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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Jan 2008 : 19:19:30
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It's been a week since the scroll for this book was locked and I thought I could try again. I apologize for my part in contributing to the uncivil atmosphere in that scroll and will endeavor to avoid a repeat here.
To that end I will keep this brief. If anyone is still interested in a hard copy of the book, PM me.
Otherwise, please continue to provide comments, feedback, and impressions on the book. I promise to read them all and be more judicious in my responses.
Dave
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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jan 2008 : 04:35:54
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Ozz, I finished the book, I won't comment on the end yet. The addition of Binxin was truly unexpected. What exactly is she? Her dialog was among the most enjoyable in the book (along with Verpith and Polum, but I have soft spot for evil characters...)
I was surprised to see Pristoleph in your book - he is pretty consistent with the portrayal of him in the Watercourse trilogy (I only read book 1, I have no idea how his character progressed through the next two books). Shoptim is my favorite character, so I am a bit concerned about how she ended up. Do you have an outline of what is supposed to happen to her next? |
Edited by - Ranak on 16 Jan 2008 04:36:21 |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jan 2008 : 20:03:39
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quote:
The addition of Binxin was truly unexpected. What exactly is she? Her dialog was among the most enjoyable in the book
Not sure that saying much but thanks. I was concerned about how people might react to Binxin so I'm glad to hear you liked her. I think she more or less tells Ehric she's a Spirit Folk, in this case of the River variety. As far as I can work out her name means something along the lines of "Ice that doesn't melt even when doused in hot tea." It seemed an apt description of her character.
quote:
Shoptim is my favorite character, so I am a bit concerned about how she ended up. Do you have an outline of what is supposed to happen to her next?
Sure, but since I may write that story sometime I won't be revealing it here. |
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jan 2008 : 20:58:48
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| I have downloaded it, but I have not had time to read it. It is on my To-Read list though (sorry, somethings were already on that list before I even knew about your book). |
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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jan 2008 : 05:11:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Ozzalum
Not sure that saying much but thanks. I was concerned about how people might react to Binxin so I'm glad to hear you liked her. I think she more or less tells Ehric she's a Spirit Folk, in this case of the River variety. As far as I can work out her name means something along the lines of "Ice that doesn't melt even when doused in hot tea." It seemed an apt description of her character.
Yeah I read the spirit folk bit but I know nothing about them. I guess its time to bust out the old Races of Faerun, lol. |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jan 2008 : 13:35:39
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Sorry Ranak, I was a bit confused by the question. Spirit Folk are detailed in the 3rd Edition Oriental Adventures as well as Unapproachable East. Basically they are attractive, long-lived and descended from nature spirits. As for Binxin in particular, she took up the Shaman class, also presented in Oriental Adventures.
I really liked both of those books though I wish Oriental Adventures had been FR specific. |
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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2008 : 02:13:33
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Someone is borrowing my Unapproachable East at the moment. If they are similar to spirit folk in the olde Kara-Tur boxed set, then I have a vague idea what she is about.
I am quite worried about Shoptim, she is left in a pretty perilous situation. The fate of Ehric surprised me, I just hope he doesn't turn into an Erevis Cale (I like Cale, but one in the Realms is enough!)
quote:
Originally posted by Ozzalum
Sorry Ranak, I was a bit confused by the question. Spirit Folk are detailed in the 3rd Edition Oriental Adventures as well as Unapproachable East. Basically they are attractive, long-lived and descended from nature spirits. As for Binxin in particular, she took up the Shaman class, also presented in Oriental Adventures.
I really liked both of those books though I wish Oriental Adventures had been FR specific.
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2008 : 02:47:10
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I am quite worried about Shoptim, she is left in a pretty perilous situation.
I'm sensing you like the bad girls, Ranak. Shoptim definitely has a rough time ahead of her, but she's obviously a resourceful Red. I'd be more concerned about her feathered friend. She can't be feeling too confident about her situation.
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The fate of Ehric surprised me, I just hope he doesn't turn into an Erevis Cale (I like Cale, but one in the Realms is enough!)
I don't think Ehric has it in him to be an Everis. Cale is a fighter, a defier of fate, whereas Ehric's made of weaker stuff. In fact I'd say he has an altruistic death wish.
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2008 : 18:56:19
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So I talked with Alaundo and it seems some hundreds of you fine folk here have downloaded the book. I'd still love to get more feedback, either here in the forums or not. I know many of you have invested many skill points in hide in shadows and I would want you to stop lurking on my behalf.
As such, if you'd rather send me an email, even if only to say you read it and liked / disliked it, you can drop me a line at
ozzalum <at> gmail.com
Thanks |
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2008 : 04:54:45
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(Ozzalum is free to post my earlier review of his work sent via PM)
I think that he should definitely submit this the next time that Wizards of the Coast holds a contest to determine the next novel. It's a very impressive work that I very much enjoyed.
Ehric is a hero with a lot of emotional depth and I very much enjoy him. However, I wouldn't mind him seeing becoming a little less emotionally fragile if you ever do a sequel.
His doomed romance was doomed from the beginning but a lot of the fun of the story was sent forth by his relationship with Shoptim. Those two characters played off much better than Ehric and Yrrl.
The Yuan-Ti are utilized wonderfully here and I also like the handling of the Orcs. Instead of straight up evil, they're treated as a savage race.
Nice job. |
My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2008 : 19:07:33
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where can I dl this book?
thanks |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2008 : 15:11:08
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These are Charles Phipps somewhat lengthier comments. Once again I want to thank you for giving it a chance and for your response.
quote:
I want to compliment you on the professional layout, writing, and handling of Fate's Guide. It's really like a canonical book of Forgotten Realms and certainly up with the quality of it. I suggest the next time that they do one of their contests, you submit this as is.
I want to compliment you on the creation of the character of Ehric. You manage to insert a nice pathos into the stock "Lonely Wandering Warrior" character. His loneliness is fairly palable throughout the tale and the fact that he is almost willing to come to love his Yuan-Ti (polymorphed one at that) lover is something that practically oozes with tragedy.
Plus, he's a Wizard in a Warrior's Genre.
You managed to do a number of things that I very much enjoyed in this book. I liked the fact that it was in a region that we don't commonly see in Toril. The fact that it wasn't the usual Cormyr/Shadowdale/Waterdeep style regions was an excellent change of pace but very distinctly the Realms.
Likewise, I also enjoyed the fact that you used the Yuan-Ti. You rarely get to see those guys put to use and you managed to successfully make them "pure evil" without being cartoonish. Instead of just being evil for its own sake, you highlighted their serpentine qualities and made them simply alien to the ideas of love and affection. The idea of a Charm Person spell having such a titanic affect on a person really gets you thinking.
Shoptim Nuln was a delightfully devilish creation and one that successfully managed to SCREAM Lawful Evil but be likeable as well. You could really believe she was a sexual threat to the Yyll/Ehric relationship and that's despite the fact that she's bald. So, good job.
She reminded me somewhat of the love interest in Mask of the Betrayer.
Impressive work.
Anything else?
7/10
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Fates' Guide (Spoilers)
