All i know anything about FR: (pc game)Neverwinter night 1-2, (pc game)icewindale, (book)spine of world(not sure the name big guy with returning hammer). I know because of it's popularity that Dritzz is a ranger/rogue/fighter/barb like, dual scimitar drow wielder but that's pretty much all i know about him. i also know that there is a evil country of red wizards living in thay. and a powerful guy called Elsminster. That pretty much resume what i know so far.
So im pretty sure i don't even know 1% of that world but by reading the book i could understand most of it. So the question is more what i absolutely need to know to run my first campaign in. Is there some country easier to start off with ? Is there a source where i can find the FR time line (if it's useful) ?
About the start location i'm looking for 2 major point.
1 - good place for level 1 character
2 - easy to understand for me the DM, mostly because i want to be able to assimilate the whole region rapidly an the most accurate as possible, easier it is less mistakes i can make.
On of my friend that played in the FR setting in a 3.0 game has also read a couple of books already but seems like the books are spread a bit everywhere in the world of fearun and it's complex to build an idea around little parts scattered around the world.
That is my suggestion. Hope it is helpful.
Now the flip side-
While the older editions have lots of sources to pull from, 4e gives a DM new to the Realms (like you) a fresh breath. You don't have to worry over much about the many, many famous NPCs, the numerous (and repetitive IMO) Gods, the canon lore based from the novels (most of which you haven't read), or the vast information some people feel they need to run a campaign. 4e is designed to help people re-discover the Realms in a new light. Places once mapped and combed over by previous adventuring parties are now fresh ruins ripe for the plundering. Organizations once mighty and powerful are now struggling to survive and maybe it's your PCs who will lead them to new dominance or stop them from regaining that dominance. New races have emerged in various parts of Faerun due to Realm-colliding events and once thought forgotten kingdoms have risen in power. All things said, I think it's a prime place to start a new campaign for any new DM. Though people might be upset (sometimes down right nasty) about the changes, don't let that discourage you about trying something new. In any case, if you need help I'll do what I can.
Anyways, if your going for old or new, or even somewhere in between- Welcome to the Realms!
and a powerful guy called Elsminster.
Elminster.;)
If you are thinking of running an FR campaign using 4E rules, you should probably wait until the the 4E FR Campaign Guide comes out in August. For now, there are some Dragon articles on this website that you can read with regards to the 4E version of the setting.
I know because of it's popularity that Dritzz is a ranger/rogue/fighter/barb like, dual scimitar drow wielder but that's pretty much all i know about him.
And, yet, he's your avatar? ;)
Yes, wait 'til 4e and you'll be good to go. Even then, because there is still history you may want to catch up on, I would pick a place on the map that is brand new or has been completely altered. If you keep it local, it will give you time to dig into the lore surrounding the area and you can go from there as you like.
thanks for all your feedback. I'll try getting back the 3.x campaign book to read a bit about Cormir.
Cormyr.
And you're welcome.
2 - easy to understand for me the DM, mostly because i want to be able to assimilate the whole region rapidly an the most accurate as possible, easier it is less mistakes i can make.
-By opening the book and starting your own campaign, you are effectivley creating your own version of the Forgotten Realms: Forgotten Realms 887, rather than the official setting of Forgotten Realms 616. Feel free to make as many "mistakes", alterations, and so on, as you need to, as suits your campaign.
-By opening the book and starting your own campaign, you are effectivley creating your own version of the Forgotten Realms: Forgotten Realms 887, rather than the official setting of Forgotten Realms 616. Feel free to make as many "mistakes", alterations, and so on, as you need to, as suits your campaign.
Indeed! The sourcebooks should be seen as guidelines more than anything else.
While the older editions have lots of sources to pull from, 4e gives a DM new to the Realms (like you) a fresh breath. You don't have to worry over much about the many, many famous NPCs, the numerous (and repetitive IMO) Gods, the canon lore based from the novels (most of which you haven't read), or the vast information some people feel they need to run a campaign. 4e is designed to help people re-discover the Realms in a new light. Places once mapped and combed over by previous adventuring parties are now fresh ruins ripe for the plundering. Organizations once mighty and powerful are now struggling to survive and maybe it's your PCs who will lead them to new dominance or stop them from regaining that dominance. New races have emerged in various parts of Faerun due to Realm-colliding events and once thought forgotten kingdoms have risen in power.
Hello and greetings to everyone!
I'm in a bit similar situation, 'cause I'm going to run a completely new FR campaign. I was huge fan of second edtion and while 3rd and 3,5 editions passed me by due to personal reasons and difficulties, I'm going to roleplay again.
So, after lenghty and boring introduction, here comes my question: what the hell has happened? :D I mean, from what Diffan says, I conclude that Faerun faced an apocalypse with Ragnarok included! Can you direct me to some articles or web pages or explain, if only you have taime and patience, what's going on?
Thanks a lot in advance
Best Regards
Hello and greetings to everyone!
I'm in a bit similar situation, 'cause I'm going to run a completely new FR campaign. I was huge fan of second edtion and while 3rd and 3,5 editions passed me by due to personal reasons and difficulties, I'm going to roleplay again.
So, after lenghty and boring introduction, here comes my question: what the hell has happened? :D I mean, from what Diffan says, I conclude that Faerun faced an apocalypse with Ragnarok included! Can you direct me to some articles or web pages or explain, if only you have taime and patience, what's going on?
Thanks a lot in advance
Best Regards
Go here and read the Countdown to the Realms articles:
If you aren't registered, you will need to. Its free and worth it.
Welcome aboard! :D
So, after lenghty and boring introduction, here comes my question: what the hell has happened? :D I mean, from what Diffan says, I conclude that Faerun faced an apocalypse with Ragnarok included! Can you direct me to some articles or web pages or explain, if only you have taime and patience, what's going on?
Thanks a lot in advance
Best Regards
-Depends. The 3e/3.5e Forgotten Realms, no there was no apocalypse. Everything was, for the most part, running smoothly. The 4e Forgotten Realms, however, is another matter entirely. See the Countdown to the Realms articles on the WotC main site. Basically, the Forgotten Realms were drastically changed and shaken up.
EDIT: We all posted at pretty much the same time. WEIRD!
Knock yourself out. ;)
Don't you mean, "Go drown yourself."? ;)
-By opening the book and starting your own campaign, you are effectivley creating your own version of the Forgotten Realms: Forgotten Realms 887, rather than the official setting of Forgotten Realms 616. Feel free to make as many "mistakes", alterations, and so on, as you need to, as suits your campaign.
I thought Forgotten Realms-616 (or Toril-, or Faerûn-, whatever) was Charles Phipps' own world... I'd prefer for a FR-666 particularly, but I think some guy called Demogorgon (Demo for friends) took over that one for him and has turned it to his winter residence... You know, a sea-front (well, actually, sea-in) palace is good in summer, but not so when ice-claps cover it all around.
Thank you very much. I read article about Plague years and changes to Faerun and it ble me off. I must decide, how to implement it to my campaign
-IF you want to implement them in your campaign. No one is forcing you to.
I thought Forgotten Realms-616 (or Toril-, or Faerûn-, whatever) was Charles Phipps' own world... I'd prefer for a FR-666 particularly, but I think some guy called Demogorgon (Demo for friends) took over that one for him and has turned it to his winter residence... You know, a sea-front (well, actually, sea-in) palace is good in summer, but not so when ice-claps cover it all around.
-Well, that's too bad for Charles, but I have confiscated the monkier, and, as Earth 616 is the official Marvel Universe, Faerûn 616 is the official Forgotten Realms.
... as Earth 616 is the official Marvel Universe, Faerûn 616 is the official Forgotten Realms.
Yeah, I knew that was from Marvel... All that Exiles stuff and things like that.
But Chuck (sorry for the close term) took it as his own as no other used that nomenclature... and considering that Marvel has nothing to do with Hasbro (I think) that name loses any relation with canon.
But I could be wrong...
Yeah, I knew that was from Marvel... All that Exiles stuff and things like that.
-Even before Exiles, I believe.
But Chuck (sorry for the close term) took it as his own as no other used that nomenclature... and considering that Marvel has nothing to do with Hasbro (I think) that name loses any relation with canon.[/i]
-Well, as I said, it's been confiscated and appropriated. Eminent Domain.
I'll start by saying that i never tried any settings ever. I have few friends that tried FR in 3.0 and some tried Eberron. Both seems appealing but i tend more to Forgotten Realms because it's the official settings. I had read maybe 20-30 pages in the 3.0(maybe 3.5 i don't know) campaign guide form my cousin book but i don't have it any more. It's a heavy book and seems to have alot of information on all cities. So far i always home brew my worlds and it's pretty thought and long work, that's why the pre-build world of fearun is really interesting for me, I am really thinking into running FR campaign for the 4th edition.
All i know anything about FR: (pc game)Neverwinter night 1-2, (pc game)icewindale, (book)spine of world(not sure the name big guy with returning hammer). I know because of it's popularity that Dritzz is a ranger/rogue/fighter/barb like, dual scimitar drow wielder but that's pretty much all i know about him. i also know that there is a evil country of red wizards living in thay. and a powerful guy called Elsminster. That pretty much resume what i know so far.
So im pretty sure i don't even know 1% of that world but by reading the book i could understand most of it. So the question is more what i absolutely need to know to run my first campaign in. Is there some country easier to start off with ? Is there a source where i can find the FR time line (if it's useful) ?
About the start location i'm looking for 2 major point.
1 - good place for level 1 character
2 - easy to understand for me the DM, mostly because i want to be able to assimilate the whole region rapidly an the most accurate as possible, easier it is less mistakes i can make.
On of my friend that played in the FR setting in a 3.0 game has also read a couple of books already but seems like the books are spread a bit everywhere in the world of fearun and it's complex to build an idea around little parts scattered around the world.
Level 1 - Well, as much as I personally didn't like the product, the Undermountain adventure that was recently put out will take you up through level 10 (I think). Also, there was a set of three hard cover adventure books recently put out that were excellent, but started at level 5. My recommendation, grab Mystery's of Moonsea. Great book. Lots of little, interconnected adventures. Good region, lots of variety. And it has enough info for you as a DM to get a decent grasp of that area. Combine that with the FRCS, and you've practically got your own campaign. Flesh it out with some level appropriate adventures from some old DUNGEON issues, and you'll be good to go.