A spinning top,[3][4] or simply a top,[1][5] was a type of toy in the Realms that had a squat body and sharp pointed bottom, designed to be spun on its vertical axis and balance on its tip while doing so.[1]
Description[]
Tops could be made from a variety of different metals, including brass, bronze, and copper.[1] Among the Iulutiuns of the Great Glacier, they were commonly made of either ice or wood.[5]
Varieties[]
- Singing tops
- A variety of spinning top from the land of Amn. These tops were ringed with holes that caused them to emit a sharp whistling sound as they spun.[1]
Availability[]
- Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue sold both solid and singing tops imported from Amn under its "Diversions" section. Advertised as being "perfectly balanced", these tops were various made of brass, bronze, and copper. Each could be bought for 5 silver pieces each or for the price of 2 gold pieces a customer could order a mixed variety of five tops.[1]
- In the Domain of Barovia, the toysmith Gadof Blinsky of Vallaki sold wooden spinning tops that were painted with a scene of scarecrows chasing children through a forest.[6]
- Ruvya's Toys and Amusements, a toyshop in Bezantur, sold spinning tops.[7]
Usage[]
The wu-jen version of the spell Whirlwind required a spinning top as a material component.[8][9]
Notable Owners[]
- Nicos Corynian kept a table exclusively for spinning tops in his home's game room in Luthcheq. They were part of a game where one was meant to use them to try and knock down arrangements of little wooden pins.[4]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Novels & Short Stories
Referenced only
Sword Play • Faces of Deception • The Black Bouquet • Shadowstorm • Elminster Enraged
Sword Play • Faces of Deception • The Black Bouquet • Shadowstorm • Elminster Enraged
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
External Links[]
Spinning top article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 112. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), pp. 16, 112. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman (March 2016). Curse of Strahd. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 210. ISBN 978-0-7869-6598-4.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Richard Lee Byers (May 2010). The Captive Flame. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 4, p. ?. ISBN 0786953969.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Rick Swan (1992). The Great Glacier. (TSR, Inc), p. 26. ISBN 1-56076-324-8.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman (March 2016). Curse of Strahd. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 103. ISBN 978-0-7869-6598-4.
- ↑ Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), p. 32. ISBN 978-0786901395.
- ↑ Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 96. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
- ↑ Mark Middleton et al (September 1998). Wizard's Spell Compendium Volume Four. (TSR, Inc), p. 1013. ISBN 978-0786912094.