Fire in the Blood - For those of you who couldn't put it down

[Matt]

"Was there anything about this that made you want to game? Any scenarios or characters you're planning on swiping? Any new urges to pick up the Realms as a setting?"

Honestly, I have always been more into the D&D novels than the game, simply because it's a lot easier to pick up a novel than organize a game. I guess Wizards publishes the novels as a means of driving people to the game, but I'd rather just pay more money for the novels if that's what it takes to keep publishing them.

"Did this book affect the way you feel about Cormyr? (And maybe, how much experience did you have with Cormyr before this?)"

I've read Crusade, The Wyvern's Spur, and the recent Elminster books. This book has made me want to pick up the Cormyr Saga as well. I think my favorite Cormyrean character in this book was Baerovus; I'm not certain this is what you intended, but I read him as having Asperger's and I loved that you showed while it disables him in certain ways, it also gives him insights that others don't possess (even being first to discern the true nature of "Thauglor"). I think he could actually end up being a great king if it came to it, as long as he had someone to help him deal with the social aspects of the court. The other aspect of Cormyr I found fascinating was the casual racism. I'm hoping that Raedra's experiences in this book move her to enact some societal changes as queen.

"Unlike the Sundering series, this book is not directly linked to the current RPG storyline (aside from Tiamat's cameo). Do you prefer one strategy over the other? Does this affect your interest in a novel or an RPG adventure? "

I have no problem with books tying into other products; if it keeps the books coming, I'm all for it. Tie-ins do tend to get me to try other authors' novels; as I mentioned, I'm less likely to buy game products simply due to the amount of time and effort it takes to organize a game, but there's no question you've got me intrigued as to what's going on with Tiamat, and if Wizards puts out a novel focusing on her, I will buy it.

[Jonn]

Matt wrote: "Honestly, I have always been more into the D&D novels than the game, simply because it's a lot easier to pick up a novel than organize a game. I guess Wizards publishes the novels as a means of driving people to the game, but I'd rather just pay more money for the novels if that's what it takes to keep publishing them.
"
I am the other way around, but for the same reasons. I started reading the D&D novels because of the tabletop game. It was nearly impossible to play D&D where I grew up, which made the books and computer games my only choice.

[Erin]

Matt wrote: "I'm not certain this is what you intended, but I read him as having Asperger's and I loved that you showed while it disables him in certain ways, it also gives him insights that others don't possess (even being first to discern the true nature of "Thauglor")."

This is exactly what I was shooting for!

I do think Baerovus will be happier as an advisor, if only for the fact that he doesn't like to be the center of attention, and he can't play the kind of games of society nobles are big into. It's all deeply anxiety-inducing. Plus, separately, he's asexual. He doesn't want a partner and now that he's not as eligible, he can have a little space.

(Although I genuinely think that he and Varauna could be a strangely functional couple, if she only could rope in her general disdain. She doesn't particularly want to get married, except for political reasons and who's better than the Queen's brother? Plus, she's happy keeping her lovers and probably could care less if Baerovus was included in their ranks. And if she did get past that disdain, she will destroy anyone who comes after him. Sadly, I just don't think they like each other's company.)

[Kendra]

I identified somewhat with Baerovus on the partner level, and knowing that he's asexual is awesome, because that's how I identify as well :) I'm so glad you're books don't just contain heterosexual, binary characters!

[Erin]

Credit must be given to Brian Cortijo, who originally designed Baerovus. But I liked it--I definitely want to have a wide range of characters and character interactions. Asexuality doesn't get depicted a lot, or at least, doesn't get depicted as an identity so much as a "current state." But Baerovus is never going to "meet the right girl" and, as his parents have finally accepted, changing the external factors isn't going to make a difference. This is who he is.

I'd probably say Constancia's asexual too. Her love life has never been a topic of the books, but the more I think about her life outside her relationship with Brin, the more I think she's just not that interested in pursuing a partner.

[Kendra]

Asexuality doesn't necessarily mean you don't want a partner, it just means you don't experience sexual attraction, and, for many, don't have much interest in having sex. But many asexuals have a romantic orientation (unless they're aromantic), and still want a life partner, just not sexually.

[Erin]

Kendra wrote: "Asexuality doesn't necessarily mean you don't want a partner, it just means you don't experience sexual attraction, and, for many, don't have much interest in having sex. But many asexuals have a r..."

True! I didn't phrase that very well. My apologies.

[Kendra]

No worries :)

[Matt]

Jonn wrote: "I am the other way around, but for the same reasons. I started reading the D&D novels because of the tabletop game. It was nearly impossible to play D&D where I grew up, which made the books and computer games my only choice. "
Oddly enough, I got into D&D through a card game my friend brought to grade school in 1991. I can't remember whether it was an actual D&D card game or a knock-off; I just remember the cards had white backgrounds with very simple character drawings on them, and the gameplay was very basic too. A few weeks later when I saw at our local B. Dalton the recently released "New Easy-to-Master" Basic D&D boxed set with that enormous red dragon, I knew I had to have it. After exploring Zanzer Tem's dungeon for a few months with my mom, that summer I got The Crystal Shard and the Dragonlance prequel Kindred Spirits as a bribe for agreeing to go to sleepaway camp. There I was introduced to AD&D, and the rest is history. But yeah, the novels have always been easier to dive into and enjoy.

[Matt]

I do think Baerovus will be happier as an advisor, if only for the fact that he doesn't like to be the center of attention, and he can't play the kind of games of society nobles are big into. It's all deeply anxiety-inducing. Plus, separately, he's asexual. He doesn't want a partner and now that he's not as eligible, he can have a little space.

Yeah, I don't see him ever being happy with someone like Varauna; she would constantly be criticizing him for doing anything that embarrassed her. Though he has thus far not expressed any sexual interests, I have seen people like him who go for many years without evidence of any, and one day, they meet someone who loves them for who they are and shares their interests and passions, and those feelings may be kindled. Of course, that lady might march to a different drummer as well, and likely wouldn't be accepted by the royal court either. So like you say, it's just as well that he doesn't have to deal with that now.

I just imagine if it did come to it, he'd have someone like Raedra to run interference; "His Majesty does not wish to be bothered at this time." His people would certainly think him odd, but the proof is in the pudding, and I suspect he'd go down in history as eccentric but recognized for introducing forward-thinking reforms.