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Damon
Acolyte
2 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Dec 2006 : 21:16:20
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Greetings and Salutations!
I am new to the Candlekeep forum, being directed here after someone down at the WotC boards told me it would be a good place to learn A LOT about the FR setting. I am new to FR and only right now own the Campaign Setting book, but I will soon be obtaining some other supplement books to help me. I recently obtained both the Dark Elf and Icewind Dale trilogies. I was wondering which set to read first, because I read through much debate on the sticky about which novels to read and what not. But anyway, some help would be much appreciated.
Damon
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Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1072 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2006 : 21:43:32
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| It's a matter of preference. Some people prefer to read the trilogies in the order they were written in -- Icewind Dale, then Dark Elf. Others, myself included, prefer to ignore publishing order and read books in chronological order -- Dark Elf, then Icewind Dale. |
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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Aglaranna
Learned Scribe
166 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2006 : 22:02:18
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Hm...Well, I read the Dark Elf Trilogy first, and I would recommend it to be read that way. Chronologically, and all.  |
"You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose the path that's clear
I will choose freewill." -'Freewill' by Rush |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2006 : 22:24:51
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| Chronological for me as well. :) |
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 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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Gellion
Learned Scribe
140 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2006 : 01:09:10
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| I went Dark Elf then Icewind Dale. |
"Paladine, you see the evil that surrounds me! You have been witness to the calamities that have been the scourge of Krynn... You must see now that this doctrine of balance will not work! I can sweep evil from this land. Destroy the ogre races. Bring the wayward humans into line! Find new homelands far away for the dwarves and the kender and the gnomes, those races not of your creation... I demand that you give me, too, the power to drive away the shadows of evil that darken the land!"- THE REIGN OF ISTAR, Tales IV |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2006 : 01:19:31
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| I don't think it matters. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2006 : 09:02:11
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| I read Icewinddale first, than Dark elf and I have to say that i have to second what Rino allready said: It does not really matter (in this case at least.) |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Delzounblood
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
578 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2006 : 11:45:23
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First:
Well Met.
Second:
This all depends on what type of FR nut you are (no offence), Some like Chronological, some like published order.
I like having a story to follow so for me it's chronological but it really isn't an issue read what ever you want first. You don't NEED to read in any order.
BUT read all of them.
Delz
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I'm Back! |
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2006 : 13:31:32
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
At least the Bookwyrm is no longer here to whack me with a copy of Icewind Dale when I answer this time. 'Tis chronological for me as well.
I'll do it for him...
*whack*
Oops... that was the hardcovers collector's edition... someone get Sage an ice pack...
Anyway, Icewind Dale first! Order of publishing since Dark Elf makes reference to things in Icewind that it expects you to already know about. *nods*
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"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2006 : 22:27:45
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| True...but those references are few, and only in Drizzt's "journal entries". It's not like reading DET first would be this huge spoiler session. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2006 : 23:13:52
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| I read the books in published order, myself. But like I said, I don't think it matters that much--there is no "wrong way" here. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2006 : 23:56:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
-there is no "wrong way" here.
Unless, of course, you read them upside down  |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Damon
Acolyte
2 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2006 : 00:50:06
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Excellent..
Thanks for all the help..I am excited to start! |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2006 : 01:05:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Mace Hammerhand
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
-there is no "wrong way" here.
Unless, of course, you read them upside down
Well, yeah. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2006 : 11:47:30
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| Chronological. That's how I read them. |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2006 : 20:07:18
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| Icewind Dale is a lot more fun than Dark Elf, so I would say ID first. |
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Renzokuken
Acolyte
USA
38 Posts |
Posted - 25 Dec 2006 : 06:21:51
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| Neither trilogy is particularly amazing and it really doesn't matter which one you read first. I did like the first book of the DET a lot though. |
Currently reading: Dark Elf Trilogy (FR) |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 25 Dec 2006 : 15:36:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Renzokuken
Neither trilogy is particularly amazing...
I have to agree. The novel Homeland benefits from some great drow politics though. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2006 : 07:00:59
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| both are great IMO. I read the dark elf trilogy first then icewind dale. |
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Anxtraphyl
Acolyte
1 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2006 : 08:34:04
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| I'm planning to read them in chronological order too. As a side question, is there a list of the chronological order, relative to FR history and lore, in which all the novels should be read? |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2006 : 11:16:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Anxtraphyl
I'm planning to read them in chronological order too. As a side question, is there a list of the chronological order, relative to FR history and lore, in which all the novels should be read?
Well, there's O Love's Novels Timeline, which lists all the books and short stories, and when they happen. |
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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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2006 : 15:26:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Anxtraphyl
I'm planning to read them in chronological order too. As a side question, is there a list of the chronological order, relative to FR history and lore, in which all the novels should be read?
Well, there's O Love's Novels Timeline, which lists all the books and short stories, and when they happen.
Brian's timeline should also have that info...... |
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 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2006 : 16:23:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Anxtraphyl
I'm planning to read them in chronological order too. As a side question, is there a list of the chronological order, relative to FR history and lore, in which all the novels should be read?
Well, there's O Love's Novels Timeline, which lists all the books and short stories, and when they happen.
Brian's timeline should also have that info......
Ah, yes, Brian R. James's A Grand History of the Realms is also an excellent resource. 
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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! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 27 Dec 2006 16:24:35 |
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Genis
Learned Scribe
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - 28 Dec 2006 : 02:34:57
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| even if this opinion is a little late i'll give it anyways....chronological all the way... |
Unofficial Random Hiatus Taker. |
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quajack
Seeker
86 Posts |
Posted - 29 Dec 2006 : 03:17:20
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| Always read in order of date published. If RAS wanted the Dark Elf 3 read 1st, he would have written it 1st. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 29 Dec 2006 : 05:50:26
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quote:
Originally posted by quajack
Always read in order of date published. If RAS wanted the Dark Elf 3 read 1st, he would have written it 1st.
That's a preposterous statement... Drizzt was originally created to be a sidekick. RAS has said so himself. The success of the character surprised everyone, and it enabled RAS to go back and tell Drizzt's early story.
There was no way the Dark Elf trilogy would have ever seen print, had not the Icewind Dale trilogy put Drizzt in the limelight. |
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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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 29 Dec 2006 : 08:03:22
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| Indeed, although with the trend to rerelease the novels as saga of Drizzt you can prolly read them in chronological order. |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
Edited by - Mace Hammerhand on 29 Dec 2006 08:04:43 |
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Renzokuken
Acolyte
USA
38 Posts |
Posted - 30 Dec 2006 : 05:05:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Renzokuken
Neither trilogy is particularly amazing...
I have to agree. The novel Homeland benefits from some great drow politics though.
Agreed. Out of the six novels, Homeland captured me the most. |
Currently reading: Dark Elf Trilogy (FR) |
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Topic |
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Dark Elf or Icewind Dale?
