Myth Drannor

Lore & Background

The game's plot centers on the city of New Phlan, from which heroes are dispatched to the ruins of Myth Drannor. A dracolich named Pelendralaar and his sorcerer queen, Kya Mordrayn, have seized control of the Mythal, the ancient magic that once protected the long-abandoned elven city. The cult intends to use this power to expand their domination one soul at a time across Faerûn. Athan's band of heroes is sent by Elminster to stop them. These volunteers were originally assigned to defend against spawn pools, extensions of the Pool of Radiance. Upon entering a magical portal and hearing cries for help, the party arrives in the ruins. Their primary objective involves acquiring the gauntlets of Moander, given to them by Elminster, which are needed to destroy the newly formed pool of radiance beneath Castle Cormanthor.

In Their Own Story

The player's journey begins with witnessing a magical portal and hearing a man cry for help before entering it. Arriving in Myth Drannor, the party learns they must find the gauntlets of Moander and the correct word of power to open them. They then seek the ring of calling to open the seal of Mythanthor, allowing escape from the dungeons into areas like Windrider Glade. The ancient elf Baelnorn Mirroden Silverblade informs the party that the gem of the weave has been destroyed, claiming this will cause Kya Mordrayn to lose control of the Mythal if a new one is attuned. However, after enlisting priestess Annorweyn Elvensong, they discover the original gem remains intact and in the cult's possession. The party traverses catacombs into Castle Cormanthor, reaching the pool via a magic portal where Kya Mordrayn is slain. In the final confrontation, Pelendralaar breaks through a cave wall into the chamber; the heroes slay the dracolich and use the gauntlets of Moander to destroy the pool.

Reader's Guide

This title distinguishes itself by implementing Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition rules comprehensively, having been converted from 2nd edition rules partway through development. Gameplay consists of turn-based combat rather than real-time action, focusing on exploration and fighting within large dungeons. Progression requires locating specific items: the gauntlets of Moander to destroy the pool, and the ring of calling to navigate the city's sealed areas. Critical moments include the revelation by Mirroden regarding the gem of the weave, which turns out to be a deception as the cult holds the intact gem. Players must eventually confront Kya Mordrayn in Castle Cormanthor and face Pelendralaar in the pool chamber. While there is interaction with NPCs like Annorweyn Elvensong and Mirroden Silverblade, the game emphasizes combat and dungeon traversal over story interaction.

Did You Know?

• The game was the first title attempting to comprehensively adapt Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition rules, having been converted from 2nd edition mid-development.
• In the United States, the game entered NPD Intelect's computer game sales chart at #1 for the week of September 23–29, 2001, holding the spot for two weeks before falling to #9 in its third week.
• A major bug caused player system files to uninstall when the game was removed from their computers.
• The Collector's Edition included a novel by Carrie Bebris, an original pen and paper module called 'Pool of Radiance: Attack on Myth Drannor', an audio CD, and polyhedral dice.
• Critics noted that despite being over a year late for its original May 2001 release date, the game was still criticized as a half-finished adaptation rushed to market.