The Grand History of the Realms

The Grand History of the Realms is a comprehensive sourcebook for the Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition Forgotten Realms setting. This reference work chronicles the complete timeline of the Forgotten Realms from its earliest recorded history through its present era. The book combines official canon with documentation in the form of letters, diary entries, and historical records from key figures within the setting. A collaboration between established authors Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood, George Krashos, Eric L. Boyd, and Thomas M. Costa, the work began as a fan project before being officially published by Wizards of the Coast in 2007. The volume features artwork from over 30 different artists including Todd Lockwood, Wayne Reynolds, and Matt Cavotta. The extensive timeline includes both historical events and previews of future developments in the setting. This sourcebook represents a unique intersection between fan scholarship and official publishing, serving as both a practical reference tool and a deep exploration of the rich lore that defines the Forgotten Realms setting.

Readers appreciate the comprehensive timeline and detailed chronology that connects events across different D&D Forgotten Realms novels and sourcebooks. Many cite it as a useful reference tool for running campaigns and understanding the broader history of the setting. Fans highlight: - Cross-referencing between major events - Clear organization by year - Color artwork and maps - Coverage of obscure historical details Common criticisms: - Some timeline entries lack context - Text can be dry and encyclopedic - Several printing errors and typos - Occasional contradictions with other sourcebooks Ratings: Goodreads: 4.27/5 (97 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (24 reviews) RPGGeek: 7.71/10 (28 ratings) "A DM's best friend for campaign planning" notes one Amazon reviewer, while a Goodreads review states "Great reference but reads like a textbook." Several readers mention the book works better as a companion piece than a standalone read.

The World of the Forgotten Realms by Ed Greenwood This sourcebook presents the complete timeline, geography, and major characters of the Forgotten Realms from its creation to present day.

Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide by Wizards of the Coast Team The book details the history, locations, and factions of the Sword Coast region in the Forgotten Realms setting.

The Atlas of Pern by Karen Wynn Fonstad The volume chronicles the history and geography of Anne McCaffrey's Pern through detailed maps, timelines, and cultural information.

The World of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, Elio M. García Jr., Linda Antonsson This companion book documents the history of Westeros from the Dawn Age through Robert's Rebellion with maps, family trees, and historical accounts.

The Complete Guide to Middle-earth by Robert Foster The reference work catalogs the history, geography, and peoples of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth from the First Age through the Fourth Age.

🎲 The book began as a fan-created PDF called "The Grand History of the Realms" on Candlekeep.com before being officially published by Wizards of the Coast in 2007 📚 Multiple authors collaborated on this work, including Ed Greenwood, the original creator of the Forgotten Realms setting in 1967 as a backdrop for his childhood stories 🗺️ The timeline spans over 35,000 years of Faerûn history, from the Time of Dragons (-35,000 DR) to the present era (1375 DR) ✍️ Many historical accounts in the book are presented through in-world documents like personal journals and letters, making the lore more immersive and personal 🎨 The book incorporates artwork from various Dungeons & Dragons publications spanning multiple editions, creating a visual history of how the Realms have been depicted over the years