| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
AdamBridger
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
118 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 11:43:07
|
As a fan of the Forgotten Realms novels who has never played Dungeons and Dragons, the 4th Edition of Forgotten Realms has left me slightly confused.
What has occurred in the gap of 100 or so years? Are the events explained in any novels? Would any of the Campaign or Players Guides be of any use to me?
Any information would be much appreciated.
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 12:02:51
|
No novel explained the time jump/ Spellplague. The ones that slightly touch on it are the The Haunted Lands trilogy by Richard Lee Byers; The Empyrean Odyssey by Thomas M. Reid, The Abolethic Sovereignty trilogy by Bruce R. Cordell, and (very slightly) Shadowrealm, Book 3 of the Twilight War saga by Paul S. Kemp. |
Every beginning has an end. |
 |
|
|
AdamBridger
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
118 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 13:51:21
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
No novel explained the time jump/ Spellplague. The ones that slightly touch on it are the The Haunted Lands trilogy by Richard Lee Byers; The Empyrean Odyssey by Thomas M. Reid, The Abolethic Sovereignty trilogy by Bruce R. Cordell, and (very slightly) Shadowrealm, Book 3 of the Twilight War saga by Paul S. Kemp.
Cheers. I've read The Haunted Lands and The Empyrean Odyssey and plan to read The Abalethic Soverignty soon.
Do any of the Source Books such as the Campaign or Players Guides touch on what has happenned or what the Realms are currently like? |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36910 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 14:16:49
|
| The Campaign Guide gives a rough overview of the state of the 4E Realms. It did not, to me, seem as informative as prior campaign books. And little information is provided on how the Realms of 3E became the Realms of 4E. |
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!  |
|
|
|
Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
731 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 14:25:07
|
| One 3.5 Edition accessory you might want to look into for brief explanations of what happened is A Grand History of the Realms. In the later portions of the book, it shows in brief what has happened between the Year of Lightning Storms (1349 DR) and the beginning of the post-Spellplague era (1479 DR/Year of the Ageless One). |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36910 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 15:07:49
|
quote:
Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
One 3.5 Edition accessory you might want to look into for brief explanations of what happened is A Grand History of the Realms. In the later portions of the book, it shows in brief what has happened between the Year of Lightning Storms (1349 DR) and the beginning of the post-Spellplague era (1479 DR/Year of the Ageless One).
I will agree with this, in part -- the data is still limited, and it was also tacked on, afterward. The original compiler of the Grand History did not, as I recall, know about that additional history until the book hit the shelves. |
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! |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 15:59:20
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
The Campaign Guide gives a rough overview of the state of the 4E Realms. It did not, to me, seem as informative as prior campaign books. And little information is provided on how the Realms of 3E became the Realms of 4E.
Some of the various DDI articles attempt to "fill in the gaps" so to speak. But, for the most part, we're left with plenty of "room" on the state of the 4e Realms... to determine as we each see fit for the purposes of our own campaigns.
|
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 |
|
|
|
Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 17:39:26
|
Indeed, not all this info is filled in as-yet. It is gradually being revealed, but it's purposefully kept vague for the stated reasons of allowing DMs to create their own explanations, as well as give authors/designers more freedom. Not that I necessarily agree with these reasons, but then again, I've grown up playing in the Realms so I have a really firm grasp of it. If I were a complete newbie, I'd probably find the vast expanse of lore intimidating. This way, all the lore is still there, but you can gloss over most of it, only using it to appeal to players who have all that realmslore or are interested in learning it.
Basically, it's set up to appeal to new and old players alike, as all settings have to be.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
|
|
|
Saer Cormaeril
Learned Scribe
124 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 17:46:01
|
| You'll also want to look at the pdf document " The Spellplague: the Wailing Years". |
Brace Cormaeril |
|
|
|
sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2011 : 20:35:22
|
I technically dont want to know what happened....
for all I care, Cyric and stay trapped on his ultimate porcilon throne.
yeah I cant spell it.....
know that I'm thinking about it.... price check time |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction
Magister's GAmbit
http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Forgotten Realms 4th Edition
