The Final Battle For Shadowdale

The following account of the battle to liberate Shadowdale is to be treated as "factual history" from this date forward. It was written after taking all the information from DM and player accounts and intertwining them to make the differences make some sort of sense while making the story sound as epic as it should. If any feel some of the events went differently in game, that is because they probably did. Multiple groups in different areas with different DMs sometimes makes things in one area not match up with another. This account is in no way meant to slight anyone and is merely a way of making the server lore fit as closely as possible with the events of the battle. I hope you enjoy the read and that no one feels slighted. Everyone that participated did a phenomenal job and it was a great pleasure to watch the event play out.

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For years, the Zhentarim ruled Shadowdale with an iron fist. And for just as long a time, heroic people had been rebelling against that rule. After years of waiting, watching, and planning, the opportunity finally arose that could allow these heroes to finally wrest control from the hosts of Bane.

A plan was hatched in the darkest of holes where the rebellion lay in wait. A plan formulated by a few and modified by many others. The paladin, Vincent, also known as simply “Hero”, was given leadership over finalizing the battle plans as well as coordinating all the various assets so they would be the most use. Many planning sessions later, and the plan was finalized and set. What was needed was a turn of luck and a way to exploit a weakness in the defenses.

That opening came when it was learned that a wedding between the Zhentarim Commander and the Imperceptor of the Church of Bane was to take place at the recently finished Castle Krag. Through the intelligence gathering of groups such as the Harpers and other rebellion sympathizers, it was learned that a detachment of troops would be reassigned from Shadowdale to the castle for added security for the event. It was widely expected that the rebellion would attack the castle during the wedding in hopes of taking out the various high-ranking Zhentarim officers in attendance.

But that was not to be the case.

The elf, Arjay, learned and passed on the date and time of the wedding ceremony, and the plans were put into motion with haste. A toxin was developed using the knowledge of dragon anatomy supplied by a pair of Cormyran dragon hunters that was designed to target the beasts the dreaded Skymages rode into battle. Without their mounts, the mages were restricted to more mundane means of maneuvering about the battlefield and were easier to target. The ingredients were gathered as quickly as possible and the toxin brewed. As soon as the location of the mounts’ drinking water was scouted out, some of the more stealthy of the rebels proceeded to lace the water with the toxin. The timing was critical as too early would allow a remedy to be found and too late would leave the mounts still active and usable. Luckily, their timing was impeccable and the mounts were taken out of the battlefield equation.

The dwarves of the Ironhouse clan, led by Grendal, were tasked to dig a tunnel from the ant caves to the river bridge. It was filled with flammables and explosives and designed to be able to be collapsed on command, turning the tunnel into a flaming pitfall. They also dug another tunnel to reopen the old one that lead into town after the Zhentarim had sealed it off. This allowed an attack force to get into town after the fighting started.

The rest of the available troops were given their instructions and positions for the battle. The farmer militia that had been trained in the Lathander farms by Karovir and others were to go to the north gate along with the Chauntea warriors and priests to form a distraction team and the rest were sent to the main force that would hit the eastern gate as soon as the signal was given.

All the planning and meetings paid off when the attack started just after midnight. The farmers, with their armor and weapons hidden, approached the north gate with torches and farm tools as if they were a peasant uprising. A lone farmer went forward and threatened the Zhentarim with a spoon. This drew out a single soldier to investigate. The guard was cocky and belligerent and jokingly called to his comrades that they were under attack. The guards on duty, seeing this as a revolt and a way to show the power of the Zhentarim, sent out an attack force to crush the peasants and quell the uprising. When they reached the tunnels, the flammables were set ablaze, catching many of the Zhentarim soldiers in the inferno. The screams of the burning soldiers filled the night air with a chorus of death and pain. Their comrades on both sides who had managed to stay out of the firey trap paused for a split second at the horrific sights and sounds. The troops behind the wall of fire retreated to the relative safety of the wall and gate. Several fell to arrows from seemingly nowhere, but the majority made it back.

Those who had made it past the tunnel were shocked to find these mere peasants turn around and brandish their hidden weapons. They were even more surprised when their blades met not only the rags of farmers, but also slid off the chainmail they had mostly worn beneath their clothing. The sight of the armored leader of the force and the Chauntean priests and warriors further unnerved them. The battle was hard fought, but with spells from the priests and warriors, the farmers managed to cut down the soldiers and make their way over the fire breaks to reach the gate and resume the assault. The archers at the gate, along with the skymage throwing spells from atop Storm’s house, fell to the spells of the force’s leaders and the main troops were slain by the farmer force. Their victories making them more confident in the training they had received and making them fight harder than they had believed possible.

Those that had turned back towards the gate when faced with the flames and stench of burning flesh found themselves face to face with dwarves from the Ironhouse clan. They had managed to reopen the tunnel into town and, once the battle was started, burst forth in a virtual fountain of muscle and steel. They hit the forces that had remained at the gate from behind and met the retreating forces as they came back. When the dwarf force and the farmer force met, they simply obliterated any foes between them like a hammer hitting and anvil. As soon as victory was assured, the force turned and headed for the main force to join the battle for central Shadowdale.

Amidst all the chaos and hurried orders in the central part of town, the Dark Doom and Scyllua Darkhope emerged from the temple and made their way to the area near the bulletin board. Orders were given to have some check to the north and others to prepare for an attack from the east. The Zhentarim in the area seemed bolstered and in extremely high morale with the pair of leaders in their presence. All orders were carried out immediately and with military precision. Even the adventurers standing around the town were conscripted into the defense and given permission to bear arms in town.

As soon as the fires and explosions were heard from the north, the pair of Banites headed for the eastern gate. When they had passed the general area, the Zhentarim troops were surprised when many of the adventurers they had just ordered to take up arms turned on them almost in unison. It was as if an unspoken command had been given to strike at the Zhentarim soldiers from behind. The barracks entrance was firebombed to cut off any reinforcements from within and the lone skymage was quickly stabbed to death before he managed to get off a single spell. The culprits of this back stabbing maneuver then went about attacking the rest of the troops while the main force moved on the eastern gate.

With the epic battle in full chaos, the greatest of the warriors of light fought their way towards central Shadowdale. They slowly cut through the Zhentarim soldiers and mercenaries in a bloody scene of carnage. As they inched closer to the gates, one of the Cormyran War Wizards prepared a spell to decimate the enemy ranks. But, as he neared the end of his incantation, he found his voice lost to him. He looked around in stunned silence and caught a glimpse of two dark figures just before a giant black morning star smashed him and his steed to pulp.

The battle seemed to pause a bit as all eyes looked to the gates to see the Dark Doom quickly switching to her next prayer after unleashing the Hammer of Bane upon the mage. Her black armor glistening in the fire light from the battlefield, she unleashed another barrage of evil divine energies into the ranks as another figure emerged from the smoke.

Clad in the darkest of full plates and astride a flaming nightmare, Scyllua Darkhope, the left hand of Bane, joined the battle. Her blade cut swath after swath through the forward ranks of the assault force. In seconds, the black armor was covered in the blood of her enemies. The nightmarish steed cut down any who found themselves beneath its flaming hooves as it carried Lady Darkhope into the midst of the most dangerous appearing group of the attackers. She showed no hesitation and not sign of mercy as she tore through all who stood in her way. Cormyran Purple Dragon knights, Lathanderite paladins, and the various other regular troops all fell to her blade as if they were wheat before a scythe. The dark wards of the Dark Doom protected her against most attacks as she headed straight for the leaders of the assault. The Dark Doom was mere steps behind as her morning star smashed any that managed to escape Scyllua’s blade. The two were a seemingly unstoppable force.

The warriors of light braced themselves for the coming storm and met the pair head on in an epic clash of steel, magic, and blood.

The battle seemed to go more in favor of the pair of Banites as the Dark Doom would heal any damage done to Lady Darkhope as fast as it was done. Her own wards healed and kept her from serious harm for some time before they finally collapsed under the assault of the collected warriors of light. Once the Dark Doom fell, those focusing on her moved to add their might against Scyllua.

Facing the full force of the warriors of light and having lost her divine support, Scyllua fought on, fought hard, and never gave up. The battle was one of legend with this beacon of darkness and tyranny standing against the combined might of all the greatest forces of good in the Dales. In the end, it was inevitable that she would fall to such a focused force.

Many claim to have made the kill. Was her death from the many dwarvish axe cuts? Perhaps it was from the multitude of wounds from a holy sword. Or maybe it was the cuts from a simple farmer’s tool. Or perhaps, just perhaps, her death was the result of none of these. Perhaps she was finally defeated not by the blades of her enemies. But, rather, by the sheer force of goodness and will of the combined force. Perhaps it took the teamwork and shared purpose of those involved to fell the most hated member of the Zhentarim.

And perhaps we will never know.

I have no idea how I missed this topic in the past... So sorry for forum necromancy.

Since this post is supposed to be seen as "factual history", can it either be changed to contain no names at all, or to contain all the names of the important people? A good example would be the Harvestmistress Julia who fell the Zhentarim commander.

I believe that if this is to be considered a piece of "custom lore", it shouldn't be biased (and I am not saying there is intentional bias going on).

Once again, sorry for the forum necromancy, I have no idea how I managed to miss it when it was originally posted

Question answered in a PM.

// OOC: moving this over from another thread, because it's important to history as well /OOC \\

Quote :

The campfire in Shadowdale had burned down to embers, most of the adventuring types who sat around it at all hours of the day having found a place to sleep, or gone off on their own errands.  The rest of the yard lay in darkness lit only by the stars and the occasional flash of not so distant lightening, undisturbed by man or beast.
An old man contemplated the hole in the ground where the well had been for so many years, blasted into ruin during the battle to free Shadowdale from the hand of the Zhentarim.  The battle had been fierce, the victory the fruition of years of effort and bloodshed.  Now the town was at peace, the fields once more sprouting seedlings, the sound of laughter in the day along with the hammering and talk of those rebuilding what was burned or destroyed.  Those who directed the recovery had done fine work, and only one thing remained for him to do before he left them to their own destiny again.
Gathering his will, he focused the energies Mystra had gifted him with so many centuries ago.  The pleasure of exercising his art filled him, matched by the satisfaction of what the power would create.  Coruscating energies came into being above the hole, reflecting flashes from the water that lay in the bottom.
A militiaman, eyelids heavy from his long hours on his endless patrol, stopped by the temple of Chauntea, wide eyed now at the bright light in the courtyard.  His jaw dropped as he clenched his swordhilt, mind racing as he tried to decide whether this was an attack, some benign power at work, or the gods themselves exercising their whimsy.  He caught a glimpse of the old man regarding the powerful weave-working, his stare going from one to the other.
With a final twist of the old man's wrist, the murmered incantation nearing it's end, the energies drew together and faded out of existance.  Left behind was a stone pond, over which stood statues of every race and profession that took part in the rebellion and the retaking of the village of Shadowdale.  The old man smiled contentedly as he regarded it.
"For all you have done, the blood, sweat and tears you've shed, for people whom you owed absolutely nothing.  For this, they, and I, will never forget you."
The militiaman gaped, hearing the words and seeing the old man fade into the darkness, turned his astounded gaze back on the statue.  Moments later, his duty remembered, he ran off to find the next in his chain of command

Inscribed on the statue's plaque are the words:

Quote :

In recognition of the hard work and sacrifices made by the Liberators of Shadowdale,

Abram Adela Aklar Ironhouse Alaniel Aleiya Alfie Ardylan Arjay Lo'ran Aryiana Auryne

Ayriella Blue Cade Celorfin Celovar Charles Crudak Ironhouse Cub Dithar Ironhouse Demetrius Lina Dudo

Eilysia Falco Fohgar Ironhouse Geist von Mitternacht Grendle Ironhouse Ikiryo Tanaimutsu Ilmryll Irvin Trout Jarrin Taarn John Blackwell Julia Jade

Jiro Ka the Druid Karovir Kethari Krong Ironhouse Lanius Leo Lyon Lorena Lunica Mara Mia Mylanis

Nadin Piak Raman Sasha Hunter Sayiel Lo'ran Seadin Sherne Taeron Taloran Lanthalas Targlan Ironhouse

Tay'lin Thomas of Nightvale Tohrm Ursus Ahrahl Valtore Ironhouse Vincent Blake Aseph Zidanja Blake Aseph Zilvai

We will never forget you.

For those not yet named here, remember their actions to aid in the liberation of Shadowdale in your heart and place your hand upon the plaque.

// OOC: the final line on the plaque is meant to work as a method to add anyone whom we've forgotten, so if we have forgotten anyone, please let us know.  It should also be known, if one were to read the plaque in game, it would actually say the same thing, we just couldn't get it to arrange the names as neatly. /OOC \\

Who are all these people?

//OOC: They're all toons of the rebels, and other factions who worked to liberate Shadowdale in the last years, and battled the zhentarim for this purpose, some others are not mentioned cause their work occurred in shadows, but these above are all well know.

In another aspect since this is lore history I would like to ask to mention Myth Drannor part in the conflict, as a strong force of Myth Drannor marched to Cormanthor to atract and confront the drow and grant the rebel army a safe passage throught drow controlled territory, and a hundred zhentarim soldiers were slain while trying to flee from Shadowdale, by elven arrows from Myth Drannor troops. //

And Kasya alerted me that archwizard Lanius name isn't in the plaque. Already fixed, will be there in the next update

Yay lanis! Mine and ivaris sarafice to safe him wasnt in vain!

Eww Lanius, we killed him and attempted to wilt his grave, time to scratch his name out!

But yeah, he's pretty important name to be missing I'd say.

Thane Fohgar Ironhouse, Leo Lyon, and Ikiryo Tanaimutsu. Each one lead a group that fought against the zhents.

Dithar Ironhouse, Lanius, Fohgar Ironhouse, Ikiryo Tanaimutsu, and Leo Lyon have been added to the forum plaque. Will be added in game as soon as possible.

DM Asynja wrote:

Dithar Ironhouse, Lanius, Fohgar Ironhouse, Ikiryo Tanaimutsu, and Leo Lyon have been added to the forum plaque.  Will be added in game as soon as possible.

Give me the authorization and they will be added in the next update

Njcollins wrote:

Yay lanis! Mine and ivaris sarafice to safe him wasnt in vain!

Ivaris and Huron should be added as they were two old Rebels who recruited a number of us to the cause.

Well Leo Lyon fought for self defense and to protect nature and the circle, he wasn't fighting zhentarim actively for the sake of civlization in Shadowdale Town. Maya was the one who killed over 40 zhents, Leo was nice one and killed only 1 banite I think. I am not familiar with other Lyon activities against zhentarim.

Cyrun wrote:

Of the 1000 people living in Shadowdale:
50 Merchants or Craftsmen (metalworkers, carpenters etc)
50 Mercenaries or Fortune-Hunters
500 Farmers working on farms
100 Builders
300 Beggars
(50 Old / young orphaned / crippled)
(250 unemployed unlearned)

Infrastructure:
Many buildings were destroyed by the retreating Zhentarim.
About 800 farmers were around when the Zhentarim were still around. Going by a rough average of 30 workers per farm we arrive somewhere at 27 - 30 farms.
10 of them were completely razed in the Zhents retreat, so that currently only 17 farms are operational (and occupied by actual farmers since the farms that were intact but in hands of unlearned Zhents were quickly taken over by farmers who had just lost theirs to the army on retreat)

Shadowdale currently has neither a school nor teachers for anything. Children are mostly illiterate and raised at home.

Security:
The Inner dale is relatively safe and well-guarded by the current militia and frequenting adventurers, The outer dales and traderoutes leading into the dale from and to the outlying farms are in bad condition though (with the exception of the one leading to Zhentil Keep).
With the retreat of the Zhentarim their monstrous hordes of orcs and halfbloods partially deserted and scattered into the hinterlands, where they now build dozends of small marrauding bands and waylay farmers and caravans.
This has led to some of the other dales stopping or reducing trade with Shadowdale because of repeated loss of life and good]

After the Far realm invaders:
1/3 of the Militia is now dead (about 200 armed and trained men left)
Of the 17 farms left six are on the far side of the bridge.
Of the 500 farmers (owners and workers) 10 are missing, 20 would have been found dead, and close to 200 are trying to leave town. Leaving 270 staying in town.
The dwarf builders are all leaving and many of the others as well which leaves about 50 workers.
There are 300 beggers about half that number are leaving for the Lathander farms.

So the population has dropped to 500 npcs in town. (including 30 background NPCs).
Plus the 200 soilders, and unknown number of priests in the church.

Lore wrote:

Shadowdale spanned an area from Shadow Gap to Voonlar and its main town, which was also called Shadowdale, lay on the River Ashaba. The dale was covered with patches of light woods, and had a high number of ruins, making it popular with adventurers. The town of Shadowdale was an unwalled community in 1367 DR and in 1374 DR. The forest of Cormanthor lies to the east. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

The Dale Shadowdale is ruled by a Lord. The Town Shadowdale would be run by a mayor or Elder if not the Lord themself.