Dungeons and Dragons Settings 101: The Forgotten Realms (Part 1)

This is the next part in my series of 101 introductions for the most common Dungeons and Dragons settings. If it made sense to cover Greyhawk first, it only makes sense for part two to be the most prolific campaign setting for Dungeons and Dragons: The Forgotten Realms. I've been running campaigns set in the Realms for two decades, so I'm excited to dive into one of my favorite settings. 

The Forgotten Realms was created by Ed Greenwood. It was first published via articles in Dragon magazine in 1979, and Ed sold the rights to TSR around 1985. The first Realms novel, Darkwalker on Moonshae by Douglas Niles, and the original Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting were released in 1987. From that point forward TSR (and later WotC) published a plethora of content for the campaign across every subsequent edition. It is daunting to figure out what makes the cut for a "101" of the Realms, as there is so much well-known and influential content. But let's give it a go! I will focus on people and locations that play a prominent role in published 5e material. I also am going to make this a two-part post because there is a lot to cover!

History of the Realms

I didn't do a history for Greyhawk, but the Forgotten Realms has much more history, as it often had "Realms Shaking Events", especially during the transition to each new edition. I'm just going to hit the highlights - there is an excellent product called The Grand History of the Realms you should go check out if you really want to get into the lore. Also, read Kevin Kulp's history on DM's Guild - the Grand History has a really cool backstory of its own!

• The Fall of Karsus and Netheril (-339 DR) - The archmage Karsus cast a powerful spell in an attempt to wrest control from Mystryl, the goddess of magic at the time. The spell failed and sent many Netherese floating cities falling to their doom. This marked the end of the Netherese Empire and the first great humanoid empire of Faerun. 
• The Establishment of the Standing Stone and the Beginning of Dale Reckoning (0 DR) - A stone plinth is erected to commemorate the Dales Compact, an agreement between the elves of Cormanthyr and the humans of the Dalelands. 
• The Fall of Myth Drannor (714 DR) - The demonic Army of Darkness, led by the Trio Nefarious, sacked Myth Drannor, the capital of the elven kingdom of Cormanthyr. This began The Retreat, where elves fled the mainland of Faerun for the elven isle of Evermeet. 
• The Time of Troubles (1358 DR) - This event took place during the transition from 1e to 2e, as a way to explain rules changes happening in the game. Evil gods stole the Tablets of Fate from the overgod Ao who cast all of the gods into the mortal realm. Many gods died and new gods were raised. The events are detailed in the Avatars book trilogy and a series of adventures based on them.  
• The Return of the City of Shade (1372 DR) - With the advent of 3e, Thultanthar, the City of Shade, returned to the Realms. Thultanthar was a Netherse city that escaped Karsus' Folly by shifting to the plane of shadow (or the Shadowfell in 4e terms). This introduced a new and powerful set of adversaries. 
• The Spellplague (1385 DR) - Also known as the Blue Breath of Change, Mystra is murdered by Cyric and the weave collapses. This causes magic to stop working, and Toril's twin world, Abier, rejoins it. These were all changes to explain the transition to 4e, and advanced the timeline to 1485 DR. 
• The Second Sundering (1485 DR) - The Second Sundering pulled Abier out of Toril and basically reversed the changes of 4e. It also led to the fall of Thultanthar, and mostly set the Realms back to the equilibrium of 3e, restoring several famous characters from the novels to the setting.  

Heroes of the Realms

• Elminster, the Sage of Shadowdale - The Gandalf of the Realms. This is reductive, but still a good shorthand. Elminster has lived for hundreds of years to serve the goddess of magic, Mystra. He's tired and a little crazy from the centuries of responsibility. 
• Drizz't Do'Urden - The subject of many best-selling novels by R.A. Salvatore. Drizz't is a drow ranger who escaped from the evil, Lolth-worshipping city of Menzobarrenzan. He has mostly lived in the North, specifically the frigid Ten Towns. He's had many adventures with his companions, Bruenor Battlehammer, Catti-Brie, Wulfgar, and Regis. More details on his companions are 102-level material. 
• Jarlaxle - Another notable character from the Driz'zt books. Jarlaxle is the leader of a drow mercenary company called Bregan D'aerthe and is secretly a descendant of the ruling Baenre family of Menzobarrenzon. He has many magic items and tricks and is always prepared. 
• The Seven Sisters - Seven immortal women who are daughters of Mystra. 
• Alustriel Silverhand, the leader of the Silver Marches and Silverymoon.
• The Simbul, Witch Queen of the nation of Algrarond.
• Laeral Silverhand Arunson, Open Lord of Waterdeep and the widow of the former Blackstaff, Khelbun Arunsun. 
• Sylune Silverhand, the Witch of Shadowdale. Her mortal form is deceased, and she lives on as a weaveghost.
• Dove Falconhand, a skilled fighter and member of the Knights of Myth Drannor. She is deceased but lives on as a weaveghost. 
• Storm Silverhand, Harper, and the Bard of Shadowdale. 
• Qilue Veladron, the youngest and least widely known sister. She was a drow and a powerful priestess of both Mystra and the drow goddess Eilistraee. She has also been slain and lives on as a weaveghost. 
• Mirt the [Merciless, Moneylender] - Mirt is one of the first characters of the Realms conceived by Sir Greenwood. He's been an adventurer, a Harper, a masked Lord of Waterdeep, the head of Spelljammer Academy, and more. He is old, wheezing, and occasionally competent, but serves as an excellent patron for adventurers. 
• Durnan - the owner of the Yawning Portal, the entrance to Undermountain. Also a masked Lord of Waterdeep and a seasoned adventurer. 
• Volothamp Geddarm - a (in)famous bard and author of the various Volo's Guides. He isn't very dependable but does have a good heart. He's also never let the truth stand in the way of a good story. He's the primary hook for the adventure Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.
• Havilar and Farideh, the Brimstone Angels - Twin sisters, Havilar is a tiefling fighter, and Farideh is a Warlock and has a pact with a cambion named Lorcan. They were adopted by a dragonborn father, Mehen. They star in the Brimstone Angels series of books and The Adversary from the Sundering series. 
• Artus Cimber - an adventurer and former Harper, Artus is the keeper of the Ring of Winter. He is an expert Chultan archeologist. He and Dragonbait, a saurial warrior, appear in the adventure Tomb of Annihilation. 
• Minsc and Boo - Minsc is a Rashemani Ranger introduced in the video game Baldur's Gate circa 2e. Minsc has an eccentric personality and is joined in battle by his faithful companion Boo, a miniature giant space hamster. 

Villians of the Realms

• Szazz Tam and the Red Wizards of Thay - the garden variety villains of the Realms. Thay is an oppressed country ruled by the Red Wizards and their master, the Lich Necromancer Szazz Tam. He is constantly plotting to invade his neighboring countries (especially Algarond and Rasheman) and always faceplants. The Red Wizards make for great mustache-twirling villains and are featured in a line of 5e Adventurer's League adventures, Dreams of the Red Wizards. They are also the villains in the Dungeons and Dragons movie!
• Manshoon and the Zhentarim - The Zhentarim are a fractious trading coaster that dabbles in several illicit trades. They often operate in a gray zone between good and evil and are a faction adventurers can join in 5e adventures. They are often led by some version of Manshoon, an evil wizard who has created countless simulacrums of himself. When the original Manshoon died, several clones awakened at once, and all fought for control of the Zhentarim. It is believed the Manshoon that rules Zhentil Keep today is the original wizard. 
• Sammaster and the Cult of the Dragon - Sammaster was a former Magister of Mystra who misinterpreted a prophecy to believe that undead dragons were destined to rule the Realms. He founded the Cult of the Dragon to make this happen and has been thwarted twice and is now believed dead. Recently, in Rise of Tiamat, the Cult of the Dragon executed a pivot and decided they needed to summon Tiamat, the Demon Queen of Dragons into the Realms. 
• Artemis Entreri - Driz'zt Do'Urden's sometime arch nemesis, sometime ally. Artemis is an assassin who hails from Calimport and is first encountered by Driz'zt when he kidnaps Regis, Driz'zt's halfling companion, for Pasha Pook of Calimport.  Drizz'zt and Entreri crossed blades and fought side by side many times. Artemis and Jarlaxle have also vacillated between friends and foes over time. 
• Lord Dagult Neverember - Hereditary heir to the city of Neverwinter, Lord Dagult also spent some time as open lord of Waterdeep before being ousted for self-dealing. He returned to Neverwinter, but still covets the lordship of Waterdeep. He is the definition of Lawful Evil - using government and the laws to serve his own ends and enrich himself. His son, Ranaer, is a key NPC in Waterdeep: Dragon Heist and is a much more good-natured sort who often opposes his father. He has connections to the Lord's Alliance.
• House Baenre of Menzobarrenzon - The ruling drow house of Menzobarrenzon, the Baenres are for the most part true believers of the evil teachings of Lolth. They are regular foils for Driz'zt Do'Urden and have long controlled the ruling hierarchy in Menzobarrenzon. 
• The Xanathar - A long line of beholders who have ran the Xanathar's Guild in Skullport, under Waterdeep and Undermountain. Skullport and the Xanathar's Guild have been tolerated by the Lords as they keep unseemly activity out of the city proper. In Waterdeep: Dragon Heist, the conflict between the Xanathar's Guild and the Zhentarim takes center stage. The Xanathar is obsessed with his pet goldfish, Sylgar. 
• Halaster, the Mad Mage of Undermountain - Halaster moved into the dungeon of Undermountain before the founding of Waterdeep, claimed it as his own, took in many apprentices, and killed many adventurers in his dungeon. His aims are often inscrutable and capricious, as are many of his apprentices. It is believed he stocks Undermountain primarily as an amusement for himself. Halaster and Undermountain are the focus of the 5e adventure Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage.
• Iymrith, the Doom of the Desert - An ancient blue dragon known for constant scheming and manipulation. She has a lair in the desert of Anauroch.
• Klauth, Old Snarl - An ancient red dragon some say is the most powerful dragon on Faerun. He's infamous for cunning and cruelty, and manipulating adventurers to do his work for him. He may have one of the greatest hoards of treasure in all the Realms. 
• Daugothoth, The Creeping Doom - A black dracolich who dwells in the Mere of Dead Men, Daugothoth is also a master necromancer. He is one of the most feared undead dragons in the Realms and is known to hoard magical artifacts.

Ok, I am calling this "Part 1" and I will be back later with Regions, Deities, and Adventures of the Forgotten Realms.  

Sources

• A lot of this came off the top of my head, with occasional references to the wiki at https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/.
• A few references to the 3E Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, the best Dungeons and Dragons book ever published in my opinion.