Bookshelves I History
Copies of the scrolls collected from the Brogendenstein vault, bookshelf titled "Bookshelves I History." The bookshelf was embossed with a note of commission 89 AR by High Sonnilor Yurrak. This collection was copied and organized AR 162 by Warden's Second and High Martial-Mage of the Earthkin Arcanum, Relds Matural.
Rebirth of the Order of the Knights of the Road
Sometime around the year 67 AR, an order once thought dead and forgotten was reborn. The Knights of the Road was an old order of men and women, long thought forgotten. Its last members had scattered into all but legend. With dissatisfaction for the political and social landscape of the isle, two men set out to restore the order, and bring back the Knights.
Ubaldo Ferraz and Nelehien of Impiltur sought to restore the order. Alongside them was Marceline Diamanti, and betwixt the three figures did they successfully manage to rebirth the Order of the Knights of the Road, oft simply called 'the Knights'. Throughout the years, did they manage to keep track of the isle's shrines and historical landmarks, and their adventures took them far and wide.
The Knights always maintained the ideology that they were keepers of the peace, not soldiers of war, and they would not involve themselves in political bureaucracy of any land, but ensure the free and good folk of the isle were protected. The Knights came to find themselves in many conflicts, often coming to the aid of others in times of need.
They participated in the many actions at slave rescues from the Underdark; they fought, bled and died during the Second Mistican War; and most recently, they gave everything they could in the War of the North.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
Rebirth of the Order of the Knights of the Road II
Notable members of the Second Order include: Ser Nelehein of Impiltur, the late Ser Ubaldo Ferraz, Ser Lysander of Cormanthor, Dame Seraphina Corriander, Dame Marceline Diamanti, and Ser Verankht Zarunkumar. Those not yet knighted- but come to pass- Squire Justin of Archwood, Squire Ermon Finox, Squire Valendria Lyonsbannor, and Squire Alexander Teage.
The Knights continue to operate to this day, and under the guidance of Nelehein of Impiltur, their unofficial leader, it might be some time before they fade once more into legend and song.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
Maximillian the Accountant
Over Arelith's history, many strange occurrences have taken place, and many wars have been fought. Extraplanar contact is not something unheard of. But there is one figure that has been seen, time and time again, Maximillian the Accountant, of Baator.
He dates back some fifty years, during the time of Graash Zorgar, an Ilmateri half orc, who was once a Commander of the Cordorian Guard. He lived and breathed and fought in the time of High Priestess Lexi of Light Keep, so my estimates deduce this to happen in the 20s of Arelith Reckoning. Maximillian's encounter with Graash is unknown, but we believe there to be an encounter none the same.
His second known occurrence is dating back 20 years from present scribing. Maximillian appeared and warned a Maliel Elumbriel, Waterdhavian bard and artisan, of an impending doom approaching the isle.
A Baatorian rift, one separate from Light Keep, was to emerge, and this Stygian devil approached the Arelithians to warn them of it. We do not truly know why. He received very little in return- only a few mere moments on the Prime his reward.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
Maximillian the Accountant II
His third and most recent encounter was during the War of the North, of 74-75. He appeared to a fellowship of freefolk near the Temple of Auril, summoned forth by the completion of a runic circle, buried beneath the snow. There, he also expressed certain warning and information that was vital to ending the war.
. He received nothing in return- he did mention the bargaining of souls in exchange for more information. Fortunately, none were receptive. After the discourse, he went back to from wherever he came.
The Stygian devil has been involved, over the recorded history of Arelith's isle. And I do not think this year shall be the last we see him.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
The Harbinger
His origins are unknown, but we know that Sarog Pethanos did indeed originate. Somewhere, somehow, this Velsharoonite priest came into existence. We know little of how he was altered or changed, but we know he grew in power significantly throughout his period of existence on the Arelith archipelago.
He founded, or made famous of, a faction known as 'The Covenant', which is a name blasphemous unto itself. The affiliation has existed for some years, but we find no mentioning of it prior to 30 AR. This gives a very loose timeline on the emergence of the faction.
Sarog Pethanos, known commonly as 'The Harbinger' is an archvillain that has lingered long on the isle. He never acts directly. He acts through others. Of those? We only know a few. Primarily the malevolent kobold Vippin and the scheming Orion Gend - those are his two pawns that we know commonly in present times. There may have been more in the past, and there will certainly be others in the future.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
The Harbinger - II
The Harbinger, unlike other nefarious characters, remains elusive. And his plans are largely unknown. We know the plans of his servants, but not of him, for few can pry any information from him? for few actually meet him, who align themselves with the freepeoples of the isle.
What we suspect, and have reason to believe, that the Harbinger's cause is something great and fearsome. For what else can drive such a man?
In recent times, betwixt the years 60-73 AR, we know him to be behind plots of Vippin and Orion Gend, as well as potentially other schemes of Infernalists and Abyssals. The Harbinger is an important figure, because he ties all of these normally warring factions together against the freepeoples. We hope, one day, we will discover why.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
On the Myart Shrine
The Myarts, legend tells us, were a race of sentient golems gifted in the Art. They aided travelers who passed through and near the Skull Crag Mountains. Then, one day, they disappeared suddenly. Where did they go? But more importantly, what did they leave behind? Are there hints, or clues as to their disappearance?
The Myart Shrine slips underneath the noses of many scholars and sages on the isle of Arelith because of its seemingly insignificant nature. With a history rich in strife, war and violence, unless a mind is ambitious, few would seek answers to this ancient race of golems.
The Myart Shrine is also a location few can discern - so I will highlight its location. The shrine to the Old Conclave of the Arcane Tower, in the Skull Crag lowlands, outside the Campsite, is built atop of the Myart Shrine. There are several reasons why such a deduction can be made.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
On the Myart Shrine II
1. The columns and stone base exceed in age when compared to the Old Conclave shrine, which in itself, must measure at least a century years as of 70 AR.
2.The columns are massive, hinting at the golemic size of the Myarts.
3.There is no sign of a maker. This is perhaps the most important feature. It remains a ruin that is undistinguished amongst others. It has no hint at who came before, which parallels with the extreme lack of knowledge we encounter with the Myarts.
Furthermore, when this deduced shrine of the Myarts - now a protected historical site - was investigated, my colleagues and I found a source of smoke. Where does this smoke come from? A fire, we concluded. A fire, we believe, to be at the source of the true remnants of the Myart civilization, deep beneath the earth.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
'Dream of the Myarts #1 '
There is little writen record of the strange intelligent beings known as the "Myarts" recorded either after they disappeared from Arelith or while they were still here.
What we do know, is that they were much larger than a man, or even orc. Their size was comperable to that of an ogre, or even a hill giant. They were encased as a golem, and from far-glance appeared as such.
They wore plates of a strange metallic substance, the likes of which has never been seen on the isle, or the rest of FAerun for that matter.They communicated telephatically and when standing still, were completely silent beings.They were located at a four columned structure at the foot of the SKull crag mountains and were known for helping travellers and aiding them with healing supplies in turn for infor
mation about the surrounding area, according to previously published works by my colleagues.Then, one day the Myarts disappeared completely from Arelith, leaving behind only the alien shells they wore. These can still be seen to this day at the aformentioned structure at the base of the Skull Crags.
Day 7, Month 5 (Mirtul), 89 AR
Bolius Yurrak Silvershield
'Dream of the Myarts #2'
Some speculate that they were destroyed by Viper Monks who took up residence nearly at the time of the Myart disappearance. Others claim that the Myarts weren't of Toril at all, and are now worlds away from Arelith. There are others still who believe the Myarts to be a hoax entirely, a joke played on the rest of the isle by an old gnome of years past.
The truth may never be known about these elusive beings, we can only record the bizarre truth of reality and hope that the reader believes it.
'Helid Drahm, Arelith Historian - rescribed by High Sonnlinor Yurrak of Brogendeinstein
Day 7, Month 5 (Mirtul), 89 AR
Bolius Yurrak Silvershield
The Fall of Tollidor I.
The story of Tollidor is one of sadness and tragedy, through there are few that would lament it today. The tale is old, and the town older still. Finding someone with lineage ties to Tollidor is nearly impossible.Tollidor was an ancient town, built even before the rural village of Wharftown, build even before the bustling metropolis of Cordor
.It's inhabitants were hardy craftsmen, men of simple ways and means. These denizens were woefully unaware of what lay thousands of feet below them, however.
Estimated at over 400 years before the building of Cordor, the town of Tollidor was brutally assaulted by mind flayers, and their warrior slaves. The Flayers were also able to rapture the earth below the town using Umber Hulks to weaken the ground, bringing the town and all of it's inhabitants crashing into the Underdark.
Most died during the caraclysm. Those that didn't were quickly enslaved by the Illithid and brought to the lowest reaches of the Underdark, now known as the Vault. Over the course of time, the city itself was burried under rock and debris. Forgotten by almost all, save the most studious of sages.
Day 28, Month 6 (Kythorn), 89 AR
Bolius Yurrak Silvershield
The Fall of Tollidor II. & Travel advisory
What frightens most mystics, is that the fate of Tollidor could easily be the fate of almost any surface settlement. The workings of the Underdark are strange and unfamiliar to most surface dwellers, and most are quite unaware of the dangers lurking deep in the earth below them.
Travel advisory: The skeleton of the town can be indeed found in the deepest reaches of the earth. Hollow and ominous, one would hear the signs and vailings of the long fallen, and the dead are restless. We encountered non of the umber hulks, neither illithid there, however in the heart of the town a shrine to Loth is dedicated thus making the area extremely dangerous, often patrolled by the drow.
The place is a long walk from the duergar tradepost of Jhared, past the Brackish lakes, and west to the overpass with the crystal spider statues.
(The Fall of Tollidor by unknown Author, Travel advisory by High Sonnlinor Yurrak at the age of 89)
Day 28, Month 6 (Kythorn), 89 AR
Bolius Yurrak Silvershield
The Fall of Tollidor II. & Travel advisory
What frightens most mystics, is that the fate of Tollidor could easily be the fate of almost any surface settlement. The workings of the Underdark are strange and unfamiliar to most surface dwellers, and most are quite unaware of the dangers lurking deep in the earth below them.
Travel advisory: The skeleton of the town can be indeed found in the deepest reaches of the earth. Hollow and ominous, one would hear the signs and vailings of the long fallen, and the dead are restless. We encountered non of the umber hulks, neither illithid there, however in the heart of the town a shrine to Loth is dedicated thus making the area extremely dangerous, often patrolled by the drow.
The place is a long walk from the duergar tradepost of Jhared, past the Brackish lakes, and west to the overpass with the crystal spider statues.
(The Fall of Tollidor by unknown Author, Travel advisory by High Sonnlinor Yurrak at the age of 89)
Day 28, Month 6 (Kythorn), 89 AR
Bolius Yurrak Silvershield
A Survey of Brogendenstein I - i
{Transcribed from writings of Amy Silverscales-Dizzone} Umbrick's Halls were not always so dark. Years and years ago, not many less than a century at the time of this writing, Umbrick at the peak of the Spires was a peaceful place for the dwarf-folk.
This in the days of Before Reckoning (BR). Duty, honour and endurance, amongst other noble values, were of the custom and creed of the samman (dwarves) there. But as in all things, the hearts of mortals are easily deceived. Greed crept into the hearts of the dwarves.
The dwarves dug too deep. In search of riches in gems and mithril, they awoke something in the dark. They stumbled across the halls of their darker, deeper cousins- the duergar. The gate emerged, dividing Umbrick's Halls, and war ensued between the distant kin.
The duergar were elated by the wealth of Umbrick's Halls. And driven by a darker force of greed, began making secret deals. The dark dwarves knew of the weakness of their surface cousins. In the dark, they made deals, until one dwarf of Umbrick finally succumbed.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
A Survey of Brogendenstein I - ii
One night, he awoke and crept through the halls to unlock the Great Gate. His reward, was a swift death. The duergar army broke into the night, killing and slaughtering all they came across. But there were some who resisted- and our story begins there, with the legendary Belrun Battlehammer.
Belrun Battlehammer was the stout son of a wealthy nobleman, and had some blood ties to the King of Umbrick's Halls. When the surprise invasion alerted Belrun from his bed, he gathered who he could and led a counter-attack. He was successful, if only barely. The Halls were overrun and he saw the carnage.
He and his company true to him swathed their way through the duergar and dashed from the halls. Battlehammer grieved for the last of his home, but he knew he could establish them elsewhere, so his fellows might know some peace.
Farther down the mountainside did he establish the Golden Halls of Brogendenstein.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
The Fall of The Halls of Umbrik I
Back in the early days of this island, the dwarves carved a mighty kingdom out of the naked rock that claws at the skies in the peaks of the Dark Spires. There their mines were filled with mithril and valuable gems of all sorts. There, the dwarves were rich beyond belief.
Such wealth attracted many foes, some of those till threats to the world we live in, but one enemy towered above them all, a nemesis that the dwarves have a special name for: Abbathor, the God of Greed.
Despite their power and the size of their treasure vaults, the dwarves still deisred more, going even against the prophetic warnings of one named Ruhn. So they dug and dug even ruther, their thirst for wealth never sathed-.
Until, finally they broke into the dark realms. In the darkness they found a cave with lumiescent mushrooms and though beatiful as it was, its charm quickly and violently faded.
Day 7, Month 5 (Mirtul), 89 AR
Bolius Yurrak Silvershield
The Fall of The Halls of Umbrik II
From the black depths came many monstrousities, which the dwarves valiantly fought back. They held against the dark elves, against beholders, the illithid, and even more fiercely against their hatred eternal foes: the duergar.
However, and once more, Abbatho's cold fingers did their ghastly work. Many of the dwarves turned their backs on their kingdom and on their family, drawn in to the promisses of power and wealth of their dark cousins, thus becoming deurgar themselves.
Assailed by such unimaginable calamity, and always hard pressed by an endless supply of enemies, the dwarves fought countril battle until, one day, Belrun Battlehammer put up a last stand in the upper halls of Umbrik's under realms.
The battle was tremendous, the brutality of it titanic, and yet above it all, standing on the mound of his enemy's corpses, Belrun Battlehammer fought on, like a dwarven paragon of old. As awed as they were, though, his people saw the futility of his mighty efforts, and forced him to flee.
Day 7, Month 5 (Mirtul), 89 AR
Bolius Yurrak Silvershield
The Fall of The Halls of Umbrik III
He wept miserable tears of sadness as he led his people away from harm, the thought of their lost home, and all its glory, deep in its heart. Yet, it was under his guidance that the dwarves began to build anew, and thus Belrun Battlehammer became the first Thane of Brogendeinstein.
Original edition: Ubaldo Ferraz, - 71. Second edition: High Sonnlinor Yurrak of Brogendeinstein - 89
Day 7, Month 5 (Mirtul), 89 AR
Bolius Yurrak Silvershield
The Lost City of Kohligen
The lost city of Kohligen is one of Arelith's greatest mysteries, and a source of many questions. Unfortunately, there are few answers. What answers there are, shall be found within after many years of research. I shall only try to highlight what is definite. There are many possibilities that I will only allude to.
What is known is that at least eighty years ago, Duke Tristam was a member of Galahad the Builder's court. He was a devout man of Triadic faith; zealous and righteous in his conduct. For whatever reason, Galahad the Builder was allowing ambiguous banners into his court. Duke Tristam was appalled by this act, and since he could not change Galahad's thoughts, he left.
With him, he took his loyal knights, retainers and followers and headed north, to a realm that existed beyond Minmir. He founded the great state of Kohligen. We know it to be a Triadic state, morally virtuous and a place of Light, more so than Light Keep. It was a feudal state, with Duke Tristam likely at its head, with a council of earls beneath him.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
The Lost City of Kohligen II
The Triadic state was its peak between 5 Before Reckoning (BR) and 2 Arelith Reckoning (AR). It was a state larger than present-day Cordor. Through the finding of Earl Manfried's diary, we know that his corrupted manor in Minmir was on the outskirts of Kohligen. His estate is large, only hinting at the vastness of the entire Kohligen realm.
Furthermore, we know there were at least two earls in Duke Tristam's court: Manfried and Montgomery. We predict there to be many more, and with an estate of similar size to Manfried. We can only imagine the sheer grandeur and size of Kohligen.
The Triadic state of Kohligen existed for what we theorize to be a decade. Simultaneously, Galahad the Builder had already built Light Keep, transforming the simple Benwickian castle into the now-called epitome of Light, Light Keep. Kohligen, however, still dwarfed it in size.
Most of the goodly folk left with Duke Tristam in his departure north around, an estimation between 20-10 BR. Unfortunately, we know Kohligen ended around 2-3 AR.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
The Lost City of Kohligen III
The mystery of the Lost City is a tragic one. All we know for certain is that one terrible night, Kohligen just fell into the sea. The only survivors of the apocalypse were Duke Tristam (we know that Kohligen never lasted more than a generation because of his survival) and a few of his loyal knights and followers. Almost all perished, swallowed up by the sea.
Duke Tristam and the last of the Kohligenites made their way back to Galahad the Builder, who accepted them with open arms in the years of 2-3 AR. The home Kohligenites blended back in with the Benwickians, and the great Triadic state was never spoke of again.
We can find no records, no statues, no cemeteries, and no sign of mourning of this great tragedy. With this, we have reason to believe the great Fall of Kohligen was a self-inflicted tragedy, or a partial failure on the Kohligenite's behalf.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
The Lost City of Kohligen IV
What is interesting to note: we have counts saying that elves resided in the great state of Kohligen (further reinforcing the idea of an exalted and diverse state). What is interesting, is that the account claims Myon was founded shortly before the Fall of Kohligen. Could this have played a role?
We also have accounts claiming dwarves lived within Kohligen. We found no evidence of hinfolk or gnomes, however.
We refute any claim that the remaining Minmir Manor played a significant role into the Fall of Kohligen. Earl Manfried's diary suggests he lived before the catastrophe occurred, and the fact it exists still, mayhaps is only a coincidence. There is no evidence within his estate to suggest he was to blame for the Fall of Kohligen.
But, perhaps we could be mistaken. There are so many questions. Why did Kohligen fall? Why are there no records or statues commemorating this tragedy? Why does Light Keep not speak of it? Who did Galahad the Builder let into his court? Could they have been to blame? Were the elves protecting Kohligen somehow? How does an entire city simply fall into the city? Questions need answering.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
Cordor, the Early 70s - I
The she-elf Firsala, the gnome Jolly Fiddlesticks and the Moonshaean Havardr Steinsson dominated the Cordorian political scene from 70 to 73 AR. During such time, however, we see an emergence of alleged corruption within the Cordorian bureaucracy, both in the Guard and within the Council itself. We are still unsure of the truth of this.
We do know, however, that something is suspicious of Fiddlestick's reign, and only in these past years do things seem to piece together that occurred in the 60s AR- the Mistican War was prolonged because of Fiddlestick's refusal to resign; Adalgisa Shieldheart, a short-lived Commander, was ousted from her position when she began internal affairs investigation.
Havardr Steinsson was also threatened with the kidnapping of his sister unless he voted alongside the proclamations of the gnome.
We see further civil unrest with the Kozakuran Toshiku Mari (or, in Westernling variation, Mari Toshiku) attacking the Cordorian Guard on grounds of injustice and unfair treatment of commoners, as well as the emergence of the elusive Silent Majority (a band of individuals who use propaganda and media to illuminate Cordor's problems).
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
Cordor, the early 70s - II
Shadows linger in Cordorian politics. The Cordorian Guard advanced incredibly under the hand of Aberthine (allegedly in Fiddlestick's inner circle). However, while we see extreme discipline, we do not witness extreme moral virtue.
Issues escalated when Havardr was accused of steep crimes (three accounts of murder, treason, sedition and theft). He did indeed steal one million units of cloth in the summer of 73 as a ransom to Jolly Fiddlesticks. Yet, he however claims to do this for justified cause - to get the gnome to cease his threats and to hopefully highlight the problems of Cordor to its people.
Regardless of the truths of the details of the matters of late, the early 70s of Cordor's political and bureaucratic scene is marked by uncertainty, cloak and dagger, death, and unrest.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
Cordor, the early 70s - II
Shadows linger in Cordorian politics. The Cordorian Guard advanced incredibly under the hand of Aberthine (allegedly in Fiddlestick's inner circle). However, while we see extreme discipline, we do not witness extreme moral virtue.
Issues escalated when Havardr was accused of steep crimes (three accounts of murder, treason, sedition and theft). He did indeed steal one million units of cloth in the summer of 73 as a ransom to Jolly Fiddlesticks. Yet, he however claims to do this for justified cause - to get the gnome to cease his threats and to hopefully highlight the problems of Cordor to its people.
Regardless of the truths of the details of the matters of late, the early 70s of Cordor's political and bureaucratic scene is marked by uncertainty, cloak and dagger, death, and unrest.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
A Survey of Bendir I
The early 3rd decade of AR marked the mayorship of Lincoln Ambliss, the second hin mayor, succeeding Maliss Silverfist. After Ambliss retired, Bendir's next prominent leader was Regrin Highhill.
Lincoln Ambliss was one of Bendir's earliest and greatest leaders, he fought in the many Banite conflicts that were comprised in the legendary Stonehold Wars. The Banites, during such time, wanted to the enslave all of the hinfolk. Bendir was still a young fort, and the Banites had a great deal of power between the years of (approximately) 10-25 AR.
Banites did not recognize Bendir as a sovereign state, and thus there were constant battles between the hinfolk and the forces of Bane. One day, an infamous war crime was committed. Banites captured many hin, dragged them into the woods (presumably Arelith Forest) and set them all on fire. Immolating them and burning them alive. Nothing was left but ash.
Rumours that Light Keep did nothing during this time of great strife in Bendir. Other rumours include that Daisy Calhoun was trying to set the Grove against Bendir. True or not, Bendir was in a host of problems and faced many alone.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
A Survey of Bendir I - ii
Lincoln made peace with the Banites, he signed a treaty with the Dark Lord's forces. Ironically, the treaty itself was indicative of Bendir's sovereignty. Banites, for all their malevolence, were forced to respect Bendir as a sovereign state.
Lincoln Ambliss created a Council to lead Bendir, after its establishment, he retired from the public eye. When Feste Fizzlebiscuits around the isle (25-30 AR), Regrin Highhill was the only one of the Bendirian Council left, and thus was made Mayor of Bendir by default.
Also, some fifty years ago, the leylines had significantly more power. All portals were two-way. (Legend says the crystal near the Nexus Falls has something to do with the leylines on the Arelith Archipelago).
Regrin Highhill ruled Bendir for approximately a decade (25-35? AR). Highhill took pride in Bendir's central role in the isle's politics, and took all of its happenings very seriously. He was known as a benevolent ruler (and the first to embrace badgers; badgers have been long-time allies of Bendir).
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein
A Survey of Bendir I - iii
Highhill's rule was largely peaceful, and there were no real threats (unlike present day of this writing). He wanted Feste Fizzlebiscuits to rule, for Highhill wished to retire with his wife, Francisca, and their children. Feste owned the Nomad in Cordor, and had been operating it for some time.
Refestus Fizzlebiscuits took his cousin's place instead and ruled justly for a short time. Franscisca Highill ruled after him, and her rule was muck akin to her husband Regrin.
We guess that none of these events occurred after 40 AR. Most of this happened between the years of 20-40 AR.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Nelehein