I want to DM Faerun but I'm scared . . .

[Chainsaw Mage]

. . . because I've never played or DMed in FR before and I'm intimidated by the avalanche of books. The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer seems more accessible to me somehow, but I must admit that I find Faerun to be fascinating.

Any advice? Should I prepare for a marathon reading/study session of FR novels, supplements, and the core setting book? Or is there a better way? (Please, tell me there's a better way... )

Oh, and is the upcoming "Player's Guide to Faerun" a 3.5 replacement for the 3.0 "Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting" core book?

I've been DMing off and on for 15+ years but usually homebrew stuff. I want to dive into Forgotten Realms but I need someone to tell me I won't be drowned...

 

[Henry]

Spend $4.95 (assuming you have a credit card, debit card, or paypal) and purchase the 2nd edition Forgotten Realms Updated Boxed Set on rpgnow.com.

That PDF will contain the cheapest way for you to run an FR campaign. Even though the statistics are AD&D instead of 3E, the story-based ("fluff") information will be more than sufficient for you to run a very comprehensive FR campaign.

You can buy the FRCS (I still consider it one of the top 5 valuable purchases of 3E I have ever made), but you might have concerns about it being made obselete when the new book comes out, so this is by far the cheapest way to go, and will be useful no matter what you buy next.

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=812&

 

[Dark Jezter]

The Player's Guide to Faerun does update many of the spells, classes, and feats from previous FR books to 3.5e, but the book itself isn't merely an update of the FRCS. It includes a lot of all-new stuff as well. So you'll still probably want to get the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting book.

As for DMing the Forgotten Realms, I know that it can be initimidating at first because it's such a huge setting with lots of depth to it. I suggest starting somewhere simple, like the Heartlands (Cormyr, Sembia, the Dalelands) or the Silver Marches. You don't have to memorize the whole campaign setting book. Instead, just pick a region that the campaign will begin in, and read up on it. If the players are moving to a different location, move there.

There are new concepts in Forgotten Realms such as the Shadow Weave and Spellfire which have unique rules, but they are rare enough that they probably won't pop up very often in your campaign.

 

[jester47]

My first suggestion is to avoid the novels. When you start to DM it it becomes YOUR realms. You want the evil red wizards of Thay to reform and become mages that provide light for cities all across faerun and have them dance in happy circles with elves, go ahead and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. People will tell you that the Realms are a playground munchkins, don't believe them. You can make it as high or low fantasy or sword and sorcery as you want.

There is a better way. First get the FRCS. or follow Henry's advice. Then look at the map. Find a place that you might find interesting. Look up some of the landforms towns and such that you see there. What you find there are your constants. Set up some boundries. That is determine at what distance from the area you have selected the detail drops. For instance, I keep my FR stuff around the city of Everlund and the Silver Marches. Should my plyers decide to go to waterdeep, we cover the cost of travel, what they did there, and how long it took them to get back and that is it. Then grow out from there. Slowly. The cool thing about the realms is that the whole thing is riddled with portals. So you don't have to stay in one place for an adventure. REad a cool article about waterdeep? Just make a portal, and you can put your next adventure there, and then the players can go home whenever they want.

Basicly the way the realms are set up in 3.0 and 3.5 allows you to pick and choose the parts you like. All you really need is the FRCS to start with.

The players guide is anupdate to all the previous books for 3.5 or somthing like that.

FR has come a long way since its decent into 2e cheesiness.

Aaron.

 

[KenM]

IMO the problem with DM'ing the FR is most of the players assume whats written in the FR books/ novels is true, and argue with the DM beacuse "thats not how it should be".

 

[Davelozzi]

Dark Jezter's and jester 47's posts are both spot on. Henry's idea is good if money is real tight, but otherwise I'd recommend picking up the FRCS instead of the 2e boxed set. It's a much better product, and even if the Player's Guid updates most of the rules, the FRCS would still be worth it for the excellent info on geography, culture, etc.

 

[Mystery Man]

IMO the problem with DM'ing the FR is most of the players assume whats written in the FR books/ novels is true, and argue with the DM beacuse "thats not how it should be".

If this happens, carry a big stick with which to whack these players on their unable to think individually, self aggrandizing, useless pontificating, pointy little heads.

I've been DMing off and on for 15+ years but usually homebrew stuff. I want to dive into Forgotten Realms but I need someone to tell me I won't be drowned...

You won't be drowned.

Do what the Dark J said. Start simple, pick one spot.

 

[MerakSpielman]

You might want to pick a relatively small area and focus your efforts on that. There's a lot of stuff in the Realms, and it's a lot of information to assimilate in a short time if you aim to learn it ALL.

 

[Trevalon Moonleirion]

Spend $4.95 (assuming you have a credit card, debit card, or paypal) and purchase the 2nd edition Forgotten Realms Updated Boxed Set on rpgnow.com.

That PDF will contain the cheapest way for you to run an FR campaign. Even though the statistics are AD&D instead of 3E, the story-based ("fluff") information will be more than sufficient for you to run a very comprehensive FR campaign.

You can buy the FRCS (I still consider it one of the top 5 valuable purchases of 3E I have ever made), but you might have concerns about it being made obselete when the new book comes out, so this is by far the cheapest way to go, and will be useful no matter what you buy next.

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=812&

I like Henry's idea a lot actually. The 2e revised FR boxed set was what made me intially fall in love with the Realms. It gives you plenty of flavor and a pretty good idea of what the realms is.

Above all else, remember this: THESE ARE YOUR REALMS. Have the Dalelands be flattened by a natural disaster, have the Gods stay out of peoples business as much, or kill all of the major NPCs of the realms if you reallly want. It's your campaign, do what you need to do.

Enjoy the realms.

 

[Derulbaskul]

I would echo the earlier advice about ignoring the novels. FR's bad rap largely comes from the novels, IMO; the RPG materials have always been pretty good (or better). Be sure to remind your players that the novels are not considered canon and, whatever you do, stay away from the well-known named NPCs in your games so that the campaign is clearly your own.

Edit: Something I should ask, why are you keen to DM FR after so many years with homebrews? What has attracted you to the setting? What about your players? Are they clamouring for a game in Faerun? NB: I like FR and am currently DMing two campaigns there so my questions aren't motivated by the normal "I hate FR" sentiments that are all too often found on the 'net.

BTW, if you're looking for a slightly higher-powered/higher magic world, Dawnforge by FFG is another option and there is only one book (and one possibly released about... now) and no novels. When one of my FR campaigns finishes I will likely begin a Dawnforge campaign in its place.