Forgotten Realms discussion
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Reon
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Oct 10, 2014 08:48AM
So im pretty new to the forgotten realms novels, been reading dragonlance but decided to give fg a try. Since im a total chronological geek where do i start? I found a list on forgottenrealms library but a lot of novels are missing in that list (the harpers for example) what do you (the experts) say?
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I believe the first FR novel (and somebody correct me if I'm wrong) is Spellfire by Ed Greenwood. The reading order should depend on which authors you like, and which characters you are interested.
Ok but i really mean the chronological in the sense of events not in publication order. From what i understand from Fg library is that there are a lot of different storylines so i should read those in that order but like i said a lot of them are missing, like the harpers,
Chronological in the sense of events? You'd probably have to start with something really obscure. And what about books with time travel in them (I don't know of any, but there must be some I'm sure)?Once Upon A Time there was a complete chronology of everything that happened in Forgotten Realms - you could probably use that as a guide to work out the order of different books (I last followed this stuff about ten years ago, so I can't point you in the right direction I'm afraid). This of course assumes that the books are actually coherent continuity-wise, which they probably aren't (I remember there are certainly massive continuity issues in Dragonlance - I assume there are similar things in FR).
In terms of series: don't forget that some books are in multiple series, and series may have been redefined or combined over time... at least some of the Harpers novels were once considered parts of other series.
There may also be issues over setting names. Some books taking place on that planet were (at least originally) published under other setting-names, so if you're a completist looking to start at the beginning, you may have to consider those settings as well: iirc Maztura and Kara-Tur were originally independent lines? [And if you're being really completist, don't forget to check for Ravenloft, Spelljammer and Planescape novels with sections set in FR! First FR I ever read was the beginning of the first Ravenloft novel...]
Anyway, I'm no expert on the setting, but my guess for earliest chronological events is the Netheril Trilogy, about some 'contemporary' FR people time-travelling back to Netheril, set thousands of years before the main setting. I imagine there's something even older than this, though.
Victor: sorry, you're wrong, so I'm correcting you! It was 'Darkwalker on Moonshae', which actually came out before the setting itself was published. Spellfire was #4. Looking at the chronological list, it turns out I've actually somehow read all the first ten FR novels. Of course, AFTER 1990 my record goes down to about 10-15 books read out of about 260...
Thanks Wastrel, I have read some FR but I have lost track of events
Ok wastrel thank you for your comment, you obviously thought this more trough than me ;), maybe it is just because dl is more straightforward in its chrono en i am used to that and you only have 2 ravenloft books and the two mysteries that are related with fr. What is your advice for reading the serie? My apologies for my english for it is not my native tongue
Yeah, same here - there was a brief period when I was really into it, but like I say it's been at least a decade since I paid any attention to it really. I just happened to remember that Darwalker was first, and then double-checked with google. (correction was intended in a spirit of levity!)
Mikos: *shrug* Sorry, don't know. Trial and error? Some amount of chronological order would probably be good (either internal order or publication order or both) to prevent confusion.The most popular series are the Drizzt books, which begin (publication-order) with The Crystal Shard or (internal order) Homeland. So that might be a good place to start.
Overall, though, FR is much more varied than DL, and much less tied to a single overaching narrative: different FR books might take place in totally different cultures on totally different continents, with no way to tell that they are related other than the logo on the cover.
From what I have seen all the authors have different storylines that take place in different areas sometimes at the same time as other authors stories. The best way I have found is to pick an author in FR and go through hat ones chronological reading order.
Last time I hit up the series I did Dark Elf before Icewind Dale.First time I read them I didn't take that approach. I think they're both good, but to a new reader I'd suggest going in publication order.
That's just how the author's mind went, and it's more linear...however strange that may sound.
Greg> If you are just reading the Drizzt series, That might work. I still would recommend starting with the Dark Elf Trilogy then Icewind Dale. That is actually more linear if we are talking chronology. We get to learn about Drizzts motivations so some of the things he does in Icewind make more sense. My opinion for what it is worth.Evermeet: Island of the Elves by Elaine Cunnigham, is a nice over all place to start to get a real feel for the world of Toril as a whole. Origins of the gods are told here as well as many of the elves that are referenced in later novels. I am reading Spellfire now, but wished I had read the The Knights of Myth Drannor Series First. I am a stickler for chronological order.
As an addendum to the above post.....R A Salvatores original intent for Drizzt was as Robin to Wulfgars, Batman, So to speak. That was what Icewind trilogy was intended to do. An Authors mind changes as he writes, and the fans went crazy for Drizzt instead. Go figure.
Good point, Michael. And to the earlier comment, I'd add that the Harpers series can make things mighty difficult, as can the Elminster books...just for keeping track of things, at least.Forgotten Realms has a long timeline.
this link has the timeline using the dalereckoning calenderhttp://www.o-love.net/realms/fr_time_...
note it also has the anthology short stories
Chris wrote: "this link has the timeline using the dalereckoning calenderhttp://www.o-love.net/realms/fr_time_...
note it also has the anthology short stories"
That is an amazing Link. Thanks Chris. Geeking!!
yeah helps with campaign building as well.
The link shown is updated until 2008, a more recent overview can be found here: http://www.storyhobby.com/timelines/f...
Yeah, that is a helpful link!! Geeking out indeed! Thanks for posting that, Chris.I am reliving my youth by resuming D&D with my brothers and our offspring -- we believe in intergenerational geekdom!! I have become so intrigued by the Forgotten Realms world that I want to start reading the novels. There are some good suggestions in this thread. Thanks!
Michael wrote: "Chris wrote: "this link has the timeline using the dalereckoning calender
http://www.o-love.net/realms/fr_time_...
note it also has the anthology short stories"
That is an amazing Link. Tha..."
If you want the first book published for Forgotten Realms to start it is Darkwalker on Moonshae by Douglas Niles in 1987.http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki...
I have used this to read in published order since last June and I have read up to Masquerades.
I remember starting with Dark walker back in the day. good trilogy but quite different from a lot that followed after. sure they are long out of print. Paul Kemp Sembia books are a good start
Yes they are out of print but I get most of my books off Amazon and have had pretty good luck on getting "new" older copies. The Sembia series was fantastic.
I also read Darkwalker on Moonshae. The cover of that book is classic from Keith Parkinson. It's also the cover of the original FR sourcebook!I didn't like this trilogy that much. What I remember of it is the druid girl -- forgot her name. Her hands got so strong from doing forestry work that she could crush goblins throats with her barehands. hehhehe. It also helps that her cleavage was awesome in book 2.
My favorite Forgotten Realms series is still the Finder's Stone trilogy. The Azure Bonds was pretty amazing and one of the more complex plots with a great twist.
The characters were pretty good and memorable, very unique at the very least. Dragonbait? Pure genius. It was awesome that you couldn't find Saurials in any of the Monster Compendiums or Sourcebooks, and were really discovering all sorts of new things about this race. I love their means of communication -- reminds me of Haplo's dog in the Deathgate Cycle, but better.
