
Volo's Guide To The North (ad&d Forgotten Realms) Apr 2026
: Volo uses a scale of 1 to 5 to rate locations using symbols: coins for prices, daggers for danger, pipes for inns, and tankards for taverns.
is a 240-page accessory for the 2nd Edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D). Released by TSR in December 1993 , this pouch-sized, digest-format book serves as an in-world travelogue for the Savage Frontier , a massive region stretching from the Sword Coast to the desert of Anauroch. It is written from the perspective of the infamous (and often unreliable) traveler Volothamp "Volo" Geddarm , with "editorial" corrections and snide commentary from the legendary archmage Elminster of Shadowdale . Key Features and Content Volo's Guide to the North (AD&D Forgotten Realms)
: In 2022, the book was re-released in digital format and is currently available on platforms like DriveThruRPG and DM’s Guild . Volo's Guide to the North (2e) - Wizards of the Coast : Volo uses a scale of 1 to
: While primarily lore-heavy, the book includes an appendix featuring NPC statistics, unique magic items, and rules for wards (magical protective fields). Legacy and Availability It is written from the perspective of the
The guide is designed to feel like a functional guidebook for an adventurer traveling through Faerûn, utilizing a unique ranking system for establishments:
: The "Volo vs. Elminster" banter became a hallmark of the series, providing a humorous way to deliver world-building while warning DMs that Volo’s information might be slightly exaggerated or outright wrong.