World-building: Five idioms for the Forgotten Realms

I don’t do much GMing these days and miss the world-building. I used to like weaving plot hints and flavour (so you never knew which was which) into lore and language.

Idioms are one of my favourite ways to do it. For example, the real-life origin of the phrase “cock up” is a bit murky and might be from setting manual typewriters but might also be from archery.

If an arrow was not placed on the bowstring correctly, it might point upwards like a “cock’s comb” and fly off course. This mishap became known as a “cock up”, suggests the theory.

Five idioms for the Forgotten Realms

As I typically craft my own settings, I don’t usually create idioms for the pre-written ones, but for the purposes of this blog and at the risk of making mistakes with Faerun lore, I’ve had a bash at five sayings that might work in the Forgotten Realms.

1. “Don’t tempt the Eye of Tyr”: A warning against seeking unjust vengeance or retribution. References the god of justice, Tyr, who is often depicted with a single eye.
2. “Bright as Lathander’s Dawn“: Describes something exceptionally radiant, hopeful, or new. Evokes the image of Lathander, the god of rebirth and renewal.
3. “That plan went south like a Zhentarim trade deal“: Implies something went disastrously wrong, with hints of treachery or backstabbing. This refers to the Zhentarim, a shadowy organization known for its ruthlessness and pursuit of profit.
4. “Touched by Mystra’s Weave“: Refers to someone with a deep connection to magic, or a situation affected by unpredictable magical forces. Mystra is the goddess of magic, and her influence is known as the Weave.
5. “Sturdy as a Helm’s Hold Dwarf“: Describes something or someone exceptionally strong, resilient, and dependable. References the dwarves of Helm’s Hold, famed for their craftsmanship and unyielding spirit.

You can surely do better. Which RPG-setting idioms have you invented?