Riverthrow and the Western Heartlands

The  history  of  the  Western  Heartlands  is  a  history  of  endless  battles  and  destroyed empires.  The  cities  and  towns  themselves  are  strong,  independent  and  varied  but  they  are also  strongly  motivated  by  trade  and  they  listen  harder  to  the  ringing  of  gold  than  the  call of  battle.  
Additionally,  something  else  prospers  in  the  open  land  -  freedom  and opportunity.  No  nation  lays  claim  on  the  Western  Heartlands  to  land  beyond  that  which their  armies  can  control,  and  no  warlord  can  make  demands  beyond  the  swing  of  his  axe. Small  holds  and  castles  regularly  spring  up,  only  to  be  knocked  down  by  invading  forces, or  abandoned  after  a  generation  or  two.  Lost  dungeons  and  secret  citadels  lie  scattered throughout  the  land,  and  this  rugged  frontier  presents  more  than  enough  opportunities  for adventurers.  
The  small  town  of  Riverthrow  itself  is  no  exception,  as  its  founders  had  to  clear  out  a bloody  swath  of  goblins,  orcs  and  worse  some  sixty-score  years  ago.  Behind  the  axe  of the  mighty  dwarf  Namli  Gharad  and  the  relentless  automatons  of  the  wizard  Renton Lightstaff,  Riverthrow’s  founders  carved  out  a  small  niche  for  themselves  amongst  the rugged  backdrop  of  the  Western  Heartlands.  The  town’s  proximity  to  both  the  River Chionthar  and  the  River  Reaching  made  it  an  ideal  location  for  trade  and  commerce  – they  very  likes  of  what  eventually  attracted  ex-bucaneer  Jarnor  Leer  to  establish  a  small tavern  near  the  banks  of  the  Chionthar.
 Years  later,  when  the  bard  Cain  Lethellon approached  Jarnor  with  the  concept  of  the  Heroes’  Stone,  it  was  fait  accompli.   In  the  current  year,  1374,  trade  and  business  in  Riverthrow  has  been  more  vibrant  than ever,  burgeoned  by  the  presence  of  the  Heroes’  Stone  Tavern  –  adventurers  of  all  stripes have  sought  out  the  Stone  in  the  hopes  of  making  a  name  for  themselves,  amassing personal  wealth  or  simply  looking  to  affect  a  change,  for  better  or  worse.  With  this  influx, Riverthrow  has  been  able  to  profit  off  of  the  coin  spent  on  goods,  supplies,  lodging  and medicinal  goods  –  its’  success  has  also  lured  some  of  Riverthrow’s  famed  “Squirrels” back  to  stay  or  at  least  to  visit  for  a  short  while.   Despite  all  of  the  recent  advancements  in  Riverthrow,  danger  is  still  a  daily  reality,  living in  the  Heartlands.  
Goblins,  aided  by  Hobgoblin  shamans,  are  once  again  re-claiming  their territories  with  murderous  force.  Orcs  are  showing  up  in  droves  by  Namli  Gharad’s abandoned  dwarven  home,  Dhag’  Gharad.  Flights  of  Red  Dragons  have  been  spotted  in the  far  distance.  Most  worrisome,  the  Cult  of  the  Dragon  has  once  again  reared  its  ugly head  and  their  subtle  influence  can  be  seen  throughout  the  Heartlands  –  shadowy whispers  speak  of  their  success  in  bringing  their  long-sought  plans  for  a  fortress  in  the Well  of  Dragons  to  fruition.  
The  success  of  the  Stone  is  no  mere  chance  event  –  the  opportunity  to  take  a  stand,  to make  a  name  for  one’s  self  or  deity  or  to  carve  a  place  in  Faerunian  lore  runs  prevalent  in the  blood  of  all  those  who  would  call  themselves  “Westies”.  Unfortunately,  the  Rivers Chionthar  and  Reaching  have  also  been  washed  too  many  times  with  the  same  blood  of those  thinking  themselves  ready  for  such  challenges  –  if  you  chance  the  Stone,  you chance  the  untamed  wilderness  of  the  Heartlands  and  all  of  those  who  sought  to  tame  it before  you.