Post/Author/DateTime	Post
folletrap 03-27-07, 08:00 PM	just a question to all have already bought it Does It worth the expense? what you valutation from 0 (min) to 10 (max) i'm wondering about buy it so i will apprecciate any help from you thanks
jalcee 03-28-07, 10:30 AM	After reading several comments on the debate of "Sourcebooks vs. Super-Modules" I was keeping an open mind about it. I run 95% published modules so the super-module works for me. In addition, one of my favorite regions in FR is Cormyr so BONUS! I recieved my copy in the mail yesterday and began reading it. I am really dissapointed. I think the storyline is good and will be fun to play, but this could have been set in any typical region in Cormyr. [Spoiler Warning] It takes place in a small river town called Wheloon. The characters then travel to the Vast Swamp and then the plane of shadow. I guess I was expecting a trip through Suzail or Arabel. Maybe more of an inclusion of the Cormyrian War Wizards or Purple Dragons. Nope. Not in this book. So where does that leave me with the forementioned Sourcebook vs. Super-Module. I think that if you are going to publish a super-module, you should already have source material out there. We've had nothing for Cormyr outside the FRCS and now we have just a tiny glimpse of the region in a module that might as well be set in SilveryMoon. I digress that maybe this will be an exciting adventure to take my friends on, but I was hoping for something more.... Cormyrian.
SCMrks 03-29-07, 07:03 AM	If you want to buy the book as an adventure then it is a good buy because it has a good plot and interesting encounters. But if you want to buy it to get information on Cormyr it is a waste. There is very little in the adventure to make this something for Cormyr. The adventure can very easily be set in Nesme or any other place in the Realms. I was hoping for something about how the nation is rebuilding after the war and what the nobles and war wizards were doing and what is going on with Tilverton, but there is nothing except a little description of Wheloon.
Feazal 03-29-07, 01:47 PM	I tend to agree with the comments here. There has been some major changes to Cormyr over the last few years and there has not been a great deal of information on what is happening within that realm. I too love Cormyr as a region and will be starting of a new campaign there very shortly and would have loved a new sourcebook, however, I picked up the adventure and was disapointed not in the adventure which is well presented, but on the information contained about Cormyr itself, The adventure does not seem noticibley long and quite a bit of experience is given out for story awards whether this for the Player characters to atain a desired level for part 2 Shadowdale: The Scouring of the land. Too much page is given to the individual encounters and is more suited to tabletop miniature gaming, I suppose in a way though WOTC are looking at going in this direction. Overall if you want to run the adventure then get it as it does look as though it will be an enjoyable romp for both PC's and DM. If you want more background on Cormyr not much point in spending your money on it, put your money in the bank and wait for a real sourcebook. Lets hope early next year. One thing I would add is that I really think WOTC should be releasing an updated sourcebook for a region that has been affected the way Cormyr has before releasing any adventures based there. 1 - 10 As an adventure I would give it an 8. bareing in mind it is a lower level adventure
sabbattack 03-29-07, 01:57 PM	I tend to agree with the comments here. Too much page is given to the individual encounters and is more suited to tabletop miniature gaming, I suppose in a way though WOTC are looking at going in this direction. One thing I would add is that I really think WOTC should be releasing an updated sourcebook for a region that has been affected the way Cormyr has before releasing any adventures based there. my points exactly, couldn't put it better. especially about the miniature direction of the super-modules these days. Too bad, as i love Cormyr too much to buy this book...
msatran 03-29-07, 02:09 PM	It's dreadful. Quite frankly, I think that they should just toss all these books into a pile and burn them. Couldn't we have had more information on Wheloon than just a few pages? What about the rest of Cormyr? We really don't know, since the next adventure DOESN'T TAKE PLACE THERE! If I wanted an adventure that was cool and took place in Cormyr, there were a million better choices than this one. Plus, this whole thing makes no sense. The PC's don't get to "Know their enemies.' It's 162 pages of NPCs who are MEANT TO BE KILLED! If this was all that mattered, I'd buy a module from Goodman Games and add my own details, thanks. And while their dungeons are GREAT, and I use them frequently, I have to change A LOT. They should have had a huge section at the beginning about how this was linked to the other two adventures, what the purpose of them was, and what the result would be at the end. Only the DM is reading it. It hardly matters.
BobROE 03-29-07, 02:49 PM	I'd give it a solid 8. It's a good adventure with a few editing problems. It's not a sourcebook on Cormyr, it never claimed to be, so I don't really see why people are complaining about that. Would I have prefered a book on Cormyr, yes. But if they're going to give us an adventure I want a good adventure. Which this is.
Tempus665 05-30-07, 02:09 AM	From 0 to 10, I'd give it a 2 tops. There is way too much combat (like the combat after combat we all used to run, when we were noobs to D&D) and not enough NPC interaction. The other thing that bothers me is that I really, really miss anything that makes this adventure feel like a Forgotten Realms adventure. I sold my copy a couple of days after I bought it.
Mordayn 05-30-07, 02:50 AM	I think it's a good adventure and can't wait to get my hands of the next part of this so-called super trilogy. I'd give it an 8 out of 10. A big plus for including the shadow weave, have been looking for an official realms adventure centered around that. Was somewhat dissapointed about the villains, they didn't seem to have much background or personality given to them, but I usually like to create those myself anyway, so that is not a big minus. For those looking for a new regional sourcebook, they will be very dissapointed about this product, as it is an adventure and has very little new information on the realms except for the story itself. I personally liked the new encounter format, but as previously mentioned somewhere in this thread, it is designed with miniatures in mind, so much of it will be unecessary if you don't use miniatures. I think the idea of color coding the encounter pages, and have all the information needed to run the encounter on two pages was a nice touch, makes it very easy to run the adventure and you don't need any other books except the core ones and the adventure itself to run it. I think the plot was ok, could have been somewhat more intricate, but for a published module it isn't half bad. The player's also get to find alternate solutions to combat in many of the encounters which is nice for bards and other social based characters.
Steel Rabbit 05-30-07, 02:58 AM	I've got this on order at my FLGS, and I can't wait to run it for my game-group (myself, just having undergone a re-conversion over to the Realms). I hear alot of complaints that it's not a sourcebook on Cormyr, and that it requires miniatures, and such, but how does it stand as an adventure? I'm with BobROE in that, to my knowledge (I have seen bits of it, what with me working at my FLGS and being privy to promotional info, and such), it doesn't present itself as a sourcebook, but simply the beginnings of a campaign. As an aside, I was having a conversation with a friend about what sells us on books. Unlike most gamers I know I'm not a combo-fiend with feats or magical weapons or things like that, so what really sells me on D&D books are pre-written adventures. I'm pretty excited to do this adventure, just having run my PCs through the 'Expedition to Castle Ravenloft' (set in Greyhawk... Before my newfound love of the Realms took hold), and loved it.
Slayergnome 05-30-07, 06:08 AM	On a scale from 0-10. I rate the book a 3. It's good nice art, ok story. But lacks anything I found truly amazing.
Leukrythus 05-30-07, 11:04 AM	Too much page is given to the individual encounters and is more suited to tabletop miniature gaming, I suppose in a way though WOTC are looking at going in this direction. I have never owned a miniature. I outgrew playing GI Joe with little toys long ago.
Panurg 05-30-07, 01:21 PM	I own this adventure for two days now, and I have to say it's totally crap!:rant: I won't buy any of the following modules and I think about not buying anything produced by WotC anymore. After beeing a collector of DuD and Adud stuff for 14 years I feel alienated by the style of the last products. There is no room for creativity, no more need to work out NPCs and no love for the story elements or the history of people and places one visits during an adventure. There are just pseudo strategic tactical encounters, which are of no use and not necessary and which are placed for the simple purpose of selling stupid action figures! By the way the graphical workout of the tactical encounters is very poorly done and shows not a bit of creative thought. A regional sourcebook about Cormyr would have been of much more use, than this pseudo-adventure. (I loved Shining South, Unaproachable East and Silver Marches! That's how it should be done!) I go along with everything 'msatran' stated earlier and I have to point out, that I'm very concerned about the direction this setting and the product policy of WotC and particularly FR is going. To put it simple: I HATE IT!!:headexplo If I ever see this ******* tactical encounter stuff again in a product I start playing "Das Schwarze Auge"! instead of DuD. ;)
Knight_of_Gondor 05-30-07, 11:49 PM	First off, I love miniatures and in all the gaming groups i have been a part of for the last 26 years all but one included something that represented a character/creature on a terrain board. Second, I really dislike books that give a ton of information that FOR ME is not terribly useful. I want more encounter type information. Third I have read through the book extensively but have yet to play it (current group is bogged down in a mine that is the home to bat riding, goblin demi-vampires). Though we should start it in 2-3 weeks. That being said I found this Adventure a 7-8. I like the layout. I find the encounters well balanced and for the most part to my liking. The art is nice. I whole heartedly agree with a couple of the negatives. This could have been run anywhere. In fact if it was not for the mention of the Shadow weave and some of the deities involved it did not have to realms specific. Was it worth the cover price...not sure... I would have liked more info on the town and I was expecting more info on Cormyr itself. In fact, i was hoping that all the sequels would tie into a plot that threatened all of Cormyr. For $29.95 it was a little pricey for what I received and the reason for a score close to 7 Knight_of_Gondor
True_Atlantean 05-31-07, 07:16 AM	I have never owned a miniature. I outgrew playing GI Joe with little toys long ago. LOL, Leukrythus. I have to say that miniatures at my table are used very sparingly, I prefer the simplicity of imagination.
zerodeviere 06-01-07, 01:07 PM	I have Coup de Grace on my sword and I killed Shars dragon. oops. :duel:
GothicDan 06-01-07, 01:36 PM	Also, note that one of the things that was tried to use to mollify people demanding sourcebooks over super-modules, was the idea that the super-modules WOULD contain some new lore and information on the given regions, so that they'd be useful to people who not only played adventures, but also created their own. So there WERE inferences that it would have new lore on Cormyr. That's why people hear are a little angry. And it's another book I'm happy I didn't buy.
MerrikCale 06-01-07, 10:11 PM	And it's another book I'm not happy I didn't buy. what?
GothicDan 06-01-07, 10:22 PM	The Cormyr book, silly.
MerrikCale 06-01-07, 11:32 PM	The Cormyr book, silly. yeah, but how many negatives can you have in a sentence. So are you happy you bought it?
GothicDan 06-01-07, 11:41 PM	Maybe I was a little drunk last night, ociffer.
Mr_Miscellany 06-02-07, 04:03 AM	The book is an adventure, not a sourcebook. I've yet to run it in my campaign, but I'd give it an 8 overall. Any final rating I give it will have to wait until after I run it.
Balafre 06-02-07, 09:42 AM	Third I have read through the book extensively but have yet to play it (current group is bogged down in a mine that is the home to bat riding, goblin demi-vampires). Though we should start it in 2-3 weeks. very nice quest is it possible to have more infos in PM????
zerachial 06-02-07, 09:56 AM	I've just started to run this adventure with my group and I've got to say I'm a big fan. I like the work that wizards have done for you (sorting out all the combat, giving you all the necessary statistics of NPC's, treasure, etc.) because I was never one for spending hours doing that myself. On the other hand, it's left me plenty of lee-way to do my own thing with the NPC's outside of the dungeon's (Lord Redbeard, Constal Tholl, Tunnnaster Drannik, etc.). Some people have stated their disappointment that there's not much information around what's going on outside of the dungeons, but imho, they've given just enough to let the DM get creative. There's good information about the town, and the swamp. All the handy environment rules are summarised neatly for the DM. I give it a 10! I wasn't looking for a source book for Cormyr (what's wrong with the Cormyr trilogy for your sources?) and I like the idea of a super adventure that will tie the PC's nicely into the fate of the evolving realms. Just my 2c.
GothicDan 06-02-07, 11:57 AM	what's wrong with the Cormyr trilogy for your sources? It's extremely outdated at this point, and some people don't read novels. :)
Mr_Miscellany 06-02-07, 01:48 PM	It's extremely outdated at this point... ..."extremely" is, well, an extreme statement. The trilogy is probably still the best primer DMs have, plus what's in the FRCS and the bits found in the adventure Into the Dragon's Lair, for the current state of things in Cormyr. DMs can learn more from the various other novels that have touched on Cormyr afte the War (Elminster's Daughter and certain of the Return of the Archwizards boooks), though as Dan accurately points out not everyone reads them ...but everyone should. ;)
Fabius Maximus 06-02-07, 03:19 PM	To put it simple: I HATE IT!!:headexplo If I ever see this ******* tactical encounter stuff again in a product I start playing "Das Schwarze Auge"! instead of DuD. ;) Ts. DSA has grants even less creative leeway than the FR. Plus, the system is even more complicated than D&D. There's a reason DSA is also called "Die Schlechtere Alternative".
Old Sparky 06-02-07, 03:41 PM	I give it a 10! I wasn't looking for a source book for Cormyr (what's wrong with the Cormyr trilogy for your sources?) and I like the idea of a super adventure that will tie the PC's nicely into the fate of the evolving realms. And no one (reasonably) should have been expecting a sourcebook. However, slapping the name Cormyr on the title leads people to believe there will be usable lore concerning that region. What they get in that regard is specifics of a small town located in Cormyr. Why didn't they title the adventure Wheloon - Tearing of the Weave? Or, as some have suggested that this is so generic with the exception of references to a few gods and the Shadow Weave, why not just omit location from the book's title and call it "Tearing of the Weave"? As it is, the book raised expectations under false pretenses. No one ever claimed it was a sourcebook, for certain. However, they did lead us to believe these super adventures would be useful outside the adventure itself. Sounds like an overall waste unless you're really, really pressed for time and/or imagination to create your own adventure specifics.
Mr_Miscellany 06-02-07, 09:14 PM	As it is, the book raised expectations under false pretenses. That's stretching credulity. However, they did lead us to believe these super adventures would be useful outside the adventure itself. :confused: The product listing (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/fracc/956857200) for this book makes it pretty clear what is and isn't in the book. Let's not discount the utility of this book. The encounter sections and maps can easily be broken up and used piecemeal by DMs for their own Realms campaigns or custom campaigns. Sounds like an overall waste unless you're really, really pressed for time and/or imagination to create your own adventure specifics. This implies DMs have plenty of time to come up with the level of detail necessary for a good adventure. How many Realms DMs really have that much time on their hands? Answer = not very many. ::::::::::::::::::: However, slapping the name Cormyr on the title leads people to believe there will be usable lore concerning that region. What they get in that regard is specifics of a small town located in Cormyr. I quoted out of order, so that I could focus on this last because it's most important. The adventure does in fact not provide usable lore just one city (Wheloon). It provides more than that. In fact the adventure gives DMs a synopsis of the character of southeastern Cormyr and its people. It reminds DMs that the proximity of this region of Cormyr to places like Sembia and the Dragon coast means the population of the area will turn a blind eye towards some illicit activities so long as none are hurt. For the same reason Cormite citizens of this area more frequently keep an eye out for their neighbors and friends, since Purple Dragons and War Wizards may not be around for aid and defense. The adventure appendix also lists information about the cities, towns and locations around Wheloon (included on a mini map in the appendix), and provides several excellent adventure hooks. Imagine being the first adventurer to discover an elven ruin the size of Myth Drannor in the Vast Swamp. Imagine being the first adventure to plumb the depths of the Tomb of Chonis and return alive to tell the tale, or to discover the truth behind the mystery of the azure spirit that haunts the Hermit's Wood. Cormyr: The Tearing of the Weave hints at all this and more. This is why I don't see how people who own the book can complain that it's not useful to DMs outside of the adventure. I've been gaming for over twenty years and I have to say the adventure hooks in the appendix of this book are awfully tempting. A DM could easily build a campaign arc around this adventure in Southern Cormyr by using the information in the appendix, without ever having to move on to the next adventure in teh series.
Old Sparky 06-03-07, 12:37 AM	Lies. All unsubstantiated lies. :rolleyes:
Tempus665 06-03-07, 02:59 AM	This implies DMs have plenty of time to come up with the level of detail necessary for a good adventure. That's exactly the flaw of this product: the lack of detail (other than that needed for the combats) and that good old FR feeling.
bondious 06-03-07, 03:07 AM	I bought my copy online (along with the 'Magic Items Compendium', which I really like) from a not-to-be-named online retailer. I didn't look into it well enough, probably because I was so excited that they had FINALLY come out with a Cormyr sourcebook. So I got the package less than a week later, opened it up and found out, much to my surprise, that it was an adventure and NOT a sourcebook. I was sad. :weep: I then decided that I might as well read through the thing, "WHO KNOWS, it might come in handy". So I read through most of it (about 2/3rds, still reading the rest), and so far it's a pretty decent adventure. I'm sure I'll amend it quite a bit, but I can see myself using this at some point or another, and I got quite a few good ideas out of it REGARDLESS of whether I ever use it or not. So, all-in-all, I'm disappointed that it wasn't a Cormyr sourcebook, and that I spent my money on it (though I have only myself to blame for not making sure what I was buying was what I wanted), but now that I have it I'm sure I'll use it. :duel:
Old Sparky 06-03-07, 11:25 AM	I'm still wondering why they decided a super adventure trilogy was the way to go for this year's FR products when there are regions that are in real need of significant updating... Cormyr being one of them. It was a bad decision and I refuse to buy it.
zerachial 06-03-07, 12:48 PM	The adventure does in fact not provide usable lore just one city (Wheloon). It provides more than that.... I agree. I'm glad someone else is more eloquent than I am. All well put. My opinion is that there is just enough detail to add more flavour to the region, with enough adventure hooks for the DM to embelish at his whim. I thought we bought adventure books because they filled in all the details of the combats for us. I appreciate that the great big bold "Cormyr" on the cover is a little misleading, but beyond the title, I don't think Wizards ever tried to pretend it was anything other than an adventure book. Each to their own I suppose.
Panurg 06-03-07, 01:42 PM	Ts. DSA has grants even less creative leeway than the FR. Plus, the system is even more complicated than D&D. There's a reason DSA is also called "Die Schlechtere Alternative". I know. I played it for a little while. :) I just wanted to make my statement more striking. I don't quit playing in my favorite world and setting because of a stupid adventure module. ;)
Mr_Miscellany 06-03-07, 01:47 PM	That's exactly the flaw of this product: the lack of detail (other than that needed for the combats) and that good old FR feeling. I can see this from an "I wish it were a sourcebook, not an adventure" perspective. I would happily purchase a new sourcebook about Cormyr in an instant. But I can't see that same criticism from a factual perspective. A product can't exactly be considered flawed when it doesn't contain some element that it was never advertised as having to begin with. That's like complaining your new Ford Mustang is flawed because it didn't come with wings. The television ad might have said, "Your new Mustang will fly down the road," but that doesn't mean the car actually flies through the air. I disagree with you regarding "FR Feeling". I think it's there in spades. In my opinion CToW has the potential to be right on par with the 2E FR adventure Curse of the Azure Bonds (a kick ass adventure, as those who have played it already know). I won't know this for sure until I run it, but I can say the format and layout (stat blocks, encounters, area info) between adventures are very similar. ::::::::::::::::::::::::: Lies. All unsubstantiated lies. Sparky, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I disagree with your description of the book and I don't think I did anything wrong in describing what else is in the book's appendix. I'm sure we'll have to agree to disagree about how much time DMs have to build detailed adventures, as well as what exactly WotC did or didn't say regarding the usefulness of this adventure (beyond the product page for the book on their website). The rest of what I said is true. It's all in the book, as those who own it rightly know. :)
SiCK_Boy 06-03-07, 02:27 PM	One thing I personnaly find misleading is the fact that it's listed as an Accessory in the product listing page, not an adventure. Maybe it's just an error in the list, but since both subsequent adventures are also listed as accessories, I'd say that's a big mistake, when, by opposition, Expidition to Undermountain is clearly listed as an adventure. To me, that semantic difference is a clear indication that those super-adventures are being presented as being as much sourcebooks as adventures, and thus, from most comments I've read, I'd probably be frustrated if I got it. To me, an accessory should contain more than plot hooks. Generaly, I'm looking for more information on the whole country or culture, rather than small local-specific info (like the name of every villager in Wheloon). That's particularly true concerning Cormyr: I've picked up the FRCS after more than 5 years without having been involved in any way with DnD or FR (except reading a few Drizzt novels). I was very much surprised by all the changes in the country (the king is dead, the Tilverton incident, the Shades), and since I haven't yet read the Cormyr novels trilogy, I don't know much details about all that happened. In fact, I wondered for a long time where Vandergahast was gone before someone mentioned on a forum board what happened to him. Those kind of changes are the ones that should have been adressed in an accessory book dedicated to Cormyr, in my opinion. I guess what most people were hoping for was an updated version of the Cormyr accessory from 2nd Edition.
Panurg 06-04-07, 11:30 AM	I agree with Sickboy. And to make it clear: As I recognized around here, people are not complaining in the first term about the long awaited regional sourcebook beeing an adventure, but on the fact, that it was presented as such. What is this? The title CORMYR in big letters, when it could be located anywhere else in the realms or even greyhwak.:confused: I think this was a bit confusing and as Sickboy mentioned it's not listed as an adventure. Also I would like to mention, that I was not very satisfied with the other adventure module Myteries of the moonsea, but it's a way better source of updated information of a region than this Cormyr nuisance. Perhaps this is frustration about the fact, that it started so very nice with FR in 3.0 and 3.5 with regional sourcebooks and very good work (graphically and concerning the writeup and so on ...) and now there is one displeacement after the other ... for some. As one can see there are people around who like this trail of soulless corpses that are left when the players of this adventure have entered and left a certain place. I think they should have left away those strategic pages, they are good for nothing and reduce the content of the book, which is already not very thick. (Compared to the first published books like Serpent kingdoms, which is great!:D ) I guess thats my main complaint, and it isn't reduced because of the fact Mr. Misc mentioned and with which he is tecnically right.:) No more tactical encounter sections. I'm not in FR to play tecnical encounters but to battle evil! (or good, depending on my character ;) ) and any DM that isn't able to organize an encounter without using stupid plans with chesslike fileds and a description including any step an adversary of the players could probably set.:rolleyes: No offense for people who enjoy the encounter pages (there are different reasons for liking them, and of course more than not beeing able to handle an encounter;) ), but they steal away the stories and the whole feeling of such a book.
Tempus665 06-04-07, 02:04 PM	But I can't see that same criticism from a factual perspective. A product can't exactly be considered flawed when it doesn't contain some element that it was never advertised as having to begin with. Well, I do expect a certain quality when I see the Forgotten Realms logo on a book. There have been a lot of FR books that were (near) perfect in conferring the feel of the Realms onto the reader and, of course, the players. That's what I miss here.
MarkusTay63 06-04-07, 06:19 PM	A page or two summing up Cormyr's recent history would have went a LONG way towards making everyone happy. The fact that they totally and completely choose to ignore this important aspect of the fan-base just goes to proving how disconected they are from their fans. A couple of pages, written by Schend or Krashos would have made this a must-have for fans. As it is, it is only useful to a small minority of DMs. Its almost like self-sabotage... I just don't get it. :confused: The fact that they put the name Cormyr in the title is a VERY bad business practice, IMHO. Since it is clear this could have actually been placed anywhere, even outside the Realms, it was an obvious marketing ploy. IF the product were called Miscellaneous town in the Realms: The tearing of the Weave, it would have been far more accurate, but would have sold Far less. It's just shameful :nonono: As far as asking why they felt the 'Mega-Adventure' was the way to go this year - it's because of the HUGE success of Dragon magazine's 'Adventure Paths'. Someone at the top was jealous over Paizo's obvious recent successes, and the fact that they were actually better at producing FR lore then WotC was. I personally feel this jealousy is why they also cancelled their contract as well. One problem - Paizo was actually good at what THEY did... the best WotC can shoot for lately is mediocre. :( Unfortunaely for WotC, we learned how good 'good' can be, and making them go away is not a very nice way of raising your own status. Try producing products customers want, instead of products you want, and maybe we wouldn't have to put up with these 'shackled adventure' wanna-be's.
Paix 06-04-07, 08:02 PM	I had no previous expectations of this book being a sourcebook on Cormyr and I purchased it as an adventure. It has an interesting plot and evocative art. The writers have paid a lot of attention to the flow of the story and it is not solely geared towards pure combat. It provides clear motivation for players to think beyond the 'hack and slash' instinctual reactions. It also provides some information on Wheloon, enough to be used by the DM in accomodating the players, if that is where they are based. The new layout format where the actual statitstics of the encounters are not on the same page as the encounter in the story itself, annoys me. This adventure is made up of chapters and the necessary statistics are at the end of each chapter. It is somewhat useful, but still not as useful as having them on the same page as they appear. It is a flaw as far as I am concerned, but perhaps others do not mind flipping back and front. One last thing, is that it seemed to be too brief. For a 160 page book, it gives the impression that it is half that. I am not comparing it to the old box set adventures but even standing next to more recent products like City of the Spider Queen (a 188 page book but with a lot more art and maps), it is 'less'. Whether that is due to the lack of background of the antagonists, some new font size, less words per page or something else, I cannot say. I agree with the previous posters opinion about being more 'generic' rather than a purely Forgotten Realms adventure. How much that matters, I'll leave it to the original poster to determine. I would give it a 6 or a 7 (if the encounter format is not an issue) out of 10, since numbers seem to be popular.
Marquisstarr 07-09-07, 02:17 AM	I agree with Sickboy. No offense for people who enjoy the encounter pages (there are different reasons for liking them, and of course more than not beeing able to handle an encounter;) ), but they steal away the stories and the whole feeling of such a book. Not to sound trollish, but this is one of the things I like about published adventures. They take care of the tactical combat aspects (which I do not enjoy prepping) but don't get to heavily into the story which I am perfectly capable of doing on my own.
Mr_Miscellany 07-10-07, 02:46 AM	You don't sound Trollish at all.....it's your informed opinion based on your play style, and that's perfectly vallid all by itself, not to mention entirely on topic. :)
MarkusTay63 07-16-07, 02:07 PM	Could anyone tell me if General Vrakk made an appearance in this product? A couple months ago one of the designers alluded to an upcoming appearance of my faavorite NPC, and I could have sworn that this was the product he would be in. :confused: Maybe he was supposed to appear in the Shadowdale module; does anyone know?
Paix 07-17-07, 08:18 PM	MarkusTay63, He does not appear in the adventure.
Laerekh_Jaelre 09-14-07, 07:38 PM	I'm still wondering why they decided a super adventure trilogy was the way to go for this year's FR products when there are regions that are in real need of significant updating... Cormyr being one of them. It was a bad decision and I refuse to buy it. Don't get me wrong, I love the FR regional source books, they are some of my favorites. And I would love to have one for Cormyr as well. But one major thing I've felt lacking in the whole 3.5 line of products is premade adventures. I got enough FR source books to understand a big chunk of the world, and enough other sources to give me all the new spells, magic items, feats and prestige classes I could ever want and need. But what I don't have is good solid adventures to run in my favorite campaign setting (FR). So I for one am not upset about the release of this module at all. In fact, I'm really looking forward to adding it into my current campaign.
Butterface 09-15-07, 11:40 AM	I started DM'ing this adventure last night for my home group, our first FR adventure in about 2 years (took an Eberron break). We love it! I agree with the assessments that there is not alot of "FR feel" to it, but Mr. Miscellany is absolutely correct in that there is some very good info about SE Cormyr, and some surrounding points of interest. And hey, I'm an old school FR DM, I don't know alot about what happened to Cormyr in all the books. But I know enough about the general feel of the Realms that I was able to add that flavor in myself, which any competent Realms DM should be able to do as well, IMHO. There was a previous post on this thread complaining that there is way too much combat. I'd like to point out that there is the potential for way too much combat. One thing that is really great about this adventure is that there are multiple ways a party can overcome obstacles. My group played for about 5 hours last night, and there was not one single combat. They roleplayed and used their social skills to further their goals. One complaint I have with the book is that the NPC's have very vague physical descriptions, which is a flavor thing. And while it may be a book filled with NPCs meant to be killed, it does allude to future villains that are behind the scenes (Esvele Graycastle, for instance). I've already bought "Shadowdale: Scouring of the Land," and I plan to buy the Anauroch book. As for Cormyr: Tearing of the Weave, I give it a 9/10. I'd like a Cormyr sourcebook, but I'm resourceful enough that I can fill in the gaps when I'm running a game without one. I don't expect every adventure to teach me everything I need to know about a setting. That's not what the authors of this adventure set out to do, and it's not a "bad business practice" to have the name Cormyr in the title simply because its not a Cormyr sourcebook.