Here you will find the latest news in the world of Raymond E. Feist. It maybe the title of the next book, a new release or even a new project, but it could also be an update on an existing project. What ever it is though, we hope to present it to you as soon as we are aware of it. If you know something we don't, that relates to Raymond E. Feist, and believe it should be here, then please contact us.
Tue Aug 17th, 1999
Atlas Info
Ray reveals more facts about the Atlas:
Well, the 'Krondor' banner is what it will be published under, and it will center on Krondor, but eventually we hope to get around to the entire world. As we get father from Krondor in this first one (and maybe only one, but we can hope) we'll be seeing less detail. By the time you get to the world map there'll be lots of 'here there be dragons,' kind of stuff.
Tue Aug 17th, 1999
Jimmy's Tale
Ray posted this about the setting of the Jimmy the Hand Tales of the Riftwar story:
Remember in Magician, when Arutha is rescuing Anita from Jocko Radburn? He throws Jimmy his sword when he sees the boy trapped on the docks? We start about an hour later. So, basically, we're going to tell the '1st' Jimmy the Hand solo adventure story. We haven't decided yet, but I think the title will be Tales of the Riftwar: Jimmy the Hand.
Mon Aug 9th, 1999
More on Eastern Realm Politics
Ray posted more details about the political situation in the east:
The Eastern Kingdoms are small states that cause constant friction on the Kingdom's eastern border. The Armies of the East often don't fight, but there are constant skirmishes and much political intrigue.
A few of those states are related by political marriage to either Roldem or the Kingdom of the Isles, but if you want a historical Earth model, think of the Kingdoms and Duchies of Italy or Germany before it was unified.
Mon Aug 9th, 1999
Owyn Returns (Kind of...)
Ray posted this note, clarifying Owyn Belafonte's future (after Betrayal at Krondor) in light of the Conclave series:
Actually, Owyn will not return. He may be referenced by name during the Conclaves series. He returned to his father's estate, gave up practicing magic, and was eventually given a title and estates of his own.
The problem with Owyn was fitting him into the larger Midkemian concept I had before Betrayal at Krondor was developed. There were no significant Magicians named 'Owyn' mentioned or referenced in Prince of the Blood and King's Buccaneer, so suddenly having him show up in the Serpent War would have been difficult.
The situation, however, was there was no good way to somewhere in there mention Owyn and his choices. To have Pug idly referencing him that many years later would have seem forced.
So, eventually Owyn caved and did as his father wished.
But he had a son who shows up in Conclave.
My guess would be that Owyn's son, raised on tale's of his father's grand adventure, seeks out Pug to join the Conclave and fight whichever baddies are threatening Midkemia.
Sun Aug 8th, 1999
More on John's Site Change
In addition to the note below about the new URL for John Bunting's site, it has been renamed to The Raymond E. Feist Reference Pages.
Sun Aug 8th, 1999
Site Update
This has been a really slow week for news. However, I have been putting the final touches on everything for the switch to this sites' new home, the University of North Carolina web server. Although I am leaving for UNC on I am not sure when the move will occur. I am going to try to get the new site up this week so I will have a little bit of time to troubleshoot it before moving in.
Sun Aug 8th, 1999
The Realms
In response to a question about the political division of the Kingdom into two realms, and the nature of the Eastern Kingdoms, Jeff Czyz posted this explanation:
Rillanon is the capitol of both the Kingdom and the Eastern Realm. Bas-Tyra is one of the oldest duchies within the Kingdom and, like you said, is located within the Eastern Realm.
...
The Eastern Kingdoms are small nations to the east of Rillanon. A few of them include the Kingdom of Roldem, the Duchy of Olasko, and Ceresia, among others. From REF awhile back:
'There are roughly fifteen areas, and truly only two 'Kingdoms,' while the rest are 'Duchy of. . .' Or 'Land of the . . . ' and there's a large disputed area.'
Sun Aug 8th, 1999
John Bunting's Sites Change URL
John Bunting has moved all of his websites to a new web server. The Links page has been updated accordingly. His two sites of interest to Feist fans are the WebRing Home and his large Feist site.
Tue Aug 3rd, 1999
Future Novel Plans
There has not been much news of late, as the mailing list is embroiled in a theological debate. However, Ray posted this little bit when asked about writing about the Riftwar from Kesh's perspective:
Someday, maybe, but it'll be future history, not during the previous books.
Sun Aug 1st, 1999
Krondor: the Assassins UK Cover
John Bunting has posted this note:
I have just posted the UK KtA cover at my site
Follow the Publication Information and then UK Editions Clicking the thumbnail will give a larger image.
John has one of the nicest Feist websites around. I suggest you check it out.
Sun Aug 1st, 1999
Conclave Characters
Several questions were posted this week about the cast of the Conclave series. Most were about possible appearances of Erik, Roo, Dash or Jimmy, and what happens to the Serpentwar heroes after Shards of a Broken Crown. Ray posted a few different messages about the topic:
I am not going to follow Dash and James. You will catch glimpses of James in the Conclave of Shadows series, but I don't know about Dash. But we pick up maybe 30 years after the end of Shards, with Patrick on the thone.
There is no need in the new books to make any reference to Roo, Erik, Luis, etc. given who they were and where they were. It would be as false as having a character left over from a novel set in Los Angeles, showing up 30 years later and at some pont having him say, 'You know, I used to know these guys out in L.A.,' and then having him drone on to fill in background and history. As those characters have no bearing on the current story it would be false.
Feel free to make up your own ending for Roo, Luis, and Erik's lives. Stick them into the 'happily ever after,' category.
You know how governments are: Roo got some of his money back, but I believe I had him reflecting on that at one point in Shards, that he'd never get back half of what he had put in. I think he also recognized the hand of Duke James somewhere in his success, so he didn't feel as if he was cheated somehow. He probably also realized late in life that the game was what was important to him, the earning the money as opposed to having it.
Sun Aug 1st, 1999
French Editions
John Bunting posted this to the site about new French editions:
I have just uploaded the new French covers to my site for Magician Apprentice and Magician Master
Larger pictures can be seen by clicking on the image
It looks like the Magician Apprentice has been re-released or the publisher has changed.
Ray responded with this:
I think they just changed the type treatment and used the same art by Don.
Sat Jul 24th, 1999
Conclave Details
When asked whether Erik, Roo and Co. Will show up in future books, Ray responded in the negative, and offered this information on the characters in the next series:
They are done.Next series after Serpentwar is Conclave of Shadows, some 30-50 years (I haven't decided yet) after Serpentwar, and located in the Eastern Kingdoms.
The only characters who may show up will be those who have business in the King's Court at Rillanon. I'm pretty certain James will show up as Duke of Rillanon, but he'll be a minor character. Obviously there will be some dealing with King Patrick, but most of the action takes place beyond the borders of the Kingdom of the Isles, so anyone else who shows up will be a cameo.
Fri Jul 23rd, 1999
Online RPG
When asked if a massively multiplayer online role playing game set in Midkemia, Ray responded thus:
Can't comment on that yet.
Focus on the word 'yet.' Another clue of what is (hopefully) to come...
Fri Jul 23rd, 1999
Future Books
Ray posted a very informative note today about future book plans, including the subjects of the three Tales of the Riftwar novels:
No Empire books. Janny and I had discussed it sometime back, and decided we didn't have another story to tell there.
The books at this point are:
The current project, Krondor: Tear of the Gods.
Three in the Conclave of Shadows, the first of which is titled Talon of the Silver Hawk.
Three in the Tales of the Riftwar series, a murder mystery set in LaMut during a winter's garrisoning co-written with Joel Rosenberg. A 'march or die' type combat novel co-written with William R. Forstchen. And a 'Jimmy the Hand' novel co-written with S. M. Stirling.
And Steve Abrams and I are going to do the Atlas of Midkemia.
