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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
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Mandras
Seeker
Estonia
51 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Nov 2007 : 08:13:33
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Hello Richard,
Some questions about the Cyric if I may:
What does the imprisonment of Cyric into his homeplane really mean?
Is Cyric totally cut off from the realms?
Does Cyric have contact with his believers (do the Cyricists receive spells, omens and dreams from their god)?
Does Cyric see, hear or know what happens in the Realms?
Can Cyric "whisper" to Faerunians?
I believe some of that may be covered with NDA-s, but please give us at least some hints or Your personal opinions about that topic...
Best Regards,
Mandras
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"The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
Oscar Wilde |
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RichardBaker
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
129 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2007 : 22:29:27
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Weird, I thought I replied to this one...
Sarya Dlardrageth struck her alliance with Malkizid, who is an *exiled* archdevil. He took a good number of lesser devils with him, so most of the devils you see in the story belong to that faction.
quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
Rich, I just got finished reading The Bladesinger's Lesson in Realms of the Elves, and thoroughly enjoyed it except for one thing: The Fey'ri were allied with devils. Why did you choose to have them allied with devils when the lore surrounding the Fey'ri clearly states that they are Planetouched from their alliance and relations with demons?
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Rich Baker
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
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RichardBaker
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
129 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2007 : 22:30:49
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Yes, Manshoon remains in 4e Realms, but I'm not at liberty to reveal the specifics yet.
quote:
Originally posted by alexye
Dear Rich,
A simple question: Will Manshoon be in the 4e iteration of the Forgotten Realms?
Personally I feel that he is THE iconic manipulator villain bar none. I was rather disappointed that he was displaced by Fzoul in the C&D developments. I also felt that the 2e Inner Circle with its power sharing was particularly strong on "flavour". Unlike the Red Wizards you had distinct groupings - e.g. Zhent wizards, Banites and beholders and the intrigue of the Zhentarim was augmented by their obvious interdependances despite their mutual loathing.
I would like to see some of that returned to 4e, at the very least Manshoon restored to a starring role in the FR halls of villainy!
Thank you so much for reading!
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Rich Baker
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
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RichardBaker
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
129 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2007 : 22:32:08
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Probably not, to be honest. But I think it's a great notion for a series of D&D Insider or Dragon articles at some point in the future.
quote:
Originally posted by Charles Phipps
Hey, Richard, will we ever see a "Forgotten Realms: Manual of the Planes"?
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Rich Baker
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
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RichardBaker
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
129 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2007 : 22:37:08
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I don't really know yet, to be honest. The Grand History blurb is about as much as I know for sure. I think Chris Sims is writing the deity material for the 4e Campaign Guide, and he'll be taking the first crack at those details.
Off the top of my head, I think it's a light house arrest, and Cyric can keep up on things pretty well through his intermediaries (proxies, dark angels, whatever). But I'm waiting to see what Chris comes up with.
quote:
Originally posted by Mandras
Hello Richard,
Some questions about the Cyric if I may:
What does the imprisonment of Cyric into his homeplane really mean?
Is Cyric totally cut off from the realms?
Does Cyric have contact with his believers (do the Cyricists receive spells, omens and dreams from their god)?
Does Cyric see, hear or know what happens in the Realms?
Can Cyric "whisper" to Faerunians?
I believe some of that may be covered with NDA-s, but please give us at least some hints or Your personal opinions about that topic...
Best Regards,
Mandras
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Rich Baker
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
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Mandras
Seeker
Estonia
51 Posts |
Posted - 11 Nov 2007 : 12:34:12
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Thanks for Your reply Richard.
Does mr Sims visit these forums?
Best Regards,
Mandras. |
"The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
Oscar Wilde |
Edited by - Mandras on 11 Nov 2007 12:36:00 |
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althen artren
Senior Scribe
USA
780 Posts |
Posted - 11 Nov 2007 : 19:38:07
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Hey Rich,
Can you expound on what you would write into a elven nobility house. I find myself needing to draw up a certain powerful elven nobility estate and I find I cannot figure out all the rooms, corridors, and extravagence to put in it. Any ideas on furniture, artwork, servants, etc, would be appreciated. |
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imis999
Acolyte
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - 11 Nov 2007 : 21:29:17
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| How come Chris Sims doesn't have a thread since he seems to have alot of influence over the future of FR? The worrisome thing is that he seems to feel the deep canon of FR is a bad thing. |
Edited by - imis999 on 11 Nov 2007 21:29:42 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 11 Nov 2007 : 21:34:44
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quote:
Originally posted by imis999
How come Chris Sims doesn't have a thread since he seems to have alot of influence over the future of FR? The worrisome thing is that he seems to feel the deep canon of FR is a bad thing.
If he was to visit us and consent to a Q&A thread, then he would have a dedicated thread. But I don't know that he has ever visited us. |
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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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
Posted - 13 Nov 2007 : 02:21:04
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Richard, what do you see the "mission statement" of 4E realms to be?
As in, what during your tenure, do you want to focus on more than anything?
A more organic realms? One that has more detailed society, or what?
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My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Daviot
Senior Scribe
USA
372 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2007 : 16:35:17
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I have a question for you, Mr. Baker, based on Shadowdale: Scouring of the Land:
We know that Elminster has been whisked elsewhere as of Nightal 1374, and that he isn't present for the events in Shadowdale in Hammer of 1375.
Though my players have come up with colorful explanations of where El went ("Raspberry Heaven", Sune's Domain, a demi-plane with the ever-popular Calishite dancing girls), are you at liberty to disclose either where he went or, more importantly, when he returns to Faerûn, presumably some time in 1375? The latter is something I'd like to work in to one of my campaigns.
Thanks in advance, and thanks for giving the world The Last Mythal trilogy. |
One usually has far more to fear from the soft-spoken wizard with a blade and well-worn boots than from the boisterous one in the ivory tower.
My Tabletop Writing CV. |
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2007 : 18:35:08
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I hope it's something innocuous like a Cub's game.
:-)
"I CAN'T LEAVE YOU PEOPLE ALONE FOR FIVE MINUTES, CAN I!?"
He's like if America's Nuclear Arsenal wandered off on his own whenever he feels like it. |
My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Daviot
Senior Scribe
USA
372 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2007 : 20:37:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Charles Phipps
He's like if America's Nuclear Arsenal wandered off on his own whenever he feels like it.
Yes, but try finding a nuclear arsenal with more amused mirth, wry grins, and sardonic retorts. Ye'd...err...you'd be hard-pressed, indeed.  |
One usually has far more to fear from the soft-spoken wizard with a blade and well-worn boots than from the boisterous one in the ivory tower.
My Tabletop Writing CV. |
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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe
Canada
592 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2007 : 16:53:40
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Rich, I was wondering if you could leak more about Finder Wyvernspur and his Clergy in Fourth Edition at this time.
Also with the question of fey and Centaurs, I have a few suggestion I would like to share. I was wondering if you could break centaurs in half with Ixion centaurs being a darker version of the more Chiron based Centaurs of traditional D&D.
Something similar could be done with Satyr with Fauns being a less wild version of the creatures.
Just some thought which may or may not interest you. Thanks.
Foxhelm |
Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems! |
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IngoDjan
Learned Scribe
Brazil
146 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2007 : 20:05:17
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Hello Richard Baker!
You said the Cwm is a place like Mount Rainier. So, what´s the place you think looks like Vale of the Lost Voice?
Thanx!
Ingo Djan |
Ingo Djan
DUNGEON MASTER AO OF THE DIAMONDS!"I see the future repeat the past. It all is a museum of great news. The Time do not stop." |
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RichardBaker
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
129 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2007 : 21:01:53
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To the best of my knowledge, no, Chris doesn't stop by here. Keep in mind, there are a lot of websites out there to keep an eye on. All of us in WotC R&D keep an eye on the Wizards site, most of us also watch ENWorld, and a few of us watch one or two other sites. For example, I'd like to keep up on Monte Cook's site, Bob Salvatore's site, and a half-dozen others, but there's only so much time in the day I can devote to web-surfing.
quote:
Originally posted by Mandras
Thanks for Your reply Richard.
Does mr Sims visit these forums?
Best Regards,
Mandras.
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Rich Baker
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
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RichardBaker
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
129 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2007 : 21:15:58
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Well, 3rd Edition was my tenure. I was the creative director for FR for several years, and primary in-house FR designer/developer for a couple of years after that. (We downsized several years back, so I went from having a team to run to just being pretty much me.) For a couple of years now I've been only occasionally involved in FR game product. For example, I didn't have anything to do with Champions of Valor, Serpent Kingdoms, Power of Faerun, Moonsea, or Champions of Ruin. But I've been working on novels throughout that time (the Last Mythal, and now my new series Blades of the Moonsea), and I got to pitch in a bit on Cormyr and Shadowdale.
In other words, I'm not *the* guy on 4e Realms. I'm *one* of the guys. I spearheaded the original revision team, but since that time I've been working on core D&D and other projects. Bruce Cordell, Ed Stark, Chris Sims, Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, and a couple more folks have had a little more to do with the actual creation of the upcoming 4th Edition Realms products (although I advise and kibbitz plenty). I think that's a good thing, because I think it's important for us to cultivate new FR authorities here in house, and the Realms flourishes when it's got talented new voices contributing.
That said, What's the mission statement? I'd say something like this:
Create a new edition of the setting that's fresh, current, in step with the state of D&D, and relevant to a whole new generation of readers and D&D players. Keep the best parts of what's gone before, and allow not-so-good parts to fade away. Make sure that old FR hands will find exciting new things to explore and new stories to tell, so that they can fall in love with the setting all over again.
quote:
Originally posted by Charles Phipps
Richard, what do you see the "mission statement" of 4E realms to be?
As in, what during your tenure, do you want to focus on more than anything?
A more organic realms? One that has more detailed society, or what?
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Rich Baker
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
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RichardBaker
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
129 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2007 : 21:24:37
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I imagine Cormanthor looks and feels a little like the woods in the Virginia mountains. I went to school at Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg. About fifteen or twenty miles away there was a mountain called Dragon's Tooth with a trail to the top. You'd get on top, and you could see all sorts of farmlands in the rolling hills below. Maybe it's something like that, but less mountainous.
quote:
Originally posted by IngoDjan
Hello Richard Baker!
You said the Cwm is a place like Mount Rainier. So, what´s the place you think looks like Vale of the Lost Voice?
Thanx!
Ingo Djan
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Rich Baker
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
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RichardBaker
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
129 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2007 : 21:26:49
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Sorry, can't say anything about Finder yet.
I think our basic idea is that centaurs, like many fey, are unaligned. Unaligned means you're not signed up for good, evil, or whatever. But you might have "personality" ranging from violent and ill-tempered to helpful and compassionate. So different centaurs might run the gamut from things you fight to things that help you out.
quote:
Originally posted by Foxhelm
Rich, I was wondering if you could leak more about Finder Wyvernspur and his Clergy in Fourth Edition at this time.
Also with the question of fey and Centaurs, I have a few suggestion I would like to share. I was wondering if you could break centaurs in half with Ixion centaurs being a darker version of the more Chiron based Centaurs of traditional D&D.
Something similar could be done with Satyr with Fauns being a less wild version of the creatures.
Just some thought which may or may not interest you. Thanks.
Foxhelm
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Rich Baker
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
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IngoDjan
Learned Scribe
Brazil
146 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2007 : 01:47:09
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Hi Baker!
Yet about Vale of the Lost Voices appearance!
Do you think is really possible charge in that old forest? What was the image you think when writing the battle in Vale of the Lost Voice?
Thanks again! |
Ingo Djan
DUNGEON MASTER AO OF THE DIAMONDS!"I see the future repeat the past. It all is a museum of great news. The Time do not stop." |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2007 : 02:14:01
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"I imagine Cormanthor looks and feels a little like the woods in the Virginia mountains."
YES!!! Ed described it to me exactly the same way. Great minds think EXACTLY alike.
love,
THO |
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Penknight
Senior Scribe
USA
538 Posts |
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2007 : 01:30:29
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Well met!
I have a few questions about Condemnation. (POSSIBLE SPOILERS!)
First, did you get your inspiration for Halisstra's thoughts about Ched Nasad on page 2 from Biblical laments for fallen cities?
Second, should we think of Hallistra as a Cleric/Bard only, or is her arcane casting ability from some Drowish prestige class?
Third, did the writers of the Spider Queen series get to read the actual books preceding theirs, or only synopses? The writing style in the first three books is very different, one from another, and it is plain that one is reading a new author within the first couple of pages of each book, so it seems as though there was no direct contact with other writers's books. I've also noticed that there are a few differences which make be stylistic, but which might also be due to not having the complete text of the preceding book ready to hand. Since I just started Condemnation this week, fresh after reading Book II, I can call to mind two differences regarding Danifae: you usually call her a "maid-in-waiting" instead of a "battle captive," and in your book there seems to be a belief that since she's unarmed, she should stay that way (at least until page 85, or so), whereas she had been swinging a morning star during the fall of Ched Nasad. I had the opportunity to read that and go immediately to your book, so I was reading the events almost in real time, and the difference was plain to me because of it. Perhaps you would be kind enough to share your thoughts on indivual styles in multiple-authored series ... ?
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2007 : 22:41:28
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I add a fourth question, which someone else can probably answer: what was that amazing spell Pharaun cast to locate House Jalre? The description was terrific, but I didn't recognize it at all.
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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IngoDjan
Learned Scribe
Brazil
146 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2007 : 23:02:09
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Already order my book. Gift set!
They are coming soon. I´m anxious to start read! |
Ingo Djan
DUNGEON MASTER AO OF THE DIAMONDS!"I see the future repeat the past. It all is a museum of great news. The Time do not stop." |
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RichardBaker
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
129 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2007 : 04:26:59
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It's the spell vision, dressed up a bit for storytelling reasons. And thank you!
quote:
Originally posted by Jamallo Kreen
I add a fourth question, which someone else can probably answer: what was that amazing spell Pharaun cast to locate House Jalre? The description was terrific, but I didn't recognize it at all.
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Rich Baker
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
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RichardBaker
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
129 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2007 : 04:33:01
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Laments: No, not specifically. But I wouldn't be surprised if something was hanging around in the back of my mind and slipped out when I wasn't looking.
Second, I'd think of Halisstra as a cleric/bard. Close enough.
Third... in general we got to read first drafts, but not final drafts. Sometimes books changed a lot between first and final drafts, so some relatively minor errors crept in because of that -- for example, the question of whether Danifae should be armed or not was likely that sort of version error.
Now, here's my heretical thought on different author styles: I actually think it's a strength of War of the Spider Queen. Everybody writes best in his or her own "voice," and we're not really trying to pretend that we're all the same writer. Drastic differences in tone would be bad (changing it to comic fantasy, for example) but if the voice varies, well, that's a way to figure out which authors you like better than others.
quote:
Originally posted by Jamallo Kreen
Well met!
I have a few questions about Condemnation. (POSSIBLE SPOILERS!)
First, did you get your inspiration for Halisstra's thoughts about Ched Nasad on page 2 from Biblical laments for fallen cities?
Second, should we think of Hallistra as a Cleric/Bard only, or is her arcane casting ability from some Drowish prestige class?
Third, did the writers of the Spider Queen series get to read the actual books preceding theirs, or only synopses? The writing style in the first three books is very different, one from another, and it is plain that one is reading a new author within the first couple of pages of each book, so it seems as though there was no direct contact with other writers's books. I've also noticed that there are a few differences which make be stylistic, but which might also be due to not having the complete text of the preceding book ready to hand. Since I just started Condemnation this week, fresh after reading Book II, I can call to mind two differences regarding Danifae: you usually call her a "maid-in-waiting" instead of a "battle captive," and in your book there seems to be a belief that since she's unarmed, she should stay that way (at least until page 85, or so), whereas she had been swinging a morning star during the fall of Ched Nasad. I had the opportunity to read that and go immediately to your book, so I was reading the events almost in real time, and the difference was plain to me because of it. Perhaps you would be kind enough to share your thoughts on indivual styles in multiple-authored series ... ?
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Rich Baker
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2007 : 18:36:12
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Well, I'm enjoying it so far. During our last game session I read Lisa Smedman's description of Jeggred's daddy to my players since they were in the process of dealing with a very unhappy glabrezu who'd been shut up in an iron bottle for an inderminate length of time.
(Side note: the Company of the Red Spear is now hiring Assistant Quartermasters. The surviving successful candidate must have a minimum of curiosity. Apply at the Stone Tower, Golden Way, Thesk.)
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2007 : 21:55:15
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Mr. Baker,
You noted elsewhere on the forums that you used the opening book of the Last Mythal Series to discuss some real world issues that were taking place at the time. How common is this in DnD novels? Another example I remember is Lisa Smedman's interesting discussion of abortion in her House of Serpents books.
Science fiction and fantasy literature is typically an excellent avenue to discuss these sorts of things since the author is free to take things to extremes. (Is abortion ok? What if the offspring is really a demon?) However, I expect most people think of DnD novels as diversionary fun reading so I am wondering how much you try to work in some of the deeper commentary or discussion. |
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Questions for Richard Baker
