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Seethyr
Master of Realmslore

USA
1173 Posts

Posted - 04 Jan 2025 :  18:41:55  Show Profile  Visit Seethyr's Homepage Send Seethyr a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

The Hooded One once commented that a TSR staffer had said that not all of Realmspace was considered canon by TSR -- but she didn't have anything more specific than that.



I’m hoping this only applies to the stuff that contradicts 5e SJ like the existence of phlogiston and such. I hope it doesn’t apply to the general understanding of what exists upon each world.

Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!

The Maztica Campaign
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36837 Posts

Posted - 05 Jan 2025 :  16:50:39  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Seethyr

quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

The Hooded One once commented that a TSR staffer had said that not all of Realmspace was considered canon by TSR -- but she didn't have anything more specific than that.



I’m hoping this only applies to the stuff that contradicts 5e SJ like the existence of phlogiston and such. I hope it doesn’t apply to the general understanding of what exists upon each world.



Unfortunately, there was no other information.

If I had to speculate, though, I'd point out that a lot of what Realmspace has to say about Toril is not backed up by published Realmslore.

And though I know my opinion is not universal, I've always found the Leirans living on Selûne to be problematic at best.

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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11912 Posts

Posted - 05 Jan 2025 :  21:20:54  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Seethyr

quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

The Hooded One once commented that a TSR staffer had said that not all of Realmspace was considered canon by TSR -- but she didn't have anything more specific than that.



I’m hoping this only applies to the stuff that contradicts 5e SJ like the existence of phlogiston and such. I hope it doesn’t apply to the general understanding of what exists upon each world.



Technically even the phlogiston can still exist with 5e SJ. Essentially, it would seem that the crystal spheres themselves have just "phased" away due to an interaction with the astral (or rather, modern helms somehow phase away the crystal sphere and make it astrally permeable as one approaches it). They may still exist around a "wildspace system" or whatever its called in 5e and the flow "may exist on the other side". All that to say "it can still work the old way, it just seems that somehow all helms were suddenly changed".

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer

USA
2077 Posts

Posted - 06 Jan 2025 :  16:06:33  Show Profile  Visit ericlboyd's Homepage Send ericlboyd a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I think I've figured out a way to explain the human and elven worshipers of Leira living on Selune.

I'm working through a history of the islands and undersea realms of the Trackless Sea. I think I've figured out how to get the aquatic elves to Karpri as well.

I've written up the High History of Bral, if the DM puts it in Realmspace, as well.

--Eric

--
http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31797 Posts

Posted - 07 Jan 2025 :  00:07:06  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
As a long time tinkerer on the subject of human and elven worshippers of Leira on Selune… I’m eager to see what you’ve come up with.

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"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage

Edited by - The Sage on 07 Jan 2025 00:08:01
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varyar
Learned Scribe

143 Posts

Posted - 07 Jan 2025 :  14:43:14  Show Profile  Visit varyar's Homepage Send varyar a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Nimbrals...

Nimbrals everywhere.

(a man can hope, at least.)

Out Now on the DMs Guild:

Cormanthor: The First Flowering:
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/502169/Cormanthor-The-First-Flowering

Leira the Mistshadow:
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/493852/Leira-the-Mistshadow

Vandria Gilmadrith, Lady of Grief:
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/481871/Vandria-Gilmadrith-Lady-of-Grief
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11912 Posts

Posted - 08 Jan 2025 :  01:17:02  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd

I think I've figured out a way to explain the human and elven worshipers of Leira living on Selune.

I'm working through a history of the islands and undersea realms of the Trackless Sea. I think I've figured out how to get the aquatic elves to Karpri as well.

I've written up the High History of Bral, if the DM puts it in Realmspace, as well.

--Eric



Links to Nimbral?

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36837 Posts

Posted - 08 Jan 2025 :  12:20:53  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
To me, getting the Leirans there is less of an issue than explaining how they are hedonistic, readily welcoming of outsiders, and for no readily apparent reason deeply paranoid about an invasion from Toril. (Though apparently not so paranoid that they'd realize scouts for an invasion could lie and say they're from elsewhere)

Oh, and they worship Leira and yet there's no mention of using illusions or any other kind of deception in their everyday life. Sure, there's the big illusion over the place, but that's pretty much the only Leira-like thing about the place.

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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11912 Posts

Posted - 08 Jan 2025 :  13:43:51  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

To me, getting the Leirans there is less of an issue than explaining how they are hedonistic, readily welcoming of outsiders, and for no readily apparent reason deeply paranoid about an invasion from Toril. (Though apparently not so paranoid that they'd realize scouts for an invasion could lie and say they're from elsewhere)

Oh, and they worship Leira and yet there's no mention of using illusions or any other kind of deception in their everyday life. Sure, there's the big illusion over the place, but that's pretty much the only Leira-like thing about the place.



Deceptions dear sir..... deceptions... they are quite "welcoming"... so that they can see who is there, catalog their activities, survey them for weaknesses, exploit them if necessary ..... and make them disappear quietly in an environment controlled by the Leirans if they deem it necessary. I refer you to the episode in the original Battlestar Galactica series in which they landed on a planet (Carillon) that had a massive casino where they were harvesting players and hiding them away to be eaten.

Of course, I personally want (at least some of) the elves to not be elves, but rather "ellefolk" (aka the Arak... but a branch of them with no relation to Ravenloft or the leader Arak... and who might look at you quizzically if you mentioned the Arak or "shadow fey" of Ravenloft.... and I prefer they be affected such that they breed true in realmspace... no tiny faerie like fey giving birth to someone that grows into a being human sized or vice versa).

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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TBeholder
Great Reader

2447 Posts

Posted - 08 Jan 2025 :  15:57:49  Show Profile Send TBeholder a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

To me, getting the Leirans there is less of an issue than explaining how they are hedonistic, readily welcoming of outsiders,

Why not?
quote:
and for no readily apparent reason deeply paranoid about an invasion from Toril.

Well, there was a little incident when someone tried to shoot the King-Killer Star, but missed.
So... one fine day an absurdly overpowered magical discharge blows up a huge chunk of their backyard. Presumably a lot of that stone rained back and made a huge mess everywhere else too. But some fragments stuck as The Tears and now remind of this even far outside the regions where landscape is still visibly damaged.
Not something easy to dismiss, is it?
quote:
Oh, and they worship Leira and yet there's no mention of using illusions or any other kind of deception in their everyday life. Sure, there's the big illusion over the place, but that's pretty much the only Leira-like thing about the place.

How detailed itis, anyway? Not a whole lot.

People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch

Edited by - TBeholder on 08 Jan 2025 15:59:42
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31797 Posts

Posted - 08 Jan 2025 :  23:08:14  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
My own thoughts suggest that, until we hear otherwise, Leira's illusion simply isn't what it used to be. It may be that it has decayed somewhat, with Leira herself having once disappeared , the worshippers had nothing to pray to in order to continue benefiting from Leira's "gift." Cyric taking on the illusion is an interesting prospect, perhaps even having him posing as Leira for a time. Though, I'd imagine he's only doing this because he feels he can eventually turn this sizable portion of Leira-worshippers to him and increase his power beyond Toril itself.

Candlekeep Forums Moderator

Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com
-- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct

Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)

"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11912 Posts

Posted - 09 Jan 2025 :  12:43:35  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage

My own thoughts suggest that, until we hear otherwise, Leira's illusion simply isn't what it used to be. It may be that it has decayed somewhat, with Leira herself having once disappeared , the worshippers had nothing to pray to in order to continue benefiting from Leira's "gift." Cyric taking on the illusion is an interesting prospect, perhaps even having him posing as Leira for a time. Though, I'd imagine he's only doing this because he feels he can eventually turn this sizable portion of Leira-worshippers to him and increase his power beyond Toril itself.



I still like the idea of Godsbane/Mask containing Leira's essence rather than killing her, as part of a grand intrigue. Then later he allowed it to leak into a grandly powerful lie called the Cyrinishad. After all if Mask can exist as a powerful artifact, why can't Leira.... and what better lie & intrigue than to make a god believe his own lies. So, in this scenario, Leira was working as an alias of Cyric, possibly attempting to exploit that eventually to taking all of Cyric's portfolios (an attempt that failed). To note, wasn't the Cyrinishad thrown into the Cesspools below Candlekeep? So, possibly protected and/or entrapped by the powerful Mythal over Candlekeep, until Larloch, as a chosen of Mystryl, absorbs it in a bid to become god of magic.... possibly freeing THIS avatar form allowing Leira to return.

I've actually liked the idea of Leira working through avatars in the form of many powerful books over the last century in order to get individuals to do things. I've mentioned her also spinning herself into the book known as the Tome of Fastrin the Delver, which bewitched Szass Tam (possibly due to him being affected by the Death Moon Orb, given him by Larloch). Seeing some themes here? Larloch, Leira, Mask in some possibly hidden grand intrigues that were releasing vast amounts of magic (things that might be seen as weave anchors) before the "return" of Mystra.... things that may have been great lies as well, such as the idea that Tam's spell could remake the world, that Larloch might be able to become god of magic..... even Mystra's chosen may have been lied to in order to get them to do things that they don't understand, but they think they do.

On the inhabitants of the moon, over the last century I also like it that not only was Toril "twinned" millenia ago in the first sundering.... so was the moon Selune. This may have also been when Leira herself came into existence and when the illusion appeared over the moon so that the people on the surface of Toril didn't realize that it had changed. In doing this, I open up the idea that over the past century, not only have things possibly moved between Abeir and Toril, but possibly between the two moons. There might be/probably are portals that allow traversal between the two moons as well, and perhaps one of the reasons that the "elves" won't allow anyone below the surface of the moon is that they don't want someone to find these portals. If these exist, then even if portions of their society went from one side to the other, they could have still interacted over the last century.

Along these lines, the twinning of the moons can help with some contradictions like the idea that the tears were first documented by a Shou Lung Emperor a few millenia back. The tears themselves may have been going back and forth between Abeir and Toril over time, ever since the first sundering (and if one believes that Abeir and Toril are just different time streams ... not a take I necessarily want to go with at this moment... the appearance and/or disappearance of the tears may be someone mucking with time).

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas

Edited by - sleyvas on 09 Jan 2025 13:58:58
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36837 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2025 :  01:43:51  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder

quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

To me, getting the Leirans there is less of an issue than explaining how they are hedonistic, readily welcoming of outsiders,

Why not?
quote:
and for no readily apparent reason deeply paranoid about an invasion from Toril.

Well, there was a little incident when someone tried to shoot the King-Killer Star, but missed.
So... one fine day an absurdly overpowered magical discharge blows up a huge chunk of their backyard. Presumably a lot of that stone rained back and made a huge mess everywhere else too. But some fragments stuck as The Tears and now remind of this even far outside the regions where landscape is still visibly damaged.
Not something easy to dismiss, is it?



One of the many reasons I discount the magic space laser tale (in addition to coming from the best possible example of an unreliable narrator) is the fact we have no description, anywhere, of this supposed blasted away section of the moon.

Besides, even if the story really was true, what are the odds that the Leirans were already there? And why would they fear invasion instead of magic space lasers?

quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder

quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

Oh, and they worship Leira and yet there's no mention of using illusions or any other kind of deception in their everyday life. Sure, there's the big illusion over the place, but that's pretty much the only Leira-like thing about the place.

How detailed itis, anyway? Not a whole lot.



We have a fair amount of detail about their culture -- like about the furniture they like and all that -- but there's no mention of anything connected to Leira, aside from the big illusion. We're given plenty of detail about them being hedonists and into material things and all that, but bupkis on anything to do with Leira.

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TBeholder
Great Reader

2447 Posts

Posted - 10 Jan 2025 :  22:28:46  Show Profile Send TBeholder a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert



One of the many reasons I discount the magic space laser tale (in addition to coming from the best possible example of an unreliable narrator) is the fact we have no description, anywhere, of this supposed blasted away section of the moon.

There's no description of any specific parts of moon landscape at all, and it's supposed to be covered by illusion anyway.
So why would there be any?
quote:
Besides, even if the story really was true, what are the odds that the Leirans were already there?

Why not? Weren't they tagging along with the Mystrans back from Netheril survivor states?
But they don't need to already be there. It would suffice if they came later and twisted the old spooky tales a little.
quote:
And why would they fear invasion instead of magic space lasers?

An assumption of general hostility? The Leirans could spread relevant rumours to inflate importance of Leira (and also for giggles). The surface cannot be seen now, but some spooky people from Toril may move in. Or send spies to know where to shoot the next time.

quote:
We have a fair amount of detail about their culture -- like about the furniture they like and all that -- but there's no mention of anything connected to Leira, aside from the big illusion. We're given plenty of detail about them being hedonists and into material things and all that, but bupkis on anything to do with Leira.

Yes, and all those things fall under "what visiting PCs will see in a town".
Since the Leirans won't build grand temples in the middle of a town nor form theocracies (nor would plainly explain anything if asked, for that matter), anything related to this religion (including balance of influence, which ought to change after ToT) generally isn't among such "at a glance" details.

People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore

Australia
6673 Posts

Posted - 11 Jan 2025 :  02:29:31  Show Profile Send George Krashos a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas

quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd

I think I've figured out a way to explain the human and elven worshipers of Leira living on Selune.

I'm working through a history of the islands and undersea realms of the Trackless Sea. I think I've figured out how to get the aquatic elves to Karpri as well.

I've written up the High History of Bral, if the DM puts it in Realmspace, as well.

--Eric




Links to Nimbral?



There were going to be. But I talked him out of it.

-- George Krashos

"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus

Edited by - George Krashos on 11 Jan 2025 02:30:31
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TBeholder
Great Reader

2447 Posts

Posted - 11 Jan 2025 :  16:22:22  Show Profile Send TBeholder a Private Message  Reply with Quote
A fun detail, for fleshing out Karpri ("Aye, we are not in Heartlands anymore").
The entire equatorial belt there is one big sargasso so thick it can support small vessels landing as on "land". But further away vegetation gradually thins out - it cannot support ships or gargantuan insects, and eventually it's down to modest terran size, but there are still vast areas covered by it, right?
Here's a curious adaptation seen in some critters living on floating plants: extra-extra long toes.
See the Jacanidae, aka "Jesus birds" / "lily-trotters" / "lotus birds": (Jacanas Jacanas, Jacanas, Jacana spinosa, Jacana spinosa, lesser jacana).
J.spinosa: length 24 cm, wingspan 50 cm, but its toes with 7 cm claws spread to 12x14 cm. Big ones to 20 cm. The lesser jacana is smaller than the sparrow, but its reverse claw alone is 4 cm long.
And, of course, it's still a flying hollow-boned bird, very light. Predators who can neither fly nor swim well just don't need to apply, and then it can dive from flyers and fly from swimmers.

People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch

Edited by - TBeholder on 11 Jan 2025 17:07:14
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11912 Posts

Posted - 12 Jan 2025 :  12:12:27  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder

A fun detail, for fleshing out Karpri ("Aye, we are not in Heartlands anymore").
The entire equatorial belt there is one big sargasso so thick it can support small vessels landing as on "land". But further away vegetation gradually thins out - it cannot support ships or gargantuan insects, and eventually it's down to modest terran size, but there are still vast areas covered by it, right?
Here's a curious adaptation seen in some critters living on floating plants: extra-extra long toes.
See the Jacanidae, aka "Jesus birds" / "lily-trotters" / "lotus birds": (Jacanas Jacanas, Jacanas, Jacana spinosa, Jacana spinosa, lesser jacana).
J.spinosa: length 24 cm, wingspan 50 cm, but its toes with 7 cm claws spread to 12x14 cm. Big ones to 20 cm. The lesser jacana is smaller than the sparrow, but its reverse claw alone is 4 cm long.
And, of course, it's still a flying hollow-boned bird, very light. Predators who can neither fly nor swim well just don't need to apply, and then it can dive from flyers and fly from swimmers.




Neat detail... especially with how long they are, it would almost appear like they'd be more capable of grasping things. They might have more joints as well (I see that these don't but that doesn't necessarily mean anything).

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author

USA
1717 Posts

Posted - 24 Jan 2025 :  17:11:32  Show Profile  Visit Steven Schend's Homepage Send Steven Schend a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

quote:
Originally posted by Seethyr

quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

The Hooded One once commented that a TSR staffer had said that not all of Realmspace was considered canon by TSR -- but she didn't have anything more specific than that.



I’m hoping this only applies to the stuff that contradicts 5e SJ like the existence of phlogiston and such. I hope it doesn’t apply to the general understanding of what exists upon each world.



Unfortunately, there was no other information.

If I had to speculate, though, I'd point out that a lot of what Realmspace has to say about Toril is not backed up by published Realmslore.

And though I know my opinion is not universal, I've always found the Leirans living on Selûne to be problematic at best.



I may or may not have been said TSR staffer complaining about the lack of consistency between Realmspace's info on Toril and other matters and what was already in place and print in FR non-SJ products. While I had some say as the Continuity Cop, I could allow folks to sidestep the SJ-specific info from Realmspace when it looked highly unlikely that Spelljammer would continue having any product support. (Yes, dealing with the inflexible person I was back in the 90s is a curse i have to bear today, sadly.)

That all aside, I had many random notes on various and sundry undersea stuff left out of SoFS due to space, time, mental stability, etc. and I'm sure I'd shared all that with Eric at the time or since. So I'm curious to see what he's getting down to beneath the waves myself…

For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author

USA
1717 Posts

Posted - 24 Jan 2025 :  17:16:21  Show Profile  Visit Steven Schend's Homepage Send Steven Schend a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder

So, about those depths. FR wikia mentions with references to SoFS that maximum depth for the aquatic elves is 600 ft, and they mostly live above 150 ft. And that those marid exiles got the Aryselmalyr Empire out of their hair simply by settling deeper than that.
Myth Nantar is at 300 ft. So the maximum comfortable depth for the aquatic elves probably is close to this.
They can prosper in shallows, of course, but so do most other non-gigantic underwater critters.
Kapri has no bottom as far as anyone can tell, but the entire tropic belt is covered with massive surface plants that could be shaped (alive or dead) into habitable structures etc.



Bear in mind that Myth Nantar's mythal makes it far more comfortable and easier to survive therein than would be the norm at that depth.

Daring to contradict what I wrote decades back (as I'm not rechecking the source before typing), I'd say that the mythal could ensure optimal living conditions for each living being therein in terms of temperature, pressure, light, etc. It would NOT automatically convey waterbreathing as an ability as part of that—it simply presumes all those within are aquatic in nature and thus makes it personally comfortable for individuals, perhaps with slight bubbles within 4-5 inches of a being's skin to denote the magical lifesupport aid?

For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11912 Posts

Posted - 25 Jan 2025 :  12:56:34  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend

quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder

So, about those depths. FR wikia mentions with references to SoFS that maximum depth for the aquatic elves is 600 ft, and they mostly live above 150 ft. And that those marid exiles got the Aryselmalyr Empire out of their hair simply by settling deeper than that.
Myth Nantar is at 300 ft. So the maximum comfortable depth for the aquatic elves probably is close to this.
They can prosper in shallows, of course, but so do most other non-gigantic underwater critters.
Kapri has no bottom as far as anyone can tell, but the entire tropic belt is covered with massive surface plants that could be shaped (alive or dead) into habitable structures etc.



Bear in mind that Myth Nantar's mythal makes it far more comfortable and easier to survive therein than would be the norm at that depth.

Daring to contradict what I wrote decades back (as I'm not rechecking the source before typing), I'd say that the mythal could ensure optimal living conditions for each living being therein in terms of temperature, pressure, light, etc. It would NOT automatically convey waterbreathing as an ability as part of that—it simply presumes all those within are aquatic in nature and thus makes it personally comfortable for individuals, perhaps with slight bubbles within 4-5 inches of a being's skin to denote the magical lifesupport aid?



Yeah, but what I think Tbeholder was getting at was that on Karpri there's no bottom and the aquatic elves therefore would only occupy the outermost surface waters of Karpri to maybe a depth of 300 feet or so. Therefore the majority of the world (picture our world if there weren't a rock core... ) is still off limits to them IN THEORY. However, what I would stress here is that while spelljammer rules on gravity are "odd" to say the least... gravity and pressure of oceans on Toril MAY be more affected by being closer to the sun. Yeah, I know this defies spelljammer logic, but it does follow real world logic. Maybe as a result, the elves on this world can go a whole mile or two down.

That still leaves most of the planet off limits anyway, so its not a major detail. Toril is size E, Karpri is size D

Size A - Less than 10 miles in diameter.
Size B - 10-100 miles in diameter.
Size C - 100-1,000 miles in diameter.
Size D - 1,000-4,000 miles in diameter.
Size E - 4,000-10,000 miles in diameter.
Size F - 10,000-40,000 miles in diameter.
Size G - 40,000-100,000 miles in diameter
Size H - 100,000-1,000,000 miles in diameter
Size I - 1,000,000-10,000,000 miles in diameter
Size J - More than 10,000,000 miles in diameter

On his idea of the elves "bending" the huge ring of GIGANTIC aquatic plant life (seaweed and kelp with leaves that can hold a whole spelljammer on their own) that belts the tropics of the world .... to that I say "hell yeah, good idea, and it makes sense". If a leaf can hold a spelljammer above water, surely they can be shaped to form homes to protect them from aquatic and insect predators to some degree.

I can also see some aquatic elves going near the artic poles of this planet as well and shaping the underside of the ice into cities, then instilling spells to keep the water within their living areas bearable. The sheer cold could be a deterrence from SOME of the more aggressive aquatic species, and they can definitely shape ice to make it hard for these aquatic species to swim into their homes. They might even have openings from their homes into the surface ice above since they CAN leave the ocean, and these may be good hunting grounds for them for things that they can't get in the ocean (the bones of yetis, polar bear fur, remorhaz heat glands, cryohydra skins, etc....).

Now, the main question that I see is "just how big is this ring of giant vegetation circling the center of the world". If we go with an assumption that the world is only 2000 miles in diameter (a quarter the diameter of Toril roughly), then its a little over 6 thousand miles long. At the same time, if the world is spherical and 2000 miles in diameter north south, it can't be anywhere near that in width.... but I could still see maybe 250-400 miles in width (to give perspective.... a band the width of California crossing a much smaller in diameter world). That could hold a LOT of hidden elven aquatic cities. I could also see aquatic elves trying to get some of this giant plant life to grow elsewhere in the world, so in the clear area, there might be some aquatic elven cities made from massive cuttings that they are encouraging to grow.

Finally, this planet begs to have som dohwar living on it since there's not much else. The penguinfolk would be a great addition, as would the urskan bear folk and the darfellan (orca folk)

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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