Way up in the right hand corner, near the horn of the elf's helmet, there is a name on the map- Zölastraya. It looks as if it is in/near the same location as Bargha later appears in Ethengar (where the River Streel splits).
Curious. The name itself sounds more Slavic than Mongolian. While I'm sure this was just a mistake, I wonder that we can't make it into something more? Maybe there was once a town/village of that name there (perhaps Boldavian?) that was destroyed by Ethengarians, something that led up to/caused the problems between Glantri/Ethengar?
There is an image here that you can take a look at. It isn't as clear as on the full sized picture, but you should be able to see what I'm referring to.
[EDIT] Also, there is a spot with the name "Laura" on it on the cover of the Ierendi Gaz, and no one named Laura listed in the credits. Hmm...
But why do you assume it is a city? Look at left, between "OFFICIAL" and "The Elves". There is Glantry City, whit the classical star symbol for capital cities.
West of the Five Shires, in the same picture, you can read "Swamp" where one should find Malpheggi.
May be Zölastraya is not a town. It could be a region. A fay dominion (unknown to Ethengarians). It could be a permanent gate, to somewere like the Spirit World.
It could be the crashing point of the Alphatian flying galleon "Zölastraya" (or was it an Elven Swan Ship?...), where great tresaures are to find...
[EDIT] Also, there is a spot with the name "Laura" on it on the cover of the Ierendi Gaz, and no one named Laura listed in the credits. Hmm...
And a "Jeanne" written backwards on the Ylaruam cover (it's quite big), as well as a "Babette" in the Atruaghin cover (small, on Alfheim).
BTW, if you google "Zolastraya", you'll find it's some kind of (sword & sorcery) comic published in 1987, one year before the Alfheim GAZ.
From the (very limited) information digged up by Google, it's pretty clear that Zolastraya is the name of the (female) protagonist of the comic.
And a "Jeanne" written backwards on the Ylaruam cover (it's quite big), as well as a "Babette" in the Atruaghin cover (small, on Alfheim).
Hadn't gotten around to looking at the other covers yet, but I suspected there might be more such mystery names. I guess Mr. Caldwell was giving his friends/loved ones a shout-out on the covers.
BTW, if you google "Zolastraya", you'll find it's some kind of (sword & sorcery) comic published in 1987, one year before the Alfheim GAZ.
Yeah- I did that, too. I thought for sure I'd get the name of some sort of Eastern European city or something, so that was pretty surprising. Maybe Mr. Caldwell was a fan of the book?
From the (very limited) information digged up by Google, it's pretty clear that Zolastraya is the name of the (female) protagonist of the comic.
Hmm. Hadn't noticed that. Maybe it could be the name of the "dark elf" on the cover?
Hmm. Hadn't noticed that. Maybe it could be the name of the "dark elf" on the cover?
Could be. Anyway, that "dark elf" is definitely out of place as well.
Could be. Anyway, that "dark elf" is definitely out of place as well.
For sure. I'm trying to think of a good backstory to explain her unusual appearance.
For sure. I'm trying to think of a good backstory to explain her unusual appearance.
Could she be one of the mythical "dark elves" of the Northern Reaches?
Could she be one of the mythical "dark elves" of the Northern Reaches?
I bon't know any other dark elf in Mystara, but those from Svartalfheim in the Northern Reaches.
But she does not look very nordic. I fear she is a free drawing of a shadowelf.
Could she be one of the mythical "dark elves" of the Northern Reaches?
I always saw the description as referring to their nature rather than the colour tone of their skin; i.e. secretive, isolationist, and partaking in 'questionable' rituals involving evil powers. :evillaugh
That's my theory!