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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
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hammer of Moradin
Senior Scribe
USA
758 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Jun 2006 : 04:59:46
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Just starting on Chapter 9, so I'm not quite to the break. However, Mal usurping power was nice. Deal with a devil, and he'll make you pay. Nice to see that included for two reasons. It shows the limits of Sarya's power, and it keeps the story from becoming, for lack of a better word in a fantasy novel, unbelievable.
I really like the Underdark storyline. The cold, vast, vacuum almost of the tunnels is very much like being in space is described. Everyone hushed, no sound, with simple things scaring the bejesus out of everyone while the environment saps their strength. Great stuff.
Now on to chapter 9, which if anything happens I'll add a suplemental blurb, and beyond. |
"Hurling himself upon his enemies, he terrified them with slaughter!"
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium
Candlekeep proverb: If a thing is said often enough, fools aplenty will believe it to be true. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jun 2006 : 01:21:11
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The pacing in the book has been really consistant so far, lagging just a wee bit when Araevin and company started travelling in the Underdark. I always like it when newer game elements are incorporated into the setting via fiction, so it was good to see the Maur giants and a Deep Imaskari character show up. I am quite curious to see what her real agenda is, but then again, I usually am paranoid about the motives of anyone by the main characters in a novel. Deep gnomes have a really hard life in the Realms, I must say.
I like the political manuvering as well, and the fact that the Sembians are practical whenever you point out a cost versus reward ratio to their actions. Its good to see Mikos Selkirk introduced, and not as a heartless SOB either, but as a fairly practical guy that is trying to balance the gains some on the council want to make with the overall good of Sembia. Good to see the drow continuing to be involved in the story, though I hope they don't make thier only appearance as "hired guns." I would also like to see Jezz again, and perhaps get to see if the drow can turn this from simply a matter of going along to get along to making some gains.
I am wondering if the Standing Stone survived though, since we have not heard about it since Sarya ordered it destroyed. The scene with Sarya and Malkzid was definately disturbing. Being the geek that I am, of course, it also made me wonder what kind of offspring an archdevil and a half-demon would have. At any rate, it was interesting to see how Sarya didn't quite see the whole "payback" thing coming from Malkzid, as if screwing with elves was enough to keep him interested enough to help her.
I hope we get a bit more information on the spikes in the various portals in the Waymeet, and perhaps how they work and exactly what they are doing. Obviously it has to do with Malkzid being able to bring his devils and daemons to bear (it always seems strange to say devils and yugoloths . . . it seems like it should either be baatezu and yugoloths, or devils and daemons, but oh well).
The ongoing character developments are interesting, and a lot more is happening in the front in this book than in the other two. Fflar declaration of devotion for Ilsevle felt a little awkward, but then again, Fflar strikes me as an awkward guy. Its not a critcism, but Fflar doesn't seem to be the smooth, graceful, charismatic elven hero. He strikes me as more of an awkward guy that still manages to deliver in a pinch, and is more comfortable fighting in a war than trying to explain his feelings. He doesn't strike me a quite as graceful as other elves either, but I kind of like that as well, since it means he doesn't just fit into the elven stereotype.
Ilsevle I have liked all through the series, but I always felt that she was intentionally taking a back seat to Araevin and her father. Its nice to get to see her in a leadership role. She is almost the exact opposite of Fflar when it comes to diplomacy and grace, which makes them a lot more interesting together than Ilsevle and Araevin were. Araevin and Ilsevle had no real passion, like two people that just couldn't come up with a good reason NOT to be together, so there they are. While Fflar and Ilsevle don't really have passion yet, they do have some kind of chemistry, which is a start.
I like Araevin more that he is away from Ilsevle, to be honest. When he was with her, you always seemed to be reminded that he was putting her on the back burner, but when he is alone, on his mission, you don't get upset with him for being so matter of fact or focused on his task at hand. Araevin seems naturally at home with humans, and obviously, since he adventured with them for a long time, he naturally seems able to fall back into that role. It kind of makes me wonder if Araevin likes to be around humans because, by comparison, his impatience seems less pronounced, and thus makes him feel more elven, or if he truly feels more comfortable, perhaps subconciously, around humans as opposed to elves.
Oh, and as for the best moment I had NO idea was coming . . . the sapling from the Tree of Souls. Thank you so much for not forgetting that particular bit of lore Richard, that was great to see, as was the comment by Aumlaruil about her son having the other sapling in his hidden settlement. Its great to get a solid reference to Elaine's awesome work in Evermeet. |
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Arkhaedun
Senior Scribe
869 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jun 2006 : 01:46:41
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| Malkizid is an interesting character. I like having "native grown" Forgotten Realms archdevils around. It was interesting to see the elements from Underdark come into play. The Tree of Souls sapling was a great reference to Evermeet. It was interesting to actually get some details on what the thing could do, at least at this phase in its development. Glad Fflar pulled through his brush with poison, as I think he may be my favorite character. |
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Dremvek
Seeker
70 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jun 2006 : 05:54:54
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I do have a concern this far into the novel. We're at about 1/2 way through already, and there is a LOT of information and story left to happen in the second half. While they now know where the second shard of the crystal is, they don't have the second or third at this point. The Crusade isn't looking like it's headed to Myth Drannor anytime soon after the assassination attempt. We haven't heard from the Zhents in a few chapters, so we don't know what's happening up there, or if their part of the plot is over.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the novel so far, but a tiny voice in the back of my head is concerned that there are just too many plot points to wrap up in too short a time. |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2006 : 17:21:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Arkhaedun
Malkizid is an interesting character. I like having "native grown" Forgotten Realms archdevils around. It was interesting to see the elements from Underdark come into play. The Tree of Souls sapling was a great reference to Evermeet. It was interesting to actually get some details on what the thing could do, at least at this phase in its development. Glad Fflar pulled through his brush with poison, as I think he may be my favorite character.
Malkazid is great! When his name first appeared in this book, it made me shudder  Just the Gatekeeper spirit mentioning his name was enough! Great character!
I liked the scene with all the portals and the Gatekeeper. It was a daunting feeling when one of the party (I don't remember who) mentioned that if the elves created only 10 portals for each year, there would be a thousand or so! Wow!
I also liked the trek through Sembia and to Tegal's Mark. Again, another excellent Realms feel about it.
The meeting with the Sembian's was really well done too and it certainly brought over the typical Sembian mindset and lack of respect - strip the land of timber, game, fur and clear out the forests to settle in! I hate Sembian's 
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Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2006 : 17:27:22
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Now we're into the Underdark... Rich has done a great job here in depicting the Underdark as I always imagined it..... vast, eerie, silent...
Forget the fearless adventurers who go trudging through the dark caverns... it wouldn't be like that, THIS is the way it would feel... damn scary, and that's WITHOUT the creatures of the Underdark! Fantastic!
Quite sad when they met the svirfleblin and I was quite shocked that he couldn't be saved. I expected him to turn out as their guide or something. Nice touch to snuff him out instead.
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Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2006 : 17:28:01
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| Oh, anyone point me to the entry for a Canoloth? I'd like to read up on it some more. Thanks. |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2006 : 17:51:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
Oh, anyone point me to the entry for a Canoloth? I'd like to read up on it some more. Thanks.
Monster Manual 3 for the new rules
Planescape's Monstrous Compendium Appendix 2, which probably has better lore on the beastie then the MM3. |
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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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 14:32:54
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
The pacing in the book has been really consistant so far, lagging just a wee bit when Araevin and company started travelling in the Underdark. I always like it when newer game elements are incorporated into the setting via fiction, so it was good to see the Maur giants and a Deep Imaskari character show up. I am quite curious to see what her real agenda is, but then again, I usually am paranoid about the motives of anyone by the main characters in a novel. Deep gnomes have a really hard life in the Realms, I must say.
I quite liked this section. The giant encounter was very nice. I liked how the party didn't know what they were up against and how it was all very eerie and mysterious as to what was grunting outside their hideout.
The Deep Imaskari and flavor of this section was great. Rich is doing a spot on job of these Underdark scenes.... although he did a damn good job in Condemnation as well, so he sure knows his way around the place 
I liked how Donnor sneakily cast a detection spell on the food when they entered the complex as "guests", cunnily hidden amongst a clerical bless  |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 16:38:44
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| I saw that one coming, but it was still fun to read, because that is the kind of things my PCs would come up with to conceal something like that. |
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lockdar
Acolyte
Netherlands
18 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2006 : 12:41:01
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So far the book has been very enjoyable, like KnightErrantJR states the pace is very comfortable to read. The underdark section actually felt like an adventure you would typicaly see during D&D sessions. The way Donnor sneaked that spell in was very will thought of and indeed something my players would think of themselves. Same with the scepter in the end and the teleporting, it felt like a 'To hell with you all I'm gonna try this' moment which depicted the graveness of the situation very well.
Good job so far! :) |
Save yourself a penny for the ferryman. |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 17:45:56
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So Malkazid finally appears. Woohoo Great character! The conflict of words between him and Sarya was nice and how he threatened to withdraw if she did now bow to him. She showed her true colours too when Xhalph stepped in to defend her and then Malkazid bit back, followed by Sarya's response to kill him rather than maim him as he was no use to her as a cripple
Loved the trap scene at the hall when Fflar went to the rendezvous. Nice how the "musicians" dropped their instruments to pick up wands. Cool scene! I was shocked when the poison got to Fflar too 
Again, another great stand-off scene between Araevin and Selydra and giving up their shard.
Wow, so a sapling fomr the Tree of Souls turns up!! Excellent! |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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dannyfu
Learned Scribe
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2006 : 21:50:35
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| gah! i am so far behind on my reading and i know all of you probably have finished talking about this book, but i finally got some time to read and i am so happy so far. and..........................fflar and ilsevele!!!! this could be the next big thing, the new zaor and amlaruil! maybe, if this book is heading in the direction i think it is heading. that line fflar says about remembering why he came back...phew... that's good stuff. some one humor me and respond to this. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2006 : 03:33:35
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OK, I've gotten a bit farther now, almost halfway. I'm going to open up by mentioning what I really like so far:
Rich Baker has done a great job of describing the atmosphere of the Underdark, and conveying to the reader just how scary it is. Having Araevin & Co. just stare ahead like zombies intermittantly was effectively very creepy. If the place one is exploring is called the "Maddening Dark", it should actually be maddening, and if there is one thing Rich Baker does very well, it is setting an atmosphere and making it feel palpable to the reader.
I also liked the short scene in Zhentil Keep, starring Scyllua Darkhope, Fzoul, and a domesticated Eye Tyrant that gets a bit of chastising. It must be exhausting to be evil, constantly having to worry over (and punish) unsuspecting people and monsters who simply fail to keep up appearances. I have to admit I find it hard to see the Zhentilar as completing lacking in corniness, but I can't say I blame the author for that--that's just the way they've been portrayed for years. That being said, we get a nice glimpse into how Fzoul plots (whether he plots or Bane does it for him, I can't rightly say), and these villains actually talk about things that I find intriguing...
...unlike the protagonists, who spent most of their time stating the obvious. Rich Baker creates a wonderful atmosphere for the Maddening Dark, then pulls the rugs out from under it--somewhat--by having the beleagured adventures pipe up with comments that I, the reader, could have easily discerned for myself. "I don't like the looks of this place", "let's try to get out of here as soon as possible", "this place seems ill-omened to me". Oh, really? You do not say! As giants ruthlessly begin to pummel the building Araevin's crew used as a shelter, Nesterin cries out (paraphrase) "They're bringing the walls down on us, we have to get out of here!" Well DUH, Nesterin, but it's good to know you have a grasp on the bloody obvious.
I am not overly impressed with the handling of the Ilsevele/Fflar sideplot. I think it would have been a lot more effective if we (the readers) weren't basically shown that it is Teriyani who is the one who is spying on Fflar and trying to trick him. Keeping this tidbit of information a secret really would have had me hooked and wondering about the danger--but as it is I pretty much know exactly what's going to happen, it's just a matter of when. Bleh. We are also told that Ilsevele has incredible poise and is an excellent diplomat, even though she speaks in the same unremarkable way that everyone else does. I suppose it's lucky for her that the man she is trying to make an ally (Realms D-lister Miklos Selkirk) very conveniently lacks the typical Sembian prejudice against elves. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Final Gate: Chapters 5 - 9
