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Removed reference to LMoP because there are multiple conflicting examples that place it in a wide range of dates.
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GoodSirTheSir
GoodSirTheSir
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This is a reliable source for Forgotten Realms Lore, but it predates current events

As stated in the linked product description of Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms: "It's largely focused on life in the 1350s, before any of the changes brought on by the D&D game." From my reading of this book, it less focuses on specific places and events and is more of a culture or style guide that explain the vibe of Forgotten Realms media. For context, Ed Greenwood is the original creator of the Forgotten Realms setting.

Various 5e Forgotten Realms adventures place the current timeline in roughly the 1490's. Princes of the Apocalypse explicitly sets itself in 1491 while Lost Mine of Phandelver references the eruption of Mount Hotenow (1451 DR) happening "30 years ago" which would also put it in the same year. That being said, the exact dates of most adventures are (intentionally) nebulous, using language like "This adventure takes place in the winter of 1489 Dr or later" in Rime of the Frostmaiden to give DMs the flexibility in their own campaign timelines.

As far as "comprehensive" books, I believe The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide is the most complete for this edition. There aren't very many novels that take place during this time period so I think it is the best snapshot of the state of the Realms currently published. Some adventures offer lore tidbits written from in-universe character perspectives. Chapter 9 of Dragon Heist is written as "Volo's Waterdeep Enchiridion" and details a lot of the culture of Waterdeep.

From my understanding of your question and comments, I think this is the best I can do for 5e-specific material. I will note, that while a lot of the effects of what was going on in 3rd and 4th edition were undone through the Second Sundering, they weren't erased and are still part of the lore of The Forgotten Realms.

This is a reliable source for Forgotten Realms Lore, but it predates current events

As stated in the linked product description of Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms: "It's largely focused on life in the 1350s, before any of the changes brought on by the D&D game." From my reading of this book, it less focuses on specific places and events and is more of a culture or style guide that explain the vibe of Forgotten Realms media. For context, Ed Greenwood is the original creator of the Forgotten Realms setting.

Various 5e Forgotten Realms adventures place the current timeline in roughly the 1490's. Princes of the Apocalypse explicitly sets itself in 1491 while Lost Mine of Phandelver references the eruption of Mount Hotenow (1451 DR) happening "30 years ago" which would also put it in the same year. That being said, the exact dates of adventures are (intentionally) nebulous, using language like "This adventure takes place in the winter of 1489 Dr or later" in Rime of the Frostmaiden to give DMs the flexibility in their own campaign timelines.

As far as "comprehensive" books, I believe The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide is the most complete for this edition. There aren't very many novels that take place during this time period so I think it is the best snapshot of the state of the Realms currently published. Some adventures offer lore tidbits written from in-universe character perspectives. Chapter 9 of Dragon Heist is written as "Volo's Waterdeep Enchiridion" and details a lot of the culture of Waterdeep.

From my understanding of your question and comments, I think this is the best I can do for 5e-specific material. I will note, that while a lot of the effects of what was going on in 3rd and 4th edition were undone through the Second Sundering, they weren't erased and are still part of the lore of The Forgotten Realms.

This is a reliable source for Forgotten Realms Lore, but it predates current events

As stated in the linked product description of Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms: "It's largely focused on life in the 1350s, before any of the changes brought on by the D&D game." From my reading of this book, it less focuses on specific places and events and is more of a culture or style guide that explain the vibe of Forgotten Realms media. For context, Ed Greenwood is the original creator of the Forgotten Realms setting.

Various 5e Forgotten Realms adventures place the current timeline in roughly the 1490's. Princes of the Apocalypse explicitly sets itself in 1491. That being said, the exact dates of most adventures are (intentionally) nebulous, using language like "This adventure takes place in the winter of 1489 Dr or later" in Rime of the Frostmaiden to give DMs the flexibility in their own campaign timelines.

As far as "comprehensive" books, I believe The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide is the most complete for this edition. There aren't very many novels that take place during this time period so I think it is the best snapshot of the state of the Realms currently published. Some adventures offer lore tidbits written from in-universe character perspectives. Chapter 9 of Dragon Heist is written as "Volo's Waterdeep Enchiridion" and details a lot of the culture of Waterdeep.

From my understanding of your question and comments, I think this is the best I can do for 5e-specific material. I will note, that while a lot of the effects of what was going on in 3rd and 4th edition were undone through the Second Sundering, they weren't erased and are still part of the lore of The Forgotten Realms.

deleted 1 character in body
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Nobody the Hobgoblin
Nobody the Hobgoblin
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This is a reliable source for Forgotten Realms Lore, but it predates current events

As stated in the linked product description of Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms: "It's largely focused on life in the 1350s, before any of the changes brought on by the D&D game." From my reading of this book, it less focuses on specific places and events and is more of a culture or style guide that explain the vibe of Forgotten Realms media. For context, Ed Greenwood is the original creator of the Forgotten Realms setting.

Various 5e Forgotten Realms adventures place the current timeline in roughly the 1490's. Prince'sPrinces of the Apocalypse explicitly sets itself in 1491 while Lost Mine of Phandelver references the eruption of Mount Hotenow (1451 DR) happening "30 years ago" which would also put it in the same year. That being said, the exact dates of adventures are (intentionally) nebulous, using language like "This adventure takes place in the winter of 1489 Dr or later" in Rime of the Frostmaiden to give DMs the flexibility in their own campaign timelines.

As far as "comprehensive" books, I believe The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide is the most complete for this edition. There aren't very many novels that take place during this time period so I think it is the best snapshot of the state of the Realms currently published. Some adventures offer lore tidbits written from in-universe character perspectives. Chapter 9 of Dragon Heist is written as "Volo's Waterdeep Enchiridion" and details a lot of the culture of Waterdeep.

From my understanding of your question and comments, I think this is the best I can do for 5e-specific material. I will note, that while a lot of the effects of what was going on in 3rd and 4th edition were undone through the Second Sundering, they weren't erased and are still part of the lore of The Forgotten Realms.

This is a reliable source for Forgotten Realms Lore, but it predates current events

As stated in the linked product description of Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms: "It's largely focused on life in the 1350s, before any of the changes brought on by the D&D game." From my reading of this book, it less focuses on specific places and events and is more of a culture or style guide that explain the vibe of Forgotten Realms media. For context, Ed Greenwood is the original creator of the Forgotten Realms setting.

Various 5e Forgotten Realms adventures place the current timeline in roughly the 1490's. Prince's of the Apocalypse explicitly sets itself in 1491 while Lost Mine of Phandelver references the eruption of Mount Hotenow (1451 DR) happening "30 years ago" which would also put it in the same year. That being said, the exact dates of adventures are (intentionally) nebulous, using language like "This adventure takes place in the winter of 1489 Dr or later" in Rime of the Frostmaiden to give DMs the flexibility in their own campaign timelines.

As far as "comprehensive" books, I believe The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide is the most complete for this edition. There aren't very many novels that take place during this time period so I think it is the best snapshot of the state of the Realms currently published. Some adventures offer lore tidbits written from in-universe character perspectives. Chapter 9 of Dragon Heist is written as "Volo's Waterdeep Enchiridion" and details a lot of the culture of Waterdeep.

From my understanding of your question and comments, I think this is the best I can do for 5e-specific material. I will note, that while a lot of the effects of what was going on in 3rd and 4th edition were undone through the Second Sundering, they weren't erased and are still part of the lore of The Forgotten Realms.

This is a reliable source for Forgotten Realms Lore, but it predates current events

As stated in the linked product description of Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms: "It's largely focused on life in the 1350s, before any of the changes brought on by the D&D game." From my reading of this book, it less focuses on specific places and events and is more of a culture or style guide that explain the vibe of Forgotten Realms media. For context, Ed Greenwood is the original creator of the Forgotten Realms setting.

Various 5e Forgotten Realms adventures place the current timeline in roughly the 1490's. Princes of the Apocalypse explicitly sets itself in 1491 while Lost Mine of Phandelver references the eruption of Mount Hotenow (1451 DR) happening "30 years ago" which would also put it in the same year. That being said, the exact dates of adventures are (intentionally) nebulous, using language like "This adventure takes place in the winter of 1489 Dr or later" in Rime of the Frostmaiden to give DMs the flexibility in their own campaign timelines.

As far as "comprehensive" books, I believe The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide is the most complete for this edition. There aren't very many novels that take place during this time period so I think it is the best snapshot of the state of the Realms currently published. Some adventures offer lore tidbits written from in-universe character perspectives. Chapter 9 of Dragon Heist is written as "Volo's Waterdeep Enchiridion" and details a lot of the culture of Waterdeep.

From my understanding of your question and comments, I think this is the best I can do for 5e-specific material. I will note, that while a lot of the effects of what was going on in 3rd and 4th edition were undone through the Second Sundering, they weren't erased and are still part of the lore of The Forgotten Realms.

Source Link
GoodSirTheSir
GoodSirTheSir
  • 2.3k
  • 20
  • 23

This is a reliable source for Forgotten Realms Lore, but it predates current events

As stated in the linked product description of Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms: "It's largely focused on life in the 1350s, before any of the changes brought on by the D&D game." From my reading of this book, it less focuses on specific places and events and is more of a culture or style guide that explain the vibe of Forgotten Realms media. For context, Ed Greenwood is the original creator of the Forgotten Realms setting.

Various 5e Forgotten Realms adventures place the current timeline in roughly the 1490's. Prince's of the Apocalypse explicitly sets itself in 1491 while Lost Mine of Phandelver references the eruption of Mount Hotenow (1451 DR) happening "30 years ago" which would also put it in the same year. That being said, the exact dates of adventures are (intentionally) nebulous, using language like "This adventure takes place in the winter of 1489 Dr or later" in Rime of the Frostmaiden to give DMs the flexibility in their own campaign timelines.

As far as "comprehensive" books, I believe The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide is the most complete for this edition. There aren't very many novels that take place during this time period so I think it is the best snapshot of the state of the Realms currently published. Some adventures offer lore tidbits written from in-universe character perspectives. Chapter 9 of Dragon Heist is written as "Volo's Waterdeep Enchiridion" and details a lot of the culture of Waterdeep.

From my understanding of your question and comments, I think this is the best I can do for 5e-specific material. I will note, that while a lot of the effects of what was going on in 3rd and 4th edition were undone through the Second Sundering, they weren't erased and are still part of the lore of The Forgotten Realms.