| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 26 Jan 2005 : 23:16:47
Well met
This being a collective scroll of any questions the Scribes and visitors of Candlekeep wish to put to a renowned game designer of the Realms, namely - Eric L Boyd. Eric has been a game designer for TSR\WotC for many years, with a vast array of products to his name, including Champions of Ruin, Champions of Valor, City of Splendors: Waterdeep, Faiths & Pantheons, Lost Empires of Faerűn, Serpent Kingdoms, Races of Faerűn and the upcoming Power of Faerűn, to name but a few.
Present your questions herein and check back to see what news may also come forth from the quill of this Realms master. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| TomCosta |
Posted - 17 Jul 2025 : 16:56:04
Having talked to him about it, he definitely would have, but I think he would acknowledge after a couple hundred entries, making them unique does start getting harder. Looking back, we had a slight power creep throughout the history of the three books.
In other news, we have almost finished updating all the 3.5E domains for all the humanoid gods and a few others.
quote:
Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
Dear Mr. Boyd,
If you had all the time and space you needed in Faiths & Pantheons, would you have adapted EVERY specialty priest for 3rd/3.5 Edition D&D?
|
| TomCosta |
Posted - 17 Jul 2025 : 16:39:53
Having talked to him about it, he definitely would have, but I think he would acknowledge after a couple entries, making them unique does start getting harder. Looking back, we had a slight power creep throughout the history of the three books.
We have updated all the 3.5E domains for all the humanoid gods and a few others.
quote:
Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
Dear Mr. Boyd,
If you had all the time and space you needed in Faiths & Pantheons, would you have adapted EVERY specialty priest for 3rd/3.5 Edition D&D?
|
| George Krashos |
Posted - 17 Jul 2025 : 14:55:54
quote:
Originally posted by Kelnaar
Eric,
Greetings and hope all is well. I have another question for you when you have a moment. Some where on these forums it was mentioned that you and George had fleshed out the rulers of Uthtower/Yarlith and the members of the family through their demise after Uthtower fell (iirc). Is that something you could provide?
UTHTOWER
Myrmoran Dynasty
Uth I (b.110; d.168; reigned 146/168 - Founder of Uthtower; exiled noble of Tavaray; slain by old raiders)
Ornoth (b.141; d.191; r.168/191 - Son and sole heir of Uth I; dies of heart stop)
Uth II (b.179; d.272; r.191/272 - 1st son (twin) of Ornoth; dies of old age)
Uth III (b.236; d.309; r.272/309 - Grandson of Uth II; dies of winterchill fever)
Uth IV (b.268; d.349; r.309/349 - Son and sole heir of Uth III; dies of old age)
Uth V "the Slumbering King" (b.314; d.543; r.349/543 - 1st son of Uth IV; extends his life through longevity magic; dies of old age)
Uth VI (b.517; d.589; r.543/589 - Great-great grandson of Uth V; dies of heartstop)
Uth VII (b.551; d.615; r.589/615 - Son and sole heir of Uth VI; slain in the inundation of Iniarv)
YARLITH
Yarlith Dynasty
Yarlith (b.179; d.272; r.191/272 - 2nd son (twin) of King Ornoth of Uthtower; dies of old age)
Ornoth II (b.206; d.287; r.272/287 - 1st son of Yarlith; dies of old age)
Tarnoth "the Troubled" (b.239; d.292; r.287/292 - 1st son of Ornoth II; dies of a fit)
Belorth (b.264; d.306; r.292/306 - Sole son of Tarnoth; dies in battle against the Thousand Fangs orc horde)
Imrith I "the Leaf King" (b.288; d.392; r.306/392 - Sole son of Belorth; 1st Druid King; dies of old age)
Imrith II "The Treeheart" (b.369; d.487; r.392/487 - Grandson of Imrith I; 2nd Druid King; dies of old age)
Imrith III "the Branchblessed" (b.449; d.528; r.487/528 - Grandson of Imrith II; 3rd Druid King; slain in battle with the orcs of the Howltusk Horde)
Imrith IV "the Hewn" (b.497; d.611; r.528/611 - Grandson of Imrith III; 4th Druid King; dies in battle against the orcs of the Everhorde; last king of Yarlith)
-- George Krashos |
| Galuf the Dwarf |
Posted - 17 Jul 2025 : 00:56:23
Dear Mr. Boyd,
If you had all the time and space you needed in Faiths & Pantheons, would you have adapted EVERY specialty priest for 3rd/3.5 Edition D&D? |
| Kelnaar |
Posted - 17 Jul 2025 : 00:02:35
Eric,
Greetings and hope all is well. I have another question for you when you have a moment. Some where on these forums it was mentioned that you and George had fleshed out the rulers of Uthtower/Yarlith and the members of the family through their demise after Uthtower fell (iirc). Is that something you could provide? |
| Italian Archmage Karsus |
Posted - 16 Jul 2025 : 15:22:30
Loremaster Boyd, you said you've since acquired a copy of "Dungeon of the Hark", right? I know it's under NDA, so I won't ask for anything about it: my question is about the printing on the paper. Would you happen to know if DocuColor tracking dots are present? I need to know whether they're present in one, so I can better validate other, different copies. |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 07 Jun 2025 : 17:20:53
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
BTW, I am just getting a look at the 2024 Monster Manual, and I'm glad to see they've adapted something I was about to say and didn't even realize. Rakshasa are no longer always a tiger or even cat person body.
That's been a thing for a long time -- it was just that they preferred tigers and the art always went there.
They've vascillated, but agreed. During the 3rd, 4th, and prior to 2024 5th edition era it was "tiger headed" or "feline headed". I remember that in 1st edition a dragon article had them looking gorilla-like though, and the 2nd edition MC mentioned both ape and tiger, but said it could be other. But since 3rd edition its been all cat. Granted, they had illusions to take another form. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 06 Jun 2025 : 21:49:31
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
BTW, I am just getting a look at the 2024 Monster Manual, and I'm glad to see they've adapted something I was about to say and didn't even realize. Rakshasa are no longer always a tiger or even cat person body.
That's been a thing for a long time -- it was just that they preferred tigers and the art always went there. |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 06 Jun 2025 : 15:33:08
Eric,
Hey man, you had an article in Dragon 357 on "Savage Tidings: Gazing into the Abyss". In it was an entry for a vestige that you called Ansitif the Befouler, and in his backstory you noted he and 6 other "tanar'ri allies" joined up to ceombat a powerful Obyrith named The Malgoth. In said backstory, you named the 6 allies, and one was Felex'ja the Tiger King. Was that just a throwaway reference for possible use later OR is some extra lore I should hunt down before I decide to try and put a fun spin on it?
Also, just to give you an idea of the spin that I want to do with it .... thinking something somewhat similar to Gargauth. He was a powerful Rakshasa Raja serving in the nine hells, but he became disenchanted with the bindings of law. He slew a powerful tanar'ri Klurichir by assaulting it moments after it had slain another minor demon lord (a goristro with an intellect maybe with an eye towards advancement). He had in fact setup the encounter between the Klurichir and the minor demon lord through some acts of trickery. He took the fallen demon's and the Klurichir's four arms, and he grafted them to his body (four arms facing forward and four arms facing backward). He also set the four eyes of the fallen demons floating around his head, almost like ioun stones, so that he could see all around himself. He proclaimed himself master of the fallen demon lord's domain. It was this grafting that transformed him via "blood bond" into a tanar'ri and effectively broke the controls upon him by Asmodeus and allowed that if he were killed outside his abyssal home that he would reform here rather than the Nine Hells.
Then of course, per your history, for some reason he's drawn into conflict against the Malgoth with six allies... Then in an act reminiscent of how he drew himself to power, someone else betrays him when he's at a disadvantage and gets him cast into the wells of darkness.
BTW, I am just getting a look at the 2024 Monster Manual, and I'm glad to see they've adapted something I was about to say and didn't even realize. Rakshasa are no longer always a tiger or even cat person body. |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 31 Mar 2025 : 14:05:22
quote:
Originally posted by Kelnaar
Eric,
Just purchased The Uthgardt on DMGuild. You knocked it out of the park again! Great job, my dude!
Which leads me to a quick question: in Illefarn Anew Delfen Ondabarl has an apprentice named Jaeldar “Stagheart” Stoneblade. Is he kinda of an Easter egg or is he related to either the Stoneblades of Scathril and/or the Blue Bear/Ghost Tree tribe? Seems awful coincidental……
The implication is that he is descended from the Stoneblades of Scathril, or at least one of his ancestors claimed to be and kept the name. Either way, he might have pretensions, if the DM wishes him to do so.
Thanks,
--Eric |
| TBeholder |
Posted - 30 Mar 2025 : 00:59:48
quote:
Originally posted by Azar
Essentially, Player Characters will need to perform a rather substantial favor for Corellon's children before they are granted the privilege? Much appreciated.
quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
Exactly. And "substantial" is probably on par with rescue a small kingdom of elves.
The question is who gets to decide, and what are their limits.
Elaith Craulnober designated Danilo "elf-friend" on his own.
Of course, he is the heir of a noble clan, in self-exile or not. And there may be limitation to the effect that he can only bestow this status on one human during his life, or something like that, at least on his own, without involving higher powers (royal/high priest special dispensation). |
| Kelnaar |
Posted - 29 Mar 2025 : 21:15:03
Eric,
Just purchased The Uthgardt on DMGuild. You knocked it out of the park again! Great job, my dude!
Which leads me to a quick question: in Illefarn Anew Delfen Ondabarl has an apprentice named Jaeldar “Stagheart” Stoneblade. Is he kinda of an Easter egg or is he related to either the Stoneblades of Scathril and/or the Blue Bear/Ghost Tree tribe? Seems awful coincidental…… |
| kysus |
Posted - 17 Feb 2025 : 02:43:27
Eric i have a question for you on your work on the high forest. What elven kingdom did you put the elven family Toryvhallen in? and if you came up with anymore information on them? I found them in the adventure hellgate keep as a tomb to that family that had some secrets of high magic and was wondering if you came across it and what did you do with it in lore? |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 08 Jan 2025 : 04:52:34
quote:
Originally posted by Kelnaar
Eric, first I would like to express a heartfelt thank you for all the work you do and the fact that you interact with the community.
I am currently running an Age of Worms campaign, integrating it with Under Illefarn Anew and all the information it contains (great stuff BTW). I have taken the Land family and made them part of the Delimbiyr family (cousins of the current Delimbiyrs). However as I was researching the Delimbiyrs I came across a conflicting issue in Under Illefarm Anew. In the history of Daggerford it lists Kelven Delimbiyr as half moon elf, however, under Arayndar’s description Kelven is referred to as a half sun elf. Which is the accurate description? Also, do you have any further information on the Delimbiyr family? Ancestors that came after Kelven? Was Kelven tied to any of the noble elf families? Any answers would be greatly appreciated.
Good catch. The original N5 - Under Illefarn doesn't specify.
I think half-moon elf is more likely than half-gold elf, so I would go that route.
I would say that Kelven was a commoner, not of noble birth.
--Eric |
| Kelnaar |
Posted - 07 Jan 2025 : 16:16:13
Eric, first I would like to express a heartfelt thank you for all the work you do and the fact that you interact with the community.
I am currently running an Age of Worms campaign, integrating it with Under Illefarn Anew and all the information it contains (great stuff BTW). I have taken the Land family and made them part of the Delimbiyr family (cousins of the current Delimbiyrs). However as I was researching the Delimbiyrs I came across a conflicting issue in Under Illefarm Anew. In the history of Daggerford it lists Kelven Delimbiyr as half moon elf, however, under Arayndar’s description Kelven is referred to as a half sun elf. Which is the accurate description? Also, do you have any further information on the Delimbiyr family? Ancestors that came after Kelven? Was Kelven tied to any of the noble elf families? Any answers would be greatly appreciated. |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 06 Jan 2025 : 15:55:20
quote:
Originally posted by Returnip
Hey, Eric. I have a question for you.
In the "trail of tears" article series there are words of wisdom from Tempus "echoing in the mind of anyone passing through the portal". Are those words supposed to echo in the mind after they arrive at a new scene as a sort of hint of what is to come or are they supposed to echo in the mind as people pass through the next portal leading to the next scene as a sort of conclusion of what they experienced at the last scene? Each can work equally fine I guess. I'm just curious as to what you intended.
After they arrive, but other is fine.
quote:
And one additional question.
In 3.x City of Splendors - Waterdeep, in the sewers encounter tables, when you roll "thief" it refers to the text for explanation, but there is no explaining text for the thief entry. Was it supposed to be a reference to the previously mentioned "solitary rogues" that could be encountered there, basically just "rogue with 1dX levels" or did you have something more elaborate in mind for that, such as important rogue NPCs or teams of rogues from one of the thieves' guilds?
I don't recall exactly.
I would probably do something like:
60% - Solitary rogue, level 1d6
20% - Solitary rogue, level 2d6
20% - 1d4+1 rogues from a guild (re-roll for each).
Thanks,
--Eric |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 06 Jan 2025 : 15:47:51
quote:
Originally posted by kysus
Oh thats really cool, that name Teshyll the aged seems familiar are they in your write up for the myth glaurach online article, was there anymore information on who Teshyll the aged was, were they any elf noble of some sought or a really powerful human caster that was respected by the elves? Im also curious about what Teshyll and Arun's son thoughts were on the fate of that city.
I think Teshyll the Aged was probably a moon elf, but I don't think I've ever figured that out for sure.
--Eric |
| Returnip |
Posted - 24 Aug 2024 : 20:47:38
Hey, Eric. I have a question for you.
In the "trail of tears" article series there are words of wisdom from Tempus "echoing in the mind of anyone passing through the portal". Are those words supposed to echo in the mind after they arrive at a new scene as a sort of hint of what is to come or are they supposed to echo in the mind as people pass through the next portal leading to the next scene as a sort of conclusion of what they experienced at the last scene? Each can work equally fine I guess. I'm just curious as to what you intended.
And one additional question.
In 3.x City of Splendors - Waterdeep, in the sewers encounter tables, when you roll "thief" it refers to the text for explanation, but there is no explaining text for the thief entry. Was it supposed to be a reference to the previously mentioned "solitary rogues" that could be encountered there, basically just "rogue with 1dX levels" or did you have something more elaborate in mind for that, such as important rogue NPCs or teams of rogues from one of the thieves' guilds? |
| kysus |
Posted - 10 Apr 2024 : 00:32:22
Oh thats really cool, that name Teshyll the aged seems familiar are they in your write up for the myth glaurach online article, was there anymore information on who Teshyll the aged was, were they any elf noble of some sought or a really powerful human caster that was respected by the elves? Im also curious about what Teshyll and Arun's son thoughts were on the fate of that city. |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 08 Apr 2024 : 21:59:25
quote:
Originally posted by kysus
Hey Eric i had a question for you i was just thinking about, do you think there could still be some secrets left behind undiscovered in myth glaurach that were never found by the elves during the last mythal series? and would you have any examples of some if there is any secrets still left?
Of course there are secrets!
For example, there is a lost folio penned by Teshyll the Aged recording his notes from speaking with Arun's Son about the fate of the lost city of Myth Adofhaer.
--Eric |
| kysus |
Posted - 08 Apr 2024 : 21:38:24
Hey Eric i had a question for you i was just thinking about, do you think there could still be some secrets left behind undiscovered in myth glaurach that were never found by the elves during the last mythal series? and would you have any examples of some if there is any secrets still left? |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 08 Mar 2024 : 23:19:07
Great example. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 08 Mar 2024 : 22:40:04
I had an NPC that became an elf-friend and was welcome to Evermeet because he was part of a group (the others were elves) that found a legendary magic staff and returned it to Evermeet. The staff allowed High Magic to be cast without penalty outside of Evermeet. |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 27 Feb 2024 : 01:46:38
quote:
Originally posted by Azar
quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
My guess is probably about as interested as the Fair Folk are in having non-elves visit Evermeet.
By that I mean, very resistant, with the exception of certain elf-friends like Mirt, the Seven Sisters, Elminster, and senior Harpers.
--Eric
Essentially, Player Characters will need to perform a rather substantial favor for Corellon's children before they are granted the privilege? Much appreciated.
Exactly. And "substantial" is probably on par with rescue a small kingdom of elves. |
| Azar |
Posted - 27 Feb 2024 : 00:28:53
quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
My guess is probably about as interested as the Fair Folk are in having non-elves visit Evermeet.
By that I mean, very resistant, with the exception of certain elf-friends like Mirt, the Seven Sisters, Elminster, and senior Harpers.
--Eric
Essentially, Player Characters will need to perform a rather substantial favor for Corellon's children before they are granted the privilege? Much appreciated. |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 17 Feb 2024 : 10:57:12
My guess is probably about as interested as the Fair Folk are in having non-elves visit Evermeet.
By that I mean, very resistant, with the exception of certain elf-friends like Mirt, the Seven Sisters, Elminster, and senior Harpers.
--Eric |
| Azar |
Posted - 17 Feb 2024 : 09:25:30
Mr. Boyd, I have a question pertaining to Demihuman Deities. Generally speaking, with the exceptions of Fenmarel Mestarine (the loner) and Shevarash (the avenger), how open are the various Elven religions to the possibility of outsiders witnessing their ceremonies? |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 03 Jan 2024 : 22:20:54
My intent was to go with the 1325 DR birth year for Baelam the Bold.
While the general rule is that you go with the newer source, when it's Ed writing it and when they copied 1e material verbatim into a 2e source without updating it, my rule of thumb is to go with the older source.
Given such confusion, I now avoid writing ages and always write birth years. Keeps it much simpler for the DM who might be running the campaign in any given year.
--Eric |
| Italian Archmage Karsus |
Posted - 28 Nov 2023 : 23:30:41
Hey, I was going over Baelam the Bold (City of Splendors, Waterdeep: p. 120-121). In an earlier book, Campaign Guide to Myth Drannor inside the Ruins of Myth Drannor boxed set, he's stated to be 31 years old in the apparent year of 1356. However, the default date of 2e was 1368 DR, and he was also present in Dragon 172. While a later source overrules a previous source, CGtMD is not explicitly set in 1356.
If he is taken to be 31 years old by 1368 DR, that makes him out to be 5 years old in 1342 DR, when he slays his master's assassins. I think it's more reasonable to say he's 31 years old in 1356, so he'd be 17 years old by 1342, which is in line with many a player character's age. It seems like a foregone conclusion to me, but just to stay on the safe side, I thought I should check in. Was that bit in City of Splendors written under the consideration he was 31 years old in 1356, rather than in 1368? |
| Azar |
Posted - 26 Sep 2023 : 08:05:30
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
quote:
Originally posted by Azar
There are solid reasons as to "why" that perception persists. In most D&D core rulebooks, Elves are listed as Chaotic Good; there hasn't been a single Forgotten Realms campaign setting book or box set that has gone out of its way to blatantly refute this moral/ethical description as it applies to Corellon's offspring in The Realms.
You might want to read "Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves" a bit more closely.
-- George Krashos
I have*, but most players - hell, most DMs - don't get in that deep. By "campaign setting book or box set", I was referring to the primers which cover The Realms as a whole...touching on multiple regions (such as the 3e FRCS hardcover). That aside, I'm not sure where or even if we ought to continue this conversation; I dislike hijacking a thread with a broader purpose.
*Once through, from cover to cover. It is occasionally revisited for inspiration, however. |
|
|
