The Shining South
Encyclopedia
The Shining South 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 9388, was published in 1993, and was written by Tom Prusa, with cover art by Jeff Butler
.
The 96-page booklet is wrapped in a removable gatefold cover. The book includes a one-page introduction, explaining that this book covers the region known as the Shining South, and the various countries that comprise it. Pages 3-22 detail the land of Halruaa, a rich, reclusive land famous for its magic. Described are Halruaa's geography and climate, history, government and politics, people and customs, languages, social customs, religion, money and commerce, cities, places of interest, NPCs
, adventures, magic spells, magical items
, and its famed skyships. Pages 23-41 detail the land of Dambrath, a land populated by half-drow, including its geography and climate, history, government and politics, people and customs, languages, social customs, religion, money and commerce, cities, villages and ranchos, places of interest, NPCs, and adventures. Pages 42-52 detail the land of Luiren, the land of the halfling
s, including its geography and climate, history, government and politics, people and customs, social customs, religion, money and commerce, cities, places of interest, NPCs, adventures, and new non-weapon proficiencies. Pages 53-72 detail the lands of Durpar, Var, and Estagund, also known as the Shining Lands, including their geography and climate, history, government and politics, people and customs, languages, social customs, religion, money and commerce, cities, places of interest, NPCs, adventures, and a new thief
-class kit. Pages 73-80 detail the land of Ulgarth, including its geography and climate, history, government and politics, people and customs, languages, social customs, religion, money and commerce, cities, places of interest, NPCs, and adventures. Pages 82-93 present two Shining South adventure scenarios, Gateway to Elsewhere and Dark as Dark. Pages 94-95 detail two monsters of the Shining South, the dark tree and the laraken.
This book also includes a fold-out color poster map of the region. The inside front cover contains a description of Durparian specialty priests, while the inside back cover contains a list of the thirty-one leading chakas of Durpar. The inside gatefold cover contains a description of Luiren specialty priests, while the outside gatefold cover presents a color map of the city of Vaelen.
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
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
for the second edition of the Advanced 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...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. The book, with product code TSR 9388, was published in 1993, and was written by Tom Prusa, with cover art by Jeff Butler
Jeff Butler
Jeff Butler is an American illustrator and comic book artist. Butler worked with the art department of TSR, Inc...
.
The 96-page booklet is wrapped in a removable gatefold cover. The book includes a one-page introduction, explaining that this book covers the region known as the Shining South, and the various countries that comprise it. Pages 3-22 detail the land of Halruaa, a rich, reclusive land famous for its magic. Described are Halruaa's geography and climate, history, government and politics, people and customs, languages, social customs, religion, money and commerce, cities, places of interest, NPCs
Non-player character
A non-player character , sometimes known as a non-person character or non-playable character, in a game is any fictional character not controlled by a player. In electronic games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer through artificial intelligence...
, adventures, magic spells, magical items
Magic item (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a magic item is any object that has magical powers inherent in it. These may act on their own or be the tools of the character in whose hands they fall into. Magic items have been prevalent in the game in every edition and setting, from the...
, and its famed skyships. Pages 23-41 detail the land of Dambrath, a land populated by half-drow, including its geography and climate, history, government and politics, people and customs, languages, social customs, religion, money and commerce, cities, villages and ranchos, places of interest, NPCs, and adventures. Pages 42-52 detail the land of Luiren, the land of the halfling
Halfling
Halfling is another name for J. R. R. Tolkien's Hobbit which can be a fictional race sometimes found in fantasy novels and games. In many settings, they are similar to humans except about half the size. Dungeons & Dragons began using the name halfling as an alternative to hobbit for legal reasons...
s, including its geography and climate, history, government and politics, people and customs, social customs, religion, money and commerce, cities, places of interest, NPCs, adventures, and new non-weapon proficiencies. Pages 53-72 detail the lands of Durpar, Var, and Estagund, also known as the Shining Lands, including their geography and climate, history, government and politics, people and customs, languages, social customs, religion, money and commerce, cities, places of interest, NPCs, adventures, and a new thief
Rogue (Dungeons & Dragons)
The rogue or thief is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A rogue is a versatile character, capable of sneaky combat and nimble tricks...
-class kit. Pages 73-80 detail the land of Ulgarth, including its geography and climate, history, government and politics, people and customs, languages, social customs, religion, money and commerce, cities, places of interest, NPCs, and adventures. Pages 82-93 present two Shining South adventure scenarios, Gateway to Elsewhere and Dark as Dark. Pages 94-95 detail two monsters of the Shining South, the dark tree and the laraken.
This book also includes a fold-out color poster map of the region. The inside front cover contains a description of Durparian specialty priests, while the inside back cover contains a list of the thirty-one leading chakas of Durpar. The inside gatefold cover contains a description of Luiren specialty priests, while the outside gatefold cover presents a color map of the city of Vaelen.