3.5 update of the FR campaign book?

[JPL]

But then, please, DO NOT PUT ELMINSTER OR DRIZZT IN THAT LIST. Even if Elminster can be considered part of what makes the Realms the Realms, he isn't among the most important things.

If they were to do a FRCS 3.5. (unlikely hypothesis, though), I'd like also them to not provide full stat block for NPCs. This is a web-enhancement's job. Beside, their stat blocks were bogus. Just give name, alignment, race, sex, class(es) level(s), that's all.

Well, I certainly wouldn't want it to just say #1. Drizzt! #2 Elminster! #3....

However, it's arguable that "Distinctive and powerful NPCs" is a hallmark of the Realms. Used properly --- as supporting cast for the players, or off-screen movers-and-shakers --- they are a good thing.

Since high-level NPCs has acquired such a negative connotation over the years [although I suspect that good GMs have always understood, without having it explained to them, that the PCs are always the heroes of the campaign, no matter how many epic-level paladins are out there], maybe it's something better to downplay.

I'd be cool with seeing a Hero's Lorebook with all the NPC stats --- heroes, villains, and everyone in between --- and keep them out of the corebook.

 

[Darkness]

I'd like also them to not provide full stat block for NPCs. This is a web-enhancement's job. Beside, their stat blocks were bogus. Just give name, alignment, race, sex, class(es) level(s), that's all.

Yeah, the stat blocks of the old "favorites" weren't particularly impressive or useful. El and Drizzt, at least, are a lot weaker than characters of a level quite a bit below theirs.

I suppose Drizzt's stats still helped sell the book to some of his fans, though.