History of the Dalelands

Background
Some say Dalesfolk originally came from the Great Dale, a ways to the east across the Sea of Fallen Stars. Regardless, the early humans found within the Dalelands were known to be of Chondathan and Damaran descent, and settled in small hamlets and farmsteads around Cormanthor. The Great Forest was well defended by the Elven empire of Cormanthyr, and any significant forestry endeavors were hampered by the elves.

Nonetheless, a land wealthy in natural resources, with a burgeoning human population soon attracted more settlers of their kind. The Dalelands opened up to a swell of migrations from all over Faerûn, but most notably the growing countries of Cormyr and Sembia. This new presence was judiciously considered by Coronal Eltargrim Irithyl. To prevent what would surely be bloody war with a rapidly expanding new populace, he arranged for the elves and wizards of the fledgling human society to come together in agreement.

Origins

 * 1 DR: The Standing Stone was erected by the human mages, whose descendants would be called Dalesfolk, and the elves of Cormanthyr. This landmark served as symbol of unity between the two people, and their agreement known as the Dales Compact. The terms of is treaty were the humans would be allowed to settle in the unforested and non-elven-claimed regions of the forest of Cormanthor in return for not cutting deeper into the elven woodlands.

Elven influence

 * 220 DR: Coronal Eltagrim allowed humans to enter Cormanthyr for the first time. This act would lead to the transformation of Cormanthor, the capital of the elven empire, to the city that open to all, Myth Drannor in 261 DR. This new capital would continue to prosper, and enter into a golden age for the elves of the region


 * 714 DR: The city of Myth Drannor fell during the Weeping War by the force of the Army of Darkness. This event cause an undeniable power shift in favor of the humans of the Dales. The absence of their protective elven allies allowed the growing alliance of nations to grow on their own and flourish in ways previously not thought possible.

Centuries of conflict

 * 834 DR: Castle Grimstead was built to combat the Twisted Tower of the drow from the Land Under Shadow.


 * 884 DR: The elves of Cormanthor defeat encroaching Sembian forces in the Battle of Singing Arrows.


 * 906 DR: Shadowdale was founded by the water wizard Ashaba.

Attempts at unification

 * 1030 DR: In response to the growing threat of orcish tribes, Aencar Burlisk was appointed Warlord of Battledale.Eight years later he united the dales together to face this common threat. During his brief reign, Aencar came to be known as the Mantled King and tirelessly worked to drive invaders from the Dalelands.


 * 1044 DR: Aencar, the "Mantled King" was slain and the Federation of Dales was left leaderless and disbanded.


 * 1232 DR: The first inter-dale war took place when the forces of Archendale marched on Sessrendale. The Arkhenfolk accused Sessrendale's ruler, the Dusk Lord, of polluting the dale with necromancy, harboring malevolent raiders and commanding monsters to raid caravans and murder innocent Dalesfolk. The war lasted for three weeks, after which the Dusk Lord was defeated and the land was salted so that nothing else would grow from its soil.


 * 1316 DR: Teshendale was destroyed by a horde of Zhent-led orc armies and the town of Teshwave was converted to a Zhentarim camp.


 * 1339 DR: A Zhentarim agent named Jyordhan attempted to infiltrate Shadowdale under the guise of being heir to the recently deceased, but actually Zhent-assassinated, Lord Aumry Obarskyr.


 * 1356 DR: The Second inter-dale war occurred after the Lord of Scardale, Lashan Aumersair attempted to united all of the Dalelands under one banner. His forces managed to defeat Featherdale, Battledale and Harrowdale but was defeated in Mistledale. A united coalition of Dalesfolk from Mistledale, Deepingdale, Shadowdale, Cormyr, Sembia and even Zhentil Keep. That same year Anastra Syluné Silverhand would die while protecting Shadowdale from a red dragon during the Flight of Dragons.


 * 1358 DR: During the Time of Troubles the manifestation of the god Bane marched from Zhentil Keep to Shadowdale in search of the Celestial Stairway that had appeared at Morningdawn Hall. The forces of the evil god were turned away at great loss of life.