Abraxus affair

The abraxus affair referred to the attack on King Azoun IV by an abraxus, a magical golden bull-like creature in 1369 DR.

Beginning
The king was hunting in the forest with his cousins Baron Thomdor and Duke Bhereu, and Aunadar Bleth, when the creature sprung unexpectedly from an abandoned ruined elven watch tower, giving off poisonous gas as it attacked. Although the group were able to inflict enough damage to the creature to disable it, Azoun, Thomdor and Bhereu all succumbed to the poison, falling into a coma-like state. Aunadar was unaffected.

Diagnosis
The remains of the abraxus were brought back to the royal palace for examination by Laspeera Inthré and Emthrara Undril. Lord Dimswart was able to discover that the affliction was a venom that spread a blood disease resistant to conventional magic, causing internal organ damage.

Casualties
Duke Bhereu died soon after the attack. Baron Thomdor lasted days longer but eventually succumbed and died as well.

Political implications
With the king unable to rule, there was speculation amongst the people of Cormyr that Vangerdahast, the Royal Wizard, would seize control as Regent of Cormyr, and this was a view perpetrated by Aunadar Bleth. Tanalasta Obarskyr, Azoun's eldest child and heir to the throne, did not want to rule and was unsure of how to handle the situation at hand. Vangerdahast presented Tanalasta with a writ for her to sign, previously signed by Filfaeril Obarskyr, the Queen of Cormyr, to appoint him as regent, but Tanalasta refused to sign it.

Discovered to be behind the attack, House Bleth was exiled and all wealth forfeited. House Cormaeril was also exiled and all wealth forfeited. Most of their land was given to House Wyvernspur.

Unofficial name
The event in question was not officially named, but has been unofficially named "abraxus affair" for convenience. The name used here is one of two used by Jerome Davis in his "Nobility of Cormyr" posts on the former REALMS-L mailing list, for example, here.