Template:DidYouKnow/current

This page collects old trivia from Template:DidYouKnow. Please make sure there are 53 sections of trivia in each archive year (every 5 or 6 years we get a year with 53 weeks in it. See ISO week date). The DidYouKnow template will select additional trivia from a random previous year for the current week. Archives should be named for the year they were created because the template looks for pages in the archive directory that start with "2".

Archives of previous years:
 * Template:DidYouKnow/archive/2013
 * Template:DidYouKnow/archive/2014
 * Template:DidYouKnow/archive/2015
 * Template:DidYouKnow/archive/2016
 * Template:DidYouKnow/archive/2017
 * Template:DidYouKnow/archive/2018
 * Template:DidYouKnow/archive/2019

29/12/2019 – 5/1/2020

 * Icewolf, an Ice Hunter village on the island of Ice Peak, was visited by the Heroes of Ascore on their quest to defeat the white dragon Freezefire.
 * Moon dogs were large, canine celestials from the plane of Elysium. One moon dog, Cooeu, led a pack of wolves in the vicinity of Shadowdale.
 * Northfurrow's End was an inn in Goldenfields operated by Miros Xelbrin, a hirsute Emerald Enclave sympathizer. The inn offered comfortable lodgings and local cuisine.
 * Warning shout was a spell known to the clergy of Arvoreen that amplified a single spoken word, making it audible up to half a mile away from the caster.
 * General of undeath, a divine necromancy spell associated with Velsharoon, allowed its caster to command a greater number of undead minions.
 * Burn path was a path magic spell that could burn away knowledge of a single path of magic known to its target. It was considered a spell of the dreaded Path of Paths.

5/1/2020 – 12/1/2020

 * Raziel was a member of the Celestial Hebdomad and the leader of Mertion, a layer of Mount Celestia. He channeled his righteous fury to fight tyranny and protect the innocent.
 * A wand of defoliation could be used to kill all plant life in an area. These wands were effective weapons against plant creatures such as shambling mounds.
 * The kensai Chien Jang Liang studied martial arts at the Wang Ho School in Cham Fau. He almost killed his master while practicing a secret technique.
 * Shimmermantle was an abjuration spell that shrouded its caster in a shimmering aura, shielding them from a number of physical and magical attacks.
 * Lonafin was a cleric and hierophant of Velsharoon who learned animate dead to further his goal of raising undead wherever he went.
 * Azuth's alteration mantle allowed its caster to absorb a spell thrown at him or her, then redirect the magical energy either for healing or to fuel another spell.
 * Theldrin Rallyhorn served as advisor to several kings of early Cormyr. He hid away a substantial fortune, the Rallyhorn Riches, deep within Castle Obarskyr.
 * Poison vines was a druid spell that created rapid-growing poisonous vines. The vines could be used for a variety of purposes, including binding enemies similar to entangle.
 * Adarus were millipede-like tanar'ri who specialized in manipulating lesser demons. They were fascinated by non-adaru body parts and often collected them.

12/1/2020 – 19/1/2020

 * Gloom golems were horrifying golems from the bleak plane of Hades. They constantly emitted a terrible howl that induced despair in all who heard it.
 * Gwynharwyf was a bralani princess of the eladrin Court of Stars. As Queen Morwel's champion she waged an endless crusade against evil.
 * The Rallyhorn Riches was a treasure of stupefying value amassed by Theldrin Rallyhorn that vanished from a hidden room in Castle Obarskyr without a trace.
 * Goblin rats were cowardly and evil shapechangers from Kara-Tur. Local superstition maintained that boiled goblin rat whiskers could cure baldness.
 * Bright Nydra was a demigod said to be the daughter of Selûne and Shaundakul. During the Time of Troubles she defeated an avatar of Bhaal.
 * The korobokuru bushi Hsiao Nan Tzu Wen accompanied Kuang Ming Ling, his boss's daughter, on a pilgrimage to a distant monastery.
 * Bluespawn stormlizards were massive dragonspawn of Tiamat resembling wingless blue dragons. They were sometimes used as mounts by other dragonspawn.
 * Gretchen Titchwillow was a wandering druid guided by a grove of willow trees. She was instructed to travel to Baldur's Gate and stop a growing evil.

19/1/2020 – 26/1/2020

 * The gargantua of Kara-Tur were among the largest creatures to walk the surface of Toril. Several varieties existed, such as humanoid, insectoid, and reptilian gargantua.
 * Killmoulis were tiny fey known for their prominent proboscises. Although generally mild-mannered, many killmoulis enjoyed playing practical jokes on others.
 * Gulguthydrae were aberrant and exceptionally rare hybrids of hydras and gulguthras found in places such as the Farsea Marshes and the sewers of Waterdeep.
 * Vorr were hyena-like bloodhounds native to the Abyss. Because of their exceptional tracking skills they were often used by greater demons to track down prey.
 * Haraevor were dragonspawn that resembled four-headed crocodiles. They traveled underground through solid stone and were referred to as "crashing death from earth".
 * House Irlingstar was a noble family of Waterdeep known for their investments in shipbuilding and banking. They also secretly provided funding for the sinister Unseen.
 * The Solemn Order of Recognized Furriers and Woolmen in Waterdeep saw its revenues soar while its membership decreased under the leadership of Master Thoss Balein.

26/1/2020 – 2/2/2020

 * Greenspawn razorfiends were the sentries of Tiamat's armies. With wings sharp as knives, they hunted Chondalwood and other temperate forests.
 * Günvald Halraggson was a Chieftain of the Bear Tribe of Reghedmen. After the death of fellow Chieftain Wolvig Barrundson at the hand of the Ice Witch, he took the title of Bear King.
 * The Iceflow was a river born in the Spine of the World that coursed southwest to the Trackless Sea so swiftly that it was unnavigable.
 * Gendruwo were a type of memedi found in Kara-Tur. The pranks they pulled on humans were usually good-natured, but could turn malicious if they were in a bad mood.
 * A deep crow was a huge insect that resembled a bird except for it mandibles, multiple eyes, and four-toed claws. They were aggressive and deadly, but their eggs were a delicacy.
 * Emmantiensien, the Treant-King, was the sage of the Seelie Court. Grave and quiet, he spent many long hours in deep conversation with fellow nature gods Rillifane Rallathil and Silvanus.
 * Bartholomew Tidfigit was the proud and haughty proprietor of The Royal Arms inn in Luskan. He made it a point to disregard "smelly ruffians" who could not afford his rates.
 * Nightshades were evil and poisonous elemental nature spirits. They resembled fey dwarves and were hostile to treants, druids, and other goodly servants of nature.
 * The monk Hua Li Te was the abbot of the Pure Thought Monastery in Shou Lung. He remained the most powerful monk of his order well into his old age.

2/2/2020 – 9/2/2020

 * Deep crows were monstrous avians found in the deep, dark places of Toril. Their malign presence could veil a region in shadow, filled with the dark echoes of alien caws.
 * Smiler the Defiler was a vile and somewhat insane eladrin warlord whose gang, Smiler's Defilers, roamed the wastes of Avernus in their infernal war machines.
 * Chult's Valley of Embers was a barren lowland covered in lava flows from the Peaks of Flame, inhabited only by mud and steam mephits who found the harsh environment agreeable.
 * Asp was the naga assistant of Maligor, Thay's zulkir of alteration. Like her master, she was thoroughly evil and enjoyed leisurely pursuits such as torture and murder.
 * Celestian the Far Wanderer was a deity of Oerth worshiped by many wanderers of the planes and wildspace. Consequently, he had a gaggle of adherents on the Rock of Bral.
 * Lady Jhanthyl Lagarr became Queen of Cormyr when she married King Duar, who had previously defeated her first husband, Kuthor Lagarr, in battle.
 * Hkum yeng were nats found in Kara-Tur. They watched over entire villages of humans, protecting them from threats (provided the humans did not offend them in some way).
 * Redspawn firebelchers were brutish and vicious dragonspawn with an appetite for destruction. They congregated in volcanic areas and could swim in lava.
 * Alamion, or "Frost Daddy", was one of two magic longswords forged by the wizard Obren the Left-Handed. Its counterpart was Malamion, also known as "Frost Baby".

9/2/2020 – 16/2/2020

 * The South Wood in the Savage Frontier was home to a tribe of goblins, a wild hunt of ghosts chasing spectral boars, and an enterprising treant.
 * The Lagarr Legacy was a treasure amassed by the warlord Kuthor Lagarr. The caravan transporting the hoard to Cormyr was mysteriously lost with nary a trace.
 * Go-zu oni were large, bull-headed oni found in Kara-Tur. They served the Celestial Emperor as soldiers and as escorts for the recently deceased.
 * Brogan was a Harper agent in the Sunset Mountains who uncovered a drow, gnoll, and ogre conspiracy to exterminate the local dwarven population.
 * The Thayan herb sindari was highly poisonous. The poison took a full day to affect its victims, after which they would fall into violent convulsions and die within minutes.
 * Mudwort was a gnoll soldier in the army of the Thayan zulkir Maligor. He secretly sold information to the Harpers, but was killed by their agent in a dispute over payment.
 * Marchion was the hereditary title used by the ruler of Mirabar, as well as by Cormyrian lords who ruled border territories. The feminine form was "marchioness".
 * The Wizard of Wines was a vineyard in Barovia owned and operated by the Martikov family. The vineyard was once briefly visited by the Heroes of Baldur's Gate.

16/2/2020 – 23/2/2020

 * The Laughing Hollow was home to the fey beings of the Delimbiyr Vale. A great, treasure-laden dwarf-hold was rumored to lie buried deep beneath the area.
 * Me-zu oni were large horse-headed oni who served as commanders in the armies of the Celestial Emperor. They were only rarely encountered on the material plane.
 * Ilivarra was a drow priestess of Lolth who sought to expel a dwarven clan from the Sunset Mountains. Her plan was foiled by the adventurers Adrianna, Kromlech, and Vahn.
 * The Jathiman Dagger appeared to be an ordinary dagger, but was in actuality an extraordinarily powerful weapon crafted by the Cult of Jathiman to slay the gods.
 * The cauldron of doom was a necromantic item that could re-animate human corpses as zombie-like undead creatures. It was created by a blacksmith in the service of Kazgaroth.
 * Elwin traded his career as a pirate on the Sword Coast for an easy life guarding a citrus orchard in Thay. He died after being charmed into aiding a group of Harpers.
 * The Selgryn tribe of kobolds were known for their extensive use of traps. The tribe very nearly wiped out the Uthgardt who had settled near their territory in the Ice Lakes.
 * The Abbey of Everard was home to a group of Oghman monks. Although the monks' quarters were rather spartan, the abbey was richly ornamented and well stocked with books.
 * Tanglefoot bags could be thrown at other creatures to cover them in thick goo and hinder their movement. They were often used by devils to ground flying angels and archons.
 * The four friends Lareth Huntsilver, Gardrath Roaringhorn, Aubleth Crownsilver, and Aiken Wyvernspur discovered the Harp of Healing when walking home from a night of drinking.
 * The highwayman Pandar of Scardale avoided elven justice by hiding in the Cormanthor forest, and avoided injury by wearing the Elves' Bane girdle.

23/2/2020 – 1/3/2020

 * The Harp of Healing was a mysterious magical harp with reputed healing powers that haunted Cormyr in 1018 DR. Thereafter, pranksters and thieves would play harps in the wood to lure people into mischief.
 * The Cult of Ragarra was devoted to the savage jungle goddess Ragarra. Active in Zakhara's Cities of the Ancients, they increased crocodile populations in the rivers and canals.
 * The Sign of the Dreaming Dragon was an inn and tavern in Iriaebor owned by a former member of the Fellowship of the Dreaming Dragon. Extending over the edge of the Tor, it had a great view.
 * Great King Mandoul ruled an ancient kingdom on the Sword Coast North. In time, all the realm was lost bar its caverns and Mandoul's voice still warning travelers passing its gates near Waterdeep.
 * Kaeira was a caravan guard who survived an ambush by bandits. Tracking the thieves to Baldur's Gate, she stayed at the Elfsong Tavern, where she was aided by adventurers Adrianna, Kromlech, and Vahn.
 * A robe of the archmagi bolstered the wearer's physical and magical defenses, as well as their arcane prowess. One could only be worn by an archmage of the correct ethical code.
 * A black sickle, also called a blightbringer, was an evil weapon of the Moonshae Isles that withered vegetation and could slay or drive away plant creatures.
 * The Sighing Valley in the southern Sumber Hills was named for the sound the winds made as they passed its rocky features. It was home to gnolls, aarakocra, and the Feathergale Knights.
 * Naityan rakshasas were very rare cousins of rakshasas with an inherent talent for blade magic and swift shapeshifting, which they blended with their martial arts. They drank blood, purely for the taste.
 * The Great Gazib was a circus mage who performed in the Carnival outside of Nashkel. In his show, he magically made an ogre partner seem to explode in front of an audience.
 * Chunming was a city in Shou Lung and one of the largest spelljamming ports on Toril. Although highly taxed, spelljammer crews were respected and envied by the populace.
 * Shou-town was a district on the Rock of Bral that was home to Shou artisans and craftsmen who'd migrated on spelljammers. It was largely controlled by yakuza.
 * Flameskulls were made from the heads of dead mages and used as intelligent guardians capable of spellcasting and hurling fire. Undying and utterly bored, they mostly only wanted entertainment.

1/3/2020 – 8/3/2020

 * The Thayvian gold mines were vital to the economy of Thay. The discovery of rich new gold veins led to a conflict between tharchion Lionson and zulkir Maligor.
 * Lae'zel was a githyanki warrior from Stardock. She was captured by mind flayers and subjected to ceremorphosis, which she desperately sought to stave off.
 * Lesser and greater segarrans were servants of Ragarra, the Zakharan deity of nature. They could shift between human and reptilian form at will.
 * Karasuthra was a layer of the Beastlands perpetually shrouded in night. It was inhabited by nocturnal beasts, the mortai, and the giant deity Stronmaus.
 * The Shields of Yartar were charged with the defense of Yartar. They were commanded by the city's Waterbaron and operated out of the Shield Tower.
 * Nematodes of the Northdark was a rare book on subterranean worms thought lost forever in the Underdark until tracked down by librarian Wendolyn Shoosh.
 * Chunming was a city in T'u Lung ruled by the Shin clan and known for its pepper wine. It was not to be confused with Chunming, a city in Shou Lung.
 * Blood warriors were evil undead fighters in the service of Kazgaroth. They could gain the power of haste through ritual human sacrifice.
 * In spite of Odin having no apparent presence in Realmspace, the Temple of Odin on the Rock of Bral boasted a community of roughly a hundred worshipers.
 * Blackstone was the manor of the noble Theresparin family of Cormyr. The building burned to the ground shortly after the mysterious disappearance of the Theresparins.

8/3/2020 – 15/3/2020

 * Creating a blood golem was a less than sanguine affair involving the blood of at least sixteen people. Once operational, the golem required a constant supply of blood to keep moving.
 * Abriymoch was the principal city on Phlegethos, third layer of the Nine Hells. Built into an active volcano, it was a center of vice and entertainment in the Hells.
 * The Second Dragonspear War was fought to banish the infernal Hordes of Dragonspear back to Avernus through the gate beneath Dragonspear Castle.
 * The Crystal Spire was the divine realm of the deities Kelemvor and Jergal. It was previously called the Bone Castle under its previous ruler, Myrkul.
 * Myrmyxicuses were aquatic demons found on the fiendish plane of Fated Depths. They had elongated, eel-like bodies, with multiple arms, tentacles, and other appendages.
 * Torilians enjoyed milk from a variety of creatures, from goats and cows to catoblepas and chimeras. Milk was also religiously significant to worshipers of Selûne and Hathor.
 * Yau-mor were evil spirits from Kara-Tur resembling freakish crosses between humans and dragons. They had an intense dislike of all magic users.
 * The alteration spell threestones allowed a wizard to make three small stones slightly larger. These could then be hurled at an opponent, and would always strike true.
 * Blackland Ironhoof was the centaur owner of the Agri Plantation in northern Thay. His plantation was largely run by slaves purchased in Eltabbar.
 * Yggdrasil's Child was an enormous tree whose roots connected the asteroids of Garden. It was named for the planar tree Yggdrasil and was said to have a life span of 2,000 years.
 * Despite its name, demon fever had little to do with demons, and was instead spread by abyssal ghouls and night hags. The disease slowly drained the vitality of its victims.
 * The Fairheight Mountains of Alaron in the Moonshaes were infested with trolls, orcs, and goblins who occasionally raided the mining towns situated in the mountain foothills.
 * Weaveghosts were spirits of deceased people who had merged with the Weave, typically the Chosen of Mystra. Weaveghosts could be resurrected into new, physical bodies by Mystra.
 * The Rus were a tribe of Illuskan humans who raided the coasts and rivers of Faerûn. A group of Rus settled in Rashemen, integrating with the local Rashemi people.

15/3/2020 – 22/3/2020

 * The Shining Crusade was formed by Caelar Argent to invade Avernus with the aim of liberating the souls of those lost in the First and Second Dragonspear Wars.
 * The Wyvernstones of Hullack marked the location of the Elfhold, an ancient elven crypt housing the dead of House Amaratharr as well as the druid Hullack.
 * Storm's swordfire was a spell created by Storm Silverhand that caused blades touched by the caster to ignite with fire that was especially harmful to undead.
 * The Master Mariners' Guild of Waterdeep represented the interests of the city's maritime merchants and ship captains. They were at odds with the Order of Master Shipwrights.
 * Toril was home to a multitude of different fish, from the deadly quipper to the ivory-boned knucklehead trout, and from the tiny jewelfish to the monstrous afanc.
 * The Chessentan village of Oslin was once defended by the Magical Chessmen of Ultham-Urre, which allowed its citizens to fend off two invading forces from Maerduuth.
 * Yuan-ti anathemas were horrifying yuan-ti monstrosities with multiple snake heads, created through subjecting abominations to a cruel ritual involving blood sacrifice.
 * At the end of the Era of Skyfire, the genie rulers of Schamedar in Calimshan cursed their citizens to remain bound to the city, even after death. Millennia later, their ghosts still haunted Schamedar.

22/3/2020 – 29/3/2020

 * A philosopher's stone could turn lead into gold, cure the sick, and bring the dead back to life. These rare artifacts were coveted by famous archmages such as Azurax Silverhawk.
 * The First Dragonspear War was fought between a coalition of forces from Baldur's Gate and Waterdeep, and a horde of devils and goblinoids occupying Dragonspear Castle.
 * The Ice Lakes of northwest Faerûn were home to a large kobold community, including the Selgryn tribe. The Waterdhavian noble house Majarra owned a tract of land in the area.
 * The alteration spell Laeral's disrobement could be used to infuse an item, typically clothing, with another spell to be activated when the garment was removed or damaged.
 * Jheldarr Boaldegg was the leader of Waterdeep's Master Mariners' Guild. He once attempted to have Piergeiron the Paladinson assassinated at the Open Lord's own wedding.
 * Baphitaurs were were the product of Netherese experiments to combine human, demon, and minotaur blood through sorcery. They were usually found in the Labyrinth in the Northdark.
 * Beldarm Truesilver was a Cormyrian lord suspected by some of being the true identity of the Hullack Hawk, a brigand who terrorized and stole from Sembian nobles.
 * Jewel Talondim was a crime lord in Iriaebor who headed the Talondim Clan, an independent thieves' guild. She was an effective leader who avoided conflict with larger guilds.
 * Heucuva were terrifying undead beings created from the damned souls of clerics, paladins, druids, and monks. They were mostly found in deep, dark environs such as Undermountain.
 * The Dock Ward of Calimport was known for its vibrant nightlife, roughly divided across its sabbans: inns were found in the Ylar sabban, festhalls in the Jarûz sabban, and taverns in the Aktorral sabban.

29/3/2020 – 5/4/2020

 * The Magical Chessmen of Ultham-Urre were a magical set of chess pieces enchanted with a vast array of sorcerous properties, including a strange quirk causing them to jump between owners.
 * The world of Athas was nigh impossible to access from Realmspace because of the relative isolation of its crystal sphere. Nevertheless, its existence was known to certain learned few on Toril.
 * Ilinvur, a mining town near the Moonsea, was at one point governed by a wizard installed by the cities of Melvaunt and Thentia in partnership. In return, Ilinvur was protected by both cities.
 * The Black Chronology of Augathra the Mad was a dark alternative to her Roll of Years prophecy, based on nightmare visions received while sleeping that she believed were granted by Shar.
 * Sieronius Dethick, a drow priest of Vhaeraun, was imprisoned and cursed with vampirism by the wizard Sunder Halyndliam. He sought an undead bride to help him break Sunder's curse.
 * The alteration spell Melisander's harp created an illusion of a floating, shadowy harp. The music from this harp caused effects similar to the slow, sleep, and feather fall spells.
 * The Prince of Frost was a cruel archfey who occasionally made pacts with Torilian warlocks. He was once called the Sun Prince, but lost his sunny disposition when his betrothed left him for a mortal man.
 * The Caravan Quarter of Daggerford was the city's center of commerce. Many establishments catering to traveling merchants, traders, and other visitors were found here.
 * Calimport's Quill Ward was known for its many libraries, both private and public. The Ward was protected by a potent magical ward created by the wizardess Nureh yr Catahra el Namor.

5/4/2020 – 12/4/2020

 * Geriviars were humongous giants with an intense hatred for permanent structures, compelling them to rip and tear apart buildings on sight.
 * The Cave of Greed was the divine realm of the draconic deity Azharul, until he was devoured by Tiamat, who then took up residence in the Cave.
 * Erackinor was the realm of Moradin, leader of the Morndinsamman pantheon. Its halls lay beneath Solania, a layer of Mount Celestia.
 * Waevor's Wagon was a shipment of silver stolen from the Purple Dragons of Cormyr under mysterious circumstances, never to be found again.
 * The Green Door festhall in Essembra was decorated with magnificent forest-scene tapestries and was secretly a shrine to Mielikki.
 * Daggerford's Silver Flood Inn was created in response to a "silver rush" in the nearby Sword Hills. The inn was decorated with a mining theme.
 * Shoondal's seeking was a spell that allowed its caster to see nearby keys, locks, and other similar devices, even through magical disguises.
 * Surminare was the goddess of selkies and a member of the Asathalfinare pantheon. She was a friend of the giant god Stronmaus.
 * Verdant princes were cruel, powerful fey who habitually offered bargains to the needy, usually in an attempt to create strife and anguish.
 * Ogre slugs had the upper bodies of ogres and the lower bodies of slugs. They preferred to dine on human flesh and were considered exceptionally ugly.
 * Able was a warrior-cleric of Tyr who traveled to the Utter East to rescue Piergeiron the Paladinson but ended up decapitated by barlguras.

12/4/2020 – 19/4/2020

 * The spell howling chain wrapped victims in screaming red chains that slowed their movement, then beat and crushed them to death.
 * Elminster's eversmoking pipe was the Old Sage's signature possession. In addition to aiding a smoking habit, it could produce minute meteors or pyrotechnic effects.
 * Nehwon ghouls, creatures from another world, were fairly civilized. Planewalker Tamper Tencoin and the Knights of Myth Drannor fought alongside one named Lacheera against the Zhent mage Whisper.
 * Viekang was a thief and a Bhaalspawn. He survived being hunted by his half–siblings, but his fight with Abdel Adrian precipitated the return of the Lord of Murder in 1482 DR.
 * Duke Malphas of Baator led forty companies of abishai in service to Tiamat when she was the ruler of Avernus.
 * Asgerlan Burtrann penned the revealing Cormyrian Customs And Scandals and was gruesomely executed by an offended Cormyrian noble.
 * Blacksaddle was a barony in the southern Border Kingdoms. Agricultural success and prosperity made it a target of raids from the Shaar.
 * Ggatzshriiegk was a magical obsidian javelin that returned to its owner when summoned. It was particularly good at piercing demon flesh.
 * Rhaumon Bloodaxe was the First Axe of Ruathym and wielded the magical Bloodaxe and Redshield. These namesake items were buried with him and guarded by a small army of undead.
 * Yallasch was a city on the shore of the Shining Sea, adjacent to Jundarwood forest. Neighboring Adaerglast had thoughts of conquest but was dissuaded by pressure from Halruaa and far-off Waterdeep.
 * A choker was a gangly, cartilaginous aberration that lurked in caverns. They were named for their favorite manner of killing pray—strangulation with their spiny, starfish-shaped hands.

19/4/2020 – 26/4/2020

 * The Nuts and !Bolts conflict was fought in Konigheim in the Utter East between rival brothers Wormskull and Garrulos for control of the legendary Pearl of Power.
 * Tlincalli were terrifying monstrosities found in Maztica and the Underdark, with the lower bodies of scorpions and the upper bodies of humans.
 * Tantlin was an infernal city carved into a huge iceberg in Stygia, known for its many portals and for being a major planar trade hub.
 * A Farrberjik could be used to line the inside of a pair of boots, magically transforming them into boots of striding and leaping.
 * The enchantment spell dweomerdeny could be used to permanently delete another spell from a target wizard's repertoire.
 * Hippocampi were aquatic creatures resembling horses. Adherents of Deep Sashelas spoke of a mythical horned hippocampus, or "sea unicorn".
 * The malaugrym Lorgyn, emboldened by the apparent death of Elminster (the Great Foe of malaugryms), traveled to Sembia to prey on its mages.
 * The island of Storna was used as a monster-breeding ground by Endreth Moliper to supply his Dark Dragon Hunts with creatures.
 * Crows were omnivorous black birds found in northwest Faerûn. They were able hunters and guard animals, and were often kept as pets.
 * Celestial and fiendish creatures were planar beings that bore a resemblance to similar creatures on the Prime Material plane.

26/4/2020 – 3/5/2020

 * Einheriar were the celestial spirits of fallen humanoid warriors who fought in the armies of the Upper Planes, such as Asgard and Arcadia.
 * The dwarven warrior Dorlas, of the Sons of Baltar, accompanied the barbarian Sunbright Steelshanks on a mission to seek out the One King.
 * The balor Raachaak sought to capture the fabled Bloodforge of the Utter East and use its powers to create an army large enough to conquer Baator.
 * Giant sea horses were flamboyantly colored and shy, had good relations with the triton race, and were the favored mounts of sea elves.
 * During Halaster's Higharvestide, a juggernaut made from wrecked ships in the River Sargauth attacked the pirates of the Nelanther Isles.
 * The children Ahmadora, Dillsandra, Jeffy, and Chizelo encountered a group of adventurers bound for Kuldahar as they passed through Easthaven.
 * Diamond golems were gemstone golems made, unsurprisingly, from diamonds. They were extremely hardy, but were vulnerable to the shatter spell.
 * The Seven-Stringed Harp was a ramshackle tavern in Secomber, well-known as a haunt for bards and for its ties to a famous ballad.
 * Argos were amoeba-like blobs covered in mouths and eyes. They were native to Wildspace, but were also sighted in Undermountain and the Moonlit Tower.
 * The Celestial Nadir was an artificial demiplane created by the Imaskari to facilitate magical research and to serve as a portal "bridge" to faraway places.
 * The Unseelie Court, a dark and twisted mirror of the Seelie Court, was the divine realm of the Queen of Air and Darkness.
 * The wizard Gorstal Hammers supplied the Dark Dragon Hunts with monsters he captured during his exploits as an adventurer.

3/5/2020 – 10/5/2020

 * Bison were large herd animals hunted by humans, wemics, and hippogriffs across Faerûn. They were especially favored by the Mulhorandi deity Hathor.
 * Tisan Balshareska was said to be the most powerful geomancer in all of Zakhara. Nearly a thousand years old, she once ruled the lost empire of Kadar.
 * The port city of Telpir was a nexus for trade in the Dragon Coast region, maintaining trade routes to places like Ironfang Deep and the Holy Realm.
 * Palrethees were arrogant demons most notable for always being on fire. This constant immolation was said to be punishment for a failed power grab in antiquity.
 * The Wizards Guild of Ravens Bluff was overseen by some of the city's most accomplished wizards, and served as a safe haven and school for spellcasters.
 * Tinnainen was a city of ancient Netheril that was conquered by the One King. During the battle to oust the King, parts of Tinnainen were burned by the dragon Wrathburn.
 * After the Company of the Black Snake was wiped out, the adventuring band's only two survivors, Bedwyn Fayr and Pep Greenfields, opened up an antique shop.
 * The vrock Rejik was commanded by the balor Raachaak to find a legendary bloodforge in the Utter East. The mission ended in failure and an ignoble return to the Abyss.
 * Forlarrens were temperamental beings born from a union between devil and fey, whose personalities were constantly torn between their conflicting parentages.
 * House Shadowdusk was a noble family of Waterdeep known for dark dealings with the Far Realm, and for their apparent disappearance after the razing of Shadowdusk Hold.
 * Sinisters were manta ray-like deep bats found in the Underdark. In spite of their name, sinisters were actually kind and intelligent creatures.

10/5/2020 – 17/5/2020

 * The succubus Metynoma offered her services as a patron for warlocks, such as Bryseis Kakistos and Titus Greybeard. She was a known associate of Graz'zt.
 * Bloodbag imps were bloated, rotund imps whose internal organs floated freely around their blood-filled bellies.
 * Stink Alley was a minor street in the town of Harrowdale in the Dalelands, most notable for its proximity to The Fall of Stars, an adventurer's club.
 * The first thyrsus of the druid was crafted by the wood elven druid Craenoth Driel. After Craenoth's death, his apprentices made several derivative staves.
 * The wizard Trandon worked as a recruiter for the paladins of the Hammers of Tyr. He claimed to have lost the use of one arm after a fight with a vampire.
 * Ice spiders were white-furred giant spiders that thrived in freezing environments, such as the Iceflow, and whose cocoons appeared to be sheathed in ice.
 * Morninggold Keep was a castle in the Golden Marches of Tethyr, famously purchased by the adventurer Zaranda Star with her spoils from the Tuigan War.
 * The alteration cantrip sting caused a targeted burst of intense and annoying pain at a specific spot on another person's body.
 * In the distant past, Zakharan krakens dwelled near the shores of Zakhara, and were in turn worshiped by seaside human societies.
 * Aurora's Emporium sold disguise kits containing cosmetics, dyes, fake facial hair, chalk, coal, clay, and two forms of headwear.
 * The Crawling Spider was a drow-themed tavern in Waterdeep's Castle Ward, largely frequented by half-orcs, dwarves, and various adventurers.
 * A law's banner was a magical standard capable of raising the morale of lawful soldiers. A famous version was the Blazing Banner of Ologh the Overking.
 * The dwarf Isharn Hammerfell was the sole survivor of an adventuring party that met its demise in the Warriors' Tomb of Myth Drannor.
 * Jaguars were large felines found in Maztica. The Maztican deity Zaltec had a jaguar head, and his Jaguar Knights could take jaguar form.

17/5/2020 – 24/5/2020

 * The Diamond in the Dung was an inn in Hillsfar that broke local law by surreptitiously catering to adventurers. It was expensive but excellent, and owner Oswul Farnf sometimes bartered service for items.
 * Darts of the hornets' nest were rare weapons that multipled when thrown, creating a swarm of angrily buzzing missiles.
 * Oakfather's Glen was a temple dedicated to Silvanus built within a giant petrified oak tree.
 * The Book of Kaza was written by the Netherese lich Kaza. It detailed horrific secrets of necromancy.
 * Deathdrinker demons were enormous fiends that decorated their massive horns with the remains of the dead.
 * The Black Bucket Hunt was an annual treasure hunt sponsored by various nobility of Waterdeep. It involved a parade in silly costumes and a trip to Undermountain. Hilarity and murder often ensued.
 * Mineral quasi-elementals appeared as crystalline versions of various creatures or humanoids native to the Prime Material plane.
 * The Tethir tribe of elves was one of the original seven tribes that dwelled within the expansive forest-nation of Keltormir.
 * Native to the Shadowfell, the aberrant balhannoths were able to warp reality a short distance from their bodies.
 * The saurial Rex was royalty among his kind before the deity Moander relocated them to the continent of Faerûn.

24/5/2020 – 31/5/2020

 * Olorn Ridaugaur was an illustrious duergar king of Dunspeirrin who claimed to be a son of Deep Duerra.
 * Alfheim was a beautiful elven realm on the plane of Ysgard, home to the Seldarine deity Aerdrie Faenya.
 * The mad inventor Wormskull created the Juggernaut using the Pearl of Power, leading to the burning of Konigheim.
 * A catstaff granted its bearer several skills useful for sneaking about, including infravision and the ability to create shadows.
 * The Lowerdark lake of Giant's Chalice was the site of a conflict between vampire squids and blue ring octopuses.
 * Stunjellies were oozes that resembled stone walls, allowing them to hide in place and grab bypassers with ease.
 * Dorath Wyvernspur, the robust matriarch of the Wyvernspur family, could transform into a wyvern at will.
 * Everard's morning star was, to the surprise of no one, a morning star once owned by the priest Everard.
 * Struthiomimus were beaked dinosaurs who used their immense speed to hunt down and eat small humanoids.
 * The enormous Listening Tree was used as an amphitheater by the community of Elventree in Cormanthor.
 * The cantrip bluelight allowed a wizard to create a sphere of soft blue light that looked unnatural to onlookers.
 * Garynor Ithal was an early king of Tethyr whose reign was plagued by murder, piracy, and angry elves.

31/5/2020 – 7/6/2020

 * A belt of giant strength imbued its wearer with the strength of a giant, ranging in power from hill giant to storm giant.
 * Fey eladrin were eladrin from the Feywild whose appearance changed with their moods, taking on aspects of the seasons.
 * The insidious Soultaker dagger could trap the souls of its victims, which included Skie Silvershield and the demon Aec'Letec.
 * The Crescent Grove was the divine realm of the Seldarine deities Corellon and Sehanine in the realm of Arvandor.
 * Talking owls were particularly wise and polyglot owls often used as familiars by wizards and Zakharan bards.
 * Holondos Stimpiir was the high priest of the Waiting, a grand temple dedicated to Tyr in the city of Phlan.
 * The crystal acorns of an ice necklace of the Ulutiun could be detached and thrown to cause an explosion of sleet storm.
 * Dimswart Manor was the summer home of the famous wizard and sage Dimswart, where he planned to retire in peace.
 * A sage spirit haunted the ruins of Myth Drannor, complaining about deforestation and occasionally guiding worthy adventurers.
 * Catfeet was an alteration cantrip that made its caster move with feline grace, silently and always landing on their feet.
 * Thylacines were deadly and intelligent felines with the magical ability to disguise themselves as humans to shake off hunters.
 * The book Forty Years Before the Doors: A Life in Service detailed Lord Chamberlain Zantravas Rolovantar's service to Waterdeep.
 * Mak Thuum Ngatha was a malevolent Far Realm entity worshiped by the aberrant nilshai and the worm-like psurlons.

7/6/2020 – 14/6/2020

 * The Jansen AdventureWear (patent pending) was a metal-repellent suit of armor made by inventor and turnip connoisseur Jan Jansen.
 * The Puzzle Palace was the headquarters of the mad inventor Wormskull, filled with deadly traps, bewildering mazes, and unfriendly medusae.
 * The dwarven warrior Cap'n Gyudd was an adventuring companion of Gamalon Idogyr before they both retired to the Rock of Bral.
 * Abeils were intelligent bee-like humanoids. They packed a mean sting when threatened, so adventurers were advised to buzz off.
 * The North Gate Inn was a popular stop for travelers passing through Shadow Gap in the Dalelands before it was burned down by an agent of the Iron Throne.
 * The sprite Bugenius was an apprentice wizard in Myth Drannor who accidentally polymorphed his master into an insect.
 * Merald's murderous mist created a large cloud of poisonous and corrosive gas that burned the flesh and lungs of living creatures.
 * Bargrivyek, the goblin deity of unity, taught his followers that peaceful cooperation was the means by which goblins would ascend to rule the multiverse.
 * Lilitus were a form of ascended succubi. They despised their own kind, and would actively work to ruin the plans of other lilitus.
 * Harvesthome was an abbey of Chauntea in Goldenfields. Two peaceful black bears named Darlow and Tilbee roamed the abbey's halls freely.
 * The book A Trader from Telflamm by Uldurn Maskovert made a reference to the Red Wizards' fear of the Simbul.
 * The Cracked Crown was an inn in Phlan known for its relative elegance and for being a little too quiet and peaceful for most adventurers.

14/6/2020 – 21/6/2020

 * The Legendary Campaign of the Bloodforge Wars unified the Utter East but left its kingdoms in ruins, unprepared for the impending Plague of Fiends.
 * The Green Moss tribe of orcs and half-orcs in Icewind Dale once worshiped Auril, but turned to druidic worship of primal spirits over time.
 * Shattermantle weapons caused their victims to be more susceptible to magical attacks. The paladin Xale of the Starry Glen notably wielded a shattermantle lance.
 * Luiren Rivengut was an intensely strong whiskey distilled by the hin of Luiren. One bottle's worth was enough to knock out an adult bugbear.
 * The evocation cantrip belch caused a targeted creature to burp, ranging in intensity from a quiet hiccup to a thunderous eructation.
 * Danae, a barkeep of the Ramshackle inn in Lonelywood, was actually an undercover Thayan agent sent to gather information on the residents of Icewind Dale.
 * Turbans were commonly worn in desert regions all across Faerûn. In Amn, turbans were typically used by females to denote social status.
 * The paladin Tabitha was a sworn protector of the Temple of Lathander in Myth Drannor. She was heavily injured defending her temple from the Dark God.
 * The Land of One Hundred and Thirteen was a pocket dimension created by the Red Wizard Marek Rymüt for his experiments in crossbreeding black dragons and firedrakes.
 * The Ilvastarr family of Waterdeep, known for their monster hunting prowess, also owned several culinary institutions specializing in "exotic" meats.
 * Black slaadi were entropic voids manifested in the form of a slaad. They were formed when venerable white slaadi were exposed to the energies of the Abyss.

21/6/2020 – 28/6/2020

 * Arwyl Swan's Son was a Cormyrean paladin of Torm who ended up leading the Sons of Mercy in the interplanar city of Sigil.
 * Snow goggles shielded their wearer from snow blindness and bright light in general. They were commonly used by arctic dwarves and Ulutiun tribesfolk.
 * The frost giant Kelvin used the Crystal Shard to found a giant kingdom in Icewind Dale. According to legend, he was slain by Tempus himself.
 * The eccentric Jansen family of gnomes were known in equal parts for their passion for turnips and for their propensity for telling unbelievably tall tales.
 * The Silvershields were one of the foremost patriar families in Baldur's Gate, known for their spectacular wealth and their inclination for politics.
 * Adding gorgon, medusa, or xorn blood to mortar would block astral and ethereal travel through a wall.
 * Fendarl's Gate was a shepherd's village in the Sunset Vale ruled over by "High-Knight Emperor" Eldebuck Thorm Fendarl.
 * The Dark God was a sinister figure intent on obtaining the Codex of the Planes from the lich Acwellan in Myth Drannor.
 * The cantrip mouse (which summoned a mouse) required the caster to mimic mouse ears while saying the name of a food item enjoyed by mice.
 * The engineer Ivor Devorast was the principal designer of an attempted canal between the city of Immersea and the Lake of Steam.
 * Avang was a minor trading settlement in Vaasa. When elementals attacked nearby Ilinvur and Barze, Avang took in huge numbers of refugees.
 * The Bloodbone Throne of Uruth was the throne used by the orcish kings of Uruth Ukrypt until it was stolen by the dragon Claugiyliamatar.
 * Gaylyn was an exceptionally cheerful woman who married into the Wyvernspur family. Her daughter Amberlee was kidnapped by the wizard Flattery.
 * The Misty Vale was a forest near the Dun Hills of the Shaar. Following the Spellplague, the Vale dried up and became known as the "Dead Vale".

28/6/2020 – 5/7/2020

 * The minor illusion cantrip rainbow could be activated by speaking a name of great power, such as gar-land or pegee-lee.
 * The Lapal were a human ethnicity found in the southern regions of Toril who were the ancestors of the Halruaan and the Tashalan peoples.
 * Watchghosts were intelligent, semi-corporeal undead often tasked with guarding tombs and treasures by their lich or vampire masters.
 * Urchins came in several varieties, such as the five-legged land urchin which could be kept as a pet, or the poisonous yellow urchin.
 * Burburs were worm-like creatures that fed on molds and mosses. Their immunity toward oozes meant they were popular pets with adventurers.
 * Lord de'Arnise was a well-regarded Amnian nobleman who ruled the area surrounding de'Arnise Hold until he was eaten by trolls.
 * Castle Vathar, nestled in the hills of the Dragonspine Mountains, was an ancient fortress used as a headquarters by the Knights of the North.
 * Astral ships were vessels capable of traversing the Astral Plane. They were often used by githyanki, who based their design on illithid nautiloids.
 * The great Riildath forest was split into the Rawlinswood and the Forest of Lethyr when a tendril of the Great Glacier extended into the Great Dale.
 * The noviere Brieme was sent by her patron deity Ahto to the court of the triton king Mirentos in order to earn the romantic favor of Persana.
 * The Trollclaws were overrun by bloodthirsty trolls. Although many travelers sought to use the Trollclaw Ford, doing so was fraught with risk.
 * Anvils had particular significance in dwarven culture, reflected in their architecture, the symbols of their gods, and the names of many clans.
 * Shedim, bull-bodied relatives of lammasus, were sometimes summoned to serve as guardians for Torilian temples.

5/7/2020 – 12/7/2020

 * Neanderthals were an ancient race distantly related to humans. They were still found in the isolated reaches of the Thunder Peaks as of the 14 century DR.
 * Rashemaar berserkers, the legendary defenders of Rashemen, were known for flying into a supernatural rage in battle.
 * The Numbers Cult of Chessenta believed that defining magic in mathematical terms would help them conquer the world.
 * Hippopotami were found near tropical rivers and lakes. Tamratha Daernark bred especially aggressive hippos that she allowed visitors to hunt for sport.
 * Halina Rymüt-Sverdej, niece of the Red Wizard Marek, had an unhappy romance with Willem Korvan, the master builder of Innarlith.
 * Undead beasts were terrifying quadrupedal undead… beasts the size of small dragons found both on Toril and Krynn.
 * The cantrip present fetched nearby items and placed them in the caster's hand&mdash;especially useful for performing sleight-of-hand tricks.
 * Maedar, the male offspring of medusae, were incredibly rare since the vast majority were killed by their own mother's gaze.
 * Yeti's breath was an ice-cold alcoholic beverage made from crushed ice and tapdragon mixed with powdered ginger and menthol.
 * The magical dagger Tinderstrike was forged by Vizeran DeVir using a part of the essence of Imix, Prince of Evil Fire.
 * Qukoku, the guiding philosophy of the Iulutiun and Angulutiun peoples, taught that all living creatures were equal.
 * Harssafs, creatures of fire and sand, were brought to Toril by the efreeti Memnon and trapped in the Calim Desert after his imprisonment.

12/7/2020 – 19/7/2020

 * Giragonnes, curious hybrids of copper dragons and giraffes, sometimes followed adventurers around for weeks telling ribald jokes. A real pain in the neck.
 * Tweak was a cantrip that conjured an invisible thumb and finger that could be used to pinch or grab someone.
 * Poltergeists were malicious and invisible undead created from the souls of evil beings who sought only to inflict suffering on the living.
 * The Ulcaster School of Wizardry attracted students of magic from all across the Sword Coast until it was destroyed by Calishite wizards.
 * Weremoles (yes, really) were evil gnomish lycanthropes infected by the claws of the hateful deity Urdlen, the Crawler Below.
 * Kaladar the Cruel was an evil wizard of the Arcane Brotherhood who sought to prevent his colleague Celerum from reaching the Accursed Tower.
 * Cryo snakes and pyro snakes, found in the palace of Gothmenes, were large snakes that attacked with frosty and fiery breaths, respectively.
 * Saerdoun Street was a major street in Waterdeep's North Ward, the site of several well-known inns and noble villas.
 * The royal jelly found in giant bee colonies was an extremely sought-after commodity said to have healing and anti-aging properties.
 * Feywine, a beverage favored by the elves, was known for inducing frivolous behavior when consumed, especially in "lesser" races such as humans.