History of Netheril

A prehistoric empire ruled by mages. The empire's center was the area of what is now the vast desert, Anauroch. The empire's sphere of influence, however, extended far beyond this. The realm's history spans a good 3500 years, from its founding to its last emperor. Even the last emperor has been gone for over 1700 years.

Netheril arose as agriculture developed, the population grew, and local tribes and city-states united under a single ruler through mutual wars. As the empire grew, it encountered the elven realm of Eaerlann, in the High Forest. They taught humans the secrets of using magic. Humans studied magic passionately and achieved masterful skill in it within a short time. A new upper class arose in the empire, skilled in magic.

The best of the new upper class advanced in their skills so rapidly that they soon surpassed their teachers in power. During this era, tremendously fine and powerful artifacts were created, which only further increased their users' skills. The most powerful displays of skill were Netheril's floating cities and flying ships, which hung, as it were, high in the air.

As the empire flourished, a vital silver mine was found, Dekanter, which brought wealth to the empire for thousands of years. During this period, Netheril sent out small colonies across the Sword Coast, as the empire began to grow crowded.

For a time it seemed nothing could halt Netheril's triumphant march, and the empire was the single most important and mighty in Faerûn. Its influence extended far across the whole of Faerûn, and its colonies were found in many places. This era of greatness, however, came to an end during the time of Netheril's — and the world's — mightiest mage ever to have lived, Karsus.

Karsus's abilities were nearly limitless. After decades of research, he developed a spell with which he created a link between himself and the goddess of magic, Mystryl. The spell was so powerful that it threatened to destroy the very structure that made the use of magical power possible at all. To prevent this, Mystryl destroyed the link Karsus had created. This, however, cost Mystryl and Karsus their lives. Mystryl was destroyed, Karsus was turned to stone, and magic in the world ceased to function.

Netheril's massive magical floating cities plunged down to the ground in ruin. Thousands upon thousands were killed, and the entire empire collapsed back to the stone age. Gradually magic began to work again, and Mystra took Mystryl's place in the pantheon of the gods. Those who survived Netheril's fall wandered across Faerûn seeking a place to survive. Nearly all the survivors swore to abandon magic for good. The empire's lands gradually turned to desert, and nearly all traces of the empire of Netheril there were forgotten and buried in the sand.