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Alaghôn
Alaghôn, the "Jewel of Turmish," is a bustling metropolis (population: 75,000) and vital trade hub on Faerûn's Inner Sea, established in -37 DR. Primarily human and elf inhabited, it's divided into distinct districts: Military, Merchant, and Assembly. Ancient dwarven stonework underlies human construction, creating a labyrinth of hidden passages and vaults, often leading to dangerous encounters. Trade flourishes, drawing goods from the Orsraun Mountains and the Shining Plains. The city's history is marked by events like the Procession of Justice (-247 DR), a devastating fire in 352 DR, and the occupation by the blue dragon Anaglathos, during which a lich queen resided beneath the palace. Alaghôn is also known for Hambra's Horncall, a popular periodical, and the presence of mercenary companies that patrol the wilder areas. Notable inhabitants include Ilbrelm Nasker, a shoemaker who employed the marginalized.
Alaron Island
Alaron Island, the crown jewel of the Moonshae Isles, presents a land of stark contrasts. Split by the formidable Fairheight Mountains, the southern realm of Callidyrr flourishes with verdant lowlands, supporting bountiful farms and yielding rich timber and iron. Here, the Ffolk reign from the capital of Caer Callidyrr, a city steeped in ancient Kendrick lineage, once home to High King Tristan and Queen Alicia. Whispers of mythical Llewyrr and elusive unicorns drift from the untamed wilderness, hinting at primal magic. To the north, the rugged kingdom of Gnarhelm houses the fierce Northlanders. Beneath the mountain's jagged peaks, the dwarven clans of Rustfire and Rookoath wage a bitter war against encroaching dark fey and the chilling presence of a shadow dragon, their conflict echoing through the stony passes. The island, a tapestry of kingdoms and wild magic, stands as a perilous and wondrous domain, its destiny intertwined with the ancient powers that dwell within its heart.
Amn
Amn, the Merchant's Domain, stands as a bastion of wealth in West Faerûn, its influence stretching from the trade routes to Calimshan and Baldur's Gate, to colonial holdings in the Moonshaes and Chult. Primarily human, with a substantial halfling minority, its populace numbers around 3 million. Athkatla, the capital and "City of Coin," founded in 100 DR, pulses with the energy of constant commerce. The worship of Waukeen, goddess of wealth, dominates, though Helm, Milil, Selûne, Lathander, and the shadowy Cyric also hold sway. Amn's society revolves around trade, where even divine spellcasters are valued for their monetary contributions. The sinister Shadow Thieves weave through every layer of society, their presence felt in every transaction and back alley. Arcane magic, however, is met with universal fear and revulsion, its practitioners shunned and often persecuted. This nation, driven by profit and shadowed by intrigue, presents a complex tapestry of prosperity and peril.
Amphail
Amphail, a humble village nestled along the Long Road north of Waterdeep, serves as a vital waypoint and breeding ground for fine steeds. Home to roughly 600 souls within its modest bounds, and an additional 250 scattered across its outlying farms, Amphail thrives on the trade of horseflesh and the skilled hands that train them. The village bears the name of Amphail the Just, a legendary warlord of Waterdeep's nascent days, whose restless spirit is rumored to still roam the surrounding hills, a spectral guardian or a lingering threat, depending on the teller. Its unassuming nature and proximity to the sprawling metropolis of Waterdeep make Amphail a favored starting point for many adventuring parties, a place where fledgling heroes might find their first quests, be it wrangling unruly steeds, investigating spectral sightings, or facing the everyday perils that plague even the most tranquil of hamlets.
Anauroch
Anauroch, the Great Sand Sea, is a vast, magically-warped desert in northern Faerûn, formed by ancient phaerimm magic. This harsh land is a place of extremes, with scorching days and frigid nights, where the landscape shifts from sandy dunes and rocky plains in the south to frozen wastes in the north. The Bedine, nomadic tribes skilled in survival and raiding, are the primary inhabitants, navigating the treacherous terrain and defending their territory against intruders. The Zhentarim, driven by profit, have established trade routes and fortified oases, battling the Bedine for control. The Shadovar, returning from the Plane of Shadow, seek to reclaim the ancient Netheril, altering the climate and subjugating or displacing the Bedine and other inhabitants. Beneath the shifting sands lurk the malevolent phaerimm, powerful spellcasters imprisoned long ago. The land is inhabited by the Bedine, Zhentarim, Shadovar, Phaerimm, Asabi, Blue Dragons, giants, goblins, gnolls, and other creatures.
Anauroch (South)
Anauroch, the Great Sand Sea, is a vast, magically-warped desert in northern Faerûn, formed by ancient phaerimm magic. This harsh land is a place of extremes, with scorching days and frigid nights, where the landscape shifts from sandy dunes and rocky plains in the south to frozen wastes in the north. The Bedine, nomadic tribes skilled in survival and raiding, are the primary inhabitants, navigating the treacherous terrain and defending their territory against intruders. The Zhentarim, driven by profit, have established trade routes and fortified oases, battling the Bedine for control. The Shadovar, returning from the Plane of Shadow, seek to reclaim the ancient Netheril, altering the climate and subjugating or displacing the Bedine and other inhabitants. Beneath the shifting sands lurk the malevolent phaerimm, powerful spellcasters imprisoned long ago. The land is inhabited by the Bedine, Zhentarim, Shadovar, Phaerimm, Asabi, Blue Dragons, giants, goblins, gnolls, and other creatures.
Aphrunn Mountains
The rugged Aphrunn Mountains, a formidable spine of jagged peaks and treacherous slopes, carve a stark southern boundary for the republic of Turmish, shielding it from the wilds of the Vilhon Reach. These imposing mountains, visible even from the distant isle of Ilighôn across the Farshore Straits, are a realm of harsh winters and perilous terrain, home to both majestic and monstrous inhabitants. The Lilit Pass, a vital artery through the range, offers the only reliable passage for trade and travel, connecting Turmish to the broader Vilhon. Within these peaks, the noble gold dragon Frizzerfraz claims a solitary aerie, while the cunning Scything Claw kobolds, a constant threat to Turmish settlements, lurk in hidden warrens, raiding with vicious efficiency. To the northwest, the Orsraun Mountains, the largest range south of the Spine of the World, further define Turmish's borders, creating a land locked between formidable natural barriers.
Arabel
Arabel, a bustling fortified city in northern Cormyr, stands as a critical trade nexus where the High Road, Calantar's Way, East Way, and Moonsea Ride converge. Ruled by Myrmeen Lhal under King Azoun IV, this city boasts a vibrant, diverse population of Cormyreans, merchants, and adventurers, fostering a rich cultural tapestry. Known for its skilled artisans, lively festivals like Highharvestide, and a thriving marketplace, Arabel blends practical, sturdy architecture with ornate displays of wealth. The city's defenses are formidable, manned by the elite Purple Dragons, and uniquely, mercenaries within its walls are permitted to bear arms. Though Tilverton's rise has slightly diminished its strategic importance, Arabel remains a hub of commerce and military strength, facing threats from the Stonelands. Notable landmarks include Tymora's Temple (Lady's Hall), and the city is renowned for its Bitter Black beer.
Archwood Forest
Arch Wood, a shadowed expanse of ancient oaks and ashen sentinels, sprawls across Archendale's northern fringe, its depths largely undisturbed by the axe. This untamed wilderness conceals the secluded hamlet of Arch Wood, a whisper of civilization nestled within the forest’s heart. Here, amidst a scattering of humble cottages, the clang of a blacksmith's hammer rings out, and the rhythmic churn of a watermill echoes through the dense undergrowth. The village, a haven of quiet isolation, remains largely unknown to the realms beyond its emerald embrace, home to the likes of Feena Archwood, a devout cleric of Selûne, who also bears the mark of the lycanthrope. The forest itself is a labyrinth of gnarled branches and dim trails, a place where the unwary can easily lose their way, and where ancient secrets slumber beneath the canopy of leaves, making it a place of both tranquil beauty and dangerous mystery.
Arn Forest
The Arn Forest, a secluded expanse south of Ascore, nestled between Anauroch and the Nether Mountains, presents a stark dichotomy. Its western reaches, perpetually drenched in rain, give way to treacherous marshlands, while the eastern side is sparsely populated with resilient scrub pines. Within its depths, ancient Netheril ruins lie concealed, haunted by bands of territorial kobolds. Graevelwood, a discreet rock gnome settlement, clings to the forest’s edge, offering a rare haven amidst the wilderness. The forest’s inhabitants are a diverse mix: kobolds, lightfoot halflings, rock gnomes, and shield dwarves, their lives interwoven with the worship of Garl Glittergold. This isolated region, a blend of untamed nature and forgotten history, sees few travelers, maintaining its enigmatic allure.
Ascore Ruins
Ascore Ruins, a desolate testament to dwarven ambition lost to time, looms on the Anauroch's edge. Wind whispers through shattered stone, remnants of a once-proud port, now a haunted husk. Thirteen crimson pyramids, their origins shrouded in enigma, stand sentinel over the ruins, their red stone an unsettling contrast to the desert's ochre hues. A pool of liquid shadow, a malevolent stain, pulses within the pyramids' circle, a gateway to unknown horrors. A gaping tunnel, a relic of dwarven craft, descends into the earth, leading to the treacherous Underdark, a nexus of the Buried Realms and the Northdark. Whispers of ancient evils cling to the crumbling walls, and the echoes of a dwarven chant may activate a forgotten portal, the Hlaungadath Portal, promising perilous journeys. The fabled Tear of Ascore, an artifact of potent magic, may lie hidden within these haunted stones, tempting adventurers into the ruins' depths.
At'ar's Looking Glass
At'ar's Looking Glass, a scorching oval expanse within Anauroch, presents a deadly tableau of heat-absorbing, multi-hued stones. Measuring 140 by 200 miles, this stony plain broils under the relentless sun, rendering even camel travel perilous. Legends swirl around its creation: some whisper of At'ar, a Netherese wizard whose hubris in facing the phaerimm scorched the land, while others claim he was a diviner, his lake-turned-mirror now a lethal trap. The plain houses the Azirrhat Portal Collection, a nexus of magical gateways leading across Faerûn, yet guarded by asabi, Zhentarim, Bedine raiders, and Shade wizards. Any who dare seek these portals brave not only the searing heat but also the deadly guardians, risking a grim end upon the roasting stones.
Athkatla
Athkatla, the City of Coin, stands as Amn's ancient capital, a sprawling metropolis where commerce reigns supreme. Its districts, from the bustling Bridge to the shadowed Graveyard, teem with a diverse populace of humans, dwarves, elves, gnomes, and halflings, their lives woven into the city’s intricate trade network. Well-lit by storm-lanterns, its streets hum with activity, a vital hub between Calimshan and Waterdeep. Notably, the Cowled Wizards enforce a strict ban on arcane magic, their Watch ever vigilant, with Spellhold awaiting those who dare disobey. The city's population swells dramatically in summer, reaching 400,000, a testament to its economic allure. Its wealth, though vast, casts long shadows, revealing stark contrasts between opulent districts and the desperate Slums.
Avernus
Avernus, Baator's first layer, is a volcanic hellscape, Blood War's main battleground. Lava rivers, jagged peaks, and a fire-bombed red sky define it. Blood coats the land, bones litter it, and ash fills the air. Styx flows through, a grim sign. Entry to Baator, it's always at war, devils ready for demonic invasions. Zariel rules a militaristic realm, focused on defense. Once cities thrived, now only war forts remain. Bronze Citadel, Zariel's base, and Pillar of Skulls, a death monument, are key. Avernus is vital, defending the Nine Hells. Abishai, lemures, imps, always fight. It yields unique green steel, mined for superior weapons.
Baator, the Nine Hells
Baator, the Nine Hells, a lawful evil Outer Plane, lies between Acheron and Gehenna. Its nine layers descend into infernal depths, each a domain of devils. Avernus, the first, borders the other planes, allowing limited passage. Through the Astral Plane, Baator links to Toril, influencing the Prime Material Plane. Sinister bureaucracy and rigid hierarchy define this plane. Institutionalized cruelty and infernal pacts are its hallmarks, a source of corrupting power and unending torment. Each layer, from Dis to Nessus, manifests increasing wickedness, a testament to the devils' relentless ambition. Entering or exiting this plane is impossible without using magic that allows you to traverse different planes of existence.
Baldur's Gate
Baldur's Gate, a bustling metropolis on the Sword Coast, is a crescent-shaped city hugging Gray Harbor. Primarily human, it's a hub of commerce and diverse faiths, including Gond, Tymora, and Umberlee. The city is divided into the wealthy Upper City, the busy Lower City, and the sprawling Outer City. The Upper City boasts grand structures like High Hall and the Watch Citadel, while the Lower City, built on bluffs, teems with trade and taverns like the Elfsong. A network of sewers and hidden tunnels lies beneath. The city is ruled by the Council of Four and the Parliament of Peers, with the Flaming Fists maintaining order. Trade flourishes, with imports of stone and exports of dyes and fish. The city's history is marked by its founding by Balduran, a tax revolt, and various conflicts, including the recent Absolute Plot. The city's coat of arms, a ship on calm waters, reflects its maritime trade and peaceful neutrality.
Beorunna's Well
Beorunna's Well, a desolate scar upon the Druarwood's edge, yawns as a deep, forbidding pit, once the heart of a Black Lion barbarian settlement. Humble dwellings now stand abandoned around its rim, echoing with the whispers of forgotten fears. The pit descends into chilling darkness, a gateway to the Underdark's horrors, where vile creatures lurk in the shadows. Legends speak of Beorunna, the mighty Uthgardt hero, whose final stand against a demon cleaved the earth, swallowing him whole. The site, a somber monument to his sacrifice, is a place of dread and ancient power, where the echoes of a legendary battle still resonate, and the ground itself seems to hold a dark, hungry secret.
Berdusk
Berdusk, the "Jewel of the Vale," stands as a bustling trade hub in the Western Heartlands, straddling the Uldoon Trail and the River Chionthar. Its tall, steep-roofed stone buildings, clustered tightly within sturdy walls, reflect its cold climate, aided by a sophisticated sewage system that keeps streets clean. Within, artisans and merchants thrive, producing fine furniture, tools, and decorative goods, fueling the city's prosperity. Ruling from the city's heart is High Lady Lashantha Duarn, guided by the wisdom of the Harpers, who maintain their western stronghold at Twilight Hall. The city's social fabric is woven with the influence of the "First Folk"—wealthy houses like Calanthal, Myrmrast, Hardomeir, Quarlagast, and Spaeruthal—who hold significant sway in governance. As a key part of Elturgard, Berdusk balances commerce and diplomacy, making it a vital point in the region.
Blackford Crossing
Blackford Crossing, a bustling trade town straddling the Mirar River, serves as a vital midpoint between Luskan and Mirabar. Its cobbled streets, worn smooth by countless merchant wagons, hum with the bartering of diverse folk: humans, the majority, alongside hardy dwarves, graceful elves, and ingenious gnomes. The town's layout reflects its economic disparity, with the northern bank boasting wealthier establishments and well-maintained warehouses, while the southern side houses more modest dwellings and rougher taverns. A tri-council of merchants, citizens, and guards, currently led by Mayor Ianna Talltree, governs the town, ensuring a steady flow of goods along the Blackford Road. Though lacking its own significant production, Blackford Crossing thrives on the exchange of wares from the north and south. The river, a wide, gray ribbon, cuts through the town, reflecting the constant movement of barges and small ships carrying timber, ores, and finished goods.
Blackgate
Blackgate, a sprawling district north of Baldur's Gate’s Upper City, exists beyond the formidable Black Dragon Gate. A vital staging ground, it serves caravaneers and merchants traversing the Trade Way towards Waterdeep. Notable for its vast stables, it caters to the multitude of mounts necessary for such journeys. This Outer City locale, unlike others, developed exclusively outside the gate, bordering the Trade Way’s northern stretch. Though part of the bustling, prosperous Baldur's Gate, Blackgate lacks the Watch's or Flaming Fists’ presence. Petty crime thrives, leaving the district largely to the Guild’s influence. Historically, their marked establishments provided the only semblance of order, a stark contrast to the city's generally enforced peace.
Blacklake District
Blacklake District, a shadowed quarter of Neverwinter, centers on the eponymous, murky Blacklake, its waters reflecting the district's grim state. Once quarantined during the Wailing Death, it now festers under the Nashers' oppressive control, their thieving reign driving the desperate to hire aid against them. The district's underbelly, the Blacklake Sewers, survived the Ruining, though much lies submerged, a labyrinth of damp stone and forgotten secrets. The surface is no less bleak, with the ruined Tatters and Riverside clinging to the lake's southeastern shore, a short, dilapidated bridge the sole link between these squalid settlements. Crumbling structures and shadowed alleyways dominate, a testament to neglect and strife, where the echoes of rebellion and the stench of stagnant water permeate the air, a place of hardship and hidden dangers.
Boareskyr Bridge
Boareskyr Bridge, a formidable black granite span over the Winding Water, serves as a vital artery connecting Soubar, Triel, Scornubel to Waterdeep and the Trade Way. Sculpted images of Cyric and Bhaal adorn its sides, a grim reminder of their clash during the Time of Troubles. Rebuilt upon the ruins of Bridgefort after 1450 DR, it was once patrolled by Elturgard paladins, now a bustling semi-permanent trading hub. White tents dot the landscape, alongside corrals and blacksmiths, forming a vibrant marketplace. Once controlled by the Boareskyr family, the bridge now sees a mix of travelers and merchants. Detailed battle maps, like those shared online, enable adventurers to navigate its strategic significance in D&D campaigns, showcasing its role as both a landmark and a point of conflict.
Border Forest
The Border Forest, a sprawling expanse of mixed pines and oaks, marks the convergence of the Dalelands, Anauroch, the Tortured Land, and the Moonsea. Once the sylvan elven Rystall Wood, its ancient history is now largely obscured, replaced by a wild, untamed terrain. Thick undergrowth hampers travel, while the forest's heart teems with hostile fey, their aggression fueled by past logging. Within its depths, the ruins of the Flaming Tower, a fire giant construct now claimed by a beholder and its goblin horde, stand as a grim reminder of past conflicts. Eldreth Veluuthra cells, supported by the fey, raid the Daggerdale border and ambush Zhentarim agents. To the north, the perilous ravines and knife-edged ridges conceal the ruins of Myth Ondath. The Grandfather Tree, a sentient entity, warps the forest, its purpose to contain ancient evils. Mount Ghaethluntar, a flind domain, looms as a threat.
Brokenstone Vale
Brokenstone Vale, nestled within the twilight-drenched Feywild, presents a stark contrast to its surrounding ethereal beauty. A realm of lycanthropes, it's a shadowed expanse of dense, howling forests, punctuated by ancient standing stones that delineate pack territories. Hidden glades serve as clandestine meeting places, echoing with the raw, untamed spirit of its inhabitants. Forged from conflict, this kingdom of outcasts stands defiant against the neighboring eladrin realms, its history etched in battles for freedom. Though its exterior is rough, the Vale offers a strange sanctuary for those rejected by both mortal and fey societies, a wild bastion of resilience in the Feywild's ever-shifting landscape. The amplified arcane magic of the Feywild permeates the Vale, influencing its inhabitants and the environment, making it a dangerous yet compelling location. The unpredictable flow of time and the distorted geography present unique challenges to any who dare to traverse its borders.
Caer Callidyrr
Caer Callidyrr, the alabaster jewel of Alaron, rises majestically from a coastal hill, its towering castle, the Moonshaes' highest structure, dominating the landscape. This city, the Ffolk's capital and seat of the High King, is a vibrant hub divided into distinct quarters: the regal Castle Quarter, the verdant Forest Quarter, the sprawling Plains Quarter, and the bustling Dock Quarter. To the west, ancient forests whisper secrets, while the eastern ocean stretches endlessly. Within the city's walls reside the royal court, stalwart guards, arcane wizards, and a diverse citizenry, their lives intertwined with the castle's storied history. Detailed maps and cross-sections reveal the city's intricate layout, including hidden caverns beneath the castle's foundations. The distinction between Callidyrr, the kingdom, and Caer Callidyrr, the city and castle, often blurs, yet its significance as a center of power and lore remains undeniable, a focal point of Moonshae intrigue and adventure.
Caer Corwell Ruins
Caer Corwell, a once-proud stronghold of House Kendrick on Gwynneth, now stands as a desolate ruin, a testament to forgotten glory. Crumbling stone walls and shattered towers rise amidst overgrown weeds, concealing a labyrinth of boggle-laid traps and mischievous fey tricks. Wild beasts roam the abandoned town, adding to the peril. The island of Gwynneth, once a vibrant hub of fey influence in the southern Moonshae Isles, now echoes with the unsettling silence of decay, punctuated by the skittering sounds of its current inhabitants. This nexus of Faerûn, the Feywild, and the Shadowfell retains a potent, if corrupted, mystical aura, drawing both ambitious rulers like High King Derid, seeking to reclaim its strategic importance, and the capricious creatures that now claim it as their own. The ruins, a treacherous maze of broken stone and wild magic, present a formidable challenge to any who dare venture within.
Caer Moray
Caer Moray, a fortified coastal town nestled on northern Moray where the Shannyth River meets the sea, stands as a bastion against the wilds of the Moonshae Isles. Encircled by a sturdy wooden palisade, it houses 1,500 souls fiercely loyal to the High King, maintaining a vital port for trade and defense. This town endures frequent, though largely ineffective, assaults from the Black Blood lycanthrope tribe, a constant threat that tests its resilience. The Battle of Caer Moray, a particularly fierce nocturnal attack, saw the lycanthropes breach the walls, only to be halted by the divine intervention of Chauntea, forever marking the town's history. Despite the looming threat and its turbulent past, Caer Moray remains a crucial stronghold, its port a lifeline, and its defenders a bulwark against the darkness that seeks to consume the island, making it a pivotal location for adventurers navigating the perils of the Forgotten Realms.
Caer Westphal
Caer Westphal, a scaled-down echo of Caer Callidyrr, stands sentinel on Snowdown Ride's southern coast, its stone ramparts gazing over the bustling city of Westphal. Once the seat of the vampiric Lady Erliza Daressin, its shadowed halls now whisper tales of dark dominion. The city below, a rare urban sprawl in the Moonshaes, rivals the likes of Baldur's Gate or Waterdeep in its density, its streets teeming with life. The harbor, a constant churn of Amnian vessels, pulses with trade and intrigue. Near the docks, raucous taverns and brothels cater to the sea-worn, their lights flickering against the castle's looming silhouette. A place of stark contrasts, Caer Westphal and its city blend the imposing might of a coastal fortress with the vibrant chaos of a major trade hub, a nexus of power and vice in the wild Moonshae Isles.
Candlekeep
Nestled along the Sword Coast, south of bustling Baldur's Gate, Candlekeep rises as a bastion of knowledge, its imposing walls guarding the greatest library in Faerûn. Within, scholars and mages pore over countless tomes, their whispers echoing through labyrinthine halls filled with ancient secrets. The fortress itself is a sanctuary, its gates only open to those who offer a worthy book as entry, ensuring the preservation of its vast collection. Seventeen unique mysteries, each triggered by a discovered book, weave through these hallowed grounds, challenging adventurers from the lowest to the highest levels. Dangers and glories alike await those who dare to delve into Candlekeep's depths, where the pursuit of knowledge often leads to unforeseen perils.
Cania
Cania, Hell's eighth layer, is a frozen, lethal expanse. Mephistopheles rules a realm of shifting glaciers, enduring blizzards, and Frostfell-like cold. Survival demands constant vigilance against freezing temperatures and hidden crevasses. Isolated citadels house laboratories and libraries, where arcane experiments thrive. Mephistopheles, focused on research, delegates to Hutijin. Cania guards its secrets, especially from Dis spies. Mephistar, his heated citadel atop Nargus, and Kintyre, a buried city, are key sites. The Pit, leading to Nessus, is heavily guarded. Gelugons are the primary residents, the extreme cold deterring most others. Cania is a secluded domain of arcane knowledge and icy peril.
Castle Hartwick
Castle Hartwick, a fortress of stark, whitened granite, rises dramatically from a sheer granite spire amidst the Clear Whirl River, its forested island a bastion of Hartsvale. Spruce trees cling to the rock, obscuring the base, while flying turrets pierce the sky, bristling with ballistae. Access is granted by two drawbridges, east and west, guarding the island's secrets. Within its walls, the Giants' Gate stands ready for colossal visitors, a testament to the castle's grandeur. Queen Brianna Burdun, seated upon the Alabaster Throne, a dwarven gift, commands the loyalty of her High Dukes and Wind Barons, her influence stretching across the Cold Marches, Lake Fiefs, and Ice Spires. This strategic stronghold, steeped in lore, offers adventurers a labyrinth of chambers and a nexus of political intrigue, its defenses and history ripe for exploration.
Castle Ward
The Castle Ward, Waterdeep's heart, pulses with authority and commerce, anchored by the imposing Castle Waterdeep atop Mount Waterdeep's bluff. This redoubt, encircled by enchanted walls, houses the city's government, its halls echoing with decrees and strategy. Piergeiron's Palace, lavish and ornate, hosts crucial meetings, while the bustling Market sprawls, the North's largest, teeming with goods and folk. Ahghairon's Tower and Blackstaff Tower pierce the skyline, magical sentinels over the ward's activity, joined by Mirt's Mansion, a place of secrets. Julthoon Street and Shield Street define the ward's edges, framing the seat of power and trade within Waterdeep's walls.
Chronias, the Illuminated Heaven
Chronias, the Illuminated Heaven, the topmost and final layer of Mount Celestia, is a realm of pure, unadulterated goodness and law. Little is known of its structure, as few have returned to tell of its wonders. It is said that Chronias glows with an inner light, radiating pure goodness and law, transforming those who enter its presence. The essence of the plane is so potent that all evil and neutrality are purged from those who survive its touch. Many religions claim this layer as the home of their lawful good deities, believing that lesser realms are merely stepping stones to this ultimate destination. The air is filled with a radiant light and the harmonious resonance of pure goodness, creating an atmosphere of transcendent perfection. Chronias is the ultimate goal of the righteous, a place of ultimate unity with the essence of lawful good.
Citadel Adbar
Citadel Adbar, a formidable dwarven fortress carved deep within the Ice Mountains, stands as a bastion of Delzoun might, its granite corridors echoing with the clang of masterwork forges. Home to the Iron Guard, a force renowned across Faerûn, the citadel boasts defenses that have repelled countless orcish hordes. Miles of fortified tunnels shelter a population capable of swelling to 60,000, though its halls now hold a fraction of that number. While a vital trading hub, famed for its superior ores and military ordnance supplied to the Silver Marches, Adbar remains fiercely insular. Its gates, once reluctantly open, now rarely yield to outsiders, and its depths are riddled with deadly traps, reflecting a growing isolation. The city's remote location and guarded nature make it a place of both awe and peril, its dwarven inhabitants prioritizing security and craftsmanship above all else.
Citadel Felbarr
Citadel Felbarr, nestled at the Rauvin Mountains' base along the Redrun, stands as a formidable dwarven fortress, a testament to resilience and craftsmanship. Its imposing defenses, the Hammer and Anvil gates, alongside North and South Vigil outposts bristling with ballistae and catapults, guard a city renowned for gem-encrusted weaponry and iron golem creation. Within its stone walls, Clan Warcrown's ever-expanding burial site holds deep reverence. Trade flourishes, linking Felbarr to Mithral Hall, Citadel Adbar, and distant cities through Underdark tunnels and surface caravans. Notable locales include Malti's Wondrous Armory, a crystalline building housing a dragon-shaped forge, and Wene's Wands, a shop stocked with arcane treasures. This citadel, ruled by King Morinn and Queen Tithmel, has weathered orcish occupations and fire giant incursions, remaining a pivotal stronghold in the Silver Marches.
City of the Dead
The City of the Dead, a sprawling walled ward within Waterdeep, presents a macabre yet vibrant paradox. By day, its meticulously kept grounds transform into a bustling public park, where Waterdhavians engage in lively activities amidst the gravestones. Picnics unfold near ancient mausoleums, runners weave through shaded paths, and duelists clash in designated arenas. Playgrounds echo with children's laughter, and highsun dining areas buzz with social gatherings. Secret meetings occur in secluded corners, while families stroll along well-worn paths, seemingly undisturbed by the silent residents beneath. This unique space blends solemnity and life, where the echoes of the past mingle with the present's vibrant energy, creating a place of both contemplation and recreation.
Cloakwood
Cloakwood, a brooding expanse south of Baldur's Gate, presents a labyrinth of gnarled, ancient trees and suffocating undergrowth, perpetually veiled in twilight by its dense canopy. This foreboding wood teems with perilous denizens: colossal spiders weave deadly webs, mischievous korreds and quicklings dart through shadows, and satyrs and stirges haunt its depths. Kampfults, creatures of nightmare, also stalk unwary travelers. Whispers from Candlekeep's sages speak of long-dormant portals scattered within, gateways to distant Faerûn, though their existence remains shrouded in doubt. The forest's oppressive atmosphere and savage inhabitants make it a place of both dread and mystery, a perilous passage for even the most seasoned adventurers.
Cloud Peaks
The Cloud Peaks, a jagged barrier marking Amn's northern edge, rise abruptly, their snow-capped summits piercing the sky. Though modest in breadth, their altitude is formidable, with Mount Speartop a towering sentinel. Brutal blizzards and treacherous terrain define these mountains, home to fearsome remorhazes and territorial dragons. The Fangs, twin crags of treacherous ice and near-vertical slopes, stand as grim gatekeepers along the Trade Way, demanding respect from any traveler. Ancient ruins whisper of lost civilizations, echoes of the fallen Shoon Empire and the lair of a long-vanished red dragon. This harsh, untamed realm challenges even the most seasoned adventurers, a perilous passage between Amn and the Sword Coast.
Cloud Peaks (East)
The Cloud Peaks, a jagged barrier marking Amn's northern edge, rise abruptly, their snow-capped summits piercing the sky. Though modest in breadth, their altitude is formidable, with Mount Speartop a towering sentinel. Brutal blizzards and treacherous terrain define these mountains, home to fearsome remorhazes and territorial dragons. The Fangs, twin crags of treacherous ice and near-vertical slopes, stand as grim gatekeepers along the Trade Way, demanding respect from any traveler. Ancient ruins whisper of lost civilizations, echoes of the fallen Shoon Empire and the lair of a long-vanished red dragon. This harsh, untamed realm challenges even the most seasoned adventurers, a perilous passage between Amn and the Sword Coast.
Cormanthor
Cormanthor, once the glorious Myth Drannor, stands as a haunting testament to elven grandeur and loss. Now a patchwork of restored beauty and crumbling ruins, the city reflects centuries of conflict. Elves, under the Coronal Ilsevele Miritar, cautiously reclaim their heritage, ruling from the fortified Semberholme amidst remnants of the first mythal. The scars of the Dusk, a long decline marked by drow infestation and Daemonfey incursions, are visible throughout the city’s shadowed streets and overgrown plazas. The woods, once abandoned during the Retreat, now echo with the renewed vigilance of elven patrols, safeguarding against lingering threats. The aftermath of the Cormanthor War, a clash of human kingdoms and elven crusaders, has left both healing wounds and lingering tensions. Whispers of ancient magic and the echoes of past battles permeate the air, creating an atmosphere of both hope and lingering sorrow within the old elven capital.
Cormyr
Cormyr, the Forest Country, stands as a prosperous, yet besieged kingdom. Once a bastion of order, it now faces a confluence of threats. Regal cities and verdant forests are marred by banditry, remnants of orcish hordes, and the lingering shadow of the Goblin War. Noble squabbles for land, Sembian trade machinations, and the insidious Cult of the Dragon vie for influence, while the Zhentarim weave their dark plots. The looming menace of Shade and the haunted ruins of Myth Drannor cast long shadows, compounded by the destruction of Tilverton, which left the northeast vulnerable. Regent Alusair Obarskyr, with the stalwart Purple Dragon Knights and the potent War Wizards, struggles to maintain the realm's stability against these encroaching dangers, striving to preserve the legacy of the Purple Dragon.
Crimmor
Crimmor, the Caravan Capital, sprawls along the Alandor's southern bank, a fortified hub teeming with diverse travelers and trade. Its tall, narrow stone buildings, often dust-coated and embellished with gargoyles and ardragons, rise above a labyrinth of caravan-yards. Divided into River, Wheel, and Purse Wards by its major thoroughfares, the city buzzes with guilds and organizations, notably the Crimmor Guard, who patrol in red tabards over chainmail, bearing the city's gold symbol. The powerful Crimmor merchant family dominates, managing all caravan operations, from cart repair to guard services and waystations, effectively controlling land-based trade throughout Amn and beyond.
Daggerford
Nestled along the Shining River, Daggerford presents a fortified town, its stone walls encircling roughly 900 inhabitants, a number that swells to over 2,000 when considering the outlying farms and hamlets. With aspirations to rival the grandeur of Waterdeep, this strategically positioned locale boasts a bustling, if somewhat contained, atmosphere. The town's architecture reflects a blend of practical defense and burgeoning ambition, with sturdy buildings lining well-worn streets leading to the ducal keep. While a duke or duchess, claiming descent from the ancient Delimbiyr kingdom, holds nominal rule, the Council of Guilds shoulders the day-to-day administration, giving the town a unique blend of noble authority and mercantile influence. The surrounding countryside, fertile and well-tended, provides sustenance and trade, making Daggerford a vital, if still growing, point along the Sword Coast.
Darkhold
Darkhold, a foreboding fortress of black stone, juts from the Grey Watcher in the Far Hills, a grim testament to the Zhentarim's dark power. This imposing stronghold, the westernmost of their three bastions, serves as the nexus of their nefarious slave trade and a staging ground for incursions into the Heartlands. While Zhentarim agents publicly claim to protect trade, the fortress secretly unleashes monstrous horrors and collaborates with goblin and orc tribes to sabotage rivals. Riddled with deadly traps and linked to Zhentil Keep and the Citadel of the Raven by secret portals, Darkhold is a labyrinth of dark magic, accessible only to the Inner Circle. The fortress, once commanded by the chilling Pereghost with his skull helm and intelligent blade, Determination, echoes with tales of undead minions and dark spells, casting a long shadow of fear across the realms.
Deepwing Mountains
The Deepwing Mountains, nestled west of the Vilhon Reach and southeast of the Shining Plains, rise as a formidable barrier between the Orsraun and Cloven Mountains, north of the Deepwash. Their rugged peaks, transitioning westward into the Rushing Hills, conceal a perilous domain. The southwestern reaches, known as the Spines of Surkh, cradle ancient lizardfolk tombs, encircling Surkh itself. True to their name, the Deepwings harbor fearsome winged creatures, most notably red dragons, making travel through their treacherous passes a daunting endeavor. This mountain range, embedded within the Forgotten Realms, stands as a testament to the wild and untamed aspects of the region, a place where danger and ancient secrets intertwine.
Dernall Forest
Dernall Forest sprawls across central Alaron, a vibrant yet perilous woodland. The Swanmay River carves a path through its heart, flowing southeast, while the High King's Road cuts north to south, a vital but often treacherous route. Its northern edge meets the rugged Fairheight Range, while to the west, it merges into the murky, coastal Drowned Forest. To the east, the forest gives way to the open fields of Talffolk. Within its depths, ancient trees cast long shadows, obscuring hidden paths and the lairs of creatures both fey and fierce. A trail, barely discernible, separates it from the smaller Lord's Forest near Aithelar, a reminder of the fragmented nature of these wild lands. Adventurers should tread carefully, for the forest's beauty conceals dangers, and the shifting borders with the Drowned Forest make navigation challenging. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and the sounds of unseen creatures echo through the dense undergrowth.
Desertsmouth Mountains
The jagged Desertsmouth Mountains, a desolate barrier between the verdant Dalelands and the sun-scorched Anauroch, rise like skeletal fingers against the sky. Barren peaks, riddled with monstrous lairs, conceal rich veins of adamantine and iron, tempting the desperate and the greedy. Orcs, ogres, and goblinoids stalk the shadowed slopes, remnants of hordes that once overwhelmed the human settlement of Tarkhaldale, now a ruin in the western foothills near the lair of the dracolich Ashazstamn. Within these crags, the dwarven realm of Tethyamar, once a refuge and now a Zhentarim stronghold, echoes with the clang of forgotten industry. Scattered amongst the treacherous terrain are hidden tombs, like Shraevyn's final resting place in Giant's Craw Valley, and the old tomb of Shattershree, a silver dragon manipulating events from the shadows. Swordcrag, a reformed orc fortress, stands as a testament to the mountains' savage nature.
Dis
Dis, the Iron City, is a red-hot fortress ruled by Dispater. Its shifting streets and buildings create a lethal maze, while extreme heat and magic resistance pose deadly challenges to intruders. The city serves as a weapons hub for the Blood War, surrounded by barren plains and iron mountains that warp space, complicating travel. A skull-paved road leads to iron gates, where chaos reigns within. The smoky sky and fierce winds add to the oppressive atmosphere. Inside, adventurers encounter Dispater's shifting Iron Tower, the Fetters for outsiders, and the deceptive Garden of Delights. The Styx serves as the primary route to Minauros below, with portals from Avernus, one guarded by Tiamat.
Dock Ward
The Dock Ward of Waterdeep, a sprawling, pungent hub of maritime activity, clings to the Great Harbor like barnacles to a ship's hull. Its docks teem with weathered sailors, gruff dockworkers, and the occasional lurking rogue. The air, thick with the stench of salt, fish, and ale, buzzes with the clamor of shipbuilding and trade. Deepwater Harbor splits into the bustling Great Harbor and the guarded Naval Harbor, while landmarks like Aurora's Emporium and the notorious Three Pearls Nightclub offer both commerce and clandestine encounters. The Guild of Watermen and the merfolk of Tharqualnaar struggle to maintain order amidst the chaos, while the mariners of the Guard patrol, ensuring the flow of goods and the suppression of the ward's inherent dangers. A stark contrast to the city's opulent districts, the Dock Ward is a place where wealth and poverty collide, offering a grimy, yet vibrant, setting for adventure.
Dragonspear Castle
Dragonspear Castle, a crumbling bastion upon the High Moor's desolate fringe, looms as a sinister monument to forgotten glory. Once the stronghold of Daeros Dragonspear, a legendary dwarven hero, its weathered stones now echo with the whispers of darker forces. Within its fractured walls, a rift tears at reality, a portal to infernal planes, while a shadowed passage descends into the Underdark's abyssal depths. This convergence of malevolent gateways makes Dragonspear a cursed nexus, a perpetual staging ground for fiendish incursions and monstrous raids, attracting the wicked and the desperate alike. Its ruins, a labyrinth of shattered towers and haunted courtyards, conceal both treasure and terror, a perilous lure for adventurers brave or foolish enough to tread its accursed grounds.
Dynnegall
Dynnegall, a humble village nestled on Moray isle within the Moonshae Isles, hugs the northeast shore of Lac Dynnegall, a mere fifteen miles south of Caer Moray. Its name, a nod to a bygone king, echoes through the peat-scented air, a testament to the village's deep-rooted history. Simple, thatched-roof dwellings cluster near the lake's edge, where fishing boats bob gently in the shallows. The village's lifeblood is tied to the lake and the nearby Breasal Marsh, providing ample peat for warmth against the island's chill and the prized kryne plant, a vital source of sustenance. The marsh's misty tendrils often creep into the village, blurring the line between land and water, lending an ethereal, almost otherworldly aura to the rustic settlement. The villagers, hardy and resilient, are accustomed to the damp climate and the isolation of their island home, making them self-sufficient and wary of outsiders.
Earthroot
Earthroot, a domain of unique geological features, descends beneath the surface of Faerûn, a realm of perpetual twilight and subterranean wonders. Its landscape, a tapestry of crystalline formations and luminescent fungi, reflects the strange beauty of its environment. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint, metallic tang of minerals. Whispers of ancient secrets and forgotten knowledge fill the air, and the sounds of skittering creatures and dripping water fill the silence. Earthroot is a place of exploration and discovery, where the curious and the adventurous seek to uncover the hidden wonders that lie beneath the earth, a place of constant peril.
Easting
Easting, nestled east of Iriaebor in the Western Heartlands, is a curious hamlet where the rough-hewn charm of the Far Hills meets the bustle of trade routes. Hidden delves within the nearby hills serve as the source for dwarven merchants, whose wares fill the town's market squares, attracting folk from across the region. A surprising diversity of non-human residents lends an exotic air to the place, mingling with the horse breeders who supply sturdy mounts to the Sword Coast and Stormlands. Amidst this vibrant mix, Rulthaven, a celebrated botanist, tends to his gardens, his knowledge of flora sought by healers and adventurers alike. The town's location, a crossroads for both underground trade and overland travel, makes it a frequent stop for those seeking rare goods, sturdy steeds, or potent herbal remedies.
Elemental Planes
The Elemental Planes, cornerstones of Faerûn's Inner Planes, consist of Air, Fire, Earth, and Water. These realms, governed by the elemental lords Grumbar, Akadi, Istishia, and Kossuth, form a stratified structure within the Great Wheel cosmology. Connected to the Material, Ethereal, and Astral Planes, they extend outwards, embodying raw elemental power. Further complexity arises with the paraelemental planes—Ash, Ice, Magma, and Ooze—and the quasi-elemental planes, each a hybrid expression of the core elements. These planes represent the fundamental building blocks of reality, influencing the very fabric of Faerûn. Entering or exiting this plane is impossible without using magic that allows you to traverse different planes of existence.
Elturel
Elturel, returned from the infernal depths of Avernus, bears the scars of its harrowing journey. Once a beacon of holy light, the city now stands as a somber testament to resilience. The Amaunator's Gift, though dimmed, still flickers, a defiant spark against the encroaching shadows. The High District, its stone structures marred and broken, echoes with the ghosts of past grandeur, while the Dock District, once bustling, now harbors a grim silence, its utilitarian purpose twisted by the city’s near-destruction. The Hellriders, though thinned, remain vigilant, their resolve hardened by the fires of the Nine Hells. Temples dedicated to Torm, Lathander, and others stand amidst the ruins, offering fragile hope to the diverse population, a mix of weary humans, halflings, and elves, all struggling to rebuild. The air is thick with the lingering stench of brimstone, a constant reminder of the city's ordeal, yet a quiet determination pervades, a promise of reclaiming their lost glory.
Elturgard
Elturgard, once the Kingdom of the Two Suns, now stands as a fractured realm, its capital Elturel having endured a harrowing descent into Avernus. The land, encompassing the Fields of the Dead and surrounding wilds like the Reaching Woods, bears scars of this ordeal. The Companion, once a beacon of unending daylight, is gone, leaving a sky that shifts normally from day to night. Elturel itself, though restored to the Heartlands, carries the weight of its infernal journey, with lingering tensions and a newly emerged tiefling population facing discrimination. The theocracy, formerly ruled by the High Observer Thavius Kreeg, struggles to maintain order, its paladin knighthood, the Order of the Companion, diminished and its faith tested. Settlements like Scornubel, Berdusk, and Triel remain, but the lingering effects of Avernus cast a long shadow. Forts like Morninglord and Tamal stand as grim reminders of past conflicts.
Elversult
Elversult, a bustling mercantile hub on the Dragonmere's southern edge, pulses with life, straddling vital trade routes across the Eastern Heartlands. Once ruled by Lady Lord Yanseldara and Lady Constable Vaerana Hawklyn, it now serves as the capital of the Kingdom of the Stormlands under King Stannis Cherellion, a breakaway state from Cormyr. The city, birthplace of the renewed Amaunator church, where the god's second sun blazed, blends opulent trade with shadowy dealings, attracting both legitimate merchants and illicit factions. Though a beacon of vibrant culture and trendsetting innovation, Elversult contends with the lingering presence of the Cult of the Dragon, casting a pall over its otherwise radiant streets. The city's architecture, a mix of grand merchant houses and bustling markets, reflects its prosperity and diverse populace.
Endless Ice Sea
The Endless Ice Sea, a frigid expanse of glacial ice dominating Faerûn's northernmost reaches, stretches beyond the Spine of the World, east of the Reghed Glacier. A desolate, wind-scoured landscape, it presents a treacherous expanse of jagged ice formations and blinding snowstorms. This frozen wasteland is a haven for hardy, dangerous creatures like remorhaz, orc warbands, and goblin tribes, all adapted to the brutal conditions. Whispers of hidden treasure troves and potent magical artifacts lure the desperate and the foolhardy, while the ever-shifting ice merges into the perilous Sea of Moving Ice, a chaotic realm of floating icebergs and frost-covered isles, further compounding the dangers. The biting cold and the constant threat of monstrous encounters make this a place where only the strongest, or the most foolish, dare to tread.
Esmeltaran
Esmeltaran, a jewel of central Amn, sprawls along Lake Esmel’s northern shore, a testament to King Esmel Torlath I’s vision. Its sun-kissed streets, lined with opulent resorts and architectural marvels, hum with the commerce of rivals meeting on neutral ground. The lake itself, fed by the River Esmel, boasts hot springs and abundant fish, inviting both leisure and trade. Elegant structures reflect in the shimmering waters, while the air, warm and inviting, carries the scent of exotic blooms and the murmur of bustling markets. This city, a haven for the wealthy and a crossroads for diplomats, pulses with life, its beauty a stark contrast to the often harsh realities of the surrounding lands.
Eveningstar
Eveningstar, a small but significant farming village in Cormyr, lies roughly 100 miles north of Suzail, the kingdom's capital, near the King's Forest. Its strategic location at the High Road's crossing of the Starwater River makes it a frequent stop for adventurers and overland caravans, akin to Stormreach in Eberron. The village thrives on its agricultural output, producing milk, eggs, poultry, mutton, carrots, beans, parsnips, and value-added goods like cheese, parchment, wool, and wine, all sold at a weekly farmer's market. Notable locations include the Lonesome Tankard, a bustling inn and social hub, Eveningstar Hall, housing the government meeting hall, Purple Dragon barracks, and jail, and Ruldo Stables, offering services for horses and other mounts.
Evereska
Evereska, the "Fortress Home," is a secluded elven haven nestled in northern Faerûn, a sanctuary against human expansion. This verdant valley, a terraced garden sculpted by elven magic, is encircled by the Shaeradim, twelve concealing hills. Blueleaf trees, shaped by magic, flourish under the mythal's regulated weather and disease control. The mythal itself, a living magic, prevents magical transport, grants residents insect-like wall-climbing abilities, and defends against attackers with golden meteors. Once besieged by the phaerimm, Evereska remains a stalwart bastion for the Tel'Quess, excluding the drow.
Fablerise
Within the Feywild's twilight expanse, Fablerise looms, a somber forest under Yarnspinner's dominion. The air, heavy with damp earth and whispered narratives, vibrates with the chorus of awakened animals drawn to the fey spider's tales. This place of enchantment, where story weaves reality, blurs the line between truth and fiction. The Feywild itself, an echo of Toril, amplifies magic and emotion, its landscapes exaggerated and time erratic. Fablerise, nestled within this realm of heightened sensation, serves as a focal point for Yarnspinner's power, illustrating the plane's ability to shape reality through narrative. The unpredictable nature of the Feywild, its amplified magic, and its connection to Toril, make Fablerise a place of constant wonder and potential peril for any mortal who dares to tread its paths.
Faerûn
Faerûn, a continent of diverse lands, is the heart of Toril. From the Sword Coast's bustling cities to the vast, arid wastes of Anauroch, empires rise and fall. Magic permeates the land, shaping its history and present. Gods walk among mortals, their influence felt in every aspect of life. Political intrigue, ancient ruins, and monstrous threats define this realm. Trade routes crisscross the continent, connecting disparate cultures and fueling conflict. A land of endless possibilities, Faerûn is a tapestry of adventure and peril.
Faerûn (North)
Faerûn, a continent of diverse lands, is the heart of Toril. From the Sword Coast's bustling cities to the vast, arid wastes of Anauroch, empires rise and fall. Magic permeates the land, shaping its history and present. Gods walk among mortals, their influence felt in every aspect of life. Political intrigue, ancient ruins, and monstrous threats define this realm. Trade routes crisscross the continent, connecting disparate cultures and fueling conflict. A land of endless possibilities, Faerûn is a tapestry of adventure and peril.
Farview
Fairview, a coastal village nestled on Moray isle within the Moonshae Isles, hugs the Trackless Sea's edge, a modest haven west of the treacherous Breasal Marsh. Once a simple settlement, it now boasts a burgeoning shipyard thanks to the Northlander faithful of the Storm Maiden. Towering longships, crafted from the robust timber of the nearby Shannyth Forest, line the docks, their sleek hulls and intricate carvings testament to the villagers' newfound skill. The salty air hums with the clang of hammers and the creak of rigging, a vibrant contrast to the marsh's somber silence. Simple homes cluster around the harbor, their thatched roofs and whitewashed walls reflecting the harsh, yet beautiful, coastal light. The scent of pine and sea salt permeates the air, mingling with the fishy tang of the harbor, a testament to Fairview's reliance on both the sea and the forest.
Fields of the Dead
The Fields of the Dead are vast, windswept grassy plains located east of Baldur's Gate, between the Winding Water and the River Chionthar. This ancient battlefield, rich in history, features burial mounds and remnants of long-forgotten conflicts, serving as a haunting reminder of the struggles for control over the lands north of Calimshan.
Fireshear
Fireshear, a rugged mining outpost etched into the Frozenfar's harsh coastline west of the Iceflow, presents a stark visage. Its emblem, a simple cross, belies the riches unearthed from its depths: copper and silver veins exposed by a cataclysmic event, perhaps a volcanic eruption or celestial impact. The city clings to high cliffs, descending via precarious ramps to a shallow bay that succumbs to "lock-in" during winter's icy grip. Ruled by a triumvirate of merchants from Mirabar, Neverwinter, and Waterdeep, Fireshear pulsates with the rough energy of miners and laborers drawn from the Sword Coast. These rulers frequently contract adventurers for patrols and intelligence, navigating the perilous landscape and the city's volatile undercurrents.
Flint Rock
Flint Rock, nestled within the treacherous Evermoors of the Savage Frontier, stands as the ancestral mound of the Elk tribe, a sacred site of the Uthgardt barbarians. This concentric arrangement of hills cradles a central depression, its form mimicking a leaping elk, a testament to their revered totem. At its heart lies a massive, unmovable stone slab altar, ten feet by six, concealing a potent relic: a five-foot mithral spear tip, once imbued with divination magic. This hallowed ground, burial site for Elk chiefs and shamans, also serves as the stage for their annual Runemeet, a convergence of lawmaking, celebration, and solemn rites. Though darkened by a period of profane worship, the mound has been reclaimed, its holiness restored by the resurgent Elk tribe. The surrounding Silver Marches, a region often contested, and the broader Uthgardt Alliance, a bulwark against goblinoid threats, frame this place of primal power.
Flooded Forest
The Flooded Forest is a treacherous swamp nestled between Cormanthor, the Dragon Reach, and the Earthspur Mountains. Once a thriving part of the great forest, it has now become a sunken, eerie landscape filled with dead trees, dangerous creatures, and hidden lairs.
Forest of Tethir
The Forest of Tethir, also known as Wealdath, is a vast and ancient woodland that serves as a cultural cornerstone for the region of Tethyr. Renowned for its towering trees and rich biodiversity, it is steeped in the legends of the elven hero Tethir, the first dragonslayer, and remains a vital part of the local lore and identity.
Forest of Wyrms
The Forest of Wyrms is a perilous woodland in the Western Heartlands, known for its dense foliage and the lurking presence of green dragons. The air is cool and damp, often shrouded in mist, creating an eerie atmosphere that attracts dragon slayers seeking glory and treasure.
Fort Morninglord
Fort Morninglord, a grim sentinel overlooking the River Chionthar in Elturgard, stands as a blackened monument to a vanished garrison. In 1476 DR, its paladins vanished, leaving behind a fused, stone-sealed keep. The High Observer, fearing a potent evil, outlawed entry, leaving the fort a cursed enigma. For over a decade, silence reigned until 1489 DR, when a new, wary garrison established an encampment nearby. They patrol the surrounding lands, guarding the ominous, sealed fort against both curious adventurers and whatever dark power might still linger within its blackened walls. The air around the keep is thick with unease, a constant reminder of the mysterious disappearance and the potent danger it implies.
Frost Giant Hunting Lodge
This sprawling den isn't a traditional cave or ruin, but rather a series of interconnected ice caves and crudely constructed structures carved into the side of a massive, grounded iceberg within the Sea of Moving Ice. The frost giants who dwell here have expanded upon natural formations, using frozen whalebone, thick furs, and chunks of clear ice to create a relatively comfortable (for them) hunting lodge and lair. The air is bitingly cold, and the floors are slick with ice and the remnants of frozen prey. The scent of raw meat and the echoing roars of the giants permeate the complex. Natural light filters weakly through cracks in the ice and strategically placed ice windows, creating an eerie, blue-tinged illumination in some areas, while others remain shrouded in shadow.
Frozen Ruins of Nether
Once a thriving center of magic and trade, the Frozen Ruins of Nether now lie buried beneath the relentless expanse of the High Ice. The remnants of the Netherese Empire are encased in ice, guarded by restless spirits and monstrous inhabitants, waiting for brave adventurers to uncover their secrets.
Gauntlgrym
Gauntlgrym, a sprawling dwarven metropolis carved deep within the Underdark beneath the Spine of the World, stands as a testament to Delzoun's enduring legacy. Reclaimed by King Bruenor Battlehammer, the city's vast halls echo with the clang of forges and the solemn hymns from towering cathedrals dedicated to Moradin and the dwarven pantheon. Stone-hewn structures, adorned with intricate carvings and masterful stonework, house bustling living quarters and workshops, all illuminated by the city's inherent magical heat. Gauntlgrym's immense scale and resilient spirit make it a beacon of dwarven might and craftsmanship in the perilous depths, a symbol of their tenacity against the dark.
Giant's Plain
The Giant's Plain is a vast, open expanse characterized by rolling hills and scattered boulders, remnants of ancient giants. Once known as Karlyn's Vale, this area holds echoes of a dwarven victory over giants, now overshadowed by the tragic fate of the dwarven descendants at the hands of humans.
Giant's Run Mountains
The Giant's Run Mountains rise majestically to the west of the Vilhon Reach, forming a rugged barrier that separates the Shining Plains from the wilds beyond. Once a stronghold for the gold dwarves, these mountains are rich in minerals and ancient secrets, with hidden caves and tunnels that echo with the history of their former inhabitants.
Glimmersea
The Glimmersea, a vast body of water within the Underdark, stretches beneath the surface of Faerûn, a realm of perpetual darkness and silent depths. Its waters, shimmering with bioluminescent life, reflect the strange beauty of its environment. The air is thick with the scent of damp stone and the chilling whisper of unseen entities. Whispers of ancient secrets and forgotten horrors fill the air, and the sounds of skittering creatures and dripping water fill the silence. The Glimmersea is a place of mystery and danger, where the depths conceal both wonders and terrors, a place of constant peril.
Gnarhelm
Gnarhelm is a bustling trading port known for its rich mineral resources, including copper, gold, iron, and silver. The city relies heavily on trade due to its limited agricultural output, exchanging its mineral wealth for food and other necessities. With a smaller navy compared to other Northlander realms, Gnarhelm compensates with a strong cavalry presence in its large army, making it a formidable force in the region.
Grandfather Tree
Deep within the High Forest, the Grandfather Tree, an ancient arakhor treant, stands as a sentinel over the Hall of Mists, its gnarled, colossal form a testament to ages past. Summoned by Aryvandaar elves in ancient times, it is now revered by wood elves, satyrs, and the Tree Ghost and Blue Bear Uthgardt tribes, who consider it a sacred site. Deities such as Eldath, Mielikki, Rillifane Rallathil, and Silvanus also hold it in esteem. Four lesser oaks mark the corners of its root system, amidst rotted stumps and the totems of the Blue Bear, a testament to their ancestral mound. The tree famously survived an inexplicable fire in 890 DR, leaving only a single low-hanging branch unscathed, a relic now held by the Blue Bear shaman. Elven works and Uthgardt totems dot the area, marking this place as a nexus of ancient power and reverence.
Great Bhaerynden
Great Bhaerynden, a historically significant domain, lies beneath the surface of Faerûn, a realm of perpetual twilight and ancient rivalries. Its landscape, a mix of drow cities and abandoned ruins, reflects the long and tumultuous history of its inhabitants. The air is thick with the scent of dark magic and the chilling whisper of unseen entities. Whispers of forgotten empires and ancient betrayals fill the air, and the sounds of skittering creatures and dripping water fill the silence. Great Bhaerynden is a place of intrigue and danger, where the shadows conceal both power and treachery, a place of constant peril.
Greypeak Mountains
The Greypeak Mountains, known for their rugged terrain and desolation, are a treacherous expanse in the Savage Frontier. Home to gray-skinned stone giants, fearsome beasts, and the remnants of the fallen Dwarven realm of Ammarindar, these mountains are a perilous domain where monstrous humanoids and aberrant beings roam.
Gulthmere Forest
Gulthmere Forest is a vast, overgrown expanse of pine and cedar trees, serving as a sacred ground for the followers of Nobanion. Rich in mineral resources like topazes and rubies, it attracts prospectors and dwarven miners, while also acting as a natural barrier between the Dragon Coast and the Vilhon Reach.
Gundarlun
Gundarlun is a harsh, fog-covered island in the Trackless Sea, known for its long winters and cool summers. The island is often locked in sea ice, with freshwater lakes and cascades that attract the white dragon Arveiaturace.
Gundbarg
Gundbarg, the "Gateway Port" of Gundarlun, thrusts from the Trackless Sea like a weathered fist, a vital haven for seafaring souls. Its bustling docks teem with ships, laden with commodities from across the realms, while the air hums with the clang of repairs and the shouts of merchants. Fishing boats jostle alongside whaling vessels, their decks slick with the day's catch, fueling the city's robust economy. Fields and mines inland supplement the trade, ensuring Gundbarg's self-sufficiency. King Olger Redaxe, with his 300 strong warriors, maintains order from his stone keep, their presence felt in the city's well-defended walls. The legendary Dragon Turtle Inn, a haven for adventurers and information brokers, pulsates with life, its tales as salty as the sea air. This strategic port, a crossroads of trade and adventure, offers respite and opportunity to those brave enough to navigate the Trackless Sea.
Gwynneth
Gwynneth, the Moonshae Isles' grandest southern isle, presents a tapestry of stark contrasts. Verdant lowlands, home to the Ffolk, give way to the rugged northern territories claimed by the Northlanders. At its heart lies Lake Myrloch, concealing a mystical city capable of ephemeral journeys to the Feywild. Myrloch Vale, a druidic haven on the lake's eastern shores, cradles a potent Moon Well, while the shadowed Winterglen, a castle ruled by the exiled hag Urphania, straddles the planes of Faerûn, the Feywild, and the Shadowfell. Ruins of Caer Corwell, once the proud seat of House Kendrick, stand as a testament to the island's turbulent past. The isle bears the scars of Kazgoroth's dark influence, as chronicled in ancient tales, and marks the arrival of the Talfir, led by Taylor Gwynneth, who established the first human settlement in 140 DR. This land, a blend of natural beauty and arcane mystery, holds secrets whispered on the wind and etched in the weathered stones.
Hardbuckler
Nestled along the Dusk Road in the Western Heartlands, Hardbuckler is a bustling, if compact, town of rock gnomes, a bastion of cleanliness and prosperity. Stone cottages, each with a fenced garden and multi-level cellar, dot the landscape in an organized disarray, concealing a sprawling network of underground tunnels and vaults secured by powerful wards, a legacy of the wizard Aldiber Inchtawurn. These subterranean passages, wide enough for wagons, connect the cellars, facilitating swift, hidden travel. The town, ruled by a council of gnome elders, many of whom are priests, reflects a deep reverence for gnomish deities. Notable for its stout fortifications, Hardbuckler endured a fierce battle during the Second Dragon Cataclysm, a testament to its resilience. This industrious community, situated between Triel and Hill's Edge, boasts hand-cranked elevators within its cellars, a testament to gnomish ingenuity.
Hartsvale
Nestled within the frigid embrace of the Ice Spires, Hartsvale presents a surprisingly fertile valley, a haven amidst the harsh north of Faerûn. Low, rolling hills and dense pine forests give way to frozen plains, all bisected by the Clear Whirl River and its winding tributaries, which feed into serene southern lakes. Ancient menhirs, remnants of giantish influence, mark the boundaries between human settlements and the territories of the giants who still roam the surrounding mountains and woods. Ruled by House Hartwick from Castle Hartwick's Alabaster Throne, the kingdom maintains a tenuous peace with its giant neighbors, a legacy tracing back to the legendary Hartkiller, who united the human tribes against the giants of old Ostoria. Villages like Stagwick dot the landscape, and figures such as Tavis Burdun and Avner, the Seraph of Thieves, hail from this remote realm.
Heart of Neverwinter
The Heart of Neverwinter is the bustling center of governance and prosperity, located in the South-Western portion of the city. It features the grand Hall of Justice, surrounded by well-maintained parks and vibrant marketplaces, making it the safest area in the city.
Hellgate Dell
Hellgate Dell, a jagged scar upon the land, rises as a 70-foot crag of shattered stone and twisted metal, the violent expulsion of Hellgate Keep's ruin. This isolated mound, a chaotic jumble of debris flung forth during the Keep's cataclysmic destruction in 1369 DR, stands as a grim monument. The air crackles with residual fiendish energies, and the earth is tainted, sprouting strange, gnarled flora that seem to writhe in the shadows. Twisted remnants of infernal architecture protrude from the rubble, hinting at the keep's former grandeur and malevolence. Some scholars consider it an extension of the ruined keep's domain, while others mark it as a distinct, perilous locale, a place where echoes of demonic power still linger, and the unwary might stumble upon lingering fiendish entities or cursed artifacts amidst the debris.
Helm's Hold
Helm's Hold, a stern bastion of the Gilded Eye, rises southeast of Neverwinter, its high stone walls a stark barrier against the wilds. The Order, a zealous offshoot of the Gauntlet, patrols relentlessly, their vigilance bordering on paranoia, rooting out any perceived demonic taint with unyielding fervor. Within, the monastery's rigid order contrasts with the bustling marketplace, where merchants hawk their wares under the Order's watchful gaze. The Old Dirty Dwarf tavern offers a brief respite, its rough-hewn tables filled with weary travelers and guarded whispers. Quiet hostels provide meager lodgings, their silence heavy with the Order's ever-present scrutiny. The air is thick with the scent of incense and the weight of enforced piety, a place of both refuge and oppression, where salvation comes at the cost of absolute obedience.
Hillsfar
Hillsfar, a walled city-state gracing the Moonsea's southern curve, presents a stern facade of gray stone and tightly packed buildings. Its bustling docks teem with trade vessels, a testament to its pivotal role as a regional hub, despite the city's grim reputation. Within its gates, a palpable tension hangs in the air, a byproduct of the harsh laws that exclude all nonhuman races. The city's markets, though vibrant, echo with the clipped tones of human merchants, their eyes wary. Towering over the urban sprawl, the Red Plume's citadel stands as a stark reminder of Hillsfar's iron-fisted rule, a place where prejudice and commerce intertwine. The cobblestone streets, often slick with dampness from the sea air, wind through the city, leading to various inns and merchant houses, each a potential source of information or intrigue. The city's harbor is often filled with ships from across the Moonsea, making it a critical, though dangerous, location.
Hlondeth
Hlondeth, the City of Serpents, sprawls at the Vilhon Reach's end, a spectacle of green marble structures adorned with serpentine motifs. Ruled by the enigmatic Extaminos family, whose lineage whispers of non-human blood, this independent city thrives on bustling trade, its markets overflowing with goods from distant lands. Tensions simmer with neighboring Sespech, a feud fueled by politics and blood. Its streets, illuminated by magical lights at night, wind past ornate fountains and well-maintained sewers, revealing a city of both beauty and hidden depths. The Scaled Halls of Varac, a forgotten temple beneath the city, hints at ancient mysteries, while a Thayan Enclave marks the presence of foreign diplomats. Despite its serpentine reputation, stemming from yuan-ti influences and architectural echoes, Hlondeth maintains vigilant city patrols and a generally welcoming air to most races.
Hullack Forest
Hullack Forest, a primeval expanse bordering Cormyr and the Dalelands, is a labyrinth of dark valleys and untamed wilds, a remnant of ancient Cormanthor. This perilous wood, named for the druid Hullack of Eldath, teems with green dragons, chimerae, and venomous creatures, making it a proving ground for adventurers sent by Cormyrean wardens. At its heart lies the Wyvernstones of Hullack, a menhir circle once sacred to Eldath, now corrupted by the Bloodmoon Circle, a savage sect of Malar-worshiping lycanthropes. This site, a testament to the forest's untamed nature, stands as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking within its shadowed depths, where the wild reigns supreme and ancient druidic power is twisted into something far more sinister.
Ice Spires
The frigid Ice Spires, a jagged mountain range in Faerûn's far north, pierce the sky with icy peaks, a realm of biting winds and treacherous fairy ice. Here, north of the Silver Marches and the Endless Ice Sea, and northwest of Anauroch, giants and their kin—frost, fire, hill, and ogre—dominate the landscape. Hartsvale, a secluded human kingdom, clings to a valley within these spires, hemmed in by the mountains, the icy sea, and the Anauroch desert's edge, divided into the High Duchies, Cold Marches, Cuthbert Fief, Baronies of Wind, and Lake Fiefs. Note that Icespire Peak, a dwarven stronghold in the Sword Mountains, and the Great Spire of the Ice Sea, an island structure in Yal Tengri, are distinct from this northern range.
Icewind Dale
Icewind Dale, the northernmost explored region of Faerûn, is a harsh arctic tundra defined by relentless, icy winds and long, frigid nights. This unforgiving land, nestled south of the Trackless Sea and north of the Spine of the World, is home to the hardy Ten Towns, a confederation of settlements clinging to survival. Beyond these towns, dangerous beasts like yetis, white dragons, and remorhazes roam, alongside scavenging gnolls and ice trolls. The region’s geography features mineral-rich lakes like Maer Dualdon, Lac Dinneshere, and Redwaters, and towering peaks like Kelvin's Cairn. Trade centers on knucklehead trout fishing, scrimshaw, and whale oil, with chardalyn, a magic-absorbing mineral, being a unique natural resource. Icewind Dale’s history is marked by conflict and malign influences, from ancient frost giant kingdoms to demonic invasions. Inhabitants endure the extreme climate, traversing the dale by dogsled or axe beak.
Iliyanbruen
Iliyanbruen, a spectral fragment of ancient Illefarn, exists within the Feywild's twilight embrace, a testament to elven resilience. Silverwood forests and crystal rivers, imbued with mournful beauty, reflect centuries of struggle against native fey. The city, a fortified echo of lost glory, hums with defensive magic, the air thick with ancient arcane scents. Time warps and distances shift unpredictably, mirroring the Feywild's erratic nature. This elven enclave, transplanted after Toril's near-destruction, stands as a somber fortress against the plane's capricious inhabitants. The eladrin, perceived as invaders, have adapted, their magic honed for survival in this realm of amplified arcane power. Amidst the Feywild's heightened sensations and ever-shifting landscapes, Iliyanbruen represents a point of somber, steadfast endurance, a place where past sorrow fuels present strength.
Iriaebor
Iriaebor, the City of a Thousand Spires, sprawls across the Tor, a high ridge overlooking the northern Chionthar. This densely populated city-state, though nominally within Elturgard's sphere, remains fiercely independent. Stone towers, linked by countless bridges and overhanging balconies, pierce the skyline, casting long shadows across the narrow, bustling streets below. While economically potent, Iriaebor's potential is often stifled by internal conflicts and petty rivalries among its inhabitants. The city's architecture, a labyrinth of stone and soaring spires, creates a visually striking, yet often shadowed, urban landscape.
Iron Keep
Iron Keep, perched upon the craggy shores of Oman's Isle, stands as a testament to both Ffolk resilience and dwarven might. Its stout stone walls, blackened by sea spray and the smoke of countless forges, rise from the remnants of an ancient Ffolk stronghold, now repurposed and fortified by Thelgaar Ironhand's clan. Within, the clang of hammers and the roar of bellows echo through the halls, a constant reminder of the dwarven industry that dominates the keep. Armored figures, both dwarf and human, patrol the ramparts, their gaze fixed upon the turbulent sea and the shadowed forests that cloak the island's interior. Stacks of iron ingots and weapons line the courtyards, a grim promise of the keep's readiness for any threat. The air is thick with the scent of coal, metal, and salt, a stark contrast to the wild beauty of the surrounding isles. A lone, wind-battered watchtower, its stone worn smooth by time.
Ironmaster
Nestled within the frigid embrace of the Frozenfar, Ironmaster, a stalwart dwarven city, clings to the rocky walls of Ironmaster Vale, where the Shaengarne River meets the Sea of Moving Ice. The valley, guarded by imposing stone menhirs etched with the city's emblem—a red anvil on a gray diamond—stands as a stark barrier to non-dwarves. Within, the city hums with the relentless rhythm of mining, its forges churning out seemingly endless iron and, more impressively, adamantine weaponry and armor crafted from Tuern's rare ore. A generation-long war with the duergar of Deepkingdom has hardened its defenses, and the city maintains a staunch isolation, relying on traders for external needs. Entry into the vale is fiercely contested, with patrols swiftly dispatching any who dare trespass past the clearly marked boundaries bearing the anvil and diamond sigil.
Jovar, the Glittering Heaven
Jovar, the Glittering Heaven or Heaven of Gems, the sixth layer of Mount Celestia, is a realm of dazzling beauty and celestial guardianship. Its hills are studded with precious gemstones, their facets reflecting the light in a dazzling display. The Heavenly City, Yesteria, a huge seven-layered ziggurat, dominates the landscape, its terraces reaching towards the sky. The city is built of precious gemstones, its walls shimmering with light. The bridge of al-Sihal, formed of pure light, spans the topmost terrace, guarded by the powerful solar Xerona, who judges those worthy to enter Chronias. The air is filled with the soft glow of gemstones and the distant harmonies of celestial choirs, creating an atmosphere of awe-inspiring beauty and divine vigilance. Jovar is a place of celestial splendor and unwavering guardianship, a gateway to the ultimate realm of lawful good.
Kingdom of Callidyrr
Callidyrr, a vibrant Ffolk kingdom nestled on Alaron within the Moonshae Isles, stretches across most of the isle, save its northern reaches. Encompassing the Fairheight Range and southward plains, it's divided into four counties, showcasing diverse landscapes from the dense Dernall Forest to the open Bregonshire plains. Caer Callidyrr, the capital, buzzes with trade and music, serving as the High King's seat, a testament to Ffolk governance. This kingdom, rich in resources and cosmopolitan spirit, has faced trials, notably a cult's assault on Caer Callidyrr, as detailed in "Halls of the High King," where High King Tristan Kendrick and his bards defended against those seeking to claim the Moonshaes for the fallen god Bane.
Kingdom of Many-Arrows
Dark Arrow Keep, a fractured remnant of the once-mighty Kingdom of Many-Arrows, stands stark against the Spine of the World, roughly forty miles north of Mithral Hall. Founded by the unusually intelligent orc Obould Many-Arrows in the 14th century, this kingdom, marked by its brief, improbable peace with neighboring realms, once spanned from Mithral Hall to the Moonwood, southward to the Evermoors. Now, the keep and its surrounding territory are a shadow of their former glory. Internal strife, drow insurrection, and the ambitions of warlords like Hartusk have reduced the kingdom to a mere tribe, clinging to the ruins of its past. The imposing stone fortress, Dark Arrow Keep, still looms, a testament to Obould's vision, though its halls now echo with the whispers of a diminished orcish presence. Though King Lorgru holds nominal control after a tumultuous period of betrayal and war, the Many-Arrows tribe no longer commands the same respect or fear it once did.
Korinn Archipelago
The windswept Korinn Archipelago, a jagged necklace of isles strung across the Moonshae’s northern edge, presents a perilous gauntlet for any traveler. Treacherous reefs and churning seas guard its shores, while the skies above are patrolled by griffons, harpies, and the occasional predatory wyvern. Beneath the waves, dragon turtles slumber, their ancient eyes watching the passage of ships. Crumbling ruins, remnants of a forgotten age, dot the islands, their stones whispering tales of malevolent wizards and the stony gaze of lurking gargoyles. This remote chain, a blend of natural beauty and lurking danger, offers both rich rewards and deadly perils to those brave or foolish enough to venture into its embrace.
Kuldahar
Nestled within the frigid Spine of the World, south of Icewind Dale’s Ten Towns, lies Kuldahar, an anomaly of verdant warmth. At its heart stands the Great Oak, a majestic tree gifted by Silvanus, its magical aura banishing the biting cold and fostering a lush haven. The town, built around this arboreal miracle some thirty years prior to 1281 DR, serves as a sanctuary for druids and pilgrims seeking the tree's blessings. Kuldahar Valley, accessed via the treacherous Kuldahar Pass, connects the town to southern lands, though the pass is rife with frost giants and other perils. In recent times, yuan-ti invaders sought to corrupt the Oak, utilizing a hidden portal within its roots, but the archdruid Iselore stood firm in its defense. Travelers may encounter Rattatofkr, a spirit-guide, who aids in navigating the treacherous paths to the Oak.
Lake of Dragons
Dragonmere, the Lake of Dragons, stretches along the western edge of the Sea of Fallen Stars, a vital artery of trade connecting the realms of Cormyr and Sembia to the perilous Dragon Coast. This expansive lake, nearly a hundred miles at its widest, narrows to a mere ten miles, flanked by the bustling port city of Westgate to the south and the ancient town of Urmlaspyr to the north. Its waters, often shrouded in mist and legend, reflect the jagged cliffs and dense forests that border its shores. Sailors whisper tales of ancient draconic spirits and hidden underwater ruins, making passage across Dragonmere both lucrative and treacherous. Trade vessels, laden with goods, navigate its depths, braving sudden squalls and the potential for encounters with monstrous denizens that lurk beneath the surface. The lake's strategic importance makes it a focal point for political intrigue and economic competition, attracting adventurers and merchants alike.
Layers 1-100 of the Abyss
The first hundred layers of the Abyss are a chaotic tapestry of nightmarish realms. Pazunia, the first layer, is a barren wasteland pierced by yawning pits that plunge into deeper layers, ruled by the obyrith Pazuzu and dotted with iron fortresses of lesser demon lords. From the insect-infested Driller’s Hives to the memory-devouring Forgotten Land, and the bottomless chasm of the Grand Abyss, these layers defy mortal comprehension. Realms of beholder gods, acid oceans, and shadow demons blend with frozen wastes and jungles of flesh-eating trees. The Demonweb Pits, a colossal spider web, and the volcanic Gaping Maw, home to Demogorgon. Each layer is a unique hellscape, ruled by powerful entities, and connected by the ever-shifting currents of the River Styx, or the River of Blood. Portals to other planes warp and change, making navigation a deadly gamble. The Abyss is a realm of constant flux, destruction, and rebirth, where only the most vicious and adaptable thrive.
Layers 101-200 of the Abyss
Layers 101-200 of the Abyss present a chaotic tapestry of demonic domains. Layer 111, the Mind of Evil, is a sentient, insane plane fused with the demon lord Sch'thrruppasstt, nullifying magic and trapping visitors in a living nightmare. Layer 113, Thanatos, is a desolate land of ruins and undead, ruled by Orcus from his bone-and-obsidian palace, Everlost. Slugbed (128) is a foggy expanse of forests and seas, home to the slumbering Lupercio, with rare glimpses of angelic castles. Outcasts' End (137) belongs to Azazel, while Lifebane (142) is Chemosh's undead realm. Torrent (148) is contested. Hollow's Heart (176) is Fraz-Urb'luu's illusory domain, a rebuilt continent amid a featureless dust plain. The Writhing Realm (177) is Ugudenk's, and the Rotting Plain (181) is Laogzed's stinking savanna, a dumping ground for devoured entities. Fountain of Screams (191) is rulerless, and Vulgarea (193) belongs to Eshebala, goddess of foxwomen.
Layers 201-300 of the Abyss
Layers 201-300 of the Abyss present a grotesque tableau of demonic domains. Shedaklah, the Slime Pits (222), reeks of Juiblex's fetid swamps and Zuggtmoy's fungal palaces, a realm of oozing decay under sickly green skies. Offalmound (223), once Moander's domain, remains contested. The Dreaming Gulf (230) drifts in dark winds, haunted by the fading dreams of dead gods. Palpitatia (241) is a lightless wasteland ruled by bugbear deities, while the Scalding Sea (245) boils with acidic waves, its black glass island a monument to agony. The Hidden Layer (248), ravaged by storms, conceals deadly flora and the legacy of Eltab, its fractured remnants scattered across Faerûn. Durao (274) bristles with militaristic might, a staging ground for the Blood War along the Styx. Belistor (277) is an empty void, Yrsillar's desolate domain. The Sighing Cliffs (297) echo with Lynkhab's regret, and Feng-Tu (300) stands as a demonic citadel on the How Nai-ho, ruled by Tou Mu and Lu Yueh.
Layers 301-400 of the Abyss
Layers 301-400 of the Abyss are diverse. Layer 303, the Sulfanorum, is a smoke-choked realm of countless fire pits. Layer 313, Gorrion's Grasp, is a contested territory housing Illssender’s tower and a captive molydeus. The Broken Scale, layer 333, belongs to Hiddukel, god of lies and greed, while the contested layer 340, the Black Blizzard, is a frigid, hostile zone. Layer 348, Indifference, a once abandoned realm of Thralhavoc, now holds the Fortress of Indifference, ruled by Tapheon, amidst a landscape of rocky pinnacles and red skies. The Arc of Eternity, layer 359, belongs to Eldanoth, the Bloodless Scion. The Plains of Gallenshu, layer 377, is a decaying realm of dust and bone, home to armanites and a forgotten varrangoins civilization. The Hungry Tarns, layer 380, are poisonous fens and black lakes, remnants of Sertrous’s influence, infested with serpents. The Worm Realm, layer 399, a maze of tunnels in solid rock, is Urdlen’s domain, inhabited by fungal-infected creatures.
Layers 401-500 of the Abyss
Layers 401-500 of the Abyss. From the nalfeshnee-ruled Woeful Escarand, where lords determine the fates of petitioners, to the desolate Rainless Waste and the gnoll-infested Death Dells ruled by Yeenoghu. Doresain's White Kingdom presents a macabre, albeit civilized, undead aristocracy, while unnamed layers hold swamplands of adaru corruption and the cacodemon realm of Ahriman-abad. Androlynne, paradoxically beautiful, serves as a battleground between eladrin captives and their demonic tormentors. Guttlevetch, a realm of ceaseless storms. The baroque Lair of the Beast is ruled by the vampire Kanchelsis. Noisome Vale, once ruled by the balor Tarnhem, now festers with acidic fumes and worms. The Steeping Isle, Siragle's domain, is a desolate wasteland, and Carroristo, a fortress amidst a caustic sea, teems with fiendish creatures. The 500th layer, ruled by Kali, a blood-soaked jungle with a screaming ocean, connects to other layers through numerous portals.
Layers 501-600 of the Abyss
The Abyss, layers 501-600. Torremor, now Lamashtu's, is a twisted tangle of masonry. Occipitus, a corrupted piece of Celestia ruled by Adimarchus, has spongy flesh terrain and bone forests. Melantholep drives visitors insane, rumored home to chole dragons. The March of the Pierced Men and the Forest of Living Tongues are torture grounds for mortal souls. Shatterstone is Vaprak's pitiful cave realm. Molor, the Stinking Realm, oozes decay, ruled by Juiblex. Vudra, Shaktari's Bloodsea, teems with poisonous flora and fauna. Garavond is an airless void, Haagenti's domain. Fleshforges, Dwiergus's realm, is a shifting mass of organic matter. Soulfreeze, Aseroth's icy domain, chills minds and bodies. Shendilavri, Malcanthet's beautiful yet deceptive realm, hides dark temptations. Diinkarazan's Prison of the Mad God is a swirling vortex. Goranthis, Socothbenoth's pleasure palace, lures with false beauty. The Endless Maze, Baphomet's labyrinth, houses minotaurs and the obyrith Pale Night.
Layers 601-700 of the Abyss
Layers 601-700 of the Abyss. Conflagratum, the 601st, blazes with unnatural white fire, consuming a city of bizarre angles, the domain of Alzrius and its fire spiders. Vallashan, the 628th, lures the righteous with false promises of victory, twisting their souls into self-destruction. The 643rd, the Caverns of the Skull, shared by Kali, the Black Earth Mother, is a maze of shifting tunnels where xorn, eyewings, and fireshadows clash in endless cycles of death and rebirth, guarded portals blocking escape. Nethuria, ruled by Vucarik, Consort of Chains, lies at layer 651, while the disputed Rift of Corrosion occupies 652. Zionyn, the 663rd, a vermin-plagued realm of Obox-ob, Prince of Vermin, stretches as a land of resinous oceans and teeming horrors. The 665th layer, the Void, is a bottomless black abyss where magic falters and winds strip flesh from bone, a place of no return. The Styx, weaves through these layers, linking them to other fiendish planes.
Longsaddle
Nestled along the Long Road, amidst the untamed Savage Frontier, lies Longsaddle, a peculiar hamlet of roughly a thousand souls. Dominated by the eccentric Harpell wizards residing in the ivy-clad Ivy Mansion, its membership in the Lords' Alliance belies its modest size, a testament to the family's potent magic. East of the Crags and west of the Evermoors, the town hums with magical oddities and local charm. Within its bounds, travelers find respite at the Gilded Horseshoe inn and revelry at the Gambling Golem festhall, where card games and the raucous scattershields marbles game draw crowds. Dowell Harpell, the hamlet's voice in the Alliance, navigates the delicate balance between magical whimsy and political necessity.
Lower City of Baldur's Gate
Nestled below the imposing walls of Baldur's Gate, the Lower City sprawls, a labyrinth of ramshackle dwellings and bustling thoroughfares. Gray Harbor, the city's lifeblood, dominates the scene, its docks teeming with rough-hewn laborers and weathered sailors unloading cargo from creaking ships. The air is thick with the mingled scents of salt, fish, and the sweat of countless workers. Narrow, cobbled streets wind between overcrowded tenements, where hawkers peddle wares and shadowed figures lurk in dimly lit alleyways. Taverns, both reputable and otherwise, spill forth raucous laughter and the clamor of bartering. The Lower City pulses with a raw, untamed energy, a place where fortunes are made and lost, and where the echoes of the city's underbelly resonate.
Lunia, the Silver Heaven
Lunia, the Silver Heaven, is the first and bottommost layer of Mount Celestia, a realm of starlit serenity. A vast, tranquil ocean, the Silver Sea, stretches to the horizon, its waters shimmering with holy light and populated by celestial sea creatures. The night sky above is a spectacle of silver stars, casting a gentle glow upon the pristine beaches and the base of the colossal mountain that rises from the sea. Majestic citadels of polished white stone dot the landscape, their towers reaching towards the starry expanse. This layer serves as the initial point of entry for travelers arriving from the Astral Plane, who find themselves deposited in the surf of the Silver Sea. It is also home to Tyr’s secondary realm, the Court, a place of righteous judgment and unwavering law. The air is filled with the soft murmur of the waves and the distant harmonies of celestial choirs, creating an atmosphere of profound peace and tranquility. Lunia is a place of beginnings.
Lurkwood
Lurkwood, or Vurykvudd to dwarven tongues, sprawls south of the Spine of the World, a dense, temperate hardwood forest teeming with life. Ancient trees form a verdant canopy, concealing the wild heart of the woods, where the Thunderbeast tribe holds dominion. To the east, the legendary Mithral Hall stands sentinel, while the bustling mining community of Mirabar marks the western edge. Southward, the town of Nesmé offers a glimpse of civilization amidst the untamed wilderness. Within Lurkwood’s depths, hidden paths wind through thick undergrowth, leading to forgotten glades and shadowed hollows, where both beauty and peril reside.
Luskan
Luskan, the City of Sails, sprawls along the River Mirar's mouth on the harsh Sword Coast North, a fractured port of roughly 4,000 souls clinging to civilization's edge. Once grand, the city bears the scars of the Spellplague, a testament to its near annihilation. Now, it's a hive of piratical "Ships," cutthroat factions ruled by High Captains, their rivalries as fierce as the sea. The looming Hosttower, a relic of past conflicts, dominates the skyline. Beyond the city walls, the ravaged halfling village of Bleeding Vines whispers of demonic horrors. Currently, Luskan is under the subtle, yet firm, hand of Bregan D'aerthe, the drow organization led by Jarlaxle and his disguised ally, Beniago Kuth. Jarlaxle's reforms aim to forge alliances, but deep mistrust of the drow festers beneath the surface, a volatile undercurrent in this city of sails and shadows.
Malabog's Realm
Malabog's Realm is a dark dominion within the Feywild, characterized by jagged fortresses of dark iron and stone that rise ominously against a backdrop of perpetual twilight. This realm is a twisted reflection of the Feywild's beauty, where the oppressive rule of the fomorian king is enforced by monstrous armies, and the air is thick with corrupted magic that warps the very fabric of the land.
Maladomini
Maladomini, 7th Hell, a ruined bureaucracy. Baalzebul's quest for perfection shattered it. Cities rose, then fell, leaving lava-polluted ruins and vast mines. Decay reigns, twisting devils and the land. Tunnels snake through ruined cities, home to all devil ranks, ayperobos, and swarm devils. Hell's bureaucracy thrives in hidden archives. The Carnival Eternal offers dark pleasures, while Malagard, the capital, crumbles. Runaways and deserters find refuge, and devils train to corrupt mortals, a testament to Baalzebul's failing schemes.
Malbolge
Malbolge, Hell's sixth layer, is a vast, tilted mountainside plagued by endless avalanches. Devils dwell in caves or precarious fortresses, using upslope designs or adamantine pillars for stability. Its steep, shifting terrain makes travel perilous, with constant risks of falls and crushing. Archdevil Glasya rules, transforming it into a devil prison. Notable sites: her torture-filled Citadel and the cruelly beautiful Garden of Delights. Imps, barbed devils, and erinyes populate it, with Glasya favoring the latter. Mortal courtiers, succubi, and infernal vermin also reside. The chaotic, punishing environment, under Glasya's erratic rule, ensures perpetual turmoil.
Marsember
Marsember, the "City of Spices," sprawls across marshy islands, linked by a web of bridges and canals, marking it as Cormyr's second largest port. Its origins as a haven for smugglers and pirates lend a lingering, if subdued, air of seediness, despite recent efforts to enforce law and order. The bustling docks teem with ships laden with exotic spices, a testament to its vital trade routes along the Starwater River. Though prosperity reigns, shadows lurk: doppelgangers, Zhentarim smugglers, and other unsavory elements pose persistent threats, requiring vigilance from any traveler.
Marsh of Chelimber
The treacherous Marsh of Chelimber, nestled between the imposing Greypeak Mountains and the shadowy Greycloak Hills of the Western Heartlands, is a festering wound upon the land. Born from a cataclysmic wizard duel in 993 DR, uncontrolled water elementals transformed this once-fertile region into a sprawling, fetid swamp. Murky waters conceal treacherous sinkholes and the crumbling remnants of a drowned human kingdom, now patrolled by its undead soldiers, their spectral forms haunting the overgrown ruins. The marsh teems with life, albeit hostile: lizardfolk tribes claim territories amongst the reeds, bullywug warbands croak their dominance from muddy islands, and the sinister sivs lurk in the deeper, shadowed pools. The air hangs heavy with the stench of decay and damp earth, a constant reminder of the magical calamity that reshaped this perilous domain.
Menzoberranzan
Menzoberranzan, the "City of Spiders," endures in the Upper Northdark, a sprawling drow metropolis two miles beneath Surbrin Vale. Its location, nestled between the Moonwood and Frost Hills, underscores its isolation. This subterranean city, lit by faerie fire, is a nexus of drow society, defined by cutthroat politics and constant house warfare. Opulent, spider-themed architecture reflects the city's devotion to Lolth, while complex political machinations ensure perpetual power struggles. Its history, rife with intrigue and betrayal, marks it as a crucial, dangerous location within Faerûn. Getting to Menzoberranzan from the Cold Wood requires a guide who knows the underground cave network well that lies below the forest.
Mercuria, the Golden Heaven
Mercuria, the Golden Heaven, the second layer of Mount Celestia, is bathed in a warm, golden light that suffuses every aspect of its landscape. Gentle hills roll across the terrain, interspersed with lush, verdant valleys, creating a pastoral scene of serene beauty. This layer serves as a marshaling ground for the celestial armies of lawful good, and armories filled with gleaming weapons and armor stand ready for the plane’s noble warriors. Monuments and tombs dedicated to fallen paladins and heroes dot the landscape, honored during an annual Day of Memory. Bahamut's jeweled palace, a marvel of celestial craftsmanship, moves across this layer, its walls crafted from mithral and its windows from precious gemstones. Small settlements of archons and other goodly beings thrive here, their lives dedicated to the pursuit of righteousness. The air is filled with the golden glow of divine energy, and the sounds of gentle brooks and the distant calls of celestial trumpets.
Mertion, the Platinum Heaven
Mertion, the Platinum Heaven, the fifth layer of Mount Celestia, is a realm of vast plains and savannas, a mustering ground for paladins and other lawful good servants. Instead of mountains, majestic citadels and huge black spherical domes dot the landscape, their imposing structures reaching towards the sky. The city of Empyrea, the City of Tempered Souls, stands on the edge of a cold mountain lake, its magical fountains offering healing and restoration. The air is filled with the sounds of training exercises and the distant calls of celestial trumpets, creating an atmosphere of martial readiness and noble purpose. The vast plains serve as a stage for the righteous armies of Celestia, their banners fluttering in the wind, their resolve unwavering. Mertion is a place of unwavering dedication and noble purpose, a testament to the strength and resolve of lawful good.
Minauros
Minauros, Hell's third layer, is Mammon's fetid swamp, its economic heart. Souls become currency amid decaying cities sinking into putrid mud. Acid rain, icy sleet, and flesh-flaying hail assault treacherous mud flats, cesspools, and volcanic ridges. Greed and misery reign; value is lost. Lemures, hamatulas, and kytons serve Mammon’s avarice. Cities like the Sinking City and Jangling Hiter decay, reflecting the plane’s ruin. Monstrous secrets lurk beneath murky waters. Minauros’s history is sinking, and Mammon's wealth-driven power plays, including economic warfare, are constant.
Mintarn
Mintarn, a rugged island in the Sea of Swords, 400 miles southwest of Waterdeep, serves as a haven for pirates, mercenaries, and those seeking neutral ground. Ruled by a tyrant, a tradition stemming from Tarnheel Embuirhan, the island maintains a unique blend of lawlessness and commerce. Its bustling harbor facilitates trade, exporting ships, mercenaries, and food, while importing Moonshae wood and Mabadann oysters. Famous taverns and festhalls teem with danger and opportunity. The island's history is marked by tributes paid to the dragon Hoondarrh and its lucrative mercenary trade, once bolstered by Waterdeep and Neverwinter. Notable locations include Castle Mintarn, the pirate-run Cove of the Queen, and Mintarn Mountain, rumored to house a hidden dwarven hold. The island produces distinct beverages like Mintarn lager, green wine, almond brandy, and Best Old Mintarn whiskey. Tarnians, the island's inhabitants, cultivate a culture that embraces both opportunity and peril.
Mirabar
Mirabar, a bastion of dwarven craftsmanship and human industry, rises from the Sword Coast as the North's second wealthiest city. Its formidable sloped walls and fortified docks belie the bustling activity within. Below the surface, 1,600 shield dwarves inhabit a labyrinth of well-lit residential caverns, roaring superheated forges, and extensive mine tunnels, producing exquisite metal goods. Above, humans manage the city's trade, transport ore, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the dwarves against magical threats. The city's wealth, derived from its abundant mines and skilled artisans, is evident in its sturdy defenses and thriving markets, making it a crucial trade hub and a formidable stronghold against the dangers of the North.
Misty Forest
The Misty Forest, a perpetually damp and fog-laden expanse west of the High Moor and south of the Delimbiyr, presents a verdant yet perilous domain. Dominated by towering evergreens, particularly pines in the south and dense spruce thickets to the north, it serves as the heart of wild elf territory, ruled by King Melandrach. Within its shadowed depths lie Reugor’s Rock, a foreboding black monolith marking orcish caverns that menace the Trade Way. Scattered Tombholes, narrow fissures in the land, conceal the remains of past adventurers, sometimes yielding forgotten treasures. The Dead Glade, a small clearing, emanates a potent, ancient magic that warps the very essence of life. Rangers and druids diligently patrol the forest, safeguarding its delicate balance and protecting its diverse wildlife, which includes deer, bears, boars, and wild cows, from both natural and unnatural threats.
Mithral Hall
Mithral Hall, a sprawling dwarven stronghold nestled within Fourthpeak Mountain of the Frost Hills, serves as a vital settlement in Faerûn. Predominantly inhabited by shield dwarves, this large town of approximately 5,000 souls thrives on mithral mining and craftsmanship. Governed by a monarchy, its history is marked by conflict and resilience, notably the reign of Shimmergloom the shadow dragon and subsequent reclamation by Clan Battlehammer. The stronghold's labyrinthine structure, including the treacherous Maze, the central Undercity, and the deep Garumn's Gorge, features fortified entrances and hidden Underdark connections. Notable locations like the Hall of Dumathoin hold vast treasures, while burial sites honor heroes like Bruenor Battlehammer. Mithral Hall's economy centers on exporting mithral and iron, fostering alliances with dwarven citadels and facing rivalries with Mirabar.
Moonshae Isles
The Moonshae Isles, a scattered archipelago in the Trackless Sea, are a land of primal magic and fierce conflict. Verdant forests and rugged peaks conceal ancient druidic circles and fey crossings. Here, the Earthmother, goddess of nature, holds sway, challenged by the monstrous influence of Cyric and his dark minions. The isles are divided between the civilized Northlander kingdoms, the wild Ffolk, and the monstrous inhabitants of the southern islands. Conflict is constant, with sea kings, druid sects, and lycanthropic tribes vying for dominance, making it a volatile, often perilous region.
Moray Island
The Isle of Moray, a rugged, storm-wracked isle in the western Moonshaes, rises sharply from the churning sea, its mountainous terrain dominated by the jagged Trollclaw and Orcskull Ranges. Here, the Ffolk, bearing a strong Northman lineage, are a hardy, martial people, their settlements like Caer Moray and Dynnegall clinging to the harsh landscape. A monarchy governs the island's 29,000 souls, a mix of primarily Ffolk humans, with a small contingent of other humans and dwarves. The Orcskull Mountains, which bisect the island, have become a battleground, where Northlander warbands, since the recent peace, now raid monstrous inhabitants, honing their skills and protecting Moray's strategic defenses. Farview, a lonely outpost, watches the western horizon. The island's position makes it a vital shield against invaders, its people ever vigilant, their spirit as untamed as the winds that sweep its peaks.
Morgur's Mound
Morgur's Mound, nestled within the Crags, looms as a long-neglected, creature-shaped hill, resembling a wingless dragon, the Thunderbeast totem of the Uthgardt tribe. This ancestral burial site, named for Uthgar's brother, Morgur, whispers tales of ancient power. Once a sacred place for the Thunderbeast tribe, known for their descent from the legendary Uthgar, it now bears the scars of plundering. Rumors persist of shamans animating the skeletal remains atop the mound for tribal defense, and even after its destruction, smaller dinosaur skeletons guard its hidden treasures, including a stone giant's tooth, a relic sought by adventurers. The area, though abandoned, pulses with the echoes of Uthgardt history, a testament to their strength and the enduring legend of their hero-chief.
Mount Celestia
Mount Celestia, the Seven Heavens, is a towering, infinite mountain of lawful good, ascending through seven distinct layers from a vast, holy ocean. Each layer, from the starlit Silver Sea of Lunia to the radiant peak of Chronias, boasts unique landscapes and celestial hues, housing archons, solars, and other goodly beings. Majestic citadels, jeweled palaces, and verdant valleys dot the terrain, while the air hums with divine energy. Deities like Bahamut, Moradin, and Torm claim realms within its slopes, and the souls of the worthy ascend through the layers, striving for ultimate unity with the plane in Chronias. The ascent through these layers represents a journey through increasing levels of righteousness, making it the pinnacle of lawful good afterlives. The mountain is surrounded by three lesser peaks, Martyrdom, Trueheart, and the Court, domains of powerful deities. The layers are accessed by climbing the mountain, with each ascent revealing a higher plane.
Mount Hotenow
Mount Hotenow, once a vital source of Neverwinter's warmth, now stands as a jagged, menacing scar upon the Crags, its peak resembling cruel, serrated teeth. The 1451 DR eruption transformed it from a fire elemental haven into a gateway to infernal realms, spewing ash and smoke that darken the surrounding landscape. Within its caldera, pools of molten rock simmer, and the air crackles with residual elemental energy. Whispers persist of a shadowy reflection in the Shadowfell, where a perpetually erupting Hotenow spills rivers of lava into the gloom of Evernight. The land around the volcano is scorched and barren, a testament to its destructive power, and the air is thick with the scent of sulfur and ash.
Mulhessen
Mulhessen, a humble Sembian town nestled along the bustling Belduuk Road, where it intersects with the Way of the Manticore, serves as a crossroads between the grand cities of Selgaunt and Daerlun. Though small, its strategic location north of Saerloon has placed it in the path of historical upheaval, notably pledging loyalty after the ravaging of Ordulin in 1374 DR. The town, intentionally left vague in most accounts. Within its borders reside notable figures: the enigmatic wizard Aldeguth, the celebrated composer Baerann Kordeemur, and the Harper caravan-master Ormsel Eltunarr. Belduuk Road, locally dubbed "Rattlebones Ride" as it stretches towards Saerb, and the intersecting Way of the Manticore bring a steady flow of travelers, making Mulhessen a potentially vital, if unassuming, point of interest.
Murann / Murannheim
Murann, once a bustling Amnian port known as the Sailors' City, now stands as a grim testament to ogre mage conquest. Sothillis and Cyrvisnea, wielding dark magic, seized it in 1371 DR, birthing the kingdom of Muranndin. The city, renamed Murannheim, is a fortified hub of monstrous activity, its once vibrant docks now shadowed by war galleys and slave ships. The streets, patrolled by ogre warriors and their goblin minions, echo with the clang of forges producing weapons of war. The stench of decay and the ever-present threat of violence permeate the air, replacing the salty tang of the sea. Muranndin, a constant threat to Amnian trade, stretches from the Small Teeth Mountains to the Wealdath forest and the Dragon's Head peninsula, a dark kingdom carved from Amn's northern lands. In-fighting among the ogre chieftains adds to the chaos, though the Great Mur maintains a tenuous grip, ensuring Murann remains a hostile stronghold.
Myth Drannor
Myth Drannor, the shattered City of Song, sprawls across the ancient heart of Cormanthor forest, a haunting tapestry of ruined elegance. Once a beacon of inter-racial harmony, its skeletal towers and overgrown plazas whisper tales of a golden age lost. Crumbling archways, choked with vines and shadow, frame the remnants of elven artistry, now scarred by centuries of decay. The lingering echoes of the mythal, a once-powerful protective enchantment, still resonate faintly, a ghostly reminder of the city's former glory. Within its labyrinthine streets, dangers abound: remnants of fallen empires, monstrous denizens, and the ever-present threat of lingering magical anomalies. The air itself seems thick with forgotten magic, a palpable sense of both wonder and dread. Amidst the ruins, hidden treasures and lost knowledge lie waiting, guarded by the ghosts of a city that was, and the dangers of what it has become.
Nachtur
Nachtur, a labyrinthine goblin kingdom within the Feywild's shadowed depths, sprawls beneath the twilight canopy, its tunnels a cacophony of industry and skittering goblin activity. Ruled by the formidable Great Gark, Lord of All the Goblins, the warrens reek of forges and strange fungi, a testament to goblin ingenuity in the hostile Feydark. Gark's mercenary host, a force of ruthless efficiency, serves malevolent entities, from hags to Winter Fey lords, their services bartered within the Feywild's unpredictable, magic-saturated realm. This subterranean empire, a stark contrast to the Feywild's often beautiful landscapes, thrives in the plane's amplified arcane energies, its existence a dark mirror to the Prime Material Plane's underbelly, a place where time and distance warp, and goblin cunning reigns supreme.
Najara
Najara, a fractured kingdom within the Western Heartlands, sprawls across the High Moor, the treacherous Forest of Wyrms, and the fetid Marsh of Chelimber, anchored by the serpentine Serpent Hills. This realm, less a unified state and more a collection of disparate, predatory factions, is dominated by nagas, yuan-ti, and lizardfolk. At its shadowy heart reigns the spirit naga Jarant, a usurper who seized power after a bloody civil war, igniting a surge of unrest and opportunism among the reptilian denizens. The Marlspire of Najara, a potent artifact gifted by the Hss'tafi yuan-ti, adorns the kings, amplifying their already formidable magic. Slavery fuels Najara's economy, with the ruins of Thlohtzin serving as a grim hub for traders. Cunning, deceit, and a history stained with treachery define Najara, making it a perilous place where alliances are fragile and survival depends on vigilance.
Nelanther Isles
The Nelanther Isles, a vast archipelago in the Trackless Sea, west of Amn and Tethyr, consists of nearly a thousand islands, with over half being uninhabitable due to lack of fresh water. The remaining islands are fiercely contested by brutal pirates, posing a constant threat to shipping routes from Amn, Tethyr, Calimshan, the Sword Coast, and the Moonshae Isles. Mainland maps only detail the larger islands, omitting numerous hazards like currents, shoals, and small islets. Notable islands include Thordentor, a Twisted Rune stronghold, Hook Isle, located northwest of the main chain, and Nemessor, northwest of Thordentor. The Nelanther pirates are infamous for their cruelty, frequently torturing victims. Predominantly nonhuman, including orcs, lizardfolk, ogres, and minotaurs, these pirates are perpetually engaged in warfare, both amongst themselves and against outside forces, creating a chaotic and dangerous environment for seafarers.
Nessus
Nessus, the Nine Hells' deepest layer, is a desolate, red ellipse in a void. Fiery winds sweep its chasm-scarred plains. The Styx trickles into the Forgotten Lake, and Lethe flows across it. Malsheem, the Outer Planes' largest city, sits in a trench, housing Asmodeus's fortress. The Serpent's Coil, a deep rift, holds Asmodeus's true form, where devils spawn from his wounds. Asmodeus governs, aided by archdevils and pit fiend generals. Nessus is home to legions of powerful devils: pit fiends, cornugons, amnizus. Tabjari holds copies of the Pact Primeval. Warding runes emphasize its peril and extreme punishment. Nessus, in Forgotten Realms media, embodies ultimate hellish power.
Nether Mountains
The jagged, obsidian peaks of the Nether Mountains, a grim barrier between ancient empires, loom within the Silver Marches. Orcish hordes, the Thousand Fists and Ripped Gut tribes, now united after a bloody truce, control the treacherous Moon Pass, cleaving the range into shadowed east and west. Dragondoom, the highest peak, conceals Morueme's Cave, the lair of a powerful clan of blue dragons. Their hobgoblin servants, the Red Flayers, guard the imposing Doomspire citadel with fanatical loyalty. Beyond these threats, a myriad of monstrous creatures roam the inhospitable slopes, making travel perilous. Yet, veins of gold, silver, and copper lure the bold, while the mountains’ strategic importance, draws adventurers to its perilous heights, where the Metallic Dragon Council convenes amidst the looming threat of draconic might.
Neverwinter
Neverwinter, the Jewel of the North, is a bustling city on the Sword Coast, known for its skilled craftspeople and warm climate, a result of the Neverwinter River's geothermal heat from Mount Hotenow. Once a metropolis, it faced devastation from the Spellplague and Mount Hotenow's eruption, but has since been rebuilt by Lord Protector Dagult Neverember. The city's layout, shaped like an eye, features intricately carved bridges and diverse districts, including the Protector's Enclave, Blacklake, and the River District. Its population includes humans, half-elves, and various other races like dragonborn and tieflings. Trade thrives, with exports of crafts and magical innovations, and imports of mercenaries. Factions like the Neverwinter Guard and the Wintershield Watchmen maintain order amidst political intrigue from groups like the Ashmadai and the Dead Rats of Luskan. Temples to gods like Torm, Bahamut, and Selûne dot the city. Currently ruled by Lord Forge Fitzwilliam.
Neverwinter Wood
Neverwinter Wood, once the elven Llewyrrwood, sprawls as a shadowy, enchanted expanse north of Neverwinter, its air thick with ancient magic. The warm Neverwinter River, fed by the fiery depths of dormant Mount Hotenow, snakes through its heart, defying the region's frigid climes. The western Watcher's Forest, held sacred by Helmite priests at Helm's Hold, stands as a bastion against the wood's darker influences. Yet, fear grips humans and orcs alike, for bugbears, gnolls, hobgoblins, and even reclusive elves, some twisted by the hateful Eldreth Veluuthra, lurk within its depths. Whispers of a feycross, a gateway to the Feywild, echo through the gnarled trees, adding to the wood's mystique. Mount Hotenow, to the northeast, pulses with elemental fire, its heat a constant, if perilous, guardian of the river's flow.
Norland
Norland, a frost-bitten isle in the Moonshae chain, presents a rugged landscape of untamed wilderness and soaring, giant-haunted peaks of the South Jotunhammer Mountains. Home to the hardy Northlanders, descendants of Ruathym raiders, the island's primary settlement, Rogarsheim, is governed by the wise Jarl Rault. A confluence of Northlanders, Ffolk, and dwarves populate this stronghold of norl tradition, where the old ways of strength and sea-reliance persist. In 1479 DR, the Storm Maiden held sway, embodying the island's fierce spirit. The biting climate shapes the lives of its inhabitants, who carve a living from the harsh land and the unforgiving sea, their culture deeply rooted in maritime tradition and ancestral might.
North Ward
Nestled in Waterdeep's northeast, the North Ward presents a facade of serene affluence, a haven for lesser nobles and prosperous merchants. Its cobbled streets, lined with well-kept townhouses, whisper of quiet wealth, bordered by the City of the Dead's solemn walls and the imposing Trollwall. Andamaar's Street and Trader's Way define its southern edge, while the High Road marks its western boundary. Though outwardly tranquil, the ward seethes with hidden currents: whispered conspiracies, clandestine meetings, and the shadowy trade of smugglers traversing subterranean passages. Behind the manicured gardens and ornate facades, intricate plots unfold, making the North Ward a place where appearances deceive and secrets thrive.
Northbank
Northbank, the oldest district of Silverymoon, curves along the Rauvin's northern bank, its half-circle walls pierced by Moorgate, Hunter's Gate, and Sundabar Gate. The bustling Market, a sprawling open space, bisects Northbank, running from Hunter's Gate to the Docks, dividing it into western and eastern halves. Eastward, the High Palace and grand temples rise, alongside the stately residences of nobles. Westward, the rustic charm of the Golden Oak Inn, famed for its central, ancient oak, graces Dancer's Mask Lane. Beneath the cobblestone streets, a labyrinthine sewer system flows, fed by concealed streams that drain into the Rauvin. This area, birthed from the Moonsilver Inn in 447 DR, blossomed into Silverymoon, the "Gem of the North," renowned for its arcane heritage.
Northdark Wood
Nestled within the vast Reaching Woods of the Western Heartlands, the Northdark Wood, also whispered as Dusk Wood or Reluvethel's Wood, presents a tapestry of temperate forest, shifting with the seasons. The River Reaching cleaves through its heart, flowing from Hill's Edge towards the Chionthar, dividing the ancient trees and shadowed glades. A place of deep history, it holds echoes of past conflicts and the lingering presence of figures like Alomystia, whose colossal relic, the Walking Tower, stands as a silent sentinel amidst the dense foliage. Unlike the perilous Northdark, a sprawling subterranean realm of the Underdark far to the north, this woodland offers a more earthly yet still shadowed mystery, a place where the rustling leaves conceal secrets and the river's murmur carries tales of old.
Old Shanatar
Old Shanatar, a region of ancient dwarven influence, lies beneath the surface of Faerûn, a realm of perpetual twilight and forgotten grandeur. Its landscape, a network of abandoned dwarven cities and mines, reflects the once-great civilization that thrived here. The air is thick with the scent of damp stone and the faint, metallic tang of minerals. Whispers of lost kingdoms and forgotten treasures fill the air, and the sounds of skittering creatures and dripping water fill the silence. Old Shanatar is a place of exploration and discovery, where the remnants of a lost empire lie hidden beneath the earth, a place of constant peril.
Oman's Isle
Oman's Isle, a rugged, triangular landmass within the Moonshae Isles, presents a stark tableau of contrasting terrains. The eastern edge is cloaked in the ancient, gnarled trees of the Old Stone Wood, while the southern expanse rises into the formidable Grampalt Highlands. To the north, the steel-grey waters of Iron Bay carve a deep inlet. Once home to firbolgs and dwarves, this isle bears the lingering imprint of the imprisoned giant demigod, Grond Peaksmasher, whose icy tomb, the Icepeak, pierces the sky. Scattered settlements—Iron Keep, Lillemaren, Skien, Trondhelm, and Ramshorn—cling to the land, offering refuge amidst the wild. The Cairn of Thelgaar Ironhand, a monument to a legendary dwarf, and the mystical Oman Moonwell stand as testaments to the isle's storied past, marked by fomorian invasions and Amnian occupation, and the pivotal fusion of Norl and Illuskan cultures.
One Stone
One Stone, nestled deep within the Moonwood of the Silver Marches, is a sacred ancestor mound of the Golden Eagle, Red Pony, and Sky Pony Uthgardt tribes. Unlike typical cairns with altar mounds, this site centers on a colossal, solitary boulder. This stone, a rough sphere roughly 20 feet in diameter and 12 feet high, dominates the clearing, its surface intricately etched with precise, swirling tracery that seems to shift and writhe in the dappled moonlight. Rings of weathered stones encircle the monolith, marking the boundaries of ritual space. Scattered offerings, faded feathers, and small, carved wooden totems lie nestled amongst the cairn stones, hinting at the generations of reverence paid here. The air hums with a palpable, ancient energy, a testament to the powerful spirits believed to reside within the stone and the surrounding woods.
Ordulin
Ordulin, a city scarred by a planar rift in 1374 DR, now stands rebuilt, a testament to Sembian resilience. Once more the capital, it boasts the formidable Guard of Ordulin, remnants of the legendary force once commanded by the powerful Captain Raithspur. Within its walls, the heavily warded Sembian Mint, protected by golems and arcane sigils, houses the nation's wealth. The Great Hall of the Council echoes with the voices of the Council of Sembia, the governing body that shapes the nation's destiny. Whispers of Rauthauvyr the Raven, the war-leader who established the Merchant's Council and the Overmaster, still linger, reminding all of Sembia's mercantile and strategic might, a city of both rebuilding and lingering historical echoes.
Ormath
Ormath, a city perched on the Shining Plains' southeastern fringe, bristles with a tense, martial air. Its cobbled streets, often stained with the remnants of skirmishes, wind between stout, grey buildings, reflecting the city’s penchant for swift, often petty, warfare. The intersection of Pikemen's Folly road and the northern trade route makes Ormath a vital, yet volatile, hub for commerce and military movement. Dominating the skyline is the Tower of Skulls, a formidable abbey and a major bastion of Kelemvor's faith, its somber stone walls echoing with the chants of priests and the solemn pronouncements of death's impartial arbiter. This city, forever teetering on the edge of conflict, holds both strategic importance and spiritual weight within its tightly packed confines.
Orsraun Mountains
The Orsraun Mountains, a formidable range south of the Spine of the World, form the rugged northwestern border of Turmish. Jagged peaks pierce the sky, their slopes descending into the verdant Gulthmere Forest to the north, the shimmering Vilhon Reach to the south, and the expansive Shining Plains to the west. The Halondar River carves a deep valley, cleaving the Orsrauns from the neighboring Aphrunn Mountains. Notably, the northeastern arm, the Mountains of the Alaoreum, stands distinct, isolated by the treacherous Treefall Pass. This region, a realm of perilous beauty, harbors the towering Mount Andrus and the infamous, labyrinthine depths of Ironfang Deep, a place whispered to hold both ancient treasures and unspeakable horrors. The entire range is a tapestry of stone and shadow, a haven for hardy mountain folk and the lairs of formidable creatures, a wild, untamed barrier between realms.
Outer City of Baldur's Gate
The Outer City, a sprawling adjunct to Baldur's Gate, exists beyond the protective walls, a chaotic confluence of necessity and desperation. It's a realm of rough-hewn stalls, livestock pens, and makeshift dwellings, home to those barred from the inner wards. Here, merchants dealing in goods deemed unsuitable for the Lower City mingle with refugees, transient laborers, and those skirting the city's rigid laws. The lack of formal governance breeds a volatile environment, where trade and survival are intertwined with the constant threat of violence. The Outer City serves as a stark contrast to the relative order within the walls, a testament to the city's growth and the social strata it enforces.
Passage to the Underdark
The Passage to the Underdark yawns, a labyrinth of damp, twisting caverns where the surface world's light fades into an oppressive, subterranean gloom. Bioluminescent fungi cling to the slick, uneven walls, casting an unsettling, phosphorescent sheen that reveals the slick, rocky floor and the myriad passages branching off into the unknown. The air hangs heavy with the scent of damp earth and strange, unseen flora, a palpable moisture that clings to the skin. Whispers of dripping water echo through the vast, echoing chambers, mingling with the soft hum of unseen creatures. The passages are often narrow and treacherous, requiring careful navigation, and the ever-present glow of the fungi reveals the potential for hidden dangers lurking in the shadows, making exploration a tense and perilous undertaking.
Phlegethos
Phlegethos, Hell's fourth layer, is a volcanic inferno ruled by Belial and Fierna. It's Baator's judicial hub, a fiery wasteland of lava rivers, ash hills, and magma seas under a starless sky. Extreme heat enhances fire magic, weakens water, and fuels frequent eruptions. Abriymoch, the sole city, sits in a caldera, while the Pit of Flame serves as punishment. Sentient fires burn the unworthy, sparing natives and devil-authorized beings. Hamatulas patrol, spinagons labor, and the rulers maintain a competitive alliance. Rich in minerals, Phlegethos is chaotic yet vital, where devils navigate complex laws amidst the ever-present flames. Stygia.
Plain of Standing Stones
The Plain of Standing Stones, a desolate heart within Anauroch, sprawls between the frigid High Ice and the sandy Sword, a harsh expanse of gravel and jagged rock perpetually scoured by fierce winds. This barren wasteland, less a desert than a rugged, unforgiving terrain, teems with hardy creatures adapted to its brutal conditions. Dominating the landscape is the Pillar of Tauros, a crooked spire of stone, a sacred battleground for dragons vying for nesting rights. Scattered across the plain are landmarks of note: Aerithae's Rest, a rare fertile valley offering respite; the ominous Dark Bones Rift, a chasm of unknown depths; and the shimmering River of Gems, a peculiar feature amidst the stark landscape. These distinct locales, along with the roaming beasts and the ever-present winds, define the Plain of Standing Stones, a place of both peril and wonder.
Priapurl
Nestled along the well-worn Trader's Road, Priapurl presents a tranquil facade, belying its peculiar inhabitants and turbulent past. Dominated by the imposing Mindulgulph Castle, perched atop a craggy hill and home to the monstrous Mindulgulph Mercenary Company, the town's atmosphere is an odd mix of rustic charm and lurking menace. The sleepy village centers around a modest tavern, the only real hub of activity, while the absent ruler, Tar Hurara, a human with lofty noble aspirations, leaves the town largely to its own devices. Despite its quiet demeanor, Priapurl bears the scars of a past orc siege, a testament to the mercenary company's brutal effectiveness. The blend of everyday life and lurking danger creates a unique, if unsettling, tableau for any traveler passing through.
Prismeer
Prismeer, a fractured domain within the Feywild, reflects the shattered essence of Zybilna's magic. Once a unified realm of vibrant whimsy, it now exists as splinter-realms: Hither, Thither, and Yon, each embodying distinct, potent magics. The air hums with broken enchantments and forgotten tales, a testament to the Archfey's power and the fragility of their creations. Within the Feywild's twilight, Prismeer's landscapes shift unpredictably, mirroring Toril's beauty yet distorted by arcane amplification and erratic time. Fey creatures, eladrin, and more, wander its dangerous, wondrous expanses, a place where reality itself bends to the whims of powerful magic. This fractured realm, a part of the ever-shifting Feywild, echoes the plane's inherent volatility, a place of heightened sensation and unrestrained emotion, where the very fabric of existence is both beautiful and perilous.
Proskur
Proskur, a bustling, albeit dubious, city along the Dragon Coast, stands at the convergence of the Overmoor Trail, the Winding Road, and the High Road, making it a pivotal trade hub. Dominated by a powerful merchant council, its streets teem with commerce and clandestine activity. A stark contrast to its neighbors, Proskur's governance bears the mark of reformed thieves, yet the city's reputation for deceit persists, fueled by the thriving thieves' guilds established by Tikaru Matsu. The imposing Thayan Enclave casts a long shadow, a testament to the city's strategic importance and political entanglements. The city's architecture is a mix of practical merchant dwellings and hidden back alleys, reflecting its dual nature as a prosperous trade center and a haven for the less scrupulous.
Raven Rock
Raven Rock, nestled amidst the Spine of the World near the Black Raven River’s headwaters, is a sacred Uthgardt site dominated by a towering, 100-foot stone raven sculpture. Below, a wolf-shaped depression encircles a moon-phase altar, while scattered menhirs track celestial events. Numerous cairns and burial mounds dot the snow-covered plateau, one concealing a hidden chamber with a gargantuan beast's bone. The site, ancestral to the Black Raven and Gray Wolf tribes, is perpetually guarded by the fiercely conservative Black Raven tribe, maintaining a formidable honor guard of ten barbarians and ten giant ravens, ensuring the sanctity of this ancient, mystical locale.
Reghed Glacier
The Reghed Glacier, a frigid expanse north of the Spine of the World, presents a desolate tableau of icy wastes, rarely traversed except along its eastern fringe. This hazardous region, namesake to the hardy Reghedman barbarians of Icewind Dale, is distinct from the more distant Great Glacier of Pelvuria, home to the Ulutiun tribes. Its stark, wind-scoured surface stretches under a perpetual pall of grey skies, broken only by jagged peaks and treacherous crevasses. The air bites with a bone-chilling cold, and survival here demands resilience and cunning. Scattered remnants of ancient structures, half-buried in the ice, hint at forgotten civilizations, while the occasional howl of a winter wolf or the eerie silence of a snowdrift underscores the glacier's unforgiving nature. This frozen realm tests the limits of any who dare to venture into its heart, a place where only the strongest survive.
Riatavin
Riatavin, a sprawling city nestled within Tethyr, bears the marks of its tumultuous past, having seceded from Amn in 1370 DR. Its bustling streets, home to 85,650, weave through a landscape marked by both opulent merchant houses and shadowed alleyways. The Chosen Council, a cabal of powerful traders, governs the city, their influence felt in every corner. Yet, beneath the veneer of prosperity lurks a potent criminal underworld, dominated by the insidious Shadow Thieves, their tendrils reaching into every level of society. The city's history is stained with controversy, notably the disappearance of the Herald Thorn Tree before the Bloodsong, an event that still whispers through the taverns and backstreets. The architecture, a blend of Amnian grandeur and Tethyrian practicality, reflects the city's complex identity, with grand market squares juxtaposed against the dark, secretive enclaves of the criminal element. It is a city of sharp contrasts, where wealth and danger walk hand in hand.
Rivington
Rivington, Baldur's Gate's southern outpost, clings to the Chionthar's edge, a stark contrast to the city's opulent heart. South of Wyrm's Crossing, this district, accessible via the Trade Way, pulses with illicit trade, its river access a smuggler's haven. The once-dominant Rivington Rats, though faded, left their mark, and whispers of their exploits still linger. The Rivington General, a source of arms, stands amidst the ramshackle buildings, while the grim Rivington Well, a site of refugee tragedy, casts a pall over the area. A requisitioned barn, now a refugee donation storehouse, marks the southern entry, a testament to the district's hardship. The river, a lifeline for trade, also serves as a conduit for smuggled goods to Brampton, bypassing the city's watchful eye. This rough-hewn district, a blend of commerce and desperation, teems with life on the fringe of Baldur's Gate, its strategic location making it a vital, if volatile, hub.
Rogarsheim
Rogarsheim, nestled on Norland's bay along the Sea of Moonshae, stands as the island's capital and largest port. Stormbanner Hold, residence of Jarl Rault "the Wise," oversees a bustling mix of Northlanders, Ffolk, and dwarves. The city, a hub for fishing, sailing, and mining, draws dwarves to the mineral-rich South Jotunhammer Mountains. Trade thrives, attracting Fey creatures from Gwynneth. Though nominally ruled by Rault as of 1479 DR, the city grapples with the High King's waning influence and Northlander unrest. Rogarsheim, a melting pot and often the sole Norland settlement known to outsiders, bears the marks of many past names, its diverse populace and strategic harbor a testament to its long, turbulent history.
Ruathym
Ruathym, a windswept island kingdom in the Trackless Sea, presents a harsh landscape of barren terrain punctuated by scattered steadings and villages clinging to its fjords. The capital city, Ruathym, a hub of five thousand souls, lies south of Holgerstead, near the enigmatic ruins of Inthar, a site of potent rune magic and past conflicts. Notable landmarks include the Hall of Black Waves, a temple to Umberlee once led by the tribal shaman Uther Jeroggean, and the austere Trelleborg barracks, a haven for solitary men. The city bears the scars of recent turmoil, including investigations into mysterious disappearances and the Kraken Society’s insidious influence, marked by Dagmar's betrayal. The island's rugged coast harbors seafarers like Hrolf the Unruly, and its history is entwined with a bitter feud against the folk of Luskan.
Ruathym City
Ruathym, a rugged coastal city on its namesake isle in the Trackless Sea, stands as a testament to resilience amidst constant strife. Stone structures, weathered by sea spray and time, cling to the rocky terrain, a stark contrast to the lush, wild interior of the island. The city's harbor bristles with longships and fishing vessels. Ruins of ancient Inthar, loom nearby, whispering of past conflicts and arcane secrets. The city bears the scars of Luskan's invasions, yet its people, descendants of hardy sailors and rune-wielding shamans, persevere. Among them, tales of Ulf the Shaman, his treacherous daughter Dagmar, and the drow savior Liriel Baenre echo through the taverns and market squares. Legends of hamfriggan shapeshifters and potent rune magic weave through the city's fabric, promising both peril and power. The island, rich in history, holds the remnants of Haunghdannar, a dwarven fortress from ages past, now a silent sentinel overlooking the turbulent sea.
Ruins of Karse
Deep within the High Forest, nestled at the base of a crimson butte, lie the Ruins of Karse, a haunting testament to hubris and betrayal. Founded by the zealous Cult of Karsus in the wake of their master's catastrophic folly, this once-proud city was swiftly consumed by internal strife, orchestrated by the malevolent lich Wulgreth of Netheril, just a decade after its creation. Now, overgrown with dark, gnarled trees, the ruins harbor a sinister secret: the Black Glade, a ring of thirteen colossal dire oaks, marks the epicenter of this cursed place. Amidst the decay, whispers of the Heart and Mind of Karsus echo, keys to both the Green King's rise and fall, while the dread Karsestone, Wulgreth's phylactery, pulses with necrotic energy. Adventurers brave enough to venture into these shadowed ruins find themselves entangled in a struggle against the Green King's minions, seeking to control the remnants of Karsus's power, and confront the lingering dread of Netheril's dark magic.
Saerloon
Saerloon, a bustling port city on Saerloon Bay, rises with distinctive Chondathan architecture, its high gothic structures adorned with gargoyles and grand stone carvings. Within its walls, vibrant markets like the North Market, dominated by Saer's statue, and the chaotic Dolphin Market teem with merchants. Temples dedicated to Mystra and Azuth stand as beacons for wizards, while a poorly tolerated Thayan enclave simmers with tension. Outside the old walls, inns and taverns sprawl, catering to the city's expanding trade. Intrigue thrives amidst the city’s activity, with thieves' guilds and the manipulative Stringpullers' Guild operating in the shadows. The city’s Northside also harbors the Dowagers, abandoned mansions now havens for the desperate and predatory.
Scornubel
Scornubel, the Caravan City, sprawls along the River Chionthar's northern bank, a vital tradestop where the Trade Way meets the river. Its permanent population, a mosaic of diverse races, swells six to eightfold during the summer trade boom. River traffic dominates, with barges, narrowboats, and skiffs ferrying goods west to Baldur's Gate, southeast to Berdusk, and northeast to Hills Edge. The city's bustling docks and crowded markets buzz with activity, a chaotic yet essential nexus for merchants and travelers alike. Temporary tent cities rise and fall with the seasons, reflecting the ebb and flow of commerce. The air is thick with the smells of exotic goods, livestock, and the river itself, a testament to Scornubel's role as a crucial trade artery.
Sea Ward
Sea Ward, the Crown of the North's jewel, sprawls across Waterdeep's northwest, a bastion of opulence defined by the Trollwall's stark boundary and the bustling Julthoon and Shield Streets. Here, noble mansions stand as testaments to wealth, while gleaming temples and arcane towers pierce the sky, home to the city's most powerful clerics and mages. The Field of Triumph, a place of historical grandeur, echoes with past victories, and the tranquil Heroes' Garden offers a serene respite amid the urban sprawl. Sea's Edge Beach, where the city meets the ocean, adds a shimmering, maritime charm, making this ward not just a center of power but also a place of scenic beauty. Within this nexus of influence, artisans, scholars, and adventurers converge, drawn by Waterdeep's allure, making the Sea Ward a vibrant, albeit exclusive, heart of Faerûn.
Sea of Fallen Stars
The Sea of Fallen Stars, or Inner Sea, stretches vast and blue, a central artery of Faerûn, its waters teeming with life and trade. Coastal cities like Cormyr and Sembia bustle with ships, their sails catching the sea breezes, while beneath the waves, the realm of Serôs hides a world of aquatic elves, merfolk, and the ever-present threat of sahuagin. Dragon turtles, ancient and powerful, patrol its depths, guarding secrets and treasure. The sea's islands, scattered like emeralds, offer both refuge and peril, harboring forgotten ruins and hidden coves. This vital waterway, a nexus of commerce and conflict, holds both the promise of prosperity and the lurking dangers of the deep.
Sea of Moonshae
The Sea of Moonshae, a tempestuous expanse separating the Moonshae Isles from the Sword Coast, presents a daunting challenge to sailors. Rugged coastlines give way to dense forests, treacherous marshes, and towering mountains across islands like Gwynneth, Alaron, Norland, and Moray. These isles, home to the native Ffolk, are also contested by the fierce Northmen, creating a volatile mix of cultures and dangers. Jagged cliffs plunge into churning waters, often obscured by thick sea mists, and sudden storms test even the most seasoned mariners. The islands themselves are a patchwork of ancient groves, windswept peaks, and hidden coves, where both natural wonders and lurking perils abound.
Sea of Moving Ice
The Sea of Moving Ice, a frigid expanse west of Icewind Dale, is a perilous maze of shifting icebergs and frost-covered isles, a realm largely uncharted and feared by the Reghedmen. Its harsh ecosystem sustains hardy creatures like seals, walruses, polar bears, and fearsome white dragons, alongside schools of cod and the occasional breaching whale. This treacherous sea is home to frost giants, ice trolls, and hardy Northlanders, with ancient shipwrecks and ruins trapped within its icy grasp, yielding rare treasures like sharkskin armor, coral plate armor, and the potent Bolt of Sekolah's fire. The ever-shifting ice poses a constant threat, making navigation a deadly gamble, deterring all but the bravest or most foolish from its icy depths.
Sea of Swords
The Sea of Swords, a tempestuous expanse of the Trackless Sea, stretches westward from Faerûn's Sword Coast, a perilous journey marked by the treacherous Moonshae and Nelanther Isles. Its boundaries, often debated, are generally defined by these island chains and the Tethyr Peninsula, though some tales whisper of its reach extending further, encircling Tethyr to meet the Purple Cliffs. Within its churning depths, sailors brave unpredictable storms, monstrous sea creatures, and the ever-present threat of pirate raids from the scattered isles. Coastal towns along the Sword Coast rely on trade from these perilous waters, yet fear the sea's unpredictable nature. The sea itself holds secrets: sunken ruins of ancient civilizations, hidden coves teeming with forgotten magic, and the whispers of leviathans that lurk in the abyssal trenches.
Sea of Swords (Coastline)
The Sea of Swords, a tempestuous expanse of the Trackless Sea, stretches westward from Faerûn's Sword Coast, a perilous journey marked by the treacherous Moonshae and Nelanther Isles. Its boundaries, often debated, are generally defined by these island chains and the Tethyr Peninsula, though some tales whisper of its reach extending further, encircling Tethyr to meet the Purple Cliffs. Within its churning depths, sailors brave unpredictable storms, monstrous sea creatures, and the ever-present threat of pirate raids from the scattered isles. Coastal towns along the Sword Coast rely on trade from these perilous waters, yet fear the sea's unpredictable nature. The sea itself holds secrets: sunken ruins of ancient civilizations, hidden coves teeming with forgotten magic, and the whispers of leviathans that lurk in the abyssal trenches.
Sea of Swords (North)
The Sea of Swords, a tempestuous expanse of the Trackless Sea, stretches westward from Faerûn's Sword Coast, a perilous journey marked by the treacherous Moonshae and Nelanther Isles. Its boundaries, often debated, are generally defined by these island chains and the Tethyr Peninsula, though some tales whisper of its reach extending further, encircling Tethyr to meet the Purple Cliffs. Within its churning depths, sailors brave unpredictable storms, monstrous sea creatures, and the ever-present threat of pirate raids from the scattered isles. Coastal towns along the Sword Coast rely on trade from these perilous waters, yet fear the sea's unpredictable nature. The sea itself holds secrets: sunken ruins of ancient civilizations, hidden coves teeming with forgotten magic, and the whispers of leviathans that lurk in the abyssal trenches.
Sea of Swords (South)
The Sea of Swords, a tempestuous expanse of the Trackless Sea, stretches westward from Faerûn's Sword Coast, a perilous journey marked by the treacherous Moonshae and Nelanther Isles. Its boundaries, often debated, are generally defined by these island chains and the Tethyr Peninsula, though some tales whisper of its reach extending further, encircling Tethyr to meet the Purple Cliffs. Within its churning depths, sailors brave unpredictable storms, monstrous sea creatures, and the ever-present threat of pirate raids from the scattered isles. Coastal towns along the Sword Coast rely on trade from these perilous waters, yet fear the sea's unpredictable nature. The sea itself holds secrets: sunken ruins of ancient civilizations, hidden coves teeming with forgotten magic, and the whispers of leviathans that lurk in the abyssal trenches.
Secomber
Secomber, a hardy border town, perches atop three craggy hills where the Unicorn Run meets the Delimbiyr, marking the edge of the civilized Western Heartlands. Its cobblestone paths wind between stout, human-built homes and cozy halfling dwellings, with a dwarven clan's workshops ringing with the clang of metal. A Lord's Alliance garrison of one hundred soldiers maintains a semblance of order, though the shadow of the treacherous High Moor looms south, and the ruined Uluvin lies north along the Secomber Trail. For years, Urshani hobgoblin raids plagued the town, until the arrival of the 'Baldheads' in 1480 DR. Their leader, Boris, vanquished the hobgoblins, earning him the title of Lord and bringing a newfound, if precarious, peace to the region.
Selgaunt
Selgaunt is a sprawling metropolis on the Sea of Fallen Stars. Once Chancelgaunt, it's now a city of grand castles, ornate temples, and luxurious mansions, all built of imported Yhauntan stone. The Palace of the Hulorn dominates the skyline. Districts like the Foreign Quarter, filled with warehouses and taverns, contrast sharply with the opulent Old Chauncel, surrounding the Hulorn’s palace. The Avenue of the Temples boasts shrines to deities like Milil, Sune, and Lliira, while bustling markets along Mairen Street overflow with exotic goods. The High Bridge over the Arkhen River is a city within a city, with homes and shops lining its length. Selgaunt's waters teem with dolphins and dangerous creatures, and the city itself is a hub of art, music, and high fashion. Ruled by the Hulorn, the city navigates a complex web of politics and trade, exporting luxury items and fine wines while importing food and stone. The city's defenses, the Scepters, patrol its streets and waters.
Sembia
Sembia, a burgeoning mercantile power nestled along the Sea of Fallen Stars' northwestern shores, pulses with the energy of ambitious traders and seasoned merchants. Its bustling ports overflow with ships bearing goods from across Faerûn, fueling a relentless pursuit of wealth and influence. The realm, bordered by Cormyr and the Dalelands, thrives on negotiation and shrewd deals, its powerful fleet a testament to its commitment to safeguarding its trade routes. Within its borders, the air crackles with the promise of profit, the streets alive with the clamor of bartering, and the harbors a forest of masts, all contributing to Sembia's formidable presence in the Inner Sea.
Serpent Hills
The Serpent Hills, a rugged expanse of red-clay peaks east of the High Moor in Faerûn's Western Heartlands, rise abruptly before merging into the marshy expanse. Bounded by the Serpent's Tail stream, these hills conceal a labyrinth of dangers. Ancient Netherese tombs riddle the upper Serpent Tunnels, while far below, the grimlock city of Reeshov festers in the Underdark. The hills teem with reptilian life: yuan-ti, cunning nagas, and savage lizardfolk, all sworn, or so it's said, to the mysterious King of Snakes. Treacherous paths wind through the rocky terrain, leading to hidden lairs and forgotten ruins, making this region a perilous, yet tempting, locale for adventurers seeking lost treasures or facing reptilian foes.
Settlestone
Settlestone, a wind-battered village clinging to the southern slopes of Fourthpeak within the Spine of the World, presents a stark tableau of rugged survival. Formerly the dwarven stronghold of Dwarvendarrow, now known as The Ruin, it bears the scars of a fierce battle against drow, goblins, and kobolds, a conflict that ultimately led to its resettlement by hardy barbarians from Icewind Dale. The village, perpetually chilled by mountain winds, is dominated by the imposing presence of Mithral Hall, a dwarven fortress carved deep within Fourthpeak. Here, the Tribe of the Elk gathers within Hengorot, a vast mead hall capable of sheltering over 800 souls, its robust timber walls a stark contrast to the surrounding stone and snow. The remnants of dwarven architecture blend uneasily with the rough-hewn structures of the barbarians, creating a place of both ancient grandeur and raw, frontier resilience.
Shadow Swamp
The Shadow Swamp, a dark and twisted reflection of the Vast Swamp, exists as a realm of perpetual decay and sinister secrets. Its murky waters, choked with decaying vegetation, reflect the perpetual twilight above. The air is thick with the stench of rot and the chilling whisper of unseen entities. The Shadow Citadel, a macabre parody of its Prime Material counterpart, stands as a testament to the swamp’s corrupting influence. The Black Rift, a gaping chasm of darkness, yawns within the swamp’s depths, its mysteries shrouded in shadow. Whispers of forgotten horrors and ancient evils fill the air. The Shadow Swamp is a place of dark beauty and lurking dangers, a realm where life and death intertwine, and the shadows hold countless secrets.
Shilmista Forest
Shilmista Forest, the shadowed expanse nestled near the Snowflake Mountains, shifts between Amn and Tethyr's borders, concealing the wild elf kingdom of Elbereth. Within its depths, Lady Xuné, a High Priestess of Eilistraee of mixed wood elf and drow lineage, governs the Elves of the Night. This realm, once ruled by King Galladel until his demise at the hands of the ogrillon king Ragnor in 1361 DR, is a place of ancient, magical trees and stringent laws. Hunting, fire, and woodcutting are forbidden, with transgressors facing bestial transformations. The forest's dim light and vigilant inhabitants create an atmosphere of both beauty and peril, making it a place where nature's magic and elven law intertwine.
Sildëyuir
Sildëyuir, a celestial enclave nestled within the Feywild's twilight embrace, shimmers with starlight forests and crystal cities, echoing the cosmos. Here, star elves, beings of ethereal grace, guard ancient prophecies amidst the soft melodies of elven harps. The air hums with amplified arcane magic, a testament to the Feywild's capricious nature, where time and distance warp unpredictably. This serene realm, a bridge between the Feywild and celestial planes, reflects the plane's heightened beauty and unrestrained magic, mirroring Toril yet transcending its mortal bounds. Sildëyuir's existence, like the Feywild itself, is a testament to the fluctuating connection between realms, a place of timeless knowledge and profound serenity amidst the plane's wild, unpredictable magic.
Silverymoon
Silverymoon, the "Gem of the North," shimmers with ethereal beauty, a beacon of civilization amidst the untamed wilderness. Its architecture, reminiscent of lost elven grandeur, blends seamlessly with the surrounding natural splendor. Once ruled by the venerable High Lady Alustriel Silverhand, a powerful sorceress of the Seven Sisters, the city now thrives under the capable hand of Taern "Thunderspell" Hornblade. Within its walls, magical wards weave a potent defense, safeguarding its vibrant cultural heart. Schools of magic, art, and music flourish, drawing scholars and artisans from across the realms. The city, a key member of the Silver Marches, stands as a testament to harmonious coexistence, where humans, elves, and other races live in relative peace, fostering a hub of knowledge and creativity.
Snakewood Forest
Nestled in eastern Amn, the Snakewood Forest, a remnant of the once vast Shantel Othreier, is a perilous woodland teeming with life and danger. Its name derives from the abundance of venomous black and green snakes that slither beneath its dense canopy, but these are not the sole threat. Giant spiders weave their webs among the gnarled trees, beholders float, their eyes ever watchful, and packs of lycanthropes stalk the shadows. Adding to the forest's dread, the ambitious green dragon Rin claims the northeastern reaches as her domain. The forest's eastern fringe marks the locations of both the Stone of Clans' Parting and Magar's Hill, sites of unknown significance. Bounded by the Troll Mountains to the west, the Green Fields to the south, and the Amstel and River of Running Sand to the north, Snakewood is a compact, yet formidable region, where survival demands vigilance and strength.
Snowdown
Snowdown, a temperate isle east of Gwynneth in the Moonshae Isles, presents a stark contrast of natural beauty marred by exploitation. Rolling hills and well-maintained roads give way to the Andover Heights in the west, and the central lakes Mal Sul and Harloch, linked by a brief river, alongside northern Mal Feargal. Once a lush land, Amnian occupation in the early 1400s DR stripped Snowdown of its resources, leaving behind a frontier-like landscape plagued by deforestation and pollution. Lady Erliza Daressin, a vampire viceroy, held sway from Caer Westphal, its docks teeming with Amnian vessels and taverns catering to seafaring folk, ruling with an iron fist of spies and hostages. The Ffolk, once vibrant, now display an aloof detachment, prioritizing comfort over conflict. Snowdown's history is etched in its scarred terrain, a testament to its tumultuous past and the enduring struggle for its soul.
Snowflake Mountains
The Snowflake Mountains, a jagged spine of the Iltkazar Range in West Faerûn, rise to dizzying heights exceeding 20,000 feet, their peaks forever capped in snow. This harsh realm, bordering Tethyr, Amn, and the remnants of Impresk, hosts a diverse population of hardy elves, humans, and goblinoids. Once, the Edificant Library, a beacon of knowledge dedicated to all wisdom-loving deities, stood nestled within its peaks, until its calamitous destruction in 1362 DR, replaced by the soaring cathedral of Deneir, the Spirit Soaring. To the north, the ominous Castle Trinity looms, a fell fortress where bitter conflicts once raged between the library's scholars and the venomous cult of Talona. The mountains themselves are a treacherous maze of icy ravines, sheer cliffs, and hidden valleys, making them a formidable barrier and a perilous journey for any traveler.
Solania, the Electrum Heaven
Solania, the Electrum Heaven or Crystal Heaven, the fourth layer of Mount Celestia, is a realm of spiritual contemplation and dwarven industry. A sky that glows like burnished silver casts a soft, ethereal light across the landscape. Its peaks are home to numerous holy shrines, monasteries, and magnificent cathedrals, where pilgrims seek answers to life's profound questions. The slopes are rich in precious ores and minerals, mined by the industrious dwarves who reside here. Moradin's dwarven mansion, Erackinor, stands as a testament to dwarven craftsmanship, its halls echoing with the sounds of forges and the clinking of hammers. Jazirian's realm, Uroboros, floats in the clouds above, a place of wisdom and celestial knowledge. The air is filled with the scent of incense and the metallic tang of dwarven forges, creating an atmosphere of both spiritual devotion and diligent labor. Solania is a place of profound contemplation and steadfast industry, where wisdom and beauty intertwine.
Southbank
Southbank, Silverymoon's burgeoning southern district, lies across the Rauvin, connected to the ancient Northbank by the ethereal Moonbridge. Once a mere caravan stop and warehouse hub, it has blossomed into a vibrant quarter, nearly rivaling its elder counterpart. Here, the legacy of Alustriel Silverhand thrives in the Conclave of Silverymoon, a cluster of fourteen magical academies, including the renowned Lady's College and Miresk's School of Thaumaturgy, forming the heart of arcane learning. The Vault of the Sages, a treasure trove of knowledge, stands proudly amidst these scholastic edifices. The bustling Moonway, stretching from the Mulgate, bisects the district, guiding travelers through its dynamic streets, a testament to Silverymoon's commitment to both magical mastery and scholarly pursuit.
Southwood
South Wood, a satellite woodland within the Triangle of Trees, sprawls across the Savage Frontier, a youthful forest separating the verdant Gray Vale from the shimmering Highstar Lake and the desolate High Moor. Overshadowed by the bustling town of Loudwater across the Delimbiyr river, this woodland is a place of both beauty and peril. Though local woodcutters brave its depths for timber, they do so at great risk, for a large goblin tribe fiercely defends its territory. Whispers also tell of fey creatures dwelling among the ancient trees, adding an air of mystical uncertainty to the already dangerous terrain. The forest is thick with young growth, interspersed with rocky outcrops and hidden glades, making it a challenging and unpredictable environment for any traveler.
Spiderhaunt Woods
Spiderhaunt Woods, a dense, shadowed forest bordering Shadowdale, looms with an eerie stillness, its ancient trees draped in thick, silken webs that shimmer with an unnatural dew. The air hums with the skittering of countless arachnids, from harmless spinners to monstrous phase spiders, their eyes gleaming in the dim light filtering through the canopy. The Arachnid Pathway, a barely discernible trail, snakes from the Tethyamar Trail into the woods' heart, promising both rare spell components and perilous encounters. Ettercaps, their twisted forms camouflaged among the gnarled roots, stalk unwary travelers, while larger, more sinister creatures lurk deeper within the web-choked depths. The North Ride skirts the forest's southern edge, a thin line of civilization against the encroaching wild, where the scent of damp earth and venom hangs heavy, a constant reminder of the forest's deadly inhabitants.
Ss'thar'tiss'ssun
Ss'thar'tiss'ssun, the City of Fountains, lies in ruins beneath Serpent's Cowl, a testament to the fallen serpent empire of Najara. Once a grand sarrukh temple-city, its buried depths now echo with the whispers of ancient power and forgotten horrors. A labyrinth of tunnels connects it to distant Ss'zuraass'nee and the caverns of Mount Hlim. The city's history is etched in its crumbling structures, from its founding by the sarrukh during the Days of Thunder to its conquest by the Shadowking of Ebenfar. Undead guardians, constructs, and monstrous sword spiders roam its shadowed streets, protecting forgotten treasures. The Shrine of Cowled Serpents, home to the legendary Naja Fountain, pulses with residual magic, its waters once prized for their arcane enhancement and healing properties. The city's re-exploration by the Coiled Cabal revealed a place of perilous beauty and potent secrets, still sought after by those who crave its ancient power.
Star Mounts
The Star Mounts, a formidable range at the High Forest's heart, pierce the sky with snow-laden peaks and treacherous slopes, defying all but the most seasoned adventurers. Their inhospitable climate and strange, flashing lights, capable of both luring and repelling dragons, cloak the mountains in an aura of potent mystery. Within this daunting terrain, the ancient red wyrm Inferno, or Imvaernarhro, commands a vast hoard and wields devastating fire magic from his lair. The northern approach presents an unusual flatness, while the southern lands twist and writhe, a stark contrast reflecting the mountains' volatile nature. Amidst this rugged landscape, Aarakocra soar on the winds, and centaur tribes roam the foothills, adding to the region's diverse inhabitants. This perilous domain, rife with both danger and treasure, beckons those brave enough to challenge its secrets and Inferno's fiery might.
Stone Stand
Stone Stand, nestled deep within the High Forest of the Silver Marches, is a place of ancient reverence. A towering oak, a direct descendant of the Grandfather Tree, dominates the site, its branches reaching skyward from a central mound. Two concentric rings of cairns, each topped by standing menhirs capped with lintels, encircle the tree, creating a stone circle of formidable presence. This sacred site, held dear by both the Tree Ghost and the elusive Blue Bear Uthgardt tribes, whispers of forgotten rituals and primal power. Though thought extinct, the Blue Bears still make rare, nocturnal pilgrimages, their connection to the oak and the land undiminished. Beneath the mound, a relic of giantkind lies buried, a testament to ancient Uthgar worship, its magic believed to infuse the oak with protective energies. The air here hums with a palpable sense of ancient magic, a silent sentinel in the heart of the wild.
Storm Horns
The Storm Horns, a jagged, untamed mountain range marking Cormyr's eastern and northern borders, rise as an imposing barrier of cliffs and crags teeming with monstrous inhabitants. Only High Horn Pass and Gnoll Pass offer accessible routes, both heavily defended by Cormyr. Within these treacherous peaks, ancient dragons like the formidable red Charillion and the chilling white Nexxylplyx claim dominion, their lairs hidden amidst the craggy slopes. Adding to the peril, the reclusive Netherese, descendants of powerful and hostile spellcasters, guard their hidden enclaves, unwelcoming to any intrusion. Further complicating matters, the erratic arrival and departure of extradimensional gates, linked to the city of Grodd, create unpredictable and dangerous anomalies throughout the range, solidifying the Storm Horns' reputation as a perilous and mysterious wilderness.
Stygia
Stygia, Hell's fifth layer, is a frozen, watery expanse ruled by Levistus. The River Styx cuts through a vast, icy ocean, amidst churning ice floes and icebergs. Perpetual twilight and lightning illuminate the frigid realm, where supernatural cold weakens fire. Cities and fortresses cling to large ice floes, often near the Styx for travel. Stygia's landscape varies, with ice mountains, frozen canyons, and a central frozen swamp. It's rich in stone and minerals, but travel is hazardous due to treacherous ice, currents, and storms. Levistus enforces strict control with fortress checkpoints and icebreaker fleets. Locations like Tantlin, Citadel Coldsteel, and the Duelist's Chasm reflect Stygia's harshness. Divine realms like Ankhwugaht and Sheyruushk add to its dangerous complexity. Survival here demands prowess and endurance amidst monstrous creatures and infernal soldiers.
Sundabar
Sundabar, a formidable fortress city in the Silver Marches, presents a stark, treeless visage, encircled by two imposing ringed walls and the eel-infested Tarnar's Moat. Once a dwarven citadel, Citadel Sundbarr, it evolved into a human-dominated hub after Prince Simberuel Astalmé's arrival. Massive stone structures line cobblestone streets, sparsely adorned with herb gardens. A major trade center, Sundabar exports ore from Citadel Adbar and magical weapons forged by the Everfire, a volcanic rift beneath the city. Defenses include the Stone Shields, the Watchblade-led city watch, and the Shieldsar, a 2,000-strong military. The Undercity, home to dwarves, connects to the surface via a steep passage. The Everfire, guarded by the Vigilant, fuels the city's forges. Wealthy and well-stocked, Sundabar exports armor, weapons, and famously, caltrops. Governed by a Ruling Master, Sundabar employs adventurers with city charters.
Sunset Mountains
The Sunset Mountains, a formidable twin range bisected by the Far Hills, rise as a near-impenetrable barrier between the Eastern and Western Heartlands, marking Sunset Vale's eastern edge. Within these rugged peaks, dwarven clans, notably the Bruenghor, carve out mines accessed via the windswept Wind Walk, trading in Easting. Humanoid tribes, including yeti, gnoll, ogre, and drow, vie for territory, while the white dragon Ciraxis claims the treacherous Ice Caves as its lair, ruling over displacer beasts and frost giants. Mount Burning Eye, haunted by will-o'-wisps and wolves, features a signal tower atop its peak. The region yields black-veined marble, prized for Selgaunt's sculptures. An abandoned Temple to Shar, looted by the Band of the Broken Bow, hides a crystal globe sought by Cyricists. The perilous Yellow Snake Pass cuts through the mountains, part of the Long Road to Riches.
Sunset Mountains (South)
The Sunset Mountains, a formidable twin range bisected by the Far Hills, rise as a near-impenetrable barrier between the Eastern and Western Heartlands, marking Sunset Vale's eastern edge. Within these rugged peaks, dwarven clans, notably the Bruenghor, carve out mines accessed via the windswept Wind Walk, trading in Easting. Humanoid tribes, including yeti, gnoll, ogre, and drow, vie for territory, while the white dragon Ciraxis claims the treacherous Ice Caves as its lair, ruling over displacer beasts and frost giants. Mount Burning Eye, haunted by will-o'-wisps and wolves, features a signal tower atop its peak. The region yields black-veined marble, prized for Selgaunt's sculptures. An abandoned Temple to Shar, looted by the Band of the Broken Bow, hides a crystal globe sought by Cyricists. The perilous Yellow Snake Pass cuts through the mountains, part of the Long Road to Riches.
Suzail
Suzail, Cormyr's capital on Lake Dragonmere, is a remarkably clean port city devoid of slums, a testament to civic pride and ample opportunities. Protected by an 80 ft. wall, it's divided into the Royal Court (palace, gardens, nobles) and the city proper. Home to the Obarskyr family, Suzail boasts a bustling port, numerous trade guilds, and lively taverns like Bindle's and The Golden Goblin. The city hosts significant temples dedicated to Tymora and Oghma, alongside shrines for Lliira, Malar, Tempus, and Milil. Its defense is formidable, with the Citadel housing 2,000 Purple Dragons and over one hundred War Wizards. Suzail's strategic value is amplified by a direct portal to Waterdeep. Despite past plagues and invasions, Suzail has remained a thriving and vital city in Faerûn, where merchant families wield considerable economic and political influence.
Sword Mountains (North)
The Sword Mountains, arcing northwest of Waterdeep and east of the Mere of Dead Men, rise rugged and imposing, their western slopes tumbling into rolling foothills that meet the Trackless Sea. These peaks, a natural barrier shielding the Dessarin River valley and the High Forest from harsh seaward storms, are steeped in a violent past. Historically, orcs and trolls contested these lands, with the orcs, under Wund's Scarlet Scourge, driving out the trolls in 927 DR. Uruth Ukrypt's horde later emerged, twice assaulting Waterdeep, only to be repelled. The mountains remain a place of lurking danger, with the Broken Bone orc horde, remnants of the Scarlet Scourge, harboring ambitions for further raids, making these peaks a perilous, though strategically insignificant, natural obstacle.
Sword Mountains (South)
The Sword Mountains, arcing northwest of Waterdeep and east of the Mere of Dead Men, rise rugged and imposing, their western slopes tumbling into rolling foothills that meet the Trackless Sea. These peaks, a natural barrier shielding the Dessarin River valley and the High Forest from harsh seaward storms, are steeped in a violent past. Historically, orcs and trolls contested these lands, with the orcs, under Wund's Scarlet Scourge, driving out the trolls in 927 DR. Uruth Ukrypt's horde later emerged, twice assaulting Waterdeep, only to be repelled. The mountains remain a place of lurking danger, with the Broken Bone orc horde, remnants of the Scarlet Scourge, harboring ambitions for further raids, making these peaks a perilous, though strategically insignificant, natural obstacle.
Tangled Web Caverns
The Tangled Web Caverns are a sprawling network of interconnected natural caves and tunnels, heavily modified by generations of giant spiders. The air is thick with the scent of silk and decay, while walls and ceilings are draped in sticky webs, creating treacherous footing and obscuring features. The darkness is profound, broken only by faint phosphorescent fungi and the unsettling glint of multiple eyes, with the constant skittering of arachnids echoing through the tunnels.
Tejarn Hills
The Tejarn Hills, a rugged expanse in southeastern Amn, present a formidable barrier, their craggy slopes and treacherous terrain a natural fortress. Historically a contested border with Tethyr, these hills are a labyrinth of steep inclines and hidden valleys, making travel arduous and favoring ambush tactics. Sparse vegetation clings to the rocky outcrops, offering little respite from the elements. The hills are infamous for the invasion of 1370 DR, when ogre-magi and Cyricist forces exploited their natural defenses to seize Esmeltaran and Murann, leaving a stain of conflict upon the land. Now, only the seasoned traveler or desperate fugitive dares to navigate the Tejarn’s unforgiving paths, where the wind whispers tales of past battles and the stones hold secrets of forgotten strife.
Thar
Thar, the Great Grey Land, sprawls north of the Moonsea, a desolate expanse of broken, rocky moor nestled at the Galena Mountains' feet. A harsh, chilling climate pervades the region, home to warring orc and ogre tribes, their constant skirmishes echoing across the foggy hills and cold swamps. The sole passage, the Glister Road, winds precariously through this treacherous terrain. Scattered across the landscape are the remnants of nomadic settlements, relics of a once-unified kingdom under the legendary Vorbyx, the First King of Thar, whose lineage both orcs and ogres claim. Ancient, crumbling ogre strongholds, testaments to their bygone organized society, stand as silent sentinels, attracting opportunistic predators and treasure seekers alike to this bleak, battle-scarred land.
The Abyss
The Infinite Layers of the Abyss, a chaotic evil plane, births demons and exists as a universe of uncountable, varied layers connected haphazardly. Its landscape tortures mind and body, a violent, malevolent place where only the strong survive. Layers range from air-dominant voids and fiery hellscapes to fungal swamps and undead realms, each unique and often ruled by powerful demon lords or deities. The Abyss's cosmology shifted over time, moving from the Great Wheel to the World Tree and finally to the Elemental Chaos after the Spellplague, yet its core nature remains: a realm of infinite, shifting dangers where terrain and inhabitants are equally hostile. The river Styx, or the River of Blood, flows through its layers, connecting it to other fiendish planes. Portals to other planes exist, but the ever-changing nature of the Abyss and its layers make it a place of constant flux, destruction, and rebirth.
The Astral Sea
The Astral Plane, an infinite, gray void, serves as a transitive plane connecting the Outer Planes and Prime Material Planes. Here, time flows strangely, with a thousand years passing as a single day. Gravity is nonexistent, yet objects retain mass, allowing for movement through the void. Travelers can enter via astral projection, leaving their physical bodies behind, or by physically traversing with spells like plane shift. The plane is characterized by color pools, portals to other planes, and chunks of matter drifting through the emptiness. Denizens include githyanki, astral dreadnoughts, and various planar beings. It is also the graveyard of dead gods, their remnants floating as god-isles. In some cosmologies, it overlaps with wildspace, allowing spelljammer travel. The Astral Plane is a place of thought and psychic energy, where reality is fluid and shaped by will.
The Buried Realms
The Buried Realms, a labyrinthine network of interconnected caverns and tunnels, sprawl beneath the surface of Faerûn, a testament to the Underdark’s vastness. This domain, shrouded in perpetual darkness, is a place of ancient secrets and hidden dangers. Its passages, carved by time and the relentless forces of the earth, twist and turn, leading to forgotten cities and abandoned strongholds. The air is thick with the scent of damp stone and the faint, metallic tang of minerals. Whispers of lost civilizations and forgotten empires echo through the empty chambers, and the sounds of skittering creatures and dripping water fill the silence. The Buried Realms are a place of exploration and discovery, where the brave and the foolish alike seek to uncover the treasures and mysteries that lie hidden beneath the earth, a place of constant peril.
The Chasm
The Chasm District, once a gaping wound in Neverwinter’s southeastern districts, stands as a grim testament to the fury of Mount Hotenow. This canyon-like scar, born of the eruption, swallowed the Beggar's Nest and Arcanist Quarter, leaving behind a jagged landscape of shattered buildings and choked streets. Though magically sealed at great cost, the district remained a haven for monsters and brigands, its ruined outer walls a stark reminder of the city's near-collapse. To finally quell the aberrant evils lurking below, the Chasm was flooded, transforming the site into a murky, submerged district. Even now, the air hangs heavy with the residue of dark magic, and whispers of submerged horrors persist, making it a perilous, yet vital, part of the city.
The Cold Wood
The Cold Wood, a sprawling expanse bordering the Silver Marches, presents a dense tapestry of pine, birch, and spruce, its untamed nature a stark contrast to the cultivated lands beyond. Here, civilization's touch is minimal, the forest's depths left to the whims of nature and its denizens. Snow tigers stalk prey beneath the frosted canopy, while orc warbands and lumbering ettins claim territories within its shadowed glades. Scattered Uthgardt tribes, revering the ancient trees, roam the woods, maintaining a nomadic existence, never felling living timber. The air is crisp, the silence punctuated by the rustling of leaves and the distant howls of wild beasts, a testament to the untamed spirit that permeates every frozen branch and snow-laden root, a dangerous but beautiful place.
The Cold Wood (South)
The Cold Wood, a sprawling expanse bordering the Silver Marches, presents a dense tapestry of pine, birch, and spruce, its untamed nature a stark contrast to the cultivated lands beyond. Here, civilization's touch is minimal, the forest's depths left to the whims of nature and its denizens. Snow tigers stalk prey beneath the frosted canopy, while orc warbands and lumbering ettins claim territories within its shadowed glades. Scattered Uthgardt tribes, revering the ancient trees, roam the woods, maintaining a nomadic existence, never felling living timber. The air is crisp, the silence punctuated by the rustling of leaves and the distant howls of wild beasts, a testament to the untamed spirit that permeates every frozen branch and snow-laden root, a dangerous but beautiful place.
The Crooked Branch Hold
A hastily constructed but surprisingly defensible bandit camp nestled within a dense thicket of thorny bushes and fallen logs. The camp features a network of natural hollows and shallow caves, reinforced with rough-hewn timber and sharpened stakes, creating a surprisingly secure hideout. The air is thick with the smell of woodsmoke, unwashed bodies, and poorly cured hides, while crude traps are scattered throughout, ensuring that vigilance remains high among the seemingly disorganized bandits.
The Dalelands
Nestled between Cormyr and the Moonsea, the Dalelands sprawl as a patchwork of independent dales, each a vibrant tapestry of lush forests and fertile fields. Bordered by the ancient Cormanthor forest and shadowed by the Desertsmouth Mountains, this region pulses with life and adventure. Dales like Archendale, Battledale, and Daggerdale offer unique landscapes and challenges, welcoming adventurers with promises of gold and glory. The looming threat of Zhentil Keep and savage raiders fuels the region's dynamic nature, making it a crucible for heroes. This land, detailed in ancient scrolls, stands as a beacon against encroaching darkness, a place where the brave find both reward and peril in equal measure, amidst a realm of untamed beauty and ancient secrets.
The Deep Wastes
The Deep Wastes, a desolate and hazardous domain, lie far beneath the surface of Faerûn, a realm of perpetual darkness and chilling silence. Its landscape, a barren expanse of jagged rocks and deep fissures, reflects the unforgiving nature of its environment. The air is thin and cold, and the sounds of skittering creatures and dripping water fill the silence. Whispers of forgotten horrors and ancient evils fill the air, and the chilling whisper of unseen entities. The Deep Wastes are a place of extreme danger and isolation, where only the most resilient creatures can survive, a place of constant danger.
The Docks
The Neverwinter Docks, a raucous nexus of global trade, sprawl westward between the Protector's Enclave and the shadowy Blacklake District. A cacophony of creaking timbers, hawkers' cries, and foreign tongues fills the air as ships laden with exotic goods berth along the bustling piers. While legitimate commerce thrives, shadows lurk in the district’s grimy alleys and weathered warehouses, where illicit deals and criminal enterprises flourish. Rough-looking sailors, shrewd merchants, and shifty figures mingle, creating a volatile atmosphere. Adventurers seeking fortune or information, be it legal or otherwise, often find themselves drawn into the docks' complex web of commerce and intrigue, navigating its perilous blend of opportunity and danger.
The Evermoors
The Evermoors, a chilling expanse of fog-choked bogs and undulating terrain, presents a perilous gauntlet for any adventurer. Known also as the Trollmoors, this region teems with monstrous denizens: hulking trolls, brutish giants, and other fell beasts lurking amidst the perpetual mists. Beneath the murky waters, a labyrinth of caverns conceals rich veins of copper, lead, and even gold, tempting those brave or foolish enough to delve into the depths. To the west, near Everlund, the Sleeping Dragon, a gloomy ravine shrouded in shadowtops and duskwoods, offers a stark contrast, its dense forest hinting at hidden dangers and forgotten secrets. The Evermoors' combination of treacherous terrain, monstrous inhabitants, and hidden wealth creates a dynamic and deadly locale, a place where fortunes are won and lives are lost in equal measure.
The Far Hills
The Far Hills, a rugged expanse in the Western Heartlands, rise as a formidable barrier, their rocky crests and hidden valleys dividing the Sunset Mountains and forming the eastern edge of Sunset Vale. Thick, gnarled trees cling to the slopes, concealing shadowed paths and treacherous terrain. This natural fortification, however, is not untamed; the imposing fortress of Darkhold exerts near absolute control over the region, its dark influence felt throughout the hills' winding passes and isolated glens. The hills' strategic position renders them nearly impenetrable, a wild buffer under the iron grip of a sinister power, where both natural dangers and the threat of Darkhold's forces loom large.
The Feydark
The Feydark, a vibrant, magical reflection of the Underdark within the Feywild, pulses with a strange, alluring life. Bathed in perpetual twilight, its depths shimmer with glowing purple crystals and forests of colossal, bizarre fungi. Waterfalls cascade, their streams running red with algae, nourishing a thriving ecosystem of unique herbivores and predators. Here, primal mud, a rich, organic sediment, fuels the lush flora, making it far more life-supporting than its Material Plane counterpart. The dominant sapient race, the fomorians, carve their existence within its labyrinthine tunnels, while svirfneblin gnomes delve for magical stones, and drow utilize its shadows for clandestine travel. This realm, an echo of Toril, twists time and distance, enhancing arcane magic, and presents a stark contrast to the surface Feywild's courts, yet remains a crucial, if perilous, part of its reality.
The Feywild
The Feywild, an echo of the Prime Material Plane, is a realm of heightened sensations and unrestrained emotions. Bathed in perpetual twilight, its landscapes are dramatically beautiful, with mountains towering and rivers flowing with supernatural clarity. Time flows erratically, and arcane magic is amplified, suffusing the plane's inhabitants and landmarks. Its geography mirrors Faerun, yet distances are unpredictable, and time's passage is inconsistent, potentially leading to dire consequences for mortal visitors. The plane is home to various fey creatures, including eladrin, goblins, and fomorians, and is ruled by powerful archfey like Titania and the Queen of Air and Darkness, whose courts, Seelie and Unseelie, respectively, shape the plane's politics. Notable locations include Astrazalian, Cendriane, and the Feydark, the Feywild's Underdark equivalent. The Feywild's connection to Faerun has varied over time, with periods of separation and reconnection.
The Forgotten Realms
A land of diverse cultures, magic, and peril. From the Sword Coast's bustling cities to the vast, monster-haunted wilds, it's a tapestry of kingdoms, ancient ruins, and divine influence. The Weave, magic's fabric, permeates all, while gods actively shape mortal lives. Political intrigue, monstrous threats, and the echoes of lost empires define this dynamic, ever-changing world.
The Frozen Forest
The Frozen Forest, a chilling expanse of tightly packed conifers, clings to the western flank of the formidable Great Glacier, deep within the Moonsea North. Glittering ice encrusts every needle and branch, creating a crystalline maze that stretches from the Abbey Mountains to the south, northward toward Ghaethluntar, and between the desolate Anauroch to the west and the towering glacier to the east. The air here is perpetually frigid, and the forest's depths conceal untold dangers and forgotten secrets. Though its presence is noted in many tales of the Forgotten Realms, precise details of its happenings are often shrouded in mystery, making it a place where adventurers tread with caution, facing both the harsh environment and the unknown entities that dwell within its icy embrace.
The Green Fields
The Green Fields manifest as both a serene celestial plane and a vibrant region on Faerûn. In the afterlife, it's a boundless expanse of verdant hills dotted with cozy halfling settlements, a peaceful haven for virtuous souls and the divine abode of halfling gods. Here, petitioners find solace in meditative labor and tranquil existence. Conversely, the terrestrial Green Fields, nestled within the Western Heartlands, are a rolling grassland, a geographical tapestry bordered by Amn to the south, Durlag's Tower to the west, the Chionthar river to the north, and the Giant's Plain to the east. This region, often depicted in adventurer's maps, presents a landscape of gentle slopes and fertile plains, a common stage for mortal journeys and encounters, distinct from its celestial namesake yet sharing a name and general aesthetic.
The High Forest
The High Forest, a sprawling, ancient woodland in northwest Faerûn, stretches between the Nether Mountains to the north and the High Moor to the south, bordering the Evermoors to the west and Anauroch's arid expanse to the east, with the Delimbiyr River tracing its eastern edge. This dense, primeval forest, ruled by the wood elf Morgwais the Red, teems with diverse inhabitants: wood elves, gnolls, centaurs, orcs, humans, and more, all vying for territory. Within its depths lie the Star Mounts, sources of the Unicorn Run and Heartblood River; the Lost Peaks, birthplace of the Dessarin River; and the ominous Dire Wood. Echoes of the fallen Elven Empire of Aryvandaar linger, with remnants of their cities scattered amidst the towering trees. The forest's spiritual heart beats with reverence for Corellon Larethian and Chauntea, reflecting its deep connection to nature.
The High Forest (South)
The High Forest, a sprawling, ancient woodland in northwest Faerûn, stretches between the Nether Mountains to the north and the High Moor to the south, bordering the Evermoors to the west and Anauroch's arid expanse to the east, with the Delimbiyr River tracing its eastern edge. This dense, primeval forest, ruled by the wood elf Morgwais the Red, teems with diverse inhabitants: wood elves, gnolls, centaurs, orcs, humans, and more, all vying for territory. Within its depths lie the Star Mounts, sources of the Unicorn Run and Heartblood River; the Lost Peaks, birthplace of the Dessarin River; and the ominous Dire Wood. Echoes of the fallen Elven Empire of Aryvandaar linger, with remnants of their cities scattered amidst the towering trees. The forest's spiritual heart beats with reverence for Corellon Larethian and Chauntea, reflecting its deep connection to nature.
The High Ice
The High Ice, a vast, magically-expanded glacier north of the Anauroch desert, presents a desolate expanse of treacherous terrain. Once halted by Netherese magic, its uncontrolled growth now blankets the region, harboring a chilling array of monstrous inhabitants. Snow elves, dragonborn clans, savage orcs, and creatures like remorhaz, ice trolls, yeti, and winter wolves roam its icy wastes. Amidst the frozen landscape, the Smokeholes, large vents spewing steam from the subterranean Caverns of Burning Ice, offer perilous access to rare ores sought by gnomes and dwarves. Scattered throughout the glacier are other hidden locations like Bhaulaea, Choshein, Llashloch, Taglorlar, Untrivvin, and Lathery, each a potential site of adventure or doom. The High Ice, with its brutal environment and formidable denizens, is a formidable challenge for even the most seasoned adventurers.
The High Moor
The High Moor sprawls, a desolate plateau of windswept grasses and jagged stones, bordered by the Serpent Hills and Misty Forest. A place of stark beauty and savage peril, it's a realm where ancient ruins crumble under the relentless sky, whispering tales of forgotten empires. Bogs swallow the unwary, and crags hide the lairs of monstrous denizens: gnolls, trolls, and worse. Scattered remnants of forgotten civilizations—weathered menhirs, half-buried statues, and the skeletal remains of fortresses—dot the landscape, hinting at a past both glorious and tragic. The air crackles with an untamed energy, a testament to the wild magic that permeates the moor. It's a place where survival demands vigilance, and every shadow could conceal a deadly threat, or a long-lost treasure.
The High Moors
The High Moors, a desolate expanse bordering Cormyr's northern reaches, present a treacherous landscape of mist-shrouded, elevated moorland. Relentless precipitation fosters a damp, chilling atmosphere, veiling the ruins of ancient Miyeritar, shattered millennia ago by the Vyshaantar Empire's cataclysmic magic during the Crown Wars. Crumbling stone structures rise from the sodden earth, silent testaments to a lost kingdom, now claimed by monstrous denizens. Bordered by the Serpent Hills and the Misty Forest, this open moorland is a perilous domain, rife with remnants of powerful monster communities, making it a formidable obstacle for even seasoned adventurers.
The King's Forest
The King's Forest, located in western Cormyr within the Forgotten Realms, was once part of the vast Cormanthor forest. After the elves departed, the Cormyr crown claimed it, renaming it the King's Forest. Known for its dense canopy and abundant wildlife, it was a favored hunting ground for nobles. However, the landscape shifted dramatically after the Goblin War concluded in 1371 DR. Orcs infested the forest, transforming it into a perilous area for travelers. To ensure the safety of merchants and other wayfarers, the Purple Dragons, Cormyr's military force, now actively patrol the King's Forest roads, working to mitigate the dangers posed by the orcish presence.
The Kingdom of Gnarhelm
Gnarhelm, a rugged Northlander kingdom nestled on Alaron's northern reaches, presents a stark landscape of craggy hills and sheer cliffs, perpetually shrouded in mist and battered by tempestuous storms from the Trackless Sea. Its hardy human inhabitants, adept land travelers and warriors, thrive despite the challenging terrain that hinders sea navigation. Rich in mineral wealth, Gnarhelm boasts extensive mines yielding copper, gold, iron, and silver, compensating for its meager agricultural output. The capital, also named Gnarhelm, sits on rolling plains near Salmon Bay, serving as a vital trade hub where Northlanders and Waterdhavian merchants exchange goods, including slaves and Ffolk weapons. Though its navy is small, Gnarhelm's formidable army, bolstered by a strong cavalry, ensures the kingdom's defense. Rulers like Sigurd Helmudson and the Olafsson lineage have shaped this resilient realm.
The Northdark
The Northdark, the northern region of the Underdark, extends beneath the surface of Faerûn, a realm of perpetual darkness and frigid temperatures. Its landscape, a mix of ice caverns and volcanic vents, reflects the extreme conditions of its environment. The air is thin and cold, and the sounds of skittering creatures and dripping water fill the silence. Whispers of forgotten horrors and ancient evils fill the air, and the chilling whisper of unseen entities. The Northdark is a place of extreme danger and isolation, where only the most resilient creatures can survive, a place of constant peril.
The Purple Rocks
The Purple Rocks, a remote archipelago in the Trackless Sea, lie 800 miles west of Gundarlin, their craggy peaks rising from the turbulent waters. Verdant valleys, concealed behind forested slopes, offer a deceptive tranquility. Under stormy skies, the islands adopt a sinister purple shade, lending them their name. Utherall, the eastern isle, hosts the settlement of Vilkstead, while Trisk, to the west, shelters the village of Ulf of Thuger, the two separated by a hundred miles of open sea. Whispers claim the inhabitants are bound to the kraken Slarkrethel, their lives twisted by his influence. Locals display unsettling fish-like traits, a gradual transformation leading them back to the sea’s depths. Newborns are cast into the waves, claimed by the kraken, and return as warped adults, their descent into aquatic servitude complete. The islands emanate an air of dread, and outsiders who pry into their secrets are met with hostility, their presence swiftly discouraged.
The Reaching Woods
The Reaching Woods, a sprawling deciduous expanse of elms, maples, beeches, and oaks, blankets the Western Heartlands, stretching east of the River Chionthar and Elturgard, south of the Trielta Hills, and west of Triel. Once a haven of serenity, the woods are now marred by goblinoid incursions, their iron grip enslaving the native centaur and satyr populations. Amidst the ancient trees, pockets of resistance persist, guarded by powerful druids and sacred shrines dedicated to Eldath, the goddess of peace. Whispers also speak of the Walking Tower, a relic of fallen Netheril, its arcane presence a constant, unsettling reminder of a bygone era. While the woods offer a veneer of tranquil beauty, the lurking shadows of enslavement and ancient magic create a dangerous, unpredictable landscape for any traveler.
The Ride
The Ride, a frigid, wind-swept steppe nestled between the Dragonspine Mountains, Border Forest, and Thar, presents a harsh landscape dominated by nomadic Eraka tribes. These mounted barbarians, speaking Erakic, are fiercely independent, often warring amongst themselves, yet they unite against external forces like the Zhentarim or the encroaching Warlock Knights of Vaasa, who seek the region's mineral wealth. 14th century mines, controlled by Melvaunt and Zhentil Keep, scar the northern mountains. The Vaegould, aggressive primordial worshippers, and the Varm, peaceful totem magic practitioners who venerate primal spirits, represent the diverse tribal cultures that carve out survival in this unforgiving terrain. The Ride’s unforgiving environment breeds hardy warriors, and its hidden resources make it a constant point of conflict.
The River District
The River District, also called the Tower District, rises from Neverwinter's northeast, a scarred landscape dominated by the Cloak Tower, the crumbled Fallen Tower, and the enigmatic, floating Shard of Night. Its weathered stones echo with tales of orcish incursions and the ceaseless clash of factions: the arcane Covenant, the loyal Many-Starred Cloak, the vigilant Graycloaks, the secretive Harpers, the ambitious New Neverwinter movement, the stalwart Neverwinter Guard, and the watchful Wintershield Watchmen. This district, a nexus of heroic deeds and arcane rituals, bristles with tension, a battleground where ancient powers and political ambitions collide amidst the ruins and wonders of a city striving to rebuild.
The Ruins of Ascarl
The Sunken City of Ascarl, a once-proud elven metropolis, now lies in watery ruin off Trisk's northern Purple Rocks. Glacial melt submerged its elegant spires and coral-encrusted avenues, leaving behind a haunting labyrinth of drowned architecture. The city's skeletal remains, patrolled by schools of bioluminescent fish, hint at a lost splendor. Within these eerie depths, the drow, agents of the Kraken Society, established a sinister stronghold, transforming the once-beautiful city into a nexus of dark rituals and aquatic treachery. Crumbling archways and seaweed-draped statues conceal hidden chambers and treacherous currents, where whispers of ancient magic and the Kraken's ominous influence linger. The city's submerged ruins serve as a stark reminder of nature's power and the corruption that can fester in its wake, promising perilous exploration for those who dare to delve into its depths.
The Shadowfell
The Shadowfell, a bleak echo of the Prime Material Plane, is a realm of perpetual gloom and despair. This infinite plane, accessible through shadow crossings and magical means, mirrors the Material Plane's geography but twists it into a desolate landscape of black and white. Light sources are diminished, and magic related to light and fire is impeded, while shadow magic is enhanced. The terrain is magically morphic, constantly shifting and diverging from its Prime counterpart. Landmarks are recognizable but distorted, and frequent shadow quakes disrupt travel. Inhabitants include shades, shadar-kai, shadow creatures, and undead drawn to areas of negative energy. Mirages of familiar places and faces haunt travelers. Notable locations like Evernight and the Shadow Swamp offer both peril and dark opportunities. The Shadowfell is also home to the Domains of Dread, demiplanes imprisoning powerful evils. Notable deities like Shar and Mask maintain realms here.
The Shining Plains
The Shining Plains, a sun-drenched expanse of dry grassland within the Vilhon Reach, presents a diverse and volatile landscape. Bordered by the monster-haunted Assam Lheshayl Ormath Deepwing Mountains to the north, and fringed by the druid-held Gulthmere Forest, the plains are a patchwork of independent city-states like Assam, Lheshayl, and Ormath, alongside nomadic wemic and centaur tribes. The influential Emerald Enclave holds sway here, while the insectoid thri-kreen of the Krakk't and the frog-like grippli also claim portions of the land. In 1355 DR, mysterious fires ravaged the plains, claimed by the destructive Church of Talos, who erected a shrine amidst the charred remnants. Post-Spellplague, the northwestern reaches transformed into the treacherous Xian badlands. Home to roughly 423,000 inhabitants, the Shining Plains are a realm of stark beauty and hidden dangers, where diverse cultures clash and nature's power reigns supreme.
The Silent Spire of Azmar
The Silent Spire of Azmar pierces the relentless sands of Anauroch like a petrified finger pointing towards a forgotten sky. Constructed from massive blocks of sun-bleached sandstone, the pyramid has weathered countless centuries of wind and magic, its once sharp edges now softened by erosion and the strange energies that permeate the Great Sand Sea. The entrance, a shadowed maw choked with drifting sand, hints at the oppressive darkness within. Strange, unsettlingly still hieroglyphs adorn the exterior, depicting beings with elongated limbs and unsettlingly large eyes, their meaning lost to time. The air around the spire hums with a faint, almost imperceptible magical resonance, a lingering echo of the phaerimm magic that shaped this land. Within, narrow, twisting corridors lead to larger chambers, many choked with sand or collapsed entirely. Traps, both mechanical and magical, remain active, guarding the secrets and the slumbering dead within.
The Small Teeth
The Small Teeth, a modest mountain range forming Amn's southern border with Muranndin, rises to an average of 8,000 feet, their peaks sparsely forested. Twisting trails snake through the range, confounding travelers and providing ample cover for lurking humanoid monsters. The southern foothills, warmed by the sun, cultivate rich vineyards, while snowmelt from the peaks feeds the Imnestream and River Specie, vital waterways for the surrounding lands. Beware confusion and peril within these rugged heights.
The Small Teeth (East)
The Small Teeth, a modest mountain range forming Amn's southern border with Muranndin, rises to an average of 8,000 feet, their peaks sparsely forested. Twisting trails snake through the range, confounding travelers and providing ample cover for lurking humanoid monsters. The southern foothills, warmed by the sun, cultivate rich vineyards, while snowmelt from the peaks feeds the Imnestream and River Specie, vital waterways for the surrounding lands. Beware confusion and peril within these rugged heights.
The Spine of the World
The Spine of the World, a jagged, ice-clad mountain range, stands as a formidable barrier in northwest Faerûn, stretching from the Cold Run to the Ice Spires. Locals, especially those of Scornubel, call it "the Wall," a testament to its imposing nature and the protection it offers from the Uttermost North's frigid wastes. While mostly uninhabited, pockets of civilization cling to its western edges near the Sword Coast. The range’s treacherous peaks and frozen passes make travel perilous, and the creatures that dwell within are whispered of in fear, their raids a constant threat to the conifer-cloaked foothills below. Fierce barbarian tribes, accustomed to the harsh climate, roam these lands, migrating between seasonal camps. The Spine's unforgiving terrain and the dangers it conceals ensure its reputation as a wild, untamed frontier.
The Ten Towns
Nestled within the frigid embrace of Icewind Dale, the Ten Towns cling to survival, a loose confederation of hardy settlements against the Spine of the World's southern reach and the Reghed Glacier's eastern expanse. Bryn Shander, the walled capital, stands as the largest, its speaker Cassius wielding considerable influence. Surrounding it are Bremen Targos, another walled town and vital fishing hub, and the isolated Lonelywood, among others, each a beacon of community diligence. These frontier villages, a haven for those seeking new beginnings, endure harsh winters and treacherous roads patrolled by highwaymen, orcs, snow yetis, and giants. A council of speakers from each town convenes in Bryn Shander, grappling with the region's perils and fostering a fragile, often competitive, unity. Though each town prides itself on self-reliance, the relentless threats of the North forge a tenuous, necessary alliance against the brutal landscape and its dangers.
The Tortured Land
The Tortured Land, a desolate expanse north of the Moonsea and south of the Great Glacier, presents a grim tableau of barren wastes and unforgiving climate. Its uncharted territories conceal ancient mysteries and perilous threats, making it a realm shunned by most. In the spring of 1480 DR, elemental horrors surged forth, scattering settlements near Ilinvur and Barze, a testament to the land's volatile nature. Within its bounds lie the enigmatic Oubliette of Madness and the Cenotaph of Lost Gods, whispering tales of forgotten powers. The ruins of Moch-Fanan, a stone giant citadel, stand as a silent sentinel of a bygone era, while the tale of an exiled shield dwarf clan, forced northward onto the glacier for defying a war party, echoes through its windswept canyons. This land, a crucible of exile and elemental fury, remains a dangerous and largely undocumented frontier, where only the hardiest dare to tread.
The Trackless Sea
The Trackless Sea, a frigid expanse west of Faerûn, stretches from the Sea of Swords to Maztica, bordered by the icy Sea of Moving Ice and Chult's peninsula. Its northern reaches are a tempestuous realm of gray skies, violent squalls, and drifting icebergs, though coastal currents near Waterdeep offer a slight respite. Scattered islands dot this harsh sea, each a kingdom unto itself. Gundarlun, ruled by King Olger Redaxe, boasts Gundbarg, a haven amidst the waves. Ruathym, Trisk (the Purple Rocks) under King Selger's iron fist, and the remote Tuern, home to Uttersea, form a chain of isolated settlements. Elven, dwarven, and Northman explorers have braved its depths, yet vast stretches remain uncharted, whispering tales of feathered warriors and phantom continents. The sea's unexplored heart conceals exotic locales and perilous mysteries, a realm ripe for adventure.
The Trackless Sea (North)
The Trackless Sea, a frigid expanse west of Faerûn, stretches from the Sea of Swords to Maztica, bordered by the icy Sea of Moving Ice and Chult's peninsula. Its northern reaches are a tempestuous realm of gray skies, violent squalls, and drifting icebergs, though coastal currents near Waterdeep offer a slight respite. Scattered islands dot this harsh sea, each a kingdom unto itself. Gundarlun, ruled by King Olger Redaxe, boasts Gundbarg, a haven amidst the waves. Ruathym, Trisk (the Purple Rocks) under King Selger's iron fist, and the remote Tuern, home to Uttersea, form a chain of isolated settlements. Elven, dwarven, and Northman explorers have braved its depths, yet vast stretches remain uncharted, whispering tales of feathered warriors and phantom continents. The sea's unexplored heart conceals exotic locales and perilous mysteries, a realm ripe for adventure.
The Trackless Sea (South)
The Trackless Sea, a frigid expanse west of Faerûn, stretches from the Sea of Swords to Maztica, bordered by the icy Sea of Moving Ice and Chult's peninsula. Its northern reaches are a tempestuous realm of gray skies, violent squalls, and drifting icebergs, though coastal currents near Waterdeep offer a slight respite. Scattered islands dot this harsh sea, each a kingdom unto itself. Gundarlun, ruled by King Olger Redaxe, boasts Gundbarg, a haven amidst the waves. Ruathym, Trisk (the Purple Rocks) under King Selger's iron fist, and the remote Tuern, home to Uttersea, form a chain of isolated settlements. Elven, dwarven, and Northman explorers have braved its depths, yet vast stretches remain uncharted, whispering tales of feathered warriors and phantom continents. The sea's unexplored heart conceals exotic locales and perilous mysteries, a realm ripe for adventure.
The Trollclaws
The Trollclaws, a treacherous expanse of misty, steep, grassy hills, borders the northern Fields of the Dead, a region notorious for its dense, overgrown foliage and pervasive dampness. This wild territory, a haven for countless trolls, renders it largely uninhabitable for larger creatures. The Winding Water snakes through the hills, its only safe wagon crossing, Trollclaw Ford, a ruined hamlet along the Coast Way, a vital trade route between Baldur's Gate and Waterdeep. The ford, repeatedly besieged by trolls, stands as a testament to the region's inherent danger. Travelers are strongly advised to circumvent the Trollclaws, as the relentless troll hordes, coupled with the rugged terrain, make passage exceptionally perilous. The area's constant mist conceals threats, while the river's unpredictable currents and the trolls' regenerative abilities make even simple crossings a deadly gamble.
The Underdark
The Underdark, a sprawling subterranean realm beneath Faerûn, is a labyrinth of perpetual darkness. Its tiered depths, Upperdark, Darklands, and Lowerdark, each possess distinct ecological niches. Civilizations, often malevolent, thrive in this lightless expanse. Drow, duergar, and mind flayers establish their domains, while aberrations like aboleths lurk in hidden waters. A complex network of tunnels and vast caverns connects these regions, fostering a perilous ecosystem. The Underdark's environment is defined by its lack of sunlight, unique flora and fauna, and the constant threat of territorial conflict between its diverse inhabitants. The Underdark is inhabited by many races, including aboleths, beholders, cloakers, derro, drow, duergar, dwarves, illithids, kuo-toa, quaggoths, rock gnomes, svirfneblin.
The Wailing Maw
The Wailing Maw is a sprawling network of interconnected sea caves carved into the jagged western cliffs of Alaron Island. Legend speaks of a monstrous sea creature, long since vanished, whose gaping maw formed the initial entrance, hence the name. The crashing waves constantly echo through the caverns, creating a mournful, wailing sound that can disorient and unnerve intruders. The air is thick with the smell of salt, damp stone, and decaying seaweed. Narrow ledges, slippery with algae, wind along the cavern walls, often dropping abruptly into pools of dark, churning water. Deeper sections of the cave system are only accessible during low tide or by navigating submerged tunnels. Strange bioluminescent flora clings to the damp rock in the darker reaches, casting an eerie, pulsating glow.
The Whalebones
The Whalebones, a desolate archipelago in the Trackless Sea, rise like jagged teeth from the churning waters. Wind-scoured, grass-capped rocky mesas, edged by chalky cliffs and gravel beaches littered with massive whale skeletons, define these isles. Small, hardy Northmen communities cling to life, subsisting on whaling, fishing, meager farming, and occasional raids. Petty kings feud amongst themselves, their skirmishes brief and bloody. Garrstead, the largest settlement on Finback Island, serves as the fortified hold of Garr Ulfsson. Beyond the human settlements, the larger islands harbor massive rocs, aerial steeds for the storm giants of Maelstrom, who occasionally descend from the tempestuous skies, casting long shadows over the windswept terrain.
The White Peaks
The White Peaks, a jagged spine of frost-laden mountains, cleave the Moonsea North, a stark barrier between the desolate Tortured Lands and the rolling Ride steppes. Whitehorn looms among its brethren, and the town of Whitehom clings to the southern slopes. Stone and frost giants stalk these heights, preying on hobgoblins, orcs, and the hardy mountain fauna. Hidden within the northern peaks, amidst the treacherous terrain, lies Forharn, a secluded Forest Gnome city. This city marks a crucial nexus on the Trail of Mists, a network of arcane portals that weave through the region, making the peaks a place of both peril and mystical passage.
The Wildspace Boundary
The Wildspace Boundary, a perilous convergence of the Astral Sea and wildspace, presents a stark, star-dusted gray void. Here, spelljamming vessels navigate the treacherous currents where the familiar laws of wildspace falter, yielding to the bizarre fluidity of the Astral Plane. Distant stars pierce the emptiness, offering scant light in this realm where time distorts and gravity's absence renders movement ethereal. Drifting chunks of matter mingle with the remnants of dead gods, forming eerie god-isles, while color pools shimmer, gateways to other planes. The convergence breeds a volatile ecosystem, attracting astral dreadnoughts, githyanki, and a host of other planar creatures, making travel exceptionally hazardous. The plane's psychic energy and fluid reality create a constantly shifting landscape, where thought manifests and danger lurks in the gray expanse.
Thornhold
Thornhold, a formidable grey stone fortress, juts from the southern edge of the Mere of Dead Men, its sheer cliff face overlooking the turbulent sea, rendering a seaward wall unnecessary. A thick, curved wall encircles the bailey, within which a two-towered keep stands sentinel. The interior hums with activity, housing a diverse array of workshops: humble wooden and plaster structures dedicated to animal husbandry, smithing, candlemaking, gem cutting, woodworking, and brewing. Once a possession of the Margaster family, then contested by the Knights of Samular and the Zhentarim, Thornhold is now the staunch domain of the Stoneshaft shield dwarves, their industrious hands shaping the fortress into a bastion of their mountain craft.
Thunder Peaks
The Thunder Peaks, a jagged spine marking Cormyr's eastern edge, rise in perpetual storm, their name a constant rumble of thunder and crackling lightning. Rugged peaks plunge into deep, shadowed valleys, concealing treacherous passes and hidden caves where orc and goblin tribes plot raids against Cormyr, Sembia, and the Dalelands. The lost dwarven halls of Thunderholme lie somewhere within, now a domain of the dracolich Aurgloroasa, the Sibilant Shade. The Thunder River carves a westward path, while the Thunder Gap, a vital east-west passage, offers perilous transit. Diverse wildlife, both mundane and magical, prowls the slopes, amongst rare and hardy flora. The volatile weather and harsh terrain make this range a dangerous, yet compelling, frontier.
Thunderholme
Thunderholme, a skeletal echo of dwarven grandeur, lies nestled beneath the jagged Thunder Peaks. Once a bastion blessed by Dumathoin, its halls now echo with the chill whispers of undeath. Crumbling stone structures, etched with faded dwarven runes, stand as silent sentinels to a lost age. The once-bustling forges are cold, their anvils rusted, and the mines, once rich with ore, are now choked with shadow. Aurgloroasa, the Sibilant Shade, a formidable shadow dragon, claims this ruin as her lair, commanding a Cult of the Dragon and legions of animated bones, the remnants of the city's noble inhabitants. The air is thick with the stench of decay and the chilling presence of dark magic, a stark contrast to the city's former glory. The city's emptied vaults, a lingering mystery, fuel tales of Dumathoin's wrath or a grand, unseen theft.
Trades Ward
The Trades Ward, a sprawling eastern district of Waterdeep, pulses with relentless commercial energy, encircling the City of the Dead's western and southern walls. Stone streets teem with merchants hawking wares, guildhalls buzzing with activity, and inns offering respite to weary travelers. Notable landmarks like the Court of the White Bull, the Plinth, and Virgin's Square anchor this bustling marketplace. Lodging ranges from simple rooms at 5 silver pieces per day to more comfortable stays at 20 silver pieces per tenday. Taverns offer a variety of food and drink, fueling the constant flow of trade. While lacking the warmth of residential wards, the Trades Ward is a vital hub, a cacophony of commerce that rarely sleeps, its shops and businesses catering to every conceivable need.
Transitive, Outer, & Inner Planes
These are some of the Transitive, Outer, & Inner Planes in the D&D Forgotten Realms universe.
Triboar
Triboar, the "Gateway to the North," is a vibrant frontier town where the Long Road and Evermoor Way intersect, a hub for merchants and travelers. Built upon fertile plains, it sprawls outwards with numerous ranches and farmsteads, particularly to the north and east. The town thrives on the horse trade, supported by skilled blacksmiths and wagonwrights. Governed by the democratically elected Lord Protector, currently the ex-adventurer Darathra Shendrel, Triboar operates under the "Lord's Decree." The Triboar Trail, a stretch of rolling plains between the Sword Mountains and Neverwinter Woods, begins here, attracting rangers and scouts who often gather at the Triboar Arms tavern. The Triboar Travelers caravaneer company also operates from the town, providing wagons and guards for merchants. The town's name echoes a tale of three boars slain centuries past, a testament to its rugged origins.
Triel
Triel, a meager village nestled within the desolate Fields of the Dead, marks a crucial crossroads of the Trade Way and Dusk Road, south of the ominous Boareskyr Bridge. Its defining feature is a rough, log-and-boulder stockade, a grim reminder of the harsh winters and the ever-present threat of the wilds, its gates firmly locked each night. Elvar the Grainlord, a figure consumed by the need for survival, governs this austere settlement, his focus solely on stockpiling food. Absent are the comforts of an inn or tavern; travelers are relegated to camping outside the walls, their presence a form of perimeter defense for the precious grain reserves. Situated within the borders of Elturgard, Triel is overshadowed by the looming Trielta Hills to the northeast, its existence a testament to resilience in a land of scarcity and danger.
Trielta Hills
Nestled within the Western Heartlands, the Trielta Hills offer a serene expanse of rolling, pastoral terrain, punctuated by rocky outcrops and scattered farming hamlets. A lesser branch of the Dusk Road meanders through the hills, connecting these isolated communities. While primarily inhabited by rock gnomes and halflings, with a few orcish enclaves, the region maintains a peaceful, idyllic nature, largely untouched by major threats. However, small-time criminals and hungry beasts pose minor dangers. The hills also intersect with the mystical Trail of Mists, adding an element of arcane travel. Renkilk’s Cranny, a cavern near the southern edge, once held ogres but is now claimed by the Church of Shar, casting a shadow of dark influence upon the otherwise tranquil landscape.
Troll Mountains
The Troll Mountains, a rugged, low-lying range forming Amn's northern border, are a perilous domain of intelligent mountain trolls, renowned for their brutish strength and uncanny camouflage amidst the rocky terrain. Rich veins of gems, nickel, and iron lace the peaks, tempting fortune-seekers, though the risks are high. Unlike the humid Cloud Peaks to the west, these mountains experience only winter snows, revealing a harsh landscape dotted with goblin and orc warbands. The imposing Mount Thalangar looms over the Gulf of Storms, a site sacred to Talos's followers, while the Wailing Dwarf, a 4,000-foot rock monolith carved in dwarven likeness, guards the ruins of a lost dwarven city, now a troll-infested labyrinth. Adding to the dangers, the infamous red dragon Balagos claims these mountains as his lair, making travel through this region a gamble against both monstrous denizens and draconic wrath.
Trollbark Forest
Trollbark Forest, a treacherous expanse along the Sword Coast, looms north of Baldur's Gate, a dense tangle of thorny, poisonous flora. Twisted oaks, black ashes, and carnivorous scrub pines choke the landscape, while fetid bogs and swamps fill the low vales, making travel perilous. This hostile environment is dominated by trolls, often led by hulking, two-headed giants, who frequently raid regions from the Lizard Marsh to the High Moor. Deepspawn lurk in the forest's subterranean caverns, their young occasionally preyed upon by the trolls during lean times. A hunting ground for monsters impervious to its toxins, Trollbark Forest remains a formidable barrier and a source of constant threat to surrounding settlements.
Trollclaw Ford
Trollclaw Ford, a ruined hamlet along the Coast Way, marks the sole safe wagon crossing of the Winding Water for leagues, nestled at the foot of the mist-shrouded Trollclaws. These hills, known for their steep, grassy slopes and dense foliage, are a notorious troll stronghold, making the area perpetually dangerous. The ford's strategic importance between Baldur's Gate and Waterdeep has led to numerous occupations, evidenced by the crumbling remnants of forts scattered about the site. Though now desolate, the remnants indicate a once vital, albeit perilous, waypoint, where the winding river meets the troll-infested hills, a stark reminder of the Sword Coast's wild and untamed nature.
Tuern
Tuern, a volcanic isle adrift in the frigid Trackless Sea, presents a stark tableau of obsidian beaches and perpetually fuming peaks, a land of surprising fertility amidst subarctic winds. Dominated by a triumvirate of tyrannical red dragons, the island's harsh beauty is further defined by the presence of fire giants, an unexpected alliance with the human inhabitants, a peculiar harmony that defies the typical enmity between dragonkind and giant-kin. Settlements cling to the fertile volcanic slopes, a testament to resilience, while the dragons' lairs pierce the craggy heights, casting long shadows over the uneasy alliance below. The air is thick with the scent of sulfur and sea spray, a constant reminder of the volatile forces that shape this isolated, dragon-ruled domain.
Turmish
Turmish is a prosperous democratic republic known for its verdant, fertile countryside and well-tended farmland. Home to approximately 1,693,440 people, Turmish is governed by the Assembly of Stars in its capital, Alaghôn, and values meritocracy over social class. The land is a mix of rugged mountains, volcanic peaks, and meandering country lanes, making it easy to get lost. Its sub-tropical climate fosters abundant wildlife and unique flora, including the rare blueleaf trees. Turmish's economy thrives on trade, exporting glass, grain, lumber, mercenaries, and salt, while importing luxury goods and metals. The nation's defenses are bolstered by well-organized mercenary companies and a naval militia, ensuring relative peace despite potential threats. Turmishan culture emphasizes practicality, fairness, and a deep connection to nature. The people are known for their fair-dealing merchants, courageous warriors with ornate armor, and wise wizards tattooed with animal images.
Turnback Mountains
The Turnback Mountains, a jagged, inhospitable range within the Moonsea North, rise like a petrified spine, their peaks eternally shrouded in mist and shadow. Known also as the Abbey Mountains, they are a realm of rugged cliffs and treacherous ravines, where only the hardiest creatures dare to tread. Turnback Mountain, a prominent southern peak, looms over the landscape, a stark reminder of the range's perilous nature. Here, amongst the wind-scoured rocks and hidden caves, dwell a multitude of monstrous denizens, from ravenous beasts to cunning fiends, making any journey through these peaks a perilous undertaking for even the most seasoned adventurer. The air crackles with an untamed energy, a testament to the wild, untamed essence of this forbidding terrain.
Twin Songs
Twin Songs, a northern Outer City district of Baldur's Gate, straddles the Wyrm's Crossing approach. It serves as a concentrated hub of minor religious sites, a sprawling collection of shrines and altars. Notably, it exhibits a high density of worship dedicated to less common, even malevolent, deities. This area acts as a refuge for displaced persons, fostering a pervasive atmosphere of devotional practice. Twin Songs boasts a remarkable array of monuments, exceeding the average Baldurian's theological knowledge, a testament to its focus on diverse, often obscure, divine entities. Its function as a sanctuary and religious nexus marks it as a unique, if unsettling, feature of the Outer City.
Ulf of Thuger
Ulf of Thuger, perched precariously on the windswept Purple Rocks within the Northern Trackless Sea, is the rough-hewn capital of Trisk. Its meager dwellings, constructed of driftwood and weathered stone, cluster around a rickety harbor, testament to the islanders' harsh existence. The air hangs thick with the brine of the sea and the smoke of fish-drying fires. Fishing vessels and the more ominous, black-sailed pirate ships crowd the docks, reflecting the dual nature of Trisk's inhabitants, who eke out a living through sparse farming and daring raids. A crude, long-hall stands as the seat of King Selger, a nominal ruler over a people as wild as the sea they navigate. The town, a hub of both desperate survival and predatory ambition, is a dangerous port of call for any venturing into the northern reaches.
Upper City of Baldur's Gate
The Upper City, Baldur's Gate's Old Town, stands as an enclave of affluence north of the ancient wall, a stark contrast to the Lower City's clamor. Grand estates house patriarchal nobles, their tranquil, well-kept streets reflecting an air of aloof superiority stemming from historical and economic dominance. Though seemingly serene, the city teems with the discreet activity of personal retainers, lines of servants, and skilled artisans catering to the elite. Once Gray Harbor, predating Heapside, it remains divided by Balduran's wall, a silent testament to past tax disputes and averted bloodshed. The Upper City maintains its secure, beautiful facade, a bastion of wealth and influence within the sprawling port-metropolis.
Uttersea
Uttersea, the stalwart capital of Tuern, clings to the inner curve of a vast, collapsed caldera, its dwellings nestled against the warm, protective rock walls. High King Threlked Ironfist commands from this bustling settlement, where the air hums with the industry of whaling, fishing, and the lucrative mining of diamonds and adamantite. The town's unique location shields it from the Trackless Sea's fiercest storms, yet it also places it precariously near the Flame Fault, a region where fire giants and red dragons lurk, their fiery presence a constant threat to the hardy folk of Uttersea.
Venya, the Pearly Heaven
Venya, the Pearly Heaven, the third layer of Mount Celestia, is a realm of pastoral tranquility and bountiful harvests. A soft, pearlescent glow emanates from the sky, bathing the landscape in a gentle, ethereal light. Lush meadows, rolling hills, and carefully terraced fields stretch across the layer, punctuated by peaceful brooks and quaint villages. This layer is the home of the halfling pantheon, particularly their realm, the Green Fields, a place of safety and abundance. The air is filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the gentle rustling of crops, creating an atmosphere of serene contentment. The halflings thrive here, their lives untouched by the harshness of other planes, their crops always plentiful, and their homes safe from harm. Venya is a testament to the peaceful and harmonious aspects of lawful good, a place of simple joys and quiet contentment.
Vercy Wood
Vercy Wood, a dense thicket nestled in the Moonsea North, sprawls northwest of the rugged West Galena Mountains, a verdant barrier against the wild lands of Thar. The ancient Ilinver Trail, a vital artery connecting Ilinver to the eastern settlement of Avang, weaves through its shadowed depths, its worn path a testament to countless journeys. The crystalline Telstang Brook, born from the Galenas’ high peaks, carves a winding course westward, its gentle murmur a constant presence amidst the towering trees, before finally merging with the expansive waters of Lake Longreach. Patches of sunlight filter through the dense canopy, dappling the forest floor in shifting patterns, revealing moss-covered stones and the occasional glimpse of elusive woodland creatures. The air hangs heavy with the scent of damp earth and pine, a place of both tranquil beauty and hidden dangers, where ancient secrets whisper among the rustling leaves.
Vilhon Reach
The Vilhon Reach, a humid subtropical expanse extending south from the Sea of Fallen Stars, presents a vibrant yet fractured landscape. Fertile lands, divided into quarreling city-states and petty nations, bustle with trade, linking the Lake of Steam and the Shaar to the wider world. Ancient empires, like Jhaamdath and Aryselmalyr, once thrived here, but were shattered by Elven High Magic's devastating tsunami, forever altering the region's shape. More recently, the Spellplague ravaged the remnants of the Chondathan empire, leaving behind independent city-states, the Free Cities, born from the Rotting War. Expect early springs, scorching summers, and heavy winter rains amidst the ruins and bustling ports of this historically tumultuous region.
Vilkstead
Vilkstead, a quaint village nestled amidst rolling hills, is renowned throughout the Sword Coast for its pungent and salty delicacy, Vilksmaarg, a unique herbed goat cheese. The village itself is a cluster of modest stone cottages, their thatched roofs weathered by coastal winds, surrounding a central square where the pungent aroma of aging cheese permeates the air. Goats graze on the surrounding pastures, their bells tinkling, a constant soundtrack to village life. Villkstead's single tavern, the "Goat's Rest," is a popular stop for weary travelers, offering not only the famed cheese but also hearty stews and local ales. The village's main trade is the production of Vilksmaarg, with villagers diligently tending to their goats and aging the cheese in cool, stone cellars. The surrounding landscape, a mix of grassy knolls and sparse woodlands, offers little in the way of other resources, making the cheese the lifeblood of this humble community.
Waterdeep
Waterdeep, the City of Splendors, is a sprawling metropolis on the Sword Coast, built upon the ancient elven settlement of Aelinthaldaar. It extends from the sea, across Mount Waterdeep's flanks, and into the depths of Undermountain. The city is a hub of trade and culture, boasting a population nearing two million, comprising mostly humans, with sizable dwarven and elven populations. Ruled by the secretive Lords of Waterdeep, it's a place of diverse faiths, from temples dedicated to Mystra and Tempus to hidden shrines of dark deities. The city's wards, like the Castle Ward and Dock Ward, each hold unique districts and landmarks, from the towering Blackstaff Tower to the bustling Great Harbor. Guarded by the City Watch and the elite Griffon Cavalry, Waterdeep thrives with broad, busy streets and a mix of public and private transport. Festivals add to its vibrant life, yet beneath its grandeur lies a complex web of guilds, nobles, and hidden criminal elements like the Xanathar Guild.
Waymoot
Waymoot, nestled in Cormyr's King's Forest, is a notable town driving the local economy. Its tavern, The Moon and Stars, once held renown as a premier establishment in the Realms. Separately, the waymoot of Assamboryl existed within the ancient forest of Cormanthor. This significant landmark lay approximately two days north of Druindar's Rock and a day south of Six Thorns within the Elven Woods, a region steeped in the history of the elven empire of Cormanthyr before the Elven Retreat.
Westgate
Westgate, a sprawling, squalid city on the Dragon Coast, pulsates with illicit trade and shadowed dealings. Ruled ostensibly by a council of wealthy merchants and their elected Croamarkh, the city's true power lies with unseen oligarchs and the criminal Night Masks, who manipulate its every transaction. Its open gates welcome all, fostering a melting pot of races and intentions, yet beneath the veneer of commerce festers deep corruption. The city's labyrinthine sewers, home to monstrous quelzarn, and the ancient catacombs, riddled with undead guardians and forgotten magical relics, offer perilous adventures for those daring to delve into its depths. From hidden temples to forgotten tombs, Westgate teems with secrets, a playground for intrigue and danger.
Wheelon
Wheloon, initially a small thorp thriving on Wyvernflow River trade near the Way of the Manticore, grew into a significant Cormyrean location due to increased trade. However, following Mystra's death and the Spellplague, Wheloon underwent a drastic transformation. It became a walled prison city, serving as a dumping ground for individuals deemed enemies of Cormyr, including suspected Shar worshippers and Netherese agents, as well as the original inhabitants who were trapped within its walls. This once-bustling trade hub was converted into a dark and isolated penal colony.
Wood of Sharp Teeth
The Wood of Sharp Teeth, a labyrinthine expanse of ancient trees south of the River Chionthar, presents a perilous wilderness, teeming with dire beasts, dragons, hydras, satyrs, and werewolves. This foreboding wood, southeast of Baldur's Gate and southwest of Scornubel, conceals the ruins of Vehlarr, a testament to its long-forgotten past, and the remnants of the elven realm, Askavar. Durlag's Tower looms on its southern edge, a solitary sentinel amidst the untamed wilds, while Hornhollow, a small logging settlement, clings to its periphery, bearing scars from a dragon's fiery wrath. Uldoon Trail skirts the wood's eastern flank, offering a treacherous path through its shadowed depths. Hidden within, a Twisted Rune teleportation gate allows for swift, yet perilous, transit to distant locales, making this forest a nexus of both natural and arcane dangers.
Wyrm's Crossing
Wyrm's Crossing, a vital artery of Baldur's Gate, links Twin Songs and Rivington across the Chionthar. Double bridges flank Wyrm's Rock, a Flaming Fist fortress, fostering a bustling trade hub. Structures cling to the bridges, from opulent shops to ramshackle stalls, even perilous overhangs. Dive bars and gambling dens dominate, alongside a close-knit halfling community in low-roofed tenements. Though rife with criminal elements, residents maintain a rough solidarity. The "Crossers," a local faction, police the area, prioritizing the exploitation of outsiders over fellow bridge-dwellers. This precarious, yet vibrant, locale serves as a crucial, if chaotic, nexus within the Outer City.
Yartar
Yartar, a fortified hub in the Dessarin Valley, buzzes with trade, its stone walls and five guarded gates welcoming caravans and river barges. Renowned for barge craftsmanship, its wares ply rivers from Silverymoon to Waterdeep. The city's growth, however, fuels a shadowy underbelly, with the Hand of Yartar thieves' guild operating from the Wink and Kiss tavern. A fortified bridge connects the city to a western citadel, while within, the Shield Tower houses the city's guards. The Happy Hall of Fortuitous Happenings, a temple to Tymora, offers aid to adventurers, and the Grand Dame, a gambling riverboat owned by Lord Drylund, caters to nobles. Its industries span barge construction, agriculture, seafood, caravan services, and cheese, making it a vital, yet troubled, waypoint in the Savage Frontier.
Yhaunn
Yhaunn, a weathered coastal city in Sembia, rises from an old quarry, its foundations carved into the very stone. A labyrinth of towering, half-timbered structures, reaching three to five stories, crowds the landscape, leaving scant room for greenery. The city's verticality presses inward, a testament to its age and the necessity of space. Moonshadow Hall, the resplendent temple of Selûne, pierces the city's heart, a beacon amidst the stone and timber. Though its population has fluctuated wildly, from near 100,000 to a mere fraction, Yhaunn remains a vital, if cramped, hub of Sembian life, its ancient stones whispering tales of resilience and enduring faith.
Zhentil Keep Ruins
Zhentil Keep, a scarred testament to past grandeur, looms over the Moonsea, a fractured shadow of its former might. Once the heart of the Zhentarim's power, its shattered walls and ruined towers whisper tales of the devastating Shadowbane War. Now, the remnants of the Black Network claw back at the rubble, rebuilding amidst the skeletal remains of the once-proud city. Patches of new construction rise alongside crumbling stone, a chaotic blend of old and new, reflecting the Zhentarim's tenacious grip on the region. The air hangs thick with the scent of ash and the promise of dark ambition, as the Keep slowly, but surely, rises again, a dangerous foothold in a treacherous land.