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ShadowDragonMage
Acolyte
15 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Sep 2005 : 02:42:08
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Hey there I have been trying to no avail to enter the FR chat room however I do still DM and write {hopefully for FR someday} and I have some questions for any who are knowlegable about the realms.
First I was curious if anyone who read the twilight giants series has any idea why the map in the book doesn't show up anywhere on the FR interactive atlas.
Second of all I wanted to know if anyone would be so helpfull as to give me some ideas as to where a dungeon that a wizard would put my unfortunate players would most likely be located.
{Also note that the dungeon is cut into fourths with one of the four elements dominating each quadrent. I also need some reason for there to be helpful magic in the dungeon.}
Lastly I was wondering what a possible route through Anarauch would be for some Zents to caravan illiegal substances to waterdeep or another likely city, and some idea how long it would take for the most reasonable methed of travel. I.E. {Anyone know how fast covered wagons go?)
Thanks for any help you can give me. ShadowDragonMage.
Email me at shadowshome@hotmail.com with any ideas or questions.
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Sir Luther Cromwell
Learned Scribe
Canada
158 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2005 : 03:22:45
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quote:
Lastly I was wondering what a possible route through Anarauch would be for some Zents to caravan illiegal substances to waterdeep or another likely city, and some idea how long it would take for the most reasonable methed of travel. I.E. {Anyone know how fast covered wagons go?)
Best way I can think of is through the stonelands in Cormyr, just south of Anauroch. The Stonelands are currently a spot of weakness for Cormyr, and the Zhents wouldn't have to worry about Purple Dragon interference. The trick being, getting it past all of the orcs and goblins in the stone lands.
From there, the heartlands are open enough. You might have some trouble with local militia groups, such as the Flaming Fist of Baldur's Gate, but otherwise its a lot safer than braving the bedine, the shades, and the other dangers of the desert/crater known as anauroch. |
"At what temperature does a Goblin boil?"
"Any Rakshasa should eat a healthy diet that is high in wood elf, and low in shield Dwarf. One must always watch those cholesterol levels."
"If a Svirfneblin falls in the underdark, does anybody care?" |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2005 : 04:06:27
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But the Zhents have an established route (or a few) through Anauroch, and Zhent sky mages fly over the caravans to protect it from the air from Bedine and the like. Now, apparently the Zhents and the Shadovar might have some conflicts, especially since Malagrys and his blue dragons are allied to the Shadovar, but before the Shades, the Zhents had several oases set up in a line, heavily defended, across the desert.
If you read the old Anauroch supplement, the Zhents create artificial oasis with decanters of endless water, then set up guards to protect their oases. |
Edited by - KnightErrantJR on 10 Sep 2005 00:33:37 |
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ShadowDragonMage
Acolyte
15 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2005 : 00:11:23
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| I have figured it out. Where better to put my dungeon but in some ruins of the Netherese. Could you inform me what Zhent sky mages where exactly? And I need to know who Malagrym and his blue dragons are. And I also don't know of the Shadovar. However I do want to get some of my story straight before I go trouncing into it. How on earth do I figure out how fast covered wagons move? And could they even be practical through a desert? Take it by camel? |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2005 : 00:33:04
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Sorry, I mistyped . . . Malagrys . . . Malagrys is a blue dracolich that rules over all of the blue dragons in Anauroch. What year is your campaign set in, or do you have one in mind. If its before 1372 DR it won't matter who the Shadovar are (they are Netherese wizards that survived the fall of Netheril becuase their enclave was in the Plane of Shadows).
Before 1372 Malagrys was beholden to the Cult of the Dragon, though none of his servants would have to know that, and after 1372 he is controlled by the Shadovar.
The Zhent Sky Mages are just a branch of Zhentarim wizards that are trained to fly aerial steeds, such as wyverns, manticores, and the like, and fly ahead and above Zhent caravans to protect them from above.
Hope that all helps, and I'd be happy to supply more information, as I am sure the other sages here would as well. |
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ShadowDragonMage
Acolyte
15 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2005 : 02:35:43
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| Thanks so much for your quick responses. I havn't decided what year to start my campaign in but with your help it seems it will be easier. I still need to know how fast a covered wagon caravan could move. Particularly through the desert. Also who would be most likely to lead the caravan from a political viewpoint. A cleric of Cyric, Bane, or a Zent mage? I am not starting the game for a bit so as much background as I can gather the better. I am mostly a FR novel reader so I don't really have a firm grip on the newest events in the FR history. Thanks again for all your help. If you ever have any questions I may be able to give you information regarding the books of the series. I have read over 100 of them and only have 70 some to go. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2005 : 03:01:39
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Hey, most of us love brainstorming with other FR fans here on this site. I would guess, if you set your game in 1371 DR or earlier, Banite clerics by default wouldn't be leading the caravan, becuase Bane doesn't return until Hammer 1st, 1372 DR. Most of the caravans have traditionally been led my mages, though larger ones may have clerics of Xvim (in the above mentioned timeframe), to help cast some wards, mend some broken bones, et al.
The last few years before Bane returned, Fzoul became the leader of the Zhentarim and became a cleric of Xvim (and when Bane comes back he returns to Bane). When Xvim becomes Fzoul's new god, the clergy of Cyric is largly driven out of the Zhentarim, thier greatest fortificaton being Darkhold on the other side of Anauroch.
Hope this helps. I would help with the travel times, but I don't have my books right at hand to look up distances, travel speeds, etc. |
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Halidan
Senior Scribe
USA
470 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2005 : 00:21:07
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quote:
Originally posted by ShadowDragonMage
First I was curious if anyone who read the twilight giants series has any idea why the map in the book doesn't show up anywhere on the FR interactive atlas.
I just noticed that we'd missed this question from ShadowdragonMage's initial post. Thought I'd give it a shot.
I'm not sure which map from the novels you're talking about, but the region of Hartsvale is included in the FR Atlas. It's on the NetherMtns.FCW map - in fact, it takes up most of the NE corner of that map. So, Hartsvale doesn't have it's own map, but the region is included in the atlas.
Now, I don't remember if this was one of the maps that was excluded from the original package and ended up in one of the three suplimental downloads. |
"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied,
"If you seek for Eldorado!"
Edgar Allen Poe - 1849 |
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ShadowDragonMage
Acolyte
15 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2005 : 16:47:11
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| Any Idea where I could get those downloads? Looks like most of my rule books are from right after the avitar series climaxed. 1366 is when I plan on setting my caimpain but I am curious what all political effects that time period would have on a caravan moving through the desert area of Anauroch. I know the Bedine from Parched Sea of the harpers novels. I guess clerics of Cyric would be leading then? Or was the Zentharim so screwed up by the Time of Troubles that it nearlly didn't exist? I found my movement and terrain rules so now all I need is opinions about routes. The caravan it's self is leaving from Zenthil Keep. The idea is to go to the citidel of the raven and collect more supplies and manpower for the jurney through the border forest or maybe up and around it to the north. Thanks for all the help guys. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36965 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2005 : 18:30:41
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quote:
Originally posted by ShadowDragonMage
Any Idea where I could get those downloads? Looks like most of my rule books are from right after the avitar series climaxed. 1366 is when I plan on setting my caimpain but I am curious what all political effects that time period would have on a caravan moving through the desert area of Anauroch. I know the Bedine from Parched Sea of the harpers novels. I guess clerics of Cyric would be leading then? Or was the Zentharim so screwed up by the Time of Troubles that it nearlly didn't exist? I found my movement and terrain rules so now all I need is opinions about routes. The caravan it's self is leaving from Zenthil Keep. The idea is to go to the citidel of the raven and collect more supplies and manpower for the jurney through the border forest or maybe up and around it to the north. Thanks for all the help guys.
They used to be on the Wizards page, but parts of the site are currently down, so I can't offer you the URL. If it comes up later, I'll post the link here. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36965 Posts |
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ShadowDragonMage
Acolyte
15 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2005 : 23:44:30
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| Wow 3 updates. This should be very helpful but I may end up with maps of future places. Then again it may add detail to places that I am planning on dragging my players through. Now if I could only find the movement rate of a 10 covered wagon caravan... |
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ShadowDragonMage
Acolyte
15 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2005 : 00:32:25
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| So what on earth happened to the huge city that was Zentil Keep or more acurately the top 3/4 of it at 1368??? Thanks so very much for the update URLs. I now think that I will play around 1370DR. I want Cyric to be in the pantheon at the time that the caravan is leaving. I was curious if there is a site where I could get the dates of the novels. The coresponding time that the events in the books are happenning. Particularly the avitar trilogy and the following Prince of Lies and the Crucible. A sky mage sounds like a great idea. |
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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2005 : 16:08:48
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Zhentil Keep was lain seige to by a force of Giants, Ogres and Dragons in 1368. IIRC These where sent by Cyric in an effort to convert most of Zhentil keep to his worship. However with Cyric being a chaotic God he decided to allow the destruction of the keep rather than to save it (as per his original Plan).
Cyric has been a member of the pantheon since the time of troubles, which ended well before the Keeps destruction. The ToT took place in 1358, so Cyric became a god well before the Destruction of Zhentil Keep.
Hope this Helps
Hanx
Elrond |
Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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ShadowDragonMage
Acolyte
15 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2005 : 03:53:05
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| Well I went from a Zent campaign and now I look at the chars of my players and I'm thinking... Big mesterious forest, or putrid swamp, or even a tropical rain forest... Maybe a combination of them all. Help me find a suitibly out of the way place for me to drop them away from civilization... or at least I want to make them feel that way. (It may actually be that it would be better for them to be close to civilization. (I have a tribe of natives planned though)) Anyways I have looked through the atlas and I will most probably need a bit of culture tuning. Sometimes the Realms just seems to all be too well known. I guess that is the fun of GMing though. Bringing the world to life. Please Please Please help me with ideas! Thanks so much. |
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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2005 : 12:23:19
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It depends how far from civilisation you want the campaign to take place for example the Dalelands is a frontier style area there are a few towns, and far fewer cities. Additionally Cormanthor still occupies a large percentage of the region. Instantly you have the large mysterious ruin-riddled forest you wanted.
Try the Cormanthyr Accessory: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/2/fr_downloads/tsr1165.zip
Alternatively for a more exotic destination you could try Maztica, a South American style continent. I don't know alot about this however you can download the 2nd E source book for here:
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/2/fr_downloads/tsr1165.zip
Hope this helps!
Hanx
Elrond |
Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
Edited by - Elrond Half Elven on 14 Sep 2005 12:25:01 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36965 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2005 : 17:21:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Elrond Half Elven
It depends how far from civilisation you want the campaign to take place for example the Dalelands is a frontier style area there are a few towns, and far fewer cities. Additionally Cormanthor still occupies a large percentage of the region. Instantly you have the large mysterious ruin-riddled forest you wanted.
Try the Cormanthyr Accessory: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/2/fr_downloads/tsr1165.zip
Alternatively for a more exotic destination you could try Maztica, a South American style continent. I don't know alot about this however you can download the 2nd E source book for here:
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/2/fr_downloads/tsr1165.zip
Hope this helps!
Hanx
Elrond
And for other free downloads, click here. 
I would recommend you grab all of the Volo's Guides, at the least. They don't give anything more than general lore about any particular dungeons (no maps or detailed room listings), but they are wonderful sources of Realmslore.
Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (formerly a suppressed work  ) is also wonderful for magical lore -- including spells and arcane uses for various plants, stones, and other materials. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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ShadowDragonMage
Acolyte
15 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2005 : 22:41:26
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| I think I have gone a full circle. Maztica is wonderfull. I enjoyed The Maztica Trilogy very much but it is too far away. Would be great for another game though. I think I have choosen to use the Border Forest just NE of Anauroch and convieniently close to the Zents again. So now all I need is: any description anyone can give me about the Border Forest, Flaming Tower, Mines of Tethyamar, Dragon Spine Mountains, and a logical time for a caravan to leave for a crossing of Anauroch from Zenthil Keep. Wow what a crazy jurney ;) Thanks all you guys.... What a great resource. I wish I could return the favor sometime. |
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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2005 : 00:12:01
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The Zhentarim had Several created oasis in the desert which their caravans stop at (KnightErrantJR already mentioned this). Anauroch was often traversed by Zhentarim caravans; I'm not sure exactly how the appearance of the City of shade affected this, but the Shadovar have been busy digging up old Netheril ruins in the desert so they're no doubt keen to keep the Zhentarim away.
I'd recommend reading the Anauroch guide, and to a lesser extent The ruins of Zhentil Keep box set, (perhaps) Dwarves Deep. I think Lost Empires of Faerun and (at a push) the Unapproachable East may have some information concerning the region.
Sorry I can't offer anything more conclusive
Hanx
Elrond |
Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2005 : 03:30:02
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| Ruins of Zhentil Keep does have a map that shows the trade routes through Anauroch on the "Zhentarim Influence" section. |
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ShadowDragonMage
Acolyte
15 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2005 : 22:05:24
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| Thanks for all of the free downloads. As a Realms buff I will have plenty to look through for a long time. Unfortunately many of those downloads came in boxes with maps and the acrobat files do not have the maps with them. Makes me angry that I got the FR Caimpagn setting and the Shadow Dale book was missing. Oh well that is my luck anyway. Any idea where I could aquire Ruins of Zentil Keep, or the Anauroch guide? Both would be very useful. My game is going to be held on Saturday so mostly all I need is a bit of lore and guidlines about the Border Forest. You all have been wonderfully helpful. Thanks again. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36965 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2005 : 23:00:12
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quote:
Originally posted by ShadowDragonMage
Any idea where I could aquire Ruins of Zentil Keep, or the Anauroch guide? Both would be very useful. My game is going to be held on Saturday so mostly all I need is a bit of lore and guidlines about the Border Forest. You all have been wonderfully helpful. Thanks again.
I've acquired a lot of stuff from eBay... I've also heard good things about nobleknight.com, though I've never used them, myself. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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GM Questions for starting a new game.
