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.