Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MarkusTay63 12-30-06, 10:43 PM	I was responding to another thread, when a sudden flash of inspiration hit me. (then again, maybe it was gas) Anyway, we were discussing 'original material' (weird, huh?) and I had this random though - Why not give us something NEW (I know, bizarre concept) How about a book on Semphar? Thats never been done. Then they can update us on the Hordelands, Kara-tur, The Golden Way, The brightstar Lake region, Khazari, tidbits on the golden Water area... all are related to Semphar. This is a country that has never gotten a sourcebook and is centralized to three seperate campaign areas! In fact... :lightbulb This would make a truly excellent area to do a NEW Arabian Campaigns sourcebook about. Screw Zahkara. (Note to self: Must contact WotC with my million dollar idea :$$: ) So what do you guys think? Am I just being stupid here?
Lord Karsus 12-30-06, 11:21 PM	-Who really knows what WotC is thinking these days. A sourcebook on Semphar seems unlikely in the near future, though.
MarkusTay63 12-30-06, 11:40 PM	I know you're right, but this could potentially make so many people happy. Okay... a little happy and complain a lot, but thats what we do best. :P Think about it, updates on many areas people have been crying for, a new region covered, AND a new semi-core book along the lines of OA but about Middle eastern culture, the way the old Land of fate was. I know this is a winner, too bad WotC doesn't listen to me. :( or anybody, for that matter....
Lord Karsus 12-30-06, 11:50 PM	I know this is a winner, too bad WotC doesn't listen to me. :( or anybody, for that matter.... -Yeah, we all feel the hurt from that one.
Old Sage 12-31-06, 12:02 AM	Semphar gets a very brief 3e nod in Shining South. The Golden Way and Kara-Tur -- specifically Shou Lung -- also receive some "limited" attention in The Yellow Silk.
GothicDan 12-31-06, 12:06 AM	Any LORE on non-TSR add-ons would be wonderful. For me, I mean. :)
MarkusTay63 12-31-06, 12:07 AM	Okay, now you got me thinking about the next WotC corporate meeting - Picture it, a couple of mad-scientist types pull the tarp off of a large bizarre contraption for the board of Directors: Mad Scientist #1: "We call it the 'fan-boy' machine- You just pour raw sewage into this funnel at the top, wait a few minutes, and then down hear money comes flying out!" CEO:" We already got one of those...." END
Lord Karsus 12-31-06, 12:08 AM	The Golden Way and Kara-Tur -- specifically Shou Lung -- also receive some "limited" attention in The Yellow Silk. -Ah yes, The Yellow Silk. A surprisingly good book. -Kara-Tur has gotten some touch ups here and there, but in lots of different souces. Dragon Magazine has something planned for Kara-Tur (Or, one of the nations on it).
MarkusTay63 12-31-06, 12:19 AM	-Ah yes, The Yellow Silk. A surprisingly good book. Another one I haven't heard of, I've been out of the loop too long. :( Think Real Estate, and what are the three most important factors in real estate? Location, location, location. :D Semphar can get goods from kara-Tur easily enough It can get goods to and from the rest of Faerun easily enough (via Mulhoarand) It can get goods from Zakhara easily enough (they are just North of the Shining lands) and they can even trade with the Tuigen, although I don't know how much thats worth. Thats FOUR completely seperate campaigns that they are central too, it's a wonder that they are not the greatest economic power in Faerun! Time to 'tweak' my campaign. "Make it so, number one" "Aye-aye, sir"
Lord Karsus 12-31-06, 12:22 AM	and they can even trade with the Tuigen, although I don't know how much thats worth. -Mmm...Yak milk and Yak cheese! You know what? Let's not trade with the Tuigan...;)
MarkusTay63 12-31-06, 12:28 AM	:rofl: Yeah, thats kinda what I was thinking too.... :rolleyes: If not from, they might be good to trade to - IF we can get past the smell
Calmar 12-31-06, 08:09 AM	Hope, no Tuigans are reading here...
FRBRAZIL 01-01-07, 10:49 AM	I don't know about you people from USA, that get monthly the novels FR authors write. But to me, here in Brazil, where we only got Icewind Dale Trilogy, a book that could update the time, from 1372 DR to 1375 DR, (knowing that the next novels will probably take place in 1375 DR) would be awesome and incredibly useful. Player's Guide do Faerūn tries to make it, but somehow, I don't feel like knowing the whole history, and I feel sad. For example, when you all know exactly what happened in 1374 DR, I'm here, anxyous to read the next topic where someone with "spoilers" will tell me what's really going on... Not knowing what's happening is sad. Specially for someone who follows the realms since 2004.
GothicDan 01-01-07, 11:18 AM	I've followed for 8-9 years now and don't read the novels. ;) I genuinely dislike the vast majority of newer ones. That's why the boards are wonderful. I can get the facts without wanting to stab my eyes out.
FRBRAZIL 01-01-07, 01:15 PM	That's why the boards are wonderful. I can get the facts without wanting to stab my eyes out. You're right. I learnt when the subject is "Realms cronology" the boards help me oftenly more than all the Portuguese books I own. This message board and Candlekeep helped me to understand what "The Year of Rogue Dragons" stands for, and now I'm not lost... At least not untill the end of 1373 DR. But, you gotta agree with me. Is a pity that Brazilians and other peoples around the world don't get novels.
Hawkfeather 01-01-07, 01:28 PM	I don't know about you people from USA, that get monthly the novels FR authors write. But to me, here in Brazil, where we only got Icewind Dale Trilogy, a book that could update the time, from 1372 DR to 1375 DR, (knowing that the next novels will probably take place in 1375 DR) would be awesome and incredibly useful. Player's Guide do Faerūn tries to make it, but somehow, I don't feel like knowing the whole history, and I feel sad. For example, when you all know exactly what happened in 1374 DR, I'm here, anxyous to read the next topic where someone with "spoilers" will tell me what's really going on... Not knowing what's happening is sad. Specially for someone who follows the realms since 2004. I know what you are talking about, since I'm from Brazil too. But I never was a novel reader. Probably you don't remember (since you're younger than me:) ), but a few years ago (middle 90's) there was plenty of TSR novels in pocket book format here in Brazil. They were in english but, at least, they were here. And at that time wasn't necessary to read every novel because they focused in local characteres and local stories. Unfortunatly, today, almost every novel brings some great modification in the Realms. So I do what Gothic Dan said: sneak on these boards and at the Candlekeep to get information about the current status of the Realms. I'm always searching for posts with spoilers (as you do :) )
MarkusTay63 01-01-07, 01:32 PM	I've mentioned in another thread my fervent wish to have a 'Realms Gazetteer' come out approx. every 3 months, along the lines of the old Gazetteer of the Known World TSR had for Mystara. This wonderful little catalogue/magazine contained tidbits from all three campaigns set on Mystara, so this format is perfect for Abeir-Toril which technically contains 5 (Realms, Kara-Tur, Zahkara, Maztica, and the oft-forgotten Hordelands). It could include new stuff on the colonies in maztica AND Anchorome, and even some vague stuff about Osse. If they really wanted to do it right, WotC should hand it over to Paizo to do, since it is more like a magazine, and then Paizo would have less of us fan-boys screaming for more Realms specific stuff in Dragon. Everybody Wins. @FRBrazil -The best source I found for FR history was Brian James' netbook, which can be downloaded HERE, (http://www.geonomicon.com/portal/) which Lord Karsus turned me onto.
Lord Karsus 01-01-07, 04:31 PM	Hope, no Tuigans are reading here... -Well, the majority of them are barbarians, so they can't read anyway. If they really wanted to do it right, WotC should hand it over to Paizo to do, since it is more like a magazine, and then Paizo would have less of us fan-boys screaming for more Realms specific stuff in Dragon. Everybody Wins. -I've wanted a FR Newspaper-thingy for a whole too. I think that WotC should hand it over to us do produce, though. Hell, I'd do it for free...That'd be cool. ...which Lord Karsus turned me onto. -Apparently, I turn a lot of people on. I'd rather them be members of the opposite sex, though...:cool:
Old Sage 01-01-07, 07:59 PM	So I do what Gothic Dan said: sneak on these boards and at the Candlekeep to get information about the current status of the Realms. I'm always searching for posts with spoilers (as you do :) )I'm glad to hear we at Candlekeep are doing our jobs well! :D
MarkusTay63 01-01-07, 08:09 PM	Three cheers for our friends at Candlekeep. :dancin: :cheer: :clap: :pint: :mage: Many Thanks Old Sage and Others. :D
Hawkfeather 01-02-07, 04:27 PM	I'm glad to hear we at Candlekeep are doing our jobs well! :D Old Sage, you have no idea of how Candlekeep is incredible valuable to me! I just have to thank and salute you and all the scribes there. :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
The ShapeLess One 01-03-07, 07:59 AM	I like the idea, but really anything to stop the hard cover adventures. I hate those.
MarkusTay63 01-03-07, 03:35 PM	I like the idea, but really anything to stop the hard cover adventures. I hate those.If they would just update the open source license then 3rd party companies could go back to providing adventures and WotC can concentrate more firmly on producing QUALITY source material. Of course, there would have to be stringent rules about changing campaign canon, but psuedo-generic modules with a section on how to fit them into the three current settings could be a boon. I tend not to use modules anymore, so I don't really like WotC doing them as part of canon. On the other hand, companies doing new modules on 'dead' settings should be along the lines of 'Anything goes'. The only problem with that is that in some cases other companies have picked up the licenses. :rolleyes:
FRBRAZIL 01-04-07, 05:28 PM	I know what you are talking about, since I'm from Brazil too. But I never was a novel reader. Probably you don't remember (since you're younger than me:) ), but a few years ago (middle 90's) there was plenty of TSR novels in pocket book format here in Brazil. They were in english but, at least, they were here. LMAO, yeah, I can imagine how great would be if we could at least get English novels like in old times... Sadly, we do not get it easily. And, currently, you can bet that I'm mad at Devir (Brazilian publishing company, that holds D&D and Forgotten Realms rights in Portuguese language, you know...), 'cos they were supposed to bring us at least the novels classified as "realms shaking-events". @FRBrazil -The best source I found for FR history was Brian James' netbook, which can be downloaded HERE, (http://www.geonomicon.com/portal/) which Lord Karsus turned me onto. Thank you! I'll check it right now. I'm glad to hear we at Candlekeep are doing our jobs well! :D You really are!
JaiaDrottsingr 01-04-07, 06:29 PM	I like the idea, but really anything to stop the hard cover adventures. I hate those. The only use those have is making new campaign worlds. :shifty:
Starchaserva 01-06-07, 12:57 AM	Personally, if I could choose the next book that they printed, I would want a new version of either the Stronghold Builder's Guidebook, or an expanded/updated edition of the Arms and Equipment Guide, but something serious along the lines of a Spell Compendium. For newer ideas, why don't they produce a book that expanded on Organizations and Guilds. Not just for Faerun, but for Eberron and Greyhawk as well
MarkusTay63 01-06-07, 01:44 AM	Problem is they would have to do seperate books for each setting. Fan boys just won't except a book that shows us how to place each organization in our campaign, it won't feel 'canon' enough that way. If they don't name them, then they will feel to contrived, if they do name each group it won't be campaign-specific enough. The only way that will work is to give just stats for each organization, guild leader, caravan, trading coster, then have a whole seperate section for each campaign world and give the names for the groups and NPCs (this way they will be different for each setting). It will still seem contrived, and most people will complain about all the information they will never use. Or... they could give us a 160 page book of generic guilds, organizations, social clubs, etc... and THEN give us three seperate web enhancements tailored for each setting. Yeah... that could work... :lightbulb :$$:
The ShapeLess One 01-06-07, 02:01 PM	The only use those have is making new campaign worlds. :shifty: I agree. I bought Mysteries of the Moonsea. It sucked IMO. After DoF I will not buy another book untill the regional source books come back. (Well I will be buying old 2e stuff off of the internet.)
Starchaserva 01-06-07, 08:26 PM	Actually, that's pretty much what I was thinking of. You know, here's a fleshed out version of a generic thieves guild, here's one for an "exploration" company, stuff like that. I think the web enhancement is perfect, you only have to download the ones you want. Here's another idea...have they produced a compendium of famous D&D characters? I recall an old version where they stated out some of the famous Faerunian villains. What about something that updates well known and perhaps even slightly forgotten characters from current and past books in 3.5? I would love to see stats and stuff for characters like Alias, Dragonbait, and the like. Didn't they produce Mysteries of the Moonseas in a totally different way than the earlier "region" books? How do you feel about the other ones, if you've read then
The ShapeLess One 01-06-07, 09:43 PM	I like the other reginal books. The style that was presented in MotMS was not a bad style of book. On the other hand it had very poor content IMO. I don't like to buy pre-made adventures. They are not anyfun. My players also dislike them alot. So they are "shelved" at my table.
MarkusTay63 01-07-07, 09:42 PM	See, everybody is different. I kinda liked the adventure hooks/ideas/etc. Most of the old 2e locale books had a couple of adventure ideas in the back. I rarely use them as is, but they are great fuel for my creative juices. I will admit it might have been a bit much in MotM, but nothing I would complain about (except those nasty over-worded new formats, but thats a completely different issue). @Starchaserva - I've been bouncing around a few ideas in my head about how WotC could be making better use of web-enhancements to make EVERYONE happy. I haven't come up with a solid solution yet, but neither can they so I don't feel so bad. I figure, since so many people like different things, maybe they could 'compartmentalize' the different portions of the books. People who want only fluff would get just that in the book purchase. If you want that stat block for a certain town or person, just download them. If you want to know how to apply something to your world, just download that portion. It's not like they'll be giving anything away, because we will have paid for it with our purchase price. It's tough, but theres got to be a way to do it. I was even thinking that books can become 'upgradeable'. Include a CD with each (charge $5 more for the CD version) so you can have the book on your computer, then have upgrades every time something changes something in the book. New diety? Download her in! A certain town got destroyed? Download the update! This way the digital books will always be up to date. Just include a unique security code on the disk, and you can only make the downloads if you own the disk (it has to be in your drive). If computer games can do it, why can't we? They already have a 3.5, why not corresponding updates for each year? 3.6, 3.7, etc. Then when they reach a new 'whole' number (4.0) they can charge us for a new additon patch. In other words, I would much rather pay $14.99 to upgrade my Shining South book to 4.0, then to go out and buy a new book when the time comes. Incremental changes should be free, VERSION changes should go for about $15 for hardcovers. Of course, the three core books will still have to be purchased no matter what at full price. No upgrading those. I think this system could potentially net them more money in the long run.
Starchaserva 01-08-07, 12:25 AM	I personally think that WoTC is falling a little bit on the wayside with the whole digital thing. I love a lot of the stuff they put on the site, and I've downloaded loads of the web enhancements, but that idea about upgradeable books is genius. I think they could make good money selling books online in addition to hardcover, not to mention porting older material that you can't really find anymore. Not only that, but they could take them, expand and update them to make it even more worthwhile. The more information and material they put at people's fingertips the better.