| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mazrim_Taim |
Posted - 23 Feb 2006 : 08:42:06
**some very very minor spoilers**
I am almost finished with this series, and I am really liking it. One thing I enjoy is how much attention is focused on Gromph, gosh he's cool. I was wondering what everyone thought the future holds for my favorite archmage? He seems content, but will ambition lead him to try and become a lich? Top 5 reasons to love Gromph
1. He's very irritable (he reminds me of, me in this regards)
2. Even Jarlaxle said he was afraid of him, so +1 to coolness
3. He has survived and flourished in a position of power in a female dominated society
4. He has a rat familiar
5. He has his own interdimensional room that was created by 5 of his peers that he had to kill later +1 to coolness
Also, if anyone has any reccomendations of stories with Gromph in them, besides the Drizzt series, I'd really appreciate it. 
I guess I got kind of tired of Drizzt and how predictable he became. I think it was a relief to read about (for the most part) evil characters. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Charles Phipps |
Posted - 03 Jan 2007 : 18:52:48
I do love Gromph and Triel. They're, ironically, two of the most interesting characters in Menzoberrazan precisely because Gromph is so much more capable than Triel. Triel isn't a bad ruler either, which is a nice way of not beating us over the head with her being unable to handle the job, she's just no Matron Baenre.
Sadly, I found the ending to the book unsatisfying. I had no illusions that Eli's plan would fail but it failed in such a SPECTACULAR manner.
I also felt that the least interesting character in the entire book was allowed to live (I think we all know who she is) while the most interesting were murdered. Also, I find it hard to believe Quenthel can causally murder the Demons of Lolth and keep her favor. |
| Ergdusch |
Posted - 03 Jan 2007 : 12:01:00
quote:
Originally posted by Inaubryn
Would anyone with the paperbacks (as the paperbacks have the maps not the hardbacks) to this series let me know what the map at the front of books, Extinction (4), and Resurrection (6) are.
You might have obtained this knowledge though other means by now, but since I stumbled over your post and saw noone had answered yet, I just might as well go along and post it.
Extinction (4) depicts a map of the Dragon Reach area, as most of the story is above ground anyway.
Resurrection (6) shows a map of the Demonweb pits.
Hope that still helps you. Ergdusch |
| Ethriel |
Posted - 02 Jan 2007 : 20:07:46
I hope so...the end of Spider Queen was a huge eltdown. Can we let the males win out? Can we stop the Lolthism? She's incredibly dull....hell, bring Pharaun back, do more with the good characters! |
| Twilight |
Posted - 27 Dec 2006 : 07:32:29
He is The Highest Rank a male could ever attain in Menzo not to mention just all round COOL
I Think a Hallistra oriented Trilogy will be awesome you will to when you finish off war of the spider queen |
| Gellion |
Posted - 27 Jul 2006 : 07:25:35
I will agree with Darkflame and Yasraena that Gromph is definitely one of the most cunning Mages I have ever read about. Sure, he may not be the most powerful, but he is like a magical Macguyver! I would definitely not mind reading a new book about him! |
| Inaubryn |
Posted - 27 Jul 2006 : 05:09:04
Would anyone with the paperbacks (as the paperbacks have the maps not the hardbacks) to this series let me know what the map at the front of books, Extinction (4), and Resurrection (6) are. I know Dissolution (1) is Menzo, Insurrection (2) is Ched Nasad, Condemnation is an underdark map, and Annihilation (5) is Sschindylyrn.
Thanks in advance. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 07:15:59
quote:
Originally posted by Yasraena
The hardcovers. I got the first as birthday present last year and the second for a christmas present last year. I plan on getting the third sometime this month. Is there any difference between them?
Not that I know of... though I've only got the hardcovers so I can't be completely certain. Though I doubt there's any difference.
quote:
I'm looking forward to reading about Drizzt again. He still is my favorite character, even though he has grown predictable in the last few novels.
I haven't got around to reading the trilogy myself yet... though it occupies the "mid-point" in my FR novel backlog.
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| Yasraena |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 05:19:01
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Been a while! Golly gosh Yas... it feels like it has been forever. 'Tis great to see you've returned to these Halls  .
Take a moment to stop by this scroll to let us know what you've been up to in your absence .
I know, I know. Will post to the above with a more concise reply.
quote:
Originally posted by nearly-forgotten Yasraena
Next on the list is the Hunter's Blades Trilogy. Sure hope Mr. Slavatore hasn't lost his touch.
Are you reading the hardcovers of the trilogy or the paperback versions?
The hardcovers. I got the first as birthday present last year and the second for a christmas present last year. I plan on getting the third sometime this month. Is there any difference between them?
I'm looking forward to reading about Drizzt again. He still is my favorite character, even though he has grown predictable in the last few novels. |
| Vainelus |
Posted - 19 May 2006 : 13:27:15
I think focusing on a Drow priestess of Eilistraee as the main character of a novel would be interesting. I didn't feel Halistra was much of a priestess of Eilistraee. And I would prefer a new young priestess not a certain Drow Chosen of Mystra. Qilue is a great character, but I would like to see a follower of Eilistraee built from the ground up rather than tales about an already all power priestess. It could also be interesting to see a book focus on one of the followers of Vhaeraun and what their societies are like. See what Drow society looks like when it is not dominated by Lolth and instead is ran by one of her offspring. |
| darkflame millithor |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 07:54:10
Don't Playa hate on the Beanres,Triel's doing the best she can! And though them we now have....GROMPH the latest archmage!!I wasn't too impressed with Elminster's lates book(the daughter) and it made me loathe him like never before! I needed a new Archwizard to look up to,and to inspire me too spend my hard earned money on a hardback! He (with the help of phearawn) inspired me to by all those books as they came out. I really didn't care if Lolth died.
I cared whether Gromph was going to seize power(as he hinted at in 'daughter of the drow',when he addressed the other magelord of menzoberranzan in their secret meeting!) On a side note I've read acouple of cormyr books(the only hard back was with azoun fighting the devil dragon). I hate the Ruling family of cormyr! I was happy
when the daughter Tan-something or another died, and I bought pizza and had a beer- bash(And I hate beer!) when azoun died! though only a few close ,close friends knew the reason for the party. I thought I had seen the end of them featuring in any story. The Beanre's on the other hand have my full undivided attention from Matron Yvonnel Beanre's first meeting with Matron malice Dourden to her unsatisfying death at the hands of you know who.
P.s. Drizzt has served his purpose now it's time to sent him to mieliki (for good) |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 05:56:14
While I understand wanting to see other Drow cities, I have to throw up a least a bit of a defence of the Baenre.
Comparable, the Baenre's ruling Menzoberranzan for as long as they have isn't much harder to comprehend than the Obarskyrs ruling Cormyr for its entire history. Yvonnel did bite the dust, so its not like the head of the family is even invincible.
As far as changes go . . . well, we never got to see what happened in every city everywhere in the Underdark, but I bet the people of Ched Nassad, Gracklestugh, Chaulsin, Maerimydra, and the Scoured Legion think that a few things changed.
All of that having been said, I'm all for seeing more of Eryndlyn, or Sshamath, in future novels or products. Dispite my defence of Baenre, it is very easy to overutilize a location or a set of characters. |
| khorne |
Posted - 17 May 2006 : 20:59:59
The drow....need a fresh breeze. Authors have focused so much on Menzoberranzan that I would like to plant a nuke in the city(in the Baenre compound, to be more specific) There are several other drow cities out there that seem far more interesting than Menzo. Sshamath, for example. |
| Chyron |
Posted - 17 May 2006 : 07:58:16
Well, I just finished reading book six about a week ago and now as I anxiously wait for the snail-mail to deliver “The Ruin” from Amazon (do you think it is called that because that is where they ship international orders from??? ) I have been reading up on posts on the series. In many ways I agree with Silverwizard. The characters I wanted to live died, the characters I wanted to die lived…but in the end,
6 books is much too long a commitment for so little change. (I mean even after 6 episodes of Star Wars, like them or not, there was allot that changed in that ‘verse’)
Semi-SPOILERS
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The series does give a quite good portrayal of the chaotic natures of drow and how they might work in a party. But I really felt for all that we were left with you could have told the same story in a trilogy or even two books.
Now this may seem insane to the more educated scribes here at the Keep, but by the last book, I kept thinking that Pharaun was going to become the Yor’thae. I know, I know…sacrilege right? But I really thought this…I thought in the whole chaotic nature of things that this was where the story was going…Gromph’s continued references to a shift in power, Pharaun’s growth, the priestesses bickering…I felt it was perfectly laid out….Lolth, being a chaotic deity would find a transformation of ‘her’ aspect/gender and a complete upheaval of the ‘status quo’ of drow society to be perfectly in line.
(And what a great excuse for WoTC to create more PnP supplements for Menzonberanzzan 3.5, etc…..cough missed opportunity cough)
Needless to say I was completely wrong….in the end..well things are pretty much as they were….Lolth just has a new home.
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| darkflame millithor |
Posted - 17 May 2006 : 01:57:27
Mazim, back to your original question- the only other story I've seen him in besides starless night(? wotsq,and Lireil's main trilogy is 'realms of the underdark(another lireil story) called Blood rite' and he only has a minor part.
P.S. I'm very,very glad someone besides me has ranked Gromph's popularity and skill as it should be( without divine favortism like the seven (kissing)sisters[no offence to the Simbul],Elminster,kelben,and etc,etc.)He is truly a drow's drow and a true master of his craft! His fights are beleivable,he's not uber(learned that word though the forum.)powerful Well -on second thought he is ! But he doesn't have a goddess bailing him out everytime he bites of more than he can chew.(hint,hint)
Gromph survives because he is a surviver,coldly calculating and lets face it-A Beanre.
The only problem I have with the Gromph/Dyr confict is the fact that there are more powerful Magelords of sorcery than these two.
Gromph just has a higher profile,and Dyr is a lichdrow(cast all the spells he knows without haveing to restudy them)and he's popular too!
I know this is a little off topic ,but my DM
aloud me to do a WHAT IF fight with both of them and my wildmage(20thlevel Raiden'darkflame Millithor) smashed both in (single) spell battle. [ My Dm didn't know about the Onyx Gigant spell of Dyr,thank Lolth]
MY point is that I couldn't do the same to Jalynfein aka 'The spidermage',and a few others of My DM's invention. The magelord of Menzoberranzan are powerful plain and simple ! There is a reason why the priestess keep a close eye on them.They are the mightiest drow in one on one combat and the clergy knows it.
I'm happy everyone else is finally giving them their due. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 17 May 2006 : 00:59:48
Been a while! Golly gosh Yas... it feels like it has been forever. 'Tis great to see you've returned to these Halls .
Take a moment to stop by this scroll to let us know what you've been up to in your absence .
quote:
Originally posted by nearly-forgotten Yasraena
Next on the list is the Hunter's Blades Trilogy. Sure hope Mr. Slavatore hasn't lost his touch.
Are you reading the hardcovers of the trilogy or the paperback versions?
|
| Yasraena |
Posted - 16 May 2006 : 23:54:00
Boy, it's been a while since my last post.
Well, I finally got around to reading this series and I must say it was one of the overall best I've ever read. There were some parts that were ill handled (Both Pharaun and Ryld's deaths completely sucked. They died like punks, not drow), but over all a really cool series. Had you wondering what the hell was going to happen 'till the very end. There were characters that you wanted to see just die a horrible death, and ones you wanted to see succeed. I have to say that Gromph is starting to be my second favorite drow character after Drizzt. that bastard can getout of ANYTHING. He's like the Macguyver of the fantasy world.
I'm pretty biased when it comes to novels on the drow, though. I eat 'em up like candy.
Next on the list is the Hunter's Blades Trilogy. Sure hope Mr. Slavatore hasn't lost his touch. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 05 Mar 2006 : 01:06:31
quote:
Originally posted by Beirnadri Magranth
but the drow there are not as scheming and fun to read about as the drow of menzo.
That's particularly hard to justify though... since we hae so little in the way of actual stories featuring drow from other cities or these other cities themselves. Aside from a few short passages, the odd chapter or two, and the few snippets about other drow locations -- the only drow location we know quite a bit about is Menzoberranzan.
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| The Sage |
Posted - 05 Mar 2006 : 01:00:45
quote:
Originally posted by silverwizard
I think there is a drow city which is ruled by male mages, and priestesses of Lolth are subordinate. Now, what's it called? Help please, fellow contributors! I think it's in "Drizz't Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark" (AD&D 2nd edition sourcebook - I don't follow 3/3.5E closely). Was there a novel in which this city was featured, or did they make it up just for the purpose of the aforementioned product?
As Wooly said, you're thinking of Sshamath. It's also covered in Underdark too, but I see 2e is your main source ;).
And I don't think there's ever been a true FR novel featuring the City of Dark Weavings in any way -- which means it's a fine possibility for the ideas I mentioned above about new drow tales.
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| The Sage |
Posted - 05 Mar 2006 : 00:59:25
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by silverwizard
NO MORE LOLTH & BAENRE! HOW ABOUT AN ORIGINAL IDEA FOR A CHANGE
I'm inclined to agree with this part, even though I've not yet read the books in question. It's bad enough that we can't get away from the flood of drow books, but do we always have to stick with drow from the same place? Drizzt was fine to start with, and I really like Liriel Baenre, but that's enough for me. If we must have drow, let's get drow from somewhere else!
I'm all for more drow, eventually. I've had my fill for the moment. However I would like to see more drow books at some point -- so long as the tales we read focus on new and interesting characters, or maybe concentrate on drow locations we know next to nothing about.
What I would really like to read though, is a DL-Elven trilogy-styled story about the Ssri-tel-quessir.
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| Kajehase |
Posted - 05 Mar 2006 : 00:16:06
Not to mention a heap of rubble. *g* |
| Ethriel |
Posted - 05 Mar 2006 : 00:06:10
And now Ched Nasad is Vhaeraunite |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 04 Mar 2006 : 17:42:54
quote:
Originally posted by silverwizard
I think there is a drow city which is ruled by male mages, and priestesses of Lolth are subordinate. Now, what's it called? Help please, fellow contributors! I think it's in "Drizz't Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark" (AD&D 2nd edition sourcebook - I don't follow 3/3.5E closely). Was there a novel in which this city was featured, or did they make it up just for the purpose of the aforementioned product?
You refer to Sshamath, the City of Dark Weavings.
In the city of Eryndlyn, there is an uneasy balance between Lolth's followers and the followers of Vhaeruan and Ghaunadaur. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 04 Mar 2006 : 17:34:10
quote:
Originally posted by Beirnadri Magranth
but the drow there are not as scheming and fun to read about as the drow of menzo.
How can you say that? No one has written about them -- which you admit -- so that means you've not read anything about them. Nothing supports your statement.
The success of Drizzt Do'Urden is the only reason we can't seem to get away from Menzoberranzan. |
| silverwizard |
Posted - 04 Mar 2006 : 17:03:03
I think there is a drow city which is ruled by male mages, and priestesses of Lolth are subordinate. Now, what's it called? Help please, fellow contributors! I think it's in "Drizz't Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark" (AD&D 2nd edition sourcebook - I don't follow 3/3.5E closely). Was there a novel in which this city was featured, or did they make it up just for the purpose of the aforementioned product? |
| Beirnadri Magranth |
Posted - 04 Mar 2006 : 16:58:22
the thing i like about house baenre is how powerful it is! its fun to read along with powerful characters who succeed! the reason why I am not as interested in drow from other places is because no one else is writing about them! I mean there have been snippets here and there about ched nasad, and a handful of other places... but the drow there are not as scheming and fun to read about as the drow of menzo.
what i really like about the drow is how amgical they are and how assassin-friendly they are... especially since everyone expects assasssins, it is just plain cool
btw i do think that lolth is overrated and i dont really find reading about her and her priests devotio to her that thrilling |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 04 Mar 2006 : 16:43:08
quote:
Originally posted by silverwizard
NO MORE LOLTH & BAENRE! HOW ABOUT AN ORIGINAL IDEA FOR A CHANGE
I'm inclined to agree with this part, even though I've not yet read the books in question. It's bad enough that we can't get away from the flood of drow books, but do we always have to stick with drow from the same place? Drizzt was fine to start with, and I really like Liriel Baenre, but that's enough for me. If we must have drow, let's get drow from somewhere else! |
| silverwizard |
Posted - 04 Mar 2006 : 15:15:22
Ok, I may be a bit biased about the upcoming Halisstra trilogy. Presently, I don't think I'll enjoy reading about a character so mistreated from a series so below my expectations. My opinion may change in the future, however. I think I'll have till February 2007 to reconsider. I believe someone is gonna write a novel/series/trilogy about Vhok and Alissza (excuse the spelling... away from home, can't be bothered to look it up  ). I'd be more interested in that (especially when there is a chance we might see Pharaun again).
Now, regarding Halisstra's fate... If she's gonna be redeemed, I hope there's a good story behind it, as opposed to her behaviour in the WSotSQ series:
<rant>
"Lolth, I am thy faithful servant, point me to thy enemies"
[later]
"Ah, Lolth, are you dead? Are you gonna be dead for long?"
[later still]
"Oh, forget Lolth! Eilistraee, need any followers to recover a long lost magic blade of yours???"
[eventually]
"Oh, Eilistraee, now that I have your enchanted blade capable of killing a deity such as Lolth, now that I spat on Lolth's face by slaying so many of her pet spiders and creating a temple in your name right at the heart of her home plane, and since you did not reward me when I made a remarkable show of my stupidity by deciding (and my equally stupid fellow priestesses heartily agreed) that my former battle-captive, after having gained her freedom, would willingly convert to Eilistraee simply because I said so (relinquishing her -rightful- claim to the power she sought for so long), I don't think I can follow such a weak goddess such as yourself. Nothing personal, just business, right?
Right. That's settled now. Say, oh mighty Lolth, could you simply disregard all that and assume that I have remained your faithful servant throughout and let ME become your chosen? What? No? WHAT DO YOU MEAN "LADY PENITENT" NOOOOOOOooooooooooo...."
</rant>
Now that my rant is over, and if you're still with me , I hope this won't happen again. Never. Ever.
Oh, and one more thing:
NO MORE LOLTH & BAENRE! HOW ABOUT AN ORIGINAL IDEA FOR A CHANGE? |
| Beirnadri Magranth |
Posted - 04 Mar 2006 : 06:54:50
i just want to say that i heart gromph baenre "ive forgotten more ways to kill than most ever learn in their lifetime at sorcere"
I really was worried at a couple points in the series that he would die!
especially an embarrassing fate of being imprisoned for example..
btw from a gaming stand point i dont see how he got out of that anyway...
i just hope we see him do more in house baenre soon... (on a side note: i really hate how a weakling like triel claimed the throne of house baenre... it is a disgrace. in fact the entire lot of the matron's daughters was a disgrace to the name Baenre. the only one who had a real grip on the situation was gromph and i believe he will come to control the house much like the dyrr lich had, if only he can weed out potential rivals of his (good idea for him to get phauraun out of menzo!))
um also id liek to thank shadovar for writing up some stats for him in his npc stat thread
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| Sarephim |
Posted - 04 Mar 2006 : 00:28:04
Terrible series if you ask me.
Good in the beginning but near the end they just went down hill. I'm tired of seeing Lolth always get on top of the other Drow gods (granted I'm a guy and tend to take Lolth's distain of men a little personal). Vhaeruan has great possibility for exploration into his character and his followers, but no it's always about Lolth. |
| Ethriel |
Posted - 03 Mar 2006 : 21:01:06
I have not heard this news, Ser Sirius, could you inform me? (Yes, there's a reference to your avatar, found the magic of Amok) |
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