AD&D Accessory-FR-Vilhon reach.pdf

The Vilhon Reach

Dungeon Masters Reference

by Jim Butler

Credits

Design: Jim Butler l Turmish Design by Ed Greenwood and Jim Butler

Editing: Rebecca Sukach l Project Coordinator: Thomas M. Reid

Art Coordinator: Bob Galica l Cover Art: Dana Knutson

Interior Art: Ken Daily and Bryon Wackwitz l Cartography: Dennis Kauth and Rob Lazzaretti

Typesetting: Gaye OKeefe

Special Thanks: Julia Martin, Leonard McGillis, Deneen Olsen, and Steven Schend.

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Contents

Introduction ............................................................................. 3

About This Book ..................................................................... 3

Climate .................................................................................... 4

History ...................................................................................... 4

Forces at Work ............................................................................ 13

The Emerald Enclave ............................................................. 14

The Harpers ........................................................................... 14

The Red Wizards .................................................................... 14

The Zhentarim ....................................................................... 14

Religion ....................................................................................... 14

Eldath (N) .............................................................................. 14

Helm (LN) ............................................................................. 15

Lliira (CG) ............................................................................. 15

Malar (CE) ............................................................................. 16

Nobanion (N) ........................................................................ 16

Silvanus (TN) ........................................................................ 17

Talos (CE) .............................................................................. 17

Tempus (CN) ......................................................................... 19

Tyr (LG) ................................................................................. 20

Nonhumans ................................................................................. 20

The Dwarves .......................................................................... 20

The Elves ............................................................................... 20

Gnomes, Halflings & Half-Elves ........................................... 21

The Eyes of Silvanus .............................................................. 22

Ilighôn ......................................................................................... 22

Sapra ...................................................................................... 23

House of Silvanus .................................................................. 23

Other Areas of Interest .......................................................... 24

The Emerald Enclave .................................................................. 26

Goals of the Enclave.. ........................................................... 26

Organization .......................................................................... 27

The Elder Circle ................................................................... 27

Shinthala Deepcrest.. ............................................................ 28

Lady Shadowmoon................................................................. 29

Ashenford Torinbow .............................................................. 30

New Spells .................................................................................. 31

Faith-Magic Zone ................................................................... 31

Re-Target ................................................................................ 31

Windlance .............................................................................. 32

Ixinos ........................................................................................... 32

Wavecrest ................................................................................... 32

Turmish .................................................................................. 33

Politics ....................................................................................... 33

Customs ....................................................................................... 34

Festivals ....................................................................................... 34

Feast of the Moon .................................................................. 34

Reign of Misrule ..................................................................... 34

Cities ........................................................................................... 35

Alaghôn ................................................................................. 35

Ironcloak ................................................................................ 36

Morningstar Hollows ............................................................. 36

Ravilars Cloak ....................................................................... 36

Gildenglade ............................................................................ 37

Centaur Bridge ............... ........................................................ 37

Nonthal .................................................................................. 38

Jathrins Jump ......................................................................... 39

Xorhun ................................................................................... 40

Geography ................................................................................... 41

Mtns. of the Alaoreum .......................................................... 41

Orsraun Mountains ................................................................ 41

The Orbrekh .......................................................................... 41

Aphrunn Mountains .............................................................. 41

The Shining Plains ................................................................. 43

Politics ......................................................................................... 44

Customs....................................................................................... 44

Women in Society ................................................................. 44

Festivals ....................................................................................... 44

Festival of the Hunt.. ............................................................ 44

Sun Festival ............................................................................ 45

Cities ........................................................................................... 45

Assam ..................................................................................... 45

Lheshayl ................................................................................. 46

Ormath ................................................................................... 46

Geography .................................................................................. 46

Deepwing Mountains.. .......................................................... 46

Gulthmere Forest .................................................................. 47

Rushing Hills ......................................................................... 47

The Tenpaw Tribe .................................................................. 47

The Wetwoods ....................................................................... 48

Free Cities .............................................................................. 49

Politics ......................................................................................... 49

Customs....................................................................................... 50

Festivals ....................................................................................... 50

Cities ........................................................................................... 50

Hlondeth ................................................................................ 50

Lachom ................................................................................. 50

Nimpeth ................................................................................. 52

Nun ........................................................................................ 53

Reth ....................................................................................... 53

Surkh ...................................................................................... 53

Elupar ..................................................................................... 53

Geography ................................................................................... 54

Cloven Mountains ................................................................. 54

The Deepwash ....................................................................... 54

The Nunwood ........................................................................ 54

The Winterwood.. .................................................................. 54

Sespech .................................................................................. 55

Politics ......................................................................................... 55

Customs ....................................................................................... 55

Festivals ....................................................................................... 56

Cities ........................................................................................... 56

Elbulder ................................................................................. 56

Fort Arran .............................................................................. 57

Mimph ................................................................................... 57

Ormpetarr .............................................................................. 57

Geography ................................................................................... 58

Golden Plains......................................................................... 58

Naga Plains ............................................................................ 58

The Nagaflow ......................................................................... 58

Nagawater .............................................................................. 59

Serpents Holding .................................................................. 59

Chondath ............................................................................... 60

Politics ........................................................................................ 60

Customs ....................................................................................... 60

Festivals ....................................................................................... 61

Cities .......................................................................................... 61

Arrabar ................................................................................... 62

Hlath ...................................................................................... 62

Iljak ........................................................................................ 62

Samra ..................................................................................... 63

Shamph .................................................................................. 63

Geography ................................................................................... 64

The Chondalwood ................................................................ 64

Introduction

All that is good and just in the world comes from the Reach, or at least so they teach at the Acad-

emy. Of course, they leave out the parts about the evil and wickedness that reside here. Were a

literal paradise with pitfalls here.

Dameron Keel, Merchant of HIondeth

he Vilhon Reach is a large area just south of the Sea of Fallen Stars.

While most citizens of Faerûn know it as the home of mercenaries

and massed armies, there is much more to this humid land. It is rich

with varied customs and beliefs.

The area gets its name from the sea that surrounds it, an immense

body of water with cities nestled against its borders. These citiesand their warlike reputa-

tionsare what most northerners know about the Reach. For some, it is no more than a

storehouse for mercenaries; for others, it is a place to sell their wares and make their living.

But the Reach is as rich and diverse as any area of Faerûn. It has its petty politicians

and powerful wizards, but the heart of the Reach is its people. Nature is a powerful force,

much more powerful than that wielded by power-seeking wizards or the strength of arms

of the most renowned adventuring company.

Nature is more respected in the Reach than in other areas of Faerûn. This respect

probably stems from the suffering felt by its residents. During the growth of its commu-

nities, the Reach felt the hand of the plague caress its lands on more than one occasion.

The treachings learned were harsh but remembered. These lessons are reinforced from

time to time by the Emerald Enclave, a powerful force of druids that maintain balance in

the area.

That is not to say that the well-known forces of evil from the norththe Zhentarim

and Red Wizards, for example are unheard of in the Vilhon, it is just that their ability

to interfere is drastically reduced by the activity of Enclave. How do your actions aid

nature? is a common question to newcomers with grand ideas of expansion. Those with

personal agendas to make fast money at natures expense are warned to look elsewhere.

About This Book

he Vilhon Reach is designed for the F ORGOTTEN R EALMS ® Campaign Setting. The

product is divided into two parts. This booklet is intended for the eyes of the DM

only. If youre a player, your information is found in the Players Guide to the Vilhon

Reach.

Some of the information presented in the Players Guide is not detailed in this sup-

plement. This information details the some of the customs, festivals and rumors of the

area, presented to the players by a knowledgeable scholar. The DM should read both

the Players Guide and this supplement to gain a thorough knowledge of the Vilhon

Reach.

Climate

to spring up along the trade route, and the population of

future Turmish swelled.

The success of Alaghôn in establishing itself as a port

city convinced other sea traders to create a trade center

within the Vilhon Reach itself. This center permitted

them to establish trade with the elves of the Chondal-

wood and, eventually, allowed them easier access to the

lands south.

he weather of the Vilhon Reach is sub-tropical

and humid. While the temperature may fall as low

as 35° F in the winter months, snowfalls are rare. The

Turmish are fond of calling the climate one with the

Reach, a not-so-subtle hint as to the humidity of the

area.

Spring visits the Reach in early Mirtul. Springs ar-

rival is heralded by the opening of the mierngras blos-

soms. These flowery shrubs of violet and gold bloom

once during the spring and are known as natures water-

clocks by the denizens of Chondalwood. The tempera-

ture may reach 80° F during the spring. Evening and

early morning temperatures rarely drop below 60° F.

During early Eleasius, the druids of the Reach hold

the Long Night, a festival of love and betrothal. The fes-

tival is typically held for two consecutive nights. Its con-

clusion signifies the beginning of summer. Temperatures

can rise to as high as 110° F during these humid months,

making full and field-plate armor virtually unheard of.

Late Marpenoth heralds the approach of fall. Crops

are harvested and stored for the coming winter, and win-

ter crops are planted in late Uktar. The high tempera-

tures range from 80° F to 50°.

Winter brings heavy rains and slightly colder temper-

atures. Highs typically range from 50° F to 65°. It can get

as cold as 35° F, and on rare occasions, snow descends

upon the Reach.

20 DRYear of the Fallen Fury

Iljak was the first major city established for the purpose

of trade. The villages that had dotted the surrounding

countryside quickly merged with the port in the hopes of

raising their quality of life. Farmers who decided to raise

crops outside of the city found themselves constantly

pushed back by the ever-expanding population of Iljak.

By the Year of the Fallen Fury, in 20 DR, few villages re-

mained outside a 50-mile radius of Iljak.

50 DRThe Reach Grows

By 50 DR, other cities had grown up along the trade

routes through the Reach. Hlondeth established itself

as both a port city and a major landmark along the

Turmway, a road built between Hlondeth and Alaghôn.

The cities of Mussum, Samra, and Arrabar sprang up

along the southeastern shores of the Vilhon. Daroush,

Torl, and Asple were established on the northwestern

shores of the Vilhon Reach.

75 DRYear of the Clinging Death

The sudden increase in population created problems of

its own, however. In the Year of the Clinging Death (75

DR), a plague tore through the Vilhon Reach, killing

more than 50% of the total population in as little as 10

years. Sweeping changes were called for if the human

population of the Reach was to survive.

Sages speculated that the disease was carried by rats and

other vermin that infested the larger cities. Priests claimed

it was divine wrath brought down on the people by their

worship of gold. Fishermen claimed that the water of the

Vilhon itself was to blame. Everyone, it seemed, had a dif-

ferent cause for the calamity that befell them.

Whatever the reason, the plague finally passed. Im-

provements in the cities water supplies by the druids of

Eldath undoubtedly helped. Measures were taken to re-

move garbage and other waste from the cities. The

plague now forgotten, the people of the Vilhon Reach

went back to trade.

History

he history of the Reach is a story of mans struggle

to coexist with nature. From early on in the story,

nature had the upper hand.

-37 DRAlaghôn Settled

The first recorded settlement in Alaghôn is registered in

a trade journal dating back some 1,400 years ago, in -37

Dale Reckoning (DR). Long before there was a country

of Turmish, the city of Alaghôn stood upon the shores of

the Sea of Fallen Stars. It quickly became a trade center

for the Inner Sea.

What was initially little more than a stopping point

for ships on their way farther south suddenly became a

major port that allowed goods to be sent inland to the

nomadic tribes of the Shining Plains and the dwarves

who resided in the Orsraun Mountains. Villages began

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