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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
 Posted - 07 May 2007 : 21:32:11
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I was wondering if there has been any references to the state of astronomy in the Realms in any sourcebooks. I'm guessing there might be some in the old Spelljammer books, but I'm mainly looking for Toril based astronomy, I.e. Telescopes.
Thanks. 
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Grehnar
Acolyte
United Kingdom
44 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2007 : 22:44:03
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| It's not 'typical' lore, but in Shou Lung, the year 1761 (DR511) is refered to as a golden age for Astronomy among other sciences. Try 'Ochimo: the Spirit Warrior' or the 'Grand History of the Forgotten Realms' for background. |
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Mazrim_Taim
Learned Scribe
341 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2007 : 00:01:26
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This thread may be useful to you.
http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2083 |
And if the PCs DO win their ways through all the liches to Larloch, “he” will almost certainly be just another lich (loaded with explosive spells) set up as a decoy, with dozens of hidden liches waiting to pounce on any surviving PCs who ‘celebrate’ after they take Larloch down. As the REAL Larloch watches (magical scrying) from afar. Myself, as DM, I’d be wondering: “Such a glorious game, so many opportunities laid out before your PCs to devote your time to, and THIS fixation is the best you can come up with? Are you SURE you’re adventurers?” -Ed Greenwood
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2007 : 01:22:25
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I'm actually sitting on a fairly complex "astronomy-based" question for Ed. Though I haven't asked him yet, because there are still a few bits that I want to add.
Having said that... there certainly are brief thoughts on the astronomical elements of Toril in the Realmslore. I think Ed dealt, very briefly, with some in '04 [I think I asked him]. The Realmspace sourcebook has a few tidbits. And you'll find a brief working of the constellations as seen through the Realms on this site.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2007 : 01:29:21
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| One of the Mere of Dead men modules from Dungeon magazine (issues 69-73)has an Observatory |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Lemernis
Senior Scribe
378 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2007 : 04:38:49
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| FWIW, I have devised a Torilian astrology system that works rather nicely. It is detailed in the above-referenced post here at Candklekeep. The same info is consolidated in an article in the Exodus: Shadows of the South Player Handbook here. |
Edited by - Lemernis on 08 May 2007 04:57:56 |
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Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1076 Posts |
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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2007 : 18:45:44
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| Thanks for the answers guys. Big help. |
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2007 : 19:49:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
One of the Mere of Dead men modules from Dungeon magazine (issues 69-73)has an Observatory
There's also an "Old Observatory" outside Daggerford in Dungeon 124 with ... get this ... an opening for a telescope! Anything big enough to have occupied a floor in that place must have cost hundreds of thousands of danters (or lions or whatever); not surprisingly, it ain't there any more! (Google images for early modern astronomer "Tycho Brahe" for an idea of what I had up there instead. Also very useful is this: http://www.photovault.com/Link/Universe/Observatories/Radio/Places/JaipurObservatory.html, photos of the Medieval observatory in Jaipur, which was probably the most advanced on Earth when it was built.)
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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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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2008 : 16:26:30
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Elaine in Elfshadow mentions three Constellations of the Realms, to be seen in the Autumn night sky (p. 110):
Corelian
Esetar
Shard of Selune
I ran the search engine of Candlekeep on this. That's how I found this thread to begin with btw (and this one) Vic's found was a nice one, though his source names stars and not Constellations:
quote:
On a clear night, the northern heavens are ablaze with starlight, and countless names have been assigned by different cultures to those that shine with the brightest light. To the Fair Folk of Aryvandaar and the lesser elven realms that succeeded it, seven of the most prominent stars were Y'tellarien (the Far Star), Y'landrothiel (Traveler's Star), N'landroshien (Darkness in Light), Y' (the Singing Star), Y'maerythien (Star of Dreams), Y'cervarkiir (Stagcrown Star), and Y'angarothien (Heavenfire).
However, my curiosity on this matter has not been sated. Therefore again the following questions:
1. What other Constellations if any are known to exist and named (therefore canon)?
2. Do the Constellations represent Gods (like they do on Krynn for example) or maybe other things of importance?
3. Where would I find more information on these any other Constellations in other sourcebooks or anywhere else? The links provided here already are not working anymore, btw...
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"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
Edited by - Ergdusch on 11 Mar 2008 16:34:18 |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3766 Posts |
Posted - 12 Mar 2008 : 23:14:58
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| I recall an observatory on Maztica, featured in one of the Maztica novels... |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know) |
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2008 : 10:47:35
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If I recall correctly, Astronomy is a Priestly proficiency in Maztica. Their knowledge of astronomy is said to be more advanced than that of Faerun.
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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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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2008 : 14:19:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Jamallo Kreen
If I recall correctly, Astronomy is a Priestly proficiency in Maztica. Their knowledge of astronomy is said to be more advanced than that of Faerun.
Said by whom? |
"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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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2008 : 23:10:55
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Douglas Niles, who should know.
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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 Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2008 : 23:37:03
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The Observatory of Itza is detailed within the Maztica boxed set.
While their scholars would seem to possess an advanced understanding of astronomy:- [pg. 25 "Campaign Guide" - 'By and large, the masters of the Itza have advanced the sciences of astronomy and mathematics to points beyond anywhere else in the Realms'], it is also suggested that this knowledge likely does not surpass the understanding of astronomy that Spelljammers themselves likely possess:- [pg. 25 "Campaign Guide" - '...(except, perhaps, for those who have ventured into space through the use of spelljamming helms; and they, only in the area of observable astronomy).'
Thus, it may even be possible that these spelljammers, who are probably operating from spelljamming ports in cities across Faerûn, have sometimes shared their experiences and knowledge with the loremasters and sages of astronomy elsewhere throughout the Realms [and more than likely for a price, of course.] From there, these sages and loremasters may eventually be able to piece together new and intriguing astronomic theories that could, perhaps, rival those of Itza. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2008 : 13:51:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Jamallo Kreen
Douglas Niles, who should know.
Meh.
The people of Maztica refer to their continent as "the True World." I am inclined to consider beliefs about their superiority in various pursuits (including astronomy) to be more ethnocentric nonsense. |
"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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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2008 : 00:02:14
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I looked up 'Fantasy Observatory' on a few sites, and then just 'ancient Observatory', and I came up with a few good pics. There is one I remember, with a pole outside propping up the humongous telescope, but I can't for the life of me remember what book that was from (Dr, Seuss?)... I was hoping to find it.
Anyway, it was intersting, and gave me some pretty good adventure ideas just looking at the pictures. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Lady Kazandra
Senior Scribe
Australia
921 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2008 : 04:45:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Jamallo Kreen
Douglas Niles, who should know.
Meh.
The people of Maztica refer to their continent as "the True World." I am inclined to consider beliefs about their superiority in various pursuits (including astronomy) to be more ethnocentric nonsense.
I don't know too much about this particular campaign expansion, but, for all we know, travellers from outside Realmspace, via spelljammers, have been busy bringing astronomical knowledge with them to Maztica from beyond -- even long before contact with the mainland Realms was achieved. This knowledge may have helped to boost pre-existing theories that the Mazticans have long held about the celestial cosmology of Realmspace. |
"Once upon a time the plural of 'wizard' was 'war'." -- The Last Continent, by Terry Pratchett |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2008 : 23:12:27
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| Was Maztica the "pet project" of Douglas Niles (not creation, necessarily, just "pet project")? If so, I'd not be surprised if that continent was made out to be superior to Faerun in a number of respects. |
"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 22 Mar 2008 23:12:46 |
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Astronomy in the Realms
