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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Jun 2008 : 22:48:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
Why yes, I believe it is. Vecna is the preeminent bad guy in Open Grave. 
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Is that Vecna himself on the cover?
Makes sense, with the missing eye and all. 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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althen artren
Senior Scribe
USA
780 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2008 : 23:40:29
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Yeah, the mere fact that he punked out the Lady of Pain on her own
plane makes him one of the upper eschelon villians in
DD history. I don't remember, was he on the Dragons top 20 villians
list in the last Dragon? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1707 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2008 : 22:08:30
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Please don't mention Die Vecna Die. I have a hard enough time trying to forget that module even exists. 
I need new glasses.
My brain read that first as Da Vecna Code!  
Steven
who'd actually think that would be a BLAST to write, were there still a market for Greyhawk fiction.....with a Brooklyn accent  |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2008 : 22:47:23
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So... does Vecna enjoy laying his sacrificial victims out in the pose of the Vitruvian Man?
quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
Why yes, I believe it is. Vecna is the preeminent bad guy in Open Grave.
VERY interesting.
An FR designer, working on a book with a Greyhawk baddie on the cover.
VERY interesting, indeed.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2008 : 01:47:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Steven
who'd actually think that would be a BLAST to write, were there still a market for Greyhawk fiction.....with a Brooklyn accent
Is there any particular aspect of GH that you'd like to write about?
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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 |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 16:24:20
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Since I spend a fair amount of computer time playing the MMORPG Everquest 2, I was thinking how great it would be to group up online with some of my friends from Candlekeep.
If you're interested I can send you an invitation which will allow you to play for free through the end of July, or go to the website to check it out yourself. If you do download the trial and roll up a character be sure to pick the Befallen server so we can hang out!
When in game, send me a /tell. I'm usually logged in as Iakhovas (lvl 80 fae shadowknight) or Lathander (lvl 67 erudite monk). |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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althen artren
Senior Scribe
USA
780 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 20:22:51
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Why did Die Vecna Die make you want to forget, Sage?
While it didn't exactly make sense with Vecna getting into Sigil,
I though the whole concept was sound, if you wrote outside
published lore and campaign rules, which I think makes for
better stories anyway. (Less rules makes more creativity.) |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 21:59:43
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quote:
Originally posted by althen artren
Why did Die Vecna Die make you want to forget, Sage?
While it didn't exactly make sense with Vecna getting into Sigil,
I though the whole concept was sound, if you wrote outside
published lore and campaign rules, which I think makes for
better stories anyway. (Less rules makes more creativity.)
Sometimes it takes more creativity to work within rules. |
"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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2008 : 22:46:57
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quote:
Originally posted by althen artren
Why did Die Vecna Die make you want to forget, Sage?
While it didn't exactly make sense with Vecna getting into Sigil,
I though the whole concept was sound, if you wrote outside
published lore and campaign rules, which I think makes for
better stories anyway. (Less rules makes more creativity.)
Things published for a campaign setting, by the makers of that campaign setting, should adhere to the rules established for that campaign setting. |
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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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2008 : 01:38:31
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Rinonalyrna and Wooly are definitely on the mark.
My main issue with the DVD module is, specifically, that it made a mockery of the Lady of Pain's power and position within the City of Doors. Considering her important place within the setting's mythos, this is something that should simply never have been allowed. |
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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Chosen of Moradin
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1120 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2008 : 17:24:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
Why yes, I believe it is. Vecna is the preeminent bad guy in Open Grave.
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Is that Vecna himself on the cover?
I (as DM)love to know this! |
Dwarf, DM, husband, and proud of this! :P
twitter: @yuripeixoto
Facebook: yuri.peixoto |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2008 : 10:06:36
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Heya!
I just read the Dragon (Insider) article over at WotC and noted the distinct absence of the fate of Alusair. The start of her reign is mentioned, and the rise to power of Azoun V. Will we get a story about her and the life inbetween those events somewhere - which meant that you could not make any further comments on that?
Zanan |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gćđ a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerűn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2008 : 16:04:17
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Two timeline events were ommited from the final article which give a small bit of additional lore about Alusair. Beyond this, her fate remains unknown even to me.
1384 DR (Year of Three Streams Bloodied)
At the insistence of several members of Court and the young king himself, Azoun V is crowned King of Cormyr.
- Steel Regency ends. Alusair named High Marshal of the Realm, but spends most of her time in the Stonelands and West Reaches, visiting the Royal Court only rarely. Without the political support of his aunt, many of Azoun’s early reforms—most of them attempts to curtail formal but unexercised rights of the nobility—fail, causing a defection of many loyal factors
1390 DR (Year of the Walking Man)
Dowager Dragon Queen, Filfaeril Selazair Obarskyr, dies. Alusair attends the state funeral, argues briefly and privately with her nephew the king, and disappears altogether from Court. Rumors persist of her riding through the frontiers and borderlands, but no confirmed reports of her appearance exist following the burial of Filfaeril.
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Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2008 : 00:23:51
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| Thanks for that. Methinks some of the death of the queen info is in Shadowdale - Scouring of the Land. |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gćđ a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerűn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2008 : 01:37:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Zanan
Thanks for that. Methinks some of the death of the queen info is in Shadowdale - Scouring of the Land.
I don't think so. That module happens in 1375, according to the Grand History of 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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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2008 : 10:18:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Zanan
Thanks for that. Methinks some of the death of the queen info is in Shadowdale - Scouring of the Land.
I don't think so. That module happens in 1375, according to the Grand History of the Realms.
Cannae be that book anyways, as it hasn't got much to do with Cormyr either. Dunno why that sprang to my mind, might have been the adventure that goes before that or something else. As in: disregard the previous post of mine.  |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gćđ a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerűn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
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Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2008 : 18:35:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
Two timeline events were ommited from the final article which give a small bit of additional lore about Alusair. Beyond this, her fate remains unknown even to me.
1384 DR (Year of Three Streams Bloodied)
At the insistence of several members of Court and the young king himself, Azoun V is crowned King of Cormyr.
- Steel Regency ends. Alusair named High Marshal of the Realm, but spends most of her time in the Stonelands and West Reaches, visiting the Royal Court only rarely. Without the political support of his aunt, many of Azoun’s early reforms—most of them attempts to curtail formal but unexercised rights of the nobility—fail, causing a defection of many loyal factors
1390 DR (Year of the Walking Man)
Dowager Dragon Queen, Filfaeril Selazair Obarskyr, dies. Alusair attends the state funeral, argues briefly and privately with her nephew the king, and disappears altogether from Court. Rumors persist of her riding through the frontiers and borderlands, but no confirmed reports of her appearance exist following the burial of Filfaeril.
These two didn't make it into the Cormyr piece, but they are revealed in the Spellplague: The Wailing Years feature from back in February. |
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monknwildcat
Learned Scribe
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 03:24:32
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Thanks for all the work you've put into the Realms, Brian, as well as making yourself available here!
I'm a huge fan of searchable PDFs, and I wondered what's the best way to communicate to the DDI folks that your GHotR: Moonshaes lacks a download option--or if there's a purpose in the lack of an option?
It's too valuable to remain undownloadable!   |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 14:54:37
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| Interesting. I wholeheartedly agree, but I suspect the DDI team doesn't have the resources to go back and PDF an older article. I may just make a PDF of it myself and post it here on Candlekeep! Give me a couple weeks though, as I'm still vacationing with my family. |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 15:22:57
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quote:
Originally posted by monknwildcat
Thanks for all the work you've put into the Realms, Brian, as well as making yourself available here!
I'm a huge fan of searchable PDFs, and I wondered what's the best way to communicate to the DDI folks that your GHotR: Moonshaes lacks a download option--or if there's a purpose in the lack of an option?
It's too valuable to remain undownloadable!
Actually, a lot of the recent stuff has been like that. WotC was really good, for a couple of years, at offering pdf downloads of everything. Now they've gotten away from that, which means we have to go back to copying and pasting into Word. |
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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monknwildcat
Learned Scribe
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 15:26:36
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That would rock! Thanks, Brian!
Enjoy your vacation! |
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monknwildcat
Learned Scribe
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 15:46:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by monknwildcat
I'm a huge fan of searchable PDFs, and I wondered what's the best way to communicate to the DDI folks that your GHotR: Moonshaes lacks a download option--or if there's a purpose in the lack of an option?
It's too valuable to remain undownloadable!
Actually, a lot of the recent stuff has been like that. WotC was really good, for a couple of years, at offering pdf downloads of everything. Now they've gotten away from that, which means we have to go back to copying and pasting into Word.
That's frustrating! I only noticed it with the GHotR: Moonshae. Unfortunately, the Zhent Horseman was all set for download, but not my GHotR update.
I'll check who's point for the Dragon and Dungeon e-mags and try to communicate with them! |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 16:54:24
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I believe it's Chris Perkins, least thats who was called on at Gencon when people asked about the DDI content.
quote:
Originally posted by monknwildcat
I'll check who's point for the Dragon and Dungeon e-mags and try to communicate with them!
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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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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 18:27:27
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In that case, don't bother. The guy obviously doesn't care what we want.
Yeah, I copied that when it first came out into Word, but copying it into Adobe I hadn't even considered...
Question:
Brian, since your last article featuring Nobanion, he has been left conspicuously absent from the FRCG - do you have anything further you would like to add about his current 'condition'? 
Just wondering if he is dead, or just being ignored, actually...
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"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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monknwildcat
Learned Scribe
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 22:20:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
I believe it's Chris Perkins, least thats who was called on at Gencon when people asked about the DDI content.
quote:
Originally posted by monknwildcat
I'll check who's point for the Dragon and Dungeon e-mags and try to communicate with them!
Thanks, Kuje! I appreciate the lead! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2008 : 16:38:25
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Another Question, about the new setting -
Is 'Returned Abeir' only taking the place of Maztica, as we all thought?
I'm wondering because I don't see any mention of Anchorome or Katashaka (your creation), and since we don't have a 'world view' (on purpose?), its really hard to tell whats around it.
Because it mentions Evermeet nearby, I get the impression that it replaced Anchorome, and NOT Maztica. Its a little confusing. |
"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 23 Aug 2008 16:39:52 |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2008 : 18:16:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Question:
Brian, since your last article featuring Nobanion, he has been left conspicuously absent from the FRCG - do you have anything further you would like to add about his current 'condition'?
That's a very good question. I don't know the reasons why things ended up the way they did. I can only tell you what I observed. In the first draft of the FRCG I received, Nobanion was listed as a human druid leader of Gulthandor. Since my Spellplage: The Wailing Years article covered the Vilhon Wilds briefly, I took the opportunity to "upsize" Nobanion into an exarch. This was a compromise of course, but better in my eyes than Lord Firemane being a mere human. Apparently the article was not thoroughly reviewed by the powers-that-be before it was posted, so it was quickly edited to its current version. It was my understanding at the time that the “correct” version would be revealed in the FRCG. But it appears that Nobanion was simply removed from the text. So I guess that leaves all of us to use Nobanion in any way we see fit. |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2008 : 20:20:46
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quote:
Evermeet, FRCG p.132 “An echo of the fey refuge remains in Toril as an isle with the same shape and diameter, lying off the coast of the unfamiliar continent of Returned Abeir.”
Like you Markus, I read this as Returned Abeir replacing the lands *North* of Maztica. Using the scale provided on both 4E maps, you also find that Returned Abeir isn’t all that big a place; hardly deserving the continent moniker.
Anyway, I put together a quick map I how I see the Trackless Sea in 1479 DR. You can view it at http://www.geonomicon.com/realms/4ETracklessSea.png |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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monknwildcat
Learned Scribe
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2008 : 20:42:10
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| Thanks for sharing the map! It helps tremendously with visualization, Brian! |
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Questions for Brian R. James
