241

Feedback and Bugs / Re: [Bug] Shipyard innkeeper

« on: June 30, 2018, 03:11:49 am »

yeah, I forgot to put a merchant and convo on him.

Thanks for reminding me

242

Netherese Library / Re: Feature Book of the Month

« on: June 30, 2018, 02:37:25 am »

Of late I have had many new adventures seeking information on creatures they may encounter in the area, the forests under Valstiir and near the resource settlement of Hadrian.

This month I seek submissions on this in book form.

Rewards still on offer for any submissions to the library.

Albert Pendragon, Master Librarian

243

Netherese Library / Re: Technical contribution to the Library of Vastir.

« on: June 30, 2018, 02:31:10 am »

Thinking we need a Lore/Resource section for these books.

Well done

Albert Pendragon, Master Librarian

244

Netherese Library / Re: Contribution sent to the library of Vastiir

« on: June 30, 2018, 02:29:25 am »

We welcome new authors and their contributions to the Library.

Might need a Fiction/story section along with a Lore/resource for these books you are supplying.

Albert Pendragon, Master Librarian

245

Netherese Library / Re: Research about the Arcane Bow (Xtina request)

« on: June 23, 2018, 07:43:17 am »

The Librarian proves a book in the form of a tale ... named 'The Heartbow'

The story goes on to say, that arcane energy is stored with a heart-shaped gem in the bow and then transferred to the arrows as it is released.

246

Netherese Library / Re: Feature Book of the Month

« on: June 23, 2018, 06:39:16 am »

Book of the Month ...

An Enchanting Encounter
From Celebrithrade Dedralein
'In Elvish'

In honor of the official opening of the Elven wing within the Valstiir Library.

I look forward to more books and stories to the library.

Albert Pendragon, Master Librarian

247

Netherese Library / Re: Feature Book of the Month

« on: June 22, 2018, 11:10:53 am »

//I will get on this over the weekend

Anymore books out there?

Changing to Book of the Month

Thanks

248

Netherese Library / Re: Contribution sent to the library of Vastiir

« on: June 17, 2018, 09:46:06 am »

* The Librarian sits down with the latest contributions over a cup of tea *

// keep them coming in

249

Netherese Library / Re: Feature Book of the Month

« on: June 15, 2018, 12:06:27 pm »

Submissions of this month's book are closing soon ...

Get writing for prizes and rewards

The Librarian
Albert Pendragon

250

Netherese Library / Re: Contribution sent to the library of Vastiir

« on: June 11, 2018, 09:10:10 am »

My dear Relic Hunter,

I hope you enjoyed your tea.

If you would like, I have an offer for you. I have a spare office in the Library, would you be interested?

A place for you to reflex on your current and future works of art.

Albert Pendragon, Master Librarian

251

Netherese Library / Re: Stories, Tales and Events

« on: June 10, 2018, 04:33:27 am »

We have been lucky to acquire some Lore books from the Elven town of Nualla'n.

The Library wishes to thank their efforts and these books have been added to the ever-growing resource that is the Valstiir Library.

Albert Pendragon, Master Librarian

252

Netherese Library / Re: The Library

« on: June 10, 2018, 04:25:52 am »

The Crown Wars: A Dissenting Opinion

Spoiler

By Celebrithrade Dedralein

***

We of Elvenkind are taught from a young age about the Crown Wars. About how Corellon, patron of the sun elves, and his wife Sehanine, patron of the moon elves, fought bravely to rid the world of the evil dark elves and their patron, Lolth.

What is *conveniently* left out of our teachings was the failure of our race to avoid bringing about our own ruin.

The factors that caused the Crown Wars were not merely developed over a single lifetime. They were habits and symptoms of problems that grew over many, many generations. Culling the weak, enslaving other races, partaking in magic rituals that drove members of their society to the brink of insanity… These were things that were known well before then. And yet, rather than try and right their course and bring them back into the light, we left them to do what they wished because it *wasn’t* our problem.

But it eventually *became* our problem.

I love Corellon and Sehanine with all my heart, I do. And I more than anyone knows that the Ritual of Banishment was necessary to avoid the outright destruction of the elves. My ancestor, Lillian, was willing to give her life for the cause, after all.

However… I can’t help but wonder why it was forced to come to this.

Despite my best efforts, I am unable to find conclusive evidence that a formal attempt was ever made by the other elven races to bring their brothers and sisters of the dark into the light. Instead, they left them on their own, knowing full well what they were doing wasn’t right. This inaction is, in my opinion, one of the biggest blunders of elvenkind.

We weren’t just forced to kill our brothers and sisters. No, the fate that Corellon gave them was far worse than death. Banishing them to the Underdark, to live in eternal darkness and isolation… Could that fate have really been warranted?

I know that many elves are quick to forget and write off the dark elves as our siblings, but I can’t help but feel that we are responsible for their fates. Perhaps there is something that can be done now to mend the rift that has been between our peoples for centuries… I have heard rumors of Drow sightings near Hadrian. Perhaps, if I can meet one face to face, I can talk to them, see if I can fix our broken relationship…

I can't bear the thought of continuing this feud any longer. Siblings can’t just give up on each other. At least, that’s what I believe. I will make it my goal to find a way to repair our relationship and undo what has been done to them. There’s always a way… I just have to find it.

253

Netherese Library / Re: The Library

« on: June 10, 2018, 04:24:31 am »

Moon Elves: A History

Spoiler

Moon elves, also known as Teu-tel-quessir in their own language, or as silver elves were the most common of all the elven races at one point in time. More tolerant of humans than other elves, moon elves were the ancestors of most half-elves. They were considered high elves and among the eladrin.

Like all elves, the Teu-tel-quessir were tall, close to humans in height, but more slender and beautiful. Moon elf skin was pale, often with an icy blue hue. Moon elf hair was commonly black, blue, or silvery white, although human-like colors were heard of as well, though very rare. Moon elf eyes, like those of other elves, were very commonly green, although some were blue as well. All exhibit a characteristic best described as golden flecks speckled through the iris.

Of all the elven races, moon elves were the most impulsive, with a strong distaste for complacency or isolation, which can be contributed to the influence that their patron, Sehanine, had on them. Moon elves long to be on the road, traveling and exploring the untamed wilderness that lies between cities and nations. This Extroverted quality was part of the reason why moon elves get along uncommonly well with other races. Moon elves, rather than feeling that interaction outside of their race diminishes or weakens them, believe that interacting with other races, humans in particular, was the best way to spread the values of the Tel-quessir races, thereby strengthening their culture.

Moon elven society was often loosely organized and few moon elves stay in one place for more than a season or two, preferring a nomadic lifestyle. Moon elves were generally comfortable living amongst other elves, particularly sun elves, as well as elves, gnomes, humans, or halflings. Most moon elves organize themselves into groups of a dozen extended families or so, each ruled democratically, although often with de facto leaders whose say holds more weight than anyone else's, an individual most often respected for either their age or their martial skill. Wherever they live, moon elves were unassuming, with homes just as humble.

Generally, moon elves take things with little gravity, taking joy in the simple things of life, a trend which their music and art reflect, which were more often joyous than solemn. Moon elves were themselves very fond of art and have both a strong bardic tradition and a history of painting and sculpting. For entertainment moon elves prefer to gamble, taking little risks as part of the fun. Similarly, drinking and revealing was an important part of moon elven culture.

Moon elves were fond of keeping pets, in particular such animals as cats, dogs, falcons, or other hunting partners. Many also form close bond with self-aware creatures, such as blink dogs, pegasi, unicorns, or dragons. However, most moon elves do not keep mounts, feeling it important to walk on their own two feet.

Moon elves were uncommonly tolerant of non-elves, spending as much time within other races' lands as they do within their own. While sun elves might wrinkle their nose at other cultures as inferior, moon elves typically feel that the diversity of Faerûn's landscape was wondrously enchanting. To a moon elf, the insights that non-elves often have wasa strength that others of their race too often ignore. Rather than shunning outside ideas, most moon elves embrace them and make them a part of their own culture, which often causes other elves to look down on the subrace.

The reason why their openness was frowned upon by some elves was because they believe that their Moon brethren were too open and kind-hearted to the N-Tel-Quess, thus making it seem a foolish attempt. The Sun elves have strived to help the Moon elves to try to return to the proper elven path with very stern lectures and strict fatherly advice by trying to make them look down on the N-Tel-Quess as inferior, but for a Moon Elf, these actions were nothing but a tactical weakness and therefore were a silly way to alienate themselves from every other race they encounter.

However, while moon elves commonly demonstrate a willingness to accept other cultures’ traditions and ideas they generally have little tolerance for cruelty, making them natural enemies of most orcs and gnolls. Likewise, most moon elves shwere their kin’s open hostility towards drow.

However, no known moon elven realms have survived into the modern age. Along with their sun elf brothers and sisters, they were given the salvation of travelling to Arborea to serve Sehanine in the Realm of the Celestial Sea after their decline in numbers due to continued onslaughts by their enemies. However, it is worth noting that there have been numerous claims over the years of adventurers wandering the deep woods to encounter a moon elf, oftentimes when they are in grave danger and in need of rescue. These reports have yet to be confirmed, however.

254

Netherese Library / Re: The Library

« on: June 10, 2018, 04:23:23 am »

Sun Elves: A history

Spoiler

By Celebrithrade Dedralein

The sun elves, were among the founding members of the Tel-Quessir and were born from the great deeds of Corellon, who is considered the first true Sun Elf. They were of similar height and stature to present day elves, but with bronze-colored skin and hair most often of copper, golden blonde, black, and in rare occasions, red. They also were gifted with green or golden eyes for the most part, though other colors have been recorded as well.

Sun elves were considered to be of a superior race to the present day elves, though whether that belief originates from scholars or from the Sun Elves themselves is a mystery. However, it is undeniable that they are also considered to be the first of the Eladrin to exist in the mortal plane.

Sun elves were firmly of the belief that they stood as the sole protectors and inheritors of Corellon's legacy. Patient and deliberate in most of what they did, they demonstrated an orderly nature uncommon to most present-day elves. Nearly all Sun Elves trained in martial combat, regardless of their skillset due to the ongoing conflicts they found themselves in.

Unlike most elves, sun elves organized their society along firm and hierarchical traditions. Communities were typically run by members of an esteemed nobility, some of whom could trace their ancestry all the way back to the First Crown War. There was a difference, however, between sun elven and human monarchy and where a human king typically accumulated influence through the ownership of land or command of soldiers, a sun elf noble commanded authority through the prestige of their family name or the magical power they held at their behest, a power they often demonstrated through the grandeur of their home.

Sun elves were less motivated to become adventurers than their wandering moon elven brethren and preferred, for the most part, to keep to themselves. Those who were driven into the world to forge a path among the other races often did so as spies or scouts on the behalf of their people, or perhaps as vigilant watchmen against possible threats. Others might be drawn to adventure by a desire to explore the ancient ruins of the world and learn from their secrets, bringing back lost secrets of magic and power to their people.

The sun elven qualities of patience and haughtiness often both demonstrated themselves in sun elf art. Sun elven architecture, while undeniably beautiful in most cases, was often flashier than what other elves commonly built, a quality in part due to the fact that sun elves would accept nothing short of perfection, working tirelessly in their art to constantly raise the aesthetic bar. Sun elf art, poetry, music — all of these demonstrated a regal attitude that had come to be closely associated with sun elven tastes. To a sun elf, the grander a piece the better, with heroic ballads or tragic epics the preferred form of literature amongst the subrace. Sun elves loved and enjoyed learning, perhaps even to a point that others might find surprising. Nearly all sun elves had access to a private store of knowledge and no self-respecting sun elf lacked the capacity to read or write.

Sun elves had a high opinion of themselves, even in comparison with the moon elves, and as a race felt that they were the chosen people of Corellon himself, selected to protect the traditions and culture of the Tel-quessir. They were created in conjunction with their Moon-Elf sisters and brothers by Sehanine, though that shared identity often became lost in their differences. But in spite of this, most sun elves did feel an affection for their brethren, the moon elves, although in a way that could often seem patronizing. Sun elves generally saw moon elves as immature and irresponsible children who, although amusing, needed to be constantly reminded of their duties to the greater Tel-quessir family.

Sun elven opinions on races outside of the Tel-quessir were far more strained. Sun elves could be incredibly prejudiced, to the point of some even refusing to aid a dying human if it mildly inconvenienced them. Many sun elves objected to speaking in any language other than Elven or even to speaking with members of other races at all. These prejudices were partially rooted in past wrongs done by humans unto sun elves, though in truth they often only served to heighten present tensions.

The Sun Elves as they once were are now no more. Their demise can be traced back to their very founding after the Crown Wars, when Corellon banished the Dark Elves to the Underdark. From day 1, the Sun Elves were too proud of themselves, unwilling to work with other races to solve problems they could not face alone. And so for centuries, beset on all sides by enemies, their numbers began whittling away.

Rather than die out, however, they were given one final blessing by their patron, Corellon that proved to be their salvation. He offered them safe passage to Arborea, where he continues to rule along with his wife, Sehanine. Together with the remaining Moon Elves, they left this plane for the Realm of the Celestial Sea to serve their god.

255

Netherese Library / Re: The Library

« on: June 10, 2018, 04:21:57 am »

Dark Elves: A history

Spoiler

The Dark Elves, known more commonly as Drow and sometimes as night elves, were a dark-skinned sub-race of elves that are known for living in the Underdark. They earned their reputation as evil people, with all justification, though some members with more neutral disposition did exist, as did an even smaller number of actually good members. Among some, the dark elves were sometimes referred to as "The Ones Who Went Below".

dark elves had skin of dark grey to obsidian color and white or yellow hair. Rare hair colors included copper and silver, the latter believed to be a sign of a mentally handicapped person, a superstition.

dark elves eyes were usually bright red, but some had different colored like green, brown or black, but they had often much paler eyes such as blue, lilac, pink or silver - these pale eyes were often so pale that they appeared to be white - in fact, their eye color could be of practically any color. Purple or blue meant that the particular dark elves had some surface elven blood in his or her veins.

dark elves were intelligent creatures even when compared to other sentient creatures. This was not a coincidence but the result of selective breeding over several generations, and it was arguably done in a way that gave superior results when compared to their sun elf brothers and sisters.

dark elves were arrogant, ambitious, sadistic, treacherous, and hedonistic. From birth, dark elves were taught they were superior to other races and should crush those beneath them, which was one of the major factors that led to the Crown Wars.

It was important to recognize that the dark elves race's evil wasn't of inherent nature. Unlike orcs, for example, who are believed to suffer from an inherent drive towards evil, elves like dark elves chose by themselves to turn their culture into what it became. Leading to a race of emotionally stunted people, with a tenuous grasp on sanity and scarred mentalities among which relatively undamaged minds were considered abnormal.

dark elves were hedonists. They loved beautiful things and surrounded themselves with what they considered beautiful and generally didn’t pay attention at how much it’d cost them. This also extended to their behavior. dark elves generally believed they were entitled to do whatever they wanted whenever they wanted to do it.

They often partook of lavish revels, indulging in the most pleasurable of activities, including long nights of dinner and massages.[41] Some dark elves were fond of dances, including the frenzied nedeirra competition or the illiyitrii, a formal dance sometimes involving costumes.

dark elves were taught from an early age to be distrustful of others. Like in any other culture, dark elves culture expected one to advance at the expenses of others. Unlike other cultures, there were no rules for what the "expense of others" had to look like, acceptable forms included treachery and even outright murder.

While dark elves did understand the value of forging bonds, they didn’t see a value in the virtue of honesty. Forming bonds was thus a dangerous endeavor and mostly of temporary nature. Because any alliance or cordial relationship could end in treachery, dark elves went into with the expectation for the worst, and this attitude showed itself. Alliances were generally formed when one considered the ally weak enough to be not a too dangerous threat, be susceptible to blackmail or there was a common enemy that forced into cooperation. Even formed alliances were under scrutiny for signs of treachery and often ended violently. In fact, simple inconvenience to maintain the bond was a reason to end their loyalty.

They were generally expecting attacks, including physical ones, and thus were rarely surprised when it happened, depriving the attacker of the moment of surprise.

Even dark elves who escaped the cruelties of the Underdark found it more difficult to form long-term friendships than most races did.

dark elves lived in city-states with an aristocracy within a theocratic, matriarchal and militaristic society. dark elves cities tended to provide a chaotic and messy sight because they didn’t care to have a uniform architecture style. Still, their architecture was considered something to marvel at and more wealthy holdings got faerie fire decoration.

These cities had farm land, where slaves worked to get meat and crops. As a rule of thumb, half to two-third of a given dark elves settlement’s population consisted of slaves or non-dark elves without rights.

Their patron was Lolth, also known as the Queen of Spiders and Godess of the Dark. She was once a wife of Corellon, who, after realizing her true, evil nature, divorced her. It is unknown how much of an effect that this event had on starting the Crown Wars.

The dark elves were forced into the Underdark in an event that is commonly known by scholars as “The Descent”. This was the result of a ritual conducted by Corellon during the Crown Wars, which was considered to be the secret weapon of the sun elves to end the fighting once and for all. Rather than seeking to outright destroy and dominate the dark elves, Corellon came to the conclusion that banishing them to the Underdark would bring the Crown Wars to a close. They remain there to this day, unable to escape.