How is FR changing with 4E?

[The Grumpy Celt]

Because it's intimdating, say that you are a new GM, and you show an interest in the Forgotten Realms setting, you buy the book, sit down with it, and realize that it's too much to all take in.

In Podcast No. 22 three designers talk about the 4E Realms and a need to make it more accessible to new players. 3E Realms did have a considerable amount of back story, which could be a burden. However, simply advancing the time line a century would have been an effective way to deal with the issue. Draining the Inner Sea, destroying Mulhorandi, Unther and Halruaa, killing gods and similar changes feels random and unnecessary.

One of them comments on changing Thay to make it more like the Plateau of Ling, to get rid of cities, roads and so forth. My interpretation of Thay was always Communist Russia or Nazi Germany rather than Plateau of Ling. That way it could have cities, roads and so forth and still be an unpleasant place, so people not from there did not like it.

These days, Grayhawk appeals to me.

 

[jadrax]

But I get the reasoning behind what they were trying to do, to make it more accessable, and less NPC based.

While I see that both of those are sensible Goals, I am not seeing how the changes have achieved them.

They appear to have added a ton of extra back story and history for people to learn, now of which seems to actually simplify anything. (Indeed some of the changes seem to have make places more complex, not less.)

And then almost all the problem NPC's seem not only to still be around, but some of them are now demi-gods to boot.

 

[The Little Raven]

And then almost all the problem NPC's seem not only to still be around, but some of them are now demi-gods to boot.

Remember, being an Exarch means being removed from mortal affairs, which means that they aren't running around trying to save the world.