The Sea of Fallen Stars, also known as the Inner Sea, was the largest inland body of water in Faerûn.[1] Its major areas included the Dragonmere, also known as the Lake of Dragons, in the west; the Dragon and Easting Reaches in the north; the Alamber Sea in the east; and the Vilhon Reach in the south.[2] The undersea realms of the Inner Sea were collectively referred to by its inhabitants as Serôs.[3]
The sea served as a crucial trade way for the powers of central and northern Faerûn and beyond.[4] From Cormyr's Imperial Navy[5] and Sembia's 15,000 sailors and corsairs in the west,[6] to the small but hardy fleet of dozen Impilturan warships in the east,[7] and the militia-navy of Turmish in the south,[8] the waters of the Inner Sea were well-traveled by ships that flew the flags of coastal nations in central Faerûn.[4]
Description[]
The sea floor was covered with hundreds of shipwrecks.[9][10]
The sea was large enough to feel tidal effects.[11]
Inhabitants[]
The Inner Sea was home to many types of aquatic life, and including kingdoms of dragon turtles,[9] aquatic elves, merfolk, and sahuagin. With the exception of a notable violent excursion in 1369 DR, these races rarely interacted with the coastal land folk.[1] Aquatic dwarves also inhabited the Inner Sea,[12] though this reclusive subrace of dwarves was largely considered to be mere legends,[13][14] as any time a scholar looked into the manner they could find no evidence of the race.[14]
The languages spoken by the sentient races of Inner Sea were collectively referred to as Fallen Stars tongues.[15]
The Sea of Fallen Stars was flush with aquatic wildlife. Some of the species of note were raiks. Greater raiks were predatory and aggressive hook-jawed fish the size of an adolescent human. Their smaller kin, lesser raiks, were significantly less territorial and aggressive. Another dangerous creature that hid in the waters was a mottled sidi octopus, a fierce opponent larger than a greater raik in size.[16]
Territorial Waters[]
There was a recognized territorial limit of ten miles (16.1 kilometers) offshore among all the nations on the Sea of Fallen Stars. Areas of sea further than ten miles from the nearest land were considered neutral territory. Any attacks on shipping within a country's waters were considered to be acts of war. For most areas, these boundaries were clear, but they became more ambiguous in Mulhorand, Thay, and Unther, owing to continual border disputes.[17]
Trade[]
In the late 14th century DR, carracks, round ships, and cogs were the most common vessels engaged in trade on the Sea, but caravels were becoming more common.[18]
Much of the 15th century DR jade found in the Western Heartlands came from the Sea of Fallen Stars.[19]
History[]
Creation[]
Over the millennia, different creation myths regarding the sea spread across the Realms. One tale, which explained how the sea earned its name, was detailed in the book History of the Last March of the Giants. It said that the gods above sent a star crashing down to Abeir-Toril as a punishment for the arrogance of the titans. Entire continents were lost in the ensuing earthquakes, fires, and windstorms and the four centrally located seas of Faerûn merged together, forming the "Sea of Fallen Stars".[20][21]
Other theories maintained the cataclysmic change of landscape was actually the eggs of the first dragons raining down onto Toril.[citation needed]
The true creation of the sea occurred ages ago, in the final years of the Days of Thunder, when the primordial Asgorath the World Shaper, along with the first dragons, were released from their imprisonment by the creator race known as the batrachi. In an event known as the Tearfall, the deity hurled an ice moon down to the surface of Abeir-Toril, which wiped out the batrachi and formed the sea.[22][23][24]
Sarrukh accounts dated around −31,000 DR mentioned a "changing of the stars" in relation to this event. Few knew what this really signified, but the fact was Ao created a duplicate of the planet, Abeir, and sent the new world to another realm, with different stellar cartography.[citation needed] Other written accounts note that during the time of its creation an avatar of the goddess Istishia was present.[25]
Pirate Wars[]
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The Pirate Wars started in 1201 DR when the pirate lord Immurk died from a heart attack. Leaving his rough coalition to fall apart. Half a dozen pirates declared themselves to be the succesor of Immurk. During this time several of the most vicious pirates arrose to take the Dragonisle, the stronghold of Immurk. Urdogen “a red-haired hot-blooded bear of a man,” eventually came to dominate the Dragonisle. Once the internal warfare was over the pirates started raiding the the coastal villages and ships which could not be ignored by the Inner Sea Kingdoms.[26]
Time of Troubles[]
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During the Time of Troubles, the chaotic evil goddess of the ocean Umberlee spent much of her time occupying the Sea of Fallen Stars. She caused widespread storms and destruction across many of the Pirate Isles. Following the return of her divine status, the Sea continued to be turbulent and often stormy. Circa 1366 DR, a group of merchant costers allegedly in league with the Iron Throne promoted an organized effort to appease her. In the years proceeding this effort the waters of the Sea became gradually calmer.[27]
Spellplague[]
On Tarsakh 29 1385 DR, the Spellplague hit Toril and greatly changed the landscape of the planet. Large openings erupted within the Underdark and large portions of the sea drained out beneath Toril's surface, greatly lowering the sea level over the next ten years. Coastal cities that once rested on the banks of the sea were made land-locked, and formerly submerged ruins and wrecks were subsequently exposed.[4] One of such resurfaced islands was Hegruth, an Island with a tower that's been submerged in the Sea of Fallen Stars for millennia. The tower ruin of unknown origin and obscurity made it the perfect place for clandestine meetings. The island did not appear on any terrestrial maps.[28]
The Second Sundering and the Great Rain[]
During the Second Sundering in the autumn of 1485 DR, the Great Rain began to fall around the Sea of Fallen Stars and continued unceasingly for over a year. This constant storm caused massive floods; thousands perished from drowning, lightning strikes, or bursts of wind that capsized ships. By the time the rain abated, the Sea of Fallen Stars had swollen back to something approximating its former size, flooding vast tracts of land and numerous cities beneath the waves.[29]
Notable Locations[]
Islands[]
There were numerous islands in the Sea of Fallen Stars:
- Alaor: A former Thayan island that gained its autonomy.[30]
- Pirate Isles: A group of about sixty rocky islands notable as the home of the pirates of the Inner Sea.[1]
- Isles of Prespur: A main island under Sembian control accompanied by the smaller unoccupied Traitor's Isle.[31]
- Ship of the Gods: An island volcano in the Alamber Sea.[30]
- Whamite Isles: A small chain of islands once ruled by a great khan.[30]
- Hegruth (an Island with a tower, surfaced due to receded water levels circa 1396 DR)[32]
- Ambral Isle[33]
Undersea[]
Coastal[]
The Sea of Fallen Stars had coastlines in many different lands, including Aglarond, Altumbel, Cormyr, Chessenta, Chondath, the Dalelands, Impiltur, Sembia, Mulhorand, Priador, Thay, Thesk, Turmish, Unther, and the Vast.[2]
Appendix[]
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Further Reading[]
Appearances[]
Novels & Short Stories
The Ring of Winter
Video Games
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 142. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Forgotten Realms Poster Map (3rd edition) (6MB JPG). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 153. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 172. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ Curtis Scott (March 1992). Pirates of the Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 34. ISBN 978-1560763208.
- ↑ Curtis Scott (March 1992). Pirates of the Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 37. ISBN 978-1560763208.
- ↑ Curtis Scott (March 1992). Pirates of the Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 42. ISBN 978-1560763208.
- ↑ Curtis Scott (March 1992). Pirates of the Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 48. ISBN 978-1560763208.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 14. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ Robert Wiese (August 2004). Adventure Locales: Ship From the Past (HTML). Adventure Locales. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-11-06.
- ↑ Eric Menge (January 2012). “Backdrop: Suzail”. Dungeon #198 (Wizards of the Coast) (198)., p. 73. Archived from the original on 2015-11-02. Retrieved on 2017-07-07.
- ↑ Phillip A. Dyer, et al. (August 1991). Port of Ravens Bluff. Edited by Jean Rabe, Skip Williams, David Wise. (TSR, Inc.), p. 61. ISBN 1-56076-120-2.
- ↑ Phillip A. Dyer, et al. (August 1991). Port of Ravens Bluff. Edited by Jean Rabe, Skip Williams, David Wise. (TSR, Inc.), p. 57. ISBN 1-56076-120-2.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Eric L. Boyd (November 1999). Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark. Edited by Jeff Quick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 19. ISBN 0-7869-1509-9.
- ↑ Roger E. Moore (January 1999). Demihumans of the Realms. (TSR, Inc.), p. 5. ISBN 0-7869-1316-9.
- ↑ Black Isle Studios (June 2000). Designed by Matt Norton. Icewind Dale. Interplay.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 15. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 8. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ Larian Studios (October 2020). Designed by Swen Vincke, et al. Baldur's Gate III. Larian Studios.
- ↑ BioWare (December 1998). Designed by James Ohlen. Baldur's Gate. Black Isle Studios.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 79. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 41. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Nigel Findley, et al. (October 1990). Draconomicon. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 4. ISBN 0-8803-8876-5.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 78. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Curtis Scott (March 1992). Pirates of the Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 8. ISBN 978-1560763208.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 173. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell (December 2008). Plague of Spells (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 10, p. 200. ISBN 978-0-7869-4965-6.
- ↑ Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 17–18, 136. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 13. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 11. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell (2008). Plague of Spells. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 10, p. 131. ISBN 978-0786949656.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (December 1998). Elminster in Myth Drannor. (TSR, Inc), p. 126. ISBN 0-7869-1190-5.
Connections[]
Landmasses: Anchorome • Evermeet • Faerûn • Kara-Tur • Katashaka • Laerakond • Maztica • Merrouroboros • Osse • Zakhara
Seas and Oceans: Celestial Sea • Eastern Ocean • Eastern Sea • Great Ice Sea • Great Sea • Sea of Fallen Stars • Sea of Swords • Segara Sea • Shining Sea • Silver Sea • Southern Ocean • Trackless Sea • Western Ocean • Yellow Sea