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Phlan is a fictional city in the Forgotten Realms fantasy world campaign setting for the game roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons. The city was first described in adventure module Ruins of Adventure and the Pool of Radiance computer game. It also appeared in Curse of the Azure Bonds, Pools of Darkness, and Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor.

Description

In Ruins of Adventure Phlan is located in the northern section of the Moonsea region at the mouth of the Stojanow River on the fictional continent of Faerûn, which was detailed in the original Forgotten Realms Campaign Set, published in 1987 by TSR.^[1] The current campaign date of the Forgotten Realms (4ed) is 1479 DR — as of the real-world year of 2009.^[2] The city is said to have been founded over 1,000 years ago, and throughout its history a series of destruction and rebuilding has led to the city being walled off into a destroyed, ruined Old Phlan and a rebuilt, shining Civilized Phlan. Phlan is noteworthy not only for its stubbornness but also as the location of the fabled Pool of Radiance, source of power of the otherworldly Tyranthraxus, a major villain in the setting and one of the seven Lost Gods described in 1988's Villains' Lorebook.^[3] The town is described as currently rebuilding from the devastating dragon attack, known as the "Dragon Run", that is said to have happened in 1306 DR. In 'Ruins of Adventure, it is said the city is growing popular as a stop for caravans and ships due to recent troubles in the fictional city of Hillsfar, and adventuring is encouraged through the crumbling ruins of Old Phlan.

Local points of interest include the ruins of Valjevo Castle, once one of the largest castles in Faerûn. Although the idea of rebuilding the castle has been floated, most citizens are wary of the expense. Instead, a group of druids is attempting to recultivate the courtyard. Sokal Keep, a small fortress in the Bay of Phlan, is being rebuilt as a lighthouse. Valhingen Graveyard, north of the city, is rumored to contain powerful undead, and most fear to go there at night. Finally, the only temple in the city is The Waiting, a temple of Tyr. One of the closet settlements to Phlan is Zhentil Keep which is the home of the Zhentarim. These are described in the 38-page Adventurer's Journal, which was include in The original Pool of Radiance computer game and provides the game's background. The booklet features depictions of fliers, maps, and information that characters see in the game, most all of which details Phlan.^[4]

Government

Phlan is ruled by a Council of Ten, with the current High Councilor is said to be a half-orc fighter named Kella Voskorm. The Council has a high turnover rate, as no-confidence elections are held regularly for even the smallest mishaps. It is said the city has a militia of about 120, though a local clan of dwarves has pledged its help to the city and can muster another 100 troops. The city's walled nature is its greatest defense against enemies.^{[citation needed]}

Use in computer games

Pool Of Radiance

Pool of Radiance took place totally in Phlan & the wilderness surrounding Phlan. This is the only game where you visit all parts of the city of Phlan. Zhentil Keep makes an appearance as one of your missions in this game, but Zhentil Keep only plays a minor role in this game.^[4]

Curse Of The Azure Bonds

Phlan makes an appearance in Curse of the Azure Bonds but it's minimal. You can enter Phlan but you only get a menu which allows you to enter shops, go to a dungeon, et al.

Pools Of Darkness

Phlan makes an appearance in Pools of Darkness but it is very short lived. The player characters begin the game in Phlan. This is the only game other than Pool of Radiance where Phlan is shown in 3D. The player can purchase equipment, go to taverns, talk to NPC's, et al. but as soon as the characters leave Phlan, Bane removes Phlan and the other cities from the Moonsea region but leaves only the evil cities.

Pool Of Radiance: Ruins Of Myth Drannor

Phlan makes an appearance in Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor but Phlan only appears in the tutorial which shows people how to play the game.

Use in print

Phlan has appeared in an adventure module and the novelization of the original Pool of Radiance game, as well as two sequels.

Ruins of Adventure

Ruins of Adventure is a Dungeons & Dragons module that served as the basis for the popular "Gold Box" computer role-playing game Pool of Radiance, published in 1988 by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). According to the editors of Dragon magazine, Pool of Radiance was based on Ruins of Adventure, and not vice versa.^[5] The plot loosely tracks that of the computer game. It is now out of print.^[6]

Pool of Radiance

Shal Bal of Cormyr, Tarl Desanea, a cleric of Tyr, and Ren o' the Blade are brought together in Phlan by circumstance and encounter various threats in and around the city of Phlan, culminating in a faceoff with the Lord of the Ruins, Tyranthraxus.

Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (December 23, 1989) ISBN 0880387351 - ISBN 978-0880387354

Pool of Darkness

Phlan, and several other cities across Faerûn have disappeared. Ren o' the Blade returns to Phlan to seek answers, while Shal and Tarl struggle to help keep the city from being overtaken by hordes of monsters.

Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (February 1992) ISBN 1560763183 - ISBN 978-1560763185

Pool of Twilight

The conclusion of the Pool series. Kern, son of Shal and Tarl, and Daile, daughter of Ren search for the missing Warhammer of Tyr.

Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (November 1993) ISBN 1560765828 - ISBN 978-1560765820

References

^ Greenwood, Ed (1987). Forgotten Realms Campaign Set. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-88038-472-7. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ For more information on dates, see Calendars in the Forgotten Realms.
^ Donovan, Dale (1988). Villains' Lorebook. TSR. ISBN 0-7869-1236-7.
^ ^a ^b Wayne (October 1988). "Reviews". Computer + Video Games (84): 18–19, 21. ISBN 0824785029. {{cite journal}}: External link in |issue= (help)
^ "The Role of Computers". Dragon (159): 53. July 1990.
^ Barnes & Noble, 2009, retrieved 20 October 2009

External links

Phlan Portal

[FRCS1st-1] Greenwood, Ed (1987). Forgotten Realms Campaign Set. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-88038-472-7. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[2] For more information on dates, see Calendars in the Forgotten Realms.

[VL-3] Donovan, Dale (1988). Villains' Lorebook. TSR. ISBN 0-7869-1236-7.

[C+VG-4] Wayne (October 1988). "Reviews". Computer + Video Games (84): 18–19, 21. ISBN 0824785029. {{cite journal}}: External link in |issue= (help)

[5] "The Role of Computers". Dragon (159): 53. July 1990.

[bn-6] Barnes & Noble, 2009, retrieved 20 October 2009

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+[[File:TSR 9238 - FRC1 - Ruins of Adventure.jpg|225px|thumb|The title page of ''[[Ruins of Adventure]]'', where the city of Phlan was first detailed.]]
-{{Cleanup|date=February 2009}}
+'''Phlan''' is a fictional city in the [[Forgotten Realms]] [[fantasy world]] [[campaign setting]] for the game [[roleplaying game]] ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''. The city was first described in adventure module ''[[Ruins of Adventure]]'' and the ''[[Pool of Radiance]]'' computer game. It also appeared in ''[[Curse of the Azure Bonds]]'', ''[[Pools of Darkness]]'', and ''[[Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor]]''.
-{{Unreferenced|date=February 2009}}
-'''Phlan''' is a fictional city in the [[Forgotten Realms]] [[fantasy world]] [[campaign setting]] for the game ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''. The city was first described in the [[Pool of Radiance]] computer game. It also appeared in [[Curse of the Azure Bonds]], [[Pools of Darkness]] & [[Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor]].
 ==Description==
-Phlan is a city of about 3000 located in the northern section of the [[Moonsea]] region at the mouth of the Stojanow River{{Vague|date=January 2009}}.  Founded over 1,000 years ago{{When|date=February 2009}}, a series of destruction and rebuilding has led to the city being walled off into a destroyed, ruined Old Phlan and a rebuilt, shining Civilized Phlan.  Phlan is noteworthy not only for its stubbornness but also as the location of the fabled [[Pool of Radiance]], source of power of the otherworldly Tyranthraxus{{Who|date=January 2008}}.  The town is currently rebuilding from the devastating Dragon Run of 1306 DR{{When|date=February 2009}} and is growing even more popular as a stop for caravans and ships with recent troubles with [[Hillsfar]], and adventuring is encouraged through the crumbling ruins of Old Phlan{{Who|date=January 2008}}.
+In ''[[Ruins of Adventure]]'' Phlan is located in the northern section of the [[Moonsea]] region at the mouth of the Stojanow River on the fictional continent of Faerûn, which was detailed in the original ''[[Forgotten Realms Campaign Set]]'', published in 1987 by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]].<ref name="FRCS1st">{{cite book| last=Greenwood| first=Ed| authorlink=Ed Greenwood| coauthors= Jeff Grubb| year=1987| title=Forgotten Realms Campaign Set| publisher=[[TSR, Inc.]]| isbn=0-88038-472-7}}</ref> The current campaign date of the Forgotten Realms (4ed) is 1479 [[Calendars in the Forgotten Realms|DR]] — as of the real-world year of 2009.<ref>For more information on dates, see [[Calendars in the Forgotten Realms]].</ref> The city is said to have been founded over 1,000 years ago, and throughout its history a series of destruction and rebuilding has led to the city being walled off into a destroyed, ruined Old Phlan and a rebuilt, shining Civilized Phlan.  Phlan is noteworthy not only for its stubbornness but also as the location of the fabled [[Pool of Radiance]], source of power of the otherworldly Tyranthraxus, a major villain in the setting and one of the [[seven Lost Gods]] described in 1988's ''[[Villains' Lorebook]]''.<ref name="VL">{{cite book | last=Donovan |first=Dale |title=[[Villains' Lorebook]] |year=1988 |publisher=TSR |isbn=0-7869-1236-7}}</ref> The town is described as currently rebuilding from the devastating dragon attack, known as the "Dragon Run", that is said to have happened in 1306 DR. In '''Ruins of Adventure'', it is said the city is growing popular as a stop for caravans and ships due to recent troubles in the fictional city of [[Hillsfar]], and adventuring is encouraged through the crumbling ruins of Old Phlan.
-Local points of interest include the ruins of Valjevo Castle, once one of the largest castles in [[Faerûn]]{{Who|date=January 2008}}.  Although the idea of rebuilding the castle has been floated, most citizens are wary of the expense.  Instead, a group of druids is attempting to recultivate the courtyard.  Sokal Keep, a small fortress in the Bay of Phlan, is being rebuilt as a lighthouse.  Valhingen Graveyard, north of the city, is rumored to contain powerful undead, and most fear to go there at night.  Finally, the only temple in the city is The Waiting, a temple of [[Tyr (Forgotten Realms)|Tyr]].
-One of the closet settlements to Phlan is [[Zhentil Keep]] which is the home of the [[Zhentarim]].
+Local points of interest include the ruins of Valjevo Castle, once one of the largest castles in [[Faerûn]].  Although the idea of rebuilding the castle has been floated, most citizens are wary of the expense.  Instead, a group of druids is attempting to recultivate the courtyard.  Sokal Keep, a small fortress in the Bay of Phlan, is being rebuilt as a lighthouse.  Valhingen Graveyard, north of the city, is rumored to contain powerful undead, and most fear to go there at night.  Finally, the only temple in the city is The Waiting, a temple of [[Tyr (Forgotten Realms)|Tyr]]. One of the closet settlements to Phlan is [[Zhentil Keep]] which is the home of the [[Zhentarim]]. These are described in the 38-page ''Adventurer's Journal'', which was include in The original ''[[Pool of Radiance]]'' computer game and provides the game's background. The booklet features depictions of fliers, maps, and information that characters see in the game, most all of which details Phlan.<ref name="C+VG">{{cite journal |title=Reviews |author=Wayne |journal=[[Computer and Video Games|Computer + Video Games]] |issue=[http://amr.abime.net/issue_1638_pages 84] |date=October 1988
-==History==
+|pages=18–19, 21 |isbn=0824785029}}</ref>
-Phlan was founded in 367 DR and leveled 33 years later{{when}} by the First Turnabout, a massive attack by the Dark Alliance of inhumans who swept down on the land.  The people of Phlan stubbornly rebuilt the city, beginning a cycle of destruction and rebirth that would last for a millennium.  Recent disasters include the Dragon Run, Tyranthraxus's corruption in 1340 DR, and an attack by Bane in 1357 DR{{When|date=February 2009}}.
 ==Government==
-Phlan is ruled by a Council of Ten, with the current High Councilor (sometimes called One) a [[half-orc]] [[Fighter (Dungeons & Dragons)|fighter]] named Kella Voskorm.  The Council has a high turnover rate, as no-confidence elections are held regularly for even the smallest mishaps{{Who|date=January 2008}}.  The city has a militia of about 120, though a local clan of dwarves has pledged its help to the city and can muster another 100 troops.  The city's walled nature is its greatest defense against enemies, however{{Who|date=January 2008}}.
+Phlan is ruled by a Council of Ten, with the current High Councilor is said to be a [[half-orc]] [[Fighter (Dungeons & Dragons)|fighter]] named Kella Voskorm.  The Council has a high turnover rate, as no-confidence elections are held regularly for even the smallest mishaps.  It is said the city has a militia of about 120, though a local clan of dwarves has pledged its help to the city and can muster another 100 troops.  The city's walled nature is its greatest defense against enemies.{{cn}}
+==Use in computer games==
-A thieves' guild called The Welcomers operates in the city, and members cut off their left ear as a sign of loyalty.  As most residents of the town are aware of the guild (it works openly), the members prey on visitors to the city, thus their name{{Or|date=January 2008}}.
+====''Pool Of Radiance''====
+[[Pool of Radiance]] took place totally in Phlan & the wilderness surrounding Phlan. This is the only game where you visit all parts of the city of Phlan. Zhentil Keep makes an appearance as one of your missions in this game, but Zhentil Keep only plays a minor role in this game.<ref name="C+VG">{{cite journal |title=Reviews |author=Wayne |journal=[[Computer and Video Games|Computer + Video Games]] |issue=[http://amr.abime.net/issue_1638_pages 84] |date=October 1988
+|pages=18–19, 21 |isbn=0824785029}}</ref>
+====''Curse Of The Azure Bonds''====
-==Other media==
-===Pool Of Radiance===
-[[Pool of Radiance]] took place totally in Phlan & the wilderness surrounding Phlan. This is the only game where you visit all parts of the city of Phlan. Zhentil Keep makes an appearance as one of your missions in this game, but Zhentil Keep only plays a minor role in this game.
-===Curse Of The Azure Bonds===
 Phlan makes an appearance in [[Curse of the Azure Bonds]] but it's minimal. You can enter Phlan but you only get a menu which allows you to enter shops, go to a dungeon, et al.
-===Pools Of Darkness===
+====''Pools Of Darkness''====
 Phlan makes an appearance in ''[[Pools of Darkness]]'' but it is very short lived. The player characters begin the game in Phlan. This is the only game other than ''Pool of Radiance'' where Phlan is shown in 3D. The player can purchase equipment, go to taverns, talk to NPC's, et al. but as soon as the characters leave Phlan, [[Bane (god)|Bane]] removes Phlan and the other cities from the [[Moonsea]] region but leaves only the evil cities.
-===Pool Of Radiance: Ruins Of Myth Drannor===
+====''Pool Of Radiance: Ruins Of Myth Drannor''====
 Phlan makes an appearance in [[Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor]] but Phlan only appears in the tutorial which shows people how to play the game.
-===Novels===
+==Use in print==
-Phlan has appeared in the novelization of the original Pool of Radiance game, as well as two sequels.
+Phlan has appeared in an adventure module and the novelization of the original Pool of Radiance game, as well as two sequels.
-====Pool of Radiance====
+===''Ruins of Adventure''===
+''Ruins of Adventure'' is a Dungeons & Dragons module that served as the basis for the popular "[[Gold Box]]" [[computer role-playing game]] ''[[Pool of Radiance]]'', published in 1988 by [[Strategic Simulations, Inc.]] (SSI). According to the editors of ''Dragon'' magazine, ''Pool of Radiance'' was based on ''Ruins of Adventure'', and not vice versa.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Role of Computers |author= |journal=Dragon |issue=159 |date=July 1990
+|page=53}}</ref> The plot loosely tracks that of the computer game. It is now out of print.<ref name="bn">{{Citation
+ | title = Barnes & Noble
+ | year = 2009
+ | url = http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780880385886&box=978-0880385886&pos=-1
+ | accessdate = 20 October 2009}}</ref>
+===''Pool of Radiance''===
 Shal Bal of Cormyr, Tarl Desanea, a cleric of Tyr, and Ren o' the Blade are brought together in Phlan by circumstance and encounter various threats in and around the city of Phlan, culminating in a faceoff with the Lord of the Ruins, Tyranthraxus.
-Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (December 23, 1989)
+Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (December 23, 1989) ISBN 0880387351 - ISBN 978-0880387354
+===''Pool of Darkness''===
-ISBN 0880387351
-ISBN 978-0880387354
-====Pool of Darkness====
 Phlan, and several other cities across [[Faerûn]] have disappeared.  Ren o' the Blade returns to Phlan to seek answers, while Shal and Tarl struggle to help keep the city from being overtaken by hordes of monsters.
-Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (February 1992)
+Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (February 1992) ISBN 1560763183 - ISBN 978-1560763185
+===''Pool of Twilight''===
-ISBN 1560763183
-ISBN 978-1560763185
-====Pool of Twilight====
 The conclusion of the Pool series.  Kern, son of Shal and Tarl, and Daile, daughter of Ren search for the missing Warhammer of Tyr.
-Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (November 1993)
+Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (November 1993) ISBN 1560765828 - ISBN 978-1560765820
+==References==
-ISBN 1560765828
+{{Reflist}}
-ISBN 978-1560765820
 ==External links==
 * [http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/pg20030219a,0 Phlan Portal]
 [[Category:Forgotten Realms cities]]