Mistledale

[Sorithar]

Perhaps the most fortunate Dale of all, Mistledale is almost entirely composed of the peaceful, fertile, well drained, prosperous farm country that the other Dales wish they had more of. Ancient elven lore tells that eons ago a “falling star” tore a 100-mile-long, 30-mile-wide swath of open country through the heart of the elven woods, destroying the elven realm of Uvaeren. Trees have never grown over that scar, but the land is unusually fertile —and is now, as Mistledale, one of the best agricultural regions in all Faerûn.
Other Dales envy Mistledale its strategic location: It is protected against the aggressive powers (such as Zhentil Keep, Sembia, and more recently, Lashan of Scardale) and orc raids out of the wilderness by other Dales, but traversed by the Moonsea Ride, an important trade road linking the Moonsea with Cormyr and thence, the west.

Where the Ride crosses the River Ashaba stands the capital of Mistledale, Ashabenford; the ford is so shallow and solid that a bridge has never been built. Ashabenford is another example of a tiny hamlet that in the Dales is graced with the title of “town” because of its local importance. Almost 500 folk dwell in Ashabenford. The next largest settlement in the Dale, Elven Crossing, is a quarter the size.
In the many years of relative peace, Mistrans have grown into prosperous folk indeed, and their farms have become truly the larder of the Dales. No other Dale has such large herds of cattle and sheep, and no other produces so much grain and hay. Potatoes, beets, parsnips, and leafy vegetables are the other major crops Mistledale’s farmers sell throughout the Dragon Reach, and, via enterprising merchants, throughout the coastal lands around the Sea of Fallen Stars.

[Sorithar]

Riders of Mistledale

 

This prosperity—and the heavy road traffic that can move so quickly and easily through the Dale—has often brought thievery and the envy of others to Mistledale. Mistrans are quite conscious of the vulnerability and desirability of their land, so they have made laws and kept them, becoming a well-policed, careful, law-abiding folk, many of whom serve in the mounted, well-trained, and well equipped, Mistledale militia in their youth. They revere their standing police force, the famous, lance-bearing, mounted Riders of Mistledale, who under their captain, Nelyssa Shendean, a paladin of Chauntea beloved of all Mistrans, patrol the Dale with vigor and diligence.
Riders can arrest but not sentence, and they bring all malefactors before High Councilor Haresk Malorn in Ashabenford for sentencing. Most of these responsible and respected Riders are warriors, but some are paladins of Chauntea or rangers.

During the Time of Troubles (1358 DR), the Riders, bolstered by the militia, some Harpers, and the Knights of Myth Drannor,
defended Mistledale against a Zhentarim-led army said by some to be over 7,000 strong!
In a day-long battle that saw Tempus, Lord of Battles, himself walk the field and the death and resurrection of Captain Nelyssa, the defenders of Mistledale inflicted a stunning defeat on the Zhent army, smashing it to rabble. The Riders then turned and rode up the Mistle Trail the next day to help defend Shadowdale against another Zhent force reportedly led by the god Bane himself!

he Riders of Mistledale number 30 and are known for their lacquered black plate armor and black helms emblazoned with the white horses that are the Dale’'s insignia. The membership of the Riders has varied over the years, but its members are always fighters and rangers, with the occasional paladin. They may be armed with magical weaponry of their own ownership.
The total membership of the Riders appears as a group only in the most dire of circumstance, and its members are more often found in groups of three or four, leading patrols of mounted warriors. In such cases, there are 10-20 warriors in chainmail with sword and spear accompanying the Riders. It is from this group that new Riders arise.
Heresk Malorn is high councilor of Mistledale and commander of the Riders. He never appears at the head of his troops except under the most black circumstances. His black rod of office is rumored to be a rod of rulership, and is used in dire situations to protect the vale.