Dragonspine Mountains

The Dragonspine Mountains was a range of peaks in the western Moonsea, that divided the region into two separate halves.

Description
While not the largest peaks of the Realms, the Dragonspines were a series of rough crags that were extremely difficult to traverse. They were wracked with frigid temperatures that turned away all but the most experienced travelers.

Those that dared to brave the peaks could find themselves with great rewards however, as they were rich with natural resources, including a wealth ore, such as black granite.

Geography
The mountains were bordered on the northern side by the vast steppes known as the Ride, and to the west by the Border Forest. Nestled along its southern slopes were the Ticklebelly Hills, and beyond them the Grass Sea.

Two trails snaked through the mountains south from the Citadel of the Ravel, the Teshpost Trail down to Teshwave, and the Zhentilar Trail all the way south to Zhentil Keep.

Geographical Features
Notable peaks in the range included Mount Throndor, Mount Tesh, and the caves of Skondarr beneath it, and Eastwall, the mountain that loomed over the entire Moonsea. The Stojanow river flowed southeast towards Phlan and the actual Moonsea.

The Lords of Zhentil Keep had mines in the western half of the range, while Melvaunt and Hillsfar had mines in the eastern half. Deep with the mounts was a network of caverns and subterranean passageways, remnants of the ancient dwarven realm of Sarphil.

Located somewhere within the mountains was one of the Dragon's Claw portals, a portal network maintained by the dragon wizard Valraxaxath.

Trade
The eastern slopes of the Dragonspines held a passage to the Underdark, that facilitated slave trade between the Zhentarim and the drow.

History
The Treaty of the Ride was signed at a peace accord held within the foothills of the Dragonspines in the.

In the, the group of Zhentarim-hating freedom fighters known as the Knights of the North formed in the foothills of the mountains. For over a decade they led raids against Zhent forces until they grew to greater prominence.

Notable Locations

 * Citadel of the Raven, the networked fortressed of the Zhentarim and personal domain of the archmage Manshoon,  that remained a smattering of ruins as of the late 15 century DR.
 * Redhorn, a 15 century hold of the returned Cult of the Dragon.
 * Temple of the Scale, the home of the dragon-worshipping druids known as the Circle of the Scale.

Inhabitants
As of the 14 century, red, white, and at least one pair of copper dragons were known to lair in the higher peaks, along with other aerial creatures such as dire hawks, and hippogriffs.

Goblins, orcs, and giants filled the lower areas and valleys, that latter of which were occasionally enslaved by the dragons of the peaks.

Notable Inhabitants

 * Malaritheos & Zathrantramix, mating red dragons that lived in the dormant volcano.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Pool of Radiance Resurgent • The Courting of Fire
 * The Scroll Thief
 * The Scroll Thief