The Dragonspine Mountains, also referred to simply as the Dragonspines, was a range of peaks in the western Moonsea of North Faerûn,[2] that divided the region into two separate halves.[3]
Description[]
While not the largest peaks of the Realms, the Dragonspines were a series of rough crags that were extremely difficult to traverse. They were wracked with frigid temperatures that turned away all but the most experienced travelers.[3]
Those that dared to brave the peaks could find themselves with great rewards however, as they were rich with natural resources,[3] including a wealth ore,[4] such as black granite.[5]
Geography[]
The mountains were bordered on the northern side by the vast steppes known as the Ride, and to the west by the Border Forest.[6] Nestled along its southern slopes were the Ticklebelly Hills, and beyond them the Grass Sea.[1][7]
Two trails snaked through the mountains south from the Citadel of the Raven, the Teshpost Trail down to Teshwave, and the Zhentilar Trail all the way south to Zhentil Keep.[8]
Geographical Features[]
Notable peaks in the range included mounts Launt, Ombaddor, Horgrymborr,[1] Throndor,[9] Tesh,[10] and the caves of Skondarr beneath it,[11] as well as Eastwall, the mountain that loomed over the entire Moonsea.[12]
Situated among the higher altitudes of the Dragonspines was the Glacier of the Silver Blades. Runoff water in the mountain formed two major rivers in the mountains; the western Stoneshoulder Creek flowed north into Lake Maltorus,[1] and the Stojanow river in the east ran southeast towards Phlan before emptying into the Moonsea lake.[6]
The Lords of Zhentil Keep had mines in the western half of the range,[13] while Melvaunt and Hillsfar had mines in the eastern half.[2] Deep with the mounts was a network of caverns and subterranean passageways, remnants of the ancient dwarven realm of Sarphil.[9] Located somewhere within the mountains was one of the Dragon's Claw portals, a portal network maintained by the dragon wizard Valraxaxath.[14]
Trade[]
The eastern slopes of the Dragonspines held a passage to the Underdark, that facilitated slave trade between the Zhentarim and the drow.[15][16]
History[]
The Treaty of the Ride was signed at a peace accord held within the foothills of the Dragonspines in the Year of the Plough, 906 DR.[17]
In the Year of the Harp, 1355 DR, the group of Zhentarim-hating freedom fighters known as the Knights of the North formed in the foothills of the mountains. For over a decade they led raids against Zhent forces until they grew to greater prominence.[18]
Notable Locations[]
- Citadel of the Raven, the networked fortressed of the Zhentarim and personal domain of the archmage Manshoon,[19][20][21] that remained a smattering of ruins as of the late 15th century DR.[22]
- Redhorn, a 15th century hold of the returned Cult of the Dragon.[23]
- Temple of the Scale, the home of the dragon-worshiping druids known as the Circle of the Scale.[24]
Inhabitants[]
As of the 14th century, red, white, and at least one pair of copper dragons were known to lair in the higher peaks,[2][25] along with other aerial creatures such as dire hawks,[26] and hippogriffs.[27]
Goblins, orcs, and giants filled the lower areas and valleys,[2] that latter of which were occasionally enslaved by the dragons of the peaks.[28]
Notable Inhabitants[]
- Malaritheos & Zathrantramix, mating red dragons that lived in the dormant volcano.[29][30]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Novels & Short Stories
Video Games
Card Games
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
The Scroll Thief
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Brian R. James and Matt James (September 2009). “Monument of the Ancients”. In Chris Youngs ed. Dungeon #170 (Wizards of the Coast) (170)., p. 56.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 159. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Darrin Drader, Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds, Wil Upchurch (June 2006). Mysteries of the Moonsea. Edited by John Thompson, Gary Sarli. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 122. ISBN 978-0-7869-3915-2.
- ↑ Kevin Melka, John Terra (March 1995). “Campaign Book”. In Julia Martin ed. Ruins of Zhentil Keep (TSR, Inc.), p. 35. ISBN 0-7869-0109-8.
- ↑ Darrin Drader, Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds, Wil Upchurch (June 2006). Mysteries of the Moonsea. Edited by John Thompson, Gary Sarli. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 978-0-7869-3915-2.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 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.
- ↑ Chris Tulach (2015/03/01). Pool of Radiance Resurgent (DDEX1-13) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Tyranny of Dragons (Wizards of the Coast), p. 33.
- ↑ Map included in Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc). ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ed Greenwood (October 1990). Dwarves Deep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 60. ISBN 0-88038-880-3.
- ↑ Karen Wynn Fonstad (August 1990). The Forgotten Realms Atlas. (TSR, Inc), p. 6. ISBN 978-0880388573.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (January 2002). “Elminster's Guide to the Realms: The Skondarr”. In Jesse Decker ed. Dragon #291 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 80.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1990). Dwarves Deep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 63. ISBN 0-88038-880-3.
- ↑ Richard Baker, Ed Bonny, Travis Stout (February 2005). Lost Empires of Faerûn. Edited by Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 134. ISBN 0-7869-3654-1.
- ↑ Robert Wiese (2002-05-22). “The Dragons' Claw Portals: The Dragonspine Mountains Portal”. Perilous Gateways. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2006-07-08. Retrieved on 2021-04-28.
- ↑ Kevin Melka, John Terra (March 1995). “Campaign Book”. In Julia Martin ed. Ruins of Zhentil Keep (TSR, Inc.), p. 40. ISBN 0-7869-0109-8.
- ↑ Kevin Melka, John Terra (March 1995). “Campaign Book”. In Julia Martin ed. Ruins of Zhentil Keep (TSR, Inc.), p. 45. ISBN 0-7869-0109-8.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 110. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds (Nov. 2005). Champions of Valor. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 93. ISBN 0-7869-3697-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 160. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), A Grand Tour of the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 65. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
- ↑ Darrin Drader, Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds, Wil Upchurch (June 2006). Mysteries of the Moonsea. Edited by John Thompson, Gary Sarli. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 154. ISBN 978-0-7869-3915-2.
- ↑ 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. 151. 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. 246. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ Jobe Bittman (2014-08-29). The Courting of Fire (DDEX1-5) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Tyranny of Dragons (Wizards of the Coast), p. 5.
- ↑ Nigel Findley, et al. (October 1990). Draconomicon. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 36. ISBN 0-8803-8876-5.
- ↑ Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds (Nov. 2005). Champions of Valor. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 119. ISBN 0-7869-3697-5.
- ↑ James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Explorer's Manual”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 7. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
- ↑ Darrin Drader, Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds, Wil Upchurch (June 2006). Mysteries of the Moonsea. Edited by John Thompson, Gary Sarli. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 132. ISBN 978-0-7869-3915-2.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Eytan Bernstein (August 2006). Dragons of Faerûn. Edited by Beth Griese, Cindi Rice, Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 152. ISBN 0-7869-3923-0.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Eytan Bernstein (August 2006). Dragons of Faerûn. Edited by Beth Griese, Cindi Rice, Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 158. ISBN 0-7869-3923-0.