Template:Current Clack/archive/2017

This page stores old news and events from Current Clack for 2017.

13/01/2017

 * This humble editor may have slowed down over the holiday period, but none of the others have.
 * Artemaz poured over ancient maps of the Hordelands and Zakhara, detailing prominent geographical landmarks such as the mighty Hungtse River, the Furrowed Mountains, and the Yellow Serpent Border Cliffs.
 * Ir'revrykal visited the flying Netherese enclave of Tanathras shortly before its premature fall, and wrote of adventurers Zenobia and Thogaf.
 * Daranios tallied the defenders of Huzuz, the Shining City, while documenting the history of Netherese spell research, with wind wall in −2378 DR and cloudkill in −2374 DR.
 * Visiting Castle Hartwick in Hartsvale, Lhynard met Earl Radborne Wynn. In between games of quist, he also documented Netherese spell research, with major image in −871 DR and summon monster III in −1973 DR.

5/02/2017

 * The Forgotten Realms Wiki is currently leaping in Wikia's Activity Monitor, with a peak WAM Score of 97.28% and peak ranks of 85th best wiki and 39th best game-related wiki.
 * After screwing his courage to the sticking place, Moviesign met some Cyricists in the Swords Meet inn and then paid a visit (literally, he had to make a donation!) to the Dark God Reformed temple, where he learned of dire spells such as spirit annihilation, undeath after death, and dark promise.
 * Returning east, BadCatMan journeyed through western Koryo. He bravely crossed the Naktong Moors (wisely declining the advances of the alluring s'domo rhan), explored the vast Dang Caverns, and climbed the Ziyero Ridge, before visiting Ansong and its brilliant fisherfolk and failing to bathe in the fountain at Taiku. He also told of the Faith of the Nine Travelers and with Artemaz pieced together the history of Shou Lung's Kao Dynasty.
 * Zeromaru X has been exploring Gontal on Abeir, traversing Gontal Pass, visiting Gontal City, and meeting the Twelvefold family of Elkannath. He then wandered on to the Glaur Barrens, discovering the fortress of Glaur. He treated with the Dominion of the Burned, and eventually escaped to the Dusk Ports.
 * And remember: this wiki uses past tense for all in-universe articles. This doesn't mean the subject is dead or destroyed, only that you're reading about what happened.

27/02/2017

 * The Forgotten Realms Wiki has passed its 22,000th page, with Abbot Aldric from the indefatigable Unknown user 11. Unknown's currently taking census of the folk of Bloodstone Village, meeting menagerie masters Doctor Trundles and Tanaroo Quinson, the scurrilous fletcher Jamison, and the druid sage Quillan, among others.
 * Artemaz has been exploring the city of Manass in Khazari, discreetly visiting the Shrine to Tsikapasmatra, the Temple of the Nine Travelers, the Temple of the Red Mountain, and the Temple of the Yellow Mountain, and fleeing being caught up in their heated rivalry via the Little Stone Bridge.
 * Sirwhiteout is having a wine and cheese party, sampling nut and pepper cheeses and Farmer's Cheese, and showing us Chessentan Lotus Cheese, Green Calishite cheese, and the dangerously addictive Luiren spring cheese.

22/03/2017

 * BadCatMan journeyed through the province of Koguryo in Koryo, dodging gangsters in the dilapidated, crime-ridden city of Ojy-do, before staying at the Do Jang of Won Kwang in Pyong Do. He brushed up on his tae kwon do, but had more success researching the mysterious Maraloi people and the Path of Enlightenment.
 * Walking quickly out of the fanged gate of the temple to Cyric, Moviesign headed to his last stop in Voonlar, the Whistling Wizard inn. There, he heard the tale of the Battle at the Bar from the owner, Harauna Beltzund, and consulted the famed Wizard Well to get some advice on where to travel next.
 * Lhynard was absent for a time, stuck in the bitter winter of Hartsvale, but when he returned, riding a pulkka, he had stories of the strange birth of Kaedlaw Burdun and wrote about the geography of that oft-ignored land, including such places as Wynn Castle, Wyrm River, Coggin's Rise, Stagwick, and the Gorge of the Silver Wyrm.
 * Daranios continued investigating the early Netherese history of magic by identifying creators and dates for each spell. He found the well-known fireball and delayed blast fireball were developed in −2303 DR and −2305 DR, respectively, and theorized on the obscure Lefeber's mark from −2134 DR.

15/04/2017

 * Daranios, Sirwhiteout, and Lhynard continue cataloguing early Netherese spell development, such as finding identify in −2271 DR, explosive runes in −1751 DR, and both invisibility and permanent image in −1474 DR. Daranios also described the Fields of Mythal by which arcanists grouped their spells.
 * Having mapped the ranges of the Yehimal, BadCatMan studies the Padhran faith, undertaking a hazardous pilgrimage to the Thousand Sacred Sources of the Gaya (some of them, anyway), finding the devastated Horseshoe Temple, and trying (and failing) to achieve enlightenment.
 * Unknown user 11 travels to Kudoku in Kozakura of 1479 DR and tangles with the Five Deadly Shadows, such as the geisha wu jen Namiko Li and the corrupt monk of the Path of Enlightenment, Yamato Sheng.
 * Moviesign wrote some more of the participants in the Battle at the Bar, such as Anthalus Droon, former owner of the Whistling Wizard. However, continuing to explore Voonlar, he is imprisoned by the Bron in the Locktower for asking too many questions. Such is the life of a wiki editor.

24/04/2017

 * We welcome a new member, The 7th Scribe, who's following the heroes of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, as well as meeting the traveler Ipswitch, the barfly Nebbish, and the priest Fayed, among others.
 * We also welcome Sno4wy, who's told us all about the novel The Jewel of Turmish.
 * Returning to Koryo, BadCatMan sailed through the Dragon's Teeth, stopped at the fortress-island of Quelpart, surveyed the kingdom's naval defenses, and took the Tenasu Ferry to the famous city of Tu Pe.
 * Lost in Damara, Artemaz explored the wartorn Duchy of Brandiar, visited the shores of Lake Mogador, ran with the centaurs of the Warrenwood, and finally stopped in the cursed village, Helmsdale. We haven't heard much from Artemaz since…

07/05/2017

 * Although not often bringing lore to the wiki, Darkwynters should be commended for constant efforts in creating, organizing, and maintaining categories; correcting edition entries; and indexing Dragon magazines; and making numerous mechanical and stylistic fixes.
 * Unknown user 11 is telling of the various adventurers who've explored The Ruins of Myth Drannor, including the villainous Masked Marauders and the ladies of the Company of the Catlash, as well as the Mad Merchant Emrock Uerngulphim and the insane lich Druth Daern.
 * Freed of the Locktower of Voonlar, Moviesign returned to the Flying Stag inn, talking Hlarvo and Valladonra Dluthree, heard gossip about the wizard Tamelia, and finally won an interview with the Bron himself, Buorstag Hlammythyl.
 * We welcome back TeliomBrainFreeze, with an update on Vajra Safahr, the latest Blackstaff of Waterdeep.

29/05/2017

 * The Forgotten Realms Wiki has seen its 23,000th article, with Reinhar VIII from Lhynard, who listed the kings of the Yaerthal Dynasty of Dambrath.
 * Lhynard also obtained a copy of A Full History of the Dobbins of Stagwick but found it rather boring, so he traveled instead to Split Mountain (avoiding Goboka's ogres on the way) to learn the history of Sky Cleaver, Annam All-Father's fabled handaxe.
 * We recently enjoyed a musical period. BadCatMan visited Waterdeep's musician's guild at the House of Song (despite having no musical talent). He was persuaded to visit Halambar Lutes & Harps, and purchased a twostring thinking it would be easy, but was more fascinated by the Harp that Sings by Itself.
 * Meanwhile, Sirwhiteout studied at the bardic colleges: New Olamn in Waterdeep, Fochlucan in Silverymoon, and the College of the Herald. He documented the famed Instruments of the Bards, learned the bandore, and won a Fochlucan bandore for his efforts.
 * After researching the Ruined Kingdoms of east Zakhara, Artemaz traveled up the winding River Abdo and through the densely forested Grey Jungle before reaching the hidden ruins of the necropolis of Ysawis.
 * Should the wiki have video content and, if so, what kind? Have your say here.

22/05/2017

 * Unknown user 11 is meeting people of the Ol' Gray Box, including the famed mercenary Brandon, known as "Battlemaster"; Rhannon Manycoats, a thief in hiding from vengeful mages; Belurastra Stormfall, an enterprising courtesan and festhall owner; and the demented lich Azimer, who think he's still alive and teaching magic.
 * Traveling from Perendra's Stronghold to Malthuk's Tower, Moviesign uncovered a trove of Waukeenar spells, including wealthword and doublecoin, and one to summon a lock lurker. Blessed by the Merchant's Friend, he gained some Chessentan currency: authokhs and bebolts.
 * Meanwhile, Daranios and Sirwhiteout continued to cover the history of Netherese spell development, with transmute rock to mud in −2085 DR and silent image in −909 DR, among many others. Daranios aslo detailed Maztican spells, like arrowflight, create talisman, and a local version of darkness. Sirwhiteout also looked at mundane matters, like ball bearings and optic aids.
 * Have you noticed our new page header? It's at the top of the page in the default skin. Tell us how you use the site or give some suggestions for links here at the Forum.

23/07/2017

 * BadCatMan visited historical Edenvale in the Utter East, writing of Princess Roxanna's misadventures in dating, and learned from the Great Mage about the mysterious bloodforges, basal golems, and mana. Returning from the 7th century, he found he'd fallen woefully behind on current clacks. Sorry. He plunged back into the Vast Swamp, documenting its tribes, especially the undead Shadowscales.
 * We welcome back Zeromaru X, who's gone to the Windrise Ports of Laerakond. In Sambral, he dodged the local blademasters while touring the fragrant terraces and found what the Bay of Pearls was named for. Ramekho proved more peaceful, if a little ramshackle, and the Yellow Finned Oponi was an enjoyable fish dish. Afterward, Zeromaru learned of the terrible fire primordial Achazar.
 * Artemaz braved the Burning Lands of Zakhara, stealing into the dread Krak al-Niraan and uncovering the sinister secrets of the Brotherhood of the True Flame. He met its fearsome inhabitants, such as the ogre giant Ozzo, the warmonger genie Khaizuran, and the flame mage Najeeya bint Siddiq. Finally, he escaped into the Sea of Salt and the Al-Anwahr ruins, learning of their sad history.

13/08/2017

 * From a portal in Malthuk's Tower, Moviesign arrived in the southern trading town of Delzimmer. After enjoying some street-food—scaletail with mlael, followed by fruit jelly—Movie learned of the four powerful "satrap" merchant families who led the city. Running afoul of the crooked Jathlets, Movie got to experience Delzimmer's justice system firsthand.
 * Following the Dawn Pass Trail, BadCatMan took a side-trip to Llorkh, a town in the grip of Zhentish tyranny under Lord Mayor Geildarr Ithym. Hiding from the thuggish Lord's Men in Tantarn's Inn, he heard of the town's grim history, then struggled to escape it.
 * Ir'revrykal has been discovering Icons of the Realms and characters of AD&D Trading Cards, like Galfrey Kaarne, Indigo Twynight, and a Sabbagh of hammers. Ir'revrykal quested for more cards on the Isle of Jagged Teeth, but found only sahuagin and a demon temple.
 * In the Windrise Ports, Zeromaru X explored cosmopolitan Tarmalune, mapping its wards, studying its trades, and having a bath with suckertails. Zero met Lord Speaker Hamminas Dorn, head of the Council, and his rival the mercenary Rathgar Malynd.

25/08/2017

 * Having arisen a year ago to venture across the Realms, Erezrim Stonefoot, dwarven scholar, set out from Candlekeep to find the true chronology of the Age of Humanity. He seeks any who would aid his delve into history. We remember Erezrim for exploring the ruins of Quesseer and the year −1591 DR.
 * In a similar vein, Daranios and Sir Whiteout together continued a meticulous history of Netherese spell development, dating the works of Quantoul in −2021 DR and −2017 DR, Oberon, Yong, and others in −1919 DR and −1164 DR. They also documented Zahn's mirage and Hamring's mass hypnosis.
 * We welcome 3ICE, who introduced us to Jamilah, one of the upcoming Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms.
 * We also welcome Omannyo, who explored the forest of Gwaeron's Slumber and recently brought the latest 5th-edition measurements and features of giant eagles, gold dwarves and gnomes.
 * Finally, a reminder that the FRW uses past tense for all in-universe articles. It saves us changing everything every time the timeline advances and things change.

31/08/2017

 * Realms author R.A. Salvatore gave us a shout-out during an interview recently.

10/09/2017

 * Realms author R.A. Salvatore gave us a shout-out during an interview recently.
 * The prolific Zeromaru X produced a deluge of lore, among other things documenting the dragonborn clans and their great rebellion against the dragon Rhodrolytharnestrix in Laerakond. Zero joined the pirate crew of the magical ship Free Dragon under Captain Ghedrinn Lassan in their fight against the dragon duchess Orlarrakh. Not only that, but Zero wrote of such lofty matters as Ao the Overgod and the mysterious luminous being he serves.
 * The intrepid BadCatMan explored the Lost Refuge in the Vast Swamp and took a passage to its dark reflection: the Shadow Citadel in the Shadow Swamp in the Plane of Shadow. There, he found tantalizing hints to the fate of the Dusk Lord of Sessrendale. Navigating the creepy Whispermere on a boat with a skeleton crew, he learned of the fey shadar-kai and observed shadow mastiffs, shadow beasts, shadow elementals, and dusk beasts in their natural habitat. He returned late, cold, and heartily sick of the words "shadow" and "dusk".
 * Wandering the streets of Delzimmer still, Moviesign visited Antholo's All the Realms and met its proprietor Antholo Kraul, hearing from others the story of the shopkeeper who would not stay dead. Later, Movie heard gossip about the "Night Scourges" Marlyar Nilthrul, Thorongh Davarragar, and Imriskril Melsamber, and news of the bloody, goblin-hunting expeditions of Rollivar's Redfangs.

21/09/2017

 * Taking leave from the history of spellcraft (e.g., −1839 DR, Dace's taunting), Sir Whiteout holidayed in Port Nyanzaru in Chult. With a tortle guide leading the way, Whiteout headed into the jungle, but soon after plunged headlong into the Infinite Layers of the Abyss, cleaning up on the way.
 * In Whiteout's absence, Daranios continued the spell research, such as finding summon monster IV was introduced in −1861 DR, telling the history of blindness or deafness (take your pick), and saying who uses strength of one. Daranios then stole into Moander's rotting abyssal realm of Offalmound to rescue Sir Whiteout. Those two work well together.
 * At Candlekeep, Ir'revrykal met "Old Puffguts" Winthrop and learned of the Whistling Sword. Then the cards led Ir'revrykal to the far-off Land of Fate, to meet the desert rider Abu bin Sujah, his foe the genie Hasar Al-Yasan, the trapped thief Fatima abd Haji, and the holy slayer Anwar al-Sifr.
 * Finally, we recommend using the Source Editor. The default Visual Editor doesn't work well with our templates and doesn't show our notices. The Source Editor shows you the raw wiki code (actually very simple and obvious) and how everything works, and is much quicker and easier. Find a page to improve and try it now!

14/10/2017

 * Daranios at long last finished his delve into the Netherese Fields of Mythal by listing all extant variations. Now he aspires to even higher goals, peeking into godly realms like the Great Mother's Garden, while still looking at spell inventions like that of polymorph self from time to time.
 * After a prolonged hiatus, Artemaz explored the fledgling nation of Yaïmmunahar within the vast expanse of the Hordelands. He was impressed with Hubadai Khahan's efforts to establish the capital of Kourmira as a prominent center for trade.
 * BadCatMan visited the picturesque garden city of Loudwater. He tried to enjoy some mist cheese at the chaotic Merry Mer-She, failed to get some peace at the Enchanter's Ecstasy inn, and couldn't visit the rumored crypts beneath the High Lord's Hall. It was a pleasant place regardless.
 * We welcomed Nerdbrarian who wrote of some legendary holy books of the Realms: The Argyr, the Balance of Belaros, the Black Book, and the Book of Fangs and Talons—some of which aren't even books.
 * Once again, we recommend using the Source Editor. The default Visual Editor doesn't work well with our templates and doesn't show our notices. The Source Editor shows you the raw wiki code (actually very simple and obvious) and how everything works, and is much quicker and easier. Find a page to improve and try it now!

15/10/2017

 * The Forgotten Realms Wiki recently jumped in Wikia's Wiki Activity Monitor, achieving a peak WAM Score of almost 98% and ranks of 33rd best wiki of the Games category and 69th best wiki overall. Meanwhile, we currently receive an average of 124,000 views a day across the wiki, with over 1300 visits to the Main Page.

29/10/2017

 * Welcome, stranger! We're not the Stranger Things Wiki, but we do have articles on Demogorgon, mind flayers, troglodytes, and Bloodstone Pass (as well as Bloodstone Pass). The Vale of Shadows isn't what Stranger Things says it is, but the Plane of Shadow and the Shadowfell are. Thank you for the visits, we got a good spike in traffic for Season 1.
 * Leaving Delzimmer along Trader's Way, Moviesign passed the Forest of Amtar and sighted Harboot's Tooth and the Knife. He camped in Daustable's Morrum and examined the unusual standing stones there, and narrowly avoided brigands like the Raunstrar and the Maurvurr. Finally, he arrived in Khôltar and began to explore.
 * Zeromaru X returned to Tymanther, first climbing the Unthangol Mountains and then following the River Alamber through Lance Lake and Ash Lake and into the Greenfields. He also whispered of the primordials, Dur-baagal and Karshimis. There he enjoyed a traditional Thymari dish of türkhaari, yochit, and farothai.
 * Remember that the FRW uses past tense or narrative tense for all in-universe articles, just like in all the Forgotten Realms novels.

24/11/2017

 * Popup references are live and well! Hover your mouse over superscript numbers and note tags to see the balloon; it saves clicking to see the details at the bottom of the page. Click the gear icon to set your preferred popup settings.
 * BadCatMan sailed across the southern Great Sea, but was hurled overboard in a storm. He washed ashore on a floating island in the eerie Realm of Tides, then crossed to the mainland Utter East, exploring the Realm of Lands and the blazing Realm of Fire. Here he learned of the ancient conflict between the Circle of Order and Tartyron, the Lord of Chaos. And that's his excuse for falling behind on the Current Clacks.
 * After escaping the clutches of the spelljamming, world-devouring vampire T'Laan, Ir'revrykal wrote of the emptied village of Innisfall, did business with the mercantile mages Khenel Barony and Archadamius Luciard, and crossed paths with the spellfire-hunting ranger Agrorn Silverleaf. He also added to the library a list of short stories and Dragon+ issues #4, #5, and #16, as well as the forthcoming Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition. It seems almost ordinary after the vampire.
 * The brave Sirwhiteout has done battle with the equipment closet, dusting off the old and buying new. We have items magical and mundane: camping gear like bedrolls, tinderboxes, rations, mess kits, and many kinds of lamps and lanterns; and the Heward's handy haversack, cloak of protection, and bracers of defense. Then an eblis stole it all on an expedition to Chult.
 * Artemaz explored the waterways of the northeast, including the River Eth, Huta Lake, and Sidewinder River, before going whitewater rafting (not voluntarily) from Lake Icemelt and down the River Icehilt into Bluefang Water. Recovering at the House of Tablets, Artemaz told of the notable wizards Xulbraddon Ahmaer and Xundra Sharmhand, then had a too-real nightmare about Oublivae, the Demon Monarch of the Barrens.

5/12/2017

 * The FRW has passed its 24,000th article! It was the Mieruura family from Moviesign. Moviesign is busily exploring the Iron City of Khôltar, finding an industrious trade city of the South. After a walk down the North Way to take in the sights, not to mention the smells, Moviesign stopped at Surlpar's Stews for a cheap but regrettable meal. If he gets food poisoning, he has no cause to suspect he might have offended the prominent Izimmur family.
 * Daranios ascended to the Library of All Knowledge, realm of the gods Deneir and Milil. Exploring the divine stacks, Daranios catalogued the pantheons, including the little-known Celtic, Greek, and Finnish pantheons. Daranios also mapped the other godly realms, finding more on the Gates of the Moon.
 * We haven't been able to mention Jacktoland yet, but for exactly a year now he's steadily made many corrections, added tidbits of information, revised to past tense, and provided citations, keeping the wiki up-to-date. Meanwhile, he's produced a thorough Dwarvish dictionary, learned a little about weretigers (there's still much we need to know but are afraid to find out, however), noted the talented glassblowers of Urmlaspyr, and enjoyed a good Elturian Grey cheese.
 * Don't miss our new popup references. Hover your mouse over superscript numbers and note tags to see the balloon; it saves clicking to see the details at the bottom of the page. Click the gear icon to set your preferred popup settings.

18/12/2017

 * Lhynard has emerged from the chilly north, having explored the Frozen Sea. He catalogued the fauna of the cold lands, including brantas, elk, wolverines, and the dreaded glacier skunk (which he may not want to talk about).
 * Zeromaru X, meanwhile, went into the north, now touring Neverwinter. He documented the great city's history and the ruling Alagondar and Neverember families from the safety of the Protector's Enclave and the Graycloaks.
 * Returning to the west, BadCatMan came to Ormpur, telling of the city-state's bloody history and cultivation of saffron. He then took the Lapal Way through Lapaliiya, visiting Lushpool (finding to his surprise its hanging gardens concealed many snakes), making a detour to Uzurr (where he began on the wiki years before), and ending at Sammaresh. He joined the pilgrims to the Abbey of Tharynd, learning of the moon goddess Selûne and her clergy.
 * We welcome Regis87, who emerged from among the ogres and pirates of Golden Cove to add a whopping number of Dragon magazines to the library and many classic video games, including the Eye of the Beholder series, Savage Frontier series, and Pool of Radiance series.
 * If you want to edit, go right ahead, but we recommend using the Source Editor. The default Visual Editor doesn't work well with our templates or show our help notices. The Source Editor uses the raw wiki code (actually very simple and obvious), showing you how everything works, and is much quicker and easier. Better still, make an account and make it your default editor.

19/12/2017

 * We hear surprise news of the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons movie, which has a new studio and a 2021 release date, but nothing else is certain now.