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Starting in FR : need advice

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
darth_serenous
Apr 24, 2009 17:02:19 I have both 4E FR books and the old FR book too and would like to start in FR. I never played in that setting and I only know Eberron so far. So now I wonder where to start? Where is the ultimate noob spot to start?

Is there any "style" unique to FR that I should consider while DMing? Like in Eberron, most the setting insist on the intrigue/action of the game. What is FR all about?
#2
kouk
Apr 24, 2009 21:30:26 Have you read the 4th edition books?
#3
darth_serenous
Apr 24, 2009 21:45:36 Yes I had. Reaky don't like Loudwater if its your point.
#4
Thyrwyn
Apr 24, 2009 23:32:46 IMHO: Pick a spot that seems interesting to you and your players.

Read the desciptions of the areas and pick a few that give you the most ideas. Give your players a brief description of those areas and what type of story each suggests to you. Pick one of them as a group, and go with it.

Talk to your players about what style you all enjoy the most. 4e FR seems intentionally "style"-less - but also seems pretty accomodating to wide variety of genres and styles.
#5
lord_karsus
Apr 25, 2009 0:41:08
What is FR all about?

-There isn't one answer. The Forgotten Realms doesn't have a 'super-overarching central core tenet', like some other setting do (like Dragonlance, or Lord of the Rings). Faerûn is a large place, with a lot going on. The best advice there is is to read through the books, and pick somewhere that interests you. There is, for most things, a large breadth of information out there on nearly any subject, giving you plenty of options.
#6
kouk
Apr 25, 2009 3:19:40
Yes I had. Reaky don't like Loudwater if its your point.

I just meant "it is what it is." Short of how the book describes it there isn't a particular theme, there's whatever theme you want to make it.

You can make it about intrigue if you want, just choose areas that seem to lend themselves to that.

Loudwater is sort of a generic small town, that there are many of. If you prefer cities, try Waterdeep. If you like wilderness, there's lots of places now.
#7
borris
Apr 25, 2009 3:32:11 The Forgotten Realms have often been described as "panoramic". If you can think of something related to mediecal-fantastic adventures, it's likely in the Realms somewhere. There's no correct style for a campaign. I'd say read the entries for regions in the campaign setting until you find one that a flavor you really like and start your adventure there.
#8
darth_serenous
Apr 25, 2009 7:59:35 My players would like the game to be mostly exploration oriented. So I decided to start in Cormyr, which is the realm I know the most so far. I created a ancient temple connected to Darkhold.

They also want to travel around the world and explore ruins, ancient cities and wonders. I will maybe make them go slowly to Waterdeep. Do you have any suggestion of good places to stop to make them do some adventures on their way to the Cauldron?
#9
krownhunter07
Apr 25, 2009 10:18:06 There is a backdrop for Cormyr, on the D&D website, that has information about the area. It also works well if you want to tie in the core adventures that from WotC (starting with Keep on The Shadowfell, they have conversions that place Winterhaven in the Thunderpeeks).

Regardless, a good suggestion for where to start is 'what type of theme do you wish to have for your game'?

Starting in the Grey Vale, for example, is good if you want to use an open, rustic wilderness theme. In Cormyr, it's more of a classical medieval theme with knights in shining armor and the like. Or, for a Wild backwater area with fey, forests and subtle magic around the corner, the Dalelands and Myth Drannor would be ideal. Then again, if you want more of a coastal/seafaring theme, both the Swordcoast (where you could also include intrigue and highly urban adventures [Waterdeep, Balder's Gate, etc...]) or Moonsea area (with frontier ports and hard living [Hulburg, Phlan, Malmuster, etc... ]).

In the end, it would be best to decide what type of game you want, then decide what area fits best. Nothing stops you from changing themes or moving around, but getting started with that in mind helps.
#10
darth_serenous
Apr 26, 2009 9:52:58 Thats a good advice thanks. I must say that Cormyr seams a good choice anyway because its kind of in the middle of everywhere. So Ill start here. Now I would need some adventures idea in the corner. Any suggestions?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 darth_serenous Apr 24, 2009 17:02:19	I have both 4E FR books and the old FR book too and would like to start in FR. I never played in that setting and I only know Eberron so far. So now I wonder where to start? Where is the ultimate noob spot to start? Is there any "style" unique to FR that I should consider while DMing? Like in Eberron, most the setting insist on the intrigue/action of the game. What is FR all about?
#2 kouk Apr 24, 2009 21:30:26	Have you read the 4th edition books?
#3 darth_serenous Apr 24, 2009 21:45:36	Yes I had. Reaky don't like Loudwater if its your point.
#4 Thyrwyn Apr 24, 2009 23:32:46	IMHO: Pick a spot that seems interesting to you and your players. Read the desciptions of the areas and pick a few that give you the most ideas. Give your players a brief description of those areas and what type of story each suggests to you. Pick one of them as a group, and go with it. Talk to your players about what style you all enjoy the most. 4e FR seems intentionally "style"-less - but also seems pretty accomodating to wide variety of genres and styles.
#5 lord_karsus Apr 25, 2009 0:41:08	What is FR all about? -There isn't one answer. The Forgotten Realms doesn't have a 'super-overarching central core tenet', like some other setting do (like Dragonlance, or Lord of the Rings). Faerûn is a large place, with a lot going on. The best advice there is is to read through the books, and pick somewhere that interests you. There is, for most things, a large breadth of information out there on nearly any subject, giving you plenty of options.
#6 kouk Apr 25, 2009 3:19:40	Yes I had. Reaky don't like Loudwater if its your point. I just meant "it is what it is." Short of how the book describes it there isn't a particular theme, there's whatever theme you want to make it. You can make it about intrigue if you want, just choose areas that seem to lend themselves to that. Loudwater is sort of a generic small town, that there are many of. If you prefer cities, try Waterdeep. If you like wilderness, there's lots of places now.
#7 borris Apr 25, 2009 3:32:11	The Forgotten Realms have often been described as "panoramic". If you can think of something related to mediecal-fantastic adventures, it's likely in the Realms somewhere. There's no correct style for a campaign. I'd say read the entries for regions in the campaign setting until you find one that a flavor you really like and start your adventure there.
#8 darth_serenous Apr 25, 2009 7:59:35	My players would like the game to be mostly exploration oriented. So I decided to start in Cormyr, which is the realm I know the most so far. I created a ancient temple connected to Darkhold. They also want to travel around the world and explore ruins, ancient cities and wonders. I will maybe make them go slowly to Waterdeep. Do you have any suggestion of good places to stop to make them do some adventures on their way to the Cauldron?
#9 krownhunter07 Apr 25, 2009 10:18:06	There is a backdrop for Cormyr, on the D&D website, that has information about the area. It also works well if you want to tie in the core adventures that from WotC (starting with Keep on The Shadowfell, they have conversions that place Winterhaven in the Thunderpeeks). Regardless, a good suggestion for where to start is 'what type of theme do you wish to have for your game'? Starting in the Grey Vale, for example, is good if you want to use an open, rustic wilderness theme. In Cormyr, it's more of a classical medieval theme with knights in shining armor and the like. Or, for a Wild backwater area with fey, forests and subtle magic around the corner, the Dalelands and Myth Drannor would be ideal. Then again, if you want more of a coastal/seafaring theme, both the Swordcoast (where you could also include intrigue and highly urban adventures [Waterdeep, Balder's Gate, etc...]) or Moonsea area (with frontier ports and hard living [Hulburg, Phlan, Malmuster, etc... ]). In the end, it would be best to decide what type of game you want, then decide what area fits best. Nothing stops you from changing themes or moving around, but getting started with that in mind helps.
#10 darth_serenous Apr 26, 2009 9:52:58	Thats a good advice thanks. I must say that Cormyr seams a good choice anyway because its kind of in the middle of everywhere. So Ill start here. Now I would need some adventures idea in the corner. Any suggestions?