Customer Reviews

The Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (AD&D Fantasy Roleplaying, 2books + 4maps + HexGrid)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

The classic "Grey Box" campaign set by Ed Greenwood introduced us all to the infinite splendors of Waterdeep and the Realms, through Elminster's eyes, and ushered in the silver age of classic AD&D gaming. Although the set was later refurbished in the 90s, many people prefer this set not only for the nostalgia it provides, but also because the illustrations in the campaign books are gorgeous and unforgettable. Clyde Caldwell's "Ravenloft" style reached its apogee here. In this set, you get the 96-page Players Guide to the Realms, the 96 Page DM's Lorebook, and huge poster maps of the heartlands of the Realms, with the unique transparent hex overlays for adventuring.

A quick commentary: in my humble and deluded opinion I think the introduction of numerous supplements and add-ons dilutes the power of the imagination...

Having said that, this boxed set hit the mark with a vengeance. Not only does it leave a ton of stuff to the imagination by providing a basic fantasy framework; but the framework it does provide is just the type needed that can explode in the imagination to thousands of possibilities. Extra books and more detailed boxed sets simply draw more boundaries - even if it seems there's more material in the box it's just more boundaries and more guidelines...

This set is highly recommended and high quality!

This is it! The first Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, by Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb, whom I, like so many other fans out there, owe our thanks to for creating this wonderful, fantastic world. This first Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting is the one that began the tradition of providing vital information concerning the magical world of Toril. Ranging from background history, to city and social descriptions, to important people and characters, to the respective gods and pantheons, to adventure hooks and actual adventures-like the great adventure in the ruins of Myth Drannor-included in the set, to magical items and artifacts, to new spells and monsters, to fantastic maps and transparent hex overlays, this accessory has it all and more!
For the FR enthusiast, like myself, I also strongly recommend the next, second FR Campaign Setting (Second Edition AD&D), which by the way is also in boxed set form (it will take a bit of searching, but it's well worth it), as well as the latest (so far) Third Edition D&D Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, which even though is quite expensive, is still very useful to all FR fans, in providing an update of events. In short, if you don't have it, GET IT! It is highly addictive and so worth it!

Twenty years old this year, the Forgotten Realms Gray Box is still impressive today.

On the heels of their success with Dragonlance, TSR cast about, looking for a more open-ended, less-scripted, and traditional AD&D-style campaign setting. For years, Ed Greenwood and friends had been playing his campaign world, and early Dragon magazine readers were frequently tantalized with articles such as Pages from the Mages, calendar-building, and magical treasures, all hinting at Greenwood's setting, the Forgotten Realms.

TSR released this set (and also began the excellent FR-series modules) in 1987, the last years of AD&D 1st edition. Packed with 2 books, 4 poster maps, and 2 clear hex overlays, the Gray Box is chock-full of information and adventure hooks. Of course, you'll be wanting more, but there's plenty here to get started.

CAUTION: It's been a long time since this set was in production, and the boxes were often the first to be lost. Read seller descriptions with care, as the first dozen listings for sale are typically missing books, maps and/or box. Do yourself a favor and get a complete set.

This Book Is From The Forgotten Realms Box Set.
This Book Is A Complete Cyclopedia Of The Fabulous Forgotten Realms, For Abeir Toril To Zhentil Keep.