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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Apr 2025 : 10:51:36
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On the best methods to learn the secrets of lichdom
kageura necromancer wizard — 27/3/2025 6:38 AM
@Ed Greenwood out of curiosity do you know when you would get to that "how to learn lichdom and becoming a lich" video you mentioned back in december?
Ed Greenwood — 27/3/2025 8:42 AM
I'm afraid not. Ivan and I record in batches, then each vid goes into editing, and they come out when ready. That vid will be in the NEXT batch we record; we still have a lot from the last December 2024 batch.
kageura necromancer wizard — 28/3/2025 7:17 AM
thanks ed i appreciate it and look forward very much to learning the best methods for learning the secrets of undeath. by the way. in the "worlds&realms" book published by WOTC and written from the perspective of mordenkainen it claims shadowfell is the best place for learning lichdom. is that true or is mordenkainen biased since he never stays on one plane long?
Ed Greenwood — 31/3/2025 6:18 AM
It's true in one sense: in the Shadowfell, collectively, one who tours it tirelessly could learn the widest array of different processes for achieving lichdom. Like a huge department store, it has the best roster. However, to learn even a narrow range of that large roster would be expensive and dangerous, because the Shadowfell is NOT a good source of eager and willing teachers. So "best" in the sense of most could be gleaned by someone wealthy, powerful, fearless, and magically protected enough to pry out such lore. NOT "best" in terms of easiest and safest to learn, and with fewest hazards/difficulties. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
Posted - 04 Apr 2025 : 11:01:38
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On the experience of casting Detect Magic and Identify
ChiefAffirmationOfficer — 30/3/2025 9:23 PM
What does a Realmsian caster experience when they cast detect magic and identify?
I'm hoping to bring some life to how I narrate what a caster experiences at my table when they cast the most common divination spells in the Forgotten Realms.
The typical "you know [insert dry fact here]" feels like a missed opportunity to make this aspect of the game and setting more interesting.
Ed Greenwood — 31/3/2025 6:24 AM
GREAT question! I'll answer you as soon as I can: I'm in the third day of ice storms here and my power is out a lot...and everything just went down/up/down/up and flickering again... |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2025 : 06:39:42
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On an observation about the Zhentarim and the Knights of Myth Drannor
Joe Chang — 5/4/2025 10:04 AM
Dear @Ed Greenwood not a question but an observation: the Zhentarim was created by a group of childhood friends (Manshoon, Chess, Fzoul). Centuries later another group of young friends, the Knights of Myth Drannor became one of the Zhentarim's great foes. I don't know if that counts as irony, but there's a symmetry there.
Ed Greenwood — 6/4/2025 9:02 AM
Indeed. Almost as if I planned it that way. ;} |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2025 : 06:46:08
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On seal skin being used as a book binding/book cover
Jeremy Grenemyer — 12/4/2025 12:10 AM
Good morning @Ed Greenwood from suddenly too hot California. #129397;
Last night I listened to a segment on the BBC World News Service about the discovery of 12th and 13th century manuscripts bound in seal skin.
The discovery was well inland in France, so the scientists saw this as proof of the reach of European coastal trade (which made me think about trade in the Realms).
I am curious to know if seal skin is something that has ever been used in the Realms as a book binding/book cover?
Did this material ever experience a surge in popularity or cause a fad among book collectors?
I figure all things are possible in Waterdeep, but I wonder if seal hide “travelled” to the inland Realms like it apparently did in real-world France.
Thank you, Ed, as always.
Ed Greenwood — 12/4/2025 2:12 AM
In our real world, the Norse (famed in modern lore as rapacious “Vikings” but far more than just raiders; they were THE farfaring merchant traders of their day) spread goods far from Scandanavian waters. And the major makers of books at the time, Christian monks, used sealskin in book binding (particularly in outer cases now referred to as chemises, that surround a bound book to protect it), because it sheds/resists water better than deerhide, boar hide and other land animal hides.
In the Realms, sealskin has “always” been used for cloaks, mantles, and other wet-weather protection in the Sword Coast North (even if you’re wearing a bear pelt cloak to keep warm, trudging through a freezing drizzle in it will make it heavier and heavier and less and less warm, unless you can cover it with something that sheds water, like sealskin), and in small packsacks (“rucksacks” to us) used to transport books and other items we want to keep dry, like spell scrolls, spices, and other powders. When I say always, I mean as far back as recorded history (even for dwarves and elves) goes. So it’s not something that’s experienced a fad, but an “always been there” material, as seals mate on rocky islets, many near mainland shores, and can be readily hunted at such times.
Travel in the Sword Coast North has (again, “always”) been dominated by navigable river routes because, frozen or not, they offer the fastest travel and easiest bulk goods transport, and goods go both ways through barter. Although relatively few folk live inland compared to the amounts of timber, hides, and ores coming out of the interior, those who do dwell or just work there need goods, and sealskin and other sea-origin material have reached interior locales on many occasions. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2025 : 07:08:47
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On Lhaeo/King Haedrak's favorite dishes to make
Zonesylvania — 11/4/2025 7:16 PM
Good saer @Ed Greenwood , while Lhaeo/King Haedrak served as Elminster's cook and scribe, did he himself have any favorite dishes to make that you could tell us something about? thankee!
Ed Greenwood — 12/4/2025 2:19 AM
Lhaeo loved small fowl, spit-roasted but constantly dipped and basted with seasoned broths. His signature “side” was what we would call olive tapenade: a paste of chopped and crushed olives and capers, but rather than olive oil, he uses zzar and avocado oil as a binder. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2025 : 01:58:40
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On the limitations of the second of Azuth's seven secrets
Zonesylvania — 13/4/2025 7:38 AM
dear saer @Ed Greenwood , concerning the second of Azuth's seven secrets; are there any specific limitations on the spells that can be converted into prayers (divine spells) such as modification of components, level, etc. or would it, Mystra/Azuth willing, be possible to convert an arcane spell exactly as it is into a prayer? thankee!
Ed Greenwood — 13/4/2025 9:06 AM
There are a lot of limitations on spell conversions, and NONE of the arcane spells known to most spellcasters in the Realms will convert exactly "as is" into a prayer. There are always at least minor differences. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2025 : 13:35:19
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On the Greengrass festival in Silverymoon
Taglas Kae — 2/4/2024 12:01 PM
@Ed Greenwood Hello! I am curious what a Greengrass festival might look like in Silverymoon, if any more grand or green than elsewhere in the Realms.
Ed Greenwood — 19/4/2025 3:12 AM
In Silverymoon, Greengrass is a day when all of the mages of the city work with druids who come in to the city from all over the Sword Coast, to work magics that cause flowering vines to grow with lightning-swift “you can watch it and marvel” speed, all over walls, flagpoles, archways, and other built city architecture, and flower, so that by nightfall the city is fragrant (and overgrown) with blooms. All clerics in the city (and interested worshippers) observe the Greengrass rituals of their faith, and after nightfall, the High Palace hosts a huge (free) feast for all who wish to attend. By tradition, green mintwine is served, though many find it overly sweet and drink just one goblet, out of politeness and to cleanse the palate like mouthwash, then switch to whatever their favourite tipple may happen to be. In the 1300s, the Greengrass Gathering (the formal name for this feast) usually ended in drunken lovemaking all over the Palace, but after two occasions upon which thieves and assassins decided to exploit these conditionst to their own advantage, Khelben established a tradition of sending observers from Blackstaff Tower (senior apprentices) leading a large “duty detail” of Watchful Order Magists from Waterdeep (who were paid by Silverymoon for their service) to keep order; they stay sober and keep to secure chambers in the High Palace, magically scrying unfolding events from there, and directing local lawkeepers to keep mayhem to a minimum. (Laeral has continued this tradition to the present day.) |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2025 : 13:38:05
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On Mystra's policy on destroying magical objects
Lucio — 1/4/2024 8:35 PM
@Ed Greenwood What is Mystra's policy on destroying magical objects, like evil artifacts and such?
Ed Greenwood — 19/4/2025 3:18 AM
Mystra promotes the use of magic by all, and magic items and artifacts are ways in which those without the Gift can wield magic, so she doesn’t act against them. With one exception: those who use artifacts or items to repeatedly destroy other artifacts or items, or destroy spellbooks, or slay arcane spellcasters, Mystra will send her servitors to deal with, or send manifestations or more covert aid to those fighting such individuals. “Deal with” often means seizing or teleporting away the artifacts and items, for others to find and use, leaving those who used them to destroy magic and magic-wielders without magical means of doing so. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2025 : 13:40:48
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On connections between Devils and Liches
Zeph — 31/3/2024 10:22 AM
Thank you for answering my question on the afterlife! So it's come up in my games, and I'm curious what the interaction between Devils/Fiends and Liches are. Both are traditionally Evil but Devils place a premium on obtaining souls, while Liches destroy them, yet both seem to have a reason to oppose celestials. Are their any noted connections between Devils and Liches, any alliances or rivalries?
As always, thank you @Ed Greenwood for your time.
Ed Greenwood — 19/4/2025 3:27 AM
Most devils and liches are foes upon sight, because devils seek to control mortals via their souls, and liches have safeguarded their own souls against such threats but see devils as attackers bent on harming them. Moreover, many liches seek to consume the souls of others in various rituals to keep their crumbling mortal remains strong and supple, and to bolster and renew their unlife. With that said, there are some temporary (but long-lived enough to seem “forever” to some mortals) alliances between cabals of liches (who feel the confidence of standing among allies) and certain archdevils, who find themselves with common goals and work together to further them. It is vanishingly rare, however, for liches not to have preparations ready against treachery from the devils, when operating in such relationships. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2025 : 13:45:53
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On places bizarre race parties may come to meet in the Realms
Malarite — 29/3/2024 9:35 PM
Many 5e dnd groups are filled with players ready to explore the most fantastical, and end up choosing almost exclusively bizarre races even in the context of the realms. (Aarokokra, fairy, tabaxi, thrikreen, Giff...).
You've told us of Wovelandra’s Welcome in Neverwinter. What are some places such a strange group may come to meet in other regions of the realms?
Ed Greenwood — 19/4/2025 3:53 AM
There are many such, so let me just list a few:
Sundabar: Brokh’s Tankard, a low dive of a tavern that consists of a dank, gloomy stone-walled taproom that connects to a descending series of cellars. The seventh and eighth cellars have side-tunnels leading to rooms that can be rented for the night, for travelers desiring accommodations or drunkards too gone to find their ways home. The founding dwarf, “Brokh,” is long dead, but his descendants still own and run the place. With the aid of some living spells who inhabit the cellars and about whom locals tell all manner of conflicting and colourful origin stories.
Scornubel: of the many places in this city who either welcome or tolerate “unusual” individuals, or mixed bands of such folk, one popular house of revelry is the recently-established Ninefires House, named for the nine large open cooking and heating hearths that share the cavernous, labyrinthine fieldstone-walled main feasting hall. Three floors of rental suites surround that hall.
Esmeltaran (Amn): Hornfall, a walled luxury resort compound named for the supposed (it may just be a local tall tale) demise of the Horned Mage within its walls. It operates like a luxury inn for those who can afford the 20 gp/night fees, with “free” food and drink included in the fees (stabling, laundry, and repairs are extra), and all are welcome (drow traders regularly stay at the Hornfall). The compound has its own formidable security force, of several rival hired veteran adventurer bands, and is backed up by at least one powerful mage, who is a resident co-owner of the resort, and who controlls several undead beholders (usually used as deterrents for troublemakers or raiders attacking the resort).
Saradush (Tethyr): Gulkh’s Haven, a “double tavern.” A streetfront “taproom for the timid” serves local shopkeepers and crafters, but is linked to an inner “Sheethra’s Palace,” a supposed brothel. The mistress of the non-existent brothel, Sheethra, is actually the doorguard of an inner taproom, “the Haven Proper,” where more exotic patrons drink and can rent sleeping-cubicles and secure storage vault space. Sheehtra, who looks like an elderly human woman clinging to the increasingly-wrinkled remnants of what was once stunning beauty, is actually a human form assumed by a silver dragon who keeps order in the inner taproom with the aid of a menagerie of “monster” bartenders and servers.
Ankhapur: The Sultry Succubus is a notoriously lewd and lawless tavern and feasting-hall that has a public side (a tavern where one can rent “arm candy” escorts) and a private side (the Deep Hall, or cellar feasting-hall, where there are no escorts, but folk of all bloodlines mingle, and a lot of business, shady and otherwise, is transacted; if you need to hire bodyguards, or magic, or bodyguard who can deal with magic, the Deep Hall is the place in the city you come.
Elversult: The Second Skull, a southwestern-city-outskirts converted warehouse that serves as a meeting-place, feasting hall, and drinking hole for exotic folk of all heritages. Its name refers to the continuing existence and popularity of the legendarily rowdy Splitskull Inn and Tavern (to which the Second Skull has no connection). The Second Skull has a dirt floor, a resident crew of thieving local birds that swoop down from the rafters to try to purloin food, and a trio of gigantic grell as bouncers; they are controlled by Tavrauna Tarnshields, a human mage cursed into mind flayer form decades ago, and so persecuted that she remains in hiding (she co-owns the Second Skull, but lives and works in a walled-off upper room, trusting in her three saurial partners to mingle with patrons).
Brassune (Akanûl): In 1500 DR, Brassune is still a “frontier” settlement of squatters inhabiting the ruins of this once-great city, but the area is no longer under direct attack by the Abolethic Sovereignty, who are now waging war with rebel nothics that rebel aboleths masquerading as grell are sending against them; offshore and up in the sky, the aboleth city of Xxiphu is now a spell-torn battlefield. However, there is no law and order in Brassune, and its inhabitants regard each other warily and retreat behind well-guarded (often trapped) hiding places by night. With one exception: Ogg’s Threshery, the deepest cellar of a destroyed granary, has become a tavern and feasting-hall for travelers and misfits, and considered “safe neutral common ground” for all—with no less than a beholder of gigantic size (a sphere thirty feet across) keeping order with the aid of a crown of wands it wears and can control, in addition to its own eyestalks. This eye tyrant, Xorrabold, is known to unerringly remember and pass on messages from one patron to another, to arrange paid work for mercenaries and adventurers by acting as a go-between, and for modest fees impart information as to where certain individuals, goods, and specific items may be found. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2025 : 13:51:30
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On the sohar and the dhow from Calimshan
Sundered_Ant — 17/3/2024 11:14 PM
While I still have the ability to ask questions here, I got a hopefully simple one for Ed. You see, I've been reading into the various types of ships in the Realms recently, and a rarely mentioned one that caught my eye is the fictional "sohar".
To recap what is known about them: these are three-masted ships used by Calishites, that can carry as much cargo as a cog but tend to be faster and more maneuverable. They were mainly used by merchants and were becoming a more common sight in the Inner Sea by 1371 DR. They first showed up in the accessory Of Ships and the Sea (an outlier in a book of mainly non-fictional ships), then were later featured in Sea of Fallen Stars and the novel Rising Tide with most of the same details intact.
What I'm wondering is, are they by chance supposed to be a type of dhow (another ship commonly used in Calimshan) or are the two unrelated?
Ed Greenwood — 19/4/2025 5:03 AM
In the Realms, a sohar is like a real-world carrack, but as long as some schooners (hence the carrying capacity and the three masts), and having the flat bottom and clinker-built hulls of a cog. Sohars use leeboards (pairs of “downdagger” rudders mounted on the outside of the hull, in both-sides pairs nigh the stern) plus a stern-mounted rudder to aid in steering, and the leeboards can be pulled “high and dry” for speed when in the open sea, and winds aren’t pushing the ship astray.
Dhows, on the other hand, are much smaller vessels, settee or lateen-rigged, and having only one or two (much shorter than any sohar) masts. Dhow hulls are traditionally built by sewing planks together with coconut fiber. In the Realms, these planks are secured to internal framing.
So dhow and sohar are both seagoing ships, and can both be used for carrying cargo, but their construction, size, and usual equipage (and manner of sailing) are completely different. So, no, a sohar is not a type of dhow. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2025 : 13:59:41
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On dragon and dragonborn genitalia
CaptainRelyk the Brass Dragon — 22/3/2024 5:38 AM
@Ed Greenwood do dragons and Dragonborn have cloacas, human genitals, or something else entirely? I know some people wish for them to have cloacas and be more anatomically realistic, and not have cringey mammal parts
And before people judge me for asking this… Melissa Tiefling asked me to ask Ed! I’m not a weirdo, you are!
Ed Greenwood — 19/4/2025 5:09 AM
Dragons and dragonborn have human-like genitalia, but these are normally hidden within natural shallow (and flexible scale-covered) body cavities that are accessed through natural “slits” or slot-like openings normally kept closed by powerful muscles, but which can be gaped (and held wide open) by the owner of the body. The “rolled edges” of the slits are scale-covered and supple, and in most cases can form an airtight and watertight seal if the body owner wants them to. |
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questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1579 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2025 : 14:04:46
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On Helm and Selune working together
Paladin Feora — 24/3/2024 4:22 PM
Hi @Ed Greenwood, I've been playing a character that offers prayers to Helm and Selune, loving what they both aspire to in their portfolios recently, and it had me thinking: despite their portfolios being very different, Helm and Selûne have a lot of similarities outside of that. They have many overlapping domains where they are associated with clerics and protecting/fighting against forces of darkness such as Shar, even their holy symbols feature eye(s) in them. Wondered if their fellow churches, orders, or even deities themselves work together or talk with each other? Might they beseech each other in times of need, etc?
Ed Greenwood — 19/4/2025 5:22 AM
Yes, there is a tradition of the clergy and paladins of Helm and Selûne working together, conferring over pragmatic matters and politics, and calling on each other in times of need. It is rooted in tales (told more within temples than among the laity, but found in many writings in Candlekeep and other libraries) of Helm aiding Selûne as a steadfast anchor when she waned, and her returning the favour by standing with him when he faced forces of dark destruction (such as forays by servants of Shar). There is a fondness between the two deities that so far as mortals know has never become romantic, but is undeniably a fast, deep friendship.
So, yes, their mortal devoted do work together, and could become close and even in some cases wed (and the deities would accommodate such relationships, not forcing a couple to choose one deity over another, or divine service over mortal companionship). |
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Ed Greenwood from Greenwood's Grotto
