Author |
Topic |
Entromancer
Senior Scribe
USA
388 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2012 : 23:16:27
|
Tops is Aoth Fezim. I love his attention to detail and his type of spellcraft. As far as antagonists go, Jarlaxle Baenre is in first place. Ever since The Silent Blade I wondered what he was about, establishing a surface outpost for Bregan D'aerthe. The events of The Pirate King are what led me to see him as an antagonist. TChazzar is second. He was insane and completely unpredictable. |
"...the will is everything. The will to act."--Ra's Al Ghul
"Suffering builds character."--Talia Al Ghul |
|
|
Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2012 : 23:32:01
|
quote: Originally posted by Dalor Darden
My favorite character on the list is Elminster, I just like old witty wizards...
My favorite character of the Forgotten Realms though would have to be Manshoon...again a wizard.
However, I don't like the fate given to him by WotC; and prefer the immensely intelligent and gifted Manshoon who is the leader of the Zhentarim as of the Grey Box...someone who is a true criminal and magical mastermind. Always a step ahead of his competition and rarely if ever caught off guard by the plots of others.
Its funny how things change...five years ago Artemis was my favorite; now he isn't even on my list.
I just liked him better as an "evil git" as someone else put it. Making him "shade-like" also wasn't something I liked; though it was a decent idea (which I liked better also at one point).
Maybe I have split-personality? |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2012 : 03:47:54
|
quote: Originally posted by Dalor Darden
quote: Originally posted by Dalor Darden
My favorite character on the list is Elminster, I just like old witty wizards...
My favorite character of the Forgotten Realms though would have to be Manshoon...again a wizard.
However, I don't like the fate given to him by WotC; and prefer the immensely intelligent and gifted Manshoon who is the leader of the Zhentarim as of the Grey Box...someone who is a true criminal and magical mastermind. Always a step ahead of his competition and rarely if ever caught off guard by the plots of others.
Its funny how things change...five years ago Artemis was my favorite; now he isn't even on my list.
I just liked him better as an "evil git" as someone else put it. Making him "shade-like" also wasn't something I liked; though it was a decent idea (which I liked better also at one point).
Maybe I have split-personality?
People change, more often than they'd like to admit.
I used to hate the color grey. Now, 40% of my clothes are of that color. |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3736 Posts |
|
Alruane
Senior Scribe
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2013 : 09:07:53
|
I will ALWAYS choose Elminster Aumar, he is my favorite character from FR by far. |
" I wonder if you are destined to be forgotten. Will your life fade in the shadow of greater beings?" ~Joneleth Irenicus
"Wisdom? My dear boy, wisdom is knowing that you do not know everything. Wisdom is realizing, a wise man ALWAYS has questions. Not answers."
~Alruane |
|
|
Kyrel
Learned Scribe
151 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2013 : 16:05:59
|
Of the listed characters, I think I'll have to pick Jarlaxle simply on account of the sheer style. I am, however, also really fond of The Serpent and Elminister, and I also have a weak spot for Artemis Entreri tbh. Drizzt is fun enough, and I love the philosophical parts of the different Drizzt books, but at the end I prefer my characters to operate in a greyer area of the moral spectrum, for which reason I liked the way Drizzt's moral compass was challenged in the last trilogy, and I had so hoped that the character would be taken towards a "darker" place with new companions and a much less clear cut moral compass. |
|
|
The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
1842 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2013 : 15:57:05
|
The Blackstaff...just because he's the Chosen I most closely identify with (and because I think he's also Dr. Strange lol). |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
|
|
Caladan Brood
Senior Scribe
Norway
410 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2015 : 18:49:12
|
My favorite is Minsc/Boo (they count as one!). I haven't read many novels (yet), but so far I have to be honest and say I haven't met a great character yet, which is strange considering how thoroughly vast the potential for great characters and stories is. What have I read..let's see: 'The Companions' (stopped at 50%, I couldn't take it anymore); 'Red Magic' (I managed to finish it but it required willpower), 'Realms of Valor' (some okay, some terrible), 'Once Around the Realms' (really?), the Avatar trilogy (my eyes still bleed). Currently reading 'Azure Bonds' as I decided to get cracking on that lengthy list of FR novels somewhat chronologically (I know there are earlier stories but '..Bonds' is what I have right now to read.
In the many sourcebooks there are many fun or intriguing characters, though. I like Elminster, I like his scribe (until I realized he's a robot or something?! anyone care to explain?) and I like Elminster and Volo as a duo through their footnotes in the Volo-guides..
..right! My vote goes to Volo :) |
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2015 : 20:04:10
|
No one picked Regis? |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2015 : 20:16:28
|
quote: Originally posted by Caladan Brood
I like Elminster, I like his scribe (until I realized he's a robot or something?! anyone care to explain?) and I like Elminster and Volo as a duo through their footnotes in the Volo-guides..
Not sure how you came to the robot conclusion... He's actually a Tethyrian prince in hiding. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
Caladan Brood
Senior Scribe
Norway
410 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2015 : 20:24:19
|
Lol! Well, Tethyrian prince in hiding *is* better than robot, I have no idea why I thought that. "Tethyrian prince" is trite, perhaps, but, yes, better ^^ |
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2015 : 20:58:09
|
quote: Originally posted by Caladan Brood
Lol! Well, Tethyrian prince in hiding *is* better than robot, I have no idea why I thought that. "Tethyrian prince" is trite, perhaps, but, yes, better ^^
Keep in mind that at that point in the timeline, almost all of the the Tethyrian royalty and nobility had been slain during the Ten Black Days of Eleint. The country was in chaos for decades. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2015 : 00:34:25
|
quote: Originally posted by Caladan Brood
My favorite is Minsc/Boo (they count as one!). I haven't read many novels (yet), but so far I have to be honest and say I haven't met a great character yet, which is strange considering how thoroughly vast the potential for great characters and stories is. What have I read..let's see: 'The Companions' (stopped at 50%, I couldn't take it anymore); 'Red Magic' (I managed to finish it but it required willpower), 'Realms of Valor' (some okay, some terrible), 'Once Around the Realms' (really?), the Avatar trilogy (my eyes still bleed). Currently reading 'Azure Bonds' as I decided to get cracking on that lengthy list of FR novels somewhat chronologically (I know there are earlier stories but '..Bonds' is what I have right now to read.
In the many sourcebooks there are many fun or intriguing characters, though. I like Elminster, I like his scribe (until I realized he's a robot or something?! anyone care to explain?) and I like Elminster and Volo as a duo through their footnotes in the Volo-guides..
..right! My vote goes to Volo :)
I'm curious as to how you arrived at the robot assumption for poor Llhaeo? |
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 |
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2015 : 03:15:32
|
quote: Originally posted by The Sage
quote: Originally posted by Caladan Brood
My favorite is Minsc/Boo (they count as one!). I haven't read many novels (yet), but so far I have to be honest and say I haven't met a great character yet, which is strange considering how thoroughly vast the potential for great characters and stories is. What have I read..let's see: 'The Companions' (stopped at 50%, I couldn't take it anymore); 'Red Magic' (I managed to finish it but it required willpower), 'Realms of Valor' (some okay, some terrible), 'Once Around the Realms' (really?), the Avatar trilogy (my eyes still bleed). Currently reading 'Azure Bonds' as I decided to get cracking on that lengthy list of FR novels somewhat chronologically (I know there are earlier stories but '..Bonds' is what I have right now to read.
In the many sourcebooks there are many fun or intriguing characters, though. I like Elminster, I like his scribe (until I realized he's a robot or something?! anyone care to explain?) and I like Elminster and Volo as a duo through their footnotes in the Volo-guides..
..right! My vote goes to Volo :)
I'm curious as to how you arrived at the robot assumption for poor Llhaeo?
Too much Evermead perhaps? |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
|
|
Caladan Brood
Senior Scribe
Norway
410 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2015 : 08:23:25
|
Too much Evermead, or something I read but completely misunderstood..because of Evermead, probably. So yeah. Elvermead :) |
|
|
sno4wy
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2015 : 16:00:39
|
I'm more of a fan of Artemis Entreri than is perhaps healthy to be... >_> |
|
|
CorellonsDevout
Great Reader
USA
2708 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2015 : 16:18:11
|
That's a hard one. I'm also a fan of characters that weren't listed, but I voted for Jarlaxle |
Sweet water and light laughter |
|
|
GRYPHON
Senior Scribe
USA
527 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2015 : 18:43:24
|
Any of the Seven Sisters... |
|
|
Scimitars of Drizzt
Seeker
Canada
77 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2015 : 17:24:08
|
I didn't read every response to this thread, but I would imagine that I'm the first person to say Morik the Rogue!
Morik! |
"Surrender now, or we will slay you!" the leader of the creatures called, a bit louder and more forcefully. "A moment, please, my friend," Zasian said, motioning to the dwarf for patience. "We are discussing your terms."
"Ye heading off with Invo . . . Inno . . . that durned elf?" |
|
|
Veritas
Learned Scribe
209 Posts |
Posted - 03 Aug 2015 : 00:02:06
|
The man, the hero, Giogi Wyvernspur. |
|
|
charger_ss24
Learned Scribe
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2015 : 02:12:28
|
I became a big fan of Drasek Riven. He's one bad dude, but I love his soft spot for his "girls". |
|
|
Irennan
Great Reader
Italy
3802 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2015 : 02:15:34
|
If we include deities, my fave has to be Eilistraee. Otherwise, my vote goes to Liriel. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
|
|
Drustan Dwnhaedan
Learned Scribe
USA
324 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2015 : 23:11:47
|
I like too many characters to choose... |
|
|
RK
Acolyte
8 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2015 : 06:55:24
|
Really liking the new version of Regis. |
Want to learn how to make $50,000 in the first month? Me too. |
|
|
Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1265 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2015 : 14:24:11
|
quote: Originally posted by Veritas
The man, the hero, Giogi Wyvernspur.
<3 I love the love for Giogi. |
|
|
eeorey
Seeker
Bulgaria
96 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2015 : 17:23:04
|
quote: Originally posted by Drustan Dwnhaedan
I like too many characters to choose...
Same for me.
Also what's with so many people liking Elaith, I couldn't stand the guy, I hated him so much. When Elain Cunningham post the first chapter of her canceled book in which he died I felt so good. I know I'm talking about a fictional character but damn he always got on my nerves. To me he's right there with Joffrey, Ramsay Bolton (the one from the books), Professor Umbridge, Commissar Beige, pretty much any eldar from a 40k novel, pretty much any elf from a Dgragonlance novel and Jar-Jar. |
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2015 : 22:00:28
|
quote: Originally posted by eeorey
quote: Originally posted by Drustan Dwnhaedan
I like too many characters to choose...
Same for me.
Also what's with so many people liking Elaith, I couldn't stand the guy, I hated him so much. When Elain Cunningham post the first chapter of her canceled book in which he died I felt so good. I know I'm talking about a fictional character but damn he always got on my nerves. To me he's right there with Joffrey, Ramsay Bolton (the one from the books), Professor Umbridge, Commissar Beige, pretty much any eldar from a 40k novel, pretty much any elf from a Dgragonlance novel and Jar-Jar.
I think that's a highly unfair comparison. Joffrey was a pathetic, spoiled brat. Bolton appears to have some serious psychological issues and should likely be in a secure facility. And Professor Umbridge was sanctimonious to the point of maliciousness -- she was practically a cariacature of those people that equate authority with morality and superiority.
Elaith, on the other hand, was never so simple as any of those people. He wasn't a brat, he wasn't crazy, and he didn't act like he was better than anyone around him -- instead, he lacked the ability to find his own way and simply followed whatever course someone else laid out for him. He was determined to be the best at his chosen path; his weakness lay in finding the path for himself.
And unlike Joffrey, Bolton, or Umbridge (I'm unfamiliar with the rest), Elaith goes through a lot of personal growth through the series, realizing he could in fact determine his own path and then working to follow it.
Elaith is interesting because he's not just a simple, one-note character. He's evil, yes, but you can understand and sympathize with him a lot better than you can with a spoiled brat or a smug caricature of twisted authority. He grows as a character, and even enters into that odd position of redemption without reformation.
For my money, there's no more intriguing a villain to be found in the Realms, and precious few as interesting anywhere else. A villain that you can understand and sympathize with is far more interesting than Random Bad Guy #17, no matter how powerful the latter is. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
eeorey
Seeker
Bulgaria
96 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2015 : 16:46:32
|
Wooly I get where you are coming from, but I just don't see it like that. First I compared him with those other characters not because of what i believe they have in common but because they all irritated me on a shared level (that is "greatly irritated me"). And I personally don't find him as complex at all, he was definitely acting like he was better than everyone around him, he was both arrogant and condescending particularly to humans and dwarfs but also other elves (at least I found him to be such), and to me it seemed that he was simply projecting his own failures on the people around him to feel better about himself (something usually associated with the more "simple" rather than complex people). I don't even see his supposed "fall from grace" as such if the moon-blade has rejected him doesn't that mean that he was basically always an undeserving of it individual? Yes he is intelligent and cunning but then again he is hardly the only one. The part where he is party to/controls so much illegal business (it was mention in both the novels and this forum that it went as far as slavery) and is never confronted about that fact even though he is constantly in contact with so many good aligned characters is mind-blowing to me. And in all the stuff I read he never came up with anything TRULY masterful, he was cunning and managed to turn some tables yes, but he was never a true mastermind of a villain. From where I'm looking at things he is hardly the most complex villain in the Realms. He is a criminal leader who doesn't really have an interesting agenda, he is just someone who has found a way to smooch off of the city he lives in and has taken control of others who aren't able to do it as well as him, exactly like a criminal leader/prince/king-pin (I'm struggling to find a title that fits) and he keeps on doing that because that's pretty much what he is good at. |
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 22 Sep 2015 : 18:08:00
|
How many of the Songs & Swords books have you read? Because if you've not read all of the books, you've not gotten the full picture. Elaith really grows across the span of those books. He remains ruthless and continues to lean towards evil, but there is a whole lot more to him than just being a successful crime lord. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
Topic |
|