How to learn quickly learn Forgotten Realms background for Storm Kings Thunder

[valiantcosmos]

Hi all,

I'm new to the world of D and D and wondered how best to quickly learn something about the history and culture of the Forgotten Realms in preparation for playing Storm King's Thunder as a player. I was thinking of reading one of the Sundering series of novels (The first (The Companions)?, the last (The Herald)?). I've browsed the forgottenrealms.wikia site but get a bit overwhelmed with the breadth of information. Any suggestions for quickly getting up to speed on the backstory to the setting of Storm King's Thunder would be greatly appreciated.

[LordEntrails]

Hmm, not sure there is a quick way
I don't think any of the novels are up-to date. I think that the last of them was written for 4th edition timeline, but I'm not sure. (I'm not a FR guru). If no one here can help, I would suggest you ask at CandleKeep.com as that site is all about the FR.

The Sword Coast Adventures Guide is written for 5E, so it's upto date timeline-wise, but I don't have it so I do not know what info it might include.

[Zacchaeus]

There isn't really a series of novels that you can read which would give you the kind of background that you seek, since each series tends to focus on a very narrow area of the FR and of course on what is happening to the particular characters in the novel. Whilst in R A Salvatore's books things like the Sundering are happening they are doing so somewhat in the background. Your best bet is to get a hold of the Sword Coast Adventure Guide or perhaps the FR campaign guide for 4e.

However, to be honest a thorough reading of the material in the Introduction and chapter 3 of SKT will give you more than enough material to be getting on with. I'd also suggest a scan through the 'History' section of the FR Wiki to familiarize yourself with the Spellplague and the Sundering in particular. (These two events presaged 4e and 5e basically).

[valiantcosmos]

LordEntrails, thanks for the link to candlekeep.com -- hadn't come across that yet and it looks helpful/interesting.

Zacchaeus: thanks for the advice, that helps me know where to start on the FR wiki.

[Jorthain]

I found the Sword Coast Adventurers Guide very helpful to me. I only recently returned to D&D and had only ever played in Greyhawk or home brew worlds.