Forgotten Realms Storyline

Hi everyone,

I recently learned that the 4th Edition had retconned many many from past editions. There also were many things I didn't quite understand at the time and never got to see the explanations since it was overwritten in websites such as:



I am sending a distress call to this forum's D&D scholars. Please help me move on from these "mysteries". Unless otherwise specified, I would like 2nd Edition answers (that's the point). Thanks, in advance.

1. I heard passage from one edition to the next where justified by "cataclysmic events" in the storyline... What happenned for the transition of 1st Ed. to 2n Ed.? 2nd Ed. to 3rd Ed.?
2. Who or what is Vecna and what happened between him and the Lady of Pain?
3. Speaking of the Lady of Pain... What is she? What's her purpose?
4. Were the Abyss created at some remote point in time or has it always been there?
5. Is there a link between FR and all those other realms I keep hearing all the time (Greyhack, Ravenloft, ...)?
6. There are so many gods... were they all there in the beginning or do they keep poping from time to time?
7. What is the Netheril Empire and it is related to Myth Drannor?
8. Is the Severed Hand and Dorn's Deep canon?
9. What's stronger: a pit fiend of a balor?
10. What's the deal with Amaunator? Is he dead or is he not?
11. Who or what in "the one in the void"?
12. Why has Talos changed name from Kozah to Talos?
13. What's the deal with Ravenloft's "Dark powers"?
14. What is Ao and what's is game?
15. What happenned to Myrkul?
16. Is there a neutral equivalent to demons and fiends?

I understands this is pretty massive and I'm sure I forgot a few point as well, but hey, this would be so nice of you guys! Thanks again,

Jon