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Gelcur
Senior Scribe
523 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Sep 2021 : 14:05:12
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There was a poster map in the 3E FRCS. It was a 2 page by 4 page fold out so no assembly required. It was interestingly glued in such that it did not need to be removed to be unfolded and used. There are two more nice maps in that FRCS, a 2 page spread of Trade Routes and Resources that I often feel people overlook and a one page Regions map that sometimes is referenced as a Political map.
If I remember right there were some complaints on the scale of 3E maps? But recently remember comparing a couple of distance between maps of different editions and things weren't horribly off. The art style was very lovely and very easily read. |
The party come to a town befallen by hysteria
Rogue: So what's in the general store?
DM: What are you looking for?
Rogue: Whatevers in the store.
DM: Like what?
Rogue: Everything.
DM: There is a lot of stuff.
Rogue: Is there a cart outside?
DM: (rolls) Yes.
Rogue: We'll take it all, we may need it for the greater good. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2021 : 14:53:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Gelcur
There was a poster map in the 3E FRCS. It was a 2 page by 4 page fold out so no assembly required. It was interestingly glued in such that it did not need to be removed to be unfolded and used. There are two more nice maps in that FRCS, a 2 page spread of Trade Routes and Resources that I often feel people overlook and a one page Regions map that sometimes is referenced as a Political map.
If I remember right there were some complaints on the scale of 3E maps? But recently remember comparing a couple of distance between maps of different editions and things weren't horribly off. The art style was very lovely and very easily read.
Pretty sure the complaints were on the 4E maps, because someone at WotC decided there was too much open space on the maps and that it needed to be trimmed out. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1715 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2021 : 16:12:55
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quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Eric,
Just curious on that one statement regarding boxed sets. Was TSR losing a lot of money with making everything in boxes? I had never really thought about that and always assumed I guess that going with a soft cover on the interior stuff made up for the cost of a box. Was I wrong or am I misunderstanding (because lord knows I do that a lot)? I did notice the shift from boxed sets with TSR to hardbacks with WotC, but I just thought it was the change of company and never put a lot of thought to it.
I'll answer for Eric on this one.
Boxed sets seemed to be the best bang for one's buck back in the day. As for how much I managed to squeeze into the City of Splendors box, I and my group leader Jeff Grubb sat down with the finance VP and horse traded preplanned components by cost and got as much in there as possible while still meeting what the money guys said was the maximum production cost at that time.
BTW we did this with Ruins of Undermountain as well, which is why it has those odd-sized cardsheets et al. We had the costs via the Spelljammer components at that time and just moved bits around until we got as much as we could while keeping the suits happy.
None of this could be done now due to changes in production and shipping, but in the early 90s I did what I could to get as much out to FR fans as possible.
Steven |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3741 Posts |
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The Masked Mage
Great Reader
USA
2420 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2021 : 22:44:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Eric,
Just curious on that one statement regarding boxed sets. Was TSR losing a lot of money with making everything in boxes? I had never really thought about that and always assumed I guess that going with a soft cover on the interior stuff made up for the cost of a box. Was I wrong or am I misunderstanding (because lord knows I do that a lot)? I did notice the shift from boxed sets with TSR to hardbacks with WotC, but I just thought it was the change of company and never put a lot of thought to it.
I'll answer for Eric on this one.
Boxed sets seemed to be the best bang for one's buck back in the day. As for how much I managed to squeeze into the City of Splendors box, I and my group leader Jeff Grubb sat down with the finance VP and horse traded preplanned components by cost and got as much in there as possible while still meeting what the money guys said was the maximum production cost at that time.
BTW we did this with Ruins of Undermountain as well, which is why it has those odd-sized cardsheets et al. We had the costs via the Spelljammer components at that time and just moved bits around until we got as much as we could while keeping the suits happy.
None of this could be done now due to changes in production and shipping, but in the early 90s I did what I could to get as much out to FR fans as possible.
Steven
I always wished they would bring those little cards back... The traps and doors and things added little tidbits of interest otherwise absent. Good work :) |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11829 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2021 : 15:26:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Eric,
Just curious on that one statement regarding boxed sets. Was TSR losing a lot of money with making everything in boxes? I had never really thought about that and always assumed I guess that going with a soft cover on the interior stuff made up for the cost of a box. Was I wrong or am I misunderstanding (because lord knows I do that a lot)? I did notice the shift from boxed sets with TSR to hardbacks with WotC, but I just thought it was the change of company and never put a lot of thought to it.
I'll answer for Eric on this one.
Boxed sets seemed to be the best bang for one's buck back in the day. As for how much I managed to squeeze into the City of Splendors box, I and my group leader Jeff Grubb sat down with the finance VP and horse traded preplanned components by cost and got as much in there as possible while still meeting what the money guys said was the maximum production cost at that time.
BTW we did this with Ruins of Undermountain as well, which is why it has those odd-sized cardsheets et al. We had the costs via the Spelljammer components at that time and just moved bits around until we got as much as we could while keeping the suits happy.
None of this could be done now due to changes in production and shipping, but in the early 90s I did what I could to get as much out to FR fans as possible.
Steven
Intereswting to know. Thank you. I always thought it was really cool all the little extra in like the horde boxed set, etc... |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Kelcimer
Learned Scribe
USA
136 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2021 : 08:35:20
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Hello George Krashos!
I do not want to distact from the good conversation in this thread by answering your question about my opinion of CoS:W here. CoS:W is a bit far from talking about the "City of Ravens Bluff" and really needs it's own thread.
You can find that here: http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24145 |
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Zeromaru X
Great Reader
Colombia
2476 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2021 : 04:36:46
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| Just to let you know I got the book. I'm going to start it this weekend. I don't know if I will be playing in Ravens Bluff proper (though, 4e has some LFR adventures set there that are regarded as good), but if the book is as good as you said, I would mine it for ideas for my home campaign. |
Instead of seeking change, you prefer a void, merciless abyss of a world... |
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Kelcimer
Learned Scribe
USA
136 Posts |
Posted - 28 Nov 2021 : 04:17:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Zeromaru X
Just to let you know I got the book. I'm going to start it this weekend. I don't know if I will be playing in Ravens Bluff proper (though, 4e has some LFR adventures set there that are regarded as good), but if the book is as good as you said, I would mine it for ideas for my home campaign.
That is super awesome! I really hope you enjoy it and for it to be as useful for you as it was for me! :) |
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Best Realms Product Ever: The City of Ravens Bluff
