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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Apr 2006 : 23:23:47
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quote:
Originally posted by GungHo
I could care less about a PrC for a Hillsfar Gladiator or a Moonsea Pirate who has special powers to make the Bell in the Deep sound out "Sweet Home Alabama."
But we're talking about the Realms... So it'd be "Sweet Home Sembia", instead.  |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2006 : 23:26:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Arthedain
[what are gold coins from Zhentil Keep called anyway?],
See page 79 of Power of Faerūn.  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2006 : 05:16:11
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Seans spilled a few more beans over at his forums
"Basic breakdown (off the top of my head)
Divides the region into 4 quadrants (N S E W).
Divides each quadrants into two parts: a major city, and its outlying areas.
Major city section has history, general description, some key NPCs that are easy to use as PC enemies, and 5 encounter sites (with maps and keyed descriptions) within the city, designed to be quested sequentially (frex one is for levels 5-6, the next is for 6-7, the next for 7-8, and so on).
Outlying area section has 5 encounter sites (with maps and keyed descriptions) outside the city, same design considerations as the in-city ones.
There are links all over the place allowing the PCs to move about anywhere in the chains, so if the five city encounters are A B C D E and the outlying ones are 1 2 3 4 5 you could run your PCs through as ABCDE, 12345, A23DE5, and so on.
One quadrant is low-level, with transitions to the next-higher-level quadrant, which likewise has links to the next, etc.
We wrote it so it's entirely possible to play through an entire Moonsea campaign (level 1-18 or so) and only use half the encounter sites in the book; you could then run ANOTHER Moonsea campaign with the other half. Or use the other half for flavor & references to fill out the background of what other groups are doing in the area. Or if your PCs are efficient and fight-crazy, maybe they go through all of them. Anyway the point is that you get _40_ keyed/mapped/described encounter locations in this book, all linked to at least one other in the book in some way. For the price of the book it's a pretty good deal, and as they're pretty self-contained you could also transplant them outside the Moonsea if your campaign is elsewhere (or use some of them as an excuse for your non-Moonsea PCs to take a quick trip to deal with something in the Moonsea and then go back to their normal questing places)."
Going off Thomas earlier response Im guessing the 4 Moonseas Cities that get a write up are Zhentil Keep, Melvaunt (Melvaunt got a bit of a write up in Sons of Gruumsh they really should have done Phlan as the northern city), Mulmaster, Hillsfar
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I am the King of Rome, and above grammar
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
Edited by - Dargoth on 08 Apr 2006 05:26:48 |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2006 : 10:04:20
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More info from Sean
"As for length, typically each "quest" (as we called them) runs 2-3 pages of text with a 1/4- or 1/2-page map.
I wrote the Hillsfar section, and (not counting the quests, rumors table, and villainous NPCs who get a full writeup) it's 5500 words, which is 5-8 pages of text. Each of the four major cities covered gets a comparable treatment.
As for why this isn't a regular sourcebook, the goal is that you could pick up this book and use it that very night, regardless of your party level. It's a book to be used rather than read-and-shelved." |
I am the King of Rome, and above grammar
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2006 : 00:38:55
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Thomas, Sean, Wil
Are any of these Mini modules "Time stamped"? ie do any occur during the Dragon Rage (Particularly the Melvaunt part) or during the Elven crusade in the Dalelands (Particularly the Hillsfar and Zhentil Keep parts)? |
I am the King of Rome, and above grammar
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
Edited by - Dargoth on 09 Apr 2006 00:39:50 |
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Thomas M. Reid
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
334 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2006 : 22:35:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
Are any of these Mini modules "Time stamped"? ie do any occur during the Dragon Rage (Particularly the Melvaunt part) or during the Elven crusade in the Dalelands (Particularly the Hillsfar and Zhentil Keep parts)?
To the best of my knowledge, only in the most minimal way -- as in, my sections definitely deal with the reconstruction era of Zhentil Keep and the slow recovery of the nortern part of the city by the Banites, and Sean and I made some coordinated noise about how many times Yulash has changed hands between ZK and Hillsfar, but that's really it. It's wide open enough that you can use what's inside independent of just about any of that stuff.
Thomas |
"A knight is not truly virtuous, only truly resolved to be so."
www.thomasmreid.com |
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2006 : 01:48:22
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| This all sounds rather intriguing, and possibly very good. I'm not quite sure I like the concept as much as a 'traditional' regional sourcebook but I'm quite happy to give it a spin. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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Sanishiver
Senior Scribe
USA
476 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2006 : 06:51:33
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I'm just stoked about this book because my players have been itching to mix it up in the Moonsea region for some time. I'm betting I can use this book like I've used Dungeon Magazine for so long to give me several 'ins' to tie the book's adventures into my own campaign.
Can't wait to see what Thomas and Sean gave us in the way of Zhentilar and Banite encounters!
J. Grenemyer |
09/20/2008: Tiger Army at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. You wouldnt believe how many females rode it out in the pit. Santa Cruz women are all of them beautiful. Now I know to add tough to that description.
6/27/2008: WALL-E is about the best damn movie Pixar has ever made. It had my heart racing and had me rooting for the good guy.
9/9/2006: Dave Mathews Band was off the hook at the Shoreline Amphitheater.
Never, ever read the game books too literally, or make such assumptions that what is omitted cannot be. Bad DM form, that.
And no matter how compelling a picture string theory paints, if it does not accurately describe our universe, it will be no more relevant than an elaborate game of Dungeons and Dragons. --paragraph 1, chapter 9, The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2006 : 06:57:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Reefy
This all sounds rather intriguing, and possibly very good. I'm not quite sure I like the concept as much as a 'traditional' regional sourcebook but I'm quite happy to give it a spin.
My concern is that we now wont get a true Moonsea Regional source book
They should have done this "37 Adventure" source book for a region thats already has a true source book ie Silver Marches, Shining South, Unapproachable East or City of Splendors |
I am the King of Rome, and above grammar
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2006 : 07:09:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
My concern is that we now wont get a true Moonsea Regional source book
They should have done this "37 Adventure" source book for a region thats already has a true source book ie Silver Marches, Shining South, Unapproachable East or City of Splendors
There's already a lot of source material on the region, and the adventure format can more than handle any major updates. It'll be fine, even if no actual regional sourcebook is published on the Moonsea for 3e. |
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2006 : 17:42:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
My concern is that we now wont get a true Moonsea Regional source book
I dunno. I am very excited about this new format. SKR and Carl showed with Lords of Darkness that a show-dont-tell approach can be very effective. Also, standard regional sourcebooks can IMO be somewhat dry at times. A change of pace can be very nice, if its done right. |
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Eremite
Learned Scribe
Singapore
182 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 16:59:32
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| Actually, that sounds like a great product. Perfect for me, at least. |
Best
E |
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Ahwe Yahzhe
Acolyte
Iraq
36 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 09:47:13
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My party has just kicked out Sons of Gruumsh, and are getting down with their badass-7th-level-selves in Melvaunt. They've made some allies in the noble families, as well as some enemies. I'm going to keep them busy until June by patching together a Dungeon module by David Noonan, developing some PC history hooks, and resolving some unexpected plot threads.
That said, there's three things I'm dying to know:
1) Is Melvaunt the "North Quadrant" city?
2) If the level of the scanarios progress by quadrant, is the North/Melvaunt quadrant the right one for a 7th or 8th level party?
3) Are there any hooks that lead from Sons of Gruumsh to the scenarios in MoM?
The answers to these questions will determine whether I need to start shifting plots and NPCs to another city in Moonsea... whichever one that will be. 
Still, definitely looking forward to what sounds like a fun scenario-based sourcebook. It sounds ideal for time-constrained DM like me...
Ahwe Yahzhe |
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Verghityax
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 22:37:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Ahwe Yahzhe
1) Is Melvaunt the "North Quadrant" city?
Yup, Melvaunt is the northern one, while Zhentil Keep is to the west, Mulmaster to the east and finally Hillsfar is the southern one. |
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Thomas M. Reid
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
334 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2006 : 05:59:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Ahwe Yahzhe
1) Is Melvaunt the "North Quadrant" city?
Yes.
quote:
2) If the level of the scanarios progress by quadrant, is the North/Melvaunt quadrant the right one for a 7th or 8th level party?
It will actually be the low-level portion (1st through 7th); then Hillsfar (6th to 12th), Mulmaster (9th to 15th), and finally Zhentil Keep (12th to 18th). So you might be able to do a couple of the Melvaunt plots, but not all of them (without beefing them up, at least).
quote:
3) Are there any hooks that lead from Sons of Gruumsh to the scenarios in MoM?
I have absolutely no idea.
Thomas |
"A knight is not truly virtuous, only truly resolved to be so."
www.thomasmreid.com |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2006 : 06:24:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Thomas M. Reid
It will actually be the low-level portion (1st through 7th); then Hillsfar (6th to 12th), Mulmaster (9th to 15th), and finally Zhentil Keep (12th to 18th). So you might be able to do a couple of the Melvaunt plots, but not all of them (without beefing them up, at least).
So why wasn't levels 19-20 included somewhere? Lack of space? |
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Ahwe Yahzhe
Acolyte
Iraq
36 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2006 : 06:40:48
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quote:
It will actually be the low-level portion (1st through 7th); then Hillsfar (6th to 12th), Mulmaster (9th to 15th), and finally Zhentil Keep (12th to 18th). So you might be able to do a couple of the Melvaunt plots, but not all of them (without beefing them up, at least).
Thanks for the heads-up - it sounds like there will be a trip across the Moonsea to Hillsfar in the party's future! (Or Mulmaster, depending on how the party progresses between now and June...) 
-Ahwe Yahzhe |
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Thomas M. Reid
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
334 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2006 : 01:10:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
So why wasn't levels 19-20 included somewhere? Lack of space?
I don't know what the reasoning was for setting the levels as they are. That's what was stipulated in the contract, so I went with it.
Thomas |
"A knight is not truly virtuous, only truly resolved to be so."
www.thomasmreid.com |
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2006 : 01:34:17
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What with my old campaign coming to a sudden end, and the new one starting in Daggerdale, this product is now suddenly looking all the more appealing.
I also have a question - is there any mention or use of the ondonti? |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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ShadowJack
Senior Scribe
USA
350 Posts |
Posted - 20 Apr 2006 : 15:33:53
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| I look forward to more FR material and less PrCs and spells and such, which, as stated earlier is starting to get redundant. My only disappointment (and it is a small one) is it sounds like there will be no character stats given for Dorn Greycloak and company from Year of Rogue Dragons. I was also looking forward to a write-up on Thentia and some of the other cities of the Moonsea. Having ready-made adventures that start at first level could be really useful in my campaign. All that said I will buy it... I wonder what it will cost... |
ShadowJack |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2006 : 05:42:46
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| Will MoM include any new monsters? |
I am the King of Rome, and above grammar
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2006 : 16:24:30
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quote:
Originally posted by ShadowJack
I look forward to more FR material and less PrCs and spells and such, which, as stated earlier is starting to get redundant. My only disappointment (and it is a small one) is it sounds like there will be no character stats given for Dorn Greycloak and company from Year of Rogue Dragons. I was also looking forward to a write-up on Thentia and some of the other cities of the Moonsea. Having ready-made adventures that start at first level could be really useful in my campaign. All that said I will buy it... I wonder what it will cost...
You can get Dorn and Kara's stats in Dragon #326. |
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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Thomas M. Reid
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
334 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2006 : 20:39:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
Will MoM include any new monsters?
Nope, not that I know of. The idea was to minimize the amount of space taken up by that sort of thing in favor of locations, NPCs, and mini-adventures.
Thomas |
"A knight is not truly virtuous, only truly resolved to be so."
www.thomasmreid.com |
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2006 : 23:21:12
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| Droooool |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2006 : 05:09:12
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We now have a table of contents: Mysteries of the Moonsea Excerpt
Each of the four areas gets a few pages of write-up, so it's not a total loss, as far as regional sourcebooks go. I'd expect that the various quests would also include a decent amount of Realmslore... |
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! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 31 May 2006 05:23:17 |
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Trace_Coburn
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
137 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2006 : 15:40:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
We now have a table of contents: Mysteries of the Moonsea Excerpt
Each of the four areas gets a few pages of write-up, so it's not a total loss, as far as regional sourcebooks go. I'd expect that the various quests would also include a decent amount of Realmslore...
Y'know, after reading that ToC and what's covered, even knowing that I will probably never get to play any of the quests in this source-module, I am quite prepared to say here and now that
I
WANT
THIS
BOOK
NOW!
Please?  |
D&D collection: Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, Monster Manual I, Complete Arcane, Arms & Equipment Guide.
FR sourcebook collection: Dragons of Faerūn, Faiths & Pantheons, FRCS, Lords of Darkness, Monsters of Faerūn, Player's Guide to Faerūn, Power of Faerūn, Races of Faerūn, Silver Marches.
I just got back into this, okay? Give me time (or better yet money) - I'll catch up soon enough. |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2006 : 02:28:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Trace_Coburn
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
We now have a table of contents: Mysteries of the Moonsea Excerpt
Each of the four areas gets a few pages of write-up, so it's not a total loss, as far as regional sourcebooks go. I'd expect that the various quests would also include a decent amount of Realmslore...
Y'know, after reading that ToC and what's covered, even knowing that I will probably never get to play any of the quests in this source-module, I am quite prepared to say here and now that
I
WANT
THIS
BOOK
NOW!
Please?
yup, I will be there with cash in hand, once this sourcebook hits the shelves, or if I am lucky, as they are stocking those said shelves |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2006 : 02:49:00
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One of the adventures is called the Citadel of the Raven. I could be wrong, but I'm betting that will have some information on the Citadel of the Raven in it. I'm in. (Then again, Shadowdale didn't have as much in it about Shadowdale as I would have liked, but that was a LONG time ago)
Seriously though, it definately looks interesting enough and filled with enough lore to recommend itself to me. In fact, I was surprised, I was more excited by this table of contents than I was by the Fiendish Codex, which was a tome that I previously was pretty excited about (which I still am, but less so now). |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2006 : 03:12:45
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Seriously though, it definately looks interesting enough and filled with enough lore to recommend itself to me. In fact, I was surprised, I was more excited by this table of contents than I was by the Fiendish Codex, which was a tome that I previously was pretty excited about (which I still am, but less so now).
I'm a little more interested in MotM now that I've seen the ToC. Though I suspect the "few pages" for each locale will only feature the most recent info on the places themselves.
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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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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 00:59:42
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Seriously though, it definately looks interesting enough and filled with enough lore to recommend itself to me. In fact, I was surprised, I was more excited by this table of contents than I was by the Fiendish Codex, which was a tome that I previously was pretty excited about (which I still am, but less so now).
I'm a little more interested in MotM now that I've seen the ToC. Though I suspect the "few pages" for each locale will only feature the most recent info on the places themselves.
I would be inclined to agree with you given the nature of the book, in the sense that you need to know what's going on currently as that will directly affect running adventures there, rather than history, for example. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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Mysteries of Moonsea?!?
