D&D 4E Chris Perkins on Forgotten Realms 4e

[Banshee16]

Good blog entry, that. One key thing that interests me:



I would be very interested to know just how far the timeline is being advanced. Is it the 10 years of the "Grand History of the Realms", the 100 years of "The Orc King"'s introduction, or somewhere in between? Obviously, this will make a significant difference to the shape of the new Realms - if they're moving forward a century then that immediately kills off (almost) all the named humans, half-elves, halflings and orcs. If it's only a decade, then most of them will still be around in some form.

A fresh start 100 years in the future *could* be cool. One of the things I like about Raymond Feist's Riftworld is how it's a multi-generational story. They'll do a few novels, then you're reading about the children or grandchildren of the previous heroes. It allows them to get a fresh start, yet "keep it in the family" at the same time.

I haven't followed the last 2 Drizzt novels, but the last one I remember, he was having a romance with Cattie-Brie. Does that mean that in the new setting maybe there are a few half-drow children from that romance? That type of thing.

Banshee

 

[Banshee16]

ahem:


I stand by my characterization. If anything, I was charitable.

That quote's actually fairly funny. To me at least, it's pretty obvious *sarcasm*.

Someone else pointed out that it's no more correct to belittle someone's feelings about the matter. I think that's true as well.

Some people definitely react with a certain "intensity" that I don't understand. I can understand *why* they're upset, if they've been fans for a long time, and to them, it's a valid concern.

That doesn't exactly sound like a real threat.....of course, I haven't been to the Gleemax forums, so maybe that's just the tip of the iceburg, and it gets far worse.

Banshee

 

[Wormwood]

That quote's actually fairly funny. To me at least, it's pretty obvious *sarcasm*.

Good catch. The poster in question copped to being 'tongue in cheek' a page or so later.

Which makes my post tongue in cheek too, naturally.

 

[Simia Saturnalia]

That quote's actually fairly funny. To me at least, it's pretty obvious *sarcasm*.
(SNIP)
That doesn't exactly sound like a real threat.....of course, I haven't been to the Gleemax forums, so maybe that's just the tip of the iceburg, and it gets far worse.

There's a post shortly thereafter offering some string, and one yet later saying it's what they deserve.

"Destroy the Realms" is described at least once as "not going far enough" in the pejorative, and the characterization of Wizards' staff as being "weasels" who released 3.5 (with this in the works - is that timing accurate?) "Just to make a few more sheckels off us smucks who love D&D" as being "too nice".

There's more, but I like this place too much.

 

[Son_of_Thunder]

That's OK. It's all better now.

Cheers,
Cam

Um. Not really. In your opinion perhaps.

 

[see]

As I said on the WotC boards:

So what you're saying is that you, the designers, have no better idea about how to handle an edition change than to repeat the Avatar Crisis, only bigger.

That gives me so much confidence in your design work, it really does.

 

[lukelightning]

I would like to see spellcasters use something like Lightning Bolt more often

Your wish is granted. Lightning bolt! Lightning Bolt!

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Your wish is granted. Lightning bolt! Lightning Bolt!

That guy should run out spell slots/mana/whatever. It's the reason you can only cast a spell every six seconds, and Warcraft III has a cooldown.

 

[Cam Banks]

Um. Not really. In your opinion perhaps.

Of course! It's always in my opinion.

But in all honesty, however, I think the current era of the Dragonlance setting is a significant improvement over the early Fifth Age, and the fact that most of MWP's products are geared toward being non-era-specific means that the classic era is well taken care of. So, yeah, in my opinion, it's all better now.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Uzzy]

Hmm, is it perhaps possible to concentrate on Chris Perkins blog, rather then the reaction of one poster on the WoTC boards? And is it additionally possible to not characterise every fan who's responded negatively to these changes as crybabies or soiling themselves.

As I said over at the WoTC boards, we have so far seen them destroying large sections of the Realms, and not in a believable manner. I have so far seen anything that they have created which gives me any reason to go out and buy a 4th Edition FR product, and if they have been working on it for at least 2 years, then I would have thought they would have something to show us.