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Originally posted by Jakk

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Originally posted by Dennis

That title makes me think that most likely it alludes to the reversal of the fate of most of the major characters in the TW. Rivalen's fall, the destruction of many of Shar's plans, Mask's most awaited Return, Mephistopheles's downfall, Brennus's revenge...and many more.

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I really hope you're right on these, particularly where Shar and Mask are concerned.

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Originally posted by thomaslove92

Hi folks,

My question is regarding the history of Baldur's Gate, Balduran and the settlements that came before.

Here's what we know so far...

-16 DR Calimport p19 uses Baldur's Gate as a landmark to describe the reach of the Plague of Scholars.
I Appreciate this could simply refer to the area now known as Baldur's Gate
(...All cities across southern Faerûn, as far north as Baldur's Gate; lethargy and heavy sleep...)

227 DR George Krashos and Ed mentioned the settlement of Shavinar, founded by adventurer Orluth Tshahvur near where Baldur's Gate stands today. This settlement was built on a 'nameless cluster of fisherfolk huts'.

277 DR George Krashos and Ed then explained how the settlement fell to trolls.

"long ago" Multiple sources (FR Adventures, Volo's GTT Sword Coast etc) explain how, after gaining great wealth, Balduran invested into his small home port. Thanks to the donation the port soon became a thriving city...Baldur's Gate.

Ultimately I'm asking where does Balduran fit into all this? Did he invest into a settlement that sprouted from Shavinar's ruins? Or do these dates need to be updated?

Thanks you very much in advance
Regards
Thomas

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Originally posted by Kajehase

The Hooded One gets every question to Ed. How long it takes for them to be answered varies greatly - sometimes it can take years, so if you have a question that's not been answered yet - stay patient, no need to repeat it.

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

... they DO listen (which is why, last year, we got a followup Ed Eye column about the Circle of Fangs ring).

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Originally posted by Kajehase

No worries, judging by your post-count you couldn't be expected to know this (perhaps worth inserting something about this every fifth page or so, moderators?).

Edit: Hmm... sadly non-combative for my 1939th post.

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Originally posted by bloodtide_the_red

Well, a question for Ed, though I guess he might not be able to answer?, so if anyone else knows please share, but what is all the NDA stuff in like 95% of all of Ed's answers.

Now I understand the basic NDA idea, but how does it apply to Ed and the Realms? NDA information is stuff that WotC has bought and owns, right? So Ed can't say anything about it as he does not own the information.

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Originally posted by bloodtide_the_red

But even just a quick search through the ask Ed threads turns up hundreds and hundreds of answers that say NDA.

So how is that exactly? Does WotC really have something like a billion pages of Realmslore from Ed sitting around somewhere? How did Ed give so much to them? Is it just from editing? Did Ed turn in massive 500,000 word documents for every Realms book he has ever written and then WotC trims it down to just '96 pages'?

And if WotC does have billions of pages of Realms lore, er, why don't they use it? With just the information from the NDA's posted here they have at least enough to fill a book. Plus almost all of the information is quite high profile, important, or secret. In short, lots of information that any and every Realms fan wants. How many Realms fans would by the book 'Secrets of the Realms', or even just the 'Lost lore of the Realms'? I'd guess a lot....

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Originally posted by bloodtide_the_red
So how is that exactly? Does WotC really have something like a billion pages of Realmslore from Ed sitting around somewhere? How did Ed give so much to them? Is it just from editing? Did Ed turn in massive 500,000 word documents for every Realms book he has ever written and then WotC trims it down to just '96 pages'?

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Posted by The Hooded One 02 May 2005
Hello, again, all.
Zandilar, Ed . . . adds an answer of sorts (sigh) to your comment: “Vangerdahast didn't pull Caladnei out of thin air, she must have been there in the background for a while - perhaps as one of the senior War Wizards? I mean, there'd be plenty of people who would be miffed at Caladnei leap frogging over them from nothing. So how well did Alusair know Caladnei prior to... hmm... Cormyr: A Novel? Was Caladnei even around prior to that novel? And if not, how is it that Vangerdahast expected the Obarskyrs (let alone the nobles) to accept her as his replacement?”
Ed speaks:

Ah, yes. I slipped a LITTLE about Caladnei’s past into ELMINSTER’S DAUGHTER, but Vangey’s process of magically watching her from afar, covertly testing her, watching her some more, offering her the job, accepting but not accepting her refusal, getting the Obarskyrs to accept her, and so on - - as well as his motives for choosing a successor at last, and specifically choosing HER, is something I’d like to show fictionally, some day. If the opportunity ever arises.
I’m not sure if it will, but (ahem) I have plans. I hope they can be made to dovetail with those of a certain other scribe, but I can’t say more just yet. No matter how much I want to.
You are of course correct: Vangey did not choose Caladnei impulsively, by any means.

So saith Ed. Darn those NDAs and the need not to screw up future possibilities, even if they’re not NDA’ed yet. Ah, well: I hope in the fullness of time we shall all see . . .
love to all,
THO

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Posted by The Hooded One 04 May 2005
Hello, scribes. Well, what should I find in the old inbox but yet ANOTHER reply from Ed to Zandilar:
<chop>And yes, she does think she’s barren. Whether she really is or isn’t, I can’t tell you: yes, Vangey did something magical to prevent her bearing unwanted Obarskyr bastards, but whether or not his meddling was permanent, or still holds, remains mysterious. To everyone but him, heh-heh - - and no, he’s said nothing recently about it to Alusair. Just one more thing she’s wrestling with (because Caladnei insists she doesn’t know, and doesn’t know the right spells to try to find out without harming Alusair, both of them agree NO clergy can be consulted for fear of this becoming widespread knowledge, and for some reason Laspeera and Filfaeril refuse to discuss this matter at all, and have been able to murmur a reason why that’s ended all insisting on the part of both Alusair and Caladnei. Alaphondar may or may not know something, but he’s not talking either.
Ohh, Throne of the Dragon, there’s a lot of future Cormyr fiction that needs writing . . . :}
<snip>
You asked: “But is holding them to higher expectations the same as holding them to the expectation of heterosexuality only? Have there ever been homosexual rulers of Cormyr?”
Answers: No, and yes, but not openly (exclusively homosexual, that is). As to whom . . . no, it’s not revelation time yet. (That thundering sound you hear is another NDA curtain falling.) :}

So saith Ed. More and more interesting. However, there are OTHER sides to the Realms besides matters sexual, and Ed promises to deal with one of them next time.
love to all,
THO

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Originally posted by Jakk
Ed speaks:
Ah, yes. I slipped a LITTLE about Caladnei’s past into ELMINSTER’S DAUGHTER, but Vangey’s process of magically watching her from afar, covertly testing her, watching her some more, offering her the job, accepting but not accepting her refusal, getting the Obarskyrs to accept her

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Hi again, all.
Malaria Moon, I'd got ahead and create whatever best suits your campaign, if I were you. Ed tells me that details about both of your queries are NDA right now, due to some future plans that may take some time to see the light of day.
Ed can tell you that the Circle of Flames cabal had two bases in Myth Drannor: a public meeting-place, and (as they acquired rivals) a secret one located in a tower in someone's mansion (palatial private home). And, I'm afraid, that's about all he can tell you.
love,
THO

Tis all I need. My thanks to you both

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Posted by Blueblade 30 Dec 2011
Interestingly, Barastir, I once asked Ed directly, at a convention, if Larloch was or ever had been a Chosen.
Ed's reply: "Giving you a reply to that one would be very foolish on my part. Bwooohahahaha, and so forth."
Now, if that isn't a strong hint, I'll eat my left fo . . . well, no , I won't eat it. I might need it.
But . . .
Suggestive, huh?

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Posted by The Hooded One 19 Feb 2006

Hi again, fellow scribes. This time, Ed tries to give a useful reply to Nevorick’s query: “Lady Herald, I will take thy advice and ask for small kernels of knowledge from the Sage, Ed. After thy whispers, what can Ed say on the Cormyrian Kings, Belmuth and Arathra?”
Ed speaks:

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I’m afraid NDA concerns will render me much more terse than I’d like to be, but here we go:

Belmuth “the Bastard” is considered the 35th Obarskyr monarch in Cormyr’s royal lineage. Born 304 DR, died 334 DR (reigned 328 DR to death). Succeeded the infant king Baerildo, and was succeeded by his son Sargrannon. Belmuth was called “the Bastard” because he was the illegitimate (and eldest) son of Ulbaeram (the 31st Obarskyr monarch).
Belmuth was a reluctant king, commanded to the throne at the height of the Thronestrife and wanting none of its perils for himself or his family. He spent much of his time vainly seeking a way to secretively flee Cormyr and go into hiding. His tormentor and the cause of his death was [NDA].
Belmuth was a tall, burly, quiet man, more interesting in hawking, riding the backlands, and tramping the forests (he liked hunting with the bow, but had little taste for spearing boar or any sort of hunting involving beaters, large groups of men, and chases) than chatter and intrigue and fine wines and luxuries. Awkward in public and at dancing, he would have changed his face and name in an instant if he’d ever found any magical means of so disguising himself and his family, so as to escape a life he wanted no part of. The Cormyr he ‘ruled’ was a land of unease among the commoners and terror at court, thanks again to [NDA].

Arathra “the Little Spider” is considered the 45th Obarskyr monarch of the royal line. Born 322 DR, died 348 DR (reigned 347 DR to death). Succeeded Jasl “the Royal Jester” (so called thanks to his cruel practical jokes) and was succeeded by Barander. Arathra’s nickname came from her (inherited) small, frail build, and from her venomous disposition (she was softly-smiling cruelty personified, and intrigues and treachery were her fascination, delight, and entertainment). In the years before ascending the throne she took a consort [NDA] and bore him three sons, two of whom, [NDA and NDA], in the fullness of time, wore the crown.

As you can see, skeletal lore indeed. I must warn that I’m not going to say much more about these monarchs, and not give much greater depth if asked about others, either, because although I’d love to share everything freely with all scribes of Candlekeep and Realms fans, I’m NOT going to imperil the chances of getting the lore of Cormyr featured in some sort of official WotC print publication. Nevorick, you must rest assured that the Lineage as it stands now (although we’ll always want to add more detail to it, of course) presents a line of succession that has no holes in logic. Weirdnesses, yes, but everything’s explained if you read the entire document - - and the scribes THO named have done yeoman service in that regard.

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So saith Ed. Who may be as curious as I am as to why these two monarchs in particular interest you, Nevorick. If you’re interested in setting a campaign way back during their times, you’ll have to concoct a LOT of information about the wider Realms around Cormyr yourself, and there’s a dark shadow hanging over the Forest Kingdom that Ed’s trying to avoid saying too much about. If you’re planning to have someone or someones around today who’s directly descended from either of these, forget it. That same shadow handily eliminated that possibility, although there are “loose end” Obarskyrs from this century who COULD serve that purpose, especially if the descent was illegitimate and secretive. If you were just curious about the stories of Belmuth and Arathra (because of their nicknames, perhaps), I’m afraid that’s just what Ed has to be so sketchy about. Sigh. Let us parley.
love,
THO

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Originally posted by crazedventurers

Tantum all

A question for THO if I may? In the home campaign are Azoun, Fee et al referred to as King Azoun Cormyr, Queen Fee Cormyr or has the TSR/WoTC published Realms name of Obarskyr slipped into the game?


A question for Ed if I may based on the current threads about the Obarskyrs. It seems to me that the Obarskyrs are actually more important in the wider Realms than just Cormyr given their involvement in the Kingdom of Impiltur and Vaerom and his sons in Westgate. Would I be close in assuming that many disparate 'Kingdoms' around the Realms have been formed/taken over/supported by 'blood of the Obarskyrs' even if they are not using that actual name? Am wondering if the Obarskyr bloodline is somehow 'blessed'/fated to greatness by the 'Will of the Gods' and is another 'hidden in plain view' secret you put in the Realms for your players (and now the wider D&D community) to discover?

Best to all

Cheers

Damian

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Originally posted by Icelander
Even if we assume that no Obarskyrs before 20 DR count, I submit that by ca 1350 DR, there is a virtual mathematical certainty that anyone born in Cormyr has the blood of Obarskyrs and anyone born in the Inner Sea lands at all has a more than 90% chance of being descended from Rhiiman or (overwhelmingly more likely) Faerlthann Obarskyr.

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Originally posted by Dennis


Hi, Ed!

Can you give us some hints as to what realms will be "resurrected" in 5E?

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Originally posted by Markustay

Although I would hazard to guess Elminster has an unknown heir stashed-away somewhere (perhaps off-world), because thats just what he does - he meddles.

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

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Originally posted by Dennis


Hi, Ed!

Can you give us some hints as to what realms will be "resurrected" in 5E?

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I suspect he'll refer to that dark and forbidden land, Endiae. Much has been lost in the shadows of that dread realm.

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Originally posted by Garen Thal

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Originally posted by Icelander
Even if we assume that no Obarskyrs before 20 DR count, I submit that by ca 1350 DR, there is a virtual mathematical certainty that anyone born in Cormyr has the blood of Obarskyrs and anyone born in the Inner Sea lands at all has a more than 90% chance of being descended from Rhiiman or (overwhelmingly more likely) Faerlthann Obarskyr.

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Note: Per Grand History of the Realms, Rhiiman died without issue. As did his brother Eskrius, his nephews Bryndar and Kaspler, and a number of other Cormyrean monarchs.

You're assuming a fairly standard array of numbers of children per Obarskyr, numbers of children surviving into adulthood, and numbers of children who survive to adulthood and have children themselves.

Having seen the Obarskyr lineage in its entirety from Telmer (Ondeth's father) to Raedra (the granddaughter of King Foril), I know for a fact that the mathematical certainty of which you speak is not nearly as certain as it might appear at first glance.

Azoun IV, of course, skews such numbers, but the ruling Obarskyrs have rarely been as populous as it might appear at first glance. Considering field-clearing events like the Thronestrife and long periods where there were no suriving issue to speak of (see Galaghard I/Galaghard II/Draxius, who reigned for 395 years all together and had exactly one child that produced issue: Bryntarth I), or where the only issue wound up on the throne, and there aren't a whole lot of spare branches--legitimate or illegitimate--of the Obarskyr tree floating around. Frankly, it's near-miraculous that they've stuck around this long.

Given the time, the resources, and the patience, I could probably find a hard stop for nearly every tracing of Faerlthann's blood into the present day. I don't have those things, so I can't venture to guess with any mathematical certainty how many people could claim to be descended from Faerlthann First-King, but it's certainly far less than 90%, or half, or even a quarter of the nobles of Cormyr.

And now back to your regularly over-scheduled Ed.

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