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Originally posted by ericlboyd

Hey all,

Long time, no visit.

After many years of absence from the Realms, my wife convinced me to start a campaign for my children, now 7 and 9, a couple of months ago.

We've been slowly making our way through N5 - Under Illefarn (using 3.5e) for the past few months. We are having a blast. My daughter loves magic items while my son loves monsters. We're still working on role-playing ... like fantasy appropriate names (one member of the party is a Morninglord of Lathander named "Mommy"), but the beauty of the Realms is shining through.

I, of course, have been unable to avoid rewriting the module in its entirety, using every obscure tome on my shelf and weaving in every bit of Realmslore I can think of.

Just wanted to say hello,

--Eric

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

Banshee Woods
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The small reach of forest known as the Banshee Woods (which lies within the larger area known as the Haglands), which lies to the north and east of the Trollbark Forest, has been avoided for centuries, even as logging slowly separated it from what became Trollbark Forest and the Misty Forest. The trees themselves are gnarled and twisted, suggesting some ancient magic remains at work. While a handful of hag coveys rule the periphery of the Banshee Woods, the depths of the forest are the exclusive preserve of a keening spiritCotSQ, whose endless wailing echoes through the woods from dusk to dawn and can be heard as far away as the Trade Way when the wind blows just right.
Legends vary widely as to the origin of this tortured ghost. Somes tales speak of the “Lost Laranla,” presumably referring to Laranla Imdalace of Ardeep, who disappeared in the Year of the Slaked Blade (4 DR). Other tales refer to an Illefarni bard who was separated from her lover when an unknown attacker severed an Illefarni song-path during the waning days of Illefarn. The truth of the matter is far more ancient. The keening spirit of the Banshee Woods is a Miyeritari dark elf (pre-Descent of the Drow) who mourns the Dark Disaster (-10,500 DR), when ancient Miyeritar was engulfed in killing storms, reducing the entire forest and realm to the barren wasteland now known as the High Moor. All efforts to lay her spirit to rest have failed time and again, suggesting to some that her continued presence is in some way tied to some larger Elven High Magic effect.

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Originally posted by Markustay

Excellent stuff!

So glad you finally named that bit of woods - now I can't wait to do another FR map. {insert dancing smiley}.

You have been sorely missed Eric.

Am I to assume you found the 'lost' name of those plains (the Haglands?) And if so, where may I ask did you find it?

The other bit of forest I couldn't find a name for was that small clump thats become detached from the High Forest by the Delimbyr - on my maps I named it "The Greenwood" (thought it was a fitting). Unless, of course, someone else has found a canon name for it.

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

quote:

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

Banshee Woods
=============
The small reach of forest known as the Banshee Woods (which lies within the larger area known as the Haglands), which lies to the north and east of the Trollbark Forest, has been avoided for centuries, even as logging slowly separated it from what became Trollbark Forest and the Misty Forest. The trees themselves are gnarled and twisted, suggesting some ancient magic remains at work. While a handful of hag coveys rule the periphery of the Banshee Woods, the depths of the forest are the exclusive preserve of a keening spiritCotSQ, whose endless wailing echoes through the woods from dusk to dawn and can be heard as far away as the Trade Way when the wind blows just right.
Legends vary widely as to the origin of this tortured ghost. Somes tales speak of the “Lost Laranla,” presumably referring to Laranla Imdalace of Ardeep, who disappeared in the Year of the Slaked Blade (4 DR). Other tales refer to an Illefarni bard who was separated from her lover when an unknown attacker severed an Illefarni song-path during the waning days of Illefarn. The truth of the matter is far more ancient. The keening spirit of the Banshee Woods is a Miyeritari dark elf (pre-Descent of the Drow) who mourns the Dark Disaster (-10,500 DR), when ancient Miyeritar was engulfed in killing storms, reducing the entire forest and realm to the barren wasteland now known as the High Moor. All efforts to lay her spirit to rest have failed time and again, suggesting to some that her continued presence is in some way tied to some larger Elven High Magic effect.

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So would the events of Blackstaff have given her rest?

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

I'm going to have to beg everyone's forgiveness on this bit. For the life of me, I can't recall if I'm remembering an unused idea or an idea I worked in somewhere. At least the write-up is new. ;-)

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The Fallen Kings

A recurring legend recounted by bards from Waterdeep to the Way Inn speaks of the Fallen Kings who vanished “ere the collapse of the Fallen Kingdom” and “may someday return to restore their throne.” Such tales are never particularly precise as to which Fallen Kingdom or which monarch they refer or why said kings vanished before the collapse of their respective kingdoms yet seek to restore a realm long since vanished.
Most scholars believe that the enduring popularity of such tales suggests nothing more than a deeply held longing to restore a golden era now long lost. However, a handful of sages believe there might well be some truth to such legends. In particular, such sages point to the disappearances of Laranla Imdalace of Ardeep, Laranlor Ellatharion of Phalorm, and Arcrown Bharaun “the Younger” Ironstar, as possible “Fallen Kings” whose fates have never been determined.
The only tantalizing hint that “the Fallen Kings” might yet survive lies in a fragementary account from the runestone of a dwarven prospector who explored the subterranean depths of the Forlorn Hills in the waning days of Arcrown Devin’s reign. The broken runestone now lies forgotten in the depths of Mount Illefarn, lost during the assault by the Black Horde, but once was a matter of some concern for the last Arcrown of Dardath.
The prospector’s account speaks of a dark river, which he calls the River Gloaming, which runs through the depths of the Forlorn Hills, roughly parallel to the course of the River Shining along the surface. The carver of the runestone claims to have found a crystalline cavern hidden behind a subterranean waterfall in which a strange creature with a coiling black and silver body, three heads, and nine hands (presumably a sharn) was imprisoned within a massive geode. The sharn, if that’s what it was, called itself Phalorm the Tri-Crowned. It claimed to seek the restoration of the Fallen Kingdoms it once ruled. The author fled the seemingly mad creature, but there is no record as to his fate or how the runestone he carved made its way to Runedardath.

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quote:

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Originally posted by The Sage

quote:

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

I'm going to have to beg everyone's forgiveness on this bit. For the life of me, I can't recall if I'm remembering an unused idea or an idea I worked in somewhere. At least the write-up is new. ;-)

===
The Fallen Kings

A recurring legend recounted by bards from Waterdeep to the Way Inn speaks of the Fallen Kings who vanished “ere the collapse of the Fallen Kingdom” and “may someday return to restore their throne.” Such tales are never particularly precise as to which Fallen Kingdom or which monarch they refer or why said kings vanished before the collapse of their respective kingdoms yet seek to restore a realm long since vanished.
Most scholars believe that the enduring popularity of such tales suggests nothing more than a deeply held longing to restore a golden era now long lost. However, a handful of sages believe there might well be some truth to such legends. In particular, such sages point to the disappearances of Laranla Imdalace of Ardeep, Laranlor Ellatharion of Phalorm, and Arcrown Bharaun “the Younger” Ironstar, as possible “Fallen Kings” whose fates have never been determined.
The only tantalizing hint that “the Fallen Kings” might yet survive lies in a fragementary account from the runestone of a dwarven prospector who explored the subterranean depths of the Forlorn Hills in the waning days of Arcrown Devin’s reign. The broken runestone now lies forgotten in the depths of Mount Illefarn, lost during the assault by the Black Horde, but once was a matter of some concern for the last Arcrown of Dardath.
The prospector’s account speaks of a dark river, which he calls the River Gloaming, which runs through the depths of the Forlorn Hills, roughly parallel to the course of the River Shining along the surface. The carver of the runestone claims to have found a crystalline cavern hidden behind a subterranean waterfall in which a strange creature with a coiling black and silver body, three heads, and nine hands (presumably a sharn) was imprisoned within a massive geode. The sharn, if that’s what it was, called itself Phalorm the Tri-Crowned. It claimed to seek the restoration of the Fallen Kingdoms it once ruled. The author fled the seemingly mad creature, but there is no record as to his fate or how the runestone he carved made its way to Runedardath.

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Is there just the one runestone, Eric, or does the possibility exist, as you see it, for other carved stones recording accounts from the Fallen Kingdom?

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

quote:

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Originally posted by The Sage

quote:

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

I'm going to have to beg everyone's forgiveness on this bit. For the life of me, I can't recall if I'm remembering an unused idea or an idea I worked in somewhere. At least the write-up is new. ;-)

===
The Fallen Kings

A recurring legend recounted by bards from Waterdeep to the Way Inn speaks of the Fallen Kings who vanished “ere the collapse of the Fallen Kingdom” and “may someday return to restore their throne.” Such tales are never particularly precise as to which Fallen Kingdom or which monarch they refer or why said kings vanished before the collapse of their respective kingdoms yet seek to restore a realm long since vanished.
Most scholars believe that the enduring popularity of such tales suggests nothing more than a deeply held longing to restore a golden era now long lost. However, a handful of sages believe there might well be some truth to such legends. In particular, such sages point to the disappearances of Laranla Imdalace of Ardeep, Laranlor Ellatharion of Phalorm, and Arcrown Bharaun “the Younger” Ironstar, as possible “Fallen Kings” whose fates have never been determined.
The only tantalizing hint that “the Fallen Kings” might yet survive lies in a fragementary account from the runestone of a dwarven prospector who explored the subterranean depths of the Forlorn Hills in the waning days of Arcrown Devin’s reign. The broken runestone now lies forgotten in the depths of Mount Illefarn, lost during the assault by the Black Horde, but once was a matter of some concern for the last Arcrown of Dardath.
The prospector’s account speaks of a dark river, which he calls the River Gloaming, which runs through the depths of the Forlorn Hills, roughly parallel to the course of the River Shining along the surface. The carver of the runestone claims to have found a crystalline cavern hidden behind a subterranean waterfall in which a strange creature with a coiling black and silver body, three heads, and nine hands (presumably a sharn) was imprisoned within a massive geode. The sharn, if that’s what it was, called itself Phalorm the Tri-Crowned. It claimed to seek the restoration of the Fallen Kingdoms it once ruled. The author fled the seemingly mad creature, but there is no record as to his fate or how the runestone he carved made its way to Runedardath.

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Is there just the one runestone, Eric, or does the possibility exist, as you see it, for other carved stones recording accounts from the Fallen Kingdom?

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I'm sure there are other carved runestones witha accounts from the Fallen Kingdom. As for this story, there may just be the one runestone (that's what I intended for this story), but there could easily be others (if that works better for your campaign).

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quote:

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Originally posted by The Sage

quote:

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

quote:

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Originally posted by The Sage

quote:

---

Originally posted by ericlboyd

I'm going to have to beg everyone's forgiveness on this bit. For the life of me, I can't recall if I'm remembering an unused idea or an idea I worked in somewhere. At least the write-up is new. ;-)

===
The Fallen Kings

A recurring legend recounted by bards from Waterdeep to the Way Inn speaks of the Fallen Kings who vanished “ere the collapse of the Fallen Kingdom” and “may someday return to restore their throne.” Such tales are never particularly precise as to which Fallen Kingdom or which monarch they refer or why said kings vanished before the collapse of their respective kingdoms yet seek to restore a realm long since vanished.
Most scholars believe that the enduring popularity of such tales suggests nothing more than a deeply held longing to restore a golden era now long lost. However, a handful of sages believe there might well be some truth to such legends. In particular, such sages point to the disappearances of Laranla Imdalace of Ardeep, Laranlor Ellatharion of Phalorm, and Arcrown Bharaun “the Younger” Ironstar, as possible “Fallen Kings” whose fates have never been determined.
The only tantalizing hint that “the Fallen Kings” might yet survive lies in a fragementary account from the runestone of a dwarven prospector who explored the subterranean depths of the Forlorn Hills in the waning days of Arcrown Devin’s reign. The broken runestone now lies forgotten in the depths of Mount Illefarn, lost during the assault by the Black Horde, but once was a matter of some concern for the last Arcrown of Dardath.
The prospector’s account speaks of a dark river, which he calls the River Gloaming, which runs through the depths of the Forlorn Hills, roughly parallel to the course of the River Shining along the surface. The carver of the runestone claims to have found a crystalline cavern hidden behind a subterranean waterfall in which a strange creature with a coiling black and silver body, three heads, and nine hands (presumably a sharn) was imprisoned within a massive geode. The sharn, if that’s what it was, called itself Phalorm the Tri-Crowned. It claimed to seek the restoration of the Fallen Kingdoms it once ruled. The author fled the seemingly mad creature, but there is no record as to his fate or how the runestone he carved made its way to Runedardath.

===

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Is there just the one runestone, Eric, or does the possibility exist, as you see it, for other carved stones recording accounts from the Fallen Kingdom?

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I'm sure there are other carved runestones witha accounts from the Fallen Kingdom. As for this story, there may just be the one runestone (that's what I intended for this story), but there could easily be others (if that works better for your campaign).

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Do you have some notion of where these other runestones might be scattered?

I've my own ideas, but I'm interested to see just how far the influence of Fallen Kingdom knowledge might have spread.

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

Crypt of the Worm
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[...] Once known as the Tomb of the Doomsayer, the crypt was fashioned in secret by worshipers of Kozah (Talos) after the death of the last of the Doomsayers, an ancient Netherese order dedicated to the destruction of Netheril’s great cities, in the Year of Unfurled Sails (-670 DR). Unlike most tombs of its era, the body of the last Doomsayer was left on an open slab at the heart of the crypt and sprinkled with maggots to quickly consume it, symbolizing the Kozahyn belief that destruction comes to all in good time.

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

The Wormridden
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The Circle of Rust and the Worm is a Talassan cabal of crazed sages and mystic spellcasters of assorted disciplines, both religious and secular, intent on bringing about the end of the world by natural forces and the inherent instability of civilization.

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

Shining Baronies.....

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

Conan and Sonja?

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

I would say possible, but not assured. There are a fair number of "shared" noble names between the Waterdeep region and Cormyr, suggesting distant family ties between the two regions are not uncommon. (I like reusing noble names from one to the other to suggest such distant ties, and did that here as well.)

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