Phlan

Phlan, also known as the Jewel of the Moonsea, was a large frontier town on the Moonsea region of north Faerûn with a long and storied history. Founded nearly a millennium before the Era of Upheaval, endless cycles of the town's destruction and determined rebuilding saw it grow more resilient and formidable. This led to the Phlan being walled off into two sections for many years, comprising the vast ruined neighborhoods of Old Phlan and the resilient community of Civilized Phlan, before becoming a whole and peaceful city once again. Phlan enjoyed military and economic prosperity for many years, before deteriorating into a criminal state afflicted by the machinations of a dangerous cult.
In addition to being a monument to the stubbornness of the Moonsea people, the city was famous as the home of one of the fabled pools of radiance, the source of power for a legendary otherworldly spirit.
==Description==
Phlan was founded atop Valjevo Isle, a small isle within the delta formed by the mouth of the Stojanow river and grew around the isle's namesake castle.
Circa the late 15 century DR, Phlan was divided into two prominent areas, the walled off Old City, encompassing both Old Phlan and Civilized Phlan, The city was then divided into a number of separate wards, such as the poorer Slum District, the seaside Dock District, and the affluent Nobles' Quarter.
For many years the streets of Old Phlan were overrun by monstrous creatures creating a hellish landscape that was entirely inhospitable for the trapping of civilization.,
The entirety Phlan was a city built upon the ruins of its past, in the most literal meaning. Beneath Phlan was an aging sewer system with a spillway that opened up into the Stojanow River.
Phlan ran several ferries across the river, connecting the Old City with the growing Nobles' Quarter. In the 14 century DR, there were at least two ferries. However, by the late 15 century DR, two bridges were constructed, making travel between the two parts of the city quicker.
In the 14 century DR, the Dock District consisted of two areas, eastern and western Phlan, separated by a wall and two sets of gates: the Traitor's Gate on the northern end and the Parkside Gate on the southern end. The Parkside gate was named for the Valhegen Park that stood between the two gates, while the Traitor's Gate bore the name of disgraced First Councilman Porphyrys Cadorna. The westernmost gate that led into the city was known as Kuto's Gate.
==Geography==
Phlan was located at a point on the northern coast of the Moonsea lake, within the inlet of the Bay of Phlan. The stunning monument known as the King's Pyre was built into a cliff overlooking the sea, some west of Phlan.
Just north of the city were a cluster of farms nestled along either side of the Stojanow River and the Stojanow Trail. This trail continued north with the river along the western side of the Quivering Forest.
The trade way called Iron Route ran westward along the Moonsea to Zhentil Keep. The trade way going eastward towards Melvaunt were called Phlan Path, connected to the northward trail called Toranth's March that continued along the eastern eaves of the Quivering Forest towards the Dragonspine Mountains and the Ride. 
===Flora & Fauna===
The sewers of Phlan were known to be infested with carrion crawlers.
==Government==
As of the mid–14 century DR, Phlan was governed by a ruling body known as the Council of Ten, composed of judges that presided over the city's courts. An individual referred to as "Number One" served as the head of the council while also holding the officer of town mayor. The council had a high turnover rate, as no-confidence elections were held regularly for even the smallest of mishaps.
The oligarchy of Phlan ended in the , when Zhentarim Hatemaster Cvaal Daoran broke up the council and declared himself as Lord Protector of Phlan. Sovereignty of Phlan remained in the Daoran family lineage for decades, as Lord Cvaal was succeeded by his son Talaric and later his grandson Anivar. By the 15 century DR, the city-state had acquired the the vassalage of several communities north of the Dragonspines, namely Ilinvur, Verdigris, and Whitehorn.
===Law & Order===
A thieves' guild called the Welcomers operated openly within the city throughout its history, the members of which cut off their left ear as a sign of loyalty. As most residents of the town were aware of the guild, the guild earned its name by preying on visitors to the city.
==Trade==
Phlan was known as a stopping point for caravans conducting overland trade across the trade routes and trails of the Moonsea North. Trade ebbed and flowed throughout the city's tumultuous history. During times of reconstruction, the city only imported goods and could not reliably export anything to nearby trade partners. 
As of the late 15 century Phlan enjoyed a century of steady rule and no disastrous events, allowing trade and commerce to flourish. The city received caravan shipments of valuable ore and gems from its mining communities to the north, protected by the barbarous warriors of the Ride.
===Travel Distances From Phlan===
* To Zhentil Keep - along the the Iron Route
* To Castle Vathar - along Toranth's March
* To Melvaunt - along the Phlan Path
==Defense==
Phlan boasted great city walls that were considered by many to be its greatest defense against invaders, especially during the years when little military force could be mustered.
For many years leading up to the mid–14 century DR, Phlan's city guard comprised a militia force just over a hundred strong, though a local clan of dwarves led by Deryk Stoneshaper pledged 100 of his men as help to the city for some time.
During the Zhent occupation of the 1380s, the Knights of the Black Fist took over as Phlan's military force. Formerly a religious order of the church of Bane that venerated Iyachtu Xvim, the knights maintained peace through fear for years, but eventually garnered a reputation for corruption. The Black Watch militia was the branch of the Black Fists that served as Phlan's city guard.
Despite having served as the fighting force of Phlan for a century's time, the Black Fist was faced with competing military interests that arose circa1480 DR. The Red Plumes of Hillsfar maintained a barracks in the city, and the Vilhon Mercenary Corps were reportedly formed specifically to to undermine the strength of the Black Fist.
==Society==
Like many settlements of the Moonsea North, the people of Phlan possessed an streak of individualism and sort of chaotic freedom that allowed them to survive the harsh life associated with their homeland in the Realms.
A large settlement that had many residents from different parts where the bulk are humans and dwarves, with a sizable population of halflings.
===Culture===
The city of Phlan was the origin of the game of Old Men's Bones, which was played all over Faerûn.
===Religion===
During the mid-14, a Banite cult that venerated Iyachtu Xvim as an aspect of the Dark Lord established theirs as the official religion of Phlan. The worship of Bane returned to the city following the takeover by the Zhentarim, albeit a more moderate view of his dogma extolling discipline and deference to one's lords. Bane faith continued to be practiced, albeit discreetly, over the course of the next century.
The Most Solemn Order of the Silent Shroud was a group of worshipers of Kelemvor whom Cvaal Daoran gave the responsibility of the care of Valhingen Graveyard. They continued as its caretakers over the course of the next century.
As of the late 15 century, devotees of Shar were explicitly prohibited from worshiping within the city's borders, and they were actively persecuted.
==History==
===Founding===
Phlan was founded in the , as a trading outpost between the elves of Myth Drannor and the dwarves of the Dragonspine Mountains.
Phlan was leveled for the first time in the , during the First Turnabout, a massive attack by the Dark Alliance of humanoids who swept down onto the Moonsea region to attack Northkeep. 
===Reconstruction & Repeated Destruction===
After three centuries of laying in ruin, Milsor the Valjevo had the city rebuilt in the , and commissioned the construction of the magnificent Valjevo Castle, that was completed eighteen years later. After the abandonment of Hillsafar following the fall of Myth Drannor in the , refugees poured into Phlan and it grew to be the largest settlement on the north shore of the Moonsea.
In the , the Zhentilar made the first of many attempts to conquer their eastern neighbor, claiming that citizens of Phlan had raided their territory (though this claim was likely erroneous) but didn't count on Phlan's ally Melvaunt disrupting their siege. A four-year war resulted in Phlan becoming a reluctant signatory to the Treaty of the Ride in 906 DR, which saw Zhentarim influence over the city increase dramatically.
Along with the other powers of the Moonsea, Phlan sent a contingent of soldiers to rebuild and occupy the Citadel of the Raven fortress within the western Dragonspine Mountains in the . 
The , saw the second destruction of Phlan, as ogres completely overran the city that was unprepared for such an assault. Phlan was rapidly rebuilt by the stubborn survivors, just in time for the city to enter into the Moonsea War with their neighboring city-states three years later. While the cities of Hulburg and Sulasspryn were conquered by Mulmaster, Phlan joined into an alliance with Hillsfar, Melvaunt, Sembia, and even their former foes in Zhentil Keep to put down the Mulmastan forces. 
Just as the war ended in the , Phlan was invaded by a great host of dragons and their armies from the lands of Thar known as the Dragon Run. As the Moonsea's other powers were recovering from the brief war that just flared up and ceased, Phlan received no help from neighboring city-states. For the third time in its history, and the second time in three years, Phlan was left to ruin – though this time, all of its citizens were slaughtered en masse.
===Threat of Tyranthraxus===
While it is not known how much of a hand the spirit of the yugoloth-like extraplanar entity Tyranthraxus had in the Dragon Run, around the same time, it managed to trick the ancient bronze dragon Srossar into bathing in the pool of radiance, a portal to an unknown dark plane underneath the Valjevo Castle. When the dragon entered the pool, Tyranthraxus took possession of the dragon and commenced immediately to build an army of monsters for the subjugation of Faerûn.
By the year , Tyranthraxus had near complete control of Phlan with the exception of the area of the city near the docks known as "Civilized Phlan". Using those few city blocks as their base of operations, a new City Council formed by children of the original merchants of Phlan and new speculators formed, and attempted to reclaim the city. Adventurers flocked to Phlan to help clear these monsters out in return for the generous bounty offered by the new Council.
Using the services of a trio of adventurers to clear out the occupied areas of the city, Councilman Porphyrys Cadorna quickly rose to the position of First Councilman. By this time, the adventurers had succeeded in retaking most of the city, though Tyranthraxus still remained under Valjevo Castle in control of the pool of radiance. After learning of the existence of the Pool, Cardona became obsessed with it, wishing to use its it power to expand his own. When the possessed dragon was finally defeated by the adventurers, Cadorna attempted to seize control of the pool, only to be possessed himself by Tyranthraxus and forced to its waters, teleporting him the fallen councilman to the plane Tyranthraxus called home.
===Seizure by Bane===
The saw a scheme by the god Bane to teleport Phlan and several other Moonsea cities from their locations to serve as soul farms to the Lord of Darkness in Banehold. The Thayan Red Wizard Marcus and the pit fiend Tanetal were charged with taking Phlan, but defied Bane's initial command of teleporting the city to Bane's realm. Instead, the two moved Phlan into a cavern underneath the Red Wizard's tower southeast of Zhentil Keep. They planned to feed souls of the residents of Phlan to the pool of darkness to increase their own powers before handing it over to Bane.
Marshaling the defenses of the city was the wizard Shal Bal and the cleric of Tyr Tarl Desanea, two of the three Heroes of Phlan that freed the city from Tyranthraxus a decade earlier. With the two heroes leading the defense, Marcus and Tanetal were unable to take control of the city, despite numerous full assaults and the fact that the city was trapped directly under Marcus' tower.
Meanwhile, the third member of the legendary group, Ren o' the Blade, went in search of the city after its disappearance. Aided by two druids under directions from Silvanus, an undead paladin of Tyr named Miltiades, and a wizard named Evaine, Ren managed to find the tower and joining with Tarl and Shal, was able to defeat the Red Wizard and send the pit fiend back to the Nine Hells. The defeat of Marcus and Tanetal broke the spell holding the city under the tower and the city was returned to its former location on the Moonsea.
After being annihilated three times in its history, and transported to another location in the Realms, Phlan was almost entirely destroyed yet again during the Rage of Dragons that devastated the Eastern Heartlands in the . 
While the city lay in ruin for at least a year, reconstruction began slowly and continued for the better part of a decade, before speeding up from the expertise of gnomes and dwarves. At the same time however, the nearby powers of Zhentil Keep and Hillsfar vied for influence and control of its citizens, who were merely trying to reclaim their former lives. Circa the , Phlan was considered to be an exciting place that was well in the highs of its great reconstruction. The city proudly held onto an atmosphere of hope and drive for renewed wealth and success. Many people believed this collective feeling could be attributed to the rapidly-growing number of Tyrran faithful in the city.
In , the dreaded pool of radiance reemerged underneath Valjevo Castle. A thief named Kestrel witnessed its corrupted magical waters consuming three criminals and reluctantly decided to inform Elminster Aumar of the returned danger. As the pool's power grew, it started seeping life out of residents of Phlan and started to spawn undead. Elminster assembled a team of adventurers, helmed by Athan and entrusted him with the Gauntlets of Moander to venture into the ruins of Myth Drannor from whence the corruption of reemerged pool of radiance originated. As Athan's band fell in combat, the pools spread across other cities of the Moonsea, and the new makeshift heroes emerged. Kestrel, Corran D'Arcey, Durwyn, and Ghleanna Stormlake became known as the Veiled Ones and eventually succeeded in destroying the pool of radiance corrupted by the Cult of the Dragon.
===Zhent Occupation===
By Tarsakh 3 of , Phlan had been fully conquered by the forces of Zhentil Keep. After five years, the city government was dissolved to be replaced by the tyranny of Cvaal Daoran when he dissolved the Council of Ten and name himself the Lord Protector of Phlan. He immediately began burning books or destroying anything in the city that painted the Zhentarim less than favorably.
During the Shadowbane War of 1383 DR however, Cvaal forged an alliance with the dark fey of the Quivering Forest, and managed to slay a Shadovar prince, thereby ensuring that his city did not meet the same fate as Zhentil Keep. The hearts of his subjects softened thanks to his valiant defense of the city and they accepted his rule with little complaint, allowing his dynasty to claim rights as monarchs. In turn, the rule of Cvaal's government and that of the local church of Bane also softened.
The next several decades saw the Netherese and the elves of Myth Drannor quietly trying to exert their influence over the city, but neither of them could claim any real successes.
===Prosperity & Decline===
In the , Cvaal's son Talaric Daoran decided to send loggers into the Quivering Forest, voiding his father's agreement with the fey; Talaric mysteriously disappeared that night, never to be seen again, and was succeeded by his son Anivar.
A few decades later, in the , raids by local barbarian tribes on the small settlements on the borders of the Ride sent waves of refugees to Phlan. Lord Anivar Daoran refused to offer shelter to any more of its displaced citizens and forced the city into a lockdown. While the Lord Protector worked with a band of adventurers to uncover the cause of the barbarian raids, they were sealed out of the city and forced to use their wits to save Phlan on their own accord. Fortunately for the Lord Protector and the city's people, the heroes were successful and Phlan was spare destruction for a fifth time.
Some time during or before the , Anivar Daoran died in an apparent accident while overseeing renovations on Valjevo Castle; as Anivar had sired no heirs, Ector Brahms, Knight Commander of the Banite Knights of the Black Fist, was declared Lord Regent. As Ector's grasp on power was weak, he quickly established martial law to enforce his will—a deeply unpopular move. Riots broke out throughout Phlan, involving the looting and destruction of the Lyceum of the Black Lord, and traders began to avoid business in the city.
With so little trade, the formerly prosperous city began to decline. The city's guilds decided to concentrate on profiteering instead of cooperating with each other to stabilize the city. Construction efforts were left stagnating, people lost their jobs, and market prices rose dramatically. While the Knights of the Black Fist struggled to maintain a semblance of order, rival factions began forwarding their own interests. As the Welcomers became politically active, criminal deeds and acts of violence became commonplace, legitimate trade became illegal in nature, and the black market became the only reliable way to turn a profit in the city.> 
As Phlan rapidly devolved into a crime-infested cesspool, other nefarious groups like the reborn Cult of the Dragon began operating throughout the city. While some cultists sought a giant scale that was said to have been from the hide of Tiamat herself, others wanted the power of the pool of radiance beneath Castle Valjevo for their own nefarious plot. While Lord Regent Ector Brahms sought one final act to restore order in Phlan, the cult's green dragon patron Vorgansharax set his eyes on the city for himself, and laid claim as its tyrant with the aid of loyalist Black Fist soldiers. Unbeknownst to many, the dragon harbored the spirit of Tyranthraxus, the entity that plagued the city of Phlan a century earlier. 
After months of occupation, Knight Commander Jhessail Greycastle marshalled an alliance of forces from across the Moonsea North to take back the streets of Phlan and take back Valjevo Castle from the malevolent Tyranthraxus and its green dragon host.
==Rumors & Legends==
For many years, local legends stated that a great treasure remain unclaimed within the depths of Sokol Keep. As of the late 15 century DR, these rumors waned somewhat, though some people still believed.
==Local expressions==
===Idioms===
; Swinging from Stojanow: Was said of someone executed by hanging. It referenced the local watch's practice of hanging criminals from Stojanow Gate.
==Notable Locations==
===Old City===
The Old City of Phlan included the neighborhoods that were built within its massive city walls. It encompassed the areas previously known as Old Phlan and Civilized Phlan, among them the Nobles' Quarter, as well as the Dock and Residential districts.
;Inns & Taverns:
* Bitter Blade, a dockside inn that mostly caters to sailors of the Moonsea.
* Laughing Goblin Inn, an exquisite and famous inn that garnered sterling reputation over many decades of success.
* Nat Wyler's Bell, a dive bar in the poorer part of the old city.
* Pool of Radiance, a tavern named after the castle's famous pool of radiance.
* Sunrise Inn, a quiet and comfortable waterfront inn opened in the late 14 century DR.
* Troll Toss Tavern, a rowdy drinking establishment that employed ettins in the late 14 century DR.
;Landmarks:
* Castle Atuke, a military fortress that boasted an aerie for its hippogriff aerial cavalry.
* Council Hall, the seat of power and meeting place of the Council of Ten.
* Valjevo Castle, the majestic castle of Phlan and home of the city's ruler.
* Scholar's Square, the central place of learning in the city; this area contained trade schools, wizard academies, sage houses, and most notably, the Mantor's Library, overseen by the Lord Sage of Phlan
* Stojanow Gate, the magnificent structure that protected the courtyard entrance to Valjevo Castle was rumored to be constructed by fire giants.
;Shops:
* Cockburn's Grocery, a local grocer's shop.
* Ernst's Livery, the city's stable that specialized in the care for exotic aerial steeds.
* Matteo's, a smithy run by the burly half-elf Matteo.
* Ohlo's Mystic Devices, a proprietor of magical miscellany in the the mid-to-late 14 century DR.
* Old Guild Armory, an arms and armor stop operating in the the mid-to-late 14 century DR.
* Slum Market, the labyrinthine marketplace that was plagued by local pickpockets.
* Smithy's Choice, a smithy and armor shop in the mid-to-late 14 century DR.
Circa 1340 DR, they Old City held three temples Tyr, Sune, and Tempus, with Tyr's being the biggest in he city and led by Bishop Braccio. The old temple of Ilmater was turned into the Temple of Bane following the Battle of Phlan, and eventually reclaimed with the aid of the Heroes of Phlan.
===East Phlan===
East Phlan was the region of the city that held the growing communities that built their homes beyond its easternmost walls.
;Inns & Festhalls:
* Velvet Doublet, a festhall that caters to the wealthy. Known to satisfy those with exotic tastes.
;Shops & Businesses:
* Alero's Smithy, the shop of the local weapon smith Alero.
* Grounds of House Jannarsk, the estate and mercantile compound of one of Phlan's noble families.
* Vang's Armory, an armor smithy operated by Brice Vang.
===Other Locales===
* Madame Freona's Tea Kettle, a popular eatery among adventures that came to town.
==Inhabitants==
Phlan was the home to several influential noble families, including House Sokol, House Jannarsk, House Cadorna, House Bivaunt, and reigning House Daoran.
===Notable Inhabitants===
* Martelle, a bronze dragon that took up residence in the ruins of Phlan for a time during the mid–14 century.
==Appendix==
===Map===
===Notes===
===Appearances===
:;Adventures
::Ruins of Adventure
:;Novels
::Pool of Radiance • Pools of Darkness • Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor
:;Video Games
::Pool of Radiance • Curse of the Azure Bonds • Pools of Darkness • Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor
::
::Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition • Neverwinter Nights: Tyrants of the Moonsea
:;Card Games
::Spellfire: Master the Magic
:;Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
:: Adventurers League: Tyranny of Dragons: (Defiance in Phlan, Secrets of Sokol Keep, Shadows over the Moonsea, Dues for the Dead, The Courting of Fire, The Scroll Thief, Tyranny in Phlan) • Reclamation of Phlan
::
::Adventurers League: Rage of Demons
===Further Reading===
* 
* 
===Gallery===
Phlan.jpg|Map of Phlan's surroundings circa 1372 DR.
Pools of darkness phlan.png|Phlan during the events of Pools of Darkness
===References===
FR:Phlan
Category:Large towns
Category:Large cities
Category:City-states
Category:Settlements
Category:Ruined settlements
Category:Exports gems
Category:Exports ore
Category:Zhentarim locations
Category:Cult of the Dragon locations
Category:Locations on the Iron Route
Category:Locations on the Phlan Path
Category:Locations on Toranth's Path
Category:Locations on the Stojanow River
Category:Locations on the Moonsea North
Category:Locations on the Moonsea
Category:Locations in the Eastern Heartlands
Category:Locations in North Faerûn
Category:Locations in Faerûn
Category:Locations on Toril
Category:Locations