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Zealot
Seeker
USA
59 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Feb 2013 : 16:52:31
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I have to say I have had a big misunderstanding about the Forgotten Realms. I just watched the interview with Ed Greenwood on Youtube. I recommend it to everyone even if it is quite lengthy. One of my old DMs told me once that Elminster was Mr. Greenwood's personal character and that's why he had so much power. I now understand the reason for Elminster and I understand much more of the Forgotten Realms.
I was surprised to find that Mr. Greenwood finds the time to take personal interest in the Realms and he is willing to answer questions. I am totally blown away by his demeanor and I have to admit I have a growing case of hero worship.
I really must thank you for the Forgotten Realms. I started playing the setting all because of a little article with a calendar for the Realms in Dragon magazine. I have been hooked and enjoyed the setting ever since. Even in a war zone me and a few of my mates took time to discuss our ideas for the setting and what we liked most about it. It helped us forget the place we were and brought a bit of comfort making us feel closer to home.
I have to admit that when I returned home and read about the Spell Plague I almost threw up my hands and gave up. After watching the interview I am now impatiently waiting the next incarnation of the Realms that Mr. Greenwood alluded to.
All in all I would like to just say thanks to the man that has kept me gaming for 20 plus years and helped me get through some of the worst times and best times of my life.
Btw did I mention the hero worship thing? Thanks sir and I look forward to whatever is coming down the pipe.
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Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2013 : 02:34:51
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Thank you for the kind words! I will forward them to Ed, and see what reply he sends me back to post here for you. (Probably tomorrow, as I know he has family visiting right now, and almost certainly can't get online.)
love,
THO |
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Lord of Bones
Seeker
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2013 : 11:26:41
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| If it's the interview I conducted then I thank you very much for watching it! It was great fun for me as well and hopefully I'll do another one in a few months or so, Ed's time permitting! :) |
Come watch the Gentleman's Guide to Gaming!
http://www.youtube.com/user/clackclickbang
On my channel I review and dissect role-playing games with great gusto. Please do take a look and let me know what you think. |
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Zealot
Seeker
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2013 : 13:42:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord of Bones
If it's the interview I conducted then I thank you very much for watching it! It was great fun for me as well and hopefully I'll do another one in a few months or so, Ed's time permitting! :)
Yes I was refering to your interview and let me say its was absolutely brilliant. I thought you covered some amazing points. I also enjoyed the way you and Mr Greenwood bantered back and forth. It was like listening to a couple of old friends talk about the last game session rather than a dry interview. Bravo on the fantastic job. |
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2013 : 15:56:22
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Ed is like that with everyone. He has one of those personalities that just sweep you in. 
He takes the time to know his fans... ALL OF THEM. I didn't recognized half the designers/authors in front of me (even after seeing pics of them on jacket-covers and what-not) at Gencon, but HE takes the time to get to know what his fans look like, so he can properly greet them when he meets them.
Amazing. |
"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 18 Feb 2013 15:59:54 |
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Zealot
Seeker
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2013 : 16:44:18
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I think that's what made me an even bigger fan. He has such a passion for the setting without telling you that there is only one way to run it. I especially appreciated him answering the question about things he didn't like added to the Realms. Like is said I'm won over and I can get over my bitterness about the Spell Plague.
I've met a certain author, I won't mention names, that was quite aloof and almost snobbish. This was very refreshing to see someone respond to his fans minus the arrogance. I'm suffering from full blown hero worship. Id almost move back to Canada..... almost |
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2013 : 17:12:35
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And here's Ed himself:
Hi, Zealot. You’re very welcome, and thank YOU for loving the Realms and playing in it for all these years. It’s always been a precious imaginary place to me, but long ago it went from being my personal daydreaming spot for writing fantasy stories (as a young geek reading his way through all the books in my father’s den) to my life’s work, shared with gamers everywhere. The Realms has literally given me thousands of friends all over the world, and taken me to see a lot of the world and meet them. For me, gaming, and writing about the Realms, is all about hanging out with friends and spinning dreams together. I feel very privileged to have had the chance to share the Realms with others and to have it catch on with so many people and become so meaningful and important to so many.
I know this sounds like a political speech or a sermon, but I mean it. The Realms is my life’s work, work I love doing. I am thrilled to work with so many talented fellow designers and writers and artists and editors, and to just “talk Realms” with gamers whenever I get the chance.
And being part of the plans for what we’ll see ahead in the Realms, I am really excited. Recently, Bob Salvatore outlined what he’s planned for his next three or four books (he isn’t sure how much will comfortably fit into each book, hence the “or” there), and I can’t WAIT to read them! Just yesterday I was discussing some tiny details of Realmslore with Erin Evans, and I can’t wait to read HER next two Realms books! I’ve seen some of the art for the forthcoming Murder In Baldur’s Gate adventure, and was thrilled, and played the LORDS OF WATERDEEP board game with the designers who created it and one of the expansions that will be coming out at GenCon this August, and now I lust to get my hands on that expansion . . . for me, it’s like being a kid at Christmas. A Christmas that never ends.
“Being there” to answer lore questions from gamers is a vital part of bringing the Realms to life, and helps add deeper and richer detail for us all. There are some secrets I must keep, but whenever and whatever I can share, I will - - because I want everyone to enjoy the Realms, and go on enjoying it for years and years to come. Come what may, I hope YOU enjoy the Realms for years and years, because that’s really what it’s all about, and why I do this. I work on the Realms every day of my life, very happily. I’ve managed to create my dream job, and hope I never have to stop doing it. Which reminds me, after the first draft of my Sundering novel is done, I have to get that Spin A Yarn tale written . . .
Hero? Well, I don’t think I’m close to that, but I’ll try to behave like one - - and try to be a good friend.
And may the Realms entertain us all, forever.
There you go, Zealot. (And yes, Ed isn't an arrogant guy. He's a jovial flirt, but that's quite a different thing. I find him one of the kindest and most understanding of men. As well as being perhaps the greatest worldbuilder ever.)
love,
THO |
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Kris the Grey
Senior Scribe
USA
422 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2013 : 17:38:15
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@Zealot - Well said. I too was impressed at how approachable, down to earth, and just plain witty Ed was when I first had occasion to interact with him (and since). Even though the Realms hasn't earned him a fortune (like created worlds have for many an author, director, or screenwriter) he still approaches them with joy and wonder and, unlike many a world builder, is happy to have new people add to or play in his sandbox. It's one of the things that makes the Realms live and breathe for me, and it will keep them as my setting of choice for as long as I continue gaming.
Here's to you Monsieur Greenwood. Keep on Realmsing it up! |
Kris the Grey - Member in Good Standing of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors, the Arcane Guild of Silverymoon, and the Connecticut Bar Association |
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Arcanus
Senior Scribe
485 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2013 : 18:24:44
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That's what is so great about Ed. Not only is he the creator of the Realms, he's the worlds biggest Realms fan. As a fan he understands that we all want more and more and he always does his best (NDA's permitting) to keep us happy.
The best thing about Ed is that he's such a nice guy, I've never met him but I feel like I know him. You can't say that about many people in his position.
All hail Ed!! |
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Zealot
Seeker
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2013 : 20:18:02
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| Thank you so much. I never expected to hear something directly from him. Forgive me while I do a very unmanly faint |
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. |
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Derulbaskul
Senior Scribe
Singapore
408 Posts |
Posted - 25 Feb 2013 : 07:25:29
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
(snip) As well as being perhaps the greatest worldbuilder ever.)
Dear Lady,
Only perhaps? :)
I honestly believe Ed's the greatest worldbuilder ever simply because he makes everything come alive. And not simply as a vivid "still life" landscape but, to use an old-fashioned term, as a moving picture. It's not a simple .jpeg; it's a .gif (or, perhaps more accurately, an .mpeg).
Ed's work verges on being unique because of the way it inspires multiple stories to be told. There are other worlds - which do not need to be named - where it seems there is only one story to tell: FR is not like that and that's one of the real attractions.
D&D has been my principal hobby of choice for 32 years and that's largely due to the Forgotten Realms. Without FR bringing the rules to life so many years ago until now I think I would have changed hobbies! :)
Oh, and Zealot, while the Spellplague left a few things to be desired, the 4E version of FR is still a great campaign world. I'm lovin' it! ;) |
Cheers
D
NB: Please remember: A cannon is a big gun. Canon is what we discuss here. |
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farinal
Learned Scribe
Turkey
270 Posts |
Posted - 25 Feb 2013 : 13:41:18
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| For which edition will Murder In Baldur#8217;s Gate be released? |
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Caolin
Senior Scribe
769 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2013 : 08:07:07
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
And here's Ed himself:
Hi, Zealot. You’re very welcome, and thank YOU for loving the Realms and playing in it for all these years. It’s always been a precious imaginary place to me, but long ago it went from being my personal daydreaming spot for writing fantasy stories (as a young geek reading his way through all the books in my father’s den) to my life’s work, shared with gamers everywhere. The Realms has literally given me thousands of friends all over the world, and taken me to see a lot of the world and meet them. For me, gaming, and writing about the Realms, is all about hanging out with friends and spinning dreams together. I feel very privileged to have had the chance to share the Realms with others and to have it catch on with so many people and become so meaningful and important to so many.
I know this sounds like a political speech or a sermon, but I mean it. The Realms is my life’s work, work I love doing. I am thrilled to work with so many talented fellow designers and writers and artists and editors, and to just “talk Realms” with gamers whenever I get the chance.
And being part of the plans for what we’ll see ahead in the Realms, I am really excited. Recently, Bob Salvatore outlined what he’s planned for his next three or four books (he isn’t sure how much will comfortably fit into each book, hence the “or” there), and I can’t WAIT to read them! Just yesterday I was discussing some tiny details of Realmslore with Erin Evans, and I can’t wait to read HER next two Realms books! I’ve seen some of the art for the forthcoming Murder In Baldur’s Gate adventure, and was thrilled, and played the LORDS OF WATERDEEP board game with the designers who created it and one of the expansions that will be coming out at GenCon this August, and now I lust to get my hands on that expansion . . . for me, it’s like being a kid at Christmas. A Christmas that never ends.
“Being there” to answer lore questions from gamers is a vital part of bringing the Realms to life, and helps add deeper and richer detail for us all. There are some secrets I must keep, but whenever and whatever I can share, I will - - because I want everyone to enjoy the Realms, and go on enjoying it for years and years to come. Come what may, I hope YOU enjoy the Realms for years and years, because that’s really what it’s all about, and why I do this. I work on the Realms every day of my life, very happily. I’ve managed to create my dream job, and hope I never have to stop doing it. Which reminds me, after the first draft of my Sundering novel is done, I have to get that Spin A Yarn tale written . . .
Hero? Well, I don’t think I’m close to that, but I’ll try to behave like one - - and try to be a good friend.
And may the Realms entertain us all, forever.
There you go, Zealot. (And yes, Ed isn't an arrogant guy. He's a jovial flirt, but that's quite a different thing. I find him one of the kindest and most understanding of men. As well as being perhaps the greatest worldbuilder ever.)
love,
THO
And thus this is why I am and forever will be loyal to the Realms. I don't care if Ed turns it into a futuristic hellscape with cyborgs and laser rifles. I'll know that he did it with all the same passion....or maybe a little bit of senility...lol. But even still, what a read those novels would be.  |
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2013 : 23:24:47
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| I think Mr Greenwood has done more for fantasy and gaming than anyone since Gary Gygax. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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thank you Ed Greenwood
