Completed Series: Songs & Swords by Elaine Cunningham

 I am much behind on my reviews. I am studying for a post-graduate degree, work full time at a factory, and have a family. But I still am able to play D&D every so often, and I still read Forgotten Realms books. I actually finished this series in December 2024, having started it in February of the same year. I have previously reviewed Elfshadow, book 1, but otherwise I have not reviewed the others. I will do that here.

Elfshadow (1991) - Exceptional

Elfsong (1994) - Good

Silver Shadows (1996) - Good

Thornhold (1998) - Good

The Dream Spheres (1999) - Amazing

Any encounter with the Zhentarim should be handled with a sword, not with diplomacy and bargaining.

To begin, Songs & Swords is probably my favorite Forgotten Realms series I have finished in some time. While not as epic or action-packed as Erevis Cale or as classic as Finder's Stone, or even as relatable as Brimstone Angels, it is a series of books that has much to offer.

The series has a tendency to bounce between characters for the different entries. For example, book 1, Elfshadow, follows Arilyn Moonblade, a half-elf labelled an assassin. She somehow has control of her mother's moonblade, rare among elven kind; it's unheard of for a halfbreed to successfully wield one. All her kin expected her to die from trying. But also with Arilyn is Danilo Thann, the secretly-capable mage that works for his uncle from time to time, Khelben Blackstaff. They have the start of a relationship, though it doesn't quite flower.

“It seems to me, your Harper would have little hope of survival and even less chance for success”

Then book 2, Elfsong, has a small cameo from Arilyn, otherwise it introduces more characters to have adventures with Danilo. It is a fun adventure, but feels hardly connected to book 1. Then in book 3, Silver Shadows there isn't any Danilo, but we are back with Arilyn as she aids the elves of a forest south of Waterdeep. Book 4, Thornhold, which has little of Danilo (though it is connected to characters from book 2) and no Arilyn. It is a confusing state of affairs, and a bit unsatisfying. What about going back to what was starting in book 2?

Well, book 5, Dream Spheres, does just that. In fact, it really heads in a pleasurable direction. It makes a nice ending to the series, even though there are a couple of loose ends, and a book 6 was planned. It was canceled due to delays that drove it into the time frame of 4e, which wouldn't work. Overall books 2-4 are good stories, and it almost feels like the "life" section of our two heroes, before they properly reunite in book 5. Now I will discuss the books proper, if you are interested more in story points.

Elfshadow (a video review is here) begins with much emotion. Cunningham sets the mood expertly, as there is always a melancholy feel to the stories Arilyn is a part of. While Arilyn is an adult, this novel is about discovering herself and the magic of her sword. It is a romance of education, a coming of age. Arilyn begins the story working as an assassin, targeting some Zhentarim in Darkhold. Arilyn is quickly portrayed as a grey character. We also have other characters, some that seem like we should not trust, others we should, and not all is as it seems. As mentioned above, I have shared my thoughts on this book before, but I was most impressed with how Cunningham brings the Realms to life. She does this with lots of tidbits that are nice nods to experienced readers, and unconfusing dressing to those that may start their Realms journey here. And surprisingly, this was Cunningham's debut novel. She started strong and effective!

Elfsong (video review here) begins with the dragon, Grimnash, waking on the winter solstice in the High Forest. An elven sorceress has disturbed him. Soon comes into play a particular magic harp, as well as the Harpers. The story focused on Danilo, and Elaith from book 1 also has some page time. Silverymoon, Waterdeep are some of the playgrounds.

The characters are Morgalla, a young female dwarven artist; Lucia Thione, a complicated and somewhat tragic character; and of course, Garnet, desiring a certain legacy and voice.

The idea of spellsong, a type of magic thought particular to elves, also comes into play. It is an interesting contrast to bardic magic, since it is also song but unconnected. Overall, the novel is really fun, but not as memorable as the first book.

“Intrigue was always in fashion, and the going price for an assassin’s services was high: So, however, was the price on an assassin’s life. Arilyn Moonblade walked lightly down the narrow back-alley street that led to the women’s guildhouse, making no more sound than the narrow shadow she cast. She was a broadsword’s width short of six feet tall, with raven-dark hair that hung in careless waves about her shoulders and eyes of an unusual dark blue flecked with bits of gold—beautiful eyes that might have inspired bardic odes, had they not been so wary and forbidding. Pale as moonlight and alert as a stalking cat, Arilyn had about her a tense, watchful air and the too-thin, too-taut look of one who seldom paused for either food or sleep. For an assassin, the choices were few and straightforward: constant vigilance, or death.”

Silver Shadows (video review here) deals with is set in the forest of the Wealdath. This is a story of Zhentarim thugs versus wild elves and the humans of Tethyr. Arilyn is sent as an ambassador, hoping to bridge the animosity. We have some fun new characters, like Foxfire of the Elmanesse elves. Also, Tinkersdam from Lantan. Also Lucia Thione from book 2 plays a role in this one. We also the have the assassin that dislikes Arilyn, anmed Ferret, as well as Hasheth, the son of the pasha who works some with the Harpers. I have not mentioned it before, but the first 4 books are part of the larger, and hardly related, 16 book series called The Harpers.

If you have R. A. Salvatore's Sylvan Shadows, this has a very similar basic plot, but Silver Shadows is much more complicated (and considrably better). This book is very melancholy and primal. The story of identity is the main story, it is one of prejudice and stubbornness. It is often dark. But it is wonderful.

Thornhold (video review here) deals primarily with the Keep of the Knights of Samular, or Thornhold, that is north of Waterdeep on teh southern edge of the Mere of Dead Men. First, we have Bronwyn, a Harper agent that must deal with treacherous Duegar. Also Dag Zoreth of Darkhold, a worshipper of Cyric. He aims to kidnap Bronwyn, who is his sister. They both survived the immolation of their village and don't know much of their past.

We also have Ebenezer Stoneshaft, a dwarf with no mustache, and his sister has a beard. The conflict becomes obvious, the Harpers, dwarves, and Zhentarim all have aims around Thornhold. A big theme of the book is found family, its rather sweet. There is also some nuance on the good vs evil idea. In the larger story of the Harpers, this is book 16 of 16, and the ending points towards the founding of the Moonstars.

“Sometimes the difference between a rogue and a hero,” she said carefully, “comes down to who is telling the tale. Ask these elves who I am. They will speak of the moonblade. Ask humans, they will say assassin. It could be the same for you.”

The Dream Spheres (video review here) is the fifth and final volume, sadly. This one begins at the Pickle in Waterdeep focused on two wenches, Peg and Lily. The latter finds life dull and dingy. Her items are worn out and so is she. Her only item of worth is a dream sphere, a magical new item in the city of Waterdeep. It can show you waking visions of your deepest desires.

We also have Arilyn and Danilo, really for the first time on an adventure together since book 1. They are to attend the Gemstone Ball together. Danilo faces prejudice from the nobility which don't like elves mixing with the great houses of the city. Arilyn has officially broken with the Harpers but she is heading for a deeper relationship with Danilo. This book is essentially me using a dream sphere, it is wonderful. Particularly where character relationships are concerned. A big part of this is romance. I'm not someone that goes out of my way to read romance, but I love it when it works in a broader narrative. This has the soaring heights and the trembling anxiety of love. Something is falling into place, and while not brought to a climax, with the lack of a book 6, it is a lovely send-off, even if unintentional. This book brings the first four to form an Exceptional series.

--

You can track my current progress here.

The Sad Regression of Neverwinter Online

This is a post I have avoided for some time. Neverwinter, an MMORPG based around 4e Neverwinter in the Forgotten Realms, released in 2013. In early 2015 it went into beta on the Xbox One and released later that same year on the console. While I’ve played a tiny amount on the PC, the Xbox One beta is where I began my journey.

I was immediately gripped by a couple things. At the time I had enjoyed other video games set in the Forgotten Realms, particularly the Dark Alliance games, but I had never played Dungeons & Dragons nor read any novel set in the Realms. What really gripped me was the action in the gameplay. I’ve played many MMORPGs throughout the years, from RuneScape to World of Warcraft to EverQuest and things more far afield. I had never played one that had a limited number of attacks, that made combat fast but engaging rather than tab based. It was new and exciting! Not to mention the first time I had spent many hours on a MMO for a console, though I had tried Phantasy Star, DCUO, etc.

Besides being mechanically fun, I really became engrossed in the story. Going in the different districts of the Jewel of the North, going without to Icespire Peak, the Underdark, Helm’s Hold, and so forth. It was all a grand adventure. It was alive. By time I read my first novel in the Forgotten Realms it was a story connected to Neverwinter, and the ones afterwards were too! These were Brimstone Angels, Cold Steel and Secrets, and I even tried Gauntlgrym (before realizing that is a bad place to start with Drizzt).

It wasn’t my introduction to the Realms, but it was like puberty, pardon the analogy. It led to so much more. Reading, playing, writing this. I loved that the recent movie was set largely in Neverwinter!

It’s because of this love that I sadly feel obliged to share my disappointment. More than a year ago I tweeted this video from Josh Strife Hayes, it is too accurate: 

2015-2019 were my golden days in the game. I got married and started having children and the game took a backseat. My first room was named Hemvar and we explored things together. In 2017 I made Farideh, recognize the name? This was the first character I got to end game with. I’ll admit, I was never a big fan of how the story was handled once level 60 was hit. Or 70 for that matter. It is also free to play and has too many microtransactions, though I never spent money on the game. 

My disappointment started to blossom in 2022, when I returned to the game a little. The game had made some big changes. While it was built around 4e, a huge overhaul brought it more inline with 5e. Bard was introduced as a class, the other classes were renamed (scourge warlock became simply warlock, for example), the intro quest was revamped, and the max level became only 20. Exciting enough right?

Sure. But while most games keep adding content as they get older, this large overhaul saw much content shuttered. I realize this happens some in MMOs, I get it. But the leveling before endgame (the endgame I didn’t like much anyhow) became shorter. We lost several zones: Blackdagger Keep, Pirate’s Skyhold, Tower District, Blacklake District, and even more! I didn’t understand it or enjoy it. Some has been added back in in pieces or enhanced but only intermittently and for endgame. I don’t appreciate chopping up your game so you can make “development” easier by just using old material.

Helm's Hold

In January, almost ten years after the beta release on Xbox, I noticed I was close to getting an achievement for slaying dragons. So naturally I go to Neverdeath Graveyard, still in the game. Imagine my surprise when the green dragon, Charthraxis, wasn’t there. Just his bones. So I went to Icespire Peak, another zone still in the game. Was Merothrax (not to be confused with Cryovain) there? Just his corpse.

I feel like I’m walking in the corpse of something once great. It is depressing. The only thing I can experience of these things are my memories. I feel I must say amarast to it 

But not all is bad. While frustrating, the game still is pretty and my girls enjoy playing it. I think I’ll play it as long as the servers are up, but I can easily say I’d be there more often, like an old home, if it felt like what I remember. And that’s not just the nostalgia speaking. 

Charthraxis

That being said, I will keep on playing. It’s still fun in levels 1-20. I’m sad they cut it short, but I’ll enjoy the journey. I’ve always been a journey person in MMOs, it’s why I never really liked WoW (which is very endgame heavy even if you can max out in a day). Lord of the Rings Online, EverQuest, RuneScape: all have lovely journeys, where I can take my time and enjoy the beauty and the story, not so much the mechanics. Neverwinter is there too, just not as much as it used to be.

Tower District

Blackdagger Ruins

--

You can track my current progress here.

Completed Series: The Cormyr Saga by Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb, and Troy Denning

 “And in this land I’ll proudly stand

Until my dying day, sir

For whate’er king o’er all command

I’ll still be a Cormyte brave, sir.”

The Cormyr Saga is a trilogy of novels written by three authors, Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb, and Troy Denning. It highlights the tumultuous last years of Azoun IV's reign of The Forest Kingdom as it faces a plethora of threats that could prove its doom. I read these all in January and February
2024. 

Corymr by Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb (1998) - Exceptional

Beyond the High Road by Troy Denning (1999) - Acceptable

Death of the Dragon by Ed Greenwood and Troy Denning (2000) - Good

Cormyr: A Novel is book one in the trilogy, and is written by two giants of Realmslore, the creator Greenwood and original overseer Grubb (who I'm used to seeing write with his wife, Kate Novak).

This is the origin of the most powerful nation in Faerun, Cormyr. It’s also my favorite nation in the Forgotten Realms, I’ve read several books set in it, by Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb and Kate Novak, Erin M. Evans, Mel Odom, Scott Ciencin and more. 

After the dedication and epigram, the book opens with a note about chronology. It mentions the naming of the years by Alaundo the Seer and also that Dale Reckoning is used in place of Cormyr Reckoning for the sake of the reader. 1 DR is -24 CR as the first Obarskyr king was crowned about a generation after the raising of the Standing Stone establishing the Dalelands. 

The prologue opens with the dragon Thauglor in the Forest Country on the hunt. It is -400 DR, about 1700-1800 years before most Forgotten Realms events. It is the Age of Humanity, but that race has only barely made its way to the Dalelands, and Sembia would not be founded for another thousand years. At this point, Jhaamdath has not yet fallen and neither has Netheril. Though the latter will fall within the century and the former will follow a century after that. Elminster would not be born for six hundred years.

Mention of duskwoods on the second page followed by phandar, silver barks, shadowtops, felsul, manyroots and laspar tells us this is Greenwood’s Forgotten Realms, as the fictional trees found in a large chunk of the Realms are hardly mentioned by other authors. 

Thauglor the Black hunts buffalo, nothing intelligent and so it’s not very enticing but we are shown the great wyrm’s dominion and lack of civilization, his standing alone. This in some way aligns the dragon with nature. This is expanded when a young wyrmling, a descendant of his, flies up to share the meal.

This is Kreston, “Spawn of Casarial out of Miranatol, grandchild of Hesior, blood of the mighty Thauglorimorgorus, the Black Doom.” And it is this Black Doom that is so ancient his scales are beginning to turn somewhat violet. 

But he may have found the start to his own doom, an elf is in the Forest Country, and where one elf is surely there will be more. 

This portion of the narrative largely follows Ondeth Obarskyr of Impiltur, but his name should tell you he will become important (for those unaware, Obarskyr is the royal family of Cormyr). He with his wife Suzara, and his sons Rhiiman and Faerlthann, and his brothers Andar and Villiam. They arrived via Marsember, apparently a port town at the time, and homestead in what will become Suzail. Ondeth is a good man, but can he prevent all strife with the local elves?

The story also coincides with the late second edition timeline of the Forgotten Realms. Chapter 1 is set in 1369 DR on the sunset of Azoun IV’s reign, and the vying for succession is getting heated. 

We catch up to Azoun IV hunting in the King’s Forest. He has a couple old compatriots and one young guard named Aunadar Bleth. The rest of the party is a mile away on the prowl, maybe for the legendary Ghost Stag that only the king may hunt.

Bleth himself is favored by Queen Filfaeril and the crown princess, Tanalasta. He doesn’t immediately become a suspicious character but isn’t openly disliked either. Though Tanalasta largely comes off as a child in a woman’s body, she’s just a tool for manipulation. Vangey, Royal Mage, is essentially the main character.

The two royal cousins at the start are Duke Bhereu Ammaeth of High Horn and Baron Thomdor Ammaeth of Arabel. I don’t see how one could have such a low rank, especially as being Warden of Eastern Marches. I feel he should be at least a Marchion which is the equivalent of a Marquis or Margrave and it’s just below Duke in rank, while Baron is very low in ranks of nobility. And being over the Easter Marches implies he is a Marchion, as "marches" is where the title comes from. 

Other characters include Iliphar Nelneuve, Lord of Scepters. He leads the elves going into the Forest Country and acts like he owns the place. He showcases a feud between dragons and elves that really put both sides as having good arguments. Neither is good nor evil, so much. The last couple sentences of his introduction connected with me more. 

Mistinarperadnacles, or Mist, from the novel Azure Bonds, makes a cameo as does Giogi Wyvernspur from that series and star of The Wyvern’s Spur. As do royal swords Symylazzar, Ansrivarr, Orbyn, etc. 

Alea, an elf, showcases the racial prejudices that crop up in the Realms. Baerauble Etharr is a supposed civilized man next to the barbaric humans the elves war against. He’s also an ancestor of Vangerdahast. There’s also Gantharla, Itharl, Sagrast, Amedahast, Thanderahast, Elvarin, Emthrara, et al.

When Alusair is introduced she is hunting swine-nosed orcs in the Stonelands. These orcs are guilty of raiding a caravan east of Eveningstar. She’s fierce and loyal. I really like her, she reminds me some of Raedra. I may need to seek out novels she stars in as she is not in this one as much as I'd like.

Also, we get some scripture for the church of Malar, the Beastlord. We see the sword Symylazarr. The lore bits Greenwood always deliveries!

We get to see this is far from Cormyr’s first crisis. Can a kingdom only last so long because of strong magics protecting it? This is a true epic, telling the founding of a nation and people and full of politics. A great ending with surprising developments. It’d work as a standalone too but does connect well with the next two.

This reminded me of the later politicking in Brimstone Angels series my Erin M. Evans. The grand scope and information it gives you in Cormyr makes this a good place to start too, though there are of course several others. It also has the best usage of Red Wizards I’ve seen yet. Overall, an Exceptional read.

“Key’anna de Cormyr” 

We guard this wooded land.

Beyond the High Road is by Troy Denning, the only one in the series with a single author and easily the weakest.

A Paladin of Torm is on the hunt for a criminal. This man has slaughtered many Purple Dragons and turns out it’s more of a monster, a vampire or maybe something worse. This Paladin is a member of the Sleeping Sword, a group of warrior nobles essentially in fugue and only woken when a prophecy concerning the doom of Cormyr needs to be addressed. 

After this encounter we are brought to heir-apparent, Princess Tanalasta. She’s working on getting married so she can produce an heir. She is almost thirty-six years old, and after the close call in the previous book, she is taking her birthright more seriously. 

It’s now 1370 DR, the following year of the Abraxis Affair from book one.

She’s changed much, a hint of this showing at the end of Cormyr. Now she is pursued by suitors and is much more capable of reading their intent. She must find someone sincerely hoping for the good of the realm and hopefully someone she does love or can. 

She bashed heads with Vangerdahast, who she has little patience for though he’s the most trustworthy servant of King Azoun and Queen Filfaeril. Particularly where the key suitor is concerned, Donnath, son of the duke who is of Warden of the East Marches.

She’s also turned to primary worship of Chauntea, goddess of harvest. This seems an odd choice for the royal family, and is met with disapproval by them. It does make sense as the land is facing blight. 

There is a great amount of Forest Kingdom nobility, even a brief appearance of Kay and Giogi Wyvernspur who played a pivotal role in the first book and the earlier The Wyvern’s Spur (though this isn’t necessary to read before Beyond the High Road). 

I’m not a huge fan of how Denning treats Vangey, it’s similar to how Karen Traviss treats Dr. Halsey in her Halo novels but not as bad. 

But the ghazneth is a very interesting and unique enemy. Also, the Sleeping Sword is awesome though we get little of it. There is also some understanding of the Realms and morality that other authors don’t grasp, such as a conversation on evil elves where it’s made clear not just drow can be evil. It’d be better if they had said not all drow were evil too, but still, it was nice. 

We also get a look at ancient elven language, which is a nice treat. Also more Cormyrean history. It’s also more sexual than most Forgotten Realms novels, even a sex ceremony of Chauntea called the Seed Ceremony for conception purposes shows up.

Not my favorite by Denning but not his worst. Some nice moments but I look forward to Greenwood having some of the reins in book 3. I enjoyed book 1 more. Also while the first can stand alone this feels like setup for book three. There is some fun mystery and good action too. It's Acceptable.

The final volume, Death of the Dragon, is explosive and conclusive.

This is a follow-up to book two.

This one starts with Alusair, the adventuring Princess of Cormyr, the second child of King Azoun IV and Queen Filfaeril. She is searching for Rowan Cormaeril as he is important to the heir to the throne. But where is Rowan?

She stumbles upon more ancient things dealing with elves and the ghazneth, terrifying creatures made after betraying Cormyr, including old King Boldovar the Mad and Suzara of which Suzail. 

Tanalasta is still in the north in danger and King Azoun goes to war. While Vangey is missing. The royal family goes through some changes and it’s sweet to see their love for each other during this difficult time. Tanalasta is also more likable than she was in book two and so is Vangey. This is probably some of Greenwood’s influence. Alaphondar is also present. 

Nalavarauthatoryl is an enemy that comes to light, the dragon in question and key to the plot and future of Cormyr. We see her home plan full of goblins that feed the Goblin War. 

Again it is somewhat sexual at times, or has nonchalant nudity the Realms is somewhat known for. But it’s also dark, somewhat melancholic and bittersweet. There is some great character development and things on display. Besides greed for power we have sacrifice and forgiveness. 

I very much enjoyed the ending of this one, though overall the first book is the best. Lots of changes bringing the Realms from 2e to 3e in this one, but only politically, not cosmologically as was the case in 1e to 2e. Overall this inspired my current campaign I've been running for nigh on a year, set during the same time period in eastern Cormyr. It's a GOOD series, at least give the first one a try.

--

You can track my current progress here.