You hear all this talk about respected authors whose stories and beloved characters have come to an abrupt end.
But you know what, my players and their characters always mattered to me more. Besides, isn’t Drizzt still running around somewhere in the savage north?
You hear all this talk about the lack of lore in the new setting.
When I thumb through the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, my thoughts hearken back to the original Gray Boxed set and how sparse it was. I like that we’re back to that.
You hear all this talk about how supposedly pervasive, overwhelming and out of character Shar is in the Realms.
In my game, the Big Bad Evil Guy is a priest of Shar, but the PCs still don’t know who he is or what his role is at the heart of the adventure (to steal away one of Cormyr’s greatest secrets held by the Rallyhorn noble family for centuries and use it against the Forrest Kingdom) even after several months of play. Layers of secrets: sounds Shar-like to me.
You hear all this talk about lost lore and history that’s been severed from the Realms.
That just makes me shake my head in disbelief. It’s all still there, undergirding the current Realms by providing opportunity for endless adventure, just as the Realms’ past has always done.
You hear all this talk about “the setting ‘we’ loved,” as though all people who enjoyed the Realms prior to 4E have been disenfranchised and disconnected.
That’s funny. I’ve been playing in the Realms longer than most of those people, yet I find myself loving the Realms more than ever.
Why? Because it lets me express my creativity as a DM and bring a positive, fun experience to my players one night a week. The Realms are big, wide, mysterious and open again.
I take it as a point of personal pride that my players drive home each night free from any thought that there was some better way they could have spent their time and I’m happy it’s the Realms that serves as the backdrop for our game.
But most of all I like the current Realms because it’s set 100 years in the future. That advancement of time demands a new face on each land and place. Coupled with the savagery of the Spellplague, all lands have had to adapt and change. The advancement of time gives us a whole new era of the Realms to learn about and play in. I like having more lore and the wide latitude to take that lore and build upon it.
:::::::::::::::::
No doubt the same pack of (folks) will come along in short order to decry my statements and howl in agony for “their” loss, just as they’ve done all over the General Forum since before the 4E Realms was released. But that’s to be expected. And besides, this thread isn’t meant to speak to them (their minds aren’t changing anytime soon).
It’s mean to speak to you. You the gamer. You the Realms fan and D&D player that remembers it’s all just a game. You who like to have fun and prefer to have it in the Forgotten Realms.
The Forgotten Realms was always meant for you. I encourage you to give it a spin. If you have and found the setting wanting, take a second look. With good friends and a good DM, the fun to be had in the Realms is limitless.
-Viva la Realms! ;)
18DELTA (Cyric, Cyric, Cyric) ;)
When I thumb through the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, my thoughts hearken back to the original Gray Boxed set and how sparse it was. I like that we’re back to that.
A glass of water, or a glass of fine wine. Both glasses contain the same amount of material... but I prefer the wine. Flavor is everything. ;)
You may be right on all the above points (except the one I expressly mentioned above), but tell me, what can you do now that you couldn't do before?
You're acting like its better, and yet I remember long before any of this happened you were enjoying the Realms the way they were.
True, shoe-horning your own ideas into FR is a lot easier now, but its not like you couldn't do so in the past.
And there is a difference between 'history' that you can dig up in a ruin (which is useful), and knowing the names of the local Innkeeper (which is totally USELESS, when it is a HUNDRED years out-of-date). What ruins exist in 4e FR that didn't exist n 3e? Except for Returned Abeir, of course, but then we lost all those ruins in Maztica, so that's just an even trade-off.
No... we gained NOTHING... and lost all the 'local lore' that helped us run our games - the kind of stuff that was in the Volo's Guides is mostly null and void.
We gained genasi... no... wait... we had those. We gained Tiefling... oh... wait... we had those too (they just didn't look so 'Kewl'). We gained draconians... Dragonlance had them, and now we do... yay...
We gained an ass-crack in the Shar.. every good fantasy world needs an ass-crack. :D
In all honesty, Misc, I can go through the Old Grey box and get at least one adventure idea on every page. I read the entire FRCG, and I can only think of maybe five things I might use.
Maybe these 'new-fangled' settings aren't meant for an old-timer like me.
I didn't really want to get into this with you (I guess I'm a 'misfit' :smirk
, but in all seriousness, I still get that 'warm, fuzzy feeling' when I go through the Old Grey Box. I don't even want to say what feeling I get when I read the FRCG. 
While it is true I'm very biased toward the old Realms, I did give the new one a chance... and found it wanting. its not for me, but I'm glad you're having fun with it.
And I mean that.
-Via, La Realms! (Or somthin to that effect) ;)
Viva la Realms, indeed, servant of Cyric. ;)
All of a sudden I just felt the urge to do a little heart-to-fingers writing. I listed the chief complaints I've seen on this board and compaired it to my own experiences one at a time.
Those complaints -some valid, some not- just didn't mesh with my DMing experience.
And I consider my experience pretty typical: Bust out the Core Rulebooks, buy an adventure (in our case, H1 Keep on the Shadowfell), find the online Realms adaption for it (available on WotC's website, sorry I don't have the link), crack open the FRCG if necessary and have at it.
It just seems to me that --going forward-- what happened to the Realms doesn't matter nearly as much as what we do about it.
I think the responsibility belongs with those of us who still do love the Realms and enjoy playing Dungeons and Dragons to cary the standard/torch/whatever and hold it aloft with pride and conviction.
I am confident in the Realms as a setting and think it should be supported.
18DELTA (CYRIC IS VERY PLEASED)
Our current game group is somewhat familiar with the Realms. At least three of us know alot about the setting and we are all ok with the new stuff, we just want to game. I am really trying to get my group to leave Amn and head to the Moonshaes so we can follow up on info I have about gnomes living there. We have a boat already and might even become privateers for the High King (I hope) against the Amnian invaders, Except for a time jump it feels the same to me at least. Other's mileage may vary.
Even though this thread was meant to offer some posters a place to voice
their positive experiences in the current edition I think it will go down in flames fast. Sad. Though calling people misfits does not help.
So I think the point of this thread should be to tell folks about your current game in the 4E FR world. If you are playing in it what is going on and what plans do you have for the future? If you are not playing in it but are looking foward to it what is the reason?
Even though this thread was meant to offer some posters a place to voice their positive experiences in the current edition I think it will go down in flames fast. Sad. Though calling people misfits does not help.
Sad but likely true. Although a few more questions/discursive items rather than a list of statements, and the removal of the first two of the last three paragraphs would probably help with both purpose and tone.
Rather than saying "I do enjoy playing in 4E Realms", can I say instead "I look forward to enjoying to play in the 4E Realms"? ;)
A glass of water, or a glass of fine wine. Both glasses contain the same amount of material... but I prefer the wine. Flavor is everything. ;)
I prefer wine also. Problem is the old wine soured, the new wine has not. It is not surprising seeing how many times they popped the cork.
Actually I started up a campaign probably two weeks after I got the FRCG. Originally I was going to run a homebrew, but the FRCG made me feel about the FR the way I used to when I first got the Old Grey Box (1987? Well right after it first released :D ). So the homebrew got put on the back burner, and the FR came up to bat.
I set the players up in the city of Phlan (Under Construction AGAIN) as a convenient starting point. Consisting of three members Taigen the Elf Ranger, Nigel the Halfling Warlock, and Garruck the Genasi Swordmage. In the beginning they started by doing some favors for Nigel's uncle, which culminated in recovering some lost goods and meeting Lawrence the best spoken Kobold in the FR. Being an extraordinary kobold, Taigen agreed to take on Lawrence as an apprentice Bowyer in his shop.
Unfortunately Nigel ran afoul of the local criminal syndicate (jokingly referred to as the halfling mafia) when he decided to discipline the son of the Big Boss. Bradley not being very skilled at pickpocketing had picked the wrong pocket, however his father Alistair could not let such a slight (read business opportunity) go unanswered. Following a conversation with Nigel the party finds itself doing "item recovery" (repossessing) work for Alistair, and discovering the slippery slope of attempting to deal with some criminals as reasonable individuals. The status quo that develops is unfavorable for the party, however before they have time to really deal with it, Taigen's sister blows into town with Netherese Agents hot on her tail.
The party is inducted to deliver an important message to Ecthelion Orlainth who is in the Zhent ruins in the Border Forest. A magical missive cannot be delivered to him because it would alert the Netherese to his presence. Traveling west at a rapid pace, which is made more rapid by the fact that Garruck in his latest drunken rage decided that getting into an altercation with Bradley might be a good idea. Having beaten the Big Boss Alistair's son to within an inch of his life, it was deemed wise to proceed at breakneck speed.
Traveling across the mountains the party comes across a slaver camp with slaves in tow. Fortunately they decide to do the heroic thing and free the slaves. Taigen sneaks in and wreaks havoc by killing half the slavers in their sleep. Finally noticed the others come to his aid and make quick work of the confused and outgunned slavers. The slaves are Barbarian Clansmen from The Ride, and naturally befriend the party. Once they are reunited with the rest of their clan, a member is chosen to guide the party and aid them on their quest. Amantor is an over enthusiastic, somewhat troublesome young man, who promptly proves his worth.
Continuing their trek westward towards the Border Forest, the party runs afoul of a platoon sized element of Netherese on patrol. Avoidance is not an option, and they prepare to make their last stand. Through incredible luck they manage to defeat them (minions), and walk away with a hefty gain in ill gotten wealth.
Arriving finally at the outer ruins, the party decides to go poking around. After some encounters with assorted bony friends they, move on and finally find the Wizard Ecthelion. Having told their tale, Ecthelion begins packing and urges the party to hurry. Apparently playing patty cake with skeletons is part of the Netherese network of early warning systems. Escaping via a Linked Portal Ritual to the Isle of Mist, the party is afforded a much needed rest.
Unfortunately not all is well in Denmark, and Taigen's sister is revealed to be missing somewhere in Mulmaster. Lord Finvar charges Taigen with finding his sister (who is apparently a highly placed member of the islands intelligence apparatus). Traveling to Phlan first to await an appropriate ship for insertion, the party decides to take care of some unfinished business that they did not "forget about".
Sneaking into town, the party hooks up with Lawrence who has been dutifully spying on the local half pint mafia. With this detailed information in hand the party discusses in great detail what to do about the situation. Garruck has a bounty, and the protection charges have grown to be too great for Nigel's family member's to bear. The decision the party makes is to brutally assassinate Alistair, and take over the organization by the sword errr.... I mean persuasive arguments. The killing of Alistair is a classic Godfather moment with blood everywhere, and a back clinging kobold with stabbity action grip. The bodyguards who were caught with their pants down by the sudden, surprising, brutally efficient ambush of their boss, decide that working for the new bosses is better than being ground under foot.
Over the next week some purges occur over the new direction the "Corporation" will be taking. Lawrence is put in charge of the new "Corporation". Finally the insertion ship arrives, the party embarks, and are currently in the process of attempting to avoid being boarded...
Next week should be lots of fun.:D That is a basic synopsis, more happened, but those were the highlights. The party just made it to 4th level.
Some people enjoyed watching Twilight. Doesn't mean it's any good.
A powerfully convincing straw man.
Keep it on topic, folks.
However I am still glad it was released. I have always been a content person and enjoyed staying close to canon. Now that I am not concerned about future releases I can change and adventure in 3rd ed FR to my hearts content. Really I could of done this before but I followed all the novels and such. I enjoyed playing within the content and manipulating it to my story line. My campaign was not complete canon, but it followed it generally. Now I can change things without having to worry about good material in a source book sounding better than what I did with my players.
The new 4th edition has given me a great story line, that my players are very much enjoying (stopping the murder of mystra). I am taking SOME of the good things in 4th edition FR and incorporating them but often with new mechanisms.
My players playeds some 4th ed with me but then we decided to stick with 3.5.
Kerym, I like that halfling maffia story spin. Fast and bloody take overs are fun. Seems you haven't gone dungeoneering yet. Do tell how that goes!
It seems you have the local area filled with "detailed" realmslore. How much time did you spent to flesh out the halfling maffia, inns, markets etc of 15th century Phlan?
Well enough.
Kerym, I like that halfling maffia story spin. Fast and bloody take overs are fun. Seems you haven't gone dungeoneering yet. Do tell how that goes!
It seems you have the local area filled with "detailed" realmslore. How much time did you spent to flesh out the halfling maffia, inns, markets etc of 15th century Phlan?
All of that outside of the Isle of Mists was improvised, and off the cuff. Names, details get written down as the group experiences it. Outside of a quick very rough city map (mainly districts), it was all in reaction to what players were doing. The halfling mafia ripped right out of the MM, markets, stores, inns as I needed them. So far we have a lively dock district full of the seedier taverns that a certain Swordmage likes to frequent. He is looking at being tracked down by some of the ladies, since he has been absent of late. I am keeping Phlan very frontier town like (think Wild West with swords). The law enforcement types generally look the other way, unless it is something major, and usually receive some "supplemental" income from certain elements. At the same time I have a group of disaffected intelligentsia from elsewhere, who have migrated to Phlan. It is kind of the wide open opportunity in the area, so naturally it attracts individuals with entrepreneurial spirit.
As to dungeoneering, my groups generally avoid and I generally stay away from the classic "Temple of Elemental Evil" adventures. The story guides them, and really poking around in dusty, poorly lit, waiting to collapse ruins seems less appealing than interacting with a variety of NPC's each with their own agenda. I am sure we will wind up underground at some point, but it will most probably be tied to the greater story arc of the campaign. Essentially Netheril is beginning to stick it's nose in the Moonsea region. My players are already being dragged into this conflict because of location, relatives, and personal interest. I have a feeling that at some point they will decide to mess with the man where he is weakest. Sembia leaps to the forefront of my mind
We have stopped a tiefling bandit who was causing trouble for trade so our pally of Shaundakul was all about taking him on. He may be in league with some group of pirates also so we may have a bigger problem down the road.
Very one-sided, if you ask me.
I left my last site because it started to become over-moderated.... seems this one is going the same route.
Anyway, I'm sure all of this will be deleted as well, and you guys can see another one of those oh-so-delightful Mod-posts that are becoming the new standard.
But whatever... I don't begrudge the people who are enjoying the new Realms - in fact, if it wasn't for them, the Realms will just die completely. Then again, without any more Realms sourcebooks coming out, doesn't that meant the setting is already dead?
In the past, active settings received company attention... this one hasn't been getting ANY lately.
But whatever, if I'm not using it, it shouldn't bother me that no new material is being produced for it.
I think the problem here is not so much between old fans/new fans, but rather those who loved the Realms for the story it encompassed, and those who just want to play in the damn thing.
Rauric and Misc obviously loved the Realms for it's game-setting value, and I most definately can relate to that point, and see why the new Realms could be even more appealing to some.
But to a lot of us, it's akin to having your favorite TV drama cancelled... without the show ever having a conclusion.
A glass of water, or a glass of fine wine. Both glasses contain the same amount of material... but I prefer the wine. Flavor is everything. ;)
I don't like wine (no really in real life I don't...not just a metophore here), I also am not a big fan of water...if given water I can miw lemonade with it and make it my own...not so much with wine...
True, shoe-horning your own ideas into FR is a lot easier now, but its not like you couldn't do so in the past.
some of us feel that diffrence is the diffrenc between a nice setting to read, and a nice setting to run/play
No... we gained NOTHING... and lost all the 'local lore' that helped us run our games - the kind of stuff that was in the Volo's Guides is mostly null and void.
first let me say I actualy LOVED the Volo' guides...but I think most of them were outdated in the last edtion...and the fact that they are completly useless now (as aposed to needing work in 3e) is sad...but what we gained was a whole new look...the ability for each DM to build his own vision of the realms with out cannon, and lore getting int eh way...heck they ditched most of the NPC chosen...then put a Epic Destiny for PCs to become them...that is in my opion what we gained...the next simbul,elminster,blackstaff will be PCs...not NPCs
In all honesty, Misc, I can go through the Old Grey box and get at least one adventure idea on every page. I read the entire FRCG, and I can only think of maybe five things I might use.
almost every page jumps out at me...each area (3-5 pages) gave me ateast one idea, and the monster/NPCs in the back gave me some great ones too..
Maybe these 'new-fangled' settings aren't meant for an old-timer like me.
diffrent strokes for diffrent folks
While it is true I'm very biased toward the old Realms, I did give the new one a chance... and found it wanting. its not for me, but I'm glad you're having fun with it.
And I mean that.
thank you...I just hope you can still enjoy your realms...just forget the new one was ever made...
Ah, whereas Misc had a singe word modified, I had entire sentences removed that pointed-out his faux-pass.
Very one-sided, if you ask me.
I left my last site because it started to become over-moderated.... seems this one is going the same route.
Anyway, I'm sure all of this will be deleted as well, and you guys can see another one of those oh-so-delightful Mod-posts that are becoming the new standard.
Don't feel alone I have had several posts deleted recently under somewhat suspicious circumstances.
As to the rest of it I am sorry for your loss, and I wish it was not in vain, but they continue to tie the novel and game lines together. If the two were separate it would be the best of both worlds.
I think the problem here is not so much between old fans/new fans, but rather those who loved the Realms for the story it encompassed, and those who just want to play in the damn thing.
but since it is a GAME supplment doesn't it make sense they chose those that play???
I don't like wine (no really in real life I don't...not just a metophore here), I also am not a big fan of water...if given water I can miw lemonade with it and make it my own...not so much with wine...
I'm not big on wine myself - I was just making a metaphor. The only one I do like is White Zinfandel... which is neither here nor there.
some of us feel that diffrence is the diffrenc between a nice setting to read, and a nice setting to run/play
I understand THAT completely - really I do. I often said how much I really like the lore-lite approach, being a DM who likes to 'change everything', you would think I would have jumped at the chance to play 4eFR.
But, after 20 years of reading FR material, I slowly went from 'D&D Gamer' to 'FR-story Fan', and its hard for me to switch back, now that I am a lore-jockey. In fact, as little as three years ago, I might have been on the complete opposite side of this discussion.
As to the rest of it I am sorry for your loss, and I wish it was not in vain, but they continue to tie the novel and game lines together. If the two were separate it would be the best of both worlds.
QFT
I think the problem here is not so much between old fans/new fans, but rather those who loved the Realms for the story it encompassed, and those who just want to play in the damn thing.
That doesn't work for me: I lost interest in the ongoing timeline years ago, and though I rarely get the chance, it's RPG play I most like Realmslore for. I prefer to either use a really detailed setting or make up my own.
As for comparing the relatively brief FRCG to the relatively brief Old Grey Box, they're not in the same league in terms of as-if-real coherence, creative density and between-the-lines inspiration and subtlety. No setting product put together by a committee for a deadline was going to equal an all-time classic work by a first-rank worldbuilder and storyteller on their own world.
As for comparing the relatively brief FRCG to the relatively brief Old Grey Box, they're not in the same league in terms of as-if-real coherence, creative density and between-the-lines inspiration and subtlety. No setting product put together by a committee for a deadline was going to equal an all-time classic work by a first-rank worldbuilder and storyteller on their own world.
Please don't state items of opinion as fact, it only leads to extended arguments which are often completely off topic.
then put a Epic Destiny for PCs to become them...that is in my opion what we gained...the next simbul,elminster,blackstaff will be PCs...not NPCs
So, instead of having NPCs that are optional to use by the DM, you have an Elminster in each individual campaign. Then when you all get to level 30 and finally have that hero that you are proud of and is a true hero of the Realms, the rules say he's out of the game and retired. Either moved onto another plane of existance or ascended to be immortal and away from the Realms.
Can't wait for the 'Grand Melee' at Gen Con next year when all the players bring their level 30 Chosen/Epic characters to fight each other and see who becomes the new Grand Champion and Hero of the Realms.
Ugh, I'm going to stop now. I'm feeling that gut-wrenching bitterness tie me up again. I am happy that people have started gaming or returned to gaming because of the changes made. It means that the game will keep going and not fade away. And those that don't like the changes still have all the old material to keep playing as well, so none of what is said here makes any difference whatsoever to each of our games at all.
So, instead of having NPCs that are optional to use by the DM, you have an Elminster in each individual campaign. Then when you all get to level 30 and finally have that hero that you are proud of and is a true hero of the Realms, the rules say he's out of the game and retired. Either moved onto another plane of existance or ascended to be immortal and away from the Realms.
yes so you play 30 levels now, then next time you play 30 levels your new character...not the old one is the chosen...
-I just saw over at Candlekeep that our very own Christopher Rowe will in the near future be a Forgotten Realms Novel Author. Short story first, then his very own Forgotten Realms Novel. Isn't that kick ***?
Totally awesome if you ask me. WotC is moving in the right direction with that choice.
Aw, shucks y'all. Thanks!
Ah, whereas Misc had a singe word modified, I had entire sentences removed that pointed-out his faux-pass.
Very one-sided, if you ask me.
I left my last site because it started to become over-moderated.... seems this one is going the same route.
Anyway, I'm sure all of this will be deleted as well, and you guys can see another one of those oh-so-delightful Mod-posts that are becoming the new standard.
-Quit yer ******** Markus. ;) I had a whole post vanish. :P All because I was talking about the old Punk Band "The Misfits"!
;) 18DELTA (
CYRIC EXPECTS THIS POST TO BE DELETED :dancin:P Please continue! I do enjoy reading the character and game stories no matter what edition they are set in. (and that was NOT sarcasm. I swear. Where the hell's the non-sarcastic tone code?!?)
Heh, Black is right. I was hoping we could just post cool stuff here like how peoples newer FR games were going.
The do that. There's a bunch of other threads about peoples campaigns going on. I was hoping that maybe all of the bad conversations ended but now Im not so sure with people intentionally starting to pick fights and stuff. I might end up leaving again if people are going to be like that.
That doesn't work for me: I lost interest in the ongoing timeline years ago, and though I rarely get the chance, it's RPG play I most like Realmslore for. I prefer to either use a really detailed setting or make up my own.
Yes, I'm kind of in the same boat--I love the Realms for its stories and characters, but I'm also having a lot of fun playing in the setting and helping to create my own story (along with the other players, of course). Almost everyone in the game (DM included) is an FR "lore junkie", and yet no one has yet stopped the game and made a fuss over what's "canon" and what isn't, or any other commonly talked about problems.
As for comparing the relatively brief FRCG to the relatively brief Old Grey Box, they're not in the same league in terms of as-if-real coherence, creative density and between-the-lines inspiration and subtlety. No setting product put together by a committee for a deadline was going to equal an all-time classic work by a first-rank worldbuilder and storyteller on their own world.
Seconded!
I will probably never switch to 4E as a DM but I may play in a game as a player if I had the time.
I think a thread should be started with a title that perhaps ONLY discusses what people are doing in their 4E campaigns and how they are using ideas whether from the new DM guide or on their own to create their own adventures. I saw at least one on here by Kerym (interesting stuff). No matter what version of the game you play an interesting and cool idea that can be incorporated into ANY edition.
No matter what version of the game you play an interesting and cool idea that can be incorporated into ANY edition.
I agree with that too.
18DELTA (CHOSEN OF CYRIC) :P
Heh, Black is right. I was hoping we could just post cool stuff here like how peoples newer FR games were going.
So.. enighten us.
Instead of harping about how great the New realms are (just as we harp about the Old one), try telling us WHY you are having so much fun.
Lets hear about all the mind-numbing RPG goodness that is coming out of these new rules and setting.
This is the thread for it... I'm listening.
I saw at least one on here by Kerym (interesting stuff). No matter what version of the game you play an interesting and cool idea that can be incorporated into ANY edition.
By chance I started a thread a bit like what you describe, on this forum page, though it asks for non-D&D rules and other gaming resources that Realms DMs use in their Realms games.
I set the players up in the city of Phlan (Under Construction AGAIN) as a convenient starting point.
Ah Phlan....brings back memories! Some of my best and worst gaming experiences happened in that town, but I wouldn’t take any of them back if I could.
Hard nut to crack, that place. But toughing it out eventually earned me an “A” in English in the 11th grade for creative writing. I retold our group’s play experiences from the PoV of my character.
Which is another great/positive side effect of D&D: It makes English class and writing classes easy (and not just for the story ideas --the writing practice you get [especially as a DM] helps a lot too).
Next week should be lots of fun.:D That is a basic synopsis, more happened, but those were the highlights. The party just made it to 4th level.
Question: About how long and how frequently have you been playing? My players are about to hit 4th level and we’ve been playing alternating Mondays since roughly just after 4E was released.
I’m just curious to know if most 4E games track the same on speed of advancement.
You know, despite the small detail that its one of Misc's threads, and as much as I'd love to see it go down in flames while writhing in agony, can we just cut this edition war crap and behave like civilized forumites for a few days? I think everyone gets by now that some of us don't like 4e, its just getting repetitive and boring at this point.
-I agree. You know me I love some strife, but it is getting old. The bickering that is. ;)
18DELTA (Vessel of CYRIC) :P
So.. enighten us.
Instead of harping about how great the New realms are (just as we harp about the Old one), try telling us WHY you are having so much fun.
Lets hear about all the mind-numbing RPG goodness that is coming out of these new rules and setting.
This is the thread for it... I'm listening.
To me it just feels the same. The 100 year jump and the change has not effected how my group and I play the FR. I don't think I ever said the new stuff is greater than the old. That is what most people that are ragging on new stuff do not get. To me it all feels the same.
I posted how some of my game was going already on this thread have you? Nope. Because you do not wish to play in 4E or the current FR. You feel free to complain and rag on every thread that has 4E stuff in it though. Hating on it is fine (even though it is annoying to read after a year of it) but I hope people can do that in the half a dozen other "I hate the new stuff!" threads that are out there.;)
Again maybe MR M should have titled this thread differently or not made the certain comments he did about certain posters, but I just want this thread to be about current 4E FR games.
:::::::::::::::::::::::
After running our 3.5 Realms game again tonight, I was struck by the contrast in power levels between that game and our 4E Realms game.
In the former, the characters are between 22nd and 24th level, whereas in our 4E game they're only 3rd level.
It's nice to have one game were we've started over so to speak. Where kobolds and goblins are real threats; that sort of thing.
It's also nice to get a second shot at exploring the Realms, but with all the new things added in I can send my players to parts of the Realms they never went to in our 3.5 game (the entire southern portion of the Sea of Fallen Stars) and experience the lands of the Dragonborn and so on.
I really want to fit in the Eminence of Aurant somehow.
I posted how some of my game was going already on this thread have you? Nope. Because you do not wish to play in 4E or the current FR. You feel free to complain and rag on every thread that has 4E stuff in it though. Hating on it is fine (even though it is annoying to read after a year of it) but I hope people can do that in the half a dozen other "I hate the new stuff!" threads that are out there.;)
Which is EXACTLY why I haven't belittled the rules in a LONG time - I haven't played them, so I have no right to - they could be great for all I know.
And if you don't think that is so, then find me a thread where I have knocked the 4e rules in the past four months.
The game setting is another story - I don't have to play in something to know it doesn't appeal to me, even if the resons are just because "it's not the one I'm used to". I'm entitled to that opinion, but I have been trying NOT to post in threads with my opinions (unless someone sets me off).
And I really am interested in knowing how the games are going. Do they in fact run much smoother (I know - thats a rules issue)? Are DMs having any problems with the lack of detail? Or are they having fun making everything up as they go?
Inquiring minds want to know.
For instance - @Misc: Do you and your players want to 'go south' moreso now then before? Does it seem more interesting to everyone now?
(and NO, I'm not setting you or anyone else up here - although I sometimes do that, I really want to know to know this stuff without trying to pick any fights).
Plus I convinced the group to go to the Moonshaes and leave Amn. We are going to fight off the Amnian invaders there and become Privateers. Plus there are gnome-like creatures in steamwork armor and mechanical krakens attacking boats around Amn and the Moonshaes. It smells like something has gotten a hold of some old Lantan tech and warped it.:D
I'm thinking a lot of this stuff is homebrew, though, right?
I didn't think 4e had rules for becoming undead yet. :P
I've only been undead once, and it was in that one Catacombs adventure produced fot the Realms - Knight of the Living Dead, which was a lot of fun, even if it was just a solo.
Anyhow, it seems like your games deviate a lot from the norm, Rauric, so I don't know if I'd call that 4eFR - more like a hombrew based on FR (which is perfectly fine - thats what I run as well).
I do enjoy a touch of 'Steampunk' myself.