Nightstone

This motte-and-bailey settlement lies south of the Ardeep Forest, between Waterdeep and Daggerford. **Nightstone** is connected to the High Road via a side trail.

## History

### Founding

Nightstone inherited its name from a massive chunk of obsidian that stands in the middle of the village square. Featuring strange glyphs carved into it and radiating a faint magical under the scrutiny of detect magic spells its properties and purpose have never been divined. The villagers assumed it was a relic of some bygone age or kingdom and leave it alone.

### Recent history

Over the years, the villagers of Nightstone had bad relationships with the wood elves who inhabited the Ardeep Forest, owing to Lord Drezlin Nandar's hunting. This eventually culminated in an attack on the village, wherein Lord Drezlin and half of the villagers died. His widow, Velrosa Nandar, negotiated peace with the wood elves and has spent years maintaining that peace by the late 15th century DR.

In late 1487 DR Nightstone was assaulted by a cloud giant flying fortress, causing massive destruction and killing Lady Nandar and many other villagers, and forcing many of the population to flee into the hills where they were captured by a goblin tribe. Four cloud giants descended from their castle and stole the obsidian obelisk. Clerebold Quentin suggested that it may be an ancient monument to Memnor, the patron diety of cloud giants, which may be why they stole it.

Warriors of the goblin tribe inhabited Nightstone for a couple of days until they were slaughtered by a band of Zhentarim soldiers.

## Places of Interest

### Watchtowers

Nightstone has six watchtowers following the circular wooden walls of the settlement they are simply named; Western, North West, North East, East, South East, South West. The western is a dual tower which controls the main and only gateway via the western drawbridge.

### Square

This square is where travelling tradesmen and residents mingle to barter, share news or hear official edicts from Nandar Keep. It is where the obsidian megalith from which the town derives its name stands. Visible from the square is the one trading shop and the only tavern in Nightstone.

**Lion's Shield Coster** - Ran by Darthag Ulgar, a stoic Tethyrian human who does not like to haggle, nor the presence of travelling traders who fluctuate prices.

**Nightstone Inn** - A shield dwarf named Morak Ur’gray owns this establishment. An ornate wrought-iron sign bearing the inn’s name hangs above the entrance, facing the town square.

**Temple** - This wooden temple is dedicated to Lathander (god of the dawn) and Mielikki (goddess of forests). It has a slender steeple containing a large bronze bell, and stained glass windows depicting images of birth, the dawning sun, trees, and unicorns.

### Nandar's Keep

The nobles of House Nandar had a hunting lodge in the forest two centuries ago, but elves forced them to abandon it. Ten years ago, members of House Nandar — Lord Drezlin Nandar and Lady Velrosa Nandar — decided it was time to return. They built a new motte-and-bailey settlement south of the Ardeep Forest and began making forays into the woods with friends to hunt and explore. This brought them into conflict with the Elves that had made the Ardeep Forest their home. Since the battle which saw her husband slain, Lady Velrosa has kept peace with the elves under the promise that they will no longer incur into the woods.

This stone castle serves as the residence for the guards of Nightstone as well as the Lady incumbent. A wooden draw bridge connects the keep to the rest of the town. The keep is fairly well provisioned with space for some guests of renown.

## Notable People and Groups

### People

**Lady Velrosa Nandar** - The late leader of Nightstone and supporter of the Lords' Alliance.

**Lady Daphne Featherstone** - New leader of Nightstone following the death of Lady Nandar.

**Darthag Ulgar** - Human proprietor of the Lion's Shield Coster branch in the village.

**Morak Ur’gray** - Former shield dwarf and owner of the Nightstone Inn.

**Yarnelli Blushrun** - Half-elf captain of the town guard.

### Groups

**Emerald Enclave** - No known presence in this location.

**The Harpers** - No known presence in this location.

**Lords' Alliance** - A tenuous hold over the village due to Lady Nandar's stewardship but no occupying force.

**Zhentarim** - No known presence until their recent occupation following the cloud giant attack.