I'd have to say that Artemis Entrari is definitely a great character, especially when in tandem with Jarlaxle Baen're. Both have incredible character complexity, and compellingly real personalities. I'm very surprised that the same person who wrote the terrible Drizzt Do'Urden character manage to redeem his credibility with characters such as they. (On a side note- Rai-Guy and Kimmuriel are awesome, too. Pinnacle of Drowness, each.)
Elminster, for such a powerful character in the FR setting, is a terribly dry and uncompelling character. Mordenkaiden definitely owns him, as does the Netherese lich, Larloch, both of whom in their relatively short actual character detail time beat him out, in my opinion.
As for organizations... I'd have to lay my kudos to the Red Wizards of Thay. They are more agressive, and yet at the same time infinitely more complex and insidious than any other collection out there. Those Who Harp are more annoying than anything else, and few of the individual members (with notable exceptions like Khelban Arunsan aside) pique my interest. The Sharn, and their wars with the Phaerrimm, are also deeply interesting, as are the reminents of the Shades (the last of Netherese). The Zhentarim are interesting in concept, but the overall delivery of their intent and actions seem to blunt their original subtlty.
Elminster, for such a powerful character in the FR setting, is a terribly dry and uncompelling character. Mordenkaiden definitely owns him, as does the Netherese lich, Larloch, both of whom in their relatively short actual character detail time beat him out, in my opinion.
As for organizations... I'd have to lay my kudos to the Red Wizards of Thay. They are more agressive, and yet at the same time infinitely more complex and insidious than any other collection out there. Those Who Harp are more annoying than anything else, and few of the individual members (with notable exceptions like Khelban Arunsan aside) pique my interest. The Sharn, and their wars with the Phaerrimm, are also deeply interesting, as are the reminents of the Shades (the last of Netherese). The Zhentarim are interesting in concept, but the overall delivery of their intent and actions seem to blunt their original subtlty.





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