The Sword Coast North was a region on the northwestern coast of Faerûn. While it comprised a rough landscape of rugged hills, precarious mountain ranges and dense forests, it was home to several like-minded towns and cities. The most prominent of these cities banded together with nearby allies to form the Lords' Alliance,[1][3] which united much of the region well into the late 15th century DR.[4]
Description[]
Geography[]
This vast region of the North stretched all the way from the Spine of the World in the north,[1] south to the great metropolis of Waterdeep.[5] It was bordered on the west by the coastland of the Sea of Swords and along the east by the Long Road.[1]
Geographical Features[]
- Bodies of Water
- Mere of Dead Men: Once home to a great kingdom of the North, this swamp land became the domain of savage lizardfolk and will-o'-wisps.[1][6]
- River Mirar: The Mirar ran roughly parallel with the Blackford Road, from the Spine of the World to the Sea of Swords near the city of Luskan.[7]
- Silverwisp Swamp[8]
- Forests
- Ardeep Forest: The moon elf community that dwelled within this forest were a remnant of ancient Illefarn.[1] They were joined by a group of wood elves sometime in the late 15th century.[9]
- Neverwinter Wood: Originally known as the "Llewyrrwood",[10] this forest was home to elves and a great many fey.[11][page needed]
- Kryptgarden Forest: The home of the green dragon Claugiyliamatar was the site of many dwarven ruins.[12][13]
- Westwood: The small forest located between the Kheldell Path and the Long Road[14] housed a notable shrine to the deity Mielikki.[15]
- Hills and Mountains
- Berun's Hill: Named after the famous ranger, this mound offered a great view of the Dessarin Valley to the east.[16]
- Crags: These peaks contained a number of abandoned mines and were overrun with goblins and gnolls,[16]
- Mount Hotenow: While dormant for many years, this volcano erupted in the mid–15th century, after the primordial Maegera was awoken within.[11][page needed]
- Harvestshield Mountain: A solitary mountain set within a fertile plain, atop which was situated Chauntea's Citadel.[17]
- Starmetal Hills: The hills earned their name from the significant number of meteor showers that it experienced throughout many centuries.[18]
- Sword Mountains: While these mountains were dotted with a number of ruins and underground dungeons, they were also home to scattered goblinoid and orc tribes.[19]
- Landmarks
- Lance Rock: This solitary granite monolith garnered its location in the valley thanks to two feuding dragons.[20]
- Raven Cliff Beach: A stretch of pirate-infested coastland just west of Neverwinter Wood.[8]
- Spinward Rise[8]
- Wyvern Tor: The rocky crag that overlooked the crossroads town of Triboar,[14] was home to to orcs, ogres and wyverns.[21][page needed]
- Valleys
- Dessarin Valley: Encompassing the lands just east of the Long Road, the valley was home to many farms, villages, and towns;[22] some of which referred to themselves as "the Gateway to the North".[23]
History[]
The first great realm to appear in the region known as the Sword Coast North was that of Illefarn. The kingdom of Illefarn was a contemporary of Netheril, consisting of both dwarves and elves. Illefarn survived the Fall of Netheril, until the elves left for Evermeet. Northlanders and other humans began migrating into the region a few years before the Year of Sunrise, 1 DR.[24]
Notable Locations[]
Landmarks[]
- Keeps, Forts & Towers
- Crossroad Keep: The keep of the Graycloaks of Neverwinter was strategically located in-between a number of prominent settlements.[25]
- Fort Locke: Another of the Greycloaks' garrisons, this wooden outpost was built on the southern end of the Mere of Dead Men.[25]
- House of Stone: Also known as "Stoneturn", this keep dated back to the ancient Illefarn.[26]
- Reclamation Rock[8]
- Tower of Twilight: This tower was the residence of the well-known mage, Malchor Harpell.[27]
- Ruins
- Ember: The residents of this small town were killed by Luskan assassins in the late 14th, an act that was blamed on the adventurer known as the Knight-captain of Crossroad Keep.[25]
- Thundertree: The community that called this place home was devastated by the eruption of Mount Hotenow during the mid–15th century.[28]
- Torzac: This village was completely razed by drow.[29]
- Temples and Monasteries
- Darkmoon: This dark temple was built by drow centuries before the Era of Upheaval.[29]
- Shrine of Savras: The ruins of this holy site to the Lord of Divination was located just south of Conyberry.[30]
- Tower of Storms: The lighthouse located just off the shore was actually a temple to the god Talos.[31]
- Other
- Butterskull Ranch: This ranch was most well known for its skull-shaped sculptures made of butter, produced from the milk of its cows.[32]
- Carnath Roadhouse: Located on the High Road, this lodging house served those individuals traveling between Waterdeep and Neverwinter.[33]
- Dragon Barrow: This mound was actually the remains of the deceased green dragon Azdraka.[34]
- Ebon Downs: The burial grounds of Grimhallow were long-infested with scores of undead.[8]
- Helvenblade House: This estate served as the country retreat of the Waterdhavian Silmerhelve family.[35]
- Old Owl Well: Believed to be magical in nature, this watering hole was regularly fought over by a number of interested parties for a number of years.[36]
- Roads
- Blackford Road • High Road • Kheldell Path • Long Road • Northern Means • Ten Trail • Triboar Trail
Settlements[]
- Cities
The Helmite city of Helm's Hold was situated on the Sword Coast North.
- Gauntlgrym: The fabled capital of the dwarven kingdom of Delzoun was abandoned for centuries,[16] before being reclaimed by shield dwarves under the lead of Bruenor Battlehammer.[37]
- Helm's Hold: The city of Helm's faithful was well-guarded by the splinter sect of the Order of the Gauntlet, known as the Order of the Gilded Eye.[38]
- Ironmaster: This dwarven city was situated on the northern reaches of the coast in the Frozenfar region of the North.[39]
- Luskan: The City of Sails was home to two great power groups: the High Captains and their respective fleets, and the ambitious wizards of the Arcane Brotherhood.[6]
- Mirabar: The mining city of men and dwarves was main source of stone and metal for all the Sword Coast.[40]
- Neverwinter: The former Jewel of the North was a multi-racial city-state, that slowly remade itself as a beacon of civilization after being nearly decimated by the eruption of Mount Hotenow.[41]
- Waterdeep: The City of Splendors was considered perhaps most influential and important metropolis in all of Faerûn.[42]
- Skullport: Larger than many surface settlements, this underground town was a haven for criminals and other dark agents.[43]
- Undermountain: The mysterious dungeon-complex was built beneath the city's mountain by the Mad Mage Halaster Blackcloak.[43]
- Towns & Villages
Conyberry, one of the many villages that dotted the Sword Coast North.
- Amphail: This peaceful village fell under the protection of Waterdeep and was renowned for the magnificent steeds offered by its horse-breeders.[44][45]
- Auckney: The small fiefdom of a couple hundred was governed by the noble Auck family.[46]
- Conyberry: The farmers of Conyberry did well to live off the land and provide for themselves.[47]
- Greenfast: This small farming village was found a short way off from the Trade Way.[48]
- Grimhollow:[8]
- Highcliff: The port of Highcliff was located on the edge of the Mere of Dead Men, near the ruins of Highcliff Castle.[25]
- Ieirithymbul: This mountain village was home to a community of gnomes.[49]
- Kheldell: The folks of this settlement were loggers by trade and lived under the influence of the nearby Dusk Circle of druids.[13]
- Leilon: Although it was destroyed during the Spellplague, this small town was rebuilt thanks to the efforts of Dagult Neverember the Neveren people.[50]
- Morgur's Mound: This unique site served as the ancestral mound to the Thunderbeast tribe of Uthgardt barbarians.[51]
- Nightstone: The fortified settlement built next to Nandar Keep was so named for the obsidian monolith that was embedded within its town square.[52]
- Phandalin: A frontier settlement of farmers and prospectors, this town was a safe haven for those that sought wealth in the Sword Mountains.[53]
- Port Llast: Resilient to the last, this coastal town has remained a strong ally to Neverwinter despite suffering a number of calamities throughout the years.[54][53]
- Rassalantar: Surrounded by farms and pastures, this sleepy village served as a waystop for travelers and a garrison for Waterdhavian soldiers.[55][53]
- Red Larch: The crossroads trading town was located at the intersection of the Long Road, the Cairn Road, and the Kheldell Path.[55][56]
- Rothé Valley:[8]
- Ten Towns: Located around the region's three lakes, the settlements of Icewind Dale were the last bastion of civilization north of the Spine of the World.[40]
- Triboar: Bustling with merchants, vendors and travelers, Triboar was an important crossroads town located where the Long Read met the Evermoor Way.[57]
- Twilight Tor: This dwarven settlement was built deep within the mountains, on the shore of Lake Glorfindar.[18]
- Westbridge: The cleverly-named village was located a bit ways west of Stone Bridge.[58]
- West Harbor: The nearby wetlands created lush farmland that well-served the people of West Harbor.[25]
- Xantharl's Keep: Built around a fortified keep, this settlement was under the governance of the Marchion of Mirabar.[59]
Appendix[]
Gallery[]
The region as seen in the Heroes of Neverwinter game
Map of the Sword Coast North, circa 1372 DR.
The region shown in Neverwinter Nights 2.
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 176. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 64. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ 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. 196. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 98. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 74. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Cryptic Studios (June 2013). Neverwinter. Perfect World Entertainment.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 73. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 15. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Matt Sernett, Erik Scott de Bie, Ari Marmell (August 2011). Neverwinter Campaign Setting. Edited by Tanis O'Connor. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-5814-6.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 36. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 95. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Richard Baker, et al. (April 2015). Princes of the Apocalypse. Edited by Michele Carter, Stacy Janssen. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 32. ISBN 978-0-7869-6578-6.
- ↑ Richard Baker, et al. (April 2015). Princes of the Apocalypse. Edited by Michele Carter, Stacy Janssen. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 39. ISBN 978-0-7869-6578-6.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 slade, et al. (April 1996). “The Wilderness”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 38. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ Ludia (May 2019). Designed by Stephen David Wark, et al. Warriors of Waterdeep. Ludia.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 109. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 110. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Richard Baker, et al. (April 2015). Princes of the Apocalypse. Edited by Michele Carter, Stacy Janssen. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 35. ISBN 978-0-7869-6578-6.
- ↑ Wizards RPG Team (July 2014). “Lost Mine of Phandelver”. Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0-7869-6559-5.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 81. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Richard Baker, et al. (April 2015). Princes of the Apocalypse. Edited by Michele Carter, Stacy Janssen. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 978-0-7869-6578-6.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 177. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 Obsidian Entertainment (October 2006). Designed by Ferret Baudoin, J.E. Sawyer. Neverwinter Nights 2. Atari.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 195. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ slade, et al. (April 1996). “The Wilderness”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 39. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ Wizards RPG Team (July 2014). “Lost Mine of Phandelver”. Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set (Wizards of the Coast), p. 30. ISBN 978-0-7869-6559-5.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Westwood Associates (December 1991). Eye of the Beholder II: The Legend of Darkmoon. Strategic Simulations, Inc.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins (September 2019). “Dragon of Icespire Peak”. In Scott Fitzgerald Gray ed. Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit (Wizards of the Coast), p. 38. ISBN 978-0-7869-6683-7.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins (September 2019). “Dragon of Icespire Peak”. In Scott Fitzgerald Gray ed. Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit (Wizards of the Coast), p. 40. ISBN 978-0-7869-6683-7.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins (September 2019). “Dragon of Icespire Peak”. In Scott Fitzgerald Gray ed. Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit (Wizards of the Coast), p. 16. ISBN 978-0-7869-6683-7.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 78. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins (September 2019). “Dragon of Icespire Peak”. In Scott Fitzgerald Gray ed. Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20. ISBN 978-0-7869-6683-7.
- ↑ Richard Baker, et al. (April 2015). Princes of the Apocalypse. Edited by Michele Carter, Stacy Janssen. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 34. ISBN 978-0-7869-6578-6.
- ↑ slade, et al. (April 1996). “The Wilderness”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 36. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 85. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 90. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 93. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 176. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 36. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 178. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 179. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ slade, et al. (April 1996). “Cities & Civilization”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 4. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 72. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Philip Athans (2008). A Reader's Guide to R. A. Salvatore's the Legend of Drizzt. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 136. ISBN 0-7869-4915-5.
- ↑ slade, et al. (April 1996). “Cities & Civilization”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 10. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ Derek Ruiz, Scott Fitzgerald Gray (March 2021). “Sarah of Yellowcrest Manor”. In Scott Fitzgerald Gray ed. Candlekeep Mysteries (Wizards of the Coast), p. 106. ISBN 978-0-7869-6722-3.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Eytan Bernstein (August 2006). Dragons of Faerûn. Edited by Beth Griese, Cindi Rice, Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 44. ISBN 0-7869-3923-0.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 96. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 99. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 104. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ slade, et al. (April 1996). “Cities & Civilization”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 17. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 slade, et al. (April 1996). “Cities & Civilization”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 106. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 53. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 113. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 114. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.