Essembra

Essembra was the largest town and center of trade in Battledale, before it was abandoned in the early 15 century DR.

Geography
Essembra sat astride Rauthauvyr's Road, and saw a large amount of traffic on that road between Sembia and the Moonsea.

The mansion of Sharburg was located some miles southwest of town.

Description
The town itself was deep in the forest of Cormanthyr: the trees of the Elven Court woods hemmed Essembra on all sides. There was a central walled section of the town surrounded by fields, along with of cottages fronting along Ratuthauvyr's Road for a mile or more. Few cross streets or back alleys cut through the town.

According to Volothamp Geddarm, visitors usually found Essembra pleasant, but curiously unimpressive.

History
Essembra was settled when the Ordulin-Hillsfar road was cut through the Elven Court. The town was named for the legendary adventuress Essembra (really the song dragon Essembramaerytha). The statue to Aencar Burlisk was built on the site of her supposed birth. Her identity as a song dragon was revealed when she married a silver dragon.

For centuries, Essembra was barely even a hamlet. When Aencar became the Warlord of Battledale in 1030 DR, he declared Essembra to be his seat since it was near his ancestral manor. Aencar's chief lieutenant, Ramorth Wyvernblade, took the title of lord of Essembra and built his manorhouse there.

In 1422 DR Sembians allied with Netheril fought forces from Myth Drannor near Essembra. The battle forced abandonment of the town.

Inns & Taverns

 * Bold Banners
 * Branching Oak
 * Elf on the Flying Stag
 * Four Flying Fish
 * Green Door - also a concealed shrine to Mielikki
 * Lonely Mermaid
 * Silver Taproom
 * Watchful Eye

Shops

 * Adderposts - a junk and pawn shop
 * Beldarag's Finest - stables
 * Dunstable's Sleeping Cat - guarded warehouse
 * Durn's Forge
 * Findar's Bag O' Nails - a carpentry and woodworking business
 * Hitching Post - general store, tack, harness, tools, clothes, fine metalwork, oil, spices, rope, and other miscellaneous items
 * Old Hoof - a horse-powered gristmill
 * Sarguth's Wheelworks
 * Tantul's Old Tankard

Temples

 * House of Gond
 * Swordspoint Shrine - dedicated to Tempus

Other Locations

 * Ilmeth's Manor

Appearances

 * Novels
 * The Glass Prison
 * Video Games
 * Curse of the Azure Bonds
 * Curse of the Azure Bonds