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The Western Heartlands (1372)

Capital:None
Population:1,641,600(humans78%,elves7%,halfelves4%,halflings4%,halforcs3%,gnomes2%,
dwarves1%)
Government:Citystates,eachwithadifferentgovernment
Religions:All

Imports:Ale,fish,herbs,iron,rugs
Exports:Gold,pottery,silver,wool
Alignment:All
TheWesternHeartlandscoveravastareabetweentheStormHornsofCormyrandtheSwordCoastsouth
ofWaterdeep,fromtheLizardMarshinthenorthwesttotheLonelyMooronthefringesofAnaurochinthe
northeast,downtoBeregostandGreenFieldsinthesouthwestandEastingontheborderoftheDragon
Coastinthesoutheast
TothecaravandriversofAmnandSembia,theWesternHeartlandsareknownas"milesandmilesofmiles
andmiles"windswept,grassyflatsskirtingimpassablebogs,badlands,rollinghills,highmoors,andlonely
forests,allofwhicharefilledwithmonsters.Thefarmers,frontierfolk,walledcitydwellers,andotherhardy
soulswholiveherearestrongandindependentenoughtocarvesuccessfullivesoutonthefrontierwhere
skillandintelligencecountformorethanone'sbloodline.TheWesternHeartlandsarehometodozensof
separatewalledcities,racialenclaves,farmtowns,monasteries,fortifiedstrongholds,andarmeddomains.
TheWesternHeartlandswelcomeambitiousadventurers.Adozencrumbledempireshavesoughtto
conquerordominatetheregion,leavingbehindfortificationsbuiltuponbywavesofsubsequentwouldbe
monarchs.Othersleftbehindtreasuretroves,highandperilousmagic,orboth.Unlikethedenselypacked
regionsintheHeartlandsandtheNorth,theWesternHeartlandsrequirelongstretchesofoverlandtravel
betweendestinationsbutatleastnoonefreezesenroute.

Life and Society

InhabitantsoftheWesternHeartlandsliveinscatteredwildernesssettlements.Thepeopleofthewesttend
tobestubborn,independent,andproudoftheirabilitytothriveinachallengingenvironment.Theirfrontier
spiritiscomplementedbyatrader'swillingnesstogreetstrangersaspotentialfriendsratherthanpotential
enemies.Unlikesomecivilizedpeopleoftheeasternnations,thefolkofthewestlookuponadventurers
favorably,viewingthemaspotentialcustomers,goodalliesinafight,andpossiblyevenasneighbors.

Major Geographic Features

Theterm"WesternHeartlands"issomethingofacatchall.ItincludesabroadswathoflandbetweenAmn
andtheNorth,stretchingfromtheSwordCoasttotheDragonCoastoftheInnerSea.Itsarbitraryborders
aresubjecttodebate.

BattleofBones:AstravelersapproachtheregionknownastheBattleofBones,therollinggrasslandof
thewestgiveswaytochalkywhitesoildottedbystuntedtrees.Bonesandothersignsofanancientbattle
begintooutnumberrocks,untiltheexplorerstumblesthroughawastelandofbleachedbonesthathas
resistednature'scleansingelementsfornearlythreehundredyears.
In1090DR,ahordeofgoblinsandorcsoutoftheStonelandsmetanarmyofhumans,elves,anddwarves
northoftheSunsetMountains.ThewarriorsofTyr,Corellon,andMoradintriumphed,killinguncounted
thousandsoftheinvadingorcsinasixdaybattle.Eventheelves'healingmagicandtheclericspowersof
resurrectioncouldnotpreventthousandsofthedefendersfromjoiningtheorcsindeath.Threehundred
yearslater,thesiteofthegreatbattleisstillacursedandhauntedland,coveredwithbonesandremnants
ofthebattlethatarenearlyafootdeepandsometimespileintogreatdrifts.
Thesixtysquaremilescoveredbythebattlearehorridhuntinggroundsforundead:zombies,skeletons,
ghouls,wights,wraiths,spectres,andevenliches.Youngclericsofmilitantfaithsfrequentlyjourneytothe
BattleofBonestoprovethemselvesinbattleagainsttheundead.Theireffortsarecounteredbyclericsof
Velsharoonandotherdeitieswhoviewthebattlefieldasasitefortheirownunholypilgrimages.
CloakWood:SouthofBaldur'sGateandnorthofCandlekeep,theCloakWoodisathicklyovergrown
ancientforestthatloomsalongtheshoresouthoftheSwordCoast.Unlikethecliffstothenorth,theCloak
Wood'sshorelinetheoreticallyallowsashiptomoorandsendasmallboattoshoreforwaterandsupplies.
Inpractice,onlydesperatemarinersdarethewood'snastypopulationofbeasts,monsters,andviciousfey.
ThesagesofCandlekeepassertthatCloakWoodcontainsportalstoseveralotherpartsofFaern.
FarHills:IftheywerenotdwarfedbythepeaksofthenorthandsouthbranchesoftheSunsetMountains,
theFarHillsmightbeconsideredmountainsthemselves.It'snottheregion'srockyridges,hiddenvalleys,
andthickstandsoftwistedtreesthatkeeptravelersawayit'stheforbiddingspiresofZhentilKeep's
westernfortress,Darkhold.Untilrecently,Darkhold'scontrolontheregionwasabsolute,butthemage
Sememmon'sdeparturehasledtoconfusion,conflict,andlaxnessamongDarkhold'sdefenders.
FieldsoftheDead:LiketheBattleofBones,theFieldsoftheDeadisthesiteofanancientbattle.Unlike
theorcremainsthatlittertheBattleofBones,thedeathsontheFieldsoftheDeadresultedfromfights
betweenhumanempires,kingdomsoftheSwordCoast,andAmn,whoallsparredforcontrolofthearea's
richfarmland.Therollingfarmsoftheareahavehadfivecenturiestorecoverfromthelastmajorwar,but
oldarmor,skeletons,unusedscrolls,weapons,andmagicalbricabracresultingfromtheintersectionof
bizarrespellsstillturnupundertheplow.
ForestofWyrms:Thegreatredwoodsandthickpinesofthiswoodshelteramultitudeofgreendragons,
whothinkofthemselvesasmastersoftheforest.Thewyrmscorrectlyestimatetheircontroloftheirterritory.
Dragonslayerscomeheretohunt,becomingheroesordyingintheattempt.

HarpersandotherheroesusedtojourneytotheforesttobattlealichwholivedinacastlenamedLyran's
Hold,buttwoadventurersfinallykilledthelichandoccupiedtheholdinitsplace.Newreportsindicatethat
theadventurerswhodisplacedthelichhaveinheriteditsevilways.Lyran'sHoldhasreturnedtothelistof
potentialadventuringsitessharedoverfirelightormugsofalebyseasonedheroes.Ifnewadventurers
managetokillthehold'spresentoccupants,thenewcomerswouldbewelladvisedtokeepmovingthere's
noneedtostayforoveratendayinthehold,unlesstheywishtorisksufferingthesamefateasthe
previousoccupants.
ForgottenForest:AsinglemightyforestoncecoveredthecenterofFaern.TheForgottenForestisa
fragmentofthatancientwood,alivingcathedralofoak,walnut,andshadowtoppopulatedbyalargetreant
community.ThetreantsmourneachmilethattheforesthaslosttothespreadoftheGreatDesert,
Anauroch.Anothermagicaldisastertothesouth,theMarshofChelimber,hasencroachedupontheforest
fromthatdirection.
Druidsandrangersareamongthefewwhopasssafelythroughthegrovesoftreants.Oneofthegreat
druidsofFaern,Pheszeltan(NmalehumanDrdl7/Dis4ofSilvanus),livesinthethickestpartoftheforest.
Hespeakstothosewhohavetheskilltoreachhim,buthishomeislessaccessiblethanthehighest.
mountaintopoftheGraypeakswestoftheforest.
GreenFields:Overthecenturies,innumerablepettywarlordsandambitiousmerchantshaveestablished
fiefdomsonthenorthernfringesofthegrasslandsnorthoftheSnakewoodandsoutheastoftheWoodof
SharpTeeth.ThecurrenthalflingwhowouldbequeenisDharvaScatterheart(Nfemalelightfoothalfling
Exp1/Rog2/Sor6).Dharvalikesthespace,therunningwater,thelackoftaxation(fromanyoneotherthan
her),andtheconstantstreamofcaravansattemptingtheshortcutfromtheroutethroughtheCloudPeaks
overtoBerdusk.
WiththeaidofasilentpartnerwhohasturnedouttobeaShadowThiefofAmn,Dharvahaserecteda
palisadetownnamedGreenestalongthetrailtoBerdusk.She'snotentirelyhappythattheShadowThieves
areherpartners,butsofarthey'vebehavedthemselvesandconfinedthemselvestobusiness.Thatcould
change,ofcourse.Itwouldn'tbethefirsttimethataGreenFieldsenterprisefailedbecauseofincompatible
partners.
GraycloakHills:In1335DR,moonelvesfromneighboringEvereskamovedintothisrangeofhighhills
andsmallmountains.Atthetime,therangewasknownastheTombHillsfortheelvenburialsitesdotting
theslopesandvalleys.Thegravesarestillthere,buttheelvenundeadthatformerlyplaguedtheregion
wereputtorestbydeterminedmoonelvenclerics.
Thisdoesnotmeanthatthehillsarenowopentoadventurersandothertravelers.Onthecontrary,the
slopesareperpetuallyshroudedingraymist.Theelvesmovesilentlythroughthemistwearinggraycloaks
ofelvenkindonmissionsthatoutsider'sdonotfullyunderstand.Somewhisperthattheelveshave
discoveredacacheofNetheresemagicthattheywishtokeepoutofthehandsofoutsiders.Theremaybe

Netheresemagicleftinthehills,butthat'snotwhathasbroughttheelveshere.Themoonelven
settlementsintheGraycloakHillsarefortsandspypostsforwatchingoverAnaurochandtheGraypeak
Mountain.
Thevigilanceofthemoonelveshasbeenjustified,ifnotexactlyrewarded,bytherecentarrivalofthe
NetheresecityofShadeinAnaurochandtheescapeofthephaerimmsthroughtheshatteredSharnWall.
Evereskaanditsoutpostsinthesehillsfaceahighanddireperilfarmoredangerousthantheoccasional
orchordeorflightofdragons.
Theelves'focusonstealthandcautionmeansthattheircontroloftheentireGraypeakHillsrangeisnot
absolute.AmbitioushumanadventurershaveenteredtheGraycloakswithoutnotice,quicklydelvingintoan
oldtombandescapingbeforethemoonelvesretaliate.
HighMoor:LargestoftheopenmoorlandsinwesternFaern,theHighMoorisinfamousasthehauntof
monsterswholoomoutofthecoldmiststoconsumewayfarers.TheHighMoorisarockywilderness,vast
anduninhabitedasidefromitsfearsomemonstersnotablytrolls,thoughtravelerswho'veactuallycrossed
themoortalkmoreoforcsandhobgoblins.
TheHighMoorisboundedonthewestbytheMistyForest,whosedimbluegladesanddeepgroveshave
alwayscarriedafeyanddeadlyreputation,andontheeastbytheSerpentHills,wheresnakesandyuanti
lurk.Thesecragstudded,rollinglandsaresaidtohidetheruinsoflongfallenkingdomsbutjustwhich
kingdomsisatopicoverwhichsagesarguefuriously.Minstrelssingcolorfulbutcontradictoryballadsof
theselostrealms("Thebonesandthronesoflostlands"isafavoritephrase,allthat'sleftofalongforgotten
song.)Whatiscertainisthatthemoorholdsitsshareofruinedcastles,stonetombs,andcaverns,almost
allofwhichhaveyieldedtreasuretotheboldandfortunate.
Wolvesandleucrottasarescarceonthemoor,sincetrolls,bugbears,andhobgoblinshaveslaintheother
largebeastsofprey.Therelativescarcityofnaturalpredatorsallowshoofedgrazinganimalsofallsortsto
flourish,fromsmallrockponiestoshaggysheep.Large,wellarmedbandsofcoastalfarmersanddown
ontheirluckmerchantsventureontothemoorinwarmmonths,seekinghorsestoroundupfortrainingand
saleelsewhere,orlivestockthatcanbetakenaway.Thegreedyarewarnedthathobgoblinsandworse
alwaysfindandambushlargescaleintrusions,andsmallhumanbandspayfortheseraidswiththeirlives.
LiketheEvermoorsnorthoftheDessarin,theHighMoorisstuddedwithmossandlichenfestoonedrocky
outcrops,breakneckgullies,andrivuletsofclearwaterthatspringfromrocks,windacrossthemoorfora
time,thensinkintothesoil.Themoorisalsoshroudedbyfrequentmists,sincetheprevailingwindsare
gentlerthanthechill,mistclearingwindsoftheNorth.
HighstarLake:HighinthebrokenlandofthenorthernHighMoors,thiseerilybeautifullakeattracts
human,dwarven,andelvenpilgrimswhocomejusttostareatthelake'slegendarycrystallineperfection.

Adventurerscan'tbelievethatsomethingsobeautifulisn'tloadedwithstrangemagicalpowers,sotheytell
storiesaboutdrownedtemples,sunkenNethereseairships,andlostcivilizationsbeneaththelake'swaters.
LizardMarsh:InsteadofflowingfreelyintotheSeaofSwords,theRiverDelimbiyrdissolvesintoamorass
ofwaterwaysthreadingbeneathcoldweathercypresstreesfestoonedwithhangingmoss.Humansavoid
thefivehundredplussquaremilesofthemarsh,unlesstheyintendtotanglewiththelizardfolk,dinosaurs,
andblackdragonsthatlurkinitsshallowwaters.Fewofthedinosaursgrowtogreatsizesincetheyare
fiercelyhuntedbythelizardfolkwhogivethemarshitsname.
Undertheircurrentchief,awarriornamedRedeye(CEmalelizardfolkBbn11/Chm5ofTalos),thelizardfolk
havesucceededindrivingallotherintelligentdenizensoutofthemarsh.Theyviewtheriverwaterssouthof
Daggerfordastheirownhuntinggrounds.SkirmisheswithcaravansandpatrolsfromDaggerfordusuallygo
againstthelizardfolk,butnotsooftenthattheyavoidsuchfights.
Thanksinparttotheproximityofthesea,theLizardMarshneverfullyfreezesover,thoughitswatersgrow
slushyinthedeepwinter.Thelizardfolkhatetheslushand"gotoground"duringthecoldspells,building
lairsinthegiantcypressesuntilthewaterreturnstonormal.
LonelyMoor:Leucrottas,perytons,andbulettesinfestthishighwasteofdust,rock,andstuntedtrees.
Gnollsandorcshuntthemonsterswhentheyarenotbeinghuntedthemselves.Lifefortheorcsisstill
prettymiserable,butthegnollshaverecentlyfoundotheremploymentthankstotheZhents,whopaythem
toattackeveryoneelse'scaravansbutleaveZhenttravelersalone.Thesafetyoftheroutebetweenthe
LonelyMoorandtheForgottenForestisparticularlyimportanttotheZhentsnowthatthearrivalofthecity
ofShadehasdisruptedtheirAnaurochroutes.
MarshofChelimber:Someoftheruinsdottingthismistylowlandswampbelongedtotheland'soriginal
ruler,PrinceChelimber.ChelimberfeudedwithamightywizardknownastheWizardoftheCragbackin
theearlydaysofWaterdeep.Theprincehiredmagicalassassinstokillthewizard,whofoughtbackwith
awfulmagic.Thebattlespiraledoutofcontrol,killingtheprinceanddestroyinghislands.Afewoftheold
ruinsaretoomagicalorintimidatingforthemarshinhabitantstotamperwith,suchasDunkappkCastle.
Lizardfolkandbullywugsskulkthroughthethousandsofsquaremilesoftheswampthatstillbear
Chelimber'sname,occasionallystrikingagainsttheZhentcaravansthatpassnearby.Theinteriorofthe
swampandtheoldestruinsaredominatedbysivs.Thesivsprefertopracticetheirenigmaticmonastic
disciplinesinprivacy,butadventurersaresometimeswelcomeasachangeindietfrommarshbirdand
bullywug.
MistyForest:Woodelves,hybsils,druids,andrangersmovecomfortablythroughthefogsofthis
evergreenforest.Othershavetheuncomfortablesensethattheydon'ttrulybelongonitswoodedslopes,
particularlynotthesavageorcsandotherbarbariansthatoccasionallysneakthroughtheforestfromthe
HighMoortostrikeattheneighboringTradeWay.ThoughtheMistyForest'swoodelvesareloathtoadmit

it,theyperformavaluableserviceforcaravansandothertravelersheadedtoDaggerford,Secomber,
BoareskyrBridgeprovidingtemporaryrespitefromtheconstantvigilancerequiredtosurvivetheattentionof
thecreaturesthatinfesttheHighMoor.
RiverChionthar:TheRiverChiontharlinksBaldur'sGateandSwordCoastwiththeinlandcitiesofElturel,
Seornubel,BerduandInaebor.BargescantravelasfarinlandasInaebor,atwhichpointtheymustunload
andtaketheirgoodsoverland.
SerpentHills:TheSerpentHillsareagreatexpanseofrockyhillsrollingandbroadeningtothewestuntil
theybecometheHighMoor.TheSerpentHillsseemorerainfallthanthemoor,providingscrubcoverforthe
region'sinnumerablesnakesandgrovesofhardytreestoprovideambushshelterfortheland'sroving
yuanti.Copperandreddragonsfightforpossessionofthechoicestridgelinesnotalreadyoccupiedby
ancientsilverdragons.
SkullGorge:TheorcandhobgoblinshamanswhosurvivedsixdayBattleoftheBonesfledsouthintothis
narrowcutalongtheuppercourseoftheRiverReaching,daringtheirmainlyhumanpursuerstocomein
andtakethem.Thehumanwarriorsobligedtheslayingthedemonsanddevilstheorcssummonedto
defendthpositionalongwiththegoblinoids.Usuallyvictorshavetheluxuryoflootingthebodiesofthe
fallen,butthebattlefieldofSkullGorgewasquicklyabandonedtopowerfuldemonsthatoutlivedtheir
summoners.Supposedly,muchtreasureishiddenintheriver,inthewhitestonecavernsalongthegorge's
wallsorinthelairsofbeingitwouldbewisenottoencounter.
SwordCoast:ThelandsalongtheSeaofSwordssouthofWaterdeepandnorthofthemouthoftheRiver
ChiontharatBaldursGateareknownastheSwordCoast.Thenamecomesfromthewhitecliffsthatrise
likeaflashingbladefromtheshoretoheightsofuptohalfamile,cuttingofftheseaandthelandalong
hundredsmilesofcoastlinefromBaldur'sGateinthesouthtotheRiverDessarinjustbelowWaterdeep.It
isnoaccidentthatthetwogreatestcitiesoftheSwordCoastbracketeithersideofthegreatcliff,because
thesearetheonlysitesforhundredsofmilesinwhichshipscansafelymoor.
TrollbarkForest:There'sscarcelyacornerofFaernthatdoesnothaveaforest,mountainrange,ormoor
namedforthetroll.Liketherest,theTrollbarkForestisthickwiththesemonsters.Theforest'sdense
underbrush,thicktwistedstandsofash,andmanybogsmakeitaperfecthuntinggroundformonstersthat
cancrashthroughthornybarriersandnestsofpoisonoussnakeswithouttakingpermanentdamage.
TrollclawFord:ThetraderouteknownastheCoastWaydoesnotactuallyrunalongtheSwordCoast.It
turnsinlandatBaldur'sGatetostayawayfromtheTrollHillsandtocrosstheWindingWateratTrollclaw
FordattheedgeoftheTrollclaws.Thefordisshallowandfunctional,butthewaterisblackandfoul,still
poisonedbythedeathofthedeityBhaaltothenorthatBoareskyrBridge.Thecrossingisfraughtwith
danger,sincetrollshaunttheregion,especiallyinhoursofdarkness.

Trollclaws:CaravansfromtheCoastWaythatmiscalculatethewaterrationssendexpeditionsintothe
brokenhillsandboulderfieldsoftheTrollclawstofindthenaturalspringsabovethetaintedWindingWater.
Moreoftenthannot,thespringsserveaswateringholesandambushspotsfortrolls,tallmouthers,and
othermurderousmonsters.
TrollHills:TheTrollHillsareoverrunbythesamescreaming,festeringhordeoftrollsthatlurksinthe
TrollbarkForesttothenorth.Somesaythatthetrollsthatliveinthecavernsbeneaththehillshavea
kingdomoftheirown.Thetruthisthatthesetrollsbelongtomultiplecompetingrealmsthatwouldbehappy
toeradicateeachother,ifnotforthemiracleoftrollregenerationthatletthemsurvivedamagetheydoto
eachotherwithteethandclaws.
WindingWater:TheWindingWaterdipsandhumsacrossthecenteroftheWesternHeartlands,growing
TromasmallstreamflowingsouthoutoftheMarshofChelimberintoamidsizedriverwhereitjoinswith
theSerpent'sTailStreambesidetheForestofWyrms.TheWindingWaterdescendstotheseainaseries
ofcataractsthatcanbeheardfromthebaseoftheTrollHills.
BelowBoareskyrBridge,thesiteofthedeathofBhaal,adarkgodofmurder,theriver'swatersarefouland
loathsome,flowingblackuntilmanymileswestofTrollclawFord,whentheyclearslightlyandturnmuddy
brownbutareotherwisenormal.TheinhabitantsoftheWesternHeartlandsspeakoftheblackwateras
"Bhaalwater"andrefusetodrinkit,sayingthatitbringsbadluck.WhileBhaalwaterisnotpoisonousand
cansupportlife,intelligentbeingswhodrinkthestuffsufferunpleasantmagicalsideeffects,equivalentto
enduringacursespellforaday.
WoodofSharpTeeth:Thiswood'sreputationasahuntinggroundfordirebeasts,hydras,anddragons
haspreserveditfromwoodcuttersandsettlersfromBaldur'sGateoranywhereelse,forthatmatter.
YellowSnakePass:Thisareawasnamedforawingedserpentthatseveralhundredyearsagoplagued
thisgapintheSunsetMountains,locatedattheheadwatersoftheRiverReaching.YellowSnakePasshas
latelybeenpressedbysnakesofadifferentsorttheZhents.Zhentarimpatrolscontrolledthistraderoute
throughthepassuntilearlyin1372DR,whenThayanwizardsandmercenariesfromHillsEdgedrovethe
patrolsintocavernsheltersintheUnderdark.Forthemoment,YellowSnakePassisfree.

Important Sites
Tradingcitiesscatteredalongtheland'sgreatriversandtheoverlandroutesoftheCoastalWayandthe
TradeWaydominatethehumanlandscapeoftheWesternHeartlands.Centuriesofconquestandscattered
settlementshavedonenothingtotamethelandifanything,ithasgrownmorewild.
Asbravn(SmallCity,5,668):AsbravnisthecentralmarketplaceforthefarmersofSunsetVale,therich
farmlandsbetweentheReachingWoodandtheSunsetMountains.ThetownresistsZhentraidsfrom

Darkholdandmoresubtlepressures,thankstotheservicesofavolunteermilitiaknownastheRidersin
RedCloaks,whosenumbersareoftensupplementedbyfriendlyorretiredadventurers.Thetownisa
popularcaravanstopforallbutZhentmerchants,whocanbuyprovisionsbutmaynorspendthenight.
Beneaththetown'swellkeptfarmsandorderlymarket,catacombsleftbyapreviouscivilizationofsemi
nomadichorseriderssometimesturnupoddtreasures:Foratownerectedupontheremnantsofold
tombs,Ashravnissunnyandrelativelyuntroubledbyundead.
Baldur's'Gate(Metropolis,42,103):OneofthetwogreatcitiesoftheSwordCoast,Baldur'sGatesitson
thenorthbankoftheRiverChionthar,twentymilesfromwheretheriverflowsintotheTracklessSea.
SituatedhalfwaybetweenAmnandWaterdeep,thecitythrivesontrade.
Tradeknowsnoalignment,sotoleranceisavirtueinBaldur'sGate,butnottotheextentthatvisitorsare
allowedtoconductthemselvesinwaysinjurioustootherpersonsorproperty.Guardsindistinctiveblack
helmswithredstripesoneithersidepolicethecity.Theypaymoreattentiontotheupperhalfofthecity,the
partwithintheoriginalwalls,thantothenewer,lowerhalfbytheriver,enclosedbylowerwalls.
AsisoftenthewayinFaern,thegreatnumberofguardsinBaldur'sGateisacluetothepresenceofa
wellrunthievesguild.Guildmaster.Ravenscar(NEmalehumanRog10/Skr4ofMask)maintainsamiable
thoughdistantrelationswithBaldur'sGate'sfourgranddukes,includingEltan(LNmalehumanFtr20),the
commanderoftheFlamingFistmercenarycompany.TheFlamingFistservesasBaldur'sGate'sunofficial
army,providingcheapratesinreturnforasubsidizedbaseofoperations.
Mostmajorcitieshaveafewmajortemples,butBaldur'sGate'sthreemajorhallsofworshiparenoteworthy.
Gond'sHighHouseofWondershousesanastonishingcollectionofoneofakindinventions.Gnomes,
inventors,andcraftsfolkmakethepilgrimagetoBaldur'sGateforbothinspirationanddevotion.Tymora's
templetheLady'sHall,isremarkableforitssizeandwealth.ThetempletoUmberlee,euphemistically
knownasthe"WaterQueen'sHouse",isoneofthefewactualtemplestothisdeityinallofFaern.
Berdusk(LargeCity,20,242):TheJeweloftheValeoccupiesafortuitouspositionastrideboththeUldoon
TrailfromAmnandtheRiverChionthar.Thecityhasanageoldreputationasaplacefortradeandfor
peaceparleys,astatusencouragedbyitscurrentadministrator,theHighLadyCylyriaDragonbreast(NG
femalehumanBrd1O/Ftr3/Hrp4).CylyriaisoneoftheleadersoftheHarpers,whosemostpowerfulbase,
TwilightHall,standsbesidethetown'stempletoDeneir.TheHarpersuseBerduskastheirbaseof
operationsintheWestandtheNorth.
LadyCylyriakeepsthecityfirmlyintheLords'Allianceandusesherinfluencetotemperthestrictlyprofit
mindedpoliciesofthecity'srivalsinIriaeborandSeornubel.TheHarperswerequicktotakeadvantageof
Darkhold'sweakenedgriponitsterritoryintheFarHills,buttheyaresimultaneouslyconcernedaboutthe
subtleriseintheRedWizards'influenceupontheaffairsofthewest.

Beregost(LargeTown,2,915).Beregost'sfortyorsostoneandwoodbuildingscatertothetradebetween
AmnandBaldur'sGate.Thetownhasnoofficialgovernment,insteadbeingrunbythehighpriestofits
majortempletoLathander.Yellowgarbedacolytesofthetemplebeararmsandkeepthepeace.Curiously,
thetown'sfounderwasalsoaspellcasterratherthanapoliticianawizardnamedUlcasterestablisheda
magicschoolherethatattractedafarmingvillagetosupportit.JealousCalishitewizardsburneddown
Ulcaster'sschoolthreehundredyearsago.Theruinsstilldominatetheeasternsideoftheroad,wherethe
Morninglord'sclericsgrazetheirsheeptokeepaneyeontheruinsandpreventunsavorycharactersfrom
goingin(orcomingout.)
BoareskyrBridge:ThismassivestonestructurespanstheWindingWateralongtheTradeWayfrom
SeornubeltoWaterdeep.Thecurrentbridgeisthemostrecentinalongseriesofbridgesatthesite.The
bridgeisinfairlygoodshape,thoughthetwostatuesofdarkgodsthatoriginallyguardeditsendswere
shatteredbyspellscastbyworshipersofMystraandKelemvor.
NopermanentsettlementliesatBoareskyrBridge,butthecollectionofmerchanttentsandcaravanshelters
thataccumulateatbothendsofthebridgeneverentirelydisappears.Atanygiventime,thetentsarehome
tofortytonearlythreehundredmerchants,travelers,andhangerson.Atonetimetwoadventurerstookthe
tentcityundertheirprotectionandenforcedaroughsortoflawandorderbuttheymovedontoretirein
Waterdeep,andtheestatestothenorthwereoccupiedbyaseriesofchieftainsandrichmerchants'
entourages.
ThankstothebattlebetweenCyricandBhaalthatendedinBhaal'sdeath,thewaterdownstreamofthe
bridgeisblack,foulsmelling,andunluckytodrink."Godrinkfromthewestsideofthebridge!"isacommon
curseintheseparts.
Candlekeep:ThiscitadeloflearningstandsonavolcaniccragoverlookingtheseaattheendoftheWayof
theLion,aroadjoiningittotheCoastWaytraderoad.Candlekeepisamanytoweredfortress,oncethe
homeofthefamousseerAlaundo,anditpreservestheseer'spredictionsamongitshugelibraryofthe
writingsofFaern.
Thepriceforanytravelertoenterthekeepismerelyabook.Thosewishingtoexamineaworkinthekeep's
librarymustgiftCandlekeepwithanewtome,valuedbytheshrewdgatekeepersCandlekeepatnoless
than1,000gp.ThemonksofCandlekeep,whocallthemselvestheAvowed,alsopurchasecertainbooks
broughttothemandsecretlycommissionagentstoprocurewritingstheydesire.
ThekeepisruledbytheKeeperoftheTomes,whoisassistedbytheFirstReadersecondinauthorityand
traditionallythemostlearnedsageofthemonastery:UptoeightGreatReadersaregovernedbythesetwo
offices.TheseinturnareassistedbytheChanter,wholeadstheendlesschantofAlaundo'sprophecies,
theGuide(inchargeofteachingacolytes),andtheGatewarden,whodealswithvisitors,security,and
suppliesforthecommunity.Clergyareregardedashonoredguestsbutarenotpartofthemonastery's
hierarchy.

Thecitadelbearsmighty,manylayeredwardsthatpreventanythingfromburningexceptwicksandwax.
Nopapercanigniteanywhereinthekeep.Thesewardsalsoblockteleportationmagicanddestructive
spells,killallmoldsandinsects,andhaveothersecretproperties.Anadditionalwardprohibitsentryintothe
InnerRoomstoallwhodonotbearaspecialtoken,onlyahandfulofwhichexist.IntheInnerRoomsare
keptthemostpowerfulmagicaltomes.Normally,onlytheGreatReadersmayenter,butothersareadmitted
inthecompanyoftheKeeperortheFirstReader.
Thecentraltowerofthekeepissurroundedbybeautifulgroundsthatdescendtoaringofbuildingsalong
theinsideofthemassiveouterwalls:guesthouses,stables,granaries,awarehouse,aninfirmary,atemple
toOghma,andshrinestoDeneir,Gond,andMilil.OrderiskeptbytheGatewarden'sfiveunderofficers:four
Watchers,whotaketurnspatrollingthemonasteryandwatchinglandandseafromitstallesttowers,and
theKeeperofthePortal,eachofwhomhastwelvemonks(allexperiencedwarriors)asassistants.These
underofficerswieldmagicrodsandringstoenforcetheirwill.
NovisitorcanremaininCandlekeepformorethanatendayatatime,orreenterthemonasterylessthana
monthafterleavingit.Visitorsareforbiddentowriteinthelibrary,butthemonksscribecopiesforvisitorsin
goodstanding.Copyingcosts100gppertext,or10,000gpforspellbooksoranytextscontainingspells,
magicalformulae,ordetailsofrituals,wards,commandwords,andthelike.
ThecurrentKeeperoftheTomesisUlraunt(LGhumanmaleDiv1/Lor3),aproudandhaughtywizard.Itis
wellnottocrosshim.AllpetitionerswhoenterthecentralkeepmustsitatUlraunt'sleftshoulderforatleast
oneeveningmealandendurehissearchingquestions.Candlekeephasbutoneabsoluterule:"Hewho
destroysknowledgewithink,fireorsword,ishimselfdestroyed.Here,booksaremorevaluablethanlives."
SomethingguardsthecatacombsandstoragecavernsbeneathCandlekeepsowellthatfewsuccessful
intrusionsfrombelowhaveeverreachedCandlekeepproper.Fewknowthatthissentinelwyrmwasonce
thesilverdragonMhrym.ShewasboundtodefendCandlekeep'smonks,buildings,andbooksbythe
archsorcererTorth.Miirymisnowanancientsilverdragonghostwho,ifdestroyed,rejuvenatesinonly
2d8+8hours.MikymdefendsCandlekeepdiligently,butherspiritisverylonelyandwouldrathertalkthan
fight.Shetradestalesforinformationaboutcurrentevents.
Anyonewhotriestotrickherorlaunchasneakattackcanexpecttohavehercomehowlingafterhim,
hurlingeveryspellshecaninasavage,furiousattack.Ifshemeetsintrudersopenlycarryingbooksofany
kind,thesentinelwyrminsiststhattheybesurrenderedtoherfor"rightfulreturn"toCandlekeep.(Asfaras
she'sconcerned,writingsofanysortbelongtoCandlekeep.)
ThescribesofCandlekeephavemadeatleastonecopyofeverytomethere,andanentire"mirrorlibrary"
isrumoredtobehiddensomewhereelseinFaern.Candlekeepmadebooksalwaysbearthekeep's
symbol:acastlewithcandleflamesburningatopitstowers.

CormOrp(Village,810):ThetownofCormOrpisafleaspeck,slightlyoveradozenpermanentbuildings
ontheDuskRoadbetweenHluthvarandHill'sEdge.Mostofthearea'sinhabitantsarehalflingsand
gnomes,withafewhumanswholiveinsmallhomesinthehillsbehindthetown.CormOrp'slord,Dundast
Hulteal,isaHarpersympathizerwhofrequentlycallsupontheHarpersofBerduskforaid.Manyhalflings
passingthroughthehillsaboveCormOrpareskilledadventurersthemselves,andsomeofthemare
Harpers.
Daggerford(Village,891):Fourhundredyearsago,amerchant'ssonarmedonlywithadaggerstoodina
shallowspotintheDelimbiyrRiverandfoughtoffalizardfolkraidingparty,slayingsixbeforehisfamilyand
therestofthecaravanarrivedtodrivethelizardfolkoffandretaketheford.Nowtheproudcommunityof
Daggerford,awalledsettlementofnearlyfortysmallstonebuildingsandasmallcastle,sitsonthesouth
shoreoftheford,keepingitclearforcaravansandtravelersmovingalongtheTradeWayorheadedeastto
SecomberandLoudwater.
PwyllGreatshout(LGmalehumanFtr5)presentlystyleshimselfasthedukeofDaggerford.Heisservedby
asmallmilitia,supplementedbyhiredadventurerswhopatrolthelocalfarmsandhamlets.Thankstothe
constanttrafficalongtheTradeWay,Daggerfordhasmorethanitsnormalshareofshrines,temples,and
powerfulpriests,includingfulltemplestoChauntea,Lathander,Shaundakul,Tempus,andTymora.
DaggerfordoperatesinWaterdeep'slongshadow.InWaterdeep,theexpression"gonetoDaggerford"is
takentomean"lyinglowoutsidethecity."Daggerfordoccasionallyflirtswithplanstoexpanditsharborand
secureaportionofWaterdeep'stradeforitself.Thisplanispopularwiththetown'sCouncilofGuilds,an
organizationwhosemembersgomaskedliketheLordsofWaterdeepbutlackthemagicalprotectionsthat
keeptheiridentitiessecretfromdeterminedmagicians).Privately,PwyllGreatshoutbelievesthatthecouncil
overestimateshistown'scapabilities.
Darkhold:Since1312DR,Darkhold'sblackwallsandtoweringspireshavebeentheZhents'westernbase
ofoperations.TheinfightingcausedbyBane'sdeathandsubsequentresurrectionhasweakened
Darkhold'sinfluenceonthesurroundingarea.buthasn'tloosenedZhentcontrolofDarkholditself.
Thefortitselfisahighspiredkeeprisingfromabarerockyspuronthesideofthemountainnamedthe
GrayWatcher.TheblackstoneusedtobuildDarkholdcamefromaplacefarfromtheWesternHeartlands.
Darkhold'smassivedoorways,corridors,andceilingswereconstructedforgiants.Legendsvariously
ascribethekeep'sconstructiontothedayswhengiantsruledallofFaernortoelderelementalsservingas
slavesforthekingdomofNetheril.UntilBane'sresurrection,thewizardSememmonwasDarkhold's
undisputedmaster.Foranevilgenius,Sememmonisapatient,observant,andwiseman.Hecameinto
conflictwithFzoulChembrylearlyinboththeircareersandhasneversoughtorwishedtofullyrepairthe
rift.WhenBanediedin1358DR,SememmonheldhisownagainstFzoul'sXvimsponsoredmachinations
bymanaginghisunderlingswisely,consolidatinghispowerinDarkhold,andavoidingconflictwithFzoul.
WhenBanereturnedandFzoulestablishedsolecontroloftheeasternZhents,Sememmonassessedhis
situation,chosethewisestcourseofaction,anddisappeared.

SomeofFzoul'ssupportershavequietlyclaimedthatFzouleliminatedSememmonhimself,buthigh
rankingZhentsarenotsure.Ashemmi(LEfemalemoonelfWiz11),Sememmon'slongtimeconsortand
lover,disappearedatthesametimeasSememmon.Theywithdrewtofightbattlestheycouldwin,rather
thankeepastrongholdunlikelytosurviveagainstitsoriginalheadquarterstotheeast.
Atpresent,thecitadelhousesapermanentZhentfightingforceofeighthundredwarriors,slightlyreduced
fromthedayswhenSememmonheldtheFarHillsinperfectservitude.Fzoulseemscontenttoletthe
variousZhentcommandersinDarkholdsparforposition,includingthePereghost(CEmalehuman
Ftr7/Chm5ofCyric).AllhaveswornpersonaloathsofloyaltytotheZhentarimcause,althoughthestrong
CyricistinfluenceheregallsFzoul,whowantstoseealloftheZhentarimunderBane'sdominion.
TheintriguesandassassinationattemptspresentlydominatingDarkhold'sinternalpoliticsarenotopenly
toleratedintheeasternZhentholdings,butforthemomentDarkhold'sfeudsarebeingusedtocullthe
weak.Ifastrongleaderdoesnotemergesoon,Fzoulwillappointhisowncommander,someonestrong
enoughtodealwithintriguesdecisively.
Durlag'sTower:Durlag'sTowerstandslikeasinglemassivefangatopawallofvolcanicrockthatrisesout
oftheotherwisesmoothplainsrollingsouthoftheWoodofSharpTeeth.During'sTowerwasbuiltbythe
dwarvenheroDurlagTrollkillor.Durlaghadanextremecaseofwhatthedwarvescall"goldeneye,"an
overwhelminglustfortreasure.
Duringhisadventuringcareerhebehavedhonorably,butinthelastyearsofhislifeDurlagretiredtohislair
anddevotedhimselftocreatinga"gift"tofuturegenerationsofadventurers.Histowerissofullofmagical
treasuresthatitmakescastersofdetectmagicspellsdizzy.Magicwards,mechanicaltraps,andmalevolent
automatonsensurethatadventurerswhowishtodepartwiththeirlives,muchlessanypartofDurlag's
treasure,needtofightashardasDurlagdidtoamasshishoard.
Newrumorsalwayssurfacethatsomenewfiendhasdefeatedthewardsandtakenresidenceinthetower.
Thetruthisnotsosimple.Atvarioustimes,adragon,asquadronofwillo'wisps,andanillithidhavetaken
"command"ofthetower,butinallcasestheoccupantseventuallydiscoveredthatthetowerhadoutsmarted
them,turningthemintoatemporarypartofitsowndefensesratherthanactuallyyieldingitssecrets.Atany
time,multiplepartiesormonstersmightbewithinthetower,fightingforachancetotakecontrol,plunder,or
escape.
Informationonthecurrentdenizensofthetowerisavailableforasmallpriceinthetinyhumanandgnome
settlementnamedGullykin,acoupleofmilesfromDurlag'sTower.
Elturel(LargeCity,22,671):IfElturel'sruler,HighRiderLordDhelt(LGmalehumanPal17ofHelm),were
anevilman,hiscity'spositionatopacliffthatdominatestheRiverChiontharwouldcausenoendoftrouble
fortheothertradingcitiesoftheregion.FortunatelyforthepeaceandprosperityoftheChiontharvalley,
Dheltconfineshiscompetitiveinstinctstorunningthesafest,bestpoliced,andmostefficienttradingand

farmingcommunityintheWesternHeartlands.Intheseharshlands,civilizationdependsonmilitarypower,
andElturelprovestherulewithacrackarmyoftwohundredmountedwarriorsknownastheHellriders.
CaravansandriverboatconvoystakeroutesintoElturel'szoneofcontroljustsothattheycanrelaxand
leaveadayortwoofvigilancetoLordDhelt'ssoldiers.
Evereska(LargeCity,21,051):Intheelventongue,Evereskameans"fortresshome."Thisgreatvalleyand
thecitywithinit,theonlymajorsettlementofmoonandsunelvesleftonFaernfollowingtheRetreat,is
nestledbetweentwelvehighhillsthatfunctionasnaturalwalls.Accesstothisrefugeexistsonlybyairor
throughhighpassesguardedbyeliteelvensentinels.Theapproachtothecityleadsthroughacrescent
shapedvalleyofterracedvineyardsandfruitgardens.ThecityofEvereskaitselfisamasterpieceofshaped
stoneandcraftedtrees,builtforarchitecturalimpactandpowerfuldefense.
Evereska'srulersaretheHillElders,elvesofimmenseage,learning,andpower.ThankstotheHillElders'
careandforesight,Evereska'sinhabitantsarefreetolivedeepwithintheelvenmysteries.Someelves
neverleaveEvereskafortheoutsideworld.Othersguardthecitywithunceasingvigilance.
MosthumansknowofEvereskaonlythroughrumorsorfromseeingpaintingsortinysculpturesgivenas
presentstotheelves'mostfaithfulfriends.Storiestellofthestrengthofelvenmagicwithinthecity,suchas
itsinhabitants'abilitytowalkstraightupverticalsurfacesasiftheyalwaysbenefitedfromspiderclimb
spells.Theseeffects(andmore)comefromapowerfulmythal.Themythal'sgreaterpowers,defensive
abilitiesofelvenhighmagicatthepeakofitspower,areseldomcalledupon.
Hill'sEdge(SmallCity,9,716):Hill'sEdgecaterstobothZhentcaravansandhonesttravelers.Smallbut
prosperous,thetownhasawelldeservedreputationfordirtydealsandoddbedfellows.Bandits,brigands,
murderers,andcutthroatsgettoknoweachotherinHill'sEdge'staverns,andit'shardtokillapersonwho
boughtyoudrinksthenightbefore.
Officially,Hill'sEdgeelectsamayoreveryyear,butsuitablecandidatesaredifficulttofind.In1371DR,the
RedWizardsbroughtasmallenclavetoHill'sEdge.It'sthriving,andsoisHill'sEdge,thankstothe
increasedspendingofthosewhostoptopurchasetheThayans'wares.
ZhentcaravansstillpassthroughHill'sEdgehappilyenough,butalertadventurersmightplayontensions
betweentheThayansandZhents.TheZhentsdon'tappreciatetheThayans'roleintherecentliberationof
YellowSnakePass.Fortheirpart,theHarpersofBerduskareevenlesshappywiththeThayans,anenemy
withasmilingface,thanwiththenotoriouslyheavyhandedZhents.
Hluthvar(SmallCity,6,669):FromthehighestlookoutofthefortressliketempleofHelmatthecenterof
Hluthvar,akeeneyedwatchercanspytheblacktowersofDarkholdonaclearday,oversixtymilestothe
east.Firmvigilance,astrongtenfootwall,anddevotedworshipofHelmareallthatpreventsHluthvarfrom
fallingtotheZhents.Helm'shighpriest,Maurandyr(LNmalehumanClr14/Dis4ofHelm),whofightswitha
magicaldancingsword,reinforcesthetown'sresolvetostandstrongagainsttheZhents.

Iriaebor(LargeCity,16,193):TheCityofaThousandSpiresoccupiesasprawlingridgeabovethenorth
forkoftheRiverChionthar.Spacetobuildonisatapremiumatoptheridge,soIriaebor'stradersandother
citizenshaveadjustedbybuildingupinsteadofoutmanystoriedtowersrisefromallquartersofthecity.
Iriaebor'sgreatmerchanthousescompetetobuildthehighest,richest,andmostfantasticallybizarre
towers,thinkingtoattractbusinessthewaypeacocksattracttheirmates.Likepeacocks,whofightwhen
looksalonecannotdecideengagements,thegreathousesofIriaeborsometimesconspiretotoppleeach
other'stowers,usingmagicorhiredadventurerstoconfusethetrail.
Oneofthosehiredadventurerscametoprominenceinthemiddleofamerchants'warandtookitupon
himselftorulethecity.Bron(LGmalehumanFtr5/Pal4ofEldath)believesthathiscitycouldbecomea
majorforceintheWesternHeartlandsifitcouldstopsquanderingitsenergyoninternalfeuds.
LaughingHollow:AfewmilesnorthofDaggerford,achokepointintheRiverDelimbiyrrunsthroughan
olddwarvenquarrywherethedwarvesusedtherivertoflushawaytheirmine'swastes.Theminershave
beengoneforcenturies,andthemineliesundiscoveredbeneaththickvegetationthatcoversthewallsof
thecliffsoneithersideoftheriver.Pixies,hybsils,andwildelvesshelterinthethickbrush,drivingoffthe
adventurerswhocomeheresearchingforthemineanditssupposedtreasures.
Scornubel(LargeCity,14,574):Scornubel,theCaravanCity,isasprawlingbuzzofmercantileactivity
alongthenorthshorewheretheRiverChiontharmeetstheRiverReaching.Itisruledbyagroupofelderly
ormiddleagedadventurersandcaravanmasters,someofwhomfavorhiringadventurerstosolvethecity's
problemsandotherswhopreferthatadventurersmovealongpromptly.Inallthings,therulingcouncil
choosesefficiencyandprofitoverideals.
Caravansofallnations,organizations,andtradingcostersarewelcomeinScornubel.Similarly,shrinesto
nearlyallFaerniandeitiescanbefoundsomewhereinthetown'slowbuildings.TheRedShieldmerchant
companyrunsbothitsmilitaryandtradingcaravanoperationsoutofScornubel.TheRedShieldsalsoserve
asScornubel'sofficialarmyandpoliceforce.Asanarmy,they'reefficient.Asapoliceforce,they
concentrateonrelaxing,enjoyingthemselves,andlookingaftertheRedShieldcompany'sinterests.
Secomber(SmallTown,1,417):SittingalongtheUnicornRunjustnorthoftheHighMoor,Secomberis
eitherthenorthernmostsettlementoftheWesternHeartlandsorthefirstvillageoftheNorth,dependingon
whodrawsthemap.ThosewhovotefortheWesternHeartlandspointtothetown'speacefulness,its
thrivingfamiliesoffisherfolkandfarmers,itscolorfulgardens,anditshospitalitytopassingcaravans.Those
whothinkofitaspartoftheNorthpointtothetown'ssizablecommunityofadventurersandguideswho
haveatleastpassingfamiliaritywiththeHighForesttothenorth.
Thecitywelcomestravelers,particularlyadventurerswhousethecityasabaseforforaysintotheHigh
MoorortheHighForest.Notcoincidentally,suchadventurersarecalledontohelpoutwhengargoylesand
worsecreaturesareunearthedfromthearea'slongdeadkingdomofAthlantar,theKingdomoftheStag.

WellofDragons:ThroughoutFaern,there'salegendthatthegreatdragonshaveagraveyard,aplace
theygotodie.TheWellofDragons,thehollowinteriorofanoldvolcanonorthoftheSunsetMountainsand
southoftheBattleofBones,isthatgraveyard.Untilrecently,itsthousandsofdragonskeletonswere
hiddenfromviewbypowerfulspellsandguardedbyanundeadshadowdragoncalledtheDireDragon.The
CultoftheDragonlearnedoftheWellofDragons,madeapactofsortswiththeDireDragon,then
succeededinunbindingthemagicthatkepttheguardianattachedtoFaern.
Insteadofenjoyingeasyaccesstothetreasuretrove,theCultoftheDragonhasencounteredserious
resistancefrommembersofseveraldifferentfactions.Interestedpartiesincludedragonkinwhorefuseto
plundertherestingplaceofthegreatdragons,yuanti,newlyarrivinglesserdragons,andvariouspartiesof
adventurersandsageswhoareintentonlootingtheremains.Despitethedifficulties,theCultissecretly
raisingadarkandpowerfulfortresstowatchoverthisplace,andplanninggreatsorceriesandriteshere.

Regional History
TheancienthistoryoftheWesternHeartlandsrevealsitselfinthescatteredtombs,brokenstatues,and
shatteredruinsofdozensofmightykingdoms.AstestifiedtobysitessuchastheFieldsoftheDeadand
theBattleofBones,fewofthosekingdomsdissolvedpeacefully.
Majorwarsintheregionwererareinrecentcenturies,unlessonecountsthebattlefoughtbetweenthe
deitiesBhaalandCyricatBoareskyrBridgeduringtheTimeofTroubles.CyricslewBhaalandstolehis
powers,theportfolioofmurder.
InthecenturiesbeforetheriseofWaterdeep,thegreatestkingdomintheWesternHeartlandswasIllefarn,
akingdomofelvesthatrivaledMythDrannor.Phalorm(theRealmofThreeCrowns,ortheFallenKingdom)
andtheKingdomofManruledforatimeinIllefarn'swake,butsincethennosinglepowerhascontrolledthe
entirearea.ThetradingcultureofWaterdeep,Amn,andthescatteredmembersoftheLords'Alliance
composethelongestlivedcivilizationtoriseintheWesternHeartlandssinceIllefarn'sfall.
Themercantilecities'interestsaresometimesaidedandsometimesopposedbytheZhentforcesoperating
outofthefortressofDarkholdintheFarHills.Asidefromtheweather,Darkhold'schangingfortunesare
probablythesinglelargestvariableinthelivesofinhabitantsoftheWesternHeartlands.

Plots and Rumors

TheWesternHeartlandsarefriendlytoadventurersofgoodheart.Unchartedmountains,wildforests,and
hauntedforeststhreatenthesmallvillagesandsettlementsofthearea,andadventurershavealwaysbeen

thefirstlineofdefenseagainstthepowergroupstheCultoftheDragon,theShadowThieves,andthe
Zhentarimwhoseektoextendtheirinfluenceintothearea.
"I'dLiketoGetMyThingsBack":Theheroesmightbesurprisedtobeapproachedinaforthrightmanner
byAshemmi,theloverofSememmon,theformerrulerofDarkhold.Sememmonleftsomepossessions
behindinDarkholdwhenhefled,andhewouldlikethemback.Theseitemsarewellhidden,butthereis
alwaysthechanceofaccidentaldiscoverywhilethekeepiscontrolledbyothercommanders.Sememmon
doesnotwanttoreturntoDarkholdhimself.Instead,hewouldliketheheroestobreakintoDarkholdand
retrievehisthings.HeevengivesthePCsinformationtoreducetheirriskofbeingapprehended.Hemeans
topaythePCsenormouslyfortheirservices,halfinadvance,andinformsthemthattheitemstheyare
gatheringforhimshouldn'tfallintothehandsofFzoul'sZhents.IfthePCswanttomeetSememmon
himselfinsteadofdealingwithhislover,thiscanbearranged.
SememmonisnotconcernedifthePCsdonotaccepthiscommission.Infact,heleavesbehindaquarter
ofthehugefee,asmanygoldpiecesasittakestomakethePCsgasp)asagift,justtosaythathewould
bewillingtoworkwiththePCsinthefuture.Sememmon'snewplan,inthelongrun,istomakehimself
indispensabletotheforcesofgoodthatheformerlyopposed.TheobjectsSememmonwantsbackcouldbe
documentationofZhentarimspiesintheregion,spellbookswithuniquespells,orpotentmagicitems.
RealmsPersonality:Sememmon
Eldenser,theWormWhoHidesinBlades.
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