Forgotten Realms for the n00b to the setting - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Forgotten Realms for the n00b to the setting

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
spellbinder5150
Jun 27, 2008 2:27:57 I am an OLD school D&D player, having played since the days of 1e. However, I never got the chance to play in the Realms and I have not read any of the novels. I am familiar with characters though like Elminster and Drizzt somewhat but I do not know their backstories. I own the FR campaign setting book for 3.5. I want to possibly start an FR campaign in 4e when the books release for FR, now owning the core books for 4e and liking the system, but I have no idea where to start. The setting seems VERY complicated and overwhelming to those of us not as familiar with its intricacies. I bought the History of the Realms book too but I am not sure that even it will be a great aid for me. I am familiar with how the Realms are being trated in 4e with the storyline being advanced 100 years and the spellplague and all but I feel like I need to learn as much as I can somehow in a short time of what makes the Realms unique. Can you experts help me?
#2
valgard
Jun 27, 2008 2:41:38 Don't confuse yourself or feel scared for the setting. I talk by personal experience, I began in the Realms only about five or six years ago. And yes, the setting seems a bit out of scale at first glance, but if you take a look at the FRCS, you'll see there isn't so overwhelming. The hardest part is probably the Regions' section, but nothing you can't adapt to with a few reviews. In fact, I've only read the Icewind Dale and the Dark Elf trilogies (I'm actually reading the Legacy) and those didn't give me much more knowledge on the setting.

And I think you're lucky if you plan to play in the new 4gotten Realms... you'll need not many info about previous edition material (Though I, and almost everyone here, highly recommend you to see it... it "was" probably the best fantasy world I've seen).
#3
alediran
Jun 27, 2008 6:35:11 Like Valgard, I started only 6 years ago, a little before 3.5 was released. For me it was never intimidating (haven even heard of that until I came here), but you'll discover it as soon as you start reading it. Any kind of question you have can be answered here. I've learned more in these boards than reading the books and novels. And when you DM (I've been DMing a FR campaign for 2 years at this point) if you happen to have players at your table that know the setting well just tell them you FR campaign is not going to be as precise as you would like because you are still learning about the setting. That lets them know what is going to happen, because as a FR player I always preffer to have campaigns that are as close to cannon as possible, and that's the expectation of most players.
#4
nymrohd
Jun 27, 2008 6:52:19 Do not focus on history and geography. History and geography are only a small part of what helps a DM use a setting well. Pick a starting location and learn about it, about the locals, the recent history and local feuds. If you want to make it all special check the vernacular of your starting location, local customs, what coinage they use. Some of this can be found in past books. But probably your best bet is browsing through So Saith Ed in Candlekeep.com
#5
rinonalyrna_fathomlin
Jun 27, 2008 9:12:04 This might sound obvious, but focus on the elements of the setting that interest you the most.

If you want to play in the 4E Realms, you might want to wait until the 4E FRCG comes out before you actually start a game.
#6
xmen510
Jun 27, 2008 9:30:27 Considering the time jump and all, just ignore everything that has come before when you use the 4th edition stuff and run only off that to begin with. As you get more familiarized with the back info, then start introducing elements of history into the campaign if that is what you wish to do. Don't worry and fret over it. After all, 1st level characters won't know everything about the realms to begin with either, now will they ;). If the player demand you need to know Forgotten Realms inside and out off the bat, then find new players becuase those are the kind you can live without. Just run your campaign the way you want and have fun with it. Don't worry if you are doing somethign different than what is written in the Novels or Campaign Books. Notice I said different, not wrong. What you do in your campaign is NEVER wrong. It is just DIFFERENT. It is your campaign, so have fun with it.

I agree with Rinonalyrna Fathomlin. Wait for the FRCS for 4e to come out and I would also suggest you wait and get the Player's Guide for Forgotten Realms which comes out the next month. You will have everthing (except the adventure) that they plan on releasing at this point then.
#7
lord_karsus
Jun 27, 2008 12:34:13 -The main thing is, just play. It's impossible to run a campaign that adheres to Forgotten Realms canon 100%, so you are going to diverge from it no matter what. With that said, look through the FRCS that you have, or wait for the 4e FRCG, pick a region that interests you, and then do everything else a DM does, using Forgotten Realms NPCs and such.
#8
spellbinder5150
Jun 27, 2008 12:50:59 Well I have been debating between FR and Eberron. I must admit that I know Eberron much better and was about to choose it over FR because I like the Magical technology and it is easier for me to just plug in to a campaign. However, something about the realms intrigues me. I am going to end up doing FR first since it will be released soon by WotC and then I will do an Eberron campain in addition to this once that releases next year. At some point I am also going to be working on an epic campaign in the Midnight setting using Castles & Crusades. I will be a busy DM!

I am going to start reading in-depth the FR 3e campaign setting book I have. I wish they had some of the FR books on audio since I have an audio book club membership!
#9
merrikcale
Jun 28, 2008 16:15:13
-With that said, look through the FRCS that you have, or wait for the 4e FRCG, pick a region that interests you, and then do everything else a DM does, using Forgotten Realms NPCs and such.

Exactly. The beauty of the FR is there is a lot of detail. To not feel intimidated just focus in on a particular area, say the Silver Marches. Know that area and maybe as time goes on, learn more about the northern sword coast, then continue to learn- if you want to. The reality is you never have to leave the Silver Marches

And make it your own
#10
lord_karsus
Jun 28, 2008 16:25:07
Well I have been debating between FR and Eberron. I must admit that I know Eberron much better and was about to choose it over FR because I like the Magical technology and it is easier for me to just plug in to a campaign. However, something about the realms intrigues me. I am going to end up doing FR first since it will be released soon by WotC and then I will do an Eberron campain in addition to this once that releases next year. At some point I am also going to be working on an epic campaign in the Midnight setting using Castles & Crusades. I will be a busy DM!

-Use both then. Portals!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 spellbinder5150 Jun 27, 2008 2:27:57	I am an OLD school D&D player, having played since the days of 1e. However, I never got the chance to play in the Realms and I have not read any of the novels. I am familiar with characters though like Elminster and Drizzt somewhat but I do not know their backstories. I own the FR campaign setting book for 3.5. I want to possibly start an FR campaign in 4e when the books release for FR, now owning the core books for 4e and liking the system, but I have no idea where to start. The setting seems VERY complicated and overwhelming to those of us not as familiar with its intricacies. I bought the History of the Realms book too but I am not sure that even it will be a great aid for me. I am familiar with how the Realms are being trated in 4e with the storyline being advanced 100 years and the spellplague and all but I feel like I need to learn as much as I can somehow in a short time of what makes the Realms unique. Can you experts help me?
#2 valgard Jun 27, 2008 2:41:38	Don't confuse yourself or feel scared for the setting. I talk by personal experience, I began in the Realms only about five or six years ago. And yes, the setting seems a bit out of scale at first glance, but if you take a look at the FRCS, you'll see there isn't so overwhelming. The hardest part is probably the Regions' section, but nothing you can't adapt to with a few reviews. In fact, I've only read the Icewind Dale and the Dark Elf trilogies (I'm actually reading the Legacy) and those didn't give me much more knowledge on the setting. And I think you're lucky if you plan to play in the new 4gotten Realms... you'll need not many info about previous edition material (Though I, and almost everyone here, highly recommend you to see it... it "was" probably the best fantasy world I've seen).
#3 alediran Jun 27, 2008 6:35:11	Like Valgard, I started only 6 years ago, a little before 3.5 was released. For me it was never intimidating (haven even heard of that until I came here), but you'll discover it as soon as you start reading it. Any kind of question you have can be answered here. I've learned more in these boards than reading the books and novels. And when you DM (I've been DMing a FR campaign for 2 years at this point) if you happen to have players at your table that know the setting well just tell them you FR campaign is not going to be as precise as you would like because you are still learning about the setting. That lets them know what is going to happen, because as a FR player I always preffer to have campaigns that are as close to cannon as possible, and that's the expectation of most players.
#4 nymrohd Jun 27, 2008 6:52:19	Do not focus on history and geography. History and geography are only a small part of what helps a DM use a setting well. Pick a starting location and learn about it, about the locals, the recent history and local feuds. If you want to make it all special check the vernacular of your starting location, local customs, what coinage they use. Some of this can be found in past books. But probably your best bet is browsing through So Saith Ed in Candlekeep.com
#5 rinonalyrna_fathomlin Jun 27, 2008 9:12:04	This might sound obvious, but focus on the elements of the setting that interest you the most. If you want to play in the 4E Realms, you might want to wait until the 4E FRCG comes out before you actually start a game.
#6 xmen510 Jun 27, 2008 9:30:27	Considering the time jump and all, just ignore everything that has come before when you use the 4th edition stuff and run only off that to begin with. As you get more familiarized with the back info, then start introducing elements of history into the campaign if that is what you wish to do. Don't worry and fret over it. After all, 1st level characters won't know everything about the realms to begin with either, now will they ;). If the player demand you need to know Forgotten Realms inside and out off the bat, then find new players becuase those are the kind you can live without. Just run your campaign the way you want and have fun with it. Don't worry if you are doing somethign different than what is written in the Novels or Campaign Books. Notice I said different, not wrong. What you do in your campaign is NEVER wrong. It is just DIFFERENT. It is your campaign, so have fun with it. I agree with Rinonalyrna Fathomlin. Wait for the FRCS for 4e to come out and I would also suggest you wait and get the Player's Guide for Forgotten Realms which comes out the next month. You will have everthing (except the adventure) that they plan on releasing at this point then.
#7 lord_karsus Jun 27, 2008 12:34:13	-The main thing is, just play. It's impossible to run a campaign that adheres to Forgotten Realms canon 100%, so you are going to diverge from it no matter what. With that said, look through the FRCS that you have, or wait for the 4e FRCG, pick a region that interests you, and then do everything else a DM does, using Forgotten Realms NPCs and such.
#8 spellbinder5150 Jun 27, 2008 12:50:59	Well I have been debating between FR and Eberron. I must admit that I know Eberron much better and was about to choose it over FR because I like the Magical technology and it is easier for me to just plug in to a campaign. However, something about the realms intrigues me. I am going to end up doing FR first since it will be released soon by WotC and then I will do an Eberron campain in addition to this once that releases next year. At some point I am also going to be working on an epic campaign in the Midnight setting using Castles & Crusades. I will be a busy DM! I am going to start reading in-depth the FR 3e campaign setting book I have. I wish they had some of the FR books on audio since I have an audio book club membership!
#9 merrikcale Jun 28, 2008 16:15:13	-With that said, look through the FRCS that you have, or wait for the 4e FRCG, pick a region that interests you, and then do everything else a DM does, using Forgotten Realms NPCs and such. Exactly. The beauty of the FR is there is a lot of detail. To not feel intimidated just focus in on a particular area, say the Silver Marches. Know that area and maybe as time goes on, learn more about the northern sword coast, then continue to learn- if you want to. The reality is you never have to leave the Silver Marches And make it your own
#10 lord_karsus Jun 28, 2008 16:25:07	Well I have been debating between FR and Eberron. I must admit that I know Eberron much better and was about to choose it over FR because I like the Magical technology and it is easier for me to just plug in to a campaign. However, something about the realms intrigues me. I am going to end up doing FR first since it will be released soon by WotC and then I will do an Eberron campain in addition to this once that releases next year. At some point I am also going to be working on an epic campaign in the Midnight setting using Castles & Crusades. I will be a busy DM! -Use both then. Portals!