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Old 11-05-2021, 09:24 PM   #33
maximara
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sumter, SC
Default Re: A Bestiary for more than the DFRPG: Nordlond Enemies Book

Quote:
Originally Posted by Varyon View Post
My guess would be quality - tested playability (I'm hoping there will be notes as to what level of challenge the foe is), more consistency of written "voice," better organization, etc. Essentially, a "you get what you pay for" type of scenario. It also has the benefit of being an official product (created with Doug's Nordland license for DFRPG, but official nonetheless), which matters more than you might think to a lot of groups.
Ah now that is what I was looking for. But the "get what you pay for" and its official may be poor arguments. Compare

American Black Bear
Diet: Omnivore (carrion, fruit, insects, nuts, and rodents).
Distribution: North America.
Habitat: Woodlands.
Niche: Diurnal forager.
Size: 6′ long; 250 lbs
Black bears will usually retreat if they feel threatened.
Attacks on humans are normally hungry bears deliberately hunting those that seem vulnerable. They can often be dissuaded by a show of force, even from smaller animals.
ST: 13 HP: 13 Speed: 6.00
DX: 11 Will: 12 Move: 8/16 (land)
IQ: 4 Per: 10
HT: 13 FP: 13 SM: ±0
Dodge: 9 Parry: — DR: 2
Bite or Claw (13): 1d cutting. Reach C.
Traits: Bear; Fearfulness 3; Temperature Tolerance 1.
Skills: Brawling-13; Climbing-11; Intimidation-11; Stealth-11;
Survival-12.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females (5′ long; 170 lbs.) have ST and HP 11. Reduce damage for bite and claw to 1d−1.
Variants
Asian black bears are similar. For a sloth bear, change claw
damage to crushing and exchange Fearfulness for Bad Temper
(9)

to

Black Bear
A small, omnivorous bear.
ST 14; DX 11; IQ 4; HT 13.
Will 12; Per 10; Speed 6; Dodge 9;
Move 7.
SM 0; 300 lbs.
Traits: Blunt Claws; DR 2; No Fine Manipulators; Semi-Upright; Sharp Teeth; Temperature Tolerance 2; Wild Animal.
Skills: Brawling-13

Now which do you think is official (Basic Set) and which is from Anon's Animal Album? The second is the official one. Now which is more detailed and therefore potentially more useful?
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