Post/Author/DateTime	Post
UnseenChicago 12-08-05, 02:54 PM	I'm sure my issue is not unique. That being said, I do have one. I've grown quite fond of the Forgotten Realms world, despite the contradictions and oddities now and then, I feel it's a very "believable" fantasy setting, at least as much as any fantasy setting is. It's also remarkably flexible without breaking. So, I write. I write novels. I want to write one in this world, and in this setting. I've done "homework". I've purchased 20 DnD source books and the same number of fiction novels (although I decided to go with a series I had heard of, and then another by that author, Salvatore). I want my characters to fit into this world. I would like this novel to be appealing to fans of this universe who know far more than I do about its history. I'm a relative newcomer. That being said, I don't know where I should look. I need help with which resources to check. I'll ask a few questions here, but please understand I'm not adverse to my own research, so feel free to simply point me to the book if you feel you must. The answers would be quite helpful, but I will look on my own if need be. 1) Elves. What are the most recent books involving the overall state of elves in Faerun? What is their most current status? 2) Elven deities. What are the most recent books involving what the various deities are up to? Primary Fenmarel Mestarine. Has he appeared in any novels recently or in the past? What is his current status? 3) Are any deities still able to breed with non-deities? Is it still possible for them to have children with the races of Faerun? I know that Deep Sahselas has women for kicks, but is he or any other deity able to produce offspring of any kind? 4) Is there any method of travel possible between Rokugan (Oriental Adventures) and Faerun? I assume it is somewhere east of Kara-Tur, the South Eastern coast even, but there were signs that perhaps the two worlds could not and would not mix. For instance: Some of the standard classes were not allowed. The idea behind the planes of existence is different. Things like this. (This would be terribly, terribly disappointing by the way) 5) Is there a good book detailing lycanthropy? More than just blurbs, but great amounts of detail? 6) Also, is there anything brutal going on right now in the world that I need to know about in the major cities or highways? I'd hate to write a book for a time period in FR, having my characters prancing about a city that is, as far as canon is concerned, embroiled in a war with the undead and currently burning to the ground. This is part of the charm of this world setting to me. It has so much history. It is constantly evolving. It's incredibly chaotic and intertwined. I believe the most daunting thing about it however, is that I feel it's impossible to "catch up" to the status of the world. I've read forty books in the last 2 weeks, and still come here to the forum and feel dazed and confused when some things are mentioned. I wish there were some tome that would sit out like an encylopedia on the world. I want to search it, browse it and be able to dig out what I need to know in order to not conflict with what is considered canon. Thanks in advance.
Kuje31 12-08-05, 04:08 PM	1) Rich Baker's Last Mythal trilogy. 2) Faiths & Pantheons and Demihuman Deities. 3) I see no reason why they can't. 4) That setting doesn't exist on Toril and it's a seperate campaign setting. 5) Not sure. 6) There's always a realms shaking event for each in game year ever since 1372.
UnseenChicago 12-08-05, 04:19 PM	1) Thanks, I'll order them straightaway. :) 2) Ok, I have those, so I'm assuming he hasn't been popping up doing things in other books that I'll need to be aware of. 3) Or should for that matter, but I'm glad to hear it's up to the fiction to decide. :) 4) I was afraid of that. Thanks for the confirmation. I'm considering picking up some books on Kara-Tur as an alternative. 5) Noted. 6) Is there some online or other publication that is detailing these events? I appreciate that you took the time to respond.
Kuje31 12-08-05, 05:09 PM	1) Thanks, I'll order them straightaway. :) 2) Ok, I have those, so I'm assuming he hasn't been popping up doing things in other books that I'll need to be aware of. 3) Or should for that matter, but I'm glad to hear it's up to the fiction to decide. :) 4) I was afraid of that. Thanks for the confirmation. I'm considering picking up some books on Kara-Tur as an alternative. 5) Noted. 6) Is there some online or other publication that is detailing these events? I appreciate that you took the time to respond. The Player's Guide to Faerun has some info on the 1372/1373 RSE's. The Last Mythal novels has it for 1374 and the Rage of Dragons novels for the rest of 1373.
LucyWanabe 12-08-05, 05:16 PM	Lycanthropes--the largest amount of information that I've seen so far on them (concerning FR, that is) is in the Races of Faerun book.
UnseenChicago 12-08-05, 05:23 PM	The Player's Guide to Faerun has some info on the 1372/1373 RSE's. The Last Mythal novels has it for 1374 and the Rage of Dragons novels for the rest of 1373. Perfect thank you.
UnseenChicago 12-08-05, 05:23 PM	Lycanthropes--the largest amount of information that I've seen so far on them (concerning FR, that is) is in the Races of Faerun book. Gotcha, have that book, glad to see I'm farther along than I feared.
Kuje31 12-08-05, 05:27 PM	Perfect thank you. Oh yeah, the rest of the info from the Player's Guide about the silence of Lloth can be found in the last 2 novels since they weren't out when that sourcebook was writen. :)
LucyWanabe 12-08-05, 05:59 PM	Gotcha, have that book, glad to see I'm farther along than I feared. Welcome. :)
primemover003 12-08-05, 06:01 PM	I think for a relative newcomer to the Forgotten Realms your best bet is to do a novel in a region that hasn't seen much publicity in a while. Note that lately the Vilhon Reach (House of Serpents and Scions of Arrabar trilogies), the Lake of Steam (Watercourse Trilogy), and the Bloodstone lands (Sellsword trilogy) are getting play. The Realms novels are also using a few themes lately, the Cities, the Fighters, etc.
Zandilar 12-08-05, 06:18 PM	Heya, @UnseenChicago I'm not really sure what you're saying. Are you saying you want to write novels for publication, or are you just writing Fan Fiction and your novel is destined to be published on a site like fanfiction.net (http://www.fanfiction.net)? If it's the latter, you've come to the right place, and I'm sure other posters can set you right as far as resources for the Realms goes. Might I also recommend you check out Candlekeep (www.candlekeep.com)? Ed Greenwood occasionally answers questions there himself, through his lovely hooded assistant. :) However, if you want to be professionally published, I have some advice for you. I don't mean to discourage you from your dream of writing in the Realms, but you have a number of things standing in your way. First of all, Wizards doesn't accept unsolicited manuscripts in any of their game setting worlds, they solicit the authors they want, and get their source of short stories and novels that way. (Including stuff published in Dragon, by the by). So for most of us, writing in the Forgotten Realms is the almost unattainable dream - you need to get yourself in a position where someone in Wizards notices your writing, or someone who already writes/works for Wizards notices you and recommends you. There is one exception to this, though... From the Wizard's Bood Publishing Writer Resources (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/main/resources) page: "Book Department Writer's Guidelines Thank you for your interest in publishing with Wizards of the Coast, Inc. We do not accept unsolicited submissions for our shared-world fiction lines: Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, Eberron, and Magic: The Gathering. However, we will happily consider submissions for our new speculative fiction imprint, provided they follow our guidelines." Basically their Independant Fiction guidelines (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/main/submissions) state: "This annual open call is for a speculative fiction imprint that publishes science fiction, fantasy, horror, alternate history, magic realism, or anything in-between. If it can be shelved in the Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror section of your local bookstore, we want it! We're interested both in the first book in a trilogy or longer series as well as stand-alone stories." This is open between September 1st and January 1st. This would be a good way to get "noticed" and perhaps solicited to write in WotC's shared worlds (of which the Forgotten Realms is one). The other way to get noticed, is... well to get noticed. Write original fiction. Write and write and write some more. Submit to anyone who will look at it. Make sure what you're writing is in "tune" with the ideals and feel behind the Realms (without it actually being the Realms). The more you publish, the more likely you are to be published. You need to be prepared to accept a lot of rejections. In the end, only the most determined (or the most lucky) get famous as writers. And only a few of them can actually make a living out of writing. (I'm forever battling my family over J. K. Rowlings and her success - her success makes writing and being published look a heck of a lot more glamourous, easy, and rich than it really is. Most writers hold down a full time job on top of their writing! (I believe this is even the case with Ed Greenwood, the creator of the Realms!))
Krash 12-08-05, 06:19 PM	You are not going to be able to do a 4-week (or even 4-month) crash course on the history and continuity of the Realms and then be in a position to write a novel set there, anyplace, anytime. Pick a topic and then research it thoroughly. Across all the editions and Dragon/Dungeon magazines. Then you'll be in a position to write your novel. -- George Krashos
Old Sage 12-08-05, 08:03 PM	4) Is there any method of travel possible between Rokugan (Oriental Adventures) and Faerun? I assume it is somewhere east of Kara-Tur, the South Eastern coast even, but there were signs that perhaps the two worlds could not and would not mix. For instance: Some of the standard classes were not allowed. The idea behind the planes of existence is different. Things like this. (This would be terribly, terribly disappointing by the way)Officially, no. Rokugan and the Realms aren't connected settings (don't let the Oriental Adventures title on the 3e book fool you :)) -- and both exist primarily in different "universes". The nearest equivalent in FR is the region of Kara-Tur which you already mention... and has been detailed (in 2e) in the Kara-Tur boxed set. While there are similarities between the two realms -- Rokugan has internal aspects that would make it difficult to connect to the Realms and its own setting dynamics.
UnseenChicago 12-09-05, 09:46 AM	I think for a relative newcomer to the Forgotten Realms your best bet is to do a novel in a region that hasn't seen much publicity in a while. Note that lately the Vilhon Reach (House of Serpents and Scions of Arrabar trilogies), the Lake of Steam (Watercourse Trilogy), and the Bloodstone lands (Sellsword trilogy) are getting play. The Realms novels are also using a few themes lately, the Cities, the Fighters, etc. Well, I did say relative newcomer. :) While the source books haven't been in my hands for more than a few weeks, the Forgotten Realms has certainly been in my private conversation and entertainment for several years. I was introduced to it all by a friend after having played and loved Baldur's Gate. He had the source books (no 3E at the time), he had the fiction, and I was simply a reader of it all at that time. At the same time, I also feel that my grasp on the entire world isn't strong enough to do something... fearun shaking. My story is a private one, and one that truly doesn't require a Forgotten Realms setting. I wish to place it there because I enjoy the world, and would like to see the characters come to life in a world where they can grow and interact with other fictional characters. The advice is well noted and appreciated though. :)
UnseenChicago 12-09-05, 09:57 AM	Heya, @UnseenChicago I'm not really sure what you're saying. Are you saying you want to write novels for publication, or are you just writing Fan Fiction and your novel is destined to be published on a site like fanfiction.net (http://www.fanfiction.net)? I'm honestly not sure. My desire is simply to write it, because I have characters that I love. :) I wouldn't place it anywhere that the characters could be lost. (I believe one of the downsides to fanfiction sites, is that if you use their world, and place it into public domain, your characters are essentially their property yes? I'll have to check.) If it's the latter, you've come to the right place, and I'm sure other posters can set you right as far as resources for the Realms goes. Might I also recommend you check out Candlekeep (www.candlekeep.com)? Ed Greenwood occasionally answers questions there himself, through his lovely hooded assistant. :) Definitely. :) However, if you want to be professionally published, I have some advice for you. I don't mean to discourage you from your dream of writing in the Realms, but you have a number of things standing in your way. First of all, Wizards doesn't accept unsolicited manuscripts in any of their game setting worlds, they solicit the authors they want, and get their source of short stories and novels that way. (Including stuff published in Dragon, by the by). Yes, I had checked into their submission guidelines already. I believe I feel more inclined to write the story than I do to see it published. If in the end, I decide it's worthy of publishing but they do not wish to see it in their world, I'll just have a hell of a lot of rewriting to do. :) So for most of us, writing in the Forgotten Realms is the almost unattainable dream - you need to get yourself in a position where someone in Wizards notices your writing, or someone who already writes/works for Wizards notices you and recommends you. Unattainable sounds so harsh. :) If the story deserves to be written, it deserves to be read. Whether or not it ends up published or on a fanfiction site, or sitting on your computer for you to enjoy alone or shared with family and friends, writing in the realms is very reachable. Being published in the realms would certainly be remarkable, but I can't believe it's impossible. Keep the faith. ;) This would be a good way to get "noticed" and perhaps solicited to write in WotC's shared worlds (of which the Forgotten Realms is one). The other way to get noticed, is... well to get noticed. Write original fiction. Write and write and write some more. Submit to anyone who will look at it. Make sure what you're writing is in "tune" with the ideals and feel behind the Realms (without it actually being the Realms). The more you publish, the more likely you are to be published. You need to be prepared to accept a lot of rejections. In the end, only the most determined (or the most lucky) get famous as writers. And only a few of them can actually make a living out of writing. Rejections will bother me, but they won't flatten me. Everyone starts off by being rejected. Almost without exception. As far as making a living from it goes... no need, I have a great job, nice and stable and all that. I hate it some days, love it others, and it's not what my heart tells me I'm meant to do, but certainly it'll do for as long as I need it to. (I'm forever battling my family over J. K. Rowlings and her success - her success makes writing and being published look a heck of a lot more glamourous, easy, and rich than it really is. Most writers hold down a full time job on top of their writing! (I believe this is even the case with Ed Greenwood, the creator of the Realms!)) Yeah, I expect no sudden amazing success. Rolwings, King, Grisham... they're not the norm. The norm is as you described. The truth is, if someone is meant to be writing, their inability to do it full time won't hinder them. They'll write for fun, write for money. I'm of the write for fun category at the moment other than a few projects that are.. "published", but not in books or magazines.
UnseenChicago 12-09-05, 10:04 AM	You are not going to be able to do a 4-week (or even 4-month) crash course on the history and continuity of the Realms and then be in a position to write a novel set there, anyplace, anytime. Pick a topic and then research it thoroughly. Across all the editions and Dragon/Dungeon magazines. Then you'll be in a position to write your novel. -- George Krashos Oh, it won't be that. I've not suddenly opened the doors to the Realms in the last few weeks and thought to myself, "Wow, this would be great for a book!". I've had years of playing in, and reading in, the Forgotten Realms. However this has been through playing PC games, listening to the rantings of my hopelessly PnP addicted friend, and the borrowing of his books from time to time. At the same time, only works that intend to shape Faerun suffer from the advice above. A story about a man whose son hasn't returned from a trip to the forest, and a subsequent search and rescue would fit into the realms perfectly. It would require no magic, no monsters, and no amazing combat. It wouldn't be a book that seemed to fit well within the realms genre of literature, but it would fit. By scaling down the stage on which your story is set, by constricting the drama to a character, you can easily find your way around years of required study. I know enough about the realms to place characters into them that fit. I didn't know enough about some things, but that is quickly remedied. I took the advice of someone here and read the two Last Mythal books last night. I'll read Cormyr and Evermeet this evening, and at that point, I have all the research I need for my particular story. I'm starting small and safe, not huge and epic. The world has plenty of talented, entrenched writers saving the world from certain doom. I'll stick to a tight story about a particular character, and weasel my way in. ;)
UnseenChicago 12-09-05, 10:07 AM	Officially, no. Rokugan and the Realms aren't connected settings (don't let the Oriental Adventures title on the 3e book fool you :)) -- and both exist primarily in different "universes". The nearest equivalent in FR is the region of Kara-Tur which you already mention... and has been detailed (in 2e) in the Kara-Tur boxed set. While there are similarities between the two realms -- Rokugan has internal aspects that would make it difficult to connect to the Realms and its own setting dynamics. Yeah, the differences in some basic mechanics seemed to point to their being kept separate indefinitely. I'll find an old copy of the Kara-Tur boxed set, well, the newest oldest (2000 I believe). I don't really need the region. I was going to use it to get a basic background for an item or two, and that's about it. It's easy enough to change their origin if need be. :) (What is it they say... "Re-dream the dream"?)
The ShapeLess One 12-09-05, 10:14 AM	Hi I am sorry if someone has pointed you in the direction I am going to, or you have done so your self. I just don't have the time to read all of the posts. http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads There is alot of great information in the free books there, even some really good recipes in the Volo's guide books(Yes I have made nearly all of them). I hope that helps.
shiyongseng 12-10-05, 05:40 AM	As to you story having lycanthropes I'd be interested in reading it, as long as it's not the norm of Were-wolves. Too many of those in other books and movies. I don't know of any books that have a good story that revolves around lycanthropes in the Realms or any other places yet- wish I did. I've always had an interest in lycanthropy in the games I've played, books I've read and movies I've seen. Never get enough of it. There was a bit of lycanthopy in the Avatar Trilogy if you've not read that, just not enough for my taste :D.
Old Sage 12-10-05, 07:00 AM	I don't know of any books that have a good story that revolves around lycanthropes in the Realms or any other places yet- wish I did.Two of the more recent novels are Black Wolf by Dave Gross... part of the "Sembia" series. And Mistress of the Night by Dave Gross and Don Bassingthwaite... part of the "Priests" series.
Kuje31 12-10-05, 12:53 PM	Lycan's were also in the Moonshae novels. One of the captains get's turned into a evil Lycan. :)
Old Sage 12-10-05, 07:17 PM	Yeah, the differences in some basic mechanics seemed to point to their being kept separate indefinitely. I'll find an old copy of the Kara-Tur boxed set, well, the newest oldest (2000 I believe).Well, it's a little more than just the mechanics. There are lore elements as well that could be difficult to merge together -- some of which would take some rather fancy explaining to justify why they've just suddenly arisen in such a culture. But the working of the magic system is probably one of the hardest aspects to deal with... and the "Void" side to the elemental-based magic can create problems as well because there isn't a suitable equivalent in the Weave-based magic of Faerun. I don't really need the region. I was going to use it to get a basic background for an item or two, and that's about it. It's easy enough to change their origin if need be. :) (What is it they say... "Re-dream the dream"?)Cool :cool:. I'd like to see what you come up with...
LucyWanabe 12-10-05, 09:06 PM	I'm curious, too. I can't wait! :D
Lord Karsus 12-10-05, 10:05 PM	As to you story having lycanthropes I'd be interested in reading it, as long as it's not the norm of Were-wolves. Too many of those in other books and movies. I don't know of any books that have a good story that revolves around lycanthropes in the Realms or any other places yet- wish I did. I've always had an interest in lycanthropy in the games I've played, books I've read and movies I've seen. Never get enough of it. There was a bit of lycanthopy in the Avatar Trilogy if you've not read that, just not enough for my taste :D. The Yellow Silk, by Don Bassingthwaite deals a little bit with lycanthropy, and Kara-Tur at the same time.