Ten Towns
Encyclopedia
The Ten Towns is a location on the fictional continent of Faerûn
, the primary setting of the Forgotten Realms
.
are a loose confederation of villages in the far North. Only one is really large enough to be called a town: Bryn Shander, the most central and largest town. It was because of this that the Ten Towns' council building was constructed there. The 9 other towns are built around the three lakes of Icewind Dale: Maer Dualdon, Lac Dinneshere and the smallest, Redwaters. The other towns are named Targos, Bremen, Termalaine and Lonelywood on the Maer Dualdon, Dougan's Hole and Good Mead on the Dinneshere and Caer-Konig, Caer-Dineval and Easthaven
on the Redwaters.
The area is out of the way enough that not many people even know it exists, thinking the world to end at the Spine of the World mountain range.
The Ten Towns are described in the book The Savage Frontier
(1988) by Paul Jaquays
as "home to a multitude of men and women with "checkered" pasts".
The Ten Towns have a reputation of being an ultimate refuge for the "scum" of the world, partly for not being very well known. Despite this, the administration is very democratic.
. The ivory, though unimpressive itself, can be carved into magnificent sculptures in skilled hands.
Bryn Shander, the lone inland town, does not have a fishing industry. It is a stop for mercantile caravans from the south, notably Luskan, the closest city.
Status also plays a role in inter-town rivalries. Thus, Targos, as the mightiest of the fishing towns is jealous of Bryn Shander's role as capitol, and Termalaine is jealous of Targos's might.
However, confronted with common peril, such as Akar Kessel of the Chimera Legion, the towns easily unite. The more fragile communities, such as Lonelywood (the smallest) and Easthaven (the most recent) are more prone to ally, as is Bryn Shander (which helps to confirm its role as a capital).
Faerûn
Faerûn is a fictional subcontinent, the primary setting of the Dungeons & Dragons world of Forgotten Realms. It is described at a relatively high level in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting from Wizards of the Coast, and various locales and aspects are described in more detail by separate...
, the primary setting of the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
.
Description
The Ten Towns of Icewind DaleIcewind Dale
Icewind Dale is a computer role-playing game developed for Windows by Black Isle Studios and published by Interplay Entertainment. Released on June 30, 2000, it takes place in the Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms campaign setting, and is based on the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition...
are a loose confederation of villages in the far North. Only one is really large enough to be called a town: Bryn Shander, the most central and largest town. It was because of this that the Ten Towns' council building was constructed there. The 9 other towns are built around the three lakes of Icewind Dale: Maer Dualdon, Lac Dinneshere and the smallest, Redwaters. The other towns are named Targos, Bremen, Termalaine and Lonelywood on the Maer Dualdon, Dougan's Hole and Good Mead on the Dinneshere and Caer-Konig, Caer-Dineval and Easthaven
Easthaven
East Haven is a former fishing village in the council area of Angus, Scotland. It is situated east of Carnoustie and south west of Arbroath...
on the Redwaters.
The area is out of the way enough that not many people even know it exists, thinking the world to end at the Spine of the World mountain range.
The Ten Towns are described in the book The Savage Frontier
The Savage Frontier
Savage Frontier is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms. It describes the Savage Frontier of Faerûn. The book was written by Paul Jaquays...
(1988) by Paul Jaquays
Paul Jaquays
Paul Jaquays is a game designer and artist of table-top role-playing games and video games.Some of his notable works include the Dungeons & Dragons modules "Dark Tower" and "Caverns of Thracia" for Judges Guild; development and design of conversions on games such as Pac-Man and Donkey Kong for...
as "home to a multitude of men and women with "checkered" pasts".
Government
Important decision are made by a council consisting of an eminent member of each town. The council gathers in Bryn Shander, which is viewed as the capital city of the region. The gathering takes place once a month during the warm season and once every 3 months in winter.The Ten Towns have a reputation of being an ultimate refuge for the "scum" of the world, partly for not being very well known. Despite this, the administration is very democratic.
Economy
Those that do know of the existence of Icewind Dale usually know it for the scrimshaw of the knucklehead trout, a fish unique to Icewind Dale's three lakes. This ivory is the only real export of the region and is in great demand among the wealthy across FaerûnFaerûn
Faerûn is a fictional subcontinent, the primary setting of the Dungeons & Dragons world of Forgotten Realms. It is described at a relatively high level in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting from Wizards of the Coast, and various locales and aspects are described in more detail by separate...
. The ivory, though unimpressive itself, can be carved into magnificent sculptures in skilled hands.
Bryn Shander, the lone inland town, does not have a fishing industry. It is a stop for mercantile caravans from the south, notably Luskan, the closest city.
Relations
Many rivalries exist between the towns. Most of these arise over fishing rights, as every town claims an exclusive fishing zone. It is common for a ship to be accused of trespassing, or even of taking advantage of a fish venturing in the "wrong" zone. These events occasionally escalate into outright fights between the crews of the fishing vessels. The founding of Easthaven reinforced the rivalry between Caer-Koenig and Caer-Dineval, as the fishing zones had to be redesigned to accommodate the new settlement.Status also plays a role in inter-town rivalries. Thus, Targos, as the mightiest of the fishing towns is jealous of Bryn Shander's role as capitol, and Termalaine is jealous of Targos's might.
However, confronted with common peril, such as Akar Kessel of the Chimera Legion, the towns easily unite. The more fragile communities, such as Lonelywood (the smallest) and Easthaven (the most recent) are more prone to ally, as is Bryn Shander (which helps to confirm its role as a capital).
See also
- Icewind DaleIcewind DaleIcewind Dale is a computer role-playing game developed for Windows by Black Isle Studios and published by Interplay Entertainment. Released on June 30, 2000, it takes place in the Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms campaign setting, and is based on the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition...
- Icewind Dale: Heart of WinterIcewind Dale: Heart of WinterIcewind Dale: Heart of Winter is an official expansion pack to the computer role-playing game Icewind Dale developed by Black Isle Studios. It introduced many changes and additions to the original game, and included an all-new campaign...
- Icewind Dale IIIcewind Dale IIIcewind Dale II is a role-playing video game developed by Black Isle Studios and published by Interplay Entertainment, released on August 27, 2002. Like its 2000 predecessor Icewind Dale, the game is set in the Forgotten Realms fantasy setting in the Icewind Dale region...
- Icewind Dale Trilogy