Forgotten Realms Just Like Lord of the Rings?

[lukelightning]

Both Gandalf and Elminster are grumpy old men* who smoke pipes and send other people to do their own dirty work. Also they are the DM/author's favorite PC who railroads the rest of the party.

*yes, I know Gandalf isn't a human. But appearance-wise he's effectively a human.

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

diaglo " who still thinks PJ is a hack" Ooi

Ya, when I heard that he'd done LotR just to get to King Kong, I thought, "Oh, that explains it."

He still did a good job and I really enjoyed the movies, though.

 

[StupidSmurf]

Yea, these words are better than mine. ThanX for Your completion.

:::bows::: Thou art veddy veddy velcome!

 

[StupidSmurf]

Both Gandalf and Elminster are grumpy old men* who smoke pipes and send other people to do their own dirty work. Also they are the DM/author's favorite PC who railroads the rest of the party.

*yes, I know Gandalf isn't a human. But appearance-wise he's effectively a human.

Well now...it can be argued that Gandalf "sent" Frodo, sure, but by golly, he went with him! I'd like to see old Elminster say to some poor low level schlub: "Behold, you must now drop the Rod of Fneh-Fneh Flaboodle into the gaping maw of Dinklefwat the Obtuse Praline Dragon who dwells on the Mount of UberHurtingThings, which stands by the Woods of Angry Elven Snipers....and I'll come along with you to keep you safe."

 

[diaglo]

Well now...it can be argued that Gandalf "sent" Frodo, sure, but by golly, he went with him! I'd like to see old Elminster say to some poor low level schlub: "Behold, you must now drop the Rod of Fneh-Fneh Flaboodle into the gaping maw of Dinklefwat the Obtuse Praline Dragon who dwells on the Mount of UberHurtingThings, which stands by the Woods of Angry Elven Snipers....and I'll come along with you to keep you safe."

have you read any of the FR novels?

this happens all the time. if the 'tagonists are women.

 

[lukelightning]

Another difference: Gandalf is Lawful Good, Elminster is Chaotic Evil.

That's right, Chaotic Evil. He's definitely Chaotic since he's all about freedom and doing what he wants. And Evil because he allows innocent people to be enslaved and slaughtered for his own amusement. He has the power to destroy all sorts of evil organizations and villains but lets them exist "because life would be boring without them." So when the Zhentarim kill your parents and sell you as a slave, remember that you are doing your part to make the world more interesting for Elminster. Woo hoo.

 

[StupidSmurf]

have you read any of the FR novels?

this happens all the time. if the 'tagonists are women.

Examples?

I recall reading "Spellfire" (yuck) and not remembering him being in it for very long. Same with the Avatar Trilogy (triple yuck). I dunno...Haven't read many of the recent ones...mostly because I don't like saying "yuck" too often.

 

[StupidSmurf]

Another difference: Gandalf is Lawful Good, Elminster is Chaotic Evil.

That's right, Chaotic Evil. He's definitely Chaotic since he's all about freedom and doing what he wants. And Evil because he allows innocent people to be enslaved and slaughtered for his own amusement. He has the power to destroy all sorts of evil organizations and villains but lets them exist "because life would be boring without them." So when the Zhentarim kill your parents and sell you as a slave, remember that you are doing your part to make the world more interesting for Elminster. Woo hoo.

That's an interesting take. I recall there being some sidebar in the FR Campaign Setting hardcover, that explains why the "big guns" don't just take out the evil baddies once and for all. The reason given was most decidedly not the one you gave But yours works too!

You'd think by now that all of the heavy-hitting good guys in the Realms would band together as a sort of Justice League of Faerun and just kick evil arse from one end of the world to the other, and just wipe out the things causing all of the pain and suffering in the Realms.

Elminster is Chaotic Switzerland.

 

[diaglo]

Examples?

I recall reading "Spellfire" (yuck) and not remembering him being in it for very long. Same with the Avatar Trilogy (triple yuck). I dunno...Haven't read many of the recent ones...mostly because I don't like saying "yuck" too often.

yup, the Time of Troubles one briefly... just like Gandalf... gets sucked away... Elmunchkin ends up elsewhere.. so they could do the Shadows of the Avatars series... iirc.

and the Spellfire series.

and the Making of Elmunchkin series...

 

[JRRNeiklot]

diaglo " who still thinks PJ is a hack" Ooi

Amen!