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Lucius
Seeker
98 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Jan 2005 : 23:45:13
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Greetings.
Although I've played in and ran several roleplaying games through the years, from Vampire to Warhammer, I've never set foot upon the game which started it all, Dungeons and Dragons. Recently however, I discovered the joys of Neverwinter Nights, and I have to say, I'm besotted with the amount of detail placed into what I originally thought a cliche fantasy world. As well as buying the other games in the Forgotten Realms series, I have started reading Elfshadow, and have also bought Canticle.
And so, here I am, asking for any welcome advice, hints, tips or general pointers when first discovering the Realms. I plan on buying the Players Handbook 3.5 tomorrow, and my game will be quickly following. Any comments are welcome.
Thank you.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36906 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 00:00:09
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Welcome to Candlekeep! 
Feel free to ask any questions you may have... A lot of us have been Realms fans for years, and we know a thing or three about the setting. Plus, we've got some of the authors and creators here! 
As for the rest of us, we are friendly, mostly harmless, and occasionally strange... Enjoy your stay! 
Now, then... I'd say the first book you need to buy is the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. I'd also recommend Magic of Faerūn and Races of Faerūn. Faiths & Pantheons is okay, but it's not as good as the 2e deity books (Faiths & Avatars, Powers & Pantheons, and Demihuman Deities) were. You may or may not want The Player's Guide to Faerūn. For all of these books (and the regional ones), I'd recommend seeking out scrolls where people have discussed the merits and flaws of each book.
There's already several regional books out, but I'd recommend holding off on those until you read FRCS -- then you can see which ones interest you the most.
Some of the older stuff can be downloaded for free off of the Wizards of the Coast website. I'd certainly recommend all of the Volo's Guides, in particular.
And of course, eBay often has a lot of the print stuff -- I just snagged the City System boxed set from there, and not too long ago, I also (finally!) managed to acquire the Kara-Tur boxed set from eBay, as well. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4694 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 00:23:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
Greetings.
And so, here I am, asking for any welcome advice, hints, tips or general pointers when first discovering the Realms. I plan on buying the Players Handbook 3.5 tomorrow, and my game will be quickly following. Any comments are welcome.
Thank you.
Welcome.
At best the advise I can offer is do not try to do all the Realms at once, there are many aspects involved in a world history. Also be aware that there are other worlds beyound the Forgotten Realms. The Players handbook is not Realm specific. |
Edited by - Kentinal on 07 Jan 2005 00:25:49 |
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 00:26:02
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Well met, friend.
You seem to be heading in the right idrection anyway - the games can intorduce you to some locales but are not necessarily conceived exactly as written, so bear that in mind. The novels are a great source of information and really help get the feel for the Realms.
Aside from the three core books which will get you the rules, the main things you need is, as Wooly already mentioned, the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting is the key book, it's a great introduction and a book you'll keep coming back to. The rest probably depends on your budget, how into it you get etc. If you choose to set your campaign in an area where there is an accessory available I would strongly recommend getting that. The books Wooly listed are all useful in expanding on areas of the FRCS. And loads of the old products are great as well, if you can get hold of them. The lore in them does not age.
Hope you have as much fun in the Realms as the rest of us do. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 03:28:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
And so, here I am, asking for any welcome advice, hints, tips or general pointers when first discovering the Realms. I plan on buying the Players Handbook 3.5 tomorrow, and my game will be quickly following. Any comments are welcome.
Thank you.
Is there a specific region of the FR that interests you as of yet? |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 04:57:33
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Careful what you name topics, though -- the Lady Hood might think that some fresh meat arrived for her.  |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Lady Kazandra
Senior Scribe
Australia
921 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 05:32:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
And so, here I am, asking for any welcome advice, hints, tips or general pointers when first discovering the Realms. I plan on buying the Players Handbook 3.5 tomorrow, and my game will be quickly following. Any comments are welcome.
Thank you.
You may want to spend some time properly reading through the 3.5e PHB before you quickly go off and run that game, though. I know you're probably eager to get started, but I would recommend that you at least ensure that you understand the fundamental differences between D&D, VtM, and WFRP. I've experienced all three roleplaying systems, and while the differences are minor . . . you can miss a lot if you are carrying certain "assumptions" about all three system.
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"Once upon a time the plural of 'wizard' was 'war'." -- The Last Continent, by Terry Pratchett |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 05:54:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
Careful what you name topics, though -- the Lady Hood might think that some fresh meat arrived for her.
Oh Dark Maiden, I thought the same thing when I first read the topic. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 07:11:37
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Scary.
Now, Lady K. brings up a good point -- namely, are you a player in this game, or the DM?
Also, please note differences between Neverwinter Nights and the 3.5e rules. The game was written while the 3e rules were still being hashed out, so there are quite a few differences between it and the 3e PHB; the 3.5e has even more.
You may wish to simply study the free SRD. It has no roleplaying information, just game rules (game rules can't be copyrighted, so WotC has nothing to lose by giving them up for free). However, if you use the Sovilor/Sage version at this site, you will find an indexed set of basic system rules for D&D 3.5e, and presented better than the files at the WotC website.
Now, you can jump right into the Realms if you want, but trust me, you'll know diddlysquat. I've been there. I joined an FR PbeM with only a brand-new 3e PHB and a used 2e Volo's Guide (it's sort of an in-character "travel guide" series by Ed Greenwood) that mentioned the area I'd be adventuring in. That attempt really stumbled. I'm still in it, but only because a good friend helped me out and let me study the FRCS and Silver Marches to my heart's content.
So unless you happen to get a friend like that, hold off playing, buy at least the FRCS, study it (and at least be aware of 3.5e changes detailed in the Player's Guide to Faerun if you want to use any of the feats and PrCs in the book), and then go play.
And if, as Lady K. thought, you want to DM straight off . . . I respectfully suggest you get your head examined. I'm pretty well-versed in rules, as well as some little Realmslore, and I write for a serious sort of hobby, but I've never seriously considered in all that time trying to DM. The level of detail you have to maintain, preparing for all possible outcomes, is staggering. I couldn't do it for a long time yet, and I strongly suggest that you not try it either. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Lucius
Seeker
98 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 13:42:03
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Careful what you name topics, though -- the Lady Hood might think that some fresh meat arrived for her.
Pardon my ignorance, but who's Lady Hood?
Is there a specific region of the FR that interests you as of yet?
Hmm. Possibly the Sword Coast, or The North, as these are the two I've read the most of so far. I've just downloaded Volo's guide to the North, and found the Sword Coast available to download for a small fee. Is it worth it?
Are you a player in this game, or the DM?
Unfortunatly, there are very few RPG groups in my area from what I know of (North Wales) therefore I'll probably be running the game. I'm usually the one forced into running games. Daunting, but it's running it or not playing it. 
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4694 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 14:58:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
Pardon my ignorance, but who's Lady Hood?
The actual handle is The Hooded One. The Lady is a friend of Ed Greenwood and often provides answers from him to questions posed. Also she is rather full of life with some comments she makes.
quote:
Unfortunatly, there are very few RPG groups in my area from what I know of (North Wales) therefore I'll probably be running the game. I'm usually the one forced into running games. Daunting, but it's running it or not playing it.
It is better to learn by watching another DM, however that is not required. The first DMs had to learn how to DM without watching another. It certainly is harder to start out this way. The DM does need to know the setting very well because the players might do unexpected things.
You will need the Dangon Master Guide and also you need a setting, there are some prepackaged adventures that you can use (which are much easier then building your own world or trying to build Realms from what you already know about it). |
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Lucius
Seeker
98 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 15:45:22
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| Are there any well made pre-written adventures for Forgotten Realms? I gave up running these with other systems a while ago. I found them too restrictive, or simply not catching the feel of the game. Is this the case for the Realms? It would be a huge help to have an adventure already constructed, meaning I could concentrate all my time in reading the 3.5 rules and background. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4694 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 16:16:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
Are there any well made pre-written adventures for Forgotten Realms? I gave up running these with other systems a while ago. I found them too restrictive, or simply not catching the feel of the game. Is this the case for the Realms? It would be a huge help to have an adventure already constructed, meaning I could concentrate all my time in reading the 3.5 rules and background.
Well written is a matter of taste, I could not even begin to point you to one that would meet your expectations. Perhaps some other scribes might have some ideas for you to consider.
I however do offer you this: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/oa/20030530b
Which are some free adventures that you might read and perhaps be able to use to get a sense of the game. Many of these are generic as oposed to Realm specific, that could take place in the Realms, just do not have direct refference to the Realms (or should not, have not read any of them). You should consider 1 to 3 level at first because there are less details to deal with. Fewer spells , lower power, less involved etc.
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 16:19:32
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For 3.5E, the short is answer is not really. WOTC decided to stop publishing adventures with the epic City of the Spider Queen adventure a couple of years ago. They've since changed their minds but we've yet to see this bear fruit. There are many published adventures from earlier editions, mainly 2E, and while they will need some conversion work (essentially just monster swapping), the plot obviously still works. However, I'd suggest leaving these alone while you get to grips with the current rules set.
There are FR adventures in Dungeon magazine but they've been few and far between recently and are set in specific locales. Somebody other than me can probably advise you on whether there are any set in the areas you're looking at or just give you a complete listing of them. What does spring to mind, however, is an old series of adventures set in the Mere of Dead Men, which is on the Sword Coast just north of Waterdeep, and I recommend it as a very good series. The only thing is, these also play under 2E rules. If you are interested in the series, I'd be happy to share with you the conversions I've done as I'm running my players through the series currently.
Possibly your best bet is to make use of one of the small sample adventures from either the FRCS or some of the regional accessories. If you're setting your campaign in the North/Sword Coast, I'd recommend getting Silver Marches, and this has a few adventures you could use. The Wizards website also has plenty of adventures available for download, though they're not Realms specific and thus will not capture the feel of the setting.
Apologies for going on a bit, I hope you can find something of use. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2005 : 16:26:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
Possibly the Sword Coast, or The North, as these are the two I've read the most of so far. I've just downloaded Volo's guide to the North, and found the Sword Coast available to download for a small fee.
There is also The North boxed set a free download available here |
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Lucius
Seeker
98 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2005 : 17:01:15
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I just downloaded the North boxed set. It seems very detailed. I wasn't aware that the Sword Coast was included in the North.
Rather than begin a new topic for two minor questions, I thought I would post them here instead..
1. Is the lore talked of in the Realms computer games seen as accurate? I'm aware the events in the games are not seen as canon, but what of the background detail on certain areas and cities? Does the BG/NWN version of the Realms differ from the original?
2. Also, are the Gods mentioned in the Players Handbook Gods used in the Realms, or generic D&D Gods?
Thanks in Advance |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2005 : 17:25:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
2. Also, are the Gods mentioned in the Players Handbook Gods used in the Realms, or generic D&D Gods?
Thanks in Advance
The Realms have their own divine powers which I think you'll find much more interesting than the generic D&D gods that appear in any of the player handbooks. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4694 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2005 : 17:28:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
I just downloaded the North boxed set. It seems very detailed. I wasn't aware that the Sword Coast was included in the North.
Rather than begin a new topic for two minor questions, I thought I would post them here instead..
1. Is the lore talked of in the Realms computer games seen as accurate? I'm aware the events in the games are not seen as canon, but what of the background detail on certain areas and cities? Does the BG/NWN version of the Realms differ from the original?
2. Also, are the Gods mentioned in the Players Handbook Gods used in the Realms, or generic D&D Gods?
Thanks in Advance
1. At times the games diverge a little from printed material, sometimes just for implimentaion reasons. How spells work. Sometimes there is a lore conflict as I recall, however that can also happen in printed material. Newer material superceed older in most cases.
2. There are differences between gerneric gods and FR ones.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faer%FBnian_pantheon
offers a list of FR gods, it might not be as complete and Bane certainly is no longer a dead power. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36906 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2005 : 01:15:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
2. Also, are the Gods mentioned in the Players Handbook Gods used in the Realms, or generic D&D Gods?
Thanks in Advance
The ones in the PHB are the gods of another campaign setting, Greyhawk. When they launched 3E, they made Greyhawk the "default" setting. I personally think that was a concession to help get Gary Gygax back aboard, but I still dislike it.
As my colleague SB said, the gods of the Realms are a lot more interesting.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2005 : 05:03:43
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Lucius,
If you have a question about a specific FR god please be sure to ask. Most of the web sites out there, if accurate, contain good information, but nothing like some of the knowledge in the actual tomes that many scribes have access to. |
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Lucius
Seeker
98 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2005 : 20:07:06
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Thanks to everyone for the advice and tips so far, and especially the quick answers. Running a FR game is going to be far easier with the good advice from here.
Well I'm roughly half way through the chapter 3 of the PHB, and apart from a few Multiclass rules queries, it goes well. I've even had a plan for my first adventure.
It may take place during the Iron shortage of Baldur's Gate, with the players hired by what seems to be a rich merchant from an organization called the Iron Throne.They'll be involved in taking the beserker sword to the Nashkel captain, resulting in his insanity. Whilst there, they will recieve a letter from their employer, asking them to be on the look out for a group of mercenaries in the area, who are stealing iron (actually the PC characters from the game). Eventually, the players will meet the PC characters from BG, and hopefully will help in the fights against the Throne later. It's all fairly brief at the moment.
I am rather unsure, however, to have them meet the PC characters, such as Minsc, Khalid etc, as it seems to go in the face of the advice previously given. Are any of these characters significant to the Realms appart from in BG, like Drizzt or Elminster? If not, do you think this sounds like a good basis for a campaign?
Advice is much welcome. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4694 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2005 : 20:34:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
Well I'm roughly half way through the chapter 3 of the PHB, and apart from a few Multiclass rules queries, it goes well. I've even had a plan for my first adventure.
What type of multclass questions?
quote:
I am rather unsure, however, to have them meet the PC characters, such as Minsc, Khalid etc, as it seems to go in the face of the advice previously given. Are any of these characters significant to the Realms appart from in BG, like Drizzt or Elminster? If not, do you think this sounds like a good basis for a campaign?
Advice is much welcome.
The Characters certainly not are as big as like Drizzt or Elminster, however would advise against using them much unless you knew them very well. Most major figures tend to stay in the background as oposed to becoming actively involved for DMs that wish to stay faithful to the Realms. They certainly can make appearences, such as answering a question, perhaps offer a word of advice, perhaps even request something be sought out. Playing any source NPC runs the risk of the DM having the NPC do something out of character, The better they are known the lower the risk, however the risk is always there. |
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Mystery_Man
Senior Scribe
USA
455 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2005 : 00:50:14
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I'm almost emabarrased to admit this, but playing the Baldur's Gate video game prepared me for being a Forgotten Realms DM. I felt like I knew the city upside down, backwards and forwards. Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast added to the flavor. When I kicked my first campaign off I started there and it is still one that's talked about to this day. :)
So anyway, my point is now that you've played the NWN game you may seriously want to consider starting your campaign there. You know the lay of the land and the city is familiar to you.
But don't go looking for maps, they're outlawed on pain of (I think it's still in effect) death!
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Edited by - Mystery_Man on 11 Jan 2005 00:55:26 |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4694 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2005 : 01:10:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Elf_Friend
I'm almost emabarrased to admit this, but playing the Baldur's Gate video game prepared me for being a Forgotten Realms DM. I felt like I knew the city upside down, backwards and forwards. Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast added to the flavor. When I kicked my first campaign off I started there and it is still one that's talked about to this day. :)
Hmm in certain ways I can see how even a computer game can provide some DM training, just that the DM is the program. So your first game is talked about, how so? Was it considered a great sucess because you knew the NPCs and locality well? I am old school self taught DM, before I had a computer and me having an internet connection was only a dream. So can not know how well one can be trained by another DM or a computer game. Experience certainly helps, there are many ways of learning though not just one way.
quote:
So anyway, my point is now that you've played the NWN game you may seriously want to consider starting your campaign there. You know the lay of the land and the city is familiar to you.
As far as this goes, it is better to start with a location known, though still not sure one should play named NPCs unless very well understood. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2005 : 02:35:47
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Hello, Lucius. I am The Hooded One you've been warned about. 
Never fear, I don't bite (at least, not on the first date), and I'm one of the "original" players - - I play in the home campaign of the guy who created the Forgotten Realms, Ed Greenwood.
Through me, you can of course ask him anything you want (no, he won't be your DM ), and I'm happy to help, too.
Ask away . . .
love,
THO |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4694 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2005 : 03:51:09
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hello, Lucius. I am The Hooded One you've been warned about.
I do not believe I warned anyone about you ;-) just tried to explain you in a limited way. |
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Lucius
Seeker
98 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2005 : 12:16:24
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| Just another quick question I'm sure someone could answer. Which of the Forgotten Realms novels is Drizzt's first book? There seem to be several trilogies, and I'm somewhat baffled about in what order to read them. Having almost finished Elfshadow, they seem like a good next step. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4694 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2005 : 13:09:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
Just another quick question I'm sure someone could answer. Which of the Forgotten Realms novels is Drizzt's first book? There seem to be several trilogies, and I'm somewhat baffled about in what order to read them. Having almost finished Elfshadow, they seem like a good next step.
I believe _Homeland_ would be the first book about his life, however not first book published. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2005 : 14:21:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
Just another quick question I'm sure someone could answer. Which of the Forgotten Realms novels is Drizzt's first book? There seem to be several trilogies, and I'm somewhat baffled about in what order to read them. Having almost finished Elfshadow, they seem like a good next step.
The first published Drizzt novel is The Crystal Shard part of "The Icewind Dale Trilogy." The first Drizzt novel chronologically in the FR timeline is Homeland part of "The Dark Elf Trilogy."
More information can be found here.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36906 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2005 : 14:43:57
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Lucius
Just another quick question I'm sure someone could answer. Which of the Forgotten Realms novels is Drizzt's first book? There seem to be several trilogies, and I'm somewhat baffled about in what order to read them. Having almost finished Elfshadow, they seem like a good next step.
The first published Drizzt novel is The Crystal Shard part of "The Icewind Dale Trilogy." The first Drizzt novel chronologically in the FR timeline is Homeland part of "The Dark Elf Trilogy."
More information can be found here.
Indeed.
An interesting note is that when Salvatore was preparing to write The Crystal Shard, he spur-of-the-moment dreamed up Drizzt during a phone conversation with one of the TSR people, who asked who Wulfgar's sidekick would be. So Drizzt was never intended to be the spotlight character, he was just a sidekick. Look what happened there.
Also, unless later printings have correct it, The Crystal Shard originally stated that Drizzt had dwelt in the Underdark for more than two centuries. We now know, however, that he's not more than about 80, if that old.
As for Elfshadow, that's not the only book about Arilyn Moonblade and Danilo Thann. Their tale spans several more books -- Elfsong, Silver Shadows, Thornhold, and Dream Spheres. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 22 Jan 2005 14:51:55 |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2005 : 14:50:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
An interesting note is that when Salvatore was preparing to write The Crystal Shard, he spur-of-the-moment dreamed up Drizzt during a phone conversation with one of the TSR people, who asked who Wulfgar's sidekick would be. So Drizzt was never intended to be the spotlight character, he was just a sidekick. Look what happened there.
So Drizzt was originally Robin? Or Tonto?
quote:
As for Elfshadow, that's not the only book about Arilyn Moonblade and Danilo Thann. Their tale spans several more books -- Elfsong, Silver Shadows, Thornhold, and Dream Spheres.
And an anthology or two if I recall correctly has featured one or both of them. Not to mention a short story in Dragon Magazine. |
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A Forgotten Realms Virgin
