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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Jan 2026 : 08:49:43
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On followers of Mystra who died during the Time of Troubles and the Spellplague
Bladesinger Lily Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 18/1/2026 10:50 PM
Hale and well met Saer @Ed Greenwood …
a newer player asked a question that I couldn’t particularly sort out. What happened to wizards and other followers of Mystra who died during the time of troubles and the Spellplague wirh no goddess to claim them? Were they all automatically doomed to the Wall?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 21/1/2026 3:37 AM
The Time of Troubles and the far-longer-drawn-out Spellplague both generated periods of what some sages call the Time(s) of Wandering Souls. The souls of the dead drifted everywhere, many becoming trapped in mythals, wards, magic items, and other magical entanglements they encountered randomly. Some were reincarnated in the bodies of other creatures, a few in the mind-shattered bodies of other (formerly sentient) spellcasters. Some are still wandering. No one was “automatically doomed” to any fate. Mystra died, but her preparations for her foreseen-by-her demise meant that the Weave went wild, but did not “go down” or fade away.
So for a specific soul, their fate is whatever an individual player, DM, or taleteller needs it to be. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2026 : 09:14:44
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On the external roads of Silverymoon go
seemingly_cleverRole icon, Scribe of the Realms — 21/1/2026 5:56 AM
I concur with the Lady Bladesinger! :elminster_heart: Your answers are as illuminating as ever, Saer @Ed Greenwood of the Greenwood! #128154;
If I may ask once more about Silverymoon: where do all of its external roads go, and what are their names? We know the Silver Road goes to Sundabar (presumably departing Sundabar gate) and that the northeastern path from the Moorgate leads to the Herald’s Holdfast. What of the path along the Rauvin, or up northwards through the Hunters’ Gate? The northeastern path? There’s also, by the late 13th-century DR, the New Gate (later replaced by Blacklar Gate and Mulgate) of Southbank.
I’m curious, given how overland maps tend to simply show two paths — eastward, down Silverymoon Pass, and southward, to Everlund — in contrast to the more detailed city map. :elmwow:
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 21/1/2026 10:58 AM
Okay, here we go (the countryside around Silverymoon can be most clearly and accurately seen on the Mike Schley map of The Silver Marches, from the WotC Encounter “The War of Everlasting Darkness”...this map can be seen on Mike's website, in the regional maps portfolio):
Northbank, W to E:
Moorgate: Rauvin Road, runs NW along the north bank of the Rauvin to Rivermoot, where the River Rauvin joins the River Surbrin. (A sideroad, the Moonwood Trail or Moonrun, branches off to Herald’s Holdfast W of Rauvinwatch Keep.)
Hunter’s Gate: Hunter’s Road, runs N, curving NW, then splits: W trail to the Herald’s Holdfast, NE trail into the Moonlands up the E side of The Glimmerwood, crossing the Rider Redrun to curve back E and split again, N branch running NE through the Cold Vale,and S branch winding through the western foothills of the Rauvin Mountains and Citadel Felbarr, before crossing the Redrun again and running through Sundabar Vale to Sundabar
Sundabar Gate: Silver Road, runs through Khelb and Silverymoon Pass to Sundabar
Southbank, W to E:
Blacklar Gate: Blacklar Road, used to run to the long-burnt-down hamlet of Blacklar, still runs to its site: SW from the city to a trailmoot at former Blacklar site, where the trail splits to run W along the S side of the River Rauvin, to the West Rauvinbank farms, and the other leg of the trail runs S along the S bank of the Rauvin, to the South Rauvinbank farms, both sets of farms in the cleared land between the River Rauvin and The Silverwood
Mulgate: Ever Road, runs SE to the westernmost Nether Hills (old copper, tin, and zinc mines) then winds S through them, staying east of the River Rauvin, to Everlund |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2026 : 09:29:18
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On conditional demipowers a god can maintain
Zonesylvania
Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 23/1/2026 2:08 AM
dear saer @Ed Greenwood , around how many conditional demipowers (saints, demigods, chosen, exarchs, etc.) can a god afford to maintain depending on their divine power? does it increase linearly or exponentially depending on divine standing? thankee!
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 23/1/2026 9:49 AM
The number of entities a deity can maintain as loyal, linked-to-them demipowers (as opposed to imparting spells to clerics in response to prayers, or one-time imbuement of magic into mortals (“miracles”) varies with four variables:
- The power level of the diety (greater, lesser, etc.)
- How much power they infuse into each servitor (“superhero Chosen versus one-trick Chosen”).
- Their own sanity/nature/multitasking ability.
- Current workload: what else are they doing with their power? How many mythals/wards/holy areas/etc. are they maintaining, and in what strength.
So the “quick answer” is: around 6 powerful servitors (superhero Chosen) for a lesser/middle-rank deity, and around 9 for a greater deity
Modified by nature, so in the Realms, Mystra gets more, and so does Chauntea (the land used by sentient worshippers, so she’s “everywhere”), Shar, and Selûne.
A 5e quasi-deity may only be able to “maintain” one servitor and imbue one other mortal at a time.
Another way of looking at this is: manifestations.
Meaning, how many different locales can a deity manifest in (for example, Lathander appearing as a rosy glow in the air, music, and perhaps his voice), or mortals they can talk to, either out of thin air or in the minds of, at once.
These are usually IN ADDITION TO the number of servitors, etc., and starts at 2 for a quasi-deity, 4 for a lesser deity, and 7 for a greater deity. Again, Mystra and Chauntea and Shar and Selûne get more. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2026 : 09:51:12
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On other slices of Silverymoon
seemingly_clever Role icon, Scribe of the Realms — 23/1/2026 12:18 PM
Alright, alright @Ed Greenwood, you've twisted my arm! I'll keep hounding you about the Gem of the North! I'm just kidding, this is how I have fun. ^_^ I found your series of articles, "My Slice of Silverymoon", to be absolutely fantastic. I especially enjoyed getting a sense of Hollowhar's identity and of the community of people living in that particular corner of the city. Would you find it in your hearts (and, perhaps, in your notes) to share some more about the communities in other slices of the city? Where they're located (i.e., which blocks), some element of their shared character, and the like — almost akin to the various wards of Waterdeep, though surely not so set in stone.
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 23/1/2026 1:42 PM
Heh. Sure, but when I have the time. That's crucial; I have sixteen major active projects going right now, and a day job, and family and friend obligations. Some lore queries are small in scale and I can answer them quickly; others take longer because of NDAs or because I need to find old notes, and some are more heavy-duty and will take still longer. This is one of them; I have wanted to share more of Silverymoon for some years, but haven't yet found the time. Just like Waterdeep, and Suzail, and dozens of other locales. So if you don't mind waiting, I love doing this, and will, if mischance doesn't take me first, get to it. If you don't mind piecemeal dolings out of lore, I can share some stuff much sooner. :} |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2026 : 12:04:40
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On Thadanthiir's Bridge in Silverymoon
GAMEtatron Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 25/1/2026 6:56 AM
Hi Ed!
In My Slice of Silverymoon, part 1:
We learn that in 631 DR, the Granitefang Orcs invaded Silverymoon, apparently through Hunter's Gate, but they were turned back after having breached the city. Or maybe the orcs breeched the walls, given that the guards air out their silken underthings on the Westwatch Gate Tower. #128516;
Anyway, the orcs were apparently defeated at Thadanthiir's Bridge.
Is Thadanthiir's Bridge in Silverymoon, and if so, where?
Thank you!
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — Yesterday at 5:11 AM
Just upstream (east, towards Everlund) of Striding Giant Rapids on the River Rauvin, there’s a bridge across the river. (It’s clearly shown, just beside the “Striding Giant Rapids” tag, on the Mike Schley map of The Silver Marches, from the WotC Encounter “The War of Everlasting Darkness,” …this map can be seen on Mike's website, in the regional maps portfolio.)
That’s Thadanthiir’s Bridge, named for the dwarf who led the team of dwarves that built the bridge (in the early 500s DR, to take heavy wagons of metal ingots from the then-busy Nether Mines south overland to Sword Coast markets). The Bridge is three wagons wide, of stone, and can take the weight of armies—as was proven in the early spring of 631 DR when the Granitefang orcs moved on from then-unwalled but fiercely-defended (by humans hurling spells the orcs liked not at all) Silverymoon town, to try to raid Everlund.
The orcs (who’d been raiding the fast-growing settlement of Silverymoon for more than a decade, preferring to attack by night in bad weather, so defenders couldn’t see their true numbers and precisely where they were—and on this occasion had gotten far down several streets before they encountered hasty wagon barricades that forced them into houses to fight, where the human defenders quickly turned the tide) sought food more than anything else, after a harsh winter.
The orc plan was to send a small force to assault Everlund (which was smaller and more lightly defended than Silverymoon, with more gardens, fields, woodlots, and “open ground to move in” within the settlement) from the north, and draw defenders there—and then with their main strength charge into Everlund from the rear, or south, after having outflanked Everlund by crossing Thadanthiir’s Bridge.
Unfortunately for the orcs, they were caught on the bridge by a force of elven archers who’d been heading for the Silverwood on a periodic “clean out the trolls and worse” foray (so the woods would be safe encampment and hunting territory for elves coming to Silverymoon and Everlund to trade, or to tarry and “stop the most stonebrained human woodcutters from taking every last tree”).
The archers were astonished to see what seemed to them to be an orc horde racing south. They loosed their shafts at will into the massed, trapped orcs, and wiped out all the Granitefangs there, then pursued the few who fled to the skirmish on the north side of Everlund.
Only handfuls of Granitefangs got away from this great slaughter.
The battle-leader of their raiding force, Thulgrod, died on the bridge with three of his five sons.
(So, no, the orcs didn’t get through Hunter’s Gate, because it didn’t exist yet. Nor did any city walls. Silverymoon was still an unwalled “Northbank” town at the time.)
Thulgrod was a battered old veteran orc war-leader, BTW, world-wise and cynical and revered by orcs of several tribes.
His surviving sons begat descendants the Sword Coast North has heard of, notably a great-great-grandson Thulgrar, a widely-traveled adventurer who forayed with human, elf, half-elf, halfling, and dwarf sword-companions.)
(Heh. I'd no idea I had so much in my old notes. Thulgrar had quite a career.) |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2026 : 15:38:46
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On how non-elven worshippers of the Seldarine understand their afterlives
Spellslamzer Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 25/1/2026 9:04 AM
Good day, @Ed Greenwood. How do non-elven worshippers of the Seldarine understand or imagine their afterlives? Do they believe that they'll remain in Arvandor after death or do they believe that they will join the elven cycle of reincarnation (and if so, do they expect to reincarnate as their original race or as an elf)?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 26/1/2026 5:53 AM
It varies with the individual. Remember, everyone sentient and sane in the Realms worships ALL the gods, not one deity. Individual belief, swayed most by direct dream-visions or manifestations or signs from a god (or things that are interpreted as those things), is paramount, advice or preachings from clergy is the second most powerful factor, and past history (as related by family members, the neighborhood, bards and minstrels and taletellers, and seers of various sorts) is the third most powerful factor.
Most sentient folk believe in some sort of afterlife, hazily. Some think they “come back” for another lifetime, and that the lifeform they will be for that is determined in part by what the deity thinks of them (in other words, their actions during their current life).
So in this case, some may believe they’ll “graduate” to Arvandor, but most will think they will have another lifetime to live—but won’t know if it will be as an elf, their original race, or some “thinking beast” or other species form. They may seek guidance over this, and even try to undertake missions or service to the deity to try to influence what will happen to them after death.
(In other words, their fate is up to the deity = the Dungeon Master’s decision.) |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2026 : 17:19:59
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On grilling practices in the North
Juniper Churlgo Role icon, Scribe of the Realms — 26/1/2026 8:32 AM
with grilling being a thing, what are the grilling practices in the north? namely in Neverwinter? Like what does this stud grills? Rothe buttocks? Kobold shanks? Stenchkow burgers? https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Dragonborn_Grillmaster
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 27/1/2026 3:18 AM
In the Sword Coast North, you grill whatever you can get (after skinning it for its pelt, of course), but the most prized “sizzle-meat” most can get (assuming they can’t slay wyverns and dragons and the like) is rothé, and the best cuts are the ribs: rothé have widely-spaced ribs, and any decent butcher (including hunters, carving a kill “in the field”) can cut along one rib to make it into a handle, then leave all the meat adhering to it over to the next rib, so the result is a long, broad, curving strip of meat hanging from the long rib-bone. That’s why shields, other curving plates of metal, and staggered grill racks are used: to follow the curve of the meat and keep cooking coals at about the same distance from the meat all along its length. Rothé rib-meat is well marbled and tastes great as a result, and a cook who can rig up a means of catching the drippings gets fat that can be mixed with “pulled” lesser meat and mashed vegetables to make a flavorful trail-meal (that rots quickly in warm weather, but keeps very well in winter, on the trail).
Rothé kidneys, heart, and liver are highly prized by those in the know, such as the witches of Rashemen. They are very rich, and most “average trail cooks” dice them with celery or peppers or leeks or other water-storing green vegetables, and fry them with rice. Red wines mixed with rothé gravy make good sauces for such dishes.
However, a Grillmaster would do the very tricky “Whole Roast Rothé,” which needs a big cooking pit and multiple long boar-swords as end-to-end skewers, so a rothé carcass cut along the spine would end up with three or four parallel metal skewers all down its length, giving it multiple handles for turning. It is roasted over an open fire, with liquid seasonings poured down its flanks as it is turned, then dipped in sauces for a final “smoke-off” (hung over the fire for the heat to “sear off” the sauce). |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2026 : 17:47:54
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On Silverymoon as the spiritual heart of Lurue’s faith
seemingly_cleverRole icon, Scribe of the Realms — 31/12/2025 11:53 AM
Saer @Ed Greenwood, you once mentioned that Silverymoon was intended as the spiritual heart of Lurue’s faith. Does this manifest in any way? For example, are her priestesses treated with extra respect, or do they undergo pilgrimages to see the Shining Towers?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 27/1/2026 3:42 AM
Any clergy of Lurue, no matter where they’re from or what their visible heritage may be, are considered full citizens of Silverymoon (with voting rights and all), even if they’ve never been to the city before. Their presence is considered to be a part of what makes Silverymoon so welcoming and nurturing in the often-harsh northern landscape (Everlund shares this same “kind and gentle locale” reputation).
Three locations in Northbank Silverymoon, and one in Southbank, are known to have been places “where Lurue has danced,” and clergy and faithful of the goddess often go and stand upon them to seek guidance from the deity (in the form of manifestations and mind-visions, but in rare instances also healing or temporary imbuement with a spell they can unleash by act of will, regardless of class or abilities). These places are as follows:
1. The wide street space about six long strides SE into the city from the Moorgate (which of old was sometimes called “the Moongate,” and this was a spot where Lurue danced in the full moonlight, as a unicorn rampant = up on hind legs).
2. Just west of the Silverglen grove (between it and the backs of the buildings west of it that front on the Market).
3. Right behind (north of) the Stagstand, in the space between its rear wall and the (longer” flanking buildings.
The Southbank location is the heart of Mielikki’s Glade.
These places are all considered auspicious spots for anyone to stand and murmur a prayer to Lurue. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2026 : 06:58:39
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On Banite pilgrims to Castle Kilgrave / Temple Acheron
Joe Chang Role icon, Legend of the Realms — 27/1/2026 10:55 AM
HI @Ed Greenwood are there many Banite pilgrims to Castle Kilgrave / Temple Acheron? If so, are Cormyrean patrols duty-bound to protect such travelers too?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 27/1/2026 2:00 PM
No, there’s nothing to see there now except rubble and tar pits, and Bane prefers to forget the site of this particular ignominious defeat (he rightly sees it as something he mishandled due to overconfident arrogance, and so, drew disaster upon himself), so his clergy do, too. So, no Banite would want to be a pilgrim to the site. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2026 : 08:09:57
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On how 9th level magic works in the world
Melina from Dark Souls Role icon, Legend of the Realms — 24/1/2026 1:43 AM
Hello, kind sir @Ed Greenwood! I have a little question I'd love to hear your clarifying thoughts on:
How would you say 9th level magic works in the world? In other words, like how draining on the weave is 9th level magic compared to other levels, and how difficult is it to master such spells? Whether you’re a Druid, cleric, wizard, bard, or sorcerer.
It really seems like something like the Wish spell is supposedly more complex and powerful in the canon than it is RAW, considering how rarely it’s used. For instance: In 5e RAW, a 17th level wizard could once per day every day use Wish to duplicate spells like Resurrection for free with no consequences, and yet we don’t see many archmages going around reviving all their friends and family or what not, do we?
So, how “complex” or powerful is actually 9th level magic when we’re talking just the lore and not the game mechanics?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 27/1/2026 2:25 PM
Ninth level spells draw more power from the Weave than lower-level spells (and it’s exponential, not a regular-step-up in power draw as one ascends spell levels), and such spells are beyond the mastery of low-level characters/inexperienced/novices: if they find a scroll and try to use it (either in desperation or because they’re reckless or foolish), it will essentially erupt uncontrolled UNLESS a kindly deity, or deity’s servitor (angels, Chosen, etc.) provide aid. (They can launch the spell, but lack the strength of will/focus of concentration to truly control it.)
If you are using divine magic, or casting thanks to a pact with a patron, it’s up to your deity or patron whether you can gain a particular spell, regardless of power level, at all. (If you’ve displeased the god and pray for a spell, you might get nothing, or a substitute spell.) Deities pay far more attention to 9th level spells than spells of lesser level. Hence the expression “You’re playing with fire” being used in the Realms for wielding 9th level spells.
Sorcerers and “wild talents” in the Realms do have more difficulty “calling up” ninth level spells than they do calling up spells of lower levels.
Wizards know they have to be extremely careful and precise in casting (substituting material components, for example, is a poor idea), especially when experimenting. Familiarity with a spell because you’ve used it before is always a plus.
Wish spells are a special case, because (as Gary enshrined in the game, early on) deities frown on mortals using them, and so DO try to “twist” castings by taking full advantage of careless wordings, logic loopholes, and so on.
However, the Limited Wish spell still exists in the Realms (regardless of what the current copyright holders of the game may say or desire, the Realms agreement holds that published lore can be superceded/updated, but not “written away,” so although the game doesn’t currently have potions of longevity in the DMG, all such potions mentioned in past Realmslore still exist in the Realms unless someone has drunk or spilled them), and it’s far safer to use. The example you cite, of using Wish to duplicate other spells, is the safest use of Limited Wish, and would likely work just fine. However, Mystra, Azuth, Savras, or even Velsharoon (or a Chosen or Magister or other servitor of such a deity) would likely manifest or send a dream-vision to a wizard who decided to set up shop to daily cast Wish spells, for profit or any other reason, to dissuade them. And ignoring or flouting such deity suggestions is a very good way to get yourself simply destroyed, or transformed into something that leaves you helpless, unable to cast any other spells, ever. (Don’t draw the wrong conclusions from the actions of Gale in Baldur’s Gate 3, or Karsus in the past of the Realms. Mortals who try to defy or challenge deities usually fall far short of success.)
Most ninth level spells are described simply in the rulebooks, but are among the most complex to cast successfully. It’s like describing gymnastics moves (simple) versus performing them in Olympic competition (far from simple).
However, a very careful wizard who stays at home and uses Wish to accomplish small things (affecting a handful of items or fellow mortals, not making big changes to the wider world and NOT trying to undo anything that has happened already—so, no time travel), might get away with doing so if any deities paying attention approve of what the wizard is trying to do, and accomplishing (cause damage with unintended consequences or accidents, and you’ll get stopped even if your motives were pure). |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 15:26:40
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On canonicity of WotC's publishing
Melina from Dark Souls Role icon, Legend of the Realms — 27/1/2026 4:40 PM
Kind Greenwood, sir! I have a simple question regarding the canon-ity (?) of the forgotten realms.
So, how does the legal stuff work? Is everything WoTC published canon in the forgotten realms?
Baldur’s gate 3? Chains of Asmodeus? Minsc and Boo’s Journey of Villainy? That free-to-play D&D steam game??
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 28/1/2026 11:04 AM
The original Realms agreement, paraphrased mightily: everything I say or write about the Realms is canon until contradicted/superceded by official published TSR (now WotC) works. Official WotC works are canon. Third-party licensed works are only canon if WotC deems them so; Minsc & Boo's has been stated to be not canon, WotC folks have several times explained away lore and game-mechanic (D&D vs. BG3 gameplay) differences by saying Baldur's Gate 3 isn't canon, etc. So it's "slightly fuzzy." The best approach is to ask about inconsistencies you find here; many veteran Realms scribes usually have explain-it-away workarounds. ;} |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 15:31:32
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On dedicated halls or such for trade and haggling in dwarfholds
Kaiden | The Gallant Goblin Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 24/1/2026 11:54 PM
Hey @Ed Greenwood! Question for you about the dwarves of the North/Silver Marches: They do quite a lot of trade with other cities, and it's often mentioned that caravans make long treks to the dwarfholds. My question is: Since the dwarfholds (Adbar in particular) often wouldn't let non-citizens too far into their holds, did Felbarr and/or Adbar have dedicated halls or such for trade and haggling to take place, and/or places for the merchants to stay and if so, could you tell us anything about them?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 28/1/2026 11:08 AM
It’s customary for all the surface dwarven settlements in the Sword Coast North to have facilities for trade with outlanders; that’s why the settlements (as opposed to citadels guarding surface access points to the Underdark) exist. So Citadel Felbarr, Citadel Adbarr, and Mirabar all have versions of the same thing: outside their settlement walls (defensible ramparts) is a earth-berm-walled paddock or enclosure for caravans (and outlander traveling parties) to assemble or camp. It is overlooked by a lookout/signal tower, and by towers on the settlement walls, and has its own portcullis-and-double-doors gate to pass through those settlement walls, into an inner “killing ground” long approach hall with high-up archery galleries along both walls and stonefall-rubble traps in the ceiling, that leads to a second, inner gate (again, portcullis and double sets of doors; the intent is to make these very slow for an attacking force to get through). This inner gate leads into a receiving hall where visitors will be met by dwarf diplomats. To the left, off this hall, are full guest living quarters (bathing, garderobes, robing rooms, bedchambers with lounges and receiving rooms) that have no other connection to the interior of the settlement. To the right, off the receiving hall, are a large and lofty feasting hall flanked on both sides by passages, and off these passages are a series of negotiating rooms that a modern real-world executive would likely see as board rooms: long central table with chairs, sideboards for refreshments or good samples or maps or supplies for drawing up agreements, and handy garderobes. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 15:36:31
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On sauces for snowbread
Zonesylvania Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 25/1/2026 7:36 AM
dear saer @Ed Greenwood , what are the typical hot sweet sauce or sauces drizzled onto snowbread before eating? thankee!
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 28/1/2026 11:10 AM
Everyone makes their own sauces, so they vary widely, and some are unusual, like the spicy ginger sauce served over snowbread at Annatha’s Mouth Joys shop (that sells savory tarts, sweet pastries, and hot teas) in Saerb (formerly, she did business in Archendale, but her marriage fell apart and her residence there went with it).
However, the three usual, customary sauces drizzled over snowbread are: maple syrup, or a caramel sauce (made of water, sugar, heavy cream, a little butter, and just a pinch of finely-diced or powdered vanilla, and called “sarautha”), or a chocolate sauce: fermented, dried, roasted, and ground cocoa beans are made into a paste that’s mixed with water, rosemary, pinches of a few spices (everyone has a “secret recipe” here) and honey; the result is called “thaela” in the Heartlands. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 15:41:21
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On notable flora/fauna in Silverymoon
seemingly_clever Role icon, Scribe of the Realms — 30/12/2025 11:42 AM
Short one today for @Ed Greenwood: Any notable flora/fauna to be found in Silverymoon? Given its wards and its being a very green city, I was wondering if you had anything more specific than “lots of trees”. Thank you, as ever, for any insight, good saer. :elminster_heart:
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 28/1/2026 11:11 AM
Many inhabitants of Silverymoon down the years have added small enchantments to the mythals and wards of the city that make the local microclimate (Northbank and Southbank, within the walls) milder, blunting wind chill and keeping the ambient temperature above freezing (so, no frosts). This has meant that many growing things will flourish in Silverymoon that struggle elsewhere in this part of the Sword Coast North. As a result, some visitors to the city will be surprised at how lush the greenery is.
A soft, tiny-frond “feather moss” grows everywhere, on stone, garden-bed-edge rocks, and tree trunks, and there are also deliberately-planted clumps of edible succulents, called “softlobe”, that are very like our real-world purslane (aka pigweed, duckweed, little hogweed, or portulaca), and “hardroses” (“hens and chicks” in our real world); these are best cooked. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 15:48:25
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On label for the ice covered continent of Toril
Stu | Toril Odyssey Project Role icon, Legend of the Realms — 28/1/2026 2:06 AM
@Ed Greenwood Hey look its another geography question.
What would be the label on a map of Toril for the Ice covered, continent at the bottom of the map. That would be generally acceptable to scholars at candlekeep/places of learning.
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 28/1/2026 11:39 AM
That depends on the mapmaker; the “unexplored margins” is where folks tend to get “Here Be Dragons” fanciful. And icebergs and freezing windstorms (that ruin sails) making sailing near that Antarctica-equivalent continent perilous, so accurate maps of it (or even if there’s a continent there at all) are debatable and always have been.
Sages of different races, and societies over time, have used different names for the Cold Southern Continent.
The Netherese Empire, with its flying cities and LIMITED overview of the area from the air, eventually adopted the name “Qarleverra” for that landmass, after the given name of a Netherese explorer and arcanist who disappeared onto other planes soon after mapping it; she was well aware that she was mapping an ice sheet, and not the land beneath it, which she could confirm only where a curving line of frozen mountain peaks jutted through the ice.
The elves of Aryvandaar (back in -11,745 DR) called it Othna, derived from “oth” for killing cold, and “aethna” which roughly means: acme, epitome, ultimate.
The dragons have always referred to it as Tissakhriltorvinravvahlar, after the gigantic, ancient white she-dragon Tissakhriltorvinravva (“Tiss-SACK-rill-TOR-vin-RAH-vah”) who laired there for centuries, but hasn’t been heard from since 1385 DR (yes, when the Spellplague hit).
And when I asked Elminster, he said Auril refers to it as “The High Ice,” and that’s good enough for Mystra and therefore for him.
Lucio Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 30/1/2026 8:43 AM
Well...will we ever get some coverage of this mysterious ice continent? And if not, at least about this epic dragon the dragons called this continent from?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 30/1/2026 9:22 AM
I certainly hope to provide more lore, somewhere and somewhen. Hang in there: these days, I have to make my own vehicles to publish Realmslore. Hint, hint.
Ninjanurse29 Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 30/1/2026 10:31 AM
@Ed Greenwood I'll pay you for drow lore. Especially concerning Eilistraee, Trelasarra, and the other non-Lolth Dark Seldarine gods.
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 30/1/2026 11:28 AM
Everyone wants Eilistraee lore, and drow lore. The questions are heaped high. :} I'll get to them all when I can snatch the time (meaning: very slowly). |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 15:56:19
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On region-specific dialects of Elvish
Naeberos the Wood Elf Mielikkian Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 28/1/2026 9:40 PM
Dear @Ed Greenwood, I'm curious about whether there are region-specific types of Elvish dialects used on Faerûn, and what some of the notable features and differences among them are (e.g., Evermeet Elvish vs. Silverymoon Elvish vs. Waterdeep Elvish).
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 29/1/2026 5:55 AM
The Underdark Elvish tongue used by drow has diverged enough from surface Elvish to warrant its own lexicon, but Elvish across the surface world only has tiny local/regional differences and shifts in style over time, akin to how in our real world, a modern-day American can read Victorian British prose but may find the pacing and style archaic or unfamiliar, and miss some of the slang terms because of difference in culture and era—but that same reader might also be baffled by special words, phrases, and acronyms used in an industry (tech, or pharma, for example) because they are “insider jargon” intended for those in the know. For instance, you go to get bloodwork done for a medical appointment and it in part is attempting to get your “A1C” level for the practitioner: what’s A1C?
So elves from Evermeet or Silverymoon or Waterdeep all speak the same language and can communicate clearly and swiftly UNLESS someone in a conversation wants to be obtuse or mislead (an unfamiliar jargon word can be avoided altogether, or its meaning made clear by context if a speaker takes care to do so). Over time, jargon words fade out of use, or get incorporated into everyday speech thanks to their usefulness (but often get shortened or modified in so doing).
An example of this: the word “aghaz” (pronounced “AGG-azz”) is now a part of everyday surface Elvish, and means agent or instrument: a being or a tool/process/initiative/pact that worked, deliberately or unwittingly, to cause something or to reach a state of affairs. The closest Drow gets to this is the word “ogsul” which means cause (and is usually a milder alternative to “foe,” meaning: not an enemy, but someone who’s in the way or trying to be neutral or warily uninvolved, rather than hostile; when drow speak of a non-being that’s a cause or instrument, they use the word “usul” (pronounced “OO-sal”).
Originally, aghaz was “aghazarr,” and came from the Sword Coast North/Savage North, an Elvish word for dwarves and later dwarves and gnomes, who shared their delves/tunnels with elves, and who sometimes aided elves beset by orcs, hobgoblins, or bugbears in the mountains and wilderlands. Once “aghazarr” made it to Evermeet, it was adopted into general speech, but shortened along the way into its current form, and is now part of surface Elvish everywhere on Toril.
Zonesylvania Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 29/1/2026 6:44 AM
Would it be possible to mention a few terms of modern elvish slang in the present-day Realms? thankee!
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 30/1/2026 7:52 AM
Sure!
The phrase “Ent ta tahandil aor drau” (pronounced “YEN-tah-ta-HANN-dill-ay-orr-DRAW”) is derived from:
ent = and
ahandil = life’s journey/unfolding
aor = ever
drau = worse, deteriorating
…and translates into Common as: “And so it goes: ever worse”
(meaning: it’s the way of the world that everything gets worse and worse)
The recently invented word “Luskraula” (pronounced “Luss-CRAWL-uh”) is actually the name of an adventurer elf sorceress active in the Swor Coast North, Luskraula Snowbow (“bow” as in the weapon, not bending over at the waist, and prounced accordingly). She was famous for just going out and doing the foolhardy/impossible, so her name is now used in surface Elvish slang to mean: “Make your own luck”
Jhaezho (pronounced “JAY-so”) is a new Elvish slang word meaning newfangled or breaking with tradition or just invented or changing rapidly, and was derived from an elven inventor, Jhalaeszo Melarrhond, who bought many Gondite devices in Zazesspur, took them apart, and modified and combined them for new uses. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 16:03:06
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On true dragons and Bahamut and Tiamat
kageura necromancer wizard Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 28/1/2026 9:00 PM
Hi @Ed Greenwood
Hope you're doing well! I had a quick Forgotten Realms lore question. sort of a "chicken or the egg" situation:
Which came first—true dragons (black, gold, red, silver, etc.) or the dragon gods like Tiamat and Bahamut?
Appreciate any insight you’re willing to share! Best regards.
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 30/1/2026 7:32 AM
The true dragons came first. They had to be present for any dragon deities to have their first worshippers, and so enter Realmspace. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 16:06:46
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On variations of the faith of Savras
Vela Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 16/1/2026 10:36 PM
Well met and hope you're doing well !
I play a priest of Savras that has travelled to the North all the way from Tashluta; could he have noticed variations in the practice of his faith such as different garbs or rituals compared to his homeland's ? Still about religious practices, since Savras has been missing for more than a millenium after his defeat at the hands of Azuth, do you think the latter's faithful attempted to syncretize some elements of the former's faith into theirs ? Could divinators have adopted elements from them in return ?
Thank you very much for your time !
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 30/1/2026 7:34 AM
I’ve covered the lore of Savras several times recently: he’s no longer missing in the wake of the Second Sundering; like all of the gods not specifically destroyed or subsumed, he’s back, and his faith knows this. Both Azuth and Savras have instructed their clergy to work as close allies with each other and the clergy of Mystra. There are some common-to-all-three-churches (and that of Velsharoon, too) prayers involving reverencing and using the Weave (so there is overlap, yes).
There aren’t any significant differences within the faith of Savras in terms of vestments, prayers, rituals, or habits from place to place on Toril aside from the purely practical (more clothing in the cold, raincloaks during rain, and more sun protection in the hot, sunny climes). |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 16:08:47
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On Jhalaeszo Melarrhond and the Church of Gond
Zonesylvania Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 30/1/2026 7:55 AM
Did Jhalaeszo Melarrhond also have a working relationship with the Church of Gond, or were his inventions simply a private affair to sate his own curiosity?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 30/1/2026 7:56 AM
No, he was just fascinated by devices. The Gondite clergy became reluctant to sell to him after a year or so, when they saw what he was doing.
Craig (MAL & TIG) Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 30/1/2026 8:00 AM
Is this because they were horrified by his “creations” or jealousy?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 30/1/2026 9:18 AM
Neither. They didn't want to "feed" a competitor, as they came to view him. (Surely a skilled inventor should be praying to Gond first and foremost, yes?) |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 16:11:36
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On the jail system in the Realms
mAc Chaos Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 21/12/2025 4:46 AM
Hi @Ed Greenwood! The D&D movie, Honor Among Thieves (which I don't make any assumptions about canonicity on), showed us a prison in Icewind Dale that was very much like a modern prison system. You had parole, you had people working outside... it made me wonder, how is prison and jail handled in the Forgotten Realms? Is it indeed like that?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 2/2/2026 11:43 AM
Methods of imprisonment vary widely across the surface lands of Toril, depending on local cultures, species, and conditions. However, one constant seems to be: prisoners have to work. On feeding themselves (so, farming or fishing or gleaning or hunting by snaring), and on doing something useful for their captors (painting road signs or constructing strongchests for mercantile wares shipping or making harnesses for wagon-pulling). Their work gets inspected, and deliberate sabotage usually gets your food ration trimmed, unless you’re ill. Some nomadic folks don’t bother with incarceration: they sell criminals into slavery or just tether them in some way that it will take them a day or more to get free, and move on, stranding them to fend for themselves. What you saw in the movie does exist, but is rare; it’s too expensive to be otherwise. See my Sage of Shadowdale trilogy for a prison in Cormyr for “special” prisoners; like the one in the film, isolation in inhospitable terrain is a key element. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 16:15:34
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On dwaves living outside trade infrastructure
Kaiden | The Gallant Goblin Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 30/1/2026 1:33 AM
Saer @Ed Greenwood, I've got something of a follow-up question regarding the trading industry of the dwarves of the Silver Marches: Outside of the full citadels trading infrastructure, are there any individuals, or even full clans who live there who have their own separate businesses "on the side", so to speak?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 30/1/2026 9:16 AM
Oh, yes. A dozen or more based in every settlement who act as “roving traders” across the Sword Coast surface lands, for those who can’t or won’t travel to the dwarf settlements. These traders get the loftiest prices of all, showing up in Athkatla or Zazesspur or Riatavin or Crimmor with metal ingots and tradebars to trade or sell. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 16:18:45
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On taste of voj-weed tea
Juniper Churlgo Role icon, Scribe of the Realms — 7/1/2026 11:51 PM
What does voj-weed or vauge plant taste like in tea form?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 30/1/2026 11:29 AM
It tastes somewhat like real-world “beef tea” (lean beef simmered in water for hours with salt and herbs; it was a restorative for sick folks in Victorian England), but “twisted” with a somewhat licorice/anise flavor. If you add lemon or lime peel or juice, it alters in flavor completely, tasting rather nutty (like hazelnuts or acorns) and semi-sweet.Voj-weed has been evolving over the recent centuries, but has always grown in profusion all over the Shaar, among the tall grasses. It has always been a short, almost woody brown plant that looks a little like a “jade plant” or “leggy” crassula succulent: oval flattish lobes growing from stalks. It turns green and soft in spring, flowers in summer, then dries back to brown woody state, and can be harvested and used in any time of year, but yields the best tea when brown and woody. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 16:22:14
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On the Moon and Stars Tavern in Waymoot
kageura necromancer wizard — 30/9/2025 7:49 PM
@Ed Greenwood Hi Ed,
I have a few questions regarding the Moon and Stars Tavern in Waymoot. i have not heard anything about it since volo's guide to cormyr. Could you share who currently runs it in the current Realms year, and whether its ownership, clientele, reputation, or physical layout has changed since Volo’s time? Have there been any notable events, visitors, or connections in recent years?
Ed Greenwood — 3/10/2025 3:32 AM
Reply coming; just tracking down some notes (there was an RPGA adventure set there...). Hang tight.
kageura necromancer wizard Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 21/1/2026 9:12 PM
@Ed Greenwood Hi Ed, I have a few questions regarding the Moon and Stars Tavern in Waymoot. i have not heard anything about it since volo's guide to cormyr. Could you share who currently runs it in the current Realms year, and whether its ownership, clientele, reputation, or physical layout has changed since Volo’s time? Have there been any notable events, visitors, or connections in recent years?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 30/1/2026 12:35 PM
Gladly!
Elminster tells me that in his opinions, Volo wouldn’t change his ratings for “the Moonstars.”
The Moon And Stars remains a large, rather ramshackle, rustic tavern. From the road, it looks (aside from sorely-needed cedar-shake reroofing) very much as it did in the 1300s DR, with long, long “wings” jutting out from the older, original core central taproom (with ground-level “cellars” behind). What has changed is that ongoing demands for more private drinking “back rooms” (for delicate negotiations) and more simple tavern fare (hot buttered biscuits, sweet-topped crackers, and smoked sausage slices—joining the pickles, liver-sausage-spread hot egg-bread buns, diced fruit, and cheese-stuffed fried mushroom caps that have always been served) drove three owners ago to purchase two homes behind the tavern (and beside its simple stableyard) and connect them to the old rear-cellars, to end up with bigger cellars, a kitchen with a pantry, and the remaining rooms of the two houses repurposed as rentable “private drinking rooms.”
Then, as now, the Moon And Stars serves ale, stout, a bitter beer, a fruity sour beer, sweet cider (non-alcoholic), hard cider, and zzar. A recent addition to the food is dark nutbread (we would call it pumpernickel), always served thin-sliced and spread with garlic butter.
The Moon And Stars remains dimly-lit, low-ceilinged, worn-carpeted underfoot, and cozy, with heavy, rustic dark wooden furniture. Two owners ago, a concerted effort was made to level the floors to avoid the all-too-frequent “drunkards tripping” problem, and as a result, floors throughout the ground floor are indeed level. (The same cannot be said for the two floors of drinking rooms in the repurposed connected houses, or the attics of those houses.)
The Moon And Stars remains a meeting-place for all manner of patrons, some of whom are local drinkers quietly gossiping or playing cards, some of whom are passing travelers, and some of whom are exotic personages who have deliberate chosen the Moon And Stars as a “neutral ground” meeting-place. It’s common knowledge in the Forest Kingdom that both undercover War Wizards (and other Crown agents) and Harpers frequent this establishment and will notice who’s showing up, and whom they’re meeting with.
As before, the veteran staff of former adventurers and rangers are allowed to go armed by royal decree, and there are War Wizards openly on duty to back them up if need be. (There are also firequench wards upon wards cast upon the place, so any sort of fire magic, arcane or divine, simply won’t work.)
The current owners and proprietors of the Moon And Stars are three business partners who all live in houses in Waymoot, near the tavern. They are fast, longtime, deeply-loyal friends who trust each other deeply, but not wedded to each other nor lovers.
These three are:
Jalanthaera “Jassa” Morrowstorm, a beautiful, still-graceful white-haired woman in her sixties who was once stunningly beautiful and is still strikingly beautiful. Elminster describes her as “an elegant lady who flirts with style but looks as dangerous with a hurled dagger as she happens to be.” She’s a dark-blue-eyed, thigh-length-haired tall and slender woman who dresses in leathers and has more daggers sheathed about her person at all times than your eye can readily spot, She’s a retired adventurer (CG hf Rog14 Arcane Trickster) and, it’s rumored (Elminster says correctly) a one time Highknight who reports to the Palace via visiting active Highknights. She greets everyone like an old friend, and a lot of the regulars are smitten with her. (She’s also the financial and logistical brains of the establishment.)
Mordrim Wyndlorn, a quietly smiling, impossible-to-read man from Athkatla who came to Cormyr three decades ago with enough coin to buy most of Waymoot. He bought the Moon And Stars cash-down for twice the asking price, and has spent the same amount again fixing it up and expanding it. He has green eyes, freckles, red hair, is short and has a boyish build, wears the most expensive of tailored clothes that are NEVER showy, and is rumored (correctly, Elminster says) to come from a noble Athkatlan family, but to be a bastard son who made himself very useful to the patriarch who sired him as a discreet envoy and undercover spy and agent, a career that ended abruptly when the patriarch died and a power struggle ensued; Mordrim announced he’d not be part of it and would depart Amn and change his name, which greatly pleased the warring sons fighting to run the family; El suspects they’d have been a lot less pleased if they’d known Mordrim was taking his dead father’s nine-million-gold-piece secret personal treasury with him. Mordrim is a LN hm Rog18 Thief who always wears a ring of evasion and bracers of flying daggers. He has a mated pair of bats that work with him and will fight for him (they’re not familiars as the game defines them but function much the same way). He also wears some sort of magical mind protection, likely a necklace of protection against charm (see the FR Wiki).
Gelgaert Thaunedorr, an (undercover) cleric of Helm (LN hm Cleric17 Light Domain) of nondescript looks and clothes, average height, brown hair (starting to go white behind the ears) and brown eyes, and an underlying mischievous streak that long ago led him to commission a gorget of disguise that he always wears, and that can make him look unerringly like a mind flayer, a nothic, a yuan-ti, or any human he has a chance to visually studyfor a minute or so. He keeps a hidden cache of healing potions and scrolls somewhere in the Moon And Stars (Elminster warns it’s not unguarded!) and has a harmless pet flying snake (bites for 1 hp damage, isn’t poisonous, and is timid) that lives on his body, under his clothes; he’s not above pretending it’s deadly poisonous and its venom has mentally affected him. Gelgaert keeps aloof from the running of the tavern, and many regulars don’t even know he’s an owner, but he’s always there, drinking (the Moon And Stars never closes, by the way) but never seeming drunk, and is the “muscle” of the establishment, able to unleash powerful combat or disabling-dangerous-patrons magic in an instant, if need be.
Elminster tells me he’s been trying to convince Jassa to stock “a nice little selection of” cheeses for patrons, and some elverquisst, but thus far she’s skeptical it’ll be financially worth it.
On her own, she did quietly sponsor a tiny local festhall, at the north end of Waymoot, for patrons who want “companionship,” or who are just too drunk to travel and need a bed to sleep off their current condition in. It’s called Baerra’s Wyvernhorn, after the proprietor, former Sembian pleasure-lady Baerra Wyvernhorn.
kageura necromancer wizard Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 31/1/2026 8:29 AM
@Ed Greenwood Hi Ed! Thank you very much for all the wonderful detail about the Moon and Stars—especially its updates, atmosphere, and current proprietors. It’s incredibly helpful.
I had one small follow-up question: beyond what you mentioned, would the Moon and Stars also serve any other foods or drinks (such as milk, teas, wines, sweet foods, or other simple fare), or is the menu largely as you described?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 1/2/2026 3:49 AM
The Moon And Stars isn't a full-on eatery, but it can indeed run to these additionals: a very basic wine cellar (local vintages, not "aged and haughty" of any sort: reds, whites, and roses, all dry, sweet, and semi-sweet: good robust safe-to-drink wines); goat's milk, lamb's milk, cow's milk, all served cold or warmed, sweetened with vanilla and honey or not; all manner of local-ingredient teas (mainly tisanes such as rose hips, fruit peels, and various King's Forest leaves and berries); and when it comes to food, "cellar biscuits" (butter-biscuits akin to real-world Club for Americans, or Tuc for Canadians, only thicker, harder, and far less likely to snap) spread with butter or garlic butter; "thumb wedges" of local cheeses, both soft-rind (like real-world Brie) or hard (like real-world white, aged strong cheddar). Any meat in the Moon And Stars larder that is getting old and might decay is smoked in the smokehouse out back (separate structure) to preserve it, and may end up diced and put into the always-simmering kitchen stew, which tends to be dominated by barley, beef broth, and diced carrots, parsnips, leeks, and mushrooms). And one can always get chilled, mint-garnished spring water.
Kokopelli Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 1/2/2026 5:47 AM
On a related note, friend @Ed Greenwood, how oft is milk consumed in the Realms, and are there other types aside from the listed ones that are commonly consumed? (Let the record show that this is NOT a question about breastmilk from any PC-playable race!
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 2/2/2026 11:05 AM
Milk is consumed VERY often in the Realms; by and large, drinkables go like this in places where milk is available: water consumed most, "small beer" (homebrewed) next, teas next after that, and then milk (and what isn't drunk, gets made into cheese). What sort of milk depends on where you are: camel milk and rothé milk and pack lizard milk rise to be "most popular" in particular locales (desert, cold northlands, and Underdark, respectively). Elminster says it seems to him that folk of Toril will try to milk ANYTHING. ;}
Melina from Dark Souls Role icon, Legend of the Realms — 2/2/2026 11:16 AM
Lich milk? #129371;
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 2/2/2026 11:41 AM
(Groan) LOL. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 16:25:03
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On Volo being over 150 years old in 1490s DR
Melina from Dark Souls Role icon, Legend of the Realms — 30/1/2026 5:02 PM
Quick question, sir @Ed Greenwood! Why does no one question how Volo is seemingly over 150 years old as of late 1490s DR?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 30/1/2026 11:38 PM
Wild tales have got around that Volo is "favored of the gods" and so may be effectively immortal–and if you try to slay him, you will incur the wrath of Mystra, magic will harm and never help you, and your own life will be short indeed from then on. Consult the "Volothamp Geddarm" entry on the FR Wiki for the truth: Volo is a Weave anchor and therefore Mystra has Elminster and the other Chosen watch over him, guardian-angel style. How he lasted that long was being both a Weave anchor and at the same time transformed into stone statues and the like, as decades passed. So folk who don't follow the wild versions often know something of this truth–because as the author of books sold in the Realms, Volo is sometimes asked how he's been alive so long, and sometimes retreats from "I'm so important to the gods" to some part of this truth. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 16:30:26
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On Lheo's fate after his reign
Plutonium Lord Role icon, Legend of the Realms — 31/1/2026 12:53 AM
Good morning @Ed Greenwood , hope the day finds you well!
What was Lhaeo's fate past his reign? I cannot seem to find anything about his retirement or death, but knowing that he and his wife were blessed by Siamorphe, it made me ponder if either by that blessing, or perhaps by adventures or antics with Elminster (or maybe even their own!), did the two rulers find some measure of immortality or eternal youth?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 1/2/2026 3:41 AM
You've hit upon a topic that I intend to do a lore video on, once I can sidle past the last hampering NDA; stay tuned!
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 2/2/2026 5:54 AM
A lore video is coming about this. I don't know how soon; there's a backlog of vids to post. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 16:50:24
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On Ss’zuraass’nee
kageura necromancer wizard Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 20/12/2025 1:09 AM
@Ed Greenwood , Ss’zuraass’nee — the yuan-ti City of Abominations in the Underdark beneath the Serpent Hills — only has a brief description in Serpent Kingdoms and a mention in Tyrants of the Underdark. Could you share more about it? I’d especially love to know about its buildings (temples, halls, unique architecture), any inns or taverns, notable organizations, the everyday culture, and what the yuan-ti hierarchy looks like there — or anything else that may be needed or welcomed for lore depth, flavor, and campaign use.
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 1/2/2026 4:08 PM
Eventually, in the fullness of time, a new Realmslore video should come out with me jabbering a lot about the City of Abominations. Script done, awaiting a window of a few days to travel down to Ivan and record a big roster of new vids. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 16:53:56
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On the Baron's Blades of Hawkhill
Ir'revrykal Role icon, Scribe of the Realms — 1/2/2026 9:01 PM
Hello! A recent discussion about Thaldigar's Tower (which you ran at European Gen Con back in '97) had me wondering: what other modules feature the Baron's Blades of Hawkhill?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 2/2/2026 2:17 AM
The Baron's Blades are an adventuring band of 12 Realms characters (originally 2e) that I created for TSR-requested playtests early on. I still use them as pregens today, at conventions. So if you're in one of my D&D games at GaryCon or GameholeCon that isn't Tower of Gygax, you can find yourself playing one of them. So they "go with" about a hundred adventures, over the years. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 16:57:10
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On wereseals
Night Fang Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 2/2/2026 7:08 AM
@Ed Greenwood are Wereseals still around in the forgotten realms?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 2/2/2026 9:01 AM
Oh, yes. Yet they are both rare, and keep a very low profile for obvious reasons. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 17:01:47
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On the Bridge of Fallen Men being the border of the Dragon Coast and Cormyr
Joe Chang Role icon, Legend of the Realms — 2/2/2026 10:23 AM
Hi @Ed Greenwood is the Bridge of Fallen Men where folks think the Dragon Coast ends and Cormyr begins?
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 2/2/2026 11:00 AM
Most folks, yes. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1887 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2026 : 17:04:19
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On Phantamos of the Purple Cloak
Zonesylvania Role icon, Patron of The Realms — 7/11/2025 3:38 AM
Good Saer @Ed Greenwood , can you share some information for us about the life and times of the archmage Phantamos of the Purple Cloak, who was mentioned in Volo's Guide to Waterdeep? thankee!
Ed Greenwood Role icon, Father of the Realms — 2/2/2026 11:07 AM
Yes. A lore video is coming, because he's just too juicy to cover otherwise. :} |
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Ed Greenwood from Greenwood's Grotto
