Cedarsproke, sometimes referred to as Cedarspoke,[3][9] was a small, independent city in the middle of the Gulthmere Forest inhabited and ruled by druids.[4]
Description[]
Cedarsproke was considered a druid fortress that an invading force had never taken, and it was the only settlement in the Gulthmere Forest.[8]
Geography[]
The Cedar River divided the city in two.[4]
Government[]
Gulthmere Forest was ruled by a druidic circle of thirty-three members that met in Cedarsproke. The number of members never increased, and the membership rotated seasonally.[3] In 1372 DR, the city was governed by Zalaznar Crinios, a druid and a very popular ruler.[4][8] The Grand Druid was the leader's official title and every word was the law. Any visitor who had unfavorable opinions of Eldath or Silvanus was recommended to keep them to themselves.[6]
Trade[]
Merchants and traders occasionally used Cedar River to transport their goods into Cedarsproke; however, most unloaded their goods in the city of Starmantle to the west and traveled from there by land. The religious significance brought a high number of pilgrims to the druid stronghold every year, and many adventurers traveled to Cedarsproke in search of ancient lore and history. The volume of visitors gave rise to several businesses that catered to guests of Cedarsproke.[8]
History[]
Cedarsproke was established circa 200 DR by a druidic enclave dedicated to the worship of Silvanus, the Forest Father.[7] Cedarsproke quickly became popular among the initiates eager to join the Church of Silvanus.[10]
In Year of the Druid's Wrath, 717 DR, the neighboring kingdom of Turmish came to clash with the druid of Silvanus and the Emerald Enclave. The Windlass, the wizardly conclave that ruled Turmish at the time sent a part of their army to attack Cedarsproke. The troops never reached Cedarsproke as the agents of the Emerald Enclave decimated them as they moved through the Orsraun Mountains.[11] This attack on the city led to the druids of Cedarsproke convinced the Church of Silvanus of distancing themselves from the Emerald Enclave to avoid future dangers. Following this, a powerful hierophant of the Enclave established a new base on the island of Ilighôn.[12]
In 1196 DR, the holy Mielikkian spellbook, Yornar's Trail Companion, was delivered into the hands of the priest Klavaeron of Cedarsproke by the ranger Rhighaermon O'Antlers and his new wife Dathae of Essembra. The couple had traveled to the druid town while on their honeymoon.[13]
By Year of the Tankard, 1370 DR, the druids of Cedarsproke were engaged in a "pacifistic" war against the cult of Malar that plagued the region. Even though the druids did not take aggressive moves against them, reserving to defensive actions, the Grand Druid offered a reward to adventurers willing to stand against the cult of the Bestlord.[14]
Notable Locations[]
- The city was the home of Earthome College, a famous school for druidic teaching as well as the repository of many tomes and documents about the history of the Vilhon Reach region.[4]
- The Hoe was a seedy tavern built on the lakeshore to cater to the town's visitors.[8]
- Silver Scythe a posh inn near the temple of Silvanus.[8]
- The Grove was the major tempe of Eldath worshiping and was considered the headquarters of the Church of Eldath in the 14th century DR.[5]
- Worshiper of Silvanus had a major temple established within the city, neighboring the Silver Scythe inn.[8]
- Among minor religious locations within Cedarsproke was a shrine to Helm, the Vigilant One.[5]
Inhabitants[]
The residents of Cedarsproke were simple folk who sought to live off land and druids who rarely interacted with the Emerald Enclave, the major power in the Vilhon Reach.[4] Silvanites of Cedarsproke lived in harmony with Nobanion, the Lion King of the Vilhon Reach, Dragon Coast, and Shining Plains.[15]
Notable Inhabitants[]
- Shiala Torthren, one of the historians of the Earthome College.[16]
- Shinthala Deepcrest, the Grand Cabal of the Emerald Enclave, was born in Cedarsproke in 1320 DR.[17]
- Shemratha Callingowl, the leader of the Church of Eldath who resided in the city of Cedarsproke in the late 14th century DR.[5]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ Steven E. Schend and Kevin Melka (1998). Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves. (TSR, Inc), p. 6. ISBN 0-7069-0761-4.
- ↑ slade, Jim Butler (October 1996). “The Winds of Netheril”. In Jim Butler ed. Netheril: Empire of Magic (TSR, Inc.), p. 14. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 116. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 143. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 15. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 20. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 66. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 47. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds (Nov. 2005). Champions of Valor. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 80. ISBN 0-7869-3697-5.
- ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 6. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 10. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 5. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Doug Stewart (1997). Prayers from the Faithful. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 118. ISBN 0-7869-0682-0.
- ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 21. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 42. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 55. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 28. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
Connections[]
Alaghôn • Aphrunn Mountains • Centaur Bridge • Daroush • Gildenglade • Ironcloak • Jathrin's Jump • Lilit Pass • Morningstar Hollows • Mountains of the Alaoreum • Nonthal • The Orbrekh • Orsraun Mountains • Ravilar's Cloak • Xorhun
Chondath
Arrabar • The Chondalwood • Hlath • Iljak • Samra • Shamph
Sespech
Elbulder • Fort Arran • Golden Plains • Mimph • Naga Plains • The Nagaflow • Nagawater • Ormpetarr • Serpents' Holding
The Shining Plains
Assam • Cedarsproke • Deepwing Mountains • Gulthmere Forest • Lheshayl • Ormath • Rushing Hills • Urml • Wetwoods
Free cities
Cloven Mountains • The Deepwash • Elupar • Hlondeth • Lachom • Nimpeth • Nun • The Nunwood • Reth • Surkh • The Winterwood