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.
Like this:
Like Loading...