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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Jun 2009 : 16:42:57
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Where can I find out more about this country. 1e/2e seems extremely sparse (and yes, I know the reason why), and there isn't really a whole lot in the 3e FRCS.
I'm also very much aware of Paul Kemp's excellent novels... but they don't really tell me much of anything regarding Sembia.
I'm placing the locales in VGtC ATM, and I noted a few 'across the river' that belong to Sembia, and I was wondering if we ever got any info about Sembia, beyond what was in the CS. 
I was going to ask Ed, but with Paul writing there, I'm sure its all under super-lockdown NDA. Maybe someone (Sage?) knows of some older responses regarding this area?
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"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 30 Jun 2009 16:43:28
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3240 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2009 : 16:56:02
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| Wasn't Sembia specifically 'left blank' in the older editions to give DM's a place to build whatever they wanted? |
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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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2009 : 17:02:24
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| There's some in the 1st edition gray box and FR Adventures. Beyond that, really it was left alone until 3e. The 2e edition box set has a little but not much. |
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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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2009 : 17:17:42
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| I found the Death of a Dragon trilogy gave quite the insight into Sembian sociocultural stuff. In addition, the map of Cormyr from 4e Dragon has all of the VGtC locales on it, if you're having trouble. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2009 : 17:23:58
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I'm also very much aware of Paul Kemp's excellent novels... but they don't really tell me much of anything regarding Sembia.
I'm actually in the process of compiling most of the relevant Sembian/Selgauntan lore from the "Sembia" series [another worthwhile source]. It'll likely all be included in a easy-to-reference PDF eventually.
quote:
I was going to ask Ed, but with Paul writing there, I'm sure its all under super-lockdown NDA. Maybe someone (Sage?) knows of some older responses regarding this area?
I don't have time to search through the archives now. But as I said above, Ed has touched on Sembia in previous replies. You can probably perform your own search for the time being, until I've had a chance to compile most of the relevant stuff you're looking for.
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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 |
Edited by - The Sage on 30 Jun 2009 17:25:12 |
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Thauramarth
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
729 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2009 : 23:02:40
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| The main Sembian cities got two-page write-ups in the Forgotten Realms Adventures hardback. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2009 : 03:20:41
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I was actually looking for a little something on those smaller, lesser-known locales.
Ah, well.
Thanks for the replies. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2009 : 06:24:55
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| Paul S Kemp's Shadow War and Erevis Cale Trilogies are the way to go - lots of color, lots of character. |
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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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2009 : 15:23:35
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And little in the way of Geography.
I need descriptions of locales; not necessarily the people that live in them.
When placing stuff on a map, I heavilly research each and every locale so that I get it's placement perfect - the official maps aren't always that accurate.
Although I'm sure the placements in the Volo's guides are pretty damn-near perfect, since those maps are all based on Ed's own... I still like to double-check everything, though. |
"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 01 Jul 2009 15:24:06 |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2009 : 02:09:04
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Here are some lesser-known places in Sembia:
Drelt: hunters hamlet, ne of Daerlun (Dragon #282 p. 71)
Ornstar: tiny hamlet, sw of Ordulin (Polyhedron #94 p. 5)
Skultan: gnome village, e of Daerlun (Dragon #269 p. 87)
Yuthgalaunt: village?, between Ordulin and Yhaunn (Cormyr: A Novel p. 142)
Griffonfang Bridge: bridge, e of Daerlun (Polyhedron #94 p. 5)
Old Hazard Hill Farm: monastic Tymoran retreat (Prayers from the Faithful p. 26)
Am I missing any? |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2009 : 16:01:18
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WOW!
You rock! 
When I start to compile the Index for the atlas from my notes, I was going to ask the scribes here for references to every locale in Faerūn (and beyond). During that period, I plan to release a v.1.0 of the Atlas for folks here to go through and make corrections, but also mainly to add to whatever I may have missed. Those sites are EXACTLY the kind of thing I'm looking for!
And that's precisely how I want them presented - a couple of words describing where it's located, and then the source and page numbers.
I was going through all my old Dungeon Mags last night, and found quite a few new ones, but I am missing a bunch of issues with FR lore and I will also be asking the scribes here to go through any they might have to help-out with this. Once I put together a list of the ones I'm missing (that contain FR adventures), I will be posting that request. It will probably be around the same time I release the 1.0 version of the Atlas.
I haven't even begun with the Dragon issues yet, but I'm pretty sure I have all of those, so I can probably do that one on my own (which I consider FUN, re-reading all those wonderful old FR articles).
Thanks Feraer, and everyone else who has been so helpful. 
Edit: There were two small hamlets (thorps?) in And Wringing of Hands in the book Realms of Infamy, but neither was named. They were supposedly near each other, but other then that, there's no info - no-one knows if there was ever a name for them, eh?
There was also a bunch of burned villages between Cormyr and Sembia along the coast in one of the Dungeon adventures - I should see if I could 'pester' Ed for names for those. |
"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 02 Jul 2009 16:20:18 |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2009 : 17:50:52
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Did I give you similar bits from my notes on the Thunder Peaks?
I don't think all the Dungeon articles by non-regular freelancers should automatically be taken as Realmslore. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2009 : 20:18:16
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Well, I can make 'em work.
I'm even tryng to fit in the stuff from Nightmare Keep... no easy task, I can assure you.
If it appeared in an official TSR/WotC/Hasbro product, then I will try to make it all work, so long as it pertains to the Realms. 
For instance, that village furthest west on the map I posted coincides nicely with Dawngleam... and it also fits perfectly with the lore of that place (a build-up of Cormyrian military there). After nearly being destroyed by a pirate raid, Azoun ordered a major fortification of the place, including new docks and several ships assigned to it's new naval base. Rather then going against canon, the adventure plays into the canon perfectly.
quote:
Originally posted by Faraer
Did I give you similar bits from my notes on the Thunder Peaks?
When I'm done with the preliminary version of the Atlas, I will be looking for whatever lore I happen to be missing as part of a community project - the Thunderpeaks are a VERY busy place and I already have quite a bit on them. |
"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 02 Jul 2009 20:25:50 |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2009 : 11:36:04
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| Rosemary Jones's short story in Realms of the Dragons II is set in a small Sembian community - though I do not recall it's name, and since my books are at a different house than me... |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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Dart Ambermoon
Learned Scribe
Germany
253 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2009 : 16:12:10
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| "Halfknot" I believe...but I“m not 100% sure. |
~ In Finder I trust, for danger I lust ~ |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2009 : 03:29:24
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Well, if anyone has the tome, I'd appreciate any sort of placement, and whatever text described it, along with the page number.
I really need to get the rest of those "Realms of..." books... I think I only have three or four.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2009 : 04:33:30
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- Halfknot is indeed the name of the "small town" as it is described [pg. 22]
- 'Thas "a mixed population of humans, dwarves, and gnomes" [pg. 22]
I don't specifically recall the exact location of the town being noted in the story. And a quick flick through it now didn't reveal any details either. I suppose you could ask Rosemary herself, as she may have some thoughts on where exactly Halfknot is located. |
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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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2012 : 04:55:59
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| No description of the town (Halfnot)? Was it on the coast? |
"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 23 Dec 2012 06:22:28 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2012 : 07:20:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
And little in the way of Geography.
I need descriptions of locales; not necessarily the people that live in them.
Ordulin and Selgaunt were sufficiently described in The Twilight War Trilogy by Paul S. Kemp; that is, before the former was annihilated. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2012 : 15:17:51
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They Tilverton'd Ordulin? Why? 
Anyhow, I will just place Halfnot in an empty-looking area I guess, unless further info is forthcoming. Going by the official maps, I would say Sembia's coast is either mostly cliffs or there is some danger involved with them (like reefs and sandbars). All that coastline and no towns (the few good ports are all cities). I guess no one goes fishing in Sembia.
Cormyr, on the other hand is LOADED with locales. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3286 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2012 : 17:27:47
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| Ordlin has a Shadow Weave/Spellplague thingy above it that the Shades are trying to recreate the Shadow Weave out of... |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2012 : 19:57:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
They Tilverton'd Ordulin? Why?
A priestess of Shar (not from Shade, for once) read The Leaves of One Night to bring about the Shadowstorm, a preternatural storm that consumes all things. Telamont commanded Rivalen to put a stop to it. That's why most of Sembia was "saved." |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2012 : 19:58:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
Ordlin has a Shadow Weave/Spellplague thingy above it that the Shades are trying to recreate the Shadow Weave out of...
Source please? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3286 Posts |
Posted - 24 Dec 2012 : 02:56:13
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| 4E FRCG... |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 24 Dec 2012 : 04:03:00
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Ah, yes. Found it, on p. 177. I didn't really read that book from cover to cover, for obvious reasons; just skimmed through most parts. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 24 Dec 2012 : 16:55:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
WOW!
You rock!
When I start to compile the Index for the atlas from my notes, I was going to ask the scribes here for references to every locale in Faerūn (and beyond). During that period, I plan to release a v.1.0 of the Atlas for folks here to go through and make corrections, but also mainly to add to whatever I may have missed. Those sites are EXACTLY the kind of thing I'm looking for!
And that's precisely how I want them presented - a couple of words describing where it's located, and then the source and page numbers.
I was going through all my old Dungeon Mags last night, and found quite a few new ones, but I am missing a bunch of issues with FR lore and I will also be asking the scribes here to go through any they might have to help-out with this. Once I put together a list of the ones I'm missing (that contain FR adventures), I will be posting that request. It will probably be around the same time I release the 1.0 version of the Atlas.
I haven't even begun with the Dragon issues yet, but I'm pretty sure I have all of those, so I can probably do that one on my own (which I consider FUN, re-reading all those wonderful old FR articles).
Thanks Feraer, and everyone else who has been so helpful.
Edit: There were two small hamlets (thorps?) in And Wringing of Hands in the book Realms of Infamy, but neither was named. They were supposedly near each other, but other then that, there's no info - no-one knows if there was ever a name for them, eh?
There was also a bunch of burned villages between Cormyr and Sembia along the coast in one of the Dungeon adventures - I should see if I could 'pester' Ed for names for those.
PM me regarding magazine info, as in which ones you are missing. I have all of them (Dragon and Dungeon) so anything Realmslore related I can help with. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2017 : 17:41:34
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Casts *** Raise Scroll ***
quote:
Originally posted by Faraer
Here are some lesser-known places in Sembia:
Drelt: hunters hamlet, ne of Daerlun (Dragon #282 p. 71)
Ornstar: tiny hamlet, sw of Ordulin (Polyhedron #94 p. 5)
Skultan: gnome village, e of Daerlun (Dragon #269 p. 87)
Yuthgalaunt: village?, between Ordulin and Yhaunn (Cormyr: A Novel p. 142)
Griffonfang Bridge: bridge, e of Daerlun (Polyhedron #94 p. 5)
Old Hazard Hill Farm: monastic Tymoran retreat (Prayers from the Faithful p. 26)
Anyone have access to that issue of Polyhedron (#94)? I need to know if the bridge is over a ravine, or a river (or both). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6351 Posts |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2017 : 19:00:26
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| Thanks Dazz |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6351 Posts |
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Sembia?
