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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Jul 2005 : 02:13:10
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Hello, all scribes! I’ve just noticed that WotC has FINALLY posted Ed’s 2004 Spin A Yarn story, “The Night Tymora Sneezed,” on their website, in two parts. Don’t miss it - - it’s GOOD. Also, Ed tells me “Far Too Many Thieves” isn’t the only other fiction snippet they’ll be presenting!
love,
THO
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2005 : 02:34:52
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Hello, all scribes! I’ve just noticed that WotC has FINALLY posted Ed’s 2004 Spin A Yarn story, “The Night Tymora Sneezed,” on their website, in two parts. Don’t miss it - - it’s GOOD. Also, Ed tells me “Far Too Many Thieves” isn’t the only other fiction snippet they’ll be presenting!
love,
THO
Anyone got a link? Me not finding it..... |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
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The Wanderer
Learned Scribe
USA
132 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2005 : 05:19:27
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This is not so much a question as it is a comment...
I recently was a the bookstore when I noticed the new "Best of the Realms" book which consisted of all Ed Greenwood stories. I just wanted to say that it was one of the best books I've read in a long time. It frankly felt like I was sitting in an Inn, next to a cozy fire on a nice night, listening to a Bard tell stories. I truly enjoyed it and just wanted to say it. :)
P.S. I also liked Volo's comments at the beggining of the stories. Very perceptive, as well as giving a tone to the telling :D |
The Wanderer |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2005 : 15:42:41
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Well said, Wanderer - - VERY well said! That’s exactly what the book feels like (and it’s also the sort of cover that should have been on the book: a warmly candlelit tavern-table scene, with Elminster, Storm, and the Simbul animatedly telling tales amid an entranced crowd of weird-looking drinkers of the Realms!
I’ll send your comment and thanks on to Ed.
love,
THO
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The Wanderer
Learned Scribe
USA
132 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2005 : 20:53:08
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Well said, Wanderer - - VERY well said! That’s exactly what the book feels like (and it’s also the sort of cover that should have been on the book: a warmly candlelit tavern-table scene, with Elminster, Storm, and the Simbul animatedly telling tales amid an entranced crowd of weird-looking drinkers of the Realms!
I’ll send your comment and thanks on to Ed.
love,
THO
You have my thanks, Lady. :)
Indeed, that cover would have been a good one. I would be more than happy to pose and one of the weird-looking drinkers. :D
I was wondering if you might also convey a question to him as well, Alaundo permitting the slight departure from the Realms. (I should have posted it yesterday, but it came to me just today. Sorry about that  ).
In one of Ed's stories, he describes Durnan as a "thinking man's Conan". Having recently read some of Robert E. Howard's stories (they have been recently re-printed), I was wondring if Ed had also read them and whether they had influenced him at all in the creation of the Realms.
Again, my thanks. :) |
The Wanderer |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2005 : 02:42:00
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Hello, fellow scribes. I bring you Ed of the Greenwood’s reasoned Realmslore reply to KnightErrantJR, in the matter of: “Facial hair . . . how is it regarded in the Heartlands. Do nobles tend to shave, or do they have moustaches only, or is there no particular preferance. My question would apply mainly to Waterdeep, the Heartland Independant Cities, Cormyr, Sembia, and the Dalelands, as I realize that other regions are more influenced, in the current Realms, but similarities to more familiar cultures.”
Ed speaks:
In all of the places you specifically list, there’s no particular societal preference. Nobles are more likely to have styled, perfumed, and complicated-cut hair (razorpoint sideburns for the men) than commoners because they can afford the time and someone else’s trouble to get their hair that way, and there’s a general prejudice against food preparers being unkempt (long hair, facial stubble), as well as a view by many elder nobles that younger nobles look foolish with stubble or hairstyles that don’t suit them. Most noblemen have at least moustaches, and often what we would call a Van Dyke (a “chinblade” in the Realms), or a neat, close-cropped fringe beard running along the line of the chin and jaw. Most women, yes, would be embarrassed by heavy facial or nipple hair, and would shave it off or (preferably) pluck it. Commoners tend to clip when things get caught or in the way, but generally use their time for other things. Male hair tends to be shoulder-length when young, shorter when older, but modified by practicality (the need to wear a helm, for example) - - but seldom by order (a file of uniformed Purple Dragons will sport all varieties of hair length and facial hair, not anything “regimented” except that long, wispy beards will soon be burned or cut off by their fellows, in pranks, and will therefore be absent).
Sembia and Amn are the only places where fashions take strong root, and “everyone” adopts (or, in a defiant minority, refuses to adopt) a hairstyle of the day. As the frequent travel within these two lands hasn’t yet conquered the individuality that prosperity brings, fashions DON’T mean that you won’t see a wide variety of hairdos and facial hair in a street. Being out of fashion might lead to scorn among friends or a small closed social circle of rivals - - but not general scorn, because fashion doesn’t carry that weight (yet).
So saith Ed. Hmm, think I’ll have my nipples styled right away . . .
love to all,
THO
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Melfius
Senior Scribe
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2005 : 02:51:04
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A few quick Waterdhavian question:
(Some of this has probably been answered, at least in part, somewhere. Unfortunately, I can't find it.)
Does Waterdeep charter adventuring companies? Do they hire them?
Are there any specific locales that cater to adventuring companies?
Where are some well-known places where adventuring companies or groups can find a sort of want-ad listing for jobs?
Basically, as you may have surmised, I'm looking for a jumping-off point for a new adventure, but I don't want to lead my group by the nose. I want them to stumble on to the adventure of their own accord, but not feel like they are spinning their wheels until they do.
Thank you in advance. |
Melfius, Pixie-Priest of Puck - Head Chef, The Faerie Kitchen, Candlekeep Inn
"What's in his pockets, besides me?"
Read a tale of my earlier days! - Happiness Comes in Small Packages |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2005 : 02:54:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Melfius
A few quick Waterdhavian question:
(Some of this has probably been answered, at least in part, somewhere. Unfortunately, I can't find it.)
Does Waterdeep charter adventuring companies? Do they hire them?
Are there any specific locales that cater to adventuring companies?
Where are some well-known places where adventuring companies or groups can find a sort of want-ad listing for jobs?
Basically, as you may have surmised, I'm looking for a jumping-off point for a new adventure, but I don't want to lead my group by the nose. I want them to stumble on to the adventure of their own accord, but not feel like they are spinning their wheels until they do.
Thank you in advance.
There's that one Square where sellswords, adventurer's hang out.... I can't recall the name of it atm. :) |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Shadovar
Senior Scribe
785 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2005 : 03:03:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
quote:
Originally posted by Melfius
A few quick Waterdhavian question:
(Some of this has probably been answered, at least in part, somewhere. Unfortunately, I can't find it.)
Does Waterdeep charter adventuring companies? Do they hire them?
Are there any specific locales that cater to adventuring companies?
Where are some well-known places where adventuring companies or groups can find a sort of want-ad listing for jobs?
Basically, as you may have surmised, I'm looking for a jumping-off point for a new adventure, but I don't want to lead my group by the nose. I want them to stumble on to the adventure of their own accord, but not feel like they are spinning their wheels until they do.
Thank you in advance.
There's that one Square where sellswords, adventurer's hang out.... I can't recall the name of it atm. :)
I think the square where adventurers meet in Waterdeep was mentioned in Elfshadow...if I am not wrong. You may like to take a look. |
We have fostered trust, recruited loyalty, and gathered the faithful. We have trained thousands. Our legions can cover the land, fill the sky and travel through the darkness. We can hunt any and all that would deny our heritage. Now is our time, now is the time of the Dark Reign(Rain) of the Empire of Shadows.
- High Prince Telemont Tanthul, Lord Shadow
In a speech given to the citizens of Shade Enclave
At the celebration of the Shinantra Battle victory when he revealed that he was THE Lord Shadow of legend. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2005 : 03:10:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
There's that one Square where sellswords, adventurer's hang out.... I can't recall the name of it atm. :)
I believe it was Virgin's Square.
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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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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2005 : 05:16:38
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Thank you THO, and Ed . . . as a fellow bearded male I just had to know what the neighbors would think of my facial hair, lol.
(Trying SO hard not to make a comment on THO's final comment)
(Eeep) |
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David Lázaro
Acolyte
Spain
37 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2005 : 23:14:56
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Hi again, fellow scribes.
First I'd like to thank Ed and The Hooded One for their previous responses to my questions. I've waited a bit because I didn't want to disrupt the flow of questions, answers and arguments with my compliments.
While I wait for the answer of my question on Silverymoon festivities I'd like to delve on another usually forgotten part of the Realms: how are horses like in the North, and which races are common there? What are the customs related to the horses there? I'm referring to things like saddles and other equipment for horses, and also to customs like using stirrups or not. You see, I've always imagined Uthgardts mounting without them, and wonder if the Illuskan custom was also the same.
If the answer is short (maybe there are not many races on the North), maybe you can extend it to cover other lands, I'm sure other scribes would find that useful too. And if you can drop a recommendation on a good book about horses I'll be very happy. The other day I was at a bookshop and couldn't decide what to buy.
Also, my campaign is approaching Shieldmeet very fast so if you can just drop a phrase or two about some colourful events that should happen in Silverymoon my players and me would be very grateful to you. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2005 : 00:44:37
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Hi, all. David, I’ll try to rattle Ed’s cage re. Shieldmeet.
Back on May 16th of this year, Kajehase commented: “Was it just me who got a sudden "I-want-to-read-a-lot-more-about-young-Alusair" feeling after that post?”
A response from Ed has just popped into my inbox:
Hi, Kajehase! You shouldn’t miss a few short but crucial scenes in my first Knights of Myth Drannor novel (tentatively titled SWORDS OF EVENINGSTAR), then. It’s due out next year.
If they don’t go away in the editing, that is. Ah, I’m having fun with these Knights books!
So saith Ed. His last comment leaves me wriggling in glee (imparting a juicy mental picture to some loyal scribes here, I’m sure). 
love to all,
THO
P.S. For a VERY insightful look at the Alusair of right now, check out “The Long Road Home,” the last story in THE BEST OF THE REALMS II: THE STORIES OF ED GREENWOOD, just released as a mass market paperback by WotC. Yes, this is an unabashed plug. And yes, it’s that essential as Realmslore.
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2005 : 05:51:45
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Then I most definately will be looking forward to that novel
*wriggles a bit in glee himself, then gets up and curses not being able to get to a specialist bookstore for the next month * |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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David Lázaro
Acolyte
Spain
37 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 00:24:22
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
David, I’ll try to rattle Ed’s cage re. Shieldmeet.
Thank you very much. I love Ed's descriptions of places, people and parties. They're always miles more colourful than anything I can improvise.
quote:
P.S. For a VERY insightful look at the Alusair of right now, check out “The Long Road Home,” the last story in THE BEST OF THE REALMS II: THE STORIES OF ED GREENWOOD, just released as a mass market paperback by WotC. Yes, this is an unabashed plug. And yes, it’s that essential as Realmslore.
And yes, I've just ordered it online. I'm eager to devour its pages. Just checked the shipment and it's on its way to arrive before the weekend. 
And soon you will also be able to insert shameless plugs about The City of Splendors: A Waterdeep Novel. Which seems to be released on August and can be pre-ordered now on several sites. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 03:43:54
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Hello again, fellow scribes. Right you are, David: I shall plug shamelessly away, when the time comes. Ed tells me there was a full-size poster of the CofS cover in the WotC booth at ALA, and for his signings he was seated across from it (so when he wasn’t staring at pretty girls, he was drinking it in ). Ahem. Now, Ed makes reply to Si and to Zandilar:
Hi. Zandilar, Si is quite right in posting: “On the matter of there being no doubt a child was Alusair's, in a world that contains powerful shapeshifters and similar magic I'd say that anyone who wants to rabble rouse can always cast doubt, provided they're willing to risk Alusair finding out about their calumny.”
Si, in response to your question about blood tracing magic: old time TSR staffers can tell you just how many of my draft version spells, spell ink formulae, and magical rituals and processes used blood. They had to edit almost all of those mentions out of existence (Beltyn’s Burning Blood being a notable exception) because someone in TSR senior management decided - - probably rightly - - that this was precisely the sort of stuff that would get the company and the game in real lawsuit trouble, especially in the Bible Belt. (Most of my writings specified the caster’s own blood, which might have cut down on murders, mutilations other than self-mutliations, and pets being butchered, but someone who harmed themselves still has kin who can sue.)
Specifically to address blood tracing: years and years ago, I ‘sat in on’ a TSR design meeting where it was decided that the Realms in general wasn’t going to yet “know about” DNA or genetics beyond the barnyard breeding level. Game and fiction products since then can advance the timeline and progress with it, but many of the Books Department staffers of the time (now no longer with the company) were very leery of having crime-solving DNA techniques coupled with the existing magic system; most of them were of the opinion that it really left “nowhere to hide” and would ruin most murder-mystery novel plots, making that genre unusable not just for the Realms, but inevitably (with ‘idea creep’) all the other D&D world-settings (at that time, of course, only available from TSR) as well.
So we turned away from such ideas, and ran. :}
As for the inability of Highknights to do skulk-and-dagger: for the real spying, stalking, impersonating, acting so as to mislead enemy spies, and eavesdropping: all of the Obarskyrs except the infant Azoun V (AND Vangey - - and THERE’s a tale that’ll have to be told someday!) have or had small private networks of personal spies, from old men to small boys and girls to accomplished sneak-thieves, to do the REAL spying. Some of them are also Harpers (and their Obarskyr patrons may be unaware of this), but not all of them.
One topic not yet explored in Realms fiction or lore (I’m getting to it, one way or another) is what’s now become of the spy networks of Azoun IV, Tanalasta, and Vangey. Are any of them freelancing for new patrons? Trying to take service with Caladnei? ??
Which brings me to your last question. Alusair has two intelligence services: the bumbling, overt group she’s recruited from the ranks of “her blades” (to make these young nobles feel important, please their families, and provide an unwitting distraction and screen for nobles and others trying to see what the spies they know she has are really up to), and the spies who’ve worked for her for years, from lovers who serve only her to trusted ‘loyal to the realm’ Highknights like Glarasteer Rhauligan. I know she’s trying to subvert some alarphons to reporting to her, and trying to become a close friend to Laspeera, to both better run the realm as Regent, and to “get some sort of handle” on the War Wizards.
I’d love to say more, but (as you surmised) that rising thunder is the sound of a swiftly-rolling-down-upon-me NDA! :}
So saith Ed. Interesting. (Drawls:) Very interesting.
love,
THO
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Scytax Killbane
Acolyte
1 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 12:28:35
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Hi all
Hi Ed
First post on this thread.... I feel intimidated!
I've been running Realms campaign for 15+ years, read 90% of the Realms products, but I'm unable to come up with something on the following topic... please help me...
Slavers in the Moonsea, Dalelands and Sembia region.
Aside the Zhentarim, is there any Slaver organization operating in the Moonsea, Sembia and Dalelands area? If yes, which one, how do Dales, Hillsfar and Sembia people react to them? How do they operate? What roads, trails, circuits are they following? Where do they have hideout?
So far I only found specific reference in Cloak and Dagger where the only Slavers mentionned are the Xanathar and the Iron Ring which operate from the underdark and Skullport and possibly, through gates, in other area. (In Dawn of Night there is a gate reference from Hilsfar to Skullport) I trust there is many more organize Slavers in the Realms to feed the Moonsea cities, I would like to know about them....
Thank you for your help!
Scytax Killbane
Part time Red Wizard
Part time Harper
Full time Realms fan
Fellow canadian |
Edited by - Scytax Killbane on 05 Jul 2005 12:29:35 |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 15:29:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Scytax Killbane
Hi all
Hi Ed
First post on this thread.... I feel intimidated!
Don't worry, Our Lady of the Hood is very good at making us lore-seekers feel welcome, and the rest of us tend to try and do the same.
quote:
Aside the Zhentarim, is there any Slaver organization operating in the Moonsea, Sembia and Dalelands area?
There's always the surface drow of the Cormanthor woods. And I'm pretty certain there's quite a few Sembian merchants doing business they'd rather not have it widely known that they're involved in. |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2005 : 02:46:38
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Hello, all. A little bit of a “catch table” (the Realms term for buffet or smorgasbord) of replies and comments this time around.
Asgetrion, you’re very welcome. Me as Lhaeo: hmmm, kinky. 
Ed also says you’re welcome, and is glad you liked HAND OF FIRE. (So many readers rushed to tell Ed how terrible it was because they wanted a happy ending, that a lot of them seem to have missed the caravan lore.) I know you’ll love ELMINSTER’S DAUGHTER. Don’t miss the BEST OF THE REALMS II: THE STORIES OF ED GREENWOOD collection (it has its own thread in the Novels room, here at Candlekeep)!
Rocheval, there’s no way Ed COULD reveal the “next great evil” to be “visited upon the Realms,” even if he wanted to. There are such things as NDAs, and also ruining the anticipation (I hesitate to use the word “fun” here) of most Realms fans. It’s like watching a soap opera and knowing beforehand in detail what’s going to happen to everyone. (Yes, I know people go to see the same Shakespeare plays over and over, and ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, too, but they do so for different reasons.)
Ed’s name is: “Ed Greenwood” (check out the Walk of Fame and you’ll see that many of the stars thereon appear under their everyday [abbreviated] names or even their false [stage] names). Not that Ed seeks, wants, or thinks he deserves any such acclaim.
As for your Sudbury question, to answer it Ed needs to know this: when you say “equivalent,” do you mean a hard-rock mining town surrounded by generations of slag-heap devastation but becoming a rejuvenated city? Or do you mean the hard-drinking small-town flavour evoked by Stompin’ Tom in that classic song?
Dargoth and Ty, Ed would love to say more about “issues of trial, innocence, and the various court systems” across the Realms, but lacks all time and opportunity for the moment. He does, however, tell me that his forthcoming Crimmor city article in DRAGON will provide another (brief) example of local jurisprudence, and that he and another well-known Realms scholar are hard at work on a future publication that will deal with such matters in somewhat greater detail, but that he can’t identify said publication or say any more about it because of the usual proudly-fluttering NDA banner firmly affixed to it.
And so the Bearded Creator waves farewell for another day, and turns back to the eerily-flickering light of the faithful Mac (one of five that nestle closely around him in the dark cellar where Realmslore is hatched; another six or seven rest in its nether darknesses) to spin more Realmslore for us all.
Speaking of whom: love to all,
THO
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Beowulf
Learned Scribe
Canada
322 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2005 : 06:15:07
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quote:
Originally posted by The Wanderer
In one of Ed's stories, he describes Durnan as a "thinking man's Conan". Having recently read some of Robert E. Howard's stories (they have been recently re-printed), I was wondring if Ed had also read them and whether they had influenced him at all in the creation of the Realms.
I might venture, based upon the "thinking man's Conan" remark that he probably hasn't read REH's Conan books. Afterall, throughout the course of those books Conan found his way amidst virtually every culture that the Hyborean Age had to offer, understanding those cultures and mastering their languages to such an extent that he rose to prominence in many varied cultures, and eventually ending up as the king of the most powerful nation in the West. That Conan relied muchly on his heroic, but hardly matchless brawn, on deed over empty word and gesture, is only a testament to his solid, down-to-earth intellect and common sense.
No disrespect to Ed intended, of course.
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"Ill tempered the wretch, who laughs at everyone. He cannot recognize, as he should, that he is not without faults." the High One, Poetic Edda |
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crazedventurers
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1073 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2005 : 14:58:41
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This question came up on the Realms-L - thought I would post it here as it would make an interesting answer :)
cheers
Damian
--------------------------------------------------------
> Hi!!!
>
>
> How are the Chosen of Mystra seen inside of the
> clergy of the faith of Mystra or Azuth? Would they
> be how a type of " saints " for the priests? And in
> the hierarchy of the clergy, they have some
> influences inside of the faith of Mystra or Azuth,
> it was able to for instance: Khelben to give orders
> in the temple of Mystra of Waterdeep? Or would it be
> able to him to receive orders of that temple? Could
> Elminster arrive in a temple of Mystra or Azuth and
> to give orders for the priests? Or are they Chosen
> of Mystra agents " out " of the hierarchy of Mystra
> and Azuth?
>
> And the same questions in the case of Magister?
>
> Between the Chosen of Mystra and Magister: who gain
> more power of the goddesses? Or what would more
> important be?
------------------------------------------------------- |
So saith Ed. I've never said he was sane, have I?
Gods, all this writing and he's running a constant fantasy version of Coronation Street in his head, too. .
shudder,
love to all,
THO
Candlekeep Forum 7 May 2005 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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Blueblade
Senior Scribe
USA
804 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2005 : 15:06:05
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Uh, full disagreement here, Beowulf.
I’ve talked about that very phrase “thinking man’s Conan” with Ed.
One of my profs had done a thesis on Howard, and very thoroughly “proved” to us in class that Howard saw Conan as a “noble savage” who followed a personal code, but learned quickly (the hard way) about the “evils” of various civilizations.
I attended a GenCon panel where Ed and four others (two of them college profs) discussed Conan, and also caught a radio show once with Ed and Lyon Sprague deCamp (one of the chief Conan “revivers”) on it, talking about Conan.
So Ed of the Greenwood HAS read his Conan - - very thoroughly, probably.
What Ed meant, according to him (and it’s important that you read JUST the original Howard stories here, not all the rewrites and pastiches done by other writers, because some of them view and portray Conan very differently) is that Conan, particularly the early Conan, is both cunning and shrewd (a good judge of character), so he knows human nature and is quick to catch on about how things are done in various new places he finds himself (and so outwit various foes) - - but he’s astonished and disgusted by various details of so-called “civilization” (over and over again). He’s also bold, fearless, and steps in (to rescue the girl, to fight the wizard, etc.) instead of turning away.
According to Ed, Durnan is an example of someone who’s fearless and who “knows what’s right,” but always thinks before he acts (instead of rushing in as Conan would do). Durnan looks ahead several steps to possible consequences, and modifies his “principles” accordingly (Conan would just go ahead and follow HIS principles), picking his battles and deciding to let the little things go.
When Carter and deCamp wrote Conan of the Isles, they portrayed Conan as still doing things “for the hell of it” BUT older, wiser, and now, yes, picking his battles instead of fighting everything and everyone.
So I think you’re misreading Ed entirely, here.
I mean think about it for a minute or two: Ed’s a librarian, he grew up when the Conan books were being revived by Lancer Books and were VERY popular, his early bios mention his membership in the Hyborian Legion, and we know he’s very widely read, period, but fantasy books in particular. How could he NOT have read the Conan books?
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Beowulf
Learned Scribe
Canada
322 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2005 : 16:25:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Blueblade
How could he NOT have read the Conan books?
By making what (intially) appeared to be an inaccurate statement; a statement that sounded to my ears like an accusation of idiocy rather than one of impulsiveness.
I wouldn't be the first to interpret such a statement that particular way, but I stand corrected. Indeed, Conan tended toward the impulsiveness, but otherwise was most likely a genius in terms of intellectual capacity.
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"Ill tempered the wretch, who laughs at everyone. He cannot recognize, as he should, that he is not without faults." the High One, Poetic Edda |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2005 : 19:21:15
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Ah, I understand. "The thinking man's" is a late 1950s, early 1960s phrase that meant "thoughtful, thinks ahead, considers consequences." It never meant that someone or something that WASN'T "the thinking man's" was stupid or idiotic. It didn't mean that they didn't think, only that they didn't habitually think several steps ahead AND FOLLOW the results of that thinking.
There are some people who play chess for fun, never thinking many moves ahead. Others try to "work through" thirty or forty moves into the future (the "thinking man's" approach). So Ed wasn't saying Conan was a slow-witted brute. |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2005 : 03:20:16
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Hello, all. SirUrza, THE FARTHEST REACH hasn’t (ahem) yet “reached” the beknighted backwaters that Ed or I currently inhabit, and Ed has only read the book as a giant Word .doc file (as he and Rich Baker discussed its lore), so we’re not entirely certain which paragraph you’re referring to.
If the text you cite has a Sister speaking of the Knights and a Sister or two being ‘absent’ on some mysterious mission, it gives us all a little hint as to what Ed’s REALMS OF THE ELVES novella will be about, not the Knights trilogy (which begins a few decades back, Realms time, when the Knights are about to first become a band of adventurers, the “Swords of Eveningstar”).
However, well spotted, sir!
Ed originally suggested that passage to Rich Baker as a way of conveniently keeping certain Realms-fixture characters out of the wonderful story Rich is telling, and Ed and Realms fiction Managing Editor Phil Athans hit upon the idea of using it as the setup for Ed’s story in the ELVES anthology. Just another example of the way Realms creators scheme, and scuttle from one subtle touch to the next, to weave a richer unfolding tapestry for us all . . .
love to all,
THO
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2005 : 04:53:01
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Yeap that's exactly what I was refering to. Cool, so Elminster won't find a way to dominate the Knights trilogy. Not that I don't like Elminster, was just worried that the powers that be would find a way to twist the trilogy into being about him. :)
Now only if the novel and gaming sections could coordinate that well, but that's another quest for another day I suppose. Good to hear they can sneak little things in like that, now only if they'd do it more often. :)
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"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
Edited by - SirUrza on 07 Jul 2005 04:58:54 |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2005 : 05:03:33
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Speaking of Farthest Reach . . .
In said novel a certain NPC that my PCs know fairly well popped up in there. Since they live in Mistledale, they have come across Haresk Malorn very often, and that leads into my questions . . .
Haresk is mentioned to have daughters (no specific number) in the FRCS, and in the Dalelands 2e supplement he is mentioned as having two daughters. I was wondering, does he have more, does he have any children that are older and have moved on, and what is his wife like, and is she still alive ( I can't seem to find any references to her ).
Thanks in advance for the information, if it is forthcoming, and once again, thanks for creating him in the first place! |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2005 : 14:42:01
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Hello, all. Lots this time.
First: Melfius, help with your Waterdeep questions. As some posters have mentioned, Virgin’s Square is the place to “hang out to be hired” for mercenaries (One-Eye is the man to see if you want to communicate specific skills or wants).
Now, here’s Ed:
Waterdeep as a city only hires adventures in specific wartime situations (usually to operate far from the city in an “ependable spoiler” role, not inside Waterdeep where they could do damage if they proved to be traitors or double agents). Individual lords (notably Mirt) tend to charter or hire adventuring companies “on their own”(pretending to do it for personal reasons rather than representing the city). Mirt can often do this to settle moneylending debts, not hinting at his widely-“known” status as a Lord at all.
Various Dock Ward taverns and dives are ‘the’ places to get hired for shady adventuring tasks rather than just escort and bodyguard work, although many nobles don’t dare go there, and instead visit certain South Ward and Castle Ward establishments in hopes of hiring agents (be warned: nobles like to be ready to frame and therefore remove or discredit those who work for them, if things go REALLY wrong, and may hire backup groups to “watch their dupes at work”). Certain Dock Ward brothels (you’ll see one in CITY OF SPLENDORS, when it’s released in August) are ‘good’ spots to meet and make such arrangements, because they tend to have better security (safety for the noble) and privacy than taverns.
Many taverns and inns like to claim they welcome adventurers (for the ‘publicity spice’), but most are in Dock Ward. The Inn of the Dripping Dagger in Castle Ward is one exception. As for want-ad listings: postings in Virgin’s Square, and otherwise it’s “buy a broadsheet on the street” time (see my archived Realmslore columns on the WotC website: the Broadcryers of Waterdeep series). The main source should be tavern chatter (news and rumors travel Waterdeep south of the Castle like gale-force winds), but of course a good DM should make sure that this is full of exaggerations, wild inaccuracies, and ‘old leads’ that other rival adventuring bands have already taken up.
So saith Ed. Who at the moment is deep in planning the future of the Realms for us all, he tells me. He promises to swiftly get to Shieldmeet details, notes that horse breeds have already been covered here at Candlekeep (but will get back to you re. stirrups, etc - - and yes, the Uthgardt don’t use them), and appends this re. Scytax Killbane’s slaving query:
There has always been a thriving slaving business in Sembia, Westgate, and Marsember (I’ve personally worked at least a dozen references to it into various FR releases, down the years; whenever you read about noble “kidnappings,” that’s what’s going on), but by the very nature of the business as practiced in that part of the Realms, there aren’t named, high-profile “slaving groups.”
Instead, it’s always a few individuals doing snatch-and-grab jobs and fetching captives (often drugged to keep them silent, eating and drinking little, and not trying to escape) to a hiding-place they control, from which they can readily be transferred aboard the ship of a captain who’s covertly dealing in slaves (an important source of income for some Sea of Fallen Stars pirates). There aren’t a lot of shipcaptains involved, per se, but there ARE a lot of little slaving cabals (of a dozen people at most, and half of those are usually guards and “heave the drugged bodies” muscle, with six at most being the active snatchers and thinkers). Many of them can (if someone starts to hunt or hound them) call on the occasional assistance of evil wizards and priests in return for bodies to experiment on or use in rituals. So that’s why you “haven’t heard mention” of power groups operating: they’re very small, secretive, informal gangs. And yes, they are hated and feared. Folk in Marsember tend to be blasé about them, and Sembians even know and accept that hiring someone to have a rival or fellow heir or creditor “removed” is a daily business option, if one dares to go asking and hiring - - but Dalefolk will attack suspected slavers on sight.
So saith Ed. A bumper crop of replies from a VERY overloaded (at the moment) but still cheerful Realms Creator. Who will return to give more as soon as he can - - and adds:
Yes, I’ve read my Conan, and still enjoy the tales. As BB and THO have explained, I wasn’t disparaging the Cimmerian; I was contrasting his “go into the fray regardless” character with Durnan’s “think three times about long term consequences” approach.
Oh, and an unrelated matter: in the Spin A Yarn tale currently being posted on the WotC website, there are a number of tiny editing glitches that make me once again fervently wish that certain WotC staffers would refrain from just turning on their spellcheck features and turning off their editorial brains. Most of these are just passing annoyances, but I DO want all readers to know that Tymora’s sneeze didn’t cause Waterdhavian matrons to run screaming from their “robbing” chambers, but rather from their “robing” chambers.
One more matter: SirUrza, the matter referenced in FARTHEST REACH has nothing to do with the Knights trilogy, which is set in the past. However, rest assured that although Elminster WILL appear in those books, I have no intention of letting him dominate; it’s not his story.
So there.
love to all,
THO
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Edited by - The Hooded One on 07 Jul 2005 17:40:47 |
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Questions for Ed Greenwood (2005)
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