Orlbar

Orlbar was a village on the junction of the Loagrann and Greyflow rivers in the Delimbiyr Vale in the mid-to-late 14 century DR.

Description
It lay on the north bank of the confluence of the Greyflow and Loagrann.

Inhabitants
Around 1365 DR, it was a sleepy village supporting about 450 people, mostly shepherds.

History
It was once known as a simple, sleepy town unwilling to grow any larger than it already was. Then, in the summer of the, a Zhentarim caravan rolled into town and set up a new government. A former lieutenant of Geildarr Ithym of Llorkh, Felishar Ivarzin, became leader of the village.

Wary of the Zhentarim having a base of power even closer to them, the leadership of Loudwater backed a revolt to free the village from its new masters. Unfortunately, Jesym Rein turned traitor and tipped off Felishar to the plan and who was behind it, allowing him to put the uprising down easily. Loudwater, not wishing to invite the full wrath of the Zhentarim, grudgingly signed the Oath of Orlbar, ensuring the Zhentarim's control of the village.

With his seat of power secured, Felishar broke with the Cyricist faction of the Zhentarim and joined the Xvimlar faction. With the help of Fzain Nerist, they quickly built an imposing temple to Xvim over the village and Felishar enacted strict regulations on trade.

The people of Orlbar soon learned that those who practiced unauthorized trade would disappear and Felishar promised rewards to those who informed him of such. They became an insular and paranoid people, effectively forced to convert to the worship of Xvim (and then later Bane) and unwilling to talk with their own neighbors, let alone visitors.

By 1491 DR, the village had been abandoned, its last inhabitants driven away by the stone giants of Deadstone Cleft.

Description
Orlbar was once an unremarkable and, indeed, boring little village. Volo, in his guidebook, wrote it had "absolutely nothing to recommend it to the traveler", except that they could get basic food and shelter while on their way to somewhere more interesting. It had a small shrine—more like a warehouse, bare and drafty—that was shared by several faiths and where those who needed a place to sleep could do so on the floor.

Notable Locations

 * Fortress of the Eternal Despot: A large temple to Iyachtu Xvim that was reconsecrated to Bane when he was resurrected in 1372 DR. It was built on a bluff that had a commanding view of the entire village and said to have been made with the help of devils. Rumors abounded that the temple's cellars went deep underground.
 * The Unblinking Eye: This tavern didn't take any boarders and sold spartan food and watery ale.

Rumors & Legends
According to rumor, the overgrown ruins of Netherese castles and stately homes could be found on the forested mountain slopes to the north. These sometimes drew adventurers.