| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 05:02:35
|
Good morning, gentles!
A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to be invited, along with a number of my fellow lore-lords of the Realms—those being Eric Boyd, George Krashos, Brian James, and Erik Scott de Bie—to chat with members of the story team over at Wizards of the Coast (including D&D Creative Director James Wyatt, Matt Sernett, and ex officio non-employee but kinda sorta, Ed Greenwood) about the future of the Forgotten Realms. We got a sneak peek at some of the secrets that are going to be revealed at this Gen Con’s D&D Keynote and the ‘What is the Sundering?’ panels that will follow it, as well as a glimpse at how the Realms will be treated in the coming years and edition(s).
There is good reason for us all to be excited.
None of us can talk all that much about what’s going to happen over the next week and a half, but I encourage you all to stay tuned. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of next week, information’s going to come out that will affect what you think about the state of Realms publishing. In a good way, I think.
If you can make it to Gen Con, you’ll want to make sure to be at the "The Future of Dungeons & Dragons" keynote (Thursday night), and at least one of the Sundering panels (Friday afternoon and Saturday morning). If you can’t make it, the links below will help you get as much exposure as you can.
The full slate of Gen Con D&D Panels is listed here.
The D&D keynote will be live streamed here.
The ‘What is the Sundering?’ panels will be posted here. No word yet as to whether they will be live, or edited and posted later.
Also not to be missed—and following immediately after the D&D keynote—is our own panel, Candlekeep Presents: 25 Years of the Forgotten Realms. If you’re going to be at Gen Con, you should not miss this event, where we’ll be discussing the revelations of the address, speculating about the future of the Realms, and possibly welcoming a surprise guest or three. From what I hear, there will also be a fun giveaway at some point in the night, which we already expect to go well past our scheduled end time of 10 pm.
These are exciting times for the Forgotten Realms, folks. Get ready. Get excited.
Get to Gen Con (or, you know, to a computer...).
Brian
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 05:11:48
|
I think you just talked me into going alone. 
Just one question (which I don't know if you can answer yet) - were you just invited to "listen to what they were going to do", or was it more of a back-and-forth?
Only because I remember how the pre-convention 'meeting' went when they announced to Ed (and others) what their 'kewl plans' were for 4e (3rd-hand, of course - just how others described it). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
Edited by - Markustay on 09 Aug 2012 05:17:27 |
 |
|
|
Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 05:20:35
|
| Yes, I hope that they were taking input as well as providing output. But this overall has me pretty hopeful. |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back. --Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass
"Mmm, not the darkness," Myrin murmured. "Don't cast it there." --Erik Scott de Bie, Shadowbane
* My character sheets (PFRPG, 3.5, and AE versions; not viewable in Internet Explorer)
* Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document (PFRPG OGL Rules)
* The Hypertext d20 SRD (3.5 OGL Rules)
* 3.5 D&D Archives
My game design work:
* Heroes of the Jade Oath (PFRPG, conversion; Rite Publishing)
* Compendium Arcanum Volume 1: Cantrips & Orisons (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Compendium Arcanum Volume 2: 1st-Level Spells (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Martial Arts Guidebook (forthcoming) (PFRPG, designer; Rite Publishing)
|
|
|
|
Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 05:25:03
|
| Oh, they were definitely keen to hear what we had to say. I won't (and can't) discuss particulars of the meeting, but it was a meeting, not a presentation, and I wouldn't be talking about it at all if I wasn't happy about the things that came out of it. |
|
|
|
Dark Wizard
Senior Scribe
USA
830 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 05:27:07
|
The names mentioned do increase my interest in the 5E Realms, doubly so if they were actually allowed input (no matter how minute) and not merely spectators.
I tried to gather up my group to head to our first Gen Con, but it seems they prefer PAX East and have tentative plans for that event, taking Gen Con out of the equation. One of these years I will make it. |
|
|
|
Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 05:36:53
|
| The meeting was primarily to inform us of plans that were already in motion. The heavy decision making had taken place months earlier. That being said, I’m optimistic about the direction the Realms is headed. James was very keen to hear our opinions, and has promised to include us (Realms freelancers) more going forward. |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 06:02:03
|
| So, is James Wyatt the 'top guy' this time around? For D&D or FR or both? Or can you not say more at this time? |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 06:04:47
|
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
So, is James Wyatt the 'top guy' this time around? For D&D or FR or both? Or can you not say more at this time?
His official title is D&D Creative Manager, which (I believe) means he's the person in charge of world/setting/story pretty much across the board. Saying any more would get me in trouble, but only because I'm not sure it would be accurate. |
|
|
|
Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 06:08:53
|
Thanks for the heads up Garen!  |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 06:27:56
|
He did wonders with Eberron. If he's in-charge (of 5e) thats a good sign.
What was Monte's position before he left? Was he just a 'rules guy' this time around? Was he under Wyatt?
Sorry for asking so may questions, but I am fairly familiar with these guys body of work, and their strengths and weaknesses (IMO, of course). It helps me to wrap my mind around things when I know who worked on what. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Shemmy
Senior Scribe
USA
492 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 06:49:21
|
| I dare say that I'm paying attention now. :D |
Shemeska the Marauder, King of the Crosstrade; voted #1 best Arcanaloth in Sigil two hundred years running by the people who know what's best for them; chant broker; prospective Sigil council member next election; and official travel agent for Chamada Holiday specials LLC.
|
|
|
|
Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4215 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 06:52:57
|
My children would understand if I wanted to go to GenCon instead of a trip to D.C.; however the wife would cast a rather disturbing variation of a Flensing spell upon my arse...
...now about that Time Travel stuff... |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
|
|
|
ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2089 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 10:56:04
|
Brian,
Thanks for kicking off this thread. I agree, fans of the Realms should be excited.
It was a very fun meeting and a good chance to discuss the Forgotten Realms. James and Matt (and Ed, of course) are great designers and fun to talk with, and the Wizards team has clearly put a lot of thought into what makes the Realms a fantastic setting and knits it all together. We even had a little bit of brainstorming during the call, which felt like old times.
Fortunately, my schedule will permit a visit to GenCon this year, and I am looking forward to the discussions that should ensue from the various seminars. For those who can't make it in person, I'm sure there will be a lot of updates to the boards in the days to come.
--Eric |
--
http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
|
|
|
Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3813 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 11:36:41
|
| Sounds like good news, but damn it: the impossibility to attend to the GenCon and the waiting are going to kill me D: |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
|
|
|
WalkerNinja
Senior Scribe
USA
577 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 13:52:51
|
| I was just wondering--do we know which designer/author/team came up with the spellplague and the hundred year time line advance? |
*** A Forgotten Realms Addict since 1990 ***
Treasures of the Past, a Second Edition Play-by-Post game for and by Candlekeep Sages--http://www.rpol.net/game.cgi?gi=52011 |
|
|
|
Arcanus
Senior Scribe
485 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 14:25:07
|
| . |
Edited by - Arcanus on 10 Aug 2012 13:59:27 |
|
|
|
Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1301 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 14:29:48
|
Only two things would make me happy, either going to Ed's version of the Realms as the official version or a reboot to some pre-Return of the Shade era. Since neither is likely to happen, I'm not likely to be happy. I fear similar claims were made about the 4th edition fiasco which has near killed the Realms.
You'll forgive me if I wait for some actual news before I get happy or excited. Although Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms is the best thing to come out of Wizards since Cloak and Dagger, so maybe there's a faint glimmer of hope.
|
|
|
|
PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 14:46:01
|
quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
Fortunately, my schedule will permit a visit to GenCon this year, and I am looking forward to the discussions that should ensue from the various seminars. For those who can't make it in person, I'm sure there will be a lot of updates to the boards in the days to come.
--Eric
Eric,
I hope we can grab a beer at the Con. Been too long. |
|
|
|
Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 15:19:30
|
| I am curious but not excited. I wish we could go back to the lorekeeping of 2e days and to cover more of Toril and not rehash the same regions in the Realms over and over. I am very skeptical about its future. |
|
|
|
Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 15:46:34
|
quote:
Originally posted by Garen Thal
(...)There is good reason for us all to be excited.(...)
Honestly, I wish WotC and people given insider information would just say nothing about "how awesome!" or great, or excited, or whatever they are. Because when it happens now, I am reminded of the exact same thing that happened before the launch of 4E Realms.
Promises of "awesomeness" and "the most amazing game ever!" were showered upon us back then. Was it awesome? That's up to you, but I and many others felt utterly betrayed as a loyal customer.
When it comes to WotC now, I have no excitement from announcements like this. On the contrary, it activates my skepticism and reignites my bitterness.
Seriously, I hope it is "awesome" for other people. But I will say what I've been saying ever since 4E Realms came out: WotC no longer has my trust, my faith in them is minimal at best. If they put out a product that gets good reviews, I might look at it and judge for myself. But that fangirl reaction I once used to have is gone. I will no longer buy things sight-unseen, or to be a completest collector of lore. I have what I need for my own games, so if they want me to buy something it really had better be the pinnacle of awesome and not just PR marketing smoke.
|
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! |
|
|
|
Eilserus
Master of Realmslore
USA
1446 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 16:29:33
|
| Hoping I'll be able to watch Youtube videos or transcripts of the good stuff. Very interested to see where the Realms is heading for the future. Considering it appears Wizards is pulling in all the great loremasters of the golden age, well that has me pretty excited. Wizards should look into streaming Gen-Con like Blizzard does BlizzCon and sell online tickets for 40 bucks a pop. I've watched the last two years of that online and it's really decent for the pricing. Granted there's no interaction and you don't snag a bag of goodies, but it's really cool being able to watch all the various panels. Plus with them online, you can go back and watch ones you've missed. |
|
|
|
Delwa
Master of Realmslore
USA
1272 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 16:48:01
|
I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'm still hopeful, but I've readied an action against disappointment. I personally am ok with keeping 4E as an event that happened, although I'll never play in that era.
I have my rathers, but again, with Ed at the helm, I'm willing to be lenient. |
- Delwa Aunglor
I am off to slay yon refrigerator and spoil it's horde. Go for the cheese, Boo!
"The Realms change; seldom at the speed desired of those who strive, but far too quickly for those who resist." - The Simbul, taken from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Conspectus |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 18:02:11
|
UGH... my insecurities are screwing with me. The thought of making that trip alone has me going a bit nuts. I am still trying to get my son to take a couple days off work next week (his birthday is the 13th, so I am trying to convince him Gencon is his birthday party LOL). Regardless, I am putting a LOT of effort into going - I think this may be one of those 'once in a lifetime' opportunities. Judging by these threads, the turn-out of designers/authors we like is going to be unprecedented.
quote:
Originally posted by Arcanus
quote:
Originally posted by WalkerNinja
I was just wondering--do we know which designer/author/team came up with the spellplague and the hundred year time line advance?
Yes, step forward and take your bows!
NOW is not the time to cast stones. It is a time for healing.
I count the 5e announcements at Gencon a victory. Good 'winners' do not mock their opponents, they respect them. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
Edited by - Markustay on 09 Aug 2012 18:05:22 |
|
|
|
Arcanus
Senior Scribe
485 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 18:31:20
|
| . |
Edited by - Arcanus on 10 Aug 2012 14:00:43 |
|
|
|
Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 18:35:45
|
They say “hope for the best, plan for the worst.”
But since we’ve already experienced the Spellplague there’s nowhere to go but up. 
I’ve already had plenty of opportunities to air my opinions, to write blog posts about it (on the WotC forums) and otherwise let WotC know how I feel and what I want. So whatever happens, happens.
There is literally nothing WotC can do with the 5E Realms that can keep me and my players from having as much fun as we’re having playing D&D in the Realms right now.
But like a lot of people I have a vision of the Realms that exists outside of my campaign. It’s the sum of all the sourcebooks, novels and other Realms media I’ve read (and re-read, because this too is fun). This is the world that we as fans share.
I want that Realms to be well treated and taken care of in 5E.
However WotC is a business and the Realms are part of that. Nobody at WotC is in charge of how I will feel about what's produced for 5E. Nobody at WotC is responsible for creating a Realms that fits my vision of what the Realms should be. Nobody at WotC is personally responsible for making me happy. I may not even be within the range of customers WotC is hoping to bring to the Realms.
So it’s out of my hands. The only thing I have control over is how I choose to react to what they do.
I choose to have fun.
The Realms and D&D are about having fun. It’s about enjoyment and a good time. I think Garen Thal and the other freelancers understand this, so I trust what they have to say. I also believe they have only good intentions in saying that we have something to look forward to.
That trust won't waver if WotC produces something that, overall, I find to be unsatisfactory. It's not anyone fault if I decide I don't like something.
I’m not going to bottle up my enthusiasm for fear I might be disappointed. Life’s too short and I’m here to have a good time.
I’m very happy the Realms is something WotC is focusing its limited resources on.
Hurry up and get here, Gen Con! |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
|
|
|
Portella
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
247 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 18:37:38
|
| I am scared... truly. This will be make or break sundering for sure. |
Purple you say?!
|
|
|
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6680 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 18:40:06
|
I'm not excited. Not yet. What I am however, is pleasantly surprised. Of their own volition, James Wyatt and WotC contacted me out of the blue and asked me to video conference in with other really talented Realms luminaries to tell us in broad terms what they were looking at doing with the Realms going forward and asking for comments and feedback.
The fact that I could actually see James writing away as we all gave our 2cp on various topics made me a very happy Elminsterite. There was none of that for the 4E change.
I can't tell you that the 5E Realms is going to be awesome. I can tell you that WotC appear to be taking a different approach to the edition transition this time. A more consultative one. And involving individuals whose love of the Realms has been palpable for many years. That might not mean anything at the end of the day, but it might mean a heck of a lot.
The lines of communication are open. After GEN-CON we'll all know more. More consultation going forward has been flagged. Given this, I'm optimistic that I will be excited about the 5E Realms soon enough, but I can understand that some fans out there are reticent. My only response to that is just seeing Eric Boyd come back to the Realms is reason to be excited.
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
|
|
|
Arcanus
Senior Scribe
485 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 18:41:52
|
| . |
Edited by - Arcanus on 10 Aug 2012 14:01:57 |
|
|
|
Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 18:53:42
|
quote:
Originally posted by Arcanus
Sorry Mark, I completely disagree. If we know who the creators of 4e were then we can prepare ourselves for disappointment if they are involved in 5e.
I would really rather not make this discussion about the 4e Realms at all, but since we've gotten here, I'll make a brief comment. After that, any sniping at past design teams should really move elsewhere. It's unproductive, can frankly get more than a little mean, and is not the topic of this thread. If this becomes a hate-fest, I'll ask the moderators to shut the thread down.
From the 4E design team for Forgotten Realms, many of the staffers (Phil Athans, Rich Baker, Rob Heinsoo, Chris Sims, Logan Bonner) are no longer employed with the company. Others are freelancers who were likely not involved in the major decisions (such decision-making is almost always done in-house). The primary members of the story team right now are Matt and James, who weren't elbow-deep in the 4E transition. Bruce Cordell is on the rules side of D&D production right now, and Greg Bilsland is doing yeoman's work as both a D&D Insider producer and helping to coordinate the D&D Next Playtest.
This is a new design team. And it's a new philosophy. Because I can tell you that the list of freelancers that they spoke to before the 3e-to-4e transition was much shorter, and their responses, I think, were far less pleasant. The fact that we had this meeting at all speaks volumes to me about the future of the Realms. That the six of us non-staffers were all palpably happy to be there, pleased with what we were hearing, and obviously plotting what to do next, is what makes me excited. |
|
|
|
DragonReader
Senior Scribe
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 18:57:21
|
| Uff... I will be on a plane Friday and out of country (away from internet) for 2 weeks :( Note to self do not plan vacation when important news may be coming :) |
|
|
|
Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2012 : 19:05:00
|
Conversation means nothing unless reparations are made. If the Realms designers "listen" and nod their heads, it's meaningless unless the Realms are fixed.
This isn't a hate-fest. It's just direct honesty. If they publish a 5E (or "Next") Realms that I don't like, I'm just not going to buy it. I'll move on to something else. *shrug*
|
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! |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Forgotten Realms? NDA (and then… not so much)
