Nightstone
Nightstone is a small castle and settlement located south of the Ardeep Forest and to the east of Waterdeep. For the past sixty years the settlement has been ruled by House Jansobski, and the current ruler is Wislaw I. The settlement and its surrounds are a barony, and are a subject of the city of Waterdeep. The name 'Nightstone' is derived from the massive obsidian obelisk in the middle of the castle's town, which radiates a strong magical aura.
Demographics
The settlement of Nightstone itself is home to a fairly small population, though the surrounding lands it dominates are home to sizable farmlands and numerous villages. The total population of the barony of Nightstone is estimated to be in the realm of three to four thousand. Virtually all of Nightstone's population is human, though it is not uncommon to see visiting demihumans. Most of the barony's population consists of farmers, though there are considerable numbers of woodcutters working the tree nursery north of Nightstone, and pastoralists on its outskirts. Within Nightstone itself, much of the population are artisans, though there still significant numbers of farmers and other professions.
Industry & Trade
The bulk of Nightstone's wealth comes from taxes on the surrounding farmlands, as well as exports of goods made from the exotic woods found in the Ardeep. In 1493 DR, Wislaw Jansobski made an arrangement with the Ardeep Wood Elves, allowing the people of Nightstone to create a tree nursery of Blueleaf, Duskwood, and even Weirwood trees. Blueleaf leaves and sap are collected and exported, as they can be used to make bright blue dyes, which are particularly popular in the North. Weirwood is particularly resistant to fire, and is thus exported for use in construction, and used for new buildings in the barony. Duskwood is sometimes exported in logs, but more commonly shipped to Nightstone proper to be made into weapons or breastplates.
Most of Nightstone's exports are shipped by barge down the Ardeep River, and unloaded at the port settlement of Nightport on the Trade Way. Attempts were made to establish a trade route down the river to the Sea of Swords, but the Ardeep's mouth is unnavigable. Nightport was first founded by Wislaw Jansobski in 1493 DR as a trading post, but over time a small fortified settlement has grown up around the trading post and the Casimir Jansobski Memorial Bridge Memorial Bridge. In addition to serving as a small export hub, Nightport possesses an inn serving travellers on the Trade Way, and has a small manufacturing industry of its own.
Guilds and Factions
Nightstone is a member of the Lords' Alliance, which has assisted the barony in several conflicts. Notably, a contingent of soldiers from the Alliance was sent to assist an attempt by the resurrected Ottokar Nandar to conquer Nightstone. Baron Wislaw assisted Aial Vock Tal in establishing the Ardent in the nearby Harpshield Castle, and since then Nightstone and the Ardent have enjoyed good relations.
Nightstone hosts an outpost of the Lionshield Coster, a trading company based out of Yartar. The Coster specialises in bringing goods to smaller settlements such as Nightstone, which would otherwise have a difficult time importing most products. Additionally, the Lionshield Coster plays a large role in Nightstone's export economy, using their specialised knowledge and resources to export goods at reduced costs.
History
Prior to its control by the Jansobskis, Nightstone was under the control of the Nandar family. In the late 14th century DR, Lord Drezlin Nandar attempted to regain control over the Nandar lodge in the Ardeep Forest. However, he and half the population of Nightstone were killed in a retaliatory raid by the wood elves of the Ardeep Forest. His widow, Velrosa Nandar, promised the elves that the people of Nightstone would stay out of the Ardeep Forest for good in exchange for peace.
Drezlin's son, Ottokar, became Lord of Nightstone upon his father's death. He quickly became a vicious and tyrannical ruler, pushing his subjects to create as much wealth for him as possible. The city of Waterdeep and the Lords' Alliance grew weary of Ottokar's transgressions against his people, and secretly contacted a group of adventurers led by Casimir Jansobski to overthrow Ottokar. In return, the town of Nightstone was promised to them as long as they were fair and just rulers. The adventurers snuck into Nightstone, and convinced the people of the town to rise up against the Lord. Ottokar fled with his personal guards and treasure, leaving Nightstone in the hands of Casimir Jansobski. Ottokar later attempted to return to retake the town with mercenaries, but was killed in the attack by a stray crossbow bolt.
Casimir immediately began rolling back the tyrannical policies of Ottokar, and established himself as a fair and just ruler. He also invited several other Jansobskis from Cormyr to reside in the town and its countryside, and adopted several Cormyrian customs, such as the title of 'Baron' instead of 'Lord'. Casimir was succeeded by Boleslaw Jansobski, who in turn was succeeded by Wislaw Jansobski.
In 1491 DR, Nightstone suffered a major attack by giants, goblins, and orcs, as well as an infiltration attempt by the Zhentarim. The town has since rebuilt thanks to funds brought in by Baron Wislaw's adventuring. In the years since its recovery, Nightstone has survived a coup attempt by Wislaw's vampiric brother Henryk Jansobski, and an invasion by a resurrected Ottokar Nandar.
Points of interest
The settlement of Nightstone is dominated by Nightstone Keep, which sits atop an artificial motte, which forms a separate island to main settlement. The keep contains a library and workshop for Wislaw's artifice, as well as infrastructure for him to teach students in the ways of artifice. The village's market square once housed an obsidian obelisk from which it derived its name, but it was stolen by cloud giants in 1491 DR, and replaced by a Duskwood replica. Nightstone also contains an inn, a windmill, a temple, and a Lionshield Coster trading post.
Type
Village
Population
84
Inhabitant Demonym
Nightstonian
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Related Plots
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