Archendale
Known to most as the
unfriendliest and most
aggressive of the Dales,
Archendale is both of those
things, but it is also the
wealthiest and best-defended Dale. This
sure defense makes it a secure haven for
merchants, who can operate here (at least
below Arch Pool) in even more safety than
in Sembia. Wayfarers are warned to
behave themselves when within the writ
and reach of the Rides (mounted army
patrols) of Archendale. The Zhentarim,
several ambitious Sembian merchants,
and - a century ago - the folk of rival
Sessrendale can attest to the ruthless,energetic efficiency of the army of
Archendale. In separate wars, this tiny
holding handily hurled back the armies of
all three powers - and not only wrested a
treaty out of Sembia that still brings a
yearly shipment of gems from Ordulin to
Archendale, but slaughtered or drove all
the inhabitants of Sessrendale from their
own land. The wilderness of Sessrendale,
known as the Dead Dale, exists today
because its soil was sewn with salt by the
forces of Archendale.
Lawbreakers in this Dale can expect
the same swift, sure justice as acted in
these cases to descend upon them; there-
fore, banditry, thefts, and even fraud are
almost unknown here. Be advised that any
Ride captain can dispense justice in the
name of the three Swords who rule
Archendale. And never forget that travel-
ers who so much as speculate aloud as to
the identities of these mysterious
rulers (let alone say anything against
their judgments) can expect to leave
Archendale under immediate escort with
some or all of any trade goods they carry
forfeit.
The vigilance of both citizens and their
soldiers leaves Arkhenfolk free to get on
with the business of getting rich through
trade - something they have always done
very well. The struggling merchant seek-
ing investors in the western Dragon
Reach lands should go to Suzail and
Ordulin first, but come to Archenbridgebefore trying the harsher, poorer sponsors of Saerloon, Selgaunt, Westgate, and
Yhaunn.The Countryside
Archendale takes the form of a long, narrow valley, Arkhen Vale. It surrounds the
gorge cut by the swift, cold River Arkhen.
The gorge begins where the river cascades down out of the mountains at
Arkhen Falls andproceeds along the river's southeasterly run
between the Marching Mountains and the Arch Wood. The valley flanks the gorge and
spreads out a day's ride in all directions
from the Dale's only town, Archenbridge.
Archendale's waterfalls, quick rivers, and forested northern slopes place it among the most picturesque landscapes in the Dales, next to the forests and hills of Deepingdale.
Sites of Interest
The Arch Wood
The Arkhen Falls
The Arken Gorge
The Arkhen Vale
Mount ThalagbrorLife and Society
Those who dwell in Archendale are a difficult, haughty people who regard most other Dalesfolk as backward, rustic simpletons; Sembians as spineless, lazy fops; and most other outlanders as unscrupulous vagabonds. It has been said they only respect hardy folk who see to their own needs and keep quiet, good gardeners, and warriors both mighty and ruthless.
For all Archendale's posturing, it is a dale.
Archendale's common folk and its merchants and soldiers (though not all its nobility and warrior elite) respect fair play and decency. Given Archendale's warlike attitude, it's not surprising that the dale maintains a major temple to Tempus in the keep of Swordpoint. Other popular deities of the region include Chauntea (revered by the country folk who tend their small farms without undue interest in the wheeling and dealing of the city) and Lathander (whom the townsfolk of Archenbridge have chosen as their patron deity). Devotion to Chauntea in particular comforts those who wish to clear as much as possible of Arch Wood and other elven woods, as clearing land for Chauntea's sacred croplands can be phrased as a noble aim.
Cities and Towns
Numerous hamlets and villages dot the length of the River Arken as it flows between the town of White Ford and the city of Archenbridge.
Archenbridge Lady's Belt Nairning Ramblecoats White FordCurrent Events
The Logging of Arch Wood
Large scale logging has begun in Arch Wood despite protests from both Deepingdale and Tasseldale, both of whom have resorted to hiring bands of adventurers to harry the loggers after Archendale ignored their envoys and went so far as to send Battledale a bill for "our good time wasted" listening to an envoy sent from that Dale to protest the logging.
Regional History
Archendale's history revolves around conflicts with Sembia over their shared but undefined border. Ironically, Archendale's recent military improvements were financed by a wartime settlement in which every year Sembia paid the Swords an amount in gems worth hundreds of thousands of gold pieces. Over time, these payments became a form of protection money paid to Archendale so that it did not interfere with Sembian trade. The new Sembian Overmaster, Kendrick Selkirk, has judged correctly that Archenbridge is now far too dependent on that same trade to interfere with Sembia's merchants, so the payments have stopped The border conflicts have not.
