| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Neconilis |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 14:27:39
Hello and well met!
After many years of absence I have recently started DMing a Realms game again, set in the year 1362 DR. That date is earlier than any game I previously ran, as we usually started playing in 1368+ DR.
Therefore, I am hoping to get a few refreshers as to what's currently going on in the Realms, especially in regards to deities.
Now, in 1362, Cyric still fully controls the portfolios of Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul, correct? At this time, is Cyric still granting spells/powers to those priests who have not turned away from the worship of those now dead gods, or has the purge begun and they must turn to fully embrace Cyric or be destroyed? Also, is Leira dead yet, or does Cyric not kill her until sometime in the future immediately before the Cyrinishad debacle?
Speaking of gods granting powers in absentia/alias, does Llira grant spells/powers to the remaining faithful of Waukeen, or must the faithful of Waukeen convert to Llira's church to have their prayers answered? Furthermore, is it common (enough) knowledge amongst the faithful of both Waukeen and Llira, that Llira was given Waukeen's portfolio for safekeeping?
Finally, is Finder currently a deity, and is Kezef still locked up until 1368 and the series of events that results in the apotheosis of Kelemvor?
Thanks a lot for all of the help, and if you think there's anything of worth mentioning that's different in 1362 from 1368 on, please do, as even if I know it it can't hurt to hear it again. |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| hashimashadoo |
Posted - 23 Jul 2013 : 13:09:16
quote:
Originally posted by Neconilis
That's very cool hashimashadoo, about how much more work do you have to do before you consider your work to be complete?
Well, it's currently about 70-odd A4-sized pages long. I won't consider it complete until it's complete. Mostly, I'm looking at published and dated Realms adventures and thus trawling through back-issues of Dungeon as and when I can get my hands on them.
quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
Nice, please let us know as soon as you post it!
If I can find a place to post it where I can update it at will, I'll do my best to get it up ASAP. I can't get online much in the week, otherwise it'd all be on the wiki. I'll ask (when I have the time) the admins here if I'd be allowed to post it as a forum thread. |
| Barastir |
Posted - 22 Jul 2013 : 12:16:28
quote:
Originally posted by hashimashadoo
It's a Realmslore document I've been working on. All official date information that didn't get included in the Grand History. It's still a Work in Progress but I've been looking for a place to host it.
Nice, please let us know as soon as you post it! |
| BEAST |
Posted - 21 Jul 2013 : 18:47:38
Oh yeah, I know about the official date for Quenthel's return. There is a concensus of multiple sources. I was only making sure to point out that an outlier exists. Proper accounting of Realmslore means that we need to acknowledge the alternate references, as well.
(Sometimes, they even help out of binds created by the official stuff!) |
| Neconilis |
Posted - 21 Jul 2013 : 17:12:08
That's very cool hashimashadoo, about how much more work do you have to do before you consider your work to be complete? |
| hashimashadoo |
Posted - 21 Jul 2013 : 15:49:15
quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
quote:
Originally posted by Hoondatha
What's the Grand History Expansion Pack?
I'm also interested, what is it?
It's a Realmslore document I've been working on. All official date information that didn't get included in the Grand History. It's still a Work in Progress but I've been looking for a place to host it.
Edit: Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue explicitly states that Quenthel was resurrected in 1362 DR. |
| BEAST |
Posted - 15 Jul 2013 : 23:46:00
It should be noted that the novel Annhilation, Ch.15, is a bit of an outlier, in that it says that Quenthel's soul served Lolth in the Abyss for a decade before she was sent back. That would be 1358 DR (Siege of Darkness), plus a decade. 1358 DR + 10 yr = 1368 DR. So according to that one isolated source, Quenthel still had not been resurrected in 1362 DR.
Also, I'm not so sure of the 1362 DR date for Bruenor's abdication:
- Passage to Dawn said this occurred "shortly after the drow war" (which was in 1358 DR, in Siege of Darkness).
- Drizzt's Diaries in Passage to Dawn make it clear that Bruenor never really felt at home within the Hall during his reign as the Eighth King, and with the loss of his adoptive son Wulfgar, Bruenor had actually become quite eager to return to the Dale. Gandalug's arrival almost certainly settled the issue for him, and quickly at that.
- Gauntlgrym says that Bruenor had only known Gandalug a "short time".
- And The Thousand Orcs says that Bruenor "had barely known" his ancestor.
- As there is no record of anything dramatic or noteworthy taking place in the environs of Mithral Hall after the drow war, four years would seem to have been more than enough time for Gandalug and Bruenor to have gotten to know each other quite well--what else did they have to do?
Therefore, these clues all seem to indicate that Bruenor's caravan probably bugged out of Mithral Hall and migrated back to Icewind Dale rather soon after the drow war. 4 years seems too long. |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 15 Jul 2013 : 17:11:55
These are the 1362 references I've got in my timeline:
King Bruenor Battlehammer abdicates his throne in favor of Gandalug Battlehammer, First King of Mithral Hall, saved from the clutches of House Baenre of Menzoberranzan four years previously. Gandalug is now both First and Ninth King of Mithral Hall.
The death of Ch’Chitl’s Elder Brain sees the ulitharid Thalynsar embrace lichdom and lose control over the Unseen. Hlaavin becomes the new leader of this shadowy group.
The Rotting Man first appears in the Rawlinswood.
Thay attempts to invade Rashemen by moving forces through Thesk along the Golden Way, but they are overwhelmed by water elementals summoned by the Witches.
The Merchants’ Council of Phsant in the Great Dale commissions an army of orcs from Zhentil Keep, survivors of the war against the Tuigan, to successfully hunt down the Tuigan bandits of Tammar.
The Council Schism in Amn results in the deaths of Amn’s Meisarch Thayze Selemchant, the Namarch and Pomarch of the Council of Six, who are soon replaced. The death of the Meisarch, an ally of Syl-Pasha Ralan of Calimshan, stalls his plans to conquer Tethyr.
Teldorn Darkhope, leader of the Knights of the Black Gauntlet, seizes power in the city-state of Mintar on the Lake of Steam.
The seawolf Dulfan establishes his lair in a cave just north of Nyth on the Easting Reach.
The eye tyrant Xakamt attempts to plunder the Flaming Brazier, the temple to Kossuth in Bezantur, but is defeated and transformed into a doomsphere under the control of Eternal Flame Mythalanir, the temple's high priest.
-- George Krashos
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| Barastir |
Posted - 15 Jul 2013 : 12:40:11
quote:
Originally posted by Hoondatha
What's the Grand History Expansion Pack?
I'm also interested, what is it? |
| Neconilis |
Posted - 15 Jul 2013 : 04:41:35
Thanks a lot for all of the further responses guys, they've definitely helped a lot and I feel as if I have a much better grasp on the year we're gaming in.
Also, for those of you who are interested, I've started the game in Sembia in and near Daerlun, mid-Flamerule. The party ostensibly finished their first adventure last night and are well on their way. |
| Hoondatha |
Posted - 14 Jul 2013 : 21:04:54
What's the Grand History Expansion Pack? |
| hashimashadoo |
Posted - 14 Jul 2013 : 15:03:38
An excerpt from my Grand History Expansion Pack:
1362 DR
* The Banite temples that will soon be known as the Twin Towers of the Eternal Eclipse are taken by Cyricists and reconsecrated.
* The Knights of the Black Gauntlet complete the construction of an army of helmed horrors and also muster a force of mercenaries.
* Ondeeme returns from hiding late in the year and re-establishes control over his eponymous chaotic realm with ancient magic that controls the minds of eleven other powerful wizards.
* Lolth resurrects Quenthel Baenre.
* Jherek Wolf's-Get escapes the Bunyip and makes his way to Velen, stealing to survive.
* Midwinter The Knights of the Black Gauntlet launch their initial attack on Mintar.
Since you asked for refreshers of what's going on I thought I'd include this even though it doesn't specifically refer to current deific activities. Depending on where you're setting your campaign, I though this could provide some interesting fluff. |
| hashimashadoo |
Posted - 14 Jul 2013 : 15:02:55
Edit: Got a timeout error here but it seems it got posted anyway. |
| Barastir |
Posted - 11 Jul 2013 : 13:34:31
And in Cyric's entry in the same book:
"Cyric is the youngest of the gods, and potentially one of the most powerful, having taken on the portfolios of Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul, as well as adopted their huge horde of followers and worshipers.
Due to his relative youth as a deity, Cyric has very few original followers of his own, though this is changing. Those assassins' guilds which survived the Time of Troubles and those which have arisen since are enthusiastic supporters, as Cyric was responsible for the demolition of the previous assassin god, always a good recommendation. Many of the common folk, unsure of the status of the Dead Three, have been swayed by the arguments of the new temples of Cyric.
The former church hierarchies of the Dead Gods are still in place, however, and to receive the power of their worship, Cyric must still provide the spells to these priests, though trying subtly to sway them fully to his side. While most of the hierarchy of Myrkul has embraced the new master, much of the church hierarchy of Bhaal and Bane do not agree with Cyric or his aims, and/or fear the loss of power. Currently the matter is unresolved as Cyric consolidates his power and the various factions of Bhaalists and Banites jockey for position in the new order."
EDIT: I think I saw somewhere that Cyric granted only lower-level spells to priests of the Dead Three. This story - and Liira and Waukeen's lore - can provide you with a lot of interesting plots. |
| Barastir |
Posted - 11 Jul 2013 : 13:29:30
About Bane, Bhaal and Myrkul and Cyric, the 2e Forgotten Realms Adventures book says:
"The Dead Three
As a result of the Time of Troubles and the coming of the Avatars, three powerful, evil gods were destroyed and never returned to life. Instead, their powers and portfolios were given to Cyric, the Black Sun. However, these gods still have followers active in the Realms and these followers still receive spells and granted abilities, but through Cyric instead of their former masters. How long this situation will last remains to be seen. In addition, there are those who declare that the three are not dead, but only in exile or in hiding and will return to plague the Realms again."
EDIT: typo |
| Barastir |
Posted - 11 Jul 2013 : 13:26:17
In Faiths & Avatars, Liira's entry:
"For over 10 years now, Waukeen has been unheard from in the Realms, and she has been publicly announced by her priesthood to be destroyed or dead. Lliira promised Waukeen during the Time of Troubles to guard her portfolio and goldly power until she returned for it, but Lliira has not been able to find any trace of Waukeen since she last saw her during the Godswar. In 1365 DR, she felt forced to take over Waukeen's disintegrating church to preserve what she could for the return of her friend. She sent a prophet to the gates of every temple of Waukeen to speak to the Waukeenar. He was to emphasize Waukeen's uncertain status (that she could not be found in the Realms or her home plane and showed no sign of appearing in the near future) and Llira's regency (not appropriation of the position), but the Waukeenar, already in a panic stricken state after receiving no new spells for years, immediately heard what they thought they were going to hear and recorded that Waukeen was dead."
And from Waukeen's entry:
"For over 10 years now, Waukeen has been unheard from in the Realms and thought to be destroyed or dead. When all the powers of the Realms were confined to Toril's surface, she was never spotted by mortals, and when the Godswar ended no avatar came forward to take over her portfolio. Not even Cyric and Mask, responsible for the death of Leira and Bhaal, claimed her portfolio or claimed to have killed her. Her priests were deprived of their spells, and many of her worshipers and churches turned to other faiths. Pandemonium reigned among her clergy. Finally, in 1365 DR, a prophet of Lliira appeared with a revelation that was interpreted to mean Waukeen was dead and banished from the Realms and would not return. The prophet appeared at the gates of each of the temples of Waukeen in the Realms on a series of days, transported by magic. At each stop, the prophet said that Lliira would hold the portfolio of Waukeen in trust as its regent and grant spells to the worthy. The Waukeenar temples, already battered by a loss of respect and worshipers, readily agreed, and the faith of Waukeen was smoothly folded into the worship of Lliira, with dissenting Waukeenar moving to the faiths of Tymora, Lathander, Shaundakul, and even Beshaba. Lliira gained extensive power in the move. " |
| Neconilis |
Posted - 10 Jul 2013 : 20:24:29
Thanks for that BEAST, I haven't even thought of Cadderly in a long time, so that was good to jog my memory. Besides, knowing what NPCs are where, doing what, and when exactly will be one of the more difficult tasks in front of me as a good amount of the things that I usually take for granted in the background may not have even transpired yet.
Anyway, I was able to find a few more answers to my own questions. In regards to Lliira and Waukeen, apparently the faithful of Waukeen are not having their prayers answered and it is not until 1365 that Llira makes a pronouncement at the temples of Waukeen that she is guarding the missing goddess' power in absentia, which causes a general rout from Waukeen's faith in most places outside of Amn.
As for the other stuff, still looking for a bit of clarity, though I am now fairly positive that Leira dies right around the Time of Troubles, it's just her faith lingers on in obscurity (as always) while still receiving power from Cyric. |
| BEAST |
Posted - 10 Jul 2013 : 02:06:24
This is in regards to the time period and another god, but not the exact ones you asked about, Neconilis.
In 1362 DR (The Fallen Fortress and The Chaos Curse), RAS's character Cadderly Bonaduce was finally coming to accept that he was had been given access to clerical magic by the god Deneir, despite Cadderly's previous doubt and lack of faith. This eventually opened his eyes and heart to Deneir, and led to the miraculous rise of the Spirit Soaring cathedral where the ruined Edificant Library once stood.
By mid-1367 DR (Servant of the Shard), Cadderly was a happy, openly-avowed congregant of the church of Deneir.
Their relationship would continue to grow, until the year 1385 DR (The Ghost King), when the god's Chosen became extremely perplexed by his god's sudden silence during the advent of the Spellplague. |
| Neconilis |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 18:14:43
Thanks a lot Seravin, that's one question down. |
| Seravin |
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 15:35:26
Finder rose to godhood in 1358, I think it was pre-Time of Troubles but I'm not sure if he was banished back to Faerun with the other gods? Likely if he did his avatar was Jebidiah (who was mentor to Joel the Bard Priest of Finder in the Finder's Bane novel). |
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