New FR DM [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

New FR DM [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Dark Moon Dragyn
02-09-05, 10:49 PM Hello everyone,
I'm in the process of starting up a group of 1st level characters, actually this will be my first time running low level characters, not to mention my first FR setting. Was wondering if anyone could tell me what books I should look in, besides PGtF and FRCS, I've browsed through those two. Also, I was wondering if there were any specific sections I should be looking at in those books to help me along.

Also, I have an adventure that I'm going to run from a Dragon Magazine that I'm thinking of setting in Turmish. There's a lot of stuff that I don't know about Forgotten Realms, I've read every Drizzt book except for Two Swords and the stuff I read from the books that I have or have access to.

One other thing, I'm probably going to be sending them to a temple and want them to face "hordes" of undead. Any suggestions on which God or Gods they would be??

Thanks,
DMD
Muddman
02-10-05, 05:12 PM Just know where you want to send them and read those sections in depth and you'll be fine. Keep in mind its your campaign and your more than able to do whatever you want with the realms, its your world. Want to make Piergeron a murderer and Drizzt Do'urden assassignated do it! believe me, you'll be alot happier with your campaign.

I give you this warning because I found the realms pretty intimidating and got sick of players opening the FRCS and saying "thats not what it says on page xyz" and "he wouldn't do that".

A god for hordes of undead huh? Orcus is still probably the man, he is the multiverses god of undeath, so he's your best bet. Other options include Kiranselee (i think thats how its spelled) the drow goddess of undeath, cyric (to breed choas) and shar (who is pretty much down for anything really evil)are good options.
mastroyo
02-10-05, 05:35 PM I give you this warning because I found the realms pretty intimidating and got sick of players opening the FRCS and saying "thats not what it says on page xyz" and "he wouldn't do that".

Well, your players are *******s. :D

For me, the FR has worked perfectly, for it is my world (all my players master one of them... one did Dark Sun, another did his own, another was into Dragonlance, etc..) so they leave the stuff for my decision. Actually, they've never been to Waterdeep, they actually ignore it's magnificence :P (saving it for later...)

I would suggest the Faiths and Pantheons book instead of the PGtF. Since the gods are so involved in the FR setting, I'd suggest a better understanding of them.
Schattenritter7
02-11-05, 02:49 PM Definately get Faiths and Pantheons. Lots of info in there about clerics, deity power struggles and alliances, racial pantheons, and all kinds of other stuff.

As for Undead... Velsharoon is cool (vain, manipulative... used to be a Red Wizard from Thay, but made it to godhood), although he's just a demigod at the moment. I think undeath is one of his portfolios. His clerics like to raise a lot of undead, which really pisses off Kelimvor's church (god of death, doesn't play well with Velsharoon at all).

Races of Faerun is pretty good if you're interested in learning more about subraces. Plenty of good history there not to mention psychology behind the subraces and how they interact with others. Some history about each as well. If you're only read some of Salvatore's books, like 80% of the races in here will be new to you. It has not only normal player subraces, but also some rare, planetouched and monstrous ones. Much more detailed history for the races than I found in FRCS.
by_the_gods
02-16-05, 11:15 PM Word of advice a 1st level group will not survive a horde encounter.
This will be the outcome of the encounter:
PCs enter the fight :fight!:
PCs see undead swarming them :OMG!
The PCs are overpowered :weep:
The PCs die :angelhide
The players tell you what they think of your encounter :censored:
Players wait for an explaination :waits:

Just havin fun with smilies Good luck!
Bait the Bard
02-19-05, 03:30 AM You could go have a look at the DM's Advice Thread, it has lot's off stuff for new DM's, including how to balance adventures, things to look out for when you begin, etc.

In my experience facing undead at an early level works pretty well, most of them are lower level, and if you want to continue it a bit you can have them chase some higher level vampire/necromancer around for 5 or so levels, then give them a different plot hook.

The best thing for a new Dm is to know the Player's Handbook pretty much off by heart. UIf you know the basic rules, you keep the game flowing, you will know pretty much what does what, and your players won't get bored. The DMG is important, bvut firstly get the PhB down, then you can pick up on the DMG. As for Forgotten Relams, scince you said you''ve read it alot, don't fall into the trap of checking it every other minute; you have a background knowledge, and you can make up the rest to keep the game flowing.

Most importantly, have fun :D
Highlander316
02-21-05, 10:52 AM I started a year ago as a new DM in the Forgotten Realms with 1st level characters (who are now level 6). For me, what worked was doing some small-medium sized adventures around the Sword Coast between Baldur's Gate and Amn. We established NPCs that the players either built bonds with or outright hated and are now hunting down. After a few adventures, they have built quite the reputation around Baldur's Gate.

I love starting at 1st level, because you really build roots through the game. What worked for us is being hired out by town officials, priests, etc. to right a wrong or find an artifact. Now that they are level 6, possiblities are becoming endless for adventures...especially with stuff like "the evil dwarf who got away" has come back, or "the Tornclaw Orc clan ravaged Nashkel to find the heroes who killed their Shaman". Simple 1st level adventures can become the building blocks for great storylines, plots, and an awesome campaign in the Forgotten Realms.
The_Declaration
02-21-05, 03:13 PM i'd say: start a couple of games with the PGtF and FRCS, there is so much in there that you'll need time to get everything.
Quickly, you might want to invest in a geographical sourcebook. One of these:
- the Silver Marches
- the Unapproachable East
- Underdark (if we can classify it in this category)
- the Shining South
- City of Splendors (forthcoming)
later, for the purpose of enhancing your general knowledge about the Realms, Races of Faerūn, Lords of Darkness, Magic of Faerūn and Faiths and Pantheons are good products.
by_the_gods
02-21-05, 04:51 PM I've been reading the Silver Marches campaign accessory and found alot of info in there. I have all the Forgotten Realms RPG books and am now just starting to read them.
I ran a FR campaign just using the Setting book with premade adventures in Dungeon magazine. Don't make the mistake I did and let the PC make high powered characters. It was very difficult to challege them. In my opinion there is no Setting like the Forgotten Realms. :D
Moscone
02-25-05, 04:30 AM Magic of Faerun is definitely a book worth its money (my only gripe is the way they underpowered the Elven Moonblades), but the rest of the book is great. Besides that, I own FRCS, Faiths and Pantheons, Races, Monsters, Underdark, Serpent Kingdoms, DM Screen. Maybe one or two more. I've been focusing lately on more of the core baseline books, like Manual of the Planes, Draconomicon and Monster Manual III (which is also recommended, since the new format also has headings for which monsters to incorporate where in FR as well as Eberron).

I'm also utlizing a lot of 2nd Edition stuff like the Monster Compendiums, which have WAY more monsters, the grey box, which also has more detail on the dead gods, and Cormyr- a fantastic book. I also use the black Drow of the Underdark book. At one time, I had Menzoberranzan and had access to Ruins of Myth Drannor, 2 products I recommend tracking down on top of the ones also mentioned above. Basically, look for any and all 2nd Edition stuff.

I have another product here called Prayers From the Faithful written by none other than Ed himself, and its quite a fascinating read... so far.
Tarus
02-25-05, 12:17 PM Also, I have an adventure that I'm going to run from a Dragon Magazine that I'm thinking of setting in Turmish. There's a lot of stuff that I don't know about Forgotten Realms, I've read every Drizzt book except for Two Swords and the stuff I read from the books that I have or have access to.

All you need for Turmish. (http://wizards.com/dnd/files/2/fr_downloads/tsr9520.zip)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dark Moon Dragyn 02-09-05, 10:49 PM	Hello everyone, I'm in the process of starting up a group of 1st level characters, actually this will be my first time running low level characters, not to mention my first FR setting. Was wondering if anyone could tell me what books I should look in, besides PGtF and FRCS, I've browsed through those two. Also, I was wondering if there were any specific sections I should be looking at in those books to help me along. Also, I have an adventure that I'm going to run from a Dragon Magazine that I'm thinking of setting in Turmish. There's a lot of stuff that I don't know about Forgotten Realms, I've read every Drizzt book except for Two Swords and the stuff I read from the books that I have or have access to. One other thing, I'm probably going to be sending them to a temple and want them to face "hordes" of undead. Any suggestions on which God or Gods they would be?? Thanks, DMD
Muddman 02-10-05, 05:12 PM	Just know where you want to send them and read those sections in depth and you'll be fine. Keep in mind its your campaign and your more than able to do whatever you want with the realms, its your world. Want to make Piergeron a murderer and Drizzt Do'urden assassignated do it! believe me, you'll be alot happier with your campaign. I give you this warning because I found the realms pretty intimidating and got sick of players opening the FRCS and saying "thats not what it says on page xyz" and "he wouldn't do that". A god for hordes of undead huh? Orcus is still probably the man, he is the multiverses god of undeath, so he's your best bet. Other options include Kiranselee (i think thats how its spelled) the drow goddess of undeath, cyric (to breed choas) and shar (who is pretty much down for anything really evil)are good options.
mastroyo 02-10-05, 05:35 PM	I give you this warning because I found the realms pretty intimidating and got sick of players opening the FRCS and saying "thats not what it says on page xyz" and "he wouldn't do that". Well, your players are *******s. :D For me, the FR has worked perfectly, for it is my world (all my players master one of them... one did Dark Sun, another did his own, another was into Dragonlance, etc..) so they leave the stuff for my decision. Actually, they've never been to Waterdeep, they actually ignore it's magnificence :P (saving it for later...) I would suggest the Faiths and Pantheons book instead of the PGtF. Since the gods are so involved in the FR setting, I'd suggest a better understanding of them.
Schattenritter7 02-11-05, 02:49 PM	Definately get Faiths and Pantheons. Lots of info in there about clerics, deity power struggles and alliances, racial pantheons, and all kinds of other stuff. As for Undead... Velsharoon is cool (vain, manipulative... used to be a Red Wizard from Thay, but made it to godhood), although he's just a demigod at the moment. I think undeath is one of his portfolios. His clerics like to raise a lot of undead, which really pisses off Kelimvor's church (god of death, doesn't play well with Velsharoon at all). Races of Faerun is pretty good if you're interested in learning more about subraces. Plenty of good history there not to mention psychology behind the subraces and how they interact with others. Some history about each as well. If you're only read some of Salvatore's books, like 80% of the races in here will be new to you. It has not only normal player subraces, but also some rare, planetouched and monstrous ones. Much more detailed history for the races than I found in FRCS.
by_the_gods 02-16-05, 11:15 PM	Word of advice a 1st level group will not survive a horde encounter. This will be the outcome of the encounter: PCs enter the fight :fight!: PCs see undead swarming them :OMG! The PCs are overpowered :weep: The PCs die :angelhide The players tell you what they think of your encounter :censored: Players wait for an explaination :waits: Just havin fun with smilies Good luck!
Bait the Bard 02-19-05, 03:30 AM	You could go have a look at the DM's Advice Thread, it has lot's off stuff for new DM's, including how to balance adventures, things to look out for when you begin, etc. In my experience facing undead at an early level works pretty well, most of them are lower level, and if you want to continue it a bit you can have them chase some higher level vampire/necromancer around for 5 or so levels, then give them a different plot hook. The best thing for a new Dm is to know the Player's Handbook pretty much off by heart. UIf you know the basic rules, you keep the game flowing, you will know pretty much what does what, and your players won't get bored. The DMG is important, bvut firstly get the PhB down, then you can pick up on the DMG. As for Forgotten Relams, scince you said you''ve read it alot, don't fall into the trap of checking it every other minute; you have a background knowledge, and you can make up the rest to keep the game flowing. Most importantly, have fun :D
Highlander316 02-21-05, 10:52 AM	I started a year ago as a new DM in the Forgotten Realms with 1st level characters (who are now level 6). For me, what worked was doing some small-medium sized adventures around the Sword Coast between Baldur's Gate and Amn. We established NPCs that the players either built bonds with or outright hated and are now hunting down. After a few adventures, they have built quite the reputation around Baldur's Gate. I love starting at 1st level, because you really build roots through the game. What worked for us is being hired out by town officials, priests, etc. to right a wrong or find an artifact. Now that they are level 6, possiblities are becoming endless for adventures...especially with stuff like "the evil dwarf who got away" has come back, or "the Tornclaw Orc clan ravaged Nashkel to find the heroes who killed their Shaman". Simple 1st level adventures can become the building blocks for great storylines, plots, and an awesome campaign in the Forgotten Realms.
The_Declaration 02-21-05, 03:13 PM	i'd say: start a couple of games with the PGtF and FRCS, there is so much in there that you'll need time to get everything. Quickly, you might want to invest in a geographical sourcebook. One of these: - the Silver Marches - the Unapproachable East - Underdark (if we can classify it in this category) - the Shining South - City of Splendors (forthcoming) later, for the purpose of enhancing your general knowledge about the Realms, Races of Faerūn, Lords of Darkness, Magic of Faerūn and Faiths and Pantheons are good products.
by_the_gods 02-21-05, 04:51 PM	I've been reading the Silver Marches campaign accessory and found alot of info in there. I have all the Forgotten Realms RPG books and am now just starting to read them. I ran a FR campaign just using the Setting book with premade adventures in Dungeon magazine. Don't make the mistake I did and let the PC make high powered characters. It was very difficult to challege them. In my opinion there is no Setting like the Forgotten Realms. :D
Moscone 02-25-05, 04:30 AM	Magic of Faerun is definitely a book worth its money (my only gripe is the way they underpowered the Elven Moonblades), but the rest of the book is great. Besides that, I own FRCS, Faiths and Pantheons, Races, Monsters, Underdark, Serpent Kingdoms, DM Screen. Maybe one or two more. I've been focusing lately on more of the core baseline books, like Manual of the Planes, Draconomicon and Monster Manual III (which is also recommended, since the new format also has headings for which monsters to incorporate where in FR as well as Eberron). I'm also utlizing a lot of 2nd Edition stuff like the Monster Compendiums, which have WAY more monsters, the grey box, which also has more detail on the dead gods, and Cormyr- a fantastic book. I also use the black Drow of the Underdark book. At one time, I had Menzoberranzan and had access to Ruins of Myth Drannor, 2 products I recommend tracking down on top of the ones also mentioned above. Basically, look for any and all 2nd Edition stuff. I have another product here called Prayers From the Faithful written by none other than Ed himself, and its quite a fascinating read... so far.
Tarus 02-25-05, 12:17 PM	Also, I have an adventure that I'm going to run from a Dragon Magazine that I'm thinking of setting in Turmish. There's a lot of stuff that I don't know about Forgotten Realms, I've read every Drizzt book except for Two Swords and the stuff I read from the books that I have or have access to. All you need for Turmish. (http://wizards.com/dnd/files/2/fr_downloads/tsr9520.zip)