(1) This thread pertains to the Forgotten Realms, so all questions should pertain to the Forgotten Realms. Issues involving other settings don't belong on this section of the message boards. They add to the confusion in what is already a very popular series of threads that get very long very fast, and are ultimately off-topic.
(2) This thread is an extremely valuable source of information, by allowing authors/designers, and the general public to interact with each other. As such, it is extremely important to stay on topic. There is no point having a thread solely devoted to asking specific people questions if the Q&A sessions get disrupted. Any discussions that spring up from the answers provided can be discussed forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1072..." title=" forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1072...">here.
(3) Allow time for your questions to be answered, or your comments heard. Not every author or designer has the time to check these boards every day. Like us, they have regular lives, with work, families, and other activities that come before pleasure and recreation. If a considerable amount of time passes in-between asking your question, politely bring it up again; there is no reason to be rude about it.
(4) Feel free to disagree with any questions or answers that are posted, but remember to follow “the golden rule”, and be courteous about it. Remember, “It is OK to attack the ideas written by someone. It is not OK to attack the person writing the ideas. If you can’t tell the difference, then perhaps you shouldn’t post on that theme.” There’s no reason to ask condescending, rude, patronizing questions. They aren’t going to be answered, so you’re just wasting your own time, as well as everyone else’s.
(5) Please be specific about who you are addressing a comment or question towards. Because of space constraints, various authors and designers share this thread. As such, be clear as to who you are addressing when posting in this thread.
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Participating Authors:
Rich Baker
Credits: The City of Ravens, Condemnation, Forsaken House, Farthest Reach, Final Gate, Swordmage, Corsair
Paul Kemp
Credits: Dawn of Night, DRAGON Magazine (“Confession”, “Cause and Effect”, “And All the Sinners, Saints”, Another Name for Dawn”), The Halls of Stormweather: A Novel in Seven Parts, Midnight's Mask, Realms of the Dragon (“Soulbound”), Realms of Shadow (“Too Long in the Dark”), Realms of War (“Continuum”), Resurrection, Shadowbred, Shadowrealm, Shadowstorm, Shadow's Witness, Twilight Falling
Erik Scott De Bie
Credits: Depths of Madness, Downshadow, Ghostwalker, Realms of the Dragons II ("The Hunting Game"), Realms of the Elves ("The Greater Treasure")
Elaine Cunningham
Credits: Elfshadow, Elfsong, Silver Shadows, Thornhold, The Dream Spheres, Daughter of the Drow, Tangled Webs, Windwalker, The Magehound, The Floodgate, The Wizardwar, Evermeet: Island of the Elves, City of Splendors, Realms of Valor ("The Bargain"), Realms of Infamy ("The More Things Change), Realms of Magic (The Direct Approach"), Realms of the Underdark ("Rite of Blood), Realms of the Arcane ("Secrets of Blood, Spirits of the Sea"), Realms of Mystery ("Speaking With the Dead"), Realms of Shadow ("A Little Knowledge"), Realms of the Deep ("Fire is Fire"), Realms of the Dragon ("Gorlist's Dragon"), Best of the Realms Book I ("Rite of Blood"), Realms of War ("Redemption"), DRAGON Magazine, Issue #246: "The Great Hunt" (April, 1998); DRAGON Magazine, Issue #259: "Stolen Dreams" (May, 1999); DRAGON Magazine, Issue #282: "Possessions" (April, 2001); DRAGON Magazine, Issue #335: "Games of Chance" (August, 2005), Best of the Realms III: The Stories of Elaine Cunningham: Most of the stories listed above, as well as the following new tales: "The Knights of Samular", "Answered Prayers", "Tribute"
Bel
Now for a question;
When can we expect more info concerning the Moonshae Isles? Especially Snowden.
Bel
Regarding the Moonshaes: I believe the Sarifal article is the last that you'll see of the region in Dragon for a little while. Your best chance at getting new Moonshae lore will likely come from the RPGA Living Forgotten Realms group which has a writing team that focuses solely on the Moonshae region.
I, as a big fan of the region, will continue to post (unofficial) Moonshae timeline events and lore blurbs as I have time.
Who is attending Gen Con this year? Your adoring public wants to know!
-No, this is for authors. He is a designer. There's two separate threads, one for authors and one for designers.
Ah, understood, thanks for clearing that up for me!
Thanks for the sentiment Belorin, but I don't need a special thread to draw my attention. I read pretty much everything here.
Regarding the Moonshaes: I believe the Sarifal article is the last that you'll see of the region in Dragon for a little while. Your best chance at getting new Moonshae lore will likely come from the RPGA Living Forgotten Realms group which has a writing team that focuses solely on the Moonshae region.
I, as a big fan of the region, will continue to post (unofficial) Moonshae timeline events and lore blurbs as I have time.
I will definitely look into LFR and thanks for your quick answers!
Bel
Dear Richard Baker,
Can we expect to see any books and/or cameos from Araevin Teshurr with or without his Air Gene Companion?
I feels he's a bit to prominent of a character not to be spotted in one or two sources or books. Thank you, in advance.
Here I am--ask me questions! They can be about my own work, or stuff about the Realms in general. I may not have all the answers, but I can speculate.
Who is attending Gen Con this year? Your adoring public wants to know!
I, for one, will be in attendance.
And I hope to see you around here often, Brian!
Cheers
Writing in the Realms must be like playing in a very crowded sandbox, I'd imagine. So much history, so many dibs... Before a novel or series is written, how rigorous a content approval process must you go through, in regards to changes affecting the Realms? Is there, for instance, a push me pull you procedure, where you say you'll write up the protagonist as a class in the upcoming PHB3, and in exchange, you are permitted to leave indelible changes to the western face of Mount Waterdeep... and, kill off a minor god or two? I can't imagine your editors going, "Here's The Chronicle of Cannon binder. All the green sticky tabs are fair game, we want you to touch on at least 2d10 of the orange tabs, the pink is verboten, and you owe us an extra 500 words per new word in Espruar you invent." XD
Also, are public personalities poachable? I imagine no one can touch the charming Miss Talantress Roaringhorn except Mr. de Bie, but what about someone like the Open Lord? Can an author pick him up and, say, replace him, without getting the green light from Mr. Schend?
I don't have any immediate plans to revisit Araevin or Maresa. To be honest, as soon as I finish with Avenger, I'm going to give myself a few months off from the extra-hours writing and plug back in to the family for a while.
One minor character from the Last Mythal who does make an appearance in Avenger is Daried Selsherryn, the protagonist of my Realms of the Elves story ("The Bladesinger's Lesson"). That's about the extent of the revisiting-old-series plans I currently have in the works.
Hm.. all the knowledge I've ever wanted at my fingertips.. where to start?
Dear Richard Baker,
Can we expect to see any books and/or cameos from Araevin Teshurr with or without his Air Gene Companion?
I feels he's a bit to prominent of a character not to be spotted in one or two sources or books. Thank you, in advance.
Writing in the Realms must be like playing in a very crowded sandbox, I'd imagine. So much history, so many dibs...
True that! It's very helpful to have been playing/reading/writing in the Realms for a number of years (for me, it's 13 years), but even so, the sheer vastness of the lore can stun you, and the vast range of writers working in the Realms is constantly coming up with new wonderful stuff.
It is a serious credit to Ed Greenwood and the editorial staff at then-TSR, now-WotC that they are able to keep some sort of continuity through such a vast world, and we readers/fans really appreciate their efforts.
Also, it's a tremendous honor--particularly for a longtime fan like myself.
Before a novel or series is written, how rigorous a content approval process must you go through, in regards to changes affecting the Realms?
Well, different authors might have different experiences, but from MY perspective . . .
I come up with an idea, either spontaneously or in response to solicitation from one of the Realms editors (the more usual route). I don't want to overstate this: usually, the editor will say, "Hey, I want you to submit a story pitch for a novel about elves--go!" and then I come up with a full story from just that hook. As noted, I'm pretty well steeped in the lore, so when I come up with a story, I try to make it very "Realmsy," using canon events and characters as much as possible rather than trying to force my own story into it.
Let's take a random story concept: succession wars in Silverymoon following the death of Methrammar (who is very old).
I write an outline, which tells the whole story and includes all major significant details (for instance, the story is set in Silverymoon, wherein I pass around a powerful item, replace the High Lord Methrammar, and basically lay waste to the city), and submit it to the overworked, undercredited Realms editors.
The editors look at what other books are in the pipeline, nix events and plots that are too similar, think about the direction they want for the Realms and how this novel fits in, and then write back to me with requests for revisions. For instance, I'll get an email with feedback on my plot, characters, and points about my big events like: "Go ahead and have that item shift hands; you can't kill Methrammar, we're using him in a later book; you can *threaten* Silverymoon but not destroy it; don't blow up the moon--really, I mean it!"
The project is green-lighted at this point (or in some cases I send a revised outline incorporating an editor's concerns) and I start writing. During the course of the novel process, I might change my direction a little, and I keep the editor in the loop. When I'm done writing the novel, I send it in, and the editors go through looking for continuity issues and interfaces with canon to make sure it's all kosher. (With consultation with the author and/or amongst the WotC staff as needed.)
It is at this point that the editors get a lot of the credit or a lot of the blame, and for every niggling detail that slips past the editorial net that readers jump on, there are at least 3-5 errors that they DID catch. Personally, I think they do a great job. And sure they miss things occasionally, but hey, that's what happens when the world is gigantic and awesome like the Realms is, and personally I think the contradictions in history and lore and what people *believe* (which isn't necessarily the truth) add verisimilitude to the setting--after all, that's what scholarship is like in *our* world, why wouldn't it be that way in theirs? I mean, we have *computers* for goodness sake.
Is there, for instance, a push me pull you procedure, where you say you'll write up the protagonist as a class in the upcoming PHB3, and in exchange, you are permitted to leave indelible changes to the western face of Mount Waterdeep... and, kill off a minor god or two?
I for one try not to push mechanics with my writing. Though this I say after I wrote a sorcerer and an avenger in Downshadow (long before I even had a *hint* of what was going to be in PHB2) as well as a fey'ri in Downshadow (which doesn't even HAVE mechanics--yet). There's an inevitable amount of adaptation that needs to go on: the mechanics reflect the novels, and the novels reflect the mechanics, both of which are always shifting and coming into better focus. Which means that you may write up a character thinking one class, when another soon emerges that makes more sense for the character: for instance, while I may describe Shadowbane as a paladin (ala PHB1), he's really a pursuit avenger (as of PHB2).
Indelible changes to the setting (RSEs, depending on your definition) need clearance with the editors and are strictly supervised. Generally, your novel or series revolves around a particular change that they want. I haven't written any indelible events/RSEs myself, so I'm not entirely certain how this process goes--Paul or Rich can speak better to that.
I can't imagine your editors going, "Here's The Chronicle of Cannon binder. All the green sticky tabs are fair game, we want you to touch on at least 2d10 of the orange tabs, the pink is verboten, and you owe us an extra 500 words per new word in Espruar you invent." XD
Heh. Such a binder would be gigantic. As I said, it helps to be long-steeped in the lore, so you know what's going on, and I for one like writing in the context of canon, offering lots and lots of head-nods to the events that shape our beloved world.
Also, are public personalities poachable?
Sure. Some of them are flagged for use, some of them are signature characters. One of the good things about WotC owning all the copyrights is *they* supervise that process and keep it consistent. Of course that means someone else can write a different path for a character you envisioned going a particular way, but hey, whatever. Pros and cons.
And we authors are also governed by an unspoken sense of mutual respect--we do NOT want to tread on one anothers' toes, and so we are generally quite hesitant to write about characters someone else used, whether they are major or minor.
I imagine no one can touch the charming Miss Talantress Roaringhorn except Mr. de Bie, but what about someone like the Open Lord?
Charming? Were we reading the same book? Talantress is a raging harpy and proud of it!
This provides a good example: Lady Roaringhorn and Lady Wildfire are two of the NPCs that are generally marked as "use but don't abuse." Major/permanent alterations to one of them (i.e., maiming, death, lasting marriage, big reveals) require editorial consent, but they are generally fair game in terms of referring to them or having brief cameos or even having them play a minor role in the novel. The Open Lord is the same way.
Generally, for NPCs who are defined previously (and all three of those characters are Eddie characters), they have stuff written up about them (appearance, behaviors, mannerisms, plot lines), and as long as you stay within those bounds, you're doing all right.
Can an author pick him up and, say, replace him, without getting the green light from Mr. Schend?
The editors would be the ones giving the green light, but some consultation with Steven (who developed the Open Lord quite a bit) would be a good thing, and one that I would do. The times I mentioned him in my novel were in close parallel to his established plot-lines (his flirtation with Talanna Taenfeather, for instance).
Cheers
...usually, the editor will say, "Hey, I want you to submit a story pitch for a novel about elves--go!"
-Here's hoping that that exact scenario plays out.
-Here's hoping that that exact scenario plays out.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'd love to write another book about elves (I have a number of ones who demand more story!).
Ironically, that very scenario *has* played out on the small scale . . . with my Realms of the Elves story. Phil Athans said "pitch me a story about elves", and that's exactly what I did . . . with a couple or three sentences about how this story in particular dealt with elves, and what it *meant* about elves, etc.
Thanks for the response and inside info! Very good to know. Here's hoping to see more of Fayne, Myrin, and maybe a rules writeup for fey'ri as a PC race in Dragon in the near future. ;)
From your keys to WotC's ears, I hope. I *have* sent in a pitch for a Dragon article or two . . . we'll see what happens.
Cheers
How much freedom do you have when writting your story? Does WOTC pick a certain character and say "tell a good story and have fun", or are there some strict guidelines you have to follow?
Hi there, Phelf (if I may call you Phelf...)
I don't have any immediate plans to revisit Araevin or Maresa. To be honest, as soon as I finish with Avenger, I'm going to give myself a few months off from the extra-hours writing and plug back in to the family for a while.
One minor character from the Last Mythal who does make an appearance in Avenger is Daried Selsherryn, the protagonist of my Realms of the Elves story ("The Bladesinger's Lesson"). That's about the extent of the revisiting-old-series plans I currently have in the works.
Thank you kindly for the prompt response and you can only call me Phelf if I may call you Mr.Baker. I have a soft spot for last names that double as verbs. It is a shame that we, the Forgotten realms comunity, have to suffer through your hiatus but I'm sure we, again as above, understand completely. I've never had the headache of a deadline but they sound rather.. intense. Again thank you for the anwers, I await your next work with baited breath.
This goes out to any author:
How much freedom do you have when writting your story? Does WOTC pick a certain character and say "tell a good story and have fun", or are there some strict guidelines you have to follow?
I suspect it depends a lot, but from *my* experience, I have about 90% freedom. They give me a few guidelines (mostly, they're character types and locations *not* to use, because other authors are using them) and maybe a general theme (i.e. "ghostwalker" or "a dungeon of some kind, canon or self-generated" or "one of the neighborhoods in 4e Waterdeep"), and then I go to town crafting a story.
It might be different for larger scale events (i.e., RSEs like Twilight War or Last Mythal), which have more to do with the desired Realms direction. My stories to date have always been small-scale, personal stories. Rich or Paul could speak to that better.
Cheers
...cut for space...
Erik, just wanted to say Downshadow is an awesome book. I got a mix of Batman/Doc Holiday from Shadowbane and I thought it fit quite well.
I do hope we see more of him in the future? As well as more on this 3 is 1 justice?
Thanks for the good read,
Rick
Erik, just wanted to say Downshadow is an awesome book. I got a mix of Batman/Doc Holiday from Shadowbane and I thought it fit quite well.
I do hope we see more of him in the future? As well as more on this 3 is 1 justice?
Thanks for the good read,
Rick
You're very welcome, Rick, and who knows? I hope there will be more stories about Shadowbane. Certainly, the more people talking/posting about their positive experiences reading the book (and also the sales numbers) may well factor into that decision. So thank you for that!
I'm ready and willing to write more--it's just a matter of Wizards hiring me to do it.
Cheers
I'd like to see more of the new blackstaff myself.....
should we make a petition thred for more The Fox at Twilight and Shadowbane???
Very flattering.
I could indeed envision a novel (or a series of novels) about both of them--I think they connect and contrast in powerful and interesting ways.
I'd like to see more of the new blackstaff myself.....
Yes indeed! An intriguing tale to be sure.
Erik deserves a Realms trilogy, says I!
Aww shucks . . . :embarrass
Cheers
P.S. Drinks at GenCon, Brian!
Erik deserves a Realms trilogy, says I!
Seconded.
Though I've yet to read Downshadow, I'm already at the stage where I can confidently believe that I will enjoy Erik's latest work.
The only obstacle I currently have is attempting to pry said book from the hands of an entranced Lady K.
Erik deserves a Realms trilogy, says I!
I third it.
The risk of them is that before you know it, you'll be stuck writing novels on the same character over and over again. Which can be interesting if you dig that character, but sometimes the 'hero'si far form the interesting piece.
I.e. I liked Paul Kemp's Shadowwar series, but I can't say I cared much for Erevis Cale. I liked the portrayal of the Shade Princes.
In Downshadow, I liked many characters, such as Myrin and Lorien, but didn't care that much for Kalen (who I just wanted to hit with a big stick to come to his senses).
But I think I generally root for the wrong people in tee novels ... :P
Then again, I use recurring NPCs in my adventure arcs, so there.
Anyway, I'd be interesting to hear from authors what they would want to write most give a choice: a series (such as a trilogy) with the same characters, or various stories (interlinked or not) that are separate with a different cast?
Gomez,
also hoping to share some drinks with people at GenCon.
Anyway, I'd be interesting to hear from authors what they would want to write most give a choice: a series (such as a trilogy) with the same characters, or various stories (interlinked or not) that are separate with a different cast?
Good question, GT.
My most honest response is: "yes."
Put more clearly, I would write either of those things, depending on the needs of the story I envisioned . . . and of WotC's publishing department.
I think I would *prefer* to write a series about one set of characters in particular, allowing me to develop a longer, more involved tale (more like a campaign than an adventure). And inevitably, some of those characters would die and new ones would take their places and the cast would shift between books.
And I don't think any series that I wrote would be *about* only one character. This is as much because I like developing multiple characters (as you've seen in my other work) and for the simple purpose of avoiding putting off readers who don't necessarily love that particular character. If I wrote a trilogy about Kalen, Myrin, and Ilira, for instance, it would give each of them substantial face time.
In Downshadow, I liked many characters, such as Myrin and Lorien, but didn't care that much for Kalen (who I just wanted to hit with a big stick to come to his senses).
You too, huh?
Only difference is, I *could* hit him with a big stick, and did--at least metaphorically.
Cheers
-Eric: "The eagle has landed." I got your package, I'm happy all the shipping worked out fine, thanks for the well wishes, hope you enjoy your book, the Mariners are my team for the AL West, and pardon the run on sentence.
Awesome. I hope you enjoy.
And for those not in the know, LK is the happy recipient of a couple signed novels from me. If anyone is interested in obtaining signed copies of my work, drop me an email at erikscottdebie AT yahoo.com and we'll chat.
Cheers
I have a question for the FR authors participating here:
Who is attending Gen Con this year? Your adoring public wants to know!
Alas, no GenCon this year for me, but the wife has threatened pain if we don't go next year (not that it takes much to get me there)
.Anyway, I'd be interesting to hear from authors what they would want to write most give a choice: a series (such as a trilogy) with the same characters, or various stories (interlinked or not) that are separate with a different cast?
Good question. Every time I start a new project I think about how much more story there is to be told about the characters, how I might expand their tales, and, most importantly, how I might eventually end them.
That said, the creation of new characters and a new story is the most fun part of the process, so it would depend on the series premise/hook and how much it grabbed my inspiration, otherwise I'm quite happy doing one shots and exploring new territory with each book.
Best,
--James
Good question. Every time I start a new project I think about how much more story there is to be told about the characters, how I might expand their tales, and, most importantly, how I might eventually end them.
James makes an excellent point here. The demands of the story are a paramount consideration in how much of the story you're going to tell. Telling it in the proper space is fundamental to telling it right.
And good to see you, James!
Cheers
Hello. New member here, and I figured I'd make my first post count. I just have to say you're my favorite Realms author. I've read all your FR novels, and each continues to surpass its predecessor. I love the "shades of gray" nature of your characters. In Downshadow, this is especially true for Fayne and Kalen. Each is antithetical to the other, but I'm not sure which one I appreciate more. Downshadow demands a sequel, or better yet, a sequel-trilogy. As for my question, I was wondering if you've ever done a "180" with a character concept? Have you ever started creating a character, only to develop that character in a completely different direction than the one you had originally envisioned? Hope your future endeavors all meet with great success!
). I'm so very pleased you enjoy my work, and I shall strive to be worthy of your complimentary words!As for your question, that is a real zinger. I don't know if I've ever done a complete 180, but I'll talk about a couple of major alterations (for the better) that I've done with my characters from initial planning to actual execution.
Gargan (in Depths of Madness) was supposed to be a complete throw-away character who didn't prove relevant to the plot at all. I think initially I wanted to use him, because it would give me an opportunity to use the Fling Ally feat, and the only reason he survived a long time was because the battle that would utilize that image was deep in the book. However, as I was outlining, I found more and more that he just spoke to me. I wanted to talk about goliaths, I wanted to have the scene at the goliath village, and I thought of *all* the characters, he's the one who deserves to live. (Not that he necessarily does--I'm not going to give any spoilers away!)
Fayne in Downshadow was initially conceived to be a complete, lying, manipulative villain . . . but again, as I was planning, she became more. She had emotions--she had reactions to things. She got upset when I didn't expect her to. This same sort of thing happened with Dharan Greyt (in Ghostwalker).
And Shadowbane himself . . . when I originally thought him up, he was an unflinching, undoubting, I'm-always-right sort of crusader--the white knight that not everyone agrees with but always does things the way he thinks is right. But then as I started planning, he became self-doubting, uncertain of the proper path, and more contemplative.
I don't think these are the sort of radical changes you're talking about, but they serve as an elucidation that for me, characterization is a fluid process. Basically, I find sometimes that my characters properly develop as I outline or write, and that they "fill out" in a 3-dimensional way as I breathe life into them. It's a lot like building a character for a game, but that character is just paper until you start playing--that's when the character comes alive.
Cheers
Fayne in Downshadow was initially conceived to be a complete, lying, manipulative villain . . . but again, as I was planning, she became more. She had emotions--she had reactions to things. She got upset when I didn't expect her to.
So we take from this that her emotions regarding Shadowbane were just as much a surprise to her as they were to us? he he he...that makes the final scene in the bar a wee bit more interesting...would be nice to know her REAL feelings when the chair/needle trick failed...hhhmmmm.
Too good a story to not continue [looks up to the WotC logo and waves arms] HEY !!!!! You guys hearing this???
I'm curious: out of all the characters you've created in your works so far, which (if any) was/were the most difficult to breathe life into? Additionally, which characters (if any) just seemed to spring off the page from the moment you started writing the novels, who took on lives of their own with little effort?
Thanks.
The easiest characters I ever wrote? Drow. Constant scheming and malicious intent are pretty strong characterizations to work with.
One of my favorites was Jack Ravenwild, from City of Ravens. In the first chapter I hit upon the idea that whatever I would say or do in a particular situation, Jack would do the opposite--and he'd never tell the truth to anyone if a lie would serve as well. Once I figured that out, the book just took off from there.
This one's a free-for-all. Rich, Erik, Paul, James, and anyone else who wants to give it a go, please do so!
I'm curious: out of all the characters you've created in your works so far, which (if any) was/were the most difficult to breathe life into? Additionally, which characters (if any) just seemed to spring off the page from the moment you started writing the novels, who took on lives of their own with little effort?
Thanks.
I'm curious: out of all the characters you've created in your works so far, which (if any) was/were the most difficult to breathe life into? Additionally, which characters (if any) just seemed to spring off the page from the moment you started writing the novels, who took on lives of their own with little effort?
As Rich points out about elves, creatures that are supposed to be humanoid but *not human* are very difficult at times to write in a realistic and relatable way. Sure, you could make your elf cold and aloof and very elf-like, but then why is your reader going to care about said elf? I mean, not every elf is as astonishingly good-looking as Arwen or Legolas (well, I guess it *is* fantasy, so technically . . . ), and beauty only goes so far in making a compelling character. You've got to write them consistently and introduce enough to make readers care, whilst not falling into the Star Trek trap* and just making them humans in makeup.
(*Sure, she may have pointy ears and green blood, but she'll still knock boots with Kirk by the end of the episode.)
It's easy to go overboard on the evil too, and make a character so evil s/he is unrelatable. Meris in Ghostwalker gave me some issues, as in . . . how do I keep him from being just a misogynistic psychopath? Granted, maybe you're looking for true evil in your fantasy, but I don't usually go that direction. People do things for a reason other than "because it's evil--rar!", and I like to make those reasons clear and compelling.
I've had a number of characters who've just written themselves. The moment I started writing Fox-at-Twilight (in "The Greater Treasure"), she just took off, guiding me more than I guided her. (That's her way, though.) The titular character of Ghostwalker also just flowed out of me, and I will say also that Shadowbane leaped into my head pretty much fully formed. I tend to run with those characters who occur most strongly to me.
Cheers
(Snip)
You've got to write them consistently and introduce enough to make readers care, whilst not falling into the Star Trek trap* and just making them humans in makeup.
(*Sure, she may have pointy ears and green blood, but she'll still knock boots with Kirk by the end of the episode.)
You bring up a great point here Erik,
I have always had trouble with Halflings in my game. Trying to portray them as their own "Unique" race rather then a Hobbit/Kender persona. This got me into a lot of trouble at one point in a game because my DM kept asking me if my Halfling rogue was really a plains walking Kender from DL.
Since you did so well with your halfling portrayals in your novels, I was wondering if you could maybe give some insight?
You bring up a great point here Erik,
I have always had trouble with Halflings in my game. Trying to portray them as their own "Unique" race rather then a Hobbit/Kender persona. This got me into a lot of trouble at one point in a game because my DM kept asking me if my Halfling rogue was really a plains walking Kender from DL.
Since you did so well with your halfling portrayals in your novels, I was wondering if you could maybe give some insight?
First off, thank you! I'm glad you think so.
Second . . . I certainly wouldn't claim to know the *right way* to do your halfling. By way of answering, I'll tell you how *I* do halflings (referring to Slip and Cellica in particular), and you should feel free to borrow/steal any of my tricks you find appealing.
The issue: Halflings are notorious for being fat, lazy, thieving, and/or comedic, and your reading audience (or your fellow gamers) are going to be inclined to see your halfling that way. But that's not ALL there is to a halfling, any more than aloof, mysterious, and beautiful is all there is to an elf.
My solution: You have two things to deal with, mostly: the size and the psychology, which are really too intermingled to address separately. If these aspects of your halfling are addressed together, you're in a good place.
I think the most important of my tricks is let your halfling be serious. Sure, she's inclined to be jovial, social, and have a good time, but there needs to be a serious core to her, just like there is in every character (at least, every character who eludes the comic relief trap). Make your halfling have some real-life/serious motivation--like revenge, or trying to gather enough loot to help out relatives, or a need to prove herself in a world of tall folk. It's too easy to treat halflings like children because of their size, but they aren't children--they're grown people with mature thoughts and feelings. Giving your halfling a serious goal or a tragic past does a LOT to dispel the happy-go-lucky image.
On another level, think about how your halfling feels: How does she get by? How does she react to people treating her *like a halfling*? Is she ****** off about insults to her height (Cellica: "don't you DARE call me wee"), or does she use the stereotypical expectations of those around her for her own gain (Slip)? Is her size a hindrance to her, or does she revel in it? Does she treat her own proportionate size with humor (the potential for dirty jokes is astounding), does she use it for disguise (passing for a human child all the time), or does she try to hide it with heels or just "acting tough/big"?
At the same time, look to the source material--i.e., you don't need to avoid the stereotype like the plague, necessarily, just like an annoying cold that won't seem to go away. Your halfling needs to be social and witty and inclined to comforts (the Bilbo Baggins source), and also a little bit larcenous, deceptive, and not entirely on the level (the kender source). People should never be entirely certain where she's coming from or where she's going. Shade these aspects into your halfling, so that you have a character that is believably a halfling without seeming like you're trying too hard.
Cheers
How was Gencon?
Keep up the Great work.
Paul Kemp this question is for you. When is your next series coming out? Thank you.
Delta,
Godborn is scheduled for release in July 2010. I believe the Cale Omnibus (which I believe will include a short story or two about Cale that previously appeared only in Dragon magazine) will be released in May (I think).
Godborn is scheduled for release in July 2010.
Agh. Too far away. I can't wait that long.
Ah well. I'll make do. Best of luck with the trilogy, Paul.
Oh, and as I mentioned on another topic, if you could find a way to slay Tamlin in this new trilogy, that would be fantastic.:D
No GenCon for me this year--I went on vacation instead. Took the wife and kids to the East Coast to visit family. I was at the last two GenCons so I figured it was OK to miss one.
Rich I just wanted to let you know that I thought Corsair was great. I look forward to reading Avenger.:D
How was Gencon?
Keep up the Great work.
Rich, I am curious about the area known as Land's Mouth. Is there any information you can shed on it? When or how it was created perhaps? When information is going to be released about it?
What do you think of orcs in 4e compared to 3e?
What ever happened to Fannah and her mother after Fannah's body disappeared?
What ever happened to Fannah and her mother after Fannah's body disappeared?
I don't wish to step on anyone's toes, but if you're referring to Fannah from Sands of the Soul, I'm not sure you're going to get a (perfect) answer, since that book was written by Voronica Whitney-Robinson. She might be the best (or only) one who can answer your question. Not to slight any of the other authors.
Does Voronica Whitney-Robinson visit this site or Candlekeep? By the way, what was Fannah's class, cleric? Thief? Avenger, I could never tell.
Does Voronica Whitney-Robinson visit this site or Candlekeep? By the way, what was Fannah's class, cleric? Thief? Avenger, I could never tell.
I don't believe she visits this site, but I recall she has a thread over at Candlekeep. However, I have no clue if she visits there as frequently as she once did, or when's the last time she's posted there. As for Fannah's class, personally I always thought she was just a Cleric, but I don't recall ever seeing a stat write-up.
EDIT: Upon checking, I have discovered Voronica no longer visits Candlekeep, and has not for about four years. Sorry about that.
A question for Rich, inspired by another thread.
Any additional info on Aesperus, the King in Copper?
And a short praise to mention that I really liked the story-arc of Swordmage. Inspired a whole campaign that my players and I agree is our best in 20 years (20th anniversary this year, same group).
All the best to you.
Can we please have more Hoar?
Hi, there --
Aesperus features in a short story I've got coming up in the Realms of the Dead anthology, which will be coming out in a few months. And he also appears in a pretty significant way in Avenger, the last book in the trilogy. So you'll see a little more about the King in Copper soon.
I don't have any game stats in mind for Aesperus, but I did put together a very basic idea of who he was and when he reigned. The small kernel about him in the old Moonsea game supplement wasn't all that much (or all that interesting, I thought) so I used it as a springboard to spin the tale of a wizard-king whose kingdom rose and fell a couple of hundred years back. My story in Realms of the Dead goes back to "link up" the brief 2e peek at Hulburg with the Hulburg that's emerged a hundred years later.
I'm glad you liked Swordmage! A lot of the background and characters in the story took shape years ago when I was noodling around with a potential D&D campaign, so I'm not surprised you found a D&D campaign there.
A question for Rich, inspired by another thread.
Any additional info on Aesperus, the King in Copper?
And a short praise to mention that I really liked the story-arc of Swordmage. Inspired a whole campaign that my players and I agree is our best in 20 years (20th anniversary this year, same group).
All the best to you.
Gee, I can't help but savor the karmic irony. This thread shall contain not only my very first post, but also my thousandth post. How fortunate am I to bear this auspice.
Rich - How's Avenger coming along? Hit any roadblocks, or are you tearing through it?
Erik - Any luck convincing WOTC to give you that trilogy? (We can use force to back you up, if you have need of us)
Paul - Anything you can reveal about Little Cale? Like how old he is in 1479 DR? Not necessarily a specific age, but child, teenager, adult, etc.?
*snip*
Erik - Any luck convincing WOTC to give you that trilogy? (We can use force to back you up, if you have need of us)
I have been trying this very thing...by using good 'ole snail mail.
I wrote a letter (a real honest to gosh paper one) to WotC and have encouraged my gaming group to do the same. Praising Erik and also Rosemary Jones and the rest of the Ed presents Waterdeep series authors. I made the case that these authors are by far the brightest stars in the WotC universe at the moment.
The way I look at it...if enough people send a letter in they have two choices...wallpaper their office with them...or give Erik and crew a shot at writing more books.
If you would like to drop a line praising our authors the address is:
erdana, 'sans-serif'; color:#000000">Bill Slavicsek
R&D Director
c/o Wizards of the Coast LLC
PO Box 707
Renton, WA 98057
Please keep in mind this guy probably gets about 100 letters a day if not more. So keep it polite, professional, and courteous.
Hello Rich, Paul, and Erik,
I believe a couple of years ago a book was being contemplated that would have had Madeiron Sundertone with a major part as a supporting character in a novel centered around Waterdeep and Piergeiron. Was that something that ever became close to a reality or something that might happen in the future(i hope!)
Thank you in advance.
>>I'm curious: out of all the characters you've created in your works so far, which (if any) was/were the most difficult to breathe life into? Additionally, which characters (if any) just seemed to spring off the page from the moment you started writing the novels, who took on lives of their own with little effort?<<
Been absent for a bit, should be around more from now on.
The most difficult character I've written ended up one of my favs: Brindani from "The Restless Shore". I did quite a bit of research about drug addiction and withdrawal symptoms, the mindset of an addict and the stories of people that managed to overcome their addictions. Working that into his personality wasn't so hard, but as I researched more the difficult part became working his mental and physical mess into the story. There were two drafts of "The Restless Shore" and Brindani's growth as a character defines the difference between the two.
The easiest character was Bastun from "The Shield of Weeping Ghosts". I identified with him on a very personal level and I knew what he would say or do in any situation.
There is a character in my Waterdeep novel I'd like to mention as well, but the NDA beast has that one under a strict lock and key for a bit longer I think. 
Best,
--James
There is a character in my Waterdeep novel I'd like to mention as well, but the NDA beast has that one under a strict lock and key for a bit longer I think.
Best,
--James
Its not the one I mentioned in the last post is it?
There is a character in my Waterdeep novel I'd like to mention as well, but the NDA beast has that one under a strict lock and key for a bit longer I think.
Best,
--James
Its not the one I mentioned in the last post is it?
Much as I might like to tease, I think the NDA beast would allow a denial. Sorry, not familiar with any projects involving that character, but then again the inner circle of publishing wizards keeps secrets fairly well. Who knows? Keep digging!
Erik - Any luck convincing WOTC to give you that trilogy? (We can use force to back you up, if you have need of us)
No trilogy as yet, but I am hopeful.
You guys are awesome. Thanks for the support!
I have been trying this very thing...by using good 'ole snail mail.I wrote a letter (a real honest to gosh paper one) to WotC and have encouraged my gaming group to do the same. Praising Erik and also Rosemary Jones and the rest of the Ed presents Waterdeep series authors. I made the case that these authors are by far the brightest stars in the WotC universe at the moment.
The way I look at it...if enough people send a letter in they have two choices...wallpaper their office with them...or give Erik and crew a shot at writing more books.
Wow! What an honor.
Such praise really makes my day.
Cheers
when will we see Fox in Twilight again?
when will we see Fox in Twilight again?
I second that.
when will we see Fox in Twilight again?
I second that.
She will manifest at Wizards' call.
I am very gratified to see people enjoying her.
Cheers
She is a great character. So much loss she has suffered. Shar would embrace her.
Epic Facepalm for 3d8+24 dmg...
She is a great character. So much loss she has suffered. Shar would embrace her.
Epic Facepalm for 3d8+24 dmg...
What, you don't think that's reasonable?
Our Lady of Loss embraces all in their time.
Cheers
Your not a closet Sharran now are you?
Let me guess that is your secret...
RB:
When can we expect to see "Avenger" out on Kindle?
Cheers
Well, I certainly check in from time to time--I just haven't found any questions for me to answer!
When is the illustrious, drop dead gorgeuos and beautiful enough to both kill and die for, Fox at Twilight coming back Erik?
When is the illustrious, drop dead gorgeuos and beautiful enough to both kill and die for, Fox at Twilight coming back Erik?
Is it possible to both second AND third a question?
To be honest, I hadn't realised that you were still reading, Erik, otherwise I would almost certainly have pestered you with questions before now!
When is the illustrious, drop dead gorgeuos and beautiful enough to both kill and die for, Fox at Twilight coming back Erik?
Is it possible to both second AND third a question?
To be honest, I hadn't realised that you were still reading, Erik, otherwise I would almost certainly have pestered you with questions before now!
I 1rst and 4th the motion