D&D 5E 5E Forgotten Realms: what will it look like?

[Grumpy RPG Reviews]

I agree that SW: RPG eras are a good example of how to handle a long timeline and cater to a wide array of preferences.
The question becomes location specific or era specific?

I hate 4E F.R.

That said, I agree with the SW model, but why can't it be both era's a locations? One location at a time it was Really Interesting, then another location when it was Really Interesting and so forth. This would include enough info to run the location at different times. So, Waterdeep and the Dalelands during the Time of Troubles, the Empire of the Shades when they come back (after the TT) and so forth.

 

[Hassassin]

Knowing the future timeline is required for my game. But when it's in the setting book the catch is: so do the players. That may be your thing, but it has spawned any number of canon lawyers in the past. FR has been notorious for this.

And if they buy and read an adventure you are running, they know what happens...

I think the campaign setting should be broken into FRCS and PGtFR like it eventually was in 3e. Only, do it like that from the start.

 

[Zireael]

Whatever happens for 5E, it does seem they have some "big" Realms-sweeping events in mind for upcoming novels:

Will they be like Realms-Shatttering Events of the past? Good or bad for the Realms? Thoughts? Opinions?

Spinner of Lies novel, due Apr 2012

"a sequel to Sword of the Gods, and is also tied to the Rise of the Underdark, an event that will have bold, sweeping ramifications across (and under) the Forgotten Realms."
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Demon Weave novel, due Sept 2012

"A 'prophet' moves among the drow. A fallen priest, a scoundrel, a seductress, and if history is any guide, an avatar of Lolth herself. There are whispers to the leaders of the great drow Houses, communicating Lolth's desire: The Spider Queen will spin a new Weave and take Mystra's vacant seat as god of magic.

To engender Lolth's apotheosis into the goddess of arcane magic, the drow must gather ancient power: primordial relics, remains of great wizards, artifacts once sacred to Mystra (the dead goddess of magic), and gain control of magical locations on the world's surface.

Drow society is strained to the breaking point by this revelation. The female-dominated priesthood doesn't care to hear her message, a message that would dilute their own importance and raise male wizards as equals, or worse. They invent reasons to doubt the provenance of the message. Many reject her and her message, and try to banish proponents as frauds and heretics.

But wizards among the drow, and the priestesses of wizard-friendly Houses (including House Barrison Del'Armgo the Second House of Menzoberranzan, and House Xolorrin the Third House of Menzoberranzan, among others) set about carrying out Lolth's plan. They desire to lay the foundation for a new Weave . . . and bring about the everlasting darkness that will cover the world above. "


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Eeh. What??? Lloth the deity of the arcane? But the rest I'd like to see.

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The easiest way WotC can serve all eras and obey the Hasbro PDF leads to piracyomgbbq is to add Out-of-Print titles up to a DDI style service.

No, no no. DDI is only for the wealthy or for those who live in US. All the rest of the people have no access to it. Give access to those to all, price the articles themselves and not the DDI itself, and we'll be good.

 

[Herschel]

The timeline is established. I would love to the next iteration of the Realms to be of all eras.

Keep your eyes peeled.

From what's been said and read this seems to be the idea so you can run your game when Mystra was Mystra, Midnight was Mystra or Mystra was a Celestial Grease Spot.

 

[Herschel]

No, no no. DDI is only for the wealthy or for those who live in US.

What? How is DDi only available to those in the US?

As for "the wealthy" , well TBSS. The whole idea of a business is to have you pay for their stuff.

 

[Hassassin]

From what's been said and read this seems to be the idea so you can run your game when Mystra was Mystra, Midnight was Mystra or Mystra was a Celestial Grease Spot.

Still no love for Mystryl?

 

[Henry]

Plus, isn't Rodney Thompson on the Development team for 5E? If there's anyone who knows about making things exciting in multiple eras of play, it's him.

 

[Sammael]

What I want:

1. Declare Spellplague and post-Spellplague Realms to be an alternative timeline, perhaps as a sample of the way a DM can advance the story.

2. Print the section described under (1) on perforated paper.

3. You all know where I'm going with this, don't you?

The very best thing they can do for 5e Realms is to reset it back to the OGB. The second best thing would be to throw huge amounts of money at Eric L. Boyd and allow him to hand-pick a team of writers and do whatever he wants with the setting.

Oh, and make all future novels take place in the past, where they can't affect ongoing games. Use the novels to detail Realms' history, not drive the story onward.

 

[Herschel]

You do realize that would be 17 kinds of business unwise, right? Setting up a timeline where people can play at any point of the timeline is the way to go so fans of all eras can play in the Realms as they want.

 

[Zireael]

What? How is DDi only available to those in the US?

As for "the wealthy" , well TBSS. The whole idea of a business is to have you pay for their stuff.

$10 a month isn't little for folks in other countries.

But $10 could be a reasonable price for a 'module' of 5e.