Premade characters in FR campign guide? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Premade characters in FR campign guide?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
KM.549
Aug 20, 2008 15:43:22 On the back of the new forgotten realms campign guide, it says it has pre made characters. But I don't find them in the book. Am I missing something?
#2
dilune
Aug 20, 2008 16:31:39 Yes, you need to uncover the 289th page. I think its reprinted from the back of the US Constitution.
#3
strand0
Aug 20, 2008 19:57:05 The online description says, "ready-to-play nonplayer characters".
#4
imrix77
Aug 20, 2008 20:01:28 Are any of the icons like Elminster, Storm Silverhand, and Manshoon in the book at all?
#5
daen
Aug 20, 2008 22:04:52 Elminster is mentioned, by mentioned I mean a small block of text under his picture. As I thought, with the death of Mystra, much of his original power is gone, however he still remains immortal and he continues to be powerful, if much diminished. He still dwells in shadowdale. but thats pretty much it.
#6
the_ubbergeek
Aug 20, 2008 22:11:09 It's not a bad approach - I means, some big VIP and legend NPC being unstated. Empowers the DM.
#7
athzar
Aug 20, 2008 23:02:39 Manshoon is statted if you're curious.

I was really surprised that Drizzt wasn't statted. Hell, he's barely mentioned, whereas Jarlaxle Baenre gets a full stat-block (although it mentions that he carries 4 daggers, as opposed to his bracer that creates them).
#8
kouk
Aug 21, 2008 3:13:06
I was really surprised that Drizzt wasn't statted. Hell, he's barely mentioned, whereas Jarlaxle Baenre gets a full stat-block (although it mentions that he carries 4 daggers, as opposed to his bracer that creates them).

Lots of magic items got tanked in the 'plague.

If the back of the book actually says "Fully statted PCs" then it is probably a mistake if you can't find them, or it was something they plan on doing in the future online. Plan.

If it says "Statted characters" or something it may just mean the "monster" NPCs there for the fightin'.
#9
imrix77
Aug 21, 2008 8:43:57
Manshoon is statted if you're curious.

I was really surprised that Drizzt wasn't statted. Hell, he's barely mentioned, whereas Jarlaxle Baenre gets a full stat-block (although it mentions that he carries 4 daggers, as opposed to his bracer that creates them).

Heck yeah, im curious! :D
#10
lord_karsus
Aug 23, 2008 22:35:39
Are any of the icons like Elminster, Storm Silverhand, and Manshoon in the book at all?

-One of the goals of the new books was to not give "icons" stats.

-So, expect them in online DRAGON articles and DDI articles in the future.
#11
rauric
Aug 23, 2008 22:54:37 Antagonist NPCs will get "writeups" more than heroic NPCs will in 4E. This is my opinion.
#12
naex
Aug 23, 2008 23:10:21
Antagonist NPCs will get "writeups" more than heroic NPCs will in 4E. This is my opinion.

As it should be, since characters are more likely to become involved in combat with villains, not other heroes.

Unless you run a comic book campaign, where the heroes have to fight each other before they team up against the bad guys. :P
#13
GreenKnight
Aug 23, 2008 23:35:28 The named NPC's in the book are (note, I said named. I didn't say they existed prior to 4E):

Zark the Dwarf
Lady of Shadows
Captain Shil Yargo
Naramus
Luthvaerynn
Arathluth
Jarlaxle Baenre
Sath'fiss'ith the Skybinder
Fzoul Chembryl
Manshoon
Szass Tam
Terpenzi
Blazing Rorn the Fury
#14
Iluvrien
Aug 24, 2008 6:24:34
As it should be, since characters are more likely to become involved in combat with villains, not other heroes.

Well since he said "writeups" and not stats, I am wondering why it should be the case that you should know more about your enemies than your friends?
#15
lord_karsus
Aug 24, 2008 11:34:37
As it should be, since characters are more likely to become involved in combat with villains, not other heroes.

-Unless you play a bunch of bad guys to begin with. Or ambiguous guys that have a serious thing to kill Elminster and/or Drizzt, for no in-game reason.
#16
johnkretzer
Aug 24, 2008 13:33:22
-Unless you play a bunch of bad guys to begin with. Or ambiguous guys that have a serious thing to kill Elminster and/or Drizzt, for no in-game reason.

Or sometimes good does come into conflict with good. It can happen. When you have two idealist coming into conflict that usualy just kill things that gets in the way viloence will ensue no matter what alignment they have. Yeah I know the designer are even afraid of evil coming into conflict with evil so I doubt we'll see it.

Though if there is one thing I like was the very few stat blocks.
#17
johnkretzer
Aug 24, 2008 13:36:26
Lots of magic items got tanked in the 'plague.

Actualy they saids magic items really didn't get tanked with the Spellplague. Only the items that don't exist anymore(like wands) did. My guess is that they haven't figured out how to make the item in the new edition yet...so like everything else if they can't or won't do it the Spellplague destroyed it.
#18
damador
Aug 24, 2008 14:54:53
The online description says, "ready-to-play nonplayer characters".

This 4th Edition DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® rules
supplement contains the tools a Dungeon Master
needs to run a D&D® campaign in the FORGOTTEN
REALMS® setting. The book includes background
information on the lands that make up the continent of
Faerûn, a town in which to start a campaign, adventure
seeds, new monsters, ready-to-play characters, and a
full-color map of Faerûn.

taken from DTRPG OEF version
#19
lord_karsus
Aug 24, 2008 18:44:31
Yeah I know the designer are even afraid of evil coming into conflict with evil so I doubt we'll see it.

-The Zhents, Maalthiir and the Red Plumes of Hillsfar, and the Fey'ri were in a triangle of hate, intrigue, betrayal and battle in the Last Mythal trilogy.
#20
johnkretzer
Aug 24, 2008 19:58:28
-The Zhents, Maalthiir and the Red Plumes of Hillsfar, and the Fey'ri were in a triangle of hate, intrigue, betrayal and battle in the Last Mythal trilogy.

The Last Mythal was 3rd edition....and name once when good has fought good?
#21
lord_karsus
Aug 24, 2008 20:16:26
The Last Mythal was 3rd edition....

-Didn't know I was supposed to limit myself to something other than 3e.

...and name once when good has fought good?

-Hmm...I had to think for this one. There's the heresy with the Risen Sun, and their enmity with the wider church of Lathander, and vice-versa.
#22
johnkretzer
Aug 24, 2008 22:39:01
-Didn't know I was supposed to limit myself to something other than 3e.

-Hmm...I had to think for this one. There's the heresy with the Risen Sun, and their enmity with the wider church of Lathander, and vice-versa.

And are these conflicts present in 4th edition?
#23
lord_karsus
Aug 24, 2008 22:53:43 -Am I supposed to be limiting myself to 4e?
#24
naex
Aug 24, 2008 22:58:52 There will be hero vs hero encounters and villain vs villain encounters in 4e. But, IMHO, the designers were trying to set it up for the heroes to be the "good guys" and to fight the baddies themselves, not strike out at other good guys, and not hope the villains fight each other. I feel that is the reason that many groups got weakened, so they aren't stepping on each others toes.
#25
Therise
Aug 24, 2008 23:29:09
And are these conflicts present in 4th edition?

Technically, in 4E the "Risen Sun Heresy" turned out not to be a heresy; BUT, whether every single part of the heresy was true or not hasn't been fully answered. The general idea was true, though: 4E Realms clearly states that Amaunator became Lathander, who is now Amaunator again.

This all depends on what you want to do, though. You could say that there are a few Lathanderite holdouts (in which case they would now be the heretics). Or you could do something completely different with Lathander in your own campaign.

It's also possible that future DDI will change the details in some minor way, or expand on why he became Lathander for a period of time. Or perhaps not, no way to know.
#26
johnkretzer
Aug 24, 2008 23:45:56
-Am I supposed to be limiting myself to 4e?

Sure 4e is what this board is about after all.
#27
lord_karsus
Aug 25, 2008 10:55:07 -No it's not.
#28
MarcelusDragonsbane
Aug 25, 2008 11:26:47 Good vs. Good?

The bandying words between King Bruenor and Lady Alustriel in the Orc King?

Galen Firth of Nesme vs. Wulfgar?

Depending on how you look at it, Driz'zt took on Obould in the twin swords.....the book states Obould is chaotic evil, but a leader just trying to do better by his people can't be ALL that chaotic or evil.\

EDIT: Driz'zt? Yeah I'd like to see him. What I'm sad about is I will never have the stats for Obould beyond what they had in the 3.0 FRCS
#29
lord_karsus
Aug 25, 2008 11:57:14 -Drizzt. No apostrophe.
#30
johnkretzer
Aug 25, 2008 14:11:53
EDIT: Driz'zt? Yeah I'd like to see him. What I'm sad about is I will never have the stats for Obould beyond what they had in the 3.0 FRCS

Seeing how that he is now a exarch of Grummesh you might see them...
#31
gamersgambit
Aug 25, 2008 14:24:57 Good vs. Good:

Cormyr. Basically, its entire history after the death of Azoun, especially the nobles vs. non-nobles conflict.

Eldrath Veluuthra (sp?): A bunch of elves (some of which, likely good-aligned) who want humans dead (some of which, likely good aligned).

High Imaskar vs. Deep Imaskar.

There are more; these are just the two top-of-mind ones that I know persist in 4E. It's pretty common, actually.

Evil vs. Evil:

Szass Tam vs. Thay.

Netheril vs. the Zhentarim.

Everyone Sane, Even Evil Guys But Especially Evil Dragons That Don't Want To be Forcefully Turned Into Dracoliches And Enslaved vs. The Cult of the Dragon.

Menzoberranzan & all Drow cities.

Every Living Thing vs. Leucrottas (I still wonder how these things haven't been genocided yet, with even Malar loathing them).

These are all extant in both 4E and 3E.
#32
lord_karsus
Aug 25, 2008 14:35:10
Eldrath Veluuthra (sp?): A bunch of elves (some of which, likely good-aligned) who want humans dead (some of which, likely good aligned).

-The Eldreth Veluuthra is an evil organization. It's members are, alignment wise, neutral, or evil. Never good.
#33
johnkretzer
Aug 25, 2008 14:37:49
Good vs. Good:

Cormyr. Basically, its entire history after the death of Azoun, especially the nobles vs. non-nobles conflict.

I don't about this one it seems to be that the nobels are definitly painted as the bad guys in this one.

Eldrath Veluuthra (sp?): A bunch of elves (some of which, likely good-aligned) who want humans dead (some of which, likely good aligned).

Maybe though the organization it self is considered evil...though I'll say yes some of their member are good...though I can see this more readily being evil vs evil as some humans they are fighting are likely to be evil also...so this counts as two.

High Imaskar vs. Deep Imaskar.

Again thisn't enough infomation to see if either side is evil or good...though Deep seems to be heading towards evil which is why they are conflicting.

Evil vs. Evil:

Szass Tam vs. Thay.

Did he win this fight back in 3rd? Or are their still hold outs? I'll reread the section.

Netheril vs. the Zhentarim.

Yes that seems to exist.

Everyone Sane, Even Evil Guys But Especially Evil Dragons That Don't Want To be Forcefully Turned Into Dracoliches And Enslaved vs. The Cult of the Dragon.

That is correct( I was happy to see these supporters of a necrodracoarchy survive)

Menzoberranzan & all Drow cities.

Again haven't read the section on the undark section as deeply as I have wanted as of yet( pun intended)

Every Living Thing vs. Leucrottas (I still wonder how these things haven't been genocided yet, with even Malar loathing them)..

Well when you consider the the US goverment has spent millions(or is it billions) and 100years trying to wipe out the Coyote and not only have they survivced but their numbers have actualy grown I can understand how the Leucrottas have survived.

Ok mayber they do exist...it just in their design ideas they were stepping aaway from it....shrug.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 KM.549 Aug 20, 2008 15:43:22	On the back of the new forgotten realms campign guide, it says it has pre made characters. But I don't find them in the book. Am I missing something?
#2 dilune Aug 20, 2008 16:31:39	Yes, you need to uncover the 289th page. I think its reprinted from the back of the US Constitution.
#3 strand0 Aug 20, 2008 19:57:05	The online description says, "ready-to-play nonplayer characters".
#4 imrix77 Aug 20, 2008 20:01:28	Are any of the icons like Elminster, Storm Silverhand, and Manshoon in the book at all?
#5 daen Aug 20, 2008 22:04:52	Elminster is mentioned, by mentioned I mean a small block of text under his picture. As I thought, with the death of Mystra, much of his original power is gone, however he still remains immortal and he continues to be powerful, if much diminished. He still dwells in shadowdale. but thats pretty much it.
#6 the_ubbergeek Aug 20, 2008 22:11:09	It's not a bad approach - I means, some big VIP and legend NPC being unstated. Empowers the DM.
#7 athzar Aug 20, 2008 23:02:39	Manshoon is statted if you're curious. I was really surprised that Drizzt wasn't statted. Hell, he's barely mentioned, whereas Jarlaxle Baenre gets a full stat-block (although it mentions that he carries 4 daggers, as opposed to his bracer that creates them).
#8 kouk Aug 21, 2008 3:13:06	I was really surprised that Drizzt wasn't statted. Hell, he's barely mentioned, whereas Jarlaxle Baenre gets a full stat-block (although it mentions that he carries 4 daggers, as opposed to his bracer that creates them). Lots of magic items got tanked in the 'plague. If the back of the book actually says "Fully statted PCs" then it is probably a mistake if you can't find them, or it was something they plan on doing in the future online. Plan. If it says "Statted characters" or something it may just mean the "monster" NPCs there for the fightin'.
#9 imrix77 Aug 21, 2008 8:43:57	Manshoon is statted if you're curious. I was really surprised that Drizzt wasn't statted. Hell, he's barely mentioned, whereas Jarlaxle Baenre gets a full stat-block (although it mentions that he carries 4 daggers, as opposed to his bracer that creates them). Heck yeah, im curious! :D
#10 lord_karsus Aug 23, 2008 22:35:39	Are any of the icons like Elminster, Storm Silverhand, and Manshoon in the book at all? -One of the goals of the new books was to not give "icons" stats. -So, expect them in online DRAGON articles and DDI articles in the future.
#11 rauric Aug 23, 2008 22:54:37	Antagonist NPCs will get "writeups" more than heroic NPCs will in 4E. This is my opinion.
#12 naex Aug 23, 2008 23:10:21	Antagonist NPCs will get "writeups" more than heroic NPCs will in 4E. This is my opinion. As it should be, since characters are more likely to become involved in combat with villains, not other heroes. Unless you run a comic book campaign, where the heroes have to fight each other before they team up against the bad guys. :P
#13 GreenKnight Aug 23, 2008 23:35:28	The named NPC's in the book are (note, I said named. I didn't say they existed prior to 4E): Zark the Dwarf Lady of Shadows Captain Shil Yargo Naramus Luthvaerynn Arathluth Jarlaxle Baenre Sath'fiss'ith the Skybinder Fzoul Chembryl Manshoon Szass Tam Terpenzi Blazing Rorn the Fury
#14 Iluvrien Aug 24, 2008 6:24:34	As it should be, since characters are more likely to become involved in combat with villains, not other heroes. Well since he said "writeups" and not stats, I am wondering why it should be the case that you should know more about your enemies than your friends?
#15 lord_karsus Aug 24, 2008 11:34:37	As it should be, since characters are more likely to become involved in combat with villains, not other heroes. -Unless you play a bunch of bad guys to begin with. Or ambiguous guys that have a serious thing to kill Elminster and/or Drizzt, for no in-game reason.
#16 johnkretzer Aug 24, 2008 13:33:22	-Unless you play a bunch of bad guys to begin with. Or ambiguous guys that have a serious thing to kill Elminster and/or Drizzt, for no in-game reason. Or sometimes good does come into conflict with good. It can happen. When you have two idealist coming into conflict that usualy just kill things that gets in the way viloence will ensue no matter what alignment they have. Yeah I know the designer are even afraid of evil coming into conflict with evil so I doubt we'll see it. Though if there is one thing I like was the very few stat blocks.
#17 johnkretzer Aug 24, 2008 13:36:26	Lots of magic items got tanked in the 'plague. Actualy they saids magic items really didn't get tanked with the Spellplague. Only the items that don't exist anymore(like wands) did. My guess is that they haven't figured out how to make the item in the new edition yet...so like everything else if they can't or won't do it the Spellplague destroyed it.
#18 damador Aug 24, 2008 14:54:53	The online description says, "ready-to-play nonplayer characters". This 4th Edition DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® rules supplement contains the tools a Dungeon Master needs to run a D&D® campaign in the FORGOTTEN REALMS® setting. The book includes background information on the lands that make up the continent of Faerûn, a town in which to start a campaign, adventure seeds, new monsters, ready-to-play characters, and a full-color map of Faerûn. taken from DTRPG OEF version
#19 lord_karsus Aug 24, 2008 18:44:31	Yeah I know the designer are even afraid of evil coming into conflict with evil so I doubt we'll see it. -The Zhents, Maalthiir and the Red Plumes of Hillsfar, and the Fey'ri were in a triangle of hate, intrigue, betrayal and battle in the Last Mythal trilogy.
#20 johnkretzer Aug 24, 2008 19:58:28	-The Zhents, Maalthiir and the Red Plumes of Hillsfar, and the Fey'ri were in a triangle of hate, intrigue, betrayal and battle in the Last Mythal trilogy. The Last Mythal was 3rd edition....and name once when good has fought good?
#21 lord_karsus Aug 24, 2008 20:16:26	The Last Mythal was 3rd edition.... -Didn't know I was supposed to limit myself to something other than 3e. ...and name once when good has fought good? -Hmm...I had to think for this one. There's the heresy with the Risen Sun, and their enmity with the wider church of Lathander, and vice-versa.
#22 johnkretzer Aug 24, 2008 22:39:01	-Didn't know I was supposed to limit myself to something other than 3e. -Hmm...I had to think for this one. There's the heresy with the Risen Sun, and their enmity with the wider church of Lathander, and vice-versa. And are these conflicts present in 4th edition?
#23 lord_karsus Aug 24, 2008 22:53:43	-Am I supposed to be limiting myself to 4e?
#24 naex Aug 24, 2008 22:58:52	There will be hero vs hero encounters and villain vs villain encounters in 4e. But, IMHO, the designers were trying to set it up for the heroes to be the "good guys" and to fight the baddies themselves, not strike out at other good guys, and not hope the villains fight each other. I feel that is the reason that many groups got weakened, so they aren't stepping on each others toes.
#25 Therise Aug 24, 2008 23:29:09	And are these conflicts present in 4th edition? Technically, in 4E the "Risen Sun Heresy" turned out not to be a heresy; BUT, whether every single part of the heresy was true or not hasn't been fully answered. The general idea was true, though: 4E Realms clearly states that Amaunator became Lathander, who is now Amaunator again. This all depends on what you want to do, though. You could say that there are a few Lathanderite holdouts (in which case they would now be the heretics). Or you could do something completely different with Lathander in your own campaign. It's also possible that future DDI will change the details in some minor way, or expand on why he became Lathander for a period of time. Or perhaps not, no way to know.
#26 johnkretzer Aug 24, 2008 23:45:56	-Am I supposed to be limiting myself to 4e? Sure 4e is what this board is about after all.
#27 lord_karsus Aug 25, 2008 10:55:07	-No it's not.
#28 MarcelusDragonsbane Aug 25, 2008 11:26:47	Good vs. Good? The bandying words between King Bruenor and Lady Alustriel in the Orc King? Galen Firth of Nesme vs. Wulfgar? Depending on how you look at it, Driz'zt took on Obould in the twin swords.....the book states Obould is chaotic evil, but a leader just trying to do better by his people can't be ALL that chaotic or evil.\ EDIT: Driz'zt? Yeah I'd like to see him. What I'm sad about is I will never have the stats for Obould beyond what they had in the 3.0 FRCS
#29 lord_karsus Aug 25, 2008 11:57:14	-Drizzt. No apostrophe.
#30 johnkretzer Aug 25, 2008 14:11:53	EDIT: Driz'zt? Yeah I'd like to see him. What I'm sad about is I will never have the stats for Obould beyond what they had in the 3.0 FRCS Seeing how that he is now a exarch of Grummesh you might see them...
#31 gamersgambit Aug 25, 2008 14:24:57	Good vs. Good: Cormyr. Basically, its entire history after the death of Azoun, especially the nobles vs. non-nobles conflict. Eldrath Veluuthra (sp?): A bunch of elves (some of which, likely good-aligned) who want humans dead (some of which, likely good aligned). High Imaskar vs. Deep Imaskar. There are more; these are just the two top-of-mind ones that I know persist in 4E. It's pretty common, actually. Evil vs. Evil: Szass Tam vs. Thay. Netheril vs. the Zhentarim. Everyone Sane, Even Evil Guys But Especially Evil Dragons That Don't Want To be Forcefully Turned Into Dracoliches And Enslaved vs. The Cult of the Dragon. Menzoberranzan & all Drow cities. Every Living Thing vs. Leucrottas (I still wonder how these things haven't been genocided yet, with even Malar loathing them). These are all extant in both 4E and 3E.
#32 lord_karsus Aug 25, 2008 14:35:10	Eldrath Veluuthra (sp?): A bunch of elves (some of which, likely good-aligned) who want humans dead (some of which, likely good aligned). -The Eldreth Veluuthra is an evil organization. It's members are, alignment wise, neutral, or evil. Never good.
#33 johnkretzer Aug 25, 2008 14:37:49	Good vs. Good: Cormyr. Basically, its entire history after the death of Azoun, especially the nobles vs. non-nobles conflict. I don't about this one it seems to be that the nobels are definitly painted as the bad guys in this one. Eldrath Veluuthra (sp?): A bunch of elves (some of which, likely good-aligned) who want humans dead (some of which, likely good aligned). Maybe though the organization it self is considered evil...though I'll say yes some of their member are good...though I can see this more readily being evil vs evil as some humans they are fighting are likely to be evil also...so this counts as two. High Imaskar vs. Deep Imaskar. Again thisn't enough infomation to see if either side is evil or good...though Deep seems to be heading towards evil which is why they are conflicting. Evil vs. Evil: Szass Tam vs. Thay. Did he win this fight back in 3rd? Or are their still hold outs? I'll reread the section. Netheril vs. the Zhentarim. Yes that seems to exist. Everyone Sane, Even Evil Guys But Especially Evil Dragons That Don't Want To be Forcefully Turned Into Dracoliches And Enslaved vs. The Cult of the Dragon. That is correct( I was happy to see these supporters of a necrodracoarchy survive) Menzoberranzan & all Drow cities. Again haven't read the section on the undark section as deeply as I have wanted as of yet( pun intended) Every Living Thing vs. Leucrottas (I still wonder how these things haven't been genocided yet, with even Malar loathing them).. Well when you consider the the US goverment has spent millions(or is it billions) and 100years trying to wipe out the Coyote and not only have they survivced but their numbers have actualy grown I can understand how the Leucrottas have survived. Ok mayber they do exist...it just in their design ideas they were stepping aaway from it....shrug.