By now, many have you have heard about The Sundering, an event set in the Forgotten Realms. You can learn more if you watch the GenCon D&D Keynote here. I want to address three things with this post. First, a brief summary of what is The Sundering (both the event and the novel series), in my own words. Second, what my participation in The Sundering series means for The Cycle of Night trilogy. Third, my general thoughts and opinion about what The Sundering means for the Forgotten Realms.
What is The Sundering?
The Sundering is both an event in the Forgotten Realms and the title of a set of six novels that occur against the backdrop of that event. It is not a reboot of the setting. It’s not a retcon. Everything that happened, happened. The Sundering moves the setting forward, though it happens that that movement circles back to (what I believe are) the roots of the Realms.
As an event (and in brief), the Sundering represents the separation of the currently ‘overlapping’ worlds of Abeir and Toril (the worlds became ‘overlapped’ as a result of the Spellplague and its aftermath) and an end to the Age of Upheaval.
The gods know that Lord Ao will rewrite the Tablets of Fate at or near the end of The Sundering, and many of Faerun’s powerful know that as well, or speculate that it might be so, or least know that something is afoot. They do not, however, know what that might mean for them. As a result, lots of forces are put in motion during this time: armies, Chosen of the Gods, powerful clerics and archmages, all of them trying to figure out what is going on and how best they can weather it and/or turn it to their advantage, etc.
During all this, the six novels of The Sundering series tell their stories — smaller stories, stories that show the Sundering through the eyes of both ordinary folk and some of Faerun’s iconic heroes. Each novel in The Sundering is self-contained. There are some connections between the novels — some Easter eggs, if you will — but each stands alone. What they share is a common background, with all of them occurring against the backdrop of the Sundering.
Each novel in The Sundering series will be released in hardcover and ebook (with a mass market paperback release to follow about a year later, presumably). The novels feature some characters you’ll know (Drizz’t, Elminster, Farideh, Malik, and so on), and others you’ll come to know. The stories of these characters will continue after the Sundering.
So, the six books of The Sundering are as follows:
The Companions, by R.A. Salvatore
The Godborn, by Paul S. Kemp
The Adversary, by Erin M. Evans
The Reaver, by Richard Lee Byers
The Sentinel, by Troy Denning
The Herald, by Ed Greenwood.
Here’s the art of the characters from the novels. It’s incredible.
What Does This Mean for the Cycle of Night
Those of you who’ve read my Erevis Cale novels know that the next series I was to write featuring Cale and Company was The Cycle of Night, and Godborn (minus the ‘the’) was to be the first book in that trilogy. This has changed. Some background so that you understand how.
While writing Godborn, intended to be book one of The Cycle of the Night, I was approached by WotC and asked if I wanted to participate in what would later become known as The Sundering. Hearing that Bob and Ed were aboard, hearing that at least one purpose of the series was to circle the setting back to its essence, I jumped at the chance. When we talked about what that would mean for The Cycle of Night, we didn’t quite reach resolution (we had lots of options on the table) and decided we should just let the matter lie for the moment while we turned our attention to the upcoming Sundering story summit.
Fast forward to the story summit (which included all of the authors and various WotC luminaries), where we discussed ideas for the Sundering. Almost immediately, and I mean right away, it became clear to me that the story I intended to tell with The Cycle of Night was perfectly suited to the role I was to play in The Sundering. I mentioned this to the team (in a very long email), explained my thinking, and the others agreed. We decided that Godborn would become The Godborn, book two of The Sundering, and that The Cycle of Night Trilogy would not be written (as such; but stay with me).
So, The Godborn is going to tell the story I’d intended to tell with The Cycle of Night, but it’s going to do it in one big book, and do it as part of The Sundering (and it’s a better book for it, by the way). After The Godborn, the characters (again, some old, some new) from the book will continue in further books. I don’t know what the titles of those are going to be just yet, but there will be more books. They’ll be “sequels” to The Godborn in that they build on and occur after the events of the The Godborn, but the story of The Godborn will be standalone and complete in the one book (there won’t be some cliffhanger, for example).
So, that’s what that is. This is all very clear in my mind, but I’m not sure I’m explaining it all that well. So if you have questions, just ask in the comments and I’ll answer if I can.
My Thoughts About the Sundering and the Realms
What follows is entirely my own opinion/interpretation.
So, the events in the Forgotten Realms that precipitated the switch to the fourth edition of Dungeons and Dragons created a lot of controversy. The Spellplague changed the Realms in profound ways, as the worlds of Abeir and Toril “intermixed.” New continents and realms appeared, and old ones disappeared. Magic was changed. Many gods seemed to die or disappear. New races of beings appeared. The timeline for game products and novels was advanced 100 years. And the upshot of all of this was that the Realms post-Spellplague was a very different place from the Realms pre-Spellplague.
Now, lots of people liked the new Realms and still do. Lots of people didn’t and still don’t. What’s indisputable is that the post-Spellplague Realms was a very different place, with a very different feel, from pre-Spellplague Realms.
So, what did I think about this? I think I would have loved the post-Spellplague Realms if it wasn’t supposed to be the Realms, but was instead some new world invented from scratch. The cataclysm of the Spellplague and its aftermath (spell-scarred and plague-changed creatures and lands), lots of faiths whose gods had just ‘died,’ created a rich setting with lots of storytelling opportunities. Frankly, I think the designers and novelists did great work in the post-Spellplague Realms. But, in the end, this wasn’t a new setting. It was the Realms, the Realms 100 years later, and therein lay the problem.
To me, the post-Spellplague Realms felt unmoored from the setting material that had sold me on the Realms in the first place, way back in the time of the grey box. I have a hard time articulating why. The Realms isn’t post-apocalyptic or relentlessly dark. For me it’s about a layered setting rich in history and detail, fat with mysteries unplumbed, shrouded in a sense of wonder that invites you to come on in and adventure. It is, in the end, optimistic. Somehow the post-Spellplague Realms never spoke to me that way.
Consider this, from the DM’s Sourcebook of the Realms, in the original Forgotten Realms grey box, in a section called, “Recent News and Rumors in the Realms:”
Barroch’s Hold has been found. The fabled citadel of the first great bandit lord of the Inner Sea lies south and east of the cities of the Moonsea, in the Glacier of the White Worm. The adventurers who found it encountered a number of strange creatures and were scattered or slain. Two survivors reached Orm to tell the tale: Feenoch the Five-Fingered, a rogue of some infamy, and Yostur Ulhmond, a young fighter from the villages of the Snow People in Thar, blond-haired and strong as an ox. The two evaded queries about treasure, but there is talk in Hillsfar that they have been trying to gather together a large adventuring band with sledges.
That’s magic for me, just magic, and there are dozens just like it in the same section. That single paragraph communicates the idea of the Realms as a living, breathing, high fantasy world of interconnected people and events where the wondrous sometimes occurs right alongside the mundane. I love that kind of feel. That’s the feel of the Realms for me.
And based on all my discussions with the folks involved in the Sundering, that’s the vibe to which we’re circling back. The “Core Truth of the Realms” is a concept that I heard mentioned several times by those involved in the Sundering, and it’s necessarily a subjective term. But based on the discussions that I’ve heard and participated in, everyone is circling around the same guiding star — the roots of the Realms, its essence, its core. YMMV, of course, but for me that essence looks a lot like an adventuring company getting nearly wiped out in Barroch’s Hold, with the survivors, led by Feenoch Five-Fingers, returning to Hillsfar to drum up some additional blades and have another go at whatever dark creatures nearly killed them the first time.
In any event, I think the Realms are moving quickly and assuredly in the right direction. People seem to be in the right seat on the bus (with Ed Greenwood driving, while regaling us with tales of yore). WotC has listened and is listening to readers and players who love the Realms. The upshot is that I’m pleased, excited, and honored to be part of it. 🙂
Is there any release date for The Godborn yet? Oh and btw, I finally picked up Deceived. Finally because it is now available as a paperback. I’m about to finish it and just wanted to say that it is an amazing read. Great job, Paul.
Godborn will release in late 2013 (I think October, but I’m not positive).
This is truly exciting news, Paul. I can’t wait to see what lies in store for the Realms as The Sundering takes place. I am with you, while I enjoyed the post-Spellplague Realms, I felt some of the nostalgia that first brought me to it was missing. I am looking forward to the stories you and your fellow authors share with us.
Thanks for the clarification, Paul.
The idea of a hardbacked, larger scoped version of Godborn, over the original intent is something that’s really exciting. Especially if it becomes the foundation to springboard off into different directions, with different characters.
Of course, I’d give anything to read Cale and Riven crossing paths and even joining forces with the likes of Elminster and Drizzt but who knows? Maybe…just maybe…
I bet you’re buzzing 🙂
Wayne
🙂
I couldn’t be any more excited for this.
I have to say i am actually a little sad this happened to Godborn and the cycle of night… Ok alot sad……. That being said im super excited about the sundering and im also happy for you it sounds like an awesome thing to be a part of…. Anyway i cant wait to read anything you write it doesnt matter the setting or number of books in the series you are an excellent story teller… Thank you for your work
Ps … October 2013!!!!! That is far to long!!! Your gna have to mail me a short story or sumthn! Lol
I know it’s a long wait and appreciate your patience. Hopefully you’ll find it worth the wait. A second Egil and Nix novel will come in the meantime.
So if yours is the 2nd book in the series and it comes out on or around Oct 2013, when does the 1st book come out?
I would also like to say that I love your work.
Dion,
I believe (but am not 100% certain) that R.A. Salvatore’s novel, THE COMPANIONS, will release in August 2013.
God news and I’ve seen similar statements so looking forward sounds promising. I agree that 4e realms had an off feel, but I personally thought the novel side has had a strong run of good stories despite that. One question, if Godborn is now the entire story that would have been a trilogy, are we looking at a larger book in size (higher word count) in addition to the compiled story?
It will be higher word count, but not way higher. If a normal novel of mine is 100K words or so, I’m thinking this will land around 130K words.
Great news. October 2013 is so far away; however, “The Companions” sounds very interesting. Possibly a return of the Companions of the Hall? I’m overjoyed about the Sundering and what it will mean for the realms.
I never understood the feeling people have that the new Realms doesn’t fit: ” The Realms isn’t post-apocalyptic or relentlessly dark. For me it’s about a layered setting rich in history and detail, fat with mysteries unplumbed, shrouded in a sense of wonder that invites you to come on in and adventure. It is, in the end, optimistic.”
Anyway, I’m extremely worried about the survival of things like the Dragonborn, Genasi, etc. in this new realms. The idea that Tymanther might go the way of Unther in order for Unther to return is…upsetting.
I don’t think there’s any way to do this that won’t alienate me and other fans of the 4e Realms, unfortunately.
To clarify based on what I heard at the “What is the Sundering” panels: That Abeir and Toril are separating does not mean that all elements of one world are gone on the other world. I believe James said specifically that Dragonborn would remain in Toril. FWIW.
To be fair, Abeir and Toril only “became” separate worlds in 4e so they could be mashed together to cover up the laziness that brought us 4e Realms.
To wolf’s comment about not alienating 4e Realms fans… from a completely business viewpoint it sounds like there are more pre-4e fans that will buy books than 4e Realms fans, or they wouldn’t be doing this. Add the elimination of Rich Baker last year and that sounds like maybe it wasn’t the success they assumed it would be.
I think Paul hit it on the head: it may be a very good setting, but it should never have been called the Forgotten Realms.
I started playing with the 4e material and fell in love with the Genasi as a race and with Akanul as a setting. Now it seems like both of those might vanish again from official, supported material. Ah well, my character will live on, and our adventuring group will have to decide whether to follow the new continuity or branch off of it into our own.
Why do I have the feeling that with all these references to “circling back” and “the roots of the Realms” that some sort of time travel will be involved? Coupled with the announcement that they’ll be releasing digital versions of all the old editions, this new “reset button” sounds like it might open doorways into the past in more ways than one.
They did say that what has happened will still have happened. There will still be Dragonborn. There were genasi before 4e. Wyatt specifically said they are not “rebooting” the Realms, but the references to “going back” are not temporal from the sound of it. I think of it kind of like a detour around construction… 4e Realms was the detour – where some people may have enjoyed the scenery – but it’s time to get back on the right road and carry on the journey.
Really sad that the Cycle of Night is no more seeing as how much i enjoyed the erevis cale trilogy and the twilight war. I’m hoping that The Godborn will fill this gap but 2013 is quite a long while to wait since i was already getting amped for the “november” 2012 release of Godborn. Let’s just hope that The Godborn is a reallyyyyy big book =)
oh and as another note really excited that ed, byers, Mr.Salvatore and yourself are all apart of writing this series, looking forward to it.
Sounds exciting and looking forward too it.
One Question, will this have an effect on the Planes, like the shape?
Will the planes remain the Axis, be restored to the Great Tree, or further back to the Great Wheel, or something new?
This was asked of James Wyatt at the seminar and the answer, if I remember correctly, was that he didn’t know. He mentioned that all of these cosmological models are just the categorization that mortals put on something that is, actually ineffable. I don’t know if that helps, but I was left with the impression that one could ultimately play whatever model one liked (though that’s just an impression).
I’m glad we finally have a clearer picture of (The) Godborn and the context in which it will apply, but I’m disappointed that it won’t be a traditional trilogy like Erevis Cale and the Twilight War. I personally wish the Realms had never changed, at least not as radically. I discovered them in a library when I was about ten, and until the advancement of the timeline I was very comfortable with my knowledge and understanding of Realmslore. The Spellplague and Fourth Edition in general spun that all kinds of sideways. Now I’m twenty-four, and after reading this article (on top of hearing about Ed’s reboot that isn’t a reboot), I’m a little less terrified that the old Realms that I know and love are destined to become a part of the rich, intricate history that drew me into them in the first place.
I was worried about the fate of the Realms to the point that its representation was my biggest concern with D&DNext (aside from a larger emphasis on roleplaying). The Realms that I was introduced to was grand on a Tolkien-esque scale; book after book of minute details, from the political structure of every country to the way roofs were thatched and rain-water drained in houses across Faerun.
Fourth Edition…sorely lacked that detail, IMO. It was heartbreaking. The Spellplague seemed to alter the world more drastically than had ever been done, but there was none of the flavour that I was expecting. So many places (and even cultures and races) were now vastly different, and to come from having a great deal of support material to having barely any really made things feel awkward. Sadly empty, too. Yes, it’s in part the job of the DM and the players to make the world what it is, but the Realms already had SO much character, and suddenly it seemed as though much of that character was just…missing. Let alone the fact that things were, in fact, actually missing. But I digress.
My sleepy rambling aside, you really made my night with this, Paul, and totally assuaged my worries about the world I came to fall in love with. I guess I sound a little…er….zealous, but I’m sure there’s a lot of others who feel the same. ^__^ With “The Sundering”, I, even though I’m just one player, feel that the Realms is in the best of hands, and back to regaining some of the depth, wonder, and magic I think it lost somewhere along the line.
It’s going to be a LOOOOONNNG year, but SO worth it~!
Wonderful comment. Couldn’t agree with you more about the lack of detail in Fourth Edition. The concept of the Spellplague and the broad changes it effected across the Realms isn’t why I dislike it as much as the fact that in four years, we’ve gotten nothing but a couple of Underdark expansion and a cookie-cutter dungeon crawling adventure module. I weep for the Realms if left in this state. Please, stalwart captains, steer us away from oblivion and towards the “Core Truth” of our beloved Realms!
Now that I got that text-wall out of my system…*cough*
I’m really, really sorry if I’ve got this wrong, but weren’t you already finished writing “Godborn”, if not close to it? I’m curious if its induction into “The Sundering” has called for a whole rewrite, since it’s now meant to encompass the Cycle of the Night.
I was more or less done with the first draft. This won’t require a huge rewrite, no. I think I’ll be adding about 40-50K words, moving some things around, that kind of thing.
Phew, that’s better than a full rewrite, definitely. I was kind of worried about how you’d feel having to redo everything. xD
It’s awesome that Wizards is trying to milk more books out of you even after you started flying solo but the additional one year wait for Godborn is stressing my sanity. Nonetheless, I am relieved. After Godborn was removed from Amazon, I feared the worst.
I don’t get the “milked” comment. I’ve had a mostly great relationship with WotC over the years (a brief period in the middle excepted) and I plan to write in the Realms as long as I can. 🙂
This is great news Paul! You expressed my views & feelings about what has happened to the Realms perfectly in your blog! I couldn’t have expressed them better! And if The Sundering leads in the direction you have suggested you can be assured of my renewed and enthusiastic interest in Forgotten Realms publications. I’m sure someone has already asked this, but can we look forward to some new rp video games along the lines of Never Winter?
Sal,
Video games aren’t my bailiwick, so I don’t know. Fingers crossed, though.
Too bad, but that means more time for you to write. Most people swear by the old Bioware Games set in the Forgotten Realms: Baldur’s Gate. But I still play and love the Black Isle Games: Icewind Dale I&II (not based on Bob Salvatore’s books). There are like playing a table top in graphical form. Then the Neverwinter Nights games were a ton of fun with a plethora of user made Modules!
But, I am glad to hear there is more Egil and Nix and certainly more Erevis Cale. I know you are an established writer now, but how awesome is it that you will be writing a book in this series with Ed, Troy and Bob. You certainly are in great company and you certainly deserve to be there!
I have to agree with some pervious posts about a seeming lack in detail. I’ve been worried that the change was to radical to maintain my interest. But now that I see who’s leading the charge with The Sundering I know that the Realms couldn’t be in better hands! I can’t wait for The Godborn or any of the others for that matter.
Another of my questions is about The Godborn. So the story of the cycle of night trilogy will be included in its entirety? As in rather then 3 books of say 600 pages we might be getting a single book of 1800 pages? Because that would just be… well FANTASTIC! I always feel the end comes too soon with your books. Granted they are fantastic ends but ends none the less. I won’t be satisfied (maybe) until you plop a 5000 page book on my table but I digress.
PS. October 12 perhaps? No better way to celebrate a birthday then with a Paul S Kemp novel!
As I mentioned above, I think The Godborn will land around 130Kish words (where a normal novel of mine might be 90K).
Hi Paul! I agree with Damon! I hope that instead of being greatly pared down all of the content from the Cycle of Night trilogy will be combined into a massive book for our reading pleasure! 😉 I’ve always loved your style of writing and the way you bring your characters so vividly into the mind’s eye as well as into the hearts of all your readers. It’s the reason we will all be there the day The Godborn is released despite waiting years for the continuation of the Cale series.
Having said that, please don’t think this next comment is directed at you because it’s not. I feel very, very disappointed, disregarded and jerked around by the publishers. They continually push back publishing dates or just squash beloved story lines and for what? It certainly doesn’t feel as though it’s being done for us, the readers who are in fact, their bankroll. I stopped reading books published by them for close to 10 years because of this and recently came back to it a few years ago, unfortunately, only to see that nothing’s changed. Again, so very disappointed in them! I can’t imagine the authors not feeling this way as well, at least a little, when their hard work and imagination is shelved for years or just abandoned at the publishers whim despite the readers wants.
I don’t want to leave this on a negative so…………..
I can’t wait for The Godborn to come out!!! R.A. Salvatore and his cast of characters are very near and dear to my heart. He was my favorite writer and his other characters balanced out Drizzt’s melancholy and tortured soul. They’re what started me out as an avid Forgotten Realms reader but I have to say, I may end up reading his book, Companions, far too quickly so I can get to yours! You are now my favorite author….along with a few others but your work is what I anticipate the most!! Please, please do what you can to get them not to push back the date for yet another year. Don’t know that I could wait until 2014 as I’ve already been patiently waiting for years already gone by.
Best wishes Paul!
Sylvia
Paul, this probably is mentioned somewhere, but, I am not immediately seeing it. Is there a cast of chars listing for that awesome pic above? I know the two Cale’s, Riven, Drizzt, Elminster of course, but, the rest? Rogues gallery to me.
I gotta believe there’s a cast somewhere. I know almost all of them. On the far right is Malik. To the left of Drasek is Anton (RLB’s main character). Storm Silverhand is on the far left. The tiefling with the fiery hand is Farideh (Erin M. Evans main character). The tall, heavily armored fellow with the big sword is Cleef (not sure of spelling there, but it’s Troy’s main character). I know who the other characters are, what books they fit in, but I don’t know their names off the top of my head.
This sounds interesting, but it is quite a shame that the release is pushed back another year. Well at least it will be October which is the month of my birthday so most likely that will be my gift to myself :). If I get this right, you were writing The Cycles of Night, so The Godborn is basically encompassing the entire trilogy into one novel? If this is true, will you still be writing a new Cale and Co. trilogy?
Can’t wait. It’s so long… But I hope it would be great and You will give us three books in one (I mean it would be at least 900 pages 😉 )
If I may ask one question about contents of The Godborn : You wrote : “I was to write featuring Cale and Company”; have You planned wrote about Erevis? Ressurected him or something similar? He is my favourite FR character and I was deeply upset when he was gone. Will he be main character of The Godborn (as far as Vasen and Drasek) or will be “lived” only in memories?
Very interesting! Thanks for the update and explanation. I haven’t read many Realms books post Spellplague, because I couldn’t get as into the world, but perhaps this new series will help me.
I’m happy to hear GODBORN is still coming, just in a slightly different way.
To me, the correlation to Dragonlance is unmistakable. The Spellplague wrecked the world and advanced the timeline under a new game system. That’s exactly what happened in the Fifth Age. Now here we are with the Sundering, which sounds like a reset in the same vein as the War of Souls.
I remember messaging Rich Baker and expressing my concerns based on prior experience. He dismissed those concerns, stating that the difference was that the D&D brand remained (whereas Dragonlance went to the SAGA system). And now we are here, with the Sundering.
Personally, I think this is a good move, and the only logical move that could be made. I am glad that they didn’t retcon all of continuity. I look forward to the next iteration of the Realms.
Trampas Whiteman
“Dragonhelm”
Firstly, it was awesome meeting you at Gen Con, a great honor.
Second, after we talked a bit during the con about The Sundering, I actually spent a good time looking back at Erevis’ journey and some of the other characters who are going to part of The Sundering and couldn’t help but grow very excited about it. (I’ll hold strong to my theory that I mentioned to you during the con) You’ve been writing part of big series before such as The War of the Spider Queen, but seeing you being part of a huge realm changing event collaboration its just wonderful.
As sad as it would be that Godborn is no longer part of a trilogy, I know based on what you said and mentioned in the comments that there will be sequels in the future which makes me happy. This kind of delay I really don’t mind happening because it is for the better so it seems. I trust you guys to pull it off and bring back Forgotten Realms as the epicness it used to be. Godborn now plays a much more important role in Forgotten Realms than it used to be before! Go Cales \o/!
On a last note, it took me a while to realize that the picture you uploaded had Vasen in it, mind you he looks badass! and that I have several copies of the sketch poster from the con with me! Is that Erevis’ shining bald temple leaking shadowstuff behind Vasen with Riven standing on the second to the right of the whole group looking all gloomy and stuff?
That is Erevis and Riven, indeed.
Which Malik is that Paul? The Monk of the Long Death or the Seraph of Lies?
Oops Malark my bad -.- lol
The Seraph of Lies.
I was looking forward to Godborn coming out this year, so it is a little disappointing that it won’t but I’m still excited about it, and while I was eager about the Cycle of Night trilogy, one book is better than no book at all, especially if there are to be sequels.
I wasn’t too happy about the Spellplague, mainly because of how many gods it killed off or how many “changed” (I like stories of the gods, so it was saddening when some of them died, though others I like thankfully survived). I personally thought the Spellplague was a cheap way of trying to “clean up” the Realms. That said, I still read almost every FR book I can get my hands on, and I’m always eager to know what happens, and the fact that the Sundering will get back to what the core of the Realms is about, has me hopeful.
P.S. Is there a chance Magadon will appear? I loved him 🙂
Paul – question – do you expect WOTC to do an Avengers style book with all of the characters fighting on a team together?
Mark,
I don’t, no.
Paul: “People seem to be in the right seat on the bus (with Ed Greenwood driving, while regaling us with tales of yore). WotC has listened and is listening to readers and players who love the Realms. The upshot is that I’m pleased, excited, and honored to be part of it.”
Is Ed Greedwood really *driving* the bus? Because that would make me very happy. With 4e his argument was that he had to at least be on the bus so he could try to stop it from going over the cliff (my paraphrasing). If he’s driving the bus now, I might actually read these books if it’s going to cycle back to the Realms I know.
I know there are a lot of awesome authors involved in this (you, Richard, Troy, and Ed who I’ve read before… was never into Salvatore, and don’t recall reading anything by Erin – probably because she seems to have only written for Realms in 4e) but how much are you driving the storyline and how much is being dictated to you that you will simply be required to write into your books? I’m hoping, with these quality authors involved, they are giving you some creative control over the setting as it evolves (or devolves, depending on how you look at it 🙂 ).
PS: where’s Steven Schend? That would have been the icing on the cake. 🙂
This is my story in its entirety. I suspect the same is true for the other authors.
Excellent. I got a chance to watch the various videos from GenCon after I posted and I have a better sense of the environment. I am cautiously optimistic looking forward to the adventures coming out next year and this series of novels from some great authors.
Hi Paul,
I’m so glad to hear that Godborn is a go-ahead! I look forward to it. I love how tough your Cale series characters are.
I remember (ages ago) that you posted a playlist of songs you listened to while writing Twilight Falling. So, is there a playlist for Godborn?
And just to add my two cents…
As someone who just reads the books, but doesn’t play, the Spellplague was an interesting departure from the status quo. Some of the characters were getting a little self-assured and I think it was good to shake things up a bit! However, I am glad that they are turning it around. It’s like cycles of nature. Sometimes there has to be a forest fire to renew the life of the forest.
Cheers!
Great to see you around, fc. 🙂
I’ve written THE GODBORN over such a long period of time, that I couldn’t peg a playlist off the top of my head. Some Zeppelin, some Who, some Black Keys, maybe. 🙂
Hey, and you would like my latest, THE HAMMER AND THE BLADE. Sword and sorcery in an original world. Fun stuff.
Sounds great! I just finished re-reading The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton (one of my favorite books in the whole world), so I’m in the market for a new book… 🙂
This is great news! I seem like a good mix of writers some very high level mixed with some up and comers . Was It thought out to include a specific mix ? I just thought Elaine Cunningham , Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb would be logical choices along with yourself , Salvatore, and of course Ed . Well the realms are in your hands and as a Long time fan have faith you will help shape them into the wondrous lands of adventure we know and love . May your pen stay Sharp and true on your journey !
Disappointing that we’ll have to wait another year for Godborn, but at least we’ll have another Egil and Nix book in the meantime.
TRue and true.
Also, wasn’t there already an event called the Sundering? According to The Grand History of the Realms book, the Sundering happened in the year -17600 DR, the High Mages assembled to “create a glorious elf homeland”. The magic went backward and forward in time, and Faerun was torn asunder. The land was divided, and the name Faerun was given to the largest continent, and Evermeet breaks the surface of the Trackless Sea.
So this upcoming event in the Realms will be like a second Sundering?
Kendra,
If you watch the What is the Sundering panel on Youtube, you’ll get the whole history. But in a way, the current Sundering is connected to (and sort of completes the events of) the previous Elven Sundering.
I just watched the youtube video, and it sounds, well, epic. I’ve actually always loved the involvement of the gods in the Realms, so when Ao rewrites the Tablets of Fate, will the gods still have some impact on the world after the Sundering? There are some gods I dearly love and would hate to see disappear.
Back in May 2011 you were writing the final scenes for “Godborn”. I’ve been checking on your posts ever since. I’m sad to hear the big news entails it being put off for at least another year.
I hear you and understand. Alas, there was nothing for it. Hope you’ll come along for the ride anyway.
I’m glad you’re happy. That’s always a good thing. And The Sundering does sound like it will be a fun series, but I am a little sad. I think a lot of the changes in the Spellplague were good ones. After reading and playing in FR for decades, the setting was getting too stable and safe. Sure, it wasn’t exactly as it was, but to me it was getting to the problem playing in the DC universe does: why doesn’t Superman just deal with everything? With so many Chosen, stable kingdoms, etc, hard to always justify adventuring. I really liked the reintroduction of struggle and threats. And the new world elements were great, IMO. For the most part, the new novels have also been great additions.
That being said, I’m more than willing to see what you do and will be stoked to get Godborn and what others write in my hands.
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If this means that Cale is back, I’m in. You had me at Cale…
cool friend intro me to your site. I like FR esp Drizzt, wondering how it will be like. i don’t know what is a sundering?
Will the Tanthuls Cale Mask and Riven be apart of the new book. Really love your books
Many of those, and maybe all (but I don’t want to say for certain, lest I spoil some thing). 🙂
Oh dark and empty Paul! No book on the 6th of november for me then?! Only this kept me alive all this months without new stuff from Cale!
And hell I was excited to see him on the Sundering-Picture with all the heroes!
But give me a little something to gnaw on, if you don’t I might the starved from the heavy lack of Cale-inspired awesomeness!
Hey, I am a faithful reader of the entire Cale series and Drizzit, of course written by Salvatore and im excited for the combination of the worlds, but i was dying to see what happens to cale and riven and i was wondering if you knew when you were going to be continuing like orginally planned, or if The Sundering was techinically going to be the next set to the cale series i tried reading through all your posts and comments but it just confused me so anything you could do to clear up the madness would be awesome and appreciated!
Nick,
Yes, THE GODBORN is the next series in the Cale stories, picking up the threads from the Twilight War Trilogy.
Paul
Paul,
As a patient and I do mean patient fan I must say, I’m excited to hear the news. My only fear is that like your last book in the Twilight War Series I will wait for years, just to read something in 2 days. Think hugry fat child with a slice of warm apple pie.
With that said, I LOVE SHAR and how you portrayed her not so much as evil, but as an aspect of nature, an end of things. I must confess that I enjoyed Cale and his musings, but my adoration was for Rivalen Tanthul. I especially loved some of his “faith” moments when even he realized that “all was for nothing…”. For someone so Machiavellian, when challenged about the “ends and means”, his confidence was quite surprising and inspiring. So please tell me that his future roles will continue to have the same depth of character. The last thing I would pray for is someone of his status to be relegated to a “Charles Manson leading the cult” type of role. Of all the characters you wrote about I believe Rivalen dared to “stare into the abyss”, for a cause even higher than Cale’s sacrifice or Mags self reflection. I believe that Rivalen did it purely for love and yes I understand the irony.
For those unaware of my references I say read the series again, its like listening to a Tool song, but only the bass or the drums lines. So much enjoyment and I would give you high praise, Mr. Kemp, if you intentionally wrote the characters this way. I look forward to “the Godborn” lol don’t disappoint 🙂
Rafael,
Thank you for the kind words. Shar and Rivalen have key roles in THE GODBORN, so you should dig on it.
Paul
Will Azriim make a reappearance in the new book? As far as I can remember he survived the events of the first trilogy. He was quite an interesting character and I would love to read more about him.
I appreciate that, Werner. I dug Azriim too. He’s not in the THE GODBORN, thought lots of familiar characters are. Who knows, though, Azriim may appear in later novel.
I’ve literally been waiting years for this book it just doesn’t feel fair.
That being said I love your work you are one of my favorite realms authors of all time. Thank you for caring about your fans and always responding to post and tweets and I appreciate you.
I realize it’s been a long wait. The draft of THE GODBORN is with my editor. I tried to make it worth the long delay. I appreciate everyone’s patience. 🙂
Ok, so I’ve been waiting for Godborn for a looong time. I went to my kindle app to buy it just the other day because last I heard it was supposed to come out December of this year… and when I couldn’t find it I came to your site and found out about The Sundering. It sounds like a fun idea and it’s your book… so you can do whatever you want. But I also feel like strangling you right now haha, just thought I would let you know…watch your back!!! Just kidding… but seriously, hurry up!
As someone who doesn’t play the board games I’d just like for the Realms books to keep coming out.
Hi Paul,
A fan from Singapore. Looking forward to GODBORN but i have a question.
I know the Gods are supposed to be mysterious creatures. But will we get a clearer idea of what Mask’s plan was in GODBORN?
Thanks!
Oh, indeed. 🙂
Thanks Paul,
I’ll be looking forward to GODBORN through its Amazon Release Date. I don’t usually purchase Hardcovers, but i’ll make an exception in this case.
Like to say that SHADOWREALM is one of my favourite books. Especially liked the battle scenes described there. ( E.g Abelar destroying the Shadowwalker, Rivalen vs Kesson Rel).
One last question, will Ao be referenced in GODBORN? In matters of the Gods, i assume his approval is needed for any Godly Ascensions/Ressurections?
Thanks!
Felix
So good and bad news like most I will dread the wait, but as an author you’ve never let me down so I’m content to wait.
On another note, Ive yet to read the Hammer and Blade book, interesting characters???
And I so need An autographed book is there a way to get that it’d Be AWESOME!!
P.S
Congrats and as always I look forward to your books!
Paul,
If you’ve enjoyed my Cale stories, you’ll love Egil and Nix from THE HAMMER AND THE BLADE. 🙂
Paul
IS there a way to purchase the artwork for Sundering? I want a big ass picture of that on my wall.
Not that I”m aware of. I’d like one too. 🙂