For now, I believe yes. For the most up to date info on the Realms, you could pick up the 4E Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Since 5E only just came out, they haven't done anything new with it. Though also check out some of the Adventure League things. I think there's something set in Mulmaster that they've put out a current guide for that city.
[quote="Kahless"]
For now, I believe yes. For the most up to date info on the Realms, you could pick up the 4E Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Since 5E only just came out, they haven't done anything new with it. Though also check out some of the Adventure League things. I think there's something set in Mulmaster that they've put out a current guide for that city.
[/quoteThanks, I thought that was the case but was hoping I was wrong. On the bright side thats less for me to buy right now and less reading as well. 
Also thanks for the info on Mulmaster Ill check that out as well.
Adventurers League is set in Sword Coast area, and Expeditions is set in Moonsea area, Phlan last year. Dragon+ App has flavor text about setting and goliath race.
Next playtest adventures offer a bridge between 4th and 5th, many changes in 4th were unpopular and the company seems to be headed toward a more 3.5 version of the realms with some 4th for flavor. they seem intent on merging all their product lines together so books and video games are now being included. an example of this is Murder in Baldur's Gate, which references both books and the video games. if using Next playtests be aware that their are differences in power levels. i have been running some of those modules and have TPK'd several parties using 5th E monsters instead of the Next versions. However they are excellent sources for realms material to work with. i myself have been using the Wiki and older sourcebooks to get ideas from. so grab an old module or sourcebook and go to town with it.
Wizards of the Coast has been recycling past material so much they should be called Druids of the Coast;) hehe
You could also read some of The Sundering novels. Not exactly comprehensive, but they are "canon, and Greenwood's newest book "Spellstorm" just came out that might have something, as well.
I think one of the bigggest things to change with 5E are the Zentarim. They're trying to play a bit of "good guy". I thought I remember reading something where a major shade enclave had been destroyed, too. Halrua had something going on as well, I think, but not sure what.
Ok, I believe that the Adventurers League material is included in the Tyranny of Dragons and Princes of the Appocalypse adventures. Where or How do I find the D&D Expeditions materials?
http://dndadventurersleague.org/
it is part of adveturers league
I'm not sure how 'necessary' a D&D 5th version of a Forgotten Realms would be. I've got the 3.0 version and the 4e edition and between them, and all the FR novels available, I think I know everything I'd ever need to know about FR. Some sort of Player's Guide with updates to Races and Classes might be in order... just to provide 5th ed versions of some of the FR specific information. In fact, maybe they could just come up with one big 'coversion' book for Greyhawk, Dark Sun, Eberron and Forgotten Realms. Just reference the old books and provide any 'updates and errata' that might be needed for 5th.
But, now that I've just typed that, I realize that I'm coming at this from the point of view of a person who's been playing D&D for over half his life. I've got stacks and stacks of material from every edition to draw from. In fact, I'm in the process now of converting some of my favorite 4e material to 5th.
I'd be interested to get the perspective of a person who's new to the hobby... would you rather get yet another set of settings and adventures specific to 5th.... Or would you rather be directed to obtain existing material, and be provided with conversion information for use with 5th.
My perspective is also skewed by the fact that the local stores buy old RPG materials (for store credit) and then sell the stuff at steep reductions. I've picked up yet more stacks of material for pennies on the dollar that way.
i believe we could all benefit from an updated realms book.
Dragonborn and Tieflings remain enigmatic and monstrous, as a DM i am tempted to deny access to towns by nervous guards and impose disadvantage on social roles, due to lack of common lore in the realms about them. but more importantly where do they come from? i have read forums on the subject and have come up with some ideas of my own. however the realms has its own flavor and is widely known among gamers, so an official 5E book would help every one be on the same page.
example; Drow in Eberron vs. Drow in Dragonlance vs. Drow in Forgotten Realms.
one of the strongest reasons to play in different worlds is the different race/culture aspect, such as Dark Sun and its very unique flavor. Thri Kreen as a player race? sure, in Dark Sun only. same with War Forged in Eberron. I love both races but in part becuase they are not common on other worlds.
they need to create some compelling lore to fit Dragonborn and Tieflings into the Realms.
Another reason is to clear up confusion over the changes from 3E to 4E to 5E, Unther or Tymanther? i believe an appendix is nescessary for the Grand History of the Realms.
And another reason, include the Sundering [NEXT playtest] lore that was promised [better late than never]. I for one love the Murder in Baldur's Gate adventure and am eager to see what happened.
Kazadvorn wrote:
There is a whole forum dedicated to Forgotten Realms. Click the "Dungeons and Dragons - Fifth Edition" arrow at the top of this page, then scroll down 2-3 screen-heights.
Fair Warning: the more-recent threads are full of people complaining that there is no 5e FRCG. Of whom I have been one.
For my Hoard of the Dragon Queen / Rise of Tiamat campaign, I have been going to my local Public Library and checking out 3e-era sourcebooks, pulling out whatever I think would still be true after 100 years, and cross-referencing the 4e FRCG just in case.
gmanjkd wrote:
CCS wrote:
intently wrote:
Less than it cost originally
I’m new to running D&D and I particularly enjoyed the Neverwinter Nights computer game. I’ve played a decent amount of 3.5. When I decided I wanted to run the game I identified that it would take place near Neverwinter and the Lost Mines of Phandelver adventure helped start the party on the right foot.
To collect knowledge of the area I use the Lost Mines of Phandelver adventure, the Forgotten Realms wiki, and read a couple of the novels by Salvatore. In my opinion the wiki does a good job of allowing research on the Realms through the present stories written by the authors in novel form and adventures. The novels provide character to the lands, people, and environment. The adventures provide some character. The Princes of the Apocalypse adventure provides some information about the Red Larch area.