Demarch ' s Folly Demarch ' s Folly was a spellcasting organization based in the Halls of Demarch in the city of Tantras in the Vast in north Faerûn . Its members were dedicated to learning shadow magic and other shadow - based magic s , such as the Shadow Weave . History . Originally , Demarch ' s Alliance was a group of beguiler s devoted to Leira and Mask . But shortly after the Time of Troubles of the Year of Shadows , 1358 DR , Mask betrayed Leira , and Demarch ' s Alliance was broken . The two factions fought the vicious Battle of Demarch ' s Fall in the Halls of Demarch , leaving many dead and their former base infested with undead , shrouded in mist , and the site of a rift to the Plane of Shadow . The survivors fled across Faerûn , living in fear of revenge attacks and church agents seeking to learn or maintain their secrets , most never coming back . A few friendly ex - members , however , returned to the Halls of Demarch , believing the safest place to hide was the last place they were expected . They took the name Demarch ' s Folly . They also sought a more solid and direct form of magical power than illusion s for their protection . Ironically , they found it in their very own halls . The rift to the Plane of Shadow had deposited a number of magic item s and the " tome of Suelivain " . From the tome , they learned the fundamentals of shadow magic . Later , they began seeking out beings mentioned in the tome and finding other works about shadow magic , and dedicating themselves and Demarch ' s Folly to its mastery . They tracked down Suelivain , a shade of the City of Shade and a shadowcaster , and returned his tome and other possessions in exchange for training in the ways of shadow magic . Suelivain accepted and joined Demarch ' s Folly in the role of mentor and leader . He educated them in the differences between shadow magic and Shadow Weave magic . Growing curious in the Shadow Weave as well , Demarch ' s Folly sought out a user of both , finding Zezania Tarth - Kelet , a priestess of Shar . Zezania also joined to offer guidance . The members of Demarch ' s Folly continued their search for shadow magic into 1374 DR . Organization . Demarch ' s Folly was an arcane guild . It consisted of and accepted new members who had some shadow - based powers , such as shadowcaster s , users of Shadow Weave magic , shadowcrafter s , and shadowdancer s , or were of races innately connected to shadow , like shade s , illumian s , and half – shadow dragon s . Members were also required to have a good deal of knowledge about the arcane arts , religion , the planes , and / or history . Members were required to pay dues to Demarch ' s Folly , equal to a 10 % tithe of their earnings . The guild was led by Suelivain , who also served as a mentor . Zezania Tarth - Kelet also provided guidance . Activities . The members of Demarch ' s Folly journeyed the world in search of information about shadow magic and all forms of shadow powers . They sought fragments of knowledge , people who knew about these things , and relics or magic item s . They offered their services in exchange for information and training , and usually dealt fairly with those who had what they needed . Although a number of its members were evil , they only occasionally resorted to theft or intimidation . Base . The members of Demarch ' s Folly were based in the Halls of Demarch , a hidden guildhall beneath the city of Tantras .