Seven Sisters (Forgotten Realms)
Encyclopedia
The Seven Sisters—fictional characters of the Forgotten Realms
campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons
Role Playing Game. The sisters are epic level characters (characters possessing nearly super-human levels of skill and power) of differing abilities, most of which involve some form of spellcasting and use of magic. Created by Ed Greenwood
, they have been featured in multiple novels, games, and officially created scenarios by an equally large number of authors/game-designers.
(the Grey Box) for 1st Edition Dungeons & Dragons
, where they were described as a group of powerful sisters, though they were not yet revealed to number seven. Only Alustriel, Storm, Syluné, and the Simbul were described in this first appearance. In this early incarnation the concept of their connection to the goddess of magic Mystra
does not appear to have been developed yet, as, for example, Storm is listed as worshiping the god Milil
. Over the years, through additional sourcebooks, the full nature of the Sisters was revealed, as the concepts of the Sisters' full membership, purpose, and importance to the world of the Forgotten Realms was gradually fleshed-out and finalized.
By the time the entire story of their births and lives was solidified and finalized by their creators, the Sisters had been revealed to be extremely powerful, nearly immortal, and immensely important to the Forgotten Realms setting; tied into the very nature of magic itself, serving a purpose to balance the power of a goddess, and to help maintain the very existence and functioning of magic in their world.
The characters were fully detailed in The Seven Sisters supplement (1995) by Ed Greenwood
.
within her body as a means of creating Chosen which had previously been highly difficult. Mystra's power consumed Elué by the end of the seventh pregnancy and Dornal (who was previously unaware of the arrangement between his wife and Mystra) abandoned his children to be raised by others. - in order of birth, are listed below.
and founder of the Silver Marches, a confederation of various states in the areas around Silverymoon (including Mithral Hall
, Everlund, Citadel Adbar, and other citadels, towns, and villages).
She is a powerful mage
, being one of Mystra's Chosen and has a preference for creation magic. She is known for her love and devotion to her people (which may be considered unusual for wizards who act as the rulers of nations). Due to this, she is extremely popular in Silverymoon (as well as everywhere else she goes) and most of her subjects would do anything within their power to keep her from harm. She is considered a wise and fair ruler, only showing anger in cold, pointed speeches.
Apart from being an intelligent, wise, and charismatic leader, she is also considered to be very beautiful. She shares the silver hair that is a trademark of the Seven Sisters.
She sought to create a realm that would radiate glory and culture, much like the (previously fallen, now restored) elvish kingdom of Myth Drannor
.
In the current setting of 1479 DR, she has been dead for some time and her son is nearing the end of his life.
.
They first met in Streams of Silver wherein she was forced, against her wishes, into denying Drizzt entry into Silverymoon in order to maintain good relations with nearby Nesmé.
Eventually, as Drizzt became more accepted by the locals in the area (and regarded as a hero by many), he has since been allowed into Silverymoon by Alustriel. They have become friends over the years, and she and Drizzt (along with Drizzt’s animal companion Guenhwyvar) have repeatedly spent time alone together in Alustriel’s home.
Given the nature of both Alustriel and Drizzt, it is assumed that they have merely talked and enjoyed each other’s company. A romantic relationship is only once vaguely implied by Drizzt's companion Bruenor Battlehammer. Drizzt himself has denied any such relationship in the introspective essay at the beginning of Part 2 of The Legacy
.
at Mystra's bidding. She is a renowned Knight of Myth Drannor married to another Knight - Florin Falconhand.
She appears in various Dungeons and Dragons accessories and novels, a list of which can be seen at Wikipedia's page on the Seven Sisters
Here is a summary of her appearances in the Drizzt Do'Urden novel Sojourn, third in the Dark Elf Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore:
Chronologically, her first role in the series was to pursue renegade drow Drizzt Do'Urden
. Following the dark elf for some time, Dove and her companions wished to determine his purpose and his role in the slaying of two barghest whelps. However, Dove came to the conclusion that Drizzt meant no harm, and allowed him to go on without pursuit. Later, she was glad to hear of Drizzt becoming the pupil of Montolio Debrouchee, and sent a message praising the "deserving drow."
Later, Dove was one of the reasons that Drizzt was denied entrance to Silverymoon
on his way to Mithral Hall
. Due to the two of them being rangers, and also likely because of her pursuit of him years before, Dove wanted to meet with Drizzt. However, her sister Alustriel would not permit it at that time.
and Bard of Shadowdale. Despite sometimes appearing flighty, she has taken it upon herself to protect and care for the people of her home dale to the best of her abilities.
. Together with her husband the great wizard
Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun they lead the Moonstars
, a dissident faction of the Harpers, which seeks to arrange the destiny of the cities and nations of the North.
Laeral is one of seven female spellcasters, born to the ranger Dornal Silverhand (and his wife Elué), who form the Seven Sisters.
She has one daughter, a human girl named Maura, conceived by Laeral during her time under the influence of the Crown of Horns
by an unknown father. Maura is in love with the Crown Prince of Evermeet
, Lamruil.
, and one of the most powerful spellcasters in Faerûn
. Her character features in a number of novels by setting creator Ed Greenwood
, including Elminster in Hell, published in 2001, and Elminster Must Die!, published in 2010. She also features more prominently in the 1997 novel The Simbul's Gift, by author Lynn Abbey
.
Her personality echoes her talents as a powerful and somewhat wild sorceress, highly unpredictable and prone to sudden outbursts of rage. She is queen of Aglarond, a nation in the east of Faerûn
, but many of her subjects fear her for her recklessness and apparent unstable nature. She has been the paramour of the Sage of Shadowdale, Elminster.
, the goddess of magic, to the care of the witches of Rashemen. Mystra gave the witches spells that enabled them to rule Rashemen and repel invasions by Thay.
After the Simbul left the witches, she started wandering the planes. Little is known about her whereabouts during that period, which lasted for some 400 years. It is said that Mystra herself revealed to her the fact that she was one of the Chosen, after one of her consorts (allegedly a wizard from another plane) perished.
The Simbul ended up posing as the apprentice of Ilione, a lesser sorceress and ruler of Aglarond. She took the name "the Simbul" from a deity of the primitive human tribes that inhabited the Yuirwood before the elves
there, and whose runes can still be found deep within the wood (the goddess known as the Simbul was absorbed as an aspect of Labelas Enoreth
).
Ilione had designated the Simbul as her successor. The Simbul assumed the throne of Aglarond upon Ilione's death. The wizard Elminster recognized the Simbul for whom she was more than a century ago. Elminster's love helped reduce the frequency of her berserker rage fits, but she remained feared for the amount of damage she could inflict. It was the Simbul whom Mystra sent into Hell
to retrieve Elminster when he was banished there. King Azoun IV of Cormyr
once called her "a good friend, but a deadly enemy".
After Mystra's death by Cyric
and the Spellplague that followed, The Simbul had her powers drastically reduced, like all other Chosen of Mystra. She is thought, even by her own people, to have perished in the Year of The Seven Sisters (1425 DR), consumed in the fire that destroyed the God Velsharoon. In reality, however, she is still alive, and now resides in the Dalelands.
. As a Chosen of both goddesses she leads a temple complex, the Promenade, near Skullport, beneath the metropolis
of Waterdeep
in the subterranean area known as Undermountain.
Though born to a human couple, she is full-blooded drow. In the original story, her father had killed her mother when he had found out that she had been possessed by Mystra, the goddess of magic. Mystra, seeking to keep the child alive, came upon a pregnant drow priestess of Eilistraee whose child had died in her womb, and made a pact with Eilistraee that served both their intentions.
Qilué is the youngest of the Seven Sisters and spends some of her free time in Waterdeep with dalliance
of human men, on occasion appearing as her sister, Laeral. She also had a daughter, Ysolde, whose death she probably blames on Liriel Baenre, as the drow that killed her were actually looking for the erstwile princess. The relationship is at the least terse, as it was the second person whose death was caused indirectly by Liriel (the other being Qilue's lover Elkantar). In spite of Qilué's grudge, the young Liriel admires Qilué.
She is the youngest daughter, and is not widely known like her sisters—when she is whispered of she is called "The Dark Sister" — and that is probably a good thing for she is a drow elf
(born to Mystra in exceptionally odd circumstances), but is also a fair and mighty priestess of both Mystra and the good drow goddess Eilistraee.
In the game Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
, there is a drow female in the drow city of Ust Natha that bears Qilué's name.
In the Lady Penitent series, 1379 DR, Qilué, along with Eilistraee, who was then inhabitating her body, were beheaded with the crescent blade wielded by Halisstra Melarn. Halisstra was in turn later killed by another of Eilistraee's clergy. The effect of these actions has yet to be shown.
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
Role Playing Game. The sisters are epic level characters (characters possessing nearly super-human levels of skill and power) of differing abilities, most of which involve some form of spellcasting and use of magic. Created by Ed Greenwood
Ed Greenwood
Ed Greenwood is a Canadian writer and editor who created the Forgotten Realms. He invented the Forgotten Realms as a child, as a fantasy world in which to set the stories he imagined, and later used this world as a campaign setting for his own personal Dungeons & Dragons playing group...
, they have been featured in multiple novels, games, and officially created scenarios by an equally large number of authors/game-designers.
Publication history
Some of the characters that would later be identified as members of the Seven Sisters were first introduced in the original Forgotten Realms boxed setForgotten Realms Campaign Setting
The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting is a role-playing game sourcebook first published in 1987, detailing the Forgotten Realms setting, containing information on characters, locations, and history as well as setting-specific rules for use with the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game...
(the Grey Box) for 1st Edition Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
, where they were described as a group of powerful sisters, though they were not yet revealed to number seven. Only Alustriel, Storm, Syluné, and the Simbul were described in this first appearance. In this early incarnation the concept of their connection to the goddess of magic Mystra
Mystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
does not appear to have been developed yet, as, for example, Storm is listed as worshiping the god Milil
Milil
Milil is the fictional god of song and poetry in the Forgotten Realms setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:...
. Over the years, through additional sourcebooks, the full nature of the Sisters was revealed, as the concepts of the Sisters' full membership, purpose, and importance to the world of the Forgotten Realms was gradually fleshed-out and finalized.
By the time the entire story of their births and lives was solidified and finalized by their creators, the Sisters had been revealed to be extremely powerful, nearly immortal, and immensely important to the Forgotten Realms setting; tied into the very nature of magic itself, serving a purpose to balance the power of a goddess, and to help maintain the very existence and functioning of magic in their world.
Publications
These characters have appeared throughout many Forgotten Realms setting Dungeons & Dragons accessories and novels.The characters were fully detailed in The Seven Sisters supplement (1995) by Ed Greenwood
Ed Greenwood
Ed Greenwood is a Canadian writer and editor who created the Forgotten Realms. He invented the Forgotten Realms as a child, as a fantasy world in which to set the stories he imagined, and later used this world as a campaign setting for his own personal Dungeons & Dragons playing group...
.
The Sisters
Sisters born to the ranger Dornal Silverhand and his wife Elué between the years 761 and 767DR. During which Elué harbored the Goddess MystraMystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
within her body as a means of creating Chosen which had previously been highly difficult. Mystra's power consumed Elué by the end of the seventh pregnancy and Dornal (who was previously unaware of the arrangement between his wife and Mystra) abandoned his children to be raised by others. - in order of birth, are listed below.
Syluné
Syluné is the kindly Witch of Shadowdale. Slain by a red dragon she remains as a ghostly spectral harpist, primary confined to the remains of her cottage and small pieces of said structure which may be moved to provide Syluné with a larger area of influence.Alustriel Silverhand
Lady Alustriel Silverhand is the longtime ruler of SilverymoonSilverymoon
In the fictional world of the Forgotten Realms, Silverymoon is the prime signatory state of the Confederation of the Silver Marches...
and founder of the Silver Marches, a confederation of various states in the areas around Silverymoon (including Mithral Hall
Mithral Hall
In the fictional world of Forgotten Realms, Mithral Hall is the fabled dwarven home of Bruenor Battlehammer, an old dwarven city where tunnels were often lined with natural veins of mithral as thick as an arm....
, Everlund, Citadel Adbar, and other citadels, towns, and villages).
She is a powerful mage
Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)
The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...
, being one of Mystra's Chosen and has a preference for creation magic. She is known for her love and devotion to her people (which may be considered unusual for wizards who act as the rulers of nations). Due to this, she is extremely popular in Silverymoon (as well as everywhere else she goes) and most of her subjects would do anything within their power to keep her from harm. She is considered a wise and fair ruler, only showing anger in cold, pointed speeches.
Apart from being an intelligent, wise, and charismatic leader, she is also considered to be very beautiful. She shares the silver hair that is a trademark of the Seven Sisters.
She sought to create a realm that would radiate glory and culture, much like the (previously fallen, now restored) elvish kingdom of Myth Drannor
Myth Drannor
Myth Drannor, formerly known as Cormanthor, the City of Song, is a fictional elven city in the Forgotten Realms world. It is located in the area called Cormanthyr.-Fictional history:...
.
In the current setting of 1479 DR, she has been dead for some time and her son is nearing the end of his life.
Relationship with Drizzt Do'Urden
Alustriel is a close friend of the drow hero Drizzt Do'UrdenDrizzt Do'Urden
Drizzt Do'Urden is a fictional character in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Drizzt was created by author R. A. Salvatore as a supporting character in the Icewind Dale Trilogy. Salvatore created him on a whim when his publisher needed to...
.
They first met in Streams of Silver wherein she was forced, against her wishes, into denying Drizzt entry into Silverymoon in order to maintain good relations with nearby Nesmé.
Eventually, as Drizzt became more accepted by the locals in the area (and regarded as a hero by many), he has since been allowed into Silverymoon by Alustriel. They have become friends over the years, and she and Drizzt (along with Drizzt’s animal companion Guenhwyvar) have repeatedly spent time alone together in Alustriel’s home.
Given the nature of both Alustriel and Drizzt, it is assumed that they have merely talked and enjoyed each other’s company. A romantic relationship is only once vaguely implied by Drizzt's companion Bruenor Battlehammer. Drizzt himself has denied any such relationship in the introspective essay at the beginning of Part 2 of The Legacy
Legacy of the Drow
The Legacy of the Drow is a New York Times best selling fantasy series. It is the third series by R. A. Salvatore following the adventures of the Forgotten Realms character Drizzt Do'Urden.This series is followed up by the Paths of Darkness series....
.
Official Material
- Silver Marches, Ed GreenwoodEd GreenwoodEd Greenwood is a Canadian writer and editor who created the Forgotten Realms. He invented the Forgotten Realms as a child, as a fantasy world in which to set the stories he imagined, and later used this world as a campaign setting for his own personal Dungeons & Dragons playing group...
and Jason CarlJason CarlJason Carl is a game designer who has worked on a number of roleplaying games, including the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game.-Biography:...
, Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, 2002, ISBN 0-7869-2835-2. - Three Apprentices of Alustriel
- Sneak Peek: Alustriel
Realmslore
- Alustriel's Latest Consort
Dove Falconhand
A ranger, Chosen of Mystra, and one of the Seven Sisters, Dove is known for her skill at arms. She was the eldest of the three sisters raised by Elminster AumarElminster Aumar
Elminster Aumar is a fictional character in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Also known as the "Sage of Shadowdale", he is a powerful wizard featured in many novels by Forgotten Realms creator Ed Greenwood...
at Mystra's bidding. She is a renowned Knight of Myth Drannor married to another Knight - Florin Falconhand.
She appears in various Dungeons and Dragons accessories and novels, a list of which can be seen at Wikipedia's page on the Seven Sisters
Here is a summary of her appearances in the Drizzt Do'Urden novel Sojourn, third in the Dark Elf Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore:
Chronologically, her first role in the series was to pursue renegade drow Drizzt Do'Urden
Drizzt Do'Urden
Drizzt Do'Urden is a fictional character in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Drizzt was created by author R. A. Salvatore as a supporting character in the Icewind Dale Trilogy. Salvatore created him on a whim when his publisher needed to...
. Following the dark elf for some time, Dove and her companions wished to determine his purpose and his role in the slaying of two barghest whelps. However, Dove came to the conclusion that Drizzt meant no harm, and allowed him to go on without pursuit. Later, she was glad to hear of Drizzt becoming the pupil of Montolio Debrouchee, and sent a message praising the "deserving drow."
Later, Dove was one of the reasons that Drizzt was denied entrance to Silverymoon
Silverymoon
In the fictional world of the Forgotten Realms, Silverymoon is the prime signatory state of the Confederation of the Silver Marches...
on his way to Mithral Hall
Mithral Hall
In the fictional world of Forgotten Realms, Mithral Hall is the fabled dwarven home of Bruenor Battlehammer, an old dwarven city where tunnels were often lined with natural veins of mithral as thick as an arm....
. Due to the two of them being rangers, and also likely because of her pursuit of him years before, Dove wanted to meet with Drizzt. However, her sister Alustriel would not permit it at that time.
Storm Silverhand
Storm Silverhand is a famous and much-loved Harper, sorceressWizard (Dungeons & Dragons)
The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...
and Bard of Shadowdale. Despite sometimes appearing flighty, she has taken it upon herself to protect and care for the people of her home dale to the best of her abilities.
Laeral Silverhand Arunsun
Laeral Silverhand Arunsun is the radiant and good-hearted Lady Mage of WaterdeepWaterdeep (city)
Waterdeep is a fictional city-state that forms part of a popular Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game campaign setting called the Forgotten Realms. It is a port city that is located along the western coast of the Faerûn sub-continent...
. Together with her husband the great wizard
Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)
The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...
Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun they lead the Moonstars
Moonstars
In the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Moonstars are one of the most recent and most covert secret societies to appear in Faerûn in decades...
, a dissident faction of the Harpers, which seeks to arrange the destiny of the cities and nations of the North.
Laeral is one of seven female spellcasters, born to the ranger Dornal Silverhand (and his wife Elué), who form the Seven Sisters.
She has one daughter, a human girl named Maura, conceived by Laeral during her time under the influence of the Crown of Horns
Crown of Horns
The Crown of Horns is a fictional evil, intelligent artifact of great power from the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
by an unknown father. Maura is in love with the Crown Prince of Evermeet
Evermeet
Evermeet is an island in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons game, located far west of the continent of Faerûn...
, Lamruil.
The Simbul
The Simbul, real name Alassra Shentrantra Silverhand (but few know it and fewer use it), also known as the Witch-Queen of Aglarond, is one of the Seven Sisters, a chosen of the goddess of magic MystraMystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
, and one of the most powerful spellcasters in Faerûn
Faerûn
Faerûn is a fictional subcontinent, the primary setting of the Dungeons & Dragons world of Forgotten Realms. It is described at a relatively high level in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting from Wizards of the Coast, and various locales and aspects are described in more detail by separate...
. Her character features in a number of novels by setting creator Ed Greenwood
Ed Greenwood
Ed Greenwood is a Canadian writer and editor who created the Forgotten Realms. He invented the Forgotten Realms as a child, as a fantasy world in which to set the stories he imagined, and later used this world as a campaign setting for his own personal Dungeons & Dragons playing group...
, including Elminster in Hell, published in 2001, and Elminster Must Die!, published in 2010. She also features more prominently in the 1997 novel The Simbul's Gift, by author Lynn Abbey
Lynn Abbey
Lynn Abbey is an American computer programmer and author.-Background:Born in Peekskill, New York, Abbey was daughter of Ronald Lionel and Doris Lorraine . She attended the University of Rochester, where she began as an astrophysics major. She earned a A.B...
.
Her personality echoes her talents as a powerful and somewhat wild sorceress, highly unpredictable and prone to sudden outbursts of rage. She is queen of Aglarond, a nation in the east of Faerûn
Faerûn
Faerûn is a fictional subcontinent, the primary setting of the Dungeons & Dragons world of Forgotten Realms. It is described at a relatively high level in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting from Wizards of the Coast, and various locales and aspects are described in more detail by separate...
, but many of her subjects fear her for her recklessness and apparent unstable nature. She has been the paramour of the Sage of Shadowdale, Elminster.
History
Being one of the Seven Sisters, the Simbul is the daughter of Dornal Silverhand and Elué. After the death of her mother, young Alassra was entrusted by MystraMystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
, the goddess of magic, to the care of the witches of Rashemen. Mystra gave the witches spells that enabled them to rule Rashemen and repel invasions by Thay.
After the Simbul left the witches, she started wandering the planes. Little is known about her whereabouts during that period, which lasted for some 400 years. It is said that Mystra herself revealed to her the fact that she was one of the Chosen, after one of her consorts (allegedly a wizard from another plane) perished.
The Simbul ended up posing as the apprentice of Ilione, a lesser sorceress and ruler of Aglarond. She took the name "the Simbul" from a deity of the primitive human tribes that inhabited the Yuirwood before the elves
Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
there, and whose runes can still be found deep within the wood (the goddess known as the Simbul was absorbed as an aspect of Labelas Enoreth
Labelas Enoreth
Labelas Enoreth is an elven deity in many Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings. In the Forgotten Realms, he is the Lord of the Continuum who governs the orderly passage of time and guards against those who would alter the path of history. Together with Sehanine Moonbow he oversees the long life...
).
Ilione had designated the Simbul as her successor. The Simbul assumed the throne of Aglarond upon Ilione's death. The wizard Elminster recognized the Simbul for whom she was more than a century ago. Elminster's love helped reduce the frequency of her berserker rage fits, but she remained feared for the amount of damage she could inflict. It was the Simbul whom Mystra sent into Hell
Baator
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Baator, also known as the Nine Hells of Baator or the Nine Hells, is a lawful evil-aligned plane of existence...
to retrieve Elminster when he was banished there. King Azoun IV of Cormyr
Cormyr
Cormyr is a fictional country in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting published first by TSR, Inc. and subsequently by Wizards of the Coast for the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy Role Playing Game...
once called her "a good friend, but a deadly enemy".
After Mystra's death by Cyric
Cyric
Cyric is a deity in the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting, a branch of Dungeons & Dragons. Cyric has many titles, including the Prince of Lies, the Dark Sun, the Black Sun, the Mad God, and the Lord of Three Crowns...
and the Spellplague that followed, The Simbul had her powers drastically reduced, like all other Chosen of Mystra. She is thought, even by her own people, to have perished in the Year of The Seven Sisters (1425 DR), consumed in the fire that destroyed the God Velsharoon. In reality, however, she is still alive, and now resides in the Dalelands.
The Simbul and Thay
As well as signifying Alassra Silverhand's connection to Aglarond through its deific origins, the word "Simbul" means "watchful warrior-wizard" in the ancient Aglarondan language, and Alassra lives up to that role. Her presence alone is a strong incentive for the Red Wizards of Thay not to attack Aglarond. When she commits herself to battle, the amount of damage she can cause is incredible. She sometimes makes her enemies an example, using far more magic than necessary to destroy them in a spectacular fashion. No Red Wizard in his right mind would face the Simbul, and even her own subjects in Aglarond sometimes fear and avoid her, thinking her mad.Qilué Veladorn
Qilué Veladorn, or Eresseae Qilué Silverhand, the Seventh of the Seven Sisters, is a drow priestess of Eilistraee, the goddess of the good aligned drow, and because of her background serves both Eilistraee and MystraMystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
. As a Chosen of both goddesses she leads a temple complex, the Promenade, near Skullport, beneath the metropolis
Metropolis
A metropolis is a very large city or urban area which is a significant economic, political and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections and communications...
of Waterdeep
Waterdeep (city)
Waterdeep is a fictional city-state that forms part of a popular Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game campaign setting called the Forgotten Realms. It is a port city that is located along the western coast of the Faerûn sub-continent...
in the subterranean area known as Undermountain.
Though born to a human couple, she is full-blooded drow. In the original story, her father had killed her mother when he had found out that she had been possessed by Mystra, the goddess of magic. Mystra, seeking to keep the child alive, came upon a pregnant drow priestess of Eilistraee whose child had died in her womb, and made a pact with Eilistraee that served both their intentions.
Qilué is the youngest of the Seven Sisters and spends some of her free time in Waterdeep with dalliance
Dalliance
"Dalliance," by Tom Stoppard is based on the play "Liebelei," by Arthur Schnitzler. "Dalliance" was first performed at the Lyttelton Theatre, London, on May 27, 1986.-Plot summary:...
of human men, on occasion appearing as her sister, Laeral. She also had a daughter, Ysolde, whose death she probably blames on Liriel Baenre, as the drow that killed her were actually looking for the erstwile princess. The relationship is at the least terse, as it was the second person whose death was caused indirectly by Liriel (the other being Qilue's lover Elkantar). In spite of Qilué's grudge, the young Liriel admires Qilué.
She is the youngest daughter, and is not widely known like her sisters—when she is whispered of she is called "The Dark Sister" — and that is probably a good thing for she is a drow elf
Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
(born to Mystra in exceptionally odd circumstances), but is also a fair and mighty priestess of both Mystra and the good drow goddess Eilistraee.
In the game Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn is a computer role-playing game developed by BioWare and released on September 26, 2000. The game is the sequel to Baldur's Gate, and, opening only a few months after the events of the earlier game, continues the story of the player character, whose unique heritage...
, there is a drow female in the drow city of Ust Natha that bears Qilué's name.
In the Lady Penitent series, 1379 DR, Qilué, along with Eilistraee, who was then inhabitating her body, were beheaded with the crescent blade wielded by Halisstra Melarn. Halisstra was in turn later killed by another of Eilistraee's clergy. The effect of these actions has yet to be shown.
Literature
- Second Edition AD&D accessory books
- The Code of the HarpersThe Code of the HarpersThe Code of the Harpers is an accessory for the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
- The Seven Sisters (1995)
- Heroes' LorebookHeroes' LorebookHeroes' Lorebook is an accessory for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Contents:...
(1996)
- The Code of the Harpers
- Novels
- Silverfall: Stories of the Seven Sisters (1999), by Ed Greenwood (featuring them all)
- The Simbul's Gift (1997), by Lynn AbbeyLynn AbbeyLynn Abbey is an American computer programmer and author.-Background:Born in Peekskill, New York, Abbey was daughter of Ronald Lionel and Doris Lorraine . She attended the University of Rochester, where she began as an astrophysics major. She earned a A.B...
(featuring the Simbul) - Stormlight (1996), by Ed Greenwood (featuring Storm)
- The Elminster Series books, by Ed Greenwood (featuring Storm, the Simbul and Syluné)
- Elminster in Hell (2001)
- Elminster's Daughter (2004) (various sisters)
- Return of the Archwizards trilogy, by Troy DenningTroy DenningTroy Denning is a fantasy and science fiction author and game designer.-Career:Denning joined TSR as a game designer in 1981, and was promoted a year later to Manager of Designers, before he moved to the book department...
(featuring Laeral, Dove, Storm and Alustriel)- The Summoning (2001)
- The Siege (2001)
- The Sorcerer (2002)
- Starlight and Shadows books, by Elaine CunninghamElaine CunninghamElaine Cunningham is an American fantasy and science fiction author, especially known for her contributions to the Dungeons & Dragons role playing game campaign setting of Forgotten Realms, including the realms of Evermeet, Halruaa, Ruathym and Waterdeep.-Biography:Elaine Cunningham grew up in New...
(featuring Qilué)- Daughter of the Drow (2003)
- Tangled Webs (Laeral)
- Windwalker (2003)
- Songs & Swords books, by Elaine Cunningham (featuring Laeral and Alustriel)
- Elfshadow
- Elfsong
- Silver Shadows
- Thornhold
- Dream Spheres