A Short (for him) Greeting From Elminster by Ed Greenwood the great trees of the Elven court, or glimpse (from afar, if ye would live long) “Tantam! Oh...er, ‘hello,’ as ye say the devil-haunted ruins of Myth Dran- it...‘tantam’ is what merchants of the nor. To see the welcoming farms of Sha- North say, here in the Realms. dowdale, or half a world away, the “The Realms, the Forgotten Realms, many proud spires of great Waterdeep, o’course, as ye’ve all forgotten the way the City of Splendors! Ah, ‘tis a grand here, until now, that is. Of all the sages world, I tell thee (and who should know in Faerun, I am the first to walk among better?) and it awaits thee, here and in ye since Myth Drannor fell so it has pages—and other ways, who knows?— fallen to me to welcome ye—ye who to come. When ye have seen a sunrise have discovered the Realms through over the Moonshae Isles, or watched the offices of the good scribes of TSR, the stars glimmering above the beauti- Inc. I bid ye fair welcome to my home, ful city of Silverymoon on a clear deep for ‘tis a fair world, perhaps the fairest night, ye will thank me! Aye, and it of all those I’ve walked. And mind ye, makes me glad to know the joy that there have been a few and a few again, awaits and proud, too, for the Realms over the years. are my home, even as ye would be “Five hundred-odd winters I have proud to show a wayfarer thy abode, lived in Faerun, most of them in the whate’er it be. Dragonreach lands—that is, those lands “One thing more: know ye all that the that border the Sea of Fallen Stars on Realms ye have seen in the box is but a the northwest. I’ve learned the odd small corner of the Realms! One of my thing in my time, here and there along to more attentive ears, know ye, in the favorite corners, aye, but only a small my road; and so it is that I can pass on to last season than in many seasons piece indeed of the mighty land that is ye what I think ye should know of the before, here and in Faerun. Ye who like Faerun. Ye have seen little of the North, Forgotten Realms. to read what ye term ‘novels’—a novel little indeed of the lands between the “One cannot know too much beauty term indeed, eh-heh...ahem...can Sword Coast and the Dragonreach, and in one’s life. Some such beauty is too expect to see more than a few tales of little or nothing of Impiltur, Aglarond, fleeting, or too personal, to be passed the Realms in times ahead. Some words and Thay to the east. on to others, but ‘tis the duty of all ye can read already, as novels and game “And these, too, are but a few—the beings who would rise to better them- tomes, and of these I would speak now. entire South, from the Vilhon Reach selves to pass on to others beauty that “In all tales, a teller misses something, through proud Amn, Tethyr, and hot others can know. So it is that sages, of or speaks here and there with words Calimshan, ye have not even been all worlds, preserve the lore and learn- unclear to someone who reads or shown yet. Nor Lantan, or Nimbral, the ing of their lands and peoples. Music, hears, or tells not enough of what his island realms (nor, far out to sea in the art, legends, and magecraft—all these listeners would hear about, if they west, Evermeet of the elves); nor we treasure, and TSR will bring ye as could guide his tongue. Elminster’s Tharsult—nor the wild jungles of Chult, the years pass. And ye shall come to business is answering questions—aye, nor Tashluta and the lands about it, that know the beauty of the Forgotten and his pleasure, too. So, ask, I charge we call Tashalar. Beyond this last lies a Realms. thee! Send thy queries to the good whole coast of realms, in the far south “For the life of a world can only be scribes, and I shall do mine own level of Faerun—and ye could travel for captured, howe’er imperfectly, in tell- best to answer, if not directly, then by many years walking east, across ings that give one views of its land- producing more lore on locales, and Raurin, and Durpar, and the Plains of scapes and its life—its plants, its matters, and beings, ye would know Purple Dust, ere ye came at last to the creatures, and their doings. I would like more of. The busy scribes of the realms mysterious lands of Kara-Tur. And to see the Realms come alive for ye, in can then turn such into modules, rule- Faerun is not the only continent of this world, to delight ye as it has me. I books, articles, and novels for thy Abeir-Toril, know ye! Ah, rich years lie have told one among ye, Ed Green- entertainment. For, look ye, what ahead of ye yet, ye who come along for wood, of my world for years; through greater purpose is there, if ye cannot the ride across this rich world of mine! I him, and others, TSR will bring ye more heal or shape mountains or create life welcome ye, and wish ye well—and will of the Realms in days to come. For some anew, than to entertain? have more to say to ye anon (for I say twenty winters only he listened to my “Ah, I envy thee all. To discover the much, and often, as they say). But for tales, but I’ve talked long evenings away Realms anew, as ye will! To walk amid now, until swords part!”

1 High Fantasy...High Art FORGOTTEN REALMS™ Calendar The Forgotten Realms is more than just a land of endless adventure and tireless foes. It is also a realm of wonder, a land of legends and tales of grand heroics and personal sacrifice, of love, war and honor! And it is a realm of striking beauty and splendor.

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2 Lands of the Forgotten Realms

During the scribing of the Forgotten Simbul’s realm from the mainland. Tra- by a few sylvan elves, satyrs, and the Realms tomes, some information was vel in Aglarond is by griffon, ship, or fell forest denizens known more to men unintentionally overlooked by over- forest trails. It trades lumber, gems, and in fable than in fact (owlbears, stirges, worked scribes working by far-too- some copper for glass, iron, cloth and the like), Aglarond was little dis- feeble candlelight. The errant goods, and food when freetrading ves- turbed by men as settlement spread information literally came to light sels come to port, but sends out no trad- east across the Inner Sea lands an age recently (when the scribery windows ing ships of its own. ago. Often visited by pirates and others were at last washed) and is here includ- Aglarond cannot boast a field army of seeking a temporary refuge or to cut ed for your education, edification, and any size, nor a navy, but within its timber, Aglarond remained unsettled perusal. woods The Simbul’s foresters are for many long winters. A few adventur- expert and deadly troops, adept at fire- ers ceased their explorations to colo- AGLAROND fighting and at using “coastboats” (long, nize the land, mostly those too old, canoe-like open boats handled with notorious, or badly maimed to continue A small realm that keeps to itself, lateen sails, oars, and poles) to raid by faring. At length fishermen seeking Aglarond exerts little infuence in affairs night as well as traveling in the treetops untouched seas moved to Aglarond’s of state beyond its borders. It is impor- and fighting among them. The foresters shores, and slowly small settlements of tant in the overall strategic balance of are alert and grim; the menacing might fisher-folk took hold on the rocky the Inner Sea lands, however, simply of Thay is uncomfortably near, and coasts. These villagers faced the sea, because its continued existence pre- Aglarond’s blades are all too few. At the and although the woods at their backs vents Thay from overwhelming the battles of Singing Sands (1194 DR seldom erupted to endanger them, they northern “East.” Aglarond’s strength [Dalerecking]) and Brokenheads (1197 did not explore inland nor boldly cut and danger, because she stands in magi- DR), Aglarond’s forces turned back and fell in the manner of the settlers of cal opposition to the Red Wizards of invading hosts from Thay, but the cost Cormyr, Sembia, and the Dalelands. Thay, who do not kindly suffer rivals, is was great. Skirmishes with raiders hop- The far-off pinnacles and the endless its current ruler, a female archmage of ing to win glory in Thay, or mercenaries woods remained hostile places for a fabled powers, known only as The Sim- hired by Thay, are common. generation or more; those who ven- bul. Little is known of The Simbul’s aims tured too far in did not return. As the Aglarond lies on the northern side of and true strength, but she is seen to woodcutting slowly ate away at the for- a peninsula jutting out into the eastern constantly roam the northern Realms, est edge, skirmishes with owlbears and end of the Inner Sea; a sparsely- working to influence all manner of satyrs became more common, and inhabited, heavily-wooded realm of few events. This is presumably to better were-creatures began to appear. farms and no large cities. Jagged pinna- Aglarond’s safety, although she is said Adventurers on the run or seeking hire cles of rock stand at its tip and run to be a member or at least an ally of the also began to arrive in Aglarond, and along the spine of its lands. To the east, Harpers, whose aims are more wide- for a brief, bloody decade still vivid in these fall away into vast and treacher- spread. songs and travelers’-tales, men slaugh- ous marshes that largely isolate The Initially a wilderland inhabited only tered the most dangerous of Aglarond’s

3 Lands of the Forgotten Realms

monsters. As the dangers of the woods Sands (so-called for the lamenting wom- grew fewer, hunters and fur-trappers en of Aglarond, who cried and sang all ventured further inland—and eventu- night as they took up the bodies of their ally discovered that the elves of slain men from the sands around Aglarond had grown few and humble, Emmech). Philaspur reigned thereafter, weakened by disease and continual himself perishing at the fortress of warfare with the mountain trolls and Glarondar in the battle of Brokenheads. the dark elves of the mountain deeps. Philaspur’s daughters, Thara and Most of the fisher-folk remained igno- Ulae’, ruled long and well together after rant (and fearful) of the forest depths, his death. Known as “the Grey Sisters” and did not venture far into the trees. for their raiment, they developed their But the hunters and adventurers magical arts to awesome heights and fought the trolls and (rarely) the drow, were believed to have used shrewd knowing the elves first as wary allies dweomercraft to thwart many forces and then as friends, and within another from Thay ere these reached generation a proud (if few in number) Aglarond’s borders. In their later years, half-elven folk had come into being in both took husbands. Thara wed Elthar the depths of the woods, the elves being of Milvarune, gaining thereby the completely absorbed into the half-elven friendship of Thesk (which survives to stock. Over the next decade, the drow this day). Ulae’ bore a son Halacar and a “went under”(ground) and came to daughter Ilione. Aglarond no more, the trolls were near- Halacar reigned from the death of his ly eradicated, and the satyrs all left mother (1257 DR) through a disastrous Aglarond or perished in the forest campaign against Thay and died—of wars, until the half-elves came to rule poison, it is thought—in the winter of all of Aglarond’s wooded interior. Indis- 1260 DR without wife or offspring. His criminate woodcutting continued sister Ilione came to the throne inexpe- around the villages of Oskur and Dlusk rienced but she was wiser than Halacar in particular and at length the half-elves Thay) were encountered by Brindor’s and carefully built Aglarond’s strength. grew angry enough to move down into only great engineering works: the for- Ilione immediately named as heir her the fishing villages and take over. This tress of Emmech at the mouth of the apprentice, the young and mysterious led to several armed skirmishes, nota- Umber, and the “Wall of Giants,” con- sorceress known only as The Simbul. bly a pitched battle at the remote structed by giants in return for some She ruled long and wisely as Aglarond anchorage of Ingdal’s Arm (in which the mysterious magical service Brindor prospered. Ilione died of plague in 1320 “pure” humans perished to a man), but gave them. These works prevented any DR. at length the half-elves prevailed. army that crossed the Umber marshes Since that time The Simbul has ruled For a time there was ill feeling, but from sweeping into Aglarond’s growing the realm with magery greater than the just rule of the half-elven (and their farms. any known in the Inner Sea lands since undeniable and ever-increasing blood Brindor’s heir, Althon, began a great the fall of Myth Drannor. She is thought ties to the fisher-folk) soon welded the program of irrigation, road-building, to still live, and Aglarond still survives, people into a loyal fellowship under the and careful husbandry of the much- because she personally overmatches rule of a king. The first king, the senior shrunken woods of Aglarond. Eventu- even the infamous Red Wizards of war-leader of the elves, was the aged ally to become known as Althon “The Thay. If The Simbul herself has appren- Brindor. He established a fighting corps Old,” he lived nearly a hundred winters. tices or a chosen heir, she has not pub- of veterans and youths, named an heir, In Althon’s time Aglarond grew into a licly identified any such to the Council. as he had no surviving mate or off- strong and happy realm, despite the Her style as Queen of Aglarond, a title spring of his blood, and began a tradi- growing power of Thay and the many she never uses, preferring to be known tion of government by monarchy and cities along the coast to the south of the only as “The Simbul,” is her own, differ- council. Each village chose a represent- Yuirwood. The wood gained its name ent from her predecessors and coun- ative or elder to be a part of the council, from the “Yuir,” as the elven folk now terparts in other realms. As Mirt of to advise and debate with the king. absorbed into Aglarond’s half-elven Waterdeep once said, “Ah, that lady— Those who would not accept the rule of populace had called themselves. Althon she goes her own way.” That way must the King moved west, into Altumbel, or had two sons, Elthond and Philaspur. be a narrow and often treacherous one; north and east into Thesk. Theskan Elthond perished in the first great bat- Aglarond’s future may well be in the raiders (and later, the growing threat of tle gainst the forces of Thay at Singing balance. 4 Lands of the Forgotten Realms

EVERMEET Evermeet of the Elves is the island kingdom of the elves and lies west across stormy seas beyond the lands of men. It is a happy realm of deep, won- drous forests and much laughter. Here the High Elves, under the leadership of the Silver Elven Royal House—six Princes and seven Princesses, under the ruling Queen Amlaruil (her king, Zaor, died some thirty winters ago)— live in rich splendor. The art, the music, and the magical research all are far above what is seen here, even in Water- deep the Splendid. All elves, except the Dark Elves, are welcome there, and many sea-elves live in the surrounding waters. To guard the realm against men, particularly the aggressive raiders from Ruathym and the Pirate Isles, Evermeet has a mighty navy, It is by far the most numerous and well-armed in the known Realms. Based in the fortress of Sumbrar, with smaller outposts at Elion and Nimlith, the vessels of Evermeet’s fleets patrol from the Wave Rocks to the Gull Rocks (principally located east of Lake Maeru, worshipping The Lady of Mysteries. and “the Teeth,” in a wide circle of in astonishingly large and pure The most mighty of these temples lies ocean. Boats are built and repaired at deposits). Its people have become, as a within Mt. Talath and is a vast and Siiluth (“Beaching Bay”), and call at only result, warlike, and led by tradition. ancient network of caverns, passages, a few ports in the lands of men: Eskem- The realm is not at peace with its less and mountaintop turrets. Most of the ber, the Moonshae Isles, Neverwinter, powerful neighbors. Formerly, out of other large temples (as opposed to the and Waterdeep. In the past, the ships of necessity, they were led by wizards. devotional shrines of the cities) are Evermeet have fought many battles These Halruan magic-users are of great located in the mountains ringing the with Ruathym, the reavers of the Nelan- and mysterious power. Thay’s current Nath, or northeastern basin, where ther (Pirate Isles), and Calimshan, and regime is said by some to have been vast herds of wild rothe and aurochs have hurled back all attempts to seize founded by renegade Halruan mages. roam, and are culled regularly for food. the island or its treasures. Halruaa is always ruled by a wizard-king. Halruaa has a small war-navy, based Recently, many elves from troubled The current ruler is Zalathorm, an in Halagard and Zalasuu. Its principal lands in the interior of the Realms have elderly man of great mystical powers. fortified base and construction docks begun to take ship in Waterdeep, to The Elders of the “Halruan” (as the wiz- are on the outlying isle of Rulasuu. come to Evermeet where men are not ards are known) advise him, and will This realm is little known in the seen and evil threatens not. choose from their own ranks the mighti- North. These paltry words, and the est mage to become his successor, when map, are all Elminster could tell you of HALRUAA that time occurs. it, except for the badge of the realm, A small, rich realm fed by the verdant Halruaan mages wander in secret borne on navy sails and diplomats’ farms of the Maeru valley and slaked by over much of the Realms, always seek- cloaks. It is a star surrounded by three ing items of magic (particularly unique the fiery wines born in the vineyards of concentric circles, all in white (on a and ancient items), and they have gath- the High Aluar, Halruaa is famous for its darker background, which may be of rich electrum mines and its magic. ered many thousands of such treasures any color). The star represents Mystra, in their temples. The Halruar worship Halruaa is a realm defined and iso- the inner circle the land. This is encom- Mystra, and their temples are vast lated by mountains, but often invaded passed by the second circle, represent- from the sea for its mineral wealth strongholds where they live, work, and ing the Halruans, and an outer circle study to further their arts, as well as represents the world beyond.

5 Tales of the FORGOTTEN REALMS

FR1, WATERDEEP and the NORTH FORGOTTEN REALMS TSR9213 $7.95 REVISITED The North...rugged mountains and dense In our neverending battle to create some of forests, which hide those races hostile to the best fantasy game products available, man amid the ruins and wastelands of the we are constantly reviewing customer let- fallen kingdoms. ters, complaints and commentary. You, the Waterdeep...crossroads of the world, City customer, are our watchdog for product of Splendors. Here are wealth and goods integrity. If there is something you don’t from every corner of the Realms. Here too understand you ask for clarification, and if is intrigue, feuds, power games and adven- you find errors or missing parts you tell us. ture enough for any man. With the release of the first of our FR2, Moonshae FORGOTTEN REALMS™ Campaign Adventure TSR9217 $7.95 Packs, WATERDEEP and the NORTH, we received a recurrent complaint of an omission. Amid the storm-tossed vastness of the Sevreral customers felt that they were missing a Trackless Sea west of the Realms huddle a map to the North since there was a section family of rocky islands exposed to the full detailing key landmarks of this territory. brunt of the winter gales. Here is the home of the hardiest folk the Realms have to offer. It was our contention that it was never Come explore this harsh land, its Celtic cul- intended that FR1, WATERDEEP and the ture, earth gods and haunted ruins. Come visit NORTH, should contain a map of the North, the setting for our first adventure novel set in and that the brief description of the North the Forgotten Realms and see how your luck provided was to be used in conjunction with fares. the world maps in the FORGOTTEN REALMS Game boxed set. FR3, Empires of the Sands TSR9224 $7.95 However your intrepid editor, thought, “Hey, if several customers think there’s a In the southwest corner of Faerun, a problem let us look deeper into the matter thousand miles south of Waterdeep on the To our surprise, we discovered that many of great Trade Way, lie three lands awash in a the features we found on our master map sea of sand. Here is Amn, land of mer- had never made translation onto the world chants, where everything has a price; maps. That’s when the idea struck us that it Tethyr, where petty tyrants vie for a vacant would be great to reprint the map of the throne and evil grows; and Calimshan, a dry North with the missing features. So here it land where great magic is commonplace. is - we never rest. These are harsh lands, home of proud and And now for the really good news. Since fierce warriors, daring rogues and play- there’s been such interest in the North we ground of the Jinn. Let our desert winds thought it would be only natural to produce bring you hot dreams of glorious battle, fine a campaign pack devoted entirely to detail- wine and mountains of riches. ing these lands of mystery and adventure. Coming this fall we are proud to present Since the creation of the original FR4, The Magister FORGOTTEN REALMS™ Campaign Set, we TSR9229 $7.95 FR5, The Savage Frontier have pledged ourselves to produce a series TSR9233 $7.95 of game accessories that maintained the From Waterdeep to the Sword Coast to standards of excellence, attractiveness, the jungles of Chult and the faraway lands presenting all the famous features of that diversity and wonder of that first set. And of Thay, strange and powerful magics fill land of legend called the North. Highly we have the Forgotten Realms. Ancient tomes, pow- detailed full-color maps bring these forbod- In but six months we have released four erful spells, fearsome weapons - all these ing Viking lands to life for you. 64-page expansions which explore the and more await the hero who can overcome terrible dangers to wield great power. Realms from the fabled City of Splendors to COME TAKE A the savage wastes of the Sword Lands. And Penned by Ed Greenwood and Steve Per- we have examined the legends of the past rin, at the bidding of Elminster of Shadow- TOUR dale, perhaps the finest sage in the long and the magics and relics of fallen king- Of the doms. history of Abeir-Toril, here are all the If you haven’t gotten a chance to look at all numerous discoveries and variations of NORTH these fine products, here’s what you’ve ancient magics and relics of the Realms. been missing.

6

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