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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5696 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Jul 2006 : 10:47:56
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Well met
This is a Book Club thread for Swords of Eveningstar (Book 1 of The Knights of Myth Drannor trilogy), by Ed Greenwood. Please discuss the prologue and chapters 1 - 8 herein. Ed has collectively named this section "Florin in the Forest".
The Hooded One will be here to pass on any questions to Ed and provide responses to comments 
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Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2006 : 22:21:46
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Arrived early this Morning!
Have read the prologue and chapters 1-4. Very interesting stuff. Looks like Ed still is master of the Double Entendre. ( maybe even triple or quadruple!)
I am also enjoying the pace of events, very swift. Not rushed, but not wasting any words or time. Alot of things I did not know, it will be interesting to listen to everyone discuss this so I can learn what is known lore and what is new.
I can see Ed having every bit as much fun writing this , as I am reading it!! |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Edited by - The Red Walker on 08 Aug 2006 22:22:43 |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2006 : 22:33:46
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| Mine shipped around then too, but must cross a wide sea. So I shall not read this page again till the packet finds safe shores. Adieu, my friends; do not weep for me! |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2006 : 00:45:26
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Will pick up this novel sometime this week, hopefully tomorrow.  |
"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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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2006 : 01:18:42
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quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
Looks like Ed still is master of the Double Entendre. ( maybe even triple or quadruple!)
Are you sure that's not THO? Or, more likely, it's a common theme amongst their play sessions. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5696 Posts |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 09 Aug 2006 : 17:19:23
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I am very curious about the mage with the Unicorn ring. Does this ring's description allude to anyone? As in someone recognizable, if I was well versed on Non-Novel realms lore.
Still Greatly enjoying the pace, it is kind of fun bouncing back and forth through different perspectives! |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2006 : 21:22:02
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Got it this afternoon and I'm up to chapter 5. I'm enjoying it so far.
I like how they have the chapters setup. The chapter page and novel quote always on the left side and then the first page of the chapter on the right side.
One thing though, I was surprised to see there doesn't seem to be any dating in this novel. Any estimates or Ed/THO quotes?
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"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
Edited by - SirUrza on 10 Aug 2006 21:22:27 |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2006 : 23:54:47
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quote:
Originally posted by SirUrza
Got it this afternoon and I'm up to chapter 5. I'm enjoying it so far.
I like how they have the chapters setup. The chapter page and novel quote always on the left side and then the first page of the chapter on the right side.
One thing though, I was surprised to see there doesn't seem to be any dating in this novel. Any estimates or Ed/THO quotes?
I was just asking myslef that very question. I am able to guess a general time frame from events that are forshadowed, but not able to guess which year exactly. |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 02:13:43
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quote:
Originally posted by SirUrza
Got it this afternoon and I'm up to chapter 5. I'm enjoying it so far.
I like how they have the chapters setup. The chapter page and novel quote always on the left side and then the first page of the chapter on the right side.
One thing though, I was surprised to see there doesn't seem to be any dating in this novel. Any estimates or Ed/THO quotes?
I'll ask Ed morrow when I see him around Gencon and see what his answer is and I'll report back sometime morrow nightish. |
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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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 03:09:33
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| Thanks Kuje! :) |
"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
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Bakra
Senior Scribe
628 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 12:42:52
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| I believe their charter was signed in the Year of the Spur (1348 DR, I loaned the book to a family memeber so I can not double check right now...but the information is found in one of the novel quotes. |
I hope Candlekeep continues to be the friendly forum of fellow Realms-lovers that it has always been, as we all go through this together. If you don’t want to move to the “new” Realms, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with either you or the “old” Realms. Goodness knows Candlekeep, and the hearts of its scribes, are both big enough to accommodate both. If we want them to be.
(Strikes dramatic pose, raises sword to gleam in the sunset, and hopes breeches won’t fall down.)
Enough for now. The Realms lives! I have spoken! Ale and light wines half price, served by a smiling Storm Silverhand fetchingly clad in thigh-high boots and naught else! Ahem . .
So saith Ed. <snip>
love to all,
THO
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Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 14:10:13
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| It's the Year of the Spur (1348DR) indeed. See p. 6: "And yet as spring quickened toward summer in the Year of the Spur...." The chapter-opening quote for Chapter 10 (p. 110) repeats this information. |
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dannyfu
Learned Scribe
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 14:31:15
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| hey folks, this may be a stupid question, but i'm a fairly new realms reader. anyway, are any of the characters from ed's story in realms of the elves in this book? |
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Reader
Acolyte
7 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 16:15:02
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I like this one a lot. In Ed's books, there are sometimes too many plotlines for me to follow, but this one is just right for me... 
Some questions though, seems there have been many members of the Knights Of Myth Drannor, and some retire and new ones join? Is there a list of all the memers somewhere? |
Edited by - Reader on 11 Aug 2006 16:15:32 |
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Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 16:22:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Reader
I like this one a lot. In Ed's books, there are sometimes too many plotlines for me to follow, but this one is just right for me...
Some questions though, seems there have been many members of the Knights Of Myth Drannor, and some retire and new ones join? Is there a list of all the memers somewhere?
the original 1st Ed. "Hall of Heros" supplement did...I don't know if there is a recent list |
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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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 17:29:27
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| I can't remember much being published about them in 3E yet. |
"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2006 : 02:30:10
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| Ed said to look in chapter three where Florin is walking through the forest, it gives the year as year of something. It's up in my room or I would have the reference itself. Anyhow, he also said it was about 30 years ago and the book takes place in about a month. |
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 |
Edited by - Kuje on 12 Aug 2006 02:30:45 |
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2006 : 12:43:14
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| Hmm don't see any mentioned but then again it's early and I'm half asleep still so maybe I'll look again, but 30 years ago and in a month's span is still good to know. Chapter 10 does given reference though. :) |
"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
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Hoondatha
Great Reader
USA
2450 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2006 : 05:05:18
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I've gotten about nine chapters in and am enjoying myself. I liked how Ed dove right into the "nobles and resurrection" topic that he's been asked about, and I notice that the nobles' plotting looks a lot like those found in Cormyr: A Novel. Some things just don't change, it seems.
Watching the young Knights is also nice. It's interesting that they seem to feel that without a mage they can't be "real" adventurers, despite their having two novice priests. And I'm liking all of their characters, except that every time I read Semoor's name I keep flashing back to Jhessail telling Shandril in Spellfire about the Twisted Tower's crypts, and the Knights that are buried there... |
Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...
Sigh... And now 4e as well. |
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hammer of Moradin
Senior Scribe
USA
758 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 03:59:38
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Having read only a few tales with some of the Knights, and many of these many years ago, I find this tale new and exciting. The names are familiar enough, yet, I cannot place many of them until certain events happen. Florin is easy, as is Jhessail, yet the others I am trying to put my finger on. I am avoiding looking their printed history up, and waiting until most of the story unravels. Of course, this is only book 1 of the Knights tales.
I like the stories of novice adventurers. Spellfire started out the same way, which makes for interesting reading to see how these level 1 characters will survive to get to level 2! Hey, that would make a good serial series. Following an adventuring group from level 1, to level 20, with each story advancing them a level. |
"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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Hoondatha
Great Reader
USA
2450 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 04:20:28
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Levels are such a nebulous concept. Besides, FR novels are already enough like a game, no sense making them more so.
And, just in this book, you've got a bunch of different levels all smashed into one party. Florin and Islif definately have some experience, Jhessail's definately level 1, Pennae could be jsut about anything, and I have no idea about Doust and Selmoor (can you be a 0th level priest?).
I'm having too much fun watching the group flail around to want to constrain them with levels and other numbers. |
Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...
Sigh... And now 4e as well. |
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2006 : 21:17:09
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| I'm loving this book so far. :) |
Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2006 : 04:24:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Hoondatha
Florin and Islif definately have some experience, Jhessail's definately level 1, Pennae could be jsut about anything, and I have no idea about Doust and Selmoor (can you be a 0th level priest?).
If I had to "level" then I'd do it like so (minor spoilers)...
Florin, Ranger 4
(didn't seem to be spellcasting)
Islif, Fighter 5
(just because of how she's refered to early on)
Jhessail, Expert 2/Sorcerer 1
(don't remember anything about a spellbook, and seemed self taught.)
Doust and Selmoor, Expert 2/Cleric 1
(once they get advanturing they shape up)
Pennae, Rogue 6
(my first thought was 9, but I think that's over doing it.)
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"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2006 : 16:05:17
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The dating is indeed given in the text (as the series unfolds, Ed tells me there will be some slight corrections to the FR7 HALL OF HEROES dating).
SirUrza's level suggestions are a bit high, but he has the right idea for everything except Jhessail (she is indeed a "magic user" [wizard in 3e], and there should be a little evidence of that in the "battlestrike" [magic missile]-casting scene, at the cliff, if it hasn't been edited out; I did notice that "battlestrike" itself WAS edited out).
No definitive list of the many, many members of the Knights (down the years) has been published yet, so far as I know, and Ed won't get to many of them in at least the first two books of the trilogy. Sorry.
love,
THO |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2006 : 15:52:09
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A note to all scribes: pay no attention to the vicious "review" posted on Amazon.com (and copied to Owner Reviews and other places around the Net already). It was written by a diehard Dragonlance fan who trashes all of Ed's books.
And get this: it was posted BEFORE the book was released. As Wizards did not send out review copies of Swords before publication (thanks to staff quitting or getting fired), this means the "reviewer" trashed a book he very likely didn't read.
Grrr. It would have been much fairer for him to say: "I don't like Ed Greenwood's books, so I don't expect to like this one, so I haven't read it." |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2006 : 16:01:08
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Yes, I'd noticed the suspicious timing of the appearance of that review, myself. And asked some American friends who'd had it rush-shipped from Amazon just when their copies showed up. The review came first. It even beat Ed's first signing session at GenCon.
It's a real pity that some gamers attack other settings that they view as competitors to "their" setting. I know Ed loves and uses them all.
Then again, most Amazon reviews aren't worth the time it takes to read them. I think every scribe who reads one should begin by asking, "Does this reviewer make the childish mistake of equating their own personal preferences with quality or lack of quality?" If you think the answer is "yes," disregard the review. The reviews that are left after you do that probably will be useful. I'm always pleased when something to the effect of "I didn't like, but - -" shows up in the review. It shows me the writer is trying to stand back from the book enough to be fair about it.
love,
THO |
Edited by - The Hooded One on 21 Aug 2006 16:03:08 |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2006 : 21:14:55
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My book arrived yesterday (along with Dragons of Faerûn, Mysteries of the Moonsea, Amphigorey and a deck of Haindl tarot). It's enchanting, and between the writing and my imagination I feel I'm encountering the Realms for the first time -- with the outline in FR7, all the other Realmslore I've read, and echoes of eager young Canadians just faint overtones.
As for Beezer's review, you might go to the reviews board at rasalvatore.com and see if you think his reponse to my reply to it befits a forum monitor. (I don't know if I think he didn't read it, but he certainly didn't discuss its prose, themes or plot.) |
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Ignorance Personified
Seeker
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2006 : 21:38:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Blueblade
A note to all scribes: pay no attention to the vicious "review" posted on Amazon.com (and copied to Owner Reviews and other places around the Net already). It was written by a diehard Dragonlance fan who trashes all of Ed's books.
And get this: it was posted BEFORE the book was released. As Wizards did not send out review copies of Swords before publication (thanks to staff quitting or getting fired), this means the "reviewer" trashed a book he very likely didn't read.
Grrr. It would have been much fairer for him to say: "I don't like Ed Greenwood's books, so I don't expect to like this one, so I haven't read it."
Blueblade, you are [possibly?] incorrect. I purchased my copy of Swords of Eveningstar on August 13, which is one day prior to the posting of said review. Consequently, it is quite possible that he did read the book.
I do not agree with the reviewer's analysis of the book (I have yet to finish the novel due to an excessive work load), but he certainly could have read the novel.
I will agree that most of the reviews on Amazon are not worth reading. |
Carthago delenda est. |
Edited by - Ignorance Personified on 22 Aug 2006 21:38:44 |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2006 : 21:54:41
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| That's very odd. I read the offending review on Amazon.com on August 7th, well before you say it was posted. Hmmmm. Something fishy going on here... |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2006 : 22:27:51
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Um,
This is starting to get a bit off topic. :) Back to the book itself, not the review! |
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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Swords of Eveningstar - Prologue & Chapters 1 - 8
