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Delwa
Master of Realmslore
USA
1271 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 05:40:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and in keeping with the current line: Trounced in Teshwave?
I wanna play! 
Seduced in Suzail
Groped in Gulthmere
Wooed in Waterdeep
Fondled in Fireshear
You just know one of the Authors is pitching those for a new Forgotten Realms Romance novel line
I've been saying for quite some time that I'd love for some Realms Chapbooks to make it to our world.... |
- Delwa Aunglor
I am off to slay yon refrigerator and spoil it's horde. Go for the cheese, Boo!
"The Realms change; seldom at the speed desired of those who strive, but far too quickly for those who resist." - The Simbul, taken from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Conspectus |
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Derulbaskul
Senior Scribe
Singapore
408 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 05:59:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal (snip) One thing though I noticed that stuck me as odd is that many of the maps appeared hand drawn, indicating the producers really did not desire to use any real degree of care for maps offered. A low budget effort. It does not take much time to follow grid paper in the old days and even Paint-shop can draw straight lines if computer generated. *shrugs*
All of the Adventurers League adventures use hand-drawn maps, obviously to save money.
By contrast, LFR adventures used scans of dungeon tiles: honestly, the hand-drawn maps are better.
As for this being part of a trilogy, here's the full list of this season's AL adventures:
DDEX3-01 Harried in Hillsfar
DDEX3-02 Shackles of Blood
DDEX3-03 The Occupation of Szith Morcane
DDEX3-04 It's All in the Blood
DDEX3-05 Bane of the Tradeways
DDEX3-06 No Foolish Matter
DDEX3-07 Herald of the Moon
DDEX3-08 The Malady of Elventree
DDEX3-09 The Waydown
DDEX3-10 TBA
DDEX3-11 TBA
DDEX3-12 TBA
DDEX3-13 TBA
DDEX3-14 TBA
DDEX3-15 TBA
DDEX3-16 TBA
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Cheers
D
NB: Please remember: A cannon is a big gun. Canon is what we discuss here. |
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Caladan Brood
Senior Scribe
Norway
410 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 06:52:53
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Dargoth, well spotted!
Markustay, yes I realized you were going for a Moonsea theme, but like any commercial company I decided to branch out :p
The next line of sourcebooks will include Naked in the North, Lubed Up in Luiren, and Tumbling in Tulrun's Tent... |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 07:20:50
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You forgot Cringing in Calaunt and Reminiscing in Rassalantar.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 07:57:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Derulbaskul
[quote][i]
DDEX3-03 The Occupation of Szith Morcane
Im particularly interested in this one as my party did the 3.5 WOSQ module |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Rymac
Learned Scribe
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 08:38:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and in keeping with the current line: Trounced in Teshwave?
I wanna play!
Seduced in Suzail
Bothered in Berdusk
Irritated in Iriaebor
Groped in Gulthmere
Wooed in Waterdeep
Fondled in Fireshear
Zinged in Zhentil Keep
Glazed in Glister
Is the alliteration possible with every letter of the alphabet?
Annoyed on the Ashane
Caught in Caer Callidyrr
Dead in Daerlun
Evaded in Eveningstar
Jaded over Jhaamdath
Killed in Kzelter
That's six more at least. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 09:05:23
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How could you guys forget 'Canoodled in Cormyr'?
After all, the Obarskyrs were known for their rampant 'canoodling'.
And just for Krash, 'Immolated in Impiltur.'  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 09:10:55
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Lounging in Lyrabar
Mourning in Mulmaster
Nitpicking in Nesme
Ousted in Ormpetarr
Panicking in Purskul
Queasy in Quaraband
Terrified in Tyrluk
Uneasy in Urmlaspyr
Virile in Velprintalar
X-raying in Xi Hulang (had to go to Kara-Tur for this one)
That should be all of them.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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smerwin29
Acolyte
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 13:25:29
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Thanks for the interesting (and often hilarious) discussion so far! When working on an adventure like this, this first thing that must be taken into consideration is the expected audience. I expected that the audience would be DMs running games for newer players in a public play environment, where it was important to have fun and finish each adventure in less than an hour. So I designed the product with that in mind--and then of course had to stick to the formatting and architecture of an Adventurers League [no apostrophe on purpose] Expeditions adventure.
If I had known that this adventure was also going to be released to the general public through Dragon+, I don't know if I would have (or even could have) designed it differently, but it definitely would have made me think about the content and presentation differently. The primary audience is busy and harried DMs. I would have been doing them a disservice by adding too much Realmslore that would have only increased their preparation time and not necessarily added anything to the play experience.
With other Realms products that I have written, I have tried to put in as much Realmslore as the audience desired and needed. In the Backdrop: Moonshae Isles article for Dungeon 196 (http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=15882), I would really delve into the past, present, and future of that area. For the Halls of Undermountain book, I kind of had to split the difference and make sure there was enough "adventure in the adventure." I even talked a little about this topic of background versus forward-moving action in a panel I did with Ed at FanExpo Canada last year. I think that panel is on YouTube somewhere, and it is worth a listen just to hear Ed. Just mute it when my gums are flapping. :-)
I wrote about the experience of writing another one of these Expedition adventures with 5 mini-missions, called Defiance in Phlan, here: http://dndadventurersleague.org/delving-in-phlan/
It is ever a challenge to hit all the goals that one sets for oneself while at the same time meeting the expectations of the audience. I am glad that some people have been able to pick up the little easter eggs I have placed in the adventures I write and crack them open. And I am always willing to hear feedback on how I can improve at my craft.
Be well!
Shawn |
Edited by - smerwin29 on 19 Aug 2015 13:26:14 |
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Delwa
Master of Realmslore
USA
1271 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 15:16:10
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quote:
Originally posted by smerwin29
Thanks for the interesting (and often hilarious) discussion so far! When working on an adventure like this, this first thing that must be taken into consideration is the expected audience. I expected that the audience would be DMs running games for newer players in a public play environment, where it was important to have fun and finish each adventure in less than an hour. So I designed the product with that in mind--and then of course had to stick to the formatting and architecture of an Adventurers League [no apostrophe on purpose] Expeditions adventure.
Thanks for the insight, and the eggs!
I really did like Zook, the Fairy Dragon. I never thought to use that race as anything but innocent, but impish little mischief makers, somewhat like a ferret with wings.
The slightly more serious attitude Zook shows really expanded my horizons a bit.
Oh, and thanks to this discussion,
I now have a random table of chapbook titles to use in my games. |
- Delwa Aunglor
I am off to slay yon refrigerator and spoil it's horde. Go for the cheese, Boo!
"The Realms change; seldom at the speed desired of those who strive, but far too quickly for those who resist." - The Simbul, taken from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Conspectus |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 16:08:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and thanks to this discussion,
I now have a random table of chapbook titles to use in my games.
I am quite amused at that! |
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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Delwa
Master of Realmslore
USA
1271 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 17:05:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and thanks to this discussion,
I now have a random table of chapbook titles to use in my games.
I am quite amused at that!
If anyone's interested.
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- Delwa Aunglor
I am off to slay yon refrigerator and spoil it's horde. Go for the cheese, Boo!
"The Realms change; seldom at the speed desired of those who strive, but far too quickly for those who resist." - The Simbul, taken from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Conspectus |
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Eltheron
Senior Scribe
740 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 17:59:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and thanks to this discussion,
I now have a random table of chapbook titles to use in my games.
I am quite amused at that!
If anyone's interested.
This whole thing reminds me of author Sue Grafton's "alphabetical detective" series, starting with A is for Alibi.
For the Realms, you could twist this a little, making it a series written by an (in)famous kinky male courtesan-escort, who romances wealthy socialites and lady nobles all across various cities in the Realms.
Wildly popular with commoners and heavily gossiped about, each book spills secrets (allegedly, and never directly naming names) about specific high-nose noble ladies who of course deny any association with the courtesan whatsoever.
It's led to at least three known attempts on the male courtesan's life, which only enhances his "legendary" status as a charmer and makes his books all the more popular. It's said he's now earning more money from the books than his uhm, "social" services.
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"The very best possible post-fourteenth-century Realms lets down those who love the specific, detailed social, political and magical situation, with its thousands of characters, developed over forty years, and want to learn more about it; and those who'd be open to a new one with equal depth, which there just isn't time to re-produce; and those repelled, some past the point of no return, by the bad-taste-and-plausibility gap of things done to the world when its guardianship was less careful."
--Faraer |
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Rymac
Learned Scribe
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 19:31:01
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I'm remedying that we didn't have a 'Y'.
Yes in Yhaunn. |
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Caladan Brood
Senior Scribe
Norway
410 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 19:54:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Rymac
I'm remedying that we didn't have a 'Y'.
Yes in Yhaunn.
Lol! So simple yet so fine. And how about J?
Joyriding in ...
...
...
Ed! We need more place names that begin with a J!
Can't for the life of me think of one. I'm probably missing a really obvious one or two. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 20:35:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Eltheron
This whole thing reminds me of author Sue Grafton's "alphabetical detective" series, starting with A is for Alibi.
For the Realms, you could twist this a little, making it a series written by an (in)famous kinky male courtesan-escort, who romances wealthy socialites and lady nobles all across various cities in the Realms.
Wildly popular with commoners and heavily gossiped about, each book spills secrets (allegedly, and never directly naming names) about specific high-nose noble ladies who of course deny any association with the courtesan whatsoever.
It's led to at least three known attempts on the male courtesan's life, which only enhances his "legendary" status as a charmer and makes his books all the more popular. It's said he's now earning more money from the books than his uhm, "social" services.
I really like this idea! 
I'll offer a slight modification or two, though...
One idea is that this male courtesan does not have to be real, in the setting. He could be just a fictitious lover, legendary for his escapades, like Don Juan (Dahn Wands, perhaps?).
Or each book focuses on its own male protagonist, some variation on Generic Dashing Lover #3. Minor changes to personality and a different name and backstory, but still the dashing, daring seducer of women. Or maybe some re-use of male characters: two or three books on Dahn Wands, two or three on Bahb Nounsilver (he's a lover and a fighter! ), only one book on Tahmas Darksmile, etc. |
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 19 Aug 2015 20:42:29 |
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Delwa
Master of Realmslore
USA
1271 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 20:50:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Caladan Brood
quote:
Originally posted by Rymac
I'm remedying that we didn't have a 'Y'.
Yes in Yhaunn.
Lol! So simple yet so fine. And how about J?
Joyriding in ...
Joyriding in Jazayir al-Sartan?
And I like Eltheron's idea, and Wooly's modification.
I might have to add it to the pile of ideas I have for fleshing out my upcoming Waterdeep game. (If it ever happens.) The idea is to get PC's that are all native to Waterdhavian society, and let them loose sticking their noses into the mysteries and intrigues of the city.
Having them search out the "real" author of these little chapbooks because the books hint at things nobody should know about, say, the Lords of Waterdeep, could be fun. |
- Delwa Aunglor
I am off to slay yon refrigerator and spoil it's horde. Go for the cheese, Boo!
"The Realms change; seldom at the speed desired of those who strive, but far too quickly for those who resist." - The Simbul, taken from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Conspectus |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 21:05:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Having them search out the "real" author of these little chapbooks because the books hint at things nobody should know about, say, the Lords of Waterdeep, could be fun.
Ooh, now that's a fun idea! |
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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Dark Wizard
Senior Scribe
USA
830 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 23:07:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Derulbaskul
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal (snip) One thing though I noticed that stuck me as odd is that many of the maps appeared hand drawn, indicating the producers really did not desire to use any real degree of care for maps offered. A low budget effort. It does not take much time to follow grid paper in the old days and even Paint-shop can draw straight lines if computer generated. *shrugs*
All of the Adventurers League adventures use hand-drawn maps, obviously to save money.
By contrast, LFR adventures used scans of dungeon tiles: honestly, the hand-drawn maps are better.
Hand-drawn is better and I doubt it's to save money. The designers usually have to send in map sketches for their adventure drafts anyway. Depending on the designer, some of their sketches will have to go through an artist for a professional illustration.
The hand-drawn style is very much in-line with the OSR style, especially the thatching for dungeon walls. They seem to be signalling that's the style they're aiming for. I may be wrong, but I believe they are not meant to be high-fidelity to-scale representations of the adventure locales, but instead to help facilitate the looser theater of the mind gameplay emphasized in the lighter rules set of new edition.
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and in keeping with the current line: Trounced in Teshwave?
I wanna play!
Seduced in Suzail
Groped in Gulthmere
Wooed in Waterdeep
Fondled in Fireshear
You just know one of the Authors is pitching those for a new Forgotten Realms Romance novel line
Given Ed's history of pranking the novel department editors, he probably sent those stories to the editors in the '90s, and they promptly rejected them, but kept the drafts for later perusal. |
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Eltheron
Senior Scribe
740 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2015 : 02:30:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Eltheron
This whole thing reminds me of author Sue Grafton's "alphabetical detective" series, starting with A is for Alibi.
For the Realms, you could twist this a little, making it a series written by an (in)famous kinky male courtesan-escort, who romances wealthy socialites and lady nobles all across various cities in the Realms.
Wildly popular with commoners and heavily gossiped about, each book spills secrets (allegedly, and never directly naming names) about specific high-nose noble ladies who of course deny any association with the courtesan whatsoever.
It's led to at least three known attempts on the male courtesan's life, which only enhances his "legendary" status as a charmer and makes his books all the more popular. It's said he's now earning more money from the books than his uhm, "social" services.
I really like this idea!
I'll offer a slight modification or two, though...
One idea is that this male courtesan does not have to be real, in the setting. He could be just a fictitious lover, legendary for his escapades, like Don Juan (Dahn Wands, perhaps?).
Or each book focuses on its own male protagonist, some variation on Generic Dashing Lover #3. Minor changes to personality and a different name and backstory, but still the dashing, daring seducer of women. Or maybe some re-use of male characters: two or three books on Dahn Wands, two or three on Bahb Nounsilver (he's a lover and a fighter! ), only one book on Tahmas Darksmile, etc.
True, that's a fun idea - perhaps the writer interviewed male courtesans in each city, and embellished each courtesan differently - which would only fuel the gossip-mongering even more. Who is this unknown author, how do they get these courtesans to spill such naughty secrets? Several high-noses even hire "investigators" to bully the publisher or spies to watch for the author to reveal him or herself.
Womens' knitting circles across the Realms discuss the books, talk about their favorite dashing courtesan (and of course the salacious details of the trysts, "this woman must certainly be Thalisa Narncastle, she MUST!" or "you know, I have it from a secret source that Lady Brandywine is the 'star' of the most recent chapbook!" *tittering laughter and spilling tea*)
Some of the novels have even caused certain men's "retro" fashions from last century to gain a resurgence - thrice-folded ties, brocade sashes, fancy sleeves, all because one of the dashing lovers in the books happens to wear them.
Perhaps it might even be the case that the male courtesan is the same person but affects disguises like an actor, becoming a different "person" each time he romances a high lady. This could lead to "oh my gosh, I think I SAW him in the Inn with Lady Wexhall on THAT night, no less! Who IS this man of disguises?" Rumors that he uses magic abound, but there are also less savory thoughts of possible dopplegangers being involved, or perhaps it's someone who found a very old artifact of Leira, the goddess of deception: a gem-encrusted brooch that simultaneously allows shapeshifting, nondetection, and misdirection.
All sorts of rich possibilities, really.
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"The very best possible post-fourteenth-century Realms lets down those who love the specific, detailed social, political and magical situation, with its thousands of characters, developed over forty years, and want to learn more about it; and those who'd be open to a new one with equal depth, which there just isn't time to re-produce; and those repelled, some past the point of no return, by the bad-taste-and-plausibility gap of things done to the world when its guardianship was less careful."
--Faraer |
Edited by - Eltheron on 20 Aug 2015 02:39:12 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2015 : 04:19:21
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| I'm really digging this tangent we went off on -- some great ideas coming out of 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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Duneth Despana
Learned Scribe
Belgium
273 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2015 : 23:36:13
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quote:
Originally posted by smerwin29
I think that panel is on YouTube somewhere, and it is worth a listen just to hear Ed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7i6nDie_yw ? |
« There is no overriding « epic » in the Realms, but rather a large number of stories, adventures, and encounters going on all the time. [...]. Each creative mind adds to the base, creating, defining, and making their contribution to the rich diversity of the Realms. [...]. But Ed built the stage upon which all the plays are presented. Thanks Ed. » -FR Comic no.1
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2427 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2015 : 15:04:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I'm really digging this tangent we went off on -- some great ideas coming out of it!
Diggin' in Delzoun! |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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Harried in Hillsfar
