Real World Regions - FR Regions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Real World Regions - FR Regions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The-Half
03-20-07, 08:57 PM Before I get "internet beat-up" (which is the coolest by the way), I did try to search for this information.....because I've seen similar thread(s) at least a few times over the years on here......but at lass her it is:

What "real world" regions/countries resemble the Forgotten Realm regions/countries??? Example: Amn - Spain or Portugal, Mulradin(sp) - Egypt, Chauntea(sp) Greece, ???? - Babylon, etc;

Note: I know they TECHNICALLY dont match up, because FR's is it's own world. And please dont start a discussion about how TSR or whoever is the one that implemented "real life" cultures in order to sell more/ screw things up...... just want some info.
Old Sage
03-20-07, 09:10 PM Both Ed Greenwood and Steven Schend have made their views on certain comparisons between real world cultures/countries and Realms aspects quite clear through their replies at Candlekeep (Ed's were mainly in the '06 compiled reply file).

They are required reading for any particular Realms devotee who wishes to have access to accurate facts as they've been determined by FR designers and writers. I recommend you read through them, rather than rely on some of the information that will be posted here by certain supposed fans making nonsense comments about such comparisons even when there is direct Realmslore clearly proving how invalid their comments are.
Dark Wizard
03-20-07, 09:16 PM http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?referrerid=406019&t=751274
Faraer
03-21-07, 03:40 PM And please dont start a discussion about how TSR or whoever is the one that implemented "real life" cultures in order to sell more/ screw things up...... just want some info.You want information that you know is wrong?
The-Half
03-21-07, 04:19 PM Both Ed Greenwood and Steven Schend have made their views on certain comparisons between real world cultures/countries and Realms aspects quite clear through their replies at Candlekeep (Ed's were mainly in the '06 compiled reply file).

They are required reading for any particular Realms devotee who wishes to have access to accurate facts as they've been determined by FR designers and writers. I recommend you read through them, rather than rely on some of the information that will be posted here by certain supposed fans making nonsense comments about such comparisons even when there is direct Realmslore clearly proving how invalid their comments are.

Could you please provide me with a link?

Thank you.
The-Half
03-21-07, 04:19 PM http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?referrerid=406019&t=751274

Thanks!
The-Half
03-21-07, 04:24 PM You want information that you know is wrong?

Lol, pretty much.
I know for each Amn - Moorish Spain or Hordelands - Mongolian Empire, there are way more things that are different than similar, but I "personally" think it gives a good "start-off" for skin-color/art/clothing style.

If you're like me than you are busy with work, school, girls, clubs/bars, sports, etc; so it helps to make "LIGHT" generalizations in order to speed up the game. I read as much Realmslore as I can, and I LOVE it, but I only have so much time, and there is SO MUCH Realmslore out there.
Old Sage
03-21-07, 07:35 PM Could you please provide me with a link?

Thank you.You'll find Ed and Steven's comments scattered through the compiled reply files here (http://www.candlekeep.com/library/lore.htm). They're stored in the So Saith Ed (the '06 file as I said above) and Lore from the Sages links under the 'Bard's Rumors' section.
The-Half
03-22-07, 02:01 PM You'll find Ed and Steven's comments scattered through the compiled reply files here (http://www.candlekeep.com/library/lore.htm). They're stored in the So Saith Ed (the '06 file as I said above) and Lore from the Sages links under the 'Bard's Rumors' section.

THANKS!!!!!!
Lord Karsus
03-22-07, 06:08 PM You want information that you know is wrong?

-It helps some people to have an actual analogue to a FR culture, to more accurately understand how things work there. I know that it helped me, when I first introduced my sister to the Realms, and when she soon after DMed- the Rashemi were "Russians", and portrayed thus, and so on...
Faraer
03-22-07, 06:39 PM I think it's more of an impediment than a help in the longer term. But if people like it, and especially if DMs use our-world assumptions without getting deep into specific Realmslore, which is understandable, as long as they don't think they're getting the real Realms cultures, good for them.
Lord Karsus
03-22-07, 06:54 PM I think it's more of an impediment than a help in the longer term. But if people like it, and especially if DMs use our-world assumptions without getting deep into specific Realmslore, which is understandable, as long as they don't think they're getting the real Realms cultures, good for them.

-Yes, that's what I meant. Like I mentioned before, I mentioned to my sister that the Rashemi were roughly Russian. When she was later running a game (and more comfortable with the world, and D&D in general), we ran into a Rashemi Barbarian. She presented him with a Russian accent (which is fairly accurate, as the Rashemi do sound Russian while speaking Common), a deep reverence for his home country (as many Russians do have), and a few other Russian quirks. It's better she does that than make up her own ideas about the Rashemi, which are totally wrong.

-I agree, though, that if a particular person gets too..."attached" to that idea, then it does hurt them in the long run, when trying to understand actual Rashemi culture, since not everything matches up.
Old Sage
03-22-07, 07:46 PM Learning, specifically, about real world cultures with regard to how they *may* relate to aspects of a specific fantasy setting -- like the Realms -- may provide a basic level of interest and assistance, though I think it's always important for potential FR DMs, and even players, to be well aware of where the lines of separation occur between real world influences and what is, entirely, the Realms.

For this, I would recommend Ed's own words on the subject which make those lines... very clear to see.
Boda
03-22-07, 10:43 PM My take:
Calimshan-middle east, Tethyr-medieval France, Amn-age of discoveries Spain, Chondath-medieval greece/Turkey(before otoman invasion), Chessenta-classic Greece, Unther-ancient Mesopotamia, Mulhorandi-ancient Egypt, Aglarond-medieval Low countries( Belgium and Holland), Rashemen-classic eastern Europe(Romania and Bulgary), Impiltur-medival Germany, Sembia-age of discoveries Italy, Cormyr-medieval England, Moonsea-medieval northern Italy, Silver marches-medieval Denmark, Sword coast North-medieval Scandinavia( Norway and Sweeden), Damarra/Vaasa-Gondor/Mordor (very Tolkien like), Great rift-Grand Canyon, Luiren-Shire(Tolkien), Halruaa-medieval Oman(middle east), Chult-South America tropical jungles, Shaar-African savannah, Hordelands-Russian stepps, Tashalaar-northern Africa coast, Border kingdoms-medieval Black sea region.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The-Half 03-20-07, 08:57 PM	Before I get "internet beat-up" (which is the coolest by the way), I did try to search for this information.....because I've seen similar thread(s) at least a few times over the years on here......but at lass her it is: What "real world" regions/countries resemble the Forgotten Realm regions/countries??? Example: Amn - Spain or Portugal, Mulradin(sp) - Egypt, Chauntea(sp) Greece, ???? - Babylon, etc; Note: I know they TECHNICALLY dont match up, because FR's is it's own world. And please dont start a discussion about how TSR or whoever is the one that implemented "real life" cultures in order to sell more/ screw things up...... just want some info.
Old Sage 03-20-07, 09:10 PM	Both Ed Greenwood and Steven Schend have made their views on certain comparisons between real world cultures/countries and Realms aspects quite clear through their replies at Candlekeep (Ed's were mainly in the '06 compiled reply file). They are required reading for any particular Realms devotee who wishes to have access to accurate facts as they've been determined by FR designers and writers. I recommend you read through them, rather than rely on some of the information that will be posted here by certain supposed fans making nonsense comments about such comparisons even when there is direct Realmslore clearly proving how invalid their comments are.
Dark Wizard 03-20-07, 09:16 PM	http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?referrerid=406019&t=751274
Faraer 03-21-07, 03:40 PM	And please dont start a discussion about how TSR or whoever is the one that implemented "real life" cultures in order to sell more/ screw things up...... just want some info.You want information that you know is wrong?
The-Half 03-21-07, 04:19 PM	Both Ed Greenwood and Steven Schend have made their views on certain comparisons between real world cultures/countries and Realms aspects quite clear through their replies at Candlekeep (Ed's were mainly in the '06 compiled reply file). They are required reading for any particular Realms devotee who wishes to have access to accurate facts as they've been determined by FR designers and writers. I recommend you read through them, rather than rely on some of the information that will be posted here by certain supposed fans making nonsense comments about such comparisons even when there is direct Realmslore clearly proving how invalid their comments are. Could you please provide me with a link? Thank you.
The-Half 03-21-07, 04:19 PM	http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?referrerid=406019&t=751274 Thanks!
The-Half 03-21-07, 04:24 PM	You want information that you know is wrong? Lol, pretty much. I know for each Amn - Moorish Spain or Hordelands - Mongolian Empire, there are way more things that are different than similar, but I "personally" think it gives a good "start-off" for skin-color/art/clothing style. If you're like me than you are busy with work, school, girls, clubs/bars, sports, etc; so it helps to make "LIGHT" generalizations in order to speed up the game. I read as much Realmslore as I can, and I LOVE it, but I only have so much time, and there is SO MUCH Realmslore out there.
Old Sage 03-21-07, 07:35 PM	Could you please provide me with a link? Thank you.You'll find Ed and Steven's comments scattered through the compiled reply files here (http://www.candlekeep.com/library/lore.htm). They're stored in the So Saith Ed (the '06 file as I said above) and Lore from the Sages links under the 'Bard's Rumors' section.
The-Half 03-22-07, 02:01 PM	You'll find Ed and Steven's comments scattered through the compiled reply files here (http://www.candlekeep.com/library/lore.htm). They're stored in the So Saith Ed (the '06 file as I said above) and Lore from the Sages links under the 'Bard's Rumors' section. THANKS!!!!!!
Lord Karsus 03-22-07, 06:08 PM	You want information that you know is wrong? -It helps some people to have an actual analogue to a FR culture, to more accurately understand how things work there. I know that it helped me, when I first introduced my sister to the Realms, and when she soon after DMed- the Rashemi were "Russians", and portrayed thus, and so on...
Faraer 03-22-07, 06:39 PM	I think it's more of an impediment than a help in the longer term. But if people like it, and especially if DMs use our-world assumptions without getting deep into specific Realmslore, which is understandable, as long as they don't think they're getting the real Realms cultures, good for them.
Lord Karsus 03-22-07, 06:54 PM	I think it's more of an impediment than a help in the longer term. But if people like it, and especially if DMs use our-world assumptions without getting deep into specific Realmslore, which is understandable, as long as they don't think they're getting the real Realms cultures, good for them. -Yes, that's what I meant. Like I mentioned before, I mentioned to my sister that the Rashemi were roughly Russian. When she was later running a game (and more comfortable with the world, and D&D in general), we ran into a Rashemi Barbarian. She presented him with a Russian accent (which is fairly accurate, as the Rashemi do sound Russian while speaking Common), a deep reverence for his home country (as many Russians do have), and a few other Russian quirks. It's better she does that than make up her own ideas about the Rashemi, which are totally wrong. -I agree, though, that if a particular person gets too..."attached" to that idea, then it does hurt them in the long run, when trying to understand actual Rashemi culture, since not everything matches up.
Old Sage 03-22-07, 07:46 PM	Learning, specifically, about real world cultures with regard to how they may relate to aspects of a specific fantasy setting -- like the Realms -- may provide a basic level of interest and assistance, though I think it's always important for potential FR DMs, and even players, to be well aware of where the lines of separation occur between real world influences and what is, entirely, the Realms. For this, I would recommend Ed's own words on the subject which make those lines... very clear to see.
Boda 03-22-07, 10:43 PM	My take: Calimshan-middle east, Tethyr-medieval France, Amn-age of discoveries Spain, Chondath-medieval greece/Turkey(before otoman invasion), Chessenta-classic Greece, Unther-ancient Mesopotamia, Mulhorandi-ancient Egypt, Aglarond-medieval Low countries( Belgium and Holland), Rashemen-classic eastern Europe(Romania and Bulgary), Impiltur-medival Germany, Sembia-age of discoveries Italy, Cormyr-medieval England, Moonsea-medieval northern Italy, Silver marches-medieval Denmark, Sword coast North-medieval Scandinavia( Norway and Sweeden), Damarra/Vaasa-Gondor/Mordor (very Tolkien like), Great rift-Grand Canyon, Luiren-Shire(Tolkien), Halruaa-medieval Oman(middle east), Chult-South America tropical jungles, Shaar-African savannah, Hordelands-Russian stepps, Tashalaar-northern Africa coast, Border kingdoms-medieval Black sea region.