Appendix B: Background Knowledge
This Appendix is filled with the kind of information that, although it may not be of any real use to you in the game world (reading this stuff won't win any battles for you), it would certainly be known (or at least available) to your party members, if not your own character. This stuff is common knowledge throughout the Realms, and is presented here to help make your trip through the game a more fulfilling one, and give you a general idea of the world that the game characters inhabit. It is not meant to be an exhaustive compendium of canon lore—there are enough such sites already, and I'd be a fool to try to compete with anything like the Forgotten Realms Wiki. If you're hungry for more specifics, I suggest visiting the related links in Appendix C, and of course there's always Google.
Timekeeping in the Realms (a portion of) The Roll of Years (an introduction to) Alaundo's Prophecies | "World" Map of BG1 Map of BG1's city areas "World" Map of BG2 "World" Map of ToB Map of all Faerun Map of WK's Portal Maze | Deities of the Forgotten Realms (Human pantheon) |
The world of Abeir-Toril is, unsurprisingly, very similar to Earth. At least among Faerunian cultures, the day is divided into twenty-four hours, with each new "day" counted as starting at midnight. Their single moon orbits the planet every twenty-eight days, with a cycle of lunar phases that mirrors ours exactly. The solar year is exactly 365.25 days long, divided into twelve months of 30 days each, with five additional festival days that fall between certain months. Every 4th year, the extra day of Shieldmeet is added, to keep the calendar in line with the planet's revolutions. Months are commonly broken up into 3 "tendays" of, naturally, 10 days
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each, although some cultures find the seven-day "week" a more convenient frame of reference. Their annual calendar, like ours, does not place the beginning of a new year on the Winter Solstice, but rather a few days afterward. This total arrangement of days and months in relation to natural cycles was first codified by
the wizard Harptos, so long ago that his name is almost completely forgotten. In everyday life, years are most frequently expressed in reference to the establishment of the current system of government of the local kingdom or city-state. Historical records, however, tend to be able to look beyond immediate powers, and seek to establish a more consistent standard. At the time at which the Baldur's Gate games take place, there are four major systems in relatively common use, each with its merits and proponents: Cormyr Reckoning (CR) dates from the founding of House Obarskyr, the dynasty that still rules that land. Cormyr is a powerful nation heavily populated with Humans, who keep historical records in Common and travel far and wide, but unfortunately some early records taken in Cormyr Reckoning are somewhat distorted, possibly in an attempt to bring the whole system into lockstep with the slighty-older Dalereckoning. Dalereckoning (DR) counts Year 0 as the raising of the Standing Stone, commemorating the treaty beween the Human Dalefolk and the Elves of Cormanthor. This is the system most commonly used, at least by those sages whose works are presented to us. One of its strong points is that it was the form of timekeeping familar to the prophet Alaundo, so that no matter what systems are used to document the past and present, glimmers of the future are attached to numbers in Dalereckoning. The Mulhorand Calendar (MC) has the claim of being the oldest calendar still in current use. It dates from the establishment of the Mulhorandi city of Skuld, the most ancient human settlement that is still extant today. Present Reckoning (PR) was established as a way to shrug off the various disagreeing numerologies and their basis on long-past events of a mostly local importance. Present Reckoning is locked on a literally earth-shaking event that was experienced by everyone at the same time, all over the world: It sets Year 0 as the Year of Shadows, in which fell the Time of Troubles. |  |
This is, of course, only a partial list—the full Roll covers many millennia, whereas this snippet is a mere 31 years. As this is a Guide to the world of Baldur's Gate, this excerpt is concerned only with what the main character would consider "recent" history: From 10 years before the birth of the PC (CHARNAME), up to and including to the year in which BG2 / ToB takes place. Years are given in Dalereckoning.
1338 - Year of the Wanderer
» Queen Sambryl takes the throne of Impiltur.
» The gnoll invasions of Mulmaster end.
» The Murann Spice War occurs between Ophal and Ulvax holdings and is suppressed.
» An insane doppleganger who has assumed the identity of Abadda Moonglamaer, a Prince of Phalorm, is challenged and slain by Distyl of Nesme at the court of
High Lady Alustriel in Silverymoon.
1339 - Year of the Weeping Moon
» Aumry slain; Jyordhan becomes Lord of Shadowdale.
» Sharra Frohm, the great-great-great granddaughter of Palus Frohm, decides to continue her grandfather's work. Traveling alone, she enters the Great Glacier and
is never heard from again.
» The Sell-Sword Rebellion: Rival groups of mercenaries battle each other in the streets of Port Ghaast. The ensuing destruction leads to the mercenaries being
quartered outside the city walls.
» Sundeth Gossyl, cleric of Tymora, is killed in combat with a wyvern on the battlements of the Citadel of the Raven. She is later entombed in a tower in the keep
called "Sundeth's Tower."
» Volludan, a former priest of Mask, is named guildmaster of the Shadowmasters of Telflamm.
1340 - Year of the Lion
» A band of adventurers destroys the Pool of Radiance in Phlan and frees the ruins from a curse.
» Battle of the River Rising in Featherdale between Sembian and Cult of the Dragon forces; death of the wizard Mhzentul. The shadow dracolich Aurgloroasa takes
Mhzentul's library and arcane researches for her own use.
» Danilo Thann is born to Cassandra and Rhammas Thann.
1341 - Year of the Gate
» Illistyl Elventree is born.
» The undersea realm of Sylkiir celebrates as the High Mages Taranath Reefglamor and Yrlimn Tidark announce the first acceptance of students for High Magic
study in over 200 years. Their current student Pharom Ildacer of Naramyr becomes a tutor and a High Mage.
» By this time, the Shadow Thieves have their hands in half the organized crime in the Sword Coast, from the High Moor to Athkatla.
» The "Moonlight Men" mercenary band performs a daring daylight raid on the treasure-vaults of the High Captains of Luskan, escaping by sea in several stolen
sailing ships.
1342 - Year of the Behir
» Marune, a chief agent of the Shadow Thieves, sells his house and holdings in Luskan and Mirabar, and disappears.
» Three Red Wizards of Thay infiltrate the Cult of the Dragon attendants to the dracolich Khalahmongre. Attempts to control Khalahmongre result in the deaths of
the three Red Wizards as well as most of the Cultists. Khalahmongre emerges from the conflict unscathed.
» The blade Ellendrin is identified by the sage Othiiyr Velthrann of Tsurlagol. The blade and its owner, the thief Gort of Tsurlagol, disappear shortly thereafter.
» The wizard Irritym Wonderstar of Waterdeep is slain by thieves seeking to plunder his house of magic. His apprentice Baelam hunts down and slays his tutor's
murderers and then spends the next several months learning what he can of his master's Art before leaving Waterdeep to wander the Sword Coast lands.
Over the next decade he returns often to Waterdeep where he claims Irritym's tower for his own.
1343 - Year of the Boot
» Silverymoon and Everlund are saved from an orc horde by the Moonlight Men mercenaries. The Moonlight Men slew over 4,000 orcs at Turnstone Pass before
they fell. Only the famed bard Mintipur Moonsilver and five of his comrades survive.
» Chondathian and Sespechian logging sorties are repelled by a combined force of elves and druids.
» Shamur reappears in Selgaunt.
1344 - Year of Moonfall
» Retreat of the elves from Cormanthor begins.
» Elven and druidic expulsion of logging camps from the Chondathwood continues.
» The last King of Emmerock, Belder the Sly, perishes of a bloating plague while visiting the port cities of the Lake of Steam.
» The Flame of the Spirit is seen in Skullport by Mirt the Moneylender, but its posessor evades his grasp.
» Thamalon Uskevren and Shamur Karn are married in Selgaunt.
» The last Moon Elves of Ardeep abandon their forest home as they heed the call of the Retreat.
1345 - Year of the Saddle
» First reports of the Coast Plague in Amn.
» Jyordhan is slain by Khelben Arunsun of Waterdeep. Time of No Lords in Shadowdale begins, lasting until 1348.
» A mysterious explosion levels the temple of Waukeen in Thentia.
» "The Night of the Templefall" - On the same night in early winter, fires consume the Spires of the Morning (Waterdeep's oldest temple) and the House of Heroes.
(Both temples are rebuilt within the next year.) Selune's temple is also attacked by Sharran arsonists that night, but they are repelled, and the Selunites
respond by destroying a temple of Shar located beneath Shadows Alley.
» The Coast Plague runs rampant in Murann, Athkatla, Purskul, and Crimmor, killing roughly 20% of each city's population. The plague apparently spreads by
caravan, infecting folk in Beregost and Zazesspur.
» Thamalon Uskevren II (also known as Tamlin) is born in Selgaunt.
1346 - Year of the Bloodbird
» There is a great frost early in this year.
» Cult of Tiamat summons the Dark Lady.
» Bhaal banished from the Moonshae Islands; Tristan Kendrick becomes High King of the Moonshaes.
» The Friendly Arm is built.
» The Naval Battle of Lisen Sands.
» Selfaril becomes High Blade of Mulmaster.
» The Knights of Myth Drannor receive their first charter from King Azoun of Cormyr.
» Jaulothan Marlyx and two beholders appear in the center of the city of Arrabar and blast most of the city into ruins before the mage is torn apart by a tanar'ri
summoned by desperate local mages. Jaulothan had The Black Book of Beshaba during this time but it was lost in the confusion after this incident.
» Rumors of some 80,000 drow living in the Forest of Mir leads to civil unrest in Calimport, although most sensibly laugh at the unfounded rumor and at the panic
it causes in Tethyr and many Calimshite holdings.
» Of seven students chosen by the High Mages of Selu'Maraar, three are marked for great destinies. The youths Keryth Adofaer, Talor Vurtalis, and Jhanta
Merlistar excel at the basics of High Magic. They privately learn more about High magic in an unorthodox manner: Taranath unveils three Selu'kiira and
places them upon their brows, sending the students into comas while the gems force-feed the knowledge of millennia into their brains. All High Mages and
students remain behind closed doors on their estate on the outskirts of Sylkiir.
1347 - Year of the Bright Blade
» Drizzt Do'Urden comes to Icewind Dale.
» Zhengyi the Witch-King rises in Vaasa.
» Alemander IV dies in Tethyr.
» "Ten Black Days of Eleint" - Tethyrian civil war begins. The population of Tethyr at this time is given at 4,200,000.
» Tyranthraxus takes up residence in Valjevo Castle, in Phlan.
» Zhentil Keep forces, allied with an orc horde, destroy Hulberg for the final time.
» Mysterious fires destroy the old temple in Everdusk Hall. Not even magic can stop the destruction.
» Soorenar attacks and destroys Akanax.
» Maxan Maxer, companion of Storm Silverhand, is killed.
» Strange spellstorms wrack southern Thay and the North Coast.
» The twins Larajin and Leifander are born in the Tangled Trees.
» The riots of the Five Fires Rising are quelled by the city authorities of Neverwinter, as agitators from Luskan seek to destabilize the city.
1348 - Year of the Spur
» Zazessovertan is fully re-garrisoned by Tethyr.
» Khelben gives the Pendant of Ashaba to the Knights of Myth Drannor.
» Doust Sulwood is chosen to be Lord of Shadowdale.
» CHARNAME is born in Tethyr to the priestess Alianna, who dies shortly afterward. The Harper Gorion takes CHARNAME to live with him in Candlekeep.
» The Halruaan necromancer Random spreads the spell Read Southern Magic across Halruaa.
» Selfaril becomes High Blade of Mulmaster, by killing his predecessor.
» The Battle of Six Smoking Shields: The forces of Dunbridges repel an attack by the army of Thuntar (Border Kingdoms).
» Lord Chardath Spulzeer awakens his ancestor, the lich-lord Kartak Spellseer.
» Fall of the Kingdom of Tethyr.
» Erevis Cale is recruited by the Night Masks.
» Kalahar Twohands becomes the Green Regent and defeats a Talosian cult that had unleashed a storm tempest on Orlbar and Llorkh, devastating both
settlements.
1349 - Year of the Bridle
» Thazienne Uskevren is born in Selgaunt.
» The temple-farm of Goldenfields is established by Tolgar Anuvien and the priesthood of Chauntea.
» The Unseen are formed in the subterranean city of Ch'Chitl and begin to infiltrate Waterdeep and the surrounding region.
1350 - Year of the Morningstar
» The city of Phlan apparently vanishes from the shores of the Moonsea, but is restored by the same adventurers who destroyed the Pool of Radiance ten years
earlier.
» Cult of Set gains control of Sampranasz; Seti forms the Fangs of Set.
» The treasury and armory of King Osbrun of Chessagol are looted, apparently by magic.
» Elminster retires to Shadowdale.
» The Knights of Myth Drannor destroy a Zhentarim stronghold, the Flaming Tower. In retaliation, Manshoon forms alliance with beholders.
» The Knights of Myth Drannor slay the beholder Xantriph, an important Zhentarim ally, in the Temple in the Sky.
» The mage Detho, son of Navro, disappears, most likely into the depths of Undermountain.
» Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun slays the two remaining wizards of the mage cabal known as the Brothers Six, after they attempt to extert control over trade
entering and leaving the harbors of Waterdeep and Baldur's Gate.
1351 - Year of the Crown
» The thief Regis steals Pasha Pook's magical ruby, and flees Calimport to Ten Towns. Akar Kessel begins working with the Silver Shard on Kelvin's Cairn.
» Larloch's (Warlock's) Crypt discovered.
» Plague in Baldur's Gate.
» The green dragon Dretchroyaster is nearly killed by the Merry Marauders adventuring company.
» A Cult of the Dragon cell, led by the mage Larkonlan, approaches Dretchroyaster and offers to make him a dracolich, ensuring the green dragon of immortality.
» The Company of Eight, a band of Tethyrian adventurers, bring down the despot Duke Nivedann Illehhune.
» Talbot Uskevren is born in Selgaunt.
» A group of thieves secretly gathers in Waterdeep to attack and kill the wizard Baelam "the Bold." He slays them all for their troubles, gives the last of his master
Irritym's magic to Khelben Arunsun, and then quits the city to roam the Realms.
1352 - Year of the Dragon
» Gondegal the Lost King of Arabel attempts to build his own kingdom.
» Barbarians of the Ride destroy a huge Zhentarim force en route to Glister.
» The Tethyrian fortress of Zazessovertan is officially dedicated and renamed to the Cloister of St. Ramedar.
» Pasha Balik begins his rule in Zazzesspur with the hidden aid if the Knights of the Shield.
» The green dragon Dretchroyaster moves his lair from tunnels south of Myth Drannor to a crystalline plant near the ruined City of Song.
» The Magister Imrul Athelzedar approaches Noumea Drathchuld, a librarian in Silverymoon's Vault of Sages, and takes her as his apprentice (and future sucessor). » The daring thief Asilther Graelor steals almost the entire hoard of the black dragon Shammagar from his lair in the mountains north of Waterdeep. After fruitlessly
searching for Asilther for the better part of a season, Shammagar relocates his lair and remaining treasure to an unnamed island in the Trackless Sea.
1353 - Year of the Arch
» Randal Morn kills the Zhent ruler Malyk, and frees much of Daggerdale (but not Dagger Falls) from the Zhents.
» Doust Sulwood retires to Arabel, Mourngrym Amcathra becomes Lord of Shadowdale.
» The main buildings of Helm's Stead are fortified; the monastery is renamed Helm's Hold.
» The Company of Eight begins to fight against the schemes of Ernest Gallowglass and his predatory son in Tethyr.
» The Carrion Count of Tannar, Lantan of Pelmarin, is slain by the bard Tamshan.
» Volludan, guildmaster of the Shadowmasters of Telflamm, is killed and the stolen Red Book of War is lost as the ship he was travelling on sinks north of Cape
Dragonfang.
» The Night Masks, a band of thieves, assassins and enforcers who operate largely by night, are established in Westgate. The guild, whose symbol is a domino
mask, quickly comes to control most of the illegal doings in town, although the Shore Patrol (a loose confederation of street gangs, thugs, and other outcasts)
resists assimilation. The Night Masks are ruled by a doppleganger mage known as "the Faceless" and a handful of merchants called the Night Masters. They
are protected from scrying by a set of twelve porcelain masks that were stolen (along with the rack that recharges them) from a temple of Leira.
» The settlement of Llorkh in the Delimbyr Vale comes under the sway of the Zhentarim after Geildarr Ithym is installed as leader following the untimely demise of
the previous lord, Phintarn Redblade.
1354 - Year of the Bow
» The Malenti priestess Laaqueel frees Iakhovas from his prison under the Shining Sea.
» Prosperous harvest in the Realms.
» Mulmaster's "New Fleet" destroyed in battle with the navy of Zhentil Keep.
» Maalthiir becomes ruler of Hillsfar.
» House of the Lady (Tymora) established in Shadowdale.
» Dunkelzhan of Candlekeep writes The Origin Myths - A Treatise.
» "The Night of Fire" - The Four Mages of Felshroun defend the Free Barony against a Red Wizard attack.
» Balagos the great red wyrm attacks and devours the sage Thoravus of Athkatla.
» The Company of Eight, a Tethyrian adventuring company, saves the gold dragon Garlokantha. The dragon and the adventurers become firm allies.
» The Magister Imrul Athelzedar is attacked and killed by Eron Imgrym of Shiertalar. Imrul's apprentice Noumea becomes Magister (reigns 1354 to 1370).
» The High Captains of Luskan come fully under the sway of the Arcane Brotherhood, cementing its secret rule over the city.
1355 - Year of the Harp
» Zhentil Keep takes control of the Citadel of the Raven due to a clever act of treachery.
» Retreat of the elves from Cormanthor reaches its peak.
» Yulash falls in civil war.
» The Red Plumes of Hillsfar and Zhentil Keep move troops to Yulash. Both parties want outright control of the city.
» Shaerl Rowanmantle sent by Vangerdahast to Shadowdale. Shaerl and Mourngrym wed.
» Great fires rage across the Shining Plains.
» The Knights of Myth Drannor and their allies repulse a Zhentarim attack against Shadowdale.
» The mage Whisper is slain by Doust Sulwood and his companions beneath the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar. Sulwood continues to Shadowdale with the
Pendant of Ashaba, and claims the high seat.
» Eilistraee's faithful establish the Promenade of the Dark Maiden, a temple complex in Undermountain.
» Helm "Dwarf-friend" becomes ruler of Sundabar.
» Amril Zoar, scion of the exiled Waterdhavian family of the same name, slays two Secret Lords of Waterdeep, Lady Tamaeril Bladesemmer and Resengar the
Whitebeard, and badly wounds Open Lord Peirgeiron. After being apprehended, he is spared execution by the intercession of the Harper Storm Silverhand.
1356 - Year of the Worm
» Drizzt Do'Urden and Wulfgar kill the white dragon Icingdeath.
» Battle of Icewind Dale.
» Siege of Dragonspear Castle.
» Selfaril of Mulmaster and the Tharchioness of the Tarch of Eltabbar in Thay, known as "the First Princess of Thay outside the Thay," exchange betrothal gifts.
» Lashan of Scardale proclaims himself king of the dales in Flamerule, and sets in motion a full-scale invasion against the other dales. But his empire is short-lived
and his army is destroyed late the same year by the combined forces of Cormyr, Sembia, Zhentil Keep and the Dales. Scardale now houses garrisons from
all forces, working to keep the peace.
» Cormyr seizes Tilverton.
» Founding of the Iron Throne.
» The Statues That Walk begin animating in Mulhorand.
» Lyran the Pretender attacks Shadowdale.
» The temple of Bane in Voonlar is sacked by Shadowdale forces. 400 prisoners, including drow and Zhentarim, are taken.
» The most recent flight of dragons occurs, causing much havoc across Faerûn. Though the Cult of the Dragon claims responsibility, the true cause remains a
mystery.
» As part of the flight of dragons that afflicts the Moonsea and eastern Heartlands, Westgate is attacked by a young adult male black dragon named
Xuntlarmerphyn, the last surviving hatchling of Aglistralarraghautha. Many ships in Westgate's harbor are sunk before the wyrm is slain by the concerted
attacks of the city's wizards, priests, and warriors.
» An attacking wave of dragons is diverted from Silverymoon, but the city has an official ride in mourning anyway, because the sister of Lady Alustriel, Sylune, died
in combat with a dragon in Shadowdale.
» The ghost dragon Ghaulantatra, a white dragon in life, finally slays the eye tyrant that murdered her.
» Sembia bans the elven races from Sembian soil.
» In Eleasias, king Azoun IV's daughter Alusair Nacacia runs away for reasons unknown. She is spotted in Tilverton, but then escapes.
» Two known Red Wizards are crushed to death while standing on the docks in Alaghon. The druids of the Enclave are suspected.
» Dabron Sashenstar charts a passage through the Novularond Peaks to Sossal. He also discovers the tower of the long-dead mage Caddelyn.
» The deep tunnels under Hellgate Keep are found to connect with the Nameless Dungeon to the southwest under the High Forest.
» The High Captain Suljack of Luskan addresses the Merchant's League in Baldur's Gate.
» The Knights of Myth Drannor close the underground passage to the Drow realm under the Tower of Ashaba, thus ending direct trade between Zhentil Keep and
the dark elves.
» Hordes of adventuring bands start expeditions to the fabled ruins of Myth Drannor.
» Akar Kessel and his army are defeated by the combined forces of the Ten Towns, the dwarves of Clan Battlehammer and the barbarians of the Icewind Dale led
by Wulfgar, son of Beornegar.
» The Palace of Skulls reappears in Llyrath Forest in the Moonshaes.
» Gharri of Gond, out of Tilverton, is killed in a magical battle with Zhentarim wizards near Serpentsbridge in Daggerdale.
» Fiends out of Dragonspear Castle, along with a strange magical mist that blankets the surrounding region, cause chaos throughout the trade routes of the northern
Sword Coast region until the devils are finally defeated by the combined forces of Waterdeep and Baldur's Gate.
» Bruenor Battlehammer and the Company of the Hall re-discover Mithral Hall and slay the shadow dragon known as Shimmergloom.
1357 - Year of the Prince
» The Harpers Caledan Caledorian and Mari Al'Maren destroy the Shadow King in the crypts beneath Irieabor, after the Shadow King kills the Zhentarim ruler
Ravendas. The Zhentarim lose control of the City of a Thousand Spires.
» Shandril Shessair kills a dracolich of the Dragon Cult and does heavy damage to Zhentil Keep and the Citadel of the Raven with Spellfire.
» Lady Alustriel forges an alliance with Bruenor Battlehammer of Mithril Hall and helps defend the dwarf halls against the Baenre drow clan.
» Aumark Lithyl unifies Ruathym.
» King Virdin of Damara killed in battle with Zhengyi the Witch-King.
» Manshoon and Fzoul Chembryl are taken ill but are healed.
» On the 6th of Kythorn, The avatar of Moander, the Jawed God, appears over the city of Westgate battling Alias of the Magic Arm and her friends: The female
red dragon Mistinarperadnacles Hai Draco, a saurial paladin named Dragonbait, a halfling bard named Olive Ruskettle, and a Turmish mage named Akabar
Bel Akash. Both Moander and the red wyrm are destroyed in a great conflagration, and their shattered forms rain down over the northwestern end of the
city, destroying significant parts of it. Two days later, an earthquake centered on the nearby Hill of Fangs rocks Westgate shortly after dawn. It is the result of
a great battle between Alias and her friends on one hand, and those who had created her on the other: The sorceress Cassanna of westgate, an assassins'
guild known as the Fire Knives, and the lich Zrie Prakis, all of whom are destroyed.
» The Pharoah Akonhorus of Mulhorand is assassinated by the Cult of Set, leaving Horustep III (age 11) on the throne of Mulhorand.
» Slave riots in Messemprar.
» During the months of Flamerule, Eleasias, and Eleint, the Night Masks battle the Shore Patrol for control of Westgate's criminal underworld. Adventurers, hired
by the city's merchant nobility as bounty hunters, deliver a sharp check to the ambitions of the Night Masks. Their efforts thwart a plot by the ruling Pentad of
Night Masters to transform Westgate into a theocracy of Mask, the Shadowlord.
» Gauntylgrym is re-discovered by the Company of the Gryphon.
» Zhentil Keep wins a naval battle against Mulmaser and Melvaunt.
» Civil war in Melvaunt.
» The bard Ivryn Olindarr writes the comedic play Three Black Horses.
» Malarkin Norlbertusz of Ordulin writes the play Much Ado in Sembia.
» The Salamander War: The Tharchion of Lapendrar, allied with the Zulkirs of Enchantment and Conjuration, open a Gate to the Elemental Plane of Fire, and begin
a campaign against the North Coast Cities.
» A second Thayan army of zombies invades Rashemen but is turned back.
» Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun travels to the stronghold of the band known as The Nine in the High Forest, and frees Laerel Silverhand from the Crown of Horns
& its curse—and therefore also from Myrkul's influence. Laeral returns with him to Waterdeep for more healing, and afterwards they are inseparable; she is
soon referred to as Lady Arunsun.
» A tribe of kobolds led by their chieftain Kuthil takes up residence in the Maiden's Tomb Tor, unnoticed by Waterdeep.
» The dwarves of the Ironeater Clan reclaim the ruined halls of Illefarn.
» Geildarr becomes lord of Llorkh after the murder of Phintarn 'Redblade', the previous lord. Dwarves start disappearing in Llorkh.
» The Tome of the Unicorn is stolen from Ruathym's Green Rooms royal library.
» Shairksah, a merchant and mage, is banished from Amn for threatening to kill other merchants with magical creatures he controls or conjures from his home in
Murann.
» During the Festival of the Assumption, Gilgeam destroys a giant dragon turtle in Unthalass Harbor.
» Haverstrom Lhal, husband of Myrmeen Lhal of Arabel, dies.
» Cormyrean troops invade Tilverton, under some protests from the citizens.
» The forces of Luskan attack Ruathym, successfully plundering much of the island and sinking that realm's ships. They establish a presence there and subjugate the
local population and shipping. The thief Asilther Graelor seizes one of the Luskan ships laden with Ruathym treasure, and pilots it to the abode of the black
dragon Shammagar, thereby in part repaying her debt to him.
» Bruenor Battlehammer and dwarves of Clan Battlehammer reclaim Mithral Hall from the duergar of Clan Bukbukken with the aid of dwarves from Citadel Adbar.
Bruenor Battlehammer is crowned Eighth King of Mithral Hall.
1358 DR - Year of Shadows
» Flattery Wyvernspur is hunted and destroyed.
» Bane and Myrkul steal the Tablets of Fate, an artifact of cosmic importance, from Ao. Incensed, Ao casts all gods out of their home planes and forces them into
their mortal avatar forms until the Tablets are returned. The one exception is Helm, charged with the duty of guarding the Celestial Staircase to ensure that the
other gods heed Ao's edict. This period is known as the Time of Troubles, or the Godswar: From Kythorn through Marpenoth, all gods walk the Realms,
unable to leave the Prime Material. Several gods are slain during this brutal period, with aspects of their portfolios being absorbed by other gods, or granted
to new deities.
» Siamorphe manifests in Waterdeep and protects the North and Sea Wards from much of the damages caused by Myrkul's legions during this time.
» Gond Wonderbringer falls to Lantan in the form of a gnome, and gives the Lantanese the secrets of guns and smokepowder.
» Ssethh kills Vaerae and absorbs his portfolio; the snake-god also appears in Chult.
» Garagos rampages through Westgate's harbor before wading out into the Sea of Fallen Stars, leaving a blood-red harbor in his wake. In the aftermath of the
Reaver's rampage, trade in Westgate is sharply impacted by the magical chaos that accompanies the Fall of the Gods.
» Tymora personally holds worship in her church in Arabel before engaging in an inconclusive battle with her sister Beshaba somewhere in the Northlands.
» Talona meets with the wizard Aballister and leads him to Castle Trinity, in the northern Snowflake Mountains.
» Sune appears in Calimport, where she thwarts Shar's attempt to absorb Sharess into herself. She then is seen in Teziir, in the avatar of a beautiful woman with
silky scarlet hair and fiery red-brown eyes.
» The Red Knight is rumored to have slaughtered a huge host of monsters in the Forest of Tethir.
» Selvetarm rampages through the drow city of Eryndlyn, attacking the faithful of Ghaunadar and Vhaeraun.
» Hoar possesses King Hippartes of Akanax and attacks Unther, where he succeeds in killing Ramman, but is driven from the field by the Mulhorandi deity Anhur,
who assumes Ramman's portfolio into his own.
» Ibrandul is destroyed by Shar, who then assumes his portfolio partially by impersonating him.
» Waukeen apparently goes missing; there is no indication of her actual death, but she no longer answers the prayers of her clergy. Liira begins looking after the
faithful Waukeenar in her stead.
» Deep Duerra's avatar appears to duergar under the mountains of Turmish and leads them on a campaign of conquest.
» Tiamat manifests in the form of a three-headed dragon, unlike her usual five-headed avatar, and is slain by Gilgeam, the god-king of Unther. Her essence is
divided among three dragons: The blue Gestaniius, the green Skuthosiin, and the red Tchazzar, who consumes the other two.
» Malar stalks the Gulthmere and is challenged by Nobanion. He is driven north and west towards the Sword Coast, pursued by Gwaeron Windstrom.
» Shiallia spends the Godswar repairing much of the damages caused by Malar's northern rampages.
» The demigod Torm appears in Tantras, where he punishes one of his unfaithful clerics before fighting Bane to their mutual destruction.
» Shar spends the latter part of the Time of Troubles in Waterdeep, pretending to be Selune (hoping to draw her out in order to kill her). Selune is also in
Waterdeep, but remains in hiding, quietly foiling Shar's plots.
» Mulhorand launches a fleet of ships to capture the Alaor from Thay, but instead quickly becomes embroiled in a defensive war against the sahuagin. In the "Battle
of Summer Storms," Anhur personally duels Sekolah, with Umberlee also taking part. All told, the war claims many hundred sahuagin, as well as some 30
ships and 2,000 Mulhorandi as the god-king's forces clash with the sea devils. The mythal barrier around Myth Nantar crackles and surges, but holds, against attempts to break inside. Mulhorand spends the rest of the year repelling sahuagin attacks against its harbors.
» Bhaal visits the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar, and is killed by the human Cyric wielding the sword Godsbane (actually the god Mask in disguise), at Boarskyr
Bridge.
» Mystra is known to have visited Castle Kilgrave before attempting to bypass Helm at the Nexus of the Planes, where he persists in blocking her. When she fights
back, he kills her.
» Bane travels to Zhentil Keep, Castle Kilgrave, and Scarsdale, where he is defeated and very nearly slain by Elminster (wielding some additional lingering aura of
Mystra's power), but saved by Myrkul. He continues on to Tantras, where he and Torm destroy each other.
» Myrkul is killed in an aerial duel with Midnight, a mortal woman wielding the powers of Mystra, in the skies over Waterdeep. Midnight and her companions
Kelemvor and Adon locate the Tablets of Fate, and offer them to Ao.
» Ao's voice is heard by many in Waterdeep, and his temple is established on the ruins of the market.
» As the Weave recoils from the death of Mystra, dead magic and wild magic areas begin to appear in the Realms.
» Following Mystra's destruction, the demi-power Malyk appears in the Underdark.
» Ao elevates the mortal Cyric to a Greater Power, with the combined portfolios of Bhaal and Myrkul. Bane's portfolio is divided between Cyric and Bane's own
half-demon son Iyachtu Xvim.
» Mystra's essence seems to have chosen the human mage Midnight as her successor, and Ao is in agreement: He raises Midnight to godhood, with Mystra's status
and portfolio. Midnight changes her name to Mystra, to speed her acceptance among the old Mystra's faithful.
» Although Ao had decreed that none of the gods who fell during their exile would be reinstated, he made an exception in the case of Torm, partly because he died
fulfilling the duties of his portfolio. Torm is resurrected and raised to the rank of Lesser Power.
» The Time of Troubles comes to an end. Ao allows the gods back into their extraplanar domains, and also lifts the barrier that had prevented the Mulhorandi god-
kings from reuniting with their divine selves on the Outer Planes. The avatars of the Mulhorandi gods depart Faerun, leaving governance of the empire to
mortal rulers under their guidance.
» Immediately after the Time of Troubles, Tiamat reappears, in her familiar five-headed form, sparking theories that she had somehow tricked Ao, sending one of
her avatars from another plane of existence in her place. The "true" Tiamat subsumes the red dragon Tchazzar back into herself, and then avenges her own
death by killing Gilgeam.
» The temple of Leira in Westgate is looted and burned—a magical mesh chain Helm of Disguise, covered with platinum coins struck with the glyph of the Lady of
Mists, is stolen by the Night Masks.
» Following the Godswar, the priesthood of Waukeen loses its hold over the city of Nesme.
» Collapse of the Ebondeath Sect in the Mere of Dead Men due to the destruction of Myrkul.
» Seeking leverage against Midnight/Mystra, Cyric kills her lover Kelemvor, but fails to locate his soul.
» The Shadow Thieves of Amn lose the entire membership of the Shade Council and two-thirds of their assassin members thanks to the machinations of the gods. In
response, they undergo a sweeping reorganization.
» Moander returns to the Forgotten Vale and takes control of the settlement of saurials, but is driven back into the Planes by Alias of the Magic Arm, Dragonbait,
and others along with the "Nameless Bard" Finder Wyvernspur. Finder destroys Moander and becomes a demi-power himself.
» The Wandering Seed of the Goddess Wilaundaun Braer, Patriarch of Chauntea, disappears somewhere in the Fallen Lands or south of Weathercote Wood. The
Glarathra vanishes with him.
» The Luskanite presence in Ruathym is forced out by the combined diplomatic and military pressure brought to bear by the Lords' Alliance.
» Mourngrym and Shaerl have a son, Scotti.
» Arvoreen's Marchers forms in Tethyr to patrol and protect the Purple Marches.
» The beholder crime-lord Xanathar is slain by adventurers, at the request of the Lords of Waterdeep. The Eye of Undermountain apparently had a hand in this.
» The Calimshite mage Shond Tharovin unleashes the demilich Shoon VII on Zallanora Argentresses, a young female elf mage, and the spirits of the undead Qysar
and the young elf switch bodies.
» The drow of House Baenre raid Mithral Hall. High Lady Alustriel cements an alliance with King Bruenor Battlehammer by aiding the dwarves in their war against
the invaders, driving them back all the way to Menzoberranzan.
» The city of Luskan and its various affiliated island realms of the Trackless Sea form the Captain's Confederation.
1359 - Year of the Serpent
» Erevis Cale departs from Westgate for Selgaunt.
» Zhengyi (The Witch King) is destroyed.
» Damara united by Gareth Dragonsbane.
» Zhentarim infiltrate Anauroch and quickly begin establishing alliances in the region.
» Tuigan horde united beneath its Khahan. Yamun Khahan invades Kara-Tur.
» Mt. Ugruth in Turmish rumbles threateningly for several months before subsiding. A new type of dragon, the "cinnamon dragon", is discovered in Turmish.
» The Risen Cult of Bane, prophesying his return, surfaces in the Moonshaes.
» The dwarves of Tethyamar are said to have returned to the mountains to reclaim their lands.
» The Men of the Red Kestrel find dwarves frozen into the Great Glacier.
» The Order of the Silver Chalice, the only fighting order dedicated to the goddess Siamorphe, is founded in Tethyr.
» Trails are broken for a new route linking Esmeltaran with the now-prosperous city of Keczulla.
» Hubadai (son of Yamun) invades Semphar. The Caliph flees to Iliphanar. After a short siege the city falls, and the Caliph, the Emir of Iliphanar, and their advisors
are burned alive inside the palace.
» Rumors surface of The Book of Fangs and Talons being carried through the forests of the North by chanting Malarites.
» Fleeing the rebellion in Unther after Gilgeam's death, priests of the fallen god-king re-occupy the Citadel of Black Ash.
» The Eye of Undermountain becomes the second Xanathar, assuming the identity of its now-dead rival.
» Ixitxachitl temporarily conquer some areas of northeastern Hmur Plateau (beneath the Fangrocks), but are ousted from their redoubts within the year.
» A War King of the duergar, Olorn Ridaugar, appears to be massing the dark dwarves under Turmish.
» The long-lost Wyrnskull Throne of Shanatar is said to have been found in a lagoon on an island in the Race, but this is not confirmed.
» Battle of Shar's Pass: On Uktar 15, the Tuigans under Batu Min Ho battle the Red Wizards to a standstill. The Griffon Legion is almost completely destroyed.
» Erevis Cale arrives in Selgaunt from Westgate.
» Mirt the Moneylender of Waterdeep takes to the seas and hunts down & destroys a ship of Luskan, The Black Basilisk, the flagship of the "Dead Fleet." By
sinking the Basilisk, crewed by ambitious younger mages of the Arcane Brotherhood, Mirt puts an end to their practice of capturing mariners and
transforming them into undead.
1360 - Year of the Turrets
» The Wyrmskull Throne is again rumored to have been discovered, this time by pirates in the Bay of Skulls in the sheltering lee of Hook Isle.
» The Calimshite mage Ondeeme razes the realm of Phaeradur in the Border Kingdoms, establishing his own self-titled holding.
» Tuigan horde invades Faerûn. Citadel Rashemar in Rashemen is destroyed.
» Many mercenaries depart Tethyr to participate in the Crusade against the Tuigan.
» Elminster addresses the Lord's Alliance.
» Crusade of The Alliance against the Tuigan. King Azoun IV kills Yamun Khahan in the 2nd Battle of the Golden Way in Thesk.
» The famed bard Mintipur Moonsilver writes the Ballad of a Tyrant.
» Through the efforts of a Harper named Lander (who is killed) and the witch Ruha, the Harpers manage to put a solid dent into Zhentarim caravan operations in the
Anauroch desert.
» The red wyrm Klauth is ambushed by two white dragons, Aerihykloarara and Ruuthundrarar, and the blue wyrm Irdrithkryn. He slays all three of his assailants
in a spectacular aerial battle which rages from the Iceflow to the Fell Pass.
1361 - Year of the Maidens
» The Amnish explorer discover the continent of Maztica.
» The Edificant Library is destroyed during the Trinity Conflicts.
» A group of vampire-hunting adventurers, the Foes of the Fang, forms in Waterdeep.
» "The Banedeath" - Zhentil Keep is overrun with holy purges, driving orthodox Banite worship underground in that city. In Mourktar, the Black Lord's Cloak is
swelled with refugee Baneites.
» Thydrim Yvarrg becomes Huhrong of Rashemen.
» Four Cult of the Dragon archmages arrive outside of Silverymoon and unleash spells to draw Alustriel out. She and Taern "Thunderspell" Hornblades dispatch
two of them easily, but Taern and the other Spellguard members are soon kept busy with a dracolich unleashed on the southern walls of the city. Alustriel
defeats another Cult mage, but only the timely arrival of Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun and Laeral Silverhand saved Alustriel's life against the final archmage.
» The Drow of the Underdark find a new passage to the surface in the eastern Dragonspine Mountains, and re-establish trade with Zhentil Keep.
» Word reaches Tethyr and Calimshan of the Amnish discovery of the western lands of Maztica.
» The pirate-captain Teldar rises to take Immurk's Seat as king of the Inner Sea pirates.
» Rumors of the "Harper Assassin" travel throughout Waterdeep, and pilgrims and soldiers of the Church of Helm publicly announce the discovery of Maztica.
» Victor Dhostar, son of Croamarkh Luer Dhostar and one of the Night Masters of Westgate, becomes "the Faceless" after secretly killing his predecessor and
seizing the Helm of Disguise previously looted from the temple of Leira. Victor begins rebuilding the Night Masks, eventually subsuming the Shore Patrol
confederation into his organization.
» The kobolds beneath Maiden's Tomb Tor are discovered and then attacked by the Waterdeep Guard and various mercenary groups, causing them to flee into
deeper caverns which are then sealed.
» The Harper Assassin plagues the North. Danilo Thann and Arilyn Moonblade discover that the assassin is really the gold elf Kymil Nimesin.
» The plotting of the Kraken Society sees Ruathym pitted against the sea elves of the surrounding region and Luskan. Pressure from the Lord's Alliance sees Luskan
give up its conquest while the Society's plot is foiled by Liriel Baenre and her companion Fyodor.
» The dragon Lhammaruntosz forms the Scaly Eye merchant shipping line which operates along the coastal regions of the Sword Coast and the North.
» Danilo Thann becomes a Harper.
1362 - Year of the Helm
» The Harper Artus Cimber finds and wins the long-lost Ring of Winter in the Jungles of Chult and returns to the mainland with it.
» The Knights of the Black Gauntlet seize power in the city-state of Mintar on the Lake of Steam.
» King Bruenor Battlehammer abdicates his throne in favor of Gandalug Battlehammer, First King of Mithral Hall, saved from the clutches of House Baenre of
Menzoberranzan four years previously. Gandalug is now both First and Ninth King of Mithral Hall.
1363 - Year of the Wyvern
» The Way Inn is destroyed by hordes from Dragonspear Castle.
» The Battle of Daggerford.
» The Council Schism of Amn results in the deaths of the Meisarch, Namarch, and Pommarch of the Council of Six, who are soon replaced.
» Vurgrom "the Mighty" challenges Teldar, drives him into exile in Thesk, then takes control of the pirates, claiming Immurk's seat as king of the Inner Sea pirates.
1364 - Year of the Wave
» The Sembian Cult of the Dragon steps up its activities against the Zhentarim, attacking caravans and attempting to usurp control of various trade routes.
» The Way Inn is rebuilt.
» Baron Thuragar Foesmasher becomes ruler of newly-independent Sespech.
» Droughts, increased monster activity, and political unrest plague Waterdeep for months leading up to Midsummer. The green dragon Grimnoshtdrano and the ex-
Harper Iriador "Garnet" Wintermist disrupt the city's Shieldmeet festivities, nearly upsetting the Lords' Rule.
» Alzegund the Trader, a Red Wizard agent, is found murdered. He is replaced by the wizardess Naglatha.
» The Flaming Fist, a mercenary company out of Baldur's Gate, establishes Fort Flame just off the Bay of Balduran on the continent of Maztica. An Amnian colony,
Qoral, is established farther inland.
» The green dragon Dretchroyaster undergoes the Cult of the Dragon's transformation and becomes a dracolich. The topaz dragon Iltharagh, who lairs near the
mouth of the Iceflow north of Luskan, also becomes a dracolich.
» The vampiress Shyressa and her slave vampires are all either destroyed or driven out of Castle Nethmarch, by a trio of vampire hunters. Shortly thereafter, their
employer, Nails of the Lady Dlatha Faenar, a priestess of Beshaba, takes castle for herself, renaming it Spires Against the Stars.
» An agent of the Knights of the Shield assassinates Pasha Balik of Zazzesspur in his bed.
» The venerable steel dragon Zundaerazylym tears apart Aerlenden "Shadowtalons" Mardilaer, a wizard of the Arcane Brotherhood, over the Sea of Swords off the
coast of Neverwinter.
1365 - Year of the Sword
» The red dracolich Gotha, created by Talos and sent to the Moonshae Isles to serve as his agent of destruction, is killed by the Princess Alicia Kendrick, who was
briefly serving as the earthly avatar of the Earthmother.
» Limited trade is established between Waterdeep and the lands of Maztica and Zakhara. The high-risk ventures (as many as 60% of the ships are lost at sea) are
jointly managed by the priesthood of Helm and various noble families. New Waterdeep is established on the Gulf of Kultaka, Maztica.
» Death of Grintharke and many of the greater tanar'ri of Hellgate Keep. Rule of the Keep passes to the Triumvirate.
» The Sembian Cult of the Dragon cell convinces Malygris, a blue dragon of Anauroch, to become a dracolich. This dracolich then attacks, kills, and replaces the
ruler of the Great Desert's loose society of blue dragons. The blue dracolich Alasklerbanbastos controls a large cell of the Cult of the Dragon in Chessenta,
along with a number of chromatic dragons.
» Alicia Kendrick becomes High Queen of the Moonshaes. Piergeiron of Waterdeep attends the coronation, and rumors that the Paladinson is taken with Alicia, but
not she with him, spread furiously through Waterdeep.
» Arklem Greeth hands day-to-day authority over the Arcane Brotherhood to his chief assistant Queltar Thaeloon, the "Wizard of Green Fire".
1366 - Year of the Staff
» The Tharchioness and "First Princess of Thay" marries Selfaril of Mulmaster.
» The famed Knights of the Sword Coast retire in Waterdeep.
» Lord Chess becomes ruler of Zhentil Keep.
» Fall of Amassyra the Tricoil; rule of Hellgate Keep now falls to Ssaam of the Five Hands and Mulvassyss the Sceptered.
» A Red Wizard in Turmish dies when his residence is repeatedly struck by lightning bolts during a freak summer storm. The druids of the Emerald Enclave are
suspected in the attack.
» Zaranda Star purchases County Morninggold from the Order of the Silver Chalice.
» Sponsored primarily by the Council of Six and Lord Pulth Tanislove of Keczulla, the "Gem Road" between Keczulla and Esmelatarn is completed.
» Enrathman Hokump, Lord High Commander of the Citadel of Black Ash in Unther, converts to the worship of Set.
» Manshoon relocates the resources of the Zhentarim to the Citadel of the Raven.
» A quartet of illithids openly slay Baron Alahar Khaumfros of Yartar, the Kraken Society's leading agent in the Dessarin Valley.
1367 - Year of the Shield
» Two nights of emerald green snow in Nightal fall upon Silverymoon and the area within two days' ride of the city. The snow disappears quickly, but leads to
fantastic plant growth and fruit production.
» Aeron Morieth becomes the Stormwalker of the Maerchwood.
» "The Time of the Beast" - Some wise men prophecy that the beasts who once ruled the land will soon return to claim it.
» A major earthquake destroys much of Eltabbar.
» The Harpell family of Longsaddle completes construction of its magic road from Longsaddle to Nesme.
» A great conflagration in the Rat Hills sends a cloud of smoke over Waterdeep, and causes the Unseen to move its base wholly within the City of Splendors. Many
Waterdhavians contract a mild plague.
» Garrik Oakspear flees from the Xanathar deep into Undermountain, where Muiral delivers him to Halaster.
» The orc horde of King Greniere marches on the Citadel of Many Arrows. Greniere's orcs war with the orc horde of King Obould. In mid-battle, both sides are
surprised and routed by the dwarven forces of King Emerus Warcrown and his Silverymoon allies. The dwarves take over the citadel and restore its ancient
name of Citadel Felbarr.
» Radoc moves his mongrelman army from the High Forest to attack Hellgate Keep, and both sides suffer grave losses. Ssaarn the marilith is slain by her co-leader,
giving Mulvassyss the Many-Sceptered sole control over the Keep.
» Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun reveals himself publicly as a Lord of Waterdeep, then resigns and presents his masked successor (Danilo Thann).
» The "Days of Terror" in Zazesspur.
» A plague strikes the city of Procampur.
» Trolltide turns deadly in Waterdeep as people begin polymorphing into trolls.
» Bold Faerûnian pirates descend beneath the waves of the Inner Sea to the Hmur Plateau, seeking treasure. Plunderering a dragon turtle's cave amid the plateau
cliffs, they pay for their invasion with their lives, although some pirates do escape with magical treasures.
» The Eye of Undermountain conquers the Xanathar Thieves Guild in Waterdeep.
» The wizard Shoundra establishes herself as Sceptrana of Mirabar, and rules the city in union with the Council of Sparkling Stones and Marchion Elastul Raurym.
1368 - Year of the Banner
» "The Second Banedeath" - Cyric unleashes his Inquisition on Zhentil Keep, Yulash, Darkhold, Teshwave, and the Citadel of the Raven to cleanse all Zhent
holdings of non-Cyricist priests. Only in Darkhold does this prove wholly effective, since pockets of Xvimlar survive in all other Zhentish strongholds.
» First major rumblings of the Bhaalspawn Crisis, as the dead god's violent children begin to migrate in the general direction of Tethyr.
» Baylee Arnvold discovers the Lost Library of Cormanthyr.
» Death of Lord Chess in Waterdeep.
» Rinda the Scribe, under the divine control of Cyric, completes the 398th (and only satisfactory) draft of the Cyrinishad, a book which, when read or even being
heard read aloud, forces the reader to become fanatically devoted to Cyric, believing him to be superior to any other deity, even Ao. Those who start reading
it find it impossible to stop. The book is tested on Fzoul Chembryl, but he is possessed by Mask at the time—Mask is only able to retain a measure of self-
control by sacrificing part of his own essence. Mask drops from a Lesser Power to a Demipower, and the domain of Intrigue passes from him to Cyric.
» The "Iron Crisis" - A mysterious weakness spreads throughout nearly all workable metal in the Sword Coast region, starting a period of economic and military
instability, the ramifications of which soon plunge the political dealings of Baldur's Gate and Amn into chaos.
» Alias and Dragonbait return to Westgate in Mirtul, and are hired by Luer Dhostar the Croamarkh to curb the activities of the Night Masks. Victor Dhostar, son of
the Croamarkh and head of the Night Masks, secretly murders his father, frames him as "the Faceless", and is then elected Interim Croamarkh. Alias,
Dragonbait, and a handful of Harper allies unmask the Faceless and disrupt the Night Masks. Victor is slain shortly after proclaiming himself king of
Westgate. Durgar the Just of Tyr is elected interim Croamarkh.
» An army of dragons, giants, and ogres, working under Cyric's direction, destroy Zhentil Keep, allowing Iyachtu Xvim to escape from his captivity there.
» The Blue Bear Uthgardt tribe, led by the annis Tanta Hagara, conquers Hellgate Keep. Hagara becomes the new ruler of the Keep.
» Cyric murders Leira (again unknowingly using Mask in the form of the sword Godsbane) and absorbs her portfolio, making him the single most powerful god in all
the Realms. He then reads the Cyrinishad for himself, turning his previous megalomania into utter madness. He breaks Godsbane, freeing the soul of
Kelemvor, which had been sealed within since his murder. Due to Cyric's insanity, Kelemvor is able to defeat him. Ao intercedes, and annoints Kelemvor as
a Greater Power, transferring to him Cyric's domain of Death.
» An unknown force begins driving the trolls out of the Evermoors, causing chaos along the trade roads near Nesme.
» Zhentarim-sponsored adventurers kill Elrem, shaman leader of the Great Worm Uthgardt tribe, stealing much of his treasure.
» The Font of Knowledge, an important temple to Oghma, finishes construction in Waterdeep.
» The Elemental Gods (Akadi, Grumbar, Istishia, Kossuth, and Shaundakul) draw followers in Faerun.
» Garagos the Reaver appears in Chondath to crush the marilith Glackzana and re-establish his worship.
» The settlement of Orlbar in the Delimbyr Vale comes under the sway of the Zhentarim.
» Velsharoon becomes a demi-power with the sponsorship of Talos.
» The Tree Ghost Uthgardt tribe rediscover the site of their ancient ancestor mound Grandfather Tree, near the Lost Peaks of the High Forest.
1369 - Year of the Gauntlet
» Six adventurers plan out a grand reunification of the elven kingdom of Cormanthor, since broken up into the Dalelands, and eliminate all Zhentish influences from
the area. By the end of the year, only three of the orginal six remain, but the survivors are now with wealth and titles: The half-elf King Lastat, the dwarf
Archduke Bierock of the Tethyamar & the surrounding mountains, and the elf Baron Lathane of Teshwave.
» Sahuagin invasions plague the Sword Coast, resulting in attacks on Waterdeep, Baldur's Gate, Calimport, and other random ports on the Trackless Sea. For
almost a year, trade between the Sword Coast and Maztica comes to a virtual standstill.
» Iyachtu Xvim rises as a Demipower and then a Lesser Power. Fzoul Chembryl founds Xvim's new church and leads it as High Tyrannar from an underground
temple beneath the ruins of Zhentil Keep.
» Khelben Blackstaff and Fzoul meet in secret in Voonlar, where Khelben provides information about Lord Orgauth of Zhentil Keep and Fzoul vows to limit
Xvimlar activity to the east of the Thunder Peaks for the next 10,000 days.
» Fzoul and the beholder Manxam assault their rivals in Mulmaster. The High Imperceptor of Cyric is killed along with a number of faithful, and the long-hidden
High Imperceptor of Bane is captured and brought back to the Keep for torture.
» Tanta Hagara sends raiding parties out of Hellgate Keep, inflicting heavy damage on nearby settlements and trading caravans.
» People in the Nesme area discover that a black dragon and fog and cloud giants are among the creatures driving the trolls from the Evermoors. Strangely, some
giants are friendly, others hostile.
» The Harpell family completes the magic bridge over the River Surbrin at Nesme.
» With the assistance of Alustriel and the Mistmaster of the Citdel of Mists, two Harpers undertake a suicide mission, and enter Hellgate Keep carrying an artifact
known as the Gatekeeper's Crystal. Tanta Hagara, the Blue Bear Uthgardt tribe, and the Keep itself are destroyed.
» Alustriel steps down as High Lady of Silverymoon appointing Taern "Thunderspell" Hornblade as High Mage of the city. Alustriel begins her efforts to form an
alliance of northern settlements (Citadel Adbar, Citadel Felbarr, Deadsnows, Everlund, Jalanthar, Mithral Hall, Quaervarr, Silverymoon, and Sundabar)
which is initially labelled Luruar.
» Randal Morn and his riders reconquer Dagger Falls from the Zhentarim.
» Turlang and his treants herd trees from the High Forest into the ruins of the Hellgate Keep and to Hellgate Pass, preventing both from being used again.
» Errilam Krimmevor, his father, uncle, and two cousins are imprisoned in the Cloister of St. Ramedar.
» The "Storm-Seige of Myratma" - The Jhannivvar Pretender is killed, ending the war for Tethyrian throne. Zaranda, Wife of Haedrak III, becomes Queen of
Tethyr by popular acclaim.
» The Interregnum Tribunals are convened in Mosstone at the Archdruid's Grove.
» Arcturia, one of Halaster's apprentices, is slain in Undermountain by giants in the Room of the Grim Statue.
» The arch-mage Shradin is Shouted to death by the Skulls of Skullport.
» Drow expand into the Third Level of Undermountain.
» The Bhaalspawn Crisis reaches its climax, as the army of the fire giant Yaga-Shura destroys Saradush in his lust to exterminate his weaker siblings.
» An attempted assassination of King Azoun IV of Cormyr (via a poison-breating automaton) is foiled, although Duke Bhereu is killed instead. Many treacherous
nobles are exiled from Cormyr: some disgraced members of House Bleth and House Cormaeril emigrate to Westgate, quickly establishing themselves as
important members of Westgate's merchant nobility thanks to the disarray amongst the city's older houses stemming from the events of the year before.
» Seven ships of the Vemmil clan of Amn return from a mission to Zakhara, but four are attacked and looted by the Sea Reavers in late Eleint. The remainder arrive
at Murann amid much ceremony. On Highharvestide, a huge, manlike juggernaut created from ship parts is Gated into the Sea of Swords at highsun and
attacks the pirates' port of Skaug.
» "Halaster's Harvestide" - The wizard Halaster is kidnapped by the Twisted Rune members Rakesk and the alhoon Ralayan the Ocultacle. Much of the north of the
Realms endures great disruption as farflung portals go awry, until a group of adventurers manages to secure Halaster's rescue.
» Piergeiron Paladinson destroys the dracolich Kistarianth the Red on the slopes of Mount Waterdeep during Halastar's Harvestide. The transformed red dragon
was slain in life by Piergeiron's father, Athar the Shining Knight.
» At Harvestcourt, the Loyal Order of Innocents is formed by the royal decree of Queen Zaranda. Some Tethyrian exiles and former Amnian families return to
Amn, accused of war crimes or continued malfeasance against the regime in Tethyr.
» Many fishing boats based along the Dragon Coast come under attack by devil rays, suggesting that something is stirring things up beneath the waves.
» Fire engulfs the Emerald Ward and Grand Ward of Calimport.
» The Ship of the Gods volcano in the Alambar erupts, and priests of Geb in the Golden Forge temple within fail to prevent the eruption but mitigate the damage to
Mulhorand by venting lava across the sea bed. This causes a tidal wave that swamps the Alaor and Bezantur, and stirs up the sahuagin of the Alambar.
» Soon after the Ship of the Gods erupts, a great subsea explosion shakes Airspur and Delthuntle, and the resulting waves cause some damage to their ports.
» Mulhorand invades and occupies the wrecked shipyards and ports of the Alaor.
» Vague reports begin to filter into ports around the Inner Sea of mass suicides by the inhabitants of the Whamite Isles. Ships sent to investigate fail to return.
» In Uktar, a great whirlpool pulls many ships in the Inner Sea down into the depths. This anomalous current destroys more than a third of the pirate fleets.
» The Hand of Bane is found and destroyed.
» The goddess Mielikki orders a radical reorganization of her priesthood.
» Waterdeep is assailed from the depths of the harbor and surrounding sea by a host of sea creatures led by the monstrous wereshark Iakhovas which invades the
City of Splendors. Waterdeep's defenders beat back the attack, but at the cost of many lives and much destruction in Dock and Sea Wards.
» The dwarves of Mirabar destroy the Kreeth goblin tribe in the Crags with the unlooked for aid of the crystal dragon Saryndalaghlothtor. They form the House of
the Axe in alliance with this wyrm.
» Loudwater is assailed by a Malarite-led lycanthrope army which is beaten back with much loss and the death of the Green Regent, Galaer Grasswave.
An Introduction, and brief Biography
The one true prophet of the Realms, the noted Alaundo of Candlekeep, in his lifetime recorded (in a addition to a number of mediocre histories) nine volumes concerning the fate of the Realms. The sage was very erratic in the way he recorded his predictions, however, and though it is believed that all of his texts survive, they range from well organized, detailed accounts to hurried scribbled notes in margins. The books, titled "First Portents" through "Ninth Portents," are largely chronological, though not all prophecies are referenced by dates.
Alaundo (-22 to 76 DR) himself was the son of minor traitor against the Calimshite state. He began making organized recorded prophecies in -2 DR, when he left his family to live as a hermit and shepherd in the Dales (it is unrecorded which one). His prophecies were recorded in private over the next seventy-five years. Legend says that Alaundo saw a vision of his own impending death, so he journeyed to Candlekeep to donate his records for posterity, arriving in 75 DR. He died there, almost unmourned, of a plague the next year. The sages at the library were so amazed by the accuracy of the predictions that starting in 82 DR, the monks there began a never-ending "Chant of the Unfulfilled Prophecies" which has continued uninterrupted to this day. All of Alaundo's books have been committed to memory by the thirty monks devoted to the task. As a prophecy comes to pass, the monks remove it from their chant. [Editor's Note: This document and the Baldur's Gate games are not in direct agreement. In BG1, set in DR 1368, at least three of the monks chant prophecies that had come true years before.]
Alaundo used the Roll of Years in labeling his prophecies. There are a number of sages who believe that Alaundo created the Roll of Years, but this is largely wrong. The Roll of Years was started back in -422 DR by a sage named Augathra the Mad. Augathra was an elderly woman who began to have visions, which she recorded. The majority of these were lost over time, and those that remained have not always proven accurate. The Roll of Years extends to what will be 2163 DR, and has remained largely intact. One or two smaller sections of the Roll are missing, lost to time, and these Alaundo had replaced with names of his own devising. The biggest gaps are from 1352 to 1369 DR and from 1804 to 1829 DR, though there are about a dozen one- or two-year gaps throughout. It is said that Alaundo catered his prophecies to Augathra's names, as the old woman did not have a very good track record with her own prophecies.
The first volume of Alaundo's Portents includes a short introduction in which the seer records his intents. This takes the form of about two pages of acknowledgments, a sizable (10 page) prayer to Savras, and a discussion of the immutable nature of history and self-fulfilling prophecies. The somewhat purple conclusion of the introduction remains most telling of Alaundo's intentions:
"...[S]o if nothing else may be gleaned from my words, my visions, my hopes and fears, then I wish that my reader may know this: All of the world is a living organism, heartier than a Worldthrone dwarf. Though its face may be scarred from age to age by war, disease, or strife, though dragons may swoop from the skies to erase the most ancient of kingdoms without a trace, though powers omnipotent today will be forgotten tomorrow, the heart of the world shall continue to beat. Dust settles, babies continue to be born, and songbirds herald each new day. Knowledge of the future is no key to happiness, nor should it allow complacency, only solace and truth. No matter how terrible the tragedy, until a future day far yet to come, there will always be a tomorrow. In the marching of time, there exists a definite rhythm, and knowledge of the rhythm allows a person with foresight to plan best for their future without the folly of blindness.Alaundo's writing style may leave something to be desired, but his prophecies are as of yet unerring. For the uninitiated, it should be known that there are three types of prophecies: the laconic, the detailed, and the conditional. Examples of each follow.
These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed the word unwritten - and set them down ere they fade like so many sublime rainbows after Kozah's fury has abated, or a beautiful dream in the morning hours. Learn then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they will lead you to the greatest art of all: Understanding.
This said, know ye reader now this: These words are the words of Lord Savras, revealed to me in his infinite wisdom so that I may guide the hands and hearts of those discerning enough to use these words well. May you find comfort in the truth, dear reader."
Laconic:
"White birds shall vanish from the North, and great evil shall die and be reborn." —Sixth Portents
Common interpretation: This passage is commonly thought to be Alaundo's only reference to the Time of Troubles for two reasons. The passage appears under the heading of the Year of Shadows, a complicated year on which Alaundo barely comments. Also, Alaundo enjoys using birds as a symbol for deities and other immortal creatures, and several allusions were made in prior volumes to Mystra as a dove.
Detailed:
"Twelve days 'fore Greengrass, his last rally mounts/
Azzer-ash shall leave his men but for one/
To him, he will name barons and viscounts/
And there disclose his dream to the iron son.
His vision entails his own demise/
Unheralded beneath the north sea wave/
He'll ask his memory be kept alive/
His name invoked in war and peace to save.
Two days hence, the dragons shall roar its last/
The proud king's body shall never be found/
His solidiers will keep his memory fast/
His kingdom shall become his sacred ground.
The eternal king nigh thirteen score year/
Inclement tyrant and holy savior." —Fifth Portents
Common interpretation: In 1018 DR, the great general Tchazzer of Chessenta was lost in a lone battle against the Sahuagin, his body never to be recovered. After his death, his name became invoked by local warriors who honor his memory or do well in battle themselves. Within ten years, an organized church of Tchazzer arose, with a priesthood capable of casting some basic spells. As is always the case when specific individuals are involved, the name is obscured somehow or a nickname used. Tchazzer is a phonetical anagram of Azzar-ash, and the "iron son" referred to is literally Imperator Aeruthax, the Iron Fist, Son of Ranais, who records show was Tchazzer's choice to rule in his place, but was unable to gain control of the nation except by force.
Conditional:
"When Nightal is almost at a close/
There from the gate wall shall descend/
A serpent to blow the Horn of Doom/
At the graveyard Kingdom of Man.
If the Star of Storms is its brightest/
When the dulcet ballad is played/
Soundest ground shall be torn asunder/
The tapestry forever frayed.
But if the Raging King has failed/
To keep his five retainers true/
Come 'morrow, the blessed sun will rise/
And no chaos shall ill ensue." —Ninth Portents
Common interpretation: This is one of Alaundo's most famous prophecies, as it is the last one to appear in "Ninth Portents." The date is not given, but scholars suggest that it refers to 2163 DR, the Year of the Saddened Magicians, the last year recorded in the Roll of Years. The prophecy is so famous that a number of common people in larger cities may recognize it, and the "Horn of Doom" is an expression used throughout the Moonsea region for any loud noise that causes a fright. The meaning of the word "serpent" is ambiguous at best: claims range from dragons to yuan-ti to human rouges with serpentine names. The "wall" is most likely the Spine of the World, or the North Wall in some older texts. The Kingdom of Man was an actual empire of little consequence which lasted about forty-five years, but because the actual name appears, there is a good chance the quatrains refer to some largely human kingdom, possibly Cormyr. The Star of Storms has two meanings; Uthgardt barbarians refer to the Aurora Borealis by such a colloquial term, but it is far more likely to refer to Talos, the Stormstar, as Alaundo uses the name in other prophecies. The tapestry is thought to refer to the magical Weave, though it appears to be unique to this prediction as a metaphor for magical energy. Most interesting to some, perhaps, is the King and the five retainers. The king may likely be another reference to Talos, and it is thought that the five troops may be five servitor gods. As Talos is one of the most prolific (as well as oldest) of the gods as far as promoting mortals to such divine status, there is a certain cause for alarm to be taken from the passage. Currently it is believed that Talos does have five gods in his service, but certain sages knowledgeable about such things tend to discount Malyk for varying reasons.
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