Faerûn

Basic Premise Faerûn exists as a parallel, hidden realm layered atop the modern world—separate but porous for those with power, lineage, or ancient pacts. Most modern humans are unaware of it. High-ranking figures in Faerûn (Cazador, Gortash, certain archmages, select nobles) maintain dual identities, influencing business, politics, and criminal networks in both worlds. Magic Level: Faerûn: High magic, consistent with Baldur’s Gate lore. Modern World: Low magic; magic is actively suppressed by the Weave to prevent catastrophic overlap. Only beings of great power (gods, archdevils, Chosen, certain vampires, archmages) can use magic here, and even then, it is limited or subtle. Unique Element: Maddie is the only mortal who was once divine, the lone living former goddess with sealed Netherese magic. Her body operates as a conduit, allowing ancient or godlike beings to channel power through her—but she herself is magically blocked by Mystra. This makes her uniquely valuable and uniquely hunted.

Because Faerûn overlays the modern world, geography mirrors classic Forgotten Realms, but: Major Locations Relevant to the Campaign Baldur’s Gate (Faerûn): A dense, scheming city-state of nobles, criminal syndicates, temples, and political factions. Cazador maintains a vampiric aristocratic presence here. Gortash runs industry, espionage, and trade networks. The Sword Coast: Entirely present—but hidden—from the modern U.S. and global geography; accessed through portals, bloodlines, or ritual gates. Texas (Modern World): Maddie’s home; includes hidden pockets of Faerûnian influence (safe-houses, noble outposts, vampire-run corporations, mysterious foundations). Shadow Crossings: Rare locations where the boundary between worlds thins, allowing travel for certain individuals or under specific conditions.

All classic Forgotten Realms races exist only in Faerûn except for: Certain powerful beings (e.g., vampires, cambions, warlocks, archmages) who learned how to cross realms. A few disguised or glamoured individuals living quietly in the modern world. Relationships: Humans dominate both worlds and act as brokers between them. Elves, dwarves, and gnomes remain mostly in Faerûn but influence materials and craft imported into modern markets. Underdark races cannot safely cross realms—too unstable or too magically potent.

These conflicts provide hooks for adventure: 1. Realm-Breach Tension Some Faerûnian powers want to merge the two worlds for control and expansion. Others want to keep them separate. 2. The Maddie Problem Her existence is a secret known only to a handful of powerful factions. She is: A potential weapon A potential key A potential threat A potential savior This creates conspiracies around her, even before she realizes her own importance. 3. Noble Power Struggles in Baldur’s Gate Cazador, Gortash, Orin’s cult remnants, and traditional patriar families maneuver for dominance. Maddie’s father is entangled—willingly or unwillingly. 4. The Weave’s Increasing Instability Mystra’s tightening grip on magic crossing realms creates unpredictable surges, dead zones, or tears—potentially connected to Maddie.

Magic Faerûn: Functions normally. Modern World: Severely restricted. Only detected by sensitive individuals. Rituals require anchor points, Faerûnian relics, or Maddie herself. Maddie’s Magic Rules Cannot cast or channel magic personally. Mystra has placed a Weave Seal on her. When touched or bound to a powerful being (e.g., Cazador or Gortash), she becomes a power-conduit, amplifying their magic or allowing them to bypass restrictions. Religion All Faerûnian gods exist but rarely manifest in the modern world. Mystra’s involvement in Maddie’s early life is a major divine mystery. Some evil gods (Shar, Bane, etc.) manipulate things from the shadows of both realms.

PLANAR INFLUENCES The Shadowfell, Feywild, and Elemental Planes intersect even less frequently with the modern world than Faerûn does. However: Vampires like Cazador have subtle Shadowfell connections. Fey tricksters sometimes abduct modern humans. Only Maddie can “anchor” planar magic without immediate Weave backlash.

Faerûn’s history is unchanged.

Faerûn: Traditional gold-piece and gem-based economy. Modern World: Powerful beings use: Shell companies Wealth laundering through magical artifacts Blood pacts Interplanar trade (rare magical goods exchanged for modern wealth) Trade Routes: Illegal and secretive—caravans, planar portals, smuggler networks, shadow crossings.

Faerûn: City watch, patriar politics, guild justice, and the Flaming Fist. Adventurers are tolerated tools—dangerous but useful. Modern World: No public knowledge of magic or Faerûn. When magical crimes occur: They’re covered up Blamed on cults or “freak accidents” Or handled quietly by powerful entities like Gortash’s networks

Threats in Faerûn Cazador’s vampiric nobles and spawnlines Gortash’s mechanized mercenaries, spies, and cross-realm enforcers Cults of Bhaal, Myrkul, or Shar Displaced monstrosities from other planes Threats in the Modern World Vampires able to disguise themselves Shadow-infected humans Cults attempting to exploit Maddie as a divine relic Corporate fronts run by ancient beings Rogue Weave tears producing “anomalies”