#khelben arunsun

[candlekeep]

Transcript:

February 8, 2023

illuminatirob — Hello @Ed Greenwood! I am so happy to be here. I've been a heavy user of Candlekeep's forums over the years, and I have some questions that have been argued extensively, and I'd love to have the ultimate input on then I might be so fortunate?  (Even though, I may get flak over this, haha) Is Khelben evil? I ask the question from the lens of normative ethics, regarding his having taken the Scepter of the Sorcerer King, and giving it to Fzoul. The ensuing carnage and problems were extensive, and in light of them, and the fact that Khelben is one of the Master Harper's that came up with the code of the Harper's, how can he say he lived by those tenets and doing the right thing, with everything that came of his actions in the end? I mean no disrespect: I just love analyzing characters, and I've run through this a million times in my head. Khelben is one of my favorite characters ever. So compelling!

Ed Greenwood — Khelben is an "end justifies the means" person, who (like, say, James T. Kirk of STAR TREK fame) won't hesitate to break laws or rules to "win." He can be harsh and arrogant, too, as he believes he KNOWS the right end goal, and will push for it against the "blindly ignorant." Whereas most of the Seven believe it's not just what you do, or why, but HOW you do it; if you run roughshod over "little people" to forge a better kingdom for them, how are you better than the next tyrant? So Khelben can certainly be seen as evil. That's the thing about the Realms: everyone is a shade of gray. We watch their moral journeys in the novels, and lore, and adventures, and none of them are static. Elminster is generally nicer and more whimsical than straight-shooter Khelben, but also more sly. It takes all sorts to make (and mar) a world.

illuminatirob — Hey @Ed Greenwood, Thank you so very much for that answer, and right away too! I'm honored. I figured Khelben was a consequentialist, and I've had long debates about it, but this is great: thee answer. That's the most amazing thing about ethics: you're "good" in someone's book, and "evil" in another's, simply by the fact that the rules set is different for evaluating morality. Thank you!

Ed Greenwood — You're very welcome! Steven Schend "adopted" Khelben and has penned novels starring him, and he and I have discussed Khelben's character extensively over the years. One other thing to bear in mind: Mystra's Chosen are all very old, and "play the long game," and have suffered much grief, as they outlive kin, friends, and even the realms they grew up in; they're not sane by how we judge things. My Realms tales look at how power corrupts, and how long life claws at psyches, and so on. Khelben became a "hardcase" because it worked for him, to serve Mystra best; the ruthless manipulator and negotiator. Others took different paths.

– From the Greenwood’s Grotto Discord server.

Please support Ed Greenwood’s Patreon for Forgotten Realms lore! The Discord server is open to the public, however only patrons can ask Ed questions directly. Become a patron for as low as $3/month!

[galedekarios]

doth thy mirror crack?

so if you have gale interacting with mirrors, two of the three comments you get aren't anything overly special:

"looking magical, as always."

and:

"no harm reflecting on one's appearance."

they 'only' show that he's not particularly insecure about his looks.

the third comment, however, is interesting:

"'doth thy mirror crack?' apparently not."

which refers to this waterdhavian saying:

Early on in his learning of magic, the long-dead and locally famous first Lord (revered in Waterdeep for his role in establishing the city as it is today) Ahghairon said, "I am no wizard. I am a dabbler but no master of magic; it seems no mastery burns within me." These are famous words in Waterdeep, still known by most Waterdhavian children and all adults, and are oft referenced, as in the dry comment "No mastery blazing forth yet," or "A dabbler but no master, eh?" (Comments applied to skill trades and crafts, not just to magic use.) Tuezaera Hallowhand was a famous "lone cat" thief of Waterdeep in the 1200s DR who disappeared suddenly and is thought to have come to a violent end. She once robbed a wizard, and wrote this on his wall with a fingertip dipped in his favorite red wine: "I take things. You take freedom with your spells. Which of us is the greater thief?" This statement, too, is well remembered, and usually echoed in Waterdhavian speech by someone using the last (questioning) sentence of Tuezara's inscription.  Laeral, Lady Mage of Waterdeep for some years (when married to Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun), once publicly rebuked an overambitious wizard of the Watchful Order of Magists & Protectors thus: "If I hurl spells but think not of consequences, I am nothing. If I take lives but count not the cost, I am nothing. If I steal in the night and see not the faces of the devastated come morning, I am nothing. If I make decrees like a ruler but undertake none of the responsibilities of the throne, I am nothing. And if I do all these things in the name of the Watchful Order, I am less than nothing. Doth thy mirror crack?"  These scornful words are remembered and used almost daily in Waterdeep even a century later, though almost never as the full quotation. Rather, someone will ask scornfully, "Doth thy mirror crack?" or "Hurl but think not?" or "Take but not count cost? Be nothing, then!" [source: waterdeep: dragon heist]

[mumms-the-word]

Shadow Curse Events Pt. 1

Ketheric, Selûne, Shar, and Aylin

I’ve played through the game a few times at this point and I always find myself struggling to understand the timeline or at least order of events that occurred with the Shadow Curse. I know some things conflict because there was one version of the story in Early Access (the version where Halsin accidentally killed Isobel) and it was heavily altered for the final version of the game, and some things just got *gestures vaguely* waved away, but I keep wanting to make sense of it anyway.

So that’s what this post (edit: I mean series) is going to do. After the cut, obviously. Long deep dive post ahead! Picture of a tired Ketheric for attention and because same bro c':

TLDR: These events happen either in the 1370s or the 1390s. Ketheric loses Melodia (his wife) and Isobel (his daughter) and turns to Shar. He captures Aylin, then builds a Big Dark Justiciar Army, training them and forcing them to kill Aylin over and over. Meanwhile, a Selûnite resistance is brewing in the town, and it's kind of making everything worse. One Selûnite rebel even goes so far as to make a deal with a devil. And all of that is BEFORE the Harpers and druids arrive as an army.

We don’t have dates, unfortunately, aside from knowing that the shadow curse itself was unleashed about a century ago, so “timeline” would be a loose term to use if/when I use it. But I have two theories about when it happened.

One theory is that because the Spellplague was happening between 1385-1395 DR (during which there was neither a true Weave nor a Shadow Weave, which is what the shadow curse is made of), the shadow curse likely started around 1396-1399, just shy of a full 100 years before the game’s events in 1492. But that’s just me conjecturing based on the idea that if the Shadow Weave is gone…how does the shadow curse stick around? 

The other theory is that the shadow curse was unleashed sometime between 1371 and 1374. This is because a) Dark Justiciars were still being sent by Ketheric Thorm to destroy Moonhaven (the Blighted Village) in 1371 (Ketheric writes a letter about attacking Moonhave and a journal dated 1371 boasts that Ilyn Toth, the basement apothecary-necromancer dude, got killed by Dark Justiciars) and b) because Khelben Arunsun himself, the literal Blackstaff (super powerful and very old wizard), wrote a letter negotiating surrender on behalf of the Harpers.

We cannot be party to the suffering of the people of Reithwin, and indeed, of the great loss of life that this war will visit upon the Sword Coast - and, perhaps, beyond it. So it is written, and so let it be done, Khelben Arunsun, on behalf of the High Harper Council and its allies.

Wiki says Khelben broke his alliance with the Harpers in 1370 due to some disagreements, but it’s possible his splinter faction was at the battlefield with the other Harpers. I doubt he was there personally, but who knows. I wouldn’t go any earlier than 1371, though, because Baldur’s Gate II happens in 1369, and Jaheira would have been too busy dealing with those events to deal with Ketheric too. But it can’t be later than 1374,  because Khelben Arunsun dies in 1374.

(I have questions about how the shadow curse survived the Spellplague and the loss of the Shadow Weave, but the answer to that could simply be All Magic Was Weird and Unstable at the time…plus Thaniel was already in the Shadowfell by this time, so the land couldn't heal.)

So it’s either 1371-1374 (because of the Khelben timeline, and I guess the Spellplague didn’t affect it) or it’s 1396-1399 (because of the Spellplague, but the writers just forgot Khelben was dead by that point, or maybe his ghost wrote the surrender notice idk). Both are good enough for Halsin and Jaheira to talk about things happening “a century ago,” but you can see why I’m avoiding dates.

But let’s push it back a few more decades. Back when Ketheric was a Selûnite and Isobel a very small child.

As we’re probably all well aware, during this time, Ketheric worships Selûne along with his wife, Melodia. At some point, he even commissions the local Mason’s Guild to build Moonrise as a testament to Selûne herself, according to Morfred the mason (who you can talk to in House of Hope, it’s pretty cool). Ketheric and Melodia have Isobel, but then Melodia dies while Isobel is still pretty young. Ketheric remains a Selûnite, mostly for Isobel’s sake, until she dies too.

Ketheric: I’ll tell you a story, True Soul. About a man who sold himself piece by piece. He had…everything. A wonderful wife. A brilliant daughter. They lived not far from here. His wife died too young. Grief tore through their home like a thief, snatching away the scent of her hair, the rustle of her skirts. But the man did not break. He could not break. His daughter needed him whole, after all. She grew up—grew strong. Challenged him. Filled his heart with such joy it supplanted all sorrow. When she was killed, the man…he tried to remain whole, but it wasn’t possible. Do you understand? Player: So the man fell to pieces. Ketheric: The pain was unbearable. All-consuming. He decided he’d do anything for reprieve. First, he sold himself to the goddess of loss. But the pain did not subside, no matter his obscene feats of devotion. Then a new god came—a god who promised the man something wonderful: his daughter. Her life returned. Imagine it. He would have to give everything: his body and soul entire. He did not hesitate. Not for a moment.

We know this story. Ketheric turns to Shar and everything goes Very, Very Badly. But the exact details/order of Ketheric's Sharran days are a little hazy. So here's what I've been able to piece together to sate my own curiosity.

While Ketheric is still a faithful (but waning) Selûnite, Dame Aylin visits as an emissary of Selûne. Moonrise/Reithwin is a Selûnite refuge and the Thorms are allegedly devout favorites of the moon goddess, so it's a big deal. While she's there, she and Isobel fall in love. Ketheric disapproves, in part because Aylin is immortal and Isobel is not (Isobel and Aylin both say this in dialogue).

Plus, and this is a personal opinion, I think Ketheric might have seen Aylin's interest in Isobel as another thing Selûne was trying to take from him. It isn't enough that Selûne let Melodia die, now her daughter is trying to woo his daughter and take her too.

But then Isobel dies. Somehow. The launch version of the game isn’t clear how. Aylin mourns but Ketheric spirals. He turns to Shar, hoping she will force him to forget about Isobel, but he doesn't. Nevertheless, he becomes a zealous Sharran.

[A journal spanning years, beginning with the birth of a child and ending with what appears to be a series of dateless tragedies.] How can she be gone? Where did she go? The Moonmaiden cannot be so unfeeling - so cruel. Not toward her most devoted servant. Not after Melodia. It makes no sense. It makes no sense. I won't survive it. That much I know. Forgetting is the only possibility. The embrace of oblivion. The reprieve of nothingness. It would not be possible for a man to survive knowing what he knows. Knowing what can be lost. Shar understands that. Hers is the only mercy I can comprehend. My mind is full of holes - yet not enough. The emptiness. The time. The nothingness. And still I remember. Still I remember it all. There is no mercy in this beating heart. There is no mercy in life at all.

He builds the Gauntlet of Shar (or maybe renovates and Shar-ifies it, maybe it was already there) beneath the Thorm mausoleum, connecting it to the much more ancient Grymforge area. Grymforge becomes a kind of base or stronghold for the Justiciar army while the Gauntlet is designed to test their mettle and prepare them for the task that will make them official Dark Justiciars—killing Aylin, though it's not clear when Ketheric and Balthazar lure her into the Shadowfell.

I'll get back to that later.

We know that Grymforge was used as a Dark Justiciar stronghold and possible training ground because of all the Sharran stuff we find there. It's like super obvious. The feasthall room, the dormitories, the weapons that lay everywhere. There's basically a whole Sharran city in the Underdark beneath and near Reithwin, some of which we can see from various points in Grymforge. In fact, if you go through the poisoned room where Nere is, you can see the Gauntlet down below.

(It's a little hard to see here 'cause I play on console but there's a glimpse of the giant Shar statue that takes up a ton of space in the Gauntlet. Somehow, the two places used to connect.)

Ketheric's new Sharran teachings are ruthless and vicious. He encourages his Dark Justiciars to kill a Selûnite once a tenday or more as part of their training and service to the Lady of Loss.

The Law of Nightfall: From the moon falls the foulest of lights. iIt peeks through cracks and fissures, illuminating the most remote recesses of the Underdark. Light bestows hope, a pernicious notion which must be extinguished. At the darkest hour, pray to your Lady and feast in Her honour. The second day after, slay a disciple of Selûne. If none may be found, a Lathanderian or Mystran are an acceptable offering. Do this once a tenday, and the Lady of Loss shall know you.

Reithwin and the surrounding village soon become a hunting ground. Most people convert. Those who don't get hung in the square as examples (according to a shadow memory). All faithful Selûnites are forced to practice their devotion to the Moonmaiden in secret, led by Morfred the mason and his brother Halfred the innkeeper of Last Light Inn. Halfred hides Selûnite relics beneath Last Light (you can still find them) while Morfred plots a true resistance.

[Hidden amidst columns detailing the income and expenditure of a tavern is an aside, written in tiny, urgent handwriting.] I have concealed the sacred relics of our revered goddess in the darkest corner of this place. Morfred, my loyal brother, seeks to forge a network of allies to stand against the oppressive reign of Ketheric Thorm. Sadly, fear has gripped the hearts of many, turning them away from our cause. I cannot truly blame them, for trepidation fills my soul as well - but I must put aside my own fears and reunite with Morfred in the bowels of the Mason's Guild. Together, we shall preserve what we can of the Moonmaiden's light, and hope that the banners of the faithful soon rise against that treacherous dog, Thorm.

But as time goes on, Morfred grows increasingly distressed with the events happening in Reithwin and the ease with which people are eager to switch faiths.

- How quickly things change. The Thorms are Selûnite through and through - or so I believed. Perhaps Ketheric only converted for Melodia, and with her death - and then his daughter's - his faith died too. But to turn to Shar? It beggars belief. - Ketheric's Justiciars are growing greater in number, and more determined to rout out any traces of Selûne in Reithwin. Why do they think this town was built? One cannot rip out the foundations of a building and expect it to remain standing. - Brother and I remain the last two bastions of Our Lady of Silver in the town. A few - the trusting few - come to worship in secret by moonlit nights. Others - converts, all. Whether they truly believe, I cannot say. Impossible, isn't it?

(Don't worry, the second page is further down lol spoilers!)

Life is not going well in Reithwin, even if you're not a Selûnite. Ketheric is determined to destroy all traces of Selûne and treason of any kind. His Dark Justiciars begin tormenting citizens to reveal pockets of Selûnite resistance. He also suffers no treasonous word against him, even if the citizens in question aren't Selûnite. We see a glimpse of this and of the Justiciars' cruel influence during the questline with He Who Was and Madeline, who ratted out her friends' innocent(?) complaints about Ketheric to some Justiciars, resulting in their brutal deaths.

Eventually Morfred realizes that the Dark Justiciars are too powerful to resist and turns to Raphael, offering his soul in exchange for something to destroy the Dark Justiciar army.

- Sick of standing idle while Justiciars gain power in our humble town. What will become of us if we allow it? I met a man who was no man. Touched by a devil. Or maybe worse. But he offered me something I couldn't refuse - help. - The time is now. Ketheric's Justiciars, their stronghold in the temple below - they will be wiped out. All of them. I didn't ask how. I just want them gone. Let the Harpers have at Ketheric now. They'll make short work of him.

You can ask Morfred about this in the House of Hope, actually, where he confirms the details. I mean, he's in Raphael's house, so it's pretty obvious the he did, in fact, make a deal with him.

Infernal Mason: When tragedy came, my master fell into darkness and despair. He marshalled a great army to ruin the world and bring all into shadow. I could not let it happen. I sought out the devil Raphael and signed an infernal pact with him. He promised to destroy my master’s army, and I promised him my soul in return. The devil was true to his word. Fiends slaughtered my master’s forces, but he endured somehow, and blighted the land.

The Fiend in question here is Yurgir, who ends up crashing through Grymforge and the Gauntlet to kill all Dark Justiciars in his path. (He misses one, because Raphael is a sneaky bastard who let one get away by turning him into a swarm of rats, but I digress.) We know Yurgir caused the destruction in Grymforge, too, because of the Merregon masks and hellbeasts we find around the area, and the fact that if you pass all the checks with the Duergar mason examining the stone, he helps you piece together this narrative:

Stonemason Kith: An ancient city, hewn from the stone by the disciples of Shar, later abandoned. Untold centuries later, a new tribe revives it. Fresh walls, fresh sculptures...until a great hellbeast charges through, toppling the walls and crushing the people! Heh - that explains the infernal plate I found. Perhaps you might have use of it.

Further proof that Grymforge and the Gauntlet were once connected...somehow.

Anyway, by the time Yurgir is called in, Morfred's already been found out. Thisobald overhears him drunkenly complaining about Ketheric in the Waning Moon and informs Ketheric of his treachery. Ketheric orders a raid on the mason's guild, leaving Halfred the lone source of Selûnite resistance. It's unknown what becomes of Halfred, but considering the fact that the inn was still taking guests (like Art Cullagh) and housing the Harpers right before the shadow curse descended (there's a shadow memory of a Harper toasting his comrades in Last Light right before the battle with Ketheric long ago), it's likely he's a victim of the curse and not Justiciar brutality.

I’m not sure which is worse, honestly.

It's unclear when Morfred dies, though he admits to witnessing the first part of the shadow curse (i.e., "...but he endured somehow, and blighted the land"). But Morfred's deal coincides in some ways with the arrival of the Harpers and druids. I think he probably makes the deal with Raphael before the Harpers officially march against Ketheric and then gets caught after he hears rumors of the Harpers.

Raphael makes good on his deal around the same the Harpers arrive, perhaps a little afterward. This means Yurgir's slaughter of Justiciars in the Underdark must happen concurrently with the battle happening topside between Ketheric's army and the Harpers/druids, meaning Ketheric is losing his army on two fronts at the same time. Victory seems assured for the Harpers and druids, but of course we know now that Ketheric had a way of cheating death already in place.

He had already imprisoned the Nightsong in a Shadowfell soul cage.

Again, we’re not sure exactly when this happens, but it’s after Isobel dies and before the shadow curse, which unleashes with Ketheric’s supposed death in the battle against the Harpers and druids. However, Aylin herself says that Ketheric and Balthazar lured her into the Shadowfell under the pretense of saving an innocent.

Dame Aylin: He and his loathsome advisor Balthazar lured me into the Shadowfell, claimed they'd found someone in need of my aid. There they trapped me in their infernal cage. I was killed, murdered, made dead, over and over and over by Justiciars of every make and kind. I was reborn, for it is my nature. And Ketheric fed upon my immortality all the while.

This makes me think that Aylin wasn’t aware of Ketheric’s conversion yet, so it must have been very soon after, because otherwise, why would she trust a known Sharran telling her to enter the Shadowfell, the realm that is entirely under Shar’s control? I also suspect Ketheric built (or renovated) the Gauntlet around Aylin after her capture, perhaps at the behest of Shar due to their collaboration in making up new Justiciar teachings, or perhaps out of a sick, vengeful desire to see Aylin tormented for daring to love his daughter.

If this is true, then there’s a very real chance that Ketheric was unkillable before he truly started to torment Reithwin town, and well before the Harpers stepped in to take him down.

Anyway we at least know that Ketheric trapped Aylin in the Shadowfell before the big battle against the Harpers because a) both Isobel and Aylin talk about her being there for a century and b) because Ketheric is already using her invulnerability to survive assassination attempts on his life prior to or during the actual battle against him and his army:

23 Elient The Harpers came too close - they poisoned Father Ketheric himself, yet he professes no ill effects. Malus insists it a fluke. Doctor he may be, but he is no less a fool for it: Father has achieved that of which I can only dream: immortality. I have long suspected. I can guess Father's purpose, but I cannot fathom the means.

This brings us to the eve of the battle itself. But this post is already hella long, so keep an eye out for part 2, all about the Harper and druid battle against Ketheric!

[fallenbhaalspawn]

KETHERIC THORM: A CANONICAL ORDER OF EVENTS

A battle takes place around Reithwin: Sharrans vs. Selûnites and druids. Malus Thorm is on the side of the Sharrans. (986 DR)

Melodia Thorm dies when Isobel is very young and Ketheric begins raising Isobel as a Selûnite on Melodia’s behalf, presumably having been/becoming a less pious Selûnite himself.

Dame Aylin visits Reithwin/Moonrise Towers as an emissary of Selûne, Ketheric and Isobel are initially very honored. Around the same time, Isobel and Aylin fall in love. Ketheric disapproves due to the potential power imbalance.

Isobel is murdered and Squire, the family dog, dies attempting to protect her. Oddly, Selûne’s clergy cannot or will not resurrect her.

Ketheric, in his grief and believed betrayal, converts to Shar and, before anyone is aware of his conversion, captures Aylin and has Balthazar craft the Soul Cage, stealing her immortality for himself. This may be what earned him the rank of Shar’s Chosen. He begins converting his lands to Shar and training Dark Justiciars. (likely after 1367 DR)

After the events of BG2, the war between Harpers and Sharrans starts. (circa 1369/1370 DR)

Khelben Arunsun offers surrender on behalf of the Harpers. Ketheric declines. (1369/1370 DR)

Moonhaven is raided by Sharrans under Ketheric’s command. (circa 20 Nightal, 1371 DR) The Grymforge is under Ketheric's command by this point.

Presumably, the raid on Moonhaven and the Sharrans encroaching on the Emerald Enclave has the local Druids concerned and is likely what leads them to ally with the Harpers against Ketheric. (1371/1372 DR)

At some point, Morfred, the architect of Moonrise Towers, makes a deal with Raphael to destroy Ketheric’s army in exchange for his eternal service. Raphael has Yurgir hunt down and kill every Dark Justiciar (except for one, who makes a deal with Raphael to escape by turning into a swarm of rats.)

Ketheric Thorm is “killed” and locked away in the Thorm mausoleum, and the Shadow Curse is released across Moonrise, Reithwin, and surrounding areas.

Then, of course (at some point preceding Eleasis, 1492 DR, the starting date of BG3), Ketheric makes a deal with Myrkul to bring Isobel back in exchange for participating and leading in the Absolute plot.

Sources: (Moonhaven Logbook), (Dark Journal), (Logbook XII: 1371), (Letter of Surrender), (The Waning Moon: Consignments), (Mason’s Log), (Reithwin Necrology), (Ornate Letter), (dialogue from the Infernal Mason in the House of Hope), (dialogue from isobel at camp), (dialogue from Jaheira in the initial conversation about Ketheric), (dialogue from Dame Aylin), and general Forgotten Realms lore

[y-rhywbeth2]

Do drow have an equivalent of elven communion? I know they've got the chad-zak during pregnancy, but I was curious if there was anything outside that.

Ah, the question that plagues me. I personally know of no equivalent, and they certainly don't do regular communion. What I do wonder is if it's that they can't or don't. I don't have an answer for that, but I can babble and quote things to consider, I guess. First the 'short' answer:

I swear I've seen a High Magic ritual that can lift the banishment on a drow, though I can't seem to find it flipping through the sourcebooks (maybe I'm looking in the wrong one?) and turning an elf into a drow via high magic has been done three times since as a form of exile, which suggests the Descent locked them out. On the other hand, some drow can reverie, which suggests that the capability for communion is in there still.

On the topic of equivalents: drow apparently have a form of High Magic, although I don't really know anything about it so I'm not sure it utilises a form of communion the way regular High Magic does. It's also not an indication that drow normally experience an equivalent. If the chad-zak exists in realmslore then it might be a sign of some kind of twisted communion made by Lolth (it has been said that Corellon tied the dark elves' fate to her by making her the dark elven goddess of destiny back when she was called Araushnee, perhaps that formed a bond to her the way elves are normally tied to him). On the other hand it might just be unique exception like a half-elf being able to commune with a human child; a connection normally impossible but present due to the physical symbiosis.

And then me babbling about what communion and the bindings of the elven spirit is for anybody who doesn't know the details, with a side about how generic DnD lore isn't 100% reflective of what realmslore is:

Elves seem to have some sort of mental link between them [... allowing] another elf to project his mind into another's and the two share thoughts on some level. The closeness of elven communities comes from this habitual sharings of minds, and the elves do not understand other races without this ability, for they cannot conceive of being totally alone in one's own head. Apparently, elves look forward to sharing their thoughts with others and do it either directly or in "reverie" - Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves

Communion's a tricky thing, considering it was introduced in the Complete Book of Elves which is... uh, infamous for being the Complete Book of Elves. Still, communion made it into published Realms canon so it is canon and the stuff it says somewhat relevant. Worth noting that the former states half-elves can't enter communion, but then Ed Greenwood goes 'nope, they can.' Technically dnd rules do kind of support that since a half-elf counts as an elf for magical conditions that specify elves. Then, again, dnd canon has said that half-elves will only ever produce half-elven or human offspring and realmslore canonically said, multiple times, 'nah, a half-elf and an elf make an elf, actually.' Plus the thing with child names where an elf isn't named and picks a name as an adult (this custom fell out of use with the Tel'Quessir long ago, it was antiquated back in the times of Myth Drannor when Khelben Arunsun's dad pulled it out and decided he could name himself. Nowadays your parent gives you a name at birth).

As usual, what generic DnD might say about things doesn't necessarily apply to a specific DnD setting. As such I'm not sure the foetal murder orgasms exist in realmslore either, but who knows.

Negative feelings and isolation damage an elf's ability to commune, as Araushnee herself discovered when Malar had to tell her there were elves on a particular world because she was slowly poisoning her own spirit and couldn't feel her own people anymore. Not that murder and scheming and hating has stopped surface elves from being capable of it, but the deliberate attack on the dark elven mental health and sense of community ingrained on them from birth by Lolth is built to cut them off like her.

Corruptive forces also cut elves off from their elfiness. Such as Shadow Magic did to the elf Galaeron Nihmedu, taking his ability to reverie or sense the bonds between himself and his family. I suspect the Faerzress, Lolth's divine magic, fucking around with demons and such, plus the fact that Vhaeraunites utilise shadow magic can have a similar effect, and in total the dark elves feel like this to other elves (and probably each other):

“I want only to be certain this one is who he claims. There is a darkness in him I do not trust, and I would know if you will vouchsafe his conduct, and that of his friends.” The light faded from Morgwais’s face. “A darkness, you say?” She took Galaeron’s hand, then looked past his shoulder. Her gaze grew unfocused, as it would during the Reverie, and a single furrow appeared in her unblemished brow. She remained that way for several moments, then finally opened her eyes and nodded. “It’s true. You seem lost to me, child. It is as though you are…” She started to look away as though embarrassed, then hesitated and forced herself to look back. “It feels as though you are asleep.” 'The comment struck Galaeron like a blow, and he realized with a start that he did not feel the other elves either. The absence had seemed normal enough during his travels with the humans, especially given his trouble falling into the Reverie, but he should have sensed other elves as they traveled deeper into the High Forest. Instead, there had been nothing - no sense of welcome, no warmth, no safety. He had felt nothing - nothing but the anger and jealousy he had experienced upon seeing his mother on Elminster’s lap.' - The Summoning

Green elven polyamory aside, taking it personally when your mother is banging Elminster instead of your father isn't worthwhile. Just Elminster doing Elminster things.

(Slightly off topic, but this is also why I'm sceptical Astarion can still commune, since undeath almost certainly qualifies as corruptive dark magics.)

Off the bat, most drow are not going to be able to pull this off. It has benefits that would be useful (enough communing forges a bond between elves, allowing them such an unspoken understanding of each other to fight in perfect synch, and while communing elves are difficult to discover if you're looking for them). But they're too stressed to accomplish reverie they're certainly not going to accomplish this:

'All elves have the inborn ability to share their experiences, their feelings, and their lives with those elves they love or trust implicitly. This sharing, called communion, can only be undertaken by fully willing elves.' [Even the slightest hint of reluctance makes communion impossible.] 'Communion requires all elves involved (to a maximum of four) to be in a state of total relaxation. They must be in a place of peace, preferably where the world is not likely to intrude with its troubles and its cares. A natural surrounding works best for this operation. 'Communion requires the participating elves to be totally serene, thinking only of the others in this most intimate bond. (Thus, communion is not an effective method of relaying messages of any urgency.) All the elves must free themselves of judgments and prejudices about the others, which may take some time. Indeed, some communions have been known to take a fortnight or more merely in preparation for the bonding. 'When the participants have sufficiently calmed and retreated from the rigors of the world, they lightly touch palm to palm, finger to finger. They open their minds to the others, freely and completely joining together; if even a tiny reservation remains, the bond fails. During communion, the elves explore all the facets of the others' personality—the loves, hatreds, hopes, and fears. 'While in this trance, communing elves are totally vulnerable to anything that might happen to them physically for they cannot defend themselves against any attacks while communing. Mentally they are even more vulnerable to attack, saving at -4 against most mental attacks, for their minds are totally unguarded.' - The Complete Book of Elves

Lolth works hard at beating this wishy-washy stuff out of you.

I like to think they're capable of communing when they're safe and healthy, personally.

[jhamkul]

Mantle of Mystra’s Chosen

Wondrous item, Legendary (requires attunement by a spellcaster)

A magical mantle worn only by Mystra’s favorites that bestows the abilty to manipulate the ancient power of Silver Fire. These elegant garments made of deep blue silk, adorned with silver thread, bear the sigil of Mystra, a seven-pointed star, shines at the chest. This mantle was once donned by Khelben Arunsun, the first Blackstaff of Waterdeep.

—————

Thank you very much for checking out this new creation! If you want to see more of my content, feel free to visit my Instagram, where I ask for advice, post teasers, and you can vote for my future posts.

[vvozzy]

Tharliss of Silverymoon

Wild mage sorcerer who was such a rebel teenager that Khelben 'Blackstaff' Arunsun himself terminated her apprenticeship

[ofweave]

khelben arunsun????

[lettiecassie]

No but this is so funny because Elminster wasn't the Blackstaff he was the Warden of Waterdeep at the time of BG3, the Blackstaff was Vajra Safhar the youngest to hold the position and was the lover of the previous Blackstaff, Samark Dhanzscul, and has a lot of doubts about being inexperienced, especially compared to Elminster and the Open Lord of Waterdeep Laerel Silverhand (who is over 800 years old) which parallels Gale's story so well BUT ALSO she's more powerful than Gale and the Blackstaff is sentient cause its filled with the souls of every past Blackstaff.

The only possible way that Gale of Waterdeep stole the Blackstaff is because Vajra Safahr wanted to annoy Elminster, and the personality of Khelben Arunsun, the creator of the Blackstaff and its dominant spirit, agrees.

Teen Gale stealing the blackstaff right under the nose of Elminster (with the complicity of Tara)

I was inspired by the amazing @lowrifaberart and their young version of Gale :)

[christinethalassinou]

Khelben Arunsun’s description in this book: * is such a nerdy mage boy that he's the very last person you'd think can ever get a proper girlfriend * Khelben Arunsun in the Forgotten Realms novels: * in fact has a drop dead gorgeous girlfriend and one of the few people in Waterdeep who can even claim to have a long-term, working and happy relationship * If I ever happen to write something in this fandom, with Khelben (which I’m absolutely planning to), I’m gonna go with the novels’ interpretation xD

[sageadvicednd]

Khelben Arunsun the Younger and Zelphar Arunsun were not related to Laeral, correct?

Khelben Arunsun the Younger and Zelphar Arunsun were not related to Laeral, correct?

Hi again 🙂 I have so many question that may help me in game. Khelben Arunsun the Younger and Zelphar Arunsun were not related to Laeral, correct? I read that when Younger went planeriding, Khelben the Elder took his place – did they look similar or was it magic? Correct: Khelben Arunsun the Younger and Zelphar Arunsun were not blood-related.Khelben the Elder and Khelben the Younger looked…

[musezieren]

Oh, this was a mistake. A horrible one... he probably should just have asked Astarion to break in and get that damn book, too. But no, he had tried to act like an honorable teacher of the best magic academy... he would not do that again.

“I just thought you forgot to read, considering that you do nothing with all the knowledge you hoard!” a shrug, and arms crossed loosely in front of the archmage’s chest.

What was a make-belief-king to a man that had made love to a Goddess? Then disappointed her and then befriended her again to become her Chosen once more. Not much, but a mortal fool.

For a second, he imagined to just punch the man. As gratifying as magic was, that’d most likely be even more fun... maybe he’d ask Lae’zel for some punching training... or visit hell to ask Karlach. Was it worth to travel planes just to learn how to punch a smug wizard? In that very moment, it felt like an actual genius plan.

“The second part of Khelben Arunsun’s Beauty of Illusions. My students actually enjoyed the first part. And it is an ATROCITY that a book of the Blackstaff is not at his own academy in the first place...” Gale was about to go into a long tirade about why and how. But actually shut his mouth instead.

“We, of course, would offer some other book as a trade offer... I might even open up my personal library...” the last sentence was spoken with a face like he had bitten into an especially sour lemon.

“I have a few ones of Elminster... with personal notes by him...”

Lorroakan took his time before acknowledging him, meticulously jotting down some notes with his quill ; he then allowed the ink to set for a moment, closed the book and neatly set it aside.

Then, finally, he looked at the oher wizard —— as though Gale was a mere peasant who was kindly granted an audience with a 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆. Lorroakan gestured for Gale to have a seat before his desk, his smile faux polite.

"20 letters, you say? My apologies, I must have missed your desperate attempts to get my attention amidst the more pressing matters of my day," he drawled. Taunting. Arrogant.

This was clearly very gratifying for him.

"One might assume that even the densest individual could understand my silence as a 'no,' but perhaps in Waterdeep, customs differ."

He paused, reclining in his chair ( truly, he sat there as if it were a THRONE ) and made a dismissive wave with his hand.

"However, I couldn't possibly send the illustrious Gale Dekarios away empty-handed, considering his efforts to come and see me." His tone was oh so benevolent and laced with smug self-satisfaction. "Which book was it you needed again~?"

[jaysterg5]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons #20

Writer - Dan Mishkin

Art - Jan Duursema & Rick Magyar

Cover - Jan Duursema

“Phases of the Moon” Part 2

The mysteries surrounding the goddess Selune deepen when during a party at Castle Waterdeep, a group of armed men attack her in the name of Shar, the Goddess of Darkness. Kyriani has a confrontation with Selune about her abduction of Luna, only to have it descend into spell-slinging - and Kyriani doesn’t come out on top of that one.  But what happens if Shar discovers that Luna is the real Moon Goddess?

The issue starts with a lot of humor at the expense of the  Waterdeep nobility.  Kyri’s date isn’t the brightest of noble fops, and several lines of dialogue are devoted to making fun of him - it got a few good giggles out of me, and it was nice to see some outright humor in the issue.  The rest of the issue takes on a more serious tone during Kyri’s meeting with Selune and some other more clandestine conversations with the likes of Lord Piergeiron and Khelben Arunsun.  it’s always nice to see some of Waterdeep’s elite make appearances in the comic. Furthermore, the story delves deeper into the pantheon of the Forgotten Realms, not only relating the rivalry between Selune and Shar, but detailing the creation of the pantheon and some of the rules the gods are supposed to adhere to.  it’s all a great inclusion for fans of the game world and serves to cement the story in the greater D&D continuity.  

Kyriani meets up with some new characters at the end of the issue, whom we haven’t seen before, but she seems very familiar with.  One of them is a barbarian whom she seems particularly close to, but his companions remain mysterious at this point - but they do seem to have flying horses, or at least horses that have had Fly cast on them. Should be interesting to learn more about these guys in future issues.  The regular cast, particularly Onyx, seem a bit put off by them as well.

Duursema and Magyar take another step forward in their collaboration this issue.  The total artwork package is really developing well.  There aren’t a lot of monsters or fights in this issue, so they have to move the story quietly and do a fantastic job.  The characters have a definition that we didn’t see in early issues, and the expressions and poses are very well done and natural.  Love seeing this team come together so nicely.

A solid chapter that moves the story along nicely and introduces new, intriguing elements to keep readers engaged.  Fun story in a fun series.

[illidqn]

Wishlist

[Dominaria][Thran Civil War][-4795 AR]

Dyfed, Mistress of Portals (Planeswalker)

Xod, Thran Healer

[Dominaria][Antiquities War][63 AR]

Ratepe, Son of Mideah

[Dominaria][Dark Age][64 AR - 450 AR]

Barl, Artificer of the Conclave

Jherana Rure, Commander of the Order

Maeveen O’Donagh

Oliver Farrel, Icatian Priest

Vervamon, the Elder

[Dominaria][Ice Age][450 AR - 2934 AR]

Avram Garrison

Gerda Äagesdotter

Gustha Ebbasdotter

Hurn of Clan Pearl

Jason Carthalion

Leshrac, Walker of Night (Planeswalker)

Miko, King of Storgard

[Dominaria][Legends][3000 AR - 4150 AR]

Adira Strongheart

Johan, Tyrant of Tirras (Version 2)

Jorgan Hage, Ærathi Berserker

Kolo Meha, Bogarden Seismicmage

[Dominaria][Planeswalker War][4195 AR]

Adam Carthalion

Altair of Coloni, White Mage (Planeswalker)

Caliphear, the Nightmare

Embereck, Ash Warlord (Planeswalker)

Faralyn of the Shard (Planeswalker)

Grenfell Mor of Golthonor (Planeswalker)

Gull, Woodcutter

Liana of Minorad (Planeswalker)

Ravidel, the Battlemage (Planeswalker)

Sandruu (Planeswalker)

Valthus, Segovian Leviathan

[Dominaria][Nine Titans][4205 AR]

Bo Levar, Interplanar Smuggler (Planeswalker)

Daria of Ulgrotha (Planeswalker)

Kristina of the Woods (Planeswalker)

Taysir of Rabiah (Planeswalker)

[Dominaria]

Afari, Jamuraan Writer

Agnate and Thaddeus

Astor the Upstar

Averru, Mightiest Numena

Crovax of Windgrace (Version 3)

Fiers, God of Dwarves (Legendary Enchantment Creature — Dwarf)

Gaea, Dominaria’s Protector (Legendary Enchantment Creature — Elemental)

Gatha, Keld Researcher

Gherridarigaaz, Shivan Dragon

Grizzlegom, Hurloon Minotaur

Karona, Dominaria’s Avatar (Version 2)

Kreig, Witch King of Keld

Kuberr, God of the Cabal

Lady Ana

Lowallyn, Lord of Hidden Waters

Lyna, Emissary of the Soltari

Nivea, Ixidor’s Lover

Orim, Weatherlight Healer (Version 2)

Skellum, Dementia Master

Tymolin Loneglade

Unnamed demonic leviathan (Planeswalker)

Vincent, Lord of the Pit

Zagorka and Chester

[Alara]

Asha, Bant Hero

Crucius, the Mad

Sifa Grent of Grixis (Planeswalker)

[Amonkhet]

Nakht, Acolyte of Tah-Crop

[Eldraine]

Corliss the Wanderer

Marawen, Barrow Witch

Princess Hazel Kenrith

Syr Alora

Syr Bragi

Syr Branigan

Syr Grenphir

Syr Layne

Syr Roki

Syr Tasdale

[Forgotten Realms]

Artemis Entreri

Jarlaxle of the Bregan D'aerthe

Khelben Arunsun, The Blackstaff

Regis of Lonelywood

[Innistrad]

Uta Falkenrath

[Ixalan]

Aclazotz, Bat God of the Night

Adrian Adanto of Luijo

Belligerant, Vraska's Ship (Legendary Artifact — Vehicle)

Captain Brandis Thorn

Captain Parrish

Emperor Apatzec Intli III

Itzama, the Crested

Ixalli, the Verdant Sun

Kinjalli, the Wakening Sun

Queen Miralda, the Pious

Tilonalli, the Burning Sun

[Kaladesh]

Vatti, Shadowblayde

[Kamigawa]

O-Kagachi, the Great Old Serpent (Version 2)

Snow-Fur, Kitsune Poet

Urami (Token)

[Lorwyn-Shadowmoor]

Illulia of Nighthearth

[Mercadia]

The Magistrate

[Mirrodin]

Kaldra (Token)

Ushanti, Leonin Seer

[New Phyrexia]

Azax-Azog, Demon Thane

Kraynox, Deep Thane

Roxith, Thane of Rot

Thrissik, Writhing Thane

[Phyrexia]

Abcal-dro, the Overseer

Croag of Phyrexia

Kirril, Phyrexian Priest

Sitrik, Birth Priest

Yawgmoth, Father of Machines (Legendary Enchantment Creature — God Horror) (Version 2)

[Rath]

Davvol, First Evincar

Predator, Scourge of Skyshroud (Legendary Artifact — Vehicle) (Version 2)

Takara en-Dal

[Ravnica]

Araithia Shokta

Azor, Parun (Planeswalker) (Version 2)

Bori Andon

Cisarzim, the Lord of Chaos

Damir, Voidwielder

Kallist Rhoka, Blademaster

Mat’Selesnya, Parun

Ritjit, Ogre Jailbreaker

Ruzi and Kuma

Senka, Stealer of Secrets

Simic, Parun

Svogthir, Parun

The Cozen

Unknown, Lotleth Troll

[Shandalar]

Bani Bakur of Ardestan

Kenan Sahrmal (Planeswalker)

[Tarkir]

Arel, the Whisperer

Gvar Barzeel, Krumar Commander

[Theros]

Agnomakhos, Archon Tyrant

Perisophia, the Philosopher

Unnamed third Titan

Unnamed fourth Titan

[Ulgrotha]

Feroz, Ulgrotha’s Protector (Planeswalker)

[Zendikar]

Turi

[Multiverse]

Baltrice of the Consortium (Planeswalker)

Ramaz, Shamanic Human (Planeswalker)

The Unluckiest (Planeswalker)

Unnamed creator of Phyrexia (Planeswalker)

Zul Ashur, Lich Lord

[Un-iverse]

Bucky, Flavor Text Writer

Mel, Mechanic Player

[artemis-entreri]

Something that will make entreri laugh happens right across the street from him

One fine Waterdhavian night, Artemis Entreri happens to glance out of the window of his rented room to behold an unexpected sight. Across the broad, stone-paved street, he spots a familiar wide-brimmed hat, which clearly marks the identity of its owner even when the owner’s face couldn’t, buried as it was in the ample bosom of none other than Laeral Silverhand. From the way that the brightly-clad individual’s foot and hands are still raised, as well as the aghast expression on the lady’s face, the assassin surmises easily enough what had transpired just heartbeats before.

He allows a single snort of laughter to escape him. The world-wise man had heard that the legendary Blackstaff and husband of Lady Silverhand, Khelben Arunsun, was long deceased, but mages of that caliber always seem to have a way of cheating death. Furthermore, the Open Lord of Waterdeep has no small reputation to her name either.

Entreri almost feels a shred of pity for Jarlaxle… almost.

[recitedemise]

Gone are the days of stumbling on ransacked libraries. Now, come the dazzling halls of this illustrious school. Everywhere, those grandeurs of Blackstaff Academy--imposing, really, as though the mind to stand daunting is baked in its stone--looms in their majesty like the tallest of trees. Magic hums everywhere, the mortar both ancient and whispering with spell. There's both magnificence in bounds and opulence in knowledge, and it is so far removed from those toils of their journey...for had he mud on his boots, it certainly knows. It wears Caleb oddly; it settles much too loose. But when he opens the door for an audience with one Dekarios, Gale, perking up, looks much at home.

Caleb eyes him as though he little belongs here--but Gale, grinning, is glad he's come. "Acceptable is a peculiar word for a man whose very name's become practically hallowed. You're spoken of in the likeness of Khelben Arunsun himself. Had I not known any better, I'd have thought eternal slumber grew entirely tiresome." Oh? Catching himself, Gale lowers his quill, color blooming hot and hidden about his chest. "I may or may not have shared several stories in your name, but none that aren't explicitly deserved. Where you may label a share of them perhaps considerably embellished, I should remind you that you've yet to see yourself from where I stand. That said, acceptable is a word that is far too trifling. There is no day that my students have looked forward to more."

Is Mr. Widogast coming now?! Oh, well, what about tomorrow?!

Gale, you've really ought to stop mooning over this guest lecturer of yours. Eilfiel drank her tea. I'd sooner believe you intend to simply show off your husband.

Startling at the memory, Gale lunges as though burned from his seat. "Those aren't nerves I hear, are they?"

For @recitedemise

The halls of Blackstaff Academy loom before Caleb, grand and imposing. He couldn't help but feel small in comparison to the elegant architecture and ornate decorations—just as his wizard companion describes it. No longer a filthy traveler on the outside, his worn coat and rough exterior replaced by clean clothes and a groomed appearance. But inside, Caleb still feels like the same dirty street urchin, out of place among the brilliant, sophisticated students and professors who roam these foyers. He attempts to shake off feelings of inadequacy as he makes his way to Gale’s office, marble floors gleaming beneath his boots, reflecting the light from elaborate windows along the walls. The scent of freshly cut flowers mixed with the faint aroma of old books lingers.

Gale’s office is slightly less intimidating, he thinks.

It exudes a charming and cozy atmosphere, a true reflection of his dearest friend’s personality. Bookshelves line the walls, overflowing with books and notes organized into neat piles. Being here, in a place of higher education such as Blackstaff, is equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. In his younger days, Caleb had reveled in the joys of schooling, though they were short-lived before Ikithon plucked him away. But now...after everything he has been through, a small voice of doubt whispers into his mind and once bright eyes eternally hold a hint of sadness, a far cry from the exuberance of his youth. "And you're certain it's acceptable to invite me here?"