This short guide highlights only a few of the unique aspects of the world of Toril. For more information there is an official Player’s Guide to the Forgotten Realms available from TSR.
All my campaigns set in the Forgotten Realms are based mostly on the first Forgotten Realms boxed set from 1987. The campaigns have started five years apart so my Realms started with the year 1358 (Waking the Demon), continued with the Avatartrilogy in 1362, then in 1368 ”Something’s Rotten in Waterdeep” took place. The adventures of Blood of My Blood starts in 1372.
THE REALMSIAN YEAR is usually divided into twelve months, each further divided into three rides of ten days each. The year is 365 days long and the extra days are days of special significance, and are for relaxation or feasting.
THE LARGER REALMSIAN LANGUAGES are Modern Common, a descendant of the Thorass language, Espruar, which the elves of the Realms uses to write and Dethek runes, originally a dwarven written language that has been used as a common language for written signs of warning in some parts of the world.
THE COMMON COIN STANDARD OF THE REALMS are gold. 1 gold piece is 1/5 th of a platinum piece, 2 electrum pieces, 20 silvers and 200 gold.
A FEW COMMON PHRASES OF GREETINGS AND FAREWELLS:
Well met - The single most common greeting phrase in the entire western Realms.
Well again - Used between associates and acquaintances.
Sweet water and light laughter until next - Elven farewell.
RELIGIONS IN THE REALMS:
There are a lot of religions in the Realms and these are the bigger ones associated with the classes represented in your group. The descriptions are very short but if you’re interested in more info mail me. The specific races’ gods are also in the Realms.
Tempus - The god of fighters.
Mystra - Godess of magic.
Mask - God of thieves.
Mielikki - Godess of rangers.
Oghma - God of Bards.
Llira - Godess of Bards.
Also, the major god of evil is Cyric who during the Time of Troubles replaced Bane, Myrkul and Bhaal which were the former gods of evil.
ADVENTURING COMPANIES OF THE REALMS. In the realms adventurers are fairly common since much of the land is still wilderness. Some of the better known ones are Strikeforce Grey, The Knights of Myth Drannor and Hubris.
Strikeforce Grey consists of members instrumental to the reinstatement of the gods from the Time of Troubles and a few Waterdhavian locals. They don’t adventure per se anymore, just respond to threats to the city of Waterdeep.
The Knights of Myth Drannor are semi-retired adventurers that look to the welfare of the central Dalelands.
Hubris helped save Waterdeep from destruction from an army of undead, a conspiracy to overthrow the city’s government and a plan to bring the demon Orcus into the world. They are still active and operate out of their mansion near the city’s main fortress. Tyverus knows one of the members, the lizardman Lish Azuta, from earlier when they met in Kara-Tur.
DWARVES OF THE REALMS:
Dwarves are slowly becoming extinct due to many centuries of endless wars against goblinoids and a slow and low birth rate. Unlike the normal AD&D dwarf their skins and hair range from earthen red to granite grey.
ELVES OF THE REALMS:
Elves are as long as humans but more slender giving them a slightly elongated look. They are one of the larger races of the Realms but since quite a long time they have slowly retreated away from human lands. Elves call themselves Tel’Quessir (the people) and consider everyone else ”non-people”. The attitute towards other races differ from elven subrace to elven subrace, the most open being the Moon elves (also known as silver elves or grey elves).
GNOMES OF THE REALMS:
Same old, same old.
HALFLINGS OF THE REALMS:
Halflings are the entrepreneurial race of the Realms and the fastest growing. They usually live alongside other civilized races, most commonly elven or human.
HARPERS:
The Harpers is a mysterious organization dedicated to fight evil. What is known about them is that they operate in the North, consists of rangers and druids and that they can be recognized by small details about or on their body that is in the form of a harp.
MAGIC IN THE REALMS:
After the Time of Troubles some areas became magic dead, no magic will function at all in these. Others became wild magic areas and anything can happen when magic is cast in these. Magic is considered and referred to as the Art. Mages identify their belongings and spells by a personalized rune.
A VERY, VERY SHORT GEOGRAPHICAL OVERVIEW OF THE REALMS:
The main continent of the Realms is Faerun. The main area you’ll be in is called the North. Southeast of the North lies the Heartlands, around the Sea of Fallen Stars. To its east lies the Hordelands and even further beyond that, Kara-Tur, the area Tyverus comes from. To the far south lies Al-Quadim. To the far west, across the Trackless Sea is the new continent, Maztica.
THE CHARACTERS OF BLOOD OF MY BLOOD
ALUSTRIEL, LADY OF SILVERYMOON
The beautiful and famous ruler of the city of Silverymoon. The city is famous for it’s racial tolerance and it’s a place of culture and learning.
ARASTARIAN
Gold elf poet and author of the book ”Levaefall.”
DOHAN
One of the Harpers you met while on the road to Silverymoon.
ELMINSTER
Mentioned by Lady Alustriel. He’s a human sage.
LISH AZUTA
Famous adventurer and member of Hubris adventuring company. Black robed mage and a respected citizen of Waterdeep.
THALAENAS GOLDSKIN
The son of the Seer and the leader of one of two parties sent out to find the library of Nemanthyr. He’s a thief/mage. He’s highly intelligent but lacks somewhat in the common sense department and in his judge of character.
TYVERUS MORHION – Played by Hawk
Ogre Mage, Fighter/Mage from the lands far beyond the Moonsea.
VANDELAY – Played by Robin
Orc Fighter/Thief that grew up in the far north. He ran away from his tribe when he was young and had to learn how to survive the hard way.
MENDOR HARPELL
A mage that lives in the wizard’s community Ivy Mansion in Longsaddle north of Waterdeep (see the Northmap).
RYUTEL SOREN ZOHN
Famous ranger that made his name travelling up and down the Sword Coast. He was part of the group that was in Waterdeep at the end of the Time of Troubles (FR II) and later he befriended the members of famous Waterdeep outfit, Hubris (FR III).
THE SEER
Thalaenas father and one of the elders of Evereska. He has made the predictions on which you act.
SILVERMANE – Eligible for playing
Gray Elf Wizard/Thief from Shadowdale. He wants to one day be part in an effort to free the city of Myth Drannor.
SILENT HOPE – Played by ElfQueen
Voadkyn (wood giant) Ranger/Mage.
BELLAGO – Played by THE BLACKMANTLE
Half-elf Mage from Turmish.
FILLORIN WIND-TELLER – Played by David
Half-elf Bard that has been around.
MERKELL – Played by ElfQueen
Human Druid Wanderer. Originally from Tantras he has seen much of the world and expects to see much more before he becomes one with Toril.
LANDOR – Played by Hawk
Gold Elven Fighter/Mage/Thief Collector. His search for magical items has brought him around the Heartlands which is the area he’s most learned of.
