Moonshae

Moonshae
Moonshae
FR2 TSR9217 Moonshae.jpg
Code FR2
Rules required AD&D
Character levels NA
Campaign setting Forgotten Realms
Authors Douglas Niles
First published 1987
Linked modules
FR1 FR2 FR3 FR4 FR5 FR6 FR7 FR8 FR9 FR10 FR11 FR12 FR13 FR14 FR15 FR16

Moonshae (product code FR2) is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms. It describes the Moonshae Isles of Faerûn.

Contents

Contents

This book for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting describes the Celtic-like isles in the Sea of Moonshae, describing the climate, topography, and economy of the islands, and describes two different cultures: the realms of the indigenous Ffolk, and the area held by the invading Northmen.[1] It also includes a map which matches the edges of the maps in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Set.[1] This supplement details the setting for the novel Darkwalker on Moonshae (and the Moonshae trilogy as a whole), by Moonshae author Doug Niles.[2]

This is a 64-page booklet wrapped in a removable cover. Included with the book is a fold-out color poster map of the Moonshae Isles. This large color insert has maps of the Moonshae Isles printed on both sides: one at 20 miles to the inch, the other at 30 miles to the inch. Both maps contain the same amount of detail, the major difference being that there's less sea space surrounding the 20-miles-per-inch map.[2] The book focuses on the region known as "The Moonshae Isles", including the Korinn Archipelago which was created by Aaron Allston and first detailed in the module N4 Treasure Hunt. Two appendixes are featured, including using the Moonshaes in a campaign, and magical items of the Moonshaes.

This book focuses on the Moonshaes, a group of islands to the west of the main continent of the Forgotten Realms setting. The book discusses the character races, character classes, politics, conflicts, geography, and economics within the Moonshaes. The islands are home to the Ffolk, a druidic people who worship the Earthmother, a neutrally aligned aspect of Chauntea, the neutral-good goddess of agriculture. The Ffolk share the Moonshaes with the Northmen, a strong, warlike race of raiders who hail from the lands north of Waterdeep, although conflicts frequently erupt between the two races as the Northmen expand their holdings on the Moonshaes at the expense of the Ffolk. Magic-users are viewed with suspicion by both races. The Moonshaes are also home to marauding firbolgs, orcs, goblins, trolls, and other more dangerous monsters.[2]

The book next describes the major supernatural entities which exist in the countryside and seas. The most important of these is the Earthmother. She gives life and vitality to the land, and her power is manifested in the Moonwells. The Moonwells are pools of water with the magical power to cure the wounds of those who strive to maintain the mystic balance, and are tended by druids who can use them to charge or restore charges in magical items. The Earthmother is served by her three immortal children: Leviathan, a huge whale; Kamerynnm, a majestic unicorn; and the Pack, a pack of dire wolves who roam the Isles. They are opposed by the evil Kazgoroth the Beast, who seeks to disrupt the balance and bring corruption to the Isles, aided by its magically created Blood Warriors: undead soldiers who obey its every command.[2]

Several specific locales of the Moonshaes are also described, from the perspective of Elminster as a tour of the people and places he has visited. The style of presentation is similar to that used in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Set.[2]

Publication history

FR2 Moonshae was written by Douglas Niles, with cover art by Tim Hildebrandt and interior illustrations by George Barr, and was published by TSR in 1987 as a 64-page booklet with a large color map and an outer folder.[1] The book features editing by Mike Breault, and cartography by Dave S. LaForce.[2]

Reception

Jim Bambra reviewed Moonshae for Dragon magazine #140 (December 1988).[2] Bambra felt that the physical quality of this supplement was high, althgouh he felt that not all available space was used to its best effect. For example, the inside of the wrap-around cover is blank, as it could have been used to provide village or town maps, or even sample monster lairs. He did feel that maps were also put to good use to graphically depict the extent of Northmen settlements in the Moonshaes, and to show the economies and trade routes of the Isles. Bambra commented on Niles's design of the book: "it's more than just the background and people presented in this supplement that makes Moonshae a very strong source pack. Doug has written about the Moonshaes in his novels, a situation which means he is very familiar with them as a place where people live, work, and play."[2] He criticized the wandering-monster tables, as "Moonshae is designed as an adventure setting for characters of any level, and yet we have beholders and dragon turtles popping up here and there to devastate low-level adventurers".[2] Bambra found the section on Elminster's Notes to be the most impressive: "Here, the descriptions become very absorbing and vibrant as we follow Elminster on his travels. As well as providing an insight into life in the Moonshaes, we also get a good indication of Elminster's personality and share with him in his discomforts and pleasures."[2] Bambra concludes by saying: "Evaluation: The style of presentation used in Moonshae is superior to the styles used in the other Forgotten Realms setting supplements [...] While not containing as much detailed information as FR1 Waterdeep and the North, Moonshae contains more evocative descriptions and gives a good insight into life in the Isles."[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Prometheus Books. p. 96. ISBN 0-87975-653-5. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Bambra, Jim (December 1988). "Role-playing Reviews". Dragon (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR) (#140): 84–85. 

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