature Monte did, and Monte, what is your favorite creature that Mike did?"

Mearls: Good question. I like the darval, because I'm using one in an adventure I'm working on for my Arcana Unearthed campaign. When I read it, the entire scenario popped right into my head. (I think a player from my group is here, so I can't say much more.)

Monte: Well, I always have a hard time choosing favorites. I guess a good indicator of favorite is that I'm planning on using blade trolls, of all Mike's monsters, first. No higher compliment than putting someone's material in your own game, right? I also really like rune manifests and the Vallorians... I could go on...

Mearls: Yeah, there's a ton to choose from. I really think our enthusiasm really shone through in the monsters.

Carthain: From tecnowraith: "With this book now, are you hoping to see more published campaign campaign worlds from other d20 companies based in the Arcana Unearthed universe?"

Monte: It could be. I know there are a few people working on such, but I don't know for sure what will come of them, to be honest with you. It would be cool, though, wouldn't it?

Carthain: From Peterson: "Which was the most difficult creature to convert to game mechanics?"

Mearls: Oohhh. That's a good question. The qualleg was just weird to work on. A lot of the time, I start with a game rule idea first, but that one came into my head fully formed. I think I had more playtester notes about its abilities than any three monsters combined.

Monte: The darval was trickier than I expected, because it's ability is so absolute. I think the one that was most difficult to balance, however, was the kahrn. I had to get the right mix of healing/hurting in there to prolong a combat.

Carthain: From Neko_Ali: "How was it decided what 'classic' monsters, like trolls, made it into the setting, and which ones were left out?"

Monte: Frankly, it was a lot of gut decisions. I chose the stuff that "felt" right. The stuff that felt like fantasy (like manticores or nagas) but that didn't feel completely D&D (like ogres). Some things it seems like D&D has entirely co-opted, like most of the nasty humanoids. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I knew that the Diamond Throne needed a different feel, while still feeling like a fantasy world that you could understand. There's a danger in making things so different that there's no baseline for everyone.

Carthain: From Caledonian: "About how many Navver's Curse creatures would you say exist in the Lands of the Diamond Throne?"

Monte: Hmm. Not many. In my view, I'd say only 100 too 200, I suppose. Off the top of my head.

Carthain: Again from Caledonian: "Did the hypnoloxes ever have an empire, or are they simply deranged?"

Mearls: Ha! The poor hypnoloxes. I'll just say that they have grand delusions. I mean, if you're going to lie to yourself, you might as well be elaborate about it. On the other hand, who's to say? They do seem awfully confident in themselves. Since they can devour memories, it's really hard to say anything definitive about them. it's definitely something you can play with in your campaign. It also gives them a good reason to be so ornery.

Carthain: From Peterson: "More than likely, you guys had some creatures that were 'tossed on the cutting room floor' for various reasons. What are the chances of seeing those in web enhancements or future products?"

Monte: Very good, actually. There's something that got cut for space that will be going up on our site soon—maybe a couple of somethings, actually. One's called the Unnameable.

Mearls: Someone on the boards suggested doing a racial class for Vallorians. That's something I could see myself doing.

Carthain: From SlappinJoe: "Is it more fun or easier to make a monster book or an adventure?"

Mearls: Adventures are definitely easier for me. They're probably the thing I can do in the fastest amount of time. On the other hand, I think monster books are more fun. An adventure is like creating a single painting. A monster book is like producing new shades and brushes to paint with.

Monte: Easier? Monster book. More fun? It's closer. I like modular-ness of a monster book. Monster books are just "cool idea" books. Adventures are really fun when you've got a good topic.

Carthain: From tecnowraith: "With some of the art and stats, what were some of your inspirations when creating them and giving notes to your artists? I see some H.R. Giger stuff."

Mearls: The artists did a fantastic job. They took the ideas in my head and made them look far cooler than I could ever imagine them. Every new wave of pictures was a treat.

Monte: I agree. That's always my benchmark for a good artist. If they can take an idea of mine and make it look cooler than it did in my head, then we chose wisely. :)

Mearls: Definitely. I was like, wow, I made that! It was cool seeing them come to life.

Monte: Mostly, we gave the artists a lot of room to develop stuff on their own, within some parameters.

Carthain: From Neko_Ali: "What were the things that really led you to choose the NPCs that made it into Legacy of the Dragons?"

Monte: You mean the contest winners? Well, I was only one of four judges, but I can tell you that basically it was the ones that made me say "Wow, cool" or took something in an interesting and appropriate direction.

Carthain: From Caledonian: "Were darvals partially inspired by the creature Lyekka from Lexx?"

Monte: Uh, since I don't know what that means, I'm going to say no. :)

Galhavoc: We never watch Lexx.

Carthain: From Peterson: "Sorry if this is answered in the PDF, I haven't had a chance to pick it up yet, but is there a plan in the works for a 'Legacy of the Dramojh' product?"

Monte: No. The Legacy of the Dragons refers to the legacy of the dramojh. See, the dragons created the dramojh, so it all goes back to them.

Carthain: From tecnowraith: "So what's next after this in sourcebooks? Will there be a Legacy of the Dragons 2?"

Monte: Tell them about your magic book, Mike.

Mearls: Well, I have a magic book on my schedule that I hope works out a bit like Legacy. I want it to inspire a lot of ideas for adventures. I'm hoping to do a lot with the idea of rituals. Since they're an important part of everyone's life, I want to include stuff that every character can use. There'll be new bits for the spellcasting classes. You can expect more options for witches, rune thanes, plus spells. There's also going to be some information on important magical sites.

Monte: (It's very possible, by the way, that we'll do another monster book in the future.)

Carthain: From Peterson: "Okay, I got a question for Galhavoc (great name by the way), Did you inspire/help create any of the creatures found in the PDF?"

Monte: Yes, she did. And the answer will surprise you...

Galhavoc: My first instinct was to say no, but Monte is reminding me that one evening we were talking about the book and I did have an idea. I suggested that it would be interesting to have a creature that itself is not the actual threat. The threat really comes from a creature inside it, which no one sees right away. This turned into the dread helminth. Thanks for asking!

Monte: So Sue is clearly really gross.

Mearls: Ha!

Galhavoc: Hey, wait a minute! I had actually pictured more like a kangaroo type thing, where the big bad critter was in a pouch. You turned it disgusting!

Monte: Ah. Okay.

Carthain: Finished now? ^_^

Galhavoc: Sheesh.

Monte: Kangaroo...

Carthain: (laughs) From RBB: "Any chance of a Diamond Throne-set mega-adventure with dual stats (NPC, at least) for Arcana Unearthed and regular core? I don't expect any pre-announcements, but could you do it and would you want to?"

Monte: Could we? Yes. Would we want to? Sure. It would be a blast. Will we? Maybe. Honestly, there's not one in the current schedule, but it's the kind of thing we like to do.

Carthain: From Litorian: "Any clue when the Necromancer's Game Arcana Unearthed adventure will be available if at all?"

Monte: Honestly? Nope. That product has fallen off my radar, sadly. Mystic Eye Games reportedly as an Arcana Unearthed "sites" book soon to be released, though.

Carthain: From Caledonian: "Have the giants brought over any creatures from their continent? I would think they might have included some plants and animal stocks on their ships..."

Monte: That's a cool idea. Of course, the sibeccai are from their land as well. I'd run with that idea, if I were you.

Mearls: Just don't try calling a sibeccai "animal stock".

Carthain: From Peterson: "Is there or has there been any novels/short stories put out set in the Diamond Throne setting? (Oh, and nice idea Galhavoc...nasty)."

Galhavoc: Hey, glad you asked! We have Malhavoc Press' first fiction anthology slated to release in August. It's called Children of the Rune and features about 13 stories of the runechildren. Monte has two stories in it, and Mike has one. Other great authors include Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb, Richard Lee Byers, Stan!, Lucien Soulban, Miranda Horner, Thomas Reid, Wolfgang Baur... oh, I know I'm forgetting someone... Will McDermott, and Bruce R. Cordell and Keith Strohm. It was a lot of fun to edit. There's quite a variety in the stories, and you get to see a lot of cool background that I hope people pick up and use in their campaigns, such as new ceremonies, more on the verrik, and combat tactics of some Diamond Throne monsters.

Carthain: From Bartender_: "What're the chances you'd hire all of us in the chat to work on a book for Malhavoc? ;-)"

Galhavoc: Shall we write it right here in the chat?

Mearls: You know, I could use an intern to clean my room.... =)

Monte: Well, we've already got Mike, and he writes almost more than we can publish as it is!

Carthain: From myself: "As an expansion, and possibly more realistic idea to the Bartender's question: Would you ever consider a product where all the material was created by members of the boards? (and chosen by Malhavoc people.. I seem to remember Sean doing something like that once.)"

Monte: Honestly, we're not looking to add new books to our schedule. We're already operating at pretty much maximum capacity as it is (or a bit over).

Carthain: From Litorian: "I am big fan of psionics and I intend to get Hyperconscious either way, but I want to know if it will include any psionics / Arcana Unearthed integration material?"

Galhavoc: Bruce is still in the design phase of this book, so I think we'll have to wait and see.

Carthain: From SlappinJoe: "The staj are just nasty. Why don't we see more monsters that maim without killing?"

Monte: Because the D&D system isn't set up to handle that very well. The combat system is too abstract to really deal with severed fingers, or whatever. So you would have to write specialized rules, and that gets tricky because you start to say, "Hey, if the blade-oid can sever a foe's hand, why can't a guy with a sword?" It spits in the face of the abstract nature. Fortunately, the game can handle blindness pretty well, so I think the staj is a nasty customer that works well in the d20 system.

Carthain: ... And that's all for tonight, folks! I'd like to thank Monte, Mike, and Sue for joining us here, and all of you for your various questions ^_^

Monte: Thanks again to everyone for coming. Good questions!

Mearls: Thanks, all! This was great.

Galhavoc: It was great seeing you all here!

Monte: That hour just flew by!

* Transcript edited for style and clarity.