Glossary

Last updated 10/12/2003.

Index

A	B	C	D	E	F	G
H	I	J	K	L	M	N
O	P	Q	R	S	T	U
V	W	X	Y	Z

A

Alustriel, High Lady of Silverymoon, "The Shining Lady": Alustriel is the ruler of Silverymoon, and one of the Seven Sisters.; "Most humans, half-elves, elves, gnomes, dwarves and halflings from Baldur's Gate north to Icewind Dale, and east as far as Iriaebor - and all Harpers, wherever in Faerûn they may be - think of Alustriel with reverence. Many minstrels sing of her as "the Shining Lady" or "the Bright Lady" and all elves but the proudest and most evil respect her for her attempt to recreate a city of splendor and tolerance for all races such as Myth Drannor once was. Even more than that, they have begun to hope she just might pull it off.; "Alustriel's name commands instant respect in the North. Folk who dwell there (as opposed to travelers) rally instantly to aid those invoking Alustriel. More than one such volunteer, common farmers and shepherds as well as armed heroes, has laid down his or her life for Alustriel. Often news of such misfortune reduces Alustriel to tears in front of her court. A child who once asked his father why the lady on the throne was weeping received the answer: "To make us happy, she takes on cares that bring her sorrow. 'Tis why we love our Lady Hope."; "She has been called Lady Hope in Silverymoon from that day on, and the name is even spreading to Waterdeep, where onetime scorn of her as a crazy sorceress trying to build her own Waterdeep in the wilderness has given way to respect for her as a friend to all, high and low, merchant and commoner alike. Many folk may envy Alustriel (though few do so who really know what her daily life is like), but she is truly a woman with almost no personal enemies."; - The Seven Sisters

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B

Blackstaff Tower: tbd
Black Network: Another name for the Zhentarim.

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C

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D

Dove Falconhand: tbd

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E

Elminster: tbd

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F

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G

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H

Harpers: It is said that the Harpers got their start more than 400 years ago in the lost city of Myth Drannor, as an amalgamation or wanderers, meddlers, and noble fools (as their numerous foes are prone to think of them). In reality, they are a semisecret group whose members, agents, and informants are spread throughout the Realms, either acting against some threat or keeping a vigilant lookout for the rise of some new danger.; The following parts of the Harpers' Code give clues to the mentality of the organization and its members.; (Information paraphrased, and the pieces of code quoted, from Heroes' Lorebook by Dale Donovan and Paul Culotta.); Harpers' Badge:

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I

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J

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K

Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun, the Lord Mage of Waterdeep: tbd
Knights of Myth Drannor: The Knights began in Espar, a band of youths who had been raised together. Their first known adventure was a charter to clean out a bandit stronghold called the Haunted Halls, in the Nether Mountains near Silverymoon. After that, they wandered, coming into contact with the Zhentarim more than once. Membership in the Knights changed during these conflicts, as some members died and others left to pursue other ventures.; It was during this period of wandering that the future Knights found a series of gates, one of which led to Waterdeep and Khelben Arunsun. He gave them the title to the besieged realm of Shadowdale, to take for themselves if they could. They cleared the Tower of Ashaba of evil, and continued to fight the Zhentarim, drow, and other foes until the elves invited them to Myth Drannor. They found the place infested with fiends - but found another gate to Waterdeep as well as some to other worlds.; Later, the group left Shadowdale and wandered across the Realms before adopting Myth Drannor as their new home, clearing it of fiends and establishing it as a base of operations. Since then, the death of Syluné, the actions of the Cult of the Dragon, and the Time of Troubles have given the Knights more than enough work - and new foes.; The current active roster of Knights includes:; (Information paraphrased, and the pieces of code quoted, from Heroes' Lorebook by Dale Donovan and Paul Culotta.)

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L

Laeral: tbd

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M

Miri, Cleric of Lathander: Miri, fm human Cleric of Lathander at the Hall of the Morninglord in Silverymoon.; Miri is Terrence's apprentice / acolyte and assisted him when he cast raise dead and heal on Yassel on 07/26/1373 DR.

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N

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O

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P

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Q

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R

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S

Seven Sisters: "Even folk in Toril who have never heard of the Seven or realized they are real, living beings know this simple old rhyme:; Warriors hum the rhyme's descending tune when they go into battle. Scribes and kings alike murmur it as they stare at treaties or important decisions. Even thoes who do not know the origin or meaning of the words weave more than they know when they recite them."; - The Seven Sisters; "...When Harpers, bards, mages, loremasters, and sages of the Realms gather together over dusty tomes or crackling fires to speak softly of the Seven, they mean the Seven Silverhaired Sisters and nothing else.; "All folkof Toril and probably several other planes and worlds have heard of the fiery-tempered Witch-Queen of Aglarond, the Simbul, whose personal might-in-magic has kept an entire realm of wizards - dread Thay - at bay for decades. Not one knows her true name, but everyone has heard that she and the infamous Old Mage of Shadowdale, Elminster, have become intimate.; "Everyone north of Calimshan and west of Telflamm has heard of Storm Silverhand, the Bard of Shadowdale. Minstrels sing of her beauty wherever they go, and weave ballads about the many kings and important men who have pined for her, down through the years.; "All Harpers and everyone else north of Tethyr and west of Ravens Bluff have heard of High Lady Alustriel. She brought grace, beauty, civilization, and prosperity to human holdings in the North, and has held onto those things in the face of successive orc hordes, year after year, building her city to rival lost and legendary Myth Drannor.; "As many folk in the same area have heard tales of the lovely Laeral, who once led the famous adventuring band known as the Nine, until the fell Crown of Horns robbed her of her sanity and turned her to evil - whereupon she was rescued by Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun, the Lord Mage of Waterdeep. She became his consort and the tutor of many prominent wizards of the Sword Coast who served as apprentices in Blackstaff Tower before going on to greater achievements. Some say the Lady Mage of Waterdeep still dabbles in evil doings and that she is descended from the notorious Laeral the Witch of the long-ago North - and others whisper Laeral is that same Laeral of yore.; "Folk throughout the Dragon Reach have heard of the Witch of Shadowdale and her heroic death defending her beloved dale against the Flight of Dragons that devastated so much in the region. Syluné was widely known - if not trusted by many decent folk - as a wise crafter of potions, herbal mixtures, and philters. Word is spreading that she lives on beyond death, still haunting Shadowdale!; "Minstrels sing about, and mercenaries shake their heads over, the luck and riches of the famous Knights of Myth Drannor. The most renowned of that band, the kingly Florin Falconhand, married an adventuress already famous to Harpers: the quiet but powerful swordmaiden Dove. She bore him a child few folk in the Realms have ever seen - because, it is said, she is raising him among the elves in Evermeet, where even the wealthiest merchants, most powerful mages, and mightiest kings are not allowed to go!; "The Simbul, Storm, Alustriel, Laeral, Syluné, Dove - that makes six. Who is the seventh?; "Mystra herself, some say. A twisted monster or madwoman whom the others had to slay centuries ago, others insist. A tanar'ri or beholder who only takes human shape to taunt her victims, still others whisper. The most expensive sages and the highest councils of the Harpers agree that the seventh is a dark lady more active in the Realms Below than on the surface world. ...."; - The Seven Sisters
Shadowdale: tbd
Silverymoon: tbd
Simbul, The: tbd
Storm Silverhand: tbd
Sword Coast: tbd
Syluné: tbd

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T

Terrence, Cleric of Lathander: Terrance, m human Cleric of Lathander at the Hall of the Morninglord in Silverymoon.; Terrence cast raise dead and heal on Yassel on 07/26/1373 DR.

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U

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V

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W

Waterdeep: tbd

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X

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Y

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Z

Zhentarim: The Zhentarim, also known as the Black Network, is an evil organization intent on dominating the land from the Moonsea to the Sword Coast North. Originally a secret society, for years the Zhents has operated openly in the Moonsea area, particularly around their greatest base of operations, Zhentil Keep. People who live near Zhentarim strongholds grow used to caravans with its symbol, but live in fear that someday they will see armies marching under that banner.; While many of the Zhentarim are nothing more than opportunistic merchants, some resort to illegal acts such as attacking rival caravans, extorting villages for food, or more serious crimes such as arson and murder. The Zhentarim hire bandits to attack other caravans and towns, or have wizards conjure up or enrage monsters. Recently they have begun sending older members to frontier nations such as the Silver Marches, where they buy land and become peaceable homesteaders with families, biding their time until they are needed.; No one know for sure whether the image of the Zhentarim as a sinister, murderous organization of spies, informants, armies, and flying-monster-riding wizards engaged in all sorts of secret and terrible activities is one based in truth, or one they cultivate. However, traveler's tales of the cities the Zhentarim have conquered or attacked, the descriptions of their armies and the power of their wizards, and the reputation of their current leader, Lord Manshoon, are enough to cause everyone to err on the side of caution.; In addition to their other activities, the Zhentarim also deal in slaves, poisons, and contraband.; (Information quoted and paraphrased from Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting.); Zhentarim Heraldry:

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