Nether Scrolls

The Nether Scrolls consist of two sets of 50 scrolls each, one set older and more tarnished than the other, and are possibly the most powerful artifacts in the Forgotten Realms after the Cyrinishad. While they have no direct magical powers, they provide a seemingly-limitless supply of arcane knowledge. After the discovery of the Nether Scrolls, the arcane might of Netheril increased at least a hundred-fold. The Netherese found the scrolls among the ruins of Aryvandaar, an ambitious and evil sun elven empire. These elves however, had not dared to use the power of the scrolls themselves.

The Nether Scrolls were created in Oreme by the sarrukh. Their empire was vast, and they sought to gather all magical knowledge from its borders into one location, in order to consolidate their arcane power. This effort spawned its own secret society, the Ba’etith, and lasted thousands of years after the fall of the empires of the Creator Races. It included magic from the batrachi and aearee (although not fey or humans, the two other Creator Races) as well. Eventually the Golden Skins of the World Serpent were created, which are now known as the Nether Scrolls.

The "scrolls" appear to be sheets of gold or platinum, with arcane runes floating about the surface. Each time a scroll is read, different knowledge is gleaned. When a reader gains sufficient understanding, re-reading the scrolls provides new knowledge and information. There did not seem to be any limit to the amount of information one scroll could contain.

No destructive magics can affect the scrolls. They can be physically destroyed, but will always reform themselves eventually.

History

 * c. -30000 DR : The Ba’etith create the Nether Scrolls or Golden Skins of the World Serpent.


 * -3533 DR : The Netherese discover the scrolls amid the ruins of Aryvandaar.


 * 1963 NY : A band of thieves steal 24 parts of the Nether Scrolls from the chambers of Ioulaum. Frightened of discovery, they mash the scrolls into golden lumps and sell them.


 * -3095 DR : The elves of Cormanthyr steal one set of the Nether Scrolls and hide it away in the Windsong Tower.


 * Unknown Date : Tyvollus Aluviirsan transforms one set of the Nether Scrolls into Quess Ar Teranthvar.

Known Scrolls
The tomb of Hsssthak once contained scrolls known to the ancient elves to contain a pair of spells that could allow lizardfolk to gain much power and prestige. These scrolls contain the awaken intelligence and alter beast spells.