Skalnaedyr

Skalnaedyr, formerly known as Phannaskul, was a city in Murghôm in the mid–14 century and late 15 century DR.

Geography
In lay on the north bank of the River Rauthenflow and at the end of a road from Delbyl.

Government
In the 15 century DR, the city was ruled by the elder blue dragon Skalnaedyr. Unlike most other dragon princes of Murghôm at the time, he showed some respect to his human subjects and allowed them a degree of freedom. Skalnaedyr was rarely seen and his vizier Merwena spoke on his behalf and handled the day-to-day operations of the government circa 1479 DR.

History
It was known as an ancient and rich city. Merchants from here did business in Medinat Muskawoon in that city's heyday before around 300 DR.

A plague among the metallic dragons of the Copper Mountains in the, caused many dragons to flee the region. One blue dragon, Skalnaedyr, stopped to rest and to eat in Phannaskul, then a small village. But to protect his people, the ataman of Phannaskul pledged fealty to the surprised dragon, who agreed to rule the village, becoming the first dragon prince of Murghôm. The ataman even changed the settlement's name to honor the dragon. Skalnaedyr's new position encouraged the dragons who followed him to also seize control of other settlements in the area.

Thanks to Skalnaedyr's enlightened rule (for a dragon), the small village grew into a city over some seventy years.

Society
The Cult of the Dragon operated openly and actively in Skalnaedyr from the Dragon House. They did not preach the faith's more extreme doctrine, keeping a secret for the most zealous members of the cult, those with years of experience and dedication. They were linked to the Dragon Cult in the Tower of the Talon, which stood by the Plains of Purple Dust.

Description
As the city had grown rapidly from a village, by 1479 DR it displayed many winding streets and a varied architecture. The more recent parts were those around Skalnaedyr's palace.

Notable Locations

 * Skalnaedyr's palace
 * Dragon House: headquarters of the Cult of the Dragon
 * Skalnaedyr's Tomb

Background
Phannaskul's description as originally a village in the 4-edition Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide is at odds with its description as Murghôm's second-largest city and a major military garrison in the 2-edition sourcebook The Horde. To further confuse the issue, Desert of Desolation lists it as an ancient city, while maps in The Forgotten Realms Atlas mark it as a village. Taken together, it seems it declined significantly, perhaps as a result of the civil unrest described in The Horde or as a result of the Spellplague, before a return to power