TSR 9474 The Moonsea.pdf

ReferenceGuide

Table of Contents

Introduction ...................... 2

West Branch ...................... 5

North Coast ................... ..27

South Coast ................... ..49

The Moonsea Proper ............. ..61

Credits

Design: John Terra

Editing: Allison Lassieur

Project Coordinator: Karen S. Boomgarden

Cover Art: Danilo Gonzalez

Interior Art: Valerie Valusek

Cartography: David C. Sutherland III and Diesel

Typesetting: Nancy J. Kerkstra

Production: Paul Hanchette

9474xxx1901

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The Moonsea

Introduction

Traveling from the Dalelands to the Moonsea is a bit like walking from a temper-

ate, lush forest into a raging snowstorm: Its unexpected, uncomfortable, and if you

arent prepared for it, it could kill you.

—Elminster of Shadowdale

he Moonsea, also known as the Sea of Dragons, lies nestled

between Thar to the north and the Dalelands and Sembia to

the south. These natural barriers prevent casual contact

between the two opposing regions. The Moonsea is a cold,

clear, deep lake the color of dark amethyst, with frequent

storms and turbulent weather that mirrors its turbulent past and present. It is

a place where unwary adventurers can either make a name for themselves or

be buried under the dark, hungry waves.

The Moonseas shores harbor a list of cities whose fame (or notoriety) is

well known throughout the Realms: Zhentil Keep, Hillsfar, Phlan, Melvaunt,

and Mulmaster. Each city along the Moonseas shores brings with it its own

unique contributions, helping to shape the overall character of the area.

If that is truly the case, then the cities have little good to offer. Since the

Moonsea is a harsh place, the people themselves have become harsh in order

to survive. Suspicion, greed, brutality, and political treachery have become

the meat and drink of the regions inhabitants.

But for every one city that still exists on the Moonseas coast there are

three that were not so fortunate. The Moonsea is dotted with the ruins of

cities and the tombs of the unfortunate men and women who built them and

sought to dwell in them.

In addition to the dead cities, there are the ruined castles and towers of

petty would-be rulers and mages who sought solitude in order to better work

on their spells of power and conquest.

If things are thus, then why go to the Moonsea at all? The answer is sim-

ple: It is where legends and reputations are created and undone. If one wishes

to make a name for oneself, one must take chances and face hardships. The

Moonsea has risks and hardships to spare.

About This Book

he Moonsea Reference Guide is designed to be used for adventuring in a

FORGOTTEN REALMS® campaign. It, along with The Moonsea Play-

ers Book, supplements the information found in the FORGOTTEN

REALMS Campaign Setting.

The first chapter covers the seas West Branch, the second chapter its

North Coast, the third its South Coast, and the last chapter defines the

Moonsea itself.

The Moonsea

altruistic, the barbarians nevertheless played a role in

ensuring that the Moonsea coast was not fully under

the thumb of evil factions.

Northkeep was the first truly civilized Moonsea

human settlement. It was a large citadel that repre-

sented prosperity and order to the turbulent area. It

was settled in the year 348 DR and quickly became an

important trade area and jumping-off point for jour-

neys into places such as the North lands.

Unfortunately, Northkeep was undone by its own

popularity. The evil, inhuman forces known collec-

tively as the Dark Alliance (spearheaded by the land

of Thar) realized that Northkeep was a danger to

their way of life.

The Alliance knew that Northkeep would be the

first of many large settlements if it were allowed to

prosper. They saw in Northkeeps strength the unstop-

pable approach of more humans, more civilization,

and more laws, so the Alliance decided that some-

thing had to be done.

In the year 400 DR, the Year of the Blue Shield, it

was. On a night later called the First Turnabout, the

forces of the Dark Alliance swept down on the backs

of black dragons and attacked Northkeep. Whats

more, a huge fleet of their black ships with ragged

sails sacked and destroyed Northkeep.

After the attack, 40,000 humanoid priests, mages,

and shamans stood on the shore of the Moonsea and

chanted desperately to their gods. They must have

been heard, because with a deafening crack, the city

sank beneath the purple waves.

The First Turnabout was but the initiation of a

long future of reversals in humankinds fortune. But

rather than putting a damper on humankinds enthu-

siasm for colonization of the region, the First Turn-

about inflamed it even more. It became a matter of

pride. Pride, and something moregreed.

The entire Moonsea region was (and for the most

part, still is) a veritable treasure-trove of resources

waiting to be exploited. It is no secret that the land

on the Moonseas north coast is rich in mineral

wealth. The sea teems with fish. The farmlands that

border the Moonsea are fertile.

Humanity tried building more cities: Phlan,

Yûlash, Hillsfar, Mulmaster, Sulasspryn, and others. It

began to seem that as soon as cities and towns were

erected, the Dark Alliance would reduce them to

he Moonsea is populated by a breed of strong,

hearty frontiersmen and women. As a general

lot they are suspicious, sullen, and dangerous folks

who have been hardened by the forces of nature and

evil that have plagued the region for centuries.

Though it is unfair to ascribe such unsavory traits

to everyone simply by virtue of where they were born

and live, it is prudent to mind ones back and purse

when traveling the sea and its shores.

The manner in which strangers are treated, for

example, does little to mend the reputations of the

average Mooneye. Mooneye is a derogatory name

given by outsiders to the unfortunates who inhabit

this area. In turn, foreigners are viewed with a mix-

ture of dour suspicion and wonderment (mainly about

how to best make a profit from them).

To the Mooneyes, adventurers mean further disrup-

tion of an already chaotic life. If they can make a few

gold coins off the newcomers, then fine. But on the

whole, most citizens would much rather be left alone.

Brief History of

the Moonsea Area

he Moonsea was once known as the Dragon Sea

or Sea of Dragons due to the scores of dragons

that would come to the sea to mate.

The water served as a natural barrier between the

elven lands to the south and the north kingdoms of

giants, ogres, and other monsters. The dark inhabi-

tants of these darker lands, such as Thar, were pre-

vented from sweeping down and eliminating their

hated enemies by the wide waters of the Moonsea.

Nevertheless, the Moonseas north and west coasts

were infested with all manner of evil humanoids,

giants, dragons, and beholders. The only significant

human presence was, at that time, the barbarian

nomads who wandered The Ride.

These barbarians, misunderstood by the rest of the

peoples of Faerûn, have long been involved in foiling

the machinations of Zhentil Keep, Thar, and other

evil powers. Though their reasons were not altogether

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