| Author |
 Topic  |
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Jul 2006 : 07:34:17
|
Hi everybody
I've started a new thread to invite comments on my article because a topic titled: "George you are very, very bad man" is hardly likely to evoke images of Impiltur to casual browsers.
Feel free to give me feedback on the article, positive and negative. Tell me what you liked, disliked, what you wished had been included or what shouldn't have been in it.
Also, if you have any questions or there are things in the article that you feel need expanding on, here is the place to ask.
Oh, and one other thing. If you liked the article, then maybe it might be a good idea to let the staff at Paizo know just that. It could well be the difference that sees more FR articles published (by anyone, not just me - although if you want to tell them what a great writer George Krashos is, you have my full blessing!  ) in Dragon.
I look forward to your comments.
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
|
|
Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2006 : 08:26:27
|
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I look forward to actually *getting* the article.
Do you (or Dargoth for that matter) have any idea when this issue will hit our shores?
Probably August |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
 |
|
|
Mazrim_Taim
Learned Scribe
341 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2006 : 23:47:53
|
Aye, I am much looking forward to this article.
I will comment more about it when I get the magazine. |
And if the PCs DO win their ways through all the liches to Larloch, “he” will almost certainly be just another lich (loaded with explosive spells) set up as a decoy, with dozens of hidden liches waiting to pounce on any surviving PCs who ‘celebrate’ after they take Larloch down. As the REAL Larloch watches (magical scrying) from afar. Myself, as DM, I’d be wondering: “Such a glorious game, so many opportunities laid out before your PCs to devote your time to, and THIS fixation is the best you can come up with? Are you SURE you’re adventurers?” -Ed Greenwood
|
|
|
|
Mr. Wilson
Seeker
USA
73 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2006 : 01:06:27
|
Mr. Krashos,
The article was very well written, and IMHO, the best article in Dragon this issue. That said, I fear an editor's error cut off a sentance in midstream. In the Farwater section on page 60, you write:
"The close proximity of the Giantspire Mountains and the ever-present threat of hobgoblins, however, coupled with the recent corruption of the Rawlinswood by the Rotting Man (see page 82 of UE)."
I'm guessing it's a simple clause leading into the next sentance which says that settlers hire adventures to safeguard them, but any help would be appreciated.
Other than that, I loved the article. Pure fluff, which is my preferred writing style, with just enough crunch to let you stat out the characters if needed. I'm a huge fan of timelines, so the one at the end was icing on the cake.
All in all, it was a great read, and most helpful to anyone who wants to set a game in Impiltur.
|
"I've got a plan..."- Dan
"Nothing good has ever come after those four words." - Jesse |
|
|
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2006 : 02:18:20
|
quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Wilson
Mr. Krashos,
The article was very well written, and IMHO, the best article in Dragon this issue. That said, I fear an editor's error cut off a sentence in midstream. In the Farwater section on page 60, you write:
"The close proximity of the Giantspire Mountains and the ever-present threat of hobgoblins, however, coupled with the recent corruption of the Rawlinswood by the Rotting Man (see page 82 of UE)."
I'm guessing it's a simple clause leading into the next sentance which says that settlers hire adventures to safeguard them, but any help would be appreciated.
Other than that, I loved the article. Pure fluff, which is my preferred writing style, with just enough crunch to let you stat out the characters if needed. I'm a huge fan of timelines, so the one at the end was icing on the cake.
All in all, it was a great read, and most helpful to anyone who wants to set a game in Impiltur.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.
I submitted the following re the truncated sentence - you were right as to its intent:
"However, the close proximity of the Giantspire Mountains and the ever-present threat of the hobgoblins, coupled with the recent corruption of the Rawlinswood by the Rotting Man and his minions, make the Farwater something of a test for the courageous few. Many settlers are hiring adventurers to safeguard and protect their fledgling settlements or to hunt out and slay the lurking dangers that abound."
And I heard that the timeline stayed in. Rather pleased about that. Even if it is only about half of Impiltur's whole timeline and about one tenth of the timeline of the East. Thanks again.
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2006 : 04:36:24
|
| I got the issue in the mail today. Once I'm done with Blackstaff, I'll check out the article. |
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 14 Jul 2006 04:36:51 |
|
|
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2006 : 04:56:00
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I got the issue in the mail today. Once I'm done with Blackstaff, I'll check out the article.
I'll be interested to see what your furry-self thinks of it.
Oh, and don't bother reading "Blackstaff" - read my Impiltur article first. It won't take anywhere near as long. And they say you should leave the best till last. Steven's novel is definitely the best.
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
Edited by - George Krashos on 14 Jul 2006 04:56:40 |
|
|
|
msatran
Learned Scribe
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2006 : 08:00:06
|
| I still haven't gotten a chance to read it. It wasn't in the mail yesterday or today. This makes me super-cranky. I want to see how badly I !@#$$!ed up. |
|
|
|
EvilKnight
Learned Scribe
USA
162 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jul 2006 : 06:42:19
|
FYI: I got the Dragon Mag Friday. I've read it and made a first pass at indexing it. See
http://home.indy.rr.com/evilknight/
I have two files for download. Both are zip files. One has the entire set of sources in HTML as well as the default JAR file program. (about 2.2 MB download)
The other has only the HTML files for covering the Impiltur article for review as well as the Jar file to only start up with the Impiltur article (using the supplied Danali.ini and Danali.properties files).
If you use the program and create a set of notes, consider shooting them my way for inclusion in future updates (the notes.xml file that gets created).
The article is great George. Made up my mind to re-up for a subscription. Indexing-wise, it is making me rethink how I index persons with titles. Since quite a few people change titles over the history of Impiltur, the index gets confusing.
EvilKnight |
|
|
|
msatran
Learned Scribe
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jul 2006 : 09:10:09
|
George, it really is a great article. In fact, in order to run the game blurb as listed in the "My impiltur campaign thing." the only thing you need to do is accept that Sambryl is NOT Wizard 5/Aristocrat 4.
I kid you not. That's it. Marvelous job. And I don't feel like I need to fix a million things, or like someone pulled a big "HA HA...you are WROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG" out of their behind.
Thanks much. |
|
|
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jul 2006 : 10:44:28
|
Thanks for the kind words, gentlemen.
I never feared that the article would de-rail your campiagn Msatran, because in reality it's a pretty tame piece of writing. Purposely there is nothing controversial, I tallied it with the existing sources and the stuff that was "new" was peripheral. Unfortunately, the fact is that detailing a whole kingdom in 9000-10000 words is bloody difficult. There is so much more that I wanted to talk about but it wasn't to be. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the article published in the first place - and it wouldn't have gone anywhere without the brilliant input of Eric Boyd, Ed Greenwood and Tom Costa.
Hopefully, it gives DMs and players a bit more information than is found in the FRCS (which, let's face it, wouldn't be hard ...) and has enough realmslore and hooks to get people's imaginations going.
I still haven't seen the published version so I'll wait till then before I can expand on stuff that's in there and maybe talk about stuff that didn't make it.
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
|
|
|
msatran
Learned Scribe
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2006 : 02:36:32
|
Well, George, I really do like the article. I just have to...umm...screw my players once. :) What age stage is the Mad Dragon of Bluefang Water? I hope he's not higher than 3, because I'd like to hit the group with him in the next 3 sessions...
|
|
|
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2006 : 03:47:44
|
That reference is actually from the Rand's Travelogue pieces that ran on the WotC website and were seemingly offcuts from the development work on FRCS. No age has been given on purpose - use whatever suits you.
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
|
|
|
Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2006 : 05:55:58
|
George, is your issue out in Canada yet? that bloody gaming store I go to had Dungeon but not Dragon...  |
|
|
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2006 : 06:56:41
|
Don't think its hit general newstands yet - most of the e-mails I've received are from subscribers to the magazine. Consider yourself lucky, it can't be too far away - I won't get to see my own article in print for another 4-6 weeks ...
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
|
|
|
EvilKnight
Learned Scribe
USA
162 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2006 : 14:06:39
|
Subscribers get the mags almost 2 weeks earlier than the newstands/gameshops I believe.
EvilKnight |
|
|
|
Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 01:39:15
|
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
Don't think its hit general newstands yet - most of the e-mails I've received are from subscribers to the magazine. Consider yourself lucky, it can't be too far away - I won't get to see my own article in print for another 4-6 weeks ...
-- George Krashos
That simply WON'T do!!!!! give me your address and I shall courier you a copy of your article as soon as I can lay my hands on it! serious!! |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 01:45:37
|
quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
Don't think its hit general newstands yet - most of the e-mails I've received are from subscribers to the magazine. Consider yourself lucky, it can't be too far away - I won't get to see my own article in print for another 4-6 weeks ...
-- George Krashos
That simply WON'T do!!!!! give me your address and I shall courier you a copy of your article as soon as I can lay my hands on it! serious!!
Heck, I could scan it at work and email you the scans... |
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 18 Jul 2006 01:46:07 |
|
|
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 02:02:13
|
quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
That simply WON'T do!!!!! give me your address and I shall courier you a copy of your article as soon as I can lay my hands on it! serious!!
 Naah, it's okay. I've become used to my geographical isolation in FR terms. Not to say it still isn't frustrating but I'm getting better at not popping into my local gaming store every second day to check on stuff.
And every once in a while the karma genie steps in and gets me something early - like LEoF last year and seemingly Dragons of Faerûn this year.
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
|
|
|
Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 02:07:05
|
Great article George. It has a big juicy timeline in it. What's not to like?
When are you going to stop working "behind the scenes" and work on a realms hardcover sourcebook? |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
|
|
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 02:43:00
|
quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
Great article George. It has a big juicy timeline in it. What's not to like?
When are you going to stop working "behind the scenes" and work on a realms hardcover sourcebook?
When they ask me?!
Seriously, I have far too few publishing credits under my belt to warrant an official writing gig from WotC. Someone like Tom Costa would be a far better choice, especially in the context of gaming stuff. If I had to write a product like MoM, I'd be all at sea. Of course, if the directive was minimal crunch, heightened lore, I think I'd do okay.
However, my current plan is to get more articles published in Dragon magazine. If I can rack up a few, you never know ...
Thanks for the feedback. I knew you'd love the timeline!
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
|
|
|
msatran
Learned Scribe
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 05:07:12
|
Well, George, they met the Mad Dragon today, actually. He breathed on them and dropped one PC before the wizard, of noble birth, told the dragon his family would pay five thousand gold pieces for the dragon to leave right then. The dragon accepted the deal. Now, you've seen the outline. I even gave a couple of the PC's a clue, which was: How did the dragon know who he was?
Unfortunately, they destroyed the pumps keeping the water from filling the lower caverns. So now they must flee into the gaping maw of the reinforcements, who are desperately trying to dig their way out now that the secondary pumping station powering the overly large drill is deactivated and the backup burrowing system (The Dragon) has left the building. :) Thanks for the inadvertent help. This is most hilarious. |
|
|
|
TomCosta
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
971 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 22:52:22
|
George,
As I mentioned to you before, the article came out great and you got the best art in the magazine to showcase it. As for me, thanks for the compliments, but I envy your encyclopedic Realmslore. I know where to find most stuff, but can't pull it out of the air like you. Perhaps together were worth one Eric Boyd. What do ya think? And shhhh don't tell Eric. :-) |
|
|
|
TomCosta
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
971 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 22:52:55
|
| Oh, and my contributions to the article were minimal. The good work is all yours. |
|
|
|
Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2006 : 23:32:32
|
quote:
Originally posted by TomCosta
George,
Perhaps together were worth one Eric Boyd. What do ya think? And shhhh don't tell Eric. :-)
*chuckle*
But then how many Eric Boyds does it take to make an Ed greenwood? |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
|
|
|
ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2006 : 00:53:37
|
quote:
Originally posted by TomCosta
George,
As I mentioned to you before, the article came out great and you got the best art in the magazine to showcase it. As for me, thanks for the compliments, but I envy your encyclopedic Realmslore. I know where to find most stuff, but can't pull it out of the air like you. Perhaps together were worth one Eric Boyd. What do ya think? And shhhh don't tell Eric. :-)
Both Tom and George individually are masters of Realmslore and without them I'd be hopeless.
--Eric |
--
http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
|
|
|
Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2006 : 05:22:14
|
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
Great article George. It has a big juicy timeline in it. What's not to like?
When are you going to stop working "behind the scenes" and work on a realms hardcover sourcebook?
When they ask me?!
Seriously, I have far too few publishing credits under my belt to warrant an official writing gig from WotC. Someone like Tom Costa would be a far better choice, especially in the context of gaming stuff. If I had to write a product like MoM, I'd be all at sea. Of course, if the directive was minimal crunch, heightened lore, I think I'd do okay.
However, my current plan is to get more articles published in Dragon magazine. If I can rack up a few, you never know ...
Thanks for the feedback. I knew you'd love the timeline!
-- George Krashos
Hmmm... if crunch is one day required of you, but you instead feel like drafting one of your fellow "PURPLE DRAGON KNIGHTS" for the task, then I think that this would be a superb idea. Ahem... 
|
|
|
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2006 : 05:47:41
|
Oh, I'm not "bad" at crunch, it's just that it doesn't interest me particularly much. I can and have come up with new magic items, feats and spells. In a pinch I'm sure I could do a PrC - but then again, we have plenty of those.
If the gods smile on me, you might see a crunch and lore-laden article in Dragon sometime in the future. Now, to send that query off to Dragon ...
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
|
|
|
Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2006 : 06:30:11
|
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
If the gods smile on me, you might see a crunch and lore-laden article in Dragon sometime in the future. Now, to send that query off to Dragon...
Sir-Yes-Sir! Anything you want Constal Krashos, anything at all! Just remember me next Midsummer, when the next Lionar promotions are announced... [nudge, nudge, general salute, eyes right, left, right, left] |
Edited by - Purple Dragon Knight on 19 Jul 2006 06:30:49 |
|
|
|
RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jul 2006 : 16:40:40
|
| Excellent article, Mr. Krashos, and coincidentially just in time for my campaign set near Impiltur. I have one question I hope you can help me with that I don't think has been covered. Why are Impultur's rulers so isolationist? The FRCS notes that they did nothing for Damara when she was invaded by Vassa. Are they doing anything to bolster Uthmere's defenses against the Rotting Man? |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Impiltur in Dragon#346
