Dalelands

The Dalelands is a region in the fictional setting of the Forgotten Realms, for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. In the setting, the Dalelands is set on the continent of Faerûn, somewhat influenced by rural England, and most famous for hosting the famous wizard and sage, Elminster. In the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting boxed set, the region is recommended as the starting location for campaigns with players new to the game.

Some say Dalelanders originally came from the Great Dale.

The Dales are neighbored by the kingdom of Cormyr to the southwest, the nation of Sembia to the southeast, the forest of Cormanthor to the northeast and the Anauroch desert lies over the Desertsmouth Mountains to the west.

Each Dale (of which there are currently eleven) is an independent territory with its own unique government, military, industry and culture.

The Dales

There are several dales:

Archendale

• Capital: Archenbridge
• Population: 92,300 (92% humans, 3% half-elves, 2% gnomes, 2% halflings)
• Government: Autocratic rule by the Swords
• Religions: Chauntea, Lathander, Tempus (Mielikki, Selûne, Silvanus)
• Imports: Exotic metalwork, silks, spices
• Exports: Produce, ores, timber
• Alignment: NG, LN, N

Archendale is the strongest military power in the Dalelands.

Battledale

• Capital: Essembra
• Population: 32,714 (87% humans, 5% half-elves, 4% halflings, 2% gnomes, 1% dwarves)
• Government: Lordship
• Religions: Gond, Tempus (Chauntea, Corellon Larethian, Silvanus)
• Imports: Clothing, fine metalwork, oil, rope, spices
• Exports: Ale, cheese, fruit, grain, meat, livestock, wool
• Alignment: CG, NG, N

Battledale has through history been the scene of most of the big battles in the Dalelands, hence the name.

Daggerdale

• Capital: Dagger Falls
• Population: 28,041 (88% humans, 5% dwarves, 3% half-orcs, 2% gnomes, 1% halflings)
• Government: Lordship
• Religions: Lathander (Mielikki, Silvanus, Tempus)
• Imports: Armor, books, glass, jewelry, metalwork, paper, texiles, weapons
• Exports: Furs, meats, ores
• Alignment: LG, NG, N

For a long time, Daggerdale has been occupied by or at war with Zhentarim agents of Zhentil Keep. Its original name some centuries ago was Merrydale and it was famed for the hospitality of its inhabitants. After an outbreak of vampirism the town lost its friendliness and the residents took to being ever armed with daggers, hence the change of name. Daggerdale is also currently ruled by Randal Morn, a famous member of The Four.

Deepingdale

• Capital: Highmoon
• Population: 50,239 (70% humans, 20% half-elves, 9% elves)
• Government: Republic with elected lord
• Religions: Corellon Larethian, Oghma
• Imports: Cotton, fine manufactured items, silk, textiles, wood
• Exports: Fur, meat, timber

Deepingdale is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It is named after the Deeping Princess, an elf-maiden who married a human and led many humans and half-elves to settle here, far from prejudices of gold elves.

Featherdale

• Capital: None
• Population: 14,020 (84% humans, 11% halflings, 2% half-elves, 2% gnomes)
• Government: Democracy
• Religions: Lathander (and Cyric)
• Imports: Armor, fine manufactured goods, weapons, oil
• Exports: Cheese, corn, grain, salted meat, vegetables
• Alignment: NG, N, CG

As one of the smallest dales, Featherdale has never been involved in the big struggles of some of the other dales, as such it is a peaceful place. The Featherdarrans' chief virtues are resilience, common sense, brawn, and a natural aptitude for farming.

Harrowdale

• Capital: Harrowdale Town
• Population: 42,061 (90% humans, 5% half-elves, 4% elves)
• Government: Republic (plutocracy)
• Religions: Chauntea, Mystra, Oghma, Tymora (Malar, Mielikki, Silvanus)
• Imports: Glassware, lace, ore, paper, silk, spices, tools, weapons
• Exports: Ale, beef, cheese, fruit, furs, lumber, mutton, wool
• Alignment: LG, LN, NG

The oldest of the current dales. Formerly known as Velardale.

High Dale

• Capital: Highcastle
• Population: 8,179 (86% humans, 10% gnomes, 3% half-elves)
• Government: Republic with elected High Constable
• Religions: Gods of the Dancing Place
• Imports: Armor, books, metalwork, paper, textiles, weapons
• Exports: Copper
• Alignment: LG, LN, NG

The High Dale lies at a strategic pass over the Thunder Peaks.

Mistledale

• Capital: Ashabenford
• Population: 27,807 (87% humans, 5% dwarves, 3% gnomes, 2% halflings, 2% half-elves)
• Government: Republic
• Religions: Chauntea, Moradin, Silvanus, Tyr
• Imports: Manufactured items, oil, ores, textiles
• Exports: Ale, beets, cheese, grain, hay, meat, potatoes, vegetables
• Alignment: LG, NG, CG

With fertile lands and protected from dangers by surrounding dales, Mistledale is a pleasant place to live. Mistledale's capital is the town of Ashabenford and is home of the fierce Riders of Mistledale. The town has had troubles of late with attacks from Zhentarim and Drow.

Moondale

This dale no longer exists. Its people joined Sembia as the city of Ordulin.

Scardale

• Capital: Chandlerscross
• Population: 125,015 (94% humans, 3% half-orcs, 2% halflings)
• Government: Republic (anarchy)
• Religions: Tempus, Tymora
• Imports: Illicit substances, manufactured goods, oil
• Exports: Ale, grain, vegetables
• Alignment: LN, N, CE

Named after a canyon, presumably a result of the battle between elven god Corellon Larethian and orc god Gruumsh.

Sessrendale

This dale was destroyed by the army of Archendale. Its land was salted to prevent resettlement.

Shadowdale

Shadowdale is the most famous of the dales in The Dalelands, and is known as the home of the archmage Elminster. Through its history, Shadowdale has battled both Zhentarim and drow invasions. What Shadowdale lacks in numbers, it makes up by the strength of its inhabitants, including some retired adventurers.

The original 1987 Forgotten Realms Campaign Set proposed Shadowdale as the setting for novice campaigner designers.^[1] The same set presents a list of NPCs as a census of village of Shadowdale, which according to Ken Rolston "offers a fine sense of the tone of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting".^[1]

Tarkhaldale

Also known as the Lost Vale, home of the Saurials.

Tasseldale

• Capital: Tegal's Mark
• Population: 14,020 (94% humans, 2% halflings, 2% gnomes, 1% half-elves)
• Government: Republic
• Religions: Tyr
• Imports: Gold, jewels, silver, tin
• Exports: Fine manufactured goods, pottery, textiles
• Alignment: LG, LN, N

Tasseldale lies close to, and is heavily influenced by, Sembia.

Teshendale

The northernmost of all the dales, Teshendale lies near the Moonsea.

Reception

Trenton Webb, writing for Arcane magazine, described the Dalelands as "one of the most scenic areas of the Faerun".^[2]

Official material

• Volo's Guide to the Dalelands (zip)
• Dalelands Sneak Peek
• More Dalelands!
• Deepingdale
  • The Leaves of Learning
• Scardale
  • Scardale Sneek Peek
• Tarkhaldale
  • Lords of the Lost Vale
  • Saurials: More Lizardkin

Portals

• The Portal of Plenty in Archendale
• Sword's Creek in Mistledale
• Shadowdale
  • Bane's Eye

Personalities

• Vishara "The Arm of Mielikki"
• Nashyim of the Desolated Wood
• Yarno in Harrowdale
• Shadowdale
  • Mourngrym Amcathra, "Lord of Shadowdale"

Regional feats

• Luck of Heroes
• Blooded
• Forester
• Militia
• Strong Soul

Novels and Modules

• Shadowdale
  • Shadowdale
  • Shadowdale: The Scouring of the Land

References

External links

• History of the Dales and the Elven Court book transcripts