D&D 5E (2024) Atlas of Faerun (with some pictures from the internet)

[Plaguescarred]

Ed's original map went all the way to Semphar and the southern most coast of Faerun.

Was this dating from before Ed sold FR to TSR?

PS It has a vibe reminding me of The FORGOTTEN REALMS Atlas sourcebook!

 

[Parmandur]

Was this dating from before Ed sold FR to TSR?

PS It has a vibe reminding me of The FORGOTTEN REALMS Atlas sourcebook!

Yup, he already had a massive, massive map worked out...too big to fit in the Grey Box!

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

Yup, he already had a massive, massive map worked out...too big to fit in the Grey Box!

I wish I could see what was under that white cutout where Vaasa and Damara were shoved into the setting.

 

[Parmandur]

I wish I could see what was under that white cutout where Vaasa and Damara were shoved into the setting.

It was just glacier.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

It was just glacier.

I know. I want to see the before still.

 

[pukunui]

I know. I want to see the before still.

I'd like to know more about the islands that were replaced by the Moonshaes. My understanding is that they were completely different. Douglas Niles had originally envisioned the Moonshaes as their own setting, but TSR shoehorned them into the FR like they did with so many other settings.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I'd like to know more about the islands that were replaced by the Moonshaes. My understanding is that they were completely different. Douglas Niles had originally envisioned the Moonshaes as their own setting, but TSR shoehorned them into the FR like they did with so many other settings.

Them too! You can also see a white cutout over the sea placing the Moonshaes. Just a peek!

 

[Parmandur]

I'd like to know more about the islands that were replaced by the Moonshaes. My understanding is that they were completely different. Douglas Niles had originally envisioned the Moonshaes as their own setting, but TSR shoehorned them into the FR like they did with so many other settings.

My understanding is that it was a sort of Earthsea pastiche.

Apparently what became the Moonshaes were the novel parts of a TSR UK project that was going to be the UK version of Dragonlance...but they shut down TSR UK, with the completed novels on hand and the Forgotten Realms coming down the pipeline.

 

[pukunui]

Them too! You can also see a white cutout over the sea placing the Moonshaes. Just a peek!

Here we go! A quick Google search revealed this Reddit thread, which explains that:

Ed’s original Moonshaes were akin to Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea setting (and somewhat like the real-world Hebride islands off the coast of Scotland): hundreds of little islands composed of long-extinct volcanic peaks that rise up out of the sea abruptly, and are inhabited by fisherfolk (with a few larger islands that have forests, farms, etc.). There’s nothing much above the rural village culture on most islands, though the larger ones are ruled by self-styled 'lords'. Ed’s Moonshae Isles occupy the same space as TSR's (Doug Niles's) Moonshaes, arcing from a 'wide spray' at the Sword Coast or eastward extent, curving and narrowing southwest and curving to south...in other words, a large area of 'perilous sea' with awash rocks, reefs, etc. and safe channels that only the locals know.

And here's a picture!

My understanding is that it was a sort of Earthsea pastiche.

Indeed! A bit more like the Purple Rocks further to the north, except perhaps without the Lovecraftian elements.

 

[Demetrios1453]

I'm more curious about Mulhorand and Unther. Apparently they weren't fantasy Egypt and fantasy Mesopotamia in Ed's original version. I mean, I like them being fantasy Egypt and Mesopotamia (I once had a whole campaign set in the region), but I do wonder what they were like before...