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_Jarlaxle_
Senior Scribe
Germany
584 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Apr 2012 : 22:57:10
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| Using portals in the underdark is very dangerous though I guess they will only use them on rare very important occasions... |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3824 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2012 : 23:54:09
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| As far as I know, the Spellplague shattered Faerun's Portal Network. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2012 : 04:32:42
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| And Lady Penitent shattered the faerzress, no? |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3824 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2012 : 04:38:45
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| I didn't read the books but, unless I'm wrong, no. They revealed that the faerzress is the product of elven high magic and causes some kind of ''addiction'' in the drow, but it still exists in 4th ed. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2012 : 23:52:05
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| Yes, the Faerzress is gone. Qarlynd Melarn lead a high magic circle to cancel it before the Spellplauge. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4274 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2012 : 00:03:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Aulduron
Yes, the Faerzress is gone. Qarlynd Melarn lead a high magic circle to cancel it before the Spellplauge.
This is one of the things I don't like.
If the Faerzress is gone, many Drow CITIES should damn near collapse over time. Drow Magic would be so stunted and weak for so long after this event...If this had been even remotely possible to do in the past, why didn't the elves do so to weaken the Drow?
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The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2012 : 00:45:32
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| It kept them in the Underdark. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3824 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2012 : 00:54:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Aulduron
Yes, the Faerzress is gone. Qarlynd Melarn lead a high magic circle to cancel it before the Spellplauge.
Weird. I'm sure I read it was still around in the 4e FRCS. Maybe that wizard freed only some zones of the Underdark from the Faerzress, while others remained permeated by it. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2012 : 01:24:20
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I too just read that it was still around. Without re-reading the entire last book, I'll quote what was said when they finished the spell. "We've broken our link with the Faerzress. Just as the ancestors promised. We've undone the descent. We're Dark Elves again".
Maybe it's still around and I just misinterpreted. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3824 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2012 : 01:37:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Aulduron
I too just read that it was still around. Without re-reading the entire last book, I'll quote what was said when they finished the spell. "We've broken our link with the Faerzress. Just as the ancestors promised. We've undone the descent. We're Dark Elves again".
Maybe it's still around and I just misinterpreted.
Hm. I read that as if they got rid of their Faerzress addiction, not as if they removed it. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
Edited by - Irennan on 29 Apr 2012 01:37:27 |
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2012 : 03:36:48
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| That could be. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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jerrod
Learned Scribe
157 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2012 : 01:54:08
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I agree with iren.drow magic is still as potent as human magic. If the highmagic spell had destroyed it...then lolths ppl would have lost their innate powers just like the new darkelves. Lolth suffered NO lost of power.her powers became linked to the surface after liriel' s quest,and every since then she has only benefited and grown in power. Remember lolth still retained some of her forsight from when she was a goddess of destiny. Remember lolth knew back in drizzt's childhood,that he would great.
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I haven't been here in years but I used to be DARKFLAME MILLITHOR(DROW ARCHMAGE of wildmagic |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2012 : 19:08:29
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I heard in 5e they will have FaezressX (for Xtreme), which will be even Faezressier the Faezress.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3824 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2012 : 20:51:42
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I'm already picturing the crowds of crazed drow desperately trying to get a bit of it...
Power will no longer be the only thing they'll have to fight over. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2012 : 21:04:37
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| Yeah, a Drow with the DT's is not a pretty sight... or something you should be near. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2012 : 15:19:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Irennan
As far as I know, the Spellplague shattered Faerun's Portal Network.
Most things that are shattered can be mended. Likely, after he recovered from the Spellplague, repairing the portal network might have been Larloch's first priority, given his affinity with portals... |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2012 : 16:35:22
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I have a feeling the original portal network - started by the Creators - IS the basis for The Weave (in much the same way that Windows was based on DOS).
I also believe that network was interrupted, but NOT destroyed, and that it could be used to rebuild The Weave once-again.
If Mystra is/was The Weave, then I would say Lurue is The Road of Starlight & Shadows - the proto-weave, as it were.
On-Topic:
The more I read tRotAW, the more the Shadoweave is making sense to me (for the very first time), and I have to admit I like where it is going. Unfortunately, I think Lolth attempting to create a second 'dark weave' not only further detracts from our original Weave-lore, but even tarnishes the nifty way the Shadoweave is explained in tRotAW, which despite all my belief to the contrary turns out to be based on prior FR lore, and was not ill-conceived (in other words, this is te first thing I ever read by Troy Denning that really feels like he did his homework, and did it well).
I am still cringing at the double-Wulgreth thing (I guess being a lich doesn't pay well, since they had to be 'roomies'... *gah*), but I'll get over it. I've read worse 'fixes' then that.
EDIT: Crap... went off-topic with my 'on-topic'. 
My point was that although I now feel the Shadoweave makes perfect sense, I think a second 'dark weave' would not. I only hope it isn't a separtae thing at all - that Lolth is actually trying to replace shar by re-creating the Shadoweave under her dominion, and that her demon-Weave is NOT something entirely 'new'. In other words, the 'Demon-Weave' should just be The Shadoweave 2.0 (and each iteration of a weave is always a little different then the last, so changes to it are still within canon/reason). This definitely SHOULD BE a "there can be only one" scenario.
Otherwise we risk the 'arms escalation' thing that destroyed the Thieves World anthologies, and has almost done the same to the Realms. If Shar and Lolth both get a weave, its only a matter of time before every author's pet character is a Chosen of some god who has their own damn weave.
And when everyone is special......... no-one is.  |
"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 15 May 2012 16:49:35 |
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jerrod
Learned Scribe
157 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2012 : 21:13:03
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| I wonder if the demon weave is any relation to the spider weave. By the way I'm sorry for naming the wrong book earlier.the book was queen of the demon web pits. The one with the justicar and escala. |
I haven't been here in years but I used to be DARKFLAME MILLITHOR(DROW ARCHMAGE of wildmagic |
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phranctoast
Learned Scribe
USA
151 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2012 : 15:00:49
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I'm just about to finish Sword of the gods: Spinner of lies, and while the book is very good, I feel the whole Rise of the Underdark is already feeling phoned in.
IMO, ROTU sounds deserving of it's own series like War of the Spider Queen, or maybe even a trilogy in it's own right, along with additional books like they're doing now.
I hoping Prince of Ravens will be better, but from the book description on Amazon, I'm a bit worried.
Oh well. At least we'll be getting another Jack Ravenwild book.
Does anyone remember the "weave" that was located under Ravens Bluff? Was it called the Dark Weave? I can only assume this is what the drow will be after. At the end of city of ravens I assumed it was being left off with Jack being a chosen which would explain him being alive for the 4th edition, but the description seems to have him in a magical stasis. |
Currently reading: Spider and Stone by Jaleigh Johnson: Sequel to Mistshore |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3824 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2012 : 15:13:25
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quote:
IMO, ROTU sounds deserving of it's own series like War of the Spider Queen, or maybe even a trilogy in it's own right, along with additional books like they're doing now.
I feel like this n-th RSE isn't needed at all, tbh... |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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phranctoast
Learned Scribe
USA
151 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2012 : 19:46:30
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| I'm fine with it, as I see it as a great tie in with the future of Mystra and the Elminster books. |
Currently reading: Spider and Stone by Jaleigh Johnson: Sequel to Mistshore |
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phranctoast
Learned Scribe
USA
151 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jun 2012 : 18:56:38
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Since I haven't see it yet and the official sites seem to be missing all of the books that apply to the ROTU.
Sword of the Gods: Spinner of Lies
"Memories of his past incarnations haunt Demascus, even as he searches for stolen portraits that contain the trapped souls of demigods. Meanwhile, drow creep beneath the city of Airspur, intent on precipitating war between Akanûl and a rival nation. As Demascus attempts to win freedom from the ghost of his murdered lover, he agrees to thwart the drow’s secret scheme, sending him on a trail that stretches between the Demonweb, Airspur, and an island that appears on no map.
Spinner of Lies is a sequel to Sword of the Gods, and is also tied to the Rise of the Underdark, an event that will have bold, sweeping ramifications across (and under) the Forgotten Realms"
http://www.amazon.com/Spinner-Lies-Forgotten-Abyssal-ebook/dp/B005C5QS90/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340732081&sr=8-1&keywords=spinner+of+lies
Prince of Ravens: A Forgotten Realms Novel (Rise of the Underdark)
"After a hundred years, Jack Ravenwild—thief, sorcerer, scoundrel, and accidental hero—is released from a magical confinement, only to fall into the hands of the marquise Dresimil Chûmavh, ruler of an exiled drow clan who sees an opportunity in Jack.
Through guile and subterfuge, the wily Jack escapes the drow to discover a new world waiting in his old stomping grounds, Raven's Bluff, a city equally abounding in fortune and danger. Unfortunately for Jack, he is best at stirring up the latter. His former archenemy the Warlord Myrkyssa Jelan is at large, and she isn't the type to forgive and forget. And worst of all, the drow aren't done with Jack and they mean to get him back."
http://www.amazon.com/Prince-Ravens-Forgotten-Underdark-ebook/dp/B005UFN5SO/ref=pd_sim_kstore_5?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Charon's Claw: Neverwinter Saga, Book III
"In the 3rd book of the #4 New York Times best-selling Neverwinter Saga, Drizzt draws his swords once more to aid his friends. His lover, Dahlia Sin’felle, can speak of nothing but the moment she will face the Netherese lord Herzgo Alegni once again. Drizzt has already followed a trail of vengeance beside Dahlia. Can he justify one more battle to settle a grudge he does not understand? Artemis Entreri too seeks vengeance. He offers to aid Dahlia in her mission to destroy Alegni. But Charon’s Claw, Alegni’s sentient sword, dominates Entreri’s movements—if not his mind. And then there’s the way Entreri looks at Dahlia. Can Drizzt trust his old foe?"
http://www.amazon.com/Charons-Claw-Neverwinter-Saga-ebook/dp/B0078XCSRA/ref=pd_sim_kstore_8?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Mistshore: Spider and Stone
"Lolth—patron deity of the drow, Spider Queen, regent of the Demon Web Pits—has once again stirred the dark elves into roiling aggression against the rest of Faerûn, reveling in the chaos born from her dark schemata. This is the Rise of the Underdark.
In Iltkazar, the last subterranean kingdom of the once resplendent dwarven realm of Shanatar, King Mith Barak faces a siege of drow soldiers, spies, and assassins looking to seize the powerful city and the ancient magical artifacts hidden there. Somewhere in the city, the Arcane Script Sphere—a mystical orb touched by Mystra, the long-dead goddess magic—calls out to heroes and adventurers, beckoning with whispers of power and knowledge. Mith Barak hears it and knows he cannot hold the artifact much longer, but fears what the drow may do with it.
Enter Icelin, Ruen, and Sull, Waterdavian wanders whose desire to understand their own spellscars sets them in search of Mystran mysteries—they hope to understand magic and thus understand its plague. As they move from town to town, city to city in search of knowledge, Icelin hears the siren call of the Arcane Script Sphere, and it draws the trio deep into rocks of the Underdark where they find themselves at the center of the struggle between the dwarves and drow."
http://www.amazon.com/Spider-and-Stone-ebook/dp/B008C8PMEG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1340732495&sr=8-8&keywords=Jaleigh+Johnson
The Demon Weave:
"'A "prophet" moves among the drow. A fallen priest, a scoundrel, a seductress, and if history is any guide, an avatar of Lolth herself. There are whispers to the leaders of the great drow Houses, communicating Lolth's desire: The Spider Queen will spin a new Weave and take Mystra's vacant seat as god of magic.
To engender Lolth's apotheosis into the goddess of arcane magic, the drow must gather ancient power: primordial relics, remains of great wizards, artifacts once sacred to Mystra (the dead goddess of magic), and gain control of magical locations on the world's surface.
Drow society is strained to the breaking point by this revelation. The female-dominated priesthood doesn't care to hear her message, a message that would dilute their own importance and raise male wizards as equals, or worse. They invent reasons to doubt the provenance of the message. Many reject her and her message, and try to banish proponents as frauds and heretics.
But wizards among the drow, and the priestesses of wizard-friendly Houses (including House Barrison Del'Armgo the Second House of Menzoberranzan, and House Xolorrin the Third House of Menzoberranzan, among others) set about carrying out Lolth's plan. They desire to lay the foundation for a new Weave . . . and bring about the everlasting darkness that will cover the world above. ' "
Elminster Enraged: The Sage of Shadowdale (Forgotten Realms: Sage of Shadowdale)
Commanded by the vestige of Mystra to work together, Manshoon and Elminster engage instead in a ferocious battle that sends the Sage plummeting into the Underdark as a cloud of ashes. Elminster soon inhabits the body of a fallen dark elf, so that he can begin carrying out Mystra's orders to rally Cormyr's Wizards of War, seek blueflame items to mend immense rifts throughout the realms that are releasing deadly monsters, and prevent the ancient Primordials from rising and unleashing their rage. But his sworn archenemy, Manshoon, has plans as well: to conquer Cormyr and be the new Emperor, and hunt down the Sage's clones. The battles are fierce, the stakes have never been higher, and the fate of Cormyr is on the line. Meanwhile, War Wizards are being mysteriously assassinated . . .
http://www.amazon.com/Elminster-Enraged-Shadowdale-Forgotten-Realms/dp/0786960299/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1340733114&sr=8-5&keywords=elminster |
Currently reading: Spider and Stone by Jaleigh Johnson: Sequel to Mistshore |
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Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jun 2012 : 20:10:36
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quote:
Originally posted by phranctoast
Sword of the Gods: Spinner of Lies
"Memories of his past incarnations haunt Demascus, even as he searches for stolen portraits that contain the trapped souls of demigods. Meanwhile, drow creep beneath the city of Airspur, intent on precipitating war between Akanûl and a rival nation. As Demascus attempts to win freedom from the ghost of his murdered lover, he agrees to thwart the drow’s secret scheme, sending him on a trail that stretches between the Demonweb, Airspur, and an island that appears on no map.
I just finished this novel, and found it to be disappointing on a number of levels. The main characters were so inhuman (a deva, a windsoul, etc.) that they were difficult to identify with. Additionally, the main character had so much power (or in some cases, deus ex machina saves) that nothing really felt tense, just forced and strung along. The dialogue was often snippy and juvenile, and the multiple plots didn't converge well. One plotline, which would have been the main one if not for the totally ineffectual drow and their goal, felt tacked on at the end. And it introduced new lore that I didn't much like either. As part of the Rise of the Underdark it's much more of an early glimpse into Lolth's plan rather than a true start; too much of the rest of the novel had the main deva character whine and bemoan his existence.
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Female, 40-year DM of a homebrew-evolved 1E Realms, including a few added tidbits of 2E and 3E lore; played originally in AD&D, then in Rolemaster. Be a DM for your kids and grandkids, gaming is excellent for families! |
Edited by - Therise on 26 Jun 2012 20:14:01 |
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Eilserus
Master of Realmslore
USA
1446 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2012 : 20:32:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Why didn't anyone mention portals earlier? Was I the only one who thought of that? I didn't mention it in my earlier post, but then, I pretty much ASSUMED that portals would be used on a large scale, and I figured everyone esle would go by that assumption as well. Using portals and permanent surface outposts like Twisted Tower would make a drow incursion MUCH more likely to succeed. Add in the fact that their cities are beneath some of the most populous places in Faerun (Menzo is not too far from Silverymoon, there are drow settlements under the Dales/Cormyr/Cormanthor region, etc) and the invasion might happen so suddenly that no one would be able to counter it quickly enough to put up a decent resistance. Especially if the battles take place at night, and the drow retreat back during the day. Using lightning guerilla tactics, they could easily wear down the opposition to such a degree that the end-game would be a walk in the park for them. Just a thought.....
Reading this just caused something to dawn on me. What if Sschindylryn is going to be the focal point or hub for the invasion? It's the City of Portals, that reach across the length of Faerun. It's also being featured in DDO. Well that's a scary thought, thousands of drow boiling out of portals all across the planet, in those lightning interhouse raids they are expert at. The surface folks won't even be able to mount a defense against this, at least not at first, and what good is your army when the enemy is already inside your walls killing at will.
I wouldn't mind a backdrop article done on Sschindylryn now that I think about it. Supposedly, we'll be getting more info about the rise of the underdark coming in July, via Dragon and I believe Dungeon articles. |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3824 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2012 : 21:32:27
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Are portals in Sschindylryn still intact after the Spellplague? AFAIK, the whole portal network was shattered with it.
However, I hope that if the drow get to do what you said, it won't be another total destruction kind of event. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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Eilserus
Master of Realmslore
USA
1446 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2012 : 23:21:52
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| I think alot of portals were shattered, but I don't believe they said every one of them was. The 4E Realms campaign book says they still have many magic gateways that connect it to elsewhere in the Underdark. Hmm, now that's telling, I was always under the impression their gates went to both the surface and underdark. I hear you on the destruction, Im fine with a few cities torched and some crazyness, as long as it doesn't turn into something too big of a deal. If they plan on burning down say Suzail or Arabel, then they better have plans to slowly advance the timeline of the Realms so we see the city being rebuilt and recovering and not just giant swaths of ruins from the drow invasion that aren't touched for half a decade etc. |
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Lameth
Learned Scribe
Germany
196 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2012 : 10:23:58
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| Can I buy Spinner of Lies only as a kindle version? |
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Lilianviaten
Senior Scribe
489 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2012 : 03:46:56
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| I don't know if any of you has read all the books currently out in the Rise of the Underdark series, but what exactly has happened? As far as the results of the drow's attempts to expand their territory, have they been successful? And has any progress been made toward Lolth becoming the Goddess of Magic? |
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Chosen of Asmodeus
Master of Realmslore
1221 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2012 : 12:11:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Therise
quote:
Originally posted by phranctoast
Sword of the Gods: Spinner of Lies
"Memories of his past incarnations haunt Demascus, even as he searches for stolen portraits that contain the trapped souls of demigods. Meanwhile, drow creep beneath the city of Airspur, intent on precipitating war between Akanûl and a rival nation. As Demascus attempts to win freedom from the ghost of his murdered lover, he agrees to thwart the drow’s secret scheme, sending him on a trail that stretches between the Demonweb, Airspur, and an island that appears on no map.
I just finished this novel, and found it to be disappointing on a number of levels. The main characters were so inhuman (a deva, a windsoul, etc.) that they were difficult to identify with. Additionally, the main character had so much power (or in some cases, deus ex machina saves) that nothing really felt tense, just forced and strung along. The dialogue was often snippy and juvenile, and the multiple plots didn't converge well. One plotline, which would have been the main one if not for the totally ineffectual drow and their goal, felt tacked on at the end. And it introduced new lore that I didn't much like either. As part of the Rise of the Underdark it's much more of an early glimpse into Lolth's plan rather than a true start; too much of the rest of the novel had the main deva character whine and bemoan his existence.
Really? I haven't read this particular novel yet, but I've read the first Sword of the Gods book(part of the spell plague series)and I found the main characters very likable and rather enjoyed that a human wasn't the main focus. |
"Then I saw there was a way to Hell even from the gates of Heaven"
- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
Fatum Iustum Stultorum. Righteous is the destiny of fools.
The Roleplayer's Gazebo;
http://theroleplayersgazebo.yuku.com/directory#.Ub4hvvlJOAY |
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Rise of the Underdark
