Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fern Monger 06-09-05, 08:14 AM	Hi, I am a DM and recently came accross sourcebooks for sale (in PDF) called Cormyr and Dalelands for ADD 2ed FR (I think). Since I already own Volo's Guide to Cormyr and Volo's Guide to the Dalelands (which I think kick huge asses :)) I wondered if those 2 sourcebooks would be worth my attention and my money. In case someone was wondering : I play 3.5 ed but I need background material more than I need crunchy parts, so I don't mind acquiring oldies but goodies.
Kuje31 06-09-05, 11:02 AM	There's parts in all four that aren't in the other two, so they could be useful....
Old Sage 06-09-05, 09:58 PM	Indeed. It is just that the two Volo's guides provide a more "colourful" interpretation of Cormyr and the Dalelands, than the "dry" and "factual" 2e sourcebooks detailing those regions.
DmBebop 06-10-05, 04:16 AM	You should just read the Ed Greenwood Cormyr series and Elminster Series for Dalelands. Lots of good stuff in there.
ruleslawyer 06-12-05, 03:44 AM	I find the Cormyr and Dalelands books quite useless compared to the Volo's Guides on the same regions. While they contain some hard stats that might theoretically be useful (and I really don't see how; the population figures, etc. can be found right in the appropriate-edition FR campaign boxed set/book), the flavor text and actual description of the regions are overshadowed, rendered obsolete, and more to the point just not anywhere near as good as that found in the Volo's guides.
Meta_FR_DM 06-13-05, 02:38 AM	I use the Cormyr book(let) as more of a quick reference/reminder guide for things Cormyrean, like charter costs and whatnot. Same with the map that comes with it. I break out the Volo's Guide for info on out of the way places, quick NPC names, etc.. If I had to choose one to use forever, I'd go with the Volo's Guide. But personally I'd recommend picking up the Cormyr book if you've got extra money laying about and nothing else to spend it on. You can always kill time by taking out the Cormyr Map from the booklet and penciling in all the cities and towns left off of it that are themselves found in the Volo's Guide. ;) Dave M.
Faraer 06-13-05, 08:45 AM	They're in the mediocre rank of Realms sourcebooks, above the offensive (Netheril, FOR1 Draconomicon), below the good (FR6 Dreams of the Red Wizards, Shining South) and the excellent (Secrets of the Magister. Empires of the Shining Sea). They do have 1":15 miles maps, though.
Krash 06-13-05, 08:27 PM	That's a nice ranking system you got there Faraer. I like it. :) -- George Krashos
GothicDan 06-13-05, 10:33 PM	Hm. I agree with all of your 'ranks', Farear, though I can't say for sure about Dreams of the Red Wizards, as I don't have that one. But it's an older supplement, and about the Red Wizards, so I'm sure it must rock. ;)
ruleslawyer 06-16-05, 09:31 PM	I'd pick it up as an ESD for the $5 hit if I were you, GD. While theoretically superseded by the Spellbound boxed set and Unapproachable East, it scores over both of those in flavor, IMHO... at least regarding Thay itself.
GothicDan 06-16-05, 09:37 PM	Hm. My being-poorness is seriously being contended with by the desire for this PDF, now. I really loved Spellbound, and if Dreams of the Red Wizards is better for Thay than that.... Oh, to have money...