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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Aug 2013 : 18:40:35
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I've only skimmed all the posts above, though it's obviously a very good discussion. I wish I had more time, but alas, professional author with a day job here. 
I will offer what *I* think WotC should do on this point, just to add fuel to the conversation. I've already discussed in another thread what I want their publishing plan to look like, and I want to clarify that my vision of a 5e FRCG does NOT include a timeline to fill in the century gap. Why?
Because that's what the Expanded Grand History of the Realms is for.
We need a book of dates (or maybe just a web enhancement, with the option to buy an actual book with it added to the existing GHotR) to link the various editions. At the moment, 1e/2e/3e is effectively severed from 4e/5e, with a few tenuous threads (Drizzt novels, Backdrop: Cormyr, a few others of us authors). But we're left with all sorts of questions, about how--for instance--the royal line of Cormyr proceeds, unbroken, between editions. Brian Cortijo (Garen Thal) has written this (it's called the Royal Lineage, and trust me, it's amazing and very well researched) but WotC has not (yet) published it.
I firmly agree that the game needs to focus on the Realms going forward, but I firmly believe that the strength of the Realms is its lore, and the century gap is just an open sore that needs to be patched, at least in this regard. It should be treated like any other historical period, like, for instance, 800-900 D.R. Does anyone know what happened then? We know a little, because it's in the GHotR and you can extrapolate other pieces of info. That's all I want to see in the century gap--lore and information, but plenty of space to develop any sort of story one wants--and it hearkens to my design aesthetic: provide more lore than you'll need, and you can choose what to ignore, rather than provide too little and force you to make something up.
I don't see it as enriching 4e or any edition in particular, but rather supporting THE REALMS as a whole.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Emma Drake
Learned Scribe
USA
206 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2013 : 18:50:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Because that's what the Expanded Grand History of the Realms is for.
Cheers
Expanded Grand History of the Realms? Be still my heart...
Also, I agree with most of what you say here. |
"I am always here, all about you. You are never truly alone. I flow wherever life flows, wherever winds blow and water runs and the sun and moon chase each other, for there is magic in all things."
- Mystra (Ed Greenwood, Silverfall) |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 07:41:58
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Some spoilers about Vangerdahast follow.
Ye've been warned.
======================
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
I don't see it as enriching 4e or any edition in particular, but rather supporting THE REALMS as a whole.
Here you've touched on one of the reasons why I ask Ed questions related to his Eye on the Realms articles.
And you're right, too. Objectively speaking, filling in the Time Gap supports the Realms, not just any particular edition.
When I think about the Time Gap, my thoughts focus on Alusair and her life away from the throne at the end of her regency, on the Dowager Queen maintaining power during the regency of her daughter and the rule of her grandson, and on Vangerdahast and how he went from dragon to a head with spider legs (eek!). There stories haven't been finished, just bookended and with a portion at one end waiting to be filled in.
Those stories need to be told.
If I won the Powerball Jackpot then I'd be on a plane to Redmond ASAP with my checkbook in hand, ready to write one out for whatever amount WotC would need to handle all production and manufacturing costs for an anthology focused on the Time Gap, that told stories about those three characters plus whatever other parts of the Realms WotC would care to include.
A novel anthology covering the Time Gap--if it had those stories--is something I'd pay good money for because it's something I'm sure as hell interested in.  |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
Edited by - Jeremy Grenemyer on 09 Sep 2013 07:43:07 |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 14:04:02
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How about a series, a'la The Harpers - unconnected, except for a very superficial 'frame' (which would be the Wailing Years themselves).
I'd also like to see some novels back-fill much earlier FR history, including an era-spanning 'Old Empires' one (perhaps with different authors writing each one). If you are going for a 'support for all eras of play' format, you have to support that with the novel line. |
"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 09 Sep 2013 14:05:34 |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 16:10:14
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| A series would be iffy for me because I am not sure of the level of interest for books that go back in time. I figured an anthology of short stories would be a good starter. Something to measure the interest level through sales. But if it turned into an open ended series, I wouldn't mind. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
1847 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 18:26:59
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quote:
I'd also like to see some novels back-fill much earlier FR history, including an era-spanning 'Old Empires' one (perhaps with different authors writing each one). If you are going for a 'support for all eras of play' format, you have to support that with the novel line.
I would like this (and JG's idea of filling in the 100-year gap) but I doubt we are going to get it. For me, the older the lore, the better/more interesting it is. |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2013 : 18:31:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
How about a series, a'la The Harpers - unconnected, except for a very superficial 'frame' (which would be the Wailing Years themselves).
I'd also like to see some novels back-fill much earlier FR history, including an era-spanning 'Old Empires' one (perhaps with different authors writing each one). If you are going for a 'support for all eras of play' format, you have to support that with the novel line.
I agree, I'd be interested in seeing a novel or two dealing with old Jhaamdath, or the Imaskari Empire. Wouldn't it be fun to see the Mulhorandi Empire at it's height?
After all, they did that whole "Arcane Age" series with Netheril. Seemed like it was pretty popular at the time.
Heck, I'd love to see the elvish wars that originally drove the drow into the underground - I bet it would be fantastic, and it would also open it up for people who would like to play in that era.
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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! |
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The time gap and the 5E Realms Campaign Book
