Evereska

The Greycloak Hills are a vast region east of the High Forest and west of the Anauroch; the region is generally considered to comprise the outer ring around the Twelve Peaks of the Seldarine (or the Shaeradim), which surround the Amarant Vale and Evereska itself.

The various vales of Evereska span anywhere from 6000 to 11,000 feet above the general ground level, which itself is almost 2,000 feet above sea level. The peaks of the Shaeradim have a median height of 21,000 feet above ground level, with the highest peak, Corellás, at 28,000 feet (or 29,890 feet above sea level).

Amon'thil, or "Evereska" as it is often called by outsiders, sits at an average elevation of 8,400 ft above sea level; at this altitude, human travelers often have difficulty breathing, and experience fatigue and limited physical stamina until a lengthy period of adaptation. Most elves do not have similar problems until they attempt to scale the peaks themselves. The vegetation of the vale is lush despite the altitude, thriving not only on natural resources but on the energy of the Evereskan Mythal.

Vales

The Amarant Vale refers to the overall region of Evereska, including several smaller valleys and terraces.

The Blazevale is outside the Shaeradim, separating it from the Greycloak Hills proper to the north. It is not actually part of the Amarant Vale, or Evereska, but it was once widely settled, and contains many elven ruins.

The Upper Vale is the highest valley, nestled along the tall western peaks of the Shaeradim. Many of Evereska's ancient temples are here.

The Vine Vale hugs the northern ring; its rich soil and beautiful landscape provide a home for the wealthiest families of Evereska.

The Shaeradim Vale is the largest of the vales, comprising the majority of the area within the ring of mountains; it is in this vale that most Evereskans live.

The Copper Canyon is a low canyon separating the Shaeradim from the eastern peaks.

Once, Evereska was a model elven community. Founded as a safe haven for all elves shortly after the Crown Wars, Evereska prospered early, and knew an exceptionally long period of peace and privacy amidst a tumultuous world.

With the fall of Cormanthyr, and, to a lesser extent, the various other post-Crown War kingdoms established by elves, there was a great influx of people, wishing to escape the temporal problems of their former homes, and bringing with them the echo of the culture of those foreign lands. It is from this immigration that Evereska's egalitarian, individualistic society slowly evolved into one centered around a few powerful, wealthy families.

An eternal presence in Evereska are the temples, at least one to each deity of the Seldarine, and almost all over 9,000 years old. Most predate the city itself, having been built in this location at the behest of their deities, for the Evereskan Vale was long thought to be a sacred place. These temples provide an anchor to Evereska's history, and their strong theological significance has inhibited the growth of Evereska beyond a simple sanctuary for the elven people toward a more organized and outwardly-focused state.

Noble Families

Once, Evereska was under the de facto rule of eight noble houses: Corolín, Ghazaas, Ilsynd, Dragonsong, Anharyn, Maerdrym, Nightstar, and Solesca.

Today, most of those houses are shattered; all retain an official line of succession, but most lost too many of kin and resources to command the power they once did. In the wake of the Shadowfall, the old pecking order has changed somewhat, and the goals and means of each house has changed considerably.

====Corolín====

This family claims to be the oldest in Evereska, and therefore the greatest. Certainly, their wealth is considerable, even despite the Shadowsfall. Their prime position in the political ladder has not shifted.

The family's great wealth comes from their skill in architecture; they are the descendants of those who built the ancient temples, and it is their pillars, their foundations, upon which Evereska is built, so they say. As one would expect, their clan holdings are magnificent to behold, palaces in their own right.

Their clan still holds claim to all of the best quarries in Evereska, most of which are in the Blazevale, and lie dormant in the wake of their diminished power. Lately, they have been considering exporting Evereska's rare stone for a profit, but the long traditions of the house are delaying a hard choice driven by necessity.

The current patriarch of the house is Mardim Corolin, an elf of over 4 centuries who is greatly saddened by what he saw in the Shadowsfall. His was a contemplative existence as a scholar of Corellon; he has taken the reins of the clan from his departed brother only at the insistence of his family and his temple.

====Ghazaas====

Ghazaas is a house of warriors, long the defenders of Evereska on the field of battle. They began long ago as a band of adventurers, hardened by the many travails to be found in the wake of the Crown Wars.

As one would expect, they are consummate smiths, commanding the best of Evereska's ore mines, and holding a monopoly on the rare veins of mithril in the vale. It is this wealth, and not their martial prowess, that has carried them so far. Still, the art of the blade is sacred to them, and they fielded many great warriors in the wars of the Shadowsfall; nearly all of them perished early in the conflict.

Now, Ghazaas is a shadow of their former selves, led by the young Narsul Ghazaas, a talented swordsman and a veteran of the Shadowsfall, but an inept politician who has allowed his younger brother, the 140 year old Arnaerin, to gain much power and favor at his expense.

====Ilsynd====

The Ilsynd are the loremasters of Evereska. Once, they were bards, carrying the lore of the elven people to the new lands of the vale; the favor they enjoyed for their revered position blossomed eventually into wealth.

In their beautiful homes, they maintained libraries and museums without compare, and entertained all, free of charge, with long and lavish performances of the elven peoples' greatest triumphs and tragedies.

Now, most of their permanent presence has been destroyed. The scant magics of their lore holds were sniffed out early by phaerimm, and little was left in their ravenous wake.

The bards of Ilsynd--for it is little more than a small collection of bards at this point--now lead a life similar to their ancient forebears, wandering the vale and beyond, singing songs of a time much better, much less scarred than today.

There is no one leader of house Ilsynd.

====Dragonsong====

The Moonflower clan, once called Dragonsong, have an interesting history. They rose to power fairly late for an elder clan, though still millennia before the transplant clans of Cormanthyr, as holders of Evereska's best vineyards, and the original vintners of that elvish delight, Elverquisst.

Their name comes from an exploit of one of their ancestors, Kirilan, who once enchanted a gold dragon with his song, gaining its eternal companionship, as well as the secret of distilling sunshine itself into a wine sweeter than anything of the earth. Or so they say.

In 1219, house elder Varanyr Dragonsong was granted the name of Moonflower (Leuthil in Elvish) for great and superlative service and loyalty to the Queen of Elves, Amlaruil. Not many know the full extent of his deeds, but it is known that he and his wife Aunadra aided her in a matter of critical importance to the welfare and safety of all elves in Faerun, and they were to be given the highest honor possible.

Despite the name of Moonflower, which passes to all legitimate offspring of Varanyr, it is not possible for any of the Dragonsong clan to claim the title of Queen of Elves. This is understood; the name is meant merely as an honorific.

The Dragonsong--now Moonflower--clan remains strong, as the source of their wealth was not largely damaged in the Shadowsfall. Indeed, increased trade with humans since 1372 has increased their wealth and stature.

The clan patron is still Varanyr Moonflower, who claims he owes his luck in surviving the culling of the Shadowsfall to the ancient blessing of dragons upon his family.

====Anharyn====

The Anharyn are a "new" clan, formed in the fifth century BDR at great expense by transplants from the High Forest. They are gold elves, with a capital "gold"--their house's power is based on trading.

Their art was unknown when Evereska was founded, but well developed in its later years. The Anharyn were the first to convince the other nobles to trade outside Evereska to build wealth and gain goods that could not be had in the vale. They created and still maintain the trade routes used to connect to outer lands; the human settlement of the Halfway Inn owes its existence to them.

The Anharyn lack not the blessings of "true" noble houses, much to the chagrin of their supposed "betters"--many of their number have been talented magicians and swordsmen, although the house has a particular penchant for those of many skills--rogues, bards, monks, and the like.

The current matron is Divas Anharyn, a crafty and cunning woman who has gained much power since the Shadowsfall.

====Solesca====

The house of Solesca is old, but was never very large. Their greatest strength--a high propensity for skill in divine magic--does not much aid the pursuits of nobility. They have maintained their riches through adventuring.

Solesca is a clan of gold elves, led by patron Feuren Solesca. Feuren is of note because was a lifelong friend and adventuring companion of Anuor Corolin, former high priest of Corellon. A warrior by trade, Feuren stood with his friend and ally in the defense of the city; Anuor's great magic made quite a difference in the battles, but he was, in the end, outmatched by the phaerimm. Feuren has not quite been the same since.

It is often said that there is a curse upon Solesca women; the daughters all leave, and the wives all die. While not a particularly diplomatic thing to say, it does hold true in the present case: Feuren's wife died long ago after bearing five children, of whom, two were daughters, and both having quit Evereska before the Shadowsfall. One notable exception is the wife of eldest son Lucentio, one Kalina Moonshadow, who yet lives, though she dwells primarily in Silverymoon.

====Maerdrym====

====Nightstar====

Resources

===Military Forces==

Diplomacy