TheSword
Warhammer Fantasy Imperial Plenipotentiary
With 5.5e Adventures in the Forgotten Realms set to release in just a few months, I was thrilled to learn that the Dalelands will be one of the five featured regions. It feels like coming full circle—one of the first D&D products I ever bought was the AD&D Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, and the first adventure I ran was Beneath the Twisted Tower. Shadowdale was richly detailed, with a labyrinth of adventure sites beneath it. Fifteen years later, I revisited the same location in Shadowdale: Scouring of the Land, flipping the narrative and exploring familiar places from a new angle.
To me, the Dales evoke a distinctly English sensibility—pastoral, independent, and steeped in folklore—just as the Moonshaes channel Gaelic romanticism.
Rich Lore and Depth
The Dalelands are among the most thoroughly documented regions in the Realms. Across editions, at least four major products—including a Volo’s Guide—have explored them in detail. The 3e Campaign Setting offers a particularly strong write-up. If you're looking for a blank slate, Shadowdale might not be your best bet. But several of the other Dales remain lightly sketched, offering room for creativity.
War with the Zhentarim
As a die-hard Witcher fan, I’m drawn to settings where the threat of invasion looms large. The Dales share that tension. Daggerdale, for instance, is under Zhent occupation in Doom of Daggerdale (2e) and again in Scouring of the Land (3e). Zhentil Keep mirrors Nilfgaard—militaristic, authoritarian, and always pressing against the freedom-loving Dales.
But authoritarianism can also bring order. Some Dalesfolk might even welcome it, especially if Shadowdale were removed from the equation. In line with 5e’s trend toward moral nuance, the Zhents needn’t be cartoonishly evil. Their goals—securing supply lines, stabilizing conquered territories—can be pragmatic. Meanwhile, Randal Morn’s resistance channels a classic Robin Hood energy that I absolutely love.
Elven Tensions and Myth Drannor
Once a hub of elven civilization, the Dalelands now simmer with post-retreat tensions. Humans want lumber; elves defend the forests. The Dales Compact is broken. The Eldreth Veluuthra push for direct conflict, while Drow incursions—often blamed on surface elves—fuel mistrust.
Myth Drannor looms ominously nearby, its wild magic and ancient ruins threatening to spill into the surrounding lands. Human adventurers, poking around elven tombs and disturbing the mythal, could easily destabilize the region. I love the idea that the Dales, though seemingly tranquil, are far more dangerous than they appear.
Internal Politics and Intrigue
The Dales are a patchwork of twelve independent realms, each ruled by its own lord or lady and represented in the Dales Council. Their visions for defense and diplomacy vary wildly. Sembia infiltrates economically, Cormyr offers protection in exchange for fealty, and Moonsea cities fund uprisings and espionage.
Attempts to unify the Dales have failed twice, but ambition still simmers. Wizards advise rulers—or seize power outright—and Harpers work behind the scenes to keep the peace. It’s a perfect setup for political intrigue and shifting alliances.
Small-Scale Heroism
Unlike sprawling city-states on the Sword Coast, the Dalelands are made up of small communities where individual heroes can truly matter. In a village of 500, an adventuring party might be the difference between survival and ruin. They could become trusted advisors, local legends, or even rulers. The scale makes the stakes feel immediate and personal.
Adventure Awaits
The Dalelands are bursting with iconic locations:
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Some drawbacks to the Dalelands as currently portrayed include…
Overwhelming Lore
For some, the sheer volume of detail can be stifling. Personally, I treat the lore as optional—my version of the Dales is the one that matters. But for those who feel bound by canon, it can be restrictive.
High-Level NPCs
Shadowdale is home to heavy hitters like Elminster, Storm Silverhand, and Dove Silverhand. These DMPCs can overshadow player agency. Thankfully, it’s easy to sideline them—send them off on errands, capture them, or even impersonate them with lesser wizards. Bounded accuracy in 5e makes this more manageable than in earlier editions. I can tolerate Storm or Dove, but Elminster? He’s got to go.
Post-3e Timeline
The Dalelands took a beating in some areas of post-3e lore. Myth Drannor was restored, then obliterated again by Thultanthar. The arrival of 50,000 sun elves didn’t do the region any favors. However aside from this the Dales were largely left untouched by 4e. Personally, I think the sweet spot is around 1372 DR—the Year of Wild Magic. It preserves the best of AD&D while embracing 3e’s developments, like the rise of the Drow and the Zhentarim’s renewed aggression under Bane.
Final Thoughts
What would you do with the Dalelands in 5e, now that they’re stepping back into the spotlight? What do you love—and what drives you mad—about this storied region?
To me, the Dales evoke a distinctly English sensibility—pastoral, independent, and steeped in folklore—just as the Moonshaes channel Gaelic romanticism.
Rich Lore and Depth
The Dalelands are among the most thoroughly documented regions in the Realms. Across editions, at least four major products—including a Volo’s Guide—have explored them in detail. The 3e Campaign Setting offers a particularly strong write-up. If you're looking for a blank slate, Shadowdale might not be your best bet. But several of the other Dales remain lightly sketched, offering room for creativity.
War with the Zhentarim
As a die-hard Witcher fan, I’m drawn to settings where the threat of invasion looms large. The Dales share that tension. Daggerdale, for instance, is under Zhent occupation in Doom of Daggerdale (2e) and again in Scouring of the Land (3e). Zhentil Keep mirrors Nilfgaard—militaristic, authoritarian, and always pressing against the freedom-loving Dales.
But authoritarianism can also bring order. Some Dalesfolk might even welcome it, especially if Shadowdale were removed from the equation. In line with 5e’s trend toward moral nuance, the Zhents needn’t be cartoonishly evil. Their goals—securing supply lines, stabilizing conquered territories—can be pragmatic. Meanwhile, Randal Morn’s resistance channels a classic Robin Hood energy that I absolutely love.
Elven Tensions and Myth Drannor
Once a hub of elven civilization, the Dalelands now simmer with post-retreat tensions. Humans want lumber; elves defend the forests. The Dales Compact is broken. The Eldreth Veluuthra push for direct conflict, while Drow incursions—often blamed on surface elves—fuel mistrust.
Myth Drannor looms ominously nearby, its wild magic and ancient ruins threatening to spill into the surrounding lands. Human adventurers, poking around elven tombs and disturbing the mythal, could easily destabilize the region. I love the idea that the Dales, though seemingly tranquil, are far more dangerous than they appear.
Internal Politics and Intrigue
The Dales are a patchwork of twelve independent realms, each ruled by its own lord or lady and represented in the Dales Council. Their visions for defense and diplomacy vary wildly. Sembia infiltrates economically, Cormyr offers protection in exchange for fealty, and Moonsea cities fund uprisings and espionage.
Attempts to unify the Dales have failed twice, but ambition still simmers. Wizards advise rulers—or seize power outright—and Harpers work behind the scenes to keep the peace. It’s a perfect setup for political intrigue and shifting alliances.
Small-Scale Heroism
Unlike sprawling city-states on the Sword Coast, the Dalelands are made up of small communities where individual heroes can truly matter. In a village of 500, an adventuring party might be the difference between survival and ruin. They could become trusted advisors, local legends, or even rulers. The scale makes the stakes feel immediate and personal.
Adventure Awaits
The Dalelands are bursting with iconic locations:
- Eagle’s Eyrie
- The Underdark beneath the Twisted Tower
- Hapstone Hill
- Galeth’s Roost
- Moander’s Trail
- The Flaming Tower
- Tethyamar
- The Temple in the Sky
- Shraevin’s Tomb
- The Grinding Gulf
- Myth Drannor
- And deep below, the ruined Drow city of Maerimydra
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Some drawbacks to the Dalelands as currently portrayed include…
Overwhelming Lore
For some, the sheer volume of detail can be stifling. Personally, I treat the lore as optional—my version of the Dales is the one that matters. But for those who feel bound by canon, it can be restrictive.
High-Level NPCs
Shadowdale is home to heavy hitters like Elminster, Storm Silverhand, and Dove Silverhand. These DMPCs can overshadow player agency. Thankfully, it’s easy to sideline them—send them off on errands, capture them, or even impersonate them with lesser wizards. Bounded accuracy in 5e makes this more manageable than in earlier editions. I can tolerate Storm or Dove, but Elminster? He’s got to go.
Post-3e Timeline
The Dalelands took a beating in some areas of post-3e lore. Myth Drannor was restored, then obliterated again by Thultanthar. The arrival of 50,000 sun elves didn’t do the region any favors. However aside from this the Dales were largely left untouched by 4e. Personally, I think the sweet spot is around 1372 DR—the Year of Wild Magic. It preserves the best of AD&D while embracing 3e’s developments, like the rise of the Drow and the Zhentarim’s renewed aggression under Bane.
Final Thoughts
What would you do with the Dalelands in 5e, now that they’re stepping back into the spotlight? What do you love—and what drives you mad—about this storied region?
