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Battle of Keeper's Dale

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The Battle of Keeper's Dale was a short war fought in the Silver Marches in the autumn of the Year of Shadows, 1358 DR by Clan Battlehammer dwarves of Mithral Hall and their allies in the Silver Marches against the drow of Menzoberranzan and their slave army of humanoids. It ended in defeat for the drow and their return to the Underdark.[2][1][3][9]

Location[]

It was fought in the environs of Mithral Hall, in Keeper's Dale[2] and Tunult's Cavern.[10][11]

History[]

Causes[]

Matron Mother Yvonnel Baenre of Menzoberranzan had wished to conquer the surface world in the name of Lolth for most of her considerable lifespan. Flush with power from her successful eradication of House Oblodra,[2] and the perceived favor of Lolth,[9] Matron Baenre pressed ahead with a previously delayed plan to assault Mithral Hall, home of the dwarves of Clan Battlehammer.[2][9] She desired the dwarves' vital mithral mines and to destroy the renegade drow Drizzt Do'Urden, whom Lolth hated.[1][9] Possessing the trapped Gandalug Battlehammer, Matron Baenre had gained knowledge of the city's defenses and was confident that victory would be hers.[2]

Recently returned from an excursion to Menzoberranzan, Drizzt Do'Urden came back armed with the knowledge that the drow were coming to Mithral Hall, and so King Bruenor Battlehammer appealed to his allies for aid. Longsaddle, Settlestone, and Silverymoon responded, pledging significant numbers of men for the coming war. Nesmé sent men as well, but only a small number, as their relations with the dwarves were still strained.[2]

The drow marched from Menzoberranzan to Mithral Hall along a path that took them very near the deep gnome city of Blingdenstone. Rather than fight the drow, the gnomes evacuated their city ahead of their coming. Learning of the drow's target, Belwar Dissengulp, a friend of Drizzt, and Councilor Firble argued to King Schnicktick and the city's council that they should go to Mithral Hall's aid. Thus he was given leave to command a force of 300 warriors, and they left with haste to help defend Mithral Hall.[2][5][1]

Battle[]

The dwarven Gutbuster Brigade, the Companions of the Hall, and thousands of dwarven warriors fought valiantly and effectively in the tunnels beneath Mithral Hall, collapsing possible entrances to the Undercity whenever it looked like they would be overwhelmed. Despite the efficacy of their defense, however, the drow had the advantage, being forewarned of most of the tricks and tactics arrayed against them. They broke through into the Undercity quickly, though with higher than anticipated casualties, including Uthegentel Del'Armgo at the 'hands' of Bidderdoo Harpell. At that point, on the advice of Methil El-Viddenvelp, Jarlaxle commanded his Bregan D'aerthe mercenaries to begin avoiding the fighting while the drow marched their reserve forces toward the Undercity.[2]

While a division of dwarves held the eastern side of Keeper's Dale itself, the humans, under the nominal command of Berkthgar, fought off a second wave of foes on the western side. Armed with magical pellets that would counter drow darkness abilities and blind their foes, the humans appeared to have the upper hand, especially since the selfish drow did not fight with any real semblance of unit cohesion. However, despite these apparent advantages, the humans were horrendously outnumbered and quickly outmaneuvered. Drow wizards blasted apart men and only a drow tactical misstep combined with the magical might of Alustriel Silverhand saved the human force from being massacred. Shortly afterward, the deep gnomes emerged from the Underdark onto the surface not far west of the fighting and opened a second front behind the drow lines. Besnell, the elven commander of the Knights in Silver detachment, was felled by goblins shortly before the remaining human forces, which had been depleted to roughly two thirds of their original number, could regroup. Dawn was the real turning point in this battle. As the rising sun blinded the drow army, Berg'inyon Baenre, who led the surface assault, was filled with doubt and quickly issued a retreat order.[2]

The Companions of the Hall had decided early on that the only way to ensure victory would be to eliminate the drow commander, whomever that might be. Drizzt was dismayed when he saw Yvonnel was leading her forces herself when they came upon the drow command post hidden in tunnels behind the enemy line. With no choice but to attack the command post, they did so with vigor and determination. Unknown to all assembled, a glabrezu beholden to the balor Errtu had brought a sapphire with it when summoned that radiated an antimagic field. On orders, it released the sapphire from a protective case when the Companions attacked. With the drow so highly dependent on magic, the Companions took the initiative to bring their superior skill-at-arms to bear during the instant that the drow were denied their protections, eliminating all of the assembled drow priestesses before they could recover from the shock.[2] Matron Mother Yvonnel Baenre herself was slain in the fighting.[9]

Matron Zeerith Q'Xorlarrin ordered a retreat from Mithral Hall's Undercity, more concerned with her own status than continuing the fight.[2] Thus defeated, the drow were forced to return to the Underdark and Menzoberranzan.[1][3]

Aftermath[]

Although tinged with great sadness over their losses, the victory of the surfacers was hearty.[12]

Renowned for his own heroism in the battle, Berkthgar began talking about his people returning to Icewind Dale and later did so, taking his remaining followers back with him,[13] whereupon Settlestone was repopulated by dwarves.[14]

Terrien Doucard took over from Besnell.[15]

Drizzt and Catti-brie later left Mithral Hall to go adventuring and King Bruenor abdicated his throne to Gandalug, taking Regis and a few loyal dwarves with him back to Kelvin's Cairn.[16]

The deep gnomes remained as guests at Mithral Hall for some tendays, celebrating and establishing bonds of friendship and alliance with both dwarves and humans. When they returned to Blingdenstone, their sense of security was shaken but also strengthened by these alliances.[1] Over the next twelve years, they invited sixty-odd dwarves from Mithral Hall and a couple of people from Silverymoon to reside in Blingdenstone as guests of the king and queen.[17] "Golden Gorger" Suntunavick, an Earthcaller, emerged as a hero of the svirfneblin forces.[18]

Berg'inyon's forces regrouped with Bregan D'aerthe on the way back from the surface.[8] Triel Baenre, as Yvonnel's heir cemented her much more shaky rulership over Menzoberranzan,[19][20] later going on to conquer Blingdenstone as a show of power and act of revenge for the help they gave the dwarves. Many of the city's refugees went to live in Mithral Hall, where they were welcomed.[21][22]

Combatants[]

The Menzoberranzan side was commanded by House Baenre and comprised drow and their goblin and kobold minions.[3]

On the side of the allied defenders were the dwarves of Mithral Hall, Knights in Silver from Silverymoon, the Riders of Nesmé from Nesmé, the Longriders from Longsaddle, svirfneblin from Blingdenstone, and Reghedmen barbarians from Settlestone. They were aided by Lady Alustriel Silverhand of Silvermoon and the Harpell family of mages from Longsaddle.[4][1][3]

Casualties[]

The drow lost some 6,000 soldiers in total.[9] These included Auro'pol Dyrr,[23] Uthegentel Del'Armgo,[24] Quenthel Baenre,[25] and Bladen'Kerst Baenre,[26] as well as Matron Mother Yvonnel Baenre herself.[9]

The cost was just as great to the defenders.[1] Notable casualties included the deep gnome Firble[27] Regweld Harpell,[28] and the Knight in Silver Besnell.[29]

Appendix[]

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Appearances[]

Novels & Short Stories

Siege of Darkness
Referenced only
Passage to Dawn • The Thousand Orcs

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 Eric L. Boyd (November 1999). Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark. Edited by Jeff Quick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 35. ISBN 0-7869-1509-9.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), p. ?. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 144. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 18, pp. 199–203. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 27, pp. 288–290. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 17, pp. 190–191. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  7. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 22, p. 239. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. Epilogue, pp. 328–330. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Brian R. James, Eric Menge (August 2012). Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 12. ISBN 978-0786960361.
  10. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 19, pp. 207, 212. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  11. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 20, pp. 214–224. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  12. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. Epilogue, pp. 330–333. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  13. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1996). Passage to Dawn. (TSR, Inc), chap. 6, p. ?. ISBN 978-0786904891.
  14. ↑ Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl (July 2002). Silver Marches. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 79. ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
  15. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 29, pp. 315, 325–327. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  16. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1996). Passage to Dawn. (TSR, Inc), p. ?. ISBN 978-0786904891.
  17. ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1999). Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark. Edited by Jeff Quick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 38. ISBN 0-7869-1509-9.
  18. ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1999). Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark. Edited by Jeff Quick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 30. ISBN 0-7869-1509-9.
  19. ↑ Elaine Cunningham (September 1995). Daughter of the Drow (Hardcover). (TSR, Inc), p. ?. ISBN 978-0786901654.
  20. ↑ Richard Lee Byers (July 2002). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 0-7869-2714-3.
  21. ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 211. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  22. ↑ Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl (July 2002). Silver Marches. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 79. ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
  23. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 28, pp. 307–310. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  24. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 26, pp. 285–287. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  25. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 29, pp. 324–325. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  26. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 29, pp. 318–319, 322–323. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  27. ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1999). Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark. Edited by Jeff Quick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 36. ISBN 0-7869-1509-9.
  28. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 27, pp. 298–299. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
  29. ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), chap. 27, pp. 296–298. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
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