Harrowdale
Harrowdale, formerly Velarsdale and Halvan's Dale, is the oldest Dale in existence. It is a prosperous region of gentle farmlands and small, friendly towns and is one of only two Dales with a port. The folk of Harrowdale are organized and wealthy for Dalesmen.
Structure
Harrowdale's rulers are the Seven Burghers, the wealthiest people in the land. Each of the burghers holds his or her position for life or until resignation. When a burgher dies or steps down, the Harrowdalesmen hold a survey to determine who is the richest man of the Dale in terms of money, land, holdings, and so forth. The burghers have held power since the end of Halvan the Dark, and are generally popular with the Dalefolk.
The Seven Burghers collect a small yearly tax and allocate the Dale's money to road and wharf repair and other community services. The burghers can pass laws, but do so only rarely - Harrowdale still lives under the laws of Halvan, the last lord of Velarsdale. The Council's chief concern is to preserve the town as a place attractive to business.
Culture
Inhabitants of Harrowdale were known as Harrans, sometimes also Harrovans or Velarr, and as of 1368 DR, were primarily farmers and foresters. Cormyreans and Sembians would sometimes use the term Harrowdalesmen, but this was frowned upon by its inhabitants.
Harrans were generally tolerant to outsiders, including new goods and ideas, tight-lipped around strangers however, and often gave outsiders the impression they were dim-witted. Harrans would use the phrases "up Green way" or "deep in the Green" to refer to someone who was in the newly wooden part of the dale between Velarswood and Cormanthor. Overall they were a quiet and confidant people, who garnered centuries of prosperity and wealth.
Despite being invaded in the years prior to 1374 DR, by this time, the dale still mostly kept its "oldblood" farming families from its founding days, such as Brondas, Dyzur, Mumfyrd and Routhgaer.
History
Harrowdale was originally known as Velarsdale, after its founder Velar. Between 1120 DR and the 1180s, the dale was often invaded by adventurers and mercenaries, often coming north from Sembia, who would proclaim themselves "Lord" of the dale.
In the 1180s DR, Halvan the Dark seized the dale and renamed it Halvan's Dale. Halvan then hired Durl Halfaxe to construct a road from Harrowdale through the forest of Cormanthor and join up with the Moonsea Ride, known as the Halfaxe Trail. This was done in an attempt to attract trade from the Ride; while doing so, Halvan attempted to loot Myth Drannor. During this endeavour, Halvan, Halfaxe and their forces were killed by powerful magic from within the ruins. After Halvan's fall the dale's name changed to Harrowdale.
In 1356 DR, Lord Lashan Aumersair of Scardale invaded and conquered Harrowdale in the second inter-dale war, but his forces were soon defeated. After the misfortunes of the neighboring Scardale, which was in a relative state of chaos after the war it started, Harrowdale began to thrive and became one of the biggest ports into the Dales.
Following the actions of Sembia to annex or outright invade various dales in the early 15th century, Harrowdale struck an alliance with renewed Myth Drannor, restored the Standing Stone and renamed their capital city to New Velar in 1428 DR.
Territories
Harrowdale lies in a shallow valley that runs from the Dragon Reach to the Elvenwoods. The land has been settled for hundreds of years, and the evidence of civilization can be found throughout the countryside - roads cut deep into the hillsides, old stone bridges, and the occasional abandoned farmhouse or stone wall in the middle of nowhere.
The land of Harrowdale was well-suited to grow berries and vines. Although some wooden stump and rail fences existed there were an abundance of hedgerows, which were generally pruned well. Some Harrans kept small lots for the growth of trees, such as duskwoods, maples and pines. These acted as ideal sites for the cultivation of mushrooms, shade for livestock and a source lumber if the need arose. Orchards of apple, pear and grus-grus were common throughout the dale.
Notable Features
Major Roads
Harrow Ride was the name given to two separate roads leading through Harrowdale, one on either side of the dried river bed. At the south east end of the route lay New Velar, and the north west part of the route went through Velarsburg before becoming the Halfaxe Trail at Velartree.
The Halfaxe Trail was a footpath through the forest of Cormanthor, began around the 1180s DR. It was built by Durl Halfaxe and a force of human workers, under the command of Halvan the Dark, who was the ruler of Harrowdale at the time. Its construction was an attempt by Halvan the Dark to prevent losing trade from the west of Harrowdale and from the Moonsea Ride, as it would have connected Harrowdale Town with this major road. Alas, it was opposed by the elves of Cormanthor, who correctly surmised it was also a ruse to raid Myth Drannor. Ultimately, the forest grew back, covering most of the exposed area, but was still passable as a footpath and well used by traders. The elves, by this time, had come to accept and even welcome the trade provided by this route.
Settlements
- Dead Oak : A hamlet on the Harrow Ride.
- Lanfroe : Another small village on the Harrow Ride.
- New Velar : As of 1368 DR, the capital, and one of only two ports along the Dragon Reach in the Dalelands. Prior to 1428 DR it was known as Harrowdale Town.
- Velarsburg : A market town in the north of Harrowdale, west of the Velarswood, and as of 1368 DR, the center of logging and carpentry trades.
- Velartree : A hamlet marking the north western end of the Harrow Ride and the start of the Halfaxe Trail through the forest of Cormanthor.
Military
Harrowdale does not maintain a standing army or militia. The Grey Riders patrol the countryside and the woods nearby, and deal with small incursions. If faced by something they cannot handle, the Grey Riders will attempt to muster support from the other Dalelands while the farmers and herdsmen take up arms. Harrowdale itself is an open city with no fortifications, defended only by its Watch.
The Seven Burghers have recently debated the possibility of forming a couple of companies of militia, or building a wall around Harrowdale. So far, the burghers have been reluctant to spend the money.
Laws
The folk who live in Harrowdale's countryside tend to look after their own affairs, much like the people of Battledale or Featherdale. They are aided by the Grey Riders, a group of about 20 mounted rangers who keep watch for monsters and bandits in the nearby woods.
The Grey Riders do not have the authority to arrest anyone, but in the event of trouble the locals first summon a Rider to either deal with the situation or go for help.
In the town of Harrowdale, the burghers provide a force of constables known as the Watch. The force numbers 30, equipped with ring mail, a crossbow, and a short sword. The captain of the watch is a seasoned elf named Ellarian (LG elf female Ftr8/Wiz8) who takes her duties quite seriously and also detests adventurers.
The captain of the watch is empowered to sentence criminals for most infractions. Usually, the penalty for breaking the law is a stiff fine or short stay in the town brig. Major crimes such as murder or armed robbery are brought before the Council of Seven Burghers.
Trade & Transport
Recently, Harrowdale has become the most important port in the Dalelands - but by Inner Sea standards, it is still not very big. The Dale produces and exports fruit, beef, mutton, wool, cheese, ale, furs, and lumber. In turn, it receives finished metalwork, paper, glass, silk and lace, and foreign spices and curios.
Harrowdale, like Archenbridge or Highmoon, is a place that people come to when they want to trade with the Dalelands. Outlying farmers and folk from the interior Dales come here to sell agricultural products to foreign merchants and buy the manufactured items and rarities they cannot make for themselves.
Burgher Grimwarrow owns an import company named Velarstown Silver and Jewelry, trading in silverware, pewterware, goldwork, and small gems. He quietly fences stolen jewelry on the side.
Goldenleaf Stables is noted as one of the best in the Dale. It is managed by Sheera Goldenleaf and has a fine selection of riding and warhorses in the paddock.
Helena Treskeden owns the Treskeden Coster. She organizes buying trips deeper into the Dalelands, bringing the produce back to Harrowdale to sell to merchants from overseas. Helena is always hiring guards and scouts for her caravans.
Durana Shaleel of the Harrowcoaster imports finished glass, textiles, and spices, transporting them inland to markets in the interior Dales. She used to compete with Treskeden, buying produce for the return trips, but Helena drove her out of the business with threats and blackmail.
Gunderman Brewery ships its Old Smoke to Essembra, Hillsfar, Scardale, and overseas. A keg of Old Smoke can fetch as much as 80 gp in Mulmaster.
Ale, beef, cheese, fruit, furs, lumber, mutton, wool
Glassware, lace, ore, paper, silks, spices, tools, weapons
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