Zeb Cook

Galwylin

So, I was watching the newest ESO Live and they had combat discussion then tutorial discussion and brought on Zeb Cook. Now, is this the same Zeb Cook that used to do work for the old TSR, creators of Dungeons & Dragons. He worked on a lot of Forgotten Realms stuff that I used to read well after I last touched some dice. And novels. Really liked his novels. It would be great if its the same guy to get some ESO novels. Oh, if it isn't, I like this guy too. He used to be one of my favorite Realms writers though I don't keep up with them any longer. In any case, when they introduced him I thought "I know that guy!" even though its been years since I read one of his books.

Bladorthin

Same Zeb Cook ;-) Loved the Conan RPG he wrote for TSR in the early 80's. Lawrence Schick (Author of White Plume Mountain among other things) is the Chief Loremaster for ESO.

Galwylin

Hmm, couldn't edit my original. Anyways, I remember to check Wikipedia and it is the same guy. Though he didn't do novels apparently. I guess that was Jim Ward because of was thinking of the Pool of Radiance series of books that were my first Forgotten Realms anything. Specifically the old SSI Gold Box games and the novels based on them (or the other way around). In any case, there was this character named Shal Bal in that one who had the same last name as Molag Bal. Just amusing to me since Molag doesn't favor a tall red haired female wizard. Usually.

Gilvoth

yes i agree, he really seems like a nice guy.

Gilvoth

.

Galwylin

I've always said here that the storylines are what keeps me playing. My favorite parts of the game. Great to see some great creators are on this game and it shows in the results. Very appreciative of the work.

Mudcrabjedi

I'm still waiting on Zeb shirts in the crown store.

Balamoor

Zeb is awesome, I miss his contributions to D&D....There are actually quite a few old TSR employees on the payroll for Zenimax and Bethesda, it is why all TES titles have that old 2.0 D&D vibe to them and that gives the games it produces and advantage over "How many pop culture and poop references can we add" MMO's.



Personally, I miss old TSR, WoTC turned D&D into a politically Correct theater of the mind, the game is garbage and the current batch of players that it attracts are hipsters or SJW and WOTC main reason for being is to show how many Hollywood or famous types play D&D. I hope sales continue to tank so a small press can take back the game that has been ravaged over the past 16 years.

Elsonso

Galwylin wrote: »

So, I was watching the newest ESO Live and they had combat discussion then tutorial discussion and brought on Zeb Cook. Now, is this the same Zeb Cook that used to do work for the old TSR, creators of Dungeons & Dragons. He worked on a lot of Forgotten Realms stuff that I used to read well after I last touched some dice. And novels. Really liked his novels. It would be great if its the same guy to get some ESO novels. Oh, if it isn't, I like this guy too. He used to be one of my favorite Realms writers though I don't keep up with them any longer. In any case, when they introduced him I thought "I know that guy!" even though its been years since I read one of his books.

Yes, he was also 2nd Edition AD&D. Zeb is one of the reasons I think ESO is better than a lot of other games out there, and why Wrothgar is one of the best zones in the game.

Rohamad_Ali

I did not he was on ESO live . That guy is a great writer . I was too busy fast forwarding through balance changes . Now I have to go back an watch the whole thing .

wenchmore420b14_ESO

Don't forget!
Lawrence Schick, ESO Loremaster, worked on the "Red Box D&D" with Gygax and wrote mod's for original D&D!
Please ZoS!!!
Next ESO-Live, Let it be "The Zeb & Schick Show"!!
Make it a Lore-Play episode maybe?? Maybe just give them their own show?
I Say 1,000 Huzzah's to this!!
#LorePlayWithLawrence&Zeb

Jitterbug

wenchmore420b14_ESO wrote: »

Next ESO-Live, Let it be "The Zeb & Schick Show"!!

Heck, make every day like this!

Darlgon

wenchmore420b14_ESO wrote: »

Don't forget!
Lawrence Schick, ESO Loremaster, worked on the "Red Box D&D" with Gygax and wrote mod's for original D&D!
Please ZoS!!!
Next ESO-Live, Let it be "The Zeb & Schick Show"!!
Make it a Lore-Play episode maybe?? Maybe just give them their own show?
I Say 1,000 Huzzah's to this!!
#LorePlayWithLawrence&Zeb

Rich said that was "likely".

Galwylin wrote: »

Hmm, couldn't edit my original.

I also had this issue, until someone pointed out, when you start a discussion, the "Edit" cog is at the top, with the discussion title, not with your post.

Oh, and he headed Wrothgar, so.. if you liked that..

Now that I think about it.. I think Gina and Jessica should wear beards, so they fit in with Lawrence and Zeb...

QuebraRegra

@ZEB is a hero to me. I have that Conan unchained module memorized

Make a proper d&d mmo with them

Galwylin

Balamoor wrote: »

Personally, I miss old TSR, WoTC turned D&D into a politically Correct theater of the mind, the game is garbage and the current batch of players that it attracts are hipsters or SJW and WOTC main reason for being is to show how many Hollywood or famous types play D&D. I hope sales continue to tank so a small press can take back the game that has been ravaged over the past 16 years.

I hear you. And Orsinium was one I my favorites. It prompted my making an orc. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with him but each time I look at him I remember the things Orsinium taught me. And I miss TSR too. I remember when WotC bought them and nothing really changed. Then bam! It was like everything burned down. I'll hate Sean K Reynolds and his crunchy bits forever!!

Oh, not really. I got over it.

QuebraRegra

Galwylin wrote: »

Balamoor wrote: »

Personally, I miss old TSR, WoTC turned D&D into a politically Correct theater of the mind, the game is garbage and the current batch of players that it attracts are hipsters or SJW and WOTC main reason for being is to show how many Hollywood or famous types play D&D. I hope sales continue to tank so a small press can take back the game that has been ravaged over the past 16 years.

I hear you. And Orsinium was one I my favorites. It prompted my making an orc. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with him but each time I look at him I remember the things Orsinium taught me. And I miss TSR too. I remember when WotC bought them and nothing really changed. Then bam! It was like everything burned down. I'll hate Sean K Reynolds and his crunchy bits forever!!

Oh, not really. I got over it.

join the list of the "still angry"... bring back TSR!

Turelus

I made a thread earlier today as I was doing some RP research and realised that Lawrence Schick of ZOS is the Lawrence Schick of TSR as well.

So basically, ZOS is TSR.

QuebraRegra

Turelus wrote: »

I made a thread earlier today as I was doing some RP research and realised that Lawrence Schick of ZOS is the Lawrence Schick of TSR as well.

So basically, ZOS is TSR.

Just found out ZEB worked for ZOS last month, and was gobsmacked.. then Schick... amazing!

Out of curiosity, I wonder what specific content they contributed too over the life of this game? We know ZEB did Wrothgar, which is generally considered to be the best DLC. Sometimes I'm playing ESO, and I really get oldskool TSR feels from a few of the dungeons, etc. Makes me wonder...

I have an idea (*puts asbestos undergarments on*)... ZOS should use the game engine and do a proper D&D MMO led by the old TSR guys

Turelus

QuebraRegra wrote: »

Turelus wrote: »

I made a thread earlier today as I was doing some RP research and realised that Lawrence Schick of ZOS is the Lawrence Schick of TSR as well.

So basically, ZOS is TSR.

Just found out ZEB worked for ZOS last month, and was gobsmacked.. then Schick... amazing!

Out of curiosity, I wonder what specific content they contributed too over the life of this game? We know ZEB did Wrothgar, which is generally considered to be the best DLC. Sometimes I'm playing ESO, and I really get oldskool TSR feels from a few of the dungeons, etc. Makes me wonder...

I have an idea (*puts asbestos undergarments on*)... ZOS should use the game engine and do a proper D&D MMO led by the old TSR guys

We could try calling on their wisdom to ask if they have the time for indulge us crazy RP nerds.

@Lawrence_Schick @ZOS_ZebCook

Belidos

it is why all TES titles have that old 2.0 D&D vibe to them a

2.0 was AD&D's peak, after that it wall went downhill, not surprisingly it was about that time WotC took over and a lot of the top writers left.

QuebraRegra

Turelus wrote: »

QuebraRegra wrote: »

Turelus wrote: »

I made a thread earlier today as I was doing some RP research and realised that Lawrence Schick of ZOS is the Lawrence Schick of TSR as well.

So basically, ZOS is TSR.

Just found out ZEB worked for ZOS last month, and was gobsmacked.. then Schick... amazing!

Out of curiosity, I wonder what specific content they contributed too over the life of this game? We know ZEB did Wrothgar, which is generally considered to be the best DLC. Sometimes I'm playing ESO, and I really get oldskool TSR feels from a few of the dungeons, etc. Makes me wonder...

I have an idea (*puts asbestos undergarments on*)... ZOS should use the game engine and do a proper D&D MMO led by the old TSR guys

We could try calling on their wisdom to ask if they have the time for indulge us crazy RP nerds.

@Lawrence_Schick @ZOS_ZebCook

I'm an idiot... Zeb did a speaking engagement in APRIL in Bmore, but I had no idea the event was happening, and missed it

oh man I could have set a record for the most questions asked in 5 minutes...

QuebraRegra

Belidos wrote: »

it is why all TES titles have that old 2.0 D&D vibe to them a

2.0 was AD&D's peak, after that it wall went downhill, not surprisingly it was about that time WotC took over and a lot of the top writers left.

ZEB did "Oriental Adventures" for AD&D too! For some reason I have the whole section on the WuJen memorized (oh the taboos!).

it must be like RP nerd heaven at the ZOS offices

Turelus

Belidos wrote: »

it is why all TES titles have that old 2.0 D&D vibe to them a

2.0 was AD&D's peak, after that it wall went downhill, not surprisingly it was about that time WotC took over and a lot of the top writers left.

I grew up with the Zanzers Dungeon box buy never really had the chance to play until 3.5.

These days I run Pathfinder as it's the system I know and love, but the last couple of years I've been reading more older content written by the likes of Zeb and Lawrence, it really has a mystical and enticing feel I want to experience.

Which is also the same feeling some of the ESO content (especially Wrothgar) gives me, now I'm wondering now much can be attributed the the writing talents of former TSR staff.

Also whilst this is a thread about Zeb (and now Lawrence) I would like to hear from any of ZOS' story writers, I just don't know who they are.

Balamoor

QuebraRegra wrote: »

Turelus wrote: »

I made a thread earlier today as I was doing some RP research and realised that Lawrence Schick of ZOS is the Lawrence Schick of TSR as well.

So basically, ZOS is TSR.

Just found out ZEB worked for ZOS last month, and was gobsmacked.. then Schick... amazing!

Out of curiosity, I wonder what specific content they contributed too over the life of this game? We know ZEB did Wrothgar, which is generally considered to be the best DLC. Sometimes I'm playing ESO, and I really get oldskool TSR feels from a few of the dungeons, etc. Makes me wonder...

I have an idea (*puts asbestos undergarments on*)... ZOS should use the game engine and do a proper D&D MMO led by the old TSR guys

You really do get that Old D&D feel. My guild has been around forever, we started out as a tabletop D&D guild back in 1977, we were some of the first Beta testers for EQ and we have beta tested many MMO's and RPgs since....only TES and ESO has that D&D feel..... Tamriel could easily be Greyhawk or the Realms, I think that's why you see so many older ESO players too.

Turelus wrote: »

So basically, ZOS is TSR.

Yes only they are the good TSR before the dark days of Lorraine Williams and Sean K Reynolds.

Balamoor

QuebraRegra wrote: »

Belidos wrote: »

it is why all TES titles have that old 2.0 D&D vibe to them a

2.0 was AD&D's peak, after that it wall went downhill, not surprisingly it was about that time WotC took over and a lot of the top writers left.

ZEB did "Oriental Adventures" for AD&D too! For some reason I have the whole section on the WuJen memorized (oh the taboos!).

it must be like RP nerd heaven at the ZOS offices

QuebraRegra wrote: »

Belidos wrote: »

it is why all TES titles have that old 2.0 D&D vibe to them a

2.0 was AD&D's peak, after that it wall went downhill, not surprisingly it was about that time WotC took over and a lot of the top writers left.

ZEB did "Oriental Adventures" for AD&D too! For some reason I have the whole section on the WuJen memorized (oh the taboos!).

it must be like RP nerd heaven at the ZOS offices

OA....was without a doubt my favorite D&D supplement, I still have my old character sheet from that a level 30 Sohei who used a Manriki-gusari.

wenchmore420b14_ESO

Found this and just HAD to share!!!
#LorePlayWithZebAndLawrence..

Galwylin

Man, you guys are bringing back some great memories. I had no idea what greats were actually behind ESO. I thought the guys we usually see on ESO Live's sofa must have done the writing which just twisted my mind. Sorry, guys. Rich and the gang seem nice enough but I thought how the heck did those guys create such memorable quests. I seriously felt pulled in when my character had friends. I never played a game where my character made actual friends. That's an old D&D trick to get you to follow the adventure planned out. Give you interesting NPCs you care about and will want to help. It really enriches the experience. And so much terminology we used for MMOs are handed down from D&D that probably many didn't realize. I've always felt MMOS were the natural children of good old D&D. I didn't even play that much but I loved reading the reference material. Somewhere I've got two boxes full of all that stuff I need to dig out. I've been lucky to have met a few creators over the years which was always a pleasure especially those that love talking about the settings.

terovian2000b14_ESO

You know, this has to be one of the greatest threads I've ever read on these forums. No snark, politeness, and full of nostalgia!

That White Plume Mountain picture brings back some really fond memories.