Summary
The Forgotten Realms is perhaps the most iconic setting in theDungeons & Dragonsfranchise. The Sword Coast is constantly the main area in which all world-changing events happen, and even the acclaimedBaldur’s Gate 3is focused on, well, the city of Baldur’s Gate, which is in that same Sword Coast. However, there’s still a wide world out there of different continents, countries, and planes, all with their own history.
Sometimes there are just a few tidbits of lore that are so baffling that you’re surprised it was ever even in the game. But it’s true. These are actual pieces of lore that are in the setting of Forgotten Realms, and who knows, maybe they’llinspire you for your D&D game.
10Karsus
His Folly Took Down An Empire
Although it was referenced in Baldur’s Gate 3, Karsus' Folly and the surrounding context is even wilder when you take into account the Netherese Empire. If you don’t know, above a land now known as Anarouch were the floating cities that formed the Netheril Empire, an empire so vast and powerful that everyone could cast magic.
When we say everyone, we mean everyone. Even commoners knew a cantrip or two. However, a wizard prodigy known as Karsus spent years creating a ritual that would allow him to replace the god of magic. This backfired tremendously, and for a moment, all magic in the realms was gone, causing the floating cities and the empire upon them to collapse. This event is now known as Karsus' Folly.
9Beholders
Their Dreams Shape Reality
Known for their terrifying eye stalks, Beholders are also known for their absolutely even more terrifying potential. It is said that Beholders can dream things into reality; when they sleep, some of their dreams can become real.
It’s to the point where spellcasters could use magic to alter their dreams in a risky attempt to perhaps summon something they want into the real world. Either way, it’s definitely something that has a lot of potential for a plot in a campaign.
8The Overlord Ao
Who Does This God Report To?
Not much is known about the overlord Ao besides the fact that they have complete power over all reality andall the deitiesthat exist. They rarely get involved in any of the goings-on in the world, including pantheons.
However, did you know that Ao actually seems to speak to a deity higher than themselves? There is little to no knowledge about who this other entity is and what they want, with the implication being that it could mean anything from Wizards of The Coast to some form representing the Dungeon Master.
7Earth
Our Earth Actually Exists In Forgotten Realms
So Earth exists in the Forgotten Realms. Not just some version of Earth, but specifically ours. The wizard Elminster is known for apparently going to Ed Greenwood (creator of the Forgotten Realms) and hanging out in his kitchen.
As well as this, it turns out that foxes were never native to Toril. Instead, foxes in the setting actually come from our universe. Therefore, they’re an invasive species in the Forgotten Realms that replaced their own version of the lynx.
6Mindflayers
They Shouldn’t Exist
Aberrations are already scary eldritch abominations half the time, but there’s something even scarier by the fact that some of them shouldn’t exist, as is the case with Mindflayers. The origins of Mindflayers are unknown, with some theorizing that they actually represent what humanity will eventually evolve into and came back from the future to set the seeds for their empire.
However, with their origins still unconfirmed, it just makes these psionic beings both more interesting and terrifying.
5Ancient Magic
Spells Used To Go Beyond 9th Level
Back in the good old days of the Netheril Empire, it had so much magic that they actually had a whole old set of rules before the events of Karsus' Folly. Spells didn’t go up to the 9th level but went all the way up to 12th instead.
This allowed some of the most powerful casters to have access to spells that could create volcanoes or moving a mountain. After the fall of the Netheril Empire and the resurrection of the magic god (now known as Mystra), such magic was forbidden, and the rules of magic were rewritten so that 9th level was now the maximum.
4Aboleths
They Came Before The Gods
You may think that as the creator of everything, the Gods would have been the first beings in the universe. But you’re wrong. It’s actually known in the world of the Forgotten Realms that Aboleths came before the gods.
Where they came from, how they were created, and what they were doing is entirely unknown to most, if not all people besides aboleths, who live forever and remember everything.
3Selûne
People Actually Live On The Moon
Selûne is the moon that orbits around Toril. But it also has another name, Leira, the name that is used by its inhabitants. That’s right. People live on the moon. Its most notable location is the Leira Trading Centerwhere spelljamers could dock.
Not much is known about other landmarks on the moon, but Leirans are especially paranoid of outsiders and even restrict them from accessing certain areas on the moon. This means unless it’s for a good reason, we may never know just what those people are getting up to on that moon.
2Dendar, The Night Serpent
A Primordial Who Consumes Nightmares
Every good world needs a good mythos, especially if it turns out to be scary. That’s where Dendar the Night Serpent comes in. They are a colossal serpent that’s both primordial and an elder evil, an ancient entity from the Far Realms.
Dendar was known to consume the nightmares of all living things in the hopes of causing the end of the world. Cults dedicated to Dendar usually kidnap people and poison them so that they fall asleep and dream, feeding Dendar.
1The Continents
Toril Has Many Continents Besides Faerun
Much of the Forgotten Realms is focused on the Sword Coast and, at most, wider Faerun. But did you know that there are actually numerous continents that dot the planet of Toril? Faerun is actually one massive landmass that is connected to another continent known as Kara-Tur, which is based on East Asia.
Other continents include Maztica, based on South America, specifically the ancient Maya, Zakhara, south of Kara-Tur and other more unexplored lands. These include Anchorome, Laerakonde, and Osse.
