Tablet of Fate

At a Glance

The Tablets of Fate are indirectly the cause of the Time of Troubles. Bane and Myrkul conspired to steal them from Ao, which predictably pissed him off and caused him to drop the powers onto the surface of Faerûn until the tablets were returned… and hopefully they learned a lesson in humility in the process. The tablets were returned, but I don’t think most of the Gods really learned anything.

The tablets have no magic; at least none that mortals or powers can access.

Source

Waterdeep [FRE3/9249] page 46.

Fallen Realms

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

This is a work in progress

…and will probably remain so, given the number of fallen realms. Stop falling!

Realm Race(s)
Ammarindar Dwarves
Anauria Humans
Ardeep
Argissthilliax dragons
Arkaia Humans
Arunduth
Aryselmalyr
Aryvandaar Elves
Ashanath Humans
Askavar Elves
Asram Humans
Athalantar Humans
Barakuir Dwarves
Besilmer Dwarves
Boitumelo creator races
Caesinmalsvir dragons
Calandor
Citadel Adbar Dwarves
Cormanthyr Elves
Cortryn
Daerimathlor
Darasriverthicha dragons
Darchar giants
Dardath Dwarves
Dareth Dwarves
Delimbiyran Humans
Delzoun Dwarves
Dolblunde gnomes
Drakkalor Dwarves
Eaerlann Elves
Ebenfar
Eiellur Elves
Elembar
Ellermere
Eltabranar Humans
The Elven Court Elves
Es’rath shalarin
Gharraghaur Dwarves
Glorfindral Elves
Golothaer drow
Grunfesting giants
Harpshield
Haunghdannar Dwarves
Helligheim giants
Hlondath Humans
Hlontar
Hlundadim goblinoids
Holorarar Dwarves
Hunnabar Dwarves
Iliyanbruen
Illefarn Elves
Illusk Humans
Ilodhar Elves
Iltkazar Humans
Ilythiir Elves
Imaskar Humans
Ironstar Dwarves
Isstossefifil Sarrukh
Jhaamdath Humans
Jhothûn Giants, Qorrash
Jhyrennstar Elves
Kanaglym Dwarves
Keltormir Elves
Kolophoon creator races
Korolnor Dwarves
Lethyr Elves
Loravatha
The Kingdom of Man Dwarves, Elves, Humans
Meiritin halflings
Mhairshaulk Sarrukh
Mir
Miyeritar Elves
Nadezhda creator races
Naramyr Elves
Narfell Humans
Nedeheim giants
Netheril Humans
Nikerymath Elves
Oelerhode gnomes
Oghrann Dwarves
Okoth Sarrukh
Orishaar Elves
Orogoth
Ostoria giants
Phalorm Dwarves, Elves, Humans
Phandalin
Philock Humans
P’karnis merrow
Pourounkorokale
Rangfjell giants
Raumathar Humans
Rilithar
Roldilar
Rystall Wood Elves
Sarphil Dwarves
Scathril
Selu’maraar
Semberholme Elves
Serpentes Yuan-ti
Shanatar Dwarves
Shantel Othreier Elves
Sharrven Elves
Shilmista Elves
Shoon Humans
Siluvanede Elves
Sondarr Dwarves
Songfarla gnomes
Stonegard
Sundul Humans
Syòrpiir Elves
Talfir Humans
Talmost
Telantiwar drow
Teshar
Tethyamar Dwarves
Thaltekth Dwarves
Thar orcs
Tharkrixghontix dragons
Thearnytaar Elves
Torglor Dwarves
Ulbaerag
Ultoksamrin Dwarves
Urgnarash gnolls
Uthtower
Uvaeren Elves
Vastar
Xothaerin Dwarves
Yarlith
Yuireshanyaar Elves
Zhoukoudien creator races

The list grows a bit longer if we add dales, such as Moondale, Sessrendale, Tarkhaldale, and Teshendale, and kingdoms and cultures which may not truly be gone, but are widely believed to be… the Innugaakalikurit, the Siremun, Synnoria, and to a lesser extent Mulhorand and Unther, or all the nations that were demolished by 4e… but I’m not going to get started on that, here.

Additional Sources

  • The Grand History of the Realms
  • George Krashos mentions the survivors of the Kingdom of Man in a Candlekeep thread.

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.

Stone Sceptre of Shih

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

At a Glance

The Stone Sceptre of Shih is an artifact created for the purpose of deposing Emperor Tan Chin of Shou Lung, now known as Ambuchar Devayam.

Source

  • Blood Charge [FRA3/9304] makes several mentions

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 Magister

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

At a Glance

This is a template which is typically only applied to humans or demihumans.  At any given time, there is only one Magister in the Realms.  Becoming the Magister requires being nominated by the Chosen of Azuth and the approval of this nomination by Azuth himself.  Defeating the incumbent Magister does not, contrary to popular belief, automatically elevate one to the position.

A list of various Magisters follows. The list is not exhaustive, but it does include all of those (since 136 DR) who were Magister for more than a few moments.

Azuth ?
Shornthal Imynster 136-148 DR
Flaerivus Grevauldyn 151-154 DR
Malanthus Stormstaern 154-177 DR
Dorgon Heamiiolothtar 177-241 DR
Nelorth Broamshoulder 241-242 DR
Weldrarn Orblin 242 DR
Tsanbrin Aulmeroevler 242-244 DR
Brymmyn Thorl 244-246 DR
Corthas Muhleer 246 DR
Galeerie Mulurkrath 246-249 DR
Talana Brakuularn 249-256 DR
Eirl Rauthantannar 256-276 DR
Ergrith Klavulgrun 276-278 DR
Adriyana Voudsarr 278-292 DR
Nasana Melnuthquel 293-297 DR
Sabral Faryre 298 DR
Malkith Undree 298-302 DR
Oldo Tappard 302-316 DR
Iolaeden Stonehallow 316-318 DR
Loaradden Derviir 319-321 DR
Onsilur Maerdrathom 321-326 DR
Gelthin Hornreach 326-337 DR
Hortil Droone 337-345 DR
Phambra Chalyphar 345 DR
Arghorst Talandor 345-404 DR
Anaslas Raldimmar 404-407 DR
Eleedra Nathchant 407-409 DR
Eldrus Wands 409-516 DR
Thardon Ilvynner 516-522 DR
Morglord Iltriune 522-527 DR
Tsjancy Yildree 528-531 DR
Urboltar Highymhelver 531-537 DR
Tyvbolt Arsurath 537-544 DR
Annath Sunfall 544-576 DR
Alvaerele Tasundrym 576-592 DR
Ozgor Hyelvel 592-601 DR
Velgorn Kataclath 601-607 DR
Velomar Dauntcastle 607-612 DR
Irithra Dawntanthra 612-641 DR
Dathchaunt Sandrach 641-657 DR
Jhesiyra Kestellharp 658-667 DR
Nerren Prentiyuel 667-669 DR
Filverel Donnathlascen 669-694 DR
Larongar Veverell 694-699 DR
Quaervaxthanus 699-705 DR
Almer Galarthund 705-709 DR
Turnock Draether 709-762 DR
Cauldyn Darthus Salanger 762 DR
Veldrin Daerlvyn 762-797 DR
Kurtal of Sreve 797-886 DR
Sharglar Dulrathran 887 DR
Kalgrathur Daycloaks 887-889 DR
Jonsryn Daerathal 889-902 DR
Taline Telgara 902-946 DR
Caldauvur Maerglauthyn 946-949 DR
Ildathchance Orlaer 949-952 DR
Baerzlus Anagathiir 952 DR
Bilnur Faerglamer 952-977 DR
Malune Nalonkrivar 977-983 DR
Constulgrael 983-986 DR
Meldryn Jalensifer 986-998 DR
Sarndaen Dalabar 998-1066 DR
Immué Dathril 1066-1104 DR
Nelnfaen Sauntarae 1104-1126 DR
Olohmber Starnadyn 1126-1153 DR
Horgyl Tusselvarr 1153-1204 DR
Haelvar Ildagh 1204-1221 DR
Isilger Mountrant 1221-1274 DR
Thornar Fleetmoor 1274-1278 DR
Uldinus Lawkland 1278-1280 DR
Ohland Grethgar 1280-1282 DR
Inhil Lauthdryn 1282-1294 DR
Aralagath Tarsil 1294-1306 DR
Orten Imdrar 1306-1317 DR
Qilder Yarven 1317-1318 DR
Maldiglas Turntower 1318-1322 DR
Phelarnden Ghemelt 1322 DR
Maxiladanarr Torstren 1322-1328 DR
Imrul Athelzedar 1328-1354 DR
Nouméa Drathchuld 1354-1370 DR
Talatha Vaerovree 1370-1385 DR

Beluane Alkath is being considered in 1357 DR as a possible future Magister. Faerndel of Mourktar is noted as the first mage who declined the role of Magister, when it was offered to him by Azuth in 241 DR. Talatha perishes in the Spellplague.

Sources

  • Magic of Faerûn [11964] page 185
  • Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting [11836] page 57, 237, 264
  • Secrets of the Magister [11430] — the whole book is relevant, but pages 30-82 give biographical sketches for many of the magisters

Source(s) regarding Beluane are found in her link.

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 Year 0

This is a persistent and paradoxical phenomenon, and I feel a need to clear it up, at least with respect to my own campaigns.

Calendars are centered on events.  The day on which that event occurs, and the 364 days following the event, are Year 1.  The 365 days preceding the event are Year -1.  The only way there could be a Year 0 is if the event on which the calendar is based took up a whole 365 days… and in such a case we would choose the beginning of the event, the end of the event, or some intermediary part of the event and make that day the 0 of the calendar, and you still wouldn’t get a Year 0.

There is no Year 0.

There.  I feel much better now, don’t you?  You should.

You might ask: why does it matter?  It matters because sloppy math results in incorrect accounts of history.  To most, it doesn’t matter whether the first Pharaoh ascended in -981 DR or -980 DR… but it might be more important to those folks that their children learn that King Azoun IV took the throne of Cormyr in 1336.  Because that’s somehow important, even if the other isn’t. It was -981 (1).

And that’s the long and short answer.  It matters because it matters.  To someone.  Because truth matters, and that means accuracy matters.

Khazmahk the Mighty

In the beginning… what?

Oh.  Too far back.  Right.

Well, there are a lot of systems for tracking the years in Faerun, and we need to be able… now what?

If we’re going to compare the events in one country with those in any other — for example, who ruled the nations of the South when Jhaamdath fell?  Or the North, for that matter.  That could tell us where the survivors may have fled to, and thus where to look for remnants of that culture.  Or for something perhaps more interesting to you… what was going on in Imaskar during the time of Netheril?  Yes they existed concurrently… it was the year 1237 in Netheril when Imaskar fell.  There were at least three flying cities in the sky by that time… (2)

Of course it matters, Captain Snarkypants.  Do you suppose that no far-wandering arcanists from one of them ever happened to stumble into the other?  Of course they did.  Was there an exchange of spells?  Isn’t it possible that some Imaskari were visiting friends (or enemies, we don’t judge) in the north when the kingdom of Raurin came to a fiery end?  Yes?  Good answer.  We know at least three were. (3)

In those cases, a difference of a single year might not seem important.  In other situations, a year makes a big difference.  Suppose you’re taught that some famous swordswinger or axethrower… what?  Yes, Khazmahk the Mighty works fine.  Yes, the strongest half-orc who ever lived, I’ve heard the tales too.  Suppose the bards are all saying he was slain by the Phalabuti tribe in 1214 DR… the Phalabuti?  They were kobolds.  Yes, well, kobolds are sneaky little buggers, and a mighty half-orc wouldn’t be expecting them to be a threat and so would severely underestimate them.

Moving on.  Suppose the bards are wrong?  The Phalabuti’s victory was complete… there were no survivors outside of the kobolds themselves, and they recorded their success in their own method of timekeeping, which tragically died with them when the entire tribe fell victim to a certain red dragon we call Klauth.  A bard, stumbling some time later upon fragments of charred hide, accidentally discovered the kobolds’ crude symbols thereon and eventually recognized them as a timeline of the tribe’s victories… but he didn’t pay adequate attention to his addition and subtraction.  He had heard, of course, of mighty Khazmahk… now he knew the half-orc’s end.  And as he traveled the orc-hating portion of the Realms, for the remainder of his days, he often told of the legendary half-orc hero who fell to the legendless anything-but-heroic kobolds.

Yes, I was wondering when you were going to ask me that.  It’s important because the Phalabuti actually killed Khazmahk in 1213 DR.  Which creates a problem because it was in the following year, watched by a dozen humans and dwarves, that Khazmahk split that tree in half with a thrown axe and earned himself the title of strongest half-orc who ever lived.  So… where does that leave us?

Ah, the sound of silence.  So refreshing.  So relaxing.  That leaves us with legends that are untrue, being told the length of the Sword Coast.  It also leaves us with Khazmahk killed by kobolds, and another half-orc… who was clearly *not* Khazmahk, but took Khazmahk’s name for some reason, earning his title at Arningad and crafting a rather fearsome reputation over the remainder of his life. (4)

When it comes down to it, a year can always become a larger error, because translating between systems of timekeeping often entails going from one calendar to another, and then a third, and then a fourth.  Mistakes compound, particularly when the original scribe wasn’t sure of the exact dates, or when the writing has been worn or dampened.

No, I’m not grasping at straws, but I can assure you that if I were, the fireball I would subsequently send rumbling up your trousers would be truly inspiring.  Now get out, before I affix an orc’s mouth to your forehead that asks you insipid questions.  Accompanied, if your scrolls are incomplete again tomorrow, by a suitable slaver of drool that runs down your face carrying the odor of a much-used oubliette!

~ Auvo’s Hero, as performed at a fireside by Tammenni of the Tongues


1 – According to the succession of Pharaohs written for my “home” campaign.

2 – Adjusted slightly from official sources.  In my campaign, the cataclysm that ruined the kingdom of Raurin was in -2623 DR… the more commonly cited -2488 DR was when the rest of the world found out about it, from the first trickle of bards who were lucky enough to stagger out of the devastation after being unlucky enough to teleport into it.  More on this later.

3 – According to journals compiled recently, forthcoming uh… when I compile them.  Hilather/Halaster was not one of these; not in my campaign anyway.

4 – Arningad was more of a camp than a town, located where the Shining Creek joins the Goblintide, south of Lurkwood and west of the Trollmoors.  One of many unsuccessful and short-lived efforts by half-orcs to find some acceptance from both sides of their ancestry, as well as the grudging-if-necessary respect of dwarves and elves.  Hey, half-orcs are ambitious.  No official sources; I made it up.  Khazmahk and the Phalabuti, in case it wasn’t obvious, are also unofficial, as well as Tammenni and her impetuous brother Auvo.

Conversions

Dalereckoning to Mulhorand Calendar
after 1 DR: add 2135 to convert from DR to MC
before 1 DR: add 2136 to convert from DR to MC

Mulhorand Calendar to Dalereckoning
after 1 MC: subtract 2136 to convert from MC to DR
before 1 MC: subtract 2135 to convert from MC to DR

Dalereckoning to Netheril Year
after 1 DR: add 3859 to convert from DR to NY
before 1 DR: add 3860 to convert from DR to NY

Netheril Year to Dalereckoning
after 1 NY: subtract 3860 to convert from NY to DR
before 1 NY: subtract 3859 to convert from NY to DR

Dalereckoning to Imaskar Calendar — this conflicts with official/published material, and is only valid for material which might appear in this blog; it’s included mostly so that I don’t have to make another post like this later.
after 1 DR: add 15383 to convert from DR to IC
before 1 DR: add 15384 to convert from DR to IC

Imaskar Calendar to Dalereckoning — see notes above.
after 1 IC: subtract 15384 to convert from DR to IC
before 1 IC: subtract 15383 to convert from DR to IC

The Dragon’s Bane

Nothing really jumps out as a vital topic for the first-post-after-the-first-post.  So I give you an afternoon’s daydream based on a few words from a classic work of Realmslore: Old Empires [TSR 9274].

The Xaeyruudh Campaign

The Dragon’s Bane was an adventuring company, active in Chessenta from 3115-3133 MC (980-998 DR).  In the early years, the name of their band was just ambitious bravado, but in time they grew strong and hastened the demise of several violent young dragons.  The company gathered in Cimbar in 3132, in what proved to be their final campaign, with the goal of destroying the more powerful long-term threats in the lands around Chessenta.  They succeeded in defeating a few of their greatest foes, and their fame reached new heights when they donated the hoards to the coffers of cities which agreed to give citizenship to immigrant demihumans and giants who wished to live peacefully among humans.  Sadly, the Dragon’s Bane met their end in the following year when they faced the last and most powerful of the dragons, an old red wyrm named Guyanothaz.

Gahadunaddim, a stone giant of Fuirgar, founded and led the Dragon’s Bane.  Sharan Poennus, a half-elven priestess of Sehanine Moonbow, was one of the giant’s first and truest friends in the lands of the “little people” as he called non-giants, and it was no secret that the two shared an affection that went far beyond mercenary comaraderie.  The dwarf Khal Mulad was recruited for his expertise in finding and disarming traps, but he was also skilled with his axe and crossbow.  Faleius Hestius and Percero were Chessentan mercenaries, retained over the course of many adventures due to both their fighting prowess and their honor when the time came to divide up the spoils.

The tale of their doom is still told in Cimbar, and among sages who track the rise and fall of dragons.  Guyanothaz was a rapacious raider in those days, by far the most arrogant of the dragons in the Old Empires, and less than wise when it came to concealing his comings and goings.  The Dragon’s Bane stalked him without difficulty, waited for him to raid the fields outside Cimbar, and removed most of his hoard from the lair to prevent it from being damaged when they fought him later.  Guyanothaz returned that night to find his hoard plundered and armored adventurers waiting to attack him.  He immediately launched himself into melee with them without acknowledging the possibility that they might be able to hurt him.  After several minutes of fighting, the Dragon’s Bane was wounded but not in disarray.  Gahadunaddim kept the dragon’s attention focused on him by virtue of his great size and brightly glowing greatsword.  Sharan fervently channeled her goddess’ healing power into the giant, and the others focused on staying out of the dragon’s breath and attempting to exploit his vulnerabilities.

The battle might have turned in the adventurers’ favor when Khal Mulad’s bolt of dragon slaying pierced the dragon’s right eye, but Guyanothaz survived the bolt’s powerful curse.  Half-blinded and shrieking in agony, the dragon threw himself against the walls of the cavern to crush his attackers.  The adventurers nimbly avoided the dragon’s charges, but his wrath began to collapse the cavern around them and Gahadunaddim ordered them to retreat.  Each member had already sustained life-threatening injuries, and they had not yet managed to mortally wound the dragon.  The giant deemed it wise to live and return to the dragon’s lair after resting and recuperating from their wounds, and perhaps gathering some additional reinforcements.  The dwarf and the Chessentan men obediently ran for the exit, but Sharan could not turn her back on her love and continued healing his wounds.  As fiery death filled the cavern, Gahadunaddim’s greatsword plunged into Guyanothaz’s left eye, fully blinding the dragon.  Guyanothaz twisted and writhed, and withdrew into a deeper cavern, his roars and thrashing tail collapsing the tunnel behind him.  Gahadunaddim turned to push his companions out of the cavern, and found them all dead.  The men had almost escaped the cavern with their lives, but Sharan, the friend whose love sustained him and whose spells had saved his life uncounted times, was within touching distance of him as always.

Amid the dragon’s echoing roars and the falling stones, Gahadunaddim carefully scooped up what remained of his companions and carried them outside.  He buried the men in the center of a grassy field at the base of the dragon’s mountain, respectfully reciting prayers to Moradin and Tempus to honor his companions’ loyalty and bravery.  To this day the weathered cairn still stands, and the plain which once turned to yellow and brown in the dry summer now remains lush and erupts in bright wildflowers.  Gahadunaddim gave the entirety of the dragon’s treasure to the families of his fallen comrades in Cimbar, then sailed to Laothkund and was not seen again in human lands.

He carried Sharan’s bones into the Yuirwood, to lay her to rest among her elven ancestors.  Unfortunately, the stone giant’s presence attracted the hostile attentions of the forest’s wardens —paranoid at the best of times and recently more vigilant due to incursions by giantkin from Laothkund hired by the other coastal cities to extend the reach of human loggers— and he was struck down by spells and arrows before he was able to explain his mission.

The half-elves recovered Sharan’s remains, and when the truth was divined they honored both her and the giant according to their customs, but something —perhaps a fragment of Sharan’s spirit— remains in Guyanothaz’s lair.  Adventurers who have entered the dragon’s lair in the intervening years, and lived to tell the tale, have reported hearing the faint echoes of a woman’s song in the rubble-strewn antechambers.

DM’s Notes

At first glance Gahadunaddim’s fate may seem cruel, but after learning the giant’s name and intention in stepping into the Yuirwood a priest among the elves attempted to resurrect him and the giant’s spirit declined the opportunity to return to Faerûn.  He was embarking on his next mission: a march to Arvandor, to find his love.

Sharan’s soul was swiftly claimed by the Seldarine, as she was singing the praises of Sehanine in the very moment that her life was snuffed out.  However, she is not completely content; she frequently becomes restless and seeks to discover the fate of her mortal love.  On these occasions the haunt will do more than intone the glory of Sehanine, for adventurers who happen to lure Guyanothaz into the antechamber.  So far, none have, and so Sharan has remained unseen.  When Guyanothaz (or any evil dragon, if another eventually takes this lair) approaches within a hundred feet of the place where she died, against a certain pillar deep inside the first cavern, Sharan’s spirit will abruptly blaze with white light, becoming quite visible and healing those who strive to kill the dragon.  Her ethereal song will fill the cavern then, effectively bestowing fast healing 10 and fire resist 10, both of which stack with other similar effects the PCs might have, and immunity to fear.

Her voice may also distract the dragon.  He remembers her, the frustratingly elusive elfblooded one who healed the worst enemies he’s known in all his centuries, and although he’s loath to admit it, he would have greatly enjoyed the beauty of her song under different circumstances, so hearing her voice again will stir simultaneously his love for music, his mighty wrath at all adventurers and particularly at this unwelcome memory, and a significant twinge of fear at the realization of the half-elf’s immortality.  The game-effects, if any, are up to the DM.  Sharan’s spirit is invulnerable to all forms of damage, unresponsive to all forms of communication, and will provide her blessings for as long as anyone faces the dragon.  If/when Guyanothaz is slain (she will appear at the moment of his death, even if it’s somehow far from this cavern), the spirit will sigh and fade into nothing.  As the last of her song fades, the victorious adventurers will be healed of whatever ails them at that point, provided it’s curable by anything up to a miracle spell.

Some bards suggest that Percero’s spirit lingers in Faerûn as well, citing the swashbuckler’s penchant for wooing attractive ladies with a double fistful of wildflowers accompanied by his ever-present impish grin and silken words.  Bards are a sentimental lot, though, and the perennial proliferation of wildflowers surrounding the cairn outside the dragon’s lair could be nothing more than remarkable coincidence.  Still, the sentiment is enough that the field is known in Chessenta as Percero’s Tears, and young men who are inclined to romance and softening the hearts of women still come to gather wildflowers and bend a knee before the cairn to ask for the old rogue’s blessing.

Source

  • Old Empires [FR10/9274] page 41 names the Dragon’s Bane as the adventurers who blinded Guyanothaz and stole most of its hoard
  • Guyanothaz is also mentioned in Dragons of Faerûn
  • Other details were written for the Xaeyruudh campaign

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.