| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Phantom_Lord |
Posted - 27 Mar 2006 : 07:28:05
Hello, and well met.
I know this topic has been beaten around more times than goblins and orcs in your average d&d adventures, but I would like to enquire on specific events, and characters, in this series.
Help, insight & spoilers, would be greatly appreciated as I do not have access to the novels themselves.
*SPOILER SPACE*
**********
1) How exactly do Ryld & Pharaun die?
2) Who is Lolth's Yorthae, and what is its purpose?
3) Do Elistraee and Vhaeraun have an alliance in the later novels to try and stop lolth from reemerging?
4) I don't suppose people have some sort of cliff notes for these novels, do they?
Thanks for your time. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Daniel |
Posted - 21 Jan 2008 : 20:58:41
A few thoughts on my favorite FR series thus far:
I doubt Valas would serve any god, as his pragmatic nature does not really mesh well with the way faith works (particularly among the non good deities) in the Realms. He isn't really a spider queen servant, and in the novels really just pays the lip service to Loth that is necessary to function in Drow society.
I miss Pharaun already- by far my favorite drow character in the FR setting, if not my favorite period. The way he pushed the clerics just far enough and his relationships with the females was priceless. I can think of no passages in any FR novel that were as entertaining to read as his verbal battles with the priestesses in those books. A minor point about his death: he was killed by the spiders, as jeggerd could not touch him due to a contingency spell Pharaun placed (or convinced Jeggerd he place) on himself to prevent Jeggerd from attacking him. Thus he was placed on some giant web by Quethel and the spiders got him.
Also, I didn't think Valas was the shadowdancer, I thought Nimor was, but I certainly could be wrong about that. I have always thought it would be cool if the novels would include game info on the main characters, although I certainly understand that that would be very difficult in some cases. |
| Lady Fellshot |
Posted - 16 Sep 2007 : 08:07:48
quote:
Originally posted by FridayThe13th
I wonder if Valas is eventually going to end up serving Shar. His mastery over shadow and lethal abilities make would make him a perfect assasin for the Lady of Loss. Shar can probably offer him more than his current patron anyway.
I'm sorry to be picky and all, but I think you are referring to Nimor Imphraezel of Jezered Chaulsin if you are talking about the drow who duked it out with Gomph. I wonder what Nimor is doing now that Vhaeruan is "no more."
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| Kajehase |
Posted - 15 Aug 2007 : 15:12:40
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Lolth returns on Ches 28, 1373 DR -- from Eric's Volo's Guide article in DRAGON #354.
Now that'd been a nice ad-text for the Lady Penitent trilogy methinks |
| The Sage |
Posted - 15 Aug 2007 : 07:02:11
Lolth returns on Ches 28, 1373 DR -- from Eric's Volo's Guide article in DRAGON #354. |
| Aldim |
Posted - 15 Aug 2007 : 06:52:09
Hi!
Anyone can tell me when Lolth returns? I can't find it... |
| XNedra |
Posted - 14 Feb 2007 : 18:57:11
I had to read on didn't I. I have just started reading the War of the Spider Queen series and I cannot put it down. I have always had a strong fascination for dark elves long before Drizzt came along. I dunno maybe I am weird. But now I want to hurry up and read to get to the parts you have all described. Not a spoiler as such just makes me want to read more
Also I agree Gromph should have his own story told, I think it would be one of those books with more twists and turns than a maze. |
| Gellion |
Posted - 01 Aug 2006 : 04:11:06
quote:
Originally posted by Mace Hammerhand
quote:
Originally posted by Wandering_mage
Is it just me or should Gromph Baenre get some "novel" attention? RAS could really entertain with Gromph's backstory and future.
Not sure if RAS is the writer to handle Gromph... if I remember correctly his (RAS) portrayal of magic was always somewhat so-so, at least in the Realms novels...
To deal with Gromph, and yes he deserves some in-depth view, I'd want an author who can handle magic very well, and bring a darkness to him which he must certainly possess...
Hmmm, well I liked Paul S. Kemp's portrayal of him in Ressurection, maybe we could go with him? |
| FridayThe13th |
Posted - 24 Jul 2006 : 02:41:43
I wonder if Valas is eventually going to end up serving Shar. His mastery over shadow and lethal abilities make would make him a perfect assasin for the Lady of Loss. Shar can probably offer him more than his current patron anyway. |
| Ergdusch |
Posted - 19 Jun 2006 : 09:56:57
I loved the books as well. Especially Pharaun with his special "relationship" for the female drow clerics! :) Unfortunatelly he "got the short end of the stick" as was said before, but with his devilish romantic affair around - who can be so sure.... |
| Mace Hammerhand |
Posted - 31 May 2006 : 18:44:35
quote:
Originally posted by Wandering_mage
Is it just me or should Gromph Baenre get some "novel" attention? RAS could really entertain with Gromph's backstory and future.
Not sure if RAS is the writer to handle Gromph... if I remember correctly his (RAS) portrayal of magic was always somewhat so-so, at least in the Realms novels...
To deal with Gromph, and yes he deserves some in-depth view, I'd want an author who can handle magic very well, and bring a darkness to him which he must certainly possess... |
| Wandering_mage |
Posted - 31 May 2006 : 15:46:40
Is it just me or should Gromph Baenre get some "novel" attention? RAS could really entertain with Gromph's backstory and future. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 31 May 2006 : 13:26:33
quote:
Originally posted by Mace Hammerhand
quote:
Originally posted by Wandering_mage
What a quest concept that is! Also, I bet that chick that sacrificed her soul for Halisstra might be a bit P.O.'ed as things turned out not so good for the good guys.
Lisa Smedman is working on a follow up trilogy featuring Hallistra, we'll see...
Indeed, that is correct -- the "Lady Penitent" trilogy.
See this scroll:- http://candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2757&whichpage=3
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| Mace Hammerhand |
Posted - 31 May 2006 : 12:16:39
quote:
Originally posted by Wandering_mage
What a quest concept that is! Also, I bet that chick that sacrificed her soul for Halisstra might be a bit P.O.'ed as things turned out not so good for the good guys.
Lisa Smedman is working on a follow up trilogy featuring Hallistra, we'll see... |
| Wandering_mage |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 20:56:57
What a quest concept that is! Also, I bet that chick that sacrificed her soul for Halisstra might be a bit P.O.'ed as things turned out not so good for the good guys. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 20:13:07
Halisstra twice faithless to her deity, just wait until a Silverhair Knight of high enough level gets hold of her. *wink* All in all based on her motivations I believe it would have been better if she followed the son for power instrad of the duagther. However it was not up to me. |
| Wandering_mage |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 19:44:01
I thought Halisstra did right by Lloth though. She adapted to the silence of Lloth and choas prevailed in her turmoil laden soul as she tried to decide what was the right thing to do. In the end I think Halisstra was very cool. I do get very disappointed with the fact that Ryld and Phaerun got the short end of the stick. Anyways, I've said enough.  |
| Mace Hammerhand |
Posted - 27 May 2006 : 09:44:16
quote:
Originally posted by Phantom_Lord
What about the infatuation Ryld had with Hallistra?
They became lovers, stayed on the surface with a cabal of Eilistraeean priestesses, Hallistra became one of them because she missed the power (as it turned out in the end), Ryld died, Hallistra lost faith (again!)... sad sad tale |
| Phantom_Lord |
Posted - 27 May 2006 : 07:40:23
What about the infatuation Ryld had with Hallistra? |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 27 May 2006 : 06:40:24
Heck, come to think of it, they don't even need to be that long-lived, as I seem to recall Lisa Smedman mentioning she had to do some minor thinking due to the changes in the rules for psionics between 3.0 and 3.5 rules. |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 27 May 2006 : 06:38:33
I'm guessing the shadowdancer would be Valas, but I can't say it was something I thought of as I read the books. Seeing as the Forgotten Realms-line of novels span three changes to the ruleset, including one major overhaul, it's a rather pointless exercise with most of the long-lived characters. |
| Mace Hammerhand |
Posted - 26 May 2006 : 23:04:38
Shadowdancer? Who? *confused* Then again I usually don't go along and identify classes by what characters in novels do.. |
| Wandering_mage |
Posted - 26 May 2006 : 22:14:55
I think this book series really is "the" example for explaining magic better in game. Even though many gamers view the drow as super powerful and unrealistically strong for gaming purposes the WotSQ really showed the reason why one must be strong in Drow society. The weak die early, the strong live to fight another day. With that said a Menzoberran mage once told me:
Each occupant of the Underdark is a threat to the Drow. It is merely a matter of time before the drow become besieged again. From both internally and externally.  |
| Gwydion |
Posted - 26 May 2006 : 09:25:59
quote:
Originally posted by Wandering_mage
Good sum up of the events. I think the books are worth reading though. Gromph was so awesome that I was almost jumping around my living room trying to reenact the spell battle he was in. The descriptive detail for magic in all the books is awesome too. It added some flavor to how I explain magic during my games.
I think that points bears repeating. It wasn't until I read this series that I realized how a shadowdancer's powers could be effectively explained in-character, as opposed to out-of-character.
The series also did an excellent job of showing high-level spellcasters being challenged in new and interesting ways. It's definitely worth reading just for the 'yoinkage' factor. =) |
| Wandering_mage |
Posted - 13 May 2006 : 03:10:00
Good sum up of the events. I think the books are worth reading though. Gromph was so awesome that I was almost jumping around my living room trying to reenact the spell battle he was in. The descriptive detail for magic in all the books is awesome too. It added some flavor to how I explain magic during my games. |
| Jindael |
Posted - 27 Mar 2006 : 14:34:33
Before I go on, I strongly urge you to read the books; not only is it a fascinating series, but it also gives you a nice look at some of our beloved Realms author’s styles.
On to your questions, though:
(if you didn’t catch the spoiler tag above, and don’t want this spoiled, DON’T read; I’m basiclly giving away all the good bits. Seriously)
Ryld is killed by Jeggred, on Danifae’s orders. I felt it was a little bit cheap, to be honest, but that’s because he was my favorite character. :p
Pharaun dies in an unspecified manner; perhaps he was gutted by Jeggred, or maybe he was just left to be devoured by hordes of spiders. We don’t really see a body, just a finger. You know what that means.
Lolth’s Yorthae is Danifae. The Yorthae is the new “body” for Lolth. Lolth is remade, stronger, faster…we have the technology. :p She gets her new realm outside the abyss and also reforms herself in the process. Only her Yorthae is needed to finish the process.
3) Do Elistraee and Vhaeraun have an alliance in the later novels to try and stop lolth from reemerging?
Nope. They do some stuff, but they don’t work together at all. (at least, not to mortal eyes.)
4) I don't suppose people have some sort of cliff notes for these novels, do they?
Lolth vanishes, people freak out, lots of people die, Lolth comes back. End result: Lolth has her own plane now, rather than being in the abyss; Ched Nassad is now a (ruined) Vhaeraunite city under the command of a Shadow dragon; Lolth turns Hallistra into some kind of killing machine (and Lisa Smedman is going to write a trilogy about Hallistra, which means she’s going to be more than just a mindless slayer); Menzo is (once again) in somewhat disarray after a long battle (this time with Duergar and Tannuruks); folks on the surface don’t really notice anything at all.
I think that’s about it. I’m sure I missed a few points, and I know that I misspelled more than a few names and places. My apologies, but without the books, I’m going phonetically.
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