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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Feb 2010 : 12:57:14
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quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
Thanks for participating in the author's Roundtable at WOTC.
It good to hear from you! And nice to know your secret ability is Pies. What's your favorite to make?
Also, Death of a Darkklord might be my favorite Ravenloft novel. Did you enjoy writing in that setting?
Hi, RW. The question on the author roundtable was "unexpected skill" and baking seemed, in that context, to fit the requirements. It's not the sort of thing that pops into mind when you think "fantasy writer."  Favorites... Apple, probably, especially in the fall when you can pick the fruit in the morning and bake it into pie that afternoon.
Ravenloft was an interesting setting and I enjoyed writing a short story, but I don't think I could sustain that dark, brooding tone for a novel-length story. |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2010 : 14:49:34
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
Thanks for participating in the author's Roundtable at WOTC.
It good to hear from you! And nice to know your secret ability is Pies. What's your favorite to make?
Also, Death of a Darkklord might be my favorite Ravenloft novel. Did you enjoy writing in that setting?
Hi, RW. The question on the author roundtable was "unexpected skill" and baking seemed, in that context, to fit the requirements. It's not the sort of thing that pops into mind when you think "fantasy writer." Favorites... Apple, probably, especially in the fall when you can pick the fruit in the morning and bake it into pie that afternoon.
Ravenloft was an interesting setting and I enjoyed writing a short story, but I don't think I could sustain that dark, brooding tone for a novel-length story.
Thanks...I just liked that one because of the Bard in it, and always thought you could spin a great yarn with a bard in that setting...maybe finding some scraps of light to weave together! |
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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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 01:34:06
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| Congrats on getting the first Pathfinder novel Elaine! Can't wait to read it!!! :) |
"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 01:36:33
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| Thanks. Hope it hits the right notes. So to speak. :) |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36997 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 02:00:06
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So, about this new book (which I can't wait to read!  )... Was Irrisen chosen for you, or did you pick it? And will Baba Yaga (or at least her hut) feature in it? |
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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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 02:01:59
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title please???
anyway, I have a question, its an opinion question.
Arylin is likely to be dead.
Since Ed stated the fate of the moonblades are NDA.
so if the blades still exist, what dis your opinion on what Arylin's addition to her moonblade would of been?? |
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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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3254 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 02:44:47
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Congratulations on the Paizo fiction Elaine. Winter Witch is sure to be a hoot!  Your brand of fantasy fiction has been sorely missed.
Just one small query... Can I expect to learn some more fascinating details about these winter witches in this new tale? |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 13 Feb 2010 02:47:11 |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3290 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 03:13:09
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| AWESOME!!! |
"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 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36997 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 03:38:08
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quote:
Originally posted by sfdragon
title please???
anyway, I have a question, its an opinion question.
Arylin is likely to be dead.
Since Ed stated the fate of the moonblades are NDA.
so if the blades still exist, what dis your opinion on what Arylin's addition to her moonblade would of been??
We already know the answer to that one... Initially, Arilyn invested in her moonblade the ability for Danilo to touch it without getting his fingers melted off. That ability was lost when she gave up the blade so that Zoastria could wield it again. When Zoastria fell and the blade returned to Arilyn, she gave it the ability to warn her when the elves of Tethyr needed her assistance again -- when they need her, it glows green (which is what Danilo originally asked her about! ).
The first part was in Elfshadow, the rest was in Silver Shadows -- though I think it wasn't until Dream Spheres that we found out about the green glow. |
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! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 13 Feb 2010 03:39:23 |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3254 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 04:24:26
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Congratulations on the Paizo fiction Elaine. Winter Witch is sure to be a hoot! Your brand of fantasy fiction has been sorely missed.
Just one small query... Can I expect to learn some more fascinating details about these winter witches in this new tale?
The novel takes place in Irrisen, magically frozen land of the North ruled by Baba Yaga and her daughters. Yes, that Baba Yaga. |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 07:04:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Congratulations on the Paizo fiction Elaine. Winter Witch is sure to be a hoot! Your brand of fantasy fiction has been sorely missed.
Just one small query... Can I expect to learn some more fascinating details about these winter witches in this new tale?
The novel takes place in Irrisen, magically frozen land of the North ruled by Baba Yaga and her daughters. Yes, that Baba Yaga.
Aye, I'm aware of that. I'm just curious as to whether Elaine would instil some of her own thoughts on the winter witches and such for this grand tale. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Penknight
Senior Scribe
USA
538 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 07:30:17
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
quote:
Originally posted by Penknight
Hello! One of my favorite characters that you write about is Elaith, and I was curious if you could maybe give an estimate about how old he is, please. I've never been able to find anything that gave an idea of his age or Kymil's, and if you're free to talk about such things, I'd really like to know if you have the time. Thank you!
Hi, Penknight.
I don't have a specific age for either Kymil or Elaith, but at the end of the 3.5 era Kymil was several hundred years old, and Elaith not much younger. I hesitate to give specific numbers because elven lifespans tend to change with the various editions. What would have been accepted without comment in second edition might raise a few eyebrows in the era of 4E.
In general terms, you can think of Kymil as the elven equivalent of a very fit 50-year-old human, and Elaith perhaps 5-10 years younger.
Hope this helps!
I am so sorry it took me this long to reply and thank you for your time, Mrs. Cunningham. I've been dreadfully busy as of late, and it got away from me. I did indeed find your reply useful, and I had rather thought the two of them were at least 250-300 years of age, but never could find a timeline to go off of. Again, thank you. |
Telethian Phoenix
Pathfinder Reference Document |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 13:01:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
So, about this new book (which I can't wait to read! )... Was Irrisen chosen for you, or did you pick it? And will Baba Yaga (or at least her hut) feature in it?
I chose Irrisen because I feel a close connection to Slavic folklore. Since Baba Yaga is the (invisible) force behind Irrisen, it's safe to say that her influence will be felt. |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 13:06:05
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quote:
Originally posted by sfdragon
Arilyn is likely to be dead.
Since Ed stated the fate of the moonblades are NDA.
so if the blades still exist, what is your opinion on what Arilyn's addition to her moonblade would have been?
As Ed observed, moonblades are NDA. I can't answer this question...yet.
Arilyn is one tough broad. I wouldn't count her out too soon. |
Edited by - ElaineCunningham on 13 Feb 2010 14:30:25 |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2010 : 13:06:53
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Congratulations on the Paizo fiction Elaine. Winter Witch is sure to be a hoot! Your brand of fantasy fiction has been sorely missed.
Just one small query... Can I expect to learn some more fascinating details about these winter witches in this new tale?
Absolutely. |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2010 : 02:30:29
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| Fantastic Elaine! I never doubted Paizo would crown you as their fiction queen. Maybe it was in part due to all my subtle hints? :P |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2010 : 02:15:56
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Ok, so when can you start spoiling us about that Golarion novel?
I want locations, machinations, plots, tie-ins with other products, etc. etc. etc. |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2010 : 02:25:59
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Nothing just yet. More details when Paizo gives the go-ahead.
On a related note, though, I'll be doing a very short Channa Ti story for the third issue of Wayfinder. Hugo Solis did a very nice sketch of Channa, who will be that month's cover girl. :) |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2010 : 05:40:28
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
Nothing just yet. More details when Paizo gives the go-ahead.
On a related note, though, I'll be doing a very short Channa Ti story for the third issue of Wayfinder. Hugo Solis did a very nice sketch of Channa, who will be that month's cover girl. :)
[drools at the thought of a "female water druid" a.k.a. "sports illustrated bikini babe" decorating the cover of that very fine fanzine! ]
PS: that can't be NDA, being a fan-produced thang...... so linky-linky to the pic please??? |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2010 : 14:21:39
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| I just noticed Winter Witch is the #1 seller in Paizo's online-store. Congrats Elaine , and what's it like to know people are that keen on buying a book of yours that's not even published yet? |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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Menelvagor
Senior Scribe
Israel
352 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2010 : 17:41:35
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Elaine, I've been re-reading Songs and Swords (although I've stopped in the middle to read The Ladies' Auxiliary), and after finishing Elfsong, I had a few questions:
WHy wouldn't Khelben's powers granted by Mystra free him from Iriador's song? Obviously it might have bothered the plot, but was there another reason?
Can you give us more informarion about the Crawling Spider Tavern and Winnifer?
EDIT: Finally finished with Silver Shadows and The Dream Spheres, and have another question:
Did Arilyn, Danilo and Elaith participate in Haedrak's campaign in Tethyr? They're not mentioned as such in Lands of Intrigue: Tethyr, and neither is mention made of Elaith having lands or a title. Also, no mention is made of Isabeau, though Lucia is mentioned as wife of Lord Hhune. Perhaps you intended to show all that in Reclamation? But in 'your' Realms, does Elaith (or Arilyn, since she owns all the land she got in Silver Shadows) have lands and a title in Tethyr? In other words, for the sake of my private campaign, is it likely?
Thanks in advance, Menelvagor. |
"Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly.
How much less them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation in the dust, are crushed before the moth?" - Eliphaz the Temanite, Job IV, 17-19.
"Yea, though he live a thousand years twice, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?" - Ecclesiastes VI, 6.
"There are no stupid questions – just a bunch of inquisitive idiots."
"Let's not call it 'hijacking'. Let's call it 'Thread Drift'." |
Edited by - Menelvagor on 31 Mar 2010 15:17:02 |
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Zireael
Master of Realmslore
Poland
1190 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2010 : 10:19:01
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Greetings Elaine,
you might remember the Polish fan who sent you a message some time ago on WotC boards.
Having finally joined these famed boards, I have an opportunity to ask officially for info about Azariah Craulnober and whether Liriel and Fyodor had a child. On the topic of children, I would also like to enquire after "the lost prince of Evermeet", that is, the son of Amnestria and Elaith.
To be frank, I can't even determine if Azariah is a moon or a sun elf....
Thanks in advance,
Zireael |
SiNafay Vrinn, the daughter of Lloth, from Ched Nasad!
http://zireael07.wordpress.com/ |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2010 : 10:41:22
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Hi, Zireael. Good to hear from you again. :)
Okay, let's start with Azariah. She is alive and well in the post-Spellplague realms. She resembles her sun elf mother, but these days I suppose she'd be called "eladrin" rather than moon or sun elf. Liriel and Fyodor did not have a child. I'm afraid I can't address the question of the "lost prince of Evermeet," other than express a hope that someday this mystery may be resolved. |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3290 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2010 : 10:54:45
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That was quick!
Thanks for the answers Elaine. |
"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 |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2010 : 11:48:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Menelvagor
Elaine, I've been re-reading Songs and Swords (although I've stopped in the middle to read The Ladies' Auxiliary), and after finishing Elfsong, I had a few questions:
WHy wouldn't Khelben's powers granted by Mystra free him from Iriador's song? Obviously it might have bothered the plot, but was there another reason?
Can you give us more informarion about the Crawling Spider Tavern and Winnifer?
EDIT: Finally finished with Silver Shadows and The Dream Spheres, and have another question:
Did Arilyn, Danilo and Elaith participate in Haedrak's campaign in Tethyr? They're not mentioned as such in Lands of Intrigue: Tethyr, and neither is mention made of Elaith having lands or a title. Also, no mention is made of Isabeau, though Lucia is mentioned as wife of Lord Hhune. Perhaps you intended to show all that in Reclamation? But in 'your' Realms, does Elaith (or Arilyn, since she owns all the land she got in Silver Shadows) have lands and a title in Tethyr? In other words, for the sake of my private campaign, is it likely?
Thanks in advance, Menelvagor.
Oops! Somehow I missed this post.
Generally speaking, game products don't directly address characters from ongoing series. They do, of course, from time to time, but Lands of Intrigue is pretty circumspect in this regard.
Yes, the gang from Songs & Swords did indeed get involved in the war of reclamation, but Arilyn does not hold lands and title in Tethyr. The lands she acquired were immediately seeded with trees and added to the Wealdath. Elaith gained a considerable amount through his involvement, but not lands or title. Isabeau, on the other hand, got exactly what she deserved.
Any more info on the Crawling Spider Tavern and Winnifer would be noncanon conjecture on my part. So by all means, feel free to create your own.
As for Khelben, it seems to me that any wizard, no matter how powerful, is going to have some small gap in his knowledge. Garnet spent decades studying Khelben and came up with a bardic spell that was obscure and, to her way of thinking, poetic justice. |
Edited by - ElaineCunningham on 12 Apr 2010 12:40:12 |
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Menelvagor
Senior Scribe
Israel
352 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2010 : 11:58:44
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Thank you so much, Elaine. This frees me up to expand my campaign.
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"Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly.
How much less them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation in the dust, are crushed before the moth?" - Eliphaz the Temanite, Job IV, 17-19.
"Yea, though he live a thousand years twice, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?" - Ecclesiastes VI, 6.
"There are no stupid questions – just a bunch of inquisitive idiots."
"Let's not call it 'hijacking'. Let's call it 'Thread Drift'." |
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Zireael
Master of Realmslore
Poland
1190 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2010 : 13:04:04
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
Just curious: What episode(s) in Elaith's life would you most like to see told in short story or novel?
His early misadventures in Waterdeep
The development of his criminal "empire"
His relationship with Azariah's mother (think Otello, except Desdemona actually DOES fool around...)
His time in Tethyr, in which he cleans up some untidy loose ends (i.e., Isabeau Thione from DREAM SPHERES) and ends up championing the wood elves of Tethyr forest as a sort of (ruthless) elven Robin Hood
"Return to Craulnober Keep," in which Elaith visits Evermeet shortly after the events of the novel EVERMEET, and considers rebuilding his ancestral home
Elaith learns that Amnestria bore him a son, who, in a twist of cosmic irony, is more of a rogue than his father
Is this question still true? Then I vote for the last one. |
SiNafay Vrinn, the daughter of Lloth, from Ched Nasad!
http://zireael07.wordpress.com/ |
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Menelvagor
Senior Scribe
Israel
352 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2010 : 19:04:35
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A question coming from reading The More Thing Change:
When does the ending scene take place? Because from 'Games of Chance', it appears that Azariah is 11 years old circa 1371-2 (after the attack on Evermeet). For her to start preparing for claiming the Elfblade implies she's older, and I'd give her at least ten years (although that's still too little, in my opinion). I've seen somewhere that it ends circa 1390, but I don't know how accurate this is. Also, if it took place after the Spellplague, does this imply anything regarding the Elfblades' magci after the Spellplague?
Lastly, what Elfblade was the one Elaith recovered in Games of Chance? |
"Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly.
How much less them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation in the dust, are crushed before the moth?" - Eliphaz the Temanite, Job IV, 17-19.
"Yea, though he live a thousand years twice, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?" - Ecclesiastes VI, 6.
"There are no stupid questions – just a bunch of inquisitive idiots."
"Let's not call it 'hijacking'. Let's call it 'Thread Drift'." |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2010 : 21:20:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Menelvagor
A question coming from reading The More Thing Change:
When does the ending scene take place? Because from 'Games of Chance', it appears that Azariah is 11 years old circa 1371-2 (after the attack on Evermeet). For her to start preparing for claiming the Elfblade implies she's older, and I'd give her at least ten years (although that's still too little, in my opinion). I've seen somewhere that it ends circa 1390, but I don't know how accurate this is. Also, if it took place after the Spellplague, does this imply anything regarding the Elfblades' magci after the Spellplague?
Lastly, what Elfblade was the one Elaith recovered in Games of Chance?
The date assigned to the final section of the short story "The More Things Change" was established by the folks at TSR (not yet WotC) a long time before the notion of the spellplague was conceived. This story was written and published in the early 1990's. I think it's safe to say that, given the direction the Realmes has taken in the past 15 years, the date 1390 can be considered inaccurate. If you require an in-game explanation, chalk it up to a scribe's error. :)
The final scene in "The More Things Change" would have HAD to have taken place before the spellplague, which would make Azariah quite young to undertake the task of preparing to inherit a moonblade. I think we can safely assume that this scene took place after the events described in "Games of Chance." Elaith realized that Azariah required conventional training and entrusted this to Arilyn. Yes, she was very young at the time, but she had already shown herself willing--indeed, determined--to claim the blade.
So in answer to your question about post-spellplague moonblade, I don't believe either of these stories hint at the effect of the spellplague upon moonblades. That issue has not yet been addressed.
The provenance of the sword Elaith reclaimed during the events of "Games of Chance" was not been revealed, and with your kind forbearance, I'd prefer to leave that story untold for the time being, in hope of being able to address it at some time in the future. :)
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Questions for Elaine Cunningham
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