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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Jul 2004 : 14:42:52
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SPOILER SPACE
SPOILER SPACE
SPOILER SPACE
Krafus: Yep, Sammaster betrayed Quelsandas. With a song of glee in his withered, silent, worm-eaten heart. There's no place in his New World Order for metallic dragons, or even metallic dragon dracoliches.
I suppose I could have portrayed Sam as taking satisfaction in luring a good dragon into undeath. But the way I saw it, Sam has often suffered defeat and humiliation at the hands (or talons, whatever) of good dragons. It somehow made more sense to me that he would relish morally corrupting a bronze dragon, then selling him out, denying him what was supposed to be the reward for his despicable labors, and shattering his sanity.
Because, hey, Sam's the bad guy. |
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Lauzoril
Seeker
Finland
71 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jul 2004 : 20:09:53
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I just completed this book and liked it. The pacing was well done, cutting a fine line between action and mundane events. The conflict with the Banites/Zhentarim was interesting. The final battles of Taegan and Dorn were very exciting, giving the feel of total loss.
All in all, things concluded nicely in the first book. Sammaster's and the heroes' part pawed the way for future nicely.
One of the most enjoyable things in this novel was the occasional verbal bantering between Will and Pavel.
Good work Richard, I'm looking forward for the next chapter.
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"Death to the enemies of Bane."
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jul 2004 : 21:41:41
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Glad you liked it, Lauzoril. Thanks for taking the time to tell me so.
To serve up a crass and shameless bit of self-promotion, if you like Will and Pavel, you'll probably enjoy my short story in the forthcoming Realsm of the Dragons anthology. They're the two stars. |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2004 : 04:59:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Glad you liked it, Lauzoril. Thanks for taking the time to tell me so.
To serve up a crass and shameless bit of self-promotion, if you like Will and Pavel, you'll probably enjoy my short story in the forthcoming Realsm of the Dragons anthology. They're the two stars.
Whee. I'll keep an eye out for that one.
Now, if I get a Shamur-centric short story (ideally a full-length novel, but...), I'd be a happy girl and sacrifice the firstborn of my, uh, pet goldfish in gratitude. |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2004 : 15:07:20
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| Winterfox: I want to do more with Shamur. Keep your fingers crossed. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2004 : 16:07:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Winterfox: I want to do more with Shamur. Keep your fingers crossed.
Count some more fingers as I'd love to see that character featured once again. |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2004 : 06:03:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Winterfox: I want to do more with Shamur. Keep your fingers crossed.
Yes!
*crosses fingers* |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2004 : 23:55:59
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I concur. The Stormweather series was an interesting experiment that turned into a solid artistic success. I know Ed of the Greenwood was most concerned about the handling of two Uskevren family members in particular, because they were the two he’d created well before he and Phil started schemXXX er, planning the saga, and had established firmly as characters in the Realms.
Those two were Thamalon (the elder) and his wife Shamur. Ed all along intended to do Thamalon, and examine an old man facing death and trying to reconcile himself with his family (his wife in particular), leave a legacy, and as much as possible continue to influence matters in his home city from beyond the grave, ere he died. In the end, when Ed’s incredible schedule (never in my professional experience have I seen one man do so much simultaneously for two publishers!) forced the cancellation of PRIDE OF THE LION, Dave Gross ably handled Thamalon.
Richard Lee Byers took on Shamur, and Ed was very pleased with the result. As he e-mailed me, “I want every writer involved in this to have the freedom to make their character their own, and tell the story they want to tell -- but in the case of those two characters, I personally want a harder feat managed at the same time: as Elaine [Cunningham] did with Elaith [Craulnober], the writer has to ‘get it right’ -- capture the character I’ve already drawn, and proceed with them from there.”
Mr. Byers pulled it off, and I remember Ed’s grin as he handed me my copy (he regularly buys -- yes, buys -- copies of most Realms novels for most of us players) of THE SHATTERED MASK and said, “He got it right.”
(Hmm. Winterfox, Shamur seems to be another shot right through your argument about all the female leads in the Realms being beautiful special Mary Sues. Right?)
THO
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 00:46:31
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| Hooded One, that's wonderful to hear. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Ed, along with a whole lot of gratitude for all the help he's given me whenever I've asked for it (even though I'm virtually certain he gets these requests constantly from FR writers.) So naturally, his opinion means a great deal to me. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 01:20:16
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
(Hmm. Winterfox, Shamur seems to be another shot right through your argument about all the female leads in the Realms being beautiful special Mary Sues. Right?)
THO
Actually, if I recall correctly, Winterfox when she initially put forth her views specifically stated Shamur as an exception. I may be wrong, but that's how I recall it.
Sirius who is trying to head something off at the pass before it starts up again.  |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 05:25:17
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
(Hmm. Winterfox, Shamur seems to be another shot right through your argument about all the female leads in the Realms being beautiful special Mary Sues. Right?)
THO
Actually, if I recall correctly, Winterfox when she initially put forth her views specifically stated Shamur as an exception. I may be wrong, but that's how I recall it.
Sirius who is trying to head something off at the pass before it starts up again.
Thank you.
And, Hooded One? I've never said that all FR female leads are Mary Sues. No hyperbole, please. |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 09:40:18
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Well met
Thank ye SiriusBlack  Although watch the sparks, they sometimes burn 
Indeed very interesting to hear, Hooded One. I have always taken great interest myself in the Sembia series and can only hope that a similar vein be taken on another Realms series (being an anthology introduction followed by dedicated novels thereafter).
That said, all, lets please keep this particular scroll dedicated to the most wonderful tome, entitled The Rage. Certainly feel free to create a new scroll for discussions of the Uskevrens et al.  |
Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2004 : 18:35:41
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Fair enough. The Rage it is.
Oh, Alaundo, regarding the matter you e-mailed me privately about: I'm "on the case" and will let you know ASAP, okay?
And regardign your hope stated above: I can say that there are deeply secret plans afoot . . . and I'm afraid that's all I can say, right now. 
Thanks, SiriusBlack, and apologies to Winterfox.
THO |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2004 : 09:52:33
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Fair enough. The Rage it is.
Oh, Alaundo, regarding the matter you e-mailed me privately about: I'm "on the case" and will let you know ASAP, okay?
And regardign your hope stated above: I can say that there are deeply secret plans afoot . . . and I'm afraid that's all I can say, right now.
Thanks, SiriusBlack, and apologies to Winterfox.
THO
Well met
Thank ye, Hooded One. I hope to hear from you soon on this matter. I had actually wondered if my personal scroll to you had become lost in transit |
Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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Brenigin
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
117 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2004 : 10:00:22
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Just thought I'd drop in some praise for Richard's work on The Rage. I found myself enjoying it very much from start to finish and, while I agree to an extent with some George's comments that started this thread, I think it is a fine piece of Realms fiction.
One thing I particularly liked was how The Rage was very much written to the game rules - something which, when done well, can really up the enjoyment level for a gamer-reader. As just one small example, Queen Sambryl's defiance of the Paladins on her council was a classic Chaotic Good vs. Lawful Good moment.
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2004 : 13:44:23
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| Glad you liked it, Brenigin. |
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DDH_101
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1272 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2004 : 04:30:24
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Wow... I just finished reading The Rage. First of all, I agree with many other members on how interesting the idea of a half-golem dragon hunter is. In fact, it was this unique protagonist that got me to find out more about this book when I first heard of it at the WotC site.
The action and battles in the book were very good with lots of details. I liked how Richard Lee Byers didn't make the fights too easy for the protagonist since they have a dragon by their side by giving reasons for Kara to stay in human form or have them fight against equally challenging opponents like the dracoliches.
However, the return of Sammaster shocked me. I actually dropped my book when I read to the point where Gorstag reveals that Sammaster is still alive. Lol. But this raises a question for me: would the Chosens of Mystra make an appearance in Book 2 and 3? After all, a supposedly dead ex-chosen of Mystra returns to control all the dragons of Faerun so they must be doing SOMETHING to stop Sammaster. |
"Trust in the shadows, for the bright way makes you an easy target." -Mask |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36797 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2004 : 05:16:53
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quote:
Originally posted by DDH_101
However, the return of Sammaster shocked me. I actually dropped my book when I read to the point where Gorstag reveals that Sammaster is still alive. Lol. But this raises a question for me: would the Chosens of Mystra make an appearance in Book 2 and 3? After all, a supposedly dead ex-chosen of Mystra returns to control all the dragons of Faerun so they must be doing SOMETHING to stop Sammaster.
They have to know about it, first. |
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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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2004 : 05:42:48
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quote:
Originally posted by DDH_101
But this raises a question for me: would the Chosens of Mystra make an appearance in Book 2 and 3? After all, a supposedly dead ex-chosen of Mystra returns to control all the dragons of Faerun so they must be doing SOMETHING to stop Sammaster.
Good question and good point that WR mentions above in his reply. I hope the Chosen of Mystra don't make an appearance, save for a brief cameo. I hope we can go through one series on mainland Faerun involving a crisis without having them involved. |
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DDH_101
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1272 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2004 : 19:30:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by DDH_101
However, the return of Sammaster shocked me. I actually dropped my book when I read to the point where Gorstag reveals that Sammaster is still alive. Lol. But this raises a question for me: would the Chosens of Mystra make an appearance in Book 2 and 3? After all, a supposedly dead ex-chosen of Mystra returns to control all the dragons of Faerun so they must be doing SOMETHING to stop Sammaster.
They have to know about it, first.
Wooly Rupert, how could they NOT know about it?! Dragons are attacking the major cities of Faerun and killing many people. Also, dragons have a bond with the Weave so having all the draconic creatures of Faerun go into a rage would surely draw the attention of Mystra, who in turn will get her Chosens to stop this disaster. Then there's also that very simple logic that if a bunch of rugged mercenary hunters could discover Sammaster's plot, how hard could it be for the Chosens of Mystra? |
"Trust in the shadows, for the bright way makes you an easy target." -Mask |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36797 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2004 : 20:00:39
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quote:
Originally posted by DDH_101
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by DDH_101
However, the return of Sammaster shocked me. I actually dropped my book when I read to the point where Gorstag reveals that Sammaster is still alive. Lol. But this raises a question for me: would the Chosens of Mystra make an appearance in Book 2 and 3? After all, a supposedly dead ex-chosen of Mystra returns to control all the dragons of Faerun so they must be doing SOMETHING to stop Sammaster.
They have to know about it, first.
Wooly Rupert, how could they NOT know about it?! Dragons are attacking the major cities of Faerun and killing many people. Also, dragons have a bond with the Weave so having all the draconic creatures of Faerun go into a rage would surely draw the attention of Mystra, who in turn will get her Chosens to stop this disaster. Then there's also that very simple logic that if a bunch of rugged mercenary hunters could discover Sammaster's plot, how hard could it be for the Chosens of Mystra?
How do we know that dragons would be felt by the Chosen? I've seen nothing to indicate this.
And what reason do the Chosen have, at the moment, to suspect that Sammy is back? They are likely doing other things -- like trying to protect cities, or their myriad other duties -- rather than poking around in old libraries.
There's not but about a dozen Chosen of Mystra, if that many. They are not all-seeing or all-knowing. And Sammy, as a former Chosen, would surely know to stay off of their radar, at least for the moment... |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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DDH_101
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1272 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2004 : 02:16:56
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I didn't say CHOSENS, I said that the dragons' rage would attract Mystra. It was said in Evermeet the novel (forgot which page) that dragons have a greater bond to the Weave than even the elves. So if all the dragons in the world went into a deadly rage, surely the Goddess of Magic would realize something was wrong.
What reasons do the Chosens have to suspect Sammaster is back? Well first of all, the increase in operations by the Cult of the Dragon in the past few years as mentioned in the book. Then there's also the involvement of high magic and suspected usage of a mythal's powers which would also draw the attention of the Chosens of Mystra and the Goddess of Magic herself. If you have read Dawn of Night by Paul S. Kemp, the main villain needed great powers to retrieve the Crown of Fire. At first, he thought about using a mythal's powers but then changed his mind because he knew that his plans would then be discovered by the Chosens if he tampered with a mythal. It's sorta the same idea. |
"Trust in the shadows, for the bright way makes you an easy target." -Mask |
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Comments on The Rage - Spoilers
