| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
D-brane
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
140 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 05:55:55
|
Because I'm curious. I've been thinking about adding my own contributions to the stored Realms lore archive here at 'Keep. And so I've been looking for how other 'Keepers put together their works. I've come across some amazing write-ups from people Markustay, Dalor, and Snowblood, and all just recently.
But the purpose of this thread, is to ask you, as an unofficial (or official as the case may be) member, how you go about writing Realms lore. Do you pick a location, or a race, or a character or historical event, or any other facet of FR, do the research, then go out and seek connections with other lore that hasn't been worked out in an official capacity? How do you all do it?!?!?! 
I guess I'm just asking for help really. I want to get in on this, but I need some general pointers on how to go about starting to write unofficial lore for the setting.
Any help would be appreciated.
|
"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence." |
|
|
Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4273 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 06:13:12
|
First, pick something that interests you...nothing is worse than trying to work on something you simply aren't interested in.
Second, find out if work has already been done on that topic...if so, that is actually a good thing; it doesn't mean you can't write your own take! OR, if nobody has written anything specific, then you go on with your own ideas. You can freely contradict other folks take on something, Ed Greenwood has said that each Forgotten Realms is for each person (or something like that anyway). To me, that is why I love the Forgotten Realms!
Third, I decided to find any information that already exists about my chosen subject. Personally, I pick through it and find what I like and what I don't like. What I don't like I either write about in a minimal way, or even leave it out. Personally though, I like to fit things together so that I don't conflict anything already written that is official...but that doesn't mean I can't bend what is "true" about the Forgotten Realms.
Then, I take each individual part of my project and write out everything I know about it. As an example for my current project on The Ride I have the following lists as major topics:
Ancient Giant Civilizations
Ancient Elven Civilizations
Ancient Human Civilizations
Modern Lands
Modern Civilizations (Human, Elf, etc)
Then, I try to place any and all information I find in one of those categories...things like ruins, cities, magic items and etc. Anything I find, I place in one of those categories.
Then under each category I have sub-categories, and then further break things down until I reach the end of information that can be found.
For "The Ride" I'm now in the process of filling in what *I* want to put in the project.
After I'm done with that (including getting someone to make some pretty maps for me!) I start looking at all my information and seeing where different things have things in common...and begin to write and tie it all together.
Most of the actual writing of the project for me is much more free-form than the research. Research is...to me...just to find out information and categorize it for use; my writing is much more free flowing. I write whatever I want, and then make sure what I have written doesn't conflict at all with what I originally had as information from my research and own ideas.
Then I'm done...
I have no idea if that is going to help you at all...but that is how I am doing it on this project...and how I did it on the Ixinos project. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
 |
|
|
Snowblood
Senior Scribe
Australia
388 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 10:36:36
|
| In my case I started out just compiling alot of stuff on Evereska, then did a write up on Myth Rhynn for my group, Soon I discovered that there was a lot of lore on the Crown Wars but scattered...so after working out who all the protagonists were, I then began working out individual histories for the realms and how these stories all linked together. My starting point is the GHoTR and Lost Empires, then alot of 1st & 2nd edition publications, these are as close to original lore as you can get. The ask Ed a few judicious questions and hope he will give up some o' the goods. Then start trawling the web for obscure lore references, search the Keep here for lots of useful bits, find a good map & adjust it for period changes (photo shop helps here) Im no cartographer like the great Markustay. It helps to be a little obsessive. Bottom line is decide what you want from a period campaign setting and give it a history, some places to visit, heroes & villains & opportunities for the PC's to make a difference.........hope thats useful.....PM me if you want period specific resources..... |
Aryvandaar, Ilythiir, Arnothoi, Orva, Sarphil, Anauria/Asram/Hlondath, Uvaeren, Braceldaur, Ilodhar, Lisenaar, Imaskar, Miyeritar, Orishaar, Shantel Othrieir, Keltormir, Eaerlann, Ammarindar, Siluvanede, Sharrven, Illefarn, Ardeep, Rystal Wood, Evereska are all available here for download:http://phasai.deviantart.com/gallery/
|
Edited by - Snowblood on 13 Aug 2010 10:38:03 |
|
|
|
Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 10:54:32
|
My first advice would be to decide where you stand where canon is conserned, that decides how you go about your recearch.
I usually don't care much for canon, so I start with an idea and just write, I will include any elements from canon that I can think of and adapting it if needed and changing my original ideas as I work if something better comes to me. I need to write things to sort through ideas and thoughts, so it usually just becomes a stream of writing that is then edited and systematized as much as I am able to do.
The most important factor in writing Realmslore here is to have fun. Find the method and version that appeals the most to you and you find the most rewarding. This isn't paid work, so mostly it will be something done for ones own entertainment, hoping someone else might find something of use. |
|
|
|
Balduran Lavidah
Seeker
France
83 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 11:42:28
|
La question est pertinente, car moi aussi je suis dans ton cas. Pour ma part, je n'y suis pas allé de main morte en reprenant directement l'histoire de Baldur's Gate et en l'interprétant à ma manière.
______________________________________________________________________
The question is relevant because I too am in your case . For my part, I did not pull his punches in directly repeating the history of Baldur 's Gate and by interpreting it my way . |
"Le savoir s'apprend. La curiosité forme le savoir." |
|
|
|
Halidan
Senior Scribe
USA
470 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 01:04:07
|
I usually pick out lore that will help on my current campaign. After looking up what has been written on the area/topic, I try and fill in the missing blanks. I usually start with flora, fauna, weather, terrain and anything else that I can use to create a good picture in the minds of my players.
Once that is done, I try to create stories and legends about the area that I can tell to my players via bards, books, gossip and other conversations.
After the legends, I'll work out the hard stuff - which for me is adventure sites and possible quests for my players to undertake. I dislike creating stat blocks and fleshing out NPC's. I know it must be done, but I delay it as long as I can.
I also must echo Jorkins. The creation of Realmslore must be fun. If the subject or area you're writingabout doesn't appeal to you, switch to one that does. |
"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 |
|
|
|
Snowblood
Senior Scribe
Australia
388 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 02:39:55
|
| I agree if its not fun....drop it like a hot rock & move on..... |
Aryvandaar, Ilythiir, Arnothoi, Orva, Sarphil, Anauria/Asram/Hlondath, Uvaeren, Braceldaur, Ilodhar, Lisenaar, Imaskar, Miyeritar, Orishaar, Shantel Othrieir, Keltormir, Eaerlann, Ammarindar, Siluvanede, Sharrven, Illefarn, Ardeep, Rystal Wood, Evereska are all available here for download:http://phasai.deviantart.com/gallery/
|
|
|
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6692 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 03:01:30
|
I make stuff up.
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
|
|
|
Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4273 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 03:05:37
|
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I make stuff up.
-- George Krashos
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Say it aint so! |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 03:13:44
|
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I make stuff up.
-- George Krashos
Pretty much. Can't get much simpler than that. Just go with what works. For you.
If it contradicts established lore, it should only concern you, as the writer, *if* you're presenting it as close-to-official lore here at Candlekeep. At which point, you tinker, mould, shape, and nurture until you find how it can fit/relate with established stuff.
But Krash's philosophy on Realmslore design works with official lore, too [as his own canon material has proven time and again]. Because not every element of the Realms has been dealt with in full and complete detail. So "making stuff up" is still as easy, so long as you keep in mind what's already been said, officially, and go from there.
There's plenty of "holes" in the Realmslore, just begging for discovery and exploration. So have at it! Jump right in! We'll be here to support you should you need any help.  |
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 14 Aug 2010 03:14:34 |
|
|
|
Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 05:47:24
|
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I make stuff up.
-- George Krashos
Echoes this. Mostly I just read about the idea/npc/etc and then make stuff up. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
|
|
|
Lady Kazandra
Senior Scribe
Australia
921 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2010 : 08:04:38
|
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I make stuff up.
-- George Krashos
Echoes this. Mostly I just read about the idea/npc/etc and then make stuff up.
Succinctly put. I can't think of anything more to add to it. *smiles* |
"Once upon a time the plural of 'wizard' was 'war'." -- The Last Continent, by Terry Pratchett |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
How do you "write/create" your Realms lore?
