Espar
General Overview:
Espar, a hamlet nestled north of Waymoot, lies just west of the King's Forest in Cormyr. Known for its farming community, the town once consisted of about 120 sturdy stone buildings. It has a storied history, serving as the birthplace of famed adventurer Florin Falconhand, one of the Knights of Myth Drannor, and as a center for master craftsmanship. The town was ruled by Lord Spurbright but met a tragic fate in 1489 DR when it was utterly destroyed by the Harbinger of Destruction, a minion of the Queen of Thorns.
Historical Significance:
Espar was renowned for its blacksmithing tradition, with the famous Quiral's Blades forging specialized made-to-order blades that attracted adventurers and nobles alike. The town was also a hub for half-elves and skilled rangers, with a monthly market where wood elves showcased their trained stag mounts and hunting wolves. This unique practice has made the Espar market legendary throughout Cormyr, even as its traditions are now memories scattered by destruction.
Locations of Note
The Watchful Eye
Espar's only inn, The Watchful Eye, was a modest wattle-and-daub structure frequented by fur traders, grain merchants, and adventurers. Legends tell of secretive mages centuries ago who created extra-dimensional hideaways throughout Cormyr to safeguard nobility. While the existence of these "hideaways" remains unconfirmed, rumors suggest that one such refuge, laden with wealth and arcane knowledge, lay beneath the inn. However, the secret remains buried, lost with the destruction of Espar.
Stormhaven Manor
Stormhaven Manor, a fortified structure west of Espar on a wooded plateau, served as a War Wizards training facility. Known for its rigorous education in magical warfare, the manor housed both fledgling wizards and hippogriffs used for aerial patrols. Hidden beneath its orderly exterior, the manor maintained geas-bound loyalty spells that tethered its students to the Dragon Throne of Cormyr. Stormhaven played a vital role in maintaining the kingdom's arcane strength, balancing secrecy with its purpose as a bastion of magical learning.
Ruined Landmarks
Ondrar's Scroll Shop
Once a bustling hub of arcane study, Ondar's Scroll Shop now lies in ruins. Built from sturdy oak and adorned with mystical symbols, the two-story shop once supplied scrolls, enchanted parchment, and magical knowledge. The aftermath of Espar's destruction left the shop scorched and collapsed, its interior a chaotic mess of broken glass and scattered parchment. Beneath the floorboards, a hidden section was looted before the shop’s destruction, its contents stolen or lost forever.
Bramblebreath Botanicals
Bramblebreath Botanicals, once an herbalist shop, provided healing potions and medicinal supplies to Espar’s residents. It also contained specialised goods, including handcrafted wheelchairs.
The Plungepool
The Plungepool marks the terminus of the Sharragh River, cascading into a misty limestone shaft that plunges into the Underdark's Lake Thalmiir before continuing into Lake Daerbraun. This perilous site is slick with water and swarming with stirges, making descent extremely dangerous. The Plungepool was once a site of intrigue for adventurers and scholars alike, rumored to be connected to deeper mysteries within the Underdark and the city of Sschindylryn, but few dared to risk its treacherous depths.
The Harbinger of Destruction and Espar’s Fall
In 1489 DR, the Harbinger of Destruction, an agent of the Queen of Thorns, razed Espar to the ground. The attack left little standing, obliterating the town's structures and scattering its people. However, the site's tragic history continues to draw adventurers hoping to uncover secrets buried in its ruins.
Espar's legacy endures through tales of its past glories, its connection to the Knights of Myth Drannor, and the enduring mysteries hidden within its ruins.
Before Greengrass, 1489 DR
RUINED SETTLEMENT
25/04/1489
Post Greengrass, 1489 DR - After the attack of the Harbinger of Destruction
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