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Wolfrick
Acolyte
USA
10 Posts |
 Posted - 08 May 2016 : 18:09:42
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Gentlebeings,
I come to you for some guidance on getting started DMing in the Forgotten Realms as they exist "currently". I've been looking around and am currently overwhelmed by the variety and volume of information which exists about this campaign setting, and am feeling lost in a sea of interesting and seemingly vital data which I cannot swallow.
My situation:
I started gaming in 1980 or so, and played up through 2nd edition, but haven't played tabletop PRGs since about 1997 or -8.
Now I have a family and want to introduce my two girls (14 and 8) to role playing. We've played games like Dungeon Roll and Talisman, and I think they're ready for open-eneded role playing.
I've decided on D&D 5e and am enamoured with the richness of the Forgotten Realms setting.
But where do I start?! What do I need to read before starting my players off with the Horde of the Dragon Queen adventure series? What source books are current and which are out-of-date about recent events like the Spellplague and the Sundering? Is there a reference of what's what?
I know I've missed finding this information on my own, but I trust you illustrious sages and scholars can point me right to it.
Thanks in advance for you assistance! Any help you can give me in starting my children off into this world of adventure is highly appreciated.
~Wolfrick Thorinsson
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2016 : 18:16:20
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| If you're running Horde of the Dragon Queen in 5e, all you need is the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide published by Wizards last year. The SCAG is specifically a campaign sourcebook to supplement HotDQ and the other 5e FR published adventures, so it fits your needs perfectly. |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3811 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2016 : 18:20:24
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| Yeah, I'll echo what Arivia said. The SCAG describes the state of the Forgotten Realms in the present time (1491+). It's a good book for newcomers, so I suggest you to grab a copy, as it will provide just enough background material to run WotC's modules. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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Wolfrick
Acolyte
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2016 : 18:48:28
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Thank you! I have the SCAG in my cart on Amazon already.
But what about the wider Forgotten Realms? How much of what source books are relevant to running broader campaigns? What's the current situation and where is it chronicled?
Do I need to read all the FR novels to "catch up?" |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3811 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2016 : 19:22:53
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Despite its title, the SCAG provides the current situation of the whole FR and of its pantheon, albeit briefly (and w/o providing an exhaustive timeline or explantions). If you want info about the wider Realms that go beyond a simple description of the status quo, I'm afraid that there is nothing 5e for that. The 3e Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting and Elminster's Forgotten Realms are very good starting points IMO. Then there are various regional sourcebooks, that provide more details about specific areas. But they are all 2e or 3e books.
You don't need to read the novels (especially since the Sundering novels only cover a small part of the changes that led to the current situation...). They can provide some insight, but are not needed to run the game. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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Wolfrick
Acolyte
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2016 : 19:30:18
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Excellent. I have access to a copy of the 1987 Forgotten Realms box set, and am considering the "Elminster's Forgotten Realms" book.
Am I to understand that, on studying SCAG, I'll pretty much pick up the changes that have happend since the earlier FR source books? Or is there anything in particular I need to know about?
I'm planning on starting my family out with HOTDQ, and branch out from there as things develop organically, but my normal preference is for DMing home-brewed stuff, rather than the prepared old-school Modules. Thus I'd like to be well prepared with the background.
Thanks for your replies :) |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3811 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2016 : 19:45:30
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| Nothing in particular. The SCAG doesn't say what changed (for the most part), just what it is now. If you read the Old Grey Box, then you can pretty much form an idea of what has changed with time. A lot of stuff has changed (unfortunately, in far fetched ways as well) if you want to see all the changes, then you should read the FRCS for every edition (or try using the FR Wiki). But it's really not necessary, unless you want to play in a specific era, or unless you want to tie your campaign to an event that happened in the past. If you are running WotC's modules, then thee SCAG is more than enough, while Elminster's Forgotten Realms will provide you with a lot of flavor and details to make the world feel alive. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
Edited by - Irennan on 08 May 2016 19:46:25 |
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Wolfrick
Acolyte
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2016 : 20:28:58
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I feel better now... I was amassing a huge pile of "homework" for myself. Now it's a bit smaller. :)
Thanks for your help.
I think I'm going to start them off through B1, and place its location in the foothills of the Troll Mountains, then move them to Greenest for the start of HOTDQ, then go from there. |
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froglegg
Learned Scribe
317 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2016 : 22:55:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
If you're running Horde of the Dragon Queen in 5e, all you need is the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide published by Wizards last year. The SCAG is specifically a campaign sourcebook to supplement HotDQ and the other 5e FR published adventures, so it fits your needs perfectly.
Using the SCAG along with Eliminster's Forgotten Realms will give a good base to work from.
John |
Long live Alias and Dragonbait! Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb the Realms need you more then ever!
On my word as a sage nothing within these pages is false, but not all of it may prove to be true. - Elminster of Shadowdale
The Old Grey Box gets better with age! |
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Dewaint
Learned Scribe
Germany
148 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2016 : 12:08:57
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Hi Wolfrick
a good summary of how the Realms are affected by the sundering can be found here:
http://www.forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=20957
SCAG and Elminster's Forgotten Realms are a great starting point indeed.
Then depending on how your campaign evolve and your preferences (2e or 3e flavors/options) probably 3e or 2e campaign settings.
5e Out of the Abyss (beside tons of crazy demon stories) gives you some refresh on the Underdark located in the North
5e Lost Mine of Phandelver / Princes of the Apocalypse probably also helpful for regional refresher in the North too.
hope it helps  |
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Dewaint
Learned Scribe
Germany
148 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2016 : 13:04:27
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If I may describe my approach as an example:
About a year ago I found me in the same situation, paused since a couple of years (since 2009) and with the emerging 5e my DM heart started to beat again ;)
As am not paricularly fond about The Spellplague and most of what came afterwards, and as wasn't eager to loose most NPCs and storylines, I decided to condense the major events (without the huge geographical changes) and tweaked a bit the occurrences within a 6 year timeline 1385-1390.
The outcome of this troublesome years being same as described in the SCAG and published 5e adventure books.
So I stared a new campaign based on the Lost Mines of Phandelver, incorporated Sir Justin Melenikus, who asked the players to help some dwarven friends of him. The (Dungeon Magazine) adventure series around the Mere of the Dead Men and Myrkul; which is my version of Myrkul's comeback into the Realms Pantheon.
Furthermore incorporated some sections of Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Rise of Tiamat and Princess of the Apocalypse.
All that enriched with mainly 2e background details and storylines. So far am happy with my mess  |
Edited by - Dewaint on 09 May 2016 13:47:28 |
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Wolfrick
Acolyte
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2016 : 14:45:49
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I really appreciate the responses. They're helping me focus and not worry about not having my degree in FR-ology completed before starting to play.
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Caladan Brood
Senior Scribe
Norway
410 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2016 : 10:42:00
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| Yeah the lore is limitless. But rynning a game for two young girls I would first worry about giving them a fun, appropriate adventure set in the Sword Coast area. Their focus will most likely be on their character - more than enough time for Realmslore once they grok D&D/RPing. |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12020 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2016 : 12:55:16
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If you're wanting to know the 5e history.... and I say this only for continuity purposes... you'll probably want to pick up the 4th edition FR Campaign setting.
That being said, don't be afraid to simply rework those modules to fit the era of 2nd edition or 3rd edition, if that's what you're most familiar with. I'm currently working up a campaign that will start in 1347 and work through the known history of the realms. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12020 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2016 : 13:04:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Caladan Brood
Yeah the lore is limitless. But rynning a game for two young girls I would first worry about giving them a fun, appropriate adventure set in the Sword Coast area. Their focus will most likely be on their character - more than enough time for Realmslore once they grok D&D/RPing.
Yeah, this can't be stressed enough. They don't need to know all the lore. They need to see a faerie dragon that likes apples.... but only the red ones... he hates the green ones. I'd recommend a focus on the fey initially and less on dragons. Maybe send them into the high forest to stop some cultists of Moander. Maybe they meet some campestri (little singing mushroom folk see the old dungeon module "Old Man Katan and the Mushroom Band") in the woods. Maybe they are sent on a mission by some followers of Lurue to rescue some Tressym (winged cats) from some hungry orcs and one of them ends up with one as a companion, and it has a fetish for landing on the top of their head and using their hair as a bed. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3290 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2016 : 19:11:30
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| Your best bet is to start small and grow from there. Pick a location, read up on it. Read up on the areas around it and start simple. I agree with the other Scribes. Make it fun and magical for them! Good luck! |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2016 : 11:39:34
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As much as I love the Old Grey Box, the 3e FRCS (2001?) is IMO the best survey of the published realms if you want the big picture. The problem is its before the time jump, so YMMV.
If you want to stay current, SCAG is a fine option.
I am not that big a fan of the Elminster's Forgotten Realms - its great if you love lore and want to breath life into the setting, but it does not really help you set up a new game. If you want to stay focused, this is not the book for you.
If you want to focus in on an area The Lands of Intrigue (2e era Amn, if you want lore) and Princes of the Apocalyse (present day Dessarin valley, if you want adventuring sites) remain my favorites. Both books are more or less self-contained mini settings.
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Wolfrick
Acolyte
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2016 : 20:21:35
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| Thank you very much. |
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moonbeast
Senior Scribe
USA
522 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2016 : 06:51:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Wolfrick
Excellent. I have access to a copy of the 1987 Forgotten Realms box set, and am considering the "Elminster's Forgotten Realms" book.
Am I to understand that, on studying SCAG, I'll pretty much pick up the changes that have happend since the earlier FR source books? Or is there anything in particular I need to know about?
I was in the same boat as you about 2 years ago. I originally played D&D in the 1980s-1990s (the original AD&D), and then stopped playing for nearly 2 decades. I only returned to D&D when I heard growing enthusiasm about 5th Edition in 2014. I started grabbing some source material to play catchup.
The SCAG book is a good start to catch up in the "current" 5th Edition timeline. But the book called "Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms" (written at the end of 4th Edition) is a valuable book…. because it was written to be edition-neutral. Yes, that's right. The lore and background material was written regardless of which edition you are using (3rd, 4th or 5e).
This is the cover of that book (to avoid confusion since there are older versions of Elminsters Forgotten Realms).
http://gamesfiends.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Elminsters-Forgotten-Realms.jpeg |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12020 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2016 : 15:23:14
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| BTW, you may or may not want to introduce this concept with your girls, but I recall one adventure from dungeon magazine involving a faerie dragon and some kind of goblinoids (goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears, something like that). Anyway, the story was essentially that there was a faerie dragon who had been captured by the humanoids, and he needed rescuing. The goblinoids were specifically forcing him to breathe his euphoria gas upon them. I don't remember much else, but it could easily be some kind of storyline where a follower of Lurue (maybe a faerie, maybe a talking owl or deer, maybe a hybsil) asks the party to help his faerie dragon friend escape their clutches. If you do this, I'd include some other people to rescue (maybe they've captured a priestess of Ilmater/Chauntea/ and a whole horde of orphans and plan on stewing them up). |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Wolfrick
Acolyte
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2016 : 15:53:33
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Thank you both. I'm studying up on Forgotten Realms, but I've decided to run them through B1, for nostalgia's sake :) We'll then go through Rise of the Dragon Queen, and see where that takes us.
We've been waiting for school to be out, and last week, we actually sat down to roll up characters. I'm so proud to be a nerd dad! :) |
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Getting Started in FR, or, Help, I'm overwhelmed!
