DeepingdaleDeepingdale is a wide, deeply carved valley blessed with an abundance of game and timber. Like many Dale communities, its population is scattered in many homesteads, but the Dale considers its capital to be the town of Highmoon at the head of the valley, as the main road (the East Way) rises into the pass at Thunder Gap.
Deepingdale has in the past maintained an excellent relationship with the elves of the area, and with the Retreat of the elves, many individual elves and half-elves call this Dale their home. Over half of the population is elven or half-elven. As the area is a haven for wildlife, the Dale’s inhabitants count the druids and treants as friends, as well. Deepingdale’s relationships with other human communities have been less than good, and in the past the area and Archendale have almost come to blows over small matters. Deepingdale’s position along one of the two main roads between Cormyr and Sembia also contributes in part to uneasiness in the the area, and intrigue is rife in Highmoon between agents of both large nations.
The fates of Tilverton, placed under the .protection. of Cormyr, and Moondale, absorbed by Sembia, are not lost on the natives of Deepingdale. For these reasons, Deepingdale maintains a welldrilled militia, as well as a well-trained elven archer force.
About half (about 2,500) of Deepingdale’s population (5,000 or so total) is in the militia reserves. The reservists have in their possession leather armor, sword, and spear. If a call goes out (a horn call from Highmoon relayed down the valley by special posts), the militia units gather at predetermined spots before marching on the city.
In addition, Deepingdale maintains two companies of 70 2ndlevel elven fighters who have specialized in long bow. These elves have remained despite the disbanding of the Elven Court and consider Deepingdale their home. They are well trained both in open field battles and in conducting guerrilla operations and raids from the nearby forests. The late Lord Lashan (his death is uncertain, as he mysteriously disappeared) discovered, much to his regret, the power of these warriors in his attempt to conquer the Dales, and one of these companies served in the crusade against the Tuigan horde.
The ruler of Deepingdale is Theremen Ulath, Lord of Highmoon. Theremen is a half-elven fighter of 6th level. He is well aware of the balancing force that his community and city provide, and to that end has ordered that city walls be erected. This project is half-completed at the current writing. Deepingdale has a Temple of Oghma within its upward-springing walls under the auspices of Learned Father Hasicor Danali (LN hm P12) and seven of his followers. There are shrines to the agricultural and sylvan deities throughout the Dale.