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Newander
Acolyte
Sweden
4 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 17:21:20
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hey guys, new to the forum but think I've found my special place at last.
I've read all but the short novels about Drizzt, the cleric quintet and 4 of the 6 novels in War of the spider queen.
What started my interest was the Baldur's Gate games (and later the Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights games) and has ever since grown.
I don't feel that new to the Realms but in the same time haven't really read much in comparison to what's out there..
just so you know, I have read much of the "newcomers read guide"-thread but..
I was first thinking of reading the sembia or song and swords series.
but then for some reason I had an urge to read the Erevis Cale trilogy (think someone said they loved it or something..)
would you recommend against it asking to read something more of the "core" books?
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Chaos will be sewn from their passage, so sayeth the wise Alaundo |
Edited by - Newander on 11 Dec 2008 17:22:53
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rockyoumonkeys
Acolyte
28 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 17:25:34
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I'm in a similar situation; I read most of the Salvatore books and a couple others, but am about to really start reading all of the FR books.
I'm just tackling them in publication order.
I have seen it stated that the Sembia series is a great place for those relatively new to the Realms. |
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Newander
Acolyte
Sweden
4 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 17:28:52
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Yeah the most recommended series to begin with is Sembia, Song & Swords, the Avatar and Finder's Stone..
I found both Sembia and Song & Swords on the swedish online bookstore that I usually order from.
by a little closer search on google I found out that Erevis Cale appeared first IN the Sembia series.
I guess I'll start with that one then? |
Chaos will be sewn from their passage, so sayeth the wise Alaundo |
Edited by - Newander on 11 Dec 2008 17:32:07 |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3738 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 17:36:59
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-Read whichever you like. Of your list, I'd go with the Song & Swords series.
-I'll give my standard advice: Read one of the Realms of X anthology books. They are books containing short stories, and have various topics, like magic, Dragons, Elves, war, the Underdark, and so on. The stories have a lot of characters and a lot of authors. You'll get to see a wide variety of authors and characters, and figure out who you like and who you don't like. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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Newander
Acolyte
Sweden
4 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 17:45:35
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thanks for the fast replies guys.
guess I'll flip a coin whether to begin with Sembia or Song & Swords.
and btw, do you know a good reliable place to order these kind of books in europe online?
the swedish store is kind of limited. |
Chaos will be sewn from their passage, so sayeth the wise Alaundo |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3240 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 18:47:36
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And there is my personal favorite, Once Around the Realms. A comic journey that depicts the various lands and customs of the Realms by the great Volo.
Ignore the official reviews (and some of the scribes here). Or maybe you shouldn't ignore them... I have very unique tastes for things cheesy  . |
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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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2008 : 23:27:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Newander
hey guys, new to the forum but think I've found my special place at last.
I think that's great--welcome!
quote:
just so you know, I have read much of the "newcomers read guide"-thread but..
I was first thinking of reading the sembia or song and swords series.
but then for some reason I had an urge to read the Erevis Cale trilogy (think someone said they loved it or something..)
would you recommend against it asking to read something more of the "core" books?
I usually suggest reading what "grabs" you the most--that's the whole point after all. In this case, though, I really must suggest reading the Song and Swords series. They are old Realms classics and not to be missed. |
"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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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2008 : 06:24:04
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The Songs and Swords books are quintessential Realms, and you should definitely read them.
Erevis Cale and the followup (Twilight War) might be my favorite Realms novels around (aside from my own, of course), so those are recommended. Much darker than your standard Realms fare, though, so be prepared.
Single-novel stand-alones are also a good way to go, if a particular trilogy doesn't leap out at you, or you want a bunch of varying perspectives all at once, and it's a good way to *test out* a particular author before you commit to a whole series. (Though not all of us yet have trilogies!)
Check out the Experienced Help for Recommending Realms novels thread . . . I'm sure Wooly will be by with a link any time now.
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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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2008 : 12:53:49
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Check out the Experienced Help for Recommending Realms novels thread . . . I'm sure Wooly will be by with a link any time now.
Bah! The Mischief Lord isn't the only scribe with that particular ability. Notice... Experienced help for recommending FR Novels. 
That is why you are the Loremaster Most High, Sage, and Wooly is simply Master of Mischief |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2008 : 12:55:43
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| On Topic, I personally recommend The Avatar Trilogy as another alternative place to start. It takes place in multiple popular locales in the realms and deals with one of the biggest RSEs. (Plus I really enjoyed them). |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Newander
Acolyte
Sweden
4 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2008 : 14:07:54
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thanks for all the answers guys, and from an FR author no less!
really cool :)
I've decided to go with Song & Swords followed by the Avatar and Sembia.
stand alone novels don't appeal to me as much as a whole series, though I will read them at a later point I recon..
just as soon as I'm done with WotSQ ;) |
Chaos will be sewn from their passage, so sayeth the wise Alaundo |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2008 : 20:02:58
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| The Erevis Cale series was a big leap forward in characterization for the Realms. Kemp's work is top-notch, and it's tough not to recommend it - no matter where you are in Realmslore! |
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
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Calen
Acolyte
Canada
14 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2008 : 02:18:13
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Hi, this is my first posting in any forum, anywhere that i have done (yay). I've read FR books and spent many an evening/weekend travelling Faerun for years. I used to do a lot of writing and am becoming more interested in pursuing it as a career. Mostly i will be looking at pr and copywriting, however, freelance fantasy has always been my passion. I am just hoping that some of you professionals out there would be willing to answer some questions for me about the industry and the career itself. Any information would be greatly appreaciated as this is kind of a pre-requisite for me to access funding for school.
Sincerely, from Edmonton, Alberta
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2008 : 02:23:17
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Calen, I'm sure Ed Greenwood, the creator of the Realms (and a fellow Canadian, as am I), will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Just post questions for him in this year's "Questions For Ed Greenwood" thread in the Chamber of Sages.
If you'd prefer that your e-conversation be private, PM me here at the Keep, and I'll at as a relay (well, okay, what's said won't be private from ME, but my discretion is, ahem, legendary here in the Keep; ask anyone, or almost anyone  ).
love,
THO |
Edited by - The Hooded One on 13 Dec 2008 02:23:59 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2008 : 03:12:08
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Oh, yes... The Lady Herald is indeed discreet. 
...
*The Sage, whose recent mental note about installing an extra layer of sound-proof padding to the Lady Hooded One's chambers, should be passed along to Candlekeep's maintenance crews before his next visit*
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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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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2008 : 04:36:04
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| I recomend Cormyr, or Evermeet. They provide a lot of Realms history. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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ranger_of_the_unicorn_run
Learned Scribe
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2008 : 04:41:50
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| I think Spellfire is a great taste of the realms. |
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Calen
Acolyte
Canada
14 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2008 : 01:18:00
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| Greetings hooded one. I greatly thank you for your advice. I have contacted the Sage through private postings and appreciate all the help you guys are giving me. |
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swifty
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
517 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2008 : 13:56:16
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| its also worth checking out some of the harper novels.some are awful but i highly reccomend red magic,crypt of the shadowking and ring of winter. |
go back to sleep america.everything is under control.heres american gladiators.watch this.shuttup. BILL HICKS. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2008 : 14:51:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Calen
Greetings hooded one. I greatly thank you for your advice. I have contacted the Sage through private postings and appreciate all the help you guys are giving me.
Whoops! I forgot to reply to that PM Calen. Sorry. I'll get to it tomorrow.
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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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Calen
Acolyte
Canada
14 Posts |
Posted - 31 Dec 2008 : 04:03:55
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| No prob. It is not my place to question the ways of a master. |
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Calen
Acolyte
Canada
14 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2009 : 02:37:39
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| Thanks to all. I have already read all the Harper novels and Spellfire and Cormyr. However I have not read Evermeet and will be definately picking it up. I also had the Plague of Spells suggested to me which is now on my list. |
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yshyi
Acolyte
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2009 : 03:07:26
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The avatar series is a great plce to look if youre interested in the gods, and the cities novels give lots of info on the politics of the more well known places in the realms
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yshyi |
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friendly hello and a question
