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Lemernis
Senior Scribe
378 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Jun 2006 : 01:21:55
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| I was cleaning up old bookmarks and came across your reply. If you send me the material in question I'd be interested to see what I can do. Feel free to PM me with it, or email me (address available via my profile--if you email please include "KnightErrantJR" in the email title). Not to get carried away with it, but I do think a system like this could add one more new layer of fun. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2006 : 01:32:21
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| I'll have to see if there is a good way to condence the information in the article, as it was pretty extensive. Actually, there were a few articles that were interconnected in that issue, but I will have to see if I can distill them to their simplest components. |
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Lemernis
Senior Scribe
378 Posts |
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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2007 : 08:49:08
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| Anyone have the files that were referenced via links in the first few posts? |
Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2008 : 23:10:14
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I echo Wenin -- at least one of the links was still broken as of today.
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2008 : 23:47:54
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Alack the day! Where better on Candlekeep to announce the sad news than this scroll? Arthur C. Clarke has just died. 
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2008 : 00:09:44
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Indeed. I just heard it on the radio a moment ago.
quote:
Originally written by Arthur C. Clarke
The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.
Truly, he has now moved beyond, and into the impossible. Even in death, Clarke still has something left to teach us.
We will never know his like again. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2008 : 13:56:18
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| Sorry to hear that. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Big Mac
Acolyte
United Kingdom
21 Posts |
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monknwildcat
Learned Scribe
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 05:15:21
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Egad! I knew of Gygax's passing, but somehw I missed this! Much obliged, scribes!
A player in my campaign read up on the Sublime Chord PrC with a knowledge(astrology) prereq and wants to begin ranks in the skill. I had no idea how I was going to create background for him. I am amazed and grateful for the work and ideas presented. This will be of immense assistance! |
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DorianAdricus
Acolyte
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2008 : 23:50:22
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| Has anyone done any more with integrating the work in Dragon #340 on Knowledge (astrology) and the Faerunian zodiac? I find myself also with a Sublime Chord in the making with an interest in using those ranks of prereq. skill. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2008 : 00:01:27
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quote:
Originally posted by DorianAdricus
Has anyone done any more with integrating the work in Dragon #340 on Knowledge (astrology) and the Faerunian zodiac? I find myself also with a Sublime Chord in the making with an interest in using those ranks of prereq. skill.
There is no Faerûnian zodiac.
quote:
Hi again, everybody. Ed sails into Wooly Rupert’s question: “I was reading the Dragon Magazine article on fantasy astrological signs, earlier this eve... It made me ponder a couple of things. Though both topics have been discussed, I don't believe anyone has ever thought to ask Ed. So... Does astrology exist in the Realms? Is there a zodiac? And what constellations exist in the Realms?”
Ed replies:
Yes, Wooly, there’s astrology in the Realms, though not by that name and not as we know it. Rather, soothsayers and fortune-tellers use the position of the stars (and sometimes, especially in the Shining South and Calimshan, by the position of tokens tossed blindly onto a star-chart) as one influence in predictions and divinations. There’s no zodiac by that name, nor are people deemed to have characteristics because of the “sign they’re born under” (as real-world astrology has it) or “year they’re born in” (as in real-world Chinese beliefs). Rather, individuals are said to be marked by a “guiding star” or “falling star” (comet or meteor shower), or by a conjunction of constellations that may have occurred at their birth (particularly if this conjunction is rare, or has a fell reputation).
There ARE constellations in the Realms, and I’ve provided some sketchy star-lore in print over the years, Elaine and others contributing more. As Eric said, AJA has done a very good job of gathering it all together (as well as weaving in his own lore) - - and I’m afraid I can’t comment too much more on the constellations, because, again, TSR is sitting on paid-for but unpublished Ed Greenwood lore, so an NDA applies.
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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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rjfras
Learned Scribe
261 Posts |
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DorianAdricus
Acolyte
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2008 : 19:51:32
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Indeed, that is a great resource, rjfras. I also checked out Dragon #340 for some rule mechanics based around Profession (astrologer). While I love the RP possibilities of the Almagest of Handreth, I was sorely disappointed with the Dragon article.
I don't really like the way they set up the "birth feats". Especially if you compare them to other feats that you can only take at 1st level (like some of the better Realms regional feats), they are pretty weak. Additionally, the only use they suggested for Profession (astrologer) was that one could work up a profile for someone in 1d4 hours and roll two d12's, gaining variable, small pluses and minuses to various specific actions for that day. The concept of it is kind of like Schrödinger's horoscope. The lucky or unlucky actions only exist if you are looking at them. Additionally, there is no point to having a high rating as the best one can accomplish by beating a high DC is to make a little bit more cash selling the service, not actually getting better in game benefits.
I might try working up something based on AJA's constellations and Ed's revelations about the confluence of constellations and the idea of travelings stars, but if anyone has taken a shot at this before or would like to throw out some ideas, please do  |
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Boozehound Blue
Acolyte
2 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2008 : 08:46:32
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Hi,
I just joined after stumbling here from a google search, but I've been working on a Realmspace astronomy/astrology system for NWN and NWN2 for about a year now, which is a confluence of the zodiac laid out in that Dragon issue, Realmspace, and our own solar system. It operates like any typical astrology site, allowing players to enter their birth data, then accurately calculating a 'real world' chart before translating into this fantastic nomenclature. Additionally, it can interpret all of the many aspects of natal and synastric astrology- literally 700+ readings.
I'm currently in the process of making a gui for NWN2-both an astronomical clock that handles the various calculations, and an astrology chart (based upon a Vedic Jyotish chart); but I've been wondering about my interpretations. Currently, they are simply transposed from 'reality' unto fantasy because I've yet to find any fullsome body of work on the matter; and I lack the fantasy background to write something convincing to a purist.
In any case, I thought I'd mention it here if anyone has some input. I've put a couple of pictures on the web: http://www.flickr.com/photos/57759692@N00/2796866741
Also, the NWN system is viewable here: http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=Modules.Detail&id=5628
If I can get over a few coding hurdles I'll have the gui up in a couple weeks... hopefully.
Also, for anyone interested in coding a system (like a epheremides) which utilizes our solar system's orbital data, here is a step by step process by which to do so: http://stjarnhimlen.se/comp/ppcomp.html#5a.
Again, if anyone has any insight (or questions?) they'd like to share, that'd be great. I would be open to collaborate on a stand-alone- er, thingy; but my coding knowledge goes as far nwscript and its (apparently) bastardized xml.
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Boozehound Blue
Acolyte
2 Posts |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2008 : 21:30:31
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| Boozehound: I have NWN2, but I am currently playing the single-player campaign that comes with it (that, and I have no ranks in "Knowledge: Computers"), so what does this do? |
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Vangelor
Learned Scribe
USA
183 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2008 : 08:43:44
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While of course one may freely invent for one's own campaign, my understanding from various of Ed's realmslore replies was that judicial astrology - that is, the art or science of deriving omens from the relative positions of the visible planets against a fixed star apparant background - is not widely used in Faerun, although certain astronomical observances (solstices, etc.) are used to guide things like planting or harvest and to determine the time of certain religious observances.
Was the Dragon magazine article a Faerunian zodiac? Who was the author?
Also, some of this stuff, especially the old "Stars of Faerun" lore, is astronomical (and astrological) tripe - that is to say, it reflects a deep ignorance of how our view of the heavens works.
If you go far to the east... you won't see different stars, they will be the same stars you see in the west. You will see them rising sooner than you would at home, but relatively at the same time, compared to the rising and setting of the sun at that season. You need to change you latitude, not your longitude, to see a different celestial hemisphere, because the planet rotates toward the east - everything rises there, and sets in the west, just like the sun.
So a star can be "in the west", but only at a certain time of night (before it sets) at a certain time of year (when it is visible in the night sky). Hence, a town "where the stars of the east and west meet" only makes any possible sense if it is a town between two cultures that name the constellations differently, and hence both sets of names / constellations "meet".
Sorry to go off on a rant, but this sort of thing, along with random lunar phases or tides, drive me nuts. ;) That said, in my campaign, if a planet needs to appear in the sky at a certain time for the sake of plot, there it is.
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Edited by - Vangelor on 14 Sep 2008 08:58:51 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2008 : 19:52:20
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| As someone with amateur-level knowledge of the constellations, I agree with your rant. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 22:35:21
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| I'm not sure if someone posted this before, but www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Castle/2566/stars.htm" target="_blank">HERE is a helpful page detailing some official and unofficial (fan made) constellations. |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jan 2013 : 22:06:12
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This thread is full of dead links
Does anyone have a current list of FR's Constellations, or know where I can find one?
Nevermind - I found enough of what I needed. |
"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 04 Jan 2013 22:49:20 |
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Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2013 : 17:49:51
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What surprises me is that Ed is under NDA with the constellations and stars of note in the Realms which means something that is to be published on the topic is supposed to come about. I hope it's the next "Ed Greenwood Presents" book.
Or better yet, I wish they could do more broad topics in the Eye on the Realms Dragon articles instead of "this nobleman" or "that door under that one house" or "that +2 dragon tickling dagger" or whatever |
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Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2013 : 18:07:26
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| Mind linking what you have, Markus? About to run a seafaring campaign in the Realms and constellation and star lore is a dire necessity. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2013 : 23:24:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Razz
What surprises me is that Ed is under NDA with the constellations and stars of note in the Realms which means something that is to be published on the topic is supposed to come about. I hope it's the next "Ed Greenwood Presents" book.
Well, it means something was planned... WotC rarely lifts NDAs, so the constellation NDA could have been in effect for a decade or longer. Even if it was recent when Ed said that, that was still back in 2008 when I shared that blurb. |
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! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 09 Jan 2013 23:24:43 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2013 : 02:49:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Razz
What surprises me is that Ed is under NDA with the constellations and stars of note in the Realms which means something that is to be published on the topic is supposed to come about. I hope it's the next "Ed Greenwood Presents" book.
The other possibility, aside from what Wooly just noted, is that the NDA was so broadly organised, that any direct references to stars and constellations in future material also fell under its protection. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2013 : 05:13:00
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I would guess that that is an OLD NDA dating from when SJ was a current setting - can't be talking about FR's stars when their might be designers doing stuff in space. Its a shame that they never bother to lift these things when they become obsolete.
quote:
Originally posted by Razz
Mind linking what you have, Markus? About to run a seafaring campaign in the Realms and constellation and star lore is a dire necessity.
I found THIS right here at Candlekeep, although its mostly homebrew. I only used two of the canon ones (he was good enough to differentiate between the canon and non-canon ones).
I just needed names to slap on my tropic circles to make them more 'Realmsy'. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Constellations In the Realms
