Beliard The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

Beliard is a small but prosperous village nestled in the rugged Dessarin Valley where the Dessarin Road meets the Stone Trail. Surrounded by mature trees and fertile land, it stands in stark contrast to the rocky hills that dominate the surrounding countryside. The abundant shade and greenery make it one of the most pleasant stopping places in the North, serving as an important market-moot for the cattle ranchers and homesteaders of the region.

The center of the village is built around a public well and a broad, clear pond where horses, oxen, and other livestock are regularly watered and washed after long journeys. Orchards border much of the settlement, filling the air with the scents of fresh fruit and damp earth that mingle with the ever-present smells of livestock and leather. Despite its peaceful appearance, the nearby Sumber Hills remain a constant reminder that danger is never far away.

The Watchful Knight is the largest and most recognizable building in Beliard. Owned by Neshor Fleurdin, a retired dwarven warrior, the inn has become the heart of village life. Travelers and locals gather around its hearth to exchange news from Waterdeep, Triboar, and the Sword Coast while sharing stories of giant raids, strange happenings, and rumors from across the North.

Neshor is also known for gifting guests simple but heartfelt landscape paintings, a tradition that has become as famous as the inn itself. Beliard is a practical, hardworking community built around ranching, horses, and trade. The steady ring of the blacksmith's hammer, the pungent odor of the tannery, and the bustle of the stables reflect the village's focus on supporting travelers and livestock alike.

Skilled horse breeders and trainers, including Trelduth Halamar, have earned Beliard a reputation for producing some of the finest mounts in the Dessarin Valley. Stone warehouses and well-maintained storehouses hint at a thriving local economy, particularly during the regular Tensday market when farmers, ranchers, and merchants gather to trade quality horses, cattle, leather goods, tools, and supplies.

Although the village enjoys a peaceful reputation, vigilance is woven into everyday life. Many retired mercenaries from Waterdeep have settled here, finding a quieter existence while remaining more than capable of defending their adopted home. Their presence discourages the brigands that haunt nearby Jundar's Pass and has helped make Beliard one of the safest settlements east of Stone Bridge. Even so, stories of mysterious aerial knights and other strange sightings continue to circulate among the locals.

Like many old settlements, Beliard has its share of unanswered questions. The disappearance of a Mirabar delegation remains one of the village's greatest mysteries, and tales persist of hidden caches of treasure concealed within forgotten cellars and old stone chimneys. Whether these stories are truth or merely the embellishments of travelers, they have long attracted adventurers seeking fortune. Through changing seasons, uncertain times, and the ever-present threats of the North, Beliard endures as a quiet but resilient community of sturdy stone buildings, leafy streets, and determined people.

Notable Locations
• The Watchful Knight
• Mhilshoun’s Stronghouses
• Halamar’s Horses
• Local Shrine

The Watchful Knight The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

The Watchful Knight is the most prominent and popular inn in the settlement of Beliard, a large establishment built of sturdy, dark grey stone with a thick, rough-hewn timber frame. Its design blends fortification with functionality, featuring high arched stone ceilings and large flagstone floors that are well-worn from generations of foot traffic. The interior atmosphere is warm, illuminated by oil lamps and a few flickering chandeliers that cast dramatic light and shadow across the expansive common room.

The ground floor hosts numerous round wooden tables and chairs, designed to accommodate the steady flow of drovers, ranchers, and travelers moving through the Dessarin Valley. A substantial bar built into a stone alcove serves as the hub of activity, where patrons can purchase a variety of drinks. A mezzanine level, accessed via a stone staircase, provides access to over forty guest rooms located on the second floor.

The inn is owned and operated by Neshor Fleurdin, a retired dwarven warrior. Neshor adds a unique personal touch to the inn's decor; several of the pictures hanging on the stone walls are crude, charming landscape paintings he created himself. These simple artworks provide a contrast to the rugged, functional nature of the building.

Historically, the inn's name derives from a non-functional suit of helmed horror armor that once stood in the common room. This mysterious relic vanished years ago, leaving only the legend behind. This history contributes to the inn's reputation as a place of intrigue and local lore.

The Watchful Knight serves as a vital social and commercial center for Beliard. It is where news from the broader Sword Coast is exchanged with local information regarding everything from cattle prices to giant sightings in the Sumber Hills. Its presence is essential to the community's function as a market-moot and a safe haven along the Stone Trail.

Overall, the establishment is known for its resilience and hospitality, offering security and comfort to those traversing the North. It stands as a reliable, if rugged, sanctuary of stone and wood in an often unpredictable region of the Forgotten Realms.

BREAKFAST MEALS
Rye Bread with Butter: 10cp
Roasted Root Vegetables: 8cp
Duck Eggs: 1sp
Hearty Porridge: 8cp
Quail Eggs: 1sp
Hard Cheese & Apple Slices: 10cp
Boar Sausages: 1sp

AFTERNOON MEALS
Rabbit Pie: 2sp
Venison Steak: 2sp
Beef and Barley Stew: 3sp
Mutton and Turnip Stew: 3sp
Leek, Chicken & Onion Soup: 1sp
Pork Stew: 1sp
Mutton Chops (with all the trimmings): 2sp
Smoked Eel: 1sp
Herb Sausages: 1sp
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls: 2sp
Stuffed River Perch: 1sp
Rabbit and Mushroom Pie: 3sp
Stuffed Quail: 2sp
Roast Chicken with Herbs: 2sp
Roast Duck: 2sp
Cheese rolls with a Filling of Herbs, Onions and Vegetables: 6cp
Smoked Eel Salad: 12cp
Mushroom Stuffed Onions: 5cp
Roast Pork with Blackberry Sauce: 1sp

DESERTS
Blackberry Pie: 1sp
Neshor's Spiced Berry Cobbler: 1sp

BEVERAGES
Apple Cider: 2sp
Cloudberry Lemonade: 5cp
Sheep Milk: 2cp
Mead: 2sp
Brandy: 12cp
Strong Hillside Tea: 2cp
Raspberry Juice: 5cp
Ale: 8cp

TRAVEL RATIONS
Dried & Smoked Meat, Goat Cheese, Dried Berries, Oats and Honey (wrapped in waxed paper): 5sp

The upper rooms are very clean, and all of the rooms are heated. Each room has a fine bed, many covers & blankets, a wash stand, chamber pot, towel, pegs for garments, and several chairs and stools.

ROOM NIGHTLY PRICES
Guest Room 5sp

Ready For Content The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

Mhilshoun’s Stronghouses The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

Mhilshoun’s Stronghouses are a cluster of six sturdy, low-slung stone structures situated slightly apart from the main flow of traffic in Beliard. These buildings are constructed for permanence and security, their thick, gray walls suggesting a serious intent to protect valuable goods. The complex is surrounded by a low, well-maintained stone wall, giving it the appearance of a secure compound rather than a typical commercial operation.

The atmosphere around the stronghouses is one of industry and caution. Well-armed guards, clearly veterans of some conflict, patrol the perimeter and the immediate vicinity. These are Inkanar Mhilshoun’s men, a quiet but watchful presence that contributes significantly to Beliard's overall safety, making it one of the safest stopping points in the region. This security is essential given the potential value of the trade goods passing through the Dessarin Valley.

Amidst this cluster of secure storage facilities, a single building near the front serves a vital dual purpose. This specific structure functions as the village's primary general store, a practical hub for obtaining everyday needs that might not be available from the specialty tanner or smith in town. The focus of this specific building is purely on utility and survival.

Inside the general store portion, shelves line the stone walls, stocked with the essentials of frontier life. Travelers and locals can find standard adventuring gear here: rope, rations, basic lamp oil, simple clothing, and a limited selection of non-magical tools or basic weapons. The inventory is curated based on what the road-weary travelers and local inhabitants most often require.

Inkanar Mhilshoun himself is a pragmatic and efficient man who oversees all operations. His business is integrated into the community’s overall watchfulness, as his guards help to maintain the peace alongside the retired Waterdeep mercenaries. This collaboration between private enterprise and community defense makes the stronghouses a cornerstone of Beliard's resilience.

Whether a merchant needing secure storage for a valuable shipment of Mirabar goods or an adventurer needing to stock up on basic supplies before venturing into the Sumber Hills, Mhilshoun's Stronghouses provide a vital service. They are the dependable infrastructure that allows Beliard’s market-moot to thrive, a testament to the practical, gritty nature of life in the North.

GENERAL SUPPLIES & TOOLS
Rope, hempen (50 feet): 1sp
Lamp oil (1 pint flask): 1cp
Lantern, common: 5sp
Torches (per 5): 5cp
Flint and Steel: 1sp
Waterskin: 2cp
Blanket, common: 5cp
Soap (per bar): 2cp
Candles (per 5): 1cp
Pouch or Belt Pouch: 5cp
Backpack: 2sp
Tent, two-person: 2gp

RATIONS & DRY GOODS
Standard Rations (1 day supply): 5cp
Flour (per pound): 1cp
Salt Pork (per pound): 3cp
Dried Beans (per pound): 1cp
Hardtack (per bag): 3cp

CLOTHING & ARMOR
Common clothes: 5sp
Traveler's clothes: 1gp
Worker’s outfit: 2sp
Leather armor (basic set): 10gp (Limited stock)

WEAPONS & DEFENSE (Limited Stock)
Dagger: 2sp
Club: 1cp
Quarterstaff: 2cp
Sling: 1cp
Sling bullets (per 20): 1cp

Dessarin Valley The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

The Dessarin Valley, also known as the Gateway to the North by its residents, is a valley region situated between the Sword Mountains and the High Forest. It is home to a diverse range of folk, although most inhabitants are either humans or halflings. The main industry of the Dessarin Valley is agriculture, and Goldenfields played a large part in the agricultural economy of the North.

The Dessarin is unlike the rest of the Savage Frontier. While it is largely unsettled, comprising many scattered, remote villages and farmsteads, the valley is much safer than the surrounding area had been in years past.

The region of the Dessarin Valley is bordered on the east by the High Forest and the Forlorn Hills, and on the west by the Long Road. The valley is named for the great River Dessarin, that flows from the Evermoors in the Savage Frontier, to the Sea of Swords just south of Waterdeep. It is fed by a number of tributaries, including the River Surbrin, Horn Stream, and Gaustar's Creek.

In −4420 DR, the shield dwarf kingdom of Besilmer was founded. Besilmer was a very atypical dwarf kingdom, built above ground with fields and pastures to support it. For years, Besilmer flourished but then fell under attack by giants and trolls. This led to the construction of Tyar-Besil, an underground city. Besilmer fell a century after its construction. Ruins from the kingdom still stood as late as the 15th century DR, most notably the Stone Bridge that spanned the Dessarin River; and, although in poor condition, the ruins known as the Halls of the Hunting Axe.

In the Year of the Raised Sword, 893 DR, the Knights of the Silver Horn discovered the ruins of Tyar-Besil. The knights set up strongholds in the ruins but came under attack by Uruth Ukrypt. This led to Dessarin Valley being dragged into the Orcfastings War, and the First and Second Trollwars. By the Year of the Circling Vulture, 942 DR, all signs of human civilization had been wiped out.

In the Year of the Forbidden Tome, 949 DR, the lower area of the valley was the location of a fallen manor for the Schooled, students taught by Magister Caldauvur Maerglauthyn until his death in the same year and at the same manor.

Around the Year of the Wailing Winds, 1000 DR, following the expansion of Waterdeep, a few small villages started to develop. This led to the founding of Red Larch, Yartar, and Triboar.

Settlements
• Westbridge
• Beliard

Notable Locations
• Jundar's Pass
• The High Forest
• The River Dessarin
• The Westwood
• Sumber Hills
• The Horn Stream
• Kryptgarden Forest
• The Stone Trail
• Sword Mountains
• Dessarin Hills
• Black Maw Bog
• River Surbrin
• Forlorn Hills
• The Long Road

Halls of the Hunting Axe The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

The Halls of the Hunting Axe once stood as one of the proud strongholds of the ancient dwarven realm of Besilmer in the rugged reaches of the Dessarin Valley. Located nearly thirty miles southeast of the Stone Bridge, the halls were carved deep into the earth and stone by the master craftsmen of the Delzoun dwarves during the height of their kingdom. In their prime, the halls served not only as a fortress, but as a thriving city filled with clans, merchants, artisans, and warriors who kept the roads of the North secure for centuries.

The architecture of the Halls of the Hunting Axe reflected the skill and wealth of Besilmer at its height. Great arched corridors of polished stone stretched beneath towering ceilings supported by massive carved pillars. Colored mosaic windows once lined portions of the upper halls, casting vibrant patterns of red, gold, and blue light across the chambers during the daylight hours. Beautiful underground gardens flourished within carefully tended courtyards, fed by ingenious irrigation channels and protected by a defensive moat that encircled portions of the outer stronghold.

Yet like many dwarven kingdoms of the North, Besilmer eventually fell into decline. War, invasion, and the slow crumbling of old alliances brought ruin to the once-glorious realm. The Halls of the Hunting Axe were abandoned after fierce battles and internal collapse left much of the city shattered. By 1368 DR, little remained of the former grandeur beyond broken halls, collapsed chambers, and scattered relics buried beneath centuries of dust. Locals and scavengers often searched the ruins for fragments of the once-beautiful stained mosaics, whose colored shards became highly prized for crafting decorative bottles and trinkets.

Beneath the ruined city stretched the vast labyrinth known as the Dwarven Dungeons, an immense underground complex extending deep beneath the Dessarin Hills. These subterranean halls once formed the true heart of Besilmer, housing countless dwarven families, guild halls, armories, workshops, and marketplaces. Entire generations of dwarves lived and worked beneath the mountain in a sprawling maze of stone passages illuminated by braziers and glowing forge fires that never seemed to fade.

The Dwarven Dungeons were divided into several distinct regions, the largest being the Main Halls and the ominous Deep Halls located eighty-five steps farther beneath the surface. Ancient tales claimed the deeper levels contained hidden vaults, sacred tombs, and forgotten relic chambers sealed away behind masterfully crafted locks and concealed doors. Even centuries after the fall of Besilmer, few adventurers dared explore too deeply into the ruins, for many believed dangerous creatures and restless spirits still haunted the darkness below.

After the fall of the dwarven kingdom, scavengers, monsters, and opportunistic raiders gradually claimed portions of the abandoned halls. What had once been a shining center of dwarven civilization became a dangerous ruin whispered about in taverns throughout the Dessarin Valley. Even so, legends of lost treasure, hidden passages, and forgotten dwarven secrets continued to lure explorers into the depths of the Halls of the Hunting Axe, where the echoes of Besilmer’s glory still lingered beneath the stone.

The Forlorn Hills The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

The Forlorn Hills is a hilly region in northwest Faerûn between the Dessarin Valley and the Delimbiyr Vale. The hills were once the center of the ancient shield dwarven kingdom of Dardath—one of the three kingdoms in Phalorm, the Realm of Three Crowns—and were then called the Dark Hills.

After the triumvirate collapsed in the Year of the Lamia's Kiss, 615 DR, the Dark Hills became known as the Fallen Hills or, more commonly, the Forlorn Hills. The people of Athalantar called them the Horn Hills. Some folks mistakenly called them the Sword Hills, confusing them with a smaller range of hills on the south bank of the Delimbiyr.

The Forlorn Hills are located east of Ardeep Forest, across the swath of open land that contained the House of Stone and was once the realm of Elembar. To the south is the Delimbiyr Vale and the River Delimbiyr. The Iron Road runs southeast from Womford, skirting the northern edge of the Hills, until it reaches the village of Uluvin on the eastern edge. The town of Secomber is farther to the southeast. To the northeast is the High Forest and to the northwest is Gaustar's Creek, a tributary of the River Dessarin.

The Forlorn Hills were once part of the great forest that included Ardeep Forest, but dwarves cleared portions of it and then later humans from Athalantar put the western side of the Hills (known as the Halangorn Forest) to the torch in an effort to drive the remaining elves away from lands they wished to claim. The hollows between the hills were often in the shadow of the surrounding peaks and thick mists typically obscured vision until highsun.

By the time of Phalorm, the landscape was stony and the hills were isolated in places. The line of hills that formed the northern border of the area were known as the Watchers of the North. There is a high ridge that arcs through a portion of the Hills near the center. It is here that the mansion known as the House of Taeros once stood before it and part of the ridge were destroyed in a spellbattle around the end of the 6th century DR, leaving behind the ruin known as the Crumbling Stair.