Silverymoon
Encyclopedia
In the fictional world of the Forgotten Realms
, Silverymoon is the prime signatory state of the Confederation of the Silver Marches (and, therefore, viewed by many as the capital). It has been ruled for decades by High Lady Alustriel Silverhand, a powerful wizard and one of the Seven Sisters
, some of the most powerful individuals on Faerûn
and also Chosen of Mystra
, the goddess of magic. Recently, Alustriel stepped down, paving the way for her trusted advisor Taern "Thunderspell" Hornblade to ascend to the city's supreme office. He is now the leader of the entire confederation.
Silverymoon is where the Lady Aribeth was born.
Silverymoon is often dubbed "the Gem of the North", for it resembles and emulates the lost elven
city of Myth Drannor
in many respects. It is one of the few civilised places in the middle of the rough and untamed wilderness that is the North of Faerûn. Its population is about 37,000 citizens. It has a rich cultural life and is renowned as a meeting place for all races that are morally inclined towards good. Even the occasional dark elf with good intentions (most notably the famous ranger Drizzt Do'Urden
) can eventually find hospitality in the city of Silverymoon.
Silverymoon is also famous for its pervading tradition of magic
, and is home to many notable wizards
, sorcerers
and other mages
. One of its permanent structures, the Moonbridge, was created by magic.
The fighting force that protects Silverymoon comprises the famed Knights in Silver, currently led by a paladin named Sernius Alathar. There is also the Spellguard, an order of (primarily) wizards and sorcerers led by the half-elven wizard Jorus Azuremantle. The High Marshal of the Argent Legion, the army of the Confederation of the Silver Marches (comprising soldiers from every signatory of the confederation) also resides in Silverymoon. The current High Marshal is a half-elf fighter/wizard by the name of Methrammar Aerasumé.
boxed set, the name Silverymoon comes from a "divine unicorn
" of the same name. This name was first mentioned in Dragon
magazine, in issue #54, as another name for the beast cult goddess Lurue. The 1987 sourcebook Waterdeep and the North
refers to the city of Silverymoon as the "largest city of the far
North", with a population of 26,000, and describes the city in detail. The 1988 sourcebook The Savage Frontier
also details the city.
, and the unicorn
goddess Lurue. Since that time the settlers sought to work with nature rather than against it, a decision that is said to have compelled the aforementioned deities to bless the site.
Ecamane Truesilver was instrumental in setting the foundation to the city's enduring (and totally justified) fame of a centre of lore and knowledge throughout the North (often called "Myth Drannor
of the North", as it is an echo of the legendary capital of the Elven Court). Truesilver founded a library and subsequent rulers of the city pursued artistic endeavours and further consolidated Silverymoon as a place where art, culture, lore, and magic are highly valued. When Myth Drannor fell in 714 DR, some prominent scholars found shelter in the city, but they were followed by the demons that destroyed their home. The then reigning High Mage, Aglanthol the Red, perished in the ensuing fight. His successor, Ederan Nharimlur, by contrast, reigned for many years in peace. It was in his reign that the city almost doubled in size.
The succession of High Mages was disrupted in 876 DR, when the warlord Lashtor, then commander of the city's army, took the city by force, destroying many important buildings and killing many wizards in the process. He could not remain in power for more than a year, however, as he was deposed by Tanalanthara, a mage also known as "Lady Wolf". Lady Wolf sacrificed herself in 882 while fending off a horde of orcs.
Another disaster that befell Silverymoon was a plague in the year 1150 DR; nearly half the city's inhabitants perished because of it. The first time that an enemy broke through the walls inside the city, though, was in 1235 DR, when the commander of the army (Khallos Shieldsunder) forcibly gained control of the city while under siege by an orc horde. The orcs, as has been stated, managed to enter the city, but the combined forces of the elves and the Harpers led by Alustriel Silverhand and her sister Storm successfully repelled the attack. Alustriel subsequently became the city's only ruler to have been unanimously chosen by the people, and the only one to have reigned for so long. Alustriel's reign was a blessing to the people of Silverymoon.
Alustriel's reign officially ended in 1369 DR, when she stepped down, passing the city's supreme office to her trusted advisor Taerl "Thunderspell" Hornblade. She assumed the title of High Lady of the Silver Marches in 1371 DR (the year the confederation was born) and is now the leading figure of authority in the new-found confederation.
Silverymoon remains allied with other cities in the North, like Waterdeep
and Neverwinter
, but also has many enemies. The Arcane Brotherhood, a small group of wizards and sorcerers based in (and controlling) the port city of Luskan and whose ultimate goal is to rule the North of Faerûn
. In fact, the Silver Marches (and therefore Silverymoon) are considered by the leaders of the brotherhood as its main target in their quest for domination.
The Shadovar, the inhabitants of the Netherese floating City of Shade that recently returned to Faerûn (specifically, over the Anauroch desert), have not yet made a move against Silverymoon, being too busy cleaning their territory of their mortal enemies, the phaerimm
. However, it is unknown what course of action the shadow wizards will choose to follow in the future. They may turn against the Silver Marches, or, being totally unpredictable, they may seek to cultivate stable diplomatic relations in order to gain more time to consolidate their position as a political entity in the North. In any case, the authorities of Silverymoon consider the Shades as potential enemies.
Other cities set aside, there is the ever-present danger of yet another orc horde, this time much more deadly, for it will be led by a capable orc warlord, King Obould Many-Arrows. He is unlike the typical orc in that he carefully and methodically plans his conquests and slowly works his way towards fulfilling his goals.
One needs not look far to find enemies of Silverymoon; enemies can also be found within the Silver Marches. The People of the Black Blood are a loose organisation of many small tribes of Malar-worshipping lycanthropes
that dwell in or around the Moonwood. Although they are in constant conflict with the folk of the Silver Marches, they are not organised enough to pose a significant threat to the existence of the city of Silverymoon and the confederacy.
Last but not least, enemies also lurk in the depths of Toril, the Underdark
. Recently an army of drow elves from the city of Menzoberranzan
laid siege to Mithral Hall
, a dwarven stronghold under the leadership of king Bruenor Battlehammer
, and were driven back only with the combined efforts of Mithral Hall and Silverymoon and the fact that the attacking drow failed to make provisions for the sunrise that would eventually come if the battle lasted long enough (as was the case). Plans are also made (albeit reluctantly) to resettle and fortify the abandoned svirfneblin
city of Blingdenstone
, which was destroyed by the drow and their conjured demons some years earlier as punishment for fighting on the dwarves' side in the battle of Mithral Hall.
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...
, Silverymoon is the prime signatory state of the Confederation of the Silver Marches (and, therefore, viewed by many as the capital). It has been ruled for decades by High Lady Alustriel Silverhand, a powerful wizard and one of the Seven Sisters
Seven Sisters (Forgotten Realms)
The Seven Sisters—fictional characters of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons Role Playing Game. The sisters are epic level characters of differing abilities, most of which involve some form of spellcasting and use of magic...
, some of the most powerful individuals on 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...
and also Chosen of Mystra
Mystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
, the goddess of magic. Recently, Alustriel stepped down, paving the way for her trusted advisor Taern "Thunderspell" Hornblade to ascend to the city's supreme office. He is now the leader of the entire confederation.
Silverymoon is where the Lady Aribeth was born.
Silverymoon is often dubbed "the Gem of the North", for it resembles and emulates the lost elven
Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
city of Myth Drannor
Myth Drannor
Myth Drannor, formerly known as Cormanthor, the City of Song, is a fictional elven city in the Forgotten Realms world. It is located in the area called Cormanthyr.-Fictional history:...
in many respects. It is one of the few civilised places in the middle of the rough and untamed wilderness that is the North of Faerûn. Its population is about 37,000 citizens. It has a rich cultural life and is renowned as a meeting place for all races that are morally inclined towards good. Even the occasional dark elf with good intentions (most notably the famous ranger Drizzt Do'Urden
Drizzt Do'Urden
Drizzt Do'Urden is a fictional character in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Drizzt was created by author R. A. Salvatore as a supporting character in the Icewind Dale Trilogy. Salvatore created him on a whim when his publisher needed to...
) can eventually find hospitality in the city of Silverymoon.
Silverymoon is also famous for its pervading tradition of magic
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
, and is home to many notable wizards
Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)
The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...
, sorcerers
Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)
The sorcerer is a playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A sorcerer is weak in melee combat, but a master of arcane magic, the most generally powerful form of D&D magic. Sorcerers' magical ability is innate rather than studied...
and other mages
Spellcaster
A spellcaster in role-playing games refers to a creature capable of casting magic spells.See also:*Mage *Magician , a practitioner of magic as portrayed in works of fiction...
. One of its permanent structures, the Moonbridge, was created by magic.
The fighting force that protects Silverymoon comprises the famed Knights in Silver, currently led by a paladin named Sernius Alathar. There is also the Spellguard, an order of (primarily) wizards and sorcerers led by the half-elven wizard Jorus Azuremantle. The High Marshal of the Argent Legion, the army of the Confederation of the Silver Marches (comprising soldiers from every signatory of the confederation) also resides in Silverymoon. The current High Marshal is a half-elf fighter/wizard by the name of Methrammar Aerasumé.
Publication
According to the original Forgotten RealmsForgotten 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...
boxed set, the name Silverymoon comes from a "divine unicorn
Unicorn (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a unicorn is a mysterious, majestic magical beast. It resembles an imposing and beautiful white horse, with glowing eyes, a silky mane and tail, and the stereotypical spiraling, shell-shaped horn coming from its forehead...
" of the same name. This name was first mentioned in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
magazine, in issue #54, as another name for the beast cult goddess Lurue. The 1987 sourcebook Waterdeep and the North
Waterdeep and the North
Waterdeep and the North is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.-Contents:...
refers to the city of Silverymoon as the "largest city of the far
North", with a population of 26,000, and describes the city in detail. The 1988 sourcebook The Savage Frontier
The Savage Frontier
Savage Frontier is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms. It describes the Savage Frontier of Faerûn. The book was written by Paul Jaquays...
also details the city.
A brief history of Silverymoon
Silverymoon became a city in 637 DR, when a stone wall was built around it for the first time and the first ruler of Silverymoon, High Mage Ecamane Truesilver, was elected. Prior to that it was mainly a village of wooden buildings named "Silver Village". It was built at a location considered sacred to the patron deity of rangers, MielikkiMielikki (Forgotten Realms)
Mielikki is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Mielikki is the goddess of autumn, druids, dryads, forests, forest creatures, and rangers. Her symbol is a gold-horned, blue-eyed unicorn's head facing left, and her...
, and the unicorn
Unicorn (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a unicorn is a mysterious, majestic magical beast. It resembles an imposing and beautiful white horse, with glowing eyes, a silky mane and tail, and the stereotypical spiraling, shell-shaped horn coming from its forehead...
goddess Lurue. Since that time the settlers sought to work with nature rather than against it, a decision that is said to have compelled the aforementioned deities to bless the site.
Ecamane Truesilver was instrumental in setting the foundation to the city's enduring (and totally justified) fame of a centre of lore and knowledge throughout the North (often called "Myth Drannor
Myth Drannor
Myth Drannor, formerly known as Cormanthor, the City of Song, is a fictional elven city in the Forgotten Realms world. It is located in the area called Cormanthyr.-Fictional history:...
of the North", as it is an echo of the legendary capital of the Elven Court). Truesilver founded a library and subsequent rulers of the city pursued artistic endeavours and further consolidated Silverymoon as a place where art, culture, lore, and magic are highly valued. When Myth Drannor fell in 714 DR, some prominent scholars found shelter in the city, but they were followed by the demons that destroyed their home. The then reigning High Mage, Aglanthol the Red, perished in the ensuing fight. His successor, Ederan Nharimlur, by contrast, reigned for many years in peace. It was in his reign that the city almost doubled in size.
The succession of High Mages was disrupted in 876 DR, when the warlord Lashtor, then commander of the city's army, took the city by force, destroying many important buildings and killing many wizards in the process. He could not remain in power for more than a year, however, as he was deposed by Tanalanthara, a mage also known as "Lady Wolf". Lady Wolf sacrificed herself in 882 while fending off a horde of orcs.
Another disaster that befell Silverymoon was a plague in the year 1150 DR; nearly half the city's inhabitants perished because of it. The first time that an enemy broke through the walls inside the city, though, was in 1235 DR, when the commander of the army (Khallos Shieldsunder) forcibly gained control of the city while under siege by an orc horde. The orcs, as has been stated, managed to enter the city, but the combined forces of the elves and the Harpers led by Alustriel Silverhand and her sister Storm successfully repelled the attack. Alustriel subsequently became the city's only ruler to have been unanimously chosen by the people, and the only one to have reigned for so long. Alustriel's reign was a blessing to the people of Silverymoon.
Alustriel's reign officially ended in 1369 DR, when she stepped down, passing the city's supreme office to her trusted advisor Taerl "Thunderspell" Hornblade. She assumed the title of High Lady of the Silver Marches in 1371 DR (the year the confederation was born) and is now the leading figure of authority in the new-found confederation.
Enemies of Silverymoon
Silverymoon is the leading city of the Confederation of the Silver Marches. The confederation is new and some difficulties exist when cooperation is needed. It is a common belief, though, that the cities in the region will fall to the many enemies that surround them unless they manage to somehow unite and fight together. That is exactly what Alustriel had in mind when she was working towards the creation of the confederation, and to this day she and the city of Silverymoon are the force that holds the confederation together.Silverymoon remains allied with other cities in the North, like 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...
and Neverwinter
Neverwinter
Neverwinter is a fictional city-state in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Neverwinter was founded by Lord Halueth Never...
, but also has many enemies. The Arcane Brotherhood, a small group of wizards and sorcerers based in (and controlling) the port city of Luskan and whose ultimate goal is to rule the North 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...
. In fact, the Silver Marches (and therefore Silverymoon) are considered by the leaders of the brotherhood as its main target in their quest for domination.
The Shadovar, the inhabitants of the Netherese floating City of Shade that recently returned to Faerûn (specifically, over the Anauroch desert), have not yet made a move against Silverymoon, being too busy cleaning their territory of their mortal enemies, the phaerimm
Phaerimm
The phaerimm are a fictional species of creatures in the Forgotten Realms setting, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
. However, it is unknown what course of action the shadow wizards will choose to follow in the future. They may turn against the Silver Marches, or, being totally unpredictable, they may seek to cultivate stable diplomatic relations in order to gain more time to consolidate their position as a political entity in the North. In any case, the authorities of Silverymoon consider the Shades as potential enemies.
Other cities set aside, there is the ever-present danger of yet another orc horde, this time much more deadly, for it will be led by a capable orc warlord, King Obould Many-Arrows. He is unlike the typical orc in that he carefully and methodically plans his conquests and slowly works his way towards fulfilling his goals.
One needs not look far to find enemies of Silverymoon; enemies can also be found within the Silver Marches. The People of the Black Blood are a loose organisation of many small tribes of Malar-worshipping lycanthropes
Lycanthrope (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the lycanthrope is a humanoid shapeshifter based on various legends of lycanthropy.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
that dwell in or around the Moonwood. Although they are in constant conflict with the folk of the Silver Marches, they are not organised enough to pose a significant threat to the existence of the city of Silverymoon and the confederacy.
Last but not least, enemies also lurk in the depths of Toril, the Underdark
Underdark
The Underdark is a fictional setting which has appeared in Dungeons & Dragons role-playing campaigns and Dungeons & Dragons-based fiction books, including the Legend of Drizzt series by R. A. Salvatore...
. Recently an army of drow elves from the city of Menzoberranzan
Menzoberranzan
Menzoberranzan, the City of Spiders, is a fictional city-state in the world of the Forgotten Realms, a Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting. It is located in the Upper Northdark, about two miles below the Surbrin Vale, between the Moonwood and the Frost Hills...
laid siege to Mithral Hall
Mithral Hall
In the fictional world of Forgotten Realms, Mithral Hall is the fabled dwarven home of Bruenor Battlehammer, an old dwarven city where tunnels were often lined with natural veins of mithral as thick as an arm....
, a dwarven stronghold under the leadership of king Bruenor Battlehammer
Bruenor Battlehammer
Bruenor Battlehammer is a fictional character in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The character first appears in the Icewind Dale trilogy by author R. A. Salvatore. He has also appeared in subsequent books as the trusted dwarven companion...
, and were driven back only with the combined efforts of Mithral Hall and Silverymoon and the fact that the attacking drow failed to make provisions for the sunrise that would eventually come if the battle lasted long enough (as was the case). Plans are also made (albeit reluctantly) to resettle and fortify the abandoned svirfneblin
Svirfneblin
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, svirfneblin , or deep gnomes, are a sub-race of gnome.-Publication history:The svirfneblin first appears in first edition in the adventure modules D2 Shrine of the Kuo-Toa , and D3 Vault of the Drow , and then in the original Fiend Folio...
city of Blingdenstone
Blingdenstone
Blingdenstone was a svirfneblin city in the Forgotten Realms setting of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Drizzt Do'Urden spent many weeks there after surviving for ten years in the Underdark by himself. The city had iron doors at the main entrance...
, which was destroyed by the drow and their conjured demons some years earlier as punishment for fighting on the dwarves' side in the battle of Mithral Hall.
Official material
- Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting by Ed GreenwoodEd GreenwoodEd Greenwood is a Canadian writer and editor who created the Forgotten Realms. He invented the Forgotten Realms as a child, as a fantasy world in which to set the stories he imagined, and later used this world as a campaign setting for his own personal Dungeons & Dragons playing group...
, Skip Williams, Sean K Reynolds, and Rob Heinsoo, Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, 2001, ISBN 978-0-7869-1836-2. - Grand History of the Realms by Brian R. James and Ed GreenwoodEd GreenwoodEd Greenwood is a Canadian writer and editor who created the Forgotten Realms. He invented the Forgotten Realms as a child, as a fantasy world in which to set the stories he imagined, and later used this world as a campaign setting for his own personal Dungeons & Dragons playing group...
, Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, 2007, ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7. - Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, 4th Edition by Bruce R. Cordell, Ed GreenwoodEd GreenwoodEd Greenwood is a Canadian writer and editor who created the Forgotten Realms. He invented the Forgotten Realms as a child, as a fantasy world in which to set the stories he imagined, and later used this world as a campaign setting for his own personal Dungeons & Dragons playing group...
, Chris Sims, and Philip Athans, Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, 2008, ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3. - Forgotten Realms Player's Guide by Wizards RPG Team, Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, 2008, ISBN 978-0-7869-4929-8. - Player's Guide to Faerun by Richard Baker and James Wyatt, Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, 2004, ISBN 978-0-7869-3134-7. - More of the Conclave of Silverymoon
- My Slice of Silverymoon
Realmslore
- Moon Doors of Silverymoon
Personalities
Specific prestige classes
- Knight-Errant of Silverymoon
- Spellguard of Silverymoon (image)
