Niflheim — (2007-2008) Publisher: Orivon Firefist was captured as a six-year-old child by the Nilfghar — the dark elves — who attacked his village by night on one of their surface raids. Fifteen years later, he is a moon-pale, scarred, muscular giant of a man, who has spent his days at forgework for a dark elf family. He is also forced to use his great strength to shift furniture in the grand rooms of their castle. He has been trained (and flogged and ordered about) by the beautiful Tsarnarra, a lash-wielding matron who is icily cruel, but proud of the slaves that she has trained. Through all of this, Orivon’s spirit has never been broken. He longs to return to the surface world, even if that means destroying the entire dark elf empire along the way!

Shandril’s Saga — (1988-2002) by Ed Greenwood. Publisher: The Fire That Burns It can lay low a dragon or heal a wounded warrior. It is the most sought-after magical power in all Faerûn. And it is in the reluctant hands of Shandril of Highmoon, a young, orphaned kitchen-lass. Now she’s on the run from half of the evil sorcerers in the land, not to mention their relentless minions. But with the help of a handsome young wizard, some rough-and-tumble Knights of Myth Drannor, and a certain old mage of Shadowdale, she just might manage to stay alive. At least until tomorrow.

Elminster — (1994-2004) by Ed Greenwood. Publisher: “In ancient days, sorcerers sought to learn the One True Spell that would give them power over all the world and understanding of all magic… The One True Spell was a woman, and her name was Mystra – and her kisses were wonderful.” (Priest Halivon, Tharnstar Tales Told to a Blind Wizard). It is the time before Myth Drannor, when the Heartlands are home to barbarians, and wicked dragons rule the skies. In these ancient days, Elminster is but a shepherd boy, dreaming of adventure and heroics. When a dragon-riding magelord sweeps down upon him, though, the boy is thrust into a world of harsh realities, corrupt rulers, and evil sorcerers. With patience and grit, Elminster sets about to change all that. The result of his labors is a world reborn and a mage made. The origins of Elminster, mightiest mage in Faerûn, have long been lost in the wash of time. Only the old wizard himself remembers how he came into being, and he hasn’t told. Until now…

The Shadow of the Avatar — (1995) by Ed Greenwood. Publisher: It was the Eve of the Time of Troubles. The chaos of spilled blood, lawless strife, monsters unleashed, and avatars roaming Faerûn was still to come. Unbeknownst to mortals, the gods had been summoned together, and among them was Mystra, grown proud and willful in the passing eons. With the others, she was about to be stripped of her goodhood. The secret of her power gave her an idea. She made certain preparations, looking always for one who would be her successor… But until that person’s ascension, her power must be preserved. A lone mortal must carry the greater share of her divine energy until the power could be reclaimed, and it was the fate of this mortal to risk being destroyed or driven wild, involuntary and without warning. This was the occasion of Elminster’s Doom.

The Cormyr Saga — (1996-2000) by Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb, and Troy Denning. Publisher: The epic struggle of a family… and a nation. Cormyr has been ruled by the Obarskyr family since its inception one and a half millenia ago. Now its king, Azoun IV, lies on his deathbed, and the vulturs are circling, hoping to usurp the throne for their own. Against this crisis of state, the history of the Forest Kingdom unfolds, relating the previously untold story of a nation, its rulers, and its wizards.

Silverfall: Stories of the Seven Sisters — (1999) by Ed Greenwood. Publisher: Rise, and be not afraid. Widespread and many-tentacled is the evil that threatens Faerûn. Before its heart can be found, all of the Seven Sisters will play a part, and all too much blood will be spilled… drow blood. Seven beautiful sisters, all touched by the hand of the goddess Mystra, are together in one book for the first time as they match wits and magical powers with a Realms-spanning conspiracy.

The Harpers — (1991-1998) by Troy Denning, Elaine Cunningham, Jean Rabe, Scott Ciencin, James Lowder, Mark Anthony, David Cook, Charles Alexander Moffat, Ed Greenwood, Kate Novak, Jeff Grubb. Publisher: Determined to drive a trade route through Anauroch, the Zhentarim have sent an army to enslave the fierce nomads of the Great Desert. As tribe after tribe fall to the intruders, only a single woman, Ruha, sees the true danger — but what sheikh will heed the advice of an outcast witch? Ruha finds help from an unexpected source. The Harpers, guardians of liberty throughout the Realms, have sent an agent to counter the Zhentarim. If she can help this stranger win the trust of the sheikhs, perhaps he can overcome the tribes’ ancestral rivalries and drive the invaders from the desert.

Double Diamond Triangle — (1998) by J. Robert King, James Ward & David Wise, Ed Greenwood, Roger E. Moore, Dave Gross, David Cook & Peter Archer, and Richard Baker. Publisher: Someone has kidnapped the fiancee of the Open Lord of Waterdeep on the eve of their wedding. Now the lord, Piergeiron the Palidinson, must find out who — but nothing is quite what it seems.

Sembia — (2000-2003) by Ed Greenwood, Clayton Emery, Paul S. Kemp, Richard Lee Byers, Dave Gross, Lisa Smedman, and Voronica Whitney-Robinson. Young adult. Publisher: The Halls of Stormweather, a novel in seven parts, is the first book in a series that explores the mean streets of a city where everything has its price and even the wealthiest families will do anything to survive! Ed Greenwood — The creator of the Forgotten Realms begins the tale with the capable but embattled patriarch of the Uskevren family. Clayton Emery — The heir to the family fortune is brought to life by the author of Star of Cursrah and the Netheril Trilogy. Lisa Smedman — A veteran science fiction and fantasy author shows us a young woman who’s more than just a maid. Dave Gross — The author of An Opportunity for Profit tells the story of the youngest son who carries a horrifying curse. Voronica Whitney-Robinson — The story of the willful daughter Thazienne is told by the co-author of Spectre of the Black Rose. Richard Lee Byers — The author of Dark Kingdoms tells a tale of a wife with a past as long as it is dark. Paul Kemp — A talented newcomer creates a servant with more secrets than his master could ever guess.

The Best of the Realms — (2003-2009) Favorite Forgotten Realms stories. By R.A. Salvatore, Ed Greenwood, Elaine Cunningham.

Waterdeep — (2008-2010) by Steven E. Schend, Jaleigh Johnson, Erik Scott de Bie, Rosemary Jones, Ed Greenwood (editor). Young adult. Publisher: A Call for Heroes! A young group of friends stumble across a terrifying conspiracy that holds the heir to the Blackstaff, the defender of the city of Waterdeep, in terrible danger. These friends must search deep within themselves to become the heroes their city needs to save its champion from those who would see both brought low. Ed Greenwood, beloved author and creator of the Forgotten Realms, presents the first book in a brand-new series dedicated to showcasing both the City of Splendors and our most talented up-and-coming authors. A series of stand-alone adventurers, this book and the series to which it belongs were written specifically for those readers with no prior knowledge of the Forgotten Realms, making it an excellent entry point for new readers.