| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| ShepherdGunn |
Posted - 13 Aug 2007 : 17:18:14
I have a friend of mine who is, to be truthful, not a huge FR fan. Unfortunately, he's also very close to a number of people in the industry. The other day at gaming he was elated to tell me that he was pretty sure that the last of the mega-adventure (Cormyr, Shadowdale, and Auroch (I know I'm spelling that last one wrong)) is the last offical FR product to be put out by WotC. He claims that anything further from the FR may only come from the new online Dragon and Dungeon.
I sure hope this isn't true. Anyone heard anything about this, or know of any of the RPG stuff that may be coming out next year? WotC done a lot of bone head things this last 12 months, I pray that the trend does not affect the Realms. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 29 Aug 2007 : 00:20:13
quote:
Originally posted by initiate
Another reason that I tend to focus on cannon is due to a lot of my experience of FR being through novels, which I follow quite actively.
I read every novel I can get my hands on, initiate. Since there have been books I haven't liked (or, books I thought were good but contained events I didn't like), I've mentally "blocked out" those events and don't consider them the "truth" in my Realms. With practice, it's not that hard. |
| SirUrza |
Posted - 27 Aug 2007 : 03:48:59
Spell Plague could result in 1 of 2 things for the realms..
1) It's just a silly storyline that's not important and an excuse to introduce new things to the Realms from other settings (like the Eberron garbage.) The 10 years later is an advancement to put the setting in the during or post "reconstruction" era of Spell Plague.
2) The Spell Plague is going to be Wizards way of rewriting the Realms the way they want it so they don't have to "canon" check this, that, and everything else.. allowing them to dictate the Realms they want it, not the Realms we've known for the last three decades.
If it's going to be option 2, I see a lot of people bailing out on the Realms. I for one don't want to see a Cormyr with a broken dynasty. I don't want to see a Realms were most of the chosen are dead, crippled, or otherwised removed from the world. If WE don't want to use them in our campaigns, we don't have to, Wizards doesn't need to put it in print that they're dead for the sake of removing them because a vocal minority don't like them. There's a whole lot of other things I don't like, both happening to the good and the bad.
Fun part is, two of the DMs I play with said that if Warforge don't have an excellent reason for being in the Realms, they're never going to be in their Realms. I have to agree with them, don't DM often, but if their introduction into the Realms is half assed I'm certainly not using them. |
| MerrikCale |
Posted - 27 Aug 2007 : 02:12:45
I thought I read somewhere that future FR sourcebooks will focus less on crunch and more on fluff |
| JEThetford |
Posted - 25 Aug 2007 : 15:50:35
I would not mind seeing a rebuild of the older stuff into 4E. Like City of Splendors, Waterdeep, Undermountain (an actual product not an adventure--and one that has the actual Yawning Portal mapped out) and a numerous number of Modules from 2nd Edition.
Now, I am not talking about just updating to 4E, but adding mmore information to them so that we have more Lore and Story line to use in adventures.
----Aaomas Balkrim aka Jeff Thetford |
| Jorkens |
Posted - 25 Aug 2007 : 09:24:26
quote:
Originally posted by Asgetrion
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
If my future FR library consists mainly of 2e products that I don't have yet, and my Realms stays "stuck" in 1374-1375, that's fine with me!
We're still stuck in 1369, I think... and will be, at least for a few (real world) years to come.
forties and fifties for me and my campaigns, so what ever happens in canon by now is a next generation thing. |
| MerrikCale |
Posted - 25 Aug 2007 : 01:42:43
There was a blurb about a Players Guide follow up to the FRCS which will focus on Feats, PrCs, and Traits |
| Asgetrion |
Posted - 23 Aug 2007 : 23:14:26
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
If my future FR library consists mainly of 2e products that I don't have yet, and my Realms stays "stuck" in 1374-1375, that's fine with me!
We're still stuck in 1369, I think... and will be, at least for a few (real world) years to come. |
| ShepherdGunn |
Posted - 22 Aug 2007 : 10:22:31
The Shepherd's Definition:
Canon- That which is set down as "true" and "real" in a fictional setting.
Canon is important sometimes, but other times, it should be loaded into a cannon and shot through some corporate mogul's window. (Hides the large cannon that he's filling with "The Legacy of the Force" and "The New Republic" Star Wars Novels) |
| initiate |
Posted - 21 Aug 2007 : 23:29:53
Your right about cannon and how we shouldn't consider it overly binding in our games or imaginations. Personally, I prefer to stick to cannon, though I'm not quite sure why. S'ppose I find it fun to wind a campaign plot around what's "officially" going on, making use of the big events to add flavour and plot points. Then again, nothing's happened in cannon yet that really ticks me off. I'm sure there're things WotC might do to cannon Faerun that might convince me to take my ball and go home, and your right, it probably would be pretty liberating, [save money, too]: For instance, they could kill some more of my favourite characters such as Storm, Mirt, Alustriel, el, Manshoon etc. Thus far most of the major deaths have felt right and good to me, but they'd be pushing their luck with this fan if they tried some of the above. I could also see the current drow plot ending in ways that would cause me to break cannon. Another reason that I tend to focus on cannon is due to a lot of my experience of FR being through novels, which I follow quite actively. Still, hopefully it'll all work out okay. I'm not yet sold on the 4E system mecanics wise, but the purported leaning toward lore in the new FRCS makes it sound like the designers really want to do something interesting with the setting. Again, wary though I am, I can't wait to see what they come up with. It probably won't satisfy everyone, but we can hope.
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| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 20 Aug 2007 : 00:46:53
I agree with you initiate. But remember that there's really no rule saying you have to incorporate every change WotC introduces into YOUR Realms. Recently, I've been ignoring a lot of events and developments that I don't like. And you know what? That change of attitude is pretty liberating. If my future FR library consists mainly of 2e products that I don't have yet, and my Realms stays "stuck" in 1374-1375, that's fine with me!
I do think this news about "major changes" actually confirms what Wooly talked about in the 4e thread--that the current design direction for the Realms is about attracting new, "untried" players/fans to the Realms rather than keeping the old ones. Well and good--WotC does not dictate the setting to me. |
| initiate |
Posted - 19 Aug 2007 : 17:59:59
Re: Spellplague: no corner of the Realms left untouched
Adopts voice of a hurt child:
Mommy? Daddy? Why they break Faerun?
Seriously: Part of me hates to add my voice to the torrent of grief WotC is receiving right now, [despite what I'm sure is a legitimate attempt to make something great on the part of many of their designers], but does the Realms really need this right now? I've enjoyed some of the recent RSEs a fair bit, and a good deal more than some, but adding yet more seems just a little silly. As others have asked, how much can the setting take before the "scar tissue" becomes visible? I'll admit to being curious, though. Interesante indeed.
I think there are some questions to ask when thinking about this kind of thing: I know that nastalgia can provide a rose tinted lens through which to gaze upon things gone by, and I think that its important for us to keep this in mind when discussing change, but people love the setting for its distinguishing features. When those features begin to disappear, at what point does the setting no longer resemble the place, the wonderfully realized fictional universe, that attracted those people in the first place? How does a creative team navigate betwixt the admirable desire to keep the setting moving forward in engaging ways, the omnipresent need to make money, [because that's what allows them to keep doing this], and the need to keep the setting recognizable and appealing?
I think that in a lot of cases, the aforementioned creative team can't really win completely, because the balance between progress and conservatism preferred depends on each fan. Personally, the day Elminster dies, I know I'll be pretty unhappy, [unless Ed gets to do it himself, in a manner that seems appropriate to him]. Other people will have their own setting related buttons, changes that are not okay by them. Perhaps, at the end of the day, its better to just roll with the punches for the moment, no matter how unhappy we may be. [Did they really have to jump ten years?] For myself I think I'll see where Wizards takes us before I get to upset, wary though I may be.
I hope there's a little more info to come from the Secrets seminar yet. The stuff we've gotten has been really interesting, but they don't seem to have gotten through much.
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| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 19 Aug 2007 : 16:34:47
The Spellplague? And it'll touch every corner of the Realms? Interesante... |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 19 Aug 2007 : 16:17:32
Here is what was posted about the Forgotten Realms seminar yesterday on WOTC's boards:
quote:
# Sunday, 10:42 a.m.: Forgotten Realms Seminar
by Chris Thomasson
Panel: Rich Baker (leading), Ed Greenwood, Eric Boyd
Rich starts the seminar with a brief rundown of the Forgotten Realms products for the year. He breezes through Cormyr and Shadowdale, which are both pretty interesting and innovative adventures. When he gets to Undermountain, Rich gets Ed to talk about this product, acknowledging that there's no way to fully detail Undermountain in any one product. Ed jokes that this is the first of 42 books, intended to detail the upper levels of the complex.
Grand History of the Realms: This product is unique for us. Brian James, the author, first compiled the information online, which we then bought from Brian. Rich found it and lobbied to buy the pdf product and host it, but other folks thought the book would make a better print product. It's cool that a product came about in this fashion.
Anauroch rounds out the trilogy of big adventures, started with Cormyr and Shadowdale. Anauroch will be a great preview for the villains and events of the Realms that will shape the setting in 4th Edition.
This year is the 20th Anniversary of Drizzt. I feel so old. I bought The Crystal Shard in my local mall's Waldenbooks back around 1988. I was immediately hooked, and read pretty much every FR novel printed from then until around 1995. If I had more time to read, I'd probably still read 'em all, but the demands of time require me to be a bit more selective.
August, 2008: Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting for 4th Edition. We're hoping to have it out on or around Gen Con next year. Lots of plans for the Realms—significant changes—but Rich can't talk about details yet.
Next year will also have an as-yet unnamed FR product out, which players in Realms campaigns will want.
There will be a big event in the Realms soon, called the Spellplague. Rich says it won't leave a corner of the Realms untouched.
Cool, a new world map in the new CS. I really liked the one in the 3.0 campaign setting, so I'm looking forward to the new one. Mmmmmm . . . maps. Maybe I'm getting hungry. That weird muffin I ate this morning isn't doing much for me now that it's almost dinner time.
Someone suggests an interactive map feature for D&D Insider. I won't say we haven't been thinking about something like that. I'd love that utility. We'll have to take that back to the office and think on it some more.
I'm jealous. I just read Bart's post about seeing the costumes, as well as browsing the hall. I think I've been in the hall a total of 30 minutes the last three days. Woe is me! Too many seminars! Too much information! Head go asplode!
Okay, time to hit the hall, or I'm gonna get cranky. Sunday also brings the Top 8 of the DDM Championship, which I'm gonna have to check out.
Okay, I'm just about to duck out to eat, and Chris Perkins puts me on the spot about Realmslore. That's our newly revised FR column running every other Wednesday. So there we go: I've pimped our coverage, and I'm off to eat. Yay!
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| sir_lune |
Posted - 19 Aug 2007 : 11:45:41
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
quote:
Originally posted by MerrikCale
Well we know the new Campaign setting for 4e is coming out in August 2008 and we also know its the first campaign setting switched to 4e with Eberron the next year. Take that Eberron!
 Aye, come to think of it, this is quite a surprising move. I'd have thought that WotC would want to address their latest big campaign first and foremost.
Mayhaps it's not doing so well after the initial burst?
In fact this is simply to allow players of current Living Campaign to begin the future Living Faerun beginning at Origins 2008.
A LOT of Living Greyhawk players are not very happy with this move ... |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 19 Aug 2007 : 09:58:14
quote:
Originally posted by MerrikCale
quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
I'd not have minded if they'd let Eberron go first. In fact, for purely selfish reasons, I'd have rather prefered it if they'd kept publishing the FR-material in the 3.5 ruleset and not bothered to convert the setting to 4.0.
I can't imagine they will publish anything 3.5 once 4.0 is released. They will merely publish the core books then some FR stuff then Eberron
Oh I know. I only said that this is what I'd prefer, not what I think will happen. |
| MerrikCale |
Posted - 18 Aug 2007 : 21:20:34
quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
I'd not have minded if they'd let Eberron go first. In fact, for purely selfish reasons, I'd have rather prefered it if they'd kept publishing the FR-material in the 3.5 ruleset and not bothered to convert the setting to 4.0.
I can't imagine they will publish anything 3.5 once 4.0 is released. They will merely publish the core books then some FR stuff then Eberron |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 18 Aug 2007 : 12:37:51
I'd not have minded if they'd let Eberron go first. In fact, for purely selfish reasons, I'd have rather prefered it if they'd kept publishing the FR-material in the 3.5 ruleset and not bothered to convert the setting to 4.0. |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 18 Aug 2007 : 09:42:34
quote:
Originally posted by MerrikCale
Well we know the new Campaign setting for 4e is coming out in August 2008 and we also know its the first campaign setting switched to 4e with Eberron the next year. Take that Eberron!
Aye, come to think of it, this is quite a surprising move. I'd have thought that WotC would want to address their latest big campaign first and foremost.
Mayhaps it's not doing so well after the initial burst? |
| MerrikCale |
Posted - 18 Aug 2007 : 02:24:59
Well we know the new Campaign setting for 4e is coming out in August 2008 and we also know its the first campaign setting switched to 4e with Eberron the next year. Take that Eberron! |
| Uzzy |
Posted - 15 Aug 2007 : 13:36:13
Timeline wise, I would be quite happy with a 'Volo's Almanac' every December, which simply updates the timeline in an incharacter way.
Personally I think that 2008 is going to see many fine products for the Forgotten Realms. The novels already announced look great (Reclamation, Blackstaff Tower and Ascendancy of the Last are the ones I'm most looking forward to). 2009 will also be seeing many fine products. And 2010. Sure, I'm an optimist! But I'll be proven right come Gencon.  |
| ShepherdGunn |
Posted - 15 Aug 2007 : 11:51:35
I'm actually surprised how well this thread has taken off. I'll have to add more thoughts to other threads.
I'm excited about Blackstaff Tower as well. My wife currently considers it among her favorites of all time.
In regards to future FR RPG materials though, I agree with Faraer and Skeptic. I think in some aspects going back over and updating some of the older materials would be a good idea.
A Moonshae or just an Island Kingdom book would be good. Heck, a Hordelands and Kara-Tur update all rolled together would be nice too. I think more flavor in some aspects, but also a bit of crunch would be nice to have. A book about Westgate in the vein of City of Splendors would also be interesting, since I consider it kind of the anti-Waterdeep. There's so much of the Realms that has already been published, but there's also a lot that unless you've been gaming for a very long time, or you have a portal hard drive with a LOT of pdfs, you're just not going to find anywhere. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 15 Aug 2007 : 02:18:05
quote:
Originally posted by Faraer
More clack, for sure, but why needlessly tie it to the ongoing timeline which not everyone follows?
I really agree with this, although WotC does seem pretty dead set on what's "new" (with rare exceptions, like the Swords of Eveningstar series) and following a timeline. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 15 Aug 2007 : 02:16:06
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
I assume this will be a standalong novel, rather than part of a series (or come to think of it, will it be in the Citadels series?)
That was my guess. Anyway...yaaaaaaay! |
| EytanBernstein |
Posted - 15 Aug 2007 : 00:40:50
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Well, I got the okay to mention at least this: I have got a sequel novel written entitled BLACKSTAFF TOWER that's due out in Autumn 2008. Can't say any more than that, I'm afraid.
Steven
Awesome! I loved Blackstaff. If you need a pair of eyes for anything, please let me know. |
| Skeptic |
Posted - 14 Aug 2007 : 23:00:53
I was answering too but.. Faraer was faster, +1 to what he said  |
| Faraer |
Posted - 14 Aug 2007 : 22:58:42
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Problem is you don't want to go back and do regional books for all the things that were printed in 2nd edition. It'll make the players feel like they're getting rehashed material.
I disagree entirely: Shining South, Unapproachable East, City of Splendors: Waterdeep, and especially Silver Marches worked just fine.quote:
First idea, how about a "Rumors of the Realms - 1375 DR".
More clack, for sure, but why needlessly tie it to the ongoing timeline which not everyone follows?quote:
DM's guide to the time of troubles.
I'm trying to forget about that white elephant. |
| Brian R. James |
Posted - 14 Aug 2007 : 20:40:50
Excellent news indeed Steven!
Please let me know if you want another set of eyes to look over the manuscript.  I'm also bringing Blackstaff to Gen Con and will be begging for an autograph. |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 14 Aug 2007 : 20:35:39
It does seem that we are getting to a point where the need for crunch material in the 3.5 realms is not as much needed as there needs to be flavor material. Problem is you don't want to go back and do regional books for all the things that were printed in 2nd edition. It'll make the players feel like they're getting rehashed material. That's why I was glad to see things like serpent kingdoms and dragons of faerun. They had a new way to present the changes that were occurring realms-wide, but with somewhat of a focus. The new Grand History will serve in a similiar respect to flesh out things I would expect. However, I figure I'll take a moment and vomit forth a few ideas to see how they take with everyone.
First idea, how about a "Rumors of the Realms - 1375 DR". With such little nuggets could be planted and actually somewhat developed so that DM's could take them where they want them. It could be almost like the old Book of Lairs from 2nd (1st?) edition where there's a short "encounter" layout with some info, but it would focus less on a battle encounter and more on a general setup of "these people from X group are over in Y area. They have seized Z castle and are attempting to bring about Q. The people from N group are upset over the actions but don't know what's going on. They provide the pc's with L information, etc.... ". It could be slightly more advanced than the rumors put forth in the 1st edition campaign setting, giving say 2 pages per "rumor" for fleshing out. It would also be a good way to explain away any political changes in the realms, by citing in the rumor that certain people have been eliminated and such causing a power vacuum. It would be interesting as well if it were laid out almost like a newspaper with parts you can give the players.
DM's guide to the time of troubles. I'm betting that several of us have run campaigns focused around the ToT as a way to introduce players to the realms. Wouldn't it be interesting to have a really good source that maybe develops the backstory of what various gods were doing and where. I mean something that would give a given deity as an entry and then goes into the various things he did throughout the ToT, but given in such a way that it might give ideas on how to involve players in a given god's doing during the ToT without it revolving around the tablets of fate. Of course, this would be a project that would definitely require some research, so not sure if it will ever see light. It could even spawn off as a great set of "realms of troubles" novels wherein you see the machinations at work in short stories.
Anyway, those are the two ideas that came to my mind. Doubt they'll see light of day, but figured I'd put forth the ideas.. who knows may spark someone else to come up with something even better.
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| Alaundo |
Posted - 14 Aug 2007 : 20:24:48
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Well, I got the okay to mention at least this: I have got a sequel novel written entitled BLACKSTAFF TOWER that's due out in Autumn 2008. Can't say any more than that, I'm afraid.
Steven
Well met
Marvelous news, Steven Thanks for bringing this to us.
I assume this will be a standalong novel, rather than part of a series (or come to think of it, will it be in the Citadels series?) |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 14 Aug 2007 : 20:16:21
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Well, I got the okay to mention at least this: I have got a sequel novel written entitled BLACKSTAFF TOWER that's due out in Autumn 2008. Can't say any more than that, I'm afraid.
Steven
Oh, wow, that's awesome news, Steven! I look forward to it! |
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