Forgotten Realms

[Arnwyn]

A tough question:

- In terms of timeline and events, 1e FR (pre-ToT), no question.
- In terms of detail and useful books/maps, 2e FR is the best for me.
- In terms of expanding into new areas that even 2e FR ignored, as well as great FR-specific rules, I like 3e FR.

I voted 1e FR (pre-ToT) overall, though.

 

[Odhanan]

Which version of FR is your favorite? (I ask because I stumbled across a sealed 1e FR boxed set this afternoon for $9.00, and am wondering if I got a good deal).

Definitely! That said, I prefer 3E FR myself (with Volo's Guides for 2E).

 

[Mystery Man]

You know I forgot about the Volo's Guides, those really are great. What I like about the Grey box is the smaller much easier to manage pantheon, (Bhaal - now there's a mean ass god) and the wide openness of it.

 

[StupidSmurf]

Yeah, Volo's Guides and Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue were pretty well-written and useful. Don't get me wrong, I use supplements for 2e FR, I merely ignore the changes that came about as a result of the ToT metaplot.

I still use a lot of my 2E stuff for info on the Realms, with adjustments thrown in for 3E. Heck, I still use my Moonsea supplement to run campaigns in that area! I also agree that Volo's and Aurora's are extremely useful. My only problem with the Volo series is that I find the titular character to be an extremely annoying pr*ck, and I'm with the segment of the population that does NOT find such characters entertaining

 

[was]

Good deal..I prefer during the troubles

 

[PieAndDragon]

I like the 2nd edition era the most. Probably because I ran my best Realms campaign during 2nd ed with a really good group.
I also got alot of use out of the FOR Adventures hardback. Especially the whole section on gems

 

[Ranger REG]

Fluff-wise, I prefer 1e gray boxed set. It eases you into the setting without trying to overwhelm you with stats. It gives you a first-person perspective of the world you pretend your PC to live in.

 

[Shadowslayer]

My Realms Campaigns were based on the 2e box set, though the ToT was never really a factor, other than to explain wild magic areas. I also kept the 1e deities.

The 1e box was a good score though. I actually like the 1e maps better. Not as pretty, but more useful for finding locations. Only thing I hated about it was the old 1e technique of using brown type on a mottled beige parchment. Not as easy to read as what came later. (I'd guess it may have been done this way to discourage photocopying)

I thought the 3e books were well presented, but I liked the changes between 2e and 3e even less than the 1e/2e ones. Just didn't really care for some of the stuff that got changed (Red Wizards as drug lords? King Azoun dead?)

So I guess you'd say my campaign includes 1e maps and gods, mostly 2e fluff, and lots of 3e crunch.

 

[Sunderstone]

I have really fond memories of the first Forgotten Realms products as well, but I voted 3rd Edition/3.5 Edition.

I love the 3.5 rules and I own every FR book since 3rd editions release. Theres enough background material in the new books to last a lifetime no matter which part of the Realms you prefer.
Although I wasnt a fan of the ToT, I did read the novels and I did run the modules. As far as my gaming group goes, our campaigns never focused on the ToT past or present. Probably due to the fact that I havent used the Zhentarim much in my campaigns.

My opinions on some of the ToT stuff...
1) I hate Cyric as a deity (didnt like Bhaal either for that matter). Bane will always be around in my campaign, mostly supported by Cult-like cells until he returns to his former glory.
2) I like Kelemvor as a deity. IMO, we needed a deity like Wee Jas for FR. Gods of the Dead are normally stereotyped as evil. Myrkul didnt help matters there . Myrkul is too cool to pass up though.
I definately kept him and in our current Shackled City Campaign (based in FR of course) , Embril Aloustinai and Ike Iverson are really followers of Myrkul posing as clergy of Kelemvor. I gave them each the "Servant of the Fallen" feat from Lost Empires of Faerun.
3) Mystra is fine as is.

The rest of the realms are fine as they are with the exception of the super powered Elminster, Drizzt, etc. I kind of did away with them.

 

[Jeremy E Grenemyer]

You got a hell of a deal. I’d pay a lot more for something like that on eBay.

Having gamed in the Realms since ’86, I find that I like the fluff from all editions of the game (in particular the grey books from the original boxed set and the various Volo’s Guides).

My preferred rules set is Third Edition, which is simply miles ahead of 1E or 2E in terms of letting you play in the Realms.

I agree with most that the Time of Troubles was a colossal mistake. I feel it took the emphasis away from gamers and put it on non-gamers (Gods, Mortals as Gods, the Chosen, etc..).

But I’m also glad TSR tripped up there, because WotC learned from this mistake and didn’t repeat it when they released Third Edition.

Our current Realms campaign is five years running and shows little signs of stopping. I think this is due in no small part to the massive amounts of Realmslore from all editions at my disposal (and to a lesser –but no less important– degree the copious answers to Realms Questions we’ve received from Ed Greenwood, Elaine Cunningham and other designers/authors at Candlekeep.com).

J. Grenemyer