| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| questing gm |
Posted - 05 Nov 2023 : 14:05:37
Since starting up his own Discord server (https://discord.onl/greenwoods-grotto/), Ed Greenwood has been answering Realms-related questions in the #q4ed channel. Although it's free to join the Discord and view his answers, but I believe it requires a subscription to Ed's Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/EdGreenwood) to be given access to ask him questions there.
So since his answers are free to view by anyone on his Discord and for the benefit of those who are not on Discord, I'm starting and updating my compilation of his answers in this scroll. I'll leave it to the wisdom of moderating scribes if anything should be changed or removed.
I won't be able to put down everything (I already have 300+ answered questions to put down), so consider updates here will be intermittent, and will take a while before it catches up to the latest questions answered. (Or just join the Discord if you want the latest  )
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| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| questing gm |
Posted - 20 Aug 2025 : 13:09:38
On what has Duskreene been guarding
Joe Chang — 12/8/2025 7:31 AM
Dear sirs @Ed Greenwood and @Brian Cortijo, in Ed's novel Crown of Fire, Shandril got to meet Lady Duskreene, the watch-ghost of Tethgard. What has Duskreene been guarding, exactly? Didn't the elves take all their powerful magic with them when they left the Hullack Forest?
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 13/8/2025 4:11 AM
Like the baelnorn of Myth Drannor, Duskreene is guarding the graves of her honoured ancestors. Elves know all too well that the bones of elves who used magic much while alive are valued "ingredients" in all sorts of necromancies.
Joe Chang — 13/8/2025 7:40 AM
Her Netherese ancestors, or elvish ancestors by her relationship to King Iliphar?
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 14/8/2025 9:48 AM
The elves who were her wise guides early in life. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Aug 2025 : 08:45:12
On baby Axebeaks
Lord of Eat — 10/8/2025 10:38 PM
Saer @Ed Greenwood... are baby Axebeaks called Hatchets?
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 11/8/2025 6:16 AM
Har har har. ;} (They are actually called "Skike" [Ss-SKY-kk"], singular and plural the same.) |
| questing gm |
Posted - 15 Aug 2025 : 09:18:21
On special link between Cormyr and Demiplane of Dread
Joe Chang — 8/8/2025 11:30 AM
Dear @Ed Greenwood and @Brian Cortijo, the Demiplane of Dread seems to intersect with Cormyr more frequently than any other region on Faerun, going by published lore and stories. Is there some kind of special link between these lands? And if so, can you offer a hint to what it might be?
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 8/8/2025 2:31 PM
That "more frequency" is a misconception caused by a paucity of Realmslore coverage of other areas of Toril over the years. The only real link is that the mists that lead to Ravenloft visit the northeastern Stonelands fairly often. They also visit other locales in Faerûn fairly often, but published lore hasn't covered that. Here are a handful of those locales: the Realm of Wailing Fog, the easternmost Korinn Archipelago, the northweestern shores of the Lake of Mists, the isles southwest of Altumbel, the Adder Peaks, and the heart of the Bandit Wastes. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 09 Aug 2025 : 16:44:25
On Trelasarra Zuind
Ninjanurse29 — 6/8/2025 1:04 AM
I have returned to ask if you could spare some lore on my favorite Eilistraee worshipper, Trelasarra Zuind?
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 6/8/2025 10:11 AM
I am preparing a lore video. You won't see it soon, but unless I die (see my answer below), you WILL see it.
Ninjanurse29 — 7/8/2025 4:35 AM
I have prayed to Chauntea and Lathander for your speedy recovery.
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 7/8/2025 4:49 AM
Thank you! Am getting better already. Well, "better-ish." |
| questing gm |
Posted - 30 Jul 2025 : 08:58:51
On Sehanine Moonbow might return the feelings of a mortal in love with her
Jonboy [FDM] — 25/7/2025 12:41 PM
That pesky comic artist again with a... hopefully simple question for you, @Ed Greenwood , on behalf of my dear wife, if you don't mind #128578;
In a nutshell, is it at all possible Sehanine Moonbow might, in any capacity, return the feelings of a mortal in love with her?
In a bit more detail, the mortal in question is a faithful Grave domain cleric of hers, a Moon Elf who's been deeply infatuated by his goddess. In the past, Sehanine had already shown him favor by helping him endure excruciating torture. By now, after decades of faithful and dedicated service, his original raw, emotional passion for Sehanine had matured into a deep, professional respect, he still harbors unrequited feelings for her. We are now level 18 and nearing the conclusion of this beautiful campaign of many years, my wife's been wondering if there's any hope for her precious Elf, and if so, what form might his goddess' returned affection take, should he ever win it?
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 26/7/2025 8:01 AM
Certainly it’s possible. All of the elven deities love mortal elves, and use love as a way of bonding with their worshippers; such “use” being uncynical because it’s an innate part of their nature. Someone infatuated by a deity isn’t a fool or tool to be exploited by the deity, but rather is a “special” worshipper; the deity can and will have a romantic attachment to the mortal. The consummation of which would almost certainly be, in this particular case, an offer to “be one with the goddess,” which is an elevation not to godhood, but to divine service as a servitor “forever,” that begins with Sehanine drawing the mortal into a mind and body meld where the mortal loses their old body (losing any wounds, aches, and pains) and experiences a floating, flying rapture of seeing some of the thoughts and feelings of the deity. So they then KNOW how the goddess feels about them, and know what she stands for, and wants them to do for her. They will be able to communicate mind-to-mind at will from then on, and will be offered “rest” (oblivion) if they’re weary of life, or service to the goddess if they’re not. Meaning they become a divine servitor with some special powers (flying, teleportation, the ability to heal by touch, the ability to glow or become invisible at will, and so on) who receives a mortal body from the goddess whenever they’re sent on a mission into Toril. (So essentially, the character is retired as a PC, and becomes an NPC, but can serve as a guide/warning/sage for descendants and later PCs.)
That’s how Mystra gained all of her Chosen, for example, with the exception of the Seven Sisters; she found the supply of suitable Chosen too few at a time in the past, and so subsumed mortal women and chose mortal lovers and “made” the Seven by literally birthing them, but altering and augmenting them in the womb to become the beings she wanted. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 30 Jul 2025 : 08:47:16
On lore about the Ruldegosts outside of the printed source material
Revi — 23/5/2025 2:16 AM
Hello @Ed Greenwood I have a campaign set in 1356 (My preferred timeframe of the realms) and my players are super invested—One of my players in particular is playing the daughter of Kara Ruldegost and she has become immensely attached to the family. I was wondering if you had any cool tidbits of lore about the Ruldegosts outside of the printed source material. Thanks for your consideration! (And this wonderful world)
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 25/7/2025 2:29 AM
In 1356, the dignified, rather stiff, neatly-moustached widower Lord Dethnar Lyondar Hethan Ruldegost is the patriarch of the Ruldegosts, and Kara (Kara Erevelle Nuaena Ruldegost, in full) is a “wild young filly” (in the words of some of her disapproving aunts) sleeping with whomever she pleases to. Her son Detan isn’t yet born, but she’s had four miscarriages and two daughters by then, all from different fathers, none of whom she publicly acknowledged, let alone courted or wed.
Lord Bly is falling into bad company but none of the Ruldegosts realize it, because they think he’s just developing from rakehood and roistering into making friends and contacts among respectable merchants at last—whereas what’s really happening is that he’s being slyly recruited by the Knights of the Shield.
The Ruldegosts are happily flourishing, with their Waterdhavian “villa” compound’s former guesthouse having been torn down and replaced with a modest “fairytale castle” of conical-roofed slender towers surrounding a six-floor mansion with extensive storage cellars, now home to servants, extensive guest apartments, meeting rooms, and “studies” of three or four connecting rooms for each of the twenty-four living Ruldegosts who have achieved “standing” (we would say”majority,” meaning they’re full citizens of at least thirteen years of age whom Waterdeep can tax).
Most of the senior Ruldegosts spend their days drinking, dining, and pursuing sedentary hobbies (board gaming, collecting, and lore gathering) while living off their personal investments.
Most of the prime-of-life Ruldegosts are running mercenary and bounty-hunting bands (with varying degrees of success; a lot of their commissions are to kidnap merchants “for a few days” to benefit a rival, or to “crash and ruin” a shop sale or a revel; the City Watch has their eye on several of these bands, particularly Belnar’s Blackhawks run by Belnar Ruldegost, after they “accidentally wounded” too many prominent Waterdhavians), or actively engaged in manygoods trading via the Thousandheads Trading Coster.
Deldaglin Ruldegost was recently sorely wounded in a duel with Mraevan Ruldegost, and in retaliation the Ruldegosts set fire to the Moonstar Maiden pleasure yacht at her moorings in Waterdeep’s Outer Harbor; she burned to the waterline and sank. Waterdeep is awaiting retaliation on the part of the Moonstars, but nothing has been witnessed thus far.
The “black sheep” of the Ruldegosts is currently Alsaerak Ruldegost, youngest brother of Lord Dethnar, who has become something of a hermit, living in an isolated shack on “Manytrees,” the Ruldegost’s country estates (up the Long Road beyond Amphail, lying to the west of the roadway). Alsaerak is said to have human, kenku, githyanki, and yuan-ti visitors (afoot, cloaked and cowled, and late at night) and to be breeding monsters or at least involved in keeping caged monsters temporarily for mysterious business partners. The Ruldegosts don’t want to know what’s going on.
And finally, Brymorton Ruldegost, the tireless roving trader and explorer of the family, recently made a public splash in Athkatla when he and a beautiful lady who may or may not have been a doppelganger or something else using shapeshifting magic made love on a balcony at a revel, and it collapsed and dumped them onto a thankfully-uncrowded dance floor below, in front of hundreds of interested eyes. Some of whom belonged to people who reported that Brymorton has some interesting scars.
And it's likely a good time for me to announce: I'll be offline and silent filming this Saturday and Sunday, then departing for GenCon on the Monday July 28th, not to return to being online until at least Tuesday August 5th. So if I'm silent, that's why; don't stop sending the Realmslore queries! Likewise, I will likely post a Lost Lore on my Patreon late Sunday night or dark and early Monday morning (28th), then be late with the next week's offering because of GenCon (August 6th?). I'll make up for it by putting up this year's GenCon lore handout as a public post (again, after GenCon). And alert eyes on other channels of this Discord have probably seen hints of an exciting new Realms-related project I'm enjoying doing right now. No matter how much Szass Tam objects... |
| questing gm |
Posted - 30 Jul 2025 : 07:30:15
On Cormyrean noble house that are respectable but might be secretly a Cult of the Dragon cell
kageura necromancer wizard [D&D] — 18/5/2025 9:32 PM
@Ed Greenwood Hi Ed! I’m working on a custom campaign set in Cormyr, and I have a character who is secretly the leader of a Cult of the Dragon cell, but publicly a respected member of Cormyr’s elite. Could you suggest a Cormyrean noble house they might belong to that would best fit this dual identity? please and thankyou
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 25/7/2025 2:27 AM
Several of the current sons of the Rallyhorn family (Bleys, Galadorn, and Tethrin), or three of their uncles (Alandor, Havilar, or Rorys), might be ideal. If you’d prefer a female, Jalatha Silversword or Valantha Marliir. The Goldswords can provide you with a male and a female: Corlath and Adeiress. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 30 Jul 2025 : 07:23:43
On varieties of honey in major cities
Zonesylvania — 15/5/2025 3:46 AM
dear saer @Ed Greenwood , are there any well known varieties of honey in present year DR that might be exported to a big city like Suzail, Waterdeep, or Neverwinter? thankee!
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 25/7/2025 2:26 AM
Almost all honey is made locally by farmers and ranchers, and sold to neighbors or in local markets, rather than commercially. Honey varies from batch to batch depending on what the bees have been eating, not just by locale, so there are infinite varieties. In the Vilhon Reach, cloves and sometimes cinammon have traditionally been added to honey, but there are otherwise no defined differences or varieties beyond “light” and “dark” (literally, by hue).
Of the three cities you mention, Suzail and Waterdeep are always well supplied by honey from their surrounding farmlands. Neverwinter has plentiful spring, summer and fall honey, but supplies fade and prices rise in winter. There are fewer beekeepers that far north and in that particular area (more woods, more “strongist” [=brassica] crops) so there’s less supply. In spring, farmers make good coin selling cellar-stored honey, in summer slightly lower prices, and the fall honey is “the new crop.” |
| questing gm |
Posted - 22 Jul 2025 : 01:45:49
On Jergal planning against Shar
KryptonianEradicator — 14/7/2025 3:36 AM
Greeting, Sear @Ed Greenwood ! I was watching one of your videos the other day when something you said intrigued me. That, along with the Dead Three, Jergal is in some way planning against Shar. I don't suppose you could elaborate on that? Yea or nay, 'tis appreciated.
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 16/7/2025 1:15 AM
Jergal, like most deities, is disgusted by a fellow deity who wants to destroy both the world and the lives of worshippers (peeing in the shared swimming pool, as it were). He thinks Shar is less than sane and unfit for divinity. So he works against her, but would find an endless direct war with her very tiresome, so he uses the Dead Three (who he views as easy-to-manipulate fools) as his proxies, to fight Shar for him while he aids them covertly, acting aloof. In his view, it gives the Three something worthwhile to do. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 21 Jul 2025 : 07:16:49
On the election of the Waterbaron of Yartar
Arinthian — 14/7/2025 3:27 AM
@Ed Greenwood It is mentioned in multiple books that the Waterbaron of Yartar is "elected for life." Are they elected by the people? A court of some kind? Or something completely different?
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 16/7/2025 1:07 AM
They are elected by the people. Which in this case means taxpayers on the rolls of Yartar, voting in person before officials who know them as neighbors. If you don't pay taxes in Yartar, you don't vote. I should mention that there is a mechanism, administered by local priests at the temple of Tymora, for voting a Waterbaron out if they turn crazy or otherwise unfit to lead: voters can register votes against the Waterbaron continuing to rule. One-third of the tax rolls voting against triggers another formal election to remove and replace (alternative candidates can put themselves forward). The priests keep "who voted against" anonymous to anyone not of the temple clergy. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 21 Jul 2025 : 06:24:31
On Sunset Island
Marco Volo — 11/7/2025 4:50 PM
Hi @Ed Greenwood ! I would love to hear what you can share with us about Sunset Island, close to the Moonshaes. It seems there is not so much lore about it out there.
Thanks!
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 14/7/2025 9:15 AM
Just covered this in a Lost Lore column. I'm about 7 columns ahead of my weekly postings (another one will drop tomorrow), so there may be a wait for some weeks before you see it... |
| questing gm |
Posted - 12 Jul 2025 : 15:14:40
On Szass Tam making progress on his plans
Exnihilo — 8/7/2025 1:10 PM
Ser Ed: You've discussed before how Szass Tam's plans tend to fall apart due to overconfidence, his reliance on yes-liches, and publisher diktat that the baddies don't win. But since his takeover of Thay, has he actually succeeded and/or made significant progress in any plots?
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 10/7/2025 5:22 AM
Oh, yes. He’s made living slaves rare “prestige possessions,” replacing Thay’s army and labor force almost entirely with undead (saving the country a fortune on maintenance costs like feeding, watering, and giving sleep time). He conquered the city of Emmech and added it to Thayan territory and rule (it’s now “Undumor”), and he has weakened Aglarond but is finally learning not to fight on multiple fronts at once and thereby doom his military successes. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 10 Jul 2025 : 10:53:35
On Mystra and Elminster's knowledge of the demiplanes of dread
Cdawg — 4/7/2025 1:58 AM
Hi Ed, just how much does Mystra know about the demiplanes of dread (Ravenloft) and how much has she shared with Elminster about those realms and the dark powers that created it and torment the denizens within.
Ed Greenwood [MUSE] — 6/7/2025 4:29 AM
Mystra knows all about them (better than many darklords), and has told Elminster a lot. However, the demiplanes always hold surprises. If you want to see Elminster getting surprised in Ravenloft alongside Merrix D'Cannith of Eberron (Keith Baker); Elise, the runaway bride of Victorina von Mordenheim (Elisa Teague); and Melf (of Melf's Acid Arrow fame, played by Luke Gygax), watch Season 2 of LEGACY OF WORLDS, airing right now!!! |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 07 Jul 2025 : 23:31:17
It appears that Savras showed her the way to Silver Dragon. It appears this happened when she held the Scepter of Savras. All of this appears to have happened before she settled in Shadowdale.
I do not know source material, I selected the above from fan site |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 07 Jul 2025 : 23:13:07
quote:
Originally posted by questing gm
On known humanoids turned into dragons
Yukonau — 5/7/2025 5:10 AM
Are these the only known people born as humanoids but later became Dragons?
Nalavarauthatoryl- Born As: Elf
- Dragon form: Red Dragon
- Method / Context: Dark magical ritual
Mornauguth- Born As: Human
- Dragon form: Green Dragon
- Method / Context: Cursed/trapped by worshipers of Shar
Serreg- Born As: Human
- Dragon form: Black Dragon
- Method / Context: Self-triggered true polymorph via artifact
Syluné Silverhand - Born As: Human
- Dragon form: Silver Dragon
- Method / Context: Mystra’s divine blessing
Vangerdahast Aeiulvana- Born As: Human
- Dragon form: Silver Dragon
- Method / Context: Mystra’s divine blessing
Deniak- Born As: Elf
- Dragon form: Red Dragon
- Method / Context: Dragon Cult of the Dragon ritual
Ed Greenwood — 5/7/2025 10:34 AM
No, there are many more. :}
When did Sylune become a silver dragon?? Last I recall she was a weaveghost. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 07 Jul 2025 : 07:39:48
On known humanoids turned into dragons
Yukonau — 5/7/2025 5:10 AM
Are these the only known people born as humanoids but later became Dragons?
Nalavarauthatoryl- Born As: Elf
- Dragon form: Red Dragon
- Method / Context: Dark magical ritual
Mornauguth- Born As: Human
- Dragon form: Green Dragon
- Method / Context: Cursed/trapped by worshipers of Shar
Serreg- Born As: Human
- Dragon form: Black Dragon
- Method / Context: Self-triggered true polymorph via artifact
Syluné Silverhand - Born As: Human
- Dragon form: Silver Dragon
- Method / Context: Mystra’s divine blessing
Vangerdahast Aeiulvana- Born As: Human
- Dragon form: Silver Dragon
- Method / Context: Mystra’s divine blessing
Deniak- Born As: Elf
- Dragon form: Red Dragon
- Method / Context: Dragon Cult of the Dragon ritual
Ed Greenwood — 5/7/2025 10:34 AM
No, there are many more. :} |
| questing gm |
Posted - 07 Jul 2025 : 07:16:18
On more Dalelands videos
Felipe_Treistman — 4/7/2025 11:12 PM
@Ed Greenwood I loved the videos you prepared for Shadowdale and Daggerdale. Any plans for more Dalelands videos ? I was very curious about Mistledale in particular #128578;
Ed Greenwood — 5/7/2025 10:34 AM
Yes. There's a long list of vid topics, though. Mistledale is on it. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 07 Jul 2025 : 07:03:54
On canonicity of "All Things Through the Bright Flames"
Juniper Churlgo — 3/7/2025 1:40 AM
Ed, is "All Things Through the Bright Flames" a canon short story?
Ed Greenwood — 3/7/2025 10:20 AM
Of course. :} |
| questing gm |
Posted - 07 Jul 2025 : 06:58:18
On Volo's Wyrm guide of West/East and South
Lucio — 3/7/2025 1:13 AM
@Ed Greenwood Is there any hope for a Volo's Wyrm guide of West/East and South as future patreon posts?
Ed Greenwood — 3/7/2025 1:14 AM
Oh, yes!!! That's on my (VERY long) to-do list! |
| questing gm |
Posted - 07 Jul 2025 : 04:41:51
On Korvans in Spellfire and the Watercourse Trilogy
Joe Chang — 1/7/2025 10:30 AM
Good sirs @Ed Greenwood and @Brian Cortijo : Is there any relation between the villainous cook Korvan of the Spellfire books and the duplicitous Willem Korvan of the Watercourse Trilogy? Both are from Cormyr (Korvan from Suzail and Willem from Marsember). In the first book of the Watercourse, set on and after 1358, Willem said he and his mother were the last of his family. This would fit with Korvan's demise in 1357.
Ed Greenwood — 2/7/2025 7:53 AM
Well spotted. Yes, the two are kin. Or rather, WERE kin. ;} |
| questing gm |
Posted - 26 Jun 2025 : 01:39:02
On topographic maps by Ed
GAMEtatron — 24/6/2025 9:44 AM
@Ed Greenwood Hi Ed! I’m intending to make a physical overland map of Luruar. There is some info about heights etc. in various sources. For example, “The Forgotten Realms Atlas” by Karen Wynn Fonstad gives an impression of what is there, but little real height data.
Have you ever mapped regions in the Realms as topographic maps with proper height data that we can somehow access, or other expanded info of that sort that you can give access to, or put up for sale?
Ed Greenwood — 24/6/2025 10:30 AM
Some of my early "small locale" maps of the Realms were topographic maps, like those people in my home province of Ontario, Canada have always been able to purchase from the government (and third-party retailers) for hiking and camping purposes), but TSR didn't want them. I drew one for a mountain pass for the SILVER MARCHES supplement, but again, it wasn't used. And now, I have less than no time to draw new ones, or hunt down my old ones from fifty-some years ago, I'm afraid. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 26 Jun 2025 : 01:00:58
On communications between caravans
Jeremy Grenemyer [EVE] — 28/5/2025 10:03 AM
Good evening @Ed Greenwood from the Central Valley of California.
When long merchant caravans pass each other in the western Heartlands, is it typical for passengers on each side to talk or shout to each other? Or to use hand signals or gestures to communicate with folk going in the other direction?
Are there any typical behaviors or messages or ways of communicating?
Thank you, Ed.
Ed Greenwood — 24/6/2025 9:42 AM
There's an upcoming video on this, but the short answer is: caravans fly banners to signal "we have sickness, keep away" or "we're in a REAL hurry and won't stop" and also "clergy of this deity present among us." They do use hand signals if up close, but more often use a horn-calls code at a greater distance. Here's a trio of the most popular ones: One long blast = danger ahead (typically an outrider or two from the signalled caravan will “peel off” to approach the horn-caller and hear what’s up, by shouting).
A long series of short blasts = you are running straight into a trap or hazard or ambush; it’s dead ahead! (again, typically an outrider or two from the signalled caravan will “peel off” to approach the horn-caller and hear what’s up, by shouting).
Short blast then long blast then short blast then a loooong-held blast = Help, please! Aid! Anyone? |
| questing gm |
Posted - 21 Jun 2025 : 06:32:27
On the origin of the Blood War twist
Lord of Eat — 19/6/2025 1:34 PM
Someone other than Ed might also be able to answer this, but we'll ask anyways.
The Blood War being between devils (Lawful Evil) and demons (Chaotic Evil), rather than the classic war between angels (Good) and demons (Evil).
Is the origin of this twist a creation of the mighty Saer @Ed Greenwood, or does it have a different source?
Ed Greenwood — 19/6/2025 1:54 PM
It was an in-house design creation at TSR in the old days. Steven, was it Gary's? Or someone thereafter (Jim Ward)? |
| questing gm |
Posted - 19 Jun 2025 : 07:41:48
On permanently transformed dragons taking care of their young
Yukonau — 15/6/2025 8:53 AM
Dear Mr. Greenwood,
During the last live stream, I asked whether humans could be permanently transformed into dragons, and you kindly answered my question. You also addressed another question about whether humans who undergo this transformation would continue to care for their human children, to which you affirmed, "Yes."
This time, I have a follow-up question: If a human were permanently transformed into a Chromatic dragon, would they still continue to care for their children in the same way as a Metallic or Gem dragon would after their transformation?
Additionally, which type of dragon is most likely to force their still-human children to live with them in their lair?
Thank you for your time and insight.
Ed Greenwood — 16/6/2025 6:54 AM
And my answer to your first followup is: it depends. On the individual parent dragon. Their transformation into draconic form doesn’t affect their attitudes (their parental love and preferences regarding closeness to family), but may well affect how their children react to them.
As for your additional question: most dragons want to drive their children out of their lair and demesne, once the children are grown enough to hunt for themselves (unless the parent wants their children with them for personal safety reasons, such as facing a tarrasque or other formidable foe). Dragons are territorial, some sorts (reds, for example) extremely so. Some father dragons drive off, kill or even devour their young, if the mother doesn’t either move the young elsewhere, or drive off her mate (temporarily).
Green, white, and blue she-dragons have been observed by Elminster to live and hunt with their children, from their lair, for up to five years since hatching, at most, so I suppose they are the chromatic sorts most likely to want the company of their children (force, though; that’s an individual roleplaying thing).
As for metallic: all metallics consider that an essential part of maturing is to “go walkabout” as a teenager to see the world on your own. Once you’ve done that, however long it takes (and that’s up to you, so long as you’ve gone off on your own for at least a year), you’re welcome back to live and work with parents and kin as you mutually see fit. Most metallics live apart, doing their own thing, but keep in touch and cooperate on mutually beneficial projects whenever they see the need. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 19 Jun 2025 : 07:35:04
On monitoring extremely powerful archmages of other worlds
Cdawg — 15/6/2025 8:17 PM
Hi Ed. In instances where extremely powerful archmages of other worlds with arcane mastery and might comparable to Halaster/Shoon VII/Telamont or greater prowess decide to visit the Realms, does Mystra keep an eye on them or direct Chosen to surveil or make contact with them? Who else in particular may discern the nature of the visitor and "greet" them to take their measure, give them warning or guidance, or strictly surveil them? Also presume that any such visitor is discreet with their power. I ask as this may be very relevant to two somethings I am working on.
Ed Greenwood — 16/6/2025 6:43 AM
About two thousand years ago, Realmstime, population grew and upheavals grew faster, to the extent that surveilling everyone became impossible, for Mystra and Azuth like everyone else. Savras was granted greater power in return for serving as a watcher, Azuth devoted more and more of his attention to keeping watch over the doings of mortal spellcasters, and so the Chosen got sent on more and more missions to curb, guide, or warn such individuals. However, such interventions happen when beings oppress others with magic, bar others from magic, or otherwise misuse their own magic; Mystra is dedicated to increased use of magic for all, so just visiting the Realms and using your magic is no grounds for her disapproval (or action against you) at all.
Zonesylvania — 16/6/2025 6:54 AM
Does Savras continue to monitor extraplanar visitors as a Voice in the Weave?
Ed Greenwood — 16/6/2025 6:56 AM
Oh, yes. Increasingly. Being so enables him to escape detection by many beings he's assigned to watch over. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 19 Jun 2025 : 07:30:07
On what halflings in Cormyr squabble about
Jeremy Grenemyer [EVE] — 16/6/2025 2:24 AM
Good morning @Ed Greenwood and happy Father’s Day.
Ed, I was wondering what some of the things are that halflings living in Cormyr disagree about and squabble about?
In modern day Cormyr, are there topics that have the potential to get so out of hand that feuding between halfling clans could start?
How about halfling drama and gossip? Do halflings in Cormyr gossip about humans or even dwarves?
Thank you, Ed, very much.
Ed Greenwood — 16/6/2025 6:23 AM
Okay, when reading this answer, please bear in mind that stereotypes about halflings (and elves, and dwarves, and just about any race you choose) are as accurate as stereotypes about humans, when you come down to specific individuals.
In general, halflings are merry, upbeat optimists, who rarely stay angry for long or hold grudges for long.
And in general, halflings are hin-centric: they care about themselves first (immediate family, friends, acquaintances), then their extended kin, then their neighbours, then other hin in their community, then other hin across Toril, then everyone else in Toril, then folk in other places, in that order.
And they are also place-centric: they care about what’s going on where they live and work first, then immediate surroundings, then more distant places, in that order.
So that means things they delight in, derive pleasure from, and get irked or enraged about, are tied to that “care about.” They will have stronger feelings and fiercer disagreements with those close to them than they will for distant hin, and will rarely care about non-hin at all, except as possible dangers (yonder orc horde, or hungry swooping dragon).
Halflings happily gossip about everyone and everything, but by upbringing do it in this way: gossip deeply and eagerly with family about family (and those family members have frequent contact with, like drinking buddies, employers, neighbours, lovers, creditors and debtors, and so on) WITHIN the family circle, not outside.
Gossip about non-family and non-family-tied with everyone; e.g. gossip freely about the politics of several realms away, or visiting gnome traders, or humans ruling the kingdom the hin happen to be living in, or local or distant dwarves, and so on.
Halflings tend to squabble over who should control plantings in shared farming, who “should” marry who, which families should have a say in governance (so, who gets a seat on a council or is considered an elder), and whose misbehaviour should disqualify them—so whether or not a respected elder who steals or is unfaithful and gets caught should retain their position and/or voting power, or be replaced. Because there are polite, behind-the-scenes vying for power and influence among senior hin families all the time and everywhere, such disputes can cause feuds, because even if Halfling X has clearly “gone bad,” we don’t him dumped out unless we get to replace him with one of ours, and not let those nasty [insert rival hin clan here] get in!
Some older hin disapprove of “loose” behaviour (sleeping around, with multiple lovers) especially if someone doing so is formally married—whether or not their spouse approves or cares. Others don’t mind (“live and let live”). These differing attitudes can cause friction even within a family.
Older hin were often raised, if they didn’t leave a hin community, where younger generations were expected to obey (or even wait upon, and revere) elders, not just “their own” grandfolk and elderly aunts and uncles. If they expect such behaviour of the younger generations now, the youngers may often sharply rebel or repudiate.
And finally, hin opinions differ very sharply over how much to trust and co-operate with (beyond pure business dealings and employment arrangements) with non-hin, such as humans. Some hin hate and fear orcs, goblins, drow, and even “outland strangers,” whereas others are proud to be tolerant, try-anything far-traveled wayfarers, accepting of all. Hin can and do come to blows over this.
In Cormyr specifically, halflings have long memories about human behaviour and royal decrees, and some of them pay lip service loyalty to the Crown, while others are staunchly loyal. They have their fiercest disagreements over working with, doing business with, serving as emplotees of, and so on, various Cormyrean noble families, and these differences along hin are often rooted in the varying relationships between specific nobles and specific hin. Again, hin can and do come to blows among each other over trusting Lord So-and-son, or even attending a revel held by this family or that one. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Jun 2025 : 15:56:22
On the name Aerammarglarya
kageura necromancer wizard [Ahoy] — 13/6/2025 5:37 AM
@Ed Greenwood I hope it’s alright to ask a few questions:
Is the name Aerammarglarya currently in use among the latest generation of black dragons? I recall you mentioning that black dragons usually wait several generations before reusing a name from an older generation.
i wanted to ask if i could have your permission to make a black dragon named Aerammarglarya who is a descendant of Thaulglor. As you may remember, I’m working on a custom Cormyr campaign featuring descendants of Thaulglor. , a descendant of Thaulglor who disguises herself as a wealthy noblewoman to manipulate Cormyr’s elite? You previously suggested using a minor Weave node to help conceal her presence from the War Wizards.
If possible, I’d love to share what I’ve developed for her so far and get your insight, as lore accuracy is very important to me. Thanks so much! By the way, I’m motivated to include Thaulglor’s descendants because many think ‘Purple Dragon’ refers to amethyst dragons (in an unearthed arcana playtest, wotc considered making purple dragon knights have amythyst dragon companions and such), and I want to respectfully reintroduce the real Purple Dragon’s legacy in my campaign. I’d appreciate any advice on that.
thank you for you time, sincerly Owen Stacey
Ed Greenwood — 14/6/2025 9:07 AM
No, Aerammarglarya isn’t currently in use, so it’s “open” for you to run with.
I’d be happy to look at what you’re crafting and talk it over with you. As it happens, I’ve done a forthcoming video on Thauglor’s descendants.
Here’s some relevant lore from it: “Kreston’s mother was the black dragon Casarial (Cassareealohpus), Kreston’s father was the black dragon Mirantol (Meerrantoalahtar), and Casarial was the youngest daughter of Hesior (Hesseeoarlahtattar) and the granddaughter of good old Thauglor.” ... (but) “they’re all dead. This wasn’t the branch of Thauglor’s family that survived to this day.” |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Jun 2025 : 15:53:36
On realms in Sespech and Chondath
seemingly_clever — 13/6/2025 1:49 AM
Hail, Saer @Ed Greenwood! A question regarding Sespech's geography and history, if I may.
In some sources, like Secrets of the Magister and Prayers from the Faithful, realms such as Maurmurra and Jahorga (later Endrara), respectively, appear to be located in what should already be Sespech’s territory — specifically the lands between the Nagaflow and the River Arran — during a time when Sespech was already a Chondathan colony (around the 8th and 9th centuries DR).
Is there a way to reconcile these overlapping claims? And more broadly, is there any known history of how Sespech interacted with these realms — politically, culturally, or otherwise?
Ed Greenwood — 13/6/2025 5:03 AM
I’ll be doing a future video on Sespech as it is today, that will have mentions of past events, but the short answer is: Chondath had a history of rewarding outstandingly successful battlefield commanders with their own baronies (to keep them busy so they’d not contemplate rebellions or usurpations), and the realms you mention had their origins in this practice. Everyone in the area (outside the walls of Arrabar) was martial or accustomed to constant strife, and baronies (Sespech being the exception) had a history of not long outliving their founding rulers: when the ruler of Maurmurra went down, Maurmurra soon followed. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Jun 2025 : 15:50:48
On correct depiction of Laeral
Jonboy — 12/6/2025 9:31 AM
Hello again @Ed Greenwood ! That pesky Montreal comic artist again. Not sure if Ivan forwarded my message... he's probably crazy busy.
Anyway, working hard on episode 51 now, figured I'd ask for your input if that's okay. On this page, Laeral just wrapped up a session of the Lord's Court, and rather than give the protagonist party a dry, formal audience she invited them to come along back to Mirt's Mansion so that they can discuss how the quest she'd given them went. This is when they're about to see her completely shift her demeanor from the dignified ruler we saw back in episode 32, to someone much more carefree and very cordial. Basically, a genuine friend.
In panel 3 she basically admits she puts on a formal persona in a way, when acting as the Open Lord.
"When the robe's off, titles stay behind with the rest of the headaches" - she tells Angela after she'd sent her formal robe of the Archmagi flying home on its own.
I just want to verify if this tracks? Is it correct for Laeral as you've envisioned her?
Thank you in advance! #128578;
<https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1072136642162343986/1382532667370770523/image.png?ex=6850c562&is=684f73e2&hm=ac653913d5f3942134ccecbd82826d5158b0042144912918f96bdd7645f20638&>
Ed Greenwood — 12/6/2025 9:37 AM
Yes, this is PERFECT for Laeral! Spot on! Great; I love it!!!! |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Jun 2025 : 15:43:52
On how western Faerun costers regard the Zhentarim
Joe Chang — 11/6/2025 9:54 AM
Hi @Ed Greenwood really enjoyed you and Ivan's BG3 livestream! Question: how do the large costers of Western Faerun regard the Zhentarim? Do the Zhentarim often use violence against their mercantile competitors?
Ed Greenwood — 12/6/2025 9:35 AM
The large costers regard the Zhents warily, as traditional foes who will use dirty, underhanded methods whenever there's no audience the Zhents care about as clients. However, the Zhents of today are being far more subtle in their attacks (arson, poisonings, thefts, and out-and-out physical violence) to rival caravan merchants "on the road" than the Zhents of the 1300s. (The "old style" just made too many enemies and left the Zhents frozen out of too many markets.) Now, there's a little trust (but it's wary trust). |
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