Mistledale
Mistledale, considered one of the rustic dales of the Dalelands, was a quiet and friendly land covering a vast expanse of grassland within the forest of Cormanthor. It consisted of a small number of hamlets as well as the large city of Ashabenford and bisected by the major road of the Moonsea Ride. Mistledale has always the lucky dale - blessed with fertile land, protected from foes as the Zhentil Keep and Sembia by intervening dales or the Elven Court, and occupying excellent trade routes between larger area Cormyr and the Moonsea.
Structure
Mistledale was ruled by a group known as the Council of Six, an assembly that was informally elected among local village leaders, influential businessmen or successful farmers. They only met four times a year, as their members were all considered pillars of their respective communities.
The senior councilor was known as the High Councilor, to take care of administrative matters in Ashabenford all year round; they were regarded as a "ruler among equals". The high councilor also served as the commander of the Riders of Mistledale, and would carry a black rod of office.
Culture
The Mistrans are a friendly and welcoming lot, and their home was often free from the typical troubles of the dales. The dale was so often free from danger and excitement that it was often considered somewhat boring by travelers and adventurers. The dale has always seemed to be blessed with fertile grounds, safety from foreign forces and drew traders in from nearby lands.
Though sometimes overlooked by those who keep an eye on the armed strength of the Dalelands, the Mistrans are anything but soft.
History
Thousands of years ago, the heavens ensured Mistledale's future prosperity when a falling star plowed a hundred-mile-long, thirty-mile-wide swath through the elven woods. The trees never regrew in the scar where the star had fallen, but the land proved amazingly fertile once Dalesfolk put it to the plow.
14th century
Mistledale's claim to fame was the defeat of Lord Lashan Aumersair in 1356 DR, along with the help of Shadowdale and others. In 1358 DR, during the events of the Time of Troubles, the Riders of Mistledale were even able to rebuff an army from Zhentil Keep.
Despite such great victories, this is among the more peaceful of the Dales, although lately drow incursions have been causing some problems for the locals.
Demography and Population
Fiercely independent homesteaders and freeholders occupy most of Mistledale. Hundreds of small farmsteads dot the vale, but there are few real villages. Mistledale is a widely spread dale. Its small settlements can see each other across the gently rolling hills, except in the morning and evenings when mist from the river rises to fill the valley. For communication across the dale, each hamlet is equipped with special designed to penetrate the fog. Each bell carries different messages of alarm or inquiry. These sounds are understood by long-term residents of the dale but a mystery to outsiders.
Population: 27,807 (humans 87%, dwarves 5%, gnomes 3%, halflings 2%, half-elves 2%)
Territories
Mistledale occupies the clear valley along, both sides of the Moonsea Ride, east of Peldan's Helm and west of the spot where the forest closes in some three miles before the Standing Stone. The River Ashaba cuts across the center of the dale, crossed by the Moonsea Ride at the excellent natural ford, at Ashabenford. Of all the Dales, Mistledale is closest to the ancient ruins of Myth Drannor. Forest trails, somewhat dangerous at times, lead to Shadowdale and to Essembra to the east.
Open Areas
Barrowfields: Low-laying grassy hills that served as a graveyard for ancient Netherese warrior-wizards.
Beast Country: This was the nickname for western Mistledale, which often had problems with goblinoid species.
Roads
Dark Road - This path to Essembra ran near the Vale of Lost Voices.
Moonsea Ride - A major road that ran through the Dalelands and cut right through Mistledale.
Rivers
River Ashaba: This raging river ran through the heart of the Dales, opposite in direction as the Moonsea Ride.
Notable Locations
Settlements
Ashabenford - The capital of Mistledale that was, more or less, set right in the center of the Dalelands.
Glen - A small dwarven trading village that held a secret entrance to the Underdark.
Peldan's Helm - A small freehold-turned-hamlet in Beast Country.
Temples
Abbey of the Golden Sheaf - A large and popular temple to Chauntea.
Military
The first line of defense in Mistledale were the Riders of Mistledale, 30 mounted defenders who patrolled the dale, apprehended criminals and protected the townsfolk from outside incursions. These Riders were supplemented by a local and well-armed militia, who numbered about 200 active members and at least 600 more that can be made available, if needed. Both the Riders of Mistledale and the militia were based in Ashabenford
Due to the widely spread settlements of dale, each hamlet was equipped with special bells that could raise messages of alarm or inquiry with nearby settlements. These were especially useful in the early morning fog that can fill the valley.
Trade & Transport
Situated along the well-traveled Moonsea Ride, many of the dale's farmers made their way to Ashabenford where mechants from Cormyr and the Moonsea often stopped to buy produce and trade. Much of the trade passed through the Black Eagle trading coster and Jarwain's Imports company in Ashabenford.
Ales, cheese, grain, hay, meats, potatoes, vegetables
Manufactured items, oil, ore, textiles
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