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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Sep 2008 : 06:21:50
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Just picked up the FR Players Guide 4ed at my local Borders. LOTS of crunch.
Purple skinned Genasai with lightening cracking over their skin - Cool! (Please read that with sarcasm)
Aside from tons of Paragon paths and feats, there are a few Realms specific rituals and 50 pages of "backgrounds" information that duplicates a lot of the information in the Campaign Guide on the various regions.
Strangely, after killing off all of the Chosen, they included "Chosen" as an Epic Destiny.
Genasai and Warlocks seem to be favored, Warlocks even pop up on Evermeet
Paragon Paths:
Anarch of Shyr
Coronal Guard
Darkwalkner
Doomguide
Drow Wanderer
Eartheart Defender
Elemental Tempest
Evermeet Warlock
Ghost of Eventide
Heartwarder
High Forest Scout
Impilturan Demon Demonslayer
Morninglord
Purple Dragon Knight
Silverstar
Simbarch of Aglarond
Spellguard Wizard
Spellscarred Savant
Steelsky Liberator
Sword Coast Corsair
Umbriri
Wandering Swordmage
War Wizard of Cormyr
Whirlwind Genasai
Wildfire Genasai
This book is a complete waste of money for Realms lore, but if you want greater choices for your character's "powers" then this is a great expansion.
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Edited by - Ranak on 14 Sep 2008 06:23:45
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2008 : 15:04:53
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A book intended to be crunchy has crunch?.....tell me it ain't so 
The 3E version is as well in my opinion. minus the cosmology and campaign journal, the book is mostly filled with regional feats, prestige classes, and domain and spells.
Well, hopefully the FRPG will be worth it, mine is supposedly on the way to my doorstep. |
Edited by - scererar on 14 Sep 2008 15:08:49 |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2008 : 16:27:18
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Yeah, I have the 4e FRCG, but I see no reason to buy this at all, unless I was planning to play a 4e game, which I currently am not.
Take the word 'Evermeet' from Warlock, the word 'Impilturan' away from Demonslayer, the word 'Purple' from Dragon Knight, and the word 'Cormyr' from War Wizard, and this looks very much like a generic crunch-book for any 4e game.
The new FR books are cleverly-disguised core books now. 
quote:
Originally posted by Ranak
Purple skinned Genasai with lightening cracking over their skin - Cool! (Please read that with sarcasm)
The 'correct' form for a sarcastic 'cool' is 'Kewl'.
Get it right.
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"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 14 Sep 2008 16:30:20 |
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Ayunken-vanzan
Senior Scribe
Germany
657 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2008 : 16:48:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Ranak
Strangely, after killing off all of the Chosen, they included "Chosen" as an Epic Destiny.
Not strange at all. Since the Chosen were perceived as standing "in the way" of the players and steeling their glory, they had to got so that the players now can be in the limelight ...  |
"What mattered our lives now? When our world had been torn from us? Folk wept, or drank, or stood staring out over the land, wondering what new horror each dawn would bring."
Elender Stormfall of Suzail
"Anyone can kill deities, cause plagues, or destroy organizations. It takes real skill to make them live on."
Varl
FR/D&D-Links • 2ed Downloads |
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Ayunken-vanzan
Senior Scribe
Germany
657 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2008 : 16:50:27
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quote:
Originally posted by scererar
A book intended to be crunchy has crunch?.....tell me it ain't so
The 3E version is as well in my opinion. minus the cosmology and campaign journal, the book is mostly filled with regional feats, prestige classes, and domain and spells.
The 3E versin was misnamed since it wasn't a players guide like the 4E FRPG, but the 3.5 update of the FRCS. So they had to pack with updated mechanics. |
"What mattered our lives now? When our world had been torn from us? Folk wept, or drank, or stood staring out over the land, wondering what new horror each dawn would bring."
Elender Stormfall of Suzail
"Anyone can kill deities, cause plagues, or destroy organizations. It takes real skill to make them live on."
Varl
FR/D&D-Links • 2ed Downloads |
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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2008 : 19:15:43
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It is even crunchier than the 3E version, which at least included more than a couple of lines on each god and some real background information.
The focus is clearly on "powers" over building a real character.
I will give it one, very nice thumbs up - in each of the regions, they provide tips on role playing a character from that region. For example, for Netheril they provide tips on how to role play a disillusioned priest of Shar (the church turned on you) or a Netherese loyalist.
It reminds me very much of the early Star Wars RPGs, where Scoundrel was a character class.
The idea is very, very rapid generation of characters to be instantly dropped into play.
I guess this is a good thing. As a masochist who enjoys pouring through books and taking weeks to develop a character, it doesn't do much for me.
quote:
Originally posted by Ayunken-vanzan
quote:
Originally posted by scererar
A book intended to be crunchy has crunch?.....tell me it ain't so
The 3E version is as well in my opinion. minus the cosmology and campaign journal, the book is mostly filled with regional feats, prestige classes, and domain and spells.
The 3E versin was misnamed since it wasn't a players guide like the 4E FRPG, but the 3.5 update of the FRCS. So they had to pack with updated mechanics.
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StarBog
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
152 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2008 : 23:24:36
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I got to read through it today, and to be honest, I wasn't that impressed. The giant font and the ludicrous use of spacing put me off. To be honest, this would be a fine "Introduction to FR" book for anyone not familiar with the setting, but the whole book stinks of the new Duplo-Realms*.
The only thing useful in the whole book is the Kelemvor's Judgement feat, which my LFR character will pick up.
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duplo for anyone not in the know.
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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2008 : 02:11:14
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They switched to a thinner paper, even though it is the same 160 page length as some 3E books, it feels and looks incredibly thin.
It does not convey any sense of quality. The first 150 pages are full of white space, then they cram 10 different topics on the last two pages that have nothing to do with one another.
Kid stuff...
quote:
Originally posted by StarBog
I got to read through it today, and to be honest, I wasn't that impressed. The giant font and the ludicrous use of spacing put me off. To be honest, this would be a fine "Introduction to FR" book for anyone not familiar with the setting, but the whole book stinks of the new Duplo-Realms*.
The only thing useful in the whole book is the Kelemvor's Judgement feat, which my LFR character will pick up.
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duplo for anyone not in the know.
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2008 : 17:11:46
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Hey, that is an insult to Duplo LEGOs. At least Duplos are cool (got some for my niece for Christmas this year, trying to get her addicted early, like I was  ). |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
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He left it dead, and with its head
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* Martial Arts Guidebook (forthcoming) (PFRPG, designer; Rite Publishing)
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Chosen of Moradin
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1120 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2008 : 22:34:50
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| I will have to expect that the tome arrive in brazilian shores... but I´m ok with a crunch tome. It´s good that they put all the crunch in one tome... but I´m sorry... I was expecting to see the Bladesinger as a FR Paragon Path... |
Dwarf, DM, husband, and proud of this! :P
twitter: @yuripeixoto
Facebook: yuri.peixoto |
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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2008 : 02:03:59
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There is a huge emphasis on Rich Baker's new Swordmage class.
Perhaps Bladesinger was too close or overlapped too much with the Swordmage. It is a cool class, you could probably give the powers elven names and call it a Bladesinger.
quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Moradin
I will have to expect that the tome arrive in brazilian shores... but I´m ok with a crunch tome. It´s good that they put all the crunch in one tome... but I´m sorry... I was expecting to see the Bladesinger as a FR Paragon Path...
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Chosen of Moradin
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1120 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2008 : 12:59:32
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Rich said (I think that was in the WoTC boards) that the Bladesingers will be released soon, IIRC. With this in mind, I was expecting to see them in the FRPG.  |
Dwarf, DM, husband, and proud of this! :P
twitter: @yuripeixoto
Facebook: yuri.peixoto |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2008 : 14:38:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Moradin
Rich said (I think that was in the WoTC boards) that the Bladesingers will be released soon, IIRC. With this in mind, I was expecting to see them in the FRPG.
Sweet. All this time, I was fearing that the Swordmage was just the bladesinger altered to allow any character to become that class and minus the singing  |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2008 : 23:35:04
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I'm certainly no expert on the 4e rules, but going by what Rich has said - that the Swordmage was developed from Bladesinger traditions - I don't see a whole lot being different between the two, except for the singing and that one needs to be an Elf.
I'm thinking it will be something along the lines of racial 'Substitution Levels', similar to what we got in some 3e splatbooks. Not that that is a bad thing - I'm a huge fan of sub.-levels. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 16 Sep 2008 23:35:38 |
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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 01:34:32
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Swordmage is a full blown 30 level character class, the various sub-variants are paragon paths (Netherise, Coronal Guard, etc.)
Swordmage has its own utility, attack and at will powers. They do line up nicely with the powers presented in the novel Swordmage, and provide a nice preview of how that character might progress.
This class that is good at fighting and magic, it reminds me very much of an Oblivion character - plus, if they take the ritual magic feat, they can cast ritual spells. They can take a lot more action that the battle caster classes and prestige classes of 3E, but not as much as a 4e pure fighter or paladin, nor do they have the ally buffing powers of a warlord, etc.
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I'm certainly no expert on the 4e rules, but going by what Rich has said - that the Swordmage was developed from Bladesinger traditions - I don't see a whole lot being different between the two, except for the singing and that one needs to be an Elf.
I'm thinking it will be something along the lines of racial 'Substitution Levels', similar to what we got in some 3e splatbooks. Not that that is a bad thing - I'm a huge fan of sub.-levels.
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 02:36:44
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| Just received my copy. 1st quick look through looks great. Kids running around right now and will not be able to delve into this much, but nice compliment to the FRCG. |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 04:58:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Ranak
The first 150 pages are full of white space, then they cram 10 different topics on the last two pages that have nothing to do with one another.
Are you talking about chapter 6, the Almanac? This is intended to be very brief summaries of basic facts. It would indeed be various topics that would not have anything to do with one another Additionally it is about 12 pages. |
Edited by - scererar on 17 Sep 2008 05:00:33 |
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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 06:14:17
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Yes, I may have been overly critical of the almanac :-)
...but this would have been a lot better presented I think in the previous books.
quote:
Originally posted by scererar
quote:
Originally posted by Ranak
The first 150 pages are full of white space, then they cram 10 different topics on the last two pages that have nothing to do with one another.
Are you talking about chapter 6, the Almanac? This is intended to be very brief summaries of basic facts. It would indeed be various topics that would not have anything to do with one another Additionally it is about 12 pages.
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 14:04:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I'm certainly no expert on the 4e rules, but going by what Rich has said - that the Swordmage was developed from Bladesinger traditions - I don't see a whole lot being different between the two, except for the singing and that one needs to be an Elf.
I'm thinking it will be something along the lines of racial 'Substitution Levels', similar to what we got in some 3e splatbooks. Not that that is a bad thing - I'm a huge fan of sub.-levels.
So is the Bladesinger going to be a Full Class, a Paragon Path for Swordmage, or a multiclass type like Spellscarred (or even a new Aegis Feature of the Swordmage)??? |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 18:14:11
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Bladesinger is absent all together in 4e - as it stands now there are no official rules for it.
If you want an official Bladesinger paragon path for the Swordmage, I would lobby for a DnD Insider article on the subject.
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I'm certainly no expert on the 4e rules, but going by what Rich has said - that the Swordmage was developed from Bladesinger traditions - I don't see a whole lot being different between the two, except for the singing and that one needs to be an Elf.
I'm thinking it will be something along the lines of racial 'Substitution Levels', similar to what we got in some 3e splatbooks. Not that that is a bad thing - I'm a huge fan of sub.-levels.
So is the Bladesinger going to be a Full Class, a Paragon Path for Swordmage, or a multiclass type like Spellscarred (or even a new Aegis Feature of the Swordmage)???
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EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 18:16:06
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| There will be a bladesinger soon enough. I promise :) |
http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 18:19:31
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| My copy just showed up! |
My Realms novel, Sandstorm, is now available for ordering. |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2008 : 14:06:48
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quote:
Originally posted by EytanBernstein
There will be a bladesinger soon enough. I promise :)
Is this tease of yours full of NDA???  |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2008 : 14:09:48
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On topic of the book being all crunch, I think that was a good move in that by having most of the fluff in one book and one book all crunch, those who just want the fluff need not buy the Crunch book (and thus can't complain as much as if say the FRCG comprised of everything in both books and held all those pages)....its some nice crunch though...Cap'n Crunch  |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2008 : 14:34:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Ranak
Paragon Paths:
Silverstar
Is this a class for the tel'Teukiira? Silverstar is an alternate name for their group, so I wondered.....
Steven |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2008 : 15:25:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
quote:
Originally posted by Ranak
Paragon Paths:
Silverstar
Is this a class for the tel'Teukiira? Silverstar is an alternate name for their group, so I wondered.....
Steven
Unfortunately no. These are followers of Selûne. |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
Edited by - Alisttair on 18 Sep 2008 15:26:40 |
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EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2008 : 15:30:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
quote:
Originally posted by EytanBernstein
There will be a bladesinger soon enough. I promise :)
Is this tease of yours full of NDA???
I say no more :) |
http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2008 : 16:05:48
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quote:
Originally posted by EytanBernstein
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
quote:
Originally posted by EytanBernstein
There will be a bladesinger soon enough. I promise :)
Is this tease of yours full of NDA???
I say no more :)
Tease |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Iliphar1
Learned Scribe
Austria
133 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2008 : 15:34:00
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I had a look at the 4th edition CS.
After reading it, it convinced me not to change to 4th edition. That is just ridiculous, what has happened with the realms???
Can anybody explain me, what they are doing to my beloved realms??? |
'You see dead bones? ... I see an army!' Ezechiel 37 |
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StarBog
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
152 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2008 : 15:58:01
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| That would be a long, long story, Iliphar1, and probably one not worth dredging up again, for the sake of the sanity and tempers of most of us (including yourself). I'm sure there are plenty of relevant scolls here at Candlekeep that you can refight the great 4e battle over and over again if you so wish. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31727 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2008 : 17:04:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Iliphar1
I had a look at the 4th edition CS.
After reading it, it convinced me not to change to 4th edition. That is just ridiculous, what has happened with the realms???
Can anybody explain me, what they are doing to my beloved realms???
I would suggest you perform a search of Candlekeep for scrolls specifically dedicated to elaborate 4e FR chatter. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
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FRPG 4ed - Now with more Crunch
