Silverymoon
Silverymoon is the prime signatory state of the Leaugue of the Silver Marches and therefore viewed by many as the capital. It was ruled for more than a century by the then High Mage Alustriel Silverhand, a powerful wizard, one of the Seven Sisters—some of the most powerful individuals on Faerûn—, and also a Chosen of Mystra, the goddess of magic. In 1369 DR, upon accepting the leadership of the Leaugue of the Silver Marches, High Lady Alustriel stepped down as Silverymoon's High Mage, passing that title to her trusted advisor, Taern Hornblade.
Demographics
- Human 41%
- Elves 21%
- Half-elves 20%
- Shield dwarves 10%
- Halflings 5%
- Gnome 2%
- Others 1%
Religion
Temples:- Athenaeum of Philosophy (Dugmaren Brightmantle)
- Dawndancer House (Sune)
- Fortune Hall (Tymora)
- Golden Oak (Shiallia)
- Halls of Inspiration (Milil, Oghma)
- House Invincible (Helm)
- Mielikki's Glade (Mielikki)
- Rhyster's Matins (Lathander)
- Temple of Silver Stars (Selûne)
- Tower of Balance (Mystra)
Government
Constitutional magocratic republic
Defences
Military:
The Knights in Silver, the Spellguard, the Moon Garrison (military), the Silverwatch (city watch), the High Guard (security of palace, all Knights in Silver veterans). The fighting force that protects Silverymoon is comprised of the famed Knights in Silver. In 1372 DR, they were led by the paladin Sernius Alathar. There are 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 resids in Silverymoon. The current High Marshal is a half-elf fighter/wizard by the name of Methrammar Aerasumé. The Walls & Gates:
The first line of defence for the mighty city of Silverymoon is her wall. Massive constructs of Silverymoon’s ubiquitous silvery-white stone, the walls of Silverymoon have only been breached three times in the history of the city. Four gates pierce the walls: the Hunter’s Gate in the north, the eastern Sundabar Gate, the New Gate in the south, and the Moorgate in the west. Local legends have it that these gates are protected by a variety of wards; some claim that they detect and identify sources of evil and malice, while others whisper that these spells limit the magics that can be worked near them. What is certainly known is that the areas around these gates radiate strong abjurative auras and those who examine them too closely bring themselves under the scrutiny of the Spellguard. The fair city of Silverymoon spans the River Rauvin and the main thoroughfare between the Old and New Cities is also one of its best defenses. The Moonbridge, as it is known, is a span of invisible, magical force that arches above the Rauvin. In times of need the middle of the bridge can be dispelled, preventing invaders from crossing or enabling ships with tall masts to pass easily beneath. Defenders:
The defences of Silverymoon do not end at her gates, however. The Knights in Silver are an order of knights — all clad in gleaming silver, with the badge of Silverymoon upon their shields — who act as the first defence of the city. They lead either units of Moon Garrison (Silverymoon's military dedicated to the defence of the city from external threats), or groups of Silverwatch (Silverymoon's city guard) against all threats. The most veteran members of the Knights are often inducted into the High Guard, who provide the security for the High Palace of Alustriel. Named by the adventurer and bard, Mintiper Moonsilver, the Knights in Silver haved earned their reputation as a noble and chivalrous fighting force. 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 have risen to 704 members. Then Captain Taern Hornblade, a potent invoker, founded the Spellguard in 1255 DR as a personal magical bodyguard for Alustriel Silverhand herself, but over the intervening years their warding duties have extended to cover all of Silverymoon as a whole, giving the city a potent body of wizard-watchmen ready and willing to lend their spells to the defense of the Gem of the North. By 1372 DR the Spellguard numbered 32 members, 7 of which were Warders that oversaw the activities of the rest. Though her forces are dedicated to defending Silverymoon first and foremost, there are patrols around the city within three days ride, a roughly fifty-mile radius, called "land-rides." Made up of a dozen or so Knights in Silver, accompanied by two Spellguard battle-mages and a volunteer cleric (usually of Helm, Lathander or Mystra), these patrols venture forth to defend the small homesteads, settlements, and caravan roads within the shadow of Silverymoon. Ultimately, though, the defences of Silverymoon lie in her inhabitants. In addition to Silverymoon’s potent standing army, the city is home to many powerful individuals, any of whom bear powerful magic, great strength or prodigious skill. All stand ready to bear all of that and more – down even perhaps to their lives – in defence of their precious Gem of the North.
The Knights in Silver, the Spellguard, the Moon Garrison (military), the Silverwatch (city watch), the High Guard (security of palace, all Knights in Silver veterans). The fighting force that protects Silverymoon is comprised of the famed Knights in Silver. In 1372 DR, they were led by the paladin Sernius Alathar. There are 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 resids in Silverymoon. The current High Marshal is a half-elf fighter/wizard by the name of Methrammar Aerasumé. The Walls & Gates:
The first line of defence for the mighty city of Silverymoon is her wall. Massive constructs of Silverymoon’s ubiquitous silvery-white stone, the walls of Silverymoon have only been breached three times in the history of the city. Four gates pierce the walls: the Hunter’s Gate in the north, the eastern Sundabar Gate, the New Gate in the south, and the Moorgate in the west. Local legends have it that these gates are protected by a variety of wards; some claim that they detect and identify sources of evil and malice, while others whisper that these spells limit the magics that can be worked near them. What is certainly known is that the areas around these gates radiate strong abjurative auras and those who examine them too closely bring themselves under the scrutiny of the Spellguard. The fair city of Silverymoon spans the River Rauvin and the main thoroughfare between the Old and New Cities is also one of its best defenses. The Moonbridge, as it is known, is a span of invisible, magical force that arches above the Rauvin. In times of need the middle of the bridge can be dispelled, preventing invaders from crossing or enabling ships with tall masts to pass easily beneath. Defenders:
The defences of Silverymoon do not end at her gates, however. The Knights in Silver are an order of knights — all clad in gleaming silver, with the badge of Silverymoon upon their shields — who act as the first defence of the city. They lead either units of Moon Garrison (Silverymoon's military dedicated to the defence of the city from external threats), or groups of Silverwatch (Silverymoon's city guard) against all threats. The most veteran members of the Knights are often inducted into the High Guard, who provide the security for the High Palace of Alustriel. Named by the adventurer and bard, Mintiper Moonsilver, the Knights in Silver haved earned their reputation as a noble and chivalrous fighting force. 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 have risen to 704 members. Then Captain Taern Hornblade, a potent invoker, founded the Spellguard in 1255 DR as a personal magical bodyguard for Alustriel Silverhand herself, but over the intervening years their warding duties have extended to cover all of Silverymoon as a whole, giving the city a potent body of wizard-watchmen ready and willing to lend their spells to the defense of the Gem of the North. By 1372 DR the Spellguard numbered 32 members, 7 of which were Warders that oversaw the activities of the rest. Though her forces are dedicated to defending Silverymoon first and foremost, there are patrols around the city within three days ride, a roughly fifty-mile radius, called "land-rides." Made up of a dozen or so Knights in Silver, accompanied by two Spellguard battle-mages and a volunteer cleric (usually of Helm, Lathander or Mystra), these patrols venture forth to defend the small homesteads, settlements, and caravan roads within the shadow of Silverymoon. Ultimately, though, the defences of Silverymoon lie in her inhabitants. In addition to Silverymoon’s potent standing army, the city is home to many powerful individuals, any of whom bear powerful magic, great strength or prodigious skill. All stand ready to bear all of that and more – down even perhaps to their lives – in defence of their precious Gem of the North.
Industry & Trade
Imports: Food (esp. grain and livestock), armor, weapons, footwear, textiles, clothing.
Exports: Books, paper, herbs, inks, glass, glassware, furs, timber, valuable ore. Silverymoon mints its own coin, the moon. It is valued at 2gp and is accepted throughout the Silver Marches. Travel Distances from Silverymoon:
Exports: Books, paper, herbs, inks, glass, glassware, furs, timber, valuable ore. Silverymoon mints its own coin, the moon. It is valued at 2gp and is 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)
Infrastructure
Gates
Map of Silverymoon
Map of Silverymoon
- The Moorgate (A3)
- Hunter's Gate (E1)
- Sundabar Gate (H4)
- Sundabar Commons (G4)
- Blacklar Gate (C6)
- Mulgate (E6)
Taverns & Inns
- Bright Blade Brandished (A4)
- Golden Oak Inn & Temple to Shiallia (C3)
- Wayward House (Formerly, the Inn of the Wayward Sages) (D2)
- The Dancing Goat (E3)
- Helmer's Wall (D2)
- Sorlar's Smiling Satyr (D5)
- The Stagstand (E2)
- The Silver Inkwell (E5): Tavern (3c•4p) A fine tavern that caters to the many students, scholars, mages, and bards of the surrounding collegia, the Silver Inkwell is a favourite place for many of the staff at the Vault of Sages to find a meal. It frequently has several bards there playing, and always hosts an interesting collection of odd folk, philosophers, and debaters.
Shops
- Optym's Blade (D2)
- The Shining Scroll (D3)
- Adbar Trading Coster (G4)
- The Hammer and the Helm (C2)
- A Handful of Stars (D1)
- The Wyrmworks on Many Cats Lane
Other Notable Sites
- The Docks (C4 & E4)
- The Market (F1–F3)
- Eastern Garrison Barracks (B2)
- The High Palace (H3)
- Star Court (H3)
- The Main Gate (formerly) (D4)
- The Moonbridge (E4)
- The Guardposts (F5)
- Western Garrison Barracks (E5)
- Spellguard Isle (G5)
Assets
Temples & Religious Sites
Map of Silverymoon
- Golden Oak Inn & Temple to Shiallia (C3)
- The House Invincible (F1)
- Rhyester's Matins (G1)
- Everdusk Hall (G2)
- The Halls of Inspiration (G2)
- The Temple of Silver Stars (G2)
- Fortune Hall (G2)
- The Tower of Balance (H2)
- Silverglen (G3)
- Mielikki's Glade (F5)
The Conclave of Silverymoon
- Arkhen's Invocatorium (fomer site) (G3)
- House of the Harp (F1)
- Utrumm's Music Conservatory (former site) (G1)
- The Map House (F3)
- Everdusk Hall (G2)
- Arkhen's Invocatorium (D6)
- The Lady's College (D5)
- Vault of the Sages (E5): The greatest library in the North, the Vault is also the home to the largest number of sages in known Faerûn, including the hallowed halls of Candlekeep. Only a portion of its stacks are available for public perusal, but it maintains a virtual army of archivists and Deneirran clerics in addition to its many sages to help those in search of obscure lore find what they require.
- Miresk's School of Thaumaturgy (D5)
- Utrumm's Music Conservatory (B5)
History
Silverymoon became a city in Uktar 637 DR, when a stone wall was built around it for the first time and the first ruler of Silverymoon, High Mage Ecamane Truesilver, was elected. Prior to that it was mainly a village of wooden buildings named simply, "Silver Village." It was built at a location considered sacred to the patron deity of rangers, Mielikki, and the unicorn goddess Lurue. Since that time the settlers sought to work with nature rather than against it, a decision that is said to have compelled the aforementioned deities to bless the site.
Ecamane Truesilver was instrumental in setting the foundation to the city's enduring (and totally justified) fame of a center of lore and knowledge throughout the North (often called the "Myth Drannor of the North", as it was an echo of the legendary capital of the Elven Court). Truesilver founded a library and subsequent rulers of the city pursued artistic endeavors and further consolidated Silverymoon as a place where art, culture, lore, and magic were highly valued before his death in 712 DR. Truesilver was followed by his nephew, Aglanthol the Red, as the second High Mage of Silverymoon. When Myth Drannor fell in 714 DR, some prominent scholars found shelter in the city, but they were followed by the demons that had destroyed their home. The then reigning High Mage, Aglanthol, perished in the ensuing fight in 719 DR. His successor, Ederan Nharimlur, by contrast, reigned for many years in peace. It was in his reign that the city almost doubled in size.
Upon Ederan's death in 784 DR, his daughter Amaara Nharimlur became the High Mage of Silverymoon. In 815 DR, Elué Dualen (Alustriel Silverhand) arrived in the city and befriended Amaara and her sister Lynx. In 821 DR, Elué and Lynx established the Lady's College, the first open school for mages in Silverymoon to take students, not apprentices, and as payment for tutelage required an equal amount of time of service in defence of the city. In 843 DR Elué and other wizards created the Moonbridge, the city's most famous landmark, along with the wards of Silverymoon. Eventually Elué became High Mage in 857 DR after Amaara left for Evermeet. Elué left the post in 876 DR with Lynx.
The succession of High Mages was disrupted in 876 DR, when the warlord Lashtor, then commander of the city's army, took the city by force, destroying many important buildings and killing many wizards in the process. He could not remain in power for more than a year, however, as he was deposed by Tanalanthara Mytersaal, a mage also known as Lady Wolf. Lady Wolf sacrificed herself in 882 DR while fending off a horde of orcs.
The next High Mage was chosen by the people of Silverymoon to be Tanisell the Cloaked, who during his reign strengthened the wards of the city and constructed the Vault of the Sages. In 920 DR the Keeper of the Vault of Sages, Threskaal, succeeded Tanisell. Threskaal reigned for over a hundred years in peace until his death during 1050 DR. High Mage Orjalun was the next to take up the mantle of rulership and oversaw a reign that included the emergence of many famed mages such as Ahghairon and Bowgentle. However another disaster that befell Silverymoon was a plague in the year 1150 DR; nearly half the city's inhabitants perished because of it. In 1230 DR, Orjalun appointed the next High Mage as Sepur. After two years Sepur disappeared from the city, resulting in an elected mayor ruling for the next three years.
The first time that an enemy broke through the walls inside the city, though, was in 1235 DR, when the commander of the army, Khallos Shieldsunder, forcibly gained control of the city while under siege by an orc horde. The orcs, as has been stated, managed to enter the city, but the combined forces of the elves and the Harpers led by Alustriel Silverhand and her sister Storm Silverhand successfully repelled the attack.
Alustriel subsequently became the city's only ruler to have been unanimously chosen by the people, and the only one to have reigned for so long. Alustriel's reign was a blessing to the people of Silverymoon. Her reign officially ended in 1369 DR, when she stepped down, passing the city's supreme office to her trusted adviser Taern "Thunderspell" Hornblade. She assumed the title of High Lady of the Silver Marches in 1371 DR (the year the confederation was born) and is now the leading figure of authority in the new-found confederation.
The Moonbridge of Silverymoon
Maps
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Silverymoon city map
Founding Date
637 DR
Alternative Name(s)
The Gem of the North
Type
City
Population
38,000 sentients
Inhabitant Demonym
Silvaeren
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
The sigil of Silverymoon
The view of Silverymoon from the Nether Mts looking west.
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