Luruar, also commonly known as the Silver Marches, was a confederation of cities in the north of Faerûn, under the leadership of Alustriel Silverhand, former ruler of Silverymoon. It consisted of Silverymoon, Citadel Adbar, Deadsnows, Jalanthar, Quaervarr, Citadel Felbarr, Everlund, Mithral Hall, and Sundabar, and its goal was to protect the North against the growing horde of orcs in the mountains.[1] The nation was also a member of the Lords' Alliance.[2]
It was bordered by the Anauroch desert to the east, the High Forest to the south, the Savage Frontier to the west and the Spine of the World mountain range to the north. It also shared a border with the kingdom of Many-Arrows.[citation needed]
History
The years 1368 through 1370 DR were particularly turbulent for the city states of northwest Faerûn. Troll attacks, orc hordes,[3] an army of demons and barbarians as well as a particularly harsh winter spurred the leaders of those cities to convene a council. After many heated arguments were calmed by Alustriel's diplomatic skills, it was decided that the cities would band together and form a confederation under Alustriel's leadership.[4]
Alustriel declared, at the suggestion of Old Night, that the nation would be known as "Luruar" in honor of the goddess Lurue, sometime between the winter and midsummer of 1371 DR. She rejected the suggestions of "New Delzoun", in honor of the fallen dwarf kingdom, and "Alustryr", in honor of herself.[citation needed]
When Alustriel left, her eldest son Methrammar Aerasumé took over and immediately lost the support of Citadel Adbar, Citadel Felbarr and Mithral Hall whose leaders refused to spend effort and resources helping smaller settlements at the expense of their own. Though the three cities remained allies of Luruar, they no longer considered themselves members of the confederation, nor could they be relied upon to answer calls for help.[citation needed]
In 1484 DR, the Darkening was cast over the region in preparation for the drow and orc invasion.[5] The attacks involved sieges and attacks on Winter-Edge, Mithral Hall, Nesme, and Silverymoon, as well as subterfuge interfering with trade in Blingdenstone. The spell was finally overcome by a band of adventurers, during the battle of Eryndlyn.[6] Ultimately however, thanks to disagreements following the war, the League of Silver Marches was disbanded in 1488 DR.[7] The Silvaeren were blamed for providing insufficient aid for Sundabar, whose surface population had been completely wiped out. As a result, all of the dwarven states left the League of Silver Marches, and without their support, Luruar collapsed.[8]
Geographical features
Forests
- Cold Wood
- A pine, birch and spruce forest that has remained unmarked by civilized settlers or foresters. While home to some of the Uthgardt tribes, orcs and ettins have also been known to roam the woods.[1]
- Moonwood
- This large forest north of Silverymoon was free of goblinoid races. This is due to the large population of lycanthropes, many of whom are members of the People of the Black Blood.[1]
Mountains
- Nether Mountains
- There were many monsters that spread from these mountain ranges to as far out as Silverymoon.[1]
- Rauvin Mountains
- The River Rauvin passes through the peaks in a steep-sided, mist-filled gorge of roaring white water. There was a perilous trail in the gorge that runs through the Dead Orc Pass to the north side of the Rauvin that contains a strong and aggressive orc tribe.[1]
Moors
Valleys
Important Locations
Settlements
- Beorunna's Well
- The ancestral home of the Black Lion tribe of Uthgardt barbarians.[10]
- Citadel Adbar
- A powerful, hard-to-reach stronghold of the dwarves.[10]
- Citadel Felbarr
- This former dwarven citadel that, since 1367 DR, has been inhabited by humans, orcs and most recently, dwarves once again.[10]
- Everlund
- A walled city that was home to several races and is ruled by the Council of Six Elders.[10]
- Jalanthar
- Many human trackers, hunters, guides and trappers could be found in this small town. Many of whom were experts of dealing with the orcs, most often in a violent manner.[10]
- Mithral Hall
- Once one of the greatest shield dwarf holds, it still was home to their kin.[10] It has been inhabited by duergar until it was recaptured by Clan Battlehammer and their allies[11] in 1357 DR.[citation needed]
- Quaervarr
- This small woodland town is comprised of humans and half-elves.[10]
- Rauvinwatch keep
- Rivermoot
- Silverymoon
- A bastion of culture and learning in the Silver Marches. After Lady Alustriel stepped down to lead the nation, the city was handed to Taern "Thunderspell" Hornblade.[12]
- Sundabar
- This city of war was home to miners and crazed orcs.[2]
Appendix
See Also
Gallery
Sourcebooks
- Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 146–147. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, Robert J. Schwalb (September 2008). Forgotten Realms Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 108–109. ISBN 978-0-7869-4929-8.
- Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl (July 2002). Silver Marches. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
Articles
- Rand Sharpsword (December 2001). More High Forest, Savage Frontier, and Silver Marches! (HTML). Rand's Travelogue. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2015-09-20. Retrieved on 2010-10-31.
- Rand Sharpsword (January 2003). Politics in the Silver Marches (HTML). Rand's Travelogue. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2015-09-20. Retrieved on 2010-10-31.
- Rand Sharpsword (January 2003). Odds and Ends for Silver Marches (HTML). Rand's Travelogue. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2015-09-20. Retrieved on 2010-10-31.
- Rand Sharpsword (March 2003). Organizations of the Silver Marches (HTML). Rand's Travelogue. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2015-09-20. Retrieved on 2010-10-31.
- Mintiper's Chapbook
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Rob Heinsoo (2001-01-17). The Silver Marches. Sneak Peak. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 275. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl (July 2002). Silver Marches. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 6. ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl (July 2002). Silver Marches. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7. ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
- ↑ R.A. Salvatore (March 2014). Night of the Hunter. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 378–379. ISBN 0-7869-6511-8.
- ↑ Shawn Merwin, Steve Townshend and James Wyatt (August 2012). War of Everlasting Darkness. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 60.
- ↑ Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
- ↑ Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 54. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl (July 2002). Silver Marches. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 9. ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 172. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ R.A. Salvatore (July 2003). The Thousand Orcs. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 32. ISBN 978-0786929801.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 173. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.