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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7974 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Feb 2011 : 16:10:48
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| Some characters manage to pull of a bit of both. Szass Tam's witty nonchalance has certain humourous appeal at times. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2011 : 16:46:53
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Someone mentioned 'Gilligan'... he's in OAtR as well; IIRC, the dwarf with the skyship was calling his small pterraman companion his 'little buddy', and the ship was called the Minnow (once again, IIRC).
Mr. Rourke and Tattoo (a Halfling) were in there as well (in Maztica), along with dozens of other TV references.
I think I walked away with one usable geography reference (a city on the coast of Kara-Tur that has many Faerunian ex-patriates in it, which exists in the 'lost province').
Read that book and then decide if you really want low-brow comedy in the Realms. A lot of the information left me with a "Say WHAT?!" impression (like the fact that two relatively weak humans were able to stroll into Myth Drannor unmolested).
I suppose we could 'assume' that Volo is blessed of Tymora, since the novel is one, long series of fortunate events (that manage to save Volo and his companions' lives time and again).
@Allysra - I don't remember a Skullport scene, but then again, I have tried to blot much of it out of my memory. Considering your attempted 'title change', methinks we may be discussing different works.
The two guards at the beginning are named after the Star Trek captians (Kirk and Stewart). Its that bad.  |
"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 09 Feb 2011 16:58:04 |
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Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2011 : 17:06:20
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For humor, I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Greenwood's interpretation of Cormyr's royal guards and wizards of war. It starts out mild, then usually turns into something out of the Keystone Kops. Elminster Must Die! goes along those lines at various points, and it's pretty funny.
For horror, I quite liked Davis' Circle of Thorns. As a genre, I don't even like horror fiction. But the way Davis blended Waterdeep with Asmodean cultists, it was very effective and really creepy. I didn't like the Haunted Lands trilogy, as the characters were just not likeable at all. I kept wanting Szass Tam to come and smack them all into instant death because of their relentless emo whining, but their plot armor was too thick.
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Female, 40-year DM of a homebrew-evolved 1E Realms, including a few added tidbits of 2E and 3E lore; played originally in AD&D, then in Rolemaster. Be a DM for your kids and grandkids, gaming is excellent for families! |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7974 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2011 : 17:36:59
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Gilligan's Island is also obliquely referenced in OA5 Mad Monkey vs Dragon Claw. The extraordinary favour Tymora bestows upon Volo is lampshaded during the Avatar Crisis; Volo is nearly killed by disgruntled cutthroats after his runs of supernatural luck assure (desperately unwanted) phenomenal success during his gambling pastimes. Conversely, the other Volo often seems relentlessly abused by Beshaba's special favour.
Early (1980's) D&D seemed more lighthearted and superficial, less inclined to treat itself seriously. Though this was more pronounced in the game than in the novels. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2011 : 17:53:49
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NOTHING will ever compare to Greyhawk's Coca-Cola golems.
I can't believe I ever ran that setting, looking back, but I still have much nostalgic love for it. 
I guess when you haven't yet tasted Filet Mignon, hamburger still tastes good to you.
Oh... and Chocolate Bunny Golems... <shiver>
Those may have actually been in the same issue of Dragon as the much-loved Athalantar article, along with some of FR's strangest (and comedic) lore, like a Beholder 'gangsta' that wears a zoot-suit, and the fiddle-playing Drow (IIRC). Now THAT was some really bad FR comedy (still amusing, 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 09 Feb 2011 17:54:36 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7974 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2011 : 18:19:40
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| Giant Space Hamster of Ill-Omen ... there isn't much need to say more. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36782 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2011 : 19:00:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Giant Space Hamster of Ill-Omen ... there isn't much need to say more.
Ah, but that's a Spelljammer reference!  |
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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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7974 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2011 : 23:31:13
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| The spelljamming race of orcs are called scro. They consider orcs to be their backwards cousins. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36782 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2011 : 23:44:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Gilligan's Island is also obliquely referenced in OA5 Mad Monkey vs Dragon Claw. The extraordinary favour Tymora bestows upon Volo is lampshaded during the Avatar Crisis; Volo is nearly killed by disgruntled cutthroats after his runs of supernatural luck assure (desperately unwanted) phenomenal success during his gambling pastimes. Conversely, the other Volo often seems relentlessly abused by Beshaba's special favour.
Early (1980's) D&D seemed more lighthearted and superficial, less inclined to treat itself seriously. Though this was more pronounced in the game than in the novels.
Actually, Volo's extraordinary run of luck was well after the Time of Troubles -- Volo himself wasn't intro'ed until a few years after the ToT. Volo's run of painfully good luck was in Tymora's Luck, when both she and Beshaba were involuntarily "leaking" luck all over the cosmos. |
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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36782 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2011 : 23:46:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
The spelljamming race of orcs are called scro. They consider orcs to be their backwards cousins.
Indeed. They are descended from regular orcs, but are far more intelligent and disciplined. They're quite militaristic, and many of them learn elvish so that they can insult dying elves in their own tongue.
The scro are my fave Spelljammer race. |
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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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2011 : 17:01:56
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Realms of Humor. Doesn't that sound great? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2011 : 18:27:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Realms of Humor. Doesn't that sound great?
Possibly, but the humor i have seen in the Realms books which i have read has been rather pathetic. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2011 : 18:53:02
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I never minded it much in the sourcebooks (there is definately a light-heartedness in RAS's original treatment of the Bloodstone lands), and even in some Ed's Volo guides (Elminster's running commentary is especially good), but in the novels I'd rather not have it. I think it detracts from the maturity of the setting, IMHO.
And as for the Scro, everyone knows they are just the Sharakim that made it into space. 
You know about their warchiefs, right? They call them "Tums"....  |
"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 - 02 Nov 2011 : 04:18:49
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quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Realms of Humor. Doesn't that sound great?
Possibly, but the humor i have seen in the Realms books which i have read has been rather pathetic.
I heard Rosemary Jones's books have a fair dose of humor, so as the novels where Danilo Than (sp?) appeared. I can't attest myself, for I haven't read them. But a lot of scribes said so, so most likely there's truth in it. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2011 : 12:33:46
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I enjoy humor, but don't really care to see it in my fantasy
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Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2011 : 18:41:16
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But it's a nice and welcome break when from page 1 to 400 all you see is gore and slaughter. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Grand Comedy of the Realms
