| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Lemernis |
Posted - 22 Sep 2005 : 19:07:38
Who, in your 'umble opinion, is the most learned sage (canon figure, that is) regarding the history of the Sword Coast? I'm looking for a figure who knows the region inside out and also resides there. Maybe Tethtoril? But if memory serves, it sounds like from what Volo says that Ragefast in Baldur's Gate might give anyone at Candlekeep a run for their money.
Also, I'm seeking a figure who knows the Sea of Swords and Moonshaes region nearly as well as the Sword Coast. Again, this would be a historian, basically.
Thanking you in advance for any replies. :) |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 25 Sep 2005 : 12:18:42
Now, now, no name-calling, that's a really nasty thing to call someone.  |
| warlockco |
Posted - 25 Sep 2005 : 05:01:44
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
That's it, exactly! Volo's Guides are tour guides. He only hits on the history of a place if it is particularly interesting and/or offers possibilities for adventure. And even then, he doesn't delve too deeply...
I thought Volo was more of a Tabloid writer.  |
| The Sage |
Posted - 25 Sep 2005 : 02:26:36
quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius
Maybe that this is a foolish coment, but what about Volo? He is the one who writes and knows, or at least presumes of knowing the Sword Coast deeply (and not only the Sword Coast), I mean is not the charismathic traveler a really learned scholar? I think there is not many people in Faerun who knows it as he does.
Volo focuses more on what's current in food, places to stay, and places to see. He's not all that much of a scholar at all, particularly when it comes to history.
So he is kinda of turistic guide to Faerun. 
You may want to pick up the FR novel Once Around the Realms -- it provides you with a pretty clear view of how Volo operates in the Realms.
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| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 24 Sep 2005 : 21:28:38
That's it, exactly! Volo's Guides are tour guides. He only hits on the history of a place if it is particularly interesting and/or offers possibilities for adventure. And even then, he doesn't delve too deeply... |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 24 Sep 2005 : 20:55:40
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius
Maybe that this is a foolish coment, but what about Volo? He is the one who writes and knows, or at least presumes of knowing the Sword Coast deeply (and not only the Sword Coast), I mean is not the charismathic traveler a really learned scholar? I think there is not many people in Faerun who knows it as he does.
Volo focuses more on what's current in food, places to stay, and places to see. He's not all that much of a scholar at all, particularly when it comes to history.
So he is kinda of turistic guide to Faerun. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 24 Sep 2005 : 19:53:45
quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius
Maybe that this is a foolish coment, but what about Volo? He is the one who writes and knows, or at least presumes of knowing the Sword Coast deeply (and not only the Sword Coast), I mean is not the charismathic traveler a really learned scholar? I think there is not many people in Faerun who knows it as he does.
Volo focuses more on what's current in food, places to stay, and places to see. He's not all that much of a scholar at all, particularly when it comes to history. |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 24 Sep 2005 : 18:48:30
Maybe that this is a foolish coment, but what about Volo? He is the one who writes and knows, or at least presumes of knowing the Sword Coast deeply (and not only the Sword Coast), I mean is not the charismathic traveler a really learned scholar? I think there is not many people in Faerun who knows it as he does. |
| Lemernis |
Posted - 24 Sep 2005 : 17:28:16
quote:
Originally posted by Reefy
I have a suspicion there was a sage who had decent knowledge of Sword Coast history in Baldur's Gate, though I could be imagining it. Possibly was in Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast.
It's probably Ragefast that you're thinking of.
Other candidates from Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast include Tethtoril of Candlekeep, Thalantyr of High Hedge, and Amelior Amanitas of Secomber.
But I'm seeking a character who embodies the frontier spirit of the Sword Coast to good degree, who is specifically a historical scholar and enjoys sharing that knowledge, and who is basically an affable, approachable type. He should be easily accessable.
Tethtoril is hard to get to visit because entrance to Candlekeep requires a tome of great value. And Thalantyr is reclusive and probably harder to get info from. And Amelior Amanitas is primarily an alchemist, who although approachable sounds like he has some brain damage from lead poisoning and too many concusions from explosions in his lab.
I think Ragefast is probably the one who fits the bill the best. Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast states Ragefast is a man of "ready laughter" and he is "a widely respected expert on the history and genealogy of the Coast lands, and of humankind's mastery of magic." Ragefast's personal library "is said to rival that of Candlekeep for magical lore," and he can usually be found in his home in Baldur's Gate "examining freshly purchased old books and records brought to him by merchants from all over Faerūn."
Just wondered if folks could think of anyone else. Is there any source material other than Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast that I might want to look at?
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| The Sage |
Posted - 24 Sep 2005 : 03:57:59
Searching through VGttSC though, I also note Amelior Amanitas who -- while mainly considered to be a master alchemist -- is referred to as a "busybody" and "poker-about-after-secrets". Certainly, any sage with such titles added to his name, is bound to know a little about a lot of different things in the Sword Coast region.
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| The Sage |
Posted - 24 Sep 2005 : 03:50:19
Aye, that's the aforementioned Ragefast.
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| Reefy |
Posted - 24 Sep 2005 : 03:35:22
I have a suspicion there was a sage who had decent knowledge of Sword Coast history in Baldur's Gate, though I could be imagining it. Possibly was in Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 24 Sep 2005 : 03:24:27
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Well, easy answer is Alaundo the Seer. Alas, he's been dead for centuries.
 
'tis a lie, i tell ye! A lie! I feel fine, look, see... ::starts dancing a jig::
... If this is true, then whose skull is sitting on my desktop?
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| warlockco |
Posted - 24 Sep 2005 : 03:06:03
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Well, easy answer is Alaundo the Seer. Alas, he's been dead for centuries.
'tis a lie, i tell ye! A lie! I feel fine, look, see... ::starts dancing a jig::
You're not fooling anyone, you know.
So that is where my dancing skeleton went....   |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 23 Sep 2005 : 17:11:50
I'm not recalling any such sages off the top of my head, but then again, sages aren't a particular specialty of mine.
You could always design your own... |
| Lemernis |
Posted - 23 Sep 2005 : 12:12:41
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Ragefast? That man's a drunkard and will only bend your ear with nonsense!
Thanks for the response. :)
Actually, for my purposes the more colorful the character the better, heh! The fact that Ragefast lives in Baldur's gate is perfect, as I'm looking for a denizen of the Sword Coast. Is Ragefast capable of giving reliable information when sober, at least?
I recognize you were probably being tongue in cheek there, but is Ragefast in fact a connoisseur of any form of drink in particular? Is he actually drunk most of the time?
quote:
Check with the sages at the libraries in Silverymoon or the Oghman monks at the temple/library in Waterdeep called the Font of Knowledge. You'll find more than one sage there to cover all you'd ever need know.
Silverymoon is well outside of the Sword Coast region, as I understand it, and I'm looking for an NPC who resides in the Sword Coast. Waterdeep marks the northern border of the Sword Coast but that gigantic city-state has such a distinct, strong metropolitan identity of it's own that I see it as somewhat detached from the rest of Sword Coast... I'm looking for a true 'Westie', a frontiersman (forntiersperson?) who represents the Sword Coast culture to a fair degree. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 23 Sep 2005 : 11:26:01
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Well, easy answer is Alaundo the Seer. Alas, he's been dead for centuries.
'tis a lie, i tell ye! A lie! I feel fine, look, see... ::starts dancing a jig::
You're not fooling anyone, you know. |
| Talanfir Swiftfeet |
Posted - 23 Sep 2005 : 10:26:24
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Well, easy answer is Alaundo the Seer.
You brownnoser. |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 23 Sep 2005 : 07:58:15
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Well, easy answer is Alaundo the Seer. Alas, he's been dead for centuries.
'tis a lie, i tell ye! A lie! I feel fine, look, see... ::starts dancing a jig:: |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 23 Sep 2005 : 03:37:53
Well, easy answer is Alaundo the Seer. Alas, he's been dead for centuries.
Ragefast? That man's a drunkard and will only bend your ear with nonsense!
Check with the sages at the libraries in Silverymoon or the Oghman monks at the temple/library in Waterdeep called the Font of Knowledge. You'll find more than one sage there to cover all you'd ever need know.
I'm sorry I can't give you one name straight away--no sources at present within accessible reach.
SES |
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