START DATE: 1st Elesias 1371 DR (1st August)
CURRENT DATE: 5th Elesias 1371 DR
Dungeon Master's Note:
For the campaign, I am using the Forgotten Realms source material for 3.5 and some of 2.0, including Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. The older source material is fine, and I upgrade the 2.0 stats to 3.5. We are using the designed setting, but I'm also introducing new elements to expand it. I'm Not changing the progression of the Realms story like the return of the City of Shade or the Spellplague. I'm just not employing them.
Though I feature the Dalelands as our primary setting, we will be traveling all through varied and spectacular lands of Toril, the name of the planet. It is a rich campaign setting that has grown over time through the release of many novels and campaign source books.
Some of this information was taken from Forgotten Realms Wiki.
The Dalelands
Founded in the first year of DR, Dale Reckoning, with the raising of the Standing Stone as a celebration between the humans and elves, the Dalelands are a series of small duchies, mostly loose farms in the fields interspersed in Cormanthor Woods, with population concentrations ranging from tiny hamlets to small cities.
The Dales are a group of small farming communities scattered throughout the vast expanse of the ancient Elven Court. As the forest has receded over time, the Dales have moved as well, continually encroaching on the old forest. In most cases, the Dales were not carved from the forest by fire and axe, but rather grew in the unforested areas between the arms of the forest. The Dales were first settled more than 1,300 years ago by humans who had permission from the elves of Myth Drannor. Recognizing no superior government, the Dales remain a loose confederation of small towns and farmlands.
Roughly 1,400 years ago, humans began to settle the regions surrounding the ancient elven forest of Cormanthor. The nations of Cormyr and Sembia took shape as small trading posts, slowly growing larger and more populous. The Dalesmen's ancestors immigrated to the area from the old cities of Impiltur and Damara, and asked the Lords of the Elven Court for permission to settle the rich borderlands of the forest.
The elves agreed, in return for the settlers' promise to aid the elves against non-human raiders and the encroachment of the growing human lands. To mark the agreement, men and elves together raised the Standing Stone in the heart of the elven forests. The raising of the Stone is considered to be the beginning of Dalereckoning (DR), the calendar that is commonly used in the area (and throughout this accessory.)
Our group formed in Battledale, while we visited or resided in the town of Essembra. Battledale is considered the richest of the lands, and Essembra is the largest and wealthiest city. Many of the party were born in the Dalelands and have a strong attachment.
The Dales:
Archandale Archendale is an autocracy, as well as the strongest military power in the Dales.
Battledale Throughout history, Battledale has been the scene of most of the grandest battles in the Dalelands (hence the name).
Daggerdale For a long time, Daggerdale has been occupied by or at war with Zhentariam agents of Zhentil Keep. Its original name some centuries ago was Merrydale and it was famed for the hospitality of its inhabitants. After an outbreak of vampirism the dale lost its friendliness and eventually took the translation of the original dwarven name of the valley as its name.
Deepingdale Deepingdale is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It is named after the Deeping Princess, an elf-maiden who married a human and led many humans and half-elves to settle here, far from prejudices of gold elves.
Featherdale As one of the smallest dales, Featherdale has never been involved in the big struggles of some of the other dales, as such it is a peaceful place.
Harrowdale The oldest of the current dales. Formerly known as Velardale.
High Dale The High Dale lies at a strategic pass over the Thunder Peaks.
Mistledale With fertile lands and protected from dangers by surrounding dales, Mistledale is a pleasant place to live.
Moondale This dale no longer exists. Its people joined Sembia as the city of Ordulin.
Scardale Named after a canyon known as the Scar, the legendary site of the battle between elven god Corellon Larethian and orc god Gruumsh.
Sessrendale This dale was destroyed by army of Archendale in 1232 DR who then salted the earth to prevent resettlement.
Sessrendale This dale was destroyed by army of Archendale in 1232 DR who then salted the earth to prevent resettlement.
Shadowdale Shadowdale is the most famous of the Dales, and is known as the home of the archmage Elminster. Through its history, Shadowdale has battled both drow and Zhentarium invasions. What Shadowdale lacks in numbers, it makes up by the strength of its inhabitants, including some retired adventurers.
Tarkhaldale Also known as the Lost Vale, Tarkhaldale is home of the saurials.
Tasseldale Tasseldale lies close to, and is heavily influenced by, Sembia.
Teshendale The northernmost of all the dales, Teshendale lies near the Moonsea. It was invaded by orcs working for the Zhentarium in 1316 DR.
More Information including the History of the Dalelands may be found at the folllowing site:http://www.realmshelps.net/faerun/dales/aboutthedales.shtml
CORMANTHOR:
Before humans came to the Dalelands, the ancient elven woods, Cormanthor, stretched from the Stormhorn Peaks in Cormyr all the way to Hillsfar, a vast unbroken forest older than mankind. Since the raising of the Standing Stone, the woods have retreated before the onslaught of fire and axe. While the elven woods retain only shadow of their former glory, they are still the greatest forest in the Heartlands.
The elven woods were once the home of the largest elven nation of the Realms, the ancient realm of Cormanthor, from which the woods take their name. The elves were the strongest and most enlightened power of the area, and dominated affairs from Cormyr to the Moonsea. The crypts and ruins of this great elven empire are scattered throughout the woods.
The elven woods of Cormanthor are now a darkening realm, as large stretches become wild and monsters and bandits grow strong. Only a handful of elves remain behind, and there are not enough rangers and druids to assume the elven responsibilities. A generation ago, a journey from Shadowdale to Essembra through the forest was an easy trip; now travelers along the same paths must be ready for trouble.
There are several areas of special interest within the old forest. The foremost is the ruined elven city of Myth Drannor. Vast riches and powerful magic are known to be hidden in the ruins of the city, and armies and adventurers have fought to reach it for hundreds of years. Before the elven Retreat, Myth Drannor was guarded by elven archers and wizards; afterwards, the Knights of Myth Drannor took up the mantle of guardianship until they retired.
Myth Drannor is now infested with horrible baatezu, evil fiends of the lower planes. It is rumored that renegade priests of Bane have risen in the ruins. Myth Drannor represents a great, but perilous opportunity to Dalelands adventurers - great risks for great rewards.
Besides Myth Drannor, the elves had several other homes within the forest. The community of Semberholme was a small camp by Lake Sember's cold waters. It is still a beautiful spot, and legends tell of elven treasures hidden in the caverns by the lake or beneath the dark waters. Semberholme was a community of noncombatants, women and children who were too valuable to risk in the other elven camps.
Tangletrees was another community, a tree-town in the southern forests. It still exists today and most of the remaining elves call Tangletrees home. Tangletrees was a young village, a camp of elven youths still in their first century of life - bold and brawling, without the sadness or seriousness of the elven elders. Humans and half-elves can be found in living in Tangletrees today.
The Elven Court was another community of ancient Cormanthor, but unlike Semberholme or Myth Drannor, the Elven Court was a vast region of inhabited forest as opposed to a village or city. The Elven Court served as the capital of Cormanthor after the fall of Myth Drannor, and for many years it was the heart of elvendom in the woodlands. It is now entirely abandoned and many of its halls seem to have vanished in the forest. The Elven Court was home to the Royal Hall of Cormanthor, a prize much sought-after by explorers and adventurers.
More Information including the History of the Dalelands may be found at the folllowing site:
http://www.realmshelps.net/faerun/dales/features.shtml
No comments:
Post a Comment