A moment of Mourning [Archive] - Wizards Community

A moment of Mourning [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Moraser_the_Magnificent
09-24-07, 12:55 AM With the eluded too demise of Halaster, Khelben & Elminster, three icons of the Forgotten Realms for better or worse, what now?

I don't think El will stay "dead" long, way too popular on the book end for Ed to allow WoTC to toast his paycheck. That and I think the Shadovar will be due for some payback.

But why Khelben? He was content keeping Waterdeep from exploding. The character was far from played out. Piergieron is going to kick the bucket in a couple years, most likely shortly after the release of the New Realms, at that point Waterdeep will have no focal characters & the Jewel of the Sword Coast kinda fades into blandness.

Why Halaster? His purpose in life was helping adventurers make a name for themselves & being a buffer between the Underdark and Waterdeep. The character had barely been touched lore wise & was the centerpiece of some seriously fun adventures.

Unless, the death of these characters is exactly what I stated them to be, to bland out Waterdeep & remove it from the focal point that it is.
Old Sage
09-24-07, 01:37 AM Halaster's death appears to have been a direct precursor to the chaos that will be visited upon the Realms during the Spellplague. Both Expedition of Undermountain and Grand History suggest this is the case.

Khelben's death serves a purpose that was set down long ago. See Blackstaff.

And Elminster's not dead. Merely absent. See the opening sections of the Shadowdale module for the full details.

I don't think El will stay "dead" long, way too popular on the book end for Ed to allow WoTC to toast his paycheck.*sigh*

You seem to be under the mistaken impression that Elminster is Ed's *pet* character in the Realms. He is not. Both Ed and the Lady Hooded One at Candlekeep have, repeatedly, made this quite clear.

Consider this, directly from Ed:-

"No, of course not. WotC authors are often asked to provide “sell copy” for book jackets, though it NEVER reaches print un-tinkered-with, but in the old TSR days, writers were rarely invited to do so. I had never seen that blurb until a copy of the book was brought to me for signing at a convention, and I certainly never wrote a word of it. No, I have never said Elminster is my “alter ego.” TSR has, many times; a practice that began in GenCon pre-registration blurb booklets, describing the seminars I did in costume, acting the part of Elminster - - ALSO a practice TSR asked me to begin and carry on. When they, many years later, asked me to leave the costume at home, I happily did so. Those robes are hot. :}
To reiterate: I have never, ever said that Elminster is my alter ego or wish fulfillment character, or thought that way for one minute. I will never use any Realms characters in that manner, because doing so would ruin the whole fun of creating the world and its characters, and watching what happens and how they evolve. Just as all of the gamers who have played various PC adventurers in my Realms sessions over the years are playing roles, not themselves.

So saith Ed. Who will return with regular Realmslore about ten hours from now, if he stays on schedule.
love,
THO"
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
09-24-07, 01:30 PM While I like the way Khelben's death was handled, at the same time I agree that the character was far from "played out" and it was sad to see him go.

Halaster's death was inexcusable, though--it wasn't even very well done from a story-telling point of view. His death felt arbitrary whereas Khelben's did not.

Elminster is NOT dead, and I am troubled that some people seem to think he is (or close to it). Makes me wonder if someone is spreading untrue rumors, accidently or no.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Moraser_the_Magnificent 09-24-07, 12:55 AM	With the eluded too demise of Halaster, Khelben & Elminster, three icons of the Forgotten Realms for better or worse, what now? I don't think El will stay "dead" long, way too popular on the book end for Ed to allow WoTC to toast his paycheck. That and I think the Shadovar will be due for some payback. But why Khelben? He was content keeping Waterdeep from exploding. The character was far from played out. Piergieron is going to kick the bucket in a couple years, most likely shortly after the release of the New Realms, at that point Waterdeep will have no focal characters & the Jewel of the Sword Coast kinda fades into blandness. Why Halaster? His purpose in life was helping adventurers make a name for themselves & being a buffer between the Underdark and Waterdeep. The character had barely been touched lore wise & was the centerpiece of some seriously fun adventures. Unless, the death of these characters is exactly what I stated them to be, to bland out Waterdeep & remove it from the focal point that it is.
Old Sage 09-24-07, 01:37 AM	Halaster's death appears to have been a direct precursor to the chaos that will be visited upon the Realms during the Spellplague. Both Expedition of Undermountain and Grand History suggest this is the case. Khelben's death serves a purpose that was set down long ago. See Blackstaff. And Elminster's not dead. Merely absent. See the opening sections of the Shadowdale module for the full details. I don't think El will stay "dead" long, way too popular on the book end for Ed to allow WoTC to toast his paycheck.sigh You seem to be under the mistaken impression that Elminster is Ed's pet character in the Realms. He is not. Both Ed and the Lady Hooded One at Candlekeep have, repeatedly, made this quite clear. Consider this, directly from Ed:- "No, of course not. WotC authors are often asked to provide “sell copy” for book jackets, though it NEVER reaches print un-tinkered-with, but in the old TSR days, writers were rarely invited to do so. I had never seen that blurb until a copy of the book was brought to me for signing at a convention, and I certainly never wrote a word of it. No, I have never said Elminster is my “alter ego.” TSR has, many times; a practice that began in GenCon pre-registration blurb booklets, describing the seminars I did in costume, acting the part of Elminster - - ALSO a practice TSR asked me to begin and carry on. When they, many years later, asked me to leave the costume at home, I happily did so. Those robes are hot. :} To reiterate: I have never, ever said that Elminster is my alter ego or wish fulfillment character, or thought that way for one minute. I will never use any Realms characters in that manner, because doing so would ruin the whole fun of creating the world and its characters, and watching what happens and how they evolve. Just as all of the gamers who have played various PC adventurers in my Realms sessions over the years are playing roles, not themselves. So saith Ed. Who will return with regular Realmslore about ten hours from now, if he stays on schedule. love, THO"
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin 09-24-07, 01:30 PM	While I like the way Khelben's death was handled, at the same time I agree that the character was far from "played out" and it was sad to see him go. Halaster's death was inexcusable, though--it wasn't even very well done from a story-telling point of view. His death felt arbitrary whereas Khelben's did not. Elminster is NOT dead, and I am troubled that some people seem to think he is (or close to it). Makes me wonder if someone is spreading untrue rumors, accidently or no.