Snowdown was an island of the Moonshae Isles.[4] It lay to the east of Gwynneth.[5][6][7][8]
Description[]
Snowdown was one of the most temperate islands of the Moonshaes. It was characterized by rolling hills and good roads.[9]
Geography[]
The Andover Heights dominated the island's western side. There were three lakes, Mal Feargal in the north, and Mal Sul and Harloch (which were connected by a short river) in the central region. The Maloren Sods occupied much of the easternmost parts of Snowdown. The settlements of Pengram, Harloch, and Llandrain, as well as the capital city of Westphal, were all connected by the Snowdown Ride; the only other settlement was Brannoch. A single Moonwell was located in the forest near the southern shore of Mal Sul.[5][10]
Trade[]
Snowdown had a strong agricultural background,[9] exporting such things as kiwis.[3] Prior to its occupation the island was the first stop for ships coming from Amn or Calimshan and the royal family provided supplies to other islands in the Moonshaes. Following their occupation, Amnian merchant cartels would ship anything of value back to Amn.[9]
History[]
In the early 1400s DR, Amn hired mercenaries to invade the Moonshae Isles and they seized Snowdown. Thereafter, they subjected Snowdown to Amnian rule.[11][2] In the years that followed, Snowdown was effectively under a military occupation, with the royal family held hostage in their palace. Mercenary companies policed the cities, crushing any act of defiance[9] or anyone who dared to show allegiance to the High King of the Moonshaes.[12]
By 1479 DR, Snowdown was ruled by Lady Erliza Daressin, a vampire, and Viceroy of Caer Westphal.[2]
In the ten years that followed, the Amnian occupiers overworked the native Ffolk as they chopped down much of Snowdown's woodlands, stripped its mines, and clogged its waterways with refuse. Several rebellions arose to fight against Lady Erliza, each time ruthlessly put down by soldiers. By 1489 DR the Amnians, noticing the island's diminishing returns, began to ponder that holding onto Snowdown might be more trouble than it was worth. Meanwhile, Ffolk rebellions were quietly brewing with support from Alaron.[13]
Inhabitants[]
The Ffolk and colonists from Amn lived on the island.[14][2] It was one of the few places on the Moonshae Isles where the Ffolk had never mixed with Northlanders.[9]
Following the Amnian occupation, the island experienced an influx of creatures seeking mercenary work, for the Amnian rulers didn't care about allegiances or origins of their mercenaries. These included drow, goblinoids, ogres,[12] and orcs.[1] The island especially experienced an influx of half-breed creatures, such as cambions, half-elves, and half-orcs.[12]
This influx of creatures made Snowdown feel more crowded than other islands in the Moonshaes and the number of inhabitants from foreign lands eventually outnumbered the population of native Ffolk.[1]
Notable locations[]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
- Video Games
- Referenced only
- Baldur's Gate III
- Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
- Black Heart
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Jean-Philipe Chapleau (November 2009). Black Heart (MOON1-6) (PDF). Living Forgotten Realms (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 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. 153. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Larian Studios (October 2020). Designed by Swen Vincke, et al. Baldur's Gate III. Larian Studios.
- ↑ Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 34–35. ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae (Map). Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
- ↑ Cover map of the Moonshae Isles. included in Ed Greenwood (1991). Halls of the High King. (TSR, Inc).
- ↑ Maps included in Kevin Melka and John Terra (April 1995). “Map: Known Zhentarim Influences”. Ruins of Zhentil Keep (TSR, Inc). ISBN 0-7869-0109-8.
- ↑ Map included in Douglas Niles (April 1988). Black Wizards. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-88038-563-4.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Jean-Philipe Chapleau (November 2009). Black Heart (MOON1-6) (PDF). Living Forgotten Realms (Wizards of the Coast), p. 4.
- ↑ Shawn Merwin (November 2011). “Backdrop: The Moonshae Isles”. In Steve Winter ed. Dungeon #196 (Wizards of the Coast) (196)., pp. 11–28.
- ↑ 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. 152. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Jean-Philipe Chapleau (November 2009). Black Heart (MOON1-6) (PDF). Living Forgotten Realms (Wizards of the Coast), p. 5.
- ↑ Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 69. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 149. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.