| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Sokar Rostau |
Posted - 21 Jul 2007 : 14:57:23
I haven't played PnP for nearly 20 years, but over the last few years I have been playing the same few characters in about a dozen different CRPGs, adapting them to the environment. I've gotten to know the characters pretty well and knew some of their backstories, but it wasn't until I bought Baldur's Gate II last year and Neverwinter Nights (the original one) earlier this year, and started playing in the Forgotten Realms again after all this time, that the backstories fully blossomed.
The two main characters I play are sisters, and owing to their backstories, and the inability to play two characters at once, they have yet to meet in any of the games I have played (I could have them in the same party in the Baldur's Gate series, but during the time that is set, they are separated, besides, they're both too old to be the offspring of Bhaal). Because I have always wanted them to meet up, I decided that I will make a NWN module surrounding them, but before I can do that I really need to set their backstories in stone so I started some short stories that tell of what they have done in their three or four short years of adventuring but it quickly became apparent that the story of their parents was possibly more important than their own story, because the event that set them on adventuring in the first place was the murder of their family and the razing of their village.
Though I knew a little bit about their parents, I had never given them much thought, they were always little more than a reason to send the girls off into the world, and an excuse for them being skilled warriors. Essentially, they were a couple that met while adventuring and got married, then dragged their children with them for a bit over a decade, leaving them in the care of friendlies while on their more dangerous exploits. The children picked up bits and pieces of information and skills from their various baby-sitters. Then they settled down in a farming community where they were later killed, leaving the two eldest daughters orphaned, neither knowing that the other survived. Pretty generic backstory I guess. Since I've been playing NWN, and picked up a couple of FR source books, I have been able to flesh this out a lot more to the point where I know that they were in Baldur's Gate in 1351 (the eldest is born there during the plague, giving her a Paladin's hardiness against disease... but I'd like to know more about this plague), that the father has a connection of some sort to the royal family of Cormyr, Azoun IV especially (childhood friends maybe, they were born at about the same time), and that they crossed the Cult of the Dragon more than once, being present at the Battle of the Bones (I think that's the one... ). During their careers they travelled from the Sword Coast at least as far as Thay and possibly beyond. They spend time in Raven's Bluff, Calimshan and Waterdeep (the eldest daughter has vague memories of the day that Midnight and Cyric ascended), eventually settling near Silverymoon. The mother becomes an agent of the Harpers and this is what ultimately leads to their deaths at the hands of Orcs, though the girls don't know this... yet.
I'm looking for a detailed canon chronology of events in Faerun so that I can properly work this out. Where they were when and why. An interesting thing I noticed in the FR Campaign Setting was the Year of the Harp and the Year of the Unstrung Harp would make for good "bookends" to the younger girl's life. Born in the former and born again as an adventurer in the latter when her Harper-connected parents are murdered. The death of Azoun IV also interests me but I know nothing other than he was killed fighting a dragon that was leading a goblinoid army. I'd like to know what the Dragon's motive was in invading Cormyr, because with the family connection to the Dragon Clan it just feels right that when they are murdered and the item they were killed for is not found that the murderers would go after other people they are connected to - people like Azoun. Unfortunately, my current sources stop at 1372DR so these are outside of the timeline by a year, making one sister too young and the other too old for my purposes (born in 1351 and 1354 respectively). I'd like to get some info up to 1374-5 if possible, to see if I can adapt. The only timelines I have found so far only give one or two sentences about what happened in any given year, and don't expand upon anything, and none of them have anything about 1354.
Anyway, sorry for such a long post... better I post now or it will get even longer... |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Iliana N-letur |
Posted - 02 Aug 2007 : 22:28:04
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
quote:
Originally posted by Victor_ograygor
It wouldn’t be long before he comes and gives you one of those old robes you have to walk around with here in Candlekeep.
 Me? do such a thing like that? Oh I wouldn't be so cruel  
Well, you did, and it itches - well it would if I would wear it bare skin.
Oh, sorry Sokar Rostau, I didn't intend to intrude. |
| Sokar Rostau |
Posted - 29 Jul 2007 : 16:15:29
I actually downloaded everything off that Wizards page a few weeks ago, I just haven't had the chance to read it all. Just been flicking through stuff and reading what catches my eye... there's just so much there, and elsewhere, to go through...
The account of the Battle of River Rising was interesting, is there any more or is that it? |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 22 Jul 2007 : 18:25:18
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
quote:
Originally posted by Sokar Rostau
Thanks for the quick replies. The Grand History of the Realms sounds fantastic. I'm looking at that timeline now. So far it doesn't appear to really have much more detail than what's in the Campaign Setting. The battle I referred to was not the Battle of the Bones, but the Battle of River Rising, is there any further info I can get on this, and other events, online?
More information on the Battle of the River Rising can be found in "Volo's Guide to All Things Magical" - the write-up of the rings of Mhzentul.
-- George Krashos
Formerly a suppressed work (it amuses me to always add that!), Volo's Guide to All Things Magical is a great resource, and it's one that can be downloaded for free from the Wizards downloads page.  |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 22 Jul 2007 : 11:55:34
quote:
Originally posted by Sokar Rostau
Thanks for the quick replies. The Grand History of the Realms sounds fantastic. I'm looking at that timeline now. So far it doesn't appear to really have much more detail than what's in the Campaign Setting. The battle I referred to was not the Battle of the Bones, but the Battle of River Rising, is there any further info I can get on this, and other events, online?
More information on the Battle of the River Rising can be found in "Volo's Guide to All Things Magical" - the write-up of the rings of Mhzentul.
-- George Krashos
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| Alaundo |
Posted - 21 Jul 2007 : 19:06:33
quote:
Originally posted by Victor_ograygor
When I started this Portal / Link list I had Brian's Grand History Tome… Ohhh what a place.
But suddenly one night an old man with a large white beard came down the cellar and took it from me, I am almost a 100 % that the old man were Alaundo himself, could it be that he is a master thief, ore do we have a doppelganger in the halls of Candlekeep.
But now I am prepared to catch a really big mouse down here at the cellar, you just come again..
It wouldn’t be long before he comes and gives you one of those old robes you have to walk around with here in Candlekeep.
One last thing :
As a service to the list :
http://www.o-love.net/realms/fr_time.html
Me? do such a thing like that? Oh I wouldn't be so cruel |
| Victor_ograygor |
Posted - 21 Jul 2007 : 15:56:14
When I started this Portal / Link list I had Brian's Grand History Tome… Ohhh what a place.
But suddenly one night an old man with a large white beard came down the cellar and took it from me, I am almost a 100 % that the old man were Alaundo himself, could it be that he is a master thief, ore do we have a doppelganger in the halls of Candlekeep.
But now I am prepared to catch a really big mouse down here at the cellar, you just come again..
It wouldn’t be long before he comes and gives you one of those old robes you have to walk around with here in Candlekeep.
One last thing :
As a service to the list :
http://www.o-love.net/realms/fr_time.html
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| Sokar Rostau |
Posted - 21 Jul 2007 : 15:44:12
Thanks for the quick replies. The Grand History of the Realms sounds fantastic. I'm looking at that timeline now. So far it doesn't appear to really have much more detail than what's in the Campaign Setting. The battle I referred to was not the Battle of the Bones, but the Battle of River Rising, is there any further info I can get on this, and other events, online? |
| The Sage |
Posted - 21 Jul 2007 : 15:17:26
If you can wait a few more months, you'll definitely want to purchase a copy of Grand History of the Realms once it's released. I would suggest you look over this particular scroll for a detailed discussion about the tome itself.
Also, Brian R James, one of the main authors of this volume, was able to share these details with us, concering the contents of Grand History:-
"There are too many goodies to list them all but I’ll mention some of the features that I find particularly compelling about the print version of the Grand History.
• Fans of the creator races will find juicy new lore.
• Want to know more about the Sundering? Or what the planet looked like before this catastrophic event?
• Curious about the Crown Wars? Want to see the first official map of the elven nations which fought the 2nd and 4th crown wars?
• Dark elf fans will enjoy new lore on ancient Ilythiir and the Descent of the Drow.
• The lost empires of Jhaamdath and Imaskar are fleshed out further than in any previous sourcebook, including a fantastic map for each.
• Updated lore on Netheril, their enslavement of gnomes and the fate of General Matick.
• Fans of the lands beyond Faerûn will enjoy new lore on Katashaka (the ancient home of the Chultans), the rise of the Imaskar survivor states, and the formation of Shou Lung. Maztica and Anchorome are represented as well. Sorry no Osse.
• You want to read more about the Dark Three when they were mortals right? Or how the Tears of Selûne were formed?
• Dawn Cataclysm.
• Ed Greenwood's name is on the cover for a reason.
Ok some of you are still unimpressed? Ancient history is great and all but you’re wondering how the Grand History will help your campaign set in the present. How about a month by month break down of every major event from the Year of Wild Magic (1372 DR) through the Year of Risen Elfkin (1375 DR). Those of you that don’t read every novel can now use these events in your campaign if you so choose."
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| Victor_ograygor |
Posted - 21 Jul 2007 : 15:14:22
First welcome to Candlekeep Sokar Rostau
A detailed canon chronology of events in Faerun :
The Complete Forgotten
Realms Timeline :
http://www.geocities.com/timessquare/castle/2566/realmstime0.htm
You are always welcome to see in the Book of portals / links here :
Links related to Forgotten Realms :
http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9571
Great having you here
Vic.
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