Oceans and Seas

Aquatic Environment

Oceans and seas comprise one of three basic categories of aquatic environments, the other two being lakes and rivers.  These large bodies of water are usually saltwater, but there are exceptions; the Moonsea is freshwater.

Reaches and bays may be treated on a case-by-case basis, but in general should be considered part of the larger body of which they are a part.

Oceans and Seas of the Realms

Cold Saltwater: Eastern Sea, Sea of Swords, Trackless Sea, Yal Tengri, and Yellow Sea.

black burner, bloatfish, crystal nipper, icetail, spiny sleeper.

Temperate Saltwater: Celestial Sea, Eastern Sea, Sea of Fallen Stars, Sea of Moonshae, Sea of Swords, and Trackless Sea.

Warm Saltwater: Alamber Sea, Golden Water, Great Sea, Segara Sea, Shining Sea, Southern Ocean, and Trackless Sea.

Cold Freshwater: Moonsea.

Subterranean Freshwater:

iridescent plecos, lemon fish, wattley.

Subterranean Saltwater:

iridescent plecos, lemon fish, wattley.

Source

“The Moonsea is freshwater”: this comes from the Realms FAQ on Candlekeep.  The same source indicates that while the Sea of Fallen Stars is saltwater, the Dragonmere and the Vilhon Reach are “brackish” or some mix of saltwater and freshwater.

Kholtar

This information is intended for use with the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.

At a Glance

Khôltar is a city on the rim of the Great Rift.

Sources

  • The Shining South [FR16/9388] Map
  • Old Empires [FR10/9274] – Khôltar appears on the map
  • Elminster Speaks – Khôltar is discussed in detail in the last 17 parts of this series

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Delzimmer

This information is intended for use with the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.


At a Glance

Delzimmer is an independent city north of Dambrath, west of Luiren, and south of the Great Rift.


Sources

Passing Mention
  • Elminster Speaks – Delzimmer is discussed in detail in 15 parts of this series
Maps

Disclaimer

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Voonlar

This information is intended for use with the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.


At a Glance

Voonlar is a town northeast of Shadowdale, in the Moonsea region.


Notable Individuals


Sources

  • Elminster Speaks — Voonlar is discussed in detail in the first 33 parts of this series
  • Forgotten Realms [11836] — pages 161–162
  • A Grand Tour of the Realms [1085a] — page 69
  • Cyclopedia of the Realms [1031a] — page 87
Maps

Disclaimer

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The Untheric Pantheon

This information is intended for use with the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.

At a Glance

Gilgeam is the God-King.  There is no other god.  Worship of any other beings is punished by death.”

That’s the official story. Under the propaganda, however, there is more to be known.

DM’s Notes

This “pantheon” was once a living pantheon.  Anu, Ashnan, Enki, Inanna, Kabta, Ki, Lahar, Marduk, Nanna–Sin, Nergal, Ningal, and Utu were slain in the Orcgate Wars.  At the time, the Mulhorandi pantheon was reeling from the loss of Re and the intrigue related to Anubis and Set, so no attempt was made to claim the fallen Untheric God-Kings’ titles or duties.  Since that time, various Faerûnian powers have occasionally considered making a push into Unther, but Gilgeam’s extreme violence toward all other religions is a “turn-off” for most benevolent and neutral powers.

Enlil survived the war, but later ceded leadership of the pantheon to Gilgeam and retired from his active role in the Realms.  Some time after that, Gilgeam expelled Assuran and Tiamat from the pantheon, for offenses which were probably imaginary.  Assuran left grudgingly, and later became Hoar of the Faerunian pantheon… arguably a “step up” in terms of power and respect.  Tiamat’s cult actually grew much larger after she was publicly denounced by Gilgeam, and it remained in Unther to be a thorn in Gilgeam’s side, though her influence had been expanding into the rest of Faerun for some time.

Ramman and Ishtar were harangued for years, and eventually defeated or browbeaten into obscurity by Gilgeam.  Ishtar willingly ceded her divine power and her cult to her friend and rival, Isis — a very old pair; they were students together at the same academy in Imaskar, more than 4,000 years ago.  Ramman submitted his power to Anhur, or was defeated in honorable combat, depending on the story.

Now Gilgeam stands alone against Tiamat, who was old and powerful before he was born.  Tiamat, who styles herself the Nemesis of the Gods, and has the power and cruelty to back it up.  Gilgeam, in contrast, is too arrogant to ponder the possibility that his ambition might outreach his sword, or that millennia of “big talk” with no real challenges might have left him unprepared for a challenger whose bite is far worse than her hiss.

Unlike Mulhorand, where (other than the outsider powers who pose as God-Kings) there’s almost no worship of the Faerunian pantheon, several “foreign” powers have a foothold in Unther.  This is due primarily to the near-universal hatred of Gilgeam among the people of Unther, but it’s also difficult for one god to be all things to all of his people regardless of how much they might like him.  Among the powers who have significant followings in Unther are Anhur, Bane, Mask, Mystra, Sebek, Tempus, Umberlee, and Waukeen.  There is also a cult of “The Old Gods” which remains loyal to the fallen members of the Untheric pantheon… unfortunately they don’t have any magical or political power.

Source

  • Gilgeam, Ishtar, Ramman, and Tiamat are described on pages 44-46 of FR10.  Enlil is mentioned in a couple of places.  Marduk, Nanna-Sin, and Utu are mentioned under The Old Gods. The other gods were added for the Xaeyruudh campaign.

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The Mulhorandi Pantheon

This information is intended for use with the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.


Divergence from Canon

The official history of the Mulhorandi pantheon (as I understand it, anyway) goes back to Imaskar and giant portals through which the Imaskari grabbed huge numbers of people from ancient Earth.  These newcomers were enslaved by the Imaskari and became known as the Mulan, but most importantly they brought their culture and religion with them.  This is apparently the rationale behind bringing Egyptian mythology into the Realms.

I realize it probably makes me a spoilsport, but I don’t like that story.  Elminster talking to Ed: cool/fun/interesting.  Thousands of Egyptians yanked into the Realms and then rescued by shards of the gods they worshiped on Earth?  Then these gods led the Egyptians to establish Mulhorand, where the gods ruled for a long time and then abruptly returned to their essences in the Outer Planes, which was their home the whole time, even though they had been worshiped on Earth?  Hokey.  Lame.

So, in the Xaeyruudh campaign, things happened differently.  The God-Kings venerated today as the Mulhorandi pantheon were once Imaskari adventurers and scholars, who crafted and executed a plan to ascend (partway at least) to godly power.  They were born in Imaskar, and they (with the exception of Ptah) have never dwelled in the Outer Planes, and they know nothing about Earth.  The Anhur in the Realms has nothing to do with the Anhur in Egypt, and probably has no connection to any Anhur which might be worshiped in other campaign worlds.

I also added a few more powers to the mix, balancing the Mulhorandi and Untheric pantheons at 18 powers apiece.


At a Glance

The Pantheon consists of twelve God-Kings: Anhur, Horus–Re, Isis, Nephthys, Osiris, Thoth, Bast, Geb, Hathor, Nut, Shu, and Tefnut.

The first six have huge churches which think of themselves as The Churches, while the others are referred to somewhat condescendingly as cults. Note that this term does not have all the same connotations in Mulhorand (or in the rest of the Realms) as it does on Earth; in Mulhorand a cult is merely a smaller and/or less influential church.


DM’s Notes

There are six other God-Kings as well, three of which nobody likes to talk about (Apophis, Sebek, and Set) and three that most folks honestly don’t know about (Anubis, Ptah, and Re).

Making things a little more complicated, some of the God-Kings died long ago… or for whatever other reason are not who they appear to be.

Anubis

Anubis is a God-King. He was declared dead, but he still exists, and he has a thriving cult… elsewhere. Anubis may answer prayers directed to him, but only if the supplicant is outside Mulhorand.

Apophis

Apophis is not a God-King. He’s an aspect of Shar; she may answer prayers directed to Apophis.

Ptah

Ptah is a God-King, but he parted ways with the others before they left Imaskar and he was never acknowledged as part of the pantheon. His cult, however, did come to Mulhorand and persists to the present day. All of the God-Kings hear prayers directed to Ptah within Mulhorand, and any may answer… but they usually do not.

Re

Re is a God-King. He was declared to have merged with Horus, but he still exists as a separate entity. He has no cult. Horus-Re answers prayers directed to Re, but Re hears them too and hypothetically could respond as well.

Nut

Nut was a God-King, and is believed to be alive, but is actually replaced by Selûne, who answers prayers directed to Nut.

Sebek

Sebek is not a God-King. He’s an interloper power of indeterminate origin (not an aspect of a Faerunian power). The God-Kings know he’s not one of them, but they don’t know who/what he is. He may answer prayers directed to him.

Set

Set was declared dead, but is believed to still exist (probably as an undead God-King if such a thing is possible), but his cult is exiled from Mulhorand on pain of death. Set may answer prayers directed to him, but only if the supplicant is outside Mulhorand.

Shu

Shu was a God-King, and is believed to be alive, but is actually replaced by Shaundakul, who answers prayers directed to Shu.

Tefnut

Tefnut was a God-King, and is believed to be alive, but is actually replaced by Eldath, who answers prayers directed to Tefnut.


Sources

  • Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting [11836] (3e) — page 236 mentions Anhur, Geb, Hathor, Horus-Re, Isis, Nephthys, Osiris, Sebek, Set, and Thoth; page 234 mentions Sharess (linked elsewhere with Bast); the Web Enhancement describes Anhur, Geb, Hathor, Horus-Re, Isis, Nephthys, Osiris, Sebek, Set, Sharess, and Thoth
  • Old Empires [FR10/9274] pages 23-29 describe Anhur, Horus-Re, Isis, Nephthys, Osiris, Set, and Thoth; Geb, Hathor, and Sebek are mentioned in passing — Some notes on the Time of Troubles (which will be disregarded in the Xaeyruudh campaign) appear on page 29
  • Xaeyruudh — Anubis, Apophis, Nut, Ptah, Re, Shu, and Tefnut were given a presence in the Realms for the Xaeyruudh campaign, and are not official; the connections with Faerûnian deities, other than Bast, are also unofficial

Disclaimer

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South Wood

This information is intended for use with the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.

At a Glance

The South Wood, across the Delimbiyr from the High Forest and next to the High Moor, overshadows the town of Loudwater.

Some trees in Oregon... aka the South Wood?

This image is courtesy of the wikipedia article on forests.  This forest is in Oregon.

Source

  • Elminster’s Ecologies Appendix II: High Moor & Serpent Hills [9490] page 6

Disclaimer

Wizards of the Coast, Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, Forgotten Realms, and their logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the United States and other countries. This blog is not affiliated with, endorsed, sponsored, or specifically approved by Wizards of the Coast LLC.

The Nunwood

This information is intended for use with the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.

At a Glance

The Nunwood is an oft-ignored forest on the western slopes of the Akanapeaks at the mouth of the Vilhon Reach.

A Visual

The Nunwood

Sources

  • The image is courtesy of the wikipedia article on forests. This particular forest is located in Serbia.

Disclaimer

Wizards of the Coast, Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, Forgotten Realms, and their logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the United States and other countries. This blog is not affiliated with, endorsed, sponsored, or specifically approved by Wizards of the Coast LLC.

The Methwood

This information is intended for use with the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.

At a Glance

A forest on the border between Unther and Chessenta. The Methwood is teeming with life, some of it not found in other nearby forests.

A Visual

Unnamed forest in Utah... aka the Methwood?

Residents

Eldreth Veluuthra is active here.

Whenever Gilgeam is not present, the undisputed master of the forest is Skuthosiin, a green dragon with a fearsome reputation in Unther and Chessenta.

Sources

  • Candlekeep — Hoondatha suggested that Gilgeam stocked the Methwood as a hunting preserve.
  • The image is courtesy of the wikipedia article on forests; unfortunately it doesn’t give a specific place name, just that it’s in Utah.

Disclaimer

Wizards of the Coast, Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, Forgotten Realms, and their logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the United States and other countries. This blog is not affiliated with, endorsed, sponsored, or specifically approved by Wizards of the Coast LLC.

The Ganathwood

This information is intended for use with the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.

At a Glance

The Ganathwood is a quiet and unremarkable forest, thanks in large part to the church of Isis.  Priestesses and adventurers have been clearing out the forest and restoring the ecosystem since the third and hopefully final defeat of Sibethibis “the Jade Plague” in 1309 DR.

A Visual

The Ganathwood

Sources

Disclaimer

Wizards of the Coast, Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, Forgotten Realms, and their logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the United States and other countries. This blog is not affiliated with, endorsed, sponsored, or specifically approved by Wizards of the Coast LLC.