Thentia was a city located in the Moonsea North region of Faerûn. It was well known for its citizens' impassioned sense of self-determination, its reputation as the free and open of the cities around the Moonsea lake, as well as its significant population of arcane spellcasters.[1][2][3]
Description[]
Thentia was considered to have an unrestrained albeit disorderly spirit, without the ever-present malice harbored by some cities of the Moonsea.[5][3] Much of the city was considered to be a rough and crude place.[6]
Weather[]
Unlike much of the Moonsea, particularly neighboring Melvaunt, the weather in Thentia was most often rather pleasant, resembling a crisp Spring day.[7]
Geography[]
The city was located at the mouth of the River Thent, where it emptied into the Moonsea lake. The Sword Trail ran west from the city along the coast towards Melvaunt, and the Ruined Way went northeast towards Hulburg.[8]
Government[]
Elected by the city's nobility each year, Thentia's head of state was its Watchlord - an inheritor who served as little more than a symbolic figurehead.[1][3] They were largely responsible for overseeing trade contracts and maintaining commercial regulations within the city,[9] known as the Trade Decrees. The Watchlord along also oversaw the city watch, and elected trial juries from among the city's residents.[10]
The fate of Thentia's citizens was truly in the hands of the Thentia's noble families, each of which were offered support by the city's numerous independent mages.[1][3][9]
Altogether Thentia's government was considered quite enlightened and progressive by Moonsea standards.[2][11]
Law & Order[]
Thievery was absolutely not tolerated in Thentia, and no thieving guilds were permitted to operate within its walls.[12]
Similarly, anyone caught committing any sort of commercial malfeasance such as extortion, fraud or economic subversion were severe punishments. While the sentences were harsh, including fine, imprisonment, and even death; the greater penalty was the damage done to a person's commercial reputation.[10]
Society[]
Culture[]
Thentia was a free-spirited place that welcomed those that did not fit in with Realms around the Sea of Fallen Stars. A relaxed atmosphere filled the city's streets and it's citizens often had little cares beyond their own personal goals.[10]
Nobility[]
Nobles in Thentia were granted the titles of "Lord" or "Lady" along with scarce few benefits. They were permitted to fly their own coat-of-arms and keep a private force of no more than 40 men in house livery.[10] Noble houses of Thentia were those families that remained in the city for many years, some since its founding in the 9th century DR. Some of these founding noble families of Thentia included the Swifthands, Khodolis,[2] and the Birneirs.[9]
Economy[]
Citizens of Thentia enjoyed low taxes and affordable establishments in their city, allowing for free-flowing commerce and the continued fostering of the entrepreneurial spirit.[12]
People looking to take up residence within the city had to pay a tax of anywhere from 3 to 5 gp for the season. Ships docking at the city were required to pay a 1 gp fee.[12][10]
Trade[]
Due to its focus on free enterprise, Thentia conducted more trade outside its borders than other, larger Moonsea cities.[10]
Defenses[]
Thentia had one of the weakest militaries among the Moonsea powers. They were guarded by a cavalry of some sixty mounted soldiers known as the Riders of Thentia.[1] Despite their small numbers, the Riders were given considerable training and wielded massive lances in battle.[10]
The city watch known as the Warders served as Thentia's police force.[9][13] They numbered about 80 strong,[10] 10 of whom were always stationed at the Watchlord's Tower.[13]
While Thentia boasted no navy, their ships were protected by city's resident spellcasters. In truth, Thentia's archmages were impressive enough in their own right to discourage open aggression taken towards the city or their sea trade.[3][9][10]
History[]
The city was founded at the start of the 9th century DR, in the Year of the Black Fist, 800 DR.[2][14]
In the Year of the Crumbling Keep, 1276 DR, Thentia was among the settlements and city-states that lent their resources to the reconstruction of the ancient Citadel of the Raven in the northern slopes of the Dragonspine Mountains.[15][16][17]
During the early 14th century, circa the Year of the Marching Moon, 1330 DR, Thentia was captured and occupied by Maerhul, one of the lords of Zhentil Keep. The city's residents left their home for nearby Hillsfar then slowly reintegrated themselves into its walls as merchants and traders. In short order they threw the Zhentarim's economic hold over the city in disarray, and Thentia was freed from its control.[10]
Later on it was among the powers of the Moonsea that agreed to the treaty of unity put forth by the Coronal of Myth Drannor some time before the Year of the Ageless One, 1479 DR. The cities and nations allied themselves to stand against the returned empire of Netheril and its campaign of conquest against the Realms of north Faerûn.[18] After the conflict came to end and Netheril's plans were thwarted, Thentia and many of the Moonsea's smaller cities strove to form their own identity in the Realms, lest they come under the heel of another over-zealous power.[19]
Rumors & Legends[]
Local legend spoke of an intelligent blade known as the Bright Sword that hovered throughout the city at times, cutting down members of the city's spellcasting community. It was said the sword craved the unique magical items that these individuals possessed.[1][4]
Notable Locations[]
- Inns & Taverns
- The Beacon, a pleasant and lively inn that provided outside illumination via a globe that had been enchanted by continual light.[13][20]
- The Bullroarer, a boisterous and fun tavern.[21]
- The Inlet, the tranquil establishment run by the knowledgeable and genteel minotaur named Thud.[20]
- Landmarks
- Watchlord's Tower, the residence and seat of power for Thentia's Watchlord.[13]
- Residences
- Firefinger's Tower, the wizard tower of Flammuldinate "Firefingers" Thuldoum.[13]
- Zhentish Merchant Quarters, the home of who Zhentish merchants that dealt in spices and perfume.[13]
- Shops
- Angrym's Livery, the one-stop-animal-shop that doubled as a waypoint for Harpers agents of the Moonsea.[20]
- Mad Melyrk's, a new-and-used equipment shop that offered all manner of gear, save for armor and weapons.[20]
- Ferry, a ferry dock that ran services to Melvaunt and Hillsfar.[12][20]
- Temples
- House of the Moon, a large white-marble temple dedicated to Selûne.[1][6][13]
- The temple of Waukeen was destroyed during a heist in 1345 DR.[4]
- Thentia was also home to shrines to Chauntea, Lliira, Tempus, Tyr, and Umberlee.[21]
Inhabitants[]
Thentia boasted one of the largest communities of un-aligned and otherwise non-affiliated spellcasters in all the Moonsea. Many retired mages from neighboring lands, such as the Brotherhood of the Cloak in Mulmaster, and the War Wizards of Cormyr chose to spend their retirement in Thentia, well away from the duties of their home nations.[1] Some of these wizards and sorcerers did band together to form a rather powerful mage's guild.[6][page needed]
Organizations[]
A minor cult formed in veneration of the enigmatic Bright Blade for some time,[7] but dissolved over time.[4]
The Knights of the North were known to have maintained a secret hideout in Thentia as of the early 1370s DR.[22]
Notable Inhabitants[]
- Beldergast, a textile merchant that also served as a spy of the Zhentarim.[12]
- Flammuldinath Thuldoum,[3] [9]
- Norrin, a renowned blade and the leader of the Golden Gauntlets.[23]
- Phourkyn One-Eye, the sunwyrm that assumed the identity of a human man.[3][9]
- Rilitar Shadow-water, a powerful moon elf wizard.[3][9]
- Scattercloak, a mysterious mage.[9]
- Serise Hulmaster, the mother of former Hulburgan regent, Geran Hulmaster, active in the late 15th century DR.[24][25]
- Yalaith Oruboryl, the infamous "Lady of the Parties".[12]
Appendix[]
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Appearances[]
- Novels
- The Rite
Further Reading[]
- Ed Greenwood (January 1993). “The Everwinking Eye: Inside Thentia”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #79 (TSR, Inc.), p. 7–8;30.
- Ed Greenwood (February 1993). “The Everwinking Eye: Temples, Cults, and Idle Gossip in Thentia”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #80 (TSR, Inc.), p. 6–7;31.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), A Grand Tour of the Realms. (TSR, Inc), pp. 68–69. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 John Terra (January 1995). “Reference Guide”. In Allison Lassieur ed. The Moonsea (TSR, Inc.), p. 37. ISBN 978-0786900923.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 161. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 John Terra (January 1995). “Reference Guide”. In Allison Lassieur ed. The Moonsea (TSR, Inc.), p. 39. ISBN 978-0786900923.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), A Grand Tour of the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 63. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Richard Lee Byers (January 2005). The Rite. (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 978-0786935819.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), Running the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 20. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
- ↑ Brian R. James (April 2010). “Realmslore: Vaasa”. In Chris Youngs ed. Dungeon #177 (Wizards of the Coast) (177)., p. 81.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 John Terra (January 1995). “Reference Guide”. In Allison Lassieur ed. The Moonsea (TSR, Inc.), p. 38. ISBN 978-0786900923.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 Ed Greenwood (January 1993). “The Everwinking Eye: Inside Thentia”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #79 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 7–8.
- ↑ John Terra (February 1996). Warriors and Priests of the Realms. Edited by Steven E. Schend. (TSR, Inc), p. 26. ISBN 0-7869-0368-6.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 John Terra (January 1995). “Reference Guide”. In Allison Lassieur ed. The Moonsea (TSR, Inc.), p. 40. ISBN 978-0786900923.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 John Terra (January 1995). “Reference Guide”. In Allison Lassieur ed. The Moonsea (TSR, Inc.), p. 41. ISBN 978-0786900923.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 103. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), A Grand Tour of the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 65. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
- ↑ Darrin Drader, Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds, Wil Upchurch (June 2006). Mysteries of the Moonsea. Edited by John Thompson, Gary Sarli. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 154. ISBN 978-0-7869-3915-2.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 128. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 150. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 12. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 John Terra (January 1995). “Reference Guide”. In Allison Lassieur ed. The Moonsea (TSR, Inc.), p. 42. ISBN 978-0786900923.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 John Terra (January 1995). “Player's Guide”. In Allison Lassieur ed. The Moonsea (TSR, Inc.), p. 16. ISBN 978-0786900923.
- ↑ Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds (Nov. 2005). Champions of Valor. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 95. ISBN 0-7869-3697-5.
- ↑ John Terra (November 1997). Four from Cormyr. Edited by Kim Mohan. (TSR, Inc.), p. 33. ISBN 0-7869-0646-4.
- ↑ Richard Baker (May 2008). Swordmage. (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 0786947881.
- ↑ Richard Baker (Nov 2010). Avenger. (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 0786955759.