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Daggerford was a small town located in the Delimbiyr Vale within the greater Sword Coast.[1] While it was primarily a farming community, the town's collective desire to grow and be seen as an alternative to the northern city Waterdeep attracted skilled craftsmen and artisans.[6][3]
Despite its small size and reputation as a stopover town, Daggerford had great ambitions and a long and storied history.[3] It remained resilient through a number of conflicts that arose throughout the Sword Coast.[7]
Description
It was a walled town with a population of approximately 900, with a number of outlying hamlets, farms, and estates bringing the population to over 2,000. As such, the town proper was not densely populated. Its streets were unpaved and the buildings were ramshackle in appearance.[6] Within the center of town was the Duke's castle, a stronghold made of dwarven construction.[1]
Geography
The town was strategically placed along the Trade Way on the southern bank of the Delimbiyr River. It was the largest settlement on the trade route located between Waterdeep to the north, and Baldur's Gate to the south.[1][note 1]
There were a number of small but notable landmarks situated around Daggerford. The familial estate of Sir Elorfindar Floshin was about two days of travel away, and the home of his son Elorshin was approximately the same distance away to the east. Near Elorshin's home was the temple known as the Mosque of Tyr, which the younger elf maintained.[8]
The Black Helm Tower was about a day's travel away from Daggerford.[8]
Geographical Features
Castle Daggerford was built on a small hill that overlooking the rest of the town, that was built atop the surrounding flatlands.[1]
Government
Since the founding of the Kingdom of Phalorm around the Year of Trials Arcane, 523 DR by Tyndal "Daggerford" (not his original last name), the town was governed by Dukes through Tyndal's family line until at least the end of the Second Sundering.[9]
Around the Year of the Manticore, 1280 DR, a town charter was granted by Duke Conan, leading to the creation of the anonymous ruling body known as the Council of Guilds.[3][4] The council was modeled after the Masked Lords of Waterdeep, however Daggerford was too small a town to have such intrigue. It was commonly known that the local guildmasters sat on the council.[note 2]
As of the mid–14th century, the town was ruled by Duke Pryden Daggerford. Unfortunately, the duke lost his life in the First Dragonspear War. He was succeeded by his son, Pwyll "Greatshout" Daggerford, so named for his magically booming voice.[4]
Duke Maldwyn Daggerford received his title before the year 1485 DR because of the tradition of primogeniture (with the title passed to the eldest male child), despite clear town opinion being that his elder sister would be more suited to the role.[10]
The Duchess of Daggerford as of 1486 DR was Lady Morwen Daggerford, inheriting the title from her younger brother Maldwyn when the practice of primogeniture was suspended in the town of Daggerford.[11] She visibly looked as though she was in her 20s, but was just shy of middle-aged.[10]
Although there was an active Duke or Duchess, most day-to-day issues were handled by the Council of Guilds. The council felt they had more power than they truly did, meeting in concealing robes with faces covered to emulate the meetings of the Lords of Waterdeep despite their faces being publicly known.[9]
Trade
While Daggerford emulated the grand, northern Metropolis of Waterdeep its trade services were somewhat limited. It attracted its fair share of travelers but many of its shops offered their goods at a significantly marked–up prices.[3]
The people of Daggerford were largely self–sufficient.[3]
Guilds
After the establishment of guilds, each type of guild was maintained by a Guildmaster, even if it was only a single town representative, to ease trade between cities. eventually forming into the Council of Guilds, many amalgamating into fewer categories by 1485 DR.[11]
Defenses
In addition to the Duke and his personal guard, Daggerford maintained a standing militia.[12] It comprised the town's citizens who were healthy enough to serve, regardless of gender or race. Those were not required to serve were those were too young or too old, women who were pregnant, and women who were raising young children.[13]
Newly–recruited militiamen were granted some training and given very rudimentary arms. Service was required three days out of every month, and typically consisted of fairly light duties, unless the town was in immediate peril.[13]
History
Founding
In the centuries after the elves of Illefarn abandoned their kingdom for the isle of Evermeet, in the Year of the Cantobele Stalking, 342 DR the Kingdom of Delimbiyran arose in the area. It was during this age that Daggerford became a duchy and grew significantly in power and influence.[1][3]
The town took its name from a 10th century legend about a boy named Tyndal who fended off a tribe of lizardfolk with only a dagger.[14]
All the Dukes of Daggerford claimed to be descended from Tyndal.[1][15]
Construction of Castle Daggerford began in the Year of the Advancing Wind, 947 DR, after the duchy was relocated from the city of Demilbiyran to its current location atop the hill. The previous Duke of Calandor and his court were killed by the crash landing of the dying white dragon Cortulorrulagalargath, and the new keep was built atop the ruined remnants of Morlin Castle.[15] Over the course of the next hundred years, the people of Daggerford began to build a proper town outside of the new castle.[3]
During the mid–13th century, Devral Ironeater and the rest of Clan Ironeater moved into town and began rebuilding many of its wooden structures out of stone.[1]
14th Century
In the Year of the Banner, 1368 DR, Daggerford's army lent 50 of their soldiers, one tenth of the town's population, to the Coalition army. They fought under the command of General Haither Stonehand who knew each of her soldiers personally.[7]
Notable Locations
Despite its rather small size and modest population, Daggerford was divided into four different quarters:[16]
Riverman's Quarter
This area of town held the city's docks and served those whose jobs revolved around ships and sea trade. Dock workers unloaded cargo from ships that was bound for transport along the Trade Way, while some skippers and rivermen transported people down the Delimbiyr River to Secomber and the surrounding settlements.[17]
- Businesses
- The Clean Chin
- Dekoran Boatwright
- Flying Fish: The local seafood market
- Mariner's Alliance:
- Halls
- Blacksmiths' Guildhouse:
- Moneylenders' Coalition:
- Pleaders' Consortium:
- Inns and taverns
- Places of Worship
- Table of the Sword: Overseen by the zealous Baergon Bluesword, this Tempuran shrine was created following the Second Dragonspear War.[18]
Caravan Quarter
- Businesses
- Halls
- Leatherworkers' Conglomerate:
- Physicians' Order
- Scribes' Friendship:
- Sorceller's Encpsulate:
- Tailors' Federation:
- Tanners' Council:
- Taverners' Confederation:
- Thinkers' Fraternity:
- Inns and Taverns
- Places of Worship
- Fairfortune Hall: Although it served Daggerford for many years, this Tymoran shrine never attracted enough followers to justify the creation of an actual temple building.[18]
Farmers' Quarter
- Businesses
- Halls
- Animal Handlers' Affiliation:
- Carpenter's League:
- Farmers' Society:
- Inns and Taverns
- Landmarks
- The Commons:
- Grand Playhouse:
- Guildmasters' Hall:
- Marketplace:
- Places of Worship
- Harvest House: The temple dedicated to Chauntea was the largest house of worship in Daggerford.[18]
- Residences
Money Quarter
- Businesses
- Halls
- Jewelers' Congress:
- Kryptharden Scrolls:
- Merchants' Guild:
- Inns, restaurants and taverns
- Residences
- Bjorn's Tenements:
Other
- Inns and taverns
- Silver Flood Inn
- The Lizard's Grizzard
- The Otter's Run
- Temples and shrines
- Morninglow Tower: Situated right next to Daggerford Castle, this temple attracted the majority of the town's residents.[18]
- Other
Notable Inhabitants
14th Century
- Lady Bronwyn Daggerford, a skilled wizard that was rumored to be a member of the Harpers[19]
- Sir Llewellyn Longhand, the duke's master-at-arms[20]
- Gwydion pen Dafwyd, court wizard to Duke Pwyell[19]
- Delfen Ondabarl, a resident mage that often took on local apprentices[20]
15th Century
Appendix
Appearances
- Adventures
Notes
- ↑ While the map in Hordes of Dragonspear shows the town on the north side of the river, page 2 of The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier - Daggerford explicitly states the town in on the south side of the river crossing.
- ↑ The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier - Daggerford states this event occurs 1320 DR.
Gallery
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 slade, et al. (April 1996). “Daggerford”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 2. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ Template:Cite book/The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier/Cities and Civilization
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 slade, et al. (April 1996). “Daggerford”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 3. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Steve Perrin (1987). Under Illefarn. Edited by Rick Swan. (TSR, Inc), p. 7. ISBN 0-88038-489-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 227. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Richard Baker (August 2004). Forsaken House. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 76. ISBN 0-7869-3260-0.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Beamdog (March 2016). Designed by Philip Daigle, et al. Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear. Beamdog.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 slade, et al. (April 1996). “Daggerford”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 32. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 47. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Tito Leati, Matthew Sernett and Chris Sims (February 2014). Scourge of the Sword Coast. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 14.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Tito Leati, Matthew Sernett and Chris Sims (February 2014). Scourge of the Sword Coast. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18.
- ↑ Tito Leati, Matthew Sernett and Chris Sims (February 2014). Scourge of the Sword Coast. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 12.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 slade, et al. (April 1996). “Daggerford”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 7. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), p. 34. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 112. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedNGSF.D-10 - ↑ slade, et al. (April 1996). “Daggerford”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 10. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 slade, et al. (April 1996). “Daggerford”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 9. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 slade, et al. (April 1996). “Daggerford”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 5. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 slade, et al. (April 1996). “Daggerford”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.