Daggerford

Daggerford was a small town located in the Delimbiyr Vale within the greater Sword Coast. While it was primarily a farming community, the town's collective desire to grow and be seen as an alternative to the northern city Waterdeep attracted skilled craftsmen and artisans.

Despite its small size and reputation as a stopover town, Daggerford had great ambitions and a long and storied history. It remained resilient through a number of conflicts that arose throughout the Sword Coast.

Description
It was a walled town with a population of approximately 900, with a number of outlying hamlets, farms, and estates bringing the population to over 2,000. As such, the town proper was not densely populated. Its streets were unpaved and the buildings were ramshackle in appearance. Within the center of town was the ducal castle, the central stronghold of dwarven construction.

Geography
The town was strategically placed along the Trade Way on the southern bank of the Delimbiyr River. It was the largest settlement on the trade route located between Waterdeep to the north, and Baldur's Gate to the south.

There were a number of small but notable landmarks situated around Daggerford. The familial estate of Sir Elorfindar Floshin was about two days of travel away, and the home of his son Elorshin was approximately the same distance away to the east. Near Elorshin's home was the temple known as the Mosque of Tyr, which the younger elf maintained.

The Black Helm Tower was about a day's travel away from Daggerford.

Geographical Features
Castle Daggerford was built on a small hill that overlooking the rest of the town, that was built atop the surrounding flatlands.

Government
Since the founding of the Kingdom of Phalorm around the by Tyndal "Daggerford" (not his original last name), the town was governed by Dukes through Tyndal's family line until at least the end of the Second Sundering.

Around the, a town charter was granted by Duke Conan, leading to the creation of the anonymous ruling body known as the Council of Guilds. The council was modeled after the Masked Lords of Waterdeep, however Daggerford was too small a town to have such intrigue. It was commonly known that the local guildmasters sat on the council.

As of the mid–14 century, the town was ruled by Duke Pryden Daggerford. Unfortunately, the duke lost his life in the First Dragonspear War. He was succeeded by his son, Pwyll "Greatshout" Daggerford, so named for his magically booming voice.

Duke Maldwyn Daggerford received his title before the year 1485 DR because of the tradition of primogeniture (with the title passed to the eldest male child), despite clear town opinion being that his elder sister would be more suited to the role.

The Duchess of Daggerford as of 1486 DR was Lady Morwen Daggerford, inheriting the title from her younger brother Maldwyn when the practice of primogeniture was suspended in the town of Daggerford. She visibly looked as though she was in her 20s, but was just shy of middle-aged.

Although there was an active Duke or Duchess, most day-to-day issues were handled by the Council of Guilds. The council felt they had more power than they truly did, meeting in concealing robes with faces covered to emulate the meetings of the Lords of Waterdeep despite their faces being publicly known.

Trade
While Daggerford emulated the grand, northern Metropolis of Waterdeep its trade services were somewhat limited. It attracted its fair share of travelers but many of its shops offered their goods at a significantly marked–up prices.

The people of Daggerford were largely self–sufficient.

Guilds
After the establishment of guilds, each type of guild was maintained by a Guildmaster, even if it was only a single town representative, to ease trade between cities. eventually forming into the Council of Guilds, many amalgamating into fewer categories by 1485 DR.

Defenses
In addition to the Duke and his personal guard, Daggerford maintained a standing militia. It comprised the town's citizens who were healthy enough to serve, regardless of gender or race. Those were not required to serve were those were too young or too old, women who were pregnant, and women who were raising young children.

Newly–recruited militiamen were granted some training and given very rudimentary arms. Service was required three days out of every month, and typically consisted of fairly light duties, unless the town was in immediate peril.

Founding
In the centuries after the elves of Illefarn abandoned their kingdom for the isle of Evermeet, in the the Kingdom of Delimbiyran arose in the area. It was during this age that Daggerford became a duchy and grew significantly in power and influence.

The town took its name from a 10 century legend about a boy named Tyndal who fended off a tribe of lizardfolk with only a dagger.

All the Dukes of Daggerford claimed to be descended from Tyndal.

Construction of the ducal castle began in the, after the duchy was relocated from the city of Demilbiyran to its current location atop the hill. The previous Duke of Calandor and his court were killed by the crash landing of the dying white dragon Cortulorrulagalargath, and the new keep was built atop the ruined remnants of Morlin Castle. Over the course of the next hundred years, the people of Daggerford began to build a proper town outside of the new castle.

During the mid–13 century, Devral Ironeater and the rest of Clan Ironeater moved into town and began rebuilding many of its wooden structures out of stone.

14 Century
In the, Daggerford's army lent 50 of their soldiers, one tenth of the town's population, to the Coalition army. They fought under the command of General Haither Stonehand who knew each of her soldiers personally.

Notable Locations
Despite its rather small size and modest population, Daggerford was divided into four different quarters:

This area of town held the city's docks and served those whose jobs revolved around ships and sea trade. Dock workers unloaded cargo from ships that was bound for transport along the Trade Way, while some skippers and rivermen transported people down the Delimbiyr River to Secomber and the surrounding settlements.
 * Riverman's Quarter:

Some of the landmarks within the Riverman's Quarter were the Flying Fish seafood market, the grand River Shining Tavern, and the shrine to Tempus, known as the Table of the Sword.

Catering to those individuals passing through town on trade business, this area of Daggerford comprised several shops and businesses, guildhalls, as well as a number of boarding houses. As such it was nearly devoid of activity during the winter months, when caravan travel all but ceased.
 * Caravan Quarter:

Notable locations included the grand Lady Luck Tavern, the Daggerford Inn, and the the library of Kryptgarden Scrolls.


 * Farmers' Quarter:
 * Businesses:
 * Potter's Wheel:
 * Ransaran's Sergeant-at-Arms:
 * Wayfel's Smithy:
 * Wiston Apothecary:


 * Halls:
 * Animal Handlers' Affiliation:
 * Carpenter's League:
 * Farmers' Society:


 * Inns and Taverns:
 * Dragonback Inn
 * Happy Cow


 * Landmarks:
 * The Commons:
 * Grand Playhouse:
 * Guildmasters' Hall:
 * Marketplace:


 * Places of Worship:
 * Harvest House: The temple dedicated to Chauntea was the largest house of worship in Daggerford.


 * Residences:
 * Pascal's Tenements:


 * Money Quarter:
 * Businesses:
 * Derval's Bright Blade:
 * Farrel's Fine Jewelry and Apparel:
 * Korbus's Jewelry and Fine Ornaments:


 * Halls:
 * Jewelers' Congress:
 * Kryptharden Scrolls:
 * Merchants' Guild:


 * Inns, restaurants and taverns:
 * Chateau Elite Inn:
 * Nartan's Fine Foods:
 * Lady Luck Tavern:


 * Residences:
 * Bjorn's Tenements:


 * Other:
 * Inns and taverns
 * Silver Flood Inn
 * The Lizard's Grizzard
 * The Otter's Run


 * Temples and shrines
 * Morninglow Tower: Situated right next to Daggerford Castle, this temple attracted the majority of the town's residents.


 * Other
 * Delfen's Tower

14 Century

 * Lady Bronwyn Daggerford, a skilled wizard that was rumored to be a member of the Harpers
 * Sir Llewellyn Longhand, the duke's master-at-arms
 * Gwydion pen Dafwyd, court wizard to Duke Pwyell
 * Delfen Ondabarl, a resident mage that often took on local apprentices

Appearances

 * Adventures:
 * Hordes of Dragonspear