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 Introduction: The Ardeep Forest, close by to Waterdeep, is one of the last remnants of an ancient
forest that once spanned much of the Sword Coast. It was home to the moon elves of the kingdom of
Ardeep until they departed for Evermeet in 1344 DR, and since then the forest has become an
increasingly inhospitable place.

This guide is an accompaniment to Terrlen’s map of the forest, and is not designed to be
comprehensive, but rather to to pique interest in the area, with the hope that readers will seek out
the other sources quoted within to learn more.

Ex-lycanthrope and guide of the Nentir Vale, accidental planar

traveller to the Forgotten Realms, amazing swordsman as well as
lover (no, really!), bold and intrepid traveller, holder of the most
enviable calf muscles, and currently employed cartographer

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only . TERRLEN’S GUIDE TO ARDEEP FOREST 1
“The nearest stand of deep green danger and mystery
where elves and fey things lurk, and damp dirt is less
spoiled than under the cobbles here.”
The Forest
The first couple of miles into the forest are filled with
—Donniglar Rhuel, Waterdhavian Poet, ~1340 DR
relaxing, sun-dappled paths. However, further in the
terrain is much thicker and harder to navigate. Ridges,
The Ardeep Forest was once relatively free of danger, gullies, and thick vines and shrubbery abound. Walking
and home to moon elves of the Kingdom of Ardeep. It speed in the forest’s interior should be slowed to at
was said that wild boar was amongst the most least half pace.
dangerous of creatures one would see under the
blueleaf, duskwood, and weirwood trees within. That, Trees and Plants
unfortunately, is no longer true.
The trees of the forest predominantly consist of
blueleaf and duskwood trees, though cedar and elm
A Brief History of Ardeep can also be found in various glades throughout the
The history of the Ardeep forest goes back a very long forest. Weirwood too, can be occasionally seen, though
way, and is beyond the scope of this short text. It has it is exceedingly rare.
been part of multiple great elven realms, including vast
 Blueleaf, although common in the North, is
Illefarn. The realm of Ardeep, a splinter of Illefarn, valued for its durability and flexibility, as well
came to be around -1,100 DR, and flourished for well as the vivid blue dye that its many-pointed
over a millennia, in a time when the forest was far
leaves produce.
bigger than that which remains today. Ardeep was
 Duskwoods are half again taller than blueleaf
ruled by laranlors and laranlas – elven terms for the
trees, are even more durable, and are as hard
kings and queens of minor kingdoms respectively.
as iron. They also happen to resist flame
rather well, and thus are favoured in building.
In 342 DR, after fighting against a terrible orc horde
 Cedar and elm trees are much like they are on
alongside the dwarves of Dardath (now the Forlorn
other worlds.
Hills to the east), the elves of Ardeep joined other races
 Weirwood trees are rare, and are thought
in the Council of Illefarn – a formal alliance that, it was
linked to the fey, who are often found
hoped, would usher in a new era of prosperity.
protecting them. They do not burn in non-
However, that orc horde had not been the first, and it
magical fires, and create incredible sounds
would not be the last. In 523 DR, the orc attacks
when used in instruments.
pushed the various nations to unite formally into the
Realm of Three Crowns, Phalorm. When Phalorm’s
The interior of the forest is also covered in dimly
armies finally collapsed under orc pressure at what is
glowing mushrooms that illuminate many areas, even
now known as the Mere of Dead Men in 615 DR, the
in total darkness.
elves of Ardeep abandoned their kingdom for the isle
of Evermeet, far across the Trackless Sea.
The Underdark
It was not until moon elves from the recently fallen
Eaerlann arrived in 882 DR that the realm of Ardeep During the time of Phalorm, allied dwarves of Dardath
was re-established. This realm endured for centuries, carved out many tunnels beneath the forest. Some of
until it too came to an end in the elven Retreat of 1344 these linked up with Underdark tunnels, which ended
DR, whereupon elves from across Faerun abandoned up being a route in for some of the foul denizens that
the continent for the isle of Evermeet, far across the make the forest their home today.
Trackless Sea. Now, in 1491 DR, the forest has been
abandoned for 147 years.

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Inhabitants
Since the elves departed, rangers have taken it upon
themselves to patrol the outskirts of the forest,
keeping the sun-dappled paths of the first mile or two
inside relatively safe. However, the interior of the
forest has become increasingly unsafe. Goblins,
kobolds, stirges, and crueler things have made the
forest their home.
In the years after the Retreat, a small band of moon
elven adventurers who had remained behind ensured
the monster populations were kept low, though they
were well past their prime. Down the years they found
unexpected and unappreciated allies in this in the
arrival of two separate cells of the Eldreth Veluuthra -
elven supremacists who had come to ensure the
protection of the elven relics within the forest.
However, that was over a century ago. The last of the
moon elven adventurers was last heard from some
time ago, and the Eldreth Veluuthra have been silent
since a disastrous skirmish with loggers in the western
forest, where much blood was shed on both sides. No
one has seen or heard from them in years, and many
believe the survivors have moved on, and the monster
populations have only grown since.
Current Inhabitants
It is only recently that elves have been seen active in
the forest once more. A small band from Evermeet
have returned to ensure the protection of the old relics
of the Kingdom of Ardeep, and they have proved very
resistant to human encroachments into the forest.
These elves have shown no outward signs of belonging
to the Eldreth Veluuthra, but neither have they shown
much willingness to engage with the outside world.
They have been aggressive in dealing with the goblin
and kobold tribes within, and the forest has disgorged
more than a couple of these since their arrival.
Monstrous Denizens
Goblins, kobolds, assassin vines, nyths, tendriculouses,
and worse now call Ardeep forest home. Less sinister
threats that still hold danger include owlbears, wolves,
stirges, and wild boar. The ruins of Ardeep may also be
guarded by the powerful good elven undead known as
baelnorn, as well as green warders – plant-like beings
that assume the shape of elves. The forest was also
where the green dragon Chuth was born, in 942 DR,
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though the venomous creature did not dwell here long,
preferring to roam the forests to the south.
Locations
Ardeep Forest has been the centre of multiple moon
elven kingdoms, and is thus littered with abandoned
ruins and tombs. Although the elves took most objects
of value with them when they departed for Evermeet,
there are still a few sites that hold interest for
adventurers.
Ardeep & South Ardeep Rivers
These rivers, beginning from springs within the forest,
drain out to the southwest before merging into the
Selpir, which itself travels out to empty into the Sea of
Swords. As the rivers drain past ruins of Ardeep, they
occasionally flood old tombs, and thus occasionally
relics of the moon elven kingdom can be found in its
waters.
The Ardessway
This trail runs alongside the Dessarin River all the way
from Zundbridge up to Wormford.
Circle of the Deepening Moon
Here ancient, moss-covered standing stones are
positioned in a circle, not far from the forest (though
once it stood within it). The site is avoided by all, for
occasionally one who steps within the circle suddenly
disappears, and is never heard from again.
Sages know that the circle is actually a one-way portal
that serves as a gate to the Wyllowwood within
Undermountain, and is thus best avoided. Perhaps
luckily, the gate only functions in cloud cover.
Crypts of the Deepening Moon
These crypts hold the royal vaults of Ardeep, where the
laranlor and laranla of the realm were interred.
Although the vaults are rumoured to hold vast wealth,
the site is guarded by a trio of moon elven baelnorn
and a legion of green warders. Although many have
gone seeking the crypts, none have ever returned.
TERRLEN’S GUIDE TO ARDEEP FOREST 3
Dancing Dell
This small glade is home to a finger of rock known as
the Ladystone, and is a site holy to the drow goddess
Eilistraee. It is periodically visited by those that worship
the goddess, who honour her by dancing within the
glade.
Dessarin River
The closest crossings of this cold, deep river are to the
southwest at Zundbridge, and to the north at Ironford,
which is not far from Wormford and the Ardessway. It
is navigable between the two, as well as further north.
It’s famous for the silver shalass – a favoured delicacy
of the North – and it is also home to catfish, coldwater
crabs, and the lout fish.
Floating Castles
More than one local tale has been told about floating
castles being seen above Ardeep Forest. Few, if any,
have ever been substantiated. The sage Volo once
speculated that they likely belonged to cloud giants or
powerful mages, but the truth continues to go
unknown.
Gates to Other Lands
Besides for the portals said to exist within the House of
Long Silences, there are also other gates to other
realms throughout the forest. One of these in the
eastern forest is gate to Stardock in Undermountain,
while another in the western forest is a portal to the
Herald’s Rest festhall in Berdusk. The presence of these
is far from widely known – and in fact their existence is
probably known to only a select few.
Glen of Aloevan
The tale of Aloevan, one of the laranlas of Ardeep, is a
long and sad one, and too intricate to fully tell here. Let
it be said that she was driven mad whilst using the
silver fire of Mystra, the goddess of magic. Her spirit
has been trapped within the silver fire, preventing her
from moving on to the afterlife.
Clerics of the elven goddess Sehanine created a gate
within this glen to the pocket plane Aloevan is trapped
in, and throughout the centuries clerics of the goddess
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have spent time with Aloevan, attempting to soothe
her broken soul by recreating her Court. Passage
between the realms can only take place on a solar
eclipse, and none but Sehanine’s servants have ever
returned.
The gate itself is within a cloudy pool in the centre of
the glen, which is guarded by an otherworldly dragon.
None who have seen it will speak on it, so I cannot say
what the nature of this strange creature may be.
Green Glade
This peaceful glade embeds within all that walk here a
sense of ease and calm, which is actually due to a
minor mythal created by ancient elven high magic from
the days of Illefarn. The mythal ensures the glade is
protected from evil, and it has been found that disease
and lycanthropy are cured more easily here. Another
interesting effect of the mythal is that non-magical
wood brought into the glade begins to sprout leaves
and roots! However, the site is very difficult to find,
and any trail leading here does not seem to last very
long.
Harpshield Castle
This castle was once part of the human realm of
Harpshield, though it fell to drow raiders in 942 DR.
The survivors fled to Waterdeep and became House
Majarra. They never returned to the site, and it was
claimed by the elves of Ardeep for a time, until it fell
into total disrepair following their departure for
Evermeet. It is now periodically made use of by Gurs
nomads and foul creatures from the forest and the
Underdark.
House of Long Silences
This ancient ruined manor of pale white stone is said to
house a network of portals that once connected elven
realms across Faerûn. The network was put to use
during the Elven Retreat, where elves from across the
continent travelled through gates to Ardeep, and from
there headed to Waterdeep to set sail for Evermeet.
This site is watched over carefully by Lord Elorfindar
Floshin and Lady Shalendra Floshin, siblings and heirs
of Floshin Manor, south of the forest on the way to
Daggerford. Although the distance between the sites is
TERRLEN’S GUIDE TO ARDEEP FOREST 4
vast, the Floshin siblings have some way to travel
between them quickly, likely through a gate of their
own.
It is said that the House of Long Silences was at the
centre of a plot a few years ago, where the Red
Wizards of Thay planned to invade the Sword Coast
using the portal network. The plan was, perhaps
obviously, foiled, and it is unknown to me whether or
not the portal network still functions as a result of
what happened in that conflict.
House of Stone
This massive stone fortress, also known as Stoneturn, is
one of the last vestiges of the realm of Phalorm. Local
legend tells that it is a trap for adventurers, luring them
in with tales of wealth and items of power, only to
have them die in the innumerous traps within.
It was guarded over by the elves of Ardeep until their
departure, but since its tests have been attempted by
many a bold adventurer. A select few have ever
returned, bringing with them tales of a wild variety of
traps, monsters, and strange magical effects – and little
wealth.
Lovers’ Glades
Three glades sit in the northwestern part of the forest,
and have traditionally been used as a romantic escape
by young lovers whose families do not approve of their
union. They’ve also long been used as meeting places,
though the site is often being watched by rangers,
Harpers, brigands, or far worse.
Nandar Lodge
This ruined site holds little more than a few stones and
an empty cellar pit, though it was once home to a
grand lodge belonging to House Nandar of Waterdeep.
Disagreements with the moon elves of Ardeep had
forced the Nandars to abandon the lodge, and they
never returned.
Nightstone
This small village sits on an island in the Ardeep river,
which is watched over by a small stone keep owned by
House Nandar of Waterdeep. The village is home to a
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few farms, a windmill, a wooden temple devoted to
Lathander (god of the dawn) and Mielikki (goddess of
forests), and a small inn.
Phylund Hunting Lodge
This lodge is the property of the noble House Phylund
of Waterdeep. Though it was long used as a base to
hunt the creatures of the forest, it was abandoned a
century ago when one of the Lords of the House, Lord
Urtos II, was revealed to be a werewolf.
Over the century since, House Phylund’s fortunes took
a turn for the worst, forcing them to abandon the
lodge in favour of focusing on endeavours into renting
out city accommodation out and moneylending, both
of which had little success. To add to their woes, the
abandoned lodge was taken over by gnolls a few years
ago, although adventurers eventually cleared them out.
House Phylund now believes its fortunes are once
again on the rise, with the title of Open Lord passing to
Laeral Silverhand. It remains to be seen if they will
recover enough to reclaim their family hunting lodge.
Reluraun’s Tomb
Reluraun was once a great elven hero, but his spirit
was twisted in his final battle and he now haunts his
tomb as a disembodied pair of floating eyes and
skeletal arms holding an enchanted icy sword. The
spirit is aggressive, and hunts down intruders that
approach his tomb. The site is also guarded by no less
than three baelnorn – more than enough of a
deterrent to any greedy adventurers.
Strangely enough, Reluraun’s tormented spirit holds a
different sword to the one said to be kept with his
body. The sword carried by the spirit is covered in ice
and its cut chills the very soul, whereas the sword of
Reluraun, called Wyrmsheart, never did any such thing.
One adventurer that managed to enter the vault (only
to be chased off by the spirit) claimed that Reluraun’s
coffin floated in midair in a domed undergound
chamber, with a lifelike effigy atop it clutching what
appeared to be his true blade.
TERRLEN’S GUIDE TO ARDEEP FOREST 5
Stump Bog
Although across the Dessarin River, the smell of this
bog occasionally wafts across the borders of the
northern forest when there is a strong southerly wind.
In 1395 DR, just as the Spellplague was ending, the bog
was the source of a terrible pestilence that devastated
the farms of the region, bringing a period of famine to
Waterdeep.

Talmost Keep
Once the centre of the small kingdom of Talmost, this
keep was abandoned to drow raiders in 942 DR. It is
now said to be haunted by those killed there, and any
attempts to move back in have always been thwarted
by hordes of fiendish spiders that seem to move in very
suddenly. Some believe drow still lurk beneath the
ruins.

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only . TERRLEN’S GUIDE TO ARDEEP FOREST 6
Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only . TERRLEN’S GUIDE TO ARDEEP FOREST 7
References
1st Edition
Dragon Magazine #125 – “Woodlands of the Realms” article
Dragon Magazine #128 – “Welcome to Waterdeep” article
FR5 – The Savage Frontier

2nd Edition
Dragon Magazine #270 – “The Ardeep” article
Dragon Magazine #273 – “The House of Stone” article
FR11 – Dwarves Deep
Demihuman Deities
The North – Guide to the Savage Frontier
The Seven Sisters
Undermountain: Maddgoth’s Castle
Undermountain: Stardock

3rd Edition
Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide
Champions of Ruin
Grand History of the Realms
Lost Empires of Faerûn
“Waterdeep Environs” online supplement to “City of Splendors: Waterdeep”

4th Edition
Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide

D&D Next
Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle
Scourge of the Sword Coast
Dead in Thay

5th Edition
Storm King’s Thunder

Other
Candlekeep Forum at forum.candlekeep.com
Markustay (reference for the Ardessway and Ardeep river naming)

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