AMIA ARCHIVE • View topic

I have a (in my opinion) great character concept for a Snow Elf, and I've got most of the information prepared.

However, looking through internet sources, I'm struggling to find any information on how their culture is.

Any links to give me information about their lifestyle and perhaps a bit of history, would prove very helpful.

There is absolutely no information on snow elves available anywhere else than the Subraces sidebar. All other info is non-Amia canon, because snow elves have never existed in Forgotten Realms outside our server, and therefore what info you might find is from other fantasy worlds.

However, you are lucky. I have just finished writing up the history of the snow elves today, and will continue with their culture, religion, typical PC snow elves etc. tomorrow or possibly tonight. An introduction to snow elves, much like the one written about shadow elves in the R&L forum, will be available shortly,

Ah! Seems I am in luck.

When I read the description to them, I was curious to why it only said they came from Forr, but I guess I just got it confirmed that Snow Elves are Amia-only :p

I can't wait to view the history, last thing to know before I've got my character concept complete. (Racist Snow Elf hunter befriended with a Grey Render if anyone was wondering.)

I've been tossing around ideas for a new character of mine lately, I was planning on making him a local of Cordor... ofcourse to do this I realized I needed to learn more about the city and it's history...

Is there anywhere on the site where Cordor's history is located? Also I need to learn more about the currrent status of Cordor as the character's I've been playing lately spend little to no time there.

Magiros wrote:

Selvec Darkon wrote:

Quote:

Yaster Galer wrote:
Alright, I'm planning on making a Helmed Horror character with a twist. See, I won't be using the Helmed Horror model. I'll be using this method to make it:

1. I'd make the character a Half-orc or maybe a Human, I've no idea what scale would be best.

2. Make all the parts Null but the chest (click here for the example)

3. I'd then craft the armour into a way that's everything null but the Chest, Bicepts and Hands (click here for the example)

4. Add a helmet and suitable weapon and viola! (click here for the example)

That stuff out of the way, here's some questions:

How are these created?
I am planning on making this one a servant of Mystra, is this lore-approved?
It says here, from the NWN wiki that: Helmed horrors are suits of empty armor imbued with magical life and purpose. They make tireless and extremely effective guardians, soldiers, and bounty hunters. , Any suitable suggestions to what it's master would use it for?
The Horrors themselves are constructs, and plenty of constructs have at least a bit of personality, how would a Helmed Horror have one and what would be suitable?

That's about it, thanks in advance Smile

Athestically, maybe allow armour parts for the shoulders?

Lore wise I always see a helmed horror being like a servant of (no pun intended) helm. Strict in duty, no remorse, no love, no joy, just duty. Everything taken far to seriously.

For the lore, it's quite possiable the Helm Horror is a product of wild magic during the Time of Troubles. The frayed weave could have warped its magic bonds with its master, and caused it to gain freedom and a sentiant self, rather then servitude. This also means the wild magic could have given it the ability to learn, develop and possiably even gain extra bits to its personality. This also add's weakness in the form of dispel magic, which allows wild magic to function normally for 1d4 minutes.

All this lore can be found in the forgotten realms campaign setting, under wild magic.

No, helmed horrors were not made by wild magic.

Here is a quote:

Quote:

Creation

The process of creating helmed horrors was something of a bad secret for many years. While unknown to the magical community at large, a great number of clerics of [[Bane], liches and evil wizards knew well how to create theas constructs. [1] It is now uncommon knowladge. A powerful spellcaster, with knowladge of both construct creation and arms and armor creation is needed, and a special workroom, along with the spells needed for the ritual.[3]

http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Helmed_horror

Plus helmed horrors are usually 5000 year old invention, and were mostly made by: Netheril and Imaskar empiries.

So, basically no one knows how to make Helmed Horrors anyrmore, or if does its a secret. At least Larloch knows how to make them, after all he is a survivor of Netheril. But he doesnt need to make them.

Plus this is a bad idea as Helmed Horrors were designed to be used as guardians or protectors, which would mean that you would need to stay in one place and guard the whatever object it might be.

What's more, you cant speak. You can only emote what you do, like *cuts him half*

Sorry to say, but I see this as a bad rp idea and will most likely get refused =/

Take all that, toss it away.

I never said they where made with wild magic, I said they could have been effected by wild magic during an event in the Time of Troubles. That the particular PC helm horror in discussion could have been a product of the wild magic. Warping the normal threads that created the Helm Horrors and giving it independence. Read up on the Time of Troubles in the 3.0 Campaign setting. It says there where numerous events during the time where magic went awol and changed or rules of magic where defied.

Iron would likely have corrected me had I said something that was against the lore.

There's the wiki.

Though reading all the latest Cordor related DM stories would get more "up to date".

Maias227 wrote:

There's the wiki.

Though reading all the latest Cordor related DM stories would get more "up to date".

Thank you for the help, I'll look into both. =)

Hmm... since no dates have been given how much of Cordor history has happened in the last 20 or 25 years? *Is trying to figure out what his character has lived through and what he would only of heard of*

Well, you can probably assume most, if not all, things that have happened in Arelith/Amia history were in the last 20-25 years. There will always be contradicting views on time, whatwith my 3-year-old elf having ICly arrived on Amia for the first time maybe 40 years ago.

*Nod nod* One last thing...

Since my character has spent his entire life in Cordor he'd likely have a pretty firm view of the Duke... how ever since I've never actually gotten a chance to meet the Duke ICly and all I know about him is from the trial thread in DM Stories, could anyone enlighten me more as to how he ruled?

I'm not sure if my character's opinion of him will ever actually come up but better safe then sorry.

Yoss, Ron and Tormak are probably the best ones to ask about that. I never have experiened the Duke playerside, nor have I possessed him, so I don't have first-hand knowledge. And if you're into Cordorian events, it's quite likely your character's opinion would come up and affect his view of the current events. So yeah, good thing to have some insights on.

Alright, is it acceptable to just send them a PM asking, or should I just let them drift by this thread if they feel like answering any lore questions? *Doesn't want to be a bother*

PM's always faster, though they seem to read this topic too.

I'd like to request some Wiltun based Lore. It's surrounding environment. It's history. The personality of its people. Customs. That kind of thing.

I have interest in making a human Wiltunian.

Well you can start by reading a bit about Ruathym and Luskan, since they don't like each other much, can't find much about Ruathym online though.

I'd like to know where actually Khem is located in Faerun, since the portal from Guldorand sends you somewhere off Amia if I am correct? I'd also like to know if there is any lore regarding the Khem area except the recent plot.

There is a lot of lore. You can find much of it in a book in game. It's been mentioned before, but Khem is in the Alamber sea (part of the Sea of Fallen Stars, you can't sail there as it's an inland sea), near lands such as Unther, Mulhorand, Chessenta and Thay.

For a decent amount of Wiltun historical lore, just read the mouse-over-able plc's inside the keep. Each one has a story in the description, and the stories really tell a lot of history.

IronAngel wrote:

There is a lot of lore. You can find much of it in a book in game. It's been mentioned before, but Khem is in the Alamber sea (part of the Sea of Fallen Stars, you can't sail there as it's an inland sea), near lands such as Unther, Mulhorand, Chessenta and Thay.

I was curious because this map shows Nesek on the island of Amia. So basically after the split, Nesek was put into Khem to the Alamber sea?

If all this is in the book you mentioned I am happy as well.

Nes'ek's location used to be pretty problematic; an Egyptian-themed hot desert in the middle of snow-peaked mountains, thousands and thousands of miles west from any similar culture? It was often assumed that instead of a tunnel, the transition to Nes'ek was actually a portal. A large geographical update fixed Amia's map so that it made sense, and retconned many things in the process. Khem was designed as an expansion of Nes'ek/Ankh'remun, and it was placed somewhere that made geographical, cultural and historical sense. For all intents and purposes, "it has always been like that."

As to what Khem actually is, how its settlement came to be and what's happened recently, you can find hints and a useful timeline in game. (The timeline, taken from LEoF and modified with Khem's history, does have at least one slip that PC's shouldn't be aware of, that is, the actions of Deep Imaskari, but it's irrelevant.)

Doing research and I was hoping I could get some lore-monkeys to help me narrow down my search..

I'm looking for links or book titles pertaining to the Elves, Sun Elves specifically, but the culture in general. Particularly information on Elven High Magic as well.

Thanks!

elves of fearunis great, best link source on elves that is out there. here is a link to their article on sun elves.

sun elves

Book titles:

Elves of Evermeet (2e sourcebook on the island)
Everemeet: Island of Elves (Elaine Cunningham's historical novel)
Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves (2e Arcane Age product, describing Cormanthyr as a game environment before and after the capitol became Myth Drannor. Also the best published product on elves, hands down.)
Races of Faerûn (Basics of the race as it is in 3e, nothing new or groundbreaking here; just a compilation of previous lore and some new details)
Demihuman Deities (The 2e deity book on demihuman gods, including the elven pantheon. Very important to playing demihumans, IMO.)
The Complete Book of Elves (Not FR canon, but some good ideas on D&D elves in general, 2e)
Lost Empires of Faerûn (Information on fallen elven realms. Much of it is previously published, but it's compiled nicely in here.)
The Fall of Myth Drannor (Details the events that lead to the destruction of the grand city and includes tons of lore that's central in recent elven history.)

I may or may not have all these in PDF, though surely it would be questionable to read them without buying them. Hit me up on MSN (ironangel@luukku.com) if you're so inclined. However, you can get Cormanthyr (the best product) and Fall of Myth Drannor for free on the Wizards site as well:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads

I believe that there might be some information on the goddess BAST in a supplement entitled 'Empires of the Sands'. Can anyone send me a scan of the relevant page(s)? Or post it here? A citation for the work would be helpful too (date, publisher, number of pages, etc. and the relevant page numbers).

Many thanks.

There's no reference to Bast in either Empires of the Sands (Calimshan, Amn, Tethyr) or Old Empires (Unther and Mulhorand), nor to Sharess for that matter. I searched both documents. Can't think of any other book you might mean.

I had read something that suggested there might be info on Bast in EotS, but that was incorrect. On further inspection, it seems that I misremembered the reference at http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/rules/DnD3.5Index-Deities.pdf as EotS when in fact it is something called 'Sandstorm' (p.47).

[EDIT: I found the sources referred to.]

Monks - Wholeness of Body, How does it work exactly? Is it like a spell or does the monk activate something in his mind which triggers the heal? Would like to know so i can emote it better being used! Thanks.

In the Clerical Quintent novels, it's portrayed as a meditative state in which the monk reaches into inner power reserves and commands the body to heal. For gaming purposes, it's apparently an instant thing, but I'd say it's usually better role-played as a fast regeneration. (Sort of like the trance Ryld Argith entered in Dissolution, the first WotSQ novel.)

I was wondering if this is acceptable with particular attention to the red text. This would be applied when "speaking" to other ghostwise. If not could someone point me in a better direction.

Quote:

Ghostwise Halflings were once very much akin to their Lightfoot Halfling cousins. But as they explored the lands, this small tribe of Halflings came to see the atrocities commited by the bigger races. They asked all the tribes to unite to bring a balance to the chaos, but they were harshly turned down. Refusing to mimic those that they disliked the most, The Wise Tribes, as they were known at that time, decided to retire from civilized areas and isolate themselves in the forests. As time passed they chose to forget many of the lightfoot ways, opting for quiet meditation instead of non-stop adventuring.
The Wise Tribes stopped worshiping Deliar and Prunilla, although they never stopped respecting the couple. They became a self-sufficient race and as such they respected their ancestors more than anything. Coming to worship their ancestors, or the "ghosts" of their past, and became to be known as the Ghostwise.

Personality:
Ghostwise halflings are very timid and shy. They come to trust very few, and are especially wary of tallfolk. Their lives are based around the survival of their tribe and its traditions; every Ghostwise Halfling is as important as the other, but the history of the tribe must survive before anything else. As such, very few of them leave their treetop villages and only do so under extreme circumstances or when facing The Ritual of Change.

Physical Description:
Ghostwise Halflings look very much like their Lightfoot cousins in stature. Not as nimble as their cousins, some Ghostwise tend be slightly stockier in build. When leaving their treetop villages, they tend to spend most of their time outside in the sun, giving them slightly tanned skins and a light brown hair. Since they rely so much on physical communication, every Ghostwise has their name tattooed in tribal symbols on a visible place on their body, and many opt to tattoo many other tribal symbols representing people and events in their lives.

Relations with other races:
Ghostwise tend to trust very few outside races. They respect their cousins for carrying the same blood as their ancestors but never associate with them for extended periods of time. The only tall race they have come to freely associate with is the Wild Elves, as both races have many similar principles and traditions. It is not rare to see either Ghostwise Halflings or Wild Elves visiting each other's tribes to share stories. Any other race they normally hold at an arm's distance and keep it that way.

Alignment:
Ghostwise seek balance, both inside themselves and around their homes, above all else. As such, most of them tend toward neutrality. A true Ghostwise is neutral to all and will not get involved in the bickering of the tall people unless their heritage is threatened.

Religion:
The Ghostwise stopped worshiping Deliar and Prunilla when the race split apart. They started depending on themselves and thusly hold inner strength above all. Ghostwise enjoy meditation to reach a balance within themselves, believing that inner balance is the first step to balancing one’s environment. They hold Katia in great regard for giving them refuge in the forests, but never actively worship Her. They respect their ancestors above all and worship the ghosts of the past. Ghostwise have many rituals of passage at different stages of their lives. The most noticeable is the Ritual of Naming and the Ritual of Change. The first one occurs when a Ghostwise reaches adulthood and is finally given her name tattoo. Before this event a child is known by many nicknames, and the one that sticks is the one tattooed onto her body.

The Ritual of Change occurs when a Ghostwise is not able to reach an inner balance and must seek it elsewhere. These Halflings are given leave from their tribes to seek that which they need to reach a healthy state. Most Ghostwise seen roaming around the world are normally in the Ritual of Change.

Language:
Language and Literacy

Because of their particular racial talent (telepathy), the ghostwise hin do not learn tounges other than their own with as much frequency as other races. The matriarchs and patriarchs of the various clans are apt to learn, in addition to their native languages, Chondathan and Sylvan, while clerics and druids most commonly express an interest in Sylvan and sometimes Gnoll. The typical ghostwise clan member, however, speaks only those languages that the race receives automatically (Common, Halfling, and regional).

No ghostwise are literate, except for individuals with player character classes other then barbarian

This race of Halflings, known by many as "The Silent,” have developed a complex language of body expressions and hand movements. This language is so intricate that they do not need to speak in order to communicate with one another. Even when a ghostwise does speak, 90% of the time they use an old version of a halfling dialect originated during the racial split. Nevertheless, they are respectful of others, and will do their best at speaking the common language in the presence of those who will not understand them.

There is no in-game equivalent of the Ghostwise silent language or their spoken dialects. Player characters must have a minimum intelligence of 12 to be fluent in another language.

Names:
Ghostwise kept similar short first names as those of their Lightfoot cousins as a sign of respect and everlasting brotherhood. However, they opted for different last names that portrayed their more naturalistic personality. Common last names are Slowillow, Stoutoak, Fallenleaf, and Wiseflower.

Adventurers:
Ghostwise adventurers are very rare. Normally every adventuring Ghostwise is undergoing the Ritual of Change. There are, however, Ghostwise exiles that venture the lands to either seek redemption for harm brought to the tribe or spread the seeds of the Ghosts across the world.

No telepathy, even for Ghostiwse, sorry.

I believe Iron will know best the answer for these questions.
I dont mean PC's I mean NPC's.

1. What is the elven population in Winya Ravana?

2. What is the faerie population in Winya Ravana?
((As I have heard that there is plenty of faeries there))

3. What exactly is the Treehouse in Winya Ravana? If you look at the map, its located at right top corner.

4. Could I get some info about enchanters, their skills, abilities, the usual thing what they can do.
((read some but want to know more.))

Ah and I heard rumours that WonWon, Iron and Tormak would happen to know some faerie lore that I dont know.

1. So, could I have some more info about faeries.

No need to give me this:
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Fey

I will just add a few little bits before Iron gets around to replying.

1. What is the elven population in Winya Ravana?

- I'm really not quite sure of that one. It's denoted to be an enclave, so there is speculation as to whether it is a city or merely a place of residency. However, due to the fact that it has a High Priest, a council, merchants, a seperate shrine for each Deity part of the Seldarine, an Inn for visitors and the life source of all of Amia's water, the Lifestone. I am inclined to call it a Hamlet or town. Hamlet within renaissance period was considered a town with a population of i believe anywhere between 1000-10,000 people, with a governing system and it's own church. But that's just my two cents, and i may be wrong.

2. What is the faerie population in Winya Ravana?
((As I have heard that there is plenty of faeries there))

- Not as many as there used to be, after the new council banned the Faerie population from the Inner Sanctum, allowing them to reside in the outer sanctum (exempting those who had previously lived there), i'm sure that the Faerie population, through assumption of my own, greatly diminished.

3. What exactly is the Treehouse in Winya Ravana? If you look at the map, its located at right top corner.

- It was the residential area/Faerie Tavern i believe ... If it were in reality, you could imagine a very large tree enveloped in the magical glow of Faerie as they flutter around it, doing whatever it is they do. I don't think it's really been accessable for a while, or the fact that i never bother trying TO access it.

As to your question four, i'm too tired to get into the abilities and skills associated with an enchanter

I have been in the treehouse. Anyway.

1. Spells specially for faeries, if there is such things.
I saw one: Acorn of far travel.

2. Why would have the fey population diminshed, you allowed the already living feys to remain.. so why would have they left? <.<

These look fun.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fey/20030613a
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fey/20030711a

http://www.amiaworld.net/phpBB2/viewtop ... tion+trade

Here's some incomplete info about Winya. It may not be canon at all, though because it was never finished or agreed upon. I'm not sure I agree with what I wrote back then, anymore.

Question once again.

1. Information about sylvan glades please.

PM me your email or add my msn (its in my profile, please add a small message on who you are on the forum otherwise I'll just ignore it). And I'll supply you with books about sylvan glades and divine reverie.

Found a sample bit here: http://watermark.rpgnow.com/pdf_previews/2037-sample.pdf

Quote:

Notes
Most magical script is written in a mixture of Draonic and Infernal. Draconic symbols resemble a mix between old celt runes and kanji if they got drunk and had a baby.

Elven mages tend to write their spells and research in old elven, which is the language of the grey elves

Thayvians write all their spells and research in old empire script. This is incredibly hard to read or decipher.

I picked that from Rules & Lore and got a couple of questions. Does the "magical script" here also mean spell scrolls? If not, what language are normal spell scrolls usually written in? Are clerical spells and arcane spells written in different language? Plus, is it impossible for a layman to learn the minimum of these languages to be able to read spell scrolls?

Thanks, and sorry if this has been asked before.

Who has 'Forgotten' the Forgotten Realms? Seriously, why is it called that?

Ed called them the Forgotten Realms after he wrote the campaign setting then forgot about it for several years as it went mouldy in his attic.

here is a question, is there much info on drow in the FR practing fleshcrafting? Fleshcrafting is mentioned in quite a few non wizards books on the drow so I am wondering if the ones in the FR world have tradions of fleshcrafting.

Continuing my in depth study and experimentation within the realms.. can anyone lead me to more material on the wizard/sorcerer traditions within the realms?

I'm going through the FR Campaign guide now... as well as Magic of Faerun.. but I'm looking I think more for Lore/Flavor than "this is new things you can add to your game.." if that makes sense.

Non FR-Cannon sources would be appreciated too.. I'm playing a game of research..sort of trying to feel out a concept/get inside the mind of a wizard.. (I've been on an archetype kick for a while now.. go figure)

---
Edit: Any information on Netheril is handy as well..

You can download Netheril: Empire of Magic and How the Mighty Are Fallen legally here:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads

There are a few notable arcane traditions on Faerûn. Raumathari Battlemages continue the tradition of ancient Raumathar, using their bastard swords as a focus for their spells. They tend to prefer powerful evocations, whereas old Narfell was about summoning fiends and using all sorts of fiendish spells against the Raumathari (such as growing a demonic limb on the foe and having it attack the host, IIRC). Nar Demonbinder and Raumathari Battlemage are both Prestige Classes existant in modern Realms. (See Lost Empires of Faerûn)

Mostly the traditions are local, and are represented by feats or prestige classes, but sometimes you'll also find good lore on them. There was some fan fiction and discussion on Candlekeep about this a year back or so, I think. I suppose groups with their own traditions are: Red Wizards of Thay, the Wychlaran of Rashemen, Elven High Mages (not playable though), War Wizards of Cormyr, uhmm.. In Halruaa, wizards are organized by spellschool, and there's competition for social status between the schools. For example, Divination is very respected, due to King Zalathorm being a diviner. There's a lot more lore to be found, but you'll have to be more specific. There's a dozen Prestige Classes, more special feats, and an unlimited number of colleges, guilds and individual tutors throughout the Realms.

You will find 2e kits to modify your character based on region, in Wizards and Rogues of the Realms. Hit me up on MSN if you want your hands on the info, or post more specific inquiries and I can copy it here.

I've been wanting to do some reading up on Lantan, for some reason. Other than the FRCS, is there any good sourcebook that discusses it? 2.0 would be especially nice since they tend to offer much, much more lore than 3.0 and 3.5 stuff.

Need some Lore on Wild Elves, Got the stuff from the subraces part, but could do with a tad more!

can someone give me some information about druid traditons, especially wood elven druids? any lore on druids would be helpful.

herkles wrote:

can someone give me some information about druid traditons, especially wood elven druids? any lore on druids would be helpful.

They like to linger on cushions in a street of stone in Cordor East.
I'll look something more useful up later.

I'm feeling lazy, so I'll not try to search for anything right now, but for those who do, keep in mind that 2.0 wood elves were called "Green elves".

The other day I got an idea into my head...
Has there ever been any instances of a drider following Eilistraee?

Does anyone ever know if this has happened in FR Cannon? Or are they just too mentally screwed from the horrible transformation?

This may or may not lead to a character concept (most likely not) depending on how plausible it is.

The Lore Question Thread

Who is online