Daggerford

Daggerford and
the surrounding area circa 1479 DR.Gallery
Daggerford
Geography [1][2][3][4]
Type
Settlement

Region
Delimbiyr Vale, Sword Coast

Size
Small town

Society [1][5][6]
Races
Dwarves, halflings, humans

Religions
Amaunator, Chauntea, Lathander, Tempus, Tymora

Commerce [7][8]
Imports
Green wood

Exports
Furs, garments

Politics [9][10]
Gov't type
Oligarchy
Ruler's type
Duke/Duchess (head of state)
Duke/Duchess
Council of Guilds

History [1][2][9][10][3][11][12][13]
931
Castle Daggerford built

1320
Council of Guilds founded

1363
Battle of Daggerford

Population
1200 in 1485 DR
Duke/Duchess

Maldwyn Daggerford in 1485 DR

Morwen Daggerford in 1489 DR

Daggerford was a small but consequential town located in the Delimbiyr Vale within the greater
Sword Coast .[2][14][12] While it was primarily a farming community, and considered by some to be a
stopover town, the town had great ambitions to grow and be seen as an alternative to their northern
neighbor of Waterdeep.[9][3]
Despite its modest size and somewhat inflated sense of importance, Daggerford was resilient. It was
something of a relic from the old kingdom of Delimbiyr,[14] too stubborn to fall even when a series of
wars, crusades, and other conflicts threatened the entirety of the Sword Coast.[15] Daggerford's coat-
of-arms was a silver dagger, covered in blood atop a field of dark blue.[1]

Description
It was a walled settlement with a population that by and large lived in the outlying hamlets, farms, and
estates, rather than within the town proper. As such, the streets of Daggerford were not densely
populated.[16] The town was significantly refurbished during the 13 century when many of its 40-odd
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wooden structures were remade in stone by the dwarves of Clan Ironeater.[2][3] Even after this
improvement, Daggerford's roads were unpaved and several of its buildings were ramshackle in
appearance even a century later.[16]
Surrounding the town's walls was a modest moat, with three crossing points at each of the town's three
gates — the Farmer's Gate in the north, the Caravan Gate in the west, and the River Gate in the south.
[17] For many years the moat was a dumping place for the town's refuse. Thankfully, this unfortunate
and long-standing tradition was ceased in the late 15 century.[18]
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Sitting atop a hill in the center of Daggerford was the grand Cucal Castle,[2] which was technically
older than the town itself.[9]

Geography
Throughout its storied history, Daggerford's dukes claimed the lands from as far away as Floshin
Estates to the north and Dragonspear Castle. In truth, the duchy comprised the town proper and the
surrounding farmsteads that numbered around a score or more.[1][19] Daggerford town was
strategically placed along the Trade Way, within the idyllic countryside that encompassed the northern
bank of the Delimbiyr River.[20] It was the largest settlement located between the metropolises of
Waterdeep, 150 miles (241.4 km) to the north[21], and Baldur's Gate to the south.[2][note 1]
There were a number of small but notable landmarks situated around Daggerford. The familial estate of
Sir Elorfindar Floshin was about two days of travel away, and the home of his son Elorshin was
approximately the same distance away to the east. Near Elorshin's home was the temple known as
the Mosque of Tyr, which the younger elf maintained.[22]
On a small hill near the town was an entrance to a nearby song path, a network of portals that were
connected to works of oratorical works of art, such as songs and epic poems. The song path near
Daggerford was referred to as the Voices of the Lost, named for the song that was required for its
opening.[23]
Gillian's Hill,[9][10] Liam's Hold,[24] and Black Helm Tower were each within a day's travel away
from Daggerford.[22]
Government
Since the founding of the Kingdom of Phalorm around the Year of Trials Arcane, 523 DR by Tyndal
"Daggerford", the town was governed by Dukes through Tyndal's family line until at least the end of
the Second Sundering.[25]
Around the Year of the Manticore, 1280 DR, a town charter was granted by Duke Conan, leading to the
creation of the anonymous ruling body known as the Council of Guilds, modeled after the Masked
Lords of Waterdeep. The town was too small to maintain such secrecy, however, and it was well known
that the local guildmasters served at the seat of the council.[3][9][10][13][note 2]

Dukes of Daggerford
The first Duke of Daggerford was Rugyar the Just.[26]
Circa 1270 DR, still young Edwin Daggerford was the Duke of Daggerford, until his death defending
the city from Baatezu Gorgomorz. His young son Conan Daggerford inherited the title.[26]
As of the mid–14 century, the town was ruled by Duke Pryden Daggerford. Unfortunately, the duke
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lost his life in the First Dragonspear War. He was succeeded by his son, Pwyll "Greatshout"
Daggerford, so named for his magically booming voice.[10]
After Duke Pwyll's presumed death in 1372 DR, the city's leadership was taken over by a wealthy
merchant member of the city council Matagar Bugo. That brief change of power was a part of the
Zhentarim plot to take over Daggerford. Matagar's reign ended as he was incinerated by the invading
Gorgomorz. After the Zhentarim plot was thwarted and the city defended itself, Duke Pwyll returned to
the throne, revealed still alive, and held hostage by the enemies of the city.[26]
Duke Maldwyn Daggerford received his title before the Year of the Iron Dwarf's Vengeance, 1485 DR
as the tradition of primogeniture decreed that the title passed to the eldest male child. It was the opinion
of many in the town, however, that his elder sister Lady Morwen would be more suited to the role.[27]
After the practice of primogeniture was suspended in the following year, Lady Morwen assumed the
title of Duchess of Daggerford.[28]

Trade
Due to its key location, Daggerford was a vital mercantile hub for its region of the Sword Coast. It was
the site where goods moving on ships traversing the Delimbiyr River could be transferred to caravans
journeying along the Trade Way or vice versa. The waterways of the Delimbiyr at Daggerford was too
shallow for ships to continue upriver into the rest of the Delimbiyr Vale.[14]
While people of Daggerford were largely self–sufficient,[9] they did import lumber from Andalor's Mill
in Bowshot.[7]
The town Daggerford emulated the grand, northern Metropolis of Waterdeep but its trade services were
quite limited. While it attracted its fair share of travelers, prices for local wares were often significantly
marked up.[9] The Waterdhavian phrase "gone to Daggerford" referred to someone who was hiding out
beyond Waterdeep's walls.[3]
Guilds
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. They eventually formed into the Council
of Guilds during the early 14 century, and many of them amalgamated into a fewer number of guilds
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by the 15 century.[28]
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The Mariners' Alliance served the town's many sailors, boatmen and other seafarers. In 1372 DR they
were involved in weapon smuggling with the Zhentarim.[26].
Defenses
In addition to the Duke and his personal guard, Daggerford maintained a standing militia.[29] It
comprised the town's citizens who were healthy enough to serve, regardless of gender or race. Those
who were not required to serve were those who were too young or too old, women who were pregnant,
and women who were raising young children.[30] As of the Year of the Banner, 1368 DR, the militia
comprised only 50 individuals – though that was one-tenth of the town's citizens.[31]
Newly–recruited militiamen were granted some training and given very rudimentary arms. Service was
required three days out of every month and typically consisted of fairly light duties, unless the town
was in immediate peril.[30]
History
Founding
In the centuries after the elves of Illefarn abandoned their kingdom for the isle of Evermeet, in the Year
of the Cantobele Stalking, 342 DR the kingdom of Delimbiyran arose in the area. It was during this age
that Daggerford became a duchy and grew significantly in power and influence.[2][9]
The town took its name from a 10 century legend about a boy named Tyndal who protected his family
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and their trade wagon while crossing the Delimbiyr River. Tyndal's family was assaulted by lizardfolk
raiders, and slew six of the beasts armed with only a dagger.[1] While the story grew into myth over the
course of the next few hundreds of years,[20] records stated that fabled event did actually occur, at the
future site of the Ducal Castle, in the Year of the Penitent Rogue, 931 DR.[32][33] All of the
subsequent Dukes of Daggerford claimed to be descended from Tyndal.[2][34]
Having earned fame in his youth and wealth as a merchant, Tyndal married Eleesa, the daughter of the
Duke of Calandor in the Year of the Foolish Bridegroom, 945 DR. Some two years later, the white
dragon Cortulorrulagalargath came crashing to Toril after an aerial fight with the silver dragon
Teskulladar, and demolished the city of Delimbiyran, killing the Duke but sparing his daughter and
son-in-law. The newly-risen Duke Tyndal relocated the seat of power from its previous location, the
Barony of Steeping Falls, and began construction of his Ducal Castle atop the ruined remnants of
Morlin Castle.[32][34][35] Over the course of the next hundred years, the people of Daggerford began
to build a proper town outside of the new castle.[9]
During the mid–13 century, Derval and the rest of Clan Ironeater moved into town and began
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rebuilding many of its wooden structures out of stone.[2]

 14 Century
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The flag of Daggerford (right) with those of Waterdeep and the Flaming Fist

Circa the Year of the Tooth, 1270 DR, the Baatezu named Gorgomorz became the infamous
"Daggerford's Devil", slaughtering countless innocents and aiming at Daggerford's destruction.
Gorgomorz was banished by the young Duke Edwin Daggerford's trap but he was gravely injured in
battle and shortly passed.[26]
The town of Daggerford was given sovereignty in the Year of the Watching Cold, 1320 DR by Duke
Conan Daggerford. He allowed for the formation of the Council of Guilds, the ruling body that has
governed the town ever since.[9]
Daggerford was the site of a great battle, when it was assaulted by the hordes of fiends that poured out
from Dragonspear Castle in the Year of the Wyvern, 1363 DR. The town was defended and its
assailants defeated by combined forces of elves, dwarves, and men.[36][37][38]
In the Year of the Banner, 1368 DR, Daggerford's army lent 50 of their soldiers, one-tenth of the town's
population, to the Coalition army. They fought under the command of General Haither Stonehand who
knew each of her soldiers personally.[15]
Also around that time, lizardfolk under the command of a lich named Redeye began extorting Duke
Pwyll the sum of tens of thousands of gold pieces. The duke in turn hired several adventuring
companies to remove the threat to the duchy.[39]
Sometime in the Year of the Tankard, 1370 DR, a group of trolls began to infest Daggerford's sewer
system.[39]
Derval Ironeater claimed the city of Daggerford had no skilled tattooists within its walls as around this
time in its history.[26]
In Year of Wild Magic, 1372 DR, Duke Pwyll Daggerford seeming perished during a hunt, gored by a
wild beast. Daggerford mourned the death of the city's leader even though many found his death's
circumstances highly suspicious. Shortly after, a wealthy merchant and a member of the city council
Matagar Bugo proclaimed himself the new Duke. His great mercantile aspirations of turning
Daggerford into a trading juggernaut to rival Waterdeep encountered unfortunate circumstances of
bandits ambushing trade caravans in the middle of the day, secretly Zhentarim agents, orc forces
supplied with weapon shipments that passed through Daggerford. The city militia's investigation bore
no success.[26]
Eventually, Astriel Shalyn, an agent of the Lords' Alliance, a traveling adventurer, and their
companions Purfbin Doogrick and Raegen Brunegar involved themselves to untangle the schemes and
plots surrounding these events. Their investigation uncovered the Zhentarim forces entering a dark
alliance with the infamous baatezu Gorgomorz and the tanarukk of Dragonspear Castle. The Zhentarim
planted the puppet ruler Bugo to take over Daggerford, while Gorgomorz sought to destroy the town.[26]
Zhentarim planned on betraying Gorgomorz. Once the devil's orcs invaded Daggerford, Zhentarim
would lead Matagar's griffon mercenaries to defeat the invaders, imprison Gorgomorz inside a magical
orb, and leave Matagar Bugo as a puppet ruler with the full support of the citizens and the Lords'
Alliance.[26]
Astriel's adventurers tracked the Duke and his sister Bronwyn to Illefarn, where they being kept under
guard by the Griffons Mercenary Company. Pwyll and Bronwyn Daggerford were freed, and Astriel
with her adventurers took a stand against Gorgomorz. In the end, they slew the devil, and returned
Duke Pwyll back to the throne of Daggerford.[26]

15 Century
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At some point prior to the Second Sundering, the duchy of Daggerford entered into the Lords' Alliance.
[19]

Around the Year of the Iron Dwarf's Vengeance, 1485 DR, Duke Maldwyn became involved with a
woman named Natyssa. She was in fact a succubus called Pencheska working for Tarul Var of Thay,
both of whom sought the duke's death. The duke himself became possessed by the spirit of Baazka, the
pit fiend who was the orchestrated of the Second Dragonspear War a century before.[40][41]
The succubus and the spirit of the pit fiend attempted to murder Duke Maldwyn and incriminate a
group of adventurers. While it was unknown how the conflict between the groups actually played out,
[41] Pencheska was able to imprison the duke's sister Lady Morwen in Cromm's Hold, assume her
likeness, and succeed her "brother" as Daggerford's new duchess. By the time the ordning was broken,
when the region was being assaulted by giants, she had brokered an agreement with the Zhentarim to
ensure the "safety" of her people.[42]
As of the Year of the Warrior Princess, 1489 DR, "Lady Morwen" was still serving as the town's
duchess. It was unknown if the individual was the real duchess or still the succubus Pencheska posing
as her.[13] Around this time, the "duchess" sent a recently formed adventurers group to the search for
Christos Tellum, the noble heir to Tellum's Hold. The nobleman and his party went missing in the
Dessarin Valley after some recent forest fires. The young nobleman was soon delivered to the
"duchess" along with the mysterious magical flask he was set out to recover.[43]
After the flask was brought into the town, it was briefly plagued by a vampire Dar Lavien who
unleashed the undead on the population. In the end, Dar Lavien but was slain by the same adventuring
group sent to recover Tellum.[43]
The "duchess" used the adventurers to recover the Ambergul Blade under the pretense that its magic
was needed to restore Christos Tellum's health. The blade wound up in the hands of the rakshasa Nadir,
who utilized a slaadi portal to once again throw Daggerford into chaos. In the ensuing mayhem, the
Ambergul Blade was used to uncork the mysterious magical flask, releasing an ancient red dragon
called Karrnsyrrl. The dragon caused significant damage to Daggerford but departed shortly thereafter,
along with Nadir and the young Christos.[43]

Rumors & Legends

The ballad Peredus the Great, written about a local caravan guard named Peredus, was quite popular in
the Daggerford area of the Sword Coast.[26]
Notable Locations
Despite its rather small size and modest population, Daggerford was divided into four different
quarters:[44]
Landmarks
Ducal Castle
The centerpiece of Daggerford was its long-standing castle, that has served the dukes of
Daggerford since the age of Tyndal.[45][6][46] It was surrounded on three sides by the
Commons, a small stretch of grasslands that could be used for grazing in case of a siege upon
the town.[47] The Ducal Castle had a secret passage into the city, constructed by the Castle's
dwarven builders. In 1372 DR it was used by Gorgomorz' forces to infiltrate Daggerford.[26]
Morninglow Tower
Though it was previously dedicated to Lathander,[48] this beautifully-built temple later
became a holy house of the revived deity Amaunator.[6]
Marketplace
Local grocers, farmers, and other merchants congregated within the town's open market twice
a tenday in order to sell their goods.[47] For a short while, the stalls were collapsible as the
militia had no dedicated training area when the town's barracks were built. The market
vendors were exceptionally grateful when the soldiers were granted an area to the south.[49]
Drill fields
This wide-open area>[17] was used as training grounds for both the Daggerford militia and
the local constabulary. Before an area was designated outside the town's walls, it often served
as a temporary holding area for caravans.[22]
Caravan Grounds
 This area was used to house the carts and wagons of those merchants and caravaneers who
came to town for business. All manner of folks could be found among the drivers and caravan
guards as they hailed from realms all across the Sword Coast.[18]
Tannery
When Daggerford was inflicted with sickness during the mid–15 century DR, the citizens
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blame the local guild of tanners and forced them to relocate the tannery outside of town, on
the opposite side of the Trade Way.[17][18]

Town Quarters
River Quarter
This area of the town held the city's docks and served those whose jobs revolved around ships
and sea trade. Dockworkers unloaded cargo from ships that were bound for transport along
the Trade Way, while some skippers and rivermen transported people down the Delimbiyr
River to Secomber and the surrounding settlements.[50][46] Some of the landmarks within
the River Quarter were the town's jail and constabulary,[51][52] stables, and the militia's
barracks;[6] the Table of the Sword shrine;[49] and next to the quarter, the massive Sullerton
Shipbuilders.[17]
Caravan Quarter
Catering to those individuals passing through town on the trade business, this area of
Daggerford comprised several shops and businesses, guildhalls, as well as a number of
boarding houses. As such, it was nearly devoid of activity during the winter months, when
caravan travel all but ceased.[44][53] Notable locations included the grand Lady Luck Tavern,
[54] Miller's Dry Goods,[17] and Fairfortune Hall.[55][6]
Farmers' Quarter
As the name suggested, many farmers and other folks that lived off the land made their home
within this part of Daggerford. Animal pens and small livestock paddocks were a common
sight throughout its streets.[50][53] Found within this ward was the grand River Shining
Tavern,[18] Cromach's Smithy,[56] and the Harvest House, the local temple to Chauntea.[53]
[6]
Money Quarter
Easily the most affluent region of town, this quarter comprised the grand buildings that were
built nearest to the ducal castle.[50][46] Located within was the Sword Coast Traders' Bank,
[56] the Lizard's Gizzard inn,[57] and a number of private residences.[17]

Inhabitants
Due to its grand ambitions and rather one-sided rivalry with Waterdeep, Daggerford was able to attract
scores of skilled craftsmen and artisans.[9][16][14] Nearly everyone in Daggerford knew one another
and outsiders were readily welcomed, especially if they were looking to patronize the town's
businesses.[13]

Notable Inhabitants
14th
Century
• Lady Bronwyn Daggerford, a skilled wizard that was rumored to be a member of the Harpers[39]
• Sir Llewellyn Longhand, the duke's master-at-arms[58]
• Gwydion pen Dafwyd, court wizard to Duke Pwyll[39]
 • Delfen Ondabarl, a resident mage who often took on local apprentices[58]
• Galass Tholt, an elderly druid who was called "crazy" by some[59]
15 th
Century
• Curran Corvalin, an exceptionally wealthy halfling and the custodian of the Fairfortune Hall
shrine[14]
• Kelson Darktreader, the Master of the Hunt that has served Daggerford for well over a
century[60][61]
• Filarion Filvendorson, an extended member of the Floshin family[40] that may have once been
the leader of Daggerford's guild of thieves[62]
• Darfin "Longwalker" Floshin, the aged elf that took on his father's burden as the protector of
secret magic within the Ardeep Forest[63][61]
• Jekk Ironfist, a retired gladiator from the Moonsea city of Hillsfar[40]
• Sir Isteval, the retired Cormyrean knight who sought to share the virtues of his realm with the
folks of the west[14]
Appendix
Appearances
Adventures
Hordes of Dragonspear•Marco Volo: Departure•Ghosts of Dragonspear
Castle•Scourge of the Sword Coast•Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Referenced only
The Rise of Tiamat
Novels
Waterdeep
Referenced only
Azure Bonds•Escape the Underdark
Video Games
Treasures of the Savage Frontier•Idle Champions of the Forgotten
Realms•Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford
Referenced only
Sword Coast Legends•Warriors of Waterdeep
Card Games
Dragonfire
Gamebooks
Spawn of Dragonspear
Notes
1. ↑ While text from The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier – Daggerford (p. 2) states that Daggerford is
south of the Delimbiyr River, a distinction that is shown on several overview maps from Volo's Guide to the
Sword Coast (p. 66), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition, and Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, this
has been retconned in 5 edition. Scourge of the Sword Coast (p.9) has a city map that clearly shows the town as
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being north of the river. This map overlaps the previous city map provided in The North: Guide to the Savage
Frontier. Additionally, the town's orientation is also shown in Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle (p. 141).
2. ↑ The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier - Daggerford states this event occurs in 1320 DR.

Gallery
Map showing Daggerford, circa 1374 DR.