Loudwater

Loudwater was a city that sat on the confluence of the Delimbiyr and Greyflow rivers. Much reduced since its heyday, it still offered a well-defended rest stop for caravans and riverboats despite the ruination of its neighbours after the Spellplague.

History
The great dwarven craftsman Iirikos Stoneshoulder of Ammarindar built an ornate bridge across the Delimbiyr River in 149 DR for some elven friends of his. These elves, who were members of two moon elf families who followed Labelas Enoreth, built a school of philosophy on the north bank of the river. Constructing homes around the school, which they named the Velti’Enorethal, the site grew into a small town. The population grew again when Earlanni sun elves applied to join the school. Later, humans descended from the survivors of Netheril discovered the town and built their own houses, bringing human ideals to the expanding settlement. Though most of the humans lived separately from the elves on the south bank of the river, their influence still upset the elven natives and in 1100 DR, they began slowly leaving their homes for Evereska.

Fifty years later, a family of mages from calimshan called the Renshas conquered the Delimbiyr Vale, centering their power in Loudwater. Though they made Loudwater a much more prosperous town by exploiting the Vale's natural resources and expanding its limits, they despoiled much of the pristine beauty of the area and the amoral Renshas also committed several atrocities in pursuit of their art. The Renshas ruled for 165 years before a Nimbrali mercenary working for them named Nanathlor Greysword rebelled against their rule after receiving a message from Mielikki who was angered at the Rensha's actions within the Vale, which she considered sacred.

The two-year long War of the Returned Regent freed the Vale from Rensha rule and Nanathlor was acclaimed as ruler of Loudwater. He ruled in relative peace for 52 years until malarite lycanthropes attacked the city after a blood red moon appeared in the sky over the Vale. Nanathlor himself was on his deathbed but the citizenry, led by a young man named Stedd Rein saved the town when Stedd opened his father's stock of silvered weapons.

Kalahar Twohands, Gauntlet of the western marches, replaced Nanathlor, who didn't survive to see his city saved. Kalahar oversaw the most turbulent years in Loudwater's history since the war. A mass migration of orcs, threats from a bandit army and their illithid allies, dragons and several attacks from the Zhentarim.

Along with Secomber, Loudwater was the only settlement of any size to survive the effects of the Spellplague, though it was much reduced in size and had been completely abandoned by the elves. Still, it managed to resist the dangers of the surrounding area.

Government
Nanathlor and later Kalahar were accorded the title of High Lord, residing in High Lord's Hall, the seat of power in the city.

The High Lords were aided by two Gauntlets. Each Gauntlet was given the responsibility of protecting Loudwater's territory (known as the marches), either east or west of the city. In 1372 the Gauntlet of the eastern marches was Harazos Thelbrimm and the Gauntlet of the western marches was Isyan Kiy'sisnos who succeeded Kalahar Twohands when he became High Lord.

It is unknown whether High Lords were only chosen from among the Gauntlets.

Although they coexisted (relatively) peacefully with the humans south of the river and were ruled by the High Lord along with everyone else, the elves of Loudwater had a largely independent noble class.

Religion
The local temple of Lathander ministered to the majority of matters of faith in the city, at least among its human population. The elven citizenry worshiped Labelas and the rest of the Seldarine at the Velti’Enorethal. As the chosen of Mielikki, the Green Regent was an important religious figure in the city, but the Regents and their Scions tended to provide practical aid, rather than acting as any kind of divine emissaries.

Appearances

 * Gateway to the Savage Frontier (computer game)
 * Treasures of the Savage Frontier (computer game)

Behind the scenes
The town of Loudwater has an entire chapter dedicated to it in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, more than any other location in the fourth-edition campaign book.

Reference Irregularities in The Savage Frontier, set in 1357 DR

 * Nanathlor Greysword is said to have ruled for 45 years, however he started ruling in 1317 DR.