Unapproachable East.pdf - The Forgotten Realms

disciplined mercenary companies. These mercenaries abide by
a long-standing, relatively strict set of standards that prevent
dishonorable actions, such as changing sides in the middle of
a conflict or refusing to fight unless their employers come up
with more money. The mercenary companies also have a tradition
of negotiating with one another before a battle to see
if a show of force will suffice. Numerous conflicts between
Thesk’s cities have turned into little more than martial parades:
The captains of both sides determine who would have won in
open battle and report the results to their employers.
For the most part, the cities of Thesk stand together in a defensive
league. A Thayan attack against Tammar, for example,
would bring the armies of Telflamm, Phsant, and Two Stars
to their neighbor’s defense. Theskians may not have much of
a martial tradition, but they can hire a lot of help (including
sorcerers, wizards, and intelligent monsters) to fight a major
war. When the professional forces are insufficient to meet the
threat, Theskian towns muster numbers of well-armed militia.
Thesk is a plutocracy, not a democracy, but its folk are willing
to fight for the freedom and opportunities they do possess.
The typical Theskian soldier is an experienced mercenary,
mounted and equipped with the best arms and armor he can
afford. Thesk’s defenses have been strengthened of late by the
addition of thousands of orc warriors, many of whom serve in
the armies and mercenary companies of the cities. The orcs may
be less reliable than human soldiers, but they live for battle.
RELIGION
It’s said that the people of Thesk worship only coins, but this
is patently not true. In fact, most Theskians are extremely
generous with their contributions to the gods, tending to favor
several deities over one. Merchants like to cover all the bases,
ensuring that most of the deities they recognize are happy
with them. Waukeen, Tymora, and Shaundakul are all popular
in Thesk, as these deities oversee commerce, fortune, and
travel, respectively.
Few Theskians openly worship evil gods, although those
willing to use any means to get ahead find Cyric’s church compelling.
The one great exception to this is Mask. Just about
everyone in Thesk ends up contributing to the priests of Mask
by allowing the Shadowmasters a cut of their earnings,
whether they realize it or not. Those who choose not to contribute
voluntarily are quite often required to pay later.
Adventurers
Adventurers are welcome in Thesk. There are plenty of dangerous
jobs to be had—from poking around in ancient ruins
to escorting caravans across the country—and never enough
brave souls ready to undertake them at a reasonable price. The
Theskians recall the role of adventurers in terminating the
drive of the Tuigan Horde, and they respect the power of
high-level adventurers. They try to get into the good graces
of such people, hoping this investment of time and friendship
will pay off in the future.
THESK
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Thesk itself has only a few locations appropriate for a traditional
dungeon delve, but it makes a great base of operations
for an ambitious party willing to hire out its services to a
wealthy benefactor.
Politics and Power
Thesk is more accurately described as a league of allied cities
than as a single, unified realm. Founded more than 400 years
ago by Impilturan merchants, the land retains its commercial
character to this day. The realm is a true oligarchy: Councils
of merchants govern each of its towns and cities, and the country
as a whole is governed by the Council of Thesk, composed
of the speakers, lords, or chairpersons of each of the civic councils.
Appointment to a city’s merchant council requires wealth,
station, and success. However, the folk of Thesk place little
stock in old bloodlines or musty titles—anyone with ambition,
drive, and a little luck can aspire to the ruling elite.
Thesk’s cities are associated only loosely, and no central
government binds them under a common law or authority.
Each is free to do as it sees fit and is expected to look after
its own defense, law, and prosperity. The oligarchs of one
town usually extradite wanted criminals to their neighbors,
but not always, especially if the person in question is a pillar
of their own community. From time to time, mercantile rivalries
between cities break out into open fighting, but the
folk of Thesk have no stomach for long and ruinous wars.
Mercenaries contest the issue until one side or the other holds
a clear advantage, and then the losing side knuckles under and
makes peace.
History of Thesk
Once an empty land settled by colonists from old Impiltur,
Thesk remains thinly populated in many spots. Although the
cities of Thesk have been independent of Impiltur for more
than two centuries, they have yet to forge a true nation under
one government.
800 Homesteaders from Impiltur settle the eastern
to 850 shores of the Easting Reach and push inland south of
the Forest of Lethyr.
917 Year of the Winding Road: Windyn Balindre, an
Impilturan merchant, pioneers the route of the
Golden Way to Kara-Tur.
920 Year of Great Riches: Balindre returns from Kara-Tur
laden with silks and spices. He organizes the Royal
Company of Shou-Lung, obtaining a charter from
Lyrabar’s ruler.
925 Year of the Enchanted Trail: The Royal Company
founds a series of outposts along the route that will
become the Golden Way.
926 Year of the Fearless Peasant: Windyn Balindre
moves his company’s operations from Lyrabar to the