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Lenora Ilvastarr
Acolyte
USA
22 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Oct 2006 : 15:42:28
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Well met. I want to thank Ed Greenwood and THO for this wonderful scroll and for all they have done to bring the Realms to life for us. I hope I'm not asking for too much, but these questions have been in my mind for a long time. I fear they've finally burst out. 
1) Would it be possible to learn anything about the Truesilver family of Cormyr? (I understand the dreaded NDA monster may make an appearance). Also, how do the noble families of Cormyr feel about their daughters joining the army or navy? Sons, obviously, would most likely have no trouble. Would it be along the lines of- "Yes, our regent is a wonderful woman, but no daughter of mine is going to ride about playing soldier."
2) Another family I'm interested in, as you can see by my name, is the Ilvastarr family. Can you tell us anything about them, or will the dread NDA monster once again come into play?
3) What kind of dances and music were prevalent in Myth Drannnor? How did the various races affect each other culturally?
4) Along the same vein as the above question, what types of games do the various races enjoy?
If anyone else can help with the last 2, it would be great.
5) One thing I've always wondered. What was it like for Elminster to raise Storm, Dove, and Laeral? After all, here was an archmage (a bachelor, to boot) suddenly getting three young girls to raise. Storm, from all reports, was quite the hellion. How did Elminster cope with his sudden fatherly duties?
6) What would the elven word for Ringwraith be? I'm going to be running a Realms-style LOTR campaign soon. And just out of curiosity, if the LOTR were to somehow occur in the Realms, where in the Realms would you think the events would play out?
Whew, like I said earlier, I hope that's not too much. I understand Ed is rather busy most of the time (Heh, understatment of the century  ) and I am a patient person.
Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet. |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2006 : 18:15:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Verghityax
Dear Ed,
Recently I was reading "Letters From Hell", a book about Jack the Ripper and I started to wonder if there are any famous serial killers in the Realms?
All high-level worshippers of Bhaal or Cyric? 
Seriously, one such worshipper is mentioned in Faiths and Avatars |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2006 : 18:17:03
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Hi, all. I should have another Realmslore reply from Ed in five or six hours, to post here, but a quick tackling of some matters I can address from in-game experience as a player in Ed's "home" Realms campaign:
To DavidTrim: YES, Sembians (or any other outlanders who aren't visibly drow or other "no-nos") can indeed be members of chartered Cormyrean adventuring bands.
To Lenora Ilvastarr: re. #5; are you familiar with the relevant short story in THE BEST OF THE REALMS, Volume 2: THE STORIES OF ED GREENWOOD?
This is actually a topic Ed would LOVE to explore more fully, someday, but . . . the Knights trilogy has to be finished first, and then there'll be something of a surprise, Ed has hinted. Not that he's said one word of useful details, mind you . . .
love,
THO |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2006 : 12:59:10
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hello, all. Dargoth recently asked: “Which of the following types of criminal activity does Elaith Craulnober run in Waterdeep?
Protection rackets
Prostitution
Drug dealing
Gambling
Kidnapping for Ransom
Robberies
Counterfeiting
Murder for Hire
Smuggling of legal and Illegal goods
Slavery
Anything I missed”
Ed replies:
All of the above.
Or to put it another way: Elaith runs various “toughs” (street thugs and more intelligent agents) who handle such things for him, “such things” being everything on your list and then some (the “anything I missed”). Personally, Elaith sees to problems that arise with these various operations (see CITY OF SPLENDORS for a glimpse of some of his agents; there are usually at least three, and more often six, layers of operatives between him and the thug in the alley with the dagger), and otherwise personally attends to: sophisticated blackmail (and “hidden manipulation”) of wealthy merchants, so as to influence goods supplies and therefore prices (so he can sell his goods at maximum profit), and so as to provide “fall guys” and “cover” for his smugglings of legal and illegal goods. He almost never personally has anything to do with slavery, drug deals, protection shakedowns, or murder for hire (though he does do murders, as part of the aforementioned “problem solving”). Elaith is becoming both bored and jaded with “brute force” criminality, and increasingly skilled at, and interested in, developing his means of covert influence, so he can control things in Waterdeep WITHOUT open (and illegal) uses of force. He long ago discovered that the guy who robs someone gets away with stuff he can carry, and gets hunted down - - but the guy who buys several houses, causes a few “accidental” fires in adjacent properties so as to buy them cheaply, and then sells the block for far higher prices, gets away with huge amounts of coin, and gets considered “smart” and “successful.”
So saith Ed. Who has plans of his own for Elaith, but will defer to Elaine in matters Elaithian. 
love to all,
THO
So basicly Elaith doesnt care how or what rackets his agents run so long as he gets his cut? |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Delzounblood
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
578 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2006 : 14:49:12
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Ed or THO
Just a quick one. A question regarding the formation of the dwarven race?
I know that dwarves from a theological point of view are formed from the Hammer Blows of Moradin etc............. But in several books, Namley The Races of Faerun, Dwarves are mentioned as outsiders who came to this plane from somewhere else and not native to Abeir-Toril.
My question is this, Where did they stem from? Is there any canon regarding this? and where can I find it?
I am wanting to give both the theological and inter-planar versions equal mention in my book but I am finding little canon on this, Could you help?? |
I'm Back! |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2006 : 15:17:02
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Hi again, fellow scribes. Ed continues to be tearingly busy, but has time to say to kalin agrivar that he did, indeed, plan prevalent wind and ocean currents in the Realms, and hopes to be able to provide a proper answer in the fullness of time (remember, folks, he’s fighting to get three novels, a game product, and a heap of web columns and DRAGON articles done before year-end!). He also wanted to say a hearty “you’re welcome” to RevJest for the kind words about CITY OF SPLENDORS and BEST OF THE REALMS Volume 2: THE STORIES OF ED GREENWOOD, and to hope RevJest is enjoying SWORDS OF EVENINGSTAR (Ed is enjoying penning the sequel, SWORDS OF DRAGONFIRE).
Modesty forbids Ed to comment on DavidTrim’s amazement “with Ed as a person and an answer font,” but hey, as one of his longtime players, I firmly agree. He is an amazing guy, and one of kindest and most understanding human beings I have ever met.
Ed did, however, tackle DavidTrim’s question: “My question (and I am strictly a 1e&2e player): If a priest were to have their holy symbol tattooed on their body in a consecrated ceremony in their church would said tattoo work as a holy symbol for turning and spell casting. Like say having said tattoo on the back of their hand or palm and not wearing gauntlets. Thanks.”
Ed replies:
It depends on the deity.
For Gond: no, absolutely not, because Gond is represented by a (usually metal, preferably made or partially made by the priest) device (usually with moving parts, such as cog wheels), as his holy symbol.
For most of the nature deities: yes, though please note that the holy symbol would only “work” if the tattoo incorporates a sacred substance associated with the deity, that has been “blessed” or “sanctified” to the deity in a devout ritual. For example, a powder of ground acorn and/or crushed oak leaves for Silvanus, ground cultivated grains for Chauntea, shards of ice for Auril, and so on. These substances are typically introduced under the skin, through wounds made by other priests during the ritual (and typically bathed in holy oils), and then “seared” by a brand that may or may not destroy them, the tattooing then being done (by devout worshippers or priests of the deity) “over” or to incorporate the brand.
For Mystra, the incorporated item is typically a gem or metal token bearing the dweomer of a magical spell (a light spell or faerie fire will suffice), and the tattoo will be a rune with magical meaning, though it CAN’T be an actual spell-effect symbol (as in the various “Symbol of” spells given in the PHB) and still function as a holy symbol.
In general, a DM should ensure that this use of a holy symbol does incorporate an actual holy symbol (and is thus a way of carrying it around “under the skin”), rather than just being a drawing. Note that the nature of some deities, such as Moander, means that doing this will harm or even destroy the body of the priest over time.
So saith Ed. Who sounds from the tone of his reply as if he’s writing rules at the moment (one of his current projects would definitely involve doing so, but NDAs keep him mum about the details).
This reply was delayed a bit, BTW, because (disagreeing completely with the interpretation of Ed's reply to Dargoth that Dargoth has just expressed in his latest query) I wanted to get Ed's take on this.
Here it is:
No, I would NOT agree at all that: "So basically Elaith doesn't care how or what rackets his agents run so long as he gets his cut?"
On the contrary. Elaith cares very much what his agents do AND how they do it (how much evidence they'll leave behind, profile they'll earn with lawkeepers, and effects they'll have on their reputations with the public, and therefore their influence). What I was saying is that Elaith carefully shields himself away from certain activities through several layers of agents. It's not that he's trying to get his "cut" from everything, it's that he wants some of his agents to have sideline businesses (that he can reveal to rivals or even the authorities if need be, to eliminate no longer wanted agents; and for their own performance, allowing them to have their own "secrets" and beliefs they can "get away with something, even against Elaith"). Elaith WILL move swiftly and ruthlessly to stop activities he doesn't want happening, at a particular time, in a particular manner, or involving particular victims. I want to be very clear on this.
So saith Ed.
love to all,
THO
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DavidTrim
Acolyte
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2006 : 17:40:03
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| Thank you Ed and THO for the quick replies to both of my questions. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2006 : 03:44:03
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A pleasure, DavidTrim, a pleasure . . .
Hi again, fellow scribes.
This time Ed tackles some elf-related queries from Vangelor: “First, is the word "ardavanshee" singular or plural (or both) in construction? And is it gender-specific? Is the useage limited to "citified" elves, as in Myth Drannor, Evereska, and the towns of Evermeet, or would the green elves in their hidden glades call their delinquent youth by this term as well?
Second, regarding those aforesaid green elves: Am I correct in assuming that, however "primitive" their woodland societies may seem by comparison to the high civilizations of Evereska and Evermeet, green elven culture has its own richness of traditions and customs that in its own way rivals that of their less reclusive cousins? What are some noteworthy features of wild elf culture, in various areas of Faerûn?
Third, imagine a young lore-singer of a remote green-elf tribe who, led by visions and the decrees of his tribe's seers, sets out to familiarize himself with the other cultures of the Realms, and enrolls in the bardic college at Silverymoon. Obviously, he would have little coin for tuition. Are scholarships available? Would the tales and songs of his own people (mostly unknown even to other elves) be valued enough to help pay his way?
And finally, how would the locals be apt to react in Alustriel's city when said elf stubbornly preferrs to go naked, or in as little as the climate permits, and forsakes his dormitory cot to sleep in some accomodating tree, and occasionally catch his own lunch if he spies a juicy rabbit? Would the constabulary object? (Yes, this is my character - I simply am curious as to how the locals might respond in Ed's Realms).
Best of luck to Ed in unearthing himself from an avalanche of deadlines, NDA's, and other busy-ness, and to Her Hooded Grace in avoiding gunshot wounds and hot pursuits in inconveniently long gowns!”
For my part: thanks for the wishes of good fortune. As scribes can probably guess, I usually peel offending garments, or hold them up in my teeth (THAT makes policemens’ eyebrows rise, let me tell you - - or perhaps it’s what they can see, that’s no longer “underneath”). Ed also says thanks for the good wishes, and passed on to me these formal replies to your queries:
The word "ardavanshee" is used both in the singular and plural, for elves of both genders, and is used among all elves (though its usage is most popular among more urban elves). So, yes, green elves might well use it.
And yes, green elven culture is rich in tradition and customs, though rather than fashion and sculpture and books, these are centered on natural cycles of life (the weather, populations of flora and fauna the elves live among, and so on), living things (training growing things into shapes, rather than carving them), and also involve long sung (often with harp and other instrument accompaniment) oral histories of families (all members mentioned, emotional reactions to deeds and characters of the individuals incorporated, in what sounds to most human ears as long, wandering, often atonal vocalizations; if you want an example of an atypically orgasmic passage from such a “laeralae,” play the wordless female vocal part of “The Great Gig In The Sky” from the Pink Floyd album DARK SIDE OF THE MOON). As for “noteworthy features of wild elf culture,” these tend to be tree planting and nurturing, and “reclamation by the wild” plantings and encouragement of wildlife, all over Faerûn. (In other words, features that many other races and cultures won’t even recognize as the actions of a culture, as opposed to “nature growing wild.”)
Now, as for your character: the laeralae would be valued (as, indeed, they are “mostly unknown even to other elves”), and he wouldn’t be belittled as a “savage” or the laeralae or his culture as “crude music making” or anything of the sort. However, they wouldn’t be payment, either.
Your lore-singer would be offered room and board (and allowed to perform in the city’s clubs, taverns, salons, and at various private feasts or even, if he can attract one, for a personal patron, to earn extra coin) in return for service to the college, of two sorts: teaching other students, and going on “tasks” (missions) for the college, to find valued instruments and written or recorded music, establish contact with/negotiate with/deliver messages to known instrument-makers, composers, and music collectors of note, and to escort students (or students-to-be) between their distant homes and the college.
As for his garb or lack of same, and “wild” habits: Silverymoon is COLD for most of the year, but if he wants to go naked or nearly naked, that’s his business. Some establishments and some citizens will refuse him entry or welcome if he doesn’t cover his privates, and others couldn’t care less. Personal cleanliness (smell) would both them more than unclad condition. If he owns the tree he wants to sleep in, that’s fine. If he wants to sleep in someone else’s, the local lawkeepers will react according to the owner’s reaction. And as for catching rabbits: no rabbit running around inside the city is going to be “wild.” It’s going to be the property of someone, and if it’s a pet, he can expect great hostility. If it’s a “meat rabbit” or breeding rabbit, he’s going to be expected to pay “top coin” replacement costs, if he’s seen eating it. However, there’s “wild” forest, with plenty of trees to sleep in and bunnies to devour, right outside the northern city gates (Northbank Silverymoon), and the folk of the city are quite used to rangers and others who go out the gates on many nights to hunt, tryst, travel, stroll and think, meet others, and so on. If he doesn’t expect to get back inside before dawn, he’ll encounter no problems at all from the authorities. (If he always sleeps in the same tree, it’s easy to find from local trails, and he takes no precautions, a local thief might visit him - - but then, unless one has a ready market for elf meat or organs, it’s hard to derive profit from robbing a naked elf sleeping with no possessions.)
So saith Ed. Creator of Silverymoon, laeralae (no relation to Laeral the character, BTW), and (oh yes) the Realms.
love to all,
THO
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Lenora Ilvastarr
Acolyte
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2006 : 14:50:28
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Thank you, THO, for the reply. I have not read that book yet.  I'll get a hold of a copy as soon as possible. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2006 : 15:11:06
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Hey, no need to blush. It's not as if there aren't literally hundreds of Realms fiction pieces. The book's a treat, though; don't miss it.
Hello again, all. 
Back in (this) April, Neriandal Freit asked: “Ok, so this is like the 4th question I have and I feel weird for asking another one but I thought it was worthwhile, while listening to Enya. Is there any sort of spells known that can 'record' music? Say does the music (or chanting) get 'recorded' into a say gem or other magical device, and allow for play back of it? My thinking was what if a Cleric was sort of by himself and wanted to hear his or her songs to their god being played while they where in a area that made them anxious, and knowing that the music would help themselves.
Edit: Or perhaps if they were the last of their group, and they know they needed to keep their morale up and hear music they knew and loved.
Thanks once more”
Ed replies:
Hey, you’re very welcome. Yes, there are spells that can record music and other sorts of sounds, though almost always NOT so that a magic can be unleashed. Ghost pipes (as I originally created them, and as various bands of original Realms players encountered them, in the Haunted Halls) had this power, and various published and unpublished Realms magics (and, yes, items), have had the ability to “record” and then “play back” sounds. They could thus be used to provide music, relay speeches and written messages, and even allow others to listen to “this weird sound I heard in the ruins; what is it?” or “What beast makes that call?”
In the vast majority of cases, these magics don’t allow spells or even activation words to be transmitted; attempts to record them APPEAR to work, but simply fail on playback. Also in the vast majority of (recordable-now, as opposed to “ancient found magic”) cases, these magics are single-use: play the sound back once, and it’s gone and the magic is exhausted.
As various helpful scribes have already posted, published Realmslore contains a variety of artifacts and magic items that “sort of” do such recording, although as pointed out, some of them record memories of what was overheard, and therefore may introduce inaccuracies. A TSR and now WotC design dictate has been to avoid or sharply limit “spell recording” means, so as to cut down on non-spellcasters being able to hurl magic EXCEPT by use of limited-use magic items that are sometimes limited to certain classes or alignments or both.
So saith Ed. Who’s probably created, over the years, more monsters, spells, and magic items for the D&D game than any other person. (And I’m just considering published material, not his reams of personal notes.)
love to all,
THO
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 07 Oct 2006 : 01:11:59
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Hi, all. atlas689 recently posted: “Dear Ed and THO, First off thanx for everything you do here at Candlekeep as I'm sure it takes up much of your time and effort. My question is simple are any of the following NPC's still alive currently in Faerun?
Aesperus: Male Human Lich
Kyristan the Dead King: Male Human Lich
Darien: Male Human
DelRoy Harpell: Male Human Wiz 23
Arconi: Male Human Wiz 30
Baden: Female Human Wiz 31
Kyllyrd: Male Half-Elf
Mellomir: Male Human Wiz 27
Nchaser: Male Human Wiz 27
Thanx for everything!”
Ed replies:
You’re welcome. Hmmm, quite a body count. Well, as you know, death is not always “final” in the Realms. I know that Nchaser is undead and active, and that the others are, ahem, “currently dead.” That could, of course, change. :}
Ah, I’m such a subtle hinter . . .
So saith Ed. Who in the last sentence above means “subtlety” spelled “brick in the face”
Please note that he said nothing more about Nchaser in his reply. That’s deliberate, I’m afraid, as in: NDA.
love,
THO
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RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - 07 Oct 2006 : 15:08:54
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Dear Ed and Lady THO,
Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer our (merciless?) barrage of questions. Here's another for your consideration:
What's the geologic age of Toril? The earliest date mentioned in the Serpent Kingdoms sourcebook -35000 DR, the start of the Age of Thunder. Were there billions of years of unrecorded history before that period? |
Edited by - RodOdom on 07 Oct 2006 15:11:18 |
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Arcanum
Acolyte
8 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2006 : 03:20:46
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Dear Ed,
¡¡¡¡We know five High Heralds' specialties, e.g. Crescentcoat is the most active investigator and debater, but how about the four vanished offices (Huntsman, Manyshields, Blue Blade and Starscepter)?
¡¡¡¡P.S. Thanks to Lady THO, the roles of Huntsman and Manyshields have been revealed. Maybe you can tell us more about them? After all, realmslore is never enough.
¡¡¡¡Thank you.
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2006 : 15:27:08
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Hello again, fellow scribes. In Canada, it's Thanksgiving time, which means family visiting, which means Ed's replies may get slow or sporadic for a day or two.
However, he's sent me one now.
This time Ed considers these queries from RodOdom: “Dear Master Ed and Lady THO, What is the general attitude in the West and Central Heartlands on the issue of charity? A household falls on hard times, what would be the response of the community? To what extent have attitudes of social generosity been influenced by the churches?
Also how would people feel about outsiders to the community? For example, starving adventurers, human refugees of famine, or dwarves fleeing orcish invasion?
Much thanks!”
Ed replies:
Food, water, and shelter (firewood for warmth in winter, shade from hot sun, basic barrier protection from beasts) are “all” folks in hard times need in most places in the Realms, because temporary “disappearances” avoid most tax collections, and there’s usually “free” land one can squat on, rather than pay rent. Most folk live close to the land, knowing how to glean basic foodstuffs, and there’s not much overly polluted water in the Realms, so access to drinkable water (outside of “hard desert” areas that are uninhabited for precisely that reason) is usually readily available, too. So charity is a matter of tending the sick, and providing food, water, and firewood to the disabled. Community members who aren’t surly or known thieves or known bullies will usually find gifts of meals and such on their doorsteps; outsiders will be more warily treated, or directed to local temples.
Almost all rural temples (and monasteries) provide basic food and water for handfuls of “half-wits,” the disabled, orphans, lepers and other disease-sufferers (and even, in some cases, lycanthropes) in return for basic labour (splitting and stacking firewood, dung-shoveling and transport, watering and tending crops, peeling potatoes and other crops for kitchen cooking, picking of fruits, vegetables, and herbs), and sometimes also the destitute or outlaws claiming sanctuary. [This should partially answer your earlier query about treatment of the mentally ill, too, though I’ll answer it properly when I can.]
Local treatment of adventurers, the displaced, and those who’ve fled battle or been left behind, wounded will depend on existing local attitudes (“these some of the dwarves who’ve raided us for years? Well, kill them!”) and on what’s happened recently (is the community overwhelmed by refugees? have other adventurers marauded locally in the past?) If locals don’t try to kill such “problems” outright, or direct them to areas of danger where a known monster will eliminate them (or they will dispose of it, making them therefore worthy of aid), the locals will either provide aid (shelter in my barn, and here’s some stew and water and bread; please be gone in the morning) or bring local priests to examine the “problems” and decide if the church will provide aid. Note that adventurers and outlanders of known “enemy” lands are treated very warily, but that some individuals may want them to “stick around” to help provide protection against expected raids - - especially if winter is approaching; every “good sword” is needed against wolves in some northern locales, and the able-bodied can go hunting or firewood-gathering in deep snow where others cannot.
So saith Ed. Who has thought about all of this (one of the reasons the Realms is so realistic and enduringly popular with gamers).
love to all,
THO
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WalkerNinja
Senior Scribe
USA
575 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2006 : 13:33:56
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Lady of the Hood, and Master of the Greenwood, Greetings
A previous poster recently asked if Elaith participated in a laundry list of illegal activities, including gambling and prostitution. I was under the impression (from what has been written here, and in published sources) that gambling and prostitution were legal activities in Waterdeep (and indeed in much of the Realms). Just look at the sheer number of, ahem, "festhalls." I'm just a little confused about this, I guess. Perhaps he, or rather, his operatives, force folk into prostitution to cover their gambling debts? But then, wouldn't this just be an exchange of services against a legal debt? Could you perhaps clarify.
I guess most folks take it for granted that these are illegal activities, and that I am just a little too libertarian in my thinking. I recently had a player try to set up a crime syndicate based on gambling and prostitution and I had to ask him, "How is it that you are going to profit illegally from a legal activity?"
Thanks!
-Walker |
*** A Forgotten Realms Addict since 1990 ***
Treasures of the Past, a Second Edition Play-by-Post game for and by Candlekeep Sages--http://www.rpol.net/game.cgi?gi=52011 |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2006 : 13:56:29
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Regarding Elaith and his business concerns: The original question listed "criminal activies." Some of them are, admittedly, quite legal in Waterdeep and thereabouts. Elaith owns a festhall or two, as well as a couple of gambling dens. There is a substantial above-board profit to be made in such establishments, but Elaith also finds ways to supplement his income.
For example, the short story "Games of Chance," originally published in Dragon Magazine and soon to be reprinted in "the best of ec" anthology, describes a gambling den that's aggressively magic-free. No magic items of any kind are permitted in the establishment, and if anyone tries to bring one in, it is "dissolved" by powerful wards on the entrances. Of course, these items (which people insist upon carrying, either because they assume rules really don't apply to them, or as a sort of "let's put one over on the Serpent" game) aren't really destroyed, but transferred into a locked box in Elaith's back office. Also, the illithid Elaith employs to scan for use of psionics can also pull other information from the minds of the gamers, to the house's advantage.
Some gambling dens are legal, some might not be. Waterdeep would probably not look favorably upon certain blood sports, such as gladatorial games, cock fights, and monster baiting. Yet there are many in Waterdeep who would pay good coin to watch such games--or to participate in them.
Festhalls are seldom just bawdy houses. The courtesans, healers, and dancers who work there are schooled in the art of conversation (among others) and are skilled at drawing people out. While all of this is perfectly legal, the use to which Elaith puts some of this legally obtained pillow talk might be anything but. |
Edited by - ElaineCunningham on 09 Oct 2006 13:57:43 |
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createvmind
Senior Scribe
490 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2006 : 14:09:58
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Thanks Lady Cunningham
That indeed is a great story if I remember it correctly featuring the serpent and his head-strong daughter, she'll be the death of him I tell ya. |
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Baleful Avatar
Learned Scribe
Canada
161 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2006 : 19:31:47
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A question for Ed and Lady THO,
How close is the look and feel of the Realms in Ed's novels to its look and feel when Ed's DMing his home campaign?
Thanks. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2006 : 19:45:55
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Well met, Lady Cunningham! Drop in and comment more often, please!
Ed’s overwhelmed by visiting family right now (and probably waist-deep in turkey, too ), but in reply to WalkerNinja he sent me this brief response, using Dargoth’s list, with what’s specifically illegal added where necessary:
Protection rackets: Code-illegal
Prostitution: legal, but illegal to employ shapechangers to appear as other than their real shapes without informing clients, illegal to employ prostitutes under duress (physical threat, threat of doing anything to them, kin, or property
Drug dealing: some substances illicit, illegal to deal in any that taxes and duties haven’t been paid on, or to make false claims of ingredients to avoid relevant guild involvement
Gambling: legal, but illegal to “fix” games or odds, or to employ “ringers” as players, who (covertly, acting) work together to dupe other gamblers
Kidnapping for Ransom: Code-illegal
Robberies: Code-illegal
Counterfeiting: Code-illegal
Murder for Hire: Code-illegal
Smuggling of legal and Illegal goods: illegal (by definition, smuggling is tax evasion)
Slavery: Code-illegal
So saith Ed, and there you have it!
love,
THO
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Broken Helm
Learned Scribe
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2006 : 19:53:59
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A question for Ed, if I may: if the Swords books can't follow what happened in your campaign, are you going to use them to explore what would have happened IF the players had done something different, or do whatever works best as an entertaining story, or - what?
And if you don't want to tell us, that's fine. I'm hoping, however... |
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Malcolm
Learned Scribe
242 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2006 : 20:03:53
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Ed and THO,
At a recent convention, Ed mentioned he was writing something called DARK WARRIOR. Is this a Realms project, or something else?
Thanks in advance. |
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Longtime Lurker
Seeker
51 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2006 : 20:43:55
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Dear Ed and THO,
How much does the average worshipper of Bane know about the top hierarchy of its church? Do they know Fzoul's rank, or anything about him? Do they know how he got there? Do rumors circulate, do the clergy spin rumors and news like in our modern world? And is there "1984"-like rewriting of past history when new priests rise to the top?
And how different is it in, say, the faith of Tyr?
Thanks! |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2006 : 13:41:12
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Well met, Lady Cunningham! Drop in and comment more often, please!
Thanks for the welcome and the invitation. I'm not doing much online interaction these days, but any mention of Elaith seems to have a mystical power to draw me in.
quote:
Ed’s overwhelmed by visiting family right now (and probably waist-deep in turkey, too. )
Waist-deep in turkey? Damn! And I thought the 30-pound bird I bought last year was big!
Roasted Roc, anyone?
I would ask what Ed's having on the side, but that might be misconstrued. |
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Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2006 : 14:49:53
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hello again, fellow scribes. In Canada, it's Thanksgiving time, which means family visiting, which means Ed's replies may get slow or sporadic for a day or two.
Happy post-Turkey Day to THO and Ed and all the other Canuks from another Canuk! Hope you all avoided the OPP thanksgiving speed traps |
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly
- Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors
- 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2006 : 04:16:08
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Hi again, all. This time Ed tackles (in the wake of Kaladorm’s excellent posting on the matter, all of which Ed and I both agree with) Reefy’s query: “Hi Ed (and THO), I appreciate this question could probably be answered by others (any input is welcome), but I wanted to take it to the top as it were (I hope you understand why, I have no desire to take up any more of your time than necessary).
One of my players has expressed concern about Mystra's ability to strip power away from wizards. As a wizard, obviously losing this power would be disastrous to the individual.
My opinion about this is that Mystra would not do such a thing except in the most extreme of circumstances (she was directly threatened, the Weave was directly threatened, maybe the entire world). Such circumstances are generally rather unlikely to happen, to say the least. Other than that, as the Goddess of magic, why on Toril would she want to stop an individual casting spells? She allows anybody to use magic, from the lowliest apprentice, to Alustriel and Manshoon, individuals who use magic for very different ends.
I don't think any character would be possessed of this mindset, there is no evidence to suggest such a thing might happen, certainly if the character doesn't do anything deserving of such a punishment.
I have also tried to rationalise it in terms of the far more pressing problems a character may face on a daily basis - when you have orc hordes, rampaging dragons, fearsome mothers-in-law, or where the next meal is coming from to deal with, worrying that Mystra may decide to strip away your Art on a whim pales into insignificance to me. Plus, if you're worried about that, why aren't you worried about Bane striking you down or enslaving you to his will for a bit of a laugh?
Finally, in game, such a thing would be subject to the will of the DM anyway, and handing out such a punishment would be grossly unfair unless the character did something worthy of having the power taken away, which I would say is incredibly unlikely.
Yet the player says it's the knowledge that it *could* happen, however unlikely, that is the problem to her. Could please confirm or deny my thoughts on these matters, expand on them if necessary, and share any ideas you may have on how to reassure my player?
Many thanks.”
Ed replies:
Reefy, I tend to agree with Kaladorm here: this is a player problem, rather than a character problem.
A character in the Realms would know about Mystra’s governance of the Art from her infant dreams (which, if she has aptitude for the Art, she would receive from her earliest days), and about Mystra’s ability to cut mortals off from the Weave from when she’s old enough to understand the speech of others. In other words, it’s a “given” (as in, the sun rises in the morning, and darkness comes after the sun sets, and if you just let go of a stone in your hand it’ll fall to the ground).
So to anyone roleplaying “properly” in the Realms (thinking as a creature of Faerûn would think), it shouldn’t be a source of anxiety at all - - except to a character who is, say, actively trying to harm Chosen or other servants of Mystra BECAUSE they’re servants of Mystra (in other words, a Shar-worshipper seeking to harm the causes of Mystra).
To everyone else, it’s just “one of the things we all know about the world.”
Your opinions on the unlikelihood of Mystra stripping access to the Weave from a mortal PC are dead-on correct: to someone who doesn’t deliberately set out to harm widespread magic use (in Biblical terms, a King Herod figure trying to butcher everyone who’s a wizard or a sorcerer - - or, in Realms terms, someone trying to change a Mythal into a huge explosive or toxic force so as to obliberate thousands or start a mythal “chain reaction” or deliberately feed or create new wild or dead magic areas), this is just NOT going to happen. Mystra’s portfolio is to increase use of magic (all magic, by everyone). If you show your player this response and promise as a DM that you are going to follow this view (and, therefore, almost certainly never even think of stripping her character’s Art away), that should provide real-world assurances.
Also, there are other forms of magic than Weave-based, so a character could seek (yes, lesser or more limited) alternatives, should that “unthinkable” ever happen. But then again: if it does happen, losing magical use is probably going to be considered a minor problem by a character already well over her head in REAL troubles.
So saith Ed. Who created Mystra, with this particular power, and the concept (if not the word; it was Julia Martin’s, I believe) of the Weave, too.
love to all,
THO
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2006 : 04:29:26
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| Wasnt there a "Mystra Curse" in 2ed which cut a Wizard off from the weave if he deliberately used another Wizards mark? |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
Edited by - Dargoth on 11 Oct 2006 04:30:56 |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2006 : 04:34:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
Wasnt there a "Mystra Curse" in 2ed which cut a Wizard off from the weave if he deliberately used another Wizards mark?
Yes, and it's in Magic of Faerun also. :) |
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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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2006 : 05:38:12
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Happy turkey day Ed
I was wondering if you could tell me the status of a few questions I had asked earlier in the year
Question about the members of the Thorp noble family in Waterdeep (6th of Febuary)
Question on the Floshin family tree (4th of April)
Question about the Northsmen (11th of June)
The reason why I ask is my current campaign will likely finish up at the end of the Year and your answers to the 3 questions will help me flesh out the background of the characters for the next campaign.
Thanks in advance
Dargoth |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
Edited by - Dargoth on 11 Oct 2006 05:38:51 |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2006 : 02:14:04
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Hi, all. Ed answers Uzzy this time, re.: “Hello again Ed! I’ve been wondering about the Harper Pins, and after some help from the other scribes here, I thought I would ask you. Is there any set size for one? I’m guessing that it’s small, but how small exactly? Are there any protections against it being discovered from a 'pat-down', or is it up to the agent to make sure its kept very well hidden? Are there stacks of them in safekeeping somewhere, or do they only get made for when a new member is joining the Harpers? Do they even get passed down through the generations, from Harper to Harper?
Any lore you could share with us on the Pins would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.”
Ed replies:
createvmind has the right ideas in his post, but let me tackle things, as he anticipated, in a little more depth:
* “Is there any set size for one? I’m guessing that it’s small, but how small exactly?”
I’d say “usual size” rather than “set size” (there are a few exceptions, mainly tiny “charms” worn on anklets and other fine chains or as earring pendants by ladies, that serve for Harper recognition and have a few limited powers [can be magically traced by other Harpers, cover wearer entirely with a magical aura that makes all of them seem magical, and foils alignment-reading and all surface-thought-reading attempts] rather than the usual range. Most Harper pins are about two inches across, though there are also a few larger “show” pins, up to twice that size.
* “Are there any protections against it being discovered from a 'pat-down', or is it up to the agent to make sure its kept very well hidden?”
Most pins can be touched and a word spoken, to make them seem (to everyone not employing magically-augmented, illusion-piercing vision, except the person activating this power, who sees the pin as a “glowing Harper pin”) like a set “other thing” (usually an old, slightly shabby brooch, usually with a flower or butterfly motif; in other words, an obviously “family heirloom” piece rather than something worth stealing for its intrinsic gem or metal value; some pins resemble battered personal holy symbols). This illusion lasts until the activator de-activates it again (or anyone else who knows the right word does so, by touch and speech), but doesn’t fool the fingers of anyone. Yes, Harpers usually keep pins hidden rather than displaying them disguised, except in Berdusk or at Storm’s farmhouse or “open Harper functions.” A pat-down will discover them, so bearers fearing discovery will hide their pins somewhere (not on their persons), or if they have long hair work the pins deep into hair above the back of their necks, or if female and well-endowed will slip them up and under the curve of their breasts, or if fat will ditto with belly overhangs, or even wrap them against pain and slip them into body cavities.
* “Are there stacks of them in safekeeping somewhere, or do they only get made for when a new member is joining the Harpers?”
There aren’t “stacks,” no, but there are caches of pins ready for new Harpers. If love or deep regard or friendship is involved between an existing Harper and a new one, the veteran Harper may well help make a pin for the new one. Pins with a large range of powers do of course require magically-gifted crafters of sufficient levels.
* “Do they even get passed down through the generations, from Harper to Harper?”
Yes, many Harper pins get passed down, their powers sometimes decaying over time or being augmented or altered by various owners. There are even “haunted” Harper pins that bear the whispering or mind-speaking sentiences of former Harper bearers, that communicate with later wearers.
So saith Ed, revealing something juicy right at the end there! Run with it, lads and lasses, run with it!
love to all,
THO
P.S. Ed's off to be a Guest of Honour at the Alliance Open House in Fort Wayne, Indiana (at the Grand Wayne Center, which has hosted so many superb Pentacons over the years), so he'll fall e-silent until Tuesday. Hang in there, scribes: laptop under arm, he'll still be busily turning out Realmslore for us all!
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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2006 : 03:12:53
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Wow. Thanks Ed and THO!
Haunted Harper Pins sure sounds intresting.. |
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Questions for Ed Greenwood (2006)
Topic Locked
