quote:

---

Originally posted by Gray Richardson

Yes. Do tell.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by silvermage

There is a question I would like to ask the forum, the phaerimm is widely known to be among the Imaskari bizaarre creations but there are some which says that the phaerimm are actually Imaskari wizards who transformed themselves into the phaerimm, hence producing Toril's most ancient and powerful evil. Is this true?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Defender

The phaerimms like most evil wizards on Faerun, also seeked ancient magical artifacts, but there is one particular object they seeked. The object in question is called the Amulet of Silver, a odd artifact that supposedly has some links to Selune and her followers, and there is another object they seek as well which is hotly fought for by many others as well, this object I am not sure what it is.

---

quote:

---

Phaerimm & Their Servitors

phaerimm move by natural levitation . They roughly resemble upright cones, the widest “head” part uppermost, and the point ending in a barbed stinger-tail.
phaerimm have 160’ range infravision, and may see into the astral and ethereal planes up to 90’ distant. Their normal vision also operates to this range functioning as a constant detect magic . However, this unique vision is delicately adapted to life in the Underdark. phaerimm are acutely sensitive to the sun’s rays. Such is the irony of the wastes the helped to create, for the phaerimm may only tolerate it at night. The direct rays of the sun virtually blind them (-4 to all vision based attacks) and causes their skin to itch and burn causing 2 hp of damage per turn until shelter is found. In bright moonlight, phaerimm also suffer a -2 penalty to all vision based attacks.
These sinister beings are the present rulers of the Buried Realms and their own subterranean homeland; a series of great cavern complexes known as Phaerlin.
Their mind controlling spells hold even illithids in thrall, and influence - in a subtle but all-pervasive rule - all creatures beneath Anauroch. PC’s in the buried Realms must make Intelligence Checks at least once per turn, or fall under a phaerimm charm or suggestion .
Through controlled minds, the phaerimm rule an entire “nation” of beholders who think themselves independent. These beholders dwell in several ruined cities of the Anaurian Underdark. They are mighty, employing Death Tyrants (undead beholders), orcish, hobgoblin, & Xorn slaves, as they mine for wealth and Scheme to expand their under earthly realm. These scattered subterranean communities are, however, loosely ruled by an Elder Orb (a spellcasting beholder of great age & power) - and that Elder Orb, Rilathdool, is the pawn of the phaerimm.
phaerimm have natural magic resistance: 50% vs. all magic except petrification & polymorph attacks to which they are 70% resistant. Oddly enough, being magical creatures, as they are (possibly created by some long dead power or arcanist), phaerimm seem to be non-psionic in nature. However, they have amassed a mighty arsenal of wizardly spells which mimic various psionic effects. Particularly those of the clairsentient & telepathic disciplines. Coincidentally, phaerimm are 90% resistant to these two psionic disciplines.
So the phaerimm rule - haughty, scheming always among themselves, but keeping behind a screen of mind-controled slaves from mind flayers to giants, goblinoids of all sorts to humans.

Ever they vie with each other for supremacy in non-violent, subtle confrontations of brinkmanship, one phaerimm demonstrating the superiority of its strategy, forethought, & influence over that of another; and ever they seek to break the spell-bonds the sharn have placed on them, and expand their influence over more and more of Faerun. Over the centuries, these bonds have only grown stronger and ‘solidified’ in many areas.
Yet, where the phaerimm cannot go, their agents (thralls) can. These include Zhentarim who have foolishly strayed their way as well as overcurious adventurers. Elves are normally killed outright if they fall into phaerimm hands. As prisoners they tend to be extremely rebellious and their magical resistance to charm-related spells make them poor thralls. In one case, a wily moon elf pretended to be enthralled to a phaerimm elder for six full months. When the time was right he assassinated the phaerimm and slain himself quickly thereafter. The assassination shocked the phaerimm throughout Phaerlin. Now captured elves are quickly slain, unless they may be interrogated (by more conventional means) for magical knowledge. The phaerimm have also been able to enthrall some maglings among the Red Wizards of Thay. Since the Time of Troubles, the phaerimm mounted a failed attempt against the sharn, incorporated more Zhentarim agents, and temporarily lost several caverns in the northeast to an aggressive drow campaign.
phaerimm enjoy magic, and exude in wielding its unleashed power. For every fifty years of life, a phaerimm increases a level as a wizard; most of this long-lived race are the equivalents of 22nd to 27th level mages. They are generally fascinated by new spells and effects, and admire those who show genius in the mastery and devising of magic: such as Phaerl, “The First”. Phaerl perished in the War Against The sharn, but phaerimm still venerate his memory, and obey Phaerl’s one-time colleague, Ooumraun “The Seeker”, an ancient, huge, wrinkled phaerimm who developed many of the phaerimm’s spells (and, it is whispered, others of awesome power not yet revealed to fellow phaerimm).
Although phaerimm memorize spells much as human wizards do, they cast spell by effort of will alone, and can also adopt a single spell of each escalon as “natural”. The spell ( which cannot be changed, once chosen) is retained in their complex brain structure. phaerimm regain “natural” spells without study, every day. phaerimm are true masters of magic; some sages believe that their meddling may have created most of the magic-using monsters that menace the Underdark today (including perhaps the beholder races!). Even the least experienced and powerful phaerimm are capable of developing strange & terrifying new magics. Many veteran phaerimm know or may anticipate every nuance and side-effect of magic they observe being wielded. No elder phaerimm will be caught unawares by a spell’s range, precise effects, the results of its combinations with other magics, or the like; but phaerimm may be slow to unleash magic at intruders, for fear of playing into the hands of a rival phaerimm.


In addition to a spell attack, a phaerimm may make up to six physical attacks, if targets are within reach. Its powerful jaws, located in the open top of its cone-like body, bite for 3d4 damage. The rim of the “head” contains four evenly-spaced, fully-retractable arms. These limbs have hands with three central fingers and two opposable thumbs. They can punch for 1d4 damage, wield weapons for normal damage, or grasp opponents.
phaerimm tails can smite a foe for 2d4 damage; if the attack roll is an unmodified 16 or better on d20, its sting impales the victim: the victim takes an additional 1d6 points of damage more as the hollow bone sting stabs deep into them, injecting a milky fluid. The victim must save vs. poison. Half of all failed saves result in paralysis. Apart from the added damage, the other half suffer no apparent effects & seem to have saved vs. poison; these have been successfully injected by a phaerimm egg. It begins to grow in 1d6 days eating the victim internally for a loss of 1 hp/day thereafter, until death occurs or a cure disease spell kills the phaerimm larva. An egg or larva can be cut out of a victim, who must survive a system shock roll, and typically takes 2d4 points of additional damage during the process of extraction.
The moisture drinking magics of the phaerimm that helped create the wastes of Anauroch hold sway over the surface, but rarely stray into the depths beneath. The phaerimm like to live near others of their own kind (for mutual protection, and for the social satisfaction of vying with each other in devious plans), but operate alone or surround themselves with magically-controled servitors (slaves) to carry out their bidding.
phaerimm eat all reptiles & mammals, keeping them as slaves until their turn as sustenance for their masters. Their two greatest enemies in the Underdark are the sharn and the hated thaalud (tomb tappers), who seem immune to phaerimm mind-controling magics. In recent centuries, a drow presence northwest of Phaerlin have also earned the animosity of the phaerimm. On the surface they can count on no mercy from either the uruk-hai or the anauri’tel’quessir. The phaerimm are mighty, but have made many powerful enemies. During the Time of Troubles, a strange “magical” plague eliminated a quarter of the phaerimm population and several caverns had become dead magic areas; a death-trap for these terrible creatures. Since then, they have been healing themselves & rebuilding Phaerlin, but they are more divided now, than in any other period of their long, dark history.




Phaerimm

CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Confined to subterranean region of Anauroch
FREQUENCY: Very Rare
ORGANIZATION: Loosely associated (solitary)
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Nocturnal
DIET: Carnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Supra-genius (19-20)
TREASURE: All possible
ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil
NO. APPEARING: 1d3 (usually 1)
ARMOR CLASS: 2
MOVEMENT: Fl 9 (A)
HIT DICE: 9
THAC0: 11
NO. OF ATTACKS: 6
DAMAGE/ATTACK: Claw 1d4/1d4/1d4/1d4/bite 3d4/tail 2d4
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Tail sting, spell use
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See above
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 50%
SIZE: L (up to 12’ long)
MORALE: Fanatic (17)
X.P. VALUE: 10,000

---

quote:

---

Thaalud appear as tall, naked, sexless & hairless humanoids with very hard, smooth blue-grey skin, claws that can dig through solid rock, and great toothed maws in their abdomens. Their smooth featureless heads have earned them the nickname “the Faceless”.
Several prominent sages believe thaalud are created beings (humans altered by magic in fallen Netheril). This view is supported by their faceless heads and their natural resistance to certain particular weaves of magic. Others claim that thaalud were originally made from rock, animated in humanoid form. A superior self-conscious golem created to fight the phaerimm.
Thaalud skin varies in porosity at will; through it, tappers take in needed water. Their gigantic abdominal jaws can crush rock, from which thaalud extract mineral sustenance. They also digest iron from blood & bone marrow, if such become available - but do not hunt to eat.
Thaalud customarily wield great hammers of arenite, an alloy (exact composition secret) derived from magma. These hammers are 10 feet long, heavy, harder than stone, & very durable. They may swing these hammers in combat for 1d12+6 damage. Tappers can wield them one-handed at a -2 penalty on attack rolls or throw them with great accuracy (+2 to hit). Tappers can dig with their claws, but use these great hammers to split rock when a smooth surface is desired.
Thaalud are naturally long-lived and form regional clans. It is not known if they have young or give birth; no children or pregnant thaalud have ever been seen. Even who leads a clan is unknown, although thaalud make and keep deals with other beings, and hence are assumed to respect rules and authority. They will aid svirfnebli & dwarves, whose magic they leave unmolested (for thaalud love to collect items of magic). Thaalud have no interest in drow clothing & other items that act magically due to Underdark radiations & not true dweomers. Thaalud hate umber hulks (sometimes enslaving them from birth), mutually ignore xorn, dislike duergar & drow, and are bitter foes of illithids & phaerimm, who have slain more than a few thaalud.
Thaalud attack with their iron-hard, long-fingered hands (4d6 damage each), and bend over or hurl themselves atop opponents to bite with their abdominal mouths (doing 1d12+9 damage). Thaalud “see” by sonar accurate up to 440’, and require no light. This sense enables them to locate invisible creatures & objects, and makes them immune to illusions and all other vision-related spells. They communicate by means of humming sounds created by skin vibrations and by a limited (120’ range, no mind reading or attacks possible from either end) form of telepathy. Thaalud are immune to enchantment/charm spells and fire- and cold-based attacks of all sorts. Electrical attacks do them half (or, if save is made, no) damage. They save versus petrification at a -2, and when killed, turn to stone in 1d2 rounds.


Tappers can detect magic at will. They get their name from their habit of burrowing up from the depths to plunder tombs, temples, and wizard’s towers, in search of magical treasure, which they bear off. They usually try to seize magical items from encountered beings, save those that they are on good terms with (ie. svirfneblin & dwarves).
Magic is sacred to thaalud; they never use any magical items gained, but protect & venerate them. Tappers spend their long-lives in an eternal search for the Source of All Magic, which they believe lies hidden somewhere deep in the earth. They are somewhat in awe of earth elementals, believing them to be created at this mysterious legendary source, and are reluctant to attack them.
Thaalud keep as common treasure (owned by the clan as a whole) all magical items, and guard these watchfully. As personal treasure, they keep uncut gems, such as quartz, jade, agate, or amethyst.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Defender

The phaerimms like most evil wizards on Faerun, also seeked ancient magical artifacts, but there is one particular object they seeked. The object in question is called the Amulet of Silver, a odd artifact that supposedly has some links to Selune and her followers, and there is another object they seek as well which is hotly fought for by many others as well, this object I am not sure what it is.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by silvermage

There is a question I would like to ask the forum, the phaerimm is widely known to be among the Imaskari bizaarre creations but there are some which says that the phaerimm are actually Imaskari wizards who transformed themselves into the phaerimm, hence producing Toril's most ancient and powerful evil. Is this true?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rivalen

Does the phaerimm have a home city beneath the sands of Anauroch? If there is, what is it called? And how many years does it take for a phaerimm to level up in mastery of magic?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rivalen

Does the phaerimm have a home city beneath the sands of Anauroch? If there is, what is it called? And how many years does it take for a phaerimm to level up in mastery of magic?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by silverpriestess

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rivalen

Does the phaerimm have a home city beneath the sands of Anauroch? If there is, what is it called? And how many years does it take for a phaerimm to level up in mastery of magic?

---

I think there is a home of the phaerimm beneath Anauroch, a sprawling network of dwarven tunnels or caverns. Phaerlin is their home name, i am not too sure.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by TymoraChosen


Well the other artifact is called The Death Moon Orb. It is an artifact, created by Larloch, given to some mortal called Szass Tam and subsequently lost, believed to be sought after by the Cult of the Dragon, the Zhentarim, and the Phaerimm and the Red Wizards.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by silvermage

I am quite interested in this topic, I wonder how did the Sharn came to challenge the phaerimm and lock the phaerimm behind a magic wall, are there any information about this?

---

quote:

---

I heard that the Sharn also look like black serpents with no facial features except a mouth, is that true?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Shadovar

Well, the image of the sharn surely matches the image of a phaerimm, both look equally...well shocking. But wait, how is it that after the defeat of the phaerimm, the Sharn somehow seemed to have disappeared from the face of Faerun?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Sage

It is usually accepted that the sharn came to challenge the phaerimm because the original sharn were actually transformed Netherese arcanists who used their powerful magic to adapt their forms into these "sharn" in order to combat the threat posed by the phaerimm.

Netheril: Empire of Magic details some of this. It's available for free download at the WotC website.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Asgetrion

So this is 'official' lore? That the Sharn are also (I refer now to Eric's "evolutionary step"-theory on page 1 ;) human spellcasters? I thought they were a lot older beings. Yet this would explain why they are not a "Creator Race", or why they apparently have had few dealings with the Sarrukh?

---

quote:

---

A few Netherese mages, in attempts to combat the phaerimm, attempted to transform themselves into sharn so they might better fight them. They failed, as the magics behind the sharn are far more powerful than any human magics ever tapped (other than those 11th and 12th level spells I wish didn't exist), but they did not die. Their magics left them trapped in nonhuman but powerful forms - They became the original progenitors of the deepspawn. At least that's my story and I'll stick to it....

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by George Krashos

Everything about the origin of the sharn is non-canonical. For now. The prevailing view among the 'lorelords' of the Realms (Ed, Eric Boyd & Steven Schend) is that the elder sharn are dark elves of Miyeritar transformed by High Magic into a new form to save themselves and vestiges of their culture and civilization during the 'killing storm' that destroyed that ancient realm.

Similarly, the prevailing view is that the arcanists of Netheril are not the progenitors of or 'in another form' sharn. That's just a bit of post-fall Netherese survivor propaganda - they couldn't admit that they had failed to defeat the phaerimm and so took credit for the successes of the sharn against them by claiming the sharn as some of their own, transformed.

The primordial theory is one that has been mentioned in product(s) as an aside. I don't believe it will get the nod when the origin of the sharn is finally canonised. Whenever that occurs.

We'll all have to wait and see.

-- George Krashos

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by George Krashos

Note that I said dark elves, not drow. Miyeritar fell before the Descent of the Drow, when dark elves were another racial sub-species and had the gamut of alignments - it was the dark elves of Ilythiir that eventually fell under the sway of evil and led to the consignment of this sub-species to the Underdark.

-- George Krashos

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Asgetrion

quote:

---

Originally posted by George Krashos

Note that I said dark elves, not drow. Miyeritar fell before the Descent of the Drow, when dark elves were another racial sub-species and had the gamut of alignments - it was the dark elves of Ilythiir that eventually fell under the sway of evil and led to the consignment of this sub-species to the Underdark.

-- George Krashos

---

And I knew that but I must have suffered from temporary dementia - my apologies How widely was the existence of the Sharn known after the Fall of Netheril?

---