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A Tale of Daggerford

Of Daggerford itself...
400 years ago a wagon master sent his son ahead of the family wagon one evening to locate a passage across the Shining River. The boy, Tyndal, found the ford in the dark, but was attacked by a raiding party of lizard men. Defending himself with his sole weapon, an old dagger, the lad slew six of the beasts before aid arrived from the wagons and drove the creatures away. Rumor of this encounter spread far and wide, and our current Duke claims to be a direct descendant of that brave young lad.

When the elves of the Fallen Kingdom left for less crowded lands, a new kingdom sprang up, known as the Kingdom of Man. It was during this period that the Dukes gained their titles and rights of the land. Floshin to the north, Lizard Marsh to the west, Dragonspear Castle to the south, and the misty forest to the east. At times, the Dukes have actively controlled all that, but these days they do not. Today they only control half a days ride north of Daggerford to the Waterdeep road patrols, at a little pond called the Waypost waters, east to the hills of Laughing Hollows, and south to the Hamlet of Bowshot.

About a century after the dynastic war destroyed the Kingdom of Man, the duke's subjects began building their shops and dwellings outside the castle proper, closer to the Delimbyr River. After a couple of problem-free centuries passed, the town became essentially independent of the castle, although a common wall surrounded them both. For hundreds of years, the Dukes have controlled the town, but it was given it's own charter 50 years ago by Duke Conan. The Council of Guilds now has the power to run the town, although the Duke has a bit of influence over their actions and decisions. Pwyll Daggerford seems to have no inclinations to revoke their charter.

What's known…

The castle was the first building built in Daggerford, it used to be a wooden structure surrounded by a palisade fence. It was burned down during an orc raid, then rebuilt by the Duke in stone. He created a three story stone keep on the hillside and surrounded it with a two story stone wall. After the raiders were hunted down and destroyed, the people of the castle began to build outside the castle's walls.

The duke is Pwyll Daggerford, a retired adventurer. He remains behind with his sister Bronwyn when the militia and the 3rd Company ride forth. His sister, Bronwyn is the duke's middle-aged sister. When she learned that Pwyll was to become Duke, she studied under the court wizard Gwydion, and became his student.

Lord Llewellyn Longhand is another hero, he serves as the head of the military and marches with it when it leaves town. He keeps his own residence in the town. At one point, he was interested in ruling Daggerford as it's Duke, but now has settled as military leader and is loyal to the Duke.

Duke Pwyll "Greatshout" Daggerford came into dukedom when his father, Duke Pryden, fell fighting the onslaught of the forces of Dragonspear Castle. As the oldest - and only - male heir to the name, Pwyll became Duke of Daggerfall.

Pwyll was only 25 years old and enjoying the adventuring life when his older brother, Merovy, died while adventuring along the unicorn run. Duke Pryden realized his sole remaining heir needed training in land rulership and recalled Pwyll back to Daggerford to learn his future role. Pwyll chafed against this restriction of his adventuring life, but he saw the necessity and acceded to his father's demands.

Pwyll gained his nickname of "Greatshout" after swallowing an unknown potion he discovered in the sacking of Dragonspear Castle. Apparently the liquid gave him the ability to shout as if he were using a fabled horn of blasting. His voice is considerably roughened from when he set out on that last campaign, but no one has seen or heard him use the "Great Shout" since he came back from the wars. There were many stories of it's use during the last weeks of the campaign, though.

The sword Lawflame is the traditional sword of the Dukes, dating back to the first duke, who was given it by Sir Elorfindar Floshin, a flaming bastard sword.

Bronwyn Daggerford disappeared for two years, eight years ago. She decided to try her hand at the "adventuring life". Leaving a note for Gwydion, she left the town with the adventuring company known as the Iron Edge. She returned around five years ago with wealth of her own, and a vast increase in magical ability.

Gwydion pen Dafwyd is the court wizard, is an ancient wizard, probably 80 years old but appearing even older. While he retains the court wizard title, Bronwyn manages the day to day magical affairs of the Daggerford, leaving the old wizard to his tomes and books. He prides himself on his gray hairs and scholarly appearance. He's a self-pronounced expert on the dukedom's history and the genealogy of the ducal family.