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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ipissimus" data-source="post: 4411526" data-attributes="member: 41514">The thing with these iconic NPCs is that they sell the setting.For example, Mordenkainen is, for a lot of people, the embodiment of Greyhawk. He is a hero of hard fantasy, a morally ambiguous anti-hero. In keeping with the low->mid magic setting, he's powerful but not over the top.By contrast, FR is power fantasy. Elminster and Drizzt are scary powerful, over the top, characters that represent the high magic, high power, style of game that a lot of people enjoy. Of course, that makes FR it's own worst enemy. After all, if Elminster and Drizzt are the most badass characters out there, how can anyone create a more badass character without being a total munchkin?Now, I don't believe that all power gamers are munchkins. I've played with any number of power gamers who worked well in the party and never overshadowed any of the other PCs. The thrill for them (and myself, if I'm honest) is facing down an undead army with nothing but a spork and emerging bloodied but victorious. That being said, I also love the setting and strive to have my character 'live' in the environment.So, here's where I think FR loses out. It's meant to appeal to the player who wants his character to grow up to be a Chosen of Mystra but he can't do that because all the spots are taken and there aren't any clear rules on doing it. And, on top of that, there's plenty of space for the people who prefer a lower-powered setting and absolutely loathe power fantasy and who want all the high level NPCs gone. So, really, the fanbase has FR coming and going.As for the changes in 4e, it's a mixed bag. I'm ok with the Spellplague. Magic is such a huge part of the Realms that 4e made drastic changes to the setting a necessity, so I think they've done the best they can with a bad situation. On the other hand, I liked the fact that there was a God(ess) for everyone in FR. More options = more opportunities.</blockquote>

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