The Unforgotten Realms [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Unforgotten Realms [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
HVulpes
11-17-04, 08:45 PM I have heard that one of the reason that it is called "Forgotten Realms" is that it once connected to our world, but those connections have been forgotten.

So what would happen if the realms were rediscovered, unforgotten if you will? What if our world and the Realms discovered the existance of the other?

What would be the greatest effects on both worlds, one of science and one of magic?

Just an idea for a campaign and for fun.
Alac Luin
11-17-04, 09:38 PM If these portals became known, there would be endless debates on who could take who in a military campaign, which would devolve into conversations about personal hygiene.

Other then that, we have to look at the rules of the different universes.
On Toril, we know gunpowder does not work. It has even been mentioned that internal combustion may not work. That counts out guns(except smoke powder) and possible counts out cars and planes.

Now phones and computers should work, in a few years we would have web sites like...
TWW:orclovedateing.com/sc.
(I do not know if the SC has a use on our world, but the SC in this case is for Sword Coast.)
Intell would become interested in establishing a computer chip manufacturing plant in the tears of selune, with the reusability of spelljamming ships, it may be cost effective way to acquire a space bound plant that they don’t have here. Then again, would a cross world financial institute come to bear?

Now how about magic on our world? Does it work, but we haven’t been able to unlock the secrets yet?
Will we have a mass exodus from our world of women wearing black clothing looking to learn the secrets of the craft? We the secret societies of our world gain this new occult knowledge? Would Elminter join the Masons?
Kuje31
11-17-04, 09:48 PM If these portals became known, there would be endless debates on who could take who in a military campaign, which would devolve into conversations about personal hygiene.

Other then that, we have to look at the rules of the different universes.
On Toril, we know gunpowder does not work. It has even been mentioned that internal combustion may not work. That counts out guns(except smoke powder) and possible counts out cars and planes.

Now phones and computers should work, in a few years we would have web sites like...

HAHAHAHHA Alac that slayed me. :)

But also electronic's don't work on Toril. :)
Alac Luin
11-17-04, 10:00 PM HAHAHAHHA Alac that slayed me. :)
I'm glad someone remembered that thread :)

But also electronic's don't work on Toril. :)
I stand corrected, now I don’t have to worry about orc dating sites, Now an elf dateing site is a little different :)
Kuje31
11-17-04, 10:02 PM I'm glad someone remembered that thread :)

I stand corrected, now I don’t have to worry about orc dating sites, Now an elf dateing site is a little different :)

Course I do, since I was one of the one's who got into FR's batheing and disease. :)
Sucineri
11-19-04, 08:57 AM Well, our world isn't exactly all that "understanding" or "tolerant" of stuff that is different from us. So if both realms discovered eachother, people from our world would just nuke the people of Toril rather than attempt to learn anything from them.

Kinda sucks, but that's how I see stuff happening.
Osk Goblinreaver
11-19-04, 11:24 AM If some how the two worlds crossed you'd have a mass exudus of gamers who'd rush the realms with their superior knowledge of all things realmsian. Then there'd be alot more people visiting Kelemvor's Realm sayin "I've got a 16 str and a magic sword, that ork should have died in one shot! I mean they only have like 4 HPs! Needless to say I think Hasbro would take a huge hit in the sale's department! Or perhaps a boost, lots of juicy knowledge in those books!
maynardjkeenan
11-19-04, 12:09 PM If electricity don't work, Lightning Bolt won't work.. Acctually thunderstorms wouldn't exist either. Gunpowder must work to some extent, since smokepowder exists (which is the exact same thing).
Kuje31
11-19-04, 12:44 PM If electricity don't work, Lightning Bolt won't work.. Acctually thunderstorms wouldn't exist either. Gunpowder must work to some extent, since smokepowder exists (which is the exact same thing).

No it's not since gunpowder is not magical and again yes they would because lightening bolt is magical and i meant the refined electricity of earth doesn't work there.
Shemeska the Marauder
11-19-04, 01:47 PM Now phones and computers should work, in a few years we would have web sites like...
TWW:orclovedateing.com/sc.

Reminds me of Shadowrun ;)
SammasterT
11-19-04, 05:03 PM Ummmm, Cormyr would get blamed for stock piling "weapons" of "mass destruction" and the invasion of Faerun would be on? And if anyone commented on the "fact" (?) that the physcis necessary for creating, let alone stockpiling, weapons of mass destruction simply doesnot exist on Aber-Toril, let alone in Cormyr, and if said "anyone" did not go "missing" before releasing said "intel" to the general public, then, hey, if we didn't hit them first, they, being more or less human, would have struck at us for whatever our world has to offer them.

A great battle over the natural resources of each respective world, with money and commenrce being the only possible common ground ... and also the reason for the fight to begin with.

No wonder them there portals are forgotten. Men, i.e. **** sapiens, can't be trusted.
FineasBoggs
11-19-04, 06:12 PM Please oh please let this thread die! I don't think I could take another one. :D
Kuje31
11-19-04, 06:33 PM Please oh please let this thread die! I don't think I could take another one. :D

HAHAHA. :)
FineasBoggs
11-19-04, 07:13 PM You're not letting this thread die!!! :D

It reminds me of the third great episode from the Darkman series. Die, Darkman Die.

Die, thread Die!!!!

http://webpages.charter.net/acamphuysen/manshoon_mage_sigil.gif
Monsoon28
11-19-04, 07:25 PM If these portals became known, there would be endless debates on who could take who in a military campaign, which would devolve into conversations about personal hygiene.

Doh! I thought that Hygiene discussion was long dead in the water! Oh well give it another six months! ;)

The things people argue over! (namely myself!)
Monsoon28
11-19-04, 07:26 PM Course I do, since I was one of the one's who got into FR's batheing and disease. :)

Hmmmm wonder who the other guy was?!!? ;) :D :cool:
paradoxmage
11-20-04, 02:55 AM IMO it would be absolutely devastating to both worlds. In every way culturally, economically, spiritually etc...
Just knowing that beholders and dragons would have a chance of attacking me in real life almost makes me sweat in fear. Would be a bad bad thing.
I am just fine having it a roleplaying game and leaving it that way.
This alone wouldn’t stop me from taking a trip if I could though ;) .
Slime Lord
11-20-04, 10:07 AM I have a personal theory why magic isn't here in the "Real" World (if you will) anymore. But I won't go into that. It would be highly debated and argument worthy, that Sis would kick me arse. Hard.

But I highly doubt Ed would ever permit that to happen. Now perhaps one day we'll see something detailing it, and why it was lost. But untill that day comes, we might as well focus on the dozens of other realms :)
Chosen of the Dark Sun
11-20-04, 12:10 PM Yeah see, we would have religious nuts walk through, scream "heretics!", and start getting our, um, "government" ( :mad: ), to nuke them. Mass destruction.
Then, retaliation. The Chosen of Mystra show up show up in L.A., and start using mass wish spells to turn everyone into frogs. Then Bane himself decides to force a little "adjournment" on Congress. Then, what ho!, here comes Orcus, ready to make "Dawn of the Dead", a world wide event.
Here come in more nukes from Britain, and good-bye Lantan or the Silver Marches.
Then, what is that shimmering in the air over London? Why, it's the City of Shade opening a gate to Baator. Yes mister Pit Fiend, you are my master now. Whats that tube?, it's a bazooka, it's for drinkin large coffees...

Essentially, since we Terrans are idiots, both sides would destroy each other.
The Realms had ****in' well better stay forgotten!
Kuje31
11-20-04, 12:45 PM I have a personal theory why magic isn't here in the "Real" World (if you will) anymore. But I won't go into that. It would be highly debated and argument worthy, that Sis would kick me arse. Hard.

But I highly doubt Ed would ever permit that to happen. Now perhaps one day we'll see something detailing it, and why it was lost. But untill that day comes, we might as well focus on the dozens of other realms :)

According to Ed the Earth that exists in D&D DOES HAVE magic in it because Elminster has mentioned it more then once in Ed's Wizard Three articles for Dragon. El was watching a pair of girls swimming and he mentions it to Ed.
warlockco
11-20-04, 05:03 PM According to Ed the Earth that exists in D&D DOES HAVE magic in it because Elminster has mentioned it more then once in Ed's Wizard Three articles for Dragon. El was watching a pair of girls swimming and he mentions it to Ed.

Besides El has been raiding poor Ed's fridge for years now. :D
Mirtek
11-20-04, 05:56 PM As our tech doesn't work on Toril, but Toril's magic works on our Earth, we all would soon be just a subsidiary of Thay Enterprises as mages (using astral projections) are unkillable on Earth, but could easily nuke whole cities (ever seen Day After Tomorrow?).
Slime Lord
11-20-04, 07:25 PM According to Ed the Earth that exists in D&D DOES HAVE magic in it because Elminster has mentioned it more then once in Ed's Wizard Three articles for Dragon. El was watching a pair of girls swimming and he mentions it to Ed.

I wouldn't know that because Dragon is a little steep for my wallet...*sigh*

But the better question is this: Why was Elminster spying on a pair of girls swimming, and why was he talking to Ed about it? :eek: :eek: :eek:
Kuje31
11-20-04, 08:02 PM I wouldn't know that because Dragon is a little steep for my wallet...*sigh*

But the better question is this: Why was Elminster spying on a pair of girls swimming, and why was he talking to Ed about it? :eek: :eek: :eek:

Because Elminster likes female's and this is one of the many things people have said about Elminster for years and it usually is then said, "Ed's a dirty old man for writing about these things!" Which is a line of bullhockey. And because again Elminster likes female's. :)
Slime Lord
11-20-04, 08:13 PM Hahaha. I suppose people would/do say such a thing...

But you have to admit it's a little funny. :P
warlockco
11-20-04, 09:28 PM I for one am perfectly happy to let El spy on girls swimming, keeps in with his womanizer image. I would be very very concerned if he was to spy on boys swimming.
hiryuu
11-20-04, 11:22 PM As our tech doesn't work on Toril, but Toril's magic works on our Earth, we all would soon be just a subsidiary of Thay Enterprises as mages (using astral projections) are unkillable on Earth, but could easily nuke whole cities (ever seen Day After Tomorrow?).

Where does this idea come from? Since when does normal everyday technology not work on Toril? And how is it possible to even have a crossbow in that case? ....and why do Lantanese gnomes have guns?
Kuje31
11-20-04, 11:48 PM Where does this idea come from? Since when does normal everyday technology not work on Toril? And how is it possible to even have a crossbow in that case? ....and why do Lantanese gnomes have guns?

The 1 and 2e box sets. Normal everyday tech would be electronics, etc, which doesn't work on Toril or in Realmspace. Mechanical things like crossbows do though, but gun powder does not, etc.
Chosen of the Dark Sun
11-20-04, 11:58 PM If I recall, it's not that our tech wouldn't work there, it's that they either dion't have the resources or the ability to use them. If you brought a computer to the Realms it would work, but you wouldn't have the raw materials to make another. And gunpowder isn't really tech, it's just that the explosion creates propulsion. But once again, they just don't have the natural resources.
Why doesn't Elminster just wish for a TV...? :D
Kuje31
11-21-04, 12:26 AM If I recall, it's not that our tech wouldn't work there, it's that they either dion't have the resources or the ability to use them. If you brought a computer to the Realms it would work, but you wouldn't have the raw materials to make another. And gunpowder isn't really tech, it's just that the explosion creates propulsion. But once again, they just don't have the natural resources.
Why doesn't Elminster just wish for a TV...? :D

Sigh no it specifically says tech from earth does not work in Realmspace!

Page 9 of Running the Realms from 2e and it is also in the 1e box set. "The physics of the Realms are slightly out of synchronization with the rest of the planes, so that many technological devices that operate on electronics (there you go no computers and T.V's.) DO NOT function."
Chosen of the Dark Sun
11-21-04, 12:38 AM Lets face it: I'm a full time genius, part time what the idiot. :confused: :surrender :rant: :uh-huh: :banghead: :teach: :crazy: :whatsthis :looloo: :doh: :thinks:
warlockco
11-21-04, 02:27 AM If I recall, it's not that our tech wouldn't work there, it's that they either dion't have the resources or the ability to use them. If you brought a computer to the Realms it would work, but you wouldn't have the raw materials to make another. And gunpowder isn't really tech, it's just that the explosion creates propulsion. But once again, they just don't have the natural resources.
Why doesn't Elminster just wish for a TV...? :D

Gunpowder doesn't work because it is chemically inert in the realms. Instead you need to use Smokepowder which is a magical substance.

Remember when magic and the will of the gods is involved, it doesn't need to make sense. It just is.
dragonheart
11-21-04, 05:32 AM think of it this way - the strong, weak and EM forces have slightly different relative strengths in faerun and earth - the balance there allows basic things like mechanics and possibly basic electricity ( a lightbulb or generator) but not electronics (no semiconductors - do you really want to try running eniac in the realms?) or high level cumbustibles/explosives without magical assistance ( ie smokepoweder works but gunpowder either doesn't work or acts like a small nuke)
hiryuu
11-21-04, 11:02 AM That does not make any sort of logical sense at all. Sounds like lazy designers, really.

So, where's the breakoff point? After all, complex devices are based upon simple machines. When does something stop working? Five parts? Ten parts? Where?
dragonheart
11-21-04, 12:31 PM they have never specified why tech doesn't work in any detail so this is my take on the "physics of the realms".
Strictly mechanical things still work as long as you are using strictly simple machines in combination so you could probably build a steam powered car (hello gnome built stanley steamers :D ) - the cut off is where you switch from newtonian to quantum physics ( ie the EM force is jsut slightly stronger so atms hold onto the electrons just slightly harder so semi conductors here become insulators there) for things like electronics - so no semiconductors and nothing based on semiconductors - you could probably build something like ENIAC (the first computer which was all tubes and wires) but it would be almost useless (hrm is there one already in place in Lantan? :D )and where you switch from burning to explosive reactions (and yes I do know that explosives burn but the rates are extremely high - over 25,000 ft/sec for the most rapid) gunpowder is rated as a low explosive with a burn rate around 1000 ft/sec in packed (bullet/firecracker) form I personally would use that as the cutoff - burn rates less than that exist (flashover in a house fire or the ignition of a swampgas (methane) fire or oil flask. burn rates at that level have a high (50% in my campaign) of going nuke and acting like a retributive strike covering the entire combat area. faster burn rates are basically guranteed retritbutive strikes with increasing area as burn rate goes up.
again since the atoms hold on slightly better it takes more energy to set these off and then they release so much more energy they act like mininukes.
Chosen of the Dark Sun
11-21-04, 05:34 PM But you gotta' admit, Elminster with a tank would be a force to reckon with. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
HVulpes 11-17-04, 08:45 PM	I have heard that one of the reason that it is called "Forgotten Realms" is that it once connected to our world, but those connections have been forgotten. So what would happen if the realms were rediscovered, unforgotten if you will? What if our world and the Realms discovered the existance of the other? What would be the greatest effects on both worlds, one of science and one of magic? Just an idea for a campaign and for fun.
Alac Luin 11-17-04, 09:38 PM	If these portals became known, there would be endless debates on who could take who in a military campaign, which would devolve into conversations about personal hygiene. Other then that, we have to look at the rules of the different universes. On Toril, we know gunpowder does not work. It has even been mentioned that internal combustion may not work. That counts out guns(except smoke powder) and possible counts out cars and planes. Now phones and computers should work, in a few years we would have web sites like... TWW:orclovedateing.com/sc. (I do not know if the SC has a use on our world, but the SC in this case is for Sword Coast.) Intell would become interested in establishing a computer chip manufacturing plant in the tears of selune, with the reusability of spelljamming ships, it may be cost effective way to acquire a space bound plant that they don’t have here. Then again, would a cross world financial institute come to bear? Now how about magic on our world? Does it work, but we haven’t been able to unlock the secrets yet? Will we have a mass exodus from our world of women wearing black clothing looking to learn the secrets of the craft? We the secret societies of our world gain this new occult knowledge? Would Elminter join the Masons?
Kuje31 11-17-04, 09:48 PM	If these portals became known, there would be endless debates on who could take who in a military campaign, which would devolve into conversations about personal hygiene. Other then that, we have to look at the rules of the different universes. On Toril, we know gunpowder does not work. It has even been mentioned that internal combustion may not work. That counts out guns(except smoke powder) and possible counts out cars and planes. Now phones and computers should work, in a few years we would have web sites like... HAHAHAHHA Alac that slayed me. :) But also electronic's don't work on Toril. :)
Alac Luin 11-17-04, 10:00 PM	HAHAHAHHA Alac that slayed me. :) I'm glad someone remembered that thread :) But also electronic's don't work on Toril. :) I stand corrected, now I don’t have to worry about orc dating sites, Now an elf dateing site is a little different :)
Kuje31 11-17-04, 10:02 PM	I'm glad someone remembered that thread :) I stand corrected, now I don’t have to worry about orc dating sites, Now an elf dateing site is a little different :) Course I do, since I was one of the one's who got into FR's batheing and disease. :)
Sucineri 11-19-04, 08:57 AM	Well, our world isn't exactly all that "understanding" or "tolerant" of stuff that is different from us. So if both realms discovered eachother, people from our world would just nuke the people of Toril rather than attempt to learn anything from them. Kinda sucks, but that's how I see stuff happening.
Osk Goblinreaver 11-19-04, 11:24 AM	If some how the two worlds crossed you'd have a mass exudus of gamers who'd rush the realms with their superior knowledge of all things realmsian. Then there'd be alot more people visiting Kelemvor's Realm sayin "I've got a 16 str and a magic sword, that ork should have died in one shot! I mean they only have like 4 HPs! Needless to say I think Hasbro would take a huge hit in the sale's department! Or perhaps a boost, lots of juicy knowledge in those books!
maynardjkeenan 11-19-04, 12:09 PM	If electricity don't work, Lightning Bolt won't work.. Acctually thunderstorms wouldn't exist either. Gunpowder must work to some extent, since smokepowder exists (which is the exact same thing).
Kuje31 11-19-04, 12:44 PM	If electricity don't work, Lightning Bolt won't work.. Acctually thunderstorms wouldn't exist either. Gunpowder must work to some extent, since smokepowder exists (which is the exact same thing). No it's not since gunpowder is not magical and again yes they would because lightening bolt is magical and i meant the refined electricity of earth doesn't work there.
Shemeska the Marauder 11-19-04, 01:47 PM	Now phones and computers should work, in a few years we would have web sites like... TWW:orclovedateing.com/sc. Reminds me of Shadowrun ;)
SammasterT 11-19-04, 05:03 PM	Ummmm, Cormyr would get blamed for stock piling "weapons" of "mass destruction" and the invasion of Faerun would be on? And if anyone commented on the "fact" (?) that the physcis necessary for creating, let alone stockpiling, weapons of mass destruction simply doesnot exist on Aber-Toril, let alone in Cormyr, and if said "anyone" did not go "missing" before releasing said "intel" to the general public, then, hey, if we didn't hit them first, they, being more or less human, would have struck at us for whatever our world has to offer them. A great battle over the natural resources of each respective world, with money and commenrce being the only possible common ground ... and also the reason for the fight to begin with. No wonder them there portals are forgotten. Men, i.e. **** sapiens, can't be trusted.
FineasBoggs 11-19-04, 06:12 PM	Please oh please let this thread die! I don't think I could take another one. :D
Kuje31 11-19-04, 06:33 PM	Please oh please let this thread die! I don't think I could take another one. :D HAHAHA. :)
FineasBoggs 11-19-04, 07:13 PM	You're not letting this thread die!!! :D It reminds me of the third great episode from the Darkman series. Die, Darkman Die. Die, thread Die!!!! http://webpages.charter.net/acamphuysen/manshoon_mage_sigil.gif
Monsoon28 11-19-04, 07:25 PM	If these portals became known, there would be endless debates on who could take who in a military campaign, which would devolve into conversations about personal hygiene. Doh! I thought that Hygiene discussion was long dead in the water! Oh well give it another six months! ;) The things people argue over! (namely myself!)
Monsoon28 11-19-04, 07:26 PM	Course I do, since I was one of the one's who got into FR's batheing and disease. :) Hmmmm wonder who the other guy was?!!? ;) :D :cool:
paradoxmage 11-20-04, 02:55 AM	IMO it would be absolutely devastating to both worlds. In every way culturally, economically, spiritually etc... Just knowing that beholders and dragons would have a chance of attacking me in real life almost makes me sweat in fear. Would be a bad bad thing. I am just fine having it a roleplaying game and leaving it that way. This alone wouldn’t stop me from taking a trip if I could though ;) .
Slime Lord 11-20-04, 10:07 AM	I have a personal theory why magic isn't here in the "Real" World (if you will) anymore. But I won't go into that. It would be highly debated and argument worthy, that Sis would kick me arse. Hard. But I highly doubt Ed would ever permit that to happen. Now perhaps one day we'll see something detailing it, and why it was lost. But untill that day comes, we might as well focus on the dozens of other realms :)
Chosen of the Dark Sun 11-20-04, 12:10 PM	Yeah see, we would have religious nuts walk through, scream "heretics!", and start getting our, um, "government" ( :mad: ), to nuke them. Mass destruction. Then, retaliation. The Chosen of Mystra show up show up in L.A., and start using mass wish spells to turn everyone into frogs. Then Bane himself decides to force a little "adjournment" on Congress. Then, what ho!, here comes Orcus, ready to make "Dawn of the Dead", a world wide event. Here come in more nukes from Britain, and good-bye Lantan or the Silver Marches. Then, what is that shimmering in the air over London? Why, it's the City of Shade opening a gate to Baator. Yes mister Pit Fiend, you are my master now. Whats that tube?, it's a bazooka, it's for drinkin large coffees... Essentially, since we Terrans are idiots, both sides would destroy each other. The Realms had ****in' well better stay forgotten!
Kuje31 11-20-04, 12:45 PM	I have a personal theory why magic isn't here in the "Real" World (if you will) anymore. But I won't go into that. It would be highly debated and argument worthy, that Sis would kick me arse. Hard. But I highly doubt Ed would ever permit that to happen. Now perhaps one day we'll see something detailing it, and why it was lost. But untill that day comes, we might as well focus on the dozens of other realms :) According to Ed the Earth that exists in D&D DOES HAVE magic in it because Elminster has mentioned it more then once in Ed's Wizard Three articles for Dragon. El was watching a pair of girls swimming and he mentions it to Ed.
warlockco 11-20-04, 05:03 PM	According to Ed the Earth that exists in D&D DOES HAVE magic in it because Elminster has mentioned it more then once in Ed's Wizard Three articles for Dragon. El was watching a pair of girls swimming and he mentions it to Ed. Besides El has been raiding poor Ed's fridge for years now. :D
Mirtek 11-20-04, 05:56 PM	As our tech doesn't work on Toril, but Toril's magic works on our Earth, we all would soon be just a subsidiary of Thay Enterprises as mages (using astral projections) are unkillable on Earth, but could easily nuke whole cities (ever seen Day After Tomorrow?).
Slime Lord 11-20-04, 07:25 PM	According to Ed the Earth that exists in D&D DOES HAVE magic in it because Elminster has mentioned it more then once in Ed's Wizard Three articles for Dragon. El was watching a pair of girls swimming and he mentions it to Ed. I wouldn't know that because Dragon is a little steep for my wallet...sigh But the better question is this: Why was Elminster spying on a pair of girls swimming, and why was he talking to Ed about it? :eek: :eek: :eek:
Kuje31 11-20-04, 08:02 PM	I wouldn't know that because Dragon is a little steep for my wallet...sigh But the better question is this: Why was Elminster spying on a pair of girls swimming, and why was he talking to Ed about it? :eek: :eek: :eek: Because Elminster likes female's and this is one of the many things people have said about Elminster for years and it usually is then said, "Ed's a dirty old man for writing about these things!" Which is a line of bullhockey. And because again Elminster likes female's. :)
Slime Lord 11-20-04, 08:13 PM	Hahaha. I suppose people would/do say such a thing... But you have to admit it's a little funny. :P
warlockco 11-20-04, 09:28 PM	I for one am perfectly happy to let El spy on girls swimming, keeps in with his womanizer image. I would be very very concerned if he was to spy on boys swimming.
hiryuu 11-20-04, 11:22 PM	As our tech doesn't work on Toril, but Toril's magic works on our Earth, we all would soon be just a subsidiary of Thay Enterprises as mages (using astral projections) are unkillable on Earth, but could easily nuke whole cities (ever seen Day After Tomorrow?). Where does this idea come from? Since when does normal everyday technology not work on Toril? And how is it possible to even have a crossbow in that case? ....and why do Lantanese gnomes have guns?
Kuje31 11-20-04, 11:48 PM	Where does this idea come from? Since when does normal everyday technology not work on Toril? And how is it possible to even have a crossbow in that case? ....and why do Lantanese gnomes have guns? The 1 and 2e box sets. Normal everyday tech would be electronics, etc, which doesn't work on Toril or in Realmspace. Mechanical things like crossbows do though, but gun powder does not, etc.
Chosen of the Dark Sun 11-20-04, 11:58 PM	If I recall, it's not that our tech wouldn't work there, it's that they either dion't have the resources or the ability to use them. If you brought a computer to the Realms it would work, but you wouldn't have the raw materials to make another. And gunpowder isn't really tech, it's just that the explosion creates propulsion. But once again, they just don't have the natural resources. Why doesn't Elminster just wish for a TV...? :D
Kuje31 11-21-04, 12:26 AM	If I recall, it's not that our tech wouldn't work there, it's that they either dion't have the resources or the ability to use them. If you brought a computer to the Realms it would work, but you wouldn't have the raw materials to make another. And gunpowder isn't really tech, it's just that the explosion creates propulsion. But once again, they just don't have the natural resources. Why doesn't Elminster just wish for a TV...? :D Sigh no it specifically says tech from earth does not work in Realmspace! Page 9 of Running the Realms from 2e and it is also in the 1e box set. "The physics of the Realms are slightly out of synchronization with the rest of the planes, so that many technological devices that operate on electronics (there you go no computers and T.V's.) DO NOT function."
Chosen of the Dark Sun 11-21-04, 12:38 AM	Lets face it: I'm a full time genius, part time what the idiot. :confused: :surrender :rant: :uh-huh: :banghead: :teach: :crazy: :whatsthis :looloo: :doh: :thinks:
warlockco 11-21-04, 02:27 AM	If I recall, it's not that our tech wouldn't work there, it's that they either dion't have the resources or the ability to use them. If you brought a computer to the Realms it would work, but you wouldn't have the raw materials to make another. And gunpowder isn't really tech, it's just that the explosion creates propulsion. But once again, they just don't have the natural resources. Why doesn't Elminster just wish for a TV...? :D Gunpowder doesn't work because it is chemically inert in the realms. Instead you need to use Smokepowder which is a magical substance. Remember when magic and the will of the gods is involved, it doesn't need to make sense. It just is.
dragonheart 11-21-04, 05:32 AM	think of it this way - the strong, weak and EM forces have slightly different relative strengths in faerun and earth - the balance there allows basic things like mechanics and possibly basic electricity ( a lightbulb or generator) but not electronics (no semiconductors - do you really want to try running eniac in the realms?) or high level cumbustibles/explosives without magical assistance ( ie smokepoweder works but gunpowder either doesn't work or acts like a small nuke)
hiryuu 11-21-04, 11:02 AM	That does not make any sort of logical sense at all. Sounds like lazy designers, really. So, where's the breakoff point? After all, complex devices are based upon simple machines. When does something stop working? Five parts? Ten parts? Where?
dragonheart 11-21-04, 12:31 PM	they have never specified why tech doesn't work in any detail so this is my take on the "physics of the realms". Strictly mechanical things still work as long as you are using strictly simple machines in combination so you could probably build a steam powered car (hello gnome built stanley steamers :D ) - the cut off is where you switch from newtonian to quantum physics ( ie the EM force is jsut slightly stronger so atms hold onto the electrons just slightly harder so semi conductors here become insulators there) for things like electronics - so no semiconductors and nothing based on semiconductors - you could probably build something like ENIAC (the first computer which was all tubes and wires) but it would be almost useless (hrm is there one already in place in Lantan? :D )and where you switch from burning to explosive reactions (and yes I do know that explosives burn but the rates are extremely high - over 25,000 ft/sec for the most rapid) gunpowder is rated as a low explosive with a burn rate around 1000 ft/sec in packed (bullet/firecracker) form I personally would use that as the cutoff - burn rates less than that exist (flashover in a house fire or the ignition of a swampgas (methane) fire or oil flask. burn rates at that level have a high (50% in my campaign) of going nuke and acting like a retributive strike covering the entire combat area. faster burn rates are basically guranteed retritbutive strikes with increasing area as burn rate goes up. again since the atoms hold on slightly better it takes more energy to set these off and then they release so much more energy they act like mininukes.
Chosen of the Dark Sun 11-21-04, 05:34 PM	But you gotta' admit, Elminster with a tank would be a force to reckon with. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D