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Neriandal Freit
Senior Scribe

USA
396 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  01:52:49  Show Profile  Visit Neriandal Freit's Homepage Send Neriandal Freit a Private Message
THO! I've got a question for you that I was asked at work by one of the Head Cashiers I'm good friends with. Thought I would ask you the same, we all do wonder from time to time...

Top or bottom?

Please, be have ;)

"Eating people is wrong...unless it's on the first date." - Ed Greenwood, GenCon Indy 2006
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Dargoth
Great Reader

Australia
4607 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  01:58:02  Show Profile  Visit Dargoth's Homepage Send Dargoth a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by Neriandal Freit

THO! I've got a question for you that I was asked at work by one of the Head Cashiers I'm good friends with. Thought I would ask you the same, we all do wonder from time to time...

Top or bottom?

Please, be have ;)



Thats a rather risque question to ask and its probably borderline inapporiate

“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”

Emperor Sigismund

"Its good to be the King!"

Mel Brooks
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31701 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  02:04:13  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message
I agree.

Neriandal, you may want to consider re-phrasing that particular question to something that would be a little more appropriate for a forum such as Candlekeep.

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Kuje
Great Reader

USA
7915 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  02:06:32  Show Profile Send Kuje a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth

quote:
Originally posted by Neriandal Freit

THO! I've got a question for you that I was asked at work by one of the Head Cashiers I'm good friends with. Thought I would ask you the same, we all do wonder from time to time...

Top or bottom?

Please, be have ;)



Thats a rather risque question to ask and its probably borderline inapporiate



I dunno, I thought it was funny. :) Shrug, THO has said stuff like that on here, many times. I dunno, I get the feeling that it won't insult her or Ed.

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

Edited by - Kuje on 10 Jan 2007 02:14:37
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31701 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  02:09:40  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message
Well, if Ed and/or THO want to discuss it, that's fine for me, I suppose.

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Neriandal Freit
Senior Scribe

USA
396 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  02:11:05  Show Profile  Visit Neriandal Freit's Homepage Send Neriandal Freit a Private Message
I don't see what's wrong with it. I didn't mean it in any certain way, and I did say "Please, be have ;)" if you hadn't noticed.

This is the way the question was asked to me, and I'm asking it to someone who I think would find it amusing and also answer truthfully, in any certain way she sees fit.

"Eating people is wrong...unless it's on the first date." - Ed Greenwood, GenCon Indy 2006
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31701 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  02:16:54  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message
Fair enough.

I'll leave the final decision to either Ed and/or THO.

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WalkerNinja
Senior Scribe

USA
573 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  03:29:38  Show Profile Send WalkerNinja a Private Message
The Sage, however, will NOT entertain such a question... It would impinge upon his "sageness."

*** A Forgotten Realms Addict since 1990 ***
Treasures of the Past, a Second Edition Play-by-Post game for and by Candlekeep Sages--http://www.rpol.net/game.cgi?gi=52011
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31701 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  03:38:08  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message
Eh. The Lady K knows how I feel about that.



-- And Ed, I've got an additional music question coming -- though, I'm waiting to hear back from a "certain someone" (in case he happens to be reading this ) first before I reply back to you.

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RodOdom
Senior Scribe

USA
509 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  04:08:40  Show Profile  Visit RodOdom's Homepage Send RodOdom a Private Message
Perhaps it would be appropriate if Neriandal and his friend first shared their "top or bottom" preference too.
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Neriandal Freit
Senior Scribe

USA
396 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  11:23:07  Show Profile  Visit Neriandal Freit's Homepage Send Neriandal Freit a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by RodOdom

Perhaps it would be appropriate if Neriandal and his friend first shared their "top or bottom" preference too.



Ah, fair enough fair enough...

Nothing is wrong with someone who is on top ;)

"Eating people is wrong...unless it's on the first date." - Ed Greenwood, GenCon Indy 2006
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31701 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  11:47:45  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message
Okay, let's not start cluttering this scroll with non-Ed chatter.

Let us wait and see what either Ed or the Lady Hooded One reveal.

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AlorinDawn
Learned Scribe

USA
313 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  18:48:43  Show Profile  Visit AlorinDawn's Homepage Send AlorinDawn a Private Message
Ed,

A couple of Realms architectural question for you. You mentioned in an earlier thread that some buildings in Baulder's Gate were coated in glass (I think it was a Temple of Lathander that was being discussed). Can you tell us how this is accomplished?

Can you tell us anything about how the elves of the Realms go about growing those large crystal that are used for buildings?


Thanks

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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore

5056 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  18:48:45  Show Profile  Visit The Hooded One's Homepage Send The Hooded One a Private Message
Now THAT'S a loaded last sentence, Sage.
Ed will be back with another Realmslore reply later today (perhaps tomorrow, Keep time), but in the meantime . . .
First: For me, top AND bottom (though not both at once; that tends to cause bruising and straining whilst trying to "pass through" each other), and I don't mind discussing such matters at all. However, I'll be guided by Alaundo and Sage in how descriptive I get; I don't, above all, want to have this forum blocked for any scribes by parents or screening software. Yet be aware: you can ask me ANYthing.
Second: wills are a fascinating subject that Ed has been avoiding so as not to hamper novel authors crafting plots concerning various characters in myriad Realms locales. In the case of Azoun, however, his will would be fairly short and simple; Cormyrean Crown law and tradition governs most regalia, property, etc.
love to all,
THO
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore

5056 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  19:09:16  Show Profile  Visit The Hooded One's Homepage Send The Hooded One a Private Message
Oh, and WalkerNinja: please DON'T feel rebuked. It was a good try, and neither Ed nor I are offended. We just can't provide you with such a list, because the content of any such list would sometimes Reveal Too Much.
If we could, that would be an ideal way to proceed with this ongoing multi-year thread . . .
love,
THO
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore

1419 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  20:06:52  Show Profile  Visit Charles Phipps's Homepage Send Charles Phipps a Private Message
Damn that Azoun is a cheapskate!

:-)

My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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createvmind
Senior Scribe

490 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  20:19:55  Show Profile  Visit createvmind's Homepage Send createvmind a Private Message
Hello,

Would you say knowledge of the return of shade would be mostly hearsay by the month of Flamerule 1372? More importantly knowledge of the true shades would be even more limited since the city had only just recently returned? I have well-read players who I'm willing to bet are going to try and have their characters find a way to stumble across this information due to one player actually being from Tilverton and wanting to return to find his family or at least give them proper send off if they are dead. In my eyes the recent destruction has caused all parties to flee the area other than the dead and such types, am I safe in saying they are not going to be able to come across any lore that would allow to them be forewarned if they did encounter a shade. One particular player I know will try Waterdeep or Candlekeep and possibly Oghma temple in the North, Leaves of learning, something like that....would he be able to remotely piece together enough information to know about who and what the Shades are with it currently being the month of Flamerule 1372?
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Dargoth
Great Reader

Australia
4607 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  21:21:02  Show Profile  Visit Dargoth's Homepage Send Dargoth a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One

Oh, and WalkerNinja: please DON'T feel rebuked. It was a good try, and neither Ed nor I are offended. We just can't provide you with such a list, because the content of any such list would sometimes Reveal Too Much.
If we could, that would be an ideal way to proceed with this ongoing multi-year thread . . .
love,
THO



*chuckle* You know Eds last couple of posts on NDA's reminded me of the old British comedy YEs Minister/Prime Minster specficly "The Need to Know episode"

“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”

Emperor Sigismund

"Its good to be the King!"

Mel Brooks
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31701 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2007 :  23:36:20  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One

Now THAT'S a loaded last sentence, Sage.
I knew it would be!

quote:
However, I'll be guided by Alaundo and Sage in how descriptive I get; I don't, above all, want to have this forum blocked for any scribes by parents or screening software.
Exactly. While I would normally welcome such a discussion, we do sometimes have to be careful about *what* exactly can be discussed here and how in-depth one can go.

We appreciate the effort, my Lady.

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-- 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

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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36779 Posts

Posted - 11 Jan 2007 :  00:17:33  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message
I decided to move this from it's original spot... Hopefully, this is a quick and easy one, but if not, no biggie. It's just a bit of curiosity that hit me this day.

quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One

DRAGONFIRE should show us a feisty thirteen-year-old Alusair.
love,
THO



Speaking of which, how old was she on her visit to the Inn of the Dripping Dagger (the visit mentioned in Volo's Guide to Waterdeep, when the patrons taught her profanity and how to throw daggers)?

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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader

USA
7106 Posts

Posted - 11 Jan 2007 :  01:42:55  Show Profile  Visit Rinonalyrna Fathomlin's Homepage Send Rinonalyrna Fathomlin a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
First: For me, top AND bottom


Me too!

quote:
Second: wills are a fascinating subject that Ed has been avoiding so as not to hamper novel authors crafting plots concerning various characters in myriad Realms locales. In the case of Azoun, however, his will would be fairly short and simple; Cormyrean Crown law and tradition governs most regalia, property, etc.
love to all,
THO



Thanks for the information--I can see why wills and laws regarding them might be better off staying on the less-detailed side. I would love it if Ed could give a teensy-bit more information about how Cormyrean law would distribute the assets of an estate (ie. does it always go to next of kin no matter what the deceased person desired?). If not, I understand.

"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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Tormtar
Acolyte

20 Posts

Posted - 11 Jan 2007 :  08:05:06  Show Profile  Visit Tormtar's Homepage Send Tormtar a Private Message
Dear Ed and THO, a couple of questions based around the same main theme: A member of my group recently asked me about the state of education in Faerun. Now, as a university history lecturer, it got me thinking. How are the offspring of nobles educated in Faerun (although I know it will vary geographically and culturally)? Are they taught by a number of personal tutors (probably drawn from relatives, local lower ranking clergy, specifically employed sages and even specialised family retainers) or are they sent to organised institutions (colleges or universities) as is hinted at in the ‘Enlightened Student’ entry in Champions of Valour? Also, how do the merchant classes educate their children (in cities with extensive guilds I would imagine that they play a role in organising and perhaps delivering education)? Finally, not to leave the common folk out, how are the children of commoner’s educated (if at all)? Are there certain faiths out there which attempt to provide education?

Thanks to both of you for providing any info you can amidst your hectic schedules and thanks for taking the time to provide us with so much Realms Lore in the first place.
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Kajehase
Great Reader

Sweden
2104 Posts

Posted - 11 Jan 2007 :  15:42:08  Show Profile Send Kajehase a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth

quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One

Oh, and WalkerNinja: please DON'T feel rebuked. It was a good try, and neither Ed nor I are offended. We just can't provide you with such a list, because the content of any such list would sometimes Reveal Too Much.
If we could, that would be an ideal way to proceed with this ongoing multi-year thread . . .
love,
THO



*chuckle* You know Eds last couple of posts on NDA's reminded me of the old British comedy YEs Minister/Prime Minster specficly "The Need to Know episode"



*grins* If I ever get some players to run a campaign for, they'd be reminded of this series whenever they try to get something from Castle Waterdeep (or Elminster for that matter).

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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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore

USA
1537 Posts

Posted - 11 Jan 2007 :  22:57:04  Show Profile  Visit Jamallo Kreen's Homepage Send Jamallo Kreen a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje

quote:
Originally posted by Zanan

And as I see Selûne's equivalent outside the window, was Toril actually given a Solar system and named companion planets?


Yes, Realmspace is detailed in the sourcebook of the same name in the Spelljammer line of sourcebooks. This info is also, partially, mentioned in the back of the FRCS. The FRCS mentions three of the known planets even though there are more.



Well met, all! Happy soon-to-be Year of the Boar.

I was planning to post a question on Realmspace, and here is the perfect entry point! This question may contain a Realmspace spoiler for those who have not yet seen the inside of the crytal sphere of Realmspace. Caveat lector!

Realmspace, the book about the crystal sphere in which Abeir-Toril is located, is, in my opinion, one of the very best sources of Realmslore ever published. It is considered by many the best of the three (Realm/Krynn/Gray)space books. I haven't read all three, so I canot attest to that, but I consider it one of the best 2nd edition books on the Realms, and it doesn't have a 3rd edition equivalent, so it's still "good" Realmslore. In 2006 Ed was kind enough to answer a question about Everlund and a certain paladin of Tyr whose story is told in greatest detail in Realmspace, of all places.



...

My question is:

Who conceived the idea of Those Who Walk -- the hundreds of thousands of people who walk endlessly in a perfect (?) circle within the crystal sphere of Realmspace? Ed? "Slade"? Some long-forgotten editor at TSR? Inquiring DMs want to know.


...


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 Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore

5056 Posts

Posted - 11 Jan 2007 :  23:04:29  Show Profile  Visit The Hooded One's Homepage Send The Hooded One a Private Message
Hi again, scribes. Ed swiftly tackles a very recent question this time, from Kaysae: “Greetings, Ed! Thank you for answering my query about the Stonelands and the barony thereof, I greatly enjoyed it! I now have a new question, and I hope you have an answer!
I bought the Menzoberranzan box set (an excellent product by the way) in PDF format several years ago, and there is just one thing that has always nagged me. I finally noticed your name on the cover (I'm slow), and decided to ask.
What is the requirement to make the rank of High Priestess? I notice in the Houses section of the book that the females a separated by Priestess and High Priestess. And in some of the entries of the Matron Mothers it takes about how only X number of daughters were destined for greatness (which happenes to be the number of high priestesses in the house).
I assume it is more than level based, though I could be wrong. Please enlighten me!”
Ed replies:



With pleasure. Yes, it is far more than level-based (though level advancement does in this case indicate experience in the service of the Dark Goddess, and is a factor.
Here, however, are the two far more powerful factors in determining when a given drow priestess becomes a high priestess:

1. The Favour of Lolth (“Favor of Lolth” in American spelling): the goddess likes you (right now). This is paramount; a child could become High Priestess if Lolth wanted her to.

2. Intra-House Dynamics (aka “Last Drow Standing”): if heavy losses (deaths, exiles, etc. for whatever reason) disable many family members, those remaining may ascend to titles, ranks, and positions they might ordinarily be years away from achieving. If you’re the newest priestess and everyone else gets wiped out, you’re High Priestess (until someone takes it away from you). In other words, as always in Lolth-worshipping drow society, you will use your rank (and, usually life along with it) if you don’t demonstrate loyalty to Lolth and capability.



So saith Ed, Low Detailer of Menzoberranzan.
love to all,
THO
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore

USA
1537 Posts

Posted - 11 Jan 2007 :  23:06:33  Show Profile  Visit Jamallo Kreen's Homepage Send Jamallo Kreen a Private Message
Well met, Lady Hooded One and Ed o' the Green Wood!

I was recently studying LEoF's section on Olin Gisiae, and PoF's section on Court Heralds, when a question occurred to me: are there any organized groups on Toril dedicated to discovering secrets, particularly those "things man was not meant to know" (nor women, nor Elves, nor Gnomes, nor Dwarves, nor ...)? I'm not referring to mere spies (such as the Harpers), but to those who are dedicated to learning that which others want kept secret for the sake of knowledge itself, not even the mysteriously-intentioned intelligence-gathering of the Kraken Society or some obsessive dragons (such as Claugiyliamatar), but seekers of "Knowledge for Knowledge's sake." (I also exclude trophy-hunters and those who travel as a source of bragging stories, such as the Society of Stalwart Adventurers.)

Would Ed please tell us something of such groups? I'm sure that there are book-hunters and song-gatherers galore, but are they organized? We already know of the Monks of the Long Death (who are determined to learn no matter who they have to kill), but are there other groups like them in intellectual ambition, but perhaps less bloodthirsty? Are there any museums, public or private, who sponsor expeditions just to learn stuff (and maybe bring back some ancient artifact for further study)?

What sorts of "secrets" and class abilities would these knowledge-hunters have, if they are not loremasters, per se?

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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Kuje
Great Reader

USA
7915 Posts

Posted - 11 Jan 2007 :  23:14:52  Show Profile Send Kuje a Private Message
I'd say probably some of Oghma's clergy would do that, Jamallo.

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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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore

USA
1537 Posts

Posted - 11 Jan 2007 :  23:27:57  Show Profile  Visit Jamallo Kreen's Homepage Send Jamallo Kreen a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by Sage of Stars -- in 2006


THO's lovely post put me in mind of another query: what is fashionable, as of "right now," jewelry for MALES in the Heartlands (including the Dragonreach region) and the Sword Coast?
Thanks!




Having voiced my enthusiastic support for a book of "artist's conceptions" of various characters, the Sage of Stars makes me also want to suggest an illustrated book of Torilian Costume Through the Ages -- Featuring Jewelry and Other Acesories. The Netheril boxed set gives us the dates of some inventions (such as full plate armor) which might enable one to place an adventurer in historical context by clothing, but one supposes that over thousands of years the Elves have had fashions come and go, and one might readily encounter a portrait (or even some old codger) with old clothes which would serve to date him or her. (I am thinking now of Whatshisname, the ancient Elf-lord in Cormyr: A Novel.) If one has survived a visit to Spellgard or to the Warlock's Crypt {sic}, one might notice that a contemporary wizard was dressed in a certain style suggestive of Netheril (and might well be able to expose an impostor by means of careful observation of such things as the width of a cuff or the amount of ankle shown by a robe).

Since such a book must remain vaporware for years to come, Ed, would you please give us -- at your own pace, and in your own good time -- some noteworthy fashion highlights of Toril through the ages? (Ahhh, I can hear the PCs now: "Hey, Teraseer! That style of robe went out twenty thousands years ag ... oh oh....")

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 - 11 Jan 2007 :  23:42:36  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje

quote:
Originally posted by Jamallo Kreen

Well met, Lady Hooded One and Ed o' the Green Wood!

I was recently studying LEoF's section on Olin Gisiae, and PoF's section on Court Heralds, when a question occurred to me: are there any organized groups on Toril dedicated to discovering secrets, particularly those "things man was not meant to know" (nor women, nor Elves, nor Gnomes, nor Dwarves, nor ...)? I'm not referring to mere spies (such as the Harpers), but to those who are dedicated to learning that which others want kept secret for the sake of knowledge itself, not even the mysteriously-intentioned intelligence-gathering of the Kraken Society or some obsessive dragons (such as Claugiyliamatar), but seekers of "Knowledge for Knowledge's sake." (I also exclude trophy-hunters and those who travel as a source of bragging stories, such as the Society of Stalwart Adventurers.)

Would Ed please tell us something of such groups? I'm sure that there are book-hunters and song-gatherers galore, but are they organized? We already know of the Monks of the Long Death (who are determined to learn no matter who they have to kill), but are there other groups like them in intellectual ambition, but perhaps less bloodthirsty? Are there any museums, public or private, who sponsor expeditions just to learn stuff (and maybe bring back some ancient artifact for further study)?

What sorts of "secrets" and class abilities would these knowledge-hunters have, if they are not loremasters, per se?


I'd say probably some of Oghma's clergy would do that, Jamallo.

Agreed.

Part of Oghma's dogma is "Spread knowledge whenever it is prudent to do so. Keep no secrets for their own sake." Members of Oghma's clergy, wayfaring priests for example, are likely to actively seek out forms of important knowledge with the desire toward copying such important details so that they are never hidden or lost. This would, I believe, include secrets such as you indicate above, since forgotten knowledge can tend to have both a powerful (and corrupting) influence on people when learned without restraint -- "Knowledge is power, and must be used with care" -- is an important aspect to consider here when divining secrets that man was not meant to know.

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"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage

Edited by - The Sage on 11 Jan 2007 23:48:19
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore

USA
1537 Posts

Posted - 11 Jan 2007 :  23:55:07  Show Profile  Visit Jamallo Kreen's Homepage Send Jamallo Kreen a Private Message
A few months ago, responding to one of my questions, THO mentioned that Ed never liked "Chronomancy." That made me wonder: since Chronomancer, the Netherese Archmage, lived during the active period of Amauntour (deity -- by accident -- of "all Time"), what -- officially -- was the (then-) god's position on chronomantic magic?

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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