Manshoon Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Manshoon Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Johnator
09-09-06, 04:43 PM I was wondering if anyone knowledgeable could tell me what other books Manshoon of the Zhentarim is in besides Crown of Fire, Spellfire, and the short story in Realms of Infamy. Is he in any other books? I really liked the character and would probably buy other books if he were in it. Thanks in advance. :)
Bladesong
09-09-06, 05:27 PM For that matter, in which novels do the events of the Manshoon Wars take place, if any at all?
stclax_26
09-09-06, 07:22 PM I believe the Manshoon Wars were solely covered in Cloak & Dagger, a 2nd Edition Accessory, with minor mentions of the event in the 3rd Edition Campaign Setting.
Old Sage
09-09-06, 10:30 PM I was wondering if anyone knowledgeable could tell me what other books Manshoon of the Zhentarim is in besides Crown of Fire, Spellfire, and the short story in Realms of Infamy. Is he in any other books? I really liked the character and would probably buy other books if he were in it. Thanks in advance. :)- The Ruins of Zhentil Keep box set. As well as the Villians' Lorebook (available here:- http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads)
- The 1e, 2e and 3e FRCS
- The older Hall of Heroes tome
- Most of the novels and short stories written by Ed feature Manshoon to some degree -- the most notable being the "Spellfire" books and the Realms of Infamy anthology.
- Steven and Ed's replies at Candlekeep. You can find them compiled them into files available for download. See the "Ed's Answers" URL in my sig.
Old Sage
09-09-06, 10:34 PM For that matter, in which novels do the events of the Manshoon Wars take place, if any at all?The Manshoon Wars have never featured in an FR novel, unfortunately.

C&D states that at some point, all 40 of Manshoon's stasis clones suddenly awoke all at the same time (it is not actually known how this happened, but C&D offers some intriguing possibilities), becoming active on Faerun and in Realmspace. These clones quickly grew determined to eradicate any and all other Manshoon clones who had also been actived, and during their efforts, showed little overall concern for anyone else who was caught in their paths of pursuit. Manshoon himself, the original Manshoon, was left with very little, after several powerful allies turned their backs on him.

Basically, Steven Schend intended to generate a specific religious focus for the Zhentarim through the Manshoon Wars. This was why they originally became worshippers of Xvim. In addition, Steven wanted to make Manshoon an unknown element within the general plot running through the Realmslore. Each "Manshoon" would be discreetly dropped into future FR accessories, giving DMs wider choices with regard to how to plan and play the overall effects and results, of Manshoon and his clones, upon the Realms. That is why we originally learned that there were so many (at least forty) clones now scouting around Faerun looking to make places for themselves.

Officially, 3 Manshoons remain. One is the one with the Zhents. One is a vampire crimelord in Westgate. And one is hanging with Halaster in Undermountain.

And then, consider this bit from both THO and Ed -

"Remember the clever words of Richard Lee Byers, at last year's GenCon Indy FR seminar: "In my father's house, there are many Manshoons."
In other words, there are MORE Manshoons than 3e lore currently admits (as Ed will reveal in the fullness of time). And I'd say he's far more powerful than Fzoul, because he has fall-back plans and caches and plans set in motion far beyond Fzoul's capacity to anticipate. He may have suffered a personal setback within the Zhentarim, temporarily, but (to quote Ed of the Greenwood, hereafter):

"He's MUCH more cunning and better prepared than Fzoul has ever been. Fzoul always plays the "Hi, God of the Moment, I'm Yours!" card, and that's like juggling a flaming sword: no matter how good you are, sooner or later you're going to get badly cut and burned. My money is always on Manshoon - - and remember, I created Fzoul, Manshoon, and the Zhentarim, but haven't really had the chance to properly tell any of their stories, yet. Just fragments."

To this I can add: don't miss the Best of Eddie book, for a few glimpses more . . .

love,
THO"
Old Sage
09-09-06, 10:41 PM I believe the Manshoon Wars were solely covered in Cloak & Dagger, a 2nd Edition Accessory, with minor mentions of the event in the 3rd Edition Campaign Setting.Cloak & Dagger pretty much covers what we know about the Manshoon Wars. It was never intended to be fully fleshed out in 3e. As for why, see my reply directly above.
Raelan_Harpell
09-10-06, 08:22 AM This thread reminds me of an old joke that was floating around during 2nd Ed. before the Manshoon Wars:

High-pitched voice:
"Gee, Manshoon, what are we going to do tonight?"

Very low-pitched voice:
"The same thing we do every night, Fzoul: try to take over the world!"
Chloramantis
09-11-06, 12:18 PM Ha ha ha ha! That's perfect.

A Manshoon and Zhentarim novel needs to written! Their story needs to be told completely as well as their future and the Bane/Cyric problem. People, well I, need to know? Thanks.
Bladesong
09-11-06, 01:30 PM The Manshoon Wars have never featured in an FR novel, unfortunately.
Bummer. I sincerely hope that a Zhentarim novel is made within our lifetimes. I hope Manshoon returns as its leader because under Fzoul, the Zhentarim are just another bumbling, useless evil group.
Johnator
09-13-06, 05:58 PM Yeah that is a real shame. Thanks for the replies guys. Grrr. Ah well I will have to look for the best of Ed book.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Johnator 09-09-06, 04:43 PM	I was wondering if anyone knowledgeable could tell me what other books Manshoon of the Zhentarim is in besides Crown of Fire, Spellfire, and the short story in Realms of Infamy. Is he in any other books? I really liked the character and would probably buy other books if he were in it. Thanks in advance. :)
Bladesong 09-09-06, 05:27 PM	For that matter, in which novels do the events of the Manshoon Wars take place, if any at all?
stclax_26 09-09-06, 07:22 PM	I believe the Manshoon Wars were solely covered in Cloak & Dagger, a 2nd Edition Accessory, with minor mentions of the event in the 3rd Edition Campaign Setting.
Old Sage 09-09-06, 10:30 PM	I was wondering if anyone knowledgeable could tell me what other books Manshoon of the Zhentarim is in besides Crown of Fire, Spellfire, and the short story in Realms of Infamy. Is he in any other books? I really liked the character and would probably buy other books if he were in it. Thanks in advance. :)- The Ruins of Zhentil Keep box set. As well as the Villians' Lorebook (available here:- http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads) - The 1e, 2e and 3e FRCS - The older Hall of Heroes tome - Most of the novels and short stories written by Ed feature Manshoon to some degree -- the most notable being the "Spellfire" books and the Realms of Infamy anthology. - Steven and Ed's replies at Candlekeep. You can find them compiled them into files available for download. See the "Ed's Answers" URL in my sig.
Old Sage 09-09-06, 10:34 PM	For that matter, in which novels do the events of the Manshoon Wars take place, if any at all?The Manshoon Wars have never featured in an FR novel, unfortunately. C&D states that at some point, all 40 of Manshoon's stasis clones suddenly awoke all at the same time (it is not actually known how this happened, but C&D offers some intriguing possibilities), becoming active on Faerun and in Realmspace. These clones quickly grew determined to eradicate any and all other Manshoon clones who had also been actived, and during their efforts, showed little overall concern for anyone else who was caught in their paths of pursuit. Manshoon himself, the original Manshoon, was left with very little, after several powerful allies turned their backs on him. Basically, Steven Schend intended to generate a specific religious focus for the Zhentarim through the Manshoon Wars. This was why they originally became worshippers of Xvim. In addition, Steven wanted to make Manshoon an unknown element within the general plot running through the Realmslore. Each "Manshoon" would be discreetly dropped into future FR accessories, giving DMs wider choices with regard to how to plan and play the overall effects and results, of Manshoon and his clones, upon the Realms. That is why we originally learned that there were so many (at least forty) clones now scouting around Faerun looking to make places for themselves. Officially, 3 Manshoons remain. One is the one with the Zhents. One is a vampire crimelord in Westgate. And one is hanging with Halaster in Undermountain. And then, consider this bit from both THO and Ed - "Remember the clever words of Richard Lee Byers, at last year's GenCon Indy FR seminar: "In my father's house, there are many Manshoons." In other words, there are MORE Manshoons than 3e lore currently admits (as Ed will reveal in the fullness of time). And I'd say he's far more powerful than Fzoul, because he has fall-back plans and caches and plans set in motion far beyond Fzoul's capacity to anticipate. He may have suffered a personal setback within the Zhentarim, temporarily, but (to quote Ed of the Greenwood, hereafter): "He's MUCH more cunning and better prepared than Fzoul has ever been. Fzoul always plays the "Hi, God of the Moment, I'm Yours!" card, and that's like juggling a flaming sword: no matter how good you are, sooner or later you're going to get badly cut and burned. My money is always on Manshoon - - and remember, I created Fzoul, Manshoon, and the Zhentarim, but haven't really had the chance to properly tell any of their stories, yet. Just fragments." To this I can add: don't miss the Best of Eddie book, for a few glimpses more . . . love, THO"
Old Sage 09-09-06, 10:41 PM	I believe the Manshoon Wars were solely covered in Cloak & Dagger, a 2nd Edition Accessory, with minor mentions of the event in the 3rd Edition Campaign Setting.Cloak & Dagger pretty much covers what we know about the Manshoon Wars. It was never intended to be fully fleshed out in 3e. As for why, see my reply directly above.
Raelan_Harpell 09-10-06, 08:22 AM	This thread reminds me of an old joke that was floating around during 2nd Ed. before the Manshoon Wars: High-pitched voice: "Gee, Manshoon, what are we going to do tonight?" Very low-pitched voice: "The same thing we do every night, Fzoul: try to take over the world!"
Chloramantis 09-11-06, 12:18 PM	Ha ha ha ha! That's perfect. A Manshoon and Zhentarim novel needs to written! Their story needs to be told completely as well as their future and the Bane/Cyric problem. People, well I, need to know? Thanks.
Bladesong 09-11-06, 01:30 PM	The Manshoon Wars have never featured in an FR novel, unfortunately. Bummer. I sincerely hope that a Zhentarim novel is made within our lifetimes. I hope Manshoon returns as its leader because under Fzoul, the Zhentarim are just another bumbling, useless evil group.
Johnator 09-13-06, 05:58 PM	Yeah that is a real shame. Thanks for the replies guys. Grrr. Ah well I will have to look for the best of Ed book.