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Originally posted by ElaineCunningham

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I have long wanted to write a book about Elaith, so I've given this matter a lot of thought. I think it would be possible to pull off adventures told from the perspective of an evil character, but I'm very aware of the pitfalls, not the least of which is one of the worries Bob had about over-exposing the drow: stripping away the veil of mystery that is a large part of their appeal.

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For instance, take Manshoon: the novel could be about a wizard who finds himself apprenticed to Manshoon. Through his eyes, we get a greater degree of insight into Manshoon's life and outlook on things. He isn't necessarily represented as a true villain, nor as a hero -- rather, we can see his motives and justification for his actions, incredibly wrong-headed as they might be.

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Originally posted by George Krashos

Well, it looks like "evil" is in, because Thomas Reid has just announced that he's writing a novel trilogy on Khannyr Vhok and Aliisa from the WotSQ series.

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And an interesting novel might show how someone like Elaith deals with the 'good guys' doing their stuff and frustrating his plans or derailing his schemes and machinations without getting to him or linking stuff to him directly. Good 'wins' but we see how the "evil" guy copes with and deals with the struggle and contest - and lives to be 'evil' another day.[/i]

I've long thought a cool novel would be from the perspective of a dungeon master (as in, not the gaming referee, but someone who operates a dungeon like, say, Halaster) who has to deal with morale ("Gods of the Dark, the goblins are getting restless again"), supply worries ("What do you mean, Felbarr refuses to ship because of philosophical differences? Sigh. Fine -- go with the zhent smiths again. Talos! I hate dwarves"), and the occasional roving adventurers ("I vanquish thee in the name of XXXXX!" "Right then." [Meteor swarm]). Such a thing, whenever it crosses my mind, brings back all these wonderful Dungeon Keeper memories.

[quote]Looks like FR fiction is getting interesting. I can't wait to see what the future holds.

-- George Krashos

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Originally posted by Dargoth

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Originally posted by Xysma

I'd like to see the Zhentarim given more serious treatment, and yes maybe even come out on top for once. I'd like to see much more of Manshoon and Fzoul, and I'd really like to see what Sememmon is up to these days, as well as Scyllua Darkhope. So we could have a four part series that focuses on these characters

The Manshoon Wars self explanatory
The Black Hand of Bane Resurrection of Bane through the eyes of Fzoul
Darkhold Fugitives Ashemmi and Sememmon's adventures since fleeing Darkhold.
Darkhope Scyllua Lays claim to Scardale as the "rightful" heir of the Aumersair family.

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Someone go and tell Phil Athans hes been retrenched!

Xysma you are to report to WOTC offices in Seattle you are now the new head of the book department!

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originally posted by Hammer of Moradin

- in other way, I think that a great novel with Szass Tamm, showing the internal struggles that he have to confront to be the big guy of the red wizards, and having the climax in a final confrontation of the lich against a furious and vengeful Eltab

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Originally posted by Chosen of Moradin

- Halaster Blackcloak: he is the greatest wildcard actually in Faerūn. Let“s see some things: Halaster is sane, after the events of Elminster in Hell; Hal is sane, not good; Hal lives in Undermountain, and is a free agent of Mystra; Khelben Arunsun lives in Waterdeep, and is an agent of Mystra; Hal received some kicks of the Twisted Rune in the past; Khelben, too. Khelben have the Grandstaff of Hilather (I don“t remember where I read this, but I think that was in the Cloak & Dagger... I“m correct?). So, paint the big picture...

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Originally posted by VEDSICA

Unfortunately Erik when other threads of this nature pop up.You always get a few that say that you can't have an evil protagonist,and make it work well.I happen to disagree,and would love to see it more often.Elaith Craulnober definitely comes to mind...I would also love to see the origins of the Phaerimm up until the current realms year.

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Originally posted by Dragon Cultist

One thing that heroes and villains may have in common, I think, is their loves or passions. Leaving stone-cold killers and certain monsters aside, many notable antagonists have driving passions; often their passions even become their undoing. In any case, a story about a (zealot) Dragon Cultist could emphasize the deep awe, and yes love, such a person has for the evil dragon. Now I wouldn't argue that such love wouldn't be misguided, but a tragic love like that could make for good storytelling.

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One thought which I haven't come across yet in this thread: what about a villainous character who gets "redeemed", as it were? If told in a believable way, this could work even for those people who like to see the good guys win in every fantasy book they read.

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I guess I'm talking about a sort of Anakin-Skywalker-turns-Darth-Vader-but-in-reverse story. (Mmmm...bad analogy. For Vader is a redeemed villain in the very end, as told in Episode VI. But I digress.)

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Khelben is unlikely to move against Halaster, though. Halaster's presence is necessary to keep Undermountain stable. In fact, when Halaster was kidnapped, Khelben helped sponsor his rescue.

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Originally posted by Kajehase

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originally posted by Hammer of Moradin

- in other way, I think that a great novel with Szass Tamm, showing the internal struggles that he have to confront to be the big guy of the red wizards, and having the climax in a final confrontation of the lich against a furious and vengeful Eltab

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You might want to read The Crimson Gold by Voronica Whitney-Robinson then[;)}

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Originally posted by Chosen of Moradin

Well, I think, too, that a novel with a villain or anti-hero as protagonist is really a good idea!
And, after read Elaine“s comments about "evil fighting a bigger evil", some ideas pop up in my mind:

- Halaster Blackcloak: he is the greatest wildcard actually in Faerūn. Let“s see some things: Halaster is sane, after the events of Elminster in Hell; Hal is sane, not good; Hal lives in Undermountain, and is a free agent of Mystra; Khelben Arunsun lives in Waterdeep, and is an agent of Mystra; Hal received some kicks of the Twisted Rune in the past; Khelben, too. Khelben have the Grandstaff of Hilather (I don“t remember where I read this, but I think that was in the Cloak & Dagger... I“m correct?). So, paint the big picture...
- in other way, I think that a great novel with Szass Tamm, showing the internal struggles that he have to confront to be the big guy of the red wizards, and having the climax in a final confrontation of the lich against a furious and vengeful Eltab

ouch...
this hurts...

Hammer of Moradin

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Now Chosen is taking my moniker! It's not enough to be a Chosen, but now you have to be me!

I still say the villains would have to be the antagonist, and not the protagonist.

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Originally posted by hammer of Moradin

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Originally posted by Kajehase

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originally posted by Hammer of Moradin

- in other way, I think that a great novel with Szass Tamm, showing the internal struggles that he have to confront to be the big guy of the red wizards, and having the climax in a final confrontation of the lich against a furious and vengeful Eltab

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You might want to read The Crimson Gold by Voronica Whitney-Robinson then[;)}

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I don't remember making those comments.

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Originally posted by HawkinstheDM

Erik, I just wanted to thank you personally for how you constantly contribute on these forums and ask us what we would like to read about, and banter with us, and other such stuff.

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