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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Aug 2005 : 02:18:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
Ms. Cunningham,
Just a quick question in regards to Evermeet:
When you refer to the King Killer star are you refering to the actual Spelljammer? The reason I ask is because I know you used Spelljammer references (which I loved) in the book and in the Spelljammer campaign worlds it is known that when the Spelljammer itself actually visits worlds, empires are threatened and nations fall into chaos.. was just wondering if that's what you were going for...
Thanks!!!
C-Fb
While the Spelljammer is big, I doubt it would be the King Killer star. I don't see how the Spelljammer's mere presence in a system can cause planetary chaos, for one thing (being in-system is not the same as actually visiting a world).
Another, more important factor is that mystical properties are attached to actual stars and celestial bodies -- not temporary, sporadic interlopers.
At least, that's my thinking.
Krash asked Elaine a question regarding the chapter about the King Killer star during April last year.
Unless the situation has changed, here's what EC had to say:-
quote:
After writing Evermeet, I had extensive notes that collected just about every scrap of elf-related lore then published in the Realms, (including the old Spelljammer comic books!) as well as a thick file of email discussions among various Realmslore scholars such as Eric Boyd and Stephen Schend. To my great regret, this file disappeared during the move from Maryland to Rhode Island. I no longer have the information I used to write that section, and unfortunately I lack the time at present to reconstruct it.
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2005 : 16:58:44
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Hi, folks. Sorry for the delay in answering. I've been traveling quite a bit the past couple of week, but I'm currently in a location with an online computer.
Thanks to the Sage for posting responses. Yes, my Evermeet notes are STILL lost, and at this point it would appear that I'm unlikely to ever recover or reconstruct them. That's a shame, because I spent a tremendous amount of time digging out every reference to elven lore I could find, going back to first edition products and including Dragon magazines and the old Spelljammer and FR comic books. If nothing else, the information would have been a good resource page on my website.
As I recall, however, the Kingkiller star was a large and infrequently occuring comet, one traditionally associated with times of great upheaval for the elves. The real world reference I had in mind was Hailey's Comet, and its appearance in 1066, shortly before the Battle of Hastings. There's something incredibly powerful about "portents in the night skies," and it seems to me that the elves, who are so aware of and sensitive to starlight, would be particularly attuned to stellar events. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2005 : 18:44:58
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Okay, its not a question . . . if you ever see an opening to write an Elaith story for WOTC, please take it. I loved your short story in Dragon this month. I went to that first when I got my issue and couldn't be moved from the spot that I was in until I finished it.
The new Olamn article was pretty cool as well, especially the way it tied into the Moonstars (a topic that has been well discussed on these forums, I'm sure you know).
Any other Dragon projects coming up?
Oh, I just dropped a line to Erik Mona raving over your contributions to the magazine as well. |
Edited by - KnightErrantJR on 24 Aug 2005 18:45:57 |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2005 : 19:33:42
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'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the story, KE, and thanks for taking time to write to Erik Mona.
I don't have any other DRAGON pieces in the works, but I pitched a couple of story idea to Erik in an email sent shortly before GenCon. I haven't heard back from him, but then I didn't expect to, given the timing of the email. But even if he's interested, I imagine it could be quite a while before he'd want to publish another story from me. DRAGON only publishes fiction irregularly, and there are a lot of other people out there looking for a home for their short fiction.
By the way, Jim Lowder has a very good story in the next issue, #336. Dark and twisted, as usual. :)
It will be interesting to see what reader reaction is to Elaith's role in THE CITY OF SPLENDORS, as well as the story in DRAGON. If readers are interested in hearing more about Elaith, and WotC is interested in publishing another tale, I'd certainly be willing to write it. |
Edited by - ElaineCunningham on 24 Aug 2005 19:45:45 |
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Guilis
Acolyte
Spain
2 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2005 : 21:52:28
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Hello
This is the first time I post, maybe because my english is not one of my best points  , but I'm an avid reader of this scroll.
So, after the typical, well deserved and maybe not so well received praises to Elaine Cunningham for her superb work.
The question...I think you'll find it a bit gramatical and without sense.
The title "Daughter of the drow"
Drow in singular, refering to Gromp Baenre, or drow in plural, refering to liriel as a daughter of the drow race?
You see, in spanish the articles for the singular and the plural are different, and the oficial traduction avoid the question with a political "La hija de la casa Baenre" (something of the line of "Daughter of house baenre"), so the question remain unanswered since I first read the book, amazon.com courtesy, about five years ago.
Thanks |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2005 : 23:00:46
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Welcome to Candlekeep, Guilis!
And don't worry about your English. We have many scribes for whom English is a second language. We also have plenty of Americans who can't seem to master their native tongue... 
I'm not Elaine, but I've always assumed that the title was referring to Liriel as a daughter of the drow race. I think that because, in my opinion, the book focuses more on Liriel as a product of drow society, and less on her as the offspring of a particular drow. |
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Guilis
Acolyte
Spain
2 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2005 : 00:26:25
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Thanks, Wooly.
I am of that thinking (about Americans too ) but a second opinion is always a good thing. |
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
730 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2005 : 19:45:38
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| Wow finally an spanish companion here!! Ok, I agree with Wooly, drow is referred to the whole drow race not only to Gromph, trying to show her as a result or a sample of the race. |
"If you are to truly understand, then you will need the contrast, not adherence to a single ideal." - Kreia
"I THINK I JUST HAD ANOTHER NEAR-RINCEWIND EXPERIENCE"- Discworld's Death frustrated after Rincewind scapes his grasp... again.
"I am death, come for thee" - Nimbul, from Baldur's Gate I just before being badly spanked
Sapientia sola libertas est |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2005 : 20:41:06
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Thanks for the answer, EC! :) Wooly, I merely asked because in the Spelljammer box set it mentions that when the SJ shows up, kingdoms are topple, etc. Just thought I'd ask! :)
And that's a good idea, KEJR, I think I will compose a letter to Dragon as well... we need more good Elaith/Elf stories from Faerun!
Ok, here's my dumb question of the day... who is Azariah's mother? I know I know, I just cannot remember for the life of me.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2005 : 21:29:48
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quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
Ok, here's my dumb question of the day... who is Azariah's mother? I know I know, I just cannot remember for the life of me.
We don't know her name. Elaine has stated repeatedly in this scroll that Azariah's mother has never been named, and her circumstances have never been detailed.
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2005 : 21:39:07
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That would be the reason I can't remember it, eh?
Sorry about that - but I bet she was a hot Gold Elf none-the-less. The Serpent would accept no less.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Krafus
Learned Scribe
246 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 01:18:59
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quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
That would be the reason I can't remember it, eh?
Sorry about that - but I bet she was a hot Gold Elf none-the-less. The Serpent would accept no less.
C-Fb
Out of curiosity, was the sub-race of Azariah's mother mentioned anywhere? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 03:04:24
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Yeah, it mentions that she is a Gold Elf in the short story that Elaine wrote for Dragon #335. It makes mention of her since his daughter is a gold elf and she wants to have his moonblade.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 06:50:59
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Indeed.
EC also mentioned the same in this very scroll back in March last year -
quote:
A possible future exception is Azariah Craulnober, who takes after her mother, a gold elf and who may or may not be able to claim the sword Elaith holds in trust for her.
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 08:16:50
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| As far as I know every single Gold elf who has tried to claim a moonblade has been destroyed by the sword. |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 09:20:51
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Yeah, but let's be serious... she's a Craulnober. She'll get the moonblade. :)
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Lirdolin
Learned Scribe
Germany
198 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 14:20:51
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Dear Elain
I've got a question concerning the "instant-elf-golem"-spell Gromph uses to kill Liriel's mother and that is also mentioned later in the book. Some may laugh at this, because it might be obvious to them but is this spell an actual DnD spell or something you invented for the book?
I'm also quite sad to hear that there are no plans for a new Liriel-story. I think Windwalker ended quite abruptly concerning Liriel. Maybe you should write that "Liriel-meets-Drizzt" remark of yours some pages back as a short story? 
Lirdolin |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 14:24:17
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quote:
Originally posted by khorne
As far as I know every single Gold elf who has tried to claim a moonblade has been destroyed by the sword.
Yup, 'tis true. But those were all pure-blooded Gold elves. Azariah has moon elf blood.
Look at it this way: the moonblade was reawakened. This meant that Elaith was no longer the end of the Craulnober line -- there was an heir to try to draw the blade. This wouldn't have happened if the heir was going to be unable to draw the blade at all... |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1715 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 16:25:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by khorne
As far as I know every single Gold elf who has tried to claim a moonblade has been destroyed by the sword.
Yup, 'tis true. But those were all pure-blooded Gold elves. Azariah has moon elf blood.
Look at it this way: the moonblade was reawakened. This meant that Elaith was no longer the end of the Craulnober line -- there was an heir to try to draw the blade. This wouldn't have happened if the heir was going to be unable to draw the blade at all...
Not quite true, boyos. Quite a few gold elves across history have wielded moonblades, though far more died trying due to inner corruption and "unworthiness." They just ended up with more moon elves wielding them by the time of the Choosing came to pass and the Moonflowers ascended the throne of Evermeet.
After all, the Elfblades of Cormanthor are even more exacting in choosing their wielders, and Josidiah Starym wielded the Artblade despite his gold elf blood.
Steven |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 16:47:14
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I thought moonblades were only intended for moon elves -- hence the term "moonblade".  |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 20:29:17
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Moonblades were invented for the novel ELFSHADOW. Their history (or a legendary version thereof) was given in the novel EVERMEET. As far as I'm concerned, these particular swords were intended for moon elves. Hence the name.
Elven lore abounds in magical swords. The moonblades had a limited, specific function: to select a royal family from among the moon elf clans. It makes sense to me that some high elves would take exception to this and try to claim a sword, but it does not make sense that some sun elves would succeed. That's rather like bringing in a boatload of Danes and another of Greeks to Camelot so they could try to tug Excalaber out of the stone. Some of those hopefuls might have been honorable men, great warriors or philosophers, or damn fine vikings, but they wouldn't be the king the particular magic of sword and stone would recognize.
I don't want to get into a books-vs-games discussion, which profits nothing and is too reminiscent of the WotC boards for my peace of mind, but sometimes game products hijack a character or magical item from novels and run with them in directions the original author never intended. To be fair, sometimes novels do the same with info introduced in game products. It's a shared world, and everyone who works therein learns to adapt. So if Steven says gold elves have wielded moonblades, I'm not going to argue.
Of course, I'm not a moon elf. 
Ask a moon elf, such as Elaith Craulnober, and he's likely to tell you that no gold elf ever wielded a moonblade. He considers the Starym moonblade approcrophal lore, a vile canard, one of Volo's more eggregious fabrications.
Speaking of the latter, that's one of the joys of Volo's writing: his every utterance is not necessarily "canon" (unless there's a footnote from Elminster saying, "Well, the truth of the matter is....), so characters in the Realms and those who write about and game in the Realms are able to make up their own minds about certain things. The Starym moonblade is one such. |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 20:37:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Lirdolin
I've got a question concerning the "instant-elf-golem"-spell Gromph uses to kill Liriel's mother and that is also mentioned later in the book. Some may laugh at this, because it might be obvious to them but is this spell an actual DnD spell or something you invented for the book?
I'm also quite sad to hear that there are no plans for a new Liriel-story. I think Windwalker ended quite abruptly concerning Liriel. Maybe you should write that "Liriel-meets-Drizzt" remark of yours some pages back as a short story?
Hi, Lirdolin! I'm sure others have welcomed you to the Candlekeep forum, but let me add my voice to the chorus.
The stone golem is not a standard D&D spell, but one of Gromph's own spells, newly invented for that particular story.
I don't think a Lirel/Drizzt encounter would make a very compelling short story. They really don't have much in common, and they would probably bring out the worst in each other.
But yes, Liriel's story did leave the possibility for new adventures. As I've said many times before, I'd be in favor of a story about the rather diverse elven sisterhood: Lythari paladin, star elf thief, and drow wizard. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 20:46:27
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
It's a shared world, and everyone who works therein learns to adapt. So if Steven says gold elves have wielded moonblades, I'm not going to argue.
Very good use of the diplomacy skill. I wish everyone had such a trait.
SB |
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Lirdolin
Learned Scribe
Germany
198 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 22:26:18
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
But yes, Liriel's story did leave the possibility for new adventures. As I've said many times before, I'd be in favor of a story about the rather diverse elven sisterhood: Lythari paladin, star elf thief, and drow wizard.
I would order that book at once |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 23:17:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Not quite true, boyos. Quite a few gold elves across history have wielded moonblades, though far more died trying due to inner corruption and "unworthiness." They just ended up with more moon elves wielding them by the time of the Choosing came to pass and the Moonflowers ascended the throne of Evermeet.
After all, the Elfblades of Cormanthor are even more exacting in choosing their wielders, and Josidiah Starym wielded the Artblade despite his gold elf blood.
Steven
Okay... I know that in light of Elaine's post, this could be taken as a challenge. It is not.
Steven, can you give any info on gold elf moonfighters? I'm not recalling reading of any, but I'm thinking you're more up on elven lore than I... |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2005 : 23:20:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Lirdolin
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
But yes, Liriel's story did leave the possibility for new adventures. As I've said many times before, I'd be in favor of a story about the rather diverse elven sisterhood: Lythari paladin, star elf thief, and drow wizard.
I would order that book at once
As would I. Liriel is one of my fave Realms characters, and I like lythari, too. Put both in one group, I'm a happy camper. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2005 : 00:41:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Liriel is one of my fave Realms characters, and I like lythari, too. Put both in one group, I'm a happy camper.
Yep. I thought Xena was a fun (if often silly) show, and Thorn is rather Xena-like in demeanor. And the whole kick-ass sisterhood thing has a certain appeal.
Sharlarra has a couple of mysteries to solve: she was taken from her family at a young age, and she's riding a moon horse, a type of magical horse that exists only on Evermeet. And of course, this particular moon horse was, until recently, a ghost. And Liriel's going to be looking for some new kind of trouble to get into a new challenge. |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2005 : 00:44:27
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
It's a shared world, and everyone who works therein learns to adapt. So if Steven says gold elves have wielded moonblades, I'm not going to argue.
Very good use of the diplomacy skill. I wish everyone had such a trait.
SB
Not diplomacy, really, but just a realization of the way things are. If you work in a shared world, you understand that other people are going to play with the toys you bring to Ed Greenwood's sandbox. |
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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe
Canada
592 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2005 : 00:46:59
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Here's a question. What would be the result of Arilyn being split into human and elven halves? Is it a given that they would try to kill each other or that they would both be in love with Danilo? (Which itself might cause a battle) How would the moonblade react? Or her friends/allies? Or more importantly Danilo?
Just a crazy thought. |
Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems! |
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Questions for Elaine Cunningham
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