The Netheril empire of magic was a powerful civilization that existed in the Forgotten Realms fantasy setting. This ancient empire was known for its mastery of arcane magic and its colossal floating cities. The Netherese were renowned for their incredible magical prowess and their ability to shape reality with their spells. At its height, the Netheril empire spanned a vast territory and controlled numerous floating cities called Netherese enclaves. These enchanting cities were created using a magical spell known as the mythal, which allowed the Netherese to manipulate the fabric of reality and defy the laws of nature. The Netherese were highly skilled arcanists who pushed the boundaries of magic beyond what was thought possible.
Netheril: Empire of Magic [BOX SET]
The precipitation spell has doubled effect in humid climates, causing only slight dampness in arid climates, produces light sleet at temperatures near freezing, and creates snow if the temperature is below freezing. This caused all the floating Netheril cities -- the enclaves created and run by 20 level mages -- to pile drive into the ground, old mages to turn to dust and all sort of trouble all over the place.
The Netherese were highly skilled arcanists who pushed the boundaries of magic beyond what was thought possible. They developed powerful spells, such as the infamous Netherese spellplague, which unleashed wild magic and reshaped much of the world. However, the Netheril empire eventually met its downfall.
NETHERIL: Forgotten Realms’ Lost Empire of Magic (1996) – MAPS Before and After The Fall
“Journey back 5,000 years into Faerûn’s past and visit the archwizards of Netheril. View their fantastic floating cities, enclaves of magic that shook the ground far below. Travel to a time when magic was raw and powerful, when spellcasters stood supreme in the eyes of their nation. Meet Karsus, an archwizard so powerful he wielded magic that made him a god…”
Netheril is a myth for later residents of the Forgotten Realms, a tale of lost greatness and hubris. Archwizards would lop the tops off mountain peaks, flip them and construct floating cities. Mythallars powered magic and devices for even the common citizens, a mirror of our modern consumer culture. Humans could live astonishingly long lifespans.
The Arcane Age endured for several thousand years until a man decided he would replace a god through a 12th-level spell, Karsus’ Avatar. It did not go as planned.
The land had already been wilting. When the casting went awry, Netheril was laid waste. Cities fell from the sky, plunging their citizens to their deaths in a relentless apocalypse.
Netheril: Empire of Magic [BOX SET]
1996 … slade & Jim Butler … TSR 1147 … ISBN 0786904372
Netheril in PDF at DriveThruRPG – The Netheril set has become a collector item in the used market. DTRPG has the PDF for only $10.
The Maps
Netheril is a fascinating set. In particular, I want to draw attention to the color poster maps.
Each covers the same region, which would become Anauroch in the modern Forgotten Realms: “Netheril at its Height: The Golden Age” and “Netheril at the Fall: 3520 NY“.
Between the two maps, the decline of the land is clear. The Netheril setting readily lends itself to a time-travel campaign from modern Anauroch backwards to different eras of Netheril.
The color maps were painted by Roy Boholst.
Contrasts
Despite the general drying-out of the land, in the north, the High Ice was advancing. The creation of Anauroch was not a natural process.
The Reverse Sides of the Maps
Map 1147XXX0701 side 2 Map 1147XXX0702 sd2Quick Look Inside “The Winds of Netheril”
The spells we know today have their origins in Netheril.
A negative: The books use an awful mottled page background. I assume it was to evoke the feeling of reading ancient scrolls. Personally, I find it more distracting than helpful. But that’s my only real complaint of the otherwise excellent Netheril set.
See Also:
The excessive use of magic and the arrogance of its rulers led to a catastrophic event known as the Karsus's Folly. In an attempt to ascend to godhood, the archwizard Karsus cast a spell that allowed him to steal the power of the goddess of magic, Mystryl. This act upset the balance of magic and caused the mythal to collapse, resulting in the destruction of numerous Netherese cities and the downfall of the empire. Following the downfall of the Netheril empire, the surviving Netherese kingdoms and enclaves became fragmented. Many Netherese survivors hid themselves away or adapted to the changing world, while others sought to regain the glory of their fallen empire. Despite its demise, the legacy of the Netheril empire has left a significant impact on the Forgotten Realms. Netheril's ruins are scattered throughout the land, and their ancient artifacts and magical knowledge continue to be sought after by adventurers, scholars, and various factions. In conclusion, the Netheril empire of magic was a civilization steeped in arcane power and controlled by the mages of extraordinary ability. It rose to great heights, only to be brought low by its own hubris and misuse of magic. Its remnants continue to influence the world even to this day, a testament to the power and danger of unbridled magical might..
Reviews for "The Role of Netheril's Citadel in the Empire's Magical Defense"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I found "Netheril Empire of Magic" to be an overwhelming and confusing read. The author introduced so many characters and concepts without properly developing them, which made it difficult for me to connect with the story. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with leaps in time that left me feeling disoriented. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "Netheril Empire of Magic" was a complete letdown. The plot was convoluted and lacked coherence. The author seemed more focused on showcasing their knowledge of world-building rather than crafting a compelling story. Furthermore, the dialogue was unrealistic and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the characters. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone searching for a well-written fantasy novel.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Netheril Empire of Magic" but was ultimately disappointed. The world-building was impressive and detailed, but unfortunately, the characters fell flat. They lacked depth and felt like stereotypes rather than fully fleshed out individuals. Additionally, the pacing dragged at times, causing the story to lose momentum. Overall, I found this book to be a mediocre addition to the fantasy genre.
4. Emily - 3/5 stars - While "Netheril Empire of Magic" had its strong points, there were aspects that didn't resonate with me. The writing style was dense and overly descriptive, making it a slow read. I also found it challenging to keep track of the numerous subplots and characters. However, the magic system and world-building were intriguing, which kept me somewhat invested in the story. Although it didn't meet my expectations, I can see how others might enjoy this book more than I did.
5. Mark - 2/5 stars - "Netheril Empire of Magic" was a letdown for me. The plot was confusing and lacked a clear direction. I struggled to connect with the characters, who felt underdeveloped and lacked personality. The pacing was also an issue, with long stretches of inaction that made the narrative drag. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointing read and would not recommend it to fans of fantasy literature.