Gregory Barrett @Wax_Da_Stache
Hello @TheEdVerse! I’m curious about the origin of the “Manyhanded Curse” reference directed at humans in the Realms. Can you elaborate on what it is and why the elves specifically coined it as a moniker for humans? Thank you!— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 27, 2020
1)
Elves refer to humans in this way because the sheer numbers of humans make them dangerous to the environment (overcutting or clearing forests, for example). So their deeds are the “curse,” and it is “manyhanded” because there are so many humans (kill thousands, … 2)
…there are still tens of thousands left) and because they may all be self-interested and therefore working at cross purposes (thus, “many hands”), but still prevail through the sheer weight of their numbers (for example, if some want to preserve a forest but…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 27, 2020
3)
…others want to clear it, and the two groups end up fighting over the forest, they may destroy the forest in their fighting).
Hence, to elves and many others, humans are “the Manyhanded Curse.”
(The TRUE manyhanded curse are actually the orcs, who so outbreed… 4)
…humans and everyone else that if unchecked by strife among themselves, the depredations of giants and dragons, and so on, they will end up ruling all of Faerûn sooner rather than later.)#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 27, 2020
Had forgotten about asking this, cheers! Has Cesp returned to Bhaal’s service post-Murder in Baldur’s Gate? Oh, yes. Never stopped keeping things running, though he did formulate some policy with Bhaal not on the scene.#Realmslore
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 27, 2020