Daggerford

Wizards of the Coast

Daggerford: History and Political Structure

  The city of Daggerford got its name from an incident that happened about 400 years ago. A wagon master sent his son ahead of the family wagon one evening to locate a safe passage across the Shining River. The boy located a ford, but was surprised and attacked by a party of lizard men. The lad slew six of the creatures with his only weapon, a dagger, and held off the rest until reinforcements from the wagon arrived.   This may be pure fancy or exact truth or something in between. The dukes of Daggerford claim to be direct descendents of that boy on the ford. The arms of the duke are represented by a bloody silver dagger on a blue field.   When the elves of the Fallen Kingdom left for less crowded spaces, a new kingdom sprang up, known now as the Kingdom of Man. It was during that period that the dukes of Daggerford gained their titles and rights to all the lands bordered by the estate of Floshin on the north, the Lizard Marsh on the west, Dragonspear Castle on the south, and the Misty Forest on the east. At times, the dukes have actively controlled the entire area, but these days they do not.   About a century after the dynastic war which destroyed the Kingdom of Man, the duke’s subjects began building their shops and homes outside the castle proper, closer to the Delimbiyr (Shining) River. After a couple of problem-free centuries passed, the town became essentially independent from the castle, although a common wall surrounded them both.   For hundreds of years, the duke of Daggerford still controlled the town, but it was given its own charter by Duke Conan 50 years ago. The current duke, young Pwyll Greatshout, seems to have no inclination to revoke the charter.

The town itself is run by the Council of Guilds.

  In a self-conscious imitation of the Lords of Waterdeep, the members of the Council of Guilds attend meetings in masks and never reveal their identities to the populace. However, the population of the town is too small for true secrecy. Everyone knows that the guildmasters are the members of the Council of Guilds.   The guilds of Daggerford are not as formal as those of larger cities. There is the Smith’s Guild, Merchant’s Guild, Tanner’s Guild, Farmer’s Guild, Waterman’s Guild, Riverman’s Guild and Taverner’s Guild, among others. The chief priests of the town’s three main religions (Chauntea, Lathander, and Tymora) are also members of the Council of Guilds. By the wording of the town charter, the duke is not a member, but the head of the militia, who happens to be the duke’s master at arms, is a member.

Demographics

Dwarves, halflings, humans, Kobolds

Government

Since the founding of the Kingdom of Phalorm in approximately 523 DR by Tyndal "Daggerford" (not his original last name), the town was governed by Dukes through Tyndal's family line until at least the end of the Second Sundering.[7]   Around 1280 DR, a town charter was granted by Duke Conan, leading to the Council of Guilds controlling the town.[2]   In the 14th century DR, the duke was Pwyll Daggerford, who was often called by the nickname Pwyll Greatshout because of a powerful voice bestowed upon him by a potion.[2]   In addition to the Duke, there was a town militia as well as the Duke's personal guard at the castle to maintain order in Daggerford.[8] After the establishment of guilds, each type of guild was maintained by a Guildmaster, even if it was only a single town representative, to ease trade between cities, eventually forming into the Council of Guilds, many amalgamating into fewer categories by 1485 DR.[9]   Duke Maldwyn Daggerford received his title before the year 1485 DR because of the tradition of primogeniture (with the title passed to the eldest male child), despite clear town opinion being that his elder sister would be more suited to the role.[10]   The Duchess of Daggerford as of 1486 DR was Lady Morwen Daggerford, inheriting the title from her younger brother Maldwyn when the practice of primogeniture was suspended in the town of Daggerford.[9] She visibly looked as though she was in her 20s, but was just shy of middle-aged.[10]   Although there was an active Duke or Duchess, most day-to-day issues were handled by the Council of Guilds. The council felt they had more power than they truly did, meeting in concealing robes with faces covered to emulate the meetings of the Lords of Waterdeep despite their faces being publicly known.[7]

Defences

Walls Defense Towers for mages.

Industry & Trade

Farm Crafs Artisans Commerce rute. Scupture.

Infrastructure

Inns and taverns The Dragonback Inn The Happy Cow River Shining Tavern Lady Luck Tavern Shops Derval's Bright Blade Farrel's Fine Jewels and Apparel Korbus's Jewels and Fine Ornaments Temples and shrines The Harvest House, temple dedicated to Chauntea. The Morninglow Tower, temple dedicated to Lathander. Table of the Sword, shrine to Tempus Fairfortune Hall, shrine to Tymora. Other Delfen tower

Guilds and Factions

The guilds of Daggerford are not as formal as those of larger cities. There is the Smith’s Guild, Merchant’s Guild, Tanner’s Guild, Farmer’s Guild, Waterman’s Guild, Riverman’s Guild and Taverner’s Guild, among others. The chief priests of the town’s three main religions (Chauntea, Lathander, and Tymora) are also members of the Council of Guilds. By the wording of the town charter, the duke is not a member, but the head of the militia, who happens to be the duke’s master at arms, is a member.

History

The city of Daggerford got its name from an incident that happened about 400 years ago. A wagon master sent his son ahead of the family wagon one evening to locate a safe passage across the Shining River. The boy located a ford, but was surprised and attacked by a party of lizard men. The lad slew six of the creatures with his only weapon, a dagger, and held off the rest until reinforcements from the wagon arrived.   This may be pure fancy or exact truth or something in between. The dukes of Daggerford claim to be direct descendents of that boy on the ford. The arms of the duke are represented by a bloody silver dagger on a blue field.   When the elves of the Fallen Kingdom left for less crowded spaces, a new kingdom sprang up, known now as the Kingdom of Man. It was during that period that the dukes of Daggerford gained their titles and rights to all the lands.

Architecture

Generally, most of the buildings in the town are made of wood and thatch. However, since Derval Ironeater’s family brought their stone working skills to town a century ago, a number of people have built in stone. The duke replaced the last wood in his castle with stone, the wall towers were rebuilt in stone, and several important town buildings have been built or rebuilt in stone. Most of the residences in the crowded living areas are still made of wood. Placement of these wooden buildings is sometimes rearranged due to the occasional fire. Fortunately, proximity to the river allows the Watermen’s Guild to quench fires quickly.

Geography

At the north bank of the Delimbyr river. bordered by the estate of Floshin on the north, the Lizard Marsh on the west, Dragonspear Castle on the south, and the Misty Forest on the east. At times, the dukes have actively controlled the entire area, but these days they do not.

Natural Resources

Wood from the misty or ardeep forest
Type
Large town
Population
891
Inhabitant Demonym
Dagerfordians
Included Locations

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