I am really happy to learn that Ed will be at the helm of the Realms once again!
''Recently I've seen petitions and strong arguments that Wizards should let Ed design the Forgotten Realms for the next edition of the game. I couldn't agree more, and some of that work is already under way. The Forgotten Realms has changed a lot in the last 25 years, and although there are major themes and ideas and flavors that haven't changed at all, in some ways the Realms has veered away from Ed's original vision. He's always been on board the Realms ship, but he hasn't always been at the rudder (to use his own metaphor), and we are rectifying that even as we speak. Keep your eyes out for some big announcements along those lines in the coming months.''
I might be in the minority, but I don't think that Ed is the best for the realms.
He build the "sandbox" and deserves praise for that, but others have build much nicer "sand castles" in it than him.
I wouldn't applaud Mercedes for bringing back the Motorwagen 1 as their new model and I hope that the 5e Realms do not regress too much into the grey box area style.
Just because something was first doesn't mean that it's automatically the best
AND for the record, the orginal box set was pure AWESOME! I love those encyclodedic enteries, I still pull that one out from time to time.
He build the "sandbox" and deserves praise for that, but others have build much nicer "sand castles" in it than him.
That's a good point.
I hope Ed is part of a team of good designers. I call it Team Awesome: Greenwood, Grubb, Schend, Boyd, the James Brothers, Cortijo, Reynolds, Heinsoo and Wyatt, along with help and advice from a whole bunch of Realms novel authors.
I know that not all of these people are available, but a guy can dream, right?
I might be in the minority, but I don't think that Ed is the best for the realms.He build the "sandbox" and deserves praise for that, but others have build much nicer "sand castles" in it than him. (snip)
I respectfully disagree.
Nobody writes the RPG Realms better than Ed (except perhaps Messrs Boyd & Krashos). There are superior novel authors but they still don't hold a candle to Ed when it comes to the lore that makes FR great for gaming.
IMO/YMMV, of course.
As much as I genuinely like the 4E Realms - and every other iteration including the Ye Olde Grey Box - I am hoping that the D&D Next version is a reset to Ed's home Realms timeline-wise. I am hoping it will build on the Realms book Ed is writing for publication this year. (Then again, I'm not particularly invested in that statement as what I have seen of D&D Next means that it's unlikely I will change from 4E. But I will buy FR no matter what.)
www.amazon.co.uk/Dungeons-Dragons-Forgot...
That way I can ignore the Spellplague and not be chastised for it.
I wouldn't chastise you for ignoring the Spellplague.
There's much about it that I ignore too.
Have you guys seen this coming in December?
Interesting...that only shows up on the UK website for the Realms. Can't find that book on the US website.
That said, this looks like it's the hardcover version of the Forgotten Realms comic by IDW Publishing.
That way I can ignore the Spellplague and not be chastised for it.
I wouldn't chastise you for ignoring the Spellplague.
Glad to know. I've been hit with whiny 4e fans about why the new so-called "Shattered Realms"/"Returned Abeir Campaign Setting" is better. Such things have made me understandly bitter, especially since the Realms has been shelved for the new setting. I guess it comes down to people prefering a lore free approach rather than sample the lore they like to help build their worlds. What dreck! The issue is still subjective, but I hope that Wizards can target the original fanbase in the next iteration (perhaps with an apology for their well intended mess.) I didn't appreciate the Realms nearly as much as when I was younger (though, I still loved the setting). But, ever since I've become so busy (I'd say, starting around freshman year of college), I've gained a bigger appreciation for the Realms. I don't have the time to invent my own worlds without sacrificing a lot of free time I don't have. Having tons of lore to sample and file through helps out! Well, when Ed's book comes out in October, I plan on buying it! Hell, I'll probably use it for 4e and 5e driven Realms games... The first Realms books I've bought since the Grand History book... No Spellplague nonsense for me! Now, I just hope I can rally a troop to help convert old Al Qadim, Maztica, Mulhorand, and Kara-Tur stuff with me when 5e rolls around.
Edit: I needed to let out some steam. We all go a little mad sometimes.
Ignore the Spellplague all you want.