The High Road
The High Road is a vital trade artery stretching across the Sword Coast, winding south from the city of Neverwinter toward southern destinations like Phandalin. As a key route through a region defined by “untamed wilds” and “ragged cliffs,” it is frequented by trade caravans, mercenaries, and hardy adventurers. It serves as a lifeline for the region’s commerce, connecting the Jewel of the North to the frontier settlements.
Perils of the Road
While some stretches of the High Road can be relatively peaceful, offering quiet nights under the stars with only local wildlife for company, it remains highly dangerous. The wilderness pressing against the road provides perfect cover for brigands and monsters. Goblin tribes, such as the Cragmaw goblins led by Klarg, are known to set up deadly ambushes where the road forks east toward Phandalin, targeting travelers, stealing cargo, and dragging victims back to nearby strongholds like the Cragmaw Hideout.
In addition to brigandry, the road has recently been threatened by the return of chromatic dragons, such as the white dragon Cryovain, whose icy presence has chilled the surrounding valleys, and the green dragon Villathas, who was recently resurrected nearby.
Notable Landmarks
Several prominent locations lie along or just off the High Road, making it a critical path for both holy pilgrimages and historic expeditions:
- Helm’s Hold: A heavily fortified monastery dedicated to Erathis, the Lawbearer. Located along the road to Neverwinter, it is heavily warded against otherworldly creatures and guarded by strict paladins, serving as a bastion of order and healing where travelers can seek sanctuary or restoration.
- Dragon Barrow: Rumored to lie along the road, this historic burial mound is the final resting place of Lady Tanagar Alagondar and her legendary sword, the Dragon Slayer. It recently became a smoking crater following a confrontation with the Cult of the Dragon and the subsequent awakening of the green wyrm Villathas.
- Cragmaw Hideout: A damp cave system located near the trail, infamous as a staging ground for goblin raids on High Road caravans.
Recent History and Wartime Disruption
During the initial journey of the adventurers known as the Magnificent Five, the High Road was the site of a fateful ambush. Escorting a supply cart for Gundren Rockseeker and Sildar Hallwinter, the party was forced off the main road to track the goblins who had captured their employers.
In recent weeks, the outbreak of formal war between Neverwinter and Luskan has completely disrupted travel along the artery. As Neverwinter began conscripting forces and bracing for naval and land conflicts, the High Road initially saw a massive influx of desperate refugees flooding south away from the city. Shortly thereafter, the road fell eerily empty, with travelers reporting that absolutely nothing moves along its length as the surrounding wilderness braces for the impending conflict.