Torsch

Torsch was a settlement on the Old Road bordering the southern edge of Chondalwood. It was founded by Aland Torsch of Tethyr, also known as "The Hawk", in the 1200s DR. The city is governed by the Hawktalon Council, a collection of seven merchants.

Description
Torsch stood on a trade way built in the days of young Vilhon Reach – the Old Road. The road connected Torsch to Elbulder, Timindar, and eventually reached the city of Shamph. The next stop to the southeast along the Old Road was Hardcastle. A separate road from Innarlith merged into the Old Road in Torsch.

The government of Torsch was ruled over by the current "Lord Hawktalon" and six other merchants (rogues and archmages), who resided in the city's Citadel in Hawktalon Square. The city hosts a number of inns and taverns for weary travellers, and also sports a variety of adventuring goods shops and markets trading exotic wares from nearby Aglarond, Tymanther, Mulhorand, and the Tashalar. The settlement itself is sparsely decorated, with no statues, parks, or other scenic attractions.

Deep underneath Torsch laid the exact center of Vaerndoun, a sprawling drow cave complex. It's winding tunnels, lakes, and caves stretched for over a hundred miles. Once each year, a secret group of Torschan merchants would visit a trade festival held in Vaerndoun.

Trade
Through the Old Road, Torsch received trade trade from Chondath, larger Vilhon Reach, and from the Old Empires. Vaerndoun was the site of a two-week trade fair at the beginning of Alturiak every year, hosted by mind flayers who called themselves "the Asglyth". The fair, known as the "Eleave" in the drow tongue, was visited by agents from all over the Underdark, and also merchants from Torsch, who supplied citizens of the Underdark with wines, ales, spirits, cloth, paper, and other surface goods difficult to acquire in the Underdark.

Notable Locations

 * Hidden Glades, a temple dedicated to the god of rot, Moander, located in Torsch's vicinity, shrouded by the tress of Chondalwood. The temple was led by the mistress of intrigues Dalchatha Maereegh in the late-14 century DR.