In case any of you were wondering what the frequency of our entries is; the answer is "Buh?”

Basically, we volunteer something when we feel we must speak.

Nick Greenwood's footprint in the new book is increasing. Beyond taking on a new cover and company logo, he's also being tapped to create a new map. On that, I will apologize now for those who wonder where the detail had gone on our setting. The first book will feel a little spartan in comparison to the 3.5 book in regards to setting fluff. This is because...(cough) we need to make money. Seriously, with the new stuff we're adding, if we threw in everything from the 3.5, it would be 700 pages. We want to pace out the setting. Further books will go in even more detail than even the 3.5 edition did but we want the first book to be tight and less intimidating. Those who have read (end enjoyed?) the 3.5 edition will most definitely know more about the setting and the various secrets. Whole chapters are being mentioned only obliquely in this new edition.

You all read the Forgotten Realms Preview PDF released by WOTC this week? In it, they mention "Backgrounds", which offers additional bonuses depending on where you were raised. These bonuses are mostly skill increases but there are a few more aggressive bonuses (element resistance, for example). Am I angry? Not in the slightest. Seriously, the idea of Lifepaths, in my opinion, is a no-brainer. I imagine nearly everyone is going to try this in one extent or another. Our Lifepaths in comparison to the FR Backgrounds are more radically and even alter classes you may choose. Further, our lifepaths have additional exclusive feats and paragon paths available only to them. This is an extreme I doubt FR is going into. If anyone takes THAT idea, I still won't be angry. Amethyst won't be made or broken on the basis of a single crunch-point.

The book may feel techan-heavy only because we are not bothering making new fantasy classes since the 4.0 ED covered itself so well. On that, I almost broke that rule recently with the Kannos Kavalier. The Kavalier is a mounted fighter that gains abilities based on the mobility and speed of his horse and less on the lumbering around of a heavily barded steed and an armor-plated knight with a graped-up lance against his shoulder. The Kavalier is light on armour (both on the steed and the fighter) and would be able to do some amazing acrobatics while mounted. It began as a lifepath, with several feats, and a paragon path. By the end of the day, I had so many ideas written down, I could have made an entire class. That would be dumb. Why have a single class for the Kavalier and not one for a Custodian? In the end, I picked the abilities I liked the most and moved other abilities either to other paths or removed them outright. They still have more exclusive feats than any other lifepath (four). It’s kind of ironic considering the Kavalier never made it into the last book. I meant to, but I A) forgot, ran out of space, and C) ran out of time.
One of their attack abilities is listed below...

Equestrian Charge Kannos Kaptain Utility 12
Encounter Martial, Mounted
Move Action
Effect: If your mount moves more than 4 squares, either in as an attack (charge or trample) or a move action, you can jump from your mount as a move action. You are considered running for the jump and gain a +5 bonus to the Athletics roll. Pick an unoccupied square in range to land into. You provoke no opportunity attacks as you jump or land.

"Wanna see a magic trick? I'm gonna make this pencil disappear..."

Me out.