The Tree - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

The Tree

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
magister_kal
Aug 06, 2008 9:41:21 Ok, so the Cosmology is a tree, and I understand its harder to navigate between 2 planes unless you are on the Material Plane, but if its difficult, why are there so many portals?
#2
scizor
Aug 06, 2008 10:38:44 I believe these are generally portals that lead from one location on the Prime Material to another location on that same Prime. There are a lot of portals to other planes but I think these are a minority.
#3
phelf_der_zemit
Aug 06, 2008 10:44:33 You hit the nail on the head yourself. Because it is so difficult the powerful make portals. In the power play that is the Forgotten Realms each nation and/or wizard must keep up apperances. The apperance of power being one of, if not the most important one. Keeping a a portal up and running takes power and therefore most of the powerhouses of faerun will boast one, just so they can say they have it. Hence all the portals; no one wants to be left out. I've said this before and I'll say it again, Power is the greatest currancy.
#4
quale_
Aug 06, 2008 11:38:03
Ok, so the Cosmology is a tree, and I understand its harder to navigate between 2 planes unless you are on the Material Plane, but if its difficult, why are there so many portals?

considering all NPCs and high magic, there are too few portals
#5
lord_karsus
Aug 06, 2008 14:19:19
considering all NPCs and high magic, there are too few portals

-That we know of. There might be plenty we don't. In fact, I can guarantee there are plenty we don't. ;)
#6
Shemeska_the_Marauder
Aug 07, 2008 17:38:48
Ok, so the Cosmology is a tree, and I understand its harder to navigate between 2 planes unless you are on the Material Plane, but if its difficult, why are there so many portals?

Well, it used to be a tree, for most of one edition. Prior to that it was a Wheel for two editions. Now in 4th they've apparently scrapped the cosmology a second time to allow them to use the "core" 4e Points of Light cosmology (which wasn't developed for the Realms or in conjunction with it) in a pre-existent setting. Judge as you will. I feel it's a mistake, and they haven't learned from the last one, in fact they compounded it because at least the Tree was created with FR in mind, rather than imposing the cosmology intended for another setting with another intended atmosphere entirely.

As for why so many portals, because the vast majority of the realms history was written prior to the retroactive cosmology changes of 3e. Planar travel and portals were easier to work into the game I would argue under a system that allowed for plane to plane travel without the wierd attempt to link everything to the prime material by default.

Your mileage may vary of course.
#7
lord_karsus
Aug 07, 2008 19:06:40 -The Great Tree was poorly set up, anyway. For example, it never mentioned the Plane of Faerie in it, and yet, we know very well that the Plane of Faerie existed within Realmspace.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 magister_kal Aug 06, 2008 9:41:21	Ok, so the Cosmology is a tree, and I understand its harder to navigate between 2 planes unless you are on the Material Plane, but if its difficult, why are there so many portals?
#2 scizor Aug 06, 2008 10:38:44	I believe these are generally portals that lead from one location on the Prime Material to another location on that same Prime. There are a lot of portals to other planes but I think these are a minority.
#3 phelf_der_zemit Aug 06, 2008 10:44:33	You hit the nail on the head yourself. Because it is so difficult the powerful make portals. In the power play that is the Forgotten Realms each nation and/or wizard must keep up apperances. The apperance of power being one of, if not the most important one. Keeping a a portal up and running takes power and therefore most of the powerhouses of faerun will boast one, just so they can say they have it. Hence all the portals; no one wants to be left out. I've said this before and I'll say it again, Power is the greatest currancy.
#4 quale_ Aug 06, 2008 11:38:03	Ok, so the Cosmology is a tree, and I understand its harder to navigate between 2 planes unless you are on the Material Plane, but if its difficult, why are there so many portals? considering all NPCs and high magic, there are too few portals
#5 lord_karsus Aug 06, 2008 14:19:19	considering all NPCs and high magic, there are too few portals -That we know of. There might be plenty we don't. In fact, I can guarantee there are plenty we don't. ;)
#6 Shemeska_the_Marauder Aug 07, 2008 17:38:48	Ok, so the Cosmology is a tree, and I understand its harder to navigate between 2 planes unless you are on the Material Plane, but if its difficult, why are there so many portals? Well, it used to be a tree, for most of one edition. Prior to that it was a Wheel for two editions. Now in 4th they've apparently scrapped the cosmology a second time to allow them to use the "core" 4e Points of Light cosmology (which wasn't developed for the Realms or in conjunction with it) in a pre-existent setting. Judge as you will. I feel it's a mistake, and they haven't learned from the last one, in fact they compounded it because at least the Tree was created with FR in mind, rather than imposing the cosmology intended for another setting with another intended atmosphere entirely. As for why so many portals, because the vast majority of the realms history was written prior to the retroactive cosmology changes of 3e. Planar travel and portals were easier to work into the game I would argue under a system that allowed for plane to plane travel without the wierd attempt to link everything to the prime material by default. Your mileage may vary of course.
#7 lord_karsus Aug 07, 2008 19:06:40	-The Great Tree was poorly set up, anyway. For example, it never mentioned the Plane of Faerie in it, and yet, we know very well that the Plane of Faerie existed within Realmspace.