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"Eltab, Lord of the Hidden Layer is discussed or alluded to in FR6: Dream of the Red Wizards, p. 17-18, Spellbound: Campaign Guide, pp. 40, 127, Spellbound The Runes of Chaos, pp. 29-32, Spellbound: Monstrous Compendium, p. 5, and Faiths & Avatars, p. 126."

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Originally posted by Eremite


Rinonalyrna Fathomlin,

Thanks for that suggestion. I have that book but haven't read it. I've really gone off fantasy novels of late but I'll now make a point of reading this one.

By the way, I really, really like your signature!

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

One hint ... start combing through your obscure Realmslore to find the Citadel of Conjurers ...

--Eric

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
It's mentioned in the write-up for the sword Demonbane... The sword is written up in an old issue of Dragon (91, I think), and in FR4 The Magister. That's all I've been able to find...

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Originally posted by George Krashos

Nice to see Eric back to his teasing best.

-- George Krashos

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Originally posted by George Krashos

Nice to see Eric back to his teasing best.

-- George Krashos

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Originally posted by Eremite

I've been wanting to use the wonderful map of Eltabbar at some point in a campaign set in the Unapproachable East and so my mind has turned to including Eltab, or at least his cultists, at some point.

I'm aware of Eltab's role in the history of Thay but have no idea what he actually stands for. What basic abyssal portfolio does he control? What sources are there for him besides 2E's Spellbound and 3.5E's Lost Empires of Faerun (and Unapproachable East to a certain extent)? Has anyone else used him or a cult devoted to him in a campaign?

Thanks in advance.

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Originally posted by Eremite
I've been wanting to use the wonderful map of Eltabbar at some point in a campaign...

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Originally posted by Ayrik

I see this scroll has been collecting dust since 2005. But since it's fallen off the shelf anyhow...

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Originally posted by Eremite
I've been wanting to use the wonderful map of Eltabbar at some point in a campaign...

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I recall that the city of Eltab was actually a massive magical binding glyph which imprisoned the demon Eltab.
Each time a map of the city duplicated this glyph it took a small fragment of magical power from it. And each time a map (a copy of the glyph) was destroyed it would weaken Eltab's bindings. 1E Dreams of the Red Wizards described the glyph's power already fractured and diminished enough that Eltab might escape. Mapping the city was strictly forbidden - Red Wizards vigilantly confiscated every map of Eltab (to be carefully secured and preserved in a special vault) and they enthusiastically punished (interrogated, tortured, executed) anyone even rumoured to possess such a map.

Locals could generally navigate their ways through Eltab well enough. Visitors had to hire city guides, many were always available (for a price) but most of these guides earned extra coin serving as informants for Red Wizards (fairly common knowledge, although every guide would firmly deny such accusations).

Apparently this guides-for-hire tradition was useful enough for the Red Wizards (as a general deception, and as a method to spy on travellers) that it had become common in several other Thayan cities - these also outlawed city mapping, at least superficially.

So good luck with that "wonderful map of Eltabbar" lol ...

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[i]Originally posted by Ayrik

2E [i]FRA had a small section about Thay. Eltab and Eltabbar briefly mentioned in one sentence. Tantalizing hints about Red Wizards being able to draw power from some sort of mysterious artifact (or other macguffin) in their possession in the following sentence. (I never learned what this specific 2E-update on a 1E-based reference was about.)

Were the Reds able to somehow siphon magical power or compel magical workings from Eltab while they kept him imprisoned?

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Originally posted by cpthero2

Great Reader Ayrik,

Great question. I don't think there is any official lore that says that he was or was not siphoned or compelled, etc.

However, if you look at that long, rich history of Eltab getting the shaft, he gets moved from one place to the next, and always by some form of ancient, powerful magic, i.e. Narfelli circle magic, Mulhorand, Thay. Every time someone let him out to play, it was for an overthrow of some civilization, etc.

At this point, I think there are likely two scenarios:

1) Eltab is just being held for the next big thing

2) He is way too dangerous now with about 1500 years of captivity and the loss of his rulership over the 247th layer of the Abyss, to allow him to go Yamun Khahan on everyone. Dude is pissed, especially after Szass Tam pantsed him in the basement under Eltab, lol. [I know, but just picture that for a second......it is really quite entertaining]

Best regards,

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[i]Originally posted by Ayrik

2E [i]FRA had a small section about Thay. Eltab and Eltabbar briefly mentioned in one sentence. Tantalizing hints about Red Wizards being able to draw power from some sort of mysterious artifact (or other macguffin) in their possession in the following sentence. (I never learned what this specific 2E-update on a 1E-based reference was about.)

Were the Reds able to somehow siphon magical power or compel magical workings from Eltab while they kept him imprisoned?

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Originally posted by ericlboyd

In Sages of the Forgotten Realms facebook group, Karl Sorrell is running an Impiltur campaign set in 1373 DR. We've been discussing some ideas about Eltab there.

--Eric

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Originally posted by cpthero2

Great Reader Ayrik,

Great question. I don't think there is any official lore that says that he was or was not siphoned or compelled, etc.

However, if you look at that long, rich history of Eltab getting the shaft, he gets moved from one place to the next, and always by some form of ancient, powerful magic, i.e. Narfelli circle magic, Mulhorand, Thay. Every time someone let him out to play, it was for an overthrow of some civilization, etc.

At this point, I think there are likely two scenarios:

1) Eltab is just being held for the next big thing

2) He is way too dangerous now with about 1500 years of captivity and the loss of his rulership over the 247th layer of the Abyss, to allow him to go Yamun Khahan on everyone. Dude is pissed, especially after Szass Tam pantsed him in the basement under Eltab, lol. [I know, but just picture that for a second......it is really quite entertaining]

Best regards,

quote:

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[i]Originally posted by Ayrik

2E [i]FRA had a small section about Thay. Eltab and Eltabbar briefly mentioned in one sentence. Tantalizing hints about Red Wizards being able to draw power from some sort of mysterious artifact (or other macguffin) in their possession in the following sentence. (I never learned what this specific 2E-update on a 1E-based reference was about.)

Were the Reds able to somehow siphon magical power or compel magical workings from Eltab while they kept him imprisoned?

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Originally posted by Gary Dallison

I believe the macguffin mentioned has been explained by George Krashos in his article the Zulkirate of Thay.

And Eltab never really escaped his first binding by the narfelli all those years ago he has just had varying degrees of freedom since then as he searches for a means to finally escape the adamantine binding or perhaps to take the whole of faerun with him when he finally escapes.

Read George Krashos thread in the Chamber of Sages for oodles of lovely lore about Eltab and Soneillon (although most of it is in Champions of Ruin as well).

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