THE NORTH: A Guide to the Savage Frontier

MENACE OF THE TWISTED RUNE

A campaign reference document

by Richard L. Guth Jr.

March 2021

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THE NORTH: A Guide to the Savage Frontier
“Life’s a dungeon, chase the dragon
Slayin’ everything in my path”
—Juice WRLD, Chase The Dragon
WHY?
Why is the Forgotten Realms called “The Forgotten
Realms?” The simple answer is that in Basic Dun-
geons & Dragons the setting was called “The Known
World.” The Forgotten Realms campaign setting is lit-
erally parts of the world that were lost and forgotten.
YEARS
Years are usually measured from an important
event called the Dale Reckoning (DR). This event oc-
curred almost 1500 years ago, when the races of
Man and Elves declared peace and pledged alliance
in the Dalelands to the East. Each year was named
by a sage, Augathra the Mad, and each name has a
prophecy tied to it. Historians usually study the
years in segments of fifteen at a time referred to as
“the fifteen year roll.”

TIME FIFTEEN YEAR ROLL

In some ways time is the same as Earth, and differ- 1480 Year of Deep Water Drifting
ent in other ways. 1481 “ “ the Grinning Halfling
60 minutes = 1 hour 1482 “ “ the Narthex Murders
24 hours = 1 day 1483 “ “ the Tasked Weasel
10 days = 1 week 1484 “ “ the Awakened Sleeper
3 weeks = 1 month 1485 “ “ Iron Dwarfs Vengence
12 months = 1 year 1486 “ “ Nether Mountain Scrolls
1487 “ “ Rune Lords Triumphant

CALENDAR 1488 “ “ Dwarvenkind Reborn

1489 “ “ the Warrior Princess
These months correspond to our Earth months and 1490 “ “ Star Walker’s Return
each has a “nickname.” For example: Hammer is 1491 “ “ the Scarlet Witch
January and is often referred to as “Deepwinter.” 1492 “ “ Three Ships Sailing
1493 “ “ the Purple Dragons
1 Hammer “Deepwinter” 1494 “ “ Twelve Warnings
2 Alturiak “Claw of Winter”
3 Ches “Claw of Sunsets”
4 Tarsahk “Claw of Storm”
5 Mirtul “The Melting”
6 Kythorn “Time of Flower”
7 Flamerule “Summertide”
8 Eleasis “Highsun”
9 Elient “The Fading”
10 Marpenoth “Leaffall”
11 Uktar “The Rotting”
12 Nightal “Drawing Down”

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HISTORY
87 – The city of Neverwinter is founded
864 – The Twisted Rune is founded in Calimshan.
882 – The city of Waterdeep is founded.
1032 – The Lords of Waterdeep, the city’s ruling
class, is established.
1358 – The Time of Troubles. Legend states that the
gods were forced to walk the earth in mortal form
and wage battle. Chaos ruled and some gods were
even killed.
1368 – The Troll Wars begin in the North.
1370 – Khelben Arunsun, first Blackstaff of Water-
deep, and his wife, Laeral Silverhand, split from the
Harpers and form the original Moonstars.
1370 – The Troll Wars end in the North.
1371 – The confederation of the Silver Marches is
formed with the goal of protecting the cities near
Silverymoon from the growing threat of the Many
Arrows orc tribes. The Silver Marches joins the
Lord’s Alliance.
1371 – The Lord’s Alliance negotiates with Orc Lord
Obould Many-Arrows, establishing the Kingdom of
Many Arrows within the region of the Sword
Mountains in the hope of settling old fueds with
the orcs and beginning a peace treaty.
1372 – The “Wailing Death” plague ravaged the city
of Neverwinter. Mass riots severely damaged the
city.
1385 – The Year of Blue Fire Mystra, the goddess of
magic, is killed by Cyric, the god-prince of lies. The
resulting “Spellplauge” corrupts all magic. Most
wizards go insane or are killed.
1451 – Mt. Hotenow erupts for the first time in cen-
turies. Half of Neverwinter and many villages are
destroyed.
1467 – Lord Dagault Neverember begins the “New
Neverwinter” movement to rebuild the city.
1471 – Mount Hotenow erupts again, causing major
damage to Neverwinter Wood and Neverwinter it-
self. The Kingdom of Many-Arrows uses this oppor-
tunity to attack Neverwinter and capture a quad-
rant of the ruined city for their own. The Peace
Treaty with Many-Arrows and the Lord’s Alliance is
broken after a 100 years of peace.
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1479 – The Spellplauge Ends. The Blackstaff of Wa-
terdeep is murdered. Heroes rescue the new Black-
staff, Vajra Safahr, and save the city from falling to
ruin. “Force Grey” is reestablished in Waterdeep.
1479 – Vajra Safahr, Blackstaff of Waterdeep, hunts
down and slays all seven liches of the Twisted
Rune.
1484 – The Second Sundering begins. Natural disas-
ters and calamities flash across the planet. Much of
the destruction is caused by demi-gods called “The
Godborn.”
1484 – Tsabrak Xorlarrin channels the power of
Lolth to cast “The Darkening” on the Silver
Marches. Also, Quenthel Baenre encites the King-
dom of Many Arrows to war with the Silver
Marches.
1485 – The Underdark becomes infested by demons
after several portals are opened near the Drow city
of Menzoberranzan. The Cult of the Dragon begins
to amass treasure in preparation of the “Rise of Tia-
mat.”
1485 (early) – The War of the Silver Marches begins.
Hartusk leads the orcs of Many Arrows in a series
of campaigns against the cities of the Silver
Marches with support from Frost Giants, White
Dragons commanded by Arauthator, Drow from
both Menzoberranzan and Q’Xorlarrin, and
Svirneblin from Deep Dark, Blingdenstone, and
The Great Rift.
1485 (middle) – During the War of the Silver
Marches, Nesme, Sundabar, and Silverymoon fall
to the forces of Orc Lord Hartusk, Citadel Adbar,
Citadel Felbarr, and Mithrall Hall are besieged.
1485 (late) – The War of the Silver Marches ends
when Bruenor Battlehammer leads a Dwarven
Army against Hartusk at Dark Arrow Keep. Har-
tusk is killed and the keep is captured. Orc Lord
Hartusk’s armies disband and scatter.
1485 (late) – The Darkening is dispelled by the
power of Mielikki using Drizzt Do’Urden as a con-
duit.
1486 (early) – A hobgoblin wizard named Kalman
the Cruel rallies the scattered forces of Many-Ar-
rows against the Silver Marches. Kalman reforms
the Twisted Rune this time with nine members in-
The North: A Guide to the Savage Frontier
3
stead of seven. Kalman’s army strike devastating
blows against the Silver Marches as the confedera-
tion attempts to recover from the recent war.
Kalman’s efforts are bolstered and supported by
House Baenre of Menzobarranzan and House
Q’Xorlarrin of Gauntlegrym.
1486 (middle) – The Battle of Silver Arrows ends
with 500 Knights in Silver being killed by Kalman’s
army. A handful of ranking officers are spared and
taken as prisoners of war, including Sernius
Alathar and Aoife Shadowbane.
1486 (middle) – Three companies of Twisted Rune
hobgoblins march on Silverymoon supported by
two white dragons, sixteen Frost Giants, and six
warbands of Many-Arrows orcs. Silverymoon falls.
Methrammer Aerasume and Taern Hornblade are
paraded into the streets and brutally murdered,
their corpses left hanging on the Council Hall wall
as a warning for the remaining citizens to comply
to Kalman and his minions. The women and chil-
dren are rounded up and sent to Mithral Hall as
refugees while any surviving soldiers and men are
executed brutally in Silverymoon’s central square.
D&D ADVENTURES IN
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
Out of the Abyss (1485 DR or later)
Hoard of the Dragon Queen and Rise of Tiamat (1489 DR)
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden (Winter, 1489 DR)
Storm King’s Thunder (1490 or 1491 DR)
Lost Mine of Phandelver (Starter Set) (1491 DR)
Princes of the Apocalypse (1491 DR)
Curse of Strahd (1491 DR)
Tomb of Annihilation (1490 or 1491 DR)
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist and Waterdeep: Dungeon of the
Mad Mage (1492 DR)
Dragons of Icespire Peak (Essentials Kit) (1492 DR)
Descent Into Avernus (1494 DR)
Acquisitions Incorporated (1496 DR)
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EDITION TIMELINE
This timeline is specifically for the Forgotten Realms
setting.
1357 – First edition AD&D
1367 – Second edition AD&D
1372 – Third Edition D&D
1385 – 4th edition D&D
1482 – D&D NEXT
1489 – Fifth edition D&D
GEOGRAPHY
There is a map posted in Discord channel #resources that
may help with sorting out details of geography.
Northwest Faerûn, generally referred to as the
North or even the Savage North, was a region of
Faerun full of untamed wilderness, wracked with dif-
ficult winter weather, and home of many hardy folks
and fearsome beasts. In spite of this reputation, the
North was home to two of the greatest cities in all of
Faerûn: Neverwinter Jewel of the North, and Water-
deep, the City of Splendors.
The Savage North encompasses the following
regions:
Frozenfar: These are the lands north of the Spine of
the World Mountains, including Cold Run, Ten
Towns, Ice Peak, and the Sea of Moving Ice.
High Forest: This vast, densely-forested region is
home to many Sylvan and Fey creatures. Star Mounts
and Unicorn Run are located here.
The Silver Marches: More of a confederation than an
actual region. The Marches are a sprawling forested
and mountainous area formed as a defensive alliance
of several of the cities on the southern edge of the
Spine of the World Mountains. It’s capitol city was
Silverymoon and included Zymorven Hall, River-
moot, Nesme, Mornbryn’s Shield, Yartar, Calling
Horns, Everlund, Sundabar, New Fort, Lurkwood,
Moonwood, and Deadsnows. This confederation was
bolstered by the nearby Dwarven kingdoms of
Mithral Hall and Citadel Adbar.
The North: A Guide to the Savage Frontier
4
The Sword Coast: This includes the cities situated
along the Northwestern coastline including Fires-
hear, Luskan, Neverwinter, Leilon, Thornhold, Water-
deep, and Daggerford. The trade route of the High
Road runs the entire length of the Sword Coast, con-
necting the cities with each other and making travel
through the wild, untamed areas easier.
Kingdom of Many Arrows: This Orc kingdom was
founded by Obould Many-Arrows and recognized as a
sovereign realm by the Lord’s Alliance. It was a
sprawling kingdom stretching throughout the Spine
of the World Mountains from Mithral Hall to the
Moonwood in the Northeast and reaching the Ever-
moors in the South.
Q'Xorlarrin: This was a Drow settlement within the
ancient city of Gauntlegrym in the Underdark. The
city’s primary inhabitants were Half-Drow but in-
cluded several Driders, as well as, plenty of Goblin
and Dwarven slaves. The settlement’s leader was Ma-
tron Zeerith Q’Xorlarrin. It was a groundbreaking
move for the Drow because Xorlarrin was the first
House to allow Half-Drow to be recognized as having
any rank within Drow society. Lolth herself appeared
in the city of Menzoberranzan declaring that Xorlar-
rin was her chosen House in 1484 much to the dis-
pleasure of the other Drow Houses.
Menzoberranzan: This Drow city-state empire in the
Underdark was commonly known as The City of Spi-
ders. It was located in a huge arrowhead-shaped cav-
ern, some two miles wide and roughly a thousand
feet high. It was home to approximately 11,500 Drow
and another 20,500 slaves (Goblin, Dwarves, and
Gnomes mostly.) It was ruled by the Council of Eight
made of of the highest ranking Houses in the city. The
ruling House of the eight was House Baenre led by
Matron Yvonnel Baenre.
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RACES
The Dwarven kingdoms exist under the mountains
and hills to the north and east. The Elven forests
are spread throughout the midlands. The Halfling
(Hin) villages are sprinkled in the fields and rolling
hills to the south. Few Gnome settlements exist. No
Half-Orc settlements exist and represent about 1%
of any town. The races Dragonborn or Teifling are
but legends. Some claim that they were real but
mysteriously disappeared over a decade ago and
yet no one remembers them.
FACTIONS
Many groups and factions exist in the realms. Most
operate secretly, but a few are open about their ac-
tivities.
The Lord’s Alliance – A treaty between eleven gov-
ernments, includes: Neverwinter, Waterdeep, Bal-
dur’s Gate, and Silverymoon.
Order of the Gauntlet – Open group formed to com-
bat all evil. Devoted to Helm, Torm, and Tyr
The Harpers – Secretive group who work to pro-
mote good and maintain a balance of power.
The Zhentarim – Very secretive group which strives
for power, glory, and money by any means. Also
commonly called “The Black Network.”
The Emerald Enclave – Rumored group devoted to
preserving nature & balancing good & evil.
The Red Wizards of Thay – Hated group seeking all
magical power. Thay is a nightmare land ruled by
wizards and filled with undead in Eastern Faerun.
Force Grey – Recently reformed group which pro-
tects Waterdeep.
MONEY
There are five basic coins in the realms minted with
different designs and local names.
The base coin, gold, equals about $10.
Copper (cp) – equal to 10 cents, 100 copper = 1 gold
Silver (sp) – equal to a dollar, 10 silver = 1 gold
Electrum (ep) – equal to $5, 2 electrum = 1 gold
Gold (gp) – 1 gold = 1 gold
Platinum (pp) – equal to $100. 1 platinum = 10 gold
The North: A Guide to the Savage Frontier
5
 The Ashmadai
RELIGION OF THE NORTH The devil worshiping cult is not satisfied with ruling
the ancient holy site of Helm’s Hold. They desire to
There are many gods and goddesses in the Forgotten rule over the surface streets of Neverwinter. Few dare
Realms. Here are some of the most common worshipped
to whisper their fears of it. After all, anyone could be
in the North.
a member of the Ashmadai, the brutal cult loyal to
Auril, goddess of Winter. the Nine Lords of the Nine Hells. They are well
connected and come from all walks of life. However,
Bane, god of tyranny they all share the same three resounding traits:
arrogance, a shared faith and fear of Asmodeus, and a
Bhaal, god of murder curious mark branded on their chests which they
take pains to hide from the public at large. By hook or
Helm, god of protection
crook, they desire to take control of the city, and
Lathander, god of birth and renewal ultimately all of the Sword Coast.

Malar, god of the hunt The Dead Rats

The Dead Rats are a gang of wererats who control the
Mielikki, goddess of forests sewers and undercity streets of Neverwinter. Known
for their ruthlessness, gang is working tirelessly to
Mystra, goddess of magic
usurp control of the trade lines of Neverwinter and
Oghma, god of knowledge remake the city into the hub of a vast criminal empire
that extends throughout the Sword Coast. They deal
Selune, goddess of the moon exclusively in smuggling drugs, slaves, and forbidden
wares.
Silvanus, god of wild nature

Sune, goddess of love, passion, and beauty Sons of Alagondar

Simply put, these rebels hate Dagault Neverember
Tymora, goddess of luck and are plotting to overthrow him. Their power grows
daily. They view themselves as heroes and patriots.

NEVERWINTER FACTIONS BREGAN D’AERTHE (BRAY-gan Dare-th)

Neverwinter has several factions that operate within
the city beyond those common to the Sword Coast.
This is a list of the most prominent within the city.
The Abolethic Sovereignty
The bizarre and aberrant Aboleths have been at work
in Neverwinter for decades. Their access and
influence was increased once the Chasm was opened
within Neverwinter when Mount Hotenow
devastated the city. Despite the best efforts of the
Powers That Be in Neverwinter, these creatures
continue to plague the city.
Bregan D’aerthe is a mercantile guild founded within
the Drow city of Menzoberranzan moving goods from
the Underdark to the surface world, and back again.
They not only deal in goods, but they broker
information as well. And they will work for both sides
of any conflict, cashing in as both sides kill
themselves. The main headquarters for the guild is in
Mantol-Derith and is supervised by Jaraxle Baenre.
The Greycloaks
These vigilantes work outside the established law
enforcement groups. They are militia of about 400
men and women who all wear grey cloaks because
they do not have an official uniform.

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LAYOUT OF NEVERWINTER
Neverwinter was usually described as being
"laid out roughly in the shape of an eye," with the
Neverwinter River marking a long axis roughly east
and west of its waters. One end of the city was the
harbor, and the other end was the Upland Rise, and
beyond that the Neverwinter Wood. Four gates were
located in its walls, two in the northwestern and the
northeastern corners, and two in the southwestern
and southeastern corners
Among its most prominent vistas were its
three spectacular, intricately carved bridges: the
Dolphin, the Winged Wyvern, and the Sleeping
Dragon, considered the city's emblems by its
inhabitants. Under these, the waters of the
Neverwinter River cascaded over small, gentle
waterfalls as they coursed into the city's bustling
harbor. Its lamps of multi-colored glass, its precision
water clocks and exquisite jewelry, and its
magnificent gardens ensured the warm winters were
colorful and the summers were rich with fresh fruit.
After the cataclysm of 1471, the Southeastern
part of the city was almost totally destroyed. A huge
yawning rift called The Chasm opened collapsing
much of that Quadrant deep into the Underdark.
Although the Chasm was sealed by magic in 1484 that
section of the city still remains abandoned and
occupied by monsters, bandits, and ne’er-do-wells.
THE QUADRANTS OF
NEVERWINTER CITY
Neverwinter is separated into four main districts
called Quadrants.
1. The City Core
This is the Northeastern quadrant where the ruling
offices, major temples, merchants, and nobles reside.
This section includes Castle Never, the Hall iof Justice,
Knight’s Arms & Armor, and the Moonstone Mask.
The City Core connects directly to Blacklake and is
separated from Peninsula and Beggar’s Nest by the
Neverwinter River.
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2. The Peninsula District
This is the Southwest quadrant. The city’s major port
is located here with a massive landscape of docks.
The district is a mixture of residential and merchant
dwellings. The Neverwinter River separates this
quadrant from the City Core and Blacklake districts.
It connects directly to Beggar’s nest with a fortified
wall acting as a border and point of protection.
3. The Blacklake District
The Northwestern quadrant is named after the
Blacklake situated in its middle. There is a canal that
connects this the lake to the Neverwinter River
allowing ships to dock for trade and delivery.
Although most of the district is residential, there are
several taverns and merchant houses located near the
docks of Blacklake including the ruined church of
Lathander abandoned in 1471. This is also where the
Fallen Tower, Driftwood, Shining Serpent, and
Beached Leviathan taverns call their home.
4. Beggar’s Nest
Ruined and abandoned after the Chasm opened, this
quadrant of the city is unsecured and unpoliced. It is
the poorest section of the city, and most of the ruling
class do not consider it to be a part of Neverwinter
anymore. In fact it is the Mayor who deemed it
“Beggar’s Nest” due to the destitute folks who lived
there. However, Lord Neverember has not given up on
that part of the city and constantly makes efforts to
help its inhabitants in what ways that he can. Most of
the quadrant is controlled by Orcs from the Many
Arrows tribe of the Silver Marches.
The North: A Guide to the Savage Frontier
7
CAMPAIGN BEGINNING had been lost, and resources were exhausted.
Kalman took advantage of this, leading his ever
growing army against the beleaguered citizens of
the Silver Marches. And to his credit, his efforts
won him the day. Specifically in the last ten days of
the conflict, Kalman managed to carry out his
plans unchallenged as he operated deep in the
Ironhand mines.
The North must do what it can to recover.
Realization that the Kingdom of Many-Arrows will
now expand to claim all of the Silver Marches is a
dire omen indeed.
Now, more than ever, the North is in need of
true heroes.

• The campaign begins on 31 Flamerule 146.

• It is midsummer.
• The Autumn Equinox is in 21 days.
• Shieldmeet is tomorrow. It is a special holi-
day for all the Northern Religions only cele-
brated every four years.
• The Lord’s Alliance will meet in Neverwin-
ter, as always, for Shieldmeet to discuss poli-
tics. The main discussion for this year’s
Shieldmeet is the state of affairs with the
Silver Marches.

The Silver Marches have fallen only yester-

day trampled under the feet of Kalman The Unkill-
able’s army of Zhentarim Hobgoblins, Many-Arrow
Orcs, Drow from both Menzobarranzan and Q’Xor-
larrin, Frost Giants led by Jarl Hellenhild, and a
flight of white dragons led by Arauthator, the Old
White Death of Oyaviggaton.
This sad day which would later be known as
“The Silverymoon Massacre” was the culmination
of a years long conflict led by the lich calling him-
self first “Kalman the Cruel” and now “Kalman the
Unkillable.”
When the War of the Silver Marches ended
in 1485, the confederation had barely survived. The
cities were burned and ruined, thousands of lives
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