Hillsfar
Located on the southern shore of the Moonsea, Hillsfar is one of the petty states vying for control in that area with Zhentil Keep. Like many of the cities of the Moonsea, Hillsfar is crouched behind a circular, ringed wall with a single great gate high above the sea. Access to the city is restricted only to those individuals approved of by the current government.
Hillsfar, formerly the most open city on the Moonsea, has changed markedly in outlook, a change directly linked to the disappearance of the elves. Formerly the meeting ground between the elves and humankind for trade and diplomatic dealings, Hillsfar is today an ambitious, well-armed city-state, challenging Zhentil Keep for economic supremacy in the region, and now visibly ready to meet any resultant military threat.
Hillsfar was until recently ruled by a council (overthrown 10 winters back) of humans, half-elves, and representatives of the Elven Court. The city is now governed by Maalthiir, First Lord of Hillsfar, a shrewd, ruthless, and independent merchant-mage (N hm W15). Rumor has it that he has plans to annex Elventree and the other nearby cities, and spread his influence down the coast, eventually opening a port on the Inner Sea. His mercenary guards, already nicknamed the .Red Plumes,. have a squad in Scardale and others patrolling through the remains of Cormanthor, south towards Essembra. Maalthiir has assured Sembian envoys that he intends to merely protect these routes for merchant traffic in the wake of the Time of Troubles.
The new government of Maalthiir is expansionist in nature, but has been held in check by the actions of Zhentil Keep. Red Plume and Zhentilar forces have regularly clashed along their common horder, particularly in the now-ruined city of Yûlash.
There are three major temples in the Hillsfar. The most powerful is the Vault of Swords, a complex dedicated to Tempus. Its Most Holy General Dounalis Guff (CN hm P18) is the official chaplain of the Red Plumes as well. The House of Happiness, the temple of Lliira, is very popular among the people, and overseen by Barand Hithkin (CG hm P15). The Lastholme, a small temple of Chauntea, is controlled by High Priest Borm Hlast (N hm D13).
There are also large public shrines to Umberlee, Malar, and Torm. Hillsfar is noted for three other features. First, Maalthiir operates and encourages the use of the Hillsfar Arena, a site of gladiatorial games. It is also used for the disposal of those unpopular with the established regime. Second, the city is the site of one of the few honest-to-goodness magic shops in the Realms, the Magic and Curios Shop of Hillsfar (Laris, proprietor). Laris (LN hm F10) is a short-tempered, rude man who is well aware that his customers need him more than he needs them and is willing to part with a few minor magical items. Two stone golems enforce his prices.
The third feature, and the most dangerous from the standpoint of nonhuman adventurers, is the fact that Maalthiir is extremely humanocentric and xenophobic. Elves, dwarves, halflings, and even half-elves are banned from the city, and if found there will be put into the arena for a spectacle (say, unarmed combat with a minotaur). Atrocities involving Red Plumes and nonhuman areas are now legendary, and Red Plumes are hated throughout the Moonsea area by nonhumans, regardless of alignment.
Hillsfar therefore holds great opportunities and great dangers for the adventurer, the worst danger being running afoul of Maalthiir and his stooges. The merchant-mage has been shown to be skilled and capable in ruling his city-state from Castle Vultureroost, and did not succeed by underestimating his potential foes.