They are listed as an archfey, a primal spirit, and a "lake" spirit, respectively.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/drrl/2009June
- it doesn't explain what the leShay really are (and why there are - apparently - so few), though from context you can deduce they are noble eladrin
- Why/how does Ate`Niah maintain friendly contact with Kendnrick, if the former wants to reclaim Gwynneth, and the Llewyrr are allied with the leShay?
- I guess druids and Imaskari are exempt from being banished? Human relations are probably strained.
- No info on Prince Araithe
- Female dwarves have beards again? Maybe only if they are very old?
Enough for a second article... or expansions elsewhere.
By the way, reading it allt hrough, I ran into a reference that pleased me much: the lake spirit Eldath.
I so like being right ;)
Oh and Deep Sashelas, just to be complete.
Gomez
Btw, excellent call!
Interesting to see, especially when thought about as Nobanion representing nobility. Kingship can be a primal aspect as animal kingdoms need sovereigns too.
And Eldath being a peaceful lake spirit makes her even more interesting in my view. I do wonder what mother lake would have spawned her... She likely is much more old than most primal spirits, as war and conflict came after the tranquility of Abeir-Torils first creation.
Several primal world spirits are so tangible to elven worshippers they have been named as part of the Seldarine. These include the various animal totems, Deep Sashelas (perhaps Fenmarel) and Rillifane. Similarly how christianity sanctified mystic figures such as early druids into saints, and adapted holidays from pagan rituals complete into the christian calender.
Humans discovering being guided by the gods instead of the primal spirits.. now that could be a nice biblical piece of work.
What's up with Aurilandur, the Frost Sprite Queen? I mean...Auril...Aurilandur. Seems fishy to me.
And, I don't have my FRCG on me right now, but Deep Sashelas is also an exarch of Corellon IIRC.
The whole article was chock full of delicious tidbits, I devoured the whole thing. I think it could have easily been a much longer article (maybe delving more into the leShay or their conflict with the fomorians), but I'm absolutely happy with what was in it content-wise. I loved seeing what had happened to some of the old deities.
What's up with Aurilandur, the Frost Sprite Queen? I mean...Auril...Aurilandur. Seems fishy to me.
And, I don't have my FRCG on me right now, but Deep Sashelas is also an exarch of Corellon IIRC.
Aurilandur could be the daughter of Auril. Even Ice Queen need a little something-something now and again. The Ice goddess would be vain enough to name her children after her. Doubt the Father survived the night though.
Good stuff - it's the first Fey related thing I've wanted to use in my campaign. I think some paragon level PCs will need to consult the LeShay at some stage.
Map lovely as well.
Nice article, though it still leaves a few questions (more than it answers, actually).
-That's a good thing. One of the old "tenets" to the lore writing was that, for every question you solve, another one or two should be presented.
- it doesn't explain what the leShay really are (and why there are - apparently - so few), though from context you can deduce they are noble eladrin
-The explanation of what leShay are can be found in the Epic Level Handbook, where they originated in. Being as that they have no specific Forgotten Realms genesis, that's all we got to work with. In 4e mechanical terms, they'd be something separate from "Elves/Eladrin", being as that in 3e, they were their own race, something separate from Elves (and Eladrin).
-Overall, being a pessimist, I see the aforementioned mentions as being something that were included as a service to fans (the aforementioned Nobanion and Eldath being the most "decried disappearances"), by a fan, because the designers failed to include, or even explain why inclusions were not make in the FRPG/FRCG.
so other than supporting Brian, does this article make it worth buying the ddi magazine next payday??
I think the article itself has plenty of potential for any DM to spin into a very far-reaching campaign hook. There's the Feywild influence, the Moonshae-Sarifal conflict, the connection between Sarifal and Imaskar, as well as a host of lore.
I definitely think it's worth it. I've loved all the DDi Realmslore articles to date.
I do, however, have concerns about what has now happened. Am I right in thinking that yet another comparatively settled land has been removed in favour of heavy fey/antagonist presence? I am also interested to see that Lionel Carrathal and his family seem to have popped up, in this case, just long enough to provide a reason for that removal before being slipped back into the shadows?
The explanation of what leShay are can be found in the Epic Level Handbook.
It should have gotten a bit more background in this article, though, for those 4th ed people who don't have 3rd ed stuff.
Unless they want to make it a player race, which I don't hope. I now thought they were some kind of noble eladrin.
The article makes me want to make a druid from Sarifal for LFR (whether or not LFR allows the background benefits). And I already have too many character ideas...
Maybe I'l restrain myself and wait until they release the sprite as a PC race (it has to happen eventually...).
Gomez
It should have gotten a bit more background in this article, though, for those 4th ed people who don't have 3rd ed stuff.
-Generally speaking, when information exists, it is not repeated if nothing has changed too much. Just like during the 3e era, if you wanted information on say, Chult, you had to refer to 2e and 1e sources, likewise, in the 4e era, if you want information on something, you're still going to have to rely on past 3e, 2e, and 1e sources. And, of course, novels.
-All of the information available about leShay in Realmspace can be found in Elves of Faerûn, as an aside, so you don't even need to go out and get the Epic Level Handbook.
Unless they want to make it a player race, which I don't hope. I now thought they were some kind of noble eladrin.
-I doubt it, being as that leShay are quite powerful, and would begin on the "Epic Tier", comparatively speaking, in terms of races. Seems to run counterbalance to the concept of keeping PC races "low level" purposely, to allow them to be viable races for players for the entire gamut of levels. low, moderate, and high.
-With online DRAGON articles, there are page counts and word limits to be adhered to. In cases like that, only what really needs to be included is included. Extra stuff, like going into an explanation as to what leShay are is expected of the reader that they know, and being so, is extraneous, when you need to stick to a limit.
-If there were no page/word limits, I am sure most articles would be unwieldy: I don't know about other people, but I know when I design things, I am rarely at a loss for what to say, and usually have to "stop while I am ahead", leaving stuff unwritten, existing only in my head.
New players don't know what leShay is, and will wonder. It is not necessary to explain much - especially if you wish to leave a mystery - but one line could suffice:
"The leShay are a mysterious, powerful fey race, kin to, but unlike, elves or eladrin. Onyl few of the race remain."
Brian - if you can have this line (or one of your own) added somwhere for Realsm newbies in the final article that would help.
Gomez
Bel
In 4e mechanical terms, they'd be something separate from "Elves/Eladrin", being as that in 3e, they were their own race, something separate from Elves (and Eladrin).
Not necessarily. Since back in 3e the eladrin where not at all related to elves, I can imagine the leshay now in 4e just being some kind of albino-sub-race of eladrin.
Between Sarifal and Cormyr, Brian and I seem to work pretty well together.You provided the map for this article Mr Schley? Then I would like to proffer my heartfelt thanks for this and the map in the Cormyr article. They are certainly my favourite 4E maps and are among my favourite art associated with the setting at the moment.
You're most welcome. :D
Hopefully Brian and I will be tapped to work on more Realmslore articles together.
Hopefully Brian and I will be tapped to work on more Realmslore articles together.
I hope so too! I may not always agree with the directions that some of these locations have taken, but I would cannot for one moment forget the quality of the combined article that the two of you produce while working together. I make no apologies for saying that, at the moment, the Cormyr article and this one stand as the best reasons for my continuing DDI subscription.
Now we just have to let WotC know that so they keep tapping you guys, and I will get more articles to consume (Voraciously. With ketchup :D).
[EDIT: Maybe we could have a BRJ and MS thread. Seeing as these two gents seem to be, in addition to Rich, leading luminaries in the 4EFR, maybe we could have a running thread to show us things they are up to? Cheeky I know, but I would definitely prefer those previews to the crunchy ones that the magazines actually give me.]
Not necessarily. Since back in 3e the eladrin where not at all related to elves, I can imagine the leshay now in 4e just being some kind of albino-sub-race of eladrin.
-This is akin to making Giants a taller and more powerful subrace of Humans (or something to that effect), since, primarily, the only major difference is that Giants are taller and more powerful than Humans (excluding the elemental varieties of Giants. I'm talking about plain ol' Hill Giants here) I would think. That doesn't work, and, from the point of view of knowing what leShay are, and what they represent, and knowing what Elves are, and knowing what they represent, I don't see it working, either. It'd make more sense to make the leShay an "entire race" of powerful Archfey creatures than it would be to make them Elves/Eladrin.
LK, I can't get to a working description of the LeShay from the EoF link in your sig - page is blank.
-The website is being upgraded, and the message boards are "closed" right now, leading only to a white page, yeah. Let me copy and paste from my MS Word file:
Show
LeShay
While I have often had difficulty finding information about this minor Elven town that existed centuries ago, or about this odd cultural offshoot that grew from a larger, more mainstream culture, I have never encountered so much difficulty researching a singular topic as I had with this topic, the enigmatic leShay. In collecting my research, I delved deep into the libraries on Evermeet and in Candlekeep, entered into correspondence with scholars in Tabot and Shou Lung, as well as scholars from different planes and Crystal Spheres.
For all intents and purposes, the leShay are the Fey Creator Race on Abeir-Toril. This is slightly a misnomer, however, as I will now explain. The other Creator Races to walk our fair planet- the Aearee, the Batrachi, the Humans, and the Sarrukh- had a direct hand in either creating or becoming numerous races that walk our fair planet today. For example, the Aearee had a hand in creating, or became themselves, the Aarakocra, Kenku and Tengu. The Batrachi had a hand in creating, or became themselves, the Bullywug, Siv, and the Slaadi. Humans have, ironically, ‘devolved’, resulting in Neanderthals that roam the Great Glacier, and perhaps points north, if such places exist. The Sarrukh had a hand in creating, or became themselves, Lizardfolk, Yuan-Ti and other reptilian creatures.
The leShay, on the other hand, did not create the various creatures that exist on Abeir-Toril, nor did they evolve into these creatures. Instead, the leShay were the first to open gates from Abeir-Toril to the Plane of Faerie. It is in this manner that the leShay are the Fey Creator Race. Indeed, this sometimes causes confusion among historians and scholars, and as a result, many sources claim the Fey creatures of Abeir-Toril, and even of the Plane of Faerie, to be the descendants of the leShay.
I am unsure if the leShay are native to Abeir-Toril or not. Evidence points to the fact that the leShay are indeed interlopers, having arrived from somewhere other than our fair planet, seemingly the Plane of Faerie. This, in no way, however, means that they cannot be among the Creator Races. Indeed, they are. The earliest records of the leShay date far back, and point to some sort of settlement in or around the Yehimal Mountains. Very little remains of this civilization, though archeologists and scholars from Tabot and Shou Lung sometimes uncover relics of this incredibly ancient society. For all intents and purposes, however, this civilization of leShay, we know virtually nothing about.
Some scholars believe that Elves are descended from the leShay, in the sense that the original Elves were once leShay, and that over the millennia, these leShay eventually became Elves. To these scholars, I offer a brief counterpoint. Elves do not evolve, in the sense that Humans do. As such, it would be impossible for ancient leShay to slowly evolve into Elves. Such a theory, in my own mind, borders on near impossibility, as leShay are immortal. Indeed, they have a lifespan that does not end, and can only be killed in unnatural manners. Because of this, it would be impossible for leShay to evolve into Elves.
Other scholars put forth a theory that seems much more possible than the former, but one that I do not believe nonetheless. Some believe that the deities of the Elves, the Seldarine, were mortal leShay that, as the sands of time passed, became worshipped by Elves, and achieved divinity in this manner. The deities of the Orc Pantheon were once similarly mortal leShay as well, albeit twisted and corrupted by the Unseelie Court, and by their debased worshippers, Orcs. While this hypothesis is certainly possible, I do not believe it. That is to say, I require more than some hearsay, possibility and theories to believe such a thing.
Long ago, in –27,000 DR, the leShay opened gates to the Plane of Faerie, and tricked tribes of Wood Elves to enter into the portals, introducing the first Elves to Abeir-Toril. Why the leShay did this, I am not certain. Scholars seem to believe that, in doing so, the leShay were seeking to disrupt the growing influence of Dragon Baronies during the Days of Thunder. Whatever the case, the leShay introduced Wood Elves, Avariel and Lythari into the world during this time. The Dark Elves led by Ka’Narlist Ilythiir soon followed suit, opening the portals that the leShay had closed. Following the Elves, Fey and Sylvan creatures of all sorts began migrating to Abeir-Toril from the Plane of Faerie. It is in this way that the leShay are the Fey Creator Race of Abeir-Toril. While they might not necessarily be inherently related to the Fey and Sylvan creatures that inhabit Abeir-Toril today, it is because of the leShay that these creatures inhabit our world.
We know much more about the leShay of Sarifal, a group of leShay that may or may not have been the same leShay to settle in or around the Yehimal Mountains and open portals to Faerie. This kingdom of leShay existed on the Moonshae Isles, from –10,500 DR to -500 DR. Known as Sarifal, this small kingdom of leShay had a large impact on Faerûn, though scholars would not know this until fairly recently. The leShay kingdom of Sarifal made it’s capital in a city called Karador, located on a small island at the center of the shimmering blue waters of Myrloch, the large lake nestled within a great vale on the central island of the Moonshae Isles, and was led by Queen Ordalf.
Sarifal had an important impact on Abeir-Toril for two reasons. Firstly, it was these leShay who welcomed the Llewyrrwood Elves who fled to the Moonshae Isles in –9,900 DR, when the Vyshaati annexed Ilefarn’s colony. These Elves would found the Elven kingdom of Synnoria in –9,800 DR, after the leShay of Sarifal opened their kingdom to these Elves, and granted them a parcel of land in the mountains.
Sarifal also had a great impact on the eastern nation of Imaskar. The fledgling empire of Imaskar, between –8,000 DR and –4,000 DR, began experimenting with spells that manipulated mass, and created extradimensional space. This research and experimentation grew by leaps and bounds when the Imaskari discovered ancient gates created by the Batrachi. The leShay, similarly interested in such magics, watched from Sarifal with great interest.
Eventually, in –4,000 the leShay of Sarifal made peaceful contact with the Imaskari, and invited Imaskari artificers to come to the Moonshae Isles. The Imaskari accepted the offer, and Sarifal and Imaskar struck up an alliance. The Imaskari shared what they were willing to share about what they had learned about gates and extradimensional magic, and, in turn, the leShay shared what they were willing to share about what they had learned about gates and extradimensional magic. It was the information that the leShay shared with them that allowed the Imaskari to create twin gates to another world and abduct thousands of these natives to serve as slaves. It was the information that the leShay shared with them that allowed the Imaskari to construct a planar barrier powerful enough to block the deities of their slaves from entering into Realmspace. It was the information that the leShay shared with them that allowed the Imaskari to create the seven Imaskarcana, when Lord Artificer Omanond ordered it.
By –500 DR, for whatever reason, the leShay abandoned their kingdom in the Moonshae Isles. Queen Ordalf and her court vanished, presumably to return to the Plane of Faerie, or perhaps to some other world. The capital city of Karador sank beneath the waves of Myrloch, out of sight and out of mind. For all intents and purposes, all evidence of a leShay presence on Abeir-Toril had vanished.
The leShay, as the years have passed, have fallen further and further into antiquity. They are mostly regarded as myth, though astute scholars know otherwise. Their fate is unknown, but their influence on Realmspace is profound. Interestingly enough, I have recently learned an interesting clue. Yazilliclik the Wood Sprite, a friend of the Great Druid of the Moonshae Isles, Robyn Kendrick, recently told the woman, “Sarifal is awakening”, before disappearing. What this means, I do not know. Perhaps, however, the leShay are interested in reclaiming their legacy, and will return to Realmspace someday.
LeShay
While I have often had difficulty finding information about this minor Elven town that existed centuries ago, or about this odd cultural offshoot that grew from a larger, more mainstream culture, I have never encountered so much difficulty researching a singular topic as I had with this topic, the enigmatic leShay. In collecting my research, I delved deep into the libraries on Evermeet and in Candlekeep, entered into correspondence with scholars in Tabot and Shou Lung, as well as scholars from different planes and Crystal Spheres.
For all intents and purposes, the leShay are the Fey Creator Race on Abeir-Toril. This is slightly a misnomer, however, as I will now explain. The other Creator Races to walk our fair planet- the Aearee, the Batrachi, the Humans, and the Sarrukh- had a direct hand in either creating or becoming numerous races that walk our fair planet today. For example, the Aearee had a hand in creating, or became themselves, the Aarakocra, Kenku and Tengu. The Batrachi had a hand in creating, or became themselves, the Bullywug, Siv, and the Slaadi. Humans have, ironically, ‘devolved’, resulting in Neanderthals that roam the Great Glacier, and perhaps points north, if such places exist. The Sarrukh had a hand in creating, or became themselves, Lizardfolk, Yuan-Ti and other reptilian creatures.
The leShay, on the other hand, did not create the various creatures that exist on Abeir-Toril, nor did they evolve into these creatures. Instead, the leShay were the first to open gates from Abeir-Toril to the Plane of Faerie. It is in this manner that the leShay are the Fey Creator Race. Indeed, this sometimes causes confusion among historians and scholars, and as a result, many sources claim the Fey creatures of Abeir-Toril, and even of the Plane of Faerie, to be the descendants of the leShay.
I am unsure if the leShay are native to Abeir-Toril or not. Evidence points to the fact that the leShay are indeed interlopers, having arrived from somewhere other than our fair planet, seemingly the Plane of Faerie. This, in no way, however, means that they cannot be among the Creator Races. Indeed, they are. The earliest records of the leShay date far back, and point to some sort of settlement in or around the Yehimal Mountains. Very little remains of this civilization, though archeologists and scholars from Tabot and Shou Lung sometimes uncover relics of this incredibly ancient society. For all intents and purposes, however, this civilization of leShay, we know virtually nothing about.
Some scholars believe that Elves are descended from the leShay, in the sense that the original Elves were once leShay, and that over the millennia, these leShay eventually became Elves. To these scholars, I offer a brief counterpoint. Elves do not evolve, in the sense that Humans do. As such, it would be impossible for ancient leShay to slowly evolve into Elves. Such a theory, in my own mind, borders on near impossibility, as leShay are immortal. Indeed, they have a lifespan that does not end, and can only be killed in unnatural manners. Because of this, it would be impossible for leShay to evolve into Elves.
Other scholars put forth a theory that seems much more possible than the former, but one that I do not believe nonetheless. Some believe that the deities of the Elves, the Seldarine, were mortal leShay that, as the sands of time passed, became worshipped by Elves, and achieved divinity in this manner. The deities of the Orc Pantheon were once similarly mortal leShay as well, albeit twisted and corrupted by the Unseelie Court, and by their debased worshippers, Orcs. While this hypothesis is certainly possible, I do not believe it. That is to say, I require more than some hearsay, possibility and theories to believe such a thing.
Long ago, in –27,000 DR, the leShay opened gates to the Plane of Faerie, and tricked tribes of Wood Elves to enter into the portals, introducing the first Elves to Abeir-Toril. Why the leShay did this, I am not certain. Scholars seem to believe that, in doing so, the leShay were seeking to disrupt the growing influence of Dragon Baronies during the Days of Thunder. Whatever the case, the leShay introduced Wood Elves, Avariel and Lythari into the world during this time. The Dark Elves led by Ka’Narlist Ilythiir soon followed suit, opening the portals that the leShay had closed. Following the Elves, Fey and Sylvan creatures of all sorts began migrating to Abeir-Toril from the Plane of Faerie. It is in this way that the leShay are the Fey Creator Race of Abeir-Toril. While they might not necessarily be inherently related to the Fey and Sylvan creatures that inhabit Abeir-Toril today, it is because of the leShay that these creatures inhabit our world.
We know much more about the leShay of Sarifal, a group of leShay that may or may not have been the same leShay to settle in or around the Yehimal Mountains and open portals to Faerie. This kingdom of leShay existed on the Moonshae Isles, from –10,500 DR to -500 DR. Known as Sarifal, this small kingdom of leShay had a large impact on Faerûn, though scholars would not know this until fairly recently. The leShay kingdom of Sarifal made it’s capital in a city called Karador, located on a small island at the center of the shimmering blue waters of Myrloch, the large lake nestled within a great vale on the central island of the Moonshae Isles, and was led by Queen Ordalf.
Sarifal had an important impact on Abeir-Toril for two reasons. Firstly, it was these leShay who welcomed the Llewyrrwood Elves who fled to the Moonshae Isles in –9,900 DR, when the Vyshaati annexed Ilefarn’s colony. These Elves would found the Elven kingdom of Synnoria in –9,800 DR, after the leShay of Sarifal opened their kingdom to these Elves, and granted them a parcel of land in the mountains.
Sarifal also had a great impact on the eastern nation of Imaskar. The fledgling empire of Imaskar, between –8,000 DR and –4,000 DR, began experimenting with spells that manipulated mass, and created extradimensional space. This research and experimentation grew by leaps and bounds when the Imaskari discovered ancient gates created by the Batrachi. The leShay, similarly interested in such magics, watched from Sarifal with great interest.
Eventually, in –4,000 the leShay of Sarifal made peaceful contact with the Imaskari, and invited Imaskari artificers to come to the Moonshae Isles. The Imaskari accepted the offer, and Sarifal and Imaskar struck up an alliance. The Imaskari shared what they were willing to share about what they had learned about gates and extradimensional magic, and, in turn, the leShay shared what they were willing to share about what they had learned about gates and extradimensional magic. It was the information that the leShay shared with them that allowed the Imaskari to create twin gates to another world and abduct thousands of these natives to serve as slaves. It was the information that the leShay shared with them that allowed the Imaskari to construct a planar barrier powerful enough to block the deities of their slaves from entering into Realmspace. It was the information that the leShay shared with them that allowed the Imaskari to create the seven Imaskarcana, when Lord Artificer Omanond ordered it.
By –500 DR, for whatever reason, the leShay abandoned their kingdom in the Moonshae Isles. Queen Ordalf and her court vanished, presumably to return to the Plane of Faerie, or perhaps to some other world. The capital city of Karador sank beneath the waves of Myrloch, out of sight and out of mind. For all intents and purposes, all evidence of a leShay presence on Abeir-Toril had vanished.
The leShay, as the years have passed, have fallen further and further into antiquity. They are mostly regarded as myth, though astute scholars know otherwise. Their fate is unknown, but their influence on Realmspace is profound. Interestingly enough, I have recently learned an interesting clue. Yazilliclik the Wood Sprite, a friend of the Great Druid of the Moonshae Isles, Robyn Kendrick, recently told the woman, “Sarifal is awakening”, before disappearing. What this means, I do not know. Perhaps, however, the leShay are interested in reclaiming their legacy, and will return to Realmspace someday.
The map is gorgeous isn’t it? Mike Schley is a master cartographer. If only you saw the garish maps I turn over to Mike, you’d doubly appreciate the final product!
The leShay are being left intentionally vague for the time being. Some text refers to them as “noble eladrin”, but they are truly something beyond that. It’s my hope that we’ll see more detail on them in the future, but for now they’re simply an enigmatic race of powerful fey from Faerûn’s distant past.
Ate`Niah rules only a small subkingdom within Sarifal called Synnoria. She maintains friendly relations with the High King of Alaron out of respect for the heroism shown by Alicia Kendrick and her companions when Ityaak-Ortheel, the Elf-Eater, rampaged across Synnoria a century past. It was the High Lady Ordalf, not Ate`Niah who commanded human settlers be driven from Sarifal.
Small groups of humans, such as druid circles and Imaskari ambassadors are permitted in Sarifal. Permanent settlements are not.
I meant to include something on Prince Araithe, but I left it out when I started reaching my word count. Incidentally, Prince Araithe is pictured in my previous Moonshae article: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/drfe/20080110 From left to right the individuals depicted are: Jarl Brandon Olafsson, High Queen Alicia Kendrick, Great Druid Robyn Kendrick, Prince Araithe, and Serene Matriarch Ate`Niah.
No, bearded female dwarves are the norm on the Moonshaes. It’s less common elsewhere. This precedent was set in the novel Darkwalker on Moonshae, where Finellen is first introduced.
Aurilandür and Auril are one and the same. Long before humans started venerating the Frostmaiden, she was known as the Frost Sprite Queen, a (mostly) benevolent winter fey with a seat on the Court of Stars. She was latter corrupted by a malign artifact, warred with her sister the Summer Queen, and was banished from the Feywild. Thereafter her name was stricken and she was referred to only as the Queen of Air and Darkness. At this time she garnered a human following and joined Talos-who-was-Gruumsh as one of the Gods of Fury. With the aid of Silvanus, the dark artifact’s hold over Auril was shattered during the Stormstar Requiem, and the Aurilandür of old has once again begun to peak through Auril’s icy, malevolent veneer.
Surprisingly, I don’t see any text that was edited out Colman. The only thing missing is an illustration of Leviathan.
-This is akin to making Giants a taller and more powerful subrace of Humans (or something to that effect), since, primarily, the only major difference is that Giants are taller and more powerful than Humans (excluding the elemental varieties of Giants. I'm talking about plain ol' Hill Giants here) I would think. That doesn't work, and, from the point of view of knowing what leShay are, and what they represent, and knowing what Elves are, and knowing what they represent, I don't see it working, either. It'd make more sense to make the leShay an "entire race" of powerful Archfey creatures than it would be to make them Elves/Eladrin.
Well, if dwarves classify as small, stout, bearded humans, and elves classify as tall, slender humans with pointed ears and a mischievous attitude, than I see no reason why giants can't classify as 'taller and more powerful' humans. :P
The map is gorgeous isn’t it?
It's a great map. I hate it because it doesn't depict the Daleands ;)
No, seriously, it is beautiful and with lots of details and items that you can do loads of stuff with. You can set an entire campaign here.
Pretty amazing.
Mike Schley is a master cartographer. If only you saw the garish maps I turn over to Mike, you’d doubly appreciate the final product!
Well, it's the internet. You can always share with us your artwork (unless NDA'd, of course)
The leShay are being left intentionally vague for the time being.
I understand that. It is just that rigth now it is a bit confusing.
Thanks for the extra updates. Now I HAVE to make a fey druid that serves the Frost Sprite Queen...
Gomez
Aurilandür and Auril are one and the same. Long before humans started venerating the Frostmaiden, she was known as the Frost Sprite Queen, a (mostly) benevolent winter fey with a seat on the Court of Stars. She was latter corrupted by a malign artifact, warred with her sister the Summer Queen, and was banished from the Feywild. Thereafter her name was stricken and she was referred to only as the Queen of Air and Darkness. At this time she garnered a human following and joined Talos-who-was-Gruumsh as one of the Gods of Fury. With the aid of Silvanus, the dark artifact’s hold over Auril was shattered during the Stormstar Requiem, and the Aurilandür of old has once again begun to peak through Auril’s icy, malevolent veneer.
That actually... works!
I was skeptical when a previous article identified Auril with the Queen of Air and Darkness. It seemed another case of WotC consolidating previous edition deities in a needless and forced way. What does the goddess of cold have to do with air, darkness, or evil fey?
But I must say, this is remarkably true to the original lore about both deities and manages to make them both more interesting.
(The identification of Talos with Gruumsh is something I'm still skeptical about, however).
Oh, and hooray for the return of female dwarf beards!
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4art/20090629
Also, keeping the female dwarves of Moonshaes 'bearded' was a good call - thats how I have it in my realms (and bearded females seen elsewhere have some 'Moonshae stock' in them). BTW, do we have a proper name for that clan now, or do we have to just keep calling them "Moonshae Dwarves"?
As an aside, in my own homebrew history, ALL Dwarves of Faerie have beards (which is why people think there are no females there). Being 'beardless' is something that has 'evolved' only since the bloodlines have become 'polluted' on the Prime Material plane (something that hadn't occurred to any great extent in the Moonshaes). At least, thats my own explanation of why those Dwarves are different - they are just closer to 'their roots'.
In fact, they even look down at other dwarves as 'lesser kin' (much to the chagrin of those other dwarves).