My main reason to get this book is because i got feed up creating my own world it's really long, i've been running my game for 3 years now and still incomplete. So since i found out that book contain a complete world prebuild with informations about it i took the occasion to get it.
The first thing i wanted to see is the map they were talking about coming with the book. I know 3e was coming with one too but i never used a prefab map before. I have to say it's better than i expected. Lots of details, Huge map if i compare with the bottom scaling.
Second thing was the descriptions of the regions. I first thought it would be a resumé like of race/population/ruling but it more than that, all cities and special location are describe with what adventure you could make there.
New gods that replace the base 4e gods. They kept some of them in the world like Moradin and Corellon. I guess they are the same as 3e Forgotten Realms, since i don't know previous FR settings i can only guess.
Again about gods there is lesser gods and deities which is really nice because you can make alot of cult of X god, good or bad. It change from temple of heroneus in each town.
New monster incorporated, well describe. There just the good amount of new monster, not too much so you don't know what to choose and either not enough to always fight same things. Some monsters are missing one things, pictures for visual people. They do all have physical description.
I say that this product a must for all DM. Superb prefab base for campaign.
it worth my 44$ CAN + taxe.
-If you are intending on running a Forgotten Realms campaign, A Grand History of the Realms will probably be as useful as the FRCG. I'd recommend picking that up as well, if you can.
-I will also be having this thread moved to the Running the Realms section.
My $200 pickles are now for sale, too. They simply put that dork stork to shame.
Want some?!! :D
-If you are intending on running a Forgotten Realms campaign, A Grand History of the Realms will probably be as useful as the FRCG. I'd recommend picking that up as well, if you can.
I would disagree. If the person picks the Realms up for the first time and wants to use the new campaign guide, great. If that happens to spark his interest further in what has come before, that's great too -- but if he isn't incredibly interested in the past then it will just be like overhead he is beholden to.
I like the old realms too, but Grand History is sort of an interesting read for me more than campaign-defining information.
I would disagree. If the person picks the Realms up for the first time and wants to use the new campaign guide, great. If that happens to spark his interest further in what has come before, that's great too -- but if he isn't incredibly interested in the past then it will just be like overhead he is beholden to.
I like the old realms too, but Grand History is sort of an interesting read for me more than campaign-defining information.
And I would disagree. aGHotR is a must if you want a fully flavored campaign--3e aside completely. This is a world of history, regardless if they are trying to clean the slate. It's always good to know the past history of this realm or that ruin--even if its vague. It at least adds character to the areas you are sending your PC's into.
And the book in itself can create plot hooks on its own for the DM to spin with.
You'd be so proud of it, you'd want to hang it on your wall!
What were we talking about again... oh yeah... The Realms
Ummm... The Warlock Knights of Vassa are very interesting, and... errrr... the new Red Wizards have some potential...
Thats all I got...
I would disagree. If the person picks the Realms up for the first time and wants to use the new campaign guide, great. If that happens to spark his interest further in what has come before, that's great too -- but if he isn't incredibly interested in the past then it will just be like overhead he is beholden to.
I like the old realms too, but Grand History is sort of an interesting read for me more than campaign-defining information.
-And, I would disagree with that. The Forgotten Realms is a world of deep history, regardless of if someone wants to utilize it or not. That history is relevant to why certain things are. If the person in question ever wonders why X happened, this is the book to have to find out why things happened, being a chronology.
But if your campaign is a bunch of people going after a crazy wizard because he can blow up Faerun and there's lots of fighting then no, I don't think it would be necessary, especially if the DM has a low gaming budget. I know that there's a Forgotten Realms wiki out there that should be more than sufficient for these sorts of campaigns.
So yeah, the "varies on campaign" is a lame response. But I know that none of the players in my game care about what happened before they were rolled.
I know this is a sort of lame response, but regarding the debate around the Grand History of the Realms, it's essential for certain campaigns. If your campaign features an "ancient evil", politics, or a lot of RP centered interactions then yes, I would recommend it.
But if your campaign is a bunch of people going after a crazy wizard because he can blow up Faerun and there's lots of fighting then no, I don't think it would be necessary, especially if the DM has a low gaming budget. I know that there's a Forgotten Realms wiki out there that should be more than sufficient for these sorts of campaigns.
So yeah, the "varies on campaign" is a lame response. But I know that none of the players in my game care about what happened before they were rolled.
Depends on how you, as a DM, want to approach the game. For me, a history flavor is always a must--I simply cannot see it any other way.
But, yeah, if it's an all out hack-n-slash campaign, then there is no knowledge needed. And, of course, you can always make sh*t up as you go along.
It is your game after all.
Have you guys seen the GORGEOUS Map that is provided with the Golarion setting?
You'd be so proud of it, you'd want to hang it on your wall!
What were we talking about again... oh yeah... The Realms
Ummm... The Warlock Knights of Vassa are very interesting, and... errrr... the new Red Wizards have some potential...
Thats all I got...
The Golarion setting is pretty awesome and the the best part is there isn't too much history to hamper DM creativity. In the FR you can't swing a dead cat without hitting canon from a book or supplement.
FR just plain sucks... no one should buy it. Old fans should leave, and new fans should look elsewhere for a decent world to game in. :P
Just Kidding - there will NEVER be another setting like FR. However, just like the dinosaur, deep settings have become a thing of the past.
I will probably buy this book just to get the Map, since WotC doesn't seem to be forthcoming with one (embarrassed, much? )
I suppose I could use the rest too... I have to line my birdcage wiith something. ;)
I suppose I could use the rest too... I have to line my birdcage wiith something. ;)
Are we that far gone?
I mean, bird poop? Ick!
Bel
Weeeeeeeeee!!! :D
Are we that far gone?
I mean, bird poop? Ick!
You should take almost everything I say with a grain of salt. I still like the premise behind the 4e rules - I just think the magic system got too watered-down. Anyhow, as much as I dislike the way they went about all the changes, I still plan to pick-up this book for ideas, many of which I WILL impliment (with much tinkering on my part).
I started DMing way back when getting good RPG supplements was like trying to find water in the Saharra - I'm quite used to building an entire setting from a single story-line. 4e FR challenges me in a way that Old FR never did.
The echo's around here are just amazing. ;)
-It's because it's very empty around here.
I know that there's a Forgotten Realms wiki out there that should be more than sufficient for these sorts of campaigns.
-Just, as a side note, the Forgotten Realms Wikipedia, as it is right now, really isn't that great...The potential will always be there, though.
In the FR you can't swing a dead cat without hitting canon from a book or supplement.
-Only if you have a DM who is trying to stick closely with the canon. And, of course, let's not forget that most of the planet is simply "Unknown Landmass".
There is a nice Introduction Adventure supplied at the beginning of the book that will introduce new characters into the world. Depending on your speed in-game i say the main quest could last 6-8 hours if you run it to it's full extent.
NPC goals provided in the adventure also open the door to multiple ideas for homemade adventure.
New gods that replace the base 4e gods. They kept some of them in the world like Moradin and Corellon. I guess they are the same as 3e Forgotten Realms, since i don't know previous FR settings i can only guess.
Faerun has always had it's own pantheon of gods, and Moradin and Corellon have a long history in the setting, even though they are also "core" D&D gods.
In the FR you can't swing a dead cat without hitting canon from a book or supplement.
As said before, no DM should feel beholden to what is "canon". A "canon" timeline might be needed for the official products, but not for individual home games set in the FR.
Also the OP is a great example on what someone new can get from the FRCG. He's doing things and interpreting things ways that 3.5e or older FR DMs would never even consider. And his interpretation is just as valid. Great read
the Forgotten Realms Wikipedia, as it is right now, really isn't that great...The potential will always be there, though.
You talking about the FR Wikia site or the FR articles on Wikipedia?
You talking about the FR Wikia site or the FR articles on Wikipedia?
-Both, really, though the Forgotten Realms-specific Wikipedia site will always be more in-depth and less prone to..."purges" than the Forgotten Realms articles on regular Wikipedia.