Silverymoon

Silverymoon was the prime signatory state of the Confederation of the Silver Marches and therefore, viewed by many as the capital. It was ruled for centuries by High Lady Alustriel Silverhand, a powerful wizard and one of the Seven Sisters—some of the most powerful individuals on Faerûn—and also a Chosen of Mystra, the goddess of magic.

Description

Silverymoon was often dubbed "the Gem of the North", for it resembled and emulated the (formerly) lost elven city of Myth Drannor in many respects. It was one of the few civilized places in the middle of the rough and untamed wilderness that was the North of Faerûn. It had a rich cultural life and was renowned as a meeting place for all races that were morally inclined towards good. Even the occasional drow with good intentions (most notably the famous ranger Drizzt Do'Urden) could eventually find hospitality in the city of Silverymoon. Silverymoon was also famous for its pervading tradition of magic, and was home to many notable wizards, sorcerers and other mages. One of its permanent structures, the Moonbridge, was created by magic.

Geography

The city was divided into two sections, Northbank and Southbank, divided by the River Rauvin. Northbank was the older section of the city. It was shaped roughly like a half-circle and had three gates in its wall at west, north, and east. A large area known as the Market divided Northbank west and east, cutting from the wall to the Docks at the river. There were many shops around the Docks. The High Palace was located on the eastern side of Northbank, just inside the walls. Most places of worship and the houses of the nobles were also located on the eastern side.
Southbank was originally an area for caravan business and warehouses, but it expanded to become nearly as large as Northbank and was known for containing most of the schools that were part of the famous Conclave of Silverymoon.
The city was said to contain dwarven tunnels beneath its streets.

Government

Defenses

The fighting force that protected Silverymoon was comprised of the famed Knights in Silver. In 1372 DR, they were led by a paladin named Sernius Alathar. There were also the Spellguard, an order of, primarily, wizards and sorcerers led by the half-elven wizard Jorus Azuremantle. The High Marshal of the Argent Legion, the army of the Confederation of the Silver Marches (composed of soldiers from every signatory of the confederation) also resided in Silverymoon. The current High Marshal is a half-elf fighter/wizard by the name of Methrammar Aerasumé.

Knights in Silver

Named by the adventurer and bard, Mintiper Moonsilver, the Knights in Silver slowly earned their reputation as a noble and chivalrous fighting force. Although they were often found protecting the walls of Silverymoon many times they roamed the countryside around the city in a 50-mile radius with a member of the Spellguard.
In 1372 DR, recruitment was overseen by Recruiting Master Mazillor Shatterstave, who scrutinized each potential applicant for suitability among their ranks. Under Mazillor's watch the Knights in Silver rose to 704 members.

Spellguard

The Spellguard was established in 1255 DR as a personal bodyguard for Alustriel herself but over the intervening years grew to city-wide force, spreading their duties between the High Palace and the rest of Silverymoon. By 1372 DR the Spellguard numbered 32 members, 7 of which were Warders that oversaw the activities of the rest.

Other Defenses

The Silverwatch policed Silverymoon's streets while the Moon Garrison protected the city from external threats. The High Guard, all veterans from the Knights, were responsible for the security of the palace and its environs.

The Mythal

Silverymoon's Mythal was thought lost during the Spellplague, but it was merely dormant within the Moonbridge. With Mystra's Return, the mythal of Silverymoon blossomed out of the Moonbridge in all its former glory.

Relations

14 century

Silverymoon was the leading city of the Confederation of the Silver Marches. The confederation was new and some difficulties existed when cooperation was needed. It was a common belief, though, that the cities in the region would fall to the many enemies that surrounded them unless they managed to somehow unite and fight together. That was exactly what Alustriel had in mind when she worked towards the creation of the confederation.
Silverymoon remained allied with other cities in the North, such as Waterdeep and Neverwinter, but also had many enemies. The Arcane Brotherhood, a small group of wizards and sorcerers who controlled port city of Luskan from the Host Tower of the Arcane in the 1370's, had the ultimate goal to rule the North. In fact, the Silver Marches and Silverymoon were considered by the leaders of the brotherhood as their main target in their quest for domination.
Enemies also lurked in the depths of Toril, the Underdark. In 1358 DR, an army of drow elves from the city of Menzoberranzan laid siege to Mithral Hall, a dwarven stronghold under the leadership of king Bruenor Battlehammer, and were driven back only with the combined efforts of Mithral Hall and Silverymoon.

Trade & Industry

Silverymoon minted its own coin, the moon. It was valued at 2gp and was accepted throughout the Silver Marches.

Travel Distances from Silverymoon

To Everlund - 50 miles To Nesme - 165 miles (by barge, downstream at 2 miles per hour) To Sundabar - 165 miles on the Silverymoon Pass road To Waterdeep - 600 miles (via the Evermoor Way and the Long Road) To Yartar - 320 miles (via the Evermoor Way) To Triboar - 400 miles (via the Evermoor Way)

Culture

When Alustriel was still in power, the politics of the city flowed smoothly. Legal disputes were delegated over in the morning with spare time left for private appointments with those who request them. In the evening, she declared any new laws or decrees, met with foreign delegations and oversaw policy debates. If these debates went on for too long, she would ask that the arguments be submitted to her in written form and then these would be copied and distributed freely to the citizenry. The public would themselves argue about the matter and then their written opinions were collected the next day and, guided by her own experience, Alustriel would cobble together the final policy.

Religion

Cyric

The church of Cyric was outlawed in Silverymoon.

Notable Locations

All of the following locations have a grid address so that they can be found in the accompanying map of Silverymoon, circa 1372 DR.

Northbank

Gates

The Moorgate
Hunter's Gate
Sundabar Gate
Sundabar Commons

Taverns & Inns

Bright Blade Brandished
Golden Oak Inn & Temple to Shiallia
Wayward House (Formerly, the Inn of the Wayward Sages)
The Dancing Goat
Helmer's Wall
The Stagstand

Shops

Optym's Blade
The Shining Scroll
Adbar Trading Coster
The Hammer and the Helm
A Handful of Stars
The Wyrmworks on Many Cats Lane

Temples & Religious Sites

Golden Oak Inn & Temple to Shiallia
The House Invincible
Rhyester's Matins
Everdusk Hall
The Halls of Inspiration
The Temple of Silver Stars
Fortune Hall
The Tower of Balance
Silverglen

The Conclave of Silverymoon

Arkhen's Invocatorium (former site)
House of the Harp
Utrumm's Music
Conservatory (former site)
The Map House
Everdusk Hall

Other Notable Sites

The Docks
The Market
Eastern Garrison Barracks
The High Palace
Star Court
The Main Gate (formerly)
The Moonbridge

Southbank

Gates

Blacklar Gate
Mulgate

Taverns

Sorlar's Smiling Satyr

Religious Sites

Mielikki's Glade

The Conclaves of Silverymoon

Arkhen's Invocatorium
The Lady's College
Vault of the Sages
Miresk's School of Thaumaturgy
Utrumm's Music Conservatory

Other Notable Sites

The Moonbridge
The Guardposts
Western Garrison Barracks
Spellguard Isle

Notable Inhabitants

Alustriel Silverhand
Bowgentle
Methrammar Aerasumé
Taern Hornblade
Fret

Organizations

Knights in Silver
Spellguard

Geography

Alias

Gem of the North

Region

Luruar
Northwest Faerûn

Size

Capitol City

Society

Demonym

Silvaeren

Population

40,000

Races

Humans
Elves
Half-elves
Shield dwarf
Lightfoot halflings
Gnomes
Other

Religions

Mielikki
Oghma
Silvanus
Sune
Tymora
Formerly: Mystra
Outlawed: Cyric

Commerce

Imports

Food (especially grain and livestock)
Armor
Weapons
Footwear
Textiles
Flothing

Exports

Books
Paper
Herbs
Inks
Glass
Glassware
Furs
Timber
Valuable Ores

Currency

1pp = 1 "Unicorn"
= 10 Gold "Dragons"
= 20 Electrum "Swords"
= 100 Silver "Shields"
= 1000 Copper "Glints"

Politics

Government Type

Constitutional Magocratic Republic

Allegiances

Lord's Alliance

Ruler Type

High Mage

Ruler

Methrammar Aerasumé