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The Ten Towns, sometimes written as Ten-Towns, were a loose confederation of frontier villages found in Icewind Dale in the western Frozenfar. The communities of the Ten Towns attracted those people of Faerûn determined to find a life for themselves, and those desperate to leave their former lives behind.[9][10][11]

While life within each community exemplified diligence and partnership,[9] relations between each of the communities demonstrated the fierce competitive spirit that was needed to survive in the North.[12]

There's not much to tell. Most of the towns squabble over knucklehead trout and skulk indoors when the cold's too much to bear.

Geography[]

The Shaengarne river extended west from the Ten Towns, through the dale's western tundras.[3] The Spine of the World mountains were located on the towns' southern border and the Reghed Glacier to its east. The eastern waters of the Sea of Moving Ice encompassed the area north of the Ten Towns.[14][15]

Geographical Features[]

The Ten Towns were formed around the three lakes of Icewind Dale, Redwaters, Lac Dinneshere, and Maer Dualdon.[7][5]

Situated northwest of Redwaters, the smallest of the lakes, were fittingly enough the smallest villages, Dougan's Hole and Good Mead.[16] To the north was Lac Dinneshere, upon the shores of which sat the settlements of Easthaven, Caer-Dineval, and Caer-Konig. Some 10 mi (16 km) west was the largest and deepest of the lakes, Maer Dualdon,[17] around which were situated the towns of Lonelywood (along with its namesake forest),[18] Bremen, Termalaine, and the walled city of Targos.[2][3]

Between Lac Dinneshere and Maer Dualdon was the massive solitary peak of Kelvin's Cairn.[7][5] Just south of the mountain was the Dwarven Valley,[19] a deep chasm that housed a number of dwarf clans.[20]

Southwest of the valley, nestled between all three lakes,[2] was the trading hub of Bryn Shander, the gateway city that led to the rest of civilization to the south.[21]

Government[]

Official decisions for the towns were made by a council consisting of one influential member from each town. These council members, called speakers, met in the council building in Bryn Shander, which was unanimously recognized as the capital of the Ten Towns, and of Icewind Dale itself, once a month during the summer season, and once every three in the winter.

14th Century

Around the time of the Battle of Icewind Dale, the council consisted of the following individuals:[22]

In the years leading up to the battle, other individuals served as spokesmen on the council, such as the halfling Regis, and Dorim Lugar,[25] who was killed over a fish.[22] Following the battle, the towns of Bremen and Caer-Konig were handed over to the Reghedmen barbarian tribesmen,[26] under the leadership of King Revjak.[citation needed]

15th Century

As of the Year of the Iron Dwarf's Vengeance, 1485 DR, the council comprised the following individuals:

Trade[]

The fishing and sale of knucklehead trout, along with the scrimshaw made from its bones, was the industry that allowed the Ten Towns to remain in existence for as many years as they have. Each of the lakeside settlements maintained their own fleet of fishing ships.[12]

Despite some timbering industry in Lonelywood,[19] the Ten Towns had to import much of the wood they used for construction and warmth.[6]

Defenses[]

This section is a stub. You can help us by expanding it.


History[]

The Ten Town began from single community, founded by the Dinev family of Cormyr, at the shore of Lac Dinneshere.[9]

This section is a stub. You can help us by expanding it.


Inhabitants[]

Ten-Town-citisen

Marek (second from left) and an associate conversing at a market.

The Ten Towns attracted those who were brave and hard-working enough to set out for a harsh life they could call their own. Among these were prospectors, miners,[9] fishermen,[12] mercenaries,[35], treasure-hunters,[36] and other industrious, but sometimes less-reputable folks. Fugitives often came to the Ten Towns to flee their troubles, only to find a life of hard work ahead of them. Some petty criminals,[6] pirates,[29] and other agents serving malevolent forces, settled within the communities.[37]

While some dwarves did live within the Ten Towns,[citation needed] the majority of them stayed within their nearby holds and underground halls.[20]

Many of the folks from Caer-Konig and Bremen traced their ancestry to clans of the Reghedmen tribesmen that once dwelled within those settlements.[38]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

Adventures
The Accursed TowerLegacy of the Crystal ShardIcewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Novels
The Crystal Shard
Video Games
Icewind DaleIcewind Dale II
Referenced only
Baldur's Gate

Gallery[]

External links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 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.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 150. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 DM screen included in R.A. Salvatore, James Wyatt, Jeffrey Ludwig (November 19, 2013). Legacy of the Crystal Shard. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-6464-2.
  4. Christopher Perkins (September 2020). Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 978-0786966981.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 149. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 9. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Jennell Jaquays (1988). The Savage Frontier. (TSR, Inc), p. 33. ISBN 0-88038-593-6.
  8. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. Various. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  10. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 98–99. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  11. Map included in Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 11. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  13. Black Isle Studios (August 2002). Designed by J.E. Sawyer. Icewind Dale II. Interplay.
  14. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  15. 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.
  16. 16.0 16.1 R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 28. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  17. 17.0 17.1 R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  18. Christopher Perkins (September 2020). Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. Map. ISBN 978-0786966981.
  19. 19.0 19.1 R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 36. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  20. 20.0 20.1 R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 46. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  21. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 12. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.8 R.A. Salvatore (March 2005). The Crystal Shard. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 204–205. ISBN 0-7869-1606-0.
  23. Philip Athans (2008). A Reader's Guide to R. A. Salvatore's the Legend of Drizzt. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 133. ISBN 0-7869-4915-5.
  24. Philip Athans (2008). A Reader's Guide to R. A. Salvatore's the Legend of Drizzt. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 131. ISBN 0-7869-4915-5.
  25. R.A. Salvatore (March 2005). The Crystal Shard. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 55–57. ISBN 0-7869-1606-0.
  26. R.A. Salvatore (March 2005). The Crystal Shard. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 357–358. ISBN 0-7869-1606-0.
  27. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 29. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  28. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 23. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  29. 29.0 29.1 R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 25. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  30. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 37. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  31. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 34. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  32. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 32. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  33. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 31. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  34. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 16. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  35. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 14. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  36. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 33. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  37. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 62. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.
  38. R.A. Salvatore, Jeffrey Ludwig, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (November 19, 2013). “Campaign Book”. Legacy of the Crystal Shard (Wizards of the Coast), p. 38. ISBN 978-0-7869-6464-2.

Connections[]

Ten Towns
The settlements and lakes of the Ten Towns
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