D&D Lore: Forgotten Realms History - Volume 5 (First Dragon Rider)

[@cernunnos_lives]

A worthy subject for this amount of work. You put a lot into this. I was hanging on every word. Thanks brother. I can see why you remembered this story. Yes the young prince tried to right an evil of his doing. I loved the story. A noble sacrifice for a treacherous deed. Good to know Dragons and Elves are human too.

[@RichesandLiches]

The hours definitely add up, but I know this was my calling when I go into full production mode and look up at the clock and see 10 hours has passed and its feels like 3... Work that you love has a tendency to become less like "work" :) Thank you for all the kind words, I REALLY do appreciate them and so does the alogrithm!

[@setelliott9683]

Durathil is the poster child of a D&D player who plays once a month and forgets what happened last month every time 😅

[@setelliott9683]

Definitely evil, though, since the final sacrifice was probably just a botched series of rolls

[@RichesandLiches]

I tend to lean in that direction myself... great comment, thank you.

[@majinsole8554]

I like the complexity that he committed both evil and noble acts, perhaps not realizing how truly heinous his prior actions were until he had time to reflect back in the tranquil times after achieving his goals. I would have done the same as Moonflower, and just let his final and more noble sacrifice remain as what most would know. ~_~

[@seanbusch3974]

"I'm bad, and that's good, I will never be good and that's not bad, there's no one I'd rather be then me" Durathil before his death...probably

[@starcitizencowboy6594]

Sometimes you have to do the wrong thing in order to do what’s right. The prince needed a genuine reaction from his friend to keep the red dragon convinced of its victory.

[@markmayhew9259]

I just got home from work and saw this posted and literally fist pumped the air. You literally make my world a better place. I love this channel so much! Still want my next Nine Hells video and hoping for a shout out for being such a good and patient lad!

[@nso9193]

I love this series so much!! Great work

[@nathanaelthomas9243]

Thanks for the video! As someone who has never and probably never will read any of the novels or old adventures, I enjoy listening to your videos covering these stories. I’m sure the novel goes into more detail on it, but that must have been some lie he told Silvery Wings when she asked, “what happened to my parents?”. “Oh no worries, I just had them killed and abducted you, but don’t worry, I like super love and respect you. Oh btw, can I put this saddle on your back?”

[@RichesandLiches]

HAHA I love this... made my chuckle out loud. :)

[@nathanaelthomas9243]

@@RichesandLiches Lol, I’m glad it was worth some laughs 👍🏻☺️

[@blurootz]

I think Durothil was just a child (in mind) who was tainted by pride and ambition. In the end he was still able to claim his ambition while also redeeming himself. Great story and very inspirational.

[@andrewkeaton4745]

Absolutely fantastic! The amount of time you put into it shows, keep up the great work! I am already pumped for the next video.

[@HeatherParks-r6v]

Absolutely love this channel! Your hard work and dedication in your research shows and is appreciated......wish all the lore creators were as dedicated! ❤❤❤

[@AuroraOceans]

Thoroughly enjoyed this volume. I was enthralled with each chapter. Thanks so much for producing these videos.

[@erikrick]

I like the expanded lore

[@ucbrunner5856]

Great format paired with captivating lore. Well done, Rich!

[@RichesandLiches]

Thank you for taking the time to comment!

[@Yuuzu]

Thanks for another great video I can listen to before sleep!

[@RichesandLiches]

My pleasure, thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@DreamCandle]

This is a great video that did a decent job covering the unfortunately small amount of information we have regarding such a pivotal character for the history of Sun and Moon elves and their influence (and existence) on Faerun. I do disagree here and there however about the thought of him being a sinister character, and I think there are some key notes from the writing of Island of the Elves that are worth noting, particularly towards the end of his part: 1) Mahatnartorian wanted Sharlario Moonflower as a sacrifice, and attempts to persuade Prince Durothil to accept his 'trade', Egg for Elf. This is the passage of Durothil's response from the book: Durothil stood silent, stunned and shamed beyond speech. He had known only that Ghaunadar was an ancient power, one who had sought him out and offered assistance in his quest to aid and rule his People. He should have seen Ghaunadar’s evil nature; he should have known what sort of service the god would require of him. He should have, but he did not, so blinded was he by his desire for power. But that desire, in and of itself, was not evil. Surely not. “I will free you now,” Durothil heard himself say, “and all will be as you said, except for one additional condition. I will bring Sharlario Moonflower to you when I have trained the dragon to carry me on its back. Or, if I fail in this endeavor, I will return twenty years from the day of the hatching. And on that day, Ghaunadar will have his elven sacrifice.” - In my interpretation, the writing here indicates that Prince Durothil was so blinded by the ideas of his own destiny that he had fumbled into an unfortunate situation of his own making; but nowhere does he specify to the dragon that he will bring Sharlario there as a sacrifice, only that he will bring him, or failing that, provide a elven sacrifice twenty years after the hatching. I believe this is intentional, and that in the following line of him bearing a heavy heart, it is more so from the weight of the result of the encounter. Going into it, he thought he'd be a victor, now he was leaving in a most grave debt that he intended to overcome. 2) As Sharlario resolved himself to face his death: 'The Moon elf rose and walked to the center of the flat. He unwrapped the globe that Durothil had given him so that he could relay the needed information. He placed it there, so that the treacherous Gold elf might see and savor his triumph. Then he drew his sword again, and waited for the dragon, and death.' - An important note here is that the above passage is not from the perspective of the narrator, but rather from Sharlario himself. Similar to the first paragraph I referred to in my first point above, being from Prince Durothil's perspective. Why does this matter? Well it means that at this moment, it is Sharlario believing Prince Durothil to be a traitor, and not the narrator labeling him as such. My third and final point supports this. 3) After the fall of Mahatnartorian and Silverywing: A crimson froth began to gather at the corner of Durothil’s lips. “Train the others,” he muttered. “Swear it!” “I swear,” the Moon elf said, his heart heavy with guilt over his suspicions. “My friend-I am sorry. I thought-” “I know.” Durothil’s smile was faint and self-mocking. “Do not concern yourself. All is well, my friend. You see, Ghaunadar has had his sacrifice.” - This is also from Sharlario's perspective in the second line. The intention here is the final realization in his eyes that Prince Durothil had not betrayed him, and the knowing of the ultimate fatal culmination of his friends plan. In this I would posit that Prince Durothil was not a sinister character, but a flawed man too prideful to begin, who made some foolish choices, who landed himself in a grievous debt, but was no fool himself, and never wished nor intended to sacrifice another elf for his own ambitions (since at the point of the bargain, Sharlario and Prince Durothil had not developed a friendship). It is my assumption that the bargain had likely plagued his thoughts over the years as he attempted to devise of a means to best the dragon. Ultimately at journeys end, the best means he had to him was the same magic that allowed him to best the Dragon in the first place, but he'd have to get close to use it. He could get there on dragonback, but undetected? The best bait would be his friend, the most tempting, and unsuspecting lure for the Dragon. Incredibly messed up, but Mahatnartorian was no ordinary foe. Ultimately Prince Durothil acted on his own, seemingly plotted on his own, but made sure to pay his own (unfortunately with Silverywing, though there are other passages I could quote which state that the dragons bond with Prince Durothil was to such a degree that I imagine Silverywing was in unity with Durothil's intentions). A selfish, but ultimately noble Prince.

[@Faruil]

Sounds like the most objective and well-thought out presentation of his story here. He was definitely close-minded with how he went about things but sinister? Not a chance.

[@RichesandLiches]

@DreamCandle that is a well reasoned arugment you posit. I was merely presenting the possibility and I do think judgement can and should be left in the mind of each reader. I could likely be convinced he was far more arrogant and foolish than truly evil, but would also offer that his character flaws were nonetheless dangerous to those around him. Luckily it all worked out... mostly. ;) Great feedback! Thank you for sharing!

[@wordkink]

congrats! You have enough videos to have a youtube mix!

[@Lucius_Tenebri]

Wonderful story.... Plus I really like the new art style, it is much more subtle and grounded, splendid work ❤

[@RichesandLiches]

Kind words indeed... thank you so much! /bow

[@thereeldeelsteel]

Who does your artwork?? Absolutely amazing. Loving the vids brutha

[@holdenschneider7381]

Just binged the prior volumes great timing 😅

[@RichesandLiches]

Hope you enjoy!

[@Ivoke82]

Durathil longed to reclaim his birthright. He knew he had to do something impossible in order to regain his peoples respect. The fact that he and Silverwing where so close when the time came might mean he had a change of heart, or more likely that this was exactly how he had envisioned it from the start. He gave Moonflower the knowledge to train dragons, knowing it was the only way for his people to defeat them. Then he the prince they had rejected ridd them of the greatest dragon his people knew of. Giving his life as the first dragonrider inspiring his people for generations to come. He might have lost his crown in Faeraun but he certainly died and entered Arvandor as a king.

[@Razazan37]

According to Ed Greenwood, the books are all cannon unless he specifically says they are not, according to the agreement he made when he sold the rights to TSR, whether Wizards of the Coast likes it or not. Thats what he said in his own youtube channel, which I highly recommend everyone check out.

[@ShadmehR_23]

Oh boy.. D&D also has a Nemeless King then...

[@duanebradway1627]

Another fantastic wonder. Once again I tip my hat.🎉

[@RichesandLiches]

Thank you mister "I know my Lythari Elves" :)

[@Kyerishrose]

This was fun to hear.

[@TheFattdragon]

Great part of the Realms history. This makes me want to reread the War of the Lance from Dragon Lance Wonder if the Durothil line made it to Krynn. Thanks for the hard work in making these awesome vids.

[@RichesandLiches]

Thank YOU for taking the time to acknowledge my work, I am thankful for such a wonderful audience.

[@ormendel1]

Amazing! Thank you

[@RichesandLiches]

You are most welcome!

[@sathancat]

Duracell sounds like a jerk, you're not being too harsh. His ultimate (flawed) sacrifice is noteworthy, but, well, flawed

[@ShadmehR_23]

no hero or a villain He was just a leader.. sometimes a leader has to make some hard and complex choices... well i didn't know about this story.. im playing Dark Urge in Baldurs Gate 3 in he is a elf blonde and red eyes!(BhaalSpawn red eyes) and now he know abou his past his using mind flayers powers to stop Bhaal and do some good eyes turned black with white hair.. he did some bad things to prevent something worse! because he was alone He couldn't lose his few allies too! my point is our Nameless King had no one! Lost everything! and then came back to find out there is no more room for him he wanted his ppl to know he is still useful! but why didn't he just gave up the dragon life to Ghaunadaur!? Life for a life! if he didn't want to kill the Dragon he could've used his life again..

[@gmanbo]

Awesome 😎👍

[@greenguy369]

The video is well done. But this story/plot completely fell apart just before the start of the time skip. There's no real reason for the things that happen. Or if a reason is provided directly/indirectly it ultimately has zero bearing on the characters' actions or what transpires. I haven't read the original... so I don't know if its a failing of the original text or of the retelling. Additionally, the things that just get entirely skipped over with no explaination are really distracting, personally. Kind of unfortunate as it was a great set up.

[@RichesandLiches]

This is the canonical story, I can take no credit for its creation or payoff ending. Generally speaking (especially when covering the history of the forgotten realms) I would not create any homebrew unless I REALLY called it out beforehand (and still probably would not, saving homebrew for other volumes). For the record, I know exactly what you are talking about, and while I would need to review the video again, I "thought" I called out a few of the head scratchers I personally had. In any event, thanks for the watch and comment!

[@pixymisagray4276]

Where do you get the art?

[@IdiotinGlans]

Yes please more expanded lore like this

[@RichesandLiches]

Will do, thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@damonmchaney1222]

Loving this

[@BigChucka419]

Ask Ed Greenwood and see if he answers

[@VOKTAA]

your voice reminds me of the motor weekly guy from pbs

[@Violacadet]

All I want in this world is volume 6 of the grand history. The aboleth video was fine but give us the rest of the grand histories man 😭😭

[@RichesandLiches]

Volume 6 Crown Wars spans 18 millennia (includes first flowering) and I expect it to be ready in 48-72 hours! Thanks for the comments!

[@PumpdaBrakes-ub8kp]

Durothil is Anankin Skywalker => Darth Vader => Anakin Skywalker again.

[@Shakkarz]

How long can a red dragon wait for a bargain that should be dealt with another thing that white dragon should have had time to grow a little bit bigger that would have been cool

[@mondric4519]

The Elder Eye gains entrance Only by the presence of TRULY audacious EVIL. JUST ASK Araushnee and Corellon. Durothil came to Ghunadar's attention and survived only because he was already possessed of a treacherous evil nature.🦑 🤮🦠

[@RichesandLiches]

@mondric4519 Nice to see others that agree with my sentiment as well, although it is not the majority opinion :)

[@roguedexx938]

🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@luislopez6260]

The use of ai art on this channel really turns me off even If the content seems interesting

[@RichesandLiches]

I understand the controversy and try to be as open as I can about it when asked. I chose to pay a premium for a commerical license with the hope that someday soon a portion of that - expensive - fee will go to the artists. I do not get any "free" art and contrary to what many people think, I spend a great deal of time creating and refining the art, it is a lot of work. The technology is not going away, so I have chose to embrace it. That said, I understand and respect your position. Thanks for your feedback... I take all sincere critiques seriously.