Table of Contents (* for new or updated topics)
1. Questions about the Realms
*1.1. What *are* the Forgotten Realms, and why are they Forgotten?
1.2. Deities and Related Matters
*1.2.1. I keep seeing a reference to "FRA".
What is it, what's in it, and why can't I find it anywhere?
1.2.2. What deities are worshipped in the Realms? What are their
powers? Do they have specialty priests?
*1.2.3. I keep seeing references to "Chosen" of various deities.
What do you mean by "Chosen"?
*1.2.4. OK, who or what is the Magister? I'm hopelessly confused.
1.2.5. What spell levels do Realms priests get?
1.2.6. What's the deal with the different pantheons?
Can my character in the dales worship a god from Chult?
1.2.7. Is Tiamat in the Realms the same as Takhisis in Dragonlance?
1.2.8. Whom is Ao talking to at the end of "Waterdeep"?
1.2.9. How fast do Realms specialty priests advance?
*1.2.10. Where can I get more information about the Dawn Cataclysm?
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1. Questions about the Realms
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1.1. What *are* the Forgotten Realms, and why are they Forgotten?
This question is outside the scope of this document. However, another
person, Tommi Ojanperä tojan@st.jyu.fi, has created a "FR FAQ for
beginners" which he is hosting on his web page:
http://www.jyu.fi/~tojan/fore/forefaq.htm
If you're not sure what we are even talking about, you might want to
head there first.
If you want information on D&D in general, try the rec.games.frp.dnd FAQ
at http://www.enteract.com/~aardy/faq/rgfdfaq.html
It's quite long (9 parts), and includes things such as questions about
Stoneskin, Alignment, music to game by, and lots, lots more. I'd
recommend perusing it if you've got any general questions...you might
find an answer (or three!) in it.
TOP | Intro
1.2. Deities and Related Matters
--------------------------------
1.2.1. I keep seeing a reference to "FRA". What is it, what's in it, and
why can't I find it anywhere?
FRA stands for "Forgotten Realms Adventures", a hardback compendium of
Realmslore that updated many rules for AD&D Second Edition. (There were
also volumes called "Greyhawk Adventures" and "Dragonlance Adventures",
those being the three main game worlds at the time.) FRA sold out
quickly and is devilishly hard to find these days at anything
approximating a reasonable price. (So, if you DO see one, grab it!)
Luckily for us gamers, most of the information in FRA has been reprinted
or supplanted by later products. The main sections of FRA were:
"The Forgotten Realms, Post-Avatar" -- provided conversions from first
ed. to second ed.; now mostly irrelevant
"Gods and Their Specialty Priests" -- supplanted and updated by "Faiths
& Avatars", "Powers & Pantheons" and "Demihuman Deities"
"Magic and Mages in the Realms" -- some useful tidbits that haven't seen
print elsewhere, but the vast majority of this information has been
reprinted in "Pages From the Mages" and/or "Volo's Guide to All
Things Magical" (with a few unique spells slipping into "The Seven
Sisters")
"Cities of the Heartlands" -- the only major section NOT to be wholly
reprinted, although some specific cities have been updated elsewhere
"Secret Societies of the Realms" -- the Harpers and the Cult of the
Dragon have their own sourcebooks ("Code of the Harpers" (OOP) and "Cult
of the Dragon"); the Zhentarim got a boxed set ("Ruins of Zhentil
Keep"), and the Red Wizards got part of a boxed set ("Spellbound"). TSR
has also officially announced a new product ("Cloak and Dagger") for the
June 2000 that will include updates of all of this information.
"Treasure" -- available for free download from the TSR web site
"Treasure Tables" -- pretty much copies of the ones from the DMG
"Wizard Spells by School/Level" -- the "Wizard's Spell Compendium"
series has such lists in the final volume
"Random Spell Lists" -- the "Wizard's Spell Compendium" series has such
tables in the final volume (they aren't quite as useful, but they are
all we're likely to get)
TOP | Intro
1.2.2. What deities are worshipped in the Realms? What are their powers?
Do they have specialty priests?
Whoa, slow down, Sparky. All of your questions are answered in the
three-volume series, "Faiths & Avatars", "Powers & Pantheons", and
"Demihuman Deities".
F&A details the major deities worshipped in most of the lands of the
Realms, and P&P gives the demipowers, as well as some more obscure
pantheons. DD details the elven, drow, dwarven, halfling, and gnomish
pantheons.
The following is a list of the human greater, intermediate and lesser
powers (from F&A); it includes adjectives used to refer to the religions
and titles of worshipers (thanks to Steve Allen):
Akadi Akadian Akadians
Amaunator Amaunatori Amaunatori
Auril Aurilian Aurilians ?
Azuth Azuthan Azuthans ?
Bane Banite Banites
Beshaba Beshaban Beshabans ?
Bhaal Bhaalist Bhaalists
Chauntea Chauntean Chaunteans
Cyric Cyricist Cyricists
Deneir Deneirrath Deneirrath
Eldath Eldathyn Eldathyn
Gond Gondar Gondar
Grumbar Grumbarryn Grumbarryn
Helm Helmite Helmites
Ibrandul Ibrandulin Ibrandulin
Ilmater Ilmatari Ilmatari
Istishia Istishian Istishian
Iyachtu Xvim Xvimlar Xvimlar
Kelemvor Kelemvorite Kelemvorites
Kossuth Kossuthan Kossuthans
Lathander Lathanderian Lathanderites
Leira Leiran Leirans
Lliira Lliiran Lliirans
Loviatar Loviatan Loviatans
Malar Malarite Malarites
Mask Maskarran Maskarran
Mielikki Mielikkian Mielikkians
Milil
Moander Moanderite Moanderites ?
Myrkul Myrkulyte Myrkulytes
Mystra Mystran Mystrans
Oghma Oghmanyte Oghmanytes ?
Selune Selunite Selunites
Shar Sharran Sharrans
Shaundakul Shaundakun Shaundakuns ?
Silvanus Silvanite Silvanites
Sune Sunite Sunites
Talona Talonite Talonites
Talos Talassan Talassans
Tempus Tempuran Tempurans ?
Torm Tormish Tormish Torm clerics are called Tormtar's.
Tymora Tymoran Tymorans ?
Tyr Tyrran Tyrrans
Umberlee Umberlant Umberlants
Waukeen Waukeenar Waukeenar
TOP | Intro
1.2.3. I keep seeing references to "Chosen" of various deities. What do
you mean by "Chosen"?
Some deities, most notably Mystra, have given one or a small group of
their dedicated followers special powers; these are called Chosen. The
Chosen of Mystra are most well known, and derive some special benefits
because they actually hold a portion of Mystra's essence within them.
They are Elminster, Khelben, the Seven Sisters, and perhaps others yet
unrevealed. (Azuth may or may not currently be a Chosen, although it's
virtually certain he was before he became a god. The founder of the Cult
of the Dragon, Sammaster, was a Chosen who went bad.) Mystra's Magister
is NOT a chosen (at least not while holding the office of Magister).
Noumea Drathchuld, a recent Magister, is now a chosen, as is Alvaerele
Tasundrym, a Magister who held the office from 576-592 DR).
Other known Chosen: Cadderly, Chosen of Deneir (from the Cleric Quintet
by R. A. Salvatore); Qilue Veladorn, Chosen of Eilistraee (as well as
Mystra...it's a complicated story); Jeryth Phaulkon, the
Chosen Star of Mielikki.
The Elder Circle of the Emerald Enclave are also chosen - the Chosen of
Silvanus. The names of the three chosen are:
Shinthala Deepcrest
Lady Shadowmoon
Ashenford Torinbow
Source: The Vilhon Reach - Dungeon Master's Reference pp 27-31
TOP | Intro
1.2.4. OK, who or what is the Magister? I'm hopelessly confused.
I don't blame you. "The Magister" (product code FR4) was an early Realms
sourcebook, which gave many new spells and magic items found in the
Realms. It's at least as hard to find as FRA, so snap up any copies you
see.
The Magister, the person, is a mage selected by Mystra to spread the Art
(magic) throughout the Realms. A mage may become the Magister by
defeating the current Magister in spell combat; this combat need not
(but may) be to the death. The Magister is supposed to be a shadowy,
secretive figure.
The sourcebook "Secrets of the Magister" details the powers and history
of the position (including info on many past Magisters). The current
Magister (as of 1370 DR) is Talatha Vaerovree of Innarlith, a female
human 16th level wizard.
The following is a mostly accurate discussion of the magister by Bobby
Nichols catdrag@vnet.net and by Mike Mateer mateer@midwest.net. This
discussion occurred before the publishing of "Secrets of the Magister",
and gross errors in speculation have been edited out.
"The Magister is a high-level (usually) mage whom Mystra elevates to
show the glory of magic. In other words, the magister is a punching bag
for high-level wizards who want to show how good they are. This keeps
all those glory-minded mages from ruling/conquering countries and the
like. The Magister is a series of people. You see, the reward for
beating the Magister is usually (if you survive) becoming the Magister.
If neither combatant survives, then Azuth chooses the next Magister. I
would guess that what the duel is, depends on the mage who is currently
the Magister. I mean, would you want to be known as the archmage who was
once the Magister? Also, at high level there are lots of spells for
magical combat: anti-magic shell, prismatic spells, etc. etc. Generally
I would say that most combats go until the death - either by accident or
design. [Editor's note: this is confirmed in SotM- good reasoning,
Bobby!) As for duties, the Magister is what mages show their apprentices
and say: "This is what you'll be one day-if you study hard enough." I
would say that the magister has a glamorous job but no real duties or
income. [Editor's note: not quite true; the magister is charged with
promoting the spread and advancement of magic, though some shirked this
duty horribly).
Some mentions of Magisters in other products:
1. Jhesiyra Kestellharp. One of Halaster's apprentices, she gave up
after Halaster's Test, and went to Myth Drannor and eventually became
the Magister... (Campaign Guide to Undermountain, page 5)
2. The Magister that appears in the novel Elminster, the Making of a
Mage (pages 84-89), who answers a challenge to his powers and destroys a
bunch of powerful magelords.
3. A recent Magister, Noumea (referenced in FR4 The Magister and
appears in the novel Cloak of Shadows).
4. Two Magisters are referenced in Polyhedron #72 (page 29): Inhil
Lauthdryn "Hurler-of-Stars", who went alone into the Vast in search of a
rogue Archmage in order to bring him to justice, and Aralagath Tarsil
who succeeded him.
5. A Magister spoke directly with Mystra in a knoll in Shadowdale
that nowadays is a holy place (Shandril's mother, Dammasae is buried
there; she was an Incantatrix and also had Spellfire). See the novel
Spellfire, pages 356-357, and Poly #117 or Cult of the Dragon for
Incantatrix courtesy of Eric Boyd."
Also see Dragon #90 (which contains Ed Greenwood's original Incantrix
article).
TOP | Intro
1.2.5. What spell levels do Realms priests get?
[Thanks to Thomas Cullen for this answer.]
In a previous reply to this very question, Eric Boyd wrote: "In the
Realms, as of F&A, demipowers, lesser powers, intermediate powers, and
greater powers can all grant spells up to 7th level to their priests.
This is not the case according to the generic AD&D rules. The game
reasoning is that the lack of the more powerful spells under the old
system discourages players from playing priests of demipowers and lesser
powers because they do not want the severe limitations on their
abilities at higher levels. Since many of the lower power priests are
very cool role-playing wise, allowing all priests to cast all levels of
priest spells encourages diversity among priest PCs."
Julia Martin has also commented on the thread in the past, and (though I
can't find her exact words) argued that since realms powers gain and
lose status according to the number and fervor of their worshippers,
there's no problem with all deities, regardless of power level, granting
high-level spells. As an example, Finder, a demigod with only one
priest, can grant her high-level spells. He's not going to overextend
himself, because he simply doesn't have enough priests of high enough
level to request more high level spells than he can grant. Lathander, on
the other hand, has a huge crop of high-level priests requesting
high-level spells, but as a greater power, has the resources to satisfy
them all. If you've got a lot of high level priests requesting
high-level spells, you've probably got a lot of other worshippers, too
and are therefore a powerful enough deity to satisfy your priests'
requests.
TOP | Intro
1.2.6. What's the deal with the different pantheons? Can my character in
the dales worship a god from Chult?
Eric Boyd explains:
Think of it this way.
Ao allows gods to extend their influence where they are worshiped by a
large segment of the population.
In the "old days", when the various races and peoples were
geographically isolated, the pantheons appear to be geographically
divided. If, however, the entire population of Mulhorand had woken up
one day and decided to walk to Calimshan, then the Mulhorandi's
'geographic sphere of influence' would have moved with them.
Given the "interconnectedness" of the Realms today, it's no suprise that
the old pantheon system (Netherese, Uthgardt, Calishite, Jhaamdaathan,
Untheric, Chultan, Mulhorandi, etc.) is breaking down. In fact, the
existence of a geographically distinct pantheon is indicative that there
is very little cross-border flow between that region and the rest of the
Realms.
TOP | Intro
1.2.7. Is Tiamat in the Realms the same as Takhisis in Dragonlance?
According to published materials for both settings (as well as
Planescape), the best answer is "yes and no". Most DMs seem to think
that they are separate but strangely similar deities; however, quite a
few people play them as the same power in different aspects.
(The above answer also applies to Bahamut and Paladine.)
TOP | Intro
1.2.8. Whom is Ao talking to at the end of "Waterdeep"?
There are all kinds of theories, but the one that seems to make the most
sense is that he was talking to the Supreme God, the DM. In other
words, the reader.
TOP | Intro
1.2.9. How fast do Realms specialty priests advance?
The official answer is that specialty priests use the druid advancement
table (although their XP total does not reset), gaining a level for
every 500,000 XP earned beyond 20th level (5,500,000 XP; note that FRA
has a typo and says 8,500,000 instead; this is *wrong*). Many DMs use
the cleric advancement table instead.
In Demihuman Deities, there is a new optional advancement table for
specialty priests (except druids), crusaders, monks, and shamans.
TOP | Intro
1.2.10. Where can I get more information about the Dawn Cataclysm?
Nowhere, at present. It's one of the abiding mysteries of the Realms.
Sorry we can't be more help with this one. :-)
[Steven Schend, in a post to Realms-L, said that to his knowledge, there
are no plans to expand on the Dawn Cataclysm in any further Realms
products.]
Many list members have speculated, though.
Simon Gibbs does a good job of summarizing what's known:
A quick note on the date of the Dawn Cataclysm: its a perennial thorn
for those interested in Realms Timelines. Perhaps the most definitive
stuff I have seen on this topic came from Steven Schend in response to a
request for a timeline of the Dawn Cataclysm, including the birth dates
and locations of Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul, and related material.
To soothe the debate, Steve Schend wrote:
"Not to disappoint, but this will probably never happen, simply because
it's irrelevant to mortal Realms history. The Dawn Cataclysm occurs only
among the gods and has no impact whatsoever on the mortal plane of the
Realms save one: A schism forms in the faith of Tyche and the church
splits into the faiths of Beshaba and Tymora. This happens somewhere
between the height of the Netheril Empire and the beginning of
Dalereckoning."
"I'm not narrowing it down further than that right now, and frankly, I've
no desire to do so, as it should be a vague time at best. As for the
births of Bane/Bhaal/Myrkul, I've even less interest in dredging those
topics up; suffice it to say that they may have existed long ago as
mortals and at some point in the dim and misty past they became the gods
they were."
"They all died or/and lost their divinity in the Time of Troubles, and no
matter how many schemes may be hatched to try and bring them back to
godhood, they will forever canonically remain dead issues."
[Note well that Steven prefaces this posting (which included much stuff
on future products on Netheril) with: "I'll start out with a disclaimer
that states that none of these ideas discussed are officially part of
any product idea or schedule at this point. It's more of a peek inside
my head as to opinions, musings, and some of the stories and lore I'd
like to layer onto Netheril. These may become products, plot hooks or
ideas in other products, magazine articles, or even short stories at
some point. Who knows? They're just ideas & pinions as of right
now...."]
As a final comment, to quote Tom Costa of the list: "The date is
uncertain and TSR has said they will not date godly FR events that took
place out of mortal eyes, _which I think is fine_." Good words to heed,
perhaps.
Paul Hoyak added:
For those with some interest in the Dawn Cataclysm (though I am not one
of them) there WAS an official date(s) given for the Dawn Cataclysm;
however, since it was found on the Forgotten Realms Conspectus (this is
the first published mention of the Dawn Cataclysm) the date is
definitely questionable: c. 161 DR: The Dawn Cataclysm.
Jason Hatter rebutted:
Something for the Dawn Cataclysm portion: it definitely happened before
134DR, since at that time Azuth was no longer Magister, and he either
was a Magister at the time of the DC, or became one after it....either
of which is before the date mentioned in SotM....
TOP | Intro
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