Ok, after noticing Tal's shameless plug in another thread, I decided to check out the FR books he has listed in the Fantasy Books section. My question is: Where should I start?

I would prefer a trilogy of books that offer a good introduction to the realm, in the way that The Dragonlance Chronicles do. I would rather not start with a history of one or two characters or the legends of a particular people.

Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

Oops! Sorry, wrong forum! Help!!!

[This message has been edited by Darien Noella (edited March 17, 2001).]

No problem Darien, my topic moving incantations seem to work every time now... :)

My thanks, O Mighty Wizard. May your robes never chafe, and your staff never break.

Hey, a wizards staff is his best friend. Just ask Tal. He even has a song about it :D How does that go again, Tal.....

600 :D Wooohoooo!!!!

[This message has been edited by Crawl (edited March 17, 2001).]

Well if you're looking just for that Darien, then the Avatar trilogy of novels there will be of some help. They all revolve around chracters and the early world itself.
And until the FR setting is re-released for 3rd edition there's not much other stuff related to this either. (Except the old 2nd edition works).

So I'd suggest you also check out the FR history section at http://www.sorcerers.net/Fan_Worlds/FR/index.htm and start with http://www.sorcerers.net/Fan_Worlds/FR/45.htm which details the creation of the world.

From there you might as well start with any other history there. If you read all those histories you'll have a much clearer picture of the Realms.

But if you don't want to bother with those, the novels listed in the order at http://www.sorcerers.net/Books/index_fr.htm (minus the game ones) will do the job.

[This message has been edited by Taluntain (edited March 17, 2001).]

the avatar trilogy does give info on a lot of stuff. The problem is that I found them to be some of the worst written forgotten realms novels out there (the exception was Waterdeep). maybe that's just me. 'course, the baldur's gate books are far worse.

Oh yeah. NO ONE can beat Athans at writing truly abominable books. Thank God someone else is writing the Throne of Bhaal novel. It might actually be worth reading.

But still, reading the BG novels is an experience. Guranteed, a once in a lifetime experience because you won't be able to find a worse author anywhere on the planet. I was really fascinated how something like that could ever be printed...

Urgh. Too many Gods. Too much metaphysical mumbo jumbo.

In my humble opinion, the worlds of the Prime should be integrated into the Planescape campaign setting, and not vice versa! :mad:

Oh but no.....everyone would much rather spend their time wearing pointy hats and cavorting with fairies and battling "dragons"......oooo I bet killing a dragon does wonders for your manhood huh?

Damn WotC. I have a feeling WotC are planning to dumb down the Planescape campaign setting.

Yeah! Why don't we see more agricultural implements as weapons too. Forget your rapier of poncieness, Mr Big-shot, I have a pitchfork! Maybe if prime worlds are included in planescape settings you can visit a vast variety of them - including our own dear old Earth ( would D&D games without magic and general wierdness, even just in bits like going to Earth in Planesape, be interesting)

[This message has been edited by Ironbeard (edited March 21, 2001).]

Darien: I would probably also recomend reading the Avatar Trilogy first. It just gives you a nice background on the gods and some famous characters.

Thanks Vile. And all...

hello, I found this topic in the search engine, and as it is relavent to a query I (and presumably some other newbies) have at the moment, I am spamming it to the top sos it can be found easily

*mutters* trash digger. . .

The Avatar Trillogy is a great series, however it can be overkill for someone new to the realms. I would start off with the Icewind Dale trillogy.

If you are interested in what Myth Drannor was like before the exodus, try Elminster in Myth Drannor

Re: Rakanishu's message of the 19th: is this true about WotC simplifying Planescape? Cos that just takes the bloody biscuit, doesn't it? The best thing to come out of second edition and they bloody simplify it! Can they not take a hint? Tha Planescape is MEANT to be ridiculously complex! That's what the whole bloody setting's about! Messing about with your characters' heads! It's just not the same if it just becomes hack'n'slash... :(

BTW, does anyone know of a Planeswalking vampire going by the name of Restad or any anagram thereof? I have two characters simultaneously being wasted in two separate worlds (Forgotten Realms and ConX) by this guy! Info pls?

Lord Cheesefiend