[FR] Forgotten Realms Setting products discussion

[d12]

So, I've had the FRCS since it came out. Same thing goes for Magic of Faerun. I picked up Lords of Darkness a year ago. I've acquired Monsters of Faerun. I bought a 2nd edition Forgotten Realms guide through amazon.com. I like the Forgotten Realms as a setting but I love the support I get as a DM in its products. There may be a "better" setting, but I'll keep using this one because each product is of high quality, chok-full of meaty stuff and my players are at least sort-of familiar with it through video games and novels.

For instance, I was recently leafing through Magic of Faerun for the 100th time and I noticed just how many cool spells I can use in the upcoming campaign my players have against the Banites of the Sword Coast. Specifically, the entry for the "Symbol" spell - Death Symbol of Bane will be getting some use.

From Lords of Darkness, my PC's will be encountering Zhentarim Sky Mages on Nightmares.

From Monsters of Faerun, they'll be up against Beasts of Xvim.

So, please share with the rest of the class, what are your favorite bits from the FR product line. What did you use them for? Any funny or interesting stories? Surprised players? Memorable Villians? Be specific, and include page numbers if you can - I want to steal your ideas.

 

[nHammer]

It is my opinion that Silver Marches is one of the best roleplaying supplements ever made. Looks good, packed full of useful info, and is a good read.

I too have been very happy with the Forgotten Relms material.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

I actually ran my players through the Color of Ambition adventure in the FRCS. It was a good way to get things started, but the funny part, is that one of the players is a Rashemi Cleric of Mystra...and she HATES Thayans...they're currently trying to hold her back from killing everyone after the main action. She REALLY hates Thayans now.
What's worse, I plan to send them to Proskur, the Thayan Enclave in Lords of Darkness. Its fun to play with thier opinions of Red Wizards...through most of the campaign, they'll be presented as trustworthy salespeople who are the best at what they do...I plan to do something with Shades(because they're just so damn cool), but I'm not sure what to do yet...*lurks in thread for ideas*

 

[EricNoah]

I recently used the Rock Wyrm monster from Silver Marches in my game. It was fun to throw a three-eyed dragon at them.

A lot of my players use spells from Magic of Faerun, and I do too when I get a chance.

I was somewhat underwhelmed by Races of Faerun and Unapproachable East. Not sure why...

Looking forward to the FR Underdark book...

 

[Gallo22]

I'm planning on using the "portals" that Wizards have been putting on their web site and make a campaign out of the party investing them for a powerful wizard or the like. Sort of like D&D meets Stargate. I'm looking forward to this.

Gallo22

 

[Henry]

One thing I have enjoyed from the FRCS is the sheer overwhelming number of side plots and hooks that are contained in it. You can't stumble over a paragraph without coming across some cool element or thought that spurs at least a side plot or a colorful rumor that can be used to bring the setting to life. It's why I'm running an FR campaign for some players right now - it's almost on autopilot right now.

My favorites at the moment:

The Dancing Place in High Dale - a place I didn't know existed until recently. It's holy to at least a half dozen Realms deities, and was the birthplace of the Harpers.

The Wyverns of High Dale, and the Superwyvern that's hoarding sheep.

The multitudes of little dungeons, small ruins, and forgotten places that make it what it is.

I'm enjoying it as much as I am prepping for games!

 

[Enceladus]

Loved the Unproachable East, using the Shrieking Hag hopefully this weekend. I liked the detail work done for the Rasheman.

I gotta tell ya I'm sick to death of drow, I hope the Underdark is it for a good long time! I'd eagerly buy something put out for the Western Heartlands/ Sword coast area, and Chondath.

 

[Robbert Raets]

I dig the Forgotten Realms. I can't say this enough, I love the depth, fluff and crunch it adds to the core D&D rules. Everyone who disagrees can come hit me over the head with the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, and then I'll hit back with the FRCS book. Or Races of Fearun, if I'm in a forgiving mood

 

[Darrin Drader]

Wow! I'm really impressed. A Forgotten Realms thread and not a single "Forgotten Realms sucks..." or Elminster sucks..." response yet.

So what do I like about it? I like al the local flavor to the different regions of the realms. Plot hooks are amazing.

Am I the only one that thinks the phaerimm are just bizarre?

 

[Arnwyn]

The FR1-16 series (well, not all of them). I just loved the concept of these products - each one covering a geographic area of the Realms (except for a couple of exceptions). *Great* help for the DM. I am particularly fond of FR5 Savage Frontier, FR10 Old Empires, FR11 Dwarves Deep, and FR13 Anauroch.

My absolute favourite FR product, though, is Empires of the Shining Sea. The detail and content is outstanding.

Honorable Mentions:
- City of Splendors
- FOR2 Drow of the Underdark
- FOR3 Pirates of the Fallen Stars
- all the Volo's Guides