Scardale
Scardale, labeled as one of the trading dales, is one of the valleyed regions that makes up the Dalelands in north Faerûn. Historically it has been the largest and often the most powerful of the Dales, the latter half of the 14th century has been a time of upheaval. It has persevered through wars, enemy occupation and even a major plague; where other dales, such as Teshendale, have fallen, Scardale has survived.
Structure
For years, Scardale had been ruled by a line of rulers of the Aumersair dynasty, the last of which was Lashan Aumersair.
After the Second inter-dale war ended with the would-be-conqueror Lashan, the coalition of foreign forces who stopped the warlord created a provisional lordship for the Dale, seated in the coastal capital of Scardale Town. This office of power was supplemented, or more correctly overseen, by 13 parliamentary advisers from those now-occupying nations, which includes Cormyr, Hillsfar, Sembia, Zhentil Keep, as well as garrison commanders from the other Dales.
Myrian Beechwood, a former cleric of Waukeen who greatly aided the people of the dale following its occupation by these coalition forces, holds the title of Lord during this period. Considering the dale's parliament could never agree on an issue and he needed their authority before making decisions or taking action, he is left an ineffectual ruler. Despite his political position, Lord Beechword constantly fights for the dale's independence and refuses to allow himself to act as a puppet ruler for any one of the occupying factions.
Culture
Like most of the Dalesfolk, the residents of Scardale are sturdy, salt-of-the-earth types. While many of the towns and villages prospered, even during the coalition occupation and following recovery, there are settlements like Scardale Town that existed in near anarchy. Due to the tumultuous history of that city in particular, the power of the dale rests in its burgeoning farmlands and rural mercantile communities.
Type
Geopolitical, City-state
Capital
Power Structure
Client state / puppet state
Gazetteer
The main feature of the dale is a the massive chasm known as the Scar, which enveloped the River Ashaba as it pours into the Sea of Fallen Stars. While this tributary formerly has the most concentrated population of Dalesfolk, as well as houses its largest city, it has waned in importance over the years.
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
Comments