Nashkel

Nashkel was an Amnian town on the northern slopes of the Cloud Peaks. Although a part of Amn, Nashkel was separated from the rest of the realm by the mountains and was relatively autonomous.
==Geography==
The town lay on the lower northern slopes of the Cloud Peaks, and at an altitude of above sea level it was the highest town in Amn, with the next highest being Imnescar and those around Lake Weng. Its outlying farms were the northernmost extent of Amn's claimed territory. It was near the confluence of the Trade Way, Bitten Road, and Uldoon Trail. It suffered harsh winter storms every year, but the locals were hardy and took it in stride.
==Trade==
Nashkel was the main overland trade route between Amn and the Sword Coast, but was frequently isolated from the south by winter blizzards and storms in the mountain passes.
The town exported barley, beers, sheep and their wool, and the meat and pelts of hunted game (there was little demand for furs in Amn proper, but its merchants were happy to trade it onwards). It also provided expert guides for those traveling in the nearby mountains, as well as supplies and equipment for caravans as they passed through. At least once per winter season a caravan would refuse to hire guides or buy assistance before heading through the Cloud Peaks, only to require immediate rescue. On occasion a caravan might only be found again in the next spring.
Enterprising merchants sometimes organized tourist groups in Nashkel, and took them to visit Durlag's Tower far to the north.
==History==
Sometime before Mirtul, in the , the Cyricist cleric Mulahey and his kobold minions began to contaminate the iron mines outside of Nashkel. He did so under the direction of the bandit leader Tazok, and by extension, Rieltar Anchev of the Iron Throne. These events directly led to the Iron Crisis that plagued the Sword Coast in the same year. As tensions built up between Amn and Baldur's Gate, Nashkel became a staging point for Amnian soldiers as they prepared for battle against the Flaming Fist.
That same year a traveling carnival came to Nashkel and set up just east of town. It featured a number of merchant stalls, gambling tents end even performers such as the Great Gazib and the Amazing Oopah.
==Notable Locations==
;Shops
* Cloud Peak Outfitters: Equipment shop for mountain travelers run by Salla Pitontoes, a halfling cleric of Tymora.
* Nashkel Store, a general store.
* Plashdeep Stables, a horse trader.
;Temples
* Icedawn's House, a shrine to Auril.
* The Temple of Helm, overseen by the cleric Nalin.
* The Abbey of Highsong, a Sorlyn temple some distance northwest of town.
;Taverns and Inns
* The Belching Dragon: A fairly ordinary, drinks-only tavern.
* The Nashkel Inn, a simple inn.
* The Northern Light: An inn and tavern permanently lit by magical lights.
;Other
* Nashkel carnival, a carnival that set up in 1370 DR.
* Nashkel mines, the expansive iron mines nearby in the mountains.
* A refuge south of the town between the Eggs of the Dragon and the Staring Ranger.
==Notable Inhabitants==
* Mayor Berrun Ghastkill, of the Ghastkill family.
* Daer'Ragh, an anti-social mage.
* Loaber Plashdeep, a Harper agent.
* Noober, a very annoying man.
==Appendix==
===Appearances===
===Gallery===
Bitten Road.png|2nd-edition map from Forgotten Realms Interactive Atlas.
Nashkel 2e.jpg|2nd-edition map from The Forgotten Realms Atlas
Nashkel.jpg|3rd-edition map from Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition
Nashkel.png|An aerial view of Nashkel as seen in Baldur's Gate.
===External links===
* 
===References===
FR:Nashkel
Category:Exports sheep
Category:Exports wool
Category:Exports beer
Category:Exports pelts
Category:Exports barley
Category:Exports iron
Category:Exports iron ore
Category:Towns
Category:Small towns
Category:Settlements
Category:Locations on the Bitten Road
Category:Locations on the Uldoon Trail
Category:Locations on the Trade Way
Category:Locations on the Sword Coast
Category:Locations in the Western Heartlands
Category:Locations in Amn
Category:Locations in the Cloud Peaks
Category:Locations in the Lands of Intrigue
Category:Locations in West Faerûn
Category:Locations in Faerûn
Category:Locations on Toril
Category:Locations