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

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

before trying the harsher, poorer sponsors of Saerloon, Selgaunt, Westgate, and

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

proceeds 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

Life 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.

Current 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.