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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Sep 2012 : 03:10:26
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Hi again, all. I bring you now Ed’s response to these questions, from dravenloft: “As a premise of the Realms seems to be (have been? I'll admit all my stuff but a few novels are pre-3rd edition) that there are portals scattered hither and yon that might lead one out of or into Faerûn from another plane, and certainly some of our own Earthly gods do a bit of duty on that side of creation already. So, have the Knights ever met someone fresh from a radically different world? Our own, for example? Or, perhaps, found themselves transported to such a bizarre and distant elsewhere?”
Ed replies:
Yes, in “home” Realmsplay, over the years, the Knights of Myth Drannor have visited the “Otherwhen” of H. Beam Piper’s Lord Kalvan tales, Christopher Stasheff’s Gramayre, Andrew Offut’s Zhuvastou, and a few Shadows of Roger Zelazny’s Amber. They have met wayfarers from all of those settings and some other places, too. However, as their adventures unfolded, they weren’t always aware they were doing so.
Yes, they’ve visited us, too. There’s even a long-ago DRAGON article by me describing some of the details of Realms adventurers blundering about in our own real (modern) world.
One of the ideas put forward by Philip José Farmer in his World of Tiers books (that partly inspired, Roger Zelazny told me as he told others, the Amber books) was that any such system of gates/portals linking various worlds would inevitably end up controlled or dominated by a power group (or rival, warring power groups) who benefit from such control.
I have long thought that this was an ideal direction for a mature Realms campaign to head in, as the PCs reached powerful character levels: that they would inevitably get drawn into conflict with such power groups, and defending people and places they held dear from the behind-the-scenes control of said power groups.
This is a field many fantasy and sf novelists have explored, and one that continues to fascinate me.
So saith Ed. Who knew when TSR first started publishing the Realms that the “D&D controversy” of the day would force all real world/Realms connections to be downplayed or not mentioned at all.
love,
THO
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Lord Snowblood
Acolyte
Australia
25 Posts |
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Hoondatha
Great Reader
USA
2449 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2012 : 14:59:35
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| Wow. When Ed returns, he returns with a vengeance. Thanks for sharing a bit more godly lore; it's always interesting to peel back that curtain just a little more more. |
Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...
Sigh... And now 4e as well. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2012 : 16:57:34
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Heh. You said it, Hoondatha.
(Hello once again, fellow scribes.) This time I bring you Ed’s reply to Merrith, re. this: “THO and Ed, having read Elminster Enraged now, I had a question regarding a revelation in the book. Since it just came out, I won't spoil anything directly if I can word this properly.
Given certain knowledge/revelation regarding the black dragon Alorglauvenemaus in the book, and the earlier events in the short story The Many Murders of Manshoon, I have to ask if certain relatives of Elminster received even more permissions to assume particular identities than they revealed in the short story originally. I hope that makes sense I didn't want to directly spoil anything.
Also regarding, ah, Alorglauvenemaus...will we ever get to hear more about alliances and treacheries that were alluded to in the story?”
Ed’s response:
Yes, certain relatives did indeed receive more permission. :} I hope to someday say more.
Likewise with the alliances and treacheries regarding Alorglauvenemaus. Given time and opportunity, I’ll try to say more, in print and officially, when and where I can. (As you can guess, I VERY much want to do so. Without entirely shattering ALL the air of mystery.) Which is the tightrope I daily walk.
So saith Ed. Who devours Tolkien’s appendices and similar lorebooks and behind-the-scenes peeks whenever he can, yet understands that Knowing Ever More brings its own perils. Such as Losing the Awe, Wonder, and Magic.
love,
THO
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CorellonsDevout
Great Reader
USA
2708 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2012 : 21:58:37
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| I do not play the game much, but I have a couple of reference books, such as FRCG for both 3.5 (or maybe it's 3e) and 4e. I also have a couple of 'basic D&D' ref books, one of which is the Astral Sea, and I am curious: Is the Arvandor of the Realms different from the one in just your typical D&D setting? It seems so to me. For one, based on the Last Mythal trilogy and Evermeet: Island of Elves in particular, the creation story and the "layout" of Arvandor seems different in the Realms than the one described in the D&D Astral Plane guide book. Corellon and Sehanine's roles seem to differ in the two settings as well. And the fate of the souls elven followers in the Realms seems better than the one indicated in the reference book. Based on my name, you can probably tell I'm a big Corellon fan, so I'm wondering what the difference--if there is one--in Arvandor is. |
Sweet water and light laughter |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2012 : 22:07:12
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Well met again, fellow scribes. Ed’s volubility continues with a response to Eilserus re. this: “Hi Ed and THO,
Just finished reading Elminster Enraged and WOW! This has been a great ride over the last couple of years following the Sage of Shadowdale. I can't wait to see what the future holds and when your next novel is released. I did have one question: Will we see how the events of this book interact with Lolth's attempt to create the Demonweave?
Definitely looking forward to snagging Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms next month too!
Thank you. :)”
Ed replies:
Great! I hope you like E’s Realms, too. (And I’d love to write sequels, so I hope it sells well enough to urge, nay, compel them. :} )
I’m not sure how and where you’ll see the events of ENRAGED interacting with Lolth’s attempt to create the Demonweave, yet. If I can sneak it into a future Eye On The Realms column, rest assured I’ll do so, ditto hints in THE HERALD, my Sundering novel (to appear before interested readers in summer 2014, I believe) . . . but I will have other fish to fry in the foreground therein, of course. So it may take some time before there’s fictional opportunity to examine that topic with any leisure or definitiveness. Usually there’s a lot of spellhurling and nobles being menacingly sinister and running around with swords going on, that gets in the way. :}
So saith Ed, who is busy crafting some of that “gets in the way” stuff right now . . .
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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe
Canada
592 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2012 : 23:30:03
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You know I would be interested in this even if it couldn't happen but:
What if Elminster and The Doctor (Doctor Who) were to discuss their life and experiences? Perhaps go on an adventure together?
The Doctor (Especially the Doctors in the new series, and the Eleventh Doctor) seem to have a mix of lived longer then he should have but hunger for life and excitement which seems to go with Elminster in some ways.
Do you have any thoughts on that Mr. Greenwood? |
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 - 10 Sep 2012 : 01:01:20
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Hi again, fellow scribes. I bring you a swift Ed response to Markustay, re. this: “Loxo and Kenku? Now THAT is interesting. I also never thought of Sembians as 'foodies'. . . .Thanks for all the answers, Ed & THO”
Ed replies:
You’re very welcome. It’s our pleasure, THO and I. Yes, I’ve been trying to build up the loxo and kenku into more multi-dimensional creatures, to bolster the reasons why they’re accepted as part of society (because going just by their initial write-ups for the game, it was slightly puzzling why they wouldn’t be shunned or attacked on sight, so I thought they HAD to have more facets to them).
And as for the Sembians: the average merchant, shopkeeper, and laborer just want cheap, readily-available food as fuel (think of them as fast food restaurant customers), and thanks to the verdant farms and ranches of Sembia and the nearby Dales and Cormyr, they’ve always had that. However, as Sembia soars in wealth and power, its self-styled nobles and untitled “merchant princes” want to share in the luxuries (and airs) they’ve seen the nobility of Cormyr, Waterdeep, and Amn indulge in for years. Taking an interest in wines and expensive, elaborate food (as opposed to the sturdy, cheap, and rustic fare - - washed down with beer - - they’ve long been used to) is one way of using all that coin to “better themselves,” or at least pretend they’re better and take pride in doing so.
So saith Ed. Keen student of human nature that he is.
love,
THO
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Lady Shadowflame
Learned Scribe
115 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2012 : 02:32:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Tyrant
I have a few questions relating to Illithid in the Realms. Are there any examples of an Illithid (or more than one I suppose) forsaking the ways of it's people (if that's even possible) as far as their preferred diet and generally believing thmeselves better than everything around them? Or barring that any examples of some that at least aren't being "evil" (from a human/demihuman standpoint)?
Yes. Sangalor of the Secrets, cleric of Oghma dwelling in Skullport. LN.
And whatsisface, the good-aligned illithid in one of the sourcebooks that wanders around the Underdark with his best friend and fellow outcast from their respective groups, a good-aligned beholder. |
Save a lizard... Ride a drow.
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dravenloft
Acolyte
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2012 : 02:45:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Foxhelm
You know I would be interested in this even if it couldn't happen but:
What if Elminster and The Doctor (Doctor Who) were to discuss their life and experiences? Perhaps go on an adventure together?
The Doctor (Especially the Doctors in the new series, and the Eleventh Doctor) seem to have a mix of lived longer then he should have but hunger for life and excitement which seems to go with Elminster in some ways.
Do you have any thoughts on that Mr. Greenwood?
Oh gods, and THAT made me suddenly think a Sliders/Realms crossover.
I may have to suggest this stuff to my GM. |
Space Opera, Planetary Romance, Speculative Fiction and similar by me.
check it out at http://universal-nexus.com |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2012 : 20:29:42
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LOL - I am almost afraid to comment, for fear of more lore. 
What I mean by my Sembians/Foodies comment is that I had always pictured them along the lines of Shylock from The Merchant of Venice (In fact, I picture Sembia being very much like pre-unification Italy). I had only imagined the 'dark side' of Sembia in my mind, which is a stupid mistake, because all folk have 'shades of grey'. They are not just grasping, greedy merchants, they are people as well. You've now given them a bit of a 'Yuppie' twist I hadn't expected, which adds yet another layer onto their 2-dimensionality (my own faulty perception).
So not all of them are social climbers from a greed aspect, but rather as a 'respect' thing, which every normal person wants. In Sembia, you are supposed to want to better yourself, and one-up your peers, because its part of their culture. While this does tend to generate more of the 'greedy, evil types' then another culture would, the people themselves would see it more as a way of 'rising above' their humble beginnings. In fact, Sembia's greatest gift to the Realms may be the "rise of the middle class" (upper-middle), which contributed mightily to the downfall of monarchies (states run by the nobility) in our RW.
In that way, there is also a certain amount of good that Sembia does. Capitalism leads to democracy, so in a way, Sembia's 'evil' is just civilization going through one of its many growing-pains. In that light, Sembia is more forward-thinking then Cormyr, which still follows what most Sembians would consider an outdated monarchy (despotism).
All of that realization from just a food question. My thanks. 
*Grammar correction |
"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 11 Sep 2012 17:19:04 |
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Merrith
Learned Scribe
135 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2012 : 22:59:16
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded OneYes, certain relatives did indeed receive more permission. :} I hope to someday say more.
Likewise with the alliances and treacheries regarding Alorglauvenemaus. Given time and opportunity, I’ll try to say more, in print and officially, when and where I can. (As you can guess, I VERY much want to do so. Without entirely shattering ALL the air of mystery.) Which is the tightrope I daily walk.
So saith Ed. Who devours Tolkien’s appendices and similar lorebooks and behind-the-scenes peeks whenever he can, yet understands that Knowing Ever More brings its own perils. Such as Losing the Awe, Wonder, and Magic.
love,
THO
Thanks for the quick response Ed and THO :) info or a story I would VERY much like to read/hear about at some point. In the meantime, I'm excited to see where El's story goes from here, at least one major thing to deal with still (emphasis on at least). |
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The Red Walker
Great Reader
USA
3563 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2012 : 23:42:48
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Snip.....
Right now I am a paid consultant of Wizards of the Coast (working from home, thousands of miles away from Renton), and in these last few months have been very heavily involved in all sorts of things Realms related (NDAs prevent me from sharing details, of course). You’re right in thinking I don’t have much spare time, these days. :} However, I'm loving every moment of it, because I get to work on the Realms! Wheeee!
.....
love,
THO
That's why I LOVE Ed! And also why even though I've had several,chances to speak with him, I've only once done so and it was a very short thank you, love the realms please sign this kinda thing.....I almost fear to ask him a question.....,because he will answer it and any others it brings up......I don't know how he doesn't, and happily always while at it! The only explanation I have is when Ed is "working" it's not work to him, he is doing what he loves.....and I(we)get the benefits
THO I wouldn't bother Ed with this, I'd like to ask you.....between now and The Herald in 2014....what other opportunities will there be to read anything by Ed?
Possible vague spoilers
I just devoured Elminster Enraged.....I wish I had taken notes.....so much lore between all the fun I know I missed most of it. I love the pace, but I just can't strain it all out.....it was very fun to read El doling out some well earned reckoning.....how much fun Ed must have had writing that section.....and how hard to pare it down to such a small few, I was wondering if any "retribution" got left on the cutting room floor? Any scraps to share? (we scribes are an ever hungry sort.....the more well fed we are, the hungrier we get.......like the Larloch matter.....just reading that has scribes turning inside out with anticipation)
And while I hope that's not the last we see of Mirt. The place we last saw him...is a nice way to look back at him with a smile |
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 10 Sep 2012 23:43:09 |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 00:51:54
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Hi again, all. Ed is working late at his library day job tonight, and so won't get around to answering the heap of questions from Jeremy G from his last two Eye On The Realms columns, which he tells me are foremost on his desk right now, but he did check in with me long enough to say: "YES, exactly," re. Sembia for Markustay (the rise of the middle class and the new Sembian nobility are making Cormyrean commoners think, of course) AND to agree with The Red Walker that if he can't get back to Mirt soon, that was a good "last glimpse of him" for awhile.
As for Ed Realms fiction between now and THE HERALD, Ed has donated a brief Realms folk tale to the Wizards lorebank, there's an unpublished frontispiece tale that got left out of the second Eddie Presents Waterdeep novel omnibus, and of course there's the next Spin A Yarn (based on what was compiled at this year's GenCon funfest seminar). Add to that any chances Ed can get to sneak some short fiction passages into, say, Forging the Realms or onto thewebsite via other means.
As for NON Realms fiction, hoo boy. There are a TON of Ed-penned short stories out there or upcoming, a Golarion-set novel from Paizo, and more that he can't reveal yet. Ed IS, as ever, a busy boy.
love to all,
THO |
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Euranna
Learned Scribe
USA
219 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 01:42:48
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I just wanted to say thank you to everyone on this thread (and Candlekeep as a whole). I love reading everything, even if I have yet to have cause to contribute. I have enjoyed reading the responses from THO and Ed, and loved pondering the questions that prompted said answers.
Thank you everyone. :) You have engaged my imagination in a splendid way. :) |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 04:42:53
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Euranna, you're very welcome. May you be delighted often in your readings within these halls.
Hello again, all. Ed continues charging through Realmslore with a barrage of answers for Jeremy Grenemyer’s queries about Ed’s Eye on the Realms article The Lost Dragon of Waterdeep. For ease of reading, I’ve interspersed Ed’s replies with Jeremy’s questions:
J: Ghelmer’s ability to enter other paintings that have human blood mixed into the paint…can Ghelmer sense such things in paintings? Or is his ability a function of prior knowledge of paintings made in part from human blood (thanks to his days as an artist)?
E: No, he can’t sense paintings that have human blood mixed with their pigments from afar, but if he comes into contact with them (in “wisp”) form, he knows at a touch whether or not he can enter into them. He largely relies on knowledge of suitable paintings from his “prior life,” yes.
J: If the sage Elaerla Raelingdorn was first plied with Sembian Soft Sharpnip and plenty of coin, then asked whether or not Ghelmer mixed his own blood into his paintings, how might she respond?
E: She would admit the truth: which is yes, he did. Creating quite a few hiding-places and homes for his current self, most of them scattered across North Ward and Sea Ward in Waterdeep, but extending into Castle Ward and Trades Ward as well. Not to mention Piergeiron’s Palace and Castle Waterdeep.
J: Has Elminster speculated on whether Ghelmer’s own blood is in the painting found in the Eagleshield Mansion (Highroost)?
E: No, because he has no need to speculate. El knows Ghelmer’s blood is in that painting, because he’s examined it. The Old Mage doesn’t admit all he knows, even to me in my role as scribe of these Eye screeds.
J: During his imprisonment has Ghelmer ever knowingly encountered any of his descendants (assuming he had any) from his dalliances when he was still living?
E: Yes, there were a handful of descendants, mostly female children born to noble ladies and passed off by them as legimate offspring, sired by the noble husbands of the ladies (aside from a lock of curly hair among otherwise straight hair, Ghelmer leaves no visible mark of his bloodline (recessive genes), so his daughters tend to look like their mothers, not as a group of related women with a mysterious (or obvious) father. Elminster tells me Ghelmer knows who almost all of them are, has met some of them while in the painting, and wants their identities kept secret so as not to harm their lives and noble standing. Elminster is thus far honouring those wishes.
J: Can you please describe onsler eels and tonthur nuts and where can they be found in the Realms?
E: Certainly. Onslers are pale, mottled dun-white freshwater eels found in shallow streams and deep rivers alike, throughout the Heartlands (they sicken and die if the waters are too cold or too hot for too long, and so cannot survive the worst winters in the North, or the waters of the tropics or around the Lake of Steam). Onslers are plant eaters, devouring more algae and aquatic mosses and lichens than anything else. They are placid and slow-moving, with soft, sucking mouths and darker backs than bellies, and if undisturbed live longer than humans and grow quite long and broad (big adults having flatter bodies than cylindrical thinner, younger specimens). Onsler flesh has a pleasant “rare but well-marinated steak” texture but is rather tasteless, and so is either doused in sauce or heavily seasoned (usually roasted with berries, or slit and dressed with cloves of garlic or spices thrust into the slits). If boiled or steamed in the drippings of pork, goat, lamb, or beef roasts, it will take on the taste of the dripping—and so is often used to “make the meat go farther” by innkeepers and in the kitchens of poor folk.
Tonthur nuts look like brown, wrinkled, spiky-all-over walnuts (the inner nut we real-world moderns are used to eating, that is, not the shell-covered entire nut actually produced by nature), and grow on raspberry-cane-like wandering ground thorn-vines that grow profusely in hilly and mountainous areas in Amn, Tethyr, and the interior area bounded by Starmantle, Turmish, and the Vilhon. Some goats graze on tonthur-vines, but nothing else does, so the nuts are plentiful. They are full of fat and have a rich, “heavy” (due to that fat) taste that’s rather like nutty mushrooms sprinkled with black pepper. If one has plenty of water (or broth) to douse the fiery thirst they cause, they can be eaten readily raw, in the field, and a bowl of them has made a hearty meal for many a wayfarer, drover, or caravan merchant—but when sold in the Sword Coast lands, the Tashalar, and wherever Calishite merchants travel, they are usually crushed and boiled with a dozen or so spices into fiery brown tonthur-nut sauce, used as a condiment to give bland food (like potatoes) a strong taste, but often also to cover the unpleasant taste of foodstuffs starting to go bad, or a “cook’s mistake.” Tonthur-nut sauce is sold in small, sealed clay jugs with lids, that are often reused to store lantern or cooking oils and other substances not harmed by the strong scent tonthur-nut sauce leaves behind.
J: The radiance that emanated from Lady Eagleshield’s eyes as her organs were melted—is that a common side effect of the food concoction that slew her?
E: It is if you happen to have particular magic items within your body, as Lady Eagleshield did, and they vaporize as the internal organs melt, and release their stored magical energies. The paranoid, seeing-enemies-everywhere Lady Eagleshield had swallowed no less than three enchanted gems to protect herself against foes (a gem that conferred feather fall properties on her, another that guarded against many sorts of poison, and a third that emitted a partial spell reflection effect). Otherwise, someone suffering “organ melt” will have the bright purple-green glow in their eyes, but nothing else—unless they spit or drool forth purple-green, glowing “spew” of their innards, as they die.
J: Sort of a longshot: do the Xraunrarr know about this organ melting effect? If yes, have they expanded on it? (I’m imagining a Xraun preparing some human stock for a meal and deciding it might be fun to turn dinner into a light show before consuming it, then discovering that fried-from-the-inside human tastes pretty good).
E: They do indeed, but don’t yet know all of what causes it, and are seeking to investigate (through agents), with an eye to turning this organ-melting ability to their own uses. Soon.
So saith Ed. Master of Realmslore and grower of one of the softer, nicer beards in captivity.
love,
THO
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 07:09:23
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Wow, that's just really awesome!
I realize you're quite busy and appreciate your taking the time to answer my several queries.
It's now time for an NPC or three to die of organ melt in my home campaign, and for the PCs to investigate.
[EDIT: That whole business about swallowing gems to confer magical protections has got me off on a tangent (a good idea generating one at that)...can this subject be a future Eye article, please?] |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
Edited by - Jeremy Grenemyer on 11 Sep 2012 08:14:46 |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6643 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 08:08:49
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Given Ed's lore on the dragon Hoondarh, the Red Rage of Mintarn, this gem-swallowing caper harks back to Netherese practices, I reckon.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 08:19:36
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| EDIT: Thanks for the tip, George. I found the article on Hoondarrh in the Wyrms of the North archive. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
Edited by - Jeremy Grenemyer on 11 Sep 2012 08:19:58 |
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Eilserus
Master of Realmslore
USA
1446 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 09:32:33
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Hello THO and Ed,
I had some questions regarding layout of the underdark. We have certain sourcebooks that state it's a maze of twisting tunnels, passages, caverns, etc. And then we have say the tunnels under the Old Skull, where it doesn't strike me as a total maze according to maps. Are most underdark tunnels a passage with tunnels branching off every few miles or is it more of a constant alternate routes available and branching off the main passage? Are most subterranean cities on trade routes or off the beaten path? I always pictured the underdark as somewhat well traveled trade routes with occasional branches off into the wilds that most folks won't stray into and cities would tend to fall on trade routes like their surface counterparts. I was curious if you could shed any further light on this.
Thank you both. :) |
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Eli the Tanner
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
149 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 13:54:00
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Hello Ed I hope you catch this in all your flurry.
Is there anything more that you can tell us about Tethyamar and its famed mines? What was it like in its heydey? How did it compare to other great Dwarven kingdoms?
I'm aware my next query may be NDA'd but I'm rather curious about the nature of Tethyamar's fall and the barghests, goblins and demons that took over. How pervasive are these creatures? Does most of Tethyamar lie in ruin still or have they filled the halls well?
I'm loving Elminster must Die at the moment,
-Eli |
Moderator of /r/Forgotten_Realms |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 18:29:48
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Hi again, all. Ed's at work at the day job again, so I'll tackle this one from Eilserus: "Hello THO and Ed,
I had some questions regarding layout of the underdark. We have certain sourcebooks that state it's a maze of twisting tunnels, passages, caverns, etc. And then we have say the tunnels under the Old Skull, where it doesn't strike me as a total maze according to maps. Are most underdark tunnels a passage with tunnels branching off every few miles or is it more of a constant alternate routes available and branching off the main passage? Are most subterranean cities on trade routes or off the beaten path? I always pictured the underdark as somewhat well traveled trade routes with occasional branches off into the wilds that most folks won't stray into and cities would tend to fall on trade routes like their surface counterparts. I was curious if you could shed any further light on this.
Thank you both. :)"
Sure. Here we go. Most of the Underdark is a series of interconnected natural caverns and "tunnels" (water channels) carved out by water (water percolating through limestone and other rocks containing particular water-soluble minerals creates the familiar-to-us stalactites, stalgmites, and "pillars" where stalacts and stalags have "grown together"), some of them later enlarged by the diggings and minings of various creatures.
Just as market-moots that grow into towns "happen" in the surface Realms, cities develop in the Underdark at trade-route-junctions, as well as at other strategic places (controlling travel, or where rivers/lakes and caverns meet) and sources of resources (rich gem-lodes and ore deposits). So, yes, most Underdark cities are on major trade routes.
The Underdark varies widely in composition from place to place, with the rocks and amount of water. Some parts of it are a few passages and caverns, in long, long linkages, and others ARE bewildering labyrinths of many-leveled interconnected caverns and shafts and passages.
The parts of it under the Old Skull are a mix of a few natural caverns and stream-passages, and a lot of deliberately-carved-out passages built under drow direction for defense and faciliatating trade-caravan-movements between the surface (at Castle Grimstead) and the underground lake that's just north of the Old Skull knoll itself. The lake itself is a major obstacle to invaders from the surface, and is used deliberately by the drow (who can readily control and search boats and barges crossing the lake) to control the flows of goods, people sneaking in and out and slaves trying to escape, etc.
There. That's a start. So saith me, drawing on Ed's notes and extensive play with the Knights into those under-Shadowdale areas of the Underdark...
love,
THO |
Edited by - The Hooded One on 11 Sep 2012 20:17:14 |
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Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1600 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 20:52:42
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hi again, all. Ed's at work at the day job again, so I'll tackle this one from Eilserus: (...)
love,
THO
This is very good, Lady THO. That's what I thought about the Underdak structure, but the way the drow use it... It's very good indeed! (And thank you Eilserus for making the question). |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
Edited by - Barastir on 11 Sep 2012 21:00:31 |
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Aldrick
Senior Scribe
909 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2012 : 22:18:49
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Hello THO and Ed,
I apologize in advance for the number of questions that I have; once I started with the first question others naturally followed. I'm not necessarily looking for specific answers for the questions in my examples; simply a very broad understanding of how the various religious cults function within the Realms and interact with others.
Here are my questions:
1. How different are the various faiths based on region and culture? How does culture color and influence the worship and view of the deities?
For example, how do the faithful in Calimshan view the faithful of the same cult elsewhere in Faerûn? Would the cult of Shar in Calimshan differ greatly from the worship of her among the Netherese of Shade, and would they view themselves as rivals due to cultural (and goal) differences? Would the cult of Bane in Calimshan recognize and accept the same hierarchy of the cult located around Zhentil Keep in the Moonsea? How do the more benevolent cults (such as Tyr, Torm, Lathander, and Ilmater) in Calimshan get along with cults dedicated to the same deity outside of Calishite lands; considering the social stratification, the acceptance of slavery, etc. that is deeply entrenched in Calishite culture? Would these more benevolent cults be involved in some of the more unsavory practices of the culture?
2. How common are heresies (both minor and major) in the Realms? What is the general attitude of the laypeople and the clergy when it comes to these minor and major heresies?
For example, how common are minor heresies such as additional (or fewer) religious holy days, and slight dogmatic differences? How common are major heresies such as those involving the cult of Lathander and the newly returned/formed cult of Amaunator?
3. How do racial pantheons interact with the Faerûnian Pantheon in areas where there is a great deal of multiculturalism?
For example, in Silverymoon there is both a large population of Elves and Humans. The worship of Selune is prominent in Silverymoon, as is - I'd imagine - the worship of Sehanine Moonbow. Both of these deities are moon goddesses with some overlapping portfolios. How do lay elves and lay humans deal with this? How is it not inevitable that these two faiths don't end up merging together over time? Assuming that they do begin to merge together, how would worshipers of the "old ways" (Elves in particular) view this - what I am sure is in their eyes - a heresy? Would they view it as an active corruption of elven culture and elven faith?
4. How common are clerics (and others who wield divine magic) among those dedicated to the service of a deity?
For example, if you travel to a rural village with a place of worship dedicated to Chauntea, what are the chances of that place of worship having someone who can work obvious signs of divine magic? Are these wielders of divine power similar to Chosen, in that they have a more direct line to their deity, and are given specific religious tasks to further the aims and the goals of their deity? (This is put in contrast with the more "mundane" faithful - for lack of a better word - who carry out the day-to-day services and functions of the religion.)
5. How do clerics and cults that are dedicated to multiple deities function?
For example, would a cleric that worshiped each member of the Triad equally receive their powers from each member of the Triad (or at least perceive it that way), or must a cleric by their very nature dedicate themselves to a single deity above all others? What about more loosely aligned cults such as Sune, Sharess, and Lliira; what happens if a cult appears that is dedicated to the spreading of all of those goals and worship of those deities collectively? Would they have clerics?
6. How is killing / imprisoning / harming / assaulting a cleric or other servant of the deities viewed in the Realms? What potential repercussions are there from the deity (or their divine servitors) themselves?
For example, if you murder a Cleric of Beshaba, could it lead to you becoming cursed with bad luck and misfortune? If you imprison a Cleric of Chauntea, could it lead to you having poor yields on your crops, or other harvesting related calamities? If you murder a Cleric of Cyric, is there a greater chance of people seeing through your intrigues, and finding yourself targeted for murder and assassination - no matter where you run or try to hide? Do people actively fear these types of things, and what are the chances of them happening?
I apologize again for the number of questions, but if you can answer even one or two of them, I'd be extremely grateful! Hopefully any answers you can provide will give a more fully-rounded picture of how religion, faith, and worship works in the Realms.
Thank you, THO and Ed! |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2012 : 00:25:19
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Great questions, Aldrick! Off they go to Ed, because I'd rather you hear his nuanced and definitive replies to matters divine rather than my more bumbling ones.
I do bring an Ed response to Foxhelm, re. this: "You know I would be interested in this even if it couldn't happen but:
What if Elminster and The Doctor (Doctor Who) were to discuss their life and experiences? Perhaps go on an adventure together?
The Doctor (Especially the Doctors in the new series, and the Eleventh Doctor) seem to have a mix of lived longer then he should have but hunger for life and excitement which seems to go with Elminster in some ways.
Do you have any thoughts on that Mr. Greenwood?"
Ed replies:
I think "it couldn't happen" is very likely, I'm afraid, and aside from being a fan of the series, both original and revived, I have no contact at all with the current writers and directors of Doctor Who.
Once, long, long ago, I met Jon Pertwee (the third Doctor), and he and I exchanged books (I gave him one of my Realms novels, and he gave me his autobiography, "Moon Boots and Dinner Suits"). What a GREAT guy. (I count that as Elminster and The Doctor ALMOST getting together to discuss their lives and experiences. :} )
I have a few problems with trundling as easily back and forth in time as a Time Lord is supposed to be able to, when it comes to the Realms, but I am interested indeed in what living so long and having so many experiences does to the character of anyone, Elminster or Doctor Who or whomever, and I have been very touched by moments in the lives of the recent doctors (usually in Christmas episodes) where what The Doctor means to his companions (and former companions) and their families, have been highlighted. :}
So saith Ed. Who also wants Jeremy to know he hasn't forgotten the queries about the Haunted Battlements Eye column, and will try to get to them next.
love to all,
THO
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2012 : 04:09:38
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The topic of extra-dimensional spaces came up in another thread. Specifically, using spells like Rope Trick to alleviate needing to pay for a room.
1) Do the wizards of Waterdeep (The Watchful Order) really keep track of who's creating extra-dimensional spaces? Besides creating 'instant inns', doesn't that mean the authorities would want to keep track of other such usages, which should probably even include bags of holding?
2) In the case of permanent places like this - pocket-dimensions of the sort people like to use for more room or as an entire hidden structure (such as the World Serpent Inn), how hard is it to create ones with more then one entrance? Are their such 'hidden rooms' that some groups use to meet in, or move about the Realms more easily? (for instance, if there was a little-known door to the World Serpent Inn within Waterdeep). I can also picture powerful (friendly) wizards building amazing libraries this way (with each of them having a door to the room in their own tower). I would cut down on costs, but have its own obvious disadvantages.
Commentary: I think the best answer to the Underdark question is Ed's favorite answer; "It depends".
In other words, the Underdark geography is just as varied and often just as spectacular as the surface Realms are.
* Grammatical edit |
"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 12 Sep 2012 21:50:03 |
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Eldacar
Senior Scribe
438 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2012 : 13:15:43
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I have a question or two on the nature of the Magister to pop onto my pile.
Skimming through Secrets of the Magister, I noticed a couple of bits and pieces:
"Magisters never repair or maintain the Weave (dealing with "wild" or "dead" magic areas, for example) except when charged to do so by Mystra, Azuth, or a Chosen."
As a confirmatory thing, I would be mistaken in taking that to mean there's a sort of hierarchy, yes? As in, a Chosen can't (or won't) simply pop up and order a Magister to go and fix a dead magic area or fetch them something, or teach a particular person a bit of magic, or something else implying a strong chain of command, unless it was done explicitly because Mystra asked them to do it and get the Magister's help? It seems that Mystra/Azuth could just tell the Magister themselves given how they - particularly Azuth, the "wise old uncle" - seem to interact with the holders of the office. Mystra telling a Chosen to tell a Magister (or Mystra telling Azuth to tell a Chosen to tell a Magister...) to help them fix/fix a dead magic area, or pass out this bit of magic or that, seems very convoluted, especially if the Chosen could easily get it done themselves (e.g. I recall Elminster in some of Ed's novels hiding magic items and spellbooks in tombs for people to find and thus further the Art, so the Chosen spread magic as part of their job as well).
My second question, the second bit from Secrets of the Magister, has to do with exactly why it isn't possible for a Magister to both hold the office and be a Chosen of Mystra at the same time. The interests and goals of the two "positions" would seem to intersect in several ways (although a Magister can also "rejoin the ranks of the Chosen of Azuth" if they give up the office, something that sounds interesting from the implication of Azuth's distinct Chosen, since I don't think there's been much thrown around about them?). However, despite the potential for both offices to intersect (and if a Magister isn't a particularly nasty individual, there seems to be a degree of friendship/camaraderie, after a fashion, with the Chosen), Mystra decreed that neither her Chosen nor the Chosen of any other deity could be Magisters (with the exception of Noumea, who lost the Magister office over a period of time after she became a Chosen anyway).
Would Ed be able to impart more information as to just why this directive keeping the Magister and the Chosen separate exists? Is it as simple as not putting all your eggs in one basket? Or is there some potentially dangerous interaction between being the Magister and being a Chosen of Mystra at the same time? Or do the points where the Magister and Chosen "job list" don't intersect simply outnumber the points where they do, and Mystra wants to avoid a conflict of interest? Did her directive against a Chosen and a Magister being one and the same always exist, or was it a more recent thing done in response to a certain incident somewhere? Or might she even occasionally use the Magister's office as a testing ground for new Chosen? |
"The Wild Mages I have met exhibit a startling disregard for common sense, and are often meddling with powers far beyond their own control." ~Volo
"Not unlike a certain travelogue author with whom I am unfortunately acquainted." ~Elminster |
Edited by - Eldacar on 12 Sep 2012 13:16:26 |
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Eilserus
Master of Realmslore
USA
1446 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2012 : 16:16:23
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hi again, all. Ed's at work at the day job again, so I'll tackle this one from Eilserus: "Hello THO and Ed,
I had some questions regarding layout of the underdark. We have certain sourcebooks that state it's a maze of twisting tunnels, passages, caverns, etc. And then we have say the tunnels under the Old Skull, where it doesn't strike me as a total maze according to maps. Are most underdark tunnels a passage with tunnels branching off every few miles or is it more of a constant alternate routes available and branching off the main passage? Are most subterranean cities on trade routes or off the beaten path? I always pictured the underdark as somewhat well traveled trade routes with occasional branches off into the wilds that most folks won't stray into and cities would tend to fall on trade routes like their surface counterparts. I was curious if you could shed any further light on this.
Thank you both. :)"
Sure. Here we go. Most of the Underdark is a series of interconnected natural caverns and "tunnels" (water channels) carved out by water (water percolating through limestone and other rocks containing particular water-soluble minerals creates the familiar-to-us stalactites, stalgmites, and "pillars" where stalacts and stalags have "grown together"), some of them later enlarged by the diggings and minings of various creatures.
Just as market-moots that grow into towns "happen" in the surface Realms, cities develop in the Underdark at trade-route-junctions, as well as at other strategic places (controlling travel, or where rivers/lakes and caverns meet) and sources of resources (rich gem-lodes and ore deposits). So, yes, most Underdark cities are on major trade routes.
The Underdark varies widely in composition from place to place, with the rocks and amount of water. Some parts of it are a few passages and caverns, in long, long linkages, and others ARE bewildering labyrinths of many-leveled interconnected caverns and shafts and passages.
The parts of it under the Old Skull are a mix of a few natural caverns and stream-passages, and a lot of deliberately-carved-out passages built under drow direction for defense and faciliatating trade-caravan-movements between the surface (at Castle Grimstead) and the underground lake that's just north of the Old Skull knoll itself. The lake itself is a major obstacle to invaders from the surface, and is used deliberately by the drow (who can readily control and search boats and barges crossing the lake) to control the flows of goods, people sneaking in and out and slaves trying to escape, etc.
There. That's a start. So saith me, drawing on Ed's notes and extensive play with the Knights into those under-Shadowdale areas of the Underdark...
love,
THO
Thank you THO. :) Hope you have a great day milady. |
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dravenloft
Acolyte
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2012 : 17:18:25
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hi again, all. I bring you now Ed’s response to these questions, from dravenloft: “As a premise of the Realms seems to be (have been? I'll admit all my stuff but a few novels are pre-3rd edition) that there are portals scattered hither and yon that might lead one out of or into Faerûn from another plane, and certainly some of our own Earthly gods do a bit of duty on that side of creation already. So, have the Knights ever met someone fresh from a radically different world? Our own, for example? Or, perhaps, found themselves transported to such a bizarre and distant elsewhere?”
Ed replies:
Yes, in “home” Realmsplay, over the years, the Knights of Myth Drannor have visited the “Otherwhen” of H. Beam Piper’s Lord Kalvan tales, Christopher Stasheff’s Gramayre, Andrew Offut’s Zhuvastou, and a few Shadows of Roger Zelazny’s Amber. They have met wayfarers from all of those settings and some other places, too. However, as their adventures unfolded, they weren’t always aware they were doing so.
Yes, they’ve visited us, too. There’s even a long-ago DRAGON article by me describing some of the details of Realms adventurers blundering about in our own real (modern) world.
One of the ideas put forward by Philip José Farmer in his World of Tiers books (that partly inspired, Roger Zelazny told me as he told others, the Amber books) was that any such system of gates/portals linking various worlds would inevitably end up controlled or dominated by a power group (or rival, warring power groups) who benefit from such control.
I have long thought that this was an ideal direction for a mature Realms campaign to head in, as the PCs reached powerful character levels: that they would inevitably get drawn into conflict with such power groups, and defending people and places they held dear from the behind-the-scenes control of said power groups.
This is a field many fantasy and sf novelists have explored, and one that continues to fascinate me.
So saith Ed. Who knew when TSR first started publishing the Realms that the “D&D controversy” of the day would force all real world/Realms connections to be downplayed or not mentioned at all.
love,
THO
Cool. Been wondering that one gor years and always forgot to ask.
I must say, the Knights seem to have some really interesting adventures. |
Space Opera, Planetary Romance, Speculative Fiction and similar by me.
check it out at http://universal-nexus.com |
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dravenloft
Acolyte
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2012 : 17:51:17
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Yet another question for Ed 's pile (good thing these are electronic, I've a feeling in snail mail days the poor man would drown in the piles of letters!).
In particular I'm thinking of a game set in Flamerule 1357DR, and as it's about fashions so I suspect that could be important.
This is kind of a multiparter.
First I'm just curious as a generalisation among the adventuring bands of Faerûn: are there ever fashion trends among the dungeon delvers and other bands of warriors, wizards and sundry hangers on going about the realms looking for excitement and treasure?
More specifically, what of Cormyrians and Waterhavians?
Even more specifically adventurers among the well-to-do?
Speaking of the well-to-do, what sorts of basic day-to-day, and high party wear might be expected of a Cormyrian noble's daughter from Suzail? Or a well to do Waterhavian Sharessin priestess who, until caught up in an adventure, served her Lady via one of Waterdeep's finer festhalls?
I've been dying for a way to word that one for awhile. One of the greatest things of sci-fi and fantasy alike is imagining what the sorcery or science of the imagination might dress and decorate folks in. |
Space Opera, Planetary Romance, Speculative Fiction and similar by me.
check it out at http://universal-nexus.com |
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Questions for Ed Greenwood (2012)
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