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