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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Jun 2005 : 22:57:02
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Hello Mr. Baker:
First things first - you do some rocking work when it comes to Faerun. My fiance's favorite book of all time is Forsaken House and she can't stop talking about when the Farthest Reach comes out. I not loved FH but Condemnation as well!! Great Job!
I do have one question though - Is it Xhalth or Xhalph and is her son or her nephew? There are two different sources (Lords of Darkness) and your book (Forsaken House). Could you clear this up for me?? Thanks! I appreciate it!! |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2005 : 02:08:55
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quote:
Originally posted by RichardBaker
As far as what else I'm doing these days, well, I've got a short story that will appear in Realms of the Elves
Can you provide any details on what your story will feature?
Thank you in advance.
SB |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2005 : 02:10:25
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quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
My fiance's favorite book of all time is Forsaken House and she can't stop talking about when the Farthest Reach comes out.
The novel is already out. Check out this thread. |
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Paec_djinn
Learned Scribe
173 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2005 : 08:36:42
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quote:
Originally posted by RichardBaker
Glad you liked 'em!
The Game of Masks was described in the 2nd Edition "City of Raven's Bluff" sourcebook. The specific game (matching up the kings, colors, kingdoms) I thought up for the book. Every few tendays the folks who arrange the masquerade think up another "party game" to entertain everybody, or so I understood. I would expect that at least some other Realms cities might have a similar tradition.
As far as what else I'm doing these days, well, I've got a short story that will appear in Realms of the Elves, and I'm currently hard at work on Final Gate. Just getting started, really, I'm only a couple of chapters in so far.
I'm glad you chose that specific game. I love it's real life variant and it was especially great to try to solve the puzzle yourself as you read the book. Good luck with Final Gate. Can't wait to get my hands on Farthest Reach but unfortunately, where I live, the books only appear on bookstores about 4-6 months after release. |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2005 : 16:28:09
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
My fiance's favorite book of all time is Forsaken House and she can't stop talking about when the Farthest Reach comes out.
The novel is already out. Check out this thread.
Well, thank you much! I will have to head not only to the thread, but to the bookstore today! Thanks!
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2005 : 00:40:47
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
My fiance's favorite book of all time is Forsaken House and she can't stop talking about when the Farthest Reach comes out.
The novel is already out. Check out this thread.
Ah, hopefully I will see it in my local bookstore within the next half a year or so  |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2005 : 00:55:31
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Well met, Richard!
I enjoyed 'the Forsaken House', and thus I echo the thoughts of my fellow scribes with their praises to your talent! What really amazed me was that the names of all the characters sounded very "Realmish". This is an aspect of the Realms that many authors/designers seem to be lost with, or seem to think it is not worth sweating over. My thanks for the excellent novel, and also for paying attention to details  |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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RichardBaker
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
129 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2005 : 22:26:54
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It's a goof on my part, but I'm not going to straighten it out in the novel series--there's just no elegant way to do it. So, my bad. If it's important in your game, pick the answer you like the best and run with it. The exact relationship isn't all that important.
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
Hello Mr. Baker:
First things first - you do some rocking work when it comes to Faerun. My fiance's favorite book of all time is Forsaken House and she can't stop talking about when the Farthest Reach comes out. I not loved FH but Condemnation as well!! Great Job!
I do have one question though - Is it Xhalth or Xhalph and is her son or her nephew? There are two different sources (Lords of Darkness) and your book (Forsaken House). Could you clear this up for me?? Thanks! I appreciate it!!
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Rich Baker
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
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Prince Forge of Avalon
Learned Scribe
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2005 : 02:05:47
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Dear Mr Baker,
Let me take this oppurtunity to tell you THE LAST MYTHAL series is now my personal FAVORITE in all FR books, this series is an elven fanboys dream!! I finshed the Farthest Reach this very morning at 5am (considering that I read it all night cause I just couldn't put the darn thing down!). What more can I say- I loved it! I even found myself guessing certain things like what happend to Araevin that came to pass later in the book.
A few questions please***************SPOILER WARNING**************
****************************SPOILER WARNING*************************
1) what exactely did the telmiirkara neshyrr do to Araevin- did it give him the celestial template or something more?( this is the part i guessed right when you first mentioned the ceremony in the book, and by the way I'D DEFINATELY WANT TO SEE ARAEVIN STATED IN DRAGON MAGAZINE!!!!!!!!)
2) Was that Morwel in the book, how sweet!?
FINAL COMMENTS OR WISHLIST!
Hope to see you anwser the drow presence in Cormanthor, and sice your final novel will take place in the year of risen elfkin, can we hope to see the star elves dilemma resolved and a TITANIC battle to retake and rebuild the ELVEN realm of Cormanthor and Myth Drannor ONCE AND FOR ALL!!! DANG IT"S ABOUT TIME!
p.s. THANKS A WHOLE BUNCH FOR THIS SERIES AND THE MOST RECENT BOOK!!
Prince Forge of Avalon |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2005 : 14:31:01
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| The WOTC novel site has posted a author profile for Richard Baker and a sample chapter for The Farthest Reach. |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2005 : 23:36:23
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Dear Mr. Baker:
Once again, you rock. I have finished The Farthest Reach and wish I could jump ahead and see the wonderful conclusion in Final Gate. I want to also tell you Sarya is the coolest bad guy (ok, kickin' half-elf, half-demon chick) I have ever read about. I just want you to know, you have given a great background to a character (NPC) that I fell in love with in Lords of Darkness, thank you very much!!!
Oh yeah, I echo the previous 2 posts: Stats for the characters would be great, but hey, I know you're a busy man... oh yeah, Ilsevele rules as well!
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Laeknir
Seeker
68 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2005 : 03:16:59
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Dear Mr. Baker:
Quick note of thanks for writing the Last Mythal Trilogy. I've read the first two books, and they are AMAZING! Definitely 10 out of 10! Keep writing, anything, and I'll keep buying! 
Also, a semi-random question, possibly with a spoiler:
You've briefly mentioned Araevin's link to the elves of House Floshin, specifically Elorfindar Floshin of Daggerford. Will Elorfindar have any role (even a minor one) in book three, even in a flashback? And since Araevin appears to have some Floshin ancestry, will we learn more about how the Floshins seem to have fractured between evil (some becoming fey'ri) and good (others, like Elorfindar and his children)? |
Edited by - Laeknir on 09 Jul 2005 03:19:14 |
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VEDSICA
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2005 : 20:21:43
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Richard,Great work on Forsaken House and Farthest Reach.This trilogy is by far the best thing put out by anyone in a long time.Not to say that anything is bad.This is the best of the best IMO.
I am confused as to what Aeravin became at the end of Farthest Reach,and I was wondering if you can help me out on that point?Will we see Gaerradh and Methrammar again? |
LIFE,BIRTH,BLOOD,DOOM---THE HOLE IN THE GROUND IS COMING ROUND SOON----BLS |
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jameslt0
Seeker
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2005 : 14:34:12
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I only have two questions and a request.
Question: Is the Elven Retreat truely over? Is there going to be a Return to Faerun from Evermeet?
Request: A romance between Gaerradh and Methrammar Aerasume. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2005 : 15:46:00
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quote:
Originally posted by jameslt0
Question: Is the Elven Retreat truely over.
The Retreat has been officially over for two game years now. The FRCS even states this on pg. 14. This was before the events detailed in Rich's novels.
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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 22 Jul 2005 15:47:20 |
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Ethriel
Learned Scribe
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2005 : 16:25:33
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Query: anything you can tell us about Final Gate? A summary? The current state of the Mythal War?
Request: More on Fflar, his duel with the Nycaloth prince and Xhalph, round 2! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2005 : 02:20:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Ethriel
Query: anything you can tell us about Final Gate? A summary? The current state of the Mythal War?
Request: More on Fflar, his duel with the Nycaloth prince and Xhalph, round 2!
Here's some interesting details on Final Gate, direct from Rich's interview at WotC (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/fr/rbakerinterview2005) -
quote:
"The Last Mythal of Aryvandaar isn't Myth Drannor, as some folks have suggested on the message boards," he says. "It's a place called the Nexus in 2nd Edition lore." (The Nexus and the Gatekeeper's Crystal made their appearance in Forgotten Realms roleplaying game sourcebooks back in Volo's Guide to All Things Magical and Hellgate Keep.)
"The Nexus is a meeting-place of portals, a place where thousands of gates come together," Baker explains. "Step into the Nexus, and you can go anywhere you want. The doors in the Nexus are the means by which Malkizid is able to provide Sarya Dlardrageth with so many fiendish creatures for her armies. What Araevin discovers at the end of Farthest Reach is that this work of ancient Aryvandaar wasn't simply a benign construct for facilitating portal-building but instead a 'secret weapon of the Vyshaan lords,' a device intended to win the Crown Wars of 10,000 years ago. It has the potential to wreak untold destruction all across the Realms . . . and the mysterious Malkizid intends to do just that."
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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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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2005 : 18:58:46
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Well met, mr. Baker!
I enjoyed the 'Farthest reach' very much! I do not wish to spoil anything here, so I will not refer to any names, but the corruption and blight occuring on a certain plane reminds me a lot about Moander (a sliver of his/its essence seems to remain imprisoned in Tsornyl's ruins). I wanted to ask you if this similarity between certain chapters in 'Farthest reach' and the blight and corruption of the Great Dread God are simply coincidental? |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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jameslt0
Seeker
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2005 : 21:01:58
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Who are the eladrin, the queen of the Court of Stars, and a high lady of the fey lords? Which source book can I find this information in?
James |
Edited by - jameslt0 on 10 Aug 2005 21:16:00 |
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TomCosta
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
971 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2005 : 21:28:46
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| The eladrin are a variety of fey-looking CG outsiders like guardinals or demons. They are found in various sourcebooks from 2E and 3E. The Court of Stars is found in the Book of Exalted Deeds. |
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jameslt0
Seeker
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2005 : 19:04:08
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Thanx..I was hoping for Forgotten Realms sourebook, since I have them all.
James |
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The Twin Scimitars
Seeker
USA
96 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2005 : 21:15:39
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| I just finished Condemnation for the second time I just want to say you did an excellent job Mr.Baker. |
Endure, in enduring we grow strong.
-Dak'kon, Planescape Torment |
Edited by - The Twin Scimitars on 21 Aug 2005 21:17:55 |
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DDH_101
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1272 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2005 : 06:06:25
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Mr. Baker, I just finished reading Farthest Reach (and it's an amazing novel btw) and I have a question.
In the novel (I forgot the exact pages), you mentioned that the Sage of Shadowdale and the Knights of Myth Drannor are away on some far plane on a matter of importance concerning the Shrinshee.
Now, is this just a ploy to avoid having one of the most powerful wizards in the Realms be involved in the conflict or are you perhaps revealing the plot for the series about the Knights of Myth Drannor that Ed Greenwood is going to write?
I remember in Troy Denning's Return of the Archwizard series, Elminster goes to Hell to seal the rift that opened after his fight with the Princes of Shade, which then sets the premise for Elminster in Hell. |
"Trust in the shadows, for the bright way makes you an easy target." -Mask |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2005 : 07:04:19
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quote:
Originally posted by DDH_101
Mr. Baker, I just finished reading Farthest Reach (and it's an amazing novel btw) and I have a question.
In the novel (I forgot the exact pages), you mentioned that the Sage of Shadowdale and the Knights of Myth Drannor are away on some far plane on a matter of importance concerning the Shrinshee.
Now, is this just a ploy to avoid having one of the most powerful wizards in the Realms be involved in the conflict or are you perhaps revealing the plot for the series about the Knights of Myth Drannor that Ed Greenwood is going to write?
I remember in Troy Denning's Return of the Archwizard series, Elminster goes to Hell to seal the rift that opened after his fight with the Princes of Shade, which then sets the premise for Elminster in Hell.
THO and Ed have answered this in the past. It'll be explained in the upcoming elven anthology with a tale Ed is writing. :) |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
Edited by - Kuje on 28 Aug 2005 07:05:04 |
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El Magnifico Uno
Learned Scribe
113 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2005 : 06:27:50
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Just finished Forsaken House and Farthest Reach... That is some darn good writing there Mr Baker!!... Normally I have a fairly low opinion of the writing quality of FR books, but you sir, are damn good!!.. Great use of vocabulary! Characters with depth! Elves that seem, well, like elves! and not just humans with pointy ears!... Definitely hands down "the best Realms book to date" to paraphrase Mr. Greenwood...
Questions -
1) Were you required by your illustrious editors to use "X" number of battle scenes?... They seemed a bit tedious after awhile...
2) What was up with the "recycling cleric"? Every few chapters they get a new cleric... Reminds me of old PnP games where a player would change characters every session, but each one was just a new rendition of the last... |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2005 : 00:47:41
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Moved here at JK's request:
quote:
Originally posted by Jamallo Kreen
Well met!
Where may I find more details of the disappearance in 1244 (Year of the Defiant Keep) of Elphras and his folk from his keep near the Great Barrow?
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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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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2005 : 01:57:58
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Well, I'm not Rich but in 'my' Realms, Elphras was a prince of Impiltur: specifically the fifth son (and a twin) of King Imphras II by his second wife. As to what happened to him, well that's something for you to have fun with I think.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Beirnadri Magranth
Senior Scribe
USA
720 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2005 : 00:47:02
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MR BAKER!
anything i say might be a spoiler but youd be spoiled anyway to read such a great book
I just read your book bc im sick but what an amazing book. it has soo much flavor! I loved the fflar character and his experience with why he came back! and I love the tragic scene with brant at the wizard tower in the forest of wyrms!
1- the character of brant i found so heroic and tragic
2- I love the part about finding the trap in the stone by sensing the grooves etc. that was really well described and i could almost feel the grooves.
3- I love how you had Aerivan fire through the window and race down to the next one. that was really a thrilling moment and very true to the experience of being in a d&d campaign.
4- i thought it was interesting how similarly you write for drow and elves. the dissension in the court of evermeet very much reminded me of the council of matrons in menzobearanzan. alot of the tension has imilar elements as your book condemnation
5- the part about the wood elves didnt seem to be very much related to the rest of what was happening... and i was wondering, are you going to make them more prominent in the other novels? right now it seems like they are two stories told at once
6- i only recently found out who malkizid was! hehe im very eager to read on |
"You came here to be a martyr in a great big bang of glory... instead you will die with a whimper."
::moussaoui tries to interrupt::
"You will never get a chance to speak again and that's an appropriate ending."
-Judge Brinkema |
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Beirnadri Magranth
Senior Scribe
USA
720 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2005 : 01:02:36
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matron ghenni was probably resurrected. it should come as no surprise that a powerful noble matron would be revived.... there are those spells for a reason
quote:
Originally posted by shoonvii
Mr. Baker,
*Spoiler*
Just finished Condemnation and loved it! Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere, but have we ever been clued in as to which Matron of House Faen Tlabbar was killed in Condemnation?
Are Matron Ghenni and Matron Ghenni'tiroth one and the same? Ghenni'tiroth died some 14-15 years ago in Realms time in Siege of Darkness.
I'm just curious if it was an honest mistake, and if so how would you rationalize what exactly happened as per Realms canon (might it be that it was the eldest daughter, Ghilanna, that was killed?); or if there was an off-camera explanation as to how Ghenni'tiroth rose from the dead - only to be killed again 14-15 years later.
Cheers!
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"You came here to be a martyr in a great big bang of glory... instead you will die with a whimper."
::moussaoui tries to interrupt::
"You will never get a chance to speak again and that's an appropriate ending."
-Judge Brinkema |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2005 : 02:18:55
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Yeah, the only thing to consider is that Lolth isn't too keen to let her souls go back to the Realms...
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Questions for Richard Baker
