Geography of Silverymoon

The Goodman’s District tends to attract the city’s rougher elements – most of the city’s poor live here, and the buildings are more ramshackle than those in the rest of the city. The name is a source of amusement to more refined citizens, and much like the Hunter’s District it no longer reflects the character of its inhabitants. Despite this, the Goodman’s District is hardly the typical slum that so many large cities seem to develop. For all their seeming poverty, the folk of the Goodman’s District take pride in keeping their streets clean and there is rarely, if ever, unchecked violence -- for the Knights in Silver are always in attendance here, especially at the guard-post in the Moorgate.

Bright Blade Brandished

This tavern is favored by adventurers because of its tolerance of the strange conditions and company that they often find themselves in. Service is attentive without being intrusive. None of the workers bother the patrons, but will gladly see to any requests no matter how strange. Because of the diverse clientele, the workers are accustomed to odd requests and mannerisms, and look upon these with nothing more than professional concern. They are aided by resident wizards, who use magical items with telekinesis abilities to whisk drinks to and from the thirsty over the heads of folk, and to snatch away suddenly drawn weapons or spoil spellcasting before trouble can get properly underway. The main taproom is modestly furnished, though more comfortable booths are available in curtained off alcoves ringing the tavern. These alcoves also serve as convenient meeting places for those who would conduct their business out of sight and earshot of the other patrons. There is a small stage in one corner, but it is rarely used.

The serving maids are very good listeners and often have a great deal of information about goings on in the city. A visitor seeking information or “special order” items would do well to make this their first stop. Conveniently located in the poorer section of town, the Bright Blade Brandished is an excellent place to make underworld contacts or hire adventurers.

Hammer and the Helm

This tavern was established by Ethendal Arohannon (NG male human Ftr6) as a meeting place for off duty Knights in Silver. It quickly became popular as a stopover for paladins and good-natured warriors of all types. The patrons love to swap stories of past prowess, hear tales from outside the city from passing adventurers or just complain about the previous day’s duties. Monks and militant clerics of many faiths like to join in on occasion as well. The warriors accept them as brothers in arms but love to harass them just the same. Tests of strength and prowess are common in the tavern. Fighting is not allowed and disagreements rarely degenerate into such. The rowdy and course nature of the place is quite suitable to dwarven and human temperament, and these make up the majority of the tavern’s patrons. Bards entertain here often, and they come to hear stories and tales as much as to sing them.

Beggar’s Alley

Made up of several alleys and buildings despite its name, this notorious section of the Goodman’s District is home to the city’s thieves guild. All manner of unscrupulous characters can be found lounging about in Atenman’s Billiard Hall or gambling on the street. Adventurers that need to make quick, quiet transactions or discover information not available to the general populace should look here first. They would do well, however, to watch their backs when dealing with those in Beggar’s Alley.

Dekalb’s Fine Wares

Often jokingly called “Dekalb’s Fine Spares”, this would-be outfitters shop and general store is not much more than a second hand shop. Stocked mainly from battlefield scavengings and left over gear from overloaded adventurers, one rarely finds quality items in the front of the shop. In reality, though, Dekalb is a collector of antiques and historic items and relics. Someone searching for lore on a lost item would do well to visit Dekalb if they can identify him as a knowledgeable collector. Bards around the city tell tales of lost artifacts and adventurers describe in painstaking detail the loot they collected on their latest journeys, so Dekalb has no shortage of leads to follow. He pays local youth to slink about the city collecting stories and information of this sort, and indiscreet adventurers may find themselves the targets of his acquisitive obsession. On the other hand, anyone asking about for information about lost or historic items may receive a note from an anonymous benefactor, giving them clues as to the last known whereabouts of interesting pieces. In this way, Dekalb is able to maintain his low profile and insure a steady flow of interesting bits into the city.

The Hunter’s District could very well be the working class district of any large city, save for the singular architecture and glittering white stone that Silverymoon is famed for. Though a bit more crowded and hectic, the Hunter’s District is similar to the Old City – the folk here are simple, happy people who are appreciative of one another and the good lives that their hard work brings.

Treant’s Hall

Five interconnected buildings in the shape of a pentagon form the structure of this popular tavern. The central area is an open yard filled with several varieties of trees, including a few rare specimens of chime oak from the starwood of Cormanthor. Rangers and druids find themselves at home here and can always be found here in great numbers. Elves also favor this tavern above most because of its ambience and a menu featuring many elven dishes, such as the delicious Neverwinter soup that has made the place a culinary attraction. Another specialty is the silver milk, a blend of milk and silver honey from enchanted bees that are housed in a secret apiary on the outskirts of the city. The tavern takes its name from a gigantic oak in the center of the yard. Grinning bards will tell you that this is indeed an ancient treant, given to long periods of hibernation, who gathers information from the guests that congregate in the yard. While this is not true, the owner of the establishment, Garolen the Sad Eyed (NG human male Rng5 of Silvanus), will give a hearty laugh and conspiratorial wink to any who mention the legend in his presence.

In recent weeks, one of the buildings has been closed down and construction has begun inside, though the final result of all the work remains a mystery. Boarn Blackbeard has been seen coming in and out of the construction site lately, and many are wondering about the one-eyed dwarven merchant’s interest in the project.

Scriptorium

This parchment shop sells a variety of both magical and non-magical writings and accessories. The proprietor, an eccentric half-elf named Luscor, is obsessed with finding new inks and dyes used in the creation of magical scrolls. Located just inside the Hunter’s District and facing the Market, the Scriptorium does a brisk business year round, and much of the University’s faculty buys exclusively from this shop. Underneath a trapdoor in the shop’s back room is the secret meeting place for the Readers of Infinity.

The Readers of Infinity are an elite group of students within the University of Silverymoon. Their bizarre club started only months ago with three naive students and one terrified faculty member. They believe in a conspiracy called "Rune's Twist" or "The Reverse Freeze". Apparently, Library Master Menry the Reader came across a startling series of coincidences when reviewing several histories of Faerun that he was trying to classify. He is now convinced that there is a malicious group from the future plotting to take over all of Faerun from the past. He believes that history is changing and that the end is near unless he can do something about it. The group has grown in the last four years and there are now over a dozen students and librarians involved, as well as Luscor himself.

Wynderfayne’s Wonderful Wynds

The cheerful gnome, Thaddeus Wynderfayne (CG male gnome Exp8), sells a vast array of instruments to the bards and musicians of Silverymoon. Although he is known for the incredible quality of his handcrafted wind instruments, he also carries brass and percussion from his cousin’s store in Waterdeep. A clangletrombenhorn adorns the window in front of his shop. This peculiar gnomish instrument resembles a French horn in shape but has valves and keys like a trombone. It is nearly impossible for anyone larger than a gnome to play because the valves and keys have to be manipulated with several body parts simultaneously. Thankfully, Thaddeus rarely dusts it off to play.

Rockhaven

This popular dwarven tavern is evident only by a small entrance structure, which conceals stairs leading to an underground cavern. Visiting dwarves are immediately pointed in this direction and word of its hospitality has spread throughout Faerun by wandering shield dwarves of the North. Dwarves unfamiliar or unknown in the Underhome can introduce themselves by way of this tavern, gaining contacts and introductions to the stout folk who live underneath Silverymoon.

A Thur-dek, a large acoustic cavern favored by dwarven chanters and drummers, sits just off the large common room and performances are frequent. The natural acoustics of the cavern are enhanced with the grim stone visages of dwarven heroes that have been carved into the walls. Those who have never experienced a dwarven drum recital are in for a long, and sometimes headache inducing, evening of storytelling and sound.

The north bank of the Rauvin hosts the larger segment of the city, containing the Old City, a quarter that was once the sum total of the city as well as those areas that have sprung up around it. The Old City, like much of Silverymoon, is resplendent with curving, graceful stonework in the spectacular white granite and marble that seems to glitter under the stars, taken from the quarries near the Nether Mountains. Most of the buildings in the Old City are fairly venerable, some of them even dating back to the city’s founding.

The Old City is known for its relaxed, scenic atmosphere – the bards who choose to play in public here are likely doing so simply to relax and entertain, rather than to garner pay. The chances of the folk of Old City allowing the bard to go without some kind of monetary appreciation is simply unheard of, however. Children run and play in the wide, clean streets and the shops here are likely to be the shops of genuine artisans and master craftsmen.

Maiden’s Crossing

This shrine to Selûne is set on the banks of the Rauvin and is one of the most visited spots in the city. It sits adjacent to the Moonbridge and as the bridge itself begins to glow under the moon, stained glass murals alight with dancing patterns of color. It is said that drinking tidewater here during the full moon will cure the drinker of lycanthropy.

Four Corner Square

A small square nestled inside a ring of shops and houses, Four Corner Square is one of Silverymoon’s best kept secrets. Bards and entertainers of all kinds can be found here at any time of the day or evening, plying their trade to an appreciative local crowd. There are four small stage areas set up here and it is from these that the square draws its name. Chellios the Entertainer (CG male human Brd4/Com3) has been telling stories and performing minor magics here for almost fifty years, and he is beloved by almost all Silveraen. He has seen many things in his years here, but his only joy lies in the delight he sees on the faces of the children he entertains with his stories. Chellios cares little for money, but he is still willing to give aid in the form of information to those with good intentions.

The Docks

Unlike the dock district in most cities, Silverymoon’s docks are fairly well kept and devoid of criminal activity. Although the usual ruffians and scoundrels may work the docks, they prefer to slink away to the Goodman’s District and its more suitable environs after the day is done. Though extremely large ships do not sail this far into the Rauvin, travelers of all sorts can find transportation here. Pontoon caravans (groups of up to a dozen small boats lashed together with a barge in the middle filled with goods) are quite common on this part of the river and a boat full of adventurers is almost always welcome on such trips. Small boats can also be bought for a reasonable price.

The Moonbridge

This famous span connects the New City with the rest of Silverymoon. It is composed entirely of magical energy akin to a wall of force, and is similarly indestructible. The bridge is almost completely invisible by day (Spot DC 25) but at night it shimmers with a silvery translucence under the light of the moon. 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. There are only three known methods for effecting this defense: a mental command given by Lady Alustriel, the command of the wielder of the Staff of Silverymoon (currently Taern Hornblade), or the will of the Watch Captain stationed at the bridge’s northern base. The Watch Captain is empowered thusly by a special ward token that he keeps on his person at all times.

New City, lying south of the River Rauvin and across the Moonbridge, resembles the Palace District in many ways. It is beautifully wrought, with tall spires and sweeping white stonework. However, it seems somehow less frivolous. Most agree that this is because New City is seen as a “scholar’s district,” an outlook bolstered as it is by the presence of the newly opened University of Silverymoon as well as the Vault of Sages. New City is indeed as elegant as the Palace District, but the folk of New City – who tend to be either scholars or those that cater to scholars – come across as serious and dedicated. Those who visit here from the bustle of the Hunter’s District or from the exuberance of the Palace Quarter tend to feel that New City is a calmer, more restrained place. The tranquility of Mielikki’s Glade, a grove of trees holy to Mielikki and Lurue, the patronesses of Silverymoon, no doubt greatly contributes to this.

Mielikki’s Glade

This site was the original worship site for Mielikki and Lurue in the city and remains an important place of worship to this day. Nestled amidst the largest Knights in Silver garrison in the city, this open meadow is under the auspices of Ladyservant Tathshandra Tyrar (NG human female Clr10). Her faith recently rejuvenated by a conference with Jeryth Phaulkon of Everlund, Tathshandra has been more actively recruiting new servants and followers to the Lady of the Forest.

The church of Mielikki itself has undergone a resurgence throughout the Silver Marches in the last two years, thanks greatly to the work of Jeryth Phaulkon. Widely rumored to be a Chosen of Mielikki, this powerful and charismatic leader has been sending clerics out to actively recruit new followers. What his arrival means for the city and the Silver Marches as a whole remains a mystery for now. He has also been working with Lady Alustriel to curb the expansion of the High Forest by Turlang. The treant’s territory has been growing ever closer to Everlund, and there is fear that the humans and treants will soon come into conflict.

Vault of the Sages

In a city where many try to remember the ideals of lost Myth Drannor, the greatest reminder to all is the Vault of the Sages. It is said to be the largest library and greatest collection of knowledge in the Realms, though the monks of Candlekeep may beg to differ. The Vault houses a priceless collection of tomes and scrolls from Myth Drannor, these being donated to the city by Ecamane Truesilver, first High Mage of Silverymoon, and Consort Elenaril, princess of Myth Drannor. The Vault truly lives up to its name, being a five story, horseshoe shaped building made of dwarven worked granite from the Ruathym Mountains. There are few windows carved into the building’s exterior save for the galleries on the first two floors. The galleries are a favorite meeting spot for commoners, nobles, merchants and adventurers alike. News from around the Realms is posted here, with news from the Silver Marches, the Sword Coast, and the Lake of Steam regions posted on the first floor and word from the rest of Faerun posted on the second. Early in the year 1372 DR, Derricus Arenth took over as Keeper of the Vault. Traditionally the naming of the new Keeper was a matter of great import in Silverymoon, but Keeper Arenth’s naming was oddly subdued. A former adventurer who many felt was an odd choice for Keeper, he has quickly proven himself with his political acumen and knowledge of the history of the North. Taern Hornblade has even invited him to sit on his council of peers and there are whispers that he is being groomed to replace Taern as High Mage.

Arken’s Invocatorium

Having recently relocated across the river, this famous magic school is now housed in one of Silverymoon’s newest buildings. A high, vaulted entrance made of purple granite greets students and visitors alike, giving it quite a different look from the surrounding temples and homes. Arken the Icy (CG human male Evo15) has not enjoyed his new position as Magus Evoker nearly as much as he thought he would. The bureaucracy has worn this already impatient man’s nerves thin, and many think he is getting ready to retire. He is also seen as stubborn for his refusal to accept the new revelations in magic theory that caused the school of Invocation to be subsumed under the mantle of Evocation. Though he has accepted the title of Magus Evoker, he has scoffed at all who suggested renaming his school.

The Shining Scroll

This lavish teahouse and bookstore was until recently a small neighborhood business. The influx of young students to the new University brought success to the small shop and it has since had to expand. They offer a quiet reading environment and a wide selection of teas and other drinks from around Faerun. Students post all manner of announcements and queries on the “Big Board of News” at the front of the shop. Here one may find graduation announcements, party invitations, and the occasional humorous “Apprentice Mage for Hire” ad. The owners of the establishment are Norlus and Melba Velgarian (NG human male and female Com4), an old couple who really don’t know what to make of their success. Their son, Norlus II, is an instructor of Abjuration and enstarment at the University. He can be found helping his parents with their shop on his days off, a far safer pastime than his younger adventuring days.