Forgotten Reams, Born:
Once upon a time, in a realm where imagination knew no bounds, there lived a man named Ed Greenwood. Ed was renowned as the creator of the iconic fantasy world known as the Forgotten Realms, a realm filled with magic, adventure, and epic tales. His creation had captured the hearts and minds of countless Dungeons & Dragons players, immersing them in a rich tapestry of characters, cities, and lore.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the realm, there resided a woman named Carrie Fischer-O'Brian. She too possessed a deep love for Dungeons & Dragons, but her passion lay in the mechanics that powered the game. Carrie had dedicated her life to refining the rules, creating a system that balanced strategy, storytelling, and a coherent set of rules for players to engage with while roleplaying. Although she was revered as a master game designer, Carrie felt that something was missing from her work—the perfect setting to showcase her mechanics.
"Why are you telling it like this? All old-timey?"
"I'm only setting the scene, okay? Trying to get the pitch right."
One fateful day, fate intervened and brought Ed and Carrie together. Word of Carrie's desire reached Ed's ears, and he couldn't resist the opportunity to collaborate with another luminary of the gaming world. The two met in the bustling city of Waterdeep, where they sat down in a cozy tavern to discuss their shared vision. Over tankards of ale, Ed and Carrie exchanged tales of their respective creations. Ed spoke of the intricate webs of politics in Waterdeep, the sprawling elven forests of Evermeet, and the ancient ruins of Myth Drannor. Carrie, in turn, regaled him with stories of her innovative game mechanics, the dice rolls that determined the fate of adventurers, and the importance of having a coherent rule system to enhance the roleplaying experience.
Inspired by their conversation, Ed and Carrie decided to embark on a grand adventure together—a journey to enhance the mechanics of Dungeons & Dragons within the rich tapestry of the Forgotten Realms. They retreated to a secluded tower nestled deep within the High Forest, where they would have the peace and solitude needed for their creative collaboration. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months as Ed and Carrie toiled away, their minds weaving a new tapestry within the Forgotten Realms. Ed lent his expertise in world-building, crafting intricate histories, diverse cultures, and compelling characters. Carrie, on the other hand, focused on integrating her meticulous game design into the fabric of the setting, ensuring that every aspect of the Forgotten Realms would align with her vision of providing a coherent set of rules for players to engage with while roleplaying.
Where Ed's realms lacked in mechanical structure, Carrie's expertise breathed life into each city, each monster, and each quest. The Forgotten Realms became a world where the rules of the game seamlessly merged with the immersive storytelling experience, creating an unparalleled synergy. Players could now navigate the vast expanse of Faerûn with a clear understanding of the mechanics, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the roleplaying aspects of the game.
As they worked, Ed and Carrie formed a deep bond, sharing laughter, inspiration, and a mutual respect for each other's talents. They discovered that their collaboration had unlocked a new level of creativity within themselves, and the Forgotten Realms flourished under their combined efforts. When the work was finally complete, Ed and Carrie presented their creation to the world. Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts from every corner of the realm marveled at the enhanced mechanics of the Forgotten Realms. The setting was now not only a testament to Ed's imaginative storytelling but also a testament to Carrie's dedication to providing players with a coherent set of rules to guide their roleplaying adventures.
From that day forward, the Forgotten Realms with its refined mechanics became a beloved cornerstone of the gaming world. The tales set within its borders were whispered around campfires, shared in taverns, and immortalized in books and songs. Ed Greenwood and Carrie Fischer's collaboration had forever changed the landscape of Dungeons & Dragons, leaving a legacy that would inspire countless adventurers for generations to come.
And so, in the annals of gaming history, the names Ed Greenwood and Carrie Fischer-O'Brian stood side by side, forever remembered as the pioneers who united the mechanics of Dungeons & Dragons with the immersive setting of the Forgotten Realms, and brought forth a new era of wonder and adventure.
David stared at the man sitting across from him, and beside Carrie, who was doing her absolute "best" to hide her smirk behind her hand in a way that looked awkwardly embarrassed, something that even Sender, who'd happened to be on his lap when they walked in, wasn't falling for as a four-year-old boy. He paused, gathering his thoughts, trying to get them in order.
"Let me get this straight," he said, finally,
pushing his reading glasses up absentmindedly, "Mrs. O'Brian here held a tournament a couple of years ago, spots you doing a stellar job with your...homebrew setting as the DM, hires you and a couple of others on to help get a general setting in order for D&D players to have something work with. Out of all of them, you're the only one who gets results in on time and consistently [even if they have to be edited later], to the point that, collectively, the setting is sitting at somewhere around ten million words...
as a draft."
He slowly, deliberately, picked his young up and placed him back in the chair as he got up, his back briefly to his guests, before walking around the table to stand in front of them.
"All I can say is," he said, holding the mild glare he sometimes wore while deliberating an action [really, a side-effect of him needing to squint past his reading glasses when he forgot to take them off], before smiling, hand out, "Welcome to R. Talsorian Games."
A/N: Been playing Baldur's Gate 3, and I don't want to see it disappear from the timeline on account of "What fun."
If you read that in Astarion's voice, shame on you. If you read that in Karlach's voice, welcome aboard.
[EDIT:
Fixed grammatal/syntax errors.]
