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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore
Netherlands
1280 Posts |
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Aelryn
Acolyte
USA
3 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Nov 2007 : 02:13:46
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| My condolences and deepest sympathies. It's never easy to lose a loved one. |
"Even when our eyes are closed, there's a whole world out there, that lives outside ourselves and our dreams." |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 13 Nov 2007 : 02:59:11
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hello, all.
I bring some sad news: Ed's father died suddenly yesterday. Ed is calmer than anyone I've yet seen under these circumstances (he and his father were very close), but his father was a longtime university professor, chorister who sang in cathedrals all over the world, and one of NORAD's top radar men during the Cold War, so the funeral (next weekend) is likely to be a big affair, and the usual family matters will keep Ed occupied at least for this coming week.
I've lost my own father suddenly (about 5 years ago), so I know how rough it can be. I'm sending Ed my deepest condolences! |
"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) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 13 Nov 2007 03:00:47 |
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RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - 13 Nov 2007 : 03:20:49
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| I am sorry for your loss. |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 13 Nov 2007 : 04:09:46
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I'm going to the funeral. I saw Ed's dad once, though I didn't really meet him (I've always wondered if Ed based Khelben on him, before TSR artists and writers started making him their own). Candlekeep should be there, one person at least. I won't bother Ed, but I hope he sees me and so knows word has spread and how we feel about him. Having heard Ed orate before, I expect he'll deliver a stirring eulogy. If he hadn't been a game designer and fantasy writer and librarian, he would have made a good preacher. The nice, down to earth sort (er, perhaps too down to earth). Anyway, I'll be there. Being SO glad it isn't Ed's funeral. We need him too much. (Any scribes who want directions, ask here.)
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Ayunken-vanzan
Senior Scribe
Germany
657 Posts |
Posted - 13 Nov 2007 : 17:54:01
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| I want to send my condolences to Ed, too. Very sad news. |
"What mattered our lives now? When our world had been torn from us? Folk wept, or drank, or stood staring out over the land, wondering what new horror each dawn would bring."
Elender Stormfall of Suzail
"Anyone can kill deities, cause plagues, or destroy organizations. It takes real skill to make them live on."
Varl
FR/D&D-Links • 2ed Downloads |
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freyar
Learned Scribe
Canada
220 Posts |
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A Gavel
Seeker
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2007 : 04:16:12
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I, too, would like to extend my sympathies to Ed and his family. I DID meet his father once, at an academic gathering. A larger, older version of Ed (Ed's father had the shoulders and arms of a football player in full padding, only his were "just him," not padding). Ed once told me he'd cut metal with tin snips in his youth, and I can believe it, from his handshake. Ed got his whimsical, amiable sense of humour from his Dad, so for me he doesn't work as the model for Khelben at all.
By the way, Ed's dad was a published writer (academic stuff and a little book called STAND UP, SPEAK OUT! about public speaking, that he co-wrote with Ed's mom, who has written quite a few childrens' and teens' books about pioneer days ("settler" days for Americans), some of them prize-winning. Not to mention THE KID'S BOOK OF CANADA.
Ed's deceased (and much older) cousin, W.G. Hardy, was once a bestselling "literary" novelist in Canada, as well as the first Chancellor of the Univeristy of Alberta, and the author of ALBERTA: A BICENTENNIAL HISTORY.
So Ed comes from a talented literary family . . . |
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A Publishing Lackey
Seeker
74 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2007 : 04:21:25
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Agreed, A Gavel. I know that some of Canada's female childrens' writers (such as Bernice Thurman Hunter, and I think Jean Little, too) used to meet in Ed's parents' dining room once a week or every few weeks (when Ed was living there as a teenager). I'd give a lot to have heard the conversation around the Greenwood dinner table some nights, because the whole clan seems to have been bright, intelligent, well-educated, and creative. One of Ed's sisters, plus his parents, used to troop off to England every summer to sing in cathedrals. While Ed, of course, stayed home to work at the library and churn out endless Realmslore and Realms novels for us all.
I feel for your loss, Ed, and suspect that The Hooded One's silences are because she's rallying around helping, too.
Come back to us when you can, both of you. We need you to keep our dreams bright! |
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Malcolm
Learned Scribe
242 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2007 : 04:25:36
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Oh, well said!
Ed, my prayers and sympathies. I suspect your mom needs you very much, right now. Come back to us when you can. (I suspect Wizards of the Coast, Tor Books, Solaris, and your various other publishers are hoping that'll be soon.)
Rest and take a break if you feel the need. Please. You've laid golden eggs so fast for so long that you deserve a vacation, and I want you around for decades longer to, uh, lay a lot more (KNEW that metaphor was gonna get me in trouble).
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2007 : 04:40:04
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LOL! I needed a laugh. I'm sure I won't be laughing Friday, at the funeral. A question for scribes (or Ed or THO when they're back): I heard a rumour that Ed was seen buying lots of D&D minis AND dice at Pentacon.
Is this true? Is Ed up to something nefarious? Creating a new game? Or just trying to get some FR minis (as I doubt Wizards sent him a single figure, and he's often complained all of his local gaming stores went out of business)?
I don't mean to pry, Ed. I'm just curious; if it's none of my business, tell me so and I won't be upset.
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Neriandal Freit
Senior Scribe
USA
396 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2007 : 04:53:04
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Ed, all of us love you here at the 'Keep and abroad. You and your family (blood or otherwise) means a great deal to all of us readers of your work. For with out them, we wouldn't have you. We wouldn't have a world which a family let a crazy kid go and talk to a very old, powerful and dirty old man and a few sisters, a handful of decaying liches and the occasional romp in the Tavern. A place where each of us here can escape with an ease of a book, a small group of friends or just a pen, few pieces of paper and create our own person.
Ed, you are deep in my thoughts, wishes and prayers to all that is in our world and the world you made for us, by the family you are of. |
"Eating people is wrong...unless it's on the first date." - Ed Greenwood, GenCon Indy 2006 |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2007 : 04:57:51
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Thank you, everyone, for the lovely posts. Neriandal-Freit, you just made me cry again, but you did it in the nicest way.
Blueblade, Ed was indeed buying lots of dice and minis at Pentacon. Here's why: he's introducing the young kids of a local bank teller in the village to D&D (through her), and giving them the dice they need and a few figs, PLUS, yes, picking up the FR figs for himself, plus the figs for monsters (such as the Gauth and the Deep Dragon) that he created for the game. I believe his father used to amusedly tell his friends that his son had "really made it," after Ed got one of those Ed-as-Elminster special minis at a GenCon.
Which awakens a question in me for all scribes: how many special one-off minis have there been?
love,
THO |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2007 : 05:56:11
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Which awakens a question in me for all scribes: how many special one-off minis have there been?
love,
THO
Maxminis database has a list of them all, but it's not working right now (the promo and "other" sections anyway) But I did find a list of the promo figures:
D&Dc01 - Stalwart Paladin - RPGA Jan 04
D&Dc02 - Daring Rogue - RPGA Feb 04
D&Dc03 - Cleric of Nerull - RPGA March 04
D&Dc04 - Daleland Militia - RPGA May 04
D&Dc05 - Cleric of Lathander - RPGA Apr 04
D&Dc06 - Duergar Warrior - RPGA June 04
D&Dc07 - Hobgoblin Sergeant - RPGA July 04
D&Dc08 - Bugbear Footpad - RPGA Aug 04
D&Dc09 - Displacer Serpent - RPGA Sept 04
D&Dc10 - Crucian
D&Dc11 - Bladebearer Hobgoblin - RPGA Oct 04
D&Dc12 - Sahuagin Ranger - RPGA Nov 04
D&Dc13 - Orc Sergeant - RPGA Dec 04
D&Dc14 - Kobold Champion - Aberrations Pre Release
D&Dc15 - Gnoll - RPGA Jan 05
D&Dc16 - Iron Cobra - RPGA Feb 05
D&Dc17 - Burning Skeleton - RPGA March 05
D&Dc17 - Longtooth Barbarian - RPGA March 05
D&Dc18 - Undying Soldier - RPGA Apr 05
D&Dc19 - Bullywug Thug - RPGA May 05
D&Dc20 - Renegade Warlock - RPGA June 05
D&Dc21 - Forest Troll - RPGA July 05
D&Dc22 - Large Air Elemental - Angelfire Pre Release
D&Dc23 - Hobgoblin Impaler - RPGA Aug 05
D&Dc24 - Longstrider Ranger - RPGA Sep 05
D&Dc25 - Bugbear Champion of Erythnul - RPGA Oct 05
DL9/04 - Mina, Dark Cleric - Weis Book Tour 04
Ed Con 2005 - Elminster - Gen Con 05
FR10/04 - Guenhwyvar - Salvatore book tour Oct 04
Game Day - Mountain Orc - D&D 30th Anniversary
GenCon1 - Elf Ranger (CG) - Gen Con 03
GenCon1- Elf Ranger (CE) - Gen Con 03
GenCon1 - Half-Illithid Lizardfolk - Gen Con 04
GenCon1 - Guenhwyvar - Gen Con 05
GenCon2 - Lizardfolk - Gen Con 03
GenCon2 - Rhek - Gen Con 04
GenCon2 - Dark Naga - Gen Con 05
GenCon3 - Orc Archer - Gen Con 03
GenCon3 - Warforged Hero - Gen Con 04
GMR1 - Dread Guard - RPGA GM Reward - Gen Con 04
GMR3 - Mad Slasher - RPGA GM Reward - Gen Con
GMR4 - Grim Necromancer - RPGA GM Reward -- Gen Con
GMR5 - Weretiger - RPGA GM Reward -- Gencon
KSD - Silver Dragon - Knights of the Silver Dragon
Origins 1 - Dwarf Axefighter - Origins 03 Promo
Origins 1 - Scorpion Clan Drow Fighter - Origins 05 Promo
PLR 1 - Drow Rogue - RPGA Player Reward - Gen Con 04
Release - Zhentarim Fighter - Archfiends Pre Release
SDCC1 - Dwarf Mercenary - Comic Con San Diego 2005
WF2004 - Orc Raider -Winter Fantasy 04
Cultist of the Dragon - GAMA 04
Warforged Fighter - Eberron Pre Order
Yuan-Ti Halfblood - PC Gamer Promo
Dragonblade Ninja - Salute 05 Game Con
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War to slay, not to fight long and glorious.
Aermhar of the Tangletrees
Year of the Hooded Falcon
Xysma's Gallery
Guide to the Tomes and Tales of the Realms download from Candlekeep
Anthologies and Tales Overviews
Check out my custom action figures, hand-painted miniatures, gaming products, and other stuff on eBay.
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
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GRYPHON
Senior Scribe
USA
527 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2007 : 07:20:12
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| My condolences to Ed and his family. . .you're in my thoughts. . . |
'Everyone dies...I only choose the time and place for a few.' --Eric Destler |
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Iliana N-letur
Acolyte
Netherlands
13 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2007 : 12:52:11
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Leaves fall
What are?
friends for.
my sincerest condolences. |
A small (4'9") moon elf, with odd pale golden hair and startling violet eyes. See her for the first time, there's fair bit of Faerie 'fascinate' involved.
A slightly curved sword and pseudo dragon familiar are never far away. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 15 Nov 2007 : 01:57:39
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Thanks very much for that list, Xysma. Most of the figs seem to have been subsequently released as part of the regular collectibles. I know Ed has a lot of the Silver Dragons (unless he gave them away), because Lezlie Samuel and Mary-Elizabeth Allen kept coming up to him and shoving one figure at a time down his shirt-front (part of a private joke about giving Ed breasts impressive enough that a staff artist could paint him to put on an FR novel book cover . . . yes, well, I'm sure it seemed funnier at the time), but I'm not so sure about the Elminster fig. He probably has one (yes, one).
Thanks to everyone for your condolences and good wishes. Please keep the questions coming, too; it'll give Ed something to do when he finally gets the Knights novel and that 4e FR announced work out of the way, and can breathe again.
I asked him how he felt last night, and he gave me a crooked smile and said, "Well, thank goodness I only had one dad to lose." He tells me he'll be okay, though, and thanks to everyone for thinking of him.
love to all,
THO |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 15 Nov 2007 : 02:09:16
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| Apologies for not chiming in sooner, but I feel greatly for Ed and wish him the best. He and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers. |
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Neriandal Freit
Senior Scribe
USA
396 Posts |
Posted - 15 Nov 2007 : 02:22:51
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Thanks very much for that list, Xysma. Most of the figs seem to have been subsequently released as part of the regular collectibles. I know Ed has a lot of the Silver Dragons (unless he gave them away), because Lezlie Samuel and Mary-Elizabeth Allen kept coming up to him and shoving one figure at a time down his shirt-front (part of a private joke about giving Ed breasts impressive enough that a staff artist could paint him to put on an FR novel book cover . . . yes, well, I'm sure it seemed funnier at the time), but I'm not so sure about the Elminster fig. He probably has one (yes, one).
Thanks to everyone for your condolences and good wishes. Please keep the questions coming, too; it'll give Ed something to do when he finally gets the Knights novel and that 4e FR announced work out of the way, and can breathe again.
I asked him how he felt last night, and he gave me a crooked smile and said, "Well, thank goodness I only had one dad to lose." He tells me he'll be okay, though, and thanks to everyone for thinking of him.
love to all,
THO
Although not the most lovely way of looking at someone we loose, it's a interesting an I believe a good way of looking at someone like that. Never thought of it in that manner...
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"Eating people is wrong...unless it's on the first date." - Ed Greenwood, GenCon Indy 2006 |
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Lauzoril
Seeker
Finland
71 Posts |
Posted - 15 Nov 2007 : 09:41:11
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My apologies too for not seeing this sooner. So much to do and so little time. My condolences to you Ed and your family.
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"Death to the enemies of Bane."
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 15 Nov 2007 : 15:21:42
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N-F, that comment sounds like Ed. In pain but being wry about it. I'm sure I'll see him weeping (but trying not to) at the funeral; he and his father were close friends, not just dad and son. Yet I don't want to dwell on this; the man deserves some privacy. Instead, I'll do what THO suggested, and post another Realms question:
In the Realms of "now," pre-Spellplague, what steps is Vangey (and/or Laspeera and anyone else in the War Wizards) taking to watch for traitors in the ranks? The first two Knights books have shown us traitors to the realm high up in the War Wizards, one of whom got revealed VERY dramatically (in front of the entire Court and all the Suzailans who could get in, plus a visiting diplomat). I guess what I'm asking is: what new internal security policies or procedures resulted from that?
I'm guessing Ed may not get to this for a while, for the reasons we all know. So . . . Garen Thal?
Thanks
BB
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 15 Nov 2007 : 21:48:22
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Well met.
Ed, do gods in Realmspace get benefits from the worship of people who are drugged or enchanted into worshipping them?
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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.
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2007 : 03:11:13
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Ed tells me he received a box from Wizards today (between deliveries of flowers) that contained, among other things, his author's copies of THE ANNOTATED ELMINSTER. According to Ed, it looks "Gorgeous."
Wizards sent "a beautiful" arrangement of flowers, too. 
Ed also sent this message:
I want to thank all of you for your love and support. I intend to climb right back into the saddle just as soon as I can, but my replies here at Candlekeep may be both brief and infrequent for a while, I'm afraid. My father's passing has occurred at a very bad time for scheduling of both the last Knights novel and 4e FR work, and I MUST put them first, for all our sakes, the moment I can really get back behind a keyboard. (Yes, I wrote some stuff today, in a few snatched moments, just to try to calm myself by fooling myself that I felt "normal." Unfortunately, as I get older I don't fool as easily. :} )
So please forgive me, and don't stop posting those lore queries. THO will send them on to me no matter where and how they reach her, and I will get to them. Eventually.
The doorbell is ringing again, now, so I must go . . .
So saith Ed. Who will of course be silent tomorrow (as will I).
love to all,
THO |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2007 : 08:24:40
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| I just read the sad news. My condolences to Ed and his family, as well. |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2007 : 14:48:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Blueblade
In the Realms of "now," pre-Spellplague, what steps is Vangey (and/or Laspeera and anyone else in the War Wizards) taking to watch for traitors in the ranks? The first two Knights books have shown us traitors to the realm high up in the War Wizards, one of whom got revealed VERY dramatically (in front of the entire Court and all the Suzailans who could get in, plus a visiting diplomat). I guess what I'm asking is: what new internal security policies or procedures resulted from that?
I'm guessing Ed may not get to this for a while, for the reasons we all know. So . . . Garen Thal?
Ed is, of course, more qualified to answer this question fully, but this my understanding of things (without spoiling any secrets):
At the time of the Knights book, Vangerdahast is swiftly learning that he is minding too many stews, what with the War Wizards, the Council of Mages (that body of arcane spellcasters that advises the Crown on matters magical), his personal service to the Obarskyrs, and his general protection of Cormyr. The man has far too many hats, and, frankly, isn't the sort of wizard that enjoys wearing any.
A great many wizards were cowed into submission or flight when Vangerdahast came to power in 1306DR (there is a reason his epithet is Thunderspells), but by 1348DR, there is a new generation of War Wizards, not all of which understand his powers, planning and foresight, and a very few of which actually do understand that his abilities may be a bit... overblown.
At present (that is, in the Knights novels), the only War Wizard Vangerdahast can trust is Laspeera. For everyone else, there are a number of tactics Vangey uses to keep order:
-Mind-reams of suspected traitors
-Random scrying
-Triggered scrying and magical "recording" (where certain words, phrases or topics set off the appropriate magic). Vangerdahast learned recently that he just can't handle multiple scrying sources activating all at once, so he's taken to magically preserving certain suspected conversations rather than directly observing them.
-Control of access magic items: other than war wizard cloaks and a handful of other items, things like wands and potions must be accounted for both before and after assignments.
Note that these tales take place before the stories of Vangerdahast taking blood from each War Wizard in order to place a geas on them. And there is a reason for such legends... |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2007 : 18:53:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Garen Thal
At the time of the Knights book, Vangerdahast is swiftly learning that he is minding too many stews, what with the War Wizards, the Council of Mages (that body of arcane spellcasters that advises the Crown on matters magical), his personal service to the Obarskyrs, and his general protection of Cormyr. The man has far too many hats, and, frankly, isn't the sort of wizard that enjoys wearing any.
This might seem like an impertinent question, Garen, but I have to ask:
If he doesn't like "wearing any hats", then why didn't he step down from the job? Surely he must enjoy at least some of the hats he wears...
PS: I can't wait to pick up the Annotated Elminster book. |
"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) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 16 Nov 2007 18:54:49 |
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Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2007 : 18:58:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Garen Thal
At the time of the Knights book, Vangerdahast is swiftly learning that he is minding too many stews, what with the War Wizards, the Council of Mages (that body of arcane spellcasters that advises the Crown on matters magical), his personal service to the Obarskyrs, and his general protection of Cormyr. The man has far too many hats, and, frankly, isn't the sort of wizard that enjoys wearing any.
This might seem like an impertinent question, Garen, but I have to ask:
If he doesn't like "wearing any hats", then why didn't he step down from the job? Surely he must enjoy at least some of the hats he wears...
PS: I can't wait to pick up the Annotated Elminster book.
My little "hats" quip had to do with the Old Snoops choice of headgear rather than his willingness to take on too many jobs. It's literal hats he dislikes.
As for his metaphorical hats, Vangerdahast is firmly convinced that he is the only one intelligent, capable and loyal enough to do any of the jobs that he undertakes. No one else can be trusted, or (if trusted) trusted to do it right. In later years, he as disabused of this notion to a small degree, but part of Vangerdahast's predicament is his hubris. He has always considered himself capable of sitting at the "grown-ups' table," his humbling by Khelben/Manshoon/Elminster notwithstanding. |
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2007 : 19:28:12
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Well met, all!
Lady Hooded One, about a year ago I asked an exhaustive set of questions for Ed concerning whether or not Toril had anything comparable to the occult information network which existed in Earth's Hyborian Age, and which may be accessed in the Conan RPG through the Sorcerous News spells. I would like to ask another question which Ed may add onto the creaking framework of my other questions, or which he may answer separately: is it possible to eavesdrop on sending, message and such-like spells using arcane magic? Can one intercept such a transmission and alter it with different information? If so, how would it most likely be done?
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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.
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Akeri Rualuavain
Seeker
Canada
99 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2007 : 22:33:04
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I have a few question too.
I'm a radio animator for a French local radio community, and my programs is on all the RPG world. My next hour, on thuesday will be on the forgotten realms, and I would be so happy if you could agree to answer those questions.
Where did the idea of the realm start ?
How how choose the autors ?
How do you chose your fellow players ?
When did you start playing RPG ?
Do you have any anectode funny about games in forgotten realms ? |
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Questions for Ed Greenwood (2007)
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