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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 03:35:41
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Poll Question:
How did you first encounter the Realms?
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Edited by - Faraer on 17 Jul 2005 03:39:52
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Lina
Senior Scribe
Australia
469 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 03:42:05
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| I first made contact with the realms through Ed's novel Spellfire. |
“Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows! Buried in the flow of time. In thy great name. I pledge myself to darkness. All the fools who stand in our way shall be destroyed…by the power you and I possess! DRAGON SLAVE!!!”
"Thieves? Ah, such an ugly word... look upon them as the most honest sort of merchant."
-Oglar the Thieflord |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 03:45:44
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| The old SSI games for my Comodore 64 and then the novels based on them. Later I found some sourcebooks/box sets at Crazy Egors, when it was out in Henrietta in a small packed store that was filled with wonders. :) |
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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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 03:59:32
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| I remember seeing the ad for the old grey box on the back of my Fantasic Four and Spider Man comics. I was already playing, but I was desperately in need of an organized setting (My own world being . . . a bit different). |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 04:14:06
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| SSI games (Gateway to Savage frontier) and Old grey box. |
Edited by - Skeptic on 17 Jul 2005 04:15:13 |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1715 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 05:02:59
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The article I remember distinctly was "Seven Swords" but I couldn't remember what issue of DRAGON it was in. It just predated the FR Grey Box (1E) by a few years.
What struck me the most was the detail and the care and the attention to detail on things like a bloodstone-set short sword named Adjatha the Drinker. At the time, there wasn't that much of that flavor in D&D and I loved it instantly.
When I came on board at TSR in 1990, little did I know what a great friend and creator and mentor Ed would be...and I count myself insanely lucky to call him one of my dearest friends. 
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For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Sadonayerah Odrydin
Learned Scribe
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 05:20:20
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| Someone who used to be my friend told me about Curse of the Shadowmage and when we were at a comic/hobby store called Merlins, I bought my first Forgotten Realms book, Elfsong. And I've been hooked since then. |
"What's that," asked Mogget.
"Sardines," said Sam. "I knew they were standard rations, so I got a few tins for you."
"What are sardines?" Moggest asked suspiciously. "And why is there a key? Is this some sort of Abhorsen joke?"
Abhorsen by Garth Nix
"What you made a vampire...Pomeranian?!" --Hannibal King from Blade Trinity
~Sadie |
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Shadovar
Senior Scribe
785 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 05:47:06
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| For me, I first got drawn to the FR world when i first began playing the FR: Ruins of Myth Drannor game by SSI, my curiosity about FR further led me to take up the reading of FR novels, researching on FR and now playing the campaign itself. |
We have fostered trust, recruited loyalty, and gathered the faithful. We have trained thousands. Our legions can cover the land, fill the sky and travel through the darkness. We can hunt any and all that would deny our heritage. Now is our time, now is the time of the Dark Reign(Rain) of the Empire of Shadows.
- High Prince Telemont Tanthul, Lord Shadow
In a speech given to the citizens of Shade Enclave
At the celebration of the Shinantra Battle victory when he revealed that he was THE Lord Shadow of legend. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 05:52:25
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My first experience with the "written" Realms was with Darkwalker on Moonshae by Doug Niles. I managed to pick up a copy shortly after its initial release here in Australia, which was just a few weeks past its publication in the US. I read the entire novel in less than three days and was immediately entranced with this strange fantasy land called the Moonshae Isles.
From there, I learned of Ed's 1987 FR boxed set which was beginning to be sold here in Australia, and also of the fact that the Moonshae Islands were detailed inside the boxed set (which was actually the first section of the Old Gray Box that I read when I first got it home).
Moving out from the Moonshae Islands, I then started to read about the main continent of Faern, and suddenly became aware of just how fantastic the world around the Moonshaes was.
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
The old SSI games for my Comodore 64 and then the novels based on them.
That goes for me as well... or rather, they were my first experience with the "electronic" Realms.
I even have several of them on tape-disk format, rather than more common five-and-a-quarter-inch standard.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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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 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 06:06:48
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I came to the Realms in a more roundabout way than most...
I'd read several of the Endless Quest books and a couple of other "Choose Your Own Adventure" clones before I moved down here in '87. But that was it for me and fantasy...
Shortly before I moved from California, a friend and another guy were discussing a novel one of them had. I'd not read the novel, but I noted the cover.
When I moved down here, I one day found myself in the school library. I saw that book on a shelf, picked it up and read it. I enjoyed it, and wound up reading pretty much all of the woefully small section of fantasy novels my school offered.
I became friends with another guy. He showed me the Dragonlance comics. I was intrigued, and started reading them. Then I asked if there was any novels to go with them, because he mentioned that certain characters were from something else...
So I read some of the Dragginglance novels, and liked them.
Sometime after that, I stumbled across a copy of the novel Shadowdale in a store. On the back, it said it was by the same publishers that did the Dragonlance books... So I gave it a shot.
I enjoyed it, and started looking for other FR novels. I acquired a couple of other novels and FR9 The Bloodstone Lands. But I wasn't hooked yet... The thing that finally hooked me is when I decided to buy the Forgotten Realms Adventures hardcover. After I read that, then I was hooked. |
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 - 17 Jul 2005 : 06:14:33
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| It was through playing BG2. Then I found out my school library had a copy of Streams of Silver and things just continued from there... |
"Trust in the shadows, for the bright way makes you an easy target." -Mask |
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
730 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 10:04:12
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Indeed my "first" encounter with the Forgotten Realms was the Baldur's Gate Saga pc games, but I must blame these forums the passion of the Realms I have now, and... the amount of money I spend each month in Fr books. |
"If you are to truly understand, then you will need the contrast, not adherence to a single ideal." - Kreia
"I THINK I JUST HAD ANOTHER NEAR-RINCEWIND EXPERIENCE"- Discworld's Death frustrated after Rincewind scapes his grasp... again.
"I am death, come for thee" - Nimbul, from Baldur's Gate I just before being badly spanked
Sapientia sola libertas est |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1715 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 14:21:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I enjoyed it, and started looking for other FR novels. I acquired a couple of other novels and FR9 The Bloodstone Lands. But I wasn't hooked yet... The thing that finally hooked me is when I decided to buy the Forgotten Realms Adventures hardcover. After I read that, then I was hooked.
Gee, Wooly, I'd have guessed that you first got your taste for the Realms from the AD&D and FR comics TSR did with DC in 1989-1991. After all, you're Kyriani's biggest fan (after the voluminous line of suitors from Sea Ward alone...).  |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 14:35:14
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Pool of Radience on the C64
Load"*",8,1. [Return]
I then borrowed a couple of modules from friend
Dragons of Flame (An old Dragon lance module)
One of the B series (The one set in the Pyrimid in the middle of the desert (B4?)
I then went out and bought the Grey Box set and the Ruins of Adventure module
The Spellfire and Pool of Radiance are the two oldest novels in my collection
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I am the King of Rome, and above grammar
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 15:26:51
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Undermountain.
Nothing more need be said.
SB |
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Microchips
Acolyte
United Kingdom
9 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 16:05:44
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I started with baldurs gate 2, i loved all the history to everything, and read all the books when i found them in places.
So i decided to order the baldurs gate books (ugh) off amazon, which could of put me off but luckily i ordered Icewind dale trilogy at the same time. Then over the weekend i got bored and was shopping and saw the dark elf trilogy so i bought that as well, thjats what got me hooked. |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 17:17:39
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
Pool of Radience on the C64
Load"*",8,1. [Return]
Hehe... Ah, the glory days  .
Gods, the pain. And to think I used to code on that thing. :) The coding magazine for that earlier puter was cool. |
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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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 17:27:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
Pool of Radience on the C64
Load"*",8,1. [Return]
Hehe... Ah, the glory days .
Gods, the pain. And to think I used to code on that thing. :) The coding magazine for that earlier puter was cool.
Hehe... Compared to the programming languages I've had to learn in the last seven years... I'd gladly return to the "easy" days of programming in Commodore Basic .
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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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2005 : 17:48:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I enjoyed it, and started looking for other FR novels. I acquired a couple of other novels and FR9 The Bloodstone Lands. But I wasn't hooked yet... The thing that finally hooked me is when I decided to buy the Forgotten Realms Adventures hardcover. After I read that, then I was hooked.
Gee, Wooly, I'd have guessed that you first got your taste for the Realms from the AD&D and FR comics TSR did with DC in 1989-1991. After all, you're Kyriani's biggest fan (after the voluminous line of suitors from Sea Ward alone...).
Well, the Dragonlance comic started well before the other two did. I didn't come aboard with AD&D until issue 8, I believe (it was the last of the Spirit of Myrrth story arc).
But I really did enjoy the comics, and I'm sure that those were a factor in me liking the Realms.
And yeah, I prolly am Kyri's biggest fan.  |
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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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 01:24:31
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| I wasn't initially grabbed by the Realms. Looking through the 2E DMG we were trying to pick a world to play in, it wasn't the one I'd have chosen. But we ended up with the 2E FR box set. That, and picking up Baldur's Gate around the same sort of time really got me hooked. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 02:11:55
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"I wouldn't send a Knight out on a dog like this . . . "
Although my favorite line would have to have been Onyx in the sewers, being followed by the Xanathar with the bent rusty sword (one . . . two . . . five!) |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 02:14:00
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I am endlessly happy and honoured to be someone who can say I first encountered the Realms by playing in Ed's campaign. I've posted the details elsewhere here at Candlekeep, but let me just add this:
My fondest memory of a "mundane's" reaction was my swinger aunt's face when she strolled into the den where we were playing, and discovered her niece (aged twenty) lying on the gaming table wearing only my wristwatch, a smile, and various dollops of chip dip (I'd offered to serve as the bowl).
And she thought SHE'D been wild in her youth.
Seriously, I echo Steven Schend's words: I count myself VERY fortunate to have Ed as one of my best friends.
love to all,
THO |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 02:53:01
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
My fondest memory of a "mundane's" reaction was my swinger aunt's face when she strolled into the den where we were playing, and discovered her niece (aged twenty) lying on the gaming table wearing only my wristwatch, a smile, and various dollops of chip dip (I'd offered to serve as the bowl).
And she thought SHE'D been wild in her youth.
If only we could see of photograph of THAT! 
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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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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 03:05:17
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| The irony here is that I am eating seven layer bean dip for dinner this evening . . . hm . . . |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 03:47:23
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
I am endlessly happy and honoured to be someone who can say I first encountered the Realms by playing in Ed's campaign. I've posted the details elsewhere here at Candlekeep, but let me just add this:
My fondest memory of a "mundane's" reaction was my swinger aunt's face when she strolled into the den where we were playing, and discovered her niece (aged twenty) lying on the gaming table wearing only my wristwatch, a smile, and various dollops of chip dip (I'd offered to serve as the bowl).
And she thought SHE'D been wild in her youth.
Seriously, I echo Steven Schend's words: I count myself VERY fortunate to have Ed as one of my best friends.
love to all,
THO
You know Im seriously begining to Wonder if Ed got his inspiration for the FR goddess Sharess from the Hooded ones antics |
I am the King of Rome, and above grammar
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 04:15:04
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
My fondest memory of a "mundane's" reaction was my swinger aunt's face when she strolled into the den where we were playing, and discovered her niece (aged twenty) lying on the gaming table wearing only my wristwatch, a smile, and various dollops of chip dip (I'd offered to serve as the bowl).
And she thought SHE'D been wild in her youth.
If only we could see of photograph of THAT!
Would the Lady K let you look at such a photo? I think I'll just keep the photo, so she doesn't get mad at you. Aren't I a wonderful friend? |
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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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 04:19:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Would the Lady K let you look at such a photo? I think I'll just keep the photo, so she doesn't get mad at you. Aren't I a wonderful friend?
Bah, could share it with me and we could snicker at the Sage while keeping it away from him. |
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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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 05:58:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
My fondest memory of a "mundane's" reaction was my swinger aunt's face when she strolled into the den where we were playing, and discovered her niece (aged twenty) lying on the gaming table wearing only my wristwatch, a smile, and various dollops of chip dip (I'd offered to serve as the bowl).
And she thought SHE'D been wild in her youth.
If only we could see of photograph of THAT!
Would the Lady K let you look at such a photo? I think I'll just keep the photo, so she doesn't get mad at you.
I'm not so sure. The Lady K has quite an imaginative mind  . For all I know, she might want to actually try something similar... she's quite the role-playing artist  .
quote:
Aren't I a wonderful friend?
Mischievous is more like it .
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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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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 06:59:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
The article I remember distinctly was "Seven Swords" but I couldn't remember what issue of DRAGON it was in. It just predated the FR Grey Box (1E) by a few years.
What struck me the most was the detail and the care and the attention to detail on things like a bloodstone-set short sword named Adjatha the Drinker. At the time, there wasn't that much of that flavor in D&D and I loved it instantly.
Oh, Steven you really need to get the rust out and do some more FR design work - the shortsword with the gems is Ilbratha "the Mistress of Battles".
My earliest FR recollection is the Ecology of the Rust Monster in DRAGON #84 soon followed by Pagers From the Mages in #89 and onwards. I tried not to love the Realms, really I did. I recall changing all the place names in the #92 Pages From the Mages to GH ones (Niole Dra for Waterdeep, the Hold of the Sea Princes for Aglarond etc. etc.) as I had the GH boxed set in those days, and loved it. Of course, when a little fold-out map arrived in another DRAGON issue showcasing the Heartlands, heralding the release of the Ol' Grey Box, I was practically salivating. It's been a great time ever since.
Highlights:
1. Writing a post about Elaith on the REALMS-L comparing him to the GH NPC Lanolin (see 1E Rogues Gallery), and indirectly asserting that Ed had copied EGG. Ed private e-mailed me to very gently tell me that wasn't so (as Elaith predated Lanolin, having been conceptualised before there even was D&D) and invite me to talk "Realms" anytime. I was on cloud 9.
2. Getting an e-mail out of the blue one day from Eric asking whether I'd be willing to help in some research and brainstorming on the Fallen Kingdom around the time of the lamented FR Database project. As I recall, Steven was supposed to give us feedback on our final work - still waiting Mr Schend!
3. Publishing my FR article in DRAGON #277 after much encouragement and support from Ed, Eric and Steven - and having it well received by the greater FR community.
4. Reading (alas I am yet to actually hear or see) the delight in Ed's e-mail responses when we send off new realmslore for him to go over and he gets to be nicely surprised by 'his' Realms.
And finally:
5. Becoming part of the wider FR community through the wonderful (if at times frustrating) medium of the internet. C-Keep is one of my favourite places and the people here are pretty darn great also. Remembering the frustrations of living in Australia and wanting to ask ever so many questions about the Realms (some of which I've had a hand in answering over the years, in fact!), websites like this and the REALMS-L were and are a godsend.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 07:07:23
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quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
5. Becoming part of the wider FR community through the wonderful (if at times frustrating) medium of the internet. C-Keep is one of my favourite places and the people here are pretty darn great also. Remembering the frustrations of living in Australia and wanting to ask ever so many questions about the Realms (some of which I've had a hand in answering over the years, in fact!), websites like this and the REALMS-L were and are a godsend.
-- George Krashos
Well said Krash... well said .
Of course, many of your situations are unique, but I'm still very envious of your 1st and 2nd highlights... .
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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 |
Edited by - The Sage on 18 Jul 2005 07:09:20 |
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Topic |
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How did you first encounter the Realms?
