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95366720_Ch00_FM.indd 1 1/3/06 9:32:11 AM DESIGNERS: , Eric L. Boyd DEVELOPER: EDITOR: Gary Sarli EDITING MANAGER: Kim Mohan DESIGN MANAGER: Christopher Perkins DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Jesse Decker SENIOR ART DIRECTOR RPG R&D: Stacy Longstreet DIRECTOR OF RPG R&D: Bill Slavicsek PRODUCTION MANAGERS: Josh Fischer, Randall Crews ART DIRECTORS: Ryan Sansaver, Mari Kolkowsky COVER ARTIST: Lucio Parrillo INTERIOR ARTISTS: Daarken, Eric Deschamps, Rick Drennan, Ron Lemen, Warren Mahy, William O’Connor, Lucio Parrillo, Francis Tsai, Franz Vohwinkel GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Dee Barnett, Keven Smith CARTOGRAPHER: Kyle Hunter GRAPHIC PRODUCTION SPECIALIST: Angelika Lokotz IMAGE TECHNICIAN: Bob Jordan

Based on the original DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® rules created by and and the new DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game designed by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Richard Baker, and Peter Adkison. This product uses updated material from the v.3.5 revision. It is designed for use with the FORGOTTEN REALMS® by Ed Greenwood, Sean K Reynolds, Skip Williams, and Rob Heinsoo. This game product contains no Open Game Content. No portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without written permission. To learn more about the Open Gaming License and the d20 System License, please visit www.wizards.com/d20

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620-95366720-001 EN 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN: 0-7869-3910-9 First Printing: March 2006 ISBN-13: 978-0-7869-3910-7

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, , FORGOTTEN REALMS, d20, d20 System, WIZARDS OF THE COAST, Power of Faerûn, Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, , all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc., in the U.S.A. and other countries. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. SampleThis product is a work of fi ction. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, places, or events is purelyfile coincidental. ©2006 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A.

Visit our website at www.wizards.com/forgottenrealms TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ...... 4 Giving Edicts ...... 50 Diseases ...... 93 Spreading the Faith ...... 51 Rewards ...... 94 Chapter One: Order in the Court ...... 6 Obligations and Duties ...... 51 Frontier Strongholds ...... 94 The Temporal ...... 7 Confl icts ...... 52 Wolfwatch Manor ...... 94 What Do Rulers and Stewards Do? ...... 7 Church vs. State ...... 52 Stormhawk Keep ...... 96 Stewards and Titles ...... 7 Rival Faiths and Cults ...... 52 Example: Barony of Starshadow ...... 97 Playing the Political Game ...... 8 Interfaith Confl ict ...... 53 Baron Erthaer Javilarhhsson ...... 99 The Power Behind The Throne ...... 8 Fractious Sects within the Church ...... 53 Making and Changing Laws ...... 9 Military Threats ...... 53 Chapter Six: King of the Road ...... 101 Making Deals ...... 9 Insidious Threats ...... 54 Long Arms of the Law ...... 101 Truce and Armistice: Rewards ...... 54 What Marshals Do ...... 101 Keeping the Peace ...... 10 Religious Strongholds ...... 54 Heralds: Quieter and More Mysterious . 102 Winning Favors ...... 10 Spires of the Morning ...... 54 What the Heralds Do ...... 102 Earning Titles ...... 10 The House of Firehair ...... 55 Nobility and the Heralds ...... 103 Achieving Nobility ...... 12 Example: Ascension of Amaunator ...... 58 Disputing with the Heralds ...... 103 Ruling a Domain ...... 17 Sunlord Daelegoth Orndeir ...... 58 Paying the Heralds ...... 104 Confl icts ...... 18 Legitimacy and the Heralds ...... 104 Sentencing the Guilty ...... 18 Chapter Four: Play the Market ...... 62 The High Heralds ...... 105 Political Rivals ...... 18 The Business Leader ...... 62 The Heralds Pursuivant ...... 105 Advisors and Ambassadors ...... 19 What Do Business Leaders Do? ...... 62 The Tabards ...... 105 Revolutionaries ...... 19 How to Use the Leadership Feat ...... 63 Local Heralds ...... 106 Religious Leaders ...... 20 Playing the Economic Game ...... 63 Types of Heralds ...... 106 Rampaging Adventures ...... 20 Controlling Vital Trade Arteries ...... 65 The Daily Life of a Local Herald . . . . . 107 Spies and Assassins ...... 20 Roads ...... 66 Vigilants ...... 107 Rewards ...... 21 Portals ...... 67 Court Herald ...... 108 Court Strongholds ...... 21 Goods ...... 68 Playing the Wandering Game ...... 111 Example: The Court of the High Tower . . . 22 Forming a Trade Consortium ...... 69 A Sampling of Heralds ...... 111 Personnel: Filling Positions ...... 70 Upholding the Law ...... 112 Chapter Two: Win the Battlefi eld ...... 25 Merchant Prince ...... 71 Ruling the Roads ...... 113 The Burdens of Command ...... 25 Controlling a Market ...... 74 Confl icts ...... 113 What Do Military Leaders Do? ...... 25 Running a Guild ...... 74 Rewards ...... 114 How to Use the Leadership Feat ...... 26 Running an Oligarchy ...... 74 Rangers of the North ...... 114 Playing the Military Game ...... 26 Running a Monopoly ...... 74 Crusades ...... 27 Obligations and Duties ...... 74 Chapter Seven: High-Level Challenges . . . .115 Running Hordes ...... 27 Confl icts ...... 74 Deities ...... 115 Earning Rank ...... 28 Rival Trade Consortiums ...... 75 Deity Adventure Seeds ...... 117 Leading Armies ...... 29 Costers and Priakos of the Heartlands . . . 75 Great Dragons ...... 118 Giving Commands to Subordinates ...... 29 Brigands and Pirates ...... 76 Great Dragon Adventure Seeds ...... 119 Mobilizing Troops ...... 30 Division of Natural Resources ...... 77 Rival Adventurers ...... 122 Rivals Adventure Seeds ...... 122 Holding Territory ...... 30 Overcoming Natural Disasters ...... 77 Invading Armies and Hordes ...... 127 Obligations and Duties ...... 31 Insidious Threats ...... 77 Invaders Adventure Seeds ...... 129 Confl icts ...... 31 Rewards ...... 77 Opposing Armies ...... 31 Economic Strongholds ...... 79 Chapter Eight: The Border Kingdoms . . . . 131 Internal Strife ...... 31 Ulbrinter Villa ...... 79 The Border Kingdoms Today ...... 132 Powerful Monsters ...... 32 Example: Sundered Throne ...... 80 Adaerglast, The Land of Mages ...... 132 Insidious Threats ...... 32 Dabron Sashenstar ...... 82 The Barony of Blacksaddle ...... 134 The Throne ...... 32 Bedorn ...... 136 Five: Tame the Frontier ...... 84 Military Rivals ...... 33 Derlusk ...... 137 The Frontier Leader ...... 84 Rewards ...... 33 The Duskwood ...... 138 What Do Frontier Leaders Do? ...... 84 Military Strongholds ...... 35 The Grand Duchy of Shantal ...... 139 How to Use the Leadership Feat ...... 85 The Flaming Tower and the Irl ...... 140 Playing the Frontier Game ...... 86 Temple in the Sky ...... 35 Jundarwood ...... 141 Carving out a Domain ...... 86 High Horn ...... 38 The Land of Two Princes ...... 141 Taming the Frontier ...... 86 Example: The Sothillisian Empire ...... 40 Luthbaern ...... 144 Medicine in Faerûn ...... 87 Sothillis, Murkul of Murannheim ...... 41 Manywaters ...... 145 Attracting Subjects ...... 88 The Neth Stand ...... 145 Chapter Three: Keep the Faith ...... 44 Frontier Justice ...... 89 Oeble ...... 146 Earning Titles ...... 89 The Spiritual Leader ...... 45 Ondeeme ...... 149 Lords, Mayors, and Wardens ...... 89 What Do Religious Leaders Do? ...... 46 Owlhold ...... 150 Vassal State vs. Fiefdom ...... 90 Faithful Heretics and the Church ...... 46 Qurth Forest ...... 151 How to Use the Leadership Feat ...... 47 Ruling a Fiefdom ...... 90 The Realm of the Mount ...... 151 Playing the Religious Game ...... 48 Running a Frontier Domain ...... 90 The Realm of the Ready Sword ...... 152 Communing with the Gods ...... 48 Holding Territory ...... 91 Manifestations and Visions ...... 48 Expanding the Domain ...... 91 Chapter Nine: How to Rule ...... 154 Miracle Workers ...... 49 Obligations and Duties ...... 91 Leadership ...... 154 RelicSample Holders ...... 49 Confl icts ...... 91 Leadership Checksfile ...... 156 Earning Rank ...... 49 Local Law vs. Regional Law ...... 91 Attracting Cohorts and Followers ...... 156 Bishops and Archbishops ...... 49 Bandits and Brigands ...... 92 Losing Cohorts and Followers ...... 156 Speakers and Hierophants ...... 50 Monstrous Threats ...... 92 Infl uence ...... 158 Guiding the Flock ...... 50 Insidious Threats ...... 93 Rulership as Its Own Reward ...... 158

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95366720_Ch00_FM.indd 3 1/3/06 9:32:20 AM faces as still as stone. The Sword casually turned aside his cloak to reveal a long dagger gleaming ready in his hand. Ah. It seemed that summer might end this very day in Storm- sword Castle, and thus it was time for a certain Steward—seen as the Throne Lord’s friend, confi dant, and eager instrument, despite a far different truth—to disappear from the Vale forever. Before someone decided stewards might have ambitions best served with y all the Watching Gods, this is too much!” the blade of a handy dagger. ‘BThe armored fi st of the Lord of Storm Tower Braegrel whirled, but the Sword of the Gates hadn’t moved a crashed down on the council table. No, into boot. The wry smile on the guardcaptain’s face told Braegrel he the council table. knew exactly what had been going The Steward of Storm Vale through the steward’s mind. The Weary of this land? There’s another yonder that hasn’t felt neither fl inched nor changed expres- Master of the Hunt was striding the heavy scourge of your triumphal might yet. A lifetime sion, though the Throne Lord’s into the council chamber, saying only holds so many conquests. . . . gleaming gauntlet left a deep something Braegrel was too far Vervaen Namlarkant depression in the polished dusk- away to hear. Master Merchant of Sheirtalar wood. Such marring was nothing The steward hurried to the My Utterances to Important Folk compared to what had already been swiftest stair down, hurrying Year of the Turret done to the once-prosperous vale now—and froze. all around them. In another two There were voices below, where summers we’ll be just one more unknown backwater of Tethyr, he there should have been only silence. The door at the foot of this thought. I wonder where Lord Aviatharr’s bones will be then. stair was kept locked, and . . . “Steward!” Aviatharr roared, as if Braegrel was at the far end “The duke has been apprised of Her Majesty’s will in this of the Tower rather than seated right across the table, “where’s matter and stands in full agreement, My Lords Most Holy. The that sneering high-nose of a herald? Bring him here at once—and ducal forces await your signal.” those fool priests, too!” The steward drew back. He knew those unhurried, cultured The steward assumed his best expression of politely puzzled tones: Rhaurabbyn, the envoy of Tethyr. Which meant . . . interest. “Which particular ‘fool priests,’ my lord?” “The Lord Herald here has perused our agreement. You “All of—the high priests, you idiot!” Aviatharr spat, slam- confi rm the royal seal, gallant Summerthorn?” ming his other fi st down. It held his usual heavy goblet, but was “Lord Speaker, I do. The bond between you is clear. I accom- bare—and as Braegrel rose and bowed with precise correctness, pany you now to bear stern witness to Throne Lord Aviatharr’s he took some satisfaction in watching that goblet ring off the response.” fl oor, and the Throne Lord wince and wring his numbed hand. “Good, good,” two voices murmured—the very high priests Three familiar faces were waiting in the gloomy passage Braegrel had been sent to fetch. outside. The steward never slowed, but muttered as he brushed Ascending toward him swiftly: the herald, the envoy, and past, “Strike soon, or Storm Vale will be part of the Golden the two holy lords. Braegrel ducked back out into the passage, MarchesSample before summer’s done.” hastening toward a certain tapestry. file The Master of the Hunt arched a knowing eyebrow, but the A bright, soundless fl ash of magic burst from the council Master of the Dungeons and the Sword of the Gates kept their chamber, and a body—or rather, various pieces of what had been

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a body—bounced and thudded out the council chamber doorway. routes, costers, trade consortiums, and methods for controlling Braegrel winced and ducked behind the tapestry. them or rising to dominance within or over them. Coins can be It took but a moment to open the secret door and step sharper than swords. through. Whatever magic Aviatharr had used to slay the three Chapter 5: Tame the Frontier. The everchanging political courtiers, his doom was sealed. The priests had made a pact with landscape of Faerûn has its so-called “civilized” areas and its Tethyr—and neither the Duke of the Golden Marches nor those wilderlands, and wherever the two meet is a frontier area. Whether priests needed the snarling tirades of a throneless ex-lord. Or his civilization is expanding or shrinking, such transitional locales are servile steward. rich in adventure—and offer great opportunities for enrichment The coins, the clothes, the ring of spells—all had been prepared and rulership to ambitious adventurers. This chapter describes the long ago. He must move quickly, and spend an unpleasant night fl eeing challenges facing a frontier leader as well as how offi cials in a rural this life, but at least Braegrel still had a neck to call his own. domain deal with perils such as bandits and marauding monsters. He dressed hastily, thrusting his robes into the stone-weighted Chapter 6: King of the Road. Between rugged frontiers and sack that would soon greet the moat. The heavy purse jingled, glittering cities are the rural areas, where farms that feed those but . . . no, that sound was coming from someone else! cities lie and outlaws (even local “robber barons”) might lurk. He clawed for his dagger. “Who’s there?” This chapter explores the lives and campaign use of marshals “Steward, d’you think you’re the only one who prepared for and heralds, two very different arms of authority, who can be this day?” Aviatharr’s rough whisper was right by his ear. “If I PCs, opponents to PCs, or offi cials who serve PC rulers. unhood my lantern, will you put away that silly knife and help Chapter 7: High-Level Challenges. Powerful PCs need powerful me with this wig?” adversaries. The D&D game has seen a long line of published adventures featuring formidable villains, and this chapter explores how to use deities, great dragons, rival adventurers, and invading Using This Book armies as PC challenges in a FORGOTTEN REALMS campaign. Chapter 8: The Border Kingdoms. A legendary region of This book gives players suggested tactics, and descriptions of pos- tiny, ever-changing kingdoms ruled by adventurers, outcasts, and sible pitfalls and opportunities, for guiding their characters into misfi ts, this lush coastal area is “the” battleground for carefree dominance in a campaign set in Faerûn. Its lore and mechanics adventuring mayhem. This chapter describes current conditions can readily be used in DUNGEONS & DRAGONS games that use there and explores opportunities for PC heroes. other settings. Chapter 9: How To Rule. This section of the book explores Dungeon Masters will fi nd a treasure trove of adventure ideas the game mechanics that govern the situations explored in the in these pages as well as guidelines for detailing ruling courts and preceding chapters of the book, notably Leadership and Infl u- other institutions and power groups as well as handling political ence. The modifi ers and tables herein can readily be used in any struggles, crises, and daily situations in play. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game. Chapter 1: Order in the Court. Rulers might sit on thrones and thunder decrees, but courtiers do the work of turning royal decisions into daily rulership. This chapter isn’t about playing king or queen, but about how to rise through the ranks of a What You Need to Play ruling court, dealing with intrigues and other political matters. To use this supplement, you need the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® Common court ranks and “the way things work” in the formal Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster rulership of a realm or city-state are explored, and a sample court Manual, plus the FORGOTTEN REALMS® Campaign Setting. hierarchy is provided. Finally, several other D&D and FORGOTTEN REALMS supple- Chapter 2: Win the Battlefi eld. Disputes in Faerûn all too ments are referenced herein. In many cases, this reference is in often erupt into open armed confl ict. This chapter deals with the the form of a superscript abbreviation of the book’s title, which many facets of military leadership, from battlefi eld command to is tacked onto the end of the name of a spell, prestige class, or logistics and the daily diplomacy of making various ranks work some other game element. The books and their abbreviations are together. as follows: (BE), Chapter 3: Keep the Faith. Deities are very real in Faerûn and (BV), Champions of Ruin (CR), City of Splendors: Waterdeep (CS), their priesthoods wield tremendous power. This chapter describes Champions of Valor (CV), Complete Adventurer (CA), Complete how holy authority “works” and is used as well as how to rise in Arcane (CAr), (CD), (CW), rank and infl uence within a priesthood. Confl icts both inside a Dungeon Master’s Guide II (DM2), (Dra), Epic faith and between faiths are explored. Level Handbook (EL), Faiths and Pantheons (FP), Heroes of Chapter 4: Play the Market. Faerûn of today is shaped by its Battle (HB), Lords of Darkness (LD), Lost Empires of Faerûn mercantile trade, which literally makes it possible for populations (LE), (LM), Magic of Faerûn (Mag), Miniatures in particular locations to exist (by providing food and goods from Handbook (MH), : Monsters of Faerûn afar). Successful merchants and business magnates have been gain- (Mon), (MP), Player’s Guide to Faerûn ing everSample more importance over the last thousand years in Faerûn (PG), (Pla), Racesfile of Faerûn (Rac), Races of until, in many cases, they are more wealthy and powerful than the Wild (RW), Shining South (SS), Unapproachable East (Una), rulers who have crowns and thrones. This chapter describes trade and (Und).

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95366720_Ch00_FM.indd 5 1/3/06 9:32:31 AM temporary alliances or long-term cabals and conspiracies, and building contacts and loyalties. PC “heroes” who come to court (either on their own or sum- moned by a ruler who desires their support, service, or to keep an eye on them) will be swept up in court intrigues whether they want to be or not, serving as unwitting dupes, resentful pawns, or diving right in and trying to win power, infl uence, and titled, he grand, glittering center of pomp, circumstance, salaried offi ces. Tand daily power in any realm of Faerûn is its The paths to success in any court consist of always being central court (seat of government). This power is judged more useful than expendable by the “right people” (usu- echoed in every local lord’s audience or law-hearing, from bustling ally whoever is “the power behind the throne,” as the wizard cities to impromptu gatherings in tiny wilderland taverns or at Vangerdahast was for decades in Cormyr), and in having talents a roadside gallows. or strengths that benefi t the realm without openly threatening the The person at the top—the queen, empress, or Grand High current balance of power at court (and therefore being considered Sceptanar—won the right to rule by force (though invasion and a “danger to be swiftly disposed of” by most courtiers). conquest, usurping the throne, murder and manipulation, or Bards and others who live by their wits, if they are ac- public single combat) or inherited it, usually from someone or complished actors with strong self-control, often fare well in the descendant of someone who took power by force. the ever-shifting, uncertain landscape of a court. Fighters of A PC adventurer can rise to such lofty heights, too, but in prowess and demonstrated accomplishment are clear assets to any court there are a lot of powerful people to be bested on the the realm—though susceptible to being sent away into danger way up the ladders of power. It’s a sages’ truism that no king if the realm is threatened by armed foes. Sorcerers and wizards rules for long without the support of the strongest nobles, high whose personal abilities aren’t too paltry or too easily measured priests, or other personages of infl uence in the realm. In the with precision (unless they’re so mighty in Art that knowing long-ago land of Raerithra, in what’s now the eastern Border their powers doesn’t much help most courtiers) are so potentially Kingdoms, the dominant “personage” was an ancient dragon who formidable that any courtier will think twice about making slept most of the time, but considered the realm his personal enemies of them or trying to directly blame them for anything. domain. However, making others mistrust a wielder of strong arcane spells When an outlander seizes a crown by force, all powerful might be all too easy. individuals in the realm will measure the usurper’s strength and A newcomer at court—and especially any noble ascending usually support her only if she’s clearly superior to home-grown, to a title—should beware of being seen to “fall in with the familiar claimants and aspirants to the throne (“the devils we wrong crowd” or even “a particular crowd.” Those who try to know”). Many an usurper has ruled for mere days before being befriend you and involve you in their revels, private discussions, slain by a cabal of nobles who had been waiting for someone and diversions will have their own reasons for doing so. Spread to do away with the old king so they could put their “preferred yourself around so no one can “taint” you by making other claimant” (puppet) on the throne. factions think you’ve allied yourself fi rmly with their aims or Even for those whose ambition isn’t as lofty as a crown, circle of friends. It’s fi ne to choose your friends, as long as you’re the endlessSample intrigues of any court offer a rich (and sometimes making the choice. Those who driftfile tend to have their choices bewildering) life of political maneuvering, detecting or forming made for them.

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