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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3287 Posts |
 Posted - 19 May 2010 : 05:53:34
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Looks like BR.J's Chessenta DDI Article dropped a Day early...
Looks good.
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"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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Bane of the Harpers
Seeker
Canada
53 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2010 : 06:17:21
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Its actually awesome!!! It includes updates on important characters and some gods also! :P
Congratulations Brian, you are probably, to my humble opinion, the best writer for FR stuff! ;) |
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Cleric Generic
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
565 Posts |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3243 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2010 : 18:27:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Bane of the Harpers
Its actually awesome!!! It includes updates on important characters and some gods also! :P
Congratulations Brian, you are probably, to my humble opinion, the best writer for FR stuff! ;)
Which characters and what gods, for those of us that don't subscribe? |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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Cleric Generic
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
565 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2010 : 19:48:09
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Tchazzar returns as a god, with Entropy a new Primordial (sort of) and Sebakar, the love child of Set and and an Archfey of swamps. It also discusses the traditions and worship of the old Untheric gods adopted by Faerunian deities in the area. As for NPCs, the Karanok bloodline still runs strong.
Also, goddamn scrags riding plesiasaurs!
EDIT: regarding Entropy, it used to be trapped in the form of a Sphere of Annihilation as decreed by Ao, and it existed as such on Toril as a threat to hang over the heads of the gods to make them behave. After Cyric sent everything down the john and caused the Spellplague, Ao's let it off the leash... |
Cedric! The Cleric Generic and Master of Disguise!
ALL HAIL LORD KARSUS!!!
Vast Realmslore Archive: Get in here and download everything! http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/archfr/rl
2e Realms book PDFs; grab em! - http://poleandrope.blogspot.com/2010/07/working-around-purge.html |
Edited by - Cleric Generic on 19 May 2010 19:52:16 |
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Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2010 : 17:37:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Cleric Generic
EDIT: regarding Entropy, it used to be trapped in the form of a Sphere of Annihilation as decreed by Ao, and it existed as such on Toril as a threat to hang over the heads of the gods to make them behave. After Cyric sent everything down the john and caused the Spellplague, Ao's let it off the leash...
Yet another retcon, eh? Ugh...putting together a proper FR Encyclopedia would now be like trying to put together a good Star Wars Encyclopedia. 
There was much argument even between FR designers (Sean Reynolds being one of them) as to the origin of Entropy and whether or not it was truly a sentient deity.
The matter was finally settled on Entropy being non-sentient and completely controlled by Tiamat (though I think at an earlier point it was said Shar was behind the masquerade, then it was changed to Tiamat).
So does it say anything about Tiamat's role with Entropy? Or is it just the designers jamming in yet another Primordial into FR Lore? |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2010 : 17:52:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Razz
quote:
Originally posted by Cleric Generic
EDIT: regarding Entropy, it used to be trapped in the form of a Sphere of Annihilation as decreed by Ao, and it existed as such on Toril as a threat to hang over the heads of the gods to make them behave. After Cyric sent everything down the john and caused the Spellplague, Ao's let it off the leash...
Yet another retcon, eh? Ugh...putting together a proper FR Encyclopedia would now be like trying to put together a good Star Wars Encyclopedia.
There was much argument even between FR designers (Sean Reynolds being one of them) as to the origin of Entropy and whether or not it was truly a sentient deity.
The matter was finally settled on Entropy being non-sentient and completely controlled by Tiamat (though I think at an earlier point it was said Shar was behind the masquerade, then it was changed to Tiamat).
So does it say anything about Tiamat's role with Entropy? Or is it just the designers jamming in yet another Primordial into FR Lore?
I've not been able to read the article (due to my on-going refusal to pay for content I don't want), but I'm willing to give Brian the benefit of the doubt. While some of the current authors/designers seem to be a little less concerned with prior canon than some we've had in the past, I do not count Brian among those ranks. I think he is one who would do his best to stick to existing canon, and to try to reconcile any inconsistencies that may have cropped up. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Cleric Generic
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
565 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2010 : 17:58:03
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*quickly scans the article*
I don't see anything that contradicts Entropy being mindless, it just sort of sits there ending the world. Tiamat doesn't seem to be mentioned in reference to it though, and it still has cultists. As a general rule, I don't think Primordials (especially brain-dead ones) issue powers to mortal worshippers, so everyone's favourite dragon lady could easily still be the ultimate power.
Would have been handy for that to be addressed, true. |
Cedric! The Cleric Generic and Master of Disguise!
ALL HAIL LORD KARSUS!!!
Vast Realmslore Archive: Get in here and download everything! http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/archfr/rl
2e Realms book PDFs; grab em! - http://poleandrope.blogspot.com/2010/07/working-around-purge.html |
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Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2010 : 18:36:53
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Buddy of mine has the article so I read it off his laptop just recently.
Seems to be no mention of Tiamat, but it does state how Entropy has "eluded sages countless times" or something to that effect (don't remember verbatim). By "sages" I am sure the author meant both in the game world and the designers themselves LOL
I forgot this region was heavily influenced by the Spellplague, so most of the landmarks I am unsure of either existing pre or post-Spellplague. I like to peruse these articles and record what pre-Spellplague lore I can muster for my collection of Realmslore.
Now, Sebakar is obviously Sebek, but I have to be unagreeable to his origin. It does say he is the offspring of Set and an archfey of the Feywild, but clearly that isn't the case. He came along with the rest of deities from the world of the Mulan. At least it's assumed he did. Then again, in 4E, I am sure the Feywild "conveniently" exists in their home world, too, so it's not a contradicting origin but a "Points of Light" slip nonetheless.
I am aware of Brian's work, and I do hope the "Points of Light" jamming is more of a "WotC demands it" sort of proposal. |
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Cleric Generic
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
565 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2010 : 01:28:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Razz
quote:
Originally posted by Cleric Generic
EDIT: regarding Entropy, it used to be trapped in the form of a Sphere of Annihilation as decreed by Ao, and it existed as such on Toril as a threat to hang over the heads of the gods to make them behave. After Cyric sent everything down the john and caused the Spellplague, Ao's let it off the leash...
Yet another retcon, eh? Ugh...putting together a proper FR Encyclopedia would now be like trying to put together a good Star Wars Encyclopedia.
There was much argument even between FR designers (Sean Reynolds being one of them) as to the origin of Entropy and whether or not it was truly a sentient deity.
The matter was finally settled on Entropy being non-sentient and completely controlled by Tiamat (though I think at an earlier point it was said Shar was behind the masquerade, then it was changed to Tiamat).
So does it say anything about Tiamat's role with Entropy? Or is it just the designers jamming in yet another Primordial into FR Lore?
In pre-4e Realmslore, the sphere of annihilation that the Karanoks worshipped as Entropy was believed to have never truly been a divine being. This fanaticism based on myths and legends ultimately lined up with Tiamat’s goals and she started granting spells in Entropy’s name early in the 1370s.
And then you have the actual divine Entropy as an being from Abeir-Toril’s ancient past, as indicated in both this most recent source and in previous Realmslore.
I do, however, recall Brian once tinkering with the possibility of "how surprised would the Karanoks and the Queen of Dragons herself be if the primordial 'God Swallower' returned to Abeir-Toril one day..." But that was way back in '07. |
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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Bakra
Senior Scribe
628 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2010 : 15:51:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Razz
Now, Sebakar is obviously Sebek, but I have to be unagreeable to his origin. It does say he is the offspring of Set and an archfey of the Feywild, but clearly that isn't the case. He came along with the rest of deities from the world of the Mulan. At least it's assumed he did. Then again, in 4E, I am sure the Feywild "conveniently" exists in their home world, too, so it's not a contradicting origin but a "Points of Light" slip nonetheless.
I am aware of Brian's work, and I do hope the "Points of Light" jamming is more of a "WotC demands it" sort of proposal.
I disagree with your opinion. Per the article Sebakar is obviously an offspring of an archfey and Set; therefore, not from the same world as the old Mulan pantheon. Also, the world of fairies (Feywild) has been around since 1st edition. So it does conveniently exists on every game world (Greyhawk/Forgotten Realms/Mystara/Birthright/etc..)
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I hope Candlekeep continues to be the friendly forum of fellow Realms-lovers that it has always been, as we all go through this together. If you don’t want to move to the “new” Realms, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with either you or the “old” Realms. Goodness knows Candlekeep, and the hearts of its scribes, are both big enough to accommodate both. If we want them to be.
(Strikes dramatic pose, raises sword to gleam in the sunset, and hopes breeches won’t fall down.)
Enough for now. The Realms lives! I have spoken! Ale and light wines half price, served by a smiling Storm Silverhand fetchingly clad in thigh-high boots and naught else! Ahem . .
So saith Ed. <snip>
love to all,
THO
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Edited by - Bakra on 24 May 2010 17:50:11 |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2010 : 09:33:05
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That swamp archfey sounds interesting. And who says Faerie does not exist in the Mulan world. Actually many Egyptian deities started during the neolithic or before as shamanic totems (world spirits in 4e terms).
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Cleric Generic
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
565 Posts |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2010 : 15:35:22
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| So far I've used Bastion Press Faeries (combined with a few works of fantasy fiction) for the FR fey, and the Feywild description in 4e Manual of the Planes did not come close to replacing it. We played in the Fens of the Fallon in the Moonshaes and imported the Floating Court and the House on Stilts from that book. My version of Chessenta was a lot more flooded and it had a batrachi voodoo swamp witch that was kind of a social darwinist. As for Entropy, ironically the sphere was a mythallar. This primordial is redundant beside Shar. |
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Elsenrail
Seeker
Poland
72 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2010 : 12:18:40
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| The article is superb, just like any other in the backdrop series. The amount of text is really outstanding. I they treated the FRPG like they treat realmslore in these articles, it would be a great product. |
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Kno
Senior Scribe
452 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2010 : 13:39:19
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| I know of the Fading Lands in Greyhawk, the Faerie Rings around Celene, but I think that was added in the 2nd edition. |
z455t |
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Chessenta Backdrop Article (DDI)
