Illefarn
Encyclopedia
Illefarn is a location in the fictional Forgotten Realms
setting of Dungeons and Dragons, on the continent of Faerûn
.
The capital city, Aelinthaldaar, was located on the land where Waterdeep
now stands. The city was founded in -8,500 DR and was razed in -1,100 DR. Few inhabitants of Waterdeep realize their city stands on the ruins of Aelinthaldaar, and only very little of the elven city remains, most notably as part of ancient crypts.
Illefarn was known for its portal networks, created by poet-mages and called song-paths. Very few portals still remain, but at least one, Voices of the Lost, is still active.
Constantly besieged by orcs and affected by the Crown Wars
, the elves began abandoning Illefarn around -1,100 DR. In 342 DR, the last Council of Illefarn chose to retreat fully to Evermeet
. A number of moon elves of Ardeep stayed behind, and proposed an alliance with the local shield dwarves of Dardath. This alliance, also called Illefarn, existed until 882 DR. This second Illefarn is sometimes confused with another kingdom, Phalorm, a human-elf-dwarf alliance that existed in the same general region from 523 to 616 DR. During the time of the empire of Netheril, the high mages of Illefarn created a powerful being of pure magic to serve as a defender against the expansionist Netherese. When the Netherese mage Karsus
inadvertently slew Mystryl in an attempt to usurp her position as god of magic, the Weave of Toril shut down for several minutes. In order to survive, the Guardian of Illefarn turned to the Shadow Weave
for sustenance, and became corrupted by Shar's influence. When the high mages of Illefarn realised what happened, they made numerous attempts to destroy the Guardian, but perished in vain. The conflict led to the collapse of the fragile nation. In the DnD game Neverwinter Nights 2
, the Guardian had become the King of Shadows, and is a primary foe in the game.
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
setting of Dungeons and Dragons, on the continent of Faerûn
Faerûn
Faerûn is a fictional subcontinent, the primary setting of the Dungeons & Dragons world of Forgotten Realms. It is described at a relatively high level in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting from Wizards of the Coast, and various locales and aspects are described in more detail by separate...
.
General
What is now called the Fallen Kingdom used to be the grand elven kingdom of Illefarn (or Ilefarn), a forest stretching from the present-day Kryptgarden Forest to the Trollbark Forest, settled in approximately -22,900 DR.The capital city, Aelinthaldaar, was located on the land where Waterdeep
Waterdeep (city)
Waterdeep is a fictional city-state that forms part of a popular Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game campaign setting called the Forgotten Realms. It is a port city that is located along the western coast of the Faerûn sub-continent...
now stands. The city was founded in -8,500 DR and was razed in -1,100 DR. Few inhabitants of Waterdeep realize their city stands on the ruins of Aelinthaldaar, and only very little of the elven city remains, most notably as part of ancient crypts.
Illefarn was known for its portal networks, created by poet-mages and called song-paths. Very few portals still remain, but at least one, Voices of the Lost, is still active.
Constantly besieged by orcs and affected by the Crown Wars
Crown Wars
The Crown Wars were a series of elven wars in the Forgotten Realms game setting of Dungeons & Dragons. Over a period of three thousand years, the great elven kingdoms participated in five primary conflicts, leading to the decline of elven power in Faerûn.-First Crown War:When, in approximately...
, the elves began abandoning Illefarn around -1,100 DR. In 342 DR, the last Council of Illefarn chose to retreat fully to Evermeet
Evermeet
Evermeet is an island in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons game, located far west of the continent of Faerûn...
. A number of moon elves of Ardeep stayed behind, and proposed an alliance with the local shield dwarves of Dardath. This alliance, also called Illefarn, existed until 882 DR. This second Illefarn is sometimes confused with another kingdom, Phalorm, a human-elf-dwarf alliance that existed in the same general region from 523 to 616 DR. During the time of the empire of Netheril, the high mages of Illefarn created a powerful being of pure magic to serve as a defender against the expansionist Netherese. When the Netherese mage Karsus
Karsus
Lord Karsus is an arcanist in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. He was the Netherese creator and caster of the Karsus's Avatar spell that triggered the Fall of Netheril.-Early life:...
inadvertently slew Mystryl in an attempt to usurp her position as god of magic, the Weave of Toril shut down for several minutes. In order to survive, the Guardian of Illefarn turned to the Shadow Weave
Shadow Weave
In the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Shadow Weave is a force of magic that is the inverse and opposite of the Weave. The Shadow Weave does not originate from Mystra, but from the dark goddess Shar. A spellcaster who wants to manipulate the...
for sustenance, and became corrupted by Shar's influence. When the high mages of Illefarn realised what happened, they made numerous attempts to destroy the Guardian, but perished in vain. The conflict led to the collapse of the fragile nation. In the DnD game Neverwinter Nights 2
Neverwinter Nights 2
Neverwinter Nights 2 is a computer role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Atari. It is the sequel to BioWare's Neverwinter Nights, based on the Dungeons & Dragons pencil and paper fantasy role-playing game...
, the Guardian had become the King of Shadows, and is a primary foe in the game.
Official Material
- City of Splendors: Waterdeep
- Lost Empires of Faerûn
- On Illefarn and its Portals
- Voices of the Lost Portal Network