I've had encounters with Forgotten Realms since I played Baldur's Gate 1 six or seven years ago, and DM'd some adventure in 3.x based in Faerûn, but without having read much of the FRCS. I've never really started a truly Faerûnian campaign until a couple of weeks ago, and what I've read is pretty much the FRCS, some of the "countdown to the realms"-articles about the Spellplague, the graphic novel adaptions of the Drizzt books (the Dark Elf Trilogy plus the Icewind Dale Trilogy and the first issue of the next part in the series). Yesterday, I started reading "The Halls of Stormweather", planning on reading that, the next one in the Sembia series, and then going on to the Erevis Cale Trilogy, and after that the one about the Twilight War.
If my main interest (besides consuming good, entertaining fantasy fiction) is soaking up as much Lore as possible, which other novels should I read? Or for that matter, which other articles and RPG books (for any edition) are of relevance?
-That said, as I always say, a good place to "begin" would be by picking up a Realms of X anthology book, which is basically a collection of short stories. From there, you can get a sense for different authors, their characters, different places, and so on.
http://ww2.wizards.com/books/Wizards/Guides/default.aspx?doc=ForgottenRealms
You could always start with the Grey Box.
If you can still find it.
If you can still find it.
I found it (and bought it) on nobleknight.com.
I found it (and bought it) on nobleknight.com.
Any good?
Any good?
Yes.
Yes.
Well, it probably dosen't have anything I don't already know, except for the fact that it probably has more of an authentic Realms feeling.
Well, it probably dosen't have anything I don't already know, except for the fact that it probably has more of an authentic Realms feeling.
You asked.
Just to clear a few things up; when I first attempted to DM a Forgotten Realms campaign I had read only very little of the FRCS, but now I've went through it from cover to cover. I am also aware of the complete listing of FR novels on candlekeep, though the one I mainly check out is the one on wikipedia, but there aresimply put so many of them, and it's often hard to tell how lore-oriented they are, so to speak
The Realms of... anthology books does sound like a good idea though... Also, what do have to say about my current plan, with the first two Sembia books, then Cale and so forth?
you could also pick up the dungeons, wizards and citadels novels aswell.
some have sworn by the blackstaff novel.
Depths of MAdness is good.( gotta love the fox at twilight)
Darkvision is good
shield of weeping ghosts is good so far.
the last portal was good too...
silverfall if you can find it, wasnt bad.
daughter of the drow and those in that series were pretty good.
Stardeep, ehh wasnt bad but i could go either way on commenting on it.
also Elmister's daughter was good, and the annotated elmister was good to.
The Realms of... anthology books does sound like a good idea though... Also, what do have to say about my current plan, with the first two Sembia books, then Cale and so forth?
-Truthfully speaking, if you're looking to learn about the setting in general, those aren't really "the best" sources to look at. The Sembia books, obviously, mainly focus only on Sembia, and the Erevis Cale book, while I like them, aren't that "far reaching", either.
I always like to recommend Spellfire. It's loved by some, hated by others, but I'm one of those who found it a real page-turner, and full of "Realms flavor".
-That's another series I've never read.
and full of "Realms flavor".
It certainly is. It's probably the first Realms book I ever read, and went a long way towards shaping my view of the Realms. Hmm. I'm getting Swordmage in a few days. Think I'll read Spellfire, again, before it arrives.
I always like to recommend Spellfire. It's loved by some, hated by others, but I'm one of those who found it a real page-turner, and full of "Realms flavor".
Put me in the hated side of the ledger
Put me in the hated side of the ledger
-No joke, huh?
-No joke, huh?
I really didn't like those. The characters were awful
Incidentally, Amazon shipped Spellfire, Hand of Fire, and Crown of Fire earlier today (along with Fearful Symmetry, the next book in the DS9 Relaunch line). I read the first years ago, but I never read the other two (although I got the second. I figured I'd get the updated version, though). I hear Spellfire has additional material above and beyond what was found in the original novel. That true?
I hear Spellfire has additional material above and beyond what was found in the original novel. That true?
-No, I don't believe so. All of the "new" books (new covers) are simply that. New covers.
An all-new expanded version of Ed Greenwood's classic tale, including a new forward by the author.
One of Ed Greenwood's most popular novels, Spellfire is being rereleased in an all-new trade paperback edition. This version has been completely reedited and contains added text and material that bring new excitement to the story.
So I guess so. Hmm. Wonder what got added?
Just checked the product page on WotC.
So I guess so. Hmm. Wonder what got added?
-The same exact thing was said about the rereleased versions of the Dark Elf trilogy, and except for a forward that is new, it's the same exact story. I don't even believe the new spelling of 'Lolth' was included.
Ah. Oh well. Been meaning to buy a new copy, anyway.
I see no reason not to. You will be getting content you haven't read before.
Unclean & Undead by Richard Lee Byers
Black Bouquet by Richard Lee Byers
Swordmage by Richard Baker
I've read the Rage by Byers, I didn't find it as good as the other 3 novels, but I will continue the trilogy I'm reading Stardeep now & I'll finish it, but its not a great read(it seems to border on Science Fiction at times). I'm not a big fan of Drow, so I'm not the guy to recommend Drizzit. And I've read a little bit of Elaine Cunningham, & while I like her writing better than Salvatore, Drow just aren't it for me.
I really like Unclean & Swordmage. YMMV, of course.
Is it weird that I have a desire to read Swordmage?
I liked the novel. I'm looking forward to Corsair. In terms of taste, I'm written I'm a fan of Byers. If you like his work, maybe you'll enjoy it. Now, I'm not a Realms Purist & think the ideas for the 4E setting helps attract new readers, but YMMV. Being new here, If its meant as an insult, well I like what I like.
Is it weird that I have a desire to read Swordmage?
-Knowing you as I know you, probably.
-Knowing you as I know you, probably.
Probably accurate
Though I will not buy a hardcover thats for sure
Though I will not buy a hardcover thats for sure
-Very good.
Of the 3E novels, I like everything by Kemp, the House of Serpents trilogy, the first book of the Spider Queen sextet, the Watercourse trilogy (though that one I liked for peculiar reasons and not so much on literary merit) and I do find myself liking the undead trilogy. I read tons of novels just for the lore though and some of them are choke full of it (and have nothing else).
Is Kemp featured in any of the Realms of X Anthologies? I'd like to try his writing & LK's point about is a good one.
Is Kemp featured in any of the Realms of X Anthologies? I'd like to try his writing & LK's point about is a good one.
-Paul Kemp has the very first short story in the recently released Realms of War. I believe it was called "Continuum". It was a very good story, if I say so myself.
I liked the novel. I'm looking forward to Corsair. In terms of taste, I'm written I'm a fan of Byers.
Rich Baker is writing the Blades of the Moonsea books.
-Paul Kemp has the very first short story in the recently released Realms of War. I believe it was called "Continuum". It was a very good story, if I say so myself.
I will have to check that out. Is it a Cale story?
I will have to check that out. Is it a Cale story?
-It doesn't feature him, but it is related to the Twilight War trilogy.
-It doesn't feature him, but it is related to the Twilight War trilogy.
OK. I will get it. Other good stoies in there?
OK. I will get it. Other good stoies in there?
-Quite a few, actually. Most of them, I thought, were pretty good.
-Quite a few, actually. Most of them, I thought, were pretty good.
Thanks. I will buy
-It's definitely worth the $6.99/$7.99 + tax.
who pays that?
Rich Baker is writing the Blades of the Moonsea books.
You are right, of course. That was bad message structuring on my part. I like Byers AND Richard Baker.
-Paul Kemp has the very first short story in the recently released Realms of War. I believe it was called "Continuum". It was a very good story, if I say so myself.
Thanks for the info.
who pays that?
-Ordinary people?
Thanks for the info.
-No problem.
-Ordinary people?
Hmmm....why would they do that for when they can get 25% off?
Hmmm....why would they do that for when they can get 25% off?
-I don't think most people can magically conjure 25% off sales. And, I find, with softcover novels, most sales become "Buy 4, and get the 5th free!" sales.
I always like to recommend Spellfire. It's loved by some, hated by others, but I'm one of those who found it a real page-turner, and full of "Realms flavor".
I was going to read it, but I coudn't find the first book in the series, lol.
I was going to read it, but I coudn't find the first book in the series, lol.
-That's why I haven't read the Shadows of the Avatar series yet. I can never find the first book in stores. I don't like online shopping either, really, so...
-I don't think most people can magically conjure 25% off sales. And, I find, with softcover novels, most sales become "Buy 4, and get the 5th free!" sales.
just join the Borders reward club, no charge, you get 20%, 25%, and 30% coupons via email every week. I haven't paid 6.99 for a book in years
just join the Borders reward club, no charge, you get 20%, 25%, and 30% coupons via email every week. I haven't paid 6.99 for a book in years
-I refuse. They took away my 10% off every total purchase member card, and as such, I refuse to shop there.
-I refuse. They took away my 10% off every total purchase member card, and as such, I refuse to shop there.
your what?
All I know is I get a coupon every week thats better than 10% so......
your what?
All I know is I get a coupon every week thats better than 10% so......
-Before they instituted that policy, your member card used to give you 10% off of every purchase you made (except for comic books). That was asides for randomly emailing you coupons.
-Before they instituted that policy, your member card used to give you 10% off of every purchase you made (except for comic books). That was asides for randomly emailing you coupons.
ah. But what they do offer is better than nothing. And certainly better than Barnes & Noble who charges you for membership
Read Grand History of the Realms, and ignore everything after 1375.
uh-oh.
ah. But what they do offer is better than nothing. And certainly better than Barnes & Noble who charges you for membership
-So did (then) Waldenbooks. Ten dollars. Same as Barnes & Noble.
Read Grand History of the Realms, and ignore everything after 1375.
You know what. If every new Realms player bought and read that book (and Lost Empires of Faerun for good measure), I don't think there would be all this whining about being kept in the dark about old lore.
You know what. If every new Realms player bought and read that book (and Lost Empires of Faerun for good measure), I don't think there would be all this whining about being kept in the dark about old lore.
Aw C'mon! READ?!? That's TOO much work. Do they come in audio books?
Aw C'mon! READ?!? That's TOO much work. Do they come in audio books?
No, but they do come in pretty picture books featuring Elminster and Drizzt totally Pwning' on a bunch of total orc noobs.';)
Aw C'mon! READ?!? That's TOO much work. Do they come in audio books?
-That'd be kinda cool, actually. Like those little kids books, where you put the little stylus on the word, and it says how the word sounds...
Read Grand History of the Realms, and ignore everything after 1375.
I'm ignoring events that happened even earlier than that.
I'm ignoring events that happened even earlier than that.
Like the election George W.?
Like the election George W.?
-George Washington!?!?
Like the election George W.?
Uh, I meant in the Realms.
Uh, I meant in the Realms.
oh.
The Finder's Stone Trilogy
The Druidhome Trilogy
Evermeet: Isle of Elves
Crucible: The Trial of Cyric the Mad
Mortal Consequences
The Ring of Winter
Horselords
-George Washington!?!?
About 230 years off there buddy, better luck next time.;)
About 230 years off there buddy, better luck next time.;)
-George Washington is George W.
-George Washington is George W.
I don't think that's what Merrik was talking about but sure.
-George Washington is George W.
George Washington is the George
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