My problem is that the group I used to play with always homebrewed settings, so I know virtually nothing about FR.
I've browsed the links, and a little of the wiki. I know there is a TON of literature about FR -- way too much for me to digest in such a short time frame before character creation, in terms of books on the setting, novels, etc.
I'm hoping that you guys can help me filter out what would be the most beneficial for me to read.
TL,DR: What are quintessential source materials to teach a complete newbie FR in a matter of days
I am joining a new game in my area. 3.5e, FR, starting in the Dalelands.
My problem is that the group I used to play with always homebrewed settings, so I know virtually nothing about FR.
I've browsed the links, and a little of the wiki. I know there is a TON of literature about FR -- way too much for me to digest in such a short time frame before character creation, in terms of books on the setting, novels, etc.
I'm hoping that you guys can help me filter out what would be the most beneficial for me to read.
TL,DR: What are quintessential source materials to teach a complete newbie FR in a matter of days
Um...relax..mmm...don't worry about it. I am guessing the new group has played in the FR before...I am sure they can help you creat a character that fits your concept and the FR...it is a vast place I can pretty much justfy any concept.
I think the 3rd edition supplement Races of Fearun is an excelent springboard to ground your character in the setting. It details all different human ethnic groups and racial variants, has excellent additions to regional and racial feats and comes with some roleplaying and equipment advice too. You might want to reference those feats with the 3.5 Players Guide to Fearun to check if any of those feats were updated during the 3.5 transition. But the lore particular for character creation in the Races of Fearun supplement is considerable more indepth and tries hard to convey the different themes of Fearuns main areas.
and download Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. Its a 2e book but much of it still applys in 3e and really even in 4e. That one should give you a nice overview of the area, many of the other ones in there are good reading as well, the Netheril ones will give a good overview of ancient Realms history. Welcome to the Realms, and enjoy!
Also, what character class or style are you looking to play? This can also affect the area and backround of your character's history, behavior, and mood. In FR, there's pretty much a place for everything under the sun and in earth's own vast history (though I couldn't find a Spartan-ish backround for one character I had a concept for).
Well...if you want to play a female character their is a Island in the See of Fallen stars that pretty much have Amazons...so you have the greek influence...you have the miltaristic nature...and you have the slaves...etc. I defintly could see a Spartan type character come there...
Disclaimer:I don't what happen to this Island(which I find the name for later) is in the 4th ed Realms.
Disclaimer:I don't what happen to this Island(which I find the name for later) is in the 4th ed Realms.
Yeah, yeah, I know the one youre talking about, I cant remember the name of it. As far as i know theres no mention of it in 4e, which means we are to assume that its still there.
I am joining a new game in my area. 3.5e, FR, starting in the Dalelands.
My problem is that the group I used to play with always homebrewed settings, so I know virtually nothing about FR.
I've browsed the links, and a little of the wiki. I know there is a TON of literature about FR -- way too much for me to digest in such a short time frame before character creation, in terms of books on the setting, novels, etc.
I'm hoping that you guys can help me filter out what would be the most beneficial for me to read.
TL,DR: What are quintessential source materials to teach a complete newbie FR in a matter of days
If you can get A Grand History of the Realms, get it...
Disclaimer:I don't what happen to this Island(which I find the name for later) is in the 4th ed Realms.
Yeah, yeah, I know the one youre talking about, I cant remember the name of it. As far as i know theres no mention of it in 4e, which means we are to assume that its still there.
The Island is called Ixnos(sp). Dalor Darden fleshed it out at www.candlekeep.com and Matt James has it as a pdf download at www.loremaster.org
Also look at you going from Clown to FR Loremaster. What bizzaro world have come into here? ;)
(snip) TL,DR: What are quintessential source materials to teach a complete newbie FR in a matter of days
Actually, your task is not as complicated as the question suggests. You're not trying everything, just enough to introduce you to one region. You're fortunate that there is a fair bit available about the Dalelands, much of it legally free.
First off, just read the Dalelands section in the FRCS (the 3E campaign setting book). There's more than enough there because, really, the rest is up to your DM. Other than that I would suggest downloading Volo's Guide to the Dalelands which is a 2E book that WotC has available for free and legal download on their site.
If you've got any questions I think your DM is the best one to ask simply because he may be making his version of FR more of his own so as to stop the canon lawyers (they're like rules lawyers but even more anal, whereas a cannon lawyer is a canon lawyer who cannot spell) from dictating to him how to run his game/world.
(snip) In FR, there's pretty much a place for everything under the sun and in earth's own vast history (though I couldn't find a Spartan-ish backround for one character I had a concept for).
Actually, the Spartans are alive and well in Chessenta, more or less. Check out 2E's Old Empires or the recent Realmslore: Chessenta by Matt James (and published on 19May10) for more.
Simple is better.;)
Or the OP should get a 3E FRCS.
Remember, WotC doesn't want to scare the new people away from the Realms anymore.
Banishment to candlekeep changes a man.
Seriously though, even if you do play a knowledgable character, that's where Knowledge checks come into play, and could be better really since it lets the DM establish the facts of his Realms. Player knowledge isn't as important as character knowledge, and lets you avoid some obvious problems with metagaming.
Volo's Guide to the Dalelands, definitely, everything else is pretty optional.
This is the best suggestion so far. And Wizards still has this as an officially free download (free!) since it's an older edition. And I'm glad to see others are still playing the older editions of the Realms.
Volo's Guide to the Dalelands, definitely, everything else is pretty optional.
This is the best suggestion so far. And Wizards still has this as an officially free download (free!) since it's an older edition. And I'm glad to see others are still playing the older editions of the Realms.
Holy Jumpin Ilmater on a Pogo Stick! Jorunhast is actually agreeing with me!? Need to write this day down in my calendar!
TL,DR: What are quintessential source materials to teach a complete newbie FR in a matter of days
You do mean Timeline and Dale Recokoning, right?
If so, A Grand History will work for both.
3E FRCS the Dales write up will give you some good lore on whatever Dale you are in.
I do agree with the Volo Guide suggestion. Really good stuff.
Let us know how it goes for you.