I'm asking for your support of this petition. This is not an "angry" petition, it's just to show WotC how many people would appreciate an FR Encyclopedia.
More information on the original Encyclopedia plans (Candlekeep):
http://www.candlekeep.com/bookshelf/misc/fr_enc.htm
For more information on this petition, or if you'd like to sign it:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/20003
I've started a petion to WotC on a seperate website asking them to restart the production of the Forgotten Realms Encyclopedia which was canceled after the WotC takeover of TSR.
I'm asking for your support of this petition. This is not an "angry" petition, it's just to show WotC how many people would appreciate an FR Encyclopedia.
More information on the original Encyclopedia plans (Candlekeep):
http://www.candlekeep.com/bookshelf/misc/fr_enc.htm
For more information on this petition, or if you'd like to sign it:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/20003
-The closest thing you are going to get, right now, is probably AGHotR, but that's more of a chronology than an encyclopedia. I wouldn't hold your breath on an official Forgotten Realms encyclopedia, in print format or otherwise.
The encyclopedia you are looking for will happen in the form of a Forgotten Realms Wiki, which was announced by Chris Perkins earlier this year. No word yet on when it will go live however. It's my belief that work hasn't even started on it yet.
-With all of the online troubles that WotC is having as of late, I doubt it.
Do you really think Wizards will/would act thanks to a single petition ?
If they would do so, would have they set the 100 years gap in the FR history ? I really do not think so...
They knew there was no FR fan to ask for it.
They knew that most of FR fans were opposed to the post-Spellplague era, to the dark hole in the Realms history.
And what did they do ? They did not listen to those of us who said what they wanted for the Realms.
I will sign the petition but I really do not believe it will change anything to the products to be released
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
There is an FR wiki.
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
-Which is sorely underdeveloped, and in places, outright wrong. Like regular Wikipedia, I'd take anything read there with a grain of salt, until it can be "confirmed", so to speak.
-No offense to the people attempting to put all of that together, of course, but it is what it is.
Certainly so, I was just mentioning it exists. Tbh compiling FR lore is a daunting process even if you just decided to stick to what is in the game books. Add novels and Ed's posts and it would take a rather sizeable team to be manageable.
-Believe you me, I know. ;)
Well considering that the clear majority of FR fans are not following the setting to 4E it might be a worthwhile project. Honestly the lore Ed provides freely and constantly is more than enough to sustain the fans forever (and while I hate his novel writing, when he writes lore there are few people who can match him.)
"A clear majority", on what do you base this? These boards, I guarantee you that a clear majority of players have not posted anything ever on these boards. A lot of them are part time players or people who want to play in the world they read about in the books (whichever edition it is in). Have you conducted a scientific polling of players to determine this? If so I would love to see the data. As far as it being a worthwhile project it is, and if you take it on you may actually find yourself employed by WOTC and able to more directly influence the direction it is going. Just ask Brian James.
Ehm I am playing on the 4E Realms. But the die-hard fans of the realms are leaving it mate.
I am a die-hard fan of the realms, I am not leaving it. I may be wrong, but none of here represent more than a small handful of players. So any such statement is ridiculous. Also if all the die-hards are running, why are they still posting on the 4e realms boards, rather than the older edition boards or even Candlekeep? Just to scare off any future fans, ensuring the complete cancellation of all realms based materials (novels included)?
I sincerely hope that when the FRCG comes up we may muster the numbers to make a show of force around here. But honestly until we have something clear to discuss I don't see the point in resisting the climate.
Wish we had a poll option on the boards...
-A poll was taken on the boards months ago, back when there was a 4th Edition Forgotten Realms section. Basically, it was 4-Gotten Realms: Yea or Nea. Majority of posters believed that WotC had done bad to the setting. According to fellow poster Nerhesi, a sample size as small as 2% of the population can yield results for the entire population that are accurate.
-This isn't the topic here, though.
Well considering that the clear majority of FR fans are not following the setting to 4E it might be a worthwhile project.
Well, we don't know that. And that's coming from someone who isn't going to use the 4E Realms.
Ehm I am playing on the 4E Realms. But the die-hard fans of the realms are leaving it mate.
I'm not leaving the Realms, I'm just not going to use one particular version of it (the official 4E version).
Also if all the die-hards are running, why are they still posting on the 4e realms boards, rather than the older edition boards or even Candlekeep?
Many of us do post at Candlekeep. And the company here is pleasant (mostly). Also, this board is bound to be more lively and interesting than any older-edition board (I don't think the FR even has it's own "older edition" board--this is the only FR specific board). I don't owe any explanation to anyone about what messageboards I like to post in...and I'm not "running" from anything.
Just to scare off any future fans, ensuring the complete cancellation of all realms based materials (novels included)?
Why don't you think, next time, before making asinine statements like that.
As far as the majority of realms fans here... If the clear majority of hard-core realms fans are here and posting, and I read their feelings about a certain drow or aged wizard correctly, then how do the books about those characters still sell so well?
There are an uncounted number of fans out there who are going to go buy the book, and update their campaign, the same as they did after the time of troubles, and while some of you complain and explain why it is so wrong, the rest of us will be exploring the new realms and creating new lore to enhance the old.
The same could be said about asinine statements about the destruction of the realms based on a few releases and comments. We don't know how it will look, and until we do, all judgment should be withheld.
So no one should have any opinions at all until the FRCG is released? I disagree with that. We know some information, and people can always change their minds later.
As far as what I said, that seems to be the desired effect of many of the comments here, to frighten off any new players who come here looking to learn a bit about the realms or maybe find some tidbits to improve their campaign. What I read is the new realm suck and anyone who spends their money on them is a fool.
Most people who dislike the new Realms aren't saying that. I've never said it. You just don't notice that because we are civil and therefore don't draw so much attention to ourselves. As for what you said, I read it as an accusation that you threw out there to provoke people. I don't know if that was your intention, but it's against the CoC, and not very conducive to having a friendly messageboard.
As far as the majority of realms fans here... If the clear majority of hard-core realms fans are here and posting, and I read their feelings about a certain drow or aged wizard correctly, then how do the books about those characters still sell so well?
I'm not giving you an answer, because I didn't disagree with your main point. Therefore, this isn't an argument I'm going to have with you.
I also think your example isn't even that good. Many people here DO like Elminster and/or Drizzt, or are at least indifferent about them.
There are an uncounted number of fans out there who are going to go buy the book, and update their campaign, the same as they did after the time of troubles, and while some of you complain and explain why it is so wrong, the rest of us will be exploring the new realms and creating new lore to enhance the old.
Again, why are you telling me this? Didn't you read where I said I'm not "running" from anything? I've mentioned in the past that I'll probably buy the FRCG second-hand and pore through it to see if there are parts of it I like. Why not refrain from making assumptions about me and what I plan to do in the future? You said "some of you", to me, as if I'm a part of some tribal group. I'm not. Sorry if that disappoints.
And I don't care whether people like the new setting or not. I'm really only concerned if *I* like it.
Also, a poll is accurate as it minsizes the opinions of the general population proportionally, as individuals from different communities and walks of life all post here. So it is roughly accurate.
I am a die-hard fan of the realms, I am not leaving it. I may be wrong, but none of here represent more than a small handful of players. So any such statement is ridiculous. Also if all the die-hards are running, why are they still posting on the 4e realms boards, rather than the older edition boards or even Candlekeep?
As someone who is also a die-hard fan of the setting, I will attempt an answer. Take it for what you will, considering that I'm -very- against what's being done in 4E. First, I don't think it's true that all the die-hards are "running" from the setting, but rather making hard decisions about whether to stay in 3.5E, adopt 4E, or use only bits and pieces of things from it for their home-made campaigns.
I think it's pretty clear that I'm not going to adopt 4E, and I've stated why. But as to why I'm "still posting" on the 4E Realms boards, here's why:
- We are learning new things about 4E Realms every week. As such, the move toward 4E is an interesting process, but everyone is not required to like 4E Realms if they want to "stay" a fan of the setting. It's quite possible to remain a fan of the 1E, 2E, 3E, or some mixture of those, without wanting to adopt the new 4E Realms. Commenting on the changes as they come, or are made known to us, is part of what is happening.
- As someone who also has more than 20 years invested in the Realms (and who has purchased nearly every supplement so it's a financial investment as well), I believe that it's my right to comment on changes, positive or negative as they may be. I've been with the setting longer than WotC has, including many of these present designers, supporting it pretty much all the way from 1E-3.5E. Because my current comments are 4E-related, that's why I'm posting in the 4E boards.
- Many of the long-term fans also post on Candlekeep, ENWorld, Paizo, and other sites. I post at all of those as well, but this is the WotC publisher site and there is a community here that I generally like.
Just to scare off any future fans, ensuring the complete cancellation of all realms based materials (novels included)?
Uhm, no. I don't think anyone with a modicum of common sense would actually believe that their own opinions on an internet board influence anyone in such a manner. The point is to express either satisfaction or dislike of various ideas, to share ideas and perceptions with others in the forum. At least, that is my intent, and well... to commiserate with people in the community (and it is a community) who have similar feelings. One -might- think that if a large percentage of posters gives similar opinions (positive or negative), then the designers will get some idea of the general response as a population sampling. In many ways, 4E Realms is a bit of an experiment for the designers.
An internet board for a company such as this one (where their products are discussed, often at an incredibly detailed level) has several choices when it comes to a group of vociferous posters with largely negative opinions on a product. They can allow relatively open discussion which includes negative opinions (which is currently allowed by the CoC, as long as it remains on the level of non-personal attacks), or they can institute an additional amount of board moderation such that negative opinions are deleted. However, the latter tends to cheese off people who (probably?) might buy the product despite their opinions of it, or make people think that they have no voice in the update (and there will always be a new edition). So that's a gamble.
What we're dealing with now is a situation where WotC seems to have listened to a percentage of the population (in some ways, but perhaps not others), and they have gone ahead with some of those requested changes for the current edition. However, with a niche like D&D, listening to one segment of the population heavily will always mean that another segment will dislike what was done. Or they'll question the thought processes involved in moving toward those changes. In addition, there seem to be many changes that were not at all fan requests, but important to the design team or company in other ways (such as "how to update for the rules of the new 4E system).
In any case, boards will always have some degree of negativity unless it's forbidden. That's just human nature, and it's something people have to live with: either freedom of speech (within CoC limits), or censorship on some level. In a situation with relative freedom of speech, and when you might not agree with vociferous opinions, it's important to ask yourself whether or not you'd like the same allowance for posting if / when the tables are reversed. IMO, being dismissive of negative opinions and requesting expulsion of such posters is probably just as bad as those who blast excessively positive, glowing reviews.
-All comments, negative, neutral and positive, are allowed to be posted without fear or any sort of repercussion, so long as they fall within the bounds of the CoC.
-I don't understand why this notion needs to be repeated so often, but...
Because freedom of speech isn't ever -really- a guarantee, regardless of CoCs or laws or even long-standing amendments. Speaking far more broadly, there's always someone, somewhere, who will want to censor an opinion -whether it's positive, negative, or neutral- because they disagree with what someone has said (or implied). There is nothing more effective than completely silencing one's opposition. Freedom of speech must therefore be defended every day.
-This is pretty off-topic, anyway.
Freedom of speech is irrelevant. In any encounter freedom of speech is the proven counter to freedom of thought.
Yeah, that's a non sequitur if I've ever seen one.
-Again, all comments, negative, neutral and positive, are allowed to be posted without fear or any sort of repercussion, so long as they fall within the bounds of the CoC.
-This is pretty off-topic, anyway.
Agreed.
A few of us (maybe less than I think) are going to buy and use the new edition, and it would be nice to have a space to talk in a positive way about it.
A realms encyclopedia would be a great idea and there are some very devoted people on these boards who could sign on to work on it.
The other thing I was reacting to was (and I realize I made a few myself) the blanket statement that the majority would be fleeing. There is no scientific data to prove that, since you have no way to judge what percentage of the entire realms fan population posts here. Perhaps if we speak only for our own actions, civility would be maintained.
I admire Lord Karsus (for instance) for his choice not to migrate over, but he has given his reasons and only spoke for himself. Many others forget that they do not necessarily represent a larger population, myself included.
So again, I apologize for any antagonism on my part.
I must apologize, my comments were not meant to be provocative. It is just slightly frustrating when it seems (IMO) that all threads on this board start to descend into a bag on the new realms, and it gets old. I come here looking for info on the realms I (and many of you) love. Or to share insight or campaign ideas. .
I think there is a lot of that here. Not everything devolves into a word war between the 2 editions. Throw your campaign ideas out there and you should get feedback on it besides "4E sucks", although with the new book coming out in August you are bound to get a few 4e sucks comments
It should die down in a little bit
I very much hope that for maybe August and September we can actually have a complete ban on edition war threads to discuss the new material.
I am not for a complete ban on anything
I very much hope that for maybe August and September we can actually have a complete ban on edition war threads to discuss the new material.
There's nothing quite like censorship.
Moderation is in all effects a form of censorship. If when the new books come up the boards flare again as they were during the first articles back in Dec? then most of us will just be leaving them.
You called for a complete ban which IMO is pretty disgusting. Moderation as it is now, that's not total censorship, not even close.
A ban of edition war threads. That would mean people can start threads about specifics but any thread of the 4E FR sucks/4E FR rocks type gets locked.
If you don't like the nature of a particular thread, here's a tip: just don't click on it. If people violate the CoC, that's another matter and they'll be moderated appropriately.
there is no reason that you can talk about dissatisfication
-Can't. Can't.
-Can't. Can't.
fixed fixed
