If you're worried about any potential SPOLIERS, then you may want to bail now.
Netheril and its influence over Sembia is pretty much known by now. But, after reading this book, I'm interested in what others think, concerning how well it will intro and sketch out what can be awaited in the 4th ed.
By knowing certain characters, we could easily see that the Shade would manipulate things to their wants. But I was quite surprised by Tamlin. And especially with the play of Shar.
Does anybody see the new Netheril as being much darker than maybe expected? What about Mask and Shar? Is Mask going to regain some of his power? Shar not lose as much as preciously thought? Perhaps the next big rivalry?
Would love the input.
Does anybody see the new Netheril as being much darker than maybe expected?
-Well, obviously. The new empire is basically just going to be the City of Shade, but with a few vassal city-states and realms.
-Note that the Shadowstorm plotline wasn't created just to alter things for 4e. There have been hints of a 'Shadowstorm' since the books needed to summon it were revealed years and years ago.
-Well, obviously. The new empire is basically just going to be the City of Shade, but with a few vassal city-states and realms.
Yes, I am aware, your Lordship. That is why I asked: Does anybody see the new Netheril as being much darker than maybe expected?
-Note that the Shadowstorm plotline wasn't created just to alter things for 4e. There have been hints of a 'Shadowstorm' since the books needed to summon it were revealed years and years ago.
Which is why I posted the question in the first place, so more knowledgeable gentlemen, like yourself, can help enlighten me.
I wasn't aware that the Shadowstorm was that prominent in the storyline of things. But even if it wasn't intended to "alter things for 4e," it now seems that it is being used to do so--at the very least, on a base level. I was simply interested in any lingering affects or aftershocks it may produce in its wake.
From my basic understanding, it is supposed to be Shar's triumph and the winding back of creation into darkness (so, if it wasn't for the premise of Mystra's death, this would almost be an ideal excuse for 4e to begin with). But, as we know creation continues, this can't quite be the case.
Do you have any additional details on this event and what is supposed to take place? As always, your insight is looked forward to.
Well, almost always. ;)
First there was Ao, who made the "cosmos". Then Selune and Shar, one light and one dark and both equal. Chauntea wanted some things and Selune agreed but Shar didn't. Out of the ensuing "war", the portfolio of Magic was created with all the other portfolios coming in behind Magic.
So, for Shar to "win", she'd have to destroy Selune.
Which makes another point occur to me...Selune has always "mentored" (for lack of a better word) the various goddesses of Magic so how did this slip by her? Seems to me, if only "at the end", Mystra would've contacted her in same fashion and she would've come to her aid. But, that's another debate all by itself I guess.
Yes, I am aware, your Lordship. That is why I asked: Does anybody see the new Netheril as being much darker than maybe expected?
-Well, that entirely depends on what was expected. Being as that it is going to be ruled over by the Shadovar, I am imagining it being very dark. As in, this isn't Netheril II, but simply an Empire of Shade.
I wasn't aware that the Shadowstorm was that prominent in the storyline of things.
-Not the physical storm itself, but the texts needed to summon it. Two entire novels (in the Priests line, I believe) were written converning Rivalen getting his hands on the texts.
Do you have any additional details on this event and what is supposed to take place? As always, your insight is looked forward to.
-No, there is no additional information availible. We are going to have to wait until Paul's last book is released, in December. December...That sucks, eh?
Hmm, might be misunderstanding but alittle history...err, prehistory
First there was Ao, who made the "cosmos". Then Selune and Shar, one light and one dark and both equal. Chauntea wanted some things and Selune agreed but Shar didn't. Out of the ensuing "war", the portfolio of Magic was created with all the other portfolios coming in behind Magic.
-Don't forget: All of that is a myth, and isn't necessarily true.
Originally Posted by Stryfe
Hmm, might be misunderstanding but alittle history...err, prehistory
I'm aware of the whole Selune/Shar credo. I meant more at a world level and more of a "redoing" of creation.
Look, I'm just regurgitating what I have read here.
-Well, that entirely depends on what was expected. Being as that it is going to be ruled over by the Shadovar, I am imagining it being very dark. As in, this isn't Netheril II, but simply an Empire of Shade.
That's more like what I was getting at. I mean, they already have two floating cities covered in shadows--are we going to see this happen on the ground? Will the Shadowstorm leave an area of perpetual darkness behind?
-Not the physical storm itself, but the texts needed to summon it. Two entire novels (in the Priests line, I believe) were written converning Rivalen getting his hands on the texts.
This, I did not know. Thanks for the heads up--I know what I am reading next.
-No, there is no additional information availible. We are going to have to wait until Paul's last book is released, in December. December...That sucks, eh?
Indeed. Waiting between any of Kemp's books sux.
If you hear anything in the meantime, please post it for me.
That's more like what I was getting at. I mean, they already have two floating cities covered in shadows--are we going to see this happen on the ground? Will the Shadowstorm leave an area of perpetual darkness behind?
-The Shadowstorm did rend a massive whole on Ordulin that lead to the Umbral Calx, on the Plane of Shadows. That said, I don't think that all of the territory that the new Empire of Shade is going to rule is going to be cloaked in shadow. Asides for their flyign enclaves, I think that much is going to be the same, except for the fact that the governments are going to be controlled by Shadovar puppeteers. I, personally, think this plotline would do better if there was no 'empire', and that their involvement/control of states like Sembia was a complete secret.
-To have the entire place swathed with shadow stinks too much, in my opinion, of Eberron, or Rokugan.
This, I did not know. Thanks for the heads up--I know what I am reading next.
-One was in The Priests series (Mistress of Night), and the other in The Fighters series (Son of Thunder), if I'm not mistaken. Both were decent books. The latter was better than the former, in my opinion. Mistress of Night focused too much on Selûne, and not Shar, for my tastes.
Indeed. Waiting between any of Kemp's books sux.
If you hear anything in the meantime, please post it for me.
-Sure thing. It's likely that there won't be any new information between now and then, though.