Tuern

Tuern (pronounced TOORN) is an island in the Frozenfar in the Trackless Sea, far to the west of Faerûn. It is a rocky island of black beaches and fuming volcanoes, but is very fertile.

Climate
Although classed as a subarctic climate, Tuern is somewhat warmed by the coastal current.

People & Culture
Tuern is inhabited largely by Northmen. The people of the island are known as "Tuernish". Though they worship no gods (and often deny their existence), they hold great reverence for the red dragons that dwell in the mountains. Their longships are big enough to house giants (and frequently do), and are decorated with figureheads depicting fierce warriors. A typical Tuernish crew consists of over a hundred warriors. The Tuernish despise magic, and its usage is punishable by death. Clerics are treated with disdain, and even Northmen shaman find little respect among the Tuernish. Other non-Northmen and non-humans only find respect if their skill in battle is obvious.

The volcanic conditions also make Tuern an ideal home for both fire giants and red dragons. Though the fire giants have their own enormous longships, they rarely raid further than Gundarlun.

Locations
Tuern's largest settlement is Uttersea, a town built into the side of a collapsed volcanic caldera; the caldera's walls shield the town from all but the harshest weather. Heat from below the caldera warms both the town and the bay, sometimes to the point of boiling. As a result, it is home to creatures such as giant octopi that would otherwise not survive so far north.

Other notable locations:
 * Flame Fault, a deep crevasse in the western mountains, home to a trio of red dragons.
 * Throne Rock, fortress of High Artificer Fizmorayen Fitzmoran, exiled clerif of Gond.

Economics
Though conditions on Tuern are harsher than the other islands in the Frozenfar, the Tuernish are wealthier by far than the other Northmen; the volcanic activity produces both enormous diamonds and pure adamantite ore.

Government
Tuern was ruled by five Northmen kings, who recognized High King Threlked Ironfist of Uttersea as their liege.

Militia
Each king commanded a small handful of longships, each crewed by 50 warriors and archers.

History
Tuern was colonized by Northmen sailing from the coast of the mainland.

Illuskans from Gundarlun and Tuern later invaded the Moonshae Isles. In the Year of the Thousand Snows, 256 DR, the Ffolk surrendered the northern isles to the invaders.