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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
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 Posted - 14 Jun 2022 : 21:48:00
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Daughter of the Drow (1361 DR)
Elaine Cunningham
Menzoberranzan Lore
Menzoberranzan always been dominated by the worship of Lolth [prelude]
Away from the temples and academies and noble houses, a rich and diverse people live relatively normal lives, the live, work, play, scheme, and love [prelude]
Narbondellyn, an elegant district of the city with broad streets, fine homes, expensive shops, all made of stone and magic [prelude]
Drow still operate according to the ancient circadian rhythms of their elven ancestors [prelude]
Drow are the most numerous folk in Narbondellyn [prelude]
City guards make frequent rounds on giant lizards [prelude]
Merchants use lizards or giant slugs as pack animals [prelude]
Enslaved dwarf repairs items in a shop, a pair of minotaurs serve as guards to a mansion, goblins carry goods bought by their mistress, kobolds clean the streets monitored by ogre task masters [prelude]
Law prohibits the killing of spiders (accidental or otherwise). Punishment is death, to be administered immediately [prelude]
Males have a subservient role [prelude]
Faerie Fire is an innate talent to all drow, but seldom manifests in children as young as five [prelude]
The Bazaar, one of the busiest places in Menzoberranzan, as heavily guarded as a noble palace [1]
The Dragon’s Hoard, a drow merchant band in Menzoberranzan, famous for procuring anything without regard for the cost, captained by Nisstyre. Some 80 members strong. Known in Skullport with a fell reputation. Named after a cavern below Waterdeep that was once a dragon’s lair, many have followed these rumours searching for treasure, none have returned. [1,24]
Nisstyre, known as the Fox on the surface, has copper hair. Once, many years ago lived in Ched Nasad and had been a mage of considerable promise, but he chafed under the tyranny of Lolth which limited his ambitions. He fled (before being forced to take a mind searching test of loyalty to Lolth), discovered a talent for trading and now worships Vhaeraun fervently. Has many informers in Menzoberranzan. Nisstyre was looking for a Red Wizard to steal the rashemmi wands he looted from the witches killed on the shores of Lake Ashane (the Red Wizard attacked the Witches of Rashemen and then hid his loot in Stara Baba’s hut), Nisstyre and his band encountered Fyodor in Ashenwood at Stara Baba’s hut. Nisstyre was able to create a gate to Rashemen. Has a reputation for handling questionable deals with great discretion. Has a medallion with a curving stylised dragon on it, this matches the tattoo on Gorlist’s face (Nisstyre’s lieutenant) and allows him to find Gorlist anywhere by touching the medallion [1,3,5,15,18]
Merchants bartering too hard in Menzoberranzan can result in death as the customer loses his patience [1]
People of Menzoberranzan are preparing for some unknown calamity (buying lots of staples and weapons). Matron Baenre’s death means a power struggle among the nobles that might weaken Menzoberranzan and lead to invasion from nearby illithids or another drow city [1]
20,000 drow lived in Menzoberranzan, half of those marched on Mithril Hall, no one knew how many returned. Many weapon masters and generals were slain, and lots of common folk who served as soldiers also did not return. Thousands of slaves (kobolds and minotaurs) were drafted into the army as fodder and their slave jobs were now empty [1]
Status is everything in Menzoberranzan, drow will not work below their station for the common good only for wealth or power (even in war or its aftermath) [1]
Priests of Vhaeraun wear black robes [1]
The chaos in Menzoberranzan meant some males turned to Vhaeraun as a means to end Lolth’s tyranny [1]
House Hunzrin is in charge of most of the city’s farming, including the herd of rothe on the Isle of Rothe in Lake Donigarten. Not a major house, looked down upon by the greater houses. House Hunzrin breed quaggoths for use as guards and shock troops [1,17]
Shakti Hunzrin, oversees the Isle of Rothe. Extremely near-sighted uses levitation to avoid difficult terrain. Has a three tined pitchfork with a slender rune carved handle (can shoot fire and lightning). Twelfth year student at Arach TInilith [1,14]
Isle of Rothe, only one good landing site a tiny cove unmarred by sharp rending rocks. An overseers hut carved from solid stone is a hundred feet above the cove with a narrow stair leading from the dock up to the overseer’s hut (the only way on and off the island). No one has survived the swim across Lake Donigarten yet (occasionally luminescent glowing creatures live in the lake). The oversee of the Isle of Rothe is a female from a lesser branch of House Hunzrin [1]
Drow do not allow imperfect children to survive and have little patience for people who develop physical defects later in life. Drow use their innate abilities to compensate for these defects [1]
Not enough orc and goblin slaves to tend to the rothe herd, so few rothe have been born this year (they are too weak for mating) [1]
Magic three tined pitchfork is the favoured weapon of House Hunzrin [1]
Bazherd Hunzrin, younger brother of House Hunzrin [1]
House Xorlarrin, famous for its wizardly might. Seven wizards of House Xorlarrin are masters in Sorcere. No other house in Menzoberranzan has as much wizardly might as House Xorlarrin [1,15]
Recently the Third House of Menzoberranzan had been completely destroyed by creatures from the abyss but not before its renegade leader slew the matron and heir of the Fourth House of Menzoberranzan. Auro’pol Dyrr – leader of the Fifth House of Menzoberranzan died after the war with Mithril Hall. Orderly succession is a rarity in Menzoberranzan, and each of these houses will be racked with internal strife before new matrons take power. [1]
Rarely in Menzoberranzan’s long history has there been so many vacant seats on the Ruling Council at the same time [1]
Traditionally, the position of Matron Mistress of Arach Tinilith goes to the highest-ranking priestess of Lolth in House Baenre [2]
Law and custom dictate that noble daughters enrol in Arach-Tinilith with the onset of puberty or their 25th birthday (whichever comes first) [2]
House Shobalar, a lesser clan known for its rare female wizards.
Drow puberty begins around 25 years old. Adolescence is long and still ongoing in their 40s [2]
Wealthy young drow, noble and common, often congregate together to pursue pleasure and passion, share stories at evening parties. Liriel is eccentric, easy to laugh with a zest for laugh, often goes on adventures and those companions that survive enjoy enhanced social standing as a result [2]
Bynthara Shobalar, female wizard, rival and friend of Liriel Baenre (similar age), slain by Liriel Baenre when Bynthara tried to kill her. [2]
Syzwick, the male son of an obscenely wealthy perfume merchant, highly decorative (pretty), spirited but manageable (very desirable traits in male drow). Latest consort of Bynthara Shobalar [2]
Murder is tolerated in Menzoberranzan as long as it cannot be proven, witnesses are usually eliminated [2]
25th birthday is considered the age of majority among drow [2]
Kharza-kzad Xorlarrin, powerful wizard in Menzoberranzan that specialises in crafting battle wands. Currently tutors Liriel Baenre. Thin face. He paid Nisstyre to retrieve rashemmi wands. Knows about Nisstyre’s worship of Vhaeraun. NIsstyre asked Kharza to give a Red Wizard spellbook to Liriel to get her interested in the surface then she could meet Nisstyre and he hoped to convert her to worship of Vhaeraun. Although his battle wands were prized in Menzoberranzan, Kharza-kzad had never killed anyone himself. His most powerful creation was a wand of lichdrow. Kharza fought Nisstyre in a volcano on the surface, Kharza transformed himself into a lichdrow and Nisstyre left him in the volcano [2,5,16,17]
Drow gates appear to have predetermined exits in the spellcasting. Liriel was given a book full of spells that were all linked to existing gates known to Gromph [3]
Freshwater mussels found in the shallows of Lake Donigarten [4]
Zz'Pzora, a two headed deep dragon, 50 ft from head to tail, lives in caves off a river in the Underdark around Menzoberranzan. Two heads have distinct personalities that are usually in conflict. The right head is a bit more traditionally dragonlike, likes treasure, solitude, and magic, and is a bit smarter and sarcastic. Both personalities are a little bit insane [4]
Suzonia, drow associate of Liriel Baenre, holds dinner parties (could be child of a noble or wealthy merchant) [4]
Spelltower Xorlarrin, home of Kharza-kzad [4]
Nedeirra, a wild acrobatic dance competition [5]
Dinner guests drink spiced luminous green wine called ulaver [5]
Massage is a favourite treat at parties for the drow [5]
Drow delight in using cantrips to play harmless pranks [5]
Law and custom states that all parties must end at the start of a new day [5]
Arach-Tinilith teaches its students about Menzoberranzan’s history (propaganda????). For most of its history students have not been allowed to leave the Academy (things changed after the disastrous attack on Mithril Hall) [6,14]
Zeld Mizzrym, priestess at Arach Tinilith in charge of first years students [6]
Novices of Lolth wear black robes with red trim [6]
Manyfolk District, home to artisans [6]
House Faen Tlabbar, known for the wanton nature of its females. It is rumoured they could brew a potion to incite passionate devotion in any male that imbibed it 
Mod'Vensis Tlabbar, instructor at Arach Tinilith, seldom without male company from Sorcere or Melee Magthere
Some drow sleep, some still take rest in a form of elven reverie (although less and less are able to with each passing century – it requires the drow to be at peace with themselves to enter reverie)
Drow eat food raw as often as the cook it
Dancing while armed is considered an insult in drow society (and it is a hazard), dancing is therefore considered as much of a truce as is possible in drow society
Dropping to one knee is a sign of surrender in Menzoberranzan
Dancing is strictly for social events, not allowed in worship of Lolth
Harps are rare in the Underdark, the drow consider the instrument insipid and disturbing [8,10]
Dead Dragon Gorge, 6 or 7 days travel from Menzoberranzan, and very near a labyrinth of caves that lies close to the surface. Has a gate that leads to the outskirts of the city
Dragazhar (or nighthunter), has large velvet black batlike wings, a long-tapered head like scurry rat, a whiplike tail tipped with a razor-sharp triangular spike, and long curving ears that look like dragon horns. A wingspan of 7 ft, the dragazhar is one of the most dangerous bats in the Underdark. Hunt in packs of 10, but seldom attack anything but small animals. Also known as a deepbat. Its tail sting is poisonous [8,9]
Human slaves are rare in Menzoberranzan, but known unheard of [9]
Drygully Tunnel, an entrance to the surface one day’s travel from Dead Dragon Gorge [9]
Dargathan Srune'lett, older student at Melee Magthere, unattractive [10]
House Srune'lett, known for producing fat, unattractive drow (not the lithe, slender idealised form of drow). A lesser house of Menzoberranzan [10]
Many noble houses of Menzoberranzan sponsor merchant bands (it is their only tie with the world outside the city) [11]
Gorlist, drow fighter working for Nisstyre and the Dragon’s Hoard merchant band. Had been a warrior for a century. Defeated by Fyodor and thrown down a ravine into a river but healed. Son of Nisstyre. Owns a spear he stole from a surface elf, then had enchanted to make it more durable and sharper [11,18]
The Banshee’s Needle, a slender piece of glowing rock that holds a high concentration of faerzress (a node????). Located within Zz'Pzora's lair. Named for a long dead drow female that once haunted this lair. The banshee is long gone, slain by Zz'Pzora's mother in a horrendous magical battle (that may have contributed to Zz'Pzora's condition. The Banshee’s Needle is a mithril spike covered in a stone sheath [13]
Most houses in Menzoberranzan (even those of commoners) are protected by magic and hidden devices [14]
Ssasser, a dark naga (one of the rarest creatures in the Underdark), serves House Hunzrin (it costs a lot of resources to develop their natural magical abilities, so they often end up enslaved to wealthy patrons to pay for those resources). Shakti Hunzrin promises to free it if it helps her gain access to Liriel’s home and once Liriel is under Shakti’s power. Ssasser was born near Drygully Tunnel. Slain by Liriel and Fyodor [14,17,20]
Shakti Hunzrin recently paid the Dragon’s Hoard merchant group for a new rothe stud (a white ram, compact in size with an exceptionally fine fleece), it had recently been stolen from House Zinard of Ched Nasad [14]
Every day in Arach-Tinilith ends in the Chapel with a session or prayer and praise to Lolth. Services take many forms but are always eerie, impressive affairs [15]
The heart of a male drow is considered a lesser sacrifice to Lolth. Worship of Lolth occasionally requires the sacrifice of loved ones, to do so is to make a greater sacrifice to Lolth [15]
A Yochlol appeared at Arach-Tinilith and told the assembled priests that too much drow blood was being spilt. Until further notice the order of noble houses was as Lolth decreed (a list in order provided by the Yochlol then and there), and any further bloodshed wasted on House intrigue would result in the complete destruction of that house. No priestess will slay another, all healthy drow children will be raised (even the males) [15]
Qu'ellarz'orl, most prestigious district in Menzoberranzan, takes its name from the tiny cave that serves as the meeting chamber of the Ruling Council. [15]
Hesken-Faj, the matron of House Symrywin. She is recognised and respected and called the “Eyes of Lolth”. Rarely leaves her house but is granted great respect when she does [15]
House Symrywin ranked 18th for centuries. [15]
Matron Ghilanna of House Faen Tlabbar. A stunningly beautiful female drow, recently raised to power. She slew her 7 sisters in a vicious and bloody struggle for power. Tall and slender, vain and wanton, she wears finely embroidered gossamer gowns covered with seed pearls [15]
House Faen Tlabbar, suffered more than most in recent years. Its former matron and her heir were both slain. [15]
Mez'Barris Armgo, the matron of House Barrison Del'Armgo [15]
House Barrison Del’Armgo, second House of Menzoberranzan [15]
Matron Miz'ri. Her clan, House Mizzrym [15]
House Mizzrym, notable for trade contacts and willingness to deal with non-drow, and delight in treacherous double dealings [15]
Kyrnill Kenafin of House Kenafin, has cruel crimson eyes, tyrannical [15]
House Kenafin, 10th House of Menzoberranzan. In House Kenafin females reign supreme and take great delight in terrorising and subjugating the males [15]
Ker Horlbar, one of the two ruling matrons of House Horlbar [15]
House Horlbar, depend on agriculture for wealth and position. Chief rival with House Hunzrin [15]
Matron Zeerith Q’Xorlarrin, renowned for her diplomatic skill and often called upon to mediate disputes. Younger sister of Kharza-kzad [15]
Long standing alliance between House Baenre and House Xorlarrin [15]
Auro'pol, the matron of the powerful House Agrach Dyrr, had been killed by a creature of the Abyss at the command of the former Baenre matron in the tunnels beneath Mithril Hall. [15]
Artifacts are rare even in Menzoberranzan [15]
Amulet of Plethong, an ancient and powerful drow magic device that possessed many attacks and defences. The amulet has a graven face of a smiling drow wizard. Can emit a cone of power that dispels magic (or fire????) [17]
Graduating students from Arach-Tinilith are made high priests, they must undergo the Rite of Atonement, this attunes a priestess to her snake headed whip [17]
Priestesses of Lolth cannot teleport, instead they planeshift to the Lower Planes and then shift back [17]
Drow need a focus or vent for their inherent rage, vengeance often suffices [18]
Drow sleep poison is magically distilled in places of high Faerzress concentration. It did not survive in the open air on the surface [19]
Drow humour is a contest, a pleasure taken at the expense of another [21]
Self preservation is the first law of drow society [22]
The Spiders Kiss, it is not uncommon for drow priestesses to slay their lover after mating [22]
Matron Kinuere of House Hunzrin [23]
House TuinTarl [23]
A black ruby scrying bowl, a Vhaeraunite item belonging to Shakti Hunzrin. Can connect to anyone with a ruby eye lodged in their forehead and attuned to the bowl. Shakti can use the bowl to see through their eyes, communicate telepathically, and send pain and death through the link [23]
Tzarreth, drow word meaning ass [23]
Illiyitri, a formal dance, a promenade where drow compete (non lethally) to show off wealth, beauty, and ingenuity through clever disguises and extravagant costumes [24]
phlar Lloth ssinssrickla, a drow saying, means literally “when Lolth giggles” which of course never happens [24]
House Baenre
Matron Triel of House Baenre, well under 5 feet tall, not attractive, long thin white hair braided slightly and wrapped around her head like a crown. Wears a hauberk of elven chain mail. One of the highest-ranking priests of Lolth in Menzoberranzan. Matron Mistress of Arach-Tinilith. Triel has no daughters and is unlikely to (small, frail, dislikes men????) [2]
The Black Throne of House Baenre is a sentient artifact containing the victims of House Baenre [2]
Old Matron Baenre had ruled for many centuries, her first name was forgotten, she was just Matron Baenre. Many of her daughters had gone on to form their own noble houses, minor houses allied (in theory) to House Baenre [2]
Berg’inyon Baenre, Weapon Master of House Baenre, had gone missing during the war with Mithril Hall. Was a youth, barely 60 years old, he was thought dead but may have survived [2]
Merith Baenre, highest ranking priest of Lolth in House Baenre. Common born daughter of a streetsweeper, adopted into House Baenre when her considerable clerical powers emerged. A potential disgrace she has no understanding of protocol or intrigue. Sadistic in the extreme. Triel intends to have her contract a fatal illness sometime soon [2]
Sos’Umptu Baenre, Keeper of the Baenre Chapel, trueborn daughter of Matron Baenre, younger sister of Triel Baenre. Promoted to Matron Mistress of Arach-Tinilith (unwillingly, did not want to leave her chapel). Pinched face [2]
Gives all its members a magical ring that emits a silent alarm that only the attuned wearer can hear. If they hear the alarm they are supposed to go to the fortress of House Baenre immediately [2]
Eight armed females serve as the elite guard of House Baenre [2]
Baenre Chapel sits at the heart of the fortress of House Baenre. Has a gigantic illusion of drow female that constantly shapeshifts to a giant black spider (crafted by Gromph 50 years ago when he angered Matron Baenre - because he took a lesser daughter of House Hunzrin as his consort????). The drow female was modelled on Liriel’s mother so Liriel has an uncanny resemblance [2]
Gromph Baenre
Gromph Baenre, eldest son of Matron Baenre, has rooms in House Baenre’s fortress castle. Also has a private manor residence in the district of Narbondellyn carved into a stalactite (where he pores over spellbooks and amuses himself with a mistress or two [prelude]
Gromph Baenre is able to choose his own consort (providing he acts with discretion and does not pick above his station) [prelude].
Current consort is the youngest daughter of a minor noble house (House Vandree) who has few clerical gifts/skills. He has been with her for at least 5 years [prelude]
700 years old at least. [prelude]
Bitter, cold, evil, and cruel. His cruelty is legendary even in Menzoberranzan [prelude]
Thanks to his magic he appears young and vital, with smooth and lustrous ebony skin, supple long fingered hands, gleaming flowing white hair, large almond shaped amber eyes (an unusual hue for drow) [prelude]
His manor house has a magic shield that dispels illusions and invisibility and warns him of intruders [prelude]
Liriel Baenre is Gromph’s daughter with his most recent consort [prelude]
Gromph Baenre had the youngest daughter of House Vandree murdered in his manor and sent a message (via a stone statue golem of a drow) informing them that she had an accident in the Bazaar, he then took Liriel for his own house [prelude]
Wears the Cloak of the Archmage, a many pocketed piwafwi full of magical treasures and weapons [1]
A jewelled brooch with a fist sized sapphire that adorns the Cloak of the Archmage, is used to enspell the timeclock of Menzoberranzan [15]
Used to enter elven reverie for his first few centuries. Now only his magic sustains him, he has forgotten how to sleep and even dream [15]
Liriel Baenre
Has large amber eyes like Gromph Baenre [prelude]
Has eidetic memory [prelude]
Less than 40 years old [2]
Has thick white hair in wavy locks [2]
Gromph did not force Liriel to join Arach-Tinilith at 25 years of age [2]
Has enchanted elven boots that make her walk light as a shadow [2]
Has spent 20+ years adventuring in the Underdark [2]
Gromph grew tired of her a few years after adoption and sent her to foster with House Shobalar and train with their female wizards [2]
Given a miniature castle in Narbondellyn as her house by Gromph on her 25th birthday. It is situated directly across from Narbondellyn’s most infamous festhall [2,14]
Owns a piwafwi that grants invisibility and also masks her heat shadow [7,8]
Liriel learned the art of stealth from her handmaid, a halfling pickpocket
Other Lore
Attempting to read an unlearned spell can cause terrible pain, even insanity [prelude]
Amber eyes, rare among the drow [prelude]
Copper hair, unusual among the drow [1]
Deep rothe call to prospective mates with faint blinking lights [1]
Pyrimo, small (the size of a hand), oval shaped with silvery scales and delicate fins, fierce fish in the Underdark, attracted to blood. Often leap out of the water to attack animals drinking. Teeth so sharp and jaws so powerful the first bite is often unnoticed. The flesh is delicate, tasty, and highly toxic. Can be prepared into a potent intoxicant dish stronger than any wine, but fatalities can occur (rarely) when pyrimo are served (by carefully trained chefs). Their body temperature perfectly matches the surrounding water. Will continue to bite even when speared. [2]
Some rocks emit a strange radioactive power known as faerzress which is unique to the Underdark, these places of power are highly prized by the drow [4]
Deep dragons are natural shapeshifters, can consume pyrimo without any effect [4]
Deep dragons, drow dragons, are they the same thing???? [4]
Deep dragon scales are a rare and valuable spell component, when dissolved in acid they could be used to make the prized ever-dark ink used by drow wizards [4]
Liriel wonders what would happen if her scrying bowl were left in a faerzress rich area for a few days (implying drow made items gain more power from exposure to faerzress for longer [6]
Students of Arach-Tinilith that break the rules are turned into obsidian statues (forever) as a warning to other students [6]
Chirank, female ogre, kitchen hand in Arach Tinilith, very skilled at picking locks, Liriel has disguised her as a drow in the past to accomplish some prank or misdeed [6]
Rune Shaping, has three components, planning, carving, and activating. Over the course of a journey or adventure the rune would take shape in the mind of its caster, only when it was fully realised could it be carved. Some runes must be carved on specific surfaces to have an effect. A rune to speed healing must be carved on the limb of an oak tree. Activating a rune anointing it or reciting words of magic, it is highly personal and cannot be achieved by using a purchased spell scroll for example [7]
Drow that venture to the surface lose their faerie fire and levitation and other abilities, their magical items disintegrate, even their magic resistance fades (according to the tales) [7]
It is possible for someone to cast a gate to seek out other drow
Ysolde Veladorn, follower of Eilistraee, daughter of Qilue Veladorn [8,10]
The hunting horn of Eilistraee, when sounded it is a sign that someone needs aid
Liriel’s priest spells do not work on the surface (why????) [10]
One of the Seven Sisters (not Qilue) studied under the witches of Rashemen for a time, she was known as a Witch (Simbul or Sylune????) [10]
The Rus mingled their blood with the folk of many lands, the old ways are strongest on Ruathym. A sea going people settled in Rashemen before the desert of Anauroch formed they could be the Rus [10]
The Rus are connected to the land, draw magic from special places of power and the spirits that dwell there [10]
New drow magic items need several years bathing in Faerzress to become magical. Those items depleted must spent at least a year bathing in Faerzress to recover their powers [13]
Dark naga possess an internal organ that they can use to store objects they swallow [14]
House Zinard, a drow house from Ched Nasad, they breed rothe of compact size and exceptionally fine fleece [14]
Wizards of Ched Nasad must take a mind searching test of loyalty to Lolth (before they graduate presumably????) [14]
Lichdrow, a form of undead drow. Invulnerable, nearly invincible, able to cast all spells he knows at will [17]
Only the followers of Vhaeraun refer to the surface world as the Night Above [17]
Giant Underdark turtles, their shells are often used for combs by drow [17]
Vhaeraunites built a small settlement in the High Forest, with twisting, spiralled towers of stone. There are few drow women in the settlement so they breed with elves, mostly outcasts (children of such unions tend to breed towards drow). Followers of Vhaeraun are not adverse to half drow [18]
Drow are more prolific than surface elves, but their constant incestuous warfare keeps numbers low [18]
Henge, highest ranking priest of Vhaeraun in the drow settlement in the High Forest. Former slave from Ched-Nasad. Henge was Blood-bonded to Nisstyer in exchange for Nisstyre helping him escaped from Ched-Nasad [18,23]
Brizznarth, younger brother of Henge, finest fighter in the Vhaeraun drow settlement in the High Forest. Slain by Fyodor [18]
Codfael, fighter drow in the Vhaeraun drow settlement in the High Forest. Slain by Fyodor [18]
Drow males almost never “take” drow against their will (and often they just kill females of other races), it is a taboo reinforced by millennia of matriarchal society and indoctrination [18]
Only drow bother to capture and train quaggoths [19]
Quaggoths enter a death rage if they are not killed quickly. They become immune to pain [20]
Casting magic takes a physical toll on the caster [20,21]
Blood-bond, a magic used that causes any signs of loyalty towards the caster to be exacted in deep, magically inflicted cuts carved into the bonded persons body [23]
Trollbridge
Small village with sturdy wood and stone houses and slate roofs [12]
Trollbridge, south of the Evermoor Way [12]
Ironford Path between Deadhorse Ford and Calling Horns [12]
Steaming Kettle, an inn in Trollbridge, run by Saida a plump brisk matron with nut brown hair [12]
Tosker, human male [12]
Attacked by drow regularly (every new moon), close to the Drygully Tunnel entrance to the Underdark (although the inhabitants do not know about the tunnel) [12]
The rulers of Nesme pay well for every drow ear received [12]
Tyron, young man in Trollbridge [22]
Rashemen Lore
Rashemen berserkers use a little-known magic ritual to bring on their battle rages [1]
Ashenwood logged heavily by the Tuigan leaving large tracts of barren land [3]
On the shore of Lake Ashane is a tower built by several hundred years ago. Witches magic is more potent here because of an ancient place spirit. The witch boats are launched here against those attacking across Lake Ashane. The place spirit allows the witches to summon water wraiths (creatures of steam with scalding touch and breath hot enough to melt elven metal). A group of witches in the tower were slain by Red Wizards during the Tuigan horde, their bodies were transported magically to the Witches’ stronghold city in the east, but a powerful artifact was not retrieved and Fyodor was sent to find it (single Red Wizard slew his fellows and stole all the magic) [3]
Many people in Rashemen possess the Sight, an unreliable gift often providing insights too late, but in places of power it provides echoes of events [3]
Lake Ashane has giant dragon turtles that lurk in the depths [3]
Stara Baba, name of the legendary crone that lived in a hut (that walked on gigantic chicken legs) in the Ashenwood. The hut has a bubbling cauldron and alchemical items. The Red Wizards knew about the hut, one overcame its defences and stored the items stolen from the Witches of Rashemen there [3]
Drow are occasionally encountered in the mines under the rocky hills of Rashemen and in the Ashenwood forest [3]
A Fang is a chief in charge of a band of warriors [7]
Jhuild, a potent libation more commonly known as firewine. A lesser concoction is distilled as a trade good. The real jhuild is carried by all berserkers (some have a magic endless flask of jhuild), it can be used before battle as part of a ritual that can bring on a berserk rage. The berserkers have been trained to do this since birth (none can do so without such a lifetime of training) [7]
Old favours are soon forgotten – a saying in Rashemen (maybe Rus in origin) [9]
Rashemmi hold mercenaries with contempt. They fight only when they must, never for profit [12]
Men and women both take part in snow racing (a sport), involving racing in winter, lightly clad, and on foot [19]
Rashemmi berserkers always recover weapons of the enemy (even in their rage) because weapons are so valuable [19]
A tale is told in my land of a certain warrior. After the rage of battle left him, he wandered, wounded and confused, deeper into the forest than any man should walk. In time he came to an enchanted place and came to rest beneath a mighty tree. He saw in the distance a maiden of shadows and moonlight, more beautiful than any he had glimpsed either waking or in dreams. Now, it is said in my land that a man dies when his life surpasses his dreams. Thus the warrior passed from life with the image of the maiden before him, and the sightless tree wept golden tears. Whether in sorrow or envy, who can say? [22]
The Dark Maiden (Eilistraee) is not unknown in Rashemen, she is revered as a helpful being [24]
He who would bargain with a dragon is either a fool or a corpse. An old Rashemmi proverb [25]
Fyodor
Champion berserker. A piece of magic from the berserk ritual lodged itself in Fyodor allowing him to become a natural berserker [1]
Hard worker, bit of a dreamer, with a resonant bass voice [1]
Has an enormous black sword with a broad blade (and a thick dull edge) that is almost too big to be wielded by a normal man [1,3]
One tamed a wild snowcat for a time before it returned to the wild [1]
Strong, stocky, just short of six feet tall, pale blue topaz coloured eyes, 19 years old, dark hair cut carelessly short [3,9]
Was sent away by the Witches of Rashemen during the war with the Tuigan because he cannot control his berserker rage [3]
Was sent by the Witches of Rashemen to find an artifact lost by the witches on the shore of Lake Ashane. Also looking for an amulet – a 3 inch dagger hanging from a thin chain, the dagger’s sheath was carved with runes from a long dead language and the metal was worn and darkened with age. The witches suggested the ancient amulet might hold the key to Fyodor’s release (controlling his berserker rage????) [3]
When Fyodor enters his berserker rage he generates enough heat to melt snow and ice. When in the berserker rage he cannot speak, but can hear and understand [3]
Apprenticed to the village swordsmith for 7 years. Used to visit the village storyteller often [3]
His Sight often gives him a glimpse of the character of people, allowing him to read people better than most wise men [12]
Fyodor’s inherent berserker rage is described as his heritage and his curse (did one of his ancestors have the same ability) [19]
Windwalker
The Windwalker Amulet, a tiny dagger in a rune carved sheath. Allows the witches of Rashemen to carry their place magic with them so they can leave Rashemen. It allows them to temporarily store magic from places of power. Legend suggests it may be able to grant such powers permanently. The Windwalker may have been Rus in origin and so rune magic was its key and could help make powers permanent [10]
Heals itself when damaged, heals so well it is impossible to tell where damage has occurred [13]
The Windwalker Amulet is actually a chisel, perhaps used to carve runes onto Yggdrasil’s Child (its ancient and gnarled trunk marked by the runes of a thousand spells which only the most powerful rune could be carved using tools made by only the most powerful runecasters) [13]
Yggdrasil’s Child is located on the island of Ruathym, a most ancient and sacred oak tree [13]
Allows Liriel to take her innate drow powers and drow wizardry to the surface [17]
The Promenade
The Protectors of the Song, less than 60 dark elves, humans, dwarves, halflings that are temple guards [25]
Has a small library of scrolls and spellbooks [25]
Elkantar, Qilue Veladorn’s consort, commander of the Protectors of the Song. A rebellious noble warrior in his youth that was sold by his matron mother, he ended up on a ship (in Skullport and possibly was rescued by Qilue Veladorn????) [25]
Iljrene, priestess of Eilistraee, tiny kitten soft doll like drow. She had served under Elkantar for nearly a century [25]
Qilue Veladorn owns a singing sword [25]
The Chosen, the name of Eilistraee’s priests as a group [25]
Skullport
The Dark Maiden’s Shadow, the shadowy image of a tall and beautiful drow female that dances, shows the favour of Eilistraee [24]
The Dragon’s Hoard have two ships in Skullport, they are transporting drow children for sale in Calimshan. [25]
The Dragon’s Hoard have the services of a deep dragon named Pharx (is he the secret patron of the merchant group_ that can shape shift to humanoid form and has a lair around Skullport (the Dragon’s Hoard) an impressive cavern complex with three main chambers and a series of tunnels [25]
The Grinning Gargoyle, a tavern [25]
Pharx and Zz'Pzora slew each other. Liriel slew Nisstyre. Most of the Dragon’s Hoard band were defeated by the Protectors of the Song [25]
Hrolf the Unruly, a sea captain with a ship, managed to get arrested in Skullport. Will take Liriel and Fyodor to Ruathym [25]
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Baltas
Senior Scribe
Poland
955 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2022 : 14:17:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
The Windwalker amulet is ancient, not of Rashemmi making, but of the Rus, people of Ruathym.
It uses rune magic and has some connection to Yggdrasil's child it would seem as it is used to carve runes onto the bark of the tree (very powerful runes).
I'm wondering if the Windwalker Amulet is actually giantish in origin or heritage there were giants on Ruathym and they could have taught such knowledge to their human slaves, or alternatively the giants could have made it.
Well, when I asked Eric L. Boyd, he kinda confirmed there is some connection between Shaundakul and the Windwalker amulet (with Shaundakul's specialty priests being called also Windwalkers).
Shaundakul, as seen in Eric's post about the Ruathen pantheon, is the successor in the role of "the Wanderer" to previous Wanderer - Ulutiu.
Ulutiu was worshiped by ancient Ruathen/Northmen, and possibly Shaundakul might had been a worshiper, of inherited some his knowledge after assuming the aspect/role of the wanderer.
There is also a question if the Ulutiu worshiped by ancient Northmen was the same as Annam's rival for Othea's affections (possibly being his successor, who took on the name of the original Ulutiu, especially that Ulutiu is sometimes stated to be possibly an avatar of some deity).
Ulutiu is also the father of Giant-kin, and I had a theory in the past if maybe Ulutiu wasn't somehow related to Annam, hence being able to father giant-like beings. Maybe one of his sons, maybe brother. And the source for the story/myth of Memnor (who is otherwise described as one of Annam's son) being instead Annam's brother and rival, who Annam banished, but had to retreat himself to Outlands after that. This has some similarities to the story of Annam's and Ulutiu's conflict (especially Ulutiu wasn't really killed by Annam, just retreated, and went into torpor). And while Memnor might be a kinda controversial member of the giant pantheon, Meanwhile, Ulutiu ie anyone speaking Ulutiu's name at a ceremony dedicated to Annam, will be executed (as detailed in Giancraft, page 45). Suggesting to me a possibility Memnor was attached to a censored myth of Ulutiu as Annam's brother.
But what I mean - Ulutiu's cult might have brought giantish magic to Ruathym, or possibly was connected to the even that introduced it to ancient Northmen (if then rather by giant-kin). |
Edited by - Baltas on 15 Jun 2022 18:19:51 |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2022 : 19:25:42
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Just started Titan of Twilight.
The prologue has an interesting description of Lanaxis.
He is a shadow of sorts, unfeeling, icy cold, icy heart, lost in time, immortal.
He is cursed by Othea (or the gods, it attributes parts of his curse to different sources), so that if he remains in the Twilight Vale he will persist forever in this cursed existence. If he leaves the Vale then he will grow old and die (and so presumably get his old body back.
Now it might just be me but his current icy, frozen, eternal existence sounds a bit like a form of undeath. When he kills something he draws it into himself and gains its powers.
Also he hears the voices of everyone (i'm presuming everyone in the Vale), a curse from the gods supposedly. It sounds a bit like he is trapped partway between undeath and godhood.
Now the Epic Level Handbook has an undead called a hunefer which is a demigod whose power has not yet departed to the Astral Plane. Lanaxis would certainly qualify as a demigod when he was alive given his power level. The voices he hears could be a side effect of a partial ascension of sorts.
His undeath may not be a mummified corpse, but a shadow, no reason why all hunefer have to be mummies.
So Othea's curse separated Lanaxis' soul and body. One part lays within the Twilight Vale. The other lays outside the Vale. If he were to leave the Vale he would become mortal and eventually perish (i reckon even the first giants died of old age eventually, but they just had really really long lifespans (like the first elves had longer lifespans than modern elves).
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Demzer
Senior Scribe
877 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2022 : 17:51:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
The titan of twilight makes mention of memory and diancastra several times. Anyone have idea who they are.
Memory?
Diancastra was (is?) a giantish demigoddess of pleasures and wit, kind of like Sharess but with a sprinkle of trickster on top of the hedonism.
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Diancastra |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4688 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2022 : 17:55:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
The titan of twilight makes mention of memory and diancastra several times. Anyone have idea who they are.
From: https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Diancastra
quote:
Diancastra was the giant demigoddess of wit and pleasure, a minor trickster deity of the Ordning.
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4688 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2022 : 18:17:26
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quote:
Memnor was the giant deity of pride and control. He schemed to usurp Annam All-Father as the head of the Ordning,
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"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2022 : 18:23:02
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I don't think you can get a good feel for what Lanaxis "is" until the end of the third novel.
Even then, it's a struggle to pin down.
--Eric |
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2022 : 18:56:59
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quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
I don't think you can get a good feel for what Lanaxis "is" until the end of the third novel.
Even then, it's a struggle to pin down.
--Eric
I should add: Long-story short: I think he's an elder titan who's trapped in some magical state. |
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2022 : 21:09:13
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The Titan of Twilight (1369 DR)
Troy Denning
Bleak Palace
Bleak Palace, in the Vale. Most exalted of the citadels of the Sons of Annam [prologue]
The Well of Health, in the longest and most majestic colonnade of the Bleak Palace. The Well of Health has since been renamed the Pool of Despair by Lanaxis, Julien and Arno [prologue]
Lanaxis poisoned the Well of Health when Othea arrived. She asked everyone drink with her and so Lanaxis poisoned his brothers and Othea at once [prologue]
Othea cursed the Bleak Palace (her shadow will lie on it forever), Lanaxis will remain as a cold, unfeeling shadow. If he should ever leave then he will grow old and die [prologue]
Goboka arrived at the Bleak Palace wanting to become a shaman. Lanaxis gave him powers in return for his help in getting hold of Brianna when she was 19 years old [prologue]
Twilight Vale can only be accessed at dawn when the light casts a shadow from Othea’s Tor and opens a fissue leading from Othea’s Tor into the Endless Ice Sea. The Bleak Palace sits in the Twilight Vale which just appears in the crevice whenever the shadow touches it (planeshift????) [16]
The shadows described as abyssal shadow [16]
Lanaxis calls his brothers to rise from the grave to avenge Othea’s desecration (Tavis cleaved Othea’s Tor in two). There were more than a dozen kings, one for each of the true giants to walk Toril. The tallest, wrapped in a cloak of the whitest linen, would be Nicias, dynast of the cloud giants. Behind him was red-bearded Masud, khan of the fire giants, his dark armor glimmering through even the thick layers of dirt and ice crusting the steel. Next were Vilmos, paramount of the storm giants; Ottar, jarl of the frost giants; Ruk, chief of the hill giants; Obadai, sage of the stone giants; and several others, among them the progenitors of some races that had not been seen in the Ice Spires since before Hartsvale was a kingdom. In their black and withered hands, all the monarchs clutched ancient weapons of splendor and power. Nicias whirled his pearly morningstar over his head, spraying a cloud of boiling white vapor toward the sundered tor. In the same instant, Vilmos brought his sword down on the plain, Ruk smashed his ebony club into his own palm, Masud pointed his flaming spear at Tavis's chest. [16]
Lanaxis
Lanaxis, Titan of Twilight, the founder of Ostoria Empire of Giants, Lanaxis the Chosen One. Lanaxis hears the voices of everyone inside his head (why, he believes a curse from the gods????). [prologue]
Lanaxis does not experience time like mortals. He is pulled into normal time by the Time of Troubles [prologue]
Lanaxis can take on the form of anything he kills, he slays a roc and becomes a shadowroc [prologue]
Hides himself in a purple mantle of magic [prologue]
Has an eagle familiar [prologue]
Lanaxis’ brothers had sons and daughters [prologue]
Dying fire giants call on Lanaxis to send them to Surtr [4]
In Ostoria’s absence the giants have grown weak and stupid [4]
Purple skinned
Wears a cloak of purple twilight, a sash of shimmering starlight, and a crown of black silver beset with rubies and sapphires darker than night
Lanaxis has been in Twilight Vale for 3000 years (should that be 30,000 years [9]
Lanaxis remains invulnerable while cloaked in purple mist. This can be removed with bright light and then he can be hurt [9]
Vilmos committed a wrong (against Lanaxis????) a long time ago, and so the storm giants owe Lanaxis a debt. The storm giants slew Hartkiller and drove Annam from Toril forever (but Vilmos couldn’t have done this because he was already dead, therefore Vilmos committed another wrong against Lanaxis personally????) [11]
Lanaxis crawled from his birthing cave fully grown and immortal [11]
Wields a great two handed sword [16]
Other Lore
Othea the Mother Queen [prologue]
Hartsvale and the giants had been at war for the past 3 years, drained the royal treasury [1]
Firbolg women are pregnant for 2 years [1]
A verbeeg uttered the saying “Karontor’s wolves” as a curse [7]
Basil talks of Memnor and DIancastra
“As black and deep as Memnor’s cold heart”
Tavis receives too much healing in a few days, his system is overloaded with magic, any further healing will cause wounds to take a long time to heal and will shorten his life by many years [9]
The Midnight Circle (a constellation of stars????) [15]
Hartsvale
Gorge of the Silver Wyrm, granite cliffs on one side with mines and miners and a felled pine forest. More than 8 leagues long, has a fire giant stronghold at the far end of the gorge [1]
Wyrm River, broad river, flows through the Gorge of the Silver Wyrm [1]
The Silver Citadel in the Gorge of the Silver Wyrm [1]
The Silver Duchess, name of the mine in the Gorge of the Silver Wyrm. The Drifts (named by tunnel wizards), a section of the mine where the tunnels cross and recross. [4,6]
Company of the Royal Snow Bear, personal guard of Queen Brianna. 21 horse lancers and 120 armoured pikemen strong. Slain by fire giants [1]
Earl Radborne Wynn, earl of the Storming Gorge. A stout old man with a beard and a long mane of grey hair. Slain by Galgadayle [1]
Ancient tradition holds that only consecrated veins of ore can be mined, otherwise Skoraeus Stonebones will swallow anyone breaking that tradition. The ruler of Hartsvale (blood of Annam????) can consecrate such veins [1]
Queen Brianna has been pregnant for more than three years [1]
Glacier bears [1]
Tavis is known as the Lion of Hartwick for his size and hunting prowess (have they even heard of lions in Hartsvale, maybe snow lions????) [2]
Gerda, the royal midwife [3]
Avner joined the Border Scouts two years ago [3]
Gryffitt, an old married man, one of the lancers of the Company of the Snow Bear. Has 6 children (slain by verbeeg) [4]
Thatcher Warton, lancer of the Company of the Snow Bear. Single (slain by fomorian) [4]
One of the first things Border Scouts learn is how to treat wounds and stitch clothing [5]
Marwick, lancer of the Company of the Snow Bear. Green eyes. Has a family, wife and children (slain by verbeeg) [6]
Wynn Castle. Guards the southern passages with which Hartsvale trades with the outside world. Strongest castle in Hartsvale (apart from Castle Hartwick). More than once the castle has survived assaults by fire giants [7,8]
Basil of Lyndusfarne, Royal Librarian and Runecaster to Her Majesty the Queen. Basil discovered the location of Annam’s Axe, Sky Cleaver. Whoever wields the axe will rule all giants, it will exaggerate their base desires (conquest, lust, etc) and can provide knowledge
River Citadel, somewhere in Hartsvale near the Clearwhorl River [9]
The Bleeding Circle (the sun????) [9]
The Bleak Plain, north of Hartsvale [9]
Dexter (royal executioner????) [9]
First Defender, title for royal bodyguard [9]
The Cold Marches, on Hartsvale’s northern border. Home to forest groves of spearhead spruce and bloody tamarack trees. The manors in this land were assaulted by frost giants earlier this year in a month long rampage [10]
Dervish owls with golden eyes, blue pheasant, kestrels, harriers, siskins, hawks, sparrows, crows, skunkbirds (that steal eggs and have white striped bodies), condors [12]
Moose [12]
Vultures [12]
Spire eagle [12]
Wind Keep, on the northern border of Hartsvale [13]
Cuthbert Pass, guarded by Gap Tower [13]
Avner slain by Awn [13]
Annam’s Hallway, an icy gorge running straight through the heart of Split Mountain. Walls of the gorge are more than a mile high. Supposedly Split Mountain and Annam’s Hallway were created over 100 centuries ago when Annam hurled Sky Cleaver into the mountain (angry at Othea for her faithlessness) [14]
Not many years ago, Tavis knew a fire giant named Kwasid, a young and enigmatic fire dancer [14]
Giants
Galgadayle, an old prophet male firbolg, milky eyed with a flyaway mane of grey hair. His dream visions are never wrong. Twice he has saved entire tribes, once when he foresaw a landslide engulf a verbeeg village, and again when he predicted a flood would deluge a fomorian cave. Has foreseen that Brianna will have twins and one will lead the giants against the north [1]
Raeyadfourne, chief of Meadowhome, brawny, 12 ft tall, pale eyes the colour of blue tourmaline [3]
The firbolg of Meadowhome decided to make Queen Brianna part of their clan and then take her into their protection (forcibly) [3]
Munairoe, shaman firbolg of Meadowhome [5]
Ethelhard, firbolg warrior of Meadowhome [5]
Meadowhome Clan of Firbolg [6]
Firbolg can change size at will, they cannot share the secret with outsiders [6]
Claegborne, firbolg warrior of Clan Meadowhome [6]
Horatio, verbeeg [7]
Jerome, handsome verbeeg [7]
Awn, fomorian [9]
Ror fomorian chieftain [9]
Orisino, verbeeg chieftain [9]
Anastes, storm giant [11]
Nikol, Ramos, Sebastion, Patma, storm giants [11]
Eusebius, storm giant [12]
Verbeeg’s consider private property an archaic concept, instead they believe all things belong to all people [14]
Karontor revered by verbeegs [14]
Othea’s Tor, an inselberg (hill of granite) on the edge of the Endless Ice Sea at the end of a crevice, its tip barely 200 ft above the ice plateau. It resembles the figure of a fleshy woman kneeling in the snow with her haunches on her heels. Basil insists this is the remains of Othea [15]
Language
Galgadayle translated roughly as “The One who Dreams for Us," [3]
Raeyadfourne was "Broad Shoulders that Bear Our Burdens." [3]
"Oin" simply meant "lies in," [3]
"ur" meant "watches over," [3]
Kaedlaw, means as handsome as his father (in other words ugly) [5]
Sky Cleaver
It took Basil three years, two new languages, and the library at Castle Hartwick to learn the location of Sky Cleaver and how to free it [14]
Snad a hill giant (he has transparent skin) lives in a cavern complex beneath Annam’s Hall where Sky Cleaver is hidden. Snad is the guardian of Sky Cleaver. Snad slew the previous guardian - old Kwasid [14]
Sky Cleaver, handle is made of ivory, 8 ft long and carved with scenes of godly might (Stronmaus smashing moons with his mighty hammer, Hiatea thrusting her flaming spear into the heart of the fifty-headed hydra, Iallanis joining the hands of Memnor and Karontor in brotherly love.). Axe head is made of obsidian and bound to the handle with golden twine [14]
Sky Cleaver makes those that see it desire to possess it. [14]
Sky Cleaver can cut to the heart of any matter (it reveals truth????) [14]
While holding the axe, the possessor is immune to all magic [14]
Skoraeus Stonebones made Sky Cleaver, those desiring to possess the axe must say "In the name of Skoraeus Stonebones, Your Maker, O Sky Cleaver, do I summon you into the service of my hand." The axe then flies into the hand of whoever uttered the phrase [14]
All giants (and giant kin) are compelled to obey the wielder of Sky Cleaver, those nearby flock to its wielder. All desire to possess the axe as well and many try to take it [15]
Using Sky Cleaver’s powers drains life (youth, vitality) from the wielder, aging them quickly. Snad was 50 years old but already a withered almost transparent old giant [15]
Primary power is to cleave anything (presumably it can cut through any defence) [16]
Secondary power is to protect the wielder from most kinds of harm [16]
Cleaving burns away the bonds that tie the wielder to the physical world, making them transparent and ultimately separating spirit from body. Defensive powers rapidly age the wielder [16]
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2022 : 21:25:59
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Not my favourite novel.
Still no wiser as to Lanaxis' curse or how it operates. I'm still thinking some kind of separated soul and body, maybe not an undead but definitely not a whole being.
Towards the end the shadow kept being described as abyssal which could be significant. Twilight Vale simply appeared when shadow touched it, which says to me some kind of plane shift (the abyss being on another plane), but given that its shadow related and Lanaxis is harmed by bright light i think the Bleak Palace and the Twilight Vale were plane shifted to the plane of shadow or some demiplane (because the plane of shadow is of course a recent thing).
Not much lore, but a few interesting points regarding the sons of Annam. There were over a dozen brothers of Lanaxis raised as zombies. Now we only know of 8 (and Dunmore was not slain if i recall correctly so he doesnt count), which means there are at least 5 other sons of Annam that represent other true giant races that are now lost to Toril (or perhaps just Faerun).
I was reminded about the Titan's leaving Toril, which coincides with a meteor strike that most think is located in Faerun, but i'm pretty sure it would be better placed in Zakhara. So big question is, how far away is Al-Qadim from the FrozenFar. We know the empire of Ostoria dominated the north of Faerun and it is likely it did not extend as far south as Zakhara through Faerun, but what if it extended down the other side of the north pole. There is a very heavy giant presence including many races not known in Faerun (desert, jungle, and reef giants), they could be the descendants of the unknown sons of Annam.
Lots of inconsistencies though. Again Lanaxis left the Twilight Vale without becoming mortal but did age quickly in sunlight (however immortality and youth restored in twilight vale), as a shadowroc however he could go anywhere including Anauroch.
Snad the hill giant was transparent which implies he knew the command to use Sky Cleaver, how could a hill giant know it when Basil required 3 years, two new languages (presumably ancient Jotun) and the library of Hartwick to learn the commands and location etc.
Why did Lanaxis not just take Brianna in the first book if he could leave Twilight Vale so easily.
As for the nature of Lanaxis. I dont think any of the sons of Annam should be considered a normal giant. Like the ancient elves they are far more powerful than any representative of the race today, bigger, stronger, magically more powerful, and practically immortal. As time passed the giants have gotten weaker with each generation it would seem. |
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Edited by - Gary Dallison on 22 Jun 2022 21:28:00 |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Demzer
Senior Scribe
877 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2022 : 14:27:54
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The giants were all over Faerun at the peak of Ostoria (circa -28000 DR), from the far north to the Giant's Run Mountains (the kingdom of Nedeheim, "surviving" into the 1370s at least), the Ash Plains in Unther and even Fuirgar, the "Land of Stone Giants", down at the doorsteps of Raurin.
There is also the matter of Othea doing the deed with Vaprak and Vaprak allegedly being present around Luiren (if you believe the halflings ... which is probably not wise). So I guess there is enough to think there was a giant presence (if not dominance) down to the southernmost reaches of Faerun proper.
So it's not unbelievable for them to have gotten down to Zakhara at some point. Probably, without anything keeping them in check and able to stop the giants' expansion (it's not until circa -26000 that the dragons got their collective s**t together and started fighting the giants meaningfully and even then took them one thousand years to "win"), they went through progressive waves of migration as the families and clans grew. Instead of fighting each other due to overpopulation they just traveled a bit farther out (and slowly adapted to different climates, thus all the subspecies/variants). |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2428 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2022 : 02:23:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
Of course there are always portals to explain giant presence in Zakhara. THere is a big genie presence in Zakhara and has been right from the beginning,
The Bedine and their survivng spells are clearly of Zakharan origin. Also IIRC there was a mention of minor yikaria presence (scout) in some of mountain chains around Netheril.
So yes, there are (or at least were) portals between these places.
quote:
they were servants to the giants i believe in the early times.
Sauce?
quote:
Originally posted by Demzer
The giants were all over Faerun at the peak of Ostoria (circa -28000 DR),
...
So it's not unbelievable for them to have gotten down to Zakhara at some point. Probably, without anything keeping them in check and able to stop the giants' expansion (it's not until circa -26000 that the dragons got their collective s**t together and started fighting the giants meaningfully
The giants were "upstarts", expanding when the power of dragons was shattered, right?
The dragons in turn took their perch from the Creator Races, and not easily.
The giants are tough, but not powerful enough to go against the kind of creatures who can make entire new species whenever they want an army or something. Specifically including the wyverns.
Thus, they were in much the same position as humans: in the shadows of real powerhouses.
Zakhara is unusual, in that there are no true dragons. According to Zakharan legends, that's because the genies, uh, dissuaded them from settling there. Specifically, genie sorcerers are quite scary, and most of the time they don't advertise their presence (stay disguised as humans or sometimes invisible) right until some poor soul asks for a trouble.
The giants as we know them could not stand up to the dragons when those paid attention, so way out of their league with the genies.
The later human/demihuman people are backed by strong countermeasures against disruption from the genie games and rampages: not only divine powers, but also genie-binding. After Jafar al-Samal changed the game board. Yet the genies are still feared.
The local giants exist as small tribes, not very numerous.
Thus the early giant rule of the Haunted Lands and human now-Ruined Kingdoms either:
A. existed before the genies moved in, and quickly crumbled under this new pressure. Or
B. had something to hold their own, and more than just some shamans. |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
Edited by - TBeholder on 24 Jun 2022 02:58:25 |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Demzer
Senior Scribe
877 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2022 : 13:46:26
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quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
The giants were "upstarts", expanding when the power of dragons was shattered, right?
Wrong. As Gary said, the giants appeared around the same time the dragons were done with the Creator Races (circa -30000 DR) with Annam "spawning" them through his relationship with the Toril-bound Othea. Ostoria kept expanding at the same time as dragons ruled in other places, the big difference is that the giants were more or less a cohesive empire while each dragon (family) did his own thing.
I'm guessing that by saying "the power of dragons was shattered" you mean the first rage of dragons? That wasn't until circa -25000 DR, right at the end of the millenia long war between dragons and giants.
So the giants were bossing it around with dragons on the playing field and while the first generations of uber-elves (both from Faerie and from Tintageer) were appearing.
It's the elves that got it easy, with the big boys (dragons and giants) taking each other out leaving space for the pointy-eared empires. |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2022 : 21:40:53
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Reading All Shadows Fled, some nice extra lore on the dales i didnt know about.
One thing that is bothering me, and its happened a few times in Ed's novels now, perhaps someone can clear it up for me.
The Zhents hire mercs, i'm fine with that, seems like a Zhentish thing to do. The mercs appear to be commanded by Zhent commanders with ranks like Swordlord and Swordcaptain. Again makes sense, even if you hired a mercenary unit you might want your own men in charge (although i bet it costs more).
But, when it goes into some detail in the common troops, they all seem to be Zhents as well, which doesnt make sense. I would perhaps expect a few regular rank and file troops to be Zhent plants to keep an eye on the mercs etc, but every one of them seems to be armed like a Zhent, behave like a Zhent, and in many cases have been to Zhentil Keep before.
So, if anyone knows, or can ask Ed, how does this work. Are the Zhents planting their troops throughout the Dragon Reach and then rehiring them as mercenaries, although i cant imagine why they would bother. Or do the Zhents have so many Zhentilar, and so many of them leave regular service that the Dragon Reach is literally flooded with 10,000 or more former Zhentilar that then hire on as mercs whenever Zhentil Keep has a major campaign (presumably for lots of coin because Zhentilar do not live very long).
Love the novels, but sometimes i dont always catch the nuances.
I do quite enjoy the conversations between characters though, i know some people complain that it feels out of place but in all honesty i think i would behave the same way if i were about to die at any moment. |
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TheIriaeban
Master of Realmslore
USA
1289 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2022 : 03:18:59
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| My understanding is that the Zhentarim are like the secret police/spies for Zhentil Keep. The Zhentilar is the army/everyone else. They have different command structures but both report to the Lords of the Keep. So, if the secret police needs some troops, they would hire the army to provide whatever cannon fodder they need. That way, they get a quantity of troops with known skill sets and familiar equipment without having to worry about the loyalty of those troops. |
"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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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2022 : 10:15:05
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Because the Zhentarim no doubt control several mercenary companies throughout the western Inner Sea lands and in this particular case, padded out the Sword of the South with regular Zhentilar given they were on a march of conquest.
-- 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 |
Posted - 29 Jun 2022 : 21:04:26
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Well, just got to a point in All Shadows Fled where one of the Malaugrym assumed a panther shape and killed a Sembian villager.
Immediately made me think of Kelemvor, i'd always wondered about the origin of his curse.
Then i remembered another passage in All Shadows Fled, talking about a Malaugrym who had offspring in Faerun, they would have weak shapeshifting abilities and have no knowledge of their heritage (i'm assuming Shadowhome augments their shapeshifting abilities massively and permanently).
So one possible thought to an origin for Kelemvor, he had an ancestor that was a Malaugrym or other shapeshifter. That "gift" is gradually watered down over the years until it cannot be controlled, the curse of the sorceress on the Lyonsbanes may not have instilled the shapeshifting ability at all, it may just have applied a trigger such as particular emotions (greed for the original curse on Kyle Lyonsbane, and then altruism later), and otherwise prevented the Lyonsbane's from controlling their ability (Kyle Lyonsbane was a powerful mercenary, it is likely he had special abilities that enabled him to achieve that, taking panther form may have been that ability).
Just a thought, something a little different from what is written but well within the lines established by canon. |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2022 : 18:38:49
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All Shadows Fled (1358 DR)
Ed Greenwood
Malaugrym
For centuries, the Malaugrym had been dark figures of legend, fey sorcerers who could take any shape they chose. They came to Faerun to impersonate kings and reavers and archmages, to entertain themselves with the havoc they could wreak—and to seize mortal women as breeding slaves, carrying them off across the planes to the place they called Shadowhome [prologue]
Most of Clan Malaug survived Sharantyr’s rampage, and more (a trio at least) entered Faerun with the returning heroes to wander the Realms at will [prologue,1]
Othortyn, shadowmaster, old, bald, able to cast spell loop [1]
Inder and Hastrim, lesser Malaugrym. Inder slain by Othortyn [1]
Atari, Yinthrim, and Revered Elder Ahorga (son of Yerga) survived the battle with Elminster and the Simbul at Daggerdale and have escaped into Faerun. Atari and Yinthrim are slain while trying to murder Sylune and Sharantyr [1,2,8]
Bralatar and Lorgyn and Lunquar (the older of the three) get of Byatra found their own way into Faerun. All ended up in Sembia [1,11]
Starner, lesser malaugrym, maybe slain in the battle with Elminster and Simbul [1]
Jaster and many other malaugrym slain in the battle with Elminster and Simbul [1]
A grotto, deep in the ever shifting cellars of the Castle of Shadows, where thinking shadows glide endlessly through the gloom. The Shadowmaster High (and past incumbents) is wont to hide the bones of rivals they want to make vanish. A cold cavern of rough rock where waters drip endlessly among the pale glow of fungi. In the centre are to seats carved out of the flanks of two stalagmites each bearing a rune believed to be a sign of Malaug (found in a few places and well known in the lore of the House of Malaug). The grotto is a place of power, of ancient magic heavy in the air. [10]
Argast and Amdramnar (the best of the younger generation of Shadowmasters) recently discovered the grotto in the writings of Shadowmaster High Melvydur. [10]
Shadowmaster High Melvydur had been dead for a thousand years. He wrote of the grotto as the place where he conceived his dynasty. It is where he laid to rest the bodies of all his sons who rebelled against him. He was slain by his last son [10]
Argast and Amdramnar use old magic to form a bond, what damage occurs to one will also befall the other, until someone breaks the vial using special magics to prevent grave damage to both [10]
Milhvar spent much time and effort on covert expeditions into Faerun seeking magic and mates (he likely has offspring in Faerun with weak shapeshifting abilities and little knowledge of their heritage) [10]
The Hall of Griffons in the Castle of Shadows [10]
Bralatar and Lorgyn know a way to craft a portal that uses the life energies of a wizard to power it (the wizards hangs in place paralysed). Most mortals can power the passage of only 4 beings before they wither away to lifeless husks [12]
It was a pity the senior Malaugrym never revealed the locations of the ancient gates in Faerun built or discovered by the early blood of Malaug. All the gates known by the senior Malaugrym have been trapped to prevent access by anyone not familiar with Malaugrym guard spells [12]
Lunquar is a loner, refused to work with Dhalgrave [12]
Ahorga is a loner (slain by Storm Silverhand) [12,14]
Hall of the Eyes, little used by Malaugrym [12]
Hathtor’s Gallery, well travelled by the Malaugrym [12]
Argast, son of Halthor. His mother fled the Castle of Shadows long ago and hid somewhere in Faerun from the seeking magic of the House of Malaug. She was pregnant at the time and Argast must have siblings. He longs to locate his mother and kin so he can breed with them and found a new dynasty of Shadowmasters (were past dynasties like Melvydur founded on incest, would his female kin be fertile if they fled Shadowhome????) [12]
Amdramnar desires only to make Sharantyr his mate [12]
Most magic cannot pry into the thoughts of Malaugrym [12]
Rumours that Malaug left powerful magic hidden on Faerun before he came to Shadowhome. Old Stannar wanted to find this hidden magic [12]
Lorgyn ransacked Candlekeep trying to find Malaug’s writings, he found nothing, not even in the minds of the eldest whitebeards [12]
The Undercrypt, home to pillars that are whispered to hold traitor Malaugrym entombed alive to keep the foundations of the Castle from being swept away by shadows [13]
The Watcher, a truly ancient shadow in the Undercrypt, never breaks silence. Believed by some to be the last vestiges of Malaug, the First to Walk Shadows. Others believe the Castle of Shadows is sentient and the Undercrypt is where it is most awake and aware [13]
There are tales that Malaug bedded a doppelganger to give the Malaugrym their shapeshifting powers [13]
Silver is poisonous to Malaugrym [14]
Everfire wands [16]
Gathran and Hulurran of the Winds, Malaugrym, saw Milhvar’s notes regarding the Cloak of Shadows [18]
Anduthil, created a hideaway for safe storage in the Castle of Shadows. Anduthil has since perished [18]
Milhvar wasn’t wearing his Cloak of Shadows when he perished [18]
Dhalgrave survived, he wears the Cloak of Shadows that Milhvar created [18]
Argast, Amdramnar, and Lorgyn all attacked Shadowdale. Then Dhalgrave also appeared. All were slain and Elminster appeared and slew Dhalgrave and burned the Cloak of Shadows with Spellfire [18]
Elminster
Journeyed twice to the Castle of Shadows to humble the House of Malaug. No mortal had ever dared (until Sharantyr, Belkram and Itharr went wielding the Sword of Mystra) [prologue]
On Kythorn 20 1358 DR, Elminster was hurling meteor swarms over Telflamm to feed a wild magic area and help it grow into a shield against the Red Wizards [1]
When Zhentil Keep sent its armies against Shadowdale, a local mage (Perendra – a good friend of Elminster’s) called down a lightning storm and cooked many in their armour. Elminster transformed a few thousand into boulders in Voonlar while they were camped (they were supposed to turn into toads), they mass transformation spell created an area of wild magic that is still expanding [1]
For the last 10 years or so, Elminster has been grooming every hero he could find to defend Shadowdale [6]
Daggerdale
Sharantyr, Belkram, Itharr return to Faerun on Kythorn 20 1358 DR and met Elminster in the ruined manor in Daggerdale where the portal exists. A spell loop (cast by Othortyn the High Shadowmaster) kept them in stasis until Flamerule 15 1358 DR. [1]
The gate to the Castle of Shadows was destroyed by a wild magic area created by Elminster after Sylune destroyed the spell loop [1]
By 23 Flamerule 1358 DR, Irythkeep had become a home to Cult of the Dragon mage [13]
Malarnus, Ornthar, Chaladar, Felus, Cult of the Dragon mages hiding in Irythkeep [13]
Yheldon, Harper???? [13]
At the end the Rangers Three are sent to DAggerdale to aid Randal Morn [18]
Shadowdale
Zhentil Keep sent 4 armies. The one coming down through Voonlar is the largest (thinned by Perendra and Elminster by a few thousand). The second is north of the Flaming Tower, Elminster spent a while teleporting wyverns and hydra and behirs and firedrakes and death kisses into their camp. Fzoul is leading 400 men through Daggerdale, Elminster warned several orc bands foraging in Daggerdale that a well provisioned Zhent force was passing through (they should try to rob the Zhents). More Zhents are waiting around Grimstead. The fourth army is the Sword of the South (7,000 strong), a band of Sembian mercenaries hired by Zhent agents, been assembling for a month or more in Battledale and drawn from all over Sembia and the eastern dales, their orders are to take Mistledale and march up the Mistle Trail to Shadowdale [1]
The Knights of Myth Drannor are in Mistledale assembling the Riders of Mistledale [1]
Valaster’s Stand, an arrow shaped ridge in eastern Daggerdale that rises sharply upward as it runs northwest to end in a jagged overhang of rock (used by many travellers to camp under). A thick stand of shadowtop trees run along the ridge (and wiser travellers camp here to hide from predators). Valaster chose this place to die [2]
Flamerule 16 1358 DR, Mourngrym was poisoned by a Zhentarim blade and the dale is packed full of wounded people and all the healers and potions are in use, and Elminster is away [5]
Zhents had tried to taint the River Ashaba by dumping carrion into it and tried to poison the well of the Old Skull Inn [5]
Florin Falconhand, the Shield of Shadowdale. Born in Cormyr
Bronn Selgard, the smith, wields a great iron headed hammer during the battle of Shadowdale [9]
Bucko, known as Hammer-hand Bucko, the wagonmaker, wields a sledgehammer [9]
Elminster was dealing with Bane at the temple of Lathander during the battle of Shadowdale 18 Flamerule 1358 DR [9]
Jenna, Shaerl’s maid, worships Eldath, tending the wounded at the Old Skull Inn during the battle of Shadowdale [9]
The Simbul annihilated the Central Blade of Bane’s Black Gauntlet (military units, one of the four armies of Zhentil Keep sent against Shadowdale????) [9]
Justice and fair trial have been the way since Doust became Lord of Shadowdale [10]
The Rowanmantles gifted Mourngrym gloriously hued maps of the dales as a wedding present [11]
After the battle of Shadowdale there are rumours of a Zhent mageling amassing 40+ Zhentilar in the woods east of Shadowdale [11]
Ahorga the Malaugrym was hiding in the Tower of Ashaba, impersonating furniture and servants [11]
In the past Storm Silverhand was once whipped as a slave, and wooed by a well endowed prince [11]
In the past Sylune once clung to the spar of a ship breaking apart in a storm. She also was paralysed and probed by a drow mage trying to determine if her powers lay in her organs (that could be removed) or if she had to be bred to drow so they could steal her abilities [11]
Storm Silverhand was there at the treaty of the Standing Stone, and there again when Sembia signed the treaty to gain access to the Moonsea North [13]
Storm Silverhand wears a gorget protected with an ironguard spell, it can also be used to change her clothes on command (from adventuring attire to Sembia dressware) and hide a dagger and coins. [13,14]
Storm Silverhand is immune to poison (like the other Chosen) [14]
There have been 7 open battles between Shadowdale and Zhentil Keep across the past 10 summers [14]
Storm Silverhand has freed folk from petrification after many years, known in tales to others (in Sembia) [14]
Storm once met a Netherese man whose body had withered away to almost nothing, so he tried to take her body [14]
Storm Silverhand is almost 600 years old (594 or 595????). She spent her first 70 years in witless pursuit of fun before deciding what she wanted to do [14]
Guthtar, guard at the crossroads in Shadowdale [15]
Thurbal (captain of Shadowdale guard) hired a number of guards from Belgard’s School after the Battle of Shadowdale [15]
Aldus, one of Belgard’s Boys hired to guard the Tower of Ashaba. [15]
Purk, cook at the Tower of Ashaba in Shadowdale [15]
Bethra, maid in the Tower of Ashaba in Shadowdale [15]
Belmer, guard in Shadowdale, recently had a child [16]
Aunsible and Harath, guards, Belgard’s Boys, hail from Westgate [16]
Shadowdale lost more than half its soldiers in the Battle of Shadowdale [16]
Thurton, hired farmhand [16]
Aglyn lost his grandsire in the Battle of Shadowdale, his nan’s (known as Nan) husband, possibly called Undlejack [16]
Arbeth Justicar of Tyr [16]
Other Lore
Teleportation magic seems to be working well during the Time of Troubles [1]
Elves never fought from the saddle [3]
Call of the Just, name of the devotion (prayer or song????) to Tyr [5]
Moongleam, a wine [6]
The Nose Bones, a hobgoblin tribe near Voonlar, about to attack the Zhentarim army [6]
“Ye gods and small creeping things hear my plea”, said by Borthin (around the Moonsea, Sembia, Dales, etc????), a legendary warrior who uttered it when facing half a hundred orcs alone on a crag. Now used as an old old prayer of desperate warriors [7]
Silver damages shape shifters [7]
The Ring of Skulls, a battle spell of Tempus (might require the caster’s death in battle to complete casting????). Causes the skulls of nearby bodies to animate and shoot rays of blue light at enemies, anyone they strike melts the flesh off the bone. At the end an avatar of Tempus comes to claim the body of the caster
The Deathrealms, name for the afterlife [9]
The Rangers Three, used to refer to Belkram, Itharr, and Sharantyr among the Harpers and Knights of Myth Drannor [9]
Azuth the Hand of Sorcery [10]
Talk of wealthy merchants in Sembia hiring small armies in the hopes of seizing a dale as a private estate [11]
"By the treaty of the Stone in whose shadow we stand," Storm said quietly, "any dale lord is empowered to send patrols out on the roads—and all travellers on the road are bound to obey such patrols and surrender to their queries and examinations." "That treaty is centuries old! We pay no attention to it in Sembia!" "Old it may be," Storm replied calmly, "but I was there at its making, and I was also present not so long ago as all that, when the young land of Sembia in turn signed it to gain trade access to the Moonsea North and grow to its present wealth. [13]
During the Time of Troubles Sembia became unsafe, without watch spells, thieves and brigands were free to loot and kidnap and slay as they wished [13]
Glowfire, a wine [14]
Zhentil Keep’s aggressive nature is causing problems for traders and trade in the Moonsea and the Dales [14]
Zhentil Keep attempts to control how and where ore is brought out of Glister, and how and where anything is brought out of Daggerdale. They try to dictate where and when ships may sail the Moonsea, dictate the terms that all must trade in the region, and whether anyone in the region may trade with their rivals of Cormyr and Mulmaster [14]
Zhentil Keep’s aggression has kept the price of furs artificially high for the past ten years [14]
Zhentil Keep have done quite well in their dreaming. Voonlar is already their vassal town, the Citadel of the Raven, which was to belong to us all, is firmly in their grasp, and Teshwave and Yulash lie in ruins because of them ... to say nothing of the harm done to the once-proud cities of the Moonsea North, Daggerdale, the Border Forest, and west along the trade route to far Waterdeep. [14]
Recent Zhent dealings in Saerloon involved a lady sorceress that seduced a number of merchants and turned them into stone statues. The sorceress was a Zhent agent (and may have been a netherese sorceress) [14]
Belgard, a retired mercenary living in Westgate that runs a school that turns out guards known for their efficient cruelty and alertness (known as Belgard’s Boys). They have gained swift popularity in Sembia. Cost 5 sp a day plus food, accommodation, and armament [15]
the Lost Ring of Blaestarn lies beneath the third flagstone south of the unicorn fountain, in the house where you've been searching; the white dragon Glandananglar is no more, and her treasure lies under her bones in a cave on the east side of Mount Ahaeragh— its mouth is covered by an illusion, but lies below the tallest horn; and the ioun stones of Thavilar Halcontar are buried a long pace to the south of the duskwood tree in the northwestern corner of his garden. [18]
Belkram spoke to Khelben Arunsun once, and Laeral several times [18]
Mistledale
Elminster has had the mages of Twilight Hall modify their magic so they can cast it through another person (so they can unleash a dozen spells at once). Elminster crafted Sylune another body (an spread rumours about the Ghost Witch of Shadowdale) so she can direct the spells (which will unfortunately burn up / destroy the body [1]
The Six Shields, a cheap rooming house east of Lhuin’s Tannery, opened recently for field workers and drovers [1]
Hart of the Arms, a more expensive inn (than the Six Shields) [1]
Verdant farms stretched away on both sides of the road, which ran like a sword blade down the length of Mistledale. Along the backs of those prosperous steadings stood the unbroken green wall of the encircling Elven Court woods. [2]
Kuthe, one of the Riders of Mistledale, officer - commands 6 men [2]
The eastern end of Mistledale, where the flanking arms of the forest met to form a narrow green tunnel around the road to the Standing Stone, had always been called Treesedge. [2]
Ornold, one of the Riders of Misteldale, commanded by Kuthe [2]
Baergil, old Rider of Mistledale, recalled to help fight the Zhents. Led the Riders of Mistledale 30 years ago. Later left the Riders to become a priest of Tempus. Knows a battle spell that will raise skeletal reavers from the recently fallen dead and have them march to a destination fighting any armed men that attack them. Cast the Ring of Skulls at the Battle of Sword Creek [2,8]
Galath’s Roost, a ruined keep prepared as a death trap for the Zhent’s. Blasted apart 4 centuries ago by mages that knew their business. A small riven keep atop a stony height, now swallowed up by the forest. Main hall in Galath’s Roost is huge, large enough for 2000 men to bunk in, some rubbish and mold, a lot of water, an empty high seat of bare stone, and steps leading to the upper floor. Much of the Roost was trapped to collapse by the Knights of Myth Drannor, the entire great hall collapsed into the cellar. [2,5,7]
20 Harpers sent from Twilight Hall to defend Ashabenford. [3]
Captain Nelyssa, of the Riders of Mistledale, paladin of Chauntea, known as Shield of Chauntea [3]
Swords Creek, traditionally battles are fought at Sword Creek in Mistledale, many battles have been fought here [3,4]
Ostyn, older Rider of Mistledale [3]
Margrueth, ragged old crone with a large warty nose and a fat shapeless body. Contemporary of Sylune. Harper, sorceress. Gave her life energy to bring Captain Nelyssa back to life [4,8]
Jarald, pilgrim of Tyr, helping defend Mistledale at Galath’s Roost. Slain by Malaugrym [5]
Riders of Misteldale helms are blazoned with a white horse
Battle of Sword Creek on 17 Flamerule 1358 DR
The Rangers Three battled Zhents at Harper’s Hill near Treesedge on 26 Flamerule 1358 DR [15]
Sword of the South
Gostar (slain by the skeletal Estard) and Rorst, mercenaries in the Sword of the South mercenary band. Gostar had once fought on the rolling plains near Thentia [2]
Estard, Zhentilar rider in the Sword of the South mercenary band, slain by Jhessail and Illistyl [2]
Swordlord Amglar, Zhentilar with supreme command of the Sword of the South (even over the mages). Under orders to report regularly to Draethe – steward of the Inner Circle – regarding Ondelar’s performance. Slain by Sylune [3,8]
Ondelar, Zhentarim wizard, elitist, likes fireballs. Slain by Belurastra with a poisoned dagger. Spellmaster of the Sword (unit) of Zhentilar warriors [3]
Myarvuk, Zhentarim wizard with a curling black beard. Apprentice to Ondelar. Son of Thaelon. Slain by Elminster’s arrow trap at the Standing Stone [3,4,5]
Landras, young Zhentarim wizard, apprentice to Ondelar, learning the firewhip spell [3]
Swordcaptains title [5]
Lancecaptain title [5]
300 armsmen and 120 horses slain at the Standing Stone [5]
Baeremuth Asanter, slain by traps at Galath’s Roost, scout in Pelaeron’s Mace [6]
Fflarast Blackriver, mercenary and scouts in the Sword of the South in Pelaeron’s Mace. Served as honour guard in the main hall of the Black Altar in Zhentil Keep more than once. Transferred to Amglar’s Mace. Slain by Baergil [6,7,8]
Dellyn, small unit commander (corporal????) in Sword of the South [6]
Pelaeron, swordcaptain of Pelaeron’s Mace (a unit in the Sword of the South????), scourge of lazy soldiers, slain by traps in Galath’s Roost [7]
Swordcaptain Aezel [7]
Swordcaptain Tschender [7]
The swordcaptains are usually the spoiled sons of nobles [7]
Shieldmaster Tesker, part of Amglar’s Mace [7]
Sword of the South is split into Mace’s, each several hundred strong at least, each one led by a swordcaptain (and one for the swordlord) [7]
Pelaeron’s Mace were all slain in Galath’s Roost [7]
Sword, a title for a soldier (more senior than regular soldiers, corporal perhaps????) [7]
Essembra
Sword of the South mustering here [3]
Bold Banners, brothel or inn with curtained balconies. Belurastra works as senior escort at the Bold Banners, she is the most beautiful woman in Battledale. [3]
Ordulin
Winking Will o the Wisp Pleasure Palace, uses metal trade tokens stamped with the sunburst symbol of the house. Red Sash Room on the third floor, used by the Lady of the Red Sash (senior escort????) [4]
Baedelkar the Thaumaturge, rising hope of the Zhentarim, currently visiting the Red Sash Room, slain by one of the Malaugrym impersonating the Lady of the Red Sash [4]
Nentor Thuldoum, Zhentarim wizard, master of Baedelkar. Deadly in battle while riding out of the Citadel of the Raven against brigands, Thentian freehands, and monsters and goblinkin from Thar. Later he trained battle mages for the Zhentarim in Zhentil Keep, was known as Dull Doom for his dry manner and ruthless temper. Joined the Sword of the South. Has a ring of protection against missiles. Slain by Sylune [4,5,8]
Sembia
Mortoth Estate, a wood with trees untouched by a woodsmans axe for 300 years, for the wood was part of a private estate and surrounded by a stone wall as high as six men. The Tower of Mortoth lies at the centre of the estate, a stone golem disguised as a bench guards the privy chute in the tower wall. Eels guard the moat. Owned by Mortoth the Mighty (slain by Bralatar and Lorgyn) [12,14]
Mortoth was vigorous, strong, brusque, was sleeping with his apprentice Irendue. He gave names to all the items he enchanted so he could call them to him by name. Created a scrying crystal ball called Buldimer [17]
Areld, servant of Mortoth, slain by Bralatar and Lorgyn [12]
Dorgan Sundyl, guard for Mortoth, vain, arrogant, bored [12]
Rethuld of Saerloon, a rich man, hires sell swords to travel past the Standing Stone and plunder the unprotected dales and seize a keep of their own, along with other likeminded businessmen. Was given the idea by a Malaugrym [13]
Jasten, sellsword in the employ of Rethuld of Saerloon [13]
Burgusk of Selgaunt found that stone statues furnish a garden (did he buy them, was he turned into one, was he a victim or customer of the lady sorceress Zhent agent, he may have bought a stone statue of a nethersee sorceress and the magic wore off ????) [14]
Turnold (loves Irendue), Irendue Nuentar (sleeping with Mortoth for cheaper tuition), Lareth, apprentices of Mortoth the Mighty. All 3 slain by Bralatar and Lorgyn [17]
Oparl and Jamryth, their spellbooks are in Mortoth Tower [13]
Battledale
Low Rythryn Towers, a noble estate north of Blackwater Bridge connected by a long winding road to Rauthauvyr’s Road. Owned by Lord Thael Sembergelt, once a Sembian battle commander. Once he heard Storm Silverhand sing in a tavern in Selgaunt (slain by Ahorga) [14]
Oburglan Sembergelt, nephew of Thael Sembergelt (who he lives with). Heir to Lord Thael Sembergelt, he becomes the new Lord upon Thael’s death [14]
Burldon Hawklan, seneschal of Thael Sembergelt, former soldier although he continues to behave like a soldier [14]
Loth Shentle, a smooth faced, saturnine trade in spices and pelts from Ordulin, associate of Thael Sembergelt [14]
Dathtor Vaeldeir, a young and handsome priest of Tymora, associate of Thael Sembergelt (slain by Malaugrym) [14]
Thorlor Drynn, grim and dangerous looking man, introduced as a trade envoy of Hillsfar (maybe a criminal????) associate of Thael Sembergelt [14]
Waterdeep
The Cavern Perilous, a vast cave in the heart of Mount Waterdeep that Khelben and Laeral use when working magics that might damage their surroundings [16]
Paershym Woodstoke of Neverwinter, newer apprentice of Blackstaff Tower. Is having second thoughts about becoming a wizard [18]
A closet in Blackstaff Tower acts as a gate to another closet in Twilight Hall in Berdusk [18]
Elven Court
Orth Lantar, Red Wizard, attempting to penetrate the ruins of Myth Drannor during the Time of Troubles. Possesses a map (held in the teeth of four floating skulls), which he believes will lead him to something if he places a balefire rune in the circle of nine black blades. [16]
Thuruthein Tlar, senior apprentice to Orth Lantar, loyal to his master [16]
Prestym, lyrit, apprentices to Orth Lantar, scheming [16]
Tilverton
Alambrara, warwizard, lives in Tilverton in a mansion [17]
Pendle’s Fine Meats, has 3 emblazoned wagon (travels from Cormyr to Sembia – Selgaunt to Suzail - selling meat). Pendle is a heavy grizzled man that never refuses a meal (slain by Lorgyn) [17,18]
Gorluth the great, a fat, hairy little mage from Amn, currently in TIlverton [17]
Cormyr
Sir Tantor Dauntinghorn, special envoy of Cormyr sent with a large number of purple dragons to Shadowdale to help (they arrived after the Battle of Shadowdale). Stiff and magnificently moustachioed. [17]
Luthtor of Suzail, old gaunt warwizard (sent to Shadowdale with Tantor to find out if Elminster is indeed dead) [17]
Berdusk
There is a door in Twilight Hall, which when touched in a certain place activates a gate or teleport to Shadowdale, depositing the activators onto a bench just outside the Tower of Ashaba [18]
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2022 : 18:53:05
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Not quite as much lore as i'm used to from other Ed novels, but still a large amount of people, places, history, and other things.
Lots more Malaugrym info. I'm getting a picture of a problem. The Malaugrym were making forays into Faerun, and were then warned off by Elminster, who slew 60+ of their number.
From that point on, their numbers must have been very slow to recover, because female Malaugrym are infertile, and without access to Faerun to get new breeding females, they would have had to rely on the existing supply. When Dhalgrave became Shadowmaster High he eliminated the council of elders and presumably drastically reduced the infighting and deaths as a result. Presumably the brood mares all ran out sometime before the Time of Troubles and so their sudden rush into Faerun was not just prompted by revenge but also by a need to procreate to preserve their species.
We have a new historical Malaugrym, Melvydur who founded a dynasty a thousand years ago (and so was presumably Shadowmaster High). A thousand years ago is around Malaug's time (he was alive in 200s DR) so Melvydur may have been his successor.
We also have hints that a pregnant brood mare escaped to Faerun and hid herself and her progeny from Malaugrym scrying. It seems these children would have weak shapeshifting abilities so it looks like prolonged exposure to Shadowhome is responsible for the shapeshifting.
Also some hints that Malaug may have got it on with a doppelganger at some point in the past. This is a possible origin for the Malaugrym shapeshifting abilities, but one we can discount based on other information. Doesnt mean Malaugrym did not try to breed a race of shapeshifters before he found Shadowhome.
Also, a few treasures and locations hinted at in one paragraph. The ioun stones of Thavilar Halcontar being one. I'm sure i've come across Halcontar before, i will have to search my archive tonight. |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2022 : 05:07:00
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Great stuff as always.
-- 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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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2022 : 23:27:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
Always happy to help.
War in Tethyr up next. I hope its a good one, i'm 3 novels away from another good lore trove (Tangled Webs) and 7 away from the next Ed Greenwood novel which are by far my favourite because its always got the most unexpected lore finds.
I searched my trove and did not find anything relating to Halcontar but i'm sure i recognise that name from somewhere.
That's one of the only Realms novels I started but never finished. I got maybe 100 pages in and had to put it down, and never picked it back up.
I don't recall a lot other than it simply was not working for me. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4688 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2022 : 23:30:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Gary Dallison
I searched my trove and did not find anything relating to Halcontar but i'm sure i recognise that name from somewhere.
A search narrows reference to "ALL SHADOWS FLED", 1995 by Ed |
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Novel Lore
