| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Modest Minotaur |
Posted - 03 Dec 2013 : 04:53:54
Whoaa my punctuation went kinda crazy there -- Corrected!
Ohhh mann, I've decided to finally do it. After being a quiet visitor of these forums and observing the latest Forgotten Realms hubbub and conversations between its members for some time, I finally decided what's the worst that could happen if I say hello. I'm not a board game player. No, I fell in love with the Realms through its video games, novels, and most of all, its engrossing fantasy setting where I could pretend I was apart of and act out action figure dramas as a kid. Forgive me if I come off as an outsider trying to fit in, just wanted to share why I enjoy the Realms so much and why I'm returning after a period of lost interest.
As I said, while I was never a huge fan of the D&D board game (I just never played it), I fell in love with the Realms in 1998 with the release of Baldur's Gate. Since then, I have owned nearly all FR video games (post BG1) and have read nearly all the novels (pre-4E). My enduring interest in the Realms has much to do with its expansive and rich mythology, with one aspect in particular: the god Helm. Since I first played Baldur's Gate, which prominently featured Helm, I have seen him as the iconic god of the Forgotten Realms. He was a huge part of those games and was likely featured more so than other deities (not including the antagonist deity). And for whatever reason, Helm really resonated with me and I loved discovering lore about him and having my NPC party members worship him. Maybe it was his aesthetic (as a kid, I loved knights in full plate armor - and here was a GOD in full plate), maybe it was his attitude, always having kind of a "I'm really a good and sensitive guy at heart but have to do what I have to for the sake of the realms." During the Avatar series, the way he was written, he always seemed at such odds with himself about balancing his commitment to his duty and moral code with the compassion he felt for others. It was just so gripping and, in my opinion, made his character so much more compelling and multi-dimensional then the likes of Tyr and even Torm (though Torm's a hell-of-a lot more interesting then Tyr too IMO).
When he was killed him off for seemingly no reason, I felt dumbfounded. I simply failed to understand how developers could so easily write off such a compelling character that was symbolic of their fantasy setting (in my opinion of course). I'm trying not to delve too much into 4E territory, I'm not sure it's even appropriate for me to do so because I'm not a board game player. Nevertheless, the transition kind of ruined the fantasy setting for me (for much more reasons than just Helm). The novels felt like they were in a whole different world (I've barely even touched recent Drizzt novels - how sad it that!), the games were not as good (i.e. Daggerdale. . . However, I really like the Neverwinter MMO), and playing my old favorite FR games just made me feel gloomy about the present state of the Realms.
However, words of a brighter future for the Realms have beckoned me back. Novels like Downshadow assured me that other FR fans and (more importantly) novelists still cared about the coolest armored god around. Even more reassuring, changes with D&D Next and the Sundering are currently in progress, and from what I'm seeing and reading, are returning the Realms I fell in love with. I absolutely cannot wait to read The Sentinel and start throwing money at FR products again. Furthermore, I believe I am even at a point in my life where I can try the actual game (grad school and finding a career accomplished and now it's time to find hobbies) - paladin or cleric of Helm only of course.
That's it for now. I just wanted to share own journey with the Forgotten Realms to the scribes here. And I'm pretty sure developers and writers visit these forums and I imagine they appreciate feedback(I dunno!).
May Helm be with you all!
|
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Modest Minotaur |
Posted - 09 Dec 2013 : 18:59:11
Well met, friends!
Thanks for the warm reception, guys - its means a lot!
Wooly Rupert: I will definitely take you up on your offer when I want to expand my Realms knowledge, thanks for your warm welcome! :)
sfdragon: I actually did read the Shadowbane series and quite enjoyed them. One of the few 4E series I read!
Jeremy Grenemyer: Whoa! Now that is a bit of new lore fore me - veryy interesting. I wonder if that will play into recent events with the Sundering. Thanks for letting me know!
Drustan Dwnhaedan: Ahh I know you feel my pain with Eilistraee haha. I know she was a quite highly regarded deity and removed from the Realms with the level of superficiality. Not to mention she filled a very important niche in the Realms. So, we're not allowed to have a good god for drow anymore? Anyways, thanks for your warm welcome and here's to brighter days with 5E!
Eilserus: I am also hearing this which has gotten me quite excited for the future of the Realms! This is also one of the reasons why I'm excited to read the latter three novels of the Sundering series. I haven't read the first three because I heard they were continuations/sequels to former novels and I figured I would read those too them eventually. I read the final three are kind of more stand-alone. Furthermore, I'm especially excited considering the 5th novel is based around the adventures a begrudged paladin of Helm - who know's what could happen! So, I'm hoping for good things, and as far as Ao goes, I was always displeased with how he could let his "Number One" go so easily - without even throwing a fuss! So yes, thanks for your comment, and I look forward to the next few months. |
| Eilserus |
Posted - 08 Dec 2013 : 01:11:17
I wouldn't worry too much about dead gods. Sounds to me like Ao is going to reboot the deities. His creations or divine servants have kind of gone off the rails since the Tablets of Fate were destroyed and now he's going to fix it. This being my I imagine, simplistic understanding of it. |
| Drustan Dwnhaedan |
Posted - 07 Dec 2013 : 21:09:52
Welcome to Candlekeep, Modest Minotaur! As a die-hard Eilistraee fanboy, I can empathize with being upset by the death of your favorite deity. (Even though Eilistraee's death upset me the most, I still hate the fact they killed off so many deities, and in such ill-planned and poorly explained ways.) |
| Alruane |
Posted - 07 Dec 2013 : 10:07:59
Hail and well met, Modest Minotaur! Hope you enjoy the lore and fellow sages within the Keep.  |
| Jeremy Grenemyer |
Posted - 07 Dec 2013 : 09:51:37
The Eye on the Realms article "Ghost Knight of Galardoun" in Dungeon 196 describes a floating greathelm that some in the Realms believe is a manifestation of the Guardian Risen, aka Helm, and that even powerful undead will avoid it. |
| sfdragon |
Posted - 03 Dec 2013 : 07:22:24
Helm.... gone.... didn't get the memo.....
welcome to the forum.... glad Im not the only one who liked the patron of guardians and bodyguards
read Erik Scot deBie's Shadowbane series....... or just do what Im going to do and start at teh end when I can get a copy |
| silverwolfer |
Posted - 03 Dec 2013 : 07:03:58
Am unsure of this, but is my computer acting up, am seeing a bunch of weird symbols in the OP's post?
An welcome to the forum. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 03 Dec 2013 : 05:15:40
Welcome to Candlekeep! 
Feel free to ask any questions you may have... A lot of us have been Realms fans for years, and we know a thing or three about the setting. Plus, we've got some of the authors and creators here!
As for the rest of us, we are friendly, mostly harmless, and occasionally strange... Enjoy your stay!  |
|
|
