I was looking for case by case exemptions of the maps to see if they
had some note allowing copying for personal use, hence my use of the
word "potential". There appear to be no exemptions, so i won't be
scanning anything.

everything in the box is labeled with a copyright down to the hex map
transparencies and even the little cardboard cards that illustrate the
holy symbols and describe the FR deities.

there exist exemptions in the current 3.5 books for redistributable
material which is why i went looking.

that begs the question, where did the first uploaded map come from? do
we have permission to make that one available?

On 8/19/07, Jason S Wu <jason@...> wrote:
>
> > I could scan my maps in as well, they are poster sized
> > detailed ones of specific areas.
> >
> > i would need to research potential copyright issues first
> > though, so, it might be a non-starter.
> >
> > from casual inspection these seem to have some extra
> > details and are more useful on a regional level.
> >
> > barry
>
> There's not just "potential".
>
> It's illegal.
>
> This isn't an official WotC message list, nor have they
> posted permission for anyone to start putting copyrighted
> stuff up.
>
> Additionally, reposting stuff from Wikipedia is subject
> to the GNU Free Documentation License. Which means that
> using any of the content off the Wiki requires that work
> you derive from it must also be free for public use. Which
> cannot happen since the Realms are owned wholly by WotC.
>
>
> -jason
>

> I could scan my maps in as well, they are poster sized
> detailed ones of specific areas.
>
> i would need to research potential copyright issues first
> though, so, it might be a non-starter.
>
> from casual inspection these seem to have some extra
> details and are more useful on a regional level.
>
> barry

There's not just "potential".

It's illegal.

This isn't an official WotC message list, nor have they
posted permission for anyone to start putting copyrighted
stuff up.

Additionally, reposting stuff from Wikipedia is subject
to the GNU Free Documentation License. Which means that
using any of the content off the Wiki requires that work
you derive from it must also be free for public use. Which
cannot happen since the Realms are owned wholly by WotC.


-jason

Hey folks.

Amusingly enough, right after 4th edition was announced, I posted to
the local LG group pointing out that the start of 3rd had ended Living
City and started Living Greyhawk, and suggested that either Living
Eberron or Living Realms would start.  I didn't entirely believe
myself - I was partially needling the LG players - so I was surprised
to find myself right.  :)

I've kinda been burned out on Living Greyhawk stuff for a while now -
too many updates to characters, too many special rules to keep track
of - so the idea of a new campaign for 4th is something I'm pretty
excited in.  I'm looking forward to seeing what's in 4th and giving it
a try.

You all play FRC??  If you all want to download OpenRPG I have a server
that is strictly FRC.  It is called the Forgotten Realms Campaign
server and you are all invited to try and fill it with your games.
Have a DM?  I will give you a room and a password.  Need a DM, I have
DM's that come and go, but I have a few that are starting campaings and
some that are continuing.

The software is OpenRPG it is free :> www.openrpg.com

I also am trying to start something like this elsewhere, funny that you
are starting this later then me. :>
http://www.madmathlabs.com/OpenRPG/FRC/Living_FRC.html

-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Jake Robins" <mendahu@...>

That could work. I like that it makes so that the farther you
YOURSELF travel, the farther your character can travel, and it will
also make it so you know more about the regions close to you, like
your character should!

-Jake Robins
Edmonton, AB

> The best way to split things up would be to just assign regions based
> on real-world locations. Start with Icewind Dale for Alaska and
> Northern Canada with BC/Alberta being the Neverwinter/Luskan region
> (appropriate given the location of BioWare that made Neverwinter a
> name locale).
>
> Moving down the Sword Coast would be Washington and the like with
> Baldur's Gate being California, etc. Much of the rest of the south
> could be divided among Mexico and South America.
> This also leaves the big nations (Cormyr, Sembia, various Dales) for
> the East coast and SE Canada.
> Crossing the Atlantic we also cross the Moonsea and hit the various
> nations there.
>
>
> --- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, Jukka S�rkij�rvi
> <jukka.sarkijarvi@> wrote:
> >
> > I think your list is off. There are about 30 active Living Greyhawk
> > regions at the moment and I see no reason to think there would not be
> > a like amount in LFR. Indeed, in Europe, they are more or less a
> > mandatory feature to facilitate play and any sort of regional
> > cohesion, due to the language barriers. The French, Germans, Greeks,
> > Italians and Spanish seem to prefer playing in their own language or
> > not at all.
> >
> > So, you need to think smaller. I think Waterdeep, Cormyr, Sembia, the
> > Moonsea and Silverymoon, being hotspots, would be Core.
> >
> > Since most geopolitical entities in Faer�n seem to be city
stat es, we
> > might be seeing a lot of those as regions, with the accompanying
> > wilderness areas. Places like Scornubel, Elturel, Iriaebor, Berdusk,
> > Elversult, Baldur's Gate, and Westgate are all strong possibilities in
> > my mind.
> >
> > For entire nations, you've got the Moonshaes, Chessenta, Chondath,
> > Tethyr, Amn, Turmish, possibly Calimshan, Samarach, Thindol, Tashalar,
> > Lapaliiya... Lots of stuff there. I figure they'll steer clear of the
> > Shining South, though. The Border Kingdoms look like they could work,
> > however.
> >
> > - Jukka S�rkij�rvi
> >
> > --- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, "jh" <hafner.jay@> wrote:
> > >
> > > So, the regions of LFR will probably be:
> > > Sword Coast
> > > Icewind Dale
> > > S ilver Marches
> > > Cormyr
> > > Semvia
> > > Moonsea
> > > Impiltur
> > > Narfell
> > > Mulhorand
> > > Unther
> > > Chessenta
> > > Chondath
> > > Turmish
> > > Amn
> > > Tethyr
> > > Calmishan
> > >
> > > CORE: Waterdeep (I'm sure they'll stick with that philosophy)
> > >
> > > POTENTIALS:
> > > Lapaliiya
> > > Halruaa
> > > Dambrath
> > > Thindol
> > > Smarach
> > > CVeldorn
> > > Eastagund
> > > Veldorn
> > > "the Shaar"
> > > "the Border kingdoms"
> > >
> > > Thoughts?
> > >
> > > Jay
> > >
> >
>

No no, of course not.  But arraying them in a semi-logical order
comparable in some way to the real world layout would be a nifty idea.

-Jake Robins
Edmonton, AB
(that's kind of like northern Canada)

> > The best way to split things up would be to just assign regions based
> > on real-world locations. Start with Icewind Dale for Alaska and
> > Northern Canada with BC/Alberta being the Neverwinter/Luskan region
> > (appropriate given the location of BioWare that made Neverwinter a
> > name locale).
>
> LG regions were based on RPGA play numbers during the Living City
> era. Likely the Living FR regions will be determined by LG play
> numbers.
>
> I guarantee you that Alaska and Northern Canada won't be getting
> their own FR region.
>
>
> Eric Anondson
>

On Aug 19, 2007, at 8:26 PM, Jester Canuk wrote:

> The best way to split things up would be to just assign regions based
> on real-world locations. Start with Icewind Dale for Alaska and
> Northern Canada with BC/Alberta being the Neverwinter/Luskan region
> (appropriate given the location of BioWare that made Neverwinter a
> name locale).

LG regions were based on RPGA play numbers during the Living City
era. Likely the Living FR regions will be determined by LG play
numbers.

I guarantee you that Alaska and Northern Canada won't be getting
their own FR region.


Eric Anondson

That could work.  I like that it makes so that the farther you
YOURSELF travel, the farther your character can travel, and it will
also make it so you know more about the regions close to you, like
your character should!

-Jake Robins
Edmonton, AB

> The best way to split things up would be to just assign regions based
> on real-world locations. Start with Icewind Dale for Alaska and
> Northern Canada with BC/Alberta being the Neverwinter/Luskan region
> (appropriate given the location of BioWare that made Neverwinter a
> name locale).
>
> Moving down the Sword Coast would be Washington and the like with
> Baldur's Gate being California, etc. Much of the rest of the south
> could be divided among Mexico and South America.
> This also leaves the big nations (Cormyr, Sembia, various Dales) for
> the East coast and SE Canada.
> Crossing the Atlantic we also cross the Moonsea and hit the various
> nations there.
>
>
> --- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, Jukka S�rkij�rvi
> <jukka.sarkijarvi@> wrote:
> >
> > I think your list is off. There are about 30 active Living Greyhawk
> > regions at the moment and I see no reason to think there would not be
> > a like amount in LFR. Indeed, in Europe, they are more or less a
> > mandatory feature to facilitate play and any sort of regional
> > cohesion, due to the language barriers. The French, Germans, Greeks,
> > Italians and Spanish seem to prefer playing in their own language or
> > not at all.
> >
> > So, you need to think smaller. I think Waterdeep, Cormyr, Sembia, the
> > Moonsea and Silverymoon, being hotspots, would be Core.
> >
> > Since most geopolitical entities in Faer�n seem to be city
states, we
> > might be seeing a lot of those as regions, with the accompanying
> > wilderness areas. Places like Scornubel, Elturel, Iriaebor, Berdusk,
> > Elversult, Baldur's Gate, and Westgate are all strong possibilities in
> > my mind.
> >
> > For entire nations, you've got the Moonshaes, Chessenta, Chondath,
> > Tethyr, Amn, Turmish, possibly Calimshan, Samarach, Thindol, Tashalar,
> > Lapaliiya... Lots of stuff there. I figure they'll steer clear of the
> > Shining South, though. The Border Kingdoms look like they could work,
> > however.
> >
> > - Jukka S�rkij�rvi
> >
> > --- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, "jh" <hafner.jay@> wrote:
> > >
> > > So, the regions of LFR will probably be:
> > > Sword Coast
> > > Icewind Dale
> > > Silver Marches
> > > Cormyr
> > > Semvia
> > > Moonsea
> > > Impiltur
> > > Narfell
> > > Mulhorand
> > > Unther
> > > Chessenta
> > > Chondath
> > > Turmish
> > > Amn
> > > Tethyr
> > > Calmishan
> > >
> > > CORE: Waterdeep (I'm sure they'll stick with that philosophy)
> > >
> > > POTENTIALS:
> > > Lapaliiya
> > > Halruaa
> > > Dambrath
> > > Thindol
> > > Smarach
> > > CVeldorn
> > > Eastagund
> > > Veldorn
> > > "the Shaar"
> > > "the Border kingdoms"
> > >
> > > Thoughts?
> > >
> > > Jay
> > >
> >
>

Yupper... New Member here.

So I don't know how many regions FR can be split into; but maybe a
bit more than LG, this way we wouldn't have that far to travel out of
state to play more games.

Just a thought.

Jonathon M. Johnson
Colorado


--- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Anondson" <xen@...> wrote:
>
> New members are flooding in!
>
>
> > Regions:
>
> I hope there are more regions than now, not fewer. I hope they are
for smallish places, not
> entire nations. I hope places like Waterdeep, Zhentil Keep, the
Dales, Cormyr, Silverymoon,
> and Icewind Dale are kept Core.
>
> > Timeline, Canon Sources
>
> Canon sources is going to be a nightmare for authors and Triad to
get a grasp of. With an
> active novel line stomping around the setting there is possibility
for fireworks betweem
> the RPGA and novels. I know I have heard the possiblity of
coordination between the two,
> but hearing how Living Force had to coordinate with LucasArts and
how it became a
> nightmare, I'll wait and see how well WotC pulls this off with FR.
>
> Regarding a timeline leap, I have read that the next FR book will
leap forward 10 years on
> the calendar from the last 3.5 product. That will help with some
canon issues, giving mod
> authors and triad a bit of leeway in setting up their own direction.
>
>
> Eric Anondson
>

The best way to split things up would be to just assign regions based
on real-world locations. Start with Icewind Dale for Alaska and
Northern Canada with BC/Alberta being the Neverwinter/Luskan region
(appropriate given the location of BioWare that made Neverwinter a
name locale).

Moving down the Sword Coast would be Washington and the like with
Baldur's Gate being California, etc. Much of the rest of the south
could be divided among Mexico and South America.
This also leaves the big nations (Cormyr, Sembia, various Dales) for
the East coast and SE Canada.
Crossing the Atlantic we also cross the Moonsea and hit the various
nations there.


--- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, Jukka S�rkij�rvi
<jukka.sarkijarvi@...> wrote:
>
> I think your list is off. There are about 30 active Living Greyhawk
> regions at the moment and I see no reason to think there would not be
> a like amount in LFR. Indeed, in Europe, they are more or less a
> mandatory feature to facilitate play and any sort of regional
> cohesion, due to the language barriers. The French, Germans, Greeks,
> Italians and Spanish seem to prefer playing in their own language or
> not at all.
>
> So, you need to think smaller. I think Waterdeep, Cormyr, Sembia, the
> Moonsea and Silverymoon, being hotspots, would be Core.
>
> Since most geopolitical entities in Faer�n seem to be city states, we
> might be seeing a lot of those as regions, with the accompanying
> wilderness areas. Places like Scornubel, Elturel, Iriaebor, Berdusk,
> Elversult, Baldur's Gate, and Westgate are all strong possibilities in
> my mind.
>
> For entire nations, you've got the Moonshaes, Chessenta, Chondath,
> Tethyr, Amn, Turmish, possibly Calimshan, Samarach, Thindol, Tashalar,
> Lapaliiya... Lots of stuff there. I figure they'll steer clear of the
> Shining South, though. The Border Kingdoms look like they could work,
> however.
>
> - Jukka S�rkij�rvi
>
> --- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, "jh" <hafner.jay@> wrote:
> >
> > So, the regions of LFR will probably be:
> > Sword Coast
> > Icewind Dale
> > Silver Marches
> > Cormyr
> > Semvia
> > Moonsea
> > Impiltur
> > Narfell
> > Mulhorand
> > Unther
> > Chessenta
> > Chondath
> > Turmish
> > Amn
> > Tethyr
> > Calmishan
> >
> > CORE: Waterdeep (I'm sure they'll stick with that philosophy)
> >
> > POTENTIALS:
> > Lapaliiya
> > Halruaa
> > Dambrath
> > Thindol
> > Smarach
> > CVeldorn
> > Eastagund
> > Veldorn
> > "the Shaar"
> > "the Border kingdoms"
> >
> > Thoughts?
> >
> > Jay
> >
>

Hello all-

I would have agree on the 32 point buy, or maybe a 36.

It sounds like LFR might be as deadly as LA.

We shall see.

Jonathon M. Johnson
Colorado


--- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, "lctheharlequin" <dallasssagui@...>
wrote:
>
> Forgotten Realms is a deadly setting is there any chance
> of following the most successful use of the Forgotten
> Realms setting, as well as the most successful non RPGA
> settings and request a 32 point buy character gen system.
>
> Certainly no less than LGs 28.  A 25 point "Standard
> Buy " would IMHO kill the setting before it grows.
>

--- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, "lctheharlequin" <dallasssagui@...> wrote:
>
> Forgotten Realms is a deadly setting is there any chance
> of following the most successful use of the Forgotten
> Realms setting, as well as the most successful non RPGA
> settings and request a 32 point buy character gen system.
>
> Certainly no less than LGs 28.  A 25 point "Standard
> Buy " would IMHO kill the setting before it grows.

We don't even know what sort of character generation
mechanism 4e will use, much less how many points there
will be.

That said, I'm much more in favor of setting whatever
point buy is identical to the playtested version of the rules.
I don't buy the argument that any one setting or the other
is more or less deadly. That's all in how a DM chooses to
run it.  Point buys that give greater ability scores than the
playtested standard inevitably leads to power creep. Please,
lets avoid power creep in a global shared campaign.


Eric Anondson

New members are flooding in!


> Regions:

I hope there are more regions than now, not fewer. I hope they are for smallish
places, not
entire nations. I hope places like Waterdeep, Zhentil Keep, the Dales, Cormyr,
Silverymoon,
and Icewind Dale are kept Core.

> Timeline, Canon Sources

Canon sources is going to be a nightmare for authors and Triad to get a grasp
of. With an
active novel line stomping around the setting there is possibility for fireworks
betweem
the RPGA and novels. I know I have heard the possiblity of coordination between
the two,
but hearing how Living Force had to coordinate with LucasArts and how it became
a
nightmare, I'll wait and see how well WotC pulls this off with FR.

Regarding a timeline leap, I have read that the next FR book will leap forward
10 years on
the calendar from the last 3.5 product. That will help with some canon issues,
giving mod
authors and triad a bit of leeway in setting up their own direction.


Eric Anondson

Forgotten Realms is a deadly setting is there any chance
of following the most successful use of the Forgotten
Realms setting, as well as the most successful non RPGA
settings and request a 32 point buy character gen system.

Certainly no less than LGs 28.  A 25 point "Standard
Buy " would IMHO kill the setting before it grows.

--- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, "Jake Robins" <mendahu@...> wrote:

> Now your PC can join the Harper meta-org!

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Harpers as a region.  HQ has already
commented that they like the way factions work in Xendri'k.

Ed

--- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, Jukka Särkijärvi
<jukka.sarkijarvi@...> wrote:
>
> I think your list is off. There are about 30 active Living Greyhawk
> regions at the moment and I see no reason to think there would not be
> a like amount in LFR.

I expect there to be fewer regions in LFR.  At least one post on the
Wizards boards has alluded to players being able to play events from
any region, so I think the coupling between real world and realms
locations won't be as tight as in LG.

It's hard to predict since I haven't seen anything on the structure of
the campaign staff.  Personally, I'm expecting something more like the
Faction Masters of Xendrik.

Ed

Hello all-

New to the site and looking forward to the building of a new world to
play in.

Now its time to dig out that 4-part map from Dragon and start brushing
up on the Forgotten Realms.

Boy there are going to be alot of Intro-modules coming out.  LOL

Laters

Jonathon M. Johnson
Colorado

Hey all!

I for one am quite excited for Living Forgotten Realms.  I hope this
group grows and we can use it as a tool to leverage ideas at WotC.

Here's some of my thoughts.

Regions:

Worldwide regions is interesting (as in more spread out than LG
currently is), but play numbers is a problem, of course, and if
Turkmenistan doesn't have a region of its own, I'm alright with that.
  My big hope, however, is that they utilize lots of the Realms and not
just the popular stuff.  One of the best parts of LG was the vast
difference between the regions.  Going between the Duchy of Urnst and
the Sultanate of Zeif, down to the Sea Baronies and up to Iuz.  Let's
not just divy up the Dales and the North; I want to see Mulhorand,
Thay, the Shaar, Luiren, Vaasa, Damara, Calimshan and the Dragon
Coast.  Mix it up!

As for splitting the regions up, I hope they do a better job with
population distribution but also geographical size.  I know Southern
California got the hose, and if you think that's bad, try living in
Northern Alberta; the major centre with a different region for us is
17 hours away!

Timeline, Canon Sources

I must say I'm in a dream state imagining this.  I never thought it
would ever happen, on basis that WotC would not surrender the Realms
to the RPGA and stop publishing it, like they did with Greyhawk.
Apparently, I was wrong!  I've heard rumours that they are gonna cut a
setting in 4e (and we all know it ain't Eberron), so maybe the Realms
is finally venerable enough to become a legend and go on Living
through the members of the RPGA.

Collaborating the RPGA's canon with WotC's published resources is
going to be challenging, and not an ideal situation in my opinion.  If
its necessary, however, it could work.  I think an easy fix, would be
to move the canon timeline ahead 5-10 years in the Realms.  It would
give a clean cut to existing plot lines and give everyone a chance to
move together.

I hope, dearly above all else, that the RPGA won't have a leash on it
and that regional plot arcs can blossom as unbridled as they did in
LG. Otherwise this endeavour is not worth it.

Otherwise, this is really exciting.  Think of the gems!

Now your PC can join the Harper meta-org! Ever thought of getting an
elven courtblade on your AR? Imagine long lasting core-arcs dealing
with the Zhentarim.  And best of all...imagine the dragons!

-Jake Robins
Edmonton, AB

I think your list is off. There are about 30 active Living Greyhawk
regions at the moment and I see no reason to think there would not be
a like amount in LFR. Indeed, in Europe, they are more or less a
mandatory feature to facilitate play and any sort of regional
cohesion, due to the language barriers. The French, Germans, Greeks,
Italians and Spanish seem to prefer playing in their own language or
not at all.

So, you need to think smaller. I think Waterdeep, Cormyr, Sembia, the
Moonsea and Silverymoon, being hotspots, would be Core.

Since most geopolitical entities in Faerûn seem to be city states, we
might be seeing a lot of those as regions, with the accompanying
wilderness areas. Places like Scornubel, Elturel, Iriaebor, Berdusk,
Elversult, Baldur's Gate, and Westgate are all strong possibilities in
my mind.

For entire nations, you've got the Moonshaes, Chessenta, Chondath,
Tethyr, Amn, Turmish, possibly Calimshan, Samarach, Thindol, Tashalar,
Lapaliiya... Lots of stuff there. I figure they'll steer clear of the
Shining South, though. The Border Kingdoms look like they could work,
however.

- Jukka Särkijärvi

--- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, "jh" <hafner.jay@...> wrote:
>
> So, the regions of LFR will probably be:
> Sword Coast
> Icewind Dale
> Silver Marches
> Cormyr
> Semvia
> Moonsea
> Impiltur
> Narfell
> Mulhorand
> Unther
> Chessenta
> Chondath
> Turmish
> Amn
> Tethyr
> Calmishan
>
> CORE: Waterdeep (I'm sure they'll stick with that philosophy)
>
> POTENTIALS:
> Lapaliiya
> Halruaa
> Dambrath
> Thindol
> Smarach
> CVeldorn
> Eastagund
> Veldorn
> "the Shaar"
> "the Border kingdoms"
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Jay
>

Already done.  :)

BR,
Stacey



--- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, "jh" <hafner.jay@...> wrote:
>
> Woohoo!  28 members already!  I can see there's going to be a lot of
> interest!
>
> If  anyones interested, please post to other groups and let more
> people know.  Regional postings are probably fine considering most
LG
> players will end up converting eventually.
>
> http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/LivingFR/
>
> Jay
>

I think that any region that has active novel lines will be Cored. Same goes for
active video
game licenses like Neverwinter. I think the LFR regions will be the relatively
inactive as far
as the FR plot line goes. Very good for us; more of an impact in what we do.

Brian

--- In LivingFR@yahoogroups.com, "jh" <hafner.jay@...> wrote:
>
> So, the regions of LFR will probably be:
> Sword Coast
> Icewind Dale
> Silver Marches
> Cormyr
> Semvia
> Moonsea
> Impiltur
> Narfell
> Mulhorand
> Unther
> Chessenta
> Chondath
> Turmish
> Amn
> Tethyr
> Calmishan
>
> CORE: Waterdeep (I'm sure they'll stick with that philosophy)
>
> POTENTIALS:
> Lapaliiya
> Halruaa
> Dambrath
> Thindol
> Smarach
> CVeldorn
> Eastagund
> Veldorn
> "the Shaar"
> "the Border kingdoms"
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Jay
>

Woohoo!  28 members already!  I can see there's going to be a lot of
interest!

If  anyones interested, please post to other groups and let more
people know.  Regional postings are probably fine considering most LG
players will end up converting eventually.

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/LivingFR/

Jay

What regions would be the coolest?  I'm hoping my area get's the Sword
Coast..

jh

So, the regions of LFR will probably be:
Sword Coast
Icewind Dale
Silver Marches
Cormyr
Semvia
Moonsea
Impiltur
Narfell
Mulhorand
Unther
Chessenta
Chondath
Turmish
Amn
Tethyr
Calmishan

CORE: Waterdeep (I'm sure they'll stick with that philosophy)

POTENTIALS:
Lapaliiya
Halruaa
Dambrath
Thindol
Smarach
CVeldorn
Eastagund
Veldorn
"the Shaar"
"the Border kingdoms"

Thoughts?

Jay

Waterdeep:  CORE
Northwest - Sword Coast
Southwest - Moonsea area
Midwest - Amn
Eastern Mid-west - Tehthyr
North East - Cormyr
Southeast - Chessenta/Unther
Canada:  Sembia
Europe: Chondath

I'm purely guessing using the MAP in in front of me..but I'd imagine
that there ARE enough regions to divy up pretty well.

BTW, the MAP has been uploaded here:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/LivingFR/files/

jh

CROSSPOST FYI - Wolfstar76 (@wotc)
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=908528
Questions were covered at the Member's Meeting
(I'm tired, and my answers come from memory, so take everything with a
grain of salt, and since we don't have Campaign Standards yet, I might
even be right about things that will change later).

Structure:
FR will have regions covering the entire globe, and they are currently
intending to have those run by a triad-style volunteer base.

There was also a confusing mention made that all adventures will be
available to all regions. . . which at a glance would seem
contradictory. Time will tell if that was just a misquote, or if the
RPGA has something up their sleeve.

Canon:
The RPGA and the FR Authors will be trying to work in concert - and
what's more, they'll be working bi-directionally.

If I understood it correctly, what happens in the books is intended to
be canon for the RPGA (and, players will get a chance to experience
the adventures in the books for themselves).

Likewise, events that happen in LFR will be canon for the books - a
regional story that (to use an extreme example) kills Kelben
Blackstaff, would kill him off in the books as well.

There are still many things to be worked out, mind. My example alone
shows that there will need to be a lot of co-ordination between
parties, not to mention, I'd imagine lots of approvals and red-tape
before LFR could touch or borrow important figures, much less kill
them off.

Beyond the fact that they're looking for lots of volunteers to help
get LFR on its feet, it seems there's still some polish to be put on
the campaign.

I'm personally a bigger D&D Campaigns fan, as well as an Eberron fan,
but I'll be watching LFR and hope that it does well.

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Forgotten Realms. (Discuss)

1st Edition

First published in 1987, this boxed set included two 96 page books. One describing how to run a campaign in the Forgotten Realms and another describing everything about the known places, people, and events in Forgotten Realms.

TSR Item Code: #1031

Contents

• 2 96 page books detailing the Forgotten Realms
• 4 fold out maps
• 2 transparent hex-grid overlays for use with the maps

2nd Edition

Published in 1993 then again in 1996; again in the popular boxed set format, this version upgraded the previous to the AD&D 2nd Edition game rules.

TSR Item Code: #1085

Contents

• 128 page perfect-bound book describing the geographical regions of Faerûn
• 96 page book on the town of Shadowdale including the adventure "Beneath the Twisted Tower".
• 64 page book describing suggested ideas for running a campaign in the Realms
• 8 Monstrous Compendium pages
• 6 card-stock accessory sheets
• 4 fold out maps
• 2 transparent hex-grid overlays for use with the maps

3rd Edition

In 2001, Wizards of the Coast, Inc. published the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, a Forgotten Realms campaign source book for use with the 3rd Edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The book was written by Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, and Rob Heinsoo, with the contributions of members of the Wizard company's staff. The book is 320 pages in length; illustrated in color, and hardbound.

In 2002, the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting won the Origins Award for Best Role-Playing Game Supplement of 2001.

Item Code: #11836

Contents

This is only the latest release of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons, and a number of changes have been made since the previous books were published by the former TSR, Inc. The most important update was to incorporate the significant revisions to the game system with the 3rd edition update. Various regional feats, character attributes, prestige classes, spells, and NPC statistics all use the new rule set.

The work has also made some notable updates to the campaign setting, including the widespread presence of Red Wizard enclaves in various cities, the presence of a mysterious group called the Shades in the southern Anauroch desert, and the increasing surface presence of Dark Elves in the Dalelands. The setting history has been updated to reflect the various major events, such as the changes to the Faerûn pantheon since the Time of Troubles, and the defeat of the Tuigan Horde.

The book is organized into nine chapters, covering in broad detail the campaign setting. The primary emphasis is on the continent of Faerûn, and the other continents are only briefly mentioned. The chapters are arranged as follows:

1. Characters — How to create a player character for the setting, including races, classes, regional feats, religions, and setting-specific prestige classes. (Many of these later have been merged into the version 3.5 release of Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide.)
2. Magic — An explanation of how magic operates in this setting, and a number of unique aspects of magic. A few additional spells are provided, primarily to support the new Domains.
3. Life in Faerûn — A general overview of life, lore, culture and commerce in this setting.
4. Geography — Each of the significant regions of the continent are explored, along with places of interest, cities, politics, and significant individuals.
5. Deities — Only the major deities are described in this edition, with the remainder of the pantheon detailed in Faiths & Pantheons. Several new Domains are introduced, with the incumbent spells listed in the Magic chapter.
6. History — This is an overview of the detailed history of this setting, with a lengthy time line at the end of the chapter.
7. Organizations — Groups, cults, and other organizations play an important role in the realms, and several of the most significant are detailed herein.
8. Running the Realms — This chapter provides useful advice for the Dungeon Master trying to run an adventure or campaign in this setting. A pair of brief sample adventures are included.
9. Monsters — A brief list of monsters unique to this continent are introduced, with a more extensive selection published later in other books.

This work contains a number of quality maps, and a fold-out map of the continent of Faerûn. There are also many sidebar topics and tables.

Source books

The following books have been published by Wizards of the Coast as 3rd edition D&D supplements to this setting.

• Faiths & Pantheons, Eric L. Boyd and Erik Mona, 2002, ISBN 0-7869-2759-3. A more complete reference to the deities of this setting.
• Lords of Darkness, Sean K. Reynolds and James Wyatt, 2001, ISBN 0-7869-1989-2.
• Lost Empires of Faerûn , Richard Baker, Ed Bonny, Travis Stout, 2005, ISBN 0-7869-3654-1.
• Magic of Faerûn, Sean K. Reynolds, Duane Maxwell, Angel McCoy, 2001, ISBN 0-7869-1964-7.
• Player's Guide to Faerûn, Richard Baker, James Wyatt, 2004, ISBN 0-7869-3134-5. A "crunch"-centric 191-page hardcover book—updated and partially revised the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting to 3.5 Edition D&D.
• Races of Faerûn, Sean K Reynolds, Matt Forbeck, James Jacobs, Eric L. Boyd, 2003, ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.

These works provide additional geographic details on the various regions, as well as new prestige classes, creatures, and magic.

• City of the Spider Queen, James Wyatt, 2002, ISBN 0-7869-2874-3. (This book ties into R.A. Salvatore's War of the Spider Queen 6 book series.)
• Serpent Kingdoms, Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader, 2004, ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
• Shining South, Thomas Reid, 2004, ISBN 0-7869-3492-1.
• Silver Marches, Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl, 2002, ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
• Unapproachable East, Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K Reynolds, 2003, ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
• Underdark, Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick, 2003, ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.

Welcome to the Living Forgotten Realms discussion group!

Jay Hafner