Points of light in a dark world?... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Points of light in a dark world?... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Rude
08-29-07, 07:17 PM Since the theme for the default 4E world is something along the lines as having the PCs helping people that live in isolated pockets of civilization trying to deal with demon worshipers, monsters, etc in the larger world, with little emphasis on city states and countries defending their borders against these threats, how will this mentality change the 4E Forgotten Realms? I've already seen a thread about perhaps how the magic system could affect Mystra/Shar/spellcasters in general, do any of you anticipate an overhaul to the flavor of the realms or just another shakeup of gods, magic, etc. I imagine they could change the whole Red Wizards magic item corporation theme. Especially since the recent novel seems to have things shaking up in Thay.
I guess in the end, I really hope there isn't going to be another "time of troubles" like when we went from 1e to 2e.
andinel
08-29-07, 10:27 PM I think that the "points of light" theme is meant for example settings and as a guideline for creating a campaign world. I have a good feeling that the actual published campaign settings will stay the way they are in terms of flavor.
godbeepit
08-29-07, 10:47 PM I agree with Andinel in that WotC would most likely leave the already published settings alone. I mean, just try to imagine Eberron changing that drastically. It would turn the entire setting inside out.

However, with the Spellplague still relatively undefined it is entirely possible, however unlikely, that they will change the face of the Realms. Without the foundation of the powerful magic-users that almost every large empire in the Realms stands on, anarchy would surely break loose and civilizations would crumble. Imagine Thay with no Red Wizards whipping their slaves into place.

That of course, would be the Spellplague affecting everything in the worst possible way and with greatest effect.:)
Mr_Miscellany
08-29-07, 10:55 PM Until we get more deffinative word from WotC, I think the general "Oh no!" reaction (such as on the 4E Forgotten Realms (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=905792&page=14) thread) are a tad too alarmist.

I also believe that, in general, the '4E approach' (as detailed in the Design & Development: Points of Light (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/drdd/20070829a) article by Richard Baker fits the Realms far better than people realize.

I only hope the designers cotton on to this as well, before they go blasting everything to bits. :eek:
godbeepit
08-29-07, 10:59 PM Until we get more deffinative word from WotC, I think the general "Oh no!" reaction (such as on the 4E Forgotten Realms (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=905792&page=14) thread) are a tad too alarmist.

Oh yes, I realize that entirely. It's the perfect example of a knee-jerk reaction. However, as I said that would be one of the worst-case scenarios. Well, at least in the complete obliteration of accumulated lore for a new face to an old setting.
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
08-30-07, 09:46 AM If I've been disappointed a lot with what's been done with the setting as of late, I think it's only natural for me to be pessimistic.

But as for "points of light in the darkness"? I like that concept.
godbeepit
08-30-07, 09:10 PM As do I. It goes hand in hand with my favorite book, Heroes of Horror. Although, I can still see it being ruined by out-of-game knowledge as the excitement in the idea stems from the fact that the wilderness is pretty much unknown. As I have found out, it takes an incredible amount of effort or lack of sleep to not recognize a lot of stuff even by description.

Heroes of Horror explained it much better than I can, but suffice it to say I love the idea but it becomes harder to use the more experienced the players are.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rude 08-29-07, 07:17 PM	Since the theme for the default 4E world is something along the lines as having the PCs helping people that live in isolated pockets of civilization trying to deal with demon worshipers, monsters, etc in the larger world, with little emphasis on city states and countries defending their borders against these threats, how will this mentality change the 4E Forgotten Realms? I've already seen a thread about perhaps how the magic system could affect Mystra/Shar/spellcasters in general, do any of you anticipate an overhaul to the flavor of the realms or just another shakeup of gods, magic, etc. I imagine they could change the whole Red Wizards magic item corporation theme. Especially since the recent novel seems to have things shaking up in Thay. I guess in the end, I really hope there isn't going to be another "time of troubles" like when we went from 1e to 2e.
andinel 08-29-07, 10:27 PM	I think that the "points of light" theme is meant for example settings and as a guideline for creating a campaign world. I have a good feeling that the actual published campaign settings will stay the way they are in terms of flavor.
godbeepit 08-29-07, 10:47 PM	I agree with Andinel in that WotC would most likely leave the already published settings alone. I mean, just try to imagine Eberron changing that drastically. It would turn the entire setting inside out. However, with the Spellplague still relatively undefined it is entirely possible, however unlikely, that they will change the face of the Realms. Without the foundation of the powerful magic-users that almost every large empire in the Realms stands on, anarchy would surely break loose and civilizations would crumble. Imagine Thay with no Red Wizards whipping their slaves into place. That of course, would be the Spellplague affecting everything in the worst possible way and with greatest effect.:)
Mr_Miscellany 08-29-07, 10:55 PM	Until we get more deffinative word from WotC, I think the general "Oh no!" reaction (such as on the 4E Forgotten Realms (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=905792&page=14) thread) are a tad too alarmist. I also believe that, in general, the '4E approach' (as detailed in the Design & Development: Points of Light (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/drdd/20070829a) article by Richard Baker fits the Realms far better than people realize. I only hope the designers cotton on to this as well, before they go blasting everything to bits. :eek:
godbeepit 08-29-07, 10:59 PM	Until we get more deffinative word from WotC, I think the general "Oh no!" reaction (such as on the 4E Forgotten Realms (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=905792&page=14) thread) are a tad too alarmist. Oh yes, I realize that entirely. It's the perfect example of a knee-jerk reaction. However, as I said that would be one of the worst-case scenarios. Well, at least in the complete obliteration of accumulated lore for a new face to an old setting.
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin 08-30-07, 09:46 AM	If I've been disappointed a lot with what's been done with the setting as of late, I think it's only natural for me to be pessimistic. But as for "points of light in the darkness"? I like that concept.
godbeepit 08-30-07, 09:10 PM	As do I. It goes hand in hand with my favorite book, Heroes of Horror. Although, I can still see it being ruined by out-of-game knowledge as the excitement in the idea stems from the fact that the wilderness is pretty much unknown. As I have found out, it takes an incredible amount of effort or lack of sleep to not recognize a lot of stuff even by description. Heroes of Horror explained it much better than I can, but suffice it to say I love the idea but it becomes harder to use the more experienced the players are.