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Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
 Posted - 11 May 2014 : 19:19:15
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Well I have not been keeping up with the Realms for months and I am wondering exactly what it is that is going on?
Is there a central site I can go to that sums up everything we know about what is going on with The Sundering? Like a "Cliff Notes" version of it as opposed to me reading all the novels and the game material?
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Tarlyn
Learned Scribe
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2014 : 20:25:41
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Here is what I remember that was significant from the two adventure modules, first five books of the sundering and RA's Night of the Hunter. There isn't anything to surprising in here. However, spoilers below.
Murder in Baldur's Gate
-Baldur's Gate computer games are cannon. There is a statue of Minsc holding Boo in the middle of the wide.
-Bhaalspawn finish killing each other and Bhaal is reborn.
Legacy of the Crystal Shard
-The Arcane Brotherhood is back in action. They are now operating throughout the North.
-Auril is a goddess again.
-Barbarian Tribes and ten towns still have a rocky relationship
The Companions
-The companions of the Hall have been resurrected.
-Foreshadowing that the Shades will not control the Anauroth in the future.
-The Harpells are still around.
-The weave is being restored and as it is repaired spellscars vanish.
Night of the hunter
-Orcs are indeed chaotic evil in alignment and don't want to play nice with the other races.
-Lolth is making a play for control of the newly reformed weave. To be continue in RA's next book.
-The Kingdom of Many Arrows is going to try to invade the North to be continued in RA's next book.
The GodBorn
-Scratch two princes of shade, Brennus kills Rivalen and himself.
-There is a faction of Sembians that want independence from Shade.
-Mask is reborn.
-Shar's Mouth(Black hole in the middle of Ordulin) is closed.
The Adversary
-The Harpers are growing in number and influence again.
-The gods are creating bunches of chosen.
-Vhaeraun has chosen.
-Shar and Asmodeus get in a proxy fight.
The Reaver
-The Sea of Fallen Stars has returned to its normal size per 1st-3rd ed.
-Velsharoon and Kiaransalee's names still have great power when working necromantic spells
-Nobanion was a spellscarred lion and was released from his imprisonment.
-Umberlee is back in action.
-So is the Emerald Enclave.
-Lathander is back and Amaunator is out.
-There is a faction of the Red Wizards that wants to be free from Szass Tam
-The moonstars have active agents
-Spellplague lands are vanishing
The Sentinel
-Sembia/Netheril is invading Cormyr/Dalelands/Myth Drannor
-The giant black hole(Underchasm) in the map is filled again.
-Helm is back
-Myrkul is believed to be around again
-Cyric is no longer in time out
-Grumbar and Luthic get mentioned as active deities.
-Scratch another prince of shade, Yalder gets beheaded
Somewhere in those books it is also revealed that the earthmotes are falling. I forget where that comes into play.
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Tarlyn Embersun |
Edited by - Tarlyn on 12 May 2014 12:17:30 |
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Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 03:17:05
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| Thank you very much. This helps a lot. I'm not too worried on spoilers (but I am aware others are) only because I simply do not have time to invest in the details myself as others have. I still like to be informed of the Realms future. This stuff is very interesting and surprising, looking forward to what is to come next. |
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Mapolq
Senior Scribe
Brazil
466 Posts |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3737 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 04:30:56
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-I found this illuminating.
quote:
Originally posted by Tarlyn
Scratch two princes of shade, Brennus kills Rivalen and himself.
-Was his revenge as satisfying as I imagine it was? |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
Edited by - Lord Karsus on 12 May 2014 04:32:57 |
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Ashe Ravenheart
Great Reader
USA
3240 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 04:41:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-I found this illuminating.
quote:
Originally posted by Tarlyn
Scratch two princes of shade, Brennus kills Rivalen and himself.
-Was his revenge as satisfying as I imagine it was?
Yes. |
I actually DO know everything. I just have a very poor index of my knowledge.
Ashe's Character Sheet
Alphabetized Index of Realms NPCs |
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Lilianviaten
Senior Scribe
489 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 05:35:07
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Excellent summary of the Sundering from Tarlyn. I would add to "The Reaver" that Lathander returns as well, and we are given an explanation as to the cyclical nature of the sun god. Also, Silvanus's main chosen is returned to sanity. Lathander and Silvanus team up to lay the smackdown on Umberlee.
Am I the only one who finds it odd that the Sea of Fallen stars is dealt with, but the Abolethic Sovereignty is never mentioned? The 4 main villains of 4e were supposed to be Shade, Thay, the drow, and the Sovereignty.
Shade and Thay are dealt with at length in the Sundering. There's virtually no mention of the drow, but I suppose they are leaving that to RAS. The aboleths get no mention at all.
It's a shame, because RAS and Erin Evans did a fantastic job making the aboleths creepy, mysterious forces of evil. Now it seems they have been left out of the 4e wrapup. I can imagine that Xxiphu will be wiped out though, along with earthmotes and Shadovar enclaves, since 5e seems determined that structures should not fly. |
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Zireael
Master of Realmslore
Poland
1190 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 08:04:33
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quote:
Baldur's Gate computer games are cannon.
Is this explicitly spelled anywhere? Minsc was, after all, in the novelizations too. |
SiNafay Vrinn, the daughter of Lloth, from Ched Nasad!
http://zireael07.wordpress.com/ |
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Tarlyn
Learned Scribe
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 12:09:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Mapolq
What do you mean by the black hole on the map, Ordulin? What's in there now?
So, you caught another thing I forgot Mapolq. In the Godborn, Shar's mouth(I think it metaphorically her mouth) is closed in Ordulin. What I am referencing in the quote is the Underchasm. There are quite a few fixes that occurring during the sundering. The summary I posted just contains the items that stand out to me. I might have missed some of the other changes.
I have edited the summary to include the Underchasm and Ordulin events in there respective books. I will also add in Lathander returning. |
Tarlyn Embersun |
Edited by - Tarlyn on 12 May 2014 12:15:57 |
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Benjamin
Acolyte
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 17:25:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Tarlyn
*snipped*
The Reaver
-The Sea of Fallen Stars has returned to its normal size per 1st-3rd ed.
*snipped*
-Spellplague lands are vanishing
The Sentinel
*snipped*
-The giant black hole(Underchasm) in the map is filled again.
*snipped*
Somewhere in those books it is also revealed that the earthmotes are falling. I forget where that comes into play.
So, these are some major changes. Any logic to why the Sea of Fallen Stars is filling up again when more than a century of rivers pouring into it didn't have any effect? Just more rain doesn't stack up to me.
And how is the Underchasm filling in? A giant volcano? I can't imagine what the Underdark is going through if so. Any mention of the other giant sinkholes (Lands Mouth in Dragon Coast and Deep Maw in Anauroch)?
I really like earthmotes; what a shame to kill them off. Guess we will have to go back to mythall powered floating land masses. |
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hashimashadoo
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1150 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 18:12:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Zireael
quote:
Baldur's Gate computer games are cannon.
Is this explicitly spelled anywhere? Minsc was, after all, in the novelizations too.
Minsc's statue represents him as he appears in the games, not the novels; Viekang doesn't appear in the novels, just the games; one of the main NPCs in Murder in Baldur's Gate is Coran who also only appeared in the games; the layout of Baldur's Gate appears as close as it can to the way it did in the games without seriously messing with the maps in other published sources.
To be honest, there's nothing that expressly says that the games are canon, but the conflicts with the novels cast a lot of doubt on them. |
When life turns it's back on you...sneak attack for extra damage.
Head admin of the FR wiki:
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/ |
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Caolin
Senior Scribe
768 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 19:12:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Benjamin
quote:
Originally posted by Tarlyn
*snipped*
The Reaver
-The Sea of Fallen Stars has returned to its normal size per 1st-3rd ed.
*snipped*
-Spellplague lands are vanishing
The Sentinel
*snipped*
-The giant black hole(Underchasm) in the map is filled again.
*snipped*
Somewhere in those books it is also revealed that the earthmotes are falling. I forget where that comes into play.
So, these are some major changes. Any logic to why the Sea of Fallen Stars is filling up again when more than a century of rivers pouring into it didn't have any effect? Just more rain doesn't stack up to me.
And how is the Underchasm filling in? A giant volcano? I can't imagine what the Underdark is going through if so. Any mention of the other giant sinkholes (Lands Mouth in Dragon Coast and Deep Maw in Anauroch)?
I really like earthmotes; what a shame to kill them off. Guess we will have to go back to mythall powered floating land masses.
It's been raining for 6+ months straight and some events happens at the end of the Reaver. I recommend you read it if you want more details. But as for logic, you can't expect too much logic out of a fantasy setting. That's what makes it fantasy. Worlds are splitting and crazy shit is happening. |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6353 Posts |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 19:35:09
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It's tough to make a video game canon when there are many different outcomes of said game. I think we can agree that certain aspects of the game can and have been "canonized," such as Minsc's existence (and whatever the book says about him).
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe
Portugal
508 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 20:08:48
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Well, it's not impossible to make a game with multiple outcomes canon. Between BG1 and BG2, you basically found out which party of adventurers was the canon party (or at least the ones that were there at teh end). The creators just decide what is canon.
Same thing could be done with deciding which ending of Throne of Bhaal becomes canon. Though I am curious about how they went from ToB to the Murder in Baldur's Gate module. At the end of ToB, all the Bhaalspawn are supposed to be dead already.
I haven't read the BG novels yet, but I know that many (most?) people who played the games despise the novels for changing a lot of stuff. Still, I'm surprised that the games are what is canon and not the novels. |
Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage". |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 20:23:19
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| so spoil me, what was the thing said about the sun god's cynicalness( hey I cant afford books right now) |
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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Mirtek
Senior Scribe
595 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 20:36:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas
Though I am curious about how they went from ToB to the Murder in Baldur's Gate module. At the end of ToB, all the Bhaalspawn are supposed to be dead already.
Basically "surprise, suprise everyone! There was a bhaalspawn who had hidden himself all these years and finally decided it's time to finally settle the question between him and Abdel"
quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas
I haven't read the BG novels yet, but I know that many (most?) people who played the games despise the novels for changing a lot of stuff.
I sooo wish that changing the game stuff would be the only fault with these novels.
quote:
Originally posted by sfdragon
so spoil me, what was the thing said about the sun god's cynicalness( hey I cant afford books right now)
Basically whenever Lathander feels the world needs a force of stability he changes into Amaunator and whenever he feels the world needs a force of hope and renewal he changes into Lathander.
Not really a cycle, more him changing whenever he feels like (I am envisioning him with a ridiculous fake mustache he puts on and off ) |
Edited by - Mirtek on 12 May 2014 20:39:13 |
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Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2014 : 01:47:53
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Abandoning his followers over and over like that must make for some really pissed off believers at some point. Unless he keeps this fact hidden, but I figure over centuries a perceptive scholar can point out,"Hey these two sun gods keep changing during these events, so it's not only clear they are the same guy, they are also giving us abandonment issues quit often."
LOL
Well, then again, Amaunator had servants still and were still receiving spells even while Lathander was prominent, though the sect was small as compared to Lathander's. |
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Mapolq
Senior Scribe
Brazil
466 Posts |
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silverwolfer
Senior Scribe
789 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2014 : 01:36:00
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So shar is fighting devil lord, while lloth is making a play for the weave * again * after her failed demonweave attempt.
Want to know what I smell? One massive plot point that will yank the divine power from devil lord, lloth losing her greater status making the other drow god's goddesses a chance for doing stuff.
An while azuth comes back to power, all that spare magical knowledge bouncing around returns to shar, and the shadow weave comes back. |
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2014 : 03:39:38
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| ... I dont foresee the shadow weave coming back...... as it was a mistake in the first place..... |
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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Delandil Aenar
Acolyte
6 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2014 : 10:41:03
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| I didn't know about these changes, but I'm relieved by reading that Lathander is back! He was one of my favourite gods. But where all this stuff is happening? I suppose it's happening in the novels, but could someone give me some titles or some reference where to read what's going on in the Realms? (Maybe it's a very noob question, but be kind, it's my first post apart from the introductory one :D ) |
Neither a warrior nor a cleric could heal the wounds made by love |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3802 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2014 : 11:08:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Delandil Aenar
I didn't know about these changes, but I'm relieved by reading that Lathander is back! He was one of my favourite gods. But where all this stuff is happening? I suppose it's happening in the novels, but could someone give me some titles or some reference where to read what's going on in the Realms? (Maybe it's a very noob question, but be kind, it's my first post apart from the introductory one :D )
Yes, those changes are described in The Sundering novels. They are six books set during this massive transition event (their titles are listed in Tarlyn's first post). Five of them have already been published, the last in the series -The Herald- is coming out early June. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
Edited by - Irennan on 23 May 2014 11:09:07 |
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Regcod
Acolyte
Italy
28 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2014 : 12:04:16
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| Any news about Eilistraee and her followers? |
"Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet." |
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Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3802 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2014 : 13:00:10
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| Nope, but Vhaearun appears to have a chosen in 'The Adversary' (even tho -AFAIK- it isn't explicilty declared in the book, the author clarified that) and if he's still around, Eilistraee could be too, given how closely the two of them are related (or at least it is my hope). |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
Edited by - Irennan on 23 May 2014 13:04:07 |
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Regcod
Acolyte
Italy
28 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2014 : 15:21:40
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Sorry but the event of 'The Sundering' in which year happen???
the 4th edition begin with 1479 DR and the 5th??? |
"Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet." |
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Tarlyn
Learned Scribe
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2014 : 13:30:42
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| The Sundering takes place during the 1480s. The Companions ,book one of the Sundering series, takes place from 1462-1484. The actual Sundering events don't occur until much later in the book. From various Gencon discussions it sounds like the Sundering will end in the late 1480s. So, it takes place over a 6-10 year period. |
Tarlyn Embersun |
Edited by - Tarlyn on 24 May 2014 13:32:25 |
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Kilvain
Acolyte
6 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2014 : 09:55:08
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In regard to Murder in Baldur's Gate my take on it is that while they did make use of some of the game's characters (Viekang, Coran, Minsc) there is a brief section which seems to nullify the events at the end of the final installment of the game series.
From the Murder in Baldur's Gate Campaign Guide:
quote:
Few know of Bhaal's plan in these events. Among those who do, many believe that the plot collapsed forever when Adrian slew Bhaal's last high priestess and denied acceptance of the accumulated power of Bhaal, instead choosing for himself a mortal life. Those who believe that fable are fools.
The Lord of Murder is in darkness, but he waits only for two victims - the last victims - to reclaim his throne of blood.
It's kind of amusing in a way that they used Viekang, a character seen only in the game, as a plot device to bring the conclusion of the Bhaalspawn saga into the modern Realms while at the same time declaring the events of the game mere fable. Of course, the game had two potential outcomes so if one of them had to be fable I guess it's not a stretch to assume both are fable.
Coran's inclusion in Murder in Baldur's Gate makes sense in that he's one of the few characters with a life long enough to still be around and have a direct connection to the city. I'm not sure about the statue of Minsc and Boo though. I guess being one of the more popular characters from the game is reason enough to write him in. If they were going to use him though they could have at least written the description properly. It's not "giant pygmy space hamster" it's miniature giant space hamster! The outrage. :) |
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings: Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair! |
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Lilianviaten
Senior Scribe
489 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2014 : 15:53:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Kilvain
In regard to Murder in Baldur's Gate my take on it is that while they did make use of some of the game's characters (Viekang, Coran, Minsc) there is a brief section which seems to nullify the events at the end of the final installment of the game series.
From the Murder in Baldur's Gate Campaign Guide:
quote:
Few know of Bhaal's plan in these events. Among those who do, many believe that the plot collapsed forever when Adrian slew Bhaal's last high priestess and denied acceptance of the accumulated power of Bhaal, instead choosing for himself a mortal life. Those who believe that fable are fools.
The Lord of Murder is in darkness, but he waits only for two victims - the last victims - to reclaim his throne of blood.
It's kind of amusing in a way that they used Viekang, a character seen only in the game, as a plot device to bring the conclusion of the Bhaalspawn saga into the modern Realms while at the same time declaring the events of the game mere fable. Of course, the game had two potential outcomes so if one of them had to be fable I guess it's not a stretch to assume both are fable.
Coran's inclusion in Murder in Baldur's Gate makes sense in that he's one of the few characters with a life long enough to still be around and have a direct connection to the city. I'm not sure about the statue of Minsc and Boo though. I guess being one of the more popular characters from the game is reason enough to write him in. If they were going to use him though they could have at least written the description properly. It's not "giant pygmy space hamster" it's miniature giant space hamster! The outrage. :)
Given that Bhaal has been dead for so long, I don't know how they can bring him back and make him powerful right away. He was only an Intermediate Deity before, and I can't imagine that people will flock back to him in droves.
It would make more sense if Cyric is killed off somehow, leaving the millions of Cyricists looking elsewhere for a god who is equally evil, deranged, and bloodthirsty.
Actually, Bane and Bhaal should team up to kill Cyric. Bane has hated Cyric for a long time, and I'm sure he would rather have a former ally like Bhaal holding 1 or 2 of Cyric's portfolios. |
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe
595 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2014 : 16:35:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Lilianviaten
Given that Bhaal has been dead for so long, I don't know how they can bring him back and make him powerful right away.
They can't. Just like they couldn't with Bane. That's why Bane isn't back either.
It's all a ploy by Cyric. The lord of murder has killed Xvim and as also lord of lies, deception, illusion, and intrigue tricked everybody into believing it was the reborn Bane who did it.
Now he's using a return of Bhaal scam to gain even more worshippers |
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Zireael
Master of Realmslore
Poland
1190 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2014 : 20:09:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Kilvain
In regard to Murder in Baldur's Gate my take on it is that while they did make use of some of the game's characters (Viekang, Coran, Minsc) there is a brief section which seems to nullify the events at the end of the final installment of the game series.
From the Murder in Baldur's Gate Campaign Guide:
quote:
Few know of Bhaal's plan in these events. Among those who do, many believe that the plot collapsed forever when Adrian slew Bhaal's last high priestess and denied acceptance of the accumulated power of Bhaal, instead choosing for himself a mortal life. Those who believe that fable are fools.
The Lord of Murder is in darkness, but he waits only for two victims - the last victims - to reclaim his throne of blood.
It's kind of amusing in a way that they used Viekang, a character seen only in the game, as a plot device to bring the conclusion of the Bhaalspawn saga into the modern Realms while at the same time declaring the events of the game mere fable. Of course, the game had two potential outcomes so if one of them had to be fable I guess it's not a stretch to assume both are fable.
Coran's inclusion in Murder in Baldur's Gate makes sense in that he's one of the few characters with a life long enough to still be around and have a direct connection to the city. I'm not sure about the statue of Minsc and Boo though. I guess being one of the more popular characters from the game is reason enough to write him in. If they were going to use him though they could have at least written the description properly. It's not "giant pygmy space hamster" it's miniature giant space hamster! The outrage. :)
I didn't know about Viekang, more power to the authors of Murder. |
SiNafay Vrinn, the daughter of Lloth, from Ched Nasad!
http://zireael07.wordpress.com/ |
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Realms Update
