Realms of Shadow Realms of Shadow , edited by Lizz Baldwin , is the eighth anthology of stories from the Forgotten Realms . The stories follow the Return of the Archwizards trilogy and many are about the lost nation of Netheril . Contents . Trial By Ordeal . By Lisa Smedman " The Year of Perditions Flame - 470 DR " Lord High Justice Andoris Derathar of Karsus Enclave must solve the mystery of a crime , the theft of a wizards notes concerning the Nether Scrolls , committed by either an enchantress or her shadow double , but neither have any memory of the events . . Assassin ' s Shadow . By Jess Lebow " The Year of Emerald Groves - 467 DR " The Low Netherese raider Cy is recruited by his commander to assassinate Lord Shadow of Shade Enclave . Little does he know that his commander , Lume , has sent countless others like him to accomplish this task before him , and none have succeeded . . Too Long in the Dark . By Paul S . Kemp " The Year of Sundered Webs - 339 DR " The powerful Netherese archwizard Zossimus is content in his lavish mansion on Shade Enclave , even as the Princes of Shade have straddled it on the border of the Plane of Shadow , leaving the enclave to float in eternal twilight . But as Karsus challenges Mystryl for her divinity and the Weave fails the twelve princes draw upon the Shadow Weave to keep the city flying , pulling it wholly into the dark demiplane . Yet Zossimus ' wife despairs of living forever in the dark . . Darksword . By Troy Denning " 20 Flamerule , the Year of the Moat 1269 DR " Melegaunt Tanthul a Prince of Shade Enclave and powerful shadow mage seeks out Bodvar of the Moor Eagles . Bodvar is a proud Vaasa n , leader of his clan . The powerful wizard saves Bodvar , but the wise northlander is wary of the mages mysterious magic , and rightfully so . And as the Vassans take up the swords crafted by the archmage to defend themselves against anihilation , the clan enters into a dark bond with Shade Enclave . Liar ' s Game . By Jessica Beaven In preparation for their return , members of Shade Enclave find descendants still in Faerun and begin to corrupt and command them . One , a wizard - druid woman , is sent to find some notes that may have power to help Shade Enclave . She finds them with a man living alone in the woods . A type of love ensues . " The Year of Starfall 1300 DR " That Curious Sword . By R . A . Salvatore Artemis Entreri and Jarlaxle are offered a job by a barman in a tavern in Heliogabalus to recover an idol . They break in and find it but are confronted by a shade and his shadow mastiff s . He forshadows the return of the netherese and offers an alliance with them in exchange for Charon ' s claw , revealing it to be a netherese item . Entreri refuses and they begin to fight . Seeming to want to go back to a shade , Charon ' s claw resists Entreri so the assassin kills his opponent with his vampiric dagger instead . Jarlaxle holds up a mirror to the victorious human to reveal his skin has turned slightly grey , theorizing that he has absorbed some of the shade ' s essence . A Little Knowledge . By Elaine Cunningham Set in Halruaa after the events of the Counselors & Kings Trilogy . A diviner finds his ability to actual be a curse . When a shadow adept attacks his friend , he assents to a wizard dual for his powers . Astride the Wind . By Philip Athans The Kenku species was created by a wizard of Shade Enclave . . . who also enslaved them . Since their escape , they have sworn revenge on any such wizards . After Shade Enclave ' s return to Faerun , the latest generation of Kenku discover not just a descendant of their creator - but the wizard himself . The Fallen Lands . By Murray J . D . Leeder An adventurer tries to join the forces gathering to aid a besieged Evereska , but his company is attacked by mesmerized orcs and killed before they get there . He is saved by a clan of Uthgardt barbarians who allow him to attack the orcs and their controller . Along the way , he learns to question his preconceived notions about the values of magic . When Shadows Come Seeking a Throne . By Ed Greenwood In the wake of the revelation of Shade Enclave ' s role in climatic troubles in Cormyr , they are banished . A phaerimm takes the opportunity to reach out to noble families banished in the wake of the last attempted coup . Meanwhile Caladnei is just beginning to learn how to act as the new Mage Royal and a Malaugrym is loose and unnoticed in the palace . King Shadow . By Richard Lee Byers The Shifting Sands . By Peter Archer