Wheloon Wheloon , sometimes nicknamed the " Jade Towers " , was a town and later small city in the kingdom of Cormyr in interior Faerûn . It lay at the junction of the Wyvernflow River and the Way of the Manticore and at the end of the Hullack Trail in southeastern Cormyr . Language . The name " Wheloon " was pronounced " way - LOON " . People and things from here were called " Whelunian " . History . Early history . Predating Wheloon and the ferry was the God ' s Grove , a shrine to Silvanus and duskwood grove to the east . Also built before Wheloon ' s founding was a so - called citadel built into a bluff north of the site . Later ruined , nothing more than the crumbling foundations inhabited by displacer serpent s would remain by the 1370s DR . Originally a small thorp that lived off the trade of river crossings on the Wyvern Ferry Route , Wheloon slowly developed as trade along the Way of the Manticore increased and more ships starting using the Wyvernflow . It grew into a town based around the ferry . The Harvest Hall temple of Chauntea was built around this time . Although Wheloon sat at the crossing of two of Cormyr ' s most important travel routes , it usually played only a minor role in Cormyrean history prior to 1374 DR . In the Year of the Thirsty Sword , 900 DR , King Galaghard III ' s army , the Glory of Cormyr , fought a battle against the Witch Lords and their undead forces at the fords of Wheloon , overrunning them but unable to finally defeat the undead . They eventually drove them to the Vast Swamp and defeated them there . This was the last historical event significant to Cormyr to occur in Wheloon until 1374 DR . Recent history . Wheloon was one of a number of places captured by the Lost King Gondegal in the Year of the Dragon , 1352 DR . Like the others , his mercenary troops occupied and pillaged the town before being ousted by the Purple Dragons as Gondegal ' s eight - day kingdom fell . During the Time of Troubles , in early Eleint of the Year of Shadows , 1358 DR , Cyric and some of his Zhentilar force visited Wheloon as they passed through Cormyr . Cyric left at least one of his agents there to interfere with Kelemvor Lyonsbane , Midnight , and Adon . Shortly after they arrived , Kelemvor was framed for the robbery and murder of a local merchant , with Cyric ' s agent testifying to Lord Redbeard that they had seen him leave the house with a bloody sword . When the Wheloon Watch tried to apprehend Kelemvor , the group fled on stolen horses , pursued by the Watch and the Purple Dragons , and made a successful getaway . During the Goblin War , the neighboring city of Arabel was evacuated in the Year of the Tankard , 1370 DR . The refugees poured into Wheloon , rapidly increasing the population . They settled and built up the east bank , expanding Wheloon from a town to a small city in a few years . By 1374 DR , an aging Lord Sarp Redbeard , once considered headstrong and almost independent of the crown , had proven his loyalty though a combination of trade deals and military actions . However , his main focus was still on the good of Wheloon . In around Ches of 1374 DR , the priestess Naedaenya Arthas met with Sarp Redbeard to request the construction of a temple of Mystra in Wheloon . She persuaded him that it would open a market for , spell components , and lore , and boost the city ' s economy . She also paid hefty bribes to Redbeard . He approved construction , and granted the priests tax breaks . He told Whelunians it would bring in more people and trade , and make Wheloon important . The temple was sited on the crumbling foundations of a ruined citadel that lay on the northern edge of town . Using magically assisted construction techniques , it took only months to build , and was nearly completed in Eleint that year . It was Cormyr ' s only temple to Mystra , but many Whelunians had little need to worship the goddess of magic , and it became only a local curiosity . On the 6th of Eleint , an itinerant cleric of Mystra , Tunaster Dranik , and a group of adventurer s in the service of Mystra discovered the temple to be a front for Shar ran cultists to kidnap magically gifted citizens and travelers in an effort to create a rift in the Weave . Wheloon ' s Purple Dragons investigated the matter and Constal Maximanus Tholl brought the adventurers to an audience with Lord Redbeard , who requested they continue their investigations and follow the cultists into the Vast Swamp . Redbeard , Tholl , and the Purple Dragons remained in Wheloon to guard the city and the temple . After pursuing the cult , the adventurers foiled the plot and returned on Eleint 13 , and helped open up trade agreements between Cormyr and the Sharptooth tribe of lizardfolk in the Vast Swamp . Post - Spellplague . Sometime after the Spellplague in 1385 DR , the Purple Dragons determined that a large number of Whelunians were secretly Shar - worshipers , and the current king of Cormyr feared Wheloon was a front for Netherese spies . The king decreed that it be transformed into a prison city , all those inside sealed in by brick and magic and prisoners for life . Suspected worshipers of Shar , Shadovar sympathizers and spies , and any others who offended the crown were put over the wall and left to survive on their own . By 1479 DR , Wheloon was a dark prison city , no longer a trade hub , and the streets were controlled by gangs of thugs . Demographics . Wheloon was originally only lightly populated , beginning as a town of 1 , 500 people " circa " 1367 DR , but refugees from Arabel changed that , causing a small population explosion . It rose rapidly to around 3 , 700 " circa " 1370 DR , and then to a small city of 6 , 661 people in 1372 DR and leveling at 6 , 692 in 1374 DR . However , Lord Redbeard kept poor records of the number of people in Wheloon and other lands he governed , meaning that the population figures were also notoriously uncertain . It had a mixed population , consisting of 82 % human s , 6 % halfling s , 4 % dwarves , 4 % gnome s , 2 % half - elves , 1 % elves , and 1 % half - orc s . Following Wheloon ' s transformation into a prison city after the Spellplague , Wheloon ' s population fell to 3 , 000 by 1479 DR . Government & Politics . The Lord of Wheloon through the mid – 14th century was Lord Sarp Redbeard , who ruled in the name of King Azoun IV . He was famously headstrong and acted virtually independently of the crown . He often disagreed with the policies of the royal court of Cormyr , usually refusing to support them if they did not benefit Wheloon . Redbeard was popular and well - liked by his people , who felt he kept the Purple Dragons from meddling in their affairs too much . The Whelunians respected his focus on them and their city . Redbeard also often sided with the many farmers who dwelled in his domain , so he was popular among them as well . Due to Redbeard ' s poor population records , the taxes paid to the crown fluctuated . Redbeard was generally negligent on taxation , and he tended to ignore the contribution of smugglers to the local economy . The Heralds of Faerûn had an office here , titled " Wheloon " . In the 1350s and 60s DR , this position was filled by Elaerue Estspirit , who also served as assistant , clerk , and record - keeper to Redbeard . The Huntcrown noble house had holdings in Wheloon . Defenses . Sprawling on both sides of a river , and with no town walls or natural barriers , Wheloon was difficult to defend . The Wheloon Watch was a militia force of volunteers , all merchants and tradesmen by day . They were basic fighter s , equipped with leather armor , mace s , short sword s , dagger s , and crossbow s . They were based out of the Wheloon Watch House . The Purple Dragons enforced law and order in Wheloon . Their force in the city numbered approximately 150 , and they were led by Constal Maximanus Tholl around 1374 DR . A typical road patrol numbered fourteen and consisted of mounted fighters equipped with chain mail , light lance s , longsword s , mace s , and dagger s . Around 1358 DR , a patrol leader was Roadcaptain Thondar . They had a barracks and armory near the Wheloon Watch House . As a prison city in the 15th century , Wheloon had a wall built around it , albeit to keep the prisoners in . Economy & Trade . Wheloon lay at the intersection of the two most valuable and heavily trafficked trade routes in eastern Cormyr : the Way of the Manticore from Sembia and the Wyvernflow river between the Wyvernwater and the Sea of Fallen Stars . The town grew and prospered off the Wyvern Ferry that linked both sides of the river , as merchant caravans , barges , and ships increasingly passed through or offloaded their cargo here , and it served as a barge transshipment center . Through the late 1360s DR , Wheloon became a cheaper and less crowded alternative to the ports of Suzail and Marsember . It was a busy and prosperous town , ever growing through the 1360s DR , with wealth and entrepreneurs , known as " hothands " . There was strong competition between shopkeepers and craftsfolk . Though there were no major merchants , the talented craftsfolk often allied to invest in new ventures . Cut - price transportation services were a favorite , though they had to hire guards to defend themselves from bandits hired by established coster s trying to crush the upstart competition . There was a big population of artisans and craftsfolk in Wheloon , who were famous for the quality of their work . This was thanks to their attention to detail and great patience at their craft . They included many boat makers and sail makers , and basket weavers and clay - potters , as well as as wagon wrights . Local agriculture was established in the farming of apple s , blueberries , grape s , melon s , peach es , pumpkin s , raspberries , and wheat . Wheloon ' s port shipped out more bulk food and grain than anywhere else in Cormyr , and returned hefty profits . Among others , one new trade in Wheloon at the time was the breeding and training of bluebird s and ferret s for pets . These animals were growing in popularity in Cormyr in the 1360s DR . In the lumber industry , Whelunians extensively logged the Hermit ' s Wood . A local " hothands " , Sarliman Eurdoe , imported the rosecork from Prespur for its valued properties . The rosecork trees went on to flourish by the southern tributaries of the Wyvernflow . Following the Spellplague and Wheloon ' s transformation into a prison city , it stopped being a trade hub . Culture & Society . Wheloon was an industrious , busy , and prosperous place . Whelunians were often going about some business , and traveling to one place or another within the town . Most of the city ' s inhabitants were hardworking craftsfolk who , though not rich , earned enough money and had enough time on their hands to enjoy their lives . Whelunian craftsfolk had an eye for fine detail and great patience for a task , and these traits were exhibited in the finished goods . These craftsfolk were famous for the quality of their work , and their reputation spread to distant lands . Unfortunately , they were preyed upon by the many thieves of Wheloon . These thieves shared the craftsmen ' s eye for detail , composure , and methodical nature . It took them longer to pick a lock than a typical thief , but they could do so more reliably . Most deceased Whelunians were buried in the Green , a field outside town . However , some buried their family members on their own property , in small , private cemeteries . For centuries , Whelunians used Rathool ' s Pond as a burial site for war heroes and those slain in battle , though they ' d discontinued the practice by the mid – 13th century DR . Post - Spellplague . Following Wheloon ' s transformation into a prison city after the Spellplague , it became a dumping ground for suspected Shar - worshipers , Shadovar spies and sympathizers , and others who ' d offended the Cormyrean rulers , as well as those already trapped inside . They were left to look after themselves , and life there was hard and dangerous . For protection , people gathered into gangs . There were many of these gangs , all rivals , often ruthless , and they ruled the streets and dominated the town . These Whelunians bitterly resented Cormyr for abandoning them , but also despised self - righteous do - gooders , and believed all people had darkness in them . They were loyal only to other members of their gang , or an adopted group , and uncaring of outsiders . They were often skilled in thievery , and in resisting charm magic . A common mark of a Whelunian was their tattoos , both the prisoner tattoos made before they were put over the walls , and the gang tattoos earned inside . These tattoos could be extensive and recorded their ordeals . They marked escapees , and had to be disguised elsewhere in Cormyr . Escaping was very difficult , so much so that " to escape from Wheloon " came to mean to accomplish a difficult task . However , it was not impossible . Those who escaped lived in fear of recapture , and usually tried to find a new home far outside Cormyr . Description . Wheloon in the mid – 14th century was a mid - sized town to a small city . It included over two hundred significant buildings . The town straddled both sides of the Wyvernflow river , with the center of town historically on the western side , which was both settled the longest and the most prosperous . The eastern side grew in more recent times , especially as it was settled by refugees of Arabel . Without town walls or other natural barriers to contain it , the town sprawled outwards in all directions . The terrain beneath was hilly , so the meandering streets wound around them , or followed the whims of Whelunian builders , as there was no attempt at a planned layout . The streets were cobbled and patched , and often muddy . Road - lamp s provided light to Wheloon ' s streets after dark . Wealthy and fast - growing , Wheloon did not have many permanent buildings , and few stood out as especially grand or particularly rundown . Still , they were always growing , expanding , and improving . Most were built of stone , and some had upper stories of stucco and timber . Others were fashioned of wood or wattle . Many of Wheloon ' s businesses and houses were roofed with bright green slate shingles . These came from the nation ' s largest quarry situated not far to the north of the city , a monster - haunted pit near Masark ' s Grove . This native slate was dark green were first cut , but it brightened on exposure to the sun . Travelers were often impressed by the vibrant green roofs , and the buildings were nicknamed " the jade towers of Wheloon " , and the city itself the " Jade Towers " . A few other buildings and warehouses had thatched roofs instead . Whelunians built their own houses and operated small businesses from them . Bedrooms and kitchens often doubled as workshops as a result . Still , they were proud of their homes , whatever they were made from or did in them , and often worked on improving them . Wheloon was always seen to be a busy place , with people traveling back and forth on business , while drovers moving animals and merchant caravans often came through . It was noisy with the sounds of labor , of wagons and animals , of people talking and calling . Such things went on through the day and deep into the night . The greatest landmark in Wheloon was the Wyvernflow River that divided it in two . The Wyvern Ferry Route operated ferries over the water , joined the two halves of the town together and linking both ends of the Way of the Manticore . With heavy traffic and many Whelunians owning boats , fares remained cheap at one copper piece , and ferries ran day and night . Two inns lay on opposite ends of the ferry route . The Wyvern Watch Inn lay on the west bank , and the Lantern Inn and Boathouse sat on the east . On the west bank , the Way of the Manticore crossed Wheloon Way , with the Wheloon Watch House , the Purple Dragon barracks , Wheloon Jail , and the armory all standing on one corner of the intersection . North up Wheloon Way could be found Oldstone Hall , the lord ' s manor , standing opposite the Wheloon Moothouse , which , unfortunately , lay near Haldos ' s Fine Butchery . Another key road in town was Westbank March , a farm road that ran from the heights north of Wheloon down to follow the Wyvernflow to the coast . Impil Street was the site of many warehouses owned by the Cormyrean Coins Coster . The Green was a large field southwest of the town . The majority of deceased Whelunians were buried in the Green , but small herds of livestock , owned by a few city - folk , were also allowed to graze there . The Green was ringed by a communally owned wooden fence . Rathool ' s Pond lay within the town , on its northwestern side . For centuries , Whelunians used it as a burial site for war heroes and those slain in battle . The water turned orange - brown with rust from their and . By the mid – 13th century DR , Rathool ' s Pond was the local swimming pool and fishing hole , but it was considered unsafe for drinking or fishing . However , the priests of Chauntea at the Harvest Hall opposed efforts to clean it up , fearing the dead would be disturbed and their spirits grow angry .