Archendale

Archendale, one of the lands' trading Dales, was the most aggressive, influential and well-defended of the dales within the Dalelands. The large trading hub viewed themselves as the leader of the region, boasting the largest standing army and strong economy based on its self-reliance and abundance of rich natural resources such as game, crops and valuable minerals.

Geographical features
The Dale rested in the gorge of River Arkhen, a steep and rocky cliffside that offered natural protection on either side. The only routes into the Dale were the mouth of the valley at Archenbridge and a winding trail at White Ford leading to Highmoon.


 * Forests and woods:
 * Arch Wood, the forest that extended from the Forest of Cormanthor. It bordered the northern edge of Archendale between Deepingdale to the north and Tasseldale to the east.


 * Mountains & Valleys:
 * Arkhen Vale: This steep, rocky valley, formed by the river Arkhen, cradled the entirety of Archendale.
 * Mount Thalagbror, the mountain overlooking the dale that was named after an ogre mage who formerly terrorized the region, but has since been slain.


 * Bodies of Water:
 * Arkhen Falls, the beautiful waterfall that flowed from a natural spring in Mount Thalagbror to the vale below.
 * River Arkhen, a major river set into a deep gorge within the Arkhen vale.

Society
Despite their warlike attitude, the dale owed its prosperity to mercantile success rather than military prowess. As such the life of a successful trader and businessman was highly valued.

Lawfulness and order were paramount to achieve continued prosperity in the eyes of the Archendalesmen, a view that was propagated by the Three Swords. As such, adventurers were not necessarily welcomed as they often brought uncertainty and chaos.

Government
The most powerful of the Dales was ruled by the leaders of its army, a group of three known as the Swords of Archendale. The identity of these leaders was a well-kept secret among the town's leadership and they were only known as the Black Sword, Red Sword and Blue Sword. There were perhaps a dozen people who knew their true identity, but it was a high law of Archendale that they never be revealed.

Law and order
Military justice was prevalent in Archendale, and punishment for breaking the law was particularly harsh. Officers of the Ride had the power to charge or arrest lawbreakers, sentence minor offenders and bring major criminals to the Swords for judgement and sentencing.

The only law that was somewhat atypical, was that surrounding the identities of the three Swords.

Trade
Archendale was entirely self-sufficient, having scattered farmlands as well as apple and grus-grus orchards along the valley floor. The numerous streams were full of crawfish and fresh-water crabs. It also had a number of very profitable ore mines adding to the Dales overall exports.

Due to its self-sufficiency, only fancy, exotic or extravagant items were required to be imported. The wealthiest merchants in Archendale operated out of its largest city, Archenbridge. A number of trading costers operated out of the city. Among these were the Darkwater Brand, a merchant clan that traded ore from Archendale for finished goods from the Moonsea region; Jendalar's Fine Fruits, the company that exported the goods from Archendale's orchards and farms; and Mirksha, Mirksha and Mirksha, a company of three brothers that traded exotic goods from southern coast of the Sea of Fallen Stars.

Defenses
Archendale was defended by an army known as the Archenriders, consisting of ten rides of 60 mounted soldiers. While half of the army was typically standing down, the other half would be active, stationed throughout the Dale. Three of them were always stationed at Swordpoint, a stone keep and the Dales' major garrison, one at White Ford and another would patrol the Dale in 10-man units. Rides would alternate between active and off-duty in two month rotations.

Regular militias were kept at a number of towns, comprised of veterans and young men and women preparing for regular service. Due to its security, the region was a haven for merchants.

Notable locations
Most rural Archendalesman were followers of Chauntea, but there were also temples in devotion to Lathander and Tempus. There were also smaller shrines in the woods of the Dale, devoted to nature deities such as Silvanus, Eldath, Mielikki and Selune.
 * Temples:


 * Bounty of the Goddess, a prominent Chauntean temple that was a richly-painted, re-purposed barn, whose entrance was flanked by two pillars carved to look like enormous stalks of wheat. It was overseen by an ambitious priest named Thaliach Mindogar.
 * Temple of Lathander, built a bit before 1369 DR, this sanctuary to the Morninglord was served by Stellaga Brightstar and a dozen minor clerics.


 * Settlements:
 * Archenbridge, Archendale's capital and the largest city in the Dalelands. It was a bustling metropolis with a heavy influence from the Sembia, both in trading opportunities and fear of military action.
 * Swordpoint, the capital building of Archendale was a massive, old fortress that served as a seat of power to both the Swords and Archenriders.
 * White Ford, a sleepy town that was formed around a group of boulders that were dumped into the river

Appearances

 * Novels
 * The Parched Sea
 * The Parched Sea