Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 math_wiz Sep 18, 2008 8:25:51	I am the middle of a general campaign based on the 4.0 Core books, and have not incorporated any other sources other than some stuff from Dragon Mag. With the release of the Forgotten Realms Player's Guide, I am tempted to allow my players to use feats and powers in it, to give them a larger arsenal of options to choose from and to generally make game play more enjoyable. Do you think this would be a bad idea since we are not playing in the Forgotten Realms? Would this overpower them or something? Or do you think my fears are in vain?
#2 valgard Sep 18, 2008 8:54:25	I only suggest you to be familiar with the background material of that you use. Also, consider if the effects of the character options you use can be "cut off" from its background or possibly readjusted to fit other things in your campaign.
#3 The_Simbul_of_Aglarond Sep 18, 2008 9:42:10	The FR Players Guide and Campaign Guide have sidebars in the opening chapters stating that you can use, alter, or adapt any of the material found within regardless of whether or not your campaign is set within the FR. In many cases you may wish to change the names or background information of paragon paths, feats, or other character options in order to make them mesh more easily into your world, or to spare confusion if any of the players are familiar with the FR. Alternatively, you could import entire regions, religions, or organizations from the realms into your campaign world, without altering the details at all.
#4 the_orconian Sep 18, 2008 9:59:44	My group is playing 4e, and we've been creating our own world since the rules came out. We had plans to use FR, but we were very dissapointed in the FRCG, so we will be sticking with our own world that we are building as we go along. There are a few things we really liked in the FRCG, and we plan to use those. I think thats how that book is best used, just as a book of ideas and adventure springboards. I don't see why you can't just pick the stuff you like out of the book for your campaign and ignore the rest. As a setting, though, it falls pretty flat.
#5 lord_karsus Sep 18, 2008 10:35:51	-You could always use stuff in setting-specific books to use in your own homebrew games, or in the "Core" setting. Remember, there is no Core setting, so... -When doing so, keep in mind this: Things in the Forgotten Realms (usually) do not happen for no reason. The Harpers were formed for specific reasons, and do specific things for specific reasons. The Shadovar do specific things for specific reasons. If you are going to adopt things from the Forgotten Realms, you are going to have to incorporate (A) How they got to your world, (B) What they are doing in your world, (C) Specific details that define the organization and their goals, and whether or not they are present in your world. Paragon Paths are another thing. One, I know is something like the 'Symbarch of the Simbul'. Yeah, in a world in which there was no Simbul, people might furrow their brows. -Of course, you could just ignore all of that, and use things wholesale, but I look down on that sort of thing. -To give an example, in my own campaign setting, House Durothil is present in the 'Elven Enclave'. How is this possible? Long ago, a Durothil expedition left Evermeet on Spelljammers, looking to meet up with the Elven Imperial Navy. As they were traveling to the Lionheart fortress, they were captured by Neogi. Eventually, they escaped, commandeered the Spider Ship they were on, and landed on the closest planet, which is where my world is set. Thus, an element of the Forgotten Realms is in my own setting.
#6 rinonalyrna_fathomlin Sep 18, 2008 18:00:45	-To give an example, in my own campaign setting, House Durothil is present in the 'Elven Enclave'. How is this possible? Long ago, a Durothil expedition left Evermeet on Spelljammers, looking to meet up with the Elven Imperial Navy. As they were traveling to the Lionheart fortress, they were captured by Neogi. Eventually, they escaped, commandeered the Spider Ship they were on, and landed on the closest planet, which is where my world is set. Thus, an element of the Forgotten Realms is in my own setting. I think that's neat.
#7 lord_karsus Sep 18, 2008 20:02:46	I think that's neat. -I have plenty more where that came from. ;)
#8 rinonalyrna_fathomlin Sep 18, 2008 20:03:33	-I have plenty more where that came from. ;) Well, if you'd like, share some more.
#9 lord_karsus Sep 18, 2008 20:16:15	Well, if you'd like, share some more. -One of these days, I need to show you everything. Print things out, discuss, all that good stuff.
#10 rinonalyrna_fathomlin Sep 18, 2008 21:12:42	-One of these days, I need to show you everything. Print things out, discuss, all that good stuff. Sounds like a plan.;)
#11 Mr_Miscellany Sep 18, 2008 22:10:36	Hello Math_Wiz, Speaking directly to your questions: Do you think this would be a bad idea since we are not playing in the Forgotten Realms? The Realms have traditionally been a resource for DMs to borrow all sorts of rules and adventure ideas from. As The Simbul wisely points out, the 4E FRCG and FRPG were written with the idea that non-Realms games could use what's in them. Would this overpower them or something? Or do you think my fears are in vain? Unfortunately I do not have the FR Player's Guide (yet) but I do own the FR Campaign Guide. From what I've seen the mechanics in that book are not unbalanced. They appear to fit well with the 4E Core Rulebooks. You may wish to check the Yay! Player's Guide to the Realms has shipped.. Should have it monday or tuesday. if you haven't already for more opinions on the mechanics in that book. Best of luck to you with your campaign.