History of Shadowdale - Khelben Kills Jyordhan:
Lord Jyordhan's rule of Shadowdale ended when he encountered Khelben Arunsun,
also called the Blackstaff. The story at the time was that Jyordhan accepted an
invitation from Khelben to visit Waterdeep, and there he took ill and died. In
reality, Jyordhan ambushed Khelben as the mage was leaving Shadowdale, and the
Blackstaff killed him. In either case, Khelben took hold of the Pendant of
Ashaba (the symbol of the lordship in the Dales) and returned to Waterdeep with
it, promising to send a suitable candidate for lordship to the Dales. Jyordhan
had ruled for five years, and without his advocacy, Castle Krag was abandoned
and the Zhentil Keep troops routed. Jyordhan's previously chosen successor was a
Melvauntan named Lyran, but without the Pendant this individual was considered a
pretender to the throne.