Volo's Guide to the Dalelands (AD&D Forgotten Realms)

242 Pages·1996·5.25 MB·English

by  Ed Greenwood

Volo(cid:146)s Guide
to the
Dalelands
Clippety-cloppety, bold Jonstan the Rover
Rides misty-eyed down to the Dales again
Into forests and fields, rare beauty all over,
Land of his true loves(cid:151)Aldee, Imthra, and Luthane,
Elda and Myrta, Chalantha and Araine.
Will he find yet another? Or be welcomed back?
Long lasses aplenty catch his winking eye.
Is it kisses he(cid:146)ll taste soon? Or scorn everlasting?
Love and laughter and soon away Jonstan will fly(cid:151)
Cone again over threshold and under dawn sky.
Far across Faerßn, a rover adventures free
(cid:146)Til the Dales call his heart home again
To Jhaele, Sharune, Aleese and Rythree(cid:151)
Warm arms and hearth and a roof (cid:146)gainst rain
(cid:146)Til his wandering feet bear him away again.
Climbing far mountains, riding in high clover
To Waterdeep and the shores of the Shining Sea(cid:151)
(cid:147)Hark! Comes now bold Jonstan the Rover?
Will he, oh will he ever come back to me?(cid:148)
The Dales call back the man wedded but free.
Clippety-cloppety, bold Jonstan the Rover
Comes riding down into the Dales again.
Their forests and fields, rare beauty all over,
His true love more than all the maidens in pain.
My man is riding mist-eyed to the Dales again.
(cid:151)Jaladha Tshamryl,
Minstrel of Battledale,
(cid:147)Jonstan the Rover(cid:148)
Dedication
To the original Knights of Myth Drannor for first exploring the Dales at my side. Elminster
salutes ye.
Credits
Design: Ed Greenwood
Editing: Julia Martin
Cover Art: Cireulo Cabral
Interior Art: Theresa Brandon, Tony Crnkovich, Ned Dameron, and Valerie Valusek
Cartography: David Sutherland III
Typesetting: Nancy Kerkstra and Angelika Lokotz
Production: Dee Barnett
Graphic Coordination: Robert J. Galica
Other Sourcebooks in This Series
Volo(cid:146)s Guide to Waterdeep
Volo(cid:146)s Guide to the North
Volo(cid:146)s Guide to the Sword Coast (includes information on the Western Heartlands)
Volo(cid:146)s Guide to Cormyr
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2
Contents
Foreword.............................................................4 Mistledale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Volo(cid:146)s Ratings System......................................4 The Abbey of the GoldenSheaf.................178
Ashabenford.................................................179
TheDalelands ...................................................5 The Barrowfield...........................................188
Elven Crossing.............................................189
Archendale .........................................................8 Galath(cid:146)s Roost...............................................190
Archenbridge ................................................14 Glen...............................................................192
Elgath(cid:146)s Provisions...................................24 The Oakengrove Abbey...............................194
Orosul(cid:146)s Tower.........................................26 Peldan(cid:146)s Helm..............................................195
Swordpoint...............................................29
TheHeart of the Mine...................................32 Scardale ...........................................................196
TheWeepingRock.........................................34
WhiteFord......................................................35 Shadowdale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...197
Baffledale ..........................................................38 Tasseldale...................................................198
The Abbey of theSword...............................42 The Abbey of the Just Hammer.................202
Aencar(cid:146)s Manor.............................................45 Archtassel .....................................................203
Essembra........................................................47 Arrowmark...................................................205
The Silver Taproom.................................63 Glaun........................................................... .207
The Watchful Eye.....................................66 Halfcrag.........................................................209
Hap................................................................. .70 Moontassel ...................................................211
Tasselheart...................................................214
Daggerdale......................................................... 74 Tegal(cid:146)sMark.................................................216
Anathar(cid:146)s Dell.................................................77
Dagger Falls....................................................79 Appendix I:Folk of the Dales ..................222
Deepingdale.......................................................92 Appendix II: Dales Magic ..........................229
Bristar............................................................. .96
The Darkwatch..............................................97 Appendix III: Index .....................................237
Highmoon.......................................................99
The Rising Moon....................................110
Hunters(cid:146) Down.............................................114
Moonrise Hill...............................................115
Featherdale .....................................................116
Blackfeather Bridge.....................................119
Feather Falls.................................................122
Wright(cid:146)s Ferry..............................................126
Harrowdale ....................................................128
Harrowdale Town........................................131
The Fall of Stars......................................143
Halvan(cid:146)s Keep.........................................149
Velarsburg....................................................151
TheHighDale................................................154
The Dancing Place......................................157
Highcastle .....................................................160
The Swordsmith(cid:146)s House......................166
The Wyvernfang...........................................170
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Foreword
ell met. Welcome to the fifth southwestern Battledale and along the
of my popular travel guides to fringes of the Elven Court(cid:151)are not dealt
regions of Faerßn. The Dale- with herein, but remain for the reader to
lands are a bucolic backwater discover. With the elven withdrawal,
known far across the Realms changes are sweeping this region, and
for their beauty and for the tales of adven- adventure has come again to the Dales.
turing glory set in their forests and fields. May this guidebook bring you safely to it(cid:151)
Many folk have long desired a wayfarer(cid:146)s or guide you in evading it, if you prefer. For
practical overview of the Dales, and that(cid:146)s ease of use, I(cid:146)ve listed the Dales alphabeti-
precisely what I(cid:146)ve endeavored to provide cally, even places I was not able to fully
herein. So once again I pray to all the gods explore (for reasons which
who may be disposed to smile favorably will become apparent). Here
upon such efforts that your eyes also find are the Dales as you have
favor with this latest work (cid:151) Volo(cid:146)s Guide never seen them beforel(cid:151)
to the Dalelands. Volo(cid:146)s Dalelands.
In these pages many of the most colorful
minstrels(cid:146) tales have been regrettably laid Ahem. As usual, I(cid:146)ve
aside in favor of covering features likely to be amended some of the
of interest or useful to the traveler(cid:151)or that worst distortions and
should bear warnings or be best avoided. untruths, but not all of
Many isolated hamlets, walled estates, them.2 Some adventure is
ruins, and private keeps(cid:151)particularly in good for all of ye.
1Elminster: Nor are likely to again, unless someone else as given to exaggeration, misrepresentation, and flights
of fancy happens along.
2Elminster: No prizes for guessing which ones.
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The Dalelands
he Dalelands (called just farms tend to have heard of the Dales at
(cid:147)the Dales(cid:148) by most folk least as (cid:147)that quaint backwater where the
who live there) are known mage Elminster dwells(cid:151)in, er, Shadow-
as the Breadbasket of the dale, isn(cid:146)t it?(cid:148) To neighboring powers
Dragon Reach because of such as the Zhentarim, the realms of
the fine and abundant food crops these Sembia and Cormyr, and the cities of
small, wood-girt vales produce. One of the Hillsfar and Mulmaster, the Dales are a
most beautiful, pastoral regions of Faerßn, prize worth fighting for: rich farms that
the Dales are well worth any traveler(cid:146)s each power must deny to their rivals at all
time(cid:151)but be warned: Many a wayfarer costs. Azoun of Cormyr has been heard to
who sees them falls hopelessly in love with say, (cid:147)My worst nightmare is the Zhen-
their beauty and their good-natured free- tarim casting eyes at my realm and Sem-
dom and subsequently will think of bia to the east after they(cid:146)ve got the Dales
dwelling nowhere else in all the Realms. comfortably under their belts.(cid:148) A Sembian
Even folk who shrug at tales of deep envoy was heard to agree that such a
elven forests, stags at bay, and verdant seizure of the Dales must never happen.
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The hardy independence of the Dales- comparatively small human dale
folk(cid:151)notably the inhabitants of Archen- holdings, predatory beasts and long-
dale and Shadowdale(cid:151)has helped to hidden dark powers have arisen to take
thwart the imperialistic ambitions of their places. Wayfarers are warned that
many of the larger, more powerful realms even local woodcutters venture into the
and city-states in the Dragon Reach and to leafy depths only in large, well-armed
keep the Dales free. The people of Shad- parties. Bugbears, trolls, owlbears, and
owdale alone have successfully repulsed worse predators often skulk around the
almost a dozen invasions led or spon- fringes of many of the Dales. Those thrifty
sored by the Zhentarim. travelers, such as the merchants of
The traveler will find in the Dales the Cormyr and Sembia, who customarily
bucolic paradise that minstrels all across save a few coins by dining at inns and
Faerßn sing of and harried city folk from then sleeping out under the stars in
Westgate to Waterdeep think that all nearby woods may find this habit a fatal
countryside, everywhere, is: a land where mistake when in the Dales.
livestock are fat, harvests are plentiful, Foraged food and water free for the
and rolling fields or dense forests meet taking are, however, both plentiful in the
the eye on all sides. The Dales hold their Dales, and travelers may even happen
dangers, to be sure. As the vigilant elves upon food crops gone wild in the
have left Cormanthor, the sylvan cloak of overgrown remnants of a now-vanished
ancient forest surrounding the Dale or abandoned hold. Deer are
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plentiful(cid:151)even overabundant(cid:151) One of the most fabled treasure troves
throughout the Dales, and rabbit, in all the Realms still slumbers here in the
porcupine, woodchuck, boar, and bear heart of the Elven Court woods: the over-
also flourish and find their ways often to grown city of Myth Drannor. This ruined
Dale tables. Many berries, edible ferns, city is said to yet hold much magic, but
and mushrooms grow wild in the forest also to be home to fearsome beasts and
glades, and the verdant dales themselves otherworldly monsters. Only the most
produce rich harvests of wheat, oats, mighty adventurers should dare to seek it;
barley, and all manner of vegetables. others find only swift death there.
Cattle, swine, and (increasingly) sheep are The Dales hold other strange and
kept by Dale farmers, and the region dangerous sites, too. Many merchants
produces fine cheeses, good beer; and ride across one whenever they travel
indifferent but cheap wines in plenty. Rauthauvyr(cid:146)s Road between the Standing
Even an impoverished traveler need Stone and Essembra: a wooded valley
never go hungry in the Dales. An old cus- where a darkness drifts in the forest.
tom still honored in this region is the This watchful gloom is adorned with
knock and bite.(cid:148) If a traveler raps upon a odd drifting lights and whisperings that
kitchen door and calls out (cid:147)three copper,(cid:148) no one likes to camp near. Bards call
the cooks within open a service hatch. this the Vale of Lost Voices and sing of
The traveler hands in a cup or drinking the ghosts of fallen elven warriors
jack with the coins in it, and receives it drifting through the trees. Such ghosts
back full of small beer and accompanied are said to be on guard against the
by a handwheel of cheese and a round, intrusions of nonelves and aided by
hard loaf of bread. baelnorn and more deadly, mysterious
The elven presence kept human things that do not die. Many fear-filled
encroachment into the woods to a mini- tales about the hauntings of the Vale are
mum for generations. The Elven Court told in Sembian and Moonsea taverns,
woods were still home to a strong elven and every band of scoffing adventure-
nation, the last remnant of the once- seekers who plunge into the Vale in
mighty realm of Cormanthyr, until just a search of elven jewels and magic hurries
score or so years ago. Woodcutting is back out(cid:151)white-faced and fewer in
now beginning in earnest, however. The number(cid:151)to add new fears to the
shipbuilders of Sembia and elsewhere swelling store.
have their eyes on straight-standing trees When riding through sun-dappled
larger and longer than those still stand- farms and tree-girt Dale gardens, it(cid:146)s easy
ing anywhere else within easy reach of to ridicule such tales, but in the dim
their markets that would make ideal heart of the deep forest, the legends
masts for ever-larger trading vessels. The seem too real. The Dales are beautiful(cid:151)
visitor is warned, however, that most but the traveler would do well to remem-
Dales regard the woods around their set- ber that they can be as deadly(cid:151)and
tlements as their own property. Attempts deserve as much respect(cid:151)as the most
to cut and take out timber are met with haughty city of warriors or abode of
armed resistance. imperious wizards.
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Archendale
nown to most as the Archendale. And never forget that travel-
unfriendliest and most ers who so much as speculate aloud as to
aggressive of the Dales, the identities of these mysterious
Archendale1 is both of those rulers3(cid:151)let alone say anything against
things, but it is also the their judgments(cid:151)can expect to leave
wealthiest and best-defended Dale. This Archendale under immediate escort with
sure defense makes it a secure haven for some or all of any trade goods they carry
merchants, who can operate here (at least forfeit!
below Arch Pool) in even more safety than The vigilance of both citizens and their
in Sembia. Wayfarers are warned to soldiers leaves Arkhenfolk free to get on
behave themselves when within the writ with the business of getting rich through
and reach of the Rides (mounted army trade(cid:151)something they have always done
patrols) of Archendale. The Zhentarim, very well. The struggling merchant seek-
several ambitious Sembian merchants, ing investors in the western Dragon
and(cid:151)a century ago(cid:151)the folk of rival Reach lands should go to Suzail and
Sessrendale can attest to the ruthless, Ordulin first, but come to Archenbridge
energetic efficiency of the army of before trying the harsher, poorer spon-
Archendale. In separate wars, this tiny sors of Saerloon, Selgaunt, Westgate, and
holding handily hurled back the armies of Yhaunn.
all three powers(cid:151)and not only wrested a
treaty out of Sembia that still brings a The Countryside
yearly shipment of gems2 from Ordulin to
Archendale, but slaughtered or drove all Archendale takes the form of a long, nar-
the inhabitants of Sessrendale from their row valley, Arkhen Vale. It surrounds the
own land. The wilderness of Sessrendale, gorge cut by the swift, cold River Arkhen.
known as the Dead Dale, exists today The gorge begins where the river cas-
because its soil was sewn with salt by the cades down out of the mountains at
forces of Archendale. Arkhen Falls (a spectacular sight) and pro-
Lawbreakers in this Dale can expect ceeds along the river(cid:146)s southeasterly run
the same swift, sure justice as acted in between the Marching Mountains (as this
these cases to descend upon them; there- southwestern arm of the Thunder Peaks
fore, banditry, thefts, and even fraud are range is sometimes called) and the Arch
almost unknown here. Be advised that any Wood. The valley flanks the gorge and
Ride captain can dispense justice in the spreads out a day(cid:146)s ride in all directions
name of the three Swords who rule from the Dale(cid:146)s only town, Archenbridge.
1Volo: Archendale is pronounced (cid:147)ARK-hen-dale,(cid:148) by the way. Visitors who say (cid:147)ARCH-en-dale(cid:148) are hooted at.
2Worth at least 300,000 gold pieces!
3For who these Swords really are, see Dheren Ogresbane, Jalia Mossgreen, and Alduvar Snowbrand in
Appendix I.
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