Ulgarth

Ulgarth was a fertile kingdom located east of Durpar in southeast Faerûn.

Foreigners not familiar with the region were unaware that the realm existed and believed that the land it occupied was simply part of the vast grasslands of the Utter East. In truth, Ulgarth occupied an area off the coast of the Great Sea just before the plains of the Utter East began. With the Five Kingdoms, it acted as a buffer between Faerûn, Kara-Tur and Zakhara.

Climate
Ulgarth's close proximity to the Raurin desert directly to the north made the country very hot, but sharing most of the rest of its borders with the Golden Water and the Great Sea mitigated the temperature, not to mention the almost daily rainfall.

History
Founded during the height of the Raurin empire, Ulgarth suffered through the barbarism the other surviving states of the empire did. However, in 348 DR, Mulhorandi outlaws fleeing from justice settled the area and began to grow crops and raise families with the natives who decided to settle down with these newcomers and give up their constant fighting. They developed a caste system that, over time, changed into a feudal monarchy. Ulgarth really began to grow when peace was declared between itself and Durpar in 1002 DR and trade between Ulgarth and the prosperous merchants of Durpar began.

Government
Ulgarth consisted of six baronies whose leaders all reported directly to the king in Orvyltar. The barons had complete autonomy over their realms except in the case of war or justice, where they could only pronounce sentences on the peasantry and free men. Any nobles and/or appeals were presided over by men in the king's employ known as the king's justices.

Trade
Since Ulgarth was surrounded on almost all sides by either empty land or water, most of its trade came from its neighbor and former enemy, Durpar. Durpar's wily merchants tended to get the best in any deal Ulgarth made with them, but so far, the Ulgarthans staved off Durpar's secret objective of gaining control over Ulgarth's economy. Ulgarth produced most of the items that Durpar traded to its more distant trading partners. In turn, Ulgarth imported Durpar's more exotic items.

Ulgarth was the only place in the world that produced the rare spice mingari and used that monopoly to its advantage. Mingari was in great demand in Durpar and by 1358 DR it had begun to be introduced to the rest of Faerûn.

Through Durpar, Ulgarth also traded with the other nations of the Shining Lands.

Defense
Each of the six baronies supplied troops to Ulgarth's army as well as the king's own army. Together, these seven fighting forces were considered enough to defend against any invasion from the barbarian lands to the east, Dambrath, or one of the nations of the Shining Lands. The border between Ulgarth and Durpar was still incredibly heavily fortified, despite nearly four hundred years of peace between the two countries.

The general of the nation's combined military was Sinveri Trollkin, a renegade elf from Dambrath. Although one of her grandparents was a drow, Sinveri was a devout follower of Tyr and ably led the armies of the country.

Only one soldier, Landswith Meilin, was renowned for wearing metal armor as the temperatures in Ulgarth could make such an act fatal. Even leather armor was uncommon among the knights of the realm, owing to the uncomfortable heat wearing it produced.

Religion
The chief deity of Ulgarth was Torm. Ulgarth was a feudal monarchy with many knights, therefore, Torm, being the patron of knights, was a logical choice for the country's main faith. The largest temple in Ulgarth was located in the capital Orvyltar, where the king himself prayed.

Other popular deities were Tymora and Lathander, the clergies of whom had excellent relations with those of Torm.

Ulgarth also tolerated many other non-evil gods.

Customs
The population of Ulgarth was primarily human; however, all good races were welcome, though elves and gnomes drew some attention from passers-by. Goblinoids, on the other hand, were usually killed on sight. This was especially relevant considering the rumors being spread of an orc horde preparing to sweep down from the Dustwall Mountains.

The feudal system could be restrictive, a relic of the former caste system employed here. Only valor on the battlefield was enough to make a serf into a free man. Despite this, the peasantry believed life in Ulgarth to be the best life there could be. They fervently espoused the notion that any man could rise above his station and that his success or failure was an accurate representation of his ability. In addition, peasants were treated better than in most feudal societies. The nobility all agreed on the opinion that every citizen of their country was important to its safety.

Those with skill-at-arms were always in high demand. Nobles trained themselves in swordplay and no one was restricted from carrying a weapon. Retired adventurers were especially sought after to train younger generations.

Those with money spent it. The rich were surrounded by luxury, even produce imported from Maztica was taken for granted. Wealthy women spent entire fortunes on clothes simply to outdo one another. Women also almost universally streaked their dark hair with a chalky substance called fiertallin, making hairdressing the most well-paid job a peasant could do.

All men shaved regularly. To have facial hair was considered by all to be a mark of being a peasant as you obviously could afford shaving equipment. Having a beard in the heat of Ulgarth could be quite uncomfortable also.