I need to ponder on this more but wanted to see if I was missing something. I don't recall seeing it in the previous ones and I tend to run MYRE events because of my own lust for creativity.
A thought occured to me as I started to prepare my long-await MYRE1-4 (My Realms Adventure; where the DM is empowered to create his own adventure based off of a template). MYRE1-4 is the start of the paragon levels and usually encompasses regional implications. If my players experience my adventure, won't that mean that I could create my own mini-RSE events that in some morbid way become canon? Inevitably, there is nothing to say that one of my PCs doesn't take that information and spread it around to future events they play in, right?
I need to ponder on this more but wanted to see if I was missing something. I don't recall seeing it in the previous ones and I tend to run MYRE events because of my own lust for creativity.
you really dont want my personal reply to this, so I wont give it.
but if a new time line events were put in place, would that not need a group of named adventurers? or would it say by a band of unknown adventurers?? or group?
To my knowledge, sir. For good or ill, the aggregated events resulting from LFR modules are canon.
Yes, but not from MYRE events. MYRE events are not canon (or, more specifically, MYRE events are not acnon in teh way that the outcone of a single tbekle running isn't canon).
As an example: say that someone at a table attacks a major NPC and (the DM rules) kills her. While the outcome of that able is that the NPC is dead, the canon outcome of the adventure isn't (unless suddenly everyone did that, and the WD learned it, and R&D thinks that outcone acceptable)
'LFR is canon'is not a sudden free for all. It merelyt means that anything set in ana officially written (non MYRE) adventure, when published, is canon. The NPCs exist, the locations exist, and the events as the adventure presnts them (specifically past events) happened.
MYRE events need to be careful on what to do at Paragon level, less they conflict with other adventures.
One idea is to olook at the hooks in MYRES, as these offer arres where you can meddle without risking tripping over (adventure/story) toes.
I.e. in the Dalelands, these MYRE hooks are generally set in Daggerdale, as I try to avoid placing our own adventures there (well... most of the time).
And the underdark is a good place to go. You can put anything there and nobody will even know even if they live right on top of it...
Gomez
As an example: say that someone at a table attacks a major NPC and (the DM rules) kills her. While the outcome of that able is that the NPC is dead, the canon outcome of the adventure isn't (unless suddenly everyone did that, and the WD learned it, and R&D thinks that outcone acceptable)
Emphasis mine. This is the bit that has been scaring me since the annoucements abour LFR a year or so agon. And it has been scaring me a lot.
As an example: say that someone at a table attacks a major NPC and (the DM rules) kills her. While the outcome of that able is that the NPC is dead, the canon outcome of the adventure isn't (unless suddenly everyone did that, and the WD learned it, and R&D thinks that outcone acceptable)
Emphasis mine. This is the bit that has been scaring me since the annoucements abour LFR a year or so agon. And it has been scaring me a lot.
What exactly is scary about it?
All it means is that the outcome of a (non-MYRE) LFR adventure is canon if:
- the majority of tables ahd that outcome
- the outcome is reported to the WDs (i.e. when reporting the adventure online)
- the outcome is realistic (as determined by R&D - which prevents sabotage and stupid things happening that people didn't think of)
Note that what is IN the (non-MYRE) adventure already is canon.
Gomez
This is just my opinion...but I think thats why alot of the old Star NPC's were discarded. Party full of Epic Munchkins meets a Chosen. Lets kill her and take her stuff.
I really don't think people designed FR 4th ed with LFR in mind. Or 4th ed D&D, for that matter.
Gomez
This is just my opinion...but I think thats why alot of the old Star NPC's were discarded. Party full of Epic Munchkins meets a Chosen. Lets kill her and take her stuff.
I really don't think people designed FR 4th ed with LFR in mind. Or 4th ed D&D, for that matter.
Gomez
True dat.
This is just my opinion...but I think thats why alot of the old Star NPC's were discarded. Party full of Epic Munchkins meets a Chosen. Lets kill her and take her stuff.
I really don't think people designed FR 4th ed with LFR in mind. Or 4th ed D&D, for that matter.
And yet this is what scares me about the process. Is it impossible that if NPCs were included in a module and that the greater proportion of tables reported the death of that NPC, that the NPC in question would then be removed canonically?
Because if that isn't impossible then I will continue to be worried by this.
This is just my opinion...but I think thats why alot of the old Star NPC's were discarded. Party full of Epic Munchkins meets a Chosen. Lets kill her and take her stuff.
I really don't think people designed FR 4th ed with LFR in mind. Or 4th ed D&D, for that matter.
Gomez
True dat.
I third the notion
And yet this is what scares me about the process. Is it impossible that if NPCs were included in a module and that the greater proportion of tables reported the death of that NPC, that the NPC in question would then be removed canonically?
Technically not impossible, but in order for a majority of tables to even be able to report this, it actually needs to be part of the design in the adventure.
I.e. the adventure needs to offer the explicit opportunity and ask a question at the end 'Did the PCs kill X'?
Which also means that R&D would have to agree to the possibility beforehand - and R*D is reluctant to have us use important NPCs even for a hook or a cameo (though I feel confident I will eventually be able to use Elminster or the Simbul).
It is possible, ofocurse. I.e. if we go epic and R&D picks some plot dealing with Szass Tam or Manshoon or something.
But I hope they pick my idea :P
Gomez
And we have, in my opinion, few enough of those remaining to look at this possibility without concern.
Hmmm... possibilities?
Is it impossible that if NPCs were included in a module and that the greater proportion of tables reported the death of that NPC, that the NPC in question would then be removed canonically?
It is only possible if this possibility was wanted from the beginning. You can't just report whatever your group did in an LFR mod. The reporting consists of a couple of predetermined questions related to predetermined key-points of the adventure.
So if Elminster appears in an LFR mod, a given party may kill him, but if "Elminster killed - yes/no" is not one of the predetermined questions for reporting the result, it wouldn't matter at all. And if "Elminster killed - yes/no" happens to be a predetermined question for reporting, the designers have decided to put it in, thus have decided to welcome the possibility of Elminster being slain
what is preventing MYRE events from bringing back Mystra?
Do MYRE mods even have any questions for reporting? If not, nothing what you do in a MYRE will ever matter
So, if I managed to get enough events coordinated with dozens of other DMs, we could reverse the spellplague?
Not with MYRE events. Read my first post.
Of course, if you could convince R&D that we need an official adventure with that outcome, then yes.
It would be an epic adventure, and likely part of a series.
I doubt that R&D would approve of the plotline, but you can try.
Gomez
So, if I managed to get enough events coordinated with dozens of other DMs, we could reverse the spellplague?
Not with MYRE events. Read my first post.
Of course, if you could convince R&D that we need an official adventure with that outcome, then yes.
It would be an epic adventure, and likely part of a series.
I doubt that R&D would approve of the plotline, but you can try.
Gomez
Who do we have to bribe?
And if "Elminster killed - yes/no" happens to be a predetermined question for reporting, the designers have decided to put it in, thus have decided to welcome the possibility of Elminster being slain.
At this point in time I am unsure of whether the remaining named NPCs were left for narrative reasons, to provide the basis for just such a story or some other possibility. I am not, however, convinced that the remaining Chosen (and others) will survive this edition.
Gomez
Well, 'Elminster Must Die' is, according to the flyers, 'Book 1' of a 'Sage of Shadowdale' series, so I assume he at least won't die yet...
Unless the book starts with his dead and then it (an it's successors) tell the story of how events lead to this beginning as a flashback
Well, 'Elminster Must Die' is, according to the flyers, 'Book 1' of a 'Sage of Shadowdale' series, so I assume he at least won't die yet...
Gomez
Yet. And The Simbul? Which-ever of Dove and Storm has survived? The possibly not dead Laeral? Or (semi-)long-lived others, like Arilyn, Liriel or Elaith? With the players of LFR taking center stage you will forgive me for holding the view that characters belonging to the pre-timejump era who may not now fit mechanically (Arilyn being half Moon Elf for one) or with current design concepts (the character assassination of Valamaradace because of the changes to the Metallics) are story elements that will either be forgotten, or disposed of.
You are free to stay a sceptic - I personally try to see what we can do with what we still have. I think there is a lot of value to the NPCs that we have left, even though current policies mean we have to be careful on how to use them in our (public) stories.
I have been away for the greater portion of the last week, and during that time I reread Silverfall. And you know what? For all of its flaws, it was really really pleasing to share the adventures of some of those characters again (not just the Seven Sisters but people like Taern "Old Thunderspells" Hornblade and Mirt)... even if that pleasure was tinged with the knowledge that I am unlikely to meet many of them in new tales.
And that bittersweet tang is something I could really do without more of. I suspect, however, that there will be.
I expect Storm is still around. Maybe even Laeral, though I would not put money on that (I don't know what the report of her supposed death was).
The only confirmed deaths I know of are Qilue, Alustriel, and Sylune.
Gomez
At the moment, only Alassra (The Simbul) has been confirmed as being alive.
And, yes, The Shining Lady certainly caught the eye in that book, something that made her passing all the more tragic for me.
If R&D wants something to be a possible outcome from LFR, then R&D will allow that possible outcome.
If R&D doesn't want it to happen, it won't.
If R&D wants to kill off something actively, they can do it with or without LFR.
In any case, LFR isn't the source of your problem...no reason to blame it.
Yes, R&D can do these things without the use of LFR. However, LFR provides a route that allows for the possibilities to be realised without direct action and on a populist basis. Blaming LFR itself for any changes, in such a case, would make about as much sense as blaming each player at the tables who jumped at the chance to rid the Realms of an NPC they didn't much like. None. The source is, as you have pointed out, not LFR itself but since the canonical contributions of LFR are and have always been only the sum of the output of its writers, it is reasonable to fear this enabling mechanic as much as the people who use it.
But do not mistake me here, I do fear the future actions of R&D. I worry about the player-writers somewhat less since I have not yet read of their destruction of land or people.
Time will tell.
on a related note, has it been solved yet the problem of finding out how LFR actually has an impact. Last time I participated I brought it up but no one gave me a clear answer, or there wasnt one. Lets say that LFR has a massive impact and changes things: How am I, a non-LFR person supposed to know and get this info when its only LFR info? I still dont have an answer for that.
Could we try a little less hard to feed the stereotype that all gamers are frothing at the mouth to ruin the Realms and kill all its NPCs?
I didn't mention the word "ruin" once. And in fact I specifically kept all discussion personal. I am talking about the future effects of the LFR mechanic on my enjoyment of the Realms. Not the Realms in and of itself. So I was not directly suggesting anything of the sort.
As for the possible implication in my posts that suggests that players would be happy to off big-name NPCs? I think personal experience and the existance of more than a few of posts on this board (and others) that suggest such characters are not only (sometimes) looked on without favour (by some people) by some players but are also removed from various people's versions of the Realms. For me this is ample basis to entertain the possibility that if given the choice, the wider gaming population would remove more of these characters. I intended no concrete statements, only discussion of possibilities and my feelings about them.
I am less unsure about R&D's feelings on the matter.
I don't have much trust in R&D either, but I'm not exactly worried at what they might or might not do.
This is because LFR has several practical constraints written into the guidelines, of which R&D is just a part. 4 hour time limits, rules affecting the scope of adventures and everything else people have brought up in this thread.
Now people can do all kinds of crazy things in their home games. That's part of the fun. But LFR -like most people's home games- is a tad bit more organized and disciplined. Have you perused the LFR forums of late? I see people asking rule questions, character questions and working out ways to make adventures more fun, provide feedback for same, and otherwise working out the game mechanics and miscellaneous questions in constructive, cooperative ways. Reading the LFR forums is a lot like sitting at a gaming table with friends.
FWIW, I haven't seen any requests to "slay moar chozen!" yet (and I'm still looking).
Every region has a writing director. Why not open up a dialogue with any of these people regarding your NPC concerns? Their responses would give you some practical measure about how they feel regarding popular NPCs and so on.
How am I, a non-LFR person supposed to know and get this info when its only LFR info? I still dont have an answer for that.
I expect a change massive enough will be brought to you through DDI or referenced in a novel, and all other things will be brought to knowledge on the boards by players/DMs, or even admins.
Not much more different than the way changes in a novel are made known.
I would seriously never have learned about Eilistraee's death if people hadn't told it on the boards.
Sure, it is in a novel, but not one I was likely to buy (until then, I didn't buy novels much. Oddly, the mention made me read the Lady Penitant, which led me to read War of the Spider Queen, which eled mt to read teh empyrean oddysey - currently on hold as I foirst ahve to finish Wrath of the Blue Lady and then the Last Mythal).
It is, in fact, less accessible than LFR adventures since you have to pay for it.
All you have to do to learn what is in LFR is to join up and play.
I understand the LFR structure is not interesting for everyone, but it is hardly costly, nor impossible to join.
Gomez
Every region has a writing director. Why not open up a dialogue with any of these people regarding your NPC concerns? Their responses would give you some practical measure about how they feel regarding popular NPCs and so on.
I think most WDs would love to use the NPCs from time to time if given chance, not to have them killed, but to enhance play with Realms refernces and interesting people to interact with.
Or maybe it is only me.
I doubt most WDs would like to kill off NPCs (except Drizzt, perhaps), and I doubt R&D would let us (well, at least with Drizzt).
But yes, I would invite you to ask them.
Head over to the LFR boards:
http://community.wizards.com/go/forum/view/75854/135398
to gauche the way people (admin and players) view the Realms.
(you'll have to ask there, I think I am the only WD who dares to come here :P)
Gomez,
Fearless. Or just stoopid. Heck, both!
Bunch of weenies those WDs are... except you of course. I'll spare you when the revolution comes. 
(Novels are actually cheaper for me, I think it's two hours minimum to drive to somewhere they actually do it for me, heh. And with the price of gas... Theoretically, you can even use play-by-mail or play-by-bb.
Gomez
Most VTs are annoying to me. FG/FGII we used to use for 3.5 games and ugh; MapTools makes me feel like I need a PhD in it to use it at all. And I'm already in 4 PbPs, and PbP isn't that viable for combat-heavy stuff. Combat can, and does, drag on for weeks, depending on the posting speed of the participants. PbP is great for roleplaying, but when combat hits, urgh.
...That, and I don't run across LFR groups for *those* mediums either. I'm in a FR game, but it's a general game, not LFR. (And also the only 4e FR game I've seen in months of doing PbP, lulz)
(I'm also at the point of it being hard to keep track of my damned PbP characters. I just got annoyed because the Warden marked both enemies in said FR game because it would leave my Swordmage with nothing to mark, and then I remembered that no, the Swordmage is in another game and this one I'm playing a Cleric in. )
Now if someone wants to do a WotC FR boards LFR group over on the OotS forums and run LFR there and we can post as much as we do while spamming, OK, I don't have to add yet another site to visit daily to the list, I'd join that. And potentially even remember what the hell character I'm playing. But otherwise, meh.
FWIW, I haven't seen any requests to "slay moar chozen!" yet (and I'm still looking).
Good. I wouldn't expect to see anyone post in those specific terms on any of these boards either. However, the high-level NPC issue (perceived or otherwise) is well known (not least because you and I have debated in the past) and if it wasn't a concern then the "overshadowing" discussions (that again, you and I have both taken part in) would not exist. Since they do exist and the issue has, if memory serves, been referred to by the designers in the past, I think it is logical to agree that the possibility that some people might take the chance if it was handed to them (which isn't the same as seeking it out in a "slay moar chozen" way) is not entirely implausible.
That said, and as specified previously, I am less concerned about the effects of the table-attendees and gamer-writers than I am about those authored or suggested by R&D. With good reason.
As for browsing the LFR forums, I often have (although I don't post), not least to keep an eye out for the possible eventual emergence of Evereska as a background. I find the fact that it is (to my understanding of the creation RAW) impossible to have a character that is Evereskan born AND bred laughable. Since I realised that it is unlikely to happen soon, I will admit that I have been spending less time there. I did, however, see little in my time there to suggest to me that LFR players are different in any substantial way from the average Realms player and as such my initial observation stands.
It is, in fact, less accessible than LFR adventures since you have to pay for it.
All you have to do to learn what is in LFR is to join up and play.
I understand the LFR structure is not interesting for everyone, but it is hardly costly, nor impossible to join.
This is an oversimplification that we have been over before. To buy a novel or the information contained in DDI you ONLY need the money, there is no other pre-requisite. Now, although LFR is technically free, what it does require is either:
1) a group to DM (once you have taken the Herald test) and the ability to report the actions of said group (i.e. that they have to play pretty much all of the modules you order to sate your interest)
or
2) local LFR support (from DMs and groups) which isn't exactly a given either (especially in locations outside the US, as I discovered when trying to track down a Weekend in the Realms game recently).
or
3) finding a group that can meet regularly online though a VTT for the required sessions (not exactly easy either).
On top of these are the costs of initially kitting yourself out, if you are a non-player as yet, and transport to and from the game (which may not be so local after all) if you don't specifically approach it through the medium of the VTT. All in all I would actually suggest that taking everything into consideration information IS less accessible from LFR. This is one of the reasons I have asked for a summation of the lore information contained in the modules. Why can this not be managed?
I think most WDs would love to use the NPCs from time to time if given chance, not to have them killed, but to enhance play with Realms refernces and interesting people to interact with.
Or maybe it is only me.
And this is why I said I fear the players less than R&D although...
I doubt most WDs would like to kill off NPCs (except Drizzt, perhaps), and I doubt R&D would let us (well, at least with Drizzt).
...this doesn't really assuage my worries. It is almost certainly in jest, but then there are sayings about things "spoken in jest". I am very pleased that you brave the storm, gomez, both here and at CK to share your valuable opinions and insights with us.
I am considering asking on the LFR boards, however I am trying to think of a more subtle (and less confrontational) way of doing it than starting a thread entitled "Which Realms NPCs would you get rid of it you could?" I am, and shall continue to be, giving it some thought.
Yeeech, long one again.
on a related note, has it been solved yet the problem of finding out how LFR actually has an impact. Last time I participated I brought it up but no one gave me a clear answer, or there wasnt one. Lets say that LFR has a massive impact and changes things: How am I, a non-LFR person supposed to know and get this info when its only LFR info? I still dont have an answer for that.
In a word: nothing. Players (outside a small circle around WDs) have no impact on the campaigns... Unlike in LG where we could quickly see the effect of an interactive or a premiering adventure, if you are not very close to your WD or writing a non-MYRE adventure, then the first or the 50th time you play it, you have the same impact: Zero, Zip, Ziltch, Nada, A-Rien-Pantoute... WD do not have access to the results DB so report or not does not change anything.
I would not hold my breath on an LFR-impacted "FRCG-2" to come out... As cool as that would be. So play or run whatever you want... Its not like (old) L5R where the world changed every gencon based on the card game...
JP
I expect a change massive enough will be brought to you through DDI or referenced in a novel, and all other things will be brought to knowledge on the boards by players/DMs, or even admins.
Not much more different than the way changes in a novel are made known.
You didn't understand my question fully. Massive changes okay obviously something huge will be made to let everyone know. LFR things are inaccessable and if they are minor things (that are canon) I'll never know, and lots of people will never know and I want to keep up with canon. If, lets say, a villian group that is second tier, like House Kannarok, or a group like that has their leader killed in a coup written into a LFR module. This changes the world and there's a 0% chance that I am able to find this out or reference it with details or whatever. Also, LFR modules give info as to what a place is like currently that is not in any of the FR books or articles- who is the mayor of this town, who is the leader of the guards in this town, whatever. Again I have no way of getting this info since its kept secret from me.
It is, in fact, less accessible than LFR adventures since you have to pay for it.
Not really. If I want the info, I have a way to go get it (for free if I wanted to, like at a library, or borrowing it or reading the parts I want in the store). I'm not interested in joining LFR- there are no groups near me close enough and I don't have regular time to schedule meetings and reports. Because of that I have no way to get any kind of info. Like Ilruvien Ive been asking for info updates from LFR since I registered here with my other account like almost an entire year ago (February) and some people says its very easy to get and very accessable and yet no one can tell anyone anything about it.
I find the fact that it is (to my understanding of the creation RAW) impossible to have a character that is Evereskan born AND bred laughable.
You can have a Everskan born and bred character. They just din't have a game-mechanic background benefit.
And I am pretty sure there is an Everskan adventure on its way.
I doubt most WDs would like to kill off NPCs (except Drizzt, perhaps), and I doubt R&D would let us (well, at least with Drizzt).
...this doesn't really assuage my worries. It is almost certainly in jest, but then there are sayings about things "spoken in jest".
That was in jest, yes. The Drizzt discussions have not passed by unnoticed.
WD do not have access to the results DB so report or not does not change anything.
Actually, we do get ther sults. they just take a long while to come our way.
But do do have the results (even of DALE1-6, though those do not need to be particlularly accurate).
If you wants samples of the outcome of such feedback, here are a few examples (adventure spoilers):
DALE1-1: Kira Nenthyn received the deed granting her the ownership of the ruins of the temple of Mystra. She gave the deed to Aron Selkirk for use as a location for his headquarters.
DALE1-2: The Zhentarim failed to earn a contract as protectors of Daggerdale against the marausing gnolls, being exposed as the reason of the gnolls' presence
DALE1-3: Lord Gyertan was saved from the shadovar in Scardale, and exposed the existence of Mirabeta Selkirk.
DALE1-4: The Lady in Flames was retrieved from the Spiderhaunt.
DALE1-5: The Hunters of Vengeance were stopped in killing Bokan.
DALE1-6: The Chiangs joined the Velarian Trade Alliance (not played often yet, so still in dispute).Joella was captured alive.
I understand the desire to get more background. Given time, I plan to provide the background info from the Dalelands adventures in one of the wiki's.
Some basic data:
The lady of Deepingdale is Moonlady Shava Enathuin (a half elf).
The mayor of Daggerdale is Ren Ferkins. The constable is Kendar Morn.
Burghers of New Vekar include Harlan Treskeden, Kira Nenthyn, Lucas Rivenstave, and Jonster Yate. (other names are not yet confirmed)
The Fall of Stars is owned by Kira and Dayan Nenthyn (half-elf twins). Mistress of Stars is the drow Yelirra Am'benuinyl
Gomez
Illuvrien: I'm drunk right now, so in response to your statements I'll keep this simple: TRY HARDER.
Will edit later, post hangover, on the assumption that -as a scientist- you can't solve the concept of, "Try harder to do what, exactly?"
Tata until then.
Never, ever, post while you're drunk! you may say something you might regret. Just ask my ex-wife.
But back to topic, I'd be curious to know what the majority of races and classes are in the LFR. Are humans slowly being replaced as the most dominant race?
Never, ever, post while you're drunk! you may say something you might regret. Just ask my ex-wife.
Gods, no kidding. At least you quoted my whole statement so it lives on forever. ;)
And my apologies to Iluvrien. I was out of line, to say the least. (performs self-deletion of that post)
But back to topic, I'd be curious to know what the majority of races and classes are in the LFR. Are humans slowly being replaced as the most dominant race?
I'd like to know this too. Also, how quickly after a new sourcebook comes out are the races presented in it legal to use in LFR?
I don't play LFR myself, but for my home Realms game there are six characters and only one of those is human.
Also, how quickly after a new sourcebook comes out are the races presented in it legal to use in LFR?
The date it comes out. For a Dragon article, the date the (complete) magazine is published.
I don't see a lot of humans. I have a human character (Valencia Geddarm), and I know a few more, but not a whole lot.
Gomez
From what I remember, they were always interesting and fun, but not shocking or "shattering" kinds of things. But off the top of my head I'm not able to point any specific ones out without digging into files that are in storage.
If you mean Living City, which was out during 2nd ed (and a time during 3rd), I am not the best source. I played one adventure ever, when attending GenCon years ago. Living City was focused on Raven's Bluff, and several events later chronicled in source material came from that campaign.
If you mean if LFR adds source material to 2nd/3rd edition material, then I am quite sure that it is limited. I do use 2nd edition material, but I don't add a lot that is directly useful before the Spellplague. I.e. I have an adventure that deals with Sessrendale, but it focuses on how people feel/deal with that event now (1479 DR) - it doesn't add any history.
Therw are few small elements regarding events that took plave just pre-plague, but I doubt much of it is directly useful in 2nd or 3rd edition Realms.
Gomez
I understand the desire to get more background. Given time, I plan to provide the background info from the Dalelands adventures in one of the wiki's.
I am really looking forward to this. It is something I have asked for since I discovered the structural specifics of LFR. I will be extremely grateful to you if you manage it, gomeztoo. Of course managing it and showing others the wisdom of publishing their backgrounds too... now that would be a gift indeed!
And my apologies to Iluvrien. I was out of line, to say the least. (performs self-deletion of that post)
Worry not, I was more amused than offended. Not least because even in our most vociferous "discussions" so far you have yet to be so... blunt. As such I just chuckled, put it down to the alcohol and watched to see what your followup would be with a wry grin. ;)
But back to topic, I'd be curious to know what the majority of races and classes are in the LFR. Are humans slowly being replaced as the most dominant race?
I think it depends what you mean. Since you asked about both class and race, I assume you mean the actual PCs. Obviously, the PCs aren't supposed to be a cross section of Realms population, but I doubt that is what your question about.
Regarding what races people actually play, it varies widely. I see humans fairly regularly (I tend to play humans frequently), but I wouldn't call them a majority at all. I do see a fairly good segment of warforged, but those warforged are largely played by 2-3 players. One of them has 2 warforged fighters. Another player I know that has a warforged seems to specifically seek out character combinations that are unlikely in the Realms. (Intentionally or not, I don't know) My personal experience may be fairly skewed due to that.
Other players give much more attention to making believable Realms characters. WotC doesn't keep a database of the characters anymore, so I don't think anyone has enough information to draw an overall trend. Any answers you get will only reflect the local population really.
Tieflings and shifters do seem to be popular, at least for some classes.
(My PC was the only local, btw - Lady Clarissa Velaunt, a local hot headed low noble from a family with lots of money, not a lot of 'proper' blood, and the ego the size of Toril. Took up adventuring after misinterpreting a 'prophecy' of her favorite fortune teller:
'Your heart yearns for freedom and play. Seek your fortunes in the Blue Mermaid, where a man wil make you a proposal - accept it and you will find adventure.'
Misinterpreting the type of 'adventure' the fortune teller was hinting at, Clarissa bought a big sword, a fancy armor, and a bow, and headed to the tavern, where, sure enough, she got promptly hired as an adventurer. She turned out pretty good at hitting things with other things. They teach you all kinds of things at boarding school nowadays.)
Anyway, while the (low level) adventure does not have events that heavily impact the Realms, it is an example of how an adventure contains tidbits (i.e. locations and NPCs) you can use for adventures in Waterdeep. Nothing you absolutely need, but interesting anyway.
Gomez
Whenever we want to use a major NPC (from a novel or previous WotC material) that we are not creating ourselves, we have to include that information in our proposal and get permission. For instance, we included a major character from Blackstaff Tower in WATE1-6, Out of Hatred. As Gomez stated, while in principle any given table of players might decide (for whatever strange reason) to off that character, but unless I include a question to that effect for reporting purpose, it won't be noted. We have a limit on number of questions so we are focused on where the plot was taken and NPCs that might be in jeopardy (and are significant). In practical outcomes, since we based canon on what the majority of tables do, the actions of a few tables don't matter.
For WATE2-1 (not released yet, but written), with the advice of Rosemary Jones (and approval of WotC), we used a character from her book The City of the Dead. We also revisited House Moonstar, which we previously had permission to use (in WATE1-1), and, of course, the proposal was reviewed and approved. It kicks off a major quest related to House Moonstar.
The results of the My Realms adventures will never be canon.
I think we can post some outcomes on the LFR regional community groups, probably in the wiki's.
Keith
Gomez,
who expects WATE2-1 will be interesting... now I first have to level my Waterdeep or Swordcoast PC to level 7...
Massive changes okay obviously something huge will be made to let everyone know. LFR things are inaccessable and if they are minor things (that are canon) I'll never know, and lots of people will never know and I want to keep up with canon. If, lets say, a villian group that is second tier, like House Kannarok, or a group like that has their leader killed in a coup written into a LFR module. This changes the world and there's a 0% chance that I am able to find this out or reference it with details or whatever. Also, LFR modules give info as to what a place is like currently that is not in any of the FR books or articles- who is the mayor of this town, who is the leader of the guards in this town, whatever. Again I have no way of getting this info since its kept secret from me...Like Ilruvien Ive been asking for info updates from LFR since I registered here with my other account like almost an entire year ago (February) and some people says its very easy to get and very accessable and yet no one can tell anyone anything about it.
You might start a 'LFR Realmslore' thread, asking for info (not adventure outcomes, those should have spoiler headings, and that wouldn't work well in a generic realmslore thread, but info on NPCs or locations people have met/seen/etc). Note that such info may not necessarily be accurate if it is posted by players.
Gomez
umm the online game table.......
sorry if I'm wrong even though I'm not the one asked
Hello gomeztoo a question: Does LFR support any kind of online play yet? I thought DDI was supposed to have an online gaming table so it occured to me this might be one way for players with no local groups to still get together and play in the Realms.
I am not holding my breath on a DDI online play experience for a while yet, but you can (and people do) play online with other programs. I played one online with OpenRPG, but there are likely other (freeware) programs about.
Gomez
Personally I am not worried what they do to NPCs anymore because I've ceased caring what FR canon is beyond what is presented in the FRCG. I change anything at whim now given the Spellplague lets me cripple/maim/kill anyone with minimal fuss as a general background excuse (it's remarkably handy for that). I doubt though that any LFR modules would kill off high level NPCs, but if they did that would actually be interesting because if a good chunk of people did so then that would show enough people really don't like them.
Judging by the popularity of the character and the sales of the books, I would almost guarantee that most would not try to kill Drizzt.
Obviously you never played Baldurs Gate 2 where one of the most common things done in the game was murder Drizzt and his companions immediately for their stuff. So much so, they released an official patch that basically screwed players out of the equipment once they killed him. Of course, if you were smart you got the NPC that took it away stuck in a certain hard to navigate bar and then it wasn't an issue.
Obviously you never played Baldurs Gate 2 where one of the most common things done in the game was murder Drizzt and his companions immediately for their stuff.
A good point, but it doesn't speak to what Doombringer is saying.
Yes, it's fun to kill Drizz't, but it doesn't follow that WotC is going to offer up this option to players in LFR adventures (for free) when they can keep Drizzt around and anchor the Realms on him and not incidentally make money off of the character. ;)
Yes, it's fun to kill Drizz't, but it doesn't follow that WotC is going to offer up this option to players in LFR adventures (for free) when they can keep Drizzt around and anchor the Realms on him and not incidentally make money off of the character. ;)
Yes that is true, WotC would never allow it. It would be interesting to see what would happen if indeed that killing Drizzt became an option. I think the legion of Drizzt fans would prevail, but I could very well be wrong. I am not saying that I'm a huge Drizzt fan, I like him as a character in a novel, but not so much as a NPC.
And no, I havnt played the Baldur's Gate video games, but that does sound like a lot of fun.