Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WizO_BigSister 01-28-04, 11:32 PM	The underlying principals for the organization I monitored what happened following the last reorganistion, read various emails messages and complaints, and talked with other moderators. It seems that using an organisation that divided the board up according to the various FR books hasn’t worked well on the Forgotten Realms Boards for the following reasons – * There is a large proportion if topics that cover more than one book. For example a discussion of how Drow fight in groups may cover material from the “FRCS”, “Underdark”, “War of the Spider Queen”, “Lords of Darkness”. * We have a lot less posters than on the main D&D board, which means some general themes get very few posts. On the other hand there are a large number of books. To give each book its own forum means we would end up with something in the order of 13 different forums, some of which have very few posts. * People seem to be more confused by the system of some forum categories having subdivisions (currently the FRCS category has a few subdivisions that are not immediately visible). Perhaps they expect a much simpler layout. Making categories based on themes rather than actual books has many advantages. It allows us to have all the categories on view when someone looks at the forums, it makes sure each forum has a reasonably large number of visitors. It also seems to intuitively make sense – it is easier to decide what goes where. The Layout * All the forum categories are seen as soon as you open the Realms boards. This means there will be much less confusion. * Some of the categories were merged in order to make sure each forum gets a reasonable level of activity. We have tried to merge those themes that naturally go together. * None of the descriptions of each forum mentions a book, so there will be no confusion between book related categories and theme related categories.
WizO_BigSister 01-31-04, 10:21 AM	WHAT GOES WHERE General The simplest way to tell you what belongs here is to let you know what doesn’t belong here! Please don’t post here if * Your topic isn’t to do with Aber Toril or The Forgotten Realms * You topic is specifically about a novel * Your topic belongs in one of the other Realms forums General discussions about the supplements (such as what would be most useful for you, artwork etc) is fine here. As the forum description says this is the right place for discussions on DMing or playing in Realms campaigns/adventures. Faerunian People and Places Anything that fits into the heading “geography” belongs here. This means all topics on places (including towns and cities as well as regions) belong here. The climate, economy and politics of the various places also belong here and of course maps go here as well. Regional feats and skills belong here as well. Skills and feats to do with magic or with combat can either go here, or in the forums for those topics. This forum also includes all the people that can be found in these places … both the various NPCs of the Realms and the organizations they can be part of. These organizations are not just limited to those listed in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting but include guilds, militias, trade consortiums, teaching faculties, palace staff etc It is your choice whether to include any religious organizations here or in the Magic & Deities forum. Your own “home brew” (made by fans) NPCs and organizations are welcome here, so long as it is clear they are based in the Realms and you tell us where they are. Classes, Races, & Monsters This forum is for discussing classes, creatures and races, but those that belong in the Realms. Any prestige classes found in any of the Realms supplements belong here, as do all the various monsters or creatures, and all the races described in the Realms supplements. As some “monsters” can actually be character races these topics seemed to naturally belong together Topics about basic classes and creatures found in the Core Rule Books (Players Handbook, Monster Manual & Dungeon Masters Guide) don’t belong here, unless they have a Realms slant to them. For example a straightforward discussion of a rogue belongs over on the main D&D boards; but it would be fine to post a topic about a rogue here if the discussion included what would the best Realms regional feats to give her, or how to best plan for a upgrading her to a Realms prestige class. Classes, races and creatures made by fans (home brew) only belong here if they have a Realms slant. At least some aspects must be part of the Realms setting. Magic & Deities Everything to do with magic belongs here, no matter if it is arcane or divine magic (or maybe even both!) This means spells, and the various origins of magic plus theories on how it works. It also includes magical items, although magical weapons really belong in the Combat and Weapons forum. Feats and skills related to magic and spells fit in here as well. This forum is also for the deities and religions found in the Realms. It is fine to talk about deities other than the Realms specific pantheons (e.g. the various racial pantheons), if at least part of the discussion is about the Realms. Religious topics also include the various followers and clergy of the deities e.g. rituals, how a follower of a deity is expected to behave etc. Discussions about the afterlife, and cosmology of the also belong here. Home brew (made by fans) magical items, spell, feats and skills are welcome here. Do-it-your-self deities will not be blasted with fiery wrath but will also be welcome here. Combat, Arms & Armor This forum is for topics on fighting … including all various combat styles and rules, plus armor and weapons. Skills and feats related to combat belong here. It is fine to post a discussion about “real” combat here, if the weapons or styles involved are found in the Realms, and the discussion will help your game. As with all the other Forgotten Realms Forums if your topic is on basic rules and not related to the Realms in any way you should post on the main D&D boards. Home brew (made by fans) ideas for weapons, armour and combat are welcome here.