| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Berkthgar |
Posted - 09 Oct 2015 : 21:20:48
My whole forgotten realms life , I religiously stuck to Salvatore.
Today I realized there is so much more. I mean I knew , but never delved into it.
Can someone shed light on the Al-qadim setting.
City of brass stuff. Does some of that stuff take place during the years of drizzt??
Jungles of chult seemed good too.
I don't know where to start!?
Do these accessory books have an order ?
I'm
Over whelmed with joy.
Any on audiobook?
|
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Gyor |
Posted - 07 Nov 2015 : 19:49:53
From the 4e books I like the Unbroken Chain books, Venom in her Viens, Erin M
Evans Brimstone Angels, Sandstorm, the Sword of the Gods books, the Key of Stars.
And of course the Sundering Series. |
| CorellonsDevout |
Posted - 19 Oct 2015 : 04:31:28
quote:
Originally posted by Lilianviaten
quote:
Originally posted by Berkthgar
The good thing is that I'm not going to a completely different universe.
My feelings are that when in invest a decade In a world I have come to love , it is hard for me to move on to a game of thrones setting or lotr. It takes time to build a love for those and maybe I'm lazy, but I'd rather stick with what I have. Ok talking about different universes.
But as far as forgotten realms. Omg. There are so many options.
I might be mistaken? But these sourcebooks aren't like novels. But rather like guides to a campaign?? I looked at them as fun little novels to digest.
What other series would you recommend in forgotten realms? I'm really feeling calimport setting or somewhere east , somewhere I've never been. I've only hung out with drizzt all my life.
So yea a suggestion might be great. Thank you
You're cheating yourself bigtime, sir. There's not any reason you can't expose yourself to Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and lots of other fantasy worlds, even though FR may be your favorite. You're not leaving FR by reading other books. In 10 years, you could have read a lot more than just Drizzt. I'm not saying that to be judgmental, but I don't want you to miss out on what all the fantasy genre has to offer. Much as I love Bob Salvatore, there is even better fantasy out there from other writers.
I certainly applaud you on seeking information from the rest of the Forgotten Realms world. I've known far too many Salvatore fans who only read his stuff. My recommendations for other novel lines are as follows: The Erevis Cale and Twilight War trilogies by Paul Kemp, the Shadowbane trilogy by Erik Scott de Bie, the Song & Swords and Starlight & Shadows trilogies by Elaine Cunningham, the War of the Spider Queen saga (6 books by multiple authors), the Lady Penitent and House of Serpents trilogies by Lisa Smedman, the Haunted Lands and Brotherhood of the Griffon books by Richard Lee Byers, and all the Elminster books by Ed Greenwood.
That will keep you busy! I recommended the Starlight and Shadows trilogy partially because it's one of my favorite Realms series, but also because it involves the drow: Gromph, Quenthel, Triel, and Liriel (Gromph's first daughter) all feature prominently. The War of the Spider Queen and Lady Pentient series' focus heavily on the drow and their relationship with Lolth and other gods. It also deals with drow in other cities besides Menzoberranzan, like Ched Nasad and Sshamath. RAS is so important to understanding the drow as a race, but he only gives you part of the picture. These other books do an excellent job of giving you the rest. On that note, I will also throw in Venom in Her Veins, which focuses on lesser used horrors of the Underdark, like derro and grell.
Ed Greenwood and Richard Lee Byers do a great job of writing wizards, and their books give you a lot of insight into Cormyr, the Dales, Myth Drannor, Thay, Chessenta, and Rashemen (which Starlight and Shadows deals with a lot). Elaine's Song & Swords books will give you a lot of insight into faerie elves, and even some background on how the drow became cursed. (One elf in particular will remind you of Jarlaxle.) The Shadowbane books will teach you about Waterdeep and Westgate, and give you even more insight into Luskan. Finally, the Erevis Cale and Twilight War books will give you a lot of background on the Netherese and take you for a thrilling ride through Sembia. (And you'll meet a character here who is a lot like Artemis Entreri.) I hope this was helpful to you in journeying through the Realms!
I agree. Limiting you to Salvatore does just that--it limits you. Plus Salvatore does his own thing sometimes, and his books don't always seem to be in touch with what's going on in the rest of the Realms. To add to your list, I would recommend Evermeet: Island of Elves by Elaine Cunningham, the Last Mythal trilogy by Richard Baker, and there are some 4e ones I would recommend too (there were some good novels that came out of 4e), but these should keep Berkthgar busy.
There are many FR books to choose from, Berkthgar. Surf Amazon or an online bookstore. Or go to a brick-and-mortar bookstore. The fantasy selection has grown tremendously in the past 15 years. FR books are great, but don't limit yourself. There are other great worlds out there. Also, sourcebooks are good for lore purposes. That's the main reason I buy them. I like information on the deities and elves, so I will buy sourcebooks pretaining to those. |
| Berkthgar |
Posted - 19 Oct 2015 : 03:50:58
I use audio books because my schedule doesn't allow reading all the time, therefore I like the audiobooks because it provides a different voice than my own heads. Perhaps I'm being lazy and not getting my imagination exercised |
| Artemas Entreri |
Posted - 18 Oct 2015 : 16:12:42
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Artemas Entreri
I'm not a fan of audiobooks, but I can see how they would appeal to some people. I'm not a fan of e-readers either. Nothing beats a real book if my hands while sitting in my reading chair with a cup of coffee.
I've read a number of e-books, myself... But that's because I have a tablet that I use for a lot of other stuff, and sometimes grabbing a printed book isn't an option -- like when I'm at work and I finish what I was reading, or when there isn't a printed version...
Yeah I grabbed a Kindle just to have access to those e-book only publications. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 18 Oct 2015 : 16:01:38
quote:
Originally posted by Artemas Entreri
I'm not a fan of audiobooks, but I can see how they would appeal to some people. I'm not a fan of e-readers either. Nothing beats a real book if my hands while sitting in my reading chair with a cup of coffee.
I've read a number of e-books, myself... But that's because I have a tablet that I use for a lot of other stuff, and sometimes grabbing a printed book isn't an option -- like when I'm at work and I finish what I was reading, or when there isn't a printed version... |
| Artemas Entreri |
Posted - 18 Oct 2015 : 13:07:34
I'm not a fan of audiobooks, but I can see how they would appeal to some people. I'm not a fan of e-readers either. Nothing beats a real book if my hands while sitting in my reading chair with a cup of coffee. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 18 Oct 2015 : 07:01:11
quote:
Originally posted by Berkthgar
Do you guys enjoy audiobooks as well? Of these stories
I've had to listen to a couple of audiobooks whilst traveling with my parents. Because of this, I now know that audiobooks are not my thing. |
| Berkthgar |
Posted - 18 Oct 2015 : 05:31:43
Do you guys enjoy audiobooks as well? Of these stories |
| TBeholder |
Posted - 17 Oct 2015 : 15:21:44
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by _Jarlaxle_
As a german I'm wondering now if this was a mix up or if "verboten" is used as some slang havier version of forbidden in the USA
That's how I first heard the word - as a replacement for "forbidden,"
Hey, could be worse. It could have been Strengsten Untersagt 
quote:
with the fact that it's German adding emphasis to it. 
I only know a few words of German, myself. Like most Americans, I only know one language (though I do know it better than most ).
Because everyschink sounts scarier in ze Germahn! Right, Herr Doktor?  |
| _Jarlaxle_ |
Posted - 15 Oct 2015 : 11:24:58
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by _Jarlaxle_
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
is verboten, here.
As a german I'm wondering now if this was a mix up or if "verboten" is used as some slang havier version of forbidden in the USA
That's how I first heard the word - as a replacement for "forbidden," with the fact that it's German adding emphasis to it.
Haha good to know |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 15 Oct 2015 : 00:07:43
quote:
Originally posted by _Jarlaxle_
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
is verboten, here.
As a german I'm wondering now if this was a mix up or if "verboten" is used as some slang havier version of forbidden in the USA
That's how I first heard the word - as a replacement for "forbidden," with the fact that it's German adding emphasis to it.
I only know a few words of German, myself. Like most Americans, I only know one language (though I do know it better than most ). |
| Berkthgar |
Posted - 14 Oct 2015 : 23:26:52
In my youth I have read the sword of shannara series as well as pawn of prophecy. Eragon was there too , but it wasn't up to par with the classic 90s 80s fantasy realm |
| Artemas Entreri |
Posted - 14 Oct 2015 : 17:40:43
quote:
Originally posted by Lilianviaten
quote:
Originally posted by Artemas Entreri
quote:
Originally posted by Berkthgar
The good thing is that I'm not going to a completely different universe.
My feelings are that when in invest a decade In a world I have come to love , it is hard for me to move on to a game of thrones setting or lotr. It takes time to build a love for those and maybe I'm lazy, but I'd rather stick with what I have. Ok talking about different universes.
But as far as forgotten realms. Omg. There are so many options.
I might be mistaken? But these sourcebooks aren't like novels. But rather like guides to a campaign?? I looked at them as fun little novels to digest.
What other series would you recommend in forgotten realms? I'm really feeling calimport setting or somewhere east , somewhere I've never been. I've only hung out with drizzt all my life.
So yea a suggestion might be great. Thank you
Sadly, novels set in Zakhara and Kara-tur were never produced, as TSR/WoTC felt the need to bloat Faerun time and again.
Some novels that travel to new areas outside the norm include:
Maztica Trilogy
Faces of Deception
Horselords
Dragonwall
Sentinelspire
Neversfall
Where does Sentinelspire take place? I've wanted to read that for the druid focus, but never got around to it.
For purposes of little used destinations, I should probably mention The Yellow Silk, The Alabaster Staff, and the Watercourse trilogy (even though I hated the ending; it's the best source of info about Innarlith).
Sentinelspire takes place in the Hordelands. |
| Lilianviaten |
Posted - 14 Oct 2015 : 16:35:15
quote:
Originally posted by Artemas Entreri
quote:
Originally posted by Berkthgar
The good thing is that I'm not going to a completely different universe.
My feelings are that when in invest a decade In a world I have come to love , it is hard for me to move on to a game of thrones setting or lotr. It takes time to build a love for those and maybe I'm lazy, but I'd rather stick with what I have. Ok talking about different universes.
But as far as forgotten realms. Omg. There are so many options.
I might be mistaken? But these sourcebooks aren't like novels. But rather like guides to a campaign?? I looked at them as fun little novels to digest.
What other series would you recommend in forgotten realms? I'm really feeling calimport setting or somewhere east , somewhere I've never been. I've only hung out with drizzt all my life.
So yea a suggestion might be great. Thank you
Sadly, novels set in Zakhara and Kara-tur were never produced, as TSR/WoTC felt the need to bloat Faerun time and again.
Some novels that travel to new areas outside the norm include:
Maztica Trilogy
Faces of Deception
Horselords
Dragonwall
Sentinelspire
Neversfall
Where does Sentinelspire take place? I've wanted to read that for the druid focus, but never got around to it.
For purposes of little used destinations, I should probably mention The Yellow Silk, The Alabaster Staff, and the Watercourse trilogy (even though I hated the ending; it's the best source of info about Innarlith). |
| Lilianviaten |
Posted - 14 Oct 2015 : 16:25:11
quote:
Originally posted by Berkthgar
The good thing is that I'm not going to a completely different universe.
My feelings are that when in invest a decade In a world I have come to love , it is hard for me to move on to a game of thrones setting or lotr. It takes time to build a love for those and maybe I'm lazy, but I'd rather stick with what I have. Ok talking about different universes.
But as far as forgotten realms. Omg. There are so many options.
I might be mistaken? But these sourcebooks aren't like novels. But rather like guides to a campaign?? I looked at them as fun little novels to digest.
What other series would you recommend in forgotten realms? I'm really feeling calimport setting or somewhere east , somewhere I've never been. I've only hung out with drizzt all my life.
So yea a suggestion might be great. Thank you
You're cheating yourself bigtime, sir. There's not any reason you can't expose yourself to Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and lots of other fantasy worlds, even though FR may be your favorite. You're not leaving FR by reading other books. In 10 years, you could have read a lot more than just Drizzt. I'm not saying that to be judgmental, but I don't want you to miss out on what all the fantasy genre has to offer. Much as I love Bob Salvatore, there is even better fantasy out there from other writers.
I certainly applaud you on seeking information from the rest of the Forgotten Realms world. I've known far too many Salvatore fans who only read his stuff. My recommendations for other novel lines are as follows: The Erevis Cale and Twilight War trilogies by Paul Kemp, the Shadowbane trilogy by Erik Scott de Bie, the Song & Swords and Starlight & Shadows trilogies by Elaine Cunningham, the War of the Spider Queen saga (6 books by multiple authors), the Lady Penitent and House of Serpents trilogies by Lisa Smedman, the Haunted Lands and Brotherhood of the Griffon books by Richard Lee Byers, and all the Elminster books by Ed Greenwood.
That will keep you busy! I recommended the Starlight and Shadows trilogy partially because it's one of my favorite Realms series, but also because it involves the drow: Gromph, Quenthel, Triel, and Liriel (Gromph's first daughter) all feature prominently. The War of the Spider Queen and Lady Pentient series' focus heavily on the drow and their relationship with Lolth and other gods. It also deals with drow in other cities besides Menzoberranzan, like Ched Nasad and Sshamath. RAS is so important to understanding the drow as a race, but he only gives you part of the picture. These other books do an excellent job of giving you the rest. On that note, I will also throw in Venom in Her Veins, which focuses on lesser used horrors of the Underdark, like derro and grell.
Ed Greenwood and Richard Lee Byers do a great job of writing wizards, and their books give you a lot of insight into Cormyr, the Dales, Myth Drannor, Thay, Chessenta, and Rashemen (which Starlight and Shadows deals with a lot). Elaine's Song & Swords books will give you a lot of insight into faerie elves, and even some background on how the drow became cursed. (One elf in particular will remind you of Jarlaxle.) The Shadowbane books will teach you about Waterdeep and Westgate, and give you even more insight into Luskan. Finally, the Erevis Cale and Twilight War books will give you a lot of background on the Netherese and take you for a thrilling ride through Sembia. (And you'll meet a character here who is a lot like Artemis Entreri.) I hope this was helpful to you in journeying through the Realms! |
| Korginard |
Posted - 14 Oct 2015 : 16:19:55
If you are looking for a story involving distant cultures in D&D, I would highly recommend the Maztica Trilogy. It's roughly based on the historic discovery of the New World. A Band of mercenaries including a Priest of Helm and an Elven Wizard sail to the west and discover a new continent with South American themes.
If you just want more good stories in the Forgotten Realms, I would say start with Spellfire and continue that series.
You should also look into the Forgotten Realms Wiki just to take a look around and learn about the wide wild world of Faerun. |
| Artemas Entreri |
Posted - 14 Oct 2015 : 15:58:44
quote:
Originally posted by _Jarlaxle_
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
is verboten, here.
As a german I'm wondering now if this was a mix up or if "verboten" is used as some slang havier version of forbidden in the USA
Lol, 50 cent word?? |
| Artemas Entreri |
Posted - 14 Oct 2015 : 15:57:05
quote:
Originally posted by Berkthgar
The good thing is that I'm not going to a completely different universe.
My feelings are that when in invest a decade In a world I have come to love , it is hard for me to move on to a game of thrones setting or lotr. It takes time to build a love for those and maybe I'm lazy, but I'd rather stick with what I have. Ok talking about different universes.
But as far as forgotten realms. Omg. There are so many options.
I might be mistaken? But these sourcebooks aren't like novels. But rather like guides to a campaign?? I looked at them as fun little novels to digest.
What other series would you recommend in forgotten realms? I'm really feeling calimport setting or somewhere east , somewhere I've never been. I've only hung out with drizzt all my life.
So yea a suggestion might be great. Thank you
Sadly, novels set in Zakhara and Kara-tur were never produced, as TSR/WoTC felt the need to bloat Faerun time and again.
Some novels that travel to new areas outside the norm include:
Maztica Trilogy
Faces of Deception
Horselords
Dragonwall
Sentinelspire
Neversfall |
| _Jarlaxle_ |
Posted - 14 Oct 2015 : 14:00:10
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
is verboten, here.
As a german I'm wondering now if this was a mix up or if "verboten" is used as some slang havier version of forbidden in the USA |
| Berkthgar |
Posted - 14 Oct 2015 : 12:58:16
The good thing is that I'm not going to a completely different universe.
My feelings are that when in invest a decade In a world I have come to love , it is hard for me to move on to a game of thrones setting or lotr. It takes time to build a love for those and maybe I'm lazy, but I'd rather stick with what I have. Ok talking about different universes.
But as far as forgotten realms. Omg. There are so many options.
I might be mistaken? But these sourcebooks aren't like novels. But rather like guides to a campaign?? I looked at them as fun little novels to digest.
What other series would you recommend in forgotten realms? I'm really feeling calimport setting or somewhere east , somewhere I've never been. I've only hung out with drizzt all my life.
So yea a suggestion might be great. Thank you |
| CorellonsDevout |
Posted - 12 Oct 2015 : 03:53:25
There are ao many good FR novels out there. I mean, Salvatore is good, don't get me wrong. I started with the Drizzt books. But if you really want to get a taste of the Realms, I would definitely branch out. |
| Artemas Entreri |
Posted - 11 Oct 2015 : 18:24:46
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Artemas Entreri
quote:
Originally posted by Berkthgar
Essentially I just want to read the books , not get the box sets with it.
Quite a few of the Al-Qadim PDFs are available for free if you know how to use Google.
I trust that you are speaking of copies provided by the IP holder, or authorized for sharing by the IP holder, and not any illegal alternatives -- because discussing the latter is verboten, here.
I wouldn't know since I never looked into it. I always prefer the real sourcebooks for my collection. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 11 Oct 2015 : 15:34:09
quote:
Originally posted by Artemas Entreri
quote:
Originally posted by Berkthgar
Essentially I just want to read the books , not get the box sets with it.
Quite a few of the Al-Qadim PDFs are available for free if you know how to use Google.
I trust that you are speaking of copies provided by the IP holder, or authorized for sharing by the IP holder, and not any illegal alternatives -- because discussing the latter is verboten, here. |
| Artemas Entreri |
Posted - 11 Oct 2015 : 13:03:08
quote:
Originally posted by Berkthgar
Essentially I just want to read the books , not get the box sets with it.
Quite a few of the Al-Qadim PDFs are available for free if you know how to use Google. |
| Berkthgar |
Posted - 11 Oct 2015 : 01:11:08
Essentially I just want to read the books , not get the box sets with it. |
| combatmedic |
Posted - 11 Oct 2015 : 00:02:38
Unless you really just prefer print, you might look at buying some of the PDFs available for FR. Lots of AD&D 1E and 2E stuff has been released. Maybe all of it, at this point.
|
| Artemas Entreri |
Posted - 10 Oct 2015 : 23:05:56
quote:
Originally posted by Berkthgar
I can't find any of the books at my library. Online , they are quite expensive too :(
I've never seen a library carry D&D sourcebooks. Keep looking on ebay and you will then at reasonable prices sooner or later. |
| Berkthgar |
Posted - 10 Oct 2015 : 17:15:26
I can't find any of the books at my library. Online , they are quite expensive too :( |
| Caladan Brood |
Posted - 10 Oct 2015 : 15:57:27
Welcome to the Realms,I'd say. In time you too might feel that Salvatore's contributions are perhaps the weakest link of Faerūn :-) |
| Hoondatha |
Posted - 09 Oct 2015 : 21:39:16
Welcome to the wider 2e world. :)
One of the nice nice things about the Al-Qadim and Spelljammer settings was that they were loosely tied into the timelines of the three core worlds (Greyhawk, FR, Krynn). Planescape was that way as well originally, though novels later tied things more tightly to FR's timeline at least. (Specifically Finder's Bane starts just before Return of Randal Morn, and Tymora's Luck happens a few months later with the current Planescape factols)
So while the assumption is that the "current" of the Al-Qadim timeline is the same as the "current" of the 2e Realms (so, roughly 1367-1369 DR), there's no hard and fast rule that says it has to be. The two settings could be hundreds of years out of sync, if you wanted, with the AQ materials describing a "distant past," for instance. |
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