Dragon #371 (4e).pdf

ISSUE 371 | JANUARY 2009

A Dungeons & Dragons ® Roleplaying Game Supplement

Contents

FEATURES

5 LEGACY OF ACERERAK

By Robert J. Schwalb

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.

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,

and the genasi with the Realms, but what would happen if you

crossed those streams?

FEATURES

COLUMNS

46 CREATURE INCARNATIONS:

4 EDITORIAL

ZOMBIES

By Daniel Marthaler

With the zombie apocalypse sure to arrive in 2009,

it’s time to start preparations in your campaign with

these new zombie options.

54 DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

By RPG R&D Staff

The ins and outs of design are discussed in detail in this

ongoing series.

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

By Chris Tulach

The Living FR campaign is in full swing. Learn more

about how to get involved!

ON THE COVER

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, D UNGEON , D RAGON , d20, d20 System, Wizards of the Coast, all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their

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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

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

COLUMNS

EDITORIAL

371

New Year’s Resolve

DRAGON

January 2009

Editor-in-Chief Chris Youngs

Senior Art Director Jon Schindehette

I wanted to write this editorial, fresh into 2009, about

my New Year’s resolutions. I know this topic has been

done to death. Magazine editors across the globe are

likely writing similar editorials right now. But the idea

was suggested by some co-workers, followed immedi-

ately by several suggestions for what my resolutions

should be.

Shelly Mazzanoble, Confessions of a Full-Time

Wizard Columnist: “Give your columnists more than

three days notice that their column is due.”

Web Specialist Chris Sims

Web Production Bart Carroll, Steve Winter

Graphic Design Bob Jordan, Breanne Miller

Let it go, Shelly. Let it go.

Contributing Authors Richard Baker, Logan Bonner,

Shelly Mazzanoble, Mike Mearls,

Steve Winter, Web Specialist: “Be nicer to your

co-workers.”

Stephen Radney-MacFarland,

Robert J. Schwalb, Chris Sims,

I feel like suggesting resolutions for someone else is

a lot like making a critical commentary on their life.

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

easily come by. After all, if you walked up to a friend

on a normal day and said, “Hey, what’s wrong with

me? What could I work on?” They’re likely to respond

with sarcasm (“Everything.”) or platitudes (“You’re

fine the way you are!” Thanks, mom.).

Bill Slavicsek, Chris Tulach,

Uh, what are you trying to say, you big jerk?

James Wyatt

Developers

Stephen Radney-MacFarland,

Steve Schubert, RPG Developer: “Be a better fan-

tasy football drafter.”

Peter Schaefer, Stephen Schubert,

Rodney Thompson

Touché, Shoe. Touché. But last I checked, we both had

the league’s worst record at a glorious 3-11. Pot, meet

kettle.

Editors Jennifer Clarke-Wilkes,

Miranda Horner

Cover Artist Raven Mimura

But ask a friend what your New Year’s resolutions

should be, and you’ll get responses. Oh yes, you will.

In fact, co-workers nearby will shout them over cube

walls in an effort to get their 2 cents in. Apparently

resolutions are a free-for-all way to offer “constructive”

criticism. Once the suggestions started rolling in, I

started to enjoy the experience, and started soliciting

more. Here’s a sampling from around the office when

I started to ask people what they thought my New

Year’s resolution should be.

Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Save My Game Col-

umnist and RPG Developer: “Buy Stephen more

drinks.”

Contributing Artists Rob Alexander, Dave Allsop,

Ryan Barger, Eric Belisle,

Eric Deschamps, Steve Ellis,

Gonzalo Flores, Adam Gillespie,

Done! Since sitting next to SRM in meetings is like

sitting with the delinquent kids at the back of class, I

imagine the hyjinks that will follow drinks with SRM

could only be entertaining.

Jim Nelson, William O’Connor,

Chris Seaman, Eric L. William,

Web Development

Mark A. Jindra

D&D Creative Manager

Christopher Perkins

The Rouse, D&D Senior Brand Manager (and

apparently all-around creepy dude): “Smile more.

And wear this…” (as he reaches into a desk drawer).

Executive Producer,

D&D Insider

Ken Troop

Sara Girard, D&D Associate Brand Manager:

“When you DM, stop making up rules on the f ly that

negatively affect your players.”

Director of RPG R&D

Bill Slavicsek

I didn’t stick around long enough to see what The

Rouse was pulling out. I caught a glimpse, and it was

leather and had buckles. Creepy.

Special Thanks

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

Translation: “Stop telling us when we’re breaking the

rules.”

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

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.

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

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.

Legacy of Acererak

by Robert J. Schwalb

illustrations by Eric Belisle, Raven Mimura

close to the malice found in the Tomb of

Horrors. The reputed resting place of the

infamous necromancer, Acererak, the Tomb has

tempted many heroes and fools alike into testing

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 | DR AGON 371

M any dungeons fill the world, but few come

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