Freedale

Freedale was a town in Shadowdale.

Geography
Freedale was located around 15 miles to the south-east from the village of Shadowdale on a minor trail that ran along the River Ashaba all the way to Ashabenford.

History
Freedale was founded on the area that was, at some in the past, cleared by Sembian woodcutters harvesting valuable wood. The creation of the settlement was an attempt to create a new town in the Dalelands or expand Shadowdale. The township was governed by their own elected lordship, independent from Shadowdale. The village was named Freedale and, by 1359 DR, expanded enough to have wharves and had its highest population.

Unfortunately, by 1374 DR, after the resettlement of Myth Drannor, the people of Freedale were in decline, possibly due to the elves of Myth Drannor frowning upon a town built on an area that was a beautiful forest once. By the late 1400s DR, the village still existed mostly in just name and consisted of several log cabins inhabited by human households that lived off the land. As the forests slowly reclaimed the mostly abandoned hamlet, the remaining inhabitants survived by harvesting mushrooms, edible mosses, and various herbs. The harvested items were often sold to traveling merchant caravans who passed through the village towards Shadowdale. In 1400s DR, the town did not have rulers nor lords and was largely forgotten, remaining nothing but a few scarce cabins and one working wharf.

Locations in the village of Freedale

 * Tower of the High Wizard Netheril: the home and laboratory of a sage, Netheril, who shared his arcane knowledge with others for a fee.
 * West Wind Stables: spacious stables that sometimes offered sleeping arrangements to the adventurers who could not afford to stay at the inn.
 * Temple of Lathander: the grand open temple of the Morninglord, built by Farrish the Priest over the course of many years.
 * Evening Star Inn: the only place in town for travelers to get lodgings, accompanying with warm meals and much-needed bath after a long travel.
 * Fendrick's Fine Foods: the only eatery in town, famous for its "chicken surprise" dish.
 * The Red Dragon Tavern: the town's main attraction and friendly tavern for folk to chug ale, gossip, and see a bardic performance.

Points of Interest

 * Tomb of Damara: the ancient castle that came to be referred to as a tomb of a wizard Damara. The little known keep, southwest from Shadowdale in the depths of a forest was often filled with hostile creatures.
 * Mount Dread
 * Blackcreek Crossing
 * Oaken Grove Abby
 * Jaelre Shelter
 * Cybodan's House
 * Shallain Freehold
 * The White Crag

Notable Inhabitants

 * One-Arm McGinty: the owner of the Red Dragon Tavern, ex-thief who was always ready to gossip.
 * Slinker: the affable thief turned adventurer, friends with One-Arm McGinty, owner of the Red Dragon Tavern.
 * Taran Goldenstar: the apprentice of sage Netheril who also was an elven noble and a talented musician.

Background

 * This town is not mentioned in any Forgotten Realms product and only appears in the Introduction to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons boxed set. It is included here because it is included on a map of Shadowdale and the map and description mention a number of Realms sites, though so erroneously it may not be canon.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * The Tomb of Damara &bull; The Ghost of Harrow Hill &bull; Under Mount Dread