Stormhaven House itself is a stoutly defended manor that commands a broad view of Espar from its elevated, tree-ringed meadow west of the settlement. Hippogriffs are kept in its stables for the use of War Wizards and royal officials, and it is widely whispered that the grounds are protected by fearsome guardians as well as wards of lethal potency. Within its walls, novice War Wizards are instructed in the history of Cormyr, its present concerns and political currents, trained in newly learned spells, and familiarized with the enchanted items commonly employed by their order—many examples of which have, curiously enough, found their way into village homes and shops. Discipline, when required, is administered personally by Vangerdahast.

Unbeknownst to many Cormyreans, Espar is also the birthplace of the much-lauded Battlestorm Beer, brewed by the elderly brothers Thorl and Buirylagh Battlestorm, who oversee the kitchens and maintenance of Stormhaven House. Villagers jokingly call the college “the Brewery,” insisting that the kegs stamped with the Battlestorm name are the finest thing to come from the place.

Some years ago, prospectors working the Storm Horns west of Espar uncovered traces of emeralds, sparking a brief but frantic mining rush. Hordes of hopeful miners descended on the peaks seeking quick fortunes, though few found gems worth hauling away. Their presence drew dangerous creatures into the foothills, and those monsters still linger, making the surrounding countryside hazardous for travelers who are poorly armed.

Landmarks

Espar remains a quiet farming village devoted chiefly to Chauntea and Helm. Its local lord, Hezom, serves as a priest of the Vigilant God. Sentinel Rock, a striking shrine to Helm, rises nearby. Within a cavern at the heart of the stone rests the god’s altar, upon which lies a sword of dancing that animates to defend any faithful of Helm present, along with all offerings placed before it. Pilgrims sometimes journey here to touch the Vigilant Blade—which will not strike a true worshiper of Helm—and to seek blessings for endeavors, unborn children, and other solemn hopes.

Many visitors come to Espar hoping to meet Quiral, a retired adventurer who survived service in several companies—most famously the Company of the Bound Dragon—before settling into a quieter life of farming, reading, and forging exceptional blades. Quiral has a fondness for romantic novels from Amn and pays handsomely—up to 20 gp per volume—for such works. He resides at Everswords House, perched atop a duskwood-covered knoll just west of the Way of the Dragon at Espar’s northern edge.

It is Quiral’s swordcraft, however, that draws most seekers. Those wishing to commission a blade should know that Quiral works only for those he finds agreeable, who accept his price and terms, and whose project genuinely interests him. His fees are steep—typically no less than 4,000 gp per weapon. A master of everbright dwarven magic, Quiral can prepare a blade to exacting standards for later enchantment by a mage. Those fortunate enough to wield one of his creations invariably report flawless balance and weight, claiming the weapon feels like an extension of their own body and surpasses all others they have known.

Espar is also noteworthy as the birthplace of several famed Knights of Myth Drannor, among them the esteemed Florin Falconhand. Much as it was in Florin’s youth, the village remains home to many rangers, half-elves, and humans friendly to elvenkind, though the elven population of the King’s Forest to the east has steadily diminished.

Another legend of Cormyr tied to little-known Espar is that of the Four Floating Crowns. Described as “four golden circlets set with emeralds as large as a man’s thumb,” they sometimes appear hovering above the Way of the Dragon just south of the village. The crowns drift lazily in a slow circle at chest height, and any creature that touches one vanishes instantly. Tales claim such unfortunates are whisked away to “far, strange, and perilous places.” Though the phenomenon resembles the work of the Sword Heralds, it is far older, and its true origin and purpose remain a mystery. Learned sages assert that the crowns transport victims to a wide range of locales across Faerûn.

One noblewoman who vanished through this gate centuries ago was Aglara Spurbright. As a result, the minor Spurbright family—whose modest holdings stretch along both sides of the Way of the Dragon north of Espar—bears a device of four crowns at the center of its heraldry.

Places of Interest in Espar

Ondrar’s Scroll Shop

Scrollseller
This cramped, dust-filled cottage is the sole establishment of real value to travelers in Espar, though the village also boasts an unremarkable smith and several farmers capable of basic wagon repairs.

The presence of the War Wizard college explains this otherwise unlikely location for a scroll shop. Its owner, the elderly sage Ondrar Middlefast, once served a powerful Sembian merchant family—until they angered a rival and were swiftly wiped out. Ondrar survived and settled here, devoting himself to the collection and sale of written works.

His shelves hold an eclectic assortment: old diaries from Cormyr’s past, spell scrolls, alchemical notes, priestly prayer orders, instructional pamphlets on subjects ranging from cooking an ettin’s foot to constructing a golem, and even musical scores.

The Watchful Eye

Though Espar lacks both tavern and restaurant, the villagers take pride in their single inn, which serves as a respectable roadhouse despite the settlement’s isolation. Named for the god Helm, the inn reflects its patron’s nature: orderly, careful, and restrained. The interior is plain, with simple linens, bare walls, and sturdy but undecorated furnishings.

The staring eye painted on the signboard makes the inn easy to find. Stable care is excellent, and the dining room offers generous portions of wholesome if somewhat bland fare. All told, the Eye is a safe, reliable place to rest—if not a particularly exciting one.