Dragonspear Castle

Dragonspear Castle was a dwarven fortress built upon the High Moor during the 13 century DR. It had a long and storied history within Western Heartlands. It served as home to monstrous humanoids, became the battleground for two wars between Faerûnians and devils from the Nine Hells, and was even the stronghold for an angelic Shining Lady and her crusade

Geography
It was built across three low hills on the southwestern edge of the High Moor, east of Trollbark Forest and just north of where the Coast Way joined the Trade Way.

Within the Misty Forest was a small cave that connected to the subterranean waterway that passed under the castle.

Extensive tunnels were dug under the keep, connecting with an underground river, the abandoned city of Kanaglym, and hence the larger Underdark.
 * Underground:

The caves and tunnels beneath the castle housed colonies of giant, incandescent fungi, some of which released clouds of deadly mold. The water that passed through the underground river was ice–cold and moved at a lazy place. It was also home to a number of water elementals.

One route of the underground tunnels led to a buried labyrinth. At the very center of this twisting maze, enveloped in an arcane field, rested the powerful artifact weapon, the castle's namesake Dragonspear.

It became infamous for its inter-planar portals, through which came baatezu and other fiends.
 * Gates:

Structure

 * Outer Walls:

The six sides of castle's walls were arranged in a shape of a coffin with a head that pointed westward. They stood 30 feet (9.1 meters) above the hill on which they were built. Four large turrets, 40 feet (12.2 meters) in height, were positioned at the easternmost and middle points of the hexagonal figure. The two barbican turrets, of similar height but smaller width, sat at the two western points flanking the inner gate.
 * Inner Walls:

Within the courtyard, in front of the main keep was the ruined shrine dedicated to Tempus, the Hold of the Battle Lions. Although the building itself was destroyed, its altar held a holy relic that allowed the castle's portal-sealing wards to be replenished.
 * Courtyard:

Also outside the keep were several large iron cages that dated back to the hobgoblins that held the keep prior to the First Dragonspear War. Since they have been used by the soldiers of the Shining Crusade, and the group of vampires that dwelled within over a century later.

Perhaps the most notable feature feature of the castle's keep was the skeleton of a colossal red dragon that draped over battered rooftop. The structure itself was in great disrepair, with glaring holes and cracked stones.
 * Main Keep:

Interior

 * Keep:

History

 * 1255 DR:
 * Daeros Dragonspear emerged from Kanaglym, bearing a fortune in gems. He built Dragonspear Castle around the lair of his copper dragon companion Halatathlaer, above the dwarven kingdom.


 * 1290 DR:
 * Ithtaerus Casalia created the first portal to Avernus in Dragonspear Castle, bound Halatathlaer, tricked Daeros Dragonspear into entering the portal and effectively killing himself, and lured other dragons to the castle with vision of a free dragon hoard. Three hopeful dragons arrived and battled each other, slaying Halatathlaer and demolishing most of the fortress. The surviving dragon, Sharndrel, was incensed by the deception and slayed Ithtaerus. Halattathlaer's spirit remained connected to the castle, and later its ruins, for nearly a century.


 * The ruins were soon claimed by bandits and humanoids.


 * 1305 DR:
 * Hobgoblins seized Dragonspear Castle and raided the Trade Way and surrounding lands.


 * 1315 DR:
 * Armed expeditions from Waterdeep and Baldur's Gate finally swept through Dragonspear Castle. Unable to destroy the portal they established the Hold of Battle Lions, a fortified temple of Tempus.


 * 1354 DR:
 * Devils took Dragonspear Castle, arriving through new portals.


 * 1356 DR:
 * The first Dragonspear War begun. A strange mist cloaked the ruins of Dragonspear Castle, said to resist even the dispelling efforts of Khelben. The forces of Waterdeep and Baldur's Gate once more converged on Dragonspear Castle, setting fire to the structures there and defeating the devils.


 * 1363 DR:
 * The Second Dragonspear War begun. Devils retook Dragonspear Castle and built an army of humanoids, plus a dominated dragon. This fiend-led army destroyed The Way Inn and attacked Daggerford before being defeated by a motley force led by adventurers.


 * Circa 1369 DR:


 * 1479 DR:
 * The persistent mist lingered over the castle. It was controlled by undead horros that were led by the entity known as Born.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Hordes of Dragonspear
 * Waterdeep
 * Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle


 * Novels
 * Spawn of Dragonspear
 * Waterdeep


 * Video games
 * Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear