This is the situation:
I am working on getting into DnD 4e. I DMed DnD 2e years ago and loved it. Once I get the hang of DnD 4e, I would like to start DMing again. The Forgotten realms series, looks appealing to me, with its popularity and large following.
Here is the problem, I was big on Dragonlance back when I DMed DnD 2e and I have no history with Forgotten realms.
Forgotten realms, has only published over 200 novels, and I am not sure I am up to all that reading to catch up.
Can someone suggest a few novels to give me a good idea of basic lore, any special types of magic, and basic factions of the races? I am sure there are some great books series out there but I am looking to cut to the bone on history to learn the basic lore of the land. Also, any books that may be relevant to the current DnD 4e modules would be great.
Get Rich Baker's Blades of the Moonsea series(Swordmage, Corsair, and Avenger).
Or the Wilds. 4 stand alone novels.
Ed Greenwood Presents: Waterdeep. 6 stand alone novels about Waterdeep.
Realms of the Dead is an Anthology of stories.
The Realms were "Re-Booted" fpr 4E.
You really don't need the old novels to get into the Realms now. Yet I would suggest reading any and all Ed Greenwoods Realms fiction. Ed does have a 4E Realms novel out now called Elminster MUST Die. It IMO is Ed's best Realms novel bar none.
I hope this helps.
Id also suggest the Avatar Trilogy, Shadowdale, Tantras, & Waterdeep, thats an inportant part of Realms history right there, and it takes place all over the Realms so gives you a nice overview, and it involves the gods so you learn about them as well. That trilogy continues on with Prince of Lies and Crucible, all excellent books in my opinion.
Really though, any Realms novel should give you something to go on, Id suggest heading to your local used book store, or libary, and see what they have and just pick some up that interest you.
Theres also this guy who hangs around on these boards, Erik Scott de Bie, he writes some good stuff as well.
But any way, I really love the Realms, and Id like to see more people get into it, but really if youre into Dragonlance, why not do a Dragonlance game?
However I would ask which part of realms you were thinking of playing, that would give all the players/reader on here a bit better way to advise which particular books are suited.
Richard Baker & Ed Greenwoods books are a really good read and to risk the wrath of Team Drizzt, stay away from R.A.Salvatores.
I don't care what era you're playing in, you need to read Elaine Cunningham's novels. All of them. Now.
Erik Scott de Bie writes some pretty damn good stuff too. You should read it.
especially Depths of MAdness( featuring the lovely Fox at Twilight)
and downshadow( featurinf Shadowbane)
we also reccomends the Shadowbane novel coming out next year.
LOL. Clearly FR has gotten in your blood, and your passionate about a great many of the books. I can respect that, and I'm sure there are some fantastic books out there for FR. I will look them up as I get into the world. I promise.
What I need is a baseline for the Forgotten Realms world, so I can relate to peps that want to play a with FR content.
Suggesting Anthologies, does me little good. I don’t have a year to read about 100 of FR books hehe. Are there any of the Anthologies line that stand out with a few books that covers lore basics?
I found this on wiki "The Best of the realms. Vol. 1" Sounds like a bunch of short stories, it may work.
Thanks for your input by the way. : )
as are the best of the realms
Also, check out Unbroken Chain by Jaleigh Johnson.
And come hang out at the WotC bookclub: community.wizards.com/bookclub
Cheers
(Re: pimping my books--Aww, you guys are the best fans ever!)
Which reminds me that I need to dig that footage off my laptop.