The Time of Troubles
Gods walk the earth as mortals while the Overgod reshapes divine order across Faerûn.
The Time of Troubles is a cataclysmic event in the Forgotten Realms where deities were cast from their divine realms onto the material plane. Initiated by the Overgod Ao, this nine-day crisis forced gods to walk among mortals without portfolios or powers unless they earned them back through faith and deeds. It stands as one of the most significant turning points in Dungeons & Dragons history.
- Event Name
- The Time of Troubles
- Duration
- Nine Days
- Location
- Toril, Forgotten Realms
- Overgod Involved
- Ao
- Primary Antagonist
- Bane
Lore & Background
During this period, the original Mystra was slain by Helm at the Celestial Stairway, leading to a power vacuum in the Weave that required a new master. The crisis reshaped the entire pantheon; old gods fell or changed portfolios, while new entities like Kelemvor ascended to fill voids left by death and judgment. It highlighted the fragility of divine authority when removed from the safety of the Great Wheel.
In Their Own Story
The rain slicked the cobblestones of Waterdeep as Brother Kaelen knelt before the shattered altar. He expected silence, but a shadow fell over him. A man in simple traveler's clothes stood there, eyes glowing with faint starlight. 'I am not your god today,' the stranger said softly. 'But I need your help to find the Gauntlet.' Kaelen looked up, realizing the divine had walked into his humble temple.
Reader's Guide
The narrative begins when Bane steals the Gauntlet of Power from Ao's altar. This act triggers a punishment where all deities are cast down to Toril as mortals for nine days, stripped of their divine portfolios. They must traverse Faerûn to recover the artifact or prove their worthiness through mortal deeds and faith. Key quests involve tracking Bane’s movements while avoiding other opportunistic gods like Cyric, who seeks to usurp power. Heroes often find themselves aiding specific avatars, such as Mystra before her tragic death at the hands of Cyric. This event forces mortals to choose which deity to support physically, altering worship patterns forever. The climax occurs when the remaining deities confront Bane and his allies in a final judgment by Ao. Outcomes include the fall of Myrkul and the rise of Kelemvor as Lord of Bones. Cyric gains divinity but is eventually tainted. The event ends with the restoration of the divine hierarchy, though permanently altered by the new gods who earned their places during the crisis.
Did You Know?
- The event lasted exactly nine days in the Year of Shadows (1358 DR).
- The Time of Troubles was initiated by Ao punishing the gods for stealing the Tablets of Fate, stolen by Bane and Myrkul.
- Kelemvor became the new Lord of the Dead replacing Myrkul.
- The original Mystra was slain by Helm during this period; Cyric killed Mystra (Midnight) in a later event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Time of Troubles?
The Time of Troubles was a nine-day cataclysm in the Forgotten Realms where the Overgod Ao cast all deities from their divine realms onto the material plane. During this crisis, gods were forced to walk among mortals as powerless humans unless they could regain their divinity through faith and deeds.
Who initiated The Time of Troubles?
The event was orchestrated by Ao, the Overgod who sits above all other deities in the Forgotten Realms pantheon. He triggered this crisis to punish the gods for interfering too directly with mortal affairs and to test their worthiness.
What role did Bane play during these nine days?
Bane served as the primary antagonist by attempting to steal the divine portfolios of other fallen gods while they were weak and vulnerable on Toril. His actions drove much of the conflict, forcing rival deities into a desperate struggle for survival and power.
How did The Time of Troubles end?
The crisis concluded when Ao judged the results of the nine-day trial, allowing some gods to return to their thrones while permanently removing others from divinity. This event reshaped the divine order across Faerûn by establishing new rules for how gods could interact with mortals.
Why is The Time of Troubles considered important?
It stands as one of the most significant turning points in Dungeons & Dragons history because it fundamentally altered the relationship between deities and their followers. The event permanently changed the Forgotten Realms timeline by removing major powers like Bane from existence and redefining divine portfolios.
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