Next week, the Society of Torch, Pole and Rope is turning the calendar back to 1987 and taking a field trip to the Forgotten Realms. I started writing a single day’s post about my own experiences in Ed Greenwood’s homegrown campaign world and discovered that I’ve got more to say than will fit in a single post.I can already hear the eyes rolling in their sockets but bear with me. We’re going to look back at what Faerun used to be and why that boxed set changed the way I look at D&D, rather than concentrate on what it has become. There may even be a “war story” or two before we’re done. James Maliszewski’s been down this path before me and I’ll direct you to his “In Praise of Ed Greenwood” and “Greenwood Replies” posts if you want to reacquaint yourself with the destination before the blog buses leave.
Since the Forgotten Realms has a way of polarizing the Barony of Eld, I thought a fair warning of next week’s content might be due. Come back the following Monday if you want to avoid the subject altogether. Otherwise, pack a lunch and bring your permission slips.
6 comments:
I was always intruiged by Forgotten Realms. My buddy had the original box set, and a few of the supplements, but we never played it. I always wondered what I was missing.
It's rather a statement of a sorry state of affairs that you feel the need to give a "fair warning" just because you'll be posting about a certain setting.
Alas.
I for one intend to be following along, and I don't need no permission slip ;3
Are we there yet?, are we there yet?, are we there yet?
You know, I was a big fan of the FR, from when Ed Greenwood ran his never-ending series of articles in Dragon. I was enthralled by the level of detail. It lasted through that first gray boxed set and for a few years thereafter. But then I realized it would be impossible for me to actually keep up with it all, and the quality started to dip as Greenwood wasn't the originator of some of the key concepts any more.
More than one of my homebrew campaigns had its own version of the Dalelands, though, I can tell you...
My group still plays in the Realms. I look forward to next week.
I've never played in the Realms, personally, but I have to say Greenwood's articles in the double-digit Dragon Magazines were (along with Greyhawk) the biggest influence on the creation of my own campaign world. Twenty-plus years later I feel a debt of gratitude to his work...can't wait to hear what you have to say about his campaign world.
Post a Comment