| Post/Author/DateTime | Post |
|---|---|
| Lashan03-02-04, 04:20 PM | Hello, I just read an email on the FR mailing list that had a message from Ed Greenwood. Someone on the list had asked about new Volo's Guide series, and this is what was written and passed onto the list: I'd LOVE to do more Volo's Guides, because Volo has assembled quite a stack of <edited to non-favorable> restaurant reviews, descriptions of cheeses and wines and local 'bigbelly' NPCs, and so on. However, if you want to make such products happen, you'll have to bellow VERY loudly in Wot's direction. Now, Shannon and others, I'm perfectly happy to write Realmslore columns 'to order,' on topics you suggest, so long as my editor agrees to those topics and I don't crash head-on into forthcoming Realms products, so please make suggestions here. Just don't expect results very soon, because these writings are done almost a year in advance. Perhaps this thread can show the amount of enthusiasm there is for this type of a product. I know that some other person on the list write an email to WOTC customer support. |
| Lashan03-02-04, 06:27 PM | I guess what I was thinking was that those who like the Volo's Guide series and want to see more will post something. "Yeah, I want more Volo's Guide!" |
| Kezghan03-02-04, 06:53 PM | In a damn second, bring on the fluff!! Did we ever find out if The Silver Marches was good for the bean counters? |
| Misyrr03-02-04, 07:44 PM | I'd certainly be willing to pay for a new series of Volo's Guides... But, Volo's Guides as a free web enhancement? THAT'D ROCK, very much so. |
| Reefy03-02-04, 07:46 PM | You've got my support, I miss Volo. |
| Wooly Rupert03-02-04, 07:56 PM | The Volo's Guide series, particularly the earlier ones, were some of the best products released for the Realms. I got Volo's Guide to Waterdeep on a whim. When I read it, Waterdeep went from being just another place to my favorite city in the Realms. All that wonderful, fun fluff made the city come alive. If I was going to be DM'ing in Waterdeep, I'd reach for Volo's Guide to Waterdeep long before reaching for the City of Splendors boxed set. If they brought the Volo's Guides back, I'd happily buy every one and do my best to convince every one else to buy them, too. Bring back Volo! |
| ender03-02-04, 08:45 PM | The Volo's Guides were among the best FR products ever published. Hands down, nothing makes a city/country/region more fun, more interesting, or more alive than the great stuff in those guides. I own every one, and if WotC publishes more I would buy them in a second. |
| Look Within My Mind03-02-04, 09:19 PM | Prehaps Ed could also convert the volo's guides on the download page to 3rd edition too??? *begs and pleads* A 3rd edition version of Volo's Guide to All things Magical would be the greatest... Demonbinder :devil: |
| Misyrr03-02-04, 11:55 PM | Originally posted by Look Within My Mind Prehaps Ed could also convert the volo's guides on the download page to 3rd edition too??? *begs and pleads* A 3rd edition version of Volo's Guide to All things Magical would be the greatest... Demonbinder :devil: Ed aint too handy with 3rd edition mechanics, so I wouldn't put up much hope in HIM doing that. |
| Look Within My Mind03-02-04, 11:59 PM | Originally posted by Misyrr Ed aint too handy with 3rd edition mechanics, so I wouldn't put up much hope in HIM doing that. Well, if someone could, then that would be uber XD Demonbinder :devil: |
| druid berrymore03-03-04, 12:14 AM | Yes! More Volo's guides. I've got them all, and I would buy any more that come out without hesitation. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Volo's Guide to Shadowdale"! I'm know Ed has maps and descriptions of all the buildings, farms, and locations near there. It would be nice to see that stuff in print. Or, "Volo's Guide to Eveningstar", again with every scrap of detail he has(like he wanted in "Haunted Halls of Eveningstar"). |
| gustav03-03-04, 05:19 AM | The volo guides are my most used FR books. I want more of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Ssussunriyh03-03-04, 05:30 AM | I'm up for more Volo's Guidebooks, with one condition: Give us the "revised editions" with Elminster's (or somebody else's) footnotes correcting Volo's inaccuracies and misinformation. Volo is the (self-styled) sage that I love to hate! Heck, I'd be willing to contribute the writing of said footnotes for such a publication, myself. |
| Lashan03-03-04, 10:45 AM | I think a reprint of any area would not really be worth it. I mean, most of the info in Volo's Guide series is the fluff info. The levels and classes can always be convereted, but Bob's Pig Roast Hut isn't going to change it's menu or waitstaff just for 3E conversions. I also don't want to see anything detailing Shadowdale or Eveningstar. I mean, Shadowdale has a whole booklet on it. What more do you want? Besides, there isn't much there to really describe to fit a whole book. Also, Volo's Guide to Cormyr combined with The Haunted Halls gives enough info about those areas. What I am looking for is something like a Volo's Guide to the Moonsea; Volo's Guide to Sembia; Volo's Guide to the Vast; Volo's Guide to the Unapproachable East; Volo's Guide to anything on the south side of the Inner Sea; Volo's Guide to Tethyr or Calimshan. There are a ton of areas that haven't seen ANY detail to the level of Volo's Guide series. I think rehashing old stuff is just not worth it. I don't even think I would buy it. |
| Alac Luin03-03-04, 11:23 AM | Originally posted by Lashan I also don't want to see anything detailing Shadowdale or Eveningstar. I mean, Shadowdale has a whole booklet on it. What more do you want? Besides, there isn't much there to really describe to fit a whole book. Also, Volo's Guide to Cormyr combined with The Haunted Halls gives enough info about those areas. Iwill start out with "I Love the Volo Guides" I will point out that shadowdale missing from the Dalelands book was very disapointing. Shadowdale being as small as it is, they could have detailed, even breifly, in little more space then they took in explaining why it wasn't covered. There was a story about Volo's Faerun publisher trying to finance a "Volo's guide th the Zenterium"(sp?) Now that could be an intresting read, Volo's take on the Zents. But whatever the title I love the Volo Guides!!!! |
| Wooly Rupert03-03-04, 12:36 PM | Originally posted by Alac Luin Iwill start out with "I Love the Volo Guides" I will point out that shadowdale missing from the Dalelands book was very disapointing. Shadowdale being as small as it is, they could have detailed, even breifly, in little more space then they took in explaining why it wasn't covered. But then they would have been covering it twice under the same edition... The book in the 2nd edition boxed set pretty much covered everything for Shadowdale. |
| Amoun03-03-04, 12:42 PM | Gimme Volo's Guide to the Moonsea! GIMME GIMME GIMME hehe, I loved Volo's guides |
| Kuje3103-03-04, 12:56 PM | Originally posted by Wooly Rupert But then they would have been covering it twice under the same edition... The book in the 2nd edition boxed set pretty much covered everything for Shadowdale. As did the Dalelands sourcebook. :) But i'll throw my lot in with this as well. Crunch gives me a headache! Fluff please! |
| Sariel Rahab03-03-04, 01:07 PM | There comes a time when new feats and prestigeclasses, while cool, really ain't that useful anymore. When that time comes, Volo will be there waiting. At least I hope he will... And that time has passed... But there is still time... It's not like Volo is doing anything else useful... He could probably use the paycheck... May be hard to find a job as a resturant critic in the Forgotten Realms these days... Volo, Volo, Volo, Volo!! |
| Alac Luin03-03-04, 01:09 PM | Originally posted by Wooly Rupert But then they would have been covering it twice under the same edition... The book in the 2nd edition boxed set pretty much covered everything for Shadowdale. Understood, but how many times did they cover, say Waterdeep? The thing is, comeing late in the game, I don't have the 2ed Boxed set, so that booklet is unavailable to me. Hence, my disapointment. It could have had a little bit, since it was an intire book on the entierty of the Dalelands, so it would have much new stuff and stuff for people that don't have everything. |
| druid berrymore03-03-04, 05:34 PM | Originally posted by Wooly Rupert The book in the 2nd edition boxed set pretty much covered everything for Shadowdale. The farmers were given one line descriptions, and there were no maps of their farms. The only maps were of the Twisted Tower, the Old Skull Inn, and Elminster's Tower. I want maps of all the farms (especially Storm's farm), all the buildings, and Grimstead. I want more art of those areas. I want detailed descriptions of all the villagers, soldiers, and neighbors dogs. I want a detailed history of Shadowdale...I'm talking about what makes this place a living, breathing village. How does Sulcar Reedo feel about living in the same town as the most powerful mage in Faerun? These people have stories, and I wanna hear them. That is what makes the game come to life. I need that stuff. The thing that makes me so irritated is that I'm sure Ed has all this information. But will we ever get to read it? I sure hope so. The Shadowdale booklet that came with the boxed set was great, but it was a tease. It hurts to think of how much was left out. |
| Wooly Rupert03-03-04, 07:16 PM | Originally posted by Alac Luin Understood, but how many times did they cover, say Waterdeep? Under first edition, once. Under second edition, once with pure fluff, and once with mostly crunch. Originally posted by druid berrymore The farmers were given one line descriptions, and there were no maps of their farms. The only maps were of the Twisted Tower, the Old Skull Inn, and Elminster's Tower. I want maps of all the farms (especially Storm's farm), all the buildings, and Grimstead. I want more art of those areas. I want detailed descriptions of all the villagers, soldiers, and neighbors dogs. I want a detailed history of Shadowdale...I'm talking about what makes this place a living, breathing village. How does Sulcar Reedo feel about living in the same town as the most powerful mage in Faerun? These people have stories, and I wanna hear them. That is what makes the game come to life. I need that stuff. The thing that makes me so irritated is that I'm sure Ed has all this information. But will we ever get to read it? I sure hope so. The Shadowdale booklet that came with the boxed set was great, but it was a tease. It hurts to think of how much was left out. That goes beyond even the scope of the Volo's Guides... It sounds like you want an entire Shadowdale sourcebook, and not just a Volo's Guide... |
| Wooly Rupert03-03-04, 07:22 PM | I was working on my short story today, and I had to reference an article called "The Candlekeep Collection" -- something I lifted from the Wizards site quite some time ago. As I was perusing that list of books, I saw several Volo's Guides mentioned. Here's the list: Volo's Guide to All Things Magical - (Rewrite with aid of Elminster) Volo's Guide to the Bloodstone Lands - unreleased (held by peoples unknown) Volo's Guide to Calimport - notes & old draft; all final drafts destroyed by pashas and Rundeen agents Volo's Guide to Cormyr - released Volo's Guide to the Dalelands - released Volo's Guide to the Lands of Intrigue - (excerpts and partial draft of which released by Elminster to chroniclers as "Volo's Guide to Baldur's Gate II") Volo's Guide to the Moonsea - unreleased and suppressed by Zhentarim agents Volo's Guide to the North - released Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast - released Volo's Guide to the Vast - unreleased (held by someone in Ravens Bluff) Volo's Guide to Waterdeep - released Volo's Guide to Westgate & the Dragon Coast - commission work held by a noble of Yhaunn |
| Bran_Hornraven03-03-04, 08:48 PM | Where can I find Volo's Guide to waterdeep |
| Wooly Rupert03-03-04, 09:03 PM | Originally posted by Bran_Hornraven Where can I find Volo's Guide to waterdeep I'd suggest looking on eBay... |
| Sarta03-03-04, 09:11 PM | I'd love to see a Volo's Guide/War Corrispondence from Unther/Mulhorand/Chessenta! Failing that, I'd still really like to see any further guides. They are simply fantastic for making a campaign come alive. Sarta |
| Misyrr03-03-04, 09:36 PM | Originally posted by druid berrymore The farmers were given one line descriptions, and there were no maps of their farms. The only maps were of the Twisted Tower, the Old Skull Inn, and Elminster's Tower. I want maps of all the farms (especially Storm's farm), all the buildings, and Grimstead. I want more art of those areas. I want detailed descriptions of all the villagers, soldiers, and neighbors dogs. I want a detailed history of Shadowdale...I'm talking about what makes this place a living, breathing village. How does Sulcar Reedo feel about living in the same town as the most powerful mage in Faerun? These people have stories, and I wanna hear them. That is what makes the game come to life. I need that stuff. The thing that makes me so irritated is that I'm sure Ed has all this information. But will we ever get to read it? I sure hope so. The Shadowdale booklet that came with the boxed set was great, but it was a tease. It hurts to think of how much was left out. THAT would be a dream come true... Encyclopedia Faerūnia by Ed Greenwood. Several THICK leather-bound volumes of extensive details and notes from the master of Realmslore himself. The ache for these details sends ones head spinning so! |
| Lashan03-03-04, 11:22 PM | Don't forget that .pdf versions of just about every 1E and 2E product can be purchased online for about $5. For those people who don't have the old stuff, but would really want the information (enough to pay for a new book on it) might find it worth their effort to buy these .pdf documents. If you really want to have a hard copy in hand, you could take it to a Kinko's and have it printed out and bound in any fashion that you want. I am sure that the total price would be cheaper then what you would pay for a new product. Of coures, if you HAVE to have an original, you can buy the old products on ebay or through one of those online shops. Once again, the price is roughly comparable to what you would pay to have a 3E version of the booklet. Many of these old booklets are mostly fluff, and therefor good for whatever version of DnD you are playing in. |
| Misyrr03-03-04, 11:53 PM | Someone on the Realms-L list suggested a Volo's Guide to Faerūn encompassing all of Faerūn. Perhaps a multi-volume set of Volo's Guides that gave tons of fluffy detail on regions previously covered and not previously covered under one cover(s), would make an excellent resource, plus (since THEY seem found of this) they can practically reprint most of what was published about certain regions for those new folks who just don't want to go delving (as simple as that may be, as pointed out by Lashan what with .pdfs and all) for old materials just as long as there is enough new material per volume to keep us old timers happy. |
| Kuje3103-04-04, 01:10 AM | Originally posted by Misyrr or old materials just as long as there is enough new material per volume to keep us old timers happy. WOTC has said, especially Rich Baker in the thread here on the main boards, that they really don't care for the old timers and they only make sourcebooks for people who are new to FR as well as for people who don't even play in FR but who lift items from the FR sourcebook to use in thier homebrews. Us old timers are pretty much a nonissue and that is why there is more crunch instead of fluff in FR books, because without it the books don't sell to those who just use the feats, skills, spells, classes, and races in thier own worlds. |
| J. Grenemyer03-04-04, 03:05 AM | Hello, Originally posted by Kuje31 WOTC has said, especially Rich Baker in the thread here on the main boards, that they really don't care for the old timers and they only make sourcebooks for people who are new to FR as well as for people who don't even play in FR Really? Is there a quote to that effect somewhere? 'Cause I sure don't recall seeing anything like that. What I do recall, however, is WotC indicating that although they do care about "old timers", they have to care more about the setting (read: The Product) selling on store shelves, which means targeting newcomers to the setting and not ignoring the fact that their survey data says: Crunch sells more than Fluff. Let's not forget the oldest and most venerable "old timers" are the ones writing the FR Books. I think it is very disrespectful to put words into their mouths that they never spoke. As to the thread topic: My campaign is far, far more likely to be memorable whenever the players go on an adventure that is set in a region or location that has been covered by a Volo's Guide. However, as Lashan correctly points out, there are a vast number of regions in the Realms that do not have a corresponding Volo's Guide in print, for which it seems to me like WotC has "dropped the ball". Which is to say WotC pushed the concept of Portals really hard with the release of the FRCS, yet failed to follow through by giving us (read: Dungeon Masters) the specific detailed area info that a Volo's Guide provides. Some might say the Regional Splatbooks are the "answer" to this dilemma, to which I reply that those books are great, but are certainly not enough. From a DM's perspective, Volo's Guides are 10 times better. More Volo's Guides please! :D |
| Kuje3103-04-04, 03:28 AM | Originally posted by J. Grenemyer Really? Is there a quote to that effect somewhere? 'Cause I sure don't recall seeing anything like that. What I do recall, however, is WotC indicating that although they do care about "old timers", they have to care more about the setting (read: The Product) selling on store shelves, which means targeting newcomers to the setting and not ignoring the fact that their survey data says: Crunch sells more than Fluff. Let's not forget the oldest and most venerable "old timers" are the ones writing the FR Books. I think it is very disrespectful to put words into their mouths that they never spoke. I don't just make this stuff up so don't put words in my mouth please. :) As I said in this thread, http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=178806&highlight=kuje31 Pages 6 and 7, the quote is from page 7, "We evolve the world to appeal to new fans. Overburdening a new product with pointless old continuity dilutes the new product. It makes the product inaccessible to new readers. Before you attack that statement, note the use of the word "pointless." In many cases, the old continuity has been dated by the evolution of the D&D game--rules and IP both. In a few cases, that old continuity represents a previous designer's joke that I don't want to perpetuate, or it's just plain silly. And sometimes things change because the authors (myself included) just didn't know about an obscure reference, or chose to look for places to show the readers something new and unexpected." Also, "RE: Older material, it happens all the time in the comics business. A new guy is brought in to draw/write Spiderman or Superman. Some people like it better, other people don't. Is it arrogant to ignore something that was done earlier, or subjectively decide that I've got a better take on something? Of course it is. But, frankly, that's exactly what I'm paid to do--to apply my best judgment toward reinventing and refreshing the game material, so that it will continue to appeal to new fans." As well as, "To be honest, that's a question for our business team, not a game designer. I can shed a little light on it, however: Our numbers indicate that we've got about 3 times as many folks buying 3rd Ed. FR as we had buying 2nd Ed. FR. Secondly, we've got good reason to believe (customer feedback, reports from the RPGA, etc.) that a large number of folks who buy FR books don't play FR campaigns. They're buying them to loot the FR books for artifacts (feats, spells, classes, etc.) usable in a straight D&D game. I think that's a darned shame, and they don't know what they're missing, but that's how it is. I really can't go into more detail than that, but you can see that those two facts have some serious implications for FR line planning." |
| Alac Luin03-04-04, 12:00 PM | Originally posted by Wooly Rupert Under first edition, once. Under second edition, once with pure fluff, and once with mostly crunch. City of Spenders City System Volos Guide to Waterdeep Waterdeep and the North 9262 FR8 Cities of Mystery (edit: just saw this referance in another thread) Plus The City of Waterdeep Trail Map The adventure named "Waterdeep" Notable mention in Savage Frontier I understand you didn't need Shadowdale detailed, but to spend one FULL page explaining why your not covering it could have been filled with a brief listing of, what the 4 or 5 notable sites in that town (El's tower, Old Skull, Old Skull Inn, Lathander's temple is all I can think of). |
| Kuje3103-04-04, 12:56 PM | It seems people keep forgetting again there was a Dalelands sourcebook! So we have: Volo's Guide to the Dalelands Shadowdale Dalelands sourcebook |
| Alac Luin03-04-04, 01:22 PM | Originally posted by Kuje31 It seems people keep forgetting again there was a Dalelands sourcebook! So we have: Volo's Guide to the Dalelands Shadowdale Dalelands sourcebook If you are talking about me, it's not that I Forgot.... My only point is I was disapointed that Shadowdale was not detailed at all in Volo's Guide to the Dalelands I mentioned Waterdeep being covered by more then one accesory in that TSR frequently covered areas more then once, sometimes more indepth then others, depending on the scope of the source book. In no way would I suggest a Volo's Guide to Shadowdale, that would be almost silly. If you came in late in the game and don't have access to all the material from ages past, and you deside to get one book for the dalelands, you will find shadowdales entry sorely lacking. Like I said, one full page to explain why it wasen't covered while it could have been covered within two pages. Anyway, I still love the Volo Guides and would be glade to see them return. |
| J. Grenemyer03-04-04, 01:38 PM | Kuje, I think we're both aware of what the FR business strategy is, thanks. I'm just having trouble figuring out where it is in all the words posted by the designers on the subject that you get your evidence to support this statement: Originally posted by Kuje31 "WOTC has said, especially Rich Baker in the thread here on the main boards, that they really don't care for the old timers.. (Emphasis mine) Like I said, it's not polite to put words into people's mouths that they never spoke, much less draw conclusions about their personal attitudes towards sections of the gaming community when there's no evidence to support these conclusions. More on topic: The Volo's Guide discussion is still going strong on the Realms-L mailing list. If you (Read: Generic "you") haven't joined the list, I encourage you to do so. :D |
| Wooly Rupert03-04-04, 05:45 PM | Originally posted by J. Grenemyer More on topic: The Volo's Guide discussion is still going strong on the Realms-L mailing list. If you (Read: Generic "you") haven't joined the list, I encourage you to do so. :D Providing a link would facilitate people doing so. :) |
| J. Grenemyer03-04-04, 08:34 PM | Hi Wooly, Originally posted by Wooly Rupert Providing a link would facilitate people doing so. :) Here it is. (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=community/listinfo/lists&tablesort=1) Simply scroll down to the REALMS-L list and select it with your mouse. The system will then walk you through registration. :D |
| Wooly Rupert03-04-04, 08:42 PM | Originally posted by J. Grenemyer Hi Wooly, Here it is. (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=community/listinfo/lists&tablesort=1) Simply scroll down to the REALMS-L list and select it with your mouse. The system will then walk you through registration. :D I just signed up for it today. But I'm noticing there's a lot of stuff there -- a lot more than I can wade thru in one setting. So a link to the "Hey, Ed, we want more Volo!" thread would be nice. :) |
| Lashan03-04-04, 08:47 PM | Now, if you read the quotes that Kuje31 was happy to provide, you can see two things. One of them is the problem of continuity of storyline. The other is marketability. Dealing with the first one of continuity, I don't see how a new Volo's Guide would really be a problem. From what I see about a continuity problem is that something detailed in a previous book is contradicted in a new book. If you look at the Volo's Guide series, they are mostly about small businesses and descriptions of locations. As long as area wasn't the site of a major event (like Zhentil Keep being destroyed), then there shouldn't be too much trouble with what is presented. I mean, if you did a Volo's Guide that described Mulmaster, how much contradictory info are you going to run into? The same for a Volo's Guide to the Unapproachable East? Even if there was previous info on those areas, what is described in Volo's Guide is not exactly about the plot line of an area. In fact, what I think is most appealing about these books is the fact that it is free to be used in almost any time in FR for that area! It's a description of bars, resturaunts, and stores. The marketability is the only problem that I can see. Depending on the precentage of people who buy FR products just for the "crunchy" stuff can be a real dampener on anything WOTC might release for FR. If they plan on never publishing any fluff, then we might really be in trouble (and by "we", I mean fans of fluff). On a completely different idea that is being bounced around, I think there is a big difference to describing various aspects of Waterdeep, the thriving metropolis of FR in a few products and then describing the sleepy town of Shadowdale in a few products. Wasn't there a whole soft-cover supplement detailing Shadowdale in the 2E bosed set? Yellow cover and with Elminster on the front? I think that book went into more detail then even a Volo's Guide on the area! I mean, how many non-residencial buildings are even in Shadowdale? Compare that to Waterdeep. I think you can have a few supplements on Waterdeep and not go over too much of the same info. |
| J. Grenemyer03-05-04, 02:53 AM | Hi Wooly, Originally posted by Wooly Rupert I just signed up for it today. But I'm noticing there's a lot of stuff there -- a lot more than I can wade thru in one setting. So a link to the "Hey, Ed, we want more Volo!" thread would be nice. :) I can't really provide a link, since the format isn't one of web pages (although I suppose you could search the Realms-L archives (http://oracle.wizards.com/scripts/wa.exe?S1=realms-l) for it). Instead, make sure that yourlist account is set up to accept all keywords (as the Realms-L list is keyword driven) and check your email for a subject line that looks like this: Re: [FR] Fluff: Volo's Guides. Each reply to the Volo's topic will have this as the subject line. Hope that helps! (With apologies to Lashan if this is too off topic). :bow: :D |
| wingGodzilla03-05-04, 07:12 AM | Volo's Guides are a God sent. For only the reason that it is the best place for in dept info on where ever he is writing about. I just pick up an old copy of Volo's Guide to the North and while it is not made for 3.5, it is more valuable to me because it give you the info you want with the space to make your own thing happen. There is no better thing for a DM to have then good info. So I say "BRING IT ON!" Just my two cents. |
| Damo03-06-04, 01:14 PM | Well it is a SHAME that WoTC consider us old timers a waste of time and don't want to sell stuff to - I guess I will have to keep my money in my wallet then...... for me I would like to see VGT the Islands (sea of swords) and VGT the Lost Lands (what used to be here but isn't now) but I will take ANY Volo's guide I can get, I am sick to the back teeth with feats and PrC's now, I have dozens (hundreds?) and I doubt I will ever use all the ones curretly published by WoTC let alone the OGL ones - I can't see me buying another crunch book for a VERY, VERY long time cheers Damian |
| Damo03-06-04, 01:26 PM | point two Rich Baker talks about non FR people looting FR products for their game, well IMO Volo's guides are PERFECT for this - generic info about places, people and businesses that can be lifted and put elsewhere without a problem - alright I understand that the players might not be able to use it but are WoTC really saying that all four players from DM 'X's home brewed world all bought Magic of Faerun for the PrC's, feats, spells , items etc?? I simple can't see it - our group (around about 20 players or so) playing in 5 FR campaigns don't all buy every FR product, so why would people who have NO interest in FR do so??? I really think thats nonsense, but I am open to hear from a WoTC member of staff some justification ( tho' I appreciate its buisiness and private and they can't say too much) for this sales strategy and apparent sales of FR books to non FR people. cheers Damian |