| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Jun 2017 : 23:38:08
|
To tell you the truth (as a guy who names fantasy geography all the time), I like just 'Zhentil'. It sounds fine.
EDIT:
Or, conversely, you could steal a page from Runequest and call it 'The Lunar Empire' (because its around the Moonsea), or even just the 'Empire of the Moon' (but that would make people think its a 'force for good', because of the connection to Selūne).
EDIT2:
Oh, and the Moonsea used to be called The Dragon Sea, a millennia or so ago. It is called that in at least one entry in the 1e FRCS, and I confirmed it with Ed that that is indeed the case. Thus, you could do something with that... but of course, 'dragon' is nearly as over-used as 'Moon' in FR names (or 'Star', for that matter).
You know, a lot of places (and people) have 'Shar' in the names as well. 'Shardragon' sounds pretty nifty (say it fast as one word, not as its two component words). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
Edited by - Markustay on 29 Jun 2017 23:44:28 |
 |
|
|
KanzenAU
Senior Scribe
Australia
763 Posts |
|
|
Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6351 Posts |
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2017 : 15:44:36
|
And it may or may not have been the same group/kingdom that was 'The People of the Black Sails', which also ruled over the Moonsea area for a time.
Didn't the Zhents pretty-much control the entire Moonsea by the end of 3e? Or was all that for nothing, because they were immediately nuked by the Shades (who were then nuked themselves)? I should really read that series about the retaking of Myth Drannor.
So in 5e, how does all of that stand? As it was in the 1e/2e era? Or are the Zhents even less powerful than they were then (geo-politically, I mean)? |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
Edited by - Markustay on 30 Jun 2017 15:53:08 |
|
|
|
Varl
Learned Scribe
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2017 : 04:52:43
|
You could always expand upon Zhentil Keep by changing its old surname to more pronounced and grandiose surname, such as Zhentil Citadel, Zhentil Fasthold or Zhent Stronghold.
|
I'm on a permanent vacation to the soul. -Tash Sultana |
|
|
|
Helm
Acolyte
United Kingdom
22 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2017 : 09:25:06
|
Thanks again for the suggestions and info.
As for the 'state' of Zhentil Keep by the 5e era. To my knowledge it had been destroyed by the Shades (maybe during 4e?). Later the capital city of the shades-Thultanthar (sp?) was destroyed and crashed onto Myth Drannor. The surviving elves have retreated to other settlements in Cormanthor. |
|
|
|
KanzenAU
Senior Scribe
Australia
763 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2017 : 10:57:55
|
There's some info in another thread about the current state of Zhentil Keep.
As far as the rest of the Moonsea area goes, that's the territory of the first four seasons of the Adventurer's League. I haven't played any of it, but I've tried to get a general idea and I've bought some of the material. As far as I can tell:
Phlan was in a bit of disarray with the recent death of its lord, got taken over by a dragon, but then Jhessail Greycastle, commander of the Black Fist (Phlan's militia), rallied some allies and retook the town. Unclear what the current situation is.
Mulmaster is involved in the Elemental Evil storyline, and I've seen "pre and post devastation" maps about. I think in the ultimate adventure of the Season, the city may get very badly damaged by a massive explosion, but it's also possible to avoid it. I think the city is ruled by either High Blade Jaseem Drakehorn or High Blade Rastol Shan, depending on how the Season goes.
Hillsfar capitulated to the Zhentarim (was this in the Myth Drannor retaking series? I forget). Then a senate ruled it with the Shadovar watching closely, then First Lord Torin Nomerthal came to power after beating back the Netherese. I think he gets assassinated during the Rage of Demons storyline and a guy called Vuhm Yestral, formerly of the Red Plumes, comes to power. I think. |
Regional maps for Waterdeep, Triboar, Ardeep Forest, and Cormyr on DM's Guild, plus a campaign sized map for the North |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2017 : 16:59:21
|
So basically, they've turned back the clock with the Moonsea as well (a bunch of citystates, some of which control others for a time, but basically chaos and criminality abound, and things can change on a whim).
And I think Zhentil Keep was a 'secret city' in 4e, sort of. I recall reading something that said most folk of the Realms still think Zhentil keep is completely destroyed, when in reality, the Zhents have been returning, little by little (so as not to attract attention), and have at least the dockward section rebuilt, and use it as a 'pirate town' of sorts... but its all hush-hush, because they don't want to draw attention to the fact that they ARE BACK.
At least, thats how I think things stood in 4e. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
Edited by - Markustay on 03 Jul 2017 17:01:38 |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2017 : 18:00:16
|
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
So basically, they've turned back the clock with the Moonsea as well (a bunch of citystates, some of which control others for a time, but basically chaos and criminality abound, and things can change on a whim).
And I think Zhentil Keep was a 'secret city' in 4e, sort of. I recall reading something that said most folk of the Realms still think Zhentil keep is completely destroyed, when in reality, the Zhents have been returning, little by little (so as not to attract attention), and have at least the dockward section rebuilt, and use it as a 'pirate town' of sorts... but its all hush-hush, because they don't want to draw attention to the fact that they ARE BACK.
At least, thats how I think things stood in 4e.
I don't recall reading that, but I only read the 4E campaign book once, and I was -- as noted in the review I posted at the time -- rather underwhelmed by it.
Canon or not, though, it's a really nifty idea. I like it. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jul 2017 : 18:23:56
|
Its not from the out-set of 4e - I believe it was something they 'back-peddled' on later in the life-cycle of 4e.
I truly doubt its from a Dragon (DDi) article, since I never subscribed to that. However, I have seen a couple of things from that source, and I can't figure out where else I would have gotten that impression (unless it was something one of the designers said on the WotC forums, before those got shut-down... but once again, that doesn't feel right either).
Maybe from the Blades of the Moonsea trilogy? Unfortunately I no longer have those books... even my signed copy of the first one. {sigh} |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
The Masked Mage
Great Reader
USA
2420 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2018 : 05:42:55
|
| Kinda a resurrection, but you could tie it WAY back to Flostren maybe? Zhentil Keep was originally Flostren's Hold. |
|
|
|
BadLuckBugbear
Seeker
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2018 : 18:18:37
|
The Zhent League?
|
Ewan Cummins |
|
|
|
The Masked Mage
Great Reader
USA
2420 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2018 : 05:13:11
|
| I had forgotten - the old name for things in that region is "Thargate" |
|
|
|
Fineva
Seeker
Canada
79 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2018 : 06:25:15
|
Oddly there are writers thinking of this place also. How about a module on how the keep is rebuilt? The king should be from a local powerful tribe, maybe orcs? Threatened by Thayan land grabs, the good guys (relative term for orcs) become unlikely protectors.
I'm thinking of a place to set a module. Lemme know |
I" am Sathia of Orogoth |
|
|
|
The Masked Mage
Great Reader
USA
2420 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2018 : 07:26:57
|
| Sorry, but Thayans grabbing at land there is insane. Why is everyone so obsessed with Thay? Its 1 only country, and its really among the least interesting. Look to the rest of the realms! |
|
|
|
The Masked Mage
Great Reader
USA
2420 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2018 : 07:28:31
|
quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
Shoondale! Have the Leader be a descendant of Manshoon the Great!
1) Manshoon is still alive (Ed's hinted at 3 being alive)
2) Manshoon hunted down his kin and killed them or entrapped them. |
|
|
|
moonbeast
Senior Scribe
USA
522 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2018 : 04:06:44
|
quote:
Originally posted by Misereor
And name him "Zhentil", just to cover your bases.
My twist: what's the Chondathan word for "New"? Once you figure that out, call it something like New Zhentil.
For example if the Old Chondathan word for new is something like -argo, then call it like The Citadel of Zhentargo.
|
|
|
|
Misereor
Learned Scribe
164 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2018 : 12:27:07
|
quote:
Originally posted by moonbeast
My twist: what's the Chondathan word for "New"? Once you figure that out, call it something like New Zhentil.
For example if the Old Chondathan word for new is something like -argo, then call it like The Citadel of Zhentargo.
I guess it would depend a lot on the attitude of the new settlers.
If they have a bad case of hero worship for old Zhentish champions, they will probably generate names based on that (family names, children's names, place names, etc)
If they wanted to downplay the connection to the old Keep, they'd probably go for a complete rename or a return to pre-Zhentish naming standards.
And that would depend on who the new settlers are.
Flostren's hold was originally a trading camp, so I imagine it's development into Zhentil Keep was a lot like Rome's, attracting a mix of renegades, traders, and locals, with common interests, who eventually built the place into a real city.
Is the new kingdom more of the same (weak historical links to ZK), or does it consist mostly of returning refugees and Zhentarim members (strong historical links to ZK)?
All I know, is that it would be fun to have a hill called "Elminster's Folly", a "Gully of The Fallen Knights" (of Myth Drannor), or have taverns named "Hillsfar's Lament" as the locals develop their own historical narrative.
|
What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder, stronger, in a later edition. |
Edited by - Misereor on 12 Sep 2018 12:36:28 |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Suggestions for a realm name for Zhentil Keep
