Elminster's Ecologies Book

"Realms of Infamy" is set in the Forgotten Realms setting. Now, is it required to have a good background in the FR lore? Yes. Since these stories highlight some of the most infamous people from that setting. It gives you a better "feel" for the subject material. Otherwise you are left with a series of strange short stories. But for those of you who know these characters, it is a joy. So here are the stories:

"So High a Price"- A story of Manshoon, First Lord of Zhentil Keep, and his attempted coup in league with a Beholder. A great look at the politics of Zhentil Keep. 5/5

"The Meaning of Lore"- A story about a dark hearted bard/cleric Master Chane Troiban and his egotistical goals try to enter a sacred Library of Oghma to steal tomes. 4/5

"Raven's Egg"- Lord Sharven of Espar marries the Lady Atera, but she is accompanied by her "mage" who isn't what he seems. 4/5

"The Third-Level"- A young Artemis Entreri joins the Thieves Guild of Calimport and shows the promise that makes him into one of the deadliest assassins in the Realms. 5/5

"Blood Sport"- A Jander Sunstar story, where he meets the Vampire Hunter, The Shark, and we find out about true monsters. 5/5

"Gallows Day"- Master Thief Pinch rescues one of his own from the gallows and looks for a traitor. 4/5

"A Matter of Thorns"- Lord Stone learns the price of killing the gardener Grim. 4/5

"Stolen Spells"- Arek Adar steals an elixir for the shady merchant, Bareen Tykar, and teaches a lesson in keeping your word. 4/5

"The Greatest Hero Who Ever Died"- A tale of the dark hero Sir Paramore told to a crowd at a pub. 5/5

"Twilight"- A story of the Old Gods. Annam, High God, punishes Othea, Mother of Giants, for frolicking with Ulutiu, the Sea King and this results in the giants and giant-kin of the "current" Realms. 5/5

"The Walls of Midnight"- A mage and a thief, both wishing to join the Zhentarim, are given a seemingly impossible task. 4/5

"And Wringing of Hands"- Possibly the weakest story of the bunch. An assassin's apprentice finds his master to be less than honorable. 3/5

"Thieves Honor"- Teza the thief enters into a bargain with a Witch of Rashemen. 4/5

"Laughter in the Flames"- This one started off slowly and I wasn't sure where it was headed, but the end was sublime. An Adventurer, Sir Hamnet, deals with his reputation for exploration and meets with Cyric, the Lord of the Dead. 5/5

"Vision"- Captain Kergis learns what it means to be a goblin. 5/5

Thus, when the worst out of an almost dozen stories is a 3/5 and the rest a 4-5/5 then the collection gets a 5/5. This is a joy for any Forgotten Realms fan.