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jinat
Acolyte
35 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Sep 2004 : 20:12:45
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Im about to run the Avatar Trilogy set of modules again. However this time I also want to incoporate the events of "shadow of the avatar" books. Can someone plerase tell me how these books were connected to the Avatar trilogy books - a small summary of the events perhaps?
Also are there anyother novels that deal with the events of the Time of Troubles?
Thanku
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2004 : 20:34:47
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Shadow of the Avatar shows what Elminster, the Knights of Myth Drannor, and the Harper rangers Belkram and Itharr did during the Avatar Crisis, mostly in the Dales. Why don't you read them? They're better novels (I think) than the Avatar trilogy, they're infinitely better Realmslore, and they may also suggest more entertaining ways to use the timeframe than following Midnight & co. around.
The Avatar follow-ups Prince of Lies and Crucible reflect somewhat on the events of the first three books, as do a bunch of sourcebook references, and see here. |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2004 : 23:28:15
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quote:
They're better novels (I think) than the Avatar trilogy
And the award for understatement of the day goes too... Faraer.
The Shadow of the Avatar trilogy is indeed a much better set of books than the Avatar-trilogy, especially Cloak of Shadows which sin't quite as heavy on the olde hack-and-slash as Shadow of Doom and to a lesser extent All Shadows Fled (at least that's what it felt like to me reading them).
Then again, so far I've not read one single Realms-book that's not been better than the Avatar-trilogy. And I honestly think this is not due to the writers of it so much as the lack of very likeable characters - the only one I felt even some liking for before I got fed up with the story about halfway into Tantras was Midnight - but enough ranting...
Let me just finish by echoing Faraer's question: Why don't you read them? It's well worth it. |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2004 : 23:58:09
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Durn!
I have had the three Avatar books lying on my shelf for about 5 years now, and I never got to them due to other books coming out and bumping ahead of them...
Are you saying I should just pawn them off? to be honest, with the multitude of FR novels out there, I'm not above discarding them if you folks say they are just plain awful... |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 23 Sep 2004 : 00:50:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
Durn!
I have had the three Avatar books lying on my shelf for about 5 years now, and I never got to them due to other books coming out and bumping ahead of them...
Are you saying I should just pawn them off? to be honest, with the multitude of FR novels out there, I'm not above discarding them if you folks say they are just plain awful...
The ToT trilogy bored me to no end. Probably one of the many reasons why I retconned that whole thing out of my setting. I dislike Cyric, Adon, Kel, and Midnight. :) |
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
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 23 Sep 2004 : 08:45:45
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Hmmmm, i'm reading Cloak of Shadows at the moment (about 2/3 the way through) and I can't say i'm finding it particulary interesting. I enjoyed Shadows of Doom MUCH more than this.
It's been a good many years since I read the Avatar trilogy so can't say whether I prefer those or not. |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Strahd Von Zarovich
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
135 Posts |
Posted - 23 Sep 2004 : 09:50:41
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I definitely enjoyed James Lowders' 'Prince of Lies' but I think you would have to have read the other books in the Avatar Series at some point to enjoy that.
Crucible was not as good, but was okay!
Regards
Strahd Von Zarovich |
Strahd Von Zarovich
Alaundo and I invite fans of everything D&D to join us!
http://www.worldsofdnd.com |
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jinat
Acolyte
35 Posts |
Posted - 23 Sep 2004 : 13:16:09
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Thankx for the info guys - but i need a little summary if you please - im in a country where there are no WoTC books, just teh bare plot synopsis.
Thanku |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
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IronWolf
Acolyte
4 Posts |
Posted - 23 Sep 2004 : 17:21:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
Are you saying I should just pawn them off? to be honest, with the multitude of FR novels out there, I'm not above discarding them if you folks say they are just plain awful...
While there are many realms novels I liked better than the Avatar series I still think they are worth the read. If nothing else they cover an important time period for the realms, events that shook things up. I would read them at some point and then trade 'em off if you want. Or maybe get rid of the ones you have and read the local library copy when you get around to it if you would rather not have them cluttering up your shelves.
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 23 Sep 2004 : 21:12:00
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The thing is, in 1990, I DMed the three adventures "Shadowdale", "Tantras", and "Waterdeep" for a group of friends. Therefore, I assume that I know the basic story behind the novels. This is why I shunned the novels up to now, and why I have read "Prince of Lies" and "Crucible" even without reading the Avatar trilogy.
I assume that it's still worth reading at some point in order to see the doings of various gods in various parts of Faerun. Please tell me the book do not cover only the doings of the Midnight, Adon, etc. and that they at least give us some glimpses of gods battling all over Faerun. |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 23 Sep 2004 : 21:26:07
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Nope, as far as I can recall they pretty much just focus on Midnight, Cyric, Kelemvor and Adon in that order. And well ...the gods they end up fighting too, but if you DMed the modules you probably have a pretty good idea of what's in there yes.
Mind you, I did give up halfway into Tantras and just skimmed (read them fast and sloppy to be exact) the rest of the books (1,5 books in one hour is pretty fast even for someone who reads real fast I'd say), so my recollection of the books may be a bit off.
And mind you (again ), I did see someone state that both Kelemvor and Midnight were among that persons favourite realms-characters on a scroll dedicated to naming your favourite realms-character. So at least someone liked the books. |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
Edited by - Kajehase on 23 Sep 2004 21:30:24 |
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IronWolf
Acolyte
4 Posts |
Posted - 23 Sep 2004 : 21:56:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
I assume that it's still worth reading at some point in order to see the doings of various gods in various parts of Faerun. Please tell me the book do not cover only the doings of the Midnight, Adon, etc. and that they at least give us some glimpses of gods battling all over Faerun.
Well.... actually... the books do focus very, very heavily on Midnight, Adon, etc. In Tantras there is a scene where Torm and Bane tangle if I recall correctly. But the plot certainly centers on Midnight, Adon, Cyric and Kelemvor as Kajehase stated. |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 23 Sep 2004 : 22:56:24
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| I hesitate to ever say 'don't read this book', but I found the Avatar trilogy unsatisfying as novels and not particularly helpful in understanding the Realms (there's a good summary of their events, by the way, with dates, in the Forgotten Realms Atlas. Prince of Lies I liked better as a story but it's set in a crueller, harsher world than the Realms I know. Crucible I haven't read. |
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jinat
Acolyte
35 Posts |
Posted - 23 Sep 2004 : 23:11:56
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| Forgotten Realms Atlas? Now i know you dont mean the software of the same name? When did this comeout - what was it exactly ? |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 24 Sep 2004 : 00:16:04
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quote:
Originally posted by jinat
Forgotten Realms Atlas? Now i know you dont mean the software of the same name? When did this comeout - what was it exactly ?
The FR Atlus is a book that is different then the FR Interactive Atlus. The FR Atlus details the Moonshae trilogy, the Azure Bonds trilogy, parts of the early Drizz't novels, the Avatar trilogy, and maybe one or two others. All are summerized and professionally drawn maps are included. |
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
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 24 Sep 2004 : 00:29:56
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| And the print one is not only cheaper, it's easier to find. Though it's not the easiest old product to find, I see a lot more of those on eBay than I do the Interactive Atlas. |
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jinat
Acolyte
35 Posts |
Posted - 24 Sep 2004 : 09:31:34
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| I talked to somebody who has it - he says it does not summarise the events of the shadow of the Avatar books. Is thre a plot synopsis online somewhere ? Please any help ill be much appreciated |
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ToT Modules
