| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 26 Jan 2005 : 23:16:47
Well met
This being a collective scroll of any questions the Scribes and visitors of Candlekeep wish to put to a renowned game designer of the Realms, namely - Eric L Boyd. Eric has been a game designer for TSR\WotC for many years, with a vast array of products to his name, including Champions of Ruin, Champions of Valor, City of Splendors: Waterdeep, Faiths & Pantheons, Lost Empires of Faerūn, Serpent Kingdoms, Races of Faerūn and the upcoming Power of Faerūn, to name but a few.
Present your questions herein and check back to see what news may also come forth from the quill of this Realms master. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 17 May 2023 : 01:11:58
I dont think the larger one had been published when I wrote the article, so I intended the smaller one.
However, I like the idea that big cats (eg red tigers and black lions) give birth to the bigger elven cats, while smaller felines give birth to the smaller ones. |
| Italian Archmage Karsus |
Posted - 16 May 2023 : 23:22:18
I have another question, regarding Myth Glaurach. It says every pregnant feline has a 10% chance of giving birth to a litter of elven cats. It's a tough question, because both wound up called "cath shee", but were you referring to small mammal, cat, or to the great cat?
For reference, this site has them both.
Small cat (Cat, Elven): http://adnd.geoshitties.installgentoo.com/mm/catsmall.html
Great cat (Cath shee): http://adnd.geoshitties.installgentoo.com/mm/catgcash.html |
| Italian Archmage Karsus |
Posted - 15 Apr 2023 : 16:37:59
I thank you both for your aid and patience. It is cut material but it is explicitly referenced, and some of the statements in the reference (Vanrakdoom) render some of the spell's properties a foregone conclusion, which these posts confirm as the writer's explicit intent. |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 15 Apr 2023 : 13:48:45
My intent was to recreate and reintroduce some 1e and 2e spells under Trobriand's moniker.
Glassteel and crystalbrittle were mirror images, but, IIRC, the latter had been reprinted by that point in time for 3e, but the former had not. Sadly, Trobriand's glassteel was cut, probably because I write too much. |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 15 Apr 2023 : 06:47:29
It was cut from the product, but references to it were not cut. Here is what was submitted (in 3E of course):
Trobiands Glassteel
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Wiz 7
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 2 ft./level)
Target: One nonmagical object up to 100 cu. ft. per level
Duration: Permanent
This spell increases the hardness and hit points of the targeted object to that of iron or steel (hardness 10 and 30 hit points/inch of thickness). If the object already has a higher hardness score, the spell has no effect.
Arcane Material Component: Piece of iron.
-- George Krashos |
| Italian Archmage Karsus |
Posted - 15 Apr 2023 : 02:43:41
I had made the same consideration, Kentinal, but ruled it out. The spell you've described is called just "Glassee", not "Trobriand's Glassee".
https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Glassee
I thought maybe the spell was just that under a different name, but it wouldn't square with what I needed to describe.
"The statues are fashioned from black chalcedony that has been magically transformed (using Trobriands glassteel, a new spell from City of Splendors: Waterdeep) into a transparent material with the durability of steel. Each is worth 2,000 gp for materials alone, and as much as three times that amount to a collector of religious or historical objects of art."
No link provided; Archive dot org messes those up. I can only offer you that if you go to AskValhaeria and punch in Glassteel, it'll spit out links that should include one to VANRAKDOOM.pdf in VANRAKDOOM.zip.
You'll notice neither Glassee nor Trobriand's Glassee can grant the black chalcedony the durability of steel. If Trobriand's glassee provided that property, I'd see it as a foregone conclusion that's what it meant. This more closely resembles the Glassteel spell, which did not make it to 3e, instead being replaced by glassteel as a distinct material forevermore.
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Glassteel
As these devices are explicitly chalcedony with the durability of steel, they called back to mind 2e glassteel, which was a spell creating such materials, sometimes referred to as "glassteeled" materials. "Glassteeled" chalcedony is in line with prior examples, such as "glassteeled" diamond, emerald, rubies, blue crystal, rogue stone, or even regular glass beads, later used as gems in elven showpieces. Trobriand's Glassteel seemed to resemble the Glassteel spell.
I apologize for the pedantry, just thought, if we mix anything up I really didn't want it to be my fault, I'm the one that came asking the question, least I could do was explain where I was coming from, heh... |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 15 Apr 2023 : 01:53:04
It appear that "Trobriand's Glassteel" is a typo or error.
"Trobriand's Glassee" is a 2nd Edition spell that permits a spell caster to "By means of this spell, the wizard is able to make a section of metal, stone, or wood as transparent as glass to his gaze, or even make it into transparent material as explained hereafter. Normally, the glassee spell can make up to 4 inches of metal, 6 inches of stone, and 20 inches of wood transparent. The spell will not work on lead, gold, or platinum. The wizard can opt to make the glassee work only for himself for the duration of the spell, or he can actually make a transparent area, a one-way window, in the material affected. Either case gives a viewing area 3 feet wide by 2 feet high. If a window is created, it has the strength of the original material.
The material component of the spell is a small piece of crystal or glass." |
| Italian Archmage Karsus |
Posted - 15 Apr 2023 : 00:12:08
Hello eric l boyd sir
I was hoping to inquire about Vanrakdoom, web enhancement for Champions of Ruin. I'd link here, but CK breaks those links. There was a spell named there, "Trobriand's Glassteel" on page 15. It makes a reference to City of Splendors, also by you, which has instead a spell known as "Trobriand's Glassee", with no indication of any glassteel spells anywhere. Furthermore, the glassee spell has no effect on durability, while the glassteel spell is referred to as granting an object the durability of steel.
Was this a simple mistake, or should we see it instead as cutting room floor stuff that didn't make the cut? |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 07 Apr 2023 : 14:54:01
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I love how we all lapse into looking at elves through a Tolkien-esque LoTR lens. Good and noble, helping humans and dwarves and hobbits, etc. etc. The elves of Faerūn are the elves of the Silmarillion: some good, some bad, some in between, some welcoming, some xenophobic ... just like long-lived humans, really. In real terms, elves were pretty much the apex predator of the Realms at the height of their civilisation and very comfortably enjoyed their superiority in magic, tech and resources. They did things for themselves, and didn't care too much about the other races. It was only when their power dwindled that you saw them entering into alliances with dwarves and humans. Pride cometh and all that.
-- George Krashos
One of my fave evil groups is the Eldreth Veluuthra.
It took me a while to get away from the "always good" elven thing... But I'm not arguing, here, that elves are always good. I'm just saying stupid and evil are not the same thing.
Ditto, and it saddens me that in current times that this group will be mostly downplayed. |
| kysus |
Posted - 07 Apr 2023 : 05:08:13
hey Eric i was wondering if during yours and Georges work on the crown of Earlann if you had made up a coinage system for the realm of Earlann and if any of that old coinage would still be in use maybe in places like silverymoon or everlund? |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 07 Feb 2023 : 15:31:24
quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
I think we can all agree that if I wield High Magic and I want a safe place for my family and kids to live, that's reasonable. Even if I do it by exterminating all the native intelligent life on the planet. That's not really my fault.
Wait, that's not an added bonus? |
| TheIriaeban |
Posted - 03 Feb 2023 : 03:47:23
quote:
Originally posted by kysus
Sorry i was using the word corrupted and tainted interchangeably. In lost empires of faerun pg 84. under the year -4300 it states " upon discovering the deceit of the Fey'ri, untainted Siluvanedenn high mages place the city of myth Adofhaer in magical stasis," etc etc. this line leads me to believe that in the seven citadels war there was tainted high mages probably from the houses that bred to make the fey'ri and either new about the whole house Dlardrageth plans or just approved of using magic from ancient magic from the crown wars and that there was high mages from the other houses in silvanede that new nothing of what was going on. So i was wondering with that line making a distinction between the two high mages of that realm what happened to the tainted high mages, did they all die fighting in that war or did the kingdom pursue a purge of the high mage ranks after the discovery of the fey'ri and what those houses did. I guess on the flip side i could be reading into this all wrong but was just curious as i had some cool ideas for my game that im running involving a elven safehold from this time period that belonged to a small circle of Siluvanedenn high mages that all got wiped out in the war and the players finding some of their journals and less than savory experiments that they performed as they sort to find a way to win the war that they were losing.
also with where this is going i never believed that there were just good high mages ive always just seen things as verying shades of gray, george i do agree with everything you said on that that elves come in every stripe, as for the rest of the conversation i will leave myself out of it as some of the stuff being said just gets me irritated to much and doesnt help me with progressing my story.
Might I suggest you include those journals you mentioned? That could lead to a visit from elves from a group whose purpose is to keep the elves' "dirty laundry" out of the hands of non-elves. They may even provide information to your players (up to you if that is true or not) that reinforces the idea that the elves from the journals were outcasts and do not represent the average elf from any time period. |
| TheIriaeban |
Posted - 03 Feb 2023 : 03:38:15
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I love how we all lapse into looking at elves through a Tolkien-esque LoTR lens. Good and noble, helping humans and dwarves and hobbits, etc. etc. The elves of Faerūn are the elves of the Silmarillion: some good, some bad, some in between, some welcoming, some xenophobic ... just like long-lived humans, really. In real terms, elves were pretty much the apex predator of the Realms at the height of their civilisation and very comfortably enjoyed their superiority in magic, tech and resources. They did things for themselves, and didn't care too much about the other races. It was only when their power dwindled that you saw them entering into alliances with dwarves and humans. Pride cometh and all that.
-- George Krashos
I would take a slightly different direction from what George has. They were sociopaths who cared only about themselves. They felt that they could essentially "nuke" anyone they wanted, any time they wanted, with impunity and the only reason that stopped is that other groups gained the power to be able to "nuke" 'em back. The discovery of the Nether Scrolls is really the defining moment that allowed there to be a check on the elves' ability to destroy anyone at any time for any reason.
However, I would like to say that the current elven civilization has progressed to not be as ruthlessly self-centered as they were. They have learned that the working with other groups really does make better sense than how they used to approach things in the past. That the many working together makes the whole much stronger. |
| kysus |
Posted - 03 Feb 2023 : 03:25:54
Sorry i was using the word corrupted and tainted interchangeably. In lost empires of faerun pg 84. under the year -4300 it states " upon discovering the deceit of the Fey'ri, untainted Siluvanedenn high mages place the city of myth Adofhaer in magical stasis," etc etc. this line leads me to believe that in the seven citadels war there was tainted high mages probably from the houses that bred to make the fey'ri and either new about the whole house Dlardrageth plans or just approved of using magic from ancient magic from the crown wars and that there was high mages from the other houses in silvanede that new nothing of what was going on. So i was wondering with that line making a distinction between the two high mages of that realm what happened to the tainted high mages, did they all die fighting in that war or did the kingdom pursue a purge of the high mage ranks after the discovery of the fey'ri and what those houses did. I guess on the flip side i could be reading into this all wrong but was just curious as i had some cool ideas for my game that im running involving a elven safehold from this time period that belonged to a small circle of Siluvanedenn high mages that all got wiped out in the war and the players finding some of their journals and less than savory experiments that they performed as they sort to find a way to win the war that they were losing.
also with where this is going i never believed that there were just good high mages ive always just seen things as verying shades of gray, george i do agree with everything you said on that that elves come in every stripe, as for the rest of the conversation i will leave myself out of it as some of the stuff being said just gets me irritated to much and doesnt help me with progressing my story. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 03 Feb 2023 : 03:24:29
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I love how we all lapse into looking at elves through a Tolkien-esque LoTR lens. Good and noble, helping humans and dwarves and hobbits, etc. etc. The elves of Faerūn are the elves of the Silmarillion: some good, some bad, some in between, some welcoming, some xenophobic ... just like long-lived humans, really. In real terms, elves were pretty much the apex predator of the Realms at the height of their civilisation and very comfortably enjoyed their superiority in magic, tech and resources. They did things for themselves, and didn't care too much about the other races. It was only when their power dwindled that you saw them entering into alliances with dwarves and humans. Pride cometh and all that.
-- George Krashos
One of my fave evil groups is the Eldreth Veluuthra.
It took me a while to get away from the "always good" elven thing... But I'm not arguing, here, that elves are always good. I'm just saying stupid and evil are not the same thing. |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 03 Feb 2023 : 01:51:55
I love how we all lapse into looking at elves through a Tolkien-esque LoTR lens. Good and noble, helping humans and dwarves and hobbits, etc. etc. The elves of Faerūn are the elves of the Silmarillion: some good, some bad, some in between, some welcoming, some xenophobic ... just like long-lived humans, really. In real terms, elves were pretty much the apex predator of the Realms at the height of their civilisation and very comfortably enjoyed their superiority in magic, tech and resources. They did things for themselves, and didn't care too much about the other races. It was only when their power dwindled that you saw them entering into alliances with dwarves and humans. Pride cometh and all that.
-- George Krashos |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 02 Feb 2023 : 23:54:14
quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
I think we can all agree that if I wield High Magic and I want a safe place for my family and kids to live, that's reasonable. Even if I do it by exterminating all the native intelligent life on the planet. That's not really my fault.
Elves have proven capable of killing others, when so inclined. I think if they wanted to scour the planet -- or even the continent -- they could have. All they'd need is to let a few Killing Storms go wandering about, and problems with neighbors would disappear.
Heck, if orcs and goblins could come up with witchlight marauders, I'm sure the elves would be able to come up with something like that if they wanted to. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 02 Feb 2023 : 23:52:26
quote:
Originally posted by TheIriaeban
Well, how about this? A human made a mistake that killed thousands (Karsus) and the first thing that Mystra did was to block that spell from happening again and then changed things so that she would have to approve for any spell near that power level to be cast. What did Corellon do? Not a darn thing. I haven't heard of High Mages getting a talking to or even a time out. Did they stop using High Magic because they realized that maybe they shouldn't wield that kind of power? Did Corellon put any kind of guiderails on High Magic? Nope. He is an absentee dad allowing his kids to play with dynamite and not caring who or what is affected. And his kids, who are supposed to be smart enough to know to be extremely careful, keep blowing up the neighbor's cat/car/house.
Just because we don't know it happened doesn't mean it didn't happen.
Also, Mystra 1.0 took those actions because Ao told her to do so. That information comes directly from Ed.
quote:
@TheEdVerse
Ao cut off access through the Weave to spells above a certain power level (9th level in Torilian arcane magic terms) after the Folly of Karsus the over-reaching mortal. This means that more powerful spells fail upon casting when they access the Weave; it doesnt matter who casts them (so the spells of gods, archdevils, demon princes would fail, when cast into Realmspace, out of Realmspace, or within Realmspace).
IF those spells use the Weave.
There are rituals and magic systems that dont use the Weave, but the archmagi, covens of witches or hags, cabals of warlocks, and so on DO use the Weave in their rituals. Like the transplanted-to-Abeir wizards of Toril I mentioned in my earlier lore reply, such individuals would have to learn, or invent, an entire new system of magic to circumvent the Weave, and this would be hard for them without an expert tutor, because what theyre used to, which influences how theyd experiment and innovate, IS using the Weave; theyd have to go against all instinct and learned behavior. Like one of us getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and overcoming our learned tendencies to steer with the steering wheel and accelerate or brake using the pedals...because this new vehicle steers with taps of the peddles and accelerates or brakes by turning the wheel.
Do-able, but I anticipate many spectacular crashes.
#Realmslore
@Greysil_Tassyr
Wait -- *AO* is the one that banned those spells? So Mystra's Ban, as we've known it for so long, was actually Ao's ban?
@TheEdVerse
Yes. We know it in the Realms as Mystra's Ban because of priestly teachings (propaganda). "Regular folk" know nothing of Ao, but everyone knows about the goddess of magic.
At the time the Ban was enacted, Mystryl was in no condition to ban anything, and Mystra didn't exist yet.
#Realmslore
It's entirely like that since Mystra controls the Weave, Corellon couldn't do anything other than shake his finger angrily at the nearest High Mages... And given that they only cast that spell one time, it's likely that a prohibition is in place. Sure, they've cast other spells and caused mass destruction, but nothing on the same scale.
Also, your example only shows that the High Mages remained an arrogant bunch. It doesn't prove incompetence or evil -- just that later groups said "We won't make the same mistakes" and then made similar mistakes. |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 02 Feb 2023 : 23:18:47
I think we can all agree that if I wield High Magic and I want a safe place for my family and kids to live, that's reasonable. Even if I do it by exterminating all the native intelligent life on the planet. That's not really my fault. |
| TheIriaeban |
Posted - 02 Feb 2023 : 23:02:54
Well, how about this? A human made a mistake that killed thousands (Karsus) and the first thing that Mystra did was to block that spell from happening again and then changed things so that she would have to approve for any spell near that power level to be cast. What did Corellon do? Not a darn thing. I haven't heard of High Mages getting a talking to or even a time out. Did they stop using High Magic because they realized that maybe they shouldn't wield that kind of power? Did Corellon put any kind of guiderails on High Magic? Nope. He is an absentee dad allowing his kids to play with dynamite and not caring who or what is affected. And his kids, who are supposed to be smart enough to know to be extremely careful, keep blowing up the neighbor's cat/car/house. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 02 Feb 2023 : 21:06:35
quote:
Originally posted by TheIriaeban
I put them right there with Lex Luthor. They decided at one point they wanted their own little island and it didn't matter what it did to the rest of the world. So, either they are inherently evil or they are incompetent at a staggering level and have no business working ANY kind of magic much less High Magic.
I'd not call them evil or incompetent, here. You don't get to be a High Mage by being incompetent, and there's nothing evil about wanting a peaceful home where you don't have to worry about neighbors taking your stuff.
I would say they were shortsighted, in not seeing the potential side-effects. Or perhaps they had planned for the side-effects, but some unknown factor was at play and things got out of hand.
I think we've all seen otherwise smart people make some really stupid mistakes. Once, in high school, I watched this dude who was very, very book-smart take all the weights off of one side of a barbell, without touching the other. He was very lucky that it didn't clock him in the head as it rotated up and fell to the floor. Smart guy, dumb mistake, and something he should have seen coming if he'd stopped and thought about it.
I think that's what happened with Evermeet: the mages simply didn't take enough time to consider what they were doing.
Saying they were shortsighted or made a mistake doesn't forgive them the death and destruction that was caused -- I'm just reluctant to assume the worst, when there are reasonable alternatives. |
| TheIriaeban |
Posted - 02 Feb 2023 : 16:16:05
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
quote:
Originally posted by kysus
OMG! now you have me eager in anticipation lol. There is a line in the lost empires of faerun that could be read in a certain way that would lead one to believe that were corrupted high mages in that war, but I wasn't sure if i was just reading to much into it.
I'm not sure what you mean by "corrupted" High Mages, but to be clear there is no correlation between High Magic and being "good". Elvish history has seen plenty of evil, neutral, petty, amoral, uncaring High Mages.
-- George Krashos
Wait .... you mean creating a tidal wave to clear the land of humans isn't a good act?
I put them right there with Lex Luthor. They decided at one point they wanted their own little island and it didn't matter what it did to the rest of the world. So, either they are inherently evil or they are incompetent at a staggering level and have no business working ANY kind of magic much less High Magic. |
| Gary Dallison |
Posted - 02 Feb 2023 : 16:05:27
Just a suggestion, but if you create names for previously unknown high mages, perhaps riff the names from current WoTC and hasbro executives. |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 02 Feb 2023 : 15:43:17
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
quote:
Originally posted by kysus
OMG! now you have me eager in anticipation lol. There is a line in the lost empires of faerun that could be read in a certain way that would lead one to believe that were corrupted high mages in that war, but I wasn't sure if i was just reading to much into it.
I'm not sure what you mean by "corrupted" High Mages, but to be clear there is no correlation between High Magic and being "good". Elvish history has seen plenty of evil, neutral, petty, amoral, uncaring High Mages.
-- George Krashos
Wait .... you mean creating a tidal wave to clear the land of humans isn't a good act? |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 02 Feb 2023 : 07:33:17
quote:
Originally posted by kysus
OMG! now you have me eager in anticipation lol. There is a line in the lost empires of faerun that could be read in a certain way that would lead one to believe that were corrupted high mages in that war, but I wasn't sure if i was just reading to much into it.
I'm not sure what you mean by "corrupted" High Mages, but to be clear there is no correlation between High Magic and being "good". Elvish history has seen plenty of evil, neutral, petty, amoral, uncaring High Mages.
-- George Krashos |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 02 Feb 2023 : 07:26:35
quote:
Originally posted by Marco Volo
Hi Eric,
I have a few 'Red Enclave in Waterdeep' questions.
1- How did Thay convinced the Lords to welcome an enclave?
2- Why did the city approuved it, knowing the Red Wizards probably wanted to be in the city for some dark and gloomy reasons?
3- How does illicit goods are sold if agents of the Lords are checking the deals conducted in Skullport?
Thanks a lot :)
You need to read the 3E book "City of Splendors: Waterdeep", pgs.26-27.
-- George Krashos |
| Marco Volo |
Posted - 01 Feb 2023 : 18:02:22
Hi Eric,
I have a few 'Red Enclave in Waterdeep' questions.
1- How did Thay convinced the Lords to welcome an enclave?
2- Why did the city approuved it, knowing the Red Wizards probably wanted to be in the city for some dark and gloomy reasons?
3- How does illicit goods are sold if agents of the Lords are checking the deals conducted in Skullport?
Thanks a lot :) |
| PattPlays |
Posted - 26 Jan 2023 : 09:10:05
quote:
Originally posted by kysus
Eric I was wondering what your thoughts might be on a specific detail in the seven citadels war, would any of the houses of Siluvanede that got corrupted by the Dlardrageths have had high mages during that war in their service and if so what would have happened to them at the end of that war?
Judging by what I've read of elven high magic..
I'd assume they died casting something they believed would make a difference. I'd love for more info but I'd bet money that's the response that'd come XD "Why are there like no high elven mages oh they did the thing high elven mages do." It seems like dying casting magic comes with the title. I'd find it hard to imagine an elven high mage dying of anything other than their own will or high magic spells cast by rivals- which would also be powered by the death of that rival..
Here's hoping for that response. |
| Italian Archmage Karsus |
Posted - 19 Jan 2023 : 21:58:44
Alright, thank you very much! |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 19 Jan 2023 : 13:51:57
quote:
Originally posted by Italian Archmage Karsus
Quick question, I was looking at Marune in City of Splendors, where he is revealed to possess Andrathath's Mask. I noticed he's NE, but in previous editions, the wearer of the mask must become Chaotic after a year. Given he's had a hundred of those, does that mean the 3e writeup of the mask has a different drawback or has a different effect of the mask been revealed? Given Marune was CE in previous editions, it seems to suggest either a typo or a reimagining of the mask's functions.
In my turnover, he was CE. I'm going to blame it on a typo in editing.
--Eric |
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