• Wolves In Human Skin

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    The friendly neighborhood Uthgardt barbarians in Phandalin’s corner of the world are the Gray Wolf tribe, notable for the lycanthropy that afflicts their tribe. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, their attitude toward their affliction is akin to that of Fenrir Greyback, in that they fully embrace their lycanthropy. It’s a feature, not a bug.…

  • When The Dead Come To Phandalin

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    Quietly, they shambled through rubble and weed past the ruin of Tresendar Manor until, one by one, they appeared at the edge of the escarpment. Silhouetted by the light of the full moon, they gazed down upon the bonfire burning in the town square below. The revelers must have felt the gaze of the watchers…

  • The Hangry Dragon

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    I am the father of teenagers, and the weirdest part about the whole experience has been watching my kids go through growth spurts. For instance, my eldest son is now taller than me, seemingly overnight. I assume it explains why he suddenly sleeps and eats so much lately. Now apply that to a young green…

  • Air Azdraka

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    Wait, WAIT…hold up. Has anyone actually looked at the Dragon Barrow map and done some math? Based on my calculations, Azdraka was MASSIVE. It’s not hyperbole to say that he may have been the largest dragon in Faerûn. The largest dragon in FANTASY. Larger than Smaug! Larger than Balerion the Black Dread! From snout to tail,…

  • The Dragon Barrow Salad

    One of the fun things about writing this blog has been delving into Forgotten Realms lore from previous editions of the game. In much the same way fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons streamlined its rule set from previous editions, the game has been efficient with lore as well. There’s a bit left unsaid. For instance,…

  • Venomfang’s Parentage

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    Who was Venomfang’s sire? Who was his mother? According to Forgotten Realms lore, there are only three green dragons who have inhabited the region of the Sword Coast as it is shown in Lost Mine of Phandelver: There’s Venomfang, the young green dragon residing in Thundertree. There’s Claugiyliamatar, otherwise known as “Old Gnawbone,” an ancient…

  • Pork Lords! Ride!

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    How would you feel about your 5 year-old child riding your Pyrenees around the neighborhood? I mean, with the largest of the breed weighing in at 160 pounds, sure, the dog could probably tolerate your 40-45 pound child climbing onto its back for a minute or two while you nervously glance over your shoulder to…

  • Goblin Arrows: Consolidating The Goblin Ambush & Goblin Trail Encounters

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    If I say “goblin” three times in the title of an article, is something weird going to happen? I sure hope not. Anyhoo, yesterday I wrote about Sildar Hallwinter’s tale of how he and his friend Gundren Rockseeker were ambushed by the Cragmaw goblins laying in wait along the Triboar Trail. But what will the…

  • Cragmaw Hideout: Sildar’s Tale

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    When meeting Sildar Hallwinter for the first time, he’s full of clues for the adventurers to chase down (if they care to chase them down). But there’s little with regard to a narrative of the fateful event that led to his capture (and the capture of Gundren Rockseeker), setting the Black Spider’s plan into motion.…

  • Thundertree: Palien’s Statue

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    Palien, the Neverwinter hero who defeated several Neverwinter Wood monsters around the time of Thundertree’s founding appears to be a historical figure created specifically for Lost Mine of Phandelver. There’s no mention of this hero in Realmslore prior to the adventure’s publication. So when the characters come across the weathered, leaning wooden statue dedicated to…