Fort Arran, sometimes referred to by its old name Arranford, was a small town, turned outpost that stood on the Golden Road between Sespech and the the capital of Chondath – Arrabar.[4][6]
Geography[]
Arranford stood at the mouth of River Arran, near where the northwest edge of Chondalwood reached towards the river.[8] The fort stood by the bridge across the river that was part of the Golden Road. The city of Arrabar laid further north and Ormpetarr – south.[6] Smoke from chimneys of Arranford could be seen from a great distance.[9]
Government[]
Circa the Year of Wild Magic, 1372 DR, Fort Arran was placed in the hands of General Marcius Stonehall, an old experienced godly dwarf. Marcius was a member of Baron Foesmasher's adventuring troupe, along with the Lord-Mayor Gavilon Jostins of Elbulder during the days of their youth.[1]
Trade[]
Fort Arran had little trade, but it attracted attention during the annual celebration of Chondath using power in the wake of the Rotting War. The Rotting Dance festival was gleefully celebrated in the outpost, often joined by Baron Foesmasher himself.[10]
Defenses[]
The fort's garrison counted a thousand loyal Sespechan soldiers who were ready to fall in defense of their free nation. Every soldier knew that Fort Arran's duty was not to win a potential conflict but rather to delay an invading force.[1] The garrison included healers.[11] The General regularly hired trusted adventuring companies to travel to Arrabar and keep an eye on any troop or war supplies being deployed.[7]
History[]
A map depicting the pre-Fort Arran town of Arranford in the mid-14th century DR.
Long before Arranford stood at the mouth of River Arran, the lands that stretched between the river and Nagawater were a nation of Maurmurra. It was dissolved with the death of its leader in the Year of the Curse, 882 DR.[2][3]
Prior to the Year of the Wave, 1364 DR, Fort Arran was a small town along the Golden Road called Arranford. Briefly, the town became a battle site following Baron Thuragar Foesmasher's rise to power. The new ruler ordered his predecessor Ricjolo Tomrase to return to his puppeteers in Arrabar. In retaliation, Chondath sent a "peace-keeping" army to Ormpetarr.[4] The new Baron, of course, was ready for the show of force and stationed a force in the town of Arranford that stood between two cities. As the short battle ended with Foesmasher's triumph. It resulted in Sespech's true independence and prosperity in the following years.[12] To place a buffer in case of future aggression, Arranford became Fort Arran. The outpost that held an army of almost 1,000 souls to the chagrin of the Lord of Arrabar.[4]
As of the Year of the Tankard, 1370 DR, Fort Arran remained a warning station in case of wars erupting in the tumultuous region of the Vilhon Reach. As such, messengers were always at the ready to be dispatched to Mimph, Elbulder, and Ormpetarr with a warning for the rest of the free nation.[5] Those stationed at the outpost considered the service to be a great honor.[1]
Appendix[]
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
- Novels
- Viper's Kiss
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 219. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 108. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ed Greenwood (January 2000). Secrets of the Magister. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 54. ISBN 978-0786914302.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 55. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 57. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Map included in Jim Butler, Dennis Kauth, Robert Lazzaretti (1996). The Vilhon Reach. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 28. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend, Dale Donovan (September 1998). Empires of the Shining Sea. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 142. ISBN 0-7869-1237-5.
- ↑ Lisa Smedman (March 2004). Viper's Kiss. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 10. ISBN 0786936169.
- ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 56. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ Lisa Smedman (March 2004). Viper's Kiss. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 13. ISBN 0786936169.
- ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 27. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
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