| Author |
 Topic  |
|
sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11829 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Aug 2007 : 20:32:00
|
>>I heard nothing about the Spellplague culling the ranks of high-level wizards in the >>Realms. This is pure supposition and extrapolation which has not been confirmed >>officially by anyone.
>>-- George Krashos
That's good to hear. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
 |
|
|
createvmind
Senior Scribe
490 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2007 : 02:52:22
|
Hello All,
Ed is a magefire pact common knowledge outside of the spell casting classes? Can you describe the process and consequence of breaking such a pact or point to where it may have been mentioned before.
Thanks |
|
|
|
The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2007 : 02:58:27
|
Hello, all!
Ed is finally back from GenCon, and responding to this lore question from Jamallo Kreen: “Well met! In Waterdeep, is there anything distinguishing or "special" about doors which let out into alleys? Do businesses place signage at the back door as well as the front? Are alley doors stronger or better defended than front doors? If a building has a basement, is it common practice for it to have an outside entrance to it (like the cellar doors so common in the midwest, as in The Wizard of Oz)?”
Ed replies:
Confining my reply to within the city of Waterdeep: alley doors are always stout and fitted with inner bars (heavy-duty metal hooks on door and frame that form a cradle that squared timbers can be dropped into, across door and frame, to hold the door firm, so some strong men with axes can’t get through the door without taking some time and making a lot of noise). They very rarely display any sort of signage, but may bear little painted symbols so someone trusted can be told to go “six doors down, to the door that has the little purple helm painted high up on it” (high up, in this case, meaning out of normal reach).
Basements almost NEVER have outside entrances with “storm cellar” doors (over stairs) adjacent to the walls, in Waterdeep. The buildings of nobility and the wealthy may well have secret passages “arising” in other buildings (e.g. underground tunnel to stables, stairs come up there), and except in Dock Ward where flooding makes cellars of any sort rare, the “common” city buildings usually have cellar entrances either into sewers (VERY stout doors, or trapdoors), or “back stairs” that come up to street-level doors adjacent to the main entrances of the buildings they’re attached to.
So saith Ed. Whose comment about getting past anger, Kuje, was, he tells me, in the context of “I know some will be upset; 4th edition or any change can be upsetting, but anyone who’d like to talk it over with me, I’ll try to take it past the anger and upset stage to try to reassure you that we plan to keep right on developing the Realms and answering Realmslore queries and making it ever-more-detailed and ever-better. I sure hope no one is trying to wreck the Realms, and certainly don’t think that’s the intent of anyone.”
Of course, Ed would be just as happy if we had no game-rule stats in any Realms work, and just filled the pages with lore.
No, he didn’t feel stalked by anyone (he DOES have two male and one female stalkers, and one of the male ones was at the con this year, but Ed is perfectly happy to hang out with them), and wishes he had more time for everyone. He was rushing, Sanishiver, to get back to his room and escort his wife to a private Wizards function, and he was rushing when you saw him, createvmind, to get to the Indiana Roof Ballroom for the VIG Dinner so as to be there in good time to get his guests in past the door-Nazis, and to meet with some gamers he’d promised to talk to.
And George: sorry I missed you, but my reach is long and my aim getting ever better. Ed tells me I’d really like you. (You’re going to have to imagine that I’m murmuring that as I wink and slide my flank alongside yours, not trying to upset family men at all.)
Ed himself wishes that he’d had more time (and fewer obligations) Sunday night to have a last dinner with you and Brian, too. He did tell me that on one day at this GenCon he had two breakfasts, four lunches, two dinners, and then (as he puts it) “the best meal of the day,” abed with his wife in their hotel room, late in the evening (and no, he’s not handing out entendres there, he means it literally).
Love to all,
THO
|
Edited by - The Hooded One on 24 Aug 2007 03:00:40 |
|
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4688 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2007 : 03:36:43
|
Design has indicated core setting will be gerneric, sould like first _Keep on the Borderland_ that grew into a world. With fewer classes and fewer races (at least playable ones). That Living FR replaces Living GH.
How does Ed feel about a Living RF, that most likely will have many players used to Living GH or other Living settings?
The 4th Edition FRCS is due out next year, if things goes as planned, will FRCS add races or classes that might not appear in the core rules at that time?
I can guess NDA might apply to one question or at best get an answer maybe as WotC has not presented a final list of core characters or races yet.
Of course I suspect many of us want to know everything known about 4th and FR that is not NDA. This appears to be little so far.
|
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2007 : 03:55:21
|
My Lady, I've a somewhat personal, slightly Realms-related point that I wanted to discuss with both you and Ed. Please check your email.
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Of course, Ed would be just as happy if we had no game-rule stats in any Realms work, and just filled the pages with lore.
He's not the only one! 
|
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 |
Edited by - The Sage on 24 Aug 2007 04:03:04 |
|
|
|
RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2007 : 04:34:32
|
quote:
Originally posted by createvmind
It was implied that the non-faerun areas may undergo some massive upheaval, destroying them completely.
Hey, so long as what they replace those areas with are closer to what Ed originally had in mind before the Grey Box, I'd be happy with that !
|
|
|
|
Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2007 : 08:32:38
|
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
My Lady, I've a somewhat personal, slightly Realms-related point that I wanted to discuss with both you and Ed. Please check your email.
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Of course, Ed would be just as happy if we had no game-rule stats in any Realms work, and just filled the pages with lore.
He's not the only one!
Well met
Aye, put my name down on that one too   |
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
|
|
|
|
Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2007 : 15:50:23
|
A first question to Ed about some of his past novels (others will come).
I recently noticed that in Elminster in Myth Drannor elven sub-races are not mentioned at all. Why ?
|
|
|
|
Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2007 : 19:09:12
|
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hello, all!
Ed is finally back from GenCon, and responding to this lore question from Jamallo Kreen: “Well met! In Waterdeep, is there anything distinguishing or "special" about doors which let out into alleys? ..."
Ed replies:
Confining my reply to within the city of Waterdeep: alley doors are always stout and fitted with inner bars
(snip)
Love to all,
THO
Thank you very much!
|
I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
|
|
|
|
Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2007 : 19:50:36
|
I just bought Skullport (thanks to those who suggested it!) and Drow of the Underdark, and I am bursting with questions about both books. Fortunately for Ed, I don't have them with me, but I do have one question which hangs on an earlier question which I asked; this time, though, I'm sure that no NDA obstructs an answer: What was Sangalor doing and where was he hanging out before the temple to Oghma was built in Waterdeep (principally, the 1350s and early 1360s)?
|
I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
|
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2007 : 23:35:42
|
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
How does Ed feel about a Living RF, that most likely will have many players used to Living GH or other Living settings?
Living RF? Rinonalyrna Fathomlin? 
I know what you mean, but that's one of those typos that's too fun to ignore! |
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! |
|
|
|
The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2007 : 01:25:17
|
Hello again, all. This time I bring you Ed’s responses to Skeptic’s recent queries: “What is the ratio of the work done on the new FRCS will come from freelancers (like Ed himself, Eric Boyd, etc.) vs the WotC staff ?
An easier one, I would bet a lot that D&D 4E is more in line with what Ed would like in a RPG than D&D 3.x was, I'm winner or looser?
Any talks about resuming the "Border Kingdoms articles" on DnDInsider?”
Ed replies:
As to whether or not the FRCS is to be done wholly or partially in-house: I just don’t know. Yet. A certain lovely novel editor wants THE SWORD NEVER SLEEPS in her hands before I even go asking, so I’m being VERY good. Right now, my best guess would have to be: largely in-house.
As for 4th Edition, I also have to say: I don’t know yet, because I haven’t seen the 4th Edition rules. I do know they aren’t finished, and that everything has been done in-house thus far. The thrust and shape of the rules certainly SOUND like they’re closer to what I love in roleplaying, yes.
I have already promised to get back to work on the Border Kingdoms ASAP (I am crushed under workload at the moment; by year-end I will have written, if I don’t get run over by a dragon or blow too many deadlines, SIX novels, parts of yes, SIX game products, and over forty short stories or articles, all in 2007). Whether or not those articles will appear on the free part of the WotC site or within DDI or somewhere else, I don’t know (and of course it’s not up to me).
I re-sent the 2006 Spin A Yarn tale in before driving down to GenCon, and have not yet received the story elements list from the 2007 con session from the lovely Shelly. Scribes will by now have noticed that other intrepid writers are now penning “Realmslore” instalments. Folks, I just can’t keep up (so little time, so many babies to father . . .)
So saith Ed. Making the joke I was about to make at the end, there. So there you have it. Ed is chuckling his way through scenes in THE SWORD NEVER SLEEPS (the third Knights novel) as we speak; to this heavily-biased reader, at least, it looks like it will turn out to be a solid, readable (and re-readable), thoroughly entertaining trilogy. Go Ed! (But not too far. I still have need of you, and the whips are dry.)
love to all,
THO
|
Edited by - The Hooded One on 25 Aug 2007 01:27:16 |
|
|
|
Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2007 : 15:55:53
|
Hi, Ed and lovely lady THO. I'm back with yet another question about Cormyr. Specifically the sort of "fuzzy frontier" along the seacoast where Cormyr and Sembia meet. How do both realms police or patrol this border? Obvious military presence (checkpoints? border tolls?) or covert (War Wizard on the Cormyrean side) surveillance? Or ...?
If an obviously and openly armed company of adventurers come galloping fast from the Sembian side (perhaps pursued by some Sembians) into Cormyr, how would the defenses of the Forest Kingdom react?
Thanks! |
|
|
|
Malcolm
Learned Scribe
242 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2007 : 16:00:47
|
I have a question, too, this one arising out of Ed's superb new novel, Swords of Dragonfire. In "right now" Cormyr, with the usual intrigues raging but the country not officially at war, are War Wizards often assigned to spy on a particular "troublesome" Cormyrean noble family as a continuing, long-term assignment? Or are nobles "hands off" unless Vangey or a royal family member raises the alarm, or a noble publicly does or says something treasonous?
One note: I know Dragonfire takes place in the past. I do mean "right now" as in: where Realms time has advanced to as I post this, with Grand History not yet released.
Thanks in advance! |
|
|
|
The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2007 : 20:34:05
|
Hello again, all. This time I bring you Ed’s response to AlorinDawn, re. this: “ED & THO, Yet another non Realmsian query. Ed, have you been working on or heard of any plans to bring more Castlemourn material to us?”
Ed replies:
Yes, I have heard of some plans. Yes, I’ve been working on them (back-burner, behind my other frantic, up-front workload). Nothing definite yet, and the opportunity I hoped to have at GenCon to sit down privately with Margaret Weis Productions staff to REALLY plot and plan didn’t materialize; everyone was just too busy. However, I certainly hope to have that talk when I can. There are just these three novels to get out of the way first, or at least the most pressingly urgent “first two” of them. Honestly, I just can’t keep up at the moment, but am doing my best. I could have skipped GenCon and bought myself another week of writing time, but that’s a sacrifice I didn’t want to make, for Realms fans as well as me. I thought it was far more important to “be there” to meet George Krashos and Brian James for the first time, as well as old friends, gamers, and designers I look forward to meeting every year, as well as to be on hand to talk to gamers (such as yourself) who make the trek to GenCon for the first time. It recharges my batteries, so to speak, by giving me direct contact with the people I’m doing all of this for. So I slide another week behind . . . and I’ll get to Castlemourn when I can. Promise. Full disclosure: I work on and in lots of other fantasy settings, too. :}
So saith Ed. Weary creator and co-creator of fantasy worlds (the Realms, Castlemourn, Falconfar, Embersea, Mornmist, et al). Who STILL hasn’t unpacked from attending GenCon yet, aside from washing the dirty laundry.
love to all,
THO
|
|
|
|
AlorinDawn
Learned Scribe
USA
313 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2007 : 21:13:30
|
Ed & THO,
Thanks for the Castlemourn update. When at Gencon I stopped by the Goodman Games booth and was happy to pick up one of Monte Cook's last works and had Erol Otis sign his cover work to boot. While I am aware of how busy Ed stays from his comments here, I did ask Goodman Games if they had considered having Ed authoring one of their modules. The gentleman I asked said it was "In the works". While I do love Your world building I really loved the adventures modules you did dating back to Azimer and "Into the Forgotten Realms" and hope to see more.
P.S. Ed, have you considered getting cloned? /snicker |
|
|
|
Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2007 : 00:45:53
|
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
I thought it was far more important to “be there” to meet George Krashos and Brian James for the first time, as well as old friends, gamers, and designers I look forward to meeting every year, as well as to be on hand to talk to gamers (such as yourself) who make the trek to GenCon for the first time.
Ed: you can expect a few more scribes "making that trip for the first time" next year! check out our "GENCON 2008" thread! |
|
|
|
The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2007 : 01:00:46
|
Hi again, scribes. Ed responds to another AlorinDawn query this time, to whit: “Ed & THO, I've left you two be long enough >=).
My question this time is have you ever DMed a group of planes jumpers who ended up in a more modern era (Old West or current time) other than the time you mentioned having your players pop out near your home, in game?”
Ed replies:
Yes.
Here’s a partial list: current time (more than once), Hundred Years War -era (England and France fighting in France), upland outlawry whilst Stephen and Matilda were fighting for the crown of England, and between the two World Wars in upper-class “country house” England (hunts and shooting parties). Great fun, if done sparingly. If you do this, take care to NOT have it be when campaign play is faltering or becoming humdrum, or it can tug play out of the Realms (or wherever your campaign is set) permanently, often leading to play fading away because the players are no longer immersed in a setting they’ve invested time and interest in.
So saith Ed. Wise words, indeed; that very calamity in his last sentence befell two other campaigns I have dabbled in. When the magic is gone, switching costumes rarely rescues the situation all by itself.
Oh, and one last note, AlorinDawn, re. Goodman Games: Ed says:
In the works? News to me! I guess the “works” haven’t yet reached the ‘somebody ask Ed Greenwood if he’s interested’ stage. :} Don't get me wrong, I'd love to write one. Chorus:When I have time!!!
So, beware booth spin!  PDK, I have forwarded that thread (thus far) to Ed so he can see the scribes planning to assemble. Sounds like a "date" will have to be added to his con schedule next year!
love to all,
THO
|
Edited by - The Hooded One on 28 Aug 2007 04:52:14 |
|
|
|
Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 05:01:28
|
Hi, Ed! I was in BakkaPhoenix a few days back, asking for release dates of your next few books, and ran into a * very * beautiful young lady who says you autographed her, uh, right-hand female chest area at last year's GenCon (I know, that may not narrow things down enough for you to remember her, but she also said she wore a costume that "had blue feathers and blue boots and not much else," if that helps).
Anyway, she wanted to pass on her thanks for your advice (apparently it worked and she scored an acceptance from the publisher she submitted it to), and a Realms lore question: did Azoun and Filfaeril have any other children (aside from Foril and the two princesses we know all about)? Stillbirths, babes spirited away, that sort of thing. I gather she's looking for a campaign hook: among the many bastard offspring of Azoun IV, a REAL heir. Neat idea, but probably impossible (given Vangerdahast's nosiness, for one thing), but I promised her I'd pass it along.
Oh, and she said if you're ever in Toronto, drop by BakkaPhoenix. Her apartment isn't far away and she can offer "great tea and ice cream" (I'm merely quoting, straight-faced, here; anything beyond tea and ice cream is er, heavily implied). Ed, you're a lucky man, if half the ladies who inhabit your lap at GenCons are like this one.
Blueblade |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 05:45:01
|
..And I'm back with more questions for my own queue. These are both about Waterdeep, the greatest city in all the Realms. 
First, what's with the "Upper Downs", that walled-in but empty plot of land north of the Sea and North Wards? It looks like a great place for some development, but is for some reason left untouched by an otherwise crowded city... I'm quite curious about that.
Second, exactly why is it illegal to fly into the city without permission? Is that simply a security precaution? That seems unlikely someone wanting to do something bad would likely ignore that law, just as they would ignore other laws... |
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! |
|
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4688 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 10:30:50
|
quote:
Second, exactly why is it illegal to fly into the city without permission? Is that simply a security precaution? That seems unlikely someone wanting to do something bad would likely ignore that law, just as they would ignore other laws.
Well my city it is clearly security reasons. A law breaker clearly would ignore the law, but if free flight was permitted it becomes a heck of a lot harder to spot a law breaker.
If 100 are flying the city without being checked, 10 could be foes of the city. If 10 foes fly into the city without permission it is easier to hunt down and ground them. All in all basic security. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
|
|
|
Verghityax
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 15:40:52
|
Dear Ed and Lady Hooded One,
Long, long time ago (a year and a half, I suppose) I asked about certain locations in Elturel and Iriaebor. Back then Ed said that those places are under NDA because of uncertain legal status concerning some licenses TSR sold to an outside company. I would like to know if there was any progress in this matter? I realize that Ed is extremely busy nowadays so I apologise for any inconvenience. |
|
|
|
Foxhelm
Senior Scribe
Canada
592 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 21:37:12
|
Hi, I have a couple of questions and a recommendation of a animated series.
My questions: I was wondering if you could tell me if it isn't NDA if I can still play a Cleric of Finder Wyvernspur as I am a bit obessessed with the idea? Also how many surprises might expect with this deity? If it is possible.
also while I know this will divide most of the Forum, I would recommend if you get the time for you to look at a couple of episodes of Avatar:The Last Airbender.
It is a Nickelodeon cartoon based on Martial arts/action movies, anime, and Eastern Philosphy. It is set in a world where people can do martial arts to control the four elements of Air, Earth, Fire and Water.
A young boy with the help of his friends must restore the balance and save the world after being in statis for a hundred years while learning to master the four elements.
It many ways it is also a travel show and his interesting aspects like all of the martials used in the show being based on real eastern martial arts. Or Chimera animals like a giant bison with a beaver tail six legs and the ability to bend (control) air to fly.
It also works on more then one level with humour and interesting scenes for older kids and deep themes like war, reincarnation, spirituality and Industrial revolutions for the adults.
Just want to share this like I share Forgotten Realms with my other friends. Thanks and I hope that I have not bother you.
Foxhelm |
Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems! |
|
|
|
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2007 : 00:49:11
|
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Of course, Ed would be just as happy if we had no game-rule stats in any Realms work, and just filled the pages with lore.
He's not the only one!
Agreed! I don't believe rules should come before setting lore. |
"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) |
|
|
|
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2007 : 00:49:53
|
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
How does Ed feel about a Living RF, that most likely will have many players used to Living GH or other Living settings?
Living RF? Rinonalyrna Fathomlin?
I know what you mean, but that's one of those typos that's too fun to ignore!
HA! |
"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) |
|
|
|
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2007 : 00:54:29
|
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
So saith Ed. Whose comment about getting past anger, Kuje, was, he tells me, in the context of “I know some will be upset; 4th edition or any change can be upsetting, but anyone who’d like to talk it over with me, I’ll try to take it past the anger and upset stage to try to reassure you that we plan to keep right on developing the Realms and answering Realmslore queries and making it ever-more-detailed and ever-better.
That sounds like the Ed I know. Like some other people I'm not happy with the announced changes, myself. I'm glad for the reassurance, though. |
"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) |
|
|
|
The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2007 : 05:00:10
|
Hello again, all. Ed is temporarily snowed under by visiting family and a flood of urgent “writing business” requests (Canadian listeners: Ed did an interview on the coast-to-coast radio program SOUNDS LIKE CANADA today), but he did manage to tackle this most recent Wooly Rupert request: “..And I'm back with more questions for my own queue. These are both about Waterdeep, the greatest city in all the Realms.
First, what's with the "Upper Downs", that walled-in but empty plot of land north of the Sea and North Wards? It looks like a great place for some development, but is for some reason left untouched by an otherwise crowded city... I'm quite curious about that.
Second, exactly why is it illegal to fly into the city without permission? Is that simply a security precaution? That seems unlikely someone wanting to do something bad would likely ignore that law, just as they would ignore other laws...”
Ed replies:
The Upper Downs are kept clear of permanent structures and ongoing habitation by Lords’ decree. They are a field used by arriving caravans to disassemble in an orderly fashion, departing caravans to assemble ditto, for hiring affairs (by permit), the grazing of livestock by citizens and by resident livestock-sellers (by permit), for “assembly” of large items, experiments, et al (by permit), and for residents of the city to receive riding lessons (by permit). Informally, they are used for picnics, open-air strolling “business meetings,” and caravans hiring guards from hopeful residents of the city.
In case of war or imminent attack, they are to be used for troop assembly and training, and then to shelter (encamped) folk from Goldenfields, Amphail, and other nearby communities.
As for the flyover bans, they are now for security reasons (preventing smuggling, hired “snatchings” of citizens, and guild strife, as well as hampering attacks on the city), but originated early in the city’s history, when rival noble houses took to flying various aerial steeds over the walled compounds of rivals, and “accidentally” dropping unpleasant or deadly things down on the heads of said rivals. This quickly escalated into nightly “warfare from the skies” (arson, attackers dropped down on lines to butcher servants and mounts in stables, etc.) trouble that was quashed just as swiftly by this ban. Which various guilds and nobles have defied down the years, only to be heavily fined and/or suffer the imprisonments of members, for the same “stop it before it gets right out of hand” reason.
So saith Ed. Who I can attest is explaining reasons he provided to questioning players back in the very early 1980s. He does think all of these things through, believe me.
Love to all,
THO
|
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
|
|
Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2007 : 18:48:50
|
Well met! The question about Finder Wyvernspur sparks another: Is Finder averse to other deities sponsoring or encouraging artists, or does he try to maintain fine art as his own personal balliwick?
|
I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
|
|
|
|
The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2007 : 00:46:30
|
Hello again, everybody. Ed is still struggling to cope with family and pressing deadlines, but has as usual found time to tackle a Realmslore question from the ever-growing mountain. Another recent one, this time, from scribe Malcolm: “I have a question, too, this one arising out of Ed's superb new novel, Swords of Dragonfire. In "right now" Cormyr, with the usual intrigues raging but the country not officially at war, are War Wizards often assigned to spy on a particular "troublesome" Cormyrean noble family as a continuing, long-term assignment? Or are nobles "hands off" unless Vangey or a royal family member raises the alarm, or a noble publicly does or says something treasonous?
One note: I know Dragonfire takes place in the past. I do mean "right now" as in: where Realms time has advanced to as I post this, with Grand History not yet released.
Thanks in advance!”
Ed replies:
Yes, War Wizards spy on particular noble families as a matter of standing policy, in two ways:
1. The “house wizards” hired by, and on staff at, almost all noble households are either War Wizard plants or are regularly “mind-reamed” by War Wizards, who view their thoughts and memories, and spy on those households through them.
2. War Wizard teams are often assigned to snoop into the daily lives and doings of noble families on grounds of general suspicion. Vangerdahast suspected EVERYBODY of darned near everything, so every noble family got peered at at least once a year (and some of the more shady ones were never free of multiple-War-Wizard surveillance).
Since Vangey’s replacement by Caladnei, three women (Laspeera, Filfaeril, and Alusair) have “taken over” directing this snooping program; Caladnei “sits in” on their deliberations but defers to them, because (as she freely admits) “I know not even where the closets are, let alone which ones bid fair to hold skeletons.” However, she’s learning fast, and won’t hesitate to assemble a new team and order them to “incline thine eyes in the direction of” (get snooping into) a particular situation, family, cabal, or link.
DMs running Cormyr are safe in assuming that every noble family is watched, but boring, innocent, stay-at-home nobles are only lightly spied upon; a younger son or older aunt could sneak off for a tryst or drinking bout or a secret meeting that might lead to a conspiracy or a crime without necessarily being overhead or followed. Once the family was suspected of such behavior, surveillance would increase.
So saith Ed. Who always warned us “If you see a War Wizard buffoon lurking and watching you, you were meant to see him. Someone else is doing the REAL watching.”
There’s an old, old tale told amongst Cormyrean nobles, of two matriarchs who became heartily sick of War Wizard snooping, especially as they WERE up to something shady. They finally drifted off, by separate routes, to reach the same garderobe in unused guest apartments high in a wing of a mansion belonging to one of them, and sat down in adjacent screened stalls, to whisper to each other. First they both heartily (and colourfully) cursed the War Wizards, and then they went on to make some shady arrangements. When they were done, they strolled into the passage outside - - only to freeze in horrified guilt as Vangerdahast himself emerged from the garderobe, smilingly reminded them that it had other stalls, admiringly repeated some of the more choice curses they’d just bestowed on the heads of the War Wizards, and reminded them of the time of their just-arranged next illicit meeting.
Oh, he was as subtle as a boulder dropped on a bare foot. 
love to all,
THO
|
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
Questions for Ed Greenwood (2007)
Topic Locked
