Westphal was a city and the seat of power on the island of Snowdown within the Moonshae Isles,[1][2][3][4] as well as the seat of Amn's military occupation of Snowdown since its seizure in the early 1400s DR.[6][7]
Geography[]
Westphal was located on the southern coast of Snowdown, on Snowdown Ride along the Sea of Swords.[1][2][3][4]
Description[]
The style of buildings in Westphal varied overtime due to Snowdown's military occupation by Amn. Prior to the occupation, buildings were entirely of the Ffolk style, being round towers and low houses. In the eighty years following Amnian occupation, structures were designed and errected in the Amnian style, being square and functional.[5] The castle of Caer Westphal overlooked the city.[8]
Trade[]
Under Amnian occupation, Westphal and the rest of Snowdown only did business with that nation.[9] Because of this, its harbor was typically full of ships flying the colors of Amn.[8][5] Each day, a small squadron of these ships left Westphal for Athkatla, loaded with goods and resources.[5]
Defenses[]
Westphal was more heavily defended than the Moonshae settlements of Caer Callidyrr or Moray. Amnian troops and a number of foreign mercenaries served as its city guard. On average, the Amnian forces tended to be fairer on the native Ffolk than the mercenaries, with many of the latter making it a point to ensure locals crossed them so as to give them cause for making mischief or soliciting a bribe. Though not all the mercenaries were like this.[5]
Whenever outsiders made trouble with the city guard, locals would lock up and bar their homes and businesses. And if such a troublemaker tried to force their way in, the occupant would fight them with whatever they had on hand.[10]
Religion[]
Prior to Amnian occupation, the Church of Chauntea was the major faith of Caer Westphal. The Chauntean faith was gradually overtaken by others over the course of Amn's occupation and their temple fell into a dilapidated state. Of the faiths that had overtaken it, the biggest temples in the city belonged to the Church of Bane, Church of Gruumsh, Church of Tempus, and Church of Waukeen.[5] The Church of Cyric also had a presence on the island.[11] All of these temples were noted for being well-kept and clean.[5]
Notable Locations[]
Westphal was host to a number of seedy taverns and festhalls, catering to the needs of visiting Amnian sailors.[8]
- Caer Westphal, a fortified castle inhabited by the city's rulers.[8]
- Singing Fisherman, a rundown Ffolk style inn.[12]
Inhabitants[]
Westphal was more densly populated than other settlements in the Moonshaes, being more akin to cities like Baldur's Gate or Waterdeep. In terms of demographics, the number of inhabitants from foreign lands outnumbered the population of native Ffolk,[5] as Snowdown experienced an influx of creatures seeking mercenary work.[13] These natives were downtrotten under Amnian occupation, being compliant to the mercenary guard but harboring a hatred for them.[5]
Foreign creatures that took up residence in the city as mercenaries included drow, goblins, hobgoblins, orcs and half-orcs, some ogres, even some cambions,[5] fire genasi,[10] and other humanoids that one might consider evil. In addition to Amnian sailors, the harbor of Westphal was host to ships of some foreign power groups, such as pirates, the Church of Bane,[5] or the Zhentarim.[14]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
- Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
- Black Heart
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 ProFantasy Software Ltd. (1999). Forgotten Realms Interactive Atlas. TSR, Inc.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Karen Wynn Fonstad (August 1990). The Forgotten Realms Atlas. (TSR, Inc), p. 29. ISBN 978-0880388573.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae (Map). Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Shawn Merwin (November 2011). “Backdrop: The Moonshae Isles”. In Steve Winter ed. Dungeon #196 (Wizards of the Coast) (196)., pp. 11–28.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 Jean-Philipe Chapleau (November 2009). Black Heart (MOON1-6). Living Forgotten Realms (RPGA), p. 7.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Shawn Merwin (November 2011). “Backdrop: The Moonshae Isles”. In Steve Winter ed. Dungeon #196 (Wizards of the Coast) (196)., pp. 12–13.
- ↑ Jean-Philipe Chapleau (November 2009). Black Heart (MOON1-6). Living Forgotten Realms (RPGA), p. 4.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Jean-Philipe Chapleau (November 2009). Black Heart (MOON1-6). Living Forgotten Realms (RPGA), p. 9.
- ↑ Jean-Philipe Chapleau (November 2009). Black Heart (MOON1-6). Living Forgotten Realms (RPGA), p. 19.
- ↑ Jean-Philipe Chapleau (November 2009). Black Heart (MOON1-6). Living Forgotten Realms (RPGA), p. 13.
- ↑ Jean-Philipe Chapleau (November 2009). Black Heart (MOON1-6). Living Forgotten Realms (RPGA), p. 5.
- ↑ Jean-Philipe Chapleau (November 2009). Black Heart (MOON1-6). Living Forgotten Realms (RPGA), p. 30.