Since I will soon be finished with the Shadow of the Avatar trilogy, I wanted some suggestions on the most interesting order in which to read the various Realms anthologies.
When I asked the Sage, he suggested that I start with Realms of Valor, rather than his favorite (and consequently my first original choice), Realms of Magic. I didn't ask him which was the most appropriate order to read the anthologies in, after Realms of Valor, so I thought I'd ask here.
What do the rest of you think then, is the best order to read these novels in?.
"Once upon a time the plural of 'wizard' was 'war'." -- The Last Continent, by Terry Pratchett
I wouldnt have thought it really matters as the stories are not in chronological order. Id say go with what intrigues you. I havent read much from them as im clearing up my novel backlog before I tackle the anthologies, but I have read a scattering of short stories from them.... Realms of Infamy stands out with me.
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
Thanks for the suggestion Rad. As it happens, I'd already decided to go with Realms of Infamy as it is. I was glancing over the first story, about Manshoon. He's always intrigued me .
"Once upon a time the plural of 'wizard' was 'war'." -- The Last Continent, by Terry Pratchett
I'm kind of partial to Realms of the Arcane, more for Elaine's contribution than anything.
-- George Krashos
Which characters are featured in Elaine Cunningham's contribution to this anthology?
This story is very different from most of my stuff. (Short stories are a great place to experiment.) This is a meta-story -- a story ABOUT a story -- in which a wemic loremaster, captured by curious elven adventurers, tells them a legend from Realms prehistory about the creation of the sahuagin by an Illithiiri necromancer. It's a grim tale, meant as a rebuke to his elven captors. Whether or not it's historically factual (within context of the Realms...)is not stated. The wemic dismisses this concern as irrelevant: Truth, he claims, is more easily found in myth than in history.
quote:Originally posted by ElaineCunningham This story is very different from most of my stuff. (Short stories are a great place to experiment.) This is a meta-story -- a story ABOUT a story -- in which a wemic loremaster, captured by curious elven adventurers, tells them a legend from Realms prehistory about the creation of the sahuagin by an Illithiiri necromancer. It's a grim tale, meant as a rebuke to his elven captors. Whether or not it's historically factual (within context of the Realms...)is not stated. The wemic dismisses this concern as irrelevant: Truth, he claims, is more easily found in myth than in history.
Hey! Who let you out of your forum?
Thank you for the reply. I recall you mentioning this story on the WOTC Novel forum. It sounds very intersting. I don't know why, but for some reason, I missed this anthology totally when it came out. Thus, every time I hear someone mention Realms of the Arcane, I think they are just getting the title to Realms of Magic confused.
Anyone else recall other interesting tales in the Arcane anthology?
If someone were to ask my opinion on Realms anthologies, I'd say to be on the lookout for the upcoming Realms of the Dragons, and especially Realms of the Dragons II, both of which promise to be stellar.
Now how's THAT for shameless self-promotion?
And now I think on it, why haven't you other Realms II authors pounced on this? Get on the ball, people! I can't market this tome myself!
If someone were to ask my opinion on Realms anthologies, I'd say to be on the lookout for the upcoming Realms of the Dragons, and especially Realms of the Dragons II, both of which promise to be stellar.
Now how's THAT for shameless self-promotion?
And now I think on it, why haven't you other Realms II authors pounced on this? Get on the ball, people! I can't market this tome myself!
I agree with Zyx, and add that Realms of Shadow is a great read as well.
I liked Realms of Infamy, just because it featured an elven vampire, and at the time, I was thinking of how to incorporate one such being into my campaign. (Certain scribes know the character I'm talking about... ) I also enjoyed Realms of the Underdark, but it doesn't have as many stories as some of the other anthologies. Still, it features Zak and Drizzt, gives an interesting Liriel story by Elaine herself, and features Volothamp Geddarm! By and by, one of my most favorite anthologies.
The Chosen of Vhaeraun "Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri.
I liked Realms of Infamy, just because it featured an elven vampire, and at the time, I was thinking of how to incorporate one such being into my campaign. (Certain scribes know the character I'm talking about... ) I also enjoyed Realms of the Underdark, but it doesn't have as many stories as some of the other anthologies. Still, it features Zak and Drizzt, gives an interesting Liriel story by Elaine herself, and features Volothamp Geddarm! By and by, one of my most favorite anthologies.
Jander also had one or two full length novels but they were set in Ravenloft :)
Vampire of the Mists by Christie Golden
And it feels like there should be a second one but I don't recall the name......
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
Are you connected in some way with these two upcoming novels Zyx?.
In fact, yes. A short story of mine will be featured in Realms of the Dragons II, which is why my recommending it is utterly shameless.
This is my first pro gig, and so far I haven't managed to get myself billed as a "Forgotten Realms" author; presumably that has to wait until the novel is actually published.
Vampire of the Mists was Jander's only sojourn in the Demiplane of Dread. There was a 2e Ravenloft adventure featuring Jander, but that is it.
Perhaps you are thinking of Lord Soth, from the Dragonlance world. He had two novels set in Ravenoft.
No I was thinking of Jander, but I guess my memory is off. :)
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
Zyx: What are you referring to? You can't get yourself "billed as a Forgotten Realms author" where, and by who? As far as I can see, if you've sold a FR story, you've got every right to call yourself a FR author.
Zyx: What are you referring to? You can't get yourself "billed as a Forgotten Realms author" where, and by who? As far as I can see, if you've sold a FR story, you've got every right to call yourself a FR author.
Maybe Zyx is refering to your title here listed at Candlekeep, Richard?
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
In fact, yes. A short story of mine will be featured in Realms of the Dragons II, which is why my recommending it is utterly shameless.
This is my first pro gig, and so far I haven't managed to get myself billed as a "Forgotten Realms" author; presumably that has to wait until the novel is actually published.
Actually, it probably has more to due with the fact you're using a psuedonym on the board rather than your real name. Or Alaundo could be waiting until the anthology is published, as that's the only way he can really confirm the authors without some sort of formal announcement from WotC.
"You keep saying that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." --Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride
quote: Actually, it probably has more to due with the fact you're using a psuedonym on the board rather than your real name. Or Alaundo could be waiting until the anthology is published, as that's the only way he can really confirm the authors without some sort of formal announcement from WotC.
I think that's it exactly, Kameron. And I'm not at all bothered by it (though I appreciate the vote of confidence, Richard!). I mentioned it rather in jest simply to explain why it wasn't obvious to Lady Kazandra who I was.
As for using a pseudonym on this website, I'm not sure in hindsight why I chose to go that route. Maybe because I'm just superstitious enough to worry about throwing my name around before the executed contract comes back in the mail. I'll probably change it later.
Quite right, Kameron M Franklin and Rad. No offence intended Zyx, but I know not who thou art in order to provide ye with such a desk nameplate herein the library.
That said, I am especially looking forward to reading this new tome of dragons and will certainly list ye as an author when your identity is revealed
On that note, if you wish to be known by your name other than Zyx then please contact me.
Oh dear. Now look, I didn't mean to cause a fuss. As I said, I merely mentioned it to explain to Lady Kazandra why I didn't appear as a FR author.
Not only do I not take offence, Alaundo, I am quite happy with the current arrangement. I will obviously drop the pseudonym in the near future, but for now I'd prefer to leave things as they are until such time as the ink is dry, so to speak. Those who have any burning curiosity about my real name can find it under my profile.
Edited by - Erin Tettensor on 18 Apr 2004 12:27:41
quote:Originally posted by Zyx As for using a pseudonym on this website, I'm not sure in hindsight why I chose to go that route. Maybe because I'm just superstitious enough to worry about throwing my name around before the executed contract comes back in the mail. I'll probably change it later.
Look at it this way. If you have a prolific career as an FR writer and go on to produce years worth of work, you have now given many on the board the ability to boast, "Well, I knew him when he was just Zyx on the Candleep board."
I agree with Zyx, and add that Realms of Shadow is a great read as well.
Oh, and thanks for the backup, Murray. BTW, what are the odds of two authors from Calgary ending up in the same book?
GO FLAMES! (Mentioning sports might get me banished from the boards, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.)
I recall reading on one of the other threads that some people were looking forward to Realms of the Dragons II even more than Realms I. I hope that bodes well for things to come!
I'll put my vote in here for Realms of Infamy, but as far as upcoming books, I gotta' jump in with Zyx and shamelessly push Realms of the Dragons 1 & 2. (And if you think of a series of books as one long anthology of stories, then the Wizards Series as well! Now that was stretching and shameless!)
"Everybody is a book of blood; wherever we're opened, we're red."--Clive Barker
Realms Anthologies
Posted - 15 Apr 2004 : 06:09:07
.
) I also enjoyed Realms of the Underdark, but it doesn't have as many stories as some of the other anthologies. Still, it features Zak and Drizzt, gives an interesting Liriel story by Elaine herself, and features Volothamp Geddarm! By and by, one of my most favorite anthologies.
As I said, I merely mentioned it to explain to Lady Kazandra why I didn't appear as a FR author.
