Bardic Colleges

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


At a Glance

Fochlucan

The Fochlucan college is in Silverymoon.

Mac-Fuirmidh

The Mac-Fuirmidh college on Alaron fell in 1137 DR, and has not been rebuilt.

Doss

The Doss college has been absorbed by Twilight Hall, in Berdusk.

Canaith

The Canaith college south of Zazesspur was burned in 1347 DR, and has not been rebuilt.

Cli

Depending on which source you put stock in, the Cli college was located in Baldur’s Gate or Neverwinter. In either case, it has fallen and has not been rebuilt.

Anstruth

The Anstruth college was once in Sundabar. Only one building remains and it’s currently used as a warehouse for musical instruments.

Ollamh

The Ollamh college in Waterdeep fell in 1150 DR, but has been recently rebuilt by Danilo Thann and The Council of Musicians, Instrument-Makers, and Choristers.


The Xaeyruudh Campaign

I gather from the above material that the official understanding of the bardic colleges is that there’s a single campus in a particular place, and if you want to attend that college that’s where you have to go.

I have a somewhat bigger vision of the colleges, which I’ll be implementing (at least in the South) over the course of the campaign. Here’s a basic outline of what’s in the works.

Music is a Journey, Not a Destination

Most professional musical careers begin with an acceptance letter from Fochlucan. The successful student is exposed to the rudiments of various forms of expression including song, poetry, sculpture, painting, and music for several popular instruments. This battery of “art appreciation” classes weeds out those who think being a bard is a great way to avoid real work. After two years of sitting through long lectures and regurgitating the material in long essays, most students either graduate from Fochlucan or vanish and never again consider a career in art.

Acceptance to Mac-Fuirmidh is jumping from the pot into the fire, in some ways. This college is focused on physical art. The successful student will spend two years acquiring an eye for fine distinctions in color, mastering fluid brush strokes, and developing an appreciation for sculpture particularly using materials which are very hard to carve or very prone to crumbling. Woe betide the student who submits a clay sculpture! First-level bards are rare in Mac-Fuirmidh; admission requires level 2.

Next, for the serious bard, is Doss. Here, the student will become an expert on sound. All forms of music will be discussed, including some obscure instruments. Those who demonstrate an exceptional appreciation for nuances of sound will be allowed/encouraged to mimic famous works, but the acclaim of fellow students for their successful approximations is their only reward; their grades are based solely on their understanding of music. Admission to Doss requires 4 levels of the bard class.

Beginning with Canaith, the colleges become increasingly selective. Only the best of the Doss graduates will be invited to continue mastering music, now not simply imitating the masters but stepping into the shoes of a bard and writing their own works. It’s also at this stage of the bard’s education that travel (read: adventuring) is strongly encouraged. Canaith very rarely accepts bards below level 7.

Acceptance to Cli is regarded as a rite of passage; students begin to feel like they’ve “arrived” as they begin to receive some name-recognition in the lands they travel through. It’s also the point at which the bard’s education reaches its final stage: performance. Of course, bards may have performed before this point, but they were getting ahead of themselves so to speak. “Coursework” at the Cli level focuses on performance techniques and everything associated with being on stage in front of a bunch of people. Performances usually include elements of music, but focus on acting and oratory. Some students find their desire to ride from town to town and have lads or lasses hanging on their every quatrain frustrated by their instructors’ apparent compulsive need to make thespians out of everyone. Others –the more successful students– recognize the value and willingly throw their all into the juggling, unicycle riding, mimicry, and vocal/physical impressions that are demanded of them. Bards must reach level 11 before Cli will consider admitting them.

In the context of all the bards who begin at Fochlucan, it seems like only a very small number are eventually accepted to Anstruth. It’s here that bards finally begin performing/exhibiting their own works of art in front of large audiences. Where Cli seemed to focus on nonmusical aspects of performance –really, it was just attempting to give equal time to each mode of expression– Anstruth encourages bards to bring their best, whatever that is, to as many people as possible. Exceptional students at this level have occasionally been added to the curriculum of Fochlucan and Mac-Fuirmidh, something which never happens at the lower colleges. Anstruth rarely extends invitations to bards before level 16.

The seventh and final college is Ollamh. Here, bards continue to expand their repertoire and their reputations. There’s more prestige in being a member of Ollamh, due to the difficulty of meeting the admission standards, but the only practical distinction from Anstruth is that one generally has to be a member of Ollamh before one can become a member of Magna Alumnae or a headmaster of a campus of any college. Only the most successful (level 21+) bards are invited to Ollamh.

There is one additional distinction, though it’s not a college. The members of Magna Alumnae determine the curriculum of each college and also decide where new campuses will be located. Magna Alumnae will review applications for admission from any member of the Ollamh college, but there are a limited number of “seats” and membership is lifelong. When a seat becomes available, the existing members vote on a replacement. Members are often busy settling disputes or what-have-you at the various colleges, so communication is generally achieved through magic; the only time Magna Alumnae assembles in its entirety is to greet the newest member of their group and celebrate the life’s work of his/her predecessor.

Locations

It is highly unlikely that more than one campus of any college will be found in any nation, and certainly no more than one will be present within a given city.

Most well-established nations can be assumed to have Fochlucan chambers. Mac-Fuirmidh galleries are also common. Doss conservatories can be found in several nations of the Old Empires, and are scattered more widely elsewhere. Canaith libraries and Cli theatres are rare, and there’s only one Anstruth auditorium and one Ollamh forum in the Old Empires.

The following locations are tentative, and in some cases the campuses have not been built yet. Unthalass, for example, will not be prepared to begin construction until a later date in the campaign.

College Where
Fochlucan Anbar (Semphar)
Fochlucan Firetrees (Unther)
Fochlucan Immilmar (Rashemen)
Fochlucan Jhalhoran (Mulhorand)
Fochlucan Madan (Murghôm)
Fochlucan Mordulkin (Chessenta)
Fochlucan Zelpir (Var)
Mac-Fuirmidh Almorel
Mac-Fuirmidh Messemprar (Unther)
Mac-Fuirmidh Mourktar (Threskel)
Mac-Fuirmidh Soorenar (Chessenta)
Mac-Fuirmidh Turelve (Durpar)
Doss Amruthar (Thay)
Doss Orvyltar (Ulgarth)
Doss Phelzol (Semphar)
Doss Reth (Chessenta)
Doss Sultim (Mulhorand)
Canaith Delthuntle
Canaith Heldapan (Durpar)
Cli Bezantur (Thay)
Cli Dhaztanar (Semphar)
Anstruth Cimbar (Chessenta)
Ollamh Unthalass (Unther)

Sources

Passing Mention
Other Resources

Disclaimer

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Velsharoon

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


At a Glance

Velsharoon is a power of the Faerûnian Pantheon.


Sources

Passing Mention
  • Champions of Ruin [17872] page 75
  • Forgotten Realms [11836] (3e campaign setting) pages 234-235
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.

Ulutiu

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

Ulutiu, Ubtao, Siamorphe, Tiamat, and Valkur, from the WotC Faiths & Pantheons 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 power of the Faerûnian Pantheon.

Symbol of Ulutiu, from the WotC Faiths & Pantheons Art Gallery... click on the image for the link. All rights are assumed to be reserved by Wizards of the Coast

Source

  • Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting — listed on pages 234-235

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.

Ubtao

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


At a Glance

Ubtao is a power of the Chultan pantheon.

The Chultan god of creation, jungles, dinosaurs, and the Chultan people.


Sources

Passing Mention
Other Resources
  • Search for Ubtao on the FR Wiki

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.

Hulrundrar

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

At a Glance

A red dragon.

She lairs in the Troll Mountains. Her offspring include Cragnortherma, Heltipyre, and Scorlachash.

Sources

  • Dragons of Faerûn — listed on page 150

Passing Mention

  • Drizzt Do’Urden’s Guide to the Underdark [11509] page 86

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.

Hoondarrh

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

At a Glance

A red dragon.

Also called the Red Mage of Mintarn. He lairs on Skadaurak Island and in the Nether Mountains.

Source

  • Dragons of Faerûn — listed on page 150

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.

Heltipyre

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

At a Glance

A red dragon.

She lairs in Torglor. She is the offspring of Hulrundrar.

Source

  • Dragons of Faerûn — listed on page 150

Passing Mention

  • Drizzt Do’Urden’s Guide to the Underdark [11509] — mentioned on page 86

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.

Halarglautha

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

At a Glance

A red dragon.

Also called Firewings. She lairs at Dragon Falls until her death at the hands of human adventurers some time before 1365 DR.

Sources

  • Dragons of Faerûn — listed on page 150
  • City of Ravens Bluff [9575] — mentioned on page 150 under Dragon Falls

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.

Halaglathgar

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

At a Glance

A red dragon.

He lairs in the Aphrunn Mountains of Turmish.

Source

  • Dragons of Faerûn — listed on page 150

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.

Halagaster

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

At a Glance

A red dragon.

He lairs in Waterdeep.

Source

  • Dragons of Faerûn — listed on page 150

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.