| Post/Author/DateTime | Post |
|---|---|
| LGMoses08-19-07, 01:37 AM | How are the regions going to be divided up? Are the triads going to be the same and what-not? Can we vote for what region we get where? Will higher play areas get first consideration? Any official info been released yet? What region are YOU, the player, hoping for in your area? |
| GreatSiron08-19-07, 02:59 AM | I want Tennessee to be one of the Dales. One Dale in particular, can't remember the name right now, but it's the one that changed it's name after having to kill children that rose as vampire spawn. I am a very morbid person.:) |
| _metz_08-19-07, 08:04 AM | I want Tennessee to be one of the Dales. One Dale in particular, can't remember the name right now, but it's the one that changed it's name after having to kill children that rose as vampire spawn. I am a very morbid person.:) Wow, that will go down well as a region. Looks silly already. |
| NiTessine08-19-07, 11:25 AM | I want Tennessee to be one of the Dales. One Dale in particular, can't remember the name right now, but it's the one that changed it's name after having to kill children that rose as vampire spawn. I am a very morbid person.:) Daggerdale, I believe. I'll be fine with whatever we get, as long as it's not Vaasa. There's a city in Finland by that name and we would never be taken seriously. Baldur's Gate and its environs would be immensely cool, though. |
| KarmaInferno08-19-07, 11:55 AM | I want the Vast. The one with a certain City of Magical Learning. :D -karma |
| scon4008-19-07, 01:08 PM | The RPGA is still deciding exactly how and where the regions will be allocated. I think the real-world divisions will bear some similarities to the current divisions in LG, but they'll definitely not be exactly the same in location or size. |
| lathan6608-19-07, 01:12 PM | Hey all, For those that don't know me, I am turning 41 next month and have played D&D since I was 13 y/o. I remember when Greyhawk came out and sometime thereafter Forgotten Realms came out. Forgotten Realms never had the same effect that Greyhawk had. It never really caught on with our group and so we just kept doing our own home Greyhawk thing. As I got older and D&D changed, I played every once in a while but it never was the same game to me. Then I came across LG and 3.5. I was a little late in the story arc starting at the end of Year 3 but I just fell in love with everything that was being done and, knowing Greyhawk as I did, loved that we were in Keoland of all places. It was awesome. Then I read this... this stuff that Greyhawk ends and Forgotten Realms begins. What a flashback! You'd think they would learn from the past! It seems that it is time to return to the old home campaigns of yesteryear and begin the old underground movement that once was 2nd edition...now 3.5. I am not against new things but I despise the idea of no support for continuing Greyhawk. I will take that wonderful quote from Braveheart..."from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies you can take our campaign, but you'll never take our freedom!" I don't know what I will do come 2008. But I know what I will not do. I will not buy any more WOTC products until April 2009, and possibly further. Not one product of theirs shall be purchased by me. If every LGer would do that from miniatures to Magic to whatever else, they would take a hit and they would know that they have just stuck a sword in the heart of those that have been loyal to this game for almost 30 years. LFR... What location will we all be a part of in the future? Anyone have a favorite? Any one even know the landscape of Forgotten Realms enough to even care? I am curious enough to go to the D&D Experience... but as much as I like the new 4th Edition stuff I've seen so far, I think the end of Greyhawk bothers me most of all, especially because this same scenario happened before. It was wrong then and it'll be wrong now. As Rosaline says in Act V Scene III of Shakespeare's Love's Labour Lost: "Then cannot we be bought; and so adieu..." Adieu, Bruce Wienckowski |
| lseelba08-19-07, 02:53 PM | Hey all, For those that don't know me, I am turning 41 next month and have played D&D since I was 13 y/o. I remember when Greyhawk came out and sometime thereafter Forgotten Realms came out. Forgotten Realms never had the same effect that Greyhawk had. It never really caught on with our group and so we just kept doing our own home Greyhawk thing. As I got older and D&D changed, I played every once in a while but it never was the same game to me. Then I came across LG and 3.5. I was a little late in the story arc starting at the end of Year 3 but I just fell in love with everything that was being done and, knowing Greyhawk as I did, loved that we were in Keoland of all places. It was awesome. Then I read this... this stuff that Greyhawk ends and Forgotten Realms begins. What a flashback! You'd think they would learn from the past! It seems that it is time to return to the old home campaigns of yesteryear and begin the old underground movement that once was 2nd edition...now 3.5. I am not against new things but I despise the idea of no support for continuing Greyhawk. I will take that wonderful quote from Braveheart..."from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies you can take our campaign, but you'll never take our freedom!" I don't know what I will do come 2008. But I know what I will not do. I will not buy any more WOTC products until April 2009, and possibly further. Not one product of theirs shall be purchased by me. If every LGer would do that from miniatures to Magic to whatever else, they would take a hit and they would know that they have just stuck a sword in the heart of those that have been loyal to this game for almost 30 years. LFR... What location will we all be a part of in the future? Anyone have a favorite? Any one even know the landscape of Forgotten Realms enough to even care? I am curious enough to go to the D&D Experience... but as much as I like the new 4th Edition stuff I've seen so far, I think the end of Greyhawk bothers me most of all, especially because this same scenario happened before. It was wrong then and it'll be wrong now. As Rosaline says in Act V Scene III of Shakespeare's Love's Labour Lost: "Then cannot we be bought; and so adieu..." Adieu, Bruce Wienckowski Thanks for posting this in multiple places, especially in a thread that is about REGIONS in the new Living Campaign. How informative of you! :rolleyes: |
| Mithreinmaethor08-19-07, 03:04 PM | Thanks for posting this in multiple places, especially in a thread that is about REGIONS in the new Living Campaign. How informative of you! :rolleyes: I am sure he just wanted plenty of people to realize he is getting his whine on....errrr rant on. |
| markjsb08-19-07, 03:15 PM | Thanks for posting this in multiple places, especially in a thread that is about REGIONS in the new Living Campaign. How informative of you! :rolleyes: :mad: Why thank you, Oh WOTC corporate "schill"!:P Are you one of the "geniuses" who thought making D&D Online be set in the "Space Opera", excuse me, I meant Ebberon setting was a great idea? I don't think I know anyone who plays that. Wow, what a spectacular success that was. :P I agree with Bruce and also plan to not make anymore WOTC purchases until April 2009. Like Bruce, I strongly suggest that it is WAY past time that we let WOTC know that if they keep listening to the marketing "suits" they're probably going to take a massive loss in profits. Feel free to "flame" back all you want Iseelba. I'm going offline now and don't plan to even look at this list for quite some time. |
| Barimol08-19-07, 03:15 PM | Since the south-east region was represented in LG by The Yeomanry with her democratic and military traditions, two areas in FR come to mind as being some what similar. Turmish with it's republic form of government, and Chessenta with it's mercenary tradition. This could allow writers producing modules for the Yeomanry dependent on these traditions to easily adapt them to the Realms. It might also allow some of the elements of the Yeomanry to be translated to the new region. For example the government of Turmish isn't heavily detailed; if it is based around limited citizenship as in The Yeomanry, then metaorgs that grant citizenship, like the clergy, could be easily modified for the new region reducing the transtion work load. With a little research almost any area of Greyhawk can find a counterpart in the Realms. Damarra with it's knights and stalwort defense against the invading armies from Vasaa for Gran Marche, the Moonsheas with it's celtic style culture fighting against decline for Geoff, The Dragon Coast with it's pirate havens for the Badit Kingdoms all come to mind. |
| Grimslade200108-19-07, 03:32 PM | I think pointing out the spamming of multiple threads with the same post does not counts as shilling for THE MAN. Relax a bit with your fellow players. They did not cancel Greyhawk, WotC did. Don't poo-poo the people trying to make lemonade out of the next era of Living Campaigns. That said, what areas of FR have not been covered in novels? I know the North is Drizzt land and Sembia had a recent spate of novels. I would hope we get kingdoms/countries that are not too fleshed out. |
| MadVlad08-19-07, 04:03 PM | Thanks for posting this in multiple places, especially in a thread that is about REGIONS in the new Living Campaign. How informative of you! :rolleyes: Thanks for posting a thread about Living Realms on a board that is specifically dedicated to Living Greyhawk. As if some of us aren't already ****** enough.... |
| MadVlad08-19-07, 04:04 PM | Hey all, For those that don't know me, I am turning 41 next month and have played D&D since I was 13 y/o. I remember when Greyhawk came out and sometime thereafter Forgotten Realms came out. Forgotten Realms never had the same effect that Greyhawk had. It never really caught on with our group and so we just kept doing our own home Greyhawk thing. As I got older and D&D changed, I played every once in a while but it never was the same game to me. Then I came across LG and 3.5. I was a little late in the story arc starting at the end of Year 3 but I just fell in love with everything that was being done and, knowing Greyhawk as I did, loved that we were in Keoland of all places. It was awesome. Then I read this... this stuff that Greyhawk ends and Forgotten Realms begins. What a flashback! You'd think they would learn from the past! It seems that it is time to return to the old home campaigns of yesteryear and begin the old underground movement that once was 2nd edition...now 3.5. I am not against new things but I despise the idea of no support for continuing Greyhawk. I will take that wonderful quote from Braveheart..."from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies you can take our campaign, but you'll never take our freedom!" I don't know what I will do come 2008. But I know what I will not do. I will not buy any more WOTC products until April 2009, and possibly further. Not one product of theirs shall be purchased by me. If every LGer would do that from miniatures to Magic to whatever else, they would take a hit and they would know that they have just stuck a sword in the heart of those that have been loyal to this game for almost 30 years. LFR... What location will we all be a part of in the future? Anyone have a favorite? Any one even know the landscape of Forgotten Realms enough to even care? I am curious enough to go to the D&D Experience... but as much as I like the new 4th Edition stuff I've seen so far, I think the end of Greyhawk bothers me most of all, especially because this same scenario happened before. It was wrong then and it'll be wrong now. As Rosaline says in Act V Scene III of Shakespeare's Love's Labour Lost: "Then cannot we be bought; and so adieu..." Adieu, Bruce Wienckowski While being only a few years younger, I too have followed the path that you took, and will take. WotC has pretty much just closed a door in my life... |
| Emirikol08-19-07, 05:12 PM | FYI: there are LIVING FORGOTTEN REALMS discussions now open: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/LivingFR http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/LFR-CO (Colorado) Until we know what the actual regions are and the actual set-up, I just set up an additiona local one for my Colorado community (since that's the only region I'll be in!!!). You guys may wisht to do the same for your areas. I'm guessing that the regional aspect will be downplayed and that there will be some improvements from LG's constraints. I've posted my predictions on regions. :) Jay |
| Mithreinmaethor08-19-07, 05:19 PM | While being only a few years younger, I too have followed the path that you took, and will take. WotC has pretty much just closed a door in my life... If the door is closed for you then why do you continue to stand in the front yard yelling back at the door ? The decisions have been made, they are moving forward, no amount of *****ing, whining or moaning from anyone will change it. |
| MadVlad08-19-07, 08:12 PM | I disagree, that's why I'm still around. If I offend you so badly, please feel free to not read my posts. Have a nice day. |
| bhale18708-19-07, 09:35 PM | I too would like to hear the answers to LGMoses's questions. I would realy like to know what region I will be playing in so I can brush up on local lore in the meantime. It's too bad this thread got hijacked so quickly. There are plenty of other threads to complain or praise 4E and the end of LG, why can't we keep this one on the discussion of future regions of Living Realms? |
| The_Jester08-19-07, 09:40 PM | I'd like a logically laid-out region assignment where your neighbors in real-life correspond to similar regions in-game so you don't travel half-way across the continent by hopping over a state/province border. But as an Albertan I'd like to see us have Neverwinter, mostly due BioWare being here and their hand in Neverwinter Nights and making that city/region much more well known. |
| LCJJohnson08-19-07, 11:13 PM | Can this thread please be moved to RPGA > RPGA HQ > RPGA GENERAL until such time as RPGA > RPGA Campaigns > Living Forgotten Realms is created? LCJJohnson |
| Umbra_Kaitou08-19-07, 11:37 PM | Oo...can we be menzoberranzan >_> (half joking) |
| LGMoses08-20-07, 01:09 AM | I know how everyone is feeling. I too am very upset with what is going on. I live in an area where there were maybe 7 people that played dnd. I worked with LG to pull more people into our new game store and popularize LG. The biggest obstacle I had was getting people to take the unknown Greyhawk seriously next to the super-publicized realms. But I did it. I worked for a solid year and while the original 7 gamers didn't all get into organized play, I pulled enuff people into playing that I began having to turn people away at games. (I ate mods every tuesday, I played 3 LG games in my entire history and was the only RPGA judge in the area). I got this news just as my players were almost ready for apl 4 games(the heavy duty players hitting lvl 4). With such a small community I was intimately familiar with all of their characters and their futures: Artemis is a 3rd level rogue who specialized in finding traps after encountering a serious trap in his first mod. He bought some goggles of minute seeing to make finding those deadly traps easier. He also set up a second identity as an architect scholar named David Goodsman to prepare himself for the spymaster prestige class and was awaiting a special mission to join our region's "thieves guild" which infiltrates the Scarlet Brotherhood. Then there was Arcules Strow, the young baklunish paladin fighting for good in the world and learning of his Baklunish heritage. He got the rest of the group to travel with him to Zeif to help free a "different" but fellow follower of the archpaladin. Kalmiir the Wood elf traveled the lands seeking gold where he could find it and protecting his friends from strangers to the party. Victor Silverblade the half-elf was a newly made travelling bard enjoying freedom and song while avoiding the bad reputation brought by his family name. Grog the wood elf barb/cleric was not very bright or personable but had the best intentions and protected his friends and sought challenging foes to please Kord with his display of strength and pluck. When I first heard LG was dying I could not sleep. I'm starting to calm down. LG went on for a good while. I had taken it for granted that it would always be there. I was wrong. I can't blame WotC for doing what they are trying to do. Forgotten Realms is more popular and LFR will spark more interest from new players to bring into the fold of the RPGA. I'm sad to see LG go but I can't really blame Wizards especially if 4.0 is a good new system. I am sad that my thread was hijacked so quickly. I had hoped we could start planning for the future as soon as possible. I can't blame people for needing to vent. If you look around on the forums you'll see where I've done it too. Lets all just sleep on this for a while and think about the future. What I would like to see is that we take what was good from LG, what we learned from this wonderful Living Campaign system and bring it into the next generation. LG is going but lets give it a good sending off and take what we learned into the future. I think we should make the best of what we've got and give it a chance. |
| Shandronas08-20-07, 12:59 PM | Yo quiero Nimbral. |
| MichaelAhlf08-20-07, 01:11 PM | I want Tennessee to be one of the Dales. One Dale in particular, can't remember the name right now, but it's the one that changed it's name after having to kill children that rose as vampire spawn. I am a very morbid person.:) What's sad is, this pathetic excuse for a 'region' is one of the only halfway possibly decent ones in the entire FR setting. |
| KarmaInferno08-20-07, 01:31 PM | Your opinion. Not a fact. There's a staggering amount of people out there who do, in fact, like the FR setting quite a bit. Given the frequency and vehemency of posts you're thrown out the past couple of days, might I suggest you step away from the computer for a couple of hours and cool your head? -karma |
| LachlarlanIII08-20-07, 01:46 PM | I hope we (the BK) don't get another region ruled by an evil demigod/lich/dragon/whatever. Though, being Thay might be cool. :) |
| AOSOL08-20-07, 05:22 PM | Florida - Thay Enough said. |
| Bogjob08-20-07, 05:31 PM | Waterdeep ;) Hoping for Silverymoon but being in Europe probably we'll get shafted with a backwater as usual. |
| solbergb08-20-07, 05:35 PM | I'd like a logically laid-out region assignment where your neighbors in real-life correspond to similar regions in-game so you don't travel half-way across the continent by hopping over a state/province border. But as an Albertan I'd like to see us have Neverwinter, mostly due BioWare being here and their hand in Neverwinter Nights and making that city/region much more well known. I agree. It's weird, for example, that Zief and the Duchy of Urnst are next to each other, when in Greyhawk they're on opposite sides of the world. (OTOH, Canada has Tusmit, which is next to Zief. Some of these things happen accidently) I don't know the regions in FR very well, as 100% of my exposure to the setting is the old SPI "Gold Box Games", "Eye of the Beholder" and the Neverwinter Nights campaigns. I even managed to miss the whole "Baldur's Gate" series. I do have a soft spot for Phlan though. You gotta love the idea of a bunch of enterpreneurs camping out on the edge of a blasted ruin of a city and paying adventurers to clean it out for them, so they can restore trade and civilization. For all its technical flaws, the original Pool of Radiance computer game was a pretty good story. There's another advantage in a way to a living campaign set in the Realms. No more "6 bozo's" logic needed. That setting has armies of 10th level characters running around. They had to get to those levels somehow. Greyhawk as a setting does show the strain when you can muster a score of people who can teleport in nearly any interactive. |
| Prof. Pacali08-20-07, 07:14 PM | I'm calling dibs on Cormyr for New York/New Jersey and Pennsylvania. :) |
| DarkKnight08-20-07, 07:26 PM | I hope we (the BK) don't get another region ruled by an evil demigod/lich/dragon/whatever. Though, being Thay might be cool. :) I can see it now, I've spent the last 7 years fighting Iuz and now that it's over I'll get stuck in Anauroch and have to fight against the city of Shade or something. I'd like a nice civilized area that's not in immediate danger from an evil demigod/lich/dragon/whatever knocking on our door step. After all this time my nerves are shot I tell you. |
| Eric Anondson08-20-07, 09:19 PM | I've heard from folks who attended the LG-termination announcement at the RPGA members meeting who have said that everyone will be able to play in any region. Now this might mean that, in LG context, that people who live in the Shield Lands (Minnesota, Dakotas) can play Nyrond mods without having to go to So. Cal/Arizona. Or it could mean that there won't be any association between FR locations and real world geographies. Everyone everywhere can have PCs as natives of any designated region in FR. No travel necessary, ever. Sort of like Xendrik factions. Of course, that also would seem to eliminate the reason for many RPGA conventions to exist . . . premiering their local triad's material. In this case there is no local triad because they are all global triads. Remember, the first truely global campaign? Just trying to figure this out. I know folks are hoping for their state/province/country to get a FR place, but that speculation may all be premature. |
| LGMoses08-20-07, 09:42 PM | yeah, its a little soon to be asking for that. I say we start a thread somewhere to talk about what should be brought over from Living Greyhawk to Living Forgotten Realms and what should be left behind. I'd like some sort of access system. Access in LG made it feel like you really earned everything. I liked the region meta-region thing. It made you feel a deeper fellowship with your local players IF you got into it. This is where we can decide on improvements we would like made. Just be careful not to waste time discussing anything edition specific. For instance, arguing over whether we should stay with a 28 point build or go to 32 is pointless due to 4.0 coming out and being different. |
| JJeff08-20-07, 09:50 PM | Whoa, coll down Moses... No need to sink to that level... I personally think there has to be a CORE region, and that given Waterdeep's amount of story arc-ing, that'll be it. Would love to know what regions we will get so all of us will start reading up on them (Hint, hint... a way to push book sales now....) |
| LGMoses08-20-07, 10:10 PM | proposed idea Noone likes the idea of having to travel across the world. Well, what if we used the regional system like we have today, BUT judges can some way be certified to travel and play their mods for others in different areas. Maybe even a judge in... lets just say Alabama could get certification from the New York triad to play Daggerdale or whatever. ALSO I think the regions should be noticeably different from what they were in LG regions. Some Border Kingdoms people want an area that doesn't have an evil overlord knocking at their door. Something like that maybe. Other than that, I say a populace wide vote amongst which groups in an area are going to be divided into each regions and let the regions with the most players choose first from a list of ready to go regional infrastructures. |
| berpo08-20-07, 11:03 PM | i'm in tusmit right now and i would like ta have the selenae... those island are amazing... and so different of the arabic version of the backlunish tusmit. |
| _metz_08-20-07, 11:19 PM | Exactly, I think regions should be different to what we have now. I don't want to spend my FR campaign time fighting Undead against an implacable foe we never get to defeat. I had enough of that in my time at Perrenland. I would like to think that we would get updates pretty often, this sort of transition will go down so much better if the player base is at least PARTIALLY consulted. Rather than just the marketing department. But that probably too much to hope for... |
| DarkKnight08-20-07, 11:30 PM | proposed idea Noone likes the idea of having to travel across the world. Well, what if we used the regional system like we have today, BUT judges can some way be certified to travel and play their mods for others in different areas. Maybe even a judge in... lets just say Alabama could get certification from the New York triad to play Daggerdale or whatever. ALSO I think the regions should be noticeably different from what they were in LG regions. Some Border Kingdoms people want an area that doesn't have an evil overlord knocking at their door. Something like that maybe. Other than that, I say a populace wide vote amongst which groups in an area are going to be divided into each regions and let the regions with the most players choose first from a list of ready to go regional infrastructures. Well, first of all, I don't care for the might makes right idea of choosing regions. Just because you have more players doesn't make those players over there any less deserving. Leave it up to the RPGA to assign and divvy up regions. Second, and steady yourselves for this, a thought has occurred to me. With 4E supporting on line play you may be able to play in ANY region. Think about it, some GM from California with XXX region could perhaps run players from ANY other region through one of the California regional mods. I could sit at my computer and get the same mod that the people in California are playing. Mind you that I definitely prefer sitting at a table with REAL people, as opposed to listening to them crackle over the Internet, but it seems like this would be a possibility for the "First Truly Global Campaign". |
| trollbill08-20-07, 11:42 PM | Florida - Thay Enough said. Wrong Magochracy. Being Florida we should be looking for a Coastal Region, in the Far South, with a Magic Kingdom and Ships the Fly Through the Sky. Wonder if there is anything like that in FR? |
| LGMoses08-20-07, 11:52 PM | Well, first of all, I don't care for the might makes right idea of choosing regions. Just because you have more players doesn't make those players over there any less deserving. Leave it up to the RPGA to assign and divvy up regions. Second, and steady yourselves for this, a thought has occurred to me. With 4E supporting on line play you may be able to play in ANY region. Think about it, some GM from California with XXX region could perhaps run players from ANY other region through one of the California regional mods. I could sit at my computer and get the same mod that the people in California are playing. Mind you that I definitely prefer sitting at a table with REAL people, as opposed to listening to them crackle over the Internet, but it seems like this would be a possibility for the "First Truly Global Campaign". thats what i was suggesting with my first idea. Second, I live in Alabama and we don't have that many players as other places do. But it makes since that what pleases the most people should be considered first right? I was suggesting this be handled the good old democratic way. I've been in the Yeomanry too long... |
| grandhammer08-20-07, 11:57 PM | I think the regions should be noticeably different from what they were in LG regions. Some Border Kingdoms people want an area that doesn't have an evil overlord knocking at their door. Heck Yeah. As a BK player I want something different. Lets not make BK'ing a mod a new phrase for LFR. Personally I'd like Cormanthor or the Dalelands. But i'll be happy no matter what. I'm sooooo looking forward to LFR. Ive already started making plans to try and attend Gencon Indy 2008 |
| ankhwearer08-21-07, 03:39 PM | The impression I got from the RPGA members meeting last week was that there would be fewer regions, of larger scale. When they have to call out that the United States would definitely be more than one region, you start to suspect that they are scaling up. The reasoning for this was that many regions were not getting enough volunteers to produce their full allotment of mods and that Triad recruiting was extremely difficult in areas with thinner D&D playing populations. I have no idea how this impacts the final results of the FR region assignment, but I'm pretty sure that players should not expect to be in a region that contains only a single country, nor in a region made up of a single state. Not even Ohio. |
| Barimol08-22-07, 04:51 AM | Running a campaign with out regions is possible. Writers from anywhere in the world could produce mods for any region and send them to the group assigned to manage that region, who can also be from anywhere in the world, for approval. The top level of campaign management would review and approve all mods presented and make them available for play at any RPGA event. Conventions could be allowed to select any mods available and run and players could play them without restriction. This system would allow prolific writers to produce as many mods per year as they like and for any region that strikes their fancy. This system would also allow the triad volunteers to still play a part in the development of the world, without upsetting players required to play in that region; don't like the triads ruling for a region, play in a different one (Kobolds anyone?). Characters in Forgotten Realms could choose their starting region from a list of regions like those presented in the FRCS starting on p30. Once selected, this no longer has to be the characters primary area of play if he doesn't want it to be. If you play a mod at a convention in say Texas that is set in Sembia, then at the end of that mod your character is in Sembia; then later you play that same character at a convention in Louisiana, your character starts in Sembia. If you play in a different Sembia mod then no TU cost applies. If you choose a mod from a different region being run at the Louisiana convention, a TU cost would apply. Please keep in mind that this is spit-balling and trying to think outside of the box. I'd be glad to hear any constructive in put to these ideas. Greg J. |
| Cynric08-22-07, 06:12 AM | As long as the region structure does not put Australia back into one region I do not really mind. My only reason for this is that if it is one region, we have to spend approx $2000 on flights to another region and fly 12 to 14 hours across the Pacific. That really cut's down on the mods you can play, even if you can afford it, which most can't. Steven |
| Demoyn08-22-07, 09:44 AM | I'd prefer the BK either become similar to what we have now (the Moonsea area - Hillsfar, Phlan, et al), or the complete opposite (the Moonshaes - quiet little backwater group of islands). |
| TWG_Prometheus08-22-07, 09:51 AM | As long as the region structure does not put Australia back into one region I do not really mind. My only reason for this is that if it is one region, we have to spend approx $2000 on flights to another region and fly 12 to 14 hours across the Pacific. That really cut's down on the mods you can play, even if you can afford it, which most can't. Steven The online facet of 4th edition should cut down on these sorts of problems anyway. Online play is (for many) a bit of a hassle right now, but if WotC streamlines all online D&D play, there's no reason that playing LFR modules online shouldn't be a much more common practice. In fact, what I've seen so far from WotC suggests that they're hoping to get D&D, the RPGA and online play all meshed so closely together that none of us really will think of them as separate. |
| Mr.Black08-22-07, 11:00 AM | For Texas/Oklahoma I'd choose a region that has a lot of conflicting city states, such as the Dalelands (probably core though), Moonsea, the Vast, or Dragon Coast. This is what we're used to here in BK. It wouldn't be bad if we got a completely different regional flavor, although we might take time getting used to it. I do wonder who will get regions like Thay, Mulhorand, Unther, and Chult. For other regions, some areas seem to make sense for me. Neverwinter in the area of Bioware. The Great Lakes area looks like the Moonsea. Uk could easily do Cormyr. I think it would be pretty funny if Netherlands did get Vaasa and Florida got the Great Rift (since they love dwarves).;) |
| MichaelAhlf08-22-07, 11:12 AM | For Texas/Oklahoma I'd choose a region that has a lot of conflicting city states, such as the Dalelands (probably core though), Moonsea, the Vast, or Dragon Coast. This is what we're used to here in BK. It wouldn't be bad if we got a completely different regional flavor, although we might take time getting used to it. I do wonder who will get regions like Thay, Mulhorand, Unther, and Chult. For other regions, some areas seem to make sense for me. Neverwinter in the area of Bioware. The Great Lakes area looks like the Moonsea. Uk could easily do Cormyr. I think it would be pretty funny if Netherlands did get Vaasa and Florida got the Great Rift (since they love dwarves).;) Bottom line: Texas is big enough. Incorporating Oklahoma made it that much harder for folks from Texas to travel to another region the first time. It was harder for folks from the west side of the state to go to more than 1 other region, it was harder for folks on the east side too seeing how the Louisiana/Arkansas Yeomanry combo is like a giant wall, and with Missouri/Kansas both being in Dyvers even most Oklahomans have a lousy time going anywhere else. The east coast of the US got all sorts of little regions peppered around and they had easy travel times to play the mods of 4-5 regions and 2-3 metaregions easily. The tri-state corner around Lake Michigan, likewise. Meanwhile, the southern/western states got hosed. If you're talking about "decreasing" the number of regions, OUCH. No thank you. If anything, Texas should be its own region, and none of the western/southern larger states should border another state that's in the same region they are. Decrease the travel times to get to another region, increase the number of people who will travel and play more. If that was the one thing I'd fix for LG, some bad decisions about region placement would have been it. |
| Kelios_Lyonsmane08-22-07, 02:38 PM | ALSO I think the regions should be noticeably different from what they were in LG regions. Some Border Kingdoms people want an area that doesn't have an evil overlord knocking at their door. It Would be a nice change of pace :w00t: . Other than that, I say a populace wide vote amongst which groups in an area are going to be divided into each regions and let the regions with the most players choose first from a list of ready to go regional infrastructures. I Can't Agree with that one since the people with a lesser demografique would be stuck with whatever region is not wanted :allalone: . i'm in tusmit right now and i would like ta have the selenae... those island are amazing... and so different of the arabic version of the backlunish tusmit. I would love Cormyr , the north ( Spine of the world , Luskan and the like ) or Impultur , The forgoten Kingdom , but i just know we ( Tusmit ) will be stuck in Anoroch ,The Great desert ( More like big if you ask me ) :banghead: . |
| Mithreinmaethor08-22-07, 06:40 PM | From the Geography section of the FR Campaign Guide (v3.0 Chapter 4) here are the regions (i.e LG Metaregions?) and subregions (i.e LG Regions) listed there. What will work and what wont I dont know but here they are: Anauroch Chultan Peninsula -Chult -Tashalar Cold Lands -Damara -Narfell -Vaasa Cormyr The Dalelands -Archendale -Battledale -Cormanthor -Daggerdale -Deepingdale -Featherdale -Harrowdale -Highdale -Mistledale -Scardale -Shadowdale -Tassledale Dragon Coast The Hordelands Island Kingdoms -Evermeet -Moonshae Isles -Nelanther Isles Lake of Steam Lands of Intrigue -Amn -Calimshan -Tethyr The Moonsea The North -The High Forest -The Savage Frontier -Silver Marches -The Sword Coast (North) -Waterdeep Old Empires -Chessenta -Mulhorand -Unther Sembia The Shining South -The Great Rift -Halruaa -Luiren -The Shaar The Unapproachable East -Aglarond -The Great Dale -Impiltur -Rashemen -Thay -Thesk The Underdark The Vast The Vilhon Reach -Chondath -Sespech -Turmish Western Heartlands Beyond Faerun -Kara-tur -Maztica -Zakhara |
| ankhwearer08-22-07, 06:48 PM | My only reason for this is that if it is one region, we have to spend approx $2000 on flights to another region and fly 12 to 14 hours across the Pacific. Heh heh, and there are people complaining that they must buy another $120 of core books... ;) |
| TheBlackFlail08-22-07, 09:01 PM | I hope we (the BK) don't get another region ruled by an evil demigod/lich/dragon/whatever. Awwwww... You're no fun. How about a region ruled by a Dragon who's also an evil demigod, or a lich who is also a dragon, or what about a lich who has beaten an evil demigod? |
| bhale18708-22-07, 10:26 PM | It would be nice to get as much notice as possible as to our geographic regions in LR. LR has some rather extensive history and I think Writers, GMs, and Players will all want to do some research about the region they will play in. |
| WizO_Brak08-23-07, 05:00 PM | Moved per request. ~Brak |
| LCJJohnson08-24-07, 12:30 AM | Thank you. |
| RLWilde08-24-07, 01:46 AM | Adieu, Bruce Wienckowski Since 4th Ed is to have an online component... GQLLFM |
| Lord Toast08-24-07, 09:52 AM | Thanks for the move oh mighty Wizo. After reading Mithreinmaethor's post I think it would be a good idea to keep it simple, weed out all of those possibilities. Instead of using Daggerdale, Shadowdale, as their own possible region just say the Dalelands. Or instead of using regions how about letting us play in little used cities, something hasbro has no big plans on developing (Waterdeep is always being developed). Two possible cities would be Phlan or even good old Raven's Bluff. I like the idea in LG of using a default region for those who fall outside the listed countries. And what about time units? Are they still planning on having them?...ahh the last questions are for a different thread. |
| Peter_Seckler08-24-07, 11:42 AM | I think it's probably not useful to be calling dibs and stuff, but I will say this: I will be mighty excited to have a chance to play in some of the more exotic regions! This is going to be great...:) |
| Madfox1108-24-07, 12:03 PM | Waterdeep ;) Hoping for Silverymoon but being in Europe probably we'll get shafted with a backwater as usual. Huh? In what ways is Ahlissa a backwater? |
| Randall Montgomery08-24-07, 01:35 PM | Personally, I'd love to see Wisconson get the Silver Marches, although Damara would be a close second for me. I definitely think if they're gonna still have a core region, Waterdeep should be it (although the Silver Marches might make a really good core region too). I also definitely DON'T want us to get stuck with the Sword Coast, unless we can somehow quarentine Amn (I find their attitude twoards magic users quite offensive). :mad: |
| KoboldChieftain08-25-07, 03:33 AM | I think it's probably not useful to be calling dibs and stuff, but I will say this: I will be mighty excited to have a chance to play in some of the more exotic regions! This is going to be great...:) I KNOW I am writing something for the Jungles of Chult. :) Probably with dinosaurs. :plotting: With class levels. :evillaugh Ok, maybe not but still, I would love to write something off the beaten path. That *would* be cool. |
| PCI_StatMonkey08-25-07, 02:32 PM | The RPGA is still deciding exactly how and where the regions will be allocated. I think the real-world divisions will bear some similarities to the current divisions in LG, but they'll definitely not be exactly the same in location or size. OMG please give florida a tropical area.... something nice, with islands... Please Or waterdeep.. ya waterdeep would rock |
| PCI_StatMonkey08-25-07, 02:34 PM | Wrong Magochracy. Being Florida we should be looking for a Coastal Region, in the Far South, with a Magic Kingdom and Ships the Fly Through the Sky. Wonder if there is anything like that in FR? OMG Hell ya!!!! Oh yes! Yes yes yes |
| MatteBlack08-25-07, 06:32 PM | I think I'd like to see fewer regions with more developed meta-regions and core content so there would be more offered for play from within each region. Shuffling the regions with an eye to player dispersal might also be a good idea. I live in a dense enough region that I should probably expect a few hours drive will still get me to another region so, I mostly hope there will be cool ones nearby. |
| Hand_OF_Mystra09-01-07, 09:51 AM | I'd like a logically laid-out region assignment where your neighbors in real-life correspond to similar regions in-game so you don't travel half-way across the continent by hopping over a state/province border. This is similar to the way in which the visual field is mapped in visual cortex. In neuroscience we call that a topographic mapping. I just thought that might save some time in our descriptions. |
| Hand_OF_Mystra09-01-07, 01:09 PM | As a Keolander, I would like to be in a more exotic area where playing a magic user or a cleric or a half-breed did not get you in-region scorn. Also it was ridiculous to have a native Keolander barb. In other words, do not make PA/NJ/NY Amn! |
| Garden_State_Gamer09-04-07, 12:01 PM | I second the Cormyr New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania region. If only the Ohio Valley Tri-State gets the Dalelands. Somewhat geographically fitting? Would that put Toronto right about where Zhentil Keep is? Take that, Canada. Oh, and to add fuel to the fire: I don't like the Greyhawk setting I do like the Forgotten Realms setting I most likely won't be converting to 4th ed until about a year before 5th ed comes out. |
| KoboldChieftain09-04-07, 04:06 PM | Discussing who gets what region is not really productive at this point. We don't even know how many regions there are going to be or what consitutes a region. I thought I saw somewhere that you will be able to play any region's scenarios. I will leave it to Chris to verify or deny that but if true it would make regional borders somewhat pointless. Not only that but it will also make what area of the realms they are assigned less important. If you could play any region's scenarios you and your local gameday could limit your selections to, for example, the Dalelands. For all it matters YOU are in the Dalelands region. In this respect the regional system looses a pretty big chunk of "nationalism" (for lack of a better word). What this kind of system would buy you is that the more game days and conventions you organize and play in, the more play opportunities you are afforded. In the LG system, there was a very real limit to the number of games that were available to you. In this system, the number is far greater (assuming an equal number of scenarios/year). In fact, you could have a Dalelands game day, a Cormyr game day, etc. But as I mentioned earlier in this post, this is all speculation. We will have to wait for Master Tulach to post the details before we start praising or flaming the new system. |
| Tabiani09-04-07, 10:44 PM | According to Southernskies (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=918260) post of the Sept Chat log we're looking at: <Southernskies> Will Australasia have access to more than one region without international travel? ga <WotC_Tulach> So, with that question, I'll let you all in on a little secret before it goes out tomorrow. <WotC_Tulach> Living Forgotten Realms will have 12 regions. Almost all adventures will be playable anywhere. <WotC_Tulach> Regions don't need to be small with this change. Rather, they are all bigger. <WotC_Tulach> The regions are: Northeast US, Southeast US, North Central US, Western US, Southwest US, Pacific US, Northern Europe and Russia, Southern Europe and Turkey, UK/Ireland/South Africa, Canada, Latin America/Caribbean, and Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Asia. <WotC_Tulach> You'll be able to play most of the content at your local shows. We're doing other things with the campaign to give incentives to play at conventions. However, I want play experiences to be as inclusive as possible. gaStill no word on what FR regions are being used, how they will be divided up, which real world region they will match up with, or if the far-flung areas like Kara-Tur and Al Qadim will get used. |
| mark197809-05-07, 12:27 AM | I disagree, that's why I'm still around. If I offend you so badly, please feel free to not read my posts. Have a nice day. You, sir, are a pathetic mole. Like your MySpace counterparts, I will ignore you from now on, I just felt the need to point out you are a spiteful, weak, and sophomoric loser. If you don't want to play anymore, then go away. You aren't worth any more effort. Mark :rolleyes: |
| mmockus09-05-07, 03:11 AM | Gleaned from the RPGA Online Chat 9/04 5pm PST ""<WotC_Tulach> The regions are: Northeast US Southeast US North Central US Western US Southwest US Pacific US Northern Europe and Russia Southern Europe and Turkey UK/Ireland/South Africa Canada Latin America/Caribbean Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Asia. " I believe mapping those to play regions in Toril, will be released at DDXP 2008. |
| Ishorn09-05-07, 07:31 AM | If the mid-west is considered north central region. I hope we get Waterdeep and the North and not you get the Dale lands just because of our geographic area in the US is similar to where the Dale lands are in Faerun. |
| PuttChutney09-05-07, 12:55 PM | :mad: Why thank you, Oh WOTC corporate "schill"!:P Are you one of the "geniuses" who thought making D&D Online be set in the "Space Opera", excuse me, I meant Ebberon setting was a great idea? I don't think I know anyone who plays that. Wow, what a spectacular success that was. :P I agree with Bruce and also plan to not make anymore WOTC purchases until April 2009. Like Bruce, I strongly suggest that it is WAY past time that we let WOTC know that if they keep listening to the marketing "suits" they're probably going to take a massive loss in profits. Feel free to "flame" back all you want Iseelba. I'm going offline now and don't plan to even look at this list for quite some time. I know this is old and he said he won't read it but..."Space Opera"? You should explain that to me. If you don't know anyone who plays Eberron, you must not get out much. I know quite a few. Oh well, some folks like to pee in other folks tea when they don't get the flavor they want. I'd have to put myself in the camp of those who want a less developed region to muck around it. Let the Core have Waterdeep and the like. |
| rlynnproctor09-05-07, 05:05 PM | Here's a thought... Why not make the regions as close geographically as possible to real world geography. By this I mean that if I travel from Texas to play in La. my character doesn't cross half the continent to get there. I realize that this isn't totally feasible (ie. Australia and Europe), but in the history of LG I travelled out of region twice and my character wound up half-way around the world while I went to a bordering state. Just my 1/2 cent |
| KarmaInferno09-05-07, 05:36 PM | I'm not sure that such close correlation matters, since apparently the rough idea seems to be that anyone in any location can play any region's adventures. -karma |
| Ishorn09-05-07, 06:42 PM | I'm not sure that such close correlation matters, since apparently the rough idea seems to be that anyone in any location can play any region's adventures. -karma I really hope this is true. |
| MasterDM109-05-07, 07:38 PM | <Southernskies> Will Australasia have access to more than one region without international travel? ga <dwolf5> ? <Wraith235> ? <gstommylee> ? <WotC_Tulach> So, with that question, I'll let you all in on a little secret before it goes out tomorrow. <JohnduBois> ? <mmarandaBissel> ? <WotC_Tulach> Living Forgotten Realms will have 12 regions. Almost all adventures will be playable anywhere. Looks like we can be in Alabama and play in Australia's region |
| Golorious09-05-07, 08:04 PM | I just hope that the North Central Region is vastly different from an Iuz Meta-region. Though it is hard to say which state will define the borders of North Central I'm pretty sure Minnesota will be one of them. I was hoping for 9 rather than 6 US regions but ohh well. Life goes on. I do hope that one of the Regions is Halruaa. I would like to play there it sounds like a wildly fascinating place. I like the idea of a Mageocracy. It would be vastly different than the Shield Lands. So if we get to vote for our Region I would pick that one. (at least today) |
| Eric Anondson09-05-07, 08:07 PM | Interestingly, it doesn't look like everywhere on the globe has a region. Africa (excluding South Africa), Middle East, Central and South Asia, China, Taiwan. . . . Towards LG's end, the rest of the world was wrapped into Geoff giving LG global regional coverage. Hey Chris, will the rest of the globe be given regional coverage like was done with LG and Geoff? |
| WotC_Tulach09-06-07, 12:36 AM | Interestingly, it doesn't look like everywhere on the globe has a region. Africa (excluding South Africa), Middle East, Central and South Asia, China, Taiwan. . . . Towards LG's end, the rest of the world was wrapped into Geoff giving LG global regional coverage. Hey Chris, will the rest of the globe be given regional coverage like was done with LG and Geoff? Play numbers are not sufficient (almost non-existent) in any area not covered. There's no need for a "Geoff solution" here, since you can make a character from any region and play any region's content. Regional play experience should define your investment, rather than where you're from. Players from anywhere around the globe will have the potential for the same play experiences. |
| mmockus09-06-07, 01:57 AM | Play numbers are not sufficient (almost non-existent) in any area not covered. There's no need for a "Geoff solution" here, since you can make a character from any region and play any region's content. Regional play experience should define your investment, rather than where you're from. Players from anywhere around the globe will have the potential for the same play experiences. So for the most part, the regions seem to define the administratration boundaries. Triad from Northeastern US will be responsible for LFR region XXX, producing content for that region, story arc, meta orgs, as well as real world issues such as player management if any, or interactives. Authorship of any content can come from anywhere, it is simply managed by a group of people with very limited geographic proximity (are in the same region). For the most part the regional system seems to have little to no impact on the players, other than the general statement that there will be some mechanic to encourage in region play to foster convention style play. I does broadly open up the play opportunities, which I'm sure players will love. Though I know I will miss sense f community that the smaller LG regions and regional play system fostered. The was a very strong sense of player community in each region. |
| Jonathon_M_Johnson09-06-07, 11:47 PM | Discussing who gets what region is not really productive at this point. We don't even know how many regions there are going to be or what consitutes a region. I thought I saw somewhere that you will be able to play any region's scenarios. I will leave it to Chris to verify or deny that but if true it would make regional borders somewhat pointless. Not only that but it will also make what area of the realms they are assigned less important. If you could play any region's scenarios you and your local gameday could limit your selections to, for example, the Dalelands. For all it matters YOU are in the Dalelands region. In this respect the regional system looses a pretty big chunk of "nationalism" (for lack of a better word). What this kind of system would buy you is that the more game days and conventions you organize and play in, the more play opportunities you are afforded. In the LG system, there was a very real limit to the number of games that were available to you. In this system, the number is far greater (assuming an equal number of scenarios/year). In fact, you could have a Dalelands game day, a Cormyr game day, etc. But as I mentioned earlier in this post, this is all speculation. We will have to wait for Master Tulach to post the details before we start praising or flaming the new system. Hello Kobold Chieftain- Was bit confused by your last post to me at the other section, but this one cleared it up a bit more. So you are saying that if the Western US gets "Amn" and New York gets "Tethyr", then us in Colorado could put on a "Tethyr Gameday" and play those modules here. But if that is the case, wouldn't that put D&DI & out-of-state conventions out of business? I would definitely eat a few modules to let our community play other region modules. Turning the microphone over to Chris Tulach, "Do you have any comments on this?" I guess it isn't going to be ran like LG where you need to travel to the corresponding state in order to play those modules. Thanks Jonathon M. Johnson Colorado Future site of "Dambrath" Viva la Drow |
| jhorred09-06-07, 11:53 PM | Hello Kobold Chieftain- Was bit confused by your last post to me at the other section, but this one cleared it up a bit more. So you are saying that if the Western US gets "Amn" and New York gets "Tethyr", then us in Colorado could put on a "Tethyr Gameday" and play those modules here. But if that is the case, wouldn't that put D&DI & out-of-state conventions out of business? I would definitely eat a few modules to let our community play other region modules. Turning the microphone over to Chris Tulach, "Do you have any comments on this?" I guess it isn't going to be ran like LG where you need to travel to the corresponding state in order to play those modules. Thanks Jonathon M. Johnson Colorado Future site of "Dambrath" Viva la Drow I get the impression that what you are saying is true, but I'm thinking is if you want to play Tethyr interactives, etc you'd still have to go to the New York cons. I'm hoping that the practice of having Con only adventures like Mini-Missions and Interactives that can be played only in region continues in LFR. |
| LGMoses09-08-07, 07:56 PM | Since we're doing larger regions maybe they'll divide them up sort of like meta-regions. For Instance, the Southeast can be the "Unapproachable East" and Northeast could be the "Shining South". Maybe that would be a good way to do it? |
| Nolwelen09-22-07, 01:04 PM | Waterdeep ;) Hoping for Silverymoon but being in Europe probably we'll get shafted with a backwater as usual. lol, well we will see. :) Well it looks like Im voting for not only one damn small country, but for the southern half of europe. I would find it cool to get Calimshan, Halruaa or Golden Water as FR region. |
| gomeztoo09-22-07, 03:36 PM | You're thinking too small. Go for Zakhara ;) |
| Nolwelen09-22-07, 03:46 PM | You're thinking too small. Go for Zakhara ;) That would be nice, but then we would have to build the background pretty much from scratch. Apart from that it would be damn fun to get Zakhara from my point of view, since Zakhara poses pretty much as the FR version of india. Which is a culturally extremly rich environment. :) P.S.: Actually, after I researched a little about Zakhara, it looks more like the arabic peninsula, which is cool as well anyways. |
| Madfox1109-24-07, 03:52 AM | Background from a scratch? The Al-Qadim setting is set in Zakhara and there is quiet a lot of material on it. |
| Eric Anondson09-24-07, 12:27 PM | Background from a scratch? The Al-Qadim setting is set in Zakhara and there is quiet a lot of material on it.Tell me about it! *looks at the complete Al-Qadim library on shelf* |
| Nolwelen09-24-07, 12:34 PM | Yea, thats true, I didnt know about that.^^ My sincere apologies. :surrender |
| gomeztoo09-24-07, 01:33 PM | Ah, we should be so lucky to get Zakhara. I own everything of the setting... I don't think so though, so hoping for the Moonshaes... OK, or Dambrath, I'll settle for that too. I hope Loviatar is still up and running. |
| Nolwelen09-24-07, 06:16 PM | I dont know if you recognized it, but apparently the two of us arent in the same region anyway. Well perhaps you were addressing the northern half of europe with "we". |
| GrandMasterofFlowers09-25-07, 08:59 AM | I wonder, are exotic regions such as Chult, Al Qadim, Kara-Tur, and Halruaa up for grabs, if so, i would live to play in something like Halruaa or Chult. buti 'm sick of pseudo-european medieval areas. |
| cetiken09-25-07, 12:15 PM | If its true that you can play mods anywhere then belonging to a region would be more a matter of opting in than the whimsical fates of geography. Just because my primary is a warrior from They doesn't mean that I might not want to play a Haaluan mage or even a warlord from Comyr. |
| gomeztoo09-26-07, 02:57 PM | I dont know if you recognized it, but apparently the two of us arent in the same region anyway. Well perhaps you were addressing the northern half of europe with "we". Yeah I ment us Northerners. How about you southerners take Kara-Tur? |
| Shuuya09-26-07, 07:15 PM | I hope the Europe doesn't get shafted with a lame region or something in LFR. Personally I hope I end up in Amn, Calimshan or possibly Cormyr, though the Western Heartlands/Sword Coast would be awesome. I would prefer Amn or Calimshan right now though. |
| Nolwelen09-26-07, 10:00 PM | Yeah I ment us Northerners. How about you southerners take Kara-Tur? Wow, I would have a blast dwelling in Kara-Tur. Its just, you know....."tourists love that stuff." :) I would recreate Yoshimo I can tell ya. :) Since, "I could dance on the head of a pin, as well." For those who dont know who Yoshimo is, he was an NPC in Baldur's Gate 2 and I liked him. As a smart mouthed thief from Kara-Tur he was responsible for a couple of the funnier group interactions. |
| gomeztoo09-27-07, 12:05 PM | So all we need now is find Chris Tulach, corner him and feed him several pints of Guinness... |
| GeorgeFHarris09-27-07, 12:15 PM | So all we need now is find Chris Tulach, corner him and feed him several pints of Guinness... If they do LFR anything like LG, then they'll do the following: 1. Pick Global Admins. 2. Global admins pick a variety of regions that they feel will be appropriate of LFR. Probably about 18-24 for 12 regions. And probably several other regions that they think should remain Core. 3. Pick Regional Admins. 4. Regional Admins will pick a FR region for their real world region, with consultation with the Global Admins. 5. Once all admins are happy with the regional FR regions, then announce them to the world. So, if you really want a say in what FR region is picked for your real world region, then apply for a Regional Admin spot. Then, as a Regional Admin, find Chris Tulach and feed him several pints of Guiness, and get him to sign off on your region while you're at it. GH |
| Nolwelen09-27-07, 09:51 PM | Honestly, Im not worried about in which FR region I will be going to play. There are so many great regions, with cool places, organisations, NPCs, cultural backgrounds, civilisations and thus I am not worried about that. Im more worried about the real world, if you know what I mean. |
| Skerrit09-28-07, 12:06 PM | So all we need now is find Chris Tulach, corner him and feed him several pints of Guinness... He really doesn't drink much. It took me five years of Milwaukee badgering to shove a schmirnof ice down his gullet. Guinness is right out. |
| KarmaInferno09-28-07, 05:07 PM | I wonder, are exotic regions such as Chult, Al Qadim, Kara-Tur, and Halruaa up for grabs, if so, i would live to play in something like Halruaa or Chult. buti 'm sick of pseudo-european medieval areas. I strongly suspect that the 'regions' will not be anything so small as a country, but more on the scale of continental zones, a dozen or dozens of countries in a region. -karma |
| Reneshat09-29-07, 12:17 AM | He really doesn't drink much. It took me five years of Milwaukee badgering to shove a schmirnof ice down his gullet. Guinness is right out. But, but, everyone loves Guinness!!! |
| The Ubbergeek09-30-07, 05:53 PM | If my Quebec have a dib on a plave (or in Canada as a whole), there is two ideas; -eitheir they go with our climates and geography, and we take a part of the large northern regions, (Vancouver or Toronto was quoted as an inspiration for Waterdeep, so Quebec should have something like it - Neverwinter, targos, Phlan....), or -a part of the cormyrian region or something like that for the seigneurial past of my people, perhaps a colonial side of it. |
| King-bargh10-03-07, 04:30 AM | "Northern Europe and Russia"?! Huh as a swede I realy feel I have a lot in common with Russia. Wait, no I dont! For Gods sake I have trouble understanding danish (and the danes) and they are rigth next door!! Why dont you make Texas and Mexico the same region just as well? Anyway where will we end up? Moonsea?? Actualy that wouldnt be bad... ;) But I guess you put us in Thay (if we are lucky). Warning if you put Northern Europe in a landlocked region you dont know anything about us at all. We need some kind of sea even if its an oversized lake. |
| GeorgeFHarris10-03-07, 10:49 AM | If they do LFR anything like LG, then they'll do the following: 1. Pick Global Admins. 2. Global admins pick a variety of regions that they feel will be appropriate of LFR. Probably about 18-24 for 12 regions. And probably several other regions that they think should remain Core. 3. Pick Regional Admins. 4. Regional Admins will pick a FR region for their real world region, with consultation with the Global Admins. 5. Once all admins are happy with the regional FR regions, then announce them to the world. So, if you really want a say in what FR region is picked for your real world region, then apply for a Regional Admin spot. Then, as a Regional Admin, find Chris Tulach and feed him several pints of Guiness, and get him to sign off on your region while you're at it. GH Well, from hearing from someone that applied for a Global Admin position, it looks like they may have picked the Global Admins (or at least narrowed it down). I wonder if there is a ETA for the announcement of the Global Admins? Or if they're going to wait until all the Regional Admins have been picked, and announce it all at once. GH |
| mmockus10-03-07, 02:35 PM | Well, from hearing from someone that applied for a Global Admin position, it looks like they may have picked the Global Admins (or at least narrowed it down). I wonder if there is a ETA for the announcement of the Global Admins? Or if they're going to wait until all the Regional Admins have been picked, and announce it all at once. GH Global Admins Notified - Oct 1 Regional Admins Notified - Nov 1 Community Notified of Selections - November 15 http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=rpga/news/20070905a When Will I Know? The RPGA staff will select the global admins and notify them of their selection by October 1. The RPGA staff and the global admins will select the regional admins, and they will be notified by November 1. The campaign staff will be announced to the public by November 15. |
| gomeztoo10-03-07, 03:35 PM | Warning if you put Northern Europe in a landlocked region you dont know anything about us at all. We need some kind of sea even if its an oversized lake. And it needs to rain a lot, too. I am curious who is our global admin... (as in: maybe they are susceptible to huge amounts of beer) |
| WotC_Tulach10-06-07, 04:16 AM | If they do LFR anything like LG, then they'll do the following: 1. Pick Global Admins. 2. Global admins pick a variety of regions that they feel will be appropriate of LFR. Probably about 18-24 for 12 regions. And probably several other regions that they think should remain Core. 3. Pick Regional Admins. 4. Regional Admins will pick a FR region for their real world region, with consultation with the Global Admins. 5. Once all admins are happy with the regional FR regions, then announce them to the world. So, if you really want a say in what FR region is picked for your real world region, then apply for a Regional Admin spot. Then, as a Regional Admin, find Chris Tulach and feed him several pints of Guiness, and get him to sign off on your region while you're at it. GH Since I was there at the very beginning of Living Greyhawk's regional selection, here's how it actually went down: 1. Circle was formed; there was no open call. 2. Regional boundaries were developed and announced. 3. Call for regional volunteers was put out. 4. Regional volunteers were chosen. 5. Regions were assigned a few weeks after the volunteers were chosen. Our process will be similar. The only real difference was that the global admins were solicited via open call (and our regional positions were much more clearly defined at application time). Yeah, it's like the LG selection process. Only the selection process described in the quoted post isn't what actually happened. Oh, and one thing for the record, I was not happy when we were initially assigned Highfolk. I wanted something like the Shield Lands, Geoff, or the Bandit Kingdoms. (Elves? And evil humanoids? I wanted undead! Or giants!) But once I listened to other folks, and started seeing the potential from the region, I became very attached to it. Within a couple months, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. On my list o' regions, I see lots of very cool potential for all the regions, especially with the direction that FR's going with 4th Edition. P.S. I don't drink beer. You'd think I would being from Wisconsin, but no. You'll have to try a little harder. :) |
| Reneshat10-06-07, 04:40 AM | P.S. I don't drink beer. You'd think I would being from Wisconsin, but no. You'll have to try a little harder. :) :eek: :confused: :weep: :uh-huh: :bigeyes: :pint: |
| UMiskatonic10-06-07, 08:01 AM | Um, Johnsonville brats? Large quantities of cheese? <shudder> Packers memorabilia? |
| gomeztoo10-06-07, 09:00 AM | On my list o' regions, I see lots of very cool potential for all the regions, especially with the direction that FR's going with 4th Edition. Are regional volunteers going to get any info on what direction that will be? P.S. I don't drink beer. You'd think I would being from Wisconsin, but no. You'll have to try a little harder. :) Wine? Whiskey? Moonshine? |
| Reneshat10-07-07, 11:36 PM | Are regional volunteers going to get any info on what direction that will be? Wine? Whiskey? Moonshine? Read the prologue to R. A. Salvatore's new book "Orc King." That will give you a good idea of the direction it is going. |
| gomeztoo10-08-07, 01:00 PM | Meh. Doens't mean anything. Thay may be gone, but there is little about most other regions. Are the Sharans in power? Are the Sisters dead? Does the weave still exist in any fashion? How does the Spel plague affect remote areas such as the Moonshaes? What about Netheril? Etc. There maybe new countries, old countries gone, others changed, or things might be almost the same. |
| WotC_Tulach10-10-07, 03:36 AM | Are regional volunteers going to get any info on what direction that will be? Wine? Whiskey? Moonshine? You're really getting ahead of yourself... First, regional admins have to be selected (currently being worked on). Then, I have to pitch final approvals for the regional list. After that, assignments will be made. Then, I have to get a date where information can be released to the admins. I imagine that regional admins will know before the public, but how long before? I can't say as of yet. The public will know at D&D Experience. Also, you probably should just give up on the booze, and read UMiskatonic's suggestions! |
| PCI_StatMonkey10-16-07, 09:27 AM | just give florida something... I don't know.. tropical! You have no idea how much I hope we would get some kind of region with the ability to host lots of sea adventures. Argggggg!!!! But I think we would also love it if we ended up with the vast.. I can see it now! return to the ruines of Raven's Bluff... done right this time. |
| The_Jester10-16-07, 10:10 AM | I imagine that regional admins will know before the public, but how long before? I can't say as of yet. The public will know at D&D Experience. So, what you're saying is we've got to put up with rampant speculation and continual non-content for another four months? |
| lcquincy10-19-07, 09:54 AM | just give florida something... I don't know.. tropical! You have no idea how much I hope we would get some kind of region with the ability to host lots of sea adventures. Argggggg!!!! But I think we would also love it if we ended up with the vast.. I can see it now! return to the ruines of Raven's Bluff... done right this time. Amen pedro...give us Ravens Bluff! Arrrrgh! Tom Nolan (player of a certain pirate of some renown) |
| PCI_StatMonkey10-23-07, 03:27 PM | Amen pedro...give us Ravens Bluff! Arrrrgh! Tom Nolan (player of a certain pirate of some renown) Oh hell yes... I'm willing to bet that Greg Sherwood would even come back to RPGA play if they have us RB. But hay, for me, anyplace on the sword coast would work |
| LGMoses10-24-07, 01:39 AM | So, what you're saying is we've got to put up with rampant speculation and continual non-content for another four months? thats the 4e way:D |
| Reylance11-01-07, 05:19 PM | But I think we would also love it if we ended up with the vast.. I can see it now! return to the ruines of Raven's Bluff... done right this time. The right way to do Ruins of Ravens Bluff is... NOT to do it. Seriously, deus ex machina destruction of what the RPGA members had worked on for 15 years? A much worse idea than Crystal Pepsi. Much. |
| malidorn11-04-07, 11:11 PM | Minnesota and south dakota should be icewind dale and ten towns |
| lcquincy11-07-07, 02:46 PM | The right way to do Ruins of Ravens Bluff is... NOT to do it. Seriously, deus ex machina destruction of what the RPGA members had worked on for 15 years? A much worse idea than Crystal Pepsi. Much. Ah but Ravens Bluff was never ruined... That was all just a silly dream within the head of a madman (kinda like Bobby Ewing getting killed in "Dallas") Is that too much of an 80's reference for you? Arrrgh... Tom Nolan |
| PCI_StatMonkey11-07-07, 05:58 PM | Ah but Ravens Bluff was never ruined... That was all just a silly dream within the head of a madman (kinda like Bobby Ewing getting killed in "Dallas") Is that too much of an 80's reference for you? Arrrgh... Tom Nolan I dont know I kind of like one of the origainl ideas for the distruction of RB.. that the drow collapsed the cavern of man below the city... the cheasy reasion they came up with.. was well. cheasy... but they can always say it was the spellplauges fault |
| PCI_StatMonkey11-07-07, 05:59 PM | Minnesota and south dakota should be icewind dale and ten towns I agree.. perfect fit well Alaska should be tied into that region as well |
| Surgebuster11-07-07, 06:21 PM | I just hope that Chris considers the content of the former LG regions when assigning LFR areas. I doubt that players in Geoff want to be assigned a giant heavy region and I know that us over in Perrenland are just about done with undead and demons (it would take one hell of a plot arc to beat A Nation Mocked anyway). Similarly, if the region comprising Nyrond was awarded Cormyr etc. etc. The breakdown of the regions makes it extremely difficult to be accommodating but I think some are in need of a change... Joe |
| PCI_StatMonkey11-08-07, 10:49 AM | Do we have any idea how big the regions are? I dont know if that has been posted yet |
| smerwin2911-08-07, 11:24 AM | Do we have any idea how big the regions are? I dont know if that has been posted yet http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=rpga/news/20070905a The maps at the bottom show the regions. |
| tombollis11-08-07, 01:54 PM | http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=rpga/news/20070905a The maps at the bottom show the regions. Some extend thousands of miles. Some span continents. Some include speakers of a variety of different languages. Tom Bollis |
| JJeff11-14-07, 11:41 PM | Well... 15th November... Time to see the staff list so we know who to pester and poke for more info about the regions.... |
| Cobain12-03-07, 01:43 AM | In Salvatore's "Promise of the Witch King", the story deals with an untamed land called Vaasa and a highly lawful kingdom of Damara. If I understood it correctly, King Gareth of Damara want to conquer Vassa and by joining it with Damara, create a new Kingdom, "Bloodstone". Perhaps Bloodstone will be a region, since it would amply provide both a need for adventurers (in Vaasa) and a civilized center to support such adventurers (Damara). Just a thought... |
| GreenKnight12-25-07, 10:15 AM | I... would... KILL... to get the Vast assigned to Florida. I'd love to play a Paladin of Torm defending the city of Tantras and the Vast from Zhent encroachment from the Moonsea. And at the risk of sounding as if I'm tooting my own horn, here, it's because of a Floridian that Torm was boosted to Greater God status. So how about giving us Floridians Torm's holiest city and the surrounding environs as a reward? |
| Hopeless12-27-07, 05:41 PM | Hello! Just wondering if anyone wants to lists what regions are likely to be used for Living Faerun? I mean there's Cormyr, Waterdeep etc or will they use the regions ala the FR campaign setting such as the Western Heartlands for example. Would you care to list the options likely to be available? |
| LGMoses01-06-08, 03:58 AM | they ever announce what geographical areas are getting what? What areas is the Southeast region of America getting? How are they doing it? |
| smerwin2901-06-08, 08:40 AM | Regions will be announced at DDXP at the end of February. Shawn |
| GreenKnight01-06-08, 12:51 PM | Hopefully the Southeast US will get The Vast (And the Moonsea and Dalelands, too :P). Come on... come on... come on... |
| LGMoses01-08-08, 01:35 AM | Hopefully the Southeast US will get The Vast (And the Moonsea and Dalelands, too :P). Come on... come on... come on... I'm hoping for something different. Rashemen. Oh how wonderful will that be. I might actually jump back into this game then. |
| MasterDM101-09-08, 12:46 PM | Moses when are you at the Deep? I have tried a couple times to reach you and no luck so far. Give me a shout at dm@d20gaming.net. I am in Oneonta just down the road. |
| Lobotaru01-23-08, 07:09 PM | For the Illinois Starting Region, I thought that it would probably be one of the dales or the dales in general, mainly because it vaguely reminds me of Verbobonc in how its all divided up. Its like a bunch of free holds. Either that or Cormyr would make a good second choice. From the way it looks, the Dales would probably be a good starting location for multiple states. I don't have any particular reason for saying that, but it just reminds me of the US in some abstract sense. |
| Wavester01-24-08, 01:07 PM | For the Illinois Starting Region, I thought that it would probably be one of the dales or the dales in general, mainly because it vaguely reminds me of Verbobonc in how its all divided up. Its like a bunch of free holds. Either that or Cormyr would make a good second choice. From the way it looks, the Dales would probably be a good starting location for multiple states. I don't have any particular reason for saying that, but it just reminds me of the US in some abstract sense. There is no 'Illinois Starting Region' - It is in the North Central region which is MN, WI, MI, OH, IN, IL, MO, and IA. Those 8 states will get a region. |
| Half_Fiendish_Tarrasque01-24-08, 06:26 PM | It would only be fair if Canada got a traditional Fantasy RP region. For the last 8 years Canada's been "the Baklunish West". Some of us theorized that Canada and France got the dregs (non-traditional flavor) on purpose, not to stick it to them, but because more highly valued (i.e. sales) regions were given preference and they ran out of non-evil traditional settings. If Canada gets Calimshan, Mulhorrand or Zakhara, the fix is in. Mind you, Maztica and Kara-Tur wouldn't be much better, but at least they would be a change. The Hordelands (the Ride) would be a virtual copy of what Eastern Canada has been playing (war-happy, horse-based economy/society Ideally, all 7 world regions will be extremely well supported and represented by published materials. If I had to hazard a guess, the regions might be broad like... Evermeet & Evereska (Elven lands) The Dalelands & Cormyr The Mooshaes The North & Waterdeep The Shining South The Silver Marches The Sword Coast The Utter East The Vast Vilhon Reach ...but I'm just going to have to wait until March to find out. Paragon HF Tarrasque |
| Surgebuster01-24-08, 06:47 PM | That's kind of funny that some Canadians think they got the short shrift with Ket and Zeif. I've heard many Aussies say the same about Perrenland. Those same Aussies screamed blue murder when the part of Australia they were living in changed to the more traditional-fantasy Ratik. "If we want generic fantasy, we can play cores," they squealed. :) I would have loved to adventure in Ket and Zeif as well as Perrenland. But you know what? LFR allows us to play *everywhere*, so thanks to Chris Tulach, we get the best of both worlds. Joe |
| GreenKnight01-24-08, 07:05 PM | There're 12 world regions, actually. The LFR regions are: Canada Latin America/Caribbean UK/Ireland/South Africa Northern Europe/Russia Southern Europe/Turkey Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Asia Pacific US Western US Southwest US North Central US Northeast US Southeast US There only being 12 regions, though, brings up some interesting possibilities. Check out THIS (http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/137/137974/folders/278025/2273995ForgottenRealmsRegionalMap.jpg) map from Player's Guide to Faerun to see what I mean. If you count up all the Character Regions, there's something in the neighborhood of 45 of them. It's probably a good guess to assume that some of them are going to be removed from play. Anauroch, for instance, as it's the home of the reborn Netheril. The same may be true for Sembia, Thay, and the Vilhon Reach, as in 4E it's now the Changing Lands. Another handful may be removed, like the Great Glacier and the Hordelands. That would still leave about 36, though. So we may very well see three Character Regions for each LFR Region. As for what'll be assigned where, who knows. Although I expect Northern Europe/Russia to get Rashemen and its environs (Possibly Narfell and Damara). Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Asia will also probably end up with the Shaar (Along with Golden Water and Dambrath, maybe). We'll see. I just REALLY, REALLY hope the Southeast US gets the Vast, and maybe the Dalelands and the Moonsea, too (Or if the Moonsea is unavaliable, Impiltur). Wishful thinking, of course, although I think the Dalelands would be a good match for the South. And of course, speaking personally, I'd love to play there (And I'd especially like to get my hands on Tantras!). |
| GreenKnight01-24-08, 07:06 PM | would have loved to adventure in Ket and Zeif as well as Perrenland. But you know what? LFR allows us to play *everywhere*, so thanks to Chris Tulach, we get the best of both worlds. Has that been announced? And if so, where? :) |
| Surgebuster01-24-08, 07:39 PM | Has that been announced? And if so, where? :) Chris Tulach announced it in September last year. Emphasis mine. Living Forgotten Realms (or LFR for short) is a new regionalized RPGA Living campaign, and the first to utilize the new 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons rules. Players create characters and assign them to a specific region. Characters can be played in any LFR adventure that supports their levels of play, anywhere. All non-special LFR adventures will be available for play no matter where you live in the world. As your character plays adventures, it earns experience points, gold, and magic items which stay with you from game to game. You can only play each adventure once, but with dozens of adventures available each year, there will be plenty of play opportunities. Joe |
| Vaerdeger01-29-08, 12:14 AM | What I find funny in all the speculation and jockeying about region assignments is that the vast majority of people want the same regions. I know that a ton of novels and sourcebooks have been written about the Dales, but can't you imagine playing somewhere else. If LFR keeps any parts of Faerun out of the regions so that it remains core than it will be The North and the Dalelands. Also, unless you are in the Pacific Northwest or the Northeast US region, YOU ARE NOT GETTING THE SUPER-PRIME REAL ESTATE. I am in the Southeast US. I am hoping to contribute to fleshing out the Western Heartlands or Chessenta or Tethyr. I am not expecting them to give me Mithral Hall or the Twisted Tower as a crash pad for my character. |
| GreenKnight01-29-08, 12:18 AM | Yeah, you got a point. Still, the Vast would sure be nice, and hardly qualifies as "super prime real estate". :D |
| Surgebuster01-29-08, 12:41 AM | Again, as everyone may play every region's adventures in LFR, I am just not seeing the major issue here. Certainly not one worthy of conspiracy theories about which RL regions are assigned which FR regions! After all, one man's SUPER-PRIME REAL ESTATE is another man's WHY DO WE ALWAYS GET THE CRUD REAL ESTATE? :P Joe |
| Vaerdeger01-29-08, 01:25 AM | Again, as everyone may play every region's adventures in LFR, I am just not seeing the major issue here. Certainly not one worthy of conspiracy theories about which RL regions are assigned which FR regions! I am not proposing that there is a conspiracy. Pacific Norhtwest has WotC headquarters, and Northeast US generates the highest sales. They rightly get the best regions. Also, just because all the regions are playable does not mean that all of Faerun will be assigned to real world regions. There will likely be unbalancingly desirable and unbalancingly weird areas that will not be assigned as regions. After all, one man's SUPER-PRIME REAL ESTATE is another man's WHY DO WE ALWAYS GET THE CRUD REAL ESTATE? I agree. I love a lot of the less famous regions and find the Silver Marches boring and vanilla. One of the two points I was making in my post was that a region that was not bogged down with dozens of novels and modules would be preferable to one that was. Give me Thesk, the Border Kingdoms, the Lake of Steam, Aglarond, or the Great Rift before the Silver Marches, Cormyr, or the Dalelands. |
| Surgebuster01-29-08, 01:38 AM | I am not proposing that there is a conspiracy. Pacific Norhtwest has WotC headquarters, and Northeast US generates the highest sales. They rightly get the best regions. That was more in response to Half Fiendish Tarrasque than you, although you touched on a similar subject. I'm not sure that a region housing HQ or one responsible for the highest sales (if that is the case) have a right to the best regions. Nothing says "you're an afterthought" to other regions than such a policy. Of course, I don't believe for a second that WotC would ever entertain doing it. :) Joe |
| WotC_Tulach01-29-08, 03:50 PM | No region on the list is really, objectively "better" than another. All the regions assigned have the potential for tons of exciting adventures. Some of the regions are "big names", some are new, and some are just really interesting. Since we had to choose 12, we were able to be pretty picky on the regions assigned, and I think the campaign will benefit as a whole because of it. Whether you like a particular region really comes down to personal preference, which is one of the great things about the new system. It doesn't matter where you live - if you really like one region more than another, simply be from that region, and you'll still be able to play that region's adventures. |
| chesspiece01-29-08, 09:50 PM | Chris, I think that was an excellent answer to the topic. However, I have a concern that your response touches on. How and why do you believe Players will become invested in the Region their home is assigned? I agree with your sentiment that almost any Region can be interesting. I got plenty of enjoyment from playing in Ket - an atypical swords & sorcery region. But there have been concerns raised about the LFR Regional system. Namely: - Regions cover too much real-world real estate for Players to feel their (PCs’) contributions are significant. - Ability to play any Regional modules dilutes local flavor. - Risk of lower Convention participation (larger Regions and global release of modules making travel less appealing) could reduce the frequency of Interactives and slow the growth of Regional development. I do not see a need for an immediate answer to this. However, it would be nice to hear opinions from the heads of LFR before launch. Personally, I have high hopes for 4e & LFR - but it may take a while before the rest of my LG group converts. Cheers, Stephen Martin RPGA #502144 |
| gomeztoo01-30-08, 09:30 AM | I think you can increase interest in a region by trying to find parties (among friends) of PCs from the same region to play with. Having your DM read up on the region helps, too. Another way is to set up online communities to roleplay 'out of game' and get connected to a region. I don't know what the possibilities will be within LFR, or if we will have anything like the town project (which is a fun way to get involved in a region), but even if not I don't doubt there will be unoffical lists and such popping up where you can 'visit' the town of Nowhere in region Anywhere and talk IC to others on that list. Flavor is not determined by the system, but by those who participate in it. Though I do hope the system will give us some tools to aid the participating ;) |
| Puggle Halfwine01-30-08, 05:03 PM | As someone who plays in a relatively large "LG hub" there's been some discussion about how we were going to handle LFR's regional system. Basically, we were going to have one person volunteer to eat a whole region's modules, basically becoming the "main GM" for that area. The idea is to have one person from each region as the local "Main GM" for that region. |
| Surgebuster01-30-08, 05:31 PM | As someone who plays in a relatively large "LG hub" there's been some discussion about how we were going to handle LFR's regional system. Basically, we were going to have one person volunteer to eat a whole region's modules, basically becoming the "main GM" for that area. The idea is to have one person from each region as the local "Main GM" for that region. That's exactly what is happening up my way as well. |
| Reneshat01-30-08, 05:32 PM | As someone who plays in a relatively large "LG hub" there's been some discussion about how we were going to handle LFR's regional system. Basically, we were going to have one person volunteer to eat a whole region's modules, basically becoming the "main GM" for that area. The idea is to have one person from each region as the local "Main GM" for that region. That's exactly how I figured my friends and I would do it. In other news, since the regions in FR have changed sooo drastically (re: the last Countdown to the Realms) there is no way we can even guess what our options will be. |
| TheBlackFlail01-30-08, 10:25 PM | As someone who plays in a relatively large "LG hub" there's been some discussion about how we were going to handle LFR's regional system. Basically, we were going to have one person volunteer to eat a whole region's modules, basically becoming the "main GM" for that area. The idea is to have one person from each region as the local "Main GM" for that region. But with online play, wouldn't that person be able to play it online with people from that region (who presumably would likely play it first), and thus not have to 'eat' the mod? |
| tombollis01-30-08, 10:35 PM | But with online play, wouldn't that person be able to play it online with people from that region (who presumably would likely play it first), and thus not have to 'eat' the mod? Some people aren't interested in online play and like the physical presense of GM and other players. Tom Bollis |
| Puggle Halfwine01-31-08, 02:26 AM | But with online play, wouldn't that person be able to play it online with people from that region (who presumably would likely play it first), and thus not have to 'eat' the mod? Basically- if they can find another way to play the module, such as online play, then that's fine. But they *are* expected to GM the module in a timely manner (say, as a slot zero for it's premiering convention) so this might not always be possible. |
| draxynnic01-31-08, 07:54 PM | Also, note our location (I'm not sure if mine actually comes up, but it's the same as Puggle's). Canberra. Australia. A very different timezone to the majority of players in the US - meaning that most online games occur at times that would be awkward for our local GMs (typically games at times suitable for people in the US are early morning or during standard work hours for us). Getting those online games in would be great when we can make it happen, but I don't think any of us are going to plan on it happening. Not from any objection to the format in itself (I've enjoyed the online games I have been lucky enough to get into, apart from the time I was trying to play one, the modem died, and we ended up trying to leech off a neighbour's wireless to try to finish the game...), but from the sheer logistics involved. Now, arranging for a set of online slot-zeroes within the timezone so that only one person in the timezone has to eat them rather than one per city... that might work. |
| Puggle Halfwine02-01-08, 03:04 AM | I see draxynnic has his thinking cap on this (afternoon?). I like that idea. We could definitely do this. It'd probably be best to coordinate them on the LFR_AsiaPacific mailing list, or somewhere else. But I like the idea. Cheers, Dave. |
| LOE_Frey02-08-08, 01:37 PM | There is no 'Illinois Starting Region' - It is in the North Central region which is MN, WI, MI, OH, IN, IL, MO, and IA. Those 8 states will get a region. I am glad to see the regions will be bigger. Even though I have some major "group" areas around my state, I can't afford a 2 hr. drive each way just to play a few hours with a group. Most of the home groups here are either not RPGA or they are full of players that are a bit out of my age catagory and I simply prefer a bit more mature group (not saying that anyone young is bad! just that it gives me a chance to hang out with people closer to my generation than my kids :p) I tend to have to play online and it will be a bit easier meeting the possible 50% in region rule. Although it would be nice to see that restriction lifted a bit more too, to go along with the easier/more fun concept of 4.0 - Regions cover too much real-world real estate for Players to feel their (PCs’) contributions are significant. - Ability to play any Regional modules dilutes local flavor. - Risk of lower Convention participation (larger Regions and global release of modules making travel less appealing) could reduce the frequency of Interactives and slow the growth of Regional development. I understand the concerns however to me its more about getting people to play. I would prefer to see enough people play to support it in the first place. If it needs to be broken down later so be it. For now I personally like the idea. |
| Raevynn02-09-08, 11:29 PM | To be honest one of my concerns (not that it matters.. but why not add to the list...) is recreating the Pale... A theocracy that really limited the individual player creativity. It very much had a flavor of "thou shall not" from on high... I hope that each region, while having its own flavor, does not severely limit our choices as players. The Pale felt like the Henry Ford version of DnD: "You can have any god you want as long as its Pholtus... " Anyway.. just my 2cp's worth.... |
| Keith5302-10-08, 09:05 AM | I tend to have to play online and it will be a bit easier meeting the possible 50% in region rule. Although it would be nice to see that restriction lifted a bit more too, to go along with the easier/more fun concept of 4.0. What "50% in region rule?" Is that an LG rule? LFR is NOT LG so don't assume any LG rules will be used in LFR. LFR will allow/encourage players to play adventures from all regions. Keith Hoffman LFR USA-NC Co-Writing Director |
| Keith5302-10-08, 09:17 AM | To be honest one of my concerns (not that it matters.. but why not add to the list...) is recreating the Pale... A theocracy that really limited the individual player creativity. It very much had a flavor of "thou shall not" from on high... I hope that each region, while having its own flavor, does not severely limit our choices as players. The Pale felt like the Henry Ford version of DnD: "You can have any god you want as long as its Pholtus... " Anyway.. just my 2cp's worth.... I don't see this as a real worry in LFR. Greenwood took a different approach towards religions and gods than Gygax did. While a given city or region might favor a particular god more (like the Moonshaes was traditionally predominantly worship of Chauntea), I can't think of any regions which actually exclude other gods/faiths. OK, if you are a Zhent, you might still be in the Cyrus vs Bane fight, but I doubt we will allow Zhent PCs. :P Now, if you are expecting every town/region to have the same mix of temples, you might be disappointed. Keith Hoffman LFR USA-NC Co-Writing Director |
| Raevynn02-10-08, 10:45 AM | I think your two posts answer my questions/hesitations. I have always liked the FR world so this will be an interesting change... See you all at GC08! |
| TheBlackFlail02-10-08, 01:23 PM | I don't see this as a real worry in LFR. Greenwood took a different approach towards religions and gods than Gygax did. While a given city or region might favor a particular god more (like the Moonshaes was traditionally predominantly worship of Chauntea), I can't think of any regions which actually exclude other gods/faiths. OK, if you are a Zhent, you might still be in the Cyrus vs Bane fight, but I doubt we will allow Zhent PCs. :P Now, if you are expecting every town/region to have the same mix of temples, you might be disappointed. Keith Hoffman LFR USA-NC Co-Writing Director Halruua & Dambrath (amongst other places) both had state religions (similar to the Pale). Of course both places are now thermonuclear wastelands in the new FR, so... |
| Keith5302-10-08, 03:57 PM | Halruua & Dambrath (amongst other places) both had state religions (similar to the Pale). Of course both places are now thermonuclear wastelands in the new FR, so... True, although I don't really think either was properly a theocracy (like the Pale or Veluna). However, as you indicated, moot point. I was really answering the question in terms of LFR; not all of Toril. I don't think PCs will be limited that way. Sorry if I misled anyone. Your particular deity may not be the patron deity in all areas of Toril, to be sure, and in some regions, it might be tough to find any temples to specific deities. Ravens Bluff was not a typical FR city in that regard. When the 4E FRCS is released, we will have much better insight into the new religious demographics in the Realms. Keith |
| Reneshat02-10-08, 11:50 PM | True, although I don't really think either was properly a theocracy (like the Pale or Veluna). However, as you indicated, moot point. I was really answering the question in terms of LFR; not all of Toril. I don't think PCs will be limited that way. Sorry if I misled anyone. Your particular deity may not be the patron deity in all areas of Toril, to be sure, and in some regions, it might be tough to find any temples to specific deities. Ravens Bluff was not a typical FR city in that regard. When the 4E FRCS is released, we will have much better insight into the new religious demographics in the Realms. Keith I always viewed the two of them closer to Verbobonc with St. Cuthbert. Then again, they might be more theocratic than that, it just seemed to me that Ed and other designers tried to avoid some of the religious fanaticism found in Greyhawk. |
| gomeztoo02-11-08, 02:03 AM | Halruua & Dambrath (amongst other places) both had state religions (similar to the Pale). Of course both places are now thermonuclear wastelands in the new FR, so... It is not confirmed that Dambrath was destroyed. The Walls could have protected it from the devastation of Halruaa. |
| LGMoses02-12-08, 01:05 PM | I am not proposing that there is a conspiracy. Pacific Norhtwest has WotC headquarters, and Northeast US generates the highest sales. They rightly get the best regions. Also, just because all the regions are playable does not mean that all of Faerun will be assigned to real world regions. There will likely be unbalancingly desirable and unbalancingly weird areas that will not be assigned as regions. I agree. I love a lot of the less famous regions and find the Silver Marches boring and vanilla. One of the two points I was making in my post was that a region that was not bogged down with dozens of novels and modules would be preferable to one that was. Give me Thesk, the Border Kingdoms, the Lake of Steam, Aglarond, or the Great Rift before the Silver Marches, Cormyr, or the Dalelands. I agree with this statement. Personally, being Southeast also, I am hoping for Rashemen, but Tethyr as you mentioned would also be excellent. So I once again call a formal dibs! Dibs I say!!!! |
| Keith5302-12-08, 06:43 PM | Although I cannot and will not identify the regions (you must wait for announcement on 28 Feb, Thursday evening at DDXP), Chris did just tell me that I could state my opinion (which follows): The selected LFR regions are all cool and have lots of opportunity for adventuring. I was not bribed by Chris or anyone for that posting. For those of other generations than me, cool means really neat or good. :-D Keith Hoffman LFR USA-NC Co-Writing Director |
| Herrbard02-12-08, 09:05 PM | For those of other generations than me, cool means really neat or good. :-D I just realized that I'm from the same generation as Keith. That makes one of us old. Probably me. :rimshot: |
| pedr02-13-08, 03:01 AM | The selected LFR regions are all cool and have lots of opportunity for adventuring. OMG!! The LFR admins didn't get The Memo (http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=218023)! WotC must really not care about the RPGA if Scott Rouse doesn't even send them such vital marketing information! /humour, with apologies for threadjack! Seriously, good to know, particularly as someone with no FR experience - hopefully the UK (etc) will get somewhere inspiring... and easy to learn about. |
| gomeztoo02-13-08, 03:25 AM | So to rephrase: The selected LFR regions are all rad to the max hawt, and have lots of wicked awsome opportunity for some sick phat adventuring. Neato! |
| tombollis02-13-08, 06:58 AM | That's kind of funny that some Canadians think they got the short shrift with Ket and Zeif. I've heard many Aussies say the same about Perrenland. Those same Aussies screamed blue murder when the part of Australia they were living in changed to the more traditional-fantasy Ratik. "If we want generic fantasy, we can play cores," they squealed. :) I would have loved to adventure in Ket and Zeif as well as Perrenland. But you know what? LFR allows us to play *everywhere*, so thanks to Chris Tulach, we get the best of both worlds. Joe The problem wasn't that no one wanted to play in these regions, but that many disliked the feel of the region, and couldn't travel to play in others. This should not be a problem in LFR. Tom Bollis |
| JamesMaissen02-13-08, 11:04 AM | The problem wasn't that no one wanted to play in these regions, but that many disliked the feel of the region, and couldn't travel to play in others. This should not be a problem in LFR. Tom Bollis It should be more of a problem in LFR. How is there going to be any regional identity at all? Take a KET mod and have someone that's never played in KET run it. Now have another person that's never played in KET write another one. That seems closer to what this new proposed system is likely to deliver. On counterpoint take a core mod and play it with a group of KET PCs & run by a KET judge, then turn around and see the same core mod run elsewhere and you will get a very different experience. I think that removing the regions and just leaving in metaregions (cause that's in essence the area you're talking about here) is a big mistake. The regional system was one of the strongest things from LG.. throwing it out seems to be a mistake. Or have I missed something that will make these regions actually mean anything? -James |
| gomeztoo02-13-08, 11:25 AM | I think you may out too much emphasize on the idea that your own geographic location is important to obtain or acquire regional flavor. In LG, I had a character from Verbobonc. I couldn't play scenarios (though I could run them on occasion), but I did manage to delve into local flavor. My own location did not hamper me in learning regional flavor. Similar with LFR. If the DM that plans to run North-European scenarios invests some time in getting to know the region, then there will be hardlky a problem getting the right 'feel' going, especially if you play the regions with characters that are based there. It's all in your own control: if you wish to feel at home in region X, make a PC that comes from, or has ties with, region X, and try to find a friend willing to DM the scenarios from that region (you can offer to run everything from region Y). If you just make a PC that plays anything anywhere, then you might get less 'feel' of regional scenarios and plotlines. But even then that merely depends on how well you yourself invest in the regional background. |
| MatteBlack02-13-08, 12:30 PM | I guess we'll have to wait for after DDXP for alot of these details but, I think additional TUs for out of region mods and offering convention specials and interactives from the regions they are in would be enough to keep alot of the regional community but, there would still be some dilution. However, I think the additional access to everything being written is worth the trade off. It would also allow home groups to pick the region of their liking and conventions in the same vicinity to tailor there mod offerings to develop a secondary region they support to differentiate it from another. For instance, In my region we have: OGC - MA/NH in Oct. Carnage - New Hampshire in Nov. AnonyCon- Stamford, CT in Dec. Genericon - Troy, NY in Jan. TotalCon - Mansfield, MA in Feb. ConnCon - Stamford, CT in Mar. Each could pick a different outside region's mods to offer next to latest in region ones and still offer fresh new content even though they run a month apart and as little as an hour away from each other. If they keep TUs, I'll assume that I'll have a primary regional character for con participation and secondaries to follow each of the out-of-region areas with. More than likely I'd push for DMs in my group to each pick a region to eat so they can run for our group as well. I look forward to the new campaign. |
| JamesMaissen02-13-08, 03:13 PM | I think you may out too much emphasize on the idea that your own geographic location is important to obtain or acquire regional flavor. It's the critical mass of players that makes the region. The setting is secondary to that.. it reinforces it and gives it an outlet allowing it to take shape. But it is the social getting together and those doing so that define the flavor. Writers, taken from the player base, react to the players that they know. They respond (either in accordance or opposition) to the modules that they, themselves, have played. When you play a metaregional or core written by an author from another region you can feel the difference. When you play that same module in the region the author is from the experience is far different. Its more in sync. Sure you can get some of that from a judge that's played in that region... but not nearly the same as a judge from that region. Now perhaps locales will select a 'home' region of their own, and turn around and write for that 'home' region. Perhaps that will maintain a modicum of what LG achieved with regions. But it doesn't seem as likely to occur. I think it will fragment the players into smaller geographic regions rather than expand them into a plurality. You will have more emphasis on a small locale (city, etc) or gaming group rather than a larger one. Travel between locales will decline and groups will become more isolated. In the end I'm not sure what it achieves, or why one wants to change things in this manor. It seems like a major change just to make a change. And it's a pity as it's attacking one of the selling points for me that living campaigns had. -James |
| LOE_Frey02-13-08, 04:52 PM | What "50% in region rule?" Is that an LG rule? LFR is NOT LG so don't assume any LG rules will be used in LFR. LFR will allow/encourage players to play adventures from all regions. Keith Hoffman LFR USA-NC Co-Writing Director Keith, Just for your information here is the LG standard from the LGCS. Online Play Note: Teleconferencing is considered ‘online’ play. All adventures may be played online. Regionals and Metaregionals require both the GM and more than 50% of the players to be at one physical location within the region or metaregion, respectively. Your registered RPGA address must be within the region or metaregion, respectively, to play a Regional or Metaregional online. I realize LG and LFR are not the same and never intended to imply they would be. My comment and those previous were simply to indicate that I hoped that if any general RPGA game rules might carry-over from LG that this is one that might not. I am glad to hear, from your response, that it appears this is not the case. I was hoping that those working on LFR would realize the expanding amount of gaming by teleconferencing and how it might impact some people and therefore needed to be considered. Making LFR more viable and less restrictive as what LG has proven to be (in my case) could be a good thing. I am glad to see, in concept, that LFR will try to expand gameplay and enjoyment. For me, there were many things about LG that were restrictive and interferred with my enjoyment. I look forward to seeing the results of your hard work and to partake in the fun. For all I know there may no longer be such things as metaregions nor if there is an issue of TU like in LG so I don't portend to assume. If however there is a time limit to some adventures as there were in LG, I hope that "teleconferencing" (if there is such a breakdown in LFR) add a bit of time. Sometimes teleconfrencing can cause delays in gameplay and I find a little more allotted time would help. But again this is only if there is a time limit and an issue of teleconferencing. My only goal here was to indicate where I thought things could be impoved upon from LG. I however do trust in those working on it that it will be the best it can and will wait to see what the future brings. Luck and keep up the good work. |
| Keith5302-13-08, 06:43 PM | Keith, Just for your information here is the LG standard from the LGCS. [i] Online Play <snip I realize LG and LFR are not the same and never intended to imply they would be. My comment and those previous were simply to indicate that I hoped that if any general RPGA game rules might carry-over from LG that this is one that might not. I am glad to hear, from your response, that it appears this is not the case. <snip> Luck and keep up the good work. Thanks for the explanation. I was not familiar with the LG rule. It probably makes sense when the modules are supposed to be only run within the corresponding geographic region. But that model is not applicable to LFR. Because of the global access & play for LFR modules, AND the generic WotC desire for greater on-line play options, I would think such a rule is pretty unlikely in LFR. I would assume teleconferencing would be treated similar to on-line play. I don't know why LFR would have any special rules beyond whatever the normal RPGA rules. Metaregions do not exist, unless you are counting the Global Admin's supervision over 4 regions (and their admins). We will have regional adventures and core adventures. Whether we at some future point coordinate or align a plot thread between regions, maybe a story starts in one region and wanders into the next, <shrug> I don't know. There is a bit more nuance to this than what I may currently discuss. Maybe after DDXP. Keith Hoffman LFR USA-NC Co-Writing Director |
| tombollis02-13-08, 07:08 PM | It should be more of a problem in LFR. How is there going to be any regional identity at all? Take a KET mod and have someone that's never played in KET run it. Now have another person that's never played in KET write another one. That seems closer to what this new proposed system is likely to deliver. In LFR, regional mods will be edited by a regional admin. and writers are sure to be informed of the flavor of the region. If none of the players or the GM at a table have played in the actual region, then how the experience differs from that in the region won't matter - it's their perception of the region that matters to the players. On counterpoint take a core mod and play it with a group of KET PCs & run by a KET judge, then turn around and see the same core mod run elsewhere and you will get a very different experience. Irrelevant. You get such differences between tables in the same room at a convention. Such regional differences in play of a core mod will probably be less if the players aren't used to only one style of local modules. I think that removing the regions and just leaving in metaregions (cause that's in essence the area you're talking about here) is a big mistake. The regional system was one of the strongest things from LG.. throwing it out seems to be a mistake. The likely LFR regional system seems an improvement over the LG system to me. I am not a fan of how LG handles regions and metaregions. Or have I missed something that will make these regions actually mean anything? Different regions will have different NPCs, politics, geography, racial blends, and stories. Being able to participate in a variety, with seperate or the same PC, will make for a more interesting and complex game world. We won't each be playing in our own local subset of the world, unless that is our choice. The regions are sure to be meaningful if the administrators and writers try to give them distinct personalities. I don't want to identify with a particular region just because I am assigned to it, though I am going to have a bias towards the region that corresponds to my geographical area, particularly if premiers are all held only in-region. I want to sample different regions and concentrate most on the ones I find most interesting. Tom Bollis |
| gomeztoo02-14-08, 03:40 AM | It's the critical mass of players that makes the region. I believe it is the story and background that makes the region. Gatherings of people make a game session work - but it is not really important what region is the subject. Sure, if a lot of PCs have invested in a region, it is easier to make tables that have a regional feel. But the new system doesn't disallow that. it just gives more regions for which you can make such tables. Don't forget that teh main difference of region feel through location is because people *couldn't* play other region's scenarios. Now they can, so anyone can become familiar with the flavor of a certain region. And as Tom says, the regional plot coordinator will edit scenarios and make sure they fit the plots and themes of a region. |
| JamesMaissen02-14-08, 03:46 AM | I believe it is the story and background that makes the region. Gatherings of people make a game session work - but it is not really important what region is the subject. I think we're just going to disagree on this. Hopefully it will work out. But I think it's putting the cart before the horse. -James |
| MwaO02-17-08, 11:08 PM | Basically- if they can find another way to play the module, such as online play, then that's fine. But they *are* expected to GM the module in a timely manner (say, as a slot zero for it's premiering convention) so this might not always be possible. Our group also has this plan. We'll probably take the regions that are 'unlikely' to see a lot of play in our area. In other words, the non-North American mods. |
| Surgebuster02-17-08, 11:28 PM | Our group also has this plan. We'll probably take the regions that are 'unlikely' to see a lot of play in our area. In other words, the non-North American mods. It is interesting to hear that non-North American mods may see the least play in your area. Does not the actual FR region count for whether or not your players would want to play those mods? :confused: Joe |
| MwaO02-17-08, 11:49 PM | It is interesting to hear that non-North American mods may see the least play in your area. Does not the actual FR region count for whether or not your players would want to play those mods? :confused: Joe I live in North America(NYC to be specific) - presumably the North American region mods are going to be the mods that get heavy play in our area. We shouldn't have a problem finding a DM for them among our group. But Southern Europe/Turkey? Either someone is eating that mod, playing it online, or it isn't getting played in our area. At least not quickly. If someone is the DM of that region and auto-eats all the mods, that no longer is a problem. |
| Surgebuster02-18-08, 12:07 AM | I live in North America(NYC to be specific) - presumably the North American region mods are going to be the mods that get heavy play in our area. We shouldn't have a problem finding a DM for them among our group. But Southern Europe/Turkey? Either someone is eating that mod, playing it online, or it isn't getting played in our area. At least not quickly. If someone is the DM of that region and auto-eats all the mods, that no longer is a problem. Ah, I sense you may be referring to an online group when you mention not having a problem finding a DM. It doesn't really make that much sense otherwise, since a local group might have to draw straws to see who eats one region's adventures as many others are doing. In that case, it wouldn't really matter where the adventures were written. :) Joe |
| MwaO02-18-08, 12:11 AM | Ah, I sense you may be referring to an online group when you mention not having a problem finding a DM. It doesn't really make that much sense otherwise, since a local group might have to draw straws to see who eats one region's adventures as many others are doing. In that case, it wouldn't really matter where the adventures were written. :) Joe Not at all. There are (presumably, hard to tell as LR has started yet) a number of conventions and game days in my area. They'll presumably run primarily regional content and thereby make a bunch of DMs. So running out of region content is the priority. |
| LGMoses08-19-07, 01:37 AM | How are the regions going to be divided up? Are the triads going to be the same and what-not? Can we vote for what region we get where? Will higher play areas get first consideration? Any official info been released yet? What region are YOU, the player, hoping for in your area? |
| GreatSiron08-19-07, 02:59 AM | I want Tennessee to be one of the Dales. One Dale in particular, can't remember the name right now, but it's the one that changed it's name after having to kill children that rose as vampire spawn. I am a very morbid person.:) |
| _metz_08-19-07, 08:04 AM | I want Tennessee to be one of the Dales. One Dale in particular, can't remember the name right now, but it's the one that changed it's name after having to kill children that rose as vampire spawn. I am a very morbid person.:) Wow, that will go down well as a region. Looks silly already. |
| NiTessine08-19-07, 11:25 AM | I want Tennessee to be one of the Dales. One Dale in particular, can't remember the name right now, but it's the one that changed it's name after having to kill children that rose as vampire spawn. I am a very morbid person.:) Daggerdale, I believe. I'll be fine with whatever we get, as long as it's not Vaasa. There's a city in Finland by that name and we would never be taken seriously. Baldur's Gate and its environs would be immensely cool, though. |
| KarmaInferno08-19-07, 11:55 AM | I want the Vast. The one with a certain City of Magical Learning. :D -karma |
| scon4008-19-07, 01:08 PM | The RPGA is still deciding exactly how and where the regions will be allocated. I think the real-world divisions will bear some similarities to the current divisions in LG, but they'll definitely not be exactly the same in location or size. |
| lathan6608-19-07, 01:12 PM | Hey all, For those that don't know me, I am turning 41 next month and have played D&D since I was 13 y/o. I remember when Greyhawk came out and sometime thereafter Forgotten Realms came out. Forgotten Realms never had the same effect that Greyhawk had. It never really caught on with our group and so we just kept doing our own home Greyhawk thing. As I got older and D&D changed, I played every once in a while but it never was the same game to me. Then I came across LG and 3.5. I was a little late in the story arc starting at the end of Year 3 but I just fell in love with everything that was being done and, knowing Greyhawk as I did, loved that we were in Keoland of all places. It was awesome. Then I read this... this stuff that Greyhawk ends and Forgotten Realms begins. What a flashback! You'd think they would learn from the past! It seems that it is time to return to the old home campaigns of yesteryear and begin the old underground movement that once was 2nd edition...now 3.5. I am not against new things but I despise the idea of no support for continuing Greyhawk. I will take that wonderful quote from Braveheart..."from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies you can take our campaign, but you'll never take our freedom!" I don't know what I will do come 2008. But I know what I will not do. I will not buy any more WOTC products until April 2009, and possibly further. Not one product of theirs shall be purchased by me. If every LGer would do that from miniatures to Magic to whatever else, they would take a hit and they would know that they have just stuck a sword in the heart of those that have been loyal to this game for almost 30 years. LFR... What location will we all be a part of in the future? Anyone have a favorite? Any one even know the landscape of Forgotten Realms enough to even care? I am curious enough to go to the D&D Experience... but as much as I like the new 4th Edition stuff I've seen so far, I think the end of Greyhawk bothers me most of all, especially because this same scenario happened before. It was wrong then and it'll be wrong now. As Rosaline says in Act V Scene III of Shakespeare's Love's Labour Lost: "Then cannot we be bought; and so adieu..." Adieu, Bruce Wienckowski |
| lseelba08-19-07, 02:53 PM | Hey all, For those that don't know me, I am turning 41 next month and have played D&D since I was 13 y/o. I remember when Greyhawk came out and sometime thereafter Forgotten Realms came out. Forgotten Realms never had the same effect that Greyhawk had. It never really caught on with our group and so we just kept doing our own home Greyhawk thing. As I got older and D&D changed, I played every once in a while but it never was the same game to me. Then I came across LG and 3.5. I was a little late in the story arc starting at the end of Year 3 but I just fell in love with everything that was being done and, knowing Greyhawk as I did, loved that we were in Keoland of all places. It was awesome. Then I read this... this stuff that Greyhawk ends and Forgotten Realms begins. What a flashback! You'd think they would learn from the past! It seems that it is time to return to the old home campaigns of yesteryear and begin the old underground movement that once was 2nd edition...now 3.5. I am not against new things but I despise the idea of no support for continuing Greyhawk. I will take that wonderful quote from Braveheart..."from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies you can take our campaign, but you'll never take our freedom!" I don't know what I will do come 2008. But I know what I will not do. I will not buy any more WOTC products until April 2009, and possibly further. Not one product of theirs shall be purchased by me. If every LGer would do that from miniatures to Magic to whatever else, they would take a hit and they would know that they have just stuck a sword in the heart of those that have been loyal to this game for almost 30 years. LFR... What location will we all be a part of in the future? Anyone have a favorite? Any one even know the landscape of Forgotten Realms enough to even care? I am curious enough to go to the D&D Experience... but as much as I like the new 4th Edition stuff I've seen so far, I think the end of Greyhawk bothers me most of all, especially because this same scenario happened before. It was wrong then and it'll be wrong now. As Rosaline says in Act V Scene III of Shakespeare's Love's Labour Lost: "Then cannot we be bought; and so adieu..." Adieu, Bruce Wienckowski Thanks for posting this in multiple places, especially in a thread that is about REGIONS in the new Living Campaign. How informative of you! :rolleyes: |
| Mithreinmaethor08-19-07, 03:04 PM | Thanks for posting this in multiple places, especially in a thread that is about REGIONS in the new Living Campaign. How informative of you! :rolleyes: I am sure he just wanted plenty of people to realize he is getting his whine on....errrr rant on. |
| markjsb08-19-07, 03:15 PM | Thanks for posting this in multiple places, especially in a thread that is about REGIONS in the new Living Campaign. How informative of you! :rolleyes: :mad: Why thank you, Oh WOTC corporate "schill"!:P Are you one of the "geniuses" who thought making D&D Online be set in the "Space Opera", excuse me, I meant Ebberon setting was a great idea? I don't think I know anyone who plays that. Wow, what a spectacular success that was. :P I agree with Bruce and also plan to not make anymore WOTC purchases until April 2009. Like Bruce, I strongly suggest that it is WAY past time that we let WOTC know that if they keep listening to the marketing "suits" they're probably going to take a massive loss in profits. Feel free to "flame" back all you want Iseelba. I'm going offline now and don't plan to even look at this list for quite some time. |
| Barimol08-19-07, 03:15 PM | Since the south-east region was represented in LG by The Yeomanry with her democratic and military traditions, two areas in FR come to mind as being some what similar. Turmish with it's republic form of government, and Chessenta with it's mercenary tradition. This could allow writers producing modules for the Yeomanry dependent on these traditions to easily adapt them to the Realms. It might also allow some of the elements of the Yeomanry to be translated to the new region. For example the government of Turmish isn't heavily detailed; if it is based around limited citizenship as in The Yeomanry, then metaorgs that grant citizenship, like the clergy, could be easily modified for the new region reducing the transtion work load. With a little research almost any area of Greyhawk can find a counterpart in the Realms. Damarra with it's knights and stalwort defense against the invading armies from Vasaa for Gran Marche, the Moonsheas with it's celtic style culture fighting against decline for Geoff, The Dragon Coast with it's pirate havens for the Badit Kingdoms all come to mind. |
| Grimslade200108-19-07, 03:32 PM | I think pointing out the spamming of multiple threads with the same post does not counts as shilling for THE MAN. Relax a bit with your fellow players. They did not cancel Greyhawk, WotC did. Don't poo-poo the people trying to make lemonade out of the next era of Living Campaigns. That said, what areas of FR have not been covered in novels? I know the North is Drizzt land and Sembia had a recent spate of novels. I would hope we get kingdoms/countries that are not too fleshed out. |
| MadVlad08-19-07, 04:03 PM | Thanks for posting this in multiple places, especially in a thread that is about REGIONS in the new Living Campaign. How informative of you! :rolleyes: Thanks for posting a thread about Living Realms on a board that is specifically dedicated to Living Greyhawk. As if some of us aren't already ****** enough.... |
| MadVlad08-19-07, 04:04 PM | Hey all, For those that don't know me, I am turning 41 next month and have played D&D since I was 13 y/o. I remember when Greyhawk came out and sometime thereafter Forgotten Realms came out. Forgotten Realms never had the same effect that Greyhawk had. It never really caught on with our group and so we just kept doing our own home Greyhawk thing. As I got older and D&D changed, I played every once in a while but it never was the same game to me. Then I came across LG and 3.5. I was a little late in the story arc starting at the end of Year 3 but I just fell in love with everything that was being done and, knowing Greyhawk as I did, loved that we were in Keoland of all places. It was awesome. Then I read this... this stuff that Greyhawk ends and Forgotten Realms begins. What a flashback! You'd think they would learn from the past! It seems that it is time to return to the old home campaigns of yesteryear and begin the old underground movement that once was 2nd edition...now 3.5. I am not against new things but I despise the idea of no support for continuing Greyhawk. I will take that wonderful quote from Braveheart..."from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies you can take our campaign, but you'll never take our freedom!" I don't know what I will do come 2008. But I know what I will not do. I will not buy any more WOTC products until April 2009, and possibly further. Not one product of theirs shall be purchased by me. If every LGer would do that from miniatures to Magic to whatever else, they would take a hit and they would know that they have just stuck a sword in the heart of those that have been loyal to this game for almost 30 years. LFR... What location will we all be a part of in the future? Anyone have a favorite? Any one even know the landscape of Forgotten Realms enough to even care? I am curious enough to go to the D&D Experience... but as much as I like the new 4th Edition stuff I've seen so far, I think the end of Greyhawk bothers me most of all, especially because this same scenario happened before. It was wrong then and it'll be wrong now. As Rosaline says in Act V Scene III of Shakespeare's Love's Labour Lost: "Then cannot we be bought; and so adieu..." Adieu, Bruce Wienckowski While being only a few years younger, I too have followed the path that you took, and will take. WotC has pretty much just closed a door in my life... |
| Emirikol08-19-07, 05:12 PM | FYI: there are LIVING FORGOTTEN REALMS discussions now open: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/LivingFR http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/LFR-CO (Colorado) Until we know what the actual regions are and the actual set-up, I just set up an additiona local one for my Colorado community (since that's the only region I'll be in!!!). You guys may wisht to do the same for your areas. I'm guessing that the regional aspect will be downplayed and that there will be some improvements from LG's constraints. I've posted my predictions on regions. :) Jay |
| Mithreinmaethor08-19-07, 05:19 PM | While being only a few years younger, I too have followed the path that you took, and will take. WotC has pretty much just closed a door in my life... If the door is closed for you then why do you continue to stand in the front yard yelling back at the door ? The decisions have been made, they are moving forward, no amount of *****ing, whining or moaning from anyone will change it. |
| MadVlad08-19-07, 08:12 PM | I disagree, that's why I'm still around. If I offend you so badly, please feel free to not read my posts. Have a nice day. |
| bhale18708-19-07, 09:35 PM | I too would like to hear the answers to LGMoses's questions. I would realy like to know what region I will be playing in so I can brush up on local lore in the meantime. It's too bad this thread got hijacked so quickly. There are plenty of other threads to complain or praise 4E and the end of LG, why can't we keep this one on the discussion of future regions of Living Realms? |
| The_Jester08-19-07, 09:40 PM | I'd like a logically laid-out region assignment where your neighbors in real-life correspond to similar regions in-game so you don't travel half-way across the continent by hopping over a state/province border. But as an Albertan I'd like to see us have Neverwinter, mostly due BioWare being here and their hand in Neverwinter Nights and making that city/region much more well known. |
| LCJJohnson08-19-07, 11:13 PM | Can this thread please be moved to RPGA > RPGA HQ > RPGA GENERAL until such time as RPGA > RPGA Campaigns > Living Forgotten Realms is created? LCJJohnson |
| Umbra_Kaitou08-19-07, 11:37 PM | Oo...can we be menzoberranzan >_> (half joking) |
| LGMoses08-20-07, 01:09 AM | I know how everyone is feeling. I too am very upset with what is going on. I live in an area where there were maybe 7 people that played dnd. I worked with LG to pull more people into our new game store and popularize LG. The biggest obstacle I had was getting people to take the unknown Greyhawk seriously next to the super-publicized realms. But I did it. I worked for a solid year and while the original 7 gamers didn't all get into organized play, I pulled enuff people into playing that I began having to turn people away at games. (I ate mods every tuesday, I played 3 LG games in my entire history and was the only RPGA judge in the area). I got this news just as my players were almost ready for apl 4 games(the heavy duty players hitting lvl 4). With such a small community I was intimately familiar with all of their characters and their futures: Artemis is a 3rd level rogue who specialized in finding traps after encountering a serious trap in his first mod. He bought some goggles of minute seeing to make finding those deadly traps easier. He also set up a second identity as an architect scholar named David Goodsman to prepare himself for the spymaster prestige class and was awaiting a special mission to join our region's "thieves guild" which infiltrates the Scarlet Brotherhood. Then there was Arcules Strow, the young baklunish paladin fighting for good in the world and learning of his Baklunish heritage. He got the rest of the group to travel with him to Zeif to help free a "different" but fellow follower of the archpaladin. Kalmiir the Wood elf traveled the lands seeking gold where he could find it and protecting his friends from strangers to the party. Victor Silverblade the half-elf was a newly made travelling bard enjoying freedom and song while avoiding the bad reputation brought by his family name. Grog the wood elf barb/cleric was not very bright or personable but had the best intentions and protected his friends and sought challenging foes to please Kord with his display of strength and pluck. When I first heard LG was dying I could not sleep. I'm starting to calm down. LG went on for a good while. I had taken it for granted that it would always be there. I was wrong. I can't blame WotC for doing what they are trying to do. Forgotten Realms is more popular and LFR will spark more interest from new players to bring into the fold of the RPGA. I'm sad to see LG go but I can't really blame Wizards especially if 4.0 is a good new system. I am sad that my thread was hijacked so quickly. I had hoped we could start planning for the future as soon as possible. I can't blame people for needing to vent. If you look around on the forums you'll see where I've done it too. Lets all just sleep on this for a while and think about the future. What I would like to see is that we take what was good from LG, what we learned from this wonderful Living Campaign system and bring it into the next generation. LG is going but lets give it a good sending off and take what we learned into the future. I think we should make the best of what we've got and give it a chance. |
| Shandronas08-20-07, 12:59 PM | Yo quiero Nimbral. |
| MichaelAhlf08-20-07, 01:11 PM | I want Tennessee to be one of the Dales. One Dale in particular, can't remember the name right now, but it's the one that changed it's name after having to kill children that rose as vampire spawn. I am a very morbid person.:) What's sad is, this pathetic excuse for a 'region' is one of the only halfway possibly decent ones in the entire FR setting. |
| KarmaInferno08-20-07, 01:31 PM | Your opinion. Not a fact. There's a staggering amount of people out there who do, in fact, like the FR setting quite a bit. Given the frequency and vehemency of posts you're thrown out the past couple of days, might I suggest you step away from the computer for a couple of hours and cool your head? -karma |
| LachlarlanIII08-20-07, 01:46 PM | I hope we (the BK) don't get another region ruled by an evil demigod/lich/dragon/whatever. Though, being Thay might be cool. :) |
| AOSOL08-20-07, 05:22 PM | Florida - Thay Enough said. |
| Bogjob08-20-07, 05:31 PM | Waterdeep ;) Hoping for Silverymoon but being in Europe probably we'll get shafted with a backwater as usual. |
| solbergb08-20-07, 05:35 PM | I'd like a logically laid-out region assignment where your neighbors in real-life correspond to similar regions in-game so you don't travel half-way across the continent by hopping over a state/province border. But as an Albertan I'd like to see us have Neverwinter, mostly due BioWare being here and their hand in Neverwinter Nights and making that city/region much more well known. I agree. It's weird, for example, that Zief and the Duchy of Urnst are next to each other, when in Greyhawk they're on opposite sides of the world. (OTOH, Canada has Tusmit, which is next to Zief. Some of these things happen accidently) I don't know the regions in FR very well, as 100% of my exposure to the setting is the old SPI "Gold Box Games", "Eye of the Beholder" and the Neverwinter Nights campaigns. I even managed to miss the whole "Baldur's Gate" series. I do have a soft spot for Phlan though. You gotta love the idea of a bunch of enterpreneurs camping out on the edge of a blasted ruin of a city and paying adventurers to clean it out for them, so they can restore trade and civilization. For all its technical flaws, the original Pool of Radiance computer game was a pretty good story. There's another advantage in a way to a living campaign set in the Realms. No more "6 bozo's" logic needed. That setting has armies of 10th level characters running around. They had to get to those levels somehow. Greyhawk as a setting does show the strain when you can muster a score of people who can teleport in nearly any interactive. |
| Prof. Pacali08-20-07, 07:14 PM | I'm calling dibs on Cormyr for New York/New Jersey and Pennsylvania. :) |
| DarkKnight08-20-07, 07:26 PM | I hope we (the BK) don't get another region ruled by an evil demigod/lich/dragon/whatever. Though, being Thay might be cool. :) I can see it now, I've spent the last 7 years fighting Iuz and now that it's over I'll get stuck in Anauroch and have to fight against the city of Shade or something. I'd like a nice civilized area that's not in immediate danger from an evil demigod/lich/dragon/whatever knocking on our door step. After all this time my nerves are shot I tell you. |
| Eric Anondson08-20-07, 09:19 PM | I've heard from folks who attended the LG-termination announcement at the RPGA members meeting who have said that everyone will be able to play in any region. Now this might mean that, in LG context, that people who live in the Shield Lands (Minnesota, Dakotas) can play Nyrond mods without having to go to So. Cal/Arizona. Or it could mean that there won't be any association between FR locations and real world geographies. Everyone everywhere can have PCs as natives of any designated region in FR. No travel necessary, ever. Sort of like Xendrik factions. Of course, that also would seem to eliminate the reason for many RPGA conventions to exist . . . premiering their local triad's material. In this case there is no local triad because they are all global triads. Remember, the first truely global campaign? Just trying to figure this out. I know folks are hoping for their state/province/country to get a FR place, but that speculation may all be premature. |
| LGMoses08-20-07, 09:42 PM | yeah, its a little soon to be asking for that. I say we start a thread somewhere to talk about what should be brought over from Living Greyhawk to Living Forgotten Realms and what should be left behind. I'd like some sort of access system. Access in LG made it feel like you really earned everything. I liked the region meta-region thing. It made you feel a deeper fellowship with your local players IF you got into it. This is where we can decide on improvements we would like made. Just be careful not to waste time discussing anything edition specific. For instance, arguing over whether we should stay with a 28 point build or go to 32 is pointless due to 4.0 coming out and being different. |
| JJeff08-20-07, 09:50 PM | Whoa, coll down Moses... No need to sink to that level... I personally think there has to be a CORE region, and that given Waterdeep's amount of story arc-ing, that'll be it. Would love to know what regions we will get so all of us will start reading up on them (Hint, hint... a way to push book sales now....) |
| LGMoses08-20-07, 10:10 PM | proposed idea Noone likes the idea of having to travel across the world. Well, what if we used the regional system like we have today, BUT judges can some way be certified to travel and play their mods for others in different areas. Maybe even a judge in... lets just say Alabama could get certification from the New York triad to play Daggerdale or whatever. ALSO I think the regions should be noticeably different from what they were in LG regions. Some Border Kingdoms people want an area that doesn't have an evil overlord knocking at their door. Something like that maybe. Other than that, I say a populace wide vote amongst which groups in an area are going to be divided into each regions and let the regions with the most players choose first from a list of ready to go regional infrastructures. |
| berpo08-20-07, 11:03 PM | i'm in tusmit right now and i would like ta have the selenae... those island are amazing... and so different of the arabic version of the backlunish tusmit. |
| _metz_08-20-07, 11:19 PM | Exactly, I think regions should be different to what we have now. I don't want to spend my FR campaign time fighting Undead against an implacable foe we never get to defeat. I had enough of that in my time at Perrenland. I would like to think that we would get updates pretty often, this sort of transition will go down so much better if the player base is at least PARTIALLY consulted. Rather than just the marketing department. But that probably too much to hope for... |
| DarkKnight08-20-07, 11:30 PM | proposed idea Noone likes the idea of having to travel across the world. Well, what if we used the regional system like we have today, BUT judges can some way be certified to travel and play their mods for others in different areas. Maybe even a judge in... lets just say Alabama could get certification from the New York triad to play Daggerdale or whatever. ALSO I think the regions should be noticeably different from what they were in LG regions. Some Border Kingdoms people want an area that doesn't have an evil overlord knocking at their door. Something like that maybe. Other than that, I say a populace wide vote amongst which groups in an area are going to be divided into each regions and let the regions with the most players choose first from a list of ready to go regional infrastructures. Well, first of all, I don't care for the might makes right idea of choosing regions. Just because you have more players doesn't make those players over there any less deserving. Leave it up to the RPGA to assign and divvy up regions. Second, and steady yourselves for this, a thought has occurred to me. With 4E supporting on line play you may be able to play in ANY region. Think about it, some GM from California with XXX region could perhaps run players from ANY other region through one of the California regional mods. I could sit at my computer and get the same mod that the people in California are playing. Mind you that I definitely prefer sitting at a table with REAL people, as opposed to listening to them crackle over the Internet, but it seems like this would be a possibility for the "First Truly Global Campaign". |
| trollbill08-20-07, 11:42 PM | Florida - Thay Enough said. Wrong Magochracy. Being Florida we should be looking for a Coastal Region, in the Far South, with a Magic Kingdom and Ships the Fly Through the Sky. Wonder if there is anything like that in FR? |
| LGMoses08-20-07, 11:52 PM | Well, first of all, I don't care for the might makes right idea of choosing regions. Just because you have more players doesn't make those players over there any less deserving. Leave it up to the RPGA to assign and divvy up regions. Second, and steady yourselves for this, a thought has occurred to me. With 4E supporting on line play you may be able to play in ANY region. Think about it, some GM from California with XXX region could perhaps run players from ANY other region through one of the California regional mods. I could sit at my computer and get the same mod that the people in California are playing. Mind you that I definitely prefer sitting at a table with REAL people, as opposed to listening to them crackle over the Internet, but it seems like this would be a possibility for the "First Truly Global Campaign". thats what i was suggesting with my first idea. Second, I live in Alabama and we don't have that many players as other places do. But it makes since that what pleases the most people should be considered first right? I was suggesting this be handled the good old democratic way. I've been in the Yeomanry too long... |
| grandhammer08-20-07, 11:57 PM | I think the regions should be noticeably different from what they were in LG regions. Some Border Kingdoms people want an area that doesn't have an evil overlord knocking at their door. Heck Yeah. As a BK player I want something different. Lets not make BK'ing a mod a new phrase for LFR. Personally I'd like Cormanthor or the Dalelands. But i'll be happy no matter what. I'm sooooo looking forward to LFR. Ive already started making plans to try and attend Gencon Indy 2008 |
| ankhwearer08-21-07, 03:39 PM | The impression I got from the RPGA members meeting last week was that there would be fewer regions, of larger scale. When they have to call out that the United States would definitely be more than one region, you start to suspect that they are scaling up. The reasoning for this was that many regions were not getting enough volunteers to produce their full allotment of mods and that Triad recruiting was extremely difficult in areas with thinner D&D playing populations. I have no idea how this impacts the final results of the FR region assignment, but I'm pretty sure that players should not expect to be in a region that contains only a single country, nor in a region made up of a single state. Not even Ohio. |
| Barimol08-22-07, 04:51 AM | Running a campaign with out regions is possible. Writers from anywhere in the world could produce mods for any region and send them to the group assigned to manage that region, who can also be from anywhere in the world, for approval. The top level of campaign management would review and approve all mods presented and make them available for play at any RPGA event. Conventions could be allowed to select any mods available and run and players could play them without restriction. This system would allow prolific writers to produce as many mods per year as they like and for any region that strikes their fancy. This system would also allow the triad volunteers to still play a part in the development of the world, without upsetting players required to play in that region; don't like the triads ruling for a region, play in a different one (Kobolds anyone?). Characters in Forgotten Realms could choose their starting region from a list of regions like those presented in the FRCS starting on p30. Once selected, this no longer has to be the characters primary area of play if he doesn't want it to be. If you play a mod at a convention in say Texas that is set in Sembia, then at the end of that mod your character is in Sembia; then later you play that same character at a convention in Louisiana, your character starts in Sembia. If you play in a different Sembia mod then no TU cost applies. If you choose a mod from a different region being run at the Louisiana convention, a TU cost would apply. Please keep in mind that this is spit-balling and trying to think outside of the box. I'd be glad to hear any constructive in put to these ideas. Greg J. |
| Cynric08-22-07, 06:12 AM | As long as the region structure does not put Australia back into one region I do not really mind. My only reason for this is that if it is one region, we have to spend approx $2000 on flights to another region and fly 12 to 14 hours across the Pacific. That really cut's down on the mods you can play, even if you can afford it, which most can't. Steven |
| Demoyn08-22-07, 09:44 AM | I'd prefer the BK either become similar to what we have now (the Moonsea area - Hillsfar, Phlan, et al), or the complete opposite (the Moonshaes - quiet little backwater group of islands). |
| TWG_Prometheus08-22-07, 09:51 AM | As long as the region structure does not put Australia back into one region I do not really mind. My only reason for this is that if it is one region, we have to spend approx $2000 on flights to another region and fly 12 to 14 hours across the Pacific. That really cut's down on the mods you can play, even if you can afford it, which most can't. Steven The online facet of 4th edition should cut down on these sorts of problems anyway. Online play is (for many) a bit of a hassle right now, but if WotC streamlines all online D&D play, there's no reason that playing LFR modules online shouldn't be a much more common practice. In fact, what I've seen so far from WotC suggests that they're hoping to get D&D, the RPGA and online play all meshed so closely together that none of us really will think of them as separate. |
| Mr.Black08-22-07, 11:00 AM | For Texas/Oklahoma I'd choose a region that has a lot of conflicting city states, such as the Dalelands (probably core though), Moonsea, the Vast, or Dragon Coast. This is what we're used to here in BK. It wouldn't be bad if we got a completely different regional flavor, although we might take time getting used to it. I do wonder who will get regions like Thay, Mulhorand, Unther, and Chult. For other regions, some areas seem to make sense for me. Neverwinter in the area of Bioware. The Great Lakes area looks like the Moonsea. Uk could easily do Cormyr. I think it would be pretty funny if Netherlands did get Vaasa and Florida got the Great Rift (since they love dwarves).;) |
| MichaelAhlf08-22-07, 11:12 AM | For Texas/Oklahoma I'd choose a region that has a lot of conflicting city states, such as the Dalelands (probably core though), Moonsea, the Vast, or Dragon Coast. This is what we're used to here in BK. It wouldn't be bad if we got a completely different regional flavor, although we might take time getting used to it. I do wonder who will get regions like Thay, Mulhorand, Unther, and Chult. For other regions, some areas seem to make sense for me. Neverwinter in the area of Bioware. The Great Lakes area looks like the Moonsea. Uk could easily do Cormyr. I think it would be pretty funny if Netherlands did get Vaasa and Florida got the Great Rift (since they love dwarves).;) Bottom line: Texas is big enough. Incorporating Oklahoma made it that much harder for folks from Texas to travel to another region the first time. It was harder for folks from the west side of the state to go to more than 1 other region, it was harder for folks on the east side too seeing how the Louisiana/Arkansas Yeomanry combo is like a giant wall, and with Missouri/Kansas both being in Dyvers even most Oklahomans have a lousy time going anywhere else. The east coast of the US got all sorts of little regions peppered around and they had easy travel times to play the mods of 4-5 regions and 2-3 metaregions easily. The tri-state corner around Lake Michigan, likewise. Meanwhile, the southern/western states got hosed. If you're talking about "decreasing" the number of regions, OUCH. No thank you. If anything, Texas should be its own region, and none of the western/southern larger states should border another state that's in the same region they are. Decrease the travel times to get to another region, increase the number of people who will travel and play more. If that was the one thing I'd fix for LG, some bad decisions about region placement would have been it. |
| Kelios_Lyonsmane08-22-07, 02:38 PM | ALSO I think the regions should be noticeably different from what they were in LG regions. Some Border Kingdoms people want an area that doesn't have an evil overlord knocking at their door. It Would be a nice change of pace :w00t: . Other than that, I say a populace wide vote amongst which groups in an area are going to be divided into each regions and let the regions with the most players choose first from a list of ready to go regional infrastructures. I Can't Agree with that one since the people with a lesser demografique would be stuck with whatever region is not wanted :allalone: . i'm in tusmit right now and i would like ta have the selenae... those island are amazing... and so different of the arabic version of the backlunish tusmit. I would love Cormyr , the north ( Spine of the world , Luskan and the like ) or Impultur , The forgoten Kingdom , but i just know we ( Tusmit ) will be stuck in Anoroch ,The Great desert ( More like big if you ask me ) :banghead: . |
| Mithreinmaethor08-22-07, 06:40 PM | From the Geography section of the FR Campaign Guide (v3.0 Chapter 4) here are the regions (i.e LG Metaregions?) and subregions (i.e LG Regions) listed there. What will work and what wont I dont know but here they are: Anauroch Chultan Peninsula -Chult -Tashalar Cold Lands -Damara -Narfell -Vaasa Cormyr The Dalelands -Archendale -Battledale -Cormanthor -Daggerdale -Deepingdale -Featherdale -Harrowdale -Highdale -Mistledale -Scardale -Shadowdale -Tassledale Dragon Coast The Hordelands Island Kingdoms -Evermeet -Moonshae Isles -Nelanther Isles Lake of Steam Lands of Intrigue -Amn -Calimshan -Tethyr The Moonsea The North -The High Forest -The Savage Frontier -Silver Marches -The Sword Coast (North) -Waterdeep Old Empires -Chessenta -Mulhorand -Unther Sembia The Shining South -The Great Rift -Halruaa -Luiren -The Shaar The Unapproachable East -Aglarond -The Great Dale -Impiltur -Rashemen -Thay -Thesk The Underdark The Vast The Vilhon Reach -Chondath -Sespech -Turmish Western Heartlands Beyond Faerun -Kara-tur -Maztica -Zakhara |
| ankhwearer08-22-07, 06:48 PM | My only reason for this is that if it is one region, we have to spend approx $2000 on flights to another region and fly 12 to 14 hours across the Pacific. Heh heh, and there are people complaining that they must buy another $120 of core books... ;) |
| TheBlackFlail08-22-07, 09:01 PM | I hope we (the BK) don't get another region ruled by an evil demigod/lich/dragon/whatever. Awwwww... You're no fun. How about a region ruled by a Dragon who's also an evil demigod, or a lich who is also a dragon, or what about a lich who has beaten an evil demigod? |
| bhale18708-22-07, 10:26 PM | It would be nice to get as much notice as possible as to our geographic regions in LR. LR has some rather extensive history and I think Writers, GMs, and Players will all want to do some research about the region they will play in. |
| WizO_Brak08-23-07, 05:00 PM | Moved per request. ~Brak |
| LCJJohnson08-24-07, 12:30 AM | Thank you. |
| RLWilde08-24-07, 01:46 AM | Adieu, Bruce Wienckowski Since 4th Ed is to have an online component... GQLLFM |
| Lord Toast08-24-07, 09:52 AM | Thanks for the move oh mighty Wizo. After reading Mithreinmaethor's post I think it would be a good idea to keep it simple, weed out all of those possibilities. Instead of using Daggerdale, Shadowdale, as their own possible region just say the Dalelands. Or instead of using regions how about letting us play in little used cities, something hasbro has no big plans on developing (Waterdeep is always being developed). Two possible cities would be Phlan or even good old Raven's Bluff. I like the idea in LG of using a default region for those who fall outside the listed countries. And what about time units? Are they still planning on having them?...ahh the last questions are for a different thread. |
| Peter_Seckler08-24-07, 11:42 AM | I think it's probably not useful to be calling dibs and stuff, but I will say this: I will be mighty excited to have a chance to play in some of the more exotic regions! This is going to be great...:) |
| Madfox1108-24-07, 12:03 PM | Waterdeep ;) Hoping for Silverymoon but being in Europe probably we'll get shafted with a backwater as usual. Huh? In what ways is Ahlissa a backwater? |
| Randall Montgomery08-24-07, 01:35 PM | Personally, I'd love to see Wisconson get the Silver Marches, although Damara would be a close second for me. I definitely think if they're gonna still have a core region, Waterdeep should be it (although the Silver Marches might make a really good core region too). I also definitely DON'T want us to get stuck with the Sword Coast, unless we can somehow quarentine Amn (I find their attitude twoards magic users quite offensive). :mad: |
| KoboldChieftain08-25-07, 03:33 AM | I think it's probably not useful to be calling dibs and stuff, but I will say this: I will be mighty excited to have a chance to play in some of the more exotic regions! This is going to be great...:) I KNOW I am writing something for the Jungles of Chult. :) Probably with dinosaurs. :plotting: With class levels. :evillaugh Ok, maybe not but still, I would love to write something off the beaten path. That *would* be cool. |
| PCI_StatMonkey08-25-07, 02:32 PM | The RPGA is still deciding exactly how and where the regions will be allocated. I think the real-world divisions will bear some similarities to the current divisions in LG, but they'll definitely not be exactly the same in location or size. OMG please give florida a tropical area.... something nice, with islands... Please Or waterdeep.. ya waterdeep would rock |
| PCI_StatMonkey08-25-07, 02:34 PM | Wrong Magochracy. Being Florida we should be looking for a Coastal Region, in the Far South, with a Magic Kingdom and Ships the Fly Through the Sky. Wonder if there is anything like that in FR? OMG Hell ya!!!! Oh yes! Yes yes yes |
| MatteBlack08-25-07, 06:32 PM | I think I'd like to see fewer regions with more developed meta-regions and core content so there would be more offered for play from within each region. Shuffling the regions with an eye to player dispersal might also be a good idea. I live in a dense enough region that I should probably expect a few hours drive will still get me to another region so, I mostly hope there will be cool ones nearby. |
| Hand_OF_Mystra09-01-07, 09:51 AM | I'd like a logically laid-out region assignment where your neighbors in real-life correspond to similar regions in-game so you don't travel half-way across the continent by hopping over a state/province border. This is similar to the way in which the visual field is mapped in visual cortex. In neuroscience we call that a topographic mapping. I just thought that might save some time in our descriptions. |
| Hand_OF_Mystra09-01-07, 01:09 PM | As a Keolander, I would like to be in a more exotic area where playing a magic user or a cleric or a half-breed did not get you in-region scorn. Also it was ridiculous to have a native Keolander barb. In other words, do not make PA/NJ/NY Amn! |
| Garden_State_Gamer09-04-07, 12:01 PM | I second the Cormyr New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania region. If only the Ohio Valley Tri-State gets the Dalelands. Somewhat geographically fitting? Would that put Toronto right about where Zhentil Keep is? Take that, Canada. Oh, and to add fuel to the fire: I don't like the Greyhawk setting I do like the Forgotten Realms setting I most likely won't be converting to 4th ed until about a year before 5th ed comes out. |
| KoboldChieftain09-04-07, 04:06 PM | Discussing who gets what region is not really productive at this point. We don't even know how many regions there are going to be or what consitutes a region. I thought I saw somewhere that you will be able to play any region's scenarios. I will leave it to Chris to verify or deny that but if true it would make regional borders somewhat pointless. Not only that but it will also make what area of the realms they are assigned less important. If you could play any region's scenarios you and your local gameday could limit your selections to, for example, the Dalelands. For all it matters YOU are in the Dalelands region. In this respect the regional system looses a pretty big chunk of "nationalism" (for lack of a better word). What this kind of system would buy you is that the more game days and conventions you organize and play in, the more play opportunities you are afforded. In the LG system, there was a very real limit to the number of games that were available to you. In this system, the number is far greater (assuming an equal number of scenarios/year). In fact, you could have a Dalelands game day, a Cormyr game day, etc. But as I mentioned earlier in this post, this is all speculation. We will have to wait for Master Tulach to post the details before we start praising or flaming the new system. |
| Tabiani09-04-07, 10:44 PM | According to Southernskies (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=918260) post of the Sept Chat log we're looking at: <Southernskies> Will Australasia have access to more than one region without international travel? ga <WotC_Tulach> So, with that question, I'll let you all in on a little secret before it goes out tomorrow. <WotC_Tulach> Living Forgotten Realms will have 12 regions. Almost all adventures will be playable anywhere. <WotC_Tulach> Regions don't need to be small with this change. Rather, they are all bigger. <WotC_Tulach> The regions are: Northeast US, Southeast US, North Central US, Western US, Southwest US, Pacific US, Northern Europe and Russia, Southern Europe and Turkey, UK/Ireland/South Africa, Canada, Latin America/Caribbean, and Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Asia. <WotC_Tulach> You'll be able to play most of the content at your local shows. We're doing other things with the campaign to give incentives to play at conventions. However, I want play experiences to be as inclusive as possible. gaStill no word on what FR regions are being used, how they will be divided up, which real world region they will match up with, or if the far-flung areas like Kara-Tur and Al Qadim will get used. |
| mark197809-05-07, 12:27 AM | I disagree, that's why I'm still around. If I offend you so badly, please feel free to not read my posts. Have a nice day. You, sir, are a pathetic mole. Like your MySpace counterparts, I will ignore you from now on, I just felt the need to point out you are a spiteful, weak, and sophomoric loser. If you don't want to play anymore, then go away. You aren't worth any more effort. Mark :rolleyes: |
| mmockus09-05-07, 03:11 AM | Gleaned from the RPGA Online Chat 9/04 5pm PST ""<WotC_Tulach> The regions are: Northeast US Southeast US North Central US Western US Southwest US Pacific US Northern Europe and Russia Southern Europe and Turkey UK/Ireland/South Africa Canada Latin America/Caribbean Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Asia. " I believe mapping those to play regions in Toril, will be released at DDXP 2008. |
| Ishorn09-05-07, 07:31 AM | If the mid-west is considered north central region. I hope we get Waterdeep and the North and not you get the Dale lands just because of our geographic area in the US is similar to where the Dale lands are in Faerun. |
| PuttChutney09-05-07, 12:55 PM | :mad: Why thank you, Oh WOTC corporate "schill"!:P Are you one of the "geniuses" who thought making D&D Online be set in the "Space Opera", excuse me, I meant Ebberon setting was a great idea? I don't think I know anyone who plays that. Wow, what a spectacular success that was. :P I agree with Bruce and also plan to not make anymore WOTC purchases until April 2009. Like Bruce, I strongly suggest that it is WAY past time that we let WOTC know that if they keep listening to the marketing "suits" they're probably going to take a massive loss in profits. Feel free to "flame" back all you want Iseelba. I'm going offline now and don't plan to even look at this list for quite some time. I know this is old and he said he won't read it but..."Space Opera"? You should explain that to me. If you don't know anyone who plays Eberron, you must not get out much. I know quite a few. Oh well, some folks like to pee in other folks tea when they don't get the flavor they want. I'd have to put myself in the camp of those who want a less developed region to muck around it. Let the Core have Waterdeep and the like. |
| rlynnproctor09-05-07, 05:05 PM | Here's a thought... Why not make the regions as close geographically as possible to real world geography. By this I mean that if I travel from Texas to play in La. my character doesn't cross half the continent to get there. I realize that this isn't totally feasible (ie. Australia and Europe), but in the history of LG I travelled out of region twice and my character wound up half-way around the world while I went to a bordering state. Just my 1/2 cent |
| KarmaInferno09-05-07, 05:36 PM | I'm not sure that such close correlation matters, since apparently the rough idea seems to be that anyone in any location can play any region's adventures. -karma |
| Ishorn09-05-07, 06:42 PM | I'm not sure that such close correlation matters, since apparently the rough idea seems to be that anyone in any location can play any region's adventures. -karma I really hope this is true. |
| MasterDM109-05-07, 07:38 PM | <Southernskies> Will Australasia have access to more than one region without international travel? ga <dwolf5> ? <Wraith235> ? <gstommylee> ? <WotC_Tulach> So, with that question, I'll let you all in on a little secret before it goes out tomorrow. <JohnduBois> ? <mmarandaBissel> ? <WotC_Tulach> Living Forgotten Realms will have 12 regions. Almost all adventures will be playable anywhere. Looks like we can be in Alabama and play in Australia's region |
| Golorious09-05-07, 08:04 PM | I just hope that the North Central Region is vastly different from an Iuz Meta-region. Though it is hard to say which state will define the borders of North Central I'm pretty sure Minnesota will be one of them. I was hoping for 9 rather than 6 US regions but ohh well. Life goes on. I do hope that one of the Regions is Halruaa. I would like to play there it sounds like a wildly fascinating place. I like the idea of a Mageocracy. It would be vastly different than the Shield Lands. So if we get to vote for our Region I would pick that one. (at least today) |
| Eric Anondson09-05-07, 08:07 PM | Interestingly, it doesn't look like everywhere on the globe has a region. Africa (excluding South Africa), Middle East, Central and South Asia, China, Taiwan. . . . Towards LG's end, the rest of the world was wrapped into Geoff giving LG global regional coverage. Hey Chris, will the rest of the globe be given regional coverage like was done with LG and Geoff? |
| WotC_Tulach09-06-07, 12:36 AM | Interestingly, it doesn't look like everywhere on the globe has a region. Africa (excluding South Africa), Middle East, Central and South Asia, China, Taiwan. . . . Towards LG's end, the rest of the world was wrapped into Geoff giving LG global regional coverage. Hey Chris, will the rest of the globe be given regional coverage like was done with LG and Geoff? Play numbers are not sufficient (almost non-existent) in any area not covered. There's no need for a "Geoff solution" here, since you can make a character from any region and play any region's content. Regional play experience should define your investment, rather than where you're from. Players from anywhere around the globe will have the potential for the same play experiences. |
| mmockus09-06-07, 01:57 AM | Play numbers are not sufficient (almost non-existent) in any area not covered. There's no need for a "Geoff solution" here, since you can make a character from any region and play any region's content. Regional play experience should define your investment, rather than where you're from. Players from anywhere around the globe will have the potential for the same play experiences. So for the most part, the regions seem to define the administratration boundaries. Triad from Northeastern US will be responsible for LFR region XXX, producing content for that region, story arc, meta orgs, as well as real world issues such as player management if any, or interactives. Authorship of any content can come from anywhere, it is simply managed by a group of people with very limited geographic proximity (are in the same region). For the most part the regional system seems to have little to no impact on the players, other than the general statement that there will be some mechanic to encourage in region play to foster convention style play. I does broadly open up the play opportunities, which I'm sure players will love. Though I know I will miss sense f community that the smaller LG regions and regional play system fostered. The was a very strong sense of player community in each region. |
| Jonathon_M_Johnson09-06-07, 11:47 PM | Discussing who gets what region is not really productive at this point. We don't even know how many regions there are going to be or what consitutes a region. I thought I saw somewhere that you will be able to play any region's scenarios. I will leave it to Chris to verify or deny that but if true it would make regional borders somewhat pointless. Not only that but it will also make what area of the realms they are assigned less important. If you could play any region's scenarios you and your local gameday could limit your selections to, for example, the Dalelands. For all it matters YOU are in the Dalelands region. In this respect the regional system looses a pretty big chunk of "nationalism" (for lack of a better word). What this kind of system would buy you is that the more game days and conventions you organize and play in, the more play opportunities you are afforded. In the LG system, there was a very real limit to the number of games that were available to you. In this system, the number is far greater (assuming an equal number of scenarios/year). In fact, you could have a Dalelands game day, a Cormyr game day, etc. But as I mentioned earlier in this post, this is all speculation. We will have to wait for Master Tulach to post the details before we start praising or flaming the new system. Hello Kobold Chieftain- Was bit confused by your last post to me at the other section, but this one cleared it up a bit more. So you are saying that if the Western US gets "Amn" and New York gets "Tethyr", then us in Colorado could put on a "Tethyr Gameday" and play those modules here. But if that is the case, wouldn't that put D&DI & out-of-state conventions out of business? I would definitely eat a few modules to let our community play other region modules. Turning the microphone over to Chris Tulach, "Do you have any comments on this?" I guess it isn't going to be ran like LG where you need to travel to the corresponding state in order to play those modules. Thanks Jonathon M. Johnson Colorado Future site of "Dambrath" Viva la Drow |
| jhorred09-06-07, 11:53 PM | Hello Kobold Chieftain- Was bit confused by your last post to me at the other section, but this one cleared it up a bit more. So you are saying that if the Western US gets "Amn" and New York gets "Tethyr", then us in Colorado could put on a "Tethyr Gameday" and play those modules here. But if that is the case, wouldn't that put D&DI & out-of-state conventions out of business? I would definitely eat a few modules to let our community play other region modules. Turning the microphone over to Chris Tulach, "Do you have any comments on this?" I guess it isn't going to be ran like LG where you need to travel to the corresponding state in order to play those modules. Thanks Jonathon M. Johnson Colorado Future site of "Dambrath" Viva la Drow I get the impression that what you are saying is true, but I'm thinking is if you want to play Tethyr interactives, etc you'd still have to go to the New York cons. I'm hoping that the practice of having Con only adventures like Mini-Missions and Interactives that can be played only in region continues in LFR. |
| LGMoses09-08-07, 07:56 PM | Since we're doing larger regions maybe they'll divide them up sort of like meta-regions. For Instance, the Southeast can be the "Unapproachable East" and Northeast could be the "Shining South". Maybe that would be a good way to do it? |
| Nolwelen09-22-07, 01:04 PM | Waterdeep ;) Hoping for Silverymoon but being in Europe probably we'll get shafted with a backwater as usual. lol, well we will see. :) Well it looks like Im voting for not only one damn small country, but for the southern half of europe. I would find it cool to get Calimshan, Halruaa or Golden Water as FR region. |
| gomeztoo09-22-07, 03:36 PM | You're thinking too small. Go for Zakhara ;) |
| Nolwelen09-22-07, 03:46 PM | You're thinking too small. Go for Zakhara ;) That would be nice, but then we would have to build the background pretty much from scratch. Apart from that it would be damn fun to get Zakhara from my point of view, since Zakhara poses pretty much as the FR version of india. Which is a culturally extremly rich environment. :) P.S.: Actually, after I researched a little about Zakhara, it looks more like the arabic peninsula, which is cool as well anyways. |
| Madfox1109-24-07, 03:52 AM | Background from a scratch? The Al-Qadim setting is set in Zakhara and there is quiet a lot of material on it. |
| Eric Anondson09-24-07, 12:27 PM | Background from a scratch? The Al-Qadim setting is set in Zakhara and there is quiet a lot of material on it.Tell me about it! *looks at the complete Al-Qadim library on shelf* |
| Nolwelen09-24-07, 12:34 PM | Yea, thats true, I didnt know about that.^^ My sincere apologies. :surrender |
| gomeztoo09-24-07, 01:33 PM | Ah, we should be so lucky to get Zakhara. I own everything of the setting... I don't think so though, so hoping for the Moonshaes... OK, or Dambrath, I'll settle for that too. I hope Loviatar is still up and running. |
| Nolwelen09-24-07, 06:16 PM | I dont know if you recognized it, but apparently the two of us arent in the same region anyway. Well perhaps you were addressing the northern half of europe with "we". |
| GrandMasterofFlowers09-25-07, 08:59 AM | I wonder, are exotic regions such as Chult, Al Qadim, Kara-Tur, and Halruaa up for grabs, if so, i would live to play in something like Halruaa or Chult. buti 'm sick of pseudo-european medieval areas. |
| cetiken09-25-07, 12:15 PM | If its true that you can play mods anywhere then belonging to a region would be more a matter of opting in than the whimsical fates of geography. Just because my primary is a warrior from They doesn't mean that I might not want to play a Haaluan mage or even a warlord from Comyr. |
| gomeztoo09-26-07, 02:57 PM | I dont know if you recognized it, but apparently the two of us arent in the same region anyway. Well perhaps you were addressing the northern half of europe with "we". Yeah I ment us Northerners. How about you southerners take Kara-Tur? |
| Shuuya09-26-07, 07:15 PM | I hope the Europe doesn't get shafted with a lame region or something in LFR. Personally I hope I end up in Amn, Calimshan or possibly Cormyr, though the Western Heartlands/Sword Coast would be awesome. I would prefer Amn or Calimshan right now though. |
| Nolwelen09-26-07, 10:00 PM | Yeah I ment us Northerners. How about you southerners take Kara-Tur? Wow, I would have a blast dwelling in Kara-Tur. Its just, you know....."tourists love that stuff." :) I would recreate Yoshimo I can tell ya. :) Since, "I could dance on the head of a pin, as well." For those who dont know who Yoshimo is, he was an NPC in Baldur's Gate 2 and I liked him. As a smart mouthed thief from Kara-Tur he was responsible for a couple of the funnier group interactions. |
| gomeztoo09-27-07, 12:05 PM | So all we need now is find Chris Tulach, corner him and feed him several pints of Guinness... |
| GeorgeFHarris09-27-07, 12:15 PM | So all we need now is find Chris Tulach, corner him and feed him several pints of Guinness... If they do LFR anything like LG, then they'll do the following: 1. Pick Global Admins. 2. Global admins pick a variety of regions that they feel will be appropriate of LFR. Probably about 18-24 for 12 regions. And probably several other regions that they think should remain Core. 3. Pick Regional Admins. 4. Regional Admins will pick a FR region for their real world region, with consultation with the Global Admins. 5. Once all admins are happy with the regional FR regions, then announce them to the world. So, if you really want a say in what FR region is picked for your real world region, then apply for a Regional Admin spot. Then, as a Regional Admin, find Chris Tulach and feed him several pints of Guiness, and get him to sign off on your region while you're at it. GH |
| Nolwelen09-27-07, 09:51 PM | Honestly, Im not worried about in which FR region I will be going to play. There are so many great regions, with cool places, organisations, NPCs, cultural backgrounds, civilisations and thus I am not worried about that. Im more worried about the real world, if you know what I mean. |
| Skerrit09-28-07, 12:06 PM | So all we need now is find Chris Tulach, corner him and feed him several pints of Guinness... He really doesn't drink much. It took me five years of Milwaukee badgering to shove a schmirnof ice down his gullet. Guinness is right out. |
| KarmaInferno09-28-07, 05:07 PM | I wonder, are exotic regions such as Chult, Al Qadim, Kara-Tur, and Halruaa up for grabs, if so, i would live to play in something like Halruaa or Chult. buti 'm sick of pseudo-european medieval areas. I strongly suspect that the 'regions' will not be anything so small as a country, but more on the scale of continental zones, a dozen or dozens of countries in a region. -karma |
| Reneshat09-29-07, 12:17 AM | He really doesn't drink much. It took me five years of Milwaukee badgering to shove a schmirnof ice down his gullet. Guinness is right out. But, but, everyone loves Guinness!!! |
| The Ubbergeek09-30-07, 05:53 PM | If my Quebec have a dib on a plave (or in Canada as a whole), there is two ideas; -eitheir they go with our climates and geography, and we take a part of the large northern regions, (Vancouver or Toronto was quoted as an inspiration for Waterdeep, so Quebec should have something like it - Neverwinter, targos, Phlan....), or -a part of the cormyrian region or something like that for the seigneurial past of my people, perhaps a colonial side of it. |
| King-bargh10-03-07, 04:30 AM | "Northern Europe and Russia"?! Huh as a swede I realy feel I have a lot in common with Russia. Wait, no I dont! For Gods sake I have trouble understanding danish (and the danes) and they are rigth next door!! Why dont you make Texas and Mexico the same region just as well? Anyway where will we end up? Moonsea?? Actualy that wouldnt be bad... ;) But I guess you put us in Thay (if we are lucky). Warning if you put Northern Europe in a landlocked region you dont know anything about us at all. We need some kind of sea even if its an oversized lake. |
| GeorgeFHarris10-03-07, 10:49 AM | If they do LFR anything like LG, then they'll do the following: 1. Pick Global Admins. 2. Global admins pick a variety of regions that they feel will be appropriate of LFR. Probably about 18-24 for 12 regions. And probably several other regions that they think should remain Core. 3. Pick Regional Admins. 4. Regional Admins will pick a FR region for their real world region, with consultation with the Global Admins. 5. Once all admins are happy with the regional FR regions, then announce them to the world. So, if you really want a say in what FR region is picked for your real world region, then apply for a Regional Admin spot. Then, as a Regional Admin, find Chris Tulach and feed him several pints of Guiness, and get him to sign off on your region while you're at it. GH Well, from hearing from someone that applied for a Global Admin position, it looks like they may have picked the Global Admins (or at least narrowed it down). I wonder if there is a ETA for the announcement of the Global Admins? Or if they're going to wait until all the Regional Admins have been picked, and announce it all at once. GH |
| mmockus10-03-07, 02:35 PM | Well, from hearing from someone that applied for a Global Admin position, it looks like they may have picked the Global Admins (or at least narrowed it down). I wonder if there is a ETA for the announcement of the Global Admins? Or if they're going to wait until all the Regional Admins have been picked, and announce it all at once. GH Global Admins Notified - Oct 1 Regional Admins Notified - Nov 1 Community Notified of Selections - November 15 http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=rpga/news/20070905a When Will I Know? The RPGA staff will select the global admins and notify them of their selection by October 1. The RPGA staff and the global admins will select the regional admins, and they will be notified by November 1. The campaign staff will be announced to the public by November 15. |
| gomeztoo10-03-07, 03:35 PM | Warning if you put Northern Europe in a landlocked region you dont know anything about us at all. We need some kind of sea even if its an oversized lake. And it needs to rain a lot, too. I am curious who is our global admin... (as in: maybe they are susceptible to huge amounts of beer) |
| WotC_Tulach10-06-07, 04:16 AM | If they do LFR anything like LG, then they'll do the following: 1. Pick Global Admins. 2. Global admins pick a variety of regions that they feel will be appropriate of LFR. Probably about 18-24 for 12 regions. And probably several other regions that they think should remain Core. 3. Pick Regional Admins. 4. Regional Admins will pick a FR region for their real world region, with consultation with the Global Admins. 5. Once all admins are happy with the regional FR regions, then announce them to the world. So, if you really want a say in what FR region is picked for your real world region, then apply for a Regional Admin spot. Then, as a Regional Admin, find Chris Tulach and feed him several pints of Guiness, and get him to sign off on your region while you're at it. GH Since I was there at the very beginning of Living Greyhawk's regional selection, here's how it actually went down: 1. Circle was formed; there was no open call. 2. Regional boundaries were developed and announced. 3. Call for regional volunteers was put out. 4. Regional volunteers were chosen. 5. Regions were assigned a few weeks after the volunteers were chosen. Our process will be similar. The only real difference was that the global admins were solicited via open call (and our regional positions were much more clearly defined at application time). Yeah, it's like the LG selection process. Only the selection process described in the quoted post isn't what actually happened. Oh, and one thing for the record, I was not happy when we were initially assigned Highfolk. I wanted something like the Shield Lands, Geoff, or the Bandit Kingdoms. (Elves? And evil humanoids? I wanted undead! Or giants!) But once I listened to other folks, and started seeing the potential from the region, I became very attached to it. Within a couple months, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. On my list o' regions, I see lots of very cool potential for all the regions, especially with the direction that FR's going with 4th Edition. P.S. I don't drink beer. You'd think I would being from Wisconsin, but no. You'll have to try a little harder. :) |
| Reneshat10-06-07, 04:40 AM | P.S. I don't drink beer. You'd think I would being from Wisconsin, but no. You'll have to try a little harder. :) :eek: :confused: :weep: :uh-huh: :bigeyes: :pint: |
| UMiskatonic10-06-07, 08:01 AM | Um, Johnsonville brats? Large quantities of cheese? <shudder> Packers memorabilia? |
| gomeztoo10-06-07, 09:00 AM | On my list o' regions, I see lots of very cool potential for all the regions, especially with the direction that FR's going with 4th Edition. Are regional volunteers going to get any info on what direction that will be? P.S. I don't drink beer. You'd think I would being from Wisconsin, but no. You'll have to try a little harder. :) Wine? Whiskey? Moonshine? |
| Reneshat10-07-07, 11:36 PM | Are regional volunteers going to get any info on what direction that will be? Wine? Whiskey? Moonshine? Read the prologue to R. A. Salvatore's new book "Orc King." That will give you a good idea of the direction it is going. |
| gomeztoo10-08-07, 01:00 PM | Meh. Doens't mean anything. Thay may be gone, but there is little about most other regions. Are the Sharans in power? Are the Sisters dead? Does the weave still exist in any fashion? How does the Spel plague affect remote areas such as the Moonshaes? What about Netheril? Etc. There maybe new countries, old countries gone, others changed, or things might be almost the same. |
| WotC_Tulach10-10-07, 03:36 AM | Are regional volunteers going to get any info on what direction that will be? Wine? Whiskey? Moonshine? You're really getting ahead of yourself... First, regional admins have to be selected (currently being worked on). Then, I have to pitch final approvals for the regional list. After that, assignments will be made. Then, I have to get a date where information can be released to the admins. I imagine that regional admins will know before the public, but how long before? I can't say as of yet. The public will know at D&D Experience. Also, you probably should just give up on the booze, and read UMiskatonic's suggestions! |
| PCI_StatMonkey10-16-07, 09:27 AM | just give florida something... I don't know.. tropical! You have no idea how much I hope we would get some kind of region with the ability to host lots of sea adventures. Argggggg!!!! But I think we would also love it if we ended up with the vast.. I can see it now! return to the ruines of Raven's Bluff... done right this time. |
| The_Jester10-16-07, 10:10 AM | I imagine that regional admins will know before the public, but how long before? I can't say as of yet. The public will know at D&D Experience. So, what you're saying is we've got to put up with rampant speculation and continual non-content for another four months? |
| lcquincy10-19-07, 09:54 AM | just give florida something... I don't know.. tropical! You have no idea how much I hope we would get some kind of region with the ability to host lots of sea adventures. Argggggg!!!! But I think we would also love it if we ended up with the vast.. I can see it now! return to the ruines of Raven's Bluff... done right this time. Amen pedro...give us Ravens Bluff! Arrrrgh! Tom Nolan (player of a certain pirate of some renown) |
| PCI_StatMonkey10-23-07, 03:27 PM | Amen pedro...give us Ravens Bluff! Arrrrgh! Tom Nolan (player of a certain pirate of some renown) Oh hell yes... I'm willing to bet that Greg Sherwood would even come back to RPGA play if they have us RB. But hay, for me, anyplace on the sword coast would work |
| LGMoses10-24-07, 01:39 AM | So, what you're saying is we've got to put up with rampant speculation and continual non-content for another four months? thats the 4e way:D |
| Reylance11-01-07, 05:19 PM | But I think we would also love it if we ended up with the vast.. I can see it now! return to the ruines of Raven's Bluff... done right this time. The right way to do Ruins of Ravens Bluff is... NOT to do it. Seriously, deus ex machina destruction of what the RPGA members had worked on for 15 years? A much worse idea than Crystal Pepsi. Much. |
| malidorn11-04-07, 11:11 PM | Minnesota and south dakota should be icewind dale and ten towns |
| lcquincy11-07-07, 02:46 PM | The right way to do Ruins of Ravens Bluff is... NOT to do it. Seriously, deus ex machina destruction of what the RPGA members had worked on for 15 years? A much worse idea than Crystal Pepsi. Much. Ah but Ravens Bluff was never ruined... That was all just a silly dream within the head of a madman (kinda like Bobby Ewing getting killed in "Dallas") Is that too much of an 80's reference for you? Arrrgh... Tom Nolan |
| PCI_StatMonkey11-07-07, 05:58 PM | Ah but Ravens Bluff was never ruined... That was all just a silly dream within the head of a madman (kinda like Bobby Ewing getting killed in "Dallas") Is that too much of an 80's reference for you? Arrrgh... Tom Nolan I dont know I kind of like one of the origainl ideas for the distruction of RB.. that the drow collapsed the cavern of man below the city... the cheasy reasion they came up with.. was well. cheasy... but they can always say it was the spellplauges fault |
| PCI_StatMonkey11-07-07, 05:59 PM | Minnesota and south dakota should be icewind dale and ten towns I agree.. perfect fit well Alaska should be tied into that region as well |
| Surgebuster11-07-07, 06:21 PM | I just hope that Chris considers the content of the former LG regions when assigning LFR areas. I doubt that players in Geoff want to be assigned a giant heavy region and I know that us over in Perrenland are just about done with undead and demons (it would take one hell of a plot arc to beat A Nation Mocked anyway). Similarly, if the region comprising Nyrond was awarded Cormyr etc. etc. The breakdown of the regions makes it extremely difficult to be accommodating but I think some are in need of a change... Joe |
| PCI_StatMonkey11-08-07, 10:49 AM | Do we have any idea how big the regions are? I dont know if that has been posted yet |
| smerwin2911-08-07, 11:24 AM | Do we have any idea how big the regions are? I dont know if that has been posted yet http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=rpga/news/20070905a The maps at the bottom show the regions. |
| tombollis11-08-07, 01:54 PM | http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=rpga/news/20070905a The maps at the bottom show the regions. Some extend thousands of miles. Some span continents. Some include speakers of a variety of different languages. Tom Bollis |
| JJeff11-14-07, 11:41 PM | Well... 15th November... Time to see the staff list so we know who to pester and poke for more info about the regions.... |
| Cobain12-03-07, 01:43 AM | In Salvatore's "Promise of the Witch King", the story deals with an untamed land called Vaasa and a highly lawful kingdom of Damara. If I understood it correctly, King Gareth of Damara want to conquer Vassa and by joining it with Damara, create a new Kingdom, "Bloodstone". Perhaps Bloodstone will be a region, since it would amply provide both a need for adventurers (in Vaasa) and a civilized center to support such adventurers (Damara). Just a thought... |
| GreenKnight12-25-07, 10:15 AM | I... would... KILL... to get the Vast assigned to Florida. I'd love to play a Paladin of Torm defending the city of Tantras and the Vast from Zhent encroachment from the Moonsea. And at the risk of sounding as if I'm tooting my own horn, here, it's because of a Floridian that Torm was boosted to Greater God status. So how about giving us Floridians Torm's holiest city and the surrounding environs as a reward? |
| Hopeless12-27-07, 05:41 PM | Hello! Just wondering if anyone wants to lists what regions are likely to be used for Living Faerun? I mean there's Cormyr, Waterdeep etc or will they use the regions ala the FR campaign setting such as the Western Heartlands for example. Would you care to list the options likely to be available? |
| LGMoses01-06-08, 03:58 AM | they ever announce what geographical areas are getting what? What areas is the Southeast region of America getting? How are they doing it? |
| smerwin2901-06-08, 08:40 AM | Regions will be announced at DDXP at the end of February. Shawn |
| GreenKnight01-06-08, 12:51 PM | Hopefully the Southeast US will get The Vast (And the Moonsea and Dalelands, too :P). Come on... come on... come on... |
| LGMoses01-08-08, 01:35 AM | Hopefully the Southeast US will get The Vast (And the Moonsea and Dalelands, too :P). Come on... come on... come on... I'm hoping for something different. Rashemen. Oh how wonderful will that be. I might actually jump back into this game then. |
| MasterDM101-09-08, 12:46 PM | Moses when are you at the Deep? I have tried a couple times to reach you and no luck so far. Give me a shout at dm@d20gaming.net. I am in Oneonta just down the road. |
| Lobotaru01-23-08, 07:09 PM | For the Illinois Starting Region, I thought that it would probably be one of the dales or the dales in general, mainly because it vaguely reminds me of Verbobonc in how its all divided up. Its like a bunch of free holds. Either that or Cormyr would make a good second choice. From the way it looks, the Dales would probably be a good starting location for multiple states. I don't have any particular reason for saying that, but it just reminds me of the US in some abstract sense. |
| Wavester01-24-08, 01:07 PM | For the Illinois Starting Region, I thought that it would probably be one of the dales or the dales in general, mainly because it vaguely reminds me of Verbobonc in how its all divided up. Its like a bunch of free holds. Either that or Cormyr would make a good second choice. From the way it looks, the Dales would probably be a good starting location for multiple states. I don't have any particular reason for saying that, but it just reminds me of the US in some abstract sense. There is no 'Illinois Starting Region' - It is in the North Central region which is MN, WI, MI, OH, IN, IL, MO, and IA. Those 8 states will get a region. |
| Half_Fiendish_Tarrasque01-24-08, 06:26 PM | It would only be fair if Canada got a traditional Fantasy RP region. For the last 8 years Canada's been "the Baklunish West". Some of us theorized that Canada and France got the dregs (non-traditional flavor) on purpose, not to stick it to them, but because more highly valued (i.e. sales) regions were given preference and they ran out of non-evil traditional settings. If Canada gets Calimshan, Mulhorrand or Zakhara, the fix is in. Mind you, Maztica and Kara-Tur wouldn't be much better, but at least they would be a change. The Hordelands (the Ride) would be a virtual copy of what Eastern Canada has been playing (war-happy, horse-based economy/society Ideally, all 7 world regions will be extremely well supported and represented by published materials. If I had to hazard a guess, the regions might be broad like... Evermeet & Evereska (Elven lands) The Dalelands & Cormyr The Mooshaes The North & Waterdeep The Shining South The Silver Marches The Sword Coast The Utter East The Vast Vilhon Reach ...but I'm just going to have to wait until March to find out. Paragon HF Tarrasque |
| Surgebuster01-24-08, 06:47 PM | That's kind of funny that some Canadians think they got the short shrift with Ket and Zeif. I've heard many Aussies say the same about Perrenland. Those same Aussies screamed blue murder when the part of Australia they were living in changed to the more traditional-fantasy Ratik. "If we want generic fantasy, we can play cores," they squealed. :) I would have loved to adventure in Ket and Zeif as well as Perrenland. But you know what? LFR allows us to play *everywhere*, so thanks to Chris Tulach, we get the best of both worlds. Joe |
| GreenKnight01-24-08, 07:05 PM | There're 12 world regions, actually. The LFR regions are: Canada Latin America/Caribbean UK/Ireland/South Africa Northern Europe/Russia Southern Europe/Turkey Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Asia Pacific US Western US Southwest US North Central US Northeast US Southeast US There only being 12 regions, though, brings up some interesting possibilities. Check out THIS (http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/137/137974/folders/278025/2273995ForgottenRealmsRegionalMap.jpg) map from Player's Guide to Faerun to see what I mean. If you count up all the Character Regions, there's something in the neighborhood of 45 of them. It's probably a good guess to assume that some of them are going to be removed from play. Anauroch, for instance, as it's the home of the reborn Netheril. The same may be true for Sembia, Thay, and the Vilhon Reach, as in 4E it's now the Changing Lands. Another handful may be removed, like the Great Glacier and the Hordelands. That would still leave about 36, though. So we may very well see three Character Regions for each LFR Region. As for what'll be assigned where, who knows. Although I expect Northern Europe/Russia to get Rashemen and its environs (Possibly Narfell and Damara). Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Asia will also probably end up with the Shaar (Along with Golden Water and Dambrath, maybe). We'll see. I just REALLY, REALLY hope the Southeast US gets the Vast, and maybe the Dalelands and the Moonsea, too (Or if the Moonsea is unavaliable, Impiltur). Wishful thinking, of course, although I think the Dalelands would be a good match for the South. And of course, speaking personally, I'd love to play there (And I'd especially like to get my hands on Tantras!). |
| GreenKnight01-24-08, 07:06 PM | would have loved to adventure in Ket and Zeif as well as Perrenland. But you know what? LFR allows us to play *everywhere*, so thanks to Chris Tulach, we get the best of both worlds. Has that been announced? And if so, where? :) |
| Surgebuster01-24-08, 07:39 PM | Has that been announced? And if so, where? :) Chris Tulach announced it in September last year. Emphasis mine. Living Forgotten Realms (or LFR for short) is a new regionalized RPGA Living campaign, and the first to utilize the new 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons rules. Players create characters and assign them to a specific region. Characters can be played in any LFR adventure that supports their levels of play, anywhere. All non-special LFR adventures will be available for play no matter where you live in the world. As your character plays adventures, it earns experience points, gold, and magic items which stay with you from game to game. You can only play each adventure once, but with dozens of adventures available each year, there will be plenty of play opportunities. Joe |
| Vaerdeger01-29-08, 12:14 AM | What I find funny in all the speculation and jockeying about region assignments is that the vast majority of people want the same regions. I know that a ton of novels and sourcebooks have been written about the Dales, but can't you imagine playing somewhere else. If LFR keeps any parts of Faerun out of the regions so that it remains core than it will be The North and the Dalelands. Also, unless you are in the Pacific Northwest or the Northeast US region, YOU ARE NOT GETTING THE SUPER-PRIME REAL ESTATE. I am in the Southeast US. I am hoping to contribute to fleshing out the Western Heartlands or Chessenta or Tethyr. I am not expecting them to give me Mithral Hall or the Twisted Tower as a crash pad for my character. |
| GreenKnight01-29-08, 12:18 AM | Yeah, you got a point. Still, the Vast would sure be nice, and hardly qualifies as "super prime real estate". :D |
| Surgebuster01-29-08, 12:41 AM | Again, as everyone may play every region's adventures in LFR, I am just not seeing the major issue here. Certainly not one worthy of conspiracy theories about which RL regions are assigned which FR regions! After all, one man's SUPER-PRIME REAL ESTATE is another man's WHY DO WE ALWAYS GET THE CRUD REAL ESTATE? :P Joe |
| Vaerdeger01-29-08, 01:25 AM | Again, as everyone may play every region's adventures in LFR, I am just not seeing the major issue here. Certainly not one worthy of conspiracy theories about which RL regions are assigned which FR regions! I am not proposing that there is a conspiracy. Pacific Norhtwest has WotC headquarters, and Northeast US generates the highest sales. They rightly get the best regions. Also, just because all the regions are playable does not mean that all of Faerun will be assigned to real world regions. There will likely be unbalancingly desirable and unbalancingly weird areas that will not be assigned as regions. After all, one man's SUPER-PRIME REAL ESTATE is another man's WHY DO WE ALWAYS GET THE CRUD REAL ESTATE? I agree. I love a lot of the less famous regions and find the Silver Marches boring and vanilla. One of the two points I was making in my post was that a region that was not bogged down with dozens of novels and modules would be preferable to one that was. Give me Thesk, the Border Kingdoms, the Lake of Steam, Aglarond, or the Great Rift before the Silver Marches, Cormyr, or the Dalelands. |
| Surgebuster01-29-08, 01:38 AM | I am not proposing that there is a conspiracy. Pacific Norhtwest has WotC headquarters, and Northeast US generates the highest sales. They rightly get the best regions. That was more in response to Half Fiendish Tarrasque than you, although you touched on a similar subject. I'm not sure that a region housing HQ or one responsible for the highest sales (if that is the case) have a right to the best regions. Nothing says "you're an afterthought" to other regions than such a policy. Of course, I don't believe for a second that WotC would ever entertain doing it. :) Joe |
| WotC_Tulach01-29-08, 03:50 PM | No region on the list is really, objectively "better" than another. All the regions assigned have the potential for tons of exciting adventures. Some of the regions are "big names", some are new, and some are just really interesting. Since we had to choose 12, we were able to be pretty picky on the regions assigned, and I think the campaign will benefit as a whole because of it. Whether you like a particular region really comes down to personal preference, which is one of the great things about the new system. It doesn't matter where you live - if you really like one region more than another, simply be from that region, and you'll still be able to play that region's adventures. |
| chesspiece01-29-08, 09:50 PM | Chris, I think that was an excellent answer to the topic. However, I have a concern that your response touches on. How and why do you believe Players will become invested in the Region their home is assigned? I agree with your sentiment that almost any Region can be interesting. I got plenty of enjoyment from playing in Ket - an atypical swords & sorcery region. But there have been concerns raised about the LFR Regional system. Namely: - Regions cover too much real-world real estate for Players to feel their (PCs’) contributions are significant. - Ability to play any Regional modules dilutes local flavor. - Risk of lower Convention participation (larger Regions and global release of modules making travel less appealing) could reduce the frequency of Interactives and slow the growth of Regional development. I do not see a need for an immediate answer to this. However, it would be nice to hear opinions from the heads of LFR before launch. Personally, I have high hopes for 4e & LFR - but it may take a while before the rest of my LG group converts. Cheers, Stephen Martin RPGA #502144 |
| gomeztoo01-30-08, 09:30 AM | I think you can increase interest in a region by trying to find parties (among friends) of PCs from the same region to play with. Having your DM read up on the region helps, too. Another way is to set up online communities to roleplay 'out of game' and get connected to a region. I don't know what the possibilities will be within LFR, or if we will have anything like the town project (which is a fun way to get involved in a region), but even if not I don't doubt there will be unoffical lists and such popping up where you can 'visit' the town of Nowhere in region Anywhere and talk IC to others on that list. Flavor is not determined by the system, but by those who participate in it. Though I do hope the system will give us some tools to aid the participating ;) |
| Puggle Halfwine01-30-08, 05:03 PM | As someone who plays in a relatively large "LG hub" there's been some discussion about how we were going to handle LFR's regional system. Basically, we were going to have one person volunteer to eat a whole region's modules, basically becoming the "main GM" for that area. The idea is to have one person from each region as the local "Main GM" for that region. |
| Surgebuster01-30-08, 05:31 PM | As someone who plays in a relatively large "LG hub" there's been some discussion about how we were going to handle LFR's regional system. Basically, we were going to have one person volunteer to eat a whole region's modules, basically becoming the "main GM" for that area. The idea is to have one person from each region as the local "Main GM" for that region. That's exactly what is happening up my way as well. |
| Reneshat01-30-08, 05:32 PM | As someone who plays in a relatively large "LG hub" there's been some discussion about how we were going to handle LFR's regional system. Basically, we were going to have one person volunteer to eat a whole region's modules, basically becoming the "main GM" for that area. The idea is to have one person from each region as the local "Main GM" for that region. That's exactly how I figured my friends and I would do it. In other news, since the regions in FR have changed sooo drastically (re: the last Countdown to the Realms) there is no way we can even guess what our options will be. |
| TheBlackFlail01-30-08, 10:25 PM | As someone who plays in a relatively large "LG hub" there's been some discussion about how we were going to handle LFR's regional system. Basically, we were going to have one person volunteer to eat a whole region's modules, basically becoming the "main GM" for that area. The idea is to have one person from each region as the local "Main GM" for that region. But with online play, wouldn't that person be able to play it online with people from that region (who presumably would likely play it first), and thus not have to 'eat' the mod? |
| tombollis01-30-08, 10:35 PM | But with online play, wouldn't that person be able to play it online with people from that region (who presumably would likely play it first), and thus not have to 'eat' the mod? Some people aren't interested in online play and like the physical presense of GM and other players. Tom Bollis |
| Puggle Halfwine01-31-08, 02:26 AM | But with online play, wouldn't that person be able to play it online with people from that region (who presumably would likely play it first), and thus not have to 'eat' the mod? Basically- if they can find another way to play the module, such as online play, then that's fine. But they *are* expected to GM the module in a timely manner (say, as a slot zero for it's premiering convention) so this might not always be possible. |
| draxynnic01-31-08, 07:54 PM | Also, note our location (I'm not sure if mine actually comes up, but it's the same as Puggle's). Canberra. Australia. A very different timezone to the majority of players in the US - meaning that most online games occur at times that would be awkward for our local GMs (typically games at times suitable for people in the US are early morning or during standard work hours for us). Getting those online games in would be great when we can make it happen, but I don't think any of us are going to plan on it happening. Not from any objection to the format in itself (I've enjoyed the online games I have been lucky enough to get into, apart from the time I was trying to play one, the modem died, and we ended up trying to leech off a neighbour's wireless to try to finish the game...), but from the sheer logistics involved. Now, arranging for a set of online slot-zeroes within the timezone so that only one person in the timezone has to eat them rather than one per city... that might work. |
| Puggle Halfwine02-01-08, 03:04 AM | I see draxynnic has his thinking cap on this (afternoon?). I like that idea. We could definitely do this. It'd probably be best to coordinate them on the LFR_AsiaPacific mailing list, or somewhere else. But I like the idea. Cheers, Dave. |
| LOE_Frey02-08-08, 01:37 PM | There is no 'Illinois Starting Region' - It is in the North Central region which is MN, WI, MI, OH, IN, IL, MO, and IA. Those 8 states will get a region. I am glad to see the regions will be bigger. Even though I have some major "group" areas around my state, I can't afford a 2 hr. drive each way just to play a few hours with a group. Most of the home groups here are either not RPGA or they are full of players that are a bit out of my age catagory and I simply prefer a bit more mature group (not saying that anyone young is bad! just that it gives me a chance to hang out with people closer to my generation than my kids :p) I tend to have to play online and it will be a bit easier meeting the possible 50% in region rule. Although it would be nice to see that restriction lifted a bit more too, to go along with the easier/more fun concept of 4.0 - Regions cover too much real-world real estate for Players to feel their (PCs’) contributions are significant. - Ability to play any Regional modules dilutes local flavor. - Risk of lower Convention participation (larger Regions and global release of modules making travel less appealing) could reduce the frequency of Interactives and slow the growth of Regional development. I understand the concerns however to me its more about getting people to play. I would prefer to see enough people play to support it in the first place. If it needs to be broken down later so be it. For now I personally like the idea. |
| Raevynn02-09-08, 11:29 PM | To be honest one of my concerns (not that it matters.. but why not add to the list...) is recreating the Pale... A theocracy that really limited the individual player creativity. It very much had a flavor of "thou shall not" from on high... I hope that each region, while having its own flavor, does not severely limit our choices as players. The Pale felt like the Henry Ford version of DnD: "You can have any god you want as long as its Pholtus... " Anyway.. just my 2cp's worth.... |
| Keith5302-10-08, 09:05 AM | I tend to have to play online and it will be a bit easier meeting the possible 50% in region rule. Although it would be nice to see that restriction lifted a bit more too, to go along with the easier/more fun concept of 4.0. What "50% in region rule?" Is that an LG rule? LFR is NOT LG so don't assume any LG rules will be used in LFR. LFR will allow/encourage players to play adventures from all regions. Keith Hoffman LFR USA-NC Co-Writing Director |
| Keith5302-10-08, 09:17 AM | To be honest one of my concerns (not that it matters.. but why not add to the list...) is recreating the Pale... A theocracy that really limited the individual player creativity. It very much had a flavor of "thou shall not" from on high... I hope that each region, while having its own flavor, does not severely limit our choices as players. The Pale felt like the Henry Ford version of DnD: "You can have any god you want as long as its Pholtus... " Anyway.. just my 2cp's worth.... I don't see this as a real worry in LFR. Greenwood took a different approach towards religions and gods than Gygax did. While a given city or region might favor a particular god more (like the Moonshaes was traditionally predominantly worship of Chauntea), I can't think of any regions which actually exclude other gods/faiths. OK, if you are a Zhent, you might still be in the Cyrus vs Bane fight, but I doubt we will allow Zhent PCs. :P Now, if you are expecting every town/region to have the same mix of temples, you might be disappointed. Keith Hoffman LFR USA-NC Co-Writing Director |
| Raevynn02-10-08, 10:45 AM | I think your two posts answer my questions/hesitations. I have always liked the FR world so this will be an interesting change... See you all at GC08! |
| TheBlackFlail02-10-08, 01:23 PM | I don't see this as a real worry in LFR. Greenwood took a different approach towards religions and gods than Gygax did. While a given city or region might favor a particular god more (like the Moonshaes was traditionally predominantly worship of Chauntea), I can't think of any regions which actually exclude other gods/faiths. OK, if you are a Zhent, you might still be in the Cyrus vs Bane fight, but I doubt we will allow Zhent PCs. :P Now, if you are expecting every town/region to have the same mix of temples, you might be disappointed. Keith Hoffman LFR USA-NC Co-Writing Director Halruua & Dambrath (amongst other places) both had state religions (similar to the Pale). Of course both places are now thermonuclear wastelands in the new FR, so... |
| Keith5302-10-08, 03:57 PM | Halruua & Dambrath (amongst other places) both had state religions (similar to the Pale). Of course both places are now thermonuclear wastelands in the new FR, so... True, although I don't really think either was properly a theocracy (like the Pale or Veluna). However, as you indicated, moot point. I was really answering the question in terms of LFR; not all of Toril. I don't think PCs will be limited that way. Sorry if I misled anyone. Your particular deity may not be the patron deity in all areas of Toril, to be sure, and in some regions, it might be tough to find any temples to specific deities. Ravens Bluff was not a typical FR city in that regard. When the 4E FRCS is released, we will have much better insight into the new religious demographics in the Realms. Keith |
| Reneshat02-10-08, 11:50 PM | True, although I don't really think either was properly a theocracy (like the Pale or Veluna). However, as you indicated, moot point. I was really answering the question in terms of LFR; not all of Toril. I don't think PCs will be limited that way. Sorry if I misled anyone. Your particular deity may not be the patron deity in all areas of Toril, to be sure, and in some regions, it might be tough to find any temples to specific deities. Ravens Bluff was not a typical FR city in that regard. When the 4E FRCS is released, we will have much better insight into the new religious demographics in the Realms. Keith I always viewed the two of them closer to Verbobonc with St. Cuthbert. Then again, they might be more theocratic than that, it just seemed to me that Ed and other designers tried to avoid some of the religious fanaticism found in Greyhawk. |
| gomeztoo02-11-08, 02:03 AM | Halruua & Dambrath (amongst other places) both had state religions (similar to the Pale). Of course both places are now thermonuclear wastelands in the new FR, so... It is not confirmed that Dambrath was destroyed. The Walls could have protected it from the devastation of Halruaa. |
| LGMoses02-12-08, 01:05 PM | I am not proposing that there is a conspiracy. Pacific Norhtwest has WotC headquarters, and Northeast US generates the highest sales. They rightly get the best regions. Also, just because all the regions are playable does not mean that all of Faerun will be assigned to real world regions. There will likely be unbalancingly desirable and unbalancingly weird areas that will not be assigned as regions. I agree. I love a lot of the less famous regions and find the Silver Marches boring and vanilla. One of the two points I was making in my post was that a region that was not bogged down with dozens of novels and modules would be preferable to one that was. Give me Thesk, the Border Kingdoms, the Lake of Steam, Aglarond, or the Great Rift before the Silver Marches, Cormyr, or the Dalelands. I agree with this statement. Personally, being Southeast also, I am hoping for Rashemen, but Tethyr as you mentioned would also be excellent. So I once again call a formal dibs! Dibs I say!!!! |
| Keith5302-12-08, 06:43 PM | Although I cannot and will not identify the regions (you must wait for announcement on 28 Feb, Thursday evening at DDXP), Chris did just tell me that I could state my opinion (which follows): The selected LFR regions are all cool and have lots of opportunity for adventuring. I was not bribed by Chris or anyone for that posting. For those of other generations than me, cool means really neat or good. :-D Keith Hoffman LFR USA-NC Co-Writing Director |
| Herrbard02-12-08, 09:05 PM | For those of other generations than me, cool means really neat or good. :-D I just realized that I'm from the same generation as Keith. That makes one of us old. Probably me. :rimshot: |
| pedr02-13-08, 03:01 AM | The selected LFR regions are all cool and have lots of opportunity for adventuring. OMG!! The LFR admins didn't get The Memo (http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=218023)! WotC must really not care about the RPGA if Scott Rouse doesn't even send them such vital marketing information! /humour, with apologies for threadjack! Seriously, good to know, particularly as someone with no FR experience - hopefully the UK (etc) will get somewhere inspiring... and easy to learn about. |
| gomeztoo02-13-08, 03:25 AM | So to rephrase: The selected LFR regions are all rad to the max hawt, and have lots of wicked awsome opportunity for some sick phat adventuring. Neato! |
| tombollis02-13-08, 06:58 AM | That's kind of funny that some Canadians think they got the short shrift with Ket and Zeif. I've heard many Aussies say the same about Perrenland. Those same Aussies screamed blue murder when the part of Australia they were living in changed to the more traditional-fantasy Ratik. "If we want generic fantasy, we can play cores," they squealed. :) I would have loved to adventure in Ket and Zeif as well as Perrenland. But you know what? LFR allows us to play *everywhere*, so thanks to Chris Tulach, we get the best of both worlds. Joe The problem wasn't that no one wanted to play in these regions, but that many disliked the feel of the region, and couldn't travel to play in others. This should not be a problem in LFR. Tom Bollis |
| JamesMaissen02-13-08, 11:04 AM | The problem wasn't that no one wanted to play in these regions, but that many disliked the feel of the region, and couldn't travel to play in others. This should not be a problem in LFR. Tom Bollis It should be more of a problem in LFR. How is there going to be any regional identity at all? Take a KET mod and have someone that's never played in KET run it. Now have another person that's never played in KET write another one. That seems closer to what this new proposed system is likely to deliver. On counterpoint take a core mod and play it with a group of KET PCs & run by a KET judge, then turn around and see the same core mod run elsewhere and you will get a very different experience. I think that removing the regions and just leaving in metaregions (cause that's in essence the area you're talking about here) is a big mistake. The regional system was one of the strongest things from LG.. throwing it out seems to be a mistake. Or have I missed something that will make these regions actually mean anything? -James |
| gomeztoo02-13-08, 11:25 AM | I think you may out too much emphasize on the idea that your own geographic location is important to obtain or acquire regional flavor. In LG, I had a character from Verbobonc. I couldn't play scenarios (though I could run them on occasion), but I did manage to delve into local flavor. My own location did not hamper me in learning regional flavor. Similar with LFR. If the DM that plans to run North-European scenarios invests some time in getting to know the region, then there will be hardlky a problem getting the right 'feel' going, especially if you play the regions with characters that are based there. It's all in your own control: if you wish to feel at home in region X, make a PC that comes from, or has ties with, region X, and try to find a friend willing to DM the scenarios from that region (you can offer to run everything from region Y). If you just make a PC that plays anything anywhere, then you might get less 'feel' of regional scenarios and plotlines. But even then that merely depends on how well you yourself invest in the regional background. |
| MatteBlack02-13-08, 12:30 PM | I guess we'll have to wait for after DDXP for alot of these details but, I think additional TUs for out of region mods and offering convention specials and interactives from the regions they are in would be enough to keep alot of the regional community but, there would still be some dilution. However, I think the additional access to everything being written is worth the trade off. It would also allow home groups to pick the region of their liking and conventions in the same vicinity to tailor there mod offerings to develop a secondary region they support to differentiate it from another. For instance, In my region we have: OGC - MA/NH in Oct. Carnage - New Hampshire in Nov. AnonyCon- Stamford, CT in Dec. Genericon - Troy, NY in Jan. TotalCon - Mansfield, MA in Feb. ConnCon - Stamford, CT in Mar. Each could pick a different outside region's mods to offer next to latest in region ones and still offer fresh new content even though they run a month apart and as little as an hour away from each other. If they keep TUs, I'll assume that I'll have a primary regional character for con participation and secondaries to follow each of the out-of-region areas with. More than likely I'd push for DMs in my group to each pick a region to eat so they can run for our group as well. I look forward to the new campaign. |
| JamesMaissen02-13-08, 03:13 PM | I think you may out too much emphasize on the idea that your own geographic location is important to obtain or acquire regional flavor. It's the critical mass of players that makes the region. The setting is secondary to that.. it reinforces it and gives it an outlet allowing it to take shape. But it is the social getting together and those doing so that define the flavor. Writers, taken from the player base, react to the players that they know. They respond (either in accordance or opposition) to the modules that they, themselves, have played. When you play a metaregional or core written by an author from another region you can feel the difference. When you play that same module in the region the author is from the experience is far different. Its more in sync. Sure you can get some of that from a judge that's played in that region... but not nearly the same as a judge from that region. Now perhaps locales will select a 'home' region of their own, and turn around and write for that 'home' region. Perhaps that will maintain a modicum of what LG achieved with regions. But it doesn't seem as likely to occur. I think it will fragment the players into smaller geographic regions rather than expand them into a plurality. You will have more emphasis on a small locale (city, etc) or gaming group rather than a larger one. Travel between locales will decline and groups will become more isolated. In the end I'm not sure what it achieves, or why one wants to change things in this manor. It seems like a major change just to make a change. And it's a pity as it's attacking one of the selling points for me that living campaigns had. -James |
| LOE_Frey02-13-08, 04:52 PM | What "50% in region rule?" Is that an LG rule? LFR is NOT LG so don't assume any LG rules will be used in LFR. LFR will allow/encourage players to play adventures from all regions. Keith Hoffman LFR USA-NC Co-Writing Director Keith, Just for your information here is the LG standard from the LGCS. Online Play Note: Teleconferencing is considered ‘online’ play. All adventures may be played online. Regionals and Metaregionals require both the GM and more than 50% of the players to be at one physical location within the region or metaregion, respectively. Your registered RPGA address must be within the region or metaregion, respectively, to play a Regional or Metaregional online. I realize LG and LFR are not the same and never intended to imply they would be. My comment and those previous were simply to indicate that I hoped that if any general RPGA game rules might carry-over from LG that this is one that might not. I am glad to hear, from your response, that it appears this is not the case. I was hoping that those working on LFR would realize the expanding amount of gaming by teleconferencing and how it might impact some people and therefore needed to be considered. Making LFR more viable and less restrictive as what LG has proven to be (in my case) could be a good thing. I am glad to see, in concept, that LFR will try to expand gameplay and enjoyment. For me, there were many things about LG that were restrictive and interferred with my enjoyment. I look forward to seeing the results of your hard work and to partake in the fun. For all I know there may no longer be such things as metaregions nor if there is an issue of TU like in LG so I don't portend to assume. If however there is a time limit to some adventures as there were in LG, I hope that "teleconferencing" (if there is such a breakdown in LFR) add a bit of time. Sometimes teleconfrencing can cause delays in gameplay and I find a little more allotted time would help. But again this is only if there is a time limit and an issue of teleconferencing. My only goal here was to indicate where I thought things could be impoved upon from LG. I however do trust in those working on it that it will be the best it can and will wait to see what the future brings. Luck and keep up the good work. |
| Keith5302-13-08, 06:43 PM | Keith, Just for your information here is the LG standard from the LGCS. [i] Online Play <snip I realize LG and LFR are not the same and never intended to imply they would be. My comment and those previous were simply to indicate that I hoped that if any general RPGA game rules might carry-over from LG that this is one that might not. I am glad to hear, from your response, that it appears this is not the case. <snip> Luck and keep up the good work. Thanks for the explanation. I was not familiar with the LG rule. It probably makes sense when the modules are supposed to be only run within the corresponding geographic region. But that model is not applicable to LFR. Because of the global access & play for LFR modules, AND the generic WotC desire for greater on-line play options, I would think such a rule is pretty unlikely in LFR. I would assume teleconferencing would be treated similar to on-line play. I don't know why LFR would have any special rules beyond whatever the normal RPGA rules. Metaregions do not exist, unless you are counting the Global Admin's supervision over 4 regions (and their admins). We will have regional adventures and core adventures. Whether we at some future point coordinate or align a plot thread between regions, maybe a story starts in one region and wanders into the next, <shrug> I don't know. There is a bit more nuance to this than what I may currently discuss. Maybe after DDXP. Keith Hoffman LFR USA-NC Co-Writing Director |
| tombollis02-13-08, 07:08 PM | It should be more of a problem in LFR. How is there going to be any regional identity at all? Take a KET mod and have someone that's never played in KET run it. Now have another person that's never played in KET write another one. That seems closer to what this new proposed system is likely to deliver. In LFR, regional mods will be edited by a regional admin. and writers are sure to be informed of the flavor of the region. If none of the players or the GM at a table have played in the actual region, then how the experience differs from that in the region won't matter - it's their perception of the region that matters to the players. On counterpoint take a core mod and play it with a group of KET PCs & run by a KET judge, then turn around and see the same core mod run elsewhere and you will get a very different experience. Irrelevant. You get such differences between tables in the same room at a convention. Such regional differences in play of a core mod will probably be less if the players aren't used to only one style of local modules. I think that removing the regions and just leaving in metaregions (cause that's in essence the area you're talking about here) is a big mistake. The regional system was one of the strongest things from LG.. throwing it out seems to be a mistake. The likely LFR regional system seems an improvement over the LG system to me. I am not a fan of how LG handles regions and metaregions. Or have I missed something that will make these regions actually mean anything? Different regions will have different NPCs, politics, geography, racial blends, and stories. Being able to participate in a variety, with seperate or the same PC, will make for a more interesting and complex game world. We won't each be playing in our own local subset of the world, unless that is our choice. The regions are sure to be meaningful if the administrators and writers try to give them distinct personalities. I don't want to identify with a particular region just because I am assigned to it, though I am going to have a bias towards the region that corresponds to my geographical area, particularly if premiers are all held only in-region. I want to sample different regions and concentrate most on the ones I find most interesting. Tom Bollis |
| gomeztoo02-14-08, 03:40 AM | It's the critical mass of players that makes the region. I believe it is the story and background that makes the region. Gatherings of people make a game session work - but it is not really important what region is the subject. Sure, if a lot of PCs have invested in a region, it is easier to make tables that have a regional feel. But the new system doesn't disallow that. it just gives more regions for which you can make such tables. Don't forget that teh main difference of region feel through location is because people *couldn't* play other region's scenarios. Now they can, so anyone can become familiar with the flavor of a certain region. And as Tom says, the regional plot coordinator will edit scenarios and make sure they fit the plots and themes of a region. |
| JamesMaissen02-14-08, 03:46 AM | I believe it is the story and background that makes the region. Gatherings of people make a game session work - but it is not really important what region is the subject. I think we're just going to disagree on this. Hopefully it will work out. But I think it's putting the cart before the horse. -James |
| MwaO02-17-08, 11:08 PM | Basically- if they can find another way to play the module, such as online play, then that's fine. But they *are* expected to GM the module in a timely manner (say, as a slot zero for it's premiering convention) so this might not always be possible. Our group also has this plan. We'll probably take the regions that are 'unlikely' to see a lot of play in our area. In other words, the non-North American mods. |
| Surgebuster02-17-08, 11:28 PM | Our group also has this plan. We'll probably take the regions that are 'unlikely' to see a lot of play in our area. In other words, the non-North American mods. It is interesting to hear that non-North American mods may see the least play in your area. Does not the actual FR region count for whether or not your players would want to play those mods? :confused: Joe |
| MwaO02-17-08, 11:49 PM | It is interesting to hear that non-North American mods may see the least play in your area. Does not the actual FR region count for whether or not your players would want to play those mods? :confused: Joe I live in North America(NYC to be specific) - presumably the North American region mods are going to be the mods that get heavy play in our area. We shouldn't have a problem finding a DM for them among our group. But Southern Europe/Turkey? Either someone is eating that mod, playing it online, or it isn't getting played in our area. At least not quickly. If someone is the DM of that region and auto-eats all the mods, that no longer is a problem. |
| Surgebuster02-18-08, 12:07 AM | I live in North America(NYC to be specific) - presumably the North American region mods are going to be the mods that get heavy play in our area. We shouldn't have a problem finding a DM for them among our group. But Southern Europe/Turkey? Either someone is eating that mod, playing it online, or it isn't getting played in our area. At least not quickly. If someone is the DM of that region and auto-eats all the mods, that no longer is a problem. Ah, I sense you may be referring to an online group when you mention not having a problem finding a DM. It doesn't really make that much sense otherwise, since a local group might have to draw straws to see who eats one region's adventures as many others are doing. In that case, it wouldn't really matter where the adventures were written. :) Joe |
| MwaO02-18-08, 12:11 AM | Ah, I sense you may be referring to an online group when you mention not having a problem finding a DM. It doesn't really make that much sense otherwise, since a local group might have to draw straws to see who eats one region's adventures as many others are doing. In that case, it wouldn't really matter where the adventures were written. :) Joe Not at all. There are (presumably, hard to tell as LR has started yet) a number of conventions and game days in my area. They'll presumably run primarily regional content and thereby make a bunch of DMs. So running out of region content is the priority. |