Tower of the Rising Moon

This black-walled stronghold actually

boasts three towers, each topped with a

double-ended or “horned” snow awning

that scoops cooling breezes down into the

interior when the trapdoors are open in

summer. Inside, it is a miracle of hanging

plants, magical radiances, and cleverly

piped water. I have never been in a castle

that seemed so much like a cave in the

middle of a garden and not a dank, dark

fortress.

The Tower of the Rising Moon is the

abode of the lord of Highmoon, a halfelven

warrior named Theremen Ulath

who is thankfully easygoing and informal.

At the Tower, visitors of note are

entertained or even housed. Even if you

are not likely to require housing or

entertaining, ask to see the central Starfall

Chamber, where a magnificent and

thoroughly detailed map of the Dales has

been carved into the top of a huge circular

table. At night, starlight is projected

down onto the table by means of slanted

mirrors, and the effect is awesomely

beautiful!

The kitchens here turn out superb

food—subtle sauces are the key—and

the wood-paneled rooms are as grand as

any to be found in the retreats of rich

Sembians or Cormyrean nobles’ castles.

The place is a fortress, though, and

every guest has an escort and every

room its standing guard of vigilant

Tower guards.

Captains of the Guard serve as

judges in the absence of the lord,

though they do not put anyone to death

without calling in Rhauntides, any visiting

Harpers or war wizards of Cormyr,

or the captains of the Swords first to

consult. Miscreants usually find themselves

in the dungeons, awaiting a full

and formal trial. The trial is preceded

by a magical mind-reading by

Rhauntides to learn the truth. Only the

guilty or those unable to be effectively

read go to trial. Those proven innocent

by Rhauntides’s magic are apologized

to, rewarded for their troubles with

gifts from the Dale, and become honored

guests lodged in the best rooms in

the Tower rather than occupants of its

dungeons.

Popular legend around Deepingdale

asserts8 that the unused lowest level of

dungeons in the heart of Highmoon Hill

is roamed by will-o’-wisps and features

deep wells and powerful magic (both

spellbooks and items of power) walled

away since the days of Princess Imryll.

These items are supposedly hidden

behind sliding stone panels that open

only to those who can find them and

who sing the right song of opening. Both

words and tune must be correct, but key

and performance can vary. It is my pleasure

to set forth here for the first time

the words to one such charm—though I

know not to which door nor tune these

words are linked:

In the lands under the wave,

Where the merfolk daily save

Sailors who have gone astray,

Sounds a bell for me today.

Sing away, come away—

Yea, sing away, come away,

And open now for me I pray.