This user wishes that he were not from the United States.
Lhynard (pronounced: /hlɪˈnɑːrd/ hli-NARD) is a human male "expert", something of a want-to-be Renaissance man; his interests are numerous and eclectic. Formally, he has a Ph.D. in bioorganic chemistry. Informally, he has studied/tinkered in multiple (mostly, "dead") languages and (mostly, modern) philosophies. He has created worlds with conlangs, histories, and epic poems. He has a thorough understanding of English grammar and is somewhat obsessed with correct typography. Outside of intellectual endeavors, he loves music (Who doesn't?) and outdoor activities—especially backpacking. He is a professor at a liberal arts university teaching general, organic, and biochemistry. His research involves writing computer software to model carbohydrate structures and post-translational modifications.
As far as D&D, Lhynard DMs a Forgotten Realms campaign, using version 3.5, with his former coworkers and brother about twice a month. They've been playing since January of 2013. The tale began in Calimshan, and the players have been to Tethyr and Chult, as a miscellany of happenings have led them to a mysterious island in pursuit of an enigmatic individual known as Samber. The first part of the massive campaign ended with Samber exiling them to the Great Glacier. Then, in Part II, they struggled to find their way back to civilization and, through a series of portals, had become entangled in the affairs of the Shadovar, the Ice Queen Iyraclea, and giants. They recently stumbled upon a preserved Netheresespelljammer. In Part III, they have followed a lead to the Rock of Bral, which provided them with a second lead on the planet Coliar. (You can read about their adventures here—Imago Deorum—here—De Exilio—and here—Per Multiversum.)
Lhynard has also DMed what was intended to be a one-shot campaign for his brother's bachelor party but which will be evolving into something a bit larger. This tale has some cameo appearances from the Samber trilogy of campaigns but is properly a v.3.5 Planescape adventure. An artifact from Jeriah Chronos brought characters from different times first to Sigil and then to the Outlands where they were recruited by a shard to infiltrate a Netherese ruin in Ascore by means of the Plane of Shadow. (You can read about their adventures here—In Absentia Lucis.)
Most of Lhynard's new articles and edits regard the (canon) individuals and places of the lands in his campaigns, but he also has a long list of broader projects as well, many dealing with issues of verisimilitude of the Realms.
