Unapproachable East.pdf - The Forgotten Realms

Major Geographic
Features
From its rocky shores to the heart of the Yuirwood, Aglarond
is a land that defines its people as much as they define it. Its
isolation and its long history of sieges by Thay have made the
once-trusting Aglarondan people suspicious of outlanders—
anyone could be an agent of their hated enemy. As the edges
of the Yuirwood recede, Aglarondans have become exposed to
the scrutiny of the outer world, forcing them to interact more
with those from without.
Altumbel
To most people, all of the Aglarondan peninsula is one land,
but not to those who live in Altumbel. When Aglarond was
formed many centuries ago, after long years of war, humans
and half-elves agreed to share power in the form of a council
of locally appointed leaders led by a king. A number of
humans were too bitter from the wars to lay aside their animosity.
Rather than become part of this new nation, they set
out for the far western end of the peninsula, claiming it as
their own.
In addition to the narrow cape at the end of the Aglarondan
peninsula, Altumbel includes the mazelike archipelago of
the Thousand Swords. Most of these islets are desolate and
rocky, covered with low scrub and lichen, but some are fairly
large. Ghevden, the largest, is more than thirty miles wide and
is home to several populous villages of fishers, herders, and
merchants. One-third of Altumbel’s people live scattered over
the barren Swords. Pirates harry the islands, but many hail
from the Swords themselves—raiding one’s neighbors is something
of a local tradition.
Altumbel and its archipelago are almost entirely devoid of
woods. The people here don’t care for trees, which remind
them of the Yuirwood’s half-elves. Most make their living
from the sea, either netting fish or trapping shellfish. The
land is rocky and unforgiving, not much good for farming, although
some sheltered dells are suitable for gardening. These
sun-warmed and wind-protected valleys usually have springs
and the occasional cave.
Altumbel boasts a history of harboring pirates, daring (or
foolhardy) characters who knew the lay of the reefs beneath
the sea and used them to confound less knowledgeable pursuers.
In fact, Spandeliyon, the capital of the region, is still
known as the City of Pirates. These days, however, the Simbul’s
harsh punishment of pirates has put the lie to that name. Few
dare to brave the lady’s wrath, even in a city so far from her
home in Velprintalar.
Beyond the rocky, fog-cloaked northern shores of Altumbel—and
all Aglarond, in fact—the sea quickly drops off into
a deep trench. The seasonal upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich
waters make this place a fisher’s paradise.
AGLAROND
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Dragonjaw Mountains
The Dragonjaws separate Aglarond from Thesk to the north.
While relations between the two countries are generally fine,
both are happy to have a bit of distance between them. For
Aglarond, the Dragonjaw Mountains are another natural defense
against the forces of Thay or other invaders, preventing
armies from crossing the River Umber or the Sea of
Dlurg. The northern coastal settlements face only a few small
fishing villages across the watery gap, hugging the sheer faces
of slopes that drop rapidly into the sea.
Only the Tannath Mountains and the Tannath Gap—both
described later—are considered part of Aglarond. The rest of
the mountains belong solidly to Thesk.
THE WATCHWALL
This massive, magically engineered length of stone wall
stretches from the fortress city of Glarondar to the slopes of
Umbergoth. This extends the defensive barrier of the
Dragonjaw Mountains another fifteen miles, up to a rocklike
fortification containing one-third of Aglarond’s armed forces.
The galeb duhrs—a race of earth elementals—built the wall
during the reign of King Brindor, the first ruler of Aglarond.
In exchange, the king pledged the aid of his people whenever
the galeb duhrs might call for it. So far they have not, but
if the Thayans ever turn their attention to this secretive
people, the Simbul would be obliged to come to their rescue,
no matter the potential cost.
The Watchwall is 30 feet high and 10 feet thick. It is seamless
(Climb DC 25) and features no gates or windows. Wide
stairs are carved into the Aglarond side of the wall every
quarter-mile or so, and the guards atop the wall—known as the
Watchers—carry rope to lower themselves down in case of
emergency. They sometimes throw a rope down to visitors
on the Thayan side, but only to those confirmed as friends
of Aglarond.
Units of the Aglarondan army stationed at Glarondar
patrol the length of the Watchwall at all times, staring out
across the desolate Umber Marshes. Recently they’ve observed
a number of shambling mounds staring back, but the creatures
have taken no further step toward the wall, watching quietly
even as the occasional lost unit of undead Thayan soldiers
makes a mad attack. Thayan diplomats explain away these incidents
as regrettable but understandable; the Red Wizards created
thousands of such creatures, many of which went missing
after the latest round of hostilities.
Guard barracks are set up on the Aglarondan side of the
wall, one at each mile marker. When not on patrol, the
Watchwall’s soldiers rest here, preparing for the call to arms
they know must inevitably come. Whether it happens sooner
or later is anyone’s guess.