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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author

USA
1715 Posts

Posted - 26 Jan 2007 :  03:30:28  Show Profile  Visit Steven Schend's Homepage Send Steven Schend a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Lemernis

quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend

Another option you've not noted (and this would be highly unorthodox but fine for a home campaign) is this: The hill giants are dying, but they're making efforts to stay alive by interbreeding with the largest and strongest ogres and creating half-giants or monstrous ogres. They're not quite giants, but they're bigger than the average ogre...

Or maybe the giants are just busy going to the west....

SES



Hmm! A giant-ogre breed, sounds nasty, yoiks!

I noticed in the Slayer's Guide to Ogres that it's at the DM's discretion to decide (actually what isn't? but anyway) that ogre females can be quite beautiful from a human perspective. Do you envision them that way in your Realms?

Or does anyone recall if Ed has spoken on that?



Urgh. Not a happy thought, that....they look like female versions of what the ogres look like in the MM...at least they do in my head...

Perhaps that was meant to be an excuse to explain the half-ogre or something....

SES

For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader

USA
5402 Posts

Posted - 26 Jan 2007 :  03:38:18  Show Profile  Visit KnightErrantJR's Homepage Send KnightErrantJR a Private Message  Reply with Quote
The old 2nd Edition Against the Giants, The Liberation of Geoff (which was an update of the old Against the Giants series from 1st edition), mentions that giant females are usually extreemly attractive in most giant species, at least from a human perspective, except for Hill Giants, whose women look pretty much like what you would expect them to. My personal thought is to extend this to ogres as well. Plus, there is a D&D mini depicting a female ogre, and she looks pretty much like, well, a female ogre.

Sorry to invade your thread Steven . . .
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Jorkens
Great Reader

Norway
2950 Posts

Posted - 26 Jan 2007 :  07:23:03  Show Profile Send Jorkens a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I agree when it comes to the female ogres looking like males, but it would open for some interesting options if the beauty theory had a basis in truth. What would the general human reactions be to a female that looked less like a monster. Are there slavers specialising in ogres? etc. If the females were more intelligent as well, it might become a society somewhat like Opar in the old Tarzan books.

An alternative would be that it is the Ogre Mage female that has a beauty unlike most other mortals. Thanks, you have given me some nice ideas here.

As KnightErrantJR said, sorry for invading your thread Steven.
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe

688 Posts

Posted - 26 Jan 2007 :  20:58:47  Show Profile  Visit Wandering_mage's Homepage Send Wandering_mage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend

quote:
Originally posted by Wandering_mage

This info is interesting. I am running a campaign in Tethyr (Mosstone region) and should the PCs go North it would be neat to put some lore they find in a context that favors the wealthy outlook more than the commoner, etc. It could confuse the PCs just enough to make them second guess the location of a battlefield (due to the wealthy outlook saying that those nasty wizards were run down in one charge at this field instead of acknowledging that the battle lasted a few days and covered lots of ground). And the key is that there is a special item at on of the true battlefield locations. What do you think?



Think of it like this: Instead of having the full history or info on a battle, how many died, and the result of it having been fought, you find out which nobles/rich folk commanded the battles, what if any profit came of it, and little more. It'd be like only knowing Shakespeare's play Henry V to understand the Battle of Agincourt, or more properly, you only get the St. Crispin's Day speech and the fictionalized version of events.

More specifically, it's like accepting what Volo tells you at face value (and not having Elminster's footnotes to set you to rights).

Steven
who does what he can to obfuscate and entertain at the same time



Good stuff. This appeals to the history lover in me. Now to start looting Lands of Intrigue for a beginning event, nobles names, and location. Steve your works live on in so many campaigns! You must feel proud of that.

Illum
The Wandering Mage
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Dargoth
Great Reader

Australia
4607 Posts

Posted - 26 Jan 2007 :  22:50:10  Show Profile  Visit Dargoth's Homepage Send Dargoth a Private Message  Reply with Quote
A question for Steven

Is Aurora Gost (Gost family consort in the 2ed CoS)the owner of the Aurora stores?

“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”

Emperor Sigismund

"Its good to be the King!"

Mel Brooks
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author

USA
1715 Posts

Posted - 27 Jan 2007 :  10:52:38  Show Profile  Visit Steven Schend's Homepage Send Steven Schend a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR

Sorry to invade your thread Steven . . .



Tish-tosh....everybody's welcome here. No invasions either perceived or needed to be excused. Feel free to drop by anytime and add your two coppers, Knight.

Steven

For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author

USA
1715 Posts

Posted - 27 Jan 2007 :  10:56:07  Show Profile  Visit Steven Schend's Homepage Send Steven Schend a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Jorkens

I agree when it comes to the female ogres looking like males, but it would open for some interesting options if the beauty theory had a basis in truth. What would the general human reactions be to a female that looked less like a monster. Are there slavers specialising in ogres? etc. If the females were more intelligent as well, it might become a society somewhat like Opar in the old Tarzan books.

An alternative would be that it is the Ogre Mage female that has a beauty unlike most other mortals. Thanks, you have given me some nice ideas here.

As KnightErrantJR said, sorry for invading your thread Steven.



Oooh....I LIKE that....the idea of Opar, I mean. (Yes, I'm a huge ERB fan from way back, and I just yesterday finished cataloguing my 24 Tarzan novels and must get to finishing the Barsoom novels today.)

Well, we've not seen any images of Syrvissnia (or however I spelled Sythillis' wife's name) yet, so it's up to y'all to imagine her as you will.

And again, no worries or needs for apologies. The thread is open to all who care to join us. Just chip in for beer next time.

Steven

For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author

USA
1715 Posts

Posted - 27 Jan 2007 :  10:58:35  Show Profile  Visit Steven Schend's Homepage Send Steven Schend a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth

A question for Steven

Is Aurora Gost (Gost family consort in the 2ed CoS)the owner of the Aurora stores?



No, I don't believe she is. The two women just share a common name, that's all.

I don't have my Aurora's Guide on hand, but I believe there's info in that book detailing the mysterious woman in charge. But alas, while there is an Aurora's outlet in Waterdeep, the Gost family has no direct connection to it of which I'm aware.

Steven

For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Jorkens
Great Reader

Norway
2950 Posts

Posted - 28 Jan 2007 :  10:13:01  Show Profile Send Jorkens a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:

Originally posted by Steven Schend
Oooh....I LIKE that....the idea of Opar, I mean. (Yes, I'm a huge ERB fan from way back, and I just yesterday finished cataloguing my 24 Tarzan novels and must get to finishing the Barsoom novels today.)

Well, we've not seen any images of Syrvissnia (or however I spelled Sythillis' wife's name) yet, so it's up to y'all to imagine her as you will.


It would not be to much of a stretch to put a city like Opar in the southern Faerun, deep inside the mountains or jungles. Some ancient people, an of-shot of either the human or ogre race cursed by the gods so that the males are brutish ogres and the females beautiful women. The males know they are intellectually and culturally inferior to their earlier forefathers and the females are doomed to both share their lives with the brutish males and be born with a cruel streak. Maybe the romantic in me could put in a way to dissolve the curse; like it being lifted the day two outsiders enters the valley and fall in love with both one of the males and the females, thereby making them equal again.

Sounds pulp enough at least, I think I will keep this idea until I can get some players into the southern lands.
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Lemernis
Senior Scribe

378 Posts

Posted - 30 Jan 2007 :  03:53:19  Show Profile  Visit Lemernis's Homepage Send Lemernis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Steven, could you tell us about the trade guilds of Amn? I'm wondering how they may differ from a European medieval guild. It seems guilds are (or can be) surprisingly powerful in Amn, and I'm wondering what some of the stongest ones might be--even if they may be ultimately controled by other interests, eg, merchant families, the Council, etc.
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nbnmare
Learned Scribe

United Kingdom
205 Posts

Posted - 30 Jan 2007 :  22:16:08  Show Profile  Visit nbnmare's Homepage Send nbnmare a Private Message  Reply with Quote
The trade guilds, known in Amn as merchantile houses or companies, are briefly described on p. 12 of LoI book 2, with an even briefer listing of the five most major companies given on p. 14. While there's little info given on the individual houes, what few details are given (trade interests/assets and owners for each company) do suggest some interesting plot hooks.

For example, the most powerful mercantile house deals in land-ownership and colonies, and is known as Lathander's Estates. With a name like that, you would naturally assume them to be a fairly charitable company, most likely with ties to the church of Lathander. However, take a look at the ownership of the company: 40% Vymmals, 25% Bladesmiles. Both of these are families with evil lords. Given this fact, perhaps the name is an attempt to cover one of the company's primary sources of income: slave plantations. While a few of these plantations might be hidden away in remote locations in Amn, the majority would be in and around Amnian territory in Maztica. The Bladesmiles also specialize in mercenaries, so they have ready access to guards for such places.

Another point of note is that the Crytrappers have a minority ownership (5%) of the Rose's Bounty Food Company, a mercantile house whose controlling owners (45%) are the the Ophals. Since the two merchant families are enemies, it wouldn't be a suprise if the Crytrapper's representative in the company regularly tried to thwart the Ophal's business plans for the house.

Edited by - nbnmare on 30 Jan 2007 22:18:39
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Lemernis
Senior Scribe

378 Posts

Posted - 30 Jan 2007 :  23:45:24  Show Profile  Visit Lemernis's Homepage Send Lemernis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
There is also things like the regular, periodic trade wars over Amn's history, the 100 year long Murann Spice War, and the Great Amnian Trade War that preceded the Thayze Selemchant and the Council of Six coming into power. These trade wars were between powerful merchant houses, essentially, which are rather like mafia families. (Then, once established, the Council of Six put the kibosh on merchant families enacting open violence against one another.) But the role of the guilds in Amn's fiercely competetive markets is kind of interesting, as they alone are able to avoid haggling and by setting fixed prices. Guilds in Amn, whether production or service oriented, cannot go on strike but they would obviously be crucial to Amn's enormous economic engine. Competition for control of them must be intense among the merchant families and the various Council offices.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31774 Posts

Posted - 30 Jan 2007 :  23:58:46  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Lemernis

Steven, could you tell us about the trade guilds of Amn? I'm wondering how they may differ from a European medieval guild. It seems guilds are (or can be) surprisingly powerful in Amn, and I'm wondering what some of the stongest ones might be--even if they may be ultimately controled by other interests, eg, merchant families, the Council, etc.

I'll note also that the subject of trade guilds in Amn receive some coverage in both the Empires of the Sands supplement and the Lands of Intrigue boxed set (which is available as a free PDF download at WotC:- http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads).

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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)

"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage

Edited by - The Sage on 31 Jan 2007 00:01:21
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore

USA
1537 Posts

Posted - 01 Feb 2007 :  22:46:43  Show Profile  Visit Jamallo Kreen's Homepage Send Jamallo Kreen a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Steven, I've read about a hundred pages of Blackstaff, and what can I say, but, "Great oogly-mooglies!" or words to that effect? (With apologies to Grady, from "Sanford & Son.") I'm sure I'll finish the rest of it by tomorrow night. Bra...vo!



I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.


Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.

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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author

USA
1715 Posts

Posted - 02 Feb 2007 :  01:27:44  Show Profile  Visit Steven Schend's Homepage Send Steven Schend a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Jamallo Kreen

Steven, I've read about a hundred pages of Blackstaff, and what can I say, but, "Great oogly-mooglies!" or words to that effect? (With apologies to Grady, from "Sanford & Son.") I'm sure I'll finish the rest of it by tomorrow night. Bra...vo!



Thanks, J. I'm glad you're enjoying the book.

You made me laugh, as these are the first oogly-mooglies I've apparently inspired. I don't recall them from Sanford & Son; I remember the term used once or twice by Xander on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Yes, I'm a geek. Luckily, I'm hardly ever alone these days in that.

Steven

For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author

USA
1715 Posts

Posted - 02 Feb 2007 :  01:33:28  Show Profile  Visit Steven Schend's Homepage Send Steven Schend a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Just to explain why I'll be a bit more infrequent around here the next few months....

A) I've one deadline about which I can't talk but it needs to be finished soon.

B) I'm writing a short story for an anthology that's due by month's end; details to come when I can speak of it.

C) I'm reworking an old novella and adding to it, and with some luck, I'll have it available in published form by GenCon. It'll be a holiday book, so I wanted the possibility of selling it around for a few months before Yule.

D) I'm waiting to hear on two possibilities for more novel work, which would not suck in my opinion.

E) The Lovely Sarah and I are getting married, as she accepted my proposal last week. No dates as yet, but I'll probably be hitched before Gen Con of this year.

So yeah, I've got a few irons in the fire. Thus, if it takes me a while to get back here to respond to questions, you both know why and have my apologies in advance.

Steven
who is quite happy and who's glad he got the chance for Sarah to meet Ed last year at GenCon and U-Con

For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31774 Posts

Posted - 02 Feb 2007 :  01:41:25  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend

A) I've one deadline about which I can't talk but it needs to be finished soon.

B) I'm writing a short story for an anthology that's due by month's end; details to come when I can speak of it.

C) I'm reworking an old novella and adding to it, and with some luck, I'll have it available in published form by GenCon. It'll be a holiday book, so I wanted the possibility of selling it around for a few months before Yule.

D) I'm waiting to hear on two possibilities for more novel work, which would not suck in my opinion.
Which all sounds very good to my ears!

And it sounds like I better get cracking and work through my novel backlog so I've got plenty of room for all these new bits of fiction from the Sage Schend.

quote:
E) The Lovely Sarah and I are getting married, as she accepted my proposal last week. No dates as yet, but I'll probably be hitched before Gen Con of this year.
Congratulations to both you and the Lady Sarah, friend Steven. 'Tis truly a wonderful time for you both. May the Lady of Luck continue to smile down upon you!

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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com
-- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct

Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)

"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

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Edited by - The Sage on 02 Feb 2007 01:49:20
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36804 Posts

Posted - 02 Feb 2007 :  02:20:51  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage

quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend

E) The Lovely Sarah and I are getting married, as she accepted my proposal last week. No dates as yet, but I'll probably be hitched before Gen Con of this year.
Congratulations to both you and the Lady Sarah, friend Steven. 'Tis truly a wonderful time for you both. May the Lady of Luck continue to smile down upon you!




I'm going to echo the Sage, here. I already congratulated you elsewhere, but I'll congratulate you again. Congratulations!

I just did a bachelor party last week, but let me know when yours is, and I'll try to make it.

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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader

USA
7106 Posts

Posted - 02 Feb 2007 :  02:43:08  Show Profile  Visit Rinonalyrna Fathomlin's Homepage Send Rinonalyrna Fathomlin a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Yes, congratulations Steve.

"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time)
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader

USA
5402 Posts

Posted - 02 Feb 2007 :  02:47:18  Show Profile  Visit KnightErrantJR's Homepage Send KnightErrantJR a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Being happily married for over a year and a half, I must endorse the institution Steven . . . congratulations!
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31774 Posts

Posted - 02 Feb 2007 :  04:06:39  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

I just did a bachelor party last week, but let me know when yours is, and I'll try to make it.
Hehe... I'd make a trip to the US just to drop in!

Candlekeep Forums Moderator

Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com
-- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct

Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)

"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage
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Jorkens
Great Reader

Norway
2950 Posts

Posted - 02 Feb 2007 :  07:40:42  Show Profile Send Jorkens a Private Message  Reply with Quote
To echo some other sages Steve, I will just chime in with a congratulation to you both.
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Lemernis
Senior Scribe

378 Posts

Posted - 02 Feb 2007 :  12:51:11  Show Profile  Visit Lemernis's Homepage Send Lemernis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Congrats Steven! Great news, sounds like a lot of wonderful stuff is happening, enjoy!
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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe

Canada
592 Posts

Posted - 02 Feb 2007 :  20:48:09  Show Profile Send Foxhelm a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Congrates on the engagement. I am curious about how much of your day job might be going into the wedding? Elven Vows, Dwarven runes engraved on the ring, a wedding dress that came off a Realms novel?

I hope I am not eude to ask a question at this time, but...

I was going to ask Eric, but he seems to be away, Plus you invented the Fey'ri. I am open to any opinion, from you and your fans.

Would the child of a Fey'ri or a Celadrin with a half-elf have any chance of being a planetouched elf or would they only be a regular elf?

Thanks.

Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems!
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Lemernis
Senior Scribe

378 Posts

Posted - 03 Feb 2007 :  13:45:13  Show Profile  Visit Lemernis's Homepage Send Lemernis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Steven, hope you have time to field a relatively simple one:

I've asked about the Turkish influence finding its way into the inspirations for Amn before, and I just wanted to follow up a little on that with a question about Athkatla, specifically.

To my eye anyway, Athkatla bears more than a passing resmeblance to Constantinople, in many ways. Originally known under the Greeks as Byzantion (or in Latin "Byzantium"), the Roman Empire made the city their eastern seat of power. The Ottoman Turks later conquered and ruled the great city, with a sultanate dominated power structure. It is the mixture of Persian/Turkish, and Roman influences of that great metropolis, its tremendous economic prosperity, extensive trade network throughout the known world, dramatic rise in argicultural production and trend toward urbanization in the empire, and intrigue-laden power structure, that would appear to provide the main sources of inspiration.

I mean, it is in those elements--in extremely broad strokes!--that I find parallels. I.e., that said, there is far more that is Realmsian and utterly unique to Athkatla than any features resembling Constantinople.

Is this more or less a fair assessment? I recall you sharing that Moorish Spain was definitely an inspiration for Amn (perhaps more for the general countryside?). But the parallels between Constantinople and Athkatla in particular are pretty striking, they seem to resonate rather stongly.

***

Edit: Oh, also--I see mention of camels in Calimshan in Empires of the Sands and Calimport, but are they ever seen as far north as Tethyr and Amn?

Edited by - Lemernis on 04 Feb 2007 00:07:40
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author

USA
1715 Posts

Posted - 04 Feb 2007 :  13:16:43  Show Profile  Visit Steven Schend's Homepage Send Steven Schend a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Foxhelm

Congrates on the engagement. I am curious about how much of your day job might be going into the wedding? Elven Vows, Dwarven runes engraved on the ring, a wedding dress that came off a Realms novel?

I hope I am not eude to ask a question at this time, but...

I was going to ask Eric, but he seems to be away, Plus you invented the Fey'ri. I am open to any opinion, from you and your fans.

Would the child of a Fey'ri or a Celadrin with a half-elf have any chance of being a planetouched elf or would they only be a regular elf?

Thanks.



Don't know what a Celadrin is, but I'd say there's a CHANCE, of course. How high a chance might depend both on circumstances of the birth, the power and status of the original demon/devil that spawned the fey'ri (and if it were channeling power to continue on its tainted bloodline), and whether or not the parents did some magics to keep or enhance said attributes.

If left up to nature, it's a crap shoot and you never know.

As in all things, it's up to your DM to decide on this.

SES

For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author

USA
1715 Posts

Posted - 04 Feb 2007 :  13:25:11  Show Profile  Visit Steven Schend's Homepage Send Steven Schend a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Lemernis

Steven, hope you have time to field a relatively simple one:

I've asked about the Turkish influence finding its way into the inspirations for Amn before, and I just wanted to follow up a little on that with a question about Athkatla, specifically.

To my eye anyway, Athkatla bears more than a passing resmeblance to Constantinople, in many ways. Originally known under the Greeks as Byzantion (or in Latin "Byzantium"), the Roman Empire made the city their eastern seat of power. The Ottoman Turks later conquered and ruled the great city, with a sultanate dominated power structure. It is the mixture of Persian/Turkish, and Roman influences of that great metropolis, its tremendous economic prosperity, extensive trade network throughout the known world, dramatic rise in argicultural production and trend toward urbanization in the empire, and intrigue-laden power structure, that would appear to provide the main sources of inspiration.

I mean, it is in those elements--in extremely broad strokes!--that I find parallels. I.e., that said, there is far more that is Realmsian and utterly unique to Athkatla than any features resembling Constantinople.

Is this more or less a fair assessment? I recall you sharing that Moorish Spain was definitely an inspiration for Amn (perhaps more for the general countryside?). But the parallels between Constantinople and Athkatla in particular are pretty striking, they seem to resonate rather stongly.

***

Edit: Oh, also--I see mention of camels in Calimshan in Empires of the Sands and Calimport, but are they ever seen as far north as Tethyr and Amn?




Yeah, you could probably use Istanbul/Constantinople as an analogue for Athkatla. That could work all right for details unmentioned by other sources.

As for camels, they rarely travel further north than what used to be called Monrativi Teshy Mir. No one in living memory knows why, but the further north Calishite-bred camels travel, the more sickly and ill-tempered they become. By the time they might reach the northern borders of Tethyr, they go fully mad, throw off all bindings and gear, and generally stomp or bite anything in paroxysms of rage and fear and pain (think barbarian rage). Said camels then fall dead, whether attacked or not.

Thus, most Tethyrians proudly talk of curses laid upon the lands of Tethyr to prevent Calimshan from using its most common pack animals in invading Tethyr. Most Calishites talk about it being an ancient curse laid by Memnon the efreet to hinder Calim's minions during their aeons-long war.

Okay, that's enough time-sponging. Back to work on things (and thanks for all the kind thoughts, folks).

Steven

For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe

Canada
592 Posts

Posted - 04 Feb 2007 :  13:35:12  Show Profile Send Foxhelm a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend

quote:
Originally posted by Foxhelm

Congrates on the engagement. I am curious about how much of your day job might be going into the wedding? Elven Vows, Dwarven runes engraved on the ring, a wedding dress that came off a Realms novel?

I hope I am not eude to ask a question at this time, but...

I was going to ask Eric, but he seems to be away, Plus you invented the Fey'ri. I am open to any opinion, from you and your fans.

Would the child of a Fey'ri or a Celadrin with a half-elf have any chance of being a planetouched elf or would they only be a regular elf?

Thanks.



Don't know what a Celadrin is, but I'd say there's a CHANCE, of course. How high a chance might depend both on circumstances of the birth, the power and status of the original demon/devil that spawned the fey'ri (and if it were channeling power to continue on its tainted bloodline), and whether or not the parents did some magics to keep or enhance said attributes.

If left up to nature, it's a crap shoot and you never know.

As in all things, it's up to your DM to decide on this.

SES



A Celadrin is a planetouched of elven and Eladrin Blood (Usually Firre) that was created for the Ancient Legacy Articule in Dragon 350 by Eric L. Boyd, which explains why I asked him as well.

It gets the name Celadrin due to the fact that the eladrin are invited to festivals by the worshippers of Hanali Celanil (Cela+ drin). (Spell?)

It also doesn't have as powerful Level Adjustment, but some interesting powers anyway, like a melodious voice that has power to Diplomacy checks influencing NPC and wild empathy checks to influence animals.

Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems!

Edited by - Foxhelm on 04 Feb 2007 13:36:54
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader

USA
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Posted - 09 Feb 2007 :  17:53:50  Show Profile Send Lord Karsus a Private Message  Reply with Quote
-Steve, I know you've got a whole bunch of other stuff to do, so I'll make this quick, and to the point. The Elven High Magic spell Elaorman creates magical crystal that Elves make buildings, spelljammers, and various other things out of. What exactly is the crystal called? I've been calling it Elaormite, but an "official" name for it would be nice. Thanks, Sage Schend!

(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)

Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author

USA
1715 Posts

Posted - 10 Feb 2007 :  14:30:28  Show Profile  Visit Steven Schend's Homepage Send Steven Schend a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Dagnirion

-Steve, I know you've got a whole bunch of other stuff to do, so I'll make this quick, and to the point. The Elven High Magic spell Elaorman creates magical crystal that Elves make buildings, spelljammers, and various other things out of. What exactly is the crystal called? I've been calling it Elaormite, but an "official" name for it would be nice. Thanks, Sage Schend!



Its name depends on what it's used for, as each is a slightly different form/structure of crystal.

Ela(or)- is the root form, and this stands loosely for "common crystal" as opposed to kiir, which means gem.

Elaegiis is "shielding crystal" and suitable for walls and strong structures. Rarely, it can be used to make shields or armor light in weight and at least as strong as human-made steel at 75% of the weight (and no, I've not statted anything out beyond that--you do the math). This tends to fall on the green side of the spectrum, and the harder the material, the darker the green.

Elaeorynth is "flight/float crystal," which is strong yet flexible, more akin to young wood used for shipbuilding. It's not as strong as the "stone" of elaegiis, and thus it's more toward the olive/spring green tone.

Hope that works for you, Dagnirion (and Wooly, the ol' SJ fan himself).

Steven
who has now to copy all this into his elven glossary notes...

For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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