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Ambergris was a substance extracted from the stomaches of whales,[7] giant whales, leviathans,[8] and narwhals.[9] It was a precious trade commodity used for creating various aromatics and perfumes.[3][8]

Description[]

This gray, waxy, oily and highly flammable substance was secreted by sick whales. In its voluminous fresh form, ambergris was sickeningly yellow[8] and emitted a profound stench. However it could be sold for 1,000 to as much as 20,000 gold pieces in a big city.[7]

Availability[]

Ambergris was sold thorough Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue, priced at 1 gold piece per 6 ounces (170 grams).[6]

In Waterdeep, the City of Splendors, ambergris could often be found among perfumes, stored in silver and glass vials, even though it was a scarce substance,[1] imported through the city's Dock Ward.[10]

The city of Velen in the Lands of Intrigue was a major exporter of various products of the sea, including fish, shellfish, and whales. Oils, pearls, and ambergris were among these trade goods.[2]

The sailors of the Sea of Fallen Stars often hunted the intelligent whale bards of Serôs for their ambergris.[11]

Usage[]

  • In the land of Zakhara, sheikhs used ambergris and musk rolled into tiny balls to perfume their palaces and tents.[3] In Iram, lavish palaces were perfumed with tiny balls of ambergris, incense, and musk, imbedded in the marble walls and floors.[4]
  • Duster elemental vermin fed on scents, flowers, and ambergris.[5]

Magic[]

Religion[]

Deep Sashelas showed his favor to the devotees by blessing them with discovery of ambergris, aquamarines, Angelar's skin, and other underwater precious resources.[14]

Appendix[]

See Also[]

Appearances[]

Adventures

Novels & Short Stories

Referenced only
The Sea Devil's Eye

Gamebooks

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb (September 1988). City System. Edited by Karen Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 31. ISBN 0-8803-8600-2.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book One: Tethyr”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 58. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Steve Kurtz (1994). Al-Qadim: Cities of Bone: Adventure Book. (TSR, Inc), p. 55. ISBN 1-56076-847.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Steve Kurtz (January 1994). “The City of Lofty Pillars”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #201 (TSR, Inc.), p. 13.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Monstrous Compendium included in Tim Beach, Tom Prusa and Steve Kurtz (1993). City of Delights. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 1-56076-589-5.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 38. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 100. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 David "Zeb" Cook, et al. (1989). Monstrous Compendium Volume Two. (TSR, Inc), p. 137. ISBN 0-8803-8753-X.
  9. Rick Swan (1995). The Complete Barbarian's Handbook. (TSR, Inc), p. 123. ISBN 0-7869-0090-3.
  10. Allen Varney (May 1989). Knight of the Living Dead. (TSR, Inc.), p. 52A. ISBN 978-0880385985.
  11. Mel Odom (May 2000). The Sea Devil's Eye. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 17. ISBN 978-0-7869-1638-2.
  12. Mark Middleton et al. (1999). Priest's Spell Compendium Volume One. (TSR, Inc), p. 107. ISBN 9780786913596.
  13. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 108. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  14. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 105. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.