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Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Jul 2013 : 20:55:07
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
BTW, there are noble families in the Realms (in both Waterdeep and Cormyr) where the eldest born becomes heir regardless of gender, and there have even been nobility that descends through the female line, NOT the male line, but I'm not sure if any of those families have survived past the early 1300s DR.
Indeed, 'tis true. Alazne Inthré (daughter of Laspeera Naerinth and Aundable Inthré) was her mother's only child, but inherited her title as Lady Eveningspire based on a grant that guaranteed that the title would descend along the female line only.
I'm not certain that any other published families credit inheritance along these lines, however.
quote:
Originally posted by Hood's That Lady
Remind me, please, which Realms products covered the Cormaerils in relation to Daggerdale?
The most recent, significant coverage was Eric Menge's "Backdrop: Daggerdale" in Dungeon #192. Rule is said there to have passed from Randal to Silver to Silver's son Sathrin Cormaeril. Sathrin's son, Domavos, ruled the dale as "the Lord Morn," as did/does his son, Barathal (as of 1469DR). |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2428 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 03:05:03
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As to dinosaurs, "Children of Ubtao" would work for me. I mean, it sounds ominous enough already. 
My question is: what are relationships between elementalist wizards and priests of elemental powers?
And what are relationships between priests of different elemental powers? Do they tend to see it as "it's really between us", as respectful rivalry between those in much the same situation (they're mostly-marginal, after all), or simply shrug and don't pay much attention to this, focusing on their own tasks instead? |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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Lord of Bones
Seeker
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 15:30:40
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Hello you lovely people :)
I have three questions for Ed and THO that span three different parts of the Forgotten Realms.
1.) I know that Maligor was the Zulkir of Transmutation before Druxus Rhym and that he had a fierce rivalry with Szass Tam while he lived. Aside from a certain proclivity for Potions of Longevity and a penchant for gnoll slaves, much of the rest of Maligor's life is a mystery to me, so I was wondering as to an expansion to what is written in Red Magic and the Villain's Lorebook (where I believe he appeared in detail). How long had he lived? What was his relationship with his (presumed) apprentice Rhym, and did he have a family of his own? What were Maligor's policies, government and magic-wise, with Thay's neighbours? How did he fall ardently in to the faith of Myrkul (to the point where the deity's symbol was tattooed on his head)? Any further information on this interesting character would be hugely appreciated.
2.) How does retirement work in the Realms? Historic standards saw people working until death or being kept by their families once work wasn't an option, but do some armies across the Realms (and indeed organisational employers, even the secretive ones such as the Harpers and the Zhents), offer pensions? How does this effect different regions of the Realms, and are there certain locales that the elderly migrate to in order to live a more sustained and comfortable retirement, where wealth affords it?
3.) Ghaunadaur is prominent as an Underdark deity of oozes, slimes and the like, but knowing that 'rebels' sometimes follow the Elder Eye, I wondered as to any notable followers (historic or current) of this deity. I'm seeing a more malicious Spartacus in my mind who may have led some slaves to freedom, only to subjugate them in the name of Ghaunadaur, but I'm intrigued that this outcast god may attract rebels and revolutionaries of all stripes, both good and bad. Is it a god to whom lip service is typically offered when orchestrating a rebellion, but is then swiftly forgotten (possibly with intent) so that history books do not record the entity that was on the side of the victors, given the rather poor reputation his faith has surrounding it? Have any notable uprisings been led by members of this clergy, and if so, have they bravely kept up their faith beyond the rebellion's initial flourish?
Many thanks and hugs to Ed and THO.
Matthew (The Gentleman Gamer) |
Come watch the Gentleman's Guide to Gaming!
http://www.youtube.com/user/clackclickbang
On my channel I review and dissect role-playing games with great gusto. Please do take a look and let me know what you think. |
Edited by - Lord of Bones on 05 Jul 2013 15:31:24 |
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Eli the Tanner
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
149 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 16:05:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Garen Thal
quote:
Originally posted by Hood's That Lady
Remind me, please, which Realms products covered the Cormaerils in relation to Daggerdale?
The most recent, significant coverage was Eric Menge's "Backdrop: Daggerdale" in Dungeon #192. Rule is said there to have passed from Randal to Silver to Silver's son Sathrin Cormaeril. Sathrin's son, Domavos, ruled the dale as "the Lord Morn," as did/does his son, Barathal (as of 1469DR).
That's the one Garen! I couldn't quite remember the issue number. It gives a fairly nice summary of the changes and brief history to the dale since the timeskip. I'm hoing similar "Backdrop" articles will be done for the other dales too. 
@THO: Thanks for the insight the history of daggerdale publications. I often wondered why it seemed like Randal Morn had reclaimed the dale numerous times. I'd love to hear more about how those home games diverged from the official plots. |
Moderator of /r/Forgotten_Realms |
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Lord of Bones
Seeker
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 16:30:35
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I have two more questions, one of which pertains to my particular campaign and the other is pure curiosity, having recently returned from Pompeii:
1.) A rather general question (at least at first), but what is the status of children in the Realms? By this I mean in regards to faith, wardenhood, foster and adoptive rights etc. I ask the question with an example in mind. In my campaign a lovely young couple of PCs recently expired after many years of adventure, in rather tragic circumstances. They left behind a small child of only 3, currently with a nurse but soon to be picked up by the remainder of the party (none of whom are particularly parental).
Our Priestess of Myrkul has offered to take the baby in to her church for guardianship, education and ultimately, a life. Our paladin has objected to this proposal, citing that a temple dedicated to the dead is no place for a child to grow, and while he has no intent to settle down, he would rather take the child with him wherever he goes, enduring whatever hardships he may in order to raise the child following the codes of his order. The other party members are largely ambivalent, providing the child is cared for and kept safe.
With this being the case, and the party being based on the Dragon Coast (they are known between Elversult and Westgate, most prominently), what are the rights of children? Do they become the ward of the local government, nearest church, local parish beadle, or other? One would imagine it depends on region, but I would be interested in hearing your thoughts, and also which faiths in particular may care (and especially those that would not) about the well-being of a child. In my mind, all faiths would see children as hugely important, no matter how evil they may ostensibly be. They're the future, after all.
2.) Undoubtedly pornography exists in the Realms in various forms, but I wondered at those forms. Dirty scriptures, naughty carvings, live shows and erotic sculpture spring to mind, but I also wonder at which nations are particularly prudish about such things and which are very liberal.
I also wonder at what the common pornographic limits are, as it were. Laws are created to protect the innocent, after all, so I wondered at whether there were similar pornographic laws in the Realms as to the real world. It's a potential powderkeg subject, I understand, but having recently got back from my trip to Italy and seen the sheer volume of unabashed nudity, some of it pornographic, on display in mosaics, murals, sculptures and so on, I'm interested to hear about how it exists in the Realms. Has there ever been a raunchy lithograph doing the rounds in the streets of Cormyr, showing Azoun in a blue pose?
Thanks!
Matthew (The Gentleman Gamer) |
Come watch the Gentleman's Guide to Gaming!
http://www.youtube.com/user/clackclickbang
On my channel I review and dissect role-playing games with great gusto. Please do take a look and let me know what you think. |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2428 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 18:36:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord of Bones
3.) Ghaunadaur is prominent as an Underdark deity of oozes, slimes and the like, but knowing that 'rebels' sometimes follow the Elder Eye, I wondered as to any notable followers (historic or current) of this deity.
I'm obviously neither Ed nor THO, but look up Llurth Dreir (once Lolthite theocracy taken over by turncoats, shapeshifting infiltrators and aboleths) and Ka'Narlist (a high-profile worshipper back in Ilythiir, wizard, who long after Crown Wars remains a semi-mythological figure). |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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Eilserus
Master of Realmslore
USA
1446 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 20:00:40
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| Polyhedron 140 has a write-up of Llurth Dreier and that's a city ruled by Ghaunadaur worshippers. |
Edited by - Eilserus on 05 Jul 2013 20:01:08 |
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Hoondatha
Great Reader
USA
2449 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2013 : 22:05:00
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Hey THO! I've got one of those weird, one-off queries that I can't really think of any other place to ask, so I figured I'd go to the source. In the campaign I'm currently running, one of my players is having, shall we say larcenous intentions toward a certain tower. And he wants to bring along some tar paper in case any of the local windows insults his honor.
I'm going to give it to him, of course, but I'm a little confused about whether or where it would come from. The group is currently in a rather cold part of the western Heartlands, so it wouldn't be used as a building material. So I'm having him build it from the two components. Paper is expensive, of course, but it's the tar I'm uncertain of. Where would it come from? Are there parts of the surface Realms known for tar pits, or is it something traded for from the Underdark? It's obviously of great use in shipbuilding and other types of building, but how far would merchants carry it in search of a market? And what sort of prices does it fetch? Are there more local substitutes?
Any light you could shed on this very dark (and smelly!) subject would be fascinating. Thanks, as always. |
Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...
Sigh... And now 4e as well. |
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althen artren
Senior Scribe
USA
780 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2013 : 03:40:15
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My triumphant return, however quick it may be:
Where in Castle Cormanthor is the Isle of Estel? |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2013 : 08:45:48
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| on the cover of the murder in Baldur's gate sundering adventure. That's Bhaal's symbol isnt it? |
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 |
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lordsknight185
Learned Scribe
USA
102 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2013 : 12:17:29
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quote:
Originally posted by sfdragon
on the cover of the murder in Baldur's gate sundering adventure. That's Bhaal's symbol isnt it?
YES! yes it is. >.> |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2013 : 21:17:37
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Hello Ed and THO,
Since Ed is very busy, here are some yes/no questions that should (hopefully) make the answering easier.
Ed, within the walls of Candlekeep are there any books that have the property of making the characters, scenes, objects or places in adjacent books come to life for a brief time?
Are there such things as commonplace books and Zibaldone (i.e. hodgepodge books) in the Realms?
Can dwarves suffer from multiple personality disorder (or something similar to it)?
When a deepspawn creates a spawn, is there an odor to go along with the birth of the spawn?
Thank you very much. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 20:10:30
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Hi again, all. Jeremy, you've struck gold - - this DOES help Ed respond swiftly (right now, he's hoping to do a proper job on the recent questions for Lord of Bones, but some Wizards-related things have come up and he's indeed busy, busy, busy), and here are his replies:
Ed, within the walls of Candlekeep are there any books that have the property of making the characters, scenes, objects or places in adjacent books come to life for a brief time?
A: Yes. More than one such volume, all of them kept either in the innermost rooms or walled-away and hidden, by themselves (if they're especially "active").
Are there such things as commonplace books and Zibaldone (i.e. hodgepodge books) in the Realms?
A: Yes. They form the bulk of books available for open sale in market stalls or from caravan merchants.
Can dwarves suffer from multiple personality disorder (or something similar to it)?
A: Yes, but very rare; there's a good reason dwarves are generally thought to be "hard-headed" [disciplined, steadfast, grudge-holding, deep-memoried, patient]
When a deepspawn creates a spawn, is there an odor to go along with the birth of the spawn?
A: Yes. Think ozone tinged with cinammon. Not intense, and short-range; clings to surroundings of the deepspawn, NOT to spawn who depart that area.
So saith Ed. Who is still working hard on Realmslore, Realmslore, and more Realmslore (he tells me he recently handed in the 50th Forging column, for example).
love,
THO |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2013 : 08:42:59
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When you strike gold, keep digging.
More yes/no/NDA questions follow.
Has a king of Cormyr ever set foot within Candlekeep?
Has Vangerdahast ever set foot within Candlekeep?
Have any books from Laerakond/Returned Abeir made their way into Candlekeep’s collection?
Has a vampire (or vampires) ever taken up residence at Candlekeep?
Has a lich ever tried to store its phylactery within Candlekeep?
Has Cormyr ever formally entered into any agreements or treaties with Candlekeep?
If yes, does anyone in present-day (1479 DR) Cormyr remember such agreements, much less abide by them?
Thank you both, as always. This is a lot of fun. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
Edited by - Jeremy Grenemyer on 10 Jul 2013 08:46:03 |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2013 : 14:59:39
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GREAT questions! (and responses)
I love any and all Candlekeep lore.
Since it was 'removed' from the mainland in 4e, I am hoping for some sort of natural stone archway thingy leading to it - its really the only improvement I can think of to make to the place (also making it somewhat more defensible, at least from land-incursions). I realize its slightly 'tropey', but tropes persist because of their coolness (usually).
Apply my earlier question to all of this, please; the one concerning 'spontaneous artifacts' (I am sure certain books qualify). |
"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 Jul 2013 15:00:35 |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2013 : 18:41:38
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Hi again, all.
Here's Ed with replies to Jeremy's second lot of yes/no questions (queries and replies interspersed):
Has a king of Cormyr ever set foot within Candlekeep?
A: Yes, several, but only two of them that I know of, while they were king. These were unofficial/undercover visits, not heralded "state visits" or anything of that sort.
Has Vangerdahast ever set foot within Candlekeep?
A: Yes, several times. Again, unofficially. (I'm not saying the monks didn't know who he was; I'm saying no one made any sort of public point about it.)
Have any books from Laerakond/Returned Abeir made their way into Candlekeep’s collection?
A: Yes, a handful.
Has a vampire (or vampires) ever taken up residence at Candlekeep?
A: Not that I know of. Visited, at least three, but briefly and trying to conceal their true nature.
Has a lich ever tried to store its phylactery within Candlekeep?
A: Yes. More than one. Success/failure NDA.
Has Cormyr ever formally entered into any agreements or treaties with Candlekeep?
A: Yes, but minor; Cormyr agreeing to provide free of charge certain books published within the realm to Candlekeep, not high-level diplomatic anything (no recognition of sanctuary status, or anything of that sort).
If yes, does anyone in present-day (1479 DR) Cormyr remember such agreements, much less abide by them?
A: Vangerdahast and Caladnei and successors knew and know and abide, but the vast majority of courtiers and citizenry probably don't even know of them.
So saith Ed. Who's still being busier than anyone else I know...
love,
THO |
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paladinnicolas
Seeker
92 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2013 : 15:07:16
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Hello Ed and THO,
This time I would like to ask if there is a conflict between arcane magic and technology in the Realms, in the sense that the latter weakens the former. I ask this because I read in a Realms novel about Cyric that Gond created a construct that could not be hurt by Mystra's magic, and I have been told that some followers of Gond oppose Mystra. How is this opposition? Can they create dead magic zones? Thank you! |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2013 : 18:55:54
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Well Again THO and Ed,
After ‘striking gold’ I got to thinking about Candlekeep and brainstormed about 100 yes/no/NDA questions over two nights. Of course I’ll post only a handful at a time.
1. Does Candlekeep possess any books that have to be fed in a manner like you’d feed your cat or water a plant?
2. Does Candlekeep possess any books that are best stored by keeping them submerged underwater?
3. Does Candlekeep possess any books that eat spells or absorb spell energy with the express purpose of using that energy to create new copies of that book?
4. Are any paintings a part of Candlekeep’s collection?
5. Are any skeletons with writing on them a part of Candlekeep’s collection?
6. Does Candlekeep possess any written works by mortals who later ascended to divinity?
Thank you both. (And I hope the answer to #5 is Yes, as finding bones to complete a “written work” in the form of a full skeleton would be an interesting adventure hook.)
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Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2013 : 04:23:33
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Hi again, all.
Jeremy, Ed and I just talked, and he tells me the answer to your question 2 (of the most recent sextet of "all Candlekeep" queries) is NDA, but the answer to all of the others is "Yes."
paladinnicolas, Ed tells me that no technology or construct he knows of can create, or even influence, a dead magic zone. He also says some Gondites oppose the works and worship of Mystra because they believe that greater veneration of arcane magic means less respect for technology. In theory, Mystra might become less powerful over time if use of magic, and veneration of her, lessened because more beings venerated Gond more often - - but only in this abstract, hypothetical, eventual sense could "technology weaken magic." It's not an either/or situation in the polytheistic Realms - - i.e. it's wrong to think of faith in the Realms as being struggles between deities for the belief of monotheistic worshippers. All intelligent creatures believe in all the gods. Gods strive against other gods for more power and influence than other gods by being respected, obeyed, and worshipped more than other gods, yes, but Mystra is not the only deity of magic, and magic is so far "ahead" of technology that it will take centuries of cleaving to the latter to lessen the overall pervasiveness of the former.
Big words, but Ed seems in a "big words" mood tonight.
love to all,
THO |
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paladinnicolas
Seeker
92 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2013 : 10:36:31
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| Thanks Ed and THO! The reference of the novel I mentioned in my post was Prince of Lies, in which Mystra herself says that Gond managed to create an armor that is "utterly magic resistant." Does this indicate that despite not being able to create dead magic zones, Gond and technology may have resistance to magic given their diverse nature? According to Ed's answer, I would like to ask the following: before technology is so widespread, may it be that Mystra's influence in places as Lantan is weaker given the progress, development and greater reliance on technology therein? On the other hand, while there are many casters, most of the population in the Realms is not, and so perhaps in the future technology could be more important and powerful. Is that possible? Thanks! |
Edited by - paladinnicolas on 13 Jul 2013 11:07:43 |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2013 : 12:22:23
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hi again, all.
Jeremy, Ed and I just talked, and he tells me the answer to your question 2 (of the most recent sextet of "all Candlekeep" queries) is NDA, but the answer to all of the others is "Yes."
Thank you sweet lady.
The question about books stored underwater was not one for which I expected to get an NDA response.
But for the following questions I expect NDAs aplenty. Here goes.
1. Has a Sword Herald ever studied in Candlekeep?
2. Have the Sword Heralds assisted in any part of Candlekeep's construction?
3. Are clues to the location and means of activation of the various Sword Herald hideaways in Cormyr to be found in Candlekeep?
4. Does the bloodline of the Obarskyr's run (however thin) in any monk residing in Candlekeep in the year 1479DR?
5. Did the Sword Herald remembered as Murald, whose paintings and tapestries adorn the Palace of the Purple Dragon, ever create paintings that entrapped monsters or stored objects?
6. Are any of Murald's paintings or tapestries to be found in Candlekeep?
When the NDAs hit fear not for me, because I'm wearing a helmet.
Thank you both. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2013 : 16:16:52
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Heh. Six for six, Jeremy: NDAs on all six of these latest questions. Ed hasn't said a word about why, but as far as I can tell, the Sword Heralds have been NDA for years, and queries about Obarskyr lineage matters and Candlekeep have always been iffy. I suspect The Sundering is making both Obarskyr and Candlekeep questions MORE iffy, until the saga is published...
love,
THO |
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2013 : 22:37:14
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Hi THO,
Reading Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms, and I was wondering if there was a chance he would publish all his recipes for OGL monsters in the near future. I would love to see it in a 4"x7" paperback.
Thanks,
Hawkins |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2013 : 23:12:03
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Hi again, all. Hawkins, message passed along, and Ed tells me that's been a back burner project for years now. He putters away on it when he gets odd moments to spare...but admits the odd moments aren't happening as often, these days, what with all the Kickstarter stretch goals he's happily helping his friends in gaming with.
love,
THO |
Edited by - The Hooded One on 14 Jul 2013 15:30:22 |
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Joebing
Learned Scribe
USA
202 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2013 : 23:32:54
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I wish my questions were as short and to the point as Jeremy's, but I am also understanding. Ed IS the hardest working man in the biz.
Jeremy, those were excellent questions though...they spawned a few ideas in my DM brain. :) |
Now plugging away on mass conversion to 5e, as well as my imprint J. Halk Games.
http://www.facebook.com/JHalkGames
First adventure on DM Guild: Lair of Elaacrimalicros |
Edited by - Joebing on 13 Jul 2013 23:35:06 |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2013 : 07:30:21
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Heh. Six for six, Jeremy: NDAs on all six of these latest questions. (snip) I suspect The Sundering is making both Obarskyr and Candlekeep questions MORE iffy, until the saga is published...
I see. I ought to point these yes/no questions at a different part of the Realms then. Time to brainstorm.
quote:
Originally posted by Joebing
Jeremy, those were excellent questions though...they spawned a few ideas in my DM brain. :)
Glad to hear it. (See every now and then I manage to help instead of raise hell on these here forums.) |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2013 : 15:28:31
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Hello again, all. I bring you the words of Ed of the Greenwood in response to the Lord of Bones, specifically his “Question 2” linked queries: “How does retirement work in the Realms? Historic standards saw people working until death or being kept by their families once work wasn’t an option, but do some armies across the Realms (and indeed organisational employers, even the secretive ones such as the Harpers and the Zhents), offer pensions? How does this affect different regions of the Realms, and are there certain locales that the elderly migrate to in order to live in a more sustained and comfortable retirement, where wealth affords it?”
Ed replies:
This is one of those “it depends” replies. As in, the answer depends on the society and the location.
For instance, many orcs and goblinkin put their disabled and “useless” elderly into the communal stewpots/cooking fires, so orc crones help with the cooking (peeling, washing, gathering, water-fetching, and chewing hide to make it supple for use in garments), orc “greybacks” (aging males) fetch wood and fuel, tend fires, and make, repair, and sharpen weapons (and when youngsters are needed for more strenuous tasks, stand sentinel), and this is a general pattern of roles among ogres, flind, gnolls, and bugbears, too. (Matriarchal hobgoblin groups value the wisdom of their elders and of communal handed-down lore, and put them to work as teachers.)
In all of these humanoid societies and some human ones, aging old folk commit suicide by going out in harsh weather into the wilderlands, and fending for themselves until they die - - or just walk off cliffs, or fight doomed rearguard actions to buy younger members of the group time to flee formidable foes.
Human societies across the Realms exhibit a wide range of respect and roles for the elderly. In general, families in most human societies are expected to look after their elders - - and those elders do what they can (peeling, sorting, painting, cooking prep, whittling toys and clothespegs and kindling) to help family life.
Temples look after faithful who lack families, lepers, and those whose families can’t look after them (for example, a sick senior needing a lot of care who loses their adult children to misadventure, and has as family only babes or infants [grandchildren or great-grandchildren] too young to care for them).
Most rural temple-farms are worked by the simple, the deranged (wildnesses controlled by herbal medicines given in their food), the homeless, the maimed, and orphans - - and orphans provide every faith with their chief source of future priests.
Most soldiers and civil servants receive a small monthly pension when they retire (this holds true for Waterdeep, Amn, Cormyr, Impiltur, Turmish, and most parts of Tethyr), and high-ranking courtiers are often given an estate (home with working farmlands sufficient to support them) upon retirement. The ongoing spending of these pensions provides a stable stimulus to the economies of such places.
The Harpers offer no pensions, but active members take care to give retired members paid work as often as they can, and all Harpers whose homes get used as “safe houses” get paid for such usages.
The Zhentarim have always been rather harsh; those who retire get land and a lump sum, and are then left on their own.
In contrast, Cormyr’s Purple (and Blue) Dragons get land and a pension; if disabled, they get no land and a smaller pension, but get housed and fed in the Cormyrean equivalent of the Chelsea Pensioners hospital, the large fortress and farm of Daunthers, which stands off the north side of the Way of the Manticore, due east of Gladehap, at about where the Way makes its pronounced curve to the eastsoutheast. The diseased are housed in Thulser’s Lodge, in the King’s Forest a little east of Mouth O’Gargoyles, on the same trail.
The truly wealthy elderly can retire to palatial care in certain Sea Ward (more lively, but damp) and North Ward (quieter and drier) mansions of Waterdeep. Of old, they often bought their own villas on the Sea of Fallen Stars, where they were supplied by pirates, in return for allowing the pirates to hide contraband in their cellars, make claims and alibis on behalf of the pirates, and even allow pirates to hide in their homes (in pre-prepared “hidden rooms” or “hideholds”), but this fashion has dwindled along with the pirates.
I hope this “starter reply” is of help.
So saith Ed. Who does work all of this stuff out, and always has.
love,
THO
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2013 : 15:40:45
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And I bring us all Ed's reply to paladinnicola, re. this: "Thanks Ed and THO! The reference of the novel I mentioned in my post was Prince of Lies, in which Mystra herself says that Gond managed to create an armor that is "utterly magic resistant." Does this indicate that despite not being able to create dead magic zones, Gond and technology may have resistance to magic given their diverse nature? According to Ed's answer, I would like to ask the following: before technology is so widespread, may it be that Mystra's influence in places as Lantan is weaker given the progress, development and greater reliance on technology therein? On the other hand, while there are many casters, most of the population in the Realms is not, and so perhaps in the future technology could be more important and powerful. Is that possible? Thanks!"
Ed replies:
Gond created utterly magic resistant armor by putting part of himself into it; the armor is a part of his divine essence. So he can only make a few suits of armor before he himself is seriously weakened (and if that armor is damaged or destroyed away from his direct presence as an avatar, the divine power will dissipate or be captured by others and lost to him). So that armor was more of a "let's see if I can do this" experiment than it was a "from now one, everyone in the Realms I favor will be walking around in magic-proof armor, and the days of magic ruling the battlefield are done!"
As I said, it's NOT an either/or situation; there is no need for anyone (outside of a priesthood) in the Realms to make a choice between magic and technology in which turning to one means denying the other. (See the "drow technology" subsection I did in [my original, 2e] DROW OF THE UNDERDARK.)
Yes, the influence of all deities in a particular locale is in one sense determined by their loyal mortal servants there at the time, in that these faithful can act to further the deity's aims and so extend their influence, and yes, the importance and influence of technology will increase over time as those without strong magic seek alternatives - - but Mystra is the Weave, and the Weave is a (magical) way of harnessing all the energies of the world, and there has been technology (the wheel, the barrel, quite intricate locks, complex alloying processes, and so on and on) in the Realms from before anyone live today can remember, alongside magic - - and magic is all-pervasive and very powerful. That's just the way the Realms is.
So saith Ed. Who has created low-magic settings, too, and worked in low-magic settings created by others.
love,
THO
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2013 : 16:31:20
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Hello again, all. I bring you Ed of the Greenwood’s reply to the Lord of Bones regarding this query:
“A rather general question (at least at first), but what is the status of children in the Realms? By this I mean in regards to faith, wardenhood, foster and adoptive rights etc. I ask the question with an example in mind. In my campaign a lovely young couple of PCs recently expired after many years of adventure, in rather tragic circumstances. They left behind a small child of only 3, currently with a nurse but soon to be picked up by the remainder of the party (none of whom are particularly parental).
Our Priestess of Myrkul has offered to take the baby in to her church for guardianship, education and ultimately, a life. Our paladin has objected to this proposal, citing that a temple dedicated to the dead is no place for a child to grow, and while he has no intent to settle down, he would rather take the child with him wherever he goes, enduring whatever hardships he may in order to raise the child following the codes of his order. The other party members are largely ambivalent, providing the child is cared for and kept safe.
With this being the case, and the party being based on the Dragon Coast (they are known between Elversult and Westgate, most prominently), what are the rights of children? Do they become the ward of the local government, nearest church, local parish beadle, or other? One would imagine it depends on region, but I would be interested in hearing your thoughts, and also which faiths in particular may care (and especially those that would not) about the well-being of a child. In my mind, all faiths would see children as hugely important, no matter how evil they may ostensibly be. They're the future, after all.”
Ed replies:
Heh. You’re going to get tired of me saying ‘It depends,’ but an answer about the status of children does. On the race, society, location, and time you’re speaking of, in the Realms.
In most human societies in the Realms “today” (1300s and 1400s), children are raised by their families (grandparents, usually, if parents are lost, because grandparents often live with the parents; more distant relatives if parents or grandparents are lacking). Older siblings are expected to care for siblings, there is no concept of “child labour” being bad (everyone is expected to pitch in with housework and “earn coin” work from the beginning, doing what they can considering their age, build, strength, etc.).
Yes, children are bought and sold as slaves in some parts of the Realms (Thay, in particular), but this is generally regarded as bad everywhere else. Orphans are usually raised by priests and lay staff at temples, and either work the temple-farms (and kitchens, and laundries) in return for bed and board, or are “apprenticed out” (an apprentice usually works for bed, board, and a small allowance for “pouch coin” [=spending money]) to local craftsmen. Yes, some children sell their bodies - - but they themselves do it; pimping is illegal in many places, and illegal everywhere when children are involved.
Ultimately, children are their own persons, and considered so at a much younger age than we modern real-world folk might (remember that in earlier centuries in Europe and elsewhere, children could join guilds, sign contracts, and take part in adult society at much younger ages than we trust them to do today); so a 9 or 10 year old might be making their own way in the world and treated as such. An orphan is a ward of the Crown in Cormyr and most other places, unless or until they are accepted by a temple as a ward of the faith (and of course, this does NOT mean the child is bound to that and only that faith; it means that faith is assuming responsibility for their upbringing, usually in the hopes that they’ll gain a priest or dedicated lay follower in the future). You are dead-on correct in saying, “. . . all faiths would see children as hugely important, no matter how evil they may ostensibly be. They're the future, after all.”
With all of that said, in the circumstances you’ve described for your own campaign, everything sounds realistic to me.
A priestess of Myrkul or any other faith would offer to take an orphaned “baby to her church for guardianship, education and ultimately, a life” -- - and a paladin of another faith would very likely object, for the reason he cited.
What it comes down to is who prevails (the “easy” choice is another temple, of a neutral faith, and often that faith is Chauntea, because farm work is very labour-intensive and the benefits flow, in a mundane but vital daily way, to all). In most cases, adventurers would object to a babe in arms being brought along on adventurers or even wilderland travels, because they’re a vulnerable burden being placed in harm’s way for no good reason, and would prefer temple fostering if there isn’t a family or household linked to one of the adventurers who could rear the child as their own. (And don’t forget parents of adventurers; many grandparents in most human societies in the Realms of “today” are used to having infants around and caring for them; as everyone ages, those infants will become vigorous younglings who will become the eyes and hands of the failing, aging grandfolk.)
So in most such cases, the babe will be placed with a temple for rearing; what has to be roleplayed out among the PCs is which temple . . . (bearing in mind we may be talking about a future “replacement PC adventurer” here).
I hope all of this had been of some help.
So saith Ed. Who is still busy busy busy, but always makes time for scribes here at the Keep, and other gamers too, whenever he can.
love,
THO
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2013 : 17:03:59
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Hi AGAIN, all. Ed's busy with scribes' requests this morning . . .
Accordingly, I now bring you Ed’s response to this query, from Lord of Bones: “Undoubtedly pornography exists in the Realms in various forms, but I wondered at those forms. Dirty scriptures, naughty carvings, live shows and erotic sculpture spring to mind, but I also wonder at which nations are particularly prudish about such things and which are very liberal.
I also wonder at what the common pornographic limits are, as it were. Laws are created to protect the innocent, after all, so I wondered at whether there were similar pornographic laws in the Realms as to the real world. It's a potential powderkeg subject, I understand, but having recently got back from my trip to Italy and seen the sheer volume of unabashed nudity, some of it pornographic, on display in mosaics, murals, sculptures and so on, I'm interested to hear about how it exists in the Realms. Has there ever been a raunchy lithograph doing the rounds in the streets of Cormyr, showing Azoun in a blue pose?”
Ed replies:
Yes, to answer your last, first. :} In general, there are few laws banning pornography in the Realms, in large part because the Realms has never had a prudish Christianity holding sway to come up with the concept of “pornography,” per se. Nor do most places in the Realms really have “the innocent” (except individuals so very young that they can’t speak and therefore discuss what they see). Quite young individuals know all about various sexual acts (how performed, why done, etc.) without necessarily having participated.
All of the depictions of sex you list, for both amusement purposes and for erotic arousal, exist in the Realms. There are quite strict laws regarding rape and what we would call “zoning laws” governing festhalls (brothels), but sexual activity is distinguished from “display” (drawn, written, dramatic [plays and performed ballads and even tableaux] and sculpted) in a way that modern real-world North American authorities (lawmakers and police) would never do. In other words, many modern real-world policemen would pounce on someone for possessing a depiction of a nude human or humans, or the depiction of a sex act, and that pouncing would be behaviour bewildering to most people in the Realms. (Where doing something sexual is considered a very different thing from looking at or contemplating something sexual.)
That DOESN’T mean every village high street or every kitchen in the Realms is awash in dirty drawings or fornicating couples (trios, sextets, whatever), because it’s understood that much of the allure comes from being hidden, and sharing with friends or lovers - - so if you want to sell or enjoy such material, it is kept in a back room or cabinet until the “right time.”
So, yes, what you saw in Italy (most often preserved in the buildings or gardens of the wealthy) would be present in many places in the Realms, but not remarked or dwelt upon (i.e. the folk in the Realms don’t have the “hangups” that faiths instilled in much of our societies), just as most people don’t remark or dwell upon the presence of ladders or watering-cans . . . until they need one and find them lacking.
For obvious reasons, the published Realms has largely avoided this topic, and that’s fine. We all choose what level of detail and what specific elements go into our games, and what gets left out or downplayed - - and we all should have that choice.
So saith Ed. Who, as a child growing up in the Sixties, saw some things in person that most folks have to go to the Internet to see these days.
love,
THO
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Questions for Ed Greenwood (2013)
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