| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| questing gm |
Posted - 05 Nov 2023 : 14:05:37
Since starting up his own Discord server (https://discord.onl/greenwoods-grotto/), Ed Greenwood has been answering Realms-related questions in the #q4ed channel. Although it's free to join the Discord and view his answers, but I believe it requires a subscription to Ed's Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/EdGreenwood) to be given access to ask him questions there.
So since his answers are free to view by anyone on his Discord and for the benefit of those who are not on Discord, I'm starting and updating my compilation of his answers in this scroll. I'll leave it to the wisdom of moderating scribes if anything should be changed or removed.
I won't be able to put down everything (I already have 300+ answered questions to put down), so consider updates here will be intermittent, and will take a while before it catches up to the latest questions answered. (Or just join the Discord if you want the latest  )
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| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| questing gm |
Posted - 25 Jul 2024 : 03:06:08
On spell ink formulae
Zonesylvania — 07/23/2024 2:48 AM
Dear Saer @Ed Greenwood ! I have a couple questions about spell ink formulae. I assume like spells, each spell would have several ways to derive a necessary form of ink for scroll and spellbook writing, as mentioned in Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. 1) Is it possible for a caster to tell, or reverse engineer, the components that went into making the spell ink on examination? 2) do spell ink formulae come with the spell written in the spellbook, or just the arcane script? 3) What would the typical cost be for a spell ink formula, or a compilation of the same? Also, are there any generic ink formulae that are used as opposed to specific, similar to Everdark used by Drow wizards for their scribing? Thankee!
Ed Greenwood — 07/23/2024 8:18 AM
Hoo boy. Okay, here we go: 1. SOME casters can tell MOST components, like a cook tasting subtle herbs in sampled food, but not reverse engineer specific correct amounts and proportions. That will require experimentation, likely extensive. 2. Just the arcane script, not the spell ink formulae, unless it's a wizard's "workbook" (spell experimentation record). That's deliberate; it's a way of safeguarding against someone churning out endless scrolls from a stolen spellbook, to make coin and harm the livelihoods of all spellcasters. 3. There's no "typical," as some use common herbs and flowers and their distillates, and others use ichor from rare and dangerous monsters, or other hard-to-get ingredients, but a spell ink will usually cost a bare minimum of 75 gp/vial, and more often 350 gp or so, though some soar to 2,000 gp or more. Yes, there are a few "generic" spell ink formulae; selling these (sample vials, NOT the formulas and processes) are a major income stream for temples of Mystra. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 24 Jul 2024 : 03:14:30
On the (rough) monthly salaries for Purple Dragons, Highknights, and War Wizards
BlissfulSavant — 07/17/2024 3:54 AM
Hello Ed. And Brian, I reckon.
In 1490s DR, what are the (rough) monthly salaries for Purple Dragons (same as Marsember Watchmen?), Highknights, and War Wizards? Ooooh, and for the various clerks?
I have been using this per month:
Blades: 15 gp (PHB says 5sp a day for skiller workers, iirc)
Telsword: 25 gp
Firstsword: 40 gp
Swordcaptain: 80 gp
Lionar: 150 gp
Ornrion: 300 gp
Constal: 1000 gp
Oversword / Battlemaster: 3000
Lord High Marshal: 5000 (is this absurd?)
Ed Greenwood — 07/19/2024 11:49 PM
My notes are from 1357 DR, but Cormyr has always had monetary control to guard against runaway inflation due to Sembian spending next door, so wages don’t rise quickly.
Blades: 16 gp
Telsword: 21 gp
Firstsword: 28 gp
Swordcaptain: 36 gp
Lionar: 45 gp
Ornrion: 60 gp
Constal: 75 gp
Oversword / Battlemaster: 150
Lord High Marshal: 300
Highknight: 25 gp*
Wizard of War, base rank: 25 gp (5 gp increments for special ranks.postings/missions)*
* = have accessary to discretionary budgets for operations, so can keep a lot more personal salary |
| questing gm |
Posted - 24 Jul 2024 : 01:24:37
On the connection between Planescape and the Forgotten Realms
Gahbreeil — 07/19/2024 9:59 PM
@Ed Greenwood I need something the sort of a simple yes or no confirmation on a few points and whether I have understood the connection between Planescape and the Forgotten Realms. Regardless of the Great Wheel Cosmology, the universe is as follows:
1. The Phlogiston and all Crystal Spheres are the Prime Material Plane, physical reality.
2. The Prime Material Plane is connected to the Inner and Outer Planes, the Cosmology, through the Ethereal Plane and the Astral Sea.
3. The Ethereal is self-evident, it is reality past the physical reality.
4. The Inner Planes are the Elemental Planes as well as the Feywild and Shadowfell, the Inner Planes constitute physical reality, as in, all Crystal Spheres are connected to the, in example, plane of Fire in order for fire to exist at all.
5. The Outer Planes are Material Planes that are not of the Phlogiston, are bound by the Astral Sea, the Inner Planes are bound by the Ethereal Plane.
6. Spelljamming is not planar travel, it is travel between the Crystal Spheres.
7. A Crystal Sphere is a single solar system.
8. The Material Planes bound by the Astral Sea are similar to the Prime Material Plane as the Inner Planes surround said Secondary Material Planes. Baator, in example, is obviously connected to the Elemental Planes as of Cania, ice, or Avernus, fire, but it is also connected to the Inner Planes as of Magic, the Weave, which allows access to said energies only because the Inner Planes are connected to all Material Planes.
9. Magic, the Weave, is Ethereal as it is a way to tap into the elemental chaos of the Inner Planes as well as the Positive and Negative Energies. / I beg you not to give me the answer that it is up to the Dungeon Master.
EDIT: Also, an afterthought, Sigil is an actual sigil, a symbol, that unifies existence. If it wasn't Ao whom created it, who did? Was it the chronologically first being of the Dungeons & Dragons universe? Why are the Astral and Ethereal the only Planes that do not touch?
Ed Greenwood — 07/19/2024 11:42 PM
Okay, here we go:
1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
4. Yes and no: yes, everything you state is correct EXCEPT “in order for fire to exist at all.” The Elemental Plane of Fire (and the other three elemental planes; the “para-elemental planes” are simply the segue border areas between the four elemental planes) exist in and of themselves; they feed the other planes of physical reality, not the other way around, so they will exist even without connections to Realmspace or any other crystal sphere.
5. Yes.
6. Yes.
7. Yes, almost always, but not always. Some are “sargassoes” of cosmic debris, like endless asteroids (not in a rotating belt, not necessarily with suns). Others have multiple suns, each with their own system.
8. Yes.
9. We don’t know that “the Weave is Ethereal.” We DO know that the Weave permeates the Ethereal Plane, and reaches through it to connected planes beyond.
Afterthought: No, existence was unified long before Sigil the city was built. Sigil the city was built on a central node of many gates/portals, and was built to guard access (the gates/portals are opened and closed by doors, the means of portal passage that give the city its nickname “City of Doors,” though they may not take the form of an actual door in particular cases.
We don’t know who created it, but it was around before Ao (and remember, Ao reports to a higher entity). We don’t know if the creator was a single being, let alone how old any beings involved were, or if any of them were “first.”
The Astral and Ethereal don’t touch directly because if they do, they will destroy each other: they are miscible, and will draw each other into the mix formed by both of them, which will retain the properties of neither. Destroying many creatures, and removing them as means of travel, and causing crystal spheres to collide, shatter, and coalesce. That wouldn’t be fun to live through; imagine all the seas of a planet pouring onto the surface of another planet. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 24 Jul 2024 : 01:03:08
On the term "the Weave"
cuddlypooface — 07/18/2024 6:11 AM
Hey Master Sage @Ed Greenwood ! I was wondering what the inspiration was behind the term 'the weave' as the source of most magic for casters? Was it purposefully poetic and / or linked to the origins of magic somehow?
Ed Greenwood — 07/18/2024 8:17 AM
The term "the Weave" comes from Julia Martin, whom I believe drew it from both pagan beliefs and the Norse "the Norns weave all of our fates" tradition. She was naming the "webwork of magic" I already had in the Realms. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 11 Jul 2024 : 12:53:41
On half-elven Princess Sissra
Joe Chang — 07/06/2024 8:15 AM
Hi @Ed Greenwood and @Brian Cortijo in Volo's Guide, page 41 we are told of the half-elven Princess Sissra, who died in Marsember and whose funeral pyre was floated out to the Starwater. Was Sissra related to the elven royalty of the region (Coronal Eltargrim? Iliphar Nelnueve?) Or was she from somewhere else entirely?
Brian Cortijo — 07/07/2024 2:44 AM
I cannot answer for Ed here, but I will say that local Cormyrean folk and family lore is replete with "half-elven princesses" who are of dubious elven heritage, royalty, or even existence.
Ed Greenwood — 07/09/2024 11:14 AM
Sissra (proper name Systratallaera Ranchantra) was a half-elf adventurer who was a member of Skolkoot’s Blades, a band of adventurers who slaughtered not one, not two, but three lords of Chessenta: self-styled Dukes of that region, whose small duchies collapsed when they were slain. They were coastal duchies, very wealthy, and the Blades stole the last Duke’s luxurious ship after loading it with his riches. They made it to Marsember after several bitter sea battles with opportunistic pirates, and settled down to enjoy their wealth, soon being murdered themselves.
Save for “Sissra,” who got the smallest share of the loot, but parlayed it into a huge fortune over six decades by buying key warehouses and patiently and carefully renting out space in them to others. She was generous, not just fair, and her clients came to love her, not just trust her—so when she died, they gave her a “proper” sendoff, justifying it, and the existence of her considerable fortune (which they swiftly plundered), by claiming she was a “princess” from somewhere afar.
Systratallaera Ranchantra had a moon elf mother who was an escaped Thayan slave, and a Chondathan human father who was a sailor who got that desperate elf away from Thay. No known relation to any of the elves of the Elven Court.
[As you can see, Brian hath the right of it.] |
| questing gm |
Posted - 11 Jul 2024 : 12:51:18
On Ao's response to Lolth conspiring with Vecna to remake the Multiverse
Ninjanurse29 — 07/07/2024 11:21 AM
@Ed Greenwood I have a hypothetical question for you... How might Ao respond to Lolth conspiring with Vecna, during Vecna's failed attempt to remake the Multiverse?
Ed Greenwood — 07/09/2024 10:57 AM
Lolth is already on Ao’s “warning list” for past deeds, and he would likely strip her of some powers for a time, by limiting her reach within Toril. Believe not much lore regarding how mighty Lolth is; a lot of it is propaganda. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 11 Jul 2024 : 12:49:15
On distinctive elvish styles of beer and ale
Zonesylvania — 07/08/2024 2:14 AM
Dear Saer @Ed Greenwood ! Do any elves brew their own distinctive elvish styles of beer and ale, or do they just stick to human made brews if they have a taste for them?
Ed Greenwood — 07/08/2024 3:05 AM
It’s very rare for elves to brew beer of any sort; they tend to prefer wine or fortified wines (liquors). However, yes, given the right roots, leaves, berries, and “weeds” like mint, they will brew in small family or purely local quantities, NEVER shipped elsewhere for sale. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 11 Jul 2024 : 12:46:08
On the Netherese spell library made of a single sapphire in Cloak of Shadows
Zonesylvania — 07/05/2024 8:24 AM
Dear Saer @Ed Greenwood ! is there any information you can give us about the Netherese spell library made of a single sapphire used by the head of the Malaugrym in Cloak of Shadows? was it inspired by a kiira, and did it have any other powers of note?
Ed Greenwood — 07/08/2024 2:40 AM
Yes, it was (in-game), and it has five other powers I know of:
- It will teleport without error itself and any bearer to a pre-set (by a bearer) location when certain conditions are met (usually bearer rendered unconscious or reduced to 2 hp or less).
- It reflects back area-effect spells cast at it, or spells that would damage it or change its state, entirely back at the source unless its bearer wills this power not to function, or to instead send the reflected magic at another target.
- It can feather fall if dropping, and affect a bearer with this power, unless the bearer wills this power not to operate.
- It can glow with a faerie fire (intensity and hue up to the bearer, but it can’t be bright enough to be blinding, or to equal sunlight) radiance if a bearer wills it to, and stop glowing when the bearer wills it to.
- If a bearer who has the Gift (ability to wield arcane magic) sleeps in direct (skin to sapphire) contact with the stone, and before falling asleep concentrates on one spell that’s contained in the stone’s library for at least 4 hours of continuous slumber, that bearer will gain one instance of that spell in their mind (i.e. “memorizing” it passively when asleep). A bearer can only use an 8-hour long rest or period of sleep to gain two “copies” of the same chosen spell if they possess the Weavemastery ability.
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| questing gm |
Posted - 30 Jun 2024 : 03:29:33
On Annulus existing in Abeir-Toril
Gahbreeil — 06/26/2024 3:23 AM
@Ed Greenwood Does the Annulus exist within Abeir-Toril or did it? For your convenience - https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Annulus
Ed Greenwood — 06/28/2024 10:44 AM
No, that’s homebrew.
Gahbreeil — 06/28/2024 11:41 AM
Interesting, I have the very same artefact written down in the Psionics Handbook 3e! Does that mean it is not Greyhawk canon either?
Ed Greenwood — 06/28/2024 11:47 AM
It's Greyhawk canon, but the properties are different and more extensive (tied to Oerth lore). (The one at the link you cited is a homebrew version.) |
| questing gm |
Posted - 30 Jun 2024 : 03:26:56
On Ed's favorite outside sources
The Donut Wizard of Shadowdale — 06/26/2024 5:41 AM
@Ed Greenwood Hello! I know you created the setting, but I was thinking, it's a lot for one person to keep track of, so I was wondering how often you look at sources outside of your memory, for example Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast or the Forgotten Realms wiki, and I'm curious which source you use most and if you have a favorite one
Ed Greenwood — 06/28/2024 10:43 AM
I consult the FR Wiki whenever I’m asked about something and draw a blank re. the name(s) I’m being asked about. Usually that’s because the questioner is misspelling the name, but sometimes it’s a detail from a computer game I’ve never played or a novel or short story by someone other than me that I’ve forgotten the details of, or the questioner has misinterpreted what’s written there and so puzzling me with their question (like the question that began: “So, in Novel X when all the phaerimm get destroyed…” which baffled me, as all the phaerimm have never been destroyed).
When expanding on Realmslore, I always try to re-read the published sources, even if (like Volo’s Guide to the Sword Coast) I wrote it, because I need to refresh myself on the precise wording an editor may have ended up with—again because phrasing can hint or leave impressions as opposed to spelling out something precisely and clearly.
My favourite sources are the ones I need right now. My second favourites are the ones that are well indexed. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 30 Jun 2024 : 02:48:44
On when elves mentally mature equal to that of a human adult
Ninjanurse29 — 06/28/2024 7:44 AM
@Ed Greenwood at what age are elves considered mentally equal to that of a 21 year old human adult?
Ed Greenwood — 06/28/2024 10:34 AM
That depends on who’s doing the considering.
Haughty gold elves will tell you their children are the mental superiors of humans while still in the womb, and the social superiors of humans at about age six.
Conversely, some humans believe elves never “grow up,” and so are never mentally equal to any human.
MOST elves and most human sages, if they’re being calmly honest, will say that for the first two decades of life, elves and humans develop at almost the same rate if untutored or “learning via life experiences while helping stay-at-home labouring parents, so a 17-year-old elf will be about the same mentally as a 21-year-old human. Thereafter, speed of development depends on experiences; the more of the world an individual sees, and the more different mental experiences (maths, crafting, instruction, experimentation, practise with their Gift, etc.), the faster they develop. MOST elves tend to develop at about double the mental capacity and reach, but not necessarily “maturity” if that’s measured by abandoning public play and frivolity in terms of shouldering responsibility, of humans during their third and fourth decades of life.
Wartime and lots of travel and intense specialized tutoring (e.g. from sages, clergy, or mages training apprentices) will speed up the mental development of most humans or elves.
The average elf will have no precise opinion regarding the age at which elves are equal to 21-year-old humans, but a general belief that humans are mentally lesser than elves at any age, particularly in understanding of the world (as opposed to creativity/“cleverness”).
The average human will think that elves and humans are equal in mental abilities until elves are old; that elves are smarter because they live for centuries and so get taught more. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 20 Jun 2024 : 07:17:50
On the life of Lady Saharel
Zonesylvania — 06/14/2024 9:41 AM
Dear Saer @Ed Greenwood! Would it be possible to spin us a tale of the life of Lady Saharel and how she came to meet Elminster?
Ed Greenwood — 06/18/2024 2:15 AM
Of course. It may be near the end of this year before that video rolls around, though. Plenty in the queue. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 20 Jun 2024 : 07:15:17
On connection between Ravengards of Baldur's Gate and the Ravengard House of Ravens Bluff
Juniper Churlgo — 06/12/2024 10:56 AM
is there any connection between Ravengards of Baldur's Gate and the Ravengard House of Ravens Bluff?
Ed Greenwood — 06/18/2024 2:14 AM
Yes. Details to come in a future video. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 20 Jun 2024 : 07:11:29
On names of openings in the Sea walls of Waterdeep harbor
Reedhalloran Duskfellow — 06/15/2024 9:34 AM
@Ed Greenwood, good Saer and lore master, perhaps you or @Eric L. Boyd could tell me: do the openings in the Sea walls of Waterdeep harbor have names? I'm thinking of the ones by inner fort, outer fort, the naval harbor to sea and naval harbor to deep water harbor. If they don't have formal names, how do local sailors refer to them when navigating the harbors?
Ed Greenwood — 06/18/2024 2:13 AM
They all have names, and I thought those had all been published. I'll check and get back to you (I have to check because I theeeenk TSR changed the name of one of the Cuts). |
| questing gm |
Posted - 20 Jun 2024 : 07:08:01
On notable merchants and caravans traveling around the Savage Frontier in 1497
The Donut Wizard of Shadowdale — 06/15/2024 10:48 PM
@Ed Greenwood I was wondering, are there any notable merchants and caravans traveling around the Savage Frontier in 1497? What might they sell, and do any of them have any notable ambitions?
Ed Greenwood — 06/18/2024 2:08 AM
Yes. You may have to wait a few months for the relevant Realms video. I'll post a partial reply here after I get back from Origins (I'll be offline while there). |
| questing gm |
Posted - 10 Jun 2024 : 01:26:14
On Tanalasta Obarskyr's favorite drink
Melody — 06/07/2024 10:53 PM
@Ed Greenwood I have a silly (but still quite serious!) question one of my players wanted to ask you, if you'd indulge them.
Etanu wants to know if Tanalasta Obarskyr had a favorite coffee flavor, if she had ever tried it. And if not, what was her favorite drink? :MelodySip:
Juniper Churlgo — 06/07/2024 10:55 PM
Pumpkin spice latte?
Steven E Schend — 06/08/2024 1:56 AM
Given how much Tanalasta was like her dad, I figured her favorite flavor to add to coffee would be zzar or some other alcoholic additive.
Ed Greenwood — 06/08/2024 10:00 AM
Steven hath the right of it: zzar (almond liqueur), with a pinch of shaved vanilla bean, and of course heavy cream, to her kaeth. So, "boozy French vanilla," ;} |
| questing gm |
Posted - 09 Jun 2024 : 12:06:01
On the fate of Narm Tamaraith
SWOLTOR — 06/07/2024 1:58 AM
Hey there @Ed Greenwood! I was wondering if you could discuss the fate of Narm Tamaraith? Did he follow Shandril's wishes and love again? Where did he go after the events of the novel? Did he continue to grow as a wielder of the art? Did he pass on or is he over 100 years old and still wizarding?
Ed Greenwood — 06/07/2024 11:36 AM
Narm's fate is partially NDA'd because of no-doubt-forever-defunct novel plans. Let me see what I can say, and get back to you. Hmmm, maybe in a future video...
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| questing gm |
Posted - 08 Jun 2024 : 05:42:23
On religious culture of Thay in 1490s DR
Genghis Sean — 05/30/2024 2:53 AM
Hello @Ed Greenwood, I am going to run a campaign set in Thay soon and I've been loving Thay, Land of the Red Wizards. I was wondering what religion is like there in the current 1490s DR. I know Bane was the only god allowed to be worshipped after the Spellplague, but that this was recently lifted after the Second Sundering (according to the wiki). I know Eltabbar and Bezantur are both very religious cities with many temples and clergies, however the only temples that get described in the book are temples to Bane. Eight temples to Bane are named and all are described as "the temple to be seen in", yet I couldn't find any references to temples to other gods (Spellbound has plenty in its section on Bezantur). I assume there are still plenty of temples to other gods but that Bane is the most popular among the wealthy and powerful of Thay, that in order to mingle with the tharchions, tharchionesses, autharches, and Red Wizards one would need to be involved in worship of Bane to some degree. Is my assumption correct and could you elaborate on their religious culture? Also, what caused Szass Tam to allow worship of other deities?
Ed Greenwood — 06/06/2024 10:16 AM
Your assumption is correct; the worship of Bane is akin to a “state religion” in the 1490s in Thay. Among the Red Wizards, nobility, and social climbers, being publicly seen to be devout followers of Bane is socially necessary. That’s why our tour guide, a successful and far-traveled merchant, speaks of temples of Bane as the local temple to be seen in.
In south and southwestern Thay (Bezantur in particular, but notably also Nethjet and Nethantir), local temples to other gods may be larger, wealthier, and openly more popular than the local holy houses of Bane. Everyone “believes in” all of the gods and privately murmurs prayers to any of them who would seem most personally useful, when in their own homes before going to bed and just after arising in the morning.
Szass Tam’s confidence and world-view were rocked by the Second Sundering, and he walked the Paths of the Doomed alone, pondering if he was going about things in the right way (having suffered so many reverses, such as the Dread Ring affair, and discovering he could not even exterminate his Red Wizard rivals outside Thay) with his policies of replacing slaves and soldiers with undead, and Zulkirs with undead he controlled—and at some point during his wanderings, he received visions that told him to “let all the temples breathe, and be open, for when the tyrant grip is too tight, all that can be seen is the way of Bane, and one may miss other thought, other plans, and other troubles brewing.” So he now allows worship of all deities, and has forbade Red Wizards or his governors or soldiery to interfere with such veneration, or other-than-Bane temple activities such as fundraising. However, this isn’t utter freedom, it only seems to be utter freedom for now; Szass Tam is on the watch for what threats to his rule or the supremacy of Thay may arise.
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| questing gm |
Posted - 08 Jun 2024 : 05:38:32
On the ‘Masters of Absolute Accord’
Hawakhuri Imaskar Lord Artificer — 05/30/2024 12:00 AM
Hello Mr. @Ed Greenwood, I would like to know more about the ‘Masters of Absolute Accord’ it seems to be a sharn-like monster and highly dangerous.
Ed Greenwood — 06/06/2024 9:43 AM
Let me prepare a video. Lore upcoming. This may take a while...
Hawakhuri Imaskar Lord Artificer — 06/06/2024 12:03 PM
You have made my day Mr. Ed, I look forward to that lore video. Thank you very much
Ed Greenwood — 06/06/2024 12:41 PM
You're very welcome. I'll get to it when I can. There are a LOT of videos still to be released before I will next get the chance to record new ones.
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| questing gm |
Posted - 08 Jun 2024 : 05:35:19
On lore of spell thief rogues
benbattersby — 05/31/2024 7:03 AM
Hello there @Ed Greenwood I was just curious on what the lore is of how spell thief rogues come to exist. I read about them in the Darkhold: Secrets of the Zhentarhim PDF, which I have really enjoyed. But I have some questions about how the spell thief rogues come to be? They aren't INT casters so it seems safe to say it isn't a skill they learn through traditional means, but rather Charisma casters, suggesting something more innate like a sorcerer, or some sort of external power like a warlock? Does the Zhentarim have some sort of increased control on how they came to be which is why this very useful form of mage hunting rogue exists primarily within their ranks?
Thank you in advance
Ed Greenwood — 06/06/2024 9:40 AM
I’ve talked with some of the designers of Darkhold, and the consensus is that spell thief rogues develop because of an innate talent (what I’ve always called a “wild talent”) that the Zhents have a secret internal training program that can guide individuals into becoming this class, once their talent is recognized (they get recruited, rewarded, trained, and then they’re part of the Zhent Brotherhood). |
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Posted - 08 Jun 2024 : 05:31:18
On Thayan lobster cookery
Juniper Churlgo — 06/01/2024 8:22 AM
Undead novel mentioned lobsters being served at a red wizard event. Is there anything special about thayan lobster cookery?
Ed Greenwood — 06/06/2024 9:35 AM
Yes. Thayans always crack open all of the lobster during preparation, not at the table, using thin rods to “bone out” all of the meat. The result (a pile of shard-like lobster internals) is carefully picked over to remove all but the soft edibles, and the edible remainder is steamed on mesh, above what we would call a red, mild curry that’s more akin to a yellow curry (sans chilies) than to any hot curry, and that Thayans call skaeramp.
Steamed-soft shoots of leek, bamboo, and/or saranna (daikon) are cut on the diagonal into finger-length sticks, covered with the skaeramp, and the steamed lobster placed stop that, where its sweetness can shine when eaten. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 08 Jun 2024 : 05:28:25
On Millians getting married
Melody — 06/03/2024 12:51 PM
Hey @Ed Greenwood!
I just saw your Twitter/X post about marriages in the Realms and thought I'd take a shot. :MelodyTeehee: The post is here if anyone wants to see it: https://x.com/TheEdVerse/status/1797489395857236181?t=5AdORjwUQG6wrrSfoxem4w&s=19
Are there any special ceremonies or revelries that Mililans enjoy when getting married? Any sayings, actions, or special bonds? :MelodySing:
Hope you're having a great time with life, and don't forget to Revel yourself!
Ed Greenwood — 06/06/2024 9:14 AM
Sure!
To folk who venerate Milil strongly, life is a song, and a union (time together in life) is an embellishment to that song that both partners contribute a musical motif to (a theme tune or at least a riff that stands for them and their love).
So the heart of a wedding ceremony is both partners singing, and putting their motifs together in lyrics that are their vows to each other.
If a priest of Milil is officiating, the wedding couple make (sung) promises to the god, and the priest will add to the wedding song a sung “call and response” tune, wherein they sing questions to the gathered witnesses to the ceremony (congregation), who are led in chanted responses by family elders or veteran singers.
Note that no participant in such rituals have to be good singers. If you can croak out the lyrics, that’s good enough. (If you check out Walter Huston or many other non-singing actors wading through the vocal of SEPTEMBER SONG, you’ll be hearing how many non-singers sound.)
After the formal wedding is done (it ends, if Mililan clergy are officiating, with a sung charge to the couple, to love each other “true and steadfast, no matter what befalls”), revelry follows (dancing and feasting), usually with good hired musicians, or friends of the couple performing for free, that often lasts until the next dawn.
Reedhalloran Duskfellow — 06/04/2024 12:42 AM
Ooo. I'd like to tack onto this question changelings as well! Rituals are typically predicated in creating stability, connection and consistency for a group. For a race that experiences so much hostility and thus relies on secrecy I bet the traditions are really interesting.
Ed Greenwood — 06/06/2024 9:25 AM
The central and most important tradition in a changeling marriage is that the participants (and changelings can have as many as six members wedded, not just two, though two is by far the most common “size of union”) all adopt a shared form, kept hidden from the outside world (during the ceremony, by a tent or circle of hangings or cloud of smoke created with smokepots, or in a pinch by going behind a waterfall to be hidden by its spray), that they can all adopt, that is as identical as they can make it, and that has small details to try to enable wedding participants to be SURE no other shapeshifter is counterfeiting membership, that they use in private to reassure each other of their identity and their continued dedication to the union. Not fidelity, for changelings (and dopplegangers, and some lycanthropes) have a different attitude towards intimacy than non-shapeshifters: they typically consider sex with outsiders in one or more forms to be fine, but sex with outsiders in their shared form, or other particular forms, to be “cheating.”
Moreover, a changeling wedding always involves trading drops of shed blood between the wedded participants, usually by putting blood-smeared fingers into the mouth of one’s beloved, as part of the vows part of the ceremony—and those vows include an exhange of truenames, too.
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Posted - 08 Jun 2024 : 05:18:14
On song dragons' alter form to female
Watersmith — 06/05/2024 7:32 AM
@Ed Greenwood why is it that song dragons alter form only female?
Ed Greenwood — 06/06/2024 9:00 AM
Song dragons can adopt a handful of creature forms, and when trying to pass as human can appear as male or female. The "in-game" reason for the original magazine writeup was that my Realms informant was only familiar with human-female-appearing song dragons, so thought they all were.
Watersmith — 06/06/2024 10:44 AM
My group was thinking of running a campaign with pc dragons and I was wondering why that was so thank you for this info my DM was on the verge of hand waving that part out cause it didn't make since to him. Is that the only thing that was wrong about Song Dragons?
Ed Greenwood — 06/06/2024 12:39 PM
Some song dragons are sorcerers, and some are wizards. No song dragon will make a pact and become a warlock; they view that as corruptive slavery. |
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Posted - 02 Jun 2024 : 00:34:10
On the final fates of the Rangers Three
Cdawg — 05/30/2024 9:11 PM
Hi Ed! Are you able to share the final fates of the Rangers Three? Also, in Shadows of Doom, you wrote briefly about a young girl named Jhaleen who begged Elminster to conjure a little dragon. Elminster foresaw she would one day truly ride a dragon. Do you recall if you ever wove lore regarding her life’s tale and final fate?
Ed Greenwood — 05/31/2024 10:51 PM
There's written but unreleased lore regarding the Rangers Three; I will start the process of dodging NDAs so I can share it here or in vids. Jhaleen's lore is three paragraphs jotted on a page; when I find it, I'll share it!
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Posted - 31 May 2024 : 02:52:08
On the Eminence of Araunt in Abeir
Nyluenatha#10024; #127767;#10024; Stareyes — 05/29/2024 3:38 AM
Hello @Ed Greenwood I have a query regarding the Eminence of Araunt - they are noted as being ascendant in Abeir. Would it be safe to assume they are present across all the continents of Toril’s twin world? Understandable if this is NDA tied info tho!
Ed Greenwood — 05/29/2024 9:55 PM
It would be safe to assume that, yes. ;} |
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Posted - 31 May 2024 : 02:48:56
On using scrolls in the "Trifane" ritual
Lucio — 05/29/2024 1:21 AM
@Ed Greenwood I just watched the latest episode of "Realms of Gabbin" abotu the Ritual "Trifane" can the caster use spells from scrolls in the ritual?
Ed Greenwood — 05/29/2024 9:53 PM
Yes, if they are of a class and level to successfully cast the scroll spell(s). |
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Posted - 25 May 2024 : 02:49:09
On recent contradiction of drow prosthetics
Kokopelli — 05/23/2024 7:43 AM
Friend @Ed Greenwood, I find myself a bit confused. The Drow Mechanicals lore drop says "they don’t make use of adamantite" but the earlier Drow of the Underdark book says "These wonders are almost all fashioned of adamantine alloy"
Is this apparent contradiction some recent change in how drow do things, or a regional thing?
Ed Greenwood — 05/23/2024 11:14 PM
It's a recent change due to friction with dwarves (to get adamantite ore, you have to deal with the dwarves who mine it, and if you frequently make war on them, getting them to sell you metal ores that can be made into weapons won't go well) and to advances in the skills of drow smiths (alternative alloys now possible). |
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Posted - 24 May 2024 : 11:12:21
On current "hot" pies in Waterdeep in the 1490s DR
Reedhalloran Duskfellow — 05/14/2024 8:09 AM
Esteemed Saer @Ed Greenwood, I understand that tarts, fingertarts and hand pies are a staple food in cities across Faerun. I'm wondering if you can provide us with any insight from Elminster on what the current "hot" pies (haha get it?) are in Waterdeep in the 1490s DR. Is there a trend on what goes well with all the Kaethe that seems to be making its way to the Sword Coast again?
Along those lines, I'm wondering if there's a particular name or difference for buttery biscuits and croissant equivalents? Since we know there's pastry dough, I imagine similar techniques have found their way into other baked goods?
Steven E Schend — 05/16/2024 12:13 AM
Any entrepreneurial baker in Waterdeep will tell you “all pies are hand pies if you’ve bravery enow…”
Ed Greenwood — 05/16/2024 8:21 AM
Ahem. ;} |
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Posted - 24 May 2024 : 06:22:59
On Patreon lore for Selgaunt
Juniper Churlgo — 05/11/2024 11:53 AM
Patreon lore dump suggestion - Selgaunt! look how scantly covered this city is! https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Map:Selgaunt More yummy yummy lore!
Ed Greenwood — 05/12/2024 8:18 AM
Heh. Just you wait! |
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Posted - 24 May 2024 : 05:58:35
On bladesingers of Eilsitraeen drow
CaptainRelyk the Brass Dragon — 05/09/2024 4:45 AM
@Ed Greenwood so there are deathsinger which are the evil drow sect of bladesingers
But what about eilsitraeen drow? Do they have their own bladesingers sect or practice?
Ed Greenwood — 05/11/2024 2:24 AM
Yes. The Dancers of the Sword (colloquially "swordswingers"). |
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