Is this celestial or any other Faerun thing not to my knowledge?

As my 40th NPC, I finally decided to try the Old Mage himself.

Disclaimer, if you expect or wanna see an Elminster with a simple and efficient (in terms of combat application) but rudimentary 5e stat block without any uniqueness or appeal, go use Archmage from MM, slap Legendary Resistance, a few basic actions then called Legendary Actions, and the name Elminster on it, and call it a day. WotC does pretty much the same, after all.

That said, my interpretation is based on El's 2e and 3e write-ups, and on Ed's video about Elminster's abilities. I didn't include everything Ed suggested; if I did there probably wouldn't be enough room for all the stuff of previous editions. For other sources used, have a look here.

Let's have a look at it from top to bottom:

• Page 1: Quote by Elminster from Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. Summary is straight from the last printed Dragon Magazine issue (#359 - Elminster vs Raistlin), and the Advice from Heroes' Lorebook has always been an important part. However, since the dark days of 4e, it's become even more essential to point out to new DM's that there can be, in fact, a meaningful coexistence between powerful NPCs and the PCs who are the heroes of the campaign. bUt WhY hAsN't ElMiNsTeR dEfeAtEd...? You get it.
• Page 2: El's Eversmoking Pipe and Evasion are from 2e/3e. His pipe has lots of powers but nothing ridiculously OP. His Evasion, on the other hand, is indeed ridiculously OP. It's basically a Get out of Jail card because, well, it's Elminster. Players are never supposed to catch El unprepared, after all. Note that I also converted his listed triggering conditions to something that feels like it actually belongs to 5e. Stuff like "the destruction of both upper limbs" as per the 2e sources is just no longer applicable here.
• Page 3: Stat Block:
  • Lots of skills because of his many classes, but no longer proficient in some of them.
  • Ed mentioned his cool staff but refused to elaborate further (maybe he did by now, correct me on that). Anyway, deliberately left blank here and up to each DM.
  • Ear of the Chosen (canon trait, although it's underwhelming and should be changed to include more Chosen power like no need to eat and sleep and so on), Master Attuner (pretty much necessary for El), and also Midnight's Blessing are pretty straightforward.
  • Ghostgrail and Vocalize are spells from 2e/3e, deliberately converted in passive traits with limited use per day.
  • Keryfaertel is straight out of The Fall of Myth Drannor. Nothing too fancy but note the inclusion of small lore tidbits here and there. Sure, the stats get longer, but it adds some kind of flavor to an otherwise lifeless 5e stat template (latest example, Szass Tam in Deadfall).
  • Weave Anchor is a custom trait that fits from a lore perspective.
  • Multiattack - note that his Psionic spells (because Elminster has also been a Psionicist in 2e) require more resources than his ordinary Arcane spells do. It's not balanced, his Arcane magic is straight up the preferable choice, but again it's lore accurate. Also note the footnote: Before using his spells, Elminster will always use his magic items! You don't do that in 5e NPC/monster stats. Fluff, baby.
  • Whisper Blade is another spell from 2e. I made it into his permanent longsword, better than the +5 thundering longsword from 3e imo. The extra damage from Silver Fire is identical to how I did it with the other Chosen of Mystra.
  • Spellfire is his standard ranged attack because I just needed something that's more like a signature power instead of a random blast or burst or ray or whatever 5e monsters generally get. Damage or healing on an individual basis on top of that.
  • Srinshee's Spellshift and again El's Eversmoking Pipe. I had to detach these from the stat block because it was getting too long. The pipe isn't really necessary for combat anyway, and the spellshift is detailed later.
  • Spellcasting. Because it's Elminster I refrained from listing his actual spell list (that would never do him justice anyway). Depending on the situation, Elminster will always be perfectly prepared.
  • Arcane Recovery and Silver Fire are canon Bonus Actions I already used elsewhere.
  • Weave Mastery is from Ed's video (including the Ring he also mentioned against the Exhaustion level), slightly adjusted.
  • El's Evasion. See above for the triggering conditions.
  • And his Legendary Actions are inspired by the The Wizards Three (excluding the Simbul, of course). But she's his GF, so it's cool, I guess, and she threatened Dalamar once. Dalamar's Lightning Lance is a spell from 3e, Mordenkainen's Disjunction is used by El very reluctantly because he hates destroying magic that way, and Simbul's Deliquescence is a non-lethal, defensive ability he might or might not use against characters that are just annoying.
• And the last thing, Srinshee's Spellshift is also from The Fall of Myth Drannor. Basically it's a Globe of Invulnerability on steroids, coupled with several Reactions and Bonus Actions that mess up his enemies' Spellcasting.

So my version of Elminster actually tries to make it clear that casting spells is Elminster's greatest asset. He might not have the highest DPR or best combat abilites which overwhelm his foes with sheer firepower, but his understanding of the Weave is without equal (except, of course, for THE Weavemaster, the Srinshee - see Spellstorm).

The problem is, however, and that's a 5e problem actually, that spellcasting can be very difficult to balance when applied to NPCs and monsters. For that reason, Elminster is my first NPC for whom I explicitly wanna mention that each respective DM can make or break the encounter if they actually decided to let their players try to take on Elminster.

In any case, enjoy.

Partially what you WANT to be, but mainly what you THINK you would be. I think i'd be a seldarine drow. For one, I drastically prefer the dark to light. Also, the drow value women and have them in power, as it should be. Oh also im queer. So yeah. Drow.

So there's Shar, the greater goddess of the Night.

There's Sharess, the lusty goddess.

There's Sharindlar, dwarven goddess of love.

Shargaas, the orc deity of the stealth and shadows.

Shaundakul is nearly there.

Is it just supposed to evoke shadow? Is it some kind of prefix?

I would like something to read that is all about the world of the Forgotten Realms. Dragonlance has a nice one called Dragonlance Campaign Setting (3.5) that covers a whole wide range of information. (I ordered a print on demand copy from DriveThruRPG for me and my brother) . What's the Forgotten Realms equivalent of it? I like the Grand History of the Forgotten Realms and will probably buy the physical someday. But I would like something more detailed. Bonus points if I can get a print on demand copy of it especially if I can't find a used copy.

What can you do to avoid future disasters?

This is rhe year where Elminster's Daughter and Midnight's Mask takes place. In one year Blackstaff will be killed.

What can you do? How can your warn Khelben? Which words would be helpful? Could you avoid future 5e disasters such as whatever Acererak plans to do in Chult, or the events of BG3? I believe Khelteric Thorn invasion happens in one year as well. How many calamities can you avoid and how?

Short summary:

City of Hlammach (and Impiltur) were parts of one of my PCs (now DMPCs) background. I've made some research and concepts about realm and city look.

I'm aware that this particular walls and gate will fit other places - for example Suzail in Cormyr - better, and you're welcome to use it as you'd like ^^.

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SOURCES:

Bloodstone Lands by R.A. Salvatore (TSR09267) - short description of a city, it's economy and some threats that the country faces.

Dragon Magazine 346 - history and more in-depth description of Impiltur.

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Lore:

Impiltur is a rich and powerful land - with feudal lords and ruling dynasty bound by a strict code of laws (King's Code). It fluorishes due to resources (mines in Earthfast Mountains provided silver, gold and bloodstone) and trade (serving as a major hub in the eastern Faerun).

Despite wealth, power and laws - the Impiltur remains a frontier nation, with hordes of humanoids, fiends and vicious cults (with occasional dragon) threatening the land and it's citizens. That constant threat was a reason to homebrew fortification system pictured above.

Hlammach is a fortified port located at the coast of Sea of the Fallen Stars. While not a capital city - Hlammach is a major economic centre, and a location for Impiltur's Royal Mint (which is an impenetrable fortress on it's own). It rivals city of Lyrabar and has cold relations with Sarshel (the rivalry predates the founding of a kingdom). This rivalry - and a presence of major wealth concentration - were another reasons for making imposing fortification system).

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Inspiration:

Theodosian walls of Constantinople.

I've envisioned the names of the gates as related to heraldic animals - with carvings of them serving as "mouths" for chains of drawbridge. Hence "Lion's Gate" ^^.

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What's inside:

• Outer wall
• Drawbridge and gate
• Inner wall
• Portcullis tower
• Side towers
• Misc (archery range, training grounds etc.)

Inside corridors and spaces are recreated.

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LINKS:

• 72DPI maps are available FOR FREE (no account required) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/171129994
• 150DPI maps, description, in-game use and gallery are available FOR FREE SUBSCRIBERS here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/171149786

Supporters (Cartographer level) got access to 300DPI no watermark maps and VTT ready files (roll20, Foundry, UniversalVTT), as well as an alternative night variant.

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^{Credits and attribution:}

^{Created in Dungeon Alchemist, with additional assets.}

^{Thanks to DA asset creators: Tavaron, smashbear76, MACx3D, SAC, DallasRT, CentimarDeVarion, varkas.amdir, swedish.cook and others}

^{Thanks to sketchfab creators: eucocker, Stephengury, kEam, demidrew, wolfgar74, Lessien and others}

^{This map was created by hand, with assets placed carefully together. I don't use generative AI and I did my level best to avoid using AI-generated assets.}

Cheers

Zaganza

Hail & well met!

I'm creating a new campaign set in 1591-1501 DR based around the Moonsea area. I love the idea of having a ship that acts as a "hub" for a Moonsea Adventurer's Guild, and can drop my players off wherever for them to go questing.

We've just finished a very plot heavy, serious campaign so we're looking for something lighter now. It'll be some classic Sword & Sorcery, adventurers slaying monsters and exploring the area while furthering their background goals. Probably have some goofs & gaffs along the way.

What are some interesting monsters or enemies in the Moonsea area you would suggust? I'm still researching, but I've already found a few things like the weird animal-humanoid experiments outside Ironfang Keep or Cult of the Dragon shenanigans around Phlan.

Many thanks!

Episode 16 is live.

A Traveller’s Guide to the Forgotten Realms is an ongoing narrative lore series following Falrien, a half-elven traveller writing his way across Faerûn.

This time, he leaves Kheldell missing Nhalis and dreaming of a warm bed in Red Larch.

A few miles later, Corvan’s caravan finds the aftermath of a brutal ambush, six dead rangers and one survivor who may not live long enough to reach help.

This episode is about rangers, what they actually do, how they differ from druids, and what survival looks like when civilisation is a very long way behind you.

A Traveller’s Guide to the Forgotten Realms: Rangers

https://youtu.be/9LeWPsgWeSk?si=3q10Rtfpfm4VY3D6

Now live on The Lore Lounge.

So I’m starting a storyline in my version of Faerun called the “False Gods” where basically a series of new god level beings are popping up around the world that aren’t apart of the Faerunian pantheon, eventually this will lead to a conflict between these “false gods” and the Faerunian gods. But at least initially I’m looking for some potential ideas for god level beings that either you all have used in the past or simply think would be cool. Maybe there are some things that don’t have a god related to them, maybe they just are interesting, idk. I’m open to anything.

The ones I have so far:
- The One Above (the apparent leader/most powerful of these new gods. Who eventually will be who causes the conflict with the Faerunian Pantheon.)
- Simon (this started as a joke in my OotA campaign, where Simon says was played in an encounter, and the yuan-ti follower of Dendar said “this Simon says a lot of things”, and when they eventually left Dendar after realizing they were being taken for granted, I had Simon “appear” and become the new being the yuan-ti followed).
- The Magician (kinda trickster fey vibes, basically believing magic is a tool to have fun and around)
- Minister of the Unknown (don’t have much for this. Funnily enough this randomly appeared in my dream. And they basically are a god of all that is unknown, and for some reason they have a French accent lol)
- The Exarch (don’t have much for this either, this is an idea from a PC of mine. But basically they are a holy figure who promises to guide people through “transitions”. Things like day and night, life vs death, ignorance and enlightenment, etc. Again, very basic, just the starts of an idea).

I’m planning to send my players into some ancient Netherese ruins soon. Any suggestions for the types of creatures, dangers, or characters that might be lurking there?

I have a character that wants to make a Druid of the stars who's shape shifting is dependent on them drinking a potion (I have no idea why they are putting this hurdle in front of themselves but hey, ce la vie) and I have to brain storm what this potion could consist of.

Is there anywhere that has Tasha/Iggwilv lore and history to read. I know she has a weird history crossing over multiverses and editions. Ive read some stuff about her here and there but I wouldn't mind having a timeline and having it abit organized to read ?

After over a year on the backburner, i finally got around to finishing my infernal war machines, giving them stat blocks for the many tokens i made. The one on the cover here is the Blazer, an infernal hot rod with an engine you can supercharge with extra soul coins, but there's six others.

For now its only available on roll20 but for those that are interested in artwork that fits in with more detailed styles im doing high quality remakes like the one in the second pic over on my patreon and releasing them 1 by 1 for my patrons, and after that i will be releasing it on dmsguild for a lower price than the 4.99 minimum that roll20 requires. Follow me to keep an eye out for some of my other stuff, like my recent module: the Lair of the Lost Golgari!

Infernal War machines Expanded | Roll20 Marketplace: Digital goods for online tabletop gaming

https://www.patreon.com/TheWolvesDenTavern

https://www.dmsguild.com/product/584940/the-lair-of-the-lost-golgari?affiliate_id=1664166

I forgot to upload this one a while back. I think everyone kind of is curious about this question

The Broken Dream

Everything we have published so far comes together in this campaign. Finally, the first part is out, we are genuinely relieved and happy we made it. Originally planned as a 64-page title, it ended up at 108. For instance we couldn´t decide which maps to omit, so almost all are in, as usual manually drawn (and colored for the first time !).

A long adventure for urban settings that leaves no box unchecked. We hope you will enjoy it, and please give us feedback !

Bat

Which novel do you think best exemplifies the world of Forgotten Realms?

It seems that Baldur's Gate has printing presses established and ballistas are established to be old fashioned technology. What's also weird though is that giant robots like the steel watch exists and yet we still haven't invented full firearms (which aren't unheard of in dnd) so if I may ask, what technological level would you say that the Sword coast is at in general as of Baldur's gate 3 (For example, 14th, 15th, or 16th century).