Maybe some rumors around Iyraclea. I.e. did she have a daughter that looks to take her mother's former position? Is the melting glacier a danger? Is there a way to stop it?
Gomez
umm tidbits more on the warlock knights, how they react to outsiders, and laws and punishments
the tomb of the dragonbanes.... oh wait, thats elsewhere...
umm tidbits more on the warlock knights, how they react to outsiders, and laws and punishments
This is what I would expect.
I thank you for your participation. With the state of things around here, my new t-shirt is going to say "must be saved", rather than "must be stopped". I'll have it ready to buy here shortly.
Personally, if you posted your request here in the Realmslore section, then you are either here for your own amusement (which is sad--cause we are such a weak group of degenerates these days), or you are posting here because you would like to establish a background for the current state.
As such:
1 - What is the "falling star" that brought the Knights to Vaasa in the first place?
2 - Ironfell Council. Who are they and what are their origins?
3 - What is the true voice they all listen to--more so, who and where does the voice come from?
4 - Describe the 3 points above in 3000 words or less. Good luck.
Let's say, hypothetically of course, that you knew a designer was about to begin work on a Realmslore article set in the Vaasa region. What would you want to see in said article? It's only 3,000 words but I'm going to cram in as much lore as I can. And of course a nice map of the region!
Thanks for possibly doing this or knowing someone that will do this.
More on the Warlock Knights, more on Telos, why the Ice could be melting. Possibly plots and Intrigues going on in and around Vassa.
Brian,
Question: As I understand it, we all gave over to WotC the right to use/publish/alter etc...anything we post to the forums when we agreed to the Terms of Service. Would that by extension allow a freelance writer for WotC to borrow from same when creating new material?
Obviously whatever you potentially write must be your own and original, by my hope for your article is that you would reference and/or use material created here on the forums.
In particular the Realms DM Exercise: Name the 13 Vindicators Of The Ironfell Council thread. I think some of the best lore ever created for the Realms has come from people talking and working together online. In that same spirit, lots of people contributed excellent lore and game mechanics ideas to that thread and I think you'd find some inspiration from it at the very least.
3000 words isn't much, but I'd like to see something about Vaasa that grabs a DM's or player's attention; something that makes them say "Wow that's awesome, I want to set my game there!" or "That's cool! I want my character to be from there!"
If you could detail one specific location in Vaasa. Maybe an overview of a city (sign me up to support the earlier post asking for more city maps) with adventure hooks unique to Vaasa's political and social structure?
I noticed that the Forgotten Realms Player's Guide doesn't have a background listing for Vaasa. Perhaps you could write up something along the lines of a regional benefit mechanic for characters originating from there?
Question: As I understand it, we all gave over to WotC the right to use/publish/alter etc...anything we post to the forums when we agreed to the Terms of Service. Would that by extension allow a freelance writer for WotC to borrow from same when creating new material?
Obviously whatever you potentially write must be your own and original, by my hope for your article is that you would reference and/or use material created here on the forums.
Glad you brought that up. I'm certainly looking for ideas to mine, so if somebody doesn't want their homebrew nugget of lore referenced in this article then avoid posting it (at least in this thread).
In particular the Realms DM Exercise: Name the 13 Vindicators Of The Ironfell Council thread. I think some of the best lore ever created for the Realms has come from people talking and working together online. In that same spirit, lots of people contributed excellent lore and game mechanics ideas to that thread and I think you'd find some inspiration from it at the very least.
Cool. I'll definitely check out the thread. Thanks!
If you could detail one specific location in Vaasa. Maybe an overview of a city (sign me up to support the earlier post asking for more city maps) with adventure hooks unique to Vaasa's political and social structure?
As much as I'd love to, I can already say with certainty that I'll not be able to squeeze a city map in here. Art resources for a 3,000 word article are already pretty limited.
I noticed that the Forgotten Realms Player's Guide doesn't have a background listing for Vaasa. Perhaps you could write up something along the lines of a regional benefit mechanic for characters originating from there?
Absolutely. Count on it. I'm open to hearing suggestions on what benefits this regional feat would impart.
I think Auril should have had the possibility to strengthen her worship in these lands (through Iyraclea or not) if only through appeasement by its little farming population. Perhaps she blessed some of the more forsaken hamlets and she produced feylike IceFolk who can walk the wastes bareskinned but have turned to cannibalism. :evil:
Oh and include some noble halforc resistance to the warlocks perhaps... Guerilla halforcs on skis are cool.
Let's say, hypothetically of course, that you knew a designer was about to begin work on a Realmslore article set in the Vaasa region. What would you want to see in said article? It's only 3,000 words but I'm going to cram in as much lore as I can. And of course a nice map of the region!
Personally, I'd like to see brand new material, with fresh new lore on Vaasa, and not just something mostly recycled from old 1E-3E sources. One of the most frustrating things about prior sourcebooks was paying a lot of money for a hardback book and then realizing that pretty much everything in the "new" 3E sourcebook was older material that had been dusted off and given a tiny bit of fresh icing on it. I can't tell you how many books made me feel cheated. 4E needs to be different.
Below I’ve attacked a 2nd-Edition map of the region from the FRIA map software. The red hash line is a rough demarcation where I envision the Great Glacier to have retreated. I see the lands south of this line to be mostly free of ice except in the highlands.
This leaves a whole swath of new territory to explore and map! I’m very much interested in hearing suggestions for this uncovered region, whether it is terrain features, names of small towns, etc…
Something underneath the ruins of Castle Perilous must have drawn the various red, blue and black dragons there (prior to 1385, anyway). It's said that a huge dungeon complex is there, populated with monsters of Zhengyi's reign.
With the retreat of the Ice Sheet, I'd imagine that the Hot Springs probably developed into a good-sized village or town by the 1470s. Tons of crazy adventurer types would be interested in not only searching for fallen Zhengyi's magic to the east, but also explore the uncovered giant-kin ruins. Awesome old giant-kin ruins, filled with all sorts of cool things to explore. And maybe, just maybe, some of those giants survived beneath the ice, either in suspension or as an evolving culture.
Cold-resistance magic, or heavy/cold adventuring gear would be a big deal, and likely expensive.
What was the story behind the "melting gold" in the region of Palischuk. Was it real gold that somehow evaporated, or some kind of decaying magic substance, or something else? Are the half-orcs of Palischuk more civilized these days? What's the story behind Knight Vindicator Mansard Kanaoth?
How have economics with the surrounding nations changed? What's the current relationship with Damara?
Personally, I don't think you should use the fan-generated Ironfell Council. Detailing them in official print puts too big of a definitive stamp over the region, and most of those leaders (all, in my opinion) should be left up to each DM for development. Just knowing about Zhengyi's history puts a huge defining stamp on the region, and he's long dead. Knowing the exact makeup would be a bad idea, IMO, especially if the ones dreamed up so far are sort of derivative. One of the things about 4E is the relative openness for development, and attempting to keep that feeling intact is important.
I’m very much interested in hearing suggestions for this uncovered region, whether it is terrain features, names of small towns, etc…
Well, you rejected my "Mattissoawesome" name for a small town. Not sure what you want from me
This article is going to rule, I can't wait!
Just knowing about Zhengyi's history puts a huge defining stamp on the region, and he's long dead. Knowing the exact makeup would be a bad idea, IMO, especially if the ones dreamed up so far are sort of derivative. One of the things about 4E is the relative openness for development, and attempting to keep that feeling intact is important.
I agree with this last, to a point.
The post-Spellplague Realms are at the extreme far end of the pendulum swing. There are lots of places in the Realms both new and old that we know very little about.
On the one hand I like this state of affairs as it's certainly allowed me to generate material fully on my own and I'm having fun doing that. OTOH, if Brian were to give names and minor details to five or six Ironfell Council members, whether those were fan-generated or not, that would hardly take the power out of a DM's hands.
Brian's Backdrop: Cormyr article demonstrates this perfectly. Knowing who the Royal Mage is, who the Royal Mage's chief aid is, who the King's immediate family are and a little bit about all of them (all details left out of the FRCG) doesn't take the fun out of it for a DM. Rather, those are useful details that make a DM's job easier, by filling in needed details and setting a tone.
His article filled in needed gaps; this new article should do the same.
As it relates to the Realms: Returned-Abeir is wholly derivative. Pegging anything generated by anyone about Returned-Abeir as derivative is missing the point. That some of the Ironfell Council members that were fan generated are Torillian (sp?) natives brings New Vaasa closer to the Realms than away from it.
On the one hand I like this state of affairs as it's certainly allowed me to generate material fully on my own and I'm having fun doing that. OTOH, if Brian were to give names and minor details to five or six Ironfell Council members, whether those were fan-generated or not, that would hardly take the power out of a DM's hands.Brian's Backdrop: Cormyr article demonstrates this perfectly. Knowing who the Royal Mage is, who the Royal Mage's chief aid is, who the King's immediate family are and a little bit about all of them (all details left out of the FRCG) doesn't take the fun out of it for a DM. Rather, those are useful details that make a DM's job easier, by filling in needed details and setting a tone.
His article filled in needed gaps; this new article should do the same.
As it relates to the Realms: Returned-Abeir is wholly derivative. Pegging anything generated by anyone about Returned-Abeir as derivative is missing the point. That some of the Ironfell Council members that were fan generated are Torillian (sp?) natives brings New Vaasa closer to the Realms than away from it.
In an article of 3000 words, additional high-end villain names and details are not needed. It would be far more useful and efficient to know general things about the culture, things that can be used at low levels. A big list of council members would be easy, but a wasted opportunity.
Tell us more about the fellthanes, how they operate and how they interact.
Several new towns and villages should have arisen in the past 100 years. What kinds of things did they find from the old giant-kin cultures that existed there prior to the spread of the great Ice sheet? How do those towns survive, who do they trade with?
The city of Telos would likely have multiple, although small, groups of people from conquered villages and towns. What are they like, and are any of them strong enough to operate secretly against the Council?
One of the interesting side effects of the continued melting of the Great Glacier is that much of northern Vaasa is now free from the colossal ice sheet.
This leaves a whole swath of new territory to explore and map! I’m very much interested in hearing suggestions for this uncovered region, whether it is terrain features, names of small towns, etc…
how about a small village named Dajamesbrosrock?
It's darklord was Tristen Hiregaard. I case you need names...
Gomez
A big list of council members would be easy, but a wasted opportunity.
You keep saying "big list of council members", but nobody is asking for that.
The idea was for Brian to take a look at what the fans generated and -if it suited his needs- to use it in some way.
Moving on...
Tell us more about the fellthanes, how they operate and how they interact.
That would be nice.
The city of Telos would likely have multiple, although small, groups of people from conquered villages and towns.
Not sure if by "people" you mean humans only or all races. If the later, a good sized chunk of the Telos population is comprised of beings brought in as slaves from conquered villages (FRCG, p.189).
But the question you bring up is still valid. Though most refugees are slaves, how do all those humans, dwarves, orcs, goblins, kobolds and giants get along, and is any one group secretly pushing to fight against the Warlock Knights?
When I look at the questions and ideas brought up in this thread, it makes me think that one 3000 word article isn't going to cut it. Any chance you (Brian) could ask WotC to take a look at this thread, then ask them to stretch the article out into a series ala Akanûl?
I’ve removed content from this thread because off topic disruption is a violation of the Code of Conduct. You can review the Code of Conduct here: wizards.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wizards.cfg...
Please keep your posts polite, respectful, and on-topic, and refrain from making personal attacks.
Vaasa keeps remmebering me of Nova Vaasa, a domain in Ravenloft.
It's darklord was Tristen Hiregaard. I case you need names...
Gomez
I like this.
A mist Shrouded village/city where the ice used to be.
On a side note after seeing this thread, it has made me read up on Vaasa and the Warlock Knights in my FRCG.
I met up with Rich Baker for lunch yesterday to discuss Vaasa and his use of the Warlock Knights in the Blades of the Moonsea trilogy. I got some useable bits from that discussion, but alas I cannot reveal them here.
Gomez: I’m intrigued by the possibility of hinting to Ravenloft’s Nova Vaasa in some way, but the reference shouldn’t be too overt. Perhaps, as Delta suggested, some of the new ruins discovered in the region of the retreating ice are ancient “copies” of towns whisked away into Ravenloft centuries past.
Regarding the wordcount: It’s quite true that 3,000 words is not going to be enough to do this region justice but the editor has become increasingly firm against overwriting. I think I’ve gained something of a “negative” reputation within WotC for submitting way more words than commissioned. Expanding this article into an ‘Explore’ series might be a possibility though. Good suggestion Misc.
I see the arctic dwarves harrowing Vaasan efforts to expand into the north. And I love the giant-kin ruins idea Therise. The ancient kingdom of Ostoria has centered pretty much in this region, so giant fossils and artifacts should be everywhere.
Due to the nature, I really would stick to a simple subject with 33% history, 33% present, and 33% explore/possibility. The other 1% I would donate to charity. Never really gets lost or found around here anyways....
ok the thing is i am so much less knowledgable about the realms compared to people talking in this thread so i might be shooting in the dark but doesnt anyone wander what happened to this gold elf; something nihmedu with the shadow magic... hasnt he relocated to vaasa with his wood elven mate takari moonbow and the sexy red headed woman with a dark blade... ok the women should be dead by now, but the elves they could ve outlasted the spellplague and the intervening 100 years... and those dark glass swords they had, they sounded promising but i have no idea what happened with those either... the shadow weave collapsed so maybe they are just that, dark glass swords and nothing else... and nihmedu guy is nothing but a gold elf now... still would luv to know what happened with those guys...spellplague-or the years after that might have warped them all; human, elf, blades into something else, a force-an organization mayhap- to be reckoned with in the new vaasa after the spellplague... or anything... if their fate have been covered already and it just slipped my attention, sorry for taking ur time...
I agree, it would be really interesting to learn what became of Galaeron Nihmedu, Vala of the Granite Tower, and Takari Moonsnow. That was a very good series, IMO.
As for you, Therise, I believe the series sucked. While the premise and the characters were worthy, I don't feel that they were properly portrayed or given the proper depth needed.
As for you, Therise, I believe the series sucked. While the premise and the characters were worthy, I don't feel that they were properly portrayed or given the proper depth needed.
As with anything in the Realms, we get to pick and choose what goes into our own personal campaigns. Personally, I think it was a way better series than the more recent Undead trilogy in Thay (bleah!), but things like this are always questions of taste.
next time i promise to be more coherent for uI’ve removed content from this thread because baiting is a violation of the Code of Conduct. You can review the Code of Conduct here: wizards.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wizards.cfg...
Earlier this week I submitted the art order for the article to the Editor.
What's an art order? It's a MS Word document that specifies in detail what illustrations and maps the designer requests for a project.
Frankly, this is one of the coolest things about being a designer—seeing the results of an illustrator transforming a simple paragraph description into a beautiful piece of art.
Maps pretty much work the same way, with one caveat—the designer must submit a reference map. Reference maps aid the cartographer in laying out the geographical features and "tags" in the Art Order ensure that the map labels are spelled correctly. Below I've included the reference map of Vaasa I submitted with the art order. When the final article is published, you'll be able to compare my amateur attempt at cartography with the polished professional rendition.
Now time to write the article...
Looks great to me Brian. If thats the "amateur" map, I cant wait to see the "professional" one!
There is no disputing what one chooses or doesn't to go into his or her Realms. But taste doesn't seem to be a plus for you. RLB laid out a story that was unsettling and of bad taste to many (including myself to a degree)--but that was due to setting and not so much due to the characters or story. As far as I am concerned TD had a lot of foundation and delivered very poorly.
It's one thing to dislike a book or series and say so, even to the point of critiquing characters. I respect everyone's ability to do so and will defend it.
But to tell another poster that they have bad taste, generally? Not cool.
The books were tasteful enough to pass an editor's desk, get published, and purchased with an average 4/5 rating from Amazon readers. That's all I'll say.
Earlier this week I submitted the art order for the article to the Editor.
What's an art order? It's a MS Word document that specifies in detail what illustrations and maps the designer requests for a project.
Frankly, this is one of the coolest things about being a designer—seeing the results of an illustrator transforming a simple paragraph description into a beautiful piece of art...
I really like the map - it has quite a few interesting changes.
You should see the “amateur” map he made for the city of Phlan. It was a stunning piece of work.
I look forward to this article even though I never had a character travel to that region.
Damn that map is sexy! The official one that is.Glad to see the lakes are back
Not exactly the way I married the older 1e/2e versions to the 3e map, but this one is 4e so no conflict and it looks pretty damn good in the rough.
Glad to see the lakes are back
looks at author and falls off chair.....
long time no see
Good to have ya back Markus
Glad to BE back Brian
You of all people should know NOTHING could keep a die-hard Realms fan away forever.
The map came out awesome - I wish they would have that guy (who's name escapes me) do a new one for the entire Realms - it would do a LOT to reinvigorate the franchise. Nothing screams "Play Me" more then a beautiful fantasy map.
Good to have ya back Markus
Glad to BE back Brian
You of all people should know NOTHING could keep a die-hard Realms fan away forever.
The map came out awesome - I wish they would have that guy (who's name escapes me) do a new one for the entire Realms - it would do a LOT to reinvigorate the franchise. Nothing screams "Play Me" more then a beautiful fantasy map.
His name is Mike Schley and his work is amazing. Probably the best map I've seen in any D&D product.
www.mikeschley.com/
(snip) The map came out awesome - I wish they would have that guy (who's name escapes me) do a new one for the entire Realms - it would do a LOT to reinvigorate the franchise. Nothing screams "Play Me" more then a beautiful fantasy map.
Absolutely.
I firmly believe that a lot of hate for the post-Spellplague Realms is sustained by the fact that the new FR map is possibly the worst map ever professionally published by an RPG company.
OK, there may be a small amount of hyperbole in that statement... but only a very small amount.
I have seen bad maps - I have literally hundreds of maps from various worlds on my HD. Some are bad because of the program used (very early versions of pro fantasy), or because they came out in very early products (original Runequest stuff) and the genre/hobby hadn't been firmly established yet.
There was no excuse for that FR map - you could NEVER convince me that whoever signed-off on that abomination liked or even felt indifferent about FR.
There's a reason why car commercials show RED cars (or other 'sexy' colors) - because showing one the color of poop would not catch people's attention. Even if you didn't care for FR, good business dictates you create a 'sexy looking' product people will want to buy. In fantasy, moreso then anywhere else, you NEED to capture people's imagination.
That being said, I had once before taken a hiatus from gaming for several years... until the 3rd edition FR came out - THAT map just made me feel all tingly inside.
But I do agree Mike Schley is awesome! If he did a poster map of Faerun, I would totaly buy that. Hell Id buy 2! One to keep put up and one to hang up.
I'd only buy two if one of them was cloth instead of paper.
otherwise I'd but one and stick it in the FRCG
Really hope for Thay in future.
What we need is another Forgotten Realms Adventures book for 4e.
What we need is another Forgotten Realms Adventures book for 4e.
I have been saying that for months...
Aegeri, I agree with you.
What we need is another Forgotten Realms Adventures book for 4e.
By all accounts, the LFR programme has been a raging success. I wonder if this could be used an "excuse" to publish a third FR book for 4E? It could be a collection of regional maps, city maps, more regional backgrounds and adventure hooks. Heck, call it Living Forgotten Realms Adventures and make it an essential part of the LFR programme.
And it better have a good world map. @MarkusTay63: to borrow your car-related term, this next map better not be painted with poop like the existing 4E map.
Edit: I've started a new thread about this at community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758...