Small towns in the Realms [Archive] - Wizards Community

Small towns in the Realms [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
David_Eitelbach
11-23-07, 07:20 PM Just out of curiosity, what small towns in the Realms are highly detailed? As in, individual buildings and their owners are listed and given descriptions? Finally, in what sources can I find these towns? Thanks for any responses!
Old Sage
11-23-07, 08:03 PM There have been plenty of "small town" Realms locations that have been covered in some detail through various sources. It would take some time to list them all here.

Is there an area of the Realms you're looking at in particular?
David_Eitelbach
11-23-07, 08:35 PM No, not really. I was just reading about Sandpoint in Pathfinder #1, and thinking about how "alive" the town seems to be, and it got me thinking about how much fun it would be to read about small towns like that in the Realms.

I guess, if I had to choose, I would love to read about small towns in the North - like the Silver Marches. Something about the snowy, wooded frontier towns appeals to me.

But, if this is too much trouble, don't worry about it. Just idle musing on my part. Thanks!

P.S. I knew I could count on you to answer, Sage! :D
MerrikCale
11-23-07, 08:42 PM The best bet maybe Daggerford that was detailed in The North Boxed set and Under Illefarn 1e module. Another good choice maybe Deadsnows detailed in the Silver Marches 3e supplement

Daggerford has a population of about 400 or 500 I believe. But it contains a whole book on it with a detailed map and listing of all the families that live there. It is easily the most detailed "town". However, it maybe too big to be considered a small town. I'll have to ask John Mellencamp. He'd know.
Old Sage
11-23-07, 09:17 PM No, not really. I was just reading about Sandpoint in Pathfinder #1, and thinking about how "alive" the town seems to be, and it got me thinking about how much fun it would be to read about small towns like that in the Realms.The various Volo's Guide series of tomes would likely be something you're looking for. Each sourcebook tends to cover a selection of "small town" areas in the regions of the Realms that they focus upon.

I guess, if I had to choose, I would love to read about small towns in the North - like the Silver Marches. Something about the snowy, wooded frontier towns appeals to me.You'll find that most of the sourcebooks dealing with the North would, in varying degrees, assist you. Sources such as The North boxed set for example. Ideally, you'll find plenty in Volo's Guide to the North which, like some of the sources I've mentioned already, are available as free PDF downloads here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads) at WotC.

But, if this is too much trouble, don't worry about it. Just idle musing on my part. Thanks!Referencing Realmslore is never too much trouble for me. I'm happy to assist. Let me know if you're looking for anything else.
MerrikCale
11-23-07, 10:54 PM Referencing Realmslore is never too much trouble for me. I'm happy to assist. Let me know if you're looking for anything else.

He's not kidding either. Ask him anything and he knows. He's amazing. Watch this.

Where can I find information on bardic colleges in the Sword Coast region?
Old Sage
11-24-07, 03:30 AM Unfortunately, most of the bardic colleges in the Realms have never been properly detailed -- that is, virtually nothing beyond their actual names. I've got a pending question with Ed that deals with a few specific bardic colleges though. Ed and I have talked about various bardic training practices in the past as well. His replies are stored at Candlekeep. And I've used some of them to form the basis of my own work on fleshing out the subject of music in the Realms. I'm hoping I'll have some opportunity to present that work to the greater Realms community at some point.

As for where you can find lore on bardic colleges around the Sword Coast... Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast has a few [brief] references about places where bards can receive some basic training. Elaine mentions a couple in her "Songs & Swords" books. Most of the sources focusing on the North and Western Heartlands contain the odd few references to bardic schools active in those regions as well.
Old Sage
11-24-07, 03:32 AM Additionally, and expanding the scope a little from the Sword Coast to the entire Western Heartlands and the North, I've also got these notes, compiled from Eric and other sources. Some is canon, some is speculation, some was to be included in my DRAGON article submission on music in the Realms, and some may have been invalidated by more recent products:-

Fochlucan: The college of Fochlucan once stood on the northeastern edge of Silverymoon. After it closed, the college stood empty for many years before being reopened as Utrumm’s Music Conservatory. Utrumm’s Music Conservatory has since been moved to Southbank, and Fochlucan has been reborn as the House of the Harp. (See Elfsong, pages 10, 171.)

MacFuirmidh: The college of MacFuirmidh once stood on the isle of Alaorn in the Moonshae Isles, south and east of Caer Callidyrr. (See Elfsong, pages 170-171.)

Doss: The college of Doss once stood in the shadow of the High Lady’s Castle in the city of Berdusk where Twilight Hall, the base of the western branch of the Harpers, now stands.

Canaith: The college of Canaith now lies in ruins along the northern stretch of the Hillstrail about 70 miles south of Zazesspur, its long-abandoned buildings put to the torch during the Black Days of Eleint in 1347 DR. (See Elfsong, pages 175.)

Cli: The college of Cli once lay within the eastern reaches of Baldur’s Gate, but its buildings have long since been torn down and replaced. The only remnant of this school is Elfsong Tavern, an adventurers’ drinking-place and hiring house notable for the ghostly elven female voice (once a student at the college) that can be heard from time to time. (See Volo’s Guide to the Sword Coast, pages 17-18.)

Anstruth: The college of Anstruth once stood in the heart of Sundabar’s trade ward. As recently as 1364 DR, only one building remained, a once-beautiful structure converted into a warehouse. The founding of the Silver Marches confederation and the refounding of Fochlucan in Silverymoon has given renewed energy to efforts by a handful of bards to refound Anstruth. (See Elfsong, pages 154-156.)

Ollamh: The college of Ollamh once stood on Rivon Street in Waterdeep’s Trade Ward, where the House of Song, guildhall of the Council of Musicians, Instrument-Makers, and Choristers, now stands, although many mistakenly believe it lay in Castle Ward, where Halambar Lutes & Harps now stands. In 1366 DR, Danilo Thann and members of the above-mentioned guild refounded the college as New Ollamh, located in Waterdeep’s Castle Ward in the old Cliffride villas of Heroes’ Rest and Stormwatch. (See Elfsong, pages 217, 243, City of Splendors: Campaign Guide, pages 40-41, 46-47, and City of Splendors: Waterdeep, pages __.)
Phelf_Der_Zemit
11-24-07, 12:11 PM In FRCS mistdale has alot of detail put into it. The only thing that is missing is my Half Elf, Half Tiefling, cleric of Sherevash, nephew of the old wizard, who started a very anti drow church in it's under belly. ;)
1 ton ghost
11-24-07, 02:23 PM i'd shoot w/ "deadsnows" (silvermarches) or "ashenbedford" (FRCS). those are the first obvious ones that come to mind anyway.
really, for game play purposes, every region book should have a generic "small town" listing to assist PCs. this is especially useful for green players as a nice jump point. saves alot of time and bookkeeping.
MarkusTay63
11-24-07, 03:06 PM In FRCS mistdale has alot of detail put into it. The only thing that is missing is my Half Elf, Half Tiefling, cleric of Sherevash, nephew of the old wizard, who started a very anti drow church in it's under belly. ;)There is also a very useful map in issue IX of the CK Compendium, available for FREE download, for use with Mistledale to go along with Jared Rascher's excellent articles on the place (there is another in issue VIII).

I'd have to agree heavily with sage - although MANY towns have been detailed in various sources, there is nothing quite like the Volo's Guides for minute details.

Alas, I fear we may never see that kind of realms treatment again. :(

Shadowdale, of course, has probably gotten the most coverage of ANY town in the Realms, for obvious reasons. It was featured in the original boxed set and later was covered in several modules of it's own.
MerrikCale
11-24-07, 08:55 PM Additionally, and expanding the scope a little from the Sword Coast to the entire Western Heartlands and the North, I've also got these notes, compiled from Eric and other sources. Some is canon, some is speculation, some was to be included in my DRAGON article submission on music in the Realms, and some may have been invalidated by more recent products:-

Fochlucan: The college of Fochlucan once stood on the northeastern edge of Silverymoon. After it closed, the college stood empty for many years before being reopened as Utrumm’s Music Conservatory. Utrumm’s Music Conservatory has since been moved to Southbank, and Fochlucan has been reborn as the House of the Harp. (See Elfsong, pages 10, 171.)

MacFuirmidh: The college of MacFuirmidh once stood on the isle of Alaorn in the Moonshae Isles, south and east of Caer Callidyrr. (See Elfsong, pages 170-171.)

Doss: The college of Doss once stood in the shadow of the High Lady’s Castle in the city of Berdusk where Twilight Hall, the base of the western branch of the Harpers, now stands.

Canaith: The college of Canaith now lies in ruins along the northern stretch of the Hillstrail about 70 miles south of Zazesspur, its long-abandoned buildings put to the torch during the Black Days of Eleint in 1347 DR. (See Elfsong, pages 175.)

Cli: The college of Cli once lay within the eastern reaches of Baldur’s Gate, but its buildings have long since been torn down and replaced. The only remnant of this school is Elfsong Tavern, an adventurers’ drinking-place and hiring house notable for the ghostly elven female voice (once a student at the college) that can be heard from time to time. (See Volo’s Guide to the Sword Coast, pages 17-18.)

Anstruth: The college of Anstruth once stood in the heart of Sundabar’s trade ward. As recently as 1364 DR, only one building remained, a once-beautiful structure converted into a warehouse. The founding of the Silver Marches confederation and the refounding of Fochlucan in Silverymoon has given renewed energy to efforts by a handful of bards to refound Anstruth. (See Elfsong, pages 154-156.)

Ollamh: The college of Ollamh once stood on Rivon Street in Waterdeep’s Trade Ward, where the House of Song, guildhall of the Council of Musicians, Instrument-Makers, and Choristers, now stands, although many mistakenly believe it lay in Castle Ward, where Halambar Lutes & Harps now stands. In 1366 DR, Danilo Thann and members of the above-mentioned guild refounded the college as New Ollamh, located in Waterdeep’s Castle Ward in the old Cliffride villas of Heroes’ Rest and Stormwatch. (See Elfsong, pages 217, 243, City of Splendors: Campaign Guide, pages 40-41, 46-47, and City of Splendors: Waterdeep, pages __.)

the man is simply amazing
Old Sage
11-24-07, 09:35 PM Well, to be fair... most of that stuff is from Eric. He's really the "amazing one" in all of this. I'm just happy to compile and add a few bits on my own. :P

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
David_Eitelbach 11-23-07, 07:20 PM	Just out of curiosity, what small towns in the Realms are highly detailed? As in, individual buildings and their owners are listed and given descriptions? Finally, in what sources can I find these towns? Thanks for any responses!
Old Sage 11-23-07, 08:03 PM	There have been plenty of "small town" Realms locations that have been covered in some detail through various sources. It would take some time to list them all here. Is there an area of the Realms you're looking at in particular?
David_Eitelbach 11-23-07, 08:35 PM	No, not really. I was just reading about Sandpoint in Pathfinder #1, and thinking about how "alive" the town seems to be, and it got me thinking about how much fun it would be to read about small towns like that in the Realms. I guess, if I had to choose, I would love to read about small towns in the North - like the Silver Marches. Something about the snowy, wooded frontier towns appeals to me. But, if this is too much trouble, don't worry about it. Just idle musing on my part. Thanks! P.S. I knew I could count on you to answer, Sage! :D
MerrikCale 11-23-07, 08:42 PM	The best bet maybe Daggerford that was detailed in The North Boxed set and Under Illefarn 1e module. Another good choice maybe Deadsnows detailed in the Silver Marches 3e supplement Daggerford has a population of about 400 or 500 I believe. But it contains a whole book on it with a detailed map and listing of all the families that live there. It is easily the most detailed "town". However, it maybe too big to be considered a small town. I'll have to ask John Mellencamp. He'd know.
Old Sage 11-23-07, 09:17 PM	No, not really. I was just reading about Sandpoint in Pathfinder #1, and thinking about how "alive" the town seems to be, and it got me thinking about how much fun it would be to read about small towns like that in the Realms.The various Volo's Guide series of tomes would likely be something you're looking for. Each sourcebook tends to cover a selection of "small town" areas in the regions of the Realms that they focus upon. I guess, if I had to choose, I would love to read about small towns in the North - like the Silver Marches. Something about the snowy, wooded frontier towns appeals to me.You'll find that most of the sourcebooks dealing with the North would, in varying degrees, assist you. Sources such as The North boxed set for example. Ideally, you'll find plenty in Volo's Guide to the North which, like some of the sources I've mentioned already, are available as free PDF downloads here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads) at WotC. But, if this is too much trouble, don't worry about it. Just idle musing on my part. Thanks!Referencing Realmslore is never too much trouble for me. I'm happy to assist. Let me know if you're looking for anything else.
MerrikCale 11-23-07, 10:54 PM	Referencing Realmslore is never too much trouble for me. I'm happy to assist. Let me know if you're looking for anything else. He's not kidding either. Ask him anything and he knows. He's amazing. Watch this. Where can I find information on bardic colleges in the Sword Coast region?
Old Sage 11-24-07, 03:30 AM	Unfortunately, most of the bardic colleges in the Realms have never been properly detailed -- that is, virtually nothing beyond their actual names. I've got a pending question with Ed that deals with a few specific bardic colleges though. Ed and I have talked about various bardic training practices in the past as well. His replies are stored at Candlekeep. And I've used some of them to form the basis of my own work on fleshing out the subject of music in the Realms. I'm hoping I'll have some opportunity to present that work to the greater Realms community at some point. As for where you can find lore on bardic colleges around the Sword Coast... Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast has a few [brief] references about places where bards can receive some basic training. Elaine mentions a couple in her "Songs & Swords" books. Most of the sources focusing on the North and Western Heartlands contain the odd few references to bardic schools active in those regions as well.
Old Sage 11-24-07, 03:32 AM	Additionally, and expanding the scope a little from the Sword Coast to the entire Western Heartlands and the North, I've also got these notes, compiled from Eric and other sources. Some is canon, some is speculation, some was to be included in my DRAGON article submission on music in the Realms, and some may have been invalidated by more recent products:- Fochlucan: The college of Fochlucan once stood on the northeastern edge of Silverymoon. After it closed, the college stood empty for many years before being reopened as Utrumm’s Music Conservatory. Utrumm’s Music Conservatory has since been moved to Southbank, and Fochlucan has been reborn as the House of the Harp. (See Elfsong, pages 10, 171.) MacFuirmidh: The college of MacFuirmidh once stood on the isle of Alaorn in the Moonshae Isles, south and east of Caer Callidyrr. (See Elfsong, pages 170-171.) Doss: The college of Doss once stood in the shadow of the High Lady’s Castle in the city of Berdusk where Twilight Hall, the base of the western branch of the Harpers, now stands. Canaith: The college of Canaith now lies in ruins along the northern stretch of the Hillstrail about 70 miles south of Zazesspur, its long-abandoned buildings put to the torch during the Black Days of Eleint in 1347 DR. (See Elfsong, pages 175.) Cli: The college of Cli once lay within the eastern reaches of Baldur’s Gate, but its buildings have long since been torn down and replaced. The only remnant of this school is Elfsong Tavern, an adventurers’ drinking-place and hiring house notable for the ghostly elven female voice (once a student at the college) that can be heard from time to time. (See Volo’s Guide to the Sword Coast, pages 17-18.) Anstruth: The college of Anstruth once stood in the heart of Sundabar’s trade ward. As recently as 1364 DR, only one building remained, a once-beautiful structure converted into a warehouse. The founding of the Silver Marches confederation and the refounding of Fochlucan in Silverymoon has given renewed energy to efforts by a handful of bards to refound Anstruth. (See Elfsong, pages 154-156.) Ollamh: The college of Ollamh once stood on Rivon Street in Waterdeep’s Trade Ward, where the House of Song, guildhall of the Council of Musicians, Instrument-Makers, and Choristers, now stands, although many mistakenly believe it lay in Castle Ward, where Halambar Lutes & Harps now stands. In 1366 DR, Danilo Thann and members of the above-mentioned guild refounded the college as New Ollamh, located in Waterdeep’s Castle Ward in the old Cliffride villas of Heroes’ Rest and Stormwatch. (See Elfsong, pages 217, 243, City of Splendors: Campaign Guide, pages 40-41, 46-47, and City of Splendors: Waterdeep, pages __.)
Phelf_Der_Zemit 11-24-07, 12:11 PM	In FRCS mistdale has alot of detail put into it. The only thing that is missing is my Half Elf, Half Tiefling, cleric of Sherevash, nephew of the old wizard, who started a very anti drow church in it's under belly. ;)
1 ton ghost 11-24-07, 02:23 PM	i'd shoot w/ "deadsnows" (silvermarches) or "ashenbedford" (FRCS). those are the first obvious ones that come to mind anyway. really, for game play purposes, every region book should have a generic "small town" listing to assist PCs. this is especially useful for green players as a nice jump point. saves alot of time and bookkeeping.
MarkusTay63 11-24-07, 03:06 PM	In FRCS mistdale has alot of detail put into it. The only thing that is missing is my Half Elf, Half Tiefling, cleric of Sherevash, nephew of the old wizard, who started a very anti drow church in it's under belly. ;)There is also a very useful map in issue IX of the CK Compendium, available for FREE download, for use with Mistledale to go along with Jared Rascher's excellent articles on the place (there is another in issue VIII). I'd have to agree heavily with sage - although MANY towns have been detailed in various sources, there is nothing quite like the Volo's Guides for minute details. Alas, I fear we may never see that kind of realms treatment again. :( Shadowdale, of course, has probably gotten the most coverage of ANY town in the Realms, for obvious reasons. It was featured in the original boxed set and later was covered in several modules of it's own.
MerrikCale 11-24-07, 08:55 PM	Additionally, and expanding the scope a little from the Sword Coast to the entire Western Heartlands and the North, I've also got these notes, compiled from Eric and other sources. Some is canon, some is speculation, some was to be included in my DRAGON article submission on music in the Realms, and some may have been invalidated by more recent products:- Fochlucan: The college of Fochlucan once stood on the northeastern edge of Silverymoon. After it closed, the college stood empty for many years before being reopened as Utrumm’s Music Conservatory. Utrumm’s Music Conservatory has since been moved to Southbank, and Fochlucan has been reborn as the House of the Harp. (See Elfsong, pages 10, 171.) MacFuirmidh: The college of MacFuirmidh once stood on the isle of Alaorn in the Moonshae Isles, south and east of Caer Callidyrr. (See Elfsong, pages 170-171.) Doss: The college of Doss once stood in the shadow of the High Lady’s Castle in the city of Berdusk where Twilight Hall, the base of the western branch of the Harpers, now stands. Canaith: The college of Canaith now lies in ruins along the northern stretch of the Hillstrail about 70 miles south of Zazesspur, its long-abandoned buildings put to the torch during the Black Days of Eleint in 1347 DR. (See Elfsong, pages 175.) Cli: The college of Cli once lay within the eastern reaches of Baldur’s Gate, but its buildings have long since been torn down and replaced. The only remnant of this school is Elfsong Tavern, an adventurers’ drinking-place and hiring house notable for the ghostly elven female voice (once a student at the college) that can be heard from time to time. (See Volo’s Guide to the Sword Coast, pages 17-18.) Anstruth: The college of Anstruth once stood in the heart of Sundabar’s trade ward. As recently as 1364 DR, only one building remained, a once-beautiful structure converted into a warehouse. The founding of the Silver Marches confederation and the refounding of Fochlucan in Silverymoon has given renewed energy to efforts by a handful of bards to refound Anstruth. (See Elfsong, pages 154-156.) Ollamh: The college of Ollamh once stood on Rivon Street in Waterdeep’s Trade Ward, where the House of Song, guildhall of the Council of Musicians, Instrument-Makers, and Choristers, now stands, although many mistakenly believe it lay in Castle Ward, where Halambar Lutes & Harps now stands. In 1366 DR, Danilo Thann and members of the above-mentioned guild refounded the college as New Ollamh, located in Waterdeep’s Castle Ward in the old Cliffride villas of Heroes’ Rest and Stormwatch. (See Elfsong, pages 217, 243, City of Splendors: Campaign Guide, pages 40-41, 46-47, and City of Splendors: Waterdeep, pages __.) the man is simply amazing
Old Sage 11-24-07, 09:35 PM	Well, to be fair... most of that stuff is from Eric. He's really the "amazing one" in all of this. I'm just happy to compile and add a few bits on my own. :P