The Black Horde was an orc horde that assaulted the Sword Coast in the Year of the Black Horde, 1235 DR. It was the largest orc horde in the history of Faerûn by the early 1370s DR.[1] It was composed primarily of orcs and goblins.[citation needed] The Black Horde besieged countless settlements in the North and threatened kingdoms far south of it as well.[citation needed]
History
The Black Horde erupted out of the North in 1235 DR and marched south along the Sword Coast and through Amn, Tethyr, and Calimshan. It brought war and laid siege to numerous settlements in these lands.[1][2]
In the North, while Silverymoon was under siege by the Black Horde orcs, Warlord Khallos Shieldsunder seized control of the city. He was usurped in turn by the mage Shallos Ethenfrost. Finally, in the Battle of Tumbleskulls, a Harper army commanded by Alustriel and Storm Silverhand, aided unexpectedly by the archmage Tulrun of the Tent, defeated the besieging orcs.[3]
In Amn, King Belhinn II was killed by the Black Horde orcs.[4]
In Calimshan, orcs of the Black Horde killed the Syl-Pasha of Calimport and many other nobles of the realm[1][5] in an attempt to take over the Prime Material Plane.[citation needed]
The Horde also laid siege to Waterdeep,[1] but failed in the process for two reasons: Ahghairon and his generals had provided griffons and flying steeds for the army, and Waterdeep had called upon the Lords' Alliance.[citation needed]
The Lords' Alliance sent the Company of the Crescent Blade, the militia of Baldur's Gate, led by Eldrith the Betrayer. Despite being outnumbered, Eldrith and her group attacked and scattered the horde. However, looking to deal a fateful blow on the horde to ensure it never threatened Baldur's Gate again, as it would have attacked Baldur's Gate after Waterdeep, she defied the Grand Duke's orders and fought the horde for a second time. The horde, however, fought viciously and dealt Eldrith her first defeat, an action that would lead to the construction of the Onyx Tower.[6] It is assumed that Ahghairon and his generals then destroyed the horde.[speculation]
Appendix
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 270. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 125. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 75. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 156. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Snowblind Studios (December 2001). Designed by Chris Avellone. Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. Black Isle Studios.