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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
 Posted - 12 May 2008 : 04:01:15
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Well, I guess I will be the first to post on this one. 
I picked this up yesterday. As I stated in the poll topic on this one, I appreciated Richard Baker's Acknowledgment in the back of the novel. It shows, IMO, that he has put conscious effort into the realms on his part, to stay true to the feel of the realms, even with the huge changes that have or will be taking place with 4E.
I am curious to learn more about the topic of "changeland" it appears to have been a result of the return of Abeir. This specific word appears several times within the first 4 chapters.
I also like the Halfling character. Can't tell what his class is yet, but we know he is a Ghostwise Halfling. He does not appear to be a swamp/ river dwelling creature that D&D 4E is spouting.
So far I am into the 4th chapter and the novel is good so far. Someone in another thread talked about the elf/dwarf vs the elven/dwarven verbiage when describing items vs. race. I did not see an issue here when reading through the story, but I am far from an expert on the written English language.
The feel of the Moonsea region is evident in the writing, as Rich describes the town of Hulburg, the Moonsea, and the surrounding areas. That is about all I can think of for the moment. I look forward to discussing this one more in detail, with other folks on these boards. |
Edited by - scererar on 12 May 2008 04:02:42 |
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Wormys_Queue
Acolyte
Germany
7 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 09:19:14
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I must admit that I'm somewhat opposed to the changes brought by fourth edition and that I especially don't like the spellplague (it's not that I can't understand the necessity for changes to make it easier to integrate new players into the Realms; it's just that I think said changes mustn't have been so radical). So it was with mixed feelings that I picked up this book
Having put this from the table I was quite pleasantly surprised when I read the first chapters of the novel. It's obvious that there has been a lot of change but Rich succeeds to inform us about those changes without breaking the flow of the story too much. And with Myth Drannor, Hulburg and the Hulmasters,House Sokol and Mulmaster, he succeeds in showing us that there IS continuity in the Realms, not the sharp break that some of us feared to have happened after some of the previews. Even 100 years later, the Realms are the Realms after all. And I think it's very clever to use the town of Hulburg which hasn't been given much love during 3E but has its roots in former editions which is a nice nod to us longtime fans of the setting.
What I liked most so far is the way Rich Baker chose to present all the new stuff. Geran Hulmaster, having been absent from his hometown for quite some years has to learn about the changes for himself so we don't get presented the basic info in a Tolkien way right at the start of the novel but at the same speed Geran learns about them.
One minor gripe: I would have liked to learn in more detail about the rise of Hulburg and especially the family Hulmaster. In 1995's Moonsea supplement, the town lies in ruins and the Hulmasters do not seem to be too competent so I wonder how they were even able to recognize the opportunity caused by the Spellplague. I understand that this isn't the main focus of the novel, though, it's just that I'd like to know those details :) |
Edited by - Wormys_Queue on 12 May 2008 13:01:53 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 14:09:46
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quote:
Originally posted by scererar
I picked this up yesterday. As I stated in the poll topic on this one, I appreciated Richard Baker's Acknowledgment in the back of the novel. It shows, IMO, that he has put conscious effort into the realms on his part, to stay true to the feel of the realms, even with the huge changes that have or will be taking place with 4E.
I did read that Acknowledgment. The gist of it, as far as *I* could tell, was that Mr. Baker thinks the Realms now feels more like it should be to him...which is hardly any great revelation, since he's one of the designers. It pretty much goes without saying that one will design something to suit their own tastes, even if they are also trying to be true to someone else's established design principles. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 12 May 2008 14:16:52 |
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Crackerdrew
Acolyte
0 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 15:00:50
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I finished this novel last night and I was both entertained by it, but a little less satisfied as well... More on that in later posts. 
The first four chapters pulled me in immediately. A conflicted character like Geren, who exiled from Myth Drannor, finds his hometown changed for the worse. I agree with Wormys_Queue about introducing the area through the eyes of the main character. Nice concept.
With the description of Hulburg with all of the districts, streets, and shops, I was able to get a fairly good picture of the town. I looked all over for a map of the city but to no avail.
I'll try to keep my posts short until later in the conversation, as I can't remember which events happened where. |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2008 : 17:53:39
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I like the start very much, for whatever reason I am in a state of mind where I really enjoy seeing people get there just desserts. Green cutting off the the hand of his elf opponent was awesome!
It is always good to see a smug xenophobic elf cut to size. It's only to bad that in his arrogance he will blame it on the baseness of the human and not look to himself for blame.
Edit: sp |
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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Edited by - The Red Walker on 26 May 2008 21:53:19 |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2008 : 02:50:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Fillow
I've just begun this marvelous novel this morning -my first oen in English !
Does the arcane word "Seiroch", that Geran uses in the duel mean something ? I searched in elven glossary but found nothing.
I don't believe so. I took it as the author's attempt to show magic spells being cast in a more realistic manner, similar to the Dragonlance novels and Raistlin.
I have noticed that the 4E spell process is a lot faster, a gesture here and couple of words there. nothing long and drwn out. Maybe "rituals" will show more of this side of casting. |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2008 : 15:24:12
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Thanks a lot scererar. That's what I thought too.
I've so many other question my dear fellow scribes.
Here are few of them :
- I understood that the prologue takes place in Myth Drannor. So, after Geran's destructive impulse, we read about two more Velar Guards who wait nearby the duel place (p.5). What are these guards ?
I looked for the "Velar" term in the FR books but I only found it was the name of the founder of Velarsdale ! (VGtD, p.129). I don't think they both deals with the same people.
- a grammar question : in English, when you speak about a boat, you say "she" (p. 7). Isn't it ? I read that in the first lines of the chapter one. I believe I've heard that when I was at school but I'm not sure about it.
- In a tavern , is a Sembian red a type of red wine ? p.10
- What is a Shieldsworn ? p.13
I thank you so very much for helping me. |
"Today is a good day to smile",
Fillow Big'n'Book Mahlemiut 'Lead-dog', Son of Garl, Wanderer of the Masked Leaf and Namer of Oghma.
- Fight in the arena and have fun ! : La brute.com
- Feel free to take part to these projects : Post-Spellplague bibliography ; 4E index project ; Taverns and inns of the Realms ; Dogs of the Realms ; Descriptions of places in the novels ; forums, RPG, FR Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Come and have a look at the already asked questions from the Forgotten Realms Trivia Challenge
I am a French FR fan, so please forgive my lapses in English language and do not hesitate to correct me. Thanks a lot. |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2008 : 17:45:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Fillow
Thanks a lot scererar. That's what I thought too.
I've so many other question my dear fellow scribes.
Here are few of them :
- I understood that the prologue takes place in Myth Drannor. So, after Geran's destructive impulse, we read about two more Velar Guards who wait nearby the duel place (p.5). What are these guards ?
I looked for the "Velar" term in the FR books but I only found it was the name of the founder of Velarsdale ! (VGtD, p.129). I don't think they both deals with the same people.
- a grammar question : in English, when you speak about a boat, you say "she" (p. 7). Isn't it ? I read that in the first lines of the chapter one. I believe I've heard that when I was at school but I'm not sure about it.
- In a tavern , is a Sembian red a type of red wine ? p.10
- What is a Shieldsworn ? p.13
I thank you so very much for helping me.
Not sure if velar guards existed pre-4E. Additionally, Myth Drannor was not reclaimed until the end of 3E. So maybe they are a newer creation. I did however, find a reference in Cormanthyr p.38 that in the year of the vanished foe. A human named Velar was instrumental in a battle that routed Orc invaders. the area of the battle was later named Velarsdale.
My wife says "because a ship was always a sailors 1st woman" and usually referred to in the female tense. not sure if I agree totally, but I bet she is on track. I am glad I don't own a boat 
I took sembian red to be an ale of some sort
Shieldsworn is the collective name/title of the Hulmarch's(sp?) soldiers/guards.
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Edited by - scererar on 08 Jun 2008 18:01:27 |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Karzak
Learned Scribe
196 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2008 : 02:29:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Fillow
one more grammar question : should I say "in 1477 DR" or "in the year 1477 DR" or in another way ?
We don't normally say "In the year 2008 AD"/"In the year 2008 CE" because that sounds unnatural and bizarre, so I don't see why "In the year 1477 DR" would be any less awkward.
quote:
Originally posted by scererar
I took sembian red to be an ale of some sort
Why? Ale isn't usually red. |
Edited by - Karzak on 11 Jun 2008 02:31:44 |
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Karzak
Learned Scribe
196 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2008 : 03:21:41
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quote:
Originally posted by scererar
Implying someone is incorrect without providing an alternative is... rude my friend.
You offend really easily, don't you. Gosh, dealing with things on a day-to-day basis - never mind the Internet - must be a regular trial. |
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Arkhaedun
Senior Scribe
869 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2008 : 03:51:40
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Let's back off of the comments targeting one another's personal traits, and get back on topic. There is no reason for this to get heated, so let's all back off take some time to actually ponder the topic of the thread.
Thanks. |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2008 : 04:18:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Karzak
We don't normally say "In the year 2008 AD"/"In the year 2008 CE" because that sounds unnatural and bizarre, so I don't see why "In the year 1477 DR" would be any less awkward.
Right. Thanks Karzak.
But should I say "in 2008,..." or "in the year 2008,..." ?
quote:
Originally posted by Karzak
quote:
Originally posted by scererar
I took sembian red to be an ale of some sort
Why? Ale isn't usually red.
In France, and anywhere else I think.. I hope for your pleasure !, we indeed have red beer.
As we have blond, brown ("brune"), amber brown also.
Beer is an art ! |
"Today is a good day to smile",
Fillow Big'n'Book Mahlemiut 'Lead-dog', Son of Garl, Wanderer of the Masked Leaf and Namer of Oghma.
- Fight in the arena and have fun ! : La brute.com
- Feel free to take part to these projects : Post-Spellplague bibliography ; 4E index project ; Taverns and inns of the Realms ; Dogs of the Realms ; Descriptions of places in the novels ; forums, RPG, FR Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Come and have a look at the already asked questions from the Forgotten Realms Trivia Challenge
I am a French FR fan, so please forgive my lapses in English language and do not hesitate to correct me. Thanks a lot. |
Edited by - Fillow on 11 Jun 2008 13:08:58 |
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Karzak
Learned Scribe
196 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2008 : 12:48:32
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Most people say "In 2008" or whatever, though "In the year ____" is pretty common too when referring to a historical event.
There're apparently two types of red ale, but since there's no explicit information, I'd assume that "___ red" most likely refers to wine. I could be wrong, but I'm frankly baffled that it would matter one way or another: ask Richard Baker. If it's ale, it's ale, and I for one am not going to take it personally. If not, then it's not. |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2008 : 15:28:10
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Can anyone tell me in which area of the Realms this novel is set in? Cormyr perhaps?
Thanks in advance, Ergdusch |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2008 : 18:34:13
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| It's set along the northern shore of the Moonsea Ergdusch, primarily in and around the city of Hulburg. |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2008 : 04:51:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Fillow
Thanks for the grammar help Karzak.
About the Sembian red, it has no importance indeed.
It is a wine. Sembia is a well known region for its wines. |
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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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jun 2008 : 14:18:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Fillow
I write again my preceding question :
- As far as I know, the last coronal to be named before the Spellplague was Ilsevele Miritar, in the year 1377DR
Does she always hold the title in the year 1477DR?
Is this post-spellplague lore already known?
I follow the preview material for the FR pretty closely, and as far as I know there's no answer for you yet. You could ask Rich Baker, but he might choose not to answer (it'd be a "spoiler" for the new setting). |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2008 : 22:41:33
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| You're welcome, as always! |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Askanipsion
Acolyte
28 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2008 : 09:00:54
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| Are there any elven swordmages in this novel? |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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Askanipsion
Acolyte
28 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2008 : 04:08:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Fillow
If I understood the whole story, there is only one swordmage in this novel, and he is a human one.
Thanks! :) |
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Swordmage: Prologue & Chapters 1 - 5
