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Caedwyr
Seeker
87 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Jul 2008 : 16:54:49
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| Most metals are not found in a pure elemental form on the surface of the planet and require smelting/extraction to be converted into a usable form. One could argue, that since they are not used in a natural state and require chemical reactions to convert to a usable form they aren't "natural" enough. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2008 : 18:51:18
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This question is inspired by my recent query to Steven.
What currently is Ed's favorite adult beverage? |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2008 : 20:42:58
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quote:
Originally posted by createvmind
Hello All,
Ok Ed, 41 people sacrificed summons an Avatar of Bane or it actually summoned Bane himself which either way seems a paltry price to force a deity to appear before you. I'm referring to novel 'Undead' in which Szass Tam summons Bane. I assume deities have provided these "backdoor" ways for them to be reached purposely but are not actually bound even though it seems Bane was indeed prevented from leaving, I'm not sure if this is creative liberties taken by Byers or lore you provided?
I also assume if by some miracle all the followers of a deity on Faerun prayed collectively and for same purpose for their god to appear he/she would have no choice but to manifest. I then recalled the Lady saying the Times of Trouble never happened in your home game so my assumption may be wrong if you don't have the gods needing their followers for survival as Ao decreed. Do you think at some point you could tell us a ritual to call forth a deity, say a Azuth, Gwaeron Windstorm, Eldath, Valkur, Uthgar or Mielikki or any deity that you may have notes on, I just threw some names out there hoping I would be in the ballpark?
Eric L. Boyd answered a question of mine with a reminder of some of the benefits of godhood (it's in their job description) which would prevent them from being constrained by a spell in a role-playing environment, the most important of which is that gods always make their saving throws (except against a more powerful deity). Bane would thus always make his save to avoid being constrained involuntarily.
Since the only spell which has ever been known to constrain a deity was Karsus's avatar, which was 12th level and is now banned, I would opine that it would be impossible for a mortal to constrain a deity within the game mechanics. The author of a novel has fewer restraints. See the scroll "Novels and Game Mechanics" for Erik Scott de Bie's insights into an author's obligations to "follow the rules" versus artistic license.
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2008 : 00:17:47
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Hello again, all. I'm currently awaiting Ed's latest lore reply, but can make a start at answering The Red Walker:
PROBABLY Amaretto liqueur, specifically Disaronno Originale.
However, Ed loves a nice semi-dry Riesling (such as some years of Ancient Coast or several of the more "haughty" labels), and the seasonal Cranberry Maple Wheat beer made by Church Key Brewing microbrewery in Petherick's Corners, Ontario (I believe he got Steven Schend to sample it recently, which involves a trip to the brewery [crammed into a tiny old church near Campbellford, Ontario]).
I'll pass this on to Ed for a definitive answer; he may, of course, not have just one "favourite tipple." As for mixed drinks, I have seen him consume Pina Coladas, Tequila Sunrises, and a few more exotic things on a regular basis.
Hmmm; perhaps I'll drop in on him and ask personally.
Yes, he does drink out of feminine navels. 
love,
THO |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2008 : 01:42:51
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Yes, he does drink out of feminine navels.
love,
THO
*The Sage softly taps the Lady K on the shoulder and directs her vision to this scroll*
"There. You see my love. Ed's allowed to do it!"   |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2008 : 03:15:21
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Hello again, all. This time Ed makes swift reply to Ergusch (yes, he remembers he has “soon-promised” tavern drink, fare, and pastime requests outstanding) about these linked queries: “Hello dear Ed and THO! Inspired by another scribe's query here at the Keep I did research on the Crystal Grot and was able to find a few answers by Ed of the Greenwoods in his replies. Now, these answers raised new questions (as is often the case for the unlearned scribe, I guess). So now I turn to the great teacher of Realmslore in hopes of having my newly arisen questions answered.
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One on 12 Jul 2006 concerning taxes in Suzail:
There are few surprises for an adventurer in Suzail, because the Crown of Cormyr doesn't have to be greedy for funds; it has the Crystal Grot and many sources of fee-based income.
Question 1: what other fee-based sources we you referring to? And, you mentioned some dragon articles you wrote on Cormyrean taxes in this answer as well that were not published back than. Any chance that those have been published by now?
And also a minor side note in one of his other replies:
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One on 15 Sep 2007:
Thanks to the Crystal Grot and Vangey’s canny “buying” of much foreign gold coinage, Cormyr has built up treasury enough over the years.
Question 2: Does this hold true for the time after the Dragon War? Or have the state funds been run low after this crisis?
Question 3: Also, is the Crystal Grot ever going to be played out/exploited?
Thanks in advance, Ergdusch”
Ed replies:
1. No, the articles haven’t been published, but are under NDA for possible fiction use reasons. Sorry.
The “other fee-based” sources of income I mentioned include all manner of Crown-issued permits and licenses (e.g. to hunt in an area not your own, to cut timber ditto, to practice alchemy [medicine, scent-making, and the making of “around the house and farm” substances such as soaps, repellents and lubricants]), sales and rentals of Crown land, docking and warehouse fees at Crown wharves in Cormyrean ports, import duties on certain goods (which can be quite high on weapons, dyes, and certain potent drinkables), “gate tolls” per wagon if sheltering over at High Horn or other Crown fortresses, and so on (and on, and on). There are also 1-cp-per-transaction taxes built into the prices of certain services (fees for bardic performances, club dancers, etc.), and fees for Crown-provided services (such as inspections of buildings and fences, letters penned by Royal Court scribes, copies provided of various Crown documents such as land deeds, identity papers, et al). In certain circumstances, individuals can even hire Purple Dragons to repair roads and bridges and guard things, with the fees shared between the the Dragons and the Crown.
2. The Dragon War smashed a lot of Purple Dragon manpower and necessitated recruiting, training, and equipping new soldiers as well as short-term buying of a lot of food to offset ruined crops. In the longer term, a lot of fortifications in Arabel had to be rebuilt, and a great amount of fencing (and livestock herds) had been destroyed and had to be replaced. Yet the longer-term rebuilding generated prosperity in the ever-bustling realm all by itself . . . so the dint in the treasure was small, and just enabled the Obarskyrs to draw on more of the wealth of the Grot without causing rampant inflation.
In short: the realm (including its government and royal family) is as wealthy as ever.
3. Who knows? In theory, yes, but the “exploited” is covered by NDAs, and the “played out” is not something the few individuals who have actually seen the Grot seem at all worried about. Which should tell you the worth of what meets the eye in that cavern is stupendous - - and “stupendous” covers a lot of spending sprees.
So saith Ed. Who is back at the keyboard and typing hard, trying to catch up on ARCH WIZARD (for Solaris, in his Falconfar series, not the Realms), so he can turn his eye to some juicy Realms ideas. Or so he tells me.
I remain your Lady Herald in ever-willing service,
love to all,
THO
P.S. Sage, there's room here for Lady K on the couch beside me, if it's navel-sipping time . . |
Edited by - The Hooded One on 04 Jul 2008 03:16:50 |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2008 : 04:02:24
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hello again, all. I'm currently awaiting Ed's latest lore reply, but can make a start at answering The Red Walker:
PROBABLY Amaretto liqueur, specifically Disaronno Originale.
However, Ed loves a nice semi-dry Riesling (such as some years of Ancient Coast or several of the more "haughty" labels), and the seasonal Cranberry Maple Wheat beer made by Church Key Brewing microbrewery in Petherick's Corners, Ontario (I believe he got Steven Schend to sample it recently, which involves a trip to the brewery [crammed into a tiny old church near Campbellford, Ontario]).
I'll pass this on to Ed for a definitive answer; he may, of course, not have just one "favourite tipple." As for mixed drinks, I have seen him consume Pina Coladas, Tequila Sunrises, and a few more exotic things on a regular basis.
Hmmm; perhaps I'll drop in on him and ask personally.
Yes, he does drink out of feminine navels.
love,
THO
Many thanks Lovely Hooded One.....and as if you didn't know, Pina Coladas make a great navel treat, and I will be happy to provide you a pitcher of them any time |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2008 : 06:37:04
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Hey Ed, I'm back.
Our current campaign has changed a bit since A Study in Perversity which I hoped you enjoyed.
Today, one of the players had a fun idea for our latest attempt at 4Eing the Realms. In this case, they have the unusual desire to become Evil Overlords. Yes, our little Saurons and Voldemorts in training love the Forgotten Realms so much they want to carve themselves a piece of it.
So for the sake of humor, any places in the Realms you'd argue are ripe for conquest and advice for groups to ally with in conquering such (and hopefully maintaining your prize) if you have absolutely no scruples? |
My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Gelcur
Senior Scribe
523 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2008 : 06:49:43
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Well Lady Herald I have a new question that interests me that Ed may be able to shed some light on.
I was browsing through Pages From the Mages lately and stumbled on this line:
"Mordenkainen and Vangerdahast both competed magically for the hand of a young extra-planar beauty. (Both lost, by the way.)"
I have to say this piqued my curiosity. Who was said beauty and could Ed regale us with the antics of courting that led to them both losing her hand?
I know Ed's very busy, there is no rush on this by any means its not for a campaign or anything just more curiosity. |
The party come to a town befallen by hysteria
Rogue: So what's in the general store?
DM: What are you looking for?
Rogue: Whatevers in the store.
DM: Like what?
Rogue: Everything.
DM: There is a lot of stuff.
Rogue: Is there a cart outside?
DM: (rolls) Yes.
Rogue: We'll take it all, we may need it for the greater good. |
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createvmind
Senior Scribe
490 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2008 : 17:41:55
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Hello All,
Since we're on the topic, Ed did you create the Grot and why for Cormyr in particular?
Or better yet, can you tell us who has claimed ownership of the grot since its discovery, I'm wondering if dragons have ever made this Grot a "must have". |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2008 : 17:56:21
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hey I have a deranged question.
what is the abilities of the true blackstaff???
and its history |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction
Magister's GAmbit
http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2008 : 19:11:00
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Hi, all.
Yes, Ed did create the Crystal Grot, so far as I can recall, and did so deliberately to have Cormyr's government make financial sense WITHOUT the ruling family or Court having the necessity to levy heavy taxes. (Ed wanted to establish a situation where the nobles hated the Obarskyrs for their own reasons, but the "common folk" didn't necessarily hate the ruling family, because they weren't suffering under a heavy tax load.) However, as usual, all of your posts will be sent on to him, so he can reply himself, in the fullness of time.
(Please be patient, folks, he does this out of love and is one of the busiest, most overloaded people I know, with declining health starting to gnaw at him and complicate matters.)
love to all,
THO |
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createvmind
Senior Scribe
490 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2008 : 19:19:15
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| Thank you Lady |
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createvmind
Senior Scribe
490 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2008 : 19:30:32
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Hello All,
I see they've added Killoren to the realms, is this post spellplague or did these creatures exist before, Ed have Catfolk existed in your campaigns and if so where? |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 00:45:47
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Hi, all.
Ed certainly had catfolk (of some sort; they were seldom-seen, VERY mysterious, sleek adventuring sorts) in the original Realms. I doubt they were close to killoren, but we'll see when Ed's reply comes back.
love,
THO |
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createvmind
Senior Scribe
490 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 00:48:00
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| Yeah, thank you Lady |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 15:50:58
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Hi, Ed and lovely THO!
A brief, simple campaign question this time:
In Suzail, where are the Royal Stables? Adjacent to, or part of, the Royal Palace or Royal Court, yes, but precisely where?
I have PCs with nefarious plans, and therefore Need To Know. 
Thanks,
BB |
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Broken Helm
Learned Scribe
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 15:54:30
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Hmm. I, too, have a "campaign needs" question.
What sort of combat contest would bored, rich nobles of Cormyr wager on, and enjoy as entertainment, in private?
I'm looking for something small, not lethal or messy, and not very destructive, either (i.e. something they could watch in a nicely-appointed room without having to rebuild it, afterwards).
Thanks in advance! |
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Baleful Avatar
Learned Scribe
Canada
161 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 15:58:05
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Blueblade, I seem to remember Ed mentioning something about the stables at a GenCon once, back in the MECCA Milwaukee years. He ran a mini-adventure that involved PCs sneaking from the Royal Gardens to or from the stables, which argues that they're adjacent.
Or are you really asking the whereabouts of the stalls that house horses personally used by the Obarskyrs, in the larger Royal Stables? |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 18:32:59
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Heh, that'd be useful too, but I mean the "main block" (if there's more than one building) called the Royal Stables.
While I'm at it, Ed: in the royal wing (or best-guarded areas around the royal apartments) in the Palace, how well do the various servants and guards know each other by sight? What I'm really asking is: if a PC slugs and hides a guard, dons his uniform, it fits, and he "acts right" to be the guard, on duty, how likely is a passing maid or other servant (or some other sort of courtier, I suppose) to glance at him and know this "isn't the right guard"? Or do most of them not bother really looking at all the guards and doorjacks standing in their places? Or do the duties rotate so much that they are accustomed to seeing all sorts of unfamiliar faces on duty?
BB |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 21:08:09
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| Thanks to Ed for his fast answer on my querries and to you, THO for delivering it so promptly! |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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createvmind
Senior Scribe
490 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 22:50:08
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| If one is immune to mind-affects does that make them immune to the waters of the river Styx? |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 23:38:56
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Hi again, everyone.
Ergdusch, you're very welcome. Fans of Cormyr are automatically special friends of mine. 
createvmind, this is one of the questions I CAN answer, being as Ed wrote detailed rules for the Lethe, Styx, et al, back when he was detailing the Nine Hells and other planes (he and fellow Canadian Steven Inniss, creator of the lillend, collaborated on a long, detailed overview of Limbo that ultimately wasn't published), and I read and enjoyed them.
This is (or was) "official," BTW, adopted by Jim Ward (then Creative Director of TSR): yes, the Styx affects those immune to magical and psionic mind-effects, because it works chemically on their bodies (brains). However, immunity often dampens/lessens the effects of the Styx, or allows the body to rally, purge itself, and "throw off" any changes the Styx made to the affected being. So contact with the waters of the Styx either affects an "immune" creature fully, or affects them fully but not permanently (or for a markedly shorter duration, in the case of non-permanent effects), or affects them partially for a short time (weak effects). Your call as DM (as, ultimately, with everything, of course).
I'm paraphrasing Ed's notes here, not giving them verbatim, because they ARE Wizards-owned lore.
love,
THO |
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Neriandal Freit
Senior Scribe
USA
396 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2008 : 00:21:40
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THO - do you know if any of that detailed information is avaiable? that would certainly be wonderful stuff to have for my Redeemers of Dawn (that I'll need to do something with kudos of 4.0)
Edit: Lady, do you know if Ed (or even your self?) ever had the chance to look over the Redeemers in the Compendiums latest edition? |
"Eating people is wrong...unless it's on the first date." - Ed Greenwood, GenCon Indy 2006 |
Edited by - Neriandal Freit on 07 Jul 2008 00:23:59 |
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2008 : 00:22:43
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Well met!
Ed, I think you've mentioned rugs before, but I don't recall you ever going into great detail about them. What cultures are the leading rug makers, and which cultures are the great rug users? Aside from extraordinary rugs, such as the one with the oracles from Zakhara, what are the best known styles, and what do they look like? (I think that anyone who has found this site can look up illustrations elsewhere if Earth styles and Realms styles are similar, e.g., "like a Kirman," "like a Shiraz," "like a Navajo," etc.) Is there a collector market for any of these styles?
What colors and materials are used in various regions?
Inquiring DMs want to know!
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2008 : 00:24:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Charles Phipps
Hey Ed, I'm back.
Our current campaign has changed a bit since A Study in Perversity which I hoped you enjoyed.
Today, one of the players had a fun idea for our latest attempt at 4Eing the Realms. In this case, they have the unusual desire to become Evil Overlords. Yes, our little Saurons and Voldemorts in training love the Forgotten Realms so much they want to carve themselves a piece of it.
So for the sake of humor, any places in the Realms you'd argue are ripe for conquest and advice for groups to ally with in conquering such (and hopefully maintaining your prize) if you have absolutely no scruples?
I think Ed has already said, either here or in Power of Faerun, or the WotC online articles, that the Border kingdoms are the place to go, most of which are deliberately unmapped and undescribed for just that reason. But what do I know?
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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Edited by - Jamallo Kreen on 07 Jul 2008 00:28:48 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2008 : 01:35:43
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The Border Kingdoms, perhaps more so than any other part of the established Realms, are designed to be easily customised for particular and/or individual home Realms campaigns -- complete with swiftly shifting borders and ever-changing rulers. So there's plenty of room for changes and/or the addition of new details for your game.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2008 : 02:42:58
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
The Border Kingdoms, perhaps more so than any other part of the established Realms, are designed to be easily customised for particular and/or individual home Realms campaigns -- complete with swiftly shifting borders and ever-changing rulers. So there's plenty of room for changes and/or the addition of new details for your game.
Not to mentioned that the Border Kingdoms nobility is also "self-titled", which makes it VERY easy for a given adventurer to retire there! (i.e. build a keep, proclaim yourself Lord of Whatnot, and tax your people... simple! at least... simpler than becoming a noble in Waterdeep! (see "Order in the Court", in Power of Faerun, and the steps taken by the last two noble houses to obtain their nobility... we're literally talking millions of gold pieces in bribery, gifts, and loans to other existing nobles, which turn into non-recuperable "gifts" once nobility is achieved...)) |
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GoCeraf
Learned Scribe
147 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2008 : 04:32:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
The Border Kingdoms, perhaps more so than any other part of the established Realms, are designed to be easily customised for particular and/or individual home Realms campaigns -- complete with swiftly shifting borders and ever-changing rulers. So there's plenty of room for changes and/or the addition of new details for your game.
Not to mentioned that the Border Kingdoms nobility is also "self-titled", which makes it VERY easy for a given adventurer to retire there! (i.e. build a keep, proclaim yourself Lord of Whatnot, and tax your people... simple! at least... simpler than becoming a noble in Waterdeep! (see "Order in the Court", in Power of Faerun, and the steps taken by the last two noble houses to obtain their nobility... we're literally talking millions of gold pieces in bribery, gifts, and loans to other existing nobles, which turn into non-recuperable "gifts" once nobility is achieved...))
Notably easier to become a noble, perhaps, but with a notably higher mortality rate. |
Being sarcastic can be more telling than simply telling. |
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Questions for Ed Greenwood (2008)
Topic Locked
