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Elminster's Ecologies is a 2nd-edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons boxed set for the Forgotten Realms.

The world is vast and varied, comprising towering mountains, dense jungles, and sprawling seas. There are regions so cold that their snow never melts, others so hot that their rain turns to steam as it touches the ground.

It is this variety of environments that accounts for the variety of life. In my travels I have noted 73 distinct types of pine trees... I estimate the number of fishes at well over five thousand. The number of insect species likely exceeds the number of grains of sand on the shores of Dragon Reach.

Every environment, no matter how hostile to humankind, is compatible with some form of life. The diversity and adaptability of organisms are staggering....

Description[]

The boxed set contains nine 32-page booklets and is written in-character as Elminster and other characters. Each of these booklets provides a rich backdrop and detailed information on various ecosystems in the Realms.

  • Explorer's Manual: Serving as a comprehensive guide, this booklet provides additional information, resources, and tools for Dungeon Masters to integrate the detailed ecological information into their campaigns effectively.
  • Cormanthor: This booklet details the ancient forest of Cormanthor, describing its rich and diverse ecosystem, the creatures and beings that inhabit it, and the mystical elements that are a part of its lore.
  • Anauroch: This booklet explored the vast desert of Anauroch, a harsh and unforgiving environment. It detailed the unique survival challenges, the creatures adapted to this arid landscape, and the ancient secrets buried beneath the sands.
  • Coastal Aquatic Lands - The Sea of Falling Stars: As a guide to the largest inland sea in the Realms, this booklet covered aquatic environments, including the sea life, underwater hazards, and the cultures that thrive around and within this massive body of water.
  • The Cormyrean Marshes: Delving into swampy and marshy terrain, this booklet described the unique flora and fauna found in such environments, along with the challenges and adventures that could arise in these treacherous wetlands.
  • The Stonelands and the Goblin Marches: This booklet explored into the rugged, rocky terrain of the Stonelands and the Goblin Marches.
  • The Thunder Peaks and the Storm Horns: Covering two mountain ranges, this booklet covered the ecology and dangers of the Thunder Peaks and the Storm Horns, detailing the creatures, climate, and geographical features unique to these towering landscapes.
  • The Great Gray Land of Thar: This booklet focuses on the arid, barren region known as Thar. It explored the harsh living conditions, the unique fauna and flora adapted to this environment, and the various challenges adventurers faced here.
  • The Settled Lands: This book explores the more civilized and populated areas within the Realms. It covered farmlands, villages, and the outskirts of larger cities, detailing the types of creatures and challenges adventurers might encounter in these seemingly peaceful areas.

Contents[]

Explorer's Manual
  • Introductory Remarks
  • Excerpts from An Investigation into the Natural Systems of Organisms and Their Surroundings
  • Encounter Tables
Cormanthor
  • Words from an Old Friend
  • Part One: Trees, Trees, and More Trees
  • Part Two: Monsters
  • Part Three: Rumors
Anauroch
  • A Great Man's Journeys
  • Part One: The Lands of Anauroch
  • Part Two: Ecology of the Sword
  • Part Three: Ecology of the Plain of Standing Stones
  • Part Four: Ecology of the High Ice
  • Part Five: The Underdark of Anauroch
  • Part Six: Legends and Rumors
Coastal Aquatic Lands - The Sea of Falling Stars
  • Introduction
  • The Sea of Fallen Stars
  • Natural Aquatic Life
  • Monsters of the Deep
  • Sea Stories
The Cormyrean Marshes
  • The Journal of Brother Twick
  • Part One: The Cormyrean Maarshes
  • Part Two: Monsters
  • Part Three: Rumors and Legends
The Stonelands and the Goblin Marches
  • A Few Notes About Me
  • Part One: Regional Details
  • Part Two: The Vanishing Wildlife
  • Part Three: The Goblin Threat
  • Part Four: The Great Beasts
  • Part Five: Rumors and Events
The Thunder Peaks and the Storm Horns
  • Introduction
  • Part One: The Mountain Ranges
  • Part Two: Common Life in the Mountains
  • Part Three: Monsters of the Peaks
  • Part Four: Rumor
The Great Gray Land of Thar
  • A-Ranging I Will Go
  • Part One: The Land of Thar
  • Part Two: Monsters
  • Part Three: Rumors, Mysteries, and Legends
The Settled Lands
  • Don't Call Me a Crank
  • Part One: Back and Around
  • Part Two: Monsters
  • Part Three: Rumors

Index[]

Click here for page index

Characters[]

BlackjackalBryn OhmeDerrnogElminsterFletcher BockmannLyra Sunrose

Creatures[]

adderamphisbaenaankhegantelopearathaassassin bugatomieaurumvoraxazmythbaboonbadger mousebasiliskbatbearblack snakeblink dogboaliskboarbombardier beetlebonebatboring beetlebulettebullywugbumblebeecanarycarnivorous apecentaurcheetahchipmunkcockatricecockroachconstrictor snakecouatlcrocodiledeerdark nagadire wolfdogdragondryadelfelven catettercapeyewingfeystagfire toadfore beetleforest gnomepfyreflygaleb duhrgargantuan praying mantisgelatinous cubeghastghostghoulgiant antgiant centipedegiant harvester termitegiant hornetgiant horseflygiant ratgiant ravengiant sluggiant tickgiant waspgibberlinggnollgorgongrighippogriffhobgoblinhoraxhorsehydrajackalwereleucrottalichlingliving webmousenight hunteropossumorcowlbearperniconpixiepolar bearpyroliskpseudodragonpuff adderrabbitratrattlesnakerevenantshambling moundsheepskeletonslaadsnakesquirrelsparrowspritestag beetlestirgetigertrollumber hulkvulturewater nagaweaselwerebatwerebearwereboarwerefoxwereravenwerewolfwild boarwild dogwolfworgzombie

Locations[]

Regions
AnaurochCloudlandsCormyrDalelandsDragon ReachGreat GlacierHarrowdalePirate IslesSembiaThar
Settlements
Myth DrannorShadowdale
Buildings
Flour Pot
Bodies of Water
ElvenflowLake of DragonsLake SemberRiver AshabaSea of Fallen Stars
Forests
BrynwoodCormanthorDuskwoodHullack Forest
Mountains
Desertsmouth MountainsDragonspine MountainsGiantspire MountainsMount BandalinRing's ReachStorm HornsThunder Peaks
Wilderness
Farsea MarshesGoblin MarchesStonelands

Organizations[]

Bestil

Miscellaneous[]

Food & Drink
corneggwheat
Plants
ash wheatblue snowwoodbutternut (tree)chokeberrydaisygooseberrylocust needleoakpineretch plantsnappersaw
Materials
diamondsilver
Items
book
Works
Elminster's Ecologies (in-universe)Yielding Tide
Other
Rules of the Rabbit

Gallery[]

Credits[]

Explorer's Manual
  • Design: Rick Swan, Monte Cook, Eric Haddock, Anthony Pryor
  • Editing: James Butler and Karen S. Boomgarden
  • Typography: Nancy J. Kerkstra
  • Production: Paul Hanchette and Dave Conant
Cormanthor
  • Design: Rick Swan
  • Editing: James Butler
  • Interior Art: Daniel Frazier
  • Cartography: Dennis Kauth
  • Typography: Nancy J. Kerkstra
  • Production: Paul Hanchette
Anauroch
  • Design: Monte J. Cook
  • Editing: Jonatha Ariadne Caspian
  • Interior Art: Daniel Frazier
  • Cartography: Dennis Kauth
  • Typography: Nancy J. Kerkstra
  • Production: Paul Hanchette
Coastal Aquatic Lands - The Sea of Falling Stars
  • Design: Eric Haddock
  • Editing: Jean Rabe
  • Proofreading: Karen S. Boomgarden, Janis Wells
  • Interior Art: Daniel Frazier
  • Cartography: Dennis Kauth
  • Typography: Nancy J. Kerkstra
  • Production: Paul Hanchette
The Cormyrean Marshes
  • Design: Anthony Pryor
  • Editing: Elizabeth Danforth
  • Interior Art: Daniel Frazier
  • Cartography: Dennis Kauth
  • Typography: Nancy J. Kerkstra
  • Production: Paul Hanchette
The Stonelands and the Goblin Marches
  • Design: Monte J. Cook
  • Editing: Jonatha Ariadne Caspian
  • Interior Art: Daniel Frazier
  • Cartography: Dennis Kauth
  • Typography: Nancy J. Kerkstra
  • Production: Paul Hanchette
The Thunder Peaks and the Storm Horns
  • Design: Eric Haddock
  • Editing: Jean Rabe
  • Interior Art: Daniel Frazier, Doug Chaffee, Terry Dykstra
  • Cartography: Dennis Kauth
  • Typography: Nancy J. Kerkstra
  • Production: Paul Hanchette
The Great Gray Land of Thar
  • Design: Anthony Pryor
  • Editing: Elizabeth T. Danforth
  • Interior Art: Daniel Frazier
  • Cartography: Dennis Kauth
  • Typography: Nancy J. Kerkstra
  • Production: Paul Hanchette
The Settled Lands
  • Design: Rick Swan
  • Editing: James Butler
  • Interior Art: Daniel Frazier
  • Cartography: Dennis Kauth
  • Typography: Nancy J. Kerkstra
  • Production: Paul Hanchette

Appendix[]

See Also[]

Notes[]

  1. No date is given in the sourcebooks. The common 2nd-edition setting date of 1367 DR is assumed.
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