Wizards has posted two excerpts today: one detailing a new monster called the Swordwing and another offering more information about the character races in 4th edition.

The Swordwing excerpt details two variants, a Level 25 Soldier and a Level 26 Skirmisher called the Crownwing.  According to the entry, the creature hoard rare collectibles in their lairs which should make them likely targets for adventurers.  Other than that, the creature fluff is next to nil.  Plenty of crunch as the full stats are outlined.  I just wish there was some information about the creatures history or ecology.

The entry on races is interested and highlights how the designers wanted to make the races matter beyond first level.

Before we began 4th Edition design, James Wyatt decided that he wanted a player character’s race to matter a lot more in 4E than it did in 3E. Andy Collins and I heard about James’ decision during our first week of brainstorming together. James said something like, “I won’t be happy with this design unless it gives me a reason to care about what race I am all through a character’s career. Not just something that happens at first level.”