another WotC article: How to add (X) to Forgotten Realms

[Kae'Yoss]

Remember, as has been said many times, WOTC writes its material for middle-of-the-bell-curve DMs, not master DMs.

And it's well they do. What does a master DM need this for?

 

[Faraer]

Plus, unless I'm mistaken, the connections to earth were Ed's own idea. He named the Forgotten Realms thus because they're supposed to be realms forgotten by us earthlings - there used to be countless portals and people would often travel between the two, but that's a thing of the past.

But not large-scale emigration in either direction; that was a later rationalization of some of the Earth analogues that TSR appended to the Realms for purely marketing reasons. My point is that no one should believe Henry's glib mischaracterization of the Realms based on additions blatantly careless of and outside its own design principles.

I think the general negligence of Toril's other continents is due to the course that was set during 2e, when the number of campaign settings was narrowed down. Since many of those continents were almost like different campaign settings, they were given the also ran treatment when they concentrated on the core of the Forgotten Realms - Faerûn.

Yes, as Rich Baker has explained more than once on the Wizards and Candlekeep boards (like not a few other things that are speculated about on this forum, like the melodramatic 'Realms are dead' rumours).

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

While it's true that Kara-Tur and Zakhara and Maztica are different enough to be different settings, I think it's still possible to do a single hardcover that captures all of them and does so from the perspective of Faerunian travelers/colonists/traders.

And lordy, it'd be nice to see tasked genies again. I miss those guys.

 

[Dragonhelm]

While it's true that Kara-Tur and Zakhara and Maztica are different enough to be different settings, I think it's still possible to do a single hardcover that captures all of them and does so from the perspective of Faerunian travelers/colonists/traders.

It'd be the size of Ptolus!

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It'd be the size of Ptolus!

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Actually, given how quickly Kara-Tur was detailed in the original OA, I bet all three settings could be worked out OK.