Post/Author/DateTime	Post
expertthief2004 11-09-04, 12:15 PM	What is your fav Forgotten Realms Book? A few of mine are the Cleric Quintet by R.A. Salvatore. and Pools of Darkness.
Slime Lord 11-09-04, 12:39 PM	By Ghaunadaur...twice today I've done this... People People People...You MUST read the rules!!! We CAN NOT discuss anything about Novels here on the Wizards Forums. At least FR General Discussion. We can how ever go to other sites like www.candlekeep.com and www.rasalvatore.com and go to both of those sites message boards. They have sections where you can discuss novels and much more. If this wasn't a rule. This place would be filled with novel questions. Please go to other sites and do this!
Lashan 11-09-04, 04:41 PM	We can discuss our favortie FR RULE BOOKS, though. I really like Races of Faerun, as it finally discusses human ethnicity in one book. It also discusses all the other major races, and thefore is a definitive place to read up on FR history on anywhere. The fact that experts retooled everything so that all the timelines make sense now, too, only makes it doubly worthwhile.
Mystery Man 11-09-04, 04:47 PM	By Ghaunadaur...twice today I've done this... For some reason that made me laugh out loud.
Mystery Man 11-09-04, 04:49 PM	We can discuss our favortie FR RULE BOOKS, though. Underdark and Silver Marches for me. The Marches for the fluff and Underdark for same, but it has some great new spells and rules for underground adventuring. I use the heck out of both of them.
The Simbul 11-09-04, 05:02 PM	Ive only read the section on Silverymoon, but thus far I think Silver Marches is probably the most well written and interesting read. I am principally an Unnapproachable East campaigner, but I imagine that if I compared the two I mighrt be leaning more towards the Silver Marches (perhaps if UE had better artwork, namely of the Star Elves and other races). However the one thing I really liked about the Unnaproachable East 3e book, and this seems to the overriding theme of 3rd edition, is the notion of subversion. In each country that is detailed, we are given one or more elements within that nation or region that seek to subvert the presumed authority figures. Given the fact that we have a functional stalemate between the different countries in terms of war (i.e. Aglarond and Rashemen have peace treaties with Thay, etc), it gives the necessary element of antagonism within each of these societies that allows for adventures in the region to not inherently involve multi-nation warfare. In Thay we have the rising influence of the mercnatile faction and the Guild fo Foreign Trade, which will eventaully directly oppose the more extreme Imperialistic factions. In Aglarond we have the Sons of Hoar and the Verdant Arrows both opposing each other and opposing the Simbulmyn. In the Sildeyuir we have the Nilshais opposing the Star Elves. In Thesk the Nenytarch (sp?) has been desposed by the Rotting Man and he is seeking to reclaim his seat of power. In Rashemen the Durthans oppose the almost aboslute rule of the Wychlaran. In Thesk the Shadowlords of Teflamm oppose the "legitimate" government of the merchant princes.
GothicDan 11-09-04, 05:27 PM	Considering I don't own all that many 3E books, I'm not a very good judge of that. But in terms of development/fluff, so far I've seen (and others who have played both editions have told me), that the 2E products tend to be superior. Even people who don't play 2E who have downloaded the products agree with this, but eh. So as far as 2E products go, I'll give my top five (in no particular order): 1. Spellbound 2. Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves 3. Cult of the Dragon 4. Faiths and Avatars, Powers and Pantheons, and Demihuman Deities 5. Villain's Lorebook
WizO_BigSister 11-09-04, 06:19 PM	please guys and gals ... don't make statements like you can't say anything abut novels. You ARE allowed to quote events and Realm lore from novels so long as it is part of a thread that doesn't focus on novels. You AREN'T allowed to talk about the novels as works of literature rather than sources of Realms lore. I am well aware that this is a hard concept for some people to understand, which is why the novels rules are so long. I really, really, really advise you to actually read the rules Novels - Important Info - Read This! (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=185204) Me ... I like Races of Faerun cos I am a huge fan of the diversity of cultures and beliefs that you can find in the Realms ... there truly is something for everyone :)
GothicDan 11-09-04, 06:58 PM	If I -had- to pick a 3E book that I've read and liked the most, it would be Races of Faerun. However, as all of the various 2E sources that were compressed to fit into Races of Faerun had much more overall detail and description.... Eh.. :)
Lashan 11-09-04, 08:10 PM	I believe that some sections of Races of Faerun were never covered in 2E print before. Now, I could be wrong because I haven't read EVERYTHING FR. I think that the info on Damaran culture was pretty new and interesting. I think it was different because it dealt with damaran culture, as opposed to the people who live in Damara. That's a big difference as Damaran culture extends from the homeland of Impiltur to Damara, the Vast, the Moonsea, and even Vaasa. To be honest, I like Races of Faerun better then any 2E book. It really compiles what you need to know from all books in all versions. I really think it's the best supplement out there. Besides ROF, I would have to think that the Volo's Guide series comes next. If I had to pick one, then my heart goes with Volo's Guide to the Dalelands.
Kuje31 11-09-04, 08:38 PM	I believe that some sections of Races of Faerun were never covered in 2E print before. Now, I could be wrong because I haven't read EVERYTHING FR. I think that the info on Damaran culture was pretty new and interesting. I think it was different because it dealt with damaran culture, as opposed to the people who live in Damara. That's a big difference as Damaran culture extends from the homeland of Impiltur to Damara, the Vast, the Moonsea, and even Vaasa. To be honest, I like Races of Faerun better then any 2E book. It really compiles what you need to know from all books in all versions. I really think it's the best supplement out there. Besides ROF, I would have to think that the Volo's Guide series comes next. If I had to pick one, then my heart goes with Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. Kinda has to agree with Lashan here. Some of those human races were not convered really or they were not covered that much and it's nice to have them all in one book. :) OH MY GODS, YES I AM ACTUALLY NOT CRITIZING A 3/3.5 FR SOURCEBOOK! :P But the rest of that book was rehash for the demihumans for the most part.
GothicDan 11-09-04, 09:40 PM	Well, I was never very much interested in the humans myself. ;) And I'd rather have a library full of books rather than one. I'm a total geek.
Cole Deschain 11-10-04, 12:01 AM	My Top Five- Powers and Pantheons (2E) Serpent Kingdoms (3.5) Demihumans of the Realms (2E) (And a great source of kits to raid for all species! A'course, kits are sorta moot now... but it was cool in its day, dammit!) Ruins of Zhentil Keep (Yeah, yeah, it's not a "book" per se. Leave me alone) Realms of Infamy (I always liked stories about villains better for some reason...)
ClobberinTime 11-10-04, 10:33 PM	Even though its a night mare to run especially in 3.5, ruins of myth drannor is my favorite and probably the main reason I switched my campaigns to FR. The whole elven retreat idea is great from a plot hook perspective.
Spider Jones 11-11-04, 02:20 AM	My favorites, not in any particular order other than as they come to me (and I haven't read every Realms lore source): 3rd edition Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting Races of Faerūn (Human section is great) Volo's Guide to [insert region of Faerūn] (I love these books) There are more that I adore, and others I might be able to call favorites, but they're not coming to me at the moment. The few books I've stated above are all excellent.
Imruphel 11-11-04, 09:16 AM	This is a tough question because the 3E/3.5E FR releases have been really excellent. IMO, the weakest products have been CotSQ and Faiths & Pantheons. I mean, I loved a lot of what was in F&P but the space taken for stat blocks was particularly annoying. I think Unapproachable East may be my favourite product but Shining South and Serpent Kingdoms are also really strong as is Silver Marches. I also really like Races of Faerun and the other releases. In other words, I can't say I have a favourite. I just think WotC has done a really great job supporting the FR line the past few years and I hope it continues for some time.
Faraer 11-11-04, 02:59 PM	I have mixed feelings about the work on the human groups done by Eric Boyd, Tom Costa, and others. I like some of the ideas, but I'm uncomfortable with a people introduced by the horrible H-series modules shoehorned into the Realms becoming a major racial group in the Heartlands, or with the main Faerūnian culture being named for a modern country of the Vilhon (Chondath), or of some people in Waterdeep being said to be Tethyrians (Eric's original 'Tethen' is better). We know, in any case, that folk of the Realms don't think in these terms. Although I find much good stuff in the 3E books, I don't like any of them as much as the works solely penned (except sometimes by unobtrusive developers) by Ed, or Eric or Steven. Books by multiple authors are not as coherent, fun to read, or likely to engender fondness.
chme 11-11-04, 03:46 PM	My personal favourites are Dwarves Deep and Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. A few of the old boxes are really nice too, like Menzoberranzan and the Horde. Some of the new stuff is nice too. I especially like the Underdark book, even though I'm by no means a dungeon crawl DM.
The_Declaration 11-11-04, 04:13 PM	for 3.0/3.5: 1. Shining South (i'm excited cause i just got it!) 2. Lords of Darkness (surprised no one is mentionning this one) 3. Unapproachable East (great area, and i love Geographical books) 4. Races of Faerūn 5. Magic of Faerūn
GothicDan 11-11-04, 05:24 PM	Although I find much good stuff in the 3E books, I don't like any of them as much as the works solely penned (except sometimes by unobtrusive developers) by Ed, or Eric or Steven. Right on. I love their works. And, in general, I'm not terribly impressed by reprinted material, which is why I don't find much of 3.5/3.0's books terribly good. The UE was perhaps the biggest letdown ever (with the exception of The Great Dale and Thesk, but it really wasn't worth the money if you had Spellbound), and Lords of Darkness was pretty much a rehash of many disparate sources (Cloak and Dagger, Villain's Lorebook, Faiths and Avatars, etc.) being drawn together.
paradoxmage 11-11-04, 11:59 PM	1st) Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd)Magic of Faerun/Players Guide to Faerun 3rd)Silver Marches/Shinning South/Races of Faerun are all very good 4th)Underdark 5th)Skullport/Volos guides (2nd edition)
Chosen Of Bhaal 11-12-04, 02:58 AM	1) Forgotten Realms Campaign setting 2) Races of Faerun 3) Lands of Intrigue Set 4) Volos Guide to the Sword Coast 5) Netheril: Empire of Magic And an honourary mention to UA because it has nice fluff
Neo2151 11-13-04, 06:09 PM	Hm, don't really have too many favorites, but I guess they'd go something like this: 1- Lords of Darkness 2- Magic of Faerun 3- Races of Faerun 4- FR Campaign Setting (3rd) 5- Unnaproachable East Considering I got into D&D and FR well into 3rd edition, I don't own any interesting 2nd ed sourcebooks and such. I figure it's easier to spend $30 on new updated and rather thrown-together sources that don't go into as much detail as they should, rather than digging around for hours online to find any 2nd ed boxsets or sourcebooks (which I WOULD like to find) for less than $60-$80 or even more :P .
Lashan 11-14-04, 02:42 PM	You wouldn't have to spend hours looking for older items online. There are many that are free for download from the WOTC site.
ArnimThayer 11-15-04, 01:20 AM	Definately Lords of Darkness. I use it at every session I run. I've liked all the regional books as well (Silver Marches, Unapproachable East, etc.), but my second favorite has to be Player's Guide to Faerun. Not only is it loaded with PRCs, it makes Regional feats worth taking at first level.
Neo2151 11-15-04, 06:56 AM	You wouldn't have to spend hours looking for older items online. There are many that are free for download from the WOTC site. True, some of them are available for download, but not ALL of them (hehe, ima collector) and what i'm really into is the boxed sets, all of which are out of print and hard to find except for the 2nd ed campaign setting. Show me a site or store where I can buy the Nethril Boxed set for less than $80 and i'll bow to you. :D
Cole Deschain 11-15-04, 10:48 AM	WotC has Netheril, Empire of Magic available for free download. Yeah, it's a PDF, not a shiny box, but the goods are there.
GothicDan 11-15-04, 12:21 PM	The Netheril boxed set is not one of the greatest 2E boxed sets, anyway. The time and editing simply wasn't put into it, to make it something as great as, say, Cormanthyr. So you're not missing much.
Draco Strang 11-16-04, 08:56 AM	Forgotten Realms campaign setting for sure. The thing is a monster, filled with both fluff and crunch. *Ack...i just used the word fluff in a post, closely followed by the word crunch.....* Dammit.
Kuje31 11-16-04, 12:51 PM	The Netheril boxed set is not one of the greatest 2E boxed sets, anyway. The time and editing simply wasn't put into it, to make it something as great as, say, Cormanthyr. So you're not missing much. Gods do I so agree with this. :)
Imruphel 11-16-04, 06:44 PM	The Netheril boxed set is not one of the greatest 2E boxed sets, anyway. The time and editing simply wasn't put into it, to make it something as great as, say, Cormanthyr. So you're not missing much. Not one of the greatest? I would probably be more blunt than that and call it a pile of turgid dreck... but that's, in part, because I love the phrase "turgid dreck". However, it really was a lost opportunity and seemed to be a product created with a degree of contempt for the Realms: look at some of the strange names and the semi-attempts at humour. In some ways, it's the WG7 of FR (WG7 was/is the infamous parody module for Castle Greyhawk basically published as a parting insult to Gary Gygax... and, yes, I think certain aspects of Netheril place it in a similar category).
GothicDan 11-16-04, 11:28 PM	*Snickers a bit* No one better say that I dislike WotC's changes without a reason, for I dislike some things about TSR just as much. This boxed set is one of those things.
Neo2151 11-17-04, 01:25 PM	*Snickers a bit* No one better say that I dislike WotC's changes without a reason, for I dislike some things about TSR just as much. This boxed set is one of those things. Okay, seriously... I just downloaded and read Netheril, Cormanthyr, and Calimshan. I personally loved all of them. So what, may I ask, was so gods awful horrible about Netheril? Sure stuff was horribly skewed from the norm, but er, yeah, that's kind of to be expected. [Also, didn't notice Underdark on the DL's page... anyone know where I can get my hands on that?]
Kuje31 11-17-04, 02:26 PM	Okay, seriously... I just downloaded and read Netheril, Cormanthyr, and Calimshan. I personally loved all of them. So what, may I ask, was so gods awful horrible about Netheril? Sure stuff was horribly skewed from the norm, but er, yeah, that's kind of to be expected. [Also, didn't notice Underdark on the DL's page... anyone know where I can get my hands on that?] The errors, the names of many of the NPCs that don't fit thier gender, the Deans of the Schools are normal mages not arcanists, etc. Gods there's tons. Shadow being a normal wizard on 2 of the pages and then a arcanist in the back, etc. :)
GothicDan 11-17-04, 04:10 PM	The lack of culture of the specific Enclaves, of the relations between the Enclaves, of the heads of the Enclaves, the art/jewelry/music of Netheril, the lack of putting what deities various Clerics worshipped, to add to the list. Considering it was Netheril: Empire of Magic, I would have expected a nice, thick slab of new spells and magic items, too, but there really wasn't all that much. Ah, how I wish Schend had done that product. :) Cormanthyr is a masterpiece, in my opinion, a perfect example of what an Arcane Age supplement should be. Let's just say that we were spoiled in 2E by authors like Boyd, Schend, and of course, Ed Greenwood. ;)
Effect 11-18-04, 01:40 AM	I only own a few FR novels. The Icewind Dale Trilogy (3 in 1 book), Dark Elf Trilogy, and the Cleric Quintet (5 in 1 book) by R.A. Salvatore. Out of all them so far, I think my number one favorite has to the be the first Icewind Dale novel. The the ten towns go through. Maybe its because it was my first FR novel and my first introduction to Drizzt. Still on the first book of the Cleric Quintet though. Haven't had much time to read but slowly making my way. Its interesting having a cleric as the main character. I just hope in the end the entire series doesn't end in a sad note to be honest. Also I have the first novel fo the Hunter's Trilogy but didn't read much of it since I got the Cleric Quintet at the same time.
WizO_BigSister 11-18-04, 05:02 AM	I'll remind you once again. Please don't break the rules on novels when you post in this thread. If you don't know what the rules are then I'd recommend you read them! Novels - Important Info - Read This! (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=185204)
Faraer 11-18-04, 02:03 PM	Netheril ignored Ed's existing published and unpublished lore; it gave instead a tedious and unimaginative nation that wholly failed to live up to the wondrous place that had been suggested and established hitherto. Some people grin and bear Netheril and mine it for useable references; I haven't the patience, and it isn't on my shelf. Cormanthyr feels like the Realms, Netheril doesn't. I do *not* like blasting books like this; I didn't like it when I got paid. I could go on about half a dozen more bad 1990s products, but it would be mean and unproductive. But the gap between Netheril's promise and what it delivered is too great to ignore. (I don't think it's actually malevolent, though, as parts of WG7 are.)
Effect 11-18-04, 05:33 PM	I'll remind you once again. Please don't break the rules on novels when you post in this thread. If you don't know what the rules are then I'd recommend you read them! Novels - Important Info - Read This! (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=185204) If this is directed at me, which I think it is. If you'll notice at the actual times the post were made you will see that the one above was done before I made the other topic asking my question. I didn't not break the rules after you warned me about them. In fact You didn't even close the other thread or PM me until several hours later. A few hours later for the locked post. Just because you saw the post at different times doesn't mean I purposly broke rules after you warned me another time. The two post were made in a span of 5 minutes(roughly of each other). Please do not make it look like I purposly broke the rules or as if I was ignoring the warning you gave me. On warning was enough and I understand it. The my above post was made at Nov 18th at 01:40 AM. My thread was made at Nov 18th at 01:44 AM. You closed that thread at 04:56 AM. You made this post at 5:02am and then PMed me saying I broke the rules again after being warned at 03:03 PM. Which is not true. These are Eastern Standard times and the times I see on the post. I have pmed you as well but wanted to respond here to correct any problem since it seemed you had to post here reminding me again.
GothicDan 11-18-04, 06:10 PM	Effects... Get off it. It's BigSis's job to post such things on whatever thread she reads it. It's her responsibility. She's not targeting you out specifically any more than she has ever targeted anyone else.
WizO_BigSister 11-18-04, 09:50 PM	My apologies for being so harsh ... but this is the second time I have had to remind you of the novels rules on this thread. Besides .. the request still stands. I am not just referring to events on this thread but on all the FR boards. Please don't spread misinformation, and please don't accept brief summaries as being the truth of the rules. If we could have made the rules crystal clear in one single paragraph we would have! Also I'd like to say if I ever need to say something to one person rather than all the users I do it in private. If it looks like I am publically picking on one person then I've messed up because I won't have intended that.
Belissaire 11-19-04, 07:22 PM	For me: 1)Lords of Darkness (I know it's a collection of info from other books, but I don't own them) -It's great to prepare games and lots of political info 2)FRCS - The fondation of everything 3)Unapproable East: I like the Blightlords and the Shou Town! I wasn't too sure about Races of Faerun, as I enjoy more about political and history info for my games, but I will give it another look considering who everyone thinks it's a great source of realm lore! But I can't wait for Ancient Empires! More stuff of Shoon Imperium!! Belissaire
Lady Rolindin 11-24-04, 11:05 PM	I like all the products, from the frist one to what is being printed now. To me it like a jig saw puzzle(forgotten realms) you have to peice the pieces together to make the complete picture. It make take along time on this puzzle, but I'll wait for more to come out. Ever book helps to understand alittle more about the realms, even Ed Greenwoods articles in the dragon's magazine's(showing small pieces of the realms), like the black dwarf mine. It would be nice to learn more faster, about the realms, books and such, tombs. That's just my point of view and piecs are still missing until more published, I'll fill in the piecs. :)
Plüschi 12-14-04, 04:51 PM	Hi I liked the Faith & Avatars Books (all three) & of course Cormanthyr, Empire of Elves is a great book! I liked also Races of Faerun, Silver Marches, Drizzt Do'Urden Guide to the Underdark (is this the original title :confused: ), Cult of the Dragon & The Harpers ( :confused: again)!
Fenalian 12-14-04, 08:19 PM	It would be a tough call on my part to say which one i liked the best. I really don't think I am a super FR obsessed person. I do like it for the variety of places. With that said, I have not touched a 3E FR book. Dwarves Deep is a VERY good sourcebook for those that like dwarves. Very excellent. Haullera (spelling), actually, I think it was called 'The Shining South' was another good one. and pulling up in third place would be Old Empires. I liked Old Empires for the ton of spells. the spells are insane. They can really put a hurting on those not prepared for them. They will really put the party in a Neo "WHOA" situation. Most of the books I have are ones that describe locations. The good thing about those is how easy it is to export them to a home brewed setting. Take for instance, Dwarves Deep, you can throw that in any homebrew world, complete with maps. I seriously doubt many players would even know the difference.
Neo2151 12-15-04, 07:11 AM	Anyone think they could help me out a little? I'm still looking for the 2nd ed. Menzo boxed set but I'm adding Old Empires to my list. Does anyone know where I can find these for cheap? It's my understanding that I can't download them off of the wizards.com main site.