One of the staffed mailboxes found in Neverwinter in the late 15th century DR.
A postal service was an amenity available in some parts of the Realms, sometimes provided by local businesses, as well as couriers and runners, trained pigeons,[1] or more exotic magical means.[2] These sporadic services were generally available locally, while longer-distance mail and parcels were delivered via traveling peddlers, minstrels, caravans, and trading coster offices.[3]
Description[]
Most mail was in the form of written messages, short verbal messages, and small packages, all delivered for a significant amount of coins for the common folk, rarely less than 6 gold pieces paid upfront. The price included a possible third party making the final legs of the delivery.[3] In contrast to the land folk, aquatic elves used heralds and messengers to deliver oral messages in place of physical letters.[4]
Letters were sent in sealed envelopes,[1] while packages were wrapped in two layers of canvas, sewn, and sealed with pitch or sap to protect the contents from dampness. Depending on the written letters' contents, the senders often utilized codes and ciphers due to the lack of privacy along the long delivery routes.[3]
Churches employed their own messaging systems that operated independently from outside involvement or used magical means to transport reports, messages, written prayers, and orders. This service was made available to worshipers who have made significant donations and tithes to the church in the past, however, the service was not free but done at a reduced rate.[3]
Official communications made by the crown and other rulers were delivered by heralds.[3]
Notable Postal Services[]
- In the nations of Cormyr and Sembia, one could hire armed couriers who operated within the borders of their respective realms to make mail deliveries for letters and small parcels. The population density made this a lucrative business, with deliveries costing 25 gold pieces or more.[3]
- In Suzail, Tathlin's Discreet Errands functioned as a courier service in the 15th century DR.[5] Those who were interested in deliveries of small packages sought out Tarpreskur's Conveyances, which also offered taxi services.[6]
- Arabel's own letter service was called The Eyes and Ears of Arabel, which also offered caravan guard hiring and parcel deliveries.[7]
- Woody Glen, a small town on the northwestern edge of the High Forest, had a small parchment makers' shop that also served at the town's post office. The shop's workers collected mail to be sent out of town and received and sorted incoming letters.[8]
- Dwarves ruled by Bruenor Battlehammer established a relay team of couriers connecting Mithral Hall to the town of Mirabar.[9]
- Sword Coast Couriers operated in the city of Baldur's Gate in the late 15th century DR, utilizing couriers, trained dogs, and mail pigeons.[1]
- The underground city of Skullport used Spider's Fleet o' Feet to deliver verbal messages, written letters, personal missives, and small packages.[10] Its competitor was Haffa's Flatbacks, which employed kobolds to wheel parcels across town.[11]
- The aptly named Raven Express was the mail service found in the city of Ravens Bluff. It used trained ravens to carry and deliver small, wax-sealed, scrollcase parcels to various cities throughout the Vast and north Faerûn.[12][13] Another package delivery service that operated in the Vast was Ungar's Parcel Service of the town of Sendrin.[14]
- Khôltar, a city in south Faerûn, used the services of Halamor's Sure Service, which employed hin runners to carry messages, supplies, or packages but operated strictly within city limits.[15][16]
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References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Larian Studios (October 2020). Designed by Swen Vincke, et al. Baldur's Gate III. Larian Studios.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 221. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 So Saith Ed Nov – Dec 2004. (03-03-2004). Retrieved on 21-03-2025.
- ↑ David Cook (December 1991). Monstrous Compendium Forgotten Realms Appendix (MC11). (TSR, Inc), p. 72. ISBN l-56076-111-3.
- ↑ Map included in Ed Greenwood (June 2011). Elminster Must Die (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0786957996.
- ↑ So Saith Ed 2010-2016. (05-24-2009). Retrieved on 22-03-2025.
- ↑ Paul Culotta (September/October 1996). “Storm Season”. In Michelle Vuckovich ed. Dungeon #61 (TSR, Inc.) (61)., pp. 32–33.
- ↑ Steven F. Johnson (March/April 1998). “Witches' Brew”. In Christopher Perkins ed. Dungeon #67 (Wizards of the Coast) (67)., p. 15.
- ↑ R.A. Salvatore (September 2005). The Two Swords. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 14. ISBN 0-7869-3790-4.
- ↑ Joseph C. Wolf (1999). Skullport. (TSR, Inc), p. 36. ISBN 0-7869-1348-7.
- ↑ Joseph C. Wolf (1999). Skullport. (TSR, Inc), p. 39. ISBN 0-7869-1348-7.
- ↑ Brian Vogel (August 1994). “The Raven Express: They Deliver Messages - And More”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #98 (TSR, Inc.), p. 31.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 110. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
- ↑ Template:Cite organized play/LC/Judgment Day
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (April 2001–May 2003). Elminster Speaks archive (Zipped PDF). Elminster Speaks. Wizards of the Coast. p. 68. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2016-09-03.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (2002-11-13). Part #54: Khôltar, Part 5, The Farrgaunlar. Elminster Speaks. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2017-10-28.