It’s interesting to note that in the original FR box set, in the rumours, there is mention of “the fueding merchant houses of the Moonshaes.” Not like the celtic feel that eventually was published. I’d love to hear the story of that @TheEdVerse
— LeroyD20 (@LeroyD20) February 16, 2019
2)
…Hi. My original Moonshaes were very like LeGuin’s Earthsea or the real-world Hebrides in physiography: a cluster of many islands of varying sizes, with independent city-states and “realms” of one island dominating or claiming at most two adjacent ones. It was a region of hardy fisherfolk, woodcutters, and miners, who over time had become master mariners sailing far up and down the Sword Coast trading, fearless faring in winter gales, among…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 18, 2019
4)
…icebergs, etc. and over time, the wealthiest Shae merchants had established trading costers on mainland Faerûn, assembled their own private armies of caravan escorts and warehouse guards, and inevitably clashed with each…#Realmslore other, rivalries rising into feuds (think the warring families of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet). They were wealthy, proud, and increasingly into manipulating local politics in all the ports up and down the Sword Coast, as…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 18, 2019
5)
…far south as Tharsult, because they were always aware that, as “outsiders,” they could be shut out if local rulers ashore, or popular sentiment among mainland populaces, turned against them.
This was all set aside because 6)
…TSR designer Doug Niles had already developed an “Albion” campaign (Celtic elements, hence the castles named “Caer X” and “Caer Y,” the stallion Avalon, and so on) before TSR purchased the Realms. Jeff Grubb asked me if I…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 18, 2019
7)
…minded if “my” Moonshaes got replaced by Doug’s, and I didn’t—which suited TSR’s needs perfectly, as that meant the Realms could be “rolled out” to the gaming public even faster (hence Doug’s novel Darkwalker On Moonshae 8)
…leading the way as the first Realms product; TSR wanted to avoid at all costs my becoming a bottleneck that might slow Realms products appearing, and I agreed and still agree with that).#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 18, 2019
Besides, it’s not like it was going to change your own personal campaign 🙂 Exactly. The published Realms and the home Realms diverged from the start. We knew they would (Jeff and me), and were both fine with that. No close real-world analogues in "my" Realms, but the published ones supporting Oriental Adventures, Arabian Adventures, jungle&pirateAND…
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 18, 2019
#dnd tip for adventure writing: I've written much, and edited much more. The most important part of adventure writing is being able to write and organize information clearly and concisely, even when dealing with complicated material.
— Shawn Merwin (or a poor clone) (@shawnmerwin) March 12, 2019
Something I’m curious about: how do people normally approach and play RPGs? Further commentary is helpful too. My basic assumption of a D&D campaign is 1-20, which tends to take about a year and a half these days.
Non-D&D also are more along the long-run/indefinite spectrum. I think we wrapped my last Vampire: the Requiem at over 300xp/2+ years of play.
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) March 14, 2019
A year and a half to get from 1 to 20, this would be with a weekly meet-up I assume? And even then it feels fast 🙂 Now I’m curious what do you use to level, xp or milestone, or both? 🙂 That’s been the pace I got used to 3e so it doesn’t feel too fast anymore. From my 2e days, though, it’s breakneck.
That’s using standard xp and milestone, which was basically standard but removing the killing monsters requirement.
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) March 14, 2019
Right I understand 🙂 Currently using a mixture of xp and milestone aswell, in order to get things going faster. It works pretty well. Currently running ToA and and aiming towards a year, year and a half duration. Mind you, this is only with monthly meetings. Gotcha! And yeah, my pace was assuming 1/week meetings for 4-6 hours.
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) March 14, 2019
Hello sir,
1/ My players arrived at Waterdeep and are currently repaying a favor to a Zentharim Officer (5e setting). Could you perhaps help me with something I couldn’t find in the books, which is what is the general point of view on the Zenths? 2/ I read they considered themselves as a mercenary family, us vs. the world mentality, ultimate goal is more power and money, but they do have that Bane affiliated past and such, are they even a legal organisation these days?
Thank you for your time— Textbook Toting Tiefling Teacher (@HadrienCamus) March 8, 2019
2)
…which is a tolerant, crossroads trading center, the Zhents are viewed as “tough customer” traders who drive hard bargains, have military might enough to enforce their contracts and not be bullied, but are otherwise just a…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 8, 2019
4)
3)
…very large mercantile shipping and trading cabal among many others. Ruthless, with constant rumors of unethicality, and “bad folks to make enemies of,” but if you don’t intend to double-cross them or compete with them, but… …can instead arrange trade deals so they’re mutually beneficial, then folks you can trust in (they won’t go out of business, they won’t change their names and slip out of deals but go right on operating as “someone else,” …#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 8, 2019
5)
…they won’t go to a lot of trouble swindling anyone because they don’t have to, and so on). Which is why they’re a playable faction in Adventurers League play; they’re not seen as an evil criminal organization or…#Realmslore 6)
…“pushy conquerors-to-be.” Over a century ago, in the Dales or the Vast or the Moonsea North or Sembia, most folk regarded Zhents as both of those things. And worse, thanks to the beholders and monster steeds and priests of Bane.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 8, 2019
@TheEdVerse What time units are used in the Realms, specifically in Faerun? Because I heard the term "quarter of a candle", and I found all sorts of meanings for it.
— Xyn Raven (@XynRaven) February 28, 2019
1)
Depends on where and when you’re speaking of. Once water-clocks were invented, cities/temples could chime hour bells (known just as “bells”) instead of just “city gate opening/closing bell” or “time for this religious service.”#Realmslore 2)
For short time periods (e.g. a minute) you'll hear expressions like "length of a long song" (or just "a long song") which is a commonly-used rhyme lasting about a minute. Candles are a widely-used but widely variant making of time, because candles themselves…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 28, 2019
4)
3)
…vary. Some places have small candles that take about an hour to burn entirely; others (most temples) have big fat candles that have time markings down the sides, and burn so much in an hour. This is what folk in the Realms are used to, so what we might see as…#Realmslore …the imprecision of precise chronology doesn't bother them. So much more of their lives are governed by available light, and that "Sets the time."#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 28, 2019
And I presume the city gate bell rings twice a day? And that the people use seconds? Also, do water clocks use hours and minutes as our clocks do?
— Xyn Raven (@XynRaven) March 1, 2019
I also recall the term “a season” being used. While that may imply either a month or four months, this still begets the question of when each of the four seasons occur. Water clocks mark whatever time they're set to mark (governed by size of water-holding chambers, and amount of liquid). Twice-a-day city bells were done purely by eyesight (dawn/dusk) or judgment (I'm opening/closing the gates now; ring the bell!) or by time…#Realmslore
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 1, 2019
..determined by candles. Water clocks allowed for many more bells a day, and published Realmslore (in novels by @PhilAthans and other Realmslore) tells us that hour bell ringings were established in some cities.#RealmsloreA "season" means a person is counting by summers or winters, which is often done in the Realms to refer to a particular being's age; if they were born in the summer, they're "so many summers old," and so on. This emphasis on the seasons is because life is so tied…#Realmslore
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 1, 2019
…to agriculture for survival, and farmers count in seasons, and refer to good and bad seasons, and this makes sense to everyone because it affects everyone (bumper crops = low food prices, abaundant food, bad grows = food scarcity, high prices).#Realmslore
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 1, 2019
Where was all this care in story-writing hidden from me all my life? Heh. We toil nigh-ceaselessly in the word mines, and all too many of us (like, ahem, almost ALL editors) do so unsung. It is a calling. Usually a calling akin to: "Is X ready yet? Production wants it NOW!" ;}
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 1, 2019
So the one season is pretty much a whole year? That sounds a little confusing when years are also used to measure time. Ah. Confusing to US because our real-world lives have become dominated by precise timing (appointments, work shifts, meetings at fixed times). Not so (much) in the Realms. You have to see things from the point of view of folk in the setting. [No, the season is NOT a whole year.]
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 1, 2019
Courtiers, monks in monasteries, and priests in temples may have many precise-time rituals or meetings. Farm workers go by available light and the weather; if it's harvest time, you work day and night if the weather's good to try to bring the crop in…because if you don't,…
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 1, 2019
So the one season is pretty much a whole year? That sounds a little confusing when years are also used to measure time. …you'll STARVE come the coldest winter months, when your stored food runs out because you didn't get in enough.
And yes, life IS confusing. Real life AND in the Realms. So in your game, admit just as much detail and complications that you want to, to Dispel Confusion. I have…— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 1, 2019
…done entire panels at conventions on court fashion at a particular placer and time in the Realms, and on the geology of regions in the Realms, because some fans wanted that level of detail in their games. Others want to know the hit points of gods so they can kill them.
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 1, 2019
Choose what you like, and downplay or omit the rest. It's all good for someone, and too much/don't care for others. But to put forth a consistent, coherent published world for all, it all has to hang together. So we work on such details. We even DEBATE them. ;}
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 1, 2019
Been a big ol’ D&D geek for over 23 years, & it’s only enriched my life w/ wonderful stories, wonderful people, & lessons on how to be a better person.
I hope everyone has the chance to create the hero they want to be & live a bit in their shoes at a table w/ dice.#DNDSelfie pic.twitter.com/Yh2pachu19
— Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) April 9, 2019
Hi, I’m Holly. I’m a (trash) witch, Bird lover, writer and sometimes artist. I’ve played D&D since high school and now I do it on stage and in streams! I’m so lucky to be able to share my stories, and I’m thankful for this wonderful community <3 #DNDSelfie pic.twitter.com/W48mfJrN7K
— 🌘holly 🌒 (@HollyConrad) April 8, 2019
Really enjoying all the #DnDSelfie posts today and appreciating the creativity, passion, diversity, talent, and smiles of #DnD fans around the world! Rock on, community!!
— Dungeons & Dragons (@Wizards_DnD) April 9, 2019
This #DnDSelfie: Dungeon Master for @Sirens_Show. Host of #GMTips @GeekandSundry host #DungeonMastersguide @Wizards_DnD. Comic book artist/author. As seen in @WIRED @TIME @ForbesLeaders @io9 @idlechampions https://t.co/WQERaRFFj5 for @reachoutandread & https://t.co/b7ilTxIHYJ pic.twitter.com/voPBN8htMX
— Satine Phoenix – Herald of Compassion 💖✨💖 (@satinephoenix) April 9, 2019
My name is @JimZub.
I've been playing D&D since I was 8.
It ignited a creative fire in me that has never dimmed.I've written the official #DnD comic since 5th ed launched and recently collaborated on the Rick and Morty VS Dungeons & Dragons crossover mini-series.#DnDSelfie pic.twitter.com/62eygWgHzg
— Jim Zub (@JimZub) April 9, 2019
I THINK I’M SUPPOSED TO BE MAD ABOUT SOMETHING #DNDSELFIE pic.twitter.com/9tnL1egOP3
— Nathan Sharp (@NateWantsToBtl) April 8, 2019
Hi I'm @KrystinaArielle your friendly neighborhood aasimar, cleric, bard from @Sirens_Show . I play #dnd and I am grateful for the friendships and joy this game and community have brought to my life. We're geeks, we're here, get used to it. #DnDSelfie pic.twitter.com/O58T4Ts3ds
— Krystina Arielle 🔜 #dndlive2019 🦖 (@KrystinaArielle) April 8, 2019
Being honest, us @Wizards_DnD players have got it pretty great these days, regardless of what SNL wants to joke about. And we're just getting started! #DnDSelfie pic.twitter.com/HixyoxtDI9
— Adam Bradford (@BadEyeAdam) April 8, 2019
Did I do this #DnDSelfie thing correctly? pic.twitter.com/1dbYpEHQFL
— James Introcaso (@JamesIntrocaso) April 9, 2019
Oh hi Mahk. I’m a writer and I host a couple of shows on a D&D channel, hoping to make a difference in the world through storytelling and asking questions. I also don’t “believe in” parking tickets. #DnDSelfie pic.twitter.com/SDFtE085YN
— Brian W. Foster (@BrianWFoster) April 9, 2019
Hello, I'm Leesha! I'm a fantasy artist working on D&D and other tabletop games. I am also art directing Humblewood! I love drawing magical creatures and petting all dogs. <3 #DNDSelfie pic.twitter.com/vC4kNgl4Hj
— Leesha Hannigan (@LeeshaHannigan) April 9, 2019
I hear it’s time for a #DNDSelfie…
I’m Jen. I’ve been playing for nearly 20 years, DMming for 15+. I roll dice off-camera as well as on-screen for @DnDBeyond, @SavingThrowShow, and many more. This is nothing new—we geeks have always come in many stripes. pic.twitter.com/fXnSZEwEoK
— Jennifer Kretchmer (@dreamwisp) April 8, 2019
During 30yrs playing D&D I was considered a nerd, a freak, a satanlover, a mad with devious imagination, a strange hippie…
I’m proud to be part of this community because we are indomitable adventurers!
I ❤️ U all players! #DNDSelfie pic.twitter.com/DsxOpZv7FZ— Zoltar SageAdvice (@SageAdviceDnD) April 9, 2019