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Scars Unseen
Acolyte

Japan
16 Posts

Posted - 12 Aug 2013 :  18:09:27  Show Profile Send Scars Unseen a Private Message  Reply with Quote
My biggest problem with the 4E Realms was not that gods and NPCs died, or that the geography was significantly altered(although I liked none of those), but rather the time jump. The time jump killed the (currently supported) Realms in a way that none of the other stuff could: it meant that supporting the 4E Realms required me to abandon my running campaign, as less than half of the PCs involved could survive the transition. WotC saddled me with an ultimatum. It was my game or theirs, and I chose mine. I skipped 4E beyond the initial core books(which I haven't even used), and haven't touched the fiction written post-Spellplague.

Now circumstances are different. I've moved, and my old campaign came to a more natural conclusion than what WotC asked of me. I don't think I can ever go back and read any of the 4E era books. Heck, I don't even know yet whether or not I'm willing to support the 5E stuff. But I don't have a horse in the race anymore, so I will at least give it a fair shake. Hopefully the new fiction doesn't reference the Spellplague era too much though. I would like to get back into the Realms, but I'm not willing to dig into the last 5 years of novels to get up to speed. Too sore a point.
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Old Man Harpell
Senior Scribe

USA
495 Posts

Posted - 12 Aug 2013 :  21:10:45  Show Profile Send Old Man Harpell a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart

quote:
Originally posted by The Arcanamach

I don't think we can expect the geography to return to what it was pre-4e though, that would likely be just a dismal (story-wise) as all the changes that put them in this mess to begin with. So, I will withhold judgment as to whether they learned anything...for now. Let's remember, Ed is at the helm of this ship...and that gives me faith. Whether I lose that faith in the coming year or not is yet to be seen.

I don't know. They are talking about separating Abeir and Toril again, so that could result in changes to the geography (again).



As I understand it (and Sage or someone else in the know, please correct me if I'm mistaken), they are reverting to the very first map of the Realms they published, in other words (unless I am, again, mistaken), the map in the Old Grey Box. This is so the game can have 'support in all eras' (though with the radically different 4th Edition map, I'm unsure as to how they came to that conclusion).

I'm guessing Ao wants to have the Realms most resemble the world as it was before the gods managed to torque him off...so geographically, this is a reset, back to pre-ToT times. And I have to admit, if this is true, it pleases me immensely.

- OMH
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore

1845 Posts

Posted - 12 Aug 2013 :  21:19:46  Show Profile Send The Arcanamach a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I could live with that OMH...I just prefer sensible story lines to the "Ao snapped his fingers and made it all better" plot device. Assuming that this is the last time something like this happens then I can live with it. But, tbh, once I get my hands on more of Markustay's stuff, I'm likely going to run his map and lore with whatever tweaks I need for my own stuff (Ansalon and Khorvaire simply HAVE to exist in my world, for instance).

Scars: Heh, the timejump did indeed do more damage than any other aspect of the changes. Long and short of it...WotC HAD BEST GET IT RIGHT this time or I'm done with them. My money already goes to Paizo these days and WotC doesn't get much of it atm. They won't get any if they muck up their latest efforts. I will, of course, do what I can to support Ed but it wont go any further than that.

I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one.
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire

USA
15724 Posts

Posted - 13 Aug 2013 :  00:13:13  Show Profile Send Markustay a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I was told, by someone VERY MUCH 'in the know', "don't bother making FR maps for now".

That was in response to my question, "am I wasting my time?" The point was, I was 'restoring' the 3e-era locales and art-style to the 1e/2e layout, and I wanted to know if they would still be useful moving forward.

So what we will get will most likely NOT be a new rendition of the 1e/2e map, nor will it be the 4e map (at least, that was what I was lead to believe). I have no idea what the 5e map will be like, but I know it won't be anything we've seen before (unless my information is wrong, which I doubt, but things DO change in the course of a year). However, you have to also add-in the fact that each person has different perceptions of 'different' - what I could think are dramatic and sweeping changes, someone else might just say, "meh... looks the same to me".

So the new 5e map may look like something entirely new, or it might be very close to one of the other editions. Not very informative, I know. The only thing I can say for sure is that there will be changes, but the scope of that is beyond anyone's guess at this point. The assumption here is that it will all be blamed on 'The Sundering'.

"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone

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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore

1845 Posts

Posted - 13 Aug 2013 :  15:59:19  Show Profile Send The Arcanamach a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I assume by not making any maps you mean canon versions of them, not your Misbegotten Realms/Golarealms maps (those are the ones I'm interested in using, once completed).

Markustay, you deserve a crown too.

I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one.
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire

USA
15724 Posts

Posted - 13 Aug 2013 :  17:01:15  Show Profile Send Markustay a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Right - I stopped work on my new, canonical FR maps. The last one of those I posted was the expanded (WIP) of 'The North'. I should at least finish the Western side of that map - it was almost complete.

I was doing that with the hopes that they would be doing a reboot to the earlier (1e/2e) iteration of The Realms, which we will NOT be getting. What I think we will be getting is something that harkens back to the 'glory days' of FR, but adds some of the better parts of 4eFR as well (and perhaps even a few new things to boot).

As great as 1e/2e/3e FR was, it wasn't perfect - there was quite a bit of redundancy (especially regarding Middle-Eastern type cultures), and a large dose of derivativeness in places (Mulhorand and Maztica, etc). This is their golden opportunity to fix all that - to finally give us a 'perfect Realms', as it were. You don't get too many second chances in life, and this is their's. With Ed steering the new direction, I have the utmost confidence in 5e.

EDIT:
Oh, and thanks for the Crown.

I do what I do because I want people to see the Realms as I see them - to see the majestic beauty and grandeur of Ed's world. I'm not really 'the king', merely his herald.

"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone


Edited by - Markustay on 13 Aug 2013 17:04:25
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Brimstone
Great Reader

USA
3286 Posts

Posted - 13 Aug 2013 :  18:11:56  Show Profile Send Brimstone a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Or a Jester!

"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep

Edited by - Brimstone on 13 Aug 2013 18:12:58
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Veritas
Learned Scribe

209 Posts

Posted - 13 Aug 2013 :  22:39:10  Show Profile  Visit Veritas's Homepage Send Veritas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
As far as I'm concerned, on my FR maps, I think "obviously the blue part... is the land."

Edited by - Veritas on 13 Aug 2013 22:40:47
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore

1845 Posts

Posted - 15 Aug 2013 :  19:26:56  Show Profile Send The Arcanamach a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Now reading the Companions, here's to a pleasant surprise!

Prologue done...did NOT see that coming!

I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one.

Edited by - The Arcanamach on 15 Aug 2013 19:50:51
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore

1845 Posts

Posted - 18 Aug 2013 :  10:17:04  Show Profile Send The Arcanamach a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Finished. I must say that I am pleased with the story for the most part. Although I stopped reading Drizzt novels a few years ago (just got tired of him tbh) I just may start reading RAS new stuff...provided WotC doesn't tick me off again. All in all a great read.

I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one.
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore

USA
1283 Posts

Posted - 18 Aug 2013 :  18:40:20  Show Profile Send SirUrza a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I greatly enjoyed The Companions, will be reading the rest of the Sundering (and the back catalog of the characters in the Sundering books.)

However, I don't see the Realms truly fixable. The time gap has fragmented the Realms. They're continuing to move forward which to me means they are not going back. I don't believe they can properly support 1360/1370 era play while producing material for 1484 play.. in addition to 1479. And they will NEVER admit they can't and won't be supporting all eras of play equally, because they did a wonderful job alienating their player base with 4e and can't do that this time around.

And if I see Neverwinter and Baldur's Gate jammed down our throats in NEXT because those computer games were pretty popular 10+ years ago (ignoring the fact that they're irrelevant today,) I'll not give them a single penny.

"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy.
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Renin
Learned Scribe

USA
290 Posts

Posted - 18 Aug 2013 :  18:50:54  Show Profile Send Renin a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by SirUrza

However, I don't see the Realms truly fixable. The time gap has fragmented the Realms. They're continuing to move forward which to me means they are not going back. I don't believe they can properly support 1360/1370 era play while producing material for 1484 play.. in addition to 1479. And they will NEVER admit they can't and won't be supporting all eras of play equally, because they did a wonderful job alienating their player base with 4e and can't do that this time around.


Have they said they would put out new material for the 1370 era? I don't believe I've seen that yet.

As it is, I expect to NOT see anything from that time. Then again, there's an entire 'new' world to explore in a classic manner, so hey, maybe I'll actually buy some new source material again.
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Therise
Master of Realmslore

1272 Posts

Posted - 18 Aug 2013 :  18:53:31  Show Profile Send Therise a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Okay, I just have to break back in here. @SirUrza, I definitely felt as you do (re: the Realms being unfixable), and I was truly outspoken against "little revisions" and "toning down the 4E elements"... perhaps one of the most outspoken opponents of retaining 4E Realms history for 5E Realms.

But being here at GenCon, attending this and that, playing in the new launch events for Baldur's Gate, I can tell you that to have faith in this new design team (as they work with Ed), I personally have not been disappointed. On the contrary, the new materials and events have dramatically changed my mind. We will not get rid of what happened in 4E, that's true. But all of those designers are gone, and an entirely new team - with Ed - has been really working hard to bring the true spirit of the Realms back in 5E.

There are lore ties to the original 1E and the original Baldur's Gate computer games. It's all been extremely well thought out and planned. The quirky humor is back, the rich attention to lore is back, and this design team has completely re-earned my trust. Playing some of the encounters/events, it truly felt like the Realms again. And as much as I loathed 4E Realms, I think that's saying a lot.

I'm not trying to convince you of anything, though. But I will say, try to get ahold of the new materials and play through them if you can. You may be surprised in a good way.


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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Dark Wizard
Senior Scribe

USA
830 Posts

Posted - 19 Aug 2013 :  00:01:57  Show Profile Send Dark Wizard a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Great to hear.
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore

1845 Posts

Posted - 19 Aug 2013 :  00:10:22  Show Profile Send The Arcanamach a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Wow Therise, if you can be convinced that retaining some 4e elements is okay then there is hope for the Realms yet. I think I can speak for all of us, we will expect a full report upon your return. Cheers and thanks for the quick blurb from GenCon.

I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one.
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Gyor
Master of Realmslore

1621 Posts

Posted - 19 Aug 2013 :  01:25:25  Show Profile Send Gyor a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Beyond Ed who is on the FR design team and are they already designing FR 5e bpoks?
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Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 19 Aug 2013 :  14:30:59  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote

I have not regained my faith in the Realms because I never lost it in the first place. I understand this is mostly the sentiment of those who dislike the changes brought by the Spellplague, but for whatever it’s worth, I’m not one of them. I have learned to take in what’s good and just ignore what’s bad. Though until now I’m still wondering as to the reason (that is, if there is any at all) behind the (random, illogical) disappearance of Halruaa.

Every beginning has an end.
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Razz
Senior Scribe

USA
749 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  01:53:24  Show Profile Send Razz a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Therise


But after reading this book, I can honestly say that I have renewed hope for the Realms. And I think I understand what the current design team is doing. They can't change the past, and for many reasons it wouldn't make sense to do so. But they can rebuild what was lost, brick by brick. It's slow work, but worth it.

So that's what they're doing. And it's really, really good.

That's all.


This I don't understand. They sure as heck can blot away the past easily. In fact, it happened to the Realms already with the Elven High Magic that changed the landscape of Faerun. As detailed in Grand History, the magic "reached back and forth through the mists of time". Implying a lot of alternate-reality and alternate-timeline sort of crap you see a lot in the comic books. Just shove 4E Realms as an "alternate future" and go back to 1385 and change events to something else.

But...I guess that's just too easy to do apparently.
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Tyrant
Senior Scribe

USA
586 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  03:45:29  Show Profile  Visit Tyrant's Homepage Send Tyrant a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Razz

quote:
Originally posted by Therise


But after reading this book, I can honestly say that I have renewed hope for the Realms. And I think I understand what the current design team is doing. They can't change the past, and for many reasons it wouldn't make sense to do so. But they can rebuild what was lost, brick by brick. It's slow work, but worth it.

So that's what they're doing. And it's really, really good.

That's all.


This I don't understand. They sure as heck can blot away the past easily. In fact, it happened to the Realms already with the Elven High Magic that changed the landscape of Faerun. As detailed in Grand History, the magic "reached back and forth through the mists of time". Implying a lot of alternate-reality and alternate-timeline sort of crap you see a lot in the comic books. Just shove 4E Realms as an "alternate future" and go back to 1385 and change events to something else.

But...I guess that's just too easy to do apparently.


Or it could be that they don't feel like invalidating the work of the last 5 years or so and repeating the mistakes (if one feels inclined to call the events that started a few years ago a mistake) of the past all over again. You don't fix something that's broken by breaking it again.


Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.
-The Sith Code

Teenage Sith zombies, Tulkh thought-how in the moons of Bogden had it all started? Every so often, the universe must just get bored and decide to really cut loose. -Star Wars: Red Harvest
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Therise
Master of Realmslore

1272 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  05:58:11  Show Profile Send Therise a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Tyrant

Or it could be that they don't feel like invalidating the work of the last 5 years or so and repeating the mistakes (if one feels inclined to call the events that started a few years ago a mistake) of the past all over again. You don't fix something that's broken by breaking it again.


Well then, I guess it's a super good thing that they aren't having another massive RSE cataclysm this time around.

Oh wait... the Sundering of worlds thing...

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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Tyrant
Senior Scribe

USA
586 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  06:15:31  Show Profile  Visit Tyrant's Homepage Send Tyrant a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Therise

quote:
Originally posted by Tyrant

Or it could be that they don't feel like invalidating the work of the last 5 years or so and repeating the mistakes (if one feels inclined to call the events that started a few years ago a mistake) of the past all over again. You don't fix something that's broken by breaking it again.


Well then, I guess it's a super good thing that they aren't having another massive RSE cataclysm this time around.

Oh wait... the Sundering of worlds thing...



That's obviously not the same as nuking everything, again, which is what I was responding to. I have absolutely no interest in going round and round with you on this subject again. I've avoided virtually every thread you have started or posted in for a reason. However, after sitting through another seminar that has driven home the point that the vast majority of the problems inflicted upon the Realms are the fault of the company that owns it and not so much the people forced to make the "awesome new ideas" work, I get a little tired of the constant negativity. Yes, it is quite clever to point out that apparently resetting things would be too easy. Except, it's neither clever nor accurate. You and I had a considerable argument about this quite some time ago. The idea is not new. That the idea has been utterly rejected is also not new. Would it be easy? I dare say it would be the easiest path to choose. I also, personally, believe it is the worst possible path short of shuttering the Realms for reasons I have discussed at length.

They are (at least claiming to) undo much of what was done. They aren't erasing what happened, but they are trying to move things back to the way they were. The folks who dislike 4E have won. Is it a perfect victory where they get everything they want, no it's not, but it is a victory. You got the folks that interact with the public to admit that mistakes were made and that they are trying to fix them. That's is the best victory anyone had any realistic hope of getting. I wish some of them would catch on to that fact and quit being such sore winners.

Therise, sorry if this is cluttering your thread and congrats on your new found faith in the Realms going forward.

Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.
-The Sith Code

Teenage Sith zombies, Tulkh thought-how in the moons of Bogden had it all started? Every so often, the universe must just get bored and decide to really cut loose. -Star Wars: Red Harvest
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36784 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  13:30:01  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
As much as I dislike the idea of yet another RSE, I'm in favor of using the Sundering for the upcoming transition.

What they're going to be doing is pretty ambitious: they're not totally scrapping the events of the 4E era, but they're trying to go forward from there but still return the Realms to the feel it had back in the 1E/2E era. They're going to be changing geography again, partially restoring the Realms to the way it was. I don't see any way to do that without a big RSE.

And keep in mind, they've revamped the setting before without an RSE to explain changes -- that was 3E, when we were told "Oh, yeah, things have always been this way, but no one knew about it! Kindly ignore the fact that in some of these things weren't possible before, or all the lore that explicitly stated things weren't this way before..."

I'd rather have an RSE that explains changes in-setting, as opposed to changes with no explanation. I'm not a fan of RSEs, but I am a fan of maintaining continuity.

Candlekeep Forums Moderator

Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire

USA
15724 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  14:44:52  Show Profile Send Markustay a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Since WotC didn't make a splash at this year's Gencon, my 'faith' in them is slipping once again. Ask any fallen empire what idleness leads to...

"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone

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The Red Walker
Great Reader

USA
3563 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  14:49:22  Show Profile Send The Red Walker a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay

Since WotC didn't make a splash at this year's Gencon, my 'faith' in them is slipping once again. Ask any fallen empire what idleness leads to...



I'm going to see this glass as half full.....for a bit longer and assume no splash at GenCon does not mean WotC is idle.

I think they are very busy......it's what they could be busy at that scares me

truthfully my biggest concern is for the novel line....say the sundering novel are very well received and it's time to strike while the irons hot.......as far as I can tell there are no works besides RA's in the pipe line post-sundering....that's worrisome.

(almost as worrisome as my sudden usage of to many .......)

A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka

"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -

John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36784 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  15:42:06  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay

Since WotC didn't make a splash at this year's Gencon, my 'faith' in them is slipping once again. Ask any fallen empire what idleness leads to...



I can see why they weren't there. What could they do, other than say "Stay tuned for all the exciting stuff we'll be announcing next year!"?

Candlekeep Forums Moderator

Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com
-- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct

I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!
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Therise
Master of Realmslore

1272 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  15:55:00  Show Profile Send Therise a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Tyrant

That's obviously not the same as nuking everything, again, which is what I was responding to. I have absolutely no interest in going round and round with you on this subject again. I've avoided virtually every thread you have started or posted in for a reason. However, after sitting through another seminar that has driven home the point that the vast majority of the problems inflicted upon the Realms are the fault of the company that owns it and not so much the people forced to make the "awesome new ideas" work, I get a little tired of the constant negativity. Yes, it is quite clever to point out that apparently resetting things would be too easy. Except, it's neither clever nor accurate. You and I had a considerable argument about this quite some time ago. The idea is not new. That the idea has been utterly rejected is also not new. Would it be easy? I dare say it would be the easiest path to choose. I also, personally, believe it is the worst possible path short of shuttering the Realms for reasons I have discussed at length.

They are (at least claiming to) undo much of what was done. They aren't erasing what happened, but they are trying to move things back to the way they were. The folks who dislike 4E have won. Is it a perfect victory where they get everything they want, no it's not, but it is a victory. You got the folks that interact with the public to admit that mistakes were made and that they are trying to fix them. That's is the best victory anyone had any realistic hope of getting. I wish some of them would catch on to that fact and quit being such sore winners.

Therise, sorry if this is cluttering your thread and congrats on your new found faith in the Realms going forward.


It's true, I have certainly adjusted my perspective to be positive and hopeful about the upcoming Realms. I've had the opportunity to read Salvatore's book and experience some of the new material at GenCon. Experience is key. But you have to realize that many people don't have that - at least not yet. So for many, it's still on the level of asking people for faith. I really DO hope people get the chance to try out the new material like I did, because it *feels* like the Realms again.

But honestly, if you're wanting to see less negativity in forums, you need to understand that this is going to take some TIME as people very gradually are exposed to the new material. Furthermore, it's possible that not everyone will like it and have their perspectives change dramatically as I did. Instead of berating people and acting snarky, which will very likely push people away from trying out and experiencing the new material (which is very good indeed), maybe give it a rest and let time take its course. It's just not helpful at all to post things like what you did, particularly because from many peoples' perspectives all they can see right now is that it's another massive RSE on the horizon.

So... how about less of the "pushing people away" and more talk about what you actually enjoy and like in the new material?

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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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire

USA
15724 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  15:58:10  Show Profile Send Markustay a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I can think of dozens of things... anything would have been better then nothing. They are doing the "we know what our kewl plans are, just stick around and you'll see..." thing again, and the last time they did that, most of us were disappointed.

Why use that same approach? If am feeling that "Here they go again..." thing, I am sure others are thinking the same, and just walking (running?) further away from the Realms. Last year was a great lead-in, and should have been as tenuous as it was, but right now, it looks like they've been sitting on their laurels since last year (which I know they haven't, but a majority of the RPG gamers out there don't).

For example, bring everyone into a room awaiting a seminar... and then just simply turn the lights out. On a huge screen, some sort of amazing video - a (quality) anime showing worlds being torn apart, and heroes rushing in to 'save the day' (child under a falling wall, woman clutching her baby, a dark elf watching in horror as a crack in the earth swallows dozens of people, a bearded wizard raising his staff in defiance, as a massive wave comes crashing down on a seaside town, etc...) - THAT is what this thing needs. Show heroes (PCs) striving to "save the day" against insurmountable odds, and then, just as it looks like things are calming down, have them all look up into the sky... their faces dropping... {end video}. At that point, you have an entire audience going to their feet and applauding. They'll be talking about nothing else for the rest of the con ("Have you seen the D&D video? DAMN!")

No-one at WotC has an ounce of advertising savvy as far as I'm concerned - they can't keep letting these opportunities to generate buzz slip through there fingers. When you don't hype something, people just forget about it.

"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone


Edited by - Markustay on 20 Aug 2013 16:21:05
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Therise
Master of Realmslore

1272 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  16:22:17  Show Profile Send Therise a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I'm seriously trying to think of things I can add as "reveals" that people may not know yet.

The main panel was wonderful - the authors really talked a lot about the process of collaboration and how ideas took shape. It's definitely mapped and "done" for the first wave of things coming out, and Salvatore already has plot points figured out for his next novels that will take off from where "The Companions" left off. The other authors as well. These are not just one-shot books in a series for this Sundering event, they're the beginning. Does this help?

I will say that I truly wish some of the materials hadn't been "exclusive" to GenCon, like Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle. This is a mini-campaign starting in Daggerford and it's just as gorgeous (and has D&D quick play rules inside too!) as the larger Murder in Baldur's Gate campaign set. I seriously wish people could buy it commercially. I completely don't understand the marketing of making campaign content "exclusive" to one venue, I will say that.

I didn't make it to a couple Realmsy things, like the Candlekeep seminar and the Spin-a-yarn. Maybe people who did can say something about those in more detail?


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 20 Aug 2013 16:24:49
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Gyor
Master of Realmslore

1621 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  16:40:01  Show Profile Send Gyor a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Any hint about what the other three Sundering adventure modules are about?

So far I know there will be 5 of them, we know about Murder in Baldar's Gate and the next one is Return of the Crystal Shard, but beyond that we know nothing about the last three. Anything on those?
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Therise
Master of Realmslore

1272 Posts

Posted - 20 Aug 2013 :  16:55:35  Show Profile Send Therise a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Gyor

Any hint about what the other three Sundering adventure modules are about?

So far I know there will be 5 of them, we know about Murder in Baldar's Gate and the next one is Return of the Crystal Shard, but beyond that we know nothing about the last three. Anything on those?


I did ask about Legacy of the Crystal Shard, from someone who would know, and all I could really squeeze out of them was that it's going to be "large, about a 100 page book" and they sported an impish grin. Nothing really spoilery, I know, but it was sorta funny.


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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