Thar

Thar, also known as the Great Gray Land, was a rocky, broken moor stretching for hundreds of miles with a harsh climate north of the Moonsea. It was inhabited by wild tribes of humanoids such as orcs and ogres that were constantly at war with one another.

Description
The vast steppes of Thar were bleak and barren, that was considered by many to be wholly uninhabitable. While the rough and hard terrain made it difficult to effectively settle, it also offered resiliency against some of its more savage and destructive inhabitants.

Geography
It was situated west of the Cold Lands on the far side of the Earthspur Mountains,

Flora & Fauna
Among the more monstrous beasts found in Thar included bulettes, ibrandlin, leucrotta manticores, perytons, and worgs. While Thar was famous for the savage ogres, or "beast men" as they were called, it was also home to savage tribes of orcs, bands of goblins that served as their slaves, and the orc-ogre crossbreed known as orogs.

While large prey animals such as deer were not common in Thar, many smaller rodents such as mice, voles, and rabbits thrived in its grasslands. Above them in the food chain were smaller predators such as foxes and wolves, along with predatory birds like kestrels, shrikes, falcons, and the magnificent steppe eagle.

It was the home of the Tharurr breed of horse, the name meaning "Thar's horse" in the giant language.

Religion
The worship of Vaprak was predominant among the ogre tribes of Thar, as they believed tolerating his cruelty would allow them the strength to rule over the land once more.

Trade
Despite its reputation as a dismal wasteland, a number of important caravan routes crisscrossed across the plains of Thar. Adventurers, scouts, and guides were regularly found accompanying these caravans to ensure safe passage.

History
From to, the region that would eventually be known as Thar was part of the minotaur kingdom of Grong-Haap, ruled by Haask, Voice of Hargut, during which time the region enjoyed a comparatively high level of civilization.

In the, Vorbyx founded the humanoid kingdom of Thar.

In the, humanoid forces from Thar attacked and destroyed Northkeep, sinking it below the waves of the Moonsea.

In the, a kingdom in Thar of the same name was established by humans, when Beldoran slew Maulog the last Tharkul of the humanoid kingdom of Thar.

In the, the human kingdom of Thar came to an end, triggered by ogres overrunning the city of Phlan.

When the Flight of Dragons occurred in the, many rampaging dragons flew south from Thar and wreaked havoc on the lands of the Moonsea.

Notable Locations

 * Fangjaws Hold: The lair of the Skullsmashers tribe of ogres, located in the hills in central Thar.
 * Hulburg: A small city on the southeastern edge of Thar.
 * Melvaunt: This city lay near the mouth of the Tormel River, which flowed from a lake in central Thar.
 * Rosestone Abbey: A ruined abbey near Hulburg dedicated to the worship of Amaunator.
 * Xûl Jarak: An ancient orc citadel containing a passage to the Underdark.

Inhabitants
The many humanoid tribes of Thar carried out attacks on caravans heading to or from Glister, the camps in the Galenas foothills, or villages in the Stojanow Vale. In an attempt to keep them in check and bring stability to the area, lords and merchants were known to enter into agreements with the tribes to encourage them not to attack, but these agreements broke down easily. Scouts, hired adventuring companies, and the barbarians of the Ride also ventured into Thar to hunt these tribes and destroy any creatures they encountered.

Notable Locations
The lich Aesperus controlled the undead of eastern Thar.

Organizations
There were several tribes in Thar, including the Burning Daggers, fanatical orc worshipers of Kossuth; the Skullsmashers, a fierce tribe of ogres; and the Red Claws, a goblinoid horde.

Inhabitants
Ogre tribes in Thar were named after aspects of their ancient kingdom, such as the Jade Skull, Falling Star, and Crystal Sphere tribes. Prominent orc tribes included the Skullsmashers, Red Claws, Manslayers, and Black Spears.

A group known as the Thay Rangers operated throughout Thay, looking our for the interests of foreign travelers and financial holdings.

Notable Inhabitants

 * Okkmog, chieftain of the Jade Skulls.
 * Orinskar, the ogre barbarian dragon cultist.

Climate
Thar was bleak and windy, and was highly unsuitable for growing crops.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * The Ring of Winter
 * Video Games
 * Neverwinter Nights: Tyrants of the Moonsea
 * Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford
 * Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford
 * Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford