Fastred

Fastred was an infamous bandit chieftain who was based in the Vast Swamp between Cormyr and Sembia hundreds of years before the 14 century DR.

History
Many histories of Cormyr made mention of Fastred,ref such as Carcroft the Long's Anthropologic and Folkloric Historie of the Settled Lands.

In his day, Fastred commanded a gang of brigands and killers who regularly appeared to prey on the caravans that crossed the Way of the Manticore. They slew all those who would not surrender and looted the caravans of their riches like gold, silver, and gems before escaping back into the Vast Swamp. Fastred used his exceptional knowledge of the swampland and its treacherous terrain to evade pursuers, even when small armies sought him, leaving hunters caught in bogs and drowned. He seemed to have little trouble with the other denizens of the Vast Swamp, such as the goblins, lizardfolk, trolls, and grells.

There he lived like a king, in security and riches, until at last he faced his death, from age or natural causes. Fastred bequeathed half his wealth to his followers to be divided up among them, while he kept the remainder for himself in death. Then Fastred was sealed inside his tomb in the Vast Swamp.

In the years after, a legend arose that Fastred's ghost remained, guarding his treasure still against any who would seek or stumble across it. It became one of the most dreaded of the Vast Swamp's many natural threats.

Sightings of Fastred's ghost became common in the farmland around the town of Ghars, northwest of the Vast Swamp, in the, starting in Mirtul. It had townsfolk and farmers fearful and caused business at the Swamp Rat tavern to decline.

Possessions
He was notorious for his enormous battleaxe, said to be able to cut people in two.

Fastred's Tomb
Fastred's tomb was an rocky island within the Vast Swamp.

Description
Tales described Fastred's ghost as glowing and still wearing his armor and carrying his axe.

Appearances

 * Murder in Cormyr