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Eilserus
Master of Realmslore

USA
1446 Posts

Posted - 07 Sep 2018 :  14:54:32  Show Profile Send Eilserus a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Hi George,

I was reading FR13 Anauroch and found something interesting on page 81: "The Black Shadows have a powerful magical item (an Orcward Stone?), hidden in their cave, that seems to keep orcs away. It was recovered from one of the ruins of Anauria (and its true nature is left to the DM)."

I didn't see anything here at the Keep referencing such an item. Anaurian magic or a relic of Tethyamar rune magic? I was curious what you're thoughts are on this, since it seems a perfect dwarven item to help keep holds hidden. :)
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore

Australia
6662 Posts

Posted - 08 Sep 2018 :  04:46:03  Show Profile Send George Krashos a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Good catch Eilserus. FR13 has many a lore nugget yet to be mined. It also contains a little "D'oh!" reference that I only picked up on a year or two ago that i wish I had worked out earlier when doing some FR work with a friend "back in the day". I've long had "orcward stones" playing around in my head and note that I had (before Troy Denning went nuclear on them) the Lords Who Sleep of Cormyr fame protected by one.

It seems somewhat counter-intuitive to have them of Anaurian origin given that realm fell ironically to an orc horde. Of course they may be few in number, a relic of Netheril and work only to ward a place/location rather than act as a "Maginot Line"-type defensive barrier. It is interesting to note however that after its initial early clashes with the orcs, Netheril appeared largely untroubled by these creatures (of course in saying that, I note the massive unreliability of the presented Netherese historical narrative) and may indeed have set up such a barrier to the north of the realm.

I am sure they would be treasured by dwarves if they could find them, but given the fact that dwarven kingdoms seem to fall with regularity to orcish incursions, one could safely state that these items are not prevalent in dwarven communities. Tethyamar fell to orcs as well so I can't see them using them in any great numbers either. Of course that does make for some interesting thoughts re the remnants of the Mines of Tethyamar and what remains and what does not and why. Again, a place I've had a few thoughts on over the years, with a fairly big nod to Tolkien's Mines of Moria and trying not to crib too many ideas from the Moria ICE sourcebook (which is brilliant IMHO).

Given it's a one-off mention, only Ed could add more. That means, that you have essentially free rein until he does, if ever.

-- George Krashos

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

Edited by - George Krashos on 08 Sep 2018 04:48:31
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Grievous
Acolyte

5 Posts

Posted - 08 Sep 2018 :  15:22:22  Show Profile Send Grievous a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Hey George,

I'm writing a lineage of the Bloodfeathers of Damara for use in my campaign and was wondering what familial connections between Impiltur and Damara you have conceived and under which circumstances they happened. My intention is to work with your Impiltur material/musings and adding to it for Damara specific stuff.

Currently, I have two marriages between the dynasties (and I think this is pretty much enough). During King Lashilmbrar's reign (1225-1294), I'm having Impiltur (or rather Soneillon-via-Impiltur) politically scheme to put a puppet to rule Damara. This is also the time when the Bloodstone Mines become a thing. I'm still working out the details of this, but in the end this meddling didn't work out, and/but Lashilmbrar's younger brother Velimbrar does marry his daughter to the Bloodfeathers (in or about 1255-ish DR). This is the first dynastic link.

The second is the marriage between King Aeldrin and Sambral (sister of King Rilimbrar). I imagine this is a result of Damaran aid in regaining the throne of Impiltur from the usurpers.

Do you see King Aeldrin as the grandfather or great-grandfather of Virdin btw? Personally, I'm thinking that he is his grandfather, which also makes Aeldrin the son of the king who married this daughter of Velimbrar. This makes the aid that Damara gives Impiltur distantly a familial matter, as well. For that aid, the Damaran heir (probably, instead of King) marries the new King Rilimbrar's sister.

And thanks for inspiring me to play and develop in this part of the Realms!

Edited by - Grievous on 08 Sep 2018 15:26:05
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore

Australia
6662 Posts

Posted - 08 Sep 2018 :  17:04:31  Show Profile Send George Krashos a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Hi Grievous

Aeldrin is indeed Virdin's grandfather. He marries Ilmara in 1303 DR.

You have to understand that Lashilmbrar is quite a bit older than his step-siblings and had his own children very late in life for a range of reasons. As such, dynastic marriages weren't much of an option for him. Indeed, it is his own daughter who marries Aeldrin as noted above but only after she is of age and her father has passed away. None of Velimbrar's daughters match up age wise with Aeldrin's grandfather and it wouldn't do to have his father marry a Heltharn as well as this would mean that Ilmara's first cousin would in fact be her mother-in-law!

Lashilmbrar was a canny (if you were being unkind: conniving) sort who was big on using economic clout to dominate rivals and neighbours. He wouldn't need a dynastic marriage to exert political pressure on Damara: the simple fact of the bloodstone trade necessarily having to be funnelled through Impilturian markets would be sufficient for him to politically dominate his neighbour kings throughout his long reign and take advantage of any dynastic hiccups and dangers they encountered.

-- George Krashos

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

USA
11814 Posts

Posted - 09 Sep 2018 :  01:34:00  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Hey, when you guys have something written up concerning the Bloodfeathers family line in Damara that's kinda stable, do keep me in mind as someone who wants to read it. That's one of those things I'd enjoy to read and use, but damned if I have time to research.


BTW, on that topic, just given the name itself, what would you propose as a possible origin for the familial name? There's got to be a backstory to that. Granted, I know things like Crownsilvers, etc... don't necessarily revolve around crowns and/or silver... but Bloodfeather…. that's just too "different" to not warrant some kinda explanation.

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11814 Posts

Posted - 09 Sep 2018 :  01:34:32  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Hey, when you guys have something written up concerning the Bloodfeathers family line in Damara that's kinda stable, do keep me in mind as someone who wants to read it. That's one of those things I'd enjoy to read and use, but damned if I have time to research.


BTW, on that topic, just given the name itself, what would you propose as a possible origin for the familial name? There's got to be a backstory to that. Granted, I know things like Crownsilvers, etc... don't necessarily revolve around crowns and/or silver... but Bloodfeather…. that's just too "different" to not warrant some kinda explanation.

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore

Australia
6662 Posts

Posted - 09 Sep 2018 :  02:08:35  Show Profile Send George Krashos a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas

Hey, when you guys have something written up concerning the Bloodfeathers family line in Damara that's kinda stable, do keep me in mind as someone who wants to read it. That's one of those things I'd enjoy to read and use, but damned if I have time to research.


BTW, on that topic, just given the name itself, what would you propose as a possible origin for the familial name? There's got to be a backstory to that. Granted, I know things like Crownsilvers, etc... don't necessarily revolve around crowns and/or silver... but Bloodfeather…. that's just too "different" to not warrant some kinda explanation.



I've come up with both a line of monarchs for Damara and a story for the origin of the name. Ed liked it. It also explains that godawful "FR" instead of "DR" dating system in FR9 Bloodstone Lands.

-- George Krashos

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

United Kingdom
6361 Posts

Posted - 09 Sep 2018 :  21:36:37  Show Profile Send Gary Dallison a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Hi George,

I was wondering what the word qabas meant in Mulhorandi before it was applied to the orc?


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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore

Australia
6662 Posts

Posted - 10 Sep 2018 :  09:37:49  Show Profile Send George Krashos a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by dazzlerdal

Hi George,

I was wondering what the word qabas meant in Mulhorandi before it was applied to the orc?





The word "qabas" [the "q" is hard as in "k"] did not exist in the Mulhorandi language before the Orcgate Wars and was the word that was applied to these creatures when they attacked Mulhorand. The word was derived from the root words "aqab"=foul, unclean and "as"=beast, creature. This is as opposed to "aqas=pure, clean and "am"=human. Which makes the word for elf ("quazzam") interesting with "aqaz"=bright, shining.

-- George Krashos

-- George Krashos

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

United Kingdom
6361 Posts

Posted - 10 Sep 2018 :  10:11:06  Show Profile Send Gary Dallison a Private Message  Reply with Quote
A wonderfully crafted answer as always.

I've got the q as a soft h in untheric but I can easily explain the difference as mulhorandi has evolved significantly from untheric which stayed true to the original Mulan/roushoum pidgin.

As an aside if I use a soft h for the q, then qabasen sounds like habesen which is phonetically similar to abishai so I'm wondering if qabas was used in ancient Mulan language to refer to some of the evil monsters the imaskari created (I was going to say demon, but you already have a mulhorandi word for that).

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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore

Australia
6662 Posts

Posted - 10 Sep 2018 :  12:47:24  Show Profile Send George Krashos a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I think you've got it the other way round. The sources say that Mulhorandi has stayed truer to its Rauric roots, with Untheric being the one that had evolved greatly.

-- George Krashos

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

United Kingdom
6361 Posts

Posted - 10 Sep 2018 :  12:54:35  Show Profile Send Gary Dallison a Private Message  Reply with Quote
You are probably right, I'm getting very befuddled in my middle age

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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11814 Posts

Posted - 10 Sep 2018 :  13:14:38  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos

quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas

Hey, when you guys have something written up concerning the Bloodfeathers family line in Damara that's kinda stable, do keep me in mind as someone who wants to read it. That's one of those things I'd enjoy to read and use, but damned if I have time to research.


BTW, on that topic, just given the name itself, what would you propose as a possible origin for the familial name? There's got to be a backstory to that. Granted, I know things like Crownsilvers, etc... don't necessarily revolve around crowns and/or silver... but Bloodfeather…. that's just too "different" to not warrant some kinda explanation.



I've come up with both a line of monarchs for Damara and a story for the origin of the name. Ed liked it. It also explains that godawful "FR" instead of "DR" dating system in FR9 Bloodstone Lands.

-- George Krashos



I never noted that it was FR... but I did note the date change. Just wondering, what are you having happen in 210 DR that's starts the FR calendar? Would it by chance have anything to do with the ending of the war of claws between Eltab and the Myrkulites of Eltabranar versus Mulhorand a few years prior, and Eltab's bindings to Thaymount and the conjurer's tower in Impiltur?

From FR9 Bloodstone Lands
The Rise of the Witch-King Barely twelve years ago, in FR1137, a
calamitous event in the wastes of Vaasa rocked the stability of the entire region.

In the summer of FR1147, Zhengyi's forces faced off against King Virdin at the Ford of Goliad.


From GHotR
1347 Zhengyi the Witch-King [1357] rises to power in Damara.

1357 King Virdin of Damara is killed in battle with Zhengyi the Witch-King


Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas

Edited by - sleyvas on 10 Sep 2018 13:19:46
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore

Australia
6662 Posts

Posted - 10 Sep 2018 :  13:18:30  Show Profile Send George Krashos a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas

I never noted that it was FR... but I did note the date change. Just wondering, what are you having happen in 210 DR that's starts the FR calendar?



Why, it's when the ancestors of Feldrin Bloodfeathers first got a taste of royalty.

-- George Krashos

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

USA
11814 Posts

Posted - 10 Sep 2018 :  14:05:40  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos

quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas

I never noted that it was FR... but I did note the date change. Just wondering, what are you having happen in 210 DR that's starts the FR calendar?



Why, it's when the ancestors of Feldrin Bloodfeathers first got a taste of royalty.

-- George Krashos



Hey, IF it doesn't mess with your explanation and IF you're open to some ideas for this founding of the "Bloodfeathers Dynasty" (is Dynasty the right word?... that's usually for empires... I'm drawing a blank on the other terms)… anyway, what if something happened in Dun-Tharos related SOMEHOW to Eltab being imprisoned in Thaymount by an incarnation of Anhur? Picturing something wherein priests and knights of Myrkul head north to Dun-Tharos/Narathmault/Bheuristahl (maybe even involving nearby Banites of the Moonsea) to try and free Eltab (and rebind him to their command). Along the way maybe they uncover secrets of the Narfellians and the priests of Orcus.... maybe secrets of Nergal and the Great Barrow... maybe secrets of Jiksidur… maybe secrets of Pholzubbalt/the Boneyard.... maybe interacting with the drow of Undrek'Thoz, the Segmented City, or V'elddrinnsshar before its fall to Ascomoid Plague.

Anyway, just thinking it might be interesting if this Bloodfeather person stopped something in order to gain/start his royal lineage, and Dun-Tharos / Rawlinswood is nearby. Maybe you had entirely different ideas.

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11814 Posts

Posted - 10 Sep 2018 :  14:11:47  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Hey along these lines... I'm looking at something one Markustay's maps of Impiltur. Its called Forest Blood River. Its right near Dun-Tharos. I don't recall it from previous lore, but he often names stuff based on some obscure reference. I see some stuff which may be non-canon related to Uthmere when I google it. Just curious, do you know if this is canon? It might make for a good tie in to the Bloodfeather name.

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore

Australia
6662 Posts

Posted - 10 Sep 2018 :  23:30:26  Show Profile Send George Krashos a Private Message  Reply with Quote
My origin for the Bloodfeathers focuses on how they got to Damara and the scant lore references there are about that (with some help from Ed).

The material referenced doesn't gel with any of your suggestions. Remember, the sources specifically state that Feldrin Bloodfeathers was a Sembian merchant.

-- George Krashos

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

USA
11814 Posts

Posted - 11 Sep 2018 :  00:57:18  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos

My origin for the Bloodfeathers focuses on how they got to Damara and the scant lore references there are about that (with some help from Ed).

The material referenced doesn't gel with any of your suggestions. Remember, the sources specifically state that Feldrin Bloodfeathers was a Sembian merchant.

-- George Krashos



There's actually lore on him? Just wondering, where from? You find the most obscure stuff.

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore

Australia
6662 Posts

Posted - 11 Sep 2018 :  08:18:42  Show Profile Send George Krashos a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
There's actually lore on him? Just wondering, where from? You find the most obscure stuff.



FR9 The Bloodstone Lands, p.21 and there are some other mentions as I recall.

-- George Krashos

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

Edited by - George Krashos on 11 Sep 2018 09:45:29
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11814 Posts

Posted - 11 Sep 2018 :  13:34:33  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Hmm, that piece doesn't say much though, just gives his name. Now you got my curiosity up, darn you George.... you always do this to me .... now you made me dig and find some things I never thought about. So, it says that Feldrin can trace his lineage back to "Sembia", but "Sembia" didn't exist in 210 DR. It also doesn't mean he came from the area, as he may be several generations removed. PROBABLY he can trace his lineage to somewhere like/near Chondathan or Chancelgaunt (Saerloon and Selgaunt in modern day). Secondarily, this whole thing intrigued me with finding "when" Sembia formed. It seems it was being called "Sembia" before it became "Sembia", but it achieved its freedom because of the elves basically killing off much of the nobility of Chondathan. Also, these city states were ruled by Chondath much farther to the south as satellites. Tertiarily, I never had noted ties between Sammaster and the Cult of the Dragon (which is led by necromancers and "money makers), the formation of Sembia, and the "Rotting War" led by "necromancers" down in Chondath. Its almost like the CotD specifically went down to Chondath and started the Rotting War in order to make the rulers of Chondath give the people of Sembia their freedom.... which might explain why Sembia is so pro-cult activities.

Anyway, back to the Bloodfeathers, so it would appear that they came in and settled western Damara before areas like Polten which border Impiltur. So, it wasn't necessarily an encroachment of Impiltur northward, and was probably individuals coming over the Galenas from the moonsea (because the mountains would provide a "little" more protection from the inhabitants of Thar).

Does anyone see problems with what I'm laying out?

Also, as an aside, this also brings me back to something I had wondered about long ago and was reminded of when researching St. Sollars the (now) thrice-martyred on the FR Wiki. So, he's pretty heavily hinted as being from Texas. Apparently SOMEWHERE they even say that he has the Castle Al-amo in the Seven Heavens (in addition to his talking like a cowboy, smoking cigars, mentioning the Pecos river, calling Orcus a "bad hombre", having a symbol of a "yellow rose" and a "lone star"). So, given that he's a martyr... and has "ties" to the Alamo... it might be interesting if we actually linked him to its fall as one of the martyrs who gave their life to free Texas. Given the links to Ed Sollers of TSR, maybe have him be a soldier who was always referred to by his last name of "Sollers". Also, is there any lore on how his third martyrdom happened after the spellplague?

from page 21 of FR9 Bloodstone Lands
This kingdom traces its noble lines back almost three centuries, to the time when Heliogabalus was founded by Feldrin Bloodfeathers, the first king of Damara. Thereafter, his long, unbroken line of kindly heirs ruled Damara well, only ending with King Virdin#146;'s death. Until the most recent generation, the kingdom was a force on par with Impiltur.

From page 11 same product
Also, Carmathan has deep roots in the old kingdom of Damara. Carmathans were, by tradition, deeply loyal to the throne in Heliogabalus. Ravensrock was actually Damara#146;s first settlement, the original home of Feldrin and the founders of the kingdom. Fiercely independent, the Carmathans consider themselves the true Damarans, founders of the kingdom.

from page 12 same product
Yet Dimian Ree has not openly claimed the throne of Damara, though he is a true descendant of Feldrin#151;, one of only three surviving members of the line. (The others are Tranth, former Baron of Bloodstone, and his daughter, Baroness Christine.) To understand Dimian Ree'#146;s hesitation, one must understand the dynamics of Heliogabalus, for fully three-quarters of the people of
Morov reside in that city.


ah, and here's the part that you found... so I guess it depends on your interpretation of that sentence. I had always read it as "people from Sembia settled Impiltur and then some of those traversed north into Damara generations later". In other words, Feldrin might be a few generations removed from Sembia but have ancestors there. That being said, if we're putting FY as Damara's founding and that correlates as 210 DR, then Sembia isn't formed yet when Damara is formed. So, his family must come from some settlements which still exist but under possibly different names (like Chondathan and Chancelgaunt). So, as an aside, not sure if we have a founding date, but Sembia is formed sometime between 400 DR and

The largest group of humans resemble the Dalemen across the Dragon#146;s Reach in both appearance and attitudes. Included in this type are most of the people of Impiltur and Damara, not excluding the noble lines of Damara. Indeed, the line of Bloodfeathers, and that of Damara#146;'s founder Feldrin, can trace bloodlines directly back to Sembia.

from GHotR

400 DR Chondathan and Chauncelgaunt (present-day Saerloon and Selgaunt) come under attack by orc and goblin raiders. Defenders of future Sembia battle the nonhuman hordes for the next fifteen years.


884 DR entry: Blood in the Trees
The following excerpt is taken from the diary of the trader Esklel Morthravven of Suzail.
Greed rules Sembia.
<snip>
This account of the Battle of Singing Arrows was penned by the scribe Andras Haelbryn.

Sembia was handed independence that day. Once the elves had brought down the wizards who were so busily tormenting them with winter storms, racing lightning, and monsters snatched from otherwhere, they spent no more arrows on Sembians ordered into the fray, and precious few on the outlander hireswords fleeing the forest. Instead, they peppered Chondathan warriors and battle lords with their feathered messengers of death. The elf archers and swordsmen seemed to know every last official and courtier
sent from distant Chondath and slew them all, ignoring all other humans to target them.

884 DR Year of the Singing Arrows
The Battle of Singing Arrows: The elves destroy a large mercenary force inthe Dragonreach coastal Chondathan human settlements that have commonly become known as Sembia. This event frustrates human plans to conquer all of what is now Cormyr and the Dales, brings the survival of the Sembian colony into doubt, and delays the eventual founding of an independent Sembia.

902 DR Year of the Queen’s Tears
Sammaster [887, 905] creates the first Cult dracolich, Shargrailar. The rituals and components necessary to create a dracolich are transcribed in the Tome of the Dragon, a holy relic that is later used by the many cells of the Cult of the Dragon [905] to raise their own dracolich allies.

902 DR Chondath formally grants independence to the Sembian city-states Chondathan and Chauncelgaunt.

902 DR The Rotting War: The bitter civil war in Chondath earns its title as necromantic magic decimates the battlefield on the Fields of Nun. Plague soon sweeps throughout the land. Chondath breaks up into a nation of loosely aligned city-states.

913 DR Year of the Watching Raven
Sembia is founded under the Raven Banner, the personal emblem of Rauthauvyr “the Raven,” a human war-leader who gathered and commanded a standing army to police the roads of the fledgling human territory. Rauthauvyr forces the elves to allow a road through their forests, linking the northwestern shore of the Sea of Fallen Stars to the Moonsea, ensuring the growth and
prosperity of Sembia. Hailed as the founder of the realm, he refuses to rule it, preferring to serve a succession of elected-by-merchant-council “overmasters” until he grew old and infirm—whereupon he rode off alone into the forest, never to be seen by humans again.


Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36799 Posts

Posted - 11 Sep 2018 :  22:11:00  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I like this lore, Krash.

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The Masked Mage
Great Reader

USA
2420 Posts

Posted - 12 Sep 2018 :  02:25:06  Show Profile Send The Masked Mage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Faernor the reason its called Faerun? Like America?
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore

Australia
6662 Posts

Posted - 12 Sep 2018 :  03:55:13  Show Profile Send George Krashos a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Masked Mage

Faernor the reason its called Faerun? Like America?



I think the term "Faerun" was around a long time before Faernor was.

-- George Krashos

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

USA
11814 Posts

Posted - 12 Sep 2018 :  13:37:40  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I like it. By the way, I love the explanation of Galuth Fethar taking on the surname Bloodfeather. One thing does come to mind though. Is a line dead just because the last name changes? I'm asking because the Dragonsbane line isn't dead in 4e (though I'd have to reread the references that I think it was BRJ.. maybe someone else... put in their Dungeon or Dragon article for the area). I'm bringing it up because Lady Christine who marries Gareth Dragonsbane had children... but it may be not children but nephews, etc... that survive the Dragonsbane name. But Lady Christine is OF the bloodfeather line apparently (not sure how far she's veered off though), though I'm not even sure if they actually held the Bloodfeather name since we don't know hers or Baron Tranth's actual last names AFAIK.

Yet Dimian Ree has not openly claimed the throne of Damara, though he is a true descendant of Feldrin, one of only three surviving members of the line. (The others are Tranth, former Baron of Bloodstone, and his daughter, Baroness Christine.)

Oh, and I like your idea of Faernor's Pact and 6 families divvying the land up, and the infighting was interesting. I'm assuming here that some of the original divisions of Damara into Baronies/Duchies has to do with this pact (and that could be a very bad assumption). I'd assume Soravia is out, because its still pretty much a wild land. It probably was established later. How would you divide up the land between the Bloodfeathers Darvorn, Genthur, Haladras, Jallask, and Sarplynd (it would seem the original land of the Bloodfeathers may have been Carmathan?)? Or do you view that the Bloodfeathers changed all these boundaries. Do you think he renamed the duchies/baronies to rid them of the stain of the infighting caused by the families in the Faernor's Pact? Did any surviving Haladras or Jallask members of the pact come under their rulership, or did they give it up (which why does Jallask ring a bell in my ear) or sell their interests to the new king?

the Duchy of Arcata
the Duchy of Bloodstone
the Duchy of Brandiar
the Duchy of Carmathan
the Barony of Morov
the Barony of Ostel
the Barony of Polten
and the Duchy of Soravia


Partly to help me, and anyone else that follows... throwing out some things to help in reading the above

Proeskampalar= Procampur (not sure if you made this one up or if its already established) … bottom of the vast
Chessagol = Tsurlagol (I know this one's already canon) … between Procampur and Lyrabar, on the bottom border of Impiltur
Chancelgaunt = Selgaunt (I know this one's already canon) … off in Sembia
Flostren's Hold = Zhentil Keep … everyone knows where this is offhand

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11814 Posts

Posted - 12 Sep 2018 :  13:39:36  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
btw, just in case it didn't come across in the above... WELL DONE.

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader

United Kingdom
6361 Posts

Posted - 12 Sep 2018 :  14:02:28  Show Profile Send Gary Dallison a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I'm going to add my two pence because I've had a while to digest this excellent lore.

If I have my facts correct not all of the land of Damara was habitable when the Bloodfeathers arrived so those boundaries are likely new.

When he declared himself king it is likely that the southern part of the land was home to Damaran tribes and is be willing to bet he had to ally with them to win his crown. The centre and northern parts of the country would be owned by Nar tribes who he probably had to fight.
Heliogabalus is definitely Nar reminiscent so I think he took it from them and renamed it helgabal.

I had Tranth as the surname (you would never call a baron by his first name). I would imagine they are related to the Bloodfeathers dynasty in a similar way to the crownsilvers and huntsilvers of cormyr. A king of Damara may have had many sons and awarded land to the younger sons who then would have formed their own noble houses. Dimian Ree could be related on the maternal line (daughter's married off).

Just my two cents and what I intend to do with Damara when I get round to it.

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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11814 Posts

Posted - 12 Sep 2018 :  23:45:51  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Oh, and I just reread … so Faernor's pact with the 6 families would have divided up Damara AND Vaasa between the families. So, possibly some of the families who "fell out" OR who were decimated were owners in Vaasa.

@Dazzlerdal - yeah, with Soravia being both wild and closest to the great glacier, that's why I listed it as one that probably wasn't initially a part of things. Probably bloodstone wasn't either if I had to guess since its pretty far north. Ah, also realizing Arcata's the most westerly, not Carmathan, so his initial territory (Carmathan) was kind of one of the largest and most central, but eventually they set the capital to Heliogabalus. Of course, the changing of Baronial and Duchy lines may have happened several times over several hundred years as well.

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
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Eilserus
Master of Realmslore

USA
1446 Posts

Posted - 14 Sep 2018 :  22:15:58  Show Profile Send Eilserus a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos

Good catch Eilserus. FR13 has many a lore nugget yet to be mined. It also contains a little "D'oh!" reference that I only picked up on a year or two ago that i wish I had worked out earlier when doing some FR work with a friend "back in the day". I've long had "orcward stones" playing around in my head and note that I had (before Troy Denning went nuclear on them) the Lords Who Sleep of Cormyr fame protected by one.

It seems somewhat counter-intuitive to have them of Anaurian origin given that realm fell ironically to an orc horde. Of course they may be few in number, a relic of Netheril and work only to ward a place/location rather than act as a "Maginot Line"-type defensive barrier. It is interesting to note however that after its initial early clashes with the orcs, Netheril appeared largely untroubled by these creatures (of course in saying that, I note the massive unreliability of the presented Netherese historical narrative) and may indeed have set up such a barrier to the north of the realm.

I am sure they would be treasured by dwarves if they could find them, but given the fact that dwarven kingdoms seem to fall with regularity to orcish incursions, one could safely state that these items are not prevalent in dwarven communities. Tethyamar fell to orcs as well so I can't see them using them in any great numbers either. Of course that does make for some interesting thoughts re the remnants of the Mines of Tethyamar and what remains and what does not and why. Again, a place I've had a few thoughts on over the years, with a fairly big nod to Tolkien's Mines of Moria and trying not to crib too many ideas from the Moria ICE sourcebook (which is brilliant IMHO).

Given it's a one-off mention, only Ed could add more. That means, that you have essentially free rein until he does, if ever.

-- George Krashos



Thanks George! For sure, that Moria book is great! Goblin Gate, The Grey Mountains, so many good books from ICE.

Could I PM you my email addy for the Thayan handout please. :)
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The Masked Mage
Great Reader

USA
2420 Posts

Posted - 16 Sep 2018 :  11:49:47  Show Profile Send The Masked Mage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos

It seems somewhat counter-intuitive to have them of Anaurian origin given that realm fell ironically to an orc horde. Of course they may be few in number, a relic of Netheril and work only to ward a place/location rather than act as a "Maginot Line"-type defensive barrier. It is interesting to note however that after its initial early clashes with the orcs, Netheril appeared largely untroubled by these creatures (of course in saying that, I note the massive unreliability of the presented Netherese historical narrative) and may indeed have set up such a barrier to the north of the realm.



The explanation to the ed of their conflicts with orc hordes seems to be the development of spells like Tolodine's killing wind, that pretty much were designed to just wipe out hordes in one swoop. Admittedly this is reading between the lines a bit, but the dates line up.
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader

United Kingdom
6361 Posts

Posted - 14 Oct 2018 :  20:02:42  Show Profile Send Gary Dallison a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Hi George,

So, your Zulkirate of Thay article mentions a Thael being a creature of Mulhorandi folklore, a beast that changes those it does not devour.

I was just wondering what it may be.

Thus far the only thing I can find is a saying from Powers of Faerun that Thael means light hearted or friendly.

I'm wondering if this Thael did not inject a poison or something that made people docile so that it could chase them down easier and eat them if ever they escaped, unfortunately the change was permanently and people bitten by a Thael were permanently docile.

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