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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1449 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Nov 2024 : 23:33:21
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On solars versus powerful mages
https://x.com/TheEdVerse/status/1856004745548153162
https://x.com/TheEdVerse/status/1856539586429607958
Nov 12, 2024
@hgchujn1805
@TheEdVerse Greetings, Ed the Grand Sage!
I don't know if others had come up with this before, but… I seem to recall that it was either someone else who definitely had a say on a fraction of matters happening in the Realms (perhaps with doubtful precision without access to those powerful mages and such), or the Grand Mage he himself (and that's you!), said something like "Among all the editions, the stats back in AD&D portray the inhabitants of the Realms to the most accurate extend."
That set me off digging into materials concerning AD&D, and indeed, some of the settings were so different from those can be widely seen today. I saw in Dragon issue #91 El's stats for 1E, and in the boxed set lots of other interesting lores. However, what has shocked me about AD&D are some exceedingly powerful monsters back then that seem nigh invincible, so powerful that almost any attempt I can think of to translate these beings into later-edition versions would seem inappropriate as that would undoubtedly lead to a shrink in their capabilities. On top of my head, I recall solars, whose stats in 1E and 2E are, in a word, overpowered. Though I believe that, in the Realms, no one (or nothing) rivals great mages like Elminster in might, but these beings seem to stand a good chance.
So my question is… getting rid of the divine aid accessible to some of the powerful mages, in terms of overall power, does a solar have a fighting chance against anyone of the most powerful mages in the Realms (yeah, I know they're good guys…)?
Sincerely thanks.
@TheEdVerse
Certainly they have a chance. Solars are of course the D&D version of one tier of angels. I had no hand at all in designing them (they’re “outer planar,” not “Realms”), but the overpowered aspect is due to differing design philosophies among D&D game editions.
In early editions of the game, there were beings who were supposed to be “too powerful” for PCs to defeat; just “out of mortal league.” Later game editions shifted to: gods have stats so your PCs can kill them and take their places.
So some of my early monsters (and a lot of deities designed by many folks) are “gross” in power level. That was deliberate: DON’T mess with these beings through combat. Negotiate or die. Whereas later on it became: PCs can do anything.
Just as Gary’s original D&D was: your PC is this one class, the class has strengths and grave weaknesses, too, so for success you MUST band together in a party and co-operate. Successive editions have moved towards min/max your character can have it all.
@dmarcanist
Have you ever collaborated in the creation of character classes? Could there be a class native to the Realms, in addition to the classic ones?
@TheEdVerse
Sure. Look at old DRAGON Magazines for my incantatrix, smith, beastmaster, etc. classes (billed as NPC classes as there was a rule against adding PC classes to the game without going through the rules committee). Some of these were supposed to be unique to the Realms. |
Edited by - questing gm on 14 Nov 2024 11:39:12 |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1449 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2024 : 23:40:06
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On name of sentient mimic
https://x.com/TheEdVerse/status/1856006156008714747
Nov 12, 2024
@Buckbee_W
@TheEdVerse Does the sentient Mimic have a name? My adventuring party named it Chester. What episode did you mention it?
@TheEdVerse
It calls itself “Melorurrumm,” which other mimics understand (to mean “Big One” or “Mess Not With This One” or “Formidable”), as many mimics that can’t speak can hear and understand a lot of Common. When talking with humans, elves, etc. it uses overheard human names it believes will lead them to treat it as harmless or eccentric rather than something to be instantly attacked, so it often calls itself “Humbert” or “Quilberforce” or “Jannatha.” |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1449 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2024 : 23:46:49
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On Ao the god of Kyrnn and Athas
https://x.com/TheEdVerse/status/1856010807982567603
Nov 12, 2024
@RossDNear
@TheEdVerse Ao is the creator of the multiverse, but I'm confused about his extent of power. is he also the god behind Kryn and Dark sun? It would help me to have a better perspective on multiverses this as I am working on something.
@TheEdVerse
Ao's not the creator of the multiverse; that's propaganda. Ao was installed as Realms overgod by a greater being after the Realms existed; he answers to a greater being, as seen in the published lore. He's not a creator deity or a guardian for either Athas or Krynn. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1449 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2024 : 11:37:47
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On sonnets in the Faerûn
https://x.com/TheEdVerse/status/1856540178346553667
Nov 13, 2024
@AAxelington
@TheEdVerse Hi, lm sorry this is a weird question but I wanted to ask about Faerûnian sonnets. In a game I’m playing that’s set in Faerûn, they mention Sonnets and I’m just wondering how they got there? Is that a Faerûnian version of Shakespeare? Are they structurally different?
@TheEdVerse
Sonnets got to the Realms through the gates (that are now largely "forgotten," hence the name Forgotten Realms. So, yes, they're structurally the same. I think I've written thirty-some sonnets that have been published, down the years. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1449 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2024 : 12:44:34
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On peoples of the Realms actually know the events of the Time of Troubles
https://x.com/TheEdVerse/status/1857282102292525373
Nov 15, 2024
@IsaacBooth19
@TheEdVerse , quick question, how much of the events of the Time of Troubles do the peoples of the Realms actually know? Thinking about sending my 5e players back in time to experience the Realms during the time covered by the Grey Box when I started playing.
@TheEdVerse
They know a lot, but much of it is spun/slanted or falsehoods, thanks to various clergies spotlighting their gods and decrying others, and wild runaway rumors. However, sages trying to be dispassionate can piece together a very good overall picture. |
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Ed Greenwood on Twitter
