My knowledge of the Realms is quite novice compared to most people who seem to post here. I have read only a few FR novels, but I do have basic knowledge of the cosmology, gods, lands and culture. I have a feeling for the Realms, and I want to be able to pass that on to the players.
I'm wondering what I should read up on before getting into to campaign-making and stuff. Of course I will need the FRCG, but there is reading I could do until then.
Is there anything everyone playing in FR should read? Something which is generally useful for everyone. Maybe it's wisest to decide on a part of Faerun where the campaign will take place, and focus on reading up on that.
What do you think?
I suffer from OCD, which causes me to overdo things, to the point where I'm overwhelmed with all the stuff I 'have' to do. This is the reason I'm asking for advice on where to start.
-Mmm... the bad one.
-The bad new is that the Realms in 4E have advanced one hundred years in the future, it's getting a high rewrite up and many things have changed. Probably many of the plots you read are long over, and many parts of the eastern and southern Faerûn have changed dramatically.
-Well, what's the good new then?
-The good new is that because of the rewrite, if you want to play 4E Realms you'll only need to worry to get the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide and the Player's Guide.
-Well I have two news for you: one good and one bad. What do you want first?
-Mmm... the bad one.
-The bad new is that the Realms in 4E have advanced one hundred years in the future, it's getting a high rewrite up and many things have changed. Probably many of the plots you read are long over, and many parts of the eastern and southern Faerûn have changed dramatically.
-Well, what's the good new then?
-The good new is that because of the rewrite, if you want to play 4E Realms you'll only need to worry to get the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide and the Player's Guide.
Thank you. That much I know. I've read the Dragon articles online, so I know the basics of the change for Faerun.
to me, it's a good thing in the sense that it's a fresh start. I can tell lots of people are upset, but honestly I'm too new and 'un-read' about the Realms to really have an opinion as to whether the change is good or bad in itself.
However, surely there is lore worth reading up on despite the fact that a hundred years have passed?
However, surely there is lore worth reading up on despite the fact that a hundred years have passed?
-Buy A Grand History of the Realms. It's a chronology from -35,000 DR to 1385 DR. All of that information is still valid and happened. It's all just...100 (+/-) years less relevant.
another good book for a sense of the history is the Lost Empires of Faerun 3.5 supplement
-Probably the best one that there is, for in-depth stuff.
Maybe it's wisest to decide on a part of Faerun where the campaign will take place, and focus on reading up on that.
Excellent point.
I recommend you choose Cormyr as the place to start playing in the 4E Realms. It was relatively unscathed compared to other places in the Realms and can support several different kinds of adventures.
In my opinion Cormyr has the most classic feel of all Realms locations. Plus it's just a blast to game in.
I am currently playing my 4E game in Cormyr and am running the new 4E adventure Keep on the Shadowfell.
As far as resources to read, I recommend you look over the upcoming Dragon Magazine online article Backdrop: Cormyr by Brian R. James, which will cover Cormyr in the post-Spellplague Realms. That article will be released sometime this month.
Next, I recommend you read a novel set in Cormyr, such as Death of the Dragon, Elminster’s Daughter or Swords of Eveningstar.
You don’t need to read all of them. Any one is sufficient to give you a taste of the flavor of Cormyr in the Realms.
The only other book I’d recommend is Volo’s Guide to Cormyr. Plenty of useful place names and locations to build your own custom adventures around.
Good luck!
-M.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads
I recommend you choose Cormyr as the place to start playing in the 4E Realms. It was relatively unscathed compared to other places in the Realms and can support several different kinds of adventures.
If what one wants is an "unscathed" area in the 4E Realms, apparently the Sword Coast North fared pretty well, too.
Calimshan and the Lands of Intrigue seem to have a lot of untapped potential as well.
I would think that pretty much any area in any fictional setting has tons of untapped potential.
I would think that pretty much any area in any fictional setting has tons of untapped potential.
Except 4e "Unther", stupid lizards...
Amazon should be the way to go I guess?
I like Cormyr but the Sword Coast, Lands of Intrigue and the North are great too, for a less chivalric, monarchistic feel. We'll see where I settle.
AGHotR is something I'll surely start with though.
-Oh, Calimshan...Poor, poor Calimshan...Oh, how I will weep for thee, should bad stuff happen...
I'm pretty sure all the southern uber-mages like Shoon VII and the Twisted Rune would blast you to pieces if you ever set your dirty Nethernese eyes in their direction;)
I'm pretty sure all the southern uber-mages like Shoon VII and the Twisted Rune would blast you to pieces if you ever set your dirty Nethernese eyes in their direction;)
-I'm an Ar'Tel'Quess, dufus.
-I'm an Ar'Tel'Quess, dufus.
Nah, your more of a R-tard'Tel'Quess to me.;)
-Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho...No.
SANTA!!! Can I have a prezzie??
As for Calimshan, I think it's a great region too. My knowledge of it is limited, though.
I found AGHotR. Ordered it from a swedish online book-store. Getting it in a few days.
-You'll like it.
I found AGHotR. Ordered it from a swedish online book-store. Getting it in a few days.
As for Calimshan, I think it's a great region too. My knowledge of it is limited, though.
Yup, you will love AGHoTR. If you don't, I'm gonna have to brainwash you:P
The Lands of Intrigue and Calimshan articles on this page might help.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads
I found AGHotR. Ordered it from a swedish online book-store. Getting it in a few days.
enjoy