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Aglaranna
Learned Scribe
166 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Nov 2006 : 22:24:55
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Okay, now before you don your patronizing tones and droll expressions, yes, I do now that he's dubbed the author of Volo's Guide to All Things Magical, Volo's Guide to Baldur's Gate, etc. But where did this guy come from, what's he up to, and why does he have a perverse love of cheap ale? Hm. Maybe I don't want you to answer that last bit...But, okay, you can don your patronizing tones and droll expressions now.
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"You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose the path that's clear
I will choose freewill." -'Freewill' by Rush |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2006 : 10:52:15
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As far as I know little is known of Volos background and motivations. Ed answered a few questions about Volo a long time ago, but I don't seem to remember anything about his background being mentioned.
I think Volos motivations and what he is up to will be up to each reader to judge and fantasize over. My view is that he is simply a curious writer with a dislike for restrictions and authority. |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1715 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2006 : 14:32:14
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In "real life"
Volothamp Geddarm came out of Jeff Grubb's fevered brain and campaign. Whenever Jeff couldn't think of a name of a place a player asked about, he'd refer to it as "Volo [fill-in-the-blank]." When the PCs finally met Volo, they discovered an egomaniacal mapmaker and "guide" who named practically everything that didn't have a name with his own.
He got ported over into the Realms under circumstances I'm unsure of (so ask THO or Ed), but Volo as a Realms character is pretty well summed up in the introduction to any of the Volo's Guides.
As for where he came from, Mr. and Mrs. Geddarm loved each other very much....fast forward nine months and 40-odd years... 
His perverse love of cheap ale comes from where ours does as well--not enough coin for enough ale.  |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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darkcrow
Learned Scribe
USA
269 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2006 : 19:59:54
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| Isn't he some sort of visionary also? I thought I read something about him naming all the years for the futrue through visions he had in his dreams. (like the Year of the Lightning and so on) |
May Tymora smile upon ye |
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Thauramarth
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
729 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2006 : 23:35:32
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quote:
Originally posted by darkcrow
Isn't he some sort of visionary also? I thought I read something about him naming all the years for the futrue through visions he had in his dreams. (like the Year of the Lightning and so on)
I think you're confusing with Alaundo (who will probably be turning over in his grave  ). Or perhaps Harptos. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 01:16:27
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But it does make one wonder what Volo's Roll of Years would look like . . .
The Year of Comfy Beds
The Year of Angry Guardsmen
The Year of Pleasant yet Overpriced Ale
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 01:37:57
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The Year I Spent as Khelben's Chamberpot
The Year I Was First Elminster's Pond Ornament
. . . and so on.
As I recall, Volo the character was Jeff Grubb's, named after the real-life Volo Bog (south of Lake Geneva). Ed gave him his "real" name of Volothamp Geddarm, and always wanted to do some humorous Volo-fleeing-angry-husbands tales. The closest we'll get, probably, are his appearances in the Spin A Yarn stories. Oh, and a hint to all of things soon to come: Volo's literary career isn't over yet. 
love to all,
THO |
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Aglaranna
Learned Scribe
166 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 02:24:01
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| Er, thank you, everyone! That about explains it, but now I almost wish Volo *was* Alaundo...Or maybe that's sleep depravation talking... |
"You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose the path that's clear
I will choose freewill." -'Freewill' by Rush |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 03:21:29
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Oh, and a hint to all of things soon to come: Volo's literary career isn't over yet.
love to all,
THO
Care to elaborate on that, my Lady? I'm a huge Volo fan... |
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!  |
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Aglaranna
Learned Scribe
166 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 03:41:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Oh, and a hint to all of things soon to come: Volo's literary career isn't over yet.
love to all,
THO
Care to elaborate on that, my Lady? I'm a huge Volo fan...
I'll pop the popcorn! This should be interesting. |
"You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose the path that's clear
I will choose freewill." -'Freewill' by Rush |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 03:45:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Oh, and a hint to all of things soon to come: Volo's literary career isn't over yet.
love to all,
THO
Care to elaborate on that, my Lady? I'm a huge Volo fan...
Maybe a new Volo's Guide? HMMM? |
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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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 03:47:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Oh, and a hint to all of things soon to come: Volo's literary career isn't over yet.
love to all,
THO
Care to elaborate on that, my Lady? I'm a huge Volo fan...
Maybe a new Volo's Guide? HMMM?
Aye, 'twas my thought as well. Or, maybe new Volo-based fiction.
Either way I'd be happy!
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 03:53:17
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I'd even be happy with those Volo articles we used to get in Dragon... Though, obviously, a new series of Volo's Guides would be absolutely outstanding.
Post 9000 is about Volo... Cool. |
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! |
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darkcrow
Learned Scribe
USA
269 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 08:07:06
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Isn't he some sort of visionary also? I thought I read something about him naming all the years for the futrue through visions he had in his dreams. (like the Year of the Lightning and so on)
Sorry guys, I must of got the two mixed up. Thanks for straitening that out for me. Hey, is there any novels having Alaundo as a main character or close to it? |
May Tymora smile upon ye |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 08:18:41
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quote:
Originally posted by the Hooded One
Oh, and a hint to all of things soon to come: Volo's literary career isn't over yet.
Sweet lady of the Hood I hope you are not playing a these to us longing ones?.
Oh, please let it be another Volo guide or another larger piece of writing, I have been longing for more of these for years. I have more or less given up on seeing anymore of Volos writings outside of Dragon magazine.
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1715 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 10:38:35
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
The Year I Spent as Khelben's Chamberpot
The Year I Was First Elminster's Pond Ornament
. . . and so on.
As I recall, Volo the character was Jeff Grubb's, named after the real-life Volo Bog (south of Lake Geneva). Ed gave him his "real" name of Volothamp Geddarm, and always wanted to do some humorous Volo-fleeing-angry-husbands tales. The closest we'll get, probably, are his appearances in the Spin A Yarn stories. Oh, and a hint to all of things soon to come: Volo's literary career isn't over yet.
love to all,
THO
Not to mention "The Year I was Manshoon's Privy Brush"
I'd totally forgotten the actual Volo Bog, despite having driven past it quite a few times. Thanks, THO, for the mental jog.
Glad to hear Volo's not hung up his quill....
SES |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 10:57:27
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
The Year I Spent as Khelben's Chamberpot
The Year I Was First Elminster's Pond Ornament
. . . and so on.
As I recall, Volo the character was Jeff Grubb's, named after the real-life Volo Bog (south of Lake Geneva). Ed gave him his "real" name of Volothamp Geddarm, and always wanted to do some humorous Volo-fleeing-angry-husbands tales. The closest we'll get, probably, are his appearances in the Spin A Yarn stories. Oh, and a hint to all of things soon to come: Volo's literary career isn't over yet.
love to all,
THO
Looking forward to that. After all, I am missing the content of lore in some sourcebooks published recently. The Work from 'Volo' has been full of such 'inī-depth-lore-of-the-realms' I am missing nowadays and waiting for anxiously....
Volo rocks!
Ergdusch |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 11:11:49
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quote:
Originally posted by darkcrow
Sorry guys, I must of got the two mixed up. Thanks for straitening that out for me. Hey, is there any novels having Alaundo as a main character or close to it?
Nope. He's a historical figure. With very rare exceptions, FR novels have all been set in the here-and-now, or close to it. |
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! |
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Dart Ambermoon
Learned Scribe
Germany
253 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 17:15:36
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Not over? Thatīs splendid, since anything Volo is, quite simply, HUZZAH! Ahem...
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~ In Finder I trust, for danger I lust ~ |
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2006 : 19:23:32
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
. Oh, and a hint to all of things soon to come: Volo's literary career isn't over yet.
love to all,
THO
My dear lady hooded one, you need to be more careful with your hints. I nearly fainted with joy. |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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Aglaranna
Learned Scribe
166 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2006 : 23:49:56
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| That's a bad thing? We'd only miss you for the few minutes it took for you to recover. |
"You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose the path that's clear
I will choose freewill." -'Freewill' by Rush |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2006 : 02:24:36
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Yes, faint in this direction and you'll discover my bosom is somewhat soft . . .
. . . and decidedly yielding.
love,
THO |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2006 : 06:57:29
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Are you arms open and ready, to catch me when I fall, my sweet lady?
You'll need to be caught, if the Lady K read this.  |
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! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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ShadowJack
Senior Scribe
USA
350 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2006 : 22:51:03
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Ahem, yes, well very good, all this, err, "bosom" talk is decidely un-settling...
Be that as it may, this Volo info is good news indeed. I just finished reading Volo's Guide to Cormyr. It was published when I was on my three year hiatus from gaming. I am overjoyed to hear of his imminent return. I wonder what he had to promise Elminster to be allowed to write (anything) again? |
ShadowJack |
Edited by - ShadowJack on 22 Nov 2006 22:54:10 |
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Aglaranna
Learned Scribe
166 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2006 : 23:29:25
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| Yeah, you know, I think it's my turn to remind you folks about staying on topic. |
"You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose the path that's clear
I will choose freewill." -'Freewill' by Rush |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2006 : 04:25:55
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Duly chastised, I emit another tidbit: think of a new year dawning in the real world as having something to do with the timing of Volo's reappearance.
And the nature of his reappearance being ahem, periodical . . .
Gah. I hate hinting, but I Dare Not Say More. 
love to all,
THO |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
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Dhomal
Senior Scribe
USA
565 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2006 : 16:58:10
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Duly chastised, I emit another tidbit: think of a new year dawning in the real world as having something to do with the timing of Volo's reappearance.
And the nature of his reappearance being ahem, periodical . . .
Gah. I hate hinting, but I Dare Not Say More.
love to all,
THO
Hello-
I agree that it could well be in Dragon or Web-based - but I would lean towards web-based - as thats the only form we dont usually see teasers about.
That said - her 'periodical' comment might indicate Dragon - since it IS a periodical, or it could mean 'serial' a'la a multi-part web enhancement. However - and I'm not sure why - my First thought for 'periodical' was as in the 'Periodic Table of the Elements' - leading me down the path that the articaly might have something to do with the 'elements'. Now - whether or not this would be an artical about Weather - maybe Volo travels and complains about the bad weather - OR Maybe he is writing about the elemental planes...
In any case - we will all have to wait to find out for sure. Oh - all of us save The Hooded One, who ironically - was in a dream I had last night. Nothing overt - just kinda there. She was talking to Ed at a convention I was at. I wish I could say more - but I rarely remember even that much of my dreams.
Dhomal |
I am collecting the D&D Minis. I would be more than willing to trade with people. You can send me a PM here with your email listed - and I can send you my minis list. Thanks!
Successfully traded with Xysma! |
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Who *Is* Volo?
