Tome of the Unicorn [Archive] - Wizards Community

Tome of the Unicorn [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Xavier_of_Cormyr
05-20-07, 05:58 PM :confused: Where was this detailed.. I know I've seen it somewhere.
Faraer
05-20-07, 06:02 PM Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (1987); Lands of Intrigue.
Fillow
05-21-07, 03:16 AM The Grand History of The Realms says that it appears also in Calimport (TSR 9589).

It's also briefly quoted in All Things Magical (tsr9535), FRCS II, Empires of the Sands, a fex words in Lost Empires of Faerūn.

I believe that the complete description of the item is in the FR boxed set, in the DM's source book. It's said in the Magister (TSR 9229).
Xavier_of_Cormyr
05-21-07, 11:26 AM wow... that's a lot!

ok then, moving right along with my Shoon theme.....

To anyone who has read the novel "Blackstaff", the BBEG lich used magic from the Shoon Empire several times. I know that I have seen write ups for several of these spells; I think it was in a Undermountain adventure involving Halaster (the harvestide one) but I'm not sure. Any clues???
Fillow
05-21-07, 01:13 PM I'd be happy to help you but...
what is BBEG ?

(I'm a french Faerūnian and I don't know yet your all acronyms ! I learn everyday so... be patient please. :D )
Fabius Maximus
05-21-07, 01:22 PM BBEG = Big Bad Evil Guy. Or something like that.
Xavier_of_Cormyr
05-21-07, 04:39 PM I'd be happy to help you but...
what is BBEG ?

(I'm a french Faerūnian and I don't know yet your all acronyms ! I learn everyday so... be patient please. :D )

sorry... just a bad habbit I picked up here... see what a bad influence my fellow gamers are?

I'm asking all this because I'm putting together a lore heavy plotline into a long running campaign, that will draw heavily on the Southern styles of the arcane art; specifically the Shoon Imperium's magic.
Also, see my post on "Ulcatser" in the people & places board...
Krash
05-21-07, 07:36 PM Yes, the spell Khelben uses to 'trap' Priamon is found in the 'Stardock' adventure by Steven Schend. Read the write up Iryklathagra (sp?) in "Dragons of Faerūn" and the magic items from heir lair therein for more info on Shoonite magic.

-- George Krashos
Xavier_of_Cormyr
05-21-07, 10:56 PM way ahead of you on that one Krash... and thanks, Stardock was the right module.

I've had ideas bouncing around in my head dealing with Shoon ever since I read "Blackstaff"- not Shoon VII in particular mind you, but just that whole culture.

I like the idea of wizards from different regions practicing magic based on a different ancient teachings. Most of faerun uses a Netherese approach, while Eastern mages might use Imaskari based techniques, and so on... Shoon magic being a bastardized form of Netherese. At least that's my take on it & I'm trying to hunt down lore- even vague fragments from novels, to help me flesh out some differences to support this. Nothing too crunchy, but not all fluff- just enough to spice things up.
And what's the deal with the pyramid(s) Frostrune was using?
GothicDan
05-21-07, 11:05 PM If you compare the magical techniques between Netherese and Cormanthyran, the techniques of modern Faerun are actually more Elven in some ways... Then again, remember that the Elves taught the Netherese the basics of magic, and that the magic learned from the Nether Scrolls doesn't work any more, so they had to resort to their former teachings.
Lord Karsus
05-22-07, 12:20 AM -Wait...Tome of the Unicorn. That was the item that Shoon VII was trapped in, until somewhat recently, correct?
Fillow
05-22-07, 01:13 AM I've to go to work, so here is the two texts I found this morning to answer you.
I read quickly your post, too quickly !
Tell me if it is not was you wer talking about, I will delete...

oops, I'm in late !

"The fabled Tome of the Unicorn, the long-lost grimoire of Shoon, Mage-King of vanished Iltkazar (who is said by some to survive today as a lich), has been reported found by a merchant captain, Roald of Baldur’s Gate . . . or lost, rather. It seems the ruling house of Ruathyn has held the Tome in the Green Rooms, their great library in the palace, for hundreds of years, and when Roald docked there, all was in uproar: someone had stolen the grimoire, and the secrets that none outside of the royal house of Ruathyn had seen for a great while were out. Roald could get no hint of who is suspected of the theft, or any details of it, but he and his crew and ship were most thoroughly searched by both magical and physical means. Some he talked to on the island did believe that in the Tome of the Unicorn are the means to create a permanent gate between the planes of existence, the means to create golem armies, and many spells found nowhere else. Roald reported his news to an open meeting of merchants in Baldur’s Gate, warning all to beware a sudden rise in power, anywhere in the Realms, in the near future.

A Ruathyn war vessel searching for the stolen Tome of the Unicorn has destroyed a merchant caravel of Luskan. The caravel Telgontan Horn was boarded two days’ sail south and east of Luskan, searched, and then set afire. The crew sailed the blazing hulk landwards until they could no longer control its course, and then took to boats. The Horn was seen to burn to the waterline and sink. The boats were later picked up by a cog out of Neverwinter.
Two of the High Captains of Luskan have put to sea with six large rakers (low warships), and it is rumored that they are bound for Ruathyn. It is certain that a Ruathyn vessel in the harbor at Waterdeep was seized by Luskan forces who entered the city and reached the quays by means of stealth and disguise. This craft was sailed out of the harbor but was not found when pursued an hour or so later, and is believed to have been scuttled in coastal waters."
from FRCS1 (TSR 1031)

and

"A long-lost grimoire of Shoon known as the Tome of the Unicorn was stolen in the Year of the Prince (1357 DR) from the Green Rooms, the great library of the palace of the ruling house of Rauthym, where it had been secretly stored for centuries. The Tome is believed to contain an extradimensional space containing Shoon's undead remains, and the Tome may as the lich's phylactery. Subsequent events suggest that the Tome was stolen by agents of the adventurer-wizard Shond Tharovin of Calimshan. It is believed that Shond struck an unholy bargain with the demilich in exchange for information about the Living Gem’s location. The current location of the Tome of the Unicorn is unknown."
from All Things Magical.
Old Sage
05-22-07, 01:29 AM -Wait...Tome of the Unicorn. That was the item that Shoon VII was trapped in, until somewhat recently, correct?Yes, it was.
Lord Karsus
05-22-07, 08:07 AM -Excellent.
Xavier_of_Cormyr
05-23-07, 12:45 AM Thanks Fillow... I have the old FRCS somewhere in my basement- I was just waaaay to lazy to start looking thru boxes. :D

And I see your point Dan. Even if its just the thematics of the spells, I like the idea of each region of Faerun having its magical roots somewhere.
Fillow
05-23-07, 04:03 AM You're welcome Xavier

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Xavier_of_Cormyr 05-20-07, 05:58 PM	:confused: Where was this detailed.. I know I've seen it somewhere.
Faraer 05-20-07, 06:02 PM	Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (1987); Lands of Intrigue.
Fillow 05-21-07, 03:16 AM	The Grand History of The Realms says that it appears also in Calimport (TSR 9589). It's also briefly quoted in All Things Magical (tsr9535), FRCS II, Empires of the Sands, a fex words in Lost Empires of Faerūn. I believe that the complete description of the item is in the FR boxed set, in the DM's source book. It's said in the Magister (TSR 9229).
Xavier_of_Cormyr 05-21-07, 11:26 AM	wow... that's a lot! ok then, moving right along with my Shoon theme..... To anyone who has read the novel "Blackstaff", the BBEG lich used magic from the Shoon Empire several times. I know that I have seen write ups for several of these spells; I think it was in a Undermountain adventure involving Halaster (the harvestide one) but I'm not sure. Any clues???
Fillow 05-21-07, 01:13 PM	I'd be happy to help you but... what is BBEG ? (I'm a french Faerūnian and I don't know yet your all acronyms ! I learn everyday so... be patient please. :D )
Fabius Maximus 05-21-07, 01:22 PM	BBEG = Big Bad Evil Guy. Or something like that.
Xavier_of_Cormyr 05-21-07, 04:39 PM	I'd be happy to help you but... what is BBEG ? (I'm a french Faerūnian and I don't know yet your all acronyms ! I learn everyday so... be patient please. :D ) sorry... just a bad habbit I picked up here... see what a bad influence my fellow gamers are? I'm asking all this because I'm putting together a lore heavy plotline into a long running campaign, that will draw heavily on the Southern styles of the arcane art; specifically the Shoon Imperium's magic. Also, see my post on "Ulcatser" in the people & places board...
Krash 05-21-07, 07:36 PM	Yes, the spell Khelben uses to 'trap' Priamon is found in the 'Stardock' adventure by Steven Schend. Read the write up Iryklathagra (sp?) in "Dragons of Faerūn" and the magic items from heir lair therein for more info on Shoonite magic. -- George Krashos
Xavier_of_Cormyr 05-21-07, 10:56 PM	way ahead of you on that one Krash... and thanks, Stardock was the right module. I've had ideas bouncing around in my head dealing with Shoon ever since I read "Blackstaff"- not Shoon VII in particular mind you, but just that whole culture. I like the idea of wizards from different regions practicing magic based on a different ancient teachings. Most of faerun uses a Netherese approach, while Eastern mages might use Imaskari based techniques, and so on... Shoon magic being a bastardized form of Netherese. At least that's my take on it & I'm trying to hunt down lore- even vague fragments from novels, to help me flesh out some differences to support this. Nothing too crunchy, but not all fluff- just enough to spice things up. And what's the deal with the pyramid(s) Frostrune was using?
GothicDan 05-21-07, 11:05 PM	If you compare the magical techniques between Netherese and Cormanthyran, the techniques of modern Faerun are actually more Elven in some ways... Then again, remember that the Elves taught the Netherese the basics of magic, and that the magic learned from the Nether Scrolls doesn't work any more, so they had to resort to their former teachings.
Lord Karsus 05-22-07, 12:20 AM	-Wait...Tome of the Unicorn. That was the item that Shoon VII was trapped in, until somewhat recently, correct?
Fillow 05-22-07, 01:13 AM	I've to go to work, so here is the two texts I found this morning to answer you. I read quickly your post, too quickly ! Tell me if it is not was you wer talking about, I will delete... oops, I'm in late ! "The fabled Tome of the Unicorn, the long-lost grimoire of Shoon, Mage-King of vanished Iltkazar (who is said by some to survive today as a lich), has been reported found by a merchant captain, Roald of Baldur’s Gate . . . or lost, rather. It seems the ruling house of Ruathyn has held the Tome in the Green Rooms, their great library in the palace, for hundreds of years, and when Roald docked there, all was in uproar: someone had stolen the grimoire, and the secrets that none outside of the royal house of Ruathyn had seen for a great while were out. Roald could get no hint of who is suspected of the theft, or any details of it, but he and his crew and ship were most thoroughly searched by both magical and physical means. Some he talked to on the island did believe that in the Tome of the Unicorn are the means to create a permanent gate between the planes of existence, the means to create golem armies, and many spells found nowhere else. Roald reported his news to an open meeting of merchants in Baldur’s Gate, warning all to beware a sudden rise in power, anywhere in the Realms, in the near future. A Ruathyn war vessel searching for the stolen Tome of the Unicorn has destroyed a merchant caravel of Luskan. The caravel Telgontan Horn was boarded two days’ sail south and east of Luskan, searched, and then set afire. The crew sailed the blazing hulk landwards until they could no longer control its course, and then took to boats. The Horn was seen to burn to the waterline and sink. The boats were later picked up by a cog out of Neverwinter. Two of the High Captains of Luskan have put to sea with six large rakers (low warships), and it is rumored that they are bound for Ruathyn. It is certain that a Ruathyn vessel in the harbor at Waterdeep was seized by Luskan forces who entered the city and reached the quays by means of stealth and disguise. This craft was sailed out of the harbor but was not found when pursued an hour or so later, and is believed to have been scuttled in coastal waters." from FRCS1 (TSR 1031) and "A long-lost grimoire of Shoon known as the Tome of the Unicorn was stolen in the Year of the Prince (1357 DR) from the Green Rooms, the great library of the palace of the ruling house of Rauthym, where it had been secretly stored for centuries. The Tome is believed to contain an extradimensional space containing Shoon's undead remains, and the Tome may as the lich's phylactery. Subsequent events suggest that the Tome was stolen by agents of the adventurer-wizard Shond Tharovin of Calimshan. It is believed that Shond struck an unholy bargain with the demilich in exchange for information about the Living Gem’s location. The current location of the Tome of the Unicorn is unknown." from All Things Magical.
Old Sage 05-22-07, 01:29 AM	-Wait...Tome of the Unicorn. That was the item that Shoon VII was trapped in, until somewhat recently, correct?Yes, it was.
Lord Karsus 05-22-07, 08:07 AM	-Excellent.
Xavier_of_Cormyr 05-23-07, 12:45 AM	Thanks Fillow... I have the old FRCS somewhere in my basement- I was just waaaay to lazy to start looking thru boxes. :D And I see your point Dan. Even if its just the thematics of the spells, I like the idea of each region of Faerun having its magical roots somewhere.
Fillow 05-23-07, 04:03 AM	You're welcome Xavier