Synnoria was an ancient elven kingdom hidden in the mountains bordering the Myrloch Vale on Gwynneth, one of the Moonshae Isles.[1]
Geography[]
It was covered in a powerful mass illusion spell so that, if viewed from above, it simply looked like a continuation of the surrounding mountains. Overland, there were three mountain passes that lead into the realm, but they were narrow and full of false trails and gorges so that they were very difficult to navigate without a guide or very detailed directions.[1]
Inhabitants[]
Synnoria boasted only a single real settlement, the city of Chrysalis,[1] mostly abandoned since the Retreat.[citation needed] The local population was a race of elves known as the Llewyrr whose population steadily decreased due to a low birth rate and deaths by accident or in battle,[1] usually with firbolgs.[2] Legends among the Llewyrr foretold a resurgence would one day bring them back to dominance of the Moonshaes,[3] but they always doubted this legend until it proved true when the entire island of Gwynneth was taken over by noble eladrin leading to humans being banned from its shores in 1375 DR.[4]
History[]
Synnoria was founded by elves from the Llewyrrwood fleeing the Vyshaan occupation of their homeland in −9800 DR. They named the realm after their queen who had led them over the sea.[5] Synnoria was attacked by the Ityak-Ortheel in 1365 DR when Malar and Talos sent it through a portal but the elf-eater was defeated and banished back to the Abyss after it had destroyed Argen-Tellirynd, the Palace of Ages.[6]
Notable Features[]
- Mirror Lake: a deep blue enchanted lake that had the ability to answer questions posed at dawn.[3]
- The Grove of Meditation: a circle of pine trees that was said to increase the ability of elven magic users to learn powerful spells.[3]
- Singing waterfalls: created by the run-off from glaciers high in the mountains, it was said that the water sang a song of heart-wrenching beauty that could enrapture humans such that they would sit and listen until they died of starvation.[3]
Appendix[]
Behind the scenes[]
Synnoria bears a striking resemblance to the legend of Shangri-La.
Appearances[]
Novels & Short Stories
Card Games
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 57. ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
- ↑ Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 9. ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 58. ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
- ↑ 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. 152. 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. 16. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Jeff Crook, Wil Upchurch, Eric L. Boyd (May 2005). Champions of Ruin. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 150. ISBN 0-7869-3692-4.