Forgotten Realms Adventures

Forgotten Realms Adventures is an accessory for the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The book, with product code TSR 2106, was published in 1990, and was written by Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood, with cover art by Clyde Caldwell and interior art by Steven Fabian, Ned Dameron, Larry Elmore, Caldwell, and Jeff Easley.

The 154-page hardcover book features a one page foreword from each of the authors. Jeff Grubb explains that this book introduces the Realms to the second edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, and gives a brief overview of setting's history.

Chapter 1 (pages 1-13) details the changes that have occurred to the Forgotten Realms setting since the publishing of the original Forgotten Realms Campaign Set, after the Time of Troubles - the events of the first three books of The Avatar Series of novels. This chapter describes the changes in character class between first edition and second edition, and how to transition older characters to the newer edition. This chapter also describes physical changes to the Realms, including "dead magic regions" (where no magic will function), and "wild magic regions" (spells cast within the area may be altered radically). Firearm technology is also introduced to the setting.

Chapter 2 (pages 15-39) details the various deities of the Realms, and introduces the concept of specialty priests: variants of the cleric with a slightly different set of abilities. The portfolios of 32 deities of the setting are described, along with notes and an illustration for each god's specialty priests, including: Auril, Azuth, Beshaba, Chauntea, Cyric, Deneir, Eldath, Gond, Helm, Ilmater, Lathander, Leira, Lliira, Loviatar, Malar, Mask, Mielikki, Milil, Mystra, Oghma, Selûne, Shar, Silvanus, Sune, Talona, Talos, Tempus, Torm, Tymora, Tyr, Umberlee, and Waukeen. Brief notes are given on nonhuman deities, elemental cults (including those of Grumbar, Kossuth, Akadi, and Istishia), beast cults, and the cult of Ao. The Dead Three (Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul) are also described in the same manner as the 32 active deities.

Chapter 3 (pages 41-67) details magic and the changes to magic and mages in the Realms. This chapter presents 81 magic spells which are in general use, including spells bearing the names of notable mages such as Laeral, Khelben, The Simbul, and Elminster.

Chapter 4 (pages 69-122) details several cities of the Heartlands of the Realms, including descriptions of who rules (and who really rules), population figures and major products, armed forces, notable mages, notable churches, notable rogues' and thieves' guilds, equipment shops, adventurers' quarters, important characters, and other important features in town. 24 cities are described, including Arabel, Baldur's Gate, Berdusk, Calaunt, Daerlun, Elturel, Eversult, Hillsfar, Iriaebor, Marsember, Mulmaster, Ordelun, Procampur, Saerlun, Scornubel, Selgaunt, Shadowdale, Suzail, Tantras, Tilverton, Urmlaspyr, Westgate, Yhaunn, and Zhentil Keep. Also included is a page featuring heraldry symbols of various nations, towns, dales, mercenary units, and other organizations, in addition to other symbols shown throughout the text.

Chapter 5 (pages 123-128) details secret societies of the heartlands, including the Harpers, the Zhentarim, and the Red Wizards of Thay.

Chapter 6 (pages 129-146) details a wide variety of different types of treasure that adventuring player characters may discover. Various types of gems, ornamental stones, semi-precious stones, fancy stones, precious stones, gem stones, jewels, hardstones, shells, and art objects are described in detail.

Four appendices are also included in the book. Appendix 1, on page 147, is a treasure table for determining random treasure. Appendix 2 (pages 148-149) is a list of wizard spells by school, Appendix 3 (pages 150-151) is a list of wizard spells by level, Appendix 4 (pages 152-153) contains random spell lists; these three appendices compile spells from Forgotten Realms Adventures and the second edition Player's Handbook.

Page 154 contains a bibliography detailing all Forgotten Realms products published by TSR up to March 1990. This includes all boxed sets, adventures and accessories, board games, products for the Kara-Tur setting, and novels.

Additional reading

 * Review: White Wolf #23 (1990)
 * "An evening (wasted) with Elminster", Dragon #153.