What is the ‘falcon guard’? (Wayfinders guide P72. Introduce of elves) Does it mean a real animal bodyguard or something else?(Maybe it’s a defensive posture?) The “falcon guard” is a defensive posture associated with the Valenar double scimitar — with the weapon held level so the blades extend to either side, like wings.
— Keith Baker (@HellcowKeith) February 7, 2019
There is a power in storytelling that draws us together as human beings
There is a power in storytelling that draws us together as human beings, a common experience that crosses all boundaries.
Of all the mediums available (literature, theater, cinema, etc.), the MOST powerful expression is within the living stories we tell, playing #dnd.
— Chris Lindsay, Master Raconteur (@Onnatryx) February 10, 2019
What happens if a Character dies in the Mournland?
What happens if a Character dies in the Mournland? There’s no specific rules, but the Mournland is an unpredictable place. They could die as expected. They could return to life animated by an alien force. We’ve called out that there are many places in the Mournland where the dead don’t decompose.
— Keith Baker (@HellcowKeith) January 14, 2019
Our character artwork for Copper and Nails
Did y'all see the first livestream game by @helloMCDM? It was amazing! We were excited to see our character artwork for Copper and Nails. So cool! #DnD pic.twitter.com/5IBVSphzXg
— Jetpack7 (@Jetpack_7) January 31, 2019
A hook points PCs toward adventure It can be subtle, like an overheard whisper
#dnd tip for new DMs: a hook points PCs toward adventure. It can be subtle, like an overheard whisper. or obvious, like a job board posting. It can even be extreme, like a dragon landing on them. Some PCs create their own hooks and stories, but most need directions to the action.
— Shawn Merwin #WinterFantasy Prep (@shawnmerwin) January 31, 2019
I group them as Pushes or Pulls. A push is a compulsion on the PCs (e.g. your king orders you to do x). A pull is a desire of the PCs (e.g. a reward is being offered for x). Campaigns tend to start with more pushes, but evolve into more pulls and comes with player agency.
— The DM behind the screen (@Hjorimir) January 31, 2019
Very nice analysis. Complicating this are different player types, as some players bristle against any push ("don't railroad me, bro!") while other seem resistant to or unable to provide a pull they like. But this is a great starting point for discussion. https://t.co/NGGBnYEmUh
— Shawn Merwin #WinterFantasy Prep (@shawnmerwin) January 31, 2019
An interesting response, Shawn! I see railroading as the DM (not the NPCs) forcing PC actions. As a counter, if a PC is upset that they’re being pulled by the king, they can turn it into a push by simply refusing. Of course, there may be consequences, but that’s always the case. Exactly, that's why I say it depends on the player. "Railroad" is a loaded term on its own, but some players I have dealt with treat unwanted in-character choices as "railroading" when bad consequences comes from their bad choices.
— Shawn Merwin #WinterFantasy Prep (@shawnmerwin) January 31, 2019
For maximum player buy-in pull hooks from their backstories and party interactions. Always let them feel like they are not just a part of the world but an agent of change. https://t.co/GsSlEMZ7wT
— jex thomas // eden oakfield (@jexjthomas) February 1, 2019
This is wonderful advice when you have players who do the work of creating backstories! https://t.co/6eRxhGYP80
— Shawn Merwin #WinterFantasy Prep (@shawnmerwin) February 1, 2019
“The dragon? This way.”
1)
“The dragon? This way. Around that bend you’ll see a cavemouth carved like a gaping fanged mouth; THAT’S the way in!”
“But the smoke’s coming from up there. Isn’t that a back way in?”
“If you want to suffocate in the… #epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 25, 2019
3)
…dragon’s smoke and then have your lifeless body fall from a great height to shatter on the cavern floor, yes. Otherwise, no.”
“Ah. Thanks. Right, the scary cavemouth it is, then.”
“Best of luck.”
“Thank you. I have a feeling…#epic fantasy I’ll need it. I’ll just—EEEEAAAAGH!”
“The teeter trap?”
“The teeter trap.”
“Just of curiosity, why don’t you disable all of the dragon’s outside traps?”
“Because there is no dragon, anymore. Died years ago. But the tourist…#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 25, 2019
5)
…traffic in dragonslaying adventurers is what this town is BUILT on, lad. So excuse me, I have to go hide his body and reset the trap. Then take the secret door to go stoke the fire, or the dragonsmoke will fade away. And we…#epic fantasy can’t have that. As the dragon said—his last words, they were—economic imperatives must rule, or we all starve. Words to live by. Or in this case, die by.”#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 25, 2019
In Forgotten Realms, how would the surname Blackrose translate into elven?
@TheEdVerse in faerun, how would the surname Blackrose translate into elven? If at all?
— Xavier A. Blackrose (@jamesxsienna) January 27, 2019
1/2) It does. Here we go…In Faerûn Elvish, the relevant words are:
Narl = black
Oumrae = dark, eerie
Imbur = dusk, sooty, shadowed
And a rose is a “thornflower,” so:
Spir = thorn, spike [pronounced “spear”] 2/2)
Aulauth = flower, blossom
Hence aulauthspir = rose
So Blackrose is usually rendered “Narlauthspir” but over time, SOME usages of the surname have been corrupted/shortened into Nalauthspir or Nauthspir or even Nothspir/Nothspir/Nuthspur#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 27, 2019
P.S. Many elves who live and work among humans (i.e. members of an adventuring band) adopt a “humans can call me this” surname that’s a portmanteau of a hue and a living thing/natural feature (like Blackrose, or Bluewater).#Realmslore
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 27, 2019