The Manshion of Mad Professor Ludlow	Demons, Devils, and Spirits	The Possessors	Patron Demons	Restless Dead
SS: Making Monsters Meaningful	LTH: The Inner Planes	GITE: Tauno Kraken's-Bane	GITE: Sir Geros Lahvohettos	GITE: James Eckert/Gorb Ash
GITE: Orvar-Odd	GITE: Heidrek	DB: Quatsch	DB: Necroton	DB: Well Spirit
GITE: Sandbats/Swampbats	-	The Day of the Dwarf	-	Dragon

OUT ON A LIMB

‘Rut of excellence’

Dear Editor:
Do, Do, DO continue the trend that started in
#42, and before. If DRAGON magazine is falling
in a rut, it is a rut full of excellence.

In #45, Mr. Amory (Out on a Limb) states <link>
the worst is happening, with TD becoming
“childish and ad-oriented.” It would seem that
Mr. Amory has not read any of the older issues
of TD. I pulled #29 off the shelf, and compared.
The latest DRAGON magazines come
out ahead.

The “trend” that #42 is the “start” of actually
began a while back. The issues in the area of
#8-#11 are (to me) aimed at the hard-core
gamer. The later issues were (to me, again)
aimed at the casual gamer, the kind most predominant
among AD&D players. This means
that the language of articles became English
again, and did not rely upon vast knowledge
of gaming on the reader’s part. If this is “gearing
to 9-year-olds,” then I am glad of it, for it
made me a loyal reader. Still, I’m only 14,
therefore a victim of all the “hype.”

Messrs. Jaquet and Mohan have said it before
(and maybe someone will believe it, now
that a customer says it): Dragon Publishing is
a business. As a business, it is necessary that
it bring in money. Thus, some advertising
must be permitted.  Attracting new
customers is a must, and highlighting the
main features on the cover helps potential
buyers discover what TD is all about. It is not
the mark of a second-rate magazine. Incidentally,
it also tells the dedicated buyer/-
reader/subscriber that the article he/she has
been waiting for has been printed.

“The Mansion of Mad Professor Ludlow”
has to be one of the funniest modules I’ve ever
seen. It allows the player to experience the
thrills of exploring a haunted house. Who
cares if there is no experience or treasure to
be had?! It’s FUN: That is enough. <caps added>

DRAGON magazine is the best gaming
magazine around, and is constantly improving.
And I’m behind it all the way.


Joe Scarafone
San Diego, Calif.
(Dragon #49)