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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Feb 2007 : 16:31:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Rolindin
Did the corymer tactions have any of their force practice with the dwarfs?
From what's in the book, I'd think it safe to say that the two armies exchanged advisors in the lead-up to the battles, as much as time allowed. Both Azoun and Torg were bright enough to understand there was something to be gained by this cooperation.
Hope this helps.
Jim Lowder |
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Amnezjusz
Acolyte
Poland
39 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2007 : 18:05:50
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Hello Mr Lowder.
I have one question :)
In "Heroes Lorebook" Alisanda Rayburton was stated as 9-th level cleric of Ubtao. How do you think, what level should she have now, in 1373 year. And further, do you ever wonder what levels should others barae have?
Sorry for my english :) |
THERE'S NO JUSTICE. THERE'S JUST ME. - Death
http://www.polarzepy.fora.pl - My website.
http://www.dnd.polter.pl - Official Polish D&D site. |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2007 : 18:43:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Amnezjusz
In "Heroes Lorebook" Alisanda Rayburton was stated as 9-th level cleric of Ubtao. How do you think, what level should she have now, in 1373 year. And further, do you ever wonder what levels should others barae have?
Alisanda would certainly be several levels higher now. But I've always found putting game stats on her abilities, or those of the other barae, difficult. Their powers are difficult to quantify.
All best,
Jim Lowder |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2007 : 01:43:44
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A quick note about a project of possible interest to Realms fiction fans.
An anthology of pulp-style stories I put together, Astounding Hero Tales, will finally see bookstore shelves early in April. The anthology contains original fiction by Ed Greenwood and Thomas M. Reid, as well as never-before-published works by Lester Dent, Hugh B. Cave, and a number of other top-notch writers.
It's listed at Amazon here.
Cheers,
Jim Lowder
Mod Edit: Shortened the URL.
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Edited by - The Sage on 22 Mar 2007 04:17:24 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2007 : 23:35:45
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Looks very "old school"--and that piques my interest. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 12 Mar 2007 : 00:03:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Looks very "old school"--and that piques my interest.
All the stories are set between 1879 and 1939. Some are adventure, some Lovecraftian horror, some "weird menace," some "noir-ish" crime. It's a nice mix.
Oh, and I've got a couple other projects going on that I'll announce shortly, including a non-fiction project about the hobby game industry due out at Gen Con 2007. (The top secret project I mentioned a couple of months back.) The table of contents for that is remarkable.
Cheers,
Jim Lowder |
Edited by - JamesLowder on 12 Mar 2007 00:05:04 |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 04:10:08
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Hi:
I can mention that super-secret project now. It's titled Hobby Games: The 100 Best and I'm putting it together for Green Ronin, for an August 2007 release. It's an essay collection in which 100 notable game designers, authors, and publishers each select a different hobby game and write about why it belongs on the list of the 100 best.
The author line up is stellar.
You can see the full press release here:
http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=317760
Cheers,
Jim Lowder |
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Lauzoril
Seeker
Finland
71 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 11:04:42
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Greetings James, I might have missed answer to this somewhere else, if there ever has been one, so I now ask here. Why you have no longer written FR novels? Were you ousted from TSR/Wizards or just didn't feel like writing more back then?
I understand if you can't or don't want to reply to this.
Thank you.
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"Death to the enemies of Bane."
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2007 : 16:51:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Lauzoril
Greetings James, I might have missed answer to this somewhere else, if there ever has been one, so I now ask here. Why you have no longer written FR novels? Were you ousted from TSR/Wizards or just didn't feel like writing more back then?
I'm doing very few shared world writing projects these days, because I've found I like to have more creative control over my work. I'm currently working on several short stories, two comic book scripts, and a couple of novels--in addition to editing projects like Hobby Games: The 100 Best--and all of these are creator copyrighted.
There are certain Realms stories I'd be interested in telling, with some of the characters I created or helped to create (Artus Cimber, Cyric). But these story ideas don't match up with the direction in which the people currently running the Realms are taking the line.
Don't take this as criticism of the people now running the Realms. The company has the right to determine the line's direction, and the contracts I signed mean I don't have a say in what happens to the characters I created for TSR, or whether I get to write them again. That's the way shared world agreements work.
But this control issue is precisely why I'm now working more often with my own copyrighted material. If I feel like writing a new Edward Janus story, or a new story with the mystery man hero The Corpse, or a new story set in the world of Thulia, I can do so.
Could the right Realms project come along to get me involved again? Sure. From what I understand of the plans for the line, it seems unlikely, but I don't rule out anything. I still have great affection for the Realms, am proud of the work I did on the line as a writer and editor, and count many of the writers as friends.
Cheers,
Jim Lowder |
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Mandras
Seeker
Estonia
51 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2007 : 07:21:34
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Well met again James.
I was wondering about the Ring of Winterīs main antagonist Kaverin Ebonhand - I mean when You wrote the character which D&D class (if any) You imagined him to be?
I know he was described in Villainīs Lorebook as 11th level fighter in AD&D system. I believe this was based on the fact that Kaverin never used any spells in the book and as he was not described using thieving skills either, so that left only fighter class as the option.
Somehow this doesnīt feel right. In the Ring of Winter the Kaverin is not described as an able fighter, the fighting scene in the end of the book is short one and leaves (at least to me) no impression that Kaverin is a high-level fighter. Also - in the book Kaverin describes how hard it is to summon the ice assassins in Chult - well that leaves the impression that maybe Kaverin has some spellcasting abilities himself...
So anyhow - what were Your ideas when You designed this man? And how would You describe him in 3,5 edition (which is much more flexible than the 2nd used to be)?
Oh, and by the way - what about Kaverinīs previous history - I mean the book only says how he was a notorious bandit leader, but thatīs about it. Was he a noble (so called bandit baron) or a self-made man from lower classes? Why he chose the criminal career in the first place?
Best Regards,
Mandras
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"The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
Oscar Wilde |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2007 : 16:36:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Mandras
Oh, and by the way - what about Kaverinīs previous history - I mean the book only says how he was a notorious bandit leader, but thatīs about it. Was he a noble (so called bandit baron) or a self-made man from lower classes? Why he chose the criminal career in the first place?
I always envisioned Kaverin as educated and lower middle-class, worldly enough to be able to appear more knowledgeable than he is to his minions, who likely had no education and were often poor. But he was very clever and also had some street smarts. He could certainly hold his own in a fight. He believed in power more than anything, so he was happy to manipulate the Cult of Frost and anyone else, letting them assume he shared their values as he set them about his work. So his background was likely one of him latching onto a small group, rising to the top, then moving to a more powerful group when the smaller one didn't serve his needs--or using the initial group to take over another small group and turn it toward his ends.
As for appropriate class, the author who worked on the Villains Lorebook talked to me about the ratings, so at the time I thought his write up was OK. But it was also harder to multiclass in 2nd edition. In the newer version, I could see him having some thief/assassin skills, some very low level magic.
Of course, if you want to find out where I left poor old Kaverin, you'll have to look for his cameo near the start of Prince of Lies.
Cheers,
Jim |
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Mandras
Seeker
Estonia
51 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2007 : 23:51:23
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Thanks for the quick reply and the ideas presented in it, I truly appreciate that.
quote:
Originally posted by JamesLowder
Of course, if you want to find out where I left poor old Kaverin, you'll have to look for his cameo near the start of Prince of Lies.
As for the Kaverin in Prince of Lies - well I truly enjoyd his appearance in the city of the dead :)
Also, I liked the possible future ideas in Villain's Lorebook about re-emergence of Kaverin in Faerun and I plan to use him in my campaign (I believe there are lot of opportunities in the City of Dead full of anarchy, rioting dead and fiends flying about stealing all the souls they can while the god of the dead is not quite there).
Best Regards,
Mandras
PS! What would be the preferred melee weapon of Kaverin (if he still got his own hands)? |
"The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
Oscar Wilde |
Edited by - Mandras on 04 May 2007 00:07:32 |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2007 : 00:25:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Mandras
PS! What would be the preferred melee weapon of Kaverin (if he still got his own hands)?
His minions. When possible, he stays out of fights and lets others do the fighting for him. If he has to pick up something and defend himself, he likely be adapt at fighting with the more common weapons--long sword, short sword, that sort of thing. He's be adept at knife fighting, too.
Cheers,
Jim
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Mandras
Seeker
Estonia
51 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2007 : 08:17:47
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Hello again.
Two more questions about Kaverin if I may -
1) Does he have a family name? Or was he called just Kaverin of Tantras before the handchopping incident? I mean Ebonhands seems to be nickname.
2) Do You think Lawful Evil (as stated in Villain's Lorebook) would be the correct alignment for the Kaverin?
Best Regards,
Mandras |
"The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
Oscar Wilde |
Edited by - Mandras on 11 May 2007 08:51:40 |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2007 : 16:08:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Mandras
Hello again.
Two more questions about Kaverin if I may -
1) Does he have a family name? Or was he called just Kaverin of Tantras before the handchopping incident? I mean Ebonhands seems to be nickname.
Ebonhand was the original family name. After the hand chopping, he made it more literal/descriptive. The irony of doing so appealed to him.
quote:
Originally posted by Mandras
2) Do You think Lawful Evil (as stated in Villain's Lorebook) would be the correct alignment for the Kaverin?
Yes. Kaverin believes there should be an order to society. He also believes that he should be as close to the top of that order as possible and that it's OK to commit evil acts to get there.
Cheers,
Jim |
Edited by - JamesLowder on 11 May 2007 16:10:01 |
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Amnezjusz
Acolyte
Poland
39 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2007 : 16:29:21
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Hello Mr Lowder :)
I'm writing a series of articles about Chultan Penisula. And now, I wonder if yuo have some additional informations about Fort Beularian and other more important places of interst in Chult (such as Port Nyanzaru or Wyrmheart Mine). I would be very, very grateful for you help:)
PS I have "Jungles of Chult" ;) |
THERE'S NO JUSTICE. THERE'S JUST ME. - Death
http://www.polarzepy.fora.pl - My website.
http://www.dnd.polter.pl - Official Polish D&D site. |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2007 : 16:45:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Amnezjusz
I'm writing a series of articles about Chultan Penisula. And now, I wonder if yuo have some additional informations about Fort Beularian and other more important places of interst in Chult (such as Port Nyanzaru or Wyrmheart Mine). I would be very, very grateful for you help:)
PS I have "Jungles of Chult" ;)
Hi:
All my original area development material was published in Jungles of Chult, and I'm afraid I don't have any information on what was added to Chult after Jungles and Ring of Winter. I have some notes on where I was planning to take Artus and the other main characters from Ring, if I'd written another book with them, but those notes aren't really things I should make public, since WotC may decide to go in other directions.
Sorry.
Jim Lowder |
Edited by - JamesLowder on 17 May 2007 16:51:15 |
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Iliphar1
Learned Scribe
Austria
133 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 14:29:14
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Hi Jim,
pretty much exactely 2 years ago I asked you about your plans about "Wake of the Black Rose".
Well, today I have read on the wizards homepage, that 2 new Ravenloft Novels will be released in 2008 and I immeadiatly thought I'd have to contact you!
Since "Knight of the Black Rose" basically introduced me to (back then) Ad&d I would very love to read the third part.
Are there any chances, that you will write the third part?
As said, I love the story around Sithicus very much and would be very happy, if you'd be able to "get into contract" *g* |
'You see dead bones? ... I see an army!' Ezechiel 37 |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 17:11:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Iliphar1
Since "Knight of the Black Rose" basically introduced me to (back then) Ad&d I would very love to read the third part.
Are there any chances, that you will write the third part?
As said, I love the story around Sithicus very much and would be very happy, if you'd be able to "get into contract" *g*
Hi:
Thanks for the kind words about Knight. I don't think WotC's current plans for Ravenloft include any sequels or follow-ups to the original novels. I did write an article for Dragon earlier this year updating Sithicus a bit from the end of Spectre, but there are no discussions right now for any new novels.
In general, if you really want to see WotC release a certain book, you should drop them a polite letter--to the attention of the Managing Editor, Fiction, at the address on any WotC book's copyright page--requesting it. The editors are the ones who decide; authors have very little control over what gets released.
I'm not saying anyone should rush right out and request another Ravenloft book from me--I'm not certain I'd have the time to do one right now. But if you, as Realms or Ravenloft or Dragonlance fans, want to see something, you should let the company know.
Cheers,
Jim Lowder |
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boddynock
Learned Scribe
Belgium
258 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 18:03:45
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| well, there will be absolutely a request from me. :-). I like to see a third part too :) |
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Amnezjusz
Acolyte
Poland
39 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2007 : 12:26:25
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Next Chultan question ;)
How do you think, what character would be better for Ras Nsi? Lawful Neutral/Good, Lawful Evil or something else?
Thx for help |
THERE'S NO JUSTICE. THERE'S JUST ME. - Death
http://www.polarzepy.fora.pl - My website.
http://www.dnd.polter.pl - Official Polish D&D site. |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2007 : 18:01:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Amnezjusz
How do you think, what character would be better for Ras Nsi? Lawful Neutral/Good, Lawful Evil or something else?
Ras Nsi would certainly not be Lawful Good. He'd probably be Lawful Neutral or, depending upon how the character was developed, Lawful Evil.
Cheers,
Jim Lowder |
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Iakhovas
Acolyte
Germany
13 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2007 : 06:48:05
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Hello Mr. Lowder,
Have you given up writing for WOTC altogether? Do you have plans or stories that you would like presented to the editors? And lastly, is Ravenloft or Dragonlance the only campaign setting in which you have an interest in writing novels? How about Eberron or Forgotten Realms?
I especially love the FR, as an avid gamer and reader. I do not like playing in Eberron, but nonetheless enjoy reading all the novels so far in that setting because of its grim atmosphere.
Btw, you mentioned that you don't have time to write a book. Why? And forgive my curiosity. |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2007 : 08:18:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Iakhovas
Have you given up writing for WOTC altogether? Do you have plans or stories that you would like presented to the editors? And lastly, is Ravenloft or Dragonlance the only campaign setting in which you have an interest in writing novels? How about Eberron or Forgotten Realms?
I especially love the FR, as an avid gamer and reader. I do not like playing in Eberron, but nonetheless enjoy reading all the novels so far in that setting because of its grim atmosphere.
Btw, you mentioned that you don't have time to write a book. Why? And forgive my curiosity.
Hi:
Thanks for the questions.
I've written a fair amount of Realms fiction and even some RPG material, though much of it is now out of print; my novels Crusade and The Ring of Winter, for example, or the game product The Jungles of Chult. I was also the fiction line editor for the Realms in the early 90s (which is why my name shows up on a fair number of acknowledgment pages in the older Realms books). So I have a great fondness for the Realms.
I don't rule out working with any company, but right now it doesn't seem likely that Wizards would be interested in any projects I would propose. It's been several years since I've pitched them anything. From what I've heard about the company's plans for the line, and what I've pieced together from what's been released and announced, anything I would suggest probably wouldn't fit in well. And I would be a lot less likely to be interested in creating a bunch of new characters, or writing a book based on a plot the company handed me.
If the opportunity arose to write about Artus Cimber (from Ring of Winter) again, or other characters I created or had a hand in creating, like Cyric, I might take it. But Wizards is moving the various book lines in their own directions, and I'm a lot more interested in working with worlds and characters for which I have more creative control.
So, in this context, when I say I might not have time to write a book, I'm saying I have other projects I might want to do first. And I am quite busy these days, between editing both fiction and nonfiction for different companies, writing short fiction for different markets, comic book scripts, essays for books and magazines, and proposals--including ones for novels set in worlds that I've created.
I now take on shared world projects very selectively. A few years back, I turned down an offer to write a novel tied to Star Wars Galaxies. If the opportunity to do another Star Wars book came up, I might very well take it, but that wasn't the right project at the right time, so I passed. If the stars align the right way, I could see myself working in the Realms or Ravenloft again. Right now, though, it doesn't seem likely to happen any time soon.
Cheers,
Jim Lowder |
Edited by - JamesLowder on 29 May 2007 18:05:21 |
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Mandras
Seeker
Estonia
51 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 17:31:49
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Once again - hello James.
I would like to ask some more questions about the background of Kaverin Ebonhand:
1) Who were Kaverin's parents by profession? Did Kaverin learn the same profession - I mean was he skilled in any craft or profession? If yes - then why he did not choose that path?
2) Why did Kaverin choose the criminal career? What was his catalyst? Was he (or his parents) too poor for his taste? Was he jealous of the wealthier/more powerful people? Some remarkable or dramatic event in his life that pushed him there? Was he just a sociopath incapable of any humanistic behaviour? Any other reasons?
3) The Villain's Lorebook says that "For years he and his thugs and killers reigned terror down on the city [of Tantras]. The Ring of Winter book gives no further details about that era. Could You perhaps say, what You imagined Kaverin's organisation of that time to be? Were they bandits of the road? Or assassins? Some kind of organized crime syndicate within the city? Dirty political movement of the city state? Something else?
4) Oh, and how old was Kaverin when he died the last time?
Best Regards,
Mandras |
"The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
Oscar Wilde |
Edited by - Mandras on 30 May 2007 17:34:49 |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 17:37:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Mandras
I would like to ask some more questions about the background of Kaverin Ebonhand:
Hi, Mandras:
Thanks for the questions. I'm afraid I don't have any of that information in a form I can share. Sorry.
Cheers,
Jim Lowder |
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Mandras
Seeker
Estonia
51 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 19:35:04
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NDA?
Any hints (even indirect ones) about Kaverin would be welcome - I am trying to use him as main villain in my next campaign...
Best Regards,
Mandras |
"The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
Oscar Wilde |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 20:05:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Mandras
NDA?
Any hints (even indirect ones) about Kaverin would be welcome - I am trying to use him as main villain in my next campaign...
No, my notes aren't in a form I can share, and there's the problem of posting information about a character I don't own. If WotC decides to do something with the character, but assigns the project to someone else, it's really not my place to undercut that writer by posting my thoughts.
Jim |
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Mandras
Seeker
Estonia
51 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 20:59:45
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Ok. Thanks.
Still - if You have any tips and hints You could share - please send me a private message. Any help from the author about how to roleplay that guy would be truly appreciated :)
Best Regards,
Mandras
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"The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
Oscar Wilde |
Edited by - Mandras on 30 May 2007 21:06:18 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 21:17:49
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In the absence of published information, wing it.
Not all authors feel comfortable freely conjecturing on something they're not working on, and pushing them on it won't accomplish anything. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Questions for James Lowder
