| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| questing gm |
Posted - 05 Nov 2023 : 14:05:37
Since starting up his own Discord server (https://discord.onl/greenwoods-grotto/), Ed Greenwood has been answering Realms-related questions in the #q4ed channel. Although it's free to join the Discord and view his answers, but I believe it requires a subscription to Ed's Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/EdGreenwood) to be given access to ask him questions there.
So since his answers are free to view by anyone on his Discord and for the benefit of those who are not on Discord, I'm starting and updating my compilation of his answers in this scroll. I'll leave it to the wisdom of moderating scribes if anything should be changed or removed.
I won't be able to put down everything (I already have 300+ answered questions to put down), so consider updates here will be intermittent, and will take a while before it catches up to the latest questions answered. (Or just join the Discord if you want the latest  )
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| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| questing gm |
Posted - 15 Nov 2024 : 03:19:45
On Karsus becoming Asmodeus
Gahbreeil — 13/11/2024 3:20 AM
@Ed Greenwood Is Karsus the mortal whom became Asmodeus?
Ed Greenwood — 13/11/2024 11:17 AM
No. Asmodeus was around long before Karsus was born. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 13 Nov 2024 : 00:01:29
On 'sunsigh'
Kokopelli — 11/10/2024 10:01 AM
Friend @Ed Greenwood, I was just re-reading your write-up of Nimbral, posted lo these many moons ago on the WotC site, back when they routinely gave us free lore. I found myself noting one particular thing: "sunsigh (that moment after highsun when the sun has clearly passed its highest point)" – is this reckoning of time used elsewhere in the Realms, or is it purely a Nimbran thing?
Ed Greenwood — 11/10/2024 12:08 PM
It's a Nimbran thing, but has spread to a few sages and far travelers, purely because they like the idea. However, use it in other company, and the reaction will be bewilderment. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 03 Nov 2024 : 19:59:38
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
quote:
Originally posted by questing gm
On intention of connecting Mystara and the Forgotten Realms
https://x.com/TheEdVerse/status/1851778762469208079
Oct 31, 2024
@McCarthy_JT
@TheEdVerse I was looking over a copy of the old Principalities of Glantri gazateer earlier this year, and a peculiar idea sort of took up residence in the corners of my mind. Without putting it all out there, is there any chance that there was ever an intention or an idea of connecting Mystara and the Forgotten Realms in any sense through the Principalities?
@TheEdVerse
Yes. Unofficially, so DMs could run a high-level "across the worlds" campaign (like the later Planescape or the Spelljammer novels that involved travel from TSR world to TSR world), but the product lines remained distinct legally.
(Magic wielders controlling portals.)
Given the original requesters hints, I'd bet it revolves around the athora of Thay (or something similar) and the radiance / aka Nucleus of the Spheres. Of course, there's also the similarity between the name of "Mystra" as the goddess of magic and the world name of "Mystara".
There's also the nucleus of the spheres paradox which in some small ways resembles the Abeir Toril split.
https://pandius.com/nspherpx.html
Ed also said there was a portal connecting the Five Shires to Luiren, and that one was settled by hin from the other -- but he didn't specify which settled which. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 02 Nov 2024 : 15:31:48
On filo dough in Liam's Hold
Juniper Churlgo — 10/31/2024 7:21 AM
we know that filo dough is used in liam's hold, but what do they do with it? and is there a proper realms name for the dough or pastries made with it?
Ed Greenwood — 10/31/2024 9:10 AM
Phyllo/filo dough is used in Liam’s Hold for savoury snacks known as “loot sacks.” Imagine a deep-fried cornmeal or barley-meal dough ball (so, what we call “hushpuppies,” about the size of an adult human’s end thumb joint, across) made with seasoned chicken, leek, and celery broth, then “painted” with an egg wash, and then wrapped in a square of filo dough that’s then shaped like a tiny sack, and baked.
Loot sacks are sold in hollowed-out gourds that usually hold about a score of the sacks, for 6 cp, and many traveling merchants, peddlers, drovers, and pilgrims love them, so their popularity (and making) is slowly spreading along the Trade Way in both directions. The recipe, with seasoning variations thanks to every cook, has been around as long as Liam’s Hold and many locals know it; who first made it is forgotten, but some local tales say a long-ago gnome or halfling lady adventurer recuperated from wounds in the Hold for a winter, and made quite a good living baking and selling them.
Ulgarth and Semphar also have phyllo/filo dough users, making sweets (lemon and lime custards “baked dry” onto the dough squares after they’re rolled into hollow-ended cigar shapes and baked crispy) called “orathren” (singular: “orath”), origins ancient and forgotten. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 02 Nov 2024 : 15:27:41
On Milil favoring calico cats
Melody — 10/31/2024 5:25 AM
@Ed Greenwood Why does Milil favor calico cats? Does it have something to do with their tendency to nearly always be female, or is it another reason?
Ed Greenwood — 10/31/2024 8:52 AM
Milil once encountered a mortal calico cat in Amn that could purr in a high-pitched but not shrill trill, very like a soprano warming up, and consciously mimic melodies it heard. The deity was entranced, and visited the cat from time to time. He was very sad when the cat died (of old age), and sought out other calico cats to see if they could (or could be trained to) “sing” in the same manner. Only a few could, but the training went far better when Milil took calico cat shape and “sang” to ‘real’ calico cats. Once they got over their confusion (was this a language? Attempt to communicate?) and realized it was a fun pastime, many took up the habit, and developed it into recognition signals (a little motif heard from a distance identified the purring cat to other cats “in the know”). Milil joins in when he encounters such cats, and finds his heart lifted. (He has also, from time to time since, “hidden” himself in calico cat shape for various purposes of his own.) |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 31 Oct 2024 : 20:01:20
quote:
Originally posted by questing gm
On intention of connecting Mystara and the Forgotten Realms
https://x.com/TheEdVerse/status/1851778762469208079
Oct 31, 2024
@McCarthy_JT
@TheEdVerse I was looking over a copy of the old Principalities of Glantri gazateer earlier this year, and a peculiar idea sort of took up residence in the corners of my mind. Without putting it all out there, is there any chance that there was ever an intention or an idea of connecting Mystara and the Forgotten Realms in any sense through the Principalities?
@TheEdVerse
Yes. Unofficially, so DMs could run a high-level "across the worlds" campaign (like the later Planescape or the Spelljammer novels that involved travel from TSR world to TSR world), but the product lines remained distinct legally.
(Magic wielders controlling portals.)
Given the original requesters hints, I'd bet it revolves around the athora of Thay (or something similar) and the radiance / aka Nucleus of the Spheres. Of course, there's also the similarity between the name of "Mystra" as the goddess of magic and the world name of "Mystara".
There's also the nucleus of the spheres paradox which in some small ways resembles the Abeir Toril split.
https://pandius.com/nspherpx.html |
| questing gm |
Posted - 26 Oct 2024 : 12:49:24
On pronouncing Alustriel
Maq "Dethjezter" MacPherson — 10/17/2024 12:38 AM
@Ed Greenwood is it Al-lust-riel or as WOTC are saying Al-loos-triel? I've always pronounced it Al-lust-riel, am I wrong?
Ed Greenwood — 10/23/2024 6:35 AM
No, you are correct. "Al-LOOS-tree-ell" is the infamous courtesan of Athkatla in the 1200s DR.
Steven E Schend — 10/23/2024 9:10 AM
<https://media1.tenor.com/m/McLuK7cmmmIAAAAC/schitts-creek-alexis-rose.gif>
Ed Greenwood — 10/23/2024 9:26 AM
Omigod you have a gif of her! 'Twas YOU in that closet!
Folks, she's reacting to the size of Steven's...notepad! |
| questing gm |
Posted - 14 Oct 2024 : 04:26:26
On Six Candles inns
Juniper Churlgo — 10/10/2024 9:42 PM
Are Six Candles in Suzail and Ordulin related? are they like Hilton of Central Faerun?
Ed Greenwood — 10/12/2024 11:13 AM
Heh. No, they’re not a chain. All three inns (there’s a “Sixcandles” in Hultail, too) are quite independently named for an ancient (from when roads first got good enough for caravans to traverse lands that weren’t coastal beaches or hard plains) custom of lighting six candles (indoors, away from winds) to signal in the dark the location of an inn that welcomed travelers. The custom originated when clergy of Shaundakul spread word of the deity causing a ring of six candles to burn floating in midair, to mark a “safe” roadside encampment (solid ground, in a sucking bog). |
| questing gm |
Posted - 12 Oct 2024 : 10:02:14
On how zzar tastes
Juniper Churlgo — 10/09/2024 7:25 AM
Hey Ed! sippin on zzar with dinner. Does 2 parts dry sherry, 1 part almond liqueur, 2 dashes of syrup and several drops of orange bitters sound close to zzar? Asking because need it for wrestling >_<
Ed Greenwood — 10/09/2024 10:46 AM
Heh. VERY close. You just need to add 4 drops of Hungarian Pear Liqueur (see attached file; not necessarily this brand).
<https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRQJdNjnSr7Q4PEkvorsSxs_BwqmoNlL8QOzTIzVk66DcXYsrmm> |
| questing gm |
Posted - 04 Oct 2024 : 15:27:06
On books on how to use Wish spells
Zonesylvania — 09/30/2024 10:29 PM
Dear Saer @Ed Greenwood ! I have a question concerning the Limited Wish and Wish spells in-Realms; are there books of lore concerning their limits, use, and successful uses, along with wordings noted if possible, that are collected by loremasters as aids of what to and not ask when casting the spells? And what would such a book of lore be worth to a high level spellcaster capable of using those spells? Thankee!
Ed Greenwood — 10/02/2024 10:46 AM
No, no such books exist. Those who screw up the wording of a Wish or Limited wish seldom survive to write anything. Wizard guilds and cabals jealously guard what lore they know. There ARE some passing mentions here and there in wizards' workbooks, most held in private hands, but a few in Candlekeep. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 28 Sep 2024 : 01:27:49
On jade's particular effect upon magic
gdallison — 09/25/2024 2:47 PM
Hi Ed, I'm investigating Kara-Tur (which i know you had nothing to do with), but quite a number of the items (presumed magical) of the imperial court are made of solid jade traced with gold.
I was wondering if you could suggest why use jade (apart from the obvious monetary value), does it have a particular effect upon magic.
I've looked through Volo's Guide to All Things Magical and it seems to suggest that jade can enhance illusion magic, and music, does it perhaps enhance the effects of all or just certain types of magic. Is it a natural conduit for magical energies. Bear in mind that each of these items is made of the very highest quality of jade that may have been created or altered by the celestial bureaucracy, so its more than just regular jade.
Ed Greenwood — 09/26/2024 1:10 AM
Jade is a natural absorber of negative/necromantic energy, but a great conduit and storer of all other magical energies. Hence its use in magic items despite its (relative) fragility and its expense. Its value increases exponentially with size/mass, so even the most ignorant thug encountering jade is not going to want to smash it/break it up into smaller pieces for ease of resale. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 25 Sep 2024 : 06:10:36
quote:
Originally posted by Demzer
quote:
Originally posted by questing gm
On sacrificed souls
Ed Greenwood — 09/21/2024 6:11 AM
... Kelemvor replaced the Wall of Faithless and all of that when he ascended.
Stop the presses! Anybody asked for more info on this yet?
'Cause it's the first time Ed unequivocally says something on the matter (from what I remember), which will thankfully kill all the pointless debate. Are there any more details about what happened at the moment of "replacing" to the previously condemned Faithless (and False)?
There was indeed a follow-up question about this. The question was "To piggy back on the end of your answer there, can we say that the Wall of the Faithless is no more on current (1490s-1500s DR) time?"
Ed has not responded, as of yet. |
| Demzer |
Posted - 24 Sep 2024 : 09:57:08
quote:
Originally posted by questing gm
On sacrificed souls
Ed Greenwood — 09/21/2024 6:11 AM
... Kelemvor replaced the Wall of Faithless and all of that when he ascended.
Stop the presses! Anybody asked for more info on this yet?
'Cause it's the first time Ed unequivocally says something on the matter (from what I remember), which will thankfully kill all the pointless debate. Are there any more details about what happened at the moment of "replacing" to the previously condemned Faithless (and False)? |
| questing gm |
Posted - 24 Sep 2024 : 04:21:52
On sacrificed souls
Melody — 09/21/2024 6:01 AM
@Ed Greenwood What happens to the soul of a person that's sacrificed to, say, Lolth? Does it go to Lolth? Does it go to Kelemvor for judgment? Does it go straight to the deity they primarily worship? Or does something else happen?
Ed Greenwood — 09/21/2024 6:11 AM
That is a classic "it depends" situation. Meaning: it depends on what the DM wants for the situation in the campaign. My ruling in the home Realms campaign is that the deity the soul is sacrificed to gains a TINY smidgen of divine power that's drifting in the multiverse due to dead deities, but the soul drifts towards the deity that has the best claim on it (usually the god the person the soul belonged to most often or most powerfully worshipped). On the way, it passes under the regard of Kelemvor, who can "nudge" it elsewhere if Kelemvor has a good reason to (so, yes, judgement). Kelemvor replaced the Wall of Faithless and all of that when he ascended.
Melody — 09/21/2024 6:12 AM
Thank you so much, Ed! :MelodyLuv:
Ed Greenwood — 09/21/2024 6:14 AM
My pleasure! The deity being sacrificed to definitely gains life essence from the sacrifice, and magical power from any enchantments on the body, or in the brain (memorized spells), but has no direct claim on the soul. Ao rewards them instead with a tiny mote of "free"/unattached divine power. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 24 Sep 2024 : 04:07:12
On what would be needed to spark an industrial revolution in Faerun
Ghostlock — 09/20/2024 7:36 PM
Dear Saer @Ed Greenwood, in a what if fashion, what would be needed to spark an industrial revolution in Faerun. I understand it is being help back by divine edict similar to gunpowder. Would one need to cripple Chauntae or Sylvanus?
Kokopelli — 09/21/2024 5:09 AM
it's not just the gods – you'd need a hell of a lot more people in the setting. As it is now, an industrial revolution wouldn't happen in the Realms because there's not enough people or infrastructure for it.
Ed Greenwood — 09/21/2024 5:59 AM
Kokopelli has the right of it. Not enough population to be consumers, gods and rulers who like the status quo or are locked in detente around the status quo, races who do a lot of mining/control the raw ores who don't see "that way forward" as feasible or desirable or just not in their world-view of progress and the future. It's a mistake to view the Realms as "medieval-cum-Renaissance real world" or that any setting with widespread magic will develop the same way our real-world history did. So an Industrial Revolution is NOT going to be inevitable if we just get rid of current roadblocks. What you need is all of the ingredients to happen: inventions for industrial mass production, inventions for agricultural mechanization so farming isn't so labor-intensive, rulership to change and allow huge city growth and migration to cities (without big wars that slaughter populations), and yes, world-views to change among those who like big forests and wilderlands and open country. The merchant powerhouses right now are built around shipping, both at sea and long-distance overland, so they are another impediment/status quo embracer. Modeling the change in the setting could be a fascinating campaign, though! |
| questing gm |
Posted - 21 Sep 2024 : 10:58:13
On Elminster crossing paths with the Book of Vile Darkness or the Book of Exalted Deeds?
stormer454 — 09/19/2024 11:07 PM
Good morning, @Ed Greenwood i was wondering if there are an examples of the old mage crossing paths with the book of vile darkness or the book of Exulted Deeds?
Ed Greenwood — 09/19/2024 11:33 PM
Yes, he has crossed paths with both. Did you need details? |
| questing gm |
Posted - 21 Sep 2024 : 10:52:07
On knowledge about the other worlds in the Material Plane on Toril
Cezi || Emissary of Raei — 09/19/2024 6:00 PM
Hi Ed, this is my first time posting here. I'm running Vecna: Eve of Ruin, and have had the question in my head of: How commonplace is knowledge about the other worlds in the Material Plane on Toril, aside from Abeir? Wizards like Elminster know about worlds like Oerth and Krynn, but does anyone else, whether individuals or organizations, off the top of your head? Curious especially if the Harpers or Red Wizards would have intel.
Ed Greenwood — 09/19/2024 11:26 PM
Among the general populace: they are told many wild tales about the Planes of Existence and "other realms that don't appear on our maps," but the tales contradict and are colourful, so most folk take them with plentiful handfuls of salt. Clergy of all faiths know the general layout of the Planes and the routes between them and Toril, know about Abeir in a vague way, and know that other worlds exist. Only folk engaged in spelljamming and trade by spelljamming know about Realmspace and "the Flow" etc. The Avowed of Candlekeep, the Red Wizards, the Zhentarim, The Twisted Rune, and even mage-guilds like Waterdeep's Watchful Order of Magists & Protectors know about Oerth and Krynn, but the details of exactly how to get from HERE in the Realms to THAT SPECIFIC SPOT on (or under) Oerth may be secrets guarded by a few. The Harpers are a decentralized organization, organized in a manner akin to the cells of a modern terrorist organization, so knowledge varies from Harper to Harper, but all of the Senior Harpers and Master Harpers not only know of other worlds, they usually know where one or more gates/portals are, and where their "other ends" are, though they may or may not know how to operate them. For most members of the Harpers and the Red Wizards, lore about "other worlds" is akin to what we in the real world know (WITHOUT access to the Internet or libraries full of books) about distant places in the world that have never been more than names to us. |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 20 Sep 2024 : 17:08:55
quote:
Originally posted by questing gm
On Illithid tadpole implanted inside a Phaerimm
Melody — 09/17/2024 3:47 AM
@Ed Greenwood What happens if an Illithid tadpole is implanted inside a Phaerimm?
Ed Greenwood — 09/17/2024 3:58 AM
A new monster, that I'll have a Realms video about some time early in 2025, I hope!
If you stuff and chicken into a duck and stuff that into a young tender phaerimm, and then bake it in an oven, its a new dish called a Phaerducken.
BEWARE: Eating Phaerducken has been known to result in sudden death in a variety of explosive, implosive, and disintegratory methods. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 19 Sep 2024 : 02:45:58
On the Qartan Hills on the Almraiven Peninsula
Juniper Churlgo — 09/04/2024 12:27 AM
Question for Ed and Steven: Lands of Intrigue - the Qartan Hills on the Almraiven Peninsula - never on any of the maps and literally no info on where they are. Help placing them on a map?
<https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1072136642162343986/1280564915626840084/1000.png?ex=66ec5103&is=66eaff83&hm=92b6f9249de62af87f590a988190c30740dc69557e645eabd0529e004483c501&>
Ed Greenwood — 09/17/2024 1:25 PM
Sure. The Qartan Hills are a north-south line (not a clump) of low hills that begin in the forest just south of the monastery of St. Alban and curve southeast, emerging from the southeasternmost tip of the forest to form the eastern boundary of the Spider Swamp. They pass west of Almraiven, the trade-road cleaving them with no trouble at all, to end at their southernmost reach at a point that would be midway along a diagonal line drawn on the maps between the seminary of St. Ihrvyn and Almraiven. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 19 Sep 2024 : 02:25:52
On the avowed of Candlekeep getting a stipend
Zonesylvania — 09/14/2024 5:12 AM
Dear Saer @Ed Greenwood ! do the avowed of Candlekeep get something like a small stipend of spending money besides room, board, and access to the texts based on their rank? I assume wizards and clerics also have access to the necessary materials for arcane research at need here, but I'm not sure if a stipend would contraindicate what it says about the Avowed not being permitted to hoard worldly possessions. Thankee very much!
Ed Greenwood — 09/17/2024 1:24 PM
No, the Avowed are monks largely sequestered from the outside world: they have nothing to spend money on! So, no stipend. If they’re sent forth to do something, Candlekeep gives them all the funds they need. And wizards and clerics only have access to tomes, chapbooks, scrolls, and other written records at Candlekeep if they pay the admittance price of a new tome for the collection, thanks to that price, the costs of the journey, the close supervision of the monks (so, no experimental spellcastings) and the fees charged for copying, plus the sheer daunting breadth of the collection so long searches may be necessary, it’s not where most such folk in the Realms would ever think of heading to do research. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 19 Sep 2024 : 02:21:00
On Illithid tadpole implanted inside a Phaerimm
Melody — 09/17/2024 3:47 AM
@Ed Greenwood What happens if an Illithid tadpole is implanted inside a Phaerimm?
Ed Greenwood — 09/17/2024 3:58 AM
A new monster, that I'll have a Realms video about some time early in 2025, I hope! |
| questing gm |
Posted - 15 Sep 2024 : 04:40:24
On kiira for entry into Candlekeep
Zonesylvania — 09/13/2024 5:04 AM
Dear Saer @Ed Greenwood ! would a kiira be an acceptable offering to the Avowed for entry into Candlekeep, provided of course it had information that they wanted?
Ed Greenwood — 09/13/2024 6:55 AM
Oh, yes indeed. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 15 Sep 2024 : 04:37:02
On humans becoming a patron for a devil
stormer454 — 09/09/2024 1:13 PM
Slightly odd question for sir @Ed Greenwood but can a human (possibly a player character) become a patron for a devil??? Rather than the usual "the other way around" that's normally seen?
Ed Greenwood — 09/13/2024 1:49 AM
Possible but highly unlikely. The human would have to have something to offer the devil, AND be willing to brave the dangers (of the devil just taking what it wants). The human needs to be Larloch level, or insane, or both. ;} |
| questing gm |
Posted - 14 Sep 2024 : 06:21:30
On recharging magic items
Genghis Sean — 09/12/2024 5:28 AM
Hello @Ed Greenwood , I hope you are doing well! How difficult is it to recharge magic items in the Realms? I see enchant an item is 6th level, takes days to cast, and has a chance of ruining the magic item; while dweomerflow is only 4th level, is cast relatively quickly, and has zero chance of ruining the item. Is dweomerflow significantly rarer to find or is it just that easy and risk free to recharge items? How much would a wizard charge to recharge an item?
Ed Greenwood — 09/12/2024 8:37 AM
Enchant an item is a difficult spell because it’s imbuing an item with magic for the first time (i.e. creating the capacity to store a spell and/or “hold” a dweomer). Dweomerflow is only for charging items, or transferring charges (siphoning from an item). Recharging is usually easier than charging for the first time. Dweomerflow is a much newer spell (there were centuries in the Realms when it didn’t exist yet, and so was unavailable). When it comes to recharging items, the demand has always outstripped the supply. Wizards and temples are busy. As for how much a wizard might charge, it depends. Like some real-world writers, the rate depends on who’s asking (friend? Family member? Someone the mage owes a debt or favour to? A rival, or someone they dislike?) and how much they want to do it.enjoy the work: some high prices are charged to discourage folk asking. However, a base of 100 gp/day of work, or per act of charging if it’s fast, plus the cost of the spells used as charges, should be a good base guide. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 14 Sep 2024 : 02:46:09
On Alaphondar Emmarask in his youth
Melody #127872; — 09/12/2024 5:11 AM
@Ed Greenwood What did Alaphondar Emmarask look like in his youth?
Ed Greenwood — 09/12/2024 8:18 AM
He was very thin, stood 6 feet tall, and had brown hair (and starting at age 17, a neatly-trimmed, pointed beard, but never a moustache). He dressed in garments of a single hue, mainly dark colours, and was quiet in his speech and subdued in his movements (not loud, extroverted, or flamboyant). He has always favoured soft-soled boots and shoes (slippers indoors). |
| questing gm |
Posted - 11 Sep 2024 : 03:17:04
On tears in the weave or decaying mythals affecting divine casters
Doc Webb — 08/29/2024 8:57 PM
@Ed Greenwood Hello sir! I hope you’re rested and recovered. When you have a moment, would you be willing to share your insight on whether tears in the weave or decaying mythals (like the tear by the Court of the White Bull in Waterdeep or the enlargement mythal by Wolfhill House in the Mere of Dead Men) affect divine casters, or just arcane? How about divine magic in an antimagic field/cone?
I’m a lore-first, mechanics-distant-second sort of person, so I don’t care about “class balance” in my game — I’d like to better reflect the magical and divine realities of your world.
Thanks so much!
Ed Greenwood — 09/09/2024 4:53 AM
Rifts and tears in the Weave, nodes of strength in the Weave due to the proximity of the Athora or something similar, decaying mythals, and yes, anti-magic fields all affect divine spells as well as arcane ones. Exactly HOW they affect a particular spell, spells, or combination of spells is an “it depends” situation. In other words, life is an ongoing experiment, and the DM will determine what happens on a case-by-case basis. Which can be affected by why and how the deity granted the spell, and its precise nature; if they were intending that this mortal be able to use this spell to get past this particular problem, it will work better than if a generic “flame strike” or whatever was granted. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 11 Sep 2024 : 03:11:03
On foundational document for Waterdeep
Dudeling — 08/29/2024 9:39 AM
Hey there @Ed Greenwood, does Waterdeep have any sort of foundational docunent, a constitution per se, or is everything contained in the code legal, or does everyone in government just have a general agreement enforced by force of personality?
Ed Greenwood — 09/09/2024 4:48 AM
Waterdeep has no written constitution, but it does have more than just the Code Legal: it has centuries of case law precedents, written down and indexed at the Palace so they can be looked up (relatively) quickly, and there are other written documents that establish Waterdeep’s authority: every tax bill, every building permit, every deed of ownership to property in the city, and every charter entered into between Waterdeep and a guild, a coster or other trading company, an adventuring band, and so on. Force of personality doesn’t go far, these days, because for every beloved Piergeiron, there’s a Dagult Neverember. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 10 Sep 2024 : 08:25:01
On anything left out from Ecology of the Beholder
George Krashos — 09/07/2024 1:05 PM
Hi Ed. Just doing some FR reminiscing and re-read your "Ecology of the Beholder" article from Dragon #76. I was wondering whether you can recall what Realmslore was stripped out of it for publication. I can't forgive Roger Moore for that one ... #128521;
Ed Greenwood — 09/08/2024 9:27 AM
No, I didn’t put any variants into that piece. What did get lost is a brief “you can use beholder spittle for this, tears for that, blood for that third thing” alchemy rundown, and then sixteen notorious active beholders, their approximate lair locations, and most importantly what their known schemes/aims/cabals were, and what their secret ones were. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 10 Sep 2024 : 08:18:08
On Cormyrean name that starts with Q
Jeremy Grenemyer — 09/06/2024 3:53 AM
Hello Ed from still-too-hot California. #129397;
Ed, my list of Cormyrean first names is large, but it doesn't contain a single name (male or female) that begins with the letter Q.
Might you know some Cormyrean names (even those no longer in regular/popular use) that begin with Q?
Thank you, as always. #128578;
Ed Greenwood — 09/08/2024 6:25 AM
Am rushing to the hospital to pick a lady up, so can't check my files for an hour or two, but: Qedron (pronounced "KED-ron" or "Kwedron" both correct) is by far the most popular male name, and Qara (again, "CAR-rah" or "Kwarr-rah both correct) the most popular female name.
Brian Cortijo — 09/08/2024 6:51 AM
Other Cormyrean Q - names: Qorluth, Qorn, and Quence for males, and Qemmethe, Qesmra, Quasryl, Quendara, Quessae, and Quilarra, for females (these from emails between Ed and Tom Costa many, many, many-moons ago).
Ed Greenwood — 09/08/2024 10:00 AM
Okay, in addition to those Brian has shared, here are ten more Q female names, and ten more Q male names:
Female:
Qaye (“Kaye”), Qelarra (“Kel-LAR-ah”), Qindra (“KIN-drah”), Qlarra (“Clarr-ah”), Qorla (“CORE-lah”), Qorra (“CORE-ah”), Queltress (pronounced both “Kweltress” and “Cooltress” both correct), Quethmra (“K-WETH-mrah”), Qyllara (“KILL-ah-rah,” and usually shortened to “Killah” in everyday speech), Qyzele (“KYE-zell”)
Male:
Qabran (“KAH-bran”), Qandor (“KONN-dor”), Qavran (“KAV-ran”), Qazast (“CAZZ-ast”), Qeldur (“KELL-durr”), Qeltarn (“KELL-tar”), Qelver (“KELL-vur”), Qinder (“KIN-dur”), Qorlath (“CORE=lath”), Qurvar (“CURR-var”) |
| questing gm |
Posted - 08 Sep 2024 : 05:21:27
On Volo meeting Myrmeen Lhal
Joe Chang — 09/04/2024 10:48 AM
Hi @Ed Greenwood have the Calishite expatriates Volo and Myrmeen Lhal ever crossed paths?
Ed Greenwood — 09/05/2024 2:29 AM
Oh, yes. And Volo survived. ;} Details later; that's a NDA-dodging story. |
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