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Rain [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Neveroth
03-07-08, 06:37 PM Does anyone know where I could find some detailed information about weather in the Realms?

I never really thought about it, but now I find myself writing a story for a character, and I could really use a rain-heavy, noir, London-like city. Preferably one that is also a nest of crime, with slavery mixed in.

Any suggestions?
sfdragon
03-07-08, 07:04 PM not sure, but how about Westgate in the east?

edit: i know some of the are books, contain geography of the areas, and i think weather too.
Old Sage
03-07-08, 08:12 PM The Elminster Ecologies box set, and the Appendices [which are available as free PDF downloads (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads) here at WotC], cover the weather conditions of Faerūn somewhat. See also the "Weather" section in Silver Marches. In addition, several 2e tomes that cover specific regions of the Realms -- for example, Anauroch, The Great Glacier, and The Moonshaes -- give specific details on weather types and weather conditions for those regions. See Ed's replies at Candlekeep also.
MarkusTay63
03-07-08, 09:15 PM Does it need to be part of an established Kingdom?

The southern coast of Faerūn has a rainy season, with Monsoon-like storms continually battering the shore. In fact, there are weather tables in Shining South, and it rains pretty frequently down there. Thats why there hasn't been a very big tradition of trade across the Great Sea - the storms are extremely violent and unpredictable, and form quickly and unexpectedly.

Dambrath would be the best place for the Slave-trade end of things, but then you have to deal with the Crinti. I'd avoid the capital of Cathyr, but perhaps one of the cities on the 'arm', like Purl or Dannash, would work for you. The only problem is that illegal activities are probably all controlled by the government!

My personal favorite - Esbresh! :dancin:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/MarkusTay/New_Parsanic.jpg

Its got an assortment of nationalities (including folks from Zakhara), a seedy underworld, an old, established cosmopolitan nature, and is even considered a pirate haven by most law-abiding people from the surrounding regions. Savory types come all the way from The North to deal with the black market of Esbresh (thats canon).

Or, you can just take your choice of a dozen or so cities on the Vilhon Reach that haven't received any 'official' sort of attention, if you need something a little more north.

Also, the un-aligned city of Sultim, between Thay, Mulhorand, and Murghōm is closer, yet not so close as to run afoul of Heartland organizations (except maybe the Red Wizards). You can give it whatever kind of Weather and background you want, because it has received almost no detail in canon (except that its a 'free' citystate). Some not-so-canon facts gleened from soemone else's write-up for the place-SULTIM (Metropolis, 51,494): Not a part of Murghom, Sultim is a
wretched hive of scum and villainy on the coast of the Alambar Sea. An
independent city-state ruled with an iron fist by Emir Sallah Qashtun
(LE male hobgoblin Ftr4/Sor6), it is the unloading point to Inner Sea
merchants who don't want to embark on the Rauthenflow because of the
taxes. Sultim then trades the merchadise onwards to Murghom. Many
bandits do not dare attack caravans flying Sultim's flag because the
city has a reputation for not forgetting, not forgiving, and extremely
cruel punishments. Sultim is an ethnically and racially very mixed
city, attracting the legally challenged from all over the Inner Sea.
As long as one behaves inside the city, the emir does not seem to care
what is done outside the city. Those who do not behave inside the city
will soon become fodder for the public torture and executions in the
city square.
Also, just about any city on the Chultan Peninsula, and some of the ones in the Border Kingdoms would all work for you.
Neveroth
03-07-08, 11:00 PM Thanks for the answers, everyone.

All great suggestions and pointers. Also Sage, Markus, love those compendiums and maps. People like you are what keeps FR alive. ;)

Back on topic, I just stumbled on some climate info in the FRCS, and and there was an interesting paragraph there...
The northwest portion of Faerun is generally well watered and humid, with heavy snowfalls in the winter and a great deal of rain in the spring and fall. Along the Sword Coast, folk exaggeratedly complain that it never stops raining. This would make Waterdeep and some of the other cities readily available for use. I'm downloading the old Skullport book now, as I know very little about the place (sad to admit). Think there's potential there?

EDIT: Apparently same goes for the southwest. Athkatla seems tempting now.

Regarding Westgate, I'll have to do some backreading on that as well. However, as the character I'm writing about is a rogue-ish type (a beguiler to be precise), I feel it may be going a little too close to the Erevis Cale story for comfort.

Now, the more exotic locations are all interesting (and hold a greater potential for tailoring to my liking), but there are two problems when considering them. One, I know very little (if anything at all) about the surrounding regions, and two, I need to have a good reason to be in Silverymoon (which is, well, very far from these places). The character is also blond, pale, and may have some yan-ti blood.

Choices, choices... :whatsthis
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
03-09-08, 09:01 PM Does anyone know where I could find some detailed information about weather in the Realms?

I never really thought about it, but now I find myself writing a story for a character, and I could really use a rain-heavy, noir, London-like city. Preferably one that is also a nest of crime, with slavery mixed in.

Any suggestions?

Westgate is pretty famous for being crime-ridden. I don't recall whether or not slavery is legal there, but even if it isn't, that doesn't mean it is not to be found at all.

I don't see why it's "too close to the Erevis Cale stories for comfort." Number one, those stories take place mainly in Sembia. Number two, what goes on in novels shouldn't stop you from doing what you want in your campaign. Number three, it's not like only one interesting story can take at a time in any given city. Cities are inhabited by thousands of people, after all.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Neveroth 03-07-08, 06:37 PM	Does anyone know where I could find some detailed information about weather in the Realms? I never really thought about it, but now I find myself writing a story for a character, and I could really use a rain-heavy, noir, London-like city. Preferably one that is also a nest of crime, with slavery mixed in. Any suggestions?
sfdragon 03-07-08, 07:04 PM	not sure, but how about Westgate in the east? edit: i know some of the are books, contain geography of the areas, and i think weather too.
Old Sage 03-07-08, 08:12 PM	The Elminster Ecologies box set, and the Appendices [which are available as free PDF downloads (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads) here at WotC], cover the weather conditions of Faerūn somewhat. See also the "Weather" section in Silver Marches. In addition, several 2e tomes that cover specific regions of the Realms -- for example, Anauroch, The Great Glacier, and The Moonshaes -- give specific details on weather types and weather conditions for those regions. See Ed's replies at Candlekeep also.
MarkusTay63 03-07-08, 09:15 PM	Does it need to be part of an established Kingdom? The southern coast of Faerūn has a rainy season, with Monsoon-like storms continually battering the shore. In fact, there are weather tables in Shining South, and it rains pretty frequently down there. Thats why there hasn't been a very big tradition of trade across the Great Sea - the storms are extremely violent and unpredictable, and form quickly and unexpectedly. Dambrath would be the best place for the Slave-trade end of things, but then you have to deal with the Crinti. I'd avoid the capital of Cathyr, but perhaps one of the cities on the 'arm', like Purl or Dannash, would work for you. The only problem is that illegal activities are probably all controlled by the government! My personal favorite - Esbresh! :dancin: http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/MarkusTay/New_Parsanic.jpg Its got an assortment of nationalities (including folks from Zakhara), a seedy underworld, an old, established cosmopolitan nature, and is even considered a pirate haven by most law-abiding people from the surrounding regions. Savory types come all the way from The North to deal with the black market of Esbresh (thats canon). Or, you can just take your choice of a dozen or so cities on the Vilhon Reach that haven't received any 'official' sort of attention, if you need something a little more north. Also, the un-aligned city of Sultim, between Thay, Mulhorand, and Murghōm is closer, yet not so close as to run afoul of Heartland organizations (except maybe the Red Wizards). You can give it whatever kind of Weather and background you want, because it has received almost no detail in canon (except that its a 'free' citystate). Some not-so-canon facts gleened from soemone else's write-up for the place-SULTIM (Metropolis, 51,494): Not a part of Murghom, Sultim is a wretched hive of scum and villainy on the coast of the Alambar Sea. An independent city-state ruled with an iron fist by Emir Sallah Qashtun (LE male hobgoblin Ftr4/Sor6), it is the unloading point to Inner Sea merchants who don't want to embark on the Rauthenflow because of the taxes. Sultim then trades the merchadise onwards to Murghom. Many bandits do not dare attack caravans flying Sultim's flag because the city has a reputation for not forgetting, not forgiving, and extremely cruel punishments. Sultim is an ethnically and racially very mixed city, attracting the legally challenged from all over the Inner Sea. As long as one behaves inside the city, the emir does not seem to care what is done outside the city. Those who do not behave inside the city will soon become fodder for the public torture and executions in the city square. Also, just about any city on the Chultan Peninsula, and some of the ones in the Border Kingdoms would all work for you.
Neveroth 03-07-08, 11:00 PM	Thanks for the answers, everyone. All great suggestions and pointers. Also Sage, Markus, love those compendiums and maps. People like you are what keeps FR alive. ;) Back on topic, I just stumbled on some climate info in the FRCS, and and there was an interesting paragraph there... The northwest portion of Faerun is generally well watered and humid, with heavy snowfalls in the winter and a great deal of rain in the spring and fall. Along the Sword Coast, folk exaggeratedly complain that it never stops raining. This would make Waterdeep and some of the other cities readily available for use. I'm downloading the old Skullport book now, as I know very little about the place (sad to admit). Think there's potential there? EDIT: Apparently same goes for the southwest. Athkatla seems tempting now. Regarding Westgate, I'll have to do some backreading on that as well. However, as the character I'm writing about is a rogue-ish type (a beguiler to be precise), I feel it may be going a little too close to the Erevis Cale story for comfort. Now, the more exotic locations are all interesting (and hold a greater potential for tailoring to my liking), but there are two problems when considering them. One, I know very little (if anything at all) about the surrounding regions, and two, I need to have a good reason to be in Silverymoon (which is, well, very far from these places). The character is also blond, pale, and may have some yan-ti blood. Choices, choices... :whatsthis
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin 03-09-08, 09:01 PM	Does anyone know where I could find some detailed information about weather in the Realms? I never really thought about it, but now I find myself writing a story for a character, and I could really use a rain-heavy, noir, London-like city. Preferably one that is also a nest of crime, with slavery mixed in. Any suggestions? Westgate is pretty famous for being crime-ridden. I don't recall whether or not slavery is legal there, but even if it isn't, that doesn't mean it is not to be found at all. I don't see why it's "too close to the Erevis Cale stories for comfort." Number one, those stories take place mainly in Sembia. Number two, what goes on in novels shouldn't stop you from doing what you want in your campaign. Number three, it's not like only one interesting story can take at a time in any given city. Cities are inhabited by thousands of people, after all.