Some people in Canada have recieved the 4E FRCG early!

[Derren]

And this isnt? Primordials were hiding on a split continent and Asmodeus turns up out of no where and becomes a greater god?

Come on.....I'm not saying the time of troubles was bad, but this is even worse.

As I understood it, Abeir wasn't just a "split continent" but a other dimension of Toril.
Remember that story about two woman arguing about a child and king David proposing to cut the child in half so that everyone got a part? Ao did exactly that. When the Gods and Primordials fought about creation Ao split it into two and each got a half.

And Asmodeus became a god because he killed Azuth. When Mystra was killed Azuth was thrown into the Astral Sea and so where the entire 9 Hells as the planes reformed. Asmodeus used his chance, killed a weakened god and ascended himself.

 

[Mean Eyed Cat]

I suspect Al-Qadim and some oriental adventures setting will appear later. Al-Qadim was too well designed not to reuse. I suspect it would be surprisingly easy to reintroduce in 4e (just need to create an elemental wizard class and a sha'ir class for the setting). Personally, I thought Rokugan was better designed than Kara-Tur ever was but Rokugan isn't WotC's property.

Tzarevitch

I just got the book in the mail. Actually, Kara-Tur is mentioned a few times. In one section of the book, it says that Kara-Tur was affected as much by the Spellplage as Faerun. My theory is that (hopefully) when the OA book comes out, they'll use Kara-Tur. However, like the new Faerun, they'll alter it quite a bit so that it dosen't resemble analogous real-world cultures as much. Again, that's just my thoughts.

 

[Arnwyn]

Yes, I found it most convenient that they finally did something with the Abeir part of the Abeir-Toril name for the first time in history.

I'm not sure what you mean by "finally did something with". It was just a name (until WotC changed entirely changed just a couple of months ago).

"Convenience" has nothing to do with anything.

 

[Mean Eyed Cat]

[/LIST]
And all the Halflings (please say yes)?

Actually some Halflings survived (as well as part of Lurien) in a forested area near the coast (Llurwood I think - I don't have my book with me). Now they have formed a seafaring/jungle society. This kinda plays into 4th editions take on the "river gypsy" aspect of halflings.

 

[Mean Eyed Cat]

I heard Maztica has been completely obliterated, not that I care particularly, but they better not have messed with Al-Qadim (Zakhara)!

Maztica was "replaced" with Returned Abeir. This new continent is about an 1/8 the size of Faerun. It is in the shape of an upsidedown "U." So far its a pretty interesting place and has the whole "points of light" vibe to it. Once ruled by dragons, now humans, dragonborn, dwarves, giants, orcs and goblins are spread out all over it. Again, no real world analogies -- a common complaint with Maztica.

 

[Derren]

Update:

• Menzoberranzan still exists.
• The Spellplague created "Plaguecaves" in the Underdark
• The Great Rift tore open exposing even greater depths called "Underchasm"
• The Sea of Fallen Stars, Shining Sea, and Great Sea flow into theis Underchasm.
• Earthmotes hover over this chasm, some containing tunnels originally from the Underdark an inhabited by Underdark creatures.
• The Witches of Rashemen still exists.
• Rashemen was not affected much by the Spellplague, except that it is now home of even more fey.
• During the Thay civil war the witches eliminated the Durthans.

Mean Eyed Cat, I also add your information to my big 4E FR list
http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?p=4425086#post4425086

Maybe I will later sort this information...

 

[The Little Raven]

I'm not sure what you mean by "finally did something with". It was just a name (until WotC changed entirely changed just a couple of months ago).

It was just a name used at the beginning, but many books afterward usually referred to the world as "Toril" without the Abeir part (which was only added to put it first in world lists). It's nice that instead of just ignoring it, they actually did something with it.

 

[Mean Eyed Cat]

[*]Dambrath still exists.

It does, but the Crinti (half-drow) are gone. Apparently their human underlings rose up and chased them off. They fled back underground to their long lost drow relatives who "welcomed" them with open arms and sharp daggers. Alas, I know a few fanboys who are shedding some tears over the demise of the Crinti

 

[carmachu]

I like some of the ideas for FR....but its like Starship troopers. It was a decent movie, but it would have been better if it didnt take on the name and legacy of starship troopers.

FR recon feels that same way. It eb a great place....if it didnt have a legacy.

 

[Mean Eyed Cat]

Mean Eyed Cat, I also add your information to my big 4E FR list
http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?p=4425086#post4425086

Maybe I will later sort this information...

Thanks! I should probably post stuff over there...