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Daviot
Senior Scribe
USA
372 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 03:37:06
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Also also nabbed my copy today (Tuesday the 18th). I am most impressed, Mr. James. Some of the entries are almost word for word from your .pdf (which is not necessarily a bad thing), but most have been expanded slightly. All the various sidebars (especially the maps) added by the other contributors are likewise fantastic. I've read since the Time of Troubles onward, and from the Days of Thunder up to the Late Period of the Imaskar.
Oddly enough, it reminds of the lore sections from 3.0 FRCS. I'll be finishing it this week when I get the time. Awesome work! |
One usually has far more to fear from the soft-spoken wizard with a blade and well-worn boots than from the boisterous one in the ivory tower.
My Tabletop Writing CV. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
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Daviot
Senior Scribe
USA
372 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 03:59:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Sadly, it seems not everyone is as impressed with this book:
http://himsheepy.googlepages.com/Kali1.JPG/Kali1-full.jpg
Then again, Wooly, I've found most housecats to be rather indifferent about straight RPG lore. They're in it for the splatbooks.  |
One usually has far more to fear from the soft-spoken wizard with a blade and well-worn boots than from the boisterous one in the ivory tower.
My Tabletop Writing CV. |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 04:09:03
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| I made sure to include special thanks to all Candlekeep Scribes on the credits page and to Gray Richardson in particular. I am thrilled that some of Gray's fantastic work on the batrachi and aearee creator races from the Candledeep Compendium has been canonized in Realmslore! |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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Daviot
Senior Scribe
USA
372 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 04:13:32
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I noticed the Special Thanks line; I also liked the quote that snuck its way into the credits page, Brian:
"History is a tale of beginnings and endings—often violent—and for the truly wise, it is also a tale of futures. Rarely does one find a history with much of a middle." |
One usually has far more to fear from the soft-spoken wizard with a blade and well-worn boots than from the boisterous one in the ivory tower.
My Tabletop Writing CV. |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 04:39:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I also recognized some of the Aearee stuff from his Compendium article. 
Sadly, it seems not everyone is as impressed with this book:
http://himsheepy.googlepages.com/Kali1.JPG/Kali1-full.jpg
I see it as happy contentment for finally receiving his own copy, after a very long and anticipated wait |
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Mkhaiwati
Learned Scribe
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 04:55:50
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interestingly enough, my FLGS ran out before I could pop in and get one. All six copies were gone by 4:30. They were not expecting this and hadn't saved me one. However, they get more tomorrow and again on Friday. They are pulling one for me and I'm fixin' to get it tomorrow.
It seems this is selling better than they expected here. |
"Behold the work of the old... let your heritage not be lost but bequeath it as a memory, treasure and blessing... Gather the lost and the hidden and preserve it for thy children."
"not nale. not-nale. thog help nail not-nale, not nale. and thog knot not-nale while nale nail not-nale. nale, not not-nale, now nail not-nale by leaving not-nale, not nale, in jail." OotS #367 |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 04:57:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I also got my copy today. And the first thing I had to do, of course, was to read about the controversial future entries...
I'd like to read more of the book, but I've simply got too much on my plate, at the moment.
I did the same, as I am sure most of us will, with all of the buzz and potential issues. However, there are a whole 159 3/4 more pages to delve into  |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 05:24:58
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quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
I finally got my hands on the Grand History and even now, while holding the book in my hands, it's a surreal experience. I spotted a few oddities here and there but overall I am quite pleased with the quality of the final product. Of course, I welcome any questions or feedback about the book.
An oddity that jumped right out to me was the artwork on page 49. Just not the realms to me, and I am not sure why they would have included that one. |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 05:49:52
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quote:
Originally posted by scererar
quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
I finally got my hands on the Grand History and even now, while holding the book in my hands, it's a surreal experience. I spotted a few oddities here and there but overall I am quite pleased with the quality of the final product. Of course, I welcome any questions or feedback about the book.
An oddity that jumped right out to me was the artwork on page 49. Just not the realms to me, and I am not sure why they would have included that one.
Damn Amazon.ca! haven't got my copy yet!!!! what is this artwork reference you're talking about! SPEAK! I cannot wait any longer!!! this knight is going NUTS!  |
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Gray Richardson
Master of Realmslore
USA
1291 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 07:43:39
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It was really sweet of Brian to give me a special thanks on the credit page. My jaw just about hit the floor when I saw that. I was truly honored and thrilled that some of the Batrachi and Aearee lore from my Compendium articles actually made it into the Grand History. That made my day, week, month and possibly my whole year. Brian is an awesome designer and an all around swell fellow.
I would also like to thank Alaundo and the Mods who have created such a great place as this site where we can interact and have great discussions about the Realms and even dialog with the authors and designers. And it's another feather in Alaundo's cap that fan written lore that originally appeared in the Candlekeep Compendium became canonized into an official Realms sourcebook. How great is that? I want to thank Alaundo for giving me the opportunity to contribute and for his tireless efforts in producing the Compendium and maintaining this site.
Also, I should mention that Wooly is the bestest darn editor ever. And also an all around swell hamster in his own right.  |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 09:02:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
It was really sweet of Brian to give me a special thanks on the credit page. My jaw just about hit the floor when I saw that. I was truly honored and thrilled that some of the Batrachi and Aearee lore from my Compendium articles actually made it into the Grand History. That made my day, week, month and possibly my whole year. Brian is an awesome designer and an all around swell fellow.
I would also like to thank Alaundo and the Mods who have created such a great place as this site where we can interact and have great discussions about the Realms and even dialog with the authors and designers. And it's another feather in Alaundo's cap that fan written lore that originally appeared in the Candlekeep Compendium became canonized into an official Realms sourcebook. How great is that? I want to thank Alaundo for giving me the opportunity to contribute and for his tireless efforts in producing the Compendium and maintaining this site.
Also, I should mention that Wooly is the bestest darn editor ever. And also an all around swell hamster in his own right.
Well met
Thank ye for the kind words, Gray It's been a pleasure to have ye on the Compendium project and i'm very happy for you that your material has had such an impact 
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Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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Swordsage
Learned Scribe
149 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 09:10:11
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Aside from "the last ten pages" is there any new lore in the book? Anyone care to tell us some more about the book?
The Swordsage
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 11:11:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
quote:
Originally posted by scererar
quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
I finally got my hands on the Grand History and even now, while holding the book in my hands, it's a surreal experience. I spotted a few oddities here and there but overall I am quite pleased with the quality of the final product. Of course, I welcome any questions or feedback about the book.
An oddity that jumped right out to me was the artwork on page 49. Just not the realms to me, and I am not sure why they would have included that one.
Damn Amazon.ca! haven't got my copy yet!!!! what is this artwork reference you're talking about! SPEAK! I cannot wait any longer!!! this knight is going NUTS!
It's a warforged... And the caption on the pic would have us believe that it's related to a sidebar on the opposite page, that describes the torture of a dragon. Doing a quick scan of both pages, I see nothing that explains the presence of a warforged. It's just there...
... And, of course, I can see people pointing to this erroneous pic, and using it to back up the assertation that the 4E Realms will have warforged. I'm not sure where that rumor even came from. Somehow, changelings becoming core has somehow been translated to "warforged will be in the Realms".  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 11:16:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Swordsage
Aside from "the last ten pages" is there any new lore in the book? Anyone care to tell us some more about the book?
The Swordsage
Yup. Drawing from earlier in this very thread:
quote:
So you already have the PDF and want to know why you should purchase the sourcebook? There are too many goodies to list them all but I’ll mention some of the features that I find particularly compelling about the print version of the Grand History.
• Fans of the creator races will find juicy new lore.
• Want to know more about the Sundering? Or what the planet looked like before this catastrophic event?
• Curious about the Crown Wars? Want to see the first official map of the elven nations which fought the 2nd and 4th crown wars?
• Dark elf fans will enjoy new lore on ancient Ilythiir and the Descent of the Drow.
• The lost empires of Jhaamdath and Imaskar are fleshed out further than in any previous sourcebook, including a fantastic map for each.
• Updated lore on Netheril, their enslavement of gnomes and the fate of General Matick.
• Fans of the lands beyond Faerûn will enjoy new lore on Katashaka (the ancient home of the Chultans), the rise of the Imaskar survivor states, and the formation of Shou Lung. Maztica and Anchorome are represented as well. Sorry no Osse.
• You want to read more about the Dark Three when they were mortals right? Or how the Tears of Selûne were formed?
• Dawn Cataclysm.
• Ed Greenwood's name is on the cover for a reason.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 14:28:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
It's a warforged... And the caption on the pic would have us believe that it's related to a sidebar on the opposite page, that describes the torture of a dragon. Doing a quick scan of both pages, I see nothing that explains the presence of a warforged. It's just there...
This is one such oddity I was referring to. Eric Boyd's vignette about Kisonraathiisar's Slow Demise is one of my favorite pieces in the book, and there is absolutely no reason why its associated artwork would be of a warforged.  I chalk this one up to an honest mistake in post-production. |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 16:02:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
It's a warforged... And the caption on the pic would have us believe that it's related to a sidebar on the opposite page, that describes the torture of a dragon. Doing a quick scan of both pages, I see nothing that explains the presence of a warforged. It's just there...
This is one such oddity I was referring to. Eric Boyd's vignette about Kisonraathiisar's Slow Demise is one of my favorite pieces in the book, and there is absolutely no reason why its associated artwork would be of a warforged. I chalk this one up to an honest mistake in post-production.
Though, to be honest, there was something in the excerpts that made me think of warforged (I've not gotten that far into the book itself, yet, but according to the pdf, it's page 95 of the book, under "Scouring of the Utter East"):
quote:
In the Year of the Dancing Daggers, King Grewe of Konigheim discovered a bloodforge — an ancient war machine capable of manufacturing whole armies of enchanted golems
I honestly don't recall that from prior Realmslore (or from the Faces of Deception novel, which I assume it's from, and which I disliked). I am wanting to know more, though... |
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! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 19 Sep 2007 16:04:18 |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 17:03:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
It's a warforged... And the caption on the pic would have us believe that it's related to a sidebar on the opposite page, that describes the torture of a dragon. Doing a quick scan of both pages, I see nothing that explains the presence of a warforged. It's just there...
This is one such oddity I was referring to. Eric Boyd's vignette about Kisonraathiisar's Slow Demise is one of my favorite pieces in the book, and there is absolutely no reason why its associated artwork would be of a warforged. I chalk this one up to an honest mistake in post-production.
Though, to be honest, there was something in the excerpts that made me think of warforged (I've not gotten that far into the book itself, yet, but according to the pdf, it's page 95 of the book, under "Scouring of the Utter East"):
quote:
In the Year of the Dancing Daggers, King Grewe of Konigheim discovered a bloodforge — an ancient war machine capable of manufacturing whole armies of enchanted golems
I honestly don't recall that from prior Realmslore (or from the Faces of Deception novel, which I assume it's from, and which I disliked). I am wanting to know more, though...
Wasn't there some computer game that was set in the Utter East that feaured these "bloodforges" or something like that? |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 00:06:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I also recognized some of the Aearee stuff from his Compendium article.
Sadly, it seems not everyone is as impressed with this book:
http://himsheepy.googlepages.com/Kali1.JPG/Kali1-full.jpg
AWWWWWW! That's too cute! |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 00:07:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
I made sure to include special thanks to all Candlekeep Scribes on the credits page and to Gray Richardson in particular.
That's so kind of you--thanks! |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 00:31:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
It's a warforged... And the caption on the pic would have us believe that it's related to a sidebar on the opposite page, that describes the torture of a dragon. Doing a quick scan of both pages, I see nothing that explains the presence of a warforged. It's just there...
This is one such oddity I was referring to. Eric Boyd's vignette about Kisonraathiisar's Slow Demise is one of my favorite pieces in the book, and there is absolutely no reason why its associated artwork would be of a warforged. I chalk this one up to an honest mistake in post-production.
Though, to be honest, there was something in the excerpts that made me think of warforged (I've not gotten that far into the book itself, yet, but according to the pdf, it's page 95 of the book, under "Scouring of the Utter East"):
quote:
In the Year of the Dancing Daggers, King Grewe of Konigheim discovered a bloodforge — an ancient war machine capable of manufacturing whole armies of enchanted golems
I honestly don't recall that from prior Realmslore (or from the Faces of Deception novel, which I assume it's from, and which I disliked). I am wanting to know more, though...
Wasn't there some computer game that was set in the Utter East that feaured these "bloodforges" or something like that?
Bloodforges were referenced in both the "Darkly, Through a Glass of Ale" story in Realms of Mystery and they were actually noted in the Faces of Deception novel as well. Bloodforges were also mentioned in the old Blood & Magic PC game for DOS.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 20 Sep 2007 00:36:53 |
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sparhawk42
Learned Scribe
104 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 01:17:24
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| I just picked up my copy today and although I am not very far in yet, I wanted to say that so far I am very pleased with the book. A fine job by Brian and everyone who contributed. |
You never fail until you stop trying. |
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Neriandal Freit
Senior Scribe
USA
396 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 01:20:29
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New Question:
Got my copy the other day after the great surprise though Ask Ed thread, so looking on the cover I'm going "Ok, Drizzt and Elminster"
So, this leads to the new question. It is (presuming) obvious that Elminster and Drizzt survive Post-Dweomer. This question is this: Why are Elminster and Drizzt standing together over looking a valley of mountains? |
"Eating people is wrong...unless it's on the first date." - Ed Greenwood, GenCon Indy 2006 |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 01:26:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Neriandal Freit
So, this leads to the new question. It is (presuming) obvious that Elminster and Drizzt survive Post-Dweomer. This question is this: Why are Elminster and Drizzt standing together over looking a valley of mountains?
Probably because they are the two most iconic characters of the Realms (based on novel sales). |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 01:38:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Jorkens
It took a librarian (my partner) to teach me about the advantageous of ISBN numbers, it has saved my a lot of trouble when ordering books since. Librarians don't get enough credit.
Tell me about it -- and many publishers don't list ISBN numbers on their webpages at all... |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 01:39:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
quote:
Originally posted by Asgetrion
I always wanted my D&D-campaigns to be about *sacrifices*, because the in-built reward system is very powerful, too, and you need some kind of balance.
That's definetly not the right thread for doing it but..
Let's start from that basic thing you want in D&D, try to explain why you want these *sacrifices*, what kind of balance does it achieve ?
I replied to this post on the '4e Discussion' scroll. |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Neriandal Freit
Senior Scribe
USA
396 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 02:48:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
quote:
Originally posted by Neriandal Freit
So, this leads to the new question. It is (presuming) obvious that Elminster and Drizzt survive Post-Dweomer. This question is this: Why are Elminster and Drizzt standing together over looking a valley of mountains?
Probably because they are the two most iconic characters of the Realms (based on novel sales).
So we presume they both survive...again, they're still together |
"Eating people is wrong...unless it's on the first date." - Ed Greenwood, GenCon Indy 2006 |
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Mkhaiwati
Learned Scribe
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 03:31:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Neriandal Freit
New Question:
So, this leads to the new question. It is (presuming) obvious that Elminster and Drizzt survive Post-Dweomer. This question is this: Why are Elminster and Drizzt standing together over looking a valley of mountains?
because the bridge is washed out?
They got lost... again?
"well, Drizzt, this is another fine mess you've got me into." |
"Behold the work of the old... let your heritage not be lost but bequeath it as a memory, treasure and blessing... Gather the lost and the hidden and preserve it for thy children."
"not nale. not-nale. thog help nail not-nale, not nale. and thog knot not-nale while nale nail not-nale. nale, not not-nale, now nail not-nale by leaving not-nale, not nale, in jail." OotS #367 |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2007 : 03:52:30
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| So my wife just laughed at me and said, "You've been cuddling with that book ever since you opened that package today." It was then that I realized that I have in fact carried this book around with me for most of the day. This is an absolutely beautiful book, every bit as good as I had hoped it would be. Even the future years are pretty interesting, if only it had ended at 1383 DR... Anyway, great work Brian, George, Ed, Thomas, and Eric. I can really think of no better capstone for the 3E Realms. |
War to slay, not to fight long and glorious.
Aermhar of the Tangletrees
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A Grand History of the Realms (product)
