Shadowdale

Shadowdale is the most famous of the Dalelands, and is known as the home of the archmage Elminster and two of the Seven, Storm Silverhand and Syluné. Through its history, Shadowdale has battled both Zhentarim and drow invasions. What Shadowdale lacks in numbers, it makes up for by the strength of its inhabitants, including some retired adventurers.

History
Once, that area was reigned by the Dark Elves,but in the early 900s DR the growing human population came to a conflict with them. The Drow were forced to go down to the Underdark. The humans established themselves in Shadowdale and the major stronghold of the Drows, the Twisted Tower, became its center. A water-wizard, Ashaba, was chosen for the first Lord and then he ruled for 40 years. Before he died, he had pointed his successor and passed to him the Ashaba's Necklace, which since that time has been the lordship's symbol. About 1270 DR, the Necklace was passed to Joadath. He was an atheist and forced to his serves his convictions. During his rules in the Dale were many religious persecutions, of which the most horrible was the Tyr's confessors' massacre near the Watcher's Knoll. At last Joadath was killed by a beast from another sphere called by unknown person. The creature has been sowing chaos amid the Dale, until it was killed by a wizards' pair, Aumry and his wife Sylune.

Then the folk chose Aumry for the new Lord. His 40-year reign is famous for peace and prosperity, but in that time Zhentarim turned their eyes to Shadowdale, because they wanted to control all trade between the Sword Coast and the Moonsea. To conquer the Dale, they prepared a malicious plan - their people killed Aumry, and then another Zhentarim agent named Jyordhan, incognito, captured and murdered the killers. He named himself the new Lord, and people accepted him. Soon he started to rule the land with terror, and all people's uprisings were strangled by the Black Network's forces. This terror persisted for five years, until was killed by Khelben Arunsun. Then Sylune with a help from a group of adventurers drove out Zhentarim and the next three years were known as the Time of Interrengnum; though the de facto power was in the hands of Sylune, Khelben held the Ashaba's Necklace, seeking a worth candidate for the throne. At last he found Myth Drannor Knights, but their captain, Florin Hawkclaw, didn't wish the power. He gave it to a young knight, Doust Sulwood.

Doust ruled supported by Sylune, his brotherhood and, in secret, by Khelben. People loved him and presence of the Knights made the land save. But soon he became bored with the court's life and after five years he gave the Necklace to one of his companions, Mourngrym Amcathra.

Moungrym's rules were very unpeaceful. In 1357 DR Shadowdale was attacked by Llyran Nanther, a Zhent whom Jyordhan had chosen as his successor, and now he tried to possess the throne. The assault was repelled, but a year later, at the Times of Troubles, Shadowdale's forces had to fight in a great battle against Bane and Zhentarim.

Geographical locations

 * Druid's Grove
 * Elf Leap
 * Fox ridge
 * Hangman's Knoll
 * Harpers' Hill
 * Krag Pool
 * Shadow Ridge
 * Mistledale Mount
 * The Old Skull Tor
 * Toad Knoll
 * Watcher's Knoll

Locations in the village of Shadowdale

 * Elminster's Tower
 * The Old Skull Inn
 * The Twisted Tower

Temples and shrines

 * Morningdawn Hall
 * The House of Plenty
 * The House of the Lady

Defense
Elminster is usually responsible for the defense of Shadowdale, but when he is away on trips, he leaves this task with Storm Silverhand.