![[2image_unknown.png]] **Type:** Surviving offshoots of the ancient [[Netheril]] empire **Origin:** Once-mighty arcane civilization (–3859 DR to –339 DR) **Location:** Scattered across [[Faerûn]]- ruins, shadowed enclaves, hidden redoubts **Note**: The Netherese are the lingering descendants and splinter factions of ancient Netheril, the empire whose floating cities and archwizard-lords once redefined the limits of mortal magic. Though their civilization fell when [[Karsus]] shattered [[The Weave]] itself, scattered Netherese bloodlines, arcane traditions, and shadow-bound sects survived in hidden pockets of the world. Many resurfaced in the 1370s–1380s DR as the [[Shadovar]], returning from the [[Shadowfell]] with the flying city of Shade and ambitions to reclaim their lost glory. They view most other peoples as resources or impediments in their pursuit of rebuilding the empire that once dominated all of Faerûn. During [[The Second Sundering]], the Remnants waged shadow-wars against the Chosen of various gods, manipulating ruins, artifacts, and shadow-magic to try controlling the Weave itself. Though their floating cities fell and their armies were broken by 1487 DR, isolated enclaves, hidden citadels, and wandering arcanists continue to plot from the edges of civilization. To the common folk of [[The Eastern Heartlands]], the Netherese remain a whispered warning- proof that no empire, no matter how brilliant, is immune to its own hubris.