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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
    
Australia
6222 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2014 : 02:23:06
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Happy birthday Ed. Hope it's a rollicking day enlivened by a drinking challenge from Mirt and the offer of a back rub from Laeral.
-- George Krashos |
"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 - 04 Jun 2014 : 06:11:55
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| A very happy birthday to you Ed! |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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Regcod
Acolyte
Italy
28 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2014 : 08:02:02
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Somebody is aging here??? :P
Happy birthday Ed! :) |
"Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet." |
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Beppe63
Acolyte
Italy
43 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2014 : 08:48:51
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| Friday is also my birthday, so it is with great pleasure that I learned that Ed's birthday is so close. Happy birthday Ed!! ;) |
Bye.
Beppe63 |
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Irennan
Great Reader
    
Italy
3530 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2014 : 10:04:23
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Happy Birthday  |
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Barastir
Master of Realmslore
   
Brazil
1587 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2014 : 14:13:31
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| A very Happy and Blessed Birthday, Ed! May God give lots of peace, health, love, success and happiness to you and to all your family, now and ever! |
"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) |
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Demzer
Senior Scribe
  
802 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2014 : 14:41:33
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| Happy Birthday Master of Realmslore! (Quick! Someone mix a potion of longevity with his drinks!) |
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sleyvas
Great Reader
    
USA
10461 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2014 : 01:18:09
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| Um, Ed's birthday is in July..... at least according to his wiki page. But, then again, time does pass differently in Canada... |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
    
5055 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2014 : 02:34:34
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Ed's birthday is indeed in July. It was The Herald's birth-day (as someone who was not Ed pointed out), and people seem to have confused it with his b'day. Oh, well . . . I suppose, like the Queen, he can have two. He has, after all, created worlds.  love, THO |
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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe
  
Canada
592 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2014 : 02:43:21
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| Well.. it is Ed's Unbirthday. He still has 364 of those, 365 in a leap year. Sp Happy Unbirthday, Mr. Greenwood! |
Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems! |
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BenN
Senior Scribe
  
Japan
379 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2014 : 03:07:25
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I've just finished The Herald (got the ebook version from amazon), and enjoyed it; hopeful for the future, even if it was painful in part. A couple of spoiler-tastic questions for Ed (highlight to reveal):
1) Now that Shade has landed on top of Myth Drannor & destroyed it, what has become of the Tree of Souls?
2) Assuming that the 4e Campaign Guide info about Myth Drannor's population (10K) is correct, how many survived along with Ilsevele and Fflar?
Thanks!  |
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Regcod
Acolyte
Italy
28 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2014 : 07:43:32
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quote: Originally posted by Foxhelm
Well.. it is Ed's Unbirthday. He still has 364 of those, 365 in a leap year. Sp Happy Unbirthday, Mr. Greenwood!
LOL!!!
What a mistake!! But also true that also today it's Ed's Unbirthday!! Hey!! But it's also mine O_O!! So happy unbirthday to all who deserve it! :P |
"Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet." |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
    
Australia
6222 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2014 : 09:20:42
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Ahh, that would be because I relied on social media in my "lack of time-ed-ness" and went for it! Happy birthday for next month Ed. By that time, I'll very likely miss it in entirety.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Faraer
Great Reader
    
3308 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2014 : 14:23:56
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I bring topical questions for Ed!
Will the new D&D/Realms art show any of the 'Robin Hoodiness' of your costume sketches included in Elminster's Forgotten Realms? (This prompted by this illustration, which shows adventurers blessedly not concept-designed and ornamented to death.)
How do you feel the flattened power curve of the fifth edition rules matches the Realms? And the not-quite-Vanceian magic system? Put another way, this question is about how exactly you adapted AD&D magic as an approximation of Realms magic.
If this is all premature, I bid thee stay silent and I'll ask again in time.
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
    
5055 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2014 : 16:32:39
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Hi again, all. Faraer, I'm not sure how much Ed has seen of the forthcoming rules and/or artwork, but off your questions go to him, and we'll see what he has to say. BenN, Ed did send me replies to your questions, so . . .
SPOILER WARNING!
SPOILER WARNING!
SPOILER WARNING!
QUESTIONS AND ED'S ANSWERS:
1) Now that Shade has landed on top of Myth Drannor & destroyed it, what has become of the Tree of Souls?
Ed: Ah, yes. Over the years, I have been slowly trained to resist including every last game-relevant lore detail in my novels, in the interests of shaping a better narrative storyline. Guess I erred too far in pruning, this time around. Sorry; this should have made it into my final draft, but didn’t (in the interests of keeping the pacing and the “fog of war” feel up). My bad. When the POSSIBLE danger of Thultanthar crashing became apparent (i.e. when the city started flying towards Myth Drannor, not when what El did became obvious) the Srinshee contacted all the Myth Drannan baelnorn she could and commanded them to get to the Tree of Souls and magically shield and defend it, warping the Weave to form a protective barrier around it (so when Thultanthar came crashing down, it would punch through the city like a spike, and protect the Tree). This was done, and the Tree has survived. There has been some consternation among certain readers about Myth Drannor being entirely in ruins, but not so. Like any city that’s been fought through, a big cleanup is in order, but Thultanthar is a pretty small city, and Myth Drannor, being “at one with the forest” [growing trees as dwellings, trees and moss and open forest terrain everywhere, not human-habit “pave over everything” architecture, is a very large (in footprint) city. So a relatively small area of Myth Drannor was pancaked under the shattered remnants of Shade.
2) Assuming that the 4e Campaign Guide info about Myth Drannor's population (10K) is correct, how many survived along with Ilsevele and Fflar?
Ed: The 4e population figures are ROUGHLY correct, but the siege took some time to develop (mercenary armies being mustered in Sembia and then marched north), so the elves had warning, so many of their skilled artisans, pregnant shes, young children and families with young children, ailing elderly, wounded, and so on, GOT OUT (to Semberholme first and foremost, and to Evereska and elsewhere, too). Anyone who wanted to relocate rather than fight was given that option, without shame or recrimination. In other words, the city was down to 6,400 or so “determined and able defenders” before the siege started, and they took heavy losses in the fighting by being worn down under the weight of sheer numbers; although they were inflicting very heavy losses on the attacking mercenaries, they were slowly beaten back - - and the very “open” nature of the city made it very hard to defend. The Coronal sent some vital individuals out of the fighting by making them envoys that she sent to elven communities all over the Realms to try to get volunteer reinforcements (few of which arrived on time). So in that way she saved another hundred or so. However, the defenders died rather than surrender or flee, so the elves still in the city were reduced to around 1000 when it became apparent that the city couldn’t be held, and the children, wounded, and elders still in the city were rushed out through the gates (as seen near the end of THE HERALD). The Coronal and Fflar were literally fighting back to back at the end, with a handful of defenders still standing, when Thultanthar came down - - and almost all of that last handful made it out to Semberholme. So at the end of THE HERALD, a few blocks of central Myth Drannor are rubble, under the shattered remnants of Thultanthar. Scavengers (monsters) are roaming the corpse-littered vicinity, and there’s minor damage to the outlying city, which is abandoned - - probably not for long. The surviving mercenaries are foraging/pillaging/behaving like brigands, and Sembia is in such disarray that there’s no chance of Sembia (or for that matter, any other realm) “reaching in” to annex or occupy the ruins. Perhaps 5,000 elves perished defending Myth Drannor - - and yes, the Tree of Souls survives. All indications are that the Srinshee did not; she sacrificed herself to save her people and smash Larloch (did HE survive? Unknown, but my bet would be that he did). Did Dove? Doubtful; she was “out of” silver fire, and wanted to die (to be with her beloved Florin), but may end up surviving as “a voice in the Weave” (the same fate as some of the Tanthul princes, and possibly The Simbul). Many things were left “up in the air” for later stories, or for DMs to decide for themselves, for their campaign. Certain matters will be revealed in my NEXT Realms novel. Hope this helps. Sorry for causing upset to some Realms readers! Ed
So saith Ed. And there you have it. Please convey this to Aldrick. love, THO
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Nicolai Withander
Master of Realmslore
   
Denmark
1093 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2014 : 20:43:53
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The Srishee cant die! Or... well she can die the same way Mystra can die.  |
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BenN
Senior Scribe
  
Japan
379 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2014 : 21:49:26
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Dear Ed & THO,
Thanks very much for the quick reply! Much appreciated.  |
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CorellonsDevout
Great Reader
    
USA
2613 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2014 : 06:47:10
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That makes me feel a little better. I was one of the peeved readers because I thought Myth Drannor had been entirely destroyed. ^^; sorry, Ed! I hope Dove gets to be with Florin, instead of being a voice in the Weave, unless she manages to be both. But I am a sap, so.
Question: several of the baelnorn were destroyed. What happens to them when they are "killed"? Do thry finally go to Arvandor, or do they cease to exist? I felt kind of bad for them. |
Sweet water and light laughter |
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Marco Volo
Learned Scribe
 
France
198 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2014 : 08:45:14
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Hi Ed, THO and everybody,
I think we don't know what's inside the North Seacaves of Mount Waterdeep. I don't recall a sourcebook detailing it. Can Ed tell us more about theses caves ?
Thanks,
A French Fries Fan ;) |
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Regcod
Acolyte
Italy
28 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2014 : 10:43:59
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quote: Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hi again, all. Faraer, I'm not sure how much Ed has seen of the forthcoming rules and/or artwork, but off your questions go to him, and we'll see what he has to say. BenN, Ed did send me replies to your questions, so . . .
SPOILER WARNING!
SPOILER WARNING!
SPOILER WARNING!
QUESTIONS AND ED'S ANSWERS:
1) Now that Shade has landed on top of Myth Drannor & destroyed it, what has become of the Tree of Souls?
Ed: Ah, yes. Over the years, I have been slowly trained to resist including every last game-relevant lore detail in my novels, in the interests of shaping a better narrative storyline. Guess I erred too far in pruning, this time around. Sorry; this should have made it into my final draft, but didn’t (in the interests of keeping the pacing and the “fog of war” feel up). My bad. When the POSSIBLE danger of Thultanthar crashing became apparent (i.e. when the city started flying towards Myth Drannor, not when what El did became obvious) the Srinshee contacted all the Myth Drannan baelnorn she could and commanded them to get to the Tree of Souls and magically shield and defend it, warping the Weave to form a protective barrier around it (so when Thultanthar came crashing down, it would punch through the city like a spike, and protect the Tree). This was done, and the Tree has survived. There has been some consternation among certain readers about Myth Drannor being entirely in ruins, but not so. Like any city that’s been fought through, a big cleanup is in order, but Thultanthar is a pretty small city, and Myth Drannor, being “at one with the forest” [growing trees as dwellings, trees and moss and open forest terrain everywhere, not human-habit “pave over everything” architecture, is a very large (in footprint) city. So a relatively small area of Myth Drannor was pancaked under the shattered remnants of Shade.
2) Assuming that the 4e Campaign Guide info about Myth Drannor's population (10K) is correct, how many survived along with Ilsevele and Fflar?
Ed: The 4e population figures are ROUGHLY correct, but the siege took some time to develop (mercenary armies being mustered in Sembia and then marched north), so the elves had warning, so many of their skilled artisans, pregnant shes, young children and families with young children, ailing elderly, wounded, and so on, GOT OUT (to Semberholme first and foremost, and to Evereska and elsewhere, too). Anyone who wanted to relocate rather than fight was given that option, without shame or recrimination. In other words, the city was down to 6,400 or so “determined and able defenders” before the siege started, and they took heavy losses in the fighting by being worn down under the weight of sheer numbers; although they were inflicting very heavy losses on the attacking mercenaries, they were slowly beaten back - - and the very “open” nature of the city made it very hard to defend. The Coronal sent some vital individuals out of the fighting by making them envoys that she sent to elven communities all over the Realms to try to get volunteer reinforcements (few of which arrived on time). So in that way she saved another hundred or so. However, the defenders died rather than surrender or flee, so the elves still in the city were reduced to around 1000 when it became apparent that the city couldn’t be held, and the children, wounded, and elders still in the city were rushed out through the gates (as seen near the end of THE HERALD). The Coronal and Fflar were literally fighting back to back at the end, with a handful of defenders still standing, when Thultanthar came down - - and almost all of that last handful made it out to Semberholme. So at the end of THE HERALD, a few blocks of central Myth Drannor are rubble, under the shattered remnants of Thultanthar. Scavengers (monsters) are roaming the corpse-littered vicinity, and there’s minor damage to the outlying city, which is abandoned - - probably not for long. The surviving mercenaries are foraging/pillaging/behaving like brigands, and Sembia is in such disarray that there’s no chance of Sembia (or for that matter, any other realm) “reaching in” to annex or occupy the ruins. Perhaps 5,000 elves perished defending Myth Drannor - - and yes, the Tree of Souls survives. All indications are that the Srinshee did not; she sacrificed herself to save her people and smash Larloch (did HE survive? Unknown, but my bet would be that he did). Did Dove? Doubtful; she was “out of” silver fire, and wanted to die (to be with her beloved Florin), but may end up surviving as “a voice in the Weave” (the same fate as some of the Tanthul princes, and possibly The Simbul). Many things were left “up in the air” for later stories, or for DMs to decide for themselves, for their campaign. Certain matters will be revealed in my NEXT Realms novel. Hope this helps. Sorry for causing upset to some Realms readers! Ed
So saith Ed. And there you have it. Please convey this to Aldrick. love, THO
First of all THANK to both of you :)
Reading these row I see really many plot and reall interesting open stories that can came out, like the chance for elves to rebuild again what they can of Myth Drannor, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. But not only ;) So do I hope that Dove will met Florin at last and that's more important that she could be a 'voice' on the weave, because would be the fair rest.
Thank you again
Bye :) |
"Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet." |
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Barastir
Master of Realmslore
   
Brazil
1587 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2014 : 13:05:04
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quote: Originally posted by sleyvas
Um, Ed's birthday is in July..... at least according to his wiki page. But, then again, time does pass differently in Canada...
Well, I still hold to my blessings, though... So, Happy Unbirthday, Ed! May you ever be, just like the Ssrinshee! |
"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) |
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Eilserus
Master of Realmslore
   
USA
1427 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2014 : 16:47:39
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I'm going to miss them. :(
I also have a new respect for Larloch, the way he played everyone, they were all like children to him. That is truly scary!
I always had thought the Srinshee would be the one to give Larloch a run for his money. Pretty high cost to be paid this time though. Looking forward to Ed's next installment. Hope we see a new campaign guide soon too! ;) |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
    
2281 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2014 : 04:47:21
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| is there any chance to see Vangey in a new body or is he doomed to be a psuedo construct( havent read Herald yet to know if anything happened to him since) |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction Magister's GAmbit http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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Demzer
Senior Scribe
  
802 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2014 : 10:50:01
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Gracious Lady, Revered Master
can you share any information on the city of Nathlekh (the "City of Cats") at the fringes of the Gulthmere Forest? The little i found in published sources (Powers & Pantheons under the Nobanion entry) make it sound like a really interesting place with its mysterious Council of the Cat Lords, were-felines and felines roaming freely, justice administered by a trio of greater lammasu in the main temple of Nobanion and twin temples of Nobanion and Sharess.
Thanks! |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
    
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 06:36:46
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Well Again Ed and THO,
It's been awhile. I hope you find these questions--inspired by a reading of the first few pages of The Name of the Rose--to be interesting.
The word patristic refers to early Christian writers that influenced the Church through their works.
(1) This leaves me wondering if there aren't several words in the Realms (in Common or any other human language) that similarly refer to the early works of thought leaders and theologians/thinkers of any of the numerous deities that are worshiped in the modern Realms (pre- and post-Sundering)?
I'm hoping for a word (or words) having to do with religious and scholarly thinking styles for the Church of Tymora, but that are drawn from writings done when there was only Tyche.
(2) When Tyche became Beshaba and Tymora, was there any sort of conflict over the written works (such as they existed) left from the remnants of Tyche's Church?
I'm wondering if there isn't, to this day, covert battles as members of each faith tries to infiltrate the strongholds and temples of the other to recover works that one side feels rightly belongs to the other, or to capture important works from sages and collectors so that one side might deprive the other of a work thought to contain powerful secrets or a means to gain advantage in the Beshaba/Tymora struggle, that might lead to overt conflict and/or require adventurers.
(3) Recently I learned about something called "canonical hours", like Matins (2:30 - 3 a.m.) and Vespers (approx. 4:30 pm or perhaps sunset). Did priests or the faithful of Tyche in certain parts of the Realms ever divide up the day with words that corresponded to periods of time, where the words had to do with waxing and waning of good and bad fortune?
Thank you both, as always. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
Edited by - Jeremy Grenemyer on 15 Jun 2014 06:40:58 |
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