The Heartlands of Cormyr was an informal region of the Forest Kingdom that was made up of the lands around the King's Forest, which included the oldest and most important cities of the realm.[1]
Description[]
The popular imagination of Cormyr was largely based on the King's Forest and the surrounding lands. This protected woodland was a site of great natural beauty, home to beasts and fey, as well as many villages and lost ruins of the realm. The forest was bordered by the farmlands that supported much of the realm's population, the country estates of the nobility, and the major highways that held Cormyr together.[1]
Geography[]
The heartlands were roughly bounded by the Storm Horns and west reaches of Cormyr, the Wyvernwater and coastal region to the east, and the Dragonmere to the south. The north was met by the Stonecliffs and broad east reaches, marking the start of the Stonelands. The heartlands were bisected by the Starwater River, which passed south from the northern Storm Horns through to the Dragonmere.[2][1]
Bodies of Water[]
- The River Sharragh rose in the eastern forest and flowed for a few miles, before disappearing into Plungepool and the Underdark, collecting at Lake Thalmiir and Daerbraun near the drow city of Sschindylryn.[3][4]
- The Starwater River emerged in the northern Storm Horns and passed through the King's Forest, was joined by the smaller Tearflow stream, and eventually emptied into the Dragonmere. A famous and fairly navigable river, it served as a primary route for travelers and goods to pass between the coast and interior of the realm.[5][6]
- The Sword River flowed from Arabel Springs, eventually emptying into the Wyvernwater.[7]
Territories[]
- Aloushe, a realm of dryads in the forest that was independent of Cormyr.[1]
- Northbank, a region of farmlands and estates between the Starwater and the King's Forest.[8][9]
- Spurbright Steads, a stretch of farmlands north of Espar owned by the Spurbright family.[10][11]
- Starwater Meadow, the lands of the Thundersword family.[12]
- The Sward, an area north of Suzail and south of the Starwater.[9]
- Warmshores, a barony in the foothills of the Storm Horns on the shores of the Dragonmere.[13]
- West Shore, a section of coastline west of Suzail.[14]
Notable Locations[]
Settlements[]
The heartlands were anchored by the three oldest and largest cities of the realm.
- Suzail, the capital of Cormyr and the seat of the Crown with Castle Obarskyr and the Royal Court. It contained the Citadel of the Purple Dragons and the Royal Docks of the Blue Dragons, as well as the College of the War Wizards.[15][9]
- Marsember, a bustling trade port on the Dragonmere and Cormyr's second-largest city, built at the mouth of the Starwater River adjacent to the realm's coastal region.[15][9]
- Arabel, the third-largest city in the realm and bastion of northern Cormyr, bordering the Stonelands and the east reaches.[16]
Countless smaller settlements existed under the eaves of the King's Forest, in the foothills of the Storm Horms, and on the plains nearby.
- Aunkspear, a rural horse-breeding town.[17]
- Blisterfoot Inn, an inn off Calantar's Way that grew into a village of artisans.[18]
- Collinwood, a village of halflings on the north edge of the forest.[19]
- Dhedluk, a famously lovely village in the King's Forest, menaced by outlaws.[16]
- Espar, a small village home to Stormhaven House, a secret War Wizards college.[10]
- Eveningstar, a small town on the edge of the Stonelands known for its many tressym.[15][20]
- Gray Oaks, an agricultural halfling village in Northbank.[8]
- Hilp, a mercantile town on Calantar's Way famous for its stelk.[21]
- Home, a secretive village of gnomes and halflings on the western edge of the forest near Minroe.[22]
- Immersea, a thriving town on the Wyvernwater and home of the noble Wyvernspurs.[15][23]
- Irath, a tiny hamlet on the Way of the Dragon.[24]
- Jester's Green, a village outside Suzail, home to campsites and mustering grounds for caravans and the Purple Dragons.[9]
- Knightswood, a hamlet in the King's Forest that crossed the Starwater River.[25]
- Minroe, a village in the foothills of the Storm Horns that was had a gem-mining rush.[26]
- Mouth o' Gargoyles, a village in the King's Forest inside a dangerous wild magic field.[27]
- Tyrluk, an isolationist village on the High Road.[28]
- Waymoot, a small town in the King's Forest.[15][29]
Estates & Lodges[]
- Bleys Hard, an estate of the Bleyshar family.[30]
- Bryargates, a fortified Bryarn estate just south of the King's Forest.[31]
- Dimswart Manor, home of the sage Dimswart.[32]
- Goldfeather Manor, the old forest estate of the Goldfeather family.[33]
- Stag Steads, a luxurious hunting lodge hidden in the King's Forest.[34]
- Taverton Hall, the prestigious Northbank estate of the Paertrover family.[35]
- Thornthar, a royal estate kept for retired servants.[36]
- Thulser's Lodge, a royal estate that treated diseased Purple and Blue Dragons.[37]
- Wyrmdown, the expansive country estate of House Haldoneir.[38]
Landmarks[]
- Calantar's Bridge, an old vital bridge over the Starwater River.[2]
- Caverns of the Claws, a natural cavern in the Stonecliff home to trolls.[39]
- Margrath's Rest, a rocky shore near Suzail used for shipbreaking.[40]
- The cavern hideout of the Knightswood Nine druidic circle, with a nearby fey crossroad connected to Waterdeep.[25][41]
- The Shrine of Vaprak, an old sacrificial well of Vaprak hidden in the woods.[42]
- Starwater Gorge, the prominent break in the Stonecliff through which the Starwater passed.[43]
Ruins[]
- Blackstone, the destroyed estate of the Theresparin family.[44]
- Coryl's Lair, a ruined seatower off the coast near Marsember that became home to the vampire mermaid Coryl Erazem.[45]
- Crownpost, a Purple Dragons stronghold destroyed by a storm and an army of magical creatures.[18]
- The Haunted Halls, the fortified underground hideout of Rivior turned legendary adventuring site.[46][43]
- The House on the Cliff, the most powerful temple of Umberlee in the Realms, destroyed in the Time of Troubles.[47]
- Jarthroon, an ancient holding on the Dragonmere conquered by King Duar Obarskyr.[48]
- Meliyekur’s Magical Museum, an estate turned into a museum and then a ruin, used by the Women of the Woods.[16]
- Rivior's Keep, a surface fortress built by Rivior.[46]
- Turnstone, a long-gone road-fort north of Immersea.[44]
- Zundle, a razed village that became a byword for foolishness.[49]
Roads & Trails[]
Several major highways crossed the heartlands, linking Suzail to all corners of the realm. The countryside was filled with smaller roads, trails, and lanes that connected villages and sites of interest.
- The Blister Trail, a route that followed the shore of the Wyvernwater between Immersea and Wheloon.[2]
- Calantar's Way, the highway that connected Suzail and Arabel.[2]
- Dragoneye Way, a road that ran along the coast between Suzail and Marsember.[2]
- Elclantar's Ride, a country road that split from Calantar's Way north of Immersea.[38]
- The High Road, a major trade route that started in Arabel and ran west to the Storm Horns and beyond.[2]
- The Immer Trail, a path that followed the coast of the Wyvernwater north from Immersea.[2]
- The Moonsea Ride, a great caravan route from Arabel that eventually reached the Moonsea.[2]
- The Ranger's Way, a short road in the King's Forest that connected the Way of the Dragon and the Starwater Road.[2]
- The Starwater Road, a route through the King's Forest that connected Immersea to Eveningstar.[2]
- The Way of the Dragon, a long road that ran north from Suzail to the High Road.[2]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 123. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 ProFantasy Software Ltd. (1999). Forgotten Realms Interactive Atlas. TSR, Inc. File: Kings Forest.FCW
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 125–126. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 213. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Eric Haddock (1994). Cormyr. (TSR, Inc), p. 26. ISBN 1-56076-818-5.
- ↑ Eric Haddock (1994). Cormyr. (TSR, Inc), pp. 39–40. ISBN 1-56076-818-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 188. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 123–124. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 159–160. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 139–141. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, The Hooded One (2013-10-13). Questions for Ed Greenwood (2013). Candlekeep Forum. Retrieved on 2023-05-14.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc). ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (2000). “After the Dragon: The Kingdom of Cormyr Today”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon Annual #5 (Wizards of the Coast) (5)., p. 66.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1996). Stormlight. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 4, p. ?. ISBN 0-7869-0520-4.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 113. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 135–138. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 127–128. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 129–134. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Brian R. James (July 2008). “Backdrop: Cormyr” (PDF). In Chris Youngs ed. Dragon #365 (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 18, 24. Archived from the original on 2018-11-23. Retrieved on 2020-03-02.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 142–151. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 124–125. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Steven Brown (June 1998). Realms of Mystery ("Ekhar Lorrent: Gnome Detective"). (TSR, Inc.), p. ?. ISBN 0-7869-1171-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 152–158. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ James Lowder (February 1993). “The Family Business”. In James Lowder ed. Realms of Valor (TSR, Inc.), p. ?. ISBN 1-56076-557-7.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 163–164. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 125. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 166–168. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 172–173. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 174–179. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (December 2011). “Eye on the Realms: Xraunrarr Will Triumph”. In Steve Winter ed. Dragon #406 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 6.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, The Hooded One (2009-02-01). Questions for Ed Greenwood (2009). Candlekeep Forum. Retrieved on 2023-05-14.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Kate Novak (October 1988). Azure Bonds. (TSR, Inc.), p. 24. ISBN 0-88038-612-6.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (April 1998). Cormyr: A Novel. (TSR, Inc.), chap. 30, p. ?. ISBN 0-7869-0710-X.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 169–171. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (June 1998). Realms of Mystery ("The Grinning Ghost of Taverton Hall"). (TSR, Inc.), p. ?. ISBN 0-7869-1171-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, The Hooded One (2013-01-24). Questions for Ed Greenwood (2013). Candlekeep Forum. Retrieved on 2023-05-14.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, The Hooded One (2013-07-14). Questions for Ed Greenwood (2013). Candlekeep Forum. Retrieved on 2023-05-14.
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 Ed Greenwood, The Hooded One (2009-02-05). Questions for Ed Greenwood (2009). Candlekeep Forum. Retrieved on 2023-05-14.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 293. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, The Hooded One (2014-11-02). Questions for Ed Greenwood (2014). Candlekeep Forum. Retrieved on 2023-05-14.
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds, Duane Maxwell, Angel McCoy (August 2001). Magic of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 46. ISBN 0-7869-1964-7.
- ↑ Mel Odom (1998). The Lost Library of Cormanthyr. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 3, p. ?. ISBN 0786907355.
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 295. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 Ed Greenwood (February 2001). “The New Adventures of Volo: Lost Treasures of Cormyr, Part 3”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #280 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 87.
- ↑ Jason Nelson (August 2004). “Practical Magic”. Dungeon #113 (Paizo Publishing) (113)., pp. 40–44.
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 Ed Greenwood (1992). Haunted Halls of Eveningstar. (TSR, Inc), pp. 3–4. ISBN 1-56076-325-6.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 174. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (January 2001). “The New Adventures of Volo: Lost Treasures of Cormyr, Part 2”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #279 (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 82–83.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 126. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
Connections[]
Regions of Cormyr