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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 19:27:16
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Hi, Arik. I seem to recall Ed describing Abeir as having multiple moons. Over to him for a proper response to your queries, of course.
love,
THO |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 19:50:57
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The tears were 'leftovers' from the War of Light & Darkness, weren'y they? They were part of something else? And a lot of them have fallen over the years...
They are called 'Selune's Tears' not because they are 'of her', but rather, represent 'that which she has lost'.
Am I getting warm?
Aside from that, I had no-idea that they held any sort of power over Torillian magic (and Lycanthropy) - VERY interesting.
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I had assumed that Abeir floated in a psuedo-plane within Realmspace itself, with it's plain silver sky (similar to the Astral). Basically just a piece of space sealed-off from the rest (and I say psuedo-plane, rather then demi-plane, because its more like a wedge of space that is 'stuck' between the prime and the astral, rather then a 'true plane'). At least, thats how I thought it all worked out. I am surprised to find it had enough 'space' of it's own to have satellites - I find myself reluctantly intrigued here. |
"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 Mar 2011 19:53:09 |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 19:56:45
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Hi again, all. Yesterday Markustay posted this: “I’m really trying to work some difficult concepts out in my own setting, which I am hoping will be similar to Ed's own Realms magic-wise. I keep running into one major snafu, and I think Ed may have already solved it for his world.
Light.
I note he uses the word 'Radiant/Radiance' a LOT when describing certain types of inherent magic in things, and I think I have some of that worked-out, but then I run into the whole 'moon thing' (Selune/Hacate/etc being the 'keeper of mysteries', ie., Magick). Every time I keep thinking its all inter-related, I realize moonlight is only available at night, when magic is strongest, yet clerical magic (most of which is Radiant in nature) is based upon solar light, or 'daytime'. The assumption could be made (in Judaeo-Christian kind of way) that 'day' (light, warmth, etc) signifies divine Energy, and that Night (darkness, cold, etc) signifies 'Black Magic' - that sort not deriving from 'god'(s).
But the Moon shines through the darkness and breaks-up the night. It is neither radiant nor dark - it is in a twilight state. Is this why he has Mystra/Shar/Selune ? Is there really three different energies involved? Or is the moonlight just a diffused version of Radiant light? (as it is in the RW)
Is there anything about this he would like to share? Am I getting near the 'deeper truths' of the subtle difference between 'Blue Fire' and 'Silver Fire'? (Or worse, near the dreaded NDA-monster!)”
Ed replies:
Markustay, I’ll try to skate around the everpresent NDAs and share what I can.
Okay. Light comes from energy, either unleashed or “ready” (as in, awake but not necessarily activated yet magic).
When that magic is the distilled “raw” or root energy of the world (distilled through a deity, such as Mystra) it is silver. When the energies are shaped by mortal castings and the use of material components in a process (a ritual, or spell), they shine forth as blue. When they draw on destructive forces, they can “glow” black; when they draw on life energy in a ravaging, consuming way, or access planar energy to destroy, they are red; if they access planar energy in a non-destructive way, they will be more amethyst (purple).
However, that’s the “simple” spectrum, for the Realms. In a case by case basis, the hues are usually blended.
There is always ambient energy, everywhere in the world setting (except dead-magic zones), so there can always be light. Moonlight is, as you’ve described it, the haunting/naughty/delicious/fearful “twilight,” less “sure” and straightforwardly understood than the “sun magic” of a priest casting a healing or smiting with a flame strike or otherwise manifesting the righteous power of a deity. Moonlight persists, for good or ill, as part of the natural life of the world. One can dance in moonlight, or fear “dangerous moonlight.” Moonbeams can guide just as sunbeams can.
Sun radiance need not be understood; one can have the priests understand it for you. It is the straight-ahead power harnessed by the gods. It is law, and order, orthodoxy and obedience.
Ah, but moonlight . . .
Moonlight is wild and raw and ancient, unquenchable and recurring. To use it without understanding it is to court peril. It just “is” more than it manifests in service to others. To wield it well, one must master it (by oneself, or through teaching; in either case, a personal and intimate mastery, rather than a follow-the-rules orthodoxy).
Moonlight is sexy. Really. Ask any elf. Or dryad. Or harpist on a hilltop, clad or unclad.
Moonlight lures. It speaks of ancient power, of wild energy skulking and never truly slumbering.
Heh.
I hope this helps.
So saith Ed. Waxing poetical ere he rushes off to work.
love,
THO
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 20:00:01
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| Thank ye, Lady Herald. It would difficult to compare thine luminescent eyes to pools of moonlight without knowing how many moons there be in the sky, nor even their colours. I shall munch on my halfling fired corn husks whilst eagerly awaiting Ed's (eventual) response. |
[/Ayrik] |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2011 : 20:07:08
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Oh, Arik, you'll turn a lady's head (and awaken my interest!). 
Markustay, I found my own notes (of what Ed has said to me and other players in the “home” Realms campaign in my hearing, over the years) about the Tears, et al. . . . and so, feel emboldened to answer you:
Yes, the Tears represent “that which she has lost,” and a lot of them have fallen over the years. You ARE getting warm. They have magical influences in and of themselves, but Ed hasn’t revealed more than hints of them. Yet.
As for Abeir, I know that the “steelsky” of Returned Abeir (Laerakond) is Ed’s invention, but I can’t be sure about its planar position/existence (and I can just HEAR Ed saying, “Well, mortals situated in the Realms can’t be sure about anything, can they, really? They’ll just have to trust the gods and priests - - or not - - the way the rest of us do.”) [I can hear this because I’ve heard him say it before.]
So your queries get added to the ever-growing heap of lore requests awaiting Ed . . .
love,
THO
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 04:57:01
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Thank You for both answers - it really does help quite a bit (with my Realms-musings, and own world-design).
Hoping to be able to get a few minutes of 'Ed time' at Gencon - I'm sure it will be amazing (since this is what I've heard from everyone who has experienced 'raw Ed'). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3563 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 18:12:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Thank You for both answers - it really does help quite a bit (with my Realms-musings, and own world-design).
Hoping to be able to get a few minutes of 'Ed time' at Gencon - I'm sure it will be amazing (since this is what I've heard from everyone who has experienced 'raw Ed').
More like Un-Filtered...as when I was able meet him at a past Gencon , his answers were quite well seasoned  
There is nothing so sweet as realmslore direct from the source!
P.S. Has there ever been person more gracious to and appreciative of his "fans"? I think not. "Ed-Time" is a wonder to behold. He is every bit, if not more honored by your presence as we are with his!
Truly Amazing! |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Edited by - The Red Walker on 31 Mar 2011 18:18:04 |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 22:35:10
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I was actually quoting Eric Mona, who said "Raw Ed is amazing", after requesting material from him for Golarion, and getting about 50x as much as expected, which had to then be edited but still retain that 'Ed flavor' (no easy task).
In other words, Ed has a LOT to say about everything, and unlike most folks like that (myself included), he is ACTUALLY INTERESTING.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 08:09:05
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Hi, Ed!
Just curious... Did you ever consider writing a novel set in Magic: The Gathering, Ebberon, and Dragonlance? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 16:17:24
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Hi again, all.
A reply from Ed to Dennis (the question directly preceding this post):
Certainly.
I have wanted to write in all three of those settings.
However, Wizards novels are works-for-hire, and Wizards decides who will write what (my longings and the whims of my Muse have nothing at all to do with it). From time to time, there have been deliberate company policies regarding freelancers (and I have always been a freelancer, not a staff member, for both TSR and WotC) that forbid "Realms" authors from being considered for Dragonlance work, or Eberron work, or Magic: the Gathering fiction work (and vice versa). No, I'm not kidding or exaggerating. There's no legal way around that, and as a professional I'm not interested in antagonizing a very good business partner (or for that matter, wasting my time writing something that can never be published).
Another factor arises, too: as the creator of the Realms, working within a purchase agreement that makes every word I write "canon" by definition, I could be considered the perfect Realms writer, in terms of veracity rather than literary quality. Like asking George Lucas to check your Star Wars lore or Professor Tolkien to examine your Middle-Earth work. As time passes and all of the settings develop, deepening in accumulated lore, I become less and less suitable as a Dragonlance, Eberron, or Magic: the Gathering writer, because others are far more "experts" on those settings than I am. Margaret and Tracy, and Keith, for instance. ;}
So my desires really don't matter. And if put another way ("Would you like to spend the next X months writing a ground-breaking Dragonlance novel?" or "Would you like to spend the same amount of time writing another Realms novel?"), my choice would be easy, swift, and clear: I always want to spend more time writing in the Realms. There are SO many neglected Realms stories, matters that need explanation and expansion. I have non-Realms outlets galore if I want to write something different (usually to the tune of at least one novel and six to twelve short stories a year), so I'm in no danger of growing stale or stir-crazy.
The work-for-hire nature of Realms writing even restricts and controls what I do get to write in the Realms, and the prose a reader sees that has my name attached to it (the publisher can change it without even informing me, though these days that seldom happens), so there are always restrictions on what I (or any writer working for Wizards) write. That is, and remains, the nature of the game - - and it's a rule we all know, going in, and know we are simply wasting time kicking against, i we do complain or try to get around it; a gaming company MUST control their games, or sacrifice the flexibility needed to keep a line of products "alive" and selling.
However, you can take it as fact that I have wanted to write things in all of those settings, and have had "pet ideas" I'd like to explore in all of them (sorry: all shared with the publisher, and so NDA'd). I have done some covert, uncredited design work on all of them, BTW, and published a Dragonlance piece in one of the last Margaret Weis Productions licensed DL products.
Oh, yes, I'm like many a writer and game designer: I want to play with ALL the shiny toys. I got to work in Middle-Earth once, in a long ago computer game, and have often worked behind the scenes to try to get various fantasy properties revived or at least back in print.
Speaking of which, I must go now, because it's time to work on something else I can't reveal yet. So, until next!
Ed
So saith Ed. The busiest man I've ever met. (Not to mention an internationally-bestselling author who has sold literally millions of books...though he's near broke at the moment; the field isn't paying well, right now.)
love,
THO |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 17:03:31
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| Hey, my players accomplish their greatest heroic deeds when they're "near broke". Actually, so do I. Financial imperatives are wonderfully inspirational. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Azuth
Senior Scribe
USA
404 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 17:39:11
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I'd be happy to pay Ed to autograph my collection of his novels! :-)
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Azuth, the First Magister
Lord of All Spells
The greatest expression of creativity is through Art.
Offense can never be given, only taken. |
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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe
Canada
592 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 18:36:09
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| Ed Greenwood has passed away today, April First two thousand and eleven at 10:25 am. He will be sorely missed by all. |
Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems! |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 18:46:33
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Hardy har har. Foxhelm, we need CREATIVE April Fools jests, not the same old, same old . . . 
love,
THO
P.S. Ed's pretty active for a dead guy. Just sent me an e-mail, his second of the day. No, can't share. Yet.
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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe
Canada
592 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 18:48:25
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hardy har har. Foxhelm, we need CREATIVE April Fools jests, not the same old, same old . . .
love,
THO
P.S. Ed's pretty active for a dead guy. Just sent me an e-mail, his second of the day. No, can't share. Yet.
Did I mention he died from a heart attack in the middle of an orgasm, during a three way with two twenty year old female models? |
Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems! |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 18:50:44
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| Ye'd need three or four twenty year old models to balance against Ed's accumulated years of wisdom, methinks. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe
Canada
592 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 19:02:10
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| What if Ed was bitten by a South American Wandering Spider, who Venom can cause deadly heart attacks if untreated... as well as an erection which last as long as you live... in this cause hours. |
Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems! |
Edited by - Foxhelm on 01 Apr 2011 19:02:34 |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3563 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 19:20:35
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| *Walks in...turns around*...I think I'll check back in tomorrow |
A little nonsense now and then, relished by the wisest men - Willy Wonka
"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -
John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 19:22:42
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No, no, you have to make love to the spider, not get bitten by it...
You should have spied on Ed a little longer.
And those models weren't a day over twenty-two. I checked their growth rings myself.
Ahem.
BB |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 19:23:34
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So, ahem, your question for Ed, Blueblade, would be ...?
love,
THO |
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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe
Canada
592 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 19:26:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Blueblade
No, no, you have to make love to the spider, not get bitten by it...
You should have spied on Ed a little longer.
And those models weren't a day over twenty-two. I checked their growth rings myself.
Ahem.
BB
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_wandering_spider#Toxicity
Aka Drow Viagra! |
Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems! |
Edited by - Foxhelm on 01 Apr 2011 19:28:19 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 20:55:11
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South American Wandering Spider vs ... hmmm ... Canada and Faerûn. I understand it wanders, but seriously?
Perchance Ed has simply decided to stay in bed to ride out inane chatter until April 2nd. Especially if accompanied by twenty year old models.
Lady THO, a question (and much rampant speculation) about magical moonwells and pools has arisen in this scroll, as they were first published in Realms canon within Darkwalker on Moonshae and Pool of Radiance (aka Ruins of Adventure). Were such pools created or inspired by Ed? If so, what might you/he be able to say about their nature?
(I have searched for discussions about these within and without Candlekeep to little avail. Their names are unfortunately eponymous with much irrelevant lore.) |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 01 Apr 2011 20:56:25 |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 21:04:32
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Hi, Arik.
Magical pools (as transformative, oracular, and even portal-travel things) were well-established staples of myth, legend, early fantasy fiction (pre "genre" fantasy), and the D&D game (see the original B1 module for some examples). Hence their appearance in Doug Niles' proto-Moonshae setting. Ed detailed them in game terms in one of the appendices of HALLS OF THE HIGH KING.
Ed's Realms had magical pools in them long before there was a D&D game, but staff designers (Niles, Ward, et al) familiar with the same sources Ed was would have included them early on in published Realmslore "on their own."
love,
THO |
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Aryalómë
Senior Scribe
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 23:33:28
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Lady THO:
Has Ed ever had any tall, fair skinned, faire haired, intensley coloured eyed Elven people or other fey people that would resemble the typical fantasy High Elf? (closest ones would be Sun and Star Elves, but I'm looking for spe ifics) |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2011 : 00:31:19
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Thanks, Ed. I actually thought you did write a novel or two set in one of those worlds, and for some reason, just used a different name. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2011 : 01:21:47
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| Thank ye again, THO. The (forgotten, lol) lore in Halls of the High King was very much what I was looking for, all of my queries about magic puddles have been answered. |
[/Ayrik] |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2011 : 02:00:22
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
I have done some covert, uncredited design work on all of them, BTW, and published a Dragonlance piece in one of the last Margaret Weis Productions licensed DL products.
Indeed. I really thought your dragon write-up in Dragons of Krynn was a real hoot! It hints at what DRAGONLANCE-plus-Ed would be like. |
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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createvmind
Senior Scribe
490 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2011 : 04:02:29
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Hello All,
Ed I'm curious as to how you depict Umber Hulks in your Realms, they are intelligent that we know but how intelligent in terms of combat tactics, do they have clans or tribes, packs lead by alpha hulk?
Do they procreate quickly ?
All of this is I ask because I'm curious as to how the heck dwarves manage to keep these creatures from tearing through their holds especially when dwarves are asleep, how they safeguard their children from being snatched right through the stone and dragged away. What contraptions have they built to alert them to approaching tunneling creatures period, not just hulks but I'm very curious about Umber hulks due to their abilities in particular tremorsense.
Do dwarves have devices that negate tremorsense or confuse the hulks similar to a dog whistle, I assume drow simply have butchered hulks in such a manner that hulks are leery of attacking drow cities/strongholds?
Any response would be greatly appreciated, in my game the players have set up a sort of underground refuge but have no drow or dwarf in the party nor anyone lored in the Underdark and they are thinking of expanding further downward, their concerns are drow which they have been assured do not dwell anywhere near the hideout. They have several allies holding up in the hideout and these foolish gnomes are making quite the racket working on a few inventions commissioned by the players. If Umber hulk are few and far in between then I will leave it as is but if they and a certain few other stone walking creatures are prolific enough in numbers and can be drawn to the banging and such, well............... |
Edited by - createvmind on 02 Apr 2011 04:04:38 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2011 : 05:28:21
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| Dwarves do have axes, thick walls, thicker heads, lots of grog, fierce temperament, and a natural aptitude for chopping down large opponents. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Tormtar
Acolyte
20 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2011 : 11:38:37
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Greetings! A couple of Battledale related questions if I may?
Firstly, would Ed be able to shed any light on the early career of hiresword (and Battledale blacksmith) Durn the Red?
Secondly, the same question for Eritt, the mysterious apparent doppleganger and consort of Lord Ilmeth who works at the For Flying Fish?
Thanks! |
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Questions for Ed Greenwood (2011)
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