Sword Mountains

The Sword Mountains have long stood as a formidable natural barrier west of the High Forest and east of the Sea of Swords, shaping the history of the North. For centuries, these jagged peaks served as the battleground between dwarveswho carved their strongholds into the stone, and orcs who descended from the mountains in endless waves to raid the lowlands.

In the days of old, dwarven citadels flourished here, mining mithril, iron, and precious gems. But countless orc invasions, troll incursions, and monstrous swarms shattered those kingdoms, leaving behind a landscape of ruins, forgotten tunnels, and haunted halls.

Legends speak of bitter wars between the dwarves of the Sword Mountains and the orc hordes of the north — wars so fierce that entire holds were abandoned and never reclaimed. To this day, orc warbands and their monstrous allies continue to descend from the heights to harass the settlements of the Sword Coast.

The lower slopes of the mountains are covered with pine forests, hardy shrubs, and alpine grasses, while higher altitudes give way to bare stone and snow.

The Sword Mountains are infamous for their dangerous inhabitants:

• Orc tribes that descend in raiding parties.
• Trolls lurking in caves and passes, regenerating unless burned.
• Ogres, hill giants, and ettins, who make their homes among the crags.
• Packs of wolves and dire wolves, sometimes led by worgs.
• Strange subterranean creatures that emerge from forgotten dwarven tunnels.

Legends also speak of stranger things in the deep caves: undead dwarves, lurking aberrations, and the remnants of forgotten magics.

The Sword Mountains are a steep, jagged range stretching along the coast north of Waterdeep and south of Neverwinter. They form a natural barrier that separates the fertile coastal plains from the wilderness of the Mere of Dead Men and the Dessarin Valley.

• Icespire Peak: A snow-capped mountain at the heart of the range, often visible from many miles away. It is a place of dangerous storms and treacherous cliffs, long avoided by travelers.
• Hidden Dwarven Ruins: Old fortresses and mines dot the slopes, many abandoned or overrun by monsters.
• Mountain Passes: Rare but critical routes through the mountains allow trade between the Sword Coast and inland settlements, though these are often plagued by raids.

The Sword Mountains have long stood as a formidable natural barrier west of the High Forest and east of the Sea of Swords, shaping the history of the North. For centuries, these jagged peaks served as the battleground between dwarveswho carved their strongholds into the stone, and orcs who descended from the mountains in endless waves to raid the lowlands.

In the days of old, dwarven citadels flourished here, mining mithril, iron, and precious gems. But countless orc invasions, troll incursions, and monstrous swarms shattered those kingdoms, leaving behind a landscape of ruins, forgotten tunnels, and haunted halls.

Legends speak of bitter wars between the dwarves of the Sword Mountains and the orc hordes of the north — wars so fierce that entire holds were abandoned and never reclaimed. To this day, orc warbands and their monstrous allies continue to descend from the heights to harass the settlements of the Sword Coast.