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Originally posted by Therise

(...) in the Realms, most of the time, wouldn't this be a little weird, tromping around in heavy plate (magical or not)? Even in dungeons, I wonder if most Realms warriors would actually wear things like heavy plate armor (*clank! clank!*) or if they might prefer enchanted leather or something that promotes ease of movement? In real life, just falling down in plate can be bad, since it's so heavy.

Is plate mostly (only) seen on battlefields, when at war? Or is Realmsian armor-crafting better, such that it's more comfortable and not such an impediment to daily adventuring?

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Originally posted by Therise

Quick question: while adventuring, most of us who have fighter PCs would deck out in our best plate armor and such - because of the mechanical AC benefits.

But in the Realms, most of the time, wouldn't this be a little weird, tromping around in heavy plate (magical or not)? Even in dungeons, I wonder if most Realms warriors would actually wear things like heavy plate armor (*clank! clank!*) or if they might prefer enchanted leather or something that promotes ease of movement? In real life, just falling down in plate can be bad, since it's so heavy.

Is plate mostly (only) seen on battlefields, when at war? Or is Realmsian armor-crafting better, such that it's more comfortable and not such an impediment to daily adventuring?

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Originally posted by Barastir

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Originally posted by Therise

(...) in the Realms, most of the time, wouldn't this be a little weird, tromping around in heavy plate (magical or not)? Even in dungeons, I wonder if most Realms warriors would actually wear things like heavy plate armor (*clank! clank!*) or if they might prefer enchanted leather or something that promotes ease of movement? In real life, just falling down in plate can be bad, since it's so heavy.

Is plate mostly (only) seen on battlefields, when at war? Or is Realmsian armor-crafting better, such that it's more comfortable and not such an impediment to daily adventuring?

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Therise,

your question brings other questions to me, so I hope I can add something before Ed and lady THO answers us. I've learned through the years that plate mail is not so heavy, noisy and clumsy as we believe. And, of course, fighters used to don this type of armor acquire endurance to spend it for some time. But using it constantly IS tiring, and most warriors don't wear it full time, as it happens in many games.

I do agree with you that enchanted versions of lighter armor would be better options, just like heavy armors with enchantments that make them lighter (or materials, like the famed elven alloy). The limitant factor, here, would be the availability of magic armor (in my Realms, I prefer to make magic items more rare and special).

I think the main reasons for heavy armor to be rare in our world are its cost, the limits on forging technology in some cultures, and the availability of metal. Maybe Ed could say something about that in the Realms, since they ARE magic-rich, and where different materials exist.

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Hi again, all!
Azuth, your question I can answer right away, thanks to having a note from Ed on that very topic handy in my piles of such notes.
So here we go...

Corn was known in mainland Faerūn before the relatively recent contact with Maztica, but the varieties of corn were stunted plants prone to "powdery mildew" and worse blights and what farmers call "smut" (weird fungal growths). So corn had to be carefully picked over, kernel by kernel. It was then usually roasted and ground into cornmeal for travel and trade purposes. Corn on the cob was a local delicacy, eaten fresh or hung up from the kitchen rafters and dried for winter use, NOT a high-yield crop. Most corn was fed to livestock/draft animals.
What was "new" from Maztica was abundant "golden corn" (large, fat cobs on big, flourishing plants beyond number) that changed mainland perceptions of how to use corn and that a huge dependable supply could be locally grown, so it could be relied upon. Cornbreads (pan-fried) became favourites overnight, followed by breadings on vegetables, and corn as a "platter" (plate) vegetable on its own.

So saith Ed. As for me, I'm off to find some butter to melt...
love,
THO

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Heh. This, from Ed, in his latest e-mail:


There's STILL more than one group of Phaerimm operating on Toril. :}


So there you have it. More of a proper reply to come, Ed promises, when he isn't so blamed busy.
love to all,
THO

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What about beyond Toril? I'm now curious as to how many phaerimm have gone beyond Toril, whether to the planes or by catching a passing spelljammer.

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Hi again, all!
Azuth, your question I can answer right away, thanks to having a note from Ed on that very topic handy in my piles of such notes.
So here we go...

Corn was known in mainland Faerūn before the relatively recent contact with Maztica, but the varieties of corn were stunted plants prone to "powdery mildew" and worse blights and what farmers call "smut" (weird fungal growths). So corn had to be carefully picked over, kernel by kernel. It was then usually roasted and ground into cornmeal for travel and trade purposes. Corn on the cob was a local delicacy, eaten fresh or hung up from the kitchen rafters and dried for winter use, NOT a high-yield crop. Most corn was fed to livestock/draft animals.
What was "new" from Maztica was abundant "golden corn" (large, fat cobs on big, flourishing plants beyond number) that changed mainland perceptions of how to use corn and that a huge dependable supply could be locally grown, so it could be relied upon. Cornbreads (pan-fried) became favourites overnight, followed by breadings on vegetables, and corn as a "platter" (plate) vegetable on its own.

So saith Ed. As for me, I'm off to find some butter to melt...
love,
THO

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Originally posted by bladeinAmn

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Hi again, all!
Azuth, your question I can answer right away, thanks to having a note from Ed on that very topic handy in my piles of such notes.
So here we go...

Corn was known in mainland Faerūn before the relatively recent contact with Maztica, but the varieties of corn were stunted plants prone to "powdery mildew" and worse blights and what farmers call "smut" (weird fungal growths). So corn had to be carefully picked over, kernel by kernel. It was then usually roasted and ground into cornmeal for travel and trade purposes. Corn on the cob was a local delicacy, eaten fresh or hung up from the kitchen rafters and dried for winter use, NOT a high-yield crop. Most corn was fed to livestock/draft animals.
What was "new" from Maztica was abundant "golden corn" (large, fat cobs on big, flourishing plants beyond number) that changed mainland perceptions of how to use corn and that a huge dependable supply could be locally grown, so it could be relied upon. Cornbreads (pan-fried) became favourites overnight, followed by breadings on vegetables, and corn as a "platter" (plate) vegetable on its own.

So saith Ed. As for me, I'm off to find some butter to melt...
love,
THO

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Of all your (currently) 4010 posts, I think this one is your corniest ever!

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Hi again, all!
Azuth, your question I can answer right away, thanks to having a note from Ed on that very topic handy in my piles of such notes.
So here we go...

Corn was known in mainland Faerūn before the relatively recent contact with Maztica, but the varieties of corn were stunted plants prone to "powdery mildew" and worse blights and what farmers call "smut" (weird fungal growths). So corn had to be carefully picked over, kernel by kernel. It was then usually roasted and ground into cornmeal for travel and trade purposes. Corn on the cob was a local delicacy, eaten fresh or hung up from the kitchen rafters and dried for winter use, NOT a high-yield crop. Most corn was fed to livestock/draft animals.
What was "new" from Maztica was abundant "golden corn" (large, fat cobs on big, flourishing plants beyond number) that changed mainland perceptions of how to use corn and that a huge dependable supply could be locally grown, so it could be relied upon. Cornbreads (pan-fried) became favourites overnight, followed by breadings on vegetables, and corn as a "platter" (plate) vegetable on its own.

So saith Ed. As for me, I'm off to find some butter to melt...
love,
THO

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Originally posted by Therise

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Originally posted by bladeinAmn

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Hi again, all!
Azuth, your question I can answer right away, thanks to having a note from Ed on that very topic handy in my piles of such notes.
So here we go...

Corn was known in mainland Faerūn before the relatively recent contact with Maztica, but the varieties of corn were stunted plants prone to "powdery mildew" and worse blights and what farmers call "smut" (weird fungal growths). So corn had to be carefully picked over, kernel by kernel. It was then usually roasted and ground into cornmeal for travel and trade purposes. Corn on the cob was a local delicacy, eaten fresh or hung up from the kitchen rafters and dried for winter use, NOT a high-yield crop. Most corn was fed to livestock/draft animals.
What was "new" from Maztica was abundant "golden corn" (large, fat cobs on big, flourishing plants beyond number) that changed mainland perceptions of how to use corn and that a huge dependable supply could be locally grown, so it could be relied upon. Cornbreads (pan-fried) became favourites overnight, followed by breadings on vegetables, and corn as a "platter" (plate) vegetable on its own.

So saith Ed. As for me, I'm off to find some butter to melt...
love,
THO

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Of all your (currently) 4010 posts, I think this one is your corniest ever!

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Oh shucks! She gives us some little niblets of information, we're all ears, and it's nothing but jokes!

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

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Originally posted by Therise

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Originally posted by bladeinAmn

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Hi again, all!
Azuth, your question I can answer right away, thanks to having a note from Ed on that very topic handy in my piles of such notes.
So here we go...

Corn was known in mainland Faerūn before the relatively recent contact with Maztica, but the varieties of corn were stunted plants prone to "powdery mildew" and worse blights and what farmers call "smut" (weird fungal growths). So corn had to be carefully picked over, kernel by kernel. It was then usually roasted and ground into cornmeal for travel and trade purposes. Corn on the cob was a local delicacy, eaten fresh or hung up from the kitchen rafters and dried for winter use, NOT a high-yield crop. Most corn was fed to livestock/draft animals.
What was "new" from Maztica was abundant "golden corn" (large, fat cobs on big, flourishing plants beyond number) that changed mainland perceptions of how to use corn and that a huge dependable supply could be locally grown, so it could be relied upon. Cornbreads (pan-fried) became favourites overnight, followed by breadings on vegetables, and corn as a "platter" (plate) vegetable on its own.

So saith Ed. As for me, I'm off to find some butter to melt...
love,
THO

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Of all your (currently) 4010 posts, I think this one is your corniest ever!

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Oh shucks! She gives us some little niblets of information, we're all ears, and it's nothing but jokes!

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Hey, I don't know about y'all, but I love these little kernels of Realmslore!

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

So we should all post contrapuntally, from now on?
love to all,
THO

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Originally posted by Kentinal

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

So we should all post contrapuntally, from now on?
love to all,
THO

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Well I suppose that could be a new rule, however my question is who moderates the moderators?

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Originally posted by Kentinal

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

So we should all post contrapuntally, from now on?
love to all,
THO

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Well I suppose that could be a new rule, however my question is who moderates the moderators?

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Originally posted by The Sage

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Originally posted by Kentinal

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

So we should all post contrapuntally, from now on?
love to all,
THO

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Well I suppose that could be a new rule, however my question is who moderates the moderators?

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I'm addressing this in a more serious tone, because Kentinal has raised an interesting query.

In the case of moderating the moderators, usually, that falls to Alaundo, as the Head Admin of Candlekeep. But we can't also dismiss the valuable input from concerned scribes who may feel that our judgements and/or decisions about certain situations, may be somewhat unfairly applied. As such, again, this would be something that scribes can discuss with Alaundo.

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

And in the spirit of doing just that, I bring an answer to this, from Azuth: "Fantastic! Given the...disappearance of Maztica, was any of the "golden corn" saved and imported to Faerūn prior to the Spellplague? Do Ed's notes cover that? Much love to you, THO!"

Much love right back. No, Ed;'s notes don't extend that far, but Ed does. Ahem.
Accordingly, here's what he imparted to me in his latest e-mail:

Yes, Maztican corn strains were imported into Faerūn in abundance, both living plants and seeds, and some are flourishing. Insects and blights and molds made the trip from Maztica, too, and their effects remain to be seen.


So saith Ed. Who has always regarded the Realms as a living, everchanging thing, not a frozen setting carved in stone.
love,
THO

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Yes, Maztican corn strains were imported into Faerūn in abundance, both living plants and seeds, and some are flourishing.

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Originally posted by Therise

Granted, "historical enthusiast reconstuctionists" probably aren't the tip-top shape of marines. But I still think it would be pretty exhausting for an athlete. So I started wondering how Cormyrean knights would wear/doff their heavy armor. And certainly, clanking around in a dungeon like Undermountain might actually attract monsters or other forms of unwanted attention.

Certainly you couldn't sneak up on anyone. Real, seasoned warriors, at least to my way of thinking, would likely wear something super-appropriate to the battle/setting. Plate mail if it's a full-on war campaign, but if you're dungeoneering it might be better to go with enchanted leather or something?

And even good old Minsc in BG would complain of armor chafe, heh!

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

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Originally posted by Kentinal

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

So we should all post contrapuntally, from now on?
love to all,
THO

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Well I suppose that could be a new rule, however my question is who moderates the moderators?

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Well, there's always Big Al, unless we hide his +5 staff of the moderator, or distract him with the Calishite Dancing Girls. Or both.

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Yes, Maztican corn strains were imported into Faerūn in abundance, both living plants and seeds, and some are flourishing. Insects and blights and molds made the trip from Maztica, too, and their effects remain to be seen.

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