Goldenfields

Goldenfields, nicknamed the Granary of the North, was a walled abbey to Chauntea of spectacular scope and size. It was the most prolific provider of crops, grains and fruits to the people of the North.

The walled temple-complex featured a small town of several dozen longhouses, an abbey, an inn, a brewery and the vast farms, orchards and gardens for which Goldenfields was famous.

Geography

The walls and farms of Goldenfields were built on raised land within the Dessarin Valley that covered over 30 square miles (78 square kilometers).

It was located south of Bargewright Inn, on the western side of the River Dessarin, at the end of the Northfurrow Trail.

Government

The complex was originally run by its founder, the Chauntean cleric, Tolgar Anuvien.

Sometime during the 14th or 15th centuries DR, Goldenfields came under the influence and sway of the Emerald Enclave. Its members were just as welcome within as faithful Chauntean clergy.

Trade

The vast farms of Goldenfields grew a number of grains including rice, corn, barley and hops. It had apple and orange orchards along with a number of herb and vegetable gardens. The latter of these cultivated a number of root vegetables including carrots, onions, potatoes and others such as tomatoes and squash.

It featured a number of livestock paddocks where oxen and cattle were allowed to graze. Smaller pens housed sheep, pigs, turkey and chickens.

Goldenfields provided much of the food consumed in Waterdeep and the neighboring settlements, but did not seek payment in return. They donated this food to others in honor of Chauntea.

Defenses

The lands around Goldenfields were well patrolled by well-armed Chauntean priests.

The complex was encircled by a massive wall constructed from mortared stone. It was 60 feet (18 meters) tall from the outside, 20 feet (6.1 meters) tall from the elevated inside, and 30 feet (9.1 meters) wide nearly all around. Stone towers and barracks were constructed on the walls, about 1 to 2 miles (1.6 to 3.2 kilometers) apart from one another.

History

The settlement was founded as an abbey around the Year of the Harp, 1355 DR by Tolgar Anuvien. In a few years time Goldenfields grew into a massive fortified farmland.

During the Time of Troubles, Myrkul and a host of skeletal servants appeared in Goldenfields. They were driven out of the city walls by the Tolgar Anuvien and Malchor Harpell, a battle during which the High Priest almost lost his life.

Around 1395 DR, a disease called the Putrescent Anathema spread from Stump Bog to Goldenfields.It hit the plentiful farmlands very hard, and thousands died due to the lack of grain to feed themselves.

Notable Locations

• Earth Mother's Bounty: This shop sold seeds and ornamental cornucopias to Goldenfields' visitors.
• Goldengulp Brewery: Some 60 people worked in the brewery, brewing its namesake beer.
• Harvesthome Abbey: The holy house of Chauntea was the largest and most-decorated structure within the complex.
• Northfurrow's End: This three-story inn offered delectable food and spacious accommodations.

Inhabitants

The temple-complex was home to over 5,000 individuals. It was tended to by Chauntean clergy and protected by vigilant guardsmen, hired adventurers and treants of the Emerald Enclave.

Notable Residents

14th Century

• Tolgar Anuvien, the abbey's founder.
• Nindil Jalbuck, one of the Masked Lords of Waterdeep.

15th Century

• Ellardin Darovik, the magnanimous abbot of Goldenfields.
• Lifferlas, an awakened tree that dwelled within the orchards.
• Miros Xelbrin, innkeep of Northfurrow's End.
• Zi Liang, one of the abbey's acolytes.

Rumors and Legends

Local rumors stated that Chauntea herself was quite proud of Goldenfields and had a personal hand in its growth and defense.

History

The complex was founded shortly before the Year of the Harp, 1355 DR, by Tolgar Anuvien, one of the Crazed Venturers who hailed from nearby Waterdeep. In the following decade it grew to be the largest "temple" dedicated to Chauntea.

By the Year of the Tankard, 1370 DR, Goldenfields had grown from 20 square miles (52 square kilometers) to nearly 30 square miles (78 square kilometers), and its population rose to nearly 8,000 individuals.

In the late 15th century DR, some time after the War of the Silver Marches, Goldenfields was assaulted by a band of Guh, her tribe of hill giants and their allied goblinoid forces.