What do you think about the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting Book
- Thread starter Najo
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Vanuslux
Explorer
I'll end up getting this at some point. I'm liking some of the things I'm hearing about it, not liking some of the other things, so it basically comes down to the fact that I have a bit of sentimental attachement to the Realms.
As an aside, have they started releasing novels in the 4e era yet? I'm thinking this may be a good time to jump back into reading FR books again.
As an aside, have they started releasing novels in the 4e era yet? I'm thinking this may be a good time to jump back into reading FR books again.
Nebulous
Legend
Mine's arriving today, but from what i've read on this thread and others, i don't really expect to like it much. Which makes one wonder why i would buy it? Here's hoping that there are pieces i can use for my Shadowfell campaign, which i'm splicing with the Realms. I really do want to like the book though, but if it's less than perfect (and the 3e FRCS was perfect), so be it.
Last week i tried, i swear i TRIED to read Salvatore's The Orc King. I hadn't picked up one of his books in many many years and thought i would give it a shot...
...but i don't know whether his style has changed since A Crystal Shard and A Halfling's Gem, or whether my tastes have changed (probably the latter) but i can't stand reading his stuff. I'm reading some Harry Potter instead for the first time and digging it.
Last week i tried, i swear i TRIED to read Salvatore's The Orc King. I hadn't picked up one of his books in many many years and thought i would give it a shot...
...but i don't know whether his style has changed since A Crystal Shard and A Halfling's Gem, or whether my tastes have changed (probably the latter) but i can't stand reading his stuff. I'm reading some Harry Potter instead for the first time and digging it.
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Elodan
Adventurer
Rich Baker's [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Swordmage-Blade-Moonsea-Book-Blades/dp/0786947888/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219251555&sr=8-1"]Swordmage [/ame]is set in the 4E Realms. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Orc-King-Transitions-Book-I/dp/0786950463/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219251597&sr=1-1"]The Orc King[/ame] has a chapter in the future (now current) Realms while the rest of the story takes place in 1375DR (I may be off on the exact year).
I've ordered the FRCG from B&N and should get it by the end of the week. Looking forward to checking it out.
renau1g
First Post
I just got it as I went home at lunch....I flipped quickly through it so I can't give an accurate view of it, but the chapter on threats was pretty threadbare, and when I looked up the chapter on deities, I noticed that Hoar was moved from Neutral in 3e to Evil... 
I wasn't impressed by that, but it appears they're focused on the revenge part of his portfolio rather than the ironic/poetic justice....
I wasn't impressed by that, but it appears they're focused on the revenge part of his portfolio rather than the ironic/poetic justice....
Nebulous
Legend
Oh, I am! Somebody on Amazon might be buying a used copy for cheap if it's terribly disappointing. I hope it's not that bad
SPECTRE666
Adventurer
-I picked it up yesterday. I like it. The Loudwater part should have been something else IMO. I liked how they tied the Gods vs Primordials angle into it. (Abeir vs. Toril, AO stepped in and divided the world. One part for the Gods Toril. One part for the Primordials Abeir) The lands that were shunted into Abeir like Unther still survive, just not detailed.
-Gruumsh and Talos being the same God is a no-go at this station, so Gruumsh and Talos are at war in my games now.
-I will get to use alot from the supplement Serpent Kingdoms in the 4E FRCG. (Which is one of my favorite 3E Realms book PERIOD!) Najara is actually on the big map, and has a two page spread in the book. The Sarrukh kingdom is back down in the south. Which has a couple of pages.
SPECTRE
-Gruumsh and Talos being the same God is a no-go at this station, so Gruumsh and Talos are at war in my games now.
-I will get to use alot from the supplement Serpent Kingdoms in the 4E FRCG. (Which is one of my favorite 3E Realms book PERIOD!) Najara is actually on the big map, and has a two page spread in the book. The Sarrukh kingdom is back down in the south. Which has a couple of pages.
SPECTRE
dm4hire
Explorer
I'm liking what I see so far with the following exceptions:
The adventure should be in the back of the book as it is in the DMG.
They stuck the map into the binding of the book and you have to rip it out using the perferations. I hate that. They could have glued it to the inside of one of the covers. I was able to get the map out without ripping it but I've had 50/50 luck in the past with maps stuck in the book like that.
I don't mind they excluded major NPCs and the ones mentioned aren't stat'd (i.e. Elminster) but I agree more villians should have been included. I'd like to have seen one from every major area/country and less of the lackies as was done. Lackies could be mentioned with info as to which MM they are in. That would leave it up to me to figure out who's with Manshoon, but still give me Manshoon so I can see what tricks from the books look like (i.e. his powers, which I could change if I want or use as is).
The book is clearly written for the DM which is great. Hopefully though there will be enough info in the player's book concerning regions that they won't need to consult this book, but I have a feeling that players will still need to read it for information.
Where are all the magic items??? With all the major items mentioned in past resources where are they? They could have given more than they did. Not even a mention of some of the items associated with various heroes from the books. I'm not saying include the heroes to show the items but they could have included a few as flavor to show the uniqueness of items in the realms.
Overall though like I said, I like the book and will definitely use material from it for my home campaign.
The adventure should be in the back of the book as it is in the DMG.
They stuck the map into the binding of the book and you have to rip it out using the perferations. I hate that. They could have glued it to the inside of one of the covers. I was able to get the map out without ripping it but I've had 50/50 luck in the past with maps stuck in the book like that.
I don't mind they excluded major NPCs and the ones mentioned aren't stat'd (i.e. Elminster) but I agree more villians should have been included. I'd like to have seen one from every major area/country and less of the lackies as was done. Lackies could be mentioned with info as to which MM they are in. That would leave it up to me to figure out who's with Manshoon, but still give me Manshoon so I can see what tricks from the books look like (i.e. his powers, which I could change if I want or use as is).
The book is clearly written for the DM which is great. Hopefully though there will be enough info in the player's book concerning regions that they won't need to consult this book, but I have a feeling that players will still need to read it for information.
Where are all the magic items??? With all the major items mentioned in past resources where are they? They could have given more than they did. Not even a mention of some of the items associated with various heroes from the books. I'm not saying include the heroes to show the items but they could have included a few as flavor to show the uniqueness of items in the realms.
Overall though like I said, I like the book and will definitely use material from it for my home campaign.
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