Loading ...Shield of Weeping Ghosts Fiction Review
By Matt-M-McElroy | October 2, 2008
I’ve read a handful of Forgotten Realms fiction over the years, interviewed a few authors, played a few games even. I’ve not kept up quite as much with the more recent developments as I have a few other settings, but still, I thought I was doing pretty good for a while there. This book surprised me a bit with how much I don’t know about the setting. It was still an interesting read, it just took me a bit longer to get into the story than I thought it would.
It helped that Davis knows how to write some compelling action. The fight scenes were entertaining and the variety of challenges the characters faced while on their quest kept this from being just another goblin killing adventure.
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Shadowrealm Preview: Shadows Deepen
By Flames | September 22, 2008
There are two other Shadowrealm Previews (Riven & Cael and Abelar Corrinthal) here on Flames Rising. We also have an interview with Paul S. Kemp that tells us a bit about the novel. Shadowrealm is book three of the Twilight War and is available for pre-order at Amazon.com.
Today we have another snippet from Paul Kemp for our readers to explore. This snippet Cale, Riven, Mags, and…someone else…
Topics: Fiction, Previews | No Comments »
Magic: the Gathering - Shards of Alara
By Flames | September 20, 2008
Alara was whole once. But that was millennia ago. Where once there was a plane, now there are five: the Shards. The plane of Alara was a world rich with mana, a world in balance… until the Sundering. In a cataclysm of unimaginable proportions, Alara was rent asunder into five separate worlds, each a refraction of the others.
We can’t tell you everything about the Shards of Alara set yet, but keep watching magicthegathering.com for more information as we release it, including three weeks of official card previews beginning Monday, September 8. In the meantime, keep checking the Visual Spoiler to see all of the Shards of Alara cards officially previewed anywhere.
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Adventurer’s Vault, Gangrel and more at Noble Knight!
By Flames | September 17, 2008
This week we have new D&D 4th Edition - Adventurer’s Vault - Arms & Equipment and the Forgotten Realms Player’s Guide. Also from WotC is the Force Unleashed Campaign Guide. Other hot items include Clanbook Gangrel for Vampire and several new Goodman Games modules. The long awaited Conflict of Heroes - Awakening the Bear wargame is in from Academy Games.
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Spellcraft & Sorcery RPG Review
By Flames | September 12, 2008
There has over the last couple of years been a resurgence of various “Old School” games to hit the market. We have companies dedicated to giving us the feel of the first time we have gamed with newer rulesets, companies that give us updates on old rulesets, and companies again that publish supplements for older games. The fact that these companies can co-exist in this market must mean there is at least enough financial interest to give this resurgence some credibility.
Review by Timothy Brannan
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Interview with Forgotten Realms author Jaleigh Johnson
By Flames | September 11, 2008
Jaleigh Johnson’s second Forgotten Realms novel, Mistshore, opens with a letter from a grandfather to his infant granddaughter. “Someday,” the letter concludes, “you will go forth into the world and find your own adventure waiting. I want this for you, above all things, granddaughter. The world is spread out before you, and life is meant to be lived. Be well, and be happy…”
Mistshore tells the story of the granddaughter, Icelin, as she flees into Mistshore, a district of Waterdeep built upon the wreckage of sunken ships, warped planks, and violent crime. Mistshore is, as Ed Greenwood, the creator of the Forgotten Realms, says in his introduction to the book, “a corner of Waterdeep much whispered about by the fearful, who believe all manner of sinister half-sea-monsters, half-humans lurk in its sagging riggings and rotten cabins. Creatures with webbed fingers, gills hidden under high-collared robes, and sly, stealthy tentacles waiting to throttle or snatch.”
Interview by Jeremy Jones
Topics: Interviews | 1 Comment »
Something New with the Dragon: A Conversation with Elaine Cunningham
By Flames | September 1, 2008
Elaine Cunningham writes character-driven fantasy stories that are rich with humor, complexity, and action. She could very well be speaking of her own fiction when she describes “a satisfying story” as “both surprising and logical.”
Since 1991, Cunningham has written extensively in the Forgotten Realms, co-authored a novel with Ed Greenwood, ventured into the Star Wars Expanded Universe, and produced a steady flow of short fiction.
Interview by Jeremy Jones
Topics: Interviews | 1 Comment »
Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers
By Flames | August 29, 2008
Wizards of the Coast, Inc. a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. and a leader in entertaining the lifestyle gamer today announced the unveiling of Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers, a video game extension of the successful Magic: The Gathering franchise for Xbox LIVE(r) Arcade. Scheduled for official release in Spring 2009, this year’s Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) attendees can demo the game at Wizards of the Coast’s booth (No. 1123) during the show taking place at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle August 29-31.
“We’re excited to bring the Magic brand to new platforms and give gamers new ways to experience this great property,” said Jared Gustafson, Brand Director for Magic: The Gathering at Wizards of the Coast. “The game successfully brings Magic’s inherent strategic game play to the Xbox LIVE community.
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Gaming Countdown to Gen Con Indy is On!
By Flames | July 19, 2008
Gaming Extravaganza Brings Crowds to Indy for the Annual Convention
It’s that time of year again when gamers are gearing up for Gen Con Indy, the original, longest running and best-attended gaming show in North America. With an estimated 27,000 unique attendees converging on the Indianapolis Convention Center, visitors to Gen Con will immerse themselves in the 6,000+ gaming events and more than 250 exhibits over the four day extravaganza that has become the world’s premier game convention. Starting Thursday morning and running round-the-clock attendees can play their hearts out with fellow enthusiasts and by joining in card games, board games, video games, table top and live-action role-playing games, seminars, films, workshops and so much more. Activities range from interactive game play and computer gaming to big money hobby-related tournaments sponsored by industry leaders Upper Deck Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast. The event will be held August 14-17, 2008 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
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New Shadowrealm Preview
By Matt-M-McElroy | June 20, 2008
The first Shadowrealm Preview was posted back in May here on Flames Rising. We also have an interview with Paul S. Kemp that tells us a bit about the novel. Shadowrealm is book three of the Twilight War and is available for pre-order at Amazon.com.
Today we have another snippet from the upcoming novel for fans to enjoy. The scene features the fallen paladin, Abelar Corrinthal.
Topics: Fiction, Previews | No Comments »
Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition Release
By Matt-M-McElroy | June 8, 2008
We’ve had our review of the 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons posted for a few days already. The review seems to be pretty popular as well. We also reported that Wizards of the Coast will be a Co-Sponsor at GenCon recently.
Flames Rising is primarily a Horror & Dark Fantasy website, but we really can’t ignore a new edition of D&D. Other sites with a bit more focus on the game have plenty of interesting discussion going on, the RPGNet D&D Forum, EN World and Story Games, just to name a few.
Initial reports have been pretty positive, some retailers are mentioning decent sales and online offers from Amazon.com and Noble Knight Games also seem to be in high demand.
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The Shield of Weeping Ghosts Available Now!
By Flames | June 2, 2008
The past will come back to haunt them…
A group of warriors from Rashemen escorts an exiled wizard to a ruined citadel in the City of Weeping Ghosts. Once there, the wizard discovers a barbarian tribe is trying to unlock the secrets of the citadel and the weapon that destroyed it two thousand years ago.
A series that centers on the citadels - castles, keeps, fortreeses, and watchtowers - of the Forgotten Realms world, each book in The Citadels series is a self-contained fantasy adventure.
The Shield of Weeping Ghosts is available at Amazon.com
Topics: Horror News | 1 Comment »
Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edtion Review
By Flames | May 30, 2008
Reading through the books 4th Edition feels, to me, very much like an introductory game in a way that 3rd Edition wasn’t. The look, the feel, the language all seem, to me, to be angled towards bringing in new players. This is a really good thing, obviously, but I think that the targetting of the MMO market - which seems to be the aim - is a miscalculation. TTRPGs can’t beat MMOs at their own game, D&D aping MMORPGs is a bit like having your dad go through a midlife crisis, dying his hair, driving a porsche and trying to pass himself off as ‘Emo’. It’s a little embarrassing and not what he’s really good at. I think it may have been more productive to go after the areas where TTRPGs still excel over CRPGs and MMORPGs but hey, nobody listens to me.
Review by James ‘Grim’ Desborough
Topics: Roleplaying Game Reviews | 47 Comments »
Shadowbred (Twilight War) Review
By Flames | May 26, 2008
More than any other shared-world I know, the Forgotten Realms is home to evil protagonists. Shadowbred’s heroes fall ambiguously into this category: they are assassins, addicts, half-fiends, and shades. Erevis Cale, Chosen of Mask, is doing his best to be a hero, due to a promise gave to a dead friend in a previous adventure. The tiefling mind-mage Magadon strives to control his demonic urges, which are the only thing that keep him from being consumed by the Source, an artifact introduced in previous books. The two are sympathetic figures, striving against the odds to become people they don’t hate.
Review by Alana Abbott
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WotC to Co-Sponsor Gen Con Indy 2008
By Flames | May 19, 2008
Gen Con is pleased to announce that once again Wizards of the Coast, will be a co-sponsor of Gen Con Indy. Fans of all ages come to Gen Con each year to see and experience the latest in analog and digital gaming, and Wizards’ participation is a highlight for many fans. This year, Wizards of the Coast will be showing off their latest offerings, including the release of Dungeons & Dragons® 4th Edition.
“We are so pleased to have Wizards of the Coast once again be a sponsor of Gen Con. Its long history with the show, as well as the popularity of its products makes it an integral part of the entire Gen Con experience,” said Adrian Swartout, president of Gen Con.
Topics: Horror News | 1 Comment »
Magic: the Gathering Card Previews for the Shadowmoor Expansion!
By Flames | April 15, 2008
Shadowmoor is the first set in a new block, a 301-card expansion with randomly inserted premium cards. It will be available in booster packs, tournament packs, theme decks and fat packs.
The Aurora has plunged Lorwyn into eternal night, transforming the once-idyllic plane into the eerie world of Shadowmoor. The gloom has transformed its denizens, too — creatures of fable have become monsters from dark fairytales. Races and characters introduced in Lorwyn are back, but with twisted allegiances and new powers.
Flames Rising is pleased to present two new Shadowmoor cards for Magic: the Gathering fans to preview!
Topics: Previews | 1 Comment »
April Fool’s Round-up
By Matt-M-McElroy | April 1, 2008
Practical jokes, hoaxes and other funny events mark April 1st in several countries. Publishers and fans of Horror & Dark Fantasy enjoy a good laugh as much as anyone. Here is our ongoing list of April Fools jokes, events and news, stay tuned as we update with new links.
Wizards of the Coast - The new D&D site is certainly interesting. The Name Change Promotion is a great idea!
Steve Jackson Games - GURPS Tank! and a buyout offer from Atlas Games (who incidentally is being bought by Ronin Arts, which is being bought by, you guessed it, Steve Jackson Games).
White Wolf LJ - Shadows of Iceland via Bax’s Inside Awesomeness!
Mohawk Media - Mr. T Versus Dracula by Christopher Bunting.
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WotC interviews Eberron author Jeff LaSala
By Matt-M-McElroy | March 20, 2008
Wizards of the Coast sat down with The Darkwood Mask author Jeff LaSala recently for an interview:
Wizards: How would you describe The Darkwood Mask to a reader thinking about picking it up?
Jeff LaSala: It is an action murder mystery in a world where magic (or other supernatural power) is arrayed against you and is a tool at your disposal. But magic, even in Eberron, is a finite tool; it’s not going to solve your case for you. And you can bet the bad guys have more information (and magic!) than you do.
Jeff talks shop about Eberron and how he got started writing fantasy fiction. Read the interview at the Wizards Books Website.
Topics: Horror News | 3 Comments »
Magic: the Motion Picture?
By Matt-M-McElroy | February 22, 2008
One of my sources at Wizards of the Coast tells me that there is going to be a Magic: the Gathering movie. This is part of the press release from Hasbro:
Hasbro Inc. (HAS) and Universal Pictures formed a six-year strategic partnership to produce at least four motion pictures based on brands such as Monopoly, Candy Land, Ouija, Battleship, Magic: the Gathering and Stretch Armstrong.
Hasbro, a Pawtucket, R.I., producer of entertainment products, said the first movie will be released in 2010 or 2011, and Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios, will release at least one film a year thereafter.
She did not have much in the way of specific details, but made promises to keep me in the loop as more news develops. Should be interesting to see how they put this film together. I don’t think we’re going to get another Lord of the Rings, but there are a lot of cool concepts in Magic that could do well on the big screen.
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Interview with Ken Meyer Jr.
By Flames | December 13, 2004
In this interview we talk to artist Ken Meyer Jr. about his work on a vareity or projects throughout the gaming industry. He also tells us a bit about working with comic books and calendars.
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