| 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  )
|
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 22 Mar 2025 : 19:15:49
Oh, I would almost guarantee its some workaround to fix things, because things were published fast and furious. Not finding fault with that, as I can barely keep up with some of the things I've written, much less all of canon realms. There's so many things people talk about here and elsewhere that, if it weren't for the FR Wiki.... I'd be lost as to what they're getting at. So, knowing that the fictional people in world don't have access to that resource, one can see easily how things get lost, hidden, miscommunicated, etc..... Then of course, there are the works of the Leirans. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 22 Mar 2025 : 17:33:48
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
quote:
Originally posted by questing gm
On Laeral, Dove and Storm sent to Myth Drannor
Kokopelli — 16/3/2025 1:32 AM
Friend @Ed Greenwood, a recent discussion in another channel brought to mind some public musings by the esteemed George Krashos. You have already confirmed one of his musings: that Laeral spent time studying magic in Myth Drannor. But there was another musing, based on your article on skyships from Dragon 124, that was not publicly confirmed. I should like to know what you can say about his thoughts, copied below. "The issue of Dove and Storm is a little different as Dragon #124 makes it clear that they were infants when they were taken from Myth Drannor to the Moonshaes. So why were they sent to Myth Drannor? The Seven Sisters accessory tells us (at p.8) that Elminster was looking after (conveniently) Laeral, Dove and Storm after the death of their mother and abandonment by Dornal Silverhand. Clearly "something" must have occurred such that he could not look after Dove and Storm for a period of time and so he elected to send them back in time to the City of Song (or perhaps Mystra decreed it "necessary"). From Myth Drannor the two took the flying ship to the Moonshaes.
The write up of the Workbook states that Flamsterd purchased the spellbook from a band of adventurers. I would hazard that they were Harpers (the first, first group of such worthies) and took the children with them. It's no coincidence that both Dove and Storm have been some of the staunchest Harpers/Harper allies in the modern Realms. They likely took the Workbook with them and gave it to Flamsterd (who I suspect is far older than the sources allude to) who looked after the girls until it was time for them to return to their present time (i.e. after a calendar year had passed)."
Ed Greenwood — 17/3/2025 12:59 AM
Confirmed (meaning: George has it right). The reason the gals were taken to Myth Drannor was so the Srinshee could look into their minds, bolster them, cast enchantments on them, and "steer" their Gift so they were "ready" for Flamsterd (who could handle apprentices, but would have been somewhat flummoxed dealing with children who couldn't understand arcane magic or take the first steps in wielding it).
Kokopelli — 17/3/2025 1:37 AM
A follow up, if I may, good sir. Were Laeral, Storm, and Dove the only Sisters to time travel, and how much time did they spend in other eras?
Ed Greenwood — 17/3/2025 7:07 AM
Syluné time travelled more than Laeral, Laeral more than Alustriel, Alustriel more than Storm, and Storm more than Dove. The VAST majority of their traveling were "go and see something that happened in the past, firsthand, do NOTHING" peeks, not "do something" meddlings. Mystra and Azuth both frown on temporal travel because it is truly THE can of worms.
Interesting... no mention of the Simbul or Quilue and how much they time travelled.... especially since we know that the Simbul did time travel since we saw it in the Simbul's Gift.
I would take that to mean that they time travelled much less than Dove.
I'm also happy that Ed explicitly stated that they've time travelled. For some reason, every time I've brought up some of the Sisters being in a place that fell before they were born, people have pushed back and/or tried to find some convoluted explanation that avoids time travel. I'll admit that I'm not hugely keen on the idea, myself, but the flipside is that once Ed confirmed Krash's supposition about Laeral, I considered it settled and didn't try to work around it.
I am inclined, however, to wonder if there was some mistake made somewhere with published dates, leaving time travel as the workaround. |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 22 Mar 2025 : 13:38:51
quote:
Originally posted by questing gm
On Laeral, Dove and Storm sent to Myth Drannor
Kokopelli — 16/3/2025 1:32 AM
Friend @Ed Greenwood, a recent discussion in another channel brought to mind some public musings by the esteemed George Krashos. You have already confirmed one of his musings: that Laeral spent time studying magic in Myth Drannor. But there was another musing, based on your article on skyships from Dragon 124, that was not publicly confirmed. I should like to know what you can say about his thoughts, copied below. "The issue of Dove and Storm is a little different as Dragon #124 makes it clear that they were infants when they were taken from Myth Drannor to the Moonshaes. So why were they sent to Myth Drannor? The Seven Sisters accessory tells us (at p.8) that Elminster was looking after (conveniently) Laeral, Dove and Storm after the death of their mother and abandonment by Dornal Silverhand. Clearly "something" must have occurred such that he could not look after Dove and Storm for a period of time and so he elected to send them back in time to the City of Song (or perhaps Mystra decreed it "necessary"). From Myth Drannor the two took the flying ship to the Moonshaes.
The write up of the Workbook states that Flamsterd purchased the spellbook from a band of adventurers. I would hazard that they were Harpers (the first, first group of such worthies) and took the children with them. It's no coincidence that both Dove and Storm have been some of the staunchest Harpers/Harper allies in the modern Realms. They likely took the Workbook with them and gave it to Flamsterd (who I suspect is far older than the sources allude to) who looked after the girls until it was time for them to return to their present time (i.e. after a calendar year had passed)."
Ed Greenwood — 17/3/2025 12:59 AM
Confirmed (meaning: George has it right). The reason the gals were taken to Myth Drannor was so the Srinshee could look into their minds, bolster them, cast enchantments on them, and "steer" their Gift so they were "ready" for Flamsterd (who could handle apprentices, but would have been somewhat flummoxed dealing with children who couldn't understand arcane magic or take the first steps in wielding it).
Kokopelli — 17/3/2025 1:37 AM
A follow up, if I may, good sir. Were Laeral, Storm, and Dove the only Sisters to time travel, and how much time did they spend in other eras?
Ed Greenwood — 17/3/2025 7:07 AM
Syluné time travelled more than Laeral, Laeral more than Alustriel, Alustriel more than Storm, and Storm more than Dove. The VAST majority of their traveling were "go and see something that happened in the past, firsthand, do NOTHING" peeks, not "do something" meddlings. Mystra and Azuth both frown on temporal travel because it is truly THE can of worms.
Interesting... no mention of the Simbul or Quilue and how much they time travelled.... especially since we know that the Simbul did time travel since we saw it in the Simbul's Gift. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 21 Mar 2025 : 08:26:40
On how do summoned mounts smell
Firesprite — 16/3/2025 2:47 AM
Hello!
I have a question for @Ed Greenwood.
Would a paladin's summoned mount smell like a normal creature to an animal? For example, would a giant elk paladin mount smell like a normal giant elk to a predator?
Ed Greenwood — 17/3/2025 1:01 AM
Yes. Unless the paladin or his saddle and barding had a strong smell of their own, that rubbed off on the mount. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 21 Mar 2025 : 08:23:46
On Laeral, Dove and Storm sent to Myth Drannor
Kokopelli — 16/3/2025 1:32 AM
Friend @Ed Greenwood, a recent discussion in another channel brought to mind some public musings by the esteemed George Krashos. You have already confirmed one of his musings: that Laeral spent time studying magic in Myth Drannor. But there was another musing, based on your article on skyships from Dragon 124, that was not publicly confirmed. I should like to know what you can say about his thoughts, copied below. "The issue of Dove and Storm is a little different as Dragon #124 makes it clear that they were infants when they were taken from Myth Drannor to the Moonshaes. So why were they sent to Myth Drannor? The Seven Sisters accessory tells us (at p.8) that Elminster was looking after (conveniently) Laeral, Dove and Storm after the death of their mother and abandonment by Dornal Silverhand. Clearly "something" must have occurred such that he could not look after Dove and Storm for a period of time and so he elected to send them back in time to the City of Song (or perhaps Mystra decreed it "necessary"). From Myth Drannor the two took the flying ship to the Moonshaes.
The write up of the Workbook states that Flamsterd purchased the spellbook from a band of adventurers. I would hazard that they were Harpers (the first, first group of such worthies) and took the children with them. It's no coincidence that both Dove and Storm have been some of the staunchest Harpers/Harper allies in the modern Realms. They likely took the Workbook with them and gave it to Flamsterd (who I suspect is far older than the sources allude to) who looked after the girls until it was time for them to return to their present time (i.e. after a calendar year had passed)."
Ed Greenwood — 17/3/2025 12:59 AM
Confirmed (meaning: George has it right). The reason the gals were taken to Myth Drannor was so the Srinshee could look into their minds, bolster them, cast enchantments on them, and "steer" their Gift so they were "ready" for Flamsterd (who could handle apprentices, but would have been somewhat flummoxed dealing with children who couldn't understand arcane magic or take the first steps in wielding it).
Kokopelli — 17/3/2025 1:37 AM
A follow up, if I may, good sir. Were Laeral, Storm, and Dove the only Sisters to time travel, and how much time did they spend in other eras?
Ed Greenwood — 17/3/2025 7:07 AM
Syluné time travelled more than Laeral, Laeral more than Alustriel, Alustriel more than Storm, and Storm more than Dove. The VAST majority of their traveling were "go and see something that happened in the past, firsthand, do NOTHING" peeks, not "do something" meddlings. Mystra and Azuth both frown on temporal travel because it is truly THE can of worms. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 21 Mar 2025 : 01:21:22
On yuan-ti purebloods becoming anathema
kageura necromancer wizard — 16/3/2025 1:05 AM
@Ed Greenwood can yuan ti purebloods become anathema?
Ed Greenwood — 17/3/2025 12:55 AM
Yes, by means of a series of complicated, expensive and difficult rituals. Which are dangerous: the pureblood trying to transition can die or be permanently disfigured during several of those rituals, if things go awry. In other words, it's not something undertaken lightly. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 21 Mar 2025 : 01:18:42
On limitations of Elminster's Spell Thrust
Lucio — 16/3/2025 2:36 AM
In the Elminster's Spell Thrust, are there limitations to the spell that you basically turn into a blade and then unleash on hit?
Ed Greenwood — 17/3/2025 12:52 AM
Yes. Written into the spell description are the level limits for the spell, which must match or be lower than the level of the Spell Thrust (and if you upcast the Spell Thrust with a higher level slot, the spell you impart with its hit doesn't rise with your upcasting). It must be an arcane spell the caster already knows how to cast, i.e. available to their class and level and in their spellbooks. Spell Thrust is a "one time hit," conferring the spell for maximum damage/duration/area of effect, and then Spell Thrust is done. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 21 Mar 2025 : 01:15:30
On Dambrath way of cooking potatoes
Juniper Churlgo — 13/3/2025 7:59 AM
a quick Q on Dambrath cooking, how do they like their taters?
Ed Greenwood — 14/3/2025 12:24 PM
Dambrath potatoes are sliced thin, raw, and fried in butterl along with sliced thin, raw turnips and diced spring onions or garlic scapes. Not mashed, so not true English (as opposed to Scottish) “neeps and tatties.” On the coast of Dambrath, they are always served spicy (powdered chilis).
Juniper Churlgo — 15/3/2025 2:53 PM
hot chilies? or sweet spices too? i expect sweet spices for that region.
Ed Greenwood — 16/3/2025 1:04 AM
Sweet spices, too: almond paste and honey are in there. But there's a reason I said on the coast: trading ships brought hot spices and locals sampled and a fad became the "standard" table fare. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Mar 2025 : 11:14:26
On Amnians getting higher education
Zen~ — 11/3/2025 5:41 PM
I'm reading a lot of Amn lore, there is something about Amn that draws me in so I wanted to ask, dear saer @Ed Greenwood, was it common to pursue higher education in Amn? Especially in Athkatla? If there aren't many opportunities, is it common for an Amnian to travel other places to get such education?
Ed Greenwood — 14/3/2025 2:26 AM
It's very common in Athkatla, and common in the other large Amnian cities. Private tutors are everywhere, and much in use; the good ones command stellar salaries (akin to modern real-world NFL football players). Everyone is at least literate (for reading contracts and figuring out finanical margins, interest payments, and the like). |
| questing gm |
Posted - 09 Mar 2025 : 07:02:11
On pistols on the list of bonus equipment for the Sword Coast North
Roni — 7/3/2025 3:41 AM
@Ed Greenwood Hello Ed! I've recently chosen to integrate 3/3.5e's region system into my game, and was a bit surprised to find out that pistols are on the list of bonus equipment for the Sword Coast North, as I thought firearms were extremely rare outside of Lantan (and Wildspace I guess). Could you shed some light on the lore behind that decision? I haven't been able to find any lore about firearms being particularly prevalent in the region, but would absolutely love to hear it!
Ed Greenwood — 7/3/2025 11:05 AM
Heh. You've stumbled upon an in-joke done by a staff editor that wasn't part of my Realmslore. Said editor was amused by Jeff Grubb's swift explanation to vice-presidents of TSR that the Sword Coast North/Savage Frontier was the Realm's version of the Wild West, "only colder." So he slipped firearms into the lore because Wild West = six shooters and gunfights. Sigh. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 09 Mar 2025 : 06:58:19
On any major civilizations of the Harengon (rabbitfolk) people in the Realms in the 1490s DR
Vraskagamer — 6/3/2025 1:36 AM
Hi @Ed Greenwood ! I‘ve been DM’ing my first ever campaign that is set in the Realms for the last two years, and my players like a lot of the new races/classes that have come from WOTC recently. Would there be any major civilizations of the Harengon (rabbitfolk) people in the Realms in the 1490s DR? Where might they congregate, if anywhere?
Ed Greenwood — 7/3/2025 2:29 AM
In the 1490s DR, Harengon are numerous enough to think of themselves as a “realm” in several places across Faerûn:
The Misty Vale and adjacent Dun Hills south of the Border Kingdoms. “Daeradrun” to the harengon. The Sword Hills and adjacent Misty Forest south of Julkoun, and southwest of Secomber. “Maeruldar” to the harengon.
The High Moors just north of the Storm Horns east of Eagle Peak, and increasingly northwest of that along the Tunwash, into the Sunset Foothills. With outlyin settlements in the eastern Far Hills, close to the Fens of Tun. “Farseanan” to the harengon.
In the forests northwest of Hardcastle. “Louvraun” to the harengon.
In the forests south of Arakin and north of the Oldfangs Mountains (the Po Yul Dzayul Range) in Tabot. “Vahardar” to the harengon. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 09 Mar 2025 : 06:47:22
On the dailyfare dishes of a well to do farmer in the Dalelands that likes a varied diet
Zonesylvania — 6/3/2025 10:32 PM
Dear saer @Ed Greenwood , can you tell us something of the dailyfare dishes that one might see on the table of a well to do farmer or local merchant in the Dalelands that likes a varied diet? thankee!
Ed Greenwood — 7/3/2025 2:08 AM
Certainly. Standard Dales fare will consist of a slightly varied roster (depending on availability) of the following: Thin-sliced and roasted medallions of parsnip, carrot, and knuckles (Brussels sprouts), seasoned with diced spring onions or shallots.
Potato shards (“home fries” to us) fried in dripping and seasoned with salt, pepper, and diced garlic. “Ground sar” (small local cabbage plants very like bok choy), boiled, cut up in large shards, then pan-fried in dripping (cooked local meat animal fat). Roast shards of fowl (grouse, pheasant, chickens, turkeys) spit-roasted and basted with dripping or broth or leftover stew.
River eel, washed and diced and then marinated in red wine.
River cress greens (a cold salad, cress mixed with various edible wildflowers akin to dandelions, often seasoned with soured cream and crushed nuts). Joints (legs and other large pieces of roast meet from local sheep, goats, and boar).
Tripe (the stomach lining of a boar, sheep, or cow, sliced into strip and fried with cut-up onions, eggs, and herbs: parsley, sage and marjoram to the fore, pinches of fennel and mint or none or more, to taste). Cauldron stew: ongoing simmered hearth-broth of all kitchen scraps and fats, in a boar or chicken-blood base.
The wealthier the owner of the kitchen, the more exotic foods brought by merchant traders from afar there will be, and the less reliance on “long larder” foods like cheese and nuts. A really well-to-do diner may, if they like fish and shellfish, eat a lot of “brought from distant coasts” fare, though it may have been pickled or smoked to keep it edible during its journey. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 09 Mar 2025 : 06:44:10
On updating the Pride of Amn to five coins
Zen~ — 6/3/2025 10:23 PM
Greetings Saer @Ed Greenwood, did Amn update their flag "Pride of Amn" to show five coins instead of six, when the council got smaller?
Ed Greenwood — 7/3/2025 1:48 AM
Some ambitious painters and pennant-weavers did, but no official change was ever made, and most existing Amnian flags still show six coins. Tradition is almost as strong a force as inertia. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 09 Mar 2025 : 06:40:43
On why there no deities with the trade portfolio before Waukeen
Marco Volo — 6/3/2025 5:25 PM
Hi @Ed Greenwood I'm sure it has been asked many times so sorry about that, but before Waukeen was added to the Realms, why no deity of your pantheon didn't have trade and merchants in their portfolio? Or maybe one had?
Ed Greenwood — 7/3/2025 1:45 AM
Before Jeff Grubb added Waukeen, no god held that portfolio; it was something clergies fought over, the churches of Chauntea, Gond, Tempus, Shaundakul, and even the dwarven smithing deities, etc. etc. vying for as much influence over it as possible. The ongoing and continuous ebb and flow of clergies fighting for influence through worship over various aspects of mortal life has always been rich "adventure hooks opportunities" territory. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 03 Mar 2025 : 01:29:03
On Queen Fee's favorite tarts
Juniper Churlgo — 26/2/2025 4:38 AM
What were Queen Fee's favorite tarts? Shrimp like in her final meal?
Ed Greenwood — 28/2/2025 10:55 AM
Yes. And after that, what we would call "butter tarts" but made with just a pinch of almond liqueur ("Amaretto" to us). |
| questing gm |
Posted - 19 Feb 2025 : 01:52:10
On ties between Nimbral and Evermeet
P. Leone — 16/2/2025 7:30 AM
Good Saer @Ed Greenwood do Evermeet and Nimbral have any ties, trade or otherwise, be they magical and/or mundane?
Ed Greenwood — 17/2/2025 3:11 AM
Yes, but we haven't seen them dealt with in published lore yet. So let me just say: the armor of Nimbral came from somewhere, and mainland sages have long speculalted that there's some secret non-aggression pact or military "no go" or other agreement between the two countries...and those sages are correct. ;} |
| questing gm |
Posted - 19 Feb 2025 : 01:45:41
On 'a place weirdly different than Faerûn' in Stormlight
Joe Chang — 16/2/2025 5:51 AM
Dear @Ed Greenwood, in your novel Stormlight, while Storm rummages around the mind of her great foe she discovers: (spoilers to follow) "This fear tasted like the tang of iron in blood, but came from a place weirdly different than Faerûn. The mortal who had become Bane, so long ago, had come from … somewhere else" Have we seen this place in print yet?
Ed Greenwood — 17/2/2025 3:07 AM
No, not yet. ;} |
| questing gm |
Posted - 19 Feb 2025 : 01:42:09
On elven words for 'angel' or "Female Angel"
Ninjanurse29 — 16/2/2025 3:46 AM
@Ed Greenwood what's the elven word(s) for "angel" or "Female Angel"?
Ed Greenwood — 17/2/2025 3:06 AM
In the list that follows, Elvish uses the same word for both singular and plural forms
So movanic devas are “braela” as a group, and if you meet just one, it’s “a braela.”
Celestials are “ara” (pronounced “Arr-ah”)
light aasimon are “ivaera” (pronounced “eye-VAIR-ah”)
Movanic Devas are “braela” (pronounced “Bur-AY-lah”)
Monadic devas are “sheear” (pronounced “SHE-arr”)
Astral devas are “ararren” (pronounced “Ar-AR-ren”)
Planetars are “lusar” (pronounced “LOO-zar”)
Solars are “coronar” (pronounced “CORE-oh-nar”)
Agathia (warrior angels) are “tharital” (pronounced “THAR-ih-tall”)
Mystryl’s agathia were specifically called “faerital” (pronounced “FAIR-ih-tall”)
Archons are collectively “tharivae” (pronounced “THAR-ih-vay”) |
| questing gm |
Posted - 17 Feb 2025 : 01:03:20
On a Realmsian version of the Porta-Potty for the likes of concerts and bardic Battle of the Bands
Maq "Dethjezter" MacPherson — 20/8/2023 1:23 AM
@Ed Greenwood just finished watching Sanitation in the Realms and it had me wondering if there is a Realmsian version of the Porta-Potty for the likes of concerts and bardic Battle of the Bands etc?
Ed Greenwood — 14/2/2025 2:06 AM
Yes. Temples often stock and even rent out lots of these. Caravan outfitting shops sell them, under the name “thunderthrones” or more delicately, “returnars.” You need a temporarily-waterproofed sack (usually heavy canvas with a brushed-on rubber coating). This gets tied up and tossed for rotting back into the environment after heavy use; when employed by caravans on the move, the sacks get rinsed out (or snow-rinsed, in the shoulder seasons) and reused until the end of the trip. The seats get immersed in vinegar and then scrubbed clean.
The sacks get threaded through wooden toilet seats that have wooden clamps (like the “braces” traditionally used to protect badminton rackets) affixed to them, to hold the sacks in place under the hole. These seats have fold-out legs (traditionally a stour tripod, for dealing with uneven ground), and the user travels with sacks of supple leaves for wiping, and flat stones for putting under the seat legs on soft ground. Rig one of these up in a private location (a tarp-on-sticks screen can furnish a little privacy, if naught else is available) and there you have it: one traveling toilet. (Don’t lean back, or over you go.) |
| questing gm |
Posted - 17 Feb 2025 : 00:58:36
On attitude in Sembia and Chondath that Cormyrians were once "their kind of people"
Joe Chang — 19/8/2023 9:09 AM
Hi @Ed Greenwood was there ever an attitude in Sembia and Chondath that Cormyrians were once "their kind of people" until subversion by the conniving elves of Cormanthor?
Ed Greenwood — 14/2/2025 1:57 AM
No. At least, not at more than a few scattered individuals holding such views level. Most in Chondath “forgot about” those who left for Cormyr, and most in Sembia have always viewed Cormyreans as “different in their heads than us” rivals. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 17 Feb 2025 : 00:52:05
On airship travel becoming mundane
*I couldn't find the question that this is the answer to. Would appreciate if anyone could find that out*
Ed Greenwood — 14/2/2025 1:52 AM
Airship travel isn’t the “daily mundane thing” it might have developed into if there weren’t frequent wind gusts in some areas and too-frequent dragon attacks in others (wyrmlings, young dragons seeking their own new territories, tend to be rashly convinced of their own invulnerability, like too many teenagers of many species, and look upon airships as fun and easy targets). That plus such elements as the wards of Candlekeep and Waterdeep, and other surface-to-air defenses (sometimes as simple as paranoid lone wizards) has kept airship travel fairly rare, and secretive when it comes to ground docking and transshipment (see my Realms vid about airship dockings near Waterdeep). |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Feb 2025 : 15:40:43
On equivalents to donuts in the Realms
Zonesylvania — 13/2/2025 10:33 AM
Good saer @Ed Greenwood , are there any equivalents to donuts in the Realms? I assume skulls from Chessenta and Hangmans' nooses from Halruaa are similar, but are there any such that are found in the Sword Coast and Heartlands? thankee!
Ed Greenwood — 14/2/2025 1:23 AM
If by equivalents you mean ring-shaped pastries, the closest thing is the barlumbra (“barr-LUMM-brah;” singular and plural are the same word) found in Tethyr and Calimshan, a flattened ovoid fritter about the same size as many adult human hands. Usually savory, they always have a hole at one end for hanging on hooks in shops or a kitchen or cottage wall. Barlumbra are very similar to Native North American frybread in our world, but are never sweetened. They are often brushed with egg before frying to get a golden brown (pretzel-like) surface, and everyone has their own seasonings for the dough, often incorporating leek, garlic, onion or scallion, and various herbs.
If you mean sweet pastries like donuts that don’t have holes in them, there are many, a few of which have been described in past-published Realmslore, but steadily gaining popularity on the Sword Coast and spreading along the Heartlands trade routes are tarram (“TAR-ram;” again, singular and plural are the same word), which are flattened ovoid diced-cherries fritters (sometimes diced sour cherries, dried apricots, or gooseberries are used, but honey is added when the main fruit isn’t sweet). Some cooks add crushed walnuts or blueberries to their dough. (Betty Crocker has an online recipe for Sour Cherry Fritters that uses dried sour cherries). |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Feb 2025 : 15:35:02
On Lord Chess being part of the Zhentarim
Joe Chang — 11/2/2025 6:30 AM
Hi @Ed Greenwood, though Lord Chess was Manshoon's rival in Zhentil Keep, they started out as friends and partners in crime. Was Lord Chess ever part of the Zhentarim?
Ed Greenwood — 11/2/2025 7:52 AM
No. He voted with Manshoon and future Zhentarim in assembly at Zhentil Keep, but was never a member. One of my earliest Realms tales, "The Long Sword," describes Manshoon and Chess and Manshoon's brother on an adventure, and "So High A Price" (published by TSR in REALMS OF VILLAINY) provides a glimpse of Manshoon gaining power in Zhentil Keep; the voting therein is the same voting Chess participated in. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Feb 2025 : 15:30:45
On policing the use of psionics in Waterdeep
Juniper Churlgo — 6/2/2025 6:11 AM
Passing along a Q for Ed. Is the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors the ones in charge of policing the use of psionics in Waterdeep?
Ed Greenwood — 6/2/2025 8:41 AM
No. Officically it's the City Watch, but it's really Elminster, these days, as they "call him in" (at Laeral's standing request) when such troubles arise (the rest of the time, he's head of her "secret police," of whom Mirt is one–who aren't police at all, but extra-legal secret agents). |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Feb 2025 : 15:25:23
On the Giftless gaining the Gift later in life
valethehowl — 4/2/2025 12:55 AM
@Ed Greenwood Greetings, o wise Ed Greewood! I have a question regarding the Gift, and more specifically about those born without it who still wish to practice the Art. Is there a way for someone born Giftless to gain the Gift later in life, barring direct intervention from Mystra? And if that's not possible, what is the best alternative that those Giftless wishing to be Wizards could pursue to get as close as possible to their ideal calling?
Ed Greenwood — 5/2/2025 10:40 AM
Direct intervention from Mystra or Azuth (or another deity desiring to implant spellcasting abilities in a mortal for their own reasons) is the usual way in which someone gains the Gift. So is direct flesh-to-item contact with certain artifacts, decaying mythals, or “hung” spells.
However, many more folk have an innate Gift they don’t know about, because it’s inactive and entirely undetectable—that gets triggered by something later in their lives that awakens the Gift, sometimes explosively and astonishing them.
Magic is everywhere on Toril, and infuses almost everything.
Someone who is truly Giftless can still become a sage of magecraft, collecting and copying tomes about magic (not scrolls or actual spells, but detailed descriptions of processes and components and the like), material components, and mage lore (what sigil belongs to which mage, and so on). If they’re not a monk of Mystra (or at a place like Candlekeep), they will most likely run a “magic shop” in a large city like Waterdeep, or even serve on the staff of a wizard’s club (a house-like lounge where paying members who are wizards can dine, relax and chat, drink and make contacts with each other, and so on). Some such clubs have staff members who are akin to our real-world “groupies”—they collect signatures or old shoes or worn-out garments from wizards, or even try to take such mages to bed (the only companionship some of these wary loners ever get!).
valethehowl — 5/2/2025 2:47 PM
Thank you so much for the answer! You really cleared things up for me! So there is hope, however small, for people who are born truly Giftless to still gain the Gift later in life, although this seems to be completely based on luck (much like being born with the Gift is also entirely up to luck). Personally I'd love for hard work and passion to play a bigger part, but maybe these Giftless wizard "groupies" would have a better chance than most to gain the Gift, as they would constantly put themselves in contact with magic (perhaps with the secret hope to gain the Gift themselves). That'd be a great way to reward perseverance against all odds, which is something I've always loved in fantasy stories!
Ed Greenwood — 6/2/2025 8:38 AM
You're very welcome. Many of the busiest wizards in the Realms have acquired Giftless sidekicks and business associates who make solid careers for themselves as "material component procurers" to those wizards. The mages usually equip the sidekicks with rings and other wearable magic items that store and can unleash spells, such as Magic Missiles.
valethehowl — 6/2/2025 4:54 PM
Thank you very much again! I also have a quick about the items that the Wizard give their sidekicks: going by 5e rules, most spell-storing items technically require Attunement, and you stated elsewhere that Giftless people can't attune to magic items. Do Wizard specifically craft items that do not require attunement or perhaps can they Attune the items to their Giftless sidekick, even if the latter can't attune by themselves (much like an Axe of Dwarvish Lords require attunement by a Dwarf, even if it can be used by non-dwarves)?
Ed Greenwood — 10/2/2025 2:01 AM
Most magic items created before the Time of Troubles (and the changeover in "who's Mystra" that happened then) don't require attunement (as opposed to artifacts, some of which do). Note that many artifacts AND magic items benefit from practice using them, even if there's no formal attunement. Toril is full of older magic items that don't require attunement. Newer ones (created post-Time of Troubles) usually do require attunement, but there are exceptions even then. Just one more thing that keeps magic use "chancy." |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Feb 2025 : 15:19:11
On Cormyrean nobles or the Crown's approach to chartered adventurers
LukasJP — 17/12/2023 5:42 PM
Cormyr question! Do nobles or the Crown tend to approach chartered adventurers in a specific, or perhaps different ways? Essentially, I am wondering if they prefer their patronage be incognito, so to speak, whether or not they work through middlemen or other third parties, and to what degree the nature of the task at hand influences the way they approach/hire adventurers.
Ed Greenwood — 5/2/2025 10:30 AM
That depends very much on what they’re hiring the adventurers for. If it’s legally shady, there’s no way they’ll approach in public, or using their household envoys or “factors” (trade agents). They will instead use their customary “shadow speakers,” who are negotiators hired by the factors to be a deniable-plausibility step removed from the noble or royal family themselves.
There have also always been maverick individual nobles and royals who go to low, shady places on their own and negotiate on their own behalf. ;}
However, if the engagement is for as wedding honour guard or travel escort, it will be a public approach, by an official envoy. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Feb 2025 : 15:16:16
On good-aligned beholders in cities on the Sword Coast
Lord of Eat — 17/12/2023 2:24 AM
@Ed Greenwood We have curiosity to sate... Are there any known, good-aligned beholders living in any of the cities on the Sword Coast?
Ed Greenwood — 5/2/2025 10:22 AM
Yes. Very well hidden, though. The beholder mage Blouthcaladra lairs in extensive cellars under the Scepter District of Athkatla, commanding a gang of doppelgangers and using its magic on their behalf. They fetch and steal for it, and it experiments with spells to increase its powers. Through its doppelgangers, Blouthcaladra steals from the rich to give to the poor, making certain that the poorest and neediest in the city get surprise handfuls of coins to tide them over to the next tenday. Blouthcaladra believes that humans are resourceful, malleable, and adapt swiftly, and that many races dwelling together in human cities are the best way to make better lives (and less waste and pollution) for everyone, as the centuries pass. Elminster and other Chosen have been instructed by Mystra and Azuth to leave certain spellbooks and scrolls for Blouthcaladra to “find.”
Lord of Eat — 5/2/2025 2:15 PM
Some might say a reply in 2025 to a question asked in 2023 is "late", but we'd say it was perfectly on time, since we did not have a time constraint on getting a reply.
It was most interesting to learn of Blouthcaladra. Shows yet again how much depth there is to the Realms. Thanks for the great reply, Saer Greenwood.
Ed Greenwood — 6/2/2025 8:40 AM
Heh. I get to them when I can. I think I answered four 2023 replies yesterday, but there are older ones. I'll get to them eventually. Time is the greatest treasure. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Feb 2025 : 15:12:58
On how does the Church of Malar in Suzail celebrate the Feast of the Stags
Malarite — 16/12/2023 10:58 PM
How does the Church of Malar in Suzail celebrate the feast of the stags?
Ed Greenwood — 5/2/2025 10:07 AM
They choose needy elderly and infirm citizens, widows and orphans ahead of time (sometimes without those individuals knowing they’ve been selected) and then apply to the Royal Court for a license to hunt in the King’s Forest, traditionally west of the Way of the Dragon. This license is always granted to Malarites who hunt with a cleric of Malar leading their party. They emerge with their kills, present them to Purple Dragon patrols for inspection and an escort back to the city, are then formally thanked by any Obarskyr royal who’s present in the city at the time, or the Steward of the Court failing that, then cook the kills in the street (the Promenade) for all to see. Clerics of Malar then lead parties of devout (and witnesses from among the general public) to the needy, to present them with their feast, and wait upon them to serve them and give them wine as if they were royalty or nobility. (And pledge to feed them throughout the coming winter, and sooner if they are too ill or poor to feed themselves; some unfortunate folk become permanent “wards of the table” until their deaths, in this way.)
After the needy are fed, the cooking fires are quenched, and from around their ashes the clergy of Malar serve forth “the Wine of the Beastlord,” which is a strong-flavoured, hearty red wine usually made near Pros (vineyards and wineries along the Turnstone Road) that incorporates the blood of wild stags, to anyone interested. Thanks to some past drunken brawls in the city, imbibing of this is now limited to three large goblets per person. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Feb 2025 : 15:03:52
On everyday use alchemical/herbal products currently enjoying popularity
Zonesylvania — 4/2/2025 2:13 AM
dear Saer @Ed Greenwood , can you give us an example of two or three everyday use alchemical/herbal products currently enjoying popularity in say, a big city like Waterdeep or Baldur's Gate? And perhaps a snippet about the persons making and selling them? Thankee!
Ed Greenwood — 5/2/2025 5:09 AM
I have some life things I must attend to, so right now I’ll provide just one:
Galart: this “secret” (now known to many alchemists) mix of plant roots and leaves (felsul tree leaves, gooseberry vine leaves, butteryfly milkweed leaves, roots of scallions/spring onions, and dandelion roots) is soaring in popularity. The ingredients are ground up in the correct proportions and mixed with the right amount of oak tree sap into a paste that when dried and crumbled again, back into a brownish-green powder, is commonly sold in palm-sized cork-stoppered glass vials, for 2 gp.
Galart acts as both a seasoning (somewhat akin to real-world “allspice”) and as a very effective pain-deadener that can quell shock and enable individuals who’ve suffered broken bones, amputations, and the like to function without limping or “favoring” their injured area for 1d4+1 hours if ingested. Onset time is 2d4 minutes if drunk in a tea or other beverage, or about half an hour if eaten with food seasoned with it, effects survive cooking unimpaired.
In Waterdeep, galart can be purchased in many shops. Here are some of the most reliable-for-galart-supply:
Castle Ward:
Vundephol’s Tastes of the World on southfront Buckle Alley, four doors east of Warrior’s Way.
Black-Eyed Goblin Tradery on eastfront The Street of Silks, four doors south of Keltarn Street.
Jalatha Maerakeltae Fine Spices And Sundries, the middle building of westfront Gothal Street between Julthoon Street and Trader’s Way.
Oebarl Selphroon Spice Merchant on northfront Cat Alley, four doors east of The Street of Bells.
Dock Ward:
Harlar Gobbyn, Half-Orc Trader To All on northfront Net Street, three doors west of The Way Of The Dragon.
Sarkil Importers And Sundries on northfront Leera’s Alley, three doors west of Gut Alley.
South Ward:
Blakkastyl’s Boundless Wares of the World on northfront Tornsar Alley, two doors east of Buckle Street.
Sornatha’s Spices And Sundries on southfront Coach Street, three doors west of The High Road.
The Happy Kitchen Outfitters on northfront Coachlamp Lane, four doors east of Carter’s Way.
Trades Ward:
Theldoun Toplamn, Gnome Apothecary on southfront Ironpost Street, three doors west of Wall Way.
Brundul’s Handy Everything Shop on eastfront Salabar Street, four doors north of the Wagonrace.
The Black Door Sundries on northfront Shesstra’s Street, three doors east of Snail Street.
The Bold Cook on northfront Selduth Street, three doors west of Wall Way.
Most Waterdhavian galart is made by “Mother” Dethra Brathcandle of Field Ward (westfront The Fanebar, five doors south of Trollkill Street), or by halfling families in Secomber, who produce it in bulk.
In Baldur’s Gate, Felver Fine Apothecary is a small shop (with three floors of rental living quarters above, including immediately above the shop, the crammed-with-coffers-of-future-ingredients rooms of the owner and alchemist Anajast Felder, a small, nervous and scurrying mouse-like man) located on northfront Loklee Street, three doors east of its moot with Stormshore Street. He makes and sells galart, and supplies the other reliable Baldur’s Gate vendor (there are many temporary galart sellers in the Upper City, who come and go with their caravans): Athos Nurartarland Seasonings on southfront Nuthkal’s Way, the third shop heading west in the third block west of Cliffgate. Athos is a tall, impressive, white-haired man rumored to have six wives (the truth is that he has six mistresses, and lives with all of them; his financial success is due to their shrewdness with coin, and has led to him owning fourteen city buildings thus far). Mraeven’s Sundries on mid-northfront Hulkael Street also has galart, when they can get it. Hulvur’s Supplies on the northwest corner of Black Eel Street and Wendserpent Street sometimes sells galart amid the salt, pepper, and dried onions, though these condiments are overlooked by most shoppers among the ropes, chains, pulleys, and casks Hulvur’s is more widely known for.
Wizards trained in Blackstaff Tower know how to use galart as the sole material component of a hold person spell, in place of iron.
Zonesylvania — 5/2/2025 5:11 AM
this is so much more than I expected, thank you so much!
Ed Greenwood — 5/2/2025 5:11 AM
My pleasure. More in a few days, when a blizzard of things I must deal with are past me. |
| questing gm |
Posted - 16 Feb 2025 : 15:01:11
On dragon genetics
Reedhalloran Duskfellow — 28/10/2024 11:48 PM
Dear Saer @Ed Greenwood, a question about dragon genetics. I understand from the Draconomicon that hybridization between dragon species is quite rare but it does happen. Do you have any guidance on effects, color, etc of the resulting offspring? Are their mules? Could a clutch have a mix of results (like cats)?
Ed Greenwood — 5/2/2025 4:55 AM
The mating? Done in the usual way (for full-grown adults, usually in midair, flying, to avoid one or the other partner being bruised or crushed). ;}
As for offspring, yes the clutch of eggs could have a mix of results, and yes, rare offspring are sterile (mules), but in most cases, the offspring favour one parent or the other, and visually look like that type of dragon (though they MIGHT have the breath weapon of the other sort!). |
|
|
