no amount of money Mintarn could offer that would
sweeten the deal.
I like Mintarn. It has cozy inns, and they make a
brilliant green wine unique to their island. But, there
are safer harbors during the current storm. Maybe in
another decade or two I'll try Mintarn again.
In the case that you visit, here are a few other things
you should know of Min tarn.
Every five or six years, a new tyrant-yes, that's what
they call themselves-emerges on Mintarn, ruling the
island kingdom in the name of preserving its status
as a neutral ground and a free port. A few years ago,
Her Tyrancy was Bloeth Embuirhan, the supposed
great-granddaughter of a tyrant from a century ago.
She ruled the island through its most prosperous
days, but odds are that the folk of Mintarn (and maybe
herself as well, if she has her wits bout her) wants
someone else on the throne now.
Despite its open harbors and many fine establish-
ments, Mintarn remains a loosely settled island. There
are farms and homesteads, to be sure, but also wide,
open spaces between them, and enough land that
anyone could make a small living if so inclined.SKADAURAK
The Red Rage of Mintarn dwells in this mountain that
rises from the sea north of Min tarn. I've never heard of
any treasure hunters making it out alive, but those who
give tribute to Hoondarrh say they sail into a sea cave
and leave it on a sandy beach within. More caves are
said to lead out from that bay, one even going straight
up into the ceiling. Sometimes the tribute carriers can
hear Hoondarrh's breathing from one of the caves: great
inhalations, exhalations, and deep rumbles of slumber.
When they can't hear such noises, you might think folk
of Mintarn would be inclined to explore Skadaurak, but
as it was explained to me, the lack of the dragon snoring
might mean he is away hunting somewhere, but it could
just as easily mean he is present, watching, and holding
his breath.THE MOONSHAES
Cloaked in mists, the rocky cliffs of the Moonshae Isles
rise high above the surf of the Sea of Swords, their tops
clothed in ancient forests. The Moonshaes lie due west
from Mintarn-and Baldur's Gate, and Candlekeep, and
even Arnn, for that matter: this great stretch of islands
is nearly half as long as the Sword Coast, enclosing the
Sea of Moonshae.
On the southern isles live the Ffolk, humans ruled by
their High King, Derid Kendrick, from the fortress of
Caer Callidyr on Alaron. The Ffolk worship a goddess
they call the Earthmother; her druids gather in sacred
groves on the islands. Some of these groves hold moon-
wells, magical pools that the druids say the goddess
uses as her windows onto the world.
The northern isles are the territory of the Northland-
ers, who spread south from Ruathym to settle here,CHAPTER 2 I THE SWORD COAST AND THE NORTH