Forgotten Realms Lore - Undermountain

[@kingblackdragon1241]

Halaster Blackcloak was the original Magister and the first Chosen of Mystra before Elminster. He went mad from the power. This is actually covered in Ed Greenwood's Elminster book series.

[@MinscFromBaldursGate92]

Halaster is an underrated villain.

[@ReshaFlame]

I would really like to see more about the "famous" characters of forgotten realms (Elminister, Drizzet ect..). also I would like to hear more about the gods of this realms :)

[@MinscFromBaldursGate92]

Drizzt and Elminster get too much hate.

[@GumaroRVillamil]

I remember Undermountain from NWN1: Hordes of the Underdark. That was such a good expansion

[@loremastermorbrun8930]

Netherese didn't create Mythals, they used magical devices called "Mythallar", or "Mythallar Engines". It's also worth of notice that Skullport never had neither, but rather a "Mantle". Not to be confused with the personal "Shield" of Elven Arcanists, this was a city-wide Mythal-like effect meant for protection. Maybe the Netherese thought the Elven _mantles_ were so cool they decided to take and use that name for an entire city's "Shield"? (which was a powerful Netherese form of personal arcane protection, not to be confused with the 1st level spell by the same name. A Netherese shield could protect the caster from anything from the outside of it. It's strength and vitality depended on the caster, but if you were a smart dude, like Elminster, you could bypass a Netherese lich's Shield with your wits)

[@portlandbluewizard2520]

If you are looking to Jorphdan for depth or accuracy, that's on you.

[@johnthompson5335]

Concise summary that doesn't bog itself down in minutiae. Great job!

[@monkeymadness72]

Just started playing D&D this past summer and our cammpaign is based all around Undermountain. Been super fun so far and we've discovered and uncovered a lot of Level 1. Highly recommend it

[@ikahekathesnake4233]

4:46 he's also the beholder on the cover of the 5e monster manual, it says on the credits page

[@handlesarestupid154]

His colors are completely different though

[@actionman187]

Currently in Undermountain atm with one of my D&D groups. More specifically Skullport. So far it's pretty fun and expansive. I can't wait for Dungeon of the Mad Mage and the opportunity to explore Undermountain further.

[@joshpwnsnoobs]

great episode. halaster is a pretty cool character. only reading I've done with him was in one of my short story books featuring durnan

[@josephlawter2994]

Great video, as usual. I'm pretty sure that undermountain is where you go in neverwinter nights: hordes of the underdark. Been a long time since I've played it, though, so I could be wrong.

[@Jorphdan]

You are correct! I just looked it up! :D "Soon, it is discovered that the drow, residents of the Underdark, are using the Undermountain under Waterdeep in an attempt to invade the surface world." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neverwinter_Nights:_Hordes_of_the_Underdark

[@JanusHoW]

Oh, I have stories about this dungeon. I play in a regular pseudo-Adventurer's League game at a game store in my area. My character at the time, a 8th level human Light cleric, only made it down to the 5th level before we switched over to the Season 10 (aka Descent into Avernus) stuff. Here's a few of the highlights: -On level 1, we come to a door with a devilish face on it. Figuring it might open if I did something related to it, my character made a face similar to the one on the door. The DM, who is a totally cool bro, decides to put a minor magic item in the room even though it was supposed to be empty. He randomly rolls something - it's a _robe of useful items_ with a total of 12 extra patches. -There's one room that has a throne that, if you sit down in it, conjures up a snake that bites you for a lot of poison damage. Of course, our team's fighter, a shield dwarf Battle Master, sits in it, because he has to sit in every throne he sees. He has Heavy Armor Master, so he ignores the bite damage and resists the poison damage due to making his Con save and having innate poison resistance. -Our final battle in Undermountain was against the archdruid on Level 5, with just me, the above dwarf, and a Ravnica minotaur fighter. My character gets dropped by a _fire storm_ spell cast by it, and the dwarf decides to whip out its secret weapon...POCKET SAND. He throws the sand in the archdruid's eyes, blinding her. The DM decides to make it so she has to make a DC 10 Con save to get rid of the blindness...and of course, she kept failing it, even after turning into a MAMMOTH. As a result, I'm brought back up with a potion, and we manage to beat her. Note, that this is _right after_ after defeating a young green dragon. Three 8th level characters beat a CR 10(?) and a CR 12 enemy back to back with zero deaths! Sadly, we didn't get any farther...

[@Dark-Lord-Of-The-Sith]

My Drow will be going to Slullport to find a clue for finding a Spelljammer ship

[@teknifix]

Neverwinter Nights Hordes of the Underdark is a fun way to explore some of Undermountain too. Halaster seems like a pretty chill dude. (/S)

[@PeskeyStrider2]

Love that game!

[@BIGESTblade]

And then he forces you to go and kill the high matron of a powerful drow city. Was rude of him.

[@MinscFromBaldursGate92]

Halaster is anything but chill.

[@tonyhsloanejr]

I am currently a second edition dungeon master who is running this here in Barnegat New Jersey with Dwarven Forge at Trottas hobbies.

[@TheLordcyrus]

Great video I love undermountain. And remembering the Xanathar now I have to go and dig out my old adnd comics from the early 90's.

[@truck6859]

I would love to see a map - both from above and from the side - of Skullport, to see where the city is in relation to the surrounding caverns, the bay, and the magic portal that lets ships leave the docks. A whole city with its warfs underground sounds great.

[@wilm3864]

I would love to see a similar series on Dragonlance. So much great material.

[@Real_Deal_Rob_Solo]

I love the old Dragonlance books! They're almost as old as I am lol Everyone has heard of Drizzt, but so few know about Raist... No joke, my oldest son is named Tanis lol

[@SirLucien]

I think we should send a group into this awesome space, I wonder what Elgath, Blaze, Griselda, and Yaretzi are up too these days....

[@amosericson]

Thank you Jorphdan!

[@LordZeromaru]

Halaster maybe died in 4e, maybe not, but he left a lot (a LOT) of clones. Even player characters can choose to be a clone of Halaster if they want. Undermountain is home to large host of Halaster's clones, some still asleep.

[@yonanofyonia]

Zeromaru X read Stardock campaign module it's the most thematically as well as continuity, accepted Storyline of what truly happened to Halester BlackCloak as well as his 2 closest apprentices this excluding the 4e Storyline stuff this fits the best with 5e idea they stooting for and it's known to be Mike Merl's favorite campaign

[@LordZeromaru]

Well, 4e don't say what happened to Halaster (but I guess he was killed in 3e). It just say that by 1479 there a lot of clones of him. As I said, there is a theme that allow players to be a Halaster's clone awakened in the world.

[@x64600]

Expedition to Undermountain, Describes the situation. He died on Eleint 30, 1375 DR. & his soul shattered. Allot of folks had a vision of his death, & the party is drawn by these visions to Undermountain to investigate. The Grand History of the realms, also published in 2007, mentions Halaster's demise. We can also chose to play as Halaster in the lords of waterdeep game expansion, for Undermountain.

[@williammoore4026]

I would really like to see a video on Zakhara. It’s a interesting and fairly unknown part of the Forgotten Realms

[@x64600]

It wasn't a Mythallar, but similar construct called a 'Netherese Mantle' that protected the Sargauth Enclave. Skullport didn't exist yet. When Netheril Fell the Mantle broke, and Thirteen Netherese Mages became trapped in it. They later became the Skulls that governed Skullport. One of Halaster's apprentices; Sharidan Mulophor asked Halaster if he could claim the ruins of the Sargauth Enclave for himself. Halaster didn't want to deal with it, and gave him permission to do so. Shardin made a deal with the 13 Skulls trapped in the Mantle, and Skullport was born in 1148 DR. The trapped Netherese wizards (Skulls) wanted to escape the mantle. Which is why they made a deal with Shradin. The plan was to draw powerful wizards to Skull port, and switch places with them. Trapping the new wizards, and letting the Netherese Wizards free in their place. In 1358 during the Time of troubles, The Skulls managed to trap another Wizard, the Rag Mage. Who became the 14th Skull. & in 1369 During Halaster's Higharvestide the skulls managed to trap Shardin himself in the mantle. Allowing 2 two of the original Netherse wizards to come and go as they pleased. But their plan was ruined in 1373 by Vhostym. a Githvyrik who wanted to tap into the power of the mantel for his own purposes. He wanted to create a periment eclypse called the "Crown of Flames" Because the sun burned his Diseased skin. Vhostym managed to block out the sun with a Meteorite using the power from the Mantel. But in doing so; transformed the skulls into Undead, leaving them trapped, and unable to go far from the Mantel once again. And destroyed 4 of the skulls. Reducing their number to 11. This also caused some of the cave of skullport to cave in. In 1385 DR the blasted Spellplague caused the Mantel even more harm, It's magic became wild, and It vanished all together. Skull port became a "Ghost town" as everyone began leaving until someone named Miriam Sequora said she found Mithral in Skullports Ruins. Which brought a bunch of people back to the Ruined Skullport. In 1205 DR a Beholder simply called the Eye started a Slaving ring in Skull port. Some time between 1304 & 1370 The Eye overthrew another Beholder that led the Xanathar thieves guild, Combined the two groups. & claimed the position & title "Xanather." Which has been passed down from one beholder to another. When one is slain, another claims the position of Xanather. Crime Lord. & Boss of the Beholders of Undermountain.

[@Jorphdan]

Excellent info thanks! Is this from a novel about Skullport?

[@x64600]

Several. The most recent Elminster book touched on the most recent Xanathar. But over the years I've campeigned in Undermountain. so have lots of accumulated history, on Skullport. and the politics in Undermountain. The 'Cloak and Dagger' Sourcebook had a page or two on the Xanather. Dungeon Magazine #200 was a Backdrop: Skullport issue. Allot of the more recent stuff can be found in it. The 'Dawn of Night' book from the Erevis Cale trilogy & the 'City of Splendors: Waterdeep' Sourcebook went on about Vhostym and hi conflict with Erevis.

[@x64600]

Death Masks, that's the recent Ed Greenwood book. the Xanathar makes an appearince in it. I think it might be to help setup the recent Xanathar guide. He doesn't do much but inadvertently help stabilize the building chaos in the story. Not a bad book. you should read it if you have not already. :)

[@JazzyBassy]

A good issue for Xanathar backstory is Dungeon Magazine #206, as it also has an adventure where you collaborate with him.

[@djtigon]

@Leo where did you get the info that it wasnt a Mythallar but rather a mantle that protected the Sargauth Enclave? i need to research that for.... reasons XD

[@blazeteck]

Ok, i went to hit the like button and i see that 2 people have disliked it. Really? Its a short and sweet info dump that hits all the important parts in 5 minutes. Disliking this would be like disliking a excerpt from the dictionary or an encyclopedia. Oh well. Love the videos, keep it up Jorphdan.

[@liambutler1586]

great video, but ive got a fun thing about Halaster you didn't mention. Sometime after Midnight became the new Mystra and before the fall of Dweomerheart Elminster was trapped in Avernus, he had used all of his spells sealing a rift between Shadowdale and the hells and was trapped by the devil Nergal. When Midnight became aware of this, she went to Avernus herself but had to leave due to the battle with the Hellish forces rippping holes in the planes. She sent Halaster in to save Elminster, and after he failed, being bested by Nergal, she saved him and either blessed him or made him a chosen. (all of this can be found in the book "Elminster in Hell", a great read btw)

[@Jorphdan]

sweet! Thanks for the info! I'll have to give it a read!

[@akkariel8228]

Wait, wasn't Halaster alive after the Sepllplague in Elminster in hell? I think Mystra cured his insanity as well

[@jctxcboy36]

Which map did you use for this video? I have the original boxed set but have not seen that map before. Can you share where you found it please.

[@geoffchurchill5492]

if Acquisitions incorporated is canon, Halastur created at least simulacrum of himself and that was found during Dungeon of the Mad Mage in 5e

[@AAron-gr3jk]

Undermountain is fascinating. Its definitely inspired by the greyhawk castle delves, where Zagyg had all kinds of treasure, experiments and even emprisoned gods. What happened down there shaped the whole Greyhawk timeline. Undermountain was yet another example of Forgotten Realms stealing all the cool bits from Greyhawk

[@Lav428]

This is handy information to have now that a campaign will come in november. 😁

[@hexnstuff6563]

You going to do a video on Xanathar in preparation for next month?

[@Jorphdan]

No plans, but I should! I mean makes sense right?

[@hexnstuff6563]

Jorphdan lol I getcha man. I enjoy your content regardless I was just curious. If you got other videos planned and a limited schedule that's fine it's understable

[@tatianatub]

in 5e undermountain there is a spell jammer helm in undermountain

[@AJDeLaRosa]

@jorphdan where did you get the Yawning Portal map?

[@Jorphdan]

It came in the Halls of Undermountain 4th edition book. I found the image on the web, I don't own the book. i.ytimg.com/vi/dvC9INIom44/maxresdefault.jpg

[@AJDeLaRosa]

Jorphdan damn, thanks for the quick reply!

[@NuthrMattWright]

Excellent summary. Thank you for the reference links in the doobliedoo.

[@SuperEdo07]

No mention of Halaster going to hell to try and rescue Elminster?

[@obsidiansiriusblackheart]

That Undermountain map 🤯

[@Coffee_Nutz]

I really hope, you come back and update this info. DOTMM came out last year.

[@Jorphdan]

I should! Perhaps I'll do a Dungeon of the Mad Mage deep dive!

[@michelledelange2021]

Adventurers league sessions DDAL08-04 , DDAL08-05 and DDAL08-06 also introduce Halaster and other waterdavians in a time travel story, maybe you can look into that as I found it confusing to dm...

[@Ninebreaker56]

Jorphden can you please please do a video sometime on the Horn of Valhalla?!

[@Ninebreaker56]

Jorphdan* sorry.

[@cowpuddles4851]

God I miss old D&D. Wizards of the Coast has really changed things, and not often for the better. I haven’t read a Realms book in years.

[@milivoje1111]

I noticed that a lot of the artwork from your vids are from Neverwinter online, do you play the game ?

[@Jorphdan]

I did for a 3-4 months, and felt like I was lagging behind players that were paying lots of money for in-game currency. It's their business model but I didn't much care for it. So I stopped :)

[@milivoje1111]

@@Jorphdan You can get around it been there for 6 years never spent any real life money in the game.. stupid people pay to win...

[@akkariel8228]

Wait, wasn't halaster cured of his insanity in one of Elminster's book? Elminster in Hell if I am not mistaken

[@purple54997]

woah "beholders"? we havent covered that!

[@rangerdanger585]

Do you think you might consider doing live streams in the future?

[@Jorphdan]

I'm working on that. Currently I have DSL and it just isn't fast enough to stream, the uploads are capped pretty low. So I've been working with the cable internet people to hopefully upgrade and get some faster speeds but not currently supported in my area blah blah blah... I'll have to wait a bit longer. I wanted to do some streaming of Baldur's Gate for the PC, among just general hangouts for Q&A's etc. If the patreon takes off a bit more I've been toying with the idea of streaming my DnD sessions. It'd be a lot of extra work but if people want to watch then we should let them watch :)

[@Mictla155]

O the times I have had in that place.

[@sirdoge361]

I lost 2 characters in undermontain XD

[@NoActuallyGo-KCUF-Yourself]

Only 2, Sir Doge? Sounds like you did pretty well. ;-)

[@sirdoge361]

After that I did not come back there.

[@Smithers6910]

Sir Doge my party is still going threw it so far we lost about 5 party members due to them retiring or dead or they went inanse and we couldn't fix them (we are playing the 1st edition one)

[@kellanaldous7092]

Is that how you pronounce "Duergar"? Dur-ra-gar? I thought it was Dwer-ger. I could be totally wrong lol.

[@kurtnewyork9374]

These are to short. Would love a few 20 min ones.

[@arturwagnerjr.6669]

Hallaster is the DM.

[@CaptEmo-lb5ix]

One of my favorite modules

[@scorpiovenator_4736]

I am running Dungeon of the mad mage, its very unusal

[@WilliamRampart]

XanathAAAAARRRR lolol

[@DragonWizardGod]

Id personally turn him into a lych king, or voldamort that guy Harry Potter style, But that's cause un original when it comes to mad mages

[@Smithers6910]

My party is still going through tge campaign (1E) and its a bitch lost socmany good people

[@cripplingregret9675]

Xanatheer

[@sjsmac]

It would improve the video if you learned the more widely used pronunciations of many of the names.

[@MinscFromBaldursGate92]

It sucks Forgotten realms novels get so much hate.

[@MM-tm4ee]

my name is ace, the STMCMARC is silent.

[@masterjedi7648]

I always pronounced it Hal-As-Tar. Just me

[@dachandewuffsteiger]

A bunch of other furries and I just started an Undermountain campaign and i appreciate the backstory. Thanks!

[@TheZorkiel]

Daym those comment screen shots you got were crap quality, so full of splodgey jpg artefacts.