@TheEdVerse I hope your recovery is going well! 🙂 I have a couple questions if you don't mind: (1) is Velen still an independent duchy and (2) while Athkatla seems a reasonable place to restock/refresh while traveling via ship from Waterdeep to Port Nyranzaru, is Velen? Thanks!

— Elisabeth (@ElisabethADixon) October 7, 2019

Hi! Yes, Velen is still an independent duchy, ruled by a Duke, but it now enjoys friendly relations with Tethyr (the two realms are staunch allies, cooperating against pirates and mercenary forays sponsored by ambitious 2)
…satraps of Calimshan seeking to annex territory). Within Velen, many Tethyrian loyalists work to overthrow Velen’s ruling duke and courtiers, but they work quietly (if you want things to become violent in your campaign, …#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 8, 2019

3)
…there’s a DM’s Guild adventure, MURDER IN VELEN, that covers such events).
Regardless of how much unrest and tumult you want to have in Velen itself, it has always been a stronghold resisting the pirates of the Nelanther, 4)
…meaning it’s well-defended (with ballistae and trebuchets stationed on heights, a harbour chain and harbor defense ships bristling with ballistae that can launch fiery missiles to set ships aflame, and a well-equipped… #Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 8, 2019

5)
…fighting force of defenders, the Stalwart Shields or just “Stalwarts,” who know how to swim), well-equipped (full drydocks for ship repairs, several sailmakers and ropers { =ropemakers} and outfitters who can swiftly turn a… 6)
…ship from a damaged hulk into a seaworthy vessel), and well-provisioned (not only does it have coopers and warehouses galore, it’s endured pirate sieges in the past and so by local law has food-stores “laid by” as well as a…#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 8, 2019

7)
…lot of edible goods warehoused for trading. Sailors on the Sword Coast know that Velen is a reliable source for casks of salted meat and biscuits, wheels of cheese, and pickles, all in bulk sufficient to fill the cargo holds 8)
…of any large Sword Coast cogs.
Which is a long-winded way of saying to your questions: 1. Yes. And 2. Yes. ;}#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 8, 2019

is there a mine complex inside Citadel Felbarr? Yes. Leading down to a forge rift (lava vent that dwarves use the heat of, like a forge-fire).#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 30, 2019

That's really interesting to hear. So, regarding Tyr's entry on the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide, would you say this habit of wearing cloth over the eyes is misguided? Is Tyr now to be associated with fairness after all? Are there conflicts about it in the church of Tyr/Torm? pic.twitter.com/Ne47A5HavB

— Sanderson Tavares (@Sands_Tavares) October 12, 2019

1)
Wearing cloth over the eyes is a ritual/habit that, like most “displays” (uses of symbols, colours, gestures, etc.) will persist despite changes in doctrine. The clergy who do it don’t feel it’s misguided, which is what 2)
…matters when it comes to their continuing to do it. As for fairness, that’s a slippery thing. Again, the clergy of Tyr have always believed any fairness in the world comes from their deity and their diligence in service to…#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 13, 2019

3)
…him, but outsiders may disagree, now and in the past. And yes, there are constant conflicts over doctrine, what the gods involved really mean by this or that action or manifestation or pronouncement, and what 4)
…the ‘right thing to do’ is, for Holy Faithful (= we ordained priests) in this or that situation. Unlike in our real world, sane beings in the Realms never doubt their belief (the existence of the gods); their crises of faith are…#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 13, 2019

5)
…all about what the correct interpretation is, how they should best serve the deity, and what the deity wants them to do. We all bring our own preferences, past experience, and human emotions to the table; mortal clergy in 6)
…the Realms are no different.#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 13, 2019