History of Myth Drannor

The history of Myth Drannor was long and tumultuous, fraught with rises to power and falls to ruin.

Early History
Many believe that the city began as an elven encampment consisting of tree dwellings near some fresh water pools that gradually grew and incorporated rope bridges, though in truth the city was founded in by the Coronal Kahvoerm Irithyl as he summoned the Rule Tower with the elfblade, the Rulers' Blade. The city was first called Cormanthor and became the capital of the newly created realm of Cormanthyr, after it united Semberholme, Elven Court and Jhyrennstar. The ritual of the blade was soon repeated with the Warblade and the Artblade, forming the three towers of Castle Cormanthor. For a century, this was the only grounded building in the city, as most dwellings were in the trees. It took 12 centuries before other towers broke the canopies of Cormanthor.

For over four thousand years, the city prospered with little incident, passing into its sixth rysar in. The sixth Coronal, Eltargrim Irithyl, would forever change the city.

The Opening
At this time, regular orc invasions every decade or so became a large problem and the cause of great bloodshed. In addition, the Coronal began to foresee the doom of his people at the hands of the expanding empires of humans and other races at Cormanthyr's borders. He decided that if Cormanthyr was to survive, they must make peace with the other races, so Eltargrim set about organizing the elven wizards to create a mythal, a process that would take nearly twelve years to complete. It was during this time that Elminster visited the legendary elven city and became the first human to ever set foot in it. Elminster's presence was dogged by many nobles who opposed the Opening and he faced many attempts on his life, but was eventually found worthy by the Coronal. His role as Chosen of Mystra further emboldened the ruler of the elves to complete the mythal.

The Golden Age

 * With the completion of the mythal, the newly-named city of Myth Drannor was opened to all non-elves.
 * With the completion of the mythal, the newly-named city of Myth Drannor was opened to all non-elves.


 * The five leading elven houses of Myth Drannor left the city and began to formally document the "crimes" of humanity. Among these were Starym, Bharaclaiev, Hyshaanth, Rhaevaern, and Tellynnan families.
 * The five leading elven houses of Myth Drannor left the city and began to formally document the "crimes" of humanity. Among these were Starym, Bharaclaiev, Hyshaanth, Rhaevaern, and Tellynnan families.


 * The rebellion was brought to the Court of Cormanthor by Lord Speaker Llombaerth Starym and many nobles lost their lives before the conflict was ended by the Coronal, the Srinshee and Elminster Aumar.


 * Eight humans were murdered by poison, and the killings are attributed to a servant of House Ammath, who actually spied for for House Symbeam.
 * Eight humans were murdered by poison, and the killings are attributed to a servant of House Ammath, who actually spied for for House Symbeam.


 * Dwarves from Ammarindar and Citadel Felbarr relocated from their ancestral homes to Myth Drannor.
 * Dwarves from Ammarindar and Citadel Felbarr relocated from their ancestral homes to Myth Drannor.


 * Scores and scores of halflings traveled east from their homes in far to the west in Tethyr and Meiritin in order to relocate to the city. Several portals are established in order to better facilitate this migration.
 * Scores and scores of halflings traveled east from their homes in far to the west in Tethyr and Meiritin in order to relocate to the city. Several portals are established in order to better facilitate this migration.


 * A record number of babies were born within the city during the year. The number of elven births that year was greater than those born in the entirety of the previous decade.
 * A record number of babies were born within the city during the year. The number of elven births that year was greater than those born in the entirety of the previous decade.


 * Elves and non-elves engaged in their first cooperative dragon-hunt and slayed the white dragon Arkhenthus.


 * The first groups of gnomes made their home in Myth Drannor.
 * The first groups of gnomes made their home in Myth Drannor.


 * Over 500 humans and dwarves joined the ranks of the Akh'Velahrn, which had never before had non-elves among its members.
 * Over 500 humans and dwarves joined the ranks of the Akh'Velahrn, which had never before had non-elves among its members.


 * The Crown Against the Scepter Wars came to an end with a Cormanthyrian victory over the city-state Hlondath.
 * The Crown Against the Scepter Wars came to an end with a Cormanthyrian victory over the city-state Hlondath.


 * The red dragon Garnetallisar was granted permission to live within the city, due to its unique benevolent nature.
 * The red dragon Garnetallisar was granted permission to live within the city, due to its unique benevolent nature.


 * Seven powerful mages formed the first wizard school that was open to all races whose teachers were not exclusively elves, known as the Irithlium. These mages came to be known as the Seven Wizards of Myth Drannor outside the city.
 * Seven powerful mages formed the first wizard school that was open to all races whose teachers were not exclusively elves, known as the Irithlium. These mages came to be known as the Seven Wizards of Myth Drannor outside the city.


 * The city's mythal was assaulted by a contingent of five black dragons and two green dragons. They were ultimately destroyed by Itham, commander of the dragonriders, though at the cost of his life, that of a bronze dragon, along with fifty hippogriffs and their riders.
 * The city's mythal was assaulted by a contingent of five black dragons and two green dragons. They were ultimately destroyed by Itham, commander of the dragonriders, though at the cost of his life, that of a bronze dragon, along with fifty hippogriffs and their riders.


 * The Starym clan of elves returned from Eaerlann and Illefarn to reclaim their family's holdings and restore theirs honor. This was not the case unfortunately, as Illitran Starym formed a pact with Moander.
 * The Starym clan of elves returned from Eaerlann and Illefarn to reclaim their family's holdings and restore theirs honor. This was not the case unfortunately, as Illitran Starym formed a pact with Moander.


 * The Guild of Naturalists formed their order and spent the next two years building the Halls of the Beast-Tamers.
 * The Guild of Naturalists formed their order and spent the next two years building the Halls of the Beast-Tamers.


 * This was the year considered by many to be the apex of Myth Drannor's cultural influence and power within the region.
 * This was the year considered by many to be the apex of Myth Drannor's cultural influence and power within the region.


 * Content with the completion of his dream of "unifying the tribes of this great land", Eltargrim died and passed on to Arvandor. His sole heir Aravae Irithyl declared a five-year mourning period.

The Dusk
Following the death of Eltargrim, the city was left without a leader. As Aravae Irithyl, the sole heir, declared a five-year mourning period but was secretly murdered in 664 DR by Illitran Starym, leaving the rulership of Cormanthyr open. After a lengthy Claiming Ceremony amid many conflicts, deaths and in-fighting, no heir was deemed worthy, and so the Srinshee drew the blade and departed to Arvandor with it, vowing only to return once the elves had remembered the lost dream of Cormanthyr.

The ranking officials left in Myth Drannor, mainly the Arms-Major, the Spell-Major, and the two High Court Mages, convened with the tree spirits to discuss the future of the city and the realm. Their message was "if one star cannot guide you in your travel, look to them all for guidance". This was taken to mean a ruling council was needed, and by Midsummer 667 DR the Council of Twelve was in control of Cormanthyr and Myth Drannor. This council soon forgot the dreams of the Coronals and took to bettering their own agendas; the nobles made trade deals that favoured their own houses and influence, and worked to set up power holds in the sister cities. With Myth Drannor failing as a capital, Cormanthyr dissolved into city states within four decades amid divisive in-fighting among the council and the guilds.

Equally disastrous for Myth Drannor was the departure of the magical talent and artisan populations. Many of its great wizards left to colonize the sister cities, and after Eltargrim's passing fewer and fewer students enrolled in Myth Drannor's schools. In 682 DR, the Seven Wizards of Myth Drannor were disbanded. Those that did come to the city were more interested in empowering themselves than learning about magic. Many Craftsman left for better opportunities in neighbouring settlements, as the craft guilds were prone to stagnation since its members, invigorated by the lifespan-increasing powers of the mythal, never left their posts.

Finally, a descent into factionalism truly sundered the great unified force of Cormanthyr. The Akh'Velahr saw increased enrollment in the face of a looming civil war with the violent noble houses, and became a highly trained force under the council's direction. Mages from the High Court seceded and formed the Eternal Srinnala in 685 DR, a female mage body dedicated to following the Srinshee's and the Coronal last wishes. Guilds were at odds and even taverns became exclusive to this race or that occupation. The priests of the various faiths of Myth Drannor banded together to protect their own district in the city against outside forces. Myth Drannor was breaking down year after year.

The Fall



 * The long-imprisoned group of nycaloths known as the Trio Nefarious were released from an extra-dimensional prison high above the city. Aulmpiter, Gaulguth and Malimshaer escaped to the North where they began raise an army that came to be known as the Army of Darkness.
 * The long-imprisoned group of nycaloths known as the Trio Nefarious were released from an extra-dimensional prison high above the city. Aulmpiter, Gaulguth and Malimshaer escaped to the North where they began raise an army that came to be known as the Army of Darkness.


 * Within 18 months they had amassed a great host of orcs, gnolls, trolls, goblins and other lesser fiends and monsters, some 3,000 strong..


 * Intent on seeking revenge against the elves that had imprisoned them, the nycaloths and their army entered the northern woods of Cormanthor, attacking some elven outposts and moving closer to the capital of Myth Drannor. These initial hostilities began what came to be known as the Weeping War.
 * Intent on seeking revenge against the elves that had imprisoned them, the nycaloths and their army entered the northern woods of Cormanthor, attacking some elven outposts and moving closer to the capital of Myth Drannor. These initial hostilities began what came to be known as the Weeping War.


 * After three years of war, the city of Myth Drannor was finally overrun by the Army of Darkness. Despite fierce resistance from the elven defenders and the deaths of the three nycaloths, the demonic hordes were far too numerous to prevent the fall of the city. In an operation lasting almost a month, the city was set alight and pillaged, and the elves were almost all slain.
 * After three years of war, the city of Myth Drannor was finally overrun by the Army of Darkness. Despite fierce resistance from the elven defenders and the deaths of the three nycaloths, the demonic hordes were far too numerous to prevent the fall of the city. In an operation lasting almost a month, the city was set alight and pillaged, and the elves were almost all slain.


 * About 200 survivors managed to escape the onslaught. Some humans and elves were able to flee to Ascalhorn and Silverymoon, a dozen of whom were aided by the Seven of Silver.


 * The self-exiled elven leaders that left some five hundred years earlier formed the Eldreth Veluuthra, or the "Victorious Blade of the People".


 * The fall marked the beginning of the Retreat – the six-hundred year period when the elves of Faerûn gradually left the Realms for the fabled isle of Evermeet.

The Interim Years
For over six centuries, the city's ruins were home to many lethal predators including alhoons, devils, dragons, the Cult of the Dark Naga and phaerimms. Parts of it were protected by baelnorns and it was frequented by adventuring parties and raiders looking for treasure and magic. The elves kept the place hidden and sealed for the most part, and the city became a legend, one of the most dangerous adventuring sites in all of Faerûn. It remained as such for many years, even through the Retreat when the elves abandoned Cormanthor and left the city to its own fate. Little else was known about the goings on in the city during this time.


 * The scrying stones of Myth Drannor were recovered by Princess Ilmara of Impiltur.
 * The scrying stones of Myth Drannor were recovered by Princess Ilmara of Impiltur.


 * Malkizid returned to Faerûn and takes leadership over the fiends infesting the city.
 * Malkizid returned to Faerûn and takes leadership over the fiends infesting the city.

Recapture

 * Kaedthis, the leader of one of the cults of the moon, sought to recapture the city and take control of its mythal.
 * Kaedthis, the leader of one of the cults of the moon, sought to recapture the city and take control of its mythal.


 * The army of Seiveril Miritar, leading a return to Faerûn, recaptured Myth Drannor and its new Coronal, Ilsevele Miritar, began restoring the city to its former glory. As of 1479 DR, the city occupied a smaller area than it once did, and some parts of the ruins of the older city were still present, the forest having regrown to cover them. Myth Drannor's mythal was repaired and was active in 1479 DR, preventing access to the city from other planes.

The Sundering

 * After over 100 years of war against Netheril, the Netherese enclave of Thultanthar fell from the sky upon Myth Drannor, destroying both cities. Ilsevele and her surviving subjects fled to Semberholme.
 * After over 100 years of war against Netheril, the Netherese enclave of Thultanthar fell from the sky upon Myth Drannor, destroying both cities. Ilsevele and her surviving subjects fled to Semberholme.