Elturel

Elturel was a city lying on the River Chionthar in the Western Heartlands. It was a center for agriculture and trade in the region, and was renowned for its elite mounted defenders, the Hellriders.

Geography
The city was situated atop a bluff or cliff dominating the River Chionthar. The river linked it with Berdusk, Iriaebor, and Scornubel, and to Baldur's Gate on the Sword Coast.

After the Spellplague of 1385 DR, a small pocket of plagueland appeared a few miles south of the city.

History
Once an independent city, in 1479 DR, Elturel served as the capital of Elturgard.

Government
By 1356 DR, the city was ruled by its High Rider, Lord Dhelt, a former leader of the Hellriders. He remained in power through 1372 DR. His focus was on maintaining Elturel as the most efficient, secure, and well-policed city in the region, with interests in farming and trade. The Hellriders helped Elturel establish and maintain civilization in these harsh lands.

Elturel has only ever been noted as having a single, absolute ruler. Around 1479 DR, the city was ruled by the High Observer of Torm, who made certain that the city was run efficiently and that the area surrounding the city remained safe.

Relations
It was a member of the Lord's Alliance in the mid–14 century DR.

Elturel was a rival of Scornubel, a city of comparable size and capability lying upriver. Lord Dhelt looked for ways to overthrow Scornubel's position as the major trading town between Iriaebor and Waterdeep.

Defenses
Elturel's main defense in the 14 century DR was the Hellriders, a 2000-strong elite unit of well-equipped, loyal, and close-knit mounted troops. They were not only the guards and police of the city, they also patrolled the River Chionthar and surrounding roads, and escorted caravans from Waterdeep to Iriaebor.

After the Spellplague, Elturel was the home of many paladins, who ably protected the city from the forces of evil and plaguechanged creatures coming from the south. A shining orb known as the Companion hung over the city, although only the High Observer truly knew if this was a blessing of Amaunator. The orb produced light that was painful to undead, and could be seen from virtually anywhere within Elturgard.

Trade
Elturel was the farming center of the Fields of the Dead and thrived on the trade that passed through its domain. Traders greatly appreciated the protection afforded them by the Hellriders; caravans and convoys of riverboats chose routes through Elturel's zone of control so they could relax their own security, if only for a day or two.

The Dragoneye Dealing Coster had a way-base in Elturel around 1356 DR.

After the founding of Elturgard, the officials who handled trade in the city became overly righteous and handed exorbitant taxes and punishments to traders who demonstrated even the slightest impiety.

Description
The city was split into two districts: an upper city known as the High District and a lower city known as the Dock District.

Notable Locations

 * Buildings:
 * High Hall, the castle where the High Rider lived.


 * Temples:
 * Helm's Shieldhall: a large fortress dedicated to Helm.
 * High Harvest Home: a temple to Chauntea.


 * Inns & Taverns:
 * A Pair of Black Antlers: the best known tavern in the city.
 * The Bent Helm: a tavern of poor quality.
 * Gallowgar's Inn: a ramshackle inn.
 * Hondakar's House: a big, expensive inn.
 * The Oar and Wagonwheel Inn: always crowded, noisy and often draughty.
 * Phontyr's Unicorn: a famous and expensive place to stay.
 * Symbril's House: a cozy place with pleasant view of the city's garden.

Appearances

 * Adventures:
 * Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
 * Hoard of the Dragon Queen
 * The Rise of Tiamat
 * Video Games:
 * Icewind Dale
 * Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter