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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Aug 2010 : 16:46:41
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Well folks, Gen Con 2010 is nearly upon us. As in previous years I'd welcome an opportunity to meet folks from Candlekeep and swap stories about the setting we all love.
I plan on attending the Forgotten Realms seminar on Friday at 4PM. Perhaps we could meet up afterwards and hang out for a bit. This is a picture of my brother Matt (left) and myself (right). http://twitpic.com/dosbg Please come up and say hello!
As in years past, I'll be posting news and pic on my twitter account at www.twitter.com/brianrjames Twitter is also a great way to contact me at the con, if you want to grab a bite to eat or whatever.
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Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
Edited by - Brian R. James on 03 Aug 2010 16:47:51
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4273 Posts |
Posted - 03 Aug 2010 : 16:49:50
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I must confess that I thought you a bit taller and stouter Brian. Good to know your mug though.  |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 03 Aug 2010 : 18:41:44
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My brother calls me a gnome and it's hard to disagree with him, given the beard and all.  |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4273 Posts |
Posted - 03 Aug 2010 : 18:58:45
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Tinker...or Mad variety?  |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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althen artren
Senior Scribe
USA
780 Posts |
Posted - 03 Aug 2010 : 21:24:11
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So, will any of our stalwalts go to Gencon and record every word that Ed utters.
I get the sense that a lot is said that isn't reported reported anywhere. I wonder
how many tidbits have disappeared over the years. |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6692 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2010 : 00:36:11
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Yes, have a great time all who get to GEN-CON. Give Ed a hug and smooch from me - I'll be there in spirit. The way things are shaping up, 2011 is looking like a good bet for my second GEN-CON attendance. Keep that FR flame burning bright until then.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
Edited by - George Krashos on 04 Aug 2010 00:37:07 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2010 : 01:35:56
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Also, I'll be the ludicrously tall guy in the inevitably black shirt with the amusing logo.
Looking forward to hand shaking plus hang outing.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4273 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2010 : 01:57:41
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You guys may not believe this, but I have NEVER been to a gaming convention of any import...ever.
To keep me from all the research (my head is deep in lore of The Ride right now...just taking a break here), how much does a typical trip to a convention like GenCon cost? Not room and board mind you...simply the events at the convention. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2010 : 02:33:04
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not going, money reasons.
sho do me a favor, tell everybody hi for me.... |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction
Magister's GAmbit
http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3256 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2010 : 03:20:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
You guys may not believe this, but I have NEVER been to a gaming convention of any import...ever.
To keep me from all the research (my head is deep in lore of The Ride right now...just taking a break here), how much does a typical trip to a convention like GenCon cost? Not room and board mind you...simply the events at the convention.
4-day badge is around $80, housing is where you're going to get hit the hardest depending on where you stay. Travel costs vary depending on your mode of travel (driving/car pooling is still the cheapest, even if you rent a car). Expect to spend around $50-$100 a day on food, again, depending on where you eat (could be really frugal and knock that down to $25 a day and survive on bottled water/soda and two Subway meals a day). And don't forget the fun money. Walking around the dealers room, you can easily drop $200-$500 during your trip on dice, games, dice, books, dice, artwork, dice, t-shirts and dice.
My advice on planning the trip:
1) Car-pool if possible with friends if you're within 1000 miles.
2) Buddy up on the hotel rooms, there's even a lot of people that advertise for roomies on the GenCon forums and I've yet to hear of any kidneys being stolen. GenCon has it's own housing authority that gives discounted rates on the local hotels in the city proper, but if you have transportation, there some motels just outside the city for good prices.
3) Don't fill your schedule with event tickets. When you're going through the event catalog, you'll be tempted to schedule every waking hour at a gaming table (I know I did when I went to my first in `07). You'll wind up trading the tickets back in (which they will comp back to your credit card if you used it), but it's better to simply choose the events you MOST want to play in and leave a lot of time open.
4) Plan ahead for everything. GenCon officially starts at 7-8 AM on Thursday. But most people get into town on Wednesday afternoon to meet up with friends, visit the local pubs and attend some special pre-Con events (Paizo held a special party for their Society DMs last year, you got in by invite only). And the Dealer's hall opens around 9 AM on Thursday (I think... I can't remember exactly). Make sure if you want to be one of the first ones in, you get to the doors and camp out a good 60-90 minutes before they open. The crowd gets HUGE.
5) The Con spreads out from the Convention Center throughout the city. Be prepared to walk. If you're going to Cosplay, make sure to either keep the costume street-legal (i.e. you can see to cross the street), or it can be broken down and easily carried. If not Cosplaying, still dress smartly. Cargo shorts with big pockets, a backpack or messenger bag you can carry your gear in (but don't try to carry everything). If possible, either keep stuff in a hotel room (if it's close to the center) or in a car (if you parked locally). Even if you have to walk 5-6 blocks to drop stuff off/change out gear, it's better than lugging 50-100 lbs of dice, books and laptops for 12+ hours.
Thats all I got. My friends and I couldn't make the trip this year, but we will be going next year for sure. Hope to see ya then! |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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Tyrant
Senior Scribe
USA
586 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2010 : 16:08:51
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I think the Dealer's Hall opens at 10 for GenCon and it closes at 6 Thur-Sat and 4 on Sun.
Other possible advice/tidbits/add ons:
If you have to buy a badge on site, I would try at all costs to do so Wednesday so you don't miss anything once things are actually "open".
If you want a locker, instead of leaving everything in the car/hotel room, try to get it sometime before the Con actually starts. All the easy to find ones are usually gone by sometime Wednesday night but you can get lucky. In years past when I had a lot of stuff (miniatures) I would get a locker and just keep using it. This also means you need lots of quarters. The vendors (food vendors, to be clear) were initially okay with making change but eventually started making a purchase mandatory.
I wouldn't buy any food in the convention center. I don't recall any of it that isn't over priced. The same goes for drinks. I usually walk over to the mall and eat in their food court (still not as cheap as McDonalds, for instance, but cheaper than the convention center for more food in most cases). For non fast food type food, there are some places to eat right there at the mall as well. As far as drinks, if you can go without soft drinks for a while I would bring one with you when you come to the convention center and then just use the fountains to fill it with water during the day.
As Ashe said, if you want to be in the door in the initial rush, get there early. If you have a specific goal (like getting a promo that will be gone in minutes), find the booth in question on the map and locate the nearest entrance. There are (or at least there were) at leaast 3 main entrances. The "middle" one seems to have the largest crowd of people outside.
As far as parking, get there early. There are a couple decent choices as far as places to park but you have to get there early to get a decent spot. I usually park in the mall parking garage (the tower not the underground lot, though that one isn't a terrible walk or anything) and from there you can walk the whole way indoors. Plus it's on the way to the food court so I can drop off my stuff when I go to eat to give my shoulder a rest.
If you are driving, I would try to get there sometime Wednesday and try to drive around downtown to get used to the set up of the one way streets and figure out where everything is in relationship to everything else.
You should also check out the GenCon official forums. There is quite a bit of info on there. There are also some Indy natives who keep people up to date on construction, road closings, other things to do etc.
As far as badges, if you are going to be there 2 or more days, buy a 4 day pass in advance. It's $68 for a 4 day badge in advance, or $48 a day at the gate. A 4 day badge is $78 at the door (meaning it's still cheaper than 2, 1 day badges).
For housing, try to get it as soon as possible. There are cheaper rates available through GenCon and I believe they go fairly fast. I've got a friend and a sister who live in Indy and I live in southern Indiana so I haven't ever had to deal with that end of things. All I ever see is advice to be quick about it once it's an option.
Although I haven't done it much myself, others seem to advise that you should try to haggle a little with the dealers. Some will not directly charge tax (on top of msrp anyway, I assume it's already built into the price) if you pay cash, for instance. If you are selling things (I sell my extra minis, for instance) the dealers will often give you more in trade credit than they will in cash. The best deals are on Sunday, but things might have sold out before then so wait at your own risk. Also, keep an eye out for promos and give aways. I have been able to somewhat finance past cons by selling these things vendors just hand out. Not so much the past 2 years, but maybe I just haven't been looking outside my own interests enough to find them.
Good luck. |
Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.
-The Sith Code
Teenage Sith zombies, Tulkh thought-how in the moons of Bogden had it all started? Every so often, the universe must just get bored and decide to really cut loose. -Star Wars: Red Harvest |
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Halidan
Senior Scribe
USA
470 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2010 : 19:37:31
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I envy all of the Candlekeep sages who'll make GenCon 2010. I've missed the last four since I'm unable to travel to Indy the due to my back injuries. Hopefully, things will be better in 2011.
Having been to 20+ previous GenCon's, I'd like to echo all of the tips that Ashe and Tyrant have made. My only other tip would be to try new games, both as events and as demo's in the dealer's area. You'll never know when you'll find a game that becomes a favorite.
Also - don't forget to eat. I'll always remember rushing a friend of mine on Saturday night to a Milwaukee hospital. He was diabetic and hadn't eaten a decent meal in 2 1/2 days - he'd been having too much fun gaming to bother to stop and eat more than the overpriced nacho's in the MECCA. |
"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied,
"If you seek for Eldorado!"
Edgar Allen Poe - 1849 |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3256 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2010 : 20:47:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Halidan
I envy all of the Candlekeep sages who'll make GenCon 2010. I've missed the last four since I'm unable to travel to Indy the due to my back injuries. Hopefully, things will be better in 2011.
Having been to 20+ previous GenCon's, I'd like to echo all of the tips that Ashe and Tyrant have made. My only other tip would be to try new games, both as events and as demo's in the dealer's area. You'll never know when you'll find a game that becomes a favorite.
Also - don't forget to eat. I'll always remember rushing a friend of mine on Saturday night to a Milwaukee hospital. He was diabetic and hadn't eaten a decent meal in 2 1/2 days - he'd been having too much fun gaming to bother to stop and eat more than the overpriced nacho's in the MECCA.
Are you sure it wasn't the nachos that sent him to the hospital? Not sayin' their bad, just that I think I saw the same basket of nachos in 2009 and 2007... |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2010 : 00:09:34
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| I can't believe I'm sitting 25 minutes north of gencon, reading about it and not attending |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2010 : 01:04:43
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Just got back from Kentucky today.
Had I planned better, I would have extended my vacation an extra 4 days - I was a mere 200 miles away. 
However, I am am already making arrangements for next year.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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althen artren
Senior Scribe
USA
780 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2010 : 01:07:37
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I hit Gencon 04 and got the 30 ann tshirt with beholder and a tote bag at the dinner. Who know
turkey legs came soo big.
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3256 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2010 : 01:11:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Just got back from Kentucky today.
Had I planned better, I would have extended my vacation an extra 4 days - I was a mere 200 miles away.
However, I am am already making arrangements for next year.
Dude, we sooo gotta meet next year if you go. |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2010 : 01:39:19
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I will definitely be there, unless the world ends, which isn't scheduled until 2012, last I checked.
If I didn't already have prior commitments (with my kids), I would have changed my flight and went this year. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Mr_Miscellany
Senior Scribe
545 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2010 : 17:40:31
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| Not going to this one; instead I'm busy fulfilling my new year's resolution to visit the bar every single day this year. |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3256 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2010 : 19:54:47
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So, I'm paying attention to just about every scrap of info coming out of GenCon 2010. And so far, there has been nothing about a setting release for 2011. I shot an message off to some people there to see if I just missed it or not, but I'm beginning to think there won't be a setting for 2011.
In fact, the only thing I've seen is a post on the WotC boards where someone asked one of the Wizards counterpeople what the new setting might be and the response was there won't be one (take with a grain of salt since they're not 'in the know').
So, if this is all true, it means that you've got the Ravenloft board game, the Gamma World game (which isn't really sticking to 4E rules) and ... Nothing. No Dragonlance, no Planescape, no Spelljammer, no Greyhawk, no Birthright, no Oriental/Kara-tur, no Arabian/Al-Qadim, no Blackmoor, no Mystara, no Lankhmar, no Kalamar, no Maztica. All of those great settings, and they are going to sit on them. |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2010 : 20:52:20
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Canon Maztica and Kalamar...
Your definition of 'great' is extremely gracious.
Since I never really considered Birthright 'real' D&D, I'll give it a pass (but looking into it since the inception of 4e, I can see where a LOT of our 'Shadow-stuff' came from). Not entirely bad (as I had thought), but certainly not D&D... it actually reminds me a lot of Rokugon (Lot5R) in flavor (magically, not Asian-like).
You forgot Council of Wyrms, Red Steel (Mystara sub-setting), and Gothic Earth (Ravenloft sub-setting). All viable options for a one-shot setting book. The neo-setting that was part of the Incarnum book would also work, as would the mini-setting of Jakandor.
They could also do a setting book on the implied setting of the 4e rules books, although that would go against what they had originally stated as its purpose (a non-setting for DM's to borrow bits from).
TSR also had Supers, Spy, and Old West settings as well. Not D&D, but they could be made to work with 4e. A 'Supers' game would work exceptionally well with the 4e rules.
Is there a '4e Modern' rules set out? |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3256 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2010 : 21:40:25
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Yeah, I just got tired of writing down all the settings they COULD do but looks like they won't .
Unless you count Star Wars SAGA, there's no modern rules. |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2010 : 21:58:14
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| You both forgot Ghostwalk. |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3256 Posts |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2010 : 23:30:31
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LOL - maybe its 'Coke Classic'... err... I mean 'Classic Realms'.
You know, a book wherein they reprint all the stuff some other guy wrote 20 years ago and they slap their names on it... not that they have ever done that before. 
On the other hand, that would mean its the best damn sourcebook 4e has produced to date. 
I'd probably even buy it... seriously.
quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
You both forgot Ghostwalk.
Actually, that's what I meant when I mentioned Incarnum - I always get those two sources mixed-up.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 06 Aug 2010 23:34:48 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2010 : 01:18:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
So, I'm paying attention to just about every scrap of info coming out of GenCon 2010. And so far, there has been nothing about a setting release for 2011. I shot an message off to some people there to see if I just missed it or not, but I'm beginning to think there won't be a setting for 2011.
In fact, the only thing I've seen is a post on the WotC boards where someone asked one of the Wizards counterpeople what the new setting might be and the response was there won't be one (take with a grain of salt since they're not 'in the know').
So, if this is all true, it means that you've got the Ravenloft board game, the Gamma World game (which isn't really sticking to 4E rules) and ... Nothing. No Dragonlance, no Planescape, no Spelljammer, no Greyhawk, no Birthright, no Oriental/Kara-tur, no Arabian/Al-Qadim, no Blackmoor, no Mystara, no Lankhmar, no Kalamar, no Maztica. All of those great settings, and they are going to sit on them.
Strange. At last year's GenCon, it was almost a given that the next setting would be DRAGONLANCE. Curious... |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Tyrant
Senior Scribe
USA
586 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2010 : 03:52:49
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Well, tomorrow morning is suppossed to be the main D&D seminar/Q&A. They are saving the big reveal on exactly what FR product we will see next year so I think it's a distinct possibility that if they are trying to keep something under wraps they will wait until that seminar to reveal it (obviously that's assuming they are keeping it under wraps to reveal it in that fashion).
On the minis front, for anyone interested, we will finally get Manshoon and some new (non yellow) Zhents in miniature form.
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Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.
-The Sith Code
Teenage Sith zombies, Tulkh thought-how in the moons of Bogden had it all started? Every so often, the universe must just get bored and decide to really cut loose. -Star Wars: Red Harvest |
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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2010 : 04:42:08
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| Well, lets get some information tomorrow and see what's what. |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3256 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2010 : 17:13:42
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A new RAVENLOFT campaign setting!?! That's almost as good as a 4e DRAGONLANCE book. 
This is exciting news regardless, and while I'm a little disappointed that DL seems to have slid down into the sidelines once again, I'm still ecstatic that one of my long-time TSR favourites is finally gaining new attention.
As for the FR news... A Neverwinter Campaign Guide? Hmmm. I wonder whether this will be the start of some new publishing trend whereby Wizards will publish guides for other prominent locations in the Realms. Was it said why Neverwinter was singled out?
And yes, a mighty congratulations to the Brothers James!  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 07 Aug 2010 17:14:37 |
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Gen Con 2010
