Wind by the Fireside

Wind by the Fireside was a traditional trail ballad by an unknown composer, popular across the Savage Frontier and the Sword Coast North, with many different forms and variations.

Scholarship
The precise origin and history of Wind by the Fireside were not known, but sages agreed that the poem itself had changed a lot with the passing of centuries. This became clear when taking into account the many versions and variations of the poem in various regions of the Realms. However, the sages did not know what the poem was originally, the extent of the changes, or how or why it changed, only being certain that alterations did take place. Many simply attributed these changes to the natural evolution of language over time and to developments in style.

Some sages theorized the poem began as an ode in some long-gone religion or cult, while others believed it referenced the creator races of Faerûn.

Text
While there were variations found in different lands, the version of the ballad sung in the Savage Frontier in the mid-1360s DR and popular in Neverwinter and beyond circa 1372 DR, is as follows:

"So as you shiver in the cold and the dark, Look into the fire and seen in its spark&mdash; My eye Watching over you.

''As you walk in the wind's whistling claws, Listen past the howling wolf's jaws. My song Comes to you.''

''And when you're lost in trackless snow, Look up high where the eagles go. My star Shines for you.''

''In deep, dark mine or on crumbling peak, Hear the words of love I speak. My thoughts Are with you.''

''You are not forsaken. You are not forgotten. The North cannot swallow you. The snow cannot bury you. I will come for you. Faerûn will grow warmer, And the gods will smile But oh, my love, guard yourself well&mdash; All this may not happen for a long, long while.''"

History
Copies of a book containing the above text of Wind by the Fireside could be found around the areas of Neverwinter, Daggerford, and the Sword Coast North circa 1372 DR.

Appearances

 * Video Games
 * Neverwinter Nights