Blingdenstone was a svirfneblin city-state founded in -690 DR by svirfnebli fleeing the phaerimm.[6] In 1371 DR, the city was destroyed and abandoned. However, beginning around 1440 DR the svirfneblin began to resettle the town with support from Mithral Hall and Silverymoon.[5]
Geography
The city was located some 45 miles west of the drow city Menzoberranzan in the Upperdark under the Silver Marches near Mithral Hall.[1]
History
In 1338 DR, Drizzt Do'Urden spent many weeks there (in the company of Most Honored Burrow Warden Belwar Dissengulp) after surviving for ten years in the Underdark by himself. It was ruled by King Schnicktick at the time.[4]
Preceding their attack on Mithral Hall in 1358 DR[7], Menzoberranyr troops entered Blingdenstone to find it abandoned. The deep gnomes had fled the approach of the advancing drow but returned to their city some time after the drow army had passed through.[8] Later in the year, Most Honored Burrow Warden Belwar Dissengulp led a small force of svirfnibli in a scouting/rear attack move that aided in the defense of Keeper's Dale during the Battle of Keeper's Dale.[citation needed]
In 1371 DR, the drow destroyed Blingdenstone in retaliation, summoning dozens of bebilith demons that slaughtered around 9,000 gnomes. The survivors fled to settle in the Silver Marches, though most wished to reclaim their home.[6] King Bruenor Battlehammer of Mithral Hall extended his hospitality to any surviving gnomes; the 350 or so that resided in the underground town were led by Belwar Dissengulp.[9]
Two years later, Blingdenstone was occupied by two groups living in relative harmony: Drow scavengers, most of whom belonged to House Duskryn, and a band of 25 svirfneblin wererats. The drow excavated the cavern floor using dominated xorns to unearth spellgems placed there by the former occupants to prevent attacks from burrowing enemies.[citation needed] The wererats occupied the maze and entrance area of the city but could not venture further because of the collapsed and flooded tunnels that the fleeing gnome survivors made during their flight. They ambushed and killed small treasure-seeking parties that entered their realm but otherwise lived peacefully and comfortably in their domain.[10]
Description
At the entrance to the city was a set of stairs and a large iron gate[4]. Just past the gate, inside the city, was a large and winding maze aimed to slow down any would-be invaders. The city itself consisted of many cavern chambers connected by winding tunnels. The city's appearance was organic, carved smoothly into the stone. Many buildings appeared as simple piles of rocks but were in fact masterfully carved to appear so.[1]
Ogremoch's Bane
The city is quite peaceful, but it is also home to Ogremoch's Bane, a mist of magical particles. Any summoned earth elemental that comes into contact with Ogremoch's Bane is driven into a rage and frenzy, causing great damage to anything and anyone around it.[1][10]
Notable locations
Like all cities, Blingdenstone had a marketplace, taverns, and religious buildings.
- The Trader's Grotto: The central marketplace with temporary and permanent stalls.[1]
- The Foaming Mug: A tavern named after the heraldry of Clan Battlehammer of Mithral Hall catering to foreign (primarily human and dwarf) travelers.[1]
- The House Center: Seat of power and location of the king's court.[1]
- The Speaking Stones: A sacred place of ancient menhirs around which the original city was built. Some refer to it as an earthnode.[1]
- The Ruby in the Rough: Temple to Segojan Earthcaller overseen by head priest Golden Gorger Suntunavick. The city's honored dead were mummified in the catacombs beneath the temple. The head priest cared for a number of cave badgers beloved by the city's residents.[1]
Notable inhabitants
- Most Honored Burrow Warden Belwar Dissengulp
- Councilor Firble
- King Schnicktick
- Golden Gorger Suntunavick
- Seldig
- Pumkato
Appendix
Appearances
- Novels
- Homeland (mentioned)
- Exile
- Starless Night
- Siege of Darkness
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Philip Athans (2008). A Reader's Guide to R. A. Salvatore's the Legend of Drizzt. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 124. ISBN 0-7869-4915-5.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick (October 2003). Underdark. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 124. ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick (October 2003). Underdark. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 129. ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 R.A. Salvatore (March 2006). Exile. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-3983-4.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 232. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 211. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 142. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ R.A. Salvatore (August 1995). Siege of Darkness. (TSR, Inc), p. 194. ISBN 1-7869-0164-0.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl (July 2002). Silver Marches. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 79. ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick (October 2003). Underdark. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 129–130. ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.