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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 16:01:24
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I can remember before Power of Faerun came out a lot of people assuming that its just going to have a bunch of High Level options for characters, and that they wouldn't be interested in it. As it turns out, the book has a TON of useful lore. I know I learned my lesson, and I will eagarly await this book, especially with the prospect of learning more about what happened around Faerun outside of what happened during the Year of Rogue Dragons story. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31726 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 16:27:10
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quote: Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I can remember before Power of Faerun came out a lot of people assuming that its just going to have a bunch of High Level options for characters, and that they wouldn't be interested in it. As it turns out, the book has a TON of useful lore.
You're not referring to anyone here in particular are you KEJR?
-- Yes, I had grave reservations about the "suspected" content of PoF before its release. In fact, it briefly occupied a rare position in my selection process... that being the first FR tome I would decide not to pre-order or purchase the instant it was released.
Thanks to Ed and THO... I learned more about the "actual" content of PoF (yay for the Border Kingdoms! ) and was immediately shifted back toward purchasing it the instant it was released (and quietly pushing those once inappropriate thoughts about not buying it... off to the side).
I'll not make that mistake again... and while I have yet to hear a whole lot about DoF (so far -- though those changes to weredragon lore [with the whole weredragons->song dragons shift] Eric outlined a while back disappointed me a little)... I'm willing to entertain the notion that what we haven't heard about its content yet... will prove intriguing.
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
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Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 16:42:00
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No Sage, wasn't thinking about you at all. Actually, to be completely honest, I was a bit confused myself, since the topic didn't seem that great, but with Eric Boyd and Ed working on the project, I couldn't see it as just an Epic Level Handbook for the Realms. Turned out great with tons of stuff for all levels.
I think that it has also been hinted that Dragons of Faerun will show some of the events of the Rage that occured outside of the Year of Rogue Dragons trilogy. I don't know if this will be a major part of the book, but it will be interesting to see. I am intruiged to know if anyone noticed that dragons seemed to avoid Waterdeep or Cormyr, and I wonder if there will be anything expounding on what Ed and THO have said in his thread that Cormyr's ancient wards put a damper on the effects of the Rage around the Forest Country. |
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eldritchknight
Acolyte
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 06:12:29
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When is DoF coming out? |
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EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 06:22:45
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quote: Originally posted by eldritchknight
When is DoF coming out?
August 8th. As for the contents, while I can't really be specific, I can say that the book does cover both the Year of Rogue Dragons and dragon related information for FR in general. Also, it is neither all crunch nor all fluff.
There should be more details on what is covered in the July previews, but we can't really give any details until we've seen the finished product ourselves. As the WOTC website mentioned, the books tend to go to print a couple of months before they are releases. For this reason, the designers have to wait to provide any concrete information until the final product (with all the editing, art, layout, and changes) is available for us to see. |
http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
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FireKnife
Acolyte
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 17:14:14
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Will this book be layed out like MoM? I enjoyed MoM and though it could have been filled with a little more lore and less adventure. I am hoping this book is like SK or LeoF |
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msatran
Learned Scribe
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 20:40:10
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I think the Power of Faerun layout is probably the best, with the exception of a separate section for PRCs. I like a high fluff content and a low crunch content, because, and I know you've heard me rant about this several times, we can build this stuff ourselves.
If it's just a big list of dragons, I'll be real disappointed. What I'd really like to see is a big section on Dragon Culture, how the dragons interact with each other, how their politics actually work and a layout of what DRAGONS think the boundaries of the world look like. We know the Moruemes have a territorial base, but what about the rest of the "Draconic World?" Why bother with a human perspective when we all know exactly what that looks like?
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Chyron
Learned Scribe
Hong Kong
279 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2006 : 01:59:02
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I am glad to see that there will be coverage of Year of Rogue Dragons. That in and of itself bumps it up a few notches on the priority list...
Having just finished Elminster's Daughter I wonder if it will talk about Vangerdahast's conversion or spell research at all since these are also fairly significant 'dragon related' events. |
Just My Thoughts Chyron :)
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EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2006 : 22:16:02
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I wish I knew. I haven't seen the final version yet.
As to the question of whether or not it is just a big list of existing dragons - it's not. I really think it's a little bit of everything, actually, and that fans of crunch and fans of fluff will both be happy.
quote: Originally posted by FireKnife
Will this book be layed out like MoM? I enjoyed MoM and though it could have been filled with a little more lore and less adventure. I am hoping this book is like SK or LeoF
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http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
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BobROE
Learned Scribe
Canada
106 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2006 : 22:50:10
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quote: Originally posted by EytanBernstein
I wish I knew. I haven't seen the final version yet.
As to the question of whether or not it is just a big list of existing dragons - it's not. I really think it's a little bit of everything, actually, and that fans of crunch and fans of fluff will both be happy.
But what about the fans of Fluffy Crunch? Or Crunchy Fluff? |
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msatran
Learned Scribe
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 03:40:33
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It's my contention that if you really love the Realms, you shouldn't care about Crunch at all. The Realms is about Roleplaying, not Rolling-playing. Any Shlomo can make a statblock. But it's better to be a Shena Boychik who plays the theme than a shlmazzel whose only goal is to calculate things into infinite cheese and destroy it. |
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Torkwaret
Seeker
Poland
82 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 07:25:34
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Hmmm...I was wondering...will we find anything about a certain Sammaster in the book ?? |
...Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin... |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 07:28:19
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quote: Originally posted by msatran
It's my contention that if you really love the Realms, you shouldn't care about Crunch at all. The Realms is about Roleplaying, not Rolling-playing.
I would be interested to get your ideas in my FR without D&D thread... |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 09:53:51
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quote: Originally posted by Torkwaret
Hmmm...I was wondering...will we find anything about a certain Sammaster in the book ??
That would be great! His stats for example! Would save me hours of work creating them my own....... and I would servilely withdraw my previous comment, of course.
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"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
Edited by - Ergdusch on 23 Jun 2006 09:59:12 |
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jameslt0
Seeker
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 12:17:07
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Sammaster has stats in one of the Dragon magazine's I believe. Also has the stats for Dorn and Kira.
James |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36798 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 17:54:18
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quote: Originally posted by jameslt0
Sammaster has stats in one of the Dragon magazine's I believe. Also has the stats for Dorn and Kira.
James
I could be mistaken, but I don't believe he has been statted up in 3E, at least not officially. You could check warlockco's NPCs of the Realms thread and see if he's done stats for him, or go to the Wizards forum and check out Green Giant's converted NPCs. |
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 20:12:19
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Thank you wooly for the hints.
Unfortunatelly I checked on warlockco's thread already - no stats as of yet (I put down my request though... )
I am of to the second link right now.........
Ergdusch |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 21:58:40
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<----- Making note to consider using more Yiddish in my realmslore.
quote: Originally posted by msatran
It's my contention that if you really love the Realms, you shouldn't care about Crunch at all. The Realms is about Roleplaying, not Rolling-playing. Any Shlomo can make a statblock. But it's better to be a Shena Boychik who plays the theme than a shlmazzel whose only goal is to calculate things into infinite cheese and destroy it.
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http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
Edited by - EytanBernstein on 23 Jun 2006 21:58:53 |
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Swordsage
Learned Scribe
149 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2006 : 01:09:37
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Sammaster (all three versions of him as he developed in magecraft and became Chosen) is given 2E stats in the "Cult of the Dragon" sourcebook. His 3E stats have never been released.
The Swordsage
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FireKnife
Acolyte
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2006 : 01:47:51
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Is this book going to differ from MoM or will it be close to SK and LEoF. Lore on the old dragons, dracolich and other dragon races would be great. Is there any prestige classes? Hopefully a 3.5 version of Wearer of Purple. A few write ups would be cool like Sammaster and his Bane cleric/wizard friend. |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2006 : 23:31:19
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quote: Originally posted by msatran
It's my contention that if you really love the Realms, you shouldn't care about Crunch at all. The Realms is about Roleplaying, not Rolling-playing. Any Shlomo can make a statblock. But it's better to be a Shena Boychik who plays the theme than a shlmazzel whose only goal is to calculate things into infinite cheese and destroy it.
Ah, you should tell that to all the evil NPCs, for example, the Zhentarim - they care about the crunch, a lot!
Seriously, while I agree that I much prefer roleplaying to "roll-playing", I still get a kick out of a good critical hit every time it happens, and enjoy the rush of combat and spellhurling. Sometimes, we don't roll a single die in a gaming session (maybe a Diplomacy check, with bonuses or minuses from roleplaying). On the other hand, sometimes a single combat encounter might last a whole session.
msatran, I agree with SRK about what he said of gaming styles - no one can claim to "play the game the RIGHT way", or claim to "love the setting more than those other bozos". That is called 'elitism'. There are probably as many variations of gaming styles as there are gamers, with slight changes in details. Do you love the game and the setting? Then your way is as good as anyone else's, whether you prefer crunch to fluff or Eberron to FR (or vice versa). |
"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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EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2006 : 04:31:25
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While working on this book, it was my hope to be able to provide material that would be of interest too crunch people and fluff people, but also everyone in between. Once the June previews come out (just another day or two), I'll be able to go into the content further (though this does depend on what Matt puts in the previews).
quote: Originally posted by Asgetrion
quote: Originally posted by msatran
It's my contention that if you really love the Realms, you shouldn't care about Crunch at all. The Realms is about Roleplaying, not Rolling-playing. Any Shlomo can make a statblock. But it's better to be a Shena Boychik who plays the theme than a shlmazzel whose only goal is to calculate things into infinite cheese and destroy it.
Ah, you should tell that to all the evil NPCs, for example, the Zhentarim - they care about the crunch, a lot!
Seriously, while I agree that I much prefer roleplaying to "roll-playing", I still get a kick out of a good critical hit every time it happens, and enjoy the rush of combat and spellhurling. Sometimes, we don't roll a single die in a gaming session (maybe a Diplomacy check, with bonuses or minuses from roleplaying). On the other hand, sometimes a single combat encounter might last a whole session.
msatran, I agree with SRK about what he said of gaming styles - no one can claim to "play the game the RIGHT way", or claim to "love the setting more than those other bozos". That is called 'elitism'. There are probably as many variations of gaming styles as there are gamers, with slight changes in details. Do you love the game and the setting? Then your way is as good as anyone else's, whether you prefer crunch to fluff or Eberron to FR (or vice versa).
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http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
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Arkhaedun
Senior Scribe
869 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2006 : 16:30:03
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Looking forward to hearing more about it Eytan . . . since you mentioned it I have been checking on the WOTC sites to see if they have the July previews up yet . . . |
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EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2006 : 20:34:58
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So have I :)
quote: Originally posted by Arkhaedun
Looking forward to hearing more about it Eytan . . . since you mentioned it I have been checking on the WOTC sites to see if they have the July previews up yet . . .
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http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
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Sammael
Acolyte
27 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2006 : 23:43:03
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quote: Originally posted by msatran
It's my contention that if you really love the Realms, you shouldn't care about Crunch at all. The Realms is about Roleplaying, not Rolling-playing. Any Shlomo can make a statblock. But it's better to be a Shena Boychik who plays the theme than a shlmazzel whose only goal is to calculate things into infinite cheese and destroy it.
(Seven) Heavens forbid that one should actually enjoy Realms as a game which includes both role-playing (lots of it!) and the actual game mechanics...
Seriosuly, all those who want to run FR as amateur improvisation theater are free to do so. But keep in mind that most people run FR as a game, and games have rules. Sure, there may be too many rules for your liking, but bear in mind that there are people out there who like to have all game rules quantified as much as possible. Also keep in mind that there are people who enjoy gaming who are withdrawn, introverted, and have no talent at acting out. Should they be prevented from playing in the game?
Both lore and rules mechanics are an important part of the FR game. Ideally, the rules should support the setting. Again, I think that they mostly do, but I prefer the setting as it is right now to what I know of Greenwood's original setting. After all, without the influences of various other authors, the setting likely wouldn't have been as diverse as it is right now (no matter how creative one person is, a dozen creative people will always be more creative than him alone). And diversity is good, because it helps accomodate the multitude of play styles and setting preferences. |
Edited by - Sammael on 30 Jun 2006 23:43:48 |
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EytanBernstein
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
704 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2006 : 07:24:56
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Check out the preview! http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20060706a The Nartheling link is incorrect, sending you to the Redspawn Firebelcher for the moment. When I saw the link, I nearly had a heart attack, thinking that one of the new creatures somehow morphed into a Redspawn Firebelcher. |
http://eytanbernstein.com - the official website of Eytan Bernstein |
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Chyron
Learned Scribe
Hong Kong
279 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2006 : 08:09:24
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In anticipation of the coming Dragons of Faerun, I began thinking more about the recently finished Year of Rouge Dragons trilogy.
*Novel* S P O I L E R S
It occurs to me, that now that the intervention of Sammaster has been halted, and now that the chromatics know the location of the Mythal behind the Rage, would they not take steps to dismantle or undo the Mythal permanently. And does this lead to the possibility that a new Age of Dragons could emerge in the far future (as their numbers swell)?
Any thoughts?
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Just My Thoughts Chyron :)
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Brenigin
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
117 Posts |
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Swordsage
Learned Scribe
149 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2006 : 10:37:47
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Well in the novel {highlight to read) Sammaster's phylactery and the capstone for the mythal seem to have been made one and the same. So logically, if Sammaster's phylactery is dust, then so is the capstone of the mythal and hence the Rage mythal is no longer functioning. I think. Well, those are my thought at least.
This beige text was brought to you courtesy of Winterfox. She who hates spoilers so.
The Swordsage
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36798 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2006 : 16:12:52
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quote: Originally posted by Chyron
And does this lead to the possibility that a new Age of Dragons could emerge in the far future (as their numbers swell)?
Any thoughts?
I don't think their numbers will swell sufficiently for thousands of years -- and, at the same time, the number of humans and demihumans will swell. The two sides will keep each other in a sort of balance, at best; at worst, the dragons would eventually get brought down by sheer weight of numbers. |
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