Dambrath

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


At a Glance

Dambrath is unique in a couple of ways. It’s the only known nation ruled by a caste of half–elves, and the only nation of drow (their descendants, anyway) on the surface of Faerûn.


Departure

Much of the material found in this entry is based on the 2e The Shining South and the 3e Shining South. However, there are discrepancies between the timelines in these two sources. The general rule is that recent sources trump earlier sources. However, I’ve chosen in this particular case to favor the original dates implied in The Shining South. So to sum up: The timeline in the History section below is modified for my campaign.


Visiting

Communities
Other Landmarks
Neighboring Nations and Features

Politics

Who Rules

The year, in the Xaeyruudh campaign, is 1365 DR.

Dambrath is ruled by Queen Yenandra.


Notable Individuals


Local History

The problem I have with the dates given in the 3e Shining South is that they ignore the earlier lore for no apparent reason, and they end in the wrong year. However, the history in FR16 isn’t 100% right either. The account of Dambrath’s reigns covers 646 years in FR16. The events which set off Reinhar’s misguided invasion of the Underdark supposedly took place in 802 DR, making the “Present Day” 1448 DR… hardly an appropriate date for a 2e Realms book. So something is definitely goofy.

The dates in the 3e Shining South attempt to rectify this by crunching the reigns given in FR16 down to a total of 554 years. However, the reign of Queen Yenandra, which was current in FR16, is marked in the later source as ending in 1356 DR, which is before the beginning of the 1e Realms setting… *buzzz*. As further evidence that the numbers are wonky, consider that Queen Melanith was saved by a dolphin “over 300 years ago” but according to the 3e Shining South she didn’t become queen until 1094 DR. No worky.

There is an easy fix, however: the 802 DR date given for the conflict between Reinhar IX and the drow of T’lindhet was a typo; it was meant to say 702 DR. Here’s how I believe the timeline of Dambrath should look.

Timeline
DR Events
The Nars of Shandaular begin to spread outward from the Council Hills, calling themselves Arkaiuns in honor of their lost king.
211 The Arkaiun tribes flee the vengeful armies of Mulhorand and Unther, migrating southeast and eventually settling around the edge of the Bay of Dancing Dolphins.
314 The Arkaiuns establish Shantil (now Cathtyr), a trade city.
385 The Arkaiuns establish Hazuth, another city.
545 Reinhar I (518-554 DR) rises to power and establishes the Arkaiun realm of Dambrath.
546 Reinhar I conquers Luiren.
551 Reinhar I conquers Estagund.
552 Reinhar I conquers Var.
553 Reinhar I invades and occupies parts of Durpar and Halruaa.
554 Reinhar II (536-578 DR) rises to power, after Reinhar I is slain in Halruaa by Mycontil.
578 Reinhar III (556-600 DR) rises to power.
600 Reinhar IV (576-617 DR) rises to power, after Reinhar III is slain by giants.
617 Reinhar V (596-636 DR) rises to power, after Reinhar IV dies of plague.
636 Reinhar VI (614-656 DR) rises to power.
656 Reinhar VII (640-683 DR) rises to power.
683 Reinhar VIII (659-702 DR) rises to power.
702 Reinhar IX (686-740 DR) rises to power and begins his expansionist campaign.
706 First skirmish between the forces of Reinhar IX and the drow of T’lindhet.
740 Reinhar IX is slain and the Arkaiuns fragment.
743 Cathtyr (676-948 DR) solidifies her power and establishes the Crintri realm of Dambrath — she rules for 205 years.
948 Filina (868-953 DR) seizes power — she rules for 5 years.
953 Cathakay (899-1007 DR) seizes power — she rules for 54 years.
1007 Melanith (948-1163 DR) seizes power — she rules for 156 years.
1163 Ausitil (1087-1288 DR) seizes power — she rules for 125 years.
1288 Yenandra (1234-1366 DR) seizes power — she’s worn the crown for 71 years as of the “Present Day” of 2e.
1359 “Present Day” in FR16.
1366 Hasifir (1301-? DR) transforms Yenandra into a spectral guardian and takes power.
1373 “Present Day” in 3e Shining South.

Sources

  • Shining South [17929] pages 94-108
  • The Shining South [FR16/9388] pages page 23 (map); the note about Queen Melanith being saved by a dolphin is on page 24
Passing Mention
Maps
Other Resources

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.

Luiren

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

Festival, from the WotC Shining South Art Gallery... click on the image for the link. All rights are assumed to be reserved by Wizards of the Coast


At a Glance

A halfling nation on the southern coast of Faerûn.


Overview

The Landscape: What You See
Settlements
Ruins, Dungeons, Etc
Roads
Other Landmarks
Neighboring Nations & Features

Culture and Society


Politics

The year, in the Xaeyruudh campaign, is 1365 DR.

Who Rules

Faran Ferromar, the patriarch of Yondalla, is the nominal leader of Luiren.

Who Really Rules

Local History


Notable Individuals

Noble/Merchant Families
  • Faran Ferromar
Citizens
Transients

Sources

Primary Sources
  • Shining South [17929] pages 142-154
  • Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting [1085] (2e) A Grand Tour of the Realms page 128
Passing Mention
Maps

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 Toadsquat Mountains

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

At a Glance

The Toadsquats are a mountain range forming the southern boundary of the Eastern Shaar.

Neighboring nations and regions include the Eastern Shaar to the north, Veldorn and the Shining Lands to the east, Luiren to the south, and the Forest of Amtar to the west.

The year, in the Xaeyruudh campaign, is 1365 DR. It is unknown who, if anyone, controls the Toadsquats.

Source

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.

Veldorn

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


At a Glance

Veldorn is perhaps unique in the Realms, as a nation of monsters… not just one type of monsters, but any monster capable of holding a domain may rule it. It’s also called the Beastlands, and its rulers are sometimes referred to as the Beast-Chieftains.


Sources

Passing Mention
Maps
Other Resources

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 Shining Lands

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

At a Glance

The Shining Lands is colloquial term encompassing the nations of Durpar, Estagund, and Var.

Neighboring nations and regions include Luiren and Veldorn to the west, the Raurin Desert to the north, Ulgarth to the east, and the Great Sea to the south.

The year, in the Xaeyruudh campaign, is 1365 DR. The Grand Nawab of Durpar rules the Shining Lands.

Source

  • Shining South [17929] pages 109-123, with a map on page 111

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 Golden Water

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

At a Glance

The Golden Water is a small sea encompassed by the Shining Lands and Ulgarth.

Neighboring nations and regions include Var and Veldorn to the west, Durpar to the north, Ulgarth to the east, and the Great Sea to the south.

The year, in the Xaeyruudh campaign, is 1365 DR. It is unknown who, if anyone, controls the depths of the Golden Water.

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.

Ulgarth

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


At a Glance

Ulgarth is an independent nation of the Shining South.


Overview

Settlements
Ruins, Dungeons, Etc
Roads
Other Landmarks
Neighboring Nations & Features

Neighboring nations and regions include Durpar to the west, the Dustwall to the north, A-Ling Shan to the east, and Zakhara to the south.


Sources

  • Shining South [17929] page 179
  • The Shining South [FR16/9388] pages 53 (map), 73 (map)
Passing Mention
Other Resources

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 Raurin Desert

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


At a Glance

The Raurin is a desert east of Faerûn, west of Kara-Tur, and north of Zakhara. It is widely considered, among sages, to be the birthplace of the first human empire in the Forgotten Realms: Imaskar, still remembered in crumbling history books as a cruel land of wizardry and dark lore. The Great Kingdom of Raurin once thrived here, before its destruction more than 3500 years ago.


Visiting

Communities
Neighboring Nations and Features

Sources

Primary Sources
  • Old Empires [FR10/9274] pages 7, 8, 9, 26, 31, 66, 89
  • Forgotten Realms [1085] (2e) A Grand Tour of the Realms page 128
  • Forgotten Realms [1031] (1e) Cyclopedia of the Realms page 73
Maps

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 Dustwall

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


At a Glance

The Dustwall is a mountain range forming the western and southern boundary of the Raurin Desert.

Neighboring nations and regions include Raurin to the north and east, Durpar to the south, and the Eastern Shaar to the west.

The year, in the Xaeyruudh campaign, is 1365 DR. It is unknown who, if anyone, controls the Dustwall.


Sources

Maps

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 Raurinshield Mountains

At a Glance

The Raurinshield Mountains are a mountain range south of Semphar at the northern edge of the Raurin Desert.

Neighboring nations and regions include Semphar to the north, the Jumpa River Gorge to the east, and the Raurin Desert to the south and west.

The year, in the Xaeyruudh campaign, is 1365 DR. It is unknown who, if anyone, controls the Raurinshields.

Source

There are few sources for even this general information.