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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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TheIriaeban
Master of Realmslore
USA
1289 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Feb 2021 : 16:47:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
When i've gone through more of the novels i'm going to make a real effort to integrate the items and people and things historically into the realms.
We know Ghearafu is over 100 years old, so is Ghost, we have a link to the east so CHessenta is a good start, look for deaths and assassinations in Chessenta and Vilhon and Westgate over the last century and build the history from their
Maybe that is why the Dragoneye Dealing Coster left Vilhon. Maybe their competition was killing off people to gain full control of trade there and the owners decided it was better to leave than die. Here is what is said on the matter:
"Owned by two brothers, Iltravan and Chethar, formerly of the Vilhon Reach, now operating mainly out of Iriaebor and Elturel. " |
"Iriaebor is a fine city. So what if you can have violence between merchant groups break out at any moment. Not every city can offer dinner AND a show."
My FR writeups - http://www.mediafire.com/folder/um3liz6tqsf5n/Documents
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maransreth
Learned Scribe
Australia
157 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2021 : 10:22:37
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Ghost is listed in the 2e sourcebook - Villain's Lorebook. It mentions that ghearufu is three items: the two gloves and the small gold-edged mirror on a necklace chain. Also of note is that the artifact can make all its components invisible.
No further information about Ghost or his history. |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2021 : 09:12:32
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Thibbledorf Pwent, urrggghh.
I'm gonna have to rename almost all of RAS' characters.
Thibbledorf Pwent can become Dorff son of Pwent of Clan Battlehammer. Nicknamed Thibble because he was so small when he was born, but despite his limitations became the "first" battlerager of Clan Battlehammer.
Thibble is a dwarven term for a rock. Dwarves of course have approximately 1000 different names for rock that covers all varieties of shapes, sizes, colours, hardness, etc (much like eskimos have a hundred names for snow and the english have 30 different names for rain).
A thibble is a small piece of rock of undistinguished appearance that masks an unusual quality (usually being extremely hard or with a hidden gemstone inside). Cries of "Thibble" can often be heard among dwarven miners when their picks suddenly break, blunt, or bend and the dwarves blame the tiny rocks they believe they have just struck.
Its still the same, he can be called "Thibble" Dorf Pwent, but hopefully its more realmsian and less tragically badly edited.
Who knows what i'm going to do about Montolio or Roddy Mcgristle. |
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TheIriaeban
Master of Realmslore
USA
1289 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2021 : 14:29:42
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How about:
It's actually pronounced Mcjristlé. It is a Thorass term for the bracket that attaches an axle to a wagon. Roddy is a nickname from when he was a kid and loved to play "king" and would carry his scepter around everywhere he went (it was just a stick). His real name is Loderban. |
"Iriaebor is a fine city. So what if you can have violence between merchant groups break out at any moment. Not every city can offer dinner AND a show."
My FR writeups - http://www.mediafire.com/folder/um3liz6tqsf5n/Documents
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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John Daker
Seeker
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2021 : 19:13:17
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quote:
Originally posted by TheIriaeban
How about:
It's actually pronounced Mcjristlé. It is a Thorass term for the bracket that attaches an axle to a wagon. Roddy is a nickname from when he was a kid and loved to play "king" and would carry his scepter around everywhere he went (it was just a stick). His real name is Loderban.
No—it's spelled "Mcjristlé," but it's pronounced "Throatwobbler Mangrove." |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2021 : 19:53:31
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quote:
Originally posted by John Daker
quote:
Originally posted by TheIriaeban
How about:
It's actually pronounced Mcjristlé. It is a Thorass term for the bracket that attaches an axle to a wagon. Roddy is a nickname from when he was a kid and loved to play "king" and would carry his scepter around everywhere he went (it was just a stick). His real name is Loderban.
No—it's spelled "Mcjristlé," but it's pronounced "Throatwobbler Mangrove."
I give you points for that one! |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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TheIriaeban
Master of Realmslore
USA
1289 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2021 : 21:59:38
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quote:
Originally posted by John Daker
quote:
Originally posted by TheIriaeban
How about:
It's actually pronounced Mcjristlé. It is a Thorass term for the bracket that attaches an axle to a wagon. Roddy is a nickname from when he was a kid and loved to play "king" and would carry his scepter around everywhere he went (it was just a stick). His real name is Loderban.
No—it's spelled "Mcjristlé," but it's pronounced "Throatwobbler Mangrove."
Bravo! |
"Iriaebor is a fine city. So what if you can have violence between merchant groups break out at any moment. Not every city can offer dinner AND a show."
My FR writeups - http://www.mediafire.com/folder/um3liz6tqsf5n/Documents
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2021 : 06:37:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
I have to confess, I've completely missed that joke
Monty Python.
-- 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 - 11 Feb 2021 : 09:58:37
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Should know my monty python, watched it often enough, but no memory of that at all.
Random thought of the day, a Yochlol has appeared, never paid much attention to them before but it is described as amorphous, half melted, with eight tentacles. Not very spiderlike, comes from the Abyss and Lolth's plane.
Ghaunadaur was supposedly worshipped by the drow, part of the dark seldarine, but what if thats not entirely true. THe Ilythiiri took to allying with demons and devils (Gargauth was one of them). What if Ghaunadaur was just one such demon lord. Lolth / Araushnee stole his abyssal plane from him and so he is banished to Toril. THe Illythiiri worship him and he eventually becomes when they are turned into the drow (Ghaunadaur was one of the first creatures they worshipped).
So Lolth's plane used to be Ghaunadaur's, and the Yochlol are a mix of his influence and hers. |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2021 : 19:34:16
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Legacy (1357 DR)
Menzoberranzan Lore
Western wall of Menzoberranzan nearly 2 miles long [prelude]
House Do’Urden abandoned compound on the western wall [prelude]
60 or so drow noble families in Menzoberranzan [prelude]
Forbidden to mention House Do’Urden [prelude]
Clawrift, a great chasm running out from the northwest wall of Menzoberranzan [prelude]
Drow silent hand code [prelude]
House Vandree, 17th House of Menzoberranzan, in an imperiled position [prelude]
House Oblodra, 3rd House of Menzonberranzan, its compound sits at the end of Clawrift. House Oblodra is rumoured to keep thousands of kobolds for torturous pleasure or for use in a house war [prelude]
Triel Baenre, eldest daughter of House Baenre, Matron Mistress of the academy. Is working with Vierna Do’Urden to depose her mother [5]
House Baenre was encircled by a web fence of unbreakable strands [17]
Skin stealing, a drow way of removing a victim’s skin one inch at a time using acids and special jagged knives [25]
Matron Baenre captured the spirit of Gandalug Battlehammer (first king of Mithril Hall). The two are ancient enemies. Baenre has held Gandalug’s spirit imprisoned for centuries. Gandalug met Matron Yvonnel Baenre 2000 years ago when Mithril Hall was newly founded and Gandalug was still young. [25]
Matron Baenre has Gandalug Battlehammer’s tooth, with his spirit still attached [25]
Bregan D’aerthe Lore
Hide in one of the many hideouts in Clawrift (caves down in the chasm over 100 ft – accessible using levitation), a maze of tunnels and rooms inside the chasm [prelude]
Jarlaxle leader of Bregan D’aerthe, his room is in a separate extraplanar pocket plane accessible from within the tunnels of Clawrift [prelude]
Dinin Do’Urden renegade with no house for nearly 20 years [prelude]
Dinin had been scouting out House Vandree, spent a year gaining the trust of the house guard [prelude]
Bregan D’aerth founded by Jarlaxle. The scouting network is more intricate than any drow noble house. Knows everything that happened or will soon happen in and around Menzoberranzan [1]
Iftuu – drow soldier in Bregan D’aerthe [15]
Ak’hafta – drow soldier in Bregan D’aerthe [15]
Drow Language
Khal’abbil – means “my trusted friend” [prelude]
Uln’hyrr – means “liar” [prelude]
Wishyal – means “kneel” [prelude]
Ssinsrigg – means lust or selfish greed [6]
Jarlaxle Lore
Head is clean shaven, unusual for a drow [prelude]
Wears a ruby red eye patch (changes which eye it covers daily) [prelude]
Throws magic daggers that always return to their magic sheathe of their own accord [prelude]
Survived for centuries as a houseless rogue thanks to his information from Bregan D’aerthe. Only Matron Baenre (the first mother) knows Jarlaxle’s origins [1]
Has a scrying mirror in his pocket dimension [5]
Jarlaxle is working with Artemis Entreri (Vierna contacted Artemis but he is liaising through Jarlaxle), the two will be working together [12]
Underdark Lore
Dialryma – a large flightless, feathered bird of the Underdark [1]
Drizzt lost his levitation ability after being on the surface for so long. Can still use darkness [17,20]
Vierna Lore
Her clerical powers have returned (favour of Lolth???) [1]
Has a perfect spy (a human) that was in Menzoberranzan (as a prisoner), is now released to go and find Drizzt (must know Drizzt????), the spy carries an earring provided by Vierna (delivered through Jarlaxle) that allows them to keep tabs on the spy [1]
Wants to work with Jarlaxle and Dinin to slay or capture Drizzt [1]
Goblins sent by Bregan D’aerthe are to attack the dwarves of Mithril Hall, if Drizzt appears then Jarlaxle will know about it [1]
Wants to kill Drizzt to proove she has Lolth’s favour, will use the Right of Accusation to accuse Matron Baenre. Triel Baenre has promised that the daughters of House Baenre will remove the Matron and then choose Vierna Do’Urden as the new matron (Triel is lying and will become Matron herself, then kill Vierna) [5]
Erratic and insane, transformed Dinin into a drider when he professed a belief that Drizzt was too powerful to kill [5]
Mithril Hall
5 day journey for Drizzt between Mithril Hall and Silverymoon [1]
New bridge at Garumn’s Gorge, several hundred feet across. New guard towers on either side [2]
Immense chamber south of the bridge at Garumn’s Gorge, with main corridors leading off it [2]
Drizzt, Wulfgar and Reghed barbarians spent last year clearing the ancient tunnels of Mithril Hall [1]
Reghed barbarians now live in Settlestone, repairing the ruins [1]
Taumaril the Heartseeker a magical bow of Anariel, found in Mithril Hall, given to Cattie Brie [1]
Cobble, Holy High Cleric of the Halls, ,short round dwarf with a short clipped yellow beard [2]
General Dagna, square shouldered rock of a dwarf with a sour demeanour and a long brown beard tucked into a jewelled belt. Former personal attendant to King Harbromme of Citadel Adbar, led the forces to help reclaim Mithril Hall, he and 2000 dwarves stayed and swore fealty to Clan Battlehammer. Does not like Drizzt.[2]
2500 dwarves (2000 of them were from Citadel Adbar and joined the clan recently) of Clan Battlehammer live in Mithril Hall in the Undercity [2]
Commanders of the House Guard and the elite soldiers live in the Upper Halls above the Undercity [2]
New tunnels being opened west of the Undercity, contains mithril and a goblin tribe (been there since the days of Bruenor’s father, the tunnel was barred with a locked door to keep them out) [2]
Cattie Brie’s father slain in a goblin raid (I thought it was a barbarian raid???)[2]
Bruenor carries a golden shield bearing the foaming mug standard of Clan Battlehammer, wears mithril plate, an old horned helm with 1 horn broken off long ago, and his battle axe [3]
Gar-yak leads the goblin tribe [3]
Regis lost his thieves guild to Artemis Entreri (who lost an eye and the use of his arm fighting Drizzt. Artemis Entreri was impersonating Regis and was using the mask Drizzt used to disguise himself as an elf. Led Drizzt into a trap with the drow of Bregan D’aerthe (with the drider Dinin) [7,10]
Thibbledorf Pwent, battlerager, wears spiked armour (might not ever take armour off). Got struck by Shimmergloom’s breath 200 years ago. Escaped Mithril Hall through a secret door in the lower halls, but Bruenor and Clan Battlehammer had left. Thibbledorf went to Mirabar hoping to catch them but they’d already moved on, so he returned to Sundabar and Citadel Adbar working as a mercenary. Spent at least the last 5 years in the south. Kills as quick as possible, never giving quarter [7,10]
Bruenor doesn’t like Thibbledorf Pwent [10]
Battlehammer kings always had a soft spot for non dwarves (kept companions like Wulfgar and Drizzt???) [10]
Bruenor owns a small heart shaped locket on a gold chain containing a portrait of Drizzt. The locket is attuned to the drow and will help Bruenor find Drizzt.[11]
Tunnels west of the Undercity (previously barred by heavy doors), where the goblins laired, lead to Memzoberranzan, and Jarlaxle and Vierna know about it (how???) [16]
Gandalug was 1st king of Mithril Hall (400 years old at the time and had spent the last 200 years looking for a place to establish his own clan ). His 3rd son Bruenor was named heir (2nd king) over his other siblings. Bruenor was Clan Battlehammer’s greatest hero and led the procession that brought the 1000 dwarves to the site that would be Mithril Hall [25]
Crommower Pwent was companion to King Gandalug for 200 years while he searched for a home [25]
Gandalug and Crommower left Mithril Hall for the western tunnels, then down into the lower caverns beneath them. They encountered drow, Yvonnel Baenre (a priestess on patrol at the time), knocked out Gandalug’s tooth and used it to cast a spell that tore out Gandalug’s soul. Crommower was slain by drow warriors [25]
Other Lore
Twinkle called out to Drizzt (does it possess intelligence???)[20]
Twinkle flares with blue light if danger is near [23]
Artemis Entreri’s cloak can grow batlike wings allowing the wearer to fly or glide short distances [21]
Artemis’ sword glows blue-green [20]
Artemis Entreri’s dagger is magic (easily punctures drow chain), glows when it kills (is it sentient???), and drains life force from the victim into the wielder and restores wounds etc. [23]
Dwarven kings (and elders, lords etc) name their heirs based upon achievements and pragmatism rather than primogenitor [25]
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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ElfBane
Learned Scribe
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2021 : 10:25:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
The fight scenes get longer and longer, I think one went one for 4 chapters.
It just gets worse. I dislike swordfight writing. Probably because I'm not a swordfighter, the technical terms mean nothing to me. But one is forced to read them, or at least scan them, in order to "perhaps" find lore. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2021 : 10:46:24
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quote:
Originally posted by ElfBane
quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
The fight scenes get longer and longer, I think one went one for 4 chapters.
It just gets worse. I dislike swordfight writing. Probably because I'm not a swordfighter, the technical terms mean nothing to me. But one is forced to read them, or at least scan them, in order to "perhaps" find lore.
I once tried recreating one of the fight scenes with GI Joe figures. I couldn't make it work -- moves described as sequential were simply not possible without intervening movements. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2021 : 17:45:50
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Rereading Ring of Winter as I didn't take any notes last time and I quite enjoyed it (except for the wombats).
Came across something that perfectly illustrates why novels shouldn't be blindly accepted as canon
The Narwhal is a galleon owned by Captaun Bawr. It states that the vessel was once part of Cormyrs navy and that Captain Bawr assembled a fleet of pirate vessels to take it by force.
She then paid the villainous masters of Zhentil Keep to get a tribe of stupid but brutish strong giants to transport the ship overland to the Sword Coast.
Now even for a group of giants that is no.mean feat. It's got to be more than a thousand miles from anywhere near the Inner Sea to the Sword Coast.
The cost would be astronomical for the Zhents to organise and without someone watching the giants you can bet they would smash it for firewood.
The ship that arrives at the other end would be completely unseaworthy.
My main problem though is what route would you take.
Zhentil Keep is on the Moonsea, difficult to sail a galleon up the River Lis.
If the giants were not by Zhentil Keep but were elsewhere on the inner sea coast then the most likely place would be around Westgate (big independent port with lots of transport links) but that route is so close to cormyr they would be bound to hear about a bunch of giants carrying a huge ship just like the one cormyr lost.
Other routes away from cormyr include down to the lake of steam and on to calimshan. Or from Westgate to Tethyr. Or through the Dale's and around the north of cormyr through the stone lands. All these routes are incredibly dangerous (even for giants).
It would be far far far easier and cheaper and more sensible to pay a wizard to magically transport the whole thing, or just buy a calishite galleon.
I reckon the story is a lie, and this galleon is one that was taken by pirates but most likely passed through a gate and ended up dumped on the sword coast purely by accident. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2021 : 19:25:41
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I think it's plausible. Unlikely, but plausible. There would likely be more to the story -- like the ship had some special cargo, or maybe Bawr works for the Zhents, now... But not all giants are stupid or brutish, and with some reasonable care, could transport a ship without harm over a great distance.
I'll grant that it's more likely that either a gate was involved or the ship was always on the Sword Coast -- but this does not rule out the story being true.
And the unlikelihood of the story is a minor thing; it certainly does not illustrate "why novels shouldn't be blindly accepted as canon". I'm not going to disregard an entire novel -- especially when it's been backed up in other sources -- just because an unimportant detail on a single page doesn't seem likely.
A character telling a lie to another character is also not a reason to say an entire novel isn't canon.
The stance at the time of publication was that novels were canon. No matter how much you dislike the idea, it was official canon and no amount of arguing will change that. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 12 Feb 2021 19:29:15 |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2021 : 19:33:24
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Ring of Winter (1362 DR)
Artus Cimber Lore
Lauded throughout Faerun as explorer, historian, and seeker of knowledge [prologue]
Possesses an ancient dagger with a gem in its hilt that glows. A gift from the Tribe Pastilar of centaurs from the Lethyr Forest (spiders are a real danger in that forest) as a reward for recovering the chief’s sacred staff of judgement. Emits magical light, can act as a compass (pointing north on his hand), and grants control over spiders [prologue]
Just over 35 years old [prologue]
Hunting the Ring of Winter with Pontifax for almost 10 years [prologue]
His mother entered him into the House of Oghma almost 20 years ago as a student, studied under Zintermi. Was too restless so did not become a teacher as she hoped, despite achieving top marks in everything [1,2]
Then worked as a scribe for the Royal Court but found it too boring [2]
Then served in the Harpers (sponsored by Theron Silvermace, presumably to enter the Harpers of Shadowdale), ridding the road to Hilp of orcs, protecting dignitaries in the Dalelands from Zhentish assassins, etc. [2]
Suffered a string of misfortunes over the last 3 years. Charged with murder in Tantras, encountered undead halflings in Thay, encountered frost giants north of Zhentil Keep [1]
Owns a small book bound in wyvern hide, stolen from the libraries of Szass Tam, uses it as a ledger to record items recovered and the amounts they were sold for. Also uses it as a journal. The book never runs out of pages, and always opens to whatever page he wants [1]
Left the Harpers 5 years ago [2]
Theron Silvermace sponsored Artus’ entry into the Harpers [2]
Spoken with and recorded stories of Elminster (The tale of Elminster at the magefair) and Alusair [2]
5 years ago Artus was assigned to monitor Eregul Freestave, a powerful wizard believed to be working with the Zhentarim. Artus witnessed him murder an innocent man and reported it to a council in Shadowdale. He was forbidden to challenge Eregul as the Harpers felt this would cause to much conflict. Artus stormed out the council meeting and left the Harpers. [2]
Artus went after Eregul anyway but was captured in Zhentil Keep, imprisoned and tortured as a spy. Pontifax came and rescued him [4]
1357 DR (5 years ago), Artus discovered Kaverin Ebonhand was guilty of ordering the murder of Rallo Scarhand (a Harper who dared threaten his network of evil agents). Most of Kaverin Ebonhand’s associates were arrested and executed. Kaverin Was punished by the Lords Court in Ravens Bluff, sentenced to having both hands chopped off, a mage attached new ones (made of black liquid stone) in the courtroom and he walked free. [4]
In retaliation for having his associates arrested and executed (and the loss of his hands). Kaverin murdered Pontifax’s wife [12]
Artus and Pontifax killed Kaverin Ebonhand 3 years ago (after he murdered his way to become leader of the Cult of Frost) when they found him alone (without bodyguards) in a tavern in Tantras and blasted him to pieces with magic. Kaverin came back to life sometime later and Artus and Pontifax are wanted for murder in Tantras [5,12]
Given a deep green tunic, as thick as a heavy cotton, but light weight and cool (enchanted to remain cool and clean) and a longbow and arrows said to be made by the bowyers and fletchers of Evermeet’s royal family. Theron Silvermace left them at Port Castigliar for Artus [5]
Adventured with Hydel Pontifax for 11 years [6]
Adventured in the Spiderhaunt Woods and had to use his enchanted dagger to control the spiders [6]
Artus’ father was the infamous Shadowhawk (a scourge of merchants around 1337 DR), a highwayman that preyed upon merchant caravans in Sembia. By the time Artus was 20 he had broken his dad out of jail twice already and his father had been captured again in Surd and was sentenced to death (Sembians don’t like highwaymen that attack merchants and the Shadowhawk was getting old and slow by 1347 DR). The priests of Oghma did not know Artus’ father was the Shadowhawk [9]
Artus married Nanda when he was 20, both parents disapproved of the marriage (making it all the more attractive). Artus found out Nanda was a secret priest of Loviatar and left her [9]
Artus’ father robbed to pay for Artus’ schooling. He stole from priests of Oghma and was so impressed with their manners and knowledge that he sent Artus to school at the temple in Suzail and used the money he stole from the priests to pay the enrolment fees [10]
Can speak 5 languages (including common and cormyrean) [11]
Awarded a medal by King Azoun and the Society of Stalwart Adventurers [Epilogue]
Skuld Lore
Trapped in a glittering silver statue about 2 ft tall of a human male with a bald head and 4 arms. Buried at the bottom of a ruined keep in the stonelands northwest of Cormyr [prologue]
Latched onto Artus when he touched the statue, manifests as a silver medallion emblazoned with a four armed man [prologue]
Skuld’s statue was guarded by a creature with 2 arms, 2 legs, a round body, dark smooth skin, completely hairless. Bulbous, bloated head, with 16 eyes heavy lidded eyes scattered about the head. Translucent membrane stretches from limb to body (allowing it to glide). Long dirty, five fingered claws, needlelike teeth. Can mimic human voices to lure prey into traps. Beastlike intelligence (afraid of Artus’ dagger, was it spiderlike???) [prologue]
Can manifest from the medallion as a silvery phantom, the upper body of a bald mulhorandi, with teeth filed to wicked points [1]
Must serve whoever wears the medallion [1]
Medallion has a forgemark from Bezantur on it, dated over 1300-1400 years ago [1]
Capable magic user, able to detect and end scrying, create magical bombs, whirlwinds, conjure magic shields [13]
Can regenerate almost any wound [13]
1400 years old [16]
Ring of Winter Lore
Legend of the Curse of the Ring [prologue]
Forged by a mage of staggering power when the countries of Faerun were little more than scattered villages [prologue]
Many hunted the ring over the ages [prologue]
Legends attribute many powers that vary, but two powers are always mentioned; grants immortality, can bring about a new ice age [prologue]
Princess Alusair lost her true love days after deciding to search for the ring (he was slain by bounty hunters who were trying to return her to her father) [prologue]
Gareth of Waterdeep lost his whole family while searching for the ring [prologue]
Kelemvor Lyonsbane found only an ice creature that deceived him with a simple gold band and killed his friends [prologue]
Cyric had also quested for the ring [prologue]
Legends claim the ring grants the power of flight, others claim it grants the power of teleportation [6]
A simple band of gold with perhaps a glimmer of starlight winking off its frost flecked curves [16]
The ring regenerates all wounds [16]
Can create creatures of ice that act independently [16]
Can create limbs of ice from the body [16]
Can create walls and pillars of ice as tall and as thick as desired [16]
The ring was created for good, it resists any attempts to use it for evil [Epilogue]
Lord Rayburton discovered the Ring of Winter in the wilderness near Shadowdale [Epilogue]
Ring of Winter heightens magical powers of the wearer and any magic items they’re wearing [Epilogue]
Cormyr Lore
The Black Rat, tavern near the waterfront in Suzail, serves meat and drinks. Frequented by sailors, teamsters, artisans, and nobles as well as Purple Dragons. Few fights because of the soldiers. Rumours that Azoun IV also frequents the tavern in disguise. Frumpy, red haired barmaid. Owner is a big man with wavy black hair works in the kitchens [1]
Ambrosius, paladin of Tyr in high standing in the Church of Tyr. Frequents the Black Rat tavern [1]
Zintermi, brown skin, priest of Oghma from the House of Oghma in Suzail. Teaches students about history and lore of Faerun. Known Artus Cimber for almost 20 years [1]
Royal Historical Office, buys historical items for national and the king’s personal collection [1]
Schooling in Cormyr is most often done by the churches. Its expensive, so poor people become craftsmen apprentices, or join the army, or ends up a criminal [10]
Old Cormyrean interrogation trick is to stand behind the victim so he cannot see the interrogator (or read body language) [12]
Scribes guild of Cormyr [16]
Razor John, a fletcher in Suzail, rents out two attic rooms near the harbour [epilogue]
Cult of Frost
Kaverin Ebonhand, leader of the Cult of Frost, tall, flaming red hair, both of his hands are made of jet black stone (but it can move like a normal hand) after they were chopped off in Ravens Bluff. Has a familiar called Feg, a small albino monkey with bat like wings and eagle talons (Kaverin used it to spy on people and maybe could see through its eyes). Was known as the Butcher of Tantras for crimes he committed there. Is trying to kill Artus Cimber. Dark eyes, angular features, those that come in contact with him complain he feels clammy and cold like a corpse. Kaverin Ebonhand is receiving nightly visits from “emissaries of Cyric” whenever he sleeps they torture him with nightmares of his eternal torture. Supposedly slain by a lightning bolt from Pontifax 3 years ago in Tantras, but he supposedly made a deal with Cyric and came back to life as long as he caused as much chaos and destruction as possible. When Kaverin dies again his soul belongs to Cyric [1,4,5,6,11,12]
The cult has been interfering with Artus Cimber for the last 10 years, almost as long as he had been searching for the Ring of Winter [1]
Men of crystal clear ice, resistant to physical damage, eyes burn blue-white, melted by heat / fire. Conjured servants of Kaverin Ebonhand, he can see through the eyes of his minions [2,5]
Phyrra al-Quim is aiding Kaverin Ebonhand, sailed with him from Baldur’s Gate to Chult [4]
Other Lore
Phyrra al-Quim, long stringy hair, larger round glasses, mage skilled in Mulhorandi magic, resides in Tantras, former student of Zintermi, knew and hated Artus Cimber when they were students together because he got better marks and was allowed more leniency [1,4]
Tethyrian brandy [1]
The Hanged Man, the cheapest, most dangerous inn on the Sword Coast. Fights are frequent and deadly, floor stained a reddish brown (blood). Baldur’s Gate frequently revokes the license but nobody official comes to close the bar. The owner, a huge half orc with bad breath posts the revocation notices on the wall for all to see. Outlaws and exiles are safer here than soldiers or bounty hunters [2]
Refuge Bay Trading Company make contact with people in the Hanged Man [2]
Refined bardic music from the Moonshae Isles [3]
Mulhorandi bone handled daggers [4]
Clasping wrists, traditional northern gesture of friendship [5]
The Slashing Skulls, a fell organisation Artus Cimber clashed with [5]
Assassins guild of Iriaebor, an organisation Artus Cimber clashed with [5]
Order of the Golden Way, a Cormyrean medal awarded for serving with distinction in the Tuigan Crusades [6]
Orcs in Thar and kobolds in Ashanath use totems to keep away bad spirits [7]
Mulhorandi tortures are among the most painful [13]
College of Bards on Orlil, the Order of Fabulists [12]
Society of Stalwart Adventurers Lore
Grig of Armot, bought a magical model of a Mulhorandi pyramid, now trapped inside it as a curse . Has a son named Grig. [prologue]
Located in Suzail [1]
Uther, butler, twisted horns on his head, red and black clawed hands, slitted yellow eyes, gnarled fingers, sharp fangs. Formerly handsome, was transformed by a miscast spell 5 years ago (cast by Danilo Thann) that transformed him into a demonic looking creature and made him resistant to magic (thus preventing it being undone) [1]
Lord Darstan 15th, half elf, 6 ft tall, striking black hair, member of the society. Wants people to sign a petition to the King demanding the book “A History of the Crusade Against the Tuigan” be denounced because it depicts the 14th Lord Darstan as leading a disastrous cavalry charge against the Tuigans during the Crusade. The book was written by a commoner and describes Lord Darstan as incompetent [1]
Lady Elynna, president of the Society of Stalwart Adventurers, owns a leopard that freely roams the headquarters [1]
Long dining room with 15 chandeliers [1]
Green room, filled with exotic plants that completely obscured the walls and ceiling. The work of Philyra. The leopard likes this room [1]
Philyra, druid, member of the society [1]
Library, largest room in the club, a gathering spot for new and old members. A winged monkey and giant owl retrieve books for people. Memorabilia of members’ adventures line the walls and ceiling. Red dragons head hangs over the doorway. A chandelier with a thousand candles filled with magical candles from Halruaa that never need replacing [1]
Five founders of the society (4 of their paintings hang in the library), each from a different part of the world [1]
Lord Rayburton, around 1200 years ago, depicted in a lifesize bronze statue in the centre of the library. Travelled to Anauroch, the Great Glacier, and Shou Lung (through the Hordelands) [1]
Raephel, dwarf member (there are several) members of the society [1]
The society has a regularly published journal that members are encouraged to write in articles of their exploits or interests [1]
Jarnon, elder member of the society [1]
Society originally founded as a place for explorers to gather. Over it history has been infiltrated by Cormyr’s wealthy (not brave explorers) who finance the expeditions but do not explore themselves
Ariast, elf female, rich noble member of the society, serves as a barmaid most often. Eldest daughter of a family that traces its roots back to Myth Drannor. Likes gossip. Casts minor cantrips to bedevil those that slight her [1]
Kwee Chan Sen, servant that attends Theron Silvermace. Native of Shou Lung. Night black hair, wears a silk patch to hide his eye (blinded by a barbarian arrow). Has a warrior’s topknot, earned from many successful campaigns. Fled Shou Lung 4 years ago when his uncle (the minister for war was executed for treason. Joined up with Theron Silvermace during a trek across the Hordelands [2]
Sigerth, member of the Society, went with Theron Silvermace to Chult and died from fever [2]
Study of Theron Silvermace, contains a mummy in a glass sarcophagus, many polearms and shields, a self portrait of Theron Silvermace, and a jewel encrusted statue of a beautiful crouching woman with fangs. No one knows what it represents (some say its a long abandoned demigod), and Theron refuses to sell it.
Theron Silvermace Lore
Theron Silvermace, just returned from an expedition to Chult, crusty old soldier. Suffered a recent mental breakdown after escaping a drow prison in Menzoberranzan [1]
Member of the Society of Stalwart Adventurers [1]
50 years old, white hair, loose hanging skin, jagged scar running across the bridge of his nose (new scar from Chult), pulped mass of one ear (new scar from Chult). Brown eyes [2]
Searching for the lost city of Mezro, 5 days out of Port Castiglar on Refuge Bay [2]
Captured by batiri in Chult, released by Lord Rayburton during a blizzard. Wandered into the jungle and got lost [2]
Harper, sponsored Artus’ entry into the Harpers [2]
Slain by an ice assassin [2]
A diving falcon and a spiked mace are the family crest [5]
Chult Lore
Batiri, tabaxi name for goblins. Hunting territory is meant to be well away from Port Castiglar [2]
Kwalu, chief’s son, captured from a neighbouring village, to be sacrificed by batiri to Grumog along with Theron Silvermace. A blizzard enveloped the batiri village for 3 whole days, the goblins fled and Theron and Kwalu escaped. [2]
Port Castigliar consists of 7 tin huts, 2 vegetable patches, a large ramshackle supply depot, and a very large and densely filled graveyard (holding 108 bodies) [5]
Ibn Engaruka owner of supply depot / shop in Port Castigliar, father of Inyanga (ten year old boy). Dark brown skin, black hair, broad nose, hard set jaw. Local sorcerer used to trade magic for goods, provided enchanted gems under the floor that keep the shop cool (stop produce from spoiling) [5]
Chultans of Refuge Bay do not deal with slavers [5]
Ibn Engaruka acts as an agent for the local guide (Kwame Zanj) and the bearers who help explorers travel into the jungle. Ibn Engaruka is a Harper. Sends lists of the dead north with ships. [5]
The bearers in Port Castigliar are freed or escaped slaves that work for Ibn Engaruka to earn their passage home [5]
The tin huts in Port Castigliar are home for the escaped / freed slaves [5]
Wurthek of Tethyr, a map maker, died exploring Chult, was buried in Port Castigliar [5]
Eat or burn anything you kill in the jungle, according to Ibn Engaruka [5]
Inhabitants of Port Castigliar dry driftwood in the sun to burn rather than cutting down the trees [6]
Kwame Zanj is the local guide at Port Castigliar (died leading Kaverin and Phyrra al-Quim into the jungle. Was brought back by Judar (Kwame’s brother) who is taking over as guide [6]
White is the colour of death and mourning among the Chultans (not black) [6]
Most tabaxi natives avoid treasure hunters and explorers as they are no threat and do not usually trade on fair terms [6]
Kitcher’s Folly, 7 days west of Port Castigliar, a statue, the trail ends at Kitcher’s Folly. Sir Ilyber Kitcher was an explorer from Scardale a few hundred years ago. He decided to explore unmapped jungles of Chult from east to west, beginning at a small port he founded and named after his incredibly wealthy uncle Castigliar (who funded the whole expedition). He aimed to magic statues at the site of major discoveries that would announce his achievements upon request, but only the statue at Kitchers Folly was ever constructed. Kitcher found two warring tribes here and decided to end the battle himself, the tribes turned on him and slaughtered his party except for two who escaped and brought news back to Port Castigliar. Later his uncle Castigliar paid to have Kitcher’s Folly (it speaks of Kitcher’s death upon request) constructed at the site of his supposed death. The tabaxi believe this is the head of an evil giant buried here to keep strangers out of the jungle. [6]
Swamp lies southwest of Kitcher’s Folly [6]
Ubtao’s Children – dinosaurs [6]
Altispinax often seen in Chult’s swamps [7]
Tabaxi do not pray to Ubtao or ask for help, they live their lives knowing it is as Ubtao wishes [7]
In tabaxi tribes only the elders and those chosen by the elders are allowed to use magic [7]
Judar (Kwame’s brother) can use magic (he was taught the rudiments of magic by an explorer several years ago), he would be outcast by the tabaxi if they knew. Judar has a rare gift, he can see magical auras (magic items etc). Actually Phyrra al-Quim was disguised as Judar and led Artus into the batiri [7]
Batiri goblins, round flat faces, broad foreheads, dull yellow eyes, squashed noses, high cheekbones, mottled red or orange skin. Wear cloths and scattered leather pieces and carry crude spears. Some larger goblins wear dinosaur hide armour. [7]
Batiri camps are surrounded by totems of dark wood used to keep away bad spirits. They can speak aloud to warn of intruders [7]
Balt, large goblin of the Batiri that worship Grumog, leads the goblin warriors [7,8]
Batiri fear the sunlight, it makes them weak and nauseous [7]
Huge spiders (as big as a man) lair in the trees and awaken at night to hunt [7]
Batiri led by a queen goblin, Queen M’Bobo 
Byrt and Lugg, talking wombats, inhabited an island off Orlil. Taken by a merchant (on the ship Rampage) from Waterdeep to sell to a zoo [8,9]
Grumog, long serpentine body, gills on its neck, a large head as big as a man, bulbous eyes, gaping maw, teeth like spades. Emits a mist from its gills. Has thousands of small legs. The goblins feed it captured people or weak members of their own tribe. Looks like a cross between a reptile and a centipede. Has 4 long tentacles in its mouth that shoot out to grab prey
Grumog’s lair in the batiri camp leads to an underground lake [9]
The witch doctor Ras T’fima knows the location of Mezro [9]
Batiri goblins never venture near Ras T’fima’s camp, they are terrified of him [11]
Exotic hunting cats in the jungle [11]
Jungle full of wandering dead, sometimes dead batiri get up again, sometimes they don’t [13]
Many batiri tribes, they only unite if there is the promise of sufficient food or pillage to be worth the effort [13]
Batiri clans live in groups up to a hundred strong, the never met the queen (is the queen anything more than just the leader of the biggest and strongest clan [14]
Gouged Orb clan of batiri, all members missing an eye [14]
Batiri wear bone armour (human or dinosaur) [14]
The batiri have risen up over the last 1000 years to become a major power in the jungle [15]
Pteradons revert to human form when slain [15]
Mezro mages wear tobes like everyone else, but also wear rainbow hued half cloaks that continually change colours [15]
A young woman with a mesmerizing pattern of blood red lines drawn upon her face wields a whip of sunlight that sears flesh wherever it strikes [15]
Tabaxi warriors never turn their back to a foe [15]
T’ej, amber, fermented honey
Refuge Bay Trading Company
Tall, thin man, missing an arm (taken by pirates from Ioma), his other arm has a paralysed fist (for taking a cut from his missions), sharp angular features, mop of unwashed straw-like hair. Magic user, has a large (man sized) black scorpion familiar (a gift from his employers to help complete deals for the Refuge Bay Trading Company) [2]
Narwhal, a galleon in service to the Refuge Bay Trading Company, travels to Baldurs Gate but anchors outside port and sends longboats to the southernmost pier. Likely little more than a pirate vessel (despite being registered to a trading company [2,3]
Nelock, boatswain aboard the Narwhal, very hairy, thick hairy arms, looks ill humoured [3]
Narwhal has 3 masts, and ballista mounted behind the gun ports below deck. Became captain when Quiracus and Bawr were slain [3,5]
Quiracus , first mate aboard the Narwhal, blond hair, elf, working with Kaverin to kill Artus. Slain by Kaverin for failing. [3,4]
Captain Bawr of the Narwhal, female, petite, beautiful, her crew is terrified of her. Hates to be challenged or disobeyed. Dark hair, blue eyes, red cloak, white skirt. When angered she grows in size, her skin becomes blood red scales, and her eyes glowing blue embers. Crew are loyal but fearful, they have seen her transform several times. No one knows her true form or origin. She never goes on deck during the daytime. Can transform into a red scaled crocodilian humanoid with spiny ridges on her skull [3]
The Narwhal was formerly from Cormyr’s navy. Captain Bawr gathered a fleet or pirate vessels in the Inner Sea and took the Narwhal by force. Supposedly she then paid the Zhentil Keep to transport only the Narwhal (what about her other ships???) overland to the Sword Coast using giants (sounds like a lie, most likely sailed through a gate by accident???) [3]
The Narwhal alternates between piracy and high pay cargo runs for the Refuge Bay Trading Company. Bringing supplies to outposts in the jungles of Chult and taking away a cargo hold full of near priceless Chultan ivory and teak [3]
The Narwhal is transporting Kaverin Ebonhand and Phyrra al-Quim to Chult to kill Artus Cimbar. The false story they have given is that they are important ambassadors from Tantras to Samarach on a secret trade mission [3,4]
Aremag the dragon turtle demands a toll every month from passing ships of the Refuge Bay Trading Company (agreed 1361 DR), sometimes he still attacks a ship [4]
Skuld through Captain Bawr into Aremag’s mouth and then blasted a hole in Aremag’s shell, ballista blinded Aremag’s left eye [4]
Earth elementals and zombies and skeletons and dead dinosaurs log the jungle for miles in every direction. Elementals tear up the trees, zombies drag the trees to camp, dinosaurs drag them to the ships [15]
Over hundreds of years the trading company has created a blasted plain, where the jungle does not regrow [15]
Ras Nsi’s palatial home lies in the middle of the plain, resembling a stately house of Faerun. Four spired towers mark the corners with a low wall surrounding the courtyard. White stone walls dotted with arrow loops and stained glass . Two floors, banners atop the towers. The whole estate is carried on the backs of two dozen monstously huge undead tortoises which move the estate [15]
Ras Nsi’s throne is velvet backed and imported from Suzail, all furnishings in the house are imported from the north Faerun [15]
Ras Nsi and the trading company does a great deal of business with Cormyrean, Sembian, and other northern merchants. They occasionally award him gifts [15]
Fine chandeliers, oak tables and chairs from the dalelands, decorate the manor house [15]
Ras Nsi controls Refuge Bay Trading Company, which owns the Narwhal [15]
Ras Nsi is trying to get more money to control more people and events and keep Mezro safe [15]
Sir Hydel Pontifax Lore
Sir Hydel Pontifax, older man, bushy white eyebrows, sapphire coloured eyes. Had been a soldier 40 years ago, then a mage for hire since then [prologue]
Served in the Army of the Alliance (Tuigan Crusade) as a surgeon and even alongside the War Wizards during the final battles [3]
Slain by the ice men conjured by Kaverin Ebonhand [5]
Had adventured with Artus Cimber for 11 years [6]
Earned the medal Order of the Golden Way, for his services in the Tuigan Crusade [6]
When he died he had to take Ubtao’s test, he failed and was made to walk Chult as a ghost [Epilogue]
Language
Zazquara – means children in tabaxi
Negus – means prince in line to the throne
Zara n'tomo, karth
Ka . . . neb
nez
Ka Alisanda Rayburton wa'la – means he is a guest of Alisanda Rayburton
Ras – a title roughly approximate to a duke
Lord Rayburton Lore
Close cropped, white beard, silver hair, darkly tanned face. Looks 60 years old (the age when he left Cormyr to go to Chult) [9]
He let the Society of Stalwart Adventurers use his name but did not have much use for clubs and sycophants [9]
Lord Dhalmass Rayburton, advisor to King Osaw I [10]
Lord Rayburton found the ring of winter in Cormyr and wanted to scare the king with its power. He merely imagined a land of ice and snow and he froze his village and everyone in it within moments [10]
Many looked for the ring of winter in Lord Rayburton’s time [10]
Lord Rayburton looked for the ring of winter for 5 years before leaving for Chult [10]
Does not believe in the curse of the ring of winter [10]
House Rayburton was around when the elves were driven out of Cormyr. Rayburton was a lord so was his father and grandfather. [10]
Left his sister behind when he went to Chult. Did some genealogy work and discovered his ancestors were loathsome [10]
Bara of Ubtao, gained the power of comprehend and speak languages [11]
Had the Ring of Winter when a nobleman refused to let Lord Rayburton to dig (archaeology) on his property. So Lord Rayburton used the ring to try and scare the nobleman off his property, but instead the ring killed everyone for miles around [Epilogue]
Mezro Lore
All entrances to Mezro are surrounded by Walls of confusion etc [9]
Tunnels lead from the library out into the surrounding jungle, as far away as the batiri camp [9]
Library of Mezro is partially ruined, the oldest sections near collapse, ornate columns lay in pieces, shelves crumbled to dust. Glyphs on masonry depict dinosaur headed men and women [9]
Tabaxi writing is a mixture of symbols and picture glyphs [9]
People lived in Mezro for 4000 years [9]
The Eternal Life of Mezro, written by King Osaw I “The Wise”, ruler of Mezro, negus negusti, bara of Ubtao [10]
Use light globes and walking tables, light globes are inhabited by tiny fairy like creatures that just turn up whenever a globe is completed, they use a dynamo like construct to generate light [9,10]
Songbirds call from the roofs [10]
City is divided into 4 quarters; a residential quarter (arranged like a labyrinth), [10]
Tabaxi believe when they die they must draw their maze for Ubtao to get to the afterlife. Those that fail come back as ghouls or ghosts to haunt the jungle at night [10]
Tabaxi practice maze drawing all the time when not at work [10]
All children go to school [10]
Men and women dress the same in long white robes called tobes [10]
An invisible wall of magical confusion surrounding the city was constructed over 500 years ago to keep the batiri from raiding. People wearing a silver triangle earring are allowed through the wall without effect [10]
Four wide streets lead from N, E, S, W (compass points) to a circular plaza at the centre of the city where the temple of Ubtao stands [10]
Temple of Ubtao, you always see the same wall no matter what direction you view it from (dimensional trick), elegant buttresses stand out from the wall, an arcade of piers on the 1st floor topped by arches. 2nd floor is a set of tall stained glass windows. A glittering dome caps the roof. Walls made of interlocking triangles of dark crystal gemstones. Patterns and images appear in the wall the longer you look at it like a scrying crystal that allow you to look into your own mind [10]
Negus Kwalu, eldest son of King Osaw I, tall stern faced, wears a purple tobe with green triangles over the heart, muscled, carries a knobbed war club. Has been a bara for a hundred years. Battle dress includes the manes, tails, feathers etc of animals he has hunted. In battle he wields a broad bladed spear, dinosaur hide shield, and war club. Kwalu has explored the jungles a lot and fought many dangerous creatures. Very modest, not boastful. His bara power is insect plague (doesn’t attack tabaxi) but he needs a locust as a component [10,11,12,13]
Huge amphitheatre opposite the temple of Ubtao [10]
Scholars Quarter, has a park at the centre. Where the schools and laboratories are located. The library is here [11]
King Osaw, hunched with age, wrinkled eyes, wears a platinum band crown, closely cropped black hair. His arms are covered in a dozen platinum bands. Bara of Ubtao with the power of memory (perfect, unlimited, eidetic memory) [11]
King Osaw was made a bara 1500 years ago at the same time as T’fima. Osaw was older (85 years old) than T’fima when they were made barae [11]
Army of Mezro was disbanded years ago (Kwalu and others like him keep practising though) [11]
Ras T’fima, made a bara of Ubtao 1500 years ago [11]
All the barae have had relationships and children, all except Kwalu. Sanda had two sons and a daughter (and grandchildren and great grandchildren, she stops keeping track) [12]
River Olung curves gently through 3 of the cities quarters. In many places the wall of confusion runs parallel to the River Olung, in other places it runs atop it [13]
Animals are unaffected by the wall of confusion [13]
Hippos, crocodiles, turtles, kingfishers, minnows, small fish, water lillies on the River Olung [13]
A hundred pteradons live near to Mezro [14]
Warriors can mount on huge butterflies [15]
Mezroan sorcerers (12 of them) used a magical energy cage to trap Skuld, it hadnt been used since the Eschowe [15]
Alisanda Rayburton Lore
Daughter of Lord Rayburton [10]
Tabaxi mother [10]
Dark skinned, green eyes, black hair knitted into a dozen braids on her scalp [10]
Prefers to be called Sanda [10]
Has been a bara of Ubtao for almost 500 years, gained the power of animal friendship, she can speak with animals and possess them [10,12]
Teaches history at the school [10]
Appears to be 25-30 years of age [10]
T’Fima’s Camp
A part stone part sod hut leaning against a tree with a wild garden on the banks of a slow moving river [11]
Black cat called Neyobu guards the hut and will not let anyone in until T’fima gives them permission. Neyobu has 3 small pearls set in a triangle atop his head (possible lightning powers, because sparks fired between the stones above where it sat???). Pearls were planted in Neyobu’s head by T’fima 400 years ago [11]
T’fima doesn’t speak common or cormyrean, gives carnelian gems carved with myriad runes that melts on the tongue and grants the eater the ability to speak and understand tabaxi [11]
Feldspar surrounding by glass tubing, uncut rubies and emeralds in jars tools for engraving gems all inside the hut (T’fima practices gem magic???) [11]
Ras T’fima is short flabby, and very angry [11]
T’fima is a bara of Ubtao but chooses to live outside the walls of Mezro. Made a bara 1,500 years ago (same time as King Osaw I). Slightly younger than Osaw’s 85 years old. Was granted power over the weather [11,15]
T’fima left Mezro 500 years ago because they put up the wall, will not aid the city again until it comes down [11]
T’fima abandoned the laws of Ubtao and uses only gem magic (not Ubtao’s power) [11]
T’fima is no longer a bara, he was stripped of his powers when he first left the city. Osaw, Kwalu and the other bara do not know he is no longer one (perhaps T’fima severed the link to Mezro himself???). T’fima keeps up the pretence so those tabaxi outside Mezro will still have a voice on the council [15]
When T’fima helped rescue Kwalu he used the ring of winter and froze the jungle for miles around and caused a blizzard for 3 days (he helped so no one would know he wasnt a bara – if Kwalu was killed a new bara would be chosen and they’d find out). After causing so much destruction T’fima threw the ring of winter into the barado (where new bara are chosen) [15]
Temple of Ubtao
No guards in the courtyard outside [13]
No lights, but the temple glows with an inner radiance [13]
Inlaid wooden panels on the outer walls depict men and women living in a labyrinth of vines with dinosaurs, fountains, or quiet pools around each corner [13]
Main doors open onto the Hall of Champions; a long corridor lined with statues of Mezro’s greatest heroes (former barae) carved in glossy black stone [13]
A woman at the heart of an inferno, flames trailing from her hair and curling from her fingers [13]
A young boy held his arms to his side, soaring above stone clouds. Eagles swooped around him, talons extended, beaks open in joyous cries of war [13]
An old man held a hammer over an anvil, a razor-sharp spear tip in the making (one of the seven original barae) [13]
A woman raced a jaguar along a stony path, both charging forward at full speed (one of the seven original barae) [13]
Hall of Champions leads to the Audience Chamber where the throne lies. Light from the sun shines through the the gemstone walls. A mosaic of the city of Mezro covers the floor (complete with tiny moving figures). King Osaw holds official audiences here [13]
Only one door in the whole of the temple of Ubtao, it always takes you where you wish to go (even outside the temple [13]
1000 rooms in the Temple of Ubtao [13]
Tabiaza, Anzi, Zimwa, the names of the original barae [13]
The Barado is where new bara are chosen. Any who enter there come face to face with Ubtao, if they pass his tests they are a bara, if they fail they die. Trespass is forbidden. The room is small, dimly lit, with a sourceless circle of light at the centre [16]
The bara that could control fire, bathed in snaking bands of flame; the master of the raptors, arms outstretched as he floated off the ground, an eagle at his side; the weaponsmith, his wrinkled face and arms singed by forgefire, a well-worn hammer in one hand, a magnificent spear in the other [16]
Young girl chosen as bara to replace T’fima, has the power to control plants [Epilogue]
Mainu Lore
Bara that controls the river borders of Mezro to the south and west (River Olung) [13]
Mainu loves pomp and ceremony more than anything [13]
Mainu lives at the bottom of the murky River Olung [13]
Mainu rules everything in the River Olung for 10 miles outside of the city of Mezro in either direction [13]
Mainu is part of the river, manifesting as darkness within the murky water that takes the shape of a human, long hair like seaweed, long thin fingers. Eyes glow golden bright like the sun [13]
Lobstermen (aldani) serves as the soldiers at Mainu’s court, girded in black shells like plate armour [13]
Knows about Ras Nsi the outcast [13]
Nsi Lore
Ras Nsi, one of the original 7 barae, granted the power to muster the dead, can also sense when things die in the jungle [13,14]
Is not hurt by having his throat cut by a magic dagger, heals all wounds instantly including a spear driven through his arm [14]
Eyes glow like red hot steel, weak chin, bald pate, neatly trimmed beard, flat nose, does not wear a tobe, dresses in cormyrean fashion (blue cape, cotton trousers, leather boots). Carries a rapier, a ring on his left hand with a small triangular green gem [14]
Ras Nsi claims Ubtao chose the citizens of Mezro to be his messengers, the other Tabaxi are savages and they are responsible for driving Ubtao away to the heavens 4000 years ago [15]
Ended 300 year long war (that began 1800 years ago). Back then (before the wall) Mezro had the mightiest army as every tabaxi warrior flocked to the city to prove his worth.
The Eschow were a rival tribe, they worshipped the rain and sun and local spirits. For 300 years Mezro’s armies drove them further and further into the wilder jungles and valleys where creatures from before time dwell [15]
The Eschowe made a deal with a huge monster of blinding smoke and choking fog. Promising the souls of all the slain to it (it feeds on bravery). The Eschowe led it to Mezro for a final desperate attack, sacked the city, burned the fields, only the temple and a few buildings at the centre were left standing [15]
Of the original 7 barae, only Nsi survived the attack of the Eschowe and the beast, the others were slain [15]
Ras Nsi spent the next few decades hunting the Eschowe to extinction, by the time he returned Osaw had been made king and Mainu and T’fima were his advisors, they banished Nsi for not being honourable [15]
Ras Nsi has a stronger link to Mezro because he is one of the original bara (perhaps that is why his powers have not been removed???) [15]
Ras Nsi can teleport himself or others back to the Hall of Champions [15]
There is no exaggeration in the bold claim that Ubtao founded Mezro. The great god of the Tabaxi built the core of the city himself, the temple and amphitheater rising first from the chaos of the jungle. Mezro was to be the place where all the people of Chult could learn how to pass through the maze of life, how best to reach the heart of all and discover the true nature of the world. It became that. Yet Mezro also became a place where thieves and charlatans preyed upon pilgrims, where men and women and children came to beg Ubtao's help with the most insignificant of problems. Ubtao created the barae to help him deal with those distractions, to resolve the petty demands of the throng. The seven barae were chosen from the citizens of Mezro and gifted with special powers. Over time, the barae became the rulers and defenders of the city, as well, but that was after Ubtao left the Tabaxi to find their own way in the world. For it is also true the Tabaxi tried to make Ubtao a household god, a god who had to prove his worth by healing old men of aching joints, by settling arguments over the ownership of goats, by proving each and every day that his power could be used to make life easy. But Ubtao, who created the labyrinth that is this earthly world, made the Tabaxi to live there. He stayed in Mezro to teach them how to best pass through the maze, but he would not destroy the everyday trials that were its walls. Finally there came a day when Ubtao said, "If the people wish to cry and complain rather than listen to my wisdom, then so be it, I will leave them to wander the halls of life without my guidance." Then he returned to his home in the sky and refused to speak to his people again while they were mortal. And that is why a Tabaxi must die before he may meet his maker. The exceptions to this rule are the barae. These seven, the mighty paladins of Ubtao, live forever unless they are murdered or lose their life on the battlefield. Their wisdom and faith in Ubtao shield them from old age and sickness. In return, they must protect Ubtao's fair city of Mezro from all harm. If a bara is killed, another must take his place within one day. That is the only time a mortal may enter the barado, in the great Temple of Ubtao itself. In the barado, the supplicants gather so Ubtao can choose his new paladin. The one the god chooses is granted some magnificent power. Ras Nsi, one of the first seven raised up by Ubtao, was given the power to muster the dead. Mainu, she of the golden eyes, was granted control over the waters in the Olung River, which flows through the city to this day. When I became a bara, on that terrible day when three of the paladins were slain in defense of Mezro, I was given the power to remember everything I see or hear. "These memories are safe from time, never to be like the banks that hold a fast-flowing river, worn away more and more with each passing year. What I know and what I learn remain with me always, as clear and sharp as the eyes of a jungle cat on the hunt. It is thus I remember the coming of Dhalmass Rayburton, a lord of the distant land of Cormyr, as if it were yesterday. In truth, he arrived six hundred years ago. He was like all the other explorers who had come to Ubtao's jungle, certain we were savages who had somehow wrested our great library and our fine buildings from some more civilized nation. Unlike the others, he soon saw how blind he was to the accomplishments of other peoples. And when he accepted the truth of the matter, he found he had no desire to return to Cormyr. Within ten years of becoming a citizen of Mezro, Rayburton placed himself in Ubtao's hands and asked to be made a bara. He was chosen. And that is how Dhalmass Rayburton became the first paladin of Ubtao not born of the Tabaxi.. [10]
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Edited by - Gary Dallison on 17 Feb 2021 13:16:10 |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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TheIriaeban
Master of Realmslore
USA
1289 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2021 : 22:57:12
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| Does it say when Artus clashed with the Assassins Guild of Iriaebor? I am hoping that was pre-1358 because that is when both the Broken Dagger and Night Skulls were well stocked with assassins. |
"Iriaebor is a fine city. So what if you can have violence between merchant groups break out at any moment. Not every city can offer dinner AND a show."
My FR writeups - http://www.mediafire.com/folder/um3liz6tqsf5n/Documents
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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TheIriaeban
Master of Realmslore
USA
1289 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2021 : 14:39:12
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| Thank you. That puts it somewhere between 1347 and 1352. The Banner War was in 1351. That seems like a logical escalation if there were a bunch of assassinations happening among the merchants prior to that. |
"Iriaebor is a fine city. So what if you can have violence between merchant groups break out at any moment. Not every city can offer dinner AND a show."
My FR writeups - http://www.mediafire.com/folder/um3liz6tqsf5n/Documents
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2021 : 08:01:00
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Gary, what do you think the phrase "Zara n'tomo, Tarth?" means in Tabaxi?
-- 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 |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Novel Lore
