Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ndragonsbane 08-12-07, 03:19 AM	I'm just now getting back into DM'ing the Realms and am going to run the Tearing of the Weave; so I'm researching Cormyr (past and present) and come across the relevant Volo's guide...which got me thinking: whatever happened to Volo? Now, I don't really read the novels set in FR and know no one who does. I either own or have read all of the 3rd edition FR books and have never even come across a mention of Volo. I never played 2nd edition so I don't own or have access to the non-free FR books and generally don't read them when I do come across them (this time is an exception). Anyone know what became of the crazy wandering scholar?
Old Sage 08-12-07, 03:50 AM	Have you been reading the recent "Volo's Guides" in the last few issues of DRAGON? Also, in March '04, the Lady Hooded One at Candlekeep revealed this little tidbit about the current activities of Volo:- "As for Volo: I once heard Volo called the “Geraldo Rivera of the Realms,” but I think that’s a trifle unfair to the real Mr. Rivera. Volo is a young, amoral rogue itching with the need to learn secrets and trumpet them to the world. A minor mage and major rogue, he wanders Faerun penning acidic travel guides (the Volo’s Guides, which are available as downloads and are ESSENTIAL to making a Realms campaign seem colourful and ‘real’). There’s even a Volo’s Guide to Baldur’s Gate II, which was meant to go with the computer game. Volo went so far as to write a book entitled Volo’s Guide To All Things Magical, and was threatened (by various wizards) with dire consequences if it was ever published. Inevitably, it was, and as a result Volo (for his own protection, the Old Mage insists) spent some time as an ornamental frog sculpture in Elminster’s pond. He’s free again now, and I fear we’ve all not heard the last from Volo. :}" In addition:- "Ed tells me Volo was freed almost two years ago, Realms-time, but there’s “free” and there’s “free,” if you know what I mean. Readers of Ed’s 2003 Spin A Yarn story know what he was briefly up to (and what most of the Seven Sisters think of him), and Ed tells me he also appears in the ‘thus-far-unseen, but handed in months ago’ 2004 Spin A Yarn story. I know some scribes will leap to tell me these stories aren’t canon, but to them I reply: this is VOLO we’re talking about, people! Volo! P.S. There are several unpublished New Adventures of Volo DRAGON columns floating around in the WotC vaults, and some HORRIBLE poetry penned by Volo, too. To say nothing of a fragmentary ‘heaving bosoms’ broadsheet serial he started, ere one of his imprisonments . . . love to all, THO" See Ed's other compiled reply files for more [recent] tidbits about Volo.
Old Sage 08-12-07, 03:52 AM	Also, Eric L Boyd was to include a tidbit about the current activities of Volo in the latest Shadowdale module. Unfortunately, that particular tidbit did not survive the editing process...
MarkusTay63 08-12-07, 04:12 AM	Heaven forbid the bean-counters give us an extra page... :rolleyes:
Shemeska the Marauder 08-13-07, 12:46 AM	Also, Eric L Boyd was to include a tidbit about the current activities of Volo in the latest Shadowdale module. Unfortunately, that particular tidbit did not survive the editing process... That's a shame. I had a veiled reference to Volo in the description for a planar festhall in Dragon 351 not survive the editing process. Just an easter egg I tried to toss in. I miss the 2e Volo books, they added some really great flavor.
Mandras 08-13-07, 01:30 AM	Also, Eric L Boyd was to include a tidbit about the current activities of Volo in the latest Shadowdale module. Unfortunately, that particular tidbit did not survive the editing process... Perhaps this tidbit could be posted somewhere? Best Regards, Mandras
Old Sage 08-13-07, 01:43 AM	Ah... but then we know what Eric's like. :P He enjoys hoarding these little tidbits until he has a time to express them elsewhere. Perhaps, when he has another opportunity, we'll see this "Volo" material included in a future source... I certainly hope so. I've been itching for some further mention of Volo's current adventures for quite some time.
Lord Karsus 08-13-07, 02:53 PM	I had a veiled reference to Volo in the description for a planar festhall in Dragon 351 not survive the editing process. -Why was it shot down?
Shemeska the Marauder 08-13-07, 08:03 PM	-Why was it shot down? I expect for space reasons. I had several sections of the article trimmed down, but it was about the same size as the other articles in the World Serpent Inn series of pieces. I doubt it being an FR reference was an issue, given that I included a cleric of Lathander elsewhere.
Lord Karsus 08-13-07, 10:10 PM	I expect for space reasons. -Ah. That's the worst reason of them all...:(
Francius 08-14-07, 01:39 AM	I miss the 2e Volo books, they added some really great flavor. And they were very much living breath-bringers in the Forgotten Realms world making it feel even more alive.