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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Feb 2009 : 23:02:29
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This is a bit odd, but I'll explain. I recently went to a very fun convention, where I got to play a lot of D&D, along with a few other games. One, called Dragon Warriors, had a small little adventure to play in, which I felt introduced the setting quite well.
With that in mind, I've been thinking. Given a convention setting, i.e., five hours to play, with entirely new people, all having 1st level NPCs, which area of the Realms would you choose to set an adventure in. Or, in other words, which area of the Realms is best for showcasing what the Realms is about to entirely new people? I was thinking Cormyr, particularly Eveningstar. After all, the Haunted Halls are pretty classic, and the Cormyr setting allows for the various deities and organisations to become involved.
Any advice guys?
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2009 : 23:09:26
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| the Dalelands, the Sword Coast, and/or the North. |
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Wrigs13
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
201 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2009 : 23:16:39
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| I have just started my campaign in Arabel due to the post goblin war feel, you can have big city facilities with a frontier feel. Tilverton and Hullack Forest are on your doorstep and there is endless options for mini adventures. It has a lot of flavour without a lot of travel or necessary background knowledge. |
Do not try to understand the 4th edition. Thats impossible. Instead...only try to realise the truth. There is no 4th edition. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3287 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2009 : 23:29:58
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
The Border Kingdoms would be among my top choices.
-Good one Sage! 
-I say Waterdeep and The Sword Coast North.(Read Silverymoon  )  
BRIMSTONE |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Wrigs13
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
201 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2009 : 23:34:15
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| Don't you think Waterdeep would be overwhelming for a one off session? You could spend 5 hours just wondering around looking at the sites and shopping |
Do not try to understand the 4th edition. Thats impossible. Instead...only try to realise the truth. There is no 4th edition. |
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StarBog
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
152 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2009 : 23:43:54
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| I'm going to be old fashioned and say Shadowdale & the Dales. Pre-Zhent invasion of course. |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2009 : 23:45:17
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Thats what I was thinking. :)
quote:
Originally posted by StarBog
I'm going to be old fashioned and say Shadowdale & the Dales. Pre-Zhent invasion of course.
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For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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GoCeraf
Learned Scribe
147 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2009 : 23:49:33
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
The Border Kingdoms would be among my top choices.
I have to agree. That's where the game I'm running is set.
Of course, thanks to the party's actions, there's now a planar rift in Emrys that's turning the area into a layer of the Abyss, Blackalblade's got the entire rich district in ruins due to thrown Calimport buildings, the pirating operation in the lake of steam has fallen into chaos due to a lack of a unifying force, and there's an insane god-thing causing wanton destruction throughout the region.
I don't really know where to place the blame. |
Being sarcastic can be more telling than simply telling. |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2009 : 00:07:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
Thats what I was thinking. :)
quote:
Originally posted by StarBog
I'm going to be old fashioned and say Shadowdale & the Dales. Pre-Zhent invasion of course.
That makes 3 of us! |
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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ranger_of_the_unicorn_run
Learned Scribe
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2009 : 02:50:09
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quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
Thats what I was thinking. :)
quote:
Originally posted by StarBog
I'm going to be old fashioned and say Shadowdale & the Dales. Pre-Zhent invasion of course.
That makes 3 of us!
Count me as four! I like the Moonshaes quite a lot as well, although they have a little more of a generic fantasy feel. |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3287 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2009 : 03:46:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Wrigs13
Don't you think Waterdeep would be overwhelming for a one off session? You could spend 5 hours just wondering around looking at the sites and shopping
-UNDERMOUNTAIN!
BRIMSTONE |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Afetbinttuzani
Senior Scribe
Canada
434 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2009 : 06:15:18
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| I like the idea of starting in Shadowdale and the Dales too, but I would vote for Eveningstar. It's a medium sized town on a trade route, with lot's of potential for intrigue, close to a good starter dungeon, close to a major city, close to the King's forest, close to a mountain pass, close to the Stonelands, and located in a country that is at the geographic center of Faerun and a staple in Realms fiction. The only downside is that Cormyr is a generally lawful place, although this could be an advantage when playing 1st level characters. |
Afet bint Tuzaní
"As the good Archmage often admonishes me, I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself."
- Danilo Thann in Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham |
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Marc
Senior Scribe
658 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2009 : 09:40:35
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| Deepingdale. |
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Edited by - Marc on 08 Feb 2009 10:22:45 |
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Kiaransalyn
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
762 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2009 : 12:38:53
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| For a five hour game, Thesk and the Great Dale appeal to me. Wilderness and secrets, and a straight-forward seek and retrieve mission with a twist or two thrown in related to lore. |
Death is Life
Love is Hate
Revenge is Forgiveness
Ken: You from the States?
Jimmy: Yeah. But don't hold it against me.
Ken: I'll try not to... Just try not to say anything too loud or crass. |
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Afetbinttuzani
Senior Scribe
Canada
434 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2009 : 15:05:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Kiaransalyn
For a five hour game, Thesk and the Great Dale appeal to me. Wilderness and secrets, and a straight-forward seek and retrieve mission with a twist or two thrown in related to lore.
That is a very good point. Uzzy asked us for our opinions on good introductory locations, but maybe we should each add a plot idea that would work well in our suggested location for a five hour one off gaming session with 1st level players new to D&D and the Realms. Emphasis should be placed, as Kia implied, on giving the new players the satisfaction of accomplishing a goal in the time allotted.
Shadowdale, for example, is a great starting point for a longer campaign but the standard "Twisted Tower" campaign is way too long for Uzzy's needs. Similarly, the "Haunted Halls" near Eveningstar are too large in their entirety for a single session. Something involving Rivior's Keep could work well though.
Accomplishing a goal is important, but the session should at the same time impress on the players that they are playing in a small part of a much larger world, thus wetting their appetite for more. In this respect, the better plots would be those that hint at larger organizations, politics, intrigue and history, without overwhelming the players.
Some good short plot ideas here would be very useful as well in local gaming store introductory/teaching sessions. |
Afet bint Tuzaní
"As the good Archmage often admonishes me, I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself."
- Danilo Thann in Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2009 : 19:16:11
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quote:
Originally posted by scererar
the Dalelands, the Sword Coast, and/or the North.
I'd add Cormyr to this list, as well.
When I think Realms, I think 'Heartlands', and that automatically makes me think of 'The North' in the west, and Cormyr and the Dales in the east. |
"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 10 Feb 2009 17:55:10 |
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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2009 : 22:09:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
quote:
Originally posted by Kiaransalyn
For a five hour game, Thesk and the Great Dale appeal to me. Wilderness and secrets, and a straight-forward seek and retrieve mission with a twist or two thrown in related to lore.
That is a very good point. Uzzy asked us for our opinions on good introductory locations, but maybe we should each add a plot idea that would work well in our suggested location for a five hour one off gaming session with 1st level players new to D&D and the Realms. Emphasis should be placed, as Kia implied, on giving the new players the satisfaction of accomplishing a goal in the time allotted.
Shadowdale, for example, is a great starting point for a longer campaign but the standard "Twisted Tower" campaign is way too long for Uzzy's needs. Similarly, the "Haunted Halls" near Eveningstar are too large in their entirety for a single session. Something involving Rivior's Keep could work well though.
Accomplishing a goal is important, but the session should at the same time impress on the players that they are playing in a small part of a much larger world, thus wetting their appetite for more. In this respect, the better plots would be those that hint at larger organizations, politics, intrigue and history, without overwhelming the players.
Some good short plot ideas here would be very useful as well in local gaming store introductory/teaching sessions.
Thanks Afetbinttuzani. This is exactly what I was looking for.
My main aim here is to get an introductory adventure that a) shows off the Realms, and b) is small enough to be completed in 5 hours. For instance, I had this idea.
Set in Eveningstar, the PC's are contracted to defeat a local priest of Talona who has blighted all the local grain crop. She's currently holed up in the Haunted Halls (first couple of areas), and the Purple Dragons are too busy hunting down orcs in the area. Added to this is the complication of a singular merchant who actually has some grain.. leading to obvious suspicion that he might have something to do with the blight. Turns out he did. He's also allied with the Zhents!
The PC's have all that to deal with. That adventure would introduce a number of things.
Evil Gods
Zhentarim
Politics of Cormyr
The War of the Devil Dragon (as part of the history of Cormyr, and why the Purple Dragons are hunting down some orcs)
Sure, it's not perhaps the best or the most original adventure, but it works as an introduction! |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2009 : 01:32:46
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| I have to admit, Cormyr was the first place that came to my mind. Maybe because of all the recent discussion in Ed's thread. |
"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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GoCeraf
Learned Scribe
147 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2009 : 01:42:47
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| I think that, of all the places in the Realms, Cormyr definitely seems to be Mr. Greenwood's favorite (at least to talk about). |
Being sarcastic can be more telling than simply telling. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2009 : 02:30:15
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Ah, but that's probably because it never got the detailed sourcebook that it should have had.
Ed loves Waterdeep and Shadowdale and Eveningstar a shade more than the rest of his original Realms, I THINK. (But am not sure.)
To represent the Realms in a short, single session, however, I'm of the opinion that a rural setting on a trade route, with "news from all over" being brought in by passing caravans, allows for the best "overall feel" of the Realms.
love to all,
THO |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3287 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2009 : 02:38:06
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-Some one should just post a Map of the Realms and call it a night!
BRIMSTONE |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2009 : 03:54:41
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| The best thing about the Realms is that there is no one place that represents it best. |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2009 : 04:37:37
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My thoughts would be, in this order:
1. Mistledale (for some reason I've always liked Mistledale for starting adventurers a bit more than Shadowdale)
2. Eveningstar
3. Neverwinter (As it was more or less detailed in Volo's Guide to the North, not the Neverwinter Nights games)
4. Silverymoon
5. Waterdeep
Obviously Neverwinter, Silverymoon and Waterdeep become increasingly more complicated to portray, but they still represent a lot of what the "core Realms" feeling is for me.
Note: This isn't my order of preference for my favorites, just my thoughts on the most "Realmsian" in the order in which it would be "simple" to portray them. |
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gomez
Learned Scribe
Netherlands
254 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2009 : 06:16:04
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My choice would be Harrowdale ('New Velar') in both the old and new Realms. It offers rural areas, is close to wilderness, evil empires to the North (and South, in later editions), and sea travel if you desire, and some cool local places (such as the old keep and the Fall of Stars). You're only a few days travel removed from trouble, varying from low scum in Scardale to the Balck network in Mulmaster. It is an excellent HQ for PCs.
There's a reason I started the first LFR adventure in Harrowdale.
Shadowdale makes a good second (for similar reasons).
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2009 : 11:59:40
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Since I haven't put my two cents in yet, I would like to say, for best realms representation:
- Small Community Realms: Dalelands
- Large Metropolis Realms: Waterdeep |
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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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2009 : 03:39:25
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Harrowdale is, infact, a perfect choice. I hadn't thought much about it, but it works personally for me for a variety of reasons.
Now all I need is a good starting adventure. Hmm. |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2009 : 16:41:36
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Harrowdale would be my choice also, especially with a campaign starting in the mid 1350's Lashan is on the rise, the Elven Court is near, Hillsfar still has its old government and travel outside the Dales is easy.
I did a good deal of work on the area a few years back for a campaign that never got started. It might be time to dig up those notes again. |
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Raith
Seeker
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2009 : 18:34:12
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While it might not be the best way to showcase ALL of the Realms in one go, (I don't think it's possible to do it justice anyway) I think something set in Thay would be a really good way to hook people. A DM speaking in a faux Russian accent, desert dwelling mages with enslaved gnolls and blood orcs, tollbooths that charge more to outsiders, and magic everywhere. Talk about the Tharchions and mention Szass Tam...etc.
In a convention setting it will really stand out and make people crave more, in my opinion. |
"Power and dominion are taken by the Will. By divine right Hail and Kill!" |
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UNSpacy
Seeker
France
78 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2009 : 23:46:15
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| I'd definitely go with either Cormyr or Sembia. Cormyr because it's a strong, stable kingdom yet has plenty of intrigue to get a campaign cranking, and Sembia because now that it's under Netheril's thumb, your characters could become rich merchants, help out the Sembian Resistance in freeing their kingdom...I could go on. |
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Thauramarth
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
729 Posts |
Posted - 23 Feb 2009 : 08:22:36
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| My vote would go to the Daggerford area - it's rural and small enough to serve as a useful introduction. It's located on a big trade route, and it's close to Waterdeep, if the DM cares to expand into urban adventuring. |
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Topic |
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Best Realms Area for representing the 'Realms'
