DR = Dale Reckoning
Months
1. Hammer. Common Name = Deepwinter. Midwinter, also known as Deadwinter Day, a festival to mark the midpoint of winter, occurs between 30 Hammer and 1 Alturiak.
2. Alturiak. Common Name = The Claw of Winter or The Claws of the Cold.
3. Ches. Common Name = The Claw of Sunsets. Spring Equinox occurs on 19 Ches.
4. Tarsakh. Common Name = The Claw of Storms. Greengrass, a festival to welcome in the first day of spring, occurs between 30 Tarsakh and 1 Mirtul.
5. Mirtul. Common Name = The Melting.
6. Kythorn. Common Name = The Time of Flowers. Summer Solstice is on 20 Kythorn.
7. Flamerule. Common Name = Summertide. Midsummer is between 30 Flamerule and 1 Eleasis. Shieldmeet, the equivalent of a leap year day, occurs once every four years before 1 Eleasis.
8. Eleasis. Common Name = Highsun.
9. Eleint. Common Name = The Fading. Autumn Equinox is on 21 Eleint. Highharvestide, a festival to celebrate the harvest, is between 30 Eleint and 1 Marpenoth.
10. Marpenoth. Common Name = Leaffall.
11. Uktar. Common Name = The Rotting. The Feast of the Moon, the last great festival of the year which traditionally marked the onset of winter, is between 30 Uktar and 1 Nightal.
12. Nightal. Common Name = The Drawing Down. Winter Solstice is on 20 Nightal.
Year 565? DR
Silouv Yali was a gnome whose talents for wizardry are known from Candlekeep to Sorcere. He was not originally a Sharran, but he was converted probably via torture by Sister Ansar, a Sharran Priestess. We know this because of the following text:
"Praise be to the Lady of Loss. She has, through Sister Ansar, taught Brother Silouv the true nature of our lives - that they are loss and nothing but loss. Through that sorrowful lesson, he has turned from his fame and following and come to us, into the Lady's loving embrace.
But he has not left everything behind - the man once known as Silouv Yali brings with him his miracles of metallurgy. This dark alloy, adamantine, will let us spread the Dark Lady's will with new fervour."
The Great Forge is then built in the Underdark under the Western Heartlands. It is built somewhere out on the Ebonlake, across the lake west of what would later become a Selunite Outpost, Spaw's Myconid Grotto, Lenore's Arcane Tower, and a Decrepit Village. Sharrans built the forge under the careful instruction and guidance of Silouv Yali. It can heat mithral into adamantine. Yali builds an adamantine golem to guard the forge. It is his pride and joy.
We know it was built 800 years before Ketheric destroyed Moonhaven because of the following document:
Grymforge: A History
[The binding of this book is thicker than its combined pages, which are surprisingly devoid of detail.]
"We know little of the ones that came before, but we know they worshipped the Lady of Loss. We know they constructed the great fortress, named...[The next few words are smeared and illegible]. But from whence they came, and why they departed - this is a mystery even to Ketheric Thorm himself.
What we do know is that Shar's chosen has heard Her call. Just as Grymforge served our Mistress eight-hundred years nigh, so it would again.
Here, Thorm's Dark Justiciars shall rise.
Here, we will fulfill our Goddess' pact.
Here, we will rebuild the lost city of Grymforge.
So far will our shadows spread, and so dark will they be, that Selune's light may be forever extinguished."
From this passage, we can glean several things. First, besides the date being 800 years prior to Ketheric Thorm's ascent to power, it was not originally called Grymforge. This was a name given to it later. Another document tells us where the name came from:
"Must find new sources. Nearby mithral veins are near depletion and the quantities required for Brother Silouv's most recent project were considerable. Some of the acolytes have taken to calling it 'Grym', for the place it was made. Though never within Brother Silouv's hearing."
This passage clearly refers to the adamantine golem Silouv created. He obviously had a different name for it, but the Dark Justiciar who wrote this passage indicates that people were starting to call the golem "Grym" because of "the place it was made." Grym means "cruel." So, it is clear that conditions in the Great Forge were cruel. Hence, the name. Since the golem was called Grym, and the forge was its home, it is safe to assume that Grymforge became the more common name of the city, given to it by the Sharran Dark Justiciars who lived there at that time. It once had a different name, long lost and forgotten, and Grymforge became the name the survived the test of time.
The second thing we can take from it is that any documents clearly labeling the place as Grymforge likely came from a later time. After all, the Dark Justiciar who wrote the document made it clear they were afraid Silouv would hear them call the golem Grym. So, they feared Silouv and would not have openly called the place Grymforge.
The third thing we can take from it is that it was not just a forge but a "great fortress" and a "lost city." So, it is very likely that not only was the forge built but the temple, fortifications, and even a whole city for Sharrans to live in. The implication was that this was a massive undertaking; a place of incredible, secret power for Shar. She was likely planning on using it as a staging ground for many future campaigns.
The reason I chose the date 565 DR is becaues of the following document:
(This decaying tome details the scientific and arcane principles behind the great forge's construction. The results of multiple experiments are explained in exhausting detail.)
"Hammer Test 2.5.66.8
The forge is functional, but operating at a scant one-third of its full potential. At current fractalization values, the Hammer can force various iron alloys into molds, but adamantine remains unmoved and unmarked. Increasing levels of hypo-torque to 6.94. Doubling magma heat values.
Hammer Test 2.6.70.0
Test unsuccessful. So hot was the magma that the adamantine shattered entirely under the force of the Hammer. The properties of super-heated adamantine are intriguing, but I seek to mold it, not to crush it. Maintaining hypo-torque levels. Reducing magma heat values by one-fifth."
It is just a guess, but it fits the timeline. If the format used for each test was "Hammer Test Day.Month.Year.Hour," then it would make sense that the first test performed was on 2 Mirtul in the year 566 at the eighth hour of the day. Then, the later test was 2 Kythorn in the year 570 at midnight. This, of course, could be a stretch, but oftentimes when individuals develop naming conventions, they use this format or something similar. Since we know from the previous document that Grymforge was constructed at least 800 years before Ketheric, and Ketheric ascended to power around 1371, it would make sense that someone like Silouv, who was the obvious author of this particular document, would simply shorten it to the last two digits of the year and not include the century.
It is not known when Grymforge was originally abandoned or why. All that is ascertained by the text is that for some reason, the Sharrans abandoned it. Even Ketheric Thorm was unable to learn why.
Year 720 DR
27 Flamerule -
Druid grove in High Dale, known as the Dancing Place, a large congregation of
dryads bid the druids to make welcome the priests of many different gods who
started to arrive before finally Elminster appeared to explain why they had all
been called. This is the First Reformation. They are all called to
help fight back against the faithful of Bane, Bhaal, Loviatar, Malar and
Myrkul. The priests who come are priests of Corellon, Mielikki, Mystra,
Oghma, Selune, Silvanus, and Tymora. They possess their own followers
during the council to speak through them so that they can make it plain they
all need to work together. This night is known as the Gathering of the
Gods.
Year 1292 DR
Astarion is enslaved by Cazador of the Baldurian Szarr family. This is not an exact date. It is also unclear how old Astarion is at this time.
Year 1326 DR
Kethryn Dar is born in the Silver Marches; in Silverymoon.
Year 1331 DR
Wynari Nell is born in the Silver Marches; in the Moonwood near Claw Hollow.
Year 1336 DR
Asha, a druid of the Circle of the Moon, hears the screaming of a baby. She investigates to discover an owlbear has killed the baby's parents. Asha kills the owlbear and saves the baby. The baby is Wynari Nell. Asha raises Wynari as her own.
Year 1341 DR
Asha and Wynari save Ziva, a flying snake from the Jungles of Chult. She was taken along with her clutch by merchants selling flying snakes all over the Sword Coast. Asha and Wynari rescue her when they visit the High Forest in the Silver Marches. Ziva becomes like a sister to Wynari and is her animal companion.
Year 1351 DR
Akar Kessel finds the crystal shard, Crenshinibon in Icewind Dale. As a result, he builds an army to take over Ten-Towns and the surrounding region.
Year 1353 DR
Akar Kessel loosely allies himself with a vampire named Zeryph. Zeryph's undead begin to plague the lands near the Moonwood. Asha and Wynari go to investigate. There is an ambush, and Asha sacrifices herself so Wynari could escape. Wynari vows to destroy Zeryph and begins tracking him down.
Also at this time, trouble begins in the lands that would be known as Elturgard. Fiends roam, fields are destroyed, livestock slaughtered, homes razed, and people kidnapped. Terror grips the land. The city's cavalry, later known as the Hellriders, begin striking down fiends throughout the lands. However, it does little to resolve the issue. More fiends spring up for every one they kill.
Year 1354 DR
The ruler of Elturel, the High Rider, asks his people to pray. A mighty angel appears, her name is Zariel, which means Companion of Light. Zariel locates the gate through which the fiends are entering the world. This is on the Fields of the Dead west of the city. Zariel declares that she will lead the cavalry into Avernus to destroy the infernal host amassing there. The High Rider sends out the riders of Elturel, which number in the thousands. Zariel leads them, riding a golden mastodon, Lulu. The army vanishes through the gate, but Zariel is defeated, and the remnant of the army returns to Elturel. They are grieved by the loss of Zariel, but they are confident that at least they will not be attacked again.
Year 1356 DR
Wynari finds Zeryph's base of operations near Dark Arrow Keep. She is given the Heart of Auril by an unknown individual. She begins to use the artifact against Zeryph's undead armies, and she slowly destroys them. Kethryn Dar meets Wynari and aids her. He is lost to her during a fight with vampires at Zeryph's base. Zeryph is forced to flee into Icewind Dale, and Wynari pursues him. Akar Kessel is defeated. Hordes of powerful creatures flood into Icewind Dale. Wynari corners Zeryph in an ancient ruins east of Ten-Towns. Zeryph tries to escape by putting his remaining forces between him and Wynari. He and a few of his remaining spawn take up their coffins in the dead of night, and they attempt to flee. Wynari uses a spell called Flash Freeze, a special power held within the Heart of Auril. As a result, she absorbs the artifact within herself. She then finds Zeryph and rams a stake in his heart, just to be sure he is dead. From the guilt she experiences, and to prevent herself from becoming an avatar of Auril, Wynari uses Flash Freeze on herself to encase herself and her companion flying snake, Ziva, in ice.
Year 1358 - 1492 DR
Mind flayers find Wynari and Kethryn encased in ice. They take her aboard their ship. She remembers their ship descending into the area and them surrounding her. They pick her up and carry her aboard their nautiloid. Then they place her in a chamber and melt her. She vaguely remembers the chamber inhibiting her powers. She barely remembers them entering the chamber and dragging her into one of the pods. Ziva is still wrapped around her.
Year 1358 – 1371 DR
In the Year of Shadows, 1358 DR, the Time of Troubles, magic goes crazy. The gods are forced to walk the Realms in mortal form. Selune is already in mortal form as Luna. Shar pretends to be Selune and tricks a lot of people. In the end, the truth is discovered, and Selune battles Shar over the streets of Waterdeep. Her light blasts away Shar's darkness while she reminds her of their unceasing battle and the balance they must uphold. Shar vanishes, and the avatar of Selune becomes Luna once more. Selune is free to do as she wills. She makes new alliances in her unending war against Shar.
It is clear that Shar's power spreads throughout the lands in the area, even as far as the Emerald Grove, which has yet to be founded. As Shar’s power increases in the Underdark and the surface in the lands east of Baldur’s Gate, Silvanus grants Roa and Halsin and the druids of the area a sanctuary of power; the Emerald Grove. “The forest rose with claw and tooth to tear the darkness from its roots. By claw and tooth, from root to thorn, The Old Oak’s Grove, to wildlings sworn.” Roa is granted the position of First Druid, and it seems that Halsin is his second.
Selune hears about Shar’s influence increasing near the Emerald Grove and she leads Priestess Morna, from the Hall of Wonders, there with some of her initiates and followers. Whether Selune, as her avatar, physically went there or not, that is unclear. Part of Morna's journal reads, "I've always wondered why Selune took me from the Hall of Wonders to serve at this temple as a priestess." Does "took me" mean that she physically went there and took Morna with to lead them, or does it simply mean that Morna was called by Selune to lead them?
Either way, it can be deduced that Moonhaven is therefore settled at this time, and the Temple of Selune is built as well atop the entrance of the Underdark to ensure that the shadow is kept back. The Temple of Selune is to help guide Moonhaven spiritually. This is based on the documents found in the Selunite Outpost under the Temple of Selune. The logbook reads (only a portion is listed here. More will follow as it fits into the timeline):
(Marked as reference material for the temple archive, this logbook contains transcripts of magical sendings from the temple to the depths below. This record seems to be an exchange dating from near the temple’s foundation.)
"Jarrus - enough foolishness. A new temple with settlers to guide, and you'd rather scrabble in the dark below? We're clerics of Selune - act like it. - M.
Morna - the Lady lights the way. What is this Underdark but a path Her Light hasn't touched yet? Come: we can debate theology in the new chapel. - J.
New chapel? Those materials were meant for the temple proper, not your playground down there. What am I to tell the House of the Moon? - M.
Tell them to start packing! There are caverns down here to dwarf the Inner Cathedral. The builders are almost done, and so we go deeper. - J.
Enough, Initiate! The Underdark is no place for games. Those are novices with you, not Silverstars. Return. Immediately. - M."
This book mentions, “A new temple with settlers to guide” implying that Moonhaven was therefore settled around the same time as the temple. They also knew about the Underdark passages because it says, “you’d rather scrabble in the dark below?” and, “What is this Underdark but a path Her Light hasn’t touched yet?”
So we know that Moonhaven and the Temple of Selune were founded around this time and that High Initiate Jarrus began to explore the Underdark in the region almost immediately after. He swiftly started to build the Selunite Outpost beneath the temple in the hopes of creating a new chapel and stronghold. This must have been fairly deep but not too deep, for Morna doesn't go there herself to check on them. She keeps sending notes back and forth even when he no longer responds. So, it must have been a considerable distance to travel from the temple down the ladder(s) to the Selunite Outpost. Still, even in the cinematics, it appears that it isn't so deep that it requires more than a hole straight down with a wooden ladder embedded into the rock wall of the shaft. So, rough estimate would be several hundred feet down; possibly as much as 500-1,000.
During this time, Ketheric Thorm comes to the area. He is either a settler with the people of Moonhaven, a Selunite Paladin, or a Harper, or a combination of sorts. Either way, he is an ally of the Temple of Selune, Moonhaven and the Emerald Grove. It is likely that he was a Paladin of Selune, a champion of Moonhaven. Since he became a Paladin of Shar, and Shar's Chosen, it would make sense that he was first a Paladin and Chosen of Selune who led the Selunites at both the Temple and in the town.
This is also based on the fact that certain documents found indicate that the people of Moonhaven thoroughly trusted him and he later utterly betrayed them. He was good, in the beginning, for there are documents mentioning that he fell and became a Sharran Paladin due to some tragedy in his life. It is also possible that he married a human settler of Moonhaven and had a daughter. It is believed that he carried a Moonblade, meaning he was likely a Moon Elf who inherited a hereditary magical longsword passed down in his elf lineage.
Also during this time, Bhaal spawns offspring with many women throughout the Sword Coast region. They are women of many different races. Gorion adopts one of the Bhaalspawn and raises him in Candlekeep. Gorion's Ward is involved in a series of conflicts with other Bhaalspawn, an evil mage named Irenicus, and Irenicus' sister, Bodhi, a vampire. This eventually leads him/her into the hells and eventually to the Throne of Bhaal. It is unclear what happened to Gorion's Ward, but most, if not all, of the Bhaalspawn were wiped out during this time. Some versions of the story indicate that Gorion's Ward eventually became the Grand Duke of Baldur's Gate.
Because of the way the logbook is written, it seems clear that before 1371, High Initiate Jarrus encountered drow in mass numbers prowling around the Underdark. Jarrus, in one logbook in the Selunite Outpost, writes:
"Log 124: Signs of life near the outpost. Intelligent. Clearly trying to hide.
Log 125: Still can't find the mysterious shapes. They know how to cover their tracks. Possibly drow."
(The next few entries are too faded to read.)
"Log 129: Led them south. Rumors of a spectator there. Let the Underdark solve its own problems.
Log 130: No sightings.
Log 131. No sightings.
Log 132. Mynthe saw statues down south, shaped like drow. Spectators shouldn't do that. Either way, that's one less problem to worry about."
It should be noted that "south" is actually west on the map in the game. It is clear from several such documents that all the maps were this way. One document mentions that a village is south of the Emerald Grove, but Moonhaven is west of the grove. Therefore, at some point, the developers decided to tilt the game map so that south is west, but they never updated the books to align.
The statues they are referring to are, in fact, drow. Dhourn, a Gravenhollow scholar, Xargrim, a conjurer and seeker, and Filro, from Menzoberranzan, show up in the area and begin searching for Grymforge with a host of drow. During their search, Dhourn finds Grymforge's location while Xargrim and Filro learn about its defenses and its operations, including about the adamantine golem and how to actually forge adamantine weapons and armor. Each gains tidbits of knowledge about it, but instead of pooling their resources, the three drow argue and fight for supremacy.
During the fight, Xargrim summons a rare spectator; one that can both petrify and unpetrify its enemies. The spectator turns Dhourn to stone, but not before he is killed. We don't really know if Dhourn killed him or Filro. We just know, because you can question his corpse, that he died because, "Battle... with rival... summoned spectator..." It could even be that the spectator actually turned on him and killed him. We do not know. It was likely not Dhourn, however, because Xargrim's corpse knew that Dhourn was, "With spectator... won't have gone far... hah... hah... hahaha!" This implies that he saw Dhourn turn to stone. So, since Filro is actually alive in 1492 and roaming madly with Hook Horrors, it was likely Filro. Somehow, Spaw's Myconid Colony finds Xargrim's body and his books and items, and they preserve him and confiscate everything, sealing it all away in their hidden vault.
At this point, it should be noted that it is possible that Jarrus and his initiates are the ones who built the Decrepit Village on the shores of Ebonlake, settling there and using it as a staging ground to search the Underdark. Something that indicates this is that the village is decaying greatly by the time the gnomes inhabit it in 1492, so it must have been built a long time before the events of the game. Also, we know that the drow were in the area, but Jarrus was able to journey relatively far to explore the region before he truly encountered large numbers of them. He tells Morna that because the outpost is almost completed, he will lead the initiates deeper. There is only one real way to go in that area, and that's to Ebonlake. To go further, they'd have needed to build a bay with docks and piers and then build boats and sail across. Also, note that the buildings, their furnishings, etc., are more human-sized, not gnome-sized.
One thing that does not fit with this theory is the material used for most of the Decrepit Village. It is mostly constructed of bones, and two large serpent-like skeletons are found on the beach in 1492. Only two buildings actually exist, and only they appear to be made of wood and constructed similar to surface buildings. The walkways and mine entrance on the east side are also made of wood. Everything else is bone and what appears to be animal hides.
All this implies that the village may have been originally settled by orcs or hobgoblins, or some similar, primitive monster race. At first, I considered dark elves, but their settlements would have been less crude. Chances are, it was first an orc camp, and the orcs used the mines themselves. Later, Jarrus and his Selunite Initiates probably wiped out the orcs and built the only two wooden structures in the entire place. Not caring for wealth, they ignored the mined crystals and gemstones. The boats and docks are also made of bones, indicating they were likely orc-made as well (assuming it was orcs and not some other similar race). Since they were already there, the Selunites just used what they already had available to explore deeper into the Underdark.
This is most certainly when Morna tries to contact Jarrus to order him to return. The logbook entries read:
"Initiate, don't ignore me. I know you took ample components for a sending. Respond. - M
Jarrus - Respond. - M"
It would be difficult to contact him if he and the other initiates were milling about the Underdark, but if they had a village, such as Decrepit Village, it wouldn't be impossible. Thus, the logbook still recorded the messages, and they still reached him. Still, she likely wouldn't go to Decrepit Village herself but would more likely send messengers to deliver her commands since she was High Priestess and had other duties on the surface. Either way, it seems that Jarrus led them beyond the lake, but he never found Grymforge. Neither did the drow. But, they certainly encountered one another.
Since the drow were almost certainly part of Dhourn, Xargrim and Filro's expedition from Menzoberranzan, seeing Selunites would have undoubtedly been considered a threat to their mission to find Grymforge. And so, it makes sense that the drow would become extremely aggressive and swarm them, pushing them back across the lake, first to Decrepit Village. This is most likely when Jarrus finally replied to Morna's messages. His response reads:
"M - Fortified what we can, but wards won't last. Seal the tunnel, and do not follow. You were right. This place belongs to them. - J."
But before Morna can even respond, the drow suddenly attack the Selunites at Decrepit Village. The battle is a slaughter. Based on the evidence found in and around Decrepit Village, it looks like the drow had some very large monsters, almost dragon-like or perhaps behir, fighting for them against the Selunites for there are skeletons of such monstrosities on the beach. Of course, whatever inhabitants, such as orcs, who had founded that village, may have been the ones to kill those monsters, keeping their bones on the beach as trophies for future generations. After all, if the drow had behir fighting for them, the Selunites would surely have been butchered. None would likely have survived prior to retreating to the Outpost.
Also, it is likely that carrion crawlers burrowed into the walls on the east side of the village, feasting upon the dead after the conflict was concluded. This can be deduced because the carrion crawlers are long gone or dead by 1492, and the narration mentions that they likely had a great feast at one time.
Jarrus then falls back to the Selunite Outpost, fortifies their stronghold and throws up wards to try to keep them back. This is likely when the Selunite statues were first empowered which would pummel approaching enemies with moonbeams of death. Morna then gets one last message to him as she gathers the remainder of her allies to try to come to his aid. It reads:
"Jarrus - Hold fast. Whatever it is, I'm sending reinforcements. Just hold on. - M."
Jarrus, however, sends her one final message in reply and then gives the final orders to collapse the passage. It reads:
"No. No more death. Ordered novices to collapse tunnel. You'd be proud of them. Forgive me - we only meant to spread her Light. - Jarrus, High Initiate in the Lady's Light."
Jarrus then puts his last entry into the logbook. It reads:
(Most of this small logbook is left empty. The last entry reads:)
"Log 182: I was wrong. Should have paid more attention to the drow sightings. Should have known they were only a prelude. Stupid to think we had outsmarted them. This will be my last entry. Mynthe will keep the records from now on."
And with that, the passage up was collapsed leaving Morna no way to get down there with reinforcements and trapping High Initiate Jarrus, Initiate Mynthe and the rest in the Selunite Outpost to make a final stand.
Over the course of the next several days, Jarrus writes a small journal. It reads:
"It always felt vainglorious, to think my deeds worthy of a personal journal. But as I watch the drow mass outside our gate, I realize my arrogance is already of a far costlier sort. I see no harm in tipping the scales a little further. Not for me, but for those who followed me down into the dark. They deserve to be remembered.
- Initiate Norn Remys, lost in the deep tunnels as we fell back from the drow.
- Initiate Thulk of the Northern Wastes, grazed by an arrow and succumbed to poison.
- Initiate Bree Brekka, who stood against a drider with only her mason's hammer.
And Initiates they are, the entire company - for they have seen and suffered too much to be called novices. We've collapsed the tunnel behind, and have made ready to open the gate. Perhaps we can carve a path through. And if not, I enclose a list of names - let the annals show that whatever their end, the cause was the same: one High Initiate Jarrus wished to stamp his name in the history of his Church. He sought to forge a path through the darkness, not realizing there are some places the light was never meant to touch. He was a fool."
Mynthe then finishes the tale. He writes:
"This place is dark, but the Lady's Light shines yet. Just as the drow had almost broken through, Jarrus rallied the last of the initiates and charged forth. For a moment, the cavern shone with Selune's own brilliance. I'd have gladly gone with them, wound or no, but Jarrus bade me stay and hold the gate until his return. I am to keep the records, too - I'll save space to write of his victory.
It's been days (hours?) since we collapsed the tunnel. They were supposed to return after the battle - I cannot dig it out on my own.
My eyes won't get used to this darkness, but I can hear them stripping the dead. I'm sorry. I haven't learned the death rites yet, but I will hold the gate. I promise.
(This final entry is barely visible - more faint scratches than legible writing.)
sorry."
Some time after this, Morna creates the seal with the moons and stars on the floor. She knew the collapsed tunnels wouldn't keep enemies out forever. The drow could clear the rubble in time and flood the temple. Therefore, she needed something better, stronger and more powerful to seal the passage off possibly forever. Her journal reads:
(Most of the pages in this aged journal have been hastily torn out, perhaps for kindling.)
"Thus the interlocking circles will bring the full moons to match the stars, while casting darkness where it belongs at the bottom. That chasm to the Underdark will stay sealed.
I confess the design is not foolproof to outsiders, but I had to sacrifice complexity for material resilience. I've always wondered why Selune took me from the Hall of Wonders to serve at this temple as a priestess. Perhaps this was the reason."
In other words, she knew that Jarrus had opened Pandora's Box, and if she hadn't been there to create the seal, the drow would have eventually cleared the collapsed tunnel and wiped out the rest of the temple and Moonhaven and so forth. And so, with a heavy heart, she creates the seal, probably infusing it with powerful divine magic.
Sure enough, the drow clear the collapsed tunnel, but the seal in the basement remains. Thus, it is likely that the temple continued after this, but it is only managed by Morna and a few initiates or novices who had not gone into the Underdark.
Though it is unclear what event truly leads to Ketheric's fall, this event could make sense. Since he was probably a Paladin of Selune, if he had a daughter, she would likely have been a novice or initiate of the temple. Thus, she would have probably been with Jarrus and killed or lost during this conflict. Ketheric, blaming Morna and Jarrus and Selune herself, would then have a powerful reason to turn away from Selune and become a zealot for Shar.
This earlier date for Ketheric's fall makes sense in that he would have way more time to join Shar's cult, rise through the ranks to become their leader, seize Moonrise Towers and finally find and rebuild Grymforge. His fellow Sharrans would have plenty of time to amass in large enough numbers to really make a serious impact in the area as well.
Another potential for Ketheric's fall is that it was not his daughter killed during this conflict but his wife. Some theories believe that Shadowheart is Ketheric's daughter, and her original name was Sybil. If her mother, his wife, was killed during this event, that would explain why maybe both he and Shadowheart turn to Shar, becoming Shar's most powerful Chosen. After all, the Unclaimed book found in Jergal's crypt seems to be a potential fit for Shadowheart. If she became a Sharran, championed Shar's cause during her father's crusade, and died, being resurrected again in 1492 or during the Second Sundering, the story of the Unclaimed would fit well. However, all of this is purely speculation.
Year 1371 DR - 1385? DR
Some
time during the first few months of this year, a necromancer named Ilyn Toth,
along with his apprentice, leave their homeland of
Thay. Ilyn Toth steals Szass Tam’s book,
the Necromancy of Thay, and flees. Szass
Tam is the Lich Emperor of Thay, and he sends his Zulkiers after Ilyn
Toth. Ilyn Toth and his apprentice flee to
Moonhaven and settle there.
26 Eleasis - Oliver Synge, a merchant, arrives in Moonhaven and departs the next day. He is a Callishite. This is roughly the date that Ilyn Toth and his apprentice settle in Moonhaven. Since this is the first entry in his log book regarding visitors passing through the town, it is likely that either he and his apprentice arrived and settled in Moonhaven in Eleasis or Flamerule.
7
Eleint - A stranger of unknown name and origin passes
through Moonhaven. All that is noted is that he is not Thayan. He is maybe Rashemi.
14
Marpenoth - Three men in black armor pass through
Moonhaven. This is the first sighting of Dark Justiciars in the region
during this year. If Ketheric has already fallen, these Dark Justiciars are likely scouting units who are trying to get intel on the strength of Moonhaven, the Emerald Grove, the Temple of Selune, etc. They are noted as also
not Thayan. It is a potential that around this time children start disappearing from Moonhaven. Shadowheart makes a point to say, when in the schoolhouse, that the disappearance of the children sounds very much like the work of her "brothers and sisters," fellow Sharrans. So, another purpose could be to gather recruits for the upcoming campaign they are planning.
2 Uktar - Hackett, a Journeyman, passes through Moonhaven. All that is
known about him is that he is not Thayan.
3 Uktar - Ilyn Toth's apprentice expresses in a journal how he/she resents his/her master but traveled with him because he/she is bound to him by an oath he/she swore. Were it not for the oath, he/she would still have been serving the Zulkirs and not tending to hog pox in the crude hamlet. It is unclear whether the apprentice is a male or female, and his/her race is unknown. However, according to established lore of the Realms, it is illegal for a Red Wizard of Thay to take an apprentice of any race other than Mulan, which is a human race. As long as the human descended from someone who was Mulan, they could be an apprentice. Therefore, even half-breeds might be accepted, but certainly elves, dwarves and other races were not.
(Note: Originally, I believed that the high elf, Eliette, was Ilyn Toth's apprentice, but Red Wizards are human. Also, the apprentice's backpack is found in the Whispering Depths with his/her journal in it. No documentation ever states that Eliette is the apprentice, and the apprentice's journal just states that he/she was free from Ilyn Toth and he/she was going to get the keygem from the Whispering Depths where he/she hid it. Then they were going to grab what they could from the Necromancer's Lair and head back for Thay. Therefore, it can be concluded that it is more likely that Eliette and/or her minions killed the apprentice and took the keygem from him rather than the apprentice being Eliette.)
6 Uktar - Roa sends two
druids, some of the newer recruits, up north. Village there has had two
years of failed crops and are unlikely to survive the next winter. Note: It is unclear whether it is Roa or
Halsin who are involved in these events, but it is assumed that it is Roa
because based on other texts he seems to have been the First Druid at the time.
9 Uktar - A group from
Baldur's Gate arrives. They are almost certainly the Dark
Justiciars. They set up camp on the edge
of the forest. Two bears and a fox wander by. Their territory has
been burned out. Half the fox's cubs are killed.
10 Uktar - Roa pays the
new group from Baldur’s Gate a visit. This does not go well. After
telling the druid where to shove it, they said they'd cut down half the forest
and burn out any wildlife that dared to stick around. The group claims
they are going to 'farm the land and make a new city of their own.' The
druid decides that it is “Time to get creative."
12 Uktar - Roa creates a
mudslide, and he believes that it “did the trick.” He buries half their
farming equipment and makes the rest useless. He believes that “They
won't be back any time soon."
30 Uktar - Raid! Black armored soldiers. It is clear from other texts that these are the Dark Justiciars. There is some damage done to Moonhaven, but it is not destroyed. Ilyn Toth makes a note in his journal that they are not Thayan, but dangerous. This seems to be all he cares about.
It is potentially around this time that the Harpers, including one named Selene who was close to Roa, show up at the Emerald Grove to join forces with Roa, Halsin and the druids against the Dark Justiciars. “In darkest hour, a concord made, twixt harp and wild against the shade.”
This is also another potential for when Ketheric Thorm falls into shadow, converting to Shar. During this first raid, if he was a champion of Moonhaven, he would have been at the forefront of protecting the village. Thus, he may have been captured during the raid. If previous texts which were removed from the game are true, then Halsin may have been responsible for killing Ketheric's daughter or wife, Isobel. It was probably an accident, but there was some indication in those removed texts that Halsin was responsible. This may have been changed. Roa seems to feel a great sense of regret about Ketheric, that he was somehow responsible or that Ketheric was a very close friend of his that he failed.
One text reads: “In Ketheric, I see our failures made manifest. He did not fall - he was pushed. His grief was twisted by shadow, and still we did not act until his light was all but snuffed."
Another removed document detailed Roa saying to Ketheric, “But why? Why follow Shar? Why destroy Moonhaven? The people of Moonhaven trusted you! How could you turn your Dark Justiciars on them?”
Ketheric replies, at one point in the text, “Shar knows all. She gave me a holy mission. I’m merely fulfilling it.”
This exchange implies that Ketheric was an ally with Roa and the people of the grove and Moonhaven. He was firmly established as an ally and even a friend of Roa. This is why Roa is so upset with him for betraying them. Roa having been somehow responsible for Ketheric's fall, or him feeling responsible for somehow failing to help him in some way, is later solidified with a document still in game. It mentions Halsin recovering Roa's glaive, Regret, a "blade infused with shadow. I have locked it away, to serve as a reminder that even victory can taste bitter." One of the removed documents also implies that Roa was the one to deal the final, killing blow to Ketheric.
However, a document that supports the earlier date for Ketheric's fall into shadow is:
(The first few inches of this scroll are written in formal, elaborate script.)
"To the Emerald Enclave, and those deemed worthy to see this record, greetings from Those Who Harp. Know ye that the one known as Ketheric Thorm, paladin of Shar, is guilty of crimes against body and spirit. They include, but are not limited to Murder, Slavery, and Desecration of Temples Most Holy. Let our intent be known: an alliance between the Harpers and the Emerald Enclave. United, we may end Thorm's reign of terror.
The High Harpers eagerly await your good word."
By this point in time, there is only about a month before Moonhaven is totally destroyed. Therefore, unless the Harpers didn't come until after Moonhaven was destroyed, Ketheric would have had to have fallen prior to 1371 so that there was time for him to commit the atrocities in this document.
Regardless, some sort of tragedy pushed Ketheric to turn against Moonhaven, the Temple of Selune, the Harpers and the Emerald Grove. So, it would make sense that someone like Roa killed Ketheric's daughter or wife, or it was Morna's and Jarrus' responsibility and Roa failed to help Ketheric properly grieve. Thus, he vowed revenge.
Whatever the case, he became a champion of Shar. Texts found in Grymforge confirm that he became the Sharran leader, a Paladin of Shar, and it was likely around this time, at the latest - probably more likely the earlier time between 1358 and 1371 - that he converted Grymforge into his secret stronghold deep in the Underdark; a waypoint between Moonrise Towers and Moonhaven. His plan, according to Halsin, was to use it as a staging ground to launch his assaults on the region, but according to Halsin, he never got the opportunity.
Also, it should be noted that Ketheric's Moonblade, if he, in fact, owned one, was almost certainly tainted during this time. There are hints that his Corrupted Moonblade may be something the Sharrans and/or the Absolute and/or Shadowheart are hoping to recover.
Several writings provide greater insight into the situation. These are found in Grymforge:
(This fragment appears to be part of a larger stone slab. The top edge is cleanly hewn, but the bottom is jagged.)
"So said Shar to me, Ketheric Thorm: 'It was Lord Ao who created chaos; it was from chaos that I formed; and it is I who anoint you my paladin. From this day forth, let My Laws be known.'
The Law of Secrets: What is a secret, but truth cast into darkness? Lurk in the shadows and listen for hushed words. The softer a thought spoken, the more scars it may carve. If a man brags of affairs, carry his words to his wife. If a daughter steals from her father, whisper the truth. The deceived turn to Shar. Cuckolds find solace in shadow. Do this o"
(The inscription ends here.)
(Both the top and bottom of this tablet are uneven, and its writings begin and end mid-sentence.)
"nce a tenday, and the Lady of Loss shall know you. The Law of Nightfall: From the moon falls the foulest of lights. It peeks through cracks and fissures, illuminating the most remote recesses of the Underdark. Light bestows hope, a pernicious notion which must be extinguished. At the darkest hour, pray to your Lady and feast in Her honor. The second day after, slay a disciple of Selune. If none may be found, a Lathanderian or Mystran are an acceptable offering.
Do this once a tenday, and the Lady of Loss shall know you.
The L
(The inscription ends here.)
(Though the bottom edge is smooth, the jagged edge at the top of the tablet reveals it was broken away from a larger slab. Its inscription begins mid-sentence.)
"aw of Obeyance: The Word of Ketheric Thorm is the Word of Shar. You shall put no god nor mortal before him; you shall question him in neither word nor deed. When the sun has fallen and the moon is new, bow your head in prayer. Proclaim your devotion to Shar and Her paladin, Ketheric Thorm. Promise your soul and flesh, and seek no fortune nor favor. When your prayer is finished, speak thus: 'Mistress Shar. I have glorified Your name! Master Thorm. I have cried out your Word! I am Your servant, forevermore!'
So said Shar to me, Ketheric Thorm: 'So it is decreed, and so it is done. Wield the power of secret. Where light shines, extinguish it. Heed the Word of your Mistress and Master. Do this, and the Lady of Loss shall know you.'"
(Discolored with time, the pages detail vast troop numbers moving through the Grymforge, along with the inventory required to support them. A cramped annotation mars the orderly columns.)
"The dormitories in the temple below are already full. New arrivals shall have to content themselves with a patch of ground in the Grymforge. May the Lady of Loss send us against Her enemies soon - else Her legions will have naught but rats to feed on."
(Cycle Forty)
"I know it is forbidden to enter the inquisitor's chambers, but I could not help myself. Has Master Ketheric not commanded us to use every possible tool to best Shar's rivals? Besides, if Sybil meant to keep the amulet a secret, she would have hidden it better.
(Cycle Forty and Two)
The amulet has gifted me a power, an energy, heretofore unknown to me. I've never known such might - and such... cheer! I can barely keep myself from smiling, much to the others' chagrin.
(Cy..Ff n! Ha!)
I c... Ha. HAHAHA!... hBGM ...
(Cycle Forty and Five)
It is done, thank the Dark Lady. Sybil ripped the amulet from my throat and cast it into the lava, having found me wracked by laughter. The madness has lifted - but I do not yet know my penance. Sybil is not known to take pity on thieves."
"Master Ketheric:
My whip has finally coaxed some particulars from the captive Harper. To wit: she revealed the location of her stockpile, on a rocky overlook. I investigated, but found the chest in question is trapped. Any attempt to open it might break its contents completely. The spy refuses to reveal how to open the chest, even under threat of death, only crying 'Lux Splenda!' with every lash. Some type of watchword, no doubt. The interrogation continues. And again, please accept my most humble apologies for my earlier oversights. Rest assured, I will not to misidentify any more of my fellow Sharrans as spies - may they walk forever in shadow.
Justiciar Sybil"
"Sybil,
My scouts bring me troubling word that Moonhaven yet stands. Have you forgotten the Three Laws? Would you turn your back on Mistress Shar? Tonight, you will beg Shar's forgiveness. Tomorrow, I depart Moonrise Towers for Grymforge. A tenday hence, I shall march the Dark Justiciars to Moonhaven myself. By the time the first star trembles that night, the Selunites shall be slain and their allies routed.
Speak your prayer thrice nightly, Sybil: once at nightfall, once at moon's zenith, and once before sunrise. I shall remind you the words, let you've forgotten: 'Mistress Shar. I have glorified Your name! Master Thorm. I have cried out your Word! I am your servant, forevermore!' Demonstrate your devotion, and Shar may still know you. Fail, you are naught but dust, unknown and unremembered.
Your Master,
Ketheric Thorm"
Note: Some speculate that Sybil could be Shadowheart, the Unclaimed, after her death at Grymforge at the hands of Hellspawn. But then, it sure seems the Sharran Inquisitor in Grymforge IS Sybil. If that's true, then Sybil could not possibly be Shadowheart, for her body would not be found in Grymforge. She'd be resurrected from the dead.
6 Nightal - Ilyn Toth notes in his journal that he pays no service to the gods, but by some blessing, Moonhaven believes him and his apprentice to be simple healers. It is then revealed that if he ever tried to return home to Thay he’d be put to death or worse. He also explains that he has been trying to resurrect a female, though it is unclear who she is and why she is so important to him. He is using the Necromancy of Thay book to try to make this happen, and his familiar is aiding him in securing bodies to use in his experiments. Was his familiar slipping drugs to people, mostly or exclusively children, or was it leading them into traps for Ilyn Toth to easily abduct them? Being a pharmacist, he could easily give people drugs that would knock them out. If his familiar was sent to spy on them and let him know when they were unconscious, he could easily show up to their homes and take them, and no one would ever know.
This is not clear, however. What is clear is that he was trying to resurrect a corpse of some considerable importance to him, likely one with valuable information he desperately wanted. After all, during one of his experiments, he questions the corpse of this person, but the corpse does not give him the information he is seeking. He also comments on how he has created guardians for himself; skeletal warriors encased in coffins outside his lab.
So, it is quite possible that not only were Sharrans kidnapping children from Moonhaven and converting them, but Ilyn Toth may also have been kidnapping people, and especially children, since children are clearly mentioned as having been kidnapped. If Sharrans were doing it, Ilyn Toth could more easily get away with it since people would be suspecting Sharran kidnappers as opposed to someone right under their noses.
14 Nightal (12th
Month) - The key gem for the Necromancy of Thay has gone missing. Ilyn
Toth sends his familiar to watch his apprentice as he is suspicious that he/she
has stolen it. Also on this day, someone
named Synge passes through Moonhaven, but he doesn't stop.
15 Nightal - Ilyn Toth’s familiar
reports that his apprentice has disappeared near the well across the street from the
apothecary. Ilyn Toth comments on how he will have to observe, as if he
is saying he must keep a closer eye on him/her.
18 Nightal - Another raid
occurs on Moonhaven. Ilyn Toth remarks that they are the same soldiers as
before. Thus, the Dark Justiciars have raided a second time, and townsfolk
are taken. This lends more credibility to Ilyn Toth being the one who abducted the families and children. After all, why were they attacking Moonhaven and taking townsfolk by violence and force if they were kidnapping them already in secret? So, wouldn't it make more sense that the kidnappings were actually being done by someone else, like Ilyn Toth, who needed bodies for his experiments? Also, note that there are several smaller skulls in the Necromancer's Lair near the skull of the bull/minotaur. There are also many ribcages and bones on the floor around the lab table, presumably of various bodies he used in his experiments. So although some children may have been kidnapped by Sharrans, it is more likely that Ilyn Toth was the major culprit. Especially by this time, when the town knew Sharrans were around, it would have been much harder for them to kidnap the children.
20 Nightal – There is smoke
on the horizon. Ilyn Toth’s journal questions whether it is another raid. This is likely the day that Moonhaven is
destroyed as there are no additional journal entries or records that come after
this point. The apprentice's journal also mentions that Ilyn Toth was killed at this time, so it is fairly clear that the entire town was destroyed.
It is not clear whether the Temple of Selune was destroyed at this point or not, but it is likely that it was. Ketheric wanted to use Grymforge as a waypoint between Moonrise Towers and the Emerald Enclave area. He would have needed to destroy the temple and figure out how to open the seal in order to do that. Besides, he likely had a vendetta against them, and he hated Selune. If he destroyed Moonhaven, the Temple of Selune would have been the most logical next target.
It is also possible that THIS was when the Harpers contacted Roa and Halsin. This could be the very reason why they listed Ketheric's crimes as Murder, Slavery, and Desecration of Temples Most Holy. All three of these crimes would fit perfectly with the kidnapping of children and families from Moonhaven, the destruction of Moonhaven, and the destruction of the Temple of Selune.
What doesn't fit with this are documents that seem to have been removed from the game. So, it could just be that something in the story has been changed, and the Harpers came later after Moonhaven and the Temple were destroyed. The removed documents mentioned Harpers and Rangers being more active in Moonhaven and such, as if they were attempting to assist in figuring out who was behind the troubles in the region.
Whatever the case, after this event, it is clear that Roa, Halsin, the Harpers and the druids of the Emerald Grove all unite against the Dark Justiciars. The Selunites may also have joined with them, being "the moonrise that broke the Darkest One." Since Moonhaven is the only thing mentioned as having been destroyed, it may be that the Temple of Selune survived. Therefore, the Selunites may have assisted in fighting back against the Dark Justiciars. It is also possible, however, that they were totally wiped out by this point, for the Emerald Enclave's murals do not mention Selunites helping, nor do any other documents. So, again, it could be that Ketheric already destroyed the Temple and wiped out the clerics there when he destroyed Moonhaven. Either way, he was pushed back before he could figure out how to open the way into the Underdark.
It is highly unlikely that anyone even knew of Grymforge at this point. Since no attacks came from there, and Ketheric's forces were pushed back to Moonrise Towers, it is reasonable to believe that only AFTER they defeated Ketheric at Moonrise Towers did they learn that he had some rumored Great Forge Temple of Shar stronghold in the Underdark somewhere. Badly hurt from the battle at Moonrise, and fighting to escape from the Shadow Cursed Land that Ketheric created before his defeat (or someone else created it, this is unclear), Halsin and the surviving druids and Harpers and fled the area, not finding Grymforge.
We know they didn't find Grymforge, for Halsin says that Ketheric "was defeated before he could launch an attack” from that location. Also, Halsin does not know the way to Ketheric’s Stronghold, and more importantly, he says, “I’ve long sought to return to Moonrise Towers – unfinished business.” He doesn't say that he has unfinished business at Ketheric's Stronghold. And as if that wasn’t enough, the mural in the Emerald Grove says, “The towers seized, the battle done, the moonrise broke the Darkest One.” The word “towers” is plural. Therefore, it is more likely that Moonrise Towers was Ketheric’s staging ground at this time instead of Grymforge, and he was beaten back to them.
Roa dies during the conflict, possibly saving a Harper named Selene in the process. It is not clear whether he truly did save her or whether they were in love, for Halsin clearly scolds the author of those final passages. He states, “Roan. You had one job. This is not a historical record of what occurred. It is a poorly written romance with no basis in fact. And if I ever see the name Balsin again, I will personally feed you to Ormn."
Since Halsin becomes First
Druid, and Roa is no longer mentioned, it seems pretty clear that he died
during the final battle at Moonrise Towers.
However, it seems, based on his response, that he was quite upset about
the romance aspect of Roan’s account. So,
although Roa probably did die during those moments, possibly even saving
Selene, it is unclear exactly whether he was in love with her or not. (Edit: The story of Roa and Selen seems to have been removed from the game.)
It is also something worth noting that Roa's glaive was tainted in the Shadow Cursed Land after he killed Ketheric. This is the glaive that can be found in the Emerald Grove secret vault; the one that is both blessed and cursed at the same time. There is an ancient notebook written presumably by Halsin that says, "This is an ancient notebook, whose ink is faded and pages are starting to crumble. It's not easy, but some words can still be made out. 'Ketheric is finished, but it cost us the land. Darkness has fallen, corruption is everywhere... chased by shadows, picking us off, druids and Harpers alike... our wounded were safe, I returned, searching for survivors... lost, but I found his shade. I put it to rest and took his glaive... blade infused with shadow. I have locked it away, to serve as a reminder that even victory can taste bitter."
As for who wiped out the Sharran's at Grymforge, little is known as to who did it, how they found it and why. All that is known at this time is based on the following documents:
(A component of a magical sending, hastily-scrawled and incomplete.)
"Seal the lower temple. Grymforge taken by unknown force. Many soldiers, one face - infernal? Their leader -"
(The note cuts off abruptly, ink slashed through with blood.)
Another document reads:
"Day 1: Never saw a beast like it. Bloated with muscle, tusks as long as my arms. Scent of charred flesh, but I saw no flames. The stone might have been parchment, so quick did the creature charge through it. The other Justiciars are dead - or close to it. It wasn't alone. Hellknights, too. Masks bolted to their faces, like plaques to a keep wall.
Day 3: Trapped. Another rampage, and down the walls came. Started to dig. Not sure...
Day 7: It's done. May Shar's shadows keep me."
Notice that Grymforge is called out in this document. This is a clear sign that it was not during Silouv's time. So, the only other time that makes sense is Ketheric's time. It is not clear when this event occurs based on the text. It could have been years after Ketheric's defeat. However, it is most likely closer to the time Ketheric died.
We know from other texts that Moonrise Towers, under Ketheric Thorm, was sacked by Harpers and Druids. A few Harper corpses/items are found at Grymforge. So, someone from the Harpers made it there. Grymforge was directly connected to Moonrise Towers at that time. When Ketheric was defeated, the Sharran presence in the area was also defeated. Grymforge was lost to history at this point and wouldn't be inhabited again until 1492.
There is mention of infernal involvement during Ketheric's time, and there is strong evidence that an infernal invasion occurred. Besides the above mention of an infernal beast with tusks, Hellknights were baatezu, a race of devils that were an elite cavalry in the Nine Hells. They rode across the planes on errands from their infernal masters, riding upon nightmares, black steeds with flames shooting out of their nostrils and hooves with manes and tails of fire also.
And then there is the following:
In the game, if the rubble near Stonemason Kith at Grymforge is properly assessed, it is determined that, "The statue's meandering curves and golden edges stand out against the weathered masonry behind it. Two styles, two eras. The statue was carved from newer stone and erected by late-comers to this ancient fortress." It also is determined that, "Boulders and stone bricks of various sizes clutter the corridor, many split clearly in two. Yet some walls remain fully intact. No quake brought these rocks down - they were smashed through in an instant. Something big charged through here. Something very big." It is then determined that, "Several glassy stones stand out in the debris. Their borders are coated with tiny yellow crystals. The hottest of flames smoothed the stone and left sulfuric crystals behind. The fires of the hells have touched Grymforge."
Then Stonemason Kith says, "Incredible - an entire history, risen from dirt and debris! Picture it. An ancient city, hewn from the stone by disciples of Shar, later abandoned. Untold centuries later, a new tribe revives it. Fresh walls, fresh sculptures... until a great hellbeast charges through, toppling the walls and crushing the people! Heh! That explains the infernal plate I found."
Hellknights implies Asmodeus was their leader. After all, according to forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/narzugon, narzugons, another name for hellknights, "swore allegiance to a particular lord until death and the vast majority were under the banner of Asmodeus, who did everything in his power to prevent other devils from acquiring knights of their own." However, it then goes on to say that, "Despite this, not all hell knights directly served Asmodeus, and every archdevil, duke and minor baron had at least a few narzugons under their banners."
As for the hell beast that smashed through the wall, the first thing that immediately pops into mind is Lulu, Zariel's golden mastodon. Perhaps Zariel was the leader riding atop Lulu and charging out of Avernus into Grymforge. Several issues exist with this theory, however. First, after Zariel was captured and turned into an archfiend, Lulu roamed Avernus for months. She met a rakshasa named Mahadi who captured her and made her lose her memories and many abilities. She was later handed over to Zariel as a gift, but Zariel was unwilling to harm her former friend. She sent Lulu back to Faerun unharmed where she spent years wandering in the Fields of the Dead. Also, the infernal beast is described as having tusks "as long as my arms." I would think that Lulu would have much longer tusks. So, she doesn't really fit as a potential.
Several possibilities exist for this hell beast. One is that it is a fiendish dire boar. Hellknights were known to also ride atop them. A giant fiendish dire hell boar would have a charge ability that would give it the ability to most likely smash down walls. A giant boar alone has 17 (+3) Strength and is a Large Beast. So, a fiendish dire hell boar would likely be bigger and stronger and fiery and probably powerful enough.
It could be a Nalfeshnee. They are large demons with 21 (+5) Strength with tusks. This would fit the bloated description, for they are gluttonous creatures. However, they are more like nobility and rulers of small fiefdoms as opposed to being considered "beasts." Still, they are vicious in battle with irresistible bloodlust. If Asmodeus or some other archfiend ordered a Nalfeshnee to lead the assault, it would gladly do so.
His killer is very likely Eliette, a high elf who had been captured by drow and enslaved. It is not clear how long she was enslaved and abused, but she went insane. She believed Lolth was speaking with her and giving her visions, and she felt that she was special to her new goddess.
At some point, there was an internal conflict amongst her drow captors, and someone slit the drow matron's throat. During the ensuing civil war, Eliette was able to escape. She went to Moonhaven, most likely arriving as the apprentice was escaping. We know this because as Ilyn Toth's apprentice was escaping into the Whispering Depths to acquire the keygem, he/she was killed and his/her pack dropped on the path towards the keygem's location.
It is likely that Eliette was not yet transformed by this point, for she was not likely in the Whispering Depths until the apprentice was killed. Otherwise, the apprentice would have not used the Whispering Depths as a place to hide the keygem. Also, Eliette set herself up with a small lab and began writing her own journals and notes and performing arachnomancy experiments, even having a diagram depicting her future transformation. So, it is highly likely that she escaped in 1372 from the drow and made it to the Whispering Depths, killed the apprentice and decided to make the place her home.
At one point, she is visited by a drow arachnomancer, spider-mage, and she believes he is a gift to her from Lolth. She kills him and learns how to do arachnomancy. She begins to draw phase spider and ettercap minions to herself, and she views this as a sign that Lolth wants her to become a very special spider herself. She turns herself into the Phase Spider Matriarch. Finally, she breeds with her phase spider minions and lays eggs, creating her own little nests of hybrid phase spider young. These are not ordinary phase spiders. They can teleport great distances as opposed to ethereal jaunting in and out of the ethereal plane. It is unclear exactly how many phase spiders like her that have been created. After all, the entire Underdark is open to them via the chasm of the Whispering Depths. Being formerly an elf, Eliette is still alive in 1492 DR.
Year 1385 DR
The Spellplague begins.
Year 1444 DR
It is discovered that the High Rider of Elturel is actually a vampire with a vast network of minions. As a result, the undead infest the streets of Elturel. One night, a second sun appears in the sky, turning night to day and destroying the vampire lord and his spawn. Elturel is liberated. Thavius Kreeg takes credit and is named the savior of Elturel. This second sun became known as the Companion, and it remained over Elturel and provided sanctuary to many over the years to come from undead.
Year 1479 DR
Mystra's return. The Spellplague ends. Lenore, Cleric of Mystra, begins her research of Sussur Flowers, Tongue of Madness and Timmask Spores in the Underdark beneath the mountains south of the Ruined Temple of Selune near Moonhaven in the Western Heartlands. Her Arcane Tower is able to move about by magical means and teleports into the southeast section near Ebonlake. She takes her dog Myrna with her to keep her company. Sometime prior to 2 Alturiak, 1481 DR, Myrna dies and is buried and Lenore finds a young bulette which she starts to nurture and care for, treating it as if it is Myrna.
2 Alturiak, 1481 DR
Lenore leaves her Arcane Tower in the Underdark to set out to Baldur's Gate. She has been called there by her fellow clerics for some sort of emergency meeting. She doesn't want to put her research on hold, but the meeting is obviously too important. She decides to take a special, magic ring with her to show off the results of her research. She expects to return by Nightal, ten months later, but never returns. Some time after this, her tower suffers damage. What caused this, exactly, is unknown, but the top two floors and the approach to the fourth floor on the east side have suffered the most.
[Thanks to Sozz for this Patch 7 Update]
Lenore left a letter to Yrre the Sparkstruck, asking him or her to wait for her return, also mentioned, Yrre is responsible for all the lightning themed magic items we've been finding it seems, or possibly Lenore and Yrre together. Lenore left 2 Alturiak 1481, Yrre waited til Tarsahk. So add Yrre to the tertiary actors
Year 1482 DR
The Second Sundering begins. Gorion's Ward, Grand Duke of Baldur's Gate, dies and Bhaal is reborn. Duke Ravengard takes his place as Grand Duke.
Year 1487 DR
The Second Sundering ends. Around this time, Barcus Wroot leaves his home in the Underdark to establish a business in Baldur's Gate. It is unclear exactly when he did this, and how many gnomes he took with him, but it is clear that he did this years prior to the events of the game. He says, "Deep gnomes aren't restricted to the Underdark, you know. I've lived in Baldur's Gate for years." We also know that he lived in the Underdark with other gnomes and left to go to Baldur's Gate because Wulbren's (Wulbren is Barcus' friend) journal says, "A badly charred diary with 'Property of Wulbren' written on the inside cover. In one of the few legible entries, the author wonders if he'll ever see his friend Barcus again, now that he's departed for the surface world."
Interestingly, we learn that Barcus was NOT an Ironhand Clan gnome, and neither was Wulbren. After all, during a conversation with Barcus that you can have at Grymforge, Barcus states, "I came down here looking for Wulbren - I suspected he and his little friends might've come to this region, and I was right." If Wulbren and Barcus were Ironhand, he wouldn't have called them Wulbren's "little friends". He would have called them "Wulbren and his family" or something of that nature. If Barcus was a member of the Ironhand Clan, he also would have associated himself with them. Instead, he says, "You won't find a worse gaggle of rare-do-wells than these 'Ironhand Gnomes' - except for Wulbren, desperate though his taste in companions might be." Thus, he makes it quite clear that Wulbren was a friend of the Ironhand Gnomes. He was not a member of the clan. If you talk to Barcus after defeating Nere and such, he also says, "I shouldn't have let him drift away. Shouldn't have let that lot get their claws into him." He was referring to the Ironhand Gnomes.
This said, we know that some of the Ironhand Clan Gnomes were in Baldur's Gate previously; if not all of them. Thulla says, "We’re Ironhand clan; best artificers in Baldur’s Gate. We were on an expedition down here when the duergar snatched us up." We know that she and a group of her clansmen then went to the Underdark near Moonhaven with Wulbren because she later says, "It’s complicated, but my clan has trouble back in the city - a blood feud. We were searching for something to turn the tide." Since Wulbren was in the Underdark and friends with them, and Thulla and others in the Ironhand Clan were in Baldur's Gate, it is clear that some of the clan was in the Underdark with Wulbren and some were in Baldur's Gate, probably associating with Barcus.
Finally, we learn from Philomeen that the Ironhand Clan is fighting for deep gnome freedoms in Baldur's Gate and/or the Underdark. Whatever the blood feud is, the Ironhand Gnomes think that by going to Grymforge and acquiring a substance called Runepowder - which is, according to the game, "gnomish folklore - an explosive of awesome power, handed down to the gnomes by their war-god Gaerdal Ironhand. A formula so dangerous it was stricken from history - if it ever existed to begin with." - they can turn the tide. Philomeen says, "Well it's real, and I need to bring it back to Baldur's Gate. I'd rather my clan were with me, but... The mission comes first." Then she says, "Look. We're freedom fighters. We need this powder to prove a point. To people who really need a point proven to them." So, obviously, they were fighting for freedoms in Baldur's Gate, and the people fighting against them are trying to beat them down and enslave them.
Year
1492 DR
Kreeg invites Grand Duke Ravengard of Baldur's Gate to Elturel to resolve several disputes. After Ravengard arrives, Kreeg flees the city in secrecy, and the Companion changes from a second sun to a black orb. Suddenly, the city is catapulted into Avernus, first of the Nine Hells. Only a crater remains in the material plane. It is discovered that Kreeg was responsible for this. Fifty years earlier, Kreeg had made a deal with Zariel, now an archdevil, not the god Torm. It was Zariel who provided him with the Companion. It was an infernal device powered by imprisoned planetar. The deal was, if she saved the city, it would be claimed by her after 50 years. The intent was that the Hellriders should serve her army in the Blood War.
Over the course of the next few months, those who escape Elturel's descent into Avernus, or who are outside it when it vanishes, flock to Baldur's Gate. Most are arrested and considered mad. Adventurers are enlisted by Hellrider Reya Mantlemorn to pursue the stolen city and try to thwart Zariel's plans. Their hope is to return the city to the material plane. Many answer her call.
When they arrive in the Hells, they find the city in turmoil. It is suspended approximately 500 feet in the air over the River Styx, anchored by chains and spikes. It is being slowly dragged down to its doom. The city is fractured along the ravine that runs through the city. The Companion, still a black orb, hangs in the sky above. It rains down lightning that raises ghouls, ghasts, and zombies. Devils besiege the city, and demons attack in another battle of the Blood War. The surviving Elturians either try to fight them off or hide in the ruins of the city. The High Wall is the center of the defensive effort, and Duke Ravengard leads the surviving troops.
Through a series of events, Elturel is saved from Avernus and returned to the material plane. And so, prior to Eleint of 1492, the city was both sent to Avernus and brought back. Then Duke Ravengard returns to Baldur's Gate to resume his role as the Grand Duke there. Meanwhile, in Elturel, as the original citizens of the city begin to try to rebuild, a great deal of prejudices are aroused. All tieflings are viewed as wicked and evil, in spite of what deeds they may have accomplished in Avernus to help save the city and its people. Most were regular citizens of the city prior to the Descent, but after the return the people begin to blame them for the entire affair on account of their heritage.
Whether Elturel's return is what brings about the rise of the Cult of the Absolute, or whether it springs up in Elturel's absence, this is unclear. What is certain is that around this time, the Cult of the Absolute begins to appear in Elturgard and the surrounding areas; even as far as the Emerald Grove and possibly Baldur's Gate. At the same time, there are reports of goblins and Lolth-sworn drow working together. There are also reports of trolls and duergar working together. This appears to affect all the lands of Baldur's Gate, Elturgard, Scornubel, and Candlekeep.
Though some argue that the year of Elturel's Descent should be 1494, it is, in fact, 1492, since the events of Baldur's Gate 3 are set in 1492 after Elturel's Descent and return. Several texts in the game indicate that Elturel has returned to the material plane, and shortly afterwards the tieflings are expelled from the city due to prejudice. The only way to reconcile this is by assuming that Kreeg made his deal with Zariel in 1443, and the fifty years includes the entire year of 1443 as the first year. This would then mean that the entire year of 1492 would be considered the fiftieth year. Many times, in timelines and historical records, if a prophecy is given, the number of years typically includes both the year that the prophecy was given and the year it is concluded. It is almost never an exact counting of 12 months per year from the time the prophecy is issued to the time that it is concluded.
Therefore, if Kreeg made his deal with Zariel in 1443, assuming that the issues with the vampire High Rider began in that year and were only concluded in 1444, then 1492 would be the fiftieth year since the pact with Zariel was made. This is either true, or the prophecy of 50 years was only an approximate prophecy and not an actual 50 years; as if Zariel was rounding up when she made the deal. Devil pacts are almost always exact, not approximate, so this potential is not likely. Therefore, it is most likely that Kreeg made the deal with Zariel in 1443 so that it would be counted as the first year and 1492 is the fiftieth year. If this is not true, then the Baldur's Gate 3 timeline is off by a few years and it should be 1493 or 1494 when Baldur's Gate 3 takes place.
1? Eleint - Zevlor leads his band of tiefling refugees out of Elturel, for they have been rejected by the city. It is unclear exactly what date he leads them out, but if one looks at a map, if Baldur’s Gate is roughly 10 days from the Emerald Grove, then Elturel is likely roughly 10 days from the Emerald Grove as well; give or take a few days. Zevlor is a Hellrider Exile, and if you play the evil playthrough and kill him and then talk to his corpse, you learn that he was a Hellrider prior to the Descent. Therefore, he was one of the defenders of the city against the hordes of demons and devils in Avernus. After the return, he was expelled from the ranks of Hellriders because of his heritage. Thus, he became the leader of the refugees, leading them to Baldur's Gate. He mentions that they have some sort of plan once they get there, though it is unclear exactly what that plan is.
10? Eleint - Tieflings are attacked on the road by gnolls. Many die including Alfira’s mentor, Lihala. Halsin has gone out to investigate rumors of trouble in the area. He arrives in time to help save the tieflings, and he leads the survivors back to the Emerald Grove for sanctuary and healing. It is unclear as to why the toll house officials did not assist the tieflings against the gnolls nor why there is no record of the tieflings arriving in the area at all. If the gnolls were active in the mountain passes east of the toll house, and the tieflings had to come in through that direction, why did Halsin help the tieflings but the toll house did not, and why didn't they even record the incident? After all, the tax collector at the toll house records many other events in regards to individuals passing through including other refugees. So why not the tieflings? Was the staff of the toll house simply too afraid to do anything to help? Did they not wish to record it because the refugees were tieflings and therefore viewed as a hostile force? One can only speculate.
14
Eleint - Halsin notes that the tieflings have largely recovered from their
ordeal. The physical aspects, at least. Zevlor is still set on taking
them to Baldur's Gate, though Halsin pleads with him to wait. “The grove
remains undisturbed, but the forest around has grown dark.” It seems that Zevlor listens to Halsin’s
advice, for he and the tieflings remain at the grove for some time after this.
2
Marpenoth - Aradin
and his adventuring party arrive in search of an artifact known as the
Nightsong in the nearby ruin. In one of Halsin’s notes/journals, he notes
that he “should steer them away, but if it's what they suspect... perhaps there
is a way to push the darkness back, and make the roads safe once more.
They'll need a guide..."
9
Marpenoth - Four merchants show up at the toll house on Risen Road east of
Waukeen’s Rest with single wagon of sundries.
This clearly shows that the tieflings arrived prior to the fall of the
toll house, almost a month beforehand.
12
Marpenoth - A Flaming Fist Company, fifteen Fists and Gauntlet, arrive at the
toll house. It is noted that Fist don't
pay tolls, they extort. This implies that the toll house is under Baldur’s
Gate authority. It is unclear what the Flaming
Fist are doing passing through the toll house, but since there is trouble in Elturel
in the east, they are likely going to
investigate those troubles. It is implied that they are likely going to investigate the Cult of the Absolute. But again,
it is unknown what they are truly doing.
21
Marpenoth - A brewer and two guards bring kegs to Waukeen's Rest. They
are probably coming from the east since they had to pass the toll house to get
to Waukeen's Rest to the west of the toll house.
It could be that they are Zhentarim smugglers, since they obviously had a
smuggling ring set up at Waukeen’s Rest, but this is just an assumption.
2
Uktar - Seven farmers with no goods and no gold, who are wounded, arrive at the
toll house. They warn the toll house staff to leave. The toll house
log doesn't say which direction they were coming from and which they were
headed towards. However, it can probably
be assumed that they were headed towards Baldur's Gate from the east. Although the goblins are in the Temple of
Selune in the west when the game actually begins, and since Moonrise Towers are
also to the west of the toll house, so the danger could be from the west, it seems
that the trouble is coming from the east because that is the direction the
tieflings came from. Also, Aradin and
his adventurers came from the west, from Baldur’s Gate, and they didn’t talk
about trouble. Therefore, since the
tieflings had the idea of heading towards Baldur's from Elturel, it is likely
that other refugees were coming from that direction as well; not west to east. Besides, where would they go if they were
headed west to east? They would head to
Elturel. Therefore, since Elturel seems
to not be very popular, having just returned from the Hells, it is most likely east to west, to Baldur’s Gate.
3
Uktar - Toll house sends courier to request extra guards or relief. Courier
is never recorded to have returned. It
is likely he went west to Baldur’s Gate.
It is possible, though not specifically stated, that the reason Grand Duke
Ravengard and his Flaming Fists later come to Waukeen’s Rest is to investigate
these issues because of the courier.
Again, however, this is not clearly stated as being true.
7
Uktar - More farmers arrive at the toll house, and there are too many to
count. They also have no goods, and they are carrying their own
dead. Again, no mention of which
direction they came from. Nevertheless,
it still seems likely that the refugees came from east to west due to all the
reasons mentioned previously.
11
Uktar - The toll house ledger states that the road is untenable.
16 Uktar - The toll house ledger records that the staff are preparing to abandon post. Since there are no records after this point, and since the goblins attack and kill them before they leave, it is likely that the goblins ambushed and everyone inside is killed either on the 16th or the 17th. The tax-collector who wrote the ledger locks himself in the basement and dies there. It is unclear how long he’s been down there when the heroes of the story find him. However, it is long enough that there is a powerful stench from his corpse.
It
is not clear how many days go by, but the nautiloid arrives with the heroes on
board. It crashes on the beach and the
events of the story take place. During the
first few days of the story, presumably just prior to the heroes of the story arriving
at the Emerald Grove, there is a report of a significant goblin presence in the
area that is given to the druids. This is presumably because of the
nautiloid crash and the fact that Minthara and Ragzlin have sent goblins and
True Souls out to search for the survivors.
As a result of this new threat, Kagha, Second of the Circle, has turned
the grove archives over to Orran, one of the lesser druids. The first
event to be noted is her ascension to the position of First Druid. Immediately, she announces that she will boot
the tieflings and refugees out of the grove and initiate the Rite of Thorns.
This
does not go over well, and the tieflings begin to fear that they will die on
the road. If someone were to steal the
idol of Silvanus, that would stop the ritual for good. Arabella, a young tiefling girl, attempts to
steal the idol and is caught. The idol
is returned, but her judgment is to be determined by Kagha.
17 ? Uktar - The Afflicted are kidnapped and infected by special mind flayer parasites. The nautiloid they are on travels to Avernus. A fight breaks out between the githyanki who are pursuing it, the mind flayers, and the demons of Avernus.
18 ? Uktar - The Afflicted escape from their holding pods and make their way to the helm of the nautiloid. They take control of the ship's transponder and activate it. The ship's navigation brings it to the lands east of Baldur's Gate. It crashes on the beach in the early morning hours. The Afflicted fall unconscious on the beach and awaken in the morning.
It is unclear when Burrow Warden Meerna, Thulla, Philomeen and the rest of the Ironhand Gnome Clan, along with Wulbren Bongle, settle in Grymforge and the Decrepit Village in the Underdark to begin searching for Runepowder and, in the meantime, start up some mining operations, but it is at some point during this year. Wulbren laid claim to it, which is evident by finding the deed document at Grymforge. It reads:
"Let it be known from the Fardrimm to the Firelands, from Morndivver to the Spawning Deep: The Ironhand Gnomes, with the blessings of The Shield of the Golden Hills, declare possession of the tunnels, open spaces, peoples, and contents of Underdark territory beneath the Western Heartlands. Ignore this deed under penalty of imprisonment or death. Approved and signed: Wulbren Bongle."
What we do know is that Wulbren was not a member of the clan, as stated earlier in the timeline, and that he was sort of their lawyer and representative. So he obviously believed in their cause, which was fighting for deep gnome freedoms and rights. It is also clear that Barcus Wroot knew about the relative location of where they were going, for he says, "I suspected he and his little friends might've come to this region, and I was right." So, since he knew the basic area where to look, it is highly likely that Wulbren was giving him some details as to their whereabouts.
We know the expedition couldn't have been an extremely long period of time, because the Decrepit Village was not firmly settled by the gnomes. Though their equipment and journals can be found in a few places throughout, showing that they did, in fact, dwell there at least for a little time, the village is still clearly rotten and decayed from years and years of being untended to. So, the gnomes didn't even take the time to fix it up. Also, note that the journals don't appear to be very lengthy. We know that there were 42 Expeditions in total throughout their entire Underdark excursion because of the following:
Burrow Warden Meerna creates a journal with pages that are lined with neat calculations, equipment logs, and expedition notes. The final entry reads: "Expedition #42: Back after a tenday in the northern quadrant. Two potential mining sites scouted. Discovered a vein of arandur. Welso did a bang up job. Organized shifts and led the first dig. Brother or not, he'll be a great Burrow Warden one day. But he needs to keep his temper in check, and practice reading the stone. He's as blind as a surfacer sometimes. Planning to take him out later along the Ebonlake to practice."
So, we know that they were in the Western Heartlands Underdark for 42 expeditions, but we have no idea how long each expedition was. This particular one was ten days long. Others may have been longer or shorter. What the text implies, though, is that Expedition #42 was probably their last since no other expeditions are mentioned. We also know, based on the text, that they went to "the northern quadrant" and spent ten days there. Then they came back. Meerna's journal was found in Decrepit Village, so it could be assumed that their base of operations was there.
But, several things indicate that the Decrepit Village was NOT their primary base camp:
1. A vein of arandur was found. Near where the mushroom picker can be found, a ring made of arandur can be found. This implies that someone in that area of the Underdark not only found arandur but they made a ring from it. If the arandur mine mentioned in Meerna's journal is the same mine that has been collapsed in Decrepit Village, then Expedition # 42 could actually be Decrepit Village. They could have gone there, checked it out, returned to their base camp elsewhere in the Underdark across Ebonlake, and then Meerna wrote her journal entry.
2. South in BG3 dialogues and texts = West on the Game Map. North in BG3 dialogues and texts = East on the Game Map. The mine that is collapsed in Decrepit Village with dead gnomes and duergar around it is on the east side of the game map. Therefore, the entire game map with Decrepit Village and the Selunite Outpost, etc. would be on the north side of the lake from a story perspective; though it is east in the game. Various other documents confirm this including the following found almost immediately upon arriving in Grymforge: "[On one side of this page, a hand-drawn map depicts a northern grotto bordering the Ebonlake. An attacker's account marks the other.] 'One of the durgning shrooms sensed us and split. Chunky one, too. Month's worth of soup, at least. The rest were too busy droning to put up a fuss. Nere pays us, and I'm bolting for Mantol-Derith, Thrinn's orders be $#@$. They got eelsteak, mineral mead, and top-land food of all sort. Clan can't live on fungus alone.'" The myconid mentioned is obviously Glut. Now, it could be that this account was prior to Glut's circle being destroyed, but when you put all of the other evidences together, it seems pretty clear that it is referring to the Underdark Game Map with Spaw's Grotto and the Selunite Outpost and Arcane Tower, etc.
3. If you question a dead duergar, and you ask him if he has anything valuable on him, he will tell you no, but the gnomes were digging in a pile of rubble on the north side of the village. Again, north side in dialogue would mean east on the Game Map. Where is the mine? East side of the the village according to the game map.
4. Wulbren lost his amulet at least a month or more prior to the game. However, his journal can be found in Decrepit Village. This implies that he had visited Decrepit Village and left the journal there, but he returned to some other location where he was then captured by duergar. This is the most likely scenario because we know that the duergar just recently invaded Decrepit Village while chasing Thulla. Therefore, it was not the gnome base camp. If it was, it would have been destroyed a long time before the game begins, and Thulla wouldn't have led them there. They'd have already been there. Wulbren was captured by duergar for sure, since he was at Grymforge and was sent to Moonrise Towers. Barcus, at Grymforge, states that he "was too late. Wulbren had already been taken to Moonrise Towers." So, Wulbren's amulet was taken from him and somehow wound up in the Lower City of Baldur's Gate where Barcus finds it on some thug. If Baldur's is at least 10 days from the Western Heartlands (on the surface), it would have taken at least 10 days for it to get to the city and 10 days for Barcus to return with it. Tack on a few days for a duergar or drow to claim it from Wulbren, sell it, and have it eventually found, and we can estimate that at least a month transpired between Wulbren's capture and when the game occurs.
5. Beldron, one of the deep gnomes trapped with Nere, informs you that Wulbren knows things. He says, in regards to runepowder, "Most still believe it's a fairy tale - I know I did, once. But not Wulbren. He bloody found it - a small cache, buried down here with a manuscript. He'd just made sense of the formula when the cult jumped us - so he burned the darn thing." This is the strongest evidence that Decrepit Village wasn't their base camp. Grymforge was. The deep gnomes had found it, and they were exploring it in search of runepowder. Then Wulbren found it just before the duergar arrived and seized Grymforge by force, putting the gnomes to work as slaves.
6. We also know from meeting Thulla that the whole reason Gekh Coal and his duergar were even on the shore at the Decrepit Village was because they were chasing her after she escaped from Grymforge. Therefore, they hadn't come to that shore until just before the game.
This means that if Wulbren was taken prisoner for over a month and made a slave, and Thulla as well, they must have been taken from Grymforge. Decrepit Village must have then been Expedition Site # 42, and Burrow Warden Meerna and her brother Welso left some gnomes there to continue mining after she wrote that journal entry. Wulbren, Meerna and Welso were there the first time, established operations, and returned to the main camp at Grymforge. They left their things because they planned to return. However, the duergar attacked before they got the chance. Since the description of Wulbren's journal says that it was badly burnt, it is likely that he left it there because an accident occurred, his journal was all but destroyed, and he chucked it in that building because it was useless to him after that point. He then returned to the main gnome camp at Grymforge and never returned to Decrepit Village. Either that or during the duergar attack, Wulbren's journal was found, and the duergar decided to burn it for fun. Whatever the case, regardless of why the journal was burnt, the point is that based on the evidence, it seems that Wulbren and others were there at the village but that they returned to Grymforge prior to being captured.
Another document you find in the Decrepit Village is a ledger detailing "the appearance and quality of numerous gemstones that had been mined from rock. Weight, color, clarity and more are noted next to a sketch of each stone. An underlined entry for a sizable ruby is written in shaky, excited quill strokes." This might belong to Welso, Meerna's brother, for he was supposed to "practice reading the stone." Maybe they just found a very precious ruby in that particular area of the village.
Either way, multiple pieces of evidence indicate that the Decrepit Village was not their base camp but more of an excavation site. Besides the above mentioned reasons, the final piece of evidence comes from a "water-damaged letter imploring the recipient to be cautious around the far shore of the Ebonlake, as duergar are rumored to be prowling in the area." Since the recipient was in the Decrepit Village, where the letter was found, we can deduce that the author was in another location somewhere in the Underdark and not in the same region. The author must have been at Grymforge, for he/she was able to hear the rumor while he/she assumed that the recipient and those with him/her would not have heard it. Thus, it is more likely that the author was in Grymforge while the recipient was further away and that duergar were seen prowling around looking for the forge. This, then, implies that the majority of the Ironhand Clan were in Grymforge. Meanwhile, the duergar, hired by True Soul Nere, were searching for it when the letter was written.
At this point, it is important to note that it can be assumed that long before this search, the duergar discovered Sovereign Glut's Circle. They were likely killing and eating myconids for many years, for Glut states, "my circle long suffered while the duergar flourished. I sang to Spaw for help, yet it cowered in the grotto and let my people be slaughtered.” However, at this point in time, it is pretty clear that Glut's Circle must have gotten in the way of the search for Grymforge. After all, they wipe out the grotto and Glut alone escapes alive to Decrepit Village.
And so, after this, the duergar ran into the gnomes, and the two parties clashed. Those at Grymforge, like Thulla, Wulbren and Philomeen, etc., were captured and enslaved and put to work; forced to try to dig out the entrance to the Temple of Shar for True Soul Nere. We have no idea how many duergar there were to begin with or how many gnomes in the Ironhand clan. However, it is safe to assume that there were a lot of both. After all, at least a month went by between the time Wulbren was captured and the start of the game, and by the time the game begins, there are only about two dozen gnomes left at Grymforge. We know this because there are ten gnome corpses that the duergar are dumping into the lake. One duergar mentions, "Rockfall smashed 'em. Can't have them stinking up the place." Then, he says, "The half that weren't crushed are digging the True Soul outta the wreckage." So, we know that the ten-ish or so that died closer to the start of the game were about half of their number, and they died when Nere got trapped. So, we know that there were roughly two dozen or so gnomes in the Ironhand Clan that were in Grymforge at the start of the game. Among them are Welso, Laridda, Lunkbug, Beldron, Meerna, Skickpick, Wulbren, Wicky, Thulla, and Philomeen.
This implies that there were likely a lot more prior to the start of the game. One would assume that the gnomes first attempted to fight the duergar when the duergar invaded Grymforge. The Ironhand Clan is obviously feisty and a group of freedom fighters. Though they are deep gnomes, and still a bit craven, there were many, like Philomeen, who would be willing to incite their people to fight; especially if they were defending the forge and had considerable defenses to work with. So it is likely a large number died during the initial invasion. Then, Nere and Thrinn seem to have been driving them hard to unearth the Temple of Shar, so we can assume lots more died simply from being worked to death - cave-ins and so forth. So, it can be assumed that there were likely close to a hundred gnomes at the start of the expedition between those at Grymforge and those at Decrepit Village.
As for the duergar, we can also assume they had a large number in Clan Flameshade at the beginning before they invaded Grymforge. After all, it would have taken a large number to claim the forge. Plus, they would have lost a considerable number fighting Glut's Circle. Then, on top of that, there are numerous duergar corpses in Decrepit Village. At the start of the game, we can count about two dozen duergar at Grymforge; 2 at the dock, 1 spider trainer, 2 dumping corpses, 2 at the lift, 2 on patrol, 2 studying stonework, 4 trying to get Rothe's to open a crumpled passage, Eldar Brithvar, Stone Guard Kur - who conspire against Nere - Thrinn, Mind Master Dunnol, and I think maybe 3 others in the chamber outside the temple, then Corsair Greymon and a few on the boat he had. Gekh and his 3 survivors at Decrepit Village plus the half-dozen or so duergar corpses implies that there were maybe close to 36 duergar altogether prior to Decrepit Village being attacked. If we then assume that Corsair Greymon was not the only patrol out on Ebonlake, we can guestimate that there were about 50 altogether at the start of the game. So, if they lost a dozen or so fighting the gnomes at Grymforge, a dozen or so fighting Glut's Circle, and if we assume not all of the corpses were found at Decrepit Village because the myconids were having them jump off cliffs, probably to drown in Ebonlake, I'd say it is safe to assume that there were at least over a hundred duergar prior to the invasion on Grymforge.
We know that some time passed after the gnomes were taken. First, as mentioned above, Wulbren's amulet was taken from him, presumably by a duergar. Somehow, it got back to Baldur's Gate to the Lower City. We know this because Barcus Wroot says, "I'm in search of a friend. I fear he's in trouble. See this?" He held out an amulet with blood on it. "I gave it to him years ago before I left home. I found it around the neck of a thug in the Lower City. It was speckled with blood, and my friend was nowhere to be found."
Second, several documents, both duergar and gnome, imply that at least some time passed between the duergar capturing the gnomes, claiming Grymforge for their own, and the adventurers coming to Grymforge. These documents are as follows:
"The clan's gone soft. Maybe even me. No way around it. I spent ten tides of the Darklake with my head bowed to The Exile. I spent twenty tides with pick and shovel in hand, mining for steel in Dunsperrin. And for seven tides, I stood motionless between the block-stones till the thuldors released me. I was forged in Laduguer's fires - I learned to toil without complaint, to expect no reward without effort. Laduguer is the taskmaster. We are his workers. This is our way.
Fifty wet seasons have passed since the thuldors refused to admit me. For forty of them, Thrinn would have lifted mountains herself if Laduguer willed it. Now, she canes slaves at the behest of this drow and his so called Absolute. Magmar will drown in that ale of his, if the night-terrors don't claim him first. And me? I'll toil for the Exile. But till I see a mountain of coin, I won't lift a @#$#@ finger for Thrinn OR that @#$#-grinned Nere she's been fawning over."
Thrinn is the sergeant of the duergar, second in command under True Soul Nere. This document clearly spells out the situation. Thrinn's been caning slaves, gnomes, and has been doing so for at least a little while. It's been enough that the author feels the entire clan's going soft. The situation is deteriorating. It's obviously been weeks, possibly months, since they have been working for Nere.
Another document that implies a good deal of time transpiring is as follows:
"Deep in the Underdark lived Doyle, a plucky deep gnome slave. Day and night, he and his brother toiled for five duergar smiths, mining iron and mithral until their arms ached and their eyes burned. 'Faster,' cried the duergar. And faster Doyle would dig, even into the night while his masters slept, smiling all the while. 'How can you smile while we slave?' asked the brother. 'Because I wish our masters much success.' was Doyle's reply.
Words of the duergar's quality weapons and armor quickly spread. To meet demand, the duergar brought in more slaves, and began to forge and stockpile their wares at the dig site. Yet Doyle dug harder than ever, his wide grin never faltering. Soon, the duergar's operation grew so great that they commanded twenty deep gnome slaves. The day the twenty-first came, Doyle laughed and whooped so loud, his duergar captors sought silence in a nearby grotto.
The slavers returned to find Doyle and his fellow deep gnomes clad in robust mithral armor and carrying mighty iron weapons, all taken from the slavers' stockpile. The five duergar fell quickly, for they were no match for twenty-one armed deep gnomes. And Doyle? He never stopped smiling."
(Beneath the fable, an incensed reader has written a brief review.)
"GARBAGE. THIS WHERE THE GNOMES ARE GETTING BRIGHT IDEAS?
ANYHOW, I DON'T GET IT. THE LESSON MAKES NO #$@$ SENSE."
This implies that one of the gnomes was trying to inspire his/her fellow gnomes to steal the mithral they were helping to mine and forge and to fight back. The gnome had time to write this and pass it along, for it was giving other gnomes ideas to fight back against their oppressors. Obviously, some incidences were occurring, since the author at the bottom says they were getting bright ideas.
Finally, we know that a good deal of time passed because word of the duergar finding Grymforge began to spread, even reaching some sort of drow leader. We know this because of the following document, found on a dead drow in Grymforge:
"Jhaam,
Like a phoenix from the ashes, Grymforge has risen from the dead. I've word of a drow cultist gathering duergar in the old city's halls. That the Absolute means to recruit them, I've no doubt. Yet it's what they might seek amidst the ruins that most troubles me. You've not failed me yet. Go to Grymforge, cling to the shadow - and bring word of the cult's intentions to Last Light. I will be waiting.
J"
Oh, what an interesting piece of evidence! At first glance, it seems that Jhaam is potentially a Lolthsworn Drow from maybe Menzoberranzan (assuming Menzoberranzan because it is so often mentioned in the game). However, a brief conversation with Murmath, the duergar Spider Master, and you learn that he and his spiders "Caught 'em sniffin' around. Easy marks - had the stench of the top-lands."
Top-lands? That implies that the drow weren't Underdark Lolthsworn. They were likely drow from the surface sent into the Underdark to investigate the Cult of the Absolute. Why? Drow would be less conspicuous in the Underdark. Therefore, whoever "J" is, he/she sent Jhaam and her drow cohorts most likely because they'd blend in and not be noticed as much. However, the plan failed, for Murmath's spiders noticed them sneaking around Grymforge. And so, Jhaam and her associates were put to death.
Who is "J"? Could it be Jaheira (from Baldur's Gate 1 and 2), Leader of the Harpers? It may be that the Harpers have heard of the Absolute by that point and if Jaheira is a leader of the Harpers, as some sources now state, then she may have sent Jhaam to investigate. This, however, is only speculation.
So, we know that enough time passed that "J" heard about Grymforge being found, and he/she had time to send someone to spy it out. This means that months must have gone by from the time that the gnomes were captured to the time that the game begins. However, it wasn't likely more than a few months, for the game does not imply that it was more than a year since the gnomes were working for Nere and so forth.
Thrinn's log reads:
(The book's first page proclaims in bold text: PROPERTY SERGEANT THRINN. HANDS OFF!)
"Name - Location - Status
Beldron - Trapped - ?
Laridda - Dig - Healthy
Lunkbug - Dig - Healthy
Meerna - Trapped - ?
Philomeen - ? - Missing
Skickpit - See Magmar - ?
Thulla - ? - Missing
Welso - Dig - Healthy
Wicky - Trapped - ?
(The final scribble is impossible to make out)
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