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RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Jan 2007 : 15:19:28
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MaxKaladin
Seeker
77 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2007 : 18:10:11
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I'm curious if Ed can elaborate on the statement "able-bodied children old enough to fend for themselves (age 12 for males and puberty or 13 for females, whichever comes later)". I'm aware that it wasn't unusual historically for societies to consider one an adult at ages our society would consider too young, but I always had the impression that this was one of those areas where Faerûn differed from historical societies and that the typical age of majority in Faerûn was probably similar to those of modern western nations.
Thus, I'm curious: Is this the legal age of majority in Cormyr? Does this imply that someone who lost his or her parents at that age would be expected to survive on their own rather than winding up with a legal guardian or sent to live in an orphanage or something like that? How does this work if they decide to take up some dangerous occupation like signing on as a sailor, joinig the army or the obvious example of adventuring? Does it imply that they're subject to adult punishments for any lawbreaking? Finally, is this fairly typical for Faerûn or is Cormyr unusual in this respect?
Ok, technically it's a lot of questions but they're all sort of related. 
This would seem broadly relevant given the number of adventurers who have a background involving being orphaned at a young age when their entire village was destroyed by {Monster} and all of their family was killed, giving them a burning desire for revenge against {Monster}. Especially given recent events in Cormyr...
It also has a campaign-specific relevance for me as I'm planning a plotline where the PCs will be trying to track down a specific item a now-dead adventurer owned and one of the ways of finding it will involve tracking down his orphaned son in Cormyr...
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2007 : 03:13:27
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Blackstaff novel spoiler follows! Caveat lector!
Well met, Lady Herald of Realmslore!
Recently I asked Ed o' the Green Wood if there were any in the Realms who worked as (for want of a better term) anti-Olin Gisiae, seeking knowledge for its own sake, despite those who want it kept secret.
Others mentioned the church of the Binder as a place I should seek, and I recalled The Leaves of Learning web enhancement, but now, having begun reading Steven Schend's Blackstaff novel, I perceive that perhaps they were trying to call my attention to that book, but oh-so-carefully, without revealing any spoilers. Well, in the interests of relieving Ed of some of the burden my own question placed upon him, please tell him that he may answer my earlier question with the assumption that I know (or soon will know) about espionage carried out by the Font of Knowledge in Waterdeep, and the involvement of Raegar, Damlath, and Gustyl "the Curious." He needn't edge near any NDAs hovering over the novel or risk treading on Steven's toes, or repeat anything which Steven revealed in the novel. I also espied ahead a reference to "the Pentad," of which I shall have learned more by the time Ed gets around to my question, so that, too, may be omitted, at least insofar as Blackstaff is concerned. (YES! I am actually requesting less information on a topic! ... At least insofar as Steven Schend has so recently dealt with it.)
I will say, however, that any information which Ed may share about Sandrew the Wise and Gustyl "the Curious" (who are both still alive in my campaign setting) would be most, most welcome. And Sangalor, too! Let's not forget Sangalor! If ever there was a character in the Realms deserving of a detailed backstory, it's he ... er ... it.
Many thanks for your ever-kind attention to my eternal curiosity, Lady Hooded One!
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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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Rolindin
Acolyte
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2007 : 11:57:25
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A question crossed my mind since so much of Corymr has been talked about.
This would be my question for Mr. Greenwood:
What kind of spy system does Corymr have, do the Harpers help the kingdom if they has one in place?
How does this spy system work against say the Thayens and other evil kingdoms.
If this topic has been brought up before then could someone tell me where to find the answer at. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2007 : 15:10:00
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Hi again, all. This time, Ed replies to Wooly Rupert, in regard to my mention of Alusair at age thirteen appearing in the forthcoming SWORDS OF DRAGONFIRE: “Speaking of which, how old was she on her visit to the Inn of the Dripping Dagger (the visit mentioned in Volo's Guide to Waterdeep, when the patrons taught her profanity and how to throw daggers)?”
Ed replies:
Late fourteen, as I recall. I can’t check all of my relevant notes right now, and one of them implies she might have been “just” fifteen, but I believe fourteen is more likely.
So saith Ed, and checking back on some of my sporadic pencil scribbles, I’m thinking fourteen, too. “Fourteen going on fifteen,” as they say.
P.S. Rolindin: the Highknights are the "James Bond" types of secret agents for Cormyr, the War Wizards do most surveillance (aided and abetted by loyal retired Purple Dragons dwelling all over the realm), and (especially outside the borders of the realm) the Harpers assist, too (through the personal relatiponship between Dove and Filfaeril, as shown in Ed's current trilogy about the Knights of Myth Drannor). Ed will of course provide you with a proper reply eventually.
love,
THO
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2007 : 02:05:07
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Hi, Ed and THO. Another lore query for the Great Bearded One.
At the most recent GenCon, Ed (just before the young WotC lady jumped into your lap --brave girl!), you answered a question about how loving and gentle and open Alustriel seemed to be by saying, "Ah, but she has more than a few daggers in her garters."
Now, was this just a figure of speech, meaning she has powerful spells or magical defenses? Or magical daggers? Or "skeletons in closets"? Or psionics? Or she's insane? Or . . . something else?
Thanks! |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2007 : 02:07:59
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Hello again, scribes. This time Ed makes answer to Rollo Ruttikin, re. this: “Well met Hooded One! I have always wondered about the various Volo's Guides and the assorted recipes for different things like Dragon Stew.
Aside from some of the FR ingredients, are these recipes real or imaginary? Are they inspired by true dishes that one could possibly concoct if one had the time and talent to do so? Of course I realize that certain ingredients would need to be subsituted. Whatever the case may be, Ed sounds like he would be an amazing chef!
This is important to me because I am fat. Thanks!!”
Ed replies:
Amazing eater, yes (or was; for health reasons, I’m having to be far more careful now than I used to be). Amazing chef, no. I’ve never lived in a household where I’ve been allowed to do my own thing in the kitchen (except for washing dishes; I wash a LOT of dishes). I learned to cook on Scout camping trips, and am “okay” preparing a VERY limited roster of meals. However, I’ve watched and listened to many good cooks, read lots of recipes and herblore, and could probably become an average cook, given the opportunity. I’m a fantasy writer, and although I understand seasonings quite well (herbs and spices and how they work or don’t work have always fascinated me), those recipes are inventions. I’d treat them with great caution.
If you wanted to make Dragon Stew, for instance, I’d substitute beef or pork for the dragon meat, and then sit down with a large selection of good cookbooks (use a public library if you don’t have your own selection already) and compare beef or pork dishes, the procedure and the seasonings, and adjust amounts (and substitute ingredients for my sometimes-fantastical ones). Many published recipes have to be tinkered with, in the kitchen, to make them better, or to work at all - - but when comparing my recipes with “real” recipes, go with the real one, every time!
See page 15 of the 2005 vintage of this thread for my earlier reply on this topic.
So saith Ed. Whom I know enjoys watching RESTAURANT MAKEOVER or even GOOD EATS and IRON CHEF AMERICA from time to time, when in hotel rooms.
love to all,
THO
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2007 : 06:15:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Rolindin
What kind of spy system does Corymr have, do the Harpers help the kingdom if they has one in place?
How does this spy system work against say the Thayens and other evil kingdoms.
To elaborate further, if I may, on what THO said -
SPOILER ELERT!
I'm in the middlle of El in Hell right now, and just past an interesting passage that touches on this very thing.
In that part, Vanderghast is about to put a magical hurtin' on a disloyal noble; disloyal meaning he hasn't paid his taxes in years, and clearly tells the wizard he has NO INTENTION to. Elminster shows up and pays the mans taxes with interest (36,000GP+!) and basically tells Vangy to 'get lost'. Vanderghast is of course quite pissed, and wonders just how many 'spies' the Harpers have within Cormyr. There is also a similar scene where Vanderghast is shocked to learn Blackstaff can teleport in and out of the Palace without upsetting any wards.
These two parts of the book would indicate to me that the Harpers follow the old addage "keep your friends close, and your enemies closer".
In other words, they will share 'Intelligence' with Cormyr... but only if it suits their cause. I'm sure they would even leak vital info to Thay, if it would be in the best interest of the 'big picture'.
Just my take, I'll go back to my lttle corner now........ |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 26 Jan 2007 06:16:07 |
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Rolindin
Acolyte
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2007 : 11:35:50
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Would Vanderghast be suprised that his former teacher Blackstaff could do such a thing?
Or did blackstaff leave out some things in vanderghast early training, and not share the information with vanderghast: since Vanderghast has been learning magic afer leaving Blackstaffs school.
Would not vanderghast suspect that his former teacher could do such a thing and not tell him?
after all Blackstaff would keep even some spells to him self, so as to keep his magical advantage over his many enemys. |
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RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2007 : 19:36:55
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Dear Ed and Lady THO,
What colors are the seas of Faerun? Would it be determined by phenomena similar to our real world ( green where phytoplankton blooms, clear where waters are poorer in nutrients, etc.) |
Edited by - RodOdom on 26 Jan 2007 19:37:23 |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2007 : 04:53:28
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Wow! lots of good stuff on my beloved nation these days. Love it!
However, my old father, who was a Purple Dragon himself, used to say something that I keep close to my heart when the ale runs a little to fast and the girlfriends rotate a wee bit too frequently: too much of a good thing can be worse than not enough! 
So, in the fear of soundin' like ol' Aunkspear himself: your highness, let us hear about gnomes now! let the nobles play together for a while, as we already must face them when taxes are due! We want to know about gnomes, how they fight, how they protect their homes, what they eat, and how they organize their villages in general. Are there gnomes in Cormyr? if so, where? what about the other parts of Faerun? where are the most notable "gnome-holds" out here? 'Tis old Dragon's heard of High Haaspur, a place in the southwest Earthfast, and Songfarla, east of the mountains that are east of Thay. Heard of something near some woods close to Candlekeep as well, but don't remember where. Aside from that, nothin' else springs to mind. Where have all the gnomes gone?
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2007 : 04:53:40
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A question for Ed
What class is Dumal Erard in the 3ed Realms?
In the First edition Waterdeep and the North hes a Monk
In the Second edition City of Splendors hes a Paladin
Has he returned to his first edition roots and become a monk again?
Also what monk order does Iltmul (Citadel of the Mist) belong and which god does he serve?
Thanks in advance! |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2007 : 15:41:16
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Hello, all. This time I bring you Ed of the Greenwood’s response to scribe Jamallo Kreen, regarding the 2e sourcebook entitled REALMSPACE: “Who conceived the idea of Those Who Walk -- the hundreds of thousands of people who walk endlessly in a perfect (?) circle within the crystal sphere of Realmspace? Ed? "Slade"? Some long-forgotten editor at TSR? Inquiring DMs want to know.”
Ed replies:
So far as I know, Slade created Those Who Walk. When in arrived at TSR pre-GenCon one year, Bruce Heard (then Acquisitions Manager for TSR, which meant he handled all freelancers, including me) asked me to review Slade’s draft manuscript for the book, and Those Who Walk were in it then.
So saith Ed. Who is often nostalgic for the zany TSR past (from the safe distance of someone who never had to work there).
love to all,
THO
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2007 : 03:38:38
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My, it's gone all quiet, all of a sudden . . .
Hi again, all. This time I have Ed’s answer for Tormtar, re. this: “Dear Ed and THO, a couple of questions based around the same main theme: A member of my group recently asked me about the state of education in Faerun. Now, as a university history lecturer, it got me thinking. How are the offspring of nobles educated in Faerun (although I know it will vary geographically and culturally)? Are they taught by a number of personal tutors (probably drawn from relatives, local lower ranking clergy, specifically employed sages and even specialised family retainers) or are they sent to organised institutions (colleges or universities) as is hinted at in the ‘Enlightened Student’ entry in Champions of Valour? Also, how do the merchant classes educate their children (in cities with extensive guilds I would imagine that they play a role in organising and perhaps delivering education)? Finally, not to leave the common folk out, how are the children of commoner’s educated (if at all)? Are there certain faiths out there which attempt to provide education?
Thanks to both of you for providing any info you can amidst your hectic schedules and thanks for taking the time to provide us with so much Realms Lore in the first place.”
Ed replies:
The simple answer is: it varies greatly from place to place.
Everyone can receive VERY basic instruction in tasks from local guilds (along the lines of “don’t do this, or you’ll blow yourself up/cut yourself; instead, call in the guild!”), in local lore from local courtiers/civic scribes (“that property belongs to Lhannath the miller, from the old dead felsul down to the creek; formerly it belonged to the weaver Rustragus, and before that - - I have all the dates here”), and from priests of almost all faiths about who the gods are, what their portfolios and beliefs are, where their temples and current civic projects are, and so on (with emphasis on the beneficial importance of their own faith, of course, but with very little “lying” propaganda; in the polytheistic Realms, it’s considered a sin by all to deceive about any faith).
There are “high” sages (researchers, too expensive for most folk below the wealthy merchant or guild level, and often consulted by rulers and nobles) and “low” sages (neighborhood shopkeepers who dispense small-scale information from their acquired knowledge and personal libraries; the former sort of learning tends to be very good, and the latter repeats any errors that might be in their books; most commoners hire low sages to tutor their children, on specific matters, building on what they can get for free from priests). The high sages are the ones who debate with each other, write chapbooks, and sponsor adventurers to recover lost books (or pay well for books brought to them “on spec”).
Much common knowledge is built up locally from gossip, rants and facts in chapbooks, and from talking with peddlers and caravans stopping in town overnight; minstrels and caravan workers make many coins carrying or delivering messages, and telling “the news” (sometimes colorful invented stories). That’s why caravans are so socially important in waystop settlements like Shadowdale.
Bards, heralds, and various faiths (particularly monastic orders) set up organized schools, but the vast majority of these are in large cities (e.g. Waterdeep and Silverymoon), and of these urban schools, the majority are “academies” (which function as what we could call “finishing schools” - - that is, although they impart lore, their primary purpose is to teach etiquette, deportment, an accent, fashion do’s and don’ts, a world-view, and so on, so as to aid in social climbing or success).
Private tutors are much used among the nobility, who often want to have their young disciplined without doing such distasteful work personally, AND want all the results of a good academy [see above] without “the rabble” knowing their little Launsarra went to Madame Theorla’s Peerless Academy of Social Quality [if Launsarra does turn up at such a place, it either means her family is too impoverished to hire a good tutor, or more likely Launsarra beats and terrorizes tutors, or even poisons them or pushes them off balconies, when her temper gets the better of her].
You are quite correct as to the origins of most tutors (add old impoverished nobles from elsewhere, plus retired military officers, to the list for weapons-training and discipline).
Yes, the larger guilds often establish tutors in more than just the “hands on” work of the guild, but these tend to be for guild members only, and not made known to the wider public at all. Some guilds “grow” this arm of their staff into private investigators (because they want to know what rival guilds are up to, courtiers are planning or thinking about them, and so on), and said staff often hire adventurers “of discretion” to handle the more dangerous eavesdropping, kidnapping, spying, and thieving assignments involved.
Lastly, the level of common education varies greatly from place to place, depending on the attitudes of rulers. In general, the trading places (such as Amn, Sembia, and Waterdeep) want a literate populace who can do basic math; it cuts down on cheating, unrest, and theft, and provides more customers hungry for “wonders from afar” and with coin enough to buy such things. Commoners in places with militias (such as Cormyr) are trained and drilled in local geography, map-reading, discipline and taking orders, the local chain of command/how to access local lords and their staff to report or demand things, how to read and write, how to draw way-symbols and interpret them, and so on. Purple Dragons get posted all over the realm, and so have a wider world-view and pick up all sorts of local lore, such as the brands used by local horse-breeders, where specific sorts of caravan-goods come from, and so on; as so many folk everywhere have done military or militia service, this gives most of the population a shared grounding in lore.
So saith Ed. Who added to me that he could go on for pages and pages, but simply hasn’t the time. As usual.
love to all,
THO
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2007 : 04:44:53
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Grin,
Well, I bombarded Ed with enough questions for awhile. I'm waiting back on some answers before I post some more from my list. :) |
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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Penknight
Senior Scribe
USA
538 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2007 : 05:37:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
Grin,
Well, I bombarded Ed with enough questions for awhile. I'm waiting back on some answers before I post some more from my list. :)
Same here. I actually felt bad about asking two questions so close together. But if it makes you feel better Lady THO, then let me just say... "Hello!"  |
Telethian Phoenix
Pathfinder Reference Document |
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
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Rolindin
Acolyte
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2007 : 07:55:05
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Another question that crossed my mind about Corymr is about the elf holes.
Mr greenwood, since Vanderghast knows about there weakness , did he try to improve them so that it would be harded to access them. Or has Caladnei taken advice from Vanderghast and help improve them.
What would Queen Alusair view on the elf holes be, would she have knowledge of where every elf hole is: or does Queen Alusair leave this to Caladnei?
By the way I did enjoy the elf hole stories and all the information held with in them. |
Edited by - Rolindin on 29 Jan 2007 08:06:35 |
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Kaladorm
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1176 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2007 : 08:29:14
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| I like Launsarra already |
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Jhiroth
Acolyte
1 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2007 : 19:39:54
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Hello, and a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Greenwood for the joy his novels/work have brought me over the years. Now, onto my question.
Much has been made recently of the phaerimm, and their history and abilities. My question is this - Can a phaerimm become a lich? Have any phaerimm become unliving?
Thanks in advance for everything! |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2007 : 23:05:56
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Yes, they can, Jhiroth, and yes, at least four have. We Knights encountered them once, with Ed as DM in the "home" Realms campaign. So far as I know, Ed (who created archliches, dracoliches, and illithiliches [Alhoon], among others), has never published stats or details anywhere. I believe they are part of an NDA for a now-stalled project; sorry.
love,
THO |
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Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2007 : 05:34:15
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At the fear of tramelling Ed's crops Cormyrean, I'll again pipe in and try and gather some stray queries that have popped up. I may be wrong--it does happen, after all--so consider these my opinions until Ed confirms or destroys my makings-up.
MaxKaladin asks: "Is this [age 12 for males and puberty or 13 for females, whichever comes later] the legal age of majority in Cormyr? Does this imply that someone who lost his or her parents at that age would be expected to survive on their own rather than winding up with a legal guardian or sent to live in an orphanage or something like that? How does this work if they decide to take up some dangerous occupation like signing on as a sailor, joinig the army or the obvious example of adventuring?"
No, it's not the legal age of majority, but it is old enough for a child to be apprenticed in a trade, and to be held accountable for agreements made and wrongdoings committed--particularly in the absence of a parent or guardian.
The legal age of majority in Cormyr, to rule in one's own right (without contest or insistence on a regency), enter into contracts, submit oneself for military or other extended service to the Crown, and the like is, from all evidence in Realmslore--including the "After the Dragon" article--seventeen years of age.
A child between the two above ages is the responsibility of his parents or other close-related kin (if surviving), and can't be abandoned, starved, or turned out without means, but if there are no relatives, the child may choose to become employed at an inn or other place of business, join a noble household, apprentice himself to a tradesman or guild, and otherwise enter into agreements necessary for his survival. He can't, however, enter into certain contracts or agreements, and certainly cannot take up the sword as a Purple Dragon. [Note, however, that in direst of circumstances, male children of this tender age would likely be expected to fight, if only to allow for women and younger children to escape. While not men, they'd be the "able bodied males" required to defend the kingdom when darkest days descend and all seems lost.]
Markustay and Rolindin, while Vangey was certainly surprised--or at least annoyed--that the Blackstaff was able to penetrate royal wards and pass unhindered, I doubt very much that Old Thunderspells was at all surprised that either of the "big two" (El and Blackstaff) would behave in such a manner. No one knows better than Vangerdahast how much power, no matter how loyal it seems, needs to be watched, or how simply a fortress like Faerlthann's Keep could become a tyrant's haven if its wards were truly impenetrable. The Mages Royal have thankfully all been loyal, faithful servants of the Crown, but have all been that way by choice. It is far too pressing a necessity to guard against a corrupted Royal Magician--and thus prevent an Athalantar or other magical tyranny--for the Harpers or their masters to ignore Cormyr or leave its wards untested.
The Harpers watch Cormyr closely, not merely to keep the Realm safe from traitors and interlopers, but to protect its people from the depradations of its rulers both crowned and magical. A pathway into the halls of Cormyrean power is both a boon for influence and a grim necessity should the worst occur, and the Forest Kingdom be visited by evil on its throne or whispered in a royal ear... |
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Tormtar
Acolyte
20 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2007 : 09:39:45
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| Just a quick thank you to Ed and THO for the recent reply regarding education in the Realms. One of my group's character's is now thinking of setting up a university in the Dales (probably in Deepingdale to link in with the Leave of Learning) which should generate some interesting roleplaying possibilities! Again, thanks for bringing us these little (or not so little) details of Realms life. |
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Rolindin
Acolyte
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2007 : 11:48:03
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Garen Thal I too think that Vanderghast would supect how much power his former teacher would have, and that Vanderghast would not be suprised by Black staff visting the castle unenouced.
Vanderghast might be trying to figure out how the two could do such a thing though.
A good question that came up on the Fr threads is in the future say 400 to 500 years: what changes do you think the realms will have.
Would some of the older sages like to comit on this, and say in 400 to 500 years how will Corymr be changed.
I think that if the kingdom is still around in 400 to 500 years that the kingdom will have grown and encompous more areas.
The kingdom of Corymer will figure out how the Shavdor caused Triventon to become part shadow and be able to fix the city.
If the Kingdom of Corymr does not lose a war to Thay, witch might happen. A war with Thay and some things will change for the kingdom.
Who really knows what will happen, but at least one can speclate on the future of Corymr in 400 to 500 years.
What say the older sages on this thread about the future of Corymer, and what does Mr Greenwood think the changes could be to Corymer in 400 to 500 years. |
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createvmind
Senior Scribe
490 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2007 : 23:08:11
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| If Chosen can surprise each other and be surprised I'm pretty sure they can pull a number of tricks on Vangy at leisure. |
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2007 : 19:42:14
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
My, it's gone all quiet, all of a sudden . . .
(snip)
Ed replies:
(snip)
Much common knowledge is built up locally from gossip, rants and facts in chapbooks, and from talking with peddlers and caravans stopping in town overnight; minstrels and caravan workers make many coins carrying or delivering messages, and telling “the news” (sometimes colorful invented stories). That’s why caravans are so socially important in waystop settlements like Shadowdale.
(snip)
Quiet, M'Lady? I'll change that!
Reading Blackstaff, I saw Steven's use of the word "incunabula," whose meaning I know, but whose application in Faerun I question. Just how long has printing been around in Faerun? Is there a prejudice against printed books (as opposed to hand-scribed books)? Do some parents now try to keep their children ignorant of the art of reading lest they waste their time reading scurrilous chapbooks and other questionable materials which are now available to anyone with a few coins? On the other hand, do some parents (or heads of households, at least) actively seek out "pious" literature and insist that their household members read nothing but morally edifying books and pamphlets?
Which spawns the question: what are the better-known works of printed piety, and, conversely, what are the more notorious books of religious parody (or outright pornography), which hide behind a pious title (maybe with "uplifting" woodcuts on the cover and title page, too, just to throw Pa off'n the scent of sulfur)?
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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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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2007 : 22:58:38
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Hello again Ed!
I'm currently reading Crown of Fire (and enjoying it thoroughly), and have a few questions about the Zhentarim wizard Gathlarue and her apprentices, Mairara and Tespril. I was wondering firstly if there was more you could tell us about them and the relationship between them all, which seemed to be rather close. Secondly, Gathlarue mentions that 'no woman, it seemed, rose high in the robed ranks of the Zhentarim' and that she needed to appear as a man around the other wizards. Ashemmi in Spellfire was similar mentioned as a 'him'. Is there any historical reason why women could not rise highly in the ranks of the Zhentarim in the time of Manshoon, or just cultural bias and has such changed, or are Syculla Darkhope and Ashemmi the exception to the rule?
Thanks once again for your replies and excellent novels. |
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Questions for Ed Greenwood (2007)
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