On Campaign: The Savage North (Entry #: Factoids)

The following is a bit of in-universe, Out-Of-Character factoids.

It is squarely aimed at my fellow gamers who enriched  the October 23, 2010 RPG session of "The Savage North" AD&D 2nd Edition campaign, set in the Forgotten Realms world.

Disclaimer 1: The On Campaign blog entries are intended for this particular roleplayer in-crowd. Expect impenetrable nerd chatter and part-English, part double-Dutch language.

Disclaimer 2: I don't own the rights to the materials mentioned here. No linking or duplicating allowed without prior permission. Intellectual Property notices at the bottom of this blog post.

"DID YOU KNOW..."

  

...That this year, 1374 Dalereckoning, is the Year of Lightning Storms? All of Faerûn is going to be beset by great lightning strikes. Believers of the draconic gods Bahamut and Tiamat seek out the points where lightning has struck, hoping to find dragon eggs there.

...That also in this year, the Grand Dukes of Baldur’s Gate charge their agent, Debron Sashenstar with the mission to once and for all break the power of the Iron Throne? (For the fans of Baldur’s Gate 1, this is a follow-up to the events of the Bhaalspawn, some 6 years ago from the perspective of the Savage North timeline. Het is een wereldje.)

…That the wizards who sent us on our quest are not entirely blowing smoke out of their…um, pipes? Because the year 1374 also sees the start of the “Risen Sun heresy.” The Brotherhood of the Glorious Sun, a branch of Lathander’s church, believe that their deity will soon transform into the ancient sun god Amaunator. Lathanderite high priests in Waterdeep, Cormyr and Sembia proclaim this heresy.

...That the Crusade to reclaim Cormanthor was started, in 1374, not by the elves, but by Sarya Dlardrageth, a half-demon, half gold elf sorceress? Sarya leads her daemonfey in surprise attacks against Evereska and the elves of the High Forest. This escalates into the Crusade of Evermeet. Seiveril Miritar, high priest of Corellon Larethian, seeks a way out of the deadlock between Queen Amlaruil and her Royalists (who formally renounce the Crusade) versus the Republicans led by -mostly gold elf- conservatives (who are in favor of Crusade). Seiveril vows to crush the daemonfey and to herald the Return of all elves to the continent. He resigns from Evermeet’s High Council to lead an army of volunteers through the elfgates to mainland Faerûn. As the fighting reaches the ruins of Myth Drannor, more sides are drawn in: the Zhentarim, Sembia, the Dalelands, and drow House Jaelre.

Yeah we want Myth Drannor back, if only for da booty!

...That you’re not alone if you’re ever confused between Cormanthor, Cormanthyr, and Myth Drannor?

…That in our game there are still some 3 years before Cormanthor is reclaimed and the Crusade is concluded? That is, assuming the DMs will follow the events of the FR novels. Heed the words of the immortal sage who said, “assumption is the mother of all fragups.”

…That House Durothil is the oldest known elven clan in Faerûn?

…That the Durothil heraldry is a gold dragon’s head sinister on a white field. The formal House colors are gold, yellow and white.

…That Rolim Durothil, veteran of the Crown Wars, was the gold elf who first colonized the Island of Evermeet, more than eleven thousand years ago?

... That House Durothil once clashed politically with Houses Nierdre, Nimesin, Ni’Tessine, and Starym? They fought over which clan would dominate Evermeet’s Council of Elders.

Durothil won.

This was back in the days before Evermeet became a monarchy under the Moonflower dynasty. The High Council is still there, but now advises the monarch. In theory, Queen Amlaruil can dismiss the Council at will, and can appoint its members.

... That the Durothils were one of four clans to carry off unclaimed moonblades?

...That Ahskahala Durothil (Chaotic Good gold elf female 20^th level Fighter), ex-commander of the Wing & Horn Cavalry of Cormanthyr, is still alive after more than 1200 years? It’s hard to make an appointment to see her though, as most of the time, Ahskahala lies in a spell-induced reverie in the Eagle Hills on Evermeet. There she is guarded by ancient silver and gold dragons, among them the golden wyrm Haklashara, upon whose back Lady Ahskahala has flown into battle countless times.

... That one of Faerûn’s “good undeads” is a Durothil? The Lady Synnorha Durothil (Lawful Good gold elf 20^th level wizard), is a baelnorn (literally: Revered Guardian) residing in the ruins of Myth Drannor. Synnorha would be undisputed leader of House Durothil were it not for an ancient law that bars undead from claiming official title among the living.

Next installment: a special on House Nierdre! Waar het tenminste echt gezellig is…

Plus: more about various things dwarven.

All Forgotten Realms references & images are (c) Ed Greenwood/ Wizards of the Coast

"The Savage North" and its narrative elements are (c) Ed Zwanenvelt/ Stef Helsen