The Dessarin Valley

The Dessarin Valley, also known as the Gateway to the North by its residents, was a valley region situated between the Sword Mountains and the High Forest. It was home to a diverse range of folk, although most inhabitants were either humans or halflings. The main industry of the Dessarin Valley was agriculture, and Goldenfields played a large part in the agricultural economy of the North.
The Dessarin was unlike the rest of the Savage Frontier. While it was largely unsettled, comprising many scattered, remote villages and farmsteads, the valley was much safer than the surrounding area had been in years past.

Geography

Mountains and hills

• Dessarin Hills: These rugged hills held a number of ancient dwarven ruins and were home to orcs, ogres, and other fearsome beasts.
• Sumber Hills: The badlands located on either side of the River Dessarin held a number of notable locations. 

Rivers and streams

• The valley was named for the great River Dessarin, that flowed from the Evermoors in the Savage Frontier, to the Sea of Swords just south of Waterdeep.
• It was fed by a number of tributaries, including the River Surbrin, Horn Stream, and Gaustar's Creek.

Wetlands

• Black Maw Bog: These wetlands surrounded the area around and underneath the massive Ilikur's Bridge.

History

In −4420 DR, the shield dwarf kingdom of Besilmer was founded. Besilmer was a very atypical dwarf kingdom, built above ground with fields and pastures to support it. For years, Besilmer flourished but then fell under attack by giants and trolls. This led to the construction of Tyar-Besil, an underground city. Besilmer fell a century after its construction. Ruins from the kingdom still stood as late as the 15th century DR, most notably the Stone Bridge that spanned the Dessarin River; and, although in poor condition, the ruins known as the Halls of the Hunting Axe.[10] In the Year of the Raised Sword, 893 DR, the Knights of the Silver Horn discovered the ruins of Tyar-Besil. The knights set up strongholds in the ruins but came under attack by Uruth Ukrypt. This led to Dessarin Valley being dragged into the Orcfastings War, and the First and Second Trollwars. By the Year of the Circling Vulture, 942 DR, all signs of human civilization had been wiped out.[10]
Around the Year of the Wailing Winds, 1000 DR, following the expansion of Waterdeep, a few small villages started to develop. This led to the founding of Red Larch, Yartar, and Triboar.

Alternative Name(s)

Gateway to the North

Type

Mountain / Hill

Location under

The Sword Coast & The North

Included Locations

• Red Larch
• Sumber Hills