Dancing Place

The Dancing Place was a hidden valley of the High Dale, considered a holy place by many elven and human religions. It was of major importance in the history of the Harpers.

Description
The Dancing place was a hilltop in the middle of a hidden valley, located in the Thunder Peaks a few miles north-east of Highcastle. It was tended to by several human and elven churches, and the destination of an annual pilgrimage for their worshipers. It was estimated than around 6,000 elves 12,000 half-elves visited the place every year, as well as some eladrin.

Geographical Features
The Dancing place was a beautiful hilltop covered by vibrant green moss. It was surrounded by a ring of duskwood trees and by a small stream that ran into a small lake. By 1370 DR, the place was tended as a gigantic garden by priests of the various churches watching over it.

On the east side of the valley, a narrow tunnel runs below Manymists Mountain and allow passage in direction of Sembia. This man-made tunnel was originally a silver mine built in secret by a single Highdalesman, Dorn Talattar. This tunnel was known as Dorn's Way among the priests, who opposed further excavation in fear of endangering the sanctity of the valley.

Flora & Fauna
Dryads have been known to appear from the trees over the hill at least once. The valley that held the Dancing Place was a safe place for the fauna, as neither the local Highdalesmen nor the visitors would not slay any creature in that place.

Trade
The Harpers established concealed caches of food, healing potions and other useful items in nearby mountain caves, but avoided interacting with the Dancing Place openly in order preserve the safety of its inhabitants.

The Highdalesmen established special wooden encampments along the northern side of the valley for the benefits of the visiting pilgrims.

Defenses
The place was guarded by a druid circle known as the High Dance, as well as some fey allies.

History
In 720 DR, the Gathering of the Gods took place on this hilltop. This event was considered of great religious importance, in addition to leading to the reformation of the Harpers. The place has been considered a holy site by the followers of the assembled deities ever since.

One of the oldest treaties of Cormyr, which placed the High Dale under its protection, was said to have been ratified in the Dancing Place. This treaty famously included a war wizard watching over the Dale at all times.

Rumors & Legends

 * It was said that the place owed its name to being inhabited by a korred community in ages past.
 * It was said that drawing an Elfblade in the Dancing Place after the death of its original owner would give the blade its powers back.
 * It was believed that a sick creature would be healed upon sleeping in the Dancing Place overnight, and might be given a mission by the deities watching over the place. This was actually correct in the case of worshipers of those deities, as well as woodland creatures protected by Mielikki or Silvanus.

Inhabitants
Until 720 DR, the place was inhabited by human druids. After the Gathering of the Gods, the place became home of many members of the involved clergies.